Independently audited
Supporting your industry for 27 years
Month: July 2016 Issue: 6
Volume: 27
ABC circulation of 7,098 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015
ONE STO P SH O P FO R PERSONALISED GIFTS est: 2004
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Contents July 2016
Regulars 6 12 16 38 40 116 122 126
News Exhibition News GA News Licensing news Grass Roots Trade Talk New Products Ross Hewitt Column
Retail 20 Monthly Columnist Gift’s Today talks to notonthehighstreet.com’s Head of Development, Rebecca Saunders
34 Retail Interview Sarah Welsh speaks to Samantha Edwards, owner of Hertfordshire’s Fancy That
Exhibition feature
Gifts Today team
24 Tendence Preview Never attended the Tendence show in Frankfurt? Well, we give you an overview of what to expect!
26 Top Drawer Preview
Editor Sarah Welsh sarah@lemapublishing.co.uk
Advertisement Manager
p46 Harrogate Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival
Mark Horsnell mark@lemapublishing.co.uk
46 Harrogate Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival
Group Editor
We give you a comprehensive guide of some of the best Harrogate has to offer this year
Mirella Cestaro mirella@lemapublishing.co.uk
Group Advertisement Manager
120 Las Vegas Licensing Expo review
Ryan Horwood ryan@lemapublishing.co.uk
The Gifts Today team took a trip out to Las Vegas to visit Licensing Expo
Publisher Mark Naish mark@lemapublishing.co.uk
Features
Production Director Paul Naish paul@lemapublishing.co.uk
28 Making a Mint Debbie and Alan Williams talk to Sarah Welsh
Managing Director
30 Boxer
Malcolm Naish malcolm@lemapublishing.co.uk
Media Solutions Manager
If quality design-led products are for you, turn to page 26 to find out more about this Londonbased show that has innovation at its heart
p30 Licensing news
Bradley Mason bradleymason@hotmail.co.uk
Boxer give Gifts Today the lowdown on their latest range
32 Xystos – heating up for Harrogate New partnerships, new lines and new products. It’s sure to be hot year for Xystos up in Harrogate
44 CB Imports Despite a shocking setback in 2008, CB Imports is going from strength to strength
Lema Publishing Ltd
PUBLISHING
1 Churchgates, The Wilderness, Berkhamsted, Herts, HP4 2UB Telephone: 01442 289930
112 Go with the grain Tactile and traditional, wooden gifts could really float your boat!
A member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation
114 Namaste talk Kilim Rugs
Independently audited ABC circulation of 7,098 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015
p114 Namaste – Kilim Rugs a growing market
Namaste tell Gifts Today all about their ethos, quality products and above all how they are proud to be Fair Trade
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Message from the Editor www.gifts-today.co.uk Twitter: @giftstodaymag
T
Harrogate
“
The festival is a feast for buyers but it is also a hugely enjoyable, lively and sociable show – after all, who can say no to the promise of Pimm’s and a good BBQ
“
his time of year is exciting and intoxicating for all of us in the gifts industry. We have just sneaked into the third quarter of trading and are reviewing what the first half of the year has brought us (loads of great sales off the back of Star Wars and a lot of positive consumer confidence, I am sure) and busying ourselves for what the final two quarters will bring us. Which brings us nicely to the Harrogate Home And Gift Buyers’ Festival. If I had to sum up the show in one word (a nigh on impossibility for me) I would say, ‘inspiring’. And I’m sure you’ll all agree. Not only is the setting gorgeous - surely one of the most captivating towns in the UK, but the event organisers, Clarion, are really expert in putting on a good show! The festival is a feast for buyers but it is also a hugely enjoyable, lively and sociable show – after all, who can say no to the promise of Pimm’s and a good BBQ, sitting alongside all those wonderful and beautiful products? The Gifts Today team is really looking forward to heading up the M1 to see all these fabulous products showcased and also to catch up with so many of you all – retailers and exhibitors alike! Be prepared is not only the mantra of all good scouts the world over but also for anyone attending a large trade show. So, take some time out and enjoy our guide to some of the best and hottest products that we really want you to see before
leaving Harrogate! Turn to page 46 to catch up with the crème de la crème of the Buyers’ Festival. We’ve had the opportunity, this month, to CB Imports interview some really terrific folks who live and breathe the industry. So from our chat with Rebecca Saunders, Head of Development at Notonthehighstreet.com we learn that there is huge growth in the sector and some categories are selling better and better year-on-year (have a read on page 20). We also catch up with those great guys up in Bradford – Country Baskets, or some of you may know them as CB Imports. Theirs is a really interesting and heartfelt story: the loss of the lifeblood of the business, husband and wife team Linda and Paul, could have meant the end, but their pal Steve Woods and the fantastic team just kept on driving the business. Read about what’s new for them on page 44. Also, if you are not familiar with Fancy That on Tring High Street, Hertfordshire, turn to page 34 right now! Sam and Jon are celebrating 21 years of the fabulous and well-loved store and give us the lowdown on how they started out and what the highs
The views of the contributors expressed in this journal are not necessarily those of the publisher. Comments, letters and criticism are welcome.
have been and what trends are working well for them right now! Oh, and the last word must go to our friends at Xystos who are brimming with feel-good news. Firstly they announce an exciting partnership with Yardley of London and not only that but also, they tell us that they have increased market share year-on-year in garden centres, department stores and gift shops – well done to you all! Catch up with their achievements on page 32. Now, that’s it from me and the wonderful Gifts Today team – see you at Harrogate, hopefully with parasols in hand rather than umbrellas! Xystos
NEWS
regular
Two new agreements for Xystos On the eve of the Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival, Xystos has announced agreements to distribute two new ranges in the UK and Ireland which have no need for flames, oil or mess. They have partnered with Enviroscent and will distribute Caption Fragrance Co, a new brand range designed to provide “fragrance the way nature intended” through a simple but hitech, patented format of sustainable paper sticks. These are infused with pure essential oils and other safe ingredients designed to give consumers the most authentic fragrance experience available. In the same territories it will also distribute Candle Warmers Etc, lanterns designed to quickly warm the wax of favourite scented jar candles without the use of an open flame. Xystos director Tom Sykes says: “We are thrilled to be partnering with innovative companies which are helping to lead the way in fragrance technology. “We look forward to working with them to deliver great results. Having already signed an agreement to distribute two Woods of Windsor ranges, it looks like being a great Harrogate for Xystos and its customers.”
Onwards and upwards for Ashleigh & Burwood We’re halfway through the year and Ashleigh & Burwood has already had a smashing 2016. The company recently moved to a new home near the River Thames, giving the company more than double the space of their old premises. Moving to the new HQ in June, the company now has increased warehouse and office capacity, opening up many new opportunities for the family-run company. And the move is just one of the many accomplishments the Ashleigh & Burwood team have achieved this year. They also picked up an award at the prestigious Greats Awards, and became the largest independently-owned UK home fragrance suppliers. 6 gifts today
Right up Vintage Playing Cards’ street One of Vintage Playing Cards’ designs has been spotted in an iconic British address – Nick Tilsley’s home on TV’s Coronation Street. Can you spot the The company specialises in handmade Vintage Playing Cards greetings cards, frames, clocks and design on Corrie? stationery made from individually-sourced original vintage games including playing cards, and 1920s and 30s parlour games. And Clint Eastwood’s classic line “Go ahead make my day”, from his movie Sudden Impact, is one of its popular items – particularly fitting for Nick’s home, where he’s pictured with ex-wife Leanne, following his tumultuous last few weeks. After his disastrous short-lived marriage to Carla Connor and the loss of his restaurant through blackmail, the Vintage Playing Cards’ team are hoping someone really does make his day.
Ireland buzzing about Beefayre Beefayre are launching on the Irish retail scene. Artist and company founder Sharon Jervis says: “Ireland is a simply stunning country and I find a great deal of inspiration when I am there. We have many loyal Irish customers who have asked us to make the move and we are responding to that demand. “I see Ireland as a strategic market in our wider European expansion and look forward to developing additional products that have a closer link to this beautiful place.” The ethical and cruelty-free company are passionate about bees and aim to support conservation efforts by bringing nature into the home and connecting people with the environment through its beautifully designed products. Bee Garden is the company’s signature collection – a substantial assortment of quintessentially floral products – designed to connect people with the plants and wildflowers found in the Irish and British countryside. The range intricately depicts insects, birds, flowers and plants in beautifully detailed hand-drawn prints. Following in the wake of the success of the Bee Garden range, Beefayre launched a second, more premium collection, Waggledance, with products including pure essential oils packaged in stylish monochrome designs. Beefayre’s candles are hand poured into recycled glass holders using natural plant wax and come with organic cotton wicks.
NEWS
Twice as nice for Libby’s! Shake it all about In out, shake it all about – there was an awful lot of shaking going on at the Cardgains Charity Challenge on June 23 as the uneven ground caused plenty of wobbly knees and ankles. But it was all for a good cause as 31 hardy souls from across the gift and greetings industries ventured out on the 20-mile Edges Of The Rainbow trek organised by the buying group from Ladybower Reservoir in Derbyshire to Chatsworth House. Thanks to a lot of goodwill and a following wind, Cardgains’ Joint MD Chris Dyson announced that the total raised looks set to top £15,000 for the Rainbow Trust children’s charity – making a magnificent sum of £265,000 over the 19 years they’ve been running these events for various good causes. Super speedy Chris Houfe from Great British Card Company and i2i Events’ Portfolio Director for Spring Fair Nick Davison managed to clock in first for the second year running along with Tisa Solutions’ Ian Powis and new challenger Thomas O’Brien (pictured) from Boxer Gifts, while Greetings Today editor Tracey Bearton was bringing up the rear – as usual! Other companies who too part include Cherry Orchard, History & Heraldry, House Of Sarunds, Pioneer Europe, Carte Blanche, and Axiom Displays. If you’d like to add to the total raised, the https://mydonate. bt.com/fundraisers/cardgains2016 page is still open.
Signature Gifts’ print of success Signature Gifts has announced a new investment in Canon’s high-speed sheet-fed inkjet press, the Océ VarioPrint i300. Signature Gifts made the purchase at Drupa Print Media Fair in Dusseldorf and is the first transactional company in the UK to acquire the technology. With this latest model the company believe they have found the perfect printer to bridge the gap between the flexibility of sheet-fed digital printers with the speed and efficiency of litho. It is Signature’s biggest single investment in CAPEX and reinforces the company’s confidence in the personalised book market. Kevin Spindler, Managing Director and Co-owner of Signature, says: “The VarioPrint i300 is made for our business – it’s high speed, high quality and given that every unit we produce is unique, a short production run is vital.” Craig Nethercott, Canon UK Commercial Print Group Director, says: “We’re very proud to have worked with Signature Gifts for a number of years and this is an exciting next step in the technology they’ll be using.” The printer is being fitted into a purpose-built new factory Signature is currently building in Scotland. Watch this space for their broadening range of personalised books!
Canon’s Craig Nethercott with 8 gifts today Signature’s Kevin Spindler
An independent gift retailer has been named Home & Gifts Retailer of the Year for the second year running at the 2016 Chesterfield Retail Awards. The Libby’s team with Describing themselves as “a shopping Peter Swallow, Chariman of emporium within the unique small department Destination Chesterfield store environment”, Libby’s, which is based on Chatsworth Road in Chesterfield, were among 14 retailers who scooped one of 18 prestigious awards at the sell-out ceremony. The awards, organised by Destination Chesterfield, recognise the very best independent shops, High Street stores and market traders in the north-east Derbyshire town of Chesterfield. Delighted winner and shop owner Libby Morris says: “To win the award a second time is absolutely fantastic. It’s down to the fact that I work with the best team in the world and I’m very, very lucky. “My philosophy is simple: shopping should be a pleasurable and enjoyable experience.”
Local Hero winners cheque out Chris Beards and the Mantons Cards team confirmed their right to the BIRA Local Hero title with the presentation of a £1,105 cheque to Isle Of Man charity Crossroads Care this week. The cash came from their £1,000 British Independent Retailers’ Association prize and the £105 raised from selling the range of handmade gifts produced by designer Katrina Bell who won the Port Erin store’s recent competition. Having become the first Manx company to win BIRA’s Retailer Of The Year award in 2015, Mantons hadn’t even entered this year’s Local Hero category but the judges were so impressed with their commitment and contribution to their community that they made the presentation at last month’s High Street Conference. The challenge to customers was to design a range of gifts made from recycled materials to
be sold at the store and featured in one of their windows – winner Katrina is pictured with Chris and some of her products, with all proceeds from sales going to the charity. “As well as raising funds for such a fantastic local charity, the idea of the competition was to help raise the profile of local artists,” said Chris, also pictured presenting the cheque to Crossroads’ head of fundraising Julia Cullen, “we’re proud to showcase an artist like Katrina in one of our windows. “We’ve helped Crossroads with their funding in the past and hope to continue to support this fantastic local charity in the future. “Winning the Local Hero title was great anyway – but doubly fantastic because it meant we were able to help Crossroads Care with an even bigger donation than anticipated.”
Wiggles & Florence announce new distribution deal Wiggles & Florence (W&F) have announced that its range of fine bone china will now be manufactured and distributed by Stoke on Trent-based Hudson and Middleton, one of the oldest potteries (1875) still manufacturing in the UK. W&F’s classic range of china – which can be seen at the Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival – with Susan Robertson’s unique, horticulturally-themed designs are synonymous with all things British so it’s fitting that it will now be produced at this historic Grade Two-listed factory in the heart of the potteries. Susan’s designs are created from her home studio in an old Victorian kitchen garden, and are quintessentially English with a delightfully contemporary twist, and are lovely both to own and to give as a gift. Set to be introduced is also a larger breakfast cup and saucer and a larger mug option, along with continued production of W&F’s gorgeous scented candles poured into their decorated china pots.
VILLAGE CANDLE
R
Harrogate Home & Gift 17th - 20th July (Hall B, Stand B12)
www.villagecandle.co.uk Email: sales@villagecandle.co.uk Tel: 01254 300268 Follow us on facebook and sign up to our newsletter
NEWS
Cuddle up with Boofle Boofle the snugglesome pup is even more responsive now as phase one of the revamp of the www.boofle.co.uk website for the UK Greetings character has been completed. And there’s even more to come with roll-out phases over the next few months revealing even more content such as Things To Make and Photos To Share, and the Boofle app is being updated ready for mid-July, plus a brand-new app, set to be made available from iTunes. Boofle’s popularity has grown considerably since his original debut on the High Street – consumers interact with him across a number of touch points, in store, online and on social media, with gift products available from companies including Xpressions 4 U. Coinciding with the website revamp, Boofle is stepping into the spotlight again as the star of cute greetings and rocking a complete makeover on the all-new product launched this month. His brand-new look blends pretty colour palettes and delicate patterns with Boofle’s quirky, yet loveable, personality at the heart of every design featuring the character made from 100 per cent love and cuddles, lots of wool and a little button. Much of the latest content is culturally relevant with him posing for a selfie for Instagram and touching on popular topics such as the Great British Bake Off in the 64 new birthday and friendship designs, and key captions are on their way.
Growth at Squire’s Garden Centres Squire’s Garden Centres have announced new appointments. Anne Dedman and Ryan Bailey have been unveiled as the latest management Anne Dedman (above) and appointments. Ryan Bailey at Squire’s Having joined Squire’s back in September 2001, Anne is now Manager at the chain’s garden centre in Long Ditton. Previously the manager at Squire’s in Cobham, Anne has worked her way up in the company from her first role as a part-time till operator. Anne says: “I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to take the Long Ditton centre to the next level not only in terms of sales, but also with customer service. Our impressive extension and refurbishment, which has increased the shop space by 25 per cent, has ensured our range and levels of stock can meet the growing customer demand and the shop has a fresh and inviting look with an exciting new range of giftware.” In addition, Ryan has been promoted to Manager at Squire’s Garden Centre in Stanmore. He has been with Squire’s for three years and was previously Assistant Manager at Squire’s in Twickenham before taking up the same role at Squire’s in Stanmore. Ryan says: “I am delighted to be heading up the team at Squire’s in Stanmore. It’s a great garden centre, with a fantastic selection of plants and gifts. I hope to bring my knowledge and expertise to enhance the shopping experience for customers, and to bring inspiration and support to the team here.” 10 gifts today
We won! The St Eval team celebrate success with some fizz
St Eval wins two awards at Cornwall Business Awards St Eval Candle Company have secured two prestigious awards in the annual Cornwall Business Awards – Best Manufacturer and Most Sustainable Business. The event was held at the St Mellion International Resort and is in its 11th year, organised and presented by Cornwall Development Company in association with Business Cornwall Magazine and the Cornwall Chamber. The Cornwall Business Awards are a celebration and recognition of innovation, achievement and entrepreneurial spirit within the Cornish business community. There is an incredible and diverse business community in Cornwall, which contributes to the Cornish economy and makes it one of the best places in the country to do business. The criteria for the impressive judging panel was that “they will reward businesses within Cornwall that are thriving and that are using the county as a base for achieving strong national and even international growth, and those that bring significant benefit to the county”. Ian Greaves, Managing Director of St Eval, says: “I am delighted that everyone’s efforts here at St Eval Candle Company have been recognised with these two awards. It is fantastic for the team to get a great big pat on the back like this!” St Eval Candle Company were founded over 20 years ago on a working farm as a way of diversifying. Since then the company have grown into a thriving and successful business and worked hard on their own sustainability. There has been the installation of a wind turbine, solar panels on the warehouse roof and a biomass boiler, which heats all the water used to melt the wax for candle making. Recycled packaging is used as much as possible and, on farmland around the factory, St Eval are working with the RSPB to preserve wild flowers and wildlife, including the endangered corn bunting. St Eval are producing enough power now not only for their own needs but to supply back to the local grid.
Namaste welcomes all True to their name, Namaste will be greeting retailers at an open week that coincides with Harrogate Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival in July. Based in Skipton, just a short drive from Harrogate, visitors to Namaste’s showroom will be able to see a vast Team Namaste will be range of fairly-produced products, welcoming retailers to including gifts, home accessories, incase, their showroom soon furnishings, one-off pieces and more. With Fair Trade at the heart of everything the company does, Director Sam Brummitt says: “Fair Trade does not mean expensive. On the contrary, Fair Trade products must sell on their own merits at competitive prices.” The company will be offering a number of special offers and promotions with savings of up to 25 per cent for orders placed during the open week.
CITRONELLA WITH A TWIST! Available now! For those summer nights
basil
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exhibition news
Pure business couture Gifts Today’s owner Malcolm Naish with former chair of Harrogate Christmas and Gift, Robert Anslow
Malcolm takes chair at Christmas & Gift
Pure London has teamed up with The Guardian newspaper to deliver a series of fashion-focused retail masterclasses at the upcoming spring/summer show. Four classes will be hosted across all three days of the show, between 24 and 26 July, providing essential tools for success in the fashion industry, encouraging visitors and buyers alike to achieve their business goals. Social media trainer and partner at SocialB, Amy Hobson, will host the hour-long classes at the show alongside Anna Popvich, a London-based fashion designer and owner of her self-titled fashion label. The classes, which cost £25, include: An introduction to digital marketing, The essentials of fashion blogging, Social media for the fashion industry, and How to start a fashion business.
Malcolm Naish, Managing Director of Lema Publishing, and owner and publisher of Gifts Today, has been named the new chairman of Harrogate Christmas & Gift during its recent AGM in London. The role of chairman was handed over by Robert Anslow (pictured right with Malcolm) who was thanked for his contribution and commitment to the show during his two-year term. Malcolm is a well-known figure in the gift industry, publishing magazine titles including Christmas in January and February, Toys n Playthings, and Greetings Today, as well as Gifts Today, and said: “I am delighted and honoured to represent Harrogate Christmas & Gift as chairman. The show has gone from strength to strength in recent years and is fast becoming one of the most important trade events of the year not only for companies in the Christmas sector, but those in gift, garden and home ware too.“Robert has done a sterling job as chairman and I look forward to contributing to the continuing success of the show.”
Fab fest! 500 for NY NOW Visitors to the iconic NY NOW trade show can expect to see hundreds of new additions this year. The market for home, lifestyle and gift takes place in New York City from 20-24 August and is shaping up to be one of the gift industry’s most exciting global events this year. The show will welcome more than 500 new and returning exhibitors to the Javits Center, with a total of around 2,400 companies slated to participate in NY NOW. Not only that, but 40 per cent of them are exhibiting exclusively at the show. More than 70 per cent of the companies taking part are planning exclusive product launches, and notable new additions to the line-up include: Brooklyn Brew Shop, Baobab, Jelly Belly Candle Company and Artesanias de Chile. “We’re thrilled that so many brands continue to view NY NOW as a key opportunity to showcase their products to the industry,’ says Randi Mohr, Co-Director of NY NOW.
12 gifts today
Top Drawer is incorporating specialist event Paperfest into its world class Stationery & Greetings section from this September. Paperfest has grown from small beginnings after starting life in 2012 in a studio in Clerkenwell to now being a sell-out event. Adding it to the roster at Top Drawer, the leading curated show in the world for this sector, will allow it to flourish further still. Alejandra Campos, Event Director of Top Drawer, says the move was part of the show’s “continuous innovation and development” to support the stationery and greetings sector. The partnership will provide Top Drawer visitors with a truly inspiring new space combining talks and creativity at the heart of Stationery & Greetings. Paperfest founder and Luxury Stationer, Abigail Warner, adds: “When the opportunity arose to incorporate the event as part of Top Drawer, I fully embraced it. Paperfest will retain its charm and unique offering… and I am really looking forward to working with the Top Drawer team to develop more exciting plans.”
27 – 30. 8. 2016 fresh.new.ideas.
“new
means for me innovative and exciting ideas that enable me to make the shopping experience more enticing for my customers.
” Dirk Bieler, Branch Manager, Retail
Innovations, trends and insights. International and inspiring. Tendence 2016. Be there! fresh-new-ideas.com info@uk.messefrankfurt.com Tel. +44 (0) 14 83 48 39 83
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&RPH DQG MRLQ XV DW« The Autumn Gift & Home Fair Citywest International Events Centre Dublin, Ireland 14th–17th August 2016 Stand F2
Autumn International Fair NEC, Birmingham 4th–7th September 2016 Hall 3 Stand 3W04–X03
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GA news
Brand-new era for GA The Gift Association unveils new branding to reflect both heritage and a modern outlook as an authority in the industry, as Henri Davis becomes first retailer to take the chair The Giftware Association ushered in a new era at its members’ day and AGM at Pewterers’ Hall in London on 15 June. It not only welcomed a new chief executive, Sarah Ward, but also the first retailer to become GA chairman, Henri Davis. Jeremy Corner, managing director of Blue Eyed Sun, was appointed as the new vice-chairman, Jeremy is a young entrepreneur who will spearhead the association’s increasing use of social media. New branding, which looks to tonally position the association as a contemporary authority for the gift and home industry, was also unveiled. Paul Felton, the designer responsible for The GA’s rebranding, said that a strong brand identity could help companies to tell their story and give them an edge over competitors. The GA’s new branding recognises its 68-year heritage, “the vast bank of experience it has built up over decades and the
dynamism of the industry” as well as reflecting the association’s progressive outlook and commitment to securing a bright future for members. Describing The GA as “a formidable support system and integral asset to you”, Paul added: “The idea behind the branding is summed up by a quote from Albert Einstein, who said, ‘The only source of knowledge is experience,’ and knowledge and experience are the two cornerstones of The GA … the whole premise that is being used is that the proud past of The GA helps inform the present and the future.” As part of the rebranding, the new logo features prancing horses. Sarah Ward had found early GA memorabilia in a drawer in her office, including the prancing gift horse, which was bound up in the association’s early identity. “Well, the gift horse is back – redrawn and modernised in
From left: Michael Papé, Henri Davis and Jeremy Corner
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the new coat of arms. And the heart of the logo has been crafted to give the appearance of a crown and a gift. “There are also a few subtle nods back to the previous identity with the ribbons and the circle and the date when The GA was established.” The brand also has a new colour palette, expanding from just blue and red to reflect the association’s authority and a vibrant, exciting and colourful industry. There is also contemporary stone-carved typography with new typefaces Elkan Sans and Percy Sans, in tribute to two of the founders of the association, Elkan Simons and Percy Sweeter. The branding will be rolled out with design deposit certificates and membership certificates, and Gift of the Year will also be given a greater GA
This rebranding is the first visual signal that shows what a modern, vibrant and relevant organisation we can be within the creative spectrum we work in – the gift and homeware industry Henri Davis, GA chairman
brand identity. Thanking Paul, new chairman Henri Davis says: “This rebranding is the first visual signal that shows what a modern, vibrant and relevant organisation we can be within the creative spectrum we work in – the gift and homeware industry. We hope you feel this is a really positive step that will help to build awareness and a recognisable brand identity for The Giftware Association in 2016 and beyond.” Over the past eight months the national committee had been striving to move the association forward into its next era of growth. In Sarah Ward they have recruited a chief executive with experience in retail and supply – someone with extensive business acumen and a proven track record. Under her leadership, the whole GA team had gone from strength-tostrength, producing material of the highest quality – including the new stand at Spring Fair, The GA Lifestyle app, the Spring Fair promotional video, the At Home magazine and the business boost days. “All of this has put us in a really good position for the future,” says outgoing chairman Michael Papé, who stressed the importance of maintaining a balance between both sides of the industry: retailers and suppliers. Gift of the Year had been extremely successful and The GA’s stand will be rebranded as the Gift of the Year stand later this year to further promote the competition and the companies that are winners or are highly commended. The cutting of a cake by Sarah to mark the rebranding of The GA was followed by a series of seminars and workshops, covering an introduction to HR; resale price maintenance; pension auto-enrolment; intellectual property; dealing with large retailers; protecting your business; business online for profit; managing your utility renewals, agents’ law; advice on branding, and an insight into the benefits offered by The GA.
www.ga-uk.org
GA news
Wedded bliss for Dave
Andrew is honoured Widdop & Co’s sales director Andrew Illingworth, a former chairman of The Giftware Association, was presented with the GAsponsored Honorary Achievement Award at The Greats Retail Awards on 5 May. Making the presentation at The Grosvenor Hotel in London, GA then chairman Michael Papé described Andrew as a person who combines the past with the present, heritage with modernity.
To say Dave Kukadia is a happy man would be an understatement. The GA’s business development manager recently married his new wife Priya Chauhan, the couple having met at the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show in 2015, where Priya lived. “By a twist of fate it turned out Priya was moving back to the UK five days after I finished working at the show,” says Dave. “We met up in England and, as they say, the rest is history. We knew we were perfect for each other and got engaged in June 2015. Now I can say that I’m a happily married man.” The couple married at the Sant Nirankari Bhawan temple in Hayes, Middlesex.
“I was absolutely thrilled, humbled and dumbfounded to receive the award. I had no knowledge of this and would have never felt that I was eligible for this status within the gift industry,” said a shocked Andrew. “It was quite a moment and one that I will never forget. I am proud on behalf of Stuart and Chris [his brothers in the business] to receive this for Widdop.”
