Gifts Today August September 2022

Gifts Today w: thewheatbagcompany.co.uk t: 01747 840499 e: sales@thewheatbagcompany.co.uk

The UK’s leading supplier of drop ship Pe rs onalised Gifts For Him - For Her - For Children - For The Home For All Occasions sales@perWWW.PERSONALISEDMEMENTO.CO.UKsonalisedmemento.co.est2004 T he UK’s leading supplier of dr op ship Pe rs onalised Gift s est 2004 WWWsales@personalisedmemento.co.uk.PERSONALISEDMEMENTO.CO.UK DISCOVER THE ENTIRE RANGE OF PERSONALISED GIFTS FOR ALL OCCASIONS

Regulars  5 Message from the Editor 6 News  18 Trade Talk: From the cost-of-living squeeze and stock issues to hot gift trend predictions for Q4, a selection of suppliers air their views Columnists  14 Bira (British Independent Retailers Association) CEO Andrew Goodacre  26 Retail100 Consulting director and co-founder Sara Allbright 28 Let’s Talk About… Autumn Buying by Yarnton Home and Garden home/gift buyer Bryony Taylor-Edwards 70 Diary of a Gift Shop by Claire Leigh, owner of Two Ducks in Woking  72 The Giftware Association chief executive Sarah Ward  Cover Story  32 The Wheat Bag Company shares details of its latest product ranges, which are all handmade in Wiltshire, from lavender pillows and accessory pouches to draught excluders and more Fair Focus 12 Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival Review     16 Top Drawer A/W Preview 34 Autumn Fair Preview 73 Brand Licensing Europe Preview Retail Interviews 60 Lark London: director Priya AuroraCrowe reveals that the capital’s awardwinning gift and homeware chain is opening seven more stores, bringing the tally to 20 by the end of 2022 62 Cilla & Camilla: owner Richard Barker gives a fascinating insight into his five lifestyle businesses at Beaminster, Bridport, and Sherborne in West Dorset Product Focus 20 At Home  64 Giftable Stationery  74 In Style 80 New Products  Supplier Focus 10 Kushboo 23 Mad Beauty August/Sept 2022 Lema Publishing Ltd 1 Churchgates, The Wilderness, Herts,Berkhamsted,HP42UB Telephone: 01442 www.giftstoday.media289930 Publisher Mark Horsnell markh@lemapublishing.co.uk Editor Clare Turner Clare@lemapublishing.co.uk Layout/Design Rick Vickers rick@lemapublishing.co.uk Managing Director Mark Naish mark@lemapublishing.co.uk Production Director Paul Naish paul@lemapublishing.co.uk Chairman Malcolm Naish Giftsmalcolm@lemapublishing.co.ukTodayteam Gifts Today Contents p34 p 21 p 16 p 68

Drawer Liners | Drawer sachets hanD wash & Moisturising Lotion | Pot Pourri reeD Diffusers | rooM sPrays | scenteD canDLes Handmade in Suffolk T 01359 www.manorhousehomefragrance.co.uk250720

As I write this in mid-August, the nation is in the midst of a blistering heatwave, which seemed to kick off just in time for Home & Gift and shows no sign of abating But the soaring temperatures did not deter visitors from making the trip to the North Yorkshire spa town. In fact, the exhibition’s organiser Clarion Events has hailed Home & Gift as a huge success, attracting the highest-ever level of VIP buyers. In the words of show manager David Westbrooke: “Despite the heatwave, it was wonderful to see so many key players return to the show and enjoy connecting with both new and wellestablished brands.” The sun shone, everyone was in great spirits and some serious business was done. And now, the gift industry is looking ahead to the new show season. This issue includes a comprehensive preview of Autumn Fair, which takes place from September 4 to September 7 at NEC Birmingham, and offers the perfect opportunity for buyers to top up their stock and make last-minute orders for the Golden Quarter. With 600-plus UK and international exhibitors displaying their collections, there’s a huge variety and depth of product, as well as live speakers and seminars. Of course, there are other shows to look forward to: Brand Licensing Europe opens at ExCel in London from September 20 to September 22, offering a showcase of brand collaborations, future product ranges, the latest in product design innovation, and new and emerging IPs; and Top Drawer A/W returns to Olympia in London from September 11 to September 13. This design-led lifestyle and interiors trade show promises to have buyers completely spoiled with its line-up of hand-picked exhibitors, exclusive trends, and seminar sessions. More than 1,500 brands from the UK and abroad will be exhibiting at this latest edition of the biannual show. Top Drawer’s new season message of ‘Retail Revitalised’ aims to highlight ‘how we are beginning a fresh chapter in the world of retail and looking ahead with an unapologetically positive outlook’. As readers well know, the one constant in retail is change and the past two years have been particularly testing. the contributors expressed in criticism

p 34

“The gift industry is looking ahead to the new show season”

Message from the Editor www.giftstoday.media LinkedIn: @giftstoday | Twitter: @giftstodaymag Instagram: @giftstodaymedia The views of

this journal are not necessarily those of the publisher. Comments, letters and

p 44 p 36 p 20

So, how is trading for you - and what are your predictions for Q4 trading? I’m always delighted when readers are keen to take part in a feature within the magazine. So, if you’d like to share your story, please do get in touch at clare@lemapublishing.co.uk or connect with me on LinkedIn. I look forward to hearing from you.

p 60 Clare Turner, Editor clare@lemapublishing.co.uk

Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira (British Independent Retailers Association) offers advice on how independents can work on becoming more sustainable. Retail100 Consulting director and cofounder Sara Allbright gives tips on A/W buying. Bryony Taylor-Edwards, home/gift buyer of Yarnton Home and Garden in Oxfordshire, describes how the garden centre is gearing up for the upcoming season. And Claire Leigh, owner of Two Ducks in Woking, reveals some lessons that she has learned on her buying journey. We have also spoken to two independent businesses about their approaches to surviving - and thrivingthese uncertain times, especially in light of the cost-ofliving crunch. For Priya Aurora-Crowe, director of Lark London, trading figures have continued as normal, “but our buying strategy has changed as we have increased economic ranges”. Also, as she points out, “no one has put their heating on yet, so the true test will come in the winter!”Incontrast, Richard Barker, owner of Cilla & Camilla in West Dorset, has made only a slight adjustment to buying. “We are probably buying a little more cautiously than in previous years,” he says, “but not to an extent that our customers would notice. We’re quietly confident about Christmas.”

Our columnist Sarah Ward, chief executive of The Giftware Association, says the retail landscape caused by the pandemic is one of ongoing shifts. It’s been almost impossible for some businesses to plan as they did pre-Covid, as challenges with supply chains, the war in Ukraine, Brexit, and inflation roll on. But, she points out, “what we do know is that consumers seek transparency, authenticity and quality brands who stand by their values - and they seek joy”. In this issue, Sarah’s fellow columnists share suggestions on how to adapt your strategies in the current economic climate.

are welcome.

Manor House continues to grow as it welcomes more and more new stockists on board.The company said: “Spring Fair was a superb start to what is proving to be a brilliant and buoyant year. We began full Christmas production back in June, and late summer into autumn looks very busy: 2022 will be our busiest year to date!

Good & Mojo also works with the WakaWaka Foundation to raise funds to provide and subsidise solar products to those in desperate need around the world, consequently making each purchase one with a sound conscience, and aligning well with the topical environmental issues of today.The characters of both companies co-ordinate well alongside the existing brands already on display in the Gloucestershire showroom: Parlane, Light & Living, Present Time, Leitmotiv and Karlsson.

More growth for Manor House

With hard work, determination, and a handy marketing background, Sarah built the business to the success it is today, celebrating its best year of financial performance alongside its 10th birthday. At Autumn Fair, the Miss Milly team will celebrate its achievement on stand E65 in Hall 7 by offering existing and new customers the chance to spin the sparkly wheel and win jewellery goodie bags and discount vouchers.

Simon said: “Despite Covid and Brexit, business continues to grow, and currently we are pushing Bloomingville’s best-selling tableware collection Sandrine (pictured), with a promotion for all customers. Why not get in touch to find out more?” You can call Simon on 07967 20915 or email him at spy@bloomingville.com. For further details, visit bloomingville.com/en/login.

“We have just launched a range of products for a major charity which will show our product to many more end-users - which will be great! We are also shortly to launch with a major European platform, which will showcase our entire home fragrance collection to a new audience, with the added benefit of not having to exhibit overseas.”

L-R: Camilla Vestertjele and Christina Easton

Parlane welcomesshowroomtwonew brands

Halfway through its sixth year representing Bloomingville in the UK, Filias Agencies country manager Simon Pykett and his team of sales agents’ report “unprecedented growth”.

Parlane has introduced two new brands to its showroom based in The Cotswolds.It’sAbout RoMi (www.itsaboutromi.nl) and Good & Mojo (www. goodandmojo.nl) are Dutch companies selling contemporary lighting collections. The addition of both brands adds yet more diversity to the buying experience at the showroom. Each brand demonstrates superb ethical values. As well as using sustainable and recycled materials, they support an afforestation programme that plants one tree for every light they sell.

News

Buoyant times for Bloomingville

Miss Milly celebrates 10 years of trading Autumn Fair 2012 marked the launch of Miss Milly by founder Sarah Watmore (pictured) and a decade on, the brand will be celebrating its 10-year milestone (and Sarah’s 50th birthday) at Autumn Fair. Sarah said: “Launching during the double dip recession of 2012, Miss Milly quickly made a mark on the industry at a time when most suppliers were just that; suppliers and not brands. It was the beginning of a fantastic decade of building a British brand that has become a favourite of many gift retailers.”

Good & Mojo

It’s About RoMi

Pictured is Leopard: one of many ranges developed for independent artists by Ceramic Design Heritage (CDH). Vibrant yet sophisticated, this abstract design by The Tale of Ballard and Hill was manufactured by CDH in fine bone china and British melamine.CDHspecialises in bespoke giftware production for artists and heritage sites across the UK. It can create your own brand with low minimums and set-up costs on a comprehensive range of fine bone china, British melamine and textiles. For details, visit www.cdheritage.com or contact Paul Travis on 07909 539574, paul@cdheritage.com.

6 Gifts Today

Bespoke product for artists

Meanwhile, Bloomingville commercial director Camilla Vestertjele has been touring the UK. She commented: “I was so pleased to visit the UK to see Simon, meet his sales team, and make some customer visits. The jewel in the crown was being introduced to Christina Easton, at what must be one of the most interesting boutiques I’ve seen to date. The LillianDaph Store in Saltburn-by-the-Sea [a seaside resort in North Yorkshire] is truly delightful. From a lovely old building, this customer displays a real passion for Scandinavian Nordic interiors. It really has something for everyone, and I can’t wait to visit again.”

Xmas Craft GonksEquilibrium® Hats, Scar ves, and Gloves snoozies!® Pairables Animals Modern Spin Frames Loveable Gonks Tel: 0161 975 6300 Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk www.joedavies.co.uk

The East Sussex-based independent gift and homewares chain Maybugs launched its third store, in Bexhill-On-Sea, on July 1.

The sellingevents,combinationorganisations,yearthanIsleshopMantonsaward-winningGifts&CardsinPortErinontheofManhasraisedmore£30,000sofarthisforcharitiesandlocalthroughaofrunningdonatingstockandgreetingcards.

The Gift of the Year 2023 awards contest, organised by The Giftware Association (GA), was launched at the Home & Gift trade fair in Harrogate on July 17. GA PR & marketing manager Chris Workman said: “We want to grow on 2022’s success and really boost the competition to new audiences, as well as encourage brands to enter earlier so we can highlight their great products. We have been working hard behind the scenes to create a smooth user journey on our website for entering products, and we will be reviewing sustainability through all the categories, and recruiting specialist judges for selected categories.”Withanentry deadline of November 30, the 2023 contest features 18 categories that cover the whole of the home and gift sector, and welcomes back the People’s Choice Award, where judging is opened up to endconsumers. The GA will allow entry to the People’s Choice award for all shortlisted companies. To view the 2022 winners or to enter the 2023 awards, visit www.giftoftheyear.co.uk.

The owner of an online gift shop opened her first bricks-and-mortar store, in the Lancashire market town of Ormskirk, on August 20. Michelle Henriksen (pictured), who runs Personalised Gifts Ormskirk, says the shop will fill a much-needed gap in the local market for made-to-order goodies. Merchandise comprises jewellery, T-shirts, hoodies, mugs, aprons, chopping boards, metal signs, and more - all handmade or hand-printed by Michelle, and almost every single product can be personalised to include names, special messages, or dates. The 24sqm premises includes the workshop where Michelle makes the items. With a passion for crafting, Michelle says her gifts will offer something different to the market in Lancashire this summer, and she hopes her new venture will encourage more people to support local businesses.

Co-founders Greg Rose and John Dale invited Bexhill-On-Sea’s Town Mayor Councillor Paul Plim to officially open the branch by cutting the yellow ribbon, alongside other local dignitaries, business owners and representatives from the Chamber of Commerce.  Greg said: “Once again, we are just stunned by the love for Maybugs! Customers were queuing to get it an hour before opening. We know our existing customer base will love the new store, as all their favourites are there, plus lots of exclusive things just for the Bexhill store.”

John added: “Maybugs is like our child, and it’s just so special to see it grow and blossom. You’d think by the third one it would get easier, but this store was particularly hard work to get ready. But with the help of our fabulous team and superb suppliers, we pulled it off! We may be a small independent business, but we like to think we can give the big shops a run for their money!”

storethirdopensMaybugs

Maybugs opened its first store in Hailsham in 2018, followed by a second branch in Eastbourne in 2021. It stocks a huge array of quality gifts, homewares, jewellery, toys, fashion accessories and fragrance from brands including Jellycat, Wrendale Designs, Sophie Allport and Carrie Elspeth, plus locally-made merchandise including soaps, artworks, greeting cards and textiles. Greg & John also own Flowers by Maybugs: a contemporary florist in Hailsham that opened in 2019.

For more information, contact chris.workman@ga-uk.org

charityfundsraisesCardsGiftsMantons&for

Lancashire welcomes new Personalised Gifts Ormskirk

Located on Burscough Street in Ormskirk town centre, the store has launched just in time for last-minute summer and autumn gifting. Christmas is also expected to be a busy period, with gifts, clothes and more on offer. Other products that customers can expect to find include babygrows, tops, coasters, beach bags and tote bags - almost all of which can be personalised.

Gift of the Year 2023 is open for entries

Chris Beards with Mantons’ team members Lisa Walster, Olivia Leggate, Debbie Beards, Sophie Christian and Esther Leece L-R: Greg Rose and John Dale

The Mantons team plans to keep on fundraising, helping the community and supporting new artists and small gift and greeting cards suppliers.

Owner Chris Beards said: “We are all extremely proud to have been able to raise over £30,000 - as well as recently raising £660 for the DEC [Disasters Emergency Committee] and the Red Cross to help the people of Ukraine. We are also thrilled to have worked with and helped local organisations such as Crossroads [an Isle of Man charity that provides support to carers and people with care needs], Isle of Man Arts Council, and The Isle of Man Post Office. I would like to thank all our amazing current and previous team members and our fantastic customers who have helped make this possible.”

News 8 Gifts Today

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On...Focus

Autumn Fair: Stand 6 K15

10 Gifts Today

Top Drawer: Stand H49

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Kushboo places ethical business practices & sustainability at it’s core. Initially establishing a reputation for it’s multi-award winning artisan handmade soaps, they have since expanded to include beautiful Bath & Shower Oils, Salt Soaks, Shampoo Bars & Hair Care. The brand was founded by entrepreneur Sarwat Jaleel (pronounced ‘Ser-vet’). “My Indian parents gave me the skillset and knowledge that Nature provides for everything we need - and this is the core of Kushboocreating skincare that puts Nature and the consideration of others central to everything. All Kushboo products are formulated, developed and made by us in-house. Every product is Vegan, Cruelty-Free, 100% Natural & all our packaging is Plastic-Free. We sustainably source from UK suppliers and use only 100% finest essential oils to create our beautiful signature scents.” Sarwat did not set out to have a skincare business. She had previously worked as a qualified BBC Broadcast Journalist & Producer for nearly 20 years on numerous productions including BBC’s ‘Blue Peter’ working both in the live studio & behind the scenes. However, for years people had asked her about her skincare routine. “The opportunity came during a long stay in hospital” Sarwat explains. “I had a ‘lightbulb’ moment after using a bar of soap brought in by my husband. Inhaling the beautiful aromas of essential oils, I immediately felt my spirits lifted as the scent took me back to a happy childhood memory. I decided that as a way of giving back, I would begin to make the very best soap I could for a local homelessness charity as I believe soap is dignity that should be available to all. I formulated my unique recipes from the knowledge & wisdom of plant based ingredients passed down from my Indian parents.” Very quickly, the reputation for the soap bars spread and soon stockist began to stock the soap. Today, Kushboo’s expanded range is stocked worldwide and the brand is proud to still donate a soap bar, for each one sold, to UK charities. “Every new product we launch is a product that our customers ask for - proof that they trust the brand with the knowledge that any new product will have the same ethics, values and quality as the first one.” And if proof is needed for the nourishing and effective Kushboo formulations, then Sarwat is it’s embodiment, many being surprised on first meeting her that she is a mother of three daughters aged 25, 21 & 18. Kushboo will be showcasing a new range at Autumn Fair & Top Drawer with more exciting products in 2023.

