Gifts Today October 18

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13/09/2018

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Supporting your industry for 29 years Month: October 2018 Issue: 2 Volume: 30

Contents

Regulars 6 10 16 42 56

October 2018

News Exhibition News Giftware Association News Licensing News New Products

Cover story

p 26

26 Yankee The home of the world’s best-loved candle take style to new heights

InStyle Jewellery & fashion accessories Flip cover special! Turn over your copy of Gifts Today for our very special look at the jewellery & fashion accessories category

Profiles p 20

20 Bolsius 32 Vanilla Blanc

Gifts Today team

Retail

Editor

18

Sally Norton sally@lemapublishing.co.uk

We catch up with fragrance expert Roz Wicks from TrendAroma Marketing to discover what

Advertisement Manager

trends look set to be big in coming months

Mark Horsnell markh@lemapublishing.co.uk

38 Trade Talk Leading figures in the gift industry talk

Layout/Design

Christmas, trends for SS19 and what they love

Rick Vickers rickv@lemapublishing.co.uk

most about the gift industry

58 Retailers’ Panel

Group Editor Mirella Cestaro mirella@lemapublishing.co.uk

Key gift shop owners around the country talk consumer confidence and….Christmas!

Group Advertisement Manager

Special features

Ryan Horwood ryan@lemapublishing.co.uk

20 Fragranced gifts 41 Licensed Gifts

Publisher Mark Naish mark@lemapublishing.co.uk

As BLE rolls into town on its 20th birthday, we discover why, when the partnership is right,

Production Director

p 49

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

Scents of success

great brands will always sell

49 Toys, games & puzzles

p 41

Opinion 36 Julie Dodsworth 48 Ross Hewitt’s Social Media 50 Insights People We explore how to maximise the third biggest retail event of the year – Halloween!

The Seasonal Range has had a facelift – with geometric inspired packaging and glassware that reflects interior trends.

This range encompasses an array of products from Boxed Candles | Diffusers | Tin Candles | Cracker Gift Sets Botanical Gels and many more. Available in five festive chic fragrances.

020 8595 8878 • stoneglowcandles.co.uk • sales@stoneglowcandles.co.uk

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Message from the Editor www.gifts-today.co.uk Instagram: @giftstodaysally need as loud and representative a voice as possible.’

As a Gift of the Year judge, I am also very proud to be an Ambassador Member of the GA. I do urge you to take a closer look at what they do on page 16.

“

I am also very proud to be an Ambassador Member of the GA

“

I

t’s now my third year as editor of Gifts Today and, I must say, I really do love this industry! Take the four days I spent at Autumn Fair recently. Where else would you overhear serious-looking men saying things like ‘I’m going to take a punt on sloths next year’, or join in long discussions about whether it’ll be Prosecco Princesses or gin lovers who’ll be most on trend next year? It’s the design, the fun, the people – and the knowledge that whoever you’re buying for, there will be a whole host of perfect products to choose from.

The gift industry really is huge, and the virtual gift shop I run in my head could never, ever be big enough to contain all the products I have fallen in love with over recent years. I still can’t resist popping into any gift shop I pass; not just to look at the products, but also to chat to the people

p14 p18

p16

behind the till and the customers who step through the door. Online shopping is all very well but, as I posted recently on Instagram (@GiftsTodaySally – please follow!) in response to a joke about how annoying it is to have to get up and find your credit card when online shopping – ‘Actually while you’re up, why not pop your coat on and go out to an actual shop?’ My comment got a lot of ‘likes’ because I think we all know that we need to hang onto our gift shops – you can’t replicate that experience online.

I bumped into Sarah Ward from the GA at both Autumn Fair and Top Drawer and, I must say, she’s doing a sterling job, having been invited to both Westminster and the Bank of England to put forward the views of our industry. As she says: ‘We

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

So, back to the issue you have in front of you here. We’ve got so much for you this month. We talk to our October cover stars Yankee on page 26, to learn more about what they have planned for the coming seasons.

And, as part of our extensive look at fragranced gifts, I had an exclusive chat with Roz Wicks from TrendAroma who really is someone who knows what’s going to be on trend for coming months.

She describes the home fragrance industry as ‘very healthy’ and comments that ‘consumers seek to improve the atmosphere of their home through scent and also focus on scent as a factor in good wellbeing’. With the plethora of ranges out there, there really is something to suit every store. Read more on page 18.

We also look at the growing category of licensed gifts on page 41 (can’t wait to head to BLE!) and, on page 49, focus on toys, games and puzzles that work well in the gift shop setting. All this plus news, views and expert comment.

One final thing before I sign off. In this issue we are giving you a special feature abouut a gift category lots of our readers have told us they want to see more of – jewellery and fashion

accessories. This is a special flip section, so just turn this magazine over to check it out and take the opportunity to catch up with some names and trends in this fascinating area. Enjoy!

NEWS

Langs launches new website

New sales force for Apples to Pears The company has changed the dynamic of its sales team, with two new additions and five new agents to cover the UK. Former Shruti account manager Sarah Lane heads up the team as sales manager, and is joined by Jamie Snell as sales & marketing executive. In addition, the five sales agents are positioned across the UK to provide sales support region by region.

‘We are very excited to welcome so many new members to our sales team,’ says creative director Mark Wash. ‘Our Gift in a Tin brand is going from strength to strength with another Gift of the Year award earlier this year and we want to provide our customers with the best possible support to move the business forward. With a recently relaunched garden Heritage collection, Ailsa Black and BollyNice there are plenty of opportunities for our customers’.

Culinary Concepts host Open Week in showroom Running from 29 October to 9 November, 10am – 6pm, the Hampshire showroom gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in a world of Culinary Concepts’ luxury. Take a sneak peek at new lines for 2019, styled to perfection in a space that brings the company’s vision to life. It’s your chance to view their outstanding array of new collections before any of the shows. By appointment only at Lodge Farm, Hook Road, North Warnborough, Hook, Hampshire RG29 1HA. Call: 01252 852235 Visit: culinaryconceptsliving.com

As well as re-branding their logo and launching their first ever A/W gift catalogue, the gift company have launched their new website, making it the perfect time to stock up on your festive gift purchases.

Looking ahead to the Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair, the product and design department have been busy creating some key new ranges for Valentine’s, Mother’s Day, spring and Christmas 2019, all of which are exclusively designed in Derbyshire. Collections include I Found My Penguin, Beautiful Mum and Bouncing into Spring. richardlang.co.uk.

Xystos partner with Shearer Candles The new licence agreement appoints Xystos as the principal distributor in the UK & Eire with the UK’s longest established lifestyle candle manufacturer. David Lewis, Xystos MD, comments: ‘We are delighted to be entering into this new partnership and look forward to a fruitful association that will see this established and well respected candle manufacturer go from strength to strength in the future.’

Says Ian Barnet, Shearer Candles’ MD: ‘It is with great pleasure that we announce this new partnership between our two-family businesses. The collective knowledge and passion displayed by the Xystos team is really exciting, and we have every confidence that this will be a pivotal step in driving our brand forward.‘

Groovy new appointment Monique Scott, MD for Leicestershire based licensed giftware company Groovy UK, confirms the appointment of Tony Lewis as Sales Director who joins from Character World, the homeware specialists, where he was also working as Sales Director. Tony brings a wealth of experience in licensed giftware and is no stranger to growth and development of both national and international accounts.

Monique says: ‘With peak season of Christmas fast approaching, Spring Fair planning for 2019 and the launch of six new licences, there is no chance of a relaxed introduction – it’s hit the ground running!’

Tony confirmed: ‘I’m delighted and excited to join such a fabulous team of talented people and be part of such a vibrant and unique business. I’m very much looking forward to working with Groovy customers and developing some strong relationships in the future.’

6 gifts today

Over 2500 brand new gifts 10,000+ lines to choose from Only £100 minimum order ‘Little & Often’ ordering system FREE next day delivery Award winning customer service equilibrium

Album Clocks

Club Tropicana

Leonardo Cooking Humour Mugs

Milli Moo Softees

Country Hares

Equilibrium® Fashion Bangles

Rama Buddhas

16 Times Winners of the PG Greats Awards

Gold Award Winner 2018

BEST SERVICE TO THE INDEPENDENT RETAILER

Equilibrium® Pearl Scarves

Modern White Occasion Frames

Joe Davies 149 Broadstone Road, Reddish Stockport SK5 7GA Tel: 0161 975 6300 Fax: 0161 975 6301 Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk www.joedavies.co.uk

The ‘Little & Often’ giftware supplier *LIWV 7RGD\ IS 2WREHU ,VVXH LQGG

NEWS

5 minutes with Retail Mutual Rikul Patel, mutual manager, explains the kind of cover you should consider to ensure your store is protected Product liability If you stock physical products such as cards, candles or stationery you may wish to consider product liability. This cover can protect your business against any injury to members of the public, or damage to their property that has been caused by a product you have supplied.

Employer’s liability No matter what size your business, if you have employees, full time or part time, you may be legally required to have employer’s liability insurance. This covers the cost of compensating employees who are injured or become ill as a result of their work.

Public liability Public liability cover can protect you in the event that a claim is made against you, for instance by a customer slipping or tripping in your store or a member of the public being injured by a falling roof tile or signage from your fascia.

Business interruption cover

Classic Canes trade catalogue now available The walking sticks specialists now have a new catalogue available on request to retailers. The catalogue features more than 40 new walking sticks as well as new accessories and display stands.

Visit: classiccanes.co.uk

If the unexpected occurs, have you considered how your business might be impacted? Business interruption cover can be invaluable in keeping you and your business afloat during the time that it takes to process your claim.

Legal solutions insurance Having legal solutions cover in place help meet legal costs arising from situations such as disputes surrounding employment or VAT, damage to property, compliance and regulation, or loss of earnings.

Specific cover for your shopfront With violent store-front attacks such as ram raids on the rise, it is worth considering taking out specific cover for your shopfront. Some insurers, such as The Retail Mutual, will offer fixed glass cover as standard with your buildings cover.

Protection of stock and contents It is good to get into the habit of reviewing your stock levels on a regular basis to ensure your cover levels are sufficient to meet the cost of replacement in the event of loss or damage – and with the gifts and greetings sector characterised by seasonal peaks and troughs it is worth choosing a cover provider that makes provision for seasonal stock increases in their cover wording.

Visit: theretailmutual.com

8 gifts today

New MD for Enesco Enesco are delighted to announce the promotion of Rob Freestone to Managing Director.

Rob joined Lilliput Lane as Finance Director in 1988. He was a key part of the flotation team which secured the listing of Lilliput Group plc on the London Stock Exchange in 1993, prior to its acquisition by Enesco a year later. Rob became VP Group Finance of the newly formed Enesco European Giftware Group Ltd (now Enesco Ltd) at that time.

He was instrumental in several acquisitions as the European operations expanded, including Bilston & Battersea Enamels, Fine Ceramic Transfers, Dartington Crystal and Country Artists.

His role was expanded in 2006 to that of Finance & Operations Director, with Europe-wide responsibility, and he worked with Ken Johnson, the former Enesco managing director, until his retirement in June this year.

Prior to joining Enesco Rob worked at Coopers & Lybrand (now PWC) and Grand Metropolitan (now Diageo). He has a law degree from King’s College, London and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.

sensational exceptional original 8. – 12. 2. 2019 The outstanding diversity of the international consumer goods market. Eye-catching innovations, trends and designs in sight.

All segments. All themes. The trade fair that leads your industry into the future.

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

Partner Country India

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England

the show

exhibition news

NY NOW

Christmas trends at christmasworld 2019

C

hristmasworld in Frankfurt is the world’s most important order venue for the international festive-decorations sector. Every year, it shows the latest products and trends for all festivities of the year and generates innovative concept ideas for decorating large and outdoor areas for the wholesale and retail trades, shopping centres, building and DIY markets and the green business.

In 2018, it welcomed 1047 exhibitors from 43 countries and over 43,400 visitors from 129 nations (including Floradecora). Christmasworld presents the complete spectrum of decorative and festive articles. Here, buyers will find ‘Seasonal Decoration at its best’. A wide-ranging programme of events with Trend Show, special exhibitions, workshops and expert lectures provides a valuable supplementary inspiration for everyday business. Lots to diescover.

On trend…

From gentle, via natural and cheerful, to glamorous – there is once again something for all tastes! The Christmasworld Trends for the 2019/20 season are developed for the show by the designer experts of Stilbüro bora.herke.palmisano.

