Gifts Today January 2023

Message from the Editor

www.giftstoday.media

As every reader knows, a new year brings new beginnings. January is a chance for us to not only reflect on our achievements in 2022 but to look forward to the next 12 months.

So, for this issue, we asked a selection of retailers to share their trading stories of 2022 - and handed out crystal balls to some leading suppliers and asked them to divine 2023 trends.

Our columnists shared their thoughts with us too. For The Giftware Association chief executive Sarah Ward, 2022 was a “transformative” year in gifting, and she predicts that the continuously changing landscape means that retailers and brands must step up their game if they want to thrive in 2023.

Her fellow columnist Bryony Taylor-Edwards, head of brand and gift, home, food, and toy buyer at Yarnton Home and Garden in Oxfordshire, has compiled a list of key takeaways from 2022. Noting that it was an “unparalleled” year, she says: “It’s hard to predict what 2023 may look like. But where there is challenge and hardship, there is learning. And where there is learning, there is growth.”

With this in mind, we quizzed our three Retail Interview subjects on what new year’s business resolutions they plan on making for 2023. Their answers make fascinating reading. Turn to pages 42 to 47 to find out what Sarah Gordon, general manager retail & leisure at Luss Estates in Loch Lomond; Jean Grant, head of product management for the Find Me a Gift website; and Charmaine Fox, gift manager of Caulders Garden Centres in central Scotland, have to say.

All agree that they are ready to greet 2023 with optimism, and their view is confirmed by comments made by our Trade Talk suppliers. As Ivyline managing director Scott Thomas notes: “We expect home and garden to continue to perform strongly. As consumers cut back on large-ticket items, functional products that are beautifully created will provide an instant lift, both indoors and out.”

Exacompta Clairefontaine UK

marketing manager Lawrence Savage believes that there are plenty of opportunities for growth throughout 2023 and beyond, and Bloomingville country manager Simon Pykett sums up the mood well when he says that “whatever difficulties we may face, there will still be the desire to decorate our homes”. David Roznowski & Jocelyne RoyouRoznowski, co-founders of D & J Glassware, are feeling positive too. With a new year comes fresh enthusiasm, they say, and they are hopeful that by late spring/early summer there will be some signs that the current pressures are easing.

In the meantime, columnist Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira (British Independent Retailers Association), offers useful pointers on making the most of footfall on the high street this month.

Because in the words of columnist Cathy Frost, owner of Loveone gift shop in Ipswich: “Small business really is a force for the future. Being able to offer a truly great customer experience is surely what our high streets are all about.”

And we’ve been busy collating pages of new products to entice more customers into your stores, from Mother’s Day presents to perennially profitable gift performers such as candles, giftable stationery, fashion accessories, home décor, and much more.

Many will be on display at the upcoming trade shows and as this issue goes to press, the Gifts Today team is planning its trips to both Top Drawer and Spring Fair - we hope to see you there. Do say hello if you spot us walking the aisles.

As always, I’m more than happy to hear from readers who would like to take part in our features, interviews, and news pages. You can email me at clare@lemapublishing.co.uk or connect with me on LinkedIn.

So, let’s raise a toast to 2023 and celebrate the start of a (hopefully) happy, healthy, and prosperous new year!

Clare Turner, Editor clare@lemapublishing.co.uk

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

Enesco delivers Disney magic…

Contemporary gift retailer Enesco has announced the takeover of UK & European distribution of Disney by English Ladies Co.

Enesco said: ‘Established in 2011, The English Ladies Co. was borne out of a long-standing passion and unrivalled experience in creating high-quality bone china figurines, tea sets and giftware for all occasions.’

Capturing the magic of Disney in figurines and teaware, the English Ladies Co. has an extensive, premium collection of teacups, saucers, teapots, and figurines, featuring fan-favourite characters including Belle from Beauty and the Beast, Winnie the Pooh, and Elsa and Olaf from Frozen. All pieces are handcrafted from the finest bone china by prestige artists.

The founders, Malini Pashley and Wayne Nutbeen, are steeped in ceramics history, with a combined 60 years in the industry, and were eager to create a company which offered customers ‘the opportunity to give a gift like no other; a gift which symbolises not only enduring beauty but also timeless sentiment and meaning. Be it a luxury china figurine or china tea set, the gift of unique ceramics is the perfect way to show someone a continuous and unchanging message of love and affection’. Malini and Wayne are thrilled to be partnering with Enesco on this journey.

Available at a variety of accessible price points, each English Ladies Co. item is

handmade and packaged in a branded gift box, and will make a great gift for any avid Disney fan.

Boasting award-winning brands within its ever-expanding portfolio, Enesco is excited to add the English Ladies Co. to its list of internationally renowned partners.

… and collaborates with EttaVee

Enesco has also announced a collaboration with EttaVee: a lifestyle brand that expresses optimism and joy through the expressive use of colour.

Created by American artist, designer and social media influencer Jessi Raulet, the hand-painted and bold designs have been featured on stationery, tech accessories, textiles and apparel. Now, Jessi’s ability to craft vibrant palettes packed with good vibes will be applied to homeware, décor, and ladies’ accessories.

Items in the EttaVee collection include acrylic storage trays, stainless steel water bottles, mugs, cooling wine bags, wall art, multifunctional trays, phone stands, aprons, square and curved pouches, keyrings, umbrellas, scarves and compact mirrors.

Within the collection are two designs, applied across all of the items in the range: In The Groove and Jessi’s Garden. Both feature bright, bold and cheerful colour palettes, with In The Groove featuring a psychedelic wave pattern, and Jessi’s Garden including an abstract floral print.

Bloomingville welcomes new team member in the UK

Bloomingville has announced the appointment of Harriet Basham, who will join UK country manager Simon Pykett and his team in a business development role, in and around the London area.

Simon told Gifts Today: “I’m so pleased that Harriet has agreed to join us to further develop growth in the UK. Bloomingville has grown significantly in the last few years, and it has been apparent for some time that we needed more people. Harriet has a wealth of experience and contacts in the industry, and I’m confident she will make a positive contribution.”

Source some ‘wee gems’ at STF Spring

The New Year is a time for resolutions and rejuvenation, so why not freshen your stock by going to Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring and sourcing some ‘wee gems’ that will make customers flock to your shop?

The three-day show opens on January 22 at the SEC in Glasgow and boasts around 500 exhibitors, many who only exhibit to trade here. New to the show are about one-third of all exhibitors with suppliers such as Blade & Rose children’s clothing, ROKA London sustainable bags, Katazome fashion brand from Glasgow, West Byre Apothecary candles, The Prancing Dog, and Dawn Maciocia. With more signing up for stands each week, you’ll be sure to find products that appeal to your customers, from gifts and cards to toiletries, clothes, jewellery and crafts.

Also making their debut are an array of new young companies in the Launch Gallery including macSoap, The Alternative One sustainable crafts, Surya Luna Naturals, Atoms to Astronauts and Jewahir Home Fragrances.

Plus, the Craft Gallery is brimming with innovation, colour and excitement, with suppliers such as Lynsey Walters, Lindsay McDowall Jewellery, Helen Chalmers, Helen Chatterton Textiles, BAKKA and Agate and Ayre.

In addition, the show is welcoming back exhibitors such as Highland Soap Company, Ortak, Black Yak, Portmeirion, Chris Lewis Silver, Darach, Earth Squared, Sea Gems, Eribe Knitwear, Pigment stationery and Amy Britton.

A key feature of the show is ‘Talking Shop’ which has a rich timetable of talks, panel discussions and masterclasses. Scottish Trade Minister Ivan McKee will talk about small business trade in Scotland; Gary Ennis from Digital Boost will discuss elements of social media, content, Pinterest and ecommerce; Visit Scotland will speak on the visitor experience; Fiona Faint will host a panel of influencers, as well as delivering the latest retail trends; packaging and shop design will be explained by Julie Mills; the Loves Local campaign will deliver their latest initiatives; and the Deposit Return Scheme will be explained by a panel of retail and drinks experts.

Other show features include Nessie’s Den, which will entertain with emerging suppliers highlighting their products to visitors in a light-hearted session; and The Best Product Awards, which will be judged by leading retailers with the winners displayed in the heart of the show.

With many shops offering far more than just gifts or homeware, Scotland’s

Speciality Food Show is run in conjunction with Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring, with more than 100 producers displaying their tasty wares, principally from Scotland.

New look for Glee 2023

Glee, the international festival for the garden, leisure, and pet sectors, has had a makeover with new branding revealed ahead of this year‘s event, which takes place from June 27 to June 29 at the NEC in Birmingham.

Show organiser Hyve Group said: ‘Having undergone a renaissance in a postpandemic world, Glee continues to bring together the global garden industry under one roof, with the most diverse portfolio of suppliers and manufacturers represented. The new-look branding is reflective of this new chapter. A bright colour palette, together with icons representative of Glee’s product categories, makes for a rich visual tapestry that paints a fun and fresh picture of the show.’

The 2023 edition of Glee will be an event not to be missed. Hyve Group claimed that with 70% of the extended floor plan already reserved by leading brands, emerging talents, and innovators, the show is on track to deliver ‘the strongest platform for growth anywhere within the exhibition calendar’.

Joining the line-up will be a new dedicated DIY sector, as well as International Sourcing, which will be an important destination for major wholesale buyers and procurement experts.

After an exceptionally strong 2022 showing, which saw buyers turning up

in droves to place orders ahead of Christmas, Glee’s Home, Gift & Clothing sector will be transformed into a dedicated village for trenddriven garden home and giftware suppliers and buyers.

Elsewhere, Outdoor Entertainment will see its representation increased significantly, reflecting the predicted growth for this area, as the country continues to view their home as sanctuaries during a time of economic turbulence. Glee’s dedicated outdoor demonstration area - Fire, Grill & Chill - will provide the mouthwatering centrepiece of this thriving show sector. A calendar of added-value content, from retailer insight to breaking down future trends, will complete Glee 2023’s offering.

Spring Fair reveals Christmas 23 trends

Spring Fair, which returns to the NEC Birmingham from February 5 to February 8, has collaborated with its trend agency partner TrendBible on a report delving into the trends for Christmas 2023, to aid retailers in discovering how consumer lifestyle shifts will impact colour, design, and product trends for the festive season.

The free report, available to download at www.springfair.com/trendbible, says that the deep and long-ranging implications of the pandemic mean that celebrating and being together with loved ones is a top priority for the holiday season.

Offering a sneak peak of the TrendBible forecasts, which are due to be presented live on the Inspiring Retail Stage at Spring Fair, the report focuses on All is Bright: a trend driven by hope for the future, healthy boundaries, fresh starts and a desire for change. ‘Time well spent’ is reassessed, with individuals looking to be liberated from rules and traditions; instead, choosing to spend time in a way that brings happiness.

With consumers making conscious choices to encourage wellness, being present to experience things more fully over the holiday period becomes a key motivator. The rise of zero-proof spirits and quality low-alcohol beers have seen the non-alcoholic beverage market soar, while vegan diets or alternative ‘festive’ meals are embraced as people get comfortable with going against the traditional norms.

More thoughtful choices also influence decor for the season. ‘Party to rent’ options have increased with companies such as LAY London offering ready to hire, Instagram perfect, tablescapes. While still celebratory, this trend rejects ‘throwaway’ culture, focusing instead on decorations that bring joy way beyond the New Year or can be reused year after year.

Colour combinations signify a fresh start as we look towards the coming year. Ceramic and clay decorations are painted in pastel shades with simple decorative patterns. Glittering and metallic streamers can be left up to enjoy after the holiday. Bold and bright hues add a joyful energy to the home. Long tassels trim create luxurious, contemporary Christmas stockings, and Christmas decorations are more minimalist in style. Finally, advent candles are in fresh colour combinations and simple typographical prints.

Pantone unveils its Colour of the Year

The Pantone Color Institute has revealed that its Colour of the Year for 2023 is Viva Magenta.

PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta is described as a shade that ‘vibrates with vim and vigour. It’s brave and fearless, and a pulsating colour whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative’.

The Pantone Color Institute added: ‘This year’s Colour of The Year is powerful and empowering. It is a new animated red that revels in pure joy, encouraging experimentation and self-expression without restraint - an electrifying and boundaryless shade that is manifesting as a stand-out statement. PANTONE 181750 Viva Magenta welcomes anyone and everyone with the same verve for life and rebellious spirit. It is a colour that is audacious, full of wit and inclusive of all.’

Recognised globally as a leading source of colour expertise, Pantone Color Institute provides colour insights and solutions, collaborating with clients to strategically address colour challenges and develop a colour and design approach consistent with their brand vision.

The Exclusively Show: 88% sold already

The UK’s leading housewares, gift and small domestic electricals show, Exclusively, returns on June 13 and June 14 at The Business Design Centre in London - and exhibition space is already 88% sold.

Show director Seema Grantham (pictured) said: “The current sales position just proves that this sector has lost none of its appetite for a physical opportunity to showcase products and network with the industry.”

Exclusively regularly has more than 140 companies and 300 brands participating, representing key product categories in the housewares, small electricals, tabletop and gift sectors, and many big names have been part of the show for many years. The show targets international buyers, journalists, bloggers, and influencers.

Seema continued: “Visitor turnout was fabulous in 2022 so I’m sure that is contributing to exhibitor enthusiasm for 2023. We have space remaining in the Gallery and the Launchpad, which is a dedicated area for new, innovative products and suppliers that is designed to meet the needs of small businesses and start-ups. That was highly successful last year for Jomafe, Savernake and TCP, who are all moving to the Main Hall in 2023.”

PHOTO: Press Loft

Party in style!

Today about the company’s heritage and its vision for the future

What’s your background?