With Home & Gift increasing in size by over 60% for 2022, a raft of top brands exhibited including Belly Button Designs, Blue Poppy Art, Bomb Cosmetics, Bronte by Moon, Butterfly Fashion, By Molly&Izzie, Captivate Brands, Chalk UK, DeluxeHomeart, Depesche, Designworks, Enesco, Forever England, Gallery Direct, Giftware Trading Co, Heathcote & Ivory, Hot Tomato, House of Disaster, Inside Out Toys, Jellycat, Joe Davies, Kikkerland Europe, LIGA, London Ornaments, LV

Home & Gift delivered a powerful audience, with 56% of visitors attending for the first time. After specifically identifying VIPs as a target sector, 20% of visitors were VIP buyers with an average spend of over £1 million. Overall, there was an increase of 8% in attendees compared with 2021’s show.

Attracting the highest ever level of VIP buyers, Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival has been hailed as a huge success

The show also provided an informal and sociable atmosphere: retailers and suppliers relished the opportunity to talk business over a glass of wine in the relaxed setting of the Sundowners Drinks on Sunday night, as well as the daily Gin-on-the-Lawn events. In addition, retailers were encouraged to take a break from walking the halls and learn from experts at the Shop Talk Mini Masterclasses, which are available to watch online at www.retail-reveal.com.

The top priority for retailers who attended the trade fair was the discovery of new products, and with more than 30% of exhibitors making their debut at the event, the selection of fresh merchandise provided plenty of choice.

Home & Gift hosted the Furniture Collection too, which saw Kettle Interiors take over the entire Kings Suite with its selection of furniture and home accessories. Plus, IFD, Ancient Mariner, Shankar, AWS Trading, Final Touches and BH Made took space in Hall Q, showcasing garden furniture, dining tables, chairs and homewares. Buyers enjoyed being able to shop for interior accessories and furniture alongside the show’s wide array of gifts and fashion. The introduction of the Furniture Collection helped diversify the buying audience, attracting new retailers that hadn’t attended the show before.

Show manager David Westbrooke commented: “We’re delighted to have delivered another successful edition of Home & Gift. The team worked incredibly hard to ensure we offered the industry an unparalleled mix of brands and products, as well as key networking and social opportunities to help deepen the connections made between exhibitors and buyers. Despite the heatwave, it was wonderful to see so many key players return to the show and enjoy connecting with both new and well-established brands. We look forward to next year’s show and taking over Harrogate once more!”

12 Gifts Today

Email: marketing@homeandgift.co.uk

Call: 020 7384 8158

Visit: www.homeandgift.co.uk

Clothing, Steiff, Ohh Deer, Orange Tree Toys, Passion Accessories, PoM, Powell Craft, Quail Designs, Räder, Richard Lang, Talking Tables, The Art File, Tilley and Grace, Toasted Crumpet, Wrendale Designs, and Zelly UK.

Overall, visitors were delighted with the broad mix of product categories and huge number of new products on display, resulting in a historic increase in visitor NPS [Net Promoter Score] and satisfaction levels.

Described by organiser Clarion Events as ‘a showcase like no other’, Home & Gift brought brands and buyers together across 10 halls and marquees in sunny Harrogate from July 17 to July 20.

The high quality of attendees also included 25% more independent retailers than the 2021 edition, a 65% uplift in interior designers, and 30% more visits from department store buyers.

The 2023 edition takes place from July 16 to July 19, so make sure you add the dates to your calendar now!

Top visitors who made the trip to the North Yorkshire spa town included Avoca, Blenheim Palace, Card Factory, Card Zone, Creaseys, Fenwick, Glasgow Museums, Hoopers, Lakeland, Lark London, Mooch, Morrisons, Next, Rossiters of Bath, Scribbler, Southbank Centre, Stone The Crows, Stringers, Edinburgh Woollen Mill, Science Museum, TJX Europe, and Vinegar Hill, to name but a few. There was also a strong turnout from the garden centre sector, with almost 150 retailers represented including Barton Grange, Bents Garden and Home, Blue Diamond, Bosworths, Burleydam, Cowell’s, Dobbies, Fron Goch, Haskins, Klondyke Group, Longacres, Okells, Ransoms, Scotsdales, Webbs, and Wentworth. With no international travel restrictions, the show also welcomed overseas retailers from 31 countries including Australia, Brunei, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Spain, the Netherlands, the UAE, and the US.

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Sustainability is a hot topic, and with so many rising prices for us all, and products being more difficult to get hold of, it’s important for retailers to look at their systems and processes from top to bottom to ensure they are sustainable in all that they do.

Work with other businesses in your community. Share ideas and develop your very own Green Street! Why not speak to your neighbouring shops to see if they want to get involved? Not only would this make a good story for your social channels and local press, but we believe shoppers really are looking for something different and a sense of community when they visit their local high street.

SeekingToday a sustainablemorefuture

Reuse packaging. If you are delivering products, use the packaging received from your suppliers. Recycling/reusing packaging such as boxes and paper is a simple way to make a difference. Not only is it better for the environment, but it will save you money in the long run. If you are delivering locally, can it be done in an electric/hybrid vehicle? We know that some retailers have even reintroduced bicycle delivery using electric bikes, and it actually is a real showstopper.

Call: 0800 028 0245 Visit: www.bira.co.uk

Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira (British Independent Retailers Association) discusses how independent retailers can work on becoming more sustainable

“Sustainability may seem like a cost, but it is in fact a real opportunity”

Ask customers for ideas. What would they like to see? This is a really great way to get customer involvement. Perhaps they want to see more visibility of where their products are sourced from, or maybe they want to know the steps you have taken to become more sustainable. You could invite them to come up with suggestions on your social channels, or through signs and prompts in your shop.

Not only does it demonstrate to customers that you are thinking of the long term, but it can also be turned into great social media stories. The bikes can be used for advertising, and your customers will appreciate the extra effort you have gone to to think about servicing them from end to end. Plus there are also great health benefits if you fancy cycling too, and you will lower your business’ carbon emissions this way. Look at your supply chain. Can you buy locally? Are your suppliers taking steps to reduce their own carbon footprints? Can you source greener substitute products? Many businesses look at supply chain mapping, which can be done relatively easily and there is plenty of help and advice online. You can find out more about how your products and services are produced, from where and by whom.  Can you go plastic free? At least avoid single-use plastics such as water bottles. Larger stores are signing pledges to not buy single-use plastic bottles and it’s a huge movement at the moment, which is only set to get bigger. If you sell drinks, offer customers the opportunity to use their own cups. Many coffee shops are now offering a small discount on drinks prepared with customers’ own cups, or have returnable cups and crockery for people to ‘borrow’. With prices increasing, even just a few pence off makes a huge difference - not just to our pockets, but also the environment. So why not give it a trial run?

Finally, if you are making all this effort –

TELL PEOPLE! Make it clear that you are taking steps to be a sustainable retailer. All the research is saying that shoppers want to use ethical shops with ethical products. So, don’t be shy: make sure people know the strength of your green credentials.

OPINION

Here are our tips on how to be - and staysustainable in what is a very tough market at the moment: Save energy. If you are looking to change to low energy lightbulbs, these can be purchased locally. Some use 90% less energy and last 40 times longer. So it’s a quick and easy switch to make. Another bonus is that by doing so, you could reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by up to 40kg a year.

Sustainability may seem like a cost, but it is in fact a real opportunity.

CEO Andrew Greenacre 14 Gifts

ChristmaHarrogates&Gift

September 13 16 Gifts Today Preview Broste Copenhagen at Top Drawer Spring 2022 Top Drawer Autumn - Last True Angel - FASHION Top Drawer Autumn - Lottie MurphyGREETINGS & STATIONERY Top Drawer AutumnTurtle Doves - FASHION

Top Drawer is complemented by Top Drawer On Demand: a digital platform connecting brands with buyers.www.topdrawer.co.uk

Countdown to Top Drawer

London trade show Top Drawer A/W returns to Olympia from September 11 to

The design-led lifestyle and interiors trade show Top Drawer is excited to return to Olympia once again to showcase its A/W22 edit – just in time for the industry’s most anticipated buying season. Held in the heart of London, the event promises to have buyers and attendees completely spoiled with its line-up of hand-picked exhibitors, exclusive trends, curated seminar sessions and more. More than 1,500 brands from the UK and abroad will be exhibiting at for this latest edition, including Morgan Wright, Chalk, Roka London, Little Concepts, Aery, Bronte By Moon, Izipizi, Kikkerland Europe, Bookspeed, Plum & Ashby and Alex Monroe, to name just a few. Alongside top brands and household names, Top Drawer is proud to be a platform for promising new talent. Its ‘Launchpad’ sector, which made its debut at the S/S22 edition, puts fresh faces in the spotlight, allowing them to network with high calibre buyers and build lasting connections within the industry. For this edition, we’ll also see the return of the show’s partnership with the University of Arts London, as well as the introduction of a selection of Young Furniture Makers who have been handpicked to showcase their products and are eager to increase their brand exposure.

The exhibition is billed as offering ‘an unparalleled range of products to discover from across the lifestyle spectrum’. It is divided into nine curated sectors, covering everything from artisanal foods to the latest must-have accessories. With such a wide variety of brands in attendance, it’s no wonder that Top Drawer attracts an equally diverse range of retailers to every single showfrom concept stores, museum shops, boutiques and independents to luxury retailers, garden centres and supermarkets. Whileboththe A/W21 and S/S22 shows provided an opportunity to test the waters in a post-pandemic climate, Top Drawer’s new season message of ‘Retail Revitalised’ aims to highlight ‘how we are beginning a fresh chapter in the world of retail and looking ahead with an unapologetically positive outlook’. The retail industry is ever-changing, and Top Drawer is ready to help you adapt, learn and grow to stay relevant – with tips, expert advice and thoughtprovoking conversations.

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Trade talk

After a strong start to the year, we’ve started to see a change in customers’ buying habits, with a move to lower-priced gifts for general gifting. But the key special occasions like weddings, christenings, and milestone birthdays still remain strong.

possible.Ithinkit’s

From the cost-of-living squeeze and stock issues to upcoming product trends, suppliers air their views

fair to say that the giftware market is probably more robust than some other industries as people will always buy gifts for their loved ones, however small - it’s the thought that counts! That said, we appreciate that many of our customers are feeling somewhat nervous about the weeks and months ahead – understandably, as we all know it’s going to be a tough year. That’s why we’re keeping in constant touch with them, to see how they are doing and offering our help wherever possible. We call this Langs Helping Hands. It started during the first lockdown, when we knew customers needed some extra support and understanding to help them through the dark times, and we know this was greatly appreciated as we believe we were the only supplier to offer that level of care. That empathy is required again right now. Our fabulous team of experienced, friendly agents offer our customers additional support, working with them to help get them through the worst of the economic crisis. Our message is very simple: we are here for you and will help in any way we can. For example, we are happy for customers to place orders as normal, but then reduce or even cancel without penalty, should they find they need to later in the year. Also, orders can be dispatched in smaller batches to help their cashflow and keep their stock at a sensible level, should sales drop. We feel it’s our duty to help each other through this period. After all, no one wants to see businesses struggling, whether they’re small independents or multi-site nationals. What hot trends do you predict for Q4? Our customers are going mad for our Autumn/Winter range - the response from our agents on the road, as well as at Harrogate recently, is that it’s one of our best-ever collections. When the temperatures fall and the nights draw in, everyone still loves the idea of cosy evenings snuggling down with a mug of hot chocolate and a fluffy blanket, which makes this such an important season for gifts and homewares.

“I think it’s fair to say that the giftware market is probably more robust than some other industries as people will always buy gifts for their loved ones, however small - it’s the thought that counts!”

In particular, our family-themed products such as cushions, plaques, and frames are selling really well. Halloween-themed products also continue to grow year-on-year as the UK becomes more obsessed with this celebration.Andmanyengaged couples are still trying to organise their Special Day, due to the backlog of cancelled weddings during lockdown. As a result, we’ve seen an upturn in orders for wedding-related products and wedding gift ideas - even for Autumn/Winter. We think this increase may be due to couples choosing dates throughout the year, rather than the usual concentration of summer weddings.Notsurprisingly, most of our customers are constantly on the lookout for environmentallyfriendly goods, which we try and source wherever possible. Our new range of greeting cards embedded with wildflower seeds fits the bill perfectly. Not only do the flowers that are grown attract insects, but the cards are produced right here in the UK. On the subject of British-sourced goods, our new range of jigsaws is proving very popular and was very well received at Harrogate. Working in partnership with a local manufacturer, our bespoke artwork transfers beautifully onto these British-made, high-quality jigsaws. They are available to order now, for delivery in plenty of time for the Christmas rush!

Do you envisage stock issues on the horizon?  We have experienced an extremely challenging year in terms of stock, with suppliers facing manufacturing issues and major shipping delays. Unfortunately, for the foreseeable future, things are not predicted to improve. However, our forward planning means we can maintain exceptional stock levels. What hot trends do you predict for Q4?    Light up products still remain hot for this coming winter season, and they are still a great usable gift all year round. We have a fantastic range of personalised LED lights, candles and baubles, with new designs being launched over the next few weeks. Today

Keith Edmondson Joint Managing Director Richard Lang & Son

How is trading for you?

To be honest, our order book looks healthier than ever, and pre-orders for our new Spring collection (launched at Harrogate) are at a recordbreaking level already. I can only assume this is because we’re doing our very best to keep our costs down and maintain our prices where

How is trading for you?

Keren Dicken Sales and Marketing Director Personalised Memento Company

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David Roznowski and Royou-RoznowskiJocelyne DCo-founders&JGlassware

How is trading for you? So far, this year has exceeded our expectations, despite everything folk have had to contend with. We have been fortunate that with the easing of restrictions and the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations, many of our stockists have seen an upturn in business. Of course, many holidaymakers have decided to stay in the UK, which can only be a good thing for retailers. What will happen in the next few months remains to be seen. Christmas has always been the busiest time for the giftware industry and people will always want to buy gifts - albeit budgets may be squeezed.

Boxed hats, gloves and scarves, bamboo socks, snoozies, and gonks once again are all in demand. Triple stacker necklaces and bracelets, sentiment stones, village pottery tealights, and oil burners are already repeating strongly.

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Do you envisage stock issues on the horizon? We are having to cope with longer lead times, as our products are all handmade. We’ve asked our customers to forward order for Christmas to ensure we can plan our production. Fortunately we are unaffected by the situation in China, as we don’t import from the Far East, but we are aware that the problems faced by many companies in 2021 have not gone away in 2022.

Do you envisage stock issues on the horizon?  The industry has been experiencing shortages in virgin and recycled paper, as well as grey board, which has been influenced by elements such as the plastic tax, the growth of online retail, and the subsequent demand generated for card and paper packaging. As we possess our own paper mills, Exacompta Clairefontaine is the only group in Western Europe to produce and process paper at the same time, allowing us to benefit from localised production and distribution, as well as enhanced quality control. To a large extent, this has permitted us to explore alternative solutions in relation to both product material innovations and minimising production lead-times, allowing us to mitigate recent barriers whenever possible. What hot trends do you predict for Q4?

“Even when trade is tough, retailers and

Paul Hooker Managing Director Joe Davies How is trading for you? We are all in it together, and our priority is to make sure we keep prices low and stock levels good. So we are here for independent retailers when and as they need us. Even when trade is tough, retailers and consumers still look for product that shines through with that special X factor at the right price. We have been working hard to make sure we have plenty of product to fit the bill. The Joe Davies range is perfect for retailers consolidating their purchasing, with a really strong offer of general gifts and ceramics, occasion product, jewellery and fashion all in the mix. Our trademark ‘Little & Often’ order system is more important than ever, to make sure retailers have the stock they need, when they need it.

Do you envisage stock issues on the horizon?

Personalised stationery is one of the most popular emerging product trends among consumers and is currently top of the tree when it comes to online searches for stationery. Additionally, with most UK individuals now favouring a hybrid approach to working, there’s a continued growth in journalling as more people are conscious of boosting personal mental health and wellbeing. With this in mind, we’ve started to see a demand for notebooks that feature art papers, which has led to the introduction of our Rhodia Goalbook Creation range. Sustainability is still a key influencer within the purchasing decision process, so we are continuing to develop products that feature various environmental credentials. We offer a comprehensive selection of pencil cases, including vegan models made from cork, as well as ones created from recycled water bottles. These rPET [recycled polyethylene terephthalate] models are accredited with the Global Recycle Standard (GRS) certification. With the festive season on the horizon, we have a range of new creative crafting gifts available. This includes the Christmas decorations garland kit, which gives users the opportunity to create their own seasonal 3D decorations to hang. We also have new papers and papier màché models due for launch within our Décopatch papercraft brand. These incorporate traditional Halloween and Christmas designs such as pumpkin, gingerbread and present-shaped boxes, hanging candy cane and stocking shapes, plus two new houses that would fit perfectly in any festive scene.

