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Message from the Publisher
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elcome to the final issue of this year. note however that we would strongly advise I thought I would hijack this page that you double check all exhibition dates listed this month as I personally wanted to prior to booking any travel or accommodation thank everyone for your support across 2021. arrangements as many websites state their The year has not been smooth sailing for dates are scheduled with some not having been many and quite turbulent, but what a resilient announced at the time of going to press. Turn to bunch you have proven to be. With stock issues page 35 to find out more. and an increase in shipping costs for many, as We also bring you features shining the light an industry you have all, retailers, suppliers and on Books & Stationery (page 20), Licensed manufacturers, proven that you can keep the Gifts (page 24), At Home (page 26) and wheels of the gifting industry in motion and InStyle (page 30). running smoothly even in the face of adversity. Our cover star this month is Museums & One thing that has become very evident Galleries who have since its launch in the midacross the year, is that consumers continue to 1980s, aimed to bring the cream of the world’s be utilising online platforms when we look at art heritage to beautifully made and produced purchasing behaviour, with information from gift stationery and greetings cards for the high the ONS highlighting that street. Over the We had the pleasure to interview although the proportion years the company of retail sales online fell to Yarnton Home & Garden’s Marketing has explored 27.3% in October 2021, & Buying Manager, Bryony Fletcher. new product its lowest proportion since formats, innovated This forward-thinking retailer, who March 2020 (22.5%) and refined operates from a 12-acre site, also this is still substantially its production higher than the 19.7% in techniques, housing a large shopping space February 2020 before the and curated a spanning across 80,000ft², which is coronavirus pandemic. commercially roomy and spacious and full of many exciting and Naturally it has also been a year where some visually ravishing marvellous gifting ideas. of our beloved yearly suite of fine arts exhibitions were unable to open their doors and and design-based gift products. You can read all hopefully 2022 will see a great rebound of our about their current launches and activity within love of trade shows, where we can not only view our Cover Story over on page 14. all the great product launches on the horizon, We also had the pleasure to interview spot that gem for your stores or websites, get Yarnton Home & Garden’s Marketing & Buying an idea of upcoming trends, but also mix with Manager, Bryony Fletcher. This forwardlikeminded people in our industry. Spring Fair thinking retailer, who operate from a 12-acre site, for example, wasn’t able to present itself this year including a large shopping space spanning across and I know that this was sorely missed by many. 80,000ft², which is roomy, spacious and full of However, the good news is that it is time for us many marvellous gifting ideas. Simply turn to to dust ourselves off and look with a positive page 16 to read more. mindset to the year ahead and the wonders that Finally, may I also take this opportunity to these trade events offer us. wish everyone a very happy festive break and Therefore, in this issue you will find a great prosperous New Year. round up of all the shows set to take place in 2022 and also our annual Exhibition Diary nestling within the pages of this issue. Please The views of the contributors expressed in this journal are not necessarily those of the publisher. Comments, letters and criticism are welcome.
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Publisher, Mark Horsnell
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