28 March 2024, 09:47
By Furniture News Nov 08, 2019

Autumn Fair unveils new furniture focus

In response to "strong market growth", UK home and gift industry event Autumn Fair will introduce The Furniture Collection, a platform for mid- to high-end furniture, at next year's edition.

The Furniture Collection will join the show's established Living Accents & Décor sector for its 30th anniversary, following continued investment from organiser Hyve Group.

Described as "a new destination for retailers, interior designers, contract buyers, hospitality professionals and architects", The Furniture Collection was developed to meet demand from around three quarters of Autumn Fair's 2019 visitors, which expressed an interest in sourcing home decor, furniture, textiles or soft furnishings.

With a growing number of interior designers and hospitality buyers attending the show (+47% and +19% YoY, respectively), the new sector aims to help buyers source products that start conversations, transform social settings and bring life to rooms. Established show favourites such as Coach House will rub shoulders with emerging brands and established names including One World, Libra, Hill Interiors, Gallery, Parlane, Light & Living, Febland, Distinction Contracts, Wilde Java, 55 South Luxury Interiors and more.

Gareth Watkins, head of sales for Living, Accents and Décor at Spring & Autumn Fair, says: “Furniture’s pivotal role in our ever-evolving lives continues to strengthen, driven in part by social media posting and amplified across broadcast channels. The sector has become particularly exciting as a result of consumer willingness to shape their own interiors with statement pieces, following in the footsteps of our changing social, work and living spaces. We felt it was crucial to recognise this as part of Autumn Fair, hence the launch of The Furniture Collection.

“Autumn Fair is perfectly positioned for the three busiest months of the retail calendar. Through The Furniture Collection, buyers will have the chance to explore in-stock products they can get out on the shopfloor immediately, and 2021 launches they may wish to add to their portfolios for the following year.”

“We have seen a boom in furniture and homewares spend in the past five years, that goes above and beyond the incremental increase in house purchases. Given the limitations on the housing market, we are also seeing more consumers settling in rented accommodation, resulting in an increase in rental market spend on furnishings and interiors.

“The Furniture Collection represents a unique opportunity to connect and exhaust the opportunities that the buoyant furniture industry represents.”

Autumn Fair 2020 will take place on the Atrium side of Birmingham’s NEC from 6-9th September.

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