Gifts Today

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02/10/2017

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Supporting your industry for 28 years

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

Month: October 2017 Issue: 1

Volume: 29

NATIONAL

FIRST EVER National TV Campaign featuring fragrances from The Perfect Christmas range

ONE STOP SH O P FOR P ERSONA L I S E D GI FTS miffy

est: 2004

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NEW

PUG

d e s i l a n o s s t r f i Pe G NEW

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FO R H E R

FO R KI DS

FO R H I M

NEW

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Laundry Bags!

H O M E F RAGRA N C E

FO R ST U D E N TS

FO R H A L LOW E E N

FO R C H R I ST M AS

www.personalisedmemento.co.uk The UK’s leading trade supplier of personalised gifts

Contents October 2017

Regulars 6

News

10

Exhibition News

16

Giftware Association News

18

Licensing News

62 Ross Hewitt’s Social Media 67 Julie Dodsworth

Retail 22

Home Fragrance On Trend Roz Wicks, founder and marketer at TrendAroma Marketing, discusses how retailers can boost their home fragrance offering.

24 Trade Talk Leading figures in the fragranced gift industry

Gifts Today team

talk what’s selling well in Fragranced Gifts.

40 Feather and Nest

p 20

Angela Dobson, owner of Feather and Nest

Editor in Oxfordshire, explains why British brands, a

Sally Norton sally@lemapublishing.co.uk

Grade II listed building and social media are the

Advertisement Manager Mark Horsnell markh@lemapublishing.co.uk

secret to her shop’s success.

47 Retailers’ Panel

Layout/Design Rick Vickers rickv@lemapublishing.co.uk

Key gift shop owners talk summer buys, shows

Group Editor

and selling strategies

Mirella Cestaro mirella@lemapublishing.co.uk

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

p 22

Publisher

Profiles 20 Yankee

Mark Naish mark@lemapublishing.co.uk

The home of the world’s best-loved candle

Production Director Paul Naish paul@lemapublishing.co.uk

share what they have planned for the coming seasons.

Managing Director Malcolm Naish malcolm@lemapublishing.co.uk

Special Features Lema Publishing Ltd

PUBLISHING

1 Churchgates, The Wilderness, Berkhamsted, Herts, HP4 2UB Telephone: 01442 289930

22

Fragranced Gifts

42 Fashion Accessories 48 Licensed gifts

A member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation

52

Independently audited

Games & Puzzles

ABC circulation of 7,093 July 2015 to June 2016

p 40

56 New Products

Stoneglow Modern Classic Advert 240x340.indd 1

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Message from the Editor www.gifts-today.co.uk Twitter: @giftstodaymag store for spring/summer 18 – their ‘Enjoy the Simple Things’ collection is created to encourage consumers to slow down and enjoy each day as it comes. I know I could benefit from that approach sometimes!

A shop that definitely encourages customers to linger and enjoy the shopping experience is the award-winning Feather and Nest in Wallingford, Oxfordshire. In our spotlight interview, owner Angela Dobson explains why British brands, a Grade II listed building and social media are the p40

“

It’s tough out there, but we know it’s an industry-wide thing. It is instead spurring us on to continue to dream up new ideas and not get at all complacent

“

S

o here we are, with autumn definitely upon us. No longer had I shaken the sand from my shoes after my summer holiday, than I was out and about at some key shows – Autumn Fair and Top Drawer.

As I toured the halls, it was clear that, even in these tricky times, companies are out there just getting on with business. As retailer Tabi Marsh from Papilio at Heritage in Bristol, says in this month’s Retailers’ Panel: ‘It’s tough out there, but we know it’s an industry-wide thing. It is instead spurring us on to continue to dream up new ideas and not get at all complacent.’

And so, with this in mind, we have tried to ensure this issue is packed with product, ideas and inspiration to drive traffic in-store. We look at three popular gift categories – fragranced gifts, games and puzzles and, the ever-growing category, licensed gifts. Indeed, we explore why licensed goods can be such a lucrative option for retailers.

And, here at Lema Publishing, we will be heading to London Olympia for Brand Licensing Europe in October to get a hint of the partnerships that we may be seeing in store next year. If you’re not familiar with the show, you can learn more about it on page 64.

In our October issue we talk to our cover stars Yankee to learn more about what they have planned for the coming seasons. You can read more on page 20. As well as their wonderful Christmas launches, they give a sneak-peek of what’s in

secret to the shop’s success. ‘We are great believers in filling your home with things that tell a story about you and bring your home to life,’ she says.

You can read her fascinating story on page 40.

