Gifts Today January 2019

Supporting your industry for 29 years Month: January 2019 Issue: 3 Volume: 30

Contents

Regulars

January 2019

6

News

8

Licensing News

10

Exhibition News

Cover story 14

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Village Candle We speak to the American brand, who are re-launching in the UK market and building the brand through direct partnerships with buyers and stockists

Retail 30 Imperial War Museum gift shop After the Centenary celebrations of WW1, David Fenton, head of retail explains why retail is so important

42 Trade Talk Trends, bestsellers and 2019 launches are all up

p 36

for discussion this month

26 Retailers’ Panel

Gifts Today team

Key gift retailers talk candles!

46 Vent We catch up with Evan Lewis from the ethical

Editor

stationery brand

Sally Norton sally@lemapublishing.co.uk

Special Features

Advertisement Manager Mark Horsnell markh@lemapublishing.co.uk

16

Candles We take a comprehensive look at this ever-

Layout/Design

popular gift category

Rick Vickers rickv@lemapublishing.co.uk

32

Publisher

The latest in jewellery and fashion accessories

Mark Naish mark@lemapublishing.co.uk

Production Director Paul Naish paul@lemapublishing.co.uk

Managing Director Malcolm Naish malcolm@lemapublishing.co.uk

InStyle

36 Jim Shore at Enesco

p 46

We catch up with the man himself on his recent visit to London

Opinion 52

Ross Hewitt

56 The Insights People 67 Julie Dodsworth

Exhibition Previews 44 Top Drawer

PUBLISHING

Lema Publishing Ltd

53 Giving & Living

1 Churchgates, The Wilderness, Berkhamsted, Herts, HP4 2UB Telephone: 01442 289930

58 Harrogate Christmas & Gift 63 Toy Fair

URBAN BOTANICS Bring the outdoors into your home with this collection of ceramic candles and diffusers, with tropical prints and botanical watercolours. Transport yourself to your own urban oasis with exotic aromas.

Find Us

Top Drawer – 13-15 January – Stand K47 | Atlanta Gift Show – 9 -13 January – Stand 508 Maison et Objet – 18-22 January | Spring Fair – 3-7 February – Hall 8 A15

SS19 Advert 240 x 315-V1.indd 6

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Message from the Editor www.gifts-today.co.uk Instagram: @giftstodaysally Living Coral, the new Pantone Colour of 2019.

I was thrilled to catch up with David Fenton, head of retail at the Imperial War Museum, to talk spitfires, poppies and Museum Shop Sunday.

With five museums to buy for, plus an online shop, it’s fascinating to discover how important the commercial aspect can be to the heritage sector.

“

We are here to help your business and we’d love to hear from you

“

H

ello and welcome to the January 2019 issue of Gifts Today.

With the frantic rush of Christmas retailing behind us, it’s show time! In this issue we have news from a host of upcoming editions, including Top Drawer, Christmas & Gift, Giving & Living and Toy Fair.

I am thrilled once again to be a judge for the Gift of the Year awards, which goes into the final stages of judging in early January. Numbers are up again and I can personally verify that there are some incredible products in the shortlist. Head to our website (gifts-today-co.uk) for a complete list of shortlisted products and companies. I’m looking forward to the awards ceremony, which takes place on the Sunday evening of Spring Fair at the NEC. So many people in our industry will be there and I do urge you all to put that date in your diary – everyone is welcome. It’s going to be exciting to see who claims the awards.

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This issue, of course, includes our annual candle feature. Just a quick scroll through Instagram these days reveals that candles are continuing to grow in popularity among women and men of all ages.

Proof positive that the humble candle is so much more than just wax in a glass jar! You can read more on page 16.

Speaking of candles, we speak to our fabulous cover stars Village Candle on page 14 about their re-launch in the UK and their commitment to building the brand through direct partnerships with valued buyers and stockists. They’re definitely on trend with their spring/summer launch of Grapefruit Turmeric Tonic, which is their take on

The views of the contributors expressed in this journal are not necessarily those of the publisher. Comments, letters and criticism are welcome.

You can read more about David’s work with this amazing organisation on page 30.

I also wanted to say a special thankyou to our columnists Ross Hewitt, Julie Dodsworth and the Insights People who always have something interesting and useful to say in each issue. The Insights People joined Gifts Today in 2018 and we’re thrilled that they’re now also working with the Giftware Association on some new awards Kids Gift of the Year and Parents Gift of the Year.

Winners will be chosen by kids and parents from across the UK, and the new competitions will run throughout the year. I do urge you to turn to page 56 to discover more. Even better, get involved!

Thankyou for reading and advertising in Gifts Today – we really appreciate it. We are here to help your business and we’d love to hear from you.

Keep in touch via our constantly updated website, sign up for our regular newsflash service and follow us on Instagram (@GiftsTodaySally). Or could you simply drop me an email at

sally@lemapublishing.co.uk to share your news and views. To advertise, get in touch with markh@lemapublishing.co.uk.

In the meantime, have a great January and hope to see as many of you as possible at the shows.

NEWS

New consumer awards for GA With final judging underway for the Gift of the Year competition, the Giftware Association are partnering with award-winning tech company The Insights People to introduce the Kids and Parents Gift of the Year awards. Judged by end consumers, the new competitions will run throughout the year and pick seasonal winners across spring, summer, autumn and winter, allowing companies looking to promote their products and ranges to get a totally different viewpoint of their gifts.

With three age groups in the Kids Awards, Kids Age 4-9, Tweens Age 9-12 and Teens Age 13-18, each has High Tech, Kits & Projects and Traditional Toys & Games categories, and in the Parents Awards there are Expecting & Newborn and Infant & Toddler sectors, each with For Baby, For Occasions and For Parent categories. The Insights People are a Manchester-based tech company who survey 20,000 children and 10,000 parents in the UK each year, providing industry reports and working with global brands such as Disney and the BBC. ‘We have been looking at ways to grow Gift of the Year to be more than the annual competition it is,” GA CEO Sarah Ward said “and hopefully create something that’s all year round, celebrating all the fantastic products we see at all the shows we visit. kidsgiftoftheyear.co.uk and parentsgiftoftheyear.co.uk

www.ga-uk.org

New face at House of Marbles The company have appointed experienced sales agent Nikki Welsh as their new account manager for London and the South East. Nikki has worked with the company for over eight years as an agent and joins the team full time from 2 January 2019.

Living Coral is Pantone’s 2019 Colour of the Year Dartington Crystal bought out by management The three Directors Neil Hughes (MD. Shown right) Richard Halliday (Commercial, left) and Alan Ramsay (Finance) have been supported by Barclays Bank to take a major share of the business and continue its growth into the future.

As the last factory scale producer of crystal in the UK, Dartington Crystal employs 130 staff at its Torrington HQ. The Company also owns the Scottish Caithness Glass brand, Royal Brierley cut crystal and John Beswick ceramics. In 2017 the business celebrated 50 years of trading with record sales of circa £14m.

Mr Hammond comments: ‘Despite market challenges the company and its employees are well positioned to meet them and prosper. I am very proud in what we have achieved over the years and look forward to seeing progress continued.’

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The bright coral shade is the colour forecaster’s 2019 Colour of the Year. They describe it as ‘an animated, life-affirming shade of orange, with golden undertones’.

So it’s goodbye to ‘Ultra Violet’, the deep purple hue that was the colour of 2018.

The decision of what will be the next year’s Colour of the Year is up to the Pantone Color Institute, Pantone’s consulting division that analyses each year’s colour trends.

Pantone describes Living Coral as a colour of carefree happiness, saying it ‘symbolises our innate need for optimism and joyful pursuits’—a feeling that, perhaps, people might be craving in today’s landscape.

‘Colour enhances and influences the way we experience life,’ said Laurie Pressman of the Pantone Color Institute. ‘As a shade that affirms life through a dual role of energizing and nourishing, Pantone 16-1546 Living Coral reinforces how colours can embody our collective experience and reflect what is taking place in our global culture at a moment in time.’

Harrogate Christmas & Gift Stand C19, 13-16 JANUARY 2019 Harrogate International Centre

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licensing news

Beer brands get Poetic Poetic Brands is set to develop a clothing range for adults based around some of the world’s most iconic beer brands, after signing an agreement with leading global brewer AB InBev. The pan-European deal is for Becks, Budweiser, Bass and Boddingtons – some of the most popular in Europe and brand awareness has been boosted by numerous innovative advertising campaigns and slogans over the years. The deal will see Poetic Brands using classic imagery based on each beer to create an adult clothing launching with the likes of ASOS, Jack & Jones, Next and George from Q1 2019.

‘All these brands offer us something really fun and innovative to work with and will tap into the almost tribal loyalty that people feel towards their favourite beers,’ says Elliott Matthews of Poetic Brands.

Gorjuss G j win i Santoro celebrate with a drink. Having partnered with Hijosde Rivera to produce Gorjuss Cabreiroá water bottles, they scooped the Best New Brand/Brand Extension Award at the 2018 Global Bottled Water Awards.

Eight designs were produced, each with a different Gorjuss character artwork, representing an emotion or experience. The Gorjuss dolls famously have no mouth, allowing anyone to read their own story from each of the artworks. These personal connections that consumers build with Gorjuss has been a perfect way to promote water-drinking among young people, whilst Gorjuss fans have eight bottle designs to look out for and collect.

Oddbods Go-Kards fully funded One Animation’s racing-themed Oddbods board game, based on the Emmy-nominated animation series, achieved its crowdfunding Kickstarter goal in less than a week. To celebrate this milestone, One Animation together with game developer Playware, is gifting each backer with a bonus pack of seven highly detailed collectable Oddbods figurines.

‘We are excited to celebrate the campaign’s success to date with our backers by giving them Oddbods figurines we know they’ll love,” says Anabel Higgin, Marketing Director of One Animation.

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JHS board the Yellow Submarine JHS – one of the largest independent trade distributors of musical instruments and accessories es – is to launch a range of Yellow Submarine instruments and accessories for young children. The deal was inked by Caroline Mickler on behalf of Apple Corps.

Magical film imagery will illustrate a range of colourful guitars, ukuleles and accessories.

The range, for children from three years up, includes a ukulele and a junior half-size guitar outfit, along with webbing straps and a variety of picks.

Caroline Mickler says: ‘These delightful instruments and accessories are not just the right size for young musicians, but they are also very high quality and look fantastic. I’m certain they will be a marvellous inspiration for any young kids who love music and want to play on their very own instruments.’

Good arrows for Bulldog Bulldog Licensing has added new partners for top game show brand Bullseye, after signing deals with Crackerjack and Sporting Profiles. The new deals will see Crackerjack produce a gifting range that includes alcohol gift sets, money tins, tankards and glassware, whilst Sporting Profiles is set to launch a Bullseye fan website.

‘Bullseye is a brand that has transcended its original format to become a much loved part of British culture, so even people who weren’t born in its heyday know the name and the catchphrases,’ says Bulldog MD Rob Corney. ‘This massive brand recognition is translating into a big and growing licensing programme that shows no sign of stopping.’

It’s a beauty for RHS The Royal Horticultural Society will partner with Heathcote & Ivory for a range of bespoke beauty and toiletries products, with bath and body collections launching March 2019. The ranges are named Flower Blooms Daisy Garland and Tender Palm. The RHS name and logo will appear prominently on all products and packaging alongside the Heathcote & Ivory logo.

Denis Aaronson, Managing Director, Heathcote & Ivory, says: ‘We are passionate about plants, flowers and fragrances, and the horticultural heritage, the gardens and the flower shows that the RHS represents are truly inspirational. It is a huge privilege to be given the opportunity to work with this incredible brand’.

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Image Credits: Broste Copenhagen | DOIY by Manta Gifts | Emma Johnson Ceramics | Sibilia

OUT OF THE ORDINARY

BREAKING BOUNDARIES, DEFINING TRENDS At Top Drawer we search the globe for an extraordinary and distinctive edit of design-led brands across the lifestyle spectrum so you can create an offering that is out of the ordinary.

Register at topdrawer.co.uk/GiftsToday

13—15 JANUARY 2019 OLYMPIA LONDON

exhibition news

The big one’s back!

Spring Fair is just around the corner, bringing scale, variety and choice for retail buyers. This year’s show, running 3-7 February 2019, will host thousands of exhibitors and expects 56,000 trade professionals through the door. Across all of the show’s 16 sectors, the Fair will welcome hundreds of new exhibitors and thousands of products and ranges.

In the Gifts sector, Gala World of Candles will be making their debut, joining the likes of Straits Trading, PMC, Puckator, Widdop & Co, Something Different Wholesale and Joe Davies.

In its third year is the Debut Area in Greetings & Gift, which will offer visitors fresh, contemporary greetings cards. The ‘First’ initiative across a number of sectors are set to offer up-and-coming and pioneering brands the opportunity to showcase their products. It includes DesignFirst, TasteFirst, ToysFirst and NurseryFirst.

Then there’s the return of the Glee showcase, allowing garden retailers to re-stock after the busy Christmas and New Year period. And also the new-and-improved SP Product Match, the app that helps visitors find and locate the best suppliers for their business. springfair.com

Headliners for CHSI Stitches 2019 Leading craft industry figures to address craft businesses at the show, NEC, Birmingham 17-19 February 2019.

Results from the keenlyanticipated Craft Report 2019, providing exclusive industry insights and trend predictions, will be revealed to visitors by Linda Jones, research specialist from LJ & P. Sarah Cressall (pictured), entrepreneur, bestselling author and founder of The Creation Station, will share ideas to give customers memorable in-store experiences. Paul Wright, co-founder of Hochanda, will give a personal review of the social changes that have had an impact on the craft industry, and how to build a successful craft business by harnessing new and emerging communications technologies.

Dominic Fleming, CHSI show director says: ‘We are delighted that so many craft industry figures are coming to CHSI Stitches.

Visitors to the show will get exclusive access to some vital industry data and expert advice to benefit their businesses and deepen their understanding of customers and the retail landscape, making the show a must for everyone in the creative craft industry. ICHF’s mission is to have a crafter in every household and by supporting the industry we are getting a step closer to that goal.’ chsi.co.uk

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Exclusively Shows announce Thrive and Survive winner Hus, based in the market town of Halesworth, Suffolk, are the winners of the competition, and will benefit from a consultation with the shows’ trend experts Scarlet Opus.

Exclusively Shows, chose this store for the opportunities it presented, their enthusiasm to take part and openness to react and implement the recommendations. The store benefits from a fairly affluent customer base of local residents and some second homeowners.

Huus believe their challenges include increasing their curb appeal with the small high windows and product selection.

The consultation will review the store’s layout, décor, product offering, website, social media and merchandising as seen by today’s customer. The object to provide recommendations to create a retail environment that is appealing to today’s consumer.

