Gifts Today

Independently audited

Supporting your industry for 28 years

ABC circulation of 7,090 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017

Month: Nov/Dec 2017 Issue: 2

Volume: 29

est: 2004

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10/11/2017 10:08

Contents

Regulars 6 10 20 42 43 44

November/December 2017

News Giftware Association News Licensing News New Products Ross Hewitt’s Social Media Julie Dodsworth

Profiles 12

Personalised Memento Company A closer look at our cover star PMC, leading personalised gift manufacturer and supplier to the trade.

32 Mathilde M 62 Steiff

Retail 16

Natural History Museum Claire Bevan, Retail Operations Manager at the Natural History Museum, talks about dinosaurs,

Gifts Today team

design, and making retail part of the experience at the museum.

36 Trade Talk

p 45

Leading figures in the industry talk special

Editor Sally Norton sally@lemapublishing.co.uk

occasion and personalised gifts.

p 46

38 Retailers’ Panel

Advertisement Manager

Key gift shop owners talk trade shows, trends

Mark Horsnell markh@lemapublishing.co.uk

and trading highlights of 2017

Layout/Design

Special Features

Rick Vickers rickv@lemapublishing.co.uk

24 Gifts for Special Occasions 33 Personalised Gifts 39 Gift Books

Group Editor Mirella Cestaro mirella@lemapublishing.co.uk

Group Advertisement Manager Ryan Horwood ryan@lemapublishing.co.uk

Exhibition Guide

Publisher Mark Naish mark@lemapublishing.co.uk

Head here for news, views and the crucial information you’ll need for next year’s key shows.

Production Director

46 48 50 52 54 56 58 60

Paul Naish paul@lemapublishing.co.uk

Managing Director Malcolm Naish malcolm@lemapublishing.co.uk

Lema Publishing Ltd

PUBLISHING

1 Churchgates, The Wilderness, Berkhamsted, Herts, HP4 2UB Telephone: 01442 289930 A member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation

Independently audited ABC circulation of 7,093 July 2015 to June 2016

p 16

Exhibition News Ambiente Christmasworld Tokyo International Gift Show NY NOW Harrogate Christmas & Gift Welsh Spring Fair Scotland’s Trade Fair and Giving & Living 64 UK Exhibition Diary 65 Worldwide Exhibition Diary Dates

CREATE CREATE AN IRRESISTIBLY AN IRRESISTIBLY UNIQUE UNIQUE EDIT FOR EDITYOUR FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS CUSTOMERS FROMFROM OUR CURATED OUR CURATED SELECTION SELECTION OF 1,500 OF DESIGN-LED 1,500 DESIGN-LED BRANDS BRANDS

Register Register at topdrawer.co.uk/g2 at topdrawer.co.uk/g2

PRODUCT CREDITS (Clockwise from top) STELTON / PERNILLE CORYDON / FEDERICA BUBANI

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PRODUCT CREDITS (Clockwise from top) STELTON / PERNILLE CORYDON / FEDERICA BUBANI

S/SS 18 S/SS 18

14—16 14—16 JANUARY JANUARY 2018 2018 | OLYMPIA | OLYMPIA LONDON LONDON

Message from the Editor www.gifts-today.co.uk Twitter: @giftstodaymag

P16

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

P10

I also had the pleasure of heading up to Birmingham to be a judge on this year’s Gift of the Year awards. I’m looking forward to being a judge again at the 2018 awards where, for the first time, the Giftware Association and Spring Fair have joined forces to co-host the awards on the Sunday evening of Spring Fair. TV impressionist and comedian Rory Bremner will be fronting the glitzy event and it really promises to be a great evening.

In this issue, I also had the pleasure of talking to Claire Bevan, Retail Operations Manager at the Natural History Museum about dinosaurs, design,

“

Of course, once Christmas is over it’s straight into the buying season

“

W

elcome to the final issue of the year.

Although for most people, this time of year is about winding down and putting your feet up, for us in the gift industry the final quarter is one of the busiest times of the year.

With any luck, tills will be ringing up and down the country with Christmas sales. I hope business is good for you all and that, when the closed sign goes up in the window on 24 December, you get chance to enjoy some festive cheer with family and friends.

Of course, once Christmas is over it’s straight into the buying season. And that’s why this issue contains our annual Exhibition Diary, It’s bigger and better than ever before, offering news, views and key information you’ll need to sort out your diary in 2018.

Speaking of shows, I’ve really enjoyed my first visit to many of them in 2017 - my first full year as editor of Gifts Today. Looking through my diary, I see I’ve been to Top Drawer, Toy Fair, Spring Fair, Pure London, London Stationery Show, Pulse, Tendence, Exclusively Housewares, Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival, Autumn Fair and BLE, plus quite a few others along the way. It’s been a brilliant way to meet so many of you and see so much amazing product in the flesh – and one thing I’ve learnt is that consumers really, really love unicorns, mermaids and flamingos as well as prosecco and gin-themed gifts!

P12 around the premises and I saw first-hand how all the in-house printing, engraving and embroidery is done – absolutely fascinating. PMC are our cover stars this month and you can read more about them on page 12.

We also look at Special Occasion gifts on page 24 and Gift Books on page 39. All this and the usual news, views and product information you can expect from the team at Gifts Today. I hope you enjoy the issue.

Thank you for all your support throughout 2017 and we wish you all a merry Christmas and prosperous new year.

See you in 2018.

and making retail part of the experience at one of the most popular visitor attractions in the UK. You can read more on page 16.

The trend for personalisation continues to grow, too, when it comes to buying gifts. I really enjoyed my visit to Personalised Memento Company recently, where Keren and her team showed me

NEWS

Happy News for Widdop The company have announced they are to become the giftware licensee for ‘The Happy News’, brain child of Emily Coxhead.

Starting life as a newspaper devoted to happy news only, Emily has spread the happiness across social media and beyond to promote her unique and uplifting take on life.

The official launch of a striking new happiness-inspired giftware collection will take place on the Widdop and Co. stand at Spring Fair. The extensive range will include stylish and playful jewellery and accessories, cool and colourful mugs, bang ontrend bags and an original range of photo frames, all featuring Emily’s heart-warming messages, quirky touches and handdrawn illustrations.

Alicia Davenport, Licensing Director at DRi Licensing is enthusiastic about the new partnership, commenting: ‘This uplifting and absolutely on-trend brand connects with audiences of all ages and we’re delighted to welcome Widdop and Co. on board.’

Stephen Illingworth, Product Development Director at Widdop and Co. is excited about the opportunity this licence entails, commenting: ‘The Happy News captures the current zeitgeist, connecting with audiences of all ages.’ widdop.co.uk

Enesco remembers fallen war heroes The contemporary giftgiving company donated 10% of profit made from the sale of its Willow Tree figurine Hero in the run up to Armistice Day on 11 November.

Based in Carlisle, the company donated £2.60 from every sale of Hero to Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life. The charitable move is to help support the museum in bringing the past to life, so that visitors can remember those who have sacrificed their lives or suffered as a result of war, while serving to protect our country.

Presented in a branded gift box with a tag which reads, ‘Hero, we honour thee, keeping safe your memory’, artist Lordi said of the piece of art: ‘I carved this memorial in dedication to those who have suffered a loss in the service of others. I want to quietly honour the courage of the hero who has died, and the everyday courage of the hero who is left...’ enesco.co.uk

6 gifts today

Mad Beauty collaborate with Jelly Belly Beauty company announce their fourth licensing collaboration with the famous sweet brand which is instantly recognisable for its ‘bean shape’ and delicious flavours.

Mad Beauty was inspired by the shape to mould an exclusive container for this new Hand Sanitizer, which follows their massively successful collection of eponymous moisturising hand sanitizers. Fragranced with three of the top selling Jelly Belly flavours - Blueberry, Bubblegum and Very Cherry – and with further favourites to be added seasonally, they slip easily and conveniently into the pocket, handbag, or any handy place. madbeauty.com

Gibsons help RSPCA The independent jigsaw puzzle and board game company have teamed up with the RSPCA to celebrate the work they do to prevent cruelty towards animals. After launching six licensed jigsaws in July, Gibsons have recently provided ‘Welcome Home’ packs for the adopted dogs and cats comprising food bowls, toys, care guide books and collars.

Ellen Camillin, Licensing Manager of the RSPCA, said: ‘We would like to thank Gibsons for providing the Welcome Home packs for newly adopted animals, as well as working with us to produce these jigsaw puzzles. Each jigsaw tells the story of an animal rescued and rehabilitated by the RSPCA, much like Chino, George and Pickles.’

The RSPCA receives 10% of the wholesale price of the six Gibsons’ jigsaws and hopes to raise at least £7,500 through the sale of the puzzles. rspca.org.uk/shop

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NEWS

New additions to Aromatize portfolio

DreamToys 2017 announced This year’s DreamToys, the UK’s most accurate and authoritative predictive list of the top 12 toys expected to be the most sought after this Christmas, has been announced.

Hasbro is this year’s most sought after supplier, with three entries, while Character Options and Spin Master each have two. Top toys from LEGO, Mattel, Jazwares, Flair, MGA Entertainment round out this year’s list. In no particular order, the DreamToys 2017 list is: 1. Enchantimals Playhouse Panda Set, Mattel 2. Fingerlings, Jazwares/ WowWee 3. FurReal Roarin’ Tyler, Hasbro 4. Hatchimals Surprise, Spin Master 5. Laser X - 2 Player Pack, Character Options 6. L.O.L Surprise Series 2, MGA Entertainment 7. Nerf Nitro Longshot Smash, Hasbro 8. PAW Patrol Sea Patroller, Spin Master 9. PJ Masks Headquarters Playset, GP Flair 10. Star Wars: BB-8, LEGO 11. The Original Stretch Armstrong, Character Options 12. Toilet Trouble, Hasbro ‘This year’s DreamToys Top 12 is an exciting range of innovative toys that demonstrate the creativity of the toy industry and the magic of Christmas,’ said Gary Grant, chair of the DreamToys committee. ‘From the biggest collectable trends and licences of 2017, to exciting action products and board game sensations, this year’s list is incredibly diverse and with price points to suit all budgets. With so many products vying for a child’s attention it’s pleasing to be able to pick a list that promotes togetherness, innovation and creative play that will capture the imagination this Christmas.

‘39 per cent of toy presents bought for children at Christmas will be directly driven from children’s wish lists or letters to Santa. Therefore, more than 60 per cent of consumers buying presents for children this Christmas are likely to rely on lists like DreamToys to make an informed purchasing decision.’

Julie Dodsworth teams with Farrah’s of Harrogate British artisan designer Julie has teamed up with her local Yorkshire confectioner to create a new range of delicious preserves, chocolates and biscuits.

Each line carries her modern twist, heritage presentation.

The designs are so recognisable of Julie and her unique folksy and friendly brand essence.

The collection has been successfully trialled in North Yorkshire Independent stores ready now for retailers nationwide. For more information contact Beth Dodsworth at studio@juliedodsworth.co.uk 8 gifts today

The company have announced the addition of two established candle brandss - Kringle Candles and Kittredge Candles.

Kringle Candles was founded by Mick Kittredge in the USA in 2010. The Kittredge family name is celebrated within the candle industry, with a history of producing the finest candles, and being the founder of another popular brand. Kringle’s distinctive white candles use the highest quality fragrances, with a unique look that will match any décor.

The second brand is Kittredge Candles. Using the original Kittredge Family Recipe, the Kittredge candles use the richest colours and the finest fragrances rances to perfect this candle brand.

Aromatize Managing Director Marvin Lomax commented: ‘We are delighted to be appointed as the exclusive distributor for the Kringle and Kittredge brands for the UK and Ireland. Anyone who knows the history of US fragranced candles will be aware that the Kittredge family name is synonymous with offering high quality items that produce fantastic fragrance throw. We very much welcome them into our ever growing portfolio of home fragranced products and accessories and are confident they will be very well received by our customers and consumers alike.’

Kringle Candles and Kittredge Candles will be in stock from January 2018, but customers can pre-order from the Aromatize website.

Aromatize proudly now has four successful candle brands in their collection, as well as an extensive candle accessory range. You can view all their product ranges at aromatize.co.uk.

Groovy UK Recruits Frida Kahlo, Brandalised and Jimmy the Bull Barcelona based Art Ask Agency, hot on the heels of Brand Licensing Europe, have penned deals for Frida Kahlo, Jimmy the Bull and Brandalised with gift and accessories manufacturer Groovy UK. The deal targets young and not-so-young consumers of today with products complementing current trends.

Groovy UK boasts worldwide distribution channels and presence in high street retailers. They sell to UK multi-brand stores as well as EU shops and distributors including ASOS and Next.

Fans of Brandalised, Jimmy the Bull and Frida Kahlo can expect a range of products covering a spectrum of categories such as kitchenware, home products, accessories, stationery, ceramics, and bags. The originality of design, forward thinking philosophy, and company culture, make Groovy UK a great acquisition for Art Ask Agency who offer trendy and contemporary non-entertainment lifestyle brands. Frida Kahlo, Jimmy the Bull and Brandalised target the youth and adult groups and with Groovy’s expertise in this market, they believe they can bring the best out of these licences.

Art Ask Agency licences will join the likes of Star Wars, Harry Potter, Assassins Creed and Batman within the Groovy UK catalogue of licensed merchandise.

Aromatize are delighted to introduce two new brands, kringle & kittredge to their expanding portfolio. pre - order now for january delivery

www.aromatize.co.uk Tel: 01254 300268 Email: sales@aromatize.co.uk

Gifts Today.indd 34

07/11/2017 07:10

GA news

Latest developments from The Giftware Association, the trade association serving the gift and home industry since 1947.

Sarah Ward attends Hong Kong trade dinner

Successful Meet The Buyer event for the GA

The Giftware Association hosted the event at The Bond in Digbeth, Birmingham, on 17 October, attracting buyers from Choice Marketing, Not On the High Street, The National Gallery, Beales Department Store, The National Gallery, Utility, Brookfield’s Garden Centre and Ocado.

The suppliers in attendance were varied and diverse, offering buyers a glimpse into how varied The GA’s membership base really is. ‘I got more out of this event than some trade fairs. We got the opportunity to speak with buyers, which could lead to big things going forward,’ said Laura Sherratt Designs Sarah Ward spoke of the success of the event: ‘This is our fifth event of the year and, after each one, we have been amazed by the success stories we hear back, and the thanks we receive. To be guaranteed to see buyers that you might never see at a trade show in a relaxed environment is becoming ever more popular after the tough year some of our members have had.’

Sign up to the GA’s newsletter to find out about more events and about The GA itself or contact simone.rose@ga-uk.org for information on future events.

Date for your diary!

The GOTY 2018 Awards evening takes place on Sunday 4 February – the first day of Spring Fair - at the Vox Conference Centre, Resorts World, Birmingham.

10 gifts today

The CEO of The GA attended the event organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, which brought together over 550 influential government and business leaders from Hong Kong and the UK. Chancellor Philip Hammond MP gave a special address, underlying the strong ties and friendships between Hong Kong and the UK. ‘It’s great to be invited to these events and talk about The GA, our members and the great initiatives we are up to,’ said Sarah Ward. ‘With the UK being Hong Kong’s second largest trading partner in Europe, it’s important we keep the relationships strong to allow our members’ businesses to flourish.’

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council was established in 1966 as a statutory body dedicated to creating opportunities for Hong Kong businesses.

Their mission is to explore potential markets for Hong Kong companies, especially small and medium enterprises and connect them with business partners around the world.

LaunchPad success for GA members Emma Lawrence and Rani Moochhala won stands at the Stationery Show’s inaugural Manchester Stationery Show, which took place 31 October – 1 November. They took two of the six winning positions in the competition, supporting suppliers looking to break into the booming design-led stationery market with new and innovative designs.

Shropshire-based illustrator and designer Emma Lawrence has developed The Little Nature Explorers’ range, featuring designs from the series of books which educate children about our fascinating and beautiful natural world.

Rani Moochhala from Paper Mirchi offers a range of beautifully handcrafted giftwrap which is a new product in the UK market. A qualified textile designer, Rani has developed this stunning giftwrap using traditional techniques like hand marbling, tie dye, batik and block printing.

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24/10/2017 09:55:54

Personalised Memento Company

Personalised to perfection The Personalised memento Company (PMC) reflect on a year of success and how personalisation continues to dominate the market.