Finally, as we plan for the Christmas season ahead, we’re already looking forward to the

plethora of shows in early 2018. I had the pleasure of having lunch with the lovely team from Messe Frankfurt recently to learn more about what they have planned at Paperworld, Creativeworld, Christmasworld and Floradecora in Frankfurt in January 2018. You can read more on page 10.

Enjoy the issue and see you next month.

P48

P64

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

NEWS

Joanna Lumley endorses #Glovies Earlier this year at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, a steady stream of celebrities visited the Briers’ stand to pose for #Glovies – including actress Joanna Lumley, who posed for a Greenfingers ‘glovie’ and was gifted a pair of Briers’ bestselling gloves.

Since then, Briers and Greenfingers Charity have received a handwritten letter from Joanna, in which she praises both the work of the charity, and also her new gardening gloves.

In the letter Joanna said simply ‘I love my gloves’ and praised Greenfingers for their inspirational work creating places of relaxation, play and reflection in children’s hospices across the country.

The UK’s leading garden gloves, wellington boots, children’s gardening products and giftware supplier has been supporting Greenfingers Charity with its #Glovies glove selfies on social media since 2015.

The Greenfingers gloves themselves each represent a donation from Briers of 35p, which has so far helped raise over £18,400 for the children’s hospice garden charity. briersltd.co.uk

Elves Behavin’ Badly spread elf love at Blog on Xmas Elves Behavin’ Badly spread Elf Love at Blog On Xmas in Manchester in September. The festive conference was bustling with over 200 bloggers from across the country and PMS International’s resident elves Elfie and Elvie were on hand to cause mischief.

While the naughty elves posed for Elfie Selfies throughout the day, they bumped into The Grinch! Bloggers stood on tiptoes to hold hands with the giant stilt-walking Elfie and Elvie and take part in the ‘Selfie with Elfie’ Competition. During their break, bloggers were able to see the Elves Behavin’ Badly and find out how to join the Elf Revolution.

Elves Behavin’ Badly showed off the original Elfie, his female Elf companion Elvie, the impossibly cute Elf triplets and even Rudie the Reindeer, all of which were instantly recognisable by their big ears. Alongside the original Elves Behavin’ Badly vinyl-faced dolls, bloggers saw some of the new accessories including; Elf Sleigh, Elf Post Box, Elf Swing and bestseller the Elf Surveillance camera.

These new lines have been designed to help the Elves go about their mischief making and to inspire even more scenes that are guaranteed to entertain young and old each morning when they find out what the Elves have been up to overnight! pmsinternational.com

6 gifts today

BIRA’s cyber security advice British Independent Retailers Association offers advice on how to protect data. Recent events have highlighted the catastrophic effects that cyber-crime can have on businesses large and small alike; however research by KPMG and the Government’s Cyber Aware campaign suggests that the retail industry is not taking these threats seriously enough, with one in seven not taking steps to protect their data.

Even though nearly three quarters (71%) of retailers put the most value on their customers, and 58% of consumers say they would be deterred from using a business hit by a cyber-attack, it appears there are still gaps in retailers’ cyber security strategies: 95% of businesses consider cyber security to be very or quite important to their business, and yet 45% do not have a formal cyber security strategy.

What’s clear is that it’s vital that all independent retailers implement effective cyber-security and cyber-enabled fraud prevention, but how? Most independent retailers are run by small teams, without vast it knowledge and being more cyber-conscious can seem impossible.

The Government’s Cyber Aware campaign and the British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA) have teamed together to come up with top tips for independent retailers to protect their businesses, and in turn their customers, from cyber threats: 1) Install the latest software and app updates - they contain vital security upgrades which help protect your devices from viruses and hackers.

2) Use a strong, separate password for your business’s email accounts - hackers can use your email to take control of many of your accounts. Use three random words or numbers to create a strong password.

3) Always back-up your most important data, so hackers cannot hold you to ransom over your business’s data.

4) Provide staff with access to simple, freely-available cyber security training. This training can educate your staff in protective tactics such as identifying phishing emails and identity fraud, such as a hacker posing as a CEO and asking for payment details.

5) Seek accreditation through the Government-endorsed Cyber Essentials scheme – this is a Government-backed and industry-supported standard, which protects your business against the most common online threats.

Robert Jarrett, Membership and Marketing Director at BIRA said: ‘A significant cyberattack could put an independent retailer out of business. The greatest asset independents have over the bigger retailers is their connection with their customers. Lose this trust and you lose your business. It is vitally important to ensure your business is protected as well as it can be.’ bira.co.uk

01FOR THE MAN IN YOU LIFE! At Lang’s we are renowned for our fantastic array of men’s gifts! Our classic man tray has proved to be a winner- a useful gift for any age we just can’t get enough of them, so don’t miss out as also a great stocking filler!

