Gifts Today March April 2025 by Lema Publishing

rhodiarama softcovers

Gifts Today Contents

March/April 2025

Gifts Today team

Advertisement Manager

Marian McNamara Marian@lemapublishing.co.uk

Editor Clare Turner Clare@lemapublishing.co.uk

Layout/Design

Rick Vickers rick@lemapublishing.co.uk

Managing Director

Mark Naish mark@lemapublishing.co.uk

Production Director Paul Naish paul@lemapublishing.co.uk

Lema Publishing Ltd

1 Churchgates, The Wilderness, Berkhamsted, Herts, HP4 2UB

Telephone: 01442 289930 www.giftstoday.media

46 Shop Talk: Retailers share their Spring Fair experiences and reveal what caught their eye, from standout products and exhibitors, to some surprising and exciting new finds

48 Trade Talk: A selection of Spring Fair exhibitors give their feedback on the February show, from footfall and sales to star performers

Columnists

41 Charlotte Gillan, managing director and co-owner of Classic Canes

45 Bryony Taylor Edwards, co-founder of Think BIG

51 Anna Berry, director and co-founder of Retail100 Consulting

Cover Story

14 Over the winter Museums & Galleries has stepped up the pace of publishing, bringing many stunning spring additions to its collection of giftable products, as well as brandnew product formats - and lots more promised for 2025 Fair Focus 12 The Gift Fair Review

Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair Preview

Show Preview Retailer Focus

Angela Jones, owner/director of Lily Blue Gifts in the West Midlands village of Hagley

44 Angela Simpson, owner and founder of The Gifting Tree in Muirend on the Southside of Glasgow Product

Message from the Editor

www.giftstoday.media

LinkedIn: @giftstoday

Twitter: @giftstodaymag

Instagram: @giftstodaymedia

Spring is here at last! I’m sure that, like me, you’re thrilled to welcome the warmer weather and lighter days. In the words of Russian author Leo Tolstoy: “Spring is the time of plans and projects.” And there are plenty of upcoming trading opportunities to prepare for, offering the chance to maximise sales across the gifting spectrum.

At the time of writing, retailers are gearing up for one of the season’s key gifting occasions: Easter. Our columnist Anna Berry, director and co-founder of Retail100 Consulting, sums up this key trading moment well in her column on page 51. She says that while Valentine’s Day and Mothering Sunday provide useful boosts in sales, Easter offers a deeper and broader scope that goes well beyond traditional chocolate treats!

Garden centre retailers in particular will be looking forward to an increased spend over the Easter bank holiday weekend from both seasoned gardeners and novice green-fingered shoppers, looking to spruce up their outdoor and indoor spaces.

In fact, despite the very cold temperatures in the first two months of the year, The Garden Centre Association’s Barometer of Trade (BoT) notes that gift sales were up 4.85% in January. And in February the increase, compared with February 2024, was up by 7.34%!

The BoT reports are compiled using actual sales figures contributed by 93 of The Garden Centre Association’s members, with total sales between them of just over £550 million per annum.

This data certainly indicates a positive start to the season. For this issue, we spoke to garden centre buyers about their S/S gift merchandise mix and what’s currently selling well for them. We also asked suppliers for their thoughts on the green scene, and their recomendations of products suitable for this blossoming sector.

And there’s more retailer input, as we revisited indies who took part in last issue’s Shop Talk, which was on the theme of Spring Fair hopes and expectations. This time round, they kindly share their experiences of the February show. They reveal what caught their attention, from stand-out products and exhibitors to surprising new finds.

The next trade show season is coming up soon, and you will find previews of three events on our pages: Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair, which will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from April 27 to April 30, plus Exclusively Show, and London International Stationery Show - which both take place at the Business Design Centre in Islington, from June 10 to June 11 and May 13 to May 14 respectively.

Talking of stationery, you would have spotted that Museums & Galleries is our Cover Star for this edition. Over the winter, this leading publisher of licensed art and design-led greeting cards and gift stationery has been busy bringing many spring additions to its collection of giftable products, as well as new product formats - with lots more promised for 2025. Find out more on pages 14 and 15.

Finally, check out our In Style section, which has a special focus on fashion accessories - always a popular category for readers keen to elevate their ranges with S/S-ready styles.

From the feedback we’ve received, it seems spring is known as ‘the season of hope’ for good reason. As our retail interviewee Angela Jones, owner/director of Lily Blue Gifts in the West Midlands village of Hagley, says: “We love a new season. As a small village shop, we rely heavily on repeat business and customer loyalty, so we like to raise expectations for our customers too. Spring brings with it a new colour palette across the shop, and we all enjoy seeing the change in-store.”

Her fellow interviewee Angela Simpson, owner and founder of The Gifting Tree in Muirend on the Southside of Glasgow, agrees. “I’m excited about bringing in S/S fresh stock which I’ve been sourcing at trade fairs,” she says. “I love seeing how the new season inspires customers.”

We hope this issue will offer you a shedload of inspiration too, along with our Home Fragrance Supplement and Garden Centre Supplement! We’re always keen to hear from any readers who would like to take part in our interviews. You can contact me at clare@lemapublishing.co.uk or via LinkedIn.

Clare Turner, Editor clare@lemapublishing.co.uk

News Classic Canes changes hands

British walking stick specialist

Classic Canes has announced a forthcoming change of ownership. From June 1, Classic Canes will be owned by its long-term supplier Gastrock of Germany.

Classic Canes’ managing director and co-owner Charlotte Gillan said: “My parents [Ben and Diana Porter] and I are delighted to have accepted an o er for Classic Canes from our long-term suppliers and close personal friends, the Gastrock family of Germany. Hans and Elke Gastrock and their children, Peter and Sara, share our commitment to excellence in design and quality and are the perfect people to supply our customers in Great Britain and beyond.” Gastrock was established in 1868 and has passed through many generations of the same family. The company manufactures high-quality wooden walking sticks in Germany to this day, and is also an established international wholesaler.

Gift suppliers scoop Excellence Awards

Spring Fair, which ran from February 2 to February 5 at NEC Birmingham, is celebrating 75 years of heritage - as well as triple digit growth in exhibitor numbers for this year’s show.

Event director Soraya Gadelrab (pictured) ended the first day on a high by hosting Spring Fair’s inaugural ‘75 Years of Excellence Awards’ ceremony.

She said: “For decades, Spring Fair has been more than just a show; it has been a dynamic gathering of innovators, artisans, and enthusiasts whose passion and creativity have transformed challenges into opportunities and ideas into achievements.

We wanted the opportunity to celebrate those businesses and people who have led the way. These awards are not just accolades - they are a tribute to the enduring commitment, ingenuity, and community that have deﬁned Spring Fair from its very inception.”

Best New Product award winners included:

• Gift: Swapseazz by Puckator

• Greetings, Party & Celebration: Alchemy Collection by Paper Salad

• Home, Living & Décor: Hand Painted Wood Art Collection by Liz Corley Art

• The Summer House Edit: The Walled Garden Collection by Stoneglow

• Beauty & Wellbeing: Aromaﬂow by Sukha Oils

• Clothing & Footwear: Lace Me Up Swimsuit by Azure Fashion

Managing director Hans Gastrock commented: “Having supplied Classic Canes for many years, we are very pleased to have the opportunity to take on the prestigious Classic Canes name. We look forward very much to working with the customers of Classic Canes and continuing to supply our walking sticks to the company’s British and other markets.” •Turn to Charlotte’s column on page 41 for more details.

Autumn Fair and Glee to co-locate for 2026

Exhibition organiser Hyve Group has announced the co-location of Autumn Fair and Glee at the NEC in Birmingham next year. Autumn Fair will take place from September 6-9 2026 and Glee will be held from September 8-10 2026.

Jackson Szabo, retail portfolio director of Hyve Group (pictured), commented: “The Hyve Group’s heritage across its retail portfolio - Spring Fair, Autumn Fair and Glee - has been delivering commercial opportunities to brands and buyers for over 75 years.

“Looking to the future, the co-location aligns with our mission to support and spearhead growth within the UK retail and garden sectors. We look forward to welcoming our communities to an even more dynamic and rewarding event in 2026.”

Hyve Group said: ‘Aligning both events unlocks extensive commercial opportunities. Exhibitors gain access to a broader network of high-quality buyers spanning the home, gift, and garden sectors. Meanwhile, the thousands of retail buyers attending Autumn Fair and Glee will beneﬁt from expanded cross-sector buying opportunities, accessing a wider range of suppliers, trends, and innovations.’

This year’s show dates are: Autumn Fair 2025 (September 7-10, NEC Birmingham) and Glee 2025 (September 16-18, NEC Birmingham).

• Fashion Accessories: Robin Magnetic Brooch by Miss Milly

• Jewellery & Watch: The Bold Edit Collection by Scream Pretty

• Kids, Toys & Play: Scented Polish by No Nasties Kids UK

• Christmas, Festive & Floral: The Burgundy Bouquet Christmas Crackers Tray by Heart & Soul Studio

Other winners included: Most Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Brand: VENT for Change; Best New Stand - Medium: Cereria Mollá; Best Longstanding Exhibitor Stand - Small: Ginger Betty; and Best Longstanding Exhibitor Stand - Large: Widdop & Co.

Gift of the Year 2025

ﬁnalists announced

The Giftware Association has unveiled the ﬁnalists of its Gift of the Year 2025 Awards. After months of anticipation, over 900 entries, and two rounds of judging by a panel of over 120 industry experts, the very best products from the home and gift industry have been selected to move forward in the competition.

The second round of judging took place at Spring Fair and the ﬁnal round will take place over the coming weeks, with the winners announced at The Gift Awards ceremony, held at the Royal Lancaster London hotel in May. The full list of ﬁnalists is available to view at www.giftoftheyear.co.uk.

Meanwhile, The People’s Choice Award allows the public and end-consumers to vote for their favourite products from the ﬁnalists. To vote is easy: ﬁnd your favourite product or category, choose ‘cast my vote’ and it will be taken automatically. Votes close on May 16.

Classic Canes’ founders Ben and Diana Porter and their daughter Charlotte Gillan

New products Fresh arrivals

Joe Davies

Festive feels

Museums & Galleries

Christmas 2025 looks like a particularly strong year for Museums & Galleries (M&G), with a new embossed Christmas card licence from Emily Burningham headlining in the company’s Designer Collection section, and new work from star artists like Emma Frances Grant, Catherine Rowe, Helen Ahpornsiri, and Lucy Grossmith.

Step into the world of imagination and innovation with the latest Steampunk ﬁgurine collection from Joe Davies. Designed for those who appreciate the extraordinary, each ﬁgurine boasts intricate metallic detailing, gearwork elements, and distinct industrial charm. These aren’t just gifts - they’re bold statements of individuality, perfect for anyone who loves vintage-meetsfuturistic aesthetics! Explore the Steampunk collection and discover a world where innovation meets imagination.

Also new from Joe Davies is the Equilibrium Gemstone Chakra Tree Collection, which brings together an array of exquisite crystals, each believed to enhance physical and spiritual wellbeing in its own unique way. Featuring Amethyst, Rose Quartz, Aventurine and many more, these beautifully handcrafted trees make meaningful and decorative additions to any space. Each tree is presented in a decorative glass dome and packaged in a luxury branded gift box, complete with details on the positive attributes associated with each gemstone.

Call: 0161 975 6300

Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk

Visit: www.joedavies.co.uk

Make a note

ExaClair

Rhodia has recently expanded its range of premium stationery, following the launch of a new Aubergine coloured notebook. Available in both dot grid and lined formats, this A5 sized notebook beneﬁts from a luxurious Italian leatherette soft cover with an elasticated closure, orange ribbon bookmark, and expanding inner pocket.

Each notebook contains 80 sheets of the Clairefontaine PEFC-certiﬁed 90gsm ivory brushed vellum paper, that is loved by notetakers and journalling enthusiasts globally.

In addition, a new square grid page layout is now available across the range’s seven bestselling colours: black, taupe, turquoise, sapphire, violet, poppy, and orange.

Call: 01553 696600

Email: sales@exaclair.co.uk

Visit: https://exaclairlimited.com

M&G’s licensed V&A range has had a refresh, with classic artist William Seaby appearing in the collection with a delightful snow hare print from the early 20th century.

All Christmas card ranges have been updated with new designs - both traditional subjects have been given a bold new twist, and novel subjects have been given a striking Christmas treatment (Mandy Tait’s ‘Festive Dip’ in the British Heart Foundation range stands out here). Vanessa Bowman’s ‘Snow in the Park’ is a colourful interpretation of a busy and festive communal scene (Macmillan range). Snowglobes are always popular, and Ag Jatkowska has supplied a new one in the Christmas Fayre range.

Call: 01373 462165

Email: sales@mgml.co.uk

Visit: www.museumsgalleries.co.uk

Design debuts

SANTORO

SANTORO continues to push the boundaries of paper engineering with the latest additions to its extensive 3D Pop Up greetings collection: The Flower Stall and The Royal Oak Pub. These intricate, freestanding pirouette designs capture the charm of everyday scenes in delightful detail, making them perfect keepsakes as well as thoughtful greeting cards.

The Flower Stall bursts into bloom with a pastel-hued market cart, overﬂowing with vibrant ﬂowers and lush greenery - ideal for garden lovers and springtime celebrations. Meanwhile, The Royal Oak Pub brings a slice of quintessential British charm, featuring a cosy countryside pub scene, complete with ivy-clad walls, a welcoming lantern, and rich, warm tones. With their dynamic, rotating structure and immersive detail, these popups are more than cards. They’re miniature worlds waiting to be explored! Call: 0208 7811104

Email: sales@santoro-london.com

Visit: https://santorotrade.com/

SALES AGENTS REQUIRED

Gittins House are seeking well connected sales agents to introduce the globally recognised Dutch interior brand Riviera Maison to the UK.

Riviera Maison offers an inspiring stock collection of over 3000 items including homewares, home accessories, decorative textiles, home fragrances, lighting and furniture.

Riviera Maison have proactively addressed the common Brexit related challenges ensuring UK customers a completely seamless purchasing experience.

Please contact us to discuss your interest in this exciting opportunity.

James Gittins

UK Country Manager

Mob: +45 29 62 21 36 Mail: james@gittinshouse.com Web: www.gittinshouse.com

CLEARANCE SALE NOW ON DUE TO RELOCATION OVERSEAS Many prices reduced by 50% or more

WALKING STICKS, FOLDING CANES SEAT STICKS, UMBRELLAS, ACCESSORIES AND DISPLAY STANDS

Please contact us for a trade catalogue:

info@classiccanes.co.uk www.classiccanes.co.uk

Celebrating 40 years of supplying quality gifts at affordable prices

Tel: 01686 629919

Email: john@milfordcollection.com www.milfordcollection.com

Onwards and upwards!

