GIFTFOCUS INCORPORATING ATTIRE ACCESSORIES WWW.GIFTFOCUS.COM WWW.ATTIREACCESSORIES.COM Bath & body products Baby grow Items to appeal to the baby market Go green Eco-friendly products to stock SUMMER PRODUCT SHOWCASE Gifts for the warmer months BUBBLE BATH
big metal london www.bigmetal.net @bigmetallondon JEWELLERY ALWAYS ON TREND
Eco-friendly - recycled & recyclable Fairtrade & handmade by Indian craftsmen NEW FOR 2023 Tilnar Art is very proud to have designed and be launching our new AluminArk Collection of Recycled Aluminium Penguins, Puffins, Walking Elephants, Geckos, Rhinos, Hippos, Keyrings and many more additions to our current collections. Visit us at Glee – NEC 27-29 June 2023 - Hall 6 Stand A47 & Harrogate Home & Gift - Harrogate -16-19 July 2023 – Hall/Marquee DP4 Stand DP4-76 sales@tilnarart.co.uk www.tilnarart.co.uk
4 In this issue... REGULARS 8 Industry news All the latest from the world of gifts 14 On with the show Trade fair dates and show news 19 Brand spanking new Latest launches and brand-new products 23 Bookstand The latest releases in gift books FEATURES 24 Summer loving The sun is out, and consumers are feeling ready to splash the cash – check out this range of product to stock 29 Gift of the Year Winners Discover the winners of the Gift of the Year competition 47 All the small things Baby gifts are a sure-fire sales hit, which never go out of fashion 50 Self-care Embrace the wellness trend and add some bath & body pick-up items in your product offering 53 Tabletop Help customers create a beautiful tabletop with these stunning items 56 Conscious living Stock these eco-friendly products and cater to an ever-growing environmentally aware consumer 70 Interiors: Colour Wheel Yellow is the colour of summer and these products will give the home a fresh feel 75 Interiors: Family time A living room is the heart of the home, so deserves additional interior attention 77 Interiors: Working from home Stock products for home and in-office workspaces 24 May/June 2023 23 50 56 47 53
5 CONTENTS SHOWS 61 Creativeworld The leading international consumer goods fairs Ambiente, Christmasworld and Creativeworld joined forces for the first time in February, to inspire as the global hub for upcoming lifestyle trends 65 Exclusively Housewares Visit Exclusively for houseware and gift options to stock for the seasons ahead FOCUS ON 36 RETAILER INTERVIEW Lynn Cummings, of Jespers of Harrogate, talks about the company’s offering 38 Company Profile Ted Smith, Product Design Manager, discusses Puckator’s design and bespoke products, and shares the company’s best-selling products 43 Company Profile Corinne Lapierre, talks about expanding her ranges and her eco-friendly credentials 70 BUSINESS ADVICE 58 Business Feature Kayleigh Gresty, Founder of Kreate Socials talks to Gift Focus about how networking on LinkedIn can be beneficial to your business 67 ACID This issue we look at an ACID case study on Sally Burrows, greetings card and gift designers 68 FSB Martin McTague, National Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), looks at the benefits of rural businesses 75 77 29 43
7 EDITOR’S LETTER On the cover Puckator is an international distributor of wholesale gifts, giftware and homeware across the UK, Europe and beyond. It supplies gifts to a diverse range of customers from mail-order companies to garden centres, online traders to major department stores and museums to independent souvenir shops, to name just a few. Positive vibes As I write my Editor’s Letter the eternal winter continues and the rain is pelting down – the beautiful one day of spring the UK enjoyed a distant memory! Not only does the bad weather dampen spirits – I for one feel like hibernating until the wet retreats – it can hit retail sales as consumers forego in-person shopping trips for online, thus highlighting how important it is to have a complementary e-tail offering for your store or boutique. However, there is always hope, and if last summer was anything to go by, when it does finally arrive, we can reap the rewards of shoppers who are desperate to dust off their summer shoes and paint the town red and get those tills ringing! Looking forward, this issue we showcase the great and the good of the Gift industry and announce the winners of the Gift of the Year competition! Get your order books at the ready! We also have a veritable treat of features to whet your buying appetite, and this issue will be focusing on eco-friendly products, and the perennial bestselling category of baby gifts. In addition we look at the best bath & body products, as well as tabletop items. If that wasn’t enough, we have a preview of Exclusively Housewares and PG Live. As always, please shout if there’s anything you’d like to see in the magazine, we love to hear from our readers. And don’t forget to flip this magazine to get your fashion accessories fix in our sister magazine Attire Accessories! Enjoy the issue, Louise Prance Editor Louise DESIGN +44 (0)1376 535 616 artwork@giftfocus.com ACCOUNTS +44 (0)1376 535 616 accounts@giftfocus.com MANAGING DIRECTOR Sarah Ellis +44 (0)1376 535 602 sarah.ellis@giftfocus.com Gift Focus and Attire Accessories are solely owned, published and designed by KD Events and Publishing Ltd. Whilst every effort was made to ensure the information in this magazine was correct at the time of going to press, the publishers cannot accept legal responsibility for any errors or omissions, nor can they accept responsibility of the standing of advertisers nor by the editorial contributions. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. Gift Focus is published six times a year. ISSN 1758-0897 @giftfocus @giftfocusmag @gift_focus Gift Focus magazine is proud to be associated with and supporters of: ADVERTISING Account Manager Lauren Redford-Hughes +44(0)1376 535 609 lauren.redford-hughes @giftfocus.com EDITORIAL Editor Louise Prance +44 (0)1376 514 000 louise.prance@giftfocus.com Gifts to stock for the warmer months on page 24. Go green with your product offering on page 56.