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What hot trends do you predict for Q4? Giftware items are not essential purchases and, with the pressure increasing on household budgets, good quality at a realistic price is key. Gifts that have a meaning or purpose will continue to feature strongly, as will those that enhance the home and create a feeling of wellbeing.

“There’s

Lawrence Savage UK Marketing Manager ExaClair How is trading for you? According to the latest data from the ONS [Office for National Statistics] 62% of adults have said they will reduce spending on non-essential items as a result of recent prices increases. However, in 2021 the UK still spent about £2.7bn on stationery and drawing materials, and a report from The Business Research Company indicates that the global luxury stationery market will experience a steady CAGR [compound annual growth rate] of 4.12% until it reaches $4.75bn in 2026. It’s predicted that innovations in personalised and green stationery, as well as the growing number of commercial establishments and hybrid offices, will continue to drive this demand through the sector.

“Giftware items are not essential purchases and, with the pressure increasing on household budgets, good quality at a realistic price is key”

Shipping from China is taking longer and is not back to normal yet. Fortunately, we ordered up early and have plenty on the water or about to ship. As always, there will be some runs on our best sellers, and Christmas stocks are always in high demand. We have advised customers to order early and we allocate Christmas stock so it’s saved for them. What hot trends do you predict for Q4?   It’s already shaping up to be a busy season with some very high pre-sales.

Christmas Village Nothing says traditional Christmas more than the Christmas Village range. A timeless, magical, and cosy décor theme to spread festive cheer in the home, this collection is fit for a family Christmas with rows of cosy cottages and Christmas trees, exclusively designed in-house.

It’s never too early to up for Halloween and Christmas. these new and unique seasonal from Something Different Home

Hello Autumn

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Email: customercare@somethingdifferentwholesale.co.uk www.somethingdifferentwholesale.co.uk

Visit:

collections

Get set for Autumn! Cosy up and welcome the season of crunchy leaves and pumpkin spice lattes. The Hello Autumn range includes cute seasonal gifts and home décor in rich oranges and browns to bring warmth to the home when the weather gets chilly. This range makes it easy to incorporate seasonal touches to homes.

Merry Cryptmas

Trick or Treat

New, on trend and competitively priced, Something Different Wholesale is proud to welcome four exciting ranges for A/W 2022. The company’s product development team has worked tirelessly to offer a diverse range of giftware that will appeal to customers of all interests. From oil and wax melt burners to mugs and hanging signs, these uniquely designed products are sure to offer your customers ‘Something Different’ this year.

Although many customers love decorating for Christmas, others go all-out decking the house for Halloween. The Trick or Treat range makes gifting and decorating the house extra fun and spooky. It features friendly ghosts and smiling pumpkins that will have customers shrieking with delight come October 31.

For those who are not fully over Halloween, this range is perfect for a gothic Christmas. Merry Cryptmas is an alternative collection that will give Santa a fright. Something Different Wholesale predicts Merry Cryptmas will become a bestselling range with its dancing skeletons, spooky ghosts, and haunted houses that offer a festive twist.

Call: 01792 940288

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20 Gifts Today

Celebrate Christmas with decorative Bolsius rustic candles During the winter season, home ambiance is more relevant than ever. Consumers want to enhance the mood in their homes. Rustic candles are decorative and create a warm ambiance when lit: they are the ideal products to decorate your interior with. Bolsius’ refreshingly new trend collection combines rustic candles in natural tones with a festive silhouette, tapping into the relevance of the winter months. They come in different sizes and designs based on the season and the latest trends, and are inspired by textures and colour tones from nature.

Tel:Bolsius07391017288 | Email: kam.badesha@uk.bolsius.com Tel:APAC0116 2302555 | Email: sales@apacgroup.com Inspiredbynature Productfocus At Home

But Bolsius also offers the more traditional Christmas colours. Its basic rustic candles are available in different sizes and come in an array of 23 different colours made without palm oil, but with natural vegan wax.

A real finishing touch is the Bolsius Sunset candle. This special candle has a gradient varnish, flowing from matte to metallic in different soft and festive colours. Combine this candle with natural colours or metallic candles to create an extra festive feeling. Research shows that inspiration is key for shoppers to buy rustic candle sets. If they see a combination that would fit their interior, they are mostly willing to buy the whole set. So inspire them with a nice combination of candles. Since 1870, Bolsius has been making quality products to create cosiness and a warm ambience in your home. The company does this with passion, skilled craftsmanship and a love for people and theBolsiusplanet.inspires, connects and warms people with the magic of candlelight and fragrances that tickle the senses. It’s how you can make every moment a special one - for yourself and for everyone around you.

This personalised free-standing heart decoration is a lovely addition for any home or office. Available in a variety of designs, the elegant ornament is a great gift option for all occasions that will complement any decor. And, as the heart is free-standing, it can stand upright on all flat surfaces, making it suitable for displaying on fireplaces, shelves and tables.

popular Izzy & Oliver collection is Messengers: a collection of ceramic birds carrying a hidden sentiment inside, designed to raise a smile and lift the spirits.

Meanwhile, Eau Lovely is a collection built to encourage people to live their happiest, most positive lives possible. Designed by perfumier Rachel McCann in Dublin, the collection consists of fragranced candles and reed diffusers.  Presented in glass containers, the candles include the Eau So Amazing Candle, Eau So Relaxed Candle, Eau So Loved Candle, Eau So Grateful Candle, Eau So Special Candle and Eau So Calm Candle. Each is made from natural soy wax and features a corresponding gemstone to strengthen the message of protection, relaxation, love, healing and strength. For example, the Eau So Loved Candle features a rose quartz gemstone: the stone of universal love, for restoring trust and harmony in relationships, and encouraging unconditional love.

Unlike most waterbirds, the Mandarin duck was introduced to the UK from China and is now well established, nesting high up in trees close to rivers, lakes and canals. Mandarin Arts has recently added an elegant dark green stool to its collection, featuring a pair of Mandarin ducks swimming past colourful waterlilies. Such traditional Chinese stools come into their own during hot weather, remaining much cooler than conventional upholstered furniture.  With their flat tops, they can easily turn into small tables or side tables during colder months - they can also play host to lamps. Another popular stool is the Hummingbird feeding on nectar from tropical flowers, which has a satin rather than a glossy finish. Meanwhile, perfect for drinking refreshing cups of jasmine, gunpowder or green tea at any time of year, the HQT013 tea set has a ‘framed’ picture design on the teapot and each cup features two birds on the branches of a cherry tree which is in full blossom. The HQT014 tea set features cascading wisteria with a bird perched on a branch and a butterfly flitting amongst flowers. Both sets have removable metal tea strainers and bamboo handles. They are packed in an attractive dark brown box with a golden brown lid, which has an embossed flower decoration with an inscription of four silver Chinese characters.

Heartfelt option

The Personalised Memento Company

Underneath each piece there is a rolled message - relevant to the nature of the birdprinted on natural cotton fabric and tied with a jute string, hidden inside of the form of the cast stone sculpture. Unroll the fabric to reveal the message, and for added sentiment, personalised notes can be added to the other side. Each Messenger measures 7cm tall and is presented in a kraft gift box with shredded fill inside.

Call: 01228 404022 Email: www.enesco.co.uk Visit: Uksales@enesco.co.uk

Oriental style

PMC’s production and drop-shipping service is able to adapt effortlessly to seasonal peak demand. It ensures orders are fulfilled quickly and accurately, leading to an outstanding customer experience. Visit PMC’s trade website to discover how personalised gifts can work for your business.

Mandarin Arts welcomes visitors to its showrooms in the Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales. Contact the company if you would like a catalogue and price list or have any enquiries.

Mandarin Arts

Call: 01873 812255 Email: info@mandarinarts.co.uk Visit: www.mandarinarts.co.uk

Email: sales@personalisedmemento.co.uk Visit: www.personalisedmemento.co.uk

The two glass-bottled reed diffusers use luxurious essential oils. The Eau So Lovely Relaxed Reed Diffuser features scents of lavender and lemon zest, and the Eau So Lovely Loved Reed Diffuser offers sweet smells of wilted rose, lemon and fresh garden herbs. Both the candles and diffusers come in sustainable packaging with positive affirmations detailed on the front.

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The brainchild of Norwegian artist Karen Lind, Messengers were originally created as gifts for friends and family during the pandemic - a time when we all could have used a little more love. Now, Lind’s birds are available for all to enjoy with six contemporary Scandinavian-styled designs to choose from: Red Some Love, Yellow Smile, Dark Blue Peace, Light Blue Hug, Indigo Support, and Purple Inner Strength.

Gifts Today finds out the story behind the global brand Mad Beauty from its co-founders Julia and Trevor Cash

When Julia and Trevor Cash co-founded Mad Beauty back in the year 2000, they would never have predicted the global presence their award-winning brand would go on to hold 22 years on. The merging of their very different professional backgrounds proved to be the perfect starting point for their beauty brand, with Trevor’s previous vocation being music and audio distribution (Mad) and Julia’s extensive background in beauty therapy and consultancy (Beauty).Itwas a trip to New York which changed the future of their careers, when they spotted an innovative gap in the market and got to work distributing colour-changing nail polishes manufactured in the US to the UK’s professional beauty sector. Since then, built on the strong foundations of mutual support and determination, Mad Beauty has gone from strength to strength and is now available in more than 40 countries worldwide.

Productfocus At Home

Creativity and imagination

Mad Beauty turns 22 in ’22!

Creativity and imagination evolved the business from selling impulse purchase pick-up lines in beauty salons to developing high-quality, effective, must-have beauty gifts for men and women in some of the UK’s biggest high street stores and grocers. Now seen as one of the UK’s leading beauty gifting manufacturers, they develop bespoke and branded products for customers all over the world. In 2015, Mad Beauty decided to align its brand with market-leading licensors, and launched its first ‘Never Too Old For’ licensed brand, with Kellogg’s Vintage winning Licensed Brand of the Year at its first outing. This range was a huge hit, combining fun and novel products with a splash of nostalgia to cement the couple’s mantra of ‘serious about making cosmetics fun’. The success of the brand was further strengthened when both Disney and Warner Brothers approached the business looking for a licensee partner to create innovative and stand-out beauty gifts. Since then, Made Beauty continues to be recognised for its innovation and fun approach, with both its Mad Beauty own-label brand and, in the licence arena, winning an International Licensing Excellence Award for ‘Beauty Aid of the Year’ for two consecutive years with products from its Warner Brothers Friends range.

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This Autumn/Winter, the brand is launching a further four new franchises under the Disney and Warner Brothers licences, with 10 new ranges in total set to hit shelves ahead of the festive season.

A truly successful partnership - 30 years of marriage and 22 years in business - is a rare thing, and a whole lot to celebrate. We’re excited about what the future holds. A great big happy birthday to the whole Mad Beauty team!

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Mad Beauty is excited to launch the Warner Brothers Elf Bath and Body collection, having had copious laughs in the office coming up with innovations such as the hilarious yellow snow bath salts and fragranced bath spaghetti, alongside the all new cult-classic Warner Brothers Scooby-Doo! range.

10 new ranges are set to hit shelves ahead of the seasonfestive

New for A/W

Disney’s Mickey Mouse will be giving a nod to nostalgia with a new retro-inspired range, while the company also widens its spooky offering with a new licence inspired by the movie, Disney’s Hocus Pocus. The much-loved doe-eyed fawn, Disney’s Bambi, will also be gracing shelves in a stunning collection of florally fragranced bath and body gifts, from a 3D moulded soap on a rope to a Thumper-inspired pedicure set. On the ‘Mad’ own-label side, the brand recognises the growing trend of creating beauty rituals at home with a new range of DIY gift sets, as well as a Nordic-inspired range of stocking fillers, and a new Festive Bells collection - with the added detail of real jingle bells on each product! What piece of advice would Julia and Trevor have given themselves when starting out? Their answer is simple: “Have more belief in yourself - don’t hold back! We’ve learned to trust our gut and intuition over the years.”

Mad Beauty will be taking a break from the Autumn shows this year, but be sure to get in touch with the sales team for a copy of its 100-page catalogue for 2022/23. Call: 020 8958 0555 Email: sales@madbeauty.com Visit: www.madbeauty.com

Guess How Much I Love You Large Nutbrown Hare Guess How Much I Love You Breakfast Set Cuddly Winnie-the-Pooh and Friends Peter Rabbit™ Wooden Shape Puzzl BeautifulClassic CharacterGifts Call 01329 227300 o r v i si t www.rainbowdesigns.co.uk Follow us inspiring kids’ imaginations for 50 years psyPlay pe Puzzlep e time Peter Rabbit™ and Flo G H M h IL Y

Retail100 Consulting director and co-founder Sara Allbright shares her tips for ensuring your Autumn/Winter buy is successful

Prior to Retail100 Consulting, Sara worked in buying roles at John Lewis & Partners for 18 years, predominantly for home and seasonal categories, including eight years leading gift and home fragrance buying. She has specialised in brand relationships and growing small emerging brands into market leaders. Sara is also experienced in own-label sourcing across multiple categories and countries.

Email: hello@retail100consulting.co.uk Visit: www.linkedin.com/company/retail100-consultingwww.retail100consulting.co.uk;

I t would be somewhat obvious to start this column by saying that an A/W buy is critical in the world of gift retailing. However, just as I always reminded my colleagues that birthdays happen 365 days a year - making every day a sales opportunity - there is no escaping that the biggest birthday of all on December 25 is the crux of most retailers’ trading calendar. Over the years I’ve had a love/ hate relationship with the season. I spent most of my 18 years buying in seasonal and gift areas. But I will never forget the buzz of seeing how sales climb at that time of year - from departments taking thousands of pounds a week, to over a million pounds a day, as the end of December approached. I was also notorious for being the Christmas buyer who didn’t have a Christmas tree at home, having grown weary of putting up and decorating so many at work!

26 Gifts Today

L-R: Sara Allbright, Anna Berry, Neil Amer and Elaine Hooper

Here are my tips for gearing up for the festive season and ensuring your buy is successful: Buy with conviction and confidence. Make a plan for the season, have a strategy and vision, and then back it. Pick lines that are going to drive volume, and ensure your consumers know they are key. I remember doing this with Panettones: we would design our own tin and then bulk it out to shops, knowing that if we sent them the stock, they would be creative and build towers of it in all locations. There’s no better way to add to your Christmas visual scheme than by using merchandise. Don’t fall into the best seller trap. It’s too easy to stick with things that sold well the year before. While best sellers should not be ignored, it’s critical to ensure your percentage of newness is high enough to excite your customers and not leave your department stuck in a Christmas groundhog day. All best sellers were, at one point in their lifecycle, a new line. Celebrate sell-through. It’s hard not to panic when a product sells out, or dwell on what could have been if you had bought more. There will always be other stock that needs bringing to consumers’ attention, so all is not lost. The morning after the night before. It’s not over when the final purchase is rung up on December 24. The time between Christmas and New Year is a great opportunity to drive more sales, especially online. Christmas Day itself is now a key shopping day online, with many a gift voucher burning a hole in someone’s pocket - or the sheer boredom for some of Christmas Day TV (when everyone else is asleep on the sofa in a food coma) seeing them turn to retail therapy. Launch S/S newness early. If you plan to bring in newness in January and you can get stock early, then launch it in mid-December. I always say that if a product won’t sell in the last two weeks of December, then you are unlikely to sell much of it from January to July. So you might need a Plan B. Obviously this doesn’t necessarily ring true for springseason specific merchandise. Enjoy the process. If you are lucky enough to work in a team, then there’s nothing more bonding and joyful than trading in a festive season. Coming together with colleagues through the highs and the lows has given me relationships with people who are now friends for life.  One last word of advice. Don’t forget the Christmas party. You may be celebrating sales or merely surviving, but at that time of year it’s always important to take time for people - and realise that retail is for life, not just for Christmas.

Gearing up for the festive season OPINION

Do all good gifts start with a card?

Bryony with Photo:Leeson-CoxCeliaCliveRose

I was chatting to our head of visual merchandising and card buyer Celia LeesonCox, and she said to me: “But all good gift choices start with a card.” After further conversation, she explained that if you find a really meaningful card, you can build your gift choice around that. She gave me an example of a card from Lagom Design that states: ‘So Happy You’re My Friend’. She said that for her, she would choose the card and let it inspire the gift. So, in this instance, the joy of celebrating a friendship would inspire a fun or nurturing gift, such as the fabulous ‘Love’ LED neon text light bulb and marble stone desk lamp from Steepletone UK’s Bright Ideas collection (which was Highly Commended in the contemporary gift category of the Gift of the Year Awards 2022). I love this idea of letting the card lead and, in the future, I will be employing this gift-buying strategy.

