Autumn Fair International 2012 got under way yesterday, and, as is usual for the show's Sunday, saw an influx of independents.
Organiser i2i Events Group, which is a division of Emap, said that thousands of shop owners has chosen the event as their seasonal product-sourcing platform, seeking both lines for this Christmas and for spring/summer 2013.

The show, which runs at Birmingham's NEC until Wednesday September 5, has some 1,500 exhibitors across a range of product categories that include kitchen, dining and housewares, home interiors, gifts, and hobbies and crafts.

Special features include the Cook Live! demonstration area within the Kitchen, Dining & Housewares sector in Hall 2, where celebrity chef James Nathan will today be appearing on behalf of knife specialist IO Shen. Anthea Turner also promises to Get Britain Crafting at the new Craft Demo area.

The Talking Point seminar theatre is also drawing crowds to hear presentations by people including Robert Dyas visual merchandiser Janine Tanner and Steve Emecz of Powa Technologies, explaining how retailers can start selling online in less than 30 minutes. GfK's Andrew Phipps will also be giving an insight into the performance of key homewares categories.

For full details of the seminar programme and show in general visit www.autumnfair.com