Lots of fun signs for the DIY expert or for that touch of humour- the grumpy man in your life, there is a sign to suit to everyone.

The bottle opener has become a classic line we have a few different ones to choose from, this being our latest.

Our showroom is a great place to see all the products on display just contact the sales office for more details. Alternatively if you would prefer a visit from one of our friendly and experienced sales agents then this can be arranged also. All this information and more can be found on our website www. richardlang.co.uk

Richard Lang & Son Ltd 1 Little Chester Park, Alfreton Road Derby DE21 4AA T: 01332 340927 E: sales@richardlang.co.uk W: www.richardlang.co.uk

NEWS

Star backs first ‘Just A Card Day’ y

It’s a dog’s life!

Gibsons have teamed up with the RSPCA to release six new puzzles, celebrating the work they do to prevent cruelty towards animals. To show their support, Gibsons sent several team members to volunteer at the RSPCA Animal Centre in Godstone.

The team arrived at the centre and, after a tour of the premises, set to work on cleaning and painting one of the animal houses and repainting wooden benches, as well as heading down to the Cattery and visitors’ room to play with some of the adorable cats and dogs who are residents of the RSPCA centre.

Most of the animals the RSPCA care for have led difficult lives. Elton, the black cat, is a perfect example of how the team at the Godstone Animal Centre have managed to coax a very timid little boy, who was found abandoned by some bins, into a bold, happy kitty, who is ready to be rehomed. Many animals like Elton, who have been rescued, rehabilitated and rehomed thanks to the RSPCA’s care and attention, are featured on the company’s RSPCA jigsaw puzzles. Available in a variety of piece counts, each puzzle is made from 100% recycled board and each tells a unique story. The RSPCA receives 10% of the wholesale price and hopes to raise at least £7,500 through the sale of the puzzles. gibsonsgames.co.uk

8 gifts today

Benedict Cumberbatch has designed a beautiful charity Christmas card, which will be sold exclusively by the volunteerrled campaign, which emphasises that every sale however small is vital to independent shops, galleries, artists and designers. The eagerly-anticipated launch of the actor’s Christmas card design on 28 September coincided with the first ever Just A Card day.

As well as social media being awash with personal stories of individual creative businesses uniting to celebrate their rich and diverse work, independent shops and galleries up and down the country are highlighting the campaign with Just A Card posters and their own in-store events and celebrations.

They stress that the Just A Card message means so much to them - ultimately it’s the difference between vibrant, varied High Streets or clone towns and boarded-up shops.

The Just A Card campaign began three years ago when the artist Sarah Hamilton read a quote by shopkeeper who’d been forced to close down ‘If everyone who’d complimented our beautiful gallery had bought just a card we’d still be open.’ It’s so clear – those few words say it all.

Just A Card: If you say you value independent shops then make ake the connection between thought and action - buy just a card, just a necklace, just a print, just a book, and so it goes on.

Compliments make the world a sunnier place, but sadly they don’t pay the bills, whenever possible buy ‘Just A Card.’

Benedict designed the Christmas card to raise funds for the UK-based children’s art educational charity Anno’s Africa www.annosafrica.org.uk justacard.org

Take the coastal path to Giving & Living Once again Giving & Living’s Coastal Path will lead you around the Exeter-based show to find the exhibitors that are perfect for your business. This dedicated path is the ideal way to discover an exciting variety of unusual products, niche suppliers and fresh ideas that you might otherwise sail straight past. 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.

The Giving & Living trade show runs from Sunday 14 January to Wednesday 17 January 2018, at Westpoint, Exeter, and there’s no better place for you to be if you’re looking for exciting new products for your customers. As the first show of the season, Giving & Living provides visitors with the perfect opportunity to see and purchase the very latest new and exclusive 2018 product ranges before anyone else. Packed full of inspiration, and with an impressive line-up of exhibitors, you’ll get a real insight into new trends for the coming seasons.

In addition to the wide range of general gifts and homeware on display, the show covers more coast than anyone else. For buyers from retail outlets and attractions on or near the coast, and for those that are keen to order coastal merchandise to target the holidaymaker, it’s the show to visit.

Giving & Living presents a sensational selection of products and lifestyle inspiration for retail buyers, at a wide range of price points. From gifts that can be personalised for your venue, to those that reflect the UK’s unique heritage, this show has it all. givingliving.co.uk

exhibition news

GET INSPIRED AT MESSE FRANKFURT With Paperworld, Creativeworld, Christmasworld and Floradecora taking place in Frankfurt in January 2018, there’s plenty of product and trends for gift buyers to explore. We take a closer look.