2

017 has been an exciting year for the Personalised Memento Company, with the launch of their pet-tastic licensed Rachael Hale range, along with a huge choice of brand new and original personalised gifts. This year has seen the UK’s leading supplier of personalised gifts go from strength to strength.

Since being established in 2004, PMC have utterly transformed their range of personalised gifts, evolving from suppliers of engraved silverware, to adding licences, cards, calendars and homeware to their portfolio. This, in turn, attracted further new licences along the way, allowing PMC to evolve further and creating the extensive range available today. PMC have never been one to shy away from the latest trends and have instead embraced

them to provide the market with a unique take on personalised gifts that can cater to all customers.

Their fast and accurate drop-shipping service is a major attraction for new customers, as this offers retailers the

‘PMC strive to grow alongside their customers, sharing in their success’ choice to ship directly to their end customer, removing the costly need to re-ship orders.

A key driving force in PMC’s success has been their dedication to continually grow alongside customers, adapting to the latest market demands and always being one (or two!) steps ahead of the personalisation game, and often being the first to try something completely new. Recent years have seen the company invest heavily in new technology, allowing them to bolster their range of gifts, using their in-house design and new products teams as a

12 gifts today

melting pot of influences and styles.

PMC’s Operations Director leads a strong production team who ensure that each product is produced in line with the company’s high standards. In addition, by adopting automation, PMC have increased their capacity at peak times and improved their efficiency and accuracy many times over.

It’s clear that PMC have come a long way since their first engraving machine, operating at home, on the kitchen table. This is largely thanks to their dedicated and passionate team - many of whom have been with PMC since the early days – and their unique skills and personalities that have driven the company to the success that it enjoys today. Many would agree that a company is only as good as the staff who steer it towards success, and this is particularly true in a sector such as theirs, where creativity and original thinking are hugely important. PMC believe that their staff’s professional development is a key factor in ensuring organic creativity.

With 2018 on the horizon, PMC are

Product Spotlight

Personalised Triple Tea Light Box This wooden, shabby chic box can store a small amount of tea lights or trinkets.

Three tea lights can be displayed on top of the box, creating a unique feature for any shelf or mantelpiece.

anticipating another year of growth and are turning their sights towards brand new product ranges, exciting website redevelopment and maintaining their position as the UK’s leading personalised gift supplier.

What’s behind the success PMC’s passionate and dedicated team help to maintain their principles of quality, reliability and innovation. We find out a little more from some of their admin team.

Tom James

Senior Customer Service Administrator How does selling personalised gifts benefit PMC’s customers?

Personalised gifts are a great way to expand a current product range, or to add a completely new flavour to a retailer’s offering. A personalised gift shows that thought and care has gone into selecting something special, which increases the gift’s perceived value, too.

Another clear benefit comes from our stress free drop-shipping service, which means that our customers don’t have to hold any stock, which can also be useful for customers who are fairly new, as they won’t have to invest heavily in storage.

How would you recommend a customer gets started with PMC and selling personalised gifts?

Starting a new business or sourcing a new supplier can often be a little daunting, which is why we make it as easy as possible to get started. I would always

recommend taking a look at our website first.

There, you’ll get an understanding of how we work, what we can offer and most importantly, that’s where you can register for an account.

We’re always on hand to talk new customers through how it works and to discuss their requirements, as we understand that no two businesses are the same and that every retailer’s needs are different.

What’s a typical day for you?

My role is mainly customer service focused, so I pride myself on offering a quick response to any queries that arise. I also help to set up many of our new customers’ accounts and I enjoy taking them through the process of getting started, often by discussing their individual needs and offering advice on how to make personalised gifts work.

Gemma Ellams

Key Accounts Associate How does PMC grow with its key accounts to ensure success?

It’s all about communicating with our customers, looking at what works for them, where we can expand on successful ranges and identifying who their customer is.

PMC has a huge range of product and a big part of my role is to help buyers pin down a concise range of our personalised gifts that their customer will love.

I keep our buyers up to date with any new products and ensure that they have our best sellers listed.

Meeting with our customers in person is important too, as this allows us to discuss their plans for the future, where we fit into those plans and what we can do to help them to achieve their goals.

Can personalised gifts work for existing, well-established and large retailers?

Absolutely! The personalised gift market is huge and continues to expand every year, which gives retailers the chance to offer their customers products that are truly unique, in a market where there is a vast range

of choice. At PMC we understand the importance of consumer appeal, so we invest heavily in design and have our very own in-house design team. This means that we can quickly develop products that reflect the latest trends on the high street that everyone is looking for.

New production techniques make personalisation simple, agile and cost effective, so there’s no reason to not get on board. There are many ways to work with PMC and we are constantly developing our IT infrastructure to integrate with the latest online technology, allowing seamless transfer of orders and ensuring that we comply with the highest security standards. So, getting started with us is as straightforward for big retailers as it is for small.

gifts today 13

Personalised Memento Company

Louise Crooks

Photography and New Products Co-ordinator How do you ensure PMC’s product photography is eye catching?

We’re always on the lookout for ways in which we can develop our photography technique and it’s important that we’re always trying new things.

We’ve invested a lot of time and resources into our photography, such as our new photocube, which has allowed us to image products in a whole new light. As photography is often the first impression a customer has of a product, it’s absolutely essential that we’re showcasing our product in the best way possible.

How has PMC adapted to the latest trends with its new products?

We always try to keep up with the latest market trends, which has led to the development of ranges like unicorn, mermaid and flamingo – which have been a fantastic success. But more than that, in the

past year, we have been focusing on tweaking our traditional gifts to fit in with new industry demands and styles. We find that these traditional gifts still work exceptionally well, as simple design is often more.

What’s in a typical day for you?

No two days are the same at PMC. A large portion of my time is taken up with photography and imaging new products, but also updating products that have been launched in previous years. I also create adverts for websites and magazines, which often also require brand new photography. I’m always on the lookout for new product inspiration and new ways we can develop our range. I help to prepare for trade shows by assisting with the physical design of our stands, along with the graphics which are featured on them.

David Richardson

Sales and Marketing Co-ordinator What changes have the giftware industry seen in the past twelve months?

It’s become abundantly clear that personalised gifts continue to go from strength to strength. Customers are demanding personalisation in ways that wouldn’t have existed this time last year and, to cater for this, we’ve expanded our product range to include original and unique gifts, such as our personalised triple tea light box and personalised scented reed diffusers.

What does PMC have planned for 2018?

We’re currently working on a complete overhaul of PMC’s website. This is really exciting as it will completely transform the way that customers can browse our products and place orders with us.

We’re also adding to our new licensed Rachael Hale range, to include a selection of humorous, petthemed cards and mugs, which are perfect for all recipients and occasions. I’m particularly keen to see some new personalised pug gifts from the range.

We will be showcasing our full range of products at

14 gifts today

the Spring Fair in 2018 (Hall 4 Stand 4E90-F91), so come and see us.

How has your role developed since joining PMC? When I joined PMC, I initially started assisting with customer service. Management are quick to see potential and I moved into other areas of the company. I now help to set up new products for the PMC website, put together our weekly and monthly newsletters and liaise with magazine editors to create editorials and news pieces for trade publications. I also manage the look and feel of PMC’s website and a couple of our larger customers’ white label sites, too.

I’m fortunate in that I work with various areas of PMC, which means I’m able to experience a lot that the company has to offer. We’re all multi-skilled and continue to assist with customer service, which is a great way to hear from customers about how we’re doing as a company, and to relay this feedback to our departments.

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19/10/2017

13:55

Retail Interview

The best is history Claire Bevan, Retail Operations Manager at the Natural History Museum talks to Editor Sally Norton about dinosaurs, design, and making retail part of the experience at one of the most popular visitor attractions in the UK Claire, tell us about your career and journey to your role at the Natural History Museum.

I started here last August and came from Waterstones. They were a really great organisation to work for. The high street is evolving and the customers wanted something different in a shop, somewhere that’s part of the community; somewhere they can drop in and spend some time. Waterstones were great at getting onto that and making their shops relevant to the communities. The Natural History Museum has lots of the same kinds of messages. It’s much more than just trying to sell something.

How is working for a museum charity different to mainstream retailing?

For me it’s about ensuring that, when you’re undertaking commercial activities, your products and ranges are 16 gifts today

embedded into the museum’s ethos, inspired by the museum and that your staff and customers know where those products come from and why they’re in your shop. We’re here to inspire children, adults, everyone; to help them learn about science and the natural world. And whatever they’ve taken away from the museum, retail needs to be part of that experience. Having shops within such an inspirational place, with 4.5 million visitors a year, is something that’s very different.

How many shops are you buying for – including online presence?

As well as the online shop at www. nhmshop.co.uk we also have three permanent shops: The Dino Store, dedicated to dinosaurs, which is opposite the dinosaur gallery; The Museum Shop, which is our biggest shop just by Hintze Hall; and The Cranbourne Boutique, which offers

An ACE up the sleeve

Do you have anything special planned for Museum Shop Sunday?

‘It’s a really good idea. We’ve been involved The Association for Cultural Enterprises (ACE) anyway because they are a really supportive organisation and it’s great to have an event which showcases the museums, their shops and what retail is trying to achieve for the institutions they’re in. There are some fantastic museum shops out there, including us of course and some amazing products which you can’t get anywhere else and I think the public love to support Museums in that way because they really get something extra.

‘For Museum Shop Sunday, we’ll have a range of activities in the shops, with product demos and learning activities for adults and children. It’ll be family-orientated, fun drop-ins, so when people come in the shop they can just enjoy it – they don’t have to plan too much. We’ll also be matching the online Black Friday discounts in the shop – something we don’t normally do.

The Museum Shop Sunday initiative takes place 26 November at at some of the UK’s leading museums, including the NHM, London Transport Museum and Design Museum.

https://acenterprises.org.uk/museum-shop-sunday

more adult focused ranges like high-end jewellery and replicas as well as several special exhibition shops. Currently we have shops for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year, the Whales exhibition and ‘Venom: Killer and cure’ is our newest

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exhibition in the Jerwood Gallery opening this month, as well as a Christmas pop up. This means we have seven shops going into Christmas.

Toys r the NHM’s f 40% o evenue r retail

Who is your typical customer and what is their average spend?

We get certain groups more than others: lots of school groups with £5 to spend, lots of families, and a huge amount of tourists both from the UK and abroad. We also get tourists and other visitors who are attracted by our events.

We have a Dawnosaurs morning, an event that’s aimed at autistic children or those with Asperger’s which takes place early in the morning when it’s quiet. We also do Dino Snores, a sleepover event where children and adults get to sleep in the museum overnight. Average spend in the shops is around £12, however it varies by store and product group as we have everything from the £2 eraser up to a £100 piece of jewellery or a Shackleton jacket over £200.

What is your mix of product like?

Our bestsellers are mostly children’s product, especially dinosaur product. Our NHM branded toys and products do very well – for example we offer our own

‘We’re always looking out for trends to jump on them if we can make them relevant to the museum and science’ science products, like microscopes developed with our own scientists, and they are a bestseller.

How important are toys to sales overall?

Toys are very important.

We are a family-orientated museum, so it’s a very important sector for us.

It’s not just about the revenue, but also about the fact those ranges help deliver the core values of the museum. Toys have to be educational, fun and relevant to the museum’s content. Toys and games account for 35-40 per cent of our revenue. It gets bigger or smaller depending on what exhibitions we’re focusing on. When it’s dinosaurs, it’s kids, kids, kids, though we do have some great products for adults too, including T-Rex lamps and Diplodocus eggcups. There are key spikes in sales: half terms in February and October and the summer holidays are really important for us.

What categories work particularly well for you?

Plush is the biggest category and the majority of that is dinosaurs, we have

gifts today 17

Retail Interview

4.5 mi The num llion be

lots of cuddly dinosaurs. Our biggest selling item is our T-Rex in his jumper, and we do have a really popular Triceratops as well. They’re mainly priced around £12-£15. Our master toy licensee Wild Republic is our biggest supplier and they develop lots of our ranges with our buyers here.

Where do you source products?

There are a number of key suppliers that the buyers work with to develop their own ranges. It’s important that

‘Our bestsellers are mostly children’s product, especially dinosaur product’ products are scientifically accurate, and we work closely with suppliers who can deliver that for us. For instance, recently we launched the Museum Monopoly Dinosaurs game, which is great, a really fun game and all the content has been checked by our scientists – every fact, all the illustrations, everything. It can be quite an involved process, but absolutely essential to ensure we are offering a product we’re happy with. We also develop ranges for each exhibition, a lot of which is based around the specimens which are normally drawn from the NHM collections. Exhibitions

18 gifts today

N

r of visito

rs the atural H are istory M use planned welcom es annu um two to three ally years out and we start more involved planning about a year out, to ensure the merchandise and the shop ties into the look and feel of the exhibition, and reflects the specimens that visitors will be excited about. The buyers engage with the exhibition team to learn what the main specimens are going to be and they’ll build a range from that. For example, for the new Venom exhibition, we have focused on the Slow Loris and based an amazing range around it. Everyone here’s very excited about it. Otherwise, if there’s a trend or something particular buyers want to develop, they might look at specialist suppliers. For instance, we have recently worked with designer Cressida Bell on an exclusive range for the NHM which launched earlier this year. Inspired by the iconic ceiling panels in the Museum’s Hintze Hall, the range includes tote bags, pencils and And how notebooks developed by Cressida. We about are thrilled with the designs. online?

Online we Do non-science-themed toys tend to workfor you? sell more of We’re always looking out for trends to the higherjump on if we can make them relevant value products to the museum and science, but we as it’s a more won’t necessarily go for it just because considered it’s a craze. Some trends really work purchase. We’ll for us, for instance we noticed that, sell lots more of the games when the Jurassic World film came out, like Museum Dinosaur Guess it had a massive impact on our sales Who, and our own Operation with general public interested Dinosaurs game and Museum again in dinosaurs and Monopoly Dinosaurs game, as well the film generating lots of as Print on Demand and personalised excitement with children. clothing. The products are unique, and We are the dinosaur no one else can offer our version of, museum, after all! It also say, the Monopoly set. has a knock on effect as certain dinosaurs What’s next for you at the Natural become celebrities after History Museum? being featured in Jurassic Well we’ll continue to ensure the shops Park films. Children will reflect the amazing institution they are a come in and ask for, say, part of, and match our visitors evolving a Spinosaurus and so the expectations of what visitor attractions buyers will then develop the and the retail experience will offer. We plush alongside that, again also continue to open new shops with ensuring they are as accurate the Venom exhibition shop opened as possible. For example on 10 November and more exciting scientific research shows that exhibitions planned for 2018. Then the Velociraptors featured in we’ve got Dippy on Tour next year, Jurassic Park are in reality where our famous Diplodocus known smaller than shown in the film, as Dippy is going on tour around the and covered in feathers, and UK and we have a product range to sit so we try and illustrate that in alongside that, and we’ll be supporting our products. the fantastic venues and teams to bring Dippy to the rest of the country.

licensing news

Rainbow signs Gorjuss deal with Santoro The family entertainment specialist has added to its impressive brand portfolio by acting as licensing representative for Santoro’s Gorjuss collection across Italy, France and Turkey. Talks are also underway across various other categories, including toy, food and household goods.

‘We are so excited to represent a great lifestyle brand like Gorjuss, which so perfectly fits our portfolio and DNA as a company,’ says Rainbow Group’s SVP, Licensing and Acquisitions Cristiana Buzzelli.

DRi say hurrah for Miffy Miffy, the cute white bunny created by the late Dick Bruna, has been a firm favourite in the nursery for decades and her popularity looks set to continue thanks to exciting plans for the brand in 2018.

In babywear, Miffy is attracting major international partners with current collections in C&A and H&M. New arrivals in the UK next year include babywear from Dennicci, nursery plush from Rainbow Designs and a collaboration with high-end babywear company, Tobias and the Bear.

Miffy is embarking on some exciting new TV adventures too, with the delivery of brand new series of Miffy’s Adventure’s – Big and Small. Featuring more elaborate props and stories set in all seasons, series three promises to continue the show’s enormous success.

20 gifts today

Cadbury opens special Help for Heroes tin The launch of the Cadbury Heroes limited edition, exclusive to Tesco, raises funds for Help for Heroes, the charity which supports those with injuries and illness sustained while serving in the British Armed Forces. This is the first time Cadbury has re-introduced a traditional tin since moving all of its assortments to tubs.