Industry news KITE PACKAGING ENTERS THIRD YEAR OF CARBON NEUTRALITY March 2023 brought renewed confirmation of carbon neutrality for Kite Packaging Group Limited from Carbon Neutral Britain. In 2022, Kite achieved carbon neutral status under Scopes 1 and 2, extending their offsetting to also include third-party deliveries under Scope 3. Following on from last year, the employee share-owned company has maintained this, successfully offsetting a total of 1338 tonnes of CO2e emissions, far exceeding their emissions for the year. All Kite trucks and outbound deliveries made by third-party couriers have been offset and are therefore carbon neutral. The company is continuing to operate with carbon neutral delivery, whether that is between Kite’s NDC and RDCs or directly to their customers and will be shown on customer delivery notes. The employee share-owned company avoided a further 198 CO2e by using renewable energy in their operation, having fitted solar panels at their new premises in Puma Park, Coventry. This is in keeping with their ambitions to use renewable energy for electrical consumption. Kite Packaging remains committed to environmental causes, collectively effecting meaningful change that helps us care for the wellbeing of our planet. To find out more about the products and services available at Kite Packaging, please visit www.kitepackaging.co.uk. Catch up on all the latest in our news round up PINTAIL CANDLES MARKS 30TH ANNIVERSARY Pintail Candles is celebrating a significant birthday this year. The company has been making fine fragranced candles in the South Lakeland countryside for 30 years. Director James Long started the business in 1993 at a time when the candle market was dominated by big manufacturers and the number of small boutique candle makers could be counted on one hand. His first workshop was in a basement and his first range was a collection of pillar and taper candles. After a couple of years, he moved to a converted milking parlour and took on his first employee. It was at this time that Pintail Candles became one of the first candle makers in the UK to produce candle tins, a product which they have been associated with ever since. With a growing business, his wife Fiona joined the firm full time and Pintail Candles moved again to its current location in Flookburgh, a small fishing village where cockles, mussels and the famous Morecambe Bay shrimps are harvested. It is also home to the beautiful and colourful pintail duck which inspired the name of their company. Over the succeeding years they pioneered the concept of an occasions candle and when cocktails were all the rage, Pintail was the first to make cocktail candles in a tin. James explains that their success has been in blending traditional candle making with contemporary fragrances and styling. “Although the company has grown, we still individually hand pour our candles. This creates a beautiful finish on the candle with a fragrance throw that fills a room with scent, all the way to the end of the burn,” he says. Fiona describes their ethos as sourcing everything as close to home as possible and supporting their local area: “We were lucky to grow up in the South Lakes of Cumbria and we wanted our business to remain in the area to provide local jobs. We use local designers and printers and most of raw materials, tins and wicks come from the UK.” Pintail Candles now sells its candles all over the UK, from the Shetland Islands to the Channel Isles as well as to Europe and various points around the globe. Fiona and James would like to thank their customers for their support over the year, many of whom have been stocking their candles for nearly as long as they have been making them. www.pintailcandles.com 8
JOE DAVIES APPOINTS DAVID CREE AS SALES DIRECTOR Manchester based importer and giftware distributor Joe Davies has appointed David Cree, former National Sales Manager, as Sales Director of the company. David has been with Joe Davies since 2004 and will be responsible for all sales operations across the business. Managing Director, Paul Hooker commented “David has effectively been carrying out the Sales Director role for some time and his appointment is in recognition of all his hard work. David’s customers will be delighted, it’s a very well-deserved promotion and a natural progression for Joe Davies.” www.joedavies.co.uk KATE MASON JOINS ACID AS DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Anti Copying in Design (ACID) has announced the appointment of Kate Mason as Director of Marketing. Kate brings a wealth of experience to the ACID team not only from her impressive credentials within the creative industries but also from her pioneering role leading The Big Draw, now a global organisation, helping children to recognise their creative soul through exploration and expression of ideas. Kate also brings her enthusiasm and passion for arts and crafts as Chair of the Society for Designer Craftsmen (SDC). On her appointment Kate said, “I can’t think of a more exciting time to be getting involved with this pioneering organisation which in so many ways is ahead of the curve in its focus, horizon scanning and leadership. It’s agility, reach and the breadth and nature of the membership ensure it is uniquely positioned. It is able to not only champion and be a leading voice against design theft, but also play a central role in the ongoing and developing narrative around copying in the creative industries and evidencing and mitigating this impact.” Dids Macdonald OBE., CEO of ACID said, “The team and I can’t wait for Kate to get started. ACID is at a pivotal time in our history, twenty-five years from its inception and together with Kate, we look to the next period of campaigning, growth and engagement with passion. As a committed advocate of the value of arts, craft and design she is streets ahead of most about understanding the importance of intellectual property as a positive force for growth.” ACID CEO DIDS MACDONALD OBE IS INCLUDED IN THE TRADE ASSOCIATION POWERLIST 2023 ACID CEO Dids Macdonald OBE has been nominated and included in the inaugural Women in Trade Association Powerlist 2023. The powerlist is a collaboration between FSB, CBI and the Trade Association Forum to celebrate and recognise inspirational women in the Association sector. The list was compiled from over 200 public nominations, and a selection panel from the Trade Association Forum. The CBI and FSB had the unenviable task of selecting the 100 women that make up the inaugural list. Nicola Bates, Chair of the Selection Panel and Strategy and External Affairs Director of the Portman Group said, “It has been a real pleasure to be able to bring the CBI, FSB and TAF together to champion the role of women in trade associations, celebrate their achievements and encourage the next generation of women into the association sector.“ Julie Lilley, FSB CEO said, “At FSB, I’m proud to lead a diverse organisation with strong representation of women at every level. This is true for our staff team but also our volunteers who are small business owners/self-employed right across the UK. As FSB was involved in setting up this initiative and the judging process, it would not be right to have also taken some of the slots - but I want to take this moment to say how brilliant the list is, to thank the Trade Association Forum, and reiterate my pride for FSB’s women. Well done to everyone in the list and involved.” INDUSTRY NEWS 9