Organised by Xpofairs, the inaugural edition of online trade show The Gift Fair has successfully taken place, marking a major step forward in online exhibitions

The Gift Fair introduced a brand-new technology and concept to many attendees when it opened its virtual doors from January 8 to February 28. This new online show attracted thousands of unique visitors, primarily small independent businesses. Organiser Xpofairs reports that encouragingly, over 65% of exhibitors have already signed up for the next show, reinforcing conﬁdence in the event’s potential for future success.

A major highlight was the Best Stand Award, won by Sienna Glass for its innovative and immersive stand design, which closely mirrored an in-person trade show experience. Hanna Walker, director at Sienna Glass, shares her thoughts: “We’ve been so impressed with The Gift Fair! The team at Xpofairs, especially Aarun and Fabian, have been brilliant - they were so supportive and responsive throughout. It’s amazing to see such an innovative platform transforming the way the wholesale giftware industry connects. We’re thrilled to have won Best Stand and can’t wait to see how The Gift Fair grows!”

Another notable achievement was The Future Star Award, won by cartoonist Arrthi Little from Cheeky Legends and Lex Rogy, founder and designer at Little Roglets. Reﬂecting on the experience, Arrthi remarks: “It was a privilege to participate in the inaugural show, which delivered an exceptional and seamless online experience that demonstrated a clear understanding of our industry’s needs.

“It’s amazing to see such an innovative platform transforming the way the wholesale giftware industry connects”

“We’ve seen a signiﬁcant surge in visibility for our Cheeky Legends brand, underscoring the transformative potential of this trade show. The entire Xpofairs team has been brilliant, providing ongoing support to help us maximise the experience, and we’re thrilled to be taking part in the September show.”

Meanwhile, Santoro London highlighted its kids’ brand Bangoberry in the Kids and Toys Hall. Sales manager Lavinia Timis says: “Participating in The Gift Fair was an excellent opportunity for us to introduce our new brand, Bangoberry, to a broader audienceparticularly here in the UK.

“Already well-received by toy chains, independent stores, and gift shops across Europe, it was thrilling to showcase our fun and colourful products to new buyers and connect with those we might not have reached otherwise.

“We were exhibiting at various physical trade shows at the same time as The Gift Fair, so it was a great opportunity for customers to still discover our latest launches - even if they weren’t physically able to visit one of our shows. The Fair provided a fantastic platform to expand our reach and continue growing Bangoberry’s presence in the industry.”

Following the success of the ﬁrst event, Xpofairs is already planning two further editions in 2025: US Gift Fair (July 14-August 28) and UK Gift Fair (2nd Edition)

September 8-October 24. With an emphasis on international expansion, Xpofairs is collaborating with US partners to pay special attention to the cultural di erences between the two territories, so there is meaningful support for UK brands entering the American market. Interested businesses are encouraged to sign up now to secure their participation.

Xpofairs notes that it has learned a lot from the ﬁrst show. And, with the help of exhibitors and retailers through feedback sessions, changes have been implemented to make the experience more successful for everyone.

The main changes include:

• A simpliﬁed registration process with a more streamlined sign-up to make attendance easier for busy buyers;

• A new website featuring a comprehensive library of instructional video guides to help attendees navigate the platform with ease;

• Simpliﬁed navigation, so if you’re looking for a speciﬁc brand, it’s now easier to search and see who is in each stand. And if you need to leave the show, when you return you will now enter right where you left o !

Another development is a dedicated mobile app which will be introduced for the next event, enabling seamless participation from anywhere. The plan is that these, along with other adjustments, will make for a more user-friendly experience to help visitors interact more with exhibitors.

For those looking to be part of the future of online trade shows, now is the time to get involved. Contact Xpofairs today to secure your place in the upcoming events!

Call: 0208 781 1106

Email: info@xpofairs.com

Visit: www.thegiftfair.com

When: UK Gift Fair (2nd Edition) September 8 - October 24

Celebrating 40 years of wonder

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council is set to unveil seven LifeStyle Trade Events, covering gifts, housewares, fashion, printing and packaging, and licensing.

These events will take place from April 27 to April 30, with the gifts and housewares fairs held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. With the latest products and trends on display under one roof, the events will feature a curated selection of lifestyle products and services from around the world, maximising and diversifying buyers’ sourcing in one go.

Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair

Of the seven events, the Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair is the longest-running and will celebrate its 40th edition this year. The highly acclaimed Hall of Fine Designs will return as a convergence of reputed brands.

Key brands include Monnaie de Paris (France), a government-owned institution responsible for producing France’s coins; Camel (Hong Kong), which creates vacuum ﬂasks and has gained popularity among young creatives in recent years; and more.

The Hong Kong Exporters’ Association will assemble Hong Kong companies to form a pavilion, showcasing the design skills and branding excellence of Hong Kong’s product designers. Winning works from the Hong Kong Smart Design Awards will be on display, to highlight the creativity and ﬂair of Hong Kong brands to global industry players

App to scan exhibitors’ exclusive QR codes, bookmark favourite suppliers, browse product information, and continue discussions with exhibitors online during or after the show. The 40th edition of the Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair will take place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from April 27 to April 30

Seminars and forums to discuss emerging trends

During the fair period, a series of seminars and forums will be conducted featuring industry representatives who will share valuable insights on key trends and future prospects within the industry, including creative thinking, the silver economy, and sustainability.

These events are designed to enhance communication between exhibitors and buyers, while also equipping participants with the latest market information. By serving as a one-stop sourcing platform, the events will o er promising business opportunities and cater to the needs of buyers for a diverse selection of lifestyle products and services.

Digital platform creates e cient exhibition experience

Under the EXHIBITION+ model, the fairs integrate o ine and online elements. Buyers can continue searching for products and services on the hktdc. com Sourcing platform and network through the Click2Match smart business-matching platform.

During the physical fair, buyers can use the Scan2Match function of the HKTDC Marketplace

What: Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair

Where: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

When: April 27-30

Call: 020 7616 9500

Email: london.o ce@hktdc.org

Visit: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkgiftspremiumfair/en

Spring forward with Museums

Over the winter Museums & Galleries has stepped up the pace of publishing, bringing many stunning spring additions to its collection of giftable products, as well as brand-new product formats - and lots more promised for 2025

Notebooks

A highlight of the spring collection of notebooks from Museums & Galleries (M&G) is a delightfully quirky and characterful green frog from the V&A, perfect for amphibian fans. Adapted from a William De Morgan Arts & Crafts tile, the A5 Luxury Notebook joins titles from Mary Katrantzou, Emma Frances Grant, Catherine Rowe, Matthew Williamson, and Chris Dunn in a very popular notebook format now comprising almost 50 designs.

The three new designs by Emma Frances Grant showcase the top sellers from her Imaginarium card range: the opalescent Jellyﬁsh, the meditative Midnight Moon, and a glorious elephant Wildlife Wonderlust.

Star designer Mary Katrantzou - the creator of an exclusive card range launched last year - now has multiple journal formats including her stunning Butterﬂies design as a clothbound journal with 240 pages - a new format which M&G premiered in 2024 and now increasing in numbers, with more available this spring - Mary’s Red Floral design is available as a hardback lined journal, and her Yellow Butterﬂies comes as a larger size Deluxe Journal.

Chris Dunn’s sensationally detailed Wind in the Willows watercolour character paintings now feature on a notebook, and Matthew Williamson launches a new lush English Garden design in his collection of seven A5 Luxury Notebook designs.

Placemats & Coasters

With award-nominated ranges of kitchen textiles launched in 2024, and following the successful launches of organic cotton napkins, paper napkin packs, and insulated bottles and mugs, M&G has introduced new placemat sets and coaster sets for 2025. Both are cork-backed, laminated, heatresistant to 100º, and cleanable with a damp cloth.

The collection of placemats comprises six sets of four (single design per pack, 290 x 218 x 24mm, SRP £17.99). The choice includes designs from M&G’s new licences Angela Harding and Mary Katrantzou, which join longtime favourites from the V&A and Helen Ahpornsiri for Wild Press.

There are 12 sets of coasters, each containing four coasters of the same design (103 x 103 x 24mm, SRP £6.99). The V&A, Mary Katrantzou,

Angela Harding and Wild Press feature here as well, but also included are quirky and colourful designs from the British Museum, Catherine Rowe, and Brambly Hedge. M&G administration & relationships manager Sophie Bylina-Williams says: “The new placemat and coaster sets extend M&G’s penetration into the world of tabletop products and increase the variety of product types we are able to o er customers, based on our bestselling ﬁne art and designer brands.”

Tote Bags

Sophie reports a very successful reception for the three licences launched in the last 12 months: Mary Katrantzou with cards and giftwrap, Angela Harding with gift packaging, and Emma Frances Grant with cards. Building on customer feedback, M&G has selected the most popular designs for release as gift products.

Leading the launch are three stunning organic cotton tote bags. M&G’s consistently excellent colour printing on fabrics really makes these bags stand out, with Mary Katrantzou’s ‘Butterﬂies’ in particular exceptionally vibrant and set o to perfection with contrasting orange straps. Her ‘Mirror Marble’ design, another hit from her card launch, makes for another superb tote.

The third is Angela Harding’s ‘Seabirds and Sea’ design: one of M&G’s biggest giftwrap sellers this year and translated beautifully here to cotton. This design also appears on a brand-new cushion, insulated bottle and mug, gift bags, roll

& Galleries

wrap, and a magnetic notepad. Mary Katrantzou’s ‘Mirror Marble’ becomes an insulated bottle and her Butterflies an insulated mug.

Kitchen Textiles

M&G’s new kitchen textiles collection of oven gloves, aprons, tea towel sets and cotton napkins is enhanced with new designs by Mary Katrantzou and Angela Harding. A bright and cheerful print ‘Yellow Butterflies’ by Mary Katrantzou co-ordinates across oven gloves, aprons, tea towels and cotton and paper napkins (and is also available as a journal). Angela Harding’s ‘Swallows and Sea’ receives the same treatment.

Giftwrap

M&G has extended its sheet wrap range with 12 new designs this spring, including new wraps from the V&A, Matthew Williamson, Mary Katrantzou, Emma Frances Grant, Sarah Campbell and Brambly Hedge.

A very special launch is three wraps by M&G’s new designer licence, Emily Burningham. Emily’s sophisticated designs draw influence from traditional woodblock printing techniques and have a graphic quality that is unmistakably her own.

Very popular already - and also available In gift bags and gift tissue formats - is Emily’s stunning blue, white and pink Saxifrage design. Cranes is a serene, contemporary twist on the popular Japanese woodblock theme, and Football will be a popular choice for boys and men.

M&G also launches a gift bag format to join its successful range of gift bag options. The Plant bag is a wide tapered bag format with a reinforced base and extended ribbon handles. The launch collection features four striking floral bestsellers comprising designs from the V&A, Matthew Williamson, Vincent Van Gogh and Josephine Simon.

Sophie says: “Trends in gift-giving and consumer needs continue to evolve. We perceived an opportunity to create a beautiful and stylish collection of artbased gift bags to give people an option for heavier or bulkier gifts. These join M&G’s very successful existing range of gift packaging options.”

Museums & Galleries definitely has Spring 2025 all wrapped up!

“

Trends in gift-giving and consumer needs continue to evolve. We perceived an opportunity to create a beautiful and stylish collection of art-based gift bags to give people an option for heavier or bulkier gifts. These join M&G’s very successful existing range of gift packaging options

”

The write stu

Billed as the UK’s only event dedicated to the stationery, arts, crafts, paper and writing instruments sectors, London International Stationery Show is a must-visit for gift buyers looking for new brands

London Stationery Show 2024 was one to remember, crammed full of newness, chat, fun, creativity, deals, and competitions - as well as lots of business over the two days. Visitor numbers were up 40% on 2023, with many exhibitors and visitors agreeing that it was one of the busiest shows in recent years.

The event attracts stationery and gift buyers from world-leading department stores and supermarkets to independent retailers, including: ASDA, B&M Stores, The British Library, British Museum, Cardfactory, Cardzone, Cass Art, Cult Pens, Emporium Gifts, Fenwick, Flying Tiger, Fortnum & Mason, Harrods, Hobbycraft, House of Cards, John Lewis, Liberty London, Levere Home & Gifts, Lovely Libby’s, London Zoo, Morrisons, The National Gallery, Next, The Notting Hill Bookshop, Royal Museums Greenwich, Ryman, Sainsbury’s, Scribbler, Selfridges, Skinnydip London, Stationery House, Tesco, The Works, WHSmith, Waitrose, Waterstones and many more.

Plans are now well under way for the 2025 edition of the show, which takes place at the Business Design Centre in Islington from May 13 to May 14. The exhibitor list includes big UK and international brands, through to exciting new designers and innovative startups, all under one roof - giving visitors the chance to explore an exciting edit of new products and names alongside recognised bestsellers.

Event manager Chantelle White says: “Last year we welcomed just over 120 exhibitors to the show and 2025 is already set to be even bigger! We’ve had so much interest from exhibitors that we’ve had to open up a new section at the Business Design Centre, so we’ll have even more exhibitors and brands this year.”

Some of the leading brands already signed up for 2025 include: Blueprint Stationery, Carousel Calendars, Craft Buddy, Crayola, Daler Rowney, Edding, Exacompta Clairefontaine, IG Design Group, Jakar International, Kaweco, Leuchtturm1917, Manuscript Brands, Maped Helix, Mitsubishi Pencil Co, nu: Notebooks, Paperblanks, Pebeo, Pentel, Portico Designs, Premier Stationery, Puckator, Pukka Pads, Royal & Langnickel, Royal Talens, Silvine/ Artgecko, Snopake, Stabilo International, Staedtler, Stone Marketing, Tallon International, The Pilot Pen Company and Zebra Pen UK.

One of the best things about the London International Stationery Show is the chance to see new brands, with many using the event as a launchpad for new products.

Among ﬁrst-time exhibitors this year are Wingback, The Gifted Stationery Co, Scentos, Quadrigloo, Pebeo, Penac Japan, Oli Olsen, Meraki Notebooks, Main Paper, In Real Life and BlueSky Designs.

Another highlight for many visitors is the Boutique Collection: a carefully curated section centred around innovation with quirky, independent suppliers presenting their product o erings. Among those exhibiting this year are Amy Britton, Andhand, Art House Stationery, Co eenotes, Divide & Rule, Dodolulu, Emily May, Forma House, Good Tuesday, House of Tula, Huunuu, In Real Life, Makers Cabinet, Meraki Notebooks, Oh

In addition to the exhibitors on the show floor, the finalists of the Stationery Awards 2025 will be showcased, with the winners announced at a free-to-attend event at the end of the first day. There will also be an extensive talks and workshops programme, as well as many exhibitors demonstrating products on their stands.