Owners Jane and Rob Dekker said of the win: ‘We were absolutely delighted to hear that we have made it to the next stage of the Thrive and Survive consultation with Scarlet Opus. This will be a fantastic opportunity for us to work with Phil and his team to identify opportunities to strengthen our brand and business. We are very excited!’ exclusivelyhousewares.co.uk

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exhibition news

Nessie’s Den at Scotland’s Trade Fair Three prominent retailers – Nancy Smillie from Glasgow, Yvonne Carr from Visit Scotland, and Helen Crawford from the Old School in Beauly – will evaluate selected exhibitors’ products in a light-hearted session on the Monday of the show, and another session with food retailers on the Tuesday.

Scotland’s Trade Fair runs from 20-22 January 2019 at SEC, Glasgow. where there At least a third of all exhibitors new to the Show, while many others will be showcasing their 2019 stock for the first time. With a fantastic line-up of companies this is a ‘must visit’ show as it is the only chance in Scotland for sourcing gifts, homewares, crafts, jewellery, fashion accessories, textiles and clothing, and food and drink together in one venue. scotlandstradefairs.co.uk

Top Drawer & Pulse to join forces Pulse London, the UK’s go-to industry event for undiscovered talent, design innovators and trend leaders announces a new co-location with Top Drawer Neil Gaisford, MD of the Retail Division at Clarion Events, says: ‘After careful consideration and consultation with the market we have taken the decision to move Pulse from a stand-alone event to a co-located one at Top Drawer, for both the S/S and A/W editions, with the first taking place on 8-10 September 2019. This will provide buyers with an unrivalled offer of new creative talent for their most important buying periods.’

The merger of the UK’s most prestigious design-led shows is an exciting development for the market and marks the next stage in the evolution of the Top Drawer brand.

Alejandra Campos, Event Director, Top Drawer, says. ‘Highly regarded by buyers Pulse has always been at the forefront of industry trends, presenting the next wave of design talent and cutting edge content, making it the perfect addition to Top Drawer. With the re-location of Pulse, our visitors will now have access to the UK’s largest platform of commercially-ready emerging brands, affirming Top Drawer’s place as the home of leading design-led brands and new talent.’

Spring/Summer 2019 edition - 13-15 January 2019 Autumn/Winter 2019 edition – 8-10 September 2019

PaperAwards SS19 finalists announced Ahead of the much-anticipated January 2019 show, Top Drawer is delighted to announce the finalists of the celebrated PaperAwards for its sixth edition, supported by G.F Smith. Celebrating and recognising design, creativity and innovation within the Greetings & Stationery industry, the PaperAwards includes three categories: Exciting Use of Colour, Emotive Design and Engaging Print.

Top Drawer Show Director, Alejandra Campos said: ‘This season’s PaperAwards received a record number of entries, and they were of such a high quality that we decided to expand the shortlisted for each category from five to six. Now in their 6th edition, the PaperAwards have become a highly respected and effective initiative to recognise and support these incredible publishers and designers, giving them exposure to the very best retailers through the show, as well as all our marketing and communication channels.’

The PaperAwards S/19 shortlisted are:

Cambridge Imprint

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EXCITING USE OF COLOUR • Alison Hardcastle • Dicky Bird • Lagom – Magic Numbers • Letterpress Studios • Meraki • Noi Publishing ENGAGING PRINT • Cambridge Imprint • Counting Stars • Dear Alchemy by UWP Luxe • Hotchpotch • Raspberry Blossom • The Art File – Mulberry & Olive EMOTIVE DESIGN • Artcadia • Lagom – Maya Stepien • Pavilion • The Cardy Club • The Art File Fossile • Under One Cloud Members from

the retail industry are now asked to vote for their favourites on the Top Drawer website, with winners to be announced prior to the show. All finalists will have their work showcased in the Greetings & Stationery area at Top Drawer SS19, and each winner will receive a prize worth £1000.

Judge Emma Hawkins of Fortnum & Mason said: ‘The PaperAwards are great opportunity for us to get a sneak peek at all the wonderful ranges being showcased at Top Drawer in January next year’, while Mark Janson-Smith, MD of Postmark and PaperAwards Judge stated; ‘The array of Under One Cloud new products and designs were truly inspiring and if this is a glimpse of what›s to come next year, then Top Drawer SS19 will certainly be a show not to be missed.’

Held at Olympia, London from 13-15 January, Top Drawer presents an exclusive selection of over 1500 design-led brands across eleven curated sectors.

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Cover Story - Village Candle

Your Village is our Village Committed to bringing the best quality and service to UK customers

A

merican brand Village Candle has re-launched in the UK market, demonstrating a commitment to not only being a leading manufacturer of quality home fragrance products, but taking responsibility for building the Village Candle brand through direct partnerships with valued buyers and stockists. Village Candle’s commitment has never been stronger, and they see the direct model as the best way to introduce consumers to the brand. Building personal relationships locally with retailers is one of the most important service levels a brand can offer. ‘We listened to our customers who wanted a closer relationship with our brand and I realised a direct model was the only way we can deliver what they’ve asked for,’ says Paul Aldrich, Founder and CEO of Village Candle. ‘With local distribution in the UK and the addition of a passionate and dedicated Village team based in the UK, customers’ needs will be best met’.

Unexpected fragrances with a trend twist Village will preview their spring/summer collection at Spring Fair. Grapefruit Turmeric Tonic, a favourite amongst the limited edition fragrances, infuses citrus, the mixology trend and the brand’s take on the new Pantone Colour of 2019, Living Village is very excited about what the future holds and looks forward to working with existing and future customers. The opportunity to meet and place orders at the NEC Spring Fair, February 3-7 at Hall 5, Stand D40-E41 is most exciting. For immediate enquiries to become a stockist of Village Candle or any needs for your current stock, please contact: enquiry@villagecandle.com.

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Coral. The coral hue dances with beautiful notes of tart citrus, turmeric, sandalwood and amber to bring vibrant colour and fragrance to life in a playful expression that calms and invigorates the senses. Visit the Village Candle stand for a meeting with the team and receive a complimentary candle.

Easter white invites Dolce Delight is Village’s global campaign Easter fragrance. ‘The trend of vanilla continues to be strong and, with a fresh addition of wildflower honey and whipped airy sugar, this new fragrance envelops you in a blanket of confectionery delight – Village’s interpretation of a “wearable

What’s new - handcrafted candles blended with elements of soy and essential oil In addition to a strong Spring fragrance range in Village’s most popular core line, a new introduction makes its way to Spring Fair. With sustainability and the desire for more natural-based products, consumers want a choice and Village listened. This new line upholds the same Village quality consumers have come to love, with a new soy wax and essential oil blend in a modern three-wick glass tumbler. ‘This more natural line honours simplicity, with a nod to thoughtful fragrances and a soft pastel colour range to fit seamlessly into consumers’ homes,’ says Dana Schwartz.

vanilla”’, says Dana Schwartz, who is leading brand and product development at Village.

‘We listened to our customers who wanted a closer relationship with our brand and I realized a direct model was the only way’

Numbered fragrances include: 01 Turmeric Tonic, 02 Coconut Coral, 03 Ivy Rose, 04 Coastal Kale, 05 Garden Herbs and Citrus, 06 Pomegranate Geranium and 07 Sea Minerals and Moss.

Sneak peek at the Village Spring Fair stand The US headquarter and local UK teams will be ready to serve and take orders at Spring Fair. A Fragrance Bar will also bring the art of fragrance to life. With Village going direct in the UK market, current and new customers can experience the full range and merchandising programmes. Autumn/ winter and a new Fun Fantasy range will add to the overall excitement. Village has partnered with Drom Fragrances to bring a perfumer’s perspective on how a fragrance comes to life. Demonstrations will take place February 3-4.

‘Drom perfumers love working with Village Candle, where Village provides the opportunity for perfumers to express their creativity and passion and embraces the artistry of perfumery to create a collaborative relationship and space to think outside the box’, says Drom Fragrances. An occasion not to be missed, current and new customers can place orders directly with UK distribution.

The new Glam Apple is an enchanting fragrance for autumn/winter 2019. See this fragrance come to life at Spring Fair through a demo with Drom Fragrances. Sit back and sip a mocktail that makes this citrus, watery and unexpected fragrance sparkle.

Visit us at the Spring Fair: Hall 5, Stand D40-E41 Place Your Order and Experience the Fragrance Bar For more information contact: enquiry@villagecandle.com villagecandle.co.uk gifts today 15

Candles

Candles are on fire!

A quick scroll through Instagram reveals that candles are on trend.

Whether it’s about healthy living or decorating the home, creating an ambience or a hygge moment, these days the humble candle is so much more than just wax in a glass jar

T

he candle market is booming and there really is a brand or product to suit every type of store. With such a wide offering to be found at the trade shows, there’s certain to be a brand that’s perfect for your customers.

And, the great thing is, they’re a great pick-up in store, whether it’s for selfpurchase or gifting.

‘Candles are affordable investments,’ says Perry Simmons at Stoneglow.

‘They are stunning lifestyle objects that freshen up spaces and are easy to change without hassle.’

Anna Borrett at Ashleigh & Burwood agrees: ‘Candles have become a lifestyle item and social media has played its part in increasing their desirability, with many big name bloggers and Instagram users selling a lifestyle that often includes scented candles. They’ve become a marker of luxury living. With candles available at all price points they are a luxury that is attainable for most people’.

Of course, it’s not just about luxury, because the booming health and wellbeing market comes into play, too, according to Yvonne Hambridge, marketing manager at Price’s Candles.

‘Candles can provide the perfect antidote to a stressful day,’ she says.

‘Furthermore, the Danish concept of hygge is becoming increasingly popular in recent times, focusing on cosiness and serenity’.

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The key is to look at both scent and design when you choose a candle range for your store. Anna Borrett suggests offering a variety of price points to appeal to as wide an audience as possible, and making sure you have ‘something from each of the fragrance families’ - fresh, fruity, floral, spicy & woody.

And think about how to tempt customers to try something new. ‘Give the customer an experience whilst shopping for candles,’ advises Perry

Sell the scents!

Display is key when it comes to candles.

These retailers share their secrets…

‘At the moment most of our candles are displayed in retro wooden crates. We change our displays regularly and only work with companies that supply samples to us for our customers to smell.’

Chris Beards, Mantons Cards ‘I always burn the same fragrance for a couple of weeks with a note saying what this week’s fragrance is. It works well.’

Karen Greig, Destined for Home

Simmons. We believe it is important to be aware of the trends and to keep up to date with today’s interior looks.’

Finally, it’s worth noting that candle fragrances are increasingly personalityled than gender-led, moving away from what is considered feminine or masculine. As consumers become more adventurous with fragrances they buy, it’s a great opportunity to explore some of the more unusual scents like leather, fireside and exotic spice. With more than a quarter of UK households regularly buying scented candles, according to research company Kantar, there’s never been a better time to boost your offering.

‘We have a large glass table that we strongly theme using candles as well as other items to make an ever changing seasonal display. ‘

Dougal Philip, New Hopetoun Gardens ‘We have created new hanging space for the taper candles that has allowed us to increase our range of colours. Having matching candlesticks and cone candles above has created a wonderful rainbow. This move has already increased our candles sales, so the signs are good!

Tabi Marsh, Papilio at Heritage

Candles

Light & bright St Eval

Set to exhibit at Home & Gift (15-19 July), Autumn Fair (2-5 September) and Top Drawer Autumn (9-11 September), St Eval have lots to shout about this year.

Scented Tin Candles New for 2019, the bestselling scented tin candles have been updated with authentic rustic kraft paper packaging and a refreshed design. Featuring fragrance title and St Eval branding on the front, they’re available in 27 captivating fragrances and each have a superior burn time of 45 hours – making the perfect travel candle and a great gift.

Scented Tealights New for 2019, the bestselling scented tealights have been updated with authentic rustic kraft paper packaging and refreshed design. Available in 27 captivating fragrances, each tealight has a fantastic six-hour burn time.

Garden of Eden Collection Introducing The Garden of Eden. Discover three exquisite fragrances; Geranium - for balance and beauty, Fig - soothing and fruity, and Tabac - calming and relaxing with woody tones. Each natural pot is embossed with leaves and available in three sizes and shades. Both pillars and pots are hand-poured with their unique wax and fragrance blend for a premium quality and long burn time.

The Floral Collection The beautiful Floral Collection features intricate designs with delicate fragrances to evoke memories of a freshly cut bouquet from the garden in spring. Available in two sizes and three scents – Spring Flower, Camomile and Rose Garden, you can bring the outdoors, indoors, with their delightful aromas.

Hand Soap & Lotion Collection The luxurious liquid hand soap and delicate hand lotions are available in six fantastic fragrances: Bay & Rosemary, Bergamot & Nettle, Cinnamon & Orange, Fig Tree, Grapefruit & Lime and Sea Salt and, most importantly, they are completely paraben and cruelty free. Available both individually or as part of a pretty gift set, containing one liquid soap and one hand lotion in matching scents.

Testers are provided with your first order.

The Reed Diffuser Collection A great addition to any room, the diffusers are available in the following fragrances: Bay & Rosemary, Bergamot & Nettle, Embers, Fig Tree, Grapefruit & Lime, Inspiritus, Sea Salt, Sensuality, Spring Flower, Orange & Cinnamon, Tranquility and Tuberose. The elegant design of the cream diffuser pot is a perfect match for a variety of home decors, with each diffuser fragrance lasting for approximately three months leaving your home beautifully fragranced.

Individual refills are available for purchase separately, alongside additional reeds.

Visit: stevalcandlecompany.co.uk

Urban botanical Stoneglow

Urban Botanicals is a range that aims to bring the outdoors to the indoors. The exotic aromas packaged in fun vibrant vessels will transport you to a relaxing urban oasis.

The stunning collection of ceramic diffusers and candles are available in four punchy scents and tropical colourways. These are sure to make a wow statement. Stoneglow will be exhibiting at Top Drawer (stand K47) and Spring Fair (Hall 8, stand A15).

Call: 020 8595 8878 Email: sales@stoneglowcandles.co.uk Visit: stoneglowcandles.co.uk

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Candles

Beautiful & useful Ashleigh & Burwood

Home fragrance experts Ashleigh & Burwood are widening the product range in their The Scented Home collection this season to include Decorative Scented Candles. The new range of multi-wick scented candles, housed in decorative tin vessels, provides another way that consumers can buy into their favourite fragrances from the hugely popular collection, which until now has solely been centred on Reed Diffusers. The candles are hand-poured using a vegan-friendly refined mineral wax blend, and use Ashleigh & Burwood’s proprietary ‘mega-throw’ fragrance release system, to match the impact and quality standard that customers know and trust in The Scented Home Reed Diffusers.

The candles are available in eight bestselling, UK-made fragrances: Moroccan Spice, Oriental Spice, Enchanted Forest, Freesia & Orchid, Peony, Fresh Linen, Jasmine & Tuberose, Lavender & Bergamot. Each scent is housed in a colour co-ordinating tin, decorated with an evocative image of the fragrance. The tin vessels, which have a removable label, can be reused after the candle has burned out and make an attractive keepsake tin, ideal to stow away small trinkets.