I have more than 20 years of commercial sales experience, initially in recruitment and IT, and latterly with Club Green - where I’ve been commercial director since 2015.

Tell us about your company.

In 2022 Club Green celebrated its 40th anniversary. It started off as a small family firm run by Agostino Cipullo and Pino Aina, who are still involved in the business today.  Club Green was the very first company to bring wedding favours to the UK. This trend came over from Italy and became very popular in the

UK and in many parts of Europe. At the start, the wedding favour concept was mainly popular within cosmopolitan communities, but soon became a must-have at all weddings. Club Green quickly established itself as the market leader in wedding favour and craft supplies: a position it held for over 25 years.

Initially, the business supplied a large number of wedding favour-makers and cake craft shops across the country. However, as the number of independent cake and craft shops has declined, we have diversified our product range.

This diversification saw the launch of our partyware brand in 2018, Hootyballoo, which now supplies a growing number of party retailers across the country.

Club Green continues to supply wedding favour and craft businesses, as well as a growing number of party and homeware retailers.

We have a team of 22 full-time staff, and a large office/warehouse in the Surrey village of Ockham - very close to the A3 and M25. We welcome visitors to our office, where we have a fully-stocked showroom.

What’s your company ethos?

We’ve always run an honest business and the focus has been to offer quality products at affordable prices, backed by the very best customer service.

We have grown the business organically, which has given us longevity and stability. We control our own logistics from our own warehouse/offices.

We also pride ourselves on having a great team. Our staff turnover rate is incredibly low; many team members have been with us for 10 or more years. Two have been with us for over 15 years, and one has just returned to the business after a 20-year gap. Our team is hardworking, loyal, and incredibly keen to offer great service to our clients. Our customers appreciate this, and benefit from our team’s product knowledge and great customer service.

Tell us about your range.

Our Hootyballoo range features plates, cups, balloons, candles, and banners. Our Club Green craft ranges include chocolate boxes, PVC display boxes (with bases), ribbons, nets on roll, paper flowers and a range of giftware for every occasion. For further information, our online brochure can be viewed at www. hootyballoocollection.com.

What’s the inspiration for your products?

Our design team is incredibly creative, and follows all the current fashions to make sure our range is both contemporary and on trend. We’ve always tried to develop ranges ‘that we would

Michele Gaudelli, commercial director of Club Green, talks to Gifts

want to buy’, and over the past few years, our team has become recognised for innovative, fun and stylish designs.

Who is your core customer base?

Our Hootyballoo brand focuses on party ranges, which can be found in national retailers such as Morrisons supermarkets, WHSmith, TK Maxx, M&Co and New Look, as well as regional chains such as Lorimers. Our range can also be found in approximately 500 independent outlets, from garden centres to party and gift shops across the country. Our craft and gift ranges can be found in Hobbycraft, as well as party and gift shops nationwide.

In recent years, we’ve also seen increased interest from customers around the world, and we now regularly supply customers across Europe, the US and Australasia.

What sets you apart from your competitors?

Our people, products and processes ensure that our customers love dealing with our very friendly team. On many occasions we have been told that our customer service is the best! We will always be on hand to help our customers, and nothing is ever a problem.

Plus, we have our very own talented design team who continue to keep an eye on evolving trends to ensure we keep designing and producing exciting new products and ranges.

And, we control our own logistics/ distribution. We don’t rely on third party warehousing partners to distribute to our customers. This gives us and our customers huge flexibility.

Finally, we listen to our customers. Understanding them and their needs helps ensure we keep our product range fresh and on trend. We’re also happy to create bespoke items for clients, and never shy away from a challenge.

How can retailers order your products?

Ordering is simple and easy. New customers can either ring our customer service team on 01483 281 313 or visit www.clubgreen.com. We supply trade customers all over the UK, Europe and worldwide.

How are you finding the current trading climate in the UK?

We’re all operating in a challenging market at the moment, with customers placing smaller but more frequent orders to manage their stocks and cashflow. However, we are continuing to secure new customers (both at home and internationally) and there is a real positivity about 2023 and an expectation that events like the Coronation will provide a welcome boost to the economy.

Will you be exhibiting at any trade shows this year?

At the Spring Fair, we are planning the biggest display of new products that we’ve ever had. We also have a new style exhibition stand which will enable us to display our beautiful new ranges and products in a unique way.

We have something extra special to launch at Spring Fair too. So if you own a party shop or want to retail our products but don’t have much space, then make sure you visit us so we can show you how.

Tell us about your Spring/Summer 2023 collection.

We have brand new ranges for themed birthday parties, baby showers, weddings, Easter, and an extra special celebration range for the coronation of King Charles III.

Finally, do you have any exciting news you would like to share?

For the Queen’s Jubilee last year we created a lovely Jubilee Party range which was incredibly popular. For the coronation of Charles III, I’m excited to confirm that we have created a similar range, which we also expect will be incredibly popular.

It’s

Diary of a gift shop

retail journey

Loveone celebrated 15 years on the High Street in November: a real milestone given the current economic climate. It gave me a reason to be a little reflective: to think back to where it all began and the journey we’ve had.

I’ve heard the following statements on numerous occasions over the years. Perhaps these resonate with you? “That won’t last.” “How on earth do they make any money?”. ‘It’s just a knick-knack shop.” “I don’t want any more junk in my house.” And “it’s a Doily shop.”

Well, the Doily shop did good! A very dear friend coined this phrase when I first opened the door. Andrew was not a shopper, and really had no idea what me or my business was about. But as he rode past the shop every morning

to his office, he’d shout very loudly across the road: “How’s the Doily shop doing?”. In all the years I’ve been trading, I’ve never stocked doilies. But we have flexed and changed our product offer, adapted to changing habits and tastes, and responded to recessions and a pandemic.

Where did it start? Like many small businesses, mine happened gradually. I never had a lightbulb moment. After leaving a career in local government, I retrained as an interior designer, set up my own business, and fell into buying products for a kitchen design showroom. Channelling my love of shopping and small shops, it seemed like a great idea to open an interiors shop on the high street.

So, in 2007, Loveone opened its

door, aimed at the ‘forever forty woman’ (thanks ‘Queen of Shops’ Mary Portas for that shopping intel). Here was my target market. They were my tribe and they had money to spend. Ipswich had a brand-new shop, and I was keen as mustard to share my passion for small business with the world. The store was full of beautiful homeware, textiles, candles, and throws - with an interior design service to pull it all together.

Well, that dream lasted for less than two years and then… boom. The banking crisis of 2008-2009 arrived. My forever forty woman had to go back to work, her disposable income was pretty much wiped out, and it was time to reassess.

I had to ditch a lot of products. I closed down the interior design side of the business and focused on gifts and stationery. People were no longer spending money on themselves or their homes, but appeared to be prioritising buying gifts and cards. I moved into new product areas like jewellery, accessories, and toys, investing in all aspects of the gift market. It proved to be a very good move.

It was also during this time that I discovered a whole new side to retail - the local artisan. Working and

collaborating with local creatives over the past 10 years or so has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my retail life. We host an artist of the month, have regular window takeovers, and I personally mentor and advise creatives on bringing their products to market. There is a great sense of achievement for us all when a new product starts to sell well, or we get some positive feedback from customers.

Fast forward to the present. We are still a gift shop, and we still champion all things local. Our gift offer has changed to embrace new trends. Most recently we have taken on dog grooming products and houseplants. We are also looking at the business more critically to become a more sustainable entity. For example, to celebrate our 15th birthday, we had reusable tote bags printed, to encourage customers to bring their own bags.

Tastes and shopping habits may have evolved over the years, but two constants have remained: good customer service and selling quality

Cathy Frost, owner of Loveone gift shop in Ipswich, steps back in time to share her

“The Doily shop did good!”

products. Small business really is a force for the future. Being able to offer a truly great customer experience is surely what our high streets are all about.

With more of us working from home, or living on our own, small businesses really have an important part to play in providing a vibrant community around us - a place to shop local, and find a favourite coffee haunt or lunch stop -

but, above all, to connect and talk to each other. One thing my shop is never short of is chat!

Quality and provenance have always been important to Loveone, and meeting many of our producers gives us a great talking point. The customer often leaves us knowing a lot of background information about a product or where it is produced: added value that can be retold later down the line to the recipient of the gift.

The last and most important part of the Loveone story is the people. There is never a dull moment when you work with the public. I really have heard and seen most things, and been party to secrets, surprises, and heartbreaks. We have counselled and signposted people at some of their lowest moments. We have helped celebrate births, weddings, exam successes, and many other pivotal moments in people’s lives. We have laughed and we have cried. It truly is an honour and a privilege to be part of such an awesome community.

So, the challenges facing the high street may be enormous, but I’m standing by the ethos of providing a great experience in-store. Loveone always smells great, it’s beautifully curated - and we’re always ready for a chat - with a box of tissues at hand!

Their

last year’s Small Business Saturday (SBS).

This annual campaign, organised by Small Business Britain, champions small business success and encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and support businesses in their communities.

The 2022 initiative highlighted 100 businesses - one a day for 100 days - leading up to SBS on December 3. Loveone’s day was October 12, and the shop received exposure on SMS’ social media channels and in the local and national press. Cathy also joined the SBS team at a reception in London

the House of Lords.

L - R: Cathy with her sales assistant Pippa Travis-Williams

blue tops show that Loveone was selected as one of 100 impressive small businesses from across the UK to mark the official countdown to

at

“We have flexed and changed our product offer, adapted to changing habits and tastes, and responded to recessions and a pandemic”

“Small business really is a force for the future. Being able to offer a truly great customer experience is surely what our high streets are all about”

Let’s talk about… takeaways from 2022

Across the UK and the globe, 2022 was an unparalleled year. And as tempting as it is to push it to one side in a bid to forget, I do feel it is one we should take stock of.

From the loss of Queen Elizabeth II, political turmoil at Westminster, the costof-living crisis, the impact of the war in Ukraine, and the desperate effects of global environmental issues, the year brought huge national and international insecurity.

and hardship, there is learning. And where there is learning, there is growth. So here’s what I will be taking away from 2022:

Less is more

The old proverb of ‘less is more’ tells us that what is of a small quantity, could be of a higher quality - for everyone, from consumers and suppliers to wholesalers. The environment is demanding this of us. It doesn’t mean everyone needs to pack up and go home. It just means we need to do

supply chain, or how much experience you have in the field, now is the time we all must lean in, learn, upskill, and start taking our first steps on the sustainability journey. Consumers may not be demanding it, but the environment is, and we all have a role to play and a responsibility to take. Now is not the time to wait, but to act. We have already seen some major retail lights take the lead.

Within this, the gift and retail industry was hit with supply chain issues, price hikes across all sectors, and a huge withdrawal of public spending in the leadup to Christmas. Large retailers closed or reconfigured their operations by the day.

Some would say we exited 2022 in tatters and it’s hard to predict what 2023 may look like. But where there is challenge

things more consciously, focusing on what is necessary and losing what is not. This can be a good thing, as it forces us to focus on quality over quantity, and on who we are as businesses and why.

Avoiding sustainability as a key strategy is no longer an option

Humans will always congregate, and the ritual of gift-giving will remain part of that Humans are sociable by nature, and most are generous. Gift-giving is a ritual that we have come to love and adore. I don’t see this stopping, but I do see shoppers being more selective about what they buy and why they buy it. People are looking for gifts that keep on giving. They are also looking for some respite and comfort, and gifts which offer that.

homes to Ukrainian refugees. The Great Resignation arrived as we shifted our focus from personal productivity to happiness.

It doesn’t matter where you are in the

From adversity comes creativity

We have a huge capacity to adapt and create and, when harnessed, we can do amazing things. We have seen no shortage of adaptation and creativity over the past few years, from tech advances that allow us to become hybrid creatures with the ability to work anywhere, to people across Europe opening their

“Gift-giving is a ritual that we have come to love and adore. I don’t see this stopping, but I do see shoppers being more selective about what they buy and why they buy it” Email: Bryony@yarntonhomegarden.co.uk

Retail has seen some huge creative solutions to the problems presented to us, from fashion chain Zara launching its Resell Platform [a customer-tocustomer service for selling pre-owned Zara garments to, or buying them from, other customers] to Selfridges launching Reselfridges [an eco-conscious collection of pre-loved items, which is part of the department store group’s Project Earth scheme].

If you can survive 2022 you can survive anything

Yes, it’s been so tough and yes, there is still a road ahead, but it’s survivable. And to survive, you must adapt. To adapt, you must ask yourself some fundamental questions, such as: how is the world changing? And how must I change with it?

Bryony Taylor-Edwards,

Photos: Clive Rose

Full steam ahead

Now it’s more important than ever to understand your customers and how to get them through your doors as we go into 2023.

It’s been a tough few months within the government, with the mini budget throwing the country off-track, the economy shrinking, interest rate hikes, and the inflation rate at the highest level for 41 years, coupled with a new Prime Minister taking the helm, along with a new Chancellor. All this uncertainty has left consumer confidence at an all-time low.

But if you think about it, as long-standing retailers, we have seen a lot of this before. We’ve been through recessions and had much higher interest rates (than today) and negative equity situations. Retailers have been through

challenges in the past and have always found ways of coming through them. It’s easy to think that everything is against successful high street businesses. Yet we believe there are still opportunities for independent retailers.

There is every chance that this year, shoppers will be waiting for the New Year bargains that can be had. There is still strong support for local high streets. To make the most of this, the smaller retailers are really going to have to double down on telling their customers what they have, through all the communication channels available, from shop windows to social media.

Many indies understandably rejected Black Friday. However, there should still be some offers of sorts to get people talking about your store

Bira members visit Buckingham Palace

On November 16, up to 50 members of Bira were invited to Buckingham Palace to attend an evening event to recognise the contribution of small businesses to the UK economy.