Home and Garden (which is based just north of Oxford, close to Woodstock and the surrounding Cotswolds), we made the decision to celebrate harvest in a big way. We felt that we wanted to mark the season’s end and give our customers a moment to pause, and I’m so pleased that we did. Especially with the current climate, this feels like absolutely the right thing to do.

In our busy,

28 Gifts Today “We

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Email: Bryony@yarntonhomegarden.co.uk

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August is a transitional month, when we start the shift from summer to autumn. During this transition, we are soaking up the last of the summer mood, yet anticipating autumn with a mix of nostalgia for the season just gone - and excitement for what a new season may bring. Each new season comes loaded with expectations and hope. And gift buying is no different.

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Visit: www.instagram.com/yarntonhomegardenwww.yarntonhomegarden.co.uk;

OPINION

We will be commemorating the occasion with jaw-dropping autumnal displays inspired by Floral Silk, which supplies a beautiful range of artificial flowers and faux stems. There will, of course, be gifts galore for customers to buy, including pumpkins to suit all tastes supplied by We Are Seasons, and even a cuddly one from Jellycat. But more than that, we will be hosting creative workshops and just encouraging people to be. During this time, we will also be encouraging a little gift to self - be that simply the gift of time (an hour spent immersed in something you enjoy) or a treat to take home. The simple ritual of lighting candles can be important to some. Others like to take a moment to pot up a plant. Buying that inspirational book you had your eye on can be enough to get the creative juices flowing. Or treating yourself or a friend to a jigsaw or an Artcuts creative pack may be all the rest you need. I suppose what I’m getting at is encouraging you to take a moment to pause and restorehowever that looks for you. And let’s approach the new season fortified and ready for the one to come. will be marking the occasion

Bryony Taylor-Edwards, head of brand and home, gift, food and toy buyer at Yarnton Home and Garden in Oxfordshire, explains how the garden centre is welcoming in the new season talk about… autumn buying

Let’s

Reed Diffusers, Diffuser Refills and Room Sprays are hand-poured with a high percentage of fragrance before being boxed and, again, tied by hand to complete the collection.Many also include Manor House’s newly relaunched luxury hand wash and moisturisers, which offer a practical and useful addition. All the lotions are created bespoke for the company.,They are not tested on animals and are safe to the environment and not harmful in any way.

For customers shopping for their kids, Rex London offers a variety of children’s storage options with colourful and quirky designs, designed to encourage little ones to keep their bedrooms tidy. Funky storage bags and stacking suitcases are ideal for keeping soft toys and other kids’ treasures clean and safe, while also adding value to the décor. The cardboard storage cases come in a set of three, featuring patterns from Rex London’s top-selling collections such as Wild Wonders, Sharks, Top Banana, and the newly launched Mimi and Milo and Tilde collections.

For customers who prefer more flexibility with their storage options, Rex London recommends its foldable jumbo bags, which are made from recycled plastic. They come in more than 30 colourful and quirky designs and can be used to organise toys, bedding, clothes, or laundry. The same designs can be found on other products such as recycling bags, lunch bags, and shopping bags - also made from recycled plastic.

In addition, Drawer Liners are hand-printed and infused with fragrances, along with triple fabric bags and cushion stacks - all for use in clothes’ drawers and wardrobes to gently fragrance.WhileManor House is not attending Autumn Fair, it would be delighted to send a catalogue to any new and interested stockists, and will be back at Spring Fair 2023.

The vintage-inspired homeware collection will continue to grow, with matching mugs, salt & pepper shakers, and food containers all launching soon. The distinct retro flair of Rex London’s design makes all these storage options a perfect treat for someone who wants to keep their space tidy yet stylish.

Luckily, Puckator is introducing a selection of brand new plant pots perfect for your customers.We’veall heard about the benefits of having plants in the house; from reducing stress levels to increasing productivity. So why not introduce Puckator’s new planters? The fun and colourful designs are sure to brighten any room. If you’re into flowers, then the Florens range will be right up your street with its floral illustrations. Or if you’re a cat person, then the adorable Cat’s Life designs and its soft colours will be Soperfect.ifyou’re looking to spruce up your home with some greenery, pop over to Puckator’s website to explore their ranges of planters. Call: 0800 011 6969 Email: customerservices@puckator.co.uk.  Visit: www.puckator.co.uk

All Manor House’s Botanical Candles are produced using the highest quality waxes and fragrances to match with the pot pourris - and have hand-placed flowers and seed pods added before hand-wrapping and tying. Plus, its glass candles are simple and stylish and offered in matching gift boxes - again, ready to display.

Bringing plants indoors

Call: 020 8746 1700 Email: info@rexlondon.com Visit: www.rexlondontrade.com

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Gorgeous fragrances

Call: 01359 250720 Visit: www.manorhousehomefragrance.co.uk

Rex London

HomePuckatoriswherethe heart is, so why not make it as good as can be? After all, it’s the one place in the world which we are free to personalise and make our own.

Rex London’s ever-expanding collection of homeware gifts and accessories offers a variety of decorative storage ideas that allows your customers to declutter and organise their homes in style. The company’s best-selling storage tins are inspired by vintage food packaging, and are perfect for organising kitchen utensils, stationery, and crafts, with five new designs just released. Each set includes two nesting tins and comes in an eco-friendly home compostable bag - ideal for customers who are looking to be kinder to the planet.

Storage with style

Manor House Manor House’s 2022 collection encompasses 28 gorgeous fragrances to choose from, which is the company’s largest offering to date – and it has already begun creating new fragrances forThe2023.supplier says that the fact that its products are handmade in England is what many stockists want. Its pot pourris are all designed in-house using the finest botanicals, fragranced using high-end oils, and then finished with individual flowers, petals and seed pods, before every box and bag is tied by hand ready to display. Its fragrance oils are great for refreshing pot pourri or for traditional and even electric oil burners, and these remain one of the firm’s top selling products.

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Cover Story...The Wheat Bag Company

The Wheat Bag Company has been very busy this year developing new product ranges. Read on to find out more…

been very busy this year developing new product ranges. Some ideas have been developed from feedback from loyal customers that the supplier has longstanding relationships with, and from researching the home accessories and handmade gifts markets. As the name suggests, The Wheat Bag Company started by making microwavable Wheat Bags. It now produces thousands every year - and they remain its best-selling product. There is a choice of Pure Wheat or Lavender Wheat. Each wheat bag is filled with 100% cleaned English wheat, and you can choose to add optional lavender buds. Lavender wheat bags are heavenly scented and aid rest and relaxation. Often used for meditation or as a sleep aid, the scent can be replenished over time with a few drops of our pure English lavender oil. They are also brilliant to use a cool pack too: simply pop one in the freezer for up to an hour.

The Wheat Bag Company managing director Sally Moore and her team have

T he Wheat Bag Company has been established for nine years and prides itself as being a well-known quality brand, which is now one of the largest suppliers for garden centres, independent suppliers and gift shops. The firm showcases its products at five major trade shows each year in the UK, and regularly advertises in trade garden and craft show magazines. All of its products are handmade in the beautiful county of Wiltshire, using beautiful, quality fabrics that are available in a range of more than 90 designs and finishes, including a luxury range of velvets and faux fur. Many of its fabrics are exclusive, as they are designed in-house, which gives a unique and personal handmade gift that friends and family will love.

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Launched at a recent trade show, The Wheat Bag Company is thrilled to have taken so many orders for these pillows, which are soft to the touch - and the aroma is amazing. This is a natural product which offers the benefits of relieving stress, improving mood and aiding restful sleep.

Multi-Purpose Accessory Pouches are available in The Wheat Bag Company’s most popular designs. Each bag comes with a practical waterproof lining and a handy zip to keep contents safe. These perfect little pouches have many uses, from storing makeup and cosmetics to sewing kits and pencils.

These functional and stylish draught excluders are available in a variety of the supplier’s most popular designs. Each handmade draught excluder is filled with soft polyester wadding and comes with a handy loop handle for storing when not in use: a perfect home accessory to help keep your house warm during the colder months.

Proudly

made in the UK New Products 2022

Gifts Today 33 Call: 01747 840499 Email: sales@thewheatbagcompany.co.uk Visit: www.thewheatbagcompany.co.uk

Draught Excluders

Lavender Pillows

The Wheat Bag Company has been overwhelmed with the response since introducing these earlier this year. Weighted eye pillows are natural products filled with flaxseed and optional lavender, which help to block out light, soothe tired eyes and enhance relaxation.

Accessory Pouches

Soothing Eye Pillows with a Removable Cover

The trade show’s organiser Hyve Group says: ‘Offering the best products and inspiration just in time for the Golden Quarter, Autumn Fair provides the perfect opportunity for buyers to top up their stock and make last minute orders for the festive season.

‘With 600-plus UK and international exhibitors showcasing their collections, there’s a huge variety and depth of product, unlike no other trade show, as well as live speakers and seminars ensuring ideas and inspiration are bound to flourish and grow. Take a look at www.autumnfair.com and download the official Autumn Fair App for the latest updates and news.’ Gift In the Gift destination you will find best sellers from contemporary designs to unique, personalised and licensed gifts, including books, candles, souvenirs, and garden giftware.

Autumn Fair is back from September 4 to September 7 at NEC Birmingham offering an appetising array of fresh and exciting products for the new season brands and products. Visitors will also discover Sass & Belle, Powell Craft, Joe Davies, Lesser & Pavey, Chalk UK, Gift Republic, East of India, The Eclectic Lifestyle Company, Sting in the Tail, Candlelight Products, Price’s Candles, and Quail.

Autumn Fair runs across four days from September 4 to September 7 at NEC Birmingham, and hosts four key buying destinations: Gift, Home, Moda, and Design & Source.

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Visitors will also be treated to an exclusive showcase of all of this year’s Gift of the Year shortlisted finalists, and a dedicated New Product curated showcase of newly launched products from across the show. Returning to Gift for the first time since 2018, Widdop & Co brings a host of new Autumn Fair returns with a celebration

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New for 2022, Autumn Fair welcomes independent publisher Ryland Peters & Cico Books, Sweet William Designs, Forever England, Fern & Thistle, Treat Kitchen, Ahmad Tea, Artcuts, Good Living (bringing brands including Haan and Omnom), Exerz, and White Pebble (with brands Woodstock Chimes, Solmate Socks, and Ooly), along with international brands Kikkerland, Abysse Corp, and Hellmann-Versand. Meanwhile, Gingko is returning with its elegant designs and will be launching a new desktop lamp. The Gift destination comprises three categories: Beauty & Wellbeing, Greetings & Stationery, and Kids, Toys & Play. The Beauty & Wellbeing category focuses on an indulgent feel-good factor and features products that groom, spritz and energise. From holistic home fragrances to luxury body care, find beauty staples along with pampering products that make the perfect gift items. Newcomer Voesh New York will promote its mission for self-care with 100% vegan products, along with brands Per-Scent and Shearer Candles. Returning favourites include Upper Canada UK, The English Soap Company, Heyland & Whittle, The Somerset Toiletry Company, Heaven Scent and Bomb Cosmetics. And look out for sustainable brands Eco Bath, Join Brands, Clarity Blend, Betty Hula, Sevin and Beefayre, as well as Emma’s Soap. Emerging brands in attendance include White Rose Sage, Lizzie

Home The Home destination comprises three categories Home, Living and Décor; The Summer house; and Everyday. Home, Living and Décor offers furniture, textiles and interior accessories from brands including Coach House, Hill Interiors, London Ornaments, Besp-Oak Furniture, Ancient Mariner, CIMC, London Ornaments, Art Marketing, Taylors of Scotland, Final Touches, Wal ton & Co, Florelle, and Chic Antique Denmark, which is showing exclusively at Autumn Fair. The Summerhouse has its finger firmly on the pulse of new homeware trends, with some of the most beautiful, hand-picked accessories and contemporary gifts, as well as home fragrance and lifestyle products. This season, Autumn Fair welcomes the return of Bronte by Moon and Scatterbox, along with exhibitors Pacific Lifestyle, Jellycat, Hydro Herb, Malini, Gallery, Inis, Niwa Terrariums, Deluxe Homeart, My Gifts Trade, Hot Tomato, and Spry EverydayCandles.isthe sourcing sector for everyday affordable items. Hyve Group says: ‘Everyday re-energises the traditional ‘Volume’ visitor and attracts independent retailers in search of a better price, product and promotion’. Moda Moda is billed as the fashion destination at Autumn Fair and the place to discover the latest trends, newest and sustainable designers, and must-have looks that will adorn the season. After successfully co-locating with Autumn Fair 2021, it has now become an integral part of the show. Moda offers a comprehensive line-up of classic and contempo rary women’s fashion from the UK and around the world and is described as boasting ‘the country’s largest collection of footwear brands, as well as a huge range of accessories and its coveted Jewellery & Watch Edit: a curated selection of luxury and staple jewellery, watches, and desirable fashion pieces’.

& Wild Candle, Senne. Candle Co., Eriskay Candles, FiZZ and Mini First Aid (as featured on BBC One’s reality business series Dragons’ Den).

Sustainability Some of the Autumn Fair exhibitors leading the way with a sustainable ethos include Betty Hula, with honest, innocent skincare; kidswear with a conscience, Mai Clothing; Inside Out Toys, produced by ethically and socially responsible manufacturers; home fragrance expert Beefayre, which donates 3% of its profits to bee research and conserva tion; Honest Bottle, described as the only reusable bottle designed and made locally in the UK from UK-sourced post-consumer recycled single-use bottles; and 100% natural and pure essential oil products supplier Clarity Blend. All these brands and many more will be showcasing their vision for the future and a marketplace comprising sustainable, ethical and natural products.

Seminars Finally, on the Inspiring Retail Stage, visitors will be treated to a broad programme of content sessions from industry leaders designed to educate and inspire. Presentations will include a seminar on gifting trends for 2023 by Wendy Lowe, trend editor at trend forecasting agency TrendBible, which promises to ‘provide vital insight into the key trends impacting consumers and key opportunities which will elevate your celebration, occasion and gift ranges to new levels’. For further information, visit www.autumnfair.com or download the official Autumn Fair App. www.autumnfair.com

Design & Source Design & Source, originally called Sourcing, brings the international market to the UK with ethical and sustainable manufacturers from all over the world in one destination. It combines product types including home textiles, lighting, funky and contemporary gifts, and artisan products, as well as tableware, kitchenware and flatware for catering and hospitality buyers.

Greetings & Stationery is the place to find ‘everything you need to mark the occasion’. It brings together creative, fun and colourful greeting cards, wrapping papers, stationery and paper decorations. Kids, Toys & Play is home to children’s toys, gifts and gadgets, where you can tap into the hottest play trends and Christmas hits.

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‘It’s theaboutallBee’

From super chic designs, incredible textures, and dazzling new colourways, Alice Wheeler London Autumn 22 offers a one-stop collection of wonderful must-haves perfect for any occasion. Autumn 22 features brand new designs, coupled with the brand’s latest boutique and signature collections to enhance the Alice Wheeler London launch this season - and let’s not forget Alice’s signature honeybee insignia, which provides that additional flourish and quality synonymous with Alice Wheeler designs. Whether you are searching for the perfect camera crossbody bag, a sleek new hand bag, or the ultimate collection of co-ordinating fashion and beauty accessories, Alice Wheeler London has everything you need to satisfy your customers’ appetites.

Explore the latest autumn collection of timeless accessories by Alice Wheeler London

You’ll be spoilt for choice with this fabulous autumn range, which is available from September. Come and see the full range of 2022 designs at Autumn Fair in Hall 6 on Stand L10. If you would like to become a stockist and require further information, please contact the team. Call: 0121 459 9777 Email: orders@fmgsales.co.uk

Visit: www.alicewheelerlondon.co.uk

Alice Wheeler London / Fancy Metal Goods Stand: 6 L10

The UK’s Hottest Jewellery Range Pearl Collection Bubbles Collection Tel: 0161 975 6300 Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk www.joedavies.co.uk We are very excited to introduce our Autumn/ Winter 2022 Collec tion! SugarLane® is designed in the UK and is unique, exclusive, and created with our planet in mind. Brand New Autumn/Winter 2022

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In addition, the firm has an ever-growing tinware collection in more than 70 designs across all shapes and sizes. Ranges include teeny tiny slide-y tins, cake tins, tins for card storage, money tins, and even glasses cases.

Emma Ball also offers a bespoke service, enabling customers to have exclusive products for their businesses. With its superb network of UK suppliers, it can offer bespoke to cus tomers, both big and small, with minimums as low as 100 units. It can take existing artwork of Emma’s and add a design element (such as a place name) although if new artwork needs to be produced, the same rules apply: no set-up fees, no artwork charges, and low minimum values. Most importantly, it offers the same cost prices as its stock items, which makes this a very attractive option for customers.