What’s more, the company are also introducing major new additions to The Scented Home. Adding depth to the collection’s comprehensive diffuser offering are new double-sized 300ml refills in eight of The Scented Home’s best-selling fragrances. Value and volume has also been added with three large new 500ml Reed Diffusers in bestselling Fresh Linen, Jasmine & Tuberose and Moroccan Spice joining the collection. These new additions will bring loyal customers their favourite scents in larger, longer-lasting sizes.

In addition, The Scented Home is expanding its offering to include a new range of multiwick Scented Candles that will add breadth and greater in-store presence to the popular collection. Housed in decorative tin vessels and available in eight UK-made fragrances, the candles are hand-poured using a vegan-friendly refined mineral wax blend, and use Ashleigh & Burwood’s proprietary ‘mega-throw’ fragrance release system, to match the impact and quality standard that customers know and trust in The Scented Home.

blog.ashleigh-burwood.co.uk Call: 01932 267060 Email: info@ashleigh-burwood.co.uk Visit: ashleigh-burwood-trade.co.uk

Flame & fragrance Xystos New Cello scents

The Cello home fragrance collection of candles, reed diffusers and accessories will lead the charge for one-stop shop Xystos with a raft of new products at Spring Fair. The spring/summer launch sees the addition of three new scents, Ginger Fizz, Cucumber Spritz and Poppy Blush in different sized jars, as well as wax medallions, scent cups, standard and hourglass reed diffusers and essential oils. These follow the strong-selling autumn/winter fragrances of Frosted Pine, Winter Mittens and Mistletoe Kiss.

Ultrasonic style Cello’s new ultrasonic diffusers will be unveiled by Xystos at Spring Fair in three different styles with colours to suit any décor.

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These are spearheaded by six decanters – Exotic Scales, Ocean Floor, Golden Rays, Galaxy Swirl, Nebular and Marble – while the Signature ultrasonic diffusers use fragrance burst colours and red and blue. There is also a simple dream catcher design.

Essential oils are being launched for the ultrasonic diffusers, comprising the UK’s 12 best-selling fragrances, as well as five unique, exclusive scents and the three new spring/summer fragrances.

Spring Fair: Stand 4H50-J51 Call: 0191 499 1570 Email sales@xystos.co.uk Visit: xystostrade.co.uk

HEYLAND & WHITTLE HOME

TOP DRAWER Spring HARROGATE Christmas & Gifts

13th - 15th January 13th - 16th January

STAND L31 STAND Q9

01293 525 825 heylandandwhittle.co.uk sales@heylandandwhittle.co.uk Follow us

Candles

Blooming Lovely!

Beefayre

Beefayre’s new scent for 2019 is Peony Rose, a delightful natural fragrance with heady notes of rosebuds, jasmine and lily and seductive undertones of cedar wood and sandalwood.

This is one of their best so far with beautifully designed packaging that will appeal to many. Available in 11 products including bath milk, body cream, hand cream, soap, body mist, candles, room diffusers and room spray.

Bluebell and their ever-popular Lavender & Geranium, are also available in home fragrance and body & bath collections. Supported by POS cards these collections are definitely a new direction for Beefayre’s busy hive of activity.

Lime Blossom is back in their home fragrance collection, due to ever increasing demand from customers. Pay them a visit at their Spring Fair stand, Hall 6 – 6S42. Come and sniff their beautiful fragrances and help save our bees! Read the company’s backstory inside their packaging - your customers need to know why it’s important to buy Beefayre.

Call: 018558 434492 Email: sales@beefayre.com Visit: beefayre.com

Get fresh

Personalised Memento Co With Christmas now over and spring on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to spring clean and add a touch of freshness to the home. The Personalised Memento Company’s new personalised reed diffusers are available in a range of on-trend designs, making them perfect for a variety of occasions. These fresh scented reed diffusers offer an excellent alternative to traditional candles and show that thought and care has gone into selecting a gift.

These reed diffusers are the newest additions to PMC’s range of candles and scented gifts. Each item can be personalised and drop shipped straight to your customer, removing the need to hold stock. Visit PMC’s website to sign up for your trade account today! Spring Fair - Hall 4, E90-F91.

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

Home for Christmas Manor House Home Fragrance

As well as having a record-breaking Christmas, Manor House are proud to announce the success of their new website, which has given a greater audience a view of their 21 stunning home fragrance collections with new fragrance launches ready for Spring Fair They are proud to have just launched with a high end internet-based company and gift shop in the USA which will allow more people to purchase their products, along with many new garden centres and gift shops around the UK and Ireland.

They pride themselves on producing all their products by hand in Suffolk, England which comprise: Pot Pourri and Scented Pine Cones, Scented Botanical Candles, Room Diffusers and Sprays, Drawer Liners and Sachets along with Advent Candles, Luxury Hand Washes, Scented fabric Bags and Cushions.

All products use mainly British packaging and fragrances, the finest botanicals from around the world, packaging, fabrics, hand woven silks from Suffolk silk mills and ribbons mainly from British companies thus creating a true Handmade in Great Britain Home Fragrance Collection.

The facebook page ‘Manor House Home Fragrance Ltd’ and a Twitter account ‘ManorHouseHome1’ help link their business with their final end customers and clients and are gaining many followers and positive comments.

Manor House work with many leading retailers to produce private label collections incorporating clients’ thoughts and ideas, fragrances and branding to offer bespoke and unique one-off collections. Manor House will be presenting their complete collection including Christmas 2019 at the Spring Fair Hall 4 Stand A35.

Call: 01359 250720 Visit: manorhousehomefragrance.co.uk 22 gifts today

Candles

Burning bright

Price’s Candles Price’s Candles are kicking off 2019 in strong style, by launching an additional six fragrances to their everpopular Fragrance Collection. These new products will take the entire collection to an impressive 30 scents and offers a variety of candle sizes, including the contemporary large jar.

Burn times range from 25 to 150 hours and the collection boasts a vast array of choice across the fragrance families of woody, spicy, floral, fresh, fruity and sweet. Reed diffusers are also offered alongside the candles to create the perfect fragrance layering in any home. Further ranges from Price’s Candles include:

Limited Edition Fresh Air Candles

Bubbling up Heaven Scent

Heaven Scent have always thought about their packaging options and have where possible use recycled materials. Choosing gift boxes that are easily biodegradable and are made of FSC recycled board, Heaven Scent wanted to persuade customers to have very minimal gift packaging to prevent excess wastage, that only ends up in a landfill site.

They use recycled glass for their candles and, of course, natural plant wax which is kind to the environment, cruelty free and suitable for vegans. Last year they took soap production in house and are working on creating a ‘hard shampoo bar’.

‘We would like to be plastic-free and do try and keep the use of plastic in our business to a minimum, by creating a shampoo bar this will help consumers have a plastic free option available to them,’ says Sarah Pettitt of Heaven Scent. ‘We do use plastic bottles for our body products, but it is recyclable material, which means it can be recycled in a council run recycled scheme. We are having a conversation with our packaging companies about introducing plastic alternatives for our products in the future.’

For a chance to see the full range that Heaven Scent wholesales, visit them at Top Drawer in January and Spring Fair in February 2019.

Call: 01225 868788 Email: contact@heavenscent.co.uk Visit: heavenscent.co.uk 24 gifts today

Price’s Candles Fresh Air Collection is not only deliciously fragrant, but immensely practical too.

All products contain Odourfoyl technology to neutralise unwanted odours, whilst filling homes with their aromatic scent. The Limited Edition range comes in jar candles and reed diffusers, giving up to 45 hours burn time in the jar candles and up to four weeks of fragrance in the reed diffuser.

Signature Collection Their timeless Signature collection is focused on high quality fragrance, burn and value. Extensive market research drove the scents developed to capture future trends, and range from the ever-popular fresh Cotton Powder to the exotic Tahitian Lime.

Heritage Range This range brings a taste of the historic heritage of the past into the present, offering scented candles and reed diffusers in traditional packaging.

Dining and Church Candles The collection is headed by the Sherwood candle, which has been supplied to the British Royal Household since the 1840s. It also includes Venetian, Dinner, Pillar and Beeswax Church candles in a variety of burn times.

View the entire Price’s Candles range at Scotland’s Trade Fair at the SEC in Glasgow on 20-22 January, stand K16. And at Spring Fair at the NEC in Birmingham on 3-7 February, Hall: 4 | Stand: 4E80-F81.

Call: 01234 264500 Email: sales@prices-candles.co.uk Visit: prices-candles.co.uk

cell

Cello features 12 tantalising fragrances, a blend of paraffin wax offering muted wax colours, reed diffusers, innovative home fragrance solutions along with complimenting accessory collections.

Fairy Houses

These collectable Fairy House lanterns are the hottest trending gift this season. Each lantern lights up & comes gift boxed with the fairy’s story on the box.

See the full range at... ŚƌŝƐƚŵĂƐ Θ 'ŝŌ Spring Fair ,ĂƌƌŽŐĂƚĞ ŽŶǀĞŶƟŽŶ ĞŶƚƌĞ NEC Birmingham 13 - 16 Janaury 2019 3 - 7 February 2019

Stand D17

Hall 4 Stand 4H50 - J51

For more info, contact our Customer Service Team Email: sales@xystos.co.uk or Tel: +44(0)191 499 1570 www.xystostrade.co.uk

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Retailers’ Panel

Gifts Today Retailers’ Panel Key gift retailers talk candles!

Chris Beards Mantons Cards Port Erin, Isle of Man Which candle brands do you stock?

Designer brand candles such as Sara Miller, Katie Loxton and Caroline Gardner, as they fit in with the quality products we stock.

Any candle ranges you’d like to learn more about?

We may have room for one more fragrance supplier if it’s the right fit for us, but we aren’t actively looking. We test any potential new ranges for things like burn time as we need to be sure we are offering a quality product to our customers.

Karen Greig Destined for Home Edinburgh, Scotland Which candle brands do you stock?

I’m stocking llou Scents and Mill Valley. I always test each product and know if it’s a winner when customers come in and say ‘what a lovely smell in here’.

Cassis & Fig along with Roast Chestnut do very well, and I only stock soy candles that are made in UK.

Average candle spend?

Between £15-£20. Customers will spend a bit more if they know it’s a good quality candle with a long burn time.

Do you have any tips for customers who are choosing candles as a gift?

I place a card inside each candle that says ‘tips from me to you’, so they get the best out of each candle. One tip is never cut the wick with scissors; it slants the wick, which could lead to only one side of the wax melting.

Dougal Philip

Tabi Marsh

New Hopetoun Gardens Broxburn

Papilio at Heritage Bristol

Which candle brands do you stock?

Our main supplier for very many years has been Wax Lyrical. We also trade with Ivyline, Gisella Graham and Bolsius.

Which brands/fragrances do particularly well for you?

Autumn/winter is the best trading period and here the spicy warm fragrances do best – especially Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh for Christmas. In spring and summer the fragrances are fresher and more floral – honeysuckle, French lavender and most florals.

Are there any candle ranges you’d like to learn more about?

Vineyard candles. We bought a reed diffuser at the new Rosebourne recently and think we ought to be offering some of their range

Do you have a typical customer when it comes to buying candles?

Ladies of all ages for themselves and as gifts and then some specific customers like a local independent investment manager who loves candles.

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Do you stock candles? If so, which brands do you stock?

We sell non-fragranced tapers and cone candles from Ester & Erik. They have an incredible range of colours and are design pieces in themselves, as well as being non-drip and soot free. We also sell a range of own-branded candles from Heaven Scent.

Which fragrances do particularly well for you?

Limeleaf and ginger is popular all year round, as it’s a lovely fresh scent. During the winter ‘Winter Scent’ sells well, this is a spiced orange scent that is spiced without being overly sweet which many are.

Do you have a typical customer when it comes to buying candles?

The taper candles are generally purchased by our younger, regular customers, who clearly throw a lot of dinner parties. They love the large range of colours and the statement the candles make. Our scented candles sell across the board as we have a range of sizes and fragrances that ensure there is something to suit everyone. During the winter months they sell particularly well as presents.

Candles

Welcome home Heyland & Whittle HOME Collection

GOLD Classic Collection

The beautiful Heyland & Whittle HOME collection packs a glorious visual punch in their bright, bold boxes and whether you desire a fragrance that is crisp and fresh or something a little more aromatic and warm, you are sure to find the perfect aroma for your home.

• Nordic Pine - Aromatic and woody, a bracing walk through the pine forest on a bright frosty day • Clementine & Prosecco - Fruity and sparkling, let’s celebrate with some bubbles • Earl Grey - Delicate and citrusy, clock strikes three, time for tea • Sweet Pea & Rose - Heavenly fragrant, breathe deep the sweet, heady scent of summer in bloom • White Dahlia - Rich and sensual, a fragrant drift of white florals and Sandalwood, symbolising unity and love • Bergamot & Lime - Fresh and green, lively and bright, lush as a Mediterranean citrus grove • Vetiver & Musk - Deep and woody with a twist of sweetness - for peace of mind and wonderful sense of wellbeing • Olive & Fig - Peppery green olive with warm, sweet fig to create this deliciously sunny Mediterranean scent.

Invite a memorable and lasting ambience with ten classic layered aromas that have been expertly created to suit the season, to soothe and relax or uplift your mood; with clean even burning soy wax blended candles which are also environmentally friendly. The reed diffusers effortlessly add an enveloping scent to any room, the stylish way to fragrance your home. Top up your reed diffuser when it begins to look low with economical refills to ensure continuous fragrance, throughout your home. The 200ml refill bottle contains sufficient fragrance to fill up your existing bottle once again.

Choose from: Greentea Grapefruit, Citrus Lavender, Wild Lemongrass:, Clementine Prosecco, Sandalwood Oud, Lily Ylang Ylang, Cherry Blossom, Neroli Rose, Earl Grey and Amber Oakmoss.

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

Best of British Wax Lyrical Fired Earth

Fruit Scents

Celebrating a partnership between two great British brands, there are four new product types for this best-selling range of licensed home fragrance products – two candles, one diffuser and a room mist.

The new candle products comprise a boxed and lidded multiwick ceramic candle with a 35-hour burn time and a lidded candle with a 35-hour burn time.

Inspired by Fired Earth’s collection of contemporary tile designs, all candles and diffusers are made in the UK. The sophisticated tea-inspired fragrances include: Emperor’s Red Tea, Green Tea & Bergamot, Chai & Lime Blossom, Black Tea & Jasmine, Earl Grey & Vetivert, Assam & White Cedar, Darjeeling & Damask Rose (introduced in 2017) and White Tea & Pomegranate (introduced in 2018). All original Fired Earth candles and reed diffusers still available.