What: London International Stationery Show

Where: Business Design Centre, Islington, London

When: May 13-14

Email: chantellew@max-publishing.co.uk

Visit: www.stationeryshowlondon.co.uk

Entry: Free for stationery buyers, retailers, wholesalers, licensors and licensees

Laura, Rebel Stationery, Storigraphic, Studio Frewb, Sylvia Prince, Tm’s Studio, Trixie, and The Inspired Stories.

Scribing with sleek style Stabilo

Heritage stationery brand Stabilo has launched the dr!ver pen range. Designed with sleek style and superior performance, this writing instrument is suitable for both professionals and students to deﬁne and perfect their creative work.

Available in a range of di erent thickness, the Stabilo dr!ver pens are intended for precise lines, idea creation, and structuring work with varying sizes.

The 0.4mm Fine Tip adapts to writing pressure using Stabilo’s proven SENSOR technology, ensuring a smooth, detailed, and ﬂuid writing experience with every stroke. The 0.8mm Medium Tip is perfect for bolder, high-quality writing, underlining, and structuring, making it ideal for both creative tasks and accurate work.

Available in mixed packs and individual bundles, the Stabilo dr!ver pen is not only a tool for writers and artists but a reliable companion for anyone seeking an e ortless writing experience with precision and ﬂair.

Whether you’re jotting down notes, sketching quick designs, or underlining important points, the dr!ver pen ensures ultimate comfort for all uses.

Stand: M206 & M302

Visit: https://www.stabilo.com/uk

ExaClair

Discover the world of Dolce Amore: a sparkling collection of premium stationery items from Clairefontaine that takes you to the heart of Southern Italy. Celebrating a world where colourful and timeless traditions blend with a warm and inviting atmosphere, this selection of luxurious notebooks and desktop accessories features a mix of ﬂoral, striped and citrus motifs that reﬂect a dynamic and contemporary ambience. A convenient cardboard display unit is available to display products from the range.

Stand: M400

Call: 01553 696600

Email: sales@exaclair.co.uk

Visit: https://exaclairlimited.com

Academic options

Collins Debden

Collins Debden will showcase its new collection of mid-year academic diaries. Collaborating for another year with D8 Designs and the Glasgow School of Art, the designs have been created with students and academics in mind, with useful features such as timetables and full year planners. On top of this, the triedand-true core mid-year collections are still available for the next academic year.

The company says: ‘London International Stationery Show is an excellent opportunity for our physical products to be in the hands of buyers, seeing for themselves the quality and construction of a Collins Debden diary.

‘Additionally, as this event allows us to connect with consumers and buyers, we are looking forward to discussing our new designs and hearing meaningful feedback. Join us at the show and discover Collins Debden diaries and stationery.’

Stand: M513

Call: 0141 300 8500

Email: enquiries@collins-debden.co.uk

Visit: https://uk.collinsdebden.com

Paper possibilities

Meraki Notebooks

Meraki Notebooks uses materials sourced from the UK to blend sustainability, design and creativity. The company o ers usable notebooks precisely laser-cut from wood, with a mindful view on wastage.

A unique pattern of cuts forms the brand’s distinctive living hinge, allowing the wood to bend with use. Each product is crafted from recyclable materials. With the brand’s reusable wooden covers, interchangeable inserts and refills, consumers can switch up their style to suit their needs, making it an ideal gifting option.

Inserts are made from 160 pages of luxury Swiss-bound paper, ensuring a premium writing experience. Paper types available include plain, lined and dotted. A wire-bound option is also available. New to the brand, diary inserts transform any Meraki Notebook cover into the perfect practical gift.

Stand: G213

Call: 07792 388002

Email: info@merakinotebooks.co.uk

Visit: www.merakinotebooks.co.uk

Ciao, bella!

Boosting your creative

ExaClair marketing manager Lawrence Savage explores the ‘massive opportunity’ of maximising sales success through art and craft products

With the latest surveys from the ONS (O ce for National Statistics) highlighting how 40% of employees have adopted either a fully remote or hybrid style of working, it’s no real surprise to hear that nearly half of UK businesses now have a wellbeing policy set as an integral part of their overall company strategy.

Furthermore, with the UK handicraft market anticipated to keep growing at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of over 7.73% until 2029, there are now over 19.5 million art and craft enthusiasts across Britain as the number of people seeking to spend more on their leisure activities continues to increase.

In response to these trends, ExaClair (the UK subsidiary of the Exacompta Clairefontaine group) has been focusing on developing a range of creative products through its popular family of art and craft brands, which includes Clairefontaine, Darwi, Cernit, H Dupont, Jacques Herbin, Décopatch and Avenue Mandarine.

“Over 11.7 million consumers now have journalling as a hobby, and with 50% of these aged between 18 and 34, the demand for premium quality notebooks and journals remains high”

As ExaClair marketing manager Lawrence Savage explains: “With around 35% of the UK’s adult population currently partaking in either art or handicraft activities, there is a massive opportunity for retailers to expand their listings of these products, alongside more traditional gifting stationery items.”

He says that thanks to its specialised manufacturing facilities - which include its own paper mills - Exacompta Clairefontaine is the only group in Western Europe to both produce and process its own paper. As well as enhanced quality control, this not only allows it to manufacture 95% of its products within its UK and European locations, but also ultimately ensures that its customers are less exposed to global supply chain volatility, as well as reducing production lead-times.

With the London Stationery Show just around the corner, Exacompta Clairefontaine has been focusing on the upcoming launch of its new ‘Darwi For You’ collection. At the exhibition, which takes place at the Business Design Centre in Islington on May 13 and May 14, the group will showcase (on Stand M400) this comprehensive range of

acrylic paints, brushes and colouring pencils, which are designed to o er a dynamic and fun solution for both beginners and more experienced artists.

The group will also highlight its new selection of MARBEL universal markers. Available in up to 50 colours across six di erent tips, these water-based permanent acrylic markers are extremely versatile.

Plus, its Décopatch papercraft brand - that o ers great creative fun for kids and adults alike - will proﬁle its recently extended collection of papier mâché shapes, which now includes a doll’s house and furniture accessories.

And on display for enthusiasts of traditional writing techniques will be the Jacques Herbin Arabic calligraphy set, which has been developed with the help of professional calligrapher Naria Garcia Masip.

Following the recent amalgamation of the group’s popular Avenue Mandarine and Maildor brands, which are now being promoted under the new ‘My Mandarine’ name, the latest extensions to the Coloridge Wild colouring books and bookmarks range will be available, which feature the illustrations of Emmanuelle Colin.

business

In addition to art and craft ranges, Lawrence notes that with the rise in journalling, it is important for retailers to o er quality notebooks within their listings. “Over 11.7 million consumers now have journalling as a hobby, and with 50% of these aged between 18 and 34, the demand for premium quality notebooks and journals remains high,” he says.

“With this in mind, we have updated our popular range of Clairefontaine collections, and expanded the colour choices throughout our Rhodia branded products - both of which feature the luxurious 90gsm brushed vellum paper that is loved globally.”

ExaClair has also updated its operations so it can o er a more dynamic response to order processing and warehousing. Since developing greater ﬂexibility in distribution logistics, it has consistently achieved a 98% service rate.

By taking such a comprehensive approach to o ering a dedicated customer service, ExaClair is continuing to build

solid customer partnerships while allowing its distributors to maximise proﬁtable sales potential.

Another major factor of the company’s success has been the enhancement of innovative sales and marketing support, which draws on the business’ core product category management expertise.

As Lawrence comments: “Approximately a third of our annual sales have been generated by products launched within the last ﬁve years. By working with individual customers on product listings, we have been able to focus on developing new product lines and POS innovations that stay abreast of modern trends, enabling us to truly fulﬁl end-user demands.

“The evolution of these initiatives has not only resulted in a growing market share across the retail and commercial sectors for ExaClair’s customers, but has boosted its status as o ering the most comprehensive supplier package.”

Oh so cute!

Rustic charm

Joe Davies

With delicately engraved messages celebrating family, friendship, and cherished memories, The Woodland Bloom Notebooks collection is more than just stationery - it’s a sentimental keepsake. Each notebook is adorned with heartfelt quotes dedicated to loved ones, from mums and daughters to friends and grandmothers. The natural wood covers, paired with ﬂoral accents, exude a rustic charm that makes them perfect for heartfelt journalling or thoughtful gifting.

Call: 0161 975 6300

Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk

Visit: www.joedavies.co.uk

SANTORO

‘Furry Notebook’ is the name of this cute stationery item from SANTORO’s Bangoberry collection. Available in two adorable designs - Pally Panda and Piggy Pig - this ultra plushy notebook brings a touch of cuddly charm to any writing adventure. Its playfulness and vibrant colours make it a perfect accessory for young children with big dreams, who also love to write or draw. It’s also a great gift for adults seeking a kitschy-cool, novel stationery product.

Whether jotting down thoughts, creating doodles, or drafting the next masterpiece, its 192-lined pages provide ample space for one’s imagination to roam free. Whatever the occasion, Bangoberry’s ‘Furry Notebook’ will create squeal-appeal wherever it goes!

Call: 0208 7811104

Email: sales@santoro-london.com

Visit: https://santorotrade.com/

Sustainable luxury

VENT for Change

Hot on the heels of the news that VENT for Change’s new Luxury Collection is a ﬁnalist in the Ethical and Sustainable Gift category of the Gift of the Year Awards 2025, the company has been commended in Spring Fair’s 75 Years of Excellence Awards.

At a special ceremony held during the NEC show, VENT for Change was crowned the Most Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Brand for its outstanding contribution and commitment to the gift industry and particularly for its stance on sustainability and social issues.

Founder Evan Lewis comments: “It is fabulous to be recognised for being a leading sustainable and ethical company - as well as for our award-winning sustainable products.”

VENT for Change demonstrates its longstanding and deeply held values by producing all of its notebooks, writing instruments and accessories from reclaimed, recycled and sustainable materials. In addition, its contributions to children’s education projects from every item sold is a clear example of a company with a social philosophy at its core.

Made in Italy from recycled leather and FSC certiﬁed sustainable paper - while also supporting children’s education projects - the Luxury Collection has a lot going for it! The range includes hand-made A4 document/ tablet wallets, A5 wire bound folios, A5 and A6 perfect bound notebooks, and a super cute pen/pencil pouch.

The beautiful minimalistic ﬁnish in Powder Pink and Emerald Green appeals to those that may not normally opt for an eco-friendly option. Branded with VENT for Change’s EDIT and ETHOS designs, the range combines stunning product design and material use with a ordability, quality and a social conscience.

Email: lucy@ventforchange.co.uk | Visit: www.ventforchange.co.uk

Four decades of creative innovation

SANTORO is a boutique design house celebrated for its creativity across the gifts, greeting cards, stationery, and lifestyle markets

Founded in 1985 by entrepreneurs Lucio and Meera Santoro, SANTORO remains family-owned and operated, marking an incredible 40-year milestone in 2025. Over the decades, SANTORO has built a legacy of award-winning innovation, shaping industry trends and pushing the boundaries of the gifting market.

From the very beginning, SANTORO has deﬁed expectations, crafting products that blend artistry with ingenuity. Its groundbreaking approach has led to some iconic pop culture brands in the UK and Europe, with products now sold in more than 90 countries.

In recognition of its continued commitment to innovation, SANTORO has been named a ﬁnalist across multiple prestigious awards this year, celebrating achievements in paper engineering and product innovation.

“The brand’s passion for pushing creative boundaries remains stronger than ever”

SANTORO’s creative journey is deﬁned by a relentless passion for design, always striving to make products that are as visually captivating as they are unique. This year, the company is also celebrating 30 years of paper engineering, marking the occasion with the launch of its latest collections.

Pop N Build, a new range of 3D celebratory centrepieces, brings intricate paper scenes to life, while the celebratory number-birthday Swing Cards elevate milestone moments with stunning dimensional designs. These collections embody SANTORO’s signature attention to detail and imaginative craftsmanship, proving that the brand’s passion for pushing creative boundaries remains stronger than ever.

At its core, SANTORO’s mission has never wavered: to create beautiful things. Every design is meticulously

crafted by a team of passionate creatives, ensuring that each product carries a distinct artistic touch. As a familyrun business, the personal involvement of its founders fuels an uncompromising dedication to originality.

The SANTORO team doesn’t take shortcuts - it embraces complexity, innovates boldly, and remains committed to producing designs that surprise and delight customers over and over again.

With four decades of creativity behind it and an exciting future ahead, SANTORO continues to redeﬁne the art of paper and product design. Whether through intricate popup creations, iconic character brands, or luxurious lifestyle accessories, the brand remains a driving force in the industry, proving that true innovation never stands still.

Call: 020 87811104

Email: sales@santoro-london.com

Visit: https://santorotrade.com/

“We

love a new

Clare Turner chats to Angela Jones, owner/director of Lily Blue Gifts in the West Midlands village of Hagley, which is celebrating its 12th birthday this year

What’s your career background?

Sales, telecommunications, and holidays! My ﬁrst sales job was with Vodapage - a subsidiary of Vodafone - selling pagers to corporate account holders across the West and East Midlands.

Back in the early 1990s after having children, I went to work for a small business owner selling holiday weeks in British-owned villas in Florida. Orientation trips were great fun! I then worked in the education sector, ending with a business manager role.

Why did you decide to move into gift retailing?

A chance stroll down my local high street led to a leap into independent retail. I took over the reins of Lily Blue Gifts in November 2013, with no experience of how to operate a till, let alone any experience of the retail sector! But, with a sink-or-swim attitude and a keen eye to create something new in a great location, a very steep learning curve began.

We’re in the centre of Hagley: a busy large village that comes under the West Midlands but is right on the Worcestershire border, just outside Stourbridge and eight miles from Bromsgrove.

We’re lucky to share the footprint of our shop and one entrance with a neighbouring café. This naturally draws customers to both businesses and we work well together - often in collaboration - o ering crossbusiness incentives.

How would you describe your range?

It’s a good mix of well-respected brands such as Jellycat, Inis - Fragrances of Ireland, and Five Dollar Shake, and some lesser-known brands from home and away including Boltze (Germany), Peppermint Grove (Australia) and Dansk (Denmark).

What are your key categories? Homeware, accessories, jewellery, greeting cards, and giftwrap.

Who are your key suppliers?

Gallery Direct , Coach House , One World , East of India , Gisela Graham , Boltze , St. Eval , Katie Loxton , Powder Designs , Chalk Clothing , One Hundred Stars , Envy Jewellery , Alice Wheeler London , Inis - Fragrances of Ireland , Five Dollar Shake , Belly Button Designs , Glick, Museums & Galleries , and Jellycat

“Spring brings with it a new colour palette across the shop, and we all enjoy seeing the change in-store”

How do you find products?