ASHLEIGH & BURWOOD UNVEILS REFRESHED BUSINESS LOGO With new business-heads having recently joined and strengthened the team at Ashleigh & Burwood, the company, celebrating its 30th year, is embarking on its next exciting phase. Jed Kenrick, recently appointed CEO, has been making a strategic review of products and initiatives, investing and improving their offer to customers. As a first step Jed is keen to put more space between the company brand and the product brands they have created, for Ashleigh & Burwood. As part of the initial phase of development, the company has unveiled a reimagining of the company logo. They are re-presenting their logo with a new strapline that underpins their position as a leading home scenting company. Jed explains, “We are one company in a very crowded market, but what we want to confirm and highlight is that our offering really is something different to what’s presented by some importers or companies that have roots in different fields who have simply added a few candles and diffusers to their product mix. Our team knows and understands fragrances, home scenting, the products, the category and how it works for consumers and customers. It’s at the very heart of the business - and we want to let people know this.” Reaffirming the company brand has enabled the space to additionally review and redefine their product collection brands. These include; Ashleigh & Burwood - known at present for their powerful and highly giftable Fragrance Lamps; and The Scented Home – the popular accessible cross-product home fragrance collection. As the company moves forward both of these cornerstone brands will be reinvigorated and clarified, with the company investing in order to offer their loyal consumer base even greater choice when it comes to fragrance format options. To this end the company is enthusiastically anticipating the launch of new premium Reed Diffusers and Scented Candles later this year under the Ashleigh & Burwood brand. This will sit alongside the award winning Lamp Fragrance and Fragrance Lamps, offering consumers who love those products the opportunity to access the same gorgeous scents in a premium package that looks fabulous, on shelf and at home. And it will offer customers the only range on the market to include Fragrance Lamps, Lamp Fragrance, Reed Diffusers, Candles, Sprays, Fragrance Oils, Incense and, in time Wax Melts, all in the same premium brand. www.ashleight-burwood.co.uk SARAH WARD, CEO OF THE GIFTWARE ASSOCIATION, MAKES THE POWERLIST OF WOMEN IN TRADE ASSOCIATIONS CEO of the Giftware Association, Sarah Ward, has been named on the Powerlist of Women in Trade Associations. A collaboration between the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) The confederation of British Industries (CBI) and the Trade Association Forum (TAF) has today published a Powerlist of women in trade associations to coincide with International Women’s Day 2023 which features The CEO of the Giftware Association Sarah Ward. The list was compiled from over 200 nominations from the sector and a selection from the Trade Association Forum. CBI and FSB had the unenviable task of selecting the 100 women that make up the inaugural list. Sarah Ward said of her inclusion in the list “ I am so honoured to have made this list and be celebrated in this way. There are so many other powerful women here too, so I am privileged to share this achievement with them and for the power of our industry.” Nicola Bates, Chair of the Selection Panel and Strategy and External Affairs Director of the Portman Group said: “It has been a real pleasure to be able to bring the CBI, FSB and TAF together to champion the role of women in trade associations, celebrate their achievements and encourage the next generation of women into the association sector.” 10
UK SMALL FIRMS KEPT AT DISTANCE FROM OVERSEAS MARKETS BY COMPLEX CUSTOMS PROCEDURES, NEW RESEARCH FINDS Small firms are being held back from international trade by excessive customs paperwork, soaring costs and supply chain issues, according to new research by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). The Customs Clearance report, which looks at small businesses’ experiences of exporting and importing, finds that nearly one in ten (9%) small firms who used to trade internationally have stopped doing so within the past five years, in a real challenge to the UK’s growth plans. The volume of paperwork (56%), overall cost burden (49%) and supply chain and logistical issues (29%) are cited as key drivers. Small firms who have continued to trade internationally have to battle against stiff headwinds, with six in ten (61%) identifying high shipping costs as the top challenge, followed by losses and delays in transit (56%) and lack of guidance on customs procedures (45%). More broadly, as a result of severe disruption to the global supply chain caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, an overwhelming majority (81%) of small firms have been affected by cost increases and shortages of goods that originate from outside the UK. Two-fifths (40%) of small international traders have been forced to absorb extra costs of supply chain disruption, in addition to other cost pressures such as soaring energy bills and a record-high inflation at home, while a clear majority (56%) have raised prices as a result. Unlike big corporates, most small firms don’t have specialised in-house resources to deal with customs paperwork. Only 9% say they have a dedicated employee or team. Seven in ten (71%) small traders use an intermediary for at least some