Following the increasing popularity of super foods and their supposed health benefits, Wax Lyrical have created Super Fruits - a range of bright and fruity candles and reed diffusers, perfect for the health-conscious among us or those who simply want to enjoy a sweet and refreshing fruity fragrance.

Available as 38hr candle, 35hr candle tin (also 100ml reed diffuser and 250ml refill).

The four fragrances are: Kiwi & Passionfruit, Blueberry & Blackcurrant, Cranberry & Pomegranate and Apple & Raspberry. There is a 38-hour candle and 32-hour candle tin.

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Call: 01229 461 166 Email: info@waxlyricaltrade.com

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Hall 4 Stand A35

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T 01359 250720 www.manorhousehomefragrance.co.uk

Retail Profile - Imperial War Museum

Exit through the gift shop David Fenton, head of retail, admissions, publishing & brand licensing at the Imperial War Museum (IWM), talks to Editor Sally Norton about spitfires, poppies and Museum Shop Sunday.

David, what makes your job so special?

Being involved with an organisation that has a really important role to play – the IWM continues to report, monitor, collect and to tell the stories of the people who are involved in conflict right up to now. People have started to realise now that the commercial aspect can be a really important part of the visitor experience.

How many of you are there on the buying team?

Four – a gift buyer, a book buyer, plus two assistant buyers, as well as a merchandising manager. The team’s based in London but work across all five sites – the IWM Museum, the Churchill War Rooms, IWM Duxford, HMS Belfast and IWM North in Manchester - as well as the online shop. It’s busy!

Is there a different focus for each site – and online?

All five sites are completely different but there are some general core product ranges that work across all of 30 gifts today

them. However, over the last five years we’ve worked to develop product that relates to each particular site. For instance, we developed a range called

Churchill ‘I have nothing to offer’ for the Churchill War Rooms based around some of Churchill’s quotes.

At the main IWM we have a lot more space for shopping, with three permanent shops and a temporary exhibition space.

One is a dedicated bookshop as around 30% of our sales are books. We have at least one author signing event a week, encouraging people to buy with us rather than on amazon.

We made a decision back when I started to have around 95%

of books forward-facing. This involved cutting our range close to 45% and, what shocked everyone, was that this actually grew sales.

Online is generally quite low at about 4% at the moment, but it’s growing hugely and we’ve been investing in it over the last couple of years. We’ve been working on making the site more user-friendly and we have put in massive predictions for the future.

What’s your mix of merchandise?

We run right through from 50p badges to a fantastic £795 Irvin Flying Jacket. In terms of price pointing. 50% of our sales are under £10 and 30% between £10-£20, with an average spend of £8-10 depending on the branch.

Seventy percent of our sales are on the gift side, with around 40% of that being our own brand IWM product. This was again to drive profit, but also because we sometimes had real trouble finding what we needed.

going to be things that necessarily you’d find somewhere else.

How important do you think is licensing to your offering?

There are some licensed products like Airfix and Smart Fox that do incredibly well for us in our own shops. We have worked with the Royal Mint and Royal Mail through the Centenary and have just re-signed again because they’ve done incredibly well for us.

When it comes to brand licensing, people respond incredibly well to our name, our collection and our authority.

However, it can be difficult to help people see their way in because the subject of war and conflict can be a challenge; when we’re going somewhere like BLE, we have to show them quite obviously and almost create product for them.

How involved do the curators get in new ranges?

They’re really invaluable for offering inhouse expertise – that really is the USP for this sector. A good example is our Dazzle range, based on a camouflage used on battleships in the First World War, where patterns were used on the sides of ships to try and confuse the eye of the person who wanted to fire at the ship. We worked with a cool Shoreditch company called Patternity who designed a pattern concept based on Dazzle and used on it a few different products including a stunning limited edition print.

There’s also our incredibly successful range called ‘while there is tea, there is hope’, based around the history of tea and the fact it was one of the products that was never rationed because it was felt to keep morale up.

Bestselling category over past year?

The one that works across all five sites is aviation, especially the Spitfire – we call it our Dippy

Dinosaur! There’s something really exciting around the Spitfire itself and we have three different ranges based around it, with a t-shirt being our bestseller.

What trade shows do you visit to source merchandise?

Spring Fair, Autumn Fair and Top Drawer. We don’t go to international shows though because as a charity we don’t have the money. We also do quite a lot of things with the Association for Cultural Enterprises (ACE) who organise Museum Shop Sunday. We have meetings with them and go to their conference once a year.

Do you commission any special merchandise for the stores?

Our in-house team tends to work on things like packaging, but in terms of retail product we tend to use external design companies – probably 80-90%.

Because some of the volumes that we’re now dealing with, we can now start placing some serious orders.

You never want to be known as the museum that’s really expensive.

Is there such thing as a typical customer?

We have 2.5 million people through the doors, with everyone from school groups to veterans and elderly people, so we try and play it fairly central. The common theme is products that are of high quality, design and they’re not

Biggest challenges in 2018?

The Centenary! We have been planning for this for the last few years and the emphasis was based very much around poppies. The Wave and Weeping Window installations have been seen by four million people on their UK tour and have now been bequeathed to us.

As well as a beautiful book, we have done a gift range based on them.

Looking ahead to 2019?

We’re lucky in a way because we source mostly in the UK. I’m not overly concerned but that could be famous last words! For us it’s about making the most of the Centenary and building on that. We’re working on our online shop, building on our wholesale and trade side, and external collaborations. It just never stops.

Museum Shop Sunday

The IWM took part in the second Museum Shop Sunday last November. The initiative is organised by the Association for Cultural Enterprises in the UK. From gin tastings to book signings, the IWM had lots to celebrate. acenterprises.org.uk/museumshop-sunday

gifts today 31

instyle 3 of the best Mother’s Day treats

Spotted!

The Australian cult favourite Punch Neoprene has brought its signature handbags to the UK. Driven by sophistication and simplicity, Punch Neoprene’s vision was to create a minimal and polished bag that would be light with attitude. Made with neoprene fabric and strong rope to showcase.

New for Spring 2019 is the neoprene reversible bright coloured tote bags and matching cosmetic bags, with new gym/overnight bags, alongside a range of Puffer bags in new spring colours of navy and grey together with black, metallic silver and rose gold. Distributed exclusively by Valerie Graham Ltd. punchneoprene.co.uk

Equilibrium by Joe Davies Stylish new items, each with a heartfelt message joedavies.co.uk

William May Add ORO yellow, white and rose gold bangles to mum’s wrist wish list this season. Wear singly or in stacks william-may.co.uk

Miss Milly Wrap her up in style with an on-trend scarf from the fashion and jewellery wholesaler missmilly.co.uk

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Pull your socks up Turns out Gen Z aren’t all about technology, after all – they’re all about socks, too! According to footwear fashion retailer SockShop, 85% of 18-25-year-olds love receiving socks as a gift. Time to stock up on socks!

at w f o r ers e y b u m b u t f N gi o t y a K aw & n J e v y i b g be r 19 i a F g n at Spri nderson He

Meghan magic The Duchess of Sussex surprised guests at the British Fashion Awards in December, presenting the designer of her wedding dress with an award.

Wearing a black one-shoulder Givenchy dress, Meghan Markle announced the label’s artistic director Clare Waight Keller as the womenswear designer of the year.

THE COMPLETE GIFT SOLUTION HAS ARRIVED

JEWELLERY

CHRISTMAS

HANDBAGS

TABLEWARE

CANDLES

VISIT US AT: HARROGATE CHRISTMAS & GIFT FAIR 13TH -16TH JAN 2019 - HALL C - STAND C27 SPRING FAIR NEC BIRMINGHAM 3RD -7TH FEB 2019 - HALL 4 - STAND C50 To become a stockist email: bryn@alliedimports.com www.baileyandbrooke.co.uk

Gifts Today B&B Full Page 315 x 240mm.indd 3

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instyle

Focus on…

Bailey & Brooke Bailey and Brooke have created a stunning collection of stylish and on-trend handbags and wallets. Expertly designed and manufactured, the Bailey and Brooke design team travelled the world, visiting all the designer fashion shows to create these chic and functional handbags.

This Is Me Moda UK is to launch a This Is Me campaign at the February show. Addressing real fashion for real people, the new theme will be evident throughout the show including catwalk runway shows featuring a cross-section of body shapes mirroring real life. 17-19 February, NEC. moda-uk.co.uk

Inspired by the colours of the world, the vibrant Luminosity Collection has been designed to add a little sunshine whatever the season. This new collection includes a vast array of bracelets, earrings, bangles and necklaces, each one featuring a myriad of colours and accents. Spring Fair, Hall 4, stand C50.

Retailers say…

Reeves & Reeves

‘Lisa Angel’s jewellery has been a good seller for us as they update their designs each season and the prices are very reasonable.’

Soni Ahmed, Maia Gifts, Glasgow

‘I think rose gold and silver mixes will continue to do well this year, as will nature-inspired pieces like birds, bees and daschunds!’

Berith Lochery, Broc-Mor, Aberystwyth

‘PoM’s silver-plated bracelets and necklaces continue to sell well for us.’

PoM

Sarah Heeks, Pillar Box Cards, Wirral

‘Tartan’s right on trend. Team up with plain dark colours to give it that bold statement.’

Karen Greig, Destined for Home, Edinburgh

3 reasons to visit Jewellery & Watch See what’s new and fresh from the likes of Gecko, 1. Accessories by Park Lane, Carrie Elspeth and 2.

3.

Shrieking Violet.

The Studio. Visit the seminar theatre for keynote interviews with designers, trend insights and education sessions.

New layout. Designed to make shopping the show easier than ever.

3-7 February, NEC

jewelleryandwatchbirmingham.com.

Pilgrim

Maia Gifts

To view the full PUNCH handbags and accessories range, we will be exhibiting at:

TOP DRAWER

PURE

13 - 15th January 2019 on STAND 267

10 - 12th February 2019 on STAND V84

PURE ١٢ - ١٠th February STAND V٨٤ Drive, London, NW9 5QF Valerie Graham٢٠١٩ Ltd,on16 Boulevard Tel: +44 20 8200 5100

Email: sales@vgltd.co.uk

Enesco

It’s a Shore thing!

With fans queuing for hours to meet him at signing events around Europe and around 200 new pieces in production in any given year, Enesco’s Jim Shore is proof positive that, if you get it right, collectables are still big business. Editor Sally Norton caught up with the man himself in London on his recent UK visit to discover more

W

ell known for The Heartwood Creek collection at Enesco, Jim Shore’s success started with just a few Santa pieces, which grew into a huge collection that celebrates the seasons. Jim’s pieces are loved for their hand-carved style, folk art motifs and extensive colour palette. He stopped for a chat during his whistle-stop European tour to tell us more.

Jim, how and when did you come to work with Enesco?

It started with a cold call in 2000! I’d been producing pieces since the 1980s, but it took working with Enesco to really launch us.

Eventually they allowed me to make a small presentation at their office and liked what I showed them so much that we were in! Enesco are the biggest and best gift distributor in the world and I owe so much to them.

How did the essential Jim Shore ‘look’ come about?

As a natural artist I gravitate towards realism, but I have always had this passion for folk art, which is anything but realistic. Being raised in the rural South, I was very familiar with objects that were made by ordinary folks who just wanted to create something pretty. So, while not being an authentic folk artist myself, I emulated that style because I loved it.

In my studio in South Carolina I made a grouping of seven Santa Clauses, ignoring the fact that Santa is usually red with white trim. Instead, I used quilt patterns and added folk art detailing and it astonished me how good it looked. When it came to festive decorations, nothing like my style had been done before – that’s the original part. When I presented the Santas to Enesco they immediately saw that the look had potential.

How did your collaboration with Disney come about?

Early on, Disney contacted me through Enesco, so I headed out to California to discuss the prospects of co-branding. Disney at the time didn’t allow any deviation whatsoever and so, allowing me to deviate, was groundbreaking. It was at their own suggestion that I went back and did several versions of Mickey Mouse and some of the iconic pieces. I tried to be as true as I could to the character himself, while decorating him with all these flourishes. They loved it, accepted it, and since then I have done every property from Disney - from all the movies to the Princesses.

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single suggestion very seriously. From there we distill the ideas into a manageable collection to go forward with - whether it’s a new grouping or a new line extension.

I start each piece by making a very detailed drawing with whatever notations I want, so that I can talk to anyone in the team and we’re all looking at the same thing. The funny thing for me, though, is that it’s already in my mind and, if it was just me, I could throw the plan away.

What’s your stance on ‘collectables’?

How many pieces a year do you produce?

Around 200 pieces and I personally design every single one. We have a brainstorming session a couple of times a year with the Enesco staff, my folks, the sales team, retailers and customers, too. I pay very close attention to what everyone says and take every

From early on I forbade anyone to call my lines collectables, because it’s the collectors who determine what’s collectable, not us! I think of my work as pieces of art. I don’t care whether something’s considered whimsical or whatever, I pour myself into it and I want it to be looked upon as having artistic value. I do think that the people who respond to the artwork do so because they pick up on the emotional content that I put into it. At signings, I get to make a personal connection with people who share this with me and it means something to me. The stories they tell me are sometimes heartwarming, sometimes they’re heartbreaking. That part of it is what inspires me the most and keeps me going because I want the figurines to be more than just figurines.

Do you have a typical collector?

Different segments appeal to different folks. The

demographics are hard to pin down because I have grandmothers buying for granddaughters, granddaughters buying for grandparents, and so on. I have kids coming in who know more about me than I know about me!

Rather than think about the collectors, I think about the pieces. I want the pieces first and foremost to be artistically pleasing. When it comes to quality control, I am very demanding because even if we do a run of several thousand, the 571st piece is the only one to the person who buys it. I vowed that if anyone ever honours me by allowing me to sign a piece of artwork at a signing, then I will spend enough time with them to tell them how much I appreciate it. And 10 years from now when they look at that piece they’ll remember that.

How important is social media to your business?

Increasingly so. It’s a great way to reach out to the customer base. I ensure I know everything that’s being said on social media, so I can respond directly or direct the response myself.

Your favourite all-time piece?

There is one piece I think has had the most profound effect on me and I keep it on a pedestal in front of everything else – it’s the Nativity Angel.

In the design, I included the Nativity, twilight stars and a lily motif to suggest the beginning of Jesus on earth. When I’d finished it, it touched me and the colourations seemed perfect to me. Part of me didn’t want to put it in the production line, but I did and it’s become one of the most popular figurines. I’ve created lots of angels but this first one is very special to me and to lots of other people too.

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New Products What a gift

Lesser & Pavey Birds at Home Tabletop chinaware featuring native birds of the garden called ‘Country Life Birds’, comprising fine china mugs, jug, butter dish, eggcups, salt and pepper pots, tea, coffee and sugar canisters. There are also coasters, placemats, serving tray, teabag tidy, spoon rest, lap tray, lunch and shopping bags.

