The Gift Fair UK 2026 has officially come to a close, and the results are in.
Following the success of our previous edition, we set out to build on what we'd started: bringing buyers and brands together through a more accessible, flexible online trade show experience.
This year, we didn't just welcome more visitors. We facilitated stronger engagement, repeat visits, and growing interest from across the globe.
And the numbers tell the story.
By the Numbers
These results reflect more than just growth in numbers. They show an increasingly engaged community of retailers and brands discovering the possibilities of online trade shows.
More Than Visitors. Real Engagement.
At XpoFairs, we've always believed that the success of an online trade show shouldn't be measured by attendance alone. What matters is what happens once buyers arrive.
This year, the combined time visitors spent at The Gift Fair UK increased by 81% compared to the previous edition.
That's a significant step forward, reflecting a considerable increase in the overall time buyers spent exploring the show and discovering brands.
And perhaps even more encouraging was our 69% buyer return rate.
Nearly seven in ten buyers visited the show more than once during the 2026 edition. Rather than limiting their sourcing to a single visit, buyers were coming back to explore further, discover more products, and continue their search.
This pattern of behaviour is something we'd typically associate with social media platforms rather than traditional trade shows. Buyers weren't treating The Gift Fair UK as a one-off visit, but as a place worth returning to. It signals a shift in how people engage with trade shows, from a single scheduled experience to something they can revisit and explore on their own terms.
For exhibitors, this creates opportunities to be discovered throughout the show's duration, rather than relying on a single moment to make an impression.
From the UK to the World
Although The Gift Fair UK was created with the British gift industry in mind, its reach continues to extend far beyond the UK.
This year, visitors joined us from 41 countries, demonstrating how online trade shows can connect businesses across borders without the limitations of geography.
For brands looking to expand their reach, this international visibility creates opportunities to connect with buyers they might not otherwise encounter.
And for retailers, it opens the door to discovering new suppliers, products, and perspectives from around the world.
It's one of the things that makes the XpoFair model so exciting: bringing international trade opportunities together in one accessible space.
Building on What We've Learned
Every edition of The Gift Fair gives us a better understanding of how buyers want to discover products and connect with brands.
From growing visitor numbers to increased time spent across the show and the high proportion of returning buyers, the results of 2026 are helping us shape what comes next.
We're continuing to develop the XpoFair experience around the needs of modern buyers and exhibitors, making it easier to discover relevant products, build relationships, and do business online.
And with our growing focus on mobile accessibility and AI-assisted sourcing through Matchmaker, there's plenty more to come.
Helping Buyers Find Their Perfect Match
The questions buyers asked our AI Matchmaker revealed an interesting shift in how retailers are sourcing products. Rather than simply searching for specific products or brands, buyers were describing what they needed for their businesses. Queries ranged from "Which booths have vintage-inspired homeware?" and "I'm looking for white-label candle manufacturers" to more detailed requests like "I'm a shop owner in the USA looking for a fresh beauty or wellness brand for my store" or "Find established gifting companies that supply major retailers and ecommerce platforms."
The key takeaway? It's becoming less about the product or brand itself, and more about finding the right fit for each retailer. Buyers are searching with their store, customers, and business goals in mind. Rather than browsing what's available and hoping to find something suitable, they're starting with what they need and looking for suppliers who can deliver it. This is exactly the kind of discovery our AI Matchmaker is designed to support.
Thank You for Being Part of It
To every buyer, exhibitor, and gift industry professional who joined us this year: thank you for making The Gift Fair UK 2026 another successful edition.
And to every exhibitor who trusted us to showcase their brand: thank you for continuing to believe in what we're building.
The growth we've seen from one edition to the next is a reflection of the community behind it.
More visitors. More time spent. More reasons to return.
The Gift Fair UK continues to grow, and so does our ambition for what online trade shows can achieve.
We look forward to welcoming you to the next edition.
Interested in exhibiting at a future Gift Fair? Contact us at sales@xpofairs.com to learn more.