With 65p of each product sold donated to Help for Heroes, the tin is expected to raise over £100,000. Colin Luther-Davies, Account Manager, Brand Partnerships, Help for Heroes, said: ‘At a time of year when not only is footfall high in supermarkets but purchases of confectionery are probably at their highest, we’re thrilled to be partnering with Cadbury and Tesco on this promotion.’

Masterchef is Guinness World Record holder Global hit MasterChef serves up the world’s Most Successful Cookery Television Format having been adapted locally in 52 countries and counting.

The most recent countries to pick up the show are The Maldives, Costa Rica and Cambodia.

The record-breaking format first launched on British television in 2005, where 38 series have aired to date on the BBC. It follows the journey of talented amateur chefs as they compete to be MasterChef champion and has transformed over 100 of these hopefuls into professionals.

Peter Salmon, Chief Creative Officer for Endemol Shine Group said: ‘We could not be prouder producers of MasterChef, the record-breaking global programme phenomenon that plays in more than 50 countries built on a partnership with its inventor Franc Roddam. Each of our production companies strive to inject local taste, culture, colour and character into the format to keep it at the forefront of creativity in markets from the UK to Ukraine, China to America, Germany to Australia. That’s why this accolade tastes very sweet indeed.’

SPRING FAIR

Hall 6 Stand 6 T10

THE MATHILDE CRÉATIONS GROUP

Specialist in home fragrance and decoration for 30 years

www.orval-creations.com • www.mathilde-m.com • Michael.day@mathilde-creations.com

licensing news

Xilam inks deal with Centum Books French animation company Xilam Animation has secured a deal with France and UK-based publisher Centum Books to license Xilam’s flagship brand Oggy & the Cockroaches in France. The French publishing deal, which also includes Xilam’s Zig & Sharko, will launch in spring 2018 with an extensive range of first-ever story books and novels.

Centum Books, the master publisher of Universal’s Minions and Despicable Me franchises in Europe, will develop the two properties into all book formats, including activity books, colouring books, sticker books, annuals, joke books, hardbacks and paperbacks, character guides and handbooks.

Penguin Ventures celebrate 40 years of The Snowman Next year will mark 40 years since the first publication of Raymond Briggs’ original picture book and Penguin will be celebrating the enduring nature of this classic brand through a series of exciting partnerships and collaborations. Penguin Ventures will be working with best-in-class licensees to launch a range of special anniversary products.

Confirmed categories so far include confectionery, apparel and toy, whilst Puffin Books will be releasing commemorative editions of the original story.

Susan Bolsover, Head of Licensing and Consumer Products at Penguin Ventures said: ‘The entire business is incredibly excited to be celebrating this milestone for The Snowman. There is a tangible sense of fondness and affection towards the brand from consumers and retailers alike. With The Snowman, Raymond Briggs has created a precious tradition for families to come together in a shared experience. This powerful sense of nostalgia offers us something completely unique and we look forward to creating more opportunities for families to make memories with The Snowman in 2018.’

22 gifts today

ITVS announce publishing partner for Watership Down In a deal that covers all territories and languages, Pan Macmillan has been named Master Strategic Publishing Partner for the forthcoming CGI mini-series based on family favourite Watership Down. Set to be a major broadcast event for 2018, the proposed publishing programme perfectly complements the fourpart, animated series, incorporating imagery and stills from the programme for a cohesive, contemporary feel.

A beautifully designed gift picture story book will take artwork from the animation to bring the Watership Down story to life in a stunning, full-colour hardback edition with a timeless classic feel, perfect for families to enjoy together. A high-end, intricately illustrated colouring book will also be available, with both products launching A/W18.

Pocket. watch partners with Bruce Hartman The media brand that creates, acquires, distributes and curates content for kids age 2-11 across a variety of platforms, has partnered with the famed creator of the hit Nickelodeon television series Fairly OddParents, Danny Phantom and T.U.F.F. Puppy to create and produce three new animated series for kids alongside company’s Chief Content Officer Albie Hecht.

‘Butch Hartman is a creative force who has an uncanny ability to develop worlds that make kids stop, take notice and laugh out loud,” said Hecht.

‘I am thrilled to once again be working together on an entirely new slate of exciting properties, including our animated series for HobbyKidsTV.’

250 Million Year`s in the making

10C Stephenson Court | Priory Business Park | Fraser Road | Bedford MK44 3WH T: 0333 733 1264 | Email is sales@himasal.co.uk

Special Occasions Gifts

Stocking up on gifts for key occasions like Valentine’s, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day is a great way to boost sales after Christmas. Just ensure your offering will help customers show their loved ones how much they care.

Something special G

ift buying is increasingly about specifically choosing something special for the individual. After all, everyone likes things that are chosen specially for them, and sometimes it takes occasions like Mother’s Day and anniversaries for people to do this. Tom Sykes from Xystos agrees: ‘A bunch of roses purchased for Valentine’s Day from a garage forecourt, or aftershave for Father’s Day, may once have been acceptable, but this is no longer so.

Carefully chosen gifts say something about the giver, and show how they feel about the recipient.

‘Special occasion gifts are crucial.

After Christmas and Easter, occasions such as Valentine’s, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day give gift retailers the opportunity to boost revenue before Halloween comes along, which is an increasingly important event for shops.’

Research shows that many consumers rely on retailers to provide gift ideas for the major seasonal events in the spring/summer calendar, according to Samantha Dover from market research company Mintel. ‘This correlates with Mintel’s Trend Guiding Choice, which explores how consumers are faced with too much

‘A bunch of roses purchased for Valentine’s Day from a garage forecourt, or aftershave for Father’s Day, may once have been acceptable, but this is no longer so’ choice and too little time, and are, therefore, looking for shortcuts to aid their decision making,’ she says.

Having gifts suitable for a range of occasions can be crucial, as Monique Scott founder of Groovy UK confirms.

‘Within Groovy, we try to ensure we have unique gifts available for any occasion. And those big retailer dates like Valentine’s are a great opportunity to offer a his and hers option,’ she says.

Ensuring you have gifts available right up to the crucial dates is important, too. For instance, Mintel research

Did you know?

reveals high levels of last-minute shopping for Mother’s Day, which means retailers need to ensure they have appropriate products available to purchase right up to those final hours. The challenge goes beyond that for e-commerce: as people become increasingly accustomed to fast order from online retailers, their tendency to leave gift purchasing until the last minute is likely to rise. As such, retailers who can offer fast delivery in the final days in the build-up to such events will be the most likely to capitalise.

Research from Mintel reveals that Mother’s Day remains the most purchased for event in the spring/summer season, with a greater number of consumers spending money on Mother’s Day than on the other events like Easter, Valentine’s Day and Father’s Day. There are opportunities for retailers to encourage greater spending through events, premium ranges, gift recommendations and personalised products.

24 gifts today

Richard Lang & Son Ltd 1, Little Chester Park, Alfreton Rd, Derby DE21 4AA Tel: 01332 340927 Email: sales@richardlang.co.uk Web: www.richardlang.co.uk

Special Occasions Gifts

Romantic scents

WoodWick, from Xystos, has a candle for every occasion – and for Valentine’s Day those in a romantic mood have a choice when it comes to gifting.

They can say it with flowers with WoodWick’s new illustrated candles: the Hourglass and Ellipse vessels are decorated with pretty roses. Or they can opt for Love from the new-look Inspirational Collection.

Beards are proving to be big business for Baylis & Harding. The fashionable hirsute look for young and not-so-young men saw its Fuzzy Duck Men’s Collection Beard Grooming Kit racking up strong orders on the stand of distributor Xystos at Autumn Fair, and big sales are expected for Father’s Day. With a fragrance of cedarwood and wild sage, it comprises a cleansing beard shampoo, revitalising face wash, conditioning beard balm and wooden comb.

Fruit fragrances from the Baylis & Harding and Di Palomo ranges are expected to be popular with

buyers of Mother’s Day presents, while the new Gardeners’ Collection from Woods of Windsor is performing ‘phenomenally well’, with women among its biggest fans. It comprises a hand wash, hand scrub, hand cream and hand balm/butter. The offer includes the fresh floral accord of Blackberry & Thyme, a counter display holds four hand washes, five hand scrubs, five hand creams and six hand butters, and has a combined retail value of £130.80.

Call: 0191 499 1570 Email sales@xystos.co.uk Visit: xystostrade.co.uk

Royal Robes

As a special treat for your loved ones, celebrate your superheroes on Mother’s or Father’s Day with this Iron Man and Wonder Woman super soft bathrobe. Wonder Woman’s burgundy robe has her bold logo embroidered on the back and chest in gold thread, while Iron Man’s red and yellow robe has a printed blue electromagnet on the chest and yellow satin detail on the arms, along with blue boosters on the wrist cuff.

Groovy UK design and manufacture many unique gift lines and licenses include Star Wars, Marvel, DC Comics, Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them, Assassins Creed & Suicide Squad.

Call: 0844 372 7820 Email:hello@groovyuk.com Visit: groovyuk.com

Modern Hearts

If you are looking for something a little different that is right on trend, then look no further than the ‘Modern Hearts’ collection from Joe Davies. This modern, stylish collection features matching necklaces, bracelets and earrings in beautiful shades of etched purple and gold; colours straight off the fashion catwalk. All packed in ‘signature’ Equilibrium navy and cream packaging, this stylish collection makes the perfect gift.

The ever-popular Equilibrium collection sits alongside 7500 other wonderful gifts at Joe Davies, all displayed alongside the ever popular Equilibrium collection and available to order in little and often quantities with carriage paid orders of just £100 and free delivery nationwide.

Call: 0161 975 6300 Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk Visit: joedavies.co.uk 26 gifts today

Melting moments

Following the success of their Wax Melts, Bolsius introduce the new Wax Melts gift pack. Retailers can now purchase a giftable set featuring six of Bolsius’ best-selling melts, a ceramic burner and tealights. Infused with natural aromatics and oils, customers are able to blend and mix Vanilla, Magnolia and French Lavender, to create something that is altogether personal and emotive. This affordable pack makes the perfect gift for Mother’s Day, allowing users to express themselves and become master perfumers in their homes. Spur consumer impulse buying by displaying next to till points to entice before purchase.

Call: 0800 169 5126 Email: sales@uk.bolsius.com Visit: bolsius.co.uk

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FIELD SALES TEAM MANAGER An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced sales professional to lead a small, established sales team and personally manage the Wales and Midlands sales regions, with a requirement to regularly attend our Head Office in Swansea.

The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring sales and growth targets are achieved by representing the company in line with our growth strategy, values and brand identity, putting customers first and ensuring they receive the best customer experience possible.

sales environment. The role will involve seeking and developing new business opportunities, developing existing accounts and motivating the remote field sales team to achieve set targets.

Candidates should have a good level of IT literacy with an organised and structured approach, have the ability to motivate yourself and others, be articulate and well-presented and a team player.

Ideally from the giftware industry with a proven track record and at least 3 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; experience of achieving set targets in a field based SME B2B To apply, please submit your CV and covering letter outlining your suitability for the role to: jay@somethingdifferentwholesale.co.uk Closing Date: Friday 8 December

Special Occasions Gifts

Stylish selection

Christmas is the perfect time to give your business a boost with PoM’s latest collection of seasonal accessories and jewellery. With stunning scarves, gloves, cosy hats and fabulous tote bags as well as their beautiful jewellery range, Peace of Mind has everything you need to create a visually exciting and financially rewarding festive season. Stocking accessories give you, the retailer, a great opportunity to create eye-catching displays in even the smallest of shops. Layer up PoM ponchos with snoods, match gloves with knitted hats or scarves, be bold and colour clash or choose a neutral coloured wrap and add subtle flashes of metallics with their clutch bags or beaded purses, a must for the fast-approaching party season. If bling isn’t your thing then there’s plenty more to keep you happy.

Fabulously patterned cotton and wool scarves, elegant long silks, and comforting knits with tassels, pom poms and fringing adding superb detailing your customers will want to buy. PoM’s silver and silver plated collection also offers another great solution for this gifting time of year. The perfect blend of fresh clean, well-polished style, with an underlying bohemian vibe. Easy to wear, ageless and timeless it has, as always, PoM’s signature laid back elegance at its core. Mixed metals have huge appeal with the rose gold, gold and silver combination being one of their big hitters. Crystals, pearls and charms all add to its playfulness. This is a spirited collection for women who love jewellery and accessories whether they are buying for themselves or treating their sister, mum or daughter to a beautiful Christmas gift. PoM’s well thought out designs and fantastic quality will have them coming back to you year after year. And with new branded packaging, great point of sale and such a comprehensive collection to choose from, PoM offers you a Christmas that’s all wrapped up.

Call: 01225 777749 Visit: pom925.com

Scent of Christmas

Aromatize have announced the addition of two established candle brands - Kringle Candles and Kittredge Candles. Kringle Candles, was founded by Mick Kittredge in the USA in 2010.

The Kittredge family name is celebrated within the candle industry, with a history of producing the finest candles, and being the founder of another popular brand. Kringle’s distinctive white candles use the highest quality fragrances, with a unique look that will match any décor.

The second brand is Kittredge Candles. Using the original Kittredge Family Recipe, the Kittredge candles use the richest colours and the finest fragrances to perfect this candle brand.

Aromatize Managing Director Marvin Lomax commented: ‘We are delighted to be appointed as the exclusive distributor for the Kringle and Kittredge brands for the UK and Ireland. Anyone who knows the history of US fragranced candles will be aware that the Kittredge family name is synonymous with offering high quality items that produce fantastic fragrance throw. They very much welcome them into their ever growing portfolio of home fragranced products and accessories and are confident they will be very well received by our customers and consumers alike.’

Mark Cunningham, Vice President of Sales for the Kringle Candle Company, said: ‘The Kringle Candle Company, “A Heritage in Fragrance” – Made in the USA, is proud to announce a new business partnership with Aromatize Ltd for exclusive distribution of its ‘ultra-fragrant’ candles across the UK and Ireland.

‘The original founders of an industry, in 2010 Mick Kittredge launched Kringle Candle in Bernardston, MA with the help and guidance of his father, Mike Kittredge, the original founder of Yankee Candle and the fragranced candle industry as we know it. Aromatize Ltd will be great ambassadors for the Kringle and Kittredge brands in the UK and Ireland and will help us spread the word of ‘Original Quality and Original Fragrance Recipes’ from the Kringle Candle Company.’ Kringle Candles and Kittredge Candles will be in stock from January 2018, but customers can pre-order from the Aromatize website. Aromatize proudly now has four successful candle brands in their collection, as well as an extensive candle accessory range.

Visit: aromatize.co.uk

28 gifts today

Message in a box

Alexander Thurlow have added some new hearts to their fashion jewellery range. They make wonderful gifts, and are ideal for Mother’s Day. Gift shops are available.

The family business are showing at Top Drawer, Scotland Trade Show and Spring Fair.

Call: 020 8766 6466 Visit: alexanderthurlow.com

Test a publisherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s statement of circulation. In todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s business climate you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t afford not to.

Our ABC Certificate provides accurate, independently verified circulation figures, giving you confidence in your advertising investment.

If you want to reach 7,090* total average net circulation, then call Mark Horsnell on 01442 289930 or email markh@lemapublishing.co.uk *. Circulation figure relates to period from 1st July 2016 to 30th June 2017

For more information visit www.abc.org.uk or email info@abc.org.uk

Molten Metallic

Bring accents of copper, silver and gold into the home this Autumn, with the Rustic Metallic Pillar range from Bolsius. Opulent pigments in complimentary sizes allow for effortless interior styling and ambience.

T +44 0800 169 5126 sales@uk.bolsius.com

www.bolsius.com

Special Occasions Gifts

Getting hitched

Culinary style

Established in 1999, the Culinary Concepts name is fast becoming the must-have brand. Each year they go from strength to strength, bringing their innovative style and effortless class to homes everywhere. Culinary Concepts are known for offering the perfect gift ideas for every special occasion. Their stylish lovers’ flutes are perfect to give to a loved one on Valentine’s Day or their champagne cork keeper makes a unique gift for commemorating the first bottle of bubbles at a wedding or memorable birthday.

The Cartridge collection is quintessentially British and a perfect gift for Father’s Day. Anyone with a love of the great outdoors will love the pocketsized accessories, which are sure to make their day. Another great gift for Father’s Day is their top selling range of Sporting Themed Gifts featuring bottle stoppers, bookends and paperweights made from sliver plated brass. Great for those with a love of the game.

