Christmas in January 2025

Christmas in January

12th to 15th January 2025 Harrogate International Centre

Harrogate Christmas & Gift Years

Nine halls of Christmas

HALL A

A1 Christmas in January

A10 Florelle International Ltd.

A11 Keel Toys Ltd.

A12 Walton & Co Ltd.

A13 Maple Moon

A14 Lamond Products / Hairy Fairy Gifts

A16 Jeno Floral Imports

A18 Sincere UK Ltd.

A2 The Milford Collection

A21 HELLMANN - VERSAND GmbH

A25 Lemax Europe BV

A26 Luxa Flamelighting

A27 Heart and Soul Studio Ltd.

A3 The Satchville Gift Company

A30 The Giftware Trading Company

A31 Global Journey Ltd.

A33 Jackson’s Greeting Cards Ltd.

A36 Amalfi Imports Ltd.

A37 Mulberry Studios Ltd.

A38 Peggy Wilkins Textile Fashions

A4 Lesser & Pavey Ltd.

A40 The English Soap Company

A5 Padgett Brothers AtoZ

A6 Hill Interiors

A9/22 Leisuregrow Products Ltd. (NOMA)

HALL B

B1 Hogewoning B.V

B13 TIPPERARY

B14 RSW International Ltd.

B15 Norfolk Leisure

B18 Benross Marketing Ltd.

B2/7/9 Floralsilk Ltd.

B20 Holly and Ivy

B22 PolarX Ornament & Gift

B23 Out Of the Blue Studios

B24 Home County Candle Co Ltd.

B3 Sifcon International Plc

B4 Partisan Products Ltd.

B5 Davies Products (Liverpool) Ltd.

B6 History & Heraldry

B8/21 Portland Living

HALL C

C1 Festive Productions Ltd.

C10 Sarees by Marisha

C12 Best Years Ltd.

C13/41 The Straits Trading Company

C14 Aromatize

C15 RMS

C17 The Playwrite Group Plc

C18 Sass & Belle

C19 Tallon International Ltd.

C2 Shatchi

C21 DCUK

C22 Puleo Asia Ltd.

C37 Heaven Sends

C6 Santa and Friends

C7 Fair to Trade Ltd.

C8 Stands Out Ltd.

C9 Ziggle

HALL D

D1/4 Snowtime

D2 PMS International Group Plc

D3 Eurowrap Limited

D5 Bollywood Christmas

D6 Namaste UK Ltd.

HALL G

G10 Kaemingk BV

G12 Lotus Imports Ltd.

G13 Widdop & Co Ltd.

G14 Calipso (Roast) Ltd.

G15 Weiste

G16/18 CB Imports Plc

G8 Penny Kennedy Ltd.

G8 Great British Card Company

G8 Ling Design Ltd.

HALL H

H1 Premier Decorations Ltd.

H2 Premier Halloween

H3 Premier Summer Living

HALL M

M1 Richard Lang & Son Ltd.

M12 Ascalon Design Ltd.

M14/16/28 Gisela Graham Ltd.

M2 Hamac Trading Co

M22 Konstsmide (UK) Ltd.

M24 Christmas Inspirations Bv

M25 Joe Davies Ltd.

M3 BOLTZE GRUPPE GMBH

M6 Sagedecor

HALL Q

Q1 Smart Garden Products Ltd.

Q10 Apac Group

Q12 Sheetal Mercantile Private Ltd.

Q13 Portland Fir

Q15 The Seasonal Group

Q8 Terra Rossa

QUEENS SUITE

QS1 Vivid Arts Ltd.

QS10 Mad Toys

QS12 Indulgence Ltd.

QS14 Rigwell Ltd.

QS16 Paper Starlights

QS17 True Origin

QS18 The Festive House

QS2 Fountasia International Ltd.

QS20 Wix & Wax Candles Ltd.

QS21 Shifa Aromas Ltd.

QS3/54 Snowlodge

QS8 American Christmas

QSA TREND MANIA LTD

QSB CK SUPPLIES

Celebrating Years

Retail

More than 70 years ago Marian Puleo’s love of Christmas created A family business

or over a century the Cornelius family have been at the heart of the toy industry

into

I meet with John and Jason Athwal to see for myself A

Lesser & Pavey’s sales director Jonny Greves talks to Sarah

when Russian criminals hacked the company’s I.T. system

Konstsmide upgrade their Interntional I.T. system 38

A new state-of-the-art system for the times

Endless Winter Inspiration 40

Johanna Weiste takes inspiration From their Finnish winter countryside

Four seasons at Davies Products 44

There’s something for everyone on The Davies Product’s stand

Charm and choice at Christmas 46

Seasonal style from Giftware Trading

Christmas Grotto toys from the Specialists – Padgett Bros. 47

All hand-wrapped at their own HQ

Premier and National Tree 48

A successful partnership that grows and grows

Nostalgia in the air 50

Atmospheric candles for Christmas from Home County Candles

Switched on for the season 52

From across the Pond American Christmas are ready to go

Premier’s hauntingly, Spooktacular

Halloween Collection 54

Some great new Halloween goodies

The best in Christmas design 56

So say Norfolk of their Bosk Christmas Collection

Back by popular demand 58

That’s Joe Davies for you

The perfect start to 2025 60

Eco-friendly Plush from Keel Toys

Another blooming Christmas 62

Florelle have six decades of experience in the artificial flower business

Designs on Christmas 64

Out of the Blue Studios first showing of their greeting card range at Harrogate

Taking Festive Display to the Next level 66

The Seasonal Group specialize In magical Animatronics

Harrogate leads the way for Shatchi 68

Lots of goodies including their Floral range

Christmas cards on the table 70

Plenty of Stationery ranges to suit all pockets from Tallon

JLeader 2025

years old! No, not me but the Harrogate Christmas & Gift show.

Known originally as the Harrogate toy fair, it moved from Manchester to Harrogate in 1950 and was for many years principally for wholesale, mail order and department store buyers making use of all the hotels for stand space.

If you were a retailer you were told politely that you would not be allowed to visit. Also, and in my opinion something sadly lacking these days, babies and children were strictly forbidden entry. Sensibly parents then would not have contemplated bringing babies to an exhibition.

Even in those early days there were a number of Christmas exhibitors, primarily importing product from the Far East and Europe.

With the 2025 show fully booked we shall be celebrating 75 years with a drinks party in the Royal Hall immediately after the Sunday first day. Canapes will also be served along with live music to set your toes tapping.

My first show was 1966. Harrogate was a six day show and a real eye-opener for an innocent young man like myself.

Quite what all the young reps., of the time thought of it I’m not quite sure!

One company and I believe the only company that has shown at all 75 shows is the Playwrite Group. Originally known as W.H. Cornelius Ltd., they are now 5th generation with Guy and James Cornelius at the helm. Their story appears on page 28/29.

Spare a thought for Snowtime’s chairman Mike Withers, when having received a call from Sara Murray his M.D. informing Mike that their entire I.T. system had been hacked by a Russian gang of criminals who were demanding

“With the 2025 show fully booked we shall be celebrating 75 years with a drinks party in the Royal Hall immediately after the Sunday first day”

a ransom to release it. The fact that this was mid-September at the height of their delivering stock to customers made this even more harrowing. How they coped says much for team loyalty in how they tackled this.

I was very sad to learn that after 40 years in the Christmas decoration business that Iain and Pearl Mercer of Jingles had taken the decision on the 29th November to place their company into administration. It was always a pleasure 75

doing business with them and I shall miss my annual trip to Belfast.

It has been a tough trading year for everyone, not least due to the increased shipping time around the Horn of Africa instead of the Suez Canal and the risk of the Hothis rebels attacking the ships. This has increased the cost of containers four-fold, adding even more pressure to retail prices.

With ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ so popular today, maybe it is time to bring back the 1966 Harrogate Royal Hall dance, where one of the exhibitors just happened to be a big ballroom fan and brought along the then World Champions for a dance demonstration.

Despite all of this, Harrogate continues to offer an amazing treasure trove of new products and new companies inviting you to see for yourselves what lies in store. A new hall has also been added – Hall ‘G’, situated below Premier’s Hall ‘H’. There will be both stairs and an escalator allowing easy access to both halls. Included in the exhibitors in Hall ‘G’ will be Kaemingk who have left Hall ‘M’ to take a larger stand in this new hall.

We shall be occupying our normal stand in the entrance to Hall ‘A’ and will be pleased to see our regular and new readers. Premier Decorations are looking for a number of buyers in key purchasing positions. Whilst experience buying and creating Christmas product is an advantage, the company are keen to consider any applicant with some buying experience. The company are also looking for an Operations Manager. These positions will be based at their Ruislip offices. Interested parties please send CV to john.athwal@premierdec.com

Malcolm Naish

Photo by Candis Hidalgo from Pexels

COFFEE BREAK J

A Decade of Festive Design

Smart Garden Products has the festive season all wrapped up – with hundreds of new seasonal pieces being unveiled at Harrogate. Malcolm Naish spoke to MD Jonathan Stobart…

The show celebrates its 75th year in 2025. What was your first year of showing in Harrogate and how did S.G.P. come to be involved in the Christmas business?

We first exhibited at Harrogate in 2015 as Smart Garden to dip our toes into the Christmas market before Three Kings was born! Our range then was pretty compact as we didn’t have the necessary time or resource to do a “proper job” while our main priority at that time was our Summer Collections. Subsequently we decided to focus much more on Christmas, so we unveiled our Three Kings brand in 2018 – and the rest is history!

Is the ‘Three Kings’ range the only products your company sells or are you in any other sectors?

The company, originally called Smart Solar, was a solar lighting/water feature specialist but expanded into a wide range of gardening products when the business was acquired by Paris Natar in 2013. While solar lighting remains the “king” category, Smart is now active in over a dozen diverse product groups within the gardening area, including hanging gardening, plant support, landscaping, gloves & footwear and wild bird care, to name a few. However, Christmas is fast becoming one of the largest product groups in our portfolio and should soon be challenging solar lighting as our biggest product group.

How have deliveries from the Far East been during 2024 and have the problems for the shipping companies having to take the longer route around the Horn of Africa been a serious problem?

Inevitably the Houthi attacks at the start of 2024 created concerns and cost challenges. After an initial “wait and see” approach, ships

then started re-routing around Africa and avoiding the Suez Canal which remains the case today and is unlikely to change any time soon. This not only caused a sharp upturn in costs but also inevitably longer lead times for shipping. The result of so many vessels being in the wrong location and elongated shipping routes made it particularly challenging in the first half of 2024 although the longer transit time has now become the new normal. The main impact, aside from an increase in costs, is the need to order stock even earlier to ensure arrival on time as a result of transit times of up to 8 weeks at peak times.

Have you some advice for the Labour government that would help traders to improve their margins and therefore improve the country’s growth?

Labour’s much vaulted promises while in opposition to be a pro-business government have not turned out to be so prophetic! Whilst acknowledging that tax revenues needed to be raised, the impact of the scale and depth of the National Insurance increases is very damaging especially for smaller businesses with a larger number of part-time and/or lower paid employees. The result of this is likely to be an impediment, not a stimulus, to growth. As with a lot of Government tax changes, they tend to be quite blunt instruments and don’t adequately address the varied needs and pressures within businesses.

Do you fear the worst when President Trump takes over regarding future tariffs?

I don’t think anyone really knows what the actual impact of Trump coming into power will be, including Trump himself! It seems likely that the biggest impact will be on those businesses exporting to the US which

seems destined to become more isolationist with higher tariffs. History tells us that raising tariffs and adopting a protectionist stance tends to lead to higher prices and inflation, while what happens in the US tends to have a ripple effect in due course over here in the UK and Europe. Maybe the silver lining could be more appetite for European and UK business from China and keener shipping rates, but I’m not holding my breath!

If there was one thing you could change personally to improve business what would that be?

I would like to see a return to free trade with the EU – Brexit has not only triggered higher costs of business and excessive new bureaucracy, but changed the way Europeans view the UK, which is not for the better.

Do you and your team visit the Far East now that Covid is not a problem?

Yes, we have regular visits to the Far East, where the environment is now just the same as it was pre-Covid. It is so much more productive and enjoyable to be able to conduct business in person and be able to travel throughout China and other countries in Asia. Having our own office in China has always been key for us and during Covid was disproportionately helpful, but it is great to be able to see and meet up with our team on a regular basis again.

We look forward to welcoming all visitors to Harrogate on the Three Kings stand where there will be more than 600 new products on display!

For more information visit: www.sgpuk.com Harrogate show stand: Hall Q, Stand Q1

Inviting Customers and Innovation

It’s been another hectic 12 months for Garden Centre Association members, but the creative people the sector attracts are more than up to the task. Sarah Welsh spoke to GCA chief executive Peter Burks …

Resilience, vision, innovation and the ability to build a strong team. The Garden Centre Association’s chief executive of more than two years, Peter Burks, believes this is the recipe for success in the sector.

He also credits the family outlook of the many businesses the GCA represents with playing its own part in the story. But then he himself has horticulture in his blood, so it’s no wonder that he couldn’t see himself doing anything other than the job he loves.

Peter’s parents were farmers and instilled in him a love of growing things from a very young age. They then went on to run a garden centre business for two decades in Chumleigh, North Devon.

“My father loved growing things,” Peter says. “Before we had the farm it was bedding plants and salvias, and then he and my mother grew organic vegetables, before it was fashionable. Later it was ornamental plants like fuchsias.

“I helped out on the farm from a very young age, working there until I was 22. Then I read horticulture at university, which my brother Mike studied as well. It was in that later period of life when my parents opened their garden centre.

“Fast forward many years and now I head up a GCA that represents many other independent garden centre businesses. There’s much more resilience in family businesses I think. It’s the passion at the core of these centres and small groups that keeps things innovative and moving. And that can also be the case for bigger groups that are still family businesses at their heart – GCA members like Blue Diamond group and Squires.”

After graduating Peter ran a garden centre in Weston-super-Mare for 13 years, before moving to Wyevale and then Blue Diamond, taking up the GCA role at the start of 2023.