of the process of handling customs declarations, while six in ten (61%) use a large fast parcel operator. In terms of trading partners, Europe continues to be the top export and origin market by global region for small firms: 93% of small exporters and 87% of small importers move goods between the UK and other European countries. Ireland is where UK small exporters trade with the most, followed by Germany and France. When it comes to imports, Germany, the United States and China are the three most popular origin markets for UK small firms. In light of the findings, FSB urges the Government to lower the overall costs of trade and deliver a small business-friendly customs declaration by: Delivering an effective and small business-friendly Single Trade Window, an online portal that will bring in a ‘once and done’ approach to Government collection of the data traders need to provide to export or import. Targeting further resources towards small businesses with high export potential. More detailed resources should be developed for businesses in sectors that say they find a lack of guidance particularly difficult. Committing to passing and implementing the Electronic Trade Documents Bill. The Department for Business and Trade should raise awareness of and promote the advantages of digital trade documents via its new Help to Grow site. Adopting a ‘think small first’ approach to customs policy development. Policymakers must place small businesses at the heart of new trade and customs structures to avoid disproportionate cost or administrative burdens. This should include commitments to robust piloting and staggered implementation timelines. Government should also commit to raising the de minimis customs duty threshold to £1,000. FSB Policy Chair Tina McKenzie said: “Small businesses are eager to grow their businesses overseas, but our findings show there are undeniable tariff and non-tariff barriers that prevent these firms from reaching their full potential and deter potential high-growth exporters. “Our members consistently tell us the costs, time and administrative burden of trade are the reasons why they give up overseas markets. Complex customs procedures and high costs also put foreign consumers out of reach and create an uneven playing field for small firms. “But on the bright side, this means with the right structure in place and clear guidance on navigating the customs procedures, small businesses will thrive and flourish in the global market. “The UK’s new status as an independent trading nation gives policymakers a unique opportunity to build an effective and streamlined trade infrastructure from the ground up, with the need to place small business’ interests at its heart. “You can’t grow the UK economy without growing international trade. And at a time when the domestic economy is in a slowdown, small firms should be looking to tap into countries that have much better growth rates. UK success overseas helps the economy here at home. “The customs package as outlined in Spring Budget is welcomed as an important step towards simplifying small firms’ interactions with the border. Our recommendations, adopted as a whole, will create a seamless road for under-resourced but ambitious small firms to trade beyond the UK.” INDUSTRY NEWS 11
RISE OF THE ‘NON-GIFT’ CARD; INCREASING APPLICATIONS CREATE TIPPING POINT IN £8 BILLION UK GIFT CARD SECTOR When adults in the UK receive a gift card it is now more likely not to be a gift, with alternative uses for the versatile product outstripping gifting for the first time according to research from the Gift Card and Voucher Association (GCVA). The study of 2,000 UK adults, commissioned for the association’s ‘What’s in a Name’ whitepaper (supported by KPMG and sponsored by Tillo), found that 54.1% of UK adults (equivalent to 28.8 million people) received at least one gift card in the last year. Just under a quarter of the population (24.84%) received at least one as a gift from family or friends. However, 29.26% received gift cards solely for non-gifting reasons. The sector has been moving to this tipping point for some time, but recently the combination of lockdowns and the cost-ofliving crisis have further boosted these non-gifting applications according to industry experts. The latest industry data, compiled by KPMG from GCVA member’s data, revealed that in the second half of 2022, business to business sales of gift cards represented 57% of the market. Gail Cohen, director general at the GCVA, commented: “Gift cards are a simple, secure and well-loved financial product. We’ve all been using them since we were about six years old and they require little or no explanation. Over the decade they have evolved to allow online shopping and digital gift cards that can be added to mobile wallets. All of these factors have seen an explosion in applications, which now means gift cards are a crucial part of society.” Amongst these diverse uses are as a tool for businesses seeking to reward customers or offer cashback and incentives (10.29% of UK adults received a gift card for this reason in the last 12 months). Also, as an employer reward, mini-bonus or (more recently) as a form of cost-of-living support (8.1% of UK adults). Gift cards are also used by insurance companies as part of a claim or as an emergency interim payment (5.66% of UK adults). As well as by government as a way to quickly distribute benefits, a recent example being children’s national free school meals operated during pandemic school closures. Cohen adds: “Many sectors have embraced the gift card as it combines the simplicity of cash, but still allows payments to be controlled and monitored (e.g. for a specific purpose), for balances to be checked and topped up remotely and for recipients to redeem their gift card online. “We’ve also seen an explosion in innovative applications, especially post-lockdown. For example, cards being used to promote local towns and high-streets (with cards restricted to geographic locations) or as a way for companies to help employees access wellbeing services without feeling like their employer is looking over their shoulder.” Alex Preece, CEO and Co-Founder of Tillo, a platform that empowers companies to innovate and discover new use-cases for digital gift cards, comments: “ Tillo has been helping businesses to uncover new and exciting use-cases for digital gift cards for some time now, and the results of this GCVA whitepaper only serve to reinforce what we have known for some time - Gift Cards are no longer just for gifting. Tillo has always been at the forefront of gift card innovation, powering the distribution of school vouchers for the Free School Meals programme, which is used by over 1.3 million families a week, and providing the necessary infrastructure from which Fintechs can continue to innovate.” 12