For the perfect gift on Mother’s Day, their test tube vases make an unusual table centrepiece and a striking way to display beautiful flowers around the home. Alongside a plethora of stunning votives and tea light holders, Culinary Concepts has every gift you need to treat those closest to you.

Visit: culinaryconceptsliving.com

Lamp light

Himasal are the UK’s largest direct importer of Hiimalayan Salt products.

They import their products from their own mine and this way can guarantee the quality and availability of stock. They want to bring their products to the public as easily as possible and offer retail partners a host of support options including a guaranteed stock buy-back on 90 days.

Himasal say their retail partners will never lose money, will gain new customers and all their salt products carry a 10-year no-quibble manufacturer warranty.

All lamps come with full light and fitting and they carry over 21 tons of stock at their warehouse in Bedford.

With area exclusivity and guarantees on product and stock availability, Himasal will be introducing new and innovative salt based products every three months to keep your customers engaged and returning time after time.

Visit: himasal.co.uk

30 gifts today

Wedding gift styles have firmly moved from the traditional to the trendy in recent years.

From ‘shabby chic’ to ‘topical’, weddings are increasingly themed to follow the current styles in home décor and gifts have followed suit.

As always Joe Davies offer a vast, up-to-date selection for weddings and all occasions and report particularly strong sales of their white and gold collections. These new Firefly LED Wedding Jars are proving a hot seller and are great for wedding tables and evening functions.

Always be assured of the Joe Davies trademark ‘Little & Often’ quantities with a minimum order of just £100 and free carriage nationwide.

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

Heat treats

Discover the Warmies Minis counter units - more than just microwavable toys. In addition to the Warmies Minis range and having expanded the main Warmies family of cute heatable soft toys with 10 new additions, Intelex Group have prepared even more winter-warming options for children and adults alike.

Consumers can keep cold at bay with the help of fully heatable boots, slippers and bottles from the Warmies Body range and the stylish Warmies Wolf Fur selection. Simply warm them in the microwave and then pop on to enjoy soothing warmth on long winter nights.

A thoughtful gift idea that will go down a treat with ladies across the UK this winter is the Warmies Spa Therapy range which features the ultimate in relaxation and comfort. Choose from lovely boots, slippers, body bottles, neck wraps and eye masks and create your own spa session in the comfort of your home.

Looking for a safer alternative to hot water bottles? Intelex Group’s new long hot water bottles provide exactly that and they come in winter-themed models, making excellent Christmas gifts for loved ones.

Call: 01933 679777 Email: sales@intelex.co.uk Visit: intelex.co.uk

Great gift stationery.

Covered.

sales@mgml.co.uk Tel: 01373 462165 www.museumsgalleries.co.uk

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14/11/2017 13:1

Mathilde M

A touch of French style Specialist in home fragrance, interior decoration and floral decoration for 30 years, the Mathilde Creations Group are worth exploring when you’re looking for product with that ‘je ne sais quoi’

B

ased in Macon, French Burgundy, the Mathilde Creations group owns three different brands – Mathilde M, Orval Creations and Artempo.

• Mathilde M – Home Fragrance & Decoration

Mathilde M Bois D’Epices

For 15 years, Mathilde M has been designing beautiful home fragrances that tell wonderful stories. Created in close cooperation with masterperfumers based in Grasse, the world’s perfume capital, they are as sophisticated as fragrances you’d wear on your body. Check out Bois D’Épices, combining ginger, black pepper and precious woods, and Délices D’Orange, blending orange with tasty spices and vanilla.

ORVAL Variations Graphiques

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32 gifts today

• Orval Creations Interior Decoration

ARTEMPO-parfum Pivoine Sublime

For over 30 years, the design team at Orval Creations have been creating products with a contemporary style, including everything from clocks to cushions, trays to textiles. Ranges include Jeu de Maille to bring a cosy touch to the winter home, and Variations Graphiques, offering a touch of clean modernity to interiors.

• Artempo – Fragranced Floral Decoration Launched in 2016, the brand combines floral art with fragrance, offering the joy of a flowered and scented house all year long. Impressively realistic, Artempo’s flowers are created with great attention to detail by a team of renowned suppliers. Deeply rooted in modern design, Artempo also

Did you know?

offers eight signature floral fragrances including Sublime Peony, Golden Ylang, Sunny Citrus Fruits and Velvet Cotton – and it only takes a few sprays to create an intense fragrance.

117 Rue Pablo Picasso, 71000 Macon, France +33 (0)3 85 33 09 43 orval-creations.com mathilde-m.com

Scented plaster decorations are emblems of the Mathilde M brand and are hand-crafted in the company’s own workshops. All the designs are hand-drawn by the company’s designers and are registered.

It’s personal

Personalised Gifts

The trend for personalised products has continued to grow throughout 2017, meaning it’s a perfect time to put your own stamp on this sector.

T

he UK market for personalised gifts was valued at over a £1bn, according to a 2015 survey by YouGov. It shows that, out of 1,000 adults surveyed, over 53% of us have sent a personalised gift - that’s 27 million people with an average spend of over £36 per gift.

‘We live in an age where the desire for a personalised retail experience is continually growing,’ says Keren Dicken, Sales and Marketing Director at Personalised Memento Company.

‘This lends itself to personalised gifts, where consumers can create something unique and tailored to their recipient. In fact, a recent study suggested that more than 50% of consumers expressed an interest in purchasing a personalised product, indicating that personalisation has become an essential part of the industry and a rapidly growing area.

‘Personalisation makes the tricky task of finding the perfect gift significantly easier. So, by offering a wide selection of personalised gifts, retailers are simplifying the gift-buying process and making their customers’ lives a little easier, too!’

Kevin Spindler, owner of Signature Gifts, agrees. ‘The gift industry has never been so vastly populated; and for consumers, the choices and options available are wide-ranging and diverse.

In many ways, this can only benefit the consumer, but can also prove problematic.

‘With such a range of products to choose from, finding the right gift can be a difficult and stressful task.

Personalised gifts stand out from the crowd. Adding that personalised touch,

whether it’s the recipient’s name, or a heartfelt message, will add sentimental value to a gift that you really can’t put a price on.

‘The unique features of the personalised gift will often attract consumers who are having difficulty deciding what to purchase, and with personalised products for all ages readily available, the gifts industry will only see personalised gifts move from strength to strength.’

For retailers considering moving into personalised gifts, there are many potential benefits – most of all, increased business. ‘Personalised gifts stand out,’ says Kevin Spindler. ‘If a customer has already purchased a personalised gift from a retailer, there is a very high likelihood that their next gift purchase will come from the same source. With this in mind, the retailer would really benefit from building on the range of personalised gifts to give the customer a wider choice, increasing the probability of sales.’

Personalisation is also a great way to keep up with trends. Take notonthehighstreet.com, where the most popular gifts tend to incorporate hobbies, colours or memories that are specific to the recipient. The company have seen customisation through photography popular with customers as well as trends such as copper or brass.

The company reports that, looking forward, they are moving away from the classic overt personalisation to secret or creative personalisation like their personalised maps, or hidden messages that represent specific memories, dates or locations.

Watch this space!

‘Adding that personalised touch, whether it’s the recipient’s name, or a heartfelt message, will add sentimental value to a gift that you can’t really put a price on’

gifts today 33

Personalised Gifts

Fairytale story

Signature are about to launch their latest license: Disney. They will soon be selling a range of personalised books that are based on Disney movies and other famous Disney characters, such as Mickey Mouse.

As well as standard personalised books that will be based on recent and upcoming Disney titles, they will be offering a ‘Timeless Series’.

The Timeless Series will feature some of the original Disney classics such as The Jungle Book and Pinocchio, and will all feature original artwork from the movies. This will lead to an authentic, traditional gift that will naturally come with personalisation. They are all understandably excited about our working relationship with Disney, and hope their customers will benefit greatly from this.

Call: 01582 464809 Email: sales@signature-gifts.co.uk Visit: signature-gifts.co.uk

Hidden Gem

Solo’s classic yet contemporary Regent Carriage Clock is perfect to mark the most special of Special Occasions; and features a hidden secret that makes this clock truly special.

Special occasions are just that. Special! So when it comes to choosing a gift, whether it’s for a christening, wedding, birthday, or anniversary, it’s important to select a present with the longevity to last a lifetime. The Regent Carriage Clock, Solo’s 21st Century take on a 19th Century classic, is finished in lustrous, polished nickel plate, and with sleek styling and modern-design face, it’s the perfect combination of tradition and contemporary style.

But what makes this gift so special is its secret door; the face opens to reveal a hidden compartment which is perfect for squirrelling away jewellery, keys or a keepsake; a unique and delightful additional twist.

The Regent is also perfect for personalisation and can be engraved with a message to create a gift with that personal touch. And Solo can provide a drop-ship service for engraved or plain stock. The Regent Carriage Clock is also available in stunning gold plate.

Call: 01789 262900 Visit: solo.uk

34 gifts today

Column 20.20

Far fetched

retail?

As luxury e-tailer Farfetch launches Stores of the Future, Mariann Wenckheim, Director at design consultancy 20.20, looks at how retailers could learn from this concept

F

ashion store Farfetch provides a platform for lmagine some of the world’s most you could exclusive boutiques to showcase their clothing and offer your accessories, enabling them to reach customers’ a wider, international audience.

Like Amazon and eBay, friends ideas for Farfetch allows small retailers to a child’s birthday sell products without investing in a complex e-commerce site. It via social media also manages shipping, removing because you concerns about order fulfilment – and since it is dedicated to highknow they’ve end fashion, it has the power to been invited to attract the right customers with its the party carefully-curated collections.

Now the e-tailer has its sights set on the physical realm with the much talked-about ‘Stores of the Future’.

Due to open this autumn at Browns in London and Thom Browne in New York City, the concept was unveiled in London earlier this year.

Using data is nothing new in retail, however Farfetch wants to create more personal customer experiences in shops. It’s hoped that, by harnessing this data, boutiques can become strategic in their marketing campaigns, as José Neves, CEO of Farfetch, says in an interview with Business of Fashion: ‘Imagine targeting a customer on Instagram because you know that five hours earlier they’ve been to your shop and they’ve picked up a certain bag.’

There are striking similarities

“

”

between independent fashion stores and gift retailers. Online competition from supermarkets and well-known chains has made it more difficult for traditional stores to keep pace, particularly when it comes to price and order fulfilment.

So perhaps we need a Farfetch-style ‘Gift Shop of the Future’ that would help smaller retailers compete on a more equal footing. Let’s take a moment to imagine what this could look like.

Unlike large retailers, small stores can find it difficult to obtain these deep consumer insights – yet buying gifts is an incredibly personal and emotional experience for many, so tapping into people’s desires and motivations is essential for sales.

What if there was a platform that helped you get to know your customers better?

It could help you observe their behaviour better, answer questions and find out what impact your products had on them.

Imagine that you could offer your customers’ friends ideas for a child’s

birthday via social media because you know they’ve been invited to the party.

Or consider how you might market gifts and books because you know their child would love them. You could also invite people to input children’s birthdays into a calendar and then send reminders and gift suggestions in the weeks beforehand.

Clearly, technology is already changing the way stores connect with their customers. Although independent stores can create their own e-commerce sites, they’ll need a more powerful engine to propel them. As well as creating personal experiences for consumers, Farfetch’s Store of the Future also responds to the demands of its retail partners, allowing them to add all the features and services they want.

Unless a dedicated toy retail platform is launched, it’s likely that Amazon and eBay will continue to fulfil a similar function to Farfetch. Given this opportunity, surely it’s time for the two giants to work more closely with independent stores, not just online but offline too, linking the two intrinsically together.

gifts today 35

Trade talk

Gifts Today loves to hear your views.

Leading figures in the gift industry talk personalised gifts and special occasions.

Tom Sykes Director, Xystos What benefits do you feel retailers can expect by building on their Special Occasions Gifts offering?

Keren Dicken Sales and Marketing Director, Personalised Memento Co (PMC) What trends do you recommend retailers should look out for in Personalised Gifts?

It has been reported that the non-photo personalised gifts market will grow by 11% by 2020, making it vital to meet the growing demand for personalised gifts. The growth of the personalised gifts market has been helped by the fact that personalisation is now available on an enormous amount of products. Retailers should especially look out for personalised gifts that offer practicality, such as homeware and kitchenware. A personalised gift that does more than simply look great has a higher perceived value, and we’re seeing evidence of this through our homeware range, which is selling exceptionally well. Great examples of this include our personalised scented candles, wood and slate chopping boards and glassware.

What new products are out there for the customer who is looking for something new in Personalised Gifts?

At PMC, we produce over 300 individual base products, covering all gifting areas. We’ve recently launched a collection of brand new personalised gifts including scented reed diffusers, jewellery and cufflink organiser boxes, and leather luggage tags, all of which bring something fresh to the market. It’s also clear that price isn’t a barrier, as one in five people are willing to pay a premium for personalised gifts. With this in mind, we’ve also expanded our choice of premium homeware to include laundry and storage bags, wooden keepsake boxes and decorative tea light holders.

36 gifts today

Giving customers a choice of products is a no-brainer if you want to increase business. Imaginative companies within the Xystos portfolio now offer affordable and, in my view, better alternatives across all the occasions. For instance, because of the current hirsute trend among men, we expect the Baylis & Harding Fuzzy Duck Men’s Collection Beard Grooming Kit to rack up big Father’s Day sales.

What trends do you recommend retailers should look out for in Special Occasion Gifts?

The best companies reflect trends in everyday life through their products – hence the beard grooming kit – as well as anticipating them with the help of companies such as WGSN and Mintel. So, the more information that retailers have, the better equipped they are to get ahead of the curve. Fruit fragrances are certainly fashionable, which is illustrated by both the Baylis & Harding and Di Palomo ranges. The Signature collection from Baylis & Harding features scents such as Sweet Mandarin & Grapefruit and Midnight Fig & Pomegranate, while Di Palomo is offering products such as Black Cherry and Wild Fig & Grape, with the colours on packaging reflecting the fragrances.

What products are selling well for you at the moment – and why do you think this is?

The WoodWick Artisan Collection and Village Candle’s Christmas products have certainly caught the imagination of the trade, as has the Woods of Windsor Gardeners’ Collection. With Christmas approaching, gift sets are ever-popular and tailored to suit all pockets. Baylis & Harding’s Fuzzy Duck festive offering ranges from a two-bottle hand wash and hand and body lotion in a metal rack to the slippers’ gift set comprising bath soak crystals, soap, shower gel, body balm and a pair of mule slippers.

What new products are out there for the customer who is looking for something new in Special Occasions Gifts?

I’ve already mentioned the beard grooming kit for Father’s Day, but the Baylis & Harding feminine offer next year is certainly one to watch for Mother’s Day. It will have lots of fizz, reflecting the continuing popularity of prosecco and the renaissance of gin – and feature plenty of pink and rosé.

Monique Scott MD, Groovy How important do you feel Special Occasion Gifts are within the gifts industry?

Within Groovy we try to ensure we have unique gifts available for any occasion, but those big retailer dates like Valentine’s are a great opportunity to offer a his and hers option like the Harry Potter robes, creating the heroes in your home. Not forgetting Wonder Woman for all those fabulous mums out there on Mother’s day! Or why not Ironman for all those superhero Dads.

What benefits do you feel retailers can expect by building on their Special Occasion Gifts offering?

Many of our gift lines are licensed-based, offering comfort and luxury or fun unique lifestyle gifts perfect for everyday and special occasions. Brand loyalty is a key driver in retail sales - the more lines our retailers stock the customer loyalty increases and becomes the first place to shop for those big events, with the added benefit of instantly recognisable brands increasing collectability

What trends do you recommend retailers should look out for in Special Occasion Gifts?

The strength of movies and celebrities is stronger than ever and we have just signed the license Frida Kahlo encompassing everything I love, a powerful iconic woman celebrated internationally for her unique style. This is a very hot licence at the moment, offering a variance to mainstream but definitely a trend to watch.

What products are selling well for you at the moment? (And why do you think this is?)

Harry Potter continues to be a fabulous licence for us and we are continually refreshing the range with fabulous new lines, something for every Potter fan, particularly bathrobes. We are also seeing a great demand in our in-house design Look-ALite lighting range; the truly unique style and affordability makes this a great gift line and of course our string lights are a great all round seller.