Tropical Picnic Time New eco-friendly bamboo range of tabletop wares in an array of tropical patterns, including beaker, bowl, plate, jug and trays in two sizes.

On the Move Bamboo Travel Mugs made with eco-friendly sustainable natural bamboo fibre; the mugs are re-usable, environmentally friendly and dishwasher and microwave safe.

Silver Art Style pieces for the home. There are nine large silver vase designs and styled animal studies including a French bulldog, swimming fish and elephants as well as mystical characters of unicorns and mermaids. Other style pieces include silver finish trumpeter, saxophonist guitarist and skull study.

Spring Fair, Hall 5, D10-E11 Call: 01322 279225 Email: sales@leonardo.co.uk Visit: leonardo.co.uk

What a mug Emma Ball

Emma Ball Ltd are launching a full range of their own mugs this year- all beautifully boxed and ready to gift for that someone special. One such mug is part of Emma›s own range called Woolly Puffins, a mix of Emmas OKD (obsessive knitting disorder) and love of painting puffins. The range includes melamine, a tea towel, various stationery items, 24 lovely cards and the mug! You can find all of this and plenty more on stand J23 at Scotland’s Trade Fair.

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Drinks on the go Museums & Galleries

Museums & Galleries are continuing to travel in style and are proud to reveal the launch of Bamboo Mugs at Spring Fair 2019.

The reusable bamboo mugs are food safe bamboo composite bases and lids with thermal grips (delivered inside the mug). The company directors Alan and Debbie Williams visited the factory in October to ensure the factory conditions met their requirements and were thrilled to see the results.

The products, £10.99, will feature 12 designs from M&G’s partners including V&A, Natural History Museum and The British Library. These will be the ‘must-have’ eco-friendly travel mugs of 2019.

Call: 0115 9858 081

Call: 01373 462165

Email: sales@emmaball.co.uk

Email: sales@mgml.co.uk

Visit: emmaball.co.uk

Visit: museumsgalleries.co.uk

New Products Get in character

Groovy UK Mr Men & Little Misses Created by Roger Hargreaves in 1971 in the UK, Mr Men was inspired by Roger’s eight-year old son, Adam, when he asked his dad, ‘What does a tickle look like?’ Thus, the book, Mr Tickle, was born! Mr Men and Little Miss has enjoyed multi-generational appeal throughout the years and currently one Mr Men or Little Miss book is sold every 2.5 seconds worldwide, and lifetime sales total 250 million books.

Today, the Mr Men and Little Miss brand now features over 90 (and growing) fun little characters with unique personalities but still have a very cool 1970s retro edge which sits well with the Groovy persona. Groovy’s range includes bathrobes, slippers, bags and lighting and they are very excited about the Little Miss Sparkle range full of glitter and of course ‘Sparkle’. Mr Strong has his own gym range with holdall, water bottle and gym towel. From Little Miss Naughty to Mr Cool which character are you?

Brandalised Groovy UK are developing exciting ranges with their new licence, Brandalised, an urban graffiti licence with high visibility and recognition with a collection of artworks and photographs of Banksy graffiti, the world’s most famous graffiti artist.

Ranges include iconic images such as ‘Lizzie’ The Queen, The Guard Dog (a balloon dog) and the street sign painter with the Yellow Daisy art. All ranges have unique features that sit perfectly with the Brandalised brand. The ranges include: bags, purses, keyrings, mugs, tea towels, aprons, oven gloves, coasters, placemats and stationery.

Groovy’s other licences include: Star Wars, Marvel, DC Comics, Suicide Squad, Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts, Assassins Creed, Mr Men, Frida Kahlo and Gudetama.

Spring Fair Stand 6H40-J41 Call: 01162391115 Email: hello@groovyuk.com Visit: groovyuk.om

Mummy Fox

Personalised memento Co

PMC’s new range of personalised Mother’s Day gifts includes their adorable Mummy Fox range. Building on the popularity of their Daddy Bear gifts in 2018, this adorable range will feature on a variety of best-selling personalised gifts, such as greetings cards, candles, hanging decorations and photo frames. Each item in the range can be fully personalised for an extra special mum!

PMC are constantly developing their range of personalised gifts to ensure that they remain at the cutting edge of the personalised gift market. As the UK’s leading supplier of personalised gifts, PMC offer a one-stop-shop solution. Their reliable drop-shopping and production service also allows customers to order with complete confidence. Visit PMC’s trade website to register for your account today.

Visit their stand at this year’s Spring Fair - Hall 4, E90-F91.

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

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Drink in style.

National Accounts Manager - Fizz Creations Ltd Location: Salary:

Lancing, West Sussex Competitive

Fizz Creations are a progressive and fast growing gift company that boasts most Major Retailers in the UK a its clients as well as exporting to over 50 countries. We have a new purpose built office and warehouse in Lancing as well as a well-staffed operational office in Hong Kong. We design, develop and source novelty and general gifts to multi channel retailers, from Independents to Multi National chains. You will join a very experienced and creative team of circa 90 people.

The position is predominantly office based, but can be tailored for the right candidate.

National Accounts Manager The ideal candidate will come from inside the industry, with good core experience of working with Multiple Retailers, developing ranges and products for them. They will have demonstrated competency in opening and developing new accounts and building successful working relationships. They will have a flair for spotting trends, sourcing and developing customer specific products in addition to sales of our catalogue items.

Reporting directly to the Sales Director, you will be allocated accounts, prospect accounts and work as part of a motivated and focused sales team.

In return we offer an above average salary package, generous bonus scale and benefits, with an appropriate company car.

Please apply in the first instance by sending your current Curriculum Vitae including your current salary details to: Lawrence Boon Fizz Creations Limited 6 Commerce Way, Lancing, West Sussex,BN15 8TA Email: lawrence@fizzcreations.com Full job description is available on request.

New Reusable b Bamboo Travell Mugs M now available from Museums & Galleries ToOur see the our fullcatalogue 2019 collectioniscontact your local agent, NEW available now. view online or call our sales team for more information.

See the full collection at Spring Fair:

STAND N16–P17, Hall 3 E: sales@mgml.co.uk

museumsgalleries.co.uk

Tel: 01373 462165

sales@mgml.co.uk Tel: 01373 462165 www.museumsgalleries.co.uk Home of the finest arts brands

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12/12/2018 17:4

Trade talk Trends, bestsellers and 2019 launches are all up for discussion this month.

Gifts Today loves to hear your views.

Perry Simmons MD, Stoneglow What sold well for you in 2018?

Bethan Fuller Apples to Pears What are your bestsellers?

Our multi award-winning Gift in a Tin range. We’re constantly working to develop and expand the range, bringing innovative ideas and concepts. Products that sold particularly well in 2018 were our award-winning Train Set in a Tin, and our metal construction kits such as Tractor in a Tin and Camper Van Construction Kit.

What will you be launching early 2019?

Our newest Gift in a Tin designs for 2019 include a simple sewing kit called George the Giraffe. Space Station is a new addition to our build range and we’re also launching My Garden play sets to get children out in the garden.

Our Luna collection had its first full year on the market, we featured in a John Lewis window display and we launched our new Infusion range.

What fragrances sold best for you in 2018?

Fragrances that resemble tea notes did well. As did ones where fruits are combined with popular winter bases such as vetiver, cedars and balsams.

What trends have you identified?

Tropical decor is a big interior trend for SS19 and we’ll be launching a stunning collection of Urban Botanic ceramic diffusers and candles with exotic aromas packaged in fun vibrant vessels.

What’s going to be big for 2019?

Rich plum shades in product and packaging, bold pieces to help rooms look modern and streamlined, and navy will be our core colour in 2019.

What initiatives can smaller retailers take to boost in-store sales?

Take display samples. It brings the products and concepts to life for the consumer – especially important for the Gift in a Tin range.

Yvonne Hambridge Marketing Manager, Price’s Candles What sold well for you in 2018?

Anna Borrett Product development manager, Ashleigh & Burwood What sold well for you in 2018?

Our Wild Things Luxury Scented Candles continued to sell strongly, with customers loving the home décor element to the product and fun side to the brand.

What fragrances sold best for you in 2018?

Our Wild Things Born With Cattitude Scented candles have been really popular and have notes of white ginger, star anise and black pepper.

The best seller is Crouching Tiger, with notes of mandarin, bergamot and sandalwood.

What trends have you identified?

The trend for supersizing, which we’ve followed with our extra large 700g Wild Things Scented Candles.

What’s going to be big for 2019?

Decorative candles, with interesting and decorative vessels. We’ve introduced candles for the first time to the best-selling The Scented Home collection – multi-wicked, a colourful printed tin with lid, and our proprietary ‘mega-throw’ fragrance release system.

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Our Fresh Air range was a bestseller; not only does it eliminate odours, but it’s deliciously fragrant too. Our Fragrance Collection is increasingly popular, with 24 fragrances currently available and the final six to complete the collection launching this year.

What fragrances sold best for you in 2018?

The contemporary and relaxing Spa Moments, the sweet and fruity Black Cherry as well as Sweet Vanilla, Lavender and Lemongrass.

What trends have you identified?

We’re seeing a demand for subtler fragrances combined with bold, bright colours. Our Fragrance Collection builds on these trends in 2019, with the launch of Magnolia that showcases the sweet magnolia flower along with top notes of rose and jasmine. It’s combined with bright pink wax poured into our timeless glass jars.

Tom Sykes Director, Xystos What sold well for you in 2018?

The Cello collection of candles, reed diffusers and accessories had great response from retailers, and this has encouraged us to add new scents and accessories for spring/summer.

What trends have you identified?

Consumers are far more discerning than they once were. They now appreciate that buying the cheapest candle isn’t necessarily a good option. There is also a tremendous appetite for electric melt burners, reed diffusers and accessories and we are delighted to have been ahead of the curve in this sector of the market with Cello.

How would you advise an independent retailer to build their candle offering?

Carefully! Even though you may like a particular fragrance, be sure to ask the supplier about the quality of the wax used, tunnelling, and the purity and length of the burn. And remember that packaging is so important if your product is to stand out in the crowded candle market.

Jonny Greves Buyer, Lesser & Pavey How have you continued to do so well in this current trading environment?

We’re continually developing new products and ranges of giftware and home décor.

What’s your bestseller?

We are definitely seeing considerable growth in eco-friendly products such as our Bamboo fibre travel mugs and kids’ feeding sets.

What products and ranges are you most excited about for 2019?

William Morris designs - well known and historic. We have lots of new designs and new products ready to launch early 2019. We also have lots of new designs from our in house design studio, new licensed designs from The Jennifer Rose Gallery and The MacNeil Studio, both offering a variety of designs to accommodate many styles and consumer tastes.

Paul Hooker Commercial director, Joe Davies How have you continued to do so well in this current trading environment?

We have over 5000+ new lines every year so there’s always something new. We have seen a lot of customers taking advantage of our ‘Little & Often’ order system and consolidating their supply with us.

What are your bestsellers?

Gin is very strong on everything from money boxes to fabulous hand decorated Gin Glasses, and our snoozies! boozies have sold extremely well. New addition Sock Society, a range of funky socks is repeating very well. On jewellery, hand painted fashion lines are definitely in demand.

What ranges/products arze you most excited about for 2019?

Home sentiment is very strong, with a crafty hand-made style coming through. Also tipped are country themes, tribal designs, rustic rural woodland, seaside and celestial, particularly on items like jewellery.

How optimistic are you for 2019?

One thing about our trade is that it’s innovative, vibrant and full of hardworking, dedicated, independent-thinking retailers. We will focus on doing what we do best - providing outstanding service and product for our customers.

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Top Drawer

No ordinary event Held at Olympia London from 13-15 January 2019, Top Drawer will present a global edit of over 1500 design-led brands across nine curated lifestyle sectors: Gift, Home, Fashion, Greetings & Stationery, PLAY, Spotted, Food Emporium, Table and Wellbeing GIFT Off-beat Spanish brand Doiy, and independent UK-based global award-winning home and giftware brand, Cubic are amongst the expertly curated selection of home-grown and international design-led brands that will be showcasing their new ranges and best sellers. Designers and developers of captivating gifts, Suck UK, Sunnylife, NPW/ Vivona Brands and Zakka Europe, will showcase their unique and quirky ranges; spanning everything from corkboards to corkscrews, all with a fun edge.

HOME Expect the best in interior accessories, kitchen & dining, furniture & lighting, luxury tableware and outdoor living. LSA International, Stelton Studio, Sango, Alessi, Grand Illusions, PR Home, Blomus, Forma House, Fratelli Guzzini Spa, Grand Illusions, Coach House and many more will showcase their latest ranges.

GREETINGS & STATIONERY A must-visit for inspired retailers to discover stunning and unique greetings cards and stationery from a wide range of new and established brands showcasing new products and designs including East End Prints, Up With Paper, Bark & Rock, Belly Button Designs, The Art File, Go Stationery, Roger La Borde, U Studio and Wrap.

New names to watch include awardwinning Swedish stationery and office accessories brand, Kikki.K and beautiful, witty cards from Mean Mail.

FASHION With the UK’s largest edit of jewellery and accessories this sector features the likes of Pilgrim, My Doris, Happy Socks/ Hysteria, Johnny Loves Rosie, Il Bussetto, Anchor & Crew, Orbitkey, Narratives The Agency, Vanile on the Rock, Double00, Secrid, Esoteric London, Shyla Jewellery, A Weathered Penny and One & Eight.

PLAY This returns after a successful September launch—bringing with it an outstanding and unique curation of children’s products, ranging from textiles and clothing to beautiful treasures.

WELLBEING Includes irresistible seasonal products and ranges with year-round appeal from a sumptuous edit of brands including botanical candle artisans Fellowstead, premium Antipodean home fragrance brand, Peppermint Grove Australia, along with new brand Nuddy.

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CRAFT With everything ranging from the purely decorative to beautifully functional pieces, each of the leading contemporary makers’ distinctive works will bring aesthetic expression, stunning individuality and character to any store.

Award-winning maker Jane James Ceramics, draws on inspiration from the stunning coastline of Jersey, creating bold and bright ceramic pieces that capture the shimmering colours of the sea, while Annie Neill will showcase her range of handcrafted scarves and accessories, created from the finest materials. Belgian jewellery brand Lore Segers Jewels will make their debut within Craft at Top Drawer, displaying minimalist, geometrical statement jewellery with a unique architectural edge.

FOOD EMPORIUM The place to source mouth-watering delights and edible gifts, with everything from condiments and chocolates to biscuits and beverages. Returning brands showcasing their irresistible wares will include Spice Kitchen, Coco Chocolatier, Paxton & Whitfield, while Lemonaid Beverages present their delicious line of organic and Fairtradecertified soft drinks for the first time.