• Tender.festivities. A festive, poetic and modern fairytale atmosphere.

• Essential.ceremonies. Modernity combined with natural colours and rustic materials.

• Sweet.traditions. Cute, witty and young, an ideal way to bring charm to living spaces.

• Luminous.celebrations. Think glitz and glamour, shimmering colours and glamorous surfaces.

Fact File christmasworld.messefrankfurt.com 25-29 January 2019 Frankfurt am Main

The show is the market for Home, Lifestyle + Gift. The Summer 2018 edition delivered new events and programmes, as well as a phenomenal roster of brands - including some of the world’s top designers such as Kartell, Vitra, Artek and Tom Dixon - that showcased their newest products across hundreds of categories. ’From inspiring trend talks and book signings with leading influencers to an incredible roster of established and emerging brands, the Market floor was buzzing with excitement’, said Randi Mohr, Emerald Expositions Vice President and NY NOW Director. ‘We saw notable increases in both the number of retail stores, architects and interior designers attending. Buyers from the entire US and 70 countries around the globe flocked to New York City to source what’s now and what’s next in home and lifestyle products.’

Experience the show at NY NOW Winter 2019, held 3-6 February at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City. It runs alongside the National Stationery Show and Surtex, where one badge gives 6,000+ new buyers access to all three events.

Visit: nynow.com

Head north of the border Renowned for its huge range of innovative exhibitors, Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring, is already about two-thirds full for its 2019 show, which will take place from 20-22 January 2019 at the SEC in Glasgow. The show promises a wide variety of exhibitors from small, niche producers such as Wild Rose Interiors, Kushboo Soaps and Gallery Art Publications, to key established stands such as Emma Ball, Eribe Knitwear, House of Edgar and Bronte, to name just a few.

Mark Saunders, Scotland’s Trade Fair Show Director said: ‘The 2019 Show looks set to have one of the most diverse and innovative range of exhibitors.

We hope to have products that will appeal to all retailers, tourist outlets and department stores, be they big or small.’

Call: 01877 385772 Visit: scotlandstradefairs.co.uk

10 gifts today

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exhibition news

Harrogate Home & Gift The show, which takes place at the Harrogate Convention Centre from 13 - 16 January 2019 is staged at the optimum time of the year for Christmas buyers as it’s straight after the celebrations whilst fashions and trends are still fresh in their minds. Exhibitors at the show – who are total experts when it comes to what the consumer is going to want next Christmas – will give them an informed heads-up.

As well as the well-known names that return to Harrogate year after year - such as Gisela Graham, Premier Decorations, Joe Davies, Widdop & Co and Heaven Sends to name just a handful - this year once again attracts a whole host of new companies displaying their products for the first time.

Simon Anslow, show organiser, comments: ‘Harrogate Christmas & Gift has been growing steadily in recent years with a year-on-year increase in not only exhibitors but in visitors and buyers too. The addition of Hall Q proved a popular decision and we still have space available for new companies who would like to jump on board and experience this hugely successful show.’

Call: 01902 882280 Email: simon@harrogatefair.com Visit: harrogatefair.com

Giving & Living The trade show runs from Sunday 13 January to Wednesday 16 January 2019, at Westpoint, Exeter, and is a breath of fresh air for retail buyers keen to get ahead of the game in the New Year.

This well-established show gives visitors the chance to get hands-on with the very latest new and exclusive 2019 gift and homeware product ranges ahead of the competition, in plenty of time for Easter, Mother’s Day, the summer season and beyond.

There’s a wide range of general gifts and homeware for all occasions on display, offering something for everyone. It is also the show 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. Follow the Coastal Path to discover a treasure trove of novel products, niche suppliers and fresh ideas.

Other features at the show allow you to meet Newcomers to the market, discover unique products that are ‘Designed and made in Britain’, and find companies with ‘Naturally’ products. New for 2019 is Speakers Corner where you can get business advice and information from a range of experts.

From cards to cushions, mugs to maps and

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Seek & find at Ambiente 2019

soaps to seascapes, Giving & Living showcases an extraordinarily wide range of merchandise at all price points. Whether you want to discuss personalising merchandise to match your brand, discover niche products that reflect Britain’s unique heritage or just catch up with the latest fashions, trends and ideas, Giving & Living is one show you can’t afford to miss.

Call: 01934 733433 Follow: @giving_living Visit: givingliving.co.uk

With around 4500 exhibitors participating at Ambiente, visitors from all over the world are guaranteed to find an international range of consumer goods.

With so much choice, locating an individual product can be a challenge, so the fair offers a range of navigational tools to help visitors find specific products quickly. The Ethical Style Guide lists manufacturers who produce in accordance with sustainability and fair-trade principles. The Contract Business Guide helps visitors working in the contract business to find the right partners. And the special show Solutions speeds up the process of seeking out innovative kitchen and household appliances around the show.

Exhibitors can apply for an entry in the Ethical Style Guide until 8 November; and to be included in Solutions by 19 November. ambiente.messefrankfurt.com

2019 GIVING & LIVING

SHOW STATS

IDEAS THAT SELL

88% of visitors placed orders at the show or shortly afterwards.

47% found 3 or more new suppliers.

89%

Giving & Living is the largest Gift and Home trade show in the South West and covers more Coast than anyone else.

of our visitors would recommend the show.

93% will be back next year in 2019.

43% of visitors travelled over 50 miles to come to the show.

To secure your free trade entry badge register online or call 01934 733456.

Stands are selling fast â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to enquire call 01934 733433.

13 - 16 January 2019 Exeter www.givingliving.co.uk

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EXPERIENCE THE EVOLUTION u n i q u e , i n n ov a t i v e a n d b e t t e r

february 3 - 6 J AV I T S C E N T E R , N YC

NYNOW.COM

#NYNOW

exhibition news

Autumn Fair what a show!

The Gifts Today team headed up to the NEC for all four days of the September show, where over 1200 exhibitors set up shop, bringing over 200,000 new products to showcase to visitors. With a new Product Match app, lots of talk about next year’s re-edit and a visit from Dragons Den’s own Theo Paphitis, there was a lot to keep us busy and entertained!

T

he retail community came together ahead of the Golden Quarter with buyers, visual merchandisers and owners from independents, multis, e-tailers, tourist and leisure destinations all in attendance. These included visitors from Amazon, Asos, Boots, Celebrations, Dufry, Groupon, John Lewis, Joy, Kilkenny Group, Marks and Spencer, Merlin Entertainments, Natural History Museum, Next, Ocado, Tesco, The Hut Group, TK Maxx, Wayfair, Wyevale Garden Centres, ZSL and many more.

Su Gill, Group Buyer at Morleys Stores Group, said: ‘I was able to see sensational product presented in the way that the brand would want it to be seen.

I placed a large Christmas order with Ty at the show. If I hadn’t come to the show, I wouldn’t have been able to buy this product.’

#SBS Small Business Sunday The show also saw the introduction of a dedicated section for the best of Theo Paphitis’ #SBS (Small Business Sunday) community. Designed specifically to celebrate the endeavours of independent start-ups, the showcase got off to an impressive start with many exhibitors reporting orders even before arriving at Autumn Fair. A big success!

Getting connected Helping bring buyers and sellers together was further enhanced this year with the investment and introduction of the Autumn Fair Product Match – 63,955 products and people recommendations and 17,410 matches.

Show success Many exhibitors reported exciting sales figures and increased interest. ‘Autumn Fair has been fantastic – our best show so far this year!’ said Michelle Probert, Sales and Marketing Manager at Juratoy. ‘We’ve seen our order values soar by over 100%, which is better than we could ever have expected.’

Home fragrance did well too. ‘Manor House Home Fragrance had a brilliant Autumn Fair,’ said Darren Ellis. ‘From Sunday morning we had a steady stream of clients to our stand - which continued through till 3.50pm on the final day.

We opened many new accounts and by the end of the show we worked out that around 95% of the orders taken were from new customers, ranging from gift shops through garden centres to department stores.’

Gift company Apples to Pears also reported a great show. ‘We would like to thank both our existing and new customers for visiting us,’ said MD Clive Briscoe.

‘So much time and effort go into the design and set up of our stand, so it’s lovely to see the same faces coming back time and time again, and new ones popping up!

It’s given us hope for a fantastic final quarter.’

14 gifts today

Looking ahead Exhibitors may have also been inspired to secure their space for next year in response to the announcement of a major investment programme in Autumn Fair, by new owners ITE Plc. The newly organised halls will improve visitor flow and facilitate greater crossover buying opportunities. In addition, a new investment programme will focus on increasing attendance from online li and d iinternational t ti l retailers. t il ‘Looking forward, market leader Autumn Fair is evolving as we embrace the structural changes in the market,’ said Louise Young, MD Spring & Autumn Fair.

‘Consumers have not stopped buying goods but how they buy has changed.

With the new re-edit plans we’re looking to really optimise the fair experience for both visitors and exhibitors, including updating show sectors to present real opportunities for crossover buying and better enabled networking.’

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SALES AGENTS REQUIRED Camal Enterprises Ltd is looking for enthusiastic, well connected sales agents, specialising in the giftware sector.

Our portfolio of premium gift- and teaware continues to grow, through our own brand, The English Ladies Co and collaborations with Disney and TV’s Thelma Madine.

We are looking for agents to cover all areas of the UK and Ireland.

Please send your CV including other companies you represent to sales@camalents.com or call on 01782 344900 Closing date for applications: 31st October 2018

GA news

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

The GA’s in fashion!

The Giftware Association held its first BTAA Fashion Accessory of the Year awards, since taking over administration of the British Travel goods, Handbags and Accessories Association. Taking place on the first day of Autumn Fair, it celebrated the best in functional fashion and design across the travel goods, handbags and fashion accessories industry.

Winners presented with awards included Shrieking Violet’s Flower Jewellery in the Fashion Jewellery category, Mala Leather’s Tudor Back Pack in the Fashion Handbags category, Peace of Mind’s Wool Blend Fedora Hats in the Fashion Accessories category and Owen Barry’s M02 Multi Sheepskin Mittens for Made In Britain.

The winners in each category received £500 towards exhibiting at Autumn Fair, together with the coveted fashion accessory of the year glass engraved award.

Sarah Ward, CEO of the GA, said of the awards: ‘it’s a heritage we are very proud to now be a part of, stretching back a whole century. Over that time, what was at first the Saddlery, Harness and General Leather Goods Manufacturers’ Association has undergone many changes, all while keeping the same continuous legacy which we hope to grow with supporting manufacturers and distributors of leather goods, travel goods and fashion accessories throughout the UK.’

Sarah Ward heads to the Bank of England The Giftware Association’s CEO attended the Bank of England’s Genesis Initiative meeting on 21 September, armed with members’ views to discuss lending to SMEs and economic reform amongst other subjects that affect today’s business environment.

The Genesis Initiative was formed to improve the quality of debate amongst SMEs. Driven by SMEs and supported by Parliamentarians, their joint efforts contribute to the continued growth of the SME sector within the United Kingdom. John May, chairman of the genesis Initiative states: ‘Small business is the backbone of the British economy and when it does well the whole country does well.

The role of Genesis is to act as an umbrella organisation, working on your behalf to optimise potential growth in the SME sector by fostering a “can do” culture. We aim to participate fully in achieving economic and structural reforms that will enable business to flourish.’

16 gifts today

The main findings of the day were that companies were relying on cash flow and reserves in the future of their business, rather than relying on borrowing.

Of course, with the uncertainty around Brexit, data showed that companies are sitting on the side of caution and waiting it out with a lot of areas of their business not being impacted over the last 12 months.

‘Obviously Brexit is the talk of the table in most of these meetings, and now that we have established a connection as a respected Association we want to be able to bring our members’ views to the forefront on how the giftware industry is surviving and adapting but also the worries that we all face,’ says the GA’s Sarah Ward.

The Giftware Association relies on its members’ views to create these opportunities. They will be working more closely with the Genesis Initiative, so look out for more surveys and have your say. If you would like more information or the full survey results, get in touch on: enquiries@ga-uk.org.

www.ga-uk.org

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Fragranced Gifts

Scents of success With the home fragrance category in fine health, editor Sally Norton caught up with fragrance expert Roz Wicks from TrendAroma Marketing to discover what trends look set to be big over the coming year and how retailers can best build a successful offering in store.

Roz, how healthy would you say the home fragrance market is now?

It’s very healthy and posting positive figures as consumers seek to improve the atmosphere of their home through scent and also focus on scent as a factor in good wellbeing.