Kevin Spindler Owner, Signature Gifts What trends do you recommend retailers should look out for in Personalised Gifts?

and babies, to the mid-life crisis and

We definitely recommend looking out for releases of character-based

hangover! Our range of licensed

books, especially those that are licensed. These books will have a strong

books appeal to all ages, another

position in the market already due to the popularity of the character and

reason why sales are proving

licence. Adding personalisation to this equation will only enhance the

successful.

status and reputation of these products, making them a much more attractive proposition for potential customers. For example, we sell a range of personalised Peter Rabbit books that have proven to be very successful, especially with the recent landmark of Beatrix Potter’s 150th birthday.

that age-old adult affliction, the

What new products are out there for the customer who is looking for something new in Personalised Gifts?

Without wanting to blow the licensed book trumpet too much, we are excited about our latest license - Disney. We will soon be selling a range

What products are selling well for you at the moment? (And why do you think this is?)

of personalised books that are based on Disney movies and other

Again, licensed products are really hot at the moment, and our

personalised books that will be based on recent and upcoming Disney

personalised versions have benefited from this. We offer a range of different

titles, we will be offering a ‘Timeless Series’. The Timeless Series will

personalised licensed books, and they are all selling phenomenally well.

feature some of the original Disney classics such as The Jungle Book

For children, we have the Thomas the Tank Engine personalised book

and Pinocchio, and will all feature original artwork from the movies.

which is proving to be very popular, amongst others. We also sell various

This will lead to an authentic, traditional gift that will naturally come with

licensed books for adults, including a series of Ladybird books and Haynes

personalisation. We are all understandably excited about our working

manuals. Both these ranges are a parody of the original books, and take

relationship with Disney, and we hope that our customers will benefit

a tongue-in-cheek look at various aspects of adult life - from marriage

greatly from this.

famous Disney characters, such as Mickey Mouse. As well as standard

gifts today 37

Retailers’ Panel

Gifts Today Retailers’ Panel Key gift retailers talk trade shows, trends and trading highlights of 2017 Emma Paisey Daisy Park, South Molton, North Devon What’s the story behind your shop?

We started Daisy Park in 2007 with a market stall and learned our trade from the bottom up. We now have a beautiful life-style store and Daisy Park website selling goodies that we love ourselves.

What do you think makes you stand out from the rest?

The whole customer experience from the basics of saying hello to each customer in store and getting the environment right with product, service and price.

Looking back, what advice would you give yourself when setting up your company?

To utilise the services of experts such as my web guys, social media experts and get a good accountant from the start.

Kidston nearer the time.

Any selling tips when it comes to helping someone buy a gift in your shop?

It’s all about finding out about the person they are buying for. We have a varied age group of staff from 18+ so if someone’s looking for a teenager’s gift, our younger staff members are perfect for saying what they like.

How price-sensitive do you think retail is right now?

We are finding a lot of smaller purchases. People are cutting back with what they spend most definitely.

People still love to browse and you can’t browse online as easily. It’s the impulse purchases or noticing something in store as a gift that online doesn’t give.

What’s selling well for you at the moment?

Is there anything in particular you’ll be focusing on next year?

Obviously with Christmas approaching there seems to be smaller purchases. We expect this will move onto bigger spends such as Emma Bridgewater and Cath

We continue to grow online and are very proactive on social media.

Jenny Morrison Top Drawer, St Andrews, Scotland

Angela Neal Blueberry, Minehead, Somerset How would you sum up this year’s trading?

Challenging! Having a reputation for offering something ‘different’ can be tricky to live up to, especially as our business is so seasonal and our retail space limited. We have noticed a considerable change in customer behaviour, with less expensive items preferred, or fewer items purchased overall.

What was your biggest retail difficulty in 2017?

We have seen a number of price increases from our suppliers. For some products we have raised prices, for others we have absorbed these additional costs.

And the highlight of your trading year?

We are finalising the details for a sponsorship with a local radio station. It will be surreal but so exciting to hear our shop mentioned on the airwaves!

What was your favourite trade show of the year?

I love the sheer size of Spring Fair, and the feeling that your next product is out there waiting for you to find it.

Biggest trends you’ve seen in the gift industry this year?

How would you sum up this year’s trading?

And the highlight of your trading year?

Trade is currently on par with recent years - if anything slightly quieter. Interestingly, people are taking longer to think about purchases than before, with less impulse buying.

Being nominated in the ‘Independent Gift Retailer of the Year, Scotland’ category at the Greats Awards this year.

There has been a significant increase in the number of licensed products and unicornthemed gifts available; we’ve also spotted that mermaids look set to be the next big theme.

What was your favourite trade show of the year?

Is there anything in particular you will be focusing on next year?

What was your biggest retail difficulty in 2017?

Probably having my long term staff graduate and move away from St Andrews. I ended up working on my own for a few weeks during Summer.

Spring Fair and Scotland Trade Fair Spring.

Biggest trends you’ve seen in the gift industry this year?

Unicorns and flamingos! Also, anything gin or prosecco related have still done well again this year.

Is there anything in particular you will be focusing on next year?

We will continue to utilise our social media pages, as this always proves a great way for us to keep in touch with our customers.

JOIN OUR RETAILERS’ PANEL! Fancy having your say about the gift industry? Want to share news about your business? Just drop editor Sally Norton an email at sally@lemapublishing.co.uk. Look forward to hearing from you!

38 gifts today

We are in the final stages of launching a website for our sterling silver jewellery. Trading online will help us to better serve our existing customers as well as increase awareness of our business and the brands we stock.

Gift Books

Freepik

The joy of a good book

Good news for readers who prefer a real book, as retailers reveal that sales of paper books are growing, while eBooks sales fall for the second consecutive year. Time to stock up on gift books to tempt shoppers looking for something for the bookworm in their lives.

P

eople are buying books again, it’s official. A Nielsen survey found that more than 360m books were sold in 2016 – a 2% jump year on year. According to the research group, it’s also good news for bricks-and-mortar bookshops, with a 4% rise in purchases across the UK. ‘Readers take pleasure in a physical book that does not translate well on to digital,’ said a Publishers Association report.

Nielsen’s survey has necessitated a rethink for those who predicted a decline in physical books. What’s more, it seems that it’s the younger generations who are driving the trend, turning to books as a break from their screens and social media.

A quirky read ‘Unlike traditional bestsellers like a celebrity cookbook or biography, we look for books which are appropriate for gift retailers,’ says Fiona Stout, sales director of independent UK supplier Bookspeed. ‘This allows us to find quirky and interesting books, often published by smaller and lesser known publishers, that we believe have potential and then bring them to the gift market.

‘While there are a number of strong consumer trends, such as unicorns, llamas, flamingos and mermaids, we believe the Mr Men and Little Miss parody series will outdo all other titles this year.’

Bookspeed’s latest gift book catalogue showcases the company’s current selection of what it considers to be the ‘best of the best’ – more than 1000 key books reflecting the most popular themes and trends across the gift market from humour and children’s to lifestyle and fashion.

Books you can touch Books, and in particular gift books, often need to be seen in the flesh to appreciate the paper, the finishes, the special touches like foil and ribbons. Indeed, as lifestyles become more and more digitalised, it seems that consumers are now elevating the value of physical goods. You simply can’t recreate a gift book digitally because you need to handle it to really appreciate its true quality.

Whether it’s about pop-up features or beautiful paper, it’s the tactile appeal of books that means you really can’t beat a physical store when browsing for something special. Staff expertise and offering an oasis of calm to busy shoppers can also be helpful in drawing customers back in store.

A great place to source gift books is House of Marbles, who offer a huge range of titles for adults and children. From adult colouring books to the Enid Blyton parody range, lift-the-flap books to tactile non-fiction titles, there’s something for everyone in their range.

10 Years of Christmas bestsellers Bookspeed has identified the following books as the biggest festive sellers over the last decade.

2017: 2016:

2015:

2014: 2013: 2012: 2011: 2010: 2009: 2008:

Mr Men and Little Miss for GrownUps parody series.

Enid Blyton parody range. ‘Five on Brexit Island’ is the single bestseller.

Ladybird parody range. ‘How it works – The Husband’ is the single bestseller.

Tequila Mockingbird.

Guinea Pig Nativity.

Fifty Sheds of Grey.

Doodles at Dinner.

Hummingbird Bakery – Cupcakes and Muffins.

Keep Calm and Carry On. Gallop! gifts today 39

Gift Books

Books are best

For humour, novelty and uniqueness this Christmas look no further than the House of Marbles’ range of gift books for children and adults.

There is a huge selection to choose from, ranging from early learning, education and activity right through to comedy and puzzles for grownups. Every book has been carefully chosen to offer the very best in quality and entertainment. You’ll also receive plenty of help with shop displays, with lots of counter packs and display stands available to maximise the impact instore and show off the ranges.

For Christmas they have a fun selection of festive-themed books along with a massive range of all the best-selling collections, including the hilarious Ladybird and Famous Five series as well as the brand new Wit & Wisdom and Mr Men titles for adults.

Carriage paid orders start from only £150 and you can see the full collection on their easy-to-use website. So if you want to offer an interesting and exciting range make sure you contact the House of Marbles team.

Call: 01626 835358 Email: uk@houseofmarbles.com Visit: houseofmarbles.com/tradeuk

Artful books

Spineless Classics expands range to include Edith Nesbit’s popular masterpiece, The Railway Children. The company creates wall art by printing the complete text of a book on a poster, with the surprisingly legible 4-point words arranged in a delightful design. Each design includes every single paragraph, word and full stop of a classic novel to create an innovative and fascinating talking point for any home.

The Railway Children is the latest addition to Spineless Classics’ extensive range of literary art prints, which includes well-loved stories such as Wuthering Heights, 1984, The Great Gatsby and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Carl Pappenheim, bibliophile founder of Spineless Classics, said: ‘The Railway Children is one of my favourite books. Patient Bobby, excitable Phyllis and their resourceful brother Peter are wonderful characters with whom to share your home.’

Visit: spinelessclassics.com

License to read

Signature Gifts will soon be selling a range of personalised books that are based on Disney movies and other famous Disney characters, such as Mickey Mouse. As well as standard personalised books that will be based on recent and upcoming Disney titles, they will be offering a ‘Timeless Series’. The Timeless Series will feature some of the original Disney classics such as The Jungle Book and Pinocchio, and will all feature original artwork from the movies. This will lead to an authentic, traditional gift that will naturally come with personalisation.

Call: 01582 Email: sales@signature-gifts.co.uk Visit: signature-gifts.co.uk 40 gifts today

New Products Winter warmers

With demand for festive products quickly on the rise in the run up to Christmas, Intelex Group are delighted to provide gift and toy stores, independent pharmacies, department stores, garden centres and savvy online retailers with exciting new additions to their best-selling Warmies range.

The company, who have remained at the forefront of the heatable toys market for the past two decades, have enjoyed global success with their adorable Warmies soft toys which have become popular replacements for traditional hot water bottles.

This year, Intelex Group have launched a series of new products which combine popular trends with their trademark innovation and are perfect for helping retailers maximise their profits during one of the most lucrative times of the year – Christmas. The exciting new Warmies Minis range features miniature heatable soft toys which come in 16 pieces per counter unit, with retailers being able to choose from four themed counter units – Christmas, Fantasy, Farm and Pets.

The convenient packaging, which reflects the chosen theme, can be easily transformed into counter display units that can be placed at key till points in store to help create awareness at the point of purchase and encourage impulse buys.

These adorable little characters which can be gently warmed in the microwave for 30 seconds, will make excellent stocking fillers this Christmas. Due to their warming feature, children can easily pop them into coat pockets to keep their hands warm on winter walks, or enjoy as a lovely alternative to hot water bottles at home on frosty evenings.

And that’s not all. Warmies Minis have already proved to be perennially popular as great collectable toys for children across the UK, making them an excellent addition for retailers who want to capitalise on this trend all year round. The range has also enjoyed massive success as gauged by the trade orders received so far and the overwhelmingly positive feedback received at recent trade shows. intelex.co.uk

It’s only natural

Museums & Galleries Ltd, which brings the best of art and design from around the world to greeting cards, stationery and Christmas product, will be launching a new range of Natural History Museum stationery in January 2018. The range will include journals, mini notebooks, a mini notebook set, gift wrap, bookmarks, notelet packs, everyday cards and a to-do pad.

The design of the new range was inspired by the Museum’s first-ever dedicated style guide for the adult market. This style guide takes images inspired by the Museum’s artefacts and exhibits and combines them in collaged, kaleidoscopic, tiled, geometric or scrapbook styles, to stunning and often extraordinarily beautiful effect. With this more clearly defined offering — which includes a new children’s style guide that combines striking, colourful and witty designs with themes of exploration — the Museum is ideally positioned to grow its licensing programme.

Ben Dorney, Creative Director at Museums & Galleries says: ‘The Natural History Museum is a world-renowned visitor destination and brand, with huge potential for licensing in its visual archive. Upon seeing the exciting new adult style guide developed by the Museum it was immediately clear that it could sit perfectly within our collection. It offers a dynamic interpretation of a legendary heritage brand, re-invented and ready-made for retailers with an eye for both style and substance – in short, everything we aim for. We’re thrilled to be working with the licensing team at the Natural History Museum. ‘ Maxine Lister, Senior Licensing Manager, Natural History Museum, adds: ‘Museums & Galleries excels at transforming iconic art and design into beautiful stationery. With a combination of our historical resources and their expertise and dedication to quality, we are very excited to be working with the team to develop a collaborate range celebrating all the Museum has to offer.’

42 gifts today

Get creative

As experts in consumer trends, Creative Products has this year’s festive season wrapped up with its latest kitchen gadgets – The Nut Cracker and the Smart Cutter – available in time for the peak Christmas retail season.

The multi-purpose Nut Cracker has been cleverly designed with a spring handle mechanism and easy to grip, non-slip handles, making it easy to crack the shell of any nut while leaving the nut intact.

Offering a stress-free solution to Christmas dinner preparations, Creative Products’ Smart Cutter features a razor sharp stainless-steel blade and an integrated cutting board for a quick, mess-free alternative to traditional knives and cutting boards. creativeproducts.ltd.uk

Social Media - Ross Hewitt

Actions for Facebook Interactions With Facebook leading the charge towards making every business page owner have to pay for eyes on their content it is still becoming harder and harder to get decent traction with social media content.

W

hatever your size of audience it’s a real achievement to get an engagement level of over two or three percent. Look at a post that you think went well and do the maths - add up the number of likes and comments then divide that by the number of people who follow your page and times it by one hundred. If you have managed to achieve an engagement of over three percent, you’re probably looking at a post that was either boosted or where people had to like or comment to enter a competition…so do it on a ’normal’ post. If you do get that impressive result frequently on normal posts then let me know as you should be writing this column every month instead of me.

I have probably whinged on about this before, but it just sucks that you work hard to build an audience of followers and then you have your capability to reach them choked down so brutally. It sucks for the audience too as they chose to follow your page because they want to be kept up to date, yet it is likely that the content they want to see will never be put in front of them in their newsfeed.

It’s lovely that the founder of Facebook is going to spend billions helping humanity with lots of philanthropic projects, but it’s all going to happen by ‘taxing’ business owners who use Facebook or Instagram…so boo to you Zuck!

This choke-down on reach is also happening a lot more on Instagram too, so that one is heading the same way as Facebook…you need to pay to play.

There isn’t much that can be done

to stem the tide and to dramatically increase your reach, but there are a few things that can help a little bit. A good starting point is to familiarise yourself with how Facebook’s algorithm works, and I am grateful to a recent post from the Buffer blog (which you should all be following) which simplified matters very well.

‘

If you still aren’t using images or videos in your posts, then get busy with them right now

’

Here are some things the algorithm likes: • Posts with lots of likes, comments, and shares • Posts that receive a high volume of likes, comments, or shares in a short time • Post types that users seem to prefer more than others (e.g. photo, video, or status update) • Posts that are timely or reference a trending topic • Posts from pages with complete profile information For balance, here are some things that the algorithm does NOT like: • Overly promotional content from pages—pushing people to buy an app or service, pushing people to enter a contest or sweepstakes • Frequently circulated content and repeated posts • Text-only status updates from pages

• Posts that ask for likes, comments, or shares Using the above as a guide you can start to think about the next few posts you’re planning. If you still aren’t using images or videos in your posts then get busy with them right now. Text-only updates fall flat…it’s pretty much a fact now. Get your page profile completely up-to-date if you haven’t done so already.

To generate more interaction with your posts, try to create ones that ask a question or clearly require input from your audience. Try a ‘fill in the blank’ question such as ‘The best gift I ever received was _______’.

