Brand Picks

Top Drawer returns to Olympia London in September 2026

 ·  By Qistina Rosdi
Top Drawer returns to Olympia London in September 2026 - top drawer returns
Top Drawer returns to Olympia London in September 2026

Top Drawer, the UK’s leading design-led retail trade show, is returning to the new-look Olympia London from 13–15 September 2026. Registrations are now open to trade and press. The event marks the show’s return to a venue that has undergone a significant transformation after a six-year absence.

Curated discovery and new venue

Organizers positioned the event at a critical time in the buying calendar. The show aims to help retailers handle an increasingly crowded market by offering access to more than 25,000 products from over 500 hand-selected brands. Approximately 30% of these suppliers are making their show debut. Exhibitor sections cover Home, Gift, Fashion, Greetings, Wellbeing, Play, and Launchpad.

Visitors are interested in the updated facilities. Olympia reopened after a six-year, £1.3 billion transformation, promising a more modern environment for buyers to inspect merchandise and meet suppliers face-to-face. The venue’s renovation provides a backdrop for the return of Top Drawer, a staple for design-led retail since 1984.

Supporting emerging talent and trends

Launchpad returns to spotlight emerging creative businesses, while the show’s partnership with University of the Arts London (UAL) continues to provide a platform for the next generation of designers and makers. The Trends Feature, curated by The Better Trends Co., will explore consumer and design movements influencing the retail setting. Retail Revealed Live also returns with a programme of trend presentations and industry discussions.

David Westbrooke, event director at Top Drawer, said: “One of the biggest challenges facing retailers today is finding the time to properly research, vet and source new products. That’s the hard work we do on their behalf.” He added that the team spends the year identifying contemporary brands and fresh talent to create an edit that focuses on quality, originality, and commercial relevance.

Exhibitor Paper Tiger noted the value of the gathering in a recent statement. “Top Drawer London was a great way to kick off the year. It’s always a pleasure to see so many suppliers in one place, and reassuring to discover ranges that genuinely feel right for today’s customers. The show continues to deliver strong product, meaningful conversations and the chance to reconnect with familiar faces while discovering what’s new. A valuable few days that sets the tone for the buying season ahead.”

As retailers face growing pressure to differentiate their offer and stay ahead of evolving consumer trends, the value of curated product discovery has never been greater. Long established as a trusted destination for design-led retail, Top Drawer meets this need through an expertly edited exhibitor line-up that brings together originality, craftsmanship, new talent and established industry favourites. Defined by excellence, the show offers buyers an efficient and inspiring environment in which to uncover new products, spot future trends and build meaningful supplier relationships with confidence.

Related: Two-thirds of Google searches end without a click as AI reshapes discovery

The Trends Feature, curated by The Better Trends Co., will once again explore the consumer and design movements influencing the retail setting, translating key trend shifts into commercial opportunities for buyers. Retail Revealed Live also returns with a programme of trend presentations, industry discussions and practical business content, complemented by the Business Hub, which provides opportunities for learning, networking and knowledge sharing across the retail community.

David Westbrooke emphasized the necessity of expert curation in a competitive market. “Our team spends the year identifying contemporary brands, fresh talent and innovative products from across the world, carefully curating an edit that brings together quality, originality and commercial relevance. The aim is to create the most diverse and considered offering possible, helping buyers cut through the noise and source with confidence.”

Top Drawer has always been about championing great design, but it’s equally about making discovery easier. By bringing this curated community together in London, we create an environment where retailers can see products first-hand, meet the people behind the brands and uncover opportunities they may never have found online. In a market where everyone is competing for attention, thoughtful curation matters more than ever – it’s what continues to set Top Drawer apart. So, if you’re looking to find your next best-sellers and fill your shelves with the very best design-led products from around the world, skip boring, and Fast Forward to Design at Olympia this September.”

Registration Now Open

Simplifying sourcing for buyers, Top Drawer A/W26 will once again bring together a curated community of brands, buyers and creatives for three days of sourcing, connection and discovery for what’s now and what’s next.

www.topdrawer.co.uk

Instagram: @topdrawerlondon

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