“The fact that I’ve seen both sides of the industry – running a sole centre

and then being part of a group dynamic – is helpful in the chief executive role,” Peter says. “Every centre is different though of course – a different size, different setting, different orientation.”

Regardless of the size of a garden centre, Peter believes that knowledgeable staff and good leadership are all-important, and a key factor in why stores continue to be popular with customers of all ages, particularly attracting families during the festive season.

“You need people with a clear vision of what they’re trying to achieve and who are good at building a team. This industry attracts staff that are creative and good at display and that expertise was what drove the sector to get away from the seasonality of business.

“It used to all be about plant sales in spring and the weather, but the industry has moved on and achieved success through introducing Christmas retail, giftware, restaurants, food shops and pet products.

“Plants often account for around a third of garden centre sales, with much profit now coming from other product ranges. And the sector is also well ahead of the high street in terms of visual merchandising.

“Garden centres are easy and inviting places to shop with large free car parks, good transport links, large undercover areas, great food options and they’re family friendly.

“As well as festive product, candles, clothing and pet areas in centres have all grown. I’m never surprised by the levels of innovation in this

sector – centre shops used to be greenhouses and now it’s like going to a department store.”

In terms of looking back at 2024, Peter says a combination of weather issues and rising costs have challenged the sector over the past 12 months.

“If the weather is right people will come and spend, but last year at points it did hold back sales,” he says. “Increasing costs have been difficult as well. The minimum wage has gone up several times,

“As well as festive product, candles, clothing and pet areas in centres have all grown. It’s like going to a department store.”

meaning around a 20% increase in wages and that’s a big chunk of profit for many centres.

“And then there’s heating and lighting costs and container costs, plus the cost of living crisis has also continued to have an impact on customer basket spend. Then there was the Budget of course. All together it’s not good for consumer confidence.”

Again though, Peter says that innovation and a willingness to adapt within the garden centre sector has seen some continue to flourish. “Businesses focused on growing their own stock have been in a really good position. And buyers have been sourcing product closer to home to combat those container costs and border

regulations and delays.

“On the labour front as an industry we’ve also been looking at how centres can be run more efficiently. Watering plants can take a long time in the summer months so some centres have been using flood benching as a method instead, or more automatic means.”

Another big focus for the GCA is its extensive e-learning programme, and there have been new additions over the past year Peter reveals.

“The EDI course has been very popular, particularly with its emphasis on diversity of staff and interacting with a broad spectrum of colleagues.

“There have been popular seasonal courses as well and ones on retail security. Christmas is one of the worst times for this sadly for the industry, but it’s been a longstanding problem. I remember I once had a guy steal 11 bottles of gin in his backpack – he was in and out in about three minutes. This is such an important area for sector learnings and we will support members however we can.”

The GCA will start 2025 with its annual conference, this year being held at the De Vere Wokefield Estate in Reading from Sunday, 26 January until Wednesday 29th. The theme is the ‘Unique Garden Centre Experience’ and the four-day event will kick off with a London Retail Safari led by Matthew Brown from Echo Chamber who will give a talk about trends followed by a unique tour of retail venues.

“There will also be the usual inspiring mix of speakers and social events, including a talk on AI and a presentation by GCA inspectors,” Peter adds. For more information visit: www.gca.org.uk, email: info@gca.org.uk, or call: 01244 952170. Or follow the organisation at twitter.com/gc_association, or at facebook.com/GardenCentreAssociation

Peter Burks, the GCA CEO

J

SHOW PREVIEW

A New Festive Direction

Christmasworld is widely acknowledged to be the pinnacle of international seasonal retail, and this year new show director Stefan Schopp is taking the reins. He spoke to Sarah Welsh …

A vast exhibition space of 72,900 square metres, the coming together of 120 nations and a visitor satisfaction rating of 95%. As trade fair headlines go these are pretty hard to beat.

Add into the mix 670 exciting festive and gifting brands all showcasing innovative product ranges and almost 33,000 visitors and it’s not hard to see why the 2024 edition of Christmasworld – the leading international event showcasing seasonal and festive decorations and cutting-edge design – was such a success.

And with the UK consistently sitting in the top 10 of international visitor nations to the show, many will again be making the trip to the German city of Frankfurt for Christmasworld 2025.

The show celebrates all the calendar events that inspire some of the biggest retail opportunities in the sector, from the festive season to Easter, Halloween and other public and religious holidays. It offers a whole spectrum of new products and visual merchandising ideas, across seven product categories.

Starting with Christmas and Seasonal decoration – where you’ll find the latest trends alongside tried-and-tested classics, there’s also Visual Merchandising and Light, encompassing large-scale illuminations, and then Floral and Garden decorations, Candles, Ribbons and Wrapping, Christmas Delights (all things culinary and confectionary) and Global Sourcing.

And at the helm for the first time is new show director, Stefan Schopp.

How are you feeling Stefan about taking over from veteran show director Eva Olbrich, and what are you most looking forward to about your first year in charge?

I’m incredibly excited and filled with anticipation. I had the privilege of working closely with Eva in the past few years, which gave me invaluable insights and a strong foundation to build upon. I’m looking forward to bringing my own ideas to the table while continuing the tradition of excellence that has been established, and I can’t wait to see where this will take us!

You’ve worked in the trade show sector for more than a decade, but what is it about Christmas retail that inspires you in particular?

In total I can look back on more than ten years in the trade fair industry and have been part of Messe Frankfurt and the Christmasworld team since 2018. What makes Christmas so special to me is that it’s such an important time, both personally and for the entire retail industry. Businesswise, it’s the most profitable season of the year, and the right decoration plays a crucial role in creating the perfect atmosphere for customers and boosting sales.

Frankfurt is such a famous and historic city. How much do you think the setting for Christmasworld adds to its winning formula? Thanks to its airport and Messe Frankfurt itself, the city is truly the heart of Europe. Unlike many other cities where the exhibition grounds are far from the city centre, Frankfurt is quite the opposite. The exhibition grounds are just one stop from the main train station away and within walking distance of many hotels and

restaurants. This makes it easy to make the most of your time on site.

The stats for last year’s show are incredible. Do you expect to exceed this in 2025?

And how important are UK exhibitors and visitors from the UK in the mix?

We are fully booked again. All the big players are back, we are really looking forward to 2025. From the UK, for example, there are exhibitors such as Enesco, Hamac Trading, Sass & Belle, The Seasonal Group, Tinker Tailor and Willow Brooks Secret Christmas.

Any product trends you think will be best sellers?

A strong trend that we see is that of licensed products. Business here is stable and doing well across all industries. For example, Disney products that decorate the Christmas tree take us back to our childhood.

Finally, what’s your personal take on Christmas - how and where do you celebrate it?

It’s a family affair. We will be at home and spend the days with our family and friends –and with an elf who will move into our house during Advent and play all sorts of tricks and give us little surprises…

What: Christmasworld 2025 When: 7 to 11 February, 2025

Where: Frankfurt Exhibition Centre

Web: christmasworld.messefrankfurt.com

J

SHOW PREVIEW Spring Fair

A Barometer for Buying

This year marks the 75th anniversary of Spring Fair, one of the biggest events in the retail calendar. Sarah Welsh spoke to event director Soraya Gadelrab in anticipation of her second year at the helm.

“There’s only one Spring Fair a year and we offer visitors so much more than just products.”

So says the event director who helps build and bring to life one of Britain’s biggest trade shows – broad in not just size but it’s overall appeal as well.

Soraya Gadelrab took over at the helm of Spring and Autumn Fair at Hyve Group in November 2023 and says that the 2024 edition of the show was as much for her to learn and observe as it was for her to steer the ship. But this year’s 75th anniversary Spring Fair is shaping up to be its best outing ever.

“I’m so excited,” Soraya admits. “At my first Spring Fair I’d only been in the job a few months so it was all about seeing the scale. But now I’ve had a year to really dig in, meet people in the industry, understand the community and needs of the various retail sectors.

“I’ve also introduced a host of initiatives which I think will make a real difference to our exhibitor and buyer community. From educational support and pre-event onboarding calls with exhibitors to help them make the most out of the show – to the many celebratory moments we’ll be experiencing to mark the 75th birthday. I can’t wait to see it all come to fruition in February.”

Spring Fair’s show stats speak for themselves. Bringing the best brands and suppliers together all under one roof at Birmingham’s NEC, visitors are invited to take advantage of amazing networking opportunities, discover new exhibitors and products that could boost visibility as well as the bottom line.

Last year 34% of Spring Fair brands were new to the show and the four-day

event promises to offer more than a million trend-led products. There are 12 different ‘product destinations’ to soak up across four categories – Home, Gift, Moda Fashion and Everyday - and Christmas, Festive & Floral sits under Home.

“Spring Fair is a barometer for the industry,” Soraya says. “There’s no better place to spot trends, to see what’s coming next from well-known heritage brands but also to see incredible innovations and newness from first time exhibitors.

“The magical Christmas sector will once again be showcased in Hall 5, retaining its position as a must-visit destination for festive buyers.

“The Seasonal Hall at the 2024 show was a highlight, capturing the spirit of Christmas with stunning displays, dazzling stand designs, and a buzz of excitement. It was wonderful to see buyers engaging with exhibitors, discovering new ranges, and getting inspired for their own stores.

“The atmosphere was electric, and it reinforced why Spring Fair continues to be a cornerstone for seasonal buying.”

Leading seasonal brands at this year’s show include Davies Products, Florelle, Jeno Floral and Bluestar. Other notable festive companies situated in close quarters to Hall 5, include Kaemingk, Heaven Sends, Sincere and Coach House Christmas.

There is also a new layout planned for Hall 5 which promises to bring visitors ‘even closer to the action’ with all things festive and floral now located on a direct route from the entrance to the hall.

As for 2025 marking 75 years since the very first Spring Fair launched back in 1950, what special anniversary events is Soraya looking

forward to unveiling to its captive audience?

“The whole show is going to be a big party – a celebration of the last 75 years and the people and businesses that have been part of the show. But it’s also a chance to reflect on what retail means today,” Soraya says.

“There will be so much for visitors to enjoy, from happy hours to Spring Fair at Night, to a beautiful anniversary fragrance. And we’re also hosting our own awards, celebrating 75 years of heritage as well as new exhibitors.

“Spring Fair remains the ultimate destination for seasonal buyers because of its unparalleled scale, diversity and sheer breadth of product on display.

“Unlike boutique shows, Spring Fair is not just about Christmas - it’s about offering buyers a 360-degree view of retail trends and opportunities for the entire year. For seasonal buyers, this means they can source Christmas collections alongside complementary ranges in gifts, home, greetings and more, all under one roof.

“The scale of the show ensures buyers have access to leading names, emerging brands, and international exhibitors they simply won’t find anywhere else.”

What: Spring Fair 75th edition When: 2-5 February Where: NEC Birmingham Web: www.springfair.com

HARROGATE WITH FLORELLE INTERNATIONAL LTD Stand Number- A1

Tel: 01484 353000

Email: sales@florelle.co.uk

Step back in time

Malcolm Naish looks back at to 1994, 2002 and 2013

January 1994

● Retailers were telling me that sales had been a big improvement on the previous year with gold the most popular colour for angels, moon, sun, stars and cherubs much in demand.

● The age old problem of late deliveries left a number of suppliers exasperated as told to me “How the hell can I deliver when they phone me in early December expecting next day deliveries.” Somethings never change!

● Seasons International have closed down and are only a few miles from Harrogate, so arrange courtesy cars for buyers to bag a few bargains.

● In the nineties many Christmas companies showed at the Nurnberg Toy Fair. This was changing big time with exhibitors switching to the Frankfurt ‘Premier’ show, the forerunner of ‘Christmas World”.

● Porth Textiles appoint Ian Jones as their sales director. Ian was well-liked by the trade and we miss his smiling face today!

● A new company shows at Harrogate – Paragon. Funded by Jim Neill, John Hughes was Sales Director and Alison Lloyd a partner and head of product design. They graced the business for a number of years, bringing a freshness to the Christmas market.

● Those companies no longer with us who appeared in this issue. Were K.D. Richards, Seasons International, Heaton Paper, Thoubboron, Possible Dreams, Christmas Crafts, Widmann, Halsalls, Mr. Christmas, Gaffney, Artificial Images and Christmas Consulting .

2002

● It was Widmann’s 100th year. They were a delightful company to work with. Vernon Butler and Andrew Widman threw a great party at the Old Swan to celebrate their centenary.

● I had been asked 5 years earlier by Andrew to keep our front cover available to publicise this milestone. John Athwal of Premier Decorations kindly stepped aside to allow Widmanns to celebrate in style.

● The terrible events of 9/11had led to many companies grounding their buyers from attending previews in Hong Kong or allowing their buyers to decide for themselves.

● This allowed Harrogate an enhanced opportunity to showcase many new products not seen before and also posed the question “Do buyers need to visit the Far East.”

● For 2002 ‘Expressions’ the Christmas division of Halsalls were introducing ‘Scooby Do’ in a number of animated forms. They believed possibly wrongly that with the new Scooby Do blockbuster film due for release later that year that sales would be brilliant.

● Worth a punt I suppose!

● David Franks leaves PSL after 7 years to set up a new Christmas company with his brother called International Christmas. David was quite an entrepreneur and they flourished for a number of years.

● We interview Colin Roberts of Springtime Garden Centre for the second time (our first in our very first issue) His garden centre still flourishes today. When asked what do you attribute your success to, Colin replied “Lots of hard work”.

● Never a truer word!

● What ever happened to Angel Hair? It was a regular seller for many years and was still selling in 2002

● Companies no long with us that were featured in this issue were Peter Harvey, PSL, Paragon, CCG, Top Century, E.D.Wood, Li-Lo, Forever Flowers, illustrating what a tough business we’re in.

2013

● Widmann’s decide to close down with Festive Productions having bought the company. With a 110 year history I wish this re-born a long future.

● I report that most exhibitors to Harrogate are holding last year’s prices, mainly due to larger orders placed in the Far East and a willingness by these manufacturers to keep price increases to a minimum.

