Autumn Fair and Save The High Street launch £10,000 makeover competition for indies

Autumn Fair, the UK’s largest seasonal showcase for home, gift, beauty and fashion, has joined forces with SaveTheHighStreet.org to launch a £10,000 competition offering independent retailers a "once in a lifetime opportunity to supercharge their business".

Under the title of Retail Makeover Mission, the nationwide competition will offer two independent shop owners a chance to "transform" their business ahead of retail’s peak season.

The campaign is looking for brick-and-mortar businesses across gifting, home and lifestyle, fashion, and garden sectors with strong potential but "facing specific operational challenges".

By applying and taking part in a survey to understand the pressures facing the industry and to help drive positive change, retailers have the chance to receive expert-led support and a complete business makeover, while also becoming part of a nationwide movement championing the future of the high street.

Soraya Gadelrab, Event Director at Autumn Fair, said: "This isn’t just about helping a few shops; it’s about showing what’s possible when the industry comes together to support real businesses.

"Spring & Autumn Fair have been a staple of independent retail buying for years and they are here to help the Great British High Street take its next step - this initiative brings that to life.

"As the UK’s leading retail trade events, we’ve long been a platform for product discovery and industry connection. Retail Makeover Mission in partnership with SaveTheHighStreet.org is about going beyond the buying and actively investing in the future of local retail."

Alex Schlagman, founding partner of SaveTheHighStreet.org, added: "We know it’s not easy out there, costs are rising, footfall is unpredictable, and change is constant. But we also know that independent retailers are resilient, resourceful and central to their communities.

"Through this partnership, we’re not just talking about support, we’re investing in it. Retailers will get access to mentoring, tailored strategy, marketing advice, and a task team of retail experts covering everything from stock flow to financial planning. This is about backing indies with practical help, emotional support and the belief that they can thrive, together."

Winners of the Complete Business Transformation Package, worth over £10,000, will receive:

• Over 20 hours of mentoring in-store from a Personal Retail Expert Task Team comprised of industry leading specialists.
• A dedicated £1,000 buying budget to spend at Autumn Fair (taking place at the NEC in Birmingham on 7-10 September) – new investment to elevate product ranges with expert guidance on high impact selections.
• A store makeover budget with professional transformation of the retail space with hands-on visual merchandising support.
• A VIP trade show experience with premium access to Autumn Fair, complete with travel and accommodation as well as exclusive networking opportunities.
• Three months of premium access to Thriver, a business growth programme powered by SaveTheHighStreet.org with expert coaching and tailored support.
• Industry-wide PR and marketing exposure, with professional coverage and branded assets to showcase the retailer’s transformation journey.

Additionally, it’s not just the competition winners who will benefit, as every retailer who enters the Retail Makeover Mission will get a free retail health check via the Thriver platform, offering practical, data driven insights and step-by-step guidance to help shop owners build resilience, improve operations and grow sustainably.

All entrants will also receive expert created toolkits, providing practical resources and guides developed by the specialist task team - covering everything from visual merchandising to customer retention strategies.

They will also have the opportunity for exclusive one-to-one appointments with retail specialists during Autumn Fair, with access to industry leading advice tailored to specific needs.

Lauren Strivens, Head of Marketing at Spring & Autumn Fair, said: "The Retail Makeover Mission is a powerful expression of our brand values in action. It’s not just a campaign – it’s a commitment to championing independent retailers, celebrating their resilience, and showing the real world impact of strategic support.

"It also represents a clear marketing focus on purposeful storytelling - illustrating how our platform delivers value well beyond the show floor.

"This initiative embodies our ongoing mission to support and future proof the UK retail landscape, ensuring it continues to thrive in a fast changing world."

The Save The High Street organisation sets out to fill vacant spaces anywhere in the UK with a new generation of high street start-ups, online-to-offline retailers and growing local brands.