STABILO ANNOUNCES NEW DISTRIBUTION PARTNERSHIP WITH ASDA Leading European manufacturer of pens, pencils, and other writing instruments, Stabilo, has announced a new partnership with Asda to stock its range of high-quality stationery. This exciting development marks a significant milestone for Stabilo as it expands its retail presence. Shoppers can now easily access Stabilo’s popular products from vibrant highlighters to precision pens, ensuring they have the perfect tools for school, office, and creative projects. Stabilo will now be stocked in up to 462 Asda stores nationwide, along with being available for purchase online. This new partnership marks Stabilo’s move back into grocery stores and a look into the future plans of the brand as it looks to expand it grocery partnership network. Current stockists of Stabilo include independent retailers and news, books and convenience stores. Shahbaz Khan, Market Director UK/Ireland at Stabilo, says: ‘We’re absolutely delighted to announce our partnership with Asda, one of the UK’s leading retailers. This collaboration not only enhances the availability of our high-quality products but also underscores our commitment to making Stabilo’s vibrant and creative tools accessible to a broader audience. By working together with Asda, we’re taking a significant step forward in our mission to bring colour and creativity back into everyday life, inspiring people of all ages to express themselves through our innovative and diverse range of stationery products. We look forward to a successful partnership that benefits our customers and enriches their creative experiences.’” www.stabilo.com GCVA APPOINTS DR HANNAH SHIMKO AS MANAGING DIRECTOR The Gift Card and Voucher Association (GCVA) has announced the appointment of Dr Hannah Shimko as its new Managing Director. Dr Shimko brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her new role, having served as Chief Executive Officer at the Online Dating and Discovery Association and Head of Policy and Communications at The Heritage Alliance. Dr Hannah Shimko’s selection for this pivotal role was based on her extensive skills and experience in managing the diverse activities of trade associations. Her track record of successfully leading teams, growing memberships, and championing initiatives aligns seamlessly with the GCVA’s vision for the future. Commenting on Dr Shimko’s appointment, Siobhan Moore and Adam Hobbs (GCVA Executive Co-Chairs) stated, “Hannah’s skills and experience were just what we were looking for. Someone who understands and has experience of managing the diverse activities of a trade association, with the ability to manage and grow the GCVA team, its membership and championing the many and varied GCVA initiatives that help drive our vibrant sector forward.” The appointment of Dr Shimko is expected to further enhance the development of the GCVA and the wider gift card industry. Despite the challenging economic climate, the gift card market continues to thrive, and the GCVA is confident that Dr Shimko will play a key role in capitalising on this upward trajectory. In her new role, Dr Hannah Shimko will spearhead several key initiatives aimed at advancing the gift card industry and advocating for regulatory changes to support its growth. Chief among her priorities is advocating for an increase in the tax allowance for trivial benefits. Currently, employers can make tax-free gifts to employees of £50 each. Dr Shimko believes this allowance should be raised to match those in other countries, especially in light of the increasing costs of living. www.gvca.co.uk BEST KEPT SECRETS TRIUMPHS AT GIFT OF THE YEAR AWARDS Best Kept Secrets, a leading British home fragrance brand, celebrated its 28th anniversary in 2024 with a major triumph at the Gift of the Year Awards, securing the Best Home Fragrance category title. This significant win reflects the brand’s substantial growth under the leadership of Managing Director Vanessa Curry since 2018. The award ceremony brought together the best in retail and giftware to honour this year’s top innovators in the industry. “Winning this award is a profound honour and reflects our team’s relentless dedication and the passion we put into every product. It’s truly inspiring to be recognised alongside such distinguished brands,” said Vanessa Curry. The brand’s Just Because Three Lite Boxes not only won Best Home Fragrance but was also Highly Commended in two other categories, showcasing their popularity as affordable, thoughtful gifting options under £10. These boxes are noted for their colourful, recyclable vessels filled with the brand’s bestselling scents, each conveying a unique message for any occasion. Additional accolades include a Highly Commended award in the Ethical and Sustainable category for the Our Fragrant World collection, created with designer Nicky Dawson and featuring candles made from plant-based waxes, highlighting the brand’s commitment to sustainable innovation. www.bestkeptsecrets.co.uk INDUSTRY NEWS 11
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