● It is amazing that in this our 23rd edition that suppliers are still complaining of late ordering from their customers – you would have thought that they had learnt by now – the early bird catches the worm etc.

● Our American contributor reports that more and more consumers are using their Smart Phones to compare retail prices and requesting price matching before making a purchase. The public in the States are also increasingly paying via their mobile and it is estimated that this will grow to $1.3 trillion by 2017.

● Other trends include the increasing sales in the U.K. of lighting controlled without being plugged into the mains.

● Two long-term employees of Christmas companies retire. They are Ron Freeman from Festive and Martyn Bromley from PSL.

● We publicise the ‘Christmas Greats’ dinner and awards. Such a shame they were to leave Harrogate a few years later.

● We interview David and Elaine Thompson – owners of the Christmas Shop in London’s Galleria. When asked what were the worst products they had tried to sell “Large Nativity Scenes’. They had been asked by various churches over 20 years, but once in stock never sold a single piece!

An Anniversary to Remember

Harrogate is gearing up to play host to a very special Christmas & Gift show and organiser Simon Anslow says you can expect even more fizz and atmosphere, as he told Sarah Welsh…

Hold on to your festive cheer, plans are afoot for a four-day celebration you won’t soon forget in Harrogate.

2025 marks the 75th anniversary edition of the UK’s only festive trade show, and glittering show stands, soirees and shopping inspiration aplenty awaits the thousands of visitors expected to travel to the historic North Yorkshire spa town for Christmas & Gift.

Around 110 exhibitors of all sizes, but all promising innovative and exciting product and merchandising wizardry, will be on hand across nine halls at the Harrogate Convention Centre showcasing Christmas, gift and homeware ranges. Last year 4,500 visitors – including buyers from across the garden centre sector, department stores, independent shops and heritage and tourism destinations – attended and this figure is expected to be matched in 2025.

Celebrating his own anniversary is veteran show organiser Simon Anslow who this year is marking 15 years at the helm of Harrogate. He says he can’t wait for brands and visitors alike to experience what he and the directors have

planned for the 75th birthday event.

“Christmas & Gift is always a very sociable show with a lovely atmosphere,” Simon says. “This year we’re also putting on an anniversary drinks reception on the first night. There will be drinks and canapes from 6 to 8.30pm in the Royal Hall on Sunday 12th, and the event is open to exhibitors and buyers alike. It’s really nice to be doing something special.

“We’ve also changed the logo a little bit this year to reflect 75 years. It’s been tweaked to a silver theme with a couple of baubles. Festive, like the show!”

“Buyers

we increasingly get exhibitors who only want to show at Harrogate, especially the purely festive focused ones. Veteran seasonal brands like Premier, Festive Productions and Konstsmide don’t show at the NEC.

and retail managers now often like to get all their Christmas buying done in January.”

Harrogate first opened its doors way back in 1950, and was initially more focused on the toy sector. But then Toy Fair was launched in London and the show evolved to a Christmas sector event, the only one of its kind in the country.

Simon says there’s been a lot of change within the festive retail arena in the 15 years he’s been in charge as well. “Buyers and retail managers now often like to get all their Christmas buying done in January, and so

“Buyers spend on average two-and-a-half days at Harrogate, and a lot of people do come for the whole show. Christmas & Gift is one of a kind in the sense that you can fall out of bed and be at the show within minutes, whereas there’s a lot more travelling involved for Spring Fair.

“Harrogate is a very sociable town, and it’s a beautiful setting with the convention centre right in the heart of the town and hotels just five minutes away. People love the fact that we’re a boutique show and can make Harrogate work for them.”

Simon says the show is expecting more London-based brands to exhibit in 2025 and sheer demand to book a show stand at Christmas & Gift has led to the team

opening a new space, Hall G, which will play host to one of the world’s most iconic festive brands, Kaemingk.

“Kaemingk has increased the size of their show stand from 246 to 405 square metres,” Simon reveals. “Hall G sold out quickly and other brands exhibiting in the space include CB Imports, Widdop & Co, Swan Mill Group, Penny Kennedy and the Great British Card Company and new name for 2025, Calipso Roast – experts in artificial flowers and sundries.

“Other big names to look out for include Gisela Graham and Richard Lang & Sons, both in Hall M, along with German company Boltze, and – returning to the show for the first time in five years, Joe Davies. Then in Hall A you have Satchville and Lesser & Pavey.

“Last year Christmas & Gift was on a bigger scale and that’s definitely a trend that’s continuing for our 75th birthday.”

At the time of speaking to Simon around 18 new and returning brands were expected to showcase their ranges at Harrogate. Exciting new names to look out for include home accessories and furnishings company, Hill Interiors, packaging experts Eurowrap and hand-crafted art glass company, Sienna Glass.

Simon says that Harrogate is also evolving

year on year in terms of product areas, with Halloween ranges increasingly staking their claim at the show with companies like Davies Products leading this trend. Lights are also growing in popularity with market leaders like Premier, Festive, Shatchi and Kaemingk, as cultural celebrations like Diwali make their mark.

Now that Christmas & Gift is growing in size and scope the show build period tends to start earlier than in previous years.

“Some of the stand builders from the likes of Premier, Floralsilk, Heaven Sends and Gisela Graham now start on 18 and 19 December and then are back on 2 January,” Simon explains. “You’ve got a 12-day build

up which includes three or four days to literally build the show stand and around seven days to dress it.

“By contrast the pack down after the show is quite quick. It starts sharp at 4.30pm on the final Wednesday of the event, with 12 hours of time on the Thursday and seven on the Friday, so everyone is done by the end of that week.

“I always feel quite sad at the end. I’m knackered and feel a bit deflated but I’ve literally done thousands of steps! But then quickly I’m having a browse at Toy Fair followed by Spring Fair and then Christmasworld, catching up with people. The down feeling doesn’t last for long!”

“Last year Christmas & Gift was on a bigger scale and that’s definitely a trend that’s continuing for our 75th birthday.”

Harrogate Christmas & Gift celebrate 75 years bringing product to the buyers who attend the show. Once again the outside lighting will be illuminating Harrogate. In addition the various entrance halls will be a shining tempter to what will be on show within the Halls.

75 years of exhibiting at Harrogate deserves recognition. Therefore the Directors of the show will be holding a drinks party on the Sunday evening at the Royal Hall from 6 until 9 p.m. where not only drinks will be available, but also tasty Canapes along with live music from the talented band from the local Blues Bar. What’s not to like? Rock on!

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Quality, cost and Innovation from FDL

FDL will continue to supply the wholesale, retail and commercial design markets with the focus very much on QUALITY, COST AND INNOVATION.

The company will be presenting many new lines for 2025 extending the range of Firelamps and Simuflame candle sets.

FDL will also be introducing a new range of Festoon party lights plus a range of deluxe outdoor acrylic Reindeers.They will also be introducing a new range of XL-XP light strings and XP SYNCHRONE RGB remote controllable light sets.

FDL will be introducing the XP-aluminium frame motifs which are suitable for both commercial and domestic use.

The company would also like to invite you to make an appointment to view their complete range of products in their South Manchester showroom. Alternatively, they can have one of their sales team visit you at your preferred location.

FIRELAMP ™

The FDL Firelamp range has been extended for 2025. They supply lamps with both E14 and E27 fittings. 64 & 96 surface mounted diode (SMD) versions are available. The

company also have the FIRELAMP TORCH which has proven to be extremely popular for both the summer and winter seasons and have introduced the FIRELAMP TORCH with solar power for 2025.

FDL believe that there are many inferior copies on the market and suggest you come and see the original FIRELAMP range for yourself.

SIMUFLAME™

The company now have an extensive range of Simuflame candles for 2025. Some with wax pool and deluxe flame. The collection includes sets of three, with both timer and remote in a variety of colours and diameters.

They also have a giant 15cm diameter candle range which can be powered by battery, giving an incredible 1,500+ hours of burning time. Alternatively, they can be used in conjunction with the SIMUFLAME power pack and plugged directly into the mains.

XP RANGE

FDL have added XP SYNCHCRONE RGB light strings and XP-XL light strings to the already extensive range of XP products. The XP SYNCHCRONE is a remote controlled set with 8 colour modes, 6 function effects and 2 speed options.

The XL-XP is a 8mm LED with a 10mm concave cap and can be supplied either static or with a random twinkle. This product is proving popular in both the commercial and retail sectors.

CANDLED

The company are exclusive distributors for this LED candle range made in Devon in the heart of the Tamar valley. Candled pride themselves on being a luxury brand with a real wax finish and an elegant life-like flame which contains 14 SMD’s per flame! The candles are extremely realistic in colour texture, wick and flicker. Now used by the National Trust and event venues across the UK. They are a perfect addition for any setting.

For more information visit: www./fdl.li Contact: 0161 474 7772 Email: robert@fdl.li

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Coming Together at Christmas

It’s been more than 70 years since New Jersey home-maker Marian Puleo’s love of the festive season sparked a visionary business idea. Now Puleo is once again bringing their beautiful trees to Harrogate…

Family and hospitality are what matter at Christmas time. Coming together with friends, but also colleagues and strangers to celebrate, to help each other, to pass on joy to the next generation.

And if one iconic festive brand encompasses all this it is surely artificial tree experts Puleo. Founded back in 1954 by the grandmother of current director Joe Puleo, the Puleo team is once again bringing an array of stunning faux firs to the Christmas & Gift show.

“The Christmas tree is the centrepiece of this beautiful season and we strive to fill as many homes as possible throughout the world,” says Joe. “We realise that one style tree doesn’t work for all, so we pride ourselves on a collection offering a vast assortment of styles, sizes and price points.

“We’re still such a family focused business. Tony, my father, is second generation and still active in new tree development. Lewis, Chris and myself are third generation and my son Stephen who joined us in September is fourth generation.

“We’ve all been involved in the business in some form since our early teens. And our

Christmas passion and love for the season is what pushes us to create more realistic trees to being to the market each and every year. We hope that one of our trees can find a place in your home.”

Adrian Yapp, from the UK sales team, says demand for life-like trees grows each year and with Puleo’s talented in-house design team, each year the brand produces an array of wonderful trees with charm, beauty and broad appeal.

“With the success of the unique Parque design in 2024 the addition of a grand, slim, flocked and slim flocked for 2025 will excite many people,” Adrian says. “The Grand design will be a feature in any home and with the flocked giving a cosy winter feel, this family of trees has so much to offer.

“To enhance our Grand range of trees, a mass of 3mm LED lights will be added, to give a more affable, glowing appearance. Trees included are The Everett, with an imposing and kingly appearance with mixed small needle tips, boasting 1200 LED lights. The Belvedere will

also stop all in their tracks with its monumental, noble appearance. Its lush green tips will be a treat to decorate.

“Another surefire winner will be The Blue Belmont, with its slight index appearance and life-like blend of blue and green tips.”

Adrian says that the Winterbourne Pine design is perfect for those who like the look of a fresh, wintery morning. It’s a fully flocked tree with berries and pinecones nestled cosily amongst an array of long and short needle PVC and PE tips.

“All our pre-lit trees will now have the “SureLit” connection,” Adrian adds. “With no more extension cables between the tree sections making it even easier to assemble. Added to our multi-function light sets will be a delightful twinkle effect. This will give the consumer five options for light settings and there’s even an option of dual colour light sets.”

Puleo’s stand at Harrogate will boast 50 different artificial trees, complimented with beautiful pre-lit wreaths and garlands that will create a warm welcome in any home.

A true toy trade dynasty

For over a century, the Cornelius family has been at the heart of the toy industry with four generations at the helm and theirs is the only company to have attended all 75 Harrogate Toy Fairs/ Harrogate Christmas & Gift Show

It was in 1911 that William Cornelius, known affectionately as Con, was appointed as the UK sales agent for the well-known German toy manufacturer Saalheimer and Straus. After World War 1, he continued as an agent for several toy, stationery and fancy goods suppliers until it was possible to import European merchandise. He was joined shortly afterwards by his brother-in-law Syd Vening who took over the reins on Con’s death in 1944.

The next generation of “young” Sydney and John Vening, Leslie and Jack Cornelius joined the firm, now W.H.Cornelius Ltd, when they were released from military service at the end of WW2. Jack had a particularly noteworthy war service, being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for exceptional bravery whilst flying his Lancaster bomber with the Pathfinder squadron. Once trade was possible again with Japan, excellent supply lines we re-established offering tin and clockwork

toys to the wholesale trade. The company continued to specialize in Pocket Money toys and were steadily becoming the go-to source for Christmas cracker fillings in the UK, setting up a separate operation for this dedicated range, Vening Cornelius Ltd. Alongside this, a close relationship had been forged with the British Christmas decoration manufacturer H & P Decorations and printers, Mamelok Press Ltd. In 1964 Jack and Sydney were amongst the earlier buyers to head to Hong Kong, which became their principal source of supply for the next 3 decades. This prefaced a period of excellent growth for the company whilst continuing to concentrate on pocket money ranges and spreading their buying sources to Taiwan, Europe and, in due course, China.

In 1967 and 1969 respectively, Warren and Bill Cornelius joined the firm, heralding the third generation. This injection of personnel soon

bolstered the sales force and gradually, as their experience grew, they climbed the managerial ladder, eventually taking over all the buying responsibilities in the 1990s. The Cornelius and Vening families have contributed much to the toy trade beyond their own business. They have achieved 3 chairmen of the Harrogate Fair, 3 chairmen of the British Toy Importers Association and 2 chairmen of The Fence Club, the industry’s leading charitable organisation. A pretty impressive track record!

In 2001 The Playwrite Group was created by Cornelius Ltd in partnership with S. Oppenheimer Ltd. Following 15 years of successful trading, Richard Towse from the Oppenheimer side, retired and sold his interest in the company back to Cornelius Ltd. Now, Playwrite is run by Warren’s sons, James and Guy. The “new blood” has succeeded in keeping the

1959. Visit of HRH Mary, The Princess Royal to Harrogate Toy Fair. L-R Jack Cornelius, The Princess Royal, Syd Vening, Leslie Cornelius.

