News

New date for INDX Toy & Gift

In a revision to its previously released April dates, INDX Toy & Gift will now be returning to the Solihull exhibition venue of Cranmore Park on March 14 and March 15. To reflect a more inclusive product offer, the show has also changed its name from INDX Toys & Nursery Gifts to INDX Toy & Gift.

Organised by buying group AIS (Associated Independent Stores), the show’s new timing is a result of feedback from retailers and suppliers, and the March dates have been chosen to align with the industry’s key order-writing window.

AIS head of toys & children’s gifts Rosie Marshall said: “By bringing our next show forward to March, we will be offering greater accessibility to a wider audience. We understand that April is a key time for our garden centre and department store retailers, so holding the show in March will enable them to see the latest products and be prepared for the Easter holiday trade.”

In addition to covering licensed products, toys, games, and preschool, the 2022 show launched into the nursery gift arena and, building on that success, the 2023 show will see further expansion into the gift sector.

Key toy suppliers exhibiting in 2023 include Character Options, Top Model, Hasbro, Funko, Moose Toys, Ravensburger, Spin Master, and Schleich, and they will be joined by gift suppliers including Hippychick, Tonies, Happy Horse and Bam Bam.

INDX Toy & Gift welcomes all retailers. Admission is free and visitors can take advantage of free onsite parking, plus complimentary refreshments. Exhibitor enquiries should be directed to Faz.Akhtar@play-room.uk.com

Rosie Marshall

2023 Gift of the Year shortlist announced!

The Giftware Association (GA) has announced the shortlist for its 2023 Gift of the Year Awards. You can view all the category shortlists at www.giftoftheyear. co.uk/2023-entries.

GA chief executive Sarah Ward said: “Despite the challenges faced globally, the industry has shown no signs of slowing down, and this year’s competition is the biggest yet. With an incredible amount of innovation and creativity on display, the judges had a tough time choosing their favourites for the first round of judging, which took place throughout December.

“Congratulations to our shortlisted companies and a huge thank you to everyone who entered our competition this year.” The next round of judging will be the live round which will be held for the duration of Spring Fair, where the products will be on display.

Hyve Group promotes Alejandra Campos

Spring and Autumn Fair organiser Hyve Group has promoted Alejandra Campos to the role of event director of Spring and Autumn Fair. With a focus on Autumn Fair and Moda, Alejandra will work alongside event director Daniel Mayhew, whose focus is Spring Fair.

She joined Hyve Group in July 2022 as event director of Moda, one of the UK’s longest-standing fashion trade shows which is now an integral part of Spring Fair and Autumn Fair.

Over her 20 years in the events industry, Alejandra has worked on trade exhibitions including Top Drawer London, and has developed a strong interest in innovation and the implementation of technology.

Alejandra commented: “As Hyve drives our portfolio of exhibitions into a revolutionary new phase with the launch of Connect@, I feel privileged to have been given the role of event director for Spring and Autumn Fair, and the opportunity to help lead our incredibly talented and motivated team at such an exciting time.”

Spring Fair takes place from February 5 to February 8, and Autumn Fair runs from September 3 to September 6. Both events take place at the NEC in Birmingham.

A & B turns 30

Scent supplier Ashleigh & Burwood is celebrating three decades of sharing its home fragrances with the world.

Ashleigh & Burwood began life in 1993 with father-and-son team John and Andrew Nettleton creating fragrance oils, pot pourri and ceramic oil burners.

Since then, the company has gone from strength to strength, taking on private label clients in 2001, expanding into new product lines with some of the first reed diffusers for the UK market in 2005, adding fragrance lamps to its range in 2007, and recently opening its European distribution centre in Hockenheim, Germany.

Visit Ashleigh & Burwood at Spring Fair in Hall 4 on Stand A10-B11

Bill & Bert’s joint owners Bill Nettelfield and Sarah Charlton Accolade for Bill & Bert’s

Colchester gift store Bill & Bert’s has been named as one of the UK’s favourite local businesses in a nationwide competition organised by Town & City Gift Cards.

The contest ran between December 1 and December 21, and any local business could be nominated. People nominated online and the business with the most nominations became the UK’s favourite. This was the hardware chain W Hurst & Son in the Isle of Wight. Bill & Bert’s came fourth, with over 200 individual votes.

Bill & Bert’s joint owner Bill Nettelfield said the success of the shop is down to stock, staff and service. “We have a wide range of stock. That is important to customers because they want to pick out the product in the specific shade of green they like, or pick up the bag in the shape and style they like,” he said. “If people are making the effort to shop in person, they want choice - and we have to offer that to compete with online. They are also incredibly keen to find gifts that are unique, and that’s why we stock items that you don’t see everywhere else.

“When you come here, it’s more like a personal shopping experience. Independents have to give themselves a point of difference and customer service could be it. Most of our team are slightly bonkers but that’s Bill & Bert’s all over, and our team creates a fun atmosphere in the shop. To be nominated at all was wonderful, but to finish in the top five and have the support of local people is even better.”

Bill & Bert’s is part of the Colchester Gift Card, which was introduced by Our Colchester Business Improvement District (BID) in summer 2021 as a way to encourage local shopping and keep spend locked into the area. It can be spent with both independent and national brands.

Bill added: “The mix of national brands and independents in a town or city is vital to its success, and that’s one of the things that makes the Colchester Gift Card stand out. You can spend it at Lush, or you can use it to discover local independents. It’s a great idea.”

Colchester Gift Card is part of the Town & City Gift Cards programme launched by local gift card provider Miconex.

Win a Golden Ticket

at Curated Craft Online

Curated Craft Online is an exclusive new trade buying event for the artisan sector. Running from March 19 to March 21, it will offer retailers a simple and effective sourcing platform, enabling them to browse products from the comfort of their own homes. The event is not intended to replace physical trade shows, but does offer a way for busy retailers to extend their product sourcing without having to travel long distances to exhibitions.

Along with interactive show features that include a live ‘Hangout’ for all participants, Curated Craft will offer pre-event business seminars to help get exhibitors geared up for a digital selling event. There will also be a new video marketing feature to facilitate the process for buyers.

As an incentive to support the craft community, Golden Ticket prizes of £150 each will be offered to encourage visiting retailers to engage with participants. Every action taken, be it clicking on an image, visiting an exhibitor website, watching a video or downloading a catalogue, will count as a ‘raffle ticket’. Those who take the most actions will be rewarded with a Golden Ticket at the end of each day, whose value must be spent with Curated Craft exhibitors.

All participants will be asked to declare some sort of show offer, such as free delivery on orders above a certain value, or a percentage discount on orders placed at the show. You can register as an exhibitor at curatedcraft.co.uk.

Jane Crick Prints Katherine Bree

Lucky 13 for Lark London

At the time of going to press, award-winning gift and homeware chain Lark London was preparing to launch its 13th store. The new branch is located at 70 Lower Richmond Road in Putney and was scheduled to open in late January.

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’. It operates 12 other stores in Fulham, Clapham High Street, Battersea Rise, Wimbledon Village, Balham, Earlsfield, Streatham, Tooting, Herne Hill, South Wimbledon, Chiswick, and Shepherds Bush.

Lark London director Priya Aurora-Crowe told Gifts Today: “This is shop number 13 and we are extremely excited to be joining the Putney community. My husband [fellow director] Dominic is currently working in the shop as we speak, doing all the set up and carpentry!”

Priya with Dominic and their daughter Esme at the Tooting branch