Rep visits are few and far between these days, as we have worked closely with our key brands for over 10 years now. New season meetings happen, but day-today orders are mostly made online.

Trade shows are great to catch up with multiple suppliers and occasionally source something new. I regularly visit Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair, Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival, Spring Fair and Autumn Fair. In the past I’ve attended Ambiente, Top Drawer and Progressive Greetings Live.

Trade magazines can also open up new avenues. It’s very interesting to see what other independent retailers are selling and where their successes come

from - while not always suitable for the Lily Blue customer, it’s nevertheless inspiring. We’re always learning from fellow indies!

What’s your selection criteria? Quality, price, and something di erent. We always keep our customers in mind when sourcing.

What’s proving popular at the moment?

We’re a very new stockist of Jellycat. Who knew an aubergine, carrot or grumpy turtle could prove so popular?! Quality clothing brands are also doing well. Chalk Clothing and One Hundred Stars o er wardrobe updates at great prices.

Our perennial top ﬁve sellers are Coach House’s home décor pieces, Five Dollar Shake’s greeting cards (large and standard sizes alike), Chalk Clothing’s wardrobe classics at a ordable prices, Envy Jewellery’s fashion-led pieces, and East of India’s Porcelain Hearts.

What are some of your new arrivals?

Books from Bookspeed: a great gift for all, especially the men! And bath & body products from Wanderﬂower. Sourced on Faire at great prices and with eye-catching packaging, these are gift winners for sure.

What’s on your counter/by the till?

Gift tokens, East of India’s small Porcelain Hearts with sentiments on, Compton & Clarke’s handmade pewter gifts (a good addition to any greeting card purchase), and seasonal chocolates and lollies from House of Sarunds , Creme d’Or and Bon Bon’s Gourmet

What are you most excited about stocking for S/S25?

Everything! Across all sectors, we love a new

season”

season. As a small village shop, we rely heavily on repeat business and customer loyalty, so we like to raise expectations for our customers too. Spring brings with it a new colour palette across the shop, and we all enjoy seeing the change in-store.

How do you get the word out there?

We’re active on social media, particularly Instagram, with a good following of organic interested followers. We aim to post daily stories about new stock or events. We also have seasonal open events, which take place both in-store and in the community.

Our Autumn Style Event, held last September in Hagley Community Centre, was a huge successboth in reaching a new audience and boosting preChristmas sales.

We hosted this evening function with another local small business: a neighbouring fashion boutique called The Backroom. Rather than feel like we’re in competition, we actively look for collaborations, with the aim of drawing new customers to our village’s high street.

There was a fashion show and talks about styling and putting outﬁts together, with questions from the ﬂoor encouraged. The most popular session was led by our team member Jo, who demonstrated various ways to style scarves. Afterwards, all fashions showcased were on sale, and we sold out of scarves (from Chalk Clothing, Powder Designs and Dreams of London) that night!

This was a ticketed event - with a glass of prosecco included on arrival - which raised a total of £800 for a local charity: Lviv Aid - Supporting Ukraine Lives, which supplies ambulances for the frontline in Ukraine.

Do you offer any services?

We wrap every gift in tissue with a curling ribbon and a branded sticker. We also o er gift vouchers and are looking to reintroduce a greeting card loyalty scheme in the spring.

What’s next for your business?

We entered this year as the only surviving independent gift shop on our high street. We hope this will bring new customers and, as is our norm, we like to engage with all our customers at the start of the year and ask them what they like about our past o erings and about Lily Blue in general and, if they had free rein, what would they change?

This opens a great dialogue and while some wishes cannot be granted (potato mashers and ice cream, for example!), we do like to hear and consider all input.

Physically, we plan a refresh both inside and outside, with new planting and new internal displays - always changing displays keeps everyone engaged.

It’s been a tough few years but despite some new economic challenges coming our way, I’m quietly optimistic for 2025. Cautious consolidation of great brands has placed us in a good spot for growth. Well, that’s the hope!

We have a great team and they are keen to get out there with Lily Blue, so pop-up events are on our watchlist to explore as a new venture.

What’s the most rewarding and challenging aspect of your job? The people. The shop can be full to bursting some days and sometimes that’s great (I love a good chat!), and other times challenging.

We often refer to a Lily Blue visit as being like an episode of [ITV lunchtime chat show] ‘Loose Women’. But I take great pride in the fact that so many people feel they can pop in anytime and see a friendly face, and they can - if they want or need to - share their joys and troubles with us, safe in the knowledge that “what happens in Lily Blue stays in Lily Blue”!

Do you have a favourite gift?

That’s easy… I love a great candle. My absolute favourite is Winter Thyme from St. Eval.

Top 5 Best Sellers

‘A vibrant gift showcase’

Retailers

can explore top gift brands, trend insights, and exclusive show incentives at Exclusively Housewares, which will be held in London on June 10 and June 11

The eagerly anticipated Exclusively Show returns to the Business Design Centre in Islington on June 10 and June 11, with an impressive lineup of giftware brands and industry-leading trend insights. With exhibitor space already 100% sold out, Exclusively 2025 promises a vibrant showcase of must-have products for gift retailers.

Gift-focused exhibitors span key categories such as tableware, kitchenware, and small domestic electricals, featuring new exhibitors such as Selbrae House (beautifully crafted home and giftware), Beamfeature (stylish, a ordable home textiles), Hamilton Beach (kitchen appliances), Home & Linens (home textiles), Kleine Wolke (German specialist in bathroom textiles), JVL Homeware Solutions (practical household solutions), Frank Green (reusable cups and bottles), Victorinox (Swiss army knives and cutlery), Keter (storage solutions for home and garden), Circular & Co (reusable cups and accessories to reduce waste), Gtech (cordless home and garden appliances), and Japanese Knife Company (precision-made knives).

“This year’s event is a must-attend for giftware buyers”

These exhibitors will be alongside returning brands including Museums & Galleries, Denby, Portmeirion, Bodum, ABS Pottery, Minky, International Cookware & Pyrex, Aarke, Barista & Co, Zero Water, and Premier Housewares.

To maximise their experience, retailers can take advantage of exclusive show incentives. These include travel cost reimbursements of up to £75 for visitors from outside a 50-mile radius, a limited number of free hotel stays for multiple and overseas buyers, and an independent retailer gift voucher worth £100 redeemable against orders of £300 or more placed at the show.

Additionally, all visitors will be treated to a complimentary two-course lunch, and

are invited to the Tuesday (June 10) evening drinks reception, which is an excellent networking opportunity.

A key highlight of Exclusively 2025 is its renowned Trends Showcase, providing a glimpse into major consumer trends for 2026 and beyond. Curated by trend forecasting agency Scarlet Opus, this feature will highlight emerging themes, colors, and materials set to shape the industry.

Retailers and buyers can also book guided trend tours, o ering expert insights into the most commercially promising products on display. Meanwhile, the newly rebranded Press & Inﬂuencer Area will present a curated selection of standout products, live demonstrations, and exclusive brand interviews.

Will Jones, chief operating o cer of BHETA and chair of the BHETA-owned Exclusively Show, comments: “Exclusively is the deﬁnitive event for retailers seeking the latest trends and market opportunities.

“With a diverse range of exhibitors, trend insights, and unbeatable show o ers, this year’s event is a must-attend for giftware buyers. Whether you’re a large retailer, an independent specialist, or an overseas buyer, Exclusively 2025 provides the ultimate platform to source new products and stay ahead in the industry.”

What: Exclusively Show

Where: Business Design Centre, Islington, London

When: June 10-11

Call: 0121 237 1130

Email: info@exclusivelyhousewares.co.uk

Visit: www.exclusivelyshows.co.uk

Up the garden

Over the past few years, more and more garden centres have realised the potential of giftware - and have been expanding their o erings to capitalise on this compelling and proﬁtable product category. Gifts Today ﬁnds out more...

COFFEE BREAK

SClare Turner takes a break with Peter Burks, CEO of The Garden Centre Association (GCA), to discuss why it’s important for garden centres to stock products beyond just plants

Many garden centres are moving to giftware. How has this trend evolved?

The move is part of a process for garden centres to be attractive to customers for 12 months of the year, and whatever the weather. Traditional gardening is for just three to four months - and you can’t shop the outside areas when it’s wet.

This process has been going on for many years but recent trends have included the signiﬁcant improvement of garden centre buildings from greenhouses to purpose-built retail shops, so the ranges and particularly the visual merchandising standards have improved dramatically. How important are gifts to garden centres’ overall product mix?

Gifts including Christmas contribute 15% of total sales for a garden centre and tend to be a steady sales ﬁgure throughout the year, until the Christmas sales kick in.

path…

for beautiful, high-quality gifts that complement a love for nature, whether it’s for themselves or as a thoughtful present,” she says. “Our 3D Pop Up collections perform well in garden centres. Designs featuring botanical illustrations, blooming florals, and nature-inspired elements capture the attention of customers looking for something truly special. These cards aren’t just regular greeting cards either - they’re display pieces, perfect for those who love nature, gardening, or simply a touch of art in their home.

“Our collection of floral-themed 3D pop-up cards aligns beautifully with the garden centre aesthetic. They offer effortless gifting appeal, and are compact yet eye-catching. These cards turn into stunning paper sculptures, making them an ideal choice for customers looking for a thoughtful, artistic gift with a nature-inspired twist. More importantly, they’ll never wilt and will last a lifetime!”

So, are there any trends in this sector that we can look out for? “In garden centres we’ve seen a real move towards gifts with a purpose, “ says Joe Davies’ David Cree. “Gifts for the home are particularly strong, with our range of Clematis Garden vases being a real favourite. People are also entertaining more from home and in the garden in particular. So we find that anything with a LED in sells well.”

The Straits Trading Co. customer care manager Sophie Aldred has also noticed an increase in demand for light-up products, both batterypowered and solar items. As she remarks: “Anything to stretch out warm summer nights in the garden!”

In fact, garden centres are a leading growth sector for Straits. She says that for 2025, there has already been a substantial increase in sales order value for garden centre customers, compared with the full year 2024.

And Sophie believes that seasonal décor is an area that is set to grow. She says: “This trend is perfectly suited to the garden sector, particularly for autumn and winter, when these customers can experience a drop in footfall.”

Also, she suggests that embracing seasonal themes, such as Halloween, “is a great way to entice the consumer to continue visiting in the colder months”.

Another hot trend highlighted by several suppliers is sustainability.

Gillian Marchbank, managing director of contemporary eyewear specialist Opticaid, asserts that sustainability, along with the origin and

production methods of products, is becoming more important to garden centre customers.

She says: “For reading glasses, which are targeted at the 40-plus age group, it’s the younger segment of this demographic that is particularly seeking greater transparency regarding product sourcing and manufacturing.” And she forecasts that personalised gifts, as well as products related to outdoor living and wellbeing, will increase in popularity.

Over at SANTORO, Tara Strickland comments: “We’re seeing a strong shift towards sustainable, reusable, and keepsake gifts. Customers are looking for cards that double as décor, creating lasting memories beyond a simple message.”

Evan Lewis, founder of sustainable stationery supplier VENT for Change, concurs. He says: “Generally there’s a trend for more stationery and writing instruments within the gifting sections, as well as sustainably sourced materials and ethical production - which is perfect for VENT. We are doing particularly well with garden centres with our collections made from natural and organic materials.” A case in point is the Sucseed collection, made using reclaimed kiwi, coffee beans, cherry and lavender waste. And he is launching an Orchard Notes collection of notebooks and sticky notes made from apple paper for Easter.

Finally, CAHM’s Amy Hogarth notes: “We’re seeing a continued rise in the sales of our reed diffuser refills as consumers become increasingly environmentally conscious. We predict this will only continue, as customers look for products that create as little impact to the environment as possible.”

For little ones Blade and Rose

Blade and Rose, the award-winning children’s fashion brand known for its fun and vibrant designs, has announced the launch of its latest collections. The new releases include charming designs for little ones, with a much anticipated Highland Cow in neutral collection, a partnership with WWF celebrating nature, as well as new pieces from Miffy and Paddington.

For fans of rustic charm, the Neutral Highland Cow Collection includes leggings, tops, rompers and socks in a soft, neutral colour palette. This adorable range also marks the introduction of new adult-sized socks, allowing parents to join in the fun while adding a touch of the Highlands to their wardrobe.

A must-have for eco-conscious families, the WWF Sea Turtle & Giant Panda Collection is a celebration of two of the world’s most loved endangered species: the sea turtle and the giant panda. The leggings, tops, and socks showcase nature-inspired designs, with a portion of proceeds supporting the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to help protect these precious animals. Call: 01539 730880 | Email: wholesale@bladeandrose.co.uk Visit: www.bladeandrose.co.uk

Alexander Thurlow

Dobbies Garden Centre

Classic Canes

Buyer’s eye

Four leading garden centre retailers reveal what’s in and what’s next for their Spring/Summer gift merchandise mix

Emma Davis Group Buyer

British Garden Centres

72 stores across England and Wales

Our gift mix comprises home fragrance, toiletries, jewellery, collections, homeware, cards and toys. Collections are doing well, with Wrendale Designs having a strong start. I think their consistency of bringing new items into most seasons’ changes helps keep them fresh. Jellycat is also proving strong, especially with the seasonal edits they do, such as Valentine’s and Easter.

For S/S25, some of our ranges where we’ve had initial success in a few of our centres will be widened into more centres, so we’re looking forward to seeing growth here. Lesser & Pavey’s Bug Art range worked very well at the end of 2024, so we’re aiming to expand on this. Freckleface is a strong brand for us, along with The Country Candle Co. , and both are expanding into more of our centres for 2025, as well as Belly Button Designs’ gifting and stationery.

I think having Mother’s Day and Easter slightly later this year will really help us to hopefully have a positive start to 2025.

Kim Barr

Company

director

Woodlands Garden Centre

Sevenoaks

Kent

Our gifts range from birth to 100! We stock a wide assortment including jewellery, clothing and fashion accessories, special occasion gifts, candles and diffusers, stationery, greeting cards and wrap, baby gifts, children’s books, toys and games, and food and drink gifts.

Since introducing Jellycat, it’s been selling incredibly well for us. Fashion and accessories are also performing well. We stock ranges from Katie Loxton and Accessories by Park Lane, and recently received our spring stock. It’s lovely to see the new colours in-store, and they’re already proving popular. Wrendale Designs continues to do well too: we have a wide range including cards, stationery, plush, baby, and homeware.