Sydney Vening

Jack Cornelius

Syd Vening

W.H. (CON) Cornelius

Leslie Cornelius

business up to date and has dealt admirably with the changes in the trade, new technologies, not to mention Covid and the current cost of living crisis that has bedeviled so many companies. Today, though still principally in the pocket money market, Playwrite has expanded its Christmas ranges and Santa’s Grotto gifts whilst maintaining their yearround products, soft toys and stationery lines.

As James has said “The immediate future holds many challenges, especially as our main sources are in China and, going forward, who knows what problems might arise there”. He is keen to pursue sustainable raw materials and is actively sourcing biodegradable products and recyclable materials. “I am not an empire builder,” says James, “but I would like to see the company prosper into yet another generation. One of my teenage sons is already showing an interest in the business, so there is every hope that we will achieve a fifth generation.”

Warren Cornelius first attended Harrogate as an exhibitor in 1967 and has been a director of the

Toy Fair for over 40 years. He reminisced about the changes he has witnessed over those many years.

“Of course, so much has changed. Back in the day we erected and painted our own stand -primrose yellow pegboard! All, or certainly most, stands were enclosed and with several of the larger companies, buyers had to book appointments in advance. Many exhibitors would not show the prices of products on display. This was possibly due to the worry of competitors discovering their prices or because it allowed them to quote different rates for different customers!

There were a growing number of exhibitors through the 60s and 70s and the show had an extensive waiting list. There were many more smaller companies then, often family-run, but the industry has changed so much, which is demonstrated by the number of huge stands

that we see today. The flexibility of the exhibition space in Harrogate has certainly helped it remain the most effective show for our industry.

Undoubtedly the atmosphere has changed. It was, to my mind, less serious then. It has, and still is, a friendly and congenial place to do business, even though there are no longer the many and varied social functions of those early days. One got the impression that the trade came to Harrogate as much to enjoy themselves as to work.

How the times have changed, it has to be work first now. The world is a smaller place, so buying overseas is now within the reach of many. The internet has fundamentally changed the way we buy and sell, and the pace of everything is breathtaking. It is certainly more competitive than it was, but our industry still abounds with good people with whom it is a pleasure to do business.

Warren, Bill, Jack Cornelius, Syd, Sydney, Richard Vening

Guy Cornelius James Cornelius

Bill Cornelius

Warren Cornelius

A glimpse into Premier’s 2025 Outlook…

It is that time of year again where I make my annual (and very much anticipated) visit to the Premier Decoration s showroom to peruse their latest offers and soak in what has been and continues to be an enlightening experience on how to sell Christmas effectively.

The revamped layouts of Premier’s impressive showrooms, introduced a couple of years ago, continue to excel in showcasing products as well as providing ease of navigation for customers. The Ruislip showroom retains this key philosophy and the new innovations that hit upon entry are, once again, market leading and well poised to make a significant retail impact. Before diving into the products, I had a brief chat with Managing Director John Athwal about the year gone by and his vision for the future. John mentioned how positively retail seems to have gone for the UK Christmas season in 2024. Trade customers have been able to clear a lot of stock as retail demand is high. This should hopefully manifest into a good year for the trade in 2025, following a couple of challenging seasons.

John also highlighted ongoing global shipping challenges due to conflicts in the Middle East and Europe. These disruptions have

extended shipping times, with vessels rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope instead of passing through the Suez Canal. Congestion at UK ports has compounded delays, further emphasizing the critical need for early planning for the upcoming season.

What’s in Store for 2025?

Premier’s buyers had a highly successful purchasing season, personally sourcing an impressive array of exciting new ranges from the Far East. These include refreshed takes on timeless classics and entirely new, bespoke products exclusive to Premier. Captivating new arrivals:

Supabrights® and Flexibrights®. Based on customers’ initial reactions, this range is sure to be a big hit. It is absolutely stunning.

Trade customers have been able to clear a lot of stock as retail demand is high. This should hopefully manifest into a good year for the trade in 2025

“ ”

■ The ‘Enchanted Range’ of Lit Reindeer, featuring a new colourway of blue, purple, and cool white LEDs. This striking colourway is also available across Premier’s core lighting ranges, including Treebrights®, Clusterbrights®,

■ A dazzling ‘Aluminium Range’ of Lit Reindeer, illuminated with LED lights and enhanced by the aluminium which amplifies the glistening effect.

■ Stained Glass Window Desktop Items, bespoke designs that are certain to captivate consumers.

■ Lit Neon Signs – featuring multiple price points and a wide selection of vibrant designs, perfect for various retail needs.

Must-Have Items:

Premier’s 2024 Infinity Mirrors range stood out as one of the best on the market, both in terms of pricing, quality and packaging. According to Managing Director John Athwal, they sold exceptionally well. Retailers are expected to increase their order quantities for 2025.

Similarly, Flexibright® Motifs, which Premier introduced exclusively to the UK market last year, was another strong seller in 2024. With new designs and competitive price points added to both ranges, they remain must-have products for the 2025 Christmas season for retailers.

Exciting new Christmas Decorations Collection:

The sophisticated Sugar Plum Collection introduces pastel colours like pink, mint, and blue, paired with luxurious textures and festive designs that capture the essence of winter wonder. Perfect for creating a fairy-tale look, full of charm for the holiday season.

Colour Ranges:

Complementing their exceptional lighting offerings, Premier’s decorations colour ranges continue to capture the spirit of Christmas, blending cherished favourites with their various trend-focused designs. These are showcased through new key colour collections, alongside the enduring appeal of classic bestsellers.

■ Crimson Christmas: A traditional palette of rich reds, emerald green, gold, and chartreuse with nostalgic icons and characters.

■ Seductive Darks: Indulgent and elegant theme featuring shades of black, cherry lacquer, sepia, and burnt orange.

■ Nocturnal Darks: Atmospheric tones of emerald green, rustic caramel, and

future dusk, evoking a deep forest setting with animals and folklore.

Serenity: Metallics, pale pink, soft grey, and natural wood create a calm, luxe vibe with muted neutrals and geometric stars.

Berry Kisses: Rich hues of cherry lacquer, plum berry, and champagne gold for a decadent experience. Elements: A celestial theme with midnight blue, white, gold, and trendy tones like future dusk and purple funk.

By presenting products through colour-blocked displays, Premier has enhanced the shopping experience, allowing customers to view cohesive ranges across categories. Additionally, expanding homewares and linens have also contributed to Premier’s growing success in retail.

Christmas Tree Range:

With the introduction of National Tree® in 2024, the Premier Decorations artificial tree range is as comprehensive as it ever has been. With an increase in available products, both for National Tree Company® and the Premier Tree Company®, it seems their 2025 tree offer is officially the best yet.

Sales of Christmas trees in 2024 have been extremely buoyant, with a high demand for premium products. Consumers are willing to

Premier

pay more as long as the product offers good value for money, which Premier, alongside the National Tree Company®, certainly provides.

Join Premier for an Incredible 2025 season!

catalogues.... Premier’s catalogues are available upon request, and all SKUs can be viewed online via their ordering portal at www.premierdec.com. The portal includes up-to-date stock availability, detailed product imagery, and videos where applicable. Additionally, Premier offers an extensive library of point-of-sale materials and digital assets to support customer marketing efforts.

To experience Premier’s 2025 range firsthand, book your showroom appointment with your Premier sales account manager today. For those unable to visit the Ruislip or Wrexham showrooms, Premier will also be exhibiting at Hall H of the Harrogate Christmas and Gift Fair 2024. If you have any questions; please call 0208 624 5555. For more information visit: www.premierdec.com Harrogate Christmas & Gift Show: Hall H

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Lesser & Pavey

A Festive Treasure Trove

Something old, something innovative and something new, would be one way to describe the vast array of quality Christmas and gift ranges Lesser & Pavey will bringing to Harrogate. Sarah Welsh spoke to Director Jonny Greves…

Last year Christmas was all about celebrating a wonderful first for Jonny Greves, while 2025 marks a significant milestone in his retail trade career with much-loved supplier Lesser & Pavey.

So, the fact the team is starting the new year with a stellar showing at the Harrogate Christmas & Gift show, promising to delight visitors with hundreds of new lines, is really in keeping with the festive mood.

Lesser & Pavey was founded way back in 1971 and has decades of experience in designing beautiful gift and homeware ranges. With their vast showroom based in Dartford, Kent, and with the company home to brand ‘The Leonardo Collection’, L&P is also renowned for championing British artists with a wealth of licensed product. It’s no wonder that Jonny has loved working there for the past decade.

“2025 marks 10 years of working with Lesser & Pavey and it’s absolutely flown by,” Jonny reveals. “I joined on April Fool’s Day 2015 if you can believe it and I’ve never looked back. I’ve also now been a director for six years which is one of the things I’m most proud of. Buying still makes up a lot of my role.

“Then in August last year my wife Rosie and I became first-time parents to twins Bobbi and Beau. We’ve not been getting much sleep but let’s just say the Christmas just gone was truly magical.”

Lesser & Pavey have always loved doing business face-

to-face with their broad customer base, and the showroom is open five days a week and on weekends by appointment. This year they will also be taking more than 500 product lines to Christmas & Gift and a whopping 5,000 items to Birmingham’s NEC for Spring Fair in February.

“Harrogate is a really nice show, it’s friendly and relaxed, run very well and the team is so easy to communicate with,” Jonny says. “We don’t take as much product as we do to Spring Fair, but it’s a great opportunity to see customers old and new and to sell Christmas ranges prior to February.

“We then take thousands of pieces to Spring Fair, including Christmas, gifting and everyday ranges. We launch brand new collections there and it’s the biggest show of the year for us.

“Our customers like to keep it simple, so are show stands are laid out to maximise sales and to make it as easy a buying experience as possible. We tend to keep things uniform, less eclectic, tie items that will sell well together.”

Jonny says Christmas homewares will be big for 2025, with new and improved versions of customer best-sellers, such as traditional Santa, robin and snowman ranges. But buyers can also expect a contemporary version of certain designs, including robins and highland cows, both currently very popular.

homeware collections, Lesser & Pavey have a longestablished relationship with Macneil Studios and the Jennifer Rose Gallery. Bug Art is another fruitful collaboration for the brand, and the team will be bringing a new seasonal homeware range to Christmas & Gift.

“A new artist we’re working with this year is Finola Stack. We’re continually on the lookout for new creatives to work with and she actually approached us. We’re always looking to do something new as well and Finola produces beautiful work featuring fun characters. Her ‘Animals Behaving Madly’ range is one such for us. Think highland cows dressed up with bagpipes and a pinny!

“ ”

Our customers like to keep it simple, so are show stands are laid out to maximise sales and to create an easy buying experience.

“We have beautiful, watercolour painted designs across homeware pieces, including mugs, coasters, trays, lap trays, jugs, cushions and place mats. One range might have up to 30 pieces, from table top to gift to classic Christmas.

“People do like to collect our ranges and retail customers buy from right across the collections.”

Known for working with British artists on licensed

“A couple more licenses we’ve been working on for 2025 include Paper Shed Design and Robert James Hull.

“Our heritage style William Morris ranges - showcasing the iconic Fruits and Lodden artwork – continue to be very popular as well. Our William Morris Fruits collection will be slightly expanded for 2025 and we’ll have around 25 items in the Lodden collection, mostly tabletop and gift pieces.

“Novelty garden gnomes also are coming back in, and we have range of cheeky, tongue in cheek designs that are selling well.

“Fragrance is something that’s always evolving, but also always popular for us. We offer mainly diffusers with some candles and we have a lovely range of colours which are all beautifully boxed so they’re incredibly popular for gifting.

“We can’t wait to see customers old and new at Harrogate and, as we’re famed for, Lesser & Pavey really will have something for everyone.”

For more information visit: www.leonardo.co.uk

Harrogate Christmas & Gift show: Hall A, Stand A4

Spring Fair: Stand 5D10-E11, 5D20-E21

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Something for all Seasons

Smart Garden Products is known for its glittering festive Three Kings collection which has everything to decorate home and garden, but they’ve also been focused on seasonal expansion. Sarah Welsh spoke to MD Jonathan Stobart…

How successful was the 2024 the Harrogate Christmas & Gift Show for SGP?

We had a great show last year – but we say that every year! Our stand was rammed full of visitors throughout the duration of the show, the result of which is that we are looking at taking an extra day at the Harrogate this year. The acid tests were the reaction to the new products showcased and the resultant order book, both of which exceeded expectations. We are looking to further build on that success for 2025.

What sort of products and ranges can we expect to see showcased this time?

Visitors will see over 600 new Christmas products covering a wide selection of subcategories, as well as extended Seasonal Autumn and Halloween ranges and not forgetting Christmas Pet products. We have been very busy!

Tell us a little bit about your most exciting new arrivals?

There isn’t enough space to adequately describe the excitement! From Lighting to Tree Décor, Plush to Nutcrackers, for starters, we have a wealth of new designs and colours, as well as completely new lighting technology. Regular Three Kings customers would be surprised not to see new families of plush figurines and gonks and they will not be disappointed – to give a little clue, there has been a bit of ‘fowl play’ in this area! Our biggest expansion however is within Tree Décor where we are introducing over 200 new options –ornament overload!

What trends/colour themes are going to be big for SGP for next Christmas?

We are launching several completely new categories for 2025 and many of these, such as Clips, Stems, Bows etc have a wide selection of designs and colours to cater for all tastes and enable consumers to match disparate colour themes. Some items are being launched for Christmas although will also have year-round appeal, such as our Winged Décor collection of beautiful feathered birds, owls and peacocks.

Have you continued to expand into Autumn and Halloween?

Yes, last year was our first foray into Halloween and we were thrilled with the reaction, which has prompted an appreciable expansion for 2025 – but nothing too scary! Interest and sales of our Seasonal Autumn collection continue to grow year on year so there will be a good quota of newness in this area too.

Sounds like you have a few surprises up your sleeve! Anything else we’ve missed?