Members from around the UK and from a wide variety of retail sectors attended and enjoyed an evening they will not forget, with many meeting King Charles III and/or Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex.

Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre said: “This was a fantastic recognition for independent retailers and Bira in general. For those who also met the King, I’m sure it will be a memory that will stay with them.”

One attendee was Gifts Today columnist Claire Leigh, owner of Two Ducks in Woking, who is a director on the board of Bira. She is pictured (middle) talking to Prince Edward with fellow Bira board member Hellen Small, owner of children’s store Small Stuff in Sheffield.

Claire said: “I felt incredibly privileged to be invited to Buckingham Palace. It was thrilling to walk through the front gates, go through the courtyard, and walk up the red carpet to one of the state rooms. I felt very honoured to meet not only King Charles III but the Earl of Wessex, as well as retail gurus (and my personal heroes) Mary Portas and Holly Tucker MBE [founder of small business online marketplace Not On The High Street and now Holly & Co, a hub for small businesses to gain advice and inspiration]. It was just the boost that my business, team, family and customers needed during these tough economic times!”.

and business, with a focus on ways to bring them through your doors. I believe the focal point should be on your retailing skills. This is a competitive time of the year anyway, so do what you normally do to encourage people in, and then work hard on those ideas.

There’s no doubt people want to enjoy the New Year - and it’s likely that customers will be hitting the high street to snap up bargains. But it’s likely to be much later, and there’s going to be a lot of last-minute purchases going through. It’s all about being ready for that last-minute ‘rush’.

So make sure you post engaging social media content, send emails to your customers and, of course, ensure your store looks the very best it can be, and your window display is as inviting as possible. When a shop is presented at its finest, backed up by quality of service, it can be a winning combination - which will bring customers back again and again.

We really are keeping our fingers crossed for a healthy New Year for our high street retailers and would like to take this opportunity to wish them all a happy and profitable time.

Call: 0800 028 0245

Visit: www.bira.co.uk

Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira (British Independent Retailers Association), talks about making the most of footfall on the high street

PHOTO: BCA

Thoughts of a chief executive

This issue’s column is not reflective, nor is it trying to scaremonger. Instead, I want to share what we at The Giftware Association (GA) have planned to ensure that we are supporting you and your business to navigate the interesting road ahead.

Let’s start by looking at the customer trends that have crystallised in the past few months, and are set to dominate the gifting markets (see box). All the trends we’ve identified are driven by change and innovation.

We hosted more than 100 mentor meetings with members last year, and we often discussed the changing consumer environment so businesses could effectively plan. Giftware businesses need to stay on top of trends that will impact their success, to get ahead of the curve. Embracing change will help both suppliers and retailers thrive in 2023.

Recognising and understanding trends in our industry will ensure that you can identify new opportunities,

Here are four top trends to watch out for:

1Ecommerce and social commerce are here to stay. There are now an estimated 12 to 24 million ecommerce stores globally, and 58.4% of internet users are buying online each week

2Personalised experiences are a vital component of any ecommerce experience. As technology and analytics capabilities evolve, retailers lagging in personalisation will be playing catch-up in 2023, to create equally compelling experiences on their channels

The first big project for us is the development of our educational output via our website. The GA is known for its unrivalled knowledge, support, guidance, connection, and opportunity. Our team spends a good portion of the year visiting every appropriate trade show in the country, speaking to our members, understanding their needs, offering advice, and encouraging them to take on some of the retail opportunities provided by the organisation.

Now, more than ever, we recognise how vital it is for us to engage, support and drive growth in the industry we care so passionately about.

This year, to ensure our members remain ahead of their competitors, and can identify new opportunities, we will also be enhancing our business mentoring programme that was so successful in 2022. The objective of the scheme is to mastermind where your business is at, and help you overcome the challenges you face, so that you can continue to grow.

3Reviews and testimonials are crucial for consumer decision-making. In a LinkedIn poll carried out by Intelligence Node, 41% of respondents specified that they found consumer reviews and ratings the most important factor while making a purchase online

4The circular economy needs to be at the heart of your brand messaging moving forward. 52% of consumers value increased sustainability efforts from brands - an effect of the pandemic’s forced changes in buying habits

We exist first and foremost for our members, providing resources, advice, and connectivity so that, no matter what we face in the future, we not only survive but thrive. We have been on the frontline of retail now for over 75 years and totally understand the challenges faced by our members.

Collaboration and education are key - driven through a determination to provide opportunities for learning and inspiration via our proposed education and resource offer.

Every member is entitled to one mentoring session with me or an expert in their field from our national committee. Our sessions take a deep dive into the issue or issues your business is facing - and we keep in contact with you to ensure you are moving forward. For those of you who have been a member for some time, you will know that we are always on hand to talk.

In a nutshell, we have another challenging year ahead, but the outlook can still be positive. No more so than now, does being part of an industry body mean so much: a direct line into government, a powerful advocate for our industry, community, mentoring, support, knowledge, and education. We are so much stronger together and we look forward to success in 2023.

2022 was a transformative year in gifting, and the continuously changing landscape means that retailers and brands must step up their game if they want to thrive in 2023, says The Giftware Association chief executive Sarah Ward

We have another challenging year ahead, but the outlook can still be positive

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Sarah Ward

whether that be branching out into new market segments, launching new sales and marketing channels, developing new products and services, improving sustainability and supply chains, or providing new customer experiences. Identifying opportunities early will ensure you stay one step ahead of the competition and enable you to achieve your business goals.

So, with all this in mind, the tiny but mighty team here at the GA have some big plans for 2023, designed to steer, guide and support you in all your growth plans.

Ifind the subject of in-store space and displays very interesting to navigate, because it can cause a lot of internal conflict. “How can this be?”

I hear you ask. Well, in my mind, this is not as simple as it sounds.

When you consider your store, you will know better than anyone how your customers ‘shop’ it. You will also be thinking about your customer profile. Age and social demographic play a key part, of course, as these factors are relevant to your assortment choices. However, the frequency of their visits is really important in the decision-making process of how you approach your displays.

Customers

If a large proportion of your business is tourist trade, those customers may only visit your shop once a year, and it’s likely that a whole family may shop at the same time. But if your store is a local go-to, then you could have customers visiting once a week or more, and they are more likely to be on their own or in twos.

If families visit frequently, you need to think about circulation space for a pushchair, for example. But if your most frequent customers don’t take up so much space, you can be a little more relaxed about this.

Displays

The frequency of customer visits is also important with regards to how often you need to change your displays. The grocery trade does this brilliantly - albeit very annoyingly.

Supermarkets certainly force you to walk up and down their aisles, swearing as you hunt down the

baked beans that were in aisle 13 last week but are now in aisle 24! That said, it certainly can influence you to add more goods to your basket as you walk past items you hadn’t noticed before.

Consider the ‘hot spots’ in your store, and the flow of how your customers shop. Do they enter the door and turn left or right? Do they linger in a certain area? You know where the high traffic locations are, and these can be the ones you target to change more often, without having to relay your entire shop.

Space

Next, and very importantly, is the analysis of sales and profit to space. With my background in space planning, this was always a fascinating subject when talking to buyers versus shop teams. I say ‘fascinating’ but what I really mean is ‘emotive’. Buyers may decide that they want to increase their ranges of storage baskets, for example, because market trends dictate. However, fitting them out on the selling floor without customers

Striking a balance

Consulting director

having to play elaborate Jenga games to get to the ones they want, is another story.

I would advocate ensuring you have a floor plan, in whichever format works for you. Post-it notes are always helpful when moving your layouts in theory. Layer on your sales and profit numbers to the space you have allocated to each fixture. While you may love a certain brand, if it’s not doing what you need it to in terms of sales and profit, then don’t give it your best space - or use this as leverage when you are negotiating with the brand on commercial terms.

Fixtures

Think about your fixture choices and densities. Again, this is a contentious subject, as you will have conflicting emotions. But amongst all the noise of brand expressions, you should ensure that the fixtures never overpower your store’s identity. The overarching and dominant feel of your store should always reflect ‘you’, so your customers immediately know they’re in your store.

Therefore, when a supplier offers

Elaine Hooper is a director and co-founder of Retail100 Consulting, which is a consultancy firm with 100 years of retail experience that helps retailers and brands grow.

Coming from a retail background, she worked for John Lewis for 32 years. Categories and roles covered included space planning, project proposition lead, and senior buyer in seasonal, beauty and home categories.

Elaine is skilled in end-to-end strategy, licence and private label product development, sourcing, and maximising brand potential, with experience in leading teams, coaching and mentoring.

Email: hello@retail100consulting.co.uk

Visit: www.retail100consulting.co.uk; www.linkedin.com/company/retail100-consulting

you a free fixture to hold their products, you need to be aware that it could be at cross-purposes with the look of your store. Also, it won’t look good if it’s not full, so you are beholden to place more orders with them. Do give it some thought before committing, especially if you are signing away to ensure the fixture is fully stocked for a period of time. It’s all about a balance between supplier fixtures and your freedom to merchandise your fixtures as you like, while ensuring an overall harmonious look and feel that you are proud of.

Finally…

In summary, while it isn’t always the most fun thing to do, have a floor plan, layer on sales and profit per square foot, and reallocate the size of displays or brands as required. This is also a good tool to use as leverage for brands who may want a larger space or a better location.

Please feel free to reach out to me at elaine.hooper@ retail100consulting.co.uk to discuss this further, as I love a good floor plan conversation!

Retail100

and co-founder Elaine Hooper explains why she loves a good floor plan conversation

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

A cosy addition

Personalised Memento Company

Brand new to PMC’s large range of personalised gifts is this Personalised Home LED Candle. Combining function and style, this candle is sure to complement any home with its neutral colour palette and chic design.

With the option to add your own message, it can be used for many occasions, from congratulating newlyweds to offering best wishes to new homeowners. Simply contact PMC or visit its website to discover more about how personalised gifts can work for your business.

Email: sales@personalisedmemento.co.uk

Visit: www.personalisedmemento.co.uk

Eco-friendly options

Best Kept Secrets

Created and designed by Turtley Creative founder Nicky Dawson (a former Price’s Candles senior designer with 20-plus years of experience in the gift world) in collaboration with Best Kept Secrets, the new Our Fragrant World candle collection is billed as ‘the must-have candle range for 2023 in gift shops and garden centres, as more buyers will be looking for something new that ticks all their customers’ boxes’.

The range has been inspired and created based on our fragile world and how we need to make change to build a better environment for our next generation - and give the best possible throw of scent along the way.

Nicky says: “These candles are made in the UK from renewable and sustainable crops, using certified coconut and plant-based wax. If everybody does their little bit each day to recycle and reuse, maybe our next generation will have a cleaner, greener, and even more beautiful place to live. We have used a beautiful plantbased coconut wax using fragrances for 2023 that give a wider choice of style of aromas to suit everyone.”

There are eight scents in total: Smoked Embers & Amber, Cafe Rose & Warm Velvet, Ocean Spritz & Sea Salt, Green Tea & Vetiver, Patchouli & Vanilla, Sweet Pineapple Crush, Mediterranean Citrus, and Black Pepper & Birch.

All the candles have a 50-hour burn time and come in a recyclable or reusable glass jar topped with glistening biodegradable sparkles - so no plastic The wax has been sourced in the UK with no palm or soy, and the collection - which has been hand-poured in the beautiful setting of Northumberland by Best Kept Secrets - is vegan-friendly and has not been tested on animals.

This new eco-friendly candle range will launch in February at the Spring Fair. Call: 01670 512222 Email: sales@bestkeptsecrets.co.uk Visit: www.bestkeptsecrets.co.uk

Simple and stylish Manor House

Manor House says that the fact that its products are handmade in England is what so many stockists want. Its pot pourris are all designed in-house using the finest botanicals, fragranced using high-end oils, and then finished with individual flowers, petals and seed pods, before every box and bag is tied by hand ready to display. Its fragrance oils are great for refreshing pot pourri or for traditional and

Fresh, fruity and floral fragrances

Henry & Co

The UKs new home fragrance manufacturer Henry & Co is showing at Spring Fair for the very first time, launching three new fragrance additions to its fruity, fresh and floral collections: Herb Garden, Bramble, and Forever & Always.

Herb Garden is a light fresh fragrance reminiscent of a greenhouse in Springtime, with notes of tomato leaves, lemons, oranges, oregano and a variety of aromatic woods.

Bramble is an uplifting fruity fragrance combination of apple, blackberry, citronella, gardenia and cedarwood, which delivers a delicious, powerful ‘jamlike’ fragrance.

Forever & Always is a sensual scent packed full of summer floral combinations, including bergamont, neroli, ylang ylang, jasmine, gardenia, orange blossom and musk.

Now boasting 23 fragrances in its range, Henry & Co was born out of lockdown.  The family firm, which boasts many years of gift retail experience and more specifically 10 years of retailing home fragrance, took the decision to establish a new own-brand home fragrance business handmade in the UK.

Surrounded by experienced and passionate fragrance experts and a Master Chandler, the dream became a reality, and with a small but perfectly formed team,

Henry & Co was born.

With the environment at the forefront of the brand - and of course, the aim of delivering an amazing fragrance experience - the Henry & Co team has worked tirelessly to create a range of hand-poured fragrance products.

The main collection offers glassine-wrapped wax melts in two- and six-packs, a great value 10-pack, a glass jar candle with bamboo lid, a reed diffuser and reed diffuser refills: all with environmentally-friendly packaging.

In addition, Henry & Co has recently launched an Artisan range of wax melts, along with merchandising stands and new POS.