Rosie Made A Thing is the latest addition to the gift department, and is already selling well. We stock a range of gifts and stationery including mugs, aprons and magnetic notepads. We’ve also expanded our home and kitchenware range with a recent delivery of wooden trays, paddle boards and bowls from Candlelight

Hayley Ker

Homeware Buyer

Dobbies Garden Centres

53 stores across the UK

Our core ranges of occasion gifting and home fragrance are key focuses of our merchandise mix. Our new range of pick-and-mix wax melts and gift sets are popular choices with customers.

Mother’s Day is a key focus for us right now. Our gifting range is bigger and better than ever this year. Our ‘Best Mum Ever’ LED candle and ‘Fabulous Mum’ wine glasses are current bestsellers.

Easter has also arrived in stores and the gifting range is performing strongly - particularly our variety of wooden decorations, ceramic bunny baskets for serving treats, an Easter wreath, and even a bunny ear cushion.

The wedding season is kicking into gear and we’re prepared with our new Wedding Theme range which features a wide selection of wedding party gifts and home fragrance.

This year marks a significant milestone as we celebrate 160 years of helping British gardeners to grow, so we’ve introduced our new Heritage range: an exclusive floral design running across a range of textiles and gifting products. The design comes from a 1906 Dobbies seed packet and we shared a number of colourways and designs with our customers to gauge what would drive interest and sales.

Laura Matheson Head of Retail

St Peters Garden Centre

Worcester

We have a wide mix of products in our gifting range. Firm favourites like Jellycat and Gisela Graham have had a great start to the year. And we’ve taken on new and exciting suppliers like Portland Living: its on-trend designs and keen price points has been an excellent addition.

We’re expanding our wellbeing and bath & body range which is proving a big hit. New companies like Salt + Steam and long-term favourites like The Somerset Toiletry Company are keeping us up to date and on trend.

Our clothing and fashion have seen an uplift in sales thanks to a bigger accessories range. We’ve added companies such as Okkia sunglasses, Ashwood Leathers , and Butterfly scarves, which have been hugely successful.

Within core gifting, Wrendale Designs, Jellycat, Freckleface and Inis - Fragrances of Ireland are customer favourites. Self-gifting really is an ever-growing trend, and we’re focusing on that in every category.

For us, the spring season is hugely exciting. The entire store changes and bursts into colour and life as we await the sunshine. I’m looking forward to the bold prints and pastel colours that were on all the stands at trade shows. Gifting is such a fun and exciting product range to buy for!

From birds to bears

Garden centre customers are very important to artisan crystal gifts and collectables brand Wild Things, as founder Jules Vahrman explains

ild Things founder Jules Vahrman says: “As many of our gifts are nature-themed and a ordable, they are extremely popular with garden centre visitors. So we always have garden centres in mind when we are developing new products and displays.”

The company o ers a range of said displays, from its ﬂagship self-lit boothwith its rotating display - to wall, counter and ﬂoor displays.

From ‘fabulous ﬂoral suncatchers’ to crystal window ornaments featuring trees, cats, birds, animals and more, virtually all of its ranges are ideally suited to garden centres, with the Classic Crystal Guardian Angels proving particularly popular.

However, Wild Things’ fastest-selling product of 2024 was its Pretty Little Birds range. These handmade, hand-painted glass birds, embellished with 24 carat gold paint and featuring a sparkly crystal heart (with a £9.99 rrp) were a

Jule says that following on from their success, Wild Things launched Pretty Little Kitties, which come in six colourways. With the success of Pretty Little Birds, and shops running out of stock so quickly, it was obvious that a larger

He comments: “We showed our new ﬂoor spinner at the Giving & Living show [which took place at Westpoint, Exeter in January], and immediately realised we needed to put in a big order with our supplier. This thing works!”

The display holds 144 products and has 12 hooks at the top to display product

And soon to come is a range of Happy Little Bears. “We’re really excited about this one,” he says. “We showed o some samples at Spring Fair - and took so many pre-orders. They are just so charming.”

The Bears will be available in 12 di erent colours, individually boxed, and each with a di erent sentiment.

Jules concludes: “Wild Things Gifts is constantly working on new product ranges and, of course, many are in the pipeline as we speak. Watch this space!”

supplier snapshot

Gifts Today spoke to two home fragrance suppliers to find out their thoughts on the garden centre gifts scene

Darren Ellis Managing and Creative Director

Manor House Home Fragrance

Have you found there is increased demand for gifts suitable for garden centres?

We have gained more garden centres each year, as the wide range of products we can supply gives them a great choice of fragrances. We currently have 33 fragrances, and a garden centre can also stock our diffusers, room sprays, and scented botanical candles, and then add in our beautiful pot pourris - which naturally always sell well in garden centres. Then Christmas brings a much wider choice, which can include our scented pine cones and matching refresher oils. Do you have specific ranges that do well in garden centres?

We find English Pear & Freesia, Fresh Linen, Lavender Garden, Lime Basil Mandarin, Nectarine Blossom, and Peony & Blushed Suede are some of the most popular fragrances for garden centres. Most will then select pot pourri (in either boxes or bags), diffusers, room sprays, refresher/burning oils, and botanical candles as the main part of their range.

If a garden centre only had room for one product or range, what would you recommend?

Some only stock our pot pourris, as these are so unique and not easily available elsewhere. This sets us apart from other home fragrance suppliers, as we all produce diffusers, candles etc. So garden centres often have a standalone display of our pot pourris, especially come Christmas time.

Amy Hogarth Founder & Director CAHM

Anything you are working on for this sector?

With our new launches of Cherry Smoke, Santal Blush, Vetiver Amber, and Wisteria - which brings our offering up to a total of 33 fragrances - we are not ready to launch anything until Autumn. We are currently having fragrance samples created for us.

Call: 01359 250720

Email: sales@manorhousehomefragrance.co.uk

Visit: www.manorhousehomefragrance.co.uk

Have you found there is increased demand for gifts suitable for garden centres?

We have definitely found a common ground with garden centre customers. We’re doing particularly well in garden centres with a high-end gifting offering. A great example is our relationship with Homegrown Garden Centre in Gartcosh, just outside Glasgow. It’s a treasure trove of plants, high-end homeware and, of course, great home fragrance. I love working with homeware buying manager Janice Harvey and we communicate often to ensure they are kept stocked up, especially with our bestselling fragrance Amalfi Coast, which does particularly well in this store. Do you have specific ranges that do well in garden centres?

Maybe it’s something about the natural lagurus grass ‘bunny tails’ that adorn the luxury reed diffusersCAHM’s bestselling product - that speak to garden centre customers. But whatever the reason, they’re certainly growing in popularity, and sitting pretty amongst the already sweet-smelling flowers in garden centres across the UK.

Anything you are working on for this sector?

We recently relaunched our packaging, introducing

a pop of colour across our ranges of diffusers and candles to update shelf appeal, while retaining its classic look. Working with businesses like Booths, we are now retail-ready for larger stores that utilise barcoding and distribution warehouses.

2025 sees the launch of new fragrances, and an improved festive offering launching later in the year. We will be exhibiting at Home & Gift in July, and Autumn Fair in September. For our latest trade brochure, email trade@thecahmcollective.com.

Call: 0113 824 6109

Email: trade@thecahmcollective.com

Visit: www.thecahmcollective.com

Ready to go!

Ginger Betty

Ginger Betty o ers a range of compact and attractive CDUs. They are supplied all made up and ready to go, with no complicated assembly. Ginger Betty makes them for you! The range comprises CDUs stocked with notebooks, stationery, bookmarks, keepsake cards, wooden plaques and pin badges. The products are all made in the UK, and all board and wood is sustainably sourced.

The 96-page lined notebooks are perfect to pop in a handbag, for a personal buy or to purchase as a gift, as the small captions are cute and relatable.

There are 12 wooden bookmark designs, each with a book related/friendship caption. They make a lovely gift for book lovers, friends and family, and complement the company’s greeting card o ering. Plus,

the wood is a nice thickness - not too thick, and each one is uniquely shaped.

For keepsake cards, there’s a choice of 54 designs, and 20 ﬁt into the CDU. These small wallet-sized cards come with an envelope and have lovely messages for friends and family, and words of encouragement and kindness.

The wooden plaques are in two di erent sizes. The larger ones have space to write a personal message on the reverse. The smaller ones can be used as gift tags, and ﬁt perfectly around the neck of a bottle of ﬁzz to make it extra special!

Call: 01706 557285

Email: hello@gingerbetty.co.uk

Visit: www.gingerbetty.co.uk

40 years of quality gifts

The Milford Collection

The Milford Collection is celebrating 40 years of supplying quality gifts at a ordable prices. Established in 1985 by managing director David Blower, The Milford Collection was initially involved in selling Welsh woollens to the Northeastern Seaboard and Midwest regions of the US, attending trade fairs in the cities of New York, Boston and Chicago.

Over time, Milford moved into contract packing and became one of the largest pot pourri manufacturers in the UK. But David soon realised that this was a high volume, low margin market, so he quietly moved to developing his own branded products to sell directly to retailers.

The family business is now run by David and his son John, who has been instrumental in overseeing the recent growth in the company. In 2018 they acquired Animo Glass, and now Milford

has its own bespoke workshop in Mid Wales where it produces high-quality etched glass. In 2022, they bought the Pure by Coppercraft business when the former owners retired and more recently in December, they acquired Lila Jewellery from Frank Ross Limited.

These product ranges sit alongside its ever popular ‘Festive Home’ range, including Milford’s Scented Pine Cones which you will see in most garden centres over the Christmas period. John has also recently developed the ‘Original Bug Band’ brand which includes the ‘Bug Band’ and ‘Tent Scents’which is a ﬁnalist in the Garden and Outdoors category of the Gift of the Year Awards 2025.

Milford recently launched ‘Milford Ceramic Art’: a range of high-quality, eye-catching ceramic coasters which has created a huge amount of interest since its debut at Spring Fair.

The company is determined to continue developing more popular, innovative and quality product ranges to become a one-stopshop for quality gifts at a ordable prices.

Call: 01686 629919

Email: john@milfordcollection.com

Visit: www.milfordcollection.com

Petite

Fresh arrivals for spring living

Spruce up the home and garden with new spring collections of nature-inspired gifts from Something Di erent Wholesale

Delight green-fingered customers with beautiful, nature-inspired gifts from Something Different Wholesale. From garden pond prints to sunny motifs, these exclusive collections burst with uplifting colour palettes, bringing life to both home and garden.

Whether it’s a thoughtful gift for a keen gardener, or a decorative piece to brighten patios and windowsills, now is the perfect time to refresh your stock with unique new designs that your customers will love.

Pond Dipping

The Pond Dipping collection captures the tranquillity of garden ponds, featuring stunning pink water lilies, lush green foliage, and vibrant orange koi. This elegant range evokes a sense of serenity and calm, making it perfect for nature lovers. From beautifully illustrated stationery and delicate dragonﬂy jewellery to mesmerising frog backﬂow incense burners, each piece brings a touch of nature’s peaceful beauty into everyday life.

Summer Sunﬂower

Add a cheerful touch to the home with the Summer Sunflower collection. Brimming with warmth and positivity, this vibrant range

Call: 01792 940288

makes a thoughtful gift for brightening a loved one’s day. From sunflower-shaped candles and stylish drinkware to radiant home accessories, each piece captures the warm, golden glow of sunshine.

Golden Hour

Inspired by the rich, earthy hues of the Mediterranean, the Golden Hour collection blends terracotta tones with muted golds, accented by elegant golden sun prints. This beautifully curated range includes candles, jewellery, plant pots, and decorative plaquesperfect for creating a modern and cosy home.

Carrot Patch

For a fun and fresh take on spring décor, the Carrot Patch collection is sure to grow on you! Featuring quirky carrot-themed home and garden accessories, this playful range is a must-have for horticulture enthusiasts. With charming plant pots, framed signs, and berry baskets, these cheerful designs bring a timeless seasonal touch to Easter celebrations.

These featured collections are in stock and ready to ship! Explore more than 4,000 exclusively designed products at www.somethingdi erentwholesale.co.uk.

Email: customercare@somethingdi erentwholesale.co.uk

Visit: www.somethingdi erentwholesale.co.uk

Magical gifting in 2025

The magic trend is making its mark on the world of gifting, and Charlie Bears passionately believes that every present should include a dragon…

The allure of all things magical is stronger than ever. From the resurgence of nostalgic fantasy ﬁlms, to the unexpected ways magic has woven itself into wellness, fashion and more, the mystical world is here to stay.

When it comes to gifting, creature comforts are always a winner. So in 2025, ensure you’re gifting a dragon! In this enchanting era, the world of Charlie Bears o ers the perfect way to bring that magic into your gifting selections. From babies to the young at heart, the company’s plush o erings are designed to spark joy and create lasting memories.

Cuddle Cubs: a dragon for every age

Soot and Lantern are pocket-sized plush dragons that are as cute as they are cuddly. These adorable characters are just two of the latest additions to the Cuddle Cubs by Charlie Bears brand.

They are suitable from birth and come with the reassurance of being machine washable. The countertop point of sale is bright, engaging andmatched with a great price point - makes these mini plush creations a must.

Bear & Me: the softest cuddles

The pastel hues and super soft plush of Bear & Me by Charlie Bears make this brand the perfect gift for newborns and little ones. Amongst the characters that are new for 2025 are two cuddly dragons in soft lavender and cloudy grey, as well as a unicorn in ballet slipper pink.

“Creature comforts are always a winner“

Bearhouse: a mythical world

For collectors and those who want something truly magical, Bearhouse by Charlie Bears is where the fantastical meets the exquisite. The debut launch from the brand - which was previously a collection from the iconic bears with personalities brand, Charlie Bears - features five remarkable dragons, each named after one of a magician’s greatest tools: a deck of playing cards.

These dragons aren’t just plush toys; they are meticulously crafted, each with unique details that bring their personalities to life. Whether it’s their fluffy dragon fur, the horns that adorn their backs, or their legs that swing as they sit proudly on a shelf, these dragons are full of charm and wonder.

Each of these five dragons sits comfortably together, looking like the cutest dragon family - ready to be adopted and cherished. Their designs are full of magical charm, making them perfect for anyone who enjoys a little touch of whimsy in their lives.

The

Dragon is the Star

The magic trend is not just a passing fancy; it’s a movement that touches all aspects of life, and it’s making its mark on the world of gifting.

With the Bearhouse by Charlie Bears dragons, the irresistibly cute Cuddle Cubs, and the mythical creations from Bear & Me, there’s a dragon for every person you need to gift. If you’re gifting in 2025, make it magicaland make it a dragon.

Get a grip!

Classic Canes

Walking stick expert Classic Canes specialises in gifts that are both pretty and practical. Its heightadjustable folding canes are designed in-house with British garden centres and gift shops firmly in mind. Easily displayed on slatwall or similar, they fit well with other gift ranges with designs such as ladybirds, bees, songbirds and British wildflowers. All Classic Canes folding canes are now available with price reductions of 20% or more due to the company’s relocation clearance sale.