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And, launching as a new product for the show, after huge demand for years, is a range of exclusive Emma Ball 1,000 piece jigsaws - and they’re made in the UK! Samples will be available at the exhibition with stock to follow shortly, just in time for the Christmas rush.

Plus, Emma Ball’s bone china mugs are still top sellers, and are now available in 50-plus designs including new Christmas ranges for 2022. Each mug is presented in a beautiful storage box. The boxed mugs are only exclusive to Emma Ball Ltd. Drop by the stand if you would like any more information; all products will be showcased.

Emma Ball celebrates 21 years of supplying giftware, stationery, and greeting cards in September

Emma Ball Stand: 6 C33

Guess what… Launching as a new product for the show, after huge demand for years, is a range of exclusive Emma Ball 1,000 piece jigsaws - and they’re made in the UK! Samples will be available at the exhibition with stock to follow shortly, just in time for the Christmas rush

Call: 0115 9858081  sales@emmaball.co.uk Visit: www.emmaball.co.uk

Newly in stock, and showcasing at Autumn Fair, will be new hand-painted glass baubles, Christmas card packs, Christmas boxed mugs (which are selling fast!) and Emma Ball’s famous bauble cards.

Alternatively, get in touch with Lucy on 0115 9858081 or email sales@emmaball.co.uk.

Popular products include many UK-made items, such as greeting cards, stationery, gift wrap, tea towels and trays. The supplier prides itself on sourcing as locally as possible, and believes in supporting local businesses, only sourcing abroad when there is no other option.

The company now boasts more than 3,000 products to choose from, with an umbrella of seven artists offering something for everyone. It has a huge variety of stockists, including gift shops, cookshops, wool shops, bookshops, garden centres, post offices and more.

EmmaBallcomesofage

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Joe Davies has specialised in servicing the independent retailer for more than 100 years and has one of the largest collec tions of gifts in the industry. The company will be showcasing its popular brands such as Equilibrium, Sugarlane, and snoozies! along with many more ranges. Sugarlane Sugarlane is launching a gorgeous collec tion of Autumn/Winter clothing, which fea tures a rich colour palette of sapphires, ru bies, and emerald green, and an abundance of fashionable prints. In addition, the brand is introducing a new category of knitwear for the season. Everything is designed in the UK, so it’s exclusive and unique to Joe Davies and, more importantly, has been designed with the planet in mind. Equilibrium Equilibrium continues to be one of the UK’s hottest jewellery brands. ‘Bobbles’ or ‘bubbles’ are bang on trend right now and the new contemporary Equilibrium Bubble Collection showcases this look perfectly. Stylish necklaces, bracelets and earrings with fixed ‘bubbles’ give a really modern expression to a look that is fresh on the scene.And after the gold rush, silver is back to take over jewellery boxes with a ven geance, and this attractive silver-plated collection looks stunning as it rocks this great new look. For those who love gold jewellery, all is not lost, as there are a num ber of gold-plated and two-tone pieces in the collection which add a touch of added glamour.Another new range from Equilib rium, Joe Davies Stand:

With a multitude of brand-new products, a visit to Joe Davies is an Autumn Fair highlight

7 C30/E31 Preview 40 Gifts Today

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designed with the minimalist fashionista in mind, is the fresh Pure Elegance Collec tion, which embraces a quieter air of opu lence. Delicate stone accented necklaces, earrings and bracelets - plated in real silver and gold - make the perfect finish ing touch to any outfit. Dainty doesn’t have to be boring; this understated new collection is feminine, sweet and just that little bit different! Men are notoriously difficult to buy for but the Equilibrium for men collec tion can solve this problem in an instant. Gift-boxed men’s scarves are always a popular choice for the second half of the year, and launching at the show will be luxurious ‘cashmere feel’ designs. Plus, there will be new men’s gloves, scarf and glove sets, and bamboo socks including some fun Christmas designs. All these gifts are great quality at very affordable prices. What’s more, they come complete with signature Equilibrium for men gift box packaging, making them easy to wrap and ideal to give as a gift.

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Sentiment Sentiment continues to be a huge seller for the gift industry, as it’s great to give as a gift and show that you care. With this in mind, the new Heartfelt angels is a collection of pretty angel figurines where sentiment is at the heart of this lovely range. The love between friends and family is shown in the heartfelt messages engraved onto a metallic painted heart held in the arms of the angels, making them perfect gifts for loved ones. Painted in subtle colours of cream and a metallic champagne gold, these celestial figurines offer thoughtful messages for Mum, Nan, Auntie, Sister and Best Friends, and will sit with any home décor.

Christmas Also important for second half sales is anything Christmas! Gingerbread men have always been popular as a sweet treat for the festive period, and Joe Davies has developed a collection of festive gingerbread characters designed to resemble homemade gingerbread men. These delectable looking Christmas deco rations are made from felt and fabric. The men are dressed in sweet red santa hats, scarves or a red bow tie; and the girls are dressed in pretty red gingham dresses with either a red santa hat or a red bow and festive flower on their heads.  They come in various sizes of standing, sitting with dangling legs, or hanging decora tions, making them a real statement in the home or on the Christmas tree. There is even the added touch of swirly ribbon icing on the arms to give them that homemade look. Joe Davies is well known in the industry for its ‘little and often’ ordering quantities, which enables customers to order a very small quantity of each item selected, each time they order - therefore allowing a wider selection of products without breaking the bank! What’s more, the company’s minimum order value is just £100 for carriage-paid orders, enabling customers to place small orders more frequently.  Call: 0161 975 6300 Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk www.joedavies.co.uk

William Morris is renowned worldwide as a British textile designer, poet, and novelist, associated with the British Arts and Crafts Movement, and a major contributor to the revival of traditional British textile art. The range includes fine mugs, mugs in gift sets, storage canisters, coasters, placemats, egg cups, trays in three sizes, a mug and coaster, a salt and pepper, a jug, a butter dish, a teapot, a spoon rest, a tea bag tidy, a lap tray, a glass cutting board, oven gloves and an apron. Special sets include four ceramic coasters; a set of four teaspoons, cake forks, and a cake slice; a snack set; and a soup bowl with a lid. Described as ‘a hint of nostalgia and romance, brought to the marketplace as individual giftboxed items at affordable prices’, the range purchased together makes a perfect wedding present or housewarming gift.

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Also on display will be Pom Pom Candles, which form part of the company’s Desire Aroma range. The candles use Lesser & Pavey’s signa ture glass jar, with a new metal lid and colourful pom poms. The colours are highly popular shades, perfect for gifting to friends and loved ones. The candles come in three sizes and six fragrances: Fresh Linen; Pomegranate Noir; Velvet Rose and Oud; Peony and Blush Suede; Lime, Basil and Mandarin; and Oud and Bergamot. These new additions make the Desire range of fragrance products one of the largest that Lesser & Pavey has ever offered, as it seeks to meet the trend of adding fragrance to the home through quality products. Plus, Lesser & Pavey will launch a range of house plaques. The pretty 3D double house plaques, made for any home setting, are from the company’s in-house art department. They feature sentiments in titles for Friends, Family, Love & Home. Call: 01322 279225 Email: sales@leonardo.co.uk Visit: www.leonardo.co.uk

Stylish gifts Lesser & Pavey

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Stand: 7 - 6

A41

Check out these new additions to Lesser & Pavey’s portfolio, from tableware and fragranced candles to house plaques

Lesser & Pavey will showcase the William Morris pattern of Acanthus, which has been added to the company’s range of tableware. This is a highly popular design in soft furnishings which transfers to tableware beautifully and will complement any home setting.

To celebrate the company’s first decade of trading, visit the stand and spin Miss Milly’s sparkly Glitter Wheel to win goodie bags and order discounts.

While the traditional darker, jewel colours always feature at this time of year, Miss Milly continually keeps the bold and bright at the forefront. Yellow, fuchsia, orange and turquoise are all still there, but mixed with navy, teal and aubergine to suit the season. Magnetic brooches continue to sell well and are perfect for Christmas gifting, so look out for fresh designs in this range.  New scarf designs include funky stripes, bold geometrics and a full zebra print. The collec tion is made with a super soft mix of 20% cotton and 80% viscose. And you’ll find a selection of year-round lightweight scarves with heavier pieces for the Autumn/Winter season.

Call: 01953 450 280 Email: dandj.glassware@btinternet.com Visit: www.dandjglassware.co.uk

Call: 01905 622509 Email: hello@missmilly.co.uk Visit: www.missmilly.co.uk

accessoriesgorgeous Miss Milly Stand: 7 E65

The popular British brand Miss Milly will showcase new designs and colours for Autumn/ Winter in both jewellery and scarves.  Celebrating its 10th year in the industry, Miss Milly says it has ‘creatively survived the pandemic and emerged brighter and stronger’. Its jewellery designs are made with a mixture of resin, paint and metal, forming intriguing designs and catching the eye with stunning colour combinations.

Visitors to D & J Glassware’s stand will be able to see the popular and attractive designs that have made the company a firm favourite for the past 20 years. There is a whole menagerie of handcrafted Fused Glass Animals to discover. These delightful designs always bring a smile and are proven sellers. For the ‘wow’ factor, the supplier’s Tree of Life globes cannot be beaten; made from crystal glass reclaimed from the manufacture of high-end wine glasses, they are utterly breathtaking. There are globes to represent every sentiment and they make thoughtful and cherished gifts.

D & J Glassware Stand: 6 H19

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D & J Glassware’s Home Fragrance collections go from strength to strength with the introduction of some new Reed Diffusers in a range of colours. Their attractive packaging looks great in-store and makes the line a must-have. The colourful Home Textile collections, launched earlier in the year, are already selling through well. Each design is inspired by D & J Glassware’s popular animals and is proudly made in Britain.

Delightful designs

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Alongside this launch, Warmies is unveiling fresh designs including new animals in its Soft Toy collection, two new attractive colourways in its Luxury Collection, and a new range of Long Hot Water Bottles conveniently packaged in a small box - shelfready for your in-store displays and the perfect, compact gift. This is an exciting and busy year for the friendly Warmies sales team, who are getting ready to welcome you to their stand at Autumn Fair very soon. You can find them at Stand 20 E50-F51, where they will be ready and waiting with answers to any questions you may have.

Visit: www.warmies.co.uk

Call: 01933 679 777   sales@warmies.co.uk

Stand:

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The collection is made up of six books, telling the stories of some of Warmies’ best-selling plush characters. They delve into the world of Lavender Land, following the adventures of the Warmies Sloth, Puppy, Unicorn, Pig, Baby Penguin and Sheep, as they learn the importance of a warm hug. All the books can be purchased separately and will be great additions to any budding reader’s collection, as well as perfect gifts for little ones, alongside the matching soft toy. As well as this exciting launch, Warmies is welcoming 39 new designs to its evergrowing collection. You can look forward to the release of two opulent new colourways to add to the incredibly popular Luxury Collection, which hit the ground running last year. This is made up of boots, bottles, neck wraps and slippers, thoughtfully created using the softest faux fur, and its success is proof of just how fabulous these products are. Almond and Blossom are the latest colourways to be added, offering even more choice from this highly sought-after collection.

Read on to find out where you can find Warmies at Autumn Fair, plus news of its latest launches, from children’s books, soft toys, hot water bottles, and more

Warmies is incredibly excited to welcome buyers to its stand at Autumn Fair. Many visitors may notice its custom-made exhibition stand - new for 2022 - which brings innovation to the way in which the company displays its wide array of products, and captures the essence of its brand perfectly. From soft toys to hot water bottles, this year’s launches from Warmies have it all. The team invites you to join them as they branch out on a new endeavour: stepping into the world of children’s books.

Intelex Group (UK) Ltd

A wide array of gifts from Warmies 48 Gifts Today Preview

Warmies 20 E50-F51

Come and see the UK’s favourite glassware supplier: where quality meets design Autumn Fair, NEC Hall 6 Stand H19 www.dandjglassware.co.ukTel:01953450280 throughoutlaunchesNew2022! @DandJglassware CELEBRATING YEARS 2002 - 2022

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Call: 01293 525825 Email: sales@heylandandwhittle.co.uk Visit: www.heylandandwhittle.co.uk

Ursula Whittle

The four Classic fragrances are:

Heyland & Whittle Stand: 20 A01

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The Classic Collection includes aromatic candles, stylish diffusers and handy room mists. The decorative reed diffusers effortlessly and continuously deliver an enveloping scent. The hand poured, sustainable soy wax candles burn cleanly and evenly, while the room mists deliver an instant burst of aroma. All the products are beautifully presented in elegant and sleek, glass containers, and are boxed in responsibly sourced FSC recyclable card.

The artisan soap and home fragrance brand Heyland & Whittle will introduce its new Classic Collection for the home at Autumn Fair Making its debut at Autumn Fair is Heyland & Whittle’s luxurious Classic Collection: four finely blended signature fragrances for the home. Taking customers on a sweet-smelling journey with nature as its guide, these new scents from the artisan soap and home fragrance brand are inspired by the many floral and herbal aromas found in field and garden.

• Ginger & Lime: warm and energising, this fragrance is like a big welcom ing hug. It’s a refreshing blend of juicy sweet limes with vibrant peppery ginger.

• Clementine & Prosecco: zesty, sweet and juicy clementines with a splash of sparkling bubbles - let’s celebrate!

“We hope this collection will create memorable fragrances in people’s homes, and use the power of aroma to energise, uplift, relax or comfort. As always, we choose to create with only the best ingredients, as we believe that what we include in our fragrances is as important as what we don’t - this means our customers can shop with confidence.”

The reinventedClassics

• Lavender & Chamomile: a gentle blend of lavender and chamomile for the bedroom - just the ticket for a good night’s sleep!

“It has been incredibly exciting to create a new line of Classic aromas of the highest quality and outstanding worth”

• Bergamot & Fern: bright and breezy like a favourite country walk, this fresh fragrance is a blend of sweet and sunny bergamot and cool, clean green fern

Heyland & Whittle’s joint managing directors Paddy Heyland and Ursula Whittle head up the team behind the brand. Together, they set out to create a new collection of home fragrances that would be truly classic, with timeless lastingUrsulaappeal.explains: “We were inspired by the quote from Iman [a Somali-born supermodel, actress and entrepreneur], who said: ‘In a world full of trends, I want to remain a classic.’ It has been incredibly exciting to create a new line of Classic aromas of the highest quality and outstanding worth.

Aromatize is pleased to announce the exclusive distri bution rights of Michel Design Works (MDW). MDW is a long-established business based in the USA which offers consistently high-quality products packaged with beautiful distinctive signature prints. Each fragrance collection has its own stunning and unique design. The foaming hand soaps are loved all round the world, while gorgeous triple-milled soap bars and lotions feel as good as they smell. Scented room sprays complete the col lection, which is perfect to use personally or offer as gifts. To take advantage of an opening order discount of 10%, please quote MDW10 when placing your order.

Call: 01254 300268

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Sleep Sakes is a brand with its heart in Wellness - offer ing comforting fragranced products made with natural ingredients, as well as beautiful keepsakes to cherish. This collection is the perfect gift for children, offering complete bedtime bliss. The range includes chamomile-infused bath bombs and fragranced plush and pillow mist. Plus, there are lively char acters in the form of plush toys, lighting and money boxes.

Michel Design Works offers consistently highquality products packaged with beautiful distinctive signature prints

Michel Design Works

Bedtime bliss

Email: sales@aromatize.co.uk Visit: www.aromatizetrade.co.uk

Aromatize Stand: 7 D40 Sleep Sakes

The andplushcharactersincludesSakesSleeprangelivelyintheformoftoys,lightingmoneyboxes

To take advantage of an opening order discount of 10%, please quote SLEEP10 when placing your order.

PreviewGame on!

University Games & Lagoon Stands: 20 B41-C41 & 20 C40 University Games and Lagoon have not just one but two stands brimming with games, puzzles and gifts at Autumn Fair. There really is something for everyone, from early preschool through to adult party games, and the whole family in between! Visitors won’t want to miss University Games’ impressive display of more than 45 3D puzzles and model kits of famous buildings and icons from blockbusters including Star Wars, Disney, Marvel, Harry Potter and Game of Thrones University Games’ new Party Game Night is certain to get the party started as friends and family act, draw, bluff, and guess their way through a hilarious night of entertainment. Family favourites also on display will include Smart Ass, Who’s in the Bag and Perudo alongside the classic Subbuteo range, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. With the FIFA World Cup kicking off just ahead of the festive period, this range - which includes the Subbuteo Official England Main Game and Subbuteo England Lionesses Main Game as well as a special 75th anniversary edition - gives retailers a goal-tastic opportunity to get into the football spirit! Meanwhile, as the popularity of Murder Mystery Nights continues to grow, Lagoon has thought of everything when it comes to hosting a great crime-busting evening. Presented in whiskey-style gift tubes, Murder Mystery in Paris, Murder at the Tower of London, and Murder Mystery Aboard the RMS Titania, contain six different plots so the dinner party, crime-solving fun can be continued! University Games also has plenty of Murder Mystery fun on offer with six dinner party games, a host of murder mystery puzzles, and two titles joining the Case Files series including Fire in Adlerstein and Death in Antarctica. For younger board game players, the new Tom Gates range is a great addition to University Games’ children’s portfolio. It includes the award-winning Tom Gates 3-in-1 Monster Games Compendium as well as a Truly Awesome Card Games Set and double-sided Colour-in Puzzles featuring popular characters from the eponymous books and TV series.

