15 September 2025
Independent fashion store The Dressing Room was among Bira members attending this year’s Autumn Fair, the UK’s leading home, gift, fashion and garden retail event, which welcomed thousands of retailers and saw record exhibitor growth.
The show, held at the NEC Birmingham, reported a 16% increase in total exhibitors and a 38% rise in new exhibitors, with more than 800 brands showcasing thousands of products and over 30% of exhibitors exclusive to Autumn Fair.
Autumn Fair 2025
As part of the show’s new Retail Makeover Mission, Deryane Tadd of The Dressing Room, an independent fashion retailer based in St Albans, spent the day mentoring competition winner Katie Gibbs, owner of OSO Boutique, alongside other retail experts.
Deryane said: “I have loved being a part of the Retail Mission Task Team. I have found it really inspiring and enjoyed working with Katie and her team and understanding the challenges they are facing. It has been an insightful process and a joy to see everything we have been working on already having a positive impact.”
Claire Bevan, Head of Retail at the Natural History Museum, was also part of the task team, that were assigned to winning stores following a competition and them an experienced mentor for Autumn Fair in order to earn valuable insights among other benefits.
Claire said: “I've had an amazing time at Autumn Fair, I've caught up with some existing suppliers and have found and met some new brands and products. I've been engaging with the Retail Makeover Mission content; it's been really inspiring to look at retail from the High Street view. Coming from a heritage background, seeing new trends coming through across the show and on the stages is fantastic.”
The Retail Makeover Mission was one of many aspects of the show, with live talks at the Retail Corner stage, the Gift of the Year showcase, and immersive activations from major brands including TY UK also part of the event.
Autumn Fair Event Director Soraya Gadelrab said: “Autumn Fair 2025 has truly been a record-breaking event, surpassing our expectations in terms of visitor numbers, order volumes, and overall energy on the show floor. It’s clear that retailers and suppliers alike see the value in coming together here to discover fresh products and build lasting partnerships ahead of the crucial trading season.
Autumn Fair is not just about transactions, it’s about inspiration, education, and creating an experience that empowers retailers long after the show doors close.”
Bira's advocacy takes your voice to the heart of Parliament
Bira is at the forefront of championing the cause of independent traders and shopkeepers across Britain.
Our campaigns cover a wide spectrum of issues crucial to the success of independent traders including:
- Combatting the rising tide of retail crime
- Advocating for changes in legislation that promote fairness and flexibility
- Fighting for fairer business rates
- Overall reducing the regulatory burden
- £1 billion damages claim against Amazon by UK retailers
Catch up on key industry insights with podcast episodes available now
High Street Matters will discuss crucial subjects such as consumer trends, relevant government legislation, business rates, parking and staffing, providing top tips to help to help businesses stay ahead of the retail curve.
We’re talking to a cross section of our members from across the UK, from single retail outlets to small chains, and from large department stores to leisure and hospitality.
Listen to the series, available now.
Latest News
Read more-
Local businesses must have voice in Pride in Place spending decisions
Bira has called for local businesses to be given a say in how Pride in Place funding is spent, as the government announced an £800 million expansion of the community regeneration programme.
-
Independent retailers invited to celebrate Love Your High Street this Valentine's Day
Independent retailers across the UK are being urged to get creative this Valentine's Day as part of Bira's campaign to encourage shoppers to support their local high streets.
-
High streets funding welcome but business rates reform essential for lasting change
Bira has welcomed the government's £150 million investment in high streets but warned that the funding could be undermined without fundamental business rates reform.
-
Over half a million shoplifting offences highlight scale of retail crime crisis
Independent research warning that Labour faces electoral wipeout unless it addresses high street decline has vindicated warnings from retailers, Bira has said.