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| New Issue OUT NOW |
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| Cover image provided by RJB Stone |
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| Find out more about the latest industry news and product launches in the current issue of Gift Focus. Why not download the magazine in PDF format from www.giftfocus.com? |
| What's in this issue? | | | Show previews
Home & Gift, Harrogate and Tendence
| Snap Happy
Photo frames and albums
| Man about town
Men's accessories
| Dress your nest
Home accessories
| WIN!
£750RRP worth of jewellery from Gecko's Beginnings range
| Hot on the heels of Harrogate
Home & Gift preview
| Ghostly giftware
Halloween
| Christmas stocking
Christmas products - part one
| 30 years strong
Round up from Hong Kong
| | Plus... | | Regular features, news, events, Q&A special - and much more | | | | Next Issue Out | | 24th August, 2015 |
| Triple whammy for WB the Creative Jewellery Group |
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WB the Creative Jewellery Group has announced that all three of its companies – Domino, Weston Beamor and Gecko – have recently been granted certification by The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), the internationally recognised standards setting and certification organisation for supply chain integrity and sustainability in the global fine jewellery and watch industry.
The Group, which employs some 180 staff across three different sites, has long been committed to ethical business practices. It’s also deeply committed to the welfare of its staff and has, for many years enjoyed ‘Investors in People’ accreditation. |
A children’s dictionary unlike
any other |
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IF’s children’s electronic dictionary is light-weight, user-friendly and, dare we even suggest, cool? Children will enjoy looking up the words they don’t know or understand with this convenient and fun dictionary. Given the compact size of this super slim device, there’s no compromise on the quality of the information it contains, as the data content is from the best-selling Oxford University Primary Dictionary.
The item, suitable for ages 7+, has 30,000 word definitions, a helpful word isolation window, and a battery power save feature.
For more information call +44 (0)8000 430 960 or visit the website www.thatcompanycalledif.com |
| GPO Retro |
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Retro design inspires everything GPO Retro do, aiming to satisfy nostalgic needs by designing and manufacturing a range of retro inspired electronic goods. A collection including retro-style record players, telephones, radio and vinyl accessories add both colour and style. They might look vintage-inspired, but under the hood, each is powered by modern technology, blending music formats and listening options. Summer 2015 sees the GPO product range expand introducing new radios – including DAB – turntables and its first cassette player.
For more information visit www.gporetro.com, or contact +44 (0)8455 214 095 |
| Artscape's new kitchen collection |
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Artscape has created a new kitchen collection including aprons, double oven gloves and a new stove gauntlet with longer sleeves designed to eliminate burns to forearms gained from reaching into range stoves. The kitchenware has been produced in sand and grey cotton to complement the contemporary kitchen and are all made in the UK.
For more information visit www.artscapeonline.com,
or contact +44 (0)20 8681 8368 |
| Joe Davies appointed as official distributor for Sheaffer |
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Joe Davies will launch a stunning collection of very commercial, affordable writing instruments all bearing the famous Sheaffer White Dot of writing excellence.
The range will be available for delivery from July with the collection making its official debut at Home & Gift. The entire offering of over 50 designs from three core collections will be available using Joe Davies’ ‘Little & Often’ ordering system. Sheaffer was recently acquired by AT Cross, who appointed Joe Davies as distributor of its Franklin Covey Collection of pens four years ago. Tim Rice, UK National Sales Manager at AT Cross commented, “Joe Davies are the obvious partner and have done such a super job distributing Franklin Covey, extending this to the Sheaffer Brand was a natural progression”.
Each new range in the collection features unique designs in a selection of finishes and technologies. Many of the writing instruments can be engraved, are ideal for gifting and all are supplied gift boxed.
For all enquiries regarding the Sheaffer range of pens from Joe Davies please call +44 (0)161 975 6300 or visit www.joedavies.co.uk |
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| It's showtime |
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We're hot on the heels of Harrogate and I for one, can't wait, what with the live music, afternoon Pimm's and laid back buying vibe I've heard so much about. As you may know, it'll be my first time at the show. Gift Focus will be at Stand Q3b, so do make sure you pop along and say hello. Our preview, which starts on page 51, is jam-packed and I'm looking forward to seeing the exciting offerings in person. A little birdie has told me the scouts looking for inspiring products for Gift of the Year will be browsing the stands at Home & Gift; read more in our GA News on page 118.
As you'll probably have heard, Chief Executive Isabel Martinson, Izzy to friends and colleagues, has now stepped down from her position at The GA. Izzy dedicated 15 years to the gift and home industry, recognising new talent and guiding and supporting businesses. I was lucky enough to ask Izzy a few questions about her time at The GA before she left, and you can read what she had to say on page 6. On behalf of the Gift Focus team, we wish her all the very best.
This issue celebrates Christmas with part one of our festive feature. Yes, it'll be here before you know it! See the latest cards and decorative items on page 21. Meanwhile, stocking items for men has never been easier with our men's accessories feature on page 35, covering items from slick bachelor-pad accessories to grooming must-haves for looking sharp.
See you in Harrogate!
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| Rachel Westall, Editor |
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| Make sure you email editor@giftfocus.com to keep us up to date with all your news |
| WIN! £750 RRP worth of jewellery from Gecko’s Beginnings range |
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UK jewellery supplier Gecko is thrilled to announce that it's rebranded the best-selling silver collection Basics, and will be launching the range under the new name of Beginnings.