On with the show Trade show updates from home and abroad London Stationery Show announces LaunchPad winners After dozens of entries and a scrupulous round of judging, London Stationery Show is delighted to announce the six businesses who have won the annual LaunchPad competition. LaunchPad aims to shine a light on emerging businesses looking to break into the stationery industry and showcase their unique products to a wider audience. The opportunity allows the winners to exhibit alongside market-leading brands at London Stationery Show and meet top buyers visiting the UK’s leading trade event dedicated to arts & crafts, greeting cards, paper products and writing instruments. The lucky winners also receive a range of marketing support, plus 50 percent off a stand at London Stationery Show 2024. The 2023 LaunchPad winners include: Curlicue Gifting Limited Curlicue Gifting Limited creates sustainable gift wrap and accessories. All designs are done in collaboration with artists and illustrators, valuing sustainability and design equally. Enayball Enayball is a UK SME focused on promoting equality by providing affordable access to independent living for individuals with disabilities. Their first product is a tool that allows anyone with a physical disability, including the most highly paralysed, to independently draw. Jennifer Tune Jennifer Tune creates modern, but minimalistic greetings cards, prints and gift wrap. Each product is created with sustainability in mind and blends contemporary typography, tactile paper and specialist print techniques. Ladies Let’s Plan The Ladies Let’s Plan Epic Planner Range helps clients strategise their everyday planning. With top tips in each planner to support them on their journey with plenty of space to capture memories and plan out ultimate goals. Lione and Sheikh A small women-owned London based business that hand makes and illustrates eco-friendly products, greeting cards and novelty stationery, focusing on minimalist pop culture designs and botanical illustrations. Moonducks Design Moonducks Design sells handmade sustainable notebooks, made from various recycled papers and available in more than 30 colours. Visit London Stationery Show from 16th – 17th May to meet the winners and see their design debuts for yourself. 14
Spring & Autumn Fair launch dedicated Community Development team to support buyers Spring & Autumn Fair have announced a dedicated Community Development team, headed up by Community Development Director Laura Rae, focused on developing relationships with buyers to improve their buying experience. With the launch of its game-changing new meetings programme Connect @ Autumn Fair together with the Community Development team, the show which takes place on 3rd – 6th September at NEC Birmingham, is offering the best opportunity for buyers to find the right products and brands that their customers will love. Laura Rae, Community Development Director says, “We’re thrilled to be part of the vibrant and dynamic retail sector, and to have the opportunity to enhance the visitor experience at the upcoming Autumn and Spring Fairs. Our team is committed to innovation and development, with a goal of making it easier than ever for visitors to meet their buying needs and strengthen their relationship with the show.” www.autumnfair.com NATIONAL STATIONERY WEEK IS BACK WITH A BANG FOR 2023 The National Stationery Week team are bursting at their pencil case seams with this year’s all-star line-up. Maped Helix, Pentel, Snopake, Edding, Zebra and Staedtler are headlining the seven days of stationery and will be filling the week with exciting initiatives for both independent stationery retailers and stationery lovers alike. • Monday 15 May: #CreativityDay sponsored by Maped Helix • Tuesday 16 May: #LovePentelPens sponsored by Pentel • Wednesday 17 May: #WorkHappy sponsored by Snopake • Thursday 18 May: #MyNameIs sponsored by Edding • Friday 19 May: #ItFeelsGood sponsored by Zebra • Saturday 20 May: #SustainableStationery sponsored by Staedtler Sarah Laker, National Stationery Week coordinator, says: “I’ve been blown away by the response from these worldrenowned brands sponsoring National Stationery Week and would like to thank them for their support. It’s going to be an exciting week filled with all sorts of amazing competitions and giveaways, a true celebration of all things stationery”. Alex Butler, Event Director of London Stationery Show, adds: “It’s wonderful to see so many suppliers engage with this year’s campaign, and I can’t wait to see how the retailers interpret each of the daily hashtags in their own stores. It’s a privilege to be a part of such an important campaign which gets more people writing.” Rebranded National Stationery Week is taking place between 15-21 May 2023, and will be championing stationery in all its forms. Since its launch in 2011, National Stationery Week has campaigned to get more consumers into shops by encouraging them to put pen to paper. This year is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever before with the stellar lineup of brands. To discuss the remaining sponsorship opportunities as well as how retailers can get involved in this year’s unmissable National Stationery Week, contact Sarah Laker at sarah@nationalstationeryweek.com. Milano Home to launch in January 2024 Milano Home is the name of the new yearly trade fair that will make its first appearance from 11 to 14 January 2024 at fieramilano. The event is built around the experience of Fiera Milano and GEFI, coupled with the creative skills of a team of experts who will follow the evolution of the project and bring it to fruition through numerous initiatives and special experiences. At the heart of the exhibition proposal, which includes tableware, kitchen, home decoration, textiles, fragrances, concept gifts, christmas, is the Italian know-how, which will be mixed with the manufacturing, traditions and innovations of many foreign countries, to create a dynamic and international showcase of trends, style ideas and novelties. Milano Home will not just be a tradeshow, but also an inclusive pathway for a community that will meet every January to discover the latest news and discuss current trends. 15 NEWS & EVENTS