Well, it wouldn’t be Smart without a few surprises!

Our Showroom has been open since early December and we have enjoyed a constant flow of visitors, feedback from which has already prompted some late additions to the range. For more detail, well you’ll just have to come and see for yourselves.

For more information visit: www.sgpuk.com Harrogate Christmas & Gift Show: Hall Q, Stand Q1

Hacked off in more ways than one!

Snowtime’s chairman Mike Withers re-counts the morning in mid-September when he was told that his entire company’s I.T. system had been hacked by a Russian criminal gang

At home one morning in mid- September I was engaged in a Zoom call on Council business when my mobile phone rang. I could see It was from Sara Murray, Transcon’s managing director. She knew that I had scheduled a Zoom meeting at that time and wouldn’t interrupt me with something trivial. I answered, muting the Zoom.

‘Mike, we have a problem’ she said, unwittingly echoing the famous “Houston we have a problem” to Mission Control from Apollo 13.

‘We have been hacked by a criminal Russian gang, they have encrypted our entire i.t. system rendering it totally inaccessible and are demanding a ransom to release it. Nobody can do any work, we are completely shut down’.

“What! Right, I’ll be there in ten minutes”.

When I got to the office I was met by a completely stunned workforce. It was our peak season, we had a warehouse bulging with Christmas goods and several containers arriving daily. We had no email, no access to our customer’s orders, no accounting information, no knowledge of where the goods were to be delivered and no idea of where in the warehouse products were located. Nothing could be picked or dispatched, even if we knew which customers wanted which goods, and we didn’t. The accounts department didn’t know who had been invoiced for goods already dispatched as we had no creditors or debtors ledgers.

I quickly determined that we would not treat with the criminals, we would not reply to their blackmail. I remembered the old Kipling line “once you pay him the Danegeld you never get rid of the Dane.”

We set about trying to piece things together. Luckily, Sara had always insisted that staff keep hard copies of our orders. Lucy Bool, our finance director, had reports that she’d had printed the previous Friday.

The warehouse staff began to pick and collate orders, but it was very slow as they had to rely on their memories of where a stock item was

located. Everything had to be done manually, even delivery notes needed to be handwritten. It reminded me of the early days, 30 years ago, before we could afford computers.

We reported the situation to the National Cyber Security Centre, the government body that deals with cyber crime and informed the police, who were very active as soon as they realised the seriousness of the attack. We also contacted several companies that offer their services in dealing with these matters but they gave us no confidence that they would be able to restore our files.

We took the decision to forget the infected server and start again, sourcing a completely new system.

We asked the staff to work through the weekend and perform a full stock take of all Christmas goods. Garden furniture could be ignored for now since nobody was buying sunloungers in September.

Once staff had got over the shock everyone set to, determined not to let the criminals ruin our business.

Our i.t. staff sourced a new system and installed it within two days. They had it running in an extremely rudimentary fashion but at least we could print invoices. Every day saw progress but there was much to be done. Sara had to protect the i.t. people from diligent staff, all of whom wanted their modules working on as a priority. “Can it print picking lists yet? delivery notes? statements?” “Can it allocate stock?”.

“My customer wants to know when they will be getting their delivery, what shall I tell them?”

As we had been using the old Microsoft system for twenty years, all the admin staff had to learn new procedures. Until one goes through something like this one doesn’t realise how complicated a business we run.

Just to construct a functioning costing module has taken weeks of coding. To calculate freight rates from all the different ports, duty rates on myriad items, currency exchange etc. etc. Putting in a new i.t. system would take 12 months in the normal run of events, we did it in a matter of weeks, albeit in a basic form.

As I write this in December and look back on the season (our peak Christmas delivery season is August to October) I am proud of the way in which our staff, after the initial shock, performed miracles to “keep the show on the road”. Our deliveries were on time and our customers were unaware of the problems we faced. As Sara said, “if we can overcome that, we can overcome anything.”

I learned that we are not the only business to be attacked in this way. Many schools, and public bodies have been targeted. One school in our area received a demand of £1,000,000 from the ruthless Russian criminals. This problem will not go away, businesses are under relentless attack. My advice is to make sure systems are as protected as possible and have a contingency plan. You may think you are invulnerable, so did we.

Konstsmide upgrade their international I.T. System

As a major player in the International Christmas lighting and decorations business with offices in the U.K., Germany and an H.Q. in Sweden, the company decided to replace their twenty year old system that had worked so well over that period of time with a state of the art I.T. system representing one of the largest investments the company has ever made.

I met up with U.K. Managing Director Oscar Johansson recently to find out more.

Oscar told me that the new system will work across all three of their offices and speed up all areas of the business. Of course there will be a short period of transition whilst the group become totally familiar with this new system, which will enable the company to handle a higher demand internally, whilst also making it easier and quicker for their customers to receive information and updates regarding their orders.

Konstsmide are confident that this new system will keep them in the forefront for many years to come and help improve internal efficiency. Staff are already being trained and their reaction so far has been most positive enabling Konstsmide to deal far more quickly and efficiently with all aspects of the business and as Oscar continued “It has been an incredibly intense year for Konstsmide as we have worked to keep up with high demand. At times we

Konstsmide

have had to work in our new system, essentially doubling the work load in certain instances.”

Harrogate has always been a major show for Konstsmide and as Oscar told me “I am always excited when I arrive at the show and happy to be back in the town. We also recommend to all customers that they visit the show.”.

As usual being at the forefront of lighting design, there will be many new items for customers to familiarize themselves with when visiting the company’s stand in Hall ‘M’ at Harrogate.

As a major innovator in the lighting sector of the Christmas business, the company continue to be at the forefront of European design and safety, something they started over 80 years ago.

Harrogate Christmas & Gift Stand M22 – Hall M

Email: sales@konstsmide.co.uk

Tel:+44 (O) 1246 852140

Endless Winter Inspiration

Fresh from celebrating their centenary in 2024, magical festive decoration company Weiste are once again heading for Harrogate. Product Director Johanna Weiste spoke to CinJ…

An iconic Christmas company with envied product design expertise and family history at its heart. That’s how many of Weiste’s loyal customer base would describe this heritage brand.

Founded back in 1924 in Helsinki by newsagent Kalle Weiste who saw a gap in the market for beautiful festive decorations and started manufacturing his own, more than a century on and Weise still lead the Christmas design pack. They will also once again be

delighting customers at Harrogate Christmas & Gift and Christmasworld in Frankfurt.

“Weiste’s own product design has been at the heart of our story from the beginning,” Product Director, Johanna Weiste explains. “Finnish winter nature is an endless source of inspiration for us and the snow, ice and forest animals have inspired many of our unique winter themes.

“Weiste is known as the supplier of the best and most innovative tinsel garlands in the market. They are designed and produced in Finland in Northern Europe and are of the highest quality. Each year new, exciting cuttingedge designs are created and the available colour palette is just stunning.

“Back in 1924 tinsel was among the first decorations manufactured by Weiste. Even though our range of products has grown enormously from those days, tinsel has remained as popular as ever.

“Our mission to bring joy to people has also remained the same for a century. 100 years later Weiste is still a family enterprise run by the third and fourth generation and our

values, craftsmanship, innovative, stability and trustworthiness reflect our everyday work ethic.”

Weiste’s latest innovative Christmas decorations that visitors to Harrogate can look forward to seeing, are made from eco-friendly, environmentally responsible materials. In fact, Johanna says Weiste are ‘industry pioneers’ in the use of these bio-based material technologies.

“We’re looking forward to showcasing our tinsel garlands at Harrogate, together with our high quality baubles made in Finland. They are available in a range of fascinating colours, both in 65mm and 85mm, as well as in larger decorator sizes, from 95mm to 250mm.

“We will also bring over our famous mice and furry friends collection together with the best parts of our glass collection. And our eco-range filigrees will also be presented at Christmas & Gift.

“I personally love testing out Weiste’s new colour options and experimenting with how to put them together on my Christmas tree at home. But then being able to change all the decorations on my tree each year is a professional benefit!”

For more information visit: www.weiste.com/en Harrogate Christmas & Gift show: Hall G, Stand G15

where wishes

RETAIL The Gardens Group

J The Joyous Ritual of Christmas

The team at The Gardens Group have been experts at showcasing Christmas in the South West for decades. Sarah Welsh spoke to director Louise Burks to find out more…

Every year since their children were small Louise and Mike Burks have marked an annual festive tradition with them.

One evening in early December they walk to the multi award-winning garden centre Castle Gardens – Garden Centre Association gold category winners in 2023, and each of them chooses their favourite few baubles of the season. Not forgetting their two dogs who accompany them and usually leave with a new soft toy apiece.

Then they go home and decorate their Christmas tree, featuring not just the sparkling new finds but also decorations from across the decades.

It’s all part of the much-loved ritual of this joyous time of year that so many families celebrate, and Louise and Mike are no exception - apart from the fact they happen to own three of the UK’s best performing and most loved garden centres. And they also live on site at Castle Gardens, located in the original kitchen garden of the Sherborne Castle Estate, Dorset.

that become treasured memories and hanging them on your tree. Our customers love it as much as we do.”

Perhaps this is why The Gardens Group, which also comprises Brimsmore Gardens in Yeovil and Poundbury Gardens, Dorset, has become such a market leader when it comes to showcasing Christmas. Last year alone the group’s festive team devised and built an astonishing 24 creative Christmas themes across their trio of sites.

“The GCA Christmas competition keeps the whole team sharp and motivated, and that’s so valuable.”

In 2023 Castle Gardens topped the GCA’s Christmas competition’s Garden Centre category, with Brimsmore winning second prize and Poundbury placing fourth. An incredibly impressive result and at the time of going to press Gardens Group was waiting with anticipation to see the results of the 2024 contest.

But where did the story begin for Louise and CEO Mike…

horticulture. After graduating we joined Mike’s family’s garden centre business in Devon, but when we were both in our early twenties we set up Castle Gardens. It was very hard work setting up a business at that age but the centre is located in a very pretty setting, in a former walled kitchen garden, and it took off straight away.

I grew up in the Yorkshire Dales. My mum was a chemist and we lived above the shop and so I grew up working in retail. The horticulture came in because I loved science. So thankfully that was all good background experience! We went on to open Brimsmore Gardens in 1992 and Poundbury was opened by King Charles back in 2006.

“Everyone loves the ritual of Christmas don’t they,” says Louise, director at The Gardens Group. “It’s something about unwrapping decorations

Louise, the seeds were first planted for The Gardens Group back in 1987. Can you tell us more?

Mike and I met at university in Bath where we were both studying for a degree in

When did you start selling Christmas?

It was during the mid 1990s, at the start of the trend for garden centres selling Christmas. We had lots of store space where the garden furniture and seeds sat during earlier months and also a wealth of in-house expertise with staff who were used to displaying plants in innovative ways. Previously like other garden centres we made our profit in the spring and then would hang on until the next year, but Christmas grew into a massive second season for the business.

Why do you think it is that garden centres excel at festive retail?

The Gardens Group is a very visual business, and one used to creating theatre and atmosphere with plants and displays. It’s an environment people really love to come to, and at the time we launched Christmas no one was really doing that in the way we were. Garden centres tend to be big stores and as a sector this idea of a holistic Christmas customer experience has naturally evolved. In our three stores we use a one-way system so customers go on a journey with a surprise around every corner and can shop the whole space. They exit into the plants – at Castle Gardens it’s house plants – which is a nice reminder of our core business. Christmas attracts a younger audience for us and there’s the hope, often realised, that they then become repeat customers.

creating displays for the festive season that year. We go to key showrooms from the first week of January – Kaemingk, Gisela Graham, Premier, and of course we go to Harrogate Christmas & Gift and Spring Fair.

How do you come up with your Christmas themes?

The festive ‘route’ around our stores and the displays change every year, but the Nativity is always near the beginning. For Christmas 2024 we had 24 themes, and each year as

bring. The build itself takes seven days at each store and that’s clearing, building false walls and structures and decorating. Then at each store on the seventh day we sit down at 7pm for a big meal together.

Is sustainability a big part of your seasonal plans?

It’s a big part of the business generally – from eco-friendly compost to buying local whenever we can. All of our candles are British made and we use natural materials and plastic-free

the seasonal stock comes in we’ll organise it into the separate themes. We add colours into the themes and throw a few quirky ideas into the mix.

Last year’s themes included ‘Woodland Folk’ with berries, animals and autumnal shades, ‘Christmas by canal’ featuring the outline of a barge, a party animal theme with hats and disco balls, a Regency theme which included books written by my daughter, a ‘Star Wars’ theme with a Darth Vader tree, and our talking reindeer called Reg who was near all our trees. Something for everyone!

“Harrogate is a very concentrated show, and there’s always a lovely atmosphere.”

How important is the GCA’s annual festive competition to the business?

Hugely so. There’s nothing more motivating that an independent judge coming round – it makes you really aware of those little things like point of sale, keeping displays looking beautiful. It keeps the whole team sharp and that’s so valuable. There’s also healthy competition between our three stores! Our customers feel really proud of our success and part of it. We have some people who’ve been coming to us for decades.

When do you start planning?

We plan for Christmas more than a year ahead, beginning the previous autumn when we’re

How long does the festive build take?

We roll out the same festive themes across our three sites. I work closely with Alexa Blackmore who does a lot of the buying with me and we have a core Christmas team of around 10 people from across the business, but we get as many of the staff involved as possible because everyone has valuable creative input to

packaging wherever possible. At Christmas we stock recycled glass decorations and have British grown hops in our festive garlands.

What about suppliers?

We work very closely with Gisela Graham and Kaemingk. Both Christmas brands have lovely products that last for years and inspirational displays. That emphasis on quality product is really important to us. Then we also have local suppliers for festive ceramics and bunting, and another recent hit was plastic-free paper chains specially made for us by Premier. We have real and artificial trees across all three sites and Christmas food is also key, with the main farm shop at Brimsmore Gardens.

And lastly, what do you most love about Christmas?