Visit: www.university-games.co.uk; www.thelagoongroup.co.uk

must-havesFestive

If you’re looking for masses of great new products, quick deliveries and customer service that is second to none, make sure you head to the House of Marbles stand and see what they have to offer.

Call: 01626 835358

At Autumn Fair, you can see the new festive game ‘Santa’s Snowball Ski-Jump’. This family game will provide players with hours of entertainment as players battle to win the highest score by flicking marbles around the ski jump into the numbered pegs. It will make a great addition to Christmas Eve boxes and is designed in-house, making it perfect for independent gift retailers who want to stock seasonal games that are truly unique.

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Call: 0207 254 0100 Email: sales@ugames.uk.com

House of Marbles Stand: B50-C51 House of Marbles has just launched some seasonal games and pocket-money novelties in time for the biggest trading season of the year.

Email: uk@houseofmarbles.com Visit: www.houseofmarbles.com/tradeuk

You’ll also find prehistoric dinosaur finger puppets, and a charming Winter Wonderland Kaleidoscope, along with some new sensory books for early learning, and Christmas titles that are sure to be a must-have gift during the holiday period.

For our full range of gorgeous Warmies® visit: www.warmies.co.uk Contact us at E: W:sales@warmies.co.ukT:01933679777www.warmies.co.uk Join us at Autumn Fair 4 - 7 September 2022 Stand: 20E50-F51 It ’s no secret that Warmies® are loved around the world. WARMIES 13” PLUSH LAUNCHING 12 NEW DESIGNS RRP £19.99 NEW NEWNEW NEWNEWNEW WaWaWarmies_UKrmies_UKrmies_O cial WarmiesUKUSOWFOLL NEWNEWNEW WARMIES CHILDREN’S BOOKS LAUNCHING 6 NEW DESIGNS RRP £11.99 WARMIES LUXURY WELLNESS LAUNCHING 2 NEW COLOURWAYS FROM RRP £16.99 WARMIES PREMIUM HOT-PAKS 12 FROMCOLOURWAYSRRP£16.99

Richard Lang Stand: 7 G20-J21

The design team at Richard Lang has been busy working hard to bring its Spring 2023 range to life. This collection is full of feel-good vibes perfect for the season, with pops of vibrant colour to shake off winter and boost the mood, along with clean, fresh lines to integrate beautifully with any décor.

LangshasaSpringinitsstep!

What’s more, designed and manufactured in the UK is an extensive drop of a new range of greeting cards to the existing collection, which Langs cannot keep in stock fast enough! The big news is its brand new Seed Cards: a card and gift all in one. The coloured designs are unique to Langs, and the paper is impregnated with seeds which can then be soaked and planted to produce a beautiful display of wildflowers - perfect for any time of the year.

Call: 01332 218429 | Email: keith@richardlang.co.uk Visit: www.richardlang.co.uk

Following a ‘soft launch’ at Harrogate in July, Langs has already received a lot of enthusiastic responses from customers for this new collection. With seasonal florals, gorgeous wildlife and clever hand-sketched designs, it offers literally hundreds of lines, for Easter, Mother’s Day, Weddings and New Home, as well as Langs’ biggest ever range of men’s gifts.

Customers were particularly impressed with the stunning Indigo collection: the striking blue and white designs are vibrant and modern and will make a showstopping display in any store. Also well received was the pretty Rose Cottage range of gorgeous little hand-painted stoneware houses exclusive to Langs, featuring adorable detailing such as bunting, topiary trees, polka dots and cut-out hearts.

Langs constantly strives to work with UK-based manufacturers, and is delighted to announce the launch of its new range of high-quality, British-made jigsaws, depicting its very own artwork designed by its highly accomplished team based in Derbyshire.

Preview 56 Gifts Today

Richard Lang will launch its full Spring 2023 collection for pre-order at Autumn Fair

Langs’ stand at Autumn Fair will also showcase its range of unique and quirky Fall, Halloween and Christmas products for those last-minute purchases. The Autumn 2022 edition includes 25 new collections. The elegant Family Tree, gifts for pet lovers including Doggy Days and Mischievous Moggies, home décor, country style, and the ever-growing friendship gifting with added retirement section are proving very popular. Finally, it wouldn’t be Langs without the beautiful hand-painted animals which are a firm favourite with customers. The question is: which one is your favourite? Robin, hare, hedgehog… the list goes on. With so much to choose from, customers are spoilt for choice!

If you would like to become a stockist and require further information, please contact our team. Come and see the full range of 2022 designs at NEC Autumn Fair Hall 6, Stand L10 Call: sales 0121 459 9777 Email: orders@fmgsales.co.uk Autumn collection 2022

Woodbridge Candle Jars

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Please quote TUMBLER10 when placing your order.

The 16-candle range includes both everyday and Christmas fragrances. Plus, there is an opening order discount of 10% available.

Aromatize says: ‘Woodbridge Candle Jars continue to be the most com petitive candle available on the market. They all have an 8% fragrance load and dual wicks to offer a clean, even burn and wax pool which delivers a fantastic fragrance throw.’ Produced using 100% food grade paraffin wax and fragrances from leading European perfume houses, there are more than 40 fragrances available in the collection, and each fragrance is also available as a wax melt pack.

The Woodbridge home fragrance collection is expanding for Aromatize

A Previewassortmentfragrant

The Woodbridge home fragrance collection is expanding for Aromatize, with the introduction of brand-new tumbler candle jars. Every element of these jars has been thoughtfully created with luxury design in mind, from the logo embossed golden lid to the colour co-ordinated wax and wrap-around labelling.

Call: 01254 300268

Email: sales@aromatize.co.uk Visit: www.aromatizetrade.co.uk Aromatize Stand: 7 D40

The candles have an 8% fragrance load and are produced with three wicks. Multiple wicks lead to a better fragrance throw, even a wax pool, and a cosier ambience: ideal for autumn and winter evenings!

Woodbridge Tumblers

What’s your background? I was a secondary school teacher and have somehow fallen into this! Tell us a bit about Lark London. Established in 2001, Lark London is a family run independent business based in south-west London which aims to provide beautiful products for your lifestyle and home. We have a total of 13 stores. Four new shops opened in July in Fulham, Clapham High Street, Battersea Rise and Wimbledon Village. They joined our existing nine branches in Balham, Earlsfield, Streatham, Tooting, Herne Hill, South Wimbledon, Chiswick, Askew Road (Shepherds Bush) and our online store (www. larklondon.com).

What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job? Supporting small new companies and watching them grow.    And the most challenging? Ever-increasing rising costs.

What’s next for Lark London? We are opening another seven shops by the end of this year, bringing the store count to 20 by the end of 2022, so we are very excited to expand into lots of lovely new areas.

Top

Lark London director Priya Aurora-Crowe reveals that the capital’s award-winning gift and homeware chain is spreading its wings by opening seven more stores

In fact, we change all our shops every two weeks, so customers are tempted to keep revisiting often. We source products at trade shows and our selection criteria is quality, price point, and ethics.Ourcore categories are gift and homeware. One category selling particularly well at the moment is self-care giftware.  How is trading for you? Trading figures have continued as normal. 5 Best Sellers Steam eye masks Aery One Hundred Stars Miss Sparrow socks Sunday Rain bath salts

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However, our buying strategy has changed as we have increased economic ranges. Also, no one has put their heating on yet, so the true test will come in the winter!

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RETAIL INTERVIEW Lark London

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How did you feel when you heard the news that you had won the best nonspecialist multiple retailer of greeting cards category of The Retas Greeting Card Retail Awards 2022?  It’s a huge accomplishment for us. We were up against some of the biggest names in the industry and could not believe it when they announced little old us as the winner.  We [Priya and fellow director Dominic AuroraCrowe, pictured above with their daughter Esme Aurora-Crowe, in the doorway of the Tooting branch] began this journey 20 years ago, with not a clue on how to run a business - just a hope and a dream.Wehave faced two recessions, Brexit and a “We began this journey 20 years ago, with not a clue on how to run a business - just a hope and a dream” ascending

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Lark global pandemic (so far...). We are so happy to have made it through all these obstacles and couldn’t have done so without the support of our loyal customers and amazing teams. Thank you all for helping us achieve our dreams. We are touched to have been chosen to win this prestigious award. How would you describe your range? We have more than 500 suppliers (key names include Aery, Orange Tree Toys and Noi Publishing), which allows us to have a large and ever-changing range in all our stores.

candles 3.

Catcomingplayhousessoon!

‘We have a formula which works’

RETAIL INTERVIEW Cilla & Camilla

We have four shops and a cafe. Two are cook shops - which stray a little into homeware - in Bridport and Sherborne. Also in Bridport we have a gift and homeware store and, in Beaminster, a gift and homeware store which has a café and a women’s fashion department. Beaminster is overwhelmingly the largest store, accounting for roughly half of the business’ overall sales. Across the business, 40% of our gross sales are from gifts and homeware, followed by our cook shops (25%), greetings cards (15%), fashion (10%), and our café (10%). Our shops are very deliberately in market towns where there’s a healthy mix of multiples and independents. The nearest major retail centres - Bath, Bristol, Bournemouth, and Exeter - are at least 60 minutes’ travel time away. These affluent market towns tend to buck most retail trends. They have remained buoyant: there are very few empty units, and bricks-and-mortar retail holds its own against online. We don’t sell

Richard Barker, owner of Cilla & Camilla in West Dorset, gives a fascinating insight into his business, which includes gift and homeware stores shops being in West Dorset, and physically very close, is that our customers are largely similar in all four shops: different people but with similar affluent,betweenTheycharacteristics.arefemale,aged35and75,relativelyinformed,anddemanding customers who, if they get what they want - with the right level of quality service - are very loyal. And we see a lot of visitors to West Dorset and the Jurassic Coast. We use social media regularly (Instagram, Twitter and Facebook) to keep our regular customers up to date, and to attract new followers. We do this in-house but are considering an option to give the business to a local agency. We advertise in print media too – but only where we can take the front cover or inside cover. We use two local publications which are perfect for our customers: Marshwood Vale (monthly) and West Dorset News (fortnightly). We’re very conscious that we stock almost nothing that anyone needs - our stock is simply stuff that people like, and want to own, or want to give as presents. As such, we are competing with a huge range of other draws on our customers’ disposable incomes. So being accessible and high profile is important to us. We attend Top Drawer and Home & Gift and online at all - there is nothing we have which is exclusive, and there are many online retailers who can sell just what we might, but at better prices. In each town, we aspire to trade from the very best sites available. We have achieved that in both Beaminster and Bridport. where our rental costs per sq m are the highest in these towns. We have a lease break approaching in Sherborne and may take the opportunity to relocate.

“The most satisfying element of the business is finding a new product which is not obviously and immediately going to do well but then, with the right display, presentation and pricing, creating something which works really well”

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Occupying these premium sites is a deliberate strategy - we view the premium rents we pay to be part of our marketing costs. Our customers tend to be loyal and supportive of local businesses. We’ve got to know them pretty well. The benefit of all the My career has been primarily in multiple retailing - most notably, I guess, as sales director at Waterstones and managing director of Blackwell Retail. I was also network director at Post Office Ltd. Realising that I was living in a beautiful part of South West England with an equally beautiful partner and children but spending most of my days and nights in London, I gave that up and started Dorset Retail Ltd in 2011. My business partner, who is also the mother of our children, is Sally Ann Palmer. Her background was initially market research, and latterly arts management.

Looking forward We have a formula which works. There are a couple of towns within 30 minutes’ drive where we have considered opening, but the right site has never been available. That said, we are not actively looking to open new space. We’re fortunate that we have a decent business which offers us a good standard of living while working less than full-time. We’re at the stage where to take on new space would require us to not just take on more risk, but to scale up a set of functions and processes which work pretty well as they are. Our focus will be on making the existing space work better and more effectively, rather than to open new space. We’ve made very little adjustment to our buying in response to the cost-of-living increases. We’re noticing some impact, but nothing that is yet challenging the fundamentals of our business, which is pretty sound and resilient. We are probably buying a little more cautiously than in previous years, but not to an extent that our customers would notice. We’re quietly confident about Christmas. We’re forecasting no increase over last year but, with careful management of costs, that is okay - and would be a decent outcome in the expected economic climate.

Gifts Today 63 Top 10 VolumeHighestLines 1 St. Eval Bay & Rosemary candle tin 2 KitchenCraft BBQ utensils 3 Beaminster Ramblers Beaminster Hills circular walks leaflet 4 Hot Tomato earrings 5 Tradestock La Rochère Bee tumblers 6 Guzzini teaspoonsFeeling 7 Rosie Made A Thing birthday cards 8 The famous Cilla & Camilla Bacon Sandwich (bacon from locallyreared pigs on Evershot Bakery bread) 9 Baboo Gelato Moroccan vanilla ice cream tub 10 Sam Cannon local greeting cards and prints tend to pick up new ideas and products from those two shows. Our greeting cards buyer attends Progressive Greetings Live most years, and our cook shop managers have attended Exclusively Housewares. We see a few very select reps/agents (just the people we enjoy seeing!). Our women’s fashion is bought from the wholesale arm of five brands: Joules, Seasalt, White Stuff, Thought and French Connection.Butprobably our richest source of new products is other retailers. Wherever we are - in the UK or abroad - we visit similar retailers to look at their stock and steal their ideas. One of our successes last Christmas was an unusual jigsaw of Dorset. I saw a couple of them tucked away in the back of a local bookshop. I’d never seen the product before and had never had contact with the supplier: a map specialist. With the supplier’s help - producing stock especially for us - we sold about 300 sets at £20 each in December alone.

With the gift and homeware ranges, we have some core suppliers which we have worked with pretty much from day one: St. Eval, Heathcote & Ivory, Biggie Best, LSA, La Rochère, Hot Tomato, Sophie Allport, Gisela Graham, The English Soap Company, Jellycat, Orange Tree Toys and others. We remain loyal to these suppliers and update our ranges in line with new products coming from them. On average I’d guess we drop six or seven suppliers each year and replace them with new ideas.We buy from a core range of about 20 greeting cards suppliers and then expand the range with possibly another 20/30 suppliers which rotate to add interest for our customers. We are also fortunate to have some really good local suppliers who we support whenever we can. They tend to be focused around greeting cards, toiletries, maps and books. About 5% of our overall gross sales comes from very local suppliers who have no ambition to sell more broadly. We stock our shops heavily - probably going beyond what is strictly justified - but we like to show range and we like to give choice. ‘Abundance’ is a decent word to describe our buying and stock policy.The most satisfying element of the business is finding a new product which is not obviously and immediately going to do well but then, with the right display, presentation and pricing, creating something which works really well (the jigsaw of Dorset, for example).

“Being accessible and high profile is important to us”

The Personalised Memento Company New to The Personalised Memento Company is this Personalised Navy & Blush A5 Notebook. A great gift for any occasion, the notebook is spiral-bound with double-sided lined pages that can be easily turned and remain completely flat during use. It’s suitable for taking notes, writing to-do lists, or for jotting down ideas.

Gift Wild Gift Wild creates eco-friendly cards and gifts that donate 10% to conservation charities. The company aims to be a safe shopping haven for wildlife lovers who want to celebrate nature and support it too. Its collection of A5 notebooks is made from 100% recycled paper, printed using vegan inks, and packaged plastic-free. The 18 stunning designs in the collection support different wildlife charities and are made in the UK.

Calling lovers of wildlife!

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Visit: www.puckator.co.uk

Notebooks personalget

Email: customerservices@puckator.co.uk

The back-to-school season is right around the corner: that wonderful time when children all over the country choose which stationery will define their next academic year. They need look no further than Puckator’s latest selection of fun and colourful ranges. The designs cover a wide variety of tastes and ages. For video game obsessed kids, the Game Over range will be a sure thing with its pixelated graphics. Or if cute, cuddly animals are more their thing, then check out Adoramals. There are also furry monster notebooks, and colouring pencils. But a stationery highlight has to be the fun novelty pens and pencils which range from light-up unicorns to wibbly-wobbly

Visit: www.personalisedmemento.co.uk Gifts Today

FocusProduct StationeryGiftable

Email: sales@personalisedmemento.co.uk

Call: 0800 011 6969

Providing the perfect personalised gifts for all occasions and recipients is one of Personalised Memento Company’s core aims. With a growing range of on trend giftware and selling solutions to suit all retailers, there has never been a better time to sell personalised gifts.

dinosaurs.Frompens and pencils to notepads and cases, take a look at Puckator’s website to see what’s in store.

Puckator

Email: info@giftwild.co.uk Visit: www.giftwild.co.uk

Heading back to school

Visit PMC’s trade website to register for your account and get started.

