Building Connections: Reflections from the Autumn Fair Another month, another trade fair. This autumn’s fair was noticeably quieter than in previous years, with many exhibitors speculating about a potential merger with Glee and what that might mean for the future. In fact, I managed to get around the show in less than the full day I’d set aside. But trade fairs are always about more than just placing orders. They’re about putting names to faces, strengthening relationships, and meeting others across the industry. One of my highlights was meeting Jim Kingle (you might know him from TikTok), who was on the hunt for Christmas products. He even recorded a video message for my niece, which really summed up how wonderful the people in this industry can be. While much of business today is shifting online, there’s no substitute for the value of meeting face-to-face. Those in-person conversations with suppliers, buyers, and peers are what build the strongest connections. I also attended a workshop where retailers from across the UK shared their experiences—challenges with parking, dwindling footfall, and difficulties with landlords. What stood out most for me was the importance of building stronger communities. When businesses and groups come together, they create a thriving local High Street. Here in Poynton, we’re lucky to have a spirit of collaboration that keeps our community connected and vibrant. Looking ahead, I’m excited to share that Stacey from Fox Under the Moon will be visiting our shop as part of her book tour. It’s the first in-store event we’ve hosted in quite some time, and I can’t wait to see people’s reaction to her new release. Tickets now available on our website. On a personal note, my brother-in-law had a special moment this week—he rang the bell at Christie to mark his final treatment. After nine long weeks in hospital, he’s still on the road to recovery, but as a family we’re over the moon to celebrate this milestone. When he first came home, I sent him a Fox Under the Moon card (SKU: CF08)—a small reminder of how much a card can mean at the right moment. That message is at the heart of Thinking of You Week, a GCA initiative we’re proud to support each year. We partner with a local school to send cards to residents in a nursing home. It takes some organising, but the heartfelt responses we receive make it all worthwhile. The children put so much effort into their designs—even adding illustrations—which makes the project truly special. This year, inspired by Heidi at Earlybird, we’ve also launched a “design a card” project of our own. I’m looking forward to sharing how it goes in the months ahead—hopefully with some great results to report.