Gift Focus inc Attire Accessories - July/August 2020

INDUSTRY NEWS 9 Industry news BIRA LAUNCHES NEW CORONAVIRUS HUB TO HELP INDEPENDENT RETAILERS THROUGH CRISIS The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has launched a dedicated coronavirus hub to guide members and the wider retail community through the crisis. The online resource, accessible through the Bira website, is a one-stop shop featuring a wealth of information and advice. It is being updated every day, throughout the day. Information on the hub includes: • The list of businesses still allowed to trade, and those being asked to close. • How and where to access emergency Government support, including the Coronavirus • Business Interruption Loans • Details of local authority support • Employee/Employer guidance including details on sick pay allowance • The latest legislation with regards to ‘relaxed’ trading • There are also guides to wellbeing, as well inspirational stories of what our members are doing to adapt to the current situation. Andrew Goodacre, Bira’s CEO, said, “Everyone at Bira has been working hard to ensure that our members and the wider retail community receive the support they need at this time. “Our focus has been to provide accurate guidance based on information we have received for the various government departments. The dedicated hub on our website will updated on a regular basis.” Visit www.bira.co.uk/coronavirus LITTLE CHICK LONDON APPOINTS HELEN MORLEY TO ITS TEAM Little Chick London has appointed Helen Morley to its team. A small, but growing UK company with a range of nursery accessories with a focus on comfort for mum and her growing family, Helen will be tasked with raising awareness of the brand and growing its presence. Helen is a well-known face in the nursery industry having worked originally as a retailer before going on to support a number of baby goods companies. Her many years’ experience spans not only the nursery industry but also gift, garden centre and children’s wear channels. Rachelle Harel of the company explains, “ I am very excited that Helen is joining the Little Chick London team to help us with bringing on board more national accounts and supporting and growing our presence in independent retailers.” Helen continues, “Baby gifting is a huge growth area for baby products with the increasing popularity of baby showers in the UK. Little Chick London offers products than not only look beautiful for gifting but are genuinely useful and will be appreciated by parents when little ones arrive. I’m looking forward to catching up with all my industry contacts, and meeting lots of new ones as well. I’m especially looking forward to being able to get out and see people face to face for meetings and trade shows, fingers crossed that won’t be too far in the future!” For more information visit www.littlechick.london or to discuss stocking its ranges, contact Helen on thehelenmorley@gmail.com or 07739 390 100. Catch up on all the latest in our news round up ENESCO REOPENS FOLLOWING TEMPORARY COVID-19 CLOSURE Giftware company Enesco has reopened following its temporary closure due to the coronavirus pandemic. The company is working within Government guidelines and is operating a much-reduced team across its warehouse, customer service, sales and marketing teams. Taking to a statement in May following the reopening, the company said, “We have just completed our second full week of shipping orders and we are delighted with the response we have received, from both our UK and European customers. We are heartened to see so many of our customers managing through this crisis and we thank them for their ongoing support.” While the majority of its sales team remains furloughed until retail begins to reopen, the company has advised that customers can place orders via the website www.enesco.co.uk or by emailing uksales@enesco.co.uk or eurosales@enesco.co.uk. Visit www.enesco.co.uk 