The Walking S ck Specialists
Fine quality workmanship and fashionable, elegant designs dis nguish the Classic Canes range of tradi onal and contemporary walking s cks, folding canes, seat s cks and umbrellas Autumn Fair: Hall 4, Stand J70
Henri admitted to The Stationers’ Company Henri Davis, who recently took up the mantle of chairperson of The GA at its members’ day on June 15, has been admitted to The Worshipful Company of Stationers, known as The Stationers’ Company. “Being asked to join was a terrific honour and working with others who are passionate about stationery, our industry and its future will be a real privilege,” says Henri. GA chief executive Sarah Ward, adds: “Henri has worked tirelessly in, and for, the stationery side of our industry for the last 27 years and there can surely be nobody more deserving of this honour.”
www.classiccanes.co.uk 18 gifts today
www.ga-uk.org
We invite you join us at the
NEC Autumn Fair EXCLUSIVE SHOW ONLY OFFERS NEW PRODUCTS CHRISTMAS DEALS FREE GIFTS Birmingham NEC, 4th - 7th September 2016, Hall 5, Stand J50 VISIT OUR STAND AND RECEIVE A FREE CANDLE Price’s Patent Candles Ltd, 16 Hudson Road, Bedford, MK41 0LZ
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Monthly Columnist Rebecca Saunders
“We’re always looking for something unique” T
Rebecca Saunders is Head of Development at Notonthehighstreet. com. This digital leading light has carved an enviable path as the UK’s top curated modern marketplace, with the site welcoming a whopping 39 million visitors last year alone. Rebecca spoke to Sarah Welsh about the ever-evolving brand and its vast community of creative people.
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his year the digital retail phenomenon that is Notonthehighstreet.com is celebrating its tenth birthday – and boy it’s come a long way in a decade. It was founded from a kitchen table in 2006 by Holly Tucker and Sophie Cornish, both now MBEs, who were looking to source unique gifts and products online, and it’s safe to say that the success of the brand is now legendary. Last year company turnover was £156m – that’s a 135 per cent growth over the decade – and yet the emphasis is still firmly on promoting the talents of creative small business and kitchen table producers. How long have you been at Notonthehighstreet.com Rebecca – we’ve heard you have an interesting business background? I joined just over a year ago, in March 2015, and now look after several eclectic category product areas, including baby and child, food and drink, stationery, seasonal and weddings, to name but a few! I studied in New York and worked as an investment banker for four years before doing an MBA at Columbia University where I specialised in retail marketing. I’ve worked for companies ranging from Tiffany to Argos, and with a massive range of products from computers to beauty items and I think that’s been invaluable experience for
offices four times and are now based in Richmond with a team of 200 – but our core focus is still working in partnership with kitchen table producers. We’re often their first channel to market, create a new platform for them and help to support and grow their business, which is in itself very exciting. So how do retailers become a Notonthehighstreet.com seller? We have a dedicated team who work on finding new business and looking for new partners. They go to trade and craft fairs and approach people directly, but many sellers apply to us as well. We now hold ‘pitch up’ events at our offices a couple of times a year, and prospective sellers come to meet us in person with everything from just a germ of an idea to a fullyfledged range complete with branding. It’s a bit like Dragon’s Den – but nicer! What do you look for in a new business? Someone with a really clear story, a point of view – and a great product that offers something different and stands out. A seller needs to understand who the Notonthehighstreet.com customer is, that they are quite trend-led and want something unique. Their product should fill a gap in our market.
Notonthehighstreet.com where our customers are always looking for something unique.
A good digital retail presence these days seems to be essential… Digital selling has changed the way we shop forever, but it’s always evolving. For example, now many people shop on their mobile phones and that in itself is presenting new opportunities. We do our marketing homework, and our website is really relevant in terms of what our customers are searching for. It’s about offering a great retail experience, but actually our customers also enjoy supporting a small business by buying one of their products.
The story behind Notonthehighstreet. com is really inspiring… Yes it is, and funnily enough we still have the kitchen table where Sophie and an Holly started from – it’s now in one on of our meeting rooms! When we launched there were around 100 creative la small sm businesses on board and we now work with 5,000. We’ve outgrown our w
How is Notonthehighstreet.com evolving? We’re constantly evolving and that starts with trends and products – we always look to the future and share that knowledge with our partners. We’re also developing our social media platforms and get a lot of engagement across all the various channels.
“
We hold ‘pitch up’ events a couple of times a year – like Dragon’s Den, but nicer!
”
Seasonal products are always huge for us, and in fact last Christmas we saw a 25 per cent growth year on year. Home and jewellery are product areas that always expand, but newer categories for us that are doing really well include health and beauty items and food and drink. Hampers are very popular, as is unusual alcohol and alcohol-related products. One of our big sellers is currently alcoholic fruit pastilles! Your company led the way with personalised products didn’t it? Customised products have been a huge success for us because of our business model of working with small companies. Now it’s about what that personalisation means though, and it’s gone way beyond putting names on things. People now send gifts complete with secret coded messages, birthstones and constellations are very popular and so are personalised books. What would be your top tips for retailers in terms of how to stand out online? Use good quality lifestyle photography that shows your product off to its best advantage and clearly shows what it does. For example, you might want to give an indication of its actual size by using a scale. Your web copy should sparkle but it’s not just about ‘good copy’ you need to focus on SEO optimisation as well. Your customers should be inspired by what you do and your product.
Rise of experiences Giving ‘experiences’ as a gift is soaring in popularity, and customers now want to spend quality time with a friend or loved one while also trying something they can’t experience elsewhere. Like all of our products, we like to offer things that are a little different and can’t be found elsewhere. At the moment exclusive experiences Notonthehighstreet.com offers include blacksmithing, staying on a canal boat in London and trying a new gin experience where you create your own botanical gin.
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Tendence
Find fresh new ideas in Frankfurt am Main
Just a couple of months away, Tendence, the international trade fair for consumer goods, takes place once again in Frankfurt am Main from 27th - 30th August.
T
his year will see Tendence covering five of the exhibition halls in Frankfurt all showcasing new product groups for trade visitors to cherry pick items to revamp their retail collections for Christmas 2016 and Spring 2017. Generating fresh new ideas for trade visitors, Tendence welcomes over 1,100 exhibitors from 48 countries set to launch and lay bare a diverse range of giving and living consumer goods. The product groups this year will include; Gift Classics, Culinary Gifts, Young Gifts, Accessories & Jewellery, Pure & Elegant, Lovely Home and Seasonal Decoration.
‘‘Tendence offers trade visitors the chance to see up and coming companies who have fresh eyes for innovation, design, and therefore create unique products.’’ With a revamped format, you will find the relocation of Young Gifts now adjacent to Culinary Gifts making
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way for an exciting mix of products which work perfectly together as supplementary ranges. Find the latest gift ideas such as delicate oils, finely roasted coffees, dips, spices and antipasti, designoriented table and kitchen accessories from the culinary sector in Hall 11.1 right next to Young Gifts where there are amusing fast-moving items, souvenirs and stationery, as well as games, toys and children’s accessories. We spoke with Enesco’s Andrew Wells, Director-International Sales, to find out why Tendence is a pivotal exhibition within Enesco’s yearly calendar. “Tendence is a permanent fixture in our yearly calendar, and attracts retailers typically from a 150 mile radius. Other regional shows in Germany which we attend each summer are Dortmund, Hamburg and Leipzig, so we cover all geographical parts of Germany at this key ordering time for Christmas. “Our main objective will be the presentation and selling of brand-new collections like The Flintstones and Looney Tunes, and maximising sales of existing collections, be it line extensions and / or Christmas-orientated items.” Matthias Hain, country manager Deutschland, Yankee Candle agrees that there are many reasons as to why this is such a strong exhibition.
Matthias told us: “We have been attending Tendence for a number of years and it’s great to see that our brand is attracting more visitors than ever. Tendence gives us the platform to introduce our new products and collection for the upcoming season, as well as showcasing our brand and meeting with new and existing customers.” Once again, Tendence offers trade visitors the chance to see up and coming companies who have fresh eyes for innovation and design, therefore creating unique products. Discover the 34 craftspeople and jewellery designers from 12 countries selected for the 2016 edition of Messe Frankfurt’s promotional programme in the Talents areas throughout the show. Aside from the worldwide exhibitors, Tendence also provides a thoughtprovoking event programme including lectures, award celebrations and
presentations which will be held on all four of the exhibition days within Hall 11.1 Stand E31 and Hall 9.2 B80. Many lectures will cover key topics including the challenges of the internet trade, jewellery trends, florist and Christmas trends. Also new for 2016 is the first ever village concept. Ten leading companies – Cedon Museumshops, Charles + Marie, Design im Dorf, Donkey Products, Good Old Friends, Gift Company, Mark’s Europe, Paperproducts Design, Reisenthel Accessoires and Werkhaus – will demonstrate how products can be arranged effectively at POS. The presentation is located around a market place in Hall 11.1 and will offer an exchange of information and networking opportunities between buyers and exhibitors.
Web: www.tendence. messefrankfurt.com
Exciting developments Tendence 2016 and future editions of the trade fair aims to strengthen its positioning and growth in the market. Kickstarting the new concept with improved product groups in 2016, the 2017 edition will be held from 24th -27th June and moving forwards, the timing of the trade fair will be changed to the end of June/beginning of July. Changing the dates of the trade fair ensures that Tendence is the first international trade fair in the second half of the year, for the consumer goods market.
h o m e & g if t
Autumn Fair : 4th - 7th September 2016 Hall 5 Stand E1
www.straitstrading.com Tel: 01254 300260 Email: sales@straitstrading.com Follow us on facebook and sign up to our newsletter
Top Drawer preview
This September’s Top Drawer show at London’s Olympia sees the introduction of stationery event Paperfest, the autumn debut of Craft, and the launch of a new trail focused on men’s gifts
Out on top! T
op Drawer, the UK’s most exclusive design-led show for creative giftware and homeware buyers, is gearing up for its September show, which takes place September 11-13, 2016. This is the second edition since organisers Clarion united its four distinctive worlds – Home, Gift, Fashion and Craft – under one Top Drawer roof, delivering one major destination for some 1,000 carefully selected exhibitors at London Olympia. All products, everything from cuttingedge to classic, new trends to firm favourites, from both quintessentially British brands and from some of Europe’s most directional brands, have been cherry-picked for their outstanding design, originality and commercial appeal. Curated by a panel of market-leading experts “our dedicated team spends the year cherry-picking the best in class across home, gift, fashion and craft”, says event director Alejandra Campos. “The result is a curated, exciting and inspiring event that presents the upand-coming trends and showcases the very best of each sector.” Top Drawer’s world-class edit presents successful retailers with a refreshingly diverse and innovative choice of new products for the season ahead, from leading UK and international gift brands including Wild
& Wolf, Rice, Phaidon, Alessi, Caroline Gardner, Scandi Chic, Northlight Design, Ryland Peters & Small, Chase & Wonder, White Brands, Cubic, Kikkerland and Mulhouse Design. For design-led home brand Black + Blum, Top Drawer is the main trade show at which they exhibit. “We’ve always been impressed by the carefully curated brands within the Home section, which attracts the appropriate types of buyers who are engaged with the show,” says James Hooper, sales manager, Black + Blum. “The spacious layout is conducive to a relaxed environment, and we’ve found this encourages people to spend more time at your stand since they don’t feel pressurised to rush around.”
Exclusive line-up Growing confidence in the market is reflected in the fact that the upcoming show will see the strongest-ever line-up of brands and exhibitors in the history of the autumn event of Top Drawer, with more than 87 per cent of the line-up exclusive to the show and not exhibiting elsewhere this autumn. There will be plenty of new brands, too, including companies such as Purcell & Woodcock, 1 Two Kids, East End Prints, Jot Paper Co. and Fine English Fragrance. With the growing emphasis on all
WHAT THE RETAILERS SAY…
“Home at Top Drawer has firmly established itself as a must-see show in my diary. It’s incredibly inspiring and great for new ideas.”
Lonetree Cards
Stitch & Story things handmade, Craft at Top Drawer sees it’s autumn debut this September with an impressive selection of unique handmade products from the finest contemporary makers. “Running Craft bi-annually satisfies increasing demand from retailers searching for high-quality handmade products, which are truly unique and original,” says Alejandro.
What’s new A new layout will in fact see Craft, Fashion and Spotted on level one. The Stationery & Greetings section of Top Drawer, which includes designled brands, such as 1973 and The Art File, will welcome specialist sell-out event Paperfest offering attendees an inspiring new space that combines talks and creativity in this category. The show will also see the debut of a Men Only product trail in response to the increasing popularity of men’s products. This new trail will help buyers
Matthew Canwell, director of buying, Lakeland
“Of all the shows I attend in the UK and internationally, I am most impressed by Top Drawer – its expansion, its curation of brands that are design-led yet accessible, its recent addition of Gourmet Food, its structure, and its understanding of pricing.” Claudia Roberts, buyer home, gift, food & fashion, Northcutts Garden Centres 26 gifts today
Bespoke Verse
Message Candles
easily identify exactly what they’re looking for, and will feature top men’s gifts and accessories brands: Pioneros, I-Clip, Tyler & Tyler, Caddogan Cufflinks, Simon Carter and Ted Baker. Also premiering this autumn is the uber-chic Fashion Show, a highlight of the last spring edition, which will see stunning new accessories and jewellery paired with next season’s key fashion looks in a trend-led runway show. A new layout will in fact see Craft, Fashion and Spotted on level one, while the Fashion area will introduce a new collective, the Jewellery UK Collections, a beautifully-curated edit of fine jewellery designers who make and design pieces in the UK, offering buyers a rare chance to source exclusively Made In Britain jewellery. Finally, Spotted will make its return, introducing buyers to designs from young new talents whose market-ready products are on show for the first time – at the time of going to press, some 20 designers were already confirmed. Top Drawer takes place September 1113 at Olympia, London. Visit: www.topdrawer.co.uk
Museums & Galleries
The art of business
As Debbie and Alan Williams celebrate the third anniversary of their ownership of greetings, stationery and gifts brand Museums & Galleries, Debbie tells Sarah Welsh about the story behind the deal and how far they’ve taken the brand in three short years.
D
ebbie Williams is adjusting to the inclement British ‘summer’ weather on the afternoon I chat with her about a very special anniversary. It’s her first day back in the office following a week’s holiday at the townhouse she and husband and business partner Alan bought in Spain’s Costa Blanca three years ago – but the relaxing time they’ve just spent in Murcia couldn’t be more of a contrast to memories of their first break there. “It’s quite funny, because the first time we stayed at our holiday home we had a phone call from back in the UK saying that Museums & Galleries might be up for sale,” Debbie reveals.
company produce beautiful greetings cards, stationery, gift and Christmas product. Their inspiration comes from a love of British heritage as well as working with numerous licensing partners, including most recently, fashion icon Matthew Williamson who kindly gave a silk scarf and necklace from his collection for a giveaway on their Spring Fair stand. Having built up Mint Publishing into a hugely successful greetings business where they’ve just celebrated their 10th anniversary, Debbie and Alan were well aware of Museums & Galleries before the company went into administration in 2013. With an amazing team at their Corby
“Our purchase of Museums & Galleries was meant to be” “I remember we spent that first day of the break faxing and scanning all sorts of documents so, let’s just say the holiday we’ve returned from now was quite a bit less stressful!” Debbie and Alan are about to celebrate the third anniversary of the date they bought the Museums & Galleries brand, on 18 July to be precise. This renowned art and design-led 28 gifts today
base, the couple had been looking to acquire another company for a while to boost their gifts and greetings portfolio but a couple of potential deals fell through before M&G, as it’s also known, became available – now she says: “Our purchase of Museums & Galleries was really meant to be. “There were two reasons why it was so attractive to us. Firstly it was a long established company with a
loyal customer base and was very well known within the trade. “Secondly there was no conflict for us with our existing business, as Mint is known for being fun, quirky and contemporary, while Museums & Galleries is very art-led and a completely different prospect.” Museums & Galleries had been around for almost 20 years before Debbie and Alan took the helm and set about breathing new life into the brand. “The deal actually went through the day after we returned from exhibiting at Harrogate Home & Gift,” Debbie explains. “There are always industry rumours at trade shows, and that year people were talking about who might take over Museums & Galleries.
editor Ben Dorney, senior designer Stu Harris and production manager John Morgan. “We go down to Somerset and they come here and it works really well. John is up here a couple of times a month and works closely with our son Tom who is operations manager, making sure all orders go out on time.” Museums & Galleries are well known for their Classics, Art Of Print and Mezzanine card ranges, and licensed collections working with the British Library and Victoria & Albert Museum, among many others. Their latest partnership with British fashion designer Matthew Williamson, which saw a wealth of product – including cards, wrap, tissue paper,
“Once news got out that we were the new owners I think it was a shock for some” “I remember one conversation sitting in the pub when we were with a few other publishers, and several names were mentioned – but ours never came up!” Actually Debbie and Alan had been busy dashing between talking to customers at the show and their hotel room round the corner where a solicitor was conducting clandestine negotiations with the administrators and sorting out the nitty gritty of the deal. And the first that many in the industry knew was when Gifts Today’s sister magazine Greetings Today broke the news just after the show concluded. “It sounds quite exciting, as we were nipping away from the stand to get the deal done,” Debbie recalls. “Once news got out that we were the new owners I think it was a shock for some, but Mint customers reacted brilliantly and were overwhelmingly positive. “From gift shops to sales agents, the message seemed to be that we were just what Museums & Galleries needed.” Three years on, and the partnership has proved extremely fruitful, with the brand run as a separate concern to Mint, and the design studio still based in Frome, Somerset – although the head office and warehouse have been moved to their Northamptonshire HQ. “We kept on the staff that were already there as they knew the company inside out and it made total sense,” Debbie says. “Eddie Clarke is our licensing manager, alongside art
notecards, and notebooks – debut at this year’s Spring Fair, has gone down a storm. “We usually launch new cards and products twice a year but, this year, we’ve had no mid-season launch as we’re concentrating on big things to come at next year’s Spring Fair,” Debbie reveals. “All I can tell you is there will be lots of new products in totally new areas we have never worked in before. We’re likely to have new licensing partners, with others being extended, and it’s all very exciting – so watch this space!” So, how does Debbie feel about the last three years and the success she, Alan and their team has restored to Museums & Galleries? “I can’t believe how quickly time has flown,” she says. “I think the most humbling thing has been the heartfelt thanks we’ve received from customers who believed we could take the brand on and keep its integrity while building it back up to big success. “That feedback has been so important to Alan and myself, we really appreciate it, but what we’ve been able to achieve in a relatively short space of time is down to the whole team’s enthusiasm and working together. “The sales team, the design studio, head office and our retailers – we’ve all moved it massively forward.”
Tel: 01373 462165 Web: www.museumsgalleries.co.uk gifts today 29
Boxer
Fun pickup lines with From the latest trends to the quirkiest innovations, Boxer’s ranges include the most interesting and fun little gems...
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oxer are designers, innovators, creators, and manufacturers of unique, original and quality gift ideas. They are also exclusive distributors for some of the best products from around the world for exclusive distribution in the UK and Ireland. Not only are their products at great pickup price points, they are fun too! Boxer’s products fall into four main categories: Occasions, Homeware, Toys and Novelty. Within these are a selection of around 1,000 gift books, which are sale or exchange, resulting in no left-over stock and a constantly changing area, which keeps the book space fresh and interesting. Gift books can be displayed on shelves, or on the book tables and spinners which Boxer provide.
range of colour flame party candles, and age-related gift books are available at greetings card prices - this means an additional purchase when perhaps only a card was to be gifted. Christmas isn’t left out either, with the Christmas Cracker Joke Book and personalised Christmas products, including personalised ceramic snowmen and personalised Elf and Fairy decorations.
Homeware Boxer’s Starlight bottles are a perfect present for a special someone. They come with heartwarming sentiment on the front, and are guaranteed to light up hearts and homes too with the star-effect lights inside. After the recent upsurge in cycling, Boxer’s bike mugs, with their unique bike-shaped handles and bike-related slogans, such as Muck, Sweat and Gears, provide a great start for a bike-related range which should also include some cycling books. To build a range, add in gift books from adult colouring books to food and drink books which include 101 Hangover Recipes - these add great depth to existing themes within stores.
Novelty
Occasions Boxer’s Occasions range includes products that help to celebrate a special day in someone’s life and are aimed towards the greetings card market. Glassware is a key range which ch Boxer has presented well through regularly designing new styles, and the e key ingredient of a great gift box raises the perceived value. It doesn’t just stop at glassware, a
books and well-known classics such as Ladybird fairytale books.
Pocket money toys Boxer’s everyday personalised range has been strengthened this year with the Glitter Hairbrushes, in girly colours and personalised with the names in sparkles on the back. Pocket money pickup lines are an important staple for the gift retailer and Boxer offer a quirky mix from Grow Your Own Unicorn to Pull My Finger Fart Pens allowing retailers to set themselves apart from the crowd. A great way to top off a children’s range is with children’s books. Boxer carry kids colouring books, activity 30 gifts today
Novelty is the largest category Boxer has and it includes an on-trend and extensive emoji-inspired collection featuring the Desktop Emojifier, the glow in the dark Emojiface stickers and the emoji phrase mugs. Other novelties include Mason Fine Jars, fun, yet quirky games such as the Wine Challenge, also a range of novelty flip books; Senior Moments, My Bucket Missed and still hot adult Ladybird books such as The Husband, The Hangover and The Dad. The question we should be asking now is what will Boxer have next?
Tel: 0113 955 595 Email: sales@boxergifts.com Web: www.boxergifts.com www.booksbyboxer.com
11—13 September 2016 Olympia, London
GIFT Experience the beautifully curated world of Gift at Top Drawer, London’s international event for creative retailers. Discover a carefully edited, global cross-section of products from the finest brands and designers. REGISTER NOW topdrawer.co.uk/gift
Profile - Xystos
Heating up for A major coup for Xystos as it is chosen to distribute prestigious new English Heritage and Woods of Windsor brands
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ystos is fanning the flames of huge business success after announcing sought-after partnerships with several new collections. In the previous issue of Gifts Today, we revealed that Xystos was playing its cards close to its chest, and planning a few surprises to be announced in time for the Harrogate Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival. And the company dubbed ‘the home of flame and fragrance’ doesn’t believe in doing things by halves. There’s a prestigious partnership with Yardley of London Ltd, a deal to distribute two collections – and if this wasn’t enough, Xystos has also just announced agreements with two additional new ranges covering the UK and Ireland. A partnership with Enviroscent will see Xystos distribute Caption Fragrance Co. and it will also distribute Candle Warmers Etc., ranges that are helping to lead the way in fragrance technology. The ever-expanding home fragrance industry has been stunned by the breaking news that Newcastle-based Xystos has been chosen by renowned Yardley of London Ltd to distribute its new English Heritage Home Fragrance Collection and the new-look Woods of Windsor Floral Fragrances Collection. Both ranges are made by its premium English lifestyle and gift brand Woods of Windsor. 32 gifts today
It is, of course, a major coup for Xystos, with Yardley London’s managing director, Quentin Higham, explaining that after critiquing a number of specialist distributors, he was delighted to announce a partnership with the company. “They not only have a great understanding of the channel and category, but have been very successful in building WoodWick as well as a number of other brands,” he said. Mr Higham added that Xystos’ enthusiasm and belief in English Heritage and Woods of Windsor – as well as its inclusive corporate culture – made the company the ‘perfect fit’ for both brands. His confidence that they will be very successful in building both brands in garden centres, department stores and gift shops is certainly well founded. Xystos has increased its market share year-on-year in all these outlets through brands such as WoodWick, Aquiesse and The Naked Bee, and is now eyeing greeting card outlets too. Xystos’ director Tom Sykes says he is “thrilled” by the new partnership and is dedicated to maximising sales for the new ranges through the channels it has
Harrogate successfully opened for the other top-selling products in its portfolio. They will be unveiled in Harrogate. Both prestigious collections have been created to capitalise on their unique heritage and story-telling ability. Inspired by three of English Heritage’s historic English landmarks, Woods of Windsor has created a stylish new Home Fragrance Collection, which includes luxury scented candles, room fragrances, diffusers, drawer liners and wardrobe sachets. Each range is available in three fragrances – Tudor Rose, Citrus & Basil, and Sea Spray & Freesia. Tudor Rose is inspired by Kenilworth Castle’s Elizabethan Garden, created by Robert Dudley to woo Queen Elizabeth I. Lost to the world for almost 400 years, the beautifully recreated, colourful garden is now flourishing with Tudor roses once more. This elegant floral fragrance opens with lush, green leafy top notes combined with a classic blend of Tudor rose, lily, iris, peony and violet,
Woods of Windsor Floral Fragrances Collection is also a fantastic addition to the Xystos family and boasts an exciting new look for this autumn. Originating from an 18th Century apothecary, situated behind Windsor Castle, Woods of Windsor have taken inspiration from modern and vintage flower illustrations, the beauty of the Great Park and the romance of Windsor Castle – as well as the delicate flora and fauna of the fragranced English garden – to develop a fresh, new take on its iconic heritage. The first item in the collection is a luxury eau de toilette spray, available in True Rose, Lavender, Lily of the Valley, White Jasmine, Blue Orchid & Water Lily, Pomegranate & Hibiscus fragrances. The purest, natural essential oils ensure that these scents are distinctive and long lasting. Also included is a super-hydrating and luxurious moisturising hand wash, available in True Rose, Lavender, Lily of
“Yardley London’s managing director Quentin Higham was delighted to announce a partnership with Xystos” embraced with soft woods and vanilla notes. Inspired by the Art Deco period, which can be seen in elements of Eltham Palace’s interiors, the energising and uplifting fragrance of Citrus & Basil features aromatic citrus, grapefruit, lime and orange top notes combined with a zingy basil, bay and Jasmine heart and a patchouli and woody base. Sea Spray & Freesia is inspired by the rolling coastal gardens of Osborne on the Isle of Wight, where Queen Victoria created her peaceful seaside retreat. This fresh, ozonic fragrance opens with top notes of sea spray and citrus fruits, drifting gently onto a floral heart of freesia, lily of the valley, geranium, violet and tea rose with elegant base notes of musk, sandalwood and seaweed. The new-look
the Valley, White Jasmine, Blue Orchid & Water Lily, Pomegranate & Hibiscus, Honeyed Pear & Amber scents. A moisturising bath and shower gel is packed with antioxidant rich Vitamin E to protect the skin, which is left soft, smooth and delicately scented. The gel is available in True Rose, Lavender, and Lily of the Valley, White Jasmine, Blue Orchid & Water Lily, Pomegranate & Hibiscus and Honeyed Pear & Amber fragrances. A fast-absorbing nourishing hand cream contains shea butter and hydrating B5, it leaves hands soft, smooth, moisturised and delicately fragranced, with nails conditioned and strengthened. The cream is available in True Rose, Lavender, Lily of the Valley and Honeyed Pear and Amber scents. The range also boats triple milled luxury soaps, produced using the finest natural
ingredients. They provide a soft, rich lather and long lasting, beautiful, delicate fragrance, and are available in True Rose, Lavender, Lily of the Valley and White Jasmine scents. A softly-scented dusting powder locks in moisture and leaves skin silky smooth and delicately fragranced. Buyers can choose from True Rose, Lavender, Lily of the Valley and White Jasmine scents, and are advised to lightly dust the soft body puff onto the skin to seal in moisture and lightly fragrance. The range is completed with drawer liners, perfect for keeping clothes or linens freshly scented.