Paperworld 27-30 January 2018 The theme of this year’s show is ‘Hello new perspectives.’ The show will look at the visionary office and stationery trends. Around 1500 manufacturers are presenting their entire product range of the stationery industry on eight hall levels.

It’s an opportunity to buy both office and stationery product lines for non-business use.

There will be a special focus on health in the Show Office of the Future. ‘At the centre of the show you’ll find a bad office,’ says Michael Reichhold, director of Paperworld and Creative world. ‘Around it you will find products related to the healthy office.’ paperworld.messefrankfurt.com

Creativeworld 27-30 January 2018

Did you know?

Messe Frankfurt is the world’s largest trade fair venue with its own exhibition grounds.

The show is all about decorative handicrafts, graphic artists’ and artists’ supplies, handiwork and textile design, as well as hobbies and handicrafts. At the heart of the show will be the opportunity to discover, experience and test new products and materials. ‘You get the feeling that people are passionate about what they are doing. There is a lot of passion in this sector,’ says Michael Reichhold, director of the show. creativeworld.messefrankfurt.com

Christmasworld 26-30 January 2018 The leading international trade fair for seasonal and festive decoration since 1996, offering the full range of decorative and festive products. The theme of this show is about ‘guaranteeing merry business.’ New for 2018 is the Christmas Delights showcase, including Christmas confectionery and culinary gifts like mulled wine, chocolate and tea. In Galleria 1, wooden huts will add a Christmas market feel to the show.

‘Customers want instant happiness and this is what we have to provide,’ says Eva Olbrich, director of Christmasworld and Floradecora. ‘We have to build an inspiring world.’ christmasworld.messefrankfurt.com

Floradecora 26-29 January 2018 Linked to Christmasworld, the new market place for fresh flowers, plants and pre-prepared arrangements goes into the second round with a refreshed feel. ‘It’s a new concept of trade show,’ says Eva Olbrich, ‘combining new buyers with new suppliers.’

It offers a completely new group of exhibitors to meet the target group of Christmasworld, opening up new growth and sales potential. There will be a special exhibition by 2Dezign, forming a bridge to Floradecora. This year’s exhibition will be called The Loft, an ultramodern black and white look with accents in red for a festive Christmas feeling. floradecora.messefrankfurt.com 10 gifts today

Worldwide, a top perfomer what could you do with this

brand?

GIFT GIVING…all wrapped up Enesco Limited, Head Office & Customer Services, Brunthill Road, Kingstown, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA3 0EN. Tel: 01228 404022 email: trade@enesco.co.uk Overseas Customer Services: Tel: +44 1228 404066 email: eurosales@enesco.co.uk © 1999–2017 DEMDACO. © 1999–2017 Susan Lordi

Enesco.indd 1 en6836 gifts today oct17.indd 1

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exhibition news

All you want for Christmas – and much more With summer now firmly behind us, the industry is gearing up for Harrogate Christmas & Gift, which runs from 14 to 17 January 2018. The show is one of the fastest growing trade shows for this sector seeing a steady year-on-year increase

‘Harrogate Christmas & Gift continues to go from strength to strength offering much more than just Christmas products’ in both exhibitors and visitors over the last five years and now extends to eight halls of the Harrogate Convention Centre.

Space is already at a premium for 2018, with halls A, B, C, D, H and M already fully booked, with space still available in the King’s Suite and Hall Q. Both halls proved popular this year with Culinary Concepts booked to return and new exhibitors Transomnia and Giftscribes confirmed for Hall Q. Also new for 2018 is the Greetings Card Hall, which will be situated in the beautiful Royal Hall and organised by Greetings Today magazine. Simon Anslow, show organiser, comments: ‘Harrogate Christmas & Gift continues to go from strength to strength offering much more than just Christmas products. As it is a favourite buying destination for garden centres, as well as department stores, tourist attractions, heritage centres and independent retailers; the diversity of products is huge including products for inside and outside the home such as furniture and ornaments, books, puzzles and toys, food and drink and of course gift ranges suitable for the entire year.’ If you would like to join this hugely successful event, book your stand today. harrogatefair.com

NY NOW NY NOW is the market for Home, Lifestyle and Gift. It’s held twice a year, produced by Emerald Expositions, and is the leading market for home and lifestyle products. NY NOW features three collections—Home, Lifestyle and Handmade — that extend c tthroughout the Javits Convention Center in New York City. · Handmade Global Design runs from 3-6 February 2018 · Home, Lifestyle and Handmade run from 4-7 February 2018 It’s the premier trade market for all that’s new and on trend in sspecialty retail. nynow.com

Date for your diary Ambiente – 9-13 February 2018 The leading international trade fair for consumer goods attracts around 136,000 trade visitors from 143 countries. ambiente.messefrankfurt.com 12 gifts today

GB DU: 22.09.2017

9. – 13. 2. 2018

This is your invitation to the future of the present day – a place where creativity is lived, where diversity pulsates.