What trends and categories have done well this year so far?

Electric diffusers are going strong, more wax melts than ever have appeared on shelves and there is a focus on the candle vessel as a home décor item more than ever before.

What’s more nature-inspired notes are trending and more unusual ingredients are being teamed together to create some exciting and more sophisticated new fragrances.

What do you think Christmas 2018 will smell like?

The’ hygge’ trend has had a huge 18 gifts today

impact on home scents, so comforting notes are key. Woody notes are definitely #trending in AW18. We are seeing lots of fir, spruce, sandalwood, oak, sequoia, warm cedar, maple, birch and agarwood. We are also seeing notes such as lavender take the leap from summer into winter - the herbal note will be added to balsam and smoky style scents, bringing warm winter bliss. Coconut will also be taking a leap into this year’s winter scent notes – its creamy warmth added to autumn fruits. Expect cocktails and fizzy bubbles to be big again this year – champagne punches, gin-based tipples, sparkling prosecco and fruity Bellinis will all be a big feature on shelf.

And spring/summer 19?

It will see us move from winter forests to summer deserts – the celebration of unique, natural and slightly more unusual ingredients will continue.

Relaxation, happiness and adventure are key words inspiring scents for next year. We will see more vegetables appearing in home fragrance scents, warm yellow florals will be joining with white flowers to make headier floral concoctions and ingredients from the personal care market will continue moving into home fragrance.

How important do you think visual merchandising is in home fragrance?

The right scent, ingredient story, colour and packaging are all key for a successful launch. We live in a world where online shopping is the norm and generating sales of new launches means that conveying the product’s scent to a digital consumer is paramount. One of the reasons tins became so popular was they also allowed the use of colours, prints and pictures and people started using them as a decorative item in home décor.

Instagram has also really changed the way consumers think visually about items and how they expect to see them presented, so successful brands are incorporating their home fragrance products into the home environment; from a candle on the edge of a bubble filled bath to a beautiful candle as a table centrepiece. These social media ready images convey a visual cue, which helps market the scent digitally, leading to an actual purchase.

How adventurous are consumers when it comes to home fragrance?

As in the fine fragrance market, niche and novel ingredients are trending.

Consumers are definitely being more adventurous with their fragrance choices, although successful scent

ranges are still incorporating a more recognised ingredient with something new. We are seeing a lot of food style influences in fragrance - the goodenough-to-eat and kitchen beauty mega trends continue to influence the fragrance market. Judging by the amount of launch pictures and descriptions I’m putting into recent New Product Reports, pumpkin is seeing its biggest year yet in the US, but like other food ingredients, in a much more sophisticated way than before.

How can the independent retailer go about building a successful home fragrance offering from scratch?

Firstly, they need to establish a core range of fragrances – ones that will become almost a signature scent for their brand. Investing in a trend report is invaluable at this stage as it provides instant market knowledge – you need to know what’s now and what’s next to launch a successful and commercial product in any industry. A fragrance focused trend report will give you scent, colour, market insight and packaging inspiration, which will enable you to produce a creative brief for your fragrance house, brand development consultant or supplier. Many of the big fragrance houses are looking to get indie and niche brands as part of their

‘Instagram has also really changed the way consumers think visually about items and how they expect to see them presented’ portfolio of customers now, so that’s good for those wanting smaller runs.

Fragrance manufacturers also have product specialists in house, that can advise about regulations and technical aspects such as candle throw or discolouration issues to ensure a stable and good quality product. Seasonal editions are an important consideration to keep the range fresh and new and get customers coming back for more - again look to your trend report for inspiration. These editions may only last for the specific season or come back every year at the same time helping to build a brand fan base.

If there’s one key scent/product a retailer invests in this year, what would it be?

Scent wise, wellbeing and the trend for natural ingredients is here to stay, so NPD needs to focus on the positive attributes of the fragrance, the power of scent inspiration from nature and also where and how the fragrance will be used. We have seen a real desire for home fragrance to become less functional and more incorporated into everyday life and in fact as a stand-alone décor item. Candles are

still top, but try finding new ways to present them – new shaped vessels, different product sizes, different wicks, decorative wraps so that pots can be repurposed, will all be key investments.

How are candles faring against reed diffusers, electronic diffusers and wax melts?

Candles are still the top sellers and next in line are reed diffusers, which have become a staple way to purchase home scents. The new electric diffusers are marketing themselves as the more high-tech versions of oil diffusers which use wax melts. However, wax melts are still going strong and will have a continued appeal as they are allowing people the creative licence to really personalise their own home scents to suit a mood or function. I think we will also see a trend in mini candles, almost the upgrade to the tealight and the popular tinned candle, which will be at a price point to allow consumers to try new scent ideas in a money conscious manner, but still be something special enough that can be used as a decorative feature as well.

Scent service

TrendAroma provides new product reports, trend reports, category reviews and marketing support to fragrance manufacturers, retailers and brand owners who need to stay on n top of product launches, market insights, trends and fragrance forecasts in order to develop and launch new ranges.

For example, the AW19/20 trend report contains six key trend stories all with trend introductions, concept boards, lifestyle drivers, new colour recommendations with Pantone references, new ingredient information, key product and packaging insights and over 140 new fragrances suggestions; meaning new commercial ingredient combinations and suggested names, all delivered in an e-book style PDF report and in a PowerPoint presentation format so you can easily extract information.

TrendAroma are offering readers of Gifts Today a 35% discount on web prices – just contact the company and quote GIFTSTODAY18.

Email: rozwicks@trendaroma.com Visit: trendaroma.com

Fragranced Gifts

Q&A with Bolsius

Gifts Today caught up with Bolsius sales managers Kam Badesha (left) and Gillian Hatton to discover what the company has in store for coming months.

For those who don’t know, who are Bolsius and where are they based?

Market leader in category across Europe with a proud family heritage dating back to 1870. Employing over 1000 people in our state of the art European BRC & SEDEX compliant factories. Delivering branded solutions to over 50 countries worldwide.

What is the story behind the new Bolsius Accents Home Collection?

We are experts at creating concepts for the European non-fragranced category at an affordable price. We therefore believe we can bring this same affordable price into the UK market and deliver ‘affordable luxury’ to every home in the country. The collection then has an elegant and feminine look with sophisticated fragrance. Each fragrance has its own character and evokes an emotion to ‘make the little things in life a little more beautiful’.

Could you tell us where the inspiration for ‘little moments of joy in everyday life’ came from?

Our homes represent the place where we celebrate the little moments of joy and make our most treasured memories. These memories can be captured through fragrance and transport us back to the times where we have been the happiest. Bolsius Accents transports you back to those most reassured memories as well as well as reminding you to take the time create new ones.

Where does this new range sit in the British home fragrance market?

The fragrance market is very saturated, with well-established brands. Bolsius Accents is for those consumers who want something different from the standard ‘large jars’ in the market. Plus our ‘white wax only’ direction adds just that touch of elegance that our brands aspire to.

Who is your target UK consumer/retailer for this range?

Our range is perfect for the ‘smart shopper’. Due to the current climate we have a new category of shopper. This category is for those who want great quality at a fair price. We believe this is the area that is not fulfilled and is what makes us different. We are the experts in making candles and are committed at bringing them to market at the right price.

Bolsius is a huge name in Europe. How do you feel the British market differ to the rest of Europe?

The British market is unique across Europe. Here we are dominated by fragrance and burn fewer non-fragranced candles. However, our price points allow consumers to burn candles and create a beautiful ambience by combining different colours and sizes of candles without it hurting their pockets. In this current climate we are all watching what we spend, and our candles are for the ‘smart shopper’ who will not allow superior quality to win over price.

bolsius.co.uk 20 gifts today

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Fragranced Gifts

Go for gold

Heyland & Whittle The Heyland & Whittle team are excited to announce the addition of a brand new fragrance to their Gold Classic Collection: Amber & Oakmoss. Combining mellow yet sweet amber tones with earthy notes of oakmoss, this new scent is incredibly sensual, and will fill any home with warmth and promise. A hint of fresh bergamot balances out those strong aromas, for the perfect split between musky and refreshing: the ideal home fragrance, they believe.

This new scent is incredibly sensual. Amber & Oakmoss is such a classic scent that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d be absolutely perfect as a gift for a loved one, with its warm, comforting aroma adding a homely, welcoming vibe to any abode. Amber & Oakmoss will be a beautiful scent to fill your home with throughout the autumn months, seeing you right through to when you start thinking about Christmassy fragrances

Call: 01293 525 825 Email: sales@heylandandwhittle.co.uk Visit: heylandandwhittle.co.uk

Passion for fragrance Xystos

Taking its knowledge and passion for quality home fragrance, Xystos has created its own exciting bespoke collection of candles, reed diffusers and accessories.

This new Cello collection certainly hit the right note with buyers when it was launched at Home & Gift, and at Autumn Fair in September strong orders for the range continued to flow from multiple stores, garden centres and small independent shops.

There are 12 best-selling fragrances, with each blend featuring a top, middle and base note which, when combined, create a harmony of scents.

The artful colourways and on-trend design on each product are stylish and elegant, while all Cello products carry a subtle logo, ensuring authenticity and quality. The wax offering of muted colours is complemented by reed diffusers and accessory collections.

Cello is complemented by the Village Candle offering, and the Xystos fragrance portfolio is further enriched with bath & body products from Baylis & Harding, Di Palomo and The Naked Bee.

Call: 0191 499 1570 Email: sales@xystos.co.uk Visit: xystostrade.co.uk 22 gifts today

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Fragranced Gifts

Get some Cattitude!

Ashleigh & Burwood

Ashleigh &Burwood bring Cattitude to autumn/winter 2018 with their latest designs in their popular Wild Things collection, Born With Cattitude! It features a bold jaguar design complemented by a beautiful floriental scent, Dark Ginger Lily. Hitting all the right notes for the autumn/winter season, the latest design features not only on Scented Candles and Diffusers, but also on Home Accent Cushions and Hardback Notebooks.

The captivating fragrance and design are not the only reasons to buy, as Ashleigh & Burwood have announced a collaboration with UK-based charity The Big Cat Sanctuary, who recently starred in the BBC documentary series Big Cats About the House. This worthy charity will be receiving 5% of profits from sales of products featuring the gorgeous Born With Cattitude design. Born With Cattitude is the twelfth to join the collection which also includes three festive designs ideal for the Christmas season; Monarch of the Forest, Owl Night Long and Mr Fox. The Big Cat Sanctuary is trademarked by the Wildlife Heritage Foundation Limited. Registered Charity no. 1104420.

Call: 01932 267060 Email: info@ashleigh-burwood.co.uk Visit: ashleigh-burwood.co.uk

It’s all about the fragrance Melt

Melt have launched a brand new Hand, Body & Home range. Good things take time – but are mostly worth the wait. When Melt started to investigate the possibility of taking some of their stunning fragrances across into Hand, Body & Home products, it wasn’t the fragrances that gave them a challenge - it was creating the very best base formulations to marry them with.

But now the hard work is complete - and they are delighted to introduce this naturally derived and vegan range with no parabens, no sls, no sles, no silicone, and no animal ingredients. The packaging is also fully recyclable. Available in Hand Wash, Hair and Body Wash, Hand Cream, Body Cream & Aromatic Sprays in three of their most iconic fragrances….with more to follow. All lovingly crafted in England!

Call: 01200 443377 .

Email: info @themeltco.com Visit: themeltco.com

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10 FR AG R A N C E S I N S PI R E D BY LIT TLE M O M E N T S O F J OY I N E V E R Y D AY L I F E

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UP TO 50% OFF ON WINTER FRAGRANCES! G et in contact with u s N OW to g et a g reat of fe r o n your first o rd er.

Bolsius UK Ltd. PO Box 635 Crewe, Cheshire, CW1 9JZ United Kingdom T +44 (0)800 169 5126 E Sales@uk.bolsius.com I www.bolsius.co.uk

Cover Feature - Yankee Candle

Yankee Candle take style to new heights The beautifully crafted Yankee Candle Elevation Collection with Platform Lid has four new fragrances designed to give home style a real lift.

Did you know?

The Yankee Candle Elevation Collection with Platform Lid will be available in three sizes and are designed to ensure an even burn.