There is a choice of True Rose or Bergamot & Neroli fragrances, which will last up to six months. But once the scent fades, the sheets doubleup as gift wrap! They also come presented in a beautiful wallet, which is perfect for gifting. The English Heritage Home Fragrance Collection and The Woods of Windsor Floral Fragrance Collection can be viewed on the Xystos stand (Q13) and at stand (A15) at Home & Gift. Tel: 0191 499 1570 Email: sales@xystos.co.uk Web: www.xystostrade.co.uk
Coveted new collections from Woodwick Xystos will launch five new WoodWick collections and a range of candle warmers at the Harrogate Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival. The delightful Valentine’s Day Collection features a medium Sweetheart hourglass and Sweetheart ellipse and ceramic vessels, while the Citronella Collection will be available in core medium and large and ellipse vessels. The new Waterfront Collection features three evocative summer candle fragrances – At the Beach, Coastal Sunset and Tropical Oasis – available in core medium and large ellipse vessels, as well as hourglasses. And if these weren’t enough, the wizards at Virginia Gift Brands have created two delightful WoodWick candle collections with captivating food fragrances. The Greenhouse Collection features the scents Cucumber Melon, Radish & Rhubarb and Windowsill Herbs, while the Summer Sweets Collection also has a trio of fragrances – Raspberry Yuzu, Sparkling Orange and Sweet Lime Gelato. All are available from Xystos in core medium and large and ellipse vessels. Be sure to visit Xystos at Stand Q13 in Harrogate to check them all out! gifts today 33
Retail Interview On Tring High Street in Hertfordshire stands a double-fronted Victorian building, with bright-coloured paint and beautiful window displays. This stunning little Aladdin’s Cave, the town’s very own miniature department store, is known far and wide and has just celebrated 21 years of trading. Sarah Welsh speaks to owner Samantha Edwards to find out more…
Tring’s treasure trove S
amantha Edwards remembers exactly where she was when, as a little girl, she realised that her future probably lay in the gifts industry. Aged eight, she was standing in Selfridges in London, watching a package she’d just purchased being beautifully gift-wrapped. And that was the start of a childhood dream that has seen her source and sell unique gifts for the community of Tring, and far beyond, for an amazing 21 years. As her husband Jon, who she runs the shop Fancy That with jointly, says,
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it’s a little like Samantha has her very own doll’s house. And what a magical place it is. Fancy That sprung to life back in 1995 when Samantha and Jon returned from their honeymoon and, while Sam was pregnant with their daughter Emily-Anne, decided it was the ‘perfect time’ to find themselves a gift shop… Tell us how Fancy That started life? It was the end of the recession, and we weren’t sure we’d find the right premises but then we found this Victorian building in Tring that had
I used to go to trade shows, including Spring and Autumn Fair, with my mum and I just
”
loved the buzz and the atmosphere of it all
34 gifts today
“
The most frequent comment we get from customers is that we’re an Aladdin’s cave with old-fashioned charm and that’s a lovely compliment been derelict for four years but lent itself perfectly to becoming a lovely shop. And the town itself lent itself perfectly to that kind of one-off business we wanted to provide – and still does. We lived above the shop for a while and now are just 10 minutes’ walk away. Emily-Anne has just graduated from Bristol University with a marketing degree and now handles our social media, and our other children James, 19, and Annabel, 15, also both work in the shop. It’s amazing how far we’ve come and how quickly time has passed. What made you so sure from such an early age that gifts was the right place for you? I used to go to trade shows, including Spring and Autumn Fair, with my mum and I just loved the buzz and the atmosphere of it all. She was marketing director for Champneys in Tring while my father was managing director and they helped transform it into a premier health farm. Mum went to the trade shows to buy gifts to stock in the boutique. After I met Jon, who worked for many years as a civil engineer, we went to live in Bath for a year and, whilst there, I worked in a gift shop. It really fired my imagination so I suppose you could say I’ve ended up in the perfect line of work! You have a reputation for stocking a huge range of beautifully made, sometimes slightly
”
Beautiful wrapping for beautiful gifts.
quirky items… Yes, the most frequent comment we get from customers is that we’re an Aladdin’s cave with old-fashioned charm and that’s a lovely compliment. Not every gift shop does what we do but that’s what makes us unique. My business ethos is that we’re like a mini department store stocked to the hilt with many products, so there is something for everyone. It’s a huge amount of work restocking items and in any one year we work with easily over 100 suppliers, but I love coming to work six days a week and our amazing customers travel from as far as London and beyond to shop here so it works. If someone comes into the shop with a budget of ten pounds and tells me they love penguins I want to be able to provide them with something. On the whole we can usually help! Have you ever opened another branch of Fancy That? For three-and-a-half years we had a shop in the old part of Aylesbury, in Temple Street, but ultimately we decided to stick with Tring. This town is perfect for this kind of business and Jon and I have now been running the shop together for seven years with very little help outside of the family. What do you look for in a gifts’ supplier? Ultimately it’s about getting the right balance of well-known names, such as Emma Bridgewater, Carrie Elspeth and Sea Gems, that are immediately recognisable, alongside things that area a little
Matthew Williamson tissue paper available exclusively from
sales@mgml.co.uk Tel: 01373 462165 www.museumsgalleries.co.uk gifts today 35
Retail Interview Fancy That more unusual or one-off. I want to stock things that you won’t find in supermarkets and the quality of everything is always second to none. We use great sales agents and I always tend to find at least a couple of new brands at the trade shows we attend, including the Harrogate Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival. Do you source gifts from many local suppliers? We do, and actually it is something we have become known for. We work with four local ladies who make beautiful and exclusive jewellery, as well as items such as cushions, bibs and aprons that can all be personalised. We also have a local lady who makes greetings cards for us, and a larger company, Bluebell 33, does brilliant small print runs of Tring-designed products, including coasters, cards and trays.
Piggy Banks by GiftScribes Gifts
The latest GiftScribes piggy banks feature beautifully illustrated creatures such as dinosaurs, butterflies and jungle dwellers that are sure to appeal to young animal lovers everywhere.
What gifts brands and product areas sell particularly well for you? Sea Gems high-end costume jewellery is lovely, and we also sell a lot of children’s jewellery now for occasions such as christenings and First Communions – so Carrie Elspeth is brilliant for this. Orchid is also an excellent company with fabulous brooches that sell really well for special occasions. IF is a really innovative company, and their book marks and book lights sell well, as does a great product called The Hands Stand, that will hold your book or tablet. Children’s toys is another big area for us. Orchard Toys are very popular in the wooden toys bracket, and Gibsons Games and Fiesta Crafts also make some lovely things. We were also one of the first businesses in the UK to work with Jellycat and the brand is still a top seller for us. How important is visual merchandising to you? I’ve always been very artistic so I love creating very visual window displays.
Creature Features High quality ceramic piggy banks sell throughout the year, possibly because they feature unique, contemporary artwork with a classic and endearing look. Larger versions are supplied in a white, open-sided display box, whilst the smaller ones are sold in a matching top hat-style gift box.
Proven demand • Good margins • Small minimum orders • Personal service
www.giftscribes.co.uk email: sales@giftscribes.co.uk • Call: 01584 811 190 36 gifts today
They are usually themed around events such as Father’s Day, or recently the Queen’s 90th birthday, and as we are double-fronted I can do a display on each side of the shop. I’d say changing displays every two or three weeks is optimal, but in reality I change ours probably every six weeks.
How did you celebrate the 21st birthday of the shop? We didn’t do a huge amount actually – we put a few posts up on social media channels and handed out pens to customers. We didn’t even open a bottle of champagne as I don’t drink, and Jon prefers a glass of cider! Looking back though I cannot believe how quickly the years have flown by. What’s wonderful is how much I still love to work in this industry and plan to do so for many more years. When I think back to that little girl standing in Selfridges it’s great to think that I had a clear plan of what I wanted to do even then and that we’ve achieved it. Interestingly we’ve also always gift wrapped everything from the day we opened our doors – it’s become our USP! It’s truly amazing to be able to say that I love my life and what I do for a living. I know Jon does too – although I think part of him would have liked to be a helicopter pilot! *Fancy That is located at 67 High Street, Tring, Hertfordshire. Tel: 01442 828925
SERIOUSLY GOOD STUFF. Prepare to discover the latest and greatest products for your store.
Get your free ticket today:
www.autumnfair.com
Credits: Kipper the Pelican & Staghorn Plant - Abigail Ahern, Small Pendant Lights - Lene Bjerre, Boxes and Rabbit – Tutti & Co, Merle Medium Pendant Light – Libra, A & F lights - Smiling Faces.
4 -7 SEPTEMBER 2016 NEC BIRMINGHAM UK
VOLUME OPENS 3 SEPT
licensing news
Ready to Roald
Brio inks brand expansion deal Ink Global will be spreading the joy of classic toy brand Brio far and wide, thanks to a new worldwide deal spanning merchandise, publishing and promotions. The Swedish toy company has particularly strong recognition in the Nordic markets, UK, US, Germany and France, with iconic toys such as the Brio Dachshund and wooden railway part of people’s childhood for generations. The company now has a presence in over thirty countries, and Ink Global plans to implement a focused brand extension programme designed to bring further joy to Brio consumers and fans. Now homewares and interior design will be among the initial target sectors for Ink Global’s planned brand extension, alongside baby care and textiles, with products are expected to rollout in mid 2017. “Brio is a global symbol of childhood, so we’re delighted to have signed this new deal – especially as we are both Scandinavian companies,” says INK Global Director, Claus Tømming. “It’s one of the biggest toy brands in the world and the commercial potential is huge, as it will appeal both to kids who are discovering Brio for the first time and parents who grew up with this classic brand.”
With Roald Dahl 100 celebrations now in full swing, one unmissable event is the July release of Steven Spielberg’s The BFG movie. New publishing releases include OUP’s Oxford Roald Dahl Dictionary, while Penguin Random House’s extensive Roald Dahl publishing programme includes an exclusive, limited edition copy of The BFG. The Roald Dahl licensing programme, which focuses on The BFG, Matilda, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, will see a whole host of new BFG products hitting stores this year. New BFG product launches include gifting, greetings cards, stationery, soft toy lines, bedding, and dress-up. Alicia Davenport, Licensing Director at DRi says: “This is a fantastic year for the Roald Dahl brand and we’re excited that it will see a host of new products, the BFG serving as the rightful hero in this gloriumptious centenary year!”
Awards tour de force for Star Wars Star Wars swept nearly a quarter of the prizes at this year’s LIMA International Licensing Awards. Disney’s space action property won four of the awards’ 20 categories: Best Film/TV/Entertainment - Live-Action, Licensed Promotion, Home Decor, and Toys/Games/Novelties/Role-Play. Other winners celebrated at the event held during Licensing Expo in Las Vegas in June included kids’ collectable property Shopkins, Downton Abbey, mobile game Candy Crush Saga, pre-school favourite Peppa Pig, and The World of Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar. “This year’s award winners are definitive leaders in their respective categories and across the entire licensing landscape,” says LIMA President Charles Riotto. “Once again, nominees and award recipients truly exemplify licensing excellence in all corners of the globe.”
Have a laugh with Penguin’s Signature humour Remember those hilarious Ladybird books for adults that were everywhere last Christmas? Well now Signature Gifts has agreed an exclusive licence deal with Penguin Publishers for the hugely popular Grown Up range. These favourite titles can be personalised with up to two names throughout, and a message on the title page. And with hilarious topics including make fun of mindfulness, learn the inner workings of husbands and wives, conquer a hangover, and cure a mid-life crisis, the books are carving out a humorous path in both the gifts and book markets. With over 1.6 million copies of the original versions sold to date, you’d be mad to miss out on these personalised versions! Available titles are: The Wife, The Husband, The Hangover, Mindfulness and The Mid-Life Crisis. 38 gifts today
Official Harry Potter Jewellery and Accessories
Official Harry Potter Jewellery by the Carat Shop www.thecaratshop.co.uk info@thecaratshop.co.uk HARRY POTTER characters, names and related indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry PoƩer Publishing Rights © JKR. WB SHIELD: TM & © WBEI. (s16)
Grass Roots
This issue we delve into business back stories to learn more about the people behind the retailer
Jayne Beasom
Christine Haigh
Forget Me Knot, Anstey, Leics, & Over The Garden Wall, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk
Mirfield, near Wakefield
What’s selling well? Quite often there’s definitely a fad, people are looking for Cath Kidston or gifts for gardeners, but it’s a bit of everything at the moment. Candles always do well for us, Stoneglow Candles are good, there were new for us last year and the ones with the flowers around the sides are popular. Scarves always go well, and Lua summer bags are doing pretty well. And the thing that is going brilliantly are Faye UK’s folding shopper bags. They are in bright colours and retail at £5 but these outsell all other makes 10 to one because of their strength and colours. And Stubbs Mugs have done a range of Leicester City mugs, they’re the “I’d rather be…” ones so it’s “I’d rather be watching Leiceter City” and there’s “Dilly ding dilly dong, Gary get your boxers on” as we’re all looking forward to Gary Lineker presenting Match Of The Day in his boxers as he promised. It’s a very local thing because we’re near Leicester, but it’s been so brilliant. What licensed products do you carry? I don’t carry much at all, I kind of shy away from everything because the big boys do them and I want to be different. I do have a small amount of Hello Kitty, about half a shelf in among my pink girly stuff. And we do the Cath Kidston toiletries from Heathcoate & Ivory too. Are you going to the Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival, if so, what will you be looking for? Yes. I’ve just opened a new garden gift shop in Wells-next-the-Sea – it’s a bit of a trek from here, 2½ hours! – so I’m splitting my time between the two. I need more suppliers because it’s a garden gift shop, so I’ll be looking for that more than anything, although for this shop I’ll be looking for new product for the second half of the year.
Neil Swan Mine, Wells-next-the-Sea
What’s selling well? Mugs are our top seller and we now have Creative Express in store too, so people can personalise their own. We do a lot of personalised gifts from History & Heraldry, and Mulberry Studios, we do their plaques and little garden signs. We do Weaver Gifts and the little keepsake cards, and Heaven Sends. We also sell some Yorkshire mugs, tea towels, key rings and magnets. We try to make sure we have things children can afford because they don’t always have pounds and pounds to spend. Money boxes are also good, and we have teddy bears and baby gifts. Peter Pauper notebooks which are good quality, photo frames and beer mugs. We do Sensations tealight holders with names on, and stationery sets for kiddies because sometimes people like to put together a set for them. We don’t go for the high end market, it’s an Aladdin’s cave in here. We have little keepsake books from Blue Mountain Arts too, and we also do Paper Island gifts. I do get some gifts from BGC because their prices are really good for the champagne glasses and beer mugs, and the BGC cookery books have 15 different titles and we sell them for £2.50 – we’ve been selling loads since we got them in. What licensed products do you carry? I get Ninja Turtles, Superman and Batman money boxes from Budget, and we do Boofle gifts. I’ve just taken a delivery of products for that new film The Secret Life Of Pets, also lots of helium balloons which have the characters on, plus Tatty Teddy because Creation Express have just put that on there. We have the Bleacher Creatures where they look like the football stars and the DC Comic characters. Are you going to the Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival, if so, what will you be looking for? We will pop up for the Sunday and I’m hoping that Julie who works with me will be able to come along too so we can get both views on things. I do like Harrogate, probably because it’s the closest to me, around an hour away. I’ll call in at the Jonny Javelin stand because it’s their home town – every Velvet card that he does we hold.
Shirley Barrass Hippidippies Gifts & Gallery, Wigtown, Dumfries & Galloway
What’s selling well? All our handmade bespoke jewellery. We have about 50 different designers from across the UK, like Nick Hubbard, Kate Chell, Amanda Cox and Linda MacDonald. There’s no one theme, it’s all the individual pieces, what you can’t find on the High Street. What licensed products do you carry? We don’t do anything licensed, but we carry scarves, bags, and we do a lot of glassware for the home, glass clocks and different pieces from people like Jo Downs and Morpheus Glass. AAre you going to the Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival, if so, what will you be looking for? I’ll be there. I’m looking for jewellery mainly, something new and different to what we already carry. There are quite a lot of designers that we already have who are at the show, so we get to see the new pieces, and we usually get a couple of new designers too.
40 gifts today
What’s selling well? I’m a jewellery maker and artist and all my work is for sale in the shop. I’m also proud to support other artists and craft makers from the surrounding area, a selection of their work is available for sale too. To complement the unique local craft work, the shop also stocks a carefully selected array of hand crafted and Fair Trade gifts from around the globe, including handmade soaps, candles, accessories, general gift ware and greetings cards. Are you going to the Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival, if so, what will you be looking for? I haven’t been to Harrogate yet but I did go to the Trade Fair at Glasgow in January. I do find it useful when I’m there but I don’t go every year. I tend to look at the website and see who’s exhibiting as I can’t always get away.
Julia Keeling Wishes Of Cudworth, near Barnsley What’s selling well at the moment? I do Village Candles and sales are proving that they are better that certain other candle companies! They’re very good at the moment, and I’ve recently started stocking some new products including Monty Bojangles Truffles, which are a good pick-up line. We also have Cartwright & Butler who are from Harrogate, they do biscuits and that sort of thing. They do them in packets which are a bit cheaper but they also do airtight tins which can be reused. They come in light blue, light green, and pink so are designed to fit with most people’s kitchens. We also have Mrs Bridges’ preserves and chutneys. I’ve been doing bath bombs and products like that since I opened but if you’re more mature you probably don’t have a bath because it can be harder getting in and out, and – I know it’s a bit of a generalisation – but the over 60s seem to be more worried about naked flames and candles so I needed to get products for the more mature person and men. That’s the reason why I’ve gone down the food route, to widen the customer base. I still do the Bath Bubble & Beyond products, like cupcakes – they look good enough to eat but it’s not advisable! And for all year round there’s History & Heraldry who have such a wide range of pick-up lines. The metallic votives with traditional names on are selling well to people of 30 and over. They’re £2.99 so it’s a great pick-up line, people will spend £5 on a candle and votive. I’ve noticed £5 is an instant pick-up, £10 is for someone you’re thinking about, and if you really like them it goes up to £20. What licensed products do you carry? At the moment I’ve got Hallmark’s Itty Bitties, we have Star Wars and DC from them with Batman, the Joker and all of those. They’re going well, they’re the kind of things the little kids enjoy and even the big kids come in and say ‘oh wow!’. Are you going to the Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival, if so, what will you be looking for? I’ll be there on the Sunday which is the only day I get off from the shop unfortunately. I tend to look at Harrogate for more local companies – last year I found an American one who had started doing something from Huddersfield of all places, so that was good. I’m trying to support the local economy.
Caron Naylor The Gift House, Blacker Hall Farm, Calder Grove, West Yorkshire What’s selling well? We’re still on the hunt for Christmas product - some suppliers do still produce them and have samples, so at Harrogate we’ll be mainly looking for new comers and, of course, the male cards! For special occasions we’re selling a lot of the large cards so we need more designs in this size. I always start with the newcomers’ hall, then work from there for both gifts and greetings. My advice is to always check out the exit doors, as some newcomers end up there – two of my best finds were placed by an exit door and a sandwich van!
gifts today 41
Grass Roots Jo Barber
Adrian Marden
Home & Gift Store, Ampthill
Present Surprise, Chichester & Portsmouth
What’s selling well? Cinematic light boxes, they’re going well. Ginger Ray brought them to market. Also the Egg & Soldiers board from Container Group, and the other biggie that we just can’t get enough of is the Gisela Graham glass tankards with the straws in, they have been the most popular item by far. We’re not ordering any more of the light-up letters, I have enough stock and I think they’ve had their day.
What’s selling well? The Pomme-Pidou money boxes. They’re Belgian and are really vibrant colourful animals, we have cats, dogs, teddy bears, cows pigs, dinosaurs, the whole menagerie. They’re very 1970s in the design, the one in front of me is bright yellow with lots of little toadstools on it and you’d be amazed how popular they are. I think it’s because they have the stopper in so you can get your money out, which probably isn’t the idea but the other ones you have to smash. They are selling for everything from Christening gifts to birthdays and beyond. I’d also say our miniature guitars, you can’t play them as they’re ornaments, tribute guitars for all the different acts from the Beatles to the Sex Pistols are selling well in our Portsmouth shop because there’s no one else with them here, we introduced them to the city, we sell quite a lot every week.
What licensed products do you carry? None, I don’t do licensed stuff at all, I’d rather have the different products from various suppliers. Are you going to the Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival, if so, what will you be looking for? Yes, we’re going to look for specific fashion accessories – I don’t want to say exactly what because I really think it’s going to be the next big thing. I’ve only found one supplier which is a bit expensive so I’m looking to see if I can find another that’s still good quality but cheaper – I don’t want Chinese-made stuff either! We’re also going for inspiration, I’m taking my sales assistant Katie, who’s half my age, because she can tell me what’s good for her age group.
What licensed products do you carry? Half Moon Bay have a lot of licensed stuff and Xpressions 4 U. We’ve got everything from Batman and Superman to Doctor Who and Harry Potter as well as Only Fools And Horses and the original Thunderbirds. Are you going to the Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival, if so, what will you be looking for? We won’t as we’re a little far south. We usually go to the Birmingham one in February which I think is where my partner Dave Hockridge discovered PommePidou which are supplied by Fiesta Studios.
All Manor of sweet scents Manor House M anor House is a leading British manufacturer of bespoke home fragrance, encompassing pot pourri and scented botanicals, room diffusers and sprays, botanical candles, candles in glass, drawer liners and sachets, and fabric bags and cushions. Located in the heart of Suffolk, they have a design studio and manufacturing base, and aim to produce beautifully presented home fragrance collections for use in the home throughout the year. They use the finest quality botanicals and fragrances, which are placed in simple but very effective packaging, all finished with beautiful hand-tied ribbons! Fragrances, packaging, fabrics, silks and ribbons that Manor House use are mostly sourced from British companies, creating a truly handmade in Great Britain home fragrance collection. Manor House products are infused with care and devotion to create a bespoke, luxurious t ka and unique collection that allows their clients to stock British home fragrance collection that is enjoyed by many. They also provide a private label offering to many larger companies, and can design a bespoke collection and carry this through from concept to completion.
Tel: 01359 250720 Web: www.manorhousehomefragrance.co.uk 42 gifts today
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Profile - CB Imports
Loyalty, Love and Sheer Hard Graft When husband and wife Linda and Paul Spencer were tragically killed in a helicopter crash, no one knew what it would mean for the business they had lovingly built from scratch to huge success. But as CEO of CB Imports, Steve Wood told Sarah Welsh, how it has flourished is testament to them…
n January 2008 the ‘lifeblood’ of leading floral import company CB Imports was lost in just a few seconds during a shock helicopter crash in North Yorkshire. Linda and Paul Spencer, who had founded the firm in 1991 and grown it from a collection of market stalls making and selling dried flower arrangements to a driving force in the industry, tragically lost their lives in the horrific accident at Rudding Park Hotel, near Harrogate. A hugely difficult time followed for the team of staff who had worked for Paul and Linda, and seen first-hand their drive, commitment and hands-on approach to building the business – but more than eight years on and it is still going from strength to strength.
I
And as the couple’s good friend and CB Imports CEO Steve Wood says, it’s all a fitting tribute to a pair who ‘were at their happiest’ painting fixtures late into the night before rising early to open at 6am. ‘When we lost Paul and Linda it was a very hard time as they were the lifeblood of the business,’ Steve says. ‘But all the staff rallied round and with hard work we managed not only to survive but push on with opening new branches.
‘We had people in the offices working 18 hours a day for a year in order to make up for the huge loss of talent we had suffered. I know both of them would have been very proud of how the staff reacted, but it is testament to the loyalty and affection they engendered in people.’ Linda started the business with Paul back in the early 1990s operating from various market stalls, culminating at a large stall at the Halifax Peach Hall. Linda’s love of dried flowers had begun as a hobby, but as people started asking her to make bigger arrangements she realised there was a demand and started selling basket designs locally. From the start all of the family were involved in their production to be sold at markets. Once the demand outgrew the market stall they took premises in Drighlington, Leeds, and expanded the product range to include artificial flowers and giftware. ‘Essentially they turned a hotchpotch of buildings into an Aladdin’s cave of unusual products at cheap prices,’ Steve explains. ‘I joined the business in 1997 to control the growth of a rapidly expanding business which, by then, needed systems and protocols put in place to satisfy financial parameters imposed by the funders of the business.
When we lost Paul and Linda it was a very hard time as they were the lifeblood of the business -
“
Steve Wood
44 gifts today
“
If our customers always leave happy and we achieve this as a business we can aspire to nothing more - Steve Wood
‘My background is actually accountancy and I was trained at Price Waterhouse in Leeds. ‘We now have eight stores nationwide and there’s an immense sense of pride about the way the company has evolved and grown over the years – as well as much sorrow that Paul and Linda are not here to see it.’ CB Imports is now one of the UK’s leading wholesalers of floristry supplies and silk flowers, and as Steve knows all too well the soaring popularity of artificial blooms is only set to continue. ‘Artificial flowers have just got better and better and whilst they will never match the real thing for beauty they allow more flexibility in handling and certainly last longer,’ he says. ‘Our accreditation with the British Florist Association on our realistic flowers is proof of the professional quality of the flowers at reasonable prices. ‘I also think the resurgence in popularity has come about as a result of more designers using them in fantastic floral displays showing just how amazing they can look if used correctly. ‘But that being said, it is also easy for amateur designers to do simple arrangement of flowers that are more home décor than flower arranging. Our fashion flowers are ideal for this as they might not match nature but they do match your curtains!’ CB’s team subscribe to several ‘trend bibles’, with the marketing department briefing buyers before each buying trip on what to look out for. The firm then works closely with suppliers to ensure that colours and textures predicted to trend in the coming calendar year are reflected in their ranges. Experts in attention to detail, CB Imports also ensure that there are vases and ceramics in their collection that perfectly match the flowers that go in them to create a complete look. The company, whose mantra is: ‘The customer leaves happy’, is also renowned for
going that extra mile to ensure their extensive range of over 1,200 silk flowers is as realistic as possible. One of the company’s buyers even transported some bluebells from her own cottage garden – carefully preserved in cling film and bubble wrap – all the way to China, so that a silk sample of the bloom could be made as lifelike as possible. Suffice to say CB now stock a very realistic bluebell stem! Looking to the future Steve says that, having just gone through a major restructure, his immediate ambitions for the company are to become even more flexible meaning CB can react even faster to the needs of its customers. ‘Head office is currently buzzing with ideas about new products and we are trying to reflect these in as many new ranges as we can for the second half of 2016 and the spring and summer of 2017,’ he reveals. ‘Longer term ambitions are to ensure that our customers continue to engage with our brand and what it means to both them and ourselves. If our customers always leave happy and we achieve this as a business we can aspire to nothing more. ‘We are also exhibiting at Harrogate Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival for the first time this year and that will give us a chance to show our extensive range of flowers and ancillary products to smaller retail customers who might not know what we do at a national level. We’re looking forward to it!’ Paul and Linda Spencer should be very proud indeed. For more information visit: www.cbimports.co.uk
Blooming in popularity Silk flowers are increasingly becoming more realistic, and because they are available in a number of colours and variations, they make the ideal home accessory. ‘They can perfectly complement any décor,’ explains CB Imports’ Jessica Walton. ‘We are also seeing a huge increase in event and wedding planners purchasing silks, as they can be a versatile alternative to fresh flowers at events, due to not needing a water source and can be reused time and time again.’ In terms of trends, for autumn winter 2016, silk flowers in deep jewel shades will be sought-after, as well as dark teal, navy and deep red colours. Design-led flowers will be large roses in rich red tones, poinsettia, gerbera and lilies in lush darker hues. Spring summer 2017 will see an injection of colour, with vibrant coral, aqua and bright white combining to create a fresh and modern colour palette. Cherry blossom, branches, mini roses and ranunculus will feature peachy pink tones and white, contrasting against the branches and natural coloured stems. ‘With regards to realistic artificial flowers, large blousey flowers such as roses, peonies and hydrangeas are set to go from strength to strength,’ Jessica adds. ‘Country garden flowers, ditsy mini florals and branches will also stay strong throughout summer.’ gifts today 45
Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival
Festival time at Harrogate Now is the time to really start thinking about Home & Gift. With over 850 exhibitors lined up - you will find a whole plethora of products to fill your shelves.