HYVE GROUP PROMOTES NICOLA MEADOWS TO DIVISIONAL MANAGING DIRECTOR Hyve Group plc has announced the appointment of Nicola Meadows as its new Divisional Managing Director for the Retail, Manufacturing and Engineering Division. Nicola joined Hyve in August last year as Portfolio Director for Spring & Autumn Fair, soon adding Glee and fashion events Pure London and Scoop to her remit and taking on leadership responsibility for the entire Retail portfolio. Mark Shashoua, CEO Hyve Group plc says, “During her time with us so far, Nicola has shown herself to be a strong and calm leader for her team and she is currently overseeing the rollout of Connect on the Spring and Autumn Fair portfolio. It’s her connection with Hyve’s ‘why’ that really makes her the ideal candidate for this role. I am very much looking forward to working with her to maximise the portfolio’s potential and create even more game-changing impact for our retail, manufacturing and engineering customer communities.” Nicola Meadows adds, “I feel honoured to be guiding such established events through an exciting time for the industry, working alongside incredibly talented and passionate teams. We are transforming the future of events with the launch of Connect at Spring & Autumn Fair, and our aim is to generate higher returns on investment for our exhibitors and an unrivalled return on time and experience for visitors across the entire division. It is our role to provide the best platforms to showcase great products and innovation as well as nurture the brands and retailers of the future to ensure continued business success.” Scotland’s Trade Fair news Scotland’s Trade Spring Fair saw returning confidence in the market with exhibitors and buyers in an upbeat, positive frame of mind at this key buying show for the gift market. Off the back of a successful retail season in 2022 in Scotland, buyers are feeling very positive about the year ahead and the leads and orders generated reflected this. Tourism is one of the key drivers of the gift market in Scotland and the early indicators for this year are very positive once again. Richard Wallace from new exhibitor Glen Ogal said: “This has been a fantastic few days for us, with many orders written, new stockists secured and new leads established. It is a great start to the year.” One highlight of the show was the Best Product awards judged by retail experts Sarah Gordon from Luss General Store, Charmaine Fox from Caulders Garden Centres and Amy McCusker from Wee Box. They were impressed by the standard of the entrants as well as the pricepoints, design and creativity, making choosing winners very difficult. Amy McCusker said: “From innovative design to stylish gifts, the entrants and winners of the awards alike should be proud. It is inspiring to see the industry pushing the envelope and emerging from two years of the pandemic with renewed determination.” The winners are listed below. The Talking Shop Seminar Theatre hosted a series of wellattended informative and relevant talks on all aspects of retailing, including masterclasses on social media and online content, panel discussions with leading influencers and the ever- favourite Nessie’s Den, where new young companies pitch to retailers in a light-hearted session. The Show was also delighted to welcome a visit from Ivan McKee MSP, Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism & Enterprise, who toured the show and spoke about support for Scottish businesses. Best Product Award Winners Cards and stationery Gold – The Wee Book Company – children’s book Silver – Pop Up Designs – light up birthday card Bronze – Pink Pig – cards Home & Gift Gold – Fiona Matheson Studio – Block in a Box Silver – Love Scottish Candles – natural wax candle Bronze – D&C Supplies – Highland cow hot water bottle Textiles, Jewellery and Fashion Accessories Gold – Amy Britton – Harris tweed and recycled plastic laptop case Silver – Glen Ogal – Bamboo sunglasses Bronze – Nixey -Sporran handbag Launch Gallery Gold – Lin Pin Crafts – needle felting starter kit Silver – The Ink Balm – nature’s butter for tattooed skin Bronze – Victoria Gordon Art – stag tea towel The 2024 Show is from 21st –23rd January 2024, while the Autumn Show is on the earlier date of 20th –21st August 2023. For more information, visit: www.scotlandstradefairs.com 16
Please contact us for a trade catalogue. Tel 01460 75686 www.classiccanes.co.uk ‘CROWNING GLORY’ A CANE FOR THE CORONATION contemporary eyewear ® Remaldi by Opticaid 0113 239 1400 sales@opticaid.net www.opticaid.net Harrogate Stand A31
19 BRAND SPANKING NEW Brand spanking new Check out some new and exciting products in the current market INIS www.inis.com The new Inis Home Refresher Oil can be used in electric diffusers and oil burners, or to scent any potpourri or porous ceramic home fragrance item. Add 2-3 drops of oil to water in your electric diffuser or use a few drops to refresh Inis Scented Seashells & Sea Glass or any other porous ceramic home fragrance items. Replenish with additional drops as needed. Another great way to instantly brighten your surroundings with the sparkling, clean, ocean-fresh scent of Inis. PERSONALISED MEMENTO COMPANY www.personalisedmementocompany.com Brand new from PMC are these personalised, botanical save-the-date cards. With the option to fully personalise with any chosen text, they are a wonderful way to tell your loved ones the important information about your special day. With a classic botanical design, they are ideal for a large range of different wedding colour schemes and themes. Keep an eye out for the full product range coming soon. Every gift is personalised and drop shipped direct to the customer, meaning you don’t hold stock. Visit PMC’s website to register for your trade account today. JOE DAVIES www.joedavies.co.uk Miniature houses continue to trend within home décor so, with this in mind Joe Davies have launched a brand-new collection ‘Love Lane’. This pretty, shabby chic range of wooden home décor in softly coloured pastels will add a bit of charm to anyone’s home. The houses are painted in a rustic handmade style with each piece featuring a row of cute houses and a special sentiment message making them the perfect gift. Choose from table plaques, coaster sets, tea lights, photo frames and much more. Ordering from Joe Davies couldn’t be easier with their signature ‘little and often’ ordering system and their industry beating low minimum order value of just £100 for a carriage paid order.