• Large 2-Wick Square Candle (552 grams) • Medium 3-Wick Square Candle (347 grams) • Small 1-Wick Square Candle (96 grams) 26 gifts today

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New Year calls for a fresh start and Yankee Candle has the perfect collection to indulge those seeking to refresh their home - the beautifully crafted Yankee Candle Elevation Collection with Platform Lid. Launched in-store and online in September 2018, the Yankee Candle Elevation Collection with Platform Lid has a sophisticated silhouette and stylish aesthetic that is enhanced by a dual-purpose brushed metal lid. This unique lid has been specifically designed to double as a platform for the candle – the perfect home accessory!

The new candle collection uses a balance of high quality glass and contemporary, clean lines, to create a unique shape that complements the style of any room. Smooth soy wax in neutral pantone colours and distinct, complex roomfilling fragrances create a warm and welcoming environment in the home.

‘What better way to embrace the New Year than a mini makeover in your house!’, says Hannah Jenkins, Brand Activation and Channel Marketing Director EMEA at Yankee Candle.

‘The Yankee Candle Elevation Collection with Platform Lid is the perfect complement to any room and any style. With a new design, roomfilling fragrances inspired by the seasons’ key trends and a lid design that doubles as a candle accessory, this versatile candle is the perfect finishing touch, Take your style to new heights today!’

The home of the world’s best-loved candle has a reputation for offering exciting new fragrances each season to keep your customers coming back for more. The company are all about encapsulating the magic of gifting, offering a range of scents and gift sets that customers and their family and friends will really love.

‘With a new design, room-filling fragrances inspired by the seasons’ key trends and a lid design that doubles as a candle accessory, this versatile candle is the perfect finishing touch, Take your style to new heights today!’

Dates for your diary!

The new fragrances for SS19 are beautifully nuanced to embrace the seasons on trend notes with four new uplifting fragrances:

Fragrances launching from January 2019…

• Sun-Warmed Meadow A sun-kissed meadow path stretching to the horizon with dry reeds rustling and a warm welcome in the air

• Passionflower The rare heady scents of night-blooming flowers – a passionate mix that’s inspiring and uplifting

Fragrances launching from April 2019…

• Sunlight Sands Turn your face to the sun—warm and bright with blooming jasmine on the breeze

• Sugared Wildflowers An eclectic bouquet of wildflowers with pops of lavender and cool eucalyptus – sweet and enticing.

Get in touch!

Call: 0117 316 1200 Email: sales@yankeecandle.co.uk Visit: yankeecandle.co.uk gifts today 27

Fragranced Gifts

So refreshing Stoneglow Candles

Refresh your senses with this empowering range of wooden wick candles and diffusers.

Infusion is an uplifting collection of fragrances that boost your wellbeing and transform your mood whilst the soft crackle of an alluring fire relaxes and soothes.

This contemporary and trend led collection is in six striking colours and fresh fragrances of Natural Wax Candles, matching High Fragrance diffuser and Refills.

Call: 020 8595 8878 Email: sales@stoneglowcandles.co.uk Visit: stoneglowcandles.co.uk

New season, new fragrances Aromatize

A new season means a new release of fragrances for Aromatize and their Goose Creek candle collection. Aromatize have teamed up with Goose Creek to develop 12 new core fragrances for autumn/ winter 2018.

Taking lead from the rise in popularity of alcohol-scented candles, they are introducing Strawberry Daiquiri, Passionfruit Martini and Gin & Tonic. Available in large 24oz jars and wax melts, these are sure to make a great gift this season. Building on the already strong Fruits & Citrus category, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re adding Blood Orange, Yuzu Lime and Lemongrass scents to the mix. Classic scents such as Baby Powder and Neroli join the mix while Rainbow Sugar is sure to satisfy a sweet tooth.

The new collection features bold, bright colours, and of course, the trusty dual wicks. With over 100 diverse fragrances in the collection, you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go wrong with Goose Creek.

Visit: aromatizetrade.co.uk

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For more info, contact our Customer Service Team Email: sales@xystos.co.uk or Tel: +44(0)191 499 1570 www.xystostrade.co.uk

14/09/2018 14:00:20

Fragranced Gifts

The art of candles St Eval

The Garden of Eden collection from artisan candle makers, St Eval. This beautiful range comprises Fig, Geranium and Tabac.

Winter Thyme is a fresh, festive scent of rosemary and thyme herbs with earthy winter woodland notes.

St Eval have created their collections so you can display them by fragrance as well as type of candle. St Evalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s festive favourites are also returning this year with the spicy warmth of Inspiritus, zesty Orange & Cinnamon and the fruity fun of Figgy Pudding. Look out for their new artisan logo on selected products:

Call: 01841 540850 Email: info@stevalcandlecompany.co.uk Visit: stevalcandlecompany.co.uk

Ethical and beautiful Heaven Scent

Heaven Scent have always created products that are kind to the environment and animals and are sustainable and cruelty free.

Heaven Scent create candles that are vegan friendly, and this for many years was thought by customers to be a niche product.

They are pleased to find our products at the forefront of customers now ethical concerns and love the fact that their natural products are seen as mainstream products now. Every product range Heaven Scent develops has to be created with many factors in mind, natural ingredients, sustainable packaging, free from animal products and cruelty free.

Call: 01225 868788 Email: contact@heavenscent.co.uk Visit: heavenscent.co.uk 30 gifts today

Fragranced Gifts

Hypnotic!

Environmentally conscious candle brand Barenaturals has confirmed plans to launch the world’s first range of hypnotic candles designed by clinical hypnotherapist, midwife and company founder, Darcey Croft.

The new range, named Hypnos after the Greek god of dreams, is the latest new product line from the ecologically responsible brand. The wonderfully scented Barenaturals candles use environmentally conscious ingredients, creating a positive impact for mind, body and Mother Earth.

Each Hypnos candle is carefully scented with select fragrances to stimulate the olfactory nerves. Each candle is accompanied by an audio hypnosis session.

After the session has been listened to, each time the candle is lit from then on in, the act of lighting will promote wellness and work on the subconscious to achieve the desired goal. The range was launched at Autumn Fair.

barenaturals.com

Q&A with Vanilla Blanc We caught up with Hayden from the home fragrance company to discover the story behind this exciting brand…

So how did the Vanilla Blanc come about?

I have been making my own unique scents for friends and family and used to present my blends in little velvet pouches and would gift them whenever there was an occasion that required a present. It soon got people talking about how nice the scents were and how they loved the way they were presented. So when my friend Suki asked if I could do a scent for her lounge area, I realised this could be the beginning of an exciting business, and Vanilla Blanc was born.

How did you set up the business?

I tried to save as much as possible by attending free business seminars and exhibitions. I negotiated with suppliers to give us bulk discounts on first orders and we started working on our first collection. Armed with a selection of scents and a small table, we took to Wimbledon Village on a market research journey, and got over 200 people to pick their top three fragrances from the selection we had. We made our first batch of 20 bottles that instantly sold out, we made 40 more and so on…

Your packaging is really unique, what was your inspiration?

People love receiving vintage wine bottles in the traditional wooden boxes, and this was the inspiration behind our La Collection Naturelle signature wooden gift boxes. Using my Friend Ash’s carpentry and joinery skills, we set about making the box.

What makes your products so special?

A lot of the pure essential oils we use are

32 gifts today

directly sourced from our own familyowned plantation and distillery on the Mediterranean coast so we have complete control on the crops we grow. We also work with local growers near where we live who have an extraordinary array of English lavender - we love using the Grosso variety.

Why the name Vanilla Blanc?

Vanilla used to grow only in Mexico and Central America but, using a simple technique of manual pollination of the vanilla orchid, it was made available all over the world. So the name ‘Vanilla’ is a tribute to the manual simplicity that produces extraordinary results! As for the ‘Blanc’ part – well, I like French and it sounds really elegant!

What’s next for Vanilla Blanc?

We were fortunate enough to get listed in the hip Japanese department stores LOFT and so we plan to expand our operation in South East Asia for 2019.

Our new Apothecary range that includes organic coconut wax in three wonderful blends is out now across stores nationwide.

Call: 0333 772 0673 info@vanillablanc.co.uk Visit: vanillablanc.co.uk

HEYLAND & WHITTLE HOME

01293 525 825 heylandandwhittle.co.uk sales@heylandandwhittle.co.uk Follow us

Fragranced Gifts

To the manor born

Manor House Home Fragrance Manor House was created around. 30 years ago and, since the current owner Darren Ellis took over, new lines have been added to the original pot pourri that Manor House has always been known for. Darren’s aim was to bring a much more up-to-date and wider offering to clients, so they could buy pot pourri, candles, diffusers, room sprays, luxury hand wash and moisturising lotions, drawer liners and so on to provide a wide range to stock and offer to the end customer.

Manor House offers 21 fragrance collections to the retailer, which include not only their signature pot pourris but also diffusers, room sprays, scented botanical candles and candles in glass in gift boxes, through to drawer liners and sachets, silk bags and cushions to perfume clothes drawers. Last year they introduced a stunning collection of luxury hand washes and moisturising lotions to complement each collection.

Manor House offers a full private label facility from their pot pourris through botanical candles, candles in glass in gift boxes, diffusers and room sprays to drawer liners and sachets. All can be developed from bespoke fragrances through ribbons, printed gift boxes and labels.

Visit: manorhousehomefragrance.co.uk

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Fabulous fragrance Price’s Patent Candles

If you are greeting guests or just relaxing in the comfort of your own home, Price’s new Fragrance Collection of candles and diffusers will be sure to help you create that perfect mood and atmosphere for every day of the year. There are 26 new scents, consisting of fruity, floral, fresh, sweet, woody and spice.

Created with the finest of wax ingredients, Price’s selection of fragrances will keep your home delicately perfumed with warm and soothing fragrances for hours, creating an instantaneous welcome in the air that envelops the senses.

Call: 01234 26450 Email: sales@prices-candles.co.uk Visit: prices-candles.co.uk

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For all Trade enquires E: info@vanillablanc.co.uk T: 0333 772 0673

www.vanillablanc.co.uk

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Julie Dodsworth

Me ole bamboo!

A little while ago I came upon a terrific post by the very eloquent speaker Una Doyle-Love and it rang so true with me that I thought I’d share it with you in this issue.

H 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.

36 gifts today

er story was of an unusual bamboo tree grown only in a certain province of China. The special seeds are planted deep in the earth and lovingly nurtured by the farmers who must take a very longterm view of their work.

They must for almost ten years water, fertilise and tend to the roots in the earth, putting hard work and skill into their labours even though they cannot see their progress as the roots develop. Finally, finally, after those long ten years, the shoots break through the soil; and then a miracle follows where the bamboo tree grows to its full height in just nine months.

The question Una asks is this: ‘Does the tree take nine months to grow ?’ The answer is, of course not! The tree takes 10 years and nine months!

The clear message of this tale is - just like the story of each of our vocations, careers and businesses how long are we all in earth making those roots? Studying, working on our way up our ladder, nurturing the dream and foundation for our business. Putting the hard work in and trying to break above ground into the a light takes a great deal of l courage, patience and toil. c When I saw a local, young harpist Megan y Humphries step onto an International stage recently, the audience watched in awe as she so beautifully played her piece. The question I ask is, did the piece take her five or six minutes to play? Of course not! It took years of dedication, hard work

“

When my amazing early licence with Churchill China came through, I was walking air.

”

and probably some disappointments along the way for Megan to reach her masterpiece. Indeed, Megan had had many years ‘in the earth’.

For each of us who plan a dream and watch our own progress, we have those same years ‘in the dark earth’. When our own success happens - and, with skill, hard work and a little faith, it will! – we need to savour the day when it finally breaks intoo the sunshine!

It took me many years of working late after my day job, as well as at weekends and holidays, creating prototypes and facing many setbacks and naysayers along the way. When my amazing early licence with Churchill China came through, I was walking air. My earth-bound toils had finally seen some sunshine!

And so, dear fellow dreamers, my message is to take moment

to appreciate the success you see around you every day and their green leafy canopies dazzling in the sunshine. How long were they buried beneath the ground? Years or perhaps even generations?

Be inspired by those lush green canopies you see around you; they may have matured and already be at chapter 23 in their third book, while you may only on your chapter seven. But have faith because, with time, courage, skill and effort, it can be done!

Fill your senses with aromatic pleasures in our new Garden of Eden Collection.

FIG | GERANIUM | TABAC

Available in a variety of pots and pillar candles, hand poured with our natural, unique blends for a premium quality.

The art of traditional candle making

01841 540850 | info@stevalcandlecompany.co.uk

www.stevalcandlecompany.co.uk

Manor House Home Fragrance Ltd

T 01359 250720 www.manorhousehomefragrance.co.uk

Trade talk Leading figures in the gift industry talk Christmas, trends for SS19 and what they love most about the gift industry.