Call: 01460 75686

Email: info@classiccanes.co.uk

Visit: www.classiccanes.co.uk

Force of nature

VENT for Change

VENT for Change, the award-winning sustainable stationery supplier that both protects the planet and supports children’s education projects worldwide, has launched a new collection.

Made from sustainable apple paper, Orchard Notes includes A5 soft covered notebooks and mini sticky note blocks. Reclaimed organic apple waste collected from food and drinks processors is mixed with FSC certiﬁed paper and card to create a stunning ﬁnish - and intriguing story.

VENT for Change has brought production forward following an overwhelmingly positive response at Spring Fair. Founder Evan Lewis explains: “We only intended to give our retailers a sneak preview at Spring Fair, but the reaction was so strong that we’ve brought forward the launch from Autumn to Easter.”

Orchard Notes is available in contemporary colour combinations of soft pink and pale green, with simple yet stylish illustrations that reﬂect the materials used.

Email: lucy@ventforchange.co.uk | Visit: www.ventforchange.co.uk

On display

Joe Davies

Glazed pottery has a long history in gardening, dating back centuries to ancient civilizations, but modernday deco glazed pots take this age-old concept to a whole new level. These pots are distinguished by their glossy, smooth ﬁnish, often enhanced by vibrant colours, patterns, and artistic designs. They make a statement in any garden or home setting, transforming a humble plant into a visual centrepiece. Call: 0161 975 6300

Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk

Visit: www.joedavies.co.uk

Botanical beauty

Alexander Thurlow

One of the beauties of flowers is that there are so many varieties to be found in nature and, with that, there will always be opportunities for Alexander Thurlow’s range of floral jewellery to grow. Its latest o ering is a selection of botanic-inspired designs which includes new designs of Orchids, Jasmine Mango, Giant Lilies, Water Lilies, and a Bird of Paradise flower - which add great impact with wonderful colours and amazing intricate designs.

The company has a new look to build on its brand’s well-respected name and established history. This includes new design presentation cards and a new logo. The cards o er a cleaner and more sophisticated presentation of the jewellery, while staying true to their desire to remain environmentally accountable, while the rebrand is bringing the ATLondon Jewels and Love Nature Love Flowers brands together, to celebrate Alexander Thurlow.

Visit the website to explore the new arrivals as well as ﬁrm favourites including Irises, Bluebells and Snowdrops, to get your shop ready for spring.

Call: 020 8766 6466

Email: sales@alexanderthurlow.com

Visit: www.alexanderthurlow/trade

In the frame

Opticaid

Remaldi reading glasses are Opticaid’s best-selling garden centre range and this season is no exception. Designed as a self-select product, Remaldi readers are popular for their versatility, with customers often buying multiple pairs to place them conveniently around the home, match di erent outﬁts, or create new looks.

Stockists typically carry 15 to 20 styles from a selection of over 140 frames, including options for women and men, as well as unisex designs. The frames range from classic to contemporary, in bestselling browns and blacks to bold hues. Popular models include the 1970s-inspired Hampton in mid-tones, Fiskardo in animal print, blonde and pink, as well as trending aviators such as Barnes, bold Hemel and hexagonal Swansea. All reading glasses are supplied with a soft recycled fabric case.

Opticaid o ers complimentary ﬂoor display stands with qualifying initial orders. Call: 0113 239 1400 | Email: sales@opticaid.net

Visit: https://www.opticaid.net

Farewell to the trade…

As walking stick specialist Classic Canes changes hands, managing director Charlotte Gillan reminisces about 42 years of her family business

Our family business Classic Canes had an unusual start. In the late 1970s, my parents Ben and Diana Porter bought a ruined house in Somerset. While they were rebuilding the property, they discovered that the surrounding woodland was naturally growing ash and hazel: suitable raw material for walking sticks.

They sold the wood to the Coopers walking stick factory, which at that time was manufacturing wooden sticks at Godalming in Surrey. On a visit to the factory in 1982, my mother saw the company’s finished products, and bought £450-worth to offer to local shopkeepers in Somerset.

The early range was quite limited to crooks, derbys, and long, country sticks. In those days, sticks were mostly very plain and there were few designed especially for women.

“Times are changing, as they always are, but we will be sad to leave the industry”

Before the internet, finding a new supplier meant a trip to the County Library in Taunton to search their directories. And before digital printing, the costs and minimum order quantities of printed materials such as business cards and price lists were very significant for start-up businesses. Orders had to be written by hand on triplicate pads, and added up manually.

When my father saw how well my mother’s little business was doing, he joined her in expanding the company. Long-standing customers will remember choosing their sticks from the back of his van. I would often accompany him during school holidays and have happy memories of gift shop owners pressing boxes of fudge into my hands during our visits to their stores.

Classic Canes attended its first Spring Fair in the 1990s, which in those days was enormous: over 20 halls of the NEC and a lengthy waiting list for exhibitors. When offered a last-minute cancellation, we prepared a stand at two weeks’ notice, with my mother running up a cloth backdrop on her sewing machine.

On a 1990s trip to Japan, my mother noticed elegant, patterned canes with smaller handles for ladies on sale in the department stores, and introduced the first

models of this type to the UK market. They took off, and patterned ladies’ canes soon developed into a company speciality. “Ooh, I wish I needed a stick,” people would say when they saw our range at trade fairs. This was music to our ears after all our hard work to persuade people to view walking sticks in a positive way.

I returned to the business in 2003, having worked in luxury goods marketing. I felt strongly that we needed to brand the products ‘Classic Canes’ so the public could identify and ask for our sticks. It was a good decision, as it elevated Classic Canes from being an ordinary seller of sticks to being a prestigious brand that retailers were proud to stock.

One of the most fulfilling tasks for me at Classic Canes has been the design side: creating new walking stick patterns in particular, so we could have precisely what our market needed. I also greatly enjoyed creating the catalogues, particularly the ‘lifestyle’ photography that showed people using walking sticks as fashionable accessories. This was very important in breaking down the stigma that was associated with mobility aids.

Throughout our 42 years, Classic Canes has remained very much a family business. During the Covid crisis, business collapsed to 8% of normal sales in March 2020, and all our employees were furloughed.

I found myself in sole command of the office administration, finances and warehouse work, with some help from my mother who, in her 70s, rolled up her sleeves and picked up her tape gun once more to pack the few orders we had in those surreal early weeks. It was a very hard time but it was fun too.

Times are changing, as they always are, but we will be sad to leave the industry. To all our customers reading this, my family and I thank you most gratefully for your business and wish you every success in the future. We’ve learned so much from you and, if I ever write my longthreatened book about Classic Canes, it will be because you have been such an inspiration.

• The Classic Canes clearance sale is ongoing and features many excellent bargains ideal for gift shops and garden centres.

Email: info@classiccanes.co.uk

Visit: www.classiccanes.co.uk

The Porter family: Diana, Ben, Johnny and Charlotte

Focus on Fashion Accessories

Prints please

Also the Bison

Inspired by antiquarian natural history collections, Also the Bison’s detailed prints are handpainted in watercolour by artist Maddie Chambers, before being printed digitally in the UK onto a luxurious lightweight silk satin

As well as bringing a pop of colour to greyer days, these scarves work brilliantly as a bold accessory that delivers a contemporary edge, while also fitting a more classic vintage or heritage look too. And, when packaged in their recycled box, they are ready to be gifted.

Email: hello@alsothebison.co.uk

Visit: www.alsothebison.co.uk

Boho is back SANTORUS

On the money

Joe Davies

Discover the perfect blend of fashion and function with the Equilibrium collection of ladies’ purses and men’s wallets. Each piece is thoughtfully designed and comes presented in a branded gift box, making it perfect to give as a gift.

The ladies’ purses and credit card holders offer a seamless fusion of elegance and practicality. Available in a variety of styles, sizes and colours, you can opt for timeless colours like black or tan or make a bold statement with more vibrant hues.

When it comes to men’s wallets and credit card holders, the Equilibrium collection caters for all tastes and budgets, with options from premium genuine leather to veganfriendly PU.

Most of the purses and wallets in the range feature RFID protection, ensuring your cards are safe from unauthorised scanning.

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

Web: www.joedavies.co.uk

Soft & chic

MIss Milly

Elevate your accessory range with Miss Milly’s collection of lightweight, soft scarves. Made from a 20% cotton and 80% viscose blend, these scarves are incredibly tactile and gentle against the skin, offering comfort and style.

Measuring 90cm by 180cm, they can be draped elegantly as wraps for weddings and other special occasions, adding a touch of sophistication to formal outfits. On sunny holidays, they transform effortlessly into sarongs, offering chic coverage at the beach or poolside.

This spring is all about bold excess, bohemian revival, and unapologetic self-expression, and nothing embodies this better than the Silk Scarf Cirque from SANTORUS. Crafted from 100% silk twill and handrolled in Italy, this statement piece embraces the season’s most soughtafter trends.

Boho chic is back, with an emphasis on layered accessories and vintageinspired prints. The scarf’s surreal design and whimsical embellishments make it the perfect companion for an effortlessly eclectic look. Drape it over a flowy dress, knot it around a handbag, or wear it as a dramatic headscarf.

Pistachio is the hue of the season, and the scarf’s striking bold pistachio stripes make for a fresh yet confident statement. Whether it’s leaning into the more-is-more aesthetic or adding a pop of luxury to a minimal outfit, this piece is a true collector’s item for the fashion-forward.

Call: 0208 7811104

Email: enquiries@santorus.com

https://www.santorus.com/

With abstract prints, subtle sparkle, and a range of vibrant colours, they are designed to complement Miss Milly’s S/S25 jewellery collection, making it easy for customers to create co-ordinated looks.

Call: 01905 622509 | Email: hello@missmilly.co.uk

Visit: www.missmilly.co.uk

Top notch Namaste

Namaste’s 100% wool colourful crochet beanie is handcrafted by selfsufficient women in the foothills of the Himalayas. Featuring vibrant granny squares edged in cream or black, this beanie combines traditional craftsmanship with modern style.

Made from sustainable wool, it offers natural insulation and temperature regulation, keeping you comfortable as the weather changes. The material is also breathable, and moisture- and UVresistant, with antimicrobial properties to help resist odour.

Proudly created by a World Fair Trade Organization-approved supplier, this beanie ensures that profit-making never compromises the wellbeing of people and the planet.

Call: 01756 700790

Email: sales@namaste-uk.com

Visit: www.namaste-uk.com

Shine all season

Joma Jewellery

Dip your toes into al fresco accessorising in your store this season, with new summer-ready styles from Joma Jewellery.

The launch of the brand’s sunsoaked S/S25 Collection has seen the expansion of some of its most-loved loose collections - including dainty Mini Charms, beaded Stacking Bracelets, and statement Bracelet Bar styles - which are sure to steal the spotlight in shining gold and silver plating.

Meanwhile, for those looking to reach gorgeous gift-giving status, the brandnew Dolce Vita Collection is a must-have. Threaded with artisanal hammered beads and sparkling charms, it’s guaranteed to be a new in-store favourite.

Other carded styles, such as the brand’s world-famous A Littles, charming Happy Little Moments Collection, and ever-growing Anklet Collection, have been designed with matching moments in mind - and look just as stunning stacked up instore as they do wrapped up and tied with a bow.

Get ready to spread jewellery joy all summer long!

Call: 01295 263430

Email: enquiries@jomajewellery.com

Visit: wholesale.jomajewellery.com

Work to weekend

Katie Loxton

With the perfect balance of style and practicality, Katie Loxton effortlessly elevates your customer’s work-to-weekend routine.

The brand offers elegant, thoughtfully designed stationery, including refillable vegan leather Personal Organisers and To-Do List Notepads, made to be reused and reloved year after year.

For those who value organisation, the sleek Cable Organiser is a standout essential, featuring dedicated compartments to keep wires, cables, and electronics neatly stored, bringing order and simplicity to any workspace.

Meanwhile, the Tabi Tote Bag is every commuter’s dream, boasting a spacious design with a removable laptop pouch for added convenience.

When it’s time to clock out and transition from nine-to-five to five-to-nine, Katie Loxton’s stunning collection of handbags and co-ordinating waterproof jewellery makes the switch seamless. A chic shoulder bag, paired with a statement set of gold hoops, is all that’s needed to transform the look from desk to dinner with ease.

Sunny delights Opticaid

Opticaid’s latest Remaldi sunglasses collection is perfect for Easter sales and beyond, especially as the weather warms up and we all think of holidays and outdoor living. This new versatile collection offers more than 60 designled women’s and men’s UV400 frames that combine modern shapes and on-trend colours.

The range features bestsellers like the retro square Channing in three colours, aviator Ray, cat’s eye Fion Denim, and the ever-popular Linda. There’s a frame to suit every style.

For men, timeless models like Evan, browline style Sol, and contemporary Rio are sure to be hits. Remaldi sunglasses retail for £15 to £18 and include a soft branded case, made from recycled fibres.

This year, Opticaid has also expanded its collection of Remaldi reading sunglasses, which are always a hit wherever they are merchandised. These combine full UV400 protection with reading functionality in six strengths. New models like Assos in blue and light tortoise, and Myrtle in three colours, are perfect additions. Remaldi reading sunglasses retail at £17 and provide exceptional value without compromising on quality.

The collection is a fantastic seasonal offer, perfect for the summer months. Cases are provided with all the styles mentioned, and Opticaid offers free display stands subject to qualifying quantities.

Call: 0113 2391400

Email: sales@opticaid.net

Visit: https://www.opticaid.net

Call: 01295 250879

Email: enquiries@katieloxton.com

Visit: wholesale.katieloxton.com

The Gifting Tree bears fruit

Angela Simpson, owner and founder of The Gifting Tree in Muirend on the Southside of Glasgow, shares her retail story with Clare Turner

Iopened The Gifting Tree in December 2023 in the heart of Muirend: a vibrant and independent community on the Southside of Glasgow, about four miles from the city centre. The shop is small but well stocked and friendly.

My goal was to create a welcoming space where customers could ﬁnd thoughtful gifts for every occasion. Since opening, we’ve been lucky to build strong relationships with our local community, many of whom return for our personalised service and unique o erings.

Our range is carefully curated with something for everyone, from high-quality cards for all occasions to beautifully crafted jewellery, handbags, and Scottishthemed gifts. We also stock a range of baby gifts, toys, vegan body care, candles, and seasonal gifts.

Our bread-and-butter category is definitely cards and packaging. We have a great variety in occasion, design and price point, from some amazing suppliers like Five Dollar Shake , Belly Button Designs , IC&G , Cherry Orchard and White Cotton . All our giftwrap and packaging comes from Glick , which is great quality.