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his year’s renamed Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival will be showcasing thousands of new brands and products when the doors open on 17 July for the four-day event in the welcoming heart of Harrogate, North Yorkshire. Visitors will experience more than
150 new suppliers featured among the 850-plus exhibitors showing this year. Retailers attending can feel more inspired and indulged than ever, confident that they are ahead of the competition for the key second buying season. It’s little wonder that Home & Gift has
At a glance guide
“A mix of impeccable timing and a fantastic atmosphere make Home and Gift our most important show of the year — everyone looks forward to it.” Carrie Elspeth grown to become one of the gifts and greetings industry’s main events in the buying calendar. Due to its timing the show also marks the start of the second key buying season in the gifting industry. This year’s Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival will see hundreds of suppliers and brands showcasing their new product lines for the first time, such as
● Host of new exhibitors and tens of thousands of new products ● More than 10,000 leading brands cover four dedicated sectors: Giftware; Interiors & Accessories; Jewellery & Fashion; Greetings & Stationery ● Wide range of design-led gifts throughout the Design Point marquees and in Design Point Debut ● Huge range of everyday giftware, including Gifts For All in Hall D and new visitor lounges on the HIC upper level ● Exciting new brands featured in Spotlight ● Fascinating retail insight in The Great Northern Retail Forum 282 ● Plenty of networking opportunities with both dow rolls of n for retailers, colleagues and key suppliers th
from
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Roll o the c ut arpe t! car
p e sho et are la id w recy cled – all mad e bottl soft drin k es!
Bentley & Bo, Hannah Williamson, Suck UK, 1790 Creative Limited, Stone Marketing Limited, Tobar Group Trading, The Big Cheese Making Kit Ltd, Cornwall Soap Box., John Hanly & Co, Laura Skilbeck, Lorna Syson Textiles, McGregor Balfour, Green Board Games and Weekend365 plus many more. They join many favourites returning including Lesser & Pavey, Hill Interiors, Yankee Candle, Joe Davies, Richard Lang & Son, Gisela Graham, Get Fresh Cosmetics, Container Group Buying, CB Imports, Carrie Elspeth, Flame & Fragrance, RJB Stone, Wild And Wolf, Culinary Concepts, Voyage
“Home & Gift is an ideal event for trend spotting, it also bridges the gap between the Spring and Autumn Fairs.” Mary Overmeer, Puckator Decoration, D&X, Orange Tree Toys, suppliers are there, giving us the Ashleigh & Burwood, Heaven Sends, JJ opportunity to buy for the upcoming Vaillant, Charlie Bears, Lichfield Leather, seasons. Dartington Crystal, Heathcote & Ivory, “Almost every time we go to the Puckator and Xystos. show, we’re blown away by the choice Tom Sykes, of home and fragrance and diversity of what Home & Gift company Xystos, who have been brings us. exhibiting at Home & Gift for many “It may take a bit of leg work but it’s years, says: “In the last few years always worth it for that new product.” Xystos have taken record-breaking Independent retailer Lindsey Adam, of orders at Home & Gift and Spring Fair. Bonkers in Fife, agrees that the show’s We select shows on the return they timing couldn’t be any more perfect. give us on our investment, so it’s up to She says: “We go to Home & Gift organisers to help us to maximise sales because it’s a good time of year to buy by delivering great events.” for Christmas and autumn, and it’s also At jewellery company Carrie Elspeth a bit later in the year from the spring they feel the timing of the show is spot shows – during that gap we’ll have on for everyone. “A mix of impeccable seen trends developing or disappearing, timing and a fantastic atmosphere so it brings us back up to date. make Home & Gift our most important “July, for example, is not too late for show of the year – everyone looks new products, especially from smaller forward to it,” says Carrie suppliers. Another important aspect of And on the general gifting front, the show’s timing is that many suppliers international giftware wholesaler don’t show proper samples until this Puckator’s Exhibitions Coordinator time of year.” Mary Overmeer feels Home & Derrick Armitage of Gift bridges the gap. She Present Perfect, explains: “The Home Melrose, is & Gift show is an a regular ideal event for visitor to the s e s trend spotting, it Harrogate a v roof can gby event and e e also bridges the u q r Ma at a ru gap between confirms: trong th ily train s o s e r a p the Spring and “Home & p uld ha n Autumn Fairs, Gift is always team co ig s f De allowing customers a highlight of on top o to preview the latest our calendar. Point 1 trends and get their “Not only does it orders in early!” give us a pleasant outing From a retailer perspective, this is in the middle of summer but it also clearly a don’t miss exhibition. Susan provides the ideal opportunity to top Kerr, of Harvey Willis in Glenrothes, up for autumn-winter and prepare for says: “Home & Gift is a must-attend Christmas. event as, in my opinion, it really is the “We’re always keen to see the new biggest and best and all the major season’s themes and ranges from our
Towers th of streng
gifts today 47
Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival
Follow the trails Discover four enhanced product trails to assist you in making buying easier.
Eco Trail TV Presenter and Eco Champion Oliver Heath will be selecting the greenest products from an array of ecofriendly exhibitors. Follow the tags on display at the show to find them.
Best of British Celebrate products made in Britain with this fascinating trail from David Nicholls, Features Director for House & Garden magazine. Keep a look out for the tags!
New New and trend-setting stock is a must when attending any trade show and Home & Gift is no different. To make this even easier, they have curated their New product trail.
Christmas Looking to be prepared for the festive season? Not a problem when you follow the Christmas product trail at the show! 48 gifts today
“There’s no doubt that fruit and floral fragrances will be very on-trend.” Tom Sykes, Xystos existing suppliers as well as discovering new In addition to a vast array of exciting new ones. We’ve never found ourselves stuck for products this year, buying from new and returning something to look at!” exhibitors is set to be easier than ever, with a In terms of what he’s hoping to find this time number of improvements to the look and feel of around, Derrick says: “Seasonal gifts are always the show. at the top of the list as Christmas approaches, Cleere Scamell, Show Director for organisers especially with attractive price points for stocking Clarion Events, says “We’re always looking at fillers, secret Santa etc. ways to make life at the Home & Gift Buyers’ “And candles, always candles! But it’s equally Festival easier for everyone. Building on the easier important to augment our offering of nonlayout introduced last year, we’re adding another seasonal gifts, things that aren’t just used once entrance point adjacent to the ever popular a year.” Design Point campus, creating the easiest-ever Newcomers this year, Suck UK also see the arrival experience. clear benefits of being “Our aim is to make choosing the very best aligned with such an in design-led and everyday essential important annual products as enjoyable an experience exhibition. as it should really be. Brand “Despite this year’s show If eve ry pr varia Manager already proving to be more o t Emma crammed with more new Gift w ion on sh duct and ow a as bo Royston exhibitors than for many tH x and comments: years, we’ve managed to gift-w ed appr ome & opria rapp “We feel like crea squeeze in an enhanced t ed, i ely te a Harrogate is a t Great Northern Retail Forum big a present would unique show for and more social events. p s the Maje ile as attracting all kinds “A visit to Harrogate also stic Hote of retailers that we offers a rare chance to catch up l! do not get to see at any with friends, colleagues and grow other UK show. It’s somewhere supplier relationships, learn from the to meet great quality independents that experts and develop new business ideas – it all we may otherwise never meet. adds up to an exceptional buying experience.” “Having done the show a few years ago, we’re A further highlight of Home & Gift is the chance really excited to be back with our new range and to trend spot what will be hot in the upcoming hope to attract a new string of great customers. months. It’s a great looking show and we’re always On the fragrance front, Tom from Xystos adds: inspired by the talent of other British designers.” “There’s no doubt that fruit and floral fragrances
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Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival
“We go to Home & Gift because it’s a good time of year to buy for Christmas and autumn.” Lindsey Adams, Bonkers, Fife not know it yet but there could be will be very on-trend. This is reflected in product that may be huge across the the new WoodWick candle releases for globe somewhere and it only takes a Home & Gift. few days for something to become the “The wizards at Virginia Gift Brands must-have gift that everyone is then have created two delightful collections demanding.” with captivating food fragrances. The The last word goes to Cleere: “The Greenhouse Collection features such phrase ‘one stop shop’ really makes scents as Radish and Rhubarb, while me cringe but that, in a nutshell, is the the Summer Sweets Collection has a power of Home & Gift. trio of fragrances including Raspberry “You’re never going to have a Yuzu and Sweet Lime Gelato. This trend substitute for examining the look is also reflected in the Woods of and feel of a product or Windsor ranges.” looking a potential And Carrie Elspeth supplier in the eye. adds: “When we “Home & Gift talk about and is like coming look at trends f home for our for autumn0 cups o 0 ,0 4 5 r re a Ove visitors. I’ve a winter 2016 e t e rkshir worked in China, you will be finest Yo d over e m u Barcelona and Sao s seeing lots of n co s. y a Paolo, to name a few d earthy tones. 4 the places, but I don’t know Metallic will still be any other event quite like big across all genres, with this. We have a BBQ area, a Pimms gold and rose gold shining through. reception and a pub quiz and we keep “From a gift perspective sentiments the Harrogate smile on people’s faces and the thought behind a gift has never while also improving their business been more important. Expect to see bottom line.” strong, bold and colourful patterns.” Remember, it is always wise to preSusan from Harvey Willis also knows register your attendance in advance, the importance of keeping up with which can save you valuable time once trending products: “It is a trend-spotting you arrive. You can register on the venue as there are also suppliers from Home & Gift website detailed right. all over the world as well. We might
Fancy a brew?
50 gifts today
Great Northern Retail Forum speakers announced
Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival’s successful retail insight programme is back as The Great Northern Retail Forum and is stronger than ever with support from the Giftware Association. The inspiring line-up includes speakers from John Lewis and Google plus a keynote presentation from Michelin star chef Tom Kerridge. Taking place over three days from Sunday to Tuesday, 17-19 July, there’s a fantastic line-up of retail experts and inspirational speakers who will arm visitors with everything they need to make their business thrive. Located upstairs in the heart of the HIC, The Forum sits alongside the new Gifts For All area in Hall D.
The Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival Opening Times: Sunday 17 July 09:00 – 18:00 Monday 18 July 09:00 – 18:00 Tuesday 19 July 09:00 – 18:00 Wednesday 20 July 09:00 – 16:00 For further information or to pre-register to attend simply visit:
www.homeandgift.co.uk
CB IMPORTS WE ARE THE UK’S LEADING IMPORTER OF
ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS & GREENERY FLORAL SUPPLIES | BASKETS | POTTERY GLASSWARE | SEASONAL | HOMEWARE BOOK A VISIT AT OUR SHOWROOM TODAY
COME & SEE US AT
HARROGATE HOME & GIFT 2016 Exhibiting over 1000 Artificial Flowers Including trend inspired fashion flower ranges Stand Q69 | Sun 17th – Wed 20th July
Visit our website www.cbimports.co.uk Call 0113 307 4040 | Email sales@cbimports.co.uk The minimum order is £300 (excluding VAT) within mainland England (this excludes certain postal code areas: AB, IV, KW, PA, PH, Isle of Wight and Anglesey - please speak to a sales advisor for further details). For Northern Ireland and Eire our minimum order is £500 (excluding VAT).
Feature: Joe Davies
Little & Often Founded in 1919 by Joe Davies as a hardware and fancy goods distributor, the business remains in the Davies family to this day with an emphasis on customer service. Head over to Hall Q to be wowed by 8,500 products - all available to order via the ‘little and often’ supply system
H
arrogate Home & Gift Fair is always a favourite with Joe Davies and their customers alike. The relaxed friendly atmosphere makes buying for the autumn/winter season a pleasure in such beautiful and relaxing surroundings. The timing of the show gives exhibitors the opportunity to showcase new product prior to the Christmas rush and gives forward thinking customers the chance to be first in the queue for fantastic new product ensuring they stay ahead of the competition. This year, Joe Davies will be introducing over 2,500 new lines into their autumn/winter collection. With 8,500 products on show in total there will be plenty to choose from. Their pleasant, spacious stand in Hall Q is the perfect place to highlight new exciting gifts, stunning jewellery collections, homewares and home accessories, all beautifully displayed and priced for easy selection. This is perhaps why it is the first stop for many shows visitors. Synonymous with Joe Davies are Snoozies, the exclusive hot brand from the USA and this year is no exception. Snoozies have five brand new luxurious ranges and this season sees the return of the ever popular
BLING collection. An exciting addition to this year’s range will be the Jingle Bell Snoozies and comical Christmas Splitz Snoozies - a must for independent retailers looking for those Christmas impulse buys. LED light-up items have proven hugely popular throughout the year and Joe Davies has added to their collection of beautiful LED light-up balloons, mercury bottles and mason jars. New LED light up introductions include stylish table lights, Casablanca
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With over 1,000 pieces to choose from in the Equilibrium collection there’s something for everyone
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tea lights and fairy cottages, a must for every garden. Joe Davies Equilibrium collection continues to be one of the UK’s hottest jewellery brands. Over 500 new on-trend pieces will be on display. Following the phenomenal success of the Equilibrium Poppy range, a new elegant collection of Forget Me Not jewellery will be launched, which will sit perfectly within the Equilibrium brand.
Xystos Flame & Fragrance
For more info, contact our Customer Service Team Email: sales@xystos.co.uk or Tel: +44(0)191 499 1570 www.xystostrade.co.uk
Feature: Joe Davies
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LED light-up items have proven hugely popular throughout the year and Joe Davies have added to their collection of beautiful LED light up balloons, mercury bottles and mason jars
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A new exciting collection of Russet Tones jewellery, in rich spicy tones, will debut alongside a beautiful Crystal Feather collection. The ever popular Equilibrium Sentiment collection has undergone a unique packaging re-vamp, which is sure to enhance the already hugely successful range. Equilibrium fashion accessories continues to go from strength to strength. The collection consists of exquisite boxed scarves, gloves and hats, all at affordable prices with no compromise on quality,
which ensures the range stays at the forefront of the marketplace. With over 1,000 pieces to choose from in the Equilibrium collection, there’s something for everyone. Joe Davies traditionally use Home & Gift to highlight their full Christmas collection and this year is no exception. You will find an extended offering of their best selling glass Christmas trees with fabulous new designs and the introduction of several new ranges, including winter wonderland village scenes, gorgeous new Christmas spatulas and cookie stampers, Christmas LED balloons and an array of stockings and Santa sacks, to name but a few. As the largest distributor of the Leonardo collection from Lesser & Pavey, the brand available to the independent retailer for the last 50 years, Joe Davies will be showing all the new and exciting ranges including All that Glitters. All will be available to buy at Harrogate in small quantities for easy, affordable ordering. Since 1919, when Joe Davies was established, customer service has been at the forefront of their business ethos. To make life easy, pleasant and practical for their customers, everything in the Joe Davies range is available to buy in small quantities their minimum order being just £100 and delivery is free nationwide. The company website is one of the best in the business and the Joe Davies staff have just won their 14th consecutive Greats Award for customer service. All at Joe Davies look forward to greeting customers both old and new to their stand in Hall Q, Stand 50.
Hall Q, Stand: 50 Tel: 0161 975 6300 Web: www.joedavies.co.uk 54 gifts today
Inspired by Italy ˆ Made in England In a tranquil Tuscan piazza, under the dappled shade of almond trees, we relish the warmth of late afternoon sun. Delicious aromas of ripening fruit are carried on the warm breeze, creating a memory we will cherish forever‌
Top Notes Black Cherry, Rosehip & Bergamot
See us at HARROGATE DP1 - 105
Middle Notes Almond, Freesia & Pink Pepper
Base Notes Sandalwood, Amber Vanilla & Musk
T: 01803 612772 E: debbie@dipalomo.com W: www.dipalomo.com
Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival Hall M, Stand: M27
Take it from the top C
reative Tops, a Lifetime Brands company, are leading manufacturers of quality everyday kitchen and dining products. The company produce bespoke products for some of Britain’s most respected High Street retailers and also have their own collection of branded products. The Creative Tops brand family includes: coffee connoisseurs La Cafetière; the couture-inspired Mikasa; British designer Katie Alice; and heritage brands Victoria & Albert Museum, National Trust and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Trend analysis is at the heart of the company to ensure each brand is at the forefront of fashions. Creative Tops will be launching new collections and additions to existing popular ranges from their unique collection of brands at Home & Gift. From the M By Mikasa label, the new Whiteware collection will be exhibited: a sleek tableware collection defined by its elegance and superior materials. Whiteware evokes classic style with a contemporary edge that will fit comfortably into the modern home. Elegant white pieces have clean, distinctive lines and are made in strengthened vitrified porcelain for a premium look with durability. The collection features dinnerware such as plates, bowls, dip dishes and a gravy boat, as well as drinkware, including a teapot, cup and saucer, sugar bowl, creamer and espresso cup. Perfect for creating a neutral yet distinctive table setting, M By Mikasa 56 gifts today
Whiteware pairs perfectly with organic materials such as slate and cotton accessories. From Creative Tops’ own brand, the Into The Wild collection expands this season’s offering with a touch of nature’s charm to tableware and stylish textiles. The collection combines warm autumnal colours with stylised sketches of woodland creatures. Black and white illustrations of a stag, hare, pheasant and fox are set against block colour canvases of sage, blue, merlot and burnt orange. The collection features a variety of tableware sets, some of which are presented in rustic tube packaging to make a luxury gift. These new additions include stackable mugs, placemats, mug and coaster gifts, and textiles such as 100 per cent cotton aprons and tote bags. New gifting concepts will be shown from Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, including their Pocket Garden sets. These sets pair a fine china palace mug with a DIY plant kit, presented in a gift box. Perfect for aspiring gardeners and tea lovers, the mugs are available in the Lavender and Strawberry Fayre designs with coordinating seed packets to grow your own lavender or wild strawberries. Ideal for homes that are short on space, the
plants can be grown straight from the packaging by just adding water. Also new from Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is the delicately elegant Queen Charlotte’s Memoirs collection. Made of fine china, a selection of these pieces are presented in luxury hat-box style gift boxes, making this a lovely giftable collection. The Queen Charlotte’s Memoirs design refreshes classic style with crisp white and deep pink-coral roses. Reminiscent of a blossoming rose garden with butterflies softly perching on the petals, the design also shows stylish French calligraphy laced into the pattern. Featuring cups and saucers, a trumpet mug, a teapot, side plate and cake stand, Queen Charlotte’s Memoirs is a timeless collection that is ideal for refined afternoon teas. The collection is named after keen botanist Queen Charlotte, married to King George III, who helped develop the gardens within the grounds of what is now Kew Gardens.
Tel: 01536 207710 Web: www.creative-tops.com
It’s that time of year and excitement is brewing at Lang’s! Our new autumn and winter collections are ready to be unveiled, designed to inspire our customers for the upcoming festive season. We are ready to turn on the lights and sparkle with over 500 new products to launch, not forgetting our existing successful ranges.
Harrogate B18.
Our personal favourites from the new range include a collaboration with watercolour artist Kathryn Coyle featuring woodland inspired animals and garden birds, ‘It’s All About The Fizz,’ a fun, on-trend collection - perfect for all those prosecco princesses and ‘I Love You To The Moon And Back,’ which is a mix of textile, ceramic and wooden gifts based on this very well-known phrase, we hope you love it too! We will also have our Halloween and Christmas ranges on show for those last minute orders. We look forward to welcoming customers, old and new, to our stand Richard Lang B18.
Make us your first stop! Richard Lang & Son Ltd 1 Little Chester Park Alfreton Road Derby DE21 4AA T: 01332 340927 E: sales@richardlang.co.uk W: www.richardlang.co.uk
Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival
Gift sets galore at Arora Designs Hall B, Stand: 23
Arora are gearing up for Christmas with a host of gift-worthy sets. Part of their growing On a Wick & a Prayer collection, Arora will present melter and wax bar gift sets of a melter, tea light and wax bar in various festive fragrances and stunning seasonal packaging in the form of snowflake-covered wrap. Further wax bars are also available in Christmas fragrances, Apple, Clove & Cinnamon, Christmas Spice and Nordic Forest, and 16 further fragrances, available in both gift sets and individual wax bars, will also be on display. Arora’s fabulous Victorian Bath collection, now available in five colours and fragrances, will also be on show, as will the Gallery Collection, which made its debut earlier this year and was shortlisted in this year’s Gift of the Year awards. This stunning new range of cold cast bronze figurines designed by artist Dean Kendrick is smooth to the touch and highly tactile. Initially launched with 12 pieces – an elephant, an owl, a hare, a horse, five dogs, three cats, and five popular dog breeds including a German Shepherd, a Westie, a Jack Russell, a Pug and a Labrador – this summer will see four additions, a dolphin, gorilla, pair of boxing hares and magnificent stag. All pieces are presented individually in a luxurious gift box, with coloured sleeve bearing a gold foil-blocked logo, the figurine carefully held in place by a foam insert cut to the shape of the item, and then covered in teal silk. An information booklet about the range is also inside each box. Point of sale is available to retailers to assist in presenting displays in the form of an A3 shelf mat and a smart strut card.
Tel: 01386 861666 Email: sales@arora-design.co.uk Web: www.arora-designs.co.uk
Sentiments high at Carrie Elspeth Design Point 1, Stand: 36
The Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival will see the launch of four new collections from much-loved Welsh jewellery company Carrie Elspeth, beginning with a brand-new capsule collection unlike anything you’ve seen before. Carrie herself says: “It’s very contemporary, very giftable, but without compromising on colour – I’m so excited for Harrogate.” There are also new ranges of Mycolourbands, which are set to be very popular this season with beautiful new charms, glittery accessories, and a greetings card format making them the perfect gift. New Heartfelt Sentiment bracelets that dazzle with sparkly beads and rose gold charms are also part of the Harrogate line-up, alongside Carrie’s AW16 core collection, which is brimming with earthy tones and rusty autumnal hues.
Tel: 01446 771271 Email: sales@carrieelspeth.com Web: www.carrieelspeth.com
All new at D & J Glassware Hall Q, Stand: 40
Renowned for their handcrafted glassware, innovative designs and good prices, D & J Glassware are the original UK suppliers of Tree of Life balls. On a brand-new stand this year – Hall Q Stand 40 – the company will unveil their latest designs, a colourful collection featuring seaside themes, houses and flowers, handcrafted in fused glass. New fragrances will be introduced in the popular scent diffuser collection with each handmade glass diffuser attractively giftboxed and available in a range of gorgeous colours with Englishblended fragrances. Also featured will be collections of Tree of Life Balls, Friendship Balls, Hearts and Tea-light holders. The unique designs are proven to sell through strongly and customers will receive friendly and efficient service from the UK’s favourite glassware suppliers.
Tel: 01953 450280 Email: dandj.glassware@btinternet.com Web: www.dandjglassware.co.uk 58 gifts today
Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival
Peter Capewell & Richard Tams Sales Directors, Arora Design
What makes Home & Gift a unique, unmissable show for you? Home & Gift is the perfect platform to launch our new products to the market for the second half of the year. What is your focus at Harrogate Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival this year? To showcase our mid-year product, meet with our existing customers, take the opportunity to introduce our product to new buyers and offer innovative sales promotions for all retailers. What’s your top tip for retailers making their first visit to the show this year? Visit Arora Design and, most of all, enjoy the show. Describe your stand in three words. Welcoming, with innovative product.
Huge desirability
Hall Q, Stand: 42 Global Luxury Brands Once again GLB will be showcasing two hand-painted ranges of quality gifts from Herend and De Rosa, two very different ranges but ones that have much in common. Herend have been around since 1826 producing the very finest of hand-painted porcelain in their Hungarian studios, while family-owner De Rosa were founded in 1945 in Uruguay where their artisans still produce the finest hand-carved and hand-painted range of ceramic collectables. Both companies share a passion for the hand skills that have made them so desirable all over the world. Not for them mass-produced products with no character – every piece is, by the very nature of its hand-made production, unique. Both brands will be releasing new pieces for the show and a new Robin will be available from each, a fitting tribute to Britain’s national bird, while De Rosa will also be adding to the new collection of British wildlife and launching a Teddy Bear for the very first time. Global Luxury Brands are looking for a few new retailers across the country, visit them if you are looking for something that will not be seen everywhere and with the emphasis on quality.
Tel: 01538 807780 Email: simon.willis@globalluxurybrands .co.uk Web: www.globalluxurybrands.co.uk
Fragrances to make your house feel like a home Hall A, Stand: 18
Heart & Home’s distinctive home fragrance range has continued to gain momentum in the candle market. Following a successful year of brand building they’re pleased to say that customers have expressed their love for the unique soy wax blend, competitive pricing, varied choice of scents and eye-catching lids featuring images that truly reflect the contents within. Featuring jar candles, votives, wax melts and tealights, as well as co-ordinating accessories, there really is something for everyone. With an ever-growing range of fragrances and styles, all underpinned by extensive marketing support, Heart & Home are happy that many of their key lines are becoming bestsellers.
Tel: 01709 730700 Email: info@heartandhome.com Web: www.heartandhome.com 60 gifts today
The Beauty of Nature Don’t miss the exciting launch at Home & Gift of four gorgeous new animals. Contact us to secure your stock of this fantastic cold cast bronze range. Beautifully packed in silk lined boxes, complete with an information card on the rest of the range.
View at Hall B Stand 23 Home & Gift Harrogate
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Hall 5 Stand M12 Autumn Fair NEC
ARORA DESIGN LTD,WORCESTER, ENGLAND T: +44 (0)1386 861666 e: sales@arora-design.co.uk
w: www.arora-design.co.uk
Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival Hall B, Stand: B4
Scented Home Ashleigh & Burwood are excited to launch their brand new products for Christmas 2016 at Harrogate Home & Gift. New home fragrance accessories from scented ceramics to reed diffuser toppers, all ideal to bring the spirit of Christmas into the home this winter, beautifully packaged and perfect as gifts or for self-purchase
Get cosy this autumn
Ashleigh & Burwood are proud to unveil their brand new range for AW16 at Home & Gift, inspired by simple pleasures the colder seasons bring with them, the stunning new fragrance Log Fires is headlining the launch. Alongside innovative and unique new fragrances, Ashleigh & Burwood are excited to introduce their new range of scented candles and premium diffusers as well as Lamp Fragrances. The brand new Log Fires fragrance embodies the Cosy Autumn AW16 collection, instantly warming the senses with its evocative scent. This superb warming fragrance transcends the autumn and winter seasons perfectly, keeping customers coming back while the weather is cool. The new scent is available as a fragrance for any lamp, as well as being incorporated into two brand new Cosy Knit Gift Sets. Both the Fragrance Lamp and Premium Reed Diffuser Gift Sets make perfect, stylish gifts to bring the home into autumn/winter. Additionally the Log Fires scent is available in the brand new special edition candle collection, alongside two popular festive fragrances of White Christmas and Christmas Spice. Each 200g candle burns for around 45 hours, all specifically designed for excellent scent release, incorporating a refined mineral wax with low melting point. Stunningly decorative glass vessels are topped with an embossed lid, to protect both wax and fragrance, ensuring long-lasting quality. Beautifully packaged in a cylindrical gift box, a black ribbon is the finishing touch. 62 gifts today
New festive additions to The Scented Home range
Ashleigh & Burwood are extending their Scented Ceramics to include two festive fragrances – White Christmas and Christmas Spice. Each set provides two ceramics, a Christmas Tree and a Snowflake, hand-finished with ribbon and complete with a refresher home spray. Ceramics can be hung anywhere around the home, including the Christmas tree, adding a gentle perfume to the tree as well as a unique and attractive hanging ornament! Alongside the addition of new Christmas Scented Ceramics, Ashleigh & Burwood are also launching reed diffuser toppers available in Christmas Tree or Snowflake shapes. A subtle way to continue the Christmas decorations throughout the home, or a sweet and thoughtful gift, the Reed Diffuser Toppers are set to be an original and quaint addition to The Scented Home range for Christmas 2016.
