Autumn Fair is launching Global Handicraft at the 2018 exhibition, an eclectic showcase of artisan products from across the world.
The £3billion UK craft industry is growing by 4.5% a year, and the artisanal trend has become a key feature of the home and gift market globally too.
Global Handicraft at Autumn Fair 2018 will see manufacturers feature bespoke ranges from jewellery to fine ceramics, and exotic textiles to quirky lighting, allowing retailers the opportunity to be the first to stock the unique and rare products.
The showcase, which will run for the full length of Autumn Fair at NEC Birmingham from 2-5 September 2018 will also feature live demonstrations by talented craftspeople, and seminars for retailers on how to take advantage of the booming handicraft market.
Louise Young, the managing director of Spring and Autumn Fair at Ascential Events, said: “Consumers have made it clear they want to connect with the products they buy, and know how they were created and the story behind their purchases. With this new section, buyers can get their hands on products that are handmade, inspiring and steeped in culture, and get their orders in ahead of the competition.
“Global trend forecaster, WGSN, has been tracking this trend for a long time and they also predict it will become increasingly important across all interiors categories in the seasons to come.Autumn Fair is retailers’ gateway to the golden quarter and key retail spikes such as Easter and Mother’s Day. The show is perfectly timed for short orders and the key holiday selling period, as well as giving retailers the chance to be the first to see and order products for 2019. Handicraft is a growing source of revenue across the industry, from independent gift retailers to multi-store high street retailers.”
With shoppers more in-tune with global environmental and social issues, the UK’s handicraft industry often presents buyers with the ethically and ecologically conscious merchandise that consumers now demand.
The new Global Handicraft section will be a permanent fixture of both Autumn and Spring Fairs over their respective four and five-day running periods. The events are due to take place between 2-5 September 2018 and 3-7 February 2019 at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre.