Ambiente, the show.

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

Partner Country The Netherlands

65855-021_AM_allg_GiftsToday_240x315 • FOGRA 39 • CMYK • tg: 13.09.2017

What makes an event a true sensation.

When does one city offer a home for the world.

Where will tomorrow’s ideas be born.

exhibition news

Autumn Fair Review New products and future trends were in the spotlight at the September show. Gifts Today takes a look back at some of the highlights.

S David Gee, The Music Gifts Company

Jocelyne Royou-Roznowski, D&J Glassware ware

howcasing the very best in gifting, this year more than 1300 UK and international suppliers visited Autumn Fair, as independent retailers and buyers from UK and overseas – including Canada, Germany, France, Netherlands and Spain – looked for inspiration ahead of the next big gifting and home occasions.

With orders for Christmas a priority and retailers planning what ranges to stock in spring 2018, the season’s largest trade event presented a vast array of products from toys and gadgets through to lighting and soft furnishings. Not only that, it provided invaluable sessions designed to help retailers grow their businesses.

Highlighting the importance that the retail industry puts on Autumn Fair, buyers from Tesco, Fenwick, Wayfair, Debenhams and John Lewis paid a visit to the event, along with independent retailers like Steamer Trading, Follie Ltd, House of Cards, Inside Out and Everything Rosy Interiors.

At the Trends & Inspiration Catwalk, daily fashion shows took place, presenting the latest colours, accessories and clothing lines from Autumn Fair exhibitors. Global trends forecaster WGSN also gave their first-ever live presentation at the event, highlighting the trends it believes will come to the fore in spring and summer 2018.

Retailer Comment Laurence Whiting & Lisa Fuller, Price’s Candles

‘My Meet the Experts session was really helpful, with advice on equipment and techniques for improving our product photography. It’s a great feature and gives us even more reasons to come to the show.’

Helen Turner, Not Socks Again, Penarth, South Wales

‘We’ve been getting positive feedback on the new range from customers old and new. In fact, New products and trends around the various sectors in different guises were llamas, flamingos, we find the show generates lots of new business Spotted unicorns and mermaids – suggesting a playful and youthful direction for the latest consumer trends. for us – we got around 100 leads a day’

Liza Davies from Sass & Belle commented: ‘For us, Autumn Fair is a good sounding board for new collections so that we can give feedback to our designers.

It’s important for us to see the reactions on people’s faces and to showcase the products to our onliners face to face.’

Said Murray Smith from Keycraft toy wholesaler: ‘We’ve been getting positive feedback on the new range from customers old and new, in fact we find the show generates lots of new business for us – we got around 100 leads a day.’

Save the date Keith Edmonson, Richard Lang & Son 14 gifts today

Spring Fair, the sister event to Autumn Fair, will run from 4-8 February 2018, with Volume opening one day earlier. springfair.com

HARROGATE

Christmas & Gift

14th to 17th January 2018 Join the UK’s fastest growing trade show for the festive and gift sectors!

BOOK YOUR STAND TODAY email: simon@harrogatefair.com Tel: 01902 882280 / 880906

www.harrogatefair.com

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

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

Create the best product mix for 2018

MERRY BUSINESS!

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

4 reasons to enter Gift of the Year 2018

T

he awards are the biggest product competition in the gift and home industry and, this year, there are even more reasons to enter.

1. The chance to showcase your newest and best designs. The best thing about entering Gift of the Year is the opportunity it gives you to get your products in front of the panel of judges, who include key retail buyers as well as trade press editors and other influential names in the industry.

This year the GA are aiming for a panel of 50 judges with 20 already confirmed – including Gifts Today editor Sally Norton.

2. Something to shout about.

From the day you enter, you will be entitled to use the ‘Nominated for Gift of the Year’ branding, and you might very well see your entry featured on social media and other publications, such as the GA’s monthly newsletter.

3. Great PR. If you are shortlisted, the PR opportunities only grow, and of course the winners will be awarded at a prestigious event hosted by Ascential Events at Spring Fair.

4. You could win a free stand at Autumn Fair 2018. The winner of the ‘Judges’ Choice’ will be given this valuable resource.

What you need to know • The judging. The judges are looking at all facets of a product. Newer products are best - products that haven’t been on the market before January 2017, or maybe won’t be until February 2018. If you’re not sure whether your products are eligible, or what category to put them into, get in touch and the Gift of the Year team will be more than happy to advise.

• Enter as many products as you like. There is no limit on how many products you can enter into a category or how many categories you can enter the same product into.