Make this a visual post by posting a suitable image with the text of the question overlaid on it and then repeat the question in the post text. This should start to get some responses and as more people respond then more people that see it will join in too. This makes the Facebook algorithm happy, so it will put the post in front of more people than would normally see it.

‘Either Or’ or ‘True or False’ type questions also generate activity as they are easy to answer. It is a similar idea to the previous one but this time you might ask a question such as ‘Which is best…

Halloween or Easter?’ or something such as ‘Wooden toys or plastic?’ Direct questions that stimulate longer answers also work, and this could be something such as ‘Who is the hardest person to buy a gift for in your life?’

You know your audience best, so trial this type of content in the way that you believe will be the most compelling, but always keep testing and learning as everything you do needs to be generating engagement if you want your page to be shown to more of your followers.

Ross Hewitt, Managing Director of Secret Pie and author of ‘Savvy Social Media’. Ross began his digital marketing career in 1998 when social networking was something you only did in a pub. He set up Secret Pie in 2010 and has been helping clients get found and loved online ever since. www.secretpie.co.uk | Ross@secretpie.co.uk | 01904 410027 | Twitter: @Secret_Pie gifts today 43

Julie Dodsworth

Take a break In the madness that’s the run-up to Christmas for retailers, make time for family and friends

W

Julie Dodsworth is a British artisan whose lifelong business in her plant and display company gave birth to her homeware business in more recent years.

Gifts Today has invited Julie to share with us her inspirations, the great ideas of others she meets along the way and what she feels has been amazing advice in business.

44 gifts today

ith Christmas approaching, our work load in both our display business and homewares seems to triple by the day. There are vans loaded heavy, the sweet-smelling pines and the trade counter is bursting with boxes of stock either arriving or going. It’s fantastic to see the Q4 in full swing and for me - who sees the whole gift process from the tip of my paintbrush, to the product development, the joy of manufacturing, the excitement of the spring shows to finally the stock arriving with the retailers ready for Christmas - it’s all quite a journey.

Come December there are just not enough hours in the day but we know, just like you, we must find the hours and keep going until the ‘closed’ sign is in the window on Christmas Eve. In and amongst all the hustle and bustle, it can hard to keep sight of the true meaning of Christmas and find time for ourselves and our families to enjoy the festive season.

Many years ago I was extremely lucky to hear a fantastic speaker at a business networking event in my home city of York. The theme of the talk was about work/life balance.

My business associates and I were keen to learn - not just for ourselves but for ideas of team rewards and incentives for our employees.

What followed was extremely thought-provoking and myself and others left that afternoon visibly moved by his words. We were asked to take a seat around the large horseshoe table where there were empty jam jars and tubes of chocolate beans. The speaker asked us to empty the tubes on to the table and put one bean in the jar for every summer we would spend with our children before they were eighteen. My children were already in their teens and my jar rattled with just a couple of beans. Even my

associates with young children didn’t seem to have that many beans in the jar.

We were asked to repeat the process - this time, how many beans would be in the jar for thee number of Christmases spent with our children before their 21st birthdays. Again I had only five or six beans in my jar, others a few more, some none. The message was simple and clear. Those chocolate beans represented time and that it must be time enjoyed and well spent. Time is our most precious commodity and, in n the hustle and bustle of hard work ork and getting our jobs done, we can soon forget about those very few chocolate beans.

I kicked the leaves as I crossed the park in deep thought going home that day. I was a little shocked by

“

It can hard to keep sight of the true meaning of Christmas and find time for ourselves and our families to enjoy the festive season

”

the message but I felt lucky that I’d heard it. For sure it wouldn’t ever change the value of the practical work to be done, but keeping time for family and friends (and a little something for those less fortunate) is a job well done too. So a big well done and a glass raised to fellow work/ life jugglers. Christmas, here we come!

Exhibition Diary

EXHIBITION DIARY 2017

Hello and welcome to our annual Exhibition Diary – your indispensable guide for navigating the maze that is the world of exhibitions.

Over the following pages you’ll find the latest exhibition news, show previews and a comprehensive diary designed to help you organise your 2017 show calendar at home and abroad. Read on for more details.

Happy planning!

CONTENTS 46

Exhibition News Plan for January 2018 with our guide to Spring Fair and Top Drawer.

48

Ambiente Head to Frankfurt am Main in February for the international consumer goods fair.

50

52

54

Christmasworld The leading international trade fair for festive and seasonal decorations. Don’t miss The Trend Show for inspiration.

Tokyo International Gift Show The 85th International show is the largest of its kind in Japan, covering everything from fragrance to stationery, fashion to beauty, home furnishings to kitchenware.

NY NOW Head to the Big Apple for gift, lifestyle and handmade goods.

56

Harrogate Christmas & Gift Learn more about the show which is a favourite with garden centres, tourist attractions, and independents, too.

58

Welsh Spring Fair Taking place in Llandudno, North Wales, this is Wales’s premier home and gift show.

60

Scotland’s Trade Fair and Giving & Living Great buying opportunities north of the border and in Exeter.

64

UK Exhibition Diary Our pick of the UK shows.

65

Worldwide Exhibition Diary Dates Buying opportunities around the world.

gifts today 45

exhibition news

Give your store a makeover Head to Spring Fair for the largest number of home fragrance suppliers and a fresh spotlight on Beauty & Wellbeing.

The season’s best giftware The Gift sector – the UK’s largest gathering of giftware suppliers - will deliver the newest products from around the world, enabling retailers to make the most of all the major gifting occasions.

Among the exhibitors presenting exciting new ranges will be Enesco Ltd, Joe Davies, Lesser & Pavey, Ross & Ross Food and Something Different Wholesale.

They will be joined by international suppliers Out of the Blue KG, Gilde Handwerk, Artesania Esteban Ferrer and Kalid Interiors, while Lighthouse Frames and IBOERS will exhibit at the event for the first time.

The sector will also house the UK’s largest collection of home fragrances, with more than 50 major home fragrance brands present, including Wax Lyrical, Ashleigh & Burwood, Flame & Fragrance, Price’s Candles, Aromatize, Shearer Candles, Root Candles and Yankee Candle.

Bringing beauty to the fore Beauty gifts are becoming increasingly popular and sales of personal care products in the UK reached an all-time high of £4bn last year. To help retailers capitalise on this trend, some of the world’s leading suppliers will showcase indulgent bath and shower products, premium skincare, cosmetics, men’s grooming and natural remedies in Spring Fair’s Beauty & Wellbeing sector.

Among the new names joining next year’s event are: • 7th Heaven with its cruelty-free skincare brand Montagne Jeunesse.

• Schmoo Skincare, which currently provides more than 40,000 spa treatments to Hilton hotel customers in five worldwide locations.

• Saville & Quinn, the bath and body specialists.

• Portugese brand Castelbel will also return, presenting its range of fine toiletry soaps and luxury fragranced body care products.

Independents, multiples and online retailers will also find the latest ranges from Potter & Moore, Heathcote & Ivory, Bayliss & Harding, Bomb Cosmetics, Winter in Venice, Scottish Fine Soaps, Graham Anthony Distribution and Edwin Jagger.

Louise Young, Managing Director of Spring Fair, said: ‘Recent economic uncertainty has encouraged shoppers to seek out small luxuries, rather than bigticket items, with beauty brands finding that sales remain buoyant. The Beauty & Wellbeing sector is designed to help retailers diversify their offerings by showcasing a wide selection of products that will help them meet growing consumer demand for feelgood products.’

Something for everyone Rory Bremner to host GOTY at Spring Fair The TV impressionist and comedian will front the glitzy ceremony on the Sunday evening of Spring Fair. For the first time in the awards’ 40-year history, The Giftware Association and Spring Fair have joined forces to co-host the Gift of the Year Awards 2018. It will be the most significant ceremony yet – featuring a champagne reception and three-course meal – as the organisers aim to make the accolades a true mark of excellence that is recognised by retailers and consumers alike.

46 gifts today

As well as helping retailers find next season’s bestsellers, Spring Fair will present the latest trends and deliver valuable business advice from leading industry experts. Every retail sector will be represented, from DIY and Party, to Toys, Christmas, Gifts and Greetings, Beauty & Wellbeing, Fashion, Jewellery & Luggage, Retail Solutions, Kitchen & Dining and Contemporary products. There’s also The Summerhouse, a specially curated selection of premium, global brands designed to offer a fresh USP to retail selections. There is truly something for everyone.

It’s a date!

Spring Fair – the largest showcase of gift and homeware products in the UK – returns to the NEC from 4-8 February 2018. springfair.com

Designs on you Head to Top Drawer, the leading international design-led event, to discover new ranges and best sellers in the curated and complementary worlds of Home, Gift, Fashion and Craft.

What they say…

‘What really stands out when you’re walking around the show are the colours, new trends, new products and new suppliers as well’.

Michael Laybourn, Hoopers Department Store

‘My visit to Top Drawer was like going to a well-planned party with a perfect balance of old and new people to meet.

It is reassuring to see established brands and designers I work with developing new ideas whilst maintaining their USPs, but also to spy some new, innovative finds that I secretly hope nobody else spots.’

Rebecca Hossain, Head of Retail, Design Museum

‘The January show was our first experience exhibiting at Top Drawer and it was a huge success. The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement being the first show of the season.

We took orders from most of the buyers who visited our stand at the show. I have already signed up for next year.’

Kelly White, Owner, Sun Jellies

Drawer presents an exclusive curated selection of over 1,500 international design-led brands across Home, Gift, Fashion and Craft. With each world showcasing an expert sector edit, this is where the leading brands, designers, suppliers, manufacturers and distributors come to do business with the most successful creative retailers and contract buyers from across the UK and beyond.

Fact File 14-16 January 2018 London Olympia @TopDrawerLondon #TopDrawerSS18 #AdventuresInDesign topdrawer.co.uk

Entries open to PaperAwards S/S18 Applications for the PaperAwards in Top Drawer SS18 are now open.

Supported by GF Smith, the PaperAwards recognise the great talent and innovation within the Greetings & Stationery industry. A/W17 winner Claire Leina from All The Ways to Say commented: ’Winning the PaperAwards has given us more visibility and presence at the show, as well as on social networks. Top Drawer has helped us to meet a lot of people under one roof and introduced us to many new customers. We have increased our wholesalers, and more than a month after, can still feel the impact of both the show and PaperAwards on our business. We look forward to returning to Top Drawer for SS18’. gifts today 47

Ambiente

Ideas to inspire Head to Ambiente, the international consumer goods fair, for trends, expert advice and more.

See ‘The Show’

This year’s Ambiente film. ‘The Show’, highlights the variety, creative design and buzz of the show via music, poetry and expressive imagery. ‘The video shows Ambiente in all its uniqueness – a place of positive emotions, inspiration and encounters,’ says Yvonne Clemens, Head of Marketing Communication & Advertising for the show. ‘’The film conveys to the audience the spirit of Ambiente as an enormously multi-faceted global business event.’

Business Matchmaking service

Make a date

The show runs at Frankfurt am Main from 9-13 February 2018.

Visit: ambiente.messefrankfurt.com/

This new service at Ambiente facilitates contact between manufacturers and buyers before the show opens, enabling visitors to see who the exhibitors will be and allowing exhibitors to invite relevant visitors to their stands. Anyone with an Ambiente ticket is automatically included in the programme, and can simply log in with their trade fair access details.

Sparkle for the soul This year sees an exciting line-up of lifestyle and premium product line-ups in the Accessories & Jewellery sector in Hall 9.2, with over 14,000 square metres of exhibition space. The Next Boulevard, running from north to south, will allow entrepreneurs who are already showing initial success in their own countries to show the next generation of jewellery, accessories and fashion items.

The Talent section will feature fashion and jewellery from designers who show great potential and will be showing their first fashion and jewellery designs.

Do Dutch

The Netherlands is this year’s partner country, with their offering running under the name Do Dutch, and inviting visitors to experience a distinctly Dutch product culture and the thoughts of its makers. The industrial designer and curator Robert Bronwasser will be using consumer goods from the Netherlands for this purpose, presenting them in a way that is minimalistic yet colourful. ‘For me, Dutch design means putting form and function in a new context,’ he says.

Spot the trends Expert advice The trend scouts at bora.herke. palmisano Trend Bureau have researched, filtered and curated the key trends for the year ahead, selecting key products from their exhibitors and showcasing them in the form of trend worlds. For 2018, the focus will be on everyday things, handmade items, sustainability and being future-proof. There will be guided tours and talks by the design studio, offering inspiring glimpses into the four stylistic directions they have identified – Modest Regenerations, Colourful Intentions, Technological Emotions and Opulent Narrations.

48 gifts today

Experts from a variety of disciplines will be giving talks in Halls 9.2 and 11.1, showing how consumers can be encouraged to make purchases through the way a product line-up is compiled, how the use of language can impact sales and how retailers can conduct their own POS fitness checks. There will also be a new series of talks on the presentation of trends, and the Ambiente Academy will showcase the latest fashion, jewellery and accessories.

4,460

The number of companies, from 94 nations, who presented their products at the last edition of Ambiente.

GB DU: 12.10.2017

9. – 13. 2. 2018

What turns a product into a gift. How do you find just the right thing. Do trends follow customers or do customers follow trends.

Ambiente, the show.

Information and tickets at ambiente.messefrankfurt.com Tel. +44 (0) 14 83 48 39 83 info@uk.messefrankfurt.com

Partner Country The Netherlands

65855-021_AM_Giving_GiftsToday_240x315 • FOGRA 39 • CMYK • tg: 11.09.2017

Giving reflects our ideas about the things we give – a place where creativity is lived, where diversity pulsates.

Christmasworld

Merry business!

Christmasworld, which will be taking place in Frankfurt am Main, is the leading international trade fair for festive and seasonal decorations. Time to plan your visit in January 2018!

First stop, The Trend Show Drawing on trends in society, interior design and fashion, the bora.palmisano design studio will be providing helpful suggestions for putting together product ranges. They’ll be using exhibitors’ products to stage four design scenarios: • eclectic gathering. Dynamic and striking, mixing the everyday and spectacular.

• splendid history. Sumptuous and opulent, inspired by Italian Palazzi.

• vivid heritage. Rich in tradition, using patterns and motifs from folklore.

• balanced sobriety. Clear, simple and perfect, inspired by a Japanese aesthetic.

From this broad selection of colours, designs and materials for the 2018/19 festive season, buyers will easily be able to select highlights for their own individual product ranges.

Next, head to The Loft This special presentation is designed to provide inspiration for new window and shop displays, and designs for large retail spaces, that entice customers to buy. This year, 2Dezign will be creating an elegant and modern loft scenario in black and white – as well as the most festive colour of all, red!

Join The Christmasworld Forum Practical lectures and workshops focus on the latest topics in the sector, and advise on how to successfully retain

t d t and d customers, presentt products display them at the point of sale and expand product ranges. In the live ‘Wrap Up!’ presentations, trade buyers will be able to look directly over the shoulder of gift-wrapping artist Ulla Büning and discover numerous ideas for wrapping gifts.

Enjoy the Christmas market atmosphere For the first time, the experience of the fair will be sweetened by Christmas Delights, with drinks, biscuits and pastries, confectionery and teas supplementing what is on offer. A new exhibition space with Christmas huts will be constructed for this new product area, where buyers can find out how they can make culinary products appetising for their customers as gifts and also as souvenirs for their own use at home.

Experience a quartet of trade fairs!

Three other fairs will also be taking place in parallel to Christmasworld.

• Paperworld, the international trade fair for paper, office supplies and stationery products.

• Creativeworld, the international trade fair for creative items, hobbies and artists’ supplies.

• Floradecora, the innovative market place for instantly available fresh flowers and ornamental plants will be entering its second round in Galleria 1 in 2018.

Christmasworld – Seasonal Decoration at its best International Frankfurt Fair for Seasonal and Festive Decorations Frankfurt am Main, 26-30 January 2018 christmasworld.messefrankfurt.com 50 gifts ift ttoday d

GB

Seasonal Decoration at its best 26. – 30. 1. 2018

DU: 12.10.2017

Create the best product mix for 2018

65787-008_CW_allgemein_GiftsToday_240x315_GB • FOGRA 39 • CMYK • jw: 30.06.2017/AK bs: 22.08.2017

MERRY BUSINESS!