SPOTTED A thrilling introduction to the most innovative, market-ready new products and designers across all of Top Drawer’s sectors, including handmade wellness brand, Divine and Handmade, print designers, Laura Jackson Designs, and UK-based homeware studio, Lumetrica.

topdrawer.co.uk

GERMANY SINCE 1880 Top Drawer Stand K41

Steiff UK 01483 266643 info@steiff.de

Top Drawer

Drinks on the go Swig, Valerie Graham GIFT L49

Swig launch new range of on-the-go drinkware in four new exciting printed designs.

The range includes stemless wine/drinking cups, mugs, tumblers and bottles. ‘I noticed there was no premium hydration company offering the variety of cup shapes women want, and certainly not in colours that appeal to a female demographic. I felt there was an unmet need in the marketplace to combine those elements into one brand,’ says founder and CEO Tracee Mathes.

The signature difference With the added thickness, the insulation of your Swig now keeps your drinks hot for up to nine hours or cold for up to 12 hours. All Signature Swigs are dishwasher safe.

The new Signature Swig Collection features a branded silicone non-slip base. The silicone is noise-reducing and keeps your Swig in place wherever you go.

Swig drinkware uses double-wall, vacuum-sealed insulated technology, which means the space between the stainless steel walls is void of matter. With no medium for heat to transfer, your drink’s temperature will not be impacted by the outside temperature.

Call: 020 8200 5100 Email: sales@vgltd.co.uk Visit: vgltd.co.uk

Q&A with Vent

Ahead of Top Drawer, we caught up with Evan Lewis from the ethical stationery brand to discover what Vent will be bringing to the show.

What is Vent?

We are an ethical stationery brand and call ourselves a Giving Enterprise. We guarantee money from every sale will go towards education projects from the very first sale to very the last. Every item in our range is made from 100% recycled or sustainably sourced materials. Vent is a profit with purpose enterprise. This means in theory we can turn a profit, one day. In the meantime we give to those who are undertaking the great work on projects globally.

What inspired you to set it up?

In 2014 I bought a run-down set of machinery that could turn old CD cases into pencils. After a year of hard work we’d increased production and I had the capacity to make a million more pencils than I needed for my existing markets. I decided I wanted to do something inspirational with them. Children the world over are missing out on school for a multitude of reasons, including war, natural disasters and extreme poverty and it’s widely recognised that education is the single most important thing a child can have to lift themselves and their families out of poverty. I thought I’d sell my extra pencils and support existing education projects around the world.

Tell us about your move into the high street?

The internet is one thing but we want people to touch and feel the range, get involved on a one to one level and show their support. That’s why we’re moving into the high street.

What will you be showing at Top Drawer? he New Our Original Range of hardback FSC certified notebooks and our flagship packs of pencils. The Ideas Collection, sketch books and notebooks made from Corn paper and pocket books made de from reclaimed coffee cups and recycled paper. We’ll also be launching a small accessories range, canvas bags, ethically sourced, and Eco Travel Mugs, made using bamboo composites.

Why did you choose this show?

I’ve been as a visitor and loved it. It’s also the first of the year and we’re excited to get going as soon as possible.

Email: evan@ventforchange.co.uk Visit: ventforchange.co.uk 46 gifts today

VISIT US TO DISCOVER OVER 100 NEW DESIGN-LED GIFTS TOP DRAWER

13 – 15 Jan - London, Olympia

STAND: I61

MAISON ET OBJET

18 – 22 Jan - Parc des Expositions de Villepinte

STAND: A56 – B55, SMART GIFT

SPRING FAIR

3 – 7 Feb - NEC, Birmingham

STAND: 6H42-J43

T: +44 (0) 1225 789909 sales@wildandwolf.com www.wildandwolf.co.uk

Top Drawer

Firm favourites Wild & Wolf

This season, Wild & Wolf are springing into action with over 120 new lines featuring fresh colours, bold new prints, and bespoke designs.

For Gentlemen’s Hardware, the brand aimed to equip gents with superior and durable goods for daily rituals and noble endeavours, this season sees new designs for the adventurous and thrill seekers with multi-tool gadgets like the Adrenaline Multi-Tool and Marine Multi-Tool.

In Yes Studio, the vivacious and playful brand with something to say, they introduce several new lines including the ‘Mixed Emotions Club’, a fabulous collection of double-ended nail lacquers and the ‘Nail Bar’ a vibrant, pick ‘n’ mix collection of manicure tools.

The stylish collection of contemporary accessories from Pretty Useful Tools this season have been designed to provide even more practical solutions for life on-thego, with new foldable Back Packs and Travel Pouches featuring vibrant new Midnight Blue, Camo Coral and Sea Spray Blue Haze prints.

These are just a few of their favourites, but there’s plenty more, so do visit them this Spring at Top Drawer (Stand I61), Maison et Objet (Stand A56 – B55) and Spring Fair (Stand 6H42-J43).

Visit: wildandwolf.co.uk

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To view the full ASA Selection assortment, we will be exhibiting at: TOP DRAWER 13 - 15 th January 2019 on STAND L 49 AMBIENTE 8 - 12 th February 2019 on HALL 4.0 / BOOTH D 39

www.asa-selection.com

Valerie Graham Ltd 16 Boulevard Drive, London, NW9 5QF Tel: 020 8200 5100 Email: sales@vgltd.co.uk

simple things are beautiful

Top Drawer

Statement style Culinary Concepts

Renowned for their luxurious home accessories, lighting and furniture, 2019 is set to be another stylish year for Culinary Concepts. With a whole host of new additions added to their bestselling repertoire, visit them at their 2019 shows and discover a world of unique designs influenced by top trends of the moment.

Harrogate Christmas and Gift will see them introducing over 600 new and exciting festive lines - heavily inspired by vintage finishes and antique shop delving. With subtle colour pops of dusty pink and sage green, amidst a sea of shimmering silver, their huge assortment of stunning baubles and festive decorative accessories will join their collection of hand cut glass bud vases, dainty tea light holders and smaller gift ideas.

Statement style is the focus for the January Furniture Show and here they will be introducing their newest furniture pieces, accent soft furnishings and contemporary lighting. Their distinctive new musical collection sees traditional trumpets and clarinets transformed in the most unique way to create eye-catching table lamps and side tables. They’ll also be taking elegant upholstery to the next level with plush velvet style armchairs, two-seaters and snuggle chairs with trendy two-tone finishes and exquisite piped edges.

Their vintage-feel Persian rugs with beautifully faded patinas will also be waiting to be discovered in an array of chic colours and patterns.

Taking inspiration from around the globe and the beauty of the natural world, take a trip from the plains of Africa to the stunning Orient at Spring Fair where they will be showcasing their newest barware and home décor accessories featuring lions, elephants, cranes and swans. With new additions to their signature octopus collection too, they’ll have everything needed to transform any interior space into a stylish haven.

Visit: culinaryconceptsliving.com

Soft cuddly friends Steiff K41

Margarete Steiff GmbH takes enormous pride knowing they have always remained at the forefront of the toy industry. Not only did they gift children the very first soft toy in 1880 but they took the toy industry and indeed the world by storm with their inspirational invention, the teddy bear, in 1902. Today the company embraces its history, and in doing so embraces innovation, imagination and perfection.

In the summer of 2017, the company’s new Soft Cuddly Friends range was launched resulting in many children around the world enjoying and adoring a new exciting range of toys from Steiff. The company’s new Soft Cuddly Friends embrace all the ingredients that made Steiff famous – ultra-high quality materials, intricate hand craftsmanship, and the famous Button in Ear – in a fresh new collection of contemporary styles designed to appeal to today’s children.

Six fabulous characters held the coming out party for Soft Cuddly Friends and in only 18 months the range now boasts over 25 designs, all in a multitude of colours and sizes and a little something extra!

With gift boxing available and price points starting at £15 retail, it is no surprise to see why these new kids in town are such a big hit across the world.

Steiff has pursued excellence with determination, fuelled by their guiding principle ‘Only the best is good enough for our children’. Soft Cuddly Friends illustrates once more the company’s motivation and drive for innovation within the Toy Industry. Steiff are proud to announce a world premiere on stand K41 at Top Drawer, Olympia (13-15 January 2019).

Not only can children cuddle up to their favourite soft toy, they can keep them close, always, on their phone. Soft Cuddly Friends have their own emojis. Imagine the fun personalising your messages with your favourite character! So you really will become inseparable from your favourite Steiff friend! A simple link will enable Soft Cuddly Friends emojis to be downloaded to the phone.

Steiff are thrilled to add this extra dimension to their playful characters who are sure to become friends for life. Soft as soft can be, always ready for the biggest cuddle possible, they’re destined to become everyone’s most cherished companions, day in and day out.

The story of Steiff is full of adventure, ambition and innovation lavish with romance, nostalgia and childhood dreams. It is the story of a company responsible for the unequalled popularity of the Teddy bear, the world’s most favourite soft toy. Over 100 years later and proud of their heritage yet forward-looking and venturesome, Steiff never stops chasing dreams.

After all, just what would bedtime be like if there were no cuddly friends to snuggle up to?

Unimaginable!

Call: 01483 266643 Email: leyla.maniera@steiff.com Visit: steiff.com 50 gifts today

Get creative Block O46

Beautiful things for creative living. Born in 2000, this UK studio has an innovative approach to design, developing products that celebrate creativity.

Each Block product is available in a carefully curated colour palette.

Visit: blockdesign.co.uk

Spanish style Doiy K55A

Contemporary homewares and lifestyle accessories from Barcelona.

Visit: doiydesign.com

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Social Media - Ross Hewitt

New year, new habits, new success?

Consumer behaviour is changing and we need to change with it

W

Ross Hewitt, Managing Director of Secret Pie and author of ‘Savvy Social Media’. Ross began his digital marketing career in 1998 when social networking was something you only did in a pub. He set up Secret Pie in 2010 and has been helping clients get found and loved online ever since. www.secretpie.co.uk | Ross@secretpie.co.uk | 01904 410027 | Twitter: @Secret_Pie

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ell, 2018 is done, and nearly every retailer I have spoken to recently has told me it has been a bit of a slog, certainly in the last six months.

So, what has changed? Perhaps the nationals and supermarkets are taking bigger bites of the pie?

Maybe the ever-increasing power of the likes of Amazon and eBay is becoming an exponential threat as the volume of consumers who run their lives through those platforms also increases.

The online waters are stained red from the blood of competition, and I am writing this in December, not long after Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It seems likely that the discounts will now just merge into a pre then post-Christmas sale... which will lead us nicely into the January sales.

A decent enough percentage of gift shoppers must be touching and feeling things somewhere in the real world before ordering online. Do you sometimes suspect that you’re a real-world showroom for someone else’s web sales?

Or are you finding that footfall is decreasing? Are you struggling to attract the late teens and twenties consumers, as they are the very ones that have grown up relying on the internet for pretty much all their needs?

But then, quite a few retailers are more than holding their own.

They seem to be the ones that are very active and proactive in their marketing, especially with email and social media. Maybe there is some link between consumer messaging and consumer interest, or advertising and sales? Who’d have thought it?

If you are seemingly drowning

in those red waters of competition then it might be time to shake things up, and perhaps dramatically. It’s hard to stay afloat in bloody waters and you are unlikely to be building a loyal customer list or dealing with customers who give any sort of fig about your business. They are just chasing a deal.

“

Think about the people you are serving and the thousands of people in your catchment area that you aren’t

”

So, look for less competitive clear blue water. Think about the people you are serving and the thousands of people in your catchment area that you aren’t. Walk the streets and shopping centres in your vicinity and look for the gaps. For instance, the rise and rise in popularity of decent board games has been meteoric these last few years, but can someone buy them on your high street?

For many retailers I don’t see the business model of focussing wholly on the same old price-led traditional gifts being sustainable for many more years, especially if it is supported by little to no marketing or consumer messaging, and especially if a business doesn’t stand out from the crowd.

While on the point of standing out, I recommend reading The Purple Cow

by Seth Godin, so add that to your

2019 reading list.

Of course, I am not suggesting you should all start to stock board games.

I am saying though that if 2018 has been hard and you can see some challenging patterns in the last two or three years of trading then maybe 2019 is your year of change and you need to change based on the needs of people in your catchment area. As Einstein never said (don’t believe the internet), the definition of insanity is ‘doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results’.

Wherever your business is based, times have changed and the lives of people around you have altered dramatically in the last decade. How can you best serve the people who live near you? Do they even know you exist? When was the last time you pushed flyers through doors or advertised (properly) locally? Do your opening hours and days match the rhythm of your town? Do you still stock ‘this brand’ and ‘that product’ even though fashion and popular taste have left them behind simply because they used to do well for you?

Do you offer a cup of tea to that regular customer who comes in for a browse when the store is quiet? Do you ever run any events or evenings to introduce your new ranges? Do you have a blog and love it and tend it? Do you email past customers with relevant information about new products? Do you even capture email addresses? Do you want 2019 to be the same as 2018?

If the answer is ‘yes’ then high five! If it is a ‘no’ then understand that 2018 isn’t a blip or a glitch in the Matrix…it is the reality of how consumer behaviour is changing, and you need to change with it. And you know it’s been coming for a while now.

Giving&Living

Be inspired!

Get ahead with a visit to The Giving & Living trade show from 13-16 January. It’s the perfect chance to restock successful lines and get your hands on the latest new and exclusive 2019 gift and homeware product ranges ahead of the competition.

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unning in plenty of time for Easter, Mother’s Day, the summer season and beyond, Giving & Living brings in visitors from far and wide, with 43% of visitors travelling over 50 miles to attend. The show presents an unrivalled selection of products, from bags to books, cards to clothing, maps to mugs, and soaps to sculpture, at a wide range of price points. With wellestablished and familiar names such as Wilton Bradley and Dunoon, alongside first-timers such as Shobu, Nordic London Jewellery, Berber Leather, Cardinal Plus and Lovethatstuff, you’ll have to go a long way to find a greater choice. Giving & Living also has more Coast than anyone else. There’s nowhere better for discovering the perfect gifts, and home accessories, for those keen to target the holiday and souvenir market.

Another big attraction is the Newcomers area, comprising companies that have never exhibited at a trade show before. It’s a brilliant way to spot emerging design talent and novel product ideas before your competitors. Names to watch out for include Jane Faires Art, Life’s a Breeze,

Fact File: Where: Westpoint, just outside Exeter When: Sunday 13 January to Wednesday 16 January Call: 01934 733433, Follow: @giving_living Visit: givingliving.co.uk

Purbeck Candles, The Cornish P Purb Pur urbec beck C andl and dles les T he Cor he C o nis nish i h Workshop and ABitQuackers.

However, it’s not just about getting the perfect products to sell; it’s much more. With card payment systems, retail services, ePos systems, free workshops in Speakers’ Corner, and more, Giving & Living can help your business in many ways. Whether you want to discuss personalising merchandise to match your brand or

SK Style and Silver Sapling.