Introducing… Pendant Fragrance Lamps
Ashleigh & Burwood’s new Pendant Fragrance Lamps sport a curved, teardrop design in clear glass with an ombre effect, making a strong style statement. The new lamp boasts a sizable 500ml fill capacity, allowing a full large bottle of Lamp Fragrance to be added at one time. The Pendant Lamp is presented in contemporary tones; white, smoked black, amber, red, blue and clear. Each lamp features a stylish crown, completing the overall teardrop effect, original and unlike any other lamp they have previously created.
New fragrances in The Scented Home for AW16 Ashleigh & Burwood are excited to add to their ever-popular The Scented Home collection, introducing five brand new reed diffuser fragrances, available in both diffusers and refills. The new Log Fires fragrance headlines the launch of the cosy AW16 collection, warming the senses with its evocative scent; from the first signs of autumn, through to Christmas and into the New Year. This superb fragrance transcends the autumn and winter seasons perfectly, keeping customers coming back while the weather is cool.
Tel: 01932 267060 Web: www.ashleigh-burwood-trade.co.uk
Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival Hall DP2, Stand: 2-35
New and exclusive The Great British Exchange are to exhibit for the first time at Home & Gift with more than 450 gift products all from British designers and makers
“We have bags that are made from recycled bouncy castle material, greetings cards with designs made on typewriters, brand new jewellery ranges that only launched this year as well as beautiful blankets, cushions and the most heavenly scented candles.” Claire Corns, Sourcing Manager
T
64 gifts today
he Great British Exchange will be launching new ranges at the Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival in July. There will be more than 450 products on The Great British Exchange stand and some will be new and exclusive to the event. “We’ve spent the past two years establishing ourselves as the trade buyer’s destination for British made products,” says Matt Hopkins, The Great British Exchange Managing Director. “We are thrilled to be able to come to the Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival and show our diverse range of products that are sourced from all over the UK – we have products at various price points and as well as what we have at the show, we also have even more products on the website. We can’t wait to introduce retailers to our products and ranges, and tell people what we have to offer.” None of the 450 products being exhibited by The Great British Exchange have been shown at Home & Gift before. “I can’t wait to share where our products have come from and how they are made,” says Claire Corns, Sourcing Manager for The Great British Exchange. “We have bags that are made from recycled bouncy castle material, greetings cards with designs made on typewriters, brand-new jewellery
ranges that only launched this year as well as beautiful blankets, cushions and the most heavenly scented candles.” New designs are due to be exhibited from homeware designers Martha and Hepsie. The sister-duo based in Sheffield and Devon already have a popular range of animal-themed products which include cushions, table mats and coasters, mugs, greetings cards, stationery and aprons. Adding to the range this summer, The Great British Exchange will be showcasing the new designs which include Margo Flamingo, Hettie Hedgehog and Tally Tabby Cat. Corpo Sancto Candles will be launching their new look candles which will be packaged in tins. The range of candles, available through The Great British Exchange, is made in Brighton using rapeseed wax. Corpo Sancto are one of few UK manufacturers to use this material which is biodegradable, carbon neutral and produced in the UK and EU from non-GM crops. Papercut designer Crafty Fox will be adding new designs to the existing range of 50 which include themes such as Alice in Wonderland, animals, new baby and many more. New to both The Great British Exchange and the Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival will be London-based jeweller Lillyflo who will be bringing young, delicate designs to the show.
Tel: 01423 22 99 88 Web: www.thegbexchange.com
Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival
Carrie Elspeth
Creative Director, Carrie Elspeth What makes Home & Gift a unique, unmissable show for you? It has a wonderful atmosphere, it’s perfectly timed for autumn / christmas range releases and Harrogate is a great town to hold it in. Everything is onsite or nearby so it’s great socially too: a must-have event in every buyers calendar. What is your focus at Harrogate Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival this year? Primarily meeting with existing customers and showing them the new collections and our exciting new ranges. Also looking to meet potential new buyers interested in the best giftable jewellery with exceptional customer service, all handmade in the Wales. What’s your top tip for retailers making their first visit to the show this year? Very simply, plan! It’s not the largest show, but there’s still a lot to see so you need to plan ahead to make the most of this fantastic show. Visiting the Product Trails is a great start to give you ideas and an overview of what’s New In, Made in Britain etc. Describe your stand in three words. Colourful, giftable, and unmissable.
Debut for Millefiori Hall Q, Stand: 23
For the first time since their launch in the 1990s, stylish Milan-based brand Millefiori will be showcasing at the Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival in Harrogate this summer. The Italian home fragrance company offer beautiful collections to UK consumers looking to perfume their world and to decorate it with style. Elegant and luxurious, Millefiori’s products are not only aspirational but also accessible with prices starting from just £7.95, allowing anyone to add a hint of Italian style as the finishing touch to their décor.
Email: info@millefiorimilano.com Web: www.millefiorimilano.com
Multiple new lines for Miss Milly Hall DP3, Stand: 8
Miss Milly, the British brand for gorgeous jewellery and scarves, is launching a plethora of new lines at the Harrogate Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival, in on-trend, seasonal colours and with resin, enamel and metallic finishes. Key highlights include beautiful multi-coloured jewellery selected from two main colour palettes – Girlie Gothic with deep, rich purples, emeralds and blues, and Indian Winter featuring cobalt blue, fuchsia and amethyst. The brand offers fantastic prices and great quality backed by an efficient, friendly service, and buyers can order at the shows or online now. There are also no minimum order quantities so you can select exactly what you need. Branded packaging and display stands are available.
Tel: 01905 622509 Web: www.missmilly.co.uk 66 gifts today
Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival
Mary Overmeer
Exhibitions Coordinator, Puckator
Steve Powell
National Field Sales Manager Ashleigh & Burwood What makes Home & Gift a unique, unmissable show for you? Being located in the centre of the historic spa town of Harrogate, Home & Gift itself takes on a unique atmosphere and provides the ideal surroundings to meet with buyers in a relaxed and social atmosphere. The show serves all buyers well, but is a particularly well attended by independent retailers. I would say Home & Gift offers a pleasantly relaxed buying experience. What is your focus at Harrogate Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival this year? We enjoy catching up with existing customers at the show, but equally we are always looking to attract new buyers to the Ashleigh & Burwood stand. This year we have developed a lot of new products for the autumn/winter seasons that fit in our cosy theme and will also be previewing spring 2017, so we are looking to appeal to all types of buyers both existing and new. What’s your top tip for retailers making their first visit to the show this year? Do your homework – in as much as it’s great to have a plan of who you want to see ahead of the show to make the best use of time. And of course ‘B4’ you go anywhere come to our stand B4! Describe your stand in three words. Fragrant, friendly, fabulous.
What makes Home & Gift a unique, unmissable show for you? There are many visitors to Home & Gift who only attend this trade fair. It’s the only show we do in July and this makes it a unique one for us as customers get to see the very latest designs and trends from our gift and homeware ranges. What is your focus at Harrogate Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival this year? We always love to meet new customers and open new accounts, but just as important is welcoming familiar faces and catching up with established customers. What’s your top tip for retailers making their first visit to the show this year? Get in early. You may have planned exactly which stands you want to visit but once you get there you’ll want to see them all, so you should allow yourself plenty of time. Describe your stand in three words. Friendly, fresh and full-of-gifts!
Sniff out newness at St Eval Hall DP1, Stand: 95
For more than 20 years, since starting out with their collection of church candles, St Eval Candle Company have been making high-quality handmade candles and, to this day, they use the same traditional methods. This year has so far been fantastic for the company with two awards already under their belt, and will also see them showcase their largest collection yet with new unique and natural designs. Harrogate Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival will see the launch of their new AW16 brochure, which will include new designs as well as a sneak peek at their ever-popular Christmas range. In addition to their new potted candles, St Eval will also launch their brand-new collection of room sprays. Available in six fragrances, the uplifting scents of St Eval Candle Company can now be experienced in an entirely new way. Visit the stand and have a sniff of more than 30 different fragrances, all quintessentially British and all oh-so St Eval.
Tel: 01841 540850 Email: info@ stevalcandlecompany.co.uk Web: www. stevalcandlecompany.co.uk 68 gifts today
Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival Hall Q, Stand: 37B
Made for you – Classic Candle Company Through every step of the design, creation and manufacturing processes, right through to picking, packing and delivery to your door, Classic Candle have set up systems that ensure they are thinking about you and what you want and expect from a company and their products. You will find a host of candles on their stand at Home & Gift – here is a selection for you to preview. The team look forward to welcoming you at the show
W
hen the Classic Candle Company launched in 2015 there were two important criteria to meet. Firstly to provide the highest quality product made with the finest fragrance oils to give customers the best possible experience in home fragrancing and secondly to provide quality customer service for all. Making use of more than 50 combined years of experience in candle manufacturing, and plenty of sales experience and knowledge in candles, they have brought products and fragrances to the market that customers love. Listening to retailers who know what their customers want and acting on the feedback, there are price points to fit all pockets so everyone can enjoy the experience of classic home fragrancing. There’s no set minimum order levels for the online and office-based ordering on a live ordering system so people know they will receive what they have ordered within 24-48 hours, and the focus is on customer service so Classic Candle Company provide a quality product and service. If you are looking for something new in your shop look no further – everything about the Classic Candle Company is made for you! All their products are chosen, designed and hand finished in the UK. They source the finest quality fragrance oils from the top fragrance houses in America to combine with expertise second to none in the manufacture of candles, for a product that creates repeat sales with your customers. With the choice of eight different products they meet the price points of every customer and prove to be fantastic gifts for every occasion. 70 gifts today
Expansion of classic MiniLight range
The MiniLight is a 12-hour burn candle proven to be a fantastic way of experiencing new fragrances and is an affordable favourite – an impulse purchase customers won’t be able to resist treating themselves, family or friends when out shopping. With more than 80 fragrances available in the range, and others to be launched during the second half of 2016, there will be something for everyone to choose from and something for every occasion. The MiniLight can be used anywhere in the home, pop one into luggage for use while away or they make the perfect gift for birthdays, stocking fillers at Christmas and end-of-term teacher gifts. Use their new Messages range to send a special message. The new compact countertop display unit has already been recognised as a lowinvestment, high-return purchase and is now securing space in many retail outlets. It holds 144 MiniLights, offering customers up to 48 different fragrances. With the currently available fragrances and many more being launched at Harrogate, new doors are opening all the time putting Classic on the shelves of an increasing number of shops. So far this year many florists have become stockists due to the exciting floral ranges, as well as gift shops, farm shops, garden centres and post offices that are loving the Messages range.
Feeling festive
There are lots of new and exciting MiniLight fragrances being launched at Harrogate and in the run up to the festive period. New to the MiniLight range are Autumnal, Halloween, Puddings, Aromatherapy, Spice, Cocktails and Wine and a great Festive collection, which will include a traditional Christmas Pudding, and old favourite Frankincense & Myrrh that will be available in the full Classic Candle range. The Festive collection will grow to 12 fragrances in MiniLight, with eight available in the full range providing a wide selection for the main selling season of the year. From fun fantasy fragrances to the traditional there is something for everyone.
Visit the team at Harrogate Hall Q, Stand 37B to find out more, try some of the new fragrances they are launching at the show, and find out more about the options to add Classic to your customers’ shopping experience. Tel: 01473 736011 Email: sales@classiccandle.com Web: www.classiccandle.com
Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival
Trinkets to treasure Hall B, Stand: 23
With the popularity of trinket boxes continuing, Arora Design have announced the addition of five new seasonal trinket boxes to their popular Craycombe Collection. Cast in pewter, they are gold or silver-plated according to their final colouring and then hand-painted with vibrant coloured enamels. Finally, they are embellished with sparkling crystals to give them their ornate finish. This summer an angel, a polar bear, a penguin, a Christmas bauble and a present sack will be added to the mix of festive boxes, which are presented in luxurious silk-lined gift boxes with gold foil-blocking on the lid. Point of sale is available to retailers in the form of a smart A5 strut card and branded insert which, when used with the gift boxes, creates a fabulous display. Following the phenomenal success of the Farmyard Collection with the Little Paws figurines and the popularity of the Little Paws key rings, Aurora Design are adding five new additions to the versatile keyrings, which can be detached from their jump ring to form bag charms. New offerings include a cow, a donkey, a sheep, a pony and a shire horse. As well as a fantastically sculpted miniature of the animal, there are some fabulous charms attached including a tree and a paw print, along with a coin bearing the Little Paws logo, based on a pound coin and therefore perfect for a shopping trolley. The new collection of farmyard versions will be on show at Harrogate along with the rest of the keyring range and Arora’s seasonal collection.
Tel: 01386 861666 Email: sales@arora-design.co.uk Web: www.arora-design.co.uk
Continuous evolution in crystal fantasies Wild Things Hall D, Stand: D4
Wild Things will be showcasing new additions and improvements to their bestselling Crystal Fantasy range. These beautiful and original suncatchers are designed and handmade in Devon, with best-quality beads, mirror finish metals and Swarovski crystals. There are two sizes and many different designs, ranging from wildlife to cats and dogs, teddies, fairies and angels. Counter-top fountain and rotating floor-standing displays are available.
Tel: 01392 211268 Web: www.wildthingsgifts.com
Mark Stevens
Managing Director, Dora Designs What makes Home & Gift a unique, unmissable show for you? It is a great place to do business in a relaxed and pleasant environment. A lot of the customers we see at Harrogate we do not see at any other show and we always make some great new contacts. What is your focus at Harrogate Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival this year? To maintain our relationships with current customers but also to meet some new ones. What’s your top tip for retailers that are making their first visit to the show this year? Enjoy! It is worth spending some time planning your time to make sure you cover the whole show – particularly DP2! Your stand in three words: Unique, inspiring, friendly. 72 gifts today
Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival
Time for tea Hall DP1, Stand: 21
Half Moon Bay are excited to launch their brand new dinner sets this autumn at the Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival in Harrogate. The range includes this amazing 16-piece set and three four-piece sets including Batman, Harry Potter, and Star Wars featuring the iconic Darth Vader. They will also be launching their new Marvel range at the show as well as further extensions to Harry Potter, DC Comics and Star Wars!
Tel: 01225 443456 Web: www.halfmoonbay.co.uk
Dozen new designs Hall DP2, Stand: 18
There are 12 new designs to be shown at the Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival in the Dora Designs collection for autumn-winter 2016. After the successful launch of the Posh Traditional range at Spring Fair, designer Angela has expanded the range even further – Majestic the Maine Coon Cat (pictured) will be joined by three new draught excluders including the popular Bertie Bristles Family. The Traditional range welcomes Titch Little Owl doorstop and the new Bob’s Bunnies draught excluder. Both pieces have been finished in Dora’s iconic brocade fabric to achieve that luxurious finish. Dora’s award-winning Country Folk range also has a new addition this autumn. John Fischer the Puffin has received a great deal of attention in the run up to Harrogate, he can be easily spotted with his bright orange bill, yellow hat and wellies and stripy scarf. A definite must for your 2016 collection is Bear’s Family, a gorgeous row of Schnauzer puppies designed in a boucle fabric. Bear’s Family joins the well-known Loopy Dog in the Canine collection. Finished in a light beige herringbone fabric, Latte the Labrador is another new canine for this year, and will feature in the Pedigree collection, while Felix Cat has been revamped to join the Feline collection for autumn-winter 2016. Finally, the Mallard Duck has been designed as part of the Patchwork range. Using a range of fabrics the Mallard design really stands out from the crowd.
Tel: 01780 430188 Web: www.doradesigns.co.uk
Friendly and personal service Hall B, Stand: 18
Lang’s are excited to introduce their latest new exciting in-house designed gift and décor products. As a family business they pride themselves on offering a friendly and personal service. Make sure they are top of your list when visiting the Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival – you will not be disappointed!
Tel: 01332 340927 Email:sales@richardlang.co.uk Web: www.richardlang.co.uk 72 gifts today
SUMMER 2016
Contact Us:
0800 011 6969 www.puckator.co.uk customerservices@puckator.co.uk
UK Trade Shows: 17 – 20 July Home & Gift Harrogate, UK Hall DP1 Stand 23 4 - 7 Sept Autumn Fair International NEC Birmingham UK Hall 5 Stand L05
Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival Hall A, Stand: 26
The home of home fragrance H
eart Of The Country was founded by husband and wife Lesley and Simon Stubbs in 1989 when they initially imported printed doormats. Over 20 years later, Lesley and Simon’s sons Ben and Toby now operate the company and Greenleaf is one of the biggest brands in home fragrance both in
the US and UK. Heart of the Country also exclusively distribute Greenleaf’s sister brands The Bridgewater Candle Company, Willowbrook Fresh Scents and Votivo. Take a look at what you can expect to find on their stand when you visit their friendly team at Home & Gift – oh and also collect your free Sweet Grace sachet!
Don’t burn, diffuse or spray, simply sachet
The Greenleaf Scented Sachet from Heart of the Country is the ultimate home fragrance product. Made using essential oils and recycled paper, the Greenleaf Scented Sachet will fragrance a room for up to four months. With no naked flame, no spills or breakages why bother burning a candle, diffusing with reeds or pumping a spray? Just remove the sachet from its shelf life-extending cellophane and leave the sachet to do what it does best – fragrance. A gift with a recommended retail price of £3.50, your customers will keep coming back for more of these addictive consumables.
Cesare the moment!
Cesare may look like a chap but he’s a car air freshener who sits on your air vent and fragrances your car with style. Made of a special type of plastic, Cesare’s fragrance is incorporated into his man-shaped body with essential oils. He will give you two months of beautiful fragrances and is available in 12 different colours and fragrances. Cesare is made in Italy and comes sealed in plastic within a box with a scratch and smell sticker so customers can check the fragrance before they buy.
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Say hello to George
Introducing George, the future of home fragrance. George is an electronic fragrance diffuser designed by Italian designer Luca Trazzi. that works by blowing cool air through any of the Mr&Mrs Fragrance capsules from Heart of the Country. This innovative system is just about the safest way to produce fragrance, no flame, no heat, no liquid, no mess, just beautiful fragrances produced by this iconic diffuser. George is powered by a lithium battery and can last up to eight hours on one charge. He has two separate one-touch fragrance programmes and will always revert to standby thus saving fragrance and power. George is available in four soft touch colours and two metallic colours.
Sweet gratis
Bridgewater Candle Company’s top-selling fragrance Sweet Grace has the must-have fragrance for 2016 combining sparkling tea notes with patchouli and full-bodied fruits. Available through Heart of the Country in 18oz jar candle, 8oz jar candle, votive, reed diffuser, wax bar, fragrance oil and sachet, Sweet Grace is a fragrance that proves irresistible to anyone who smells it. If you haven’t experienced Sweet Grace they will be handing out free sachets from their stand for you to enjoy.
Tel: 01543 481612 Email: sales@heartofthecountryltd.co.uk Web: www.heartofthecountryltd.co.uk
Christmas Crackers!
HOUSE OF MARBLES
BOVEY TRACEY, DEVON, TQ13 9DS
01626 835358
uk@houseofmarbles.com www.houseofmarbles.com
... T S I L O D O T S A XM owman Stick the carrot on the sn Build a stack of christmas trees Race around a board game avoiding
evil elves
Keep kids quiet with a 1000 piece
puzzle and colour-in poster Shove a Brussels sprout up a
turkey’s bottom with a party blower Visit Home & Gift Stand DP1 39 Order limited
stock Xmas games
Have a wonderful Christmas with
House of Marbles
Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival
Simon Willis
Managing Director, Global Luxury Brands What makes Home & Gift a unique, unmissable show for you? The timing and the super location make Home & Gift one show I always look forward too. What is your focus at Harrogate Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival this year? The focus this year, as every year, is to meet new customers and have a chance to showcase the full range of what we offer. Nothing beats the chance to see products on display rather than hastily pulled from the bag. It’s is also great to catch up with existing customers and show them all the new introductions.
Four iconic British brands Hall M, Stand: 2
What’s your top tip for retailers that are making their first visit to the show this year? Try to make it a pleasure not a chore, that way you will be in the right frame of mind to find that new little gem. Or just visit stand Q42a! Describe your stand in three words. Oasis of quality.
With their four iconic British brands – Portmeirion, Spode, Royal Worcester and Pimpernel – Portmeirion Group are showcasing some stunning new collections. True Colors from Portmeirion is a new collection of stacking mugs full of charisma and personality, ideal for those who love a good cuppa. A Blue Italian glass collection is being launched by Spode, full of elegance and celebrating the 200th anniversary of this iconic British design. Using William Morris’s iconic and intricate flora and fauna-laden design, Spode’s Strawberry Thief tableware collection hits the revived trend of the Arts & Crafts Movement perfectly. Finally, building on the popularity of the Wrendale Designs mug, gift and tableware collection, from Royal Worcester there are new animal illustrations and wonderful homeware additions to the range.
Tel: 01782 744721 Web: www.portmeiriongroup.com
Celebrate this season Hall DP1, Stand: 53
NPW have a lot to celebrate this season! Not only do they have incredible new products for you to discover, but it’s also their 24th (and a half) birthday. Don’t forget that half, it makes all the difference and takes the company closer to the big Two-Five. They’ll be kick-starting the party at the Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival and you’re invited to their stand to discover all their latest products launching this autumn-winter.
Oh K! The Oh K! range of hot new beauty essentials has a carefully-curated colour palette and playful packaging inspired by travelling to Seoul, the beauty capital of the world.
Get Emojinal With six billion emojis being sent around the world every day, the Get Emojinal range allows people to communicate in a more expressive and fun way than ever. There are notebooks, planners, pens and erasers are must-haves for stationery addicts of all ages and will brighten up desks everywhere!
Jungle Pals Using the shapes and forms of animals NPW have created unique and fun 78 gifts today
stationery pieces to wow at school or in the office. Say hello to the giraffe, lion and crocodile characters in bright colours and appealing designs.
Unicorn Customers’ love for all things mythical shows no sign of abating as escapism is proven to help boost creativity and productivity. Through a flurry of white clouds and sugar sprinkles enter NPW’s magical new Unicorn range of sparkly products inspired by everyone’s favourite rainbow creature. Retailers will discover a super-cute selection of gifts to help their customers say goodbye to their worries.
Tel: 0 20 8735 2888 Web: www.npwgifts.com
Harrogate Home & Gift 17th - 20th July 2016 Stand DP1-113
s join u e for th of h launc W16 our A es! rang
WE’RE HIRING!
Get in touch if you would like to work with us. t 020 8288 9696 e luca@carolinegardner.com www.carolinegardner.com
Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival
Ship ahoy with Harbour Collection Hall DP1, Stand: 95
St Eval Candle Company are excited to announce the launch of their brand-new Harbour collection at Harrogate Home & Gift 2016. This line is part of their new autumn-winter range. Filled with heart-warming winter scents, these candles will be the perfect accompaniment to long evenings spent by the fire. The Harbour collection will be the perfect addition to any home this autumn as the nights draw in and the temperatures drop. These beautiful pots come in a number of styles from the Flute with copper detailing to the Cauldron covered in a dappled copper effect. They are also available in four of St Eval’s top-selling scents – Winter Berries, Inspiritus, Tuberose and Orange & Cinnamon. St Eval Candle Company would like to invite people to their stand and have a look and a sniff at their new collection, plus explore their wide range of other scents.
Tel: 01841 540850 Email: info@steval candlecompany.co.uk Web: www.stevalcandle company.co.uk
Puzzle it out with Gibsons Hall DP1, Stand: 65 Gibsons will be returning to Harrogate with a multitude of exciting new products, including Christmas jigsaw puzzles, new licence partnerships and a brand-new game. Gibsons are adding 13 new jigsaws in an array of piece counts and themes to their repertoire, including Beryl Peters’ new Christmas Crackers puzzle, a nod to nostalgia with its use of Christmas cracker boxes of the past, printed with brightly-coloured illustrations. With its eye-catching design, this 1,000-piece jigsaw has a strong shelf appeal. They are also releasing a new jigsaw for their Gift Shop collection, where each puzzle in the range contains 500 pieces and is presented in a compact, square box which can fit on even the smallest of shelves. With an RRP of around £10, these puzzles have proven to be a popular small gift choice and Gibsons expect even more success with the addition of a Christmas-themed puzzle. Painted by Marcello Corti, A White Christmas presents a heart-warming image of the seasonal hustle and bustle in the village square. Finally, Gibsons are offering a preview of their game Plop!, due to arrive in September. Featuring tongue-in-cheek play and unapologetic packaging that doesn’t spare any of the crude details this toilet-themed game has to offer and will certainly stop shoppers in their tracks. Players have to pick up one of the deposits and score points by aiming at the hilarious flushing plastic toilet by means of their own derrière as transport. Some 40 challenge cards mix up the game play. 80 gifts today
Tel: 020 8661 8866 Email: sales@gibsonsgames.co.uk Web: www.gibsonsgames.co.uk
Destroys unwanted smells and fragrances
Invented in 1898 to sanitise the air in hospitals, Lampe Berger continues to purify and perfume your interior thanks to its patented burner and collection of over 50 Home Fragrances, all created in France by Master-Perfumers.
Come and discover our new range of lamps and Home Fragrances on
STAND N° M28
Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival
Home fragrance range with a message Hall D, Stand: D19
This year at Harrogate Home & Gift, Heaven Scent will introduce visitors to their new Eden Project Range. Known as one of the market leaders for Natural Plant Wax Candles, Heaven Scent are working together with the environmentally-conscious Eden Project to create a beautiful home fragrance range with a message. The Eden Project have beautifully created 12 designs to complement the plant examples which they have selected for the Home Fragrance Range from their
Mediterranean Biome, Rain Forest Biome and their Outdoor area. Each plant selected comes with its own designed glass and box, with information about the fragrance
Festive fun with House of Marbles Design Point 1, Stand: 39
Shopping for Christmas? Then make House of Marbles your number one stop. On display will be their brand-new range of exclusive Christmas Games, which have been designed by the company’s in-house team. A truly unique collection, it is made up of some of the funniest games ever invented. The ultimate daytime and after-dinner entertainment, the hilarious Stick The Carrot On The Snowman involves putting on the snowman mask and trying to stick the carrot on the colourful snowman wall hanging. The innovative range also includes an absorbing 1,000-piece jigsaw, which depicts Santa’s workshop and the incredibly entertaining Stuff The Turkey game where players get to shoot Brussels sprouts at a turkey with a party blower! Available in festive gift boxes, each game will make a fabulous feature in any Christmas display and the price points are great. Limited stock so don’t miss out!
Tel: 01626 835358 Web: www.houseofmarbles.com/trade
linked with the Eden Project. The Eden Project Range is available for wholesale.
Tel: 01225 868788 Web: www.heavenscent.co.uk
Ben Stubbs Director, Heart Of The Country
What makes Home & Gift a unique, unmissable show for you? Not only does Home & Gift take place in the beautiful town of Harrogate during the summer, it is also the most fun show of the year where visitors and exhibitors effortlessly mix business with pleasure. And of course the fact that Home & Gift 2015 was Heart of the Country’s best show ever. What is your focus at Harrogate Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival this year? First and foremost its meeting new and familiar faces; the orders follow on from that. What’s your top tip for retailers making their first visit to the show this year? Allow enough time to take your time. Home & Gift isn’t about marching through every hall as quickly as possible and then leaving. Take a long lunch, have a glass of fizz, stay an extra night but mostly enjoy yourself. Describe your stand in three words. Fragrance, familiar, fun.
82 gifts today
Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival Hall M, Stand: 28
150 years of history With a century and a half of history behind them, there’s plenty to discover about the heritage of fragrance expertise on the Lampe Berger stand.