Your ticket to the top suppliers of seasonal and festive decorations: christmasworld.messefrankfurt.com

info@uk.messefrankfurt.com Tel. +44 (0) 14 83 48 39 83

Christmas World.indd 1

30/08/2017 14:35

The Tokyo International Gift Show

Tokyo’s a gift The 85th Tokyo International Gift Show is the largest show of its kind in Japan and runs from 31 January – 3 February, and 7 - 9 February 2018.

A

s the third-largest economy in the world by nominal GDP, following America and China, the Japanese economy continues to show a strong presence in the world.

British fashion designer Sir Paul Smith once said: ‘The Japanese are hard to understand, but once you do, the world’s your oyster,’ and success in Japan can lead to business expansion in the Asian market.

The Tokyo International Gift Show (TIGS) is classified into four distinct zones.

1. Life x Design: 31 January – 3 February Showcases traditional and modern Japanese brands, American/European products, home furnishings and decor, renovation and furniture, fragrance, kitchenware and more.

2. Toy x Stationery x License: 7 – 9 February Expect character goods, cute items, stationery.

3. Fashion x Beauty: 7 -9 February B Bringing together trendy fashion sundries, a accessories and beauty products

4. Overseas: 7 – 9 February 4 P Products mainly from Asia, including quality h handmade products, high-design goods and gift m merchandise. China, South Korea and Taiwan, which e exhibit from Pavilions, are in this Zone.

TIGS offers a great opportunity to gain deeper k knowledge about products. Consumption patterns a are shifting, valuing experience over things, so that tto survive in the market, merely selling products is iinsufficient - something extra is needed.

‘Made in Japan’ draws attention from the w world over and visitors to the show can hear e exhibitors’ stories, their culture, trends, and even demonstrations of craftsmanship on the spot.

Now is an ideal time to discover such exhibitors because of the increasing numbers of medium and small Japanese enterprises aiming to start/expand

Did you know?

business with overseas partners. To support this, the TIGS office supports overseas visitors, providing sponsorships, escort interpreters, an English catalogue with exhibitors’ profiles and products, business matching, and more.

About the Organizer Business Guide-Sha, Inc. was founded in Tokyo in 1971 as a publishing company, and publishes Monthly Gift Premium, the first gift-specific Japanese trade magazine. They organise eight trade shows in Japan and four trade shows in Shanghai and Taipei, with the Tokyo International Gift Show being held biannually, Spring and Autumn, since 1976.

Don’t Miss TIGS Autumn 2018!

Dates: 29 August – 1 September; 4 – 7 September 2018.

Numbers

• 45 categories • 5000 exhibitors • 400,000 visitors • 124,020 m2 exhibiting area

Fact File

• Show runs 31 January – 3 February, 7 – 9 February 2018 • Takes place at Tokyo Big Sight, Japan • www.giftshow.co.jp/ english/

Continuing its expansion, the show also includes: • The 23rd Gourmet & Dining Style Show Spring 2018 • The 57th International Premium Incentive Show Spring 2018 • The 3rd Premium Beauty & Health Show 2018 52 gifts today

NY NOW

This February, all eyes in the home, gift, lifestyle and handmade industries will be focused on New York City as thousands of buyers, retailers and other industry attendees converge for NY NOW, the industry’s most expansive marketplace and the Market for Home, Lifestyle + Gift.

Get on board for NY NOW T aking place from 3-7 February 2018 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, NY NOW will once again spotlight the latest and best home, gift and lifestyle products across three comprehensive collections – Home, Lifestyle and Handmade. With more than 2300 premier established and emerging brands participating, buyers will have the opportunity to discover the perfect items for their stores.

Likewise, exhibitors and brands will be exposed to new buyers looking for the most on-trend products to fill their shelves.

Tens of thousands design-driven products will span hundreds of diverse product categories and price points.

From home décor and furnishings, tabletop and housewares, gifts, stationery, and textiles, as well as personal care and accessories for men, women and children, and more – NY NOW is the #1 place for buyers to find products that drive sales and make their business stand out from the competition!

54 gifts today

New Areas to Explore

In addition to the vast array of products in a wide range of categories, attendees and exhibitors will also have the opportunity to explore a new feature area through a partnership with Surtex, the global B2B marketplace for sourcing original art and designs for products ranging from home décor and tableware to apparel and giftware. This intimate Surtex Preview will showcase approximately 15 artists offering original art and design for purchase or licensing, enabling retailers and manufacturers to source original art and designs to create their next bestselling or private label products.

NY NOW will also host a special curated shop ICFF area for luxury and boutique retailers to browse original creations and emerging designs.

Shop ICFF will showcase unique and distinctive furniture, lighting, and accessories ideal for even the most discerning customers from approximately 50 participants.

Seminars and Events When planning your market experience, it’s important to consider all the advantages that come with NY NOW. To help business owners and designers advance their career or business and make the most of their time at the Market, NY NOW will once again offer a full schedule of educational seminars. Sessions provide great tips and insights for attendees to implement when returning to the store, showroom or studio.

NY NOW will also deliver a number of special ‘Only in New York’ activities and promotions, including the popular ‘A Night On Broadway’ outing, which will feature Hello, Dolly! with two-time Tony winner Bernadette Peters, and take place during the evening of Tuesday 6 February. Hello, Dolly! is the classic story of a meddlesome matchmaker who brings together the young clerk of a wealthy Yonkers merchant and his assistant with a widowed milliner and her assistant, while making sure she herself gets to marry the merchant. For more information, visit

the NY NOW website (www.nynow. com).

How to Attend NY NOW The winter 2018 market will once again feature a staggered schedule. The Handmade Global Design section of the Handmade Collection will be open Saturday 3 February through Tuesday 6 February. The Handmade Designer Maker and Artisan Resource sections of the Handmade Collection as well as the comprehensive Home and Lifestyle Collections will open Sunday 4 February through Wednesday 7 February. Returning attendees should note that Javits North will continue to be under renovation during the winter 2018 market and as a result, the Handmade Designer Maker section will once again be located on Level 3 and it will not be open on Saturday.

Qualified members of the trade may register and upload their credentials online for free through January 14, 2018. Registration will be also available on-site (on-site fees may apply). If interested in exhibiting or attending, please visit the NY NOW website to learn more at www.nynow.com.

U NCOVE R THE U NCOM M O N

FEB 3 - 7, 2018 REGISTER NOW AT NYNOW.COM

J AV I T S C E N T E R , N E W YO R K C I T Y

ROSEWATER RESIN CRYSTALLINE NECKLACE BY ELK

Harrogate Christmas & Gift

Not just for Christmas F

or most companies in the gift sector, a trade show containing the ‘C’ word is generally well off the business radar. However, Harrogate Christmas & Gift – whilst predominantly festively focussed – now leans heavily towards home and gift ranges not just for Christmas, but for the entire year-round, and is definitely a trade show to watch for gift retailers.

The show, which takes place at the Harrogate Convention Centre from 14th to 17th January 2018, has experienced significant growth in recent years, not only in quantity and diversity of exhibitors; but also by visitor numbers with average growth of five percent per year for the last five years. Whilst attracting Christmas buyers across the board from supermarkets and department stores, it has quickly grown to be a favourite with garden centres, tourist attractions, cathedral shops and independent retailers too.

56 gifts today

Favourite gift brands to watch out for include Joe Davies Ltd, distributor of quality giftware with products including the Shudehill Giftware Collection, PooPourri, snoozies!, Rose & Co and the famous Leonardo Collection to name just a few; Heaven Sends which has fast become one of the UK’s leading wholesalers of fabulously quirky gifts and stylish home accessories; and The Satchville Gift Company which offers a wide range of rustic, vintage style and shabby chic gifts for the home and garden.

Lots of new companies have also signed up for the 2018 show, so returning visitors are guaranteed something a bit different on the horizon. This includes Italian brand Peg Perego with its exciting range of toys; Transomnia with fabulous functional items and decorative accessories for the home, kitchen and garden as well as themed products for Christmas, weddings, babies and more; and Richard Lang with a collection of gifts, home décor and novelty items

developed with customers in mind.

Of course, many gift retailers will be actively on the lookout for something a little bit different to tempt their customers at Christmas too and they will certainly be spoilt for choice at this trade show. For example, Felt So Good has a range of gorgeous handmade felt accessories including a stunning Christmas collection; whilst Amica and Felt Work will be launching hugely popular felt dog decorations, brooches and key rings.

New for 2018 is also a Greetings Card Hall which is located in the beautiful Royal Hall of the Harrogate Convention Centre. Here companies will have a selection of greetings cards not only for Christmas, but the entire year-round – all making great, inexpensive add on ranges for gift retailers.

Simon Anslow, show organiser, comments: ‘Harrogate Christmas & Gift has evolved quite dramatically over the last few years and whilst it still caters very much for anyone involved in the Christmas industry, there are also a lot of products on offer for the entire year-round. We have seen

a steady increase in the number of exhibitors with ranges of food and drink as well as toys and novelty gifts.

The fact that the show is attended by a large number of garden centre buyers - and garden centres stock almost every product imaginable these days – has certainly reflected on the type of exhibitors attracted to the show. We have once again experienced further growth for 2018 and are anticipating another bumper event.’

Harrogate is a beautiful north Yorkshire town, easily accessible by road, rail (with trains from London’s Kings Cross), and air, with flights into Leeds Bradford airport. Simon adds: ‘Hotel accommodation is very competitively priced in Harrogate which is another great plus point for the show. Visitors can afford to stay for three or four days and make the most of networking opportunities as well as sourcing new products.’

Visit the website at www. harrogatefair.com for more information and a full exhibitor list. Also, don’t forget to register early for free entry and to be kept up-to-date with the latest show offers.

HARROGATE Christmas & Gift

14th to 17th January 2018

The UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favourite trade show!

Home & gardenware, toys, cards & stationery, artificial flowers, food, gifts for every occasion and absolutely everything Christmas!

FREE ENTRY Register Online Today:

www.harrogatefair.com

Gifts Today Dec 17.indd 1

17/11/2017 16:06:48

Wales Spring Fair

Wales Spring Fair offers a fabulous opportunity for exhibitors to showcase their latest best-selling products.

There really is no better place to start planning for next season’s giftware.

Wales Spring Fair 2018 T

he show has now cemented its place as Wales’s premier home and gift show and this has been recognised by exhibitors, with a steady increase in new exhibitors taking stand space every year. With these constant new additions, the show ensures that there will always be something fresh and exciting for the buyers.

Wales Spring Fair is a great opportunity for designer-makers who are interested in developing commercial trade prospects. Pretty Beautiful, who first exhibited in 2014, wanted to develop their business further by venturing into the world of trade shows and are now a firm favourite amongst buyers.

Lyndsay Carter, proprietor of the company, said: ‘Wales Spring Fair has opened up an entire new market for us, allowing us to take our business to the next level. Although smaller in size to other trade shows, it has the huge advantages of not being so daunting to visitors, and most importantly, allowing you to really build personal and lasting relationships with your customers.

Wales Spring Fair has become a large part of our business over the last few years and we certainly can’t see that changing any time soon’.

Other favourite exhibitors include Pendragon Wales, Richard Lang, Manav UK Ltd, TY UK Ltd, On Track Wholesale and Pageant Wood Craft.

The show is also welcoming back Quinnell Candle Company, Love Your Nation, Brookwood Powys and Flourish. New additions to the show this year include Snowdonia Slate with a range of unique slate giftware and Clarence & Bean with their exciting

‘Wales Spring Fair has opened up an entire new market for us, allowing us to take our business to the next level’

line of chocolate confectionery gifts, enhancing the already wide selection of different products available at the show.

Excellent feedback has been received from both exhibitors and buyers every year since Venue Cymru took over the running of the show in 2012. Wales Spring Fair Event Manager Adrian La Trobe explains: ‘Last year’s buyers specified a range of product areas that they would like to see more of at the Wales Spring Fair. One of the ranges that kept being requested were hand-crafted and design-led gift and homeware so this is where we have concentrated our focus’.

The mission to attract more of these key exhibitors has resulted in a host of new exhibitors coming on board and, after the success of the Handcrafted in Wales Pavilion last year, this will return in 2018, an area ideal for designers to showcase their products whilst also demonstrating how they are created. h t g Wales Spring Fair n e r rom st w f Marketing Officer, Anwen g n i ne go Jones said: ‘We targeted ow is cting l The sh ngth, attra ll the usua these exhibitors because to stre s well as a of buyer feedback but in itors a vourites. b i doing so we have enriched the h x e

rs

38 yea fa

58 gifts today

offering of the Wales Spring Fair and greatly increased our target visitor market. By including these unique products, we hope to attract buyers from retail outlets who may not have previously recognised what the Wales Spring Fair had to offer them’.

Agencies including the Federation for Small Businesses and Gr p Retail Skills Academy will also be exhibiting at the Wales Spring Fair 2018, offering free help and advice to retailers over the duration of the show.

For more information please contact Adrian La Trobe or Alison Denton by calling 01492 879771 or emailing walesspringfair@venuecymru.co.uk

Fact File When: 21-24 January 2018 Where: Venue Cymru, Llandudno, North Wales Call: 01492 879771 Email: walesspringfair@ venuecymru.co.uk Visit: walesspringfair.co.uk

Scotland’s Trade Fair

Scotland bound With an air of optimism in the independent retail sector north of the border and many retailers reporting a good summer season, it’s a great time to plan your visit to Scotland’s Trade Fair.

O

n the back of a steady retail summer season in Scotland, retail sales up in July, and an increase in tourists visiting the country, Scotland’s Trade fair looks set to be a great show. Nearly two thirds of the show have been booked, with many new and established exhibitors.

Selecting products that appeal to tourists will continue to be the focus of a large percentage of buyers at the show. Those who are more reliant on local customers will be ever more focused on sourcing exactly the right products for their market. There will be plenty of gifts, homewares, crafts, fashion, accessories, food and drinks to choose from.

In its new location, the Seminar

Theatre will host many high profile experts sharing their knowledge and experience in fields such as social media, making videos, digital marketing This year’s show has a new layout, and gaining reviews. The Best Product Awards will also be judged on the with many enhanced features to opening day of the Show. make navigating and ordering The ever popular seminars will this even better for the year feature talks from experts thousands of shops that on social media for business, visit. getting good TripAdvisor reviews, how to become digitally-savvy and a ber of m u practical look at using n is The video to promote your rs at th o t i b i h business, as well as many ex show more relevant topics. All year’s When: 21-23 January this and Scotland’s Trade 2018 Fair is run in conjunction with Scotland’s Speciality Food Show, Where: SECC, Glasgow which showcases about 140 fine food Web: scotlandstradefairs.co.uk and drink exhibitors.

Did You Know?

450+

Fact File

Giving & Living If you’re looking for exciting new products for your customers, then look no further Giving & Living is the right show, at the right time.

T

he largest Gift and Home trade show in the South West, Giving & Living presents a sensational selection of products and lifestyle inspiration for retail buyers, from bags to books, cards to clothing, maps to mugs, soaps to sculpture, and tea to toys, at a wide range of price points. The 2018 show, which takes place at the Westpoint Exhibition Centre, Exeter, and runs from Sunday 14 January to Wednesday 17 January, will bring together up to 250 exhibitors and 4000+ retail buyers.

As the first show of the season, Giving & Living provides visitors with the perfect opportunity to see and purchase the very latest new and exclusive 2018 product ranges before anyone else.

• The show covers more Coast than anyone else.

For buyers from retail outlets and attractions on or near the Coast, and for those that are keen to order coastal merchandise to target the holidaymaker, it’s the show to visit. Giving & Living’s Coastal Path will lead you around the show to find exhibitors that are perfect for your business.

• Offering special rates, the Newcomers’ area is dedicated to new companies that have never done a trade show before.

• The Designed and Made in Britain area is dedicated to unusual products of high quality and authenticity that reflect the UK’s unique heritage.

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Many of these exhibitors only exhibit at Giving & Living, giving retailers exclusive access to locally produced items that shrewd customers will love.

For more information about the show, to book a stand, or pre-register to attend, please call 01934 733433, follow @giving_living, or visit www. givingliving.co.uk.

Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring

21-23 January 2018 SEC Glasgow

for gifts that sell

)PNF (JGU Ŕ 'BTIJPO "DDFTTPSJFT Ŕ $SBGU Ŕ 'PPE %SJOL To register for your free entry badge and for further information please visit

scotlandstradefairs.co.uk

GIVING & LIVING IDEAS THAT SELL Giving & Living is the largest Gift, Coast and Home trade show in the South West and covers more Coast than anyone else.