Paul Hooker Commercial director, Joe Davies Your big hits this year?

It continues to be drink related products and jewellery.

Gin is very strong, we have everything from fab gin glasses to money boxes, and another big winner has been our snoozies boozies collection. On jewellery, hand-painted fashion lines are hot and right on trend.

Gifts Today loves to hear your views.

Cara Beech New Product Manager, PMC Any special news you’d like to share with readers?

We’re gearing up for our 15th birthday next year, which is a huge milestone for us, so we have lots of plans in the works. Watch this space!

Your big hits this year?

Personalised cards for milestone moments, for new babies, new puppies and weddings have all been incredibly successful for us this year. We’ve also expanded our range of personalised books, which have all been well received by customers, particularly our new personalised sibling books.

What products/ranges do you have high hopes for this Christmas?

What products/ranges do you have high hopes for this Christmas?

We launched a range of cool funky, one-size-fits-all socks in the summer under the brand ‘Sock Society’ and they were already repeating in august. We have several phases of new designs lined up throughout the busy period - it’s a huge commitment and the range is shaping up to be a big Christmas winner.

Personalised baubles, sacks and stockings are always extremely popular over Christmas, particularly when paired with ‘1st Christmas’ designs. We expect our personalised Christmas Eve boxes to also sell particularly well this year, based on their stellar performance in 2017.

Trends for SS19?

Home sentiment is very strong, with a crafty hand-made style coming through. Also tipped are country themes, rustic rural woodland and celestial, particularly on jewellery.

How important are trade shows for you as a company – and why?

Trade shows for Joe Davies are so important. Whilst ordering online is a great additional service, being able to touch and feel the quality of the product is so important. It’s also where we get to see so many of our great regular customers face to face.

What strategies do you have to survive these uncertain times and prolonged Brexit negotiations?

Our strategy through these uncertain times has been to make sure that our customers get stability; we have done this by keeping our prices low, launching more new products than ever and making sure it’s business as usual all wrapped up with great Joe Davies service. For us the qualities are the same whatever the weather - we strive to be flexible, good value, loyal and committed to our independent customers and long term suppliers.

What do you like most about being part of the gift industry?

Its vibrancy; there are so many unique characters who work so hard. Together they all make the gift industry one of the strongest, most varied independent retail sectors in the UK.

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Trends for SS19?

There are a few themes we’re expecting to be on trend for SS19, including wildlife, which will be focused on kids and nursery.

Watercolours and brushstrokes will continue to be strong, particularly when combined with florals. Patterns from nature, including plants, marble and bees will also be big in giftware next year.

How important are trade shows for you as a company – and why?

Trade shows are a great way for us to meet customers face to face and get vital feedback on our products and service. They’re also the perfect occasion to network and to build stronger relationships with our customers. Of course, they’re a key way in which we showcase our range and launch new product, too.

What strategies do you have to survive these uncertain times and prolonged Brexit negotiations?

These are challenging times with economic uncertainty and we are all aware most costs have increased and continue to do so. However, as we operate within an extremely price-sensitive market, we strive to offer the best value. As such, we always try to hold price increases where possible, as we believe it’s essential to remain competitive for our customers. Companies need to be competitive and their product range needs to stand out from the crowd. They must offer something different and be leaders, not followers!

What do you like most about being part of the gift industry?

It is extremely varied. If you think about it, what can’t be classed as a gift? There are some definite no no’s that would start a debate, but aside from that it gives me endless opportunities.

Area Sales Manager

South West England and South Wales Keel Toys Ltd are passionate about soft toys with an extensive blue-chip customer base covering multiple sales channels in over 80 countries. Keel Toys are a fourthgeneration family company founded in 1947, still growing through our product led and progressive way of doing business.

Applications are invited for the following position.

Area Sales Manager South West England and South Wales The principal duties for the role are to develop an existing account base and to investigate and open new customer and market opportunities in line with company objectives.

The successful candidate must have a proven background and record in sales for both servicing and developing customers with both stock and bespoke product ranges. Experience in the Toy and Gift markets would be an advantage, but not essential as full training and support will be giving to the successful candidate.

You will be an enthusiastic, organised individual demonstrating a resilient character with very good people and team skills. The ability to work in multi market channels is essential to achieve results in this competitive area.

Its all about the fragrance!

In return we offer an above average salary package with good growth potential, benefits and a BMW. Please apply in the first instance by sending your current Curriculum Vitae including your current salary details to: Steve Cox UK Sales Director Keel Toys Ltd Ashford Business Park, Sevington, Ashford, Kent TN24 0SG Email: steve.cox@keeltoys.com

Lovingly Handmade in the UK www.themeltco.com info@themeltco.com 01200 443377

We are your present. Your future.

We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t shackle ourselves to trade show stands.

What we do is reach the biggest and brightest brands globally.

Join the thousands who visit us online to get informed, get connected and get licensed.

Discover what we are about:

www.ltw.media

LTW.MEDIA

We deliver top quality content to a highly engaged, focused and targeted global audience.

The business of driving your brand, propelling it to a new phase of its licensing life, is our business too.

Licensed Gifts

Brand new for you!

Brand Licensing Europe rolls into town this month, celebrating its 20th anniversary and bringing together 300+ suppliers showcasing the hottest properties, characters and images available to license. It’s the perfect time to discover why, when the partnership is right, great brands will always sell.

Did you know…?

The UK is the second largest licensing market in the world, after the US? It was worth $14.038 billion in licensing revenue in 2017, according to LIMA’s forthcoming Annual Global Licensing Industry Survey 2018 Report.

Tuck in Food & drink is big news! The theme of this year’s BLE is Food & Beverage.

‘It’s one of the fastest-growing and most robust categories within licensing,’ says show director Anna Knight. ‘The whole wellbeing and clean-eating phenomenon has had a huge impact on the category.’

N

othing sells quite as well as brands that people already know and love. With the strength of movies and celebrities stronger than ever before and, with social media, images can spread worldwide in seconds – back the right trend and you can be quids in.

For example, one retailer will do well with the huge Frida Kahlo trend, while others will be firmly in Harry Potter territory. ‘RHS is especially good for us, especially because the products they have licensed already do well for us’ says Dougal Philip, New Hopetoun Gardens.

As show director Anna Knight told Gifts Today: ‘We’ve reached this 20th anniversary milestone because we never lose sight of our number one purpose, and that’s to provide a relevant platform for everyone in Europe who is involved in licensing to come together and learn, do business and network.’ gifts today 41

In the best possible taste!

Gibsons Games Gibsons have been entertaining generations for almost a century and combine their wealth of knowledge and eye for innovation to produce a wide range of puzzles, games and gifts for the whole family. Their ‘Iconic Brands Collection’ is the successful gift range that includes branded jigsaw puzzles in quirky packaging.

From Marmite to Pringles there is a brand to suit every taste.

Gibsons’ Marmite puzzle is a firm favourite within this range. Love it or Hate it, there are few things more iconic than the Marmite jar. Inside this larger than life replica jar is a 500-piece double-sided jigsaw puzzle that is sure to challenge the lovers and haters alike. With a screw-top lid, the nifty jar makes a great storage pot suitable for all manner of knick-knacks.

Kellogg’s Corn Flakes is Gibsons’ newest licenced 500-piece puzzle. Perfect for cereal lovers to dig into on a rainy day, this clever puzzle interlocks to re-create the iconic image of a Corn Flakes box, as well as a montage of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes themed images on the other side. The puzzle is presented in a mini replica Corn Flakes box that is sure to make the perfect present.

Call: 020 8661 8866 sales@gibsonsgames.co.uk Visit: gibsonsgames.co.uk

licensing news

Queen’s Award for Santoro Santoro Licensing, founded in 1995

by Meera & Lucio Santoro, are proud to have been awarded The Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade 2018. It is the UK’s most prestigious and highest accolade for International business success. These Awards are made by HM The Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister.

Co-founder Meera Santoro stated: ‘We feel incredibly proud to have received this Award. Our Licensing division has been responsible for many of the company’s achievements to date. It is a rare honour and one which we are immensely proud and grateful to accept.’

Paul Lamond launch Horrible Histories The games and puzzles specialist has unveiled a new series of fun and educational puzzles from the world’s bestselling children’s history book series at Autumn Fair this year. The series will join Paul Lamond’s renowned literacy puzzle ranges that include Where’s Wally, Roald Dahl and The World of David Walliams.

The hugely successful Horrible Histories series written by Terry Deary and illustrated by Martin Brown celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2018. It’s history with the nasty bits left in. Richard Wells, Managing Director at Paul Lamond Games said: ‘We are now in the countdown to Christmas which is a dominant period for games and puzzles so we are very excited to be launching this new puzzle series from such a sought-after brand at such a key time.’

Call: 020 7254 0100 Visit: paul-lamond.com

Jimmy the Bull expands Enesco licence The internet sensation bull terrier Jimmy the Bull is proud to announce that they have expanded their licence with leading giftware company Enesco Ltd., to include new US collections of gift products. Created by artist Raphael Mantesso, Jimmy the Bull licensing includes hundreds of charming and humorous images that combine photography and free hand illustrations.

Now, under the expanded licence, Enesco will be offering gift products including figurines, picture frames, wall art, tote-bags, umbrellas, make up bags and dog bowls to major retailers throughout North America and Europe.

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All aboard The Crystal Maze!

Bulldog Licensing has announced that Rascals has launched a new board game based on cult-classic gameshow The Crystal Maze. The new Rascals board game taps into all the fiendish fun of the show, with players faced by a labyrinth of perplexing puzzles and tricky challenges.

Duty calls for Pyramid Pyramid International are excited to announce the addition of Call Of Duty to their portfolio of licences as they are now working with gaming juggernauts Activision. They will be distributing product throughout the UK, Europe, South Africa and Australia for some of the biggest franchises in the gaming genre, including classics such as Crash Bandicoot.

Pyramid are currently developing a programme across their range of products including posters, prints, canvas and wall art, merchandise, homeware, doormats, stationery and notebooks, which will be available for general release in Q3.

Call: 0116 284 3640 Visit: pyramidinternational.com

Perfect partners for Pikmi Pops There are further additions to the licensing programme for new collectable sensation Pikmi Pops, with Spearmark and Blueprint both signing up. The new deals will see Spearmark produce housewares and lighting ranges, whilst Blueprint is on board for stationery and bags.

Created by Moose Toys – of Shopkins fame - Pikmi Pops is a range of sweetscented miniature plushies that come with surprises, packaged inside an iconic lollipop vessel. ‘

Licensed Gifts

Different by design Groovy UK

Groovy’s philosophy in the world of official licensed giftware is designing and creating original product across bathrobes, slippers, bags, lighting, ceramics and more...

Marvel’s new super villain Thanos has been a great hit for Groovy UK and their new bathrobe and slipper is fully adorned with applique and embroidery to emulate his outfit, including his gold panels and jeweled gauntlet. Harry Potter’s cute little characters can be seen everywhere at the moment and Groovy have created a full range which includes bathrobes, slippers, lighting, bags and purses.

Having a product with a unique selling point is often what makes the difference and Groovy’s ‘Different by Design’ motto is certainly working well for them.

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

Top class

Museums & Galleries Museums & Galleries has an enviable roster of high-class cultural licences covering a wide range of aesthetic interests. From the V&A to Matthew Williamson, Cressida Bell to the British Library, there is something for everyone in M&G’s comprehensive portfolio - not forgetting 2018’s important launches of BBC Earth, British Museum and Transport for London.

The backbone of M&G’s gift product range is a variety of beautiful journals and notebook products - now comprising well over 100 titles with new being added constantly. A retail display spinner for the company’s journals is also now available.

Building on this solid stationery foundation, M&G have over the last two years added gift ballpoint pens, the barrels emblazoned with outstanding design work from the archives of the V&A (including Arts & Crafts movement designers William Morris, CFA Voysey and Walter Crane) and the contemporary design studio of the internationally-renowned Matthew Williamson.

The V&A pens have a silver chrome tip and clip; the Williamson pens’ trimmings are gold-effect. All pens feature twist-action and are smartly presented in coordinating gift boxes. Refills are standard and obtainable on the high street.

Call: 01373 462165 Email: sales@mgml.co.uk Visit: museumsgalleries.co.uk

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Are you looking for

agents... if so contact: Mark Horsnell 01442 289949 mark@lemapublishing.co.uk

Licensed Gifts

Christmas jumpers CiD

The Harry Potter printed Christmas apparel collection is now available from CID, one of this year’s award winners at the Licensing Awards in September.