Stand: Spring Fair Hall 4 F72 Call: 01332 553383

Email: hello@henryandcompany.co.uk Visit: www.henryandcofragrance.co.uk

Embrace the elements

Essence of Harris

Luxury home fragrance and candle brand Essence of Harris has launched Elements: a collection featuring four evocative fragrances inspired by the Isle of Harris.  Haar, Mara, Dusk and Adru embody the mystic wilds of the Outer Hebrides, from pristine coastlines to rolling peat moorlands. Breathe in fresh salt air, sun-soaked white sand, and the earthy, rural landscape with ingredients such as samphire, marine minerals and eucalyptus as well as wild nettle, oak moss and sandalwood.

The range comprises a reed diffuser and natural soy wax candle.

Call: 01859 502768

Email: info@essenceofharris.com Visit: https://essenceofharris.co.uk

Captivate your senses

St. Eval

St. Eval’s new Lamorna Collection celebrates the simple elegance of nature, drawing inspiration from an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in West Cornwall. Captivate your senses with five evocative fragrances in the company’s new unique blend of natural rapeseed wax, showcased in elegant, frosted glass candles and maxi tealights.

Meanwhile, envisioned to capture the herbal healing of wild Cornwall and crafted naturally to protect and soothe against the elements, St. Eval’s Botanical Collection is a beautiful gift for loved ones. Nourishing body and soul with a harmonious blend of pure essential oils, this collection is perfect for creating a haven of peace and calm. Leaping Bunny-approved and made with naturally derived ingredients, as a certified B Corp, St. Eval’s products are kind to the skin and kind to the planet.

Call: 01841 540850 Email: info@st-eval.com Visit: www.st-eval.com

Colourful creation

Studio Dine Store

Get your daily dose of ‘vitamin sea’ from the comfort of your own home with The Ocean Marbled Dinner Candle, which is hand poured in London in small batches and made using 100% soy wax, natural dyes and pure cotton wick.

Studio Design Store pieces are curated to bring a fresh approach to modern tablescaping, adding creativity and colour to your dining experience. Founder Callie Pettigrew describes it as ‘a labour of love, but when each is this unique and special we think they’re worth every second they take to make. All you need now is a cocktail and you’re good to go!’.

Call: 07871404416

Email: hello@studiodine.com

Visit: www.studiodine.com

Coffee Break

Gifts Today takes a break with Daniel and Sarah Pettitt, managing director and creative director of Heaven Scent, to talk about their company which is celebrating 30 years of trading

Daniel and Sarah say: “Heaven Scent is a homegrown business established in 1993 with the aim to provide wholesale room fragrance and body care lines that are kind to both you and the environment.

We pride ourselves on making our increasing catalogue of products to the same family ethos and eco-credentials that we began with three decades ago.

We create our products in the heart of Wiltshire from two sites: our office and packing teams occupy a historic building on the banks of the Kennet and Avon Canal, where candle production occurred until 2017 when we then moved into our purpose-built, solarpowered factory a couple of miles down the road.

This new facility means that we can now produce batches of 3,000-plus candles and reed diffusers each day. Although our production has scaled up, each candle, reed diffuser, soap and incense stick is individually made, inspected and hand-labelled using the utmost care and attention, so that you can rest assured that you will be purchasing a top-quality product.

Heaven Scent was one of the first small-batch home fragrance producers to offer bespoke labelling services across the entire range, and thousands of our customers sell candles and more with their own unique branding. If this is something that you would like for your business, contact our label team to see how we can create labels with your own logo and fonts.

Starting in the early 1990s selling incense sticks, our love for home fragrance led us on a path to create candles, then reed diffusers and body products. We believe that our expertise and vast knowledge of aroma oils and bases is what has made us so successful in creating quality fragrance.

Over the years, we’ve worked with our suppliers to create our bespoke blends of plant wax, soap ingredients and cosmetic bases which we love and use ourselves on a daily basis.

Using mainly vegan ingredients, in addition to choosing suppliers who are transparent about their products and practices, means we believe we lead the way for sustainable home fragrance in the UK. It is important to us to use recyclable materials, power our production premises with solar energy, and contribute to a tree planting charity to offset our carbon footprint.

Our palm-free plant wax is made up of sustainably sourced soy, coconut and rapeseed oils which offer a low temperature melt point. We work hard on compliance, keeping abreast of chemical legislation, creating SDS [Safety Data Sheets], CLP [Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Chemicals] and legislative frameworks. We can offer compliance help if you are interested and are another home fragrance producer. Our candle wicks are made of cotton with a paper core (rather than metal).

We’re sure that you will love our products as much as we love making them. If you have any questions, please email contact@heavenscent.co.uk.”

Call: 01225 868788

Email: contact@heavenscent.co.uk

Visit: www.heavenscent.co.uk

“We pride ourselves on making our increasing catalogue of products to the same family ethos and eco-credentials that we began with three decades ago”

For scribing in style

Exacompta Clairefontaine

Exacompta Clairefontaine has added new metallic colours to its Rhodia range. The soft imitation leather covers have a metallic sheen which gives a luxurious and chic appearance with a choice of five colours: gold, copper, bronze, titanium and white. These have been added to the softcover Goalbook and A5 notebook ranges. The A5 size Goalbook is perfect for journalling, as each book contains 240 pages (224 numbered pages, six page index and two perpetual calendars) with printed ivory paper that features a subtle dot grid. The notebooks contain 160 pages of lined ivory paper. Rhodia books are renowned for their premium quality super-smooth 90gsm paper that is loved by writers around the world.

Writing instruments

Plus, check out the Rhodia scRipt pens and pencils. These writing instruments, supplied in colour matched packaging, are a great gift for individuals who appreciate the finer things in life. Both the ballpoint pen and the mechanical pencil feature a stylish hexagonal brushed aluminium body. The pen has a highprecision 0.7 mm ballpoint tip which is retractable with a simple click. It is supplied with black ink, with blue and black refills available. The pencil takes standard 0.5mm graphite leads and has a retractable barrel and an eraser underneath

the push button. Rhodia also offers a wide range of premium quality notebooks in matching colours for a completely co-ordinated look.

Scented inks gift box

Finally, for those looking for an alternative to traditional sweet and scented gifts such as chocolates and perfume, the Jacques Herbin scented inks gift box presents five elegant 10 ml bottles, each with a floral or fruity aroma. These inks are made using hydrosols which are water-based and are created from the distillation of fresh flowers, fruits and other plant materials, making them an ecofriendly choice and a joy to ink connoisseurs.

The five inks are all delicately scented with different aromas and colours too: blue/lavender, brown/cocoa, red/rose, amber/orange and purple/violet.

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

Positive planning

Personalised Memento Company

This brightly coloured Personalised Mindfulness A5 Journal is the perfect way to turn journalling and mindfulness into an everyday habit this New Year.

Featuring a spiral spine, the pages can be easily turned over and the journal will lay flat on the desk for easy use. Filled to the brim with positive quotes and lots of space to record your day including how you are feeling, what you are looking forward to, the best part of your day and things to remember, along with doodle spaces, it makes the perfect gift for any recipient or a useful present for yourself!

Head over to the company’s website to register for free and see its full range of stationery gifts.

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

A perfect paper companion

Museums & Galleries

Museums & Galleries (M&G) says that for many, ‘these beautiful A5 soft cover journals are a magical combination of usability and beauty of design and production’.

Artwork really shines on the sturdy yet flexible covers, with many of them embellished with foil. Foiled or coloured edging on the paperblocks adds distinction. and sets off the cover design.

All of M&G’s licences feature in this collection, notably the V&A and Matthew Williamson. But there are also great pieces from the British Museum, Natural History Museum, and Tate Gallery.

For spring 2023 there are some stunning additions from the V&A, Matthew Williamson, Natural History Museum, British Museum, Sarah Campbell, Catherine Rowe, and Helen Ahpornsiri for Wild Press.

Call: 01373 461455

Email: sales@mgml.co.uk

Visit: www.museumsgalleries.co.uk

Sealed with love

Hootyballoo

Add a personal touch to your wedding stationery with this beautiful Heart Wax stamp and wax seal from Hootyballoo by Club Green. The seal is available in Gold, Rose Gold or Silver, to ensure it co-ordinates with any stationery.

Stand: Spring Fair Hall 3 P20-Q21

Call: 01483 281313

Email: sales@clubgreen.com

Visit: Trade: www.clubgreen.com; Retail: www.hootyballoo.com

Dear Diary…

Dairy Diary

Dairy Diary has been loved by its users for more than 40 years and is a much sought-after purchase every year. Loyal customers just cannot be without their Dairy Diary, and many have their whole family history written within the pages of each edition!

Originally launched to support milkmen by the Milk Marketing Board, it’s still sold by milkmen and women across Britain, as well as online. It was taken on by Eaglemoss in 2001, and acquired by Trek Logistics in August 2022.

This change of ownership promises to provide a secure and exciting future for the brand. Trek Logistics is owned by Nigel Mothersole, former Head of Operations at Eaglemoss, providing an already sound understanding of Dairy Diary. There is a strong synergy between the two businesses as Trek Logistics provides all fulfilment services for the products. Dairy Diary will continue to be managed by Emily Davenport, who has more than 20 years of experience with the brand and is committed to preserving its brand values.

The 2023 edition of the Dairy Diary is the best yet! It has a practical layout plus stickers, reminders, planners, and features on crafting, gardening and wellbeing. Consumers will love the weekly recipes of simple yet delicious dishes that have been triple-tested to ensure they work every time. This unique selling point of the Diary allows readers to try something new every week throughout the year.

Dairy Diaries, Dairy Diary Sets and also the new cookbook ‘Healthier Comfort Food’ are available now.

Call: 01270 270050

Email: enquiries@dairydiary.co.uk  Visit: www.dairydiary.co.uk

Sock it to ’em!

Joe Davies

Ensure your wardrobe is doing its bit for sustainability with this attractive collection of Equilibrium Bamboo socks from Joe Davies.

Bamboo socks are becoming more and more popular, thanks to their luxurious feel and anti-bacterial properties. The collection comes in a myriad of fun, vibrant designs: from fashionable animal prints, cute pooches and quirky sheep designs for ladies, to beer, cycling and fast cars for men.

The socks are available to buy in single hanging packs or in sets of two pairs which are beautifully packaged in luxury ‘opening drawer’ gift boxes.  Good socks really do make a difference - so blend functionality with style with these cool statement socks!

Joe Davies specialises in supplying independent retailers in ‘little and often’ quantities, with carriagepaid orders of just £100 and free nationwide delivery.

Stand: Spring Fair Hall 4 Stand C10-D11 Call: 0161 975 6300 Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk Visit: www.joedavies.co.uk

Ever in bloom

Alexander Thurlow

The 74-year-old family business continues to blossom, as it welcomes you into the new year with fresh styles and favourable flowers.

Despite entering the winter months, Alexander Thurlow captures the beauty and optimism of the season with its delicate snowdrops. Symbolic of new beginnings and hope, these wonderful flowers are also known as the first sign of spring.

What’s more, spring’s showstoppers also feature in Alexander Thurlow’s collection, demonstrating the vivacity of the early months in nature. Classics such as the primrose and forget-me-not are joined by new narcissus pieces and are certain to be adored by many.

Stock your shelves with the flowers that give life to the ground we walk on. Love nature, love flowers - with Alexander Thurlow. Call: 02087666466

Email: sales@alexanderthurlow.com Visit: www.alexanderthurlow.com

Cornish inspiration

Sea Gems

Sea Gems is a family-run gift company with nearly 40 years of design heritage. It offers high quality and original silver jewellery and gift collections for boutiques, gift shops and jewellers who are looking for something different at affordable prices.

Designed in Cornwall, Sea Gems’ pieces capture the essence of the southwest county’s landscape, nature, wildlife, and heritage. And for Spring Fair, the company is launching brand new and exciting collections.

Sea Gems says: ’We are one of the most well-established and innovative suppliers to the jewellery and gift trade. Exclusively designed in Cornwall with beautiful packaging and POS available, we offer easy online ordering with friendly customer support.’

Stand: Spring Fair Hall 2 Stand G10-J11 Call: 01736 335840 Email: sales@seagems.co.uk Visit: www.seagems.co.uk

Springtime scent

Lesser & Pavey

New fragrances from Lesser & Pavey are about springtime, and the return of floral displays in the garden and home. The company has launched floral diffusers offering the fragrances of Hydrangea and Hyacinth; Lily and Black Orchid; Eucalyptus and Pomegranate; Poppy and Dark Amber; Daffodil and Jasmine; and Daffodils.

Available in two sizes of 100ml and 200ml, each diffuser comes in a premium colour gift box with a window to show off the bottle and flowers, enhancing the range for display and as a gift.

Lesser & Pavey says: ‘With the new ranges, we hope to remove the darkness of the winter months with attractiveness, colour and fragrance, reflecting the positiveness of a new springtime and the warmth and colour it brings.’

Bringing art to the tabletop Museums & Galleries

Museums & Galleries (M&G) has taken to textile-based products like a duck to water and 2023 sees another leap forward: the company is releasing two napkin collections - one on printed organic cotton and the other on printed paper.

Fabric-based gift products have been a big success within M&G’s offer since they were first introduced two years ago with organic cotton pencil cases. Pouch bags and luxury totes followed last year. All of these ranges have been expanded for 2023, together with the launch of a collection of six organic cotton napkin designs.

Each pack has a branded bellyband holding together four machine washable printed cotton napkins. The napkins are generously sized at 45cm square.

The range features some of M&G’s most sumptuous imagery from its licences: two William Morris designs from the V&A, a design based on Hokusai’s ‘Great Wave’ from the British Museum, Vincent Van Gogh’s classic painting ‘Almond Blossoms in Bloom’, young designer Catherine Rowe’s ‘Honey Bee’ pattern and M&G Classics favourite ‘Wild Garden’ by artist Josephine Simon.