The Designed & Made in Britain area is another hotspot for sourcing unusual products that combine high quality with a distinct local flavour and a great story. For many of these exhibitors Giving & Living is the only show at which they take a stand – so it’s a one-off opportunity for retailers to gain exclusive access to locally produced items that discerning customers will love. They include the likes of Black Dog, Beach Art Glass, Wildcards and Emmeline Simpson.

There’s also a strong showing by exhibitors with great, and these companies in the Naturally category have great ethical and/or environmental credentials, and are clearly identified so that you can find them with ease.

They include Claire Vaughan Designs,

Did you know?

Ninety percent of visitors to last year’s show would recommend it, with 93% of them planning on returning in 2019. Eightyeight percent placed orders at the show or shortly afterwards, and 47% found three or more suppliers. negotiate the best possible terms, discover niche products that reflect Britain’s unique heritage or just catch up with the latest fashions, trends and ideas, Giving & Living is one show you can’t afford to miss.

gifts today 53

Giving&Living

Surviving, thriving, celebrating 35 years!

Wild Things A205

We caught up with Jules Vahrman for a chat.

Q: Can you tell us about Wild Things?

A: People love our crystals. They make rainbows when the sun shines through them. We use best quality Swarovski crystals. Our other suppliers also do a fantastic job for us too, none more so than our ever-expanding team of homeworkers (45 and counting) who assemble our window ornaments.

Some of them have been with us for nine years.

combined designs from our etched jewellery ranges with Swarovski crystal. These eventually morphed into Wild Things’ most popular range, Crystal Fantasies! A meeting with an advisor ten years ago transformed our thinking and we focused on the crystals. You are selling a service. Create a one-stop crystal supplier for retailers.

Q: What’s new?

Q: Has your new illuminated display booth been a hit…?

A: Customers have reported massively increased sales as a result of the booth over the last few months, so we are looking forward to showing it off around the country in 2019. We love doing trade shows (apart from set up and pack down!) and meeting people, especially our customers.

Our product in particular has to be seen to be appreciated, crystals are so difficult to photograph.

Q: What’s the history of Wild Things?

A: It hasn’t always been plain sailing but the hardship years make us appreciate our amazing growth all the more. Over the years, we’ve moved from Berkeley, California to the UK, created earrings from holographic material, acetate and tiddlywinks, and developed a successful but labour-intensive range of ‘designer’ jewellery, initially based on Aztec and Incan designs and then extending to geckos, iguanas, seahorses and other creatures.

After a move to Devon, the business bumped along the ground for 10 years, during which time we started developing a range that

54 gifts today

A: Things are going incredibly well right now. We have just had a rebrand. We are about to launch a new all-bells-and whistles website. We sell all over the world and sixty percent of our entire production is shipped to the USA. European sales are on the rise. Domestic turnover is increasing rapidly, with garden centres and independents making up the core customer base. We have a fantastic team of people. We have invested in some highend machinery and have a whole load of ideas in progress. Full circle. 2019 sees plans for a range of jewellery based on the original laser earrings but using Swarovski crystals! As well as Giving & Living, you can find us in Glasgow (K17) and Spring Fair Birmingham (Hall 4 Stand C61). wildthingsgifts.com

2019 GIVING & LIVING

SHOW STATS

IDEAS THAT SELL

88% of visitors placed orders at the show or shortly afterwards.

47% found 3 or more new suppliers.

89%

Giving & Living is the largest Gift and Home trade show in the South West and covers more Coast than anyone else.

of our visitors would recommend the show.

93% will be back next year in 2019.

43% of visitors travelled over 50 miles to come to the show.

13 - 16 January 2019 Exeter www.givingliving.co.uk

To secure your free trade entry badge register online or call 01934 733456.

Stands are selling fast – to enquire call 01934 733433.

G&L Gifts Today halfpage ad 210x138.indd 1

07/12/2018 08:57

Sales Agents Required for Leading Candle Company in two territories • The North East • South and North of Ireland Focused and high-energy agent required for North East Region in England. County’s from Northumberland down to Yorkshire Client: Price’s Candles are a historic and prestigious candle company acting as Candle makers to Her Majesty The Queen. For over • Competitive commission 180 years, Price’s has led the way in the candle • Regional Exclusivity industry with quality and innovation. Price’s • Market support/samples supplied have a comprehensive selection of candles • Trade exhibition support from fragrance to dinner and utility.

Price’s are one of the largest candle companies within For further details or to apply for this role, please email: the UK and are looking for a highly motivated sale Lisa Fuller Lisa.fuller@prices-candles.co.uk agent to continue to grow the company.

Consumer Insights

Parents Insights have teamed up with Gifts Today to look at how gifting forms a central part of the new parent ecosystem. Jenny Kieras, product manager, explains more

Gifting at the heart of the family ecosystem N

ew parents and young families represent a hugely exciting opportunity for brands and retailers, as gifting occurs far more regularly with new and young families. One trend that we have seen huge growth in just the last few years are baby showers. The number of parents having baby showers has increased by 8% in the last quarter alone. It’s the parents with incomes over £100k most likely to have a baby shower, with 50% agreeing that they have had, or will have, one.

Gift-giving is so intrinsically linked to welcoming a new baby to the family, and brands and retailers need to be conscious not only of the opportunities, but understand the dynamics of today’s complex and digi-centric parents and family ecosystems.

Popularity is also high amongst parents under 25, who are also avid social media fans (over three quarters had Facebook profiles) and so particularly keen to share their showers on the platform, but also even more so on photo-based site Instagram. This may be in part due to the many high-profile celebrity baby showers that have occurred this year with the likes of Kylie Jenner holding a baby shower sponsored

by Amazon, showing how brands and influencers alike are seeking to capitalise on these events to increase engagement and awareness amongst their shared target audiences.

56 gifts today

We have also seen the trend for these celebrations spread across genders and in our latest survey data (August to October) found that dads were 14% more likely to have had, or were planning, a shower than expectant mums. It certainly demonstrates the increasing opportunity these events provide for a whole host of gifting and giftrelated products and services.

Once baby is born gifting continues to occur relatively frequently. There are key milestones such as birth (where some 15%, on average, of the items parents have ready for baby are received as gifts) or christenings and of course birthdays but parents also utilise gift-giving as a method of reward, with almost one in 10 parents saying this is the main reason they buy toys for their baby or toddler.

With the kids and parents sector both representing such a significant opportunity and going through such a revolution at the moment, we are delighted to have established a strategic partnership with The Giftware Association, where we will be working with them to increase awareness of the opportunities and how our data and insights can improve the effectiveness of suppliers’ and retailers’ advertising, marketing, product development and sales promotions.

We will launch two new industry awards with the GA - the Kids Gift of the Year award and Parents Gift

of the Year award. Rather than an industry judging panel, the final decision on the winners will be made by the kids and parents, ultimately the end consumers, creating a whole new audience for the products to be judged by. The awards will run alongside The Giftware Association’s successful Gift

“

Gift-giving is so intrinsically linked to welcoming a new baby to the family, and brands and retailers need to be conscious not only of the opportunities, but understand the dynamics of today’s complex and digicentric parents and family ecosystems

”

of the Year competition. The new competitions will run throughout the year and, compared with the existing entry options, will award seasonal winners across spring, summer, autumn and winter providing multiple opportunities for successes to be recognised and creating fantastic exposure for companies looking to

promote their products and ranges to get a totally different viewpoint of their gifts.

Entries for both awards will be open from the beginning of December and will run throughout the year. Companies can choose to enter both the awards or just one and for the number of seasons required, giving them a chance to enter different products throughout the year when new products become available. The winners will receive an industry report, marketing collateral to shout about their win and the chance to attend a networking lunch with buyers and industry peers as well as their winning products joining the stand in the Gift of the Year pavilion at Spring Fair. To find out more and to enter the awards go to kidsgiftoftheyear.co.uk or parentsgiftoftheyear.co.uk For more information on how insights can help inform your business strategy go to: parentsinsights.co.uk/giftstoday or call the team on 0330 159 6631 Parents Insights are the UK’s most comprehensive and dynamic market intelligence on all things parents from expecting through to raising babies and toddlers up to age four – surveying more than 200 different parents every week (10,000 a year).

For more information and to receive a free report visit: parentsinsights.co.uk/ giftstoday

Harrogate Christmas & Gift

It’s Christmas!

Whatever your buying requirements, Harrogate Christmas & Gift has it all wrapped up.

Exhibitors and visitors at Harrogate Christmas & Gift 2019 are invited to a night of fun and outstanding entertainment from top billing comedian — Dara Ó Briain. This ticketed event takes place at the Old Swan, Harrogate on the evening of Sunday 13 January. Tickets are £45+VAT per person and include a threecourse dinner.

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t’s the season to be jolly – according to the high streets, which are now decked with holly.

But while the shops are filled to the brim with tempting goodies for the festive season, have you wondered where most of the baubles, tinsel and gifts have come from?

Well – officially, whilst some of these could have been hand-made by elves and delivered by Santa himself, the majority of Christmas products were sourced in Harrogate last January at the UK’s biggest trade show specifically for Christmas

products – Harrogate Christmas & Gift.

This is the event that every self-respecting retailer wanting to get Christmas off to a cracking start, from garden centres and department stores to independent gift shops and tourist attraction outlets, attends.

January might seem a strange time to be getting ready for the following Christmas, but this is when consumer habits and trends are fresh in the mind – the colours that were the coolest, what was more popular - Santa suits or jolly jumpers, unicorns 58 gifts today

The Big Night Out

or elves? So, with a heads up on hot products and loads of brand-new ones launching at the show ready to order, retailers and buyers really do get things wrapped up and ready 11 months prior to Christmas.

Simon Anslow, show organiser, explains: ‘Harrogate Christmas & Gift is quite surreal for everyone involved as whilst Christmas is officially over for the rest of the UK – in Harrogate it lasts for several weeks more. Not only are the halls of the Harrogate Convention Centre alive with carols and twinkling lights, but the streets of Harrogate remain decked with decorations until the end of the show too.

‘Buyers attending get all of their orders in and can then relax and concentrate on their customers for the rest of the year happy in the knowledge that Christmas 2019 is taken care of.’

When: 13-16 January 2019 Where: Harrogate Convention Centre Visit: harrogatefair.com

Harrogate Christmas & Gift

All aboard!

Langs Stand A6

It really has been full steam ahead these last few months at the Langs’ offices in Derby! Their design team have been busy creating all their new Christmas collections ready to be launched at the Harrogate Christmas and Gift Fair. They have twelve brand new collections ranging from traditional reds with a twist to soft glittery pinks – they have got it all covered.

‘Midnight Sparkle’ is a beautiful, sophisticated collection featuring deep navy blue that is very much on trend for 2019. Mixing it with hues of gold makes a very striking colour combination and it wouldn’t be Langs without being finished with lots of glitter.

‘Have a Mooey Christmas’ - after the great success of their ‘Down on the Farm’ collection earlier this year, their hand painted cow had to feature in their new festive ranges. With a play on words this is fun and a little quirky which is what Langs is all about.

‘Christmas time is family time’ - as all of their customers loved the hand painted bear that featured on their very popular Mum collection, they have extended this lovely character to other family members. They have also introduced a Christmas Eve box that the whole family can share – sure to become a treasured keepsake to be enjoyed for years to come.

These are just a few highlights and the team have so much more to share with you. They have over 25 new collections for spring/summer 2019 all designed in Derbyshire by their talented team. They are here to look after their customers, and where they can help they will. They do offer bespoke artwork to help the indie have something a little bit different.

As well as Christmas & Gift, they will be exhibiting all their new collections at Giving & Living, Scotland’s Trade Fair and Spring Fair. They look forward to seeing you there!

Call: 01332 340927 Visit: richardlang.co.uk

Christmas in style Joe Davies C19

Joe Davies are delighted to be attending the Harrogate Christmas and Gift fair again this year. The company will launch over 700 new products at the fair to truly help you get your Christmas buying started in style.

Among the products on the company’s stand is their best selling Sock Society collection.

The Winner of Australian Gift of the Year 2018, Sock Society has been a huge hit since its introduction to the UK market. These funky, bright, unisex socks make the perfect Christmas gift and their top quality and design makes their RRP of just £4.99 very impressive indeed. Christmas designs were introduced in time for 2018 and proved one of the company’s hottest festive products.

As with Joe Davies’ entire range of 8500 lines, their Christmas collection is available using their trademark ‘Little & Often’ order system, with a minimum order of just £100 and free delivery.

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

60 gifts today

www.puckator.co.uk

January 13 - 16 Christmas & Gift - Harrogate, UK Hall B Stand B4 Call: 0800 011 6969 customerservices@puckator.co.uk www.puckator.co.uk

Harrogate Christmas & Gift

Grotto of giftware Puckator Hall B, stand B4

If you’re heading to the Harrogate Christmas fair this January, make sure to stop

by Puckator’s grotto of giftware. Their designers have had their elf hats firmly set atop their heads, busy working away on lots of exciting new Christmas items, ready to preview in Harrogate. Not only will the Puckator team be unveiling new festive designs, but these will be showcased on a whole range of brand new products; they really are spoiling us.

From the gothic delights of ‘Deathly Christmas’, the highlight of which is a Santa hat topped skull encased in a glittery snowstorm, to an expansion on last year’s incredibly popular ‘Feline Festive’ there is plenty to see. However the items they are most eager to see are the wonderfully tacky and kitsch glass bauble decorations making their debut in 2019. Now when we say tacky we mean this as the highest form of compliment, we are sure you are aware that when talking about glass Christmas ornaments, the tackier the better.

This is Puckator’s first foray into designing tree adornments and they do not disappoint. All the lovable characters featured in their most recent holiday designs come to life in a splendour of sparkles and shine. You’ll find sloths peeking out from gift bags, pandas with an oversized portion of Christmas pudding and even a friendly T-Rex festooned in Christmas livery. So if you’re keen to get ahead of the curve for the 2019 festive seasons be sure to put Puckator to the top of your Christmas must see list.

Call: 0800 011 6969 Email: customerservices@puckator.co.uk Visit: puckator.co.uk

Splosh set to make a splash Xystos D17

Xystos will introduce eight new Splosh ranges at Harrogate Christmas & Gift.

Hamptons features a variety of coastal homewares that incorporate soft white washed wood and deep blue coral reefs that capture the essence of beachside living, while the Magnolia homewares collection brings the simplistic elegance of magnolias into the home mixed with organic textures and trending tones of offwhite and olive green.

The Splosh Mushrooms range features caring messages – such as ‘you are the sunshine that lights up my life’ – while Travel Maps enable the adventurous to ‘pin’ where they’ve been and want to go.

There are new Mini Change Boxes for savers and hanging Loving Hearts with sentimental sayings. And Message Boxes enable well-wishers to leave their kind thoughts on special occasions such as birthdays and weddings. Little Boxes of Love, bearing inscriptions such as Our Friendship, Our Love Story, Mum and Dad, complete the new introductions.