The range of Hogwarts-related product which covers classic Harry Potter alongside the brand new Fantastic Beasts movie, The Crimes of Grindelwald is currently unrivalled in the market place.

The brand-new Christmas designs are across printed sweatshirt jumpers and both unisex and fitted t-shirts. To see the entire best-selling selection from the Wizarding World, which covers scarves, T-shirts, outerwear, jackets, beanie hats, caps and tote bags, just get in touch.

Call: 0116 284 4750 Email: salesteam@cidmerch.com Visit: cidmerch.com

A raft of new licences Half Moon Bay Ltd

Half Moon Bay have recently extended their portfolio by adding six new licences for their autumn/winter 2018 launch. The additions include Disney’s Mary Poppins ahead of the Mary Poppins Returns release this December, Winnie the Pooh, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Warhammer Age of Sigmar, Overwatch and Sonic the Hedgehog.

Fun new formats such as a shaped trinket dish, salt and pepper shaker set, metal sculpted bottle opener and A4 notes set have been added to the product offering, providing perfect gifting opportunities in the run up to Christmas. Looking to 2019, Half Moon Bay is preparing to launch a diverse range of licensed collections throughout the year, appealing to more and more retail outlets.

Etta Saunders Bingham, Head of Licensing and Product Development commented: ’We fully engage with the story of each licence we take on, building our product ranges on the creative base that already exists for the brand and then adding innovation to create product that combines quality, desirability and usefulness in equal measure.’

Call: 01225 473873 Email: sales@halfmoonbay.co.uk Visit: halfmoonbay.co.uk

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ZZZ UDJJHGURVH FRP

Gift Pens from the V&A and Matthew Williamson $87801

(worth writing home about)

To see the full range contact your local agent, view online or call our sales team for more information.

E: sales@mgml.co.uk

museumsgalleries.co.uk

T: 01373 462165

Home of the finest arts brands

Social Media - Ross Hewitt

Email marketing there’s life after GDPR! It’s time to make sense of the rules and best practices surrounding the data you hold and collect

S

o, May was a fun month this year! The main message that every business owner needs to remember is that it is still OK to send emails to consumers or to people who have subscribed to your newsletter list.

There are just a few rules and best practices that you must abide by regarding how you have previously collected that data and how you are collecting it going forwards. Data you collect for email marketing needs to be freely given and specific and the consent you receive needs to be informed and unambiguous.

Freely given and specific 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

48 gifts today

To quote some official wording, freely given data is ‘data that is given to you by a consumer for the obvious intent of you being able to message them.’ Therefore, data that you collect in an obvious and GDPR compliant subscribe form is freely given. Data that is collected during an ecommerce checkout process and then used for email marketing without any consent is not freely given.

Data collected on a physical sign-up form – such as data capture cards at consumer shows - is fine if consent is also collected. Do not throw away such materials though after data-entry or at least store an electronic copy of them in a secure online storage area so that consent can be verified if ever challenged.

Specific data is data that is specifically relevant to allowing you to send email communications to the consumer. At the ‘safest’ level, this is just name and email address.

‘Extra Value’ data such as date of birth, postcode, age of children is

still allowable but you need to be able to justify why you want to collect such extra data. Consider not making such data mandatory on your subscribe forms.

If you haven’t already then you need to look at data you have from previous data capture activity prior to 25 May and rank it by ‘justified’ and ‘nice to have’. If you don’t sell outside of the UK, then ‘country of residence’ is justified whereas ‘favourite book’ isn’t!

“

The main message that every business owner needs to remember is that it is still OK to send emails to consumers or to people who have subscribed to your newsletter list Informed and unambiguous

”

You must ensure that consent for email marketing is given by the consumer.

The starting point for this is to make sure the consumer is informed that they are about to give you data for that specific function. Everything around consent needs to be transparent and unambiguous; for example, consumers need to click/tap the opt-in box to ‘agree’ and not to ‘opt-out’ and you must be able to prove consent was given on all records that you are currently sending marketing emails to (pre and post 25 May 2018). If you cannot prove consent was given to you then delete the record!

For consumer email marketing it feels to me that purchased lists are dead now. The riskiest data you may hold is any previously purchased data.

Even if you have emailed them lots of times in previous years it is still risky if you cannot prove consent for you to email them (you are storing and using that data). If you went through the exercise of getting these recipients to opt in to your newsletters again ahead of 25 May then they are fine though because they have now agreed consent with you.

A consumer also now has the right to request that you delete any data you have on them (the ‘right to be forgotten’), and this means you need to know where the data is! For email marketing you should only store data in one secure location (such as a CRM system or online email marketing system) so it is time to consolidate the various spreadsheets and Google Drive documents you have always relied on and get the data into one safe digital place. Consumers also have the right to view and update the data you store about them.

If you still need to grasp the nettle of GDPR compliance for email marketing then I now recommend MailChimp as the service to use.

Mailchimp allows you to easily set up GDPR compliant sign up forms and they supply links during the consumer sign up process to their own privacy policy which covers your storage of the data! They also provide links in emails you send to allow a recipient to view and change their own data and the unsubscribe process is easy and effective and it is impossible for you to accidentally mail someone who has unsubscribed.

If you need help then a great starting point is to read and learn Google ‘Mailchimp GDPR’.

Games & Puzzles

All aboard with toys, games and puzzles With the golden quarter upon us and the gloomy nights settling in, now is the time to back games and puzzles in a big way. Strike the right balance and you could be a part of the category’s continuing upward trajectory.

I

n an industry full of ups and downs, consistency is a rare thing and, in the toy trade, games and puzzles hold that crown. They have risen to renewed prominence over the past five years to become one of the most valuable and sure-fire categories for both retailers and suppliers. With no age restrictions, a low barrier to entry and, in recent times, a focus on shareable moments between friends and families, the social aspect of games and puzzles gives retailers an audience like no other.

‘As a company we are wellknown for inventing, designing, producing and distributing fun, learning-focused games that bring families and friends together ,’ says Sarah Winter, head of sales at Green Board Games. ‘The company ethos of “play together, learn together” is reflected across our full product range.

Did you know…?

19 percent of all games and puzzles were bought by adults for adults, according to NPD – a big chunk of the UK’s burgeoning £383 ‘kidult’ market.

‘Given its growing popularity we decided to invest heavily in Flights of Fancy. We undertook research into bestselling giftware products and spoke at length with gift buyers to gain insight into what retailers are truly after.

With a deeper understanding of what sells best in the current market, we made the exciting decision to rebrand the popular nature and creative kits.’

As with all categories, games and puzzles enjoy a natural boost over the Christmas buying period. But what was until recently a one-off purchase for the family festivities has stretched throughout the year. Consumers look to fill their year with new gaming experiences, such as Hasbro’s Monopoly Cheaters, where players are permitted to bend the rules and cheat to win. Christmas is of course important, but the great thing about games is that they can be played all year round.

‘People love the whole nostalgic vibe that we’re seeing and hearing more about and that’s exactly what you get with a jigsaw puzzle,’ says Steven Russell, marketing manager, Jumbo Games. ‘So for us it’s great and why we are investing more time and resource into maintaining this trend. Puzzles and games provide great alternatives for going out, as we are seeing more people wanting to get the most out of their money. A puzzle or game can last for hours, days or even weeks (depending on your skill) and doesn’t break the bank on costs… unlike everything else these days.

They are also great for socialising and bringing family and friends together.

‘Wasgij has the demographic with the most

‘Puzzles and games provide great alternatives for going out, as we are seeing more people wanting to get the most out of their money’ breadth, as we’ve found fans becoming addicted to the puzzles from 18 years, all the way to 80+. With our Jan van Haasteren range of comic puzzles, it tends to be higher with the 30-pluses and with Falcon de luxe, our nostalgic and heritage brands, it’s again starting from 35-40 years and up. In the children segment, we are focussing on the 3-5 audience, as once children get older they are more consumed by digital games and consoles, and soon forget about puzzles. This age group is perfect for family and friends to buy puzzles for, as parents love the educational benefits their children get and the children are equally engaged with them. ‘ Making games more accessible is key, instead of obtuse manuals filled with rules and sub rules. Making games more open and social has a great impact on drawing more consumers to the hobby. Party games are great – one access point for casual players who might enjoy a roll of the dice at a friend’s house but wouldn’t necessarily be heading to Kickstarter for the latest niche release. It seems that simplicity can be the key. gifts today 49

Consumer Insights

With autumn now here, Halloween - the third biggest retail event of the year - is fast approaching. Planet Retail estimate Halloween spending is now worth around £330m, up from just £12m in 2001, with only Christmas and Easter generating more revenue. Time to discover how to maximise this key retail event.

Maximising opportunities with Halloween

A

ccording to the latest Kids Insights data, 70% of children are set to celebrate Halloween this year, a figure that jumps to 89% amongst 4 to 6-year-olds.

This demonstrates the strength of the event - which is resonating stronger with every generation of UK children - and how it has now established itself as one of the key events for UK retailers.

Their most most recent data found that Trick or Treating is the most common way to celebrate Halloween, with 58% of 4 to 9-year-olds expecting to partake

According to internet search data, searches for Halloween were 40% higher in 2017 than the equivalent period in 2012. this Girls h year. G l are more llikely k l than h boys to join in with all Halloween celebrations.

Kids Insights data shows almost a third (31%) of young children purchase decorations and around one in five buy make-up. Interestingly, when asked, children are also still more likely to spend money on the 50 gifts today

high street, not online.

Beyond the age of 11, the number of children who celebrate Halloween begins to decline, from 83% of 11-year-olds to 48% of 14-yearolds. The number of teenagers who celebrate then stays stable, at around 50% of teenagers. Teenagers are the most likely demographic to hold a party with their friends, and an average 40% of children will be purchasing a fancy-dress outfit.

Just less than half of children aged between four and nine say they will buy a pumpkin.

Halloween is a great opportunity for the gifting and impulse purchasing market, with even further scope to grow. For example, if we look at the US market, spending is around £16 per person (with a total market value of $7bn according to the National Retail Federation) compared with £5 in the UK. In fact, it is estimated Americans spend $350m per year on Halloween costumes for pets!

There is no doubt children’s increasing enthusiasm for celebrating Halloween represents an exciting opportunity for retailers, manufacturers, licensors and product developers. Various brands are getting behind this trend already, such as M·A·C cosmetics teaming up with London Dungeons to create Halloween-inspired make-up looks.

The level of enthusiasm expressed by children to dress up, host

parties and go out on Halloween represents a significant opportunity for retailers as this years’ Halloween celebrations are shaping up to be bigger than ever.

“

We are proud to count some of the biggest brands and agencies in the industry as clients, providing the most comprehensive and dynamic market intelligence to inform their

70% of children are set to celebrate Halloween this year

The ability for brands to respond quickly has never been so important to maximise footfall and sales.

Our data helps brands to monitor the latest trends and buying opportunities, including recently Fortnite, Fidget Spinners and the Slime craze.

”

advertising, content, licensing & merchandise, marketing, product and sales strategies. For a complimentary report and a demonstration of our award-winning portal kidsinsights. co.uk/giftstoday or call +44 (0) 330 159 6631.

Kids Insights is the leading provider of market intelligence on all things kids, tweens and teens; providing clients with access to the most comprehensive and dynamic insights on the attitudes, behaviours and consumption of UK kids. Surveying more than 400 UK kids every single week (20,000 a year) – they produce four insight-led reports every 12 weeks and provide clients with access to this data in real-time, via their award-winning portal. For more information visit: kidsinsights.co.uk/giftstoday

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Games & Puzzles

Top tins

Apples to Pears Check out the company’s Gift in a Tin range. All are now available to order.

Jake the Snake Letter and number fun! Jake the Snake is an educational puzzle perfect for preschoolers. With double-sided chunky wooden pieces, little ones can learn both the alphabet and how to count. Once playtime is over, Jake packs away neatly back into the tin for easy storage.

Scooter in a Tin Responding to the astounding demand for Tractor in a Tin and Camper Van Construction Kit, Apples to Pears are launching a brand-new metal construction kit: Scooter in a Tin. Fantastic as a family activity or a challenge to face alone, and they’ve even included a ‘target’ coaster, so your customers can have a drink while they build!