I still love everything about it. This job doesn’t spoil Christmas for me at all, if anything it makes you feel even more festive. It’s really all about the display and creating atmosphere.

www.thegardensgroup.co.uk

Which shows and showroom visits are a must for the group?

Harrogate is hugely important for the team and where we really start thinking about ideas for next Christmas. We go for the full four days and do lots of ordering at the show. It’s a very concentrated show which I find very useful and it’s always a lovely atmosphere. I also stay in the same house where I grew up.

Spring Fair is where we tend to buy for the rest of the year but we can add in new things for Christmas as well. It’s a bit more of a massive experience and less social.

Four Seasons at Davies Products

There’s something for everyone if you visit Davies Products’ show stand at Christmas & Gift...

Supplying the independent retail trade for 78 years, at Davies Products we focus on creating enticing decorative products and giftware that help you stand out from the crowd!

Our 2025 collections showcase our largest ever range. We are delighted to introduce hundreds of exciting and innovative new lines covering home décor and florals in every season starting with a spectacular Spring, Easter and Summer collection through to cosy Autumn, spooky Halloween and

of course our enchanting Christmas range. This year Christmas highlights rich colours, wonderful textures and essential seasonal sparkle with amazing themes including Luxurious Velvets, Magical Midnight, Sugar Plum Candy, family fun with Santa’s Coming to Town, Golden Moments and a sparkling collection of floral stems, picks and garlands. A perfect blend of contemporary and classic, we have something for everyone.

See all our ranges at Harrogate Christmas and Gift Fair, Spring Fair or you are welcome to book a visit to our showrooms. We look forward to seeing you soon!

*ILLUSTRATION OF THE STANDARD SIZE ELEVATOR

Charm and Choice at Christmas

Giftware Trading are well-established, much-loved gift importers with thousands of well-priced products to offer. But part of the company’s charm is just down to making customers smile…

The Giftware Trading team will once again be taking seasonal style to Christmas & Gift, with product ranges that encompass the unique and quirky to offer a point of difference, along with affordable price points.

The company’s showroom is located in Bristol, and the team are also trade show veterans, and crucial to the calendar is always Harrogate, followed by heading to Birmingham for Spring Fair, in the opening two months of the year.

Giftware work with more than 50 different suppliers in Asia and have a broad collection of 2,500 products, encompassing a vast Christmas collection, Easter

new items than ever before to the range, with many items designed to make Christmas fun. If you can make people smile whilst shopping I think that’s always a step in

Ben says that people he chats to day to day who don’t work in the retail trade are often baffled by how busy companies like Giftware are in the weeks after Christmas.

“We will be showing Easter and Spring ranges at Christmas & Gift too but due to space we unfortunately cannot show everything, although we’ll be taking many of the best-selling items.

“Halloween was once again extremely popular for us last year with most items sold out before they even arrived in the UK. This was predominantly the smaller scary, but cute, decorations. A trend we’ve seen is people wanting to celebrate Halloween but not always wanting to spend a huge amount

Ben reports that, whilst successful, 2024 did also have its challenges for the brand – like in 2023, once again mainly due to shipping.

“The extended transit time for vessels having to navigate around the Cape of Good Hope obviously added to the picture,” he says. “Should there be delays due to production or shipping schedules those extra days did make a difference.

“Despite the delays deliveries still arrived in good time and the team worked extremely hard to turn them around in record time.”

“I often hear, ‘I guess you must be quiet now’, or: ‘I bet you’re looking forward to a rest in the new year’,” Ben reveals. “When I explain to them that we’ve been busy for the last couple of months working on Christmas for the following year there is often a look of bewilderment.

“Of course, for everyone attending Harrogate the end of the previous year is always very hectic ensuring all the latest items are ready for the fair.

“Harrogate Christmas and Gift is the first show of the year for us and is the first time we will show the new Christmas collection. The fair has really gone from strength to strength over the years and is now a ‘must’ show for many buyers.

“The event has a feel of familiarity for both

For more information visit: www.giftwaretrading.co.uk Harrogate Christmas & Gift Show: Hall A, Stand A30 Hall 5, Stand 01

All Wrapped Up PROFILES J

‘Padgett presents’ have been delighting pint-sized visitors to Christmas grottos for decades – about as long in fact as the company behind the festive magic has been exhibiting at Harrogate

For the team at Padgett Bros (AtoZ) Christmas & Gift is now firmly part of the company’s festive traditions.

A staple date in the retail event calendar for them for many years, as Sales Director Alex Kenyon says, it’s special because it’s the first show of the year and every year they still gain new customers at the Harrogate Exhibition centre.

Padgett Bros Ltd has been in continual business since 1984, and is now one of the largest toy importers in the country boasting a huge range and variety of product designs. The Padgett collection encompasses more than 1,200 toy items catering for all age groups and categories. And a mainstay of the business is the grotto side of the group.

“We’ve been wrapping and labelling toys for Santa’s grottos since our inception,” Alex explains. “We offer value for money products that have a branded feel and that’s central to our business success. All toys fully conform with current toy regulations and we also have our own in-house quality control.

“We cater for all price points and all age categories and we don’t scrimp on the quality of wrapping paper that we

use. Once a child has a wrapped Padgett present in their hands it has a quality feel about it that delights the child but also satisfies the parent.

“In our experience with our word of mouth reviews – and with social media now being the main driver for grottos – you simply won’t get a complaint on the present that has been supplied by us.”

Alex says it’s always a good idea for customers to get their festive orders in early in the year, but Padgett Bros will also always come to the fore with repeats, even turning around substantial orders that often have to be wrapped and labelled the same day.

Alex adds: “We thank all customers for their business and welcome all new customers to our stand at Harrogate. If you are running a Santa’s Grotto and need presents –please come to the best – Padgett Bros.

“If you cannot come and see us on the stand, then we have area managers that cover the entire country to give advice and help you choose the best present and age category. And our website can also be accessed at any time with our full range available to view.”

Premier and National Tree leading the position for artificial trees…

Premier’s collaboration with The National Tree Company® continues to thrive, cementing their position as leaders in the artificial Christmas tree market. By combining the exclusive distribution of National Tree products with their own successful Premier Tree Company® range, Premier offers the most comprehensive artificial Christmas tree collection in the UK.

Seemingly, the UK taste for trees closely mirrors trends seen across the Atlantic. Whereas in the European mainland they favour a more minimalistic Alpine look for their Christmas trees, the British and American customers prefer a more classic A-frame tree with a high tip count. The National Tree Company® is one of the best-known tree brands globally and indeed caters for this type of demand.

Typically, National Tree® branded products are aimed at the higher-end market, where demand continues to grow year on year. Consumer expectations for quality and value are met through both Premier and The National Tree Company® product ranges, which also include wreaths and garlands.

Newberry Spruce - star of the collection

The Newberry Spruce is the bestselling artificial Christmas tree offered by Premier and The National Tree Company®.

Featuring a full silhouette with a wider base, a rounded 360-degree PE tip, and a pre-lit version. National Tree prelit trees are crafted with an innovative “loop construction” that ensures every bulb is perfectly positioned, creating an unparalleled illuminated experience.

In addition, National Tree products incorporate cutting-edge features that set them apart. The exclusive “Real Feel®” tip technology, moulded from real trees, replicates intricate details found in nature, offering a lifelike appearance unmatched in the industry.

A Thriving Market for Premium Artificial Trees

Despite broader market challenges in the previous year, the artificial Christmas Tree market has absolutely thrived in 2024 specifically with higher ticket priced items. Alongside what has been a great sell through in the last Christmas retail season, this should ensure that sales of National Tree products will continue to grow in 2025.

As the market continues to grow, Premier and The National Tree Company® remain steadfast as your trusted partners for exceptional artificial Christmas trees in 2025.

To visit our showroom please call 0208 624 5555, email sales@premierdec.com or visit our website www.premierdec.com

Christmas Nuzzles

Equilibrium Festive Sparkle

Xmas Fun Gonks CDUs

Christmas LED Standing Lamps

Merr y Xmas Coos

J

Home County Candle Company

Nostalgia in the Air

Beautiful fragrance helps to evoke memories of festive seasons that were meaningful to us, as well as creating the perfect atmosphere for Christmases yet to come. Something that Home County Candle Co . specialises in…

Behind every great retail business is a compelling, often emotional story, and the one that inspired couple Hannah and Oliver Goundry to launch their luxury candle and fragrance company is no exception.

Hannah and Oli grew up in neighbouring counties and then moved to live together in Hertfordshire, but it was their experiences of where they’d been raised as well as travels across the UK that led them to establish the Home County Candle Company.

A quote from their website best describes the journey, both geographical and businesswise, they’ve been on since then: “The fabric of our lives is woven from the threads of our experiences – the places we’ve been, the people we’ve met and the things we’ve seen and done.”

The couples’ hand-poured, vegan-friendly, soy wax candles – produced in small batches and using ingredients from British suppliers – will be taking centre-stage at Harrogate Christmas & Gift for the first time this year, and because many of the scents are inspired by

different counties there really will be something for everyone at the show.

“The Home County Co. manufacture luxury soy candles, reed diffusers and bath and body collections named after, and inspired by, the UK’s most beautiful counties,” Hannah explains. “From Cornwall’s coast to the Scottish Highlands, delight your customers and allow them to rekindle the memory of home or of holidays on our beautiful British Isles with the County Collection.

“We’re very excited to be exhibiting at Christmas & Gift for the first time. We can’t wait to showcase our best-selling Winter Collection, as well as our perfectly giftable County Collection and brand-new English Heritage licensed collection to a brand new group of retailers. We’re also looking forward to reconnecting with our existing stockists in beautiful Harrogate.”

There’s no doubt that candles are perennially popular at Christmas, but why does Hannah think that fine fragrance has become so intertwined with the season?

“Christmas is all about spending time indoors with our loved ones, and making our homes cosy and comfortable,” Hannah explains. “Candles not only give off that warm, cosy feeling, but the fragrances evoke special memories and that’s why we often find our customers come back to us for their favourite festive fragrance time and time again.

“They also make the

perfect gift, and the added personal touch that our candles are named after and inspired by a loved one’s home county makes them irresistible to customers on the hunt for thoughtful presents.

“We’ll be inviting buyers at Harrogate to warm up with three best-selling festive fragrances, inspired by a quintessentially British Christmas –The Spices, The Mulled Wine and The Pines.

“Plus, brand new to market and available for the first time at Christmas and Gift, discover the officially licensed English Heritage home fragrance collection, inspired by English Heritage’s work conserving England’s coast, meadows, orchards and woodlands.

“I think the Harrogate show continues to grow in popularity because everybody loves Christmas. Following a successful festive season I think retailers are hopeful for the year ahead and open to trying new things and connecting with new brands – as well as reordering what worked so well for them in the season just gone.”

Also sure to be popular at the Home County Co. stand is the brand’s Spices candle which perfectly blends cinnamon and ginger scents and tops the best-seller list each and every year.

“It really is Christmas in a candle,” Hannah says. “Our customers will continue to shop mindfully in 2025 and so our plan is to continue to offer them something special at a really great price point that is manufactured here in the UK with the planet in mind.”

Switched on for the Season

Across the pond outdoor Christmas lighting is serious business. But now one of the most experienced festive teams around is illuminating the British market with their Stateside

Sarah Welsh found out more…

Nick Bolton, CEO of festive lighting company American Christmas, is in reflective mood when we speak on a Friday afternoon, British time.

Calling from New York City where it’s early in the morning, sitting across the street from the iconic Macy’s department store with its impressive Christmas lights and big red bows, Nick is pondering on a statement that many have run by him in his two decades of working in the festive decorations field.

“I hear it all the time: ‘Don’t the

Americans do Christmas lighting really well.’ But there’s no reason why we can’t bring that same look and feel to British homes,” Nick says. “The fact is that we’re a few years behind the US, and I can’t really explain why – but that’s what American Christmas is here to do.”

“Brits

American Christmas is one of the companies owned by Nick - who originally hails from Liverpool, the city to which he’s returned - and his wife Sarah. Although strictly speaking they’re new to the wholesale market, they’ve been manufacturing beautiful festive lighting for

expertise.

two decades. And this January they’ll be showcasing their carefully curated product range along with the team at Harrogate Christmas & Gift.

do Christmas lighting quite well, but we want to ensure they do it really well”

Nick and Sarah also own another company, The Christmas Decorators, that they franchised back in the early 2000s and now there are 50 different franchises across the UK. That business specialises in providing a luxury decorative service for residential and commercial clients, and they’ve certainly worked for some big names. Think the Rooneys, Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne and Claridge’s Hotel.

They’ve also decorated Highgrove and Clarence House, and, memorably, one of Steven Spielberg’s homes – although the team didn’t know who the mansion belonged to at first.

“I got chatting with the housekeeper,” Nick explains. “It was a really big, beautiful home, almost like a hotel. But let’s get the story straight, it’s not like Steven called me!”

Nick is not a name-dropper at all, and during our conversation is very keen to make clear that American Christmas is very much a separate brand.

“It’s American Christmas we’re taking to Harrogate and I’m here to speak about,” he says, frankly. “What we do is all about helping people in Britain to create the Home Alone Christmas house, those incredible seasonal images from the States that we’ve grown up with. Brits do Christmas lighting quite well, but we want to ensure they do it really well!”

“We recognised this key gap in the market and wanted to make it possible for UK buyers to create the American lighting effect, but there is scope for considered expansion, possibly next year.”

in the UK in 2023 which went down really well, and in 2024 we stocked the lights in garden centres, hardware stores and other retailers and they sold out. We did around 400,000 of just C9 sales alone.”

One of the other products they’ll be bringing to Harrogate is the larger ‘jumbo C9’ lighting, which is more of a novelty product and perfect for bigger displays, alongside pre lit connectable garlands. But Nick and Sarah have deliberately kept their product range small and specialised.

“We don’t want to just saturate the market,” Nick says. “We recognised this key gap in the market and wanted to make it possible for UK buyers to create the American lighting effect, but there is scope for considered expansion, possibly next year.”