The beautiful artwork has been faithfully reproduced on cotton, matching perfectly with other products in M&G’s collection. These will definitely be a big hit with fans of creative table settings and home entertaining.

Alongside the cotton napkin collection, M&G is introducing a collection of 12 paper napkin packs. Each cello pack contains 20 napkins packaged with a branded insert. Unfolded, the napkins measure 33cm square.

There are two mini-collections within this range. The first mini-collection is the V&A’s, which has its own spread of six napkin designs, focusing on the museum’s strengths in British Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau patterns. The second mini-collection is a paper-based accompaniment to the organic cotton collection, with the designs matching perfectly.

Stand:

Call: 01322 279225

Email: sale@leonardo.co.uk

Visit: www.leonardo.co.uk

Two new designs are available in the paper napkin collection - Sarah Campbell’s vibrant ‘Coffee Break’ and Dee Hardwicke’s perennially popular ‘Hares and Berries’.

This exciting collection will be launched for sale in January and will be on display at M&G’s stand at the Spring Fair.

Call: 01373 461455

Email: sales@mgml.co.uk

Visit: www.museumsgalleries.co.uk

Eternal style for your tabletop

William Morris famously instructed us to “Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.“

Thankfully, with our brand new range of organic Cotton Napkins, you don’t need to make a choice. We hope William would have approved.

The new Museums & Galleries 2023 Collection is out now. Contact our sales team or visit our website to view

A cheerful start to 2023

Gisela Graham

Gisela Graham is looking on the bright side in her 2023 Christmas collection.

As always, she presents hundreds of unique, new products to bring festive cheer to British homes. Examples include her cheerful Gingerbread Farm (featuring gingerbread fairies and tractors), Frost with a touch of green and bronze, and Midnight Goose in deep, mystic blue - a vivid contrast to the jewel colours of Christmas Fantastica.

There are also dozens of delightful new fairies and treetoppers, 200 new glass baubles - and a 1,600 SKU elegantly cheery new homewares and gift range. See them all at the Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair or call your area salesperson or book a London showroom visit.

Stand: Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair Hall M Stands M14, M16, M28

Call: 020 7708 4956 Email: www.giselagraham.co.uk Visit: sales@giselagraham.co.uk

Beat the chill The Wheat Bag Company

The Wheat Bag Company is delighted with the success of its Draught Excluders since their launch last September. These functional and stylish draught excluders are available in a variety of the company’s most popular designs. Each handmade product is filled with soft polyester wadding and comes with a handy loop handle for storing when not in use - a perfect home accessory to help keep houses warm during the colder months.

Call: 01747 480499

Email: s les@thewheatbagcompany.co.uk Visit: www.thewheatbagcompany.co.uk

Quirky charm

Joe Davies

Village Pottery from Joe Davies continues to go from strength to strength. This range of quirky ceramic houses look attractive lined up on a windowsill or fireplace mantel. And with their home décor shades in creams, greys, and pretty pastels, they fit any colour scheme.

Each piece has a unique hand-crafted look with a distressed paint finish. Choose from tealight holders giving a warm glow for cold winter nights, to planters and oil burners.

Joe Davies has a reputation for award-winning customer service, and a great range of gifts dedicated to independent retailers. All of its products are available in the company’s ‘little and often’ quantities, with a minimum order value of just £100 and free nationwide delivery.

Stand: Spring Fair Hall 4 Stand C10-D11

Call: 0161 975 6300

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

January introductions

Enesco

Willow Tree

Enesco has introduced a new Willow Tree figurine showcasing the power of music & movement. There are two variations of Music Speaks, which stand 17cm tall. It features a female figure with her arms crossed in front of her chest, and her head gently tilted to the side, as if swaying and swirling in time to music. Originally carved in clay, then cast in resin and hand-painted, the figurine is available in both a lighter and darker skin tone. The underlying resin material of both skin tones shows through a thin layer of paint rubbed over her entire garment, revealing an intricate play of dancing forms, musical instruments and notes, and detailed patterning.

Allen Designs

Enesco has also added co-ordinating panda pieces to its homeware collection from Allen Designs While wall hanging clocks continue to be a best-seller in this collection, Allen Designs has evolved the pieces to create sitting and free-standing clocks too. The new Panda Clock features a black and white furry friend complete with a turquoise and yellow spotted neckerchief. Made from cast stone and measuring 32cm tall, this piece uses a stick of bamboo as the hand of time, moving around the panda’s torso to point at the minutes and hours, while the structure of the clock is stabilised through the panda’s seated position.

Also proving popular as a statement piece in homes are Allen’s planters. Like the clocks, each planter is made from cast stone, with pieces designed to co-ordinate with the clocks and other pieces across the collection. The new Panda Planter is the perfect bamboo-chomping companion for the Panda Clock, seeing the same whimsical design bringing a quirky yet super stylish touch to your customers’ homes. Measuring 13cm tall, the planter has an opening at the top of the panda’s head - perfect for placing plants, succulents or perhaps sticks of bamboo, as if giving the little panda a funky new horticultural hairdo.

Beatrix Potter Egg Cups

Finally, Enesco is hopping with glee to announce the addition of new egg cups to its Beatrix Potter collection. Rather than a standard egg cup structure, these feature a figurine of one of four different characters from The World of Peter Rabbit, peering into a basket which acts as the cup structure to hold the egg.

Characters included in this collection are Jemima Puddle-Duck, Benjamin Bunny, Flopsy and of course Peter Rabbit himself. Each egg cup is crafted from ceramic and measures 9.5cm tall.

Each character is depicted using the original artwork from Beatrix Potter’s original tales, so fans of Peter Rabbit will recognise him wearing his blue jacket, Flopsy with her sweet little red cape, Jemima Puddle-Duck with her bonnet, and Benjamin Bunny with his green Tam-o-Shanter.

Presented in a branded gift box, not only do the new Beatrix Potter Egg Cups make for a lovely gift, they’re set to be sought-after collectors’ items too.

Call: 01228 404022

Email: uksales@enesco.co.uk Visit: www.enesco.co.uk

Piggy banks get personal

Personalised Memento Company

Brand new from PMC, this cute Personalised Piggy Bank is the perfect way to save those pennies. With a money box stopper featured on the base of the item, there is no need to smash the piggy bank openmeaning this gift can be used and treasured for years to come. Available in a range of different designs, these piggy banks are suitable for all occasions.

With a growing range of on-trend giftware and selling solutions to suit all retailers, there has never been a better time to sell personalised gifts. Visit PMC’s trade website to register for your account and get started.

Email: sales@personalisedmemento.co.uk

Visit: www.personalisedmemento.co.uk

Something special awaits…

Hootyballoo

Hootyballoo by Club Green has been having lots of fun designing many new ranges for 2023 and can’t wait to showcase them at the Spring Fair, with its new style of exhibition stand enabling it to display new ranges and products in a unique way.

Hootyballoo has something extra special to launch at the Fair too. So, if you own a party shop, or want to retail its products but don’t have much space, then make sure you visit the stand so the company can show you how.

On display will be new ranges for themed birthday parties, baby showers, and Easter, plus an extra special celebration range for King Charles’ Coronation, and much more.

Stand: Spring Fair Hall 3 P20-Q21 Call: 01483 281313 Email: sales@clubgreen.com Visit: Trade: www.clubgreen.com; Retail: www.hootyballoo.com

From suncatchers to shabby chic Joe

Davies

Suncatchers are back and better than ever, offering a modern minimalist effect with little to no effort needed. This brand-new zodiac collection of suncatchers from Joe Davies combines pretty crystals with astrology, so if you are looking to brighten up your home or seeking gifts for astrology-obsessed friends, then look no further.

Meanwhile, the new Love Lane range of shabby chic wooden houses has a rustic handcrafted feel, making them the perfect home decor item to adorn a shelf or windowsill. A charming set of single, duo and trio houses sitting on a whitewashed wood base, all with a different heartfelt message, make them a perfect gift for a family member or friend or a sweet and welcoming decoration for the home. Other products in this range include coasters, wall plaques, photo frames, tealight holders, a calendar, and a family key hook.

Ordering from Joe Davies couldn’t be easier with its ‘little and often’ ordering system and minimum order value of just £100 for carriage-paid orders. The company’s award-winning team is always on hand to help and advise on its extensive gift and jewellery collections.

Stand: Spring Fair Hall 4 C10-D11 Call: 0161 975 6300 Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk Visit: www.joedavies.co.uk

New year, new photo album!

Exacompta Clairefontaine

New Year’s resolutions should include printing photos and creating an album of precious memories for the future, believes Exacompta Clairefontaine, which has recently added the Ellipse range to its Exacompta collection of premium quality photo albums.

The soft leatherette covers - with a metallic rose gold Ellipse design - offer a sophisticated look to the albums, which are available in three subtle shades of celadon green, grey and old pink.

The traditional book style album (29x32cm) contains 60 white pages which hold up to 60 photos (10x15cm), and features crystal interleaves for additional protection of the photos. The wirebound version (32x22cm) has 50 white pages which hold up to 150 photos (10x15cm). The heavyweight paper used in both album styles is FSC-certified, making them an eco-friendly purchase.

Ellipse guest books are also available in the same colours and feature 100 premium quality plain pages, which are gilt-edged for a luxurious look.

Call: 01553 696600

Email: sales@exaclair.co.uk Visit: www.exaclairlimited.com

New products Christmas delights

Langs

Langs says: ‘Can you believe we have just enjoyed all the Christmas festivities and it’s nearly time to launch our Christmas Edition 2023?’. Throughout the second half of last year, the Langs designers got their Elf hats on and started creating a new Christmas launch. The research began with shop visits, along with a buying trip to India, and included some of the company’s top-selling Christmas lines from last season. Then the magic began.

Seasonal cheer starts with Langs’ stunning Christmas Nutcracker collection. According to German folklore, nutcrackers were given as keepsakes to bring luck to the family and protect the home. It is said they bring strength and power and watch over the family, keeping evil spirits away.

Christmas is all about children’s faces when they see that Father Christmas has visited. Langs has created some lovely items to help kids set the scene on Christmas Eve, with sacks and stockings featuring hand-illustrated mice and dinosaurs. There’s also a trivet for leaving treats for Santa and the reindeers.

Christmas is also a cosy time: don’t we just love to snuggle up with warm sweaters, hot chocolate and watch some great festive movies? Langs has extended its hugely successful sweet treat and family time gifting, so you can enjoy your favourite films together.

Langs really has got Christmas all wrapped up, and can’t wait to share the glitter and joy that comes with all its new collections. The first glimpse of the company’s Christmas edition 2023 will be at Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair. Get ready to sparkle!

Stand: Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair Hall A Stand A4 Call: 01332 340927 Email: sales@richardlang.co.uk; jane@richardlang.co.uk Visit: www.richardlang.co.uk

Fun forever gifts

Rainbow Designs

Rainbow Designs will have many of its much-loved and inspiring nursery and gift collections on display at Top Drawer, which showcase some of the most cherished characters from children’s literature.

Collections include Disney’s Classic Pooh Always and Forever, Peter Rabbit Signature, Peanuts’ Snoopy, the ever-popular Guess How Much I Love You, and the new Mickey Mouse Memories ranges.

In addition, Rainbow is celebrating the arrival of three heritage licences to the Rainbow family: adorable soft toys of the nostalgic Maisy, Bagpuss and Giraffes Can’t Dance characters will be available this year.

Plus, 2023 sees Disney mark 100 Years of Wonder, and to celebrate the centenary milestone, Rainbow Designs is launching the Mickey Mouse Memories range.

This beautiful, luxury collection of fun forever toys and gifts has been created to entertain little ones and ignite nostalgic imaginations. Delivered in stunning packaging that features the iconic Mickey Mouse vintage artwork, the range includes a Mickey Mouse Wooden Ring Rattle, Comfort Blanket and Activity Toy, as well as a Musical Lullaby Mickey Mouse Toy.

The Disney’s Classic Pooh Always and Forever baby gifting collection has been carefully designed with a focus on sustainability, making precious heirloom gifts to pass down the generations. The Winnie the Pooh Soft Toys, Comfort Blanket and Ring Rattle make wonderful gifts, perfect to both entertain and comfort babies.

Rainbow’s contemporary Peanuts collection showcases the coolest Beagle on the planet, Snoopy. The Everybody Loves Snoopy range features American cartoonist Charles Schulz’s much-loved characters including a snuggly Snoopy Soft Toy, a Cuddly lying down Snoopy and the Cuddly Snoopy and Woodstock Soft Toy - perfect gifts for any Snoopy fans.

Stand: Top Drawer S/S 23 Stand L58

Call: 01329 227300

Email: sales@rainbowdesigns.co.uk

Visit: www.rainbowdesigns.co.uk

The lasting present

Exacompta Clairefontaine

Rhodia offers a range of premium quality Goalbook journals which make an ideal lasting gift for Mother’s Day.

The soft leatherette covers are available in a wide spectrum of 32 colours. The inside back cover has an expanding pocket which is perfect for storing items such as tickets.

The journal contains Clairefontaine premium quality 90gsm ivory brushed vellum paper which provides a super smooth writing surface. There are 240 pages with feint square or dot grids and numbered and index sheets plus two perpetual calendars. It also features a handy pen loop to keep the pen close at hand.

PEFC-certification provides consumers with the reassurance that these items are produced from responsibly managed sources.

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

Gifts to treasure

Joe Davies

If you’re looking for a gift that mum will truly treasure, nothing is more special than a beautiful Equilibrium pendant or bracelet from Joe Davies, featuring a heartfelt sentiment selected especially with mum in mind.