Dinosaur Island The newest giant Gift in a Tin is not one to miss. Dinosaur Island is a beautiful playset made of chunky, colourful wooden pieces. With everything from Triceratops and Diplodocus to Sharks, this set is perfect for children with a wild imagination. Once the playing is over, all the pieces can be packed back into the handy storage tin.

Call: 01453 826759 Email: sales@applestopears.com Visit: applestopears.com

Popular puzzles Jumbo Games

Each year, puzzle enthusiasts can rely on Jumbo Games to bring some Christmas spirit to the festive season and 2018 will be no different with their range of Christmas puzzles.

The Falcon de luxe Christmas Shopping 1000-piece puzzle depicts a wintery shopping scene on Christmas Eve and comes with a free 1000-piece puzzle for an extra special gift to get them into the Christmas spirit.

Also available is the Christmas Market 500-piece puzzle and The Christmas Journey 200XL-piece Falcon de luxe puzzles that both feature beautiful Christmas imagery with a nostalgic feel.

New this year is also the 14th edition to Jumbo’s Christmas Wasgij concept, Santa’s Little Helpers! This 1000-piece puzzle is designed around the unique ‘what are we looking at?’ puzzle concept and requires imagination and attention to clues in order to piece together the view that the characters are looking at. The Wasgij Christmas puzzle also includes a free 1000-piece puzzle of the image on the box (something you don’t get with other Wasgij puzzles), making it the ideal Christmas gift for puzzle lovers!

Call: 01707 289289 Email: uk.saleshotline@jumbo.eu Visit: jumbo.eu

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Games & Puzzles

What a sweetie!

Gibsons Games

Gibsons have just released four new gift puzzles, the Sweet Memories Tins. Each tin holds a 500-piece puzzle featuring a mouth-watering collage of delicious treats from either the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s or 1980s.

Composed by Robert Opie, these four tins will take you on a trip down memory lane as the pieces from the past fit together once more. As with all Gibsonsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; jigsaws, the beautifully illustrated pieces are made from the highest quality 100% recycled board and are therefore a pleasure to work with again and again. Open the tin and dive in!

Call: 020 8661 8866 Email: sales@gibsonsgames.co.uk Visit: gibsonsgames.co.uk

Perfect puzzles Orange Tree Toys

Puzzles are a really key seller for Orange Tree Toys. They have been a staple for a number of years and their popularity continues to grow.

The Crocodile Puzzle has been a longstanding favourite, so much so, a whole range of toys based on this colourful croc was released this year.

Alphabet and Number puzzles are perfect additions to any childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s toy box. With their colourful chunky pieces they are a great tactile puzzle, perfect for little hands to grasp. Puzzle trains are another great seller for Orange Tree Toys, allowing the child to build up the pieces and pull along the train once built. This is a fun and more interactive puzzle making them perfect for keeping little ones entertained for longer!

This year marked the released of a new toy for Orange Tree Toys - 3D puzzles. Available in three designs, crocodile, Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddle-Duck these fun puzzles allow you to pull apart and build up a 3D character. Making them not only fun to build but also a great character to play with once built!

Call: 01242 244500 Email: sales@orangetreetoys.com Visit: orangetreetoys.com

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New for Christmas Great rate of sale Something for everyone

01453 826759

sales@applestopears.com applestopears.com

New Products Gin & knit!

Joe Davies Hand Decorated Gin Glasses Britain has gone ‘gin mad’, leading to a huge boom in gin-related gifts! These beautiful Sunny

By Sue hand-decorated gin glasses available from Joe Davies are both stylish and trendy, and are packaged in elegant window boxes that show them off to their full advantage – they’re just perfect for your favourite tipple!

Joe Davies carry an extensive range of gin-related gifts to complement these stunning glasses including gin fund money boxes, LED jars and gin plaques to name but a few. All are available in modest quantities from this customer friendly company, with carriage paid orders of just £100 and free nationwide delivery.

Doodles Knit Doodles is a fresh new brand of plush with a difference from gift importer Joe Davies. There are four charming new ranges: Doodles Crochet, Doodles Knit, Doodles Rags and Doodles Softy. Every Doodle is named and all are beautifully designed and handcrafted from lovely materials.

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

Contemporary & classical Bailey & Brooke

The complete gift solution has arrived. Bailey & Brooke is rooted in authentic design, creating innovative and complete gift solutions to the highest standards, continuously exceeding customers’ expectations and always ahead of the industry standard.

The brand`s in-house design team have created a series of contemporary and classical collections within the giftware, jewellery and homeware sectors. Each exquisite piece comes complete in premium gift packaging - The Complete Gift. Their design philosophy across their comprehensive ranges emphasises the creation of collections that exude a ‘refined style’. This is a style that is quietly confident, easily adaptable and versatile. The simple addition of a Bailey & Brooke piece to any home, office or ensemble will exude the very essence of Refined Style.

Bailey & Brooke`s reputation for finely tailored pieces is renowned and this is clearly reflected in their new jewellery collection. Fresh, simple and wearable are the essentials of good design. All three are captured perfectly within this unique jewellery collection. Each piece is individually designed with subtle variations in styles from sparkling stone encrusted pendants to elegant refined earrings and bracelets.

The luxurious candles are hand crafted using a natural blend of wax and a lead-free cotton braided wick. This combined with essence of essential oils means the candle is of the highest quality and produces at least 48 hours of burning.

At the very core of the Bailey and Brooke philosophy is the creation of exquisite gift solutions for Gifting Occasions. According the Bailey and Brooke Christmas Collection featured an extension series of intricately designed tree decorations, gift sets and candleware. Each piece comes complete in specific festive packaging - The Complete Gift. Visit The Bailey and Brooke Stand at the following Trade Shows: * Harrogate Christmas & Gift Hall C, stand 27 * NEC Spring Fair Hall 4 stand C50 Email: bryn@alliedimports.com Visit: baileyandbrooke.co.uk

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New Products

Star struck for Christmas

Personalised Memento Company PMC’s new personalised star sign range is the perfect gift for any fan of astrology. Whether you’re a loyal Leo, or a laid-back Libra, there’s an item in the range for you. Available on mugs, cards, keyrings and necklaces, these personalised star sign gifts feature their respective constellations and can be personalised with the recipient’s name.

Each item is also available for next day delivery and can be dropshipped straight to your recipient, making them an ideal last-minute gift for birthdays, as well as a variety of other occasions. See PMC’s full range of personalised zodiac star sign gifts on their trade website. There, you can also sign up for your trade account and take advantage of PMC’s fast and reliable drop-ship service, which includes no minimum order requirements.

Add a personal touch to your Christmas tree this year, with a full-colour personalised acrylic decoration from the Personalised Memento Company. Their new decorations include this stylish ‘1st Christmas as a Pair’ design, which is ideal for a couple’s special first Christmas. PMC have also expanded their range of ceramic decorations to include brand new designs on their baubles and flat decorations. Personalised ‘My 1st Christmas’ is set to grow in popularity this year, and PMC have launched a flurry of new designs to meet the demand for this magical milestone.

PMC’s fast lead times and high quality personalisation processes mean that they can offer a consistently reliable service to all of their customers, even during the busiest times of the year. Their simple ordering and drop-shipping service has been designed with businesses of all shapes and sizes in mind. Whether you are an independent shop, an e-commerce retailer or even a large high street store, PMC have the ideal selling solution for you. Visit their trade website to discover how personalised gifts can give your business the edge.

Email: sales@personalisedmemento.co.uk Visit: personalisedmemento.co.uk

On a knife edge Füri

Austr alian knife brand, Füri, is set to launch its new Pro East/West Santoku and Diamond Fingers Three Piece Set, which contains two different sizes of the brand’s iconic Santoku knife - it’s a cross between a strong Western-style cook’s knife and an exceptionally sharp Easternstyle vegetable chopper.

Made using high-grade Japanese stainless steel, Füri knives boast superior durability.

The set also comes with a compact knife sharpener with sharpening fingers made of an industrial grade diamond coating that easily creates straight cutting edges. With celebrity chef fans including Nigella Lawson and Kylie Kwong, Füri knives are a cut above the rest and ideal for gifting.

Call: 01922 743586 Visit: fackelmann.co.uk

Have a swig!

Swig, Valerie Graham Valerie Graham are delighted to announce the exclusive UK and Ireland distribution for the SWIG range of hydration. Available in six lifestyle colours, the range includes stemless wine/drinking cups, mugs, tumblers, bottles and kids’ bottles.

‘I noticed there was no premium hydration company offering the variety of cup shapes women want, and certainly not in colours that appeal to a female demographic’, says founder and CEO Tracee Mathes.

‘I felt there was an unmet need in the marketplace to combine those elements into one brand.’

While men enjoy Swig’s products too, the line remains at its core a female-oriented brand.

Mathes says she plans to continue building a brand focused on the average woman who wants stylish, wellmade products for her on-the-go lifestyle.

With the added thickness, the insulation of Swig keeps your drinks hot for up to nine hours or cold for up to 12.

All Signature Swigs are dishwasher safe, and feature a branded silicone non-slip base.

Call: 020 8200 5100 sales@vgltd.co.uk

gifts today 57

Retailers’ Panel

Gifts Today Retailers’ Panel Key gift shop owners around the UK talk discoveries they’ve made at the shows, what they love best about the gift industry and…Christmas!

Berith Lochery Broc-Mor Aberystwyth What are you stocking up on for Christmas?

Christmas decorations by Shoeless Joe and Pollyfields! We are known for our window displays and work very hard on making them inviting and pleasing to the eye! It’s all about warmth, colour, levels and light. This year our theme is ‘If you go into the woods’.

Discoveries at the shows this year?

We came across Fikkerts, lovely handmade bath, body and home fragrances all made in Yorkshire. We are looking forward to trying them out this autumn.

Plans for the final quarter?

Make it through January and February in one piece!

What qualities do you think retailers need to survive these

challenging times?

Perseverance, blood, sweat and tears!

But also the ability to react quickly to customer needs as well as diversifying.

For example, we are a gift shop but recently starting holding ‘local artist’ events in the evening that can open up new customer bases. A good relationship with your suppliers is also vital especially when cash flow is suffering.

What do you like most about being part of the gift industry?

The amazing feeling you get when products you have sourced are selling well.

Karen Greig Destined for Home Edinburgh, Scotland

58 gifts today

What are you stocking up on for Christmas?

Discoveries at the shows this year?

I am stocking up on candles, decadent dressing gowns and loungewear, bespoke metal signs. I absolutely love doing the Christmas window and try to do it for as little as possible but with maximum impact. My first Christmas window was the best and cost me nothing; I used chicken wire that was going to be thrown away and created a female Santa mannequin. I then used holly from my garden to create a floor-length skirt, before adding fairy lights - it’s a hard act to follow!

I found some lovely Wish Bracelets that are a great pick up item, plus they’re a great stocking filler.

What do you like most about being part of the gift industry?

I love finding a gift for someone and then hearing that the recipient really loved it. Finding that unique product is such a thrill.

Dougal Philip

Gillian Fisher

New Hopetoun Gardens Broxburn

Nest & Nestlings Garstang, Lancashire

Any special news?

We’re celebrating 40 years of trading as a garden centre this year and our gift offering has grown and changed over the years so it is unrecognisable from 40 years ago!

Garden Centre gift departments can be a bit bland and safe and there is no doubt that only hard work and diligence in choosing and continuously displaying our gift range can lift our offering into something special and tempting.

What are you stocking up on for Christmas?

We take in as many of our Christmas gift lines in August so we can see the bestsellers and have time to reorder the winners to have good stocks for the festive season. To grow our trade we need to add in something new to our window display and this year we are building a display of a Lemax miniature winter village. We say that we are the Scottish home of Miniature Fairy gardening and the indoor Lemax winter range sits very comfortably with this offering – we’ll get it up and running by mid-September so that will kick off the Christmas trade for us.

Any great new discoveries at the shows this year?

What are you stocking up on for Christmas?

This will be our first Christmas since the merging of Nest & Nestlings and we are very excited and hope to be very busy. We will be stocking up on lots of lower priced stocking fillers, as well as our usual gifts. Parlane lights will be a feature in our window display, alongside their stunning Wood/Silver Christmas homeware range.

Favourite discoveries at the shows this year?

We did buy some exciting new lines, which combined Homeware and Baby and work well across Nest & Nestlings.

Plans for the final quarter?

We realised we needed more displays for the additional stock and so we added another Welsh dresser and feature wall displays, which gives the shop a different look.

