Candlelight, a leading designer of candles, gifts, and home fashion is proud to announce an exciting new collaboration with Amefa in the UK, who distributes market leading brands, Amefa and Richardson Sheffield, to the catering and retail sector. This partnership represents a significant milestone for both companies as they come together to bring an exceptional range of products to a wider audience.
As part of this joint venture, Amefa GB's entire portfolio of products will now be available for purchase on the Candlelight website, offering customers an expanded selection of high-quality products from two trusted brands in one convenient location.
Posted: 17 December 2024
Retro trends, preppy and Brat Girl fashions and travel returning to pre-covid levels were among the biggest influences on our shopping habits.
That's according to John Lewis's annual trend report How We Shop, Live and Look, which looks at the products and trends that defined the past year.
'Social shopping' is definitely in fashion. One in five (19 percent) of the 1,996 customers surveyed said they have shopped more with friends and family this year, and nearly seven in 10 (68 percent) of them said they like to combine it with other activities like eating out. This tallies with John Lewis data, which shows that more than three quarters of a million more customers ate in its Place to Eat restaurants over the past year.
Posted: 17 December 2024
Fanattik the award-winning UK based pop culture brand has signed a multi-territory, multi-year deal with Fuzzballs to produce a wide range of gifts. The deal was brokered by Fuzzballs licensing agent Rocket Licensing.
Fuzzballs is a UK brand created in 2013 by artist Marc Sach and product can be found on sale in the likes of WH Smith, Scribbler, HMV, Toymaster stores, Forbidden planet and over 1,000 independent retailers worldwide.
"I saw Marc at Comic Cons up and down the country over the years selling Fuzzball product and the crowds swamping his booth were incredible, he has worked incredibly hard growing the Fuzzball fan base all over the world, we are elated to be part of the Fuzzball journey," says Anthony Marks. M.D. Fanattik.
Posted: 9 December 2024
Gift cards are proving to be a game-changer for retailers, offering a dual advantage of attracting new customers and driving incremental spend. Brands participating in multistore gift card schemes or offering their own gift cards are reaping the rewards, particularly from younger demographics like Millennials, who are embracing gift cards for their convenience and flexibility.
The latest research from the Gift Card & Voucher Association (GCVA) and Global Data highlights how gift cards are effective tool for channeling consumer behaviour by not only introducing new shoppers to brands but also encouraging them to 'upgarde' their purchase beyond the card's value.
Posted: 4 December 2024
Dulux announced their Colour of the Year as True Joy - and it's easy to see why! We all want happier, uplifting home interiors for 2025 and the colour yellow gives us a boost of positive inspiration ahead of the new year.
Amthal Karim, Head of Design at Furniture And Choice comments: "Dulux True Joy is an energetic shade of yellow with warm, golden undertones. The timeless charm of the colour of the year comes from its balance of dusky versus bright. True Joy is more vibrant than a mustard tone and has more depth and warmth than shades of lemon or canary yellow.
Posted: 18 November 2024
Christmas spending is set to hit £88.29bn this year as consumers boost spending on festive celebrations after years of Christmas cutbacks.
VoucherCodes.co.uk's Shopping for Christmas Report 2024 forecasts a 4 percent boost in sales this festive season, with consumers spending on gifts, food and drink, and holiday travel.
Whilst this rise comes partly from inflation, it's also driven by a 1.4 percent rise in sales volume year-on-year, as consumers have more money in their pockets to buy more items.
Whereas other European nations will see a decline in spend YoY, the UK is the only nation out of seven analysed to see a healthy boost in festive sales.
Posted: 11 November 2024
Entries for the Farm Shop & Deli Product Awards 2025 are now open, celebrating the finest products in the sector.
Returning for its fourth year, the Farm Shop & Deli Product Awards, in association with The Grocer, aims to highlight and celebrate the finest products within the specialist food and drink sector.
These awards are judged by an expert panel consisting of leading farm shop and deli retailers, prominent wholesaler buyers, and industry professionals.
A successful product is more than just first impressions. This is why the awards' panel of judges will review all aspects of each product, including the full value chain and branding, ensuring that products are not only appealing, but are also well-positioned for success in the independent sector.
Posted: 7 November 2024
Smart Toys and Games has unveiled that SmartGames has added more award wins to its ever-growing collection, having been recognised in both the Right Start Awards and the Imagination Gaming Awards.
Now in its seventh year, the Right Start Awards aim to recognise the toys that offer true value for money.
All of the award-winning toys, books and nursery items have been road-tested by parents and children at home and carefully selected as winners based on if they are long-lasting, durable, appealing and help save the planet - Smart Toys and Games are thrilled both Smart Dog and 5 Little Birds have been recognised.
Posted: 21 October 2024
Spring Fair, which celebrates its 75th anniversary at the NEC Birmingham on 2nd – 5th February 2025, is delighted to announce twelve new winners of Theo Paphitis's #SBS Small Business Sunday initiative who each receive a free stand at the February show. Since 2018, the TV dragon and #SBS Small Business Sunday creator and Spring and Autumn Fair have joined forces to support start-up businesses. Together they have worked with over 60 SMEs, playing a vital role in their future success.
Posted: 15 October 2024
Dolce&Gabbana and Stabilo have collaborated for the first time on an exclusive highlighter collection.
Stabilo is a german brand specilaising in the production of highlighters, writing instruments and colouring pens and pencils.
Founded in 1855, Stabilo is synonymous with quality, colour variety and innovation. Bold designs and ergonomic features have made the brand's products a favourite choice of students, artists and professionals around the world.
For this first collaboration, four creations have been chosen that recall some of Dolce&Gabbana's most iconic patterns: Sicilian decorations embrace the Milky Yellow Stabilo Boss Original highlighter, the decisive soul of the Leopard characterises the Beige shade, while the black and white of the Zebra print and the Mediterranean Blue majolica decorate the Black and Cloudy Blue models respectively.
Posted: 15 October 2024