• Closing date. The competition closes on Friday 24 November. The judges will then look at the online entries and put together a shortlist for each category, which will be announced on 11 December.

• Samples. If you’re shortlisted, the GA will ask for physical samples of your products to be sent in, so that the judges can deliberate in person. The live judging day will be on Thursday 11 January and the winners will be announced at Spring Fair, on Sunday 4 February.

• Entry Fee. The entry cost is £50 for a GA member (£35 for entries after the first), and £75 for everyone else (£55 for entries after the first).

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

12 gifts today

www.ga-uk.org

BTAA Fashion Accessory of the Year Awards Sister association to the GA, the British Travelgoods & Accessories Association held its annual Fashion Accessory of the Year awards 2017 on the first day of Autumn Fair. Highlights included: Fashion Jewellery Category sponsored by Stephen Price Design Ltd Winner: Carissa - Bianca Elgar

Winner: Three Sided Skinny Scarf - Bianca Elgar Made in Britain Category sponsored by Citation Winner: Melissa Chiasa Evening Clutch – Mame Huku

Fashion Handbags Category sponsored by Autumn Fair Winner: Persian Rose Pink Felt & leather Backpack – Ttwinn London

Small Leather Goods Category sponsored by Citation Winner: Ollie Penguin Purse – Mala Leather

Luggage and Travel Category sponsored by British Jewellery & Giftware International Winner: Ted Baker Take Flight - The Pelham Group

Judges Choice Award sponsored by Ascential /Spring Fair / Autumn Fair Winner: Melissa Chiasa Evening Clutch – Mame Huku

Fashion Accessories Category sponsored by Attire Accessories

W H AT ’ S N E X T I S N O W

FEB 3 - 7, 2018 C O L L E C T I O N S I N O N E L O C AT I O N

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

EBONY NECKLACE AND GOLD RESIN BY GERDA AND NIKOLAI MONIES

LEARN MORE AT NYNOW.COM

gifts today 17

licensing news

RHS on trend with Shruti Designs The RHS has signed a new name to its successful and growing licensing programme. Shruti Designs, which creates gift products and fashion accessories, has been licensed to create a large new collection of gift and fashion items.

The first items in this collection will be a stylish and elegant range of scarves using floral designs inspired by artwork from the RHS Lindley Library. The official launch will be in March 2018, with further items following later in the year.

‘We’re delighted to be bringing the treasures of the RHS Lindley Library to this new and distinctive range of scarves,’ says Sarah Lane, Key Account Manager, Shruti Designs. Cathy Snow, Licensing Manager, RHS, says: ‘Our licensing programme is attracting a growing number of respected designers of elegant apparel and accessories and Shruti is a welcome addition to the list.’

Mad Beauty joins Slush Puppie programme The UK design-led beauty company have launched a range featuring the iconic drinks brand. The range, which launched in September, comprises a gel & sponge set, classic cosmetic bag, bath fizzers cup, lip balm trio, lip balm set and tube lip balms.

Roald Dahl’s LEGO Heroes The iconic author’s Literary Estate unveiled a unique collaboration with the toy giant in celebration of Roald Dahl Day in September.

Child-sized LEGO builds of six of Roald Dahl iconic heroes Charlie, George, Matilda, James, Sophie and new hero Billy from The Minpins - will appear at various locations across the UK, including Manchester Central Library, The Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland and The Eden Project in Cornwall.

‘We are absolutely thrilled to have such an exciting partnership and we can’t wait for our fans to be able to visit and see these wonderful heroes brought to life in LEGO,’ says Stephanie Griggs, Licensing & Design Director, the Roald Dahl Literary Estate.

RAF take flight with Breitling The Royal Air Force has partnered with independent Swiss watchmaker and official supplier to world aviation to launch a limited edition collection of luxury watches in celebration of the RAF’s 100th anniversary.

Managed by IMG, the collaboration between the two long-standing partners will mark a new milestone, with Breitling’s limited edition RAF watches being sold into retail for the first time.

As part of the RAF100 Centenary celebration, a watch will be auctioned to raise money in support of the RAF100 Appeal, raising charitable funds to achieve the wider RAF100 objectives. These include commemorating the achievements of the RAF family and creating a lasting legacy.

‘Aviation and Breitling go hand in hand; for over 130 years creating the world’s most precise chronographs and pioneering aviation firsts have been our passion,’ says Gavin Murphy, Managing Director, Breitling UK.

New licenses for Paul Lamond Paul Lamond Games unveiled some exciting new children’s lines based on characters from two of the world’s most famous authors at Autumn Fair in September. They include 250-piece puzzles based on characters from David Walliams’ most famous books, and a 24-piece giant floor puzzle featuring Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s villainous storybook character Highway Rat. ‘We are delighted to be bringing these two renowned brands into our portfolio,’ says Richard Wells, Managing Director at Paul Lamond Games.