Probably not new to the gift trade but certainly new lines for us and our customers: Pachamama hats and gloves to extend our winter hat range, Walnut Tree chocolates to extend our Bramble range upwards, Eco chic lightweight bags and carriers to broaden our cheap range of handbag carriers, hand sanitisers and cosmetics from Mad Beauty, and the amazing long hot water bottles from Warmies which we had originally ignored and have had to reorder after ten days!

Plans for the final quarter?

Hard work and lots of sales! Above all else to welcome our customers to our store and make them feel important. They must have a great experience with us, be tempted by our offering and tell their friends about us. We’re lucky that we offer ‘lipstick treats’, nothing too expensive but enough to cheer them up or give them gifts to cheer up their family and friends. If the economy turns down they need to be able to treat themselves in our emporium and enjoy the tearoom at the same time.

What do you like most about being part of the gift industry?

Being vulgarly commercial, we see the gift shop part of our business along with our tearoom as a buffer against the seasonality and exposure to weather that garden centres suffer from. Our team can be gainfully employed all year round by coming inside and working in the giftshop, displaying Christmas and manning the ringing tills, keeping their combined skills intact for the business. Our customers continue the habit of visiting us regularly although their purchases may change completely from one visit to another, but their support keeps our business going and profitable.

You have to adapt to meet the differing needs of your customers, which keeps you on your toes!

What do you like most about being part of the gift industry?

We love pleasing our customers and knowing that we’ve got it right.

Brilliant!

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! gifts today 59

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instyle TOP TRENDS From John Lewis jewellery buyer

WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEW

Jewellery Fashion accessories

BRING ON THE BLING!

YOUR SHOP, YOUR STYLE

instyle

E

ditor’s letter Hello and welcome to this special ‘taster’ of the new InStyle feature in Gifts Today. We’re always talking to our readers and, when lots of our independents started telling us they’d like to see more jewellery and fashion accessories in the magazine, we listened and responded!

This specially designed feature is one you’ll see more of over the coming months, as we bring you the very best in jewellery and fashion accessories for the gift shop setting. We had a brilliant time at the shows, looking at some beautiful product and talking to the people behind them. We were wowed by what’s out there.

From selfie-worthy earrings to the most luxurious pyjamas, statement necklaces to till-side treats, there really is something for every shop, customer and price point. We look forward to bringing you the latest from these companies, as well as industry news, trends and expert comment.

To launch this feature with a splash we caught up with John Lewis & Partners’ buyer Enni Charlton about what she thinks will be on trend next year, and also asked her advice on how the independent retailer can build their own jewellery offering. A fascinating read!

In the meantime, check out our fabulous cover stars Annie Haak and please follow InStyle on Instagram @InStyleGiftsToday.

Do get in touch if you’d like to be involved, learn more or share some news. Myself and Simon would love to hear from you!

Editor: sally@lempublishing.co.uk Media Solutions Manager: simon@lemapublishing.co.uk

Did yo?u know

instyle

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Sea view

Sea Gems is a third generation family company with over 30 years experience in creating original, stylish jewellery and design-led gifts, based in the ancient town of Marazion in Cornwall.

Sea Gems has its roots firmly in Cornwall’s untouched, natural beauty, and captures the essence of Cornwall and perfectly translates it into stunning silver jewellery. Pure Origins has established itself as one of the UK’s influential jewellery brands with stockists throughout the UK and a growing export market. Check them out on: seagems.co.uk

3 of the best: bracelets Stock up on wrist candy with some of the most stylish, affordable designs around byEloise London The home of the original Bangle Band, the hairband that doubles up as a stylish bangle. More than a hundred designs means there’s something for girls of all ages. byeloiselondon.com

Ronin The new Skye range for winter 18 offers bracelets, necklaces and earrings in this striking blue and silver colourway. ronindesigns.co.uk

Carrie Elspeth The company’s best-selling Trio Leather Bracelets have new clasps, finishes and designs, guaranteed to make your tills ring. carrieelspeth.com

A retailer says…

‘Our customers love fashion! Some of our bestsellers include Red Cuckoo bags, Konplott jewellery, Soake umbrellas, Icon watches and Miss Shorthair scarves.’ Says Karen Mace (right), Behind The Red Door, Nottingham, an independent gift boutique in the city’s lace market.

Please contact us for our trade catalogue. www.classiccanes.co.uk

instyle

Trend

Q&A Katie Loxton

COSY UP

Indulge in a sense of luxury with soft wool and softest chambray. Inside or out, there’s plenty to help you keep warm and toasty on cold winter days. These are styles your customers will love.

The founder of Joma jewellery tells us about the brand.

Katie, what was the inspiration behind the range?

We saw a gap in the market for fashionable, contemporary products with meaning and heart behind them.

PoM

Which products are your bestsellers?

The ‘A Little’ bracelet was an instant hit as soon as it launched.

Carefully crafted and designed to be collected, stacked and gifted, we now offer over 300 designs and it’s continuing to grow.

The company’s autumn/winter collection is brimming with new arrivals, timeless classics and on trend must-haves. Scarves, wraps, hats and gloves go bold with tactile textures and spiritlifting pops of colour.

pom925.com

Where are your ranges stocked?

We work with high-end independent gift stores, some garden stores and also John Lewis, Fenwick and other department stores. We are now stocked in over 3000 stockists worldwide.

Yawn

What are the benefits of keeping design in-house?

It gives us complete control, end-to-end, of our products and also allows us to react quickly to trends and sales. We are a team of over 15 designers, now covering product, graphic design and digital.

loveyawn.com

The young British nightwear brand has a mission to help women relax and feel good. With PJs this luxurious, staying in is definitely the new going out! Check them out.

Yawn

What’s going to be new for AW18 and SS19?

We’re really excited to launch our Signature Stones collection. Each piece showcases real semi-precious stones and is finished with a sentiment bar, to make it that extra bit more personal. jomajewellery.com

PoM

Bring on the bling!

Joe Davies have seen huge growth in their popular Equilibrium collection of jewellery and fashion accessories. Now with over 2000 designs, the range has something for everyone.

Beautifully packaged and fabulous quality. joedavies.co.uk

2 becomes 1

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instyle retail

Jewel in the crown When it comes to bringing on the bling, John Lewis & Partners has it covered. Editor Sally Norton caught up with Enni Charlton, jewellery & watch buyer, to discover what’s she’s buying, future trends and what the independent can learn from this high street favourite.

Head to any trade show these days and pretty soon you’ll spot one category that seems to be getting more floor space every season – jewellery. There’s so much variety out there, and such a wide range of price points, that there really is something for every store – so long as you know what to choose! With this in mind, we asked buyer Enni to spill the beans on how the JL jewellery team go about curating the perfect selection across their 50 stores as well as online.

Enni, what was your career journey to becoming jewellery buyer?

I’ve been a Partner at John Lewis for around 15 years now, covering a few roles including buying for electricals and sports. When I

‘All types of earrings are doing really well and I think this is partly because of the whole social media trend for selfies’

came back from maternity leave a year and a half ago, the jewellery buyer role happened to be vacant and I jumped at it! I absolutely love jewellery and, as a female, I’d say that jewellery really is my dream buying category. I’m part of a team of nine and my main role, alongside my senior merchandisers, is buying jewellery.

Is there a typical John Lewis jewellery customer?

To be honest it varies, and we really try to cater for a huge range of customers and occasions. We’re definitely seeing a trend towards brands that have a more modern, younger feel, and these ones are selling really well.

Daywear is also important and we have to be sure we hit the right price point for the everyday and that’s where our own John Lewis range comes in. Mind you, people also come to us for special occasion purchases for events like engagements and weddings, so we really do have a lot of

different customers. Overall, we try to create a balance, with a service offering, quick pick ups for those who just want to get something to match an outfit, and our top-of-the-counter ranges.

Where are sales strong at the moment?

All types of earrings are doing really well and I think this is partly because of the whole social media trend for selfies. It’s all about the face, and earrings really stand out.

Resin earrings are doing well for us as statement pieces, often for the older market. Costume jewellery is definitely a growing trend for us, and I don’t think that’ll be very different from everyone else.

We do well with finer pieces for our younger customers and we find that they’re definitely coming to us to buy the more on-trend pieces, such as fine necklaces for the current layering trend. We also find that hoop earrings aren’t going anywhere and really bring the younger market to our doors. One of my personal favourites is our new Modern Rarity range and I’ll be asking my husband for some beautiful hoop earrings with diamonds for Christmas.

Our top-of-the-counter boxed ranges are also popular because they’re so accessible to our customers. When you’re in a rush and not relying on service, they’re a great way to pick up a gift or self-purchase.

instyle retail Looking ahead to SS19, what do you think will be the big trends?

I don’t think earrings will fail and we will be still focusing predominantly on the ears. We’re going to test and trial selling single stud earrings, and we’ll be seeing a lot of ‘crawler’ earrings coming through.

I also think the layering of necklaces will continue to grow, as it’s incredibly popular on social media and in the glossy magazines. This trend is where shorter necklaces are worn with longer ones, and we’ve spotted people starting to buy two or three of the fine type to get that look.

Premium watches do really well for us, too, especially at Christmas, and attract the traditional John Lewis customer, perhaps because they have a lot of heritage behind them. We also find that people are really going for lifestyle pieces and that’s why some of the watch brands like Olivia Burton and Daniel Wellington are doing well.

I mean, if you’re already wearing a watch, why wouldn’t you want to match it up with some jewellery?

How do you decide what items to offer?

As buyers for John Lewis, we try to curate a range rather than simply offering everything within a range. That’s because we like to make the choice as easy as possible for our customers.

What are the big trends for AW and Christmas 2018?

Brooches are set to do particularly well for autumn/winter, particularly as younger audiences are now opening their eyes to them having seen them on the catwalks and in magazines. Resin will continue to do well and, I think, animal print resin in particular will be popular – especially on earrings.

Does your jewellery offering vary from store to store and online?

Other than our secondhand range, our strategy is to offer the same range across all stores, dependent on their size. We give the same range to most of our stores, apart from some of the higher-end pieces to some stores where we know there’s that premium customer base. And, in terms of styling, we keep it consistent, meaning for instance there will always be a selection of rose gold in all our stores.

We also have the same offering in store and online. If you’re a customer, you’ll want to see a product in store if you’ve seen it online, to hold the silver against your skin tone, to see if it suits you. That’s important for us because we want to minimize returns.

Where does most of your inspiration come from generally?

We do go to most of the shows like International Jewellery London, Top Drawer and so on. We also get approached quite a bit from potential suppliers. However, social media plays a huge part. We look at people’s branding, their followers. It’s not just about the products now, it’s about being a retail brand. You need to cut through the noise these days.

What advice would you give to the small independent retailer when putting together a jewellery offering?

Start with one brand to ensure you don’t split your focus. Look for a brand that stands out, that tells a lifestyle story. Try and see it from a customer point of view, and consider what’s going to make an impact and what you can do to support that.

As you start to add new brands, look at what you already have and try to offer something different – there’s no point adding something that will take away sales from your current brands.

Review every season and look at performance. If a brand isn’t doing well or there isn’t a demand for it, consider working with the supplier to see what you can do.

If demand tails off, then start looking at new brands to replace it. Finally, keep a close eye on your competitors to see what they’re doing.

instyle

Spotted!

British, nature-inspired jewellery brand Henryka showcased their new Antlers collection at International Jewellery London in September. The four-piece capsule range offers customers a delicate take on the company’s popular stag motif, with sterling silver pieces designed for everyday wear.

Founded by designer Anna Emmett in 2006, Henryka can now boast 80 stockists in the UK and Ireland, and aims to open 100 new accounts with retailers by the end of the year. Visit: henryka.co.uk

Beautifully bespoke Have an idea for a piece of jewellery or scarf and want to turn it into a reality for your store? Well, British family business Alexander Thurlow – known for their stunning Poppy range - can produce a product exclusively for you. The inspiration can be provided over the phone from a sketch or a photograph.

What’s more, they offer speed, great quality and very manageable production quantities. Visit: alexanderthurlow.com

Mickey’s birthday bling!

It’s Mickey Mouse’s 90th birthday this November and Couture Kingdom is joining in the party. The UK distributor of licensed Disney jewellery – formerly Disney Couture – has launched a new jewellery collection paying homage to the mouse that started it all.

Designed with adult fans in mind, the pieces reflect the fun and nostalgia associated with Mickey. The West Midlandsbased business supplies both independent stores and high profile retailers such as The Disney Store and Watch Shop.

Visit: couturekingdom.co.uk

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