The UK trade show for the festive trade sector experiences significant increase in both exhibitor and visitor numbers for the 2024 show, attracting buyers from across Europe. Harrogate Christmas & Gift has enjoyed year-on-year growth for more than 10 years, but the 2024 show, which took place from 14th to 17th January at the Harrogate Convention Centre, exceeded all expectations with a further increase in visitor numbers of over 11 per cent compared with last year.
Posted: 8 February 2024
The trio of Frankfurt consumer goods fairs, consisting of Ambiente, Christmasworld and Creativeworld, impressively demonstrated that the entire global consumer goods industry was a guest at the fully booked Frankfurt exhibition grounds for five days. Even the rail strike could not dampen the success: "Mission accomplished! Together with around 5,000 exhibitors and participants from over 170 countries and regions, this top-class trade fair trio strengthens the consumer goods industry in uncertain times", summed up Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt.
Posted: 6 February 2024
A new study with 100 senior executives who work for fashion brands and retailers in the UK, US and Australia, by Aquapak Polymers Ltd, reveals that the majority (88 percent) plan to stop plastic in packaging altogether.
Some 8 percent are planning to abolish plastic within the next 12 months, 14 percent within one to two years, 19 percent within two to three years, 30 percent within three to four years and 28 percent within four to five years.
Almost half said that they are extremely concerned about their business' use of polybags such as carrier and garment bags, the majority of which are used for merchandise bought on-line, and the damage they cause to the environment.
Posted: 5 February 2024
Significant show of support in drive for people to choose local and to help businesses in their communities thrive during festive period and beyond.
Sales of gift cards designed specifically to lock spending into local economies across Scotland have topped £1m for the first time.
Corporate orders - mainly rewards for staff - have made up half of the sales of Scotland Loves Local Gift Cards across the country throughout 2023. Cards can be spent with both national retailers and independent businesses.
The gift cards are an extension of the wider Scotland Loves Local initiative. the drive spearheaded by Scotland's Towns Partnership (STP) and supported by the Scottish Government.
Posted: 1 February 2024
Ethical jewellery Lily Arkwright has opened a new Birmingham showroom in the Mailbox, the UK's largest mixed use destination outside of London and an ideal landmark showroom.
Voted as one of Birmingham's best breathing spaces, Mailbox boasts unrivalled accessibility to canal side dining and some of the city's best retail and leisure amenities, providing an exclusive sense of community for Lily Arkwright's clients.
The opening of the Birmingham showroom in February 2024 marks a significant point in Lily Arkwright's expansion plans.
After years in the pipeline, Lily Arkwright is thrilled to see an instant response to this exciting next step, with appointments being booked at record rate.
Posted: 30 January 2024
Manchester-based giftware importer and distributor Joe Davies has announced that it is to become a 100 percent employee-owned business.
The shareholding of the business will be held by the Joe Davies Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) for the benefit of all employees.
The existing management team remains in place, headed up by CEO Steve Davies, it was Steve's great grandfather Joe that set up the business 105 years ago.
Davies commented; "I'm very proud to be able to say that the transition of the company to a 100 percent employee-owned business will see Joe Davies being run, and owned, by the very people that make Joe Davies what it is."
Posted: 30 January 2024
The 2024 edition of the January Furniture Show (JFS) closed on a high with a 6 percent rise in visitors and a record breaking rebook for 2025.
A vibrant feel to the show was reflected in the buzz of the halls as buyers visited the NEC Birmingham with over 25 percent of these buyers visiting for more than one day.
Positivity for the show was evident, signalling the importance of JFS in reuniting the industry and embodying the show's ethos of 'building the future of furniture, together.'
With multiple opportunities at the show for networking and an emphasis on connecting with the industry, JFS brought brands, buyers, designers, architects, manufacturers, and distributors together in their passion for quality, innovative furniture.
Posted: 29 January 2024
Top Drawer S/S24, the first sourcing event of the year for the UK's retail industry, closed its doors last week following three days of successful, vibrant trade at Olympia London; having delivered a show that was 10% larger than 2023, it also benefited from a second successive year of visitor growth following a hugely successful acquisition strategy that resulted in thousands of new faces on the show floor, with 35% of them never having attended previously. The international flavour of recent editions also continued, with over 40 countries represented across the three days including the likes of Argentina, Australia, Bermuda, Canada, Chile, Greece, Iceland, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Africa, Turkey and the United States.
Posted: 24 January 2024
Gibsons Games, the family-owned, independent jigsaw puzzle and board games company, has achieved B Corp certification meaning the company is now part of a global community of businesses that meet the highest standards of social and environmental impact.
The certification is awarded by B Lab, a non-profit organization that assesses companies based on their impact on their workers, community, environment, and customers.
To achieve this certification, Gibsons underwent a comprehensive evaluation of its business practices, including its governance, operations, supply chain, and social and environmental practices and was required to meet a minimum score on the B Impact Assessment.
Posted: 22 January 2024
Belgian puzzles and games company Smart Toys & Games has acquired of All Jigsaw Puzzles and welcome the team to the growing Smart family.
All Jigsaw Puzzles is a puzzle manufacturer based in Devon, England with a mission to share the endless possibilities of puzzling.
With a large customer base for white label puzzles and a successful ecommerce division, the business has its own range of over 300 puzzles working with national brands such as A-Z Maps, The National Gallery, and quirky artists such as Tim Bulmer and Mike Jupp.
The acquisition by Smart furthers the growth and presence of the company in the UK after the 2022 acquisition of The Happy Puzzle Company.
Posted: 17 January 2024