‘We are now in the countdown to Christmas which is a key and dominant period for games and puzzles, so this is the perfect time to introduce such strong fresh properties to the marketplace.’

Let’s twist again Gibsons has teamed up with Unilever again to bring the iconic Twister lolly to life in the form of a doublesided, 250-piece jigsaw puzzle, which is presented in a larger-than-life tin replica of the iconic green and white treat.

With Twister being the number one bestselling product in the kids’ ice cream market, making up 50% of Unilever kids’ ice cream sales, this new and exciting puzzle is bound to strike a connection with ice cream and puzzle lovers across the market.

Chloe Irwin, Licensing Director at Unilever UK, says: ‘Following the success of the Marmite jigsaw, we were really keen to work with Gibsons to bring another brand to life. The 3D packaging we have designed reflects the iconic design of Twister, and will appeal to both retailers and consumers who will be keen to have this in their jigsaw collection.’

18 gifts today

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Profile - Yankee Candle

Scents to fall in love with The home of the world’s best loved candle offers exciting new fragrances each season to keep your customers coming back for more. Editor Sally Norton spoke to the experts at Yankee Candle to learn more about what they have planned for the coming seasons.

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Q: How important do you feel fragranced gifts are within the gifts industry?

A: Scent is a powerful and evocative thing – it can activate emotions and trigger memories as well as instantly making people feel more at home if they are surrounded by familiar and comforting aromas. A fragranced candle also makes a fantastic gift for a loved one, with the scents helping them to rediscover cherished memories and reminisce about happy times. At Yankee Candle we have really encapsulated the magic of gifting, offering a range of scents and gift sets that our customers and their family and friends will love.

in new customers, as well as ensuring that existing customers continue to remain loyal.

Yankee Candle’s S/S18 product ranges will be supported with a range of marketing materials for retail windows, video, web assets, POS, and trade advertising. From fresh pastel colours to flowers and carefully designed cookie images, Yankee Candle’s retail assets make a tempting proposition for customers looking to enrich their world of home fragrance.

Q: What benefits do you feel retailers can expect by building on their fragranced gift offering?

Q: What trends do you recommend retailers should look out for in Fragranced Gifts?

A: With the ever-growing popularity of fragrance gift market, retailers will hopefully see an increase in their revenue by building their fragranced gift offering.

First impressions are really important, and so it’s crucial that independents create beautiful displays and POS to showcase and bring to life the fragrance offerings. A beautiful and impactful display will draw

A: January is a time for new beginnings and instilling new habits, and with that in mind for S/S18 Yankee Candle will be building on the popular trend around mindfulness and taking more time to appreciate the small things in life. Our new ranges aim to encourage

consumers to slow down, enjoy each day as it comes and admire the beauty and love that surrounds them with the brand new ‘Enjoy the Simple Things’ collection. This collection is an ode to the relaxing fragrances of spring and the four new fragrances – Rainbow Cookie, A Calm and Quiet Place, Sweet Nothings and Sun-Drenched Apricot Rose – are a curated collection of elegant, floral and fruity seasonal scents designed to soothe and capture life’s simple pleasures.

Q: What fragrances and products are selling well for you at the moment?

A: We have recently launched our new Fall in Love range, that celebrates the end of the long summer nights and encourages people to embrace the new season. Due to the range’s warming and cosy scents along with the vibrant autumnal colours, we are seeing the sales for this range really begin to take off.

In terms of other products, consistently we see our fresh fragrances such as Clean Cotton, Fluffy Towels and Shea Butter continuing to be popular with consumers, especially in the spring and summer months, due to the sense of freshness they create. As

autumn and winter set in, it is the spicier fragrances such as Cinnamon Stick that remain popular as they bring a sense of warmth and cosiness as the darker nights being to draw in.

Q: What products are out there for the customer who is looking for something new in fragrance gifts?

A: The trend of alternative advent calendars continues to grow, and so for 2017 Yankee Candle has launched the new 3D Advent Book. Each window reveals a votive candle or wax melt in a popular Christmas scent, offering a unique way to light up your festive season.

Inspired by the continuing trend for premium products in the fine fragrance category, Yankee Candle has created a range of dramatic and luxurious fragrances using the essence of the world’s rarest perfumery ingredients. This exclusive collection introduces an out of the ordinary scent experience for consumers. The range is available in Golden Rose, Golden Amber, Golden Sandalwood and Golden Orange Blossom.

yankeecandle.co.uk gifts today 21

Fragranced Gifts

Home fragrance on trend With the home fragrance category booming, Sally Norton caught up with Roz Wicks, founder and marketer at TrendAroma Marketing, who works directly with some of the world’s biggest fragrance houses, supermarkets and high street retailers to help launch successful, commercial fragrances that consumers will love. She talked about why candles are growing in popularity as gifts, how retailers can successfully build their offering and what trends we can look forward to in 2018.

