INDX Gift Edit | Show Report May 2026

Greetings, gadgets, & gourmet gifts

Responding to the evolving needs of the gift industry, INDX Gift Edit, a brand-new addition to the INDX Shows portfolio, made its debut at Cranmore Park 19 May 2026.

Present-ing a perfectly packaged line-up, visitors to the show were invited to explore a commercially curated selection of high-quality products spanning food and drink, homeware, lifestyle, fashion accessories, stationery, toys, and artisan crafts.

From pickles and preserves, to savoury snacks, culinary seasonings, sweet treats, and seasonal bakes; key brands from the gift food and drinks arena included Stewarts, Josh’s Chocolate, Fudge Kitchen, Boddington’s Preserves, Treat Kitchen, and Cottage Delight plus UK based drinks suppliers Rum & Reggae Serious Rum and The Sweet Potato Spirit Company.

In collaboration with Spice Kitchen, the Cranmore Park chefs cooked up a flavoursome feast for all attendees, showcasing the blends and spices on offer. Bold flavours for adventurous cooks… Products included multi-award winning spice tins, sari silk gift-wrapped signature blends, spiced hot chocolate and a cookbook to boot; offering something to suit every budget whilst sure to pack a punch.

From greetings cards to gadgets, and a wealth of gifting inspiration, the showroom was brought to life by artisanal scents and stunning craftsmanship from the likes of Fantasy Candles, CAHM, Sophia Davenport, The English Soap Company, and Nobile Glassware. From the fashion and accessories category, Katherine Bree Jewellery, David Jones, Nova Leathers, and the eco-chic designs of Swole Panda were in attendance. Plus, rows of perfect gifting solutions were seen from heritage brands such as Hallmark, to the playful world of Go Genius, and gadgets galore from The Source.

Exclusive to INDX Gift Edit, and in partnership with The Giftware Association, attendees to the show had the opportunity to see a ‘winners showcase’ of products first-hand in an exciting Gift of the Year display area. With over 20 categories spanning giftware and home, the Gift of the Year Awards is a showcase of products from jewellery to games right through to sustainable products and cards, stationery and wrap. Gift of the Year ‘Garden & Outdoors’ category winners, IF displayed their bold floral collection alongside their highly commended early bird catches the worm bookmarks. Plus Joe Davies brought ‘Branded and Licensed Gifts’ category winning Fox Under the Moon artwork to life with silver-plated earrings, necklaces and bracelets. Highly commended entries also included The Crafty Kit Company and Dalaco.

On Tuesday, The Gift & Lifestyle Consortium had the pleasure of visiting the INDX Gift Edit Show hosted by AIS – Association of Independent Stores.
From the moment we walked the floor, the strength of the branding across the show really stood out. Both the show itself and the exhibitors had clearly invested in presenting cohesive, professional, and commercially focused collections, creating a strong sense of identity and confidence throughout the event.
Combined with the quality of exhibitors and the calibre of buyers attending, it created a positive and productive atmosphere.
What also stood out were the meaningful conversations taking place between suppliers and retailers. Discussions focused on business growth, long-term partnerships, market challenges, and future opportunities, all highlighting the importance of collaboration across the industry.
Buying groups such as AIS, Bira Direct, and Choice Marketing continue to demonstrate the real value of collective buying and industry loyalty. For retailers, the benefits go far beyond product sourcing. Preferential terms, stronger margins, financial savings, marketing support, and trusted supplier networks all contribute to more resilient independent businesses.
For suppliers, these groups provide access to committed retailers who value consistency, long-term relationships, and mutual success. That sense of loyalty is becoming increasingly important in today’s retail environment.
We also felt there was an opportunity for even more buyers to attend. Whether this comes down to time pressures, financial challenges, awareness of the show, supplier outreach, social media visibility, or a combination of all of these factors, it is an important conversation to have. Smaller industry events like these provide genuine commercial value and deserve continued support across the sector.
A huge well done to the AIS team for delivering a well-organised and commercially relevant event. The independent retail sector continues to show its strength when businesses support one another with shared purpose and long-term commitment to the industry.

The Gift & Lifestyle Consortium Visitor

“The Giftware Association, which runs Gift of the Year is excited to support The INDX Gift Edit in May, for the very first exclusive showcase of the Gift of the Year winners which get announced a few days earlier; [providing] buyers with a chance to see the next best thing in gifting across 20 categories, as well as the excellent brands that will be exhibiting at the show.”

Chris Workman PR & Marketing Manager at The Giftware Association

In an era where consumers are increasingly sourcing local, sustainable, and handcrafted items, show partners, The British Craft Directory, facilitated a vital platform for British craftsmanship; connecting retail buyers directly with designers and makers and placing a spotlight on the ‘British Made’ movement. Flying the flag for British-made, Papersheep were in attendance with their original keepsake cards & gifts; based on quirky watercolour and ink drawings and hand finished with sheep’s wool in Norfolk.