16 September 2026
The Gift & Lifestyle Consortium (G&LC) took over the Business Hub at Top Drawer on 13 September, transforming the space at Olympia London into a day of learning, networking, product discovery and business support for retailers, exhibitors, sales agents, suppliers and international brands.
The takeover formed part of Top Drawer, which ran from 13–15 September, and brought together industry experts, service providers, emerging brands and suppliers for a programme focused on helping businesses find new products, partnerships and ideas.
The programme included a session from G&LC Executive Director Sarah Ward, who discussed The Gift & Lifestyle Sector in 2026: The New Rules of Relevance.
The Business Pop-Up Zone featured a Retail Innovation Showcase, highlighting products, services and solutions designed to improve efficiency, profitability and customer engagement, alongside a New Brand Discovery portion of the event showcasing emerging brands and international suppliers looking to enter the UK market.
Retail technology was also a key focus, with demonstrations covering EPOS and CRM systems, payment solutions, stock management and e-commerce integrations.
The Product Sourcing Hub gave visitors the opportunity to connect with sourcing specialists and manufacturers about developing own-label products, finding new suppliers, improving margins and exploring importing and exporting opportunities.
The takeover also featured a Love Your High Street session, focused on community retail initiatives, local success stories, high street regeneration and business support, alongside advice for international brands entering the UK and UK businesses looking to expand overseas.
Bookspeed, who were among the exhibitors at Top Drawer, also celebrated its 40th anniversary at the show, marking four decades as a book wholesaler supplying retailers of all types and sizes.
The G&LC takeover provided a dedicated space within Top Drawer for retailers and businesses to access practical support while discovering new brands, products, technology and opportunities for growth.
Alongside other areas of focus, Business support covered a wide range of topics, including HR, finance, insurance, logistics, business rates, retail technology, marketing and CRM, consultancy and strategic planning, with visitors able to book 15-minute expert speed consultations.
WorkNest's National Retail Lead Anna Jones and E-Kwip Dynamics Director George Pilling were also available throughout the day, providing further expertise to visitors.
The wider programme covered business support and advice, product buying and sourcing, retail technology, trade show success, industry trends, business rates and retail advocacy, international trade and expansion, networking and partnerships, and pop-up brand discovery.
Connecting People. Creating Opportunities. Supporting Growth.
Our Events & Opportunities programme is designed to bring together retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, suppliers, service providers, and industry experts through a diverse calendar of networking events, learning opportunities, trade show partnerships, buyer engagement programmes, and industry-leading conferences.
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