20 GLENSHEE POTTERY www.ladycrowsilks.co.uk Glenshee Pottery is delighted to introduce their new collection of Wee Wonky Bothies for 2023. These curiously shaped small houses have multi-coloured windows and are brimming with character. Each one is individually hand made in the heart of Scotland and fully complements the ever-popular family of Wee Glenshee Bothies. Corinne Lapierre has launched three new folk embroidered Mini Kits featuring a dog, cat and peacock. Corinne’s love of folk art is evident in all her creations and these quirky animals are a perfect example of her craft and style. They make a great little gift for all those who love wildlife and pets and are highly collectible too. As everything needed to complete the project is in the box (except scissors), Corinne’s kits are perfect for trips and holidays. They appeal to crafters of all abilities, including those just starting out, and are a fantastic way to relax for a few hours. Mr Hedgehog is not only a keen gardener, but he also wants you to know that he does his bit for the environment! All Corinne Lapierre’s kits are made with wool/viscose mix felt, which are both 100 percent natural and biodegradable. As for the thread, it is produced by DMC, a 177-year-old French company world famous for its luscious colours and high-quality stranded cotton. DMC produces 1 million skeins a day and has its own water recycling facility. The kits are packaged in gorgeous, printed craft boxes which are reusable, recyclable and even compostable. Corinne’s distinctive kits can therefore be purchased and gifted with complete peace of mind. CORINNE LAPIERRE www.corinnelapierre.com
21 BRAND SPANKING NEW ANCIENT WISDOM www.ancientwisdom.biz Ancient Wisdom Gemstone Bracelets Bath Bomb will transform bath time into a lavish spa experience with these handcrafted bath bombs that not only nourish the skin but also create a relaxing and soothing atmosphere, leaving your customer feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. But the best part? Inside each bath bomb, you’ll discover a stunning gemstone bracelet that come in a variety of gemstones, each with its unique properties and meaning. Choose from a range of gemstones such as Amethyst, Rose Quartz, Tiger Eye, Aventurine, Sodalite, White Jasper. OPTICAID www.opticaid.net Opticaid has a myriad of new products launching from May onwards. Buyer Gillian Marchbank says: “The team have spent a lot of time in product development in the last six months – looking at new ideas but also reviewing our current range, modernising packaging, and studying the eco options out there”. New from May is Opticaid’s revamped range of BlueVue® screen glasses which filter 30 percent of blue light emitted from the screens on our tablets, phones and PC’s. New styles include Harrow in 4 matt colours and the slightly smaller frame Highbury in 3 matt colours. They’re ideal if you spend a lot of time in front of a screen and come in a non-prescription version as well as five reading strengths. They’re also ideal for those partial to gaming and retail for £18. The glasses are made from recycled drinks bottles resulting in strong lightweight polycarbonate frames which can also be recycled after use! New from July onwards are new reading glass cases and premium 250 gsm glasses cleaning cloths designed in collaboration with their licencing partner I like birds®. Building on the success of the I like birds® reading glasses and RFID blocking card wallets it was only a matter of time before the range extended. There’s 8 different designs each featuring a much loved bird in the brand’s award winning style with coordinating high quality microfibre cloths. We’re sure this range will make an ideal gift and will be fully launched at Harrogate Home & Gift. RRP from £14 for the case and matching cloth. PINTAIL CANDLES www.pintailcandles.com A juicy smoothie of fabulous fruity fragrances is how Pintail Candles has described its new Raspberry & Redcurrant candle. Launched at the NEC Spring Fair, this fragrance was a popular choice at the show and with warmer weather and sunnier days around the corner it looks set to become a firm favourite. Top notes feature summer ripe raspberries and sugar sprinkled strawberries. With a youthful heart of crushed red currants infused with the freshly squeezed juice of oranges. As both raspberry and redcurrant are two popular ingredients found in a variety of fragrances and perfumes, Pintail Candles has selected these elements to broaden the fragrance notes in the range. This new Raspberry & Redcurrant candle offers a sweeter option but one with style and sophistication. The fragrance is available in the iconic Paint Pot Candle range. Now celebrating 30 years in business, Pintail Candles was one of the first in the UK to create the candle tin, with its Paint Pot Candles taking pride of place. Even today, each candle is still individually hand poured in their Lakeland studio, using traditional methods and with ingredients sourced as close to home as possible. Even the tins and wicks are made in the UK. This year has seen an increase in sales for the Paint Candle range with retailers mindful of the current cost of living crisis. This British made candle range, featuring their new Raspberry & Redcurrant candle, retails for under £6.