I
n 1898, in response to a major health concern at the time, asepsis in hospitals, Maurice Berger invented and patented a system of diffusion by catalysis. This revolutionary technology purified the atmosphere within enclosed rooms. Fragrances entered into the equation in 1930, making it perfect for home use – which led to the birth of the Lampe Berger Company. The company have continuously evolved and reinvented themselves to embrace changes and remain a constant presence in homes into the 21st century. Today, Lampe Berger sell around one million lamps and five million litres of fragrances per year, throughout their international network of more than 7,000 points of sale around the world.
Quality charter While the use of indoor fragrance has increased considerably over the past decades, not all products have the same advantages. At a time when environmental considerations are high on everyone’s agenda, Lampe Berger have one of the few technologies to offer real improvement in the quality of air in the home. Always attentive to quality in all its forms, Lampe Berger count on the 84 gifts today
topmost French fragrance producers for developing elegant olfactory experiences, while at the same time ensuring that only substances that are perfectly mastered and controlled are diffused into the air. Regular tests are carried out with independent laboratory certify the absence of smoke and non-diffusion for BTEX*, a major guarantee for people concerned about the quality of the air that they breathe and one to which few other products can lay claim.
A unique ritual Thanks to Lampe Berger’s exclusive burner, their product purifies and perfumes the air indoors, like no other system. In fact, the diffusion by catalysis perfected over the years by Lampe Berger actually destroys the molecules responsible for undesirable smells. This property makes Lampe Berger undisputable allies to anyone who wants to live in a purified atmosphere while at the same time enjoying the fine diffusion of pleasant fragrances.
Lamps collection Lampe Berger lamps are for anyone who would like to add a personal touch to their home with a fragranced atmosphere and a decorative item that matches their style. With an incredible variety of types, shapes, materials and
At the crossroads between tradition and modernity, Lampe Berger stands out as a remarkable brand in the domain of Home Fragrances styles, the collection has something to offer for everyone. The extensive collection is completed throughout the year with numerous gift sets that include a lamp and a fragrance. Lampe Berger work with top French glass makers in order to guarantee the best quality of glass (transparency, strength and composition).
Fragrances collection At the crossroads between tradition and modernity, Lampe Berger stand out as a remarkable company in the domain of home fragrances. Continuing year after year in their search for excellence, Lampe Berger are more than ever convinced that fragrances should not be used to hide unpleasant smells, but to add a touch of poetry to a decontaminated environment. It requires nine months to create a Lampe Berger fragrance, from the start with a top master perfumer to being produced by top French perfume
houses with regular tests along the process. In addition to the creation of a high quality perfume, Lampe Berger home fragrances require technical skills relating to catalytic combustion.
Patented technology Thanks to their patented burner, Lampe Berger products purify the home interior by destroying the undesirable odours, diffusing safe, lasting fragrances. Only the use of the Lampe Berger product,with their burner and home fragrances, guarantees both quality and safety. Lampe Berger have kept the most precious part of their know-how in their own factory, to closely monitor the manufacturing process. *BTEX: Benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene, xylene, absence also of styrene, naphthalene, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde.
Web: www.lampeberger.com Tel: 0207 016 9707 Email: contact@lampeberger.com
Home & Gift Harrogate 17-20 July Stand DP4-1
See men’s gifts in a new light
Gifts that hit the right note
The Chopin Bag
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Creating the best gifts for 21 years
Unique collection of gifts covering cycling, golf, rugby, football, cricket, fishing, tennis, running, motor-racing, sailing, motorbikes, cars and so much more...
More than 500 gifts on a music theme including -
See the complete range on display
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Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival Hall Q, Stand: Q50
What’s hot at Joe Davies Make sure you visit the Joe Davies stand where you will find around 2500 brand new gift ideas on display. Head to Hall Q to view their vast selection of products – all being easy to buy in little and often quantities. Here’s a taster of what to expect.
Aurora Purple ceramics
These gorgeous, rich Aurora Purple vases are brand new from Joe Davies and will be on show for the first time at Home & Gift, Harrogate. The rich deep metallic shades are created by applying real gold and silver leaf which is then painted, lacquered and polished to a beautiful lustre. Despite the upmarket look, retail prices start at just £3.99 for the tealight holders and buying across the ranges is practical and affordable in Joe Davies’ trademark small quantities. Don’t miss the complementary Aurora Aqua series too. Together they would make a show-stopping display in any shop.
Best Baker spatulas
Among more than 2,500 exciting new products on Joe Davies’ stand at the Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival are these very appealing and practical Best Baker spatulas. Baking is a huge pastime for young and old and these colourful spatulas with amusing sayings add a bit of fun to the kitchen. Retailing at £4.99 they make a great gift and are all food safe and dishwasher proof to boot. There are eight spatulas in the range, which come as an assorted selection presented in a practical CDU. Brand new for Harrogate are lovely, retro pastel colours and a must-have Xmas Baker collection in strong bright festive palettes.
Hall Q, Stand: Q50 Tel: 0161 975 6300 Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk Web: www.joedavies.co.uk 86 gifts today
Equilibrium stunning new Feather jewellery This ever popular brand will feature a new collection of beautiful crystal Feather jewellery all finished to the highest standard and plated in real silver or rose gold. There is something to excite everyone in this collection, from stylish friendship bracelets to exquisitely detailed pendants, a look not to be missed! Alongside their Equilibrium range Joe Davies will have more than 7,500 exciting gift lines all available in their trademark little and often quantities.
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Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival
Cheryl Hook
Owner, The Melt Co What makes Home & Gift a unique, unmissable show for you? We attend as an exhibitor but also as a buyer for our retail outlet and e-commerce site. It is equally valuable for both. Perfectly timed for the forthcoming busy autumn/ winter season, the show has a relaxed feel which gives you time to properly converse with buyers/exhibitors - many of whom are design led and are looking for, or produce, niche and recherché products which is exactly what we offer and are looking for too. What is your focus at Harrogate Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival this year? As a small British manufacturer, it is a big opportunity to meet and attract new stockists who will then hopefully repeat order many times throughout the year. Home & Gift was our very first show in 2002 and has been consistently our best yielding show in terms of new business and orders taken ever since. It is also a wonderful opportunity to meet up with existing stockists, many of whom travel from Ireland and Scotland and is the only show they attend. What’s your top tip for retailers making their first visit to the show this year? Do your homework! This is a big show so you need to plan in advance which halls/exhibitors are important to you - your time can so easily be swallowed up just wandering aimlessly. Describe your stand in three words. Focused, fragrant, British!
Scent-sational launches at Village Candle Hall B, Stand: 12
Village Candle are launching 11 new wax fragrances and many new candle accessories collections for the second half of 2016. The company will also introduce a significant range for the festive period with both novelty and traditional themes covered. The new catalogue is now available to order and Village Candle have a dedicated sales team and showrooms available for your convenience.
Tel: 01254 300268 Email: sales@villagecandle.co.uk Web: www.villagecandle.co.uk
88 gifts today
Peony bring autumn to Harrogate Hall DP2, Stand: 16
Brand-new unique styles and contemporary designs as well as bestselling favourites in new autumn shades are at the heart of Peony’s new Autumn range, which they will unveil at Harrogate Home & Gift. The collection has been directly inspired by the season with the introduction of berry prints in rich plums and burgundy tones and leafy prints in lush greens and minty teals. Soft heathery hues of purple and blue bring a lightness of touch to help in the transition from summer to autumn. Featuring fashionable and conversational prints, there is a strong nature theme with woodland and floral stories, bird prints, and new versions of the bestselling sheep and dog prints. With a print for absolutely every age and occasion, Peony scarves are available in super-soft viscose, luxurious silk, practical polyester and soft cosy wool, with most of them printed by hand. There are more pre-selected collections available this year, including a Christmas collection.
Tel: 01442 259046 Email: sales@peonyonline.co.uk Web: www.peonyonline.co.uk
PLEASE JOIN US AT HARROGATE HOME & GIFT, DP2-18 TO CELEBRATE OUR 25TH ANNIVERSARY LAUNCHING NEW ADDITIONS TO OUR CURRENT COLLECTIONS FOR AUTUMN WINTER 2016
ADORABLE DOORSTOPS, DRAUGHT EXCLUDERS AND MORE!
Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival
Sail away with Lesser & Pavey Hall M, Stand: 14
Sarah Watmore
This July at Harrogate, the Lesser & Pavey stand will be awash with nautical giftware. The new nautical-inspired range Sail Away includes everything from gift bags and a folding storage box, through to fine china mugs, a travel mug and lunch and cooler bags. There is a coastal notebook for notes of coastal waters, an organiser to document landings and a nautical clipboard with memo pad and pen. Nautical-inspired designs also feature on book boxes and trunks as well as a shopping bag to step ashore with, beach bags for sunbathing time, and a tote bag, cross-body bag, and jumbo bag. Each piece is of exceptional quality and presented as a perfect gift for lovers of the sea and seashore.
What makes Home & Gift a unique, unmissable show for you? On top of being our best show of the year, it’s also the nicest one to exhibit at with a friendly atmosphere that’s perfect for creating new relationships and strengthening existing ones.
Tel: 01322 279225 Email: sales@leonardo.co.uk Web: www.leonardo.co.uk
Owner, Miss Milly
What is your focus at Harrogate Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival this year? Our focus is to launch our AW16 range to existing customers and to entice potential customers to place their first order. What’s your top tip for retailers that are making their first visit to the show this year? Be diligent about visiting all areas of the show, as you never know what you might find. And don’t spend all your jewellery and scarf budget before visiting DP3! Your stand in three words: Colourful, stylish, design-led.
Gifty, glam and girly at Soul UK Design Point 1,Stand: 17 Soul UK will be using the Harrogate platform to present a selection of their new ranges on the Soul UK stand. Working both with individual artists and their in-house designers, Always Fabulous create new card and gift ranges to ensure they are constantly setting trends and moving forwards in our market.
At the show, Always Fabulous will unveil a brand-new beautiful and glamorous range of girly products and cards. The cards offer fun and girly statements inspired by Victorian engravings, while the gifts are inspired by Victorian engravings with the soft pastel colours complementing the overall finish. Expect to find additional glam and gift-worthy girly essentials, from make-up cases to compact mirrors.
Tel: 01235 537816 Web: www.souluk.com 90 gifts today
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www.stevalcandlecompany.co.uk
Tel 01841540850 Email info@stevalcandlecompany.co.uk
Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival
David Gee Managing Director, The Music Gifts Company
What makes Home & Gift a unique, unmissable show for you? Home & Gift always has a unique, relaxed atmosphere. It is the only show which is a joy to attend, both as an exhibitor and a visitor. What is your focus at Harrogate Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival this year? At any show, it is imperative to make new contacts as well as catching up with familiar faces and old friends. What’s your top tip for retailers making their first visit to the show this year? Try to spend two days at the show, so you can have the opportunity to see as much as possible and make the trip worthwhile.
New-look stand at Puckator Hall DP1, Stand: 23
Don’t forget to visit Puckator Ltd on stand DP1-23 at the Harrogate Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival where there will be a new-look stand showcasing hundreds of brand-new products. Puckator offer a great selection of design-led, novelty and officially licensed gifts, and distribute to a broad range of customers worldwide including gift shops, tourist attractions, garden centres and department stores. Head to Design Point 1 Stand 23 to see all the new collections including Botanical Gardens and Enchanted Rainbows, plus many more exclusive designs such as Pugs & Kisses, I Donut Care, Diner Time, Rawrsome Dinosaurs, and Home Is Where You Park It.
Tel: 0800 011 6969 Email: customerservices@puckator.co.uk Web: www.puckator.co.uk
Emma Ball to light up Harrogate Design Point 1, Stand: 4A
Emma Ball Ltd will be launching a few new products at Harrogate this year but one that has the company most excited is the set of six tinned candles. “We’ve been asked quite often for candles,” says sales manager Lucy. The six tinned candles come in a variety of designs by both Emma herself and Caroline Cleave, as well as in six delicious flavours.
Tel: 0115 985 8081 Email: sales@emmaball.co.uk Web: www.emmaball.co.uk
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Describe your stand in three words. Unique AND Unique (as we have two stands).
IN UP
Light up bunting - now in stock!
From the company that brought you the best selling Up In Lights, new and unique Light Up Bunting is now available. The space saving spinner is free of charge! Call us to order. Visit us at www.smilingfaces.co.uk 01444 882323 sales@smilingfaces.co.uk | Home & Gift, Harrogate Q39
Amazing Unique
Electronic Gifts Come see these and other hot items at Harrogate Home and Gift Hall A Stand 31
Established 1972
email: sales@steepletone.com Tel: 01869 812828
www.steepletone.com
Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival
Two stands for two ranges from one company for Music Gifts and Element Home & Gift 2015 saw the launch of Element, a new brand of men’s gifts created by the team at the Music Gifts Company. Due to its success, Element now commands its own stand which shows just how much the range has evolved and how both collections deliver their own unique identity. Even though the ranges are displayed separately, each stand is located either side of the entrance to DP4. Customers are able to buy from both ranges incorporated into one order, with free delivery to mainland addresses on orders over £250.
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he Music Gifts Company have been producing unique gifts for more than 20 years. From their humble beginnings when the company created their number one bestseller The Chopin Liszt, which has sold in excess of half a million units, to the launch of new products at Home & Gift for this Christmas, their co-founder David Gee is always thinking of the next idea.
rugby, football, tennis, cricket and fishing. Mugs and coasters have been designed by award-winning illustrator Vikki Gibson, and other gifts include socks, cufflinks, twin-pack hankies, pewter keyrings, pins and birthday cards. Recently the company launched new trade websites, which encompass both brands and allow retailers to order
With a growing trend towards men’s gifts, the company has seen tremendous growth in sales, especially for cufflinks and socks With a growing trend towards men’s gifts, the company has seen tremendous growth in sales, especially for cufflinks and socks. Sales of socks continue to increase around 40 per cent each year, the key factors for this being quality, design and display. Element is a range of men’s gifts which covers a wide variety of sports and hobbies including cycling, golf,
online – www.musicgifts.co.uk and www.elementgifts.com David says:“Harrogate is our favourite show and it’s always great to see so many happy familiar and not-so-familiar faces.”
Tel: 01202 570057 Web: www.musicgifts.co.uk www.elementgifts.com
Hall DP4 Stands: Music Gifts DP4-50, Element DP4-1 94 gifts today
Where quality q y meets design
Home & Gift, Harrogate New Stand - Hall Q Stand 40 Come and see the latest designs from the UK’s favourite supplier of quality handmade glassware. www.dandjglassware.co.uk • Tel: 01953 450280
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Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival
Hayley Smith,
Key Account Manager, Peace Of Mind What makes Home & Gift a unique, unmissable show for you? The atmosphere. Home & Gift has such a lovely warm and friendly feel to it. We love to launch new collections at the show because we get such a great honest response. It’s definitely our favourite show of the year. What is your focus at Harrogate Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival this year? It’s always great to see familiar faces. With Home & Gift being such an accessible show, we have the time to chat, catch up and build good relationships with retailers. Of course, making new contacts is always great and because the show has such a good reputation, we see plenty of new faces. What’s your top tip for retailers making their first visit to the show this year? Don’t rush it, make time, make a holiday of it. Enjoy it. This show will give you a great opportunity to get to know your suppliers, you will probably all end up at the Pimms’ bar after closing! Harrogate is a beautiful town, and the show is a few minutes walk from the town centre, with beautiful parks and, of course, Betty’s Tea Rooms. Describe your stand in three words. Unmissable, unmissable, unmissable.
Say it in lights Smiling Faces Hall Q, Stand: Q39
From the creators of the best-selling Up In Lights Light Up Letters, comes a fantastic new product – Light Up Bunting! This new and unique product is made with high quality card and LED lights. The glossy finish and contemporary colours have made this an extremely exciting product. Individual alphabet flags are available, so consumers can spell out any name or phrase, as well as Mr & Mrs and Happy Birthday packs.
Tel: 01444 882323 Web: www.smilingfaces.co.uk
The Hygge way Hall DP1, Stand: 40
Want to see the candle equivalent of a cashmere sweater, mittens and a mug of hot chocolate? The Danes call it Hygge, the Germans Germutlichkeit. For the Turks it’s Huzar – while in Bulgaria it’s Yiom. For a better explanation of Hygge and how these candles are handmade in a Hyggeligt way visit the Melt Company at Home & Gift. In short, it’s the simple things – a slowing down and contentment, beautiful fragrance coupled with a gentle light. It’s gracious, intimate and organic. A state of warm contentment and intimacy. It’s much more than just lighting a candle but that’s not a bad place to start!
Tel: 01200 443377 Email: info@themeltco.com Web: www.themeltco.com
Make your mark Gravograph Hall B, Stand: B30
Gravograph will present their latest engraving and laser systems, including the ABC range (engraving machines that do not require connection to a laptop or PC) and the new GravoTouch system enabling the use of a tablet to run the engraving or laser machines. Be sure to stop by their stand to see this incredible technology in action and find out more.
Tel: 01926 884433 Email: info@ gravograph.co.uk Web: www.gravograph. co.uk 96 gifts today
And the animals went in two by two...
Come a nd see u s on stan d Q42a
GLB is lucky enough to work with some of the greatest International brands in giftware. De Rosa is just one. We are looking for just a few more key partners to join us in working with this wonderful hand crafted product. If you are looking for something truly unique, exclusive and commercial we would love to hear from you. We will be at Home & Gift in July with De Rosa and Herend once again.
T:01538 80 77 80 E: enquiries@globalluxurybrands.co.uk W: globalluxurybrands.co.uk
Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival Hall M, Stand: 14
Fantastic new ranges With more than 40 years of excellence in supplying internationally, Lesser & Pavey are known for their quality and value for money products through the UK, Europe and worldwide. Here’s a small taste of what you will find on their stand at Home & Gift.
Raising a glass
Lesser & Pavey have some cracking boxed stemless wine glasses,with humorous phrases like Trust Me You Can Dance – Alcohol and I Don’t Get Drunk I Get Awesome. The boxed stemless flutes include sayings such as Today’s Forecast 99% Chance Of Champagne and One Prosecco Two Prosecco Three Prosecco Floor, while boxed mugs, sets of mugs and stemless flutes feature Mr Right and Mrs Always Right, The Boss and The Real Boss, among others. And the Occasions Birthday Wine Glasses and Tankards mean there’s something for everyone.
Well bred
Leonardo have expanded their popular range of Bronze Reflections animal figurines with the introduction of Sitting Dogs. This Lesser & Pavey brand has the same high quality, incredible attention to detail and stunning bronze finish. There are 11 breeds to choose from including a Collie, Labrador, Jack Russell, German Shepherd, Westie, Yorkshire Terrier, Staff Bull Terrier, Shih Tzu, Bulldog, Pug, French Bulldog. Also available in the wider Bronze Reflections range are cockerels, hens, hares, owls, horses and other wildlife. 98 gifts today
Exclusive with Lesser & Pavey
With the works of William Morris as popular as ever, Lesser & Pavey have brought out a new design for 2016, based on Morris’s wonderful Strawberry Thief textile design. This is a fresh take on the print that’s bright, colourful, and exclusive to Lesser & Pavey. The range comprises a number of great houseware lines, from cutting boards and laptrays, to ceramic items like mug sets, cup and saucers and butter dishes. The ceramics come in a smart gift box, making neat gifts-to-go. Morris’s designs are so versatile that you can find Strawberry Thief on a number of other lines, such as ladies’ fashion accessories. There are small goods like wallets and strap pouches, and larger items like tote and shopping bags plus several stationery items and gifts bags too, all finished to the typical high standards of Lesser & Pavey.
Welcome William Morris
Lesser & Pavey are proud to introduce their new William Morris design to their growing collection, this time in the form of the beautiful Golden Lily pattern. Whether you’re looking for gifts for the home and kitchen, ladies’ accessories or stationery items, there’s a great selection. Find this popular William Morris print on ceramics including sets of mugs, jugs, a tea-for-one set and scented candles, to name just a few. The print is available on fashion accessories such as cross-body bags and wash bags, plus stationery lines such as notecard sets and a memo pad and pen. Included for the first time in Lesser & Pavey’s ranges are their brand-new A4 notebooks.
Tel: 01322 279225 Email: sales@leonardo.co.uk Web: www.leonardo.co.uk
Home & Gift show
July 17-20. 2016 Stand DP4 /22A
Irish Autumn Fair Dublin, August 14-17. 2016. Stand H8 Autumn Fair NEC, September 4-7. 2016. Stand 4C02 Contact: Richard Weitzkorn 07956424482, email: richard@ambproducts.co.uk
Christmas · Autumn · Everyday 2016
GRAVOTECH GROUP
Personalisation engraving equipment Laser engravers
Jewellery engravers
Compact engravers
Gravograph Ltd Unit 3 Trojan Business Centre - Tachbrook Park Drive - Leamington Spa Warwickshire - CV34 6RH
01926 884433 info@gravograph.co.uk www.gravograph.co.uk
Jewellery
Sea Gems
The jewellery sector is a must within the gifting industry. What’s not to like about all things that sparkle, twinkle and shine?
Bedazzled at Home & Gift F
rom contemporary, classic, casual and chic – whatever feel you’re creating in-store or online, you’ll find the fashion and jewellery to complement it at Home & Gift. Both new and well-established brands will be showcasing rings, necklaces, scarves, bags and more, giving you fantastic ranges to choose from. Home & Gift ensures that the jewellery and fashion sectors are well catered for and you can find a dedicated section on their website (www.homeandgift.co.uk). Within this sector is a whole host of exhibitors who can assist you with your buying choices for the coming seasons. Trends in jewellery have a tendency to change year by year. There has been a spectacular increase in the popularity of rose gold which, at present, is still holding strong, but there is also a noteworthy swing toward natural stones and earthy tones mixed with silver, gold or leather. Sarah Watmore, of Miss Milly, says: “Customers have moved from buying pastels and more delicate pieces to bold, bright, summer jewellery. With the weather still not quite settled into warmth, the usual trend for bracelet sales to ramp up hasn’t yet kicked in so necklaces are still the main bulk of our sales. “There is a big coastal trend predicted for the coming autumn-winter season. Blues are always hugely popular anyway but we’ve added to our usual palette and worked hard to create some combinations 100 gifts today
reminiscent of the British seaside and we’re sure these will be a big hit. Aquas and turquoises normally tail off a bit towards the end of the year but this theme has allowed us to keep this gorgeous colour going. “There is also still a strong theme of geometry in fashion, and we’ve catered to this with some funky new styles in our Carmen Collection including oval, circle and diamond pendants.” Mary Richards, jewellery and fashion accessories buyer at Joe Davies, agrees that natural materials will play a pivotal role in the fashion jewellery section during the upcoming seasons. She says: “Feathers are a big trend at present in jewellery. We’re launching a collection of crystal feather jewellery in the Equilibrium collection consisting of friendship bracelets, pendants, earrings and brooches.” And what is the appeal of jewellery in-store for retailers? How can these assist to drive additional footfall? Mary comments: “Fashion jewellery has never been more popular therefore, for any independent retailer
“Fashion jewellery has never been more popular, therefore for any independent retailer striving to increase footfall, jewellery is an ideal solution”
Mary Richards, Joe Davies striving to increase footfall, jewellery is an ideal solution. With more than 80 per cent of gifts purchased by females, jewellery is both an ideal gift and a popular self-purchase. “Jewellery takes up very little space in-store making it ideal for the independent retailer with limited room. For the consumer it’s an easy gift to buy and there are ranges or pieces to suit most pockets.” Sarah adds: “If customers know they can get a decent gift at a good price from a particular retailer then they will remember the shop for future purchases, and jewellery easily falls into this category. Also, consumers often have loyalty for a brand and will come back to see what’s new in the collection. “With its abundance of colour and sparkle, jewellery can make a great window display, catching the eyes of passing trade. In this instance, having prices on view will always help get them through the door. And, with reasonablypriced jewellery, it’s very common for customers to buy a necklace to match a new dress and complete the outfit. “If you can make yourself the go-to retailer in town for Alexander Thurlow
jewellery, you can definitely turn a decent profit from this space-efficient category.” On the multitude of reasons why this is such a strong sector at Home & Gift. Sarah continues: “Jewellery is a gift that women love to receive as well as to buy for themselves, and the price points can easily make it a good pick-up line. “And now, with so many kinds of retailers stocking jewellery, from garden centres and visitor attractions to clothing boutiques as well as the gift shops, retailers need choice so that they can differentiate themselves from their competitors. With jewellery being very space efficient, retailers can also offer several brands so again, they need a good choice of suppliers.” Mary adds: “Jewellery has seen exceptional growth over recent years, with more and more retailers choosing to stock jewellery or expand their range, making it vitally important that it is well catered for at Home & Gift.” Jewellery is a gifting category that has always held huge appeal with women, but another trend is the upswing in its popularity for men – from steel and leather bracelets through to the more traditional cuff links, gifts for chaps in this category should not be overlooked or underestimated as an additional draw for retailers.
Tree of Life
equilibrium
C O L L E C T I O N
HARROGATE 17-20 JULY 2016
Hall Q, Stand Q50 Joe Davies will introduce over 500 new Equilibrium lines for Autumn & Winter at Harrogate Home & Gift Show. Everything is available in our trademark ‘Little & Often’ quantities with minimum orders of just £100.
Equilibrium the UK’s Hottest Jewellery Range Tel: 0161 975 6300 Fax: 0161 975 6301 Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk www.joedavies.co.uk f joedaviesgiftware
Jewellery
Deliciously different Hall DP1, Stand: 36
It’s all about change for the autumn season at Carrie Elspeth. Carrie has been busy designing a brand-new capsule collection, totally different to her normal one with stunning new packaging to finish it off. Think chain with gold, rose gold and silver and of course a splash of colour. Also Carrie has added two extremely giftable collections to her mycolourbands brand, with a premium charm range and gift carded collection that truly makes them the perfect gift – you’ve never seen anything like this! But don’t worry, for the more traditional fans of the brand there are still gorgeous new additions to the core range of sophisticated, colourful jewellery for the discerning Carrie fan with new autumnal designs ready for the season.
Tel: 01446 771271 Email: sales@carrieelspeth.com Web: www.carrieelspeth.com
Gorgeous golds
Hall DP3, Stand: 8 Make the move from summer into autumn with Miss Milly’s rust orange and golden yellow jewellery pieces from the Floria Collection. The two new enamel lines come with matching earrings and are reasonably priced as with the rest of the Miss Milly range. The Flower Cluster Necklace teams the orange and yellow with grey and white for a lighter effect suitable for its delicate styling. The bolder, striking Oval Waterfall Necklace uses darker coffee coloured enamel, adds interest with some metalwork swirls and has a very contemporary appearance. Miss Milly offer fantastic prices and great quality backed up by an efficient, friendly service. There are no minimum order quantities so customers can select exactly what they need, and branded packaging and display stands are also available.
Tel: 01905 622509 Web: www.missmilly.co.uk
102 gifts today
Jewellery
Simply charming Hall DP1, Stand: 23
Puckator have a great selection of bracelets and, with such a wide range of designs, there’s sure to be something perfect for your customers. There are seaside-themed rope bracelets with shells and shark teeth, stretchy bead bracelets with small Thai Buddha charms, adjustable woven leather bracelets and colourful plastic charm bracelets with metal butterfly, fairy and flower clasps. Most of these bracelets are sold with displays to easily showcase the assorted designs, some with individually packaged and arranged in an attractive countertop display such as the fairy and butterfly charm bracelets.
Tel: 0800 011 6969 Email: customerservices@puckator.co.uk Web: www.puckator.co.uk
Let nature inspire you too Hall C, Stand: C15
Walk in the park Hall C, Stand: C27
Accessories by Park Lane are completely relaunching their collection of beautiful costume jewellery at Harrogate Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival. Visitors will be able to see the new contemporary classic collection at the show, and can make orders at the event or follow up afterwards on the company’s website. With trade prices starting from just £3, the entire collection is available from stock with quick and free delivery on orders over £150. All customers will benefit from the family-owned company’s experience and dedication to aftercare service and support. Park Lane also have a team of experienced and knowledgable sales agents in certain areas of the UK, so retailers will be able to see samples and stay up to date with the latest ranges.