Call: 0191 499 1570 Email sales@xystos.co.uk Visit: xystostrade.co.uk

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Toy Fair

Get set for Toy Fair The sell-out show returns to London Olympia from 22-24 January, playing host to hundreds of g thousands of new toyy exhibitors, from start-ups to some of the biggest toy companies, launching lines. Time to get organised and get planning!

T

oy Fair 2019 is firmly on track to repeat the success of the 2018 show, with more than 250 exhibiting companies preparing to showcase their new toy lines.

Thirty-eight exhibiting companies will be attending Toy Fair for the very first time, and 11 exhibiting companies are returning after time away from the show, including Wow! Stuff, Flying Gadgets, and LEGO. Many exhibiting companies return annually, such as Gibsons and Cartamundi.

‘I’m thrilled to announce Toy Fair has sold out yet again, demonstrating the continued importance of the show to the UK toy industry,’ commented Majen Immink, Director of Fairs and Special Events. ‘I’d like to thank the UK toy industry for their continued support and I’m looking forward to seeing all the new launches in January.’

The BTHA have also announced a brand-new Content Creation Zone, which will be made available to vloggers and influencers at the show. This new, dedicated media area will give content creators the chance to get hands-on

with some of the sought-after toys from Toy Fair, as well as provide the tools to blog live from the show floor.

‘To support the growing number of bloggers and YouTubers that attend Toy Fair each year, the BTHA has made the he decision to create a brand-new Content Creation Zone,’ said Rebecca Deeming, PR manager. ‘With the ever-changing media landscape, these influencers are an increasingly important avenue for reaching parents and children alike. As with our traditional press, influencers have their own requirements for reporting from the show, and it’s our job to make the process for them as easy as possible.’

An exhibitor says…

‘Toy Fair gives us a great opportunity to showcase the range in the best way possible in a fantastic, exciting environment full of the industry’s key players. It’s THE event of the year in the UK and everyone there is on a high, looking forward to the year to come.’

Hayley McAuley, UK sales and marketing manager, Cartamundi

Time to register Registration is now open for Toy Fair 2019. For a free pass, simply visit www.toyfair.co.uk. To make reapplying easy, attendees from any of the past three Toy Fairs will receive a Smart Link to their existing profile, so need only check, update and submit their details to receive their 2019 show ticket. Visitors who choose not to pre-register or confirm their Smart Link will be required to prove they are a genuine trade visitor and pay a £15 entry fee on the door. gifts today 63

Toy Fair

Great Gizmos G20

Great Gizmos has lots of new products launching at Toy Fair 2019, with exciting additions to 4M, Avenir and Barney and Buddy, and the introduction of new brand Monkey Business. There is also a fantastic range of super cute plush Backpacks, Ride Ons and so much more! A visit to stand G20 won’t disappoint.

2019 is another exciting year for 4M, with lots of innovation and development into new product categories. The popular Craft and Science categories are ever evolving with new and unique introductions that combine the elements of STREAM, encouraging learning whilst having fun.

In a completely new direction for 4M, kids can discover how fun and easy it is to code with ground breaking Code A Maze. Children from the age of three can intuitively learn coding skills by choosing a challenge and navigating their robots around the board using the arrow cards on the ‘snap-to-code’ patented technology. The child must work out where the robot needs to move to and arrange the arrow cards in the correct sequence and then tap them onto the scanner, and watch as the robot moves to its final destination. The kit includes 30 carefully designed challenges on several themed maze mats, together with obstacles that provide different levels of complexity, variation and fun.

Unicorn Mini Tile Art is sure to be a big hit for 2019 and will sit well alongside Mould & Paint Unicorn which is still flying! Decorate the mini tiles with the lovely

unicorn themed stencils and paints and turn into magnets.

The hands on craft range, KidzMaker is expanding with six new titles. Flamingo Room Light will be extremely popular with kids as it is so simple to make and looks great! The kit includes the lamp body, two patterned interchangeable backgrounds and one blank sheet that can be decorated at home. Sew your own cuddly pillow with My Lovely Unicorn Pillow. This fun kit teaches the basics of sewing, whist having fun! Make Your Own String Art is a fab kit that allows kids to make stunning pieces of art using colourful strings and super safe plastic pins.

The Green Science range is expanding with some new ‘hybrid titles’ that can be operated using the solar panels or by battery. Build and watch the Aqua Robot swim along in water. Have fun building the Rover Robot and it will roam around on any surface. Watch the planets move around the sun with the Solar System kit.

Call: 01293543221 Email: sarah@greatgizmos.co.uk Visit: ggtrade.co.uk

Colourful cuddlies Keel Toys B60

Go for Green

Green Board Games E15 Green Board Games is limbering up for a London Toy Fair to remember! With three new ranges and 40 new products to add to an already vast and varied offering, the GBG stand is one not to be missed!

Retailers can expect new introductions from the award-winning, robust-selling BrainBox range. These titles will include six new licensed Disney and Roald Dahl BrainBox games, as well as two other BrainBox titles: World Traveller and Time Traveller.

Preschool buyers will have their pick, with new lines available from the award-winning Fat Brain Toys range, as well as GBG’s two new preschool ranges. Foot Steps (for children up to 3 years of age) and Leaps & Bounds (for children aged 3 years+) have been carefully designed to promote fun learning and early development.

In the Foot Steps range, Stacking Cubes offers five ways to stack and learn. In the ‘Leaps and Bounds’ range, GBG will be presenting four new games, including Miximals, the hilarious game that encourages children to mix and match head, body and tail animal pieces and ‘Mucky Pups’, the great game that gets children to pick their pup and race to clean them up.

GBG will be also be showcasing an exciting selection of titles from their new range of fun family games, Mad Moose. These will include Alpha Chase, the winning game from 2017’s Young Games Inventor competition, and the highly entertaining, animal-themed titles, Monkey Mischief and Noah’s Ark.

Call: 01494 538999 sales@greenboardgames.com Visit: greenboardgames.com 64 gifts today

There have been some great new emerging colour schemes and fabric trends that will grow further in 2019. The demand for sequins has grown during 2018 as they feature predominantly in stationery, craft, furnishings and fashion. New for 2019 are Christmas Glittermotsus, finished in iridescent sequins in a range of your favourite Christmas Characters.

Simply stroke the sequins to reveal the contrasting colours, in 20cm and 30cm sizes Glittermotsu will be a must have for Christmas 2019!

Keel toys have included the latest colour schemes and fabric trends in their new soft toys. The trend of rose gold and soft neons has been incorporated into Animotsu with the new Elephant, Unicorn, Bear and Chihuahua in both 15cm and 25cm. New for 2019 are the Glittermotsu ranges, finished in iridescent sequins.

Simply stroke the sequins on the Penguin, Unicorn, Dinosaur, Bear, Elephant and Monkey to reveal the contrasting colour.

The new Confetti range of eclectic animals including Llama, Unicorn, Cat, Mouse, Polar Bear and Hedgehog, come in pastel pink and rose gold finishes and each wears a pink tutu and princess crown.

Call: 01233 506363 Visit: keeltoys.com

It takes five Orchard Toys Stand B12

Orchard Toys has introduced five new products to its educational range, including: a new sound-matching game with supporting app, a magic literacy game, a three-dimensional counting and addition board game, a number puzzle for toddlers and a fun dinosaur lotto, perfect for pre-schoolers.

Sound Detective is the first Orchard Toys product that can be used in conjunction with the new, free Orchard Toys app. In the detective-themed game, players listen to the sound clues within the app and match them to their picture cards to build a path and catch the thief. The game of chance encourages the development of children’s observational skills through both sight and sound, while offering simple and fun gameplay to engage a wide variety of ages. Age 3-6.

Magic Spelling is a literacy-based counterpart product to Magic Maths, which has been a huge success since its launch 18 months ago. Players race against the timer to discover hidden letters to spell words, before using the magical rub-and-reveal cards to check that they have spelt the words correctly. If they have, players get to collect the yucky ingredients listed in their magic spell book to win the game. Perfect for school children aged five to seven to support literacy skills in line with the national curriculum.

Counting Mountain is a fun counting and addition game, featuring a 3D board and a plethora of mountain animals. Players take turns to turn over two cards at a time, add them together and move that number of spaces along the board as they race to reach the top of

the mountain. However, players must watch out for yetis who live on the mountain as they can send them backwards or, even chase all players off the mountain and back to the start! Age 4-8.

Dirty Dinos is a fun traditional lotto game, with simple gameplay and quirky engaging characters. Players match and collect dirty dinosaurs to fill their bathtub in this fun colour, counting and observation game with three ways to play. But, it’s the player with the most bubbles at the end that wins the game! Age 3-6.

Number Street is the latest addition to Orchard Toys’ jigsaw range. The 20-piece floor puzzle helps children learn their numbers from 1-10. The fun character jigsaw features large, chunky pieces that are perfect for little hands to hold, helping to develop manual dexterity. Number Street also includes a giant pull-out poster. Age 2+.

Call: 01953 859525 Visit: orchardtoys.com gifts today 65

Toy oy Fair

What a puzzle Jumbo Games E46

Time to play

Jumbo are kicking of the New Year with over 70 new Adult jigsaw puzzles for the spring/summer season and they will be showcasing them all at this month’s London Toy Fair.

January will see Jumbo Games expanding its number one adult puzzle brand in the UK, Wasgij, by releasing six new puzzles across the popular Original, Destiny and Mystery puzzle concepts. The brand new releases will include the Wasgij Original 31: Safari Surprise!, Wasgij Destiny 19: The Puzzlers Arms! and Wasgij Mystery 16: Birthday Surprise!, all across 1000-piece formats. Jumbo will also be re-releasing the third installments in the Wasgij Retro range, with the titles Original 3: Full Monty Fever!, Destiny 3: The Sands of Time! and Mystery 3: Drama at the Opera! in 1000-piece formats.

New puzzle releases to Jumbo’s nostalgic inspired Falcon de luxe range will include be 20 new puzzles – ten in January and a further ten for April.

These new puzzles cover the traditional Falcon themes of Nostalgia, Scenery, Cottages, Animals and Transport, across varying piece counts from 500XL to 1500-pieces. Puzzles to look out for in January include; ‘A Summer Evening at the Pub’ 2x500-piece, ‘A Day on the River’, ‘Farmer’s Market’ and ‘The Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage’ 1000-piece and ‘A Beautiful Summer’s Day’ 2x1000-piece box set. As if this wasn’t enough for spring/summer, Jumbo will be releasing a further 20+ Falcon puzzles for autumn/winter and you will be able to see a selection of these new releases at this month’s shows.

Jumbo will be expanding their range of Disney Classic Collection puzzles, that are targeted at both teens and adults, with new additions in 2019. These include a 1000-piece puzzle for both Aladdin and Dumbo titles, to celebrate the release of their new live-action movies, but the puzzles will feature classic artwork from the original cartoons. Looking ahead to the autumn/winter movie releases, Jumbo will also be releasing 1000-piece Movie Poster Puzzles for both Disney’s The Lion King and The Little Mermaid, later in the year, in the same style as their existing Snow White and Bambi Movie Poster Puzzles.

House of Marbles, leading manufacturer of high quality toys and games, are looking forward to unveiling lots of new additions to their best-selling ranges at Toy Fair this year. Specialising in products with a traditional feel, the company’s stand will be packed with a selection of nostalgic toys that have been given a modern twist to appeal to the current market.

Retailers looking for a wide selection of innovative products at pocketmoney prices will love their Party Gifts and Stocking Fillers range. The popular collection includes a retro-style selection of toys, novelties and collectables displayed in bespoke presentation units making them incredibly attractive in shop displays.

You’ll find everything from trendy Snap Bracelets to well-loved Kaleidoscopes, and retail prices start from only 50p! If you want to show off an array of products in a small space, they offer a clever rotating stand with two striking header cards that can be swapped around depending on the time of the year.

There are also plenty of new items to look forward to in their Nursey, Childhood Memories and Family Games ranges whether you want to stock an extra special gift or something to encourage impulse buys, you’ll find it in this generous offering. House of Marbles also provide a first class customer service and next day delivery making them a great choice for all your toys and games.

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House of Marbles F40

Call: 01626 835358 Visit: houseofmarbles.com/tradeuk

Julie Dodsworth

Stating the obvious So Sometimes the best assets of your business are so obvious to you that you can forget to shout about them to your customers.

Make 2019 the year you get your message M out ou there…obvs!

W

ith Christmas behind us, it’s great to have a little debrief and make notes for next year. To look at what worked and what were, shall we say, deferred successes! The New Year is a perfect time to take stock and plan for the season and year ahead. And what of those New Year resolutions? A gym membership? Or a resolve to give something up?

I know as I get older - and hopefully a little wiser from my good fortune or mistakes - that 2019 for

me m will have some new personal resolutions. A pe little lit more about those in a moment. m On the business front, I’m I determined 2019 will be b my year of stating the absolutely obvious! Let a me m share a great story where I had this epiphany. A couple of years ago my husband Simon and I took a lovely detour from our

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Top marks to the producers of Midnight who saw the obvious but created a little magic around their presentation

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favourite walking heaven of Yosemite to the wine growing region of the Napa Valley. A wine tasting and tour was a must and we were lucky enough to while away the afternoon at a lovely vineyard just a short walk from the village. The lady taking the tour told us of their unique blends and that what made their wine so extra special was that the grapes were picked in the cool of the night for the best results. Their wine called Midnight embodied this unique selling point.

Always fascinated by great marketing, I dug a little deeper.

To my surprise I found nearly all grapes picked in very hot climates are harvested at night, because it’s simply easier for the staff. Top marks to the producers of Midnight who

saw the obvious but created a little magic around their presentation getting there first in snapping up such a great and memorable name.

So what did we learn? For my daughter Beth and I, our home fragrance products will carry more information that is becoming increasingly more important to our clients. Back to stating what we thought was obvious and shouting out a little louder and clearer.

For example, our fragrance range amongst other things is plastic-free and we decided this has got to be worth a mention! Vegan friendly, paraben and palm oil free, our awards and our other ethicals will also play a much bigger story to our presentations. In turn if we inspire others to do the same and the planet becomes even the tiniest bit better off, it will be a job well done.

Now back to those resolutions! For you fellow home and gift heroes, I wish you a 2019 of surrounding yourselves with only those who wish you well. In turn for us to play a good part in the lives of those we wish only the best for. And as for what life deals us, let’s pledge that more things will sail over our heads than hit us broad side on the forehead. Life really is too short!

Here’s to you! Raising my glass of Midnight wine to you all and wishing you the very best and super successful 2019.

Julie Dodsworth is an artisan British designer who works from her narrowboat Calamity Jane. At the age of 50 Julie started her ‘third age business’ - leaping into the unknown to follow her heart. From a tiny beginning Julie has launched an international-selling home and gift business working with the very best of British manufacturers. Gifts Today have invited her to share with us her experience, her passion for the industry and some of the great advice she feels she has been given along the way.

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