INSIDE THE BIG CHRISTMAS PRESS SHOW 2025: A LOOK AHEAD AT RETAIL’S GOLDEN QUARTER
On 10th September 2025, the Business Design Centre in Islington will once again host The Big Christmas Press Show – a key fixture in the UK’s retail calendar. The event, which has been running for eight years, serves as a snapshot of the upcoming festive season, offering a first look at products, trends, and innovations that will shape the Christmas period.
The Big Christmas Press Show has become a key event for showcasing the retail industry’s seasonal focus – highlighting products, trends, and brand stories during one of the most commercially important periods of the year. The 2025 event is expected to welcome over 700 members of the media, spanning both national, regional and consumer lifestyle outlets, alongside current content creators, trade publications and broadcasters.
Industry Showcase
The event provides brands with the opportunity to present their seasonal ranges to a core audience of media professionals seeking insights into new products and best sellers for upcoming gift guides. The format encourages storytelling and trend-spotting – giving journalists early access to content, whilst offering brands a platform to shape the narrative around their key product lines.
Exhibitors at this year’s show will include returning names such as B&M, Morphy Richards, Menkind, Dobbies, The LEGO Group, Bloom & Wild and The V&A. New retailers include Virgin Wines, Mattel and Virgin Experience Days, signalling an ongoing industry appetite to invest in collaborative media exposure ahead of the golden quarter.
The show aims to reflect the diversity of the UK’s retail landscape – spanning gifting, homeware, technology, food and drink, children’s toys, and much more. In doing so, it provides a cross-category overview of how the seasonal retail landscape is evolving, particularly in light of shifting consumer behaviour and economic pressures.
Leadership Behind the Event
The driving force behind the Big Christmas Press Show is Courtney Rogers, founder of CIJ Group, the PR solutions company that organises the event each year. Rogers founded CIJ Group in 2017 after identifying a gap in the market for a collaborative solution that helps retailers engage with the media – particularly during peak trading periods.
Before launching CIJ Group, Rogers spent over a decade working in events and PR, collaborating with leading retail names. Her approach blends traditional media engagement with a multitude of face-to-face touchpoints, supporting connections between the retail industry and media community. CIJ Group also launched Power Pitching – a series of 20 virtual events designed to help retail clients engage with the media year-round.
Rogers says “The Big Christmas Press Show is the ultimate opportunity to get ahead of the festive season by connecting top brands with media professionals. We’re excited to return this September and bring together the best of retail. The event enables the media industry to discover what’s next, find inspiration for upcoming gift ideas, and make meaningful connections with leading retailers. Whether you’re looking to stay ahead of trends, build relationships, or simply be inspired, this event is the must-attend retail show of the year. It’s a powerful reminder of the strength of community and the incredible opportunities that arise when we come together to share and collaborate.”
Looking Ahead
The Big Christmas Press Show provides a meaningful glimpse into what retailers are prioritising and how the media will likely frame their coverage. At a time when the retail sector faces ongoing challenges – from economic uncertainty to changing consumer expectations – The Big Christmas Press Show continues to offer a space for alignment between brands and the media. Many use the event to build long-term relationships and share brand storytelling in an experiential way.
As the 10th September approaches, it remains to be seen which stories and products will stand out. But if past editions are any indication, the event will once again forecast the UK’s retail industry best-sellers and gifting trends during the year’s most commercially significant quarter – with the Wishlist Awards set to unveil this year’s must-have products.