Mother’s Day is the second biggest event in the Joe Davies calendar and the trend for simple sentiment messages for mum and nan is as strong as ever (possibly due to the events of the past couple of years).

Plated in real silver and gold, and packaged in luxury branded boxes, this popular collection is a sure winner for mothers and grandmothers of all ages.

Selecting from the vast Equilibrium jewellery and fashion accessories collection is easy and affordable using Joe Davies’ ‘little and often’ ordering system. What’s more, minimum orders are just £100 for carriage-paid orders, so ordering from this extensive collection really won’t break the bank.

Stand: Spring Fair Hall 4 C10-D11 Call: 0161 975 6300 Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk Visit: www.joedavies.co.uk

Mother’s Day made extra special

Hootyballoo

Celebrate Mother’s Day in style with the gorgeous Best Mum Ever range from Hootyballoo by Club Green.

Stunning gold foiled banners, cake toppers, cupcake picks and sweet daisy table scatters will brighten up your Afternoon Tea surprise.

Complete the look with foil and confetti balloons and, to make your Mum feel even more loved, surprise her with a Best Mum glitter hair band!

Stand: Spring Fair Hall 3 P20-Q21 Call: 01483 281313 Email: sales@clubgreen.com Visit: Trade: www.clubgreen.com; Retail: www.hootyballoo.com

A floral tribute

Personalised Memento Company

This gorgeous Personalised Floral Glass Tea Light Holder is a thoughtful and modern gift which will look great displayed around any home. With the option to fully personalise with a heartfelt message, it’s sure to be cherished for many years to come. Keep an eye out for the full product range coming soon!

Visit PMC’s website to find out how they could help you to sell from its huge range of dropship personalised gifts.

Email: sales@personalisedmemento.co.uk

Visit: www.personalisedmemento.co.uk

Speak to her heart

Joma Jewellery

Discover gift ideas that will speak to her heart with Joma Jewellery’s sparkling new Mother’s Day Collection.,The range is set to make the special day even more memorable, with heartfelt sentiments such as ‘First My Mum Forever My Friend’ and ‘Love You Mum’. The sparkling silver-plated designs are predicted to be a favourite among customers for this key calendar moment, ranging from the bestselling A Littles, to luxurious Celebrations Sets, Life’s A Charm Collection, and boxed gifts - so there’s no need to worry about wrapping! Plus, Joma Jewllery’s latest vegan leather Jewellery Rolls can be used by mum to store all her new pieces.

Call: 01295 263430

Email: enquiries@jomajewellery.com Visit: wholesale.jomajewellery.com

A little bit of luxury

Katie Loxton

Help your customers to celebrate the leading ladies in their lives with Katie Loxton’s new Mother’s Day Collection.

Bursting with heartfelt touches, paired with trend-led silhouettes and contemporary designs, the range includes Mother’s Day pouches, home fragrances, boxed mugs, and women’s handbags. There is something for every type of mum and mummy-to-be!

Katie Loxton says: ‘Our stunning new colour palette will stand out in any in-store display, from vibrant coral (which is perfect for the summer months), to timeless hues of white and soft tan. Complete with our signature gold-tone hardware - because every mum deserves a little bit of luxury.’

Call: 01295 250879

Email: enquiries@katieloxton.com

Visit: wholesale.katieloxton.com

Says thanks to mum

Lesser & Pavey

Pictured is the new ‘I Love You Mum’ range, by the Lesser & Pavey British artist Jennifer Rose. The design features on a fine china mug, a ceramic coaster, a mug and coaster gift set, a stemless wine glass and a tumbler, a glass vase for floral arrangements, a three-dimensional heart plaque, a fragranced diffuser, and a candle. New Mother’s Day items have also been added to the very popular Madelaine range, ready for Sunday March 19. The collection has been enhanced with fine china mugs, a wine glass, a fragranced candle, and a diffuser.

Stand: Harrogate Christmas & Gift Hall A A6 Spring Fair Hall 5 D10-E11

Call: 01322 279225

Email: sale@leonardo.co.uk Visit: www.leonardo.co.uk

David Roznowski & Jocelyne RoyouRoznowski Co-Founders

D

& J Glassware

What do you have planned for Spring?

We’re always working on new ideas, so we plan some exciting new launches in early 2023 - more on this closer to Spring Fair! We can tell you that we will be relaunching our reed diffuser gift sets in fabulous new packaging.

What trends do you predict will be hot in 2023?

Feel-good products and items that make you smile! Consumers undoubtedly have less to spend on gifts and this means that affordable quality is essential. Fortunately, this sums up our collections perfectly.

How optimistic are you for the year ahead? We would be lying if we said that 2022 was an enjoyable year. As everyone knows, it was our 20th anniversary. But rather than being a non-stop celebration, it was probably the most challenging year we’ve experienced, due to global events. However, with a new year comes fresh enthusiasm, and we are hopeful that by late spring/early summer there will be some signs that the current pressures are easing.

Scott Thomas Managing Director Ivyline

What do you have planned for Spring?

Ivyline is attending the Spring Fair for the first time in four years, bringing a curated range of products specifically designed to help retailers maximise key selling opportunities.

The combination of planters, vases, candles, and décor gives an incredibly strong presence and an easy to purchase themed package for retailers to buy into.

Our focus on sustainable and ethical sourcing gives the retailer and consumer confidence that the inspirational product they are purchasing has been carefully produced in the right way - for the environment and the workers in the supply chain.

Added to this, we will be unveiling our inspirational Christmas collections. 2022 has seen strong growth in our seasonal home and gift offering, and this will be further strengthened. Don’t miss the Ivyline stand at 7E7O.

What trends do you predict will be hot in 2023?

In 2023 we expect home and garden to continue to perform strongly. As consumers cut back on large-ticket items, functional products that are beautifully created will provide an instant lift, both indoors and out.

As many continue to work from home, houseplants form an important part of the home office. They give great mental health benefits and transform the room.

We also expect to continue to see strong growth in heating accessories, such as fireside tools and log baskets, as many turn to natural sources of heat. And with so many converting into outdoor entertaining through lockdown, we will see consumers continue to transform their outdoor spaces.

We expect consumers to continue to focus on sustainable sourcing and brands that are committed to having this at the heart of what they are doing.

How optimistic are you for the year ahead?

We are optimistic for 2023. You must invest and innovate to survive. You will see Ivyline invest in more senior management, new product categories, new warehousing, and new IT infrastructure.

Consumers have been ground down by the constant negative press regarding the cost of living. We expect to see consumers shop less, but for quality products that last.

With inflation set to fall, people moving house less and improving what they have, the working from home trend continuing, the government’s increase in pensions, and a likely decline in holiday travel compared with 2022, we should see home and garden trade quite robustly. The key will be to tap into consumer sentiment, constantly react to data and market trends, and keep agile.

We are also launching a new product category that will add to our drive for growth.

And in early Spring we are moving to a new high-tech warehouse with excellent capacity. This will enable us to increase capacity as well as speed of delivery. Same day despatch on parcels will be a great boost for our online retail partners.

We handed out crystal balls to nine giftware suppliers and asked them to divine 2023 trends, and reveal their plans and predictions for the year

“Consumers undoubtedly have less to spend on gifts and this means that affordable quality is essential”

“We expect home and garden to continue to perform strongly. As consumers cut back on large-ticket items, functional products that are beautifully created will provide an instant lift, both indoors and out”

Stephen Thurlow

Director Alexander Thurlow

What do you have planned for Spring?

We kick off with the Spring Fair as our first show of the year. Last year it was great to be back at the NEC, meeting up with customers old and new after Covid. This really is the show to do.

We’ve got some great new flower products to show off and are just finalising the designs as we speak.

What trends do you predict will be hot in 2023? We’ve noticed customers are starting to request some of our flowers in gold finish now and sustainability, of course, is still in the forefront. But ‘trends’ are always a bit of an enigma for us as our products are quite generic, so consequently we seem to bypass anything ‘hot’!

How optimistic are you for the year ahead?  We are feeling good about the business for the coming year. We were extremely busy up to Christmas and there are some really positive new business opportunities coming through. We feel this is helped by our great products - and the price points are still at a nice affordable position, which makes them an affordable purchase despite the doom and gloom going on all around.

Lawrence Savage UK Marketing Manager Exacompta Clairefontaine

What do you have planned for Spring?

We’ve got some exciting product launches lined up for the new year, including the introduction of the new Décopatch My Creative Moment mini kits.

Ideal for those seeking some time to escape and unleash their creativity, these new models take a fresh approach to the bestselling mini kits by incorporating various home décor inspired papier mâché shapes to decorate together with two sheets of patterned paper, plus a brush and pot of Décopatch glue.

New designs include a choice of vases, wall displays, a phone stand or a photo frame, and come in a kraft style box that can also be decorated with the papers supplied.

In addition to our latest Rhodia notebooks and journals, these will be featured at the London Stationery Show that will be held at the Islington Business Design Centre on May 16 and May 17.

What trends do you predict will be hot in 2023?

Demand for sustainable and personalised stationery is anticipated to continue as the premium stationery sector experiences gradual growth with a CAGR [compound annual growth rate] of 4.12% expected up until 2026.

Although we’ve seen a slight dip in those who take a hybrid approach to working since the lifting of pandemic restrictions, this trend is set to remain with around one in five employees continuing to work at least one day a week from home. This will further drive sales in journalling and other creative pastimes which can promote wellbeing and mental health. How optimistic are you for the year ahead?  The whole industry has been faced with several challenges over the past couple of years. However, with continued investment in greater and greener product innovations and more localised distribution, alongside the strengthening of manufacturer and reseller collaborations, there are plenty of opportunities for growth throughout 2023 and beyond.

“We are feeling good about the business for the coming year”

“There are plenty of opportunities for growth throughout 2023 and beyond”

Trade talk

Sarah Watmore

Owner Miss Milly

What do you have planned for Spring?

We’re very excited about the start of 2023, with our Spring/Summer jewellery collection launch due to be showcased at Spring Fair. The samples are in and we’re currently busy with photography and uploading to the website.

The new year season has the edge slightly over the late summer launch for us, because it is the reintroduction of brightness and a full spectrum of colour - from ice cream pastels to tropical lushness - while we are usually still in the midst of winter gloom.

What trends do you predict will be hot for 2023?  2023 will start as cautiously as 2022 finished, with people watching their spending and being careful. So for us, offering good quality products at great value prices is key, and will continue to be our mantra.

Personally, I think (hope) there will be a much bigger move towards sustainability in how we live our lives. And, as a huge advocate of cycling and active travel, I believe this will finally get the attention it deserves. So I predict a niche trend of clothing and accessories for the everyday, utility cyclist.

How optimistic are you for the year ahead?

We are definitely cautiously optimistic. We worked hard through 2022 to put in place new, integrated

and free up time to invest in growing the business.

As with all periods of uncertainty, it’s important to control your overheads and continue to communicate

This was our strategy through the lockdowns, and we came out of that to our most successful year yet. So we’re in a

and make the most of the opportunities that come our way.

Simon Pykett Country Manager

Bloomingville

What do you have planned for Spring?  Bloomingville have just launched their new and amazing Spring Summer 2023 collection and are supporting this launch with attendance at the Spring Fair in Birmingham and Maison&Objet in Paris. The brand is now well established in the UK and its growth has been supported by increasing our sales team with the appointment of

Harriet Basham as business development agent for London. What trends do you predict will be hot in 2023?  Home decoration and other small pick-up items will, I’m sure, feature heavily in 2023. Whatever difficulties we may face in 2023, there will still be the desire to decorate our homes: something we can do with a few well chosen, entry price point small home decoration pieces.

How optimistic are you for the year ahead?  We remain very optimistic. We are also realistic, however, and sales growth will come from increasing market share with a great collection supported by a healthy company, which will be able to deliver when many of our competitors cannot. Brexit is long behind us now and our favourable terms and conditions mean that goods flow freely.

systems to make Miss Milly more efficient

with your customers and potential customers.

good place to weather the storm

”We’re in a good place to weather the storm and make the most of the opportunities that come our way”

“Whatever difficulties we may face in 2023, there will still be the desire to decorate our homes”

Sophie Bylina Relationship Manager Museums & Galleries

What do you have planned for Spring?

We will be showcasing our full 2023 Collection at Spring Fair in February and are also excited to be launching several new products there. M&G continues to grow and 2023 is no exception.

We have developed into tabletop by launching six organic cotton napkins and 12 paper napkins. M&G will also be adding metal drinks tumblers to its portfolio, by releasing 12 designs featuring classics from the V&A Museum, British Museum, Catherine Rowe, Sarah Campbell and Dee Hardwicke.

Paul Hooker Managing Director

Joe Davies

What do you have planned for Spring?

We have been working extra hard at Joe Davies developing the range for Spring Fair, which really starts a full 12 months before the show. We will have well over 1,500 brand new lines making their debut at the show, including Christmas for 2023 along with the Spring Summer Collection. In addition, we have some exciting new artists joining our licensed collections.

What trends do you predict will be hot in 2023?

There is a trend towards nature and animals, particularly the vibe of the sea, which will see a new Paua Shell collection joining Equilibrium. Plenty of floral notes feature on accessories and this spills over onto ceramics. We are also very excited by a host of new developments across our bestselling Village Pottery range, which continues to go from strength to strength. Following on from Village Pottery, the quaint cottage theme continues with a new wooden collection called Love Lane, featuring sentiment sayings.

How optimistic are you for the year ahead?

It’s sometimes easy to get caught in the doom and gloom of the media, but at Joe Davies we feel there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic. The UK has one of the most vibrant independent gift retail sectors in the world.  It’s full of innovative, hardworking professionals, and that has not changed. Whatever the year throws at us, we are committed to making sure our customers have plenty of great value products available, as and when they need it.