66 Gifts Today ExaClair

Perfect for hybrid workers on the move, the soft leatherette desk mats can be rolled up, with the matching strap and metal closure keeping them secure when travelling between the office andThehome.mats feature orange stitching around the edge and an embossed Rhodia logo, with the reverse side coloured in a distinctive orange leatherette. They are available in 3 sizes: small (60x35cm), medium (80x40cm) and large (90x43cm), and 16 vivid shades including Rhodia’s new metallic colours.

ExaClair marketing manager Lawrence Savage said: “The roll up desk mats were developed with the current trend for hybrid or flex working in mind, making it easier for users to create their ideal office environment - whether at the workplace or home.”

The elegant notebooks are available in A5 and A4 sizes across both gold and platinum editions, which feature a traditional sewn spine and the PEFC-certified Clairefontaine 90gsm brushed vellum paper that’s loved by pen fans globally.

Call: 01553 696600 Email: enquiries@exaclair.co.uk Visit: www.exaclairlimited.com

FocusProduct StationeryGiftable

The Rhodia home office range also includes pen pots, letter holders, magazine racks, wastepaper bins, drawer sets and mobile phone stands for a completely co-ordinated look.

A touch of luxury

For those looking for an alternative to traditional sweet and scented gifts such as chocolate and perfume, the Jacques Herbin scented inks gift box presents five elegant 10ml bottles - each with a delightful floral or fruity aroma.The inks are made using hydrosols which are water-based and made from the distillation of fresh flowers, fruits, and other plant materials, making them an eco-friendly choice and a joy to ink connoisseurs. They contain no pigments and are naturally and delicately scented with different aromas and colours: blue with lavender scent, brown with cocoa scent, red with rose scent, amber with orange scent, and purple with violet scent. Jacques Herbin has also recently added a lemon scented bright green ink to the range, which is available as individual bottles. Scented inks give an extra dimension to the pleasures of using a fountain pen and bottled ink to write, not only for the scribe, but for recipients too. This collection makes a perfect gift not only for ink lovers, but also for those wishing to experience the joy of escaping technology for a while by writing or drawing with pen andForink.more than 350 years, Jacques Herbin has manufactured inks and sealing waxes in the heart of Paris, earning a worldwide reputation for exceptional quality. Today, the company offers a vast range of writing inks in 35 shades from soft and bright to dark and deep. To complement the inks, Jacques Herbin also offers contemporary and traditional writing instruments including dip pens and quills, plus prestige pen and ink gift sets including traditional wooden box sets.

For connoisseursink

ExaClair, the UK supplier of Rhodia notebooks and accessories, has added a selection of soft desk mats to its range of premium quality stationery.

ExaClair, the UK subsidiary of the Exacompta Clairefontaine group, has launched a selection of notebooks to extend the Triomphe range, which remains true to Clairefontaine’s ethos to offer quality, style and excellence.

The gold edition has pure white covers with gold embossing and contains 96 white pages, while the platinum edition has deep blue covers with silver embossing and contains 96 ivory pages. Each edition is available in a choice of lined or blank pages.

Rhodia rolls out desksoftmats

E: sales@mgml.co.uk museumsgalleries.co.uk Tel: 01373 462165 HOMETORANGEWRITEABOUT From Notebooks to Drinks Bottles, the M&G 2022 collection is positively brimming with iconic designs and must-have products to make your year a sustained – and sustainable – success. Request your catalogues via-our sales team or visit our website to view.

M&G excels in sourcing classic and unusual (even unique) imagery suited to the puzzle format, and creative director Ben Dorney’s team selected high-impact images with proven sales records across gift ranges. Together with partners such as the V&A Museum, Natural History Museum, British Museum, Tate Gallery, The British Library, and interior designer Matthew Williamson, M&G has curated a stunning mix of designs that appeals to sophisticated art and designEachlovers.puzzle is made up of 1,000 pieces, with the finished work measuring 69cm by 50cm. But the company has designed reusable printed boxes, which have a printed liner, to be a smaller retailfriendly size. Such has been the response to the first selection that the team is already hard at work with a refresh on its way.

Email:

Visit: www.museumsgalleries.co.uk 86 Gifts Today has&‘MuseumsGalleriescurated a stunning mix of thatdesignsappeals andsophisticatedtoartdesignlovers’

Museums & Galleries continues to innovate within its comprehensive range of designs for cards, gifts and stationery - and now a collection of jigsaw puzzles has been added to the mix - with art still very much at the core   Museums & Galleries (M&G) launched in the 1980s with the aim of bringing the gems of the world’s museums to beautifully made and produced cards and stationery for the high street. It remains true to this mission, but over the years the company has expanded both its product portfolio and the variety of art it publishes. Today it has a retail offer covering a wide spectrum, from heritage fine art to contemporary fashion design, old masters to contemporary artists and illustrators, and anonymous archival discoveries to the most prestigious of fine art museum brands.

Jigsaw puzzles have proved to be a surprise hit for M&G this year, with the launch range of eight puzzles flying out instantly and necessitating a prompt reprint across the board. What is it about jigsaw puzzles that connects with a modern audience? There has been a resurgence of interest in analogue activities that take us away from digital screens and back into the real world of connectivity. A jigsaw is perfect for this - one can work on it alone or with a partner, and leave it and come back. It’s a doable challenge which results in a feeling of accomplishment, and takes us away from everyday cares.

Call: 01373 462165  sales@mgml.co.uk

‘A surprise hit’ Museums & Galleries

FocusProduct

StationeryGiftable

goalbooks extra ordinary since 1934 NEW metallic colours Contact us today for more details of the full Rhodia range: www.exaclairlimited.com • enquiries@exaclair.co.uk • 01553 696600 The perfect journal!

OPINION

AssociationRetailers

Buying is an art. Selling is an art too. One that not many get spot-on, in my humble opinion. The worst example has to be those who simply ‘turn up’ at your door with a bag of handmade items and expect not only to be seen pretty instantly, but to be given half an hour of your time (with no prior appointment) to go through theirGenerallywares. they’ve done no research into wholesale pricing so, if you do spend time with them, you’re also giving them a lesson in retail.

Claire Leigh, owner of Two Ducks in Woking, reveals tricks, tips and lessons learned on her buying journey

it’s taken years to hone in on what my customers truly love, and what prices they are willing to pay. It’s been a fascinating journey, and I’ve made some beautiful finds (alongside some whopping mistakes). But now I know my customers pretty well.  So I always find it slightly amusing when a company (hoping to be a stockist) approaches me and tells me what will work well for my customers, and how well their products will sit among my other brands - and assumes I have a gap on my shelves simply because I don’t have what they sell on my website.

Sometimes, when I explain that ‘I can’t see you now and it’s best to follow our process under the ’suppliers’

Diary of a gift shop section of our website’, they look really rather put out, especially considering they have made a special trip to see me. But in what other business environment would you simply rock up to the front desk and say ‘hey, I’m just coming in on the off-chance that the owner is here and has 30 minutes to spare to look at my products, for which I have no definitive pricing’? Just because my job involves being on the shop floor doesn’t mean I’m free. I’m there to serve customers (and do a million other small jobs). I know it’s probably naivety on their part but, at the simplest level, it’s just plain bad manners. And at a more advanced level, it’s bad business practice. (This doesn’t apply to reps who know you and pop in with a new brochure; I see that as a different thing.) Then there are those who email you with an opening line of, for example: ‘I want to introduce our fabulous skincare range: I think it will sit perfectly among your other brands and will be the ideal product for your customer.’ Oh, I think, you do, do you? And how would you know that? Have you been to my store? I suspect not, and to be fair, this is not always realistic. They may have visited our website but that’s just a shop

IndependentBritishofcourtesyPhotograph

PHOTO: Eddie Judd Photography

Iwould speculate that part of the reason any buyer becomes a buyer is because they already love buying things. The trick with buying (I’ve learned over the past 10 years), is not to buy for your own home/wardrobe/needs, but to use those influences and your taste to best guess your customers’ needs.  That’s definitely not how I started out buying! I started my own store from scratch, coming from a marketing background in tech. I was pretty confident in my ‘eye’ for spotting unique/beautiful products, but I wasn’t quite so good at separating my ‘unique’ tastes from my customers’ broader needs or budgets. And in terms of quantity/ depth/range/story, I had no clue!  For instance, I once bought some handcrafted kitchen utensils: a range inspired by nature and around £20 a piece (at the time). Of course no one bought them (at full price at least). Just a handful of customers were willing to part with their hard-earned money. I was predominantly a ‘gift shop’ at the time, and these were far more ‘expensive self-purchase treat’ items. Everyone commented on them and admired them, but they didn’t buy them; like a beautiful painting you prefer to just gaze upon.  I learned my lesson quickly. But

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“Buying is an art. Selling is an art too. One that not many get spot-on, in my humble opinion”

Visit: two-ducks.co.uk FB: twoduckslifestyle Instagram: twoduckslifestyle

PHOTOS: Eddie Judd Photography

“Not all stores will appreciate the same approach as me, but if you’ve been banging the same drum for years, it’s probably worth a try to see how things change”

window. There can be any number of reasons we don’t have a skincare brand on our shelves. In fact we don’t stock a skincare brand, and the reason? Because people are quite loyal to their skincare brands - they don’t swap products that often, so it’s not an easy sell. Not only that, but it takes a lot of training, knowledge and time to ensure staff understand and can best sell skincare. And in a small independent shop, we don’t always have enough time to dedicate to a customer exploring all their skincare needs. Therefore, are we really the right store for you anyhow? In the same vein, there are those who ring me. I appreciate that it’s not easy to get hold of a buyer or store owner for a conversation. I desperately try to leave the phone line clear for customer queries though, not countless sales calls. For me, email is far better. Then I can look at things in my own time, not theirs. That doesn’t mean their email goes to the top of my priority list, sadly. As a small business owner I’m juggling 101 tasks, and often already have a plan of who I will buy from for Spring or Christmas. And please don’t email me on Monday and then chase me on Wednesday for my view. I can 100% guarantee I won’t have had a chance to look at it. Give me a week, at least, if notThentwo. there are those who nail it (in my opinion). Those who email me and start by focusing on my world. They have looked up my brand story, researched how and why the store started, our principles, and our values when buying. They have checked out our Instagram account and see how we operate, and where our sense of humour sits, and they appeal to it. These people I just want to say yes to and if it’s the right product, you can bet your bottom dollar they’re in the door! Even if they don’t have a suitable product, I’m sad to say no. But then they’re on my radar, even if they are a no, and I will recommend them to other shop owners/buyers that I’m friends with. Win-win.

Photograph courtesy of British Independent Retailers Association

Not all stores will appreciate the same approach as me, but if you’ve been banging the same drum for years, it’s probably worth a try to see how things change. Ask yourself: which category do I sit in and am I in the best place to create a win-win?

Email: hello@two-ducks.co.uk

Cardology director David Falkner and Sarah Cardology’s winning Pop Up Card

of tradeonenquiriesareoutIt’srestrictionsloudlyforopportunitiesinternationalGAmemberssinceCovidlapsed.amixedpicturethere,andwefieldingmorethaneverinternational ‘ 72 Gifts Today OPINION ‘

Sarah Ward done, and it may not always walk up to you at your stand. Shows need to facilitate real networking opportunities and businesses need to talk to each other to drive progress. I have visited every UK gift trade show so far this year and several overseas events as well. They too need to think about how they can adopt radical change to ensure businesses can thrive at their shows. Theatre is crucial - we need to bring people together to share moments, learn from each other and connect - along with beneficial pricing structures that support businesses of all sizes and potentially enable discounts for three-year contracts. These are just a couple of ideas to throw into the mix. I would love to know your experiences and find out about what you believe needs to happen in 2023 and beyond.

I have bangingbeenthe

I want to leave you on a high, by coming back to Gift of the Year. We launched the Gift of the Year Awards 2023 in late July and have been inundated with entries. Now, more than ever, we need opportunities like this to get products in front of industry judges (more than 100 will be judging the 2023 Awards) and celebrate the best of the best. Enter your products at co.uk/enter-2023.www.giftoftheyear. Call: 0121 236 2657 Email: sarah.ward@ga-uk.org

Thoughts of a chief executive

L-r: Zoe Bonser, portfolio director, retail division at Clarion Events which organises Home & Gift, with Cardology director David Falkner and Sarah

Battersea

Trade is everything, and I have been banging the drum of international opportunities for GA members loudly since Covid restrictions lapsed. It’s a mixed picture out there, and we are fielding more enquiries than ever on international trade. We have some incredible Sharing Lunches happening later in the year on sourcing (led by Talking Tables) and exporting (led by Gisela Graham) which have been created for our members in response to this. My recent visit to the Hong

T he retail landscape caused by the pandemic is one of constant shifts and changes. It’s been almost impossible for some businesses to plan as they did prepandemic, as challenges with supply chains, the war in Ukraine, Brexit, and inflation, roll on. What we do know is that consumers seek transparency, authenticity and quality brands who stand by their values - and they seek joy. Our very worthy winner of The Giftware Association’s (GA) Gift of The Year People’s Choice Award 2022 delivers all this and more. So, huge congratulations to Cardology for its Battersea Pop Up Cards, developed in partnership with Battersea Dog & Cats Home to support rescue animals. The award was announced at Home & Gift amidst an atmosphere of incredible camaraderie in Harrogate. The punishing weather undoubtedly impacted buyer footfall, but exhibitors remained upbeat. What was interesting when discussing the show with various GA members, was that people had vastly different experiences. So, what were the differentiating factors in those businesses that experienced success? One is marketing in the run-up to the show: how hard were businesses working to drive their visitor numbers? Another is actively networking and making connections: there is business to be

Trade everything,is

Kong Trade Development Council meeting in London was rather sobering. After so many years of vibrant and dynamic trade opportunities, the combination of a change of governance and the impact of Covid means things look challenging, to say the least. It’s time for us to come together to share knowledge and opportunities - to think differently and retrieve our global networks from the grip of acts of God, and beyond.

The other issue dominating GA member meetings is credit control. Sadly, it’s a sign of the times we are in, but there is an increasing amount of bad debt out there and the GA is finding new ways to help. Bad debt can have a crippling effect on growth and productivity, so we are in talks with Let’s Talk Credit to set up credit control forums to support members.

It’s time for us to come together to share knowledge and opportunities, says The Giftware Association chief executive Sarah Ward and drum

Networking

Preview

The place to discover gift brands

Branded gifts are a huge business. Think Miffy back-toschool kits, Schitt’s Creek candles, Billie Faiers home fragrances, Van Gogh silk scarves, Sara Miller mugs, RHS gardening gloves and Marvel x Pandora jewellery. Brands can really amplify the consumer appeal of the simplest, best-selling products, and can lead to increased revenue, profit and customer loyalty for retailers and manufacturers.

Hi, fashion This year’s BLE theme is fashion, and there will be 10 live, 15-minute catwalk shows over the three days. Fully choreographed, beautifully staged and individually themed, they will be a great source of inspiration for branded fashion that could slot perfectly into any gift shop.

Welcoming thousands of European retailers, manufacturers and brand owners, Brand Licensing Europe [BLE] 22, which will be held at ExCeL in London from September 20 to September 22, is a showcase of brand collaborations, future product ranges, the latest in product design innovation, and new and emerging IPs. On the showfloor, visitors will find more than 200 exhibiting companies, from TV production and movie studios, to publishing, art and animation, sports brands, heritage, gaming and more. They will be showcasing thousands of exciting brands ready to license, many of which would be perfect partners for gifting, from nursery staples like Sophie le Giraffe, Elmer and Miffy, to a host of kids’ brands including Bluey, Gruffalo, Paddington and Peppa Pig, and lifestyle brands such as The Style Sisters, Pringles, V&A and Tour de France.

Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) is billed as Europe’s leading event for licensing and brand extension, and the place to source the hottest and newest brands ready to license

ADL Find original - often unseen - artworks from smaller brands in the Art, Design and Image Licensing [ADL] zone. These brands are often solo entrepreneurs and apply wonderfully to homewares, textiles, stationery and other gift items. Don’t miss the chance to meet Sophie Jonas-Hill, who was one of the Kelvyn Gardner License This! winners in 2021 and has a brand called Tea for Tattoo, which has been uniquely applied to Delft-inspired tea sets. This year’s competition finale takes place on September 22 from 10.30am to 12pm and BLE is expecting to unearth equally brilliant new brands. First time visiting? If this is your first time visiting BLE and/or you’re new to licensing, don’t fret: the organisers are hosting Orientation Sessions and Show Tours on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings – meet at 9.30am in the License Global Theatre. That’s also the location for BLE’s free conference sessions, which include a day one Barbie x Fashion keynote from Mattel President and COO Richard Dickson, a day two ‘Leaders panel: building a postpandemic retail & licensing strategy’ keynote, and a ‘Forecasting the future of retail through consumer trends’ panel.

