Message from the editor

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Message from the Publisher

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Welcome to the final issue of this year. I thought I would hijack this page this month as I personally wanted to thank everyone for your support across 2021.

The year has not been smooth sailing for many and quite turbulent, but what a resilient bunch you have proven to be. With stock issues and an increase in shipping costs for many, as an industry you have all, retailers, suppliers and manufacturers, proven that you can keep the wheels of the gifting industry in motion and running smoothly even in the face of adversity.

One thing that has become very evident across the year, is that consumers continue to be utilising online platforms when we look at

‘purchasing behaviour, with information from the ONS highlighting that although the proportion of retail sales online fell to 27.3% in October 2021, its lowest proportion since March 2020 (22.5%) this is still substantially higher than the 19.7% in February 2020 before the coronavirus pandemic.

Naturally it has also been a year where some of our beloved yearly exhibitions were unable to open their doors and hopefully 2022 will see a great rebound of our love of trade shows, where we can not only view all the great product launches on the horizon, spot that gem for your stores or websites, get an idea of upcoming trends, but also mix with likeminded people in our industry. Spring Fair for example, wasn’t able to present itself this year and I know that this was sorely missed by many. However, the good news is that it is time for us to dust ourselves off and look with a positive mindset to the year ahead and the wonders that these trade events offer us.

Therefore, in this issue you will find a great 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 note however that we would strongly advise that you double check all exhibition dates listed prior to booking any travel or accommodation arrangements as many websites state their dates are scheduled with some not having been announced at the time of going to press. Turn to page 35 to find out more. We also bring you features shining the light on Books & Stationery (page 20), Licensed Gifts (page 24), At Home (page 26) and InStyle (page 30). Our cover star this month is Museums & Galleries who have since its launch in the mid1980s, aimed to bring the cream of the world’s art heritage to beautifully made and produced gift stationery and greetings cards for the high street. Over the

We had the pleasure to interview years the company Yarnton Home & Garden’s Marketing has explored & Buying Manager, Bryony Fletcher. new product This forward-thinking retailer, who formats, innovated and refined operates from a 12-acre site, also its production ‘ housing a large shopping space spanning across 80,000ft², which is roomy and spacious and full of many marvellous gifting ideas. techniques, and curated a commercially exciting and visually ravishing suite of fine arts and design-based gift products. You can read all about their current launches and activity within our Cover Story over on page 14. We also had the pleasure to interview Yarnton Home & Garden’s Marketing & Buying Manager, Bryony Fletcher. This forwardthinking retailer, who operate from a 12-acre site, including a large shopping space spanning across 80,000ft², which is roomy, spacious and full of many marvellous gifting ideas. Simply turn to page 16 to read more. Finally, may I also take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy festive break and prosperous New Year.