News

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.

PHOTO: Press Loft 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.”