The Top Drawer S/S26 trade fair is set to open its doors at Olympia London from 11 to 13 January 2026, bringing together the UK’s design-led brands, retailers and industry influencers for three days of discovery, commerce, networking and insight.
Now established as the leading destination for independent and speciality retail sourcing, Top Drawer’s “Fast FWD to Design” theme signals a forward-looking programme that blends curated product showcases with commercial insight and trend foresight. The show’s organisers report significant growth in exhibitor numbers and sector diversity, reflecting strong demand from both established buyers and new entrants to the market.
More than 550 contemporary exhibitors will present across seven curated sectors, including Home, Gift, Fashion, Wellbeing, Play, Greetings & Stationery, and Launchpad, an area dedicated to emerging designers and makers, according to the organisers. They say around 26 per cent of exhibitors are new to the show, while key categories such as PLAY, Home and Fashion are experiencing double-digit growth compared with previous editions.
For retail buyers, Top Drawer delivers a blend of trend insights, practical workshops and live pitches as part of its expanded content offering. The Retail Revealed Live stage returns with future-facing talks and expert panels, while The Social Studio, a new addition for 2026, provides hands-on sessions aimed at helping brands refine their digital and social media strategies.
The Headline Speaker this season is Nick Robertson, Co-Founder of ASOS, who is bringing a high-profile perspective on scaling an international online fashion brand; his session is expected to include insights into customer behaviour, strategy, and the future of retail growth.
Speakers who will focus on Retail Strategy and Innovation are Hanan Tantush, Founder & Creative Director, Intotum on co-designing with disabled communities shapes adaptive fashion and inclusive product development; and Kate & Lyns, Co-founders, Buying & Beyond, who will feature in the Buying & Beyond Podcast LIVE, exploring how AI can support smarter retail operations and merchandising.
On the topic of Brand Building, Marketing and Social Media, speakers Kirsty Raper and Andie McDowell, Co-founders, Reels Rockstars will share practical guidance on avoiding common pitfalls when using Reels and other short-form formats. Aggie Meroni, Founder of White Bee Digital, is a Specialist in creative digital advertising and will lead discussions on simple ad creatives and platform strategies.
Other speakers include Andrea Rainsford, Creator, Buyology who will explore the psychology of buyer behaviour, helping retailers understand what drives purchase decisions; Priscilla Pollara, Founder & PR Coach of Top Trick to address how founders can communicate clearly about their business to better engage customers and media. Alice Loveday, Founder, Loveday Social will host a hands-on Social Studio masterclass to demonstrate real-time content creation for social platforms with attendee participation, while Cara Bendon, Brand Consultant, will speak on differentiating a brand in crowded markets and building iconic positioning.
A particularly notable feature for this season is Product Pitch, developed in partnership with Retail Huddle and co.lective Pop-Up. This live pitching event gives selected exhibitors the opportunity to present directly to industry judges in front of a live audience — a format organisers describe as bringing investment-style energy to a traditional trade fair setting.
Trend forecasting remains a core component of the show’s draw. Working with The Better Trends Co., Top Drawer will showcase season-defining insights that translate emerging aesthetic and consumer shifts into commercially relevant guidance for buyers.
Industry leaders have welcomed the return of Top Drawer, emphasising its value as a sourcing platform that combines creative discovery with serious buying opportunities. According to prior show data, previous editions have attracted a substantial increase in high-budget buyers and international attendance, underlining the event’s growing global relevance.
Top Drawer S/S26 also offers structured networking and business support through the Business Hub, where attendees can access mentoring, strategy sessions and expert advice tailored to independent and design-focused retailers.
Organisers expect the January edition to set the tone for retail buying and design trends entering the Spring/Summer 2026 season, reinforcing Top Drawer’s reputation as an essential fixture in the UK retail calendar.
Images from Top Drawer
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