info@corinnelapierre.com - tel: 0113 2460403 Embroidery kits to delight & inspire www.corinnelapierre.com Creativity in a box ! free sample packs with every order Find us on Faire for 60-day payment terms: corinnelapierrelimited.faire.com Scan For Latest Trade Catalogue Trade Accounts: joclarkdesign.faire.com orders@joclarkdesign.co.uk www.joclarkdesign.co.uk
23 BOOK REVIEWS Bookstand The latest releases in gift books HOW PLANTS CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE By Dr Ross Cameron RRP: £25 Format: Hardback Growing plants and creating gardens is deeply rewarding, but there’s increasing evidence that a relationship with the natural world is vital for our health and wellbeing. Being exposed to plants either inside or outside of the home, cultivating them and taking part in garden activities has been linked to: • reduced frequency or severity of depression • reduced anxiety and stress • delays in the onset of dementia • increased feelings of joy • improvements in physical fitness • enhanced self-esteem • better communication skills • better diet In one study, Dr Cameron and colleagues provided some non-gardeners with planted pots to place in front of their homes so that they would notice them as they entered and left. Over a number of weeks, they observed that these people had significantly healthier levels of the stress hormone cortisol – indicating less chronic stress – than similar residents who had not been given plants. In the most extreme cases, providing views of and access to local green space has been linked to lower levels of domestic violence and even less gun crime. There are many ways a plant might save your life! This new book explores the ways we can introduce plants into our lives – with or without a garden – and thus embrace some of the benefits the natural world provides for our well-being. Divided into 50 sections, each one highlights a plant-based activity, how this is good for your health and provides links to the underlying concept that supports health and well-being. Written by environmental horticulture expert Dr Ross Cameron, this book will offer readers a wealth of ideas on planting and growing as well as explaining the latest science research behind those ideas. www.quercusbooks.co.uk THE BABY WITCH’S JOURNAL By Astrid Carval RRP: £10.99 ISBN: 978 1 80007 714 0 Format: Paperback Calling all baby witches! Have you ever wanted to develop your intuitive powers to look into the future and manifest your dreams? Are you interested in learning how to harness the moon’s power to cast the most potent spells for love and happiness? Or maybe you’re just curious about all this witchy stuff and want to know more? If so, The Baby Witch’s Journal is for you! Part journal and part beginner’s guide, the beautifully designed The Baby Witch’s Journal will reveal the many different kinds of witchcraft there are and provides thoughtful questions to help you discover which kind of witch you are – a celestial witch? A weather witch? A divination witch? Or an earth witch? With easy-to-follow spells and rituals for every occasion and every kind of witch, and your very own grimoire pages to record the spells you have cast and any that you’ve devised yourself, The Baby Witch’s Journal will set you on the path to discovering your true witchy self. www.summersdale.com THE RAMBLER’S HANDBOOK RRP: £16.99 Format: Paperback Britain is brimming with stunning walks, and this go-to guide from The Ramblers sets out 40 favourite routes around the UK. Arranged by season, each walk includes detailed route instructions, a map, and notes about landmarks and wildlife to keep an eye out for. Amble through bluebellcarpeted West Country woodlands in spring and explore North Yorkshire’s limestone slopes ablaze with wildflowers in early summer. Experience the fiery autumnal hues of the Wye Valley Forest, or take a winter walk to see the fallow deer in Richmond Park. The book encompasses a beautiful selection of varied walks all over the UK, from short country strolls to challenging hill hikes, gentle woodland wanders to breathtaking cliff-path adventures, and even urban city walks – there are routes to cater for all levels of fitness and experience from easy, leisurely and moderate to strenuous and technical. As well as 40 stunning walks, The Rambler’s Handbook includes chapters on the health and wellbeing benefits of walking; from mindful walking to ‘forest bathing’ – a decades-old therapy first developed in Japan – and what to wear and carry for the different seasons and terrains. Also included are case studies with Ramblers’ members, such as Louise Trewarn, who talks about how walking helped to ease the pain of her arthritis and fibromyalgia. www.quercusbooks.co.uk THE KING’S CROWN RRP: £7.99 Ladybird is thrilled to introduce a colourful new page-turner this spring, the interactive lift-the-flap adventure, The King’s Crown. Ready to royally inspire little readers, the engaging story book will help little ones join in with the magic of the King’s Coronation through vibrant illustrations and a rhyming, follow-along story. Celebrate the upcoming Coronation as a family with the exciting search-and-find, lift-the-flap story book! Parents can enjoy reading with their little ones as they explore the colourful castle with its many hidden treasures, engaging them in the historic event that is taking place in May. The delightful rhyming story takes little ones on an adventure around the palace to find the King’s crown ahead of the Big Parade. The poor King has lost his golden crown, and it’s down to the readers to find it! Look underneath the tablecloth, behind the bookcase and even in the palace gardens to see what you can find. There are lots of characters to meet along the way and this exciting adventure is full of surprises that little readers are sure to love! Ideal for 2 years+, the totally charming lift-the-flap book boosts fine motor skills and inspires imaginative play. Children can explore each page to look for hidden clues and characters, whilst enjoying the rhyming story which can either be read to them by a parent, or be read independently by older children. www.penguin.co.uk
The sun is out, and consumers are feeling ready to splash the cash – check out this range of product to stock ANCIENT WISDOM T: +44 (0)1142 729 165 care@ancientwisdom.biz www.ancientwisdom.biz Ancient Wisdom is pleased to introduce the new range of wholesale Sarongs. These Celtic Inspired Sarongs are the ideal size to wrap around the waist, and can be both sporty and elegant, perfect to be worn in any occasion, especially as a beachwear accessory. With the summer approaching, these darongs will definitely sell, they are light, portable, fashionable and functional. The Celtic Sarongs Wholesale are featured in three different designs, each design comes in a pack of four beautiful sarongs in vibrant colours. Made from 100% rayon material. Summer loving PERSONALISED MEMENTO COMPANY E: sales@personalisedmemento.co.uk www.personalisedmemento.co.uk Get ready for summer with a stylish water bottle from Personalised Memento Company. This personalised dreamcatcher water bottle is sure to help you stay hydrated whether at home, the office or on the go. With a large range of different designs available including a hydration tracker and photo upload options. Featuring a white twist-on lid, clear concealable flip-top drinking spout attached to a straw. Established in 2004, PMC is innovative and proactive in designing new ranges to keep up with current trends, whilst still supplying those classic gifts too. 24
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0NTE=