Tel: 01423 868362 Web: www.parklaneonline.com
104 gifts today
Sea Gems are washing up at the Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival with plenty of exciting summer launches. The Cornwall-based company’s original Britishdesigned collections of stylish jewellery and gifts are both stunning and wearable. Their Pure Origins silver jewellery brand is beautifully contemporary, with fun and personal designs featuring whimsical, romantic and natureinspired stories. The range features handcrafted boutique-style silver, exquisitely textured with gold vermeil and semi- precious stone detail, celebrating nature’s much-loved flora, fauna, oceanic and organic forms with a stylised sentimental innocence. Sea Gem’s new wristwear, bangles and bracelets embellished with motifs and semi-precious stones like Rainbow Moonstone, which can be layered and stacked, feature strongly in this year’s collection. This stunning yet accessible range is beautifully packaged with point of sale. The ever-popular Celtic Lands silver range has been extended to include intricate, ancient motifs set with Rainbow Moonstone and Rose Quartz or highlighted accents of gold vermeil. The vibrant Fine Enamel Jewellery ranges with Mackintosh, Celtic, floral and wildlife designs complete this diverse heritage collection.
Inspired gift ranges from Sea Gems include contemporary rose gold-coloured pens, touch styluses for all touch screen devices, compact mirrors, pillboxes, bookmarks and scarf-rings. Sea Gems offer a creative and high quality product range at the most competitive prices, backed up by stunning packaging, displays, an online ordering facility and experienced customer service.
Tel: 01736 332033 Email: sales@seagems.co.uk Web: www.seagems.co.uk
SIMPLY GORGEOUS JEWELLERY AND SCARVES
HOME & GIFT Stand DP3-8
On point jewellery Hall C, Stand: C6
Points of Colour by Alexander Thurlow is a wonderful new necklace and earring set from Alexander Thurlow which has been a top seller this summer. They will be showing at Harrogate for the fourth time and have become a great place to find inspiring new designs for all occasions. Visit their stand to see this and many other new sets previewing at Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival this year where you will also find fantastic brooches. Alexander Thurlow have some wonderful new brooch designs with a modern twist that are ideal boxed as a gift, from their AT London range which includes three brooch designs. They will be launching Susie T Jewellery, a new boxed range of fashion jewellery at Harrogate, which is aimed at gift shops wanting easy-tosell fashionable quality pieces.
Tel: 0208 7666 466 Web: www.alexanderthurlow.com
Buy online at missmilly.co.uk or call: 01905 622 509
Carrie Elspeth EXCLUSIVE
DESIGNER
HANDMADE
IN
JEWELLERY
WALES
NEW
2016 WINNER
AGATE MEDLEY & MYCOLOURBANDS FASHION JEWELLERY & ACCESSORIES
Come and see our new Autumn/Winter 2016 Collection Home & Gift Stand DP1 - 36
e sales@carrieelspeth.com | 01446 771271 | w www.carrieelspeth.com gifts today 105
Jewellery
Stand out from the rest Hall DP1, Stand: 64a
Boing’s focus has always been on supplying high-quality British products with a service to match. Boing products are all male through and through with an additional unisex twist, this enables retailers to stock a brand with a unique difference. You can certainly be sure that these beauties will attract a big loyal following.
Tel: 01628 789999 Email: Kerry@boing-inc.com Web: www.boing-inc.com
Indulge in rustic romance Hall Q, Stand: Q50
Joe Davies strive to ensure they keep up with the latest trends when developing new Equilibrium jewellery and the new autumn-winter 2016 collection is no exception. A rustic romance theme will feature heavily in fashion for this season. Elements from this trend have been taken to develop the new Russet Tones range of Equilibrium jewellery. Each piece features rich, spicy colours and is plated with rose gold to complete this stylish new look. Equilibrium and much, much more will be on display on the Joe Davies stand all available in sensible quantities with free delivery nationwide.
Tel: 0161 975 6300 Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk Web: www.joedavies.co.uk
For your peace of mind Hall DP1, Stand: 103
Autumn is the perfect time to give your business a boost. With stunning jewellery, scarves and fabulous new tote bags, Peace of Mind’s new collection has everything you need to create a visually exciting and financially rewarding start to the new season. Their latest sterling silver and silver-plated range takes warm golds and rose golds, along with leather, crystals and charms to create playful jewellery that perfectly compliments the mellow tones of autumn. PoM are also launching a wonderful new collection of art deco-inspired pieces at Home & Gift. With all the sophistication of the era brought well and truly up to date with on trend colours and modern finishes. And if you don’t already sell scarves, then this is the time to start. Embrace the seasonal chill with PoM’s latest collection including large squares, snoods and ponchos in super soft and subtely textured cottons, elegantly patterned silks and comforting wool knits. Tassels, pom poms and fringing all add to the laid-back feel and create a subtle statement that your customers will adore.
Tel: 01225 777749 Email: sales@pom925.com Web: www.pom925.com 106 gifts today
KitchenWare INTERNATIONAL
Your industry guide to all things kitchen The industry publication from the publishers of
Tableware International • Kitchenware International delivers all the latest news, views and reviews on everything from cookware and storage products to utensils and appliances • Kitchenware International features retail interviews, industry expert advice and spotlights the latest gourmet and kitchenware trends
KitchenWare INTERNATIONAL
March/April 2016
2
134
www.tablewareinternational.com
• British Made bracelets • 2 Year customer guarantee • Made from genuine climbing, sailing rope, leather and steel rigging
Next issue: August Knives ● Bakeware guide ● On-the-go beverageware ● NY NOW preview ● Maison preview ● Top Drawer preview
Home & Gif
DP1 64 t a.
• Free point of sale units • Free delivery with MOQ of 20 bracelets • 2 free staff bracelets when ordering for the first time • Free embossed tin product packaging
www.tablewareinternational.com For more information contact Paul Yeomans pyeomans@lemapublishing.co.uk 01442 289930
e: kerry@boing-inc.com t: +44 (0)1628 789 999
www.boing-inc.com
Jewellery
Culturally evolved
When Sarah Watmore took voluntary redundancy and went travelling for a year, she had no idea how it would transform her work life. Twelve years on and her jewellery company Miss Milly is going from strengthto-strength. Sarah Welsh found out more
S
arah Watmore can remember the moment she realised jewellery was going to play a pivotal role in her future. As someone who occasionally wore costume pieces, Sarah has never personally been an avid wearer of jewellery, but a trip to a remote village market in Ecuador made her business instinct kick in. At the time she was spending a year travelling around South America and South East Asia, among other global destinations, having taken redundancy from a PR and marketing career that saw her working for major names such as Halfords and ICI since from graduating university in 1995. “After landing in Ecuador on that trip I went to a small village market and ended up buying a load of jewellery,” Sarah says. “There was one stall where a local lady had hand-made all pieces and, quite simply, I cleared her out! “At that time 12 years ago, wooden and beaded ethnic jewellery was a major trend and I just knew this stuff would sell really well back in the UK. “It was cheap to buy, light to ship and I knew there was a market for it – plus I’d always wanted to work for myself. So that’s how it all started.” Sarah spent the next few months travelling, picking up and posting jewellery back home, and soaking up the cultural significance of the pieces she had chosen. “I remember one particular tribe in Thailand to who shell jewellery was really important, all made from shells they’d collected, and another Northern Vietnamese tribe who wore luminous headscarves,” she explains. “These people obviously made the most of all materials they had access to, but it was more than that. I started to realise jewellery and accessories play an important part in certain cultures. “Jewellery also symbolises life milestones – engagement, weddings, anniversaries, important birthdays – and it’s a really sentimental buy
right from birth. This is a really nice, and poignant, area of gifts to work in.” Back in the UK, Sarah spent six months selling jewellery at festivals before setting up the wholesale arm of her new business. Right from the start an online presence was crucial to building the brand and sales, and her previous career as a branding expert was invaluable. Eight years later Sarah and her business partner went their separate ways. In September 2012 she launched a new company, Miss Milly, named after both her grandmother and daughterl, now aged nine. The company have since gone from strength-to-strength, with turnover growing almost 200 per cent since the end of the first year’s trading and net profit trebling. Sarah added scarves to the company’s product range a year after launching in response to customer demand, and now specialises in a mix of plain and subtly sparkly designs, alongside more unusual patterns sourced from China and India. Based just outside Worcestershire at a business centre on a farm, Miss Milly’s driving forces are Sarah and her right-handwoman Jo, who do pretty much everything, other than website design and bookkeeping. Sarah believes great customer service and consistency are key to the brand’s growing reputation and success. “Customer service is so important,” she insists. “I have a close relationship with those businesses that stock our lines and remember all the little details. I like to know what people are buying! “We are also known for our packaging and display stands, which means retailers create Miss Milly displays in their shops and customers get to recognise our brand, so it pays dividends. “The jewellery we offer is colourful, beautifully designed and crucially, affordable – with the vast majority of our products retailing for under £20. Being consistent in terms of marketing, pricing and customer service is what works for us and what we’ll
Amora at Harrogate
Sarah likes to keep a range of new products up her sleeve to launch at Harrogate and this year will reveal something with a contemporary twist. Miss Milly’s Amora Collection is a capsule range of five metal-based necklaces, incorporating silver, gold and the currently highly-fashionable rose gold finish into the designs. “There’s a bit of glitter, a twisting effect and the whole range is quite contemporary in style,” Sarah says. “I can’t wait to get customer’s feedback on the collection at Harrogate.” 108 gifts today
“I started to realise jewellery and accessories play an important part in certain cultures” continue to focus on.” Sarah designs about 50 per cent of Miss Milly’s jewellery ranges in conjunction with her trusted suppliers, and also tweaks other designs adjusting colour, shape, material and finish to make them work for the brand. “A lot of my designs are based around colour, as well as some fashion trends – a current one being bold, tropical shades, for example. I think colour is really important when it comes to merchandising and it also means we stand out from the competition. “Lime green, purple and navy designs always sell well, while I tend to use more pastels alongside bolder shades and crystals in spring and summer ranges, with black, greys, reds and sparkly designs big news for autumn and winter. “Each season we try one or two new capsule collections, and update our bestselling ranges such as the Floria Collection which is known for its simple, bold designs and wide variety of colour.” Miss Milly jewellery is now sold in a huge variety of retail outlets, from independent gift shops and clothing boutiques to garden centres. And Sarah is also now supplying three National Trust properties – Hidcote Manor, Baddesley Clinton and Dudmaston Hall. Across the country the brand has a big presence in both Scotland and the South West, and Sarah is now looking to expand in London and the South East with the help of more sales agents. Another area she will be concentrating on is broadening Miss Milly’s social media reach. In fact it seems the sky could be the limit for this home grown company with the personal touch. “When I look back to 12 years ago when I started working in this industry I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved,” Sarah says. “All the weekends, evenings and holidays spent working have been worth it. I’m earning a comfortable living doing something I love!”
Tel: 01905 622509 Email: hello@missmilly.co.uk Web: www.missmilly.co.uk
925 sterling silver
Harrogate Home & Gift Show
17TH - 20TH JULY - STAND C15
www.seagems.co.uk sales@seagems.co.uk - +44(0)1736 335840 Š All designs protected by Sea Gems Copyright & Design Right.
A jewel of a range Hall Q, Stand: 50 Treaty stockists up and down the country continue to benefit as much-loved brand Treaty Boutique launch their AW16 collections. At Home & Gift, Treaty will showcase more than 150 new pieces of silverplated jewellery alongside seasonal pashmina colours, and the all-new amazing capsule wardrobe of 100 per cent linen clothing. “As a team we’ve been hard at work sourcing and creating stunning new jewellery designs incorporating our distinctive trade-mark matt silver,� says Design Director and Co-Founder Maggie Allonby-Briggs. “Harrogate is our favourite show and we intend to make a real splash this year with a brand-new look for our stand and the eagerly awaited launch of our first ever clothing collection. These are exciting times for the brand and we look forward to catching up with our lovely customers, old and new.� Treaty Boutique are your one-stop-shop for unique statement jewellery pieces, quality pashminas, and now, a beautifully-curated clothing collection, all at very competitive prices.
www.treatyjewellery.co.uk info@treatyjewellery.co.uk Tel : 01225 478978
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Jewellery
Juggling with jewellery Carrie Elspeth is known for her stunning jewellery, lovingly designed and hand-made in Wales – but she’s also a fantastic example of how you can successfully combine work and family, as Sarah Welsh discovered.
T
he first time I interviewed Carrie Elspeth was more than a decade ago as a features writer on a local paper in Cardiff. At that time, just a few years after launching her designer jewellery business in 1999, Carrie’s inspirational creative flair, drive and determination had already ensured huge success for the brand, then based in a studio in beautiful Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan. Fast forward to 2016 and Carrie now heads up a full time team of 12, along with her husband Steve who is the company’s managing director. Not to mention the brilliant group of outworkers who help to produce Carrie’s stunning designs and ever-expanding range. Having outgrown their previous premises Carrie and co are now based just down the road in Llandow, and she and Steve are also the proud parents of three children – Solomon, 11, Jasper, seven, and five-year-old Tabitha. But, while it’s safe to say that life is much more of a juggling act for Carrie these days, keeping many plates spinning at any one time, what hasn’t changed is her sheer zest for life, joy in her craft and “just the right amount of control freakery”! “I really love what I do and I feel very lucky to be able to say this,” Carrie says. “A bit of ‘me time’ is so important for parents and for me that is my work. Dreaming up and creating jewellery is what has kept me sane all these years!” While Steve heads up the financial and HR parts of the business, Carrie’s strengths are firmly on the creative and design side – something that has been true ever since she was a little girl saving up her pocket money to spend in her favourite bead shop in Covent Garden. “My dad is an artist and mum writes poetry so I come from a creative background and what I do now really stems from that,” Carrie reveals.
“I started to make jewellery as a hobby from the age of about eight and we would go and stay at my aunt’s flat in London and my parents would take me to the bead shop. To me it was like a sweet shop – I wanted to buy every bead in there!” While studying art history at Anglia University, Carrie worked in a gift shop in Cambridge for a year which she credits with giving her valuable insight into the industry. She then went travelling for 12 months, during which time she made jewellery and hand-crafted cards to send home and, once back in South Wales, Carrie’s mum suggested she might be able to make a living out of her love of beads. Carrie set up shop in her childhood bedroom, scored a business mentor and £1,500 grant from the Prince’s Trust, and went out on the road pitching her pieces to gift shops and galleries. Soon she had wonderful feedback on the products and a few orders – 17 years later she is still going strong. Since those humble beginnings Carrie has had her pieces stocked everywhere from Barneys in New York to Fenwicks, the Royal Festival Hall gift shop and the Victoria & Albert Museum’s famous store, along with more than 500 independent gift shops across the UK and Ireland – but she says the sheer delight she gets from seeing someone wearing a Carrie Elspeth design never goes away. “I’ll see someone walking down the street in Cardiff wearing one of our necklaces and it’s amazing. “Steve and the children and I were in Tenby recently and there was a lovely display of our stock in a gift shop window in the town, along with a picture of me. The kids loved that! “Designing the ranges is what really inspires me and I love coming up with new ideas and keeping it fresh. We bring out roughly four new collections a year, with the autumn range launched at Harrogate and Christmas stock at Autumn Fair.
The Eponymous Collection
Home & Gift will play preview to Carrie’s latest collection – simply but effectively named after her. Excitingly it is also quite different to anything the company has made before. “This collection is based around chain, with beads providing a splash of colour,” Carrie reveals. “It is different to wire jewellery, more contemporary in style and feel, and uses different finishes including gold, rose gold and gun metal. “We’ve also designed new packaging to go with everything and all the pieces come boxed.” 110 gifts today
“Dreaming up and creating jewellery is what has kept me sane all these years!” “It varies but each collection usually has between 20 to 25 necklaces, many with matching earrings and bracelets. “We make easy-to-wear, affordable jewellery that is colourful and on trend and that people like to buy as a gift or for themselves. We manufacture everything ourselves so all the jewellery really is handmade in Wales.” Carries’ three main ranges within the brand are her core collection, the hugely popular Sentiment range of carded bracelets, launched three years ago, and the award-winning My Colour Band that Carrie brought over from the States last year. These brightly-coloured elastics can be worn as bracelets or hair ties, and you can also add charms to them. “I keep up with fashion trends in terms of seeing what colours will be big for each season,” Carrie explains. “And I’m also inspired by bead trends. “We import beautiful glass, crystal and semi-precious beads from the Czech Republic, as well as resin beads from Italy and Spain and charms from Greece. We change things up a lot.” Carrie says trade shows are pivotal to the success of the company, and she looks forward to the Harrogate Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival each summer. This year the brand will be launching new, highly giftable bracelets that come with little greetings cards, but retail for just £5. In addition there will be a plethora of new designs from My Colour Band, featuring metal finishes and glitter elastic, and the stunning new Autumn collection as well as the exciting new Carrie collection. “I love emerging from the design studio and going to the shows to meet people. It’s exciting to debut new ranges and get the feedback from customers,” Carrie says. “Life’s always a juggle with children though, so I’ll be sprinting home for a day in the middle of the show to attend my eldest son’s last primary school concert. That’s something you really can’t miss!”
Tel: 01446 771271 Email: sales@carrieelspeth.com Web: www.carrieelspeth.com
Harrogate Home & Gift Show
17TH - 20TH JULY - STAND C15
Designer Pens www.seagems.co.uk sales@seagems.co.uk - +44(0)1736 335840 © All designs protected by Sea Gems Copyright & Design Right.
All things bright and beautiful Hall D, Stand: 4 Bring some sparkle into your shop this summer with Wild Things’ new chakra jewellery, delivering a fabulous complement to the company’s highlysuccessful chakra rainbow makers. Part of an increasing trend for gift jewellery with added meaning, the exciting new range features matching earrings and necklaces and comes with an extensive array of POS materials. Designed and handmade in Devon, pieces feature Swarovski crystals and
Accessories by
Park Lane Home & Gift
STAND NUMBER C27 TEL 01423 868362 www.parklaneonline.com
sterling silver findings.
Tel: 01392 211268 Email: sales@wildthingsgifts.com Web: www.wildthingsgifts.com gifts today 111
Wooden gifts
The warmth and tactile, natural qualities associated with wooden gifts make them a timeless winner with gift shoppers, and continues to drive sales with consumers of all ages
Go with the grain W
ooden gifts have always been a favourite with consumers, thanks to their tactile appeal and the way they blend Mother Nature with the latest design-led trends. Retailers love them,
parents love them, and kids love them – its win, win, win! Bigjigs Toys’ wooden toys and gifts sales “continue to be buoyant”, and company Director, Liz Ireland, says the category’s many appealing features make them timeless. “Wood
Retailers who engage with their customers find wood easy to sell as it has so many great qualities
the limitations in production wooden toys have actually changed very little over the years,” says Liz. “However both colours and quality have
improved. Bigjigs will continue to look for improved production techniques to apply to the in-house design of traditional wooden toys.”
Bigjigs’ tips for a winning wooden toy • Practical design • Attractive colours • Use of good base material
Liz Ireland, Bigjigs Toys sells. Retailers who engage with their customers find wood easy to sell as it has so many great qualities. Wooden toys have that traditional, nostalgic feel and convey longevity and I think good retailers impart this to their customer so it moves off the shelves.” These natural qualities make wooden gifts a cross-generational hit, and their links with nature makes them unique and durable, with a visual story to tell. This is something Classic Canes continues to offer consumers. Managing Director, Charlotte Gillan says: “Many people prefer the warmth and texture of a wooden stick to an aluminium one. Wooden sticks gain great character as they age and can become muchloved friends.” The company grows different varieties of wooden sticks in Somerset, and this adds to the gifts’ story – a real selling point according to Charlotte. “Many buyers love to know such sticks are individually handcrafted and unique,” she says. “It gives a lovely story to tell the customer.” So what can we expect from the future of this classic category? “Wood stands the test of time and due to 112 gifts today
Love to be personal
The Personalised Memento Company (PMC) have recently added to their extensive range of personalised wooden gifts. Their new collection of personalised White Wooden Heart Decorations come in a range of unique designs and are suited to a wide variety of occasions, from weddings and birthdays to Mother’s Day and christenings. The Vintage Floral Large Wooden Heart Decoration features a chic design that is on trend with the latest demand for classic floral patterns. It is ideal for hanging around the home, or even as a venue decoration for the recipient’s big day. PMC aim to make selling personalised gifts easier than ever. To do this, they offer a completely free affiliate website solution. This fantastic opportunity allows smaller and independent retailers the ability to gain a foothold in the rapidly-expanding personalised gift category by providing a free-ofcharge website that is preloaded with thousands of PMC’s bestselling products. Retailers can visit PMC’s trade website to sign up for their own affiliate website today.
Tel: 01782 744900 Email: sales@ personalisedmemento.co.uk Web: www. personalisedmemento.co.uk
Sticking with the classics Kids wood love these!
Responsibly sourced and with education and development at the forefront of new product designs, Bigjigs Toys’ wooden lines are made to last and be passed down from generation to generation. The extensive range of wooden toys includes educational items such as puzzles and musical instruments to provide children with hours of fun while learning new skills. There’s also a large variety of cooking and role-play products such as wooden food sets, kitchens and accessories for creative play. Wooden playsets are a great gift option and come complete with a number of accessories. Open up a world of discovery and adventure with playsets, from the Mini Mushroom House to the Heritage King Arthur’s Castle Play Set, complete with a working drawbridge. The award-winning Mini Farm Play Set features Mr and Mrs Farmer, farm animals, carrots, trees and fences, and is ready to travel with a handle and secure clasps to store all the loose pieces. Traditional, wooden toys are becoming increasingly popular with a rise in parents and grandparents alike choosing to buy wooden over plastic. Parental nostalgia, durability and environmental impact are partly responsible. Wooden toys encourage children to play more creatively, thereby developing an active mind. All Bigjigs’ toys are fully safety tested, exceeding the EN71 toy safety testing standard and are coloured using child-safe paints.
Tel: 01303 250400 Web: trade.bigjigstoys.co.uk
New for 2016
Walking stick specialists Classic Canes stock hundreds of models of wooden sticks, from country staffs to fine ebony canes. The company grows many ash, blackthorn and hazel sticks in its Somerset woodlands. Popular models include thumbsticks, where the stick is held with the thumb resting in a natural V between two shoots, and crossheads, which are grown upside-down. The handle is formed from the roots of the tree, giving each one great strength and character. Many buyers love to know such sticks are individually handcrafted and unique, and it offers a lovely story to tell the customer.
Tel: 01480 75686 Web: www.classiccanes. co.uk
An exciting range of
gift ideas
BJ795 Stack a Cat
BB112 Stegosaurus Pull Along BB124 Stacking Bulldozer
BB115 Flower Activity Center
1 @bigjigstoys
In stock now and ready to order
0 bigjigstoysltd trade.bigjigstoys.co.uk gifts today 113
Namaste
Kilim Rugs - A Growing Market Namaste have become the latest company to support rug certification scheme GoodWeave, a pioneering charity which works with weaving communities. Their inspirational Showroom is a short drive from Harrogate and their annual Open Week coincides with Harrogate Home & Gift.
“Namaste’s range includes a huge variety of gifts, furnishings, incense, accessories and clothing” Rachel Brummitt
B
ased in Skipton, North Yorkshire, Namaste specialise in fairly produced products, including a wide selection of Indian-made Kilims and flat weave rugs, cushions and upholstered furnishings. The home furnishings market is growing strongly in the UK and Namaste have been expanding their range of rugs and other furnishings to cater for this expanding sector of the 114 gifts today
home and gift business. Fair Trade is not synonymous with overpriced, and you only have to see Namaste’s vast and diverse offering to accept that their whole range is priced very realistically and competitively. Kilims are hardwearing and good value rugs that are made on traditional eco-friendly flat hand looms. The fabric is also ideally suited to make cushions, footstools, benches, and pouffes.
Earlier this year, Namaste took the extra step of GoodWeave certification for all their Indian rug suppliers. “Namaste’s range includes a huge variety of gifts, furnishings, incense, accessories and clothing,” says Rachel Brummitt, Namaste Director. ‘We work with many rug suppliers in India and have been selling fairly traded rugs for years. We have taken this additional step, to provide the added reassurance of a totally independent monitoring and inspection body which has a proven and excellent trackrecord. ‘GoodWeave is an award-winning, pioneering charity and we look forward to an exciting future with them.’ All of Namaste’s certified rugs will now carry a numbered GoodWeave label on the reverse, which confirms that it has been produced by a supplier
Some of their customers are Fair Trade specialist shops, but by no means all. They also have a growing number of garden centres, zoos, galleries, museums and visitor attractions featuring their products. Their aim is to provide handmade, craft made high quality products which are well-designed and will sell on any high street as well as in specialist outlets. Fair Trade is central to Namaste but they recognised early on that only products that are well designed and competitively priced will really benefit the craftspeople who make them, as these are the ones that will sell and provide them with the next order!
Namaste has always had a policy of buying direct from the producer, maximising the benefits to the suppliers. Namaste don’t exhibit at Harrogate but if you’re tempted by their huge designled range, up to 25 per cent discount, excellent customer service and impressive stock availability, then you will certainly be tempted by the cream teas and all day refreshments during their showroom Open Week! They are just a 30-minute drive away from Harrogate, on the edge of the historic market town of Skipton, amidst the lovely Yorkshire Dales National Park. Visiting the showroom is the only way to view one-off pieces and amazing clearance/end of line deals. You can also take advantage of extra Cash and Carry discounts, for example a minimum order (only £150) attracts at least 10 per cent discount (Proforma Payment) while an order of £2500, which is not difficult given the vast offering, attracts a 25 per cent discount (Proforma Payment), these include the extra five per cent discount applied to cash and carry orders and during Harrogate week this extra discount applies even if you can’t take the goods with you. Delivery is at Namaste’s expense. For directions, assistance, or if you would like to visit before the show, contact Namaste. Public transport options are also available. which meets the GoodWeave Standard and is randomly inspected by GoodWeave inspectors. Founded in 1995, GoodWeave is seeking to end child labour by harnessing the power of the marketplace. Any child found working is offered counselling, medical care, education and, if needed, a home. GoodWeave has also established 17 Child Friendly Communities, where no industry employs an underage child and where the community is supportive of all children attending school and not working. These social programmes are supported by the sale of certified rugs by licensed importers. Both Namaste and their partner suppliers contribute a percentage of the value of the rugs to GoodWeave,
which then goes back into the weaving communities. To date, GoodWeave has directly freed more than 3,600 children from labour on the looms, educated nearly 15,000 children, and improved the working conditions for 50,000 weavers, in partnership with over 130 import brands worldwide. Namaste have always had a policy of buying direct from the producer, maximising the benefits to the suppliers. They are recognised by BAFTS, The British Association for Fair Trade Shops and Suppliers, as a fair trade importer and are the nearest thing to a fair trade one-stop shop with more than 1000 product lines. Their focus on strong design-led products is backed up by impressive stock levels.
Details of opening hours: Sunday 17th July Monday 18th July Tuesday 19th July Wednesday 20th July
9.00am - 8.00pm 9.00am - 8.00pm 9.00am - 8.00pm 9.00am - 5.30pm
The showroom is of course open all year Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.30pm. Request a free set of their inspirational catalogues or register a wholesale account and order on their website.
Telephone: 01756 700790 Email: sales@namaste-uk.com Website: www.namaste-uk.com
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Trade talk
Gifts Today loves to hear your views.
