Autumn Fair unveils first speakers for new Counter Talks Stage ahead of September show

Autumn Fair has announced the first speakers for its new Counter Talks Stage, a free-to-attend talks and workshops programme for independent retailers.

The programme was informed by the Voices of Retail 2026 report, produced by Spring & Autumn Fair and wholesale platform Faire, which surveyed 650 independent retailers and more than 2,000 UK consumers.

The report highlighted rising retail crime, pressure on margins, shifting consumer behaviour, and the growing need for digital engagement and in-store experience as key challenges for operators.

Among the consumer findings, 96% of those surveyed said they want more independent shops on their high street, while 90% said AI has made them more likely to want to view products in person and speak to a real expert.

The confirmed line-up covers five areas directly linked to these research findings.

John Abbate, Economic Growth Lead for High Streets at Westminster City Council and online visual merchandising tutor at the SDEA, will lead sessions on store design and customer engagement. Abbate brings more than two decades of experience shaping retail environments for brands including Ralph Lauren, Levi’s and Alfred Dunhill.

Alison Battisby, founder of Avocado Social, will focus on turning social media into footfall and sales. Battisby has spent more than 15 years working with brands including John Lewis, Tesco and Estée Lauder on digital growth.

Andrew Goodacre, CEO of the British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA), and Superintendent Lisa Maslen of the National Business Crime Centre at the City of London Police will appear together in a session on retail crime. The pair will discuss shoplifting, abuse against retail staff and practical steps to protect stores and profitability.

Steve Manners, UK Managing Director of Licensing International, will explain how licensing works as a growth tool for retailers of all sizes. Elyse McAvoy, Industry and Trends Expert at Faire, will present consumer insights, buying behaviours,and product trends drawn from the Voices of Retail report and Faire’s wholesale platform data.

Matthew Mein, Event Director at Autumn Fair & Glee, said: "What we wanted to create with the Counter Talks Stage was something genuinely practical and commercially useful, a space where retailers can hear directly from experts tackling the challenges they're facing every day and leave with ideas they can immediately apply to their business."

Autumn Fair runs 6-9 September 2026 at the NEC Birmingham.