For now, Nick is focused on Christmas & Gift which is a crucial show for the company to start off 2025 with. “We visited in 2024 and were pleasantly surprised in terms of the show’s traction. It was very busy with a great atmosphere and an impressive buyer turnout.

“We’re sure the show is going to be even better this January and we can’t wait to connect with customers.”

For more information visit: www.americanchristmas.co.uk

Harrogate Christmas & Gift show: Queen’s Suite Stand QS8

American Christmas manufacture the biggest selling festive lights in America. Beautifully tailored to fit each home, it’s a completely different ethos to buying a set of British lights, which – as Nick says – you generally get out of the box and hope they fit the space.

“It’s all about a little screw-in bulb, the C9,” Nick says. “We sell them in every colour of the rainbow, and the cable comes in either black or white to suit all guttering. A 10m string comes with 32 bulbs, but you can keep on adding to them – up to 140 feet – and you can cut them to fit a space.

“Then you can take the off cuts and reconnect them if you like. Essentially this is lighting that you can make work for your whole house.

“We manufacture the core products in our factory in China and we’ve been working with them for 20 years. We did a soft launch

J

Premier Halloween

Premier’s Hauntingly Spooktacular Halloween Collection

Transform Your Space with Premier’s Hauntingly Spooktacular Halloween Collection

As Halloween continues to grow into one of the most anticipated seasons of the year, businesses are finding immense value in creating immersive, festive experiences for their customers. From retail storefronts and restaurants to hospitality venues and corporate offices, the demand for distinctive Halloween decorations is at an all-time high. If you’re looking to deliver that wow factor, partnering with Premier for Halloween decorations can make all the difference.

In an era where consumer experiences drive loyalty and engagement, festive décor isn’t just about aesthetics — it is about storytelling, atmosphere, and drawing paying customers in.

For hotels and restaurants, spooky centrepieces paired with atmospheric lighting and custom decorations elevate spaces and enhance their ambiance. These thoughtful touches encourage patrons to linger, celebrate, and share their experiences — all of which translate into increased foot traffic and sales.

Halloween is no longer just a kids’ holiday. It’s an economic powerhouse and a marketing opportunity. Businesses that fully embrace the season see tangible benefits, from heightened customer engagement to social media buzz and revenue growth.

This is where working with Premier becomes invaluable. By providing a wide range of high-quality Halloween decorations at competitive prices, Premier delivers both value for money and standout design options to bring your vision to life. Each year, Premier refreshes its Halloween collection with cutting-edge designs and invigorating concepts.

Sneak Peek at Premier’s Halloween 2025 Collection:

■ Animations: multi-action lifelike creations and animated display figures that mesmerize and thrill.

■ Lighting Solutions: eerie candles, atmospheric lighting, and illuminated sculptures and silhouettes.

■ Specialty Props: jack-o’-lanterns, skeletons, hairy spiders and haunted infinity mirrors.

■ Exclusive Themes: featuring Flexibrights® silhouettes, trick-or-treat displays and Halloween partyware

One to watch:

The Fog Bubble Machine – an innovative device combines the magic of bubbles with the eerie allure of fog, creating an enchanting and haunting atmosphere. As the bubbles float through the air, they are filled with fog, adding a mystical touch to any space and elevating your Halloween decor to the next level.

Make Halloween 2025 unforgettable with Premier’s expertise in transformative decorations.

Contact us today to visit our showroom and bring your Halloween vision to life:

sales@premierdec.comwww.premierdec.com

It is time to deliver an experience so good, it

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Norfolk Leisure

The Best in Festive Design

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What was the response from visitors to Harrogate in 2024 to the BOSK Christmas collection? And how has success been over the past 12 months?

BOSK’s debut at Harrogate was a resounding success. Buyers were impressed by the high-quality products at competitive prices. The flexible range, easily tailored to specific needs, was well-received.

Launching a new brand is always challenging but with a strong product offering, effective branding, strategic marketing, and strong industry relationships, BOSK’s debut at Harrogate was a triumph. The positive reception and subsequent growth in the first year have been truly remarkable.

Norfolk Leisure has built a reputation over more than a decade for being experts in beautiful artificial trees and seasonal decorations. Why was this time last year the right time to launch your own collection?

Collaborating with a Far East supplier has allowed us to develop a product range tailored to the specific needs of the UK and Irish markets. The ability to customise aspects of the trees for exclusive ranges has been particularly well-received. By working closely with both suppliers and customers we’ve been able to curate a range that aligns with customer preferences and seamlessly integrates into our branding and marketing strategies. Given the importance of Harrogate as a key event for Christmas buyers, it was the ideal platform to introduce our new range.

Artistic, large-scale décor pieces are central to the range. Have you noticed increased demand for these high quality items?

Demand for larger, sustainable Christmas decorations is growing. Consumers are increasingly inspired by social media trends and seek out bigger, more impressive decorations. High-quality, reusable

pieces align with sustainability goals and offer retailers opportunities for in-store displays and retail upselling.

Is sustainability important when it comes to the design process for BOSK?

Sustainability is paramount in BOSK’s design process. We source high-grade, long-lasting PE material from Taiwan for a premium look that endures. Low-voltage, energy-efficient LED lights with timer functions minimise power consumption. We believe all businesses should prioritise sustainability in design.

Artificial trees are at the heart of BOSK. What can you tell us about new designs you’ll be showcasing at Harrogate?

We’ll have diverse pre-lit trees packed with innovative features. The designs encompass eco-friendly options with partially biodegradable trees, cutting edge aesthetics such as an icicle frost finish and high value promotions.

What are your customer best-sellers?

Our top-selling trees, Frosted Winterfold, Eaton,

Rivington, Brampton Pine, and Arundel Spruce, offer a range of unique features that resonate with our customers.

These include natural touch tips for a realistic appearance, a wide range of customisation options enabling our trees to be tailored to specific budgets and preferences and exquisite detailing such as high-density micro-LED lights and many other light options.

And finally why is Harrogate such an important show for you as a business?

Harrogate is the pinnacle event for the UK Christmas industry, allowing Norfolk Leisure to showcase BOSK’s expanded product range and demonstrate our commitment to more than just outdoor living. This post-seasonal event provides a valuable opportunity to connect with customers and discuss upcoming trends.

Given the condensed purchasing period and strict order deadlines, Harrogate is the sole Christmas trade show BOSK/NL attends. It’s the perfect platform to showcase the comprehensive collection.

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INTERVIEW Joe Davies

Back PopularbyDemand

2025 will be the first time in five years that Joe Davies has exhibited at Christmas & Gift. Sarah Welsh spoke to Sales Director David Cree ahead of the show…

Why did the business choose to step away from the show for a couple of years and what are you most looking forward to about returning? We are really excited to be returning. We have wanted to go back to the show for a while but we wanted to make sure that we get the stand that we really wanted. As the show is so popular that took some time! The show is the best place to meet Christmas specific buyers and to help to put to bed a really key category before Spring Fair.

Harrogate is often described as the boutique Christmas retail event, famed for its relaxed atmosphere - why do you think it’s such a popular show with exhibitors and buyers alike? I think there’s several reasons why Harrogate is so popular. I certainly think the location helps – who doesn’t like Harrogate! The timing is also perfect. Buyers have all their figures to hand and the memory of Christmas sales are fresh in their minds. As an exhibitor it is the perfect start to the year. It allows us to fine tune our Christmas ranges prior to Spring Fair and it means we can get an early guide as to 2025’s key winners

How big a show stand will you have for 2025 and how many new product ranges will you be showcasing?

Our stand will be roughly double the size of our previous stand at the Harrogate Christmas fair –demonstrating the importance of Christmas to both us and the gift sector. We will be presenting over 500 new items across a number of collections at the fair. Highlights include brand new Christmas jewellery from our best-selling Equilibrium collection and

hundreds of new Joe Davies branded items. As the UK’s largest distributor of the Leonardo Collection from Lesser & Pavey in small quantities we will also be showing their Christmas range.

Will you also be taking gift ranges to the show? Fourth quarter sales are not just about festive products and we have a huge range of gift lines that sell particularly well in this key season. We will be presenting many at the fair

Highlights include our best-selling snoozies!® collection. Snoozies!® are not socks and they’re not slippers - they’re a crossover between the two and that’s why we call them ‘foot coverings.’ They sell fantastically well – indeed we have sold enough snoozies!® for one in every 20 women in the UK to own a pair! Our collection will be on show at the fair We will also be exhibiting our exclusive Madd Capp Jigsaws collection – launched this year they are the ideal Christmas gift. Amongst other highlights are our range of boxed Equilibrium accessories. Bang on trend and beautifully presented, this exciting range of hats, scarves and gloves are a tremendous present for men and women as well being a great self-purchase. Sales of our Nuzzles slipper socks reached at an all-time high in 2024 and 2025 looks set to be even better! We have Nuzzles for ladies, men and kids with designs suitable for all ages and tastes! With retail prices starting at just £4.99 for toddlers Nuzzles they are an ideal Christmas stocking filler.

What product trends do you think will be big for Christmas 2025?

Highland Coos are definitely having their moment and their popularity looks set to continue into 2025. We have a number of new coos to help make the most of this growing trend. Light-up decorations are getting bigger every year and we have lots of new additions to the collection. As people are still feeling the pressure of the cost-of-living crisis, more practical and useful gifts like frames and kitchenware will be high on customers shopping lists as well. Snowmen, Santas and reindeers are perennially popular and we have lots of new pieces debuting at the fair.

You’re also exhibiting at Spring Fair? What unique benefits are there from that show for Joe Davies?

At Spring Fair we will have more than 8,000 gift ideas including around 2,500 brand new items on our spacious hall 4 stand. Spring Fair has a number of unique benefits for us. It is the best attended fair by far and it gives us a unique opportunity to present our range to all the key decision makes in the trade. Customers are not short on opinions, and you get instant feedback on your range from the thousands of people who attend. It is also an international fair and we have many export customers who come to Birmingham.

For more information visit: www.joedavies.co.uk

Harrogate Christmas & Gift show: Hall M, Stand M25

Spring Fair: Stand 4C10-D11, 4C20-D21

The Perfect Start to 2025!

Keel Toys is inviting visitors to Harrogate to once more step into a world of magic and sustainability with their beloved brand. Head of Design Patrick Downs told CinJ what’s in store…

Bringing enchantment and innovation to life at the same time can be a tall order – but not for Keel Toys.

Known for being an eco-friendly, trailblazing brand, the team can’t wait to invite customers old and new alike to preview and pre-order the completely new 2025 Keeleco Halloween, Winter and Christmas ranges at the Harrogate show.

“Christmas & Gift is always such an important event for Keel Toys,” Head of Design Patrick Downs explains. “It’s the first trade show of the year and helps create the perfect start to what we hope will be a successful 2025. And of course, it’s the first time these ranges will be shown to customers.”

Leading the way with Keeleco

As a brand Keel Toys is known for pushing the boundaries of design and sustainability. Its mission as a company is simple – create products that are not only softer and more beautiful but also kinder to the planet. Keeleco is a groundbreaking collection made from 100% recycled materials. Each toy in the collection is crafted from

100% recycled polyester derived from plastic waste, giving it a second life and also reducing energy consumption. And every detail reflects Keel Toys’ commitment to a greener future, from FSC-certified hangtags to recycled shipping cartons sealed with paper tape.

A Sustainability Milestone

“Since launching Keeleco five years ago, we’ve recycled over half a billion water bottles (as of end of 2024 stock production),” says Patrick. “And with more than 500 products in the range and counting, we’re just getting started.

“At the Harrogate Christmas Fair you’re invited to preview and pre-order over 100 brand-new items, including expanded Christmas and Halloween collections.”

Committed to a Greener Future

In addition to Keeleco, sustainability is at the heart of everything Keel Toys does. From installing more than 300 solar panels and transitioning to electric vehicles at the company’s Kent headquarters, to supporting its manufacturing partners in adopting solar power and heat recovery systems.

Exclusive Seasonal Collections

Patrick says Keel’s reimagined seasonal ranges also highlight the cutting-edge

in fabric innovation. “Featuring luxuriously soft eco-friendly fabrics, our festive reindeer, penguins, and huskies are simply irresistible,” he says. “Add whimsical charm to your shelves with soft toy treats like a plush yule log and Christmas cake, or bring some spooky fun with Halloween bats, spiders, skeletons, and pumpkins.”

Introducing Bag Charms & Snackies

Also on show at Harrogate will be the most comprehensive collection of bag charms on the market, from Keeleco Sealife and Wildlife to jungle cats and farm animals. They all include a premium metal clip and exclusive Keel Toys logo spinner. But for something deliciously different meet Snackies, a beautifully quirky range of foodthemed characters like Franco Fries and Pablo Pizza. Made from an exclusive tousled recycled fabric, these collectibles also come in Love Bites versions with sweet slogans like ‘Love You a Latte’ on Carlos Coffee.

Flower Bobballs and Puppy Love

Building on the success of Plant Bobballs, Keel is also launching adorable Flower Bobballs, perfect for year-round gifting and featuring daisy, sunflower, tulip and bluebell designs.

“Meanwhile our new Puppy Love collection showcases standing and sitting pups complete with collars and leads, all crafted from innovative recycled fabrics,” Patrick adds.

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AnotherChristmasBlooming

For almost six decades Florelle has been supplying stunning artificial flowers, plants, trees and seasonal decorations across Europe. Once again, they’ll be leading the design pack at both Harrogate and Spring Fair.

Sarah Welsh spoke to CEO Jonas Clement

It was almost six decades ago that the family behind Florelle International started to build their brand. And in 2026 this now third-generation business will mark its 60th anniversary.

Starting out with fresh flowers, the company evolved into the faux flower market in the 1990s and they’ve never looked back. Now with stylish artificial flowers and plants continuing to grow in popularity as trends from America cross the pond and environmental purchasing becomes

ever-more important, Florelle have grown to be market leaders in this blooming retail sector.

“We design a lot of products ourselves being true to what the actual flowers look like,” CEO Jonas Clement says. “We’re really inspired by nature and we’ve seen demand for beautiful faux flowers only increase in recent years. The last decade has been crazy as American themes have come over here – autumn wreaths, Halloween and of course Christmas.