What trends do you predict will be hot in 2023?

We feel people will be looking for more UK-produced products and for materials and manufacture to be more sustainable. This year we have already seen an increase in people moving to our ecoBand on greeting cards.

On the sustainable front, all of our new notecards, gift packaging and dated products are now ‘zero plastic’ at point of sale. In addition, all our Everyday and Christmas cards, notecards, gift wraps, dated products and bookmarks are manufactured in the UK.

We anticipate a combination of great quality, trusted brands and good value will be very important to customers in 2023 and beyond.

How optimistic are you for the year ahead?

We are optimistic, and always will be. The last few years have taught us that we never know what’s going to be thrown at us, but it’s how we react that is important. We have continued to invest in new products as it’s important to keep it fresh and updated for consumers.

“We anticipate a combination of great quality, trusted brands and good value will be very important to customers in 2023 and beyond”

“Whatever the year throws at us, we are committed in making sure our customers have plenty of great value products available as and when they need it”

‘Giving the gift of Scotland’

Since 2014, Luss General Store in Loch Lomond has been sourcing gifts from around Scotland, with a focus on products crafted by local suppliers. Unlike the usual tourist fare, the retailer goes out of its way to offer items that are high quality but reasonably priced, as Sarah Gordon, general manager retail & leisure at Luss Estates, reveals to Clare Turner

What’s your background?

I’ve worked at Luss Estates for many years. I started as a part-time retail assistant and, after several career transitions, I now manage an enthusiastic team of 15 working across Luss General Store, Loch Lomond Faerie Trail, Luss Filling Station and managing two car parks!

Tell us about your business.       Luss General Store opened in 2014 in the picturesque village of Luss, on the Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond. Our lovely shop is set within a listed building which dates back to the mid-19th century

and for many years was the old Village Post Office. What sets you apart from other gift shops?    From the start, we set out to showcase and champion local and Scottish craftspeople and makers, and our range of artisan products reflects this philosophy. Our customers love our bespoke collections, which are inspired by our beautiful location and are not available to purchase anywhere else.

Our Luss Fine Leather collection marries our bespoke tweeds with fine leather to create a stylish range of bags and small leather goods; Luss Apothecary presents candles, diffusers and soaps infused with pure essential oils; custom artwork by Emma Ball features sights around Luss and Loch Lomond on a range of homeware; and our shortbread tins featuring artwork by Daniel Campbell and filled with award-winning Chrystal’s Shortbread just fly off the shelves!

How would you describe your range?   We offer a carefully chosen collection of stylish, Scottish-inspired gifts, and handcrafted products by local suppliers.

Some of our own favourites include cosy woollens from the Tartan Blanket Company; bespoke tweed and leather goods crafted using our own estate tweeds; and contemporary slate dishes, hand-cut in Fife.

We have an enviable larder filled with tasty treats from throughout Scotland. Coffee from

the Argyll Coffee Roasters in Tighnabruaich and homemade dessert sauces from Don’s Dairy on the Isle of Gigha, share shelf space with melt-in-yourmouth shortbread, handmade by Chrystal’s which is based just minutes from Luss. And, of course, we have a selection of Scottish spirits including Isle of Harris Gin, Tiree Gin and Shetland Reel.

What are your key categories?   We pride ourselves on offering a wide range of gifts, homeware, accessories, and food and drink.

How many suppliers do you deal with?   Lots! As we source products from small local makers as well as national suppliers, we have a long list! For instance, we source all our books from Bookspeed but we have handmade Fairtrade fairy decorations from Believe You Can, and Luss Guidebooks from the local Development Trust.

How do you find products?

As well as attending trade shows. I do lots of research online, on social media, and around the UK.

What’s your selection criteria?        Luss General Store strives to stock pieces produced locally and created using traditional crafts. The support of niche and unique craftspeople extends beyond our local environs in the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park to Scotland as a whole, with handcrafted pieces coming from as far afield as The Hebrides and The North Isles.

We proactively source products from producers whose principles are in line with our commitment to environmental and social sustainability. The majority of our products are made in Scotland and the UK.

We stock a number of products which are Fairtrade or support social enterprises. It’s important to us that our ranges reflect Luss Estates’ overall philosophy in terms of support for the local economy, community and environment.

How is trading for you?   2022 was a good year - better than might have been expected, given the circumstances.

What strategies have you used to tackle the challenges?

Staying fluid and flexible - moving ranges around and editing the collections and displays.

What categories are selling well?   Gifts and homeware are strong.

What are your best sellers?   Shortbread is definitely up there! We have a really interesting selection of books ranging from Scottish cooking to plant care and the history of unicorns to walking guides.

Loch Lomond Faerie Trail [an award-winning woodland trail full of family adventures which is around a mile long] finishes at Luss General Store, so our gorgeously cuddly soft toy unicorns are always a hit with the little visitors to Luss.

The range of Selbrae House etched slate platters featuring Highland Coos [a Scottish breed of cattle] and stags is very popular. We are also well known locally for our handpicked selection of Scottish whiskies and gins.

What’s next for your business?

We are adding a farm attraction to the fields next to the store with alpacas, Pygmy goats, donkeys, Shetland ponies, Highland Coos and sheep… so we will be selling some animal feed!

The attraction will also offer alpaca walking and donkey grooming sessions with afternoon tea afterwards at The Loch Lomond Arms.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job?

The opportunity to work in one of the most idyllic places in Scotland (even though it does rain a lot!) and, of course, having a wonderful team to share lots of laughs with.

And the most challenging?

The unknown! The seasonality can be a real challenge in terms of footfall, though identifying the pattern helps us to plan ahead the best we can.

‘Offering a different spin’

What’s your background?

My background is mainly in retail and wholesale sales, direct-to-consumer selling, area management and training. Find Me a Gift was my first role with the shoe on the other foot, so to speak.

Why did you decide to move into gift retailing?

I’ve always been excited by retailing, starting my career working for Royal Doulton, then moving into framed prints and then licensed gifting.

Throughout though, I’ve always wanted to be interested and passionate about the products I sell and latterly buy. It’s hard to get passionate about toilet rolls, for example (forgive me all toilet roll sellers/buyers!).

Tell us about your business.  Now we are part of a group [see box], the Find Me

a Gift staff are spread across multiple offices, in multiple locations but remain sub-50 people now that we outsource our customer order fulfilment.

What do you offer that other online gift retailers don’t?

Quirky and unusual products (sometimes cheeky and a bit naughty); unexpected and once-ina-lifetime experiences; plus our own in-house designed personalised products, which gives us a range that amuses, excites and is truly heartfelt.

How would you describe your range?  Essentially, we cater for all types of emotional gift giving, from the sentimental to bringing joy and fun plus providing lifelong memories.

How many suppliers do you deal with?

Around 130, including Activity Superstore, Cellardine, Diabolical Gift People, Funtime Gifts, Personalised Memento Company, Signature Gifts, Gift Republic, Boxer Gifts and many more.

How do you find products?

At trade shows (predominantly Spring Fair, Autumn Fair, and Top Drawer), followed by market research and social media.

What’s your selection criteria?

Value, margin, online search demand, and crucially: does it fit one of the three gift pillars we have - a gift experience, something quirky/funny/novel, or heartfelt and sentimental?

Jean Grant, head of product management for Find Me a Gift, talks to Clare Turner about the online retailer’s ever-evolving range, from personalised presents to experience days

What’s proving popular?

At the moment, there’s definitely an upward trend with escape room games and puzzles. Once-in-alifetime, bucket list experiences are on the rise, as people are searching for that truly special gift.

What are your latest new arrivals?

Air Fryer cookbook, Mindfulness Cards for Kids. Colourin Posters/Tablecloths, Cartoonise Me Personalised Prints, Michelin Pod Dining, Glamping at Stonehenge, Japanese Afternoon Tea for Two, Watercolour Style Pet Portraits, beauty sets, and hampers.

How is trading for you?

It’s challenging from a paid advertising perspective, coupled with increased competition. However, organically we’ve seen good growth. Improvements to the customer journey on the site with conversion rates increasing has been very pleasing for us.

What strategies have you used to tackle the challenges?

For paid advertising, we are switching up the management of these areas to try new strategies, which are showing early signs of improvement.

For most other challenges, we’ve been utilising our own product knowledge and experience to better serve the customer as opposed to relying heavily on more automated, clinical solutions.

How do you attract new customers and maintain the interest of existing ones?

In terms of new customers, it’s about responding to their changing search behaviour. For example: what are they searching for this month that they weren’t searching for last month?

For existing customers, it’s about keeping it fresh when communicating via newsletters and emails - offering a different spin on gift giving, different incentives and new products.

What’s next for your gift offering?

We follow what the customer is looking for. This is more straightforward for online retailing as the customer indicates to Google and other search engines what they are looking for. It’s much harder for high street retailing where a customer enters the shop - or doesn’t.

What’s next for your business?

A new loyalty programme is launching - details to follow soon!

What are you most excited about for the Spring/Summer 2023 season?

How we can innovate our offering to suit the 2023 gift buyer.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job?

It’s when a product we purchase sells well. The time taken to select the product, write about it, take brilliant images of it - and then Google seeing this product and it being a top seller is always the biggest win for me.

And the most challenging? Time. There’s never feels enough time. Also, trying

to make sure that we get the product in front of the right purchasers - not a new challenge, but an everlasting one.

What’s your proudest business moment?

When we brought a product to market that we had designed and manufactured that went on to win the Judges’ Choice category of The Giftware Association’s Gift of the Year Awards 2017. That was a huge surprise but was very exciting - and solidified my belief that we are great at innovating great gifts.

About Find Me a Gift

Find Me a Gift was founded by three friends in a bedroom at the start of the Millennium. Two decades, three moves, thousands of products, and many customers later, the online retailer describes itself as ‘a pretty well-oiled machine with new products being added to our site every week’. Family was at the heart of the business with Adam and Lena Gore leading the company every day, and joining in the busy warehouse at Christmas time.

In early 2019  Find Me a Gift joined up with Activity Superstore Ltd: a gift experience company. Activity Superstore was founded in 1997. From small beginnings over a shop at Saffron Walden in Essex, it grew at a phenomenal pace to become a leading gift experience supplier to many high street stores. The enlarged business is still owned by its three key managers: Shaun, Vicki and Stuart.

As a team, Find Me a Gift and Activity Superstore aim to give customers unforgettable memories in gift and experience, as well as provide retail clients with unique products their shoppers will love.

They say: ‘Together we are inventing the idea of ‘Personalised Experiences’ as wonderful new gift ideas with our brand at its core. We want customers and clients to experience our three gifting ingredients - experience, sentimentality, and funto create memories, to have a connection through relationships and individual flair, and to have a laugh. After all, isn’t that what gifting is all about?

‘The team is based in Leamington Spa and is proud of the many thousand fivestar reviews from happy customers over the years. While price and fantastic value is super-important at Find Me a Gift, the heart of the business is in creating the best quality gifts for Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries and all the other myriad of gifting occasions in this country.

‘In short, Find Me a Gift is dedicated to helping everyone with the ‘cost of giving’, especially during these difficult times, with great products and best prices.’

Visit: www.findmeagift.co.uk

“We cater for all types of emotional gift giving, from the sentimental to bringing joy and fun plus providing lifelong memories”

‘We have a wonderful reputation’

What’s your background?

I previously worked as the ladieswear and accessories manager for [department store group] Dunnes Stores’ Glasgow flagship, the home and leisure department manager for supermarket chain Morrisons, and the customer service manager for the linens department of John Lewis in Glasgow.

I’ve been working with Caulders Garden Centres for seven years. I started in the Erskine branch as the gift shop manager, and I‘m now based in our Loch Lomond branch as gift manager.

Tell us about your business.

Caulders Garden Centres has nine branches throughout central Scotland and is owned and run by Colin and Mandy Barrie. They opened their first centre in Mugdock Country Park in 1999 and the business has grown steadily. In 2021 they acquired their ninth centre, Hetland Garden Centre in Dumfries.

What sets you apart from other garden centres?

We are a family-run business that endeavours to sell quality plants and giftware at affordable prices, with customer service at the forefront of everything we do. We have a wonderful reputation which continues to grow as we welcome customers old and new to shop with us.

All our centres are all in beautiful locations and we aim to give a warm inviting environment to all our customers. We have excellent trained staff and expert horticulturalists on hand to help with all their gardening-related questions.

Our restaurants were recently awarded the Garden Centre Catering Group of the Year Award,

which is fantastic for our hardworking teams. Everything is homemade on the premises and the mouthwatering cakes speak for themselves!

How would you describe your range?

We have everything you could wish for in the gift shop, and our products are stylish and hand-picked. Our customers always say they can find the perfect gift, or something different, in our centres. I feel we have something for everyone and a price to suit every budget.

What are your key categories?

Gifts, greeting cards, home fragrance, jewellery, homeware, and clothing.

How many suppliers do you deal with? We deal with way too many suppliers to name them all. A few of my personal favourites at the moment are Kloche by Enesco, Arran Aromatics, and Joe Davies.

How do you find products?

Through reps, reading the trade press, and visiting trade shows.

What’s your selection criteria?

Did You Know?

Caulders Garden Centres is an independent family-owned group of nine garden centres and eight restaurants, employing a team of more than 300 staff, located across Central Scotland in Cumbernauld, Cupar, Erskine, Hetland, Kinross, Kirkintilloch, Loch Lomond, Mugdock, and Newton Mearns.

