Gift Focus inc Attire Accessories - Page number 10 - July/August 2021

10 Industry news GOLDEN BEAR SIGNS AS PLUSH PARTNER FOR THE BABY CLUB Golden Bear has signed as plush partner for The Baby Club, in a deal brokered by Rockpool Licensing. The third series of the hit BBC commission launched last month and is presented by Giovanna Fletcher and Nigel Clarke. An on-screen baby club, the show is broadcast twice daily on CBeebies. 60 episodes and many songs are now available on BBC iPlayer. As a regular feature in the CBeebies top viewing charts, The Baby Club has been a major success since its launch in 2019 and has become a lifeline for little ones and their grown-ups, especially during lockdown. Golden Bear will be developing plush based on the growing family of characters featured in the show, beginning with Baby Bear, who appears with Giovanna and Nigel and stars in all activities, play, songs and stories. Tracy Griffiths, head of Brand and Licensing Golden Bear, said, “We’re delighted to be on board and can’t wait to launch a range of fun, innovative plush which reflect the TV programme’s ethos of baby development, exploration and parental empowerment. Golden Bear is looking forward to Baby Bear joining our strong portfolio and encouraging real-world play and interaction, inspired by The Baby Club’s on-screen activities.” Vickie O’Malley, managing director for Rockpool Licensing, said, “Fans of The Baby Club have been clamouring for Baby Bear plush since the show launched and it’s a privilege to be working with such an esteemed partner as Golden Bear to make this happen. We’re thrilled to be able to say, “They’re on their way!” FIZZ CREATIONS PARTNERS WITH HARIBO ON NEW COLLECTIONS Brighton-based Fizz Creations has announced a new partnership with confectionary brand Haribo to bring a fun range of vibrant gifts to the UK market. Launching this summer, the collection includes Mug & Sock Gift Sets, Metal Water Bottles and a Puzzle featuring the iconic Starmix icons, with a collection of fun-shaped Stress Squeezers and “Goldbear” Mood Light to follow later this year Paul Boon, marketing director, Fizz Creations, said, “We’re all about fun at Fizz Creations, so it’s hugely exciting to be working with HARIBO to launch such a colourful range that will be loved by kids and grown-ups!” www.fizzcreations.com Catch up on all the latest in our news round up PUCKATOR SIGNS LEASE ON NEW EUROPEAN DISTRIBUTION CENTRE Puckator has signed a lease on a modern 4,000 square metres unit located on a newly constructed logistics park adjacent to Wroclaw airport, which will serve as the group’s European Distribution Centre (EDC). According to the company, South West Poland is geographically advantageous for pan-European distribution and also provides a relatively benign business environment within which to operate. Initially, the company planned to commence operations by the end of the year, but progress has been swift and now it is likely the EDC will be fully operational by 1 st October 2021. With production primarily in China, its designs are translated into trend related products, which has enabled the company to grow rapidly, employing 120 staff across its offices in UK, Spain, Italy, and China. Puckator’s head office and distribution centre is located in Cornwall, where 60 staff are employed. With sales teams and B2B e-commerce sites in UK and throughout Europe, the EU represents 50 per cent of Puckator’s sales, so the impact of Brexit, and the subsequent trading difficulties encountered with lengthy delays and the imposition of import tariffs between the UK and Europe had been significant. Mark Howard, CEO of Puckator group, said, “The European market is absolutely key to our business and is reliant on the fast and cost- effective delivery of orders to our customers there. Despite exhaustive pre-Brexit planning, the resultant increase in distribution costs and much longer transit times has forced us to look urgently at alternatives. As such, we are in the process of establishing a European Distribution Centre in Wroclaw, South West Poland, to ensure we maintain the high level of service our customers in Europe have come to expect from us.” The project is at an advanced stage, with internal building works in process and warehouse systems planned. Recruitment of staff in Poland has also commenced, and shipment of goods from China directly to the EDC arranged, with the containers starting to arrive from June. www.puckator.net RONIN JEWELLERY STOCKED BY RHS BRIDGEWATER Ronin Jewellery has announced it is to be stocked in the shop at the Royal Horticultural Society’s newly opened garden RHS Bridgewater, near Manchester. Simon says, “The RHS is world famous and this new garden is a must visit for garden lovers. The last year has been tough for our small business so we needed a positive boost like this. We are so thankful that as big as it is, the RHS supports small businesses like ours.” Visit www.ronindesigns.co.uk