From the irresistible lure of Harrogate Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival to upcoming trends – it’s all up for conversation this issue… Sarah Dixon, Shelley Gregson,
UK Marketing Manager, Yankee Candle
Key Accounts Manager, CB Imports
Are there any particular product trends you expect to take off?
What difference has exhibiting at Harrogate made to your business? This July will be the first time CB Imports are exhibiting at Harrogate. After visiting the show in 2014 we realised the very real shortage of artificial flower suppliers exhibiting there and we hope to fill this gap with our realistic and beautiful range.
Following on from the sell-out success of last year’s fragranced advent calendar, we have unveiled a new look for this year’s calendar with a stylish and contemporary carousel design. Overall, our advent calendars and gifts sets, are increasing in popularity and we have plans to grow the sector for SS17.
What trends have you seen emerging recently?
How important are trade shows to your business?
What advice would you give a newcomer to the gifts industry?
We have an engaging interactive brand, and customers will always want to look, feel and smell the new fragrances and products we are bringing to market. I lose count of how many different fragrances I smell during Harrogate, but trade shows provide us with the opportunity to showcase our seasonal collections in a relaxed environment to new and existing customers.
Sell your product and ranges through a story or a theme. This can be inspired through a trend for that year, a collection of colours, or even one product that develops into an entire range.
What do you think is the most important piece of the jigsaw when it comes to success in the gift industry?
The Cottage Garden and Country Vintage look are still going strong in 2016 and this is set to continue. Grey tones are also going from strength to strength this year, especially in homewares and for weddings.
Tom Sykes,
We will continue to surprise and exceed the expectations of our customers and consumers with innovative and market leading products.
Director, Xystos Are there any particular product trends you expect to take off? There is no doubt that fruit and floral fragrances will be very on-trend. This is reflected in the new WoodWick releases for Home & Gift. The wizards at Virginia Gift Brands have created two delightful collections with captivating food fragrances. The Greenhouse Collection features such scents as Radish & Rhubarb, while the Summer Sweets Collection has a trio of fragrances including Raspberry Yuzu and Sweet Lime Gelato. This trend is also reflected in the ranges we will be distributing on behalf of our new partner, Yardley London – the new English Heritage Home Fragrance Collection and the new-look Floral Fragrances Collection, both made by Woods of Windsor.
How important are trade shows to your business? Trade shows are a key element of our sales strategy and over the last few years Xystos has taken record-breaking orders at Home & Gift and Spring Fair. We select shows on the return they give us on our investment, so it’s up to organisers to help us maximise sales by delivering great events. This year we have also exhibited at Top Drawer Spring, the Scotland Spring Fair and, for the first time, PG Live as we view greeting card shops as being increasingly important sales outlets for our brands. We will finish off the year with Autumn Fair.
What do you think is the most important piece of the jigsaw when it comes to success in the gift industry? The aim is always to deliver the complete package – on-trend, high quality products that are beautifully packaged and meet the expectations of endusers. You also have to have a great sales team and efficient office back-up. Knowing when to retire ranges that aren’t working is also vital.
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Matt Hopkins, MD, GB Exchange Are there any particular product trends you expect to take off? We’re getting the impression from many retailers that the ability to source products made locally to them is really important, helping them do that and supporting that sense of community is high on our agenda for the coming months. Looking ahead to Christmas; luxury, indulgence and a sense of opulence are on our radar. We’re also noticing products are adopting more than one purpose, so whether that be a storage solution that can be adapted according to the end user’s needs, or a bowl that can be used for breakfast or sharing salad, there seems to be a more relaxed and interpretative approach to some products and we expect this trend to continue and develop. I think there’s going to be greater demand for more naturally-based skincare products - people have become more conscious of what they put in their bodies and I think the same will happen in regards to what they put on them.
What do you think is the most important piece of the jigsaw when it comes to success in the gift industry? Success in the gift industry is all about understanding what the consumer wants, satisfying popular trends while maintaining a consistency when it comes to quality and balancing this with affordability. It’s also integral to build strong relationships with key support networks, we really value our relationship with the Giftware Association and I think taking the time to learn and invest in the gift retail community is going to become more and more valuable to us.
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Kate Armitage, Director of Marketing, Gibsons Are there any particular product trends you expect to take off?
Stephen Illingworth, Product Development Director, Widdop and Co. Are there any particular product trends you expect to take off? There are a number of trends that are building up a head of steam for the second half of the year – decorative lighting is proving a huge trend, no longer restricted to the Christmas season. We will see gifts incorporating decorative lighting such as wall plaques, decorative bottles and home accessories. On the back of this trend, expect to see amazing LED candles in decorative lanterns and jars which mimick a burning candle. Humour incorporated into a gift remains popular right across the board – a soft, gentle humour is appreciated by just about any recipient. Two important themes that we are expecting to see translated across the giftware sector are gifts using imagery from the Day of the Dead Mexican festival. And Emotiworld Emoticons – perhaps not surprising given that “emoji” was the Oxford Dictionary’s word of the year in 2015!
Regarding trade shows – how important are they to your business? Trade shows form an essential part of our marketing effort throughout the year. Not only do they act as a launch pad for new product launches, they offer a unique opportunity to exhibit this product to the widest possible audience. Trade Shows give invaluable feed back on products informing the on-going new product development process. We are also privileged to have our own showrooms located in North Manchester where our entire range is showcased throughout the year with two important new product previews taking place in January and June.
What do you think is the most important piece of the jigsaw when it comes to success in the gift industry? As with any jigsaw, the picture isn’t complete until all the pieces are in the right place. It’s virtually impossible to pick out one piece as being more important than another when it comes to success. We are operating in a dynamic, fast changing market place which means that success is dependent on continuous evolution both in responding to customer demands as well as pro-active initiatives to drive the business forward.
Simon Willis, Managing Director, Global Luxury Brands Are there any particular product trends you expect to take off? At Spring Fair it was encouraging to hear accounts talking about the renewed interest from customers in collectables. After the heady days of early 2000, things have been soft in this sector but it seems that collectors are once again looking for quality and authenticity, hopefully we can supply some of that.
Regarding trade shows - how important are they to your business? We are a small team and so the exposure that we can get at trade shows is vital to finding new accounts and showcasing our new introductions to existing accounts. Last year was our first time at Harrogate as GLB, many
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Our Iconic Brands range of puzzles is going from strength to strength with new licenses coming on board all of the time. Presented in quirky containers these jigsaws are perfect for the gift market and with British licenses such as Marmite, Vintage Kelloggs and Mr Men we are experiencing strong demand for these. We are very excited to have agreed a licensing deal for puzzles with the Great British Bake Off. The hugely popular TV series begins airing again this summer and our Jigsaws will be launched in the Autumn to coincide with the series finale. We are also seeing a real resurgence in family games and it is fantastic to see renewed enthusiasm for sitting around the table and playing a game. Based on current demand, we fully expect some of our classics to be big this Christmas such as 221B Baker Street, Pass the Pud and Wembley, not to mention our new game Plop! Ideal for the gift market and for anyone from 6 to 106 who likes a bit of a laugh!
Regarding trade shows - how important are they to your business? Trade shows are extremely important to Gibsons providing us with an opportunity to showcase and preview our new products; there is nothing like seeing something new in the flesh. Occasionally it is a case of establishing what isn’t going to work and last year at Harrogate we gained some really insightful feedback from our customers changing the direction of a new range. This opportunity to meet customers and hear their views is invaluable.
What do you think is the most important piece of the jigsaw when it comes to success in the gift industry? Product is key. Customer service, reacting to demand and appropriate pricing are all important pieces of the jigsaw but a good product is where it all begins. Understanding what people want and making that product look attractive is essential. The product itself, the pack design, size and presentation are crucial.
of our brands being shown for the first time in the UK. It was great to meet so many accounts that we knew but equally great to meet lots of new faces from all over the country. We hope that this year Herend and De Rosa will find a few new homes around the country and we will once again meet some old friends,there are plenty after 30 years!
What do you think is the most important piece of the jigsaw when it comes to success in the gift industry? I always said that the one industry prize that I wanted to win was for customer service. You can have the best designs, the greatest sales team and the slickest marketing but if you can’t get the product to your customers in a timely and efficient manner all the rest is wasted. Service is key and I think always will be.
Beautiful Twinkling
Starlight Bottles Beautifully coloured bottles with twinkling stars that light up heart-warming sentiments.
We won’t be at the Harrogate Gift Fair this year. But please feel free to come and see all our lovely products in our showroom in Leeds, which is only 18 miles away!
Licensing Expo 2016
The gift of licensing Licensing Expo 2016 – the world’s biggest licensing show – has just wrapped up in the world’s biggest playground, Las Vegas. Like it or not, licensing touches every industry – and gifts play a central component in this dynamic and trend-driven field
S
weltering heat and business – not usually two comfortable bed fellows. But when it comes to Licensing Expo in Las Vegas, the thousands of global industry professionals who descend on Sin City really have no choice but to put their heads down and get on with it, despite the 50 degree heat! The 36th annual Licensing Expo has just wrapped up after running from Tuesday 21 to Thursday 23 June, and Gifts Today magazine spent a hectic week meeting with movers and shakers who will, invariably, impact the gifting industry in one way or another. From the big-hitting toy companies such as Mattel and Hasbro to the mammoth film studios like Disney, Paramount and DreamWorks Animation to sports brands such as the NFL and Tottenham Hotspurs, to
niche brands with great IP – they are all relevant to the gifts market. Because it has a direct impact on gifting, being up to speed on what is happening in the licensing industry is a necessity rather than a choice. One gift company with a successful licensed collection is Enesco. Licensing manager Wendy Addison spoke to Gifts Today’s sister magazine LTW recently and explained the highlights within their range. She said: “Licensed brands continue to lead the way for Enesco. Our highlights are, of course, Disney and in particular the more iconic characters. Our new Disney Traditions, Beauty and the Beast figurines have far exceeded expectation. Other strong brands are the social media phenomenons, Grumpy Cat, Boo and Pusheen.”
So, what now?
In a special one-off commentary, Kelvyn Gardner, MD of the UK’s Licensing Industry Merchandiser’s Association (LIMA), gives us his thoughts on what Brexit means for business
N
ow that the EU membership campaign, and the election itself, is officially over, I reckon that it’s OK for me to go on the record with my personal view. I should qualify that by clarifying that these are my views, not necessarily those of LIMA as a whole, nor of the licensing industry as a whole. So what do I think? It’s bad for Britain, bad for Europe, bad for the USA, bad for importers, bad for exporters, bad for the licensing business and anyone else involved in consumer products. Lawyers will get to bill their clients for changing EU-issued standard licensing agreements but that’s not much of a boost to the global economy. It’s also increasingly looking to be bad for British politicians. As for the electorate, it’s an especially unpleasant irony that the under 40s (the demographic most likely to be spending heavily on licensed products like toys and apparel) voted overwhelmingly for Remain, while the over 60s voted Leave. Let’s start with an immediate consequence: the fall in value of the pound sterling. A huge percentage of 120 gifts today
UK licensees manufacture overseas. They pay in US dollars in many places, in Euros for those closer to home. That means that, right now, after less than a week, they will be paying more for the goods they manufacture under licence. There is little scope for their passing on the increase to trade and consumer. UK retailers already fight hard with suppliers to keep prices low, as the public has little appetite to go along with increases, and no retailer wants to lose volume or market share by giving up a right to claim at least pricing parity with their competitors. Many UK licensees are already under extreme pressure, and an erosion of margin is the last thing they need. Were we not warned? Yes, we were, and some licensees may have hedged, but not all of them, and even those hedges are likely to be for six months, not for the two years of the Brexit negotiation period. Did I say two years? Well, now the Brexit campaign, and our soonto-be departed Prime Minister, are all saying that we don’t need to rush into this, let’s take our time before triggering the two-year process. But, for every delay, uncertainty flourishes. Like it or not – and I’ve never
liked it – financial markets abhor uncertainty. Try borrowing more for short-term capital, or getting finance for expansion, and see how far you get. What of consumer confidence, upon which overall retail trade depends? Just over half the nation voted Leave. Surely they’ll be buying crates of Prosecco and shop loads of bunting to mark the occasion? Well, leading Brexiters Boris, IDS and Gove have managed to declare, within days of the result, that they (1) didn’t ever promise £350 million a week to the NHS (2) probably won’t reduce net migration and (3) are in no hurry to get us out of the EU now they’ve won. Those are the very promises that won the Brexiters the victory. And they are not going to carry them out. The UK will come through this, of course, but only after much unnecessary pain which is selfinflicted. There are no winners.
“
“Licensed brands
continue to lead the way for Enesco. Our highlights are, of course, Disney and in particular the more iconic characters.” Wendy Addison, licensing manager, Enesco
”
Wendy continued: “For us it’s all about capturing the moment, or the essence of the characters. We also have found a huge following for not just the key characters for example, with Beauty and the Beast, our top sellers are not just Belle and the Beast – Lumiere and Mrs. Potts and Chip are just as important. Our product development team work extremely hard to push the obvious restrictions of our product format to recreate scenes and give the impression of movement, therefore creating exceptional product.” Licensing is trend-driven and topical, and it can help make a good product great, as many gift retailers already know.
Manor House Home Fragrance Ltd
T 01359 250720 www.manorhousehomefragrance.co.uk gifts today 121
New Products Rustic radiance
Candle experts Bolsius say that, when it comes to the flattering flicker of candlelight, today’s customer rates colour as highly as fragrance and ambience. New additions to the popular Rustic range are designed to help customers transition from summer to autumn, accessorising their living space with warmer shades and metallic hues as the evenings shorten. Modelled on traditional pillar candles with optimum burn time and pleasantly robust sizes, each Rustic creation has a marble-effect patina with metallic sheen. An artisanal appearance with catwalk-inspired shades of nude and blush, Rustic can be grouped in contrasting tones to bring colour and light accents to a room or style singularly for traditional impact. Richard Wood, Bolsius UK sales director, says: “Candles are continuing to see huge premiumisation and we know that shoppers expect more from a candle than just ambience. “Our Rustic range has been created to give our giftware partners a trendinspired, transitional candlelight option. An instant interior fix, Rustic is perfect for gifting or self-purchase as the autumnal months beckon”. In addition to the new AW16 colours, Rustic is available in more than 30 shades and 20 sizes. Email: info@nl.bolsius.com Web: www.bolsius.com
Stand out from the gifting crowd
With cycling one of the fastest-growing sports in the UK, innovative gift company Boxer Gifts have launched a quirky cycle mug with a bike-shaped handle, the perfect present for the off-road biking fanatic. The unique handle is partnered with a mug proudly displaying the mantra Muck Sweat & Gears. In addition, Boxer Gifts present their super-cute personalised Elf and Fairy decorations. Featuring a wide range of names for all the family, but especially for the kids, these decorations are great hanging on the tree as well as making lovely personal gifts. The vibrant colours will help them stand out from the decoration crowd, and spinners comefree with stock. Tel: 0113 395 5595 Email: sales@boxergifts.com Web: www.boxergifts.com
Fine china designs
Email: sales@petcandles.co.uk
Fine bone china mug specialists Dunoon have unveiled four new designs on three different mug shapes. Symphony is a set of three music-themed mugs. Beautifullyillustrated instruments feature on white backgrounds with musical scores as a decorative pattern on the Argyll shape mug. Designed by well-known illustrator Richard Partis, the mugs are classified into three categories – strings, wind and brass. On Dunoon’s large size Henley shape mug is new design Spellbound, an amusing take on witches and their antics – think flying on broomsticks among bats and cut-out pumpkin lanterns. Beautifully illustrated in artist Cherry Denman’s inimitable style, Spellbound is sure to be a popular Halloween gift. There are two new designs on the very popular fine bone china Lomond shape. Designed by Caroline Dadd, Curious Cats features a striking set of three designs drawn in a modern art style on white backgrounds with stylized cats and tiny birds. These designs deliver metallic gold highlights making them even more special. And Free Range is a set of six contemporary designs from Kate Mawdsley, featuring cats, dogs, sheep, horses, chickens and cows on pastel cream, blue and green backgrounds.
Web: www.petcandles.co.uk
Web: www.dunoonmugs.co.uk
Pet-loving homeowners rejoice!
Classic Candle Company are now the exclusive UK distributor of a new range, Pet Candles from the US. Pet Candles has been created to fill a niche in the market for pet loving homes with products made from 100 per cent soy so this range complements Classic Candle Company’s everyday home fragrancing collection. While scented candles mask a smell, the Pet Candle range contains Metazine that actually neutralises malodours allowing the products to remove odours from the air, giving the user a fragrance-filled room. Five fragrances have been launched, providing customers with a choice of fruit, fresh, floral, musk and essential citrus tones. They come in an elegant glass tumbler, a recyclable tin, and a gift-packaged reed diffuser. In creating this range, a considerable amount of thought was given not only to the human customers but also to smells that pets love. All the candle names are synonymous with pets and the sense of adventure pets have, including Woodland Walk, Great Outdoors, Lazy Days, Walled Garden and Citrus Sunshine. Tel: 01473 736011
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1HZ $XWXPQ 5DQJHV Inspirational products traded fairly from around the globe.
www.namaste-uk.com Minimum order only £150 plus VAT • Free colour catalogues available. SHOWROOM SKIPTON NORTH YORKSHIRE TEL: 01756 700790 EMAIL: sales@namaste-uk.com
HOME & GIFTS • INCENSE • HOME FURNISHINGS • FURNITURE • CLOTHING • ACCESSORIES • JEWELLERY
NAMASTE
OPEN WEEK 2016
-RLQ 8V )RU 5HIUHVKPHQWV &UHDP 7HDV $W 2XU 6KRZURRP ,Q 6NLSWRQ Please come and see us at our Showroom in Skipton, we have extended opening hours during the Harrogate Home & Gifts Fairr 17-20 July 2016 as we are not exhibiting this year. NAMASTE SHOWROOM SPECIAL 17TH-19TH 9.00AM - 8.00PM & 20TH 9.00AM - 5.30PM
New Products Dotty about babies
Lesser & Pavey unveils brand-new baby range, Mad Dots Baby blue for a boy and baby pink for a little girl. It comes in two colourways and consists of gift bags for the gift, handled mug for two tiny hands to hold, money box to start saving, photo frame for the first smile to be framed in, a dining set to entice any little ones to eat, a keepsakes trinket for special items from the early days of the little, first tooth and first curl trinkets, keepsake box for larger memories to be kept. There is also a Mad Dots Wedding range as well as a Mad Dots Mum, Grandma and Nana range to come soon. See the full range on the Lesser & Pavey stand M14 at the July Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival. Tel: 01322 279225 Email: sales@leonardo.co.uk Web: www.leonardo.co.uk
Lolita wine glasses top wish list this Christmas
Among this season’s new launch for the Lolita glassware collection are four festive wine glasses. Created with the unique Lolita spirit of celebrating special occasions with glamour, each of the new wine glasses is hand-blown, distinctive in design and adornment, and is finished with a hand-lettered wine-based cocktail recipe on the base of the stem. Choose the glass to suit the personality of friends – whether it’s the colourful Holiday Beauty, the elegant sparkle of Winter, the artistic Winter Magic, or the crisp Snowy Night wine glass. Turn over the glass to reveal Lolita’s cocktail recipes – there’s Chardonnay heightened with the flavours of raspberry and vanilla on Winter Magic; a warming luxurious mix of white wine, peppermint, cocoa and whipped cream for Winter; while the midnight blue of a Snowy Night has inspired a peach schnapps and white wine medley laced with blue curaçao and vodka.
Coast with the most
Email: uksales@enesco.co.uk
If life’s a beach, then Xystos have it covered with their new Waterfront Collection from WoodWick, which features three evocative summer candle fragrances. Available in their core medium and large ellipse vessels as well as hourglasses, At The Beach, Coastal Sunset, pictured, and Tropical Oasis will bring the flavours of the sunshine to any room.
Web: www.enesco.co.uk
Tel: 0191 499 1570 Email: sales@xystos.co.uk
Plenty of fun from Peanuts
This summer sees plenty of fun and frivolity in the Peanuts by Jim Shore collection created by the award-winning artist and inspired by Charles M Schulz’s iconic comic strip characters. In Good Grief (Charlie Brown) and Skateboarding Beagle (Snoopy) poor ol’ Charlie Brown is upstaged by his four-legged friends and Jim has captured his panicked expression and terrified pose to hilarious effect, while the super-cool Snoopy is showing off yet again. Other launch highlights include Happy Dance with a comic strip in the background, Too Cool For School (Joe Cool) and Nest Warming Gift, plus a fantastic selection of festive pieces — all decorated in the unique folk art style that is unmistakably Jim Shore. Tel: 01228 404022 Email: uksales@enesco.co.uk Web: www.enesco.co.uk
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Web: www.xystostrade.co.uk
New Products Perfect Paddington Christmas from PMC In recent years Paddington has made a hugely successful transition from the big screen into the personalised gifts sector – and the Personalised Memento Company (PMC) is helping celebrate this with a fantastically successful gifts range. The first items in PMC’s Paddington range launched in April and have proven to be hugely popular with both retailers and consumers alike. PMC are now building on this success and the continued popularity of the Paddington brand with the introduction of their Christmas range, adapting the lovable bear to work with some of PMC’s best-selling products. Launched in June, their new personalised Paddington Christmas Wooden Star Decoration is a stunning keepsake that looks the part hung
on any Christmas tree. The range also includes personalised mugs, baubles, sweets and ceramic decorations. PMC’s industry-leading production and drop-shipping services are able to adapt effortlessly to seasonal demand. This reliable service ensures orders are fulfilled quickly and accurately leading to an outstanding customer experience. With the demand for personalised gifts continuing to grow, now is the time to visit PMC’s trade website to discover how personalised gifts can work for your business or to learn more about their successful Affiliate Website solution to make selling personalised gifts easy. Web: www.personalisedmemento.co.uk
It’s a Pug’s life
Pugs are still trending this season and Puckator’s UK-based design team have been busy creating more adorable pug-themed gift items and home accessories for your customers. One of the latest additions to the popular Pugs & Kisses collection are small compact mirror key chains with pugs looking lovable in tiaras, bow ties, hats and glasses. Other new products in this range include a water bottle with a cute sporty pug, a pug-shaped draft excluder, and to keep clothes smelling peachy, some gorgeous peach-scented sachets with a Pugs & Kisses design. Visit Puckator at DP1-23 at Harrogate Home & Gift Fair or in Hall 5 (stand 5L05) at NEC Autumn Fair to see all the newest products or visit the website and sign up to the weekly Puckator newsletter. Tel: 0800 011 6969 Email: customerservices@puckator. co.uk Web: www.puckator.co.uk
Live a monochrome life
New for Summer from ScentChips is the Monochrome Collection of ScentBurners. Available in five striking, stylish designs these ScentBurners are a superb addition to the ScentChips Collection. Very affordable with an SRP of under £8. Size 8.5 x 11cm. All ScentBurners by ScentChips are specially designed and manufactured to enhance the enjoyment of Fragrant Wax Melts. Tel: 01259 751009
Breath of fresh air
ScentChips have introduced new Ceramic Catalytic Stone ScentLamps that are available in two styles, Cylindrical and Square, and three colours per style, White, Taupe and Grey. Catalytic Stone ScentLamps actively remove the bacteria that causes odours, cleansing, purifying and perfuming the air. The ScentOils Aromatic Oils for these ScentLamps are available in 32 fragrances. With a ScentOils display available, each bottle has a “lift to sniff” lid, removing the need for samplers and is sealed to avoid spillage. Tel: 01259 751009 Email: service.uk@ worldofscentchips
Email: service.uk@worldofscentchips.com
Ready for summer
Enjoy the outdoors with a ScentChips Glass ScentBurner and Citronella ScentChips. ScentChips are made from high quality wax and highly fragrant oils and release a wonderful intense fragrance when melted in a ScentBurner. Tel: 01259 751009 Email: service.uk@ worldofscentchips. com
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Social Media - Ross Hewitt
Trading on trade shows Don’t shut yourself off from the world while at Home & Gift. It’s the perfect opportunity to share what you do with your customers, says Ross Hewitt
O
ne thing that always surprises me is how quiet everyone’s digital marketing is during trade shows. Very few brands and retailers actually make any noise to the outside world during those few days about what they are up to. Suddenly everyone goes into cocoon mode. That would be fine if the butterfly emerged a few days later, but that’s rarely the case. Out creeps the caterpillar again and it’s marketing comms as usual from thereon. Why not shake it up a little bit this month in Harrogate? If you’re a brand and you’re exhibiting your already publicly-revealed products then get snapping and sharing. This is the perfect setting; a place where your products are displayed how you want them to be displayed… on your stand.
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Ross Hewitt is Managing Director of Secret Pie and author of Savvy Social Media. Ross began his digital marketing career in 1998 when social networking was something you only did in a pub. He set up Secret Pie in 2010 and has been helping clients get found and loved online ever since. www.secretpie.co.uk | Ross@secretpie. co.uk | 01904 410027 | Twitter: @Ross_Hewitt
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Why not shake it up a little bit this month in Harrogate? If you’re a brand and you’re exhibiting your already publiclyrevealed products then get snapping and sharing.
”
Get the cameras out and photograph them in all their artificially-lit and white backgrounded glory and tell the world you are proud of what you make and distribute. Let consumers see that so many times a year you give up your family lives to work your fingers to the bone on trade stands, discussing new ideas for
products that will make their lives more delightful in some way. Show them how you listen to retailers who feedback what the consumers say to them so that you can make your gift products better. Show your caring through your sharing. Retailers, this is your moment too… you leave your business and family for a few days to travel miles and miles to bring the best of the best back to your store. Share the experience. Show your existing and potential customers how you work behind the scenes to make sure your shop has the best answer to everyone’s gifting questions. Help them to understand that when they walk into your store they deal with the person who speaks to the brands direct and who sifts the wheat from the chaff and who knows the names of the individuals to call when questions need answering or problems need solving. Show them how they avoid having to work through call centres when they come into your shop and how they get the personal touch from the person in the know. Now is the time to make sure you have packed the charger for your smartphone or tablet, because this time you are going to snap and share and comment and post like never before. Whichever side of the fence you’re on, celebrate Harrogate Home & Gift Buyer’s Festival if you’re going and make a buzz so loud that North Yorkshire will think a swarm of bees has descended on it. If you don’t have an Instagram account yet then set one up today – it will take five minutes. Make sure you have the Twitter and Facebook Pages Manager apps installed on your devices too. Brand owners and gatekeepers, if you’re revealing a product for the first time at Harrogate then it’s understandable you might not want to
put the consumer ‘ta-da’ in the hands of others, but at least get some teasing images out there. Photograph the logo, or some fabric, or a handle, or a button, or a corner, or anything that will get the consumer wondering and plant the seed of demand for your retailers. Tell them good things are coming!
“
Whichever side of the
fence you’re on, celebrate Harrogate Home & Gift Buyer’s Festival if you’re going and make a buzz so loud that North Yorkshire
”
will think a swarm of bees has descended on it.
The Harrogate Show is amazing; you are launching new wares that your team have given their souls to and you want people in the UK to buy them. Don’t lock the consumer out for three days… let them in, even just a little. It’s content, and today’s digital marketing challenge revolves around exactly that. I’ll be there for a couple of days, sometimes with clients, sometimes with friends, and sometimes on my own. I’ll meet any of you reading this for a cuppa if you want to pick my brain about your own digital marketing – just send me an email and it can be arranged (plus it makes me look a bit better if I’m not seen to be spending too much time on my own as word spreads you know!). Good luck, and have fun.
SIGNATURE GIFTS PREMIER supplier of
Personalised
GIFTS
ANY NAME
Convenience of a one-stop shop with skills from specialist businesses @signaturegifts
Tel: 01582 464809
www.signature-gifts.co.uk
alist fin 2016