Ahead of this year’s Autumn Fair, organisers ITE have confirmed that the show will be undergoing a major re-edit and rebrand for 2019.
The exhibition will switch locations within the NEC – from the Piazza to the Atrium – revealing newly organised halls. The new sector adjacencies, aimed at facilitating crossover buying opportunities and improving visitor flow, were based on an analysis of visitors’ primary and secondary product interest.
The new layout will see all gifting categories brought together into Gift in Halls 20, 6, 7, 8 and 9. Additionally, two major boulevards will connect each sector of the show, ensuring buyers’ ‘dwell’ time is maximised.
“Our customers asked us to change the layout of the show, and to also see how we could bring the two separate gift halls together,” explainsLouise Young, managing director of Spring & Autumn Fair. “We listened and are delighted to have achieved that. The response has been beyond what we had expected. To celebrate the re-edit, and as a ‘thank you’ to our loyal customers, we are also offering 2019 square metres of free space. We will be welcoming back our lapsed customers too, with the opportunity to book premium space now.”
Louise continued: “Our strategy is for ‘all of retail’. How people are buying is changing, but how much and what people are buying is not. Following our recent acquisition by ITE, Autumn Fair will see investment in buying programmes to attract more multiples interested in private label, along with a focused strategy for online retailer acquisition. Working with all types of suppliers and buyers we will create a hub for all of retail.”
Further funding will also be made available to target international retailers to support the export market, in addition to continued investment in the independent sector. The rebrand will see Autumn Fair put retailers at the centre, reinforcing its purpose as a market place bringing buyers and sellers together.
Spring and Autumn Fair recently joined ITE Group as part of its acquisition of Ascential Events. The re-edit forms part of the investment and renewed focus ITE set to bring to the well-established brands.
Autumn Fair 2018 takes place at the NEC Birmingham from September 2-5. Visit www.autumnfair.com
Top: Major changes are afoot for Autumn Fair 2019.