With a revitalised product range and new identity, the collection is presented with a contemporary and free-spirited feel, with a focus on reaching a larger market by catering for ladies, gents, teens and children. Renowned for a collection of stylish silver jewellery at low prices, Basics transforms into Beginnings taking these core values with it. Honing in on fast selling favourites, Beginnings will continue to offer quality designs, ensuring it remains the must-have silver range for stores nationwide.
Prettifying classic silver forms, the collection will feature illuminating freshwater pearls, glitzy cubic zirconia, plus new colour ways in crystals from Swarovski. Among many other exciting new additions, retailers can expect engravable trinkets, versatile and perfect for personalisation; a fluoro frenzy of colour for laid-back summer style; and a bigger range of stainless steel wristwear for men.
To find out more visit www.geckojewellery.com or call +44 (0)1376 532 000
The winner will receive £750 RRP worth of jewellery from the Beginnings range. |
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| Great Northern Retail Summit – speakers announced |
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Home & Gift is launching its Great Northern Retail Summit on Monday 20th July in the Majestic Hotel with a host of speakers.
Hot off the press, they are thrilled to announce that the legendary Wayne Hemmingway MBE and front-line retailers Christine Garnett from Hunters of Helmsley and Gareth Marshall from Bath House join the line-up of inspirational speakers - bursting with business advice. Topics cover the revival of The Great British High Street and how online can take your business to the top.
To register visit: www.homeandgift.co.uk |
| Bolsius Netherlands announces the loss of John Barthorpe |
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Bolsius Netherlands announces the loss of John BarthorpeIt's with great sadness that Bolsius Nederland B.V. announces the death of John Barthorpe, the company's Sales Manager for UK & Ireland at Bolsius UK Ltd, who died this week after a period of illness.
Even during the time he was unwell, John continued to run the UK business in his usual quiet, unassuming and efficiently successful style.
John joined the company in 2012 and was instrumental in markedly growing the business in the giftware, housewares, catering and garden markets. He'll be sorely missed by his colleagues, business partners and customers.
Alain Grillo, International Sales Manager, will assume interim responsibility for UK operations. |
| Congratulations! |
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| The winner of our May/June 2015 competition is Eleanor Stevenson from Fabulous Black boutique in Glasgow. She’s won a Morplan voucher, worth £750. |
| United Oddsocks named Business Of The Year at FSB Hertfordshire Business Awards |
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At the annual Hertfordshire Business Awards, presented by the Federation of Small Businesses, Hitchin-based sock company United Oddsocks was named Enterprising Business of the Year and also overall Business of the Year, much to the delight of company Managing Director Gary Schaffer, who is also a newly elected member of The GA’s national committee.
“This is a massive accolade for us,” said Gary. “Selling funky socks that deliberately don't match was one of those classic down-the-pub throwaway ideas that people have all the time. But we were actually mad enough to give it a go and look where we are now – selling two and a half millions socks a year and being named the best business in Hertfordshire! I couldn't be any more chuffed!” |
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| Forthcoming Events | | | | Please note: All dates are subject to changes, contact organisers for more information before making arrangements. | | | | To view more events, please visit the events page on our website. | | | | Manchester Furniture Show | | Manchester Central Convention Complex, Windmill Street, Manchester M2 3GX, United Kingdom | | Web: www.manchesterfurnitureshow.com | | Dates: Sun, 19 Jul 2015 - Tue, 21 Jul 2015 | | Time: 9.30am - 5pm Sunday; 9am - 5pm Monday-Tuesday | | | | Home & Gift | | Harrogate International Centre, King's Road, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG1 5LA | | Web: www.homeandgift.co.uk | | Dates: Sun, 19 Jul 2015 - Wed, 22 Jul 2015 | | Time: Sun - Tues 9am - 6pm; Wed 9am - 4pm | | | | Tendence | | Messe Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany | | Web: www.tendence.messefrankfurt.com | | Dates: Fri, 28 Aug 2015 - Tue, 1 Sep 2015 | | Time: 9am - 6pm and 9am - 5pm on final day | | | | International Jewellery London | | Olympia London | | Web: www.jewellerylondon.com | | Dates: Sun, 6 Sep 2015 - Tue, 8 Sep 2015 | | Time: Sun 10am - 7pm, Mon 9am -6pm, Tue 9am - 5pm | | | | Autumn Fair | | Birmingham NEC, Birmingham | | Web: www.autumnfair.com | | Dates: Sun, 6 Sep 2015 - Wed, 9 Sep 2015 | | Time: 5th - Volume Halls only; 6th-8th, 9am-6pm; 9th, 9am-4pm | | | | Top Drawer | | Olympia, London | | Web: www.topdrawer.co.uk | | Dates: Sun, 13 Sep 2015 - Tue, 15 Sep 2015 | | Time: TBC | | |
| Man about town |
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Tribal Steel’s range for men from Midhaven continues to grow with many new styles in plaited leather, flat leather, rubber and all stainless steel. New colours include British Racing Green and Antique Natural. Trade prices range from under £4 - £20.
The range of stainless steel jewellery in plain and classic or inset with carbon fibre and rubber continues to grow in popularity. There are many new, engravable lines including ID bracelets, tie slides, necklets and cufflinks.
The men’s leather bracelets come in up to five different sizes and over 50 styles. As the finishing touch, all lines – including cufflinks – come in stylish, branded pouches. When you spend £200, you’ll get a free point of sale.
For more information visit, www.midhaven.co.uk or contact, +44 (0)1299 851 513 |
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