Autumn leaves optimism
Exhibitors and retailers put on another great show of strength at Autumn
Fair International (AFI) 2010, which took place at the NEC Birmingham
from September 5 – 8.
A major investment in marketing and ramped up promotional activity
ensured that visitor numbers were up significantly on every day of the
show, with final footfall figures reportedly 9% higher than last year at
31,340. This is the highest attendance at AFI since 2006.
This builds on the success of AFI 2009 and Spring Fair International 2010 - which both saw a rise in visitor numbers - and bodes well for both the crucial Christmas trading period and spring 2011.
Amongst the many thousands of leading independent retailers, AFI also welcomed hordes of majors and multiples, including: Argos, Asda, Bentalls, Beales, BHS, Claire’s Accessories, Clinton Cards, Debenhams, Dunelm Mill, Dwell, Express Gifts, Fenwick, Fortnum & Mason, Garden & Leisure Group, H Samuel, Hamleys, Harrods, Hobbycraft, House of Fraser, Jarrold, John Lewis, Lakeland, Littlewoods, Notcutts, Poundland, Sainsbury’s, Scotts & Co, Selfridges, Tesco, Waitrose and Waterstones.
The show also attracted a large contingent of international buyers from 76 countries. 6.5 per cent more visitors from overseas attended the show compared with last year.
Commenting on the final day of the event, managing director Louise Young said: “We raised the bar yet again for Autumn Fair this year and the result was an extremely strong transactional event for the great majority of suppliers who took part. Our exhibitors pulled out all the stops to help retailers gain that crucial edge in a competitive market”.
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