For gifting, our key categories are jewellery from Joma Jewellery , SNÖ of Sweden , Edblad and Glenna Studios ; handbags from Nova Leathers and Katie Loxton ; candles from DeKassa Fine Fragrance , Best Kept Secrets , and Widdop & Co. ; and soft toys from Jomanda .

We pride ourselves on working with a range of independent suppliers including DeKassa Fine Fragrance, Och Vegan, LT Creations and Weavermill. These are all small or family-run Scottish businesses. I also use other larger UK companies like Joma Jewellery, Nova Leathers and Lola Design

I source products from a mix of trade shows including Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring, Scotland’s Trade Fair Autumn, and Spring Fair, and from local and independent suppliers. I also stay updated through the trade press and regular visits from reps, which help me discover new, up-and-coming brands.

The products I choose must reﬂect the quality

and uniqueness my customers expect. I look for items that are well-made, beautifully designed, and ﬁt within our warm, friendly brand ethos. I also love supporting products with a strong backstory, especially from small or family-run businesses.

Right now, our Scottish-themed Lucky Sixpences from LT Creations are flying o the shelves, as is the A Littles range from Joma Jewellery. And by the till, you’ll find a selection of Pocket Hugs from Second Nature, Scottish tablet and macaroons from Better than Homemade, and nail file sets from Belly Button Designs - the perfect add-ons to any gift.

Recent arrivals include the Down Memory Lane card range from Cherry Orchard, which o ers a nostalgic look back at past decades, and a Scottishthemed sterling silver jewellery range designed and made in Scotland from Glenna Studios.

I’m excited about bringing in fresh spring/summer stock, which I’ve been sourcing at trade fairs. I love seeing how the new season inspires customers, and I’m looking forward to adding more sustainable, artisan-crafted items to our range.

One thing I get asked for a lot is party decor, so I will also be introducing a small range of banners, cake toppers, candles and balloons from Hootyballoo

We primarily use social media, including Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, to reach our audience. I like to post regularly, using a mix of lifestyle shots and product close-ups.

At the end of 2024, we launched an online store at www.giftingtreeglasgow.co.uk. It still needs a little bit of work so I aim to focus on that over the coming months, and make it as successful as the shop has been.

We o er free gift-wrapping all year round, and we’re hoping to launch ‘a gift it forward’ incentive this year. It’s still at the idea stage but I’m hoping to have a small selection of gifts that customers could purchase, which we would then send to local care homes or charities for Christmas presents.

My personal favourite gifts? I have a soft spot for our Scottish-themed items. I like anything with a Highland cow, such as our soft toys and baby slippers from

Jomanda, and bamboo socks from Soctopus I also love the new SNÖ of Sweden jewellery. It’s a good price point, suitable for all ages, and most of the ranges are available in silver and gold. There’s a mix of everyday and occasion, and all the items usually come with a bling option so you can mix and match, depending on how sparkly you want to be!

“I’m excited about bringing in fresh spring/summer stock, which I’ve been sourcing at trade fairs”

The most rewarding part of my job is seeing the joy on customers’ faces when they ﬁnd the perfect gift. Building relationships with customers and being part of their special moments is incredibly fulﬁlling.

The biggest challenge is wearing many hats as a small business owner, but the personal connection I have with the community makes it all worth it.

Top 5 Best Sellers

Elevate every touchpoint

The best gift you can give your business this year is a review of all your physical and digital touchpoints, believes Bryony Taylor-Edwards, co-founder of Think BIG

In today’s fiercely competitive retail landscape, customer experience isn’t just a nice-to-have - it is make-or-break. Whether online or instore, every interaction shapes how a customer perceives your brand.

Your brand, after all, is only as good as your customer’s perception! And impact happens in the conscious and subconscious mind. The best retailers understand that success isn’t about a single transaction, but building lasting relationships.

Retailers can work towards this by building reassurance into every ‘touchpoint’. Wondering what a ‘touchpoint’ is? It’s any interaction your customer has with your brand. The best gift you can give your business this year is a review of all your touchpoints. Make sure you are maximising every one. Here is my guide to making every moment count…

“In an era where customers have endless choices, the retailers who stand out are those who perfect every interaction”

Your website is often the first experience that customers have with your brand. If it’s clunky, outdated, or slow to load, you risk losing them before they even browse your products. You want to ensure that your visuals are up to date and key information such as your shop location and contact details are clear. Ensuring all your images are high quality, and your copy is engaging and in the tone of your business’ personality, are also all key to having an impact.

You need to harness the power of social proof [a psychological phenomenon where people tend to follow the actions of others]. Consumers trust other customers more than they trust brands. That’s why online reviews can be a makeor-break factor in a customer’s decision to visit you or buy from you.

You harness social proof by encouraging happy customers to leave reviews. Responding to positive feedback shows you care, and responding to negative feedback also demonstrates you are committed to your customers’ enjoyment of

your shop. Another great method is to showcase testimonials and reviews on your website and across your social media channels.

Talking of social media, retailers often fall into the trap of using social media as a sales channel rather than a relationship-building tool. Why not try telling your brand story, sharing your journey, and showing some faces behind-the-scenes? Make sure you engage and not simply broadcast. Reply to comments, answer questions, and start conversations.

I’ve covered the digital touchpoints, but in-store needs to be just as exceptional. The first thing to say on this is simple, but I see so many retailers getting this wrong. And that is to extend a warm welcome. Yes, train yourself and every member of your team to greet every customer in a friendly and approachable way.

Giving some thought to your multi-sensory experience is another must. Lighting, music, temperature, and scent all play an important role in making a customer feel uplifted.

Customer service is also important at every junction… assisting with questions, at till side and exit. They all count! Even the best retailers face complaints; it’s how you handle them that matters.

In an era where customers have endless choices, the retailers who stand out are those who perfect every interaction. A seamless website, strong online reputation, engaging social presence, outstanding in-store service, and impeccable customer support all work together to create a brand that people love.

Elevate every touchpoint, and you won’t just attract customers - you’ll keep them coming back for years to come.

Bryony Taylor-Edwards is co-founder of Think BIG - a community dedicated to empowering purpose-led founders to build their business confidence, master a growth mindset, and have lasting impact.

Email: bryony@thinkbigleadership.com

Visit: www.thinkbighuddles.co.uk

Gifts Today SHOP TALK

Retailers share their Spring Fair experiences and reveal what caught their attention the most, from stand-out products and exhibitors to some surprising and exciting new finds

Bill Nettelfield Owner

Bill & Bert’s Colchester Essex

What are your thoughts about Spring Fair?

It was very good. Having just come off the back of a record Christmas trading period, we were on the lookout for loads of exciting new products. We opened nearly 20 new accounts. Were you looking for something in particular?

It’s great to go with very open minds. Products at trade shows should hit us as buyers - just as they should our customers who come into the shop.

Did you see any stand-out products or stands?

We left the NEC thinking that this year it was the show itself that stood out, more than just the odd stand or two.

Did you discover any surprises or hidden gems?

Opening a few new accounts was great, some of which we’ve already had second and third deliveries from.

Was there anything you didn’t track down that you would love to see on your shelves?

We felt we covered all aspects of what we stock at Bill & Bert’s. The only thing missing was a decent cup of coffee!

Sarah

Halsall Founder

Hand Picked

by

Henrietta Poynton Cheshire

What are your thoughts about Spring Fair?

I really enjoyed it. The layout was good: areas seemed to flow and were easy to get around. I fit a lot of categories into our shop so I visit a lot of different halls. I spent two days at the show.

Did you see any stand-out products or exhibitors? I loved Lola Design’s stand: it was so beautifully designed that I stopped in my tracks to admire it. And I was delighted to have been asked to be a judge for the Gift of the Year Awards. I visited a couple of entries’ stands to place orders. Plus, I’m looking forward to our order from The Foxglove Tree for its handmade scented castings. They tick a lot of boxes for me; they’re handmade, sustainable, and UK-produced with a rrp under £20.

Did you discover any surprises or hidden gems?

The more years you attend, it’s harder to spot things you haven’t seen before. But it’s always great to catch up with wholesalers we’ve traded with over the years - some are now like family. The next hottest trend? If I had a crystal ball… I feel Highland cows are going to be popular this year.

Carol Stevens

Owner Hearts Deco

Elham

Kent

What are your thoughts about Spring Fair?

Spring Fair is the one show that we wouldn’t miss. We love our visit and plan meticulously beforehand by going through the exhibitors’ list, and noting current suppliers that we want to place orders with or just pop by and say hi, as well as checking out all the exhibitors to see if they might have the perfect things for our shop.

It’s great for sourcing products and building on the relationships we have with our suppliers - both old and new. We usually visit for two-and-a-half days and work our way through gifts, jewellery, clothes, cards, accessories (for both home and ladies)… and anything else that takes our fancy.

Were you looking for something in particular? We go with a totally open mind. We always visit our favourites and get the latest season’s jewellery, gifts, or Christmas decorations (which are a big part of our business).

We have a couple of absolute favourites, so we left plenty of time to peruse their new collections: Hot Tomato with its fabulous jewellery designs and Shoeless Joe with its quirky coastal-themed range and fantastic Christmas decorations - which are designed in the UK and Fairtrade. We try to sell as many Fairtrade products as we can.

We also paid a visit to Amica Accessories, which is totally Fairtrade and has a wonderful collection of felt animal ornaments, and saw our friends at Jomandamakers of beautiful soft toys.

Did you discover any surprises or hidden gems? We found a couple. One is Lox Locking Lifting Earring Backs, which has designed a wonderful earring-back (which doesn’t sound very exciting until you learn that it means you will never lose another earring!). So we will be placing an order soon. Others are Portland Living - which offers a great selection of home decorative accessories- and the wonderfully named Dollyhotdogs, which produces bright and colourful linens: perfect as a gift for chaps as well as ladies. Was there anything you didn’t track down that you would love to see on your shelves?

We never really know what we’re after until we find it, but suffice to say we’re always on the lookout for quirky and different products. We want to sell things that stand out from the crowd, giving our customers plenty of choice. We’d love to find more original and fun, practical and decorative items, so will continue to keep a lookout for anything that fits the bill.

Farzana Janjua

Homewares buying & product development consultant

St Martin-in-the-Fields Gift Shop

Trafalgar Square

London

What are your thoughts about Spring Fair?

As a judge of the Gift of the Year Awards, I really enjoyed walking the dedicated space given to the Gift of the Year Showcase. It was beneficial to see the products in reality and judge the next round. The choice per category was really strong and some fabulous brands were in there.

Did you see any stand-out products or exhibitors?

I loved seeing the newness from our key suppliers including Ulster Weavers and Museums & Galleries, and the breadth of choice in the Greetings Hall.

Did you discover any surprises or hidden gems?

Not so many surprises or hidden gems, but seeing trends coming through, what NPD suppliers are working on, and extensions of bestsellers was incredibly useful. Was there anything you didn’t track down that you would love to see on your shelves?

For me, Spring Fair was less about finding new suppliers or brands and more about seeing existing suppliers and new launches from them. So I came away satisfied that I hadn’t missed anything key this time.

Sarah Holmes

Shopkeeper

Seasgair Store & Pencil Me In Elgin

Scotland

What are your thoughts about Spring Fair? It felt worthwhile and I think that next year I need to commit more time to the show to spend longer on the larger stands - and take one of my team with me. Some of my brands were trying the show for the first time, like Plewsy and Good Tuesday, so I enjoyed a good catch-up with them and saw what’s new for 2025.

Were you looking for something in particular?

I mainly use Spring Fair to find new products for our home and gift store Seasgair, to keep our collection interesting for customers. I met two new brands for homeware and ordered from both. One delivery has arrived and looks great, and we await the other. It was also good to see brands that we’ve worked with in the past and check out their new collections.

Did you see any stand out products or exhibitors?

Bloomingville was a new one for me; it has lots of great pieces for the home. Did you discover any surprises or hidden gems?

The Gift of the Year Showcase was a great stop. I judged last year and it was a good way to see and seek out some really good products.

Was there anything you didn’t track down that you would love to see on your shelves?

It’s really simple, but last year we picked up a great taper dinner candle brand which then went into liquidation, and the new company which has opened is not stocking or making the candle we bought. In the short term we’ve found something, but they don’t have the mix of colours I was hoping for.

Andrea Trinkette

Owner

Trinkette

Sowerby Bridge

West Yorkshire

What are your thoughts about Spring Fair? I really enjoyed Spring Fair and found it as inspirational as ever. I loved the layout and the quality of the companies, which presented a fantastic range of products. The variety of high-level displays gave me lots of ideas. The Gift of the Year Showcase was also great, and I enjoyed seeing the different categories. It’s amazing to think that Spring Fair has been going for 75 years. My first visit was 17 years ago. I always get my step count in and I’m surprised how quickly the hours go by.

Were you looking for something in particular? I was looking for an additional soft toy range suitable for children and from birth. So I was delighted to find Aurora World. I’ve since received my order which includes Shaun the Sheep, The Gruffalo, and Moonmin. I’m looking forward to the Wallace and Gromit items shortly.

Did you see any stand out products or exhibitors? I loved the stands of my suppliers Stoneglow (and its The Walled Garden range) and Wild-Olive. I was also delighted to see a supplier that’s new to me - SmithTaylor - which makes coasters in the UK offered as a white label product. It’s great to see white label products that are made in the UK. I was a designer in the past so I can apply my own work, which gives me a USP. In a world where it’s very easy to price-compare products, I’ve recently focused on selling items that are unique to Trinkette. I feel this, mixed with well-known brands, is a good formula for me.

Did you discover any surprises or hidden gems? I love seeing companies new to the show, particularly ones selected and supported by retal entrepreneur Theo Paphitis [in the Small Business Sunday Pavilion]. I respect the fact that he continues to bring his experience to new businesses - and that he describes himself as a shopkeeper. The UK has always been described as a ‘nation of shopkeepers’ - long may it continue!

Was there anything you didn’t track down that you would love to see on your shelves?

I want to find more sustainable or Fairtrade products, especially fashion accessories. I like what Earth Squared is doing (I stock its handbags and scarves) but I’d like to see more, especially jewellery ranges. Given that new legislation will come into play around sustainability, I want to be ahead of the curve.

Trade talk

We ask a selection of Spring Fair exhibitors for their feedback on the February show, from footfall to sales, and find out about their star new product performers

Hannah Jenkins

Director UK & Ireland

Cereria Mollá 1899

How was Spring Fair for you?

Spring Fair was a fantastic success for us. As our official launch into the UK market, we were thrilled by the incredible footfall, the quality of visitors, and the enthusiastic response to our handcrafted home fragrance collection.

