Autumn Fair 2026 Agenda

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Discover four days of free retail talks, workshops and expert sessions, all live on the Counter Talks Stage.
 

Think of it as the industry's shop counter. It's where ideas are swapped, connections are made and the conversations that shape next season happen. Expect practical sessions on consumer trends, AI for retail, social media, visual merchandising and smarter buying, led by the people doing it best.
 

Browse the agenda below and pick the sessions worth a front-row seat.

06 Sept 2026
    • New Products
    • Opportunities
    Counter Talks Stage
    Discover the next big thing in fashion retail as emerging brands take to the stage to present innovative, standout collections. From design to commercial retail potential, finalists will pitch their p ...
    • Trends
    • Customer Experience
    • Transformation
    Counter Talks Stage
    Discover the hidden potential within your store with John Abbate, Economic Growth Lead for High Streets at Westminster City Council and Online Visual Merchandising Tutor at SDEA. Drawing on his experi ...
    • Leadership
    • Resilience
    • Customer Experience
    Counter Talks Stage
    PANEL: Building a Business Customers Come Back To
    What makes customers choose one business over another – and keep coming back? Join two inspiring founders from the Buy Women Built community as they share how they've built trust through storytelling, ...
    • Trends
    • Opportunities
    Counter Talks Stage
    Whether it's Bluey, Barbie, Harry Potter or Mickey Mouse, licensed products are everywhere – but many retailers don't fully understand how licensing works, how to get involved, or the opportunities it ...
    • AI & Data
    • Digital Growth
    • Opportunities
    Counter Talks Stage
    Learn to save time and enhance your social media presence by leveraging AI tools to identify trends, build a strategy and create content.
07 Sept 2026
    • New Products
    • Trends
    • Opportunities
    Counter Talks Stage
    Award-winning products don't just generate industry recognition - they help retailers identify standout products with proven consumer appeal. Join us to discover how Gift of the Year, one of the indus ...
    • New Products
    • Opportunities
    Counter Talks Stage
    See the latest homeware and gifting brands pitch products designed to delight customers and drive sales. Finalists will showcase unique concepts, thoughtful design and strong retail credentials as the ...
    • Leadership
    • Resilience
    • Community
    Counter Talks Stage
    Retail crime has become a daily reality for businesses of all sizes. With 77% of retail workers experiencing abuse, 23% facing physical violence and nearly half dealing with incidents every single wee ...
    • Digital Growth
    • Opportunities
    Counter Talks Stage
    TikTok Shop moves fast, and separating lasting strategies from short-term hype can be challenging. This session cuts through the noise. Strategists from Social United, alongside the TikTok Shop team, ...
    • Leadership
    • Transformation
    • Opportunities
    Counter Talks Stage
    There’s no single definition of success in independent retail. But for founders who do want to grow beyond one location and build towards a chain, what does it take to make that leap? SaveTheHighStree ...
    • Profit
    • Trends
    • Digital Growth
    • Opportunities
    Counter Talks Stage
    Online behaviour is changing - and so is the way brands sell. From the ever-evolving world of social media advertising to the rise of live shopping, this session unpacks the trends driving sales today ...
    • AI & Data
    • Digital Growth
    • Opportunities
    Counter Talks Stage
    Develop practical AI skills and discover how to turn everyday business challenges into opportunities for growth and innovation.  
    • Opportunities
    The Clubhouse
    Discover Whatnot, the largest live commerce platform in the UK, U.S. and Europe. Throughout Autumn Fair, Whatnot sellers will go live from The Clubhouse, showing how businesses can connect directly wi ...
08 Sept 2026
    • Trends
    • Digital Growth
    • Opportunities
    Counter Talks Stage
    Driving Digital Growth with Shopify: What Retailers Need to Focus on Today

    In this fireside chat, the Co-Founder of Shopify agency Squashed Pixel shares practical strategies for attracting more customers, converting more shoppers and turning an online presence into a powerful driver of business growth.

     

    • New Products
    • Opportunities
    Counter Talks Stage
    Join a showcase of inventive brands creating products that inspire play, learning and family lifestyles. From educational toys and imaginative games to children's clothing and accessories, finalists w ...
    • Opportunities
    The Clubhouse
    Join Katy and Lynsey, the duo behind the Buying and Beyond podcast and founders of The Buyers Club - a community created especially for retail buyers. Whatever your level, from Buying Admin Assistant ...
    • New Products
    • Trends
    • Digital Growth
    Counter Talks Stage
    Elyse McAvoy, Industry & Trends Expert at Faire, reveals the latest consumer insights, buying behaviors, and product trends set to shape the season ahead. Drawing on the Voices of Retail report, produ ...
    • Digital Growth
    • Customer Experience
    • Transformation
    Counter Talks Stage
    Service platforms have a powerful starting point for commerce: customer trust, recurring demand, and a service experience people already rely on. The challenge is turning that trust into a marketplace ...
    • New Products
    • Resilience
    • Trends
    • Transformation
    • Opportunities
    Counter Talks Stage
    In a world of algorithms, AI and endless scrolling, where do the smartest retailers really find their best ideas? Join the Buying & Beyond live podcast as we explore how leading retailers stay ahead b ...
    • Digital Growth
    • Opportunities
    Counter Talks Stage
    Leverage the best of Google tools to showcase your business online.  
09 Sept 2026
    • Profit
    • New Products
    • Customer Experience
    • Opportunities
    Retail Huddle @ Counter Talks Stage
    More stock doesn't mean more profit. Join Laura for an honest conversation about how independent retailers can plan smarter, buy better and build a seasonal range that genuinely drives bottom line gro ...
    • AI & Data
    • Digital Growth
    • Customer Experience
    • Community
    Retail Huddle @ Counter Talks Stage
    How small, strategic improvements across conversion, retention and customer journey tracking can transform periods of flat or declining sales into scalable growth.  SIGN UP HERE
    • AI & Data
    • Customer Experience
    • Transformation
    • Opportunities
    Retail Huddle @ Counter Talks Stage
    An accessible, hands-on conversation exploring how small and medium-sized businesses can start using AI tools to improve discoverability and sharpen their marketing. From content creation and customer ...
    • New Products
    • Resilience
    • Opportunities
    Retail Huddle @ Counter Talks Stage
    In this session, Ami draws on 20 years as a retail buyer to show you exactly what it takes to land more listings, from how buyers think to what makes a pitch impossible to ignore. Great conversation f ...
    • Trends
    • Customer Experience
    • Transformation
    Retail Huddle @ Counter Talks Stage
    During this workshop I will be sharing my Visual Merchandising expertise to support you with effective product placement and merchandising in-store. Showing you how to maximise your link selling possi ...
    • Leadership
    • Transformation
    • Community
    Retail Huddle @ Counter Talks Stage
    Sustainability isn't just about what you make it's about how you bring your customer along for the journey. In this session Rachel explores how to communicate your sustainability story in a way that r ...
    • Opportunities
    • Community
    Retail Huddle @ Counter Talks Stage
    Pause, connect and continue the conversation. Drop in to meet fellow founders, retailers and buyers, ask questions of our hosts and industry experts, and pick up your Digital SWAG Bag.

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