Once at the show, visitors can join the likes of John Lewis, Next, Moonpig, Selfridges, My 1st Years, HMV, Papier and Claire’s who have previously attended BLE for useful networking. Attendees can make full use of the Retail Lounge - exclusively for retailers to mingle, gain product inspiration and host meetings - and meet brand owners and fellow retailers at the opening night drinks from 5pm to 7pm on the show floor. Parade yourself Finally, no visit to BLE is complete without taking a selfie with the much-loved character parade, taking place at 11.30am on September 20 and September 21. More than 1,000 characters have taken part in the parade over the years, including The Gruffalo, Paw Patrol, The Hungry Caterpillar, Sonic the Hedgehog, Peppa Pig, Hello Kitty, Minions, Paddington Bear, The Cookie Monster, The Simpsons, Dennis the Menace, Asterix and many Attendeesmore. can register for Brand Licensing Europe for free now https://www.brandlicensing.eu/en/home.htmlat

Call:

Cornish inspiration

Visit: www.seagems.co.uk

Christmasdelights!

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Email:

Sea Gems

Alexander Thurlow Dare we remind you that Christmas is around the corner? Fear not! Alexander Thurlow has plenty of goodies to help you stock up your shop ahead of the festive season. Its website is brimming with seasonal favourites such as the humble robin, flowering holly, and mischievous mistletoe pieces that are much loved in the winter months. What’s more, the company’s year-round best sellers will ensure you have a fruitful Christmas and plenty of happy customers. Its popular iris brooch and bluebell range are the gifts that keep on giving. As Alexander Thurlow says: ‘Provide a selection that will have your customers spoilt for choice and visit our website today - we’ve got you covered!’ 020 8766 6466 | sales@alexanderthurlow.com www.alexanderthurlow.com

instyle 74 Gifts Today

Sea Gems will launch several new collections at Autumn Fair (Stand 7 E50 – F51), described as consisting of ‘beautifully presented, high-quality original products for boutiques, gift shops and jewellers who are looking for something different at affordable prices’.

The Penzance-based company’s Silver Origins boutique jewellery brand features contemporary handcrafted 925 sterling silver, combining highly polished and textured surfaces, together with gold vermeil or semi-precious stones. Inspired by Sea Gems’ Cornish roots, on show will be striking organic designs, the beachcomber range, delicate botanical and wildlife designs, and fun motifs that celebrate moments of love and life.

The Celtic Lands silver collection evokes and celebrates Sea Bems’ rich heritage with timeless motifs and elaborate knotwork. New designs give a fresh look and feel to the already successful brand. The art of fine enamelling is used to create unique, vibrant jewellery and gifts in Sea Gems’ Mackintosh, Celtic and nature ranges. Each piece is individually handcrafted and fired. Gift ranges include pens, bookmarks, compact mirrors, pillboxes and scarf-rings.

Call: 01736 335840 | Email: sales@seagems.co.uk

Tel 01460 75686 www.classiccanes.co.uk New collection of patterned walking sticks available from stock now. Please contact us to receive our new trade catalogue.

instyle

When Ben and Diana Porter bought a small woodland in Somerset in the late 1970s, they didn’t realise that they had stumbled upon the beginnings of a family business that would grow to supply walking sticks, seat sticks, and umbrellas to retailers around the world over the next 40 years.

Call: 01460 75686

were gift shops, saddlers, tobacconists and gentlemen’s outfitters.Starting a venture in the depths of the early 1980s’ recession brought challenges - but also advantages, because other suppliers had gone out of business and shops were wondering where to source walking sticks from. The customer base soon grew to cover the West Country, and Ben became involved in the company as travelling to more customers was required. The early walking sticks were all wooden, and there were very few ladies’ walking sticks available. Women mostly had to make do with a man’s stick cut down to size (which for most ladies was neither comfortable nor elegant). Classic Canes began to introduce new models, including the first fashionable, patterned walking sticks to the UK. An increasing range of everyday, ladies’, folding, orthopaedic, country, and formal walking sticks established the firm as a leading supplier in this specialist field. Today, Diana and Ben’s daughter Charlotte is the managing director and designs many of the patterns used on the company’s adjustable and folding walking sticks. She says: “Almost all our products, except the entry level ones, are exclusive to Classic Canes. Our focus is always on quality and style because this is what makes for loyal stockists who will sell our brand for many years at a time. In fact, some have been with us for almost the full 40 years. We take great trouble over details such as the exact handle shape for comfort, and colours that will appeal - and we

While the couple were rebuilding a ruined house in the woods to make a family home, they discovered that the surrounding woodland was naturally producing suitable raw material for walking sticks. The pair cut some, sold it to a factory, and in 1982 they bought back some of the finished products. Diana (who had excellent sales skills from working at Lyons and Avis), offered a small range to local retailers from the back of her car in between school runs. The earliest customers

Email: info@classiccanes.co.uk Visit: www.classiccanes.co.uk Classic Canes MD Charlotte Gillan

Walking stick specialist Classic Canes proves money does grow on trees, as this niche family business celebrates four decades of trading turnsClassicCanes40

isthebusinessofproportiondomodels.contemporarytraditionalbalancehavethatensureweagoodofandWeahighexportandreasonbecausebuyers around the world appreciate the particularly British sense of style that is characteristic of ClassicClassicCanes.”Canes’ Autumn trade catalogue (the cover of which is pictured below) is available from September 1.

Hedgehogs folding cane Classic Canes’ founders Ben and Diana Porter in 1989

caneadjustableCreamandStrawberries

instyle

A new season brings with it a brand-new vibe, with elevated textures and silhouettes, paired with reimagined classics that Katie Loxton’s customers already know and love.Boasting a timeless colour palette, the new Autumn/ Winter collection welcomes two fresh hues: an olive green and a rich, sumptuous plum - perfect for the colder months ahead. Katie Loxton’s most-loved Weekend Bag selection has been extended to include the Oxford Weekend Holdall: a super-premium style that features chic rolled handles, an attached luggage tag, and raised piping - sure to be a favourite with adventurous customers. And its new Quinn Saddle Bag is available in classic and mini profiles, with a selection of styles designed in faux croc material that has fast become a bestseller.

Katie Loxton and Joma Jewellery’s A/W collection offers style and sparkle

Celebrate the new season

The brand’s offering of everyday essential crossbody bags has also been extended with new profiles including

Time to shine

Email:

JOMA JEWELLERY Call: 01295

From Amethyst to Howlite and Aventurine to Blue Agate, each gemstone is said to hold its own unique benefits to uplift and inspire the wearer. More newness can also be found in the luxurious Celebration Sets, which see three twinkling A Little Bracelets nestled side by side inside a pretty blush pink presentation box: perfect for displaying in-store on their turntable POS.

Email:

KATIE 250879  enquiries@katieloxton.com  wholesale.katieloxton.com 263430  enquiries@jomajewellery.com

Joma Jewellery’s A Little Collection also welcomes updated styles, with even more sentiments to choose from. From the newly released A Little Necklaces which create the most giftable (and sweetest) of mix-andmatch moments, to the latest Spinning Boxed A Littles, with a rotating charm which spins to reveal an engraved message and decorative design. One A Little Bracelet is sold every 30 seconds, so don’t miss out on this sparkling bestseller!

Visit: wholesale.jomajewellery.com 78 Gifts Today

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the Amy Bag, Bea Cell Bag and must-have Millie Mini Crossbody Bag, which comes complete with a statement chain strap to take your look from day to night. Finally, the 35-piece Isla Collection caters to every type of customer. With a broad range of silhouettes from coin purse to crossbody, there is truly something for every outfit and occasion!

LOXTON Call: 01295

Filled with more meaning than ever before, the new season collection from Joma Jewellery welcomes its ever-popular sweet sentiments, combined with elevated designs made to mark every one of life’s milestone moments.Theuplifting range features real semi-precious gemstones, from 12-piece Affirmation A Little bracelets and necklaces embellished with sparkling crystals, to the Spirit Stones collection with chunky silver-plated beads.

BUY ONLINE www.missmilly.co.uk or tel: 01905 622 SIMPLY509GORGEOUSJEWELLERY AND ACCESSORIES X AUTUMNFAIRSTAND7E65 FIND USBUY ONLINE www.missmilly.co.uk or tel: 01905 622 509 FIND US We are look ing for friendly, professional and per formance driven individuals who are well connected with retail buyers to introduce our product ranges. Applicants must be ver y customer focused to look after our existing stock ists and develop new relationships We o er a wide range of high quality British Made products in our popular countr y style designs New products and designs are developed regularly A list of current customers, sale suppor t, catalogue and samples will be provided I f you would like to join us at this exciting time of expansion, please email sarah@lovecountr yuk .co.uk We have the following territories available covering these postcodes: SG, LU , HP, AL ,OX, SS ,CO, CM, MK (Home Counties) NE,DL ,TD,HG,BD,LS,YO,WF,HD,HX,HU (Nor th East) CA,LA,PR,BB,OL,BL,WN,L,WA,SK ,HD,WF (Nor th West) LL, CH, (Nor th Wales) SY, (mid Wales) LD,NP,CF,SA,GL Wales & Gloucestershire CW,TF,W V,DY,WR,HR,S,C V,NN,LE,WS,ST,SK ,M (M idlands) www.lovecountr ybysarahreilly.co.uk Love Countr y is look ing for sales agents to join our exciting growing brand

80 Gifts Today

New to Rainbow Designs’ award-winning Classic Pooh Hundred Acre Wood collection are 25cm versions of Pooh’s best friends, Piglet, Eeyore and Tigger. These deluxe super soft toys make the perfect playtime, story time, and bedtime companions for fans of Winnie the Pooh and his friends.

Email: sales@parlane.co.uk Visit: www.parlane.co.uk

Getting out and about is great, but when the weather isn’t being kind, indoor games are a useful way to engage everyone - young and old - in an activity that doesn’t involve any form of electronic media. The added benefit is that this leisure time doesn’t cost a penny - apart from the initial purchase, of course.

Rainbow Designs Rainbow Designs is passionate about creating high quality, joyful forever soft toys for all ages. Featuring some of the most loved story book characters such as Peter Rabbit, Paddington Bear and Disney’s Winnie the Pooh, Rainbow offers contemporary newborn gifts including comforters, rattles and baby gift sets; through to early years’ classic wooden toys. There are plenty of cuddly characters to choose from - and not just for little ones: Rainbow has huggable characters for fans of all ages.

In the company’s Peter Rabbit Signature Collection, two stylish friends have joined Peter Rabbit and Flopsy Bunny in this luxury soft toy range. The dapper Mr Todd and Jeremy Fisher make the perfect keepsake gifts for young fans of the Beatrix Potter tales, creating lifelong cuddly friends for little ones, and allowing parents and gift-givers to share happy memories and adventures from their own childhoods.

We all need a healthy balance in life and having an excuse to switch off the TV, computer, and phone, and spend a few hours interacting with friends and family is a positive move.

Parlane’s mango wood encapsulated games are incredibly stylish. The lovely boxes look attractive set out on a coffee table. Subtle colours, and modish, pared-down design come together to create a set of games which are perfect to leave out on display when not in use, but on hand ready to play spontaneously.

Traditional games are fun and can be educational for children as a means of teaching tactical skills, problem-solving, and inspiring conversations. For older family members, it’s also an enjoyable experience to teach younger generations an old-fashioned card game, or even a trick or two!

Email: sales@rainbowdesigns.co.uk Visit: www.rainbowdesigns.co.uk

Call: 01329 227300

Call: 01451 812712

Cuddle time

Indoor games

New products

The various games on offer - noughts & crosses, backgammon, cards, dominoes and chess - encourage multiple purchases to complete the set, and also make stylish gifts.

Parlane

The Bride Tribe Wine Glass is perfect for the wedding party to enjoy a tipple or two to help steady nerves as the bride-to-be gets ready on her Big Day, and is a must-have hen-do accessory as Miss prepares to become Mrs. Measuring 22.5cm tall, the glass features a sparkling engagement ring complete with glitter writing spelling out ‘Bride Tribe’ on the body of the glass, as pretty pink roses wind their way up the stem to complete the wedding-vibe look. Like all Lolita wine glasses, Bride Tribe comes complete with a cocktail recipe printed on the base. Bride Tribe is exclusive - no two glasses are identical, making them truly unique gifts. After all, with so many ceremonies postponed and rescheduled for this coming year, there’s never been a better time to treat members of the wedding party to a thoughtful present for their love and support during very difficult times. Just One Kiss Also new from Enesco is a Deluxe Disney Princess luxury collectable figurine, from one of its best-selling licensed brands: Disney Traditions by Jim Shore.

ExaClair marketing manager Lawrence Savage says the kits are a fun way to introduce children to sewing and at the same time develop their hand-to-eye co-ordination: “Youngsters will love creating their own brightly coloured masks and enjoy hours of fun transforming themselves into their chosen animal for added play value.”

Other kits in the Masks to Sew collection enable children to make their own rabbit, owl and cat masks; or fox, cat and reindeer masks.

ExaClaircrafty!Get

Raise a glass

ExaClair, the UK distributor for the Avenue Mandarine brand, has announced a new Masks to Sew Kit with wild animal designs. This creative box contains all the material needed to create three fun wild animal masks: elephant, tiger and giraffe.

Enesco has unveiled a new glass to raise a toast to upcoming nuptials in its ever-popular licensed collection from Designs by Lolita.

Elegantly attired in a gown featuring a flowing floral lily pad design, with accents of pearls and genuine crystal, Tiana from Disney’s movie The Princess and the Frog is the fourth Princess in Jim Shore’s Enchanted Princess Masterpiece collection. Standing 38cm tall, this delicately handcrafted design depicts the ‘Just One Kiss’ Disney Princess holding her beloved Naveen in his frog-like form in a striking pose, with hand on hip and lips pursed, inspired by the iconic scene from the 2009 animated film.

Call: 01228 404022 Email: Uksales@enesco.co.uk Visit: www.enesco.co.uk

The pre-cut felt shapes, together with the punched sewing lines, make it easier for younger children to learn how to sew. The plastic needle prevents little fingers from being injured, and the large eye makes it simpler for youngsters to thread it. The small shapes are made from self-adhesive felt to make it easier for youngsters to decorate their masks.

Call: 01553 696600 Email: enquiries@exaclair.co.uk Visit: www.exaclairlimited.com

LesserbubbleshiddenandHearts&Pavey

Call: 01322 279 225 Email: sales@leonardo.co.uk Visit: www.leonardo.co.uk

Call: 0161 975 6300 Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk

New products

JoedelightsDoggyDavies

A new addition to Lesser & Pavey’s fragrance range of candles and diffusers, Desire welcomes the popular Pink Champagne scent. Each item in the range comes in a multicoloured glass container with a tassel and reeds, and is presented in shiny foiled gift boxes featuring windows to show off the pearlescent bottles and candle jars. Meanwhile, the new Hearts Design Madelaine range has four titles: Love, Home, Friends, and Family. Each title has a fine mug, candle, diffuser, and wine glass, and every item features gold foiling and is embellished with a diamante bow. The mug, candle and diffuser are packaged in premium round lidded boxes.

PuckatorfriendlyEnvironmentally-jigsaws

Jigsaw puzzles are perfect for a developing mind. They help develop cognitive skills such as spatial awareness and problem-solving, while also providing a fun activity to get involvedPuckatorwith.now has jigsaw puzzles of its Zooniverse and Splosh ranges, sporting exotic animals from monkeys to zebras. The twist is that which animal you get will be a mystery until you open the box. Not only are the designs great, but they are also incredibly eco-friendly. They are made from recycled greyboard with soya-based inks used for printing, and are 100% plastic free.This means once a child has finished playing with the puzzle, it can be recycled with ease. With kids outgrowing toys so quickly, environmentally-focused products are something everyone should think about.

Call: 0800 011 6969

Email: customerservices@puckator.co.uk

Our four-legged friends deserve to be dressed in Joe Davies’ popular Equilibrium jewellery brand - because happiness starts with a wet nose and ends with a waggy tail! With this in mind, new for A/W are Pampered Pooch doggy identity tags and keyrings. The silver and coloured enamel identity tags are blank for engraving on the reverse and are packaged on a cute boneshaped backing card. The fun quirky designs include a dachshund with ‘hot dog’ wording, ‘crazy dog lady’, a paw print with ‘please call my humans’, and a bone with ‘eat, sleep, walkies, repeat’ wording. Both the tags and keyrings hang on a countertop stand, making them easy to display, and can be bought as a convenient starter pack with the stand and 84 pieces, or as individual designs.

82 Gifts Today

Visit: www.joedavies.co.uk

Visit: www.puckator.co.uk

Contact APAC | www.apac.co.uk | E-mail: sales@apacgroup.com | Phone: 0116 2302555 A CCELERA TE GRO WTH IN THE FESTIVE SEA SON Candle collec tion With natural vegan wax Palm oil free New New on trend Christmas colour pallet Made with love for the people and Engagesplanetmore shoppers to the Home Ambiance categor y Discover the possibilities with Bolsius by APAC

Little Stars