We were also proud to be recognised in the Best New Stand - Medium category of Spring Fair’s 75 Years of Excellence Awards. This accolade highlights the effort we put into showcasing our heritage and craftsmanship in a way that resonated with the industry and visitors alike. We had the pleasure of connecting with a diverse range of retailers - from premium department stores and independent boutiques to leading gift and lifestyle buyers - who truly appreciated our story and Mediterranean-inspired scents.

The demand for luxury home fragrance is stronger than ever, and our collections were clear standouts. We’re excited to forge new partnerships with key retailers who share our passion for quality and innovation. With such a strong start, we can’t wait to see Cereria Mollá 1899 flourish across the UK market in 2025 and beyond. If there were two changes you could make to improve the show, what would they be?

While the Spring Fair offers valuable interactions, we believe there could be a greater emphasis on structured networking events or dedicated matchmaking services that help exhibitors connect more directly with key decision-makers and highquality buyers.

Additionally, establishing stronger links to European trade shows and international buyer networks would open up opportunities for global brands to expand their reach. This would not only drive growth across regions but also provide valuable exposure for international and domestic brands alike.

And creating a dedicated, immersive space specifically for the home fragrance sector would significantly enhance the show. This area could feature a range of curated displays showcasing the latest trends, from luxury candles to reed diffusers and innovative home perfumes. It would allow buyers to experience the full sensory impact of the products and brands in a beautifully designed, cohesive setting. Showcasing premium brands in this way could elevate the category, making it a must-see destination.

Amy Hogarth Founder & Director CAHM

How was Spring Fair for you?

2025 was our first year exhibiting at Spring Fair and we couldn’t have been happier with how it went. We felt it was really busy, with lots of buyers keen to make decisions and spending multiple days there.

We took the largest value of orders to date at any show, and secured retailers in lots of new locations including large department stores in Northern Ireland and Jersey - which brought us our biggest ever order to date. We’ve already rebooked and doubled the size of our stand for 2026, and look forward to seeing what Autumn Fair has in store for CAHM in September.

What was the biggest product success story on your stand?

Our luxury reed diffuser range. Time and time again, we get the most interest from new customers on this product. We also did very well with our bath and body and aromatherapy ranges, both of which were on display in the Gift of the Year Showcase, having been shortlisted for 2025. We received multiple orders for our Aromatherapy Pulse Point Rollers from retailers who saw them and then came to find us.

Sarah Watmore Owner

Miss Milly

How was Spring Fair for you?

We had an excellent Spring Fair with a record number of orders taken, as well as a high number of new accounts opened including a lot of Irish gift shops and boutiques. The atmosphere was really vibrant and positive, and it felt like a return to the shows of 10 to 15 years ago.

What was the biggest product success story on your stand? While we took orders through the whole collection and our new recycled Indian leather bags and purses had a great reception, the star had to be our Robin Magnetic Brooch, which won the Fashion Accessories category of Spring Fair’s 75 Years of Excellence Awards. An incredibly practical as well as beautiful range of jewellery, our magnetic brooches have gone from strength to strength since we launched them in 2019. New designs for this season include a stunning blue turtle, delicate turquoise and grey dragonflies, bouquets of flowers, and a colourful kooky owl.

Paul Hooker Managing Director

Joe Davies

How was Spring Fair for you?

Spring Fair was a great show for us. There was a real buzz on our stand and it was very busy. It was super to see so many of our regular customers, and pleasing to open plenty of new accounts.

If there were two changes you could make to improve the show, what would they be?

Our industry thrives on innovation and new product, so getting more exhibitors to the show is more important than ever. Perhaps ﬁnd more ways to help and incentivise new ventures and ﬁrst-time exhibitors to attend?

That goes hand in hand with getting more retailers to visit. There have been so many advances with websites and technology and while these are great, the best way to ﬁnd new suppliers and new product is to visit a show, where you can speak to exhibitors and see items ﬁrst-hand.

What was the biggest product success story on your stand?

With over 3,300 lines launched at the Fair, across quite a few categories, there are so many standouts. Our new distribution of on-trend collectable plush from Gus Fink Studios really made a stir, with us selling out of our ﬁrst delivery.

Sentiment lines with a touch of spring fared well, especially our Pebble Glass Art collection. Equilibrium Jewellery saw Chakra Trees and the new Luxe Tags Jewellery sell very well too. Customers were also more than very happy with the new additions of pubs and shops to our bestselling Village Pottery Collection.

Do you have any views on the Chinese online marketplace Temu’s presence at the show?

Sarah Watmore Owner

Miss Milly

I do. As a UK wholesaler, we act as a middleman between manufacturers overseas and retailers at home. The addition of Source and previous Chinese and Indian pavilions has always felt uncomfortable as they directly compete with us, but we have always relied on being able to o er designs created solely for our customers, lower minimum order quantities and superior service to make us a more obvious and reasonable choice.

Inviting Temu to the show takes this one step further because, besides showing retailers another way to order directly from factories whilst at their shop counter, there is little control over what products are sold on the platform and it appears that UK designers have been copied.

It was heartening to see the Temu representative challenged on this and I hope the show organisers have taken the feedback fully onboard. Trade is incredibly challenging and whilst we know the industry is evolving, we could do without our show organisers making it even harder for their primary customers.

Gillian Marchbank Managing Director Opticaid

We felt that Hyve’s decision to include Temu was a very strange move and one they hadn’t fully considered. Both Hyve and Temu clearly underestimated the strong reaction from exhibitors and attendees.

Maisie McFarland

Social media & PR manager

Life Charms

What was the biggest product success story on your stand?

Undoubtedly our ﬂower boxes with bracelets in them. This combination of beauty and elegance caught the attention of many attendees, making it the highlight of our display.

The concept is simple yet innovative: we’ve incorporated ﬂower boxes ﬁlled with vibrant, silver-plated bracelets that add a touch of luxury and creativity. These boxes serve not only as beautiful decor but also as functional, stylish accessories, making them an attractive o ering for customers looking for something special.

The reaction from visitors was overwhelmingly positive. Many were drawn to the design of the boxes, appreciating how the delicate ﬂowers complemented the intricate designs of the bracelets. Their versatility also resonated with buyers, as they could easily imagine them as a gift or a statement piece.

While online selling and platforms like Temu are an unavoidable part of today’s business landscape, it appears some sellers copy designs, which are removed after complaints, and reappear under a di erent name shortly after. This creates signiﬁcant distress and costs for brand owners that have had their designs copied. The backlash following Temu’s presentation has rightfully garnered considerable press attention.

Andrew

Kemp

CEO

Bare Kind

Yes. Temu’s name was on everyone’s lips. One retailer dropped a bombshell: they’re buying kids’ clothing straight from Temu. Not wholesale, not through a brand - direct. Why? Because it’s cheaper than the wholesale price they’d pay a brand. Read that again. When your customer can undercut your supply chain with a few clicks, you’re not just losing a sale - you’re watching the entire middleman model get torched. It’s not disruption; it’s a guillotine.

Gifts Today asked Hyve Group, which

organises Spring Fair, for its comments…

Jackson Szabo Portfolio Director

Hyve Group

Retail, like all industries, is ever-evolving, and it’s crucial that we face the challenges posed by emerging players head-on. Spring Fair has been an open and inclusive platform for 75 years and as such, we hosted the Temu session to o er a safe space to address these challenges.

We encouraged everyone, especially those with concerns, to join the conversation. The result was a robust session where exhibitors, trade associations and industry leaders were given the platform to ask the di cult questions directly to Temu.

Gifts Today also approached Temu for its comments and, as we went to press, we had not received a response.

Trade talk

Gillian Marchbank Managing Director Opticaid

How was Spring Fair for you?

Spring Fair was a great success. We had a 10% increase in order values and overall a positive response. I think it was a good indicator that our latest collection resonates with our audience. A lot of our current stockists were also willing to expand their range or try new products with us.

We took as many orders as Spring Fair 2024 (and that was a good show) but acquired about 15% less new customers. Footfall seemed good in Hall 4, until about 4pm most days. Perhaps there are less new businesses around at the moment, or a more focused group of buyers? Market conditions continue to be very challenging for all retailers.

You can only really gauge a show’s true success about six months after the event! Some potential customers fall by the wayside, others come on board, and some increase their order values or repeat very quickly. Overall, it was tiring but a good show for us.

If there were two changes you could make to improve the show, what would they be?

Offer small stands and cost-effective starter packages to encourage new exhibitors to give the show a go. Position them all conveniently together, creating a significant show destination, as well as making it easier for buyers. Encourage these new brands to return again with a repeat booking offer.

And give longstanding exhibitors a programme of transparent loyalty bonuses. For example, incremental discounts based on each year’s repeat bookings, free/reduced price advertising, free refreshments etc.

What was the biggest product success story on your stand?

This was the launch of our new Premium ECO reading glasses, Florence: a luxury reader collection. Both new and existing stockists were keen to try them. These premium glasses are crafted with sustainable bio-acetate frames and tips, made from a blend of cotton plants and wood fibres combined with eco-friendly oils instead of fossil fuel oil. The lenses are ultra-thin and lightweight - 40% thinner than standard lenses.

David Brown CEO

The Fragrance House

How was Spring Fair for you?

All retailers who visited our stand were excited and really positive about The Fragrance House’s new look and feel. Our streamlined ranges, new stand design, and bold colours gave us great impact in our hall. Typically, the first two days were the busiest with great footfall and we attracted many new customers - especially from the garden centre sector, which is fantastic.

Our brand repositioning has refreshed some of our longstanding traditional ranges, plus we have introduced newness. I still think some customers are unsure of The Fragrance House offering and what we’re about. But once it’s explained face-to-face - and a trade show is a great platform to do that as you have everything at your fingertips and the brands in all their glory - they completely understand our USP in this crowded market.

I can proudly say we had the best show ever in our 30-year history of exhibiting, and we’re excited to have secured our place at next year’s event.

Mark Callaby Co-Founder and Managing Director

Ohh Deer

How was Spring Fair for you?

It was our best Spring Fair to date. The whole show felt buzzy and rejuvenated compared with previous years, so we were very pleased. Footfall was strong, and the quality of visitors was excellent. Sunday brought a noticeable increase in international buyers compared with 2024, along with the majority of our key UK customers.

If there were two changes you could make to improve the show, what would they be?

Every show has the issue of dying a death on the last day. Shortening the show doesn’t make a difference, because it just pushes the lack of customers to the day before. Instead, organisers should focus on keeping footfall steady with incentives. A US show we attended did this well by running special events every few hours, from free local ice cream to cocktail stations, which kept the energy up and the attendees engaged.

Another suggestion would be better food choices near the halls. Bringing in a variety of external food vendors could be a game-changer, making the experience better for everyone.

What was the biggest product success story on your stand?

We launched more than 500 new products but we had some great success with our new Natural History Museum and V&A collections, particularly the Neon Floral range. Our Natural World gold cards continued to be a show favourite, which we’re really pleased with!

Sophie Aldred Customer Care Manager

The Straits Trading Co.

How was Spring Fair for you?

Spring Fair exceeded our expectations. Presales for S/S25 had already been strong through website and sales team orders. Then, the Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair saw the company opening the festive order book with a record sales value. With that in mind, we approached Spring Fair with a degree of caution about what could be achieved.

While we found footfall was similar to previous years, our average order value increased. The sales team reopened a large number of accounts, as well as securing new customers. This suggests our product offering is hitting the mark.

What was the biggest product success story on your stand?

One of the most positive things we took away from the show was customers’ confidence in the service the business delivers. I was thrilled to hear customers remark that we really performed in our delivery of Christmas stock last year, when others struggled. This clearly had a positive impact on our average order value for Christmas orders taken this year.

The full Christmas collection has been very well received but the Glitter Tree Spinner continues to be a stand out product.

Let’s talk about… Easter gifting

In the first half of the year, Easter is a key trading moment for retail. While Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day provide useful seasonal boosts in sales, Easter offers a deeper and broader opportunity.

One challenge for brands and retailers is that Easter moves every year, making it difficult to annualise last year’s sales. If Easter falls late, the good weather can distract customers as they go away on holidays, both in the UK and abroad.

Conversely, if it falls too early, dreary weather can drive customers into shops or off to sunnier destinations. Retailers are often eager to use weather as an excuse for challenging trading conditions.

This year, Easter is particularly late, running from Good Friday on April 18 to Easter Monday on April 21. This timing presents an excellent opportunity for a strong buildup following Mother’s Day, which is on March 30.

As traders, we are always competing for airtime in the gifting sector, aiming to secure prominent online and shop floor focus. A good gap between Mother’s Day and Easter is a great chance for enhanced visibility.

Easter also presents opportunities beyond traditional chocolate gifts, as gatherings of friends and family can encourage spending on hosting and home goods. Several home accessories brands have expanded

their offerings to include decorations for the Easter season.

Easter wreaths and Easter trees have become increasingly popular as ways to celebrate spring. By incorporating seasonal colours, these items can have a longer shelf life beyond just the cultural holiday.

Talking Tables has maximised Easter opportunities with its focus on hosting and setting the Easter table for brunch, lunch or dinner.

Acknowledging that this is a key time that brings people together, the company has a range of colourful table accessories and decorations to dress the festive occasion from Easter lights and garlands that can be reused, to table napkins, fun cardmaking kits, and paint your egg kits for the kids.

Mugs are always a great gift for those adults who are trying not to eat too much chocolate, and soft toys sell strongly for kids.

Easter cards are starting to appear in the shops now and children are key here too. There is an increase in Easter money wallets (cards designed to hold cash or gift cards/vouchers, suitable for sending monetary presents to family and friends for Easter), and greeting cards that contain a chocolate treat inside.

Overall, Easter trading will of course be driven by Easter eggs - not just for youngsters - and the ability to drive accessories and hosting in other gifting categories. Soft toys, mugs, and giftable chocolate will provide an opportunity for brands.

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

With more than 30 years of retail experience - both on the shop floor and in the head office - Anna was Head of Buying for Gifts, Cook and Dine at John Lewis, with a team of over 60 and sales of close to £400 million. She has also covered many other buying categories in menswear, sport, fashion and beauty.

A driven leader, Anna is strategically agile and known for her passion for people and product, with trust and mentoring at the heart of her leadership style.

Email: hello@retail100consulting.co.uk

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

The desire to dress the home for guests has increased the average spend too, with customers buying less single-use table accessories and decorations.

Easter is a key footfall driver into shops - particularly when the kids are off school - and this sparks up impulse buys across the key gifting and stationery departments.

Retailers can also focus on providing fun entertainment for kids and adults alike with card making, wreath making and crafting workshop sessions.

This is a major trading period for brands and retailers to maximise sales on other non-seasonal merchandise. So it’s essential that your best sellers, newness and stocks are in great shape for this first half peak.

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