“Our festive sales are around 30% of our annual business so those ranges are definitely important.

“Harrogate is such a key event for us, in terms of showcasing our new range, seeing existing customers and meeting potential new ones. We bring as many designs as we can across all the calendar celebrations.

“We take the whole range to Spring Fair. Our show stand is around 1,500 to 1,600 square feet and it takes us up to six days in total to set it up and decorate it. What we create in Birmingham is real theatre for visitors.”

Jonas says that more and more customers are also making the journey to Florelle’s impressive showroom in Huddersfield, often spending half a day there. For serious buyers the design team is

always happy to tweak products to exactly meet a bespoke brief, and to offer exclusivity.

“We deal with a broad range of customers, from independents to high end garden centres to pound shop retailers,” Jonas says. “Our visual merchandising team create amazing displays and shop windows and we can help buyers recreate the stunning effects in their own stores.”

In terms of Christmas faux flower trends, Jonas says that often the ‘bread and butter’ of the festive collection are traditional pieces, but ensuring their collections encompass the entire colour spectrum is also very important.

“We always have wreaths, garlands, hanging baskets in green and red and poinsettias,” he reveals. “But we also do things like candy cane colour designs and metallic tones are also very popular.

“For 2025 we have a Barbie theme with light blues and glittery pinks. Colour is always something we think very carefully about and offering a broad range is absolutely key to our success.

“Another factor that is also vital for success is being eco-friendly with our designs and manufacturing. We try to use recycled plastic wherever possible to make pots and all our grave pots come in it.”

For more information visit: www.florelle.co.uk

Harrogate Christmas & Gift show: Hall A, Stand A10

Spring Fair: Hall 5, Stand B70-C71

Come and see us at the Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair, 11th-15th Jan, Hall Q!

Designs on Christmas

Out of the Blue Studios is proud to be one of the most progressive greeting card publishers and suppliers in the business. So, Harrogate Christmas & Gift is the perfect setting to showcase the company’s new festive range…

Technically this year will mark Out of the Blue Studios first time exhibiting at Harrogate, but behind the business is a team with a proud heritage and decades of experience in the

Pete Rawlinson, Sales Director and Coowner at Out of the Blue, launched the company back in 2017 with business partner Clive Rubin, whom he had known for 25 years. Pete, who was formerly with established greeting card companies Hambledon, Hallmark and Avant Garde, and Clive wanted to establish a brand that could focus on leading designed greeting cards for the wholesale and distribution channel. They are now regarded as one of the most progressive suppliers within the wholesale sector.

Sarah Welsh spoke to Pete to find out more.

Your everyday range of cards is awardwinning. Is that the mainstay of the business? Our everyday collection has more than 1,300 SKUs, all available consistently as our ‘in stock’ range.

How important is your Christmas range?

Our Mistletoe press Christmas brand has become a must-have, and our superb festive

boxed range is possibly one of the most popular in the UK. It combines superb design content, quality and value. Our Christmas counter range again has superb design and quality across all 800 plus stock keeping units.

What can you tell us about the ranges you will be showcasing at Harrogate Christmas & Gift? We’re delighted to be launched our new Christmas 2025 boxed and counter range at Harrogate with all new designs. If you stock Christmas cards then visiting our show stand is a must. We have some exciting new launches for buyers, both in boxed and counter.

Mainly Christmas & Gift will be our vehicle to launch our festive collection, however we will also be showcasing some of our excellent everyday product.

Is this your first time exhibiting at Harrogate?

For Out of the Blue yes, but with our long history in the trade Harrogate has always been an excellent showcase and the show holds many fond memories for us over the years.

The show offers the opportunity to engage with new and existing customers, and to showcase our ranges which will certainly speak for themselves. We look forward to welcoming everyone.

For more information visit: www.outofthebluestudios.co.uk

Harrogate Christmas & Gift show: Hall B, Stand B23

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The Seasonal Group

Taking Festive Display to the Next Level

The latest innovation from The Seasonal Group is taking customers to new heights. And the team can’t wait to spread the magic at Christmas & Gift…

The Seasonal Group has been designing, manufacturing and supplying magical animatronics, displays, decorations and virtual reality rides to customers worldwide since 1998.

And the latest innovation from the company promises to not only bring the magic of Santa’s Lapland to life but also offer an incredible return on investment for businesses seeking to elevate their Christmas experience. Enter ‘Santa’s Enchanted Elevator.’

Launched last year, this isn’t just an attraction, but a gamechanger for leisure destinations, theme parks, shopping and garden centres. The elevator is easy to install and operate, making it a smart addition to any Santa meet and greet or grotto experience. And with an initial investment of just £24,500, Seasonal Group’s customers have reported record returns on investment during the last festive period.

Long-standing customer of the group, Goulding’s Garden Centre, located in the Clyde Valley, Lanarkshire, easily integrated the magical experience into their Christmas events.

“As our vision was a journey to meet Santa Claus, we knew our own event couldn’t accommodate it in this way but knew we would figure out a way to introduce it at our Winter Wonderland,”

George Goulding says.

“It was decided we would locate the attraction within the funfair area, where it would be set up as a trip to Santa’s home, and visitors would then be able to have a personal meet-and-greet with Mrs. Claus. We are delighted to say this has been extremely popular.”

“As our vision was a journey to meet Santa Claus, we knew our own event couldn’t accommodate it in this way but knew we would figure out a way to introduce it at our Winter Wonderland,”

Their experience with The Seasonal Group doesn’t end with the elevator either. “As a long-term customer, our Wonderland Walkway is filled with five sets of animatronics and over 50 moving characters throughout the journey to see Santa. These have always been a favourite with our visitors. The elevator has just enhanced the magic we offer even further.”

out in a crowded market. It’s guaranteed to leave guests of all ages spellbound.

The Seasonal Group has once again proven that Christmas magic isn’t just for families—it’s a thriving business opportunity, too.

For businesses the elevator offers an extraordinary opportunity to boost footfall and customer engagement. The experience is simple to set up, requiring only three people and a couple of hours to install within a 2.4m² footprint. This ease of use means it’s accessible to a wide range of businesses, from small local attractions to large-scale festive events.

And the best part? The earning potential. With an average daily income of £2,000, businesses can see an impressive £60,000 in potential earnings over just 30 days of operation during the Christmas season.

The success of ‘Santa’s Enchanted Elevator’ is evident in the financials, as well as in the joy it brings to families. The ease of integration, combined with its potential to attract visitors and boost revenue, makes it a must-have for any Christmas attraction looking to stand

Rheanna Sorby, Head of Design at the Seasonal Group, adds: “We are so proud to bring this incredible product to market and have enjoyed seeing our clients revel in the success and reap the rewards of the elevator.

“With unprecedented sales in 2024, we are already taking pre-bookings for 2025. It’s so rewarding, seeing the viral videos, social content and how our customers are keeping the magic of Christmas alive across the globe.

“With Halloween content already in the making, 2025 is sure to be another record year for the elevator allowing our customers to have two bites of the cherry if they run a scare experience too.”

Harrogate leads the way for Shatchi

In 2023 Shatchi made the decision to make Harrogate their main U.K. show which led to lots of orders placed at the 2024 exhibition as customers knew they would not be seeing them at Spring Fair.

I caught up with sales director John McVey who told me that despite many challenges during 2024, not least the disruption caused by the shipping routes having to be taken from the Far East that saw container rates rocketing that sales were impressive.

Whilst primarily known for their Christmas ranges of LED lighting, fibre optics, trees and decorations, Shatchi introduced around 800 items in a new Floristry collection for 2024. This has been received so well that an even larger range has been created for 2025 as a result.. With designs and colourways in a number of sizes to choose from, John assures me that their pricing is great value.

Showing once again in Hall ‘C’, with a

growing customer base John is looking not only for agents to cover Scotland, the South East and South West of the U.K. but also an Operations Manager based at the Cambridge warehouse.

Speaking with John in the lead up to Christmas, his view on business during 2024 was very positive “I have been very pleasantly surprised and pleased with sales and repeat orders this year.

Always known for value-formoney items, John and his team look forward to seeing both old and new customers.

Shatchi, 20 Wallace Way, Hitchin, Herts.SG4 0SE. Tel:01462 432600. www.shatchi.co.uk

J Designing Different, Delighting Many

Richard Lang & Son

At Langs dreaming up and creating exclusive ranges in house means customers can always find something unique. Sarah Welsh spoke to Keith Edmondson and Jane Bourne from the team…

“A celebration of seasonal magic and festive wonder, where the spirit of Christmas comes alive through dazzling displays and enchanting gifts.”

There’s a festive elevator pitch if you ever heard one. And that love of the Harrogate Christmas & Gift show, perfectly summed up by Richard Langs’ Design and Buying Director, Jane Bourne, is what makes Langs one of the stand-out exhibitors at the convention centre.

This year the team is once again looking forward to welcoming visitors to their show stand, where they will find a carefully curated collection of unique Christmas treasures designed to inspire and delight.

“Explore a collection of gifts that celebrate the charm of the season,” Jane says. “From whimsical decorations to cosy keepsakes, we have something for everyone.

“Exciting changes are happening at this year’s fair and we’re thrilled to announce that Langs has moved to a new position with our stunning, brand-new show stand, designed to perfectly showcase our collections. Visitors can find us at Stand M1.”

“The timing of the show is brilliant and works well for

buyers and suppliers alike,” adds Keith Edmondson, Joint Managing Director. “The show has a calm, yet focused feel, which combined with the lovely location creates a really enjoyable experience. Plus, the organisers listen to exhibitors and visitors alike, adapting and improving year-on-year, which is brilliant to see.

“I love meeting our customers at Harrogate, as do our sales team, and this show tends to allow for more time and conversations to be had. Meeting and greeting new customer to our stand is also a great privilege.

“We will be launching all our seasonal ranges at the show, so far too many to mention. However, Christmas, Halloween and Fall will all be covered.”

Langs’ products are designed in-house by the creative team based in Derby, and this Christmas the gift collections tell a story of thoughtfulness and joy.

Robin’s Winter Nest: A touch of festive charm Robins, often considered a herald of winter and symbol of hope, bring a touch of natural beauty to any Christmas setting. Langs’ hand-painted robin captures the charm of these elegant birds. From delicate ornaments to decorative figurines this collection is a top favourite for our customers who love nature.

Christmas Cottage Delights: Cosy elegance for the festive season

Bringing the warmth and nostalgia of a snowy Christmas village, this enchanting range features hand-painted cottages and winter scenery, beautifully transformed onto luxurious cushions, ceramics and textured coasters. Each piece captures the essence of the Christmas season from the soft glow of snowdusted rooftops to the charm of the twinkling lights in frosty landscapes.

Frosted Highland Cow: Rustic elegance with a festive twist

Embrace the rustic elegance of the Christmas season with Langs’ festive Highland Cow collection. Featuring beautifully hand-painted designs adorned with snow dusted Christmas trees and cosy winter scenes, these gifts capture the heartwarming charm of the iconic highland cow. You’ll find a delightful mix of stylish home accents and keepsakes, from adorable figurines to coasters and mugs.

Jolly and Bright: A playful Christmas collection

Get ready to sprinkle some extra cheer, this fun filled range is bursting with quirky designs that bring a lighthearted twist to classic Christmas themes. Featuring cute and comical Christmas trees, cheeky mince pies and playful reindeer, every piece is designed to bring smiles and spread joy.

Christmas Cards on the Table

Tallon International have got everything beautifully gift wrapped for the festive season, but then you’d expect nothing less from ‘the stationery people.’ Creative Director, Barry Heath , spoke to CinJ…

Founded way back in 1972, today Tallon International remains a business with family values very much at its heart.

A winning combination of innovative design and brilliant customer service has led Tallon to become one of the leading suppliers of stationery, seasonal product ranges, diaries and calendars in the UK. And when it comes to Christmas, Tallon really are the festive experts, with gift wrap, gift bags, cards and fabric plush aplenty to delight customers.

Based in Coventry, the Tallon team will once again be making the trip to Harrogate this January for the Christmas & Gift show.

How are you feeling about Christmas & Gift 2025 and how many years has Tallon been exhibiting at Harrogate?

Traditionally we’ve been exhibiting at the show since the late 1990s and we’re very excited to be supporting Christmas & Gift again. Last year there was a real buzz across all halls and we had a brilliant experience, having taken a break from exhibiting for a few years.

Last year you launched new branding at the show, anything special you’ll be announcing at the 2025 edition?

We are building on our success with Christmas gift wrap and a huge range of other Christmas stationery products such as bags, cards and fabric plush.

What new card and stationery ranges will you be taking to Harrogate?

Harrogate will host the launch of our latest wrap, cards and gift bags. We have four key themes on offer across design-led styles or traditional, cute, contemporary and typo.

Sustainability is important to you as a brand - what can you tell us about how you have factored this into new festive ranges for 2025?

All of our paper product is FSC certified and although the EUDR timber regulations have been postponed, we are already prepared and can offer the necessary documentation for our customers.

For more information visit: www.tallon.co.uk Harrogate Christmas & Gift show: Hall C, Stand C19

SHATCHI

We are looking for an Operations Manager

Based in our Cambridge Warehouse

Also we require two agents to cover the South East and South West of England If you plan to visit the Harrogate Christmas & Gift show, please call on our stand in Hall C Stand C2

To apply email: john@shatchi.co.uk

KONSTSMIDE (UK) LTD

Require an AGENT to represent them in IRELAND

Apply to Mr. Oscar Johannson, Konstsmide (UK) Ltd., Hardwick View Road, Holmwood Industrial Estate, Holmewood, Chesterfield, Derbys. S42 5SA.

Tel:01246 852140 or email: sales@konstsmide.co.uk or call on our stand at the Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair Hall M

FDL INTERNATIONAL

Are looking for an Account/sales manager to handle U.K. sales.

Please contact Mr. Frits van Dearmen

Tel: 0031 88 888 1 888 Or email: frits@fdl.eu