Managing director Colin Barrie says: “At Caulders we have new ideas, but old-fashioned principles. We know our customers have a huge choice of where to shop and where to eat nowadays, so we continue to improve our business and aim to provide great products and offer excellent value for money. We appreciate every visit a customer makes to one of our centres.”

Charmaine Fox, gift manager of Caulders Garden Centres in central Scotland, chats to Clare Turner about the nine-strong chain, which has ‘new ideas, but old fashioned principles’

“January is going to be a busy month for our Loch Lomond centre, as we renew all carpet and move the till area to give the centre a larger selling area and better customer flow to the front of the gift shop. I can’t wait to see the finished results!”

I ask myself: who would buy it? How much would I pay for it? Do I like it? Is it our customer base? And is it good quality?

How is trading for you?

Trading has continued to be strong and steady considering the current climate. We fully appreciate that customers have difficult decisions on where to spend their budgets, and we are always very grateful when they choose to shop at Caulders. What strategies have you used to tackle the challenges?

We have tried to adjust some of the range to provide value for money without compromising on quality.

Have you noticed a change in purchasing patterns, in light of the cost-of-living crisis?

I feel customers are more price-focused. They are buying deals and were shopping earlier for Christmas to spread the cost.

What’s selling well?

At the moment our greeting cards continue to be strong, and all clothing: ladies and gents.

What’s next for your gift offering?

This year I would like to expand our ladies’ clothing, and kitchen goods.

What’s next for your business?

January is going to be a busy month for our Loch Lomond centre, as we renew all carpet and move the till area to give the centre a larger selling area and better customer flow to the front of the gift shop. I can’t wait to see the finished results!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job?

I love helping customers pick out the perfect gifts for their friends and family, and seeing all our beautiful products merchandised well and selling in our centres.

And the most challenging?

Getting the right products into the centres at the right time. Recent challenges in getting goods into the UK as a result of the pandemic and Brexit have altered lead times and availability considerably.

What’s your proudest Caulders moment?

Helping with the transformation of Caulders Loch Lomond, when we first took over the site in 2020.

Overseeing the development and changes in the gift shop, while building a new customer base and continuing to win over the hearts of the original store customers, has definitely been a highlight of my career with Caulders.

Lindsey Scott-Walker

Owner  Feather Robins   Duston, Northampton

Retail therapy has always been a passion of mine - it’s even listed on my CV under ‘hobbies and interests’! I enjoy nothing more than browsing round independent shops searching for new treasures.

Over the years, I’ve been a sales manager in different sectors. My last role was Head of Customer Engagement for Avery Healthcare, which predominantly involved recruiting, onboarding and training all the receptionists across 64 care homes in England.

Due to collarbone surgery in December 2021 (and a very long recovery period), I realised it wasn’t in my best health interest to continue driving round the country, so I resigned.   As a self-confessed shopaholic, I decided to have a career in something I loved. Feather Robins started as a gift shop pipedream in early 2022, which quickly soared into reality with the help of my family and friends,     The shop opened in September 2022. It’s a small unit in a shopping courtyard just outside Northampton in Duston. Why is it called Feather Robins? It’s in honour of my parents. Twelve years ago, when Dad died, wherever in the world I was, I would find a white feather and my sister had a robin visit her garden. When Mum died in January 2022, my sister had two robins visit her garden. Hence the name.  I stock gifts (general, baby, child, and wedding) and greeting cards for all occasions. I use around 20 suppliers. Key names are Sass & Belle, Miss Sparrow, Fable England, Biggie Best, and McGowan & Rutherford. I find products at trade shows, and via the trade press and personal recommendations. My selection criteria is quirky, unusual gifts at good price points.

What sets me apart from other gift shops? I’ve sourced stock from all over the world and, as I love colour and bright patterns, everything in the shop is colourful and tactile which has been very well received. Where possible our price points are impulsive rather than considered.

And in December we launched Feather Robins branded wax melts and candles. The shop’s previous tenant sold purely wax melts and candles, so people are still coming in thinking it’s the same shop. I contacted a local supplier through [online wholesaler] Faire which produces non-branded candles and wax melts, so each customer can brand their own.  Our current best seller is the Honey Clementine fragrance, which I sold out of on Saturday!

Also, customers come in just to see Humphrey, my British Bulldog puppy. He ‘works’ in the shop from Tuesday to Friday and is quite a local celebrity!

Trading is steady at the moment: word-of-mouth has been a great marketing tool for us and each week we are getting busier. I have also attended a social media course to maximise this channel: to get word out about the shop, help promote stock, and stay in the forefront of people’s minds.

The most rewarding aspect of my job is when someone comes in and finds the perfect gift - and when customers share their experiences on social media. The most challenging part is juggling everythingfrom social media to pricing stock and networking - as there’s only me. My 2023 retail resolution is to control my ordering and keep the stock room tidy.   Looking ahead to the Spring/ Summer season, I’m excited about new stock ranges and stories - and having the door open all day!

So, what’s my product business moment? Having the courage to follow my dream and make it a reality

Karen Ann Mclachlan Owner

Abbey Gifts

Arbroath, Scotland

My career background is mainly in retail. Abbey Gifts was originally opened in 1996 by my mum, Mrs Ann Robson, who sadly passed away on November 2, 2022. I helped run the store and took over four years later when she retired. I’ve been here 22 years now, so I must be doing something right!

The shop is on the high street of Arbroath, a coastal town in the east of Scotland. It measures 325sq ft plus extra storage in the basement. Our range is very diverse, with a large assortment of products from candles and diffusers to sculptures and collectables. Core categories are jewellery, ornaments and handmade products.

Our key suppliers are Edge Sculpture, Nemesis Now, Joe Davies, Yankee Candle and Enesco. Among our most popular products are Edge Sculpture’s contemporary sculpted and hand-painted figures of animals. We sold four of the latest piece - the Highland Cow Bust - within two days, at £345 each! And Nemesis Now’s mythical collectables such as fairy and dragon figurines do very well too. I find products by researching various online sources, including suppliers’ websites, and by reading Gifts Today magazine

We are always open to expanding to new products: we recently trialled personalising gifts by creating sweet bouquets, light-up boxes and book folding, which has been very successful.

In this current climate, trading is challenging. The hardest aspect - for any retailer - is the higher day-to-day costs and the downtrend in high street shopping. The footfall is not the same as it was pre-Covid. In fact, I think it’s the toughest time I’ve ever experienced in our 26 years of being in business.

However, we find having a diverse range of products helps customers find the gifts they are looking for. Our window is changed on a weekly basis to give the shop a fresh look, and we do online marketing on social media platforms such as Facebook. We also offer free gift wrapping, gift vouchers, and personalisation with any purchase.

The most rewarding aspect of having the shop is when I’m told a person was delighted with a gift that was purchased from us, and the friendships I’ve made with customers.

But my proudest Abbey Gifts moment was when I won two accolades in the Scotlands Business Awards for Best Arbroath Business in 2016 and Best Craft or Creative Business in 2019, which was a great achievement.

“We are always open to expanding to new products”

Owner, Karen Ann Mclachlan

Founder, Mrs Ann Robinson

Gifts Today RETAILERS’ PANEL

Bruce Wheeler Owner

Wheelers Luxury Gifts Loughborough, Leicestershire

I left school and embarked on a college course in retail management, followed by a work placement and eventually a full-time job as assistant manager and subsequently, a manager, with Sears Group.

My retail training led me into managing a china and glass shop. I thought at the time that this was a lovely trade, selling high-quality merchandise. So in 1980 I decided to go it alone and open my own china and glass shop. Wheelers Luxury Gifts opened in August 1980 in a 10,000sq ft freehold premises in Loughborough. We came out of china and glass in the 1990s to go into the top-end luxury gifting market. Our key categories are leather goods, travel goods, pens, homeware, Champagne, jewellery, handbags, cigars, and cigar accessories. We deal with 40 suppliers and source products by reading the papers to see what are the ‘in’ trends and shopping habits. Our main brands are Montblanc, Tumi, Paul Smith, Hugo Boss, Georg Jensen, Radley, Dom Perignon, and Laurent-Perrier.

What’s my selection criteria? If a brand is discounting their own product on their online site, or the product is being sold on Amazon or eBay on a discount, then we will not look at stocking it. Margin more than ever is key.

Over the years, we have - and are - moving more online, as the high street is a major challenge. The world is not a small place anymore and a huge marketplace for online retailers. We will always have a physical retail presence should anyone wish to view the products we sell, but online is the growth of the business going forward.

Six years ago we bought another website called Pensense, which offers a broader range of pens and writing instruments, along with a full range of fine stationery at different price points to the Wheelers site. This enables us to keep Wheelers top-end and have the Pensense site for more volume price pointed products.

Overall, trading is good. The top-end is usually recession-proof, but we still have to be mindful and careful as we are in for a challenging year. We heavily advertise on all media platforms and send weekly newsletters to our large database.

We also offer wish lists, gift vouchers, giftwrapping, and free UK delivery for an easy hassle-free shopping experience.

Plus, we offer a full personalisation service in-store on most of our products to create a bespoke gift. We also have a strong corporate side of the business: personalising gifts for corporate gifting.

Looking ahead, we will just keep doing what we are doing: adding new brands and personalisation machines.

The most rewarding aspect of my job is hopefully growing the business. And the most challenging? Third party couriers who we use to send our online orders. They are constantly making life difficult by losing parcels and delivering them to the wrong addresses!

Postcard from America

Consumers are once again embracing key life moments after the pandemic - and plan to continue doing so this year and beyond, according to a survey published last month by the International Housewares Association (IHA) of the US.

The 2023 IHA Occasions Report suggest thats housewares retailers and suppliers should consider their role as gift-providers not only for major life events but for annual occasions, including birthdays and anniversaries, as well as ‘anytime moments’ when a person wants to turn ‘just another day’ into a time to celebrate.

likely) to be involved in such a family and friends’ event in 2023, versus 2022’s 23% (9% very likely and 14% somewhat likely).

Baby showers: There is a slight yearover-year difference for baby showers at 25% (11% very likely and 14% somewhat likely) versus 26% (11% very likely and 15% somewhat likely) in the 2022 survey.

Housewarmings: At a time when the home market is in flux, housewarming occasions for family and friends slipped year-over-year at 28% in 2023 (10% very likely and 18% somewhat likely) versus 32% (12% very likely and 20% somewhat likely) a year before. The decline is no surprise, but the continued elevation versus prepandemic levels is important.

Retirement: For retirement, fewer respondents in the 2023 survey said they anticipate a family and friend occasion, at 20% (8% very likely and 12% somewhat likely) compared with 22% (10% very likely and 12% somewhat likely) in last year’s survey. The depressed stock market and inflation are among the factors that could be convincing seniors to work a bit longer. In the nationally projectable survey of 2,200 adults across the United States, 20% represents more than 66 million potential customers.

The study, sponsored exclusively by Newell Brands, features exclusive research commissioned by IHA which updates the results of its 2022 Occasions Survey. This examined consumers’ gift preferences and shopping behaviour based on eight key life events expected to shape special occasions:

Weddings & engagements: Covid and its economic aftermath ‘scrambled’ long-established occasion traditions, as consumers rescheduled and reimagined life events that were delayed by coronavirus-related fears and restrictions. Weddings, for example, were postponed. In the 2023 survey, just under a quarter of respondents were looking at attending a friend or family wedding in the next 12 months versus 29% in the year-prior survey. Those expecting to be involved in a family and friends engagement event in 2023 totalled 21% (6% very likely and 15% somewhat likely) versus 25% (9% very likely, 16% somewhat likely) a year earlier.

Bridal showers: Bridal shower occasions slipped slightly, with 19% of respondents likely (7% very likely and 12% somewhat

Off to college: Fewer 2023 survey respondents expect to be involved in the family and friends leaving for college occasion this year, at 15% (7% very likely and 8% somewhat likely) compared with 17% (9% very likely, 8% somewhat likely) in the 2022 survey. However, what may be more revealing about the data is how the occasion seems to be made up of multiple events that stretch over several months, as friends and family interact with the college-bound from the period leading up to high school graduation, to the time when the newly-located collegians finish outfitting their dorms and apartments.

New pets: New pet ownership is similar in that it may consist of multiple events as people pay visits to the household with a new pet. It continues as a gift-giving occasion and, in the aggregate, new pet occasions are up slightly in the 2023 study to 33% from 32%, although the certainty of having such an occasion is a bit less in the 2023 survey (10% very likely and 23% somewhat likely) versus the 2022 survey (12% very likely and 20% somewhat likely).

The Occasions Report identifies opportunities for retailers and suppliers in terms of market parameters and dynamics. A key factor to consider, though, is the survey’s delineation of life events. As IHA vice president, marketing Leana Salamah points out, the opportunity isn’t necessarily confined to a given occasion, but often extends well beyond as consumers re-equip for their next life stage. After an event and its related occasion occur, a consumer’s lifestyle and needs evolve.

“These are inflection points,” Leana said. “They fundamentally change something about the consumer. We talk about retirement as an occasion, but after the occasion has passed, this is a different consumer. A retired consumer. What do they need moving forward?”.

• The 2023 IHA Occasions Report was conducted by Morning Consult in September 2022. More than 2,200 interviews were conducted online, and the data is weighted to approximate a target of adults based on gender, educational attainment, age, race and region proportionate with the general US population. It is published on HomePageNews.com at www.homepagenews.com/occasions23/

“These are inflection points. They fundamentally change something about the consumer”

IHA vice president, marketing Leana Salamah discusses the findings of a new report which examines US consumers’ purchasing plans for celebrating life moments in 2023

The International Housewares Association (IHA) is a not-forprofit, full-service association that sponsors The Inspired Home Show, IHA’s Global Home + Housewares Market (TheInspiredHomeShow.com).

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