Let’s talk about… summer buying Bryony Taylor-Edwards, head of brand and home, gift, food, and toy buyer at Yarnton Home and Garden in Oxfordshire, shares her favourite natural skincare products
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poll commissioned by Card Factory in 2021 revealed that 60% of UK adults prefer the feeling of giving, over the feeling of receiving. Another survey conducted by OnePoll claimed 57% of people believe the thought that goes into a gift is as important as the cost. Would you agree? I certainly would. I mean, I would never throw away my plethora of pasta necklaces from my children.
“Being a gift buyer comes with a big responsibility. If giftgiving makes the giver and the receiver feel good, that’s a lot of happiness on my shoulders” Okay, one more statistic for you. Did you know that according to a Card Factory poll of 2,000 people, on average we buy 32 gifts per year? Now that’s a lot of gifts. For me personally, I buy double that. The gift-giving list is now endless, from presents for friends, family, partners, teachers, village do-gooders, and more. It seems that gift-giving is a national art form and one that’s showing no sign of abating (thankfully for us all!). 10
Gifts Today
Why am I telling you this? Well, because being a gift buyer comes with a big responsibility. If gift-giving makes the giver and the receiver feel good, that’s a lot of happiness on my shoulders. Therefore, I give gift buying careful consideration. Not only must I understand my consumers and their needs, hopes, and dreams (no pressure!), but I must also stay abreast of trends and national moods. Remember, a large proportion of what we gift buyers choose now, will not hit the shelves for another nine to 12 months. Luckily for me, the fact that we are a garden centre unifies my demographic around a central pillar - a love of the garden and the great outdoors. So that inspires much of what I buy, from garden-inspired books and botanical-inspired tipples to nature-inspired gifts for children. What I’ve learned is that this theme is wonderfully seasonal and uplifting, and one I will be sticking with for the foreseeable future. As I venture into the buying season over the summer, these thoughts will be in my mind. How can I delight and please with the gift of giving?
Bath & Body Summer’s arrival brings the opportunity to indulge in wearing fewer layers and a little more self-care. I love hot temperatures but would be lying if I said there’s not a small part of me that’s slightly worried about what lurks underneath said layers! That’s why for me, summer gifting is all about bath & body products. For us, skincare must be as natural as possible and kind to both the skin and the environment. The first bath & body range I chose for Yarnton Home and Garden was Bramley. Why? Because the Bramley ethos closely aligns with ours: sustainability, care, and quality. Its ranges are inspired by the British countryside. They are made in Britain and the focus is on natural ingredients that cause no harm to the environment or your skin. For us, this range has been a huge success. The company now has wonderful skincare ranges for children and dogs, both of which we stock. Once you’ve smelt Bramley, there’s no going back.
If you are looking for some intensive love for your skin, then Batch #001 holds the key. This organic skincare range for dry or sensitive skin is the wonder bolt that everybody needs. Made from natural beeswax and high-grade essential oils, the balms in this collection are truly magical. But let me reassure you, good bath & body doesn’t have to be boring. My discovery of Bath Noodles from Paper Plane has brought joy to colleagues and customers alike. It feels like these nifty noodles should be in the food hall but in fact they are 100% natural, vegan body wash noodles in plastic-free biodegradable packaging. The perfect gift to elicit a smile, I would say!
Email: Bryony@yarntonhomegarden.co.uk Visit: www.yarntonhomegarden.co.uk; www.instagram.com/yarntonhomegarden
Photos: Clive Rose
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