14 - 17 January 2018 Exeter www.givingliving.co.uk

G&L Gifts Today halfpage ad Nov/Dec2017.indd 1

SHOW STATS

87% of visitors placed orders at the show or shortly afterwards.

52% found 3 or more new suppliers.

92% of our visitors would recommend the show.

To secure your free visitor badge register online or call 01934 733456 Stands are selling fast – to enquire call 01934 733433 14/11/2017 10:43

Steiff UK

‘Soft cuddly friends’ from Steiff Meet the new soft toys from the makers of the world’s first teddy bear at Top Drawer and Scotland’s Trade Fair in January 2018.

W

hen Margarete Steiff created the world’s first soft toy in 1880, little did she realise the enormity of the gift that she was giving to children everywhere. In 1902, her nephew Richard designed the Steiff company’s signature invention - the teddy bear! The company’s new ‘Soft Cuddly Friends’ embrace all the ingredients that made Steiff famous – ultra-high quality materials, intricate hand craftsmanship, and the famous ‘Button in Ear’ – in a fresh new collection of contemporary styles designed to appeal to today’s children.

Steiff has always devoted itself to making the very best soft toys for children and embracing innovation imagination and perfection. As Margarete Steiff herself said: ‘For children, only the best is good enough.’

Still renowned for creating unrivaled ‘life like’ animals, Steiff are thrilled to add this extra dimension of playful characters that are sure to become friends for life. Soft as soft can be, always ready for the biggest cuddle

possible, the new kids in town are guaranteed to be a big hit with children of all ages. They’re destined to become a child’s most cherished companions, day in and day out.

This new range is, of course, machine washable and manufactured to the highest standard.

But what will surprise you is the pricing that accompanies this fabulous new collection.

Soft and cuddly friends are available in many designs and in three sizes, retailing at £14.90, £22.90 and £34.90. A full range of gift boxing is available plus floor and shelf displays to support at POS. Proud of their heritage yet forward-looking and venturesome, Steiff never stops chasing dreams. After all, just what would bedtime be like if there were no cuddly friends to snuggle up to? Unimaginable!

Margarete Steiff UK Email: leyla.maniera@steiff.com Call: 01483 266643 Margarete Steiff UK, Astra House, The Common, Cranleigh, Surrey GU6 8BZ.

Visit Steiff •

Top Drawer, 14-16 January 2018, on Stand R51, Gift.

• Scotland’s Trade Fair, 21-23 January 2018, Stand B16.

The team look forward to meeting you.

62 gifts today

Come and meet the soft and cuddly friends Steiff stand B16 Scotlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s Trade Fair 21-23 January 2018

Exhibition Diary

Time to get the diary out and plan ahead for the coming year. At home and abroad, check out our comprehensive listings.

2018 EXHIBITION GUIDE UKDATES The Source Tradeshow

JANUARY

APRIL

When: 7-8 February 2018 Where: Westpoint Exhibition Centre, Exeter Web: thesourcetradeshow.co.uk

Harrogate Christmas & Gift When: 14-17 January 2018 Where: Harrogate International Centre, Harrogate Web: harrogatefair.com

Pure London Where: Olympia, London Web: purelondon.com

The National Wedding Show, London

When: 7-9 January 2018 Where: St Andrew’s and Blackfriars’ Hall, Norwich Web: eastangliangiftfair.com

When: 14-15 January 2018 Where: NEC, Birmingham Web: awardsandimaging.co.uk

Where: The Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate Web: bctf.co.uk

When: 11-13 February 2018

East Anglian Gift & Toy Fair

The Trophex Show

British Craft Trade Fair When: 8-10 April 2018

London Stationery Show When: 24-25 April 2018 Where: Business Design Centre, London Web: stationeryshow.co.uk

When: 16-18 February 2018 Where: Olympia, London Web: nationalweddingshow.co.uk

Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring When: 21-23 January 2018 Where: SECC, Glasgow Web: scotlandstradefairs.co.uk

CHSI Stitches When: 18-20 February 2018 Where: NEC, Birmingham Web: chsi.co.uk

MAY Pulse When: 13-15 May 2018 Where: Olympia, London Web: pulse-london.com

Top Drawer When: 14-16 January 2018 Where: Olympia, London Web: topdrawer.co.uk

The Wales Spring Fair When: 21-24 January 2018 Where: Venue Cymru, Llandudno Web: walespsringfair.co.uk

Giving & Living When: 14-17 January 2018 Where: Westpoint Exhibition Centre, Exeter Web: givingliving.co.uk

Scotland’s Speciality Food Show When: 21-23 January 2018 Where: SECC, Glasgow Web: scotlandsspecialityfoodshow.com

Toy Fair When: 23-25 January 2018 Where: Olympia, London Web: toyfair.co.uk

FEBRUARY Spring Fair When: 4-8 February 2018 Where: NEC, Birmingham Web: springfair.com

MARCH

Museums + Heritage Show

Hobby Crafts

When: 16-17 May 2018

When: 8-11 March 2018 Where: SECC, Glasgow Web: ichfevents.co.uk

Ideal Home Show When: 17 March - 2 April 2018 Where: Olympia, London Web: idealhomeshow.co.uk

Harrogate International Nursery Fair When: 25-27 March 2018 Where: Harrogate International Centre, Harrogate Web: nurseryfair.com 64 gifts today

Where: Olympia, London Web: show.museumsandheritage.com

JUNE Exclusively Housewares When: 12-13 June 2018 Where: Business Design Centre, London Web: exclusivelyhousewares.co.uk

JULY

WORLDWIDEDATES

Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival

JANUARY

When: 15-18 July 2018 Where: Harrogate International Centre, Harrogate Web: homeandgift.co.uk

SEPTEMBER International Jewellery London When: 2-4 September 2018 Where: Olympia, London Web: jewellerylondon.com

Autumn Fair When: 2-5 September 2018 Where: NEC, Birmingham Web: autumnfair.com

Top Drawer When: 9-11 September 2018 Where: Olympia, London Web: topdrawer.co.uk

Exponoivos Lisbon When: 5-7 January 2018 Where: Centro de Congressos de Lisboa Web: exponoivos.pt

Seattle Gift Show When: 20-23 January 2018 Where: Washington State Convention Center, Seattle, USA Web: seattlegiftshow.com

Philadelphia Gift Show When: 5-8 January 2018 Where: Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, Philadelphia, USA Web: philadelphiagiftshow.com

Hong Kong International Stationery Fair When: 8-11 January 2018 Where: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong Web: m.hktdc.com

Hong Kong Toys and Games Fair When: 8-11 January 2018 Where: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong Web: m.hktdc.com

Heimtextil When: 9-12 January 2018 Where: Messe Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany Web: Heimtextil.messefrankfurt.com

Glee When: 10-12 September 2018 Where: NEC, Birmingham Web: gleebirmingham.com

Decorex International When: 16-19 September 2018 Where: Syon Park, London Web: decorex.com

100% Design When: 19-22 September 2018 Where: Olympia, London Web: 100percentdesign.co.uk

OCTOBER Brand Licensing Europe When: 9-11 October 2018 Where: Olympia, London Web: brandlicensingeurope.com

Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market When: 9-16 January 2018 Where: Atlanta Convention Center at AmericasMart, Atlanta, USA Web: americasmart.com

Dallas Total Home & Gift Market When: 17-23 January 2018 Where: Dallas Market Center, Dallas, USA Web: dallasmarketcenter.com

Forma Spring When: January 2018 Where: Helsinki Fair Centre, Helsinki, Finland Web: formamessut.fi

Bijorhca When: 19-22 January 2018 Where: Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, Paris, France Web: bijorhca.com

Maison & Objet Paris When: 19-23 January 2018 Where: Paris Nord Villepinte, Paris, France Web: maison-objet.com

Tradexpo

Showcase Ireland

When: 15-18 May 2018

When: 21-14 January 2018

Where: Parc des Expositions, Paris, France Web: TBC

Formex When: 17-20 January 2018 Where: Stockholmsmässan, Stockholm, Sweden Web: formex.se

Where: Royal Dublin Society, Dublin, Ireland Web: showcaseireland.com

International Jewellery Tokyo When: 24-27 January 2018 Where: Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo, Japan Web: ijt.jp/en

Oslo Design Fair When: 24-26 January 2018 Where: tbc Web: oslodesignfair.no

Oasis Gift Show When: 25-27 January 2018 Where: Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix, USA Web: oasis.org

HOMI When: 25-28 January 2018 Where: Fiera Milano, Milan, Italy Web: homimilano.com

Christmasworld When: 26-30 January 2018 Where: Messe Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany Web: christmasworld.messefrankfurt. com

Biloxi Mississippi Gift Show When: 27-29 January 2018 Where: Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum & Convention Center Biloxi, USA Web: wmigiftshows.com

Creativeworld When: 27-30 January 2018 Where: Messe Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany Web: creativeworld.messefrankfurt.com

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Exhibition Diary

Paperworld

Market Squareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Galley

Delhi Fair

Sarcda International 2018

When: 27-30 January 2018

Where: 4-6 February 2018

When: 23-27 February 2018

When: 4-7 March 2018

Where: Messe Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany Web: paperworld.messefrankfurt.com

Where: The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, Oaks, Pennsylvania, USA Web: marketsquareshows.com

Where: India Expo Center & Mart, New Delhi, India Web: epch.in

Where: Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand, Johannesberg Web: sarcda.co.za

Toronto Gift Fair When: 28 January-1 February 2018

The 85th Tokyo International Gift Show Spring

Where: The International Centre, Toronto, Canada Web: cangift.org/toronto-gift-fair

When: 31 January - 9 February 2018

FEBRUARY

Where: Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo, Japan Web: giftshow.co.jp/english

Intergift Madrid When: 31 January - 4 February 2018 Where: IFEMA, Madrid, Spain Web: ifema.es

Ambiente

Sydney Gift Fair

Vancouver Gift Expo

When: 24-27 February 2018

When: 4-6 March 2018

Where: Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park Web: aghagiftfairs.com.au

Where: Pacific National Exhibition, Vancouver, Canada Web: vancouvergiftexpo.com

Alberta Gift Fair When: 25-28 February 2018 Where: Edmonton Expo Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Web: cangift.org/alberta-gift-fair

When: 9-13 February 2018 Where: Messe Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany Web: ambiente.messefrankfurt.com/

Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair When: 21-23 February 2018 Where: Impact Challenger, Bangkok, Thailand Web: bkkgems.com

The Rocky Mountain Gift Show When: 22-16 February 2018 Where: Denver Merchandise Mart Complex, Denver, USA Web: denvermart.com

Osaka International Gift Show, Spring When: 15-16 March 2018 Where: Tokyo Big Sight Web: giftshow.co.jp

International Home + Housewares Show When: 10-13 March 2018 Where: McCormick Place Exposition Center, Chicago, USA Web: housewares.org

Quebec Gift Fair When: 25-28 March 2018 Where: Place Bonaventure, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Web: cangift.org/quebec-gift-fair

APRIL MARCH Hong Kong International Jewellery Show When: 1-5 March 2018 Where: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong Web: m.hktdc.com

International Toy Fair Nuremberg When: 31 January - 4 February 2018 Where: Nuremberg Exhibition Center, Nuremberg, Germany Web: spielwarenmesse.de

Formland Spring When: 1-4 February 2018 Where: MCH Messecenter Herning, Herning, Denmark Web: formland.com

California Marketplace When: 23-26 February 2018 Where: LA Convention Center, Kentia Hall, LA Web: california-marketplace.com

Toy Fair New York When: 17-20 February 2018 Where: Javits Convention Center, New York, USA Web: toyfairny.com

Mechelen Furniture Fair

Cadeaux Leipzig When: 3-5 March 2018 Where: Leipziger Messe, Leipzig, Germany Web: cadeaux-leipzig.de

Australian Toy, Hobby& Nursery Fair When: 4-7 March 2018 Where: Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, Australia Web: austoy.com.au/toy-fair

When: 17-25 March 2018

NY NOW When: 3-6 February 2018 Where: Javits Center, New York, USA Web: nynow.com

Where: Nekkerhal, Mechelen, Belgium Web: tbc

The Atlanta Spring Gift, Home Furnishings & Holiday Market When: 7-9 March 2018 Where: AmericasMart, Atlanta, USA Web: americasmart.com

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The 57th International Premium Incentive Show When: 7-9 February 2018 Where: Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo, Japan Web: premiumshow.jp

Giftionery Taipei When: 19-22 April 2018 Where: Taipei World Trade Center, Taipei, Taiwan Web: giftionery.net

Hong Kong Houseware Fair When: 20-23 April 2018 Where: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong Web: hkdc.com/fair

Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair When: 27-30 April 2018 Where: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong Web: m.hktdc.com

MAY Beautyworld Middle East When: 8-10 May 2018 Where: Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Dubai Web: beautyworldme.com

International Jewellery Kobe

Dallas Total Home & Gift Market When: 20-26 June 2017 Where: Dallas Market Center, Dallas, USA Web: dallasmarketcenter.com

Tendence When: 30June – 3 July 2018

When: 16-18 May 2018

Where: Messe Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany Web: tendence.messefrankfurt.com

Where: Kobe International Exhibition Hall, Kobe, Japan Web: ijk-fair.jp/en

JULY

Surtex When: 20-22 May 2018 Where: Javits Convention Center, New York, USA Web: surtex.com

International Contemporary Furniture Fair When: 20-23 May 2018 Where: Javits Convention Center, New York, USA Web: icff.com

National Stationery Show When: 20-23 May 2018 Where: Javits Convention Center, New York, USA Web: nationalstationeryshow.com

Licensing International Expo When: 22-24 May 2018

ISOT 2018 When: 4-6 July 2018 Where: Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo, Japan Web: isot-fair.jp/en

The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market When: 10-17 July 2018 Where: AmericasMart, Atlanta, USA Web: americasmart.com

When: 18-20 July 2018 Where: Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre, Singapore Web: sgpfair.com

AUGUST India International Jewellery Show 2018

JUNE

Where: Bombay Exhibition Centre, Bombay, India Web: iijs.org

Where: The Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, Denver International Airport, Colorado Web: inats.com

Interior Lifestyle Tokyo When: 30 May – 1 June 2018 Where: Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo, Japan Web: interior-lifestyle.com

Where: Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, USA Web: lvsouvenirshow.com

Melbourne Gift Fair, August When: 4-8 August 2018 Where: Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, Australia Web: reedgiftfairs.com.au

SEPTEMBER

NOVEMBER Smoky Mountain Gift Show When: 4-7 November 2018 Where: Gatlinburg Convention Center, Gatlinburgh Web: urban-expo.com

When: 18-20 September 2018 Where: IEC Crocus Expo, Moscow, Russia Web: heimtextil-russia. ru.messefrankfurt.com

Intergift Madrid When: 12-16 September 2018

When: 3-6 February 2017

When: 15-17 June 2018

When: 25-28 September 2018

Heimtextil Russia Singapore Gifts & Premiums Fair

Where: Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, USA Web: licensingexpo.com

International New Age Trade Show – West

Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show

Where: Feria de Madrid Convention Centre, Madrid, Spain Web: ifema.es

Sydney September

Ocean City Resort Gift Expo When: 9-12 November 2018 Where: Roland Powell Convention Center, Ocean City, USA Web: urban-expo.com

ChibiMart Inverno When: November 2018 Where: Fiera Milano City, Milan, Italy Web: chibimart.it

When: 8-11 September 2018 Where: Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Sydney, Australia Web: reedgiftfairs.com.au

OCTOBER Interior Lifestyle China 2018

DECEMBER Grand Strand Gift & Resort Merchandise Show When: December 2018 Where: Myrtle Beach Convention Center, Myrtle Beach, USA Web: grandstandgiftshow.com

When: 13-15 September 2018 Where: Shanghai Exhibition Centre, Shanghai, China Web: interior-lifestyle-china. hk.messefrankfurt.com

Cadeaux Leipzig When: 1-3 September 2018 Where: Leipzig Messe, Leipzig, Germany Web: cadeaux-leipzig.de

Please note: Every effort has been made to ensure the information in this Guide is correct at the time of going to press. However, we recommend you check before departure. gifts today 67

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The widest range of personalised giftware available in the UK

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Huge range of licenses allow us to produce the best giftware available

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We design, manufacture and distribute all our products

SEE US AT SPRING FAIR HALL 4 STAND D60-D61 01582 464 809 @ signaturegifts www.signature-gifts.co.uk