Retail is top for local gift card redemptions in the UK in 2023 says Miconex. Primark, M&S, Boots, Next, Sainsbury's, John Lewis and Aldi are within top national retailers.
Around 50 percent of cards are spent with independent retailers and businesses.
Local gift cards are driving spend in high streets and downtowns around the world, says fintech Miconex as it shares key insights from its local gift card programmes.
The range of independent businesses which accept Miconex's local gift cards – usually alongside a range of national brands – makes the cards unique in the sector. A typical 50 percent, and up to 100 percent, of its local gift cards are redeemed with independent shops, restaurants and venues.
Posted: 11 March 2024
This Easter, Décopatch, the leading UK distributor for creative papier mâché shapes, is thrilled to introduce a trio of enchanting additions, promising to infuse your festive celebrations with creativity and charm.Crafting enthusiasts can now explore the art of decopatching with an exclusive pack containing 6 Cracked Eggshells, each possessing its own unique charm. For those seeking additional delight, the adorable baby lamb and the charming bell are available for individual purchase. Ideal for concealing treats, these delightful papier mâché shapes will add a touch of magic to your Easter decor.
Posted: 7 March 2024
Autumn Fair, the UK retail's inspirational shopping destination for Home, Gift and Fashion, has announced the launch of its new campaign theme promising a celebration of newness and original products that will bring retail stores to life, putting the spotlight on the allure of the 'shop window' and the best of British suppliers. The show will take place 1st – 4th September at NEC Birmingham.
Posted: 29 February 2024
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has announced a new collaboration with Radley, an industry-leading name in expertly made leather handbags and accessories, that will bring beautiful horticulture-inspired designs to a new collection launching, appropriately enough, in the spring.
The Radley X RHS collection includes handbags, purses and tote bags, and features designs inspired by artwork from the RHS Lindley Collections, the world's finest collection of botanical art, as well as the magnificent RHS Gardens themselves.
In particular the designs are based on the work of admired female artists Caroline Maria Applebee (c1787-1854), whose 300 or more elegant drawings are a fascinating record of social and horticultural history in her time, and Gertrude Jekyll (1843–1932), whose highly influential work laid the basis for modern garden design.
Posted: 28 February 2024
To celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Week, the Secrets from a Coach podcast launched a series of Kindness Cards.
Designed to encourage kindness and inspiration for both individuals and teams, the cards give users an opportunity to pause, reflect and redirect their actions every day.
Each pack contains 30 cards (plus 2 additional bonus cards), one for each day of the month, with thoughtful quotes and practical tips to help handle life's stresses and challenges. The Call To Action outlined on the cards give users an opportunity to grow and practice new skills to support resilience, confidence and self-awareness.
Debbie Green, wellness coach at Wishfish and co-presenter of Secrets from a Coach said, "It's like having your very own wellness coach in a box!"
Posted: 26 February 2024
Spring & Autumn Fair, the UK's largest and most inspirational retail trade shows for Home, Gift and Fashion, has announced the creation of a new Advisory Board designed to drive the continuous enhancement of the two shows and ensure that UK retail has a thriving marketplace in which to do business.
The board, chaired by Stephen Spencer, Ambience Director at Stephen Spencer + Associates, comprises 15 of the industry's leading figureheads.
Including John Halliday from British Independent Retailers Association, Sarah Ward of the Giftware Association, Ben Massey from the National Association of Jewellers, exhibitors including Stephen Illingworth from Widdop & Co, Aylish Ellwood from Enesco, who all provide valuable industry insight and advice assisting in the on-going development and growth of Spring & Autumn Fair.
Posted: 22 February 2024
Divine Savages is opening its first showroom and working studio in what is being dubbed 'the unofficial design quarter of Bath' - Margaret's Buildings, right between the historic Royal Crescent and The Circus.
Founders Jamie Watkins and Tom have created a Maximalist's dream selling exquisite wallpapers, luxurious fabrics and decorative accessories for the brave and the bold.
Co-Founder, Jamie Watkins, says: "We're eccentric to the core and love the weird and wonderful. The quirkier the better. We like to push boundaries and design aesthetics and want to encourage our customers to do the same - our showroom is the first step in inspiring them to do so."
Posted: 21 February 2024
Spring Fair, the UK's largest and most inspirational retail marketplace for Home, Gift and Fashion, closed on a high after four days of intensive buying, creativity and fun, and now looks ahead to its 75th anniversary in 2025. From Sunday to Wednesday, the UK's longest serving retail show attracted thousands of buyers from retailers including John Lewis, Asda, Fortnum & Mason, Tesco, Aldi UK, Elphicks, Cards Galore and more.
Posted: 15 February 2024
The plans for National Stationery Week 2024 are off to a fabulous start, with seven leading brands already having pledged their support as sponsors for the weeklong event which will spread the love at both retail and consumer levels about all things stationery. National Stationery Week runs over Monday to Sunday, 13th -19th May, this year, and encompasses the London Stationery Show on the Tuesday and Wednesday (14th -15th May) at the Business Design Centre in Islington.
Posted: 13 February 2024
Buyers highlighted their delight at their new discoveries and the feedback throughout the day was buoyant and energised. Hillary Fuller, from Attico in Bournemouth said, "We've had such a great show, and seen loads of new and innovative products. We're actually running behind schedule as we discovered two new companies that we've not bought from before and they are perfect for us, and now we're off to meet more of our regular suppliers." Stephanie Taylor Howl from Just-Tickety Boo Events, Burton-on-Trent added, "The show is amazing, it's not just an average show, it's much bigger and better! The stands really draw you in, it has been a really immersive experience. We have found it easy to navigate around the show, signage has been excellent. It's been good to meet the brands in person and make relationships directly with the sellers. I found some lovely high-end ribbon, some amazing frosted trees and some enormous wreaths which will be great for my Christmas events. We have seen some lovely new products, the quality is excellent and the prices have been competitive. We stumbled across some new suppliers, they are local to us and we never would have found them without visiting Spring Fair, which is great!"
Posted: 8 February 2024
