This year’s Autumn Fair International saw a rise in high spend buyers, organiser i2i Events Group has claimed.
 
The show, which took place from 2 to 5 September at The NEC in Birmingham, reported a 28 per cent increase in attendance from big budget retailers including Selfridges, Fortnum and Mason, Harrods and John Lewis.
 
“It is encouraging to see that despite a climate of negativity, retailers are defying the status quo,” said Autumn Fair International 2012 divisional director Louise Young.
 
“Retailers have had to become nimble to survive these turbulent economic times, and these echoes of optimism reflect a confidence in their continued agility.”
 
A slight drop in attendance of about 1,000 is expected ahead of its official audit, expected later this month. Last year the show attracted 32,223 people.
 
Some 60,000 new products were launched at the trade fair this year, from 1,600 exhibitors, 900 of which are exclusive to Autumn Fair this season.
 
The organiser said its Spring Fair numbers were hit by the inclement economy and weather. The exhibition returns from 3 to 7 February to The NEC.
 
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