Autumn Fair has unveiled the first details of its 2026 content programme, including the launch of its new Counter Talks Stage: a dedicated platform designed to tackle the issues, trends, and commercial realities shaping modern independent retail.
The new content offering has been built in response to the findings of the recently launched Voices of Retail 2026 report by Spring & Autumn Fair and Faire, which surveyed 650 independent retailers and more than 2,000 UK consumers.
The report highlighted some of the biggest challenges currently facing retailers, including rising retail crime, changing consumer behaviour, the growing importance of experience-led retail, the pressure on margins, and the increasing need for stronger storytelling, community-building, and digital engagement.
Designed to reflect these conversations, the Counter Talks Stage will bring together leading voices from across retail, social media, visual merchandising, technology, business strategy, and licensing for a series of free-to-attend talks and workshops.
Speakers announced so far include:
● John Abbate, economic growth lead for high streets, Westminster City Council and online visual merchandising tutor at SDEA
● Alison Battisby, founder of Avocado Social
● Andrew Goodacre, CEO of the British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA), and superintendent Lisa Maslen of the National Business Crime Centre, City of London Police
● Steve Manners, UK managing director of Licensing International
● Elyse McAvoy, industry & trends expert at Faire
● Ami Rabheru, founder of Retail Huddle
Autumn Fair’s Pitch Live competition will also return for 2026 with a new morning time slot, giving shortlisted brands and winners greater visibility and more time to capitalise on buyer interest throughout the day.
Matthew Mein, event director at Autumn Fair & Glee, said: “The conversations happening across retail right now are changing quickly, and independent retailers are under pressure to adapt across everything from consumer expectations and digital marketing to operational costs and retail crime.
“What we wanted to create with the Counter Talks Stage was something genuinely practical and commercially useful – a space where retailers can hear directly from experts tackling the challenges they’re facing every day and leave with ideas they can immediately apply to their business.
“The Voices of Retail report made it clear that the retailers succeeding today are those investing in experience, storytelling, community, and adaptability. This year’s content programme has been built around exactly those themes.”
Alongside Autumn Fair, co-located show Glee will also launch an expanded content programme for 2026 focused on the future of garden retail, hospitality, and operational growth.
The programme will feature sessions with leading industry names including David Robinson, chief executive of Dobbies Garden Centres, George Hillier, chairman of Hillier Nurseries, and Sam Dickson, managing director of Squires Garden Centres.
Both Autumn Fair and Glee will also introduce The Clubhouse: new retreat spaces designed to give buyers a dedicated environment to meet, recharge, and network away from the show floor.
Autumn Fair 2026 takes place from September 6 to September 9 at the NEC Birmingham. Glee 2026 takes place from September 8 to September 10 at the NEC Birmingham.
To register, visit www.autumnfair.com and www.gleebirmingham.com