Why do you think the home fragrance category is booming in the way it is, Roz? We are finding that home scent, which is much more dynamic and trend orientated than ever, is being used as an expressive accessory. Each season sees something new and exciting. Your home is a place of personal expression and the way you scent it has become important. Many of us now follow numerous lifestyle and interior blogs (which have candles in almost every photo) and there is literally something to express every mood. Magazines are even talking about home scent strategies – looking at home scents that make you feel invigorated or relaxed, or make your home more welcoming.

What scent trends should we look out for in the last quarter of 2017?

The autumn/winter season coming into

Christmas is still the biggest time of the year for home fragrance sales and the market is being driven by innovative new scent-pairing ideas. Expect sweet and heady florals with woods and resins, gourmand notes teamed with vegetables such as white pumpkin or sweet squashes, sharp berries with dark and intense notes and fresh green notes such as parsley, mint or fern with salty and ozonic notes to mimic the great outdoors at its winter best.

The influence of ingredients that lend themselves more to fine fragrance and personal care markets such as amber and musk, argan, almond or shea to name a few examples, will help give fragrances a nourishing and comforting quality as we move into winter.

The food and beverage industry is having a big impact on people’s fragrance tastes. In fact, fragrance and flavour are becoming quite intermingled. There will be a lot of fizzy

‘Your home is a place of personal expression and the way you scent it has become important’ cocktail notes around this season – think prosecco, gin teamed with sweet and happy citrus notes. Citrus notes are super-trendy at the moment, so expect them warmed up for winter and teamed with spices and gourmands such as caramel, maple, butterscotch, brown sugar, nutmeg, ginger and amber as gourmand notes become more elegant and sophisticated.

Luxury is still a key trend and precious metals like gold, rose gold and copper are the ultimate luxury, not just in the pots and packaging, but as scent inspiration as well. Ingredients such as sandalwood, amber, orange blossom, neroli, clementine and honey will be used to add polish and sophistication. At the opposite end, still within luxury scents, there will be

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an intense darker edge, so expect to see black lily, black tea, black patchouli, black leather and black fruits. The favourites are pomegranate and plum, with notes of zingy pepper or smoky incense.

The ‘hygge’ trend is still a big influence on home scents, so expect to see those familiar and traditional winter scents that make us feel comforted, cosy and happy. This includes everything from crackling fires, to the sweet drinks which warm us up on cold winter nights, to magical moments of the season.

Green is still key within fragrance trends. This year’s big colour is Greenery from Pantone, so expect winter forests and trees to be a hot trend this year. Pine, spruce,

spearmint, eucalyptus, sage, fern, fir, balsam are real natural scents for the season.

And what about spring/summer 2018?

We’ll see the notes known for relaxation and stress relief such as lavender and jasmine get new additions like mandarin, lilac and ylang. White florals will be teamed with soft musks and fresh notes such salt and cotton blossom at the beginning of the year.

We will see more yellow start to come through – fruits such as bergamot and lemon are already big, but more florals are on the way. Rose is set to stay, but will see some fruity additions in SS18.

Destination is still a trending concept and we’ll see ranges focus on lots of different places from sweet water notes from clean lakeside vistas, to tropical forests with juicy fruits and exotic florals and sun-warmed deserts with sweet woods and resins.

How would you categorise the home fragrance market?

I always categorise it as two markets – functional and decorative. Consumers shop in both but for me they have very distinct purposes. Functional aircare is normally found in the household cleaning aisles in supermarkets.

Decorative aircare is much more innovative and trend focused and covers own label, high street, premium and niche.

How do you think consumers respond to trends in this category?

Consumers as a whole are becoming a fairly adventurous lot, with even functional aircare getting a more diverse and premium style make-over.

More consumers respond to trends now as well and as home fragrance has become ‘giftable’ we see many more people buying for presents and then trying something new themselves.

Stores have really expanded their offerings as well from mass to niche brands and creating fragrance experience zones to help consumers smell before they buy, or providing really good online guidance as to what scent category an item fits within.

However, as popular as trend collections are, brands are starting to recognise the importance of a core scent range – scents they become known for, that their customers can rely on. Once a scent is synonymous with a brand the consumer will keep coming back as it means something to them.

It’s also why you find the ‘me-too’ copies of bestselling scents.

How are candles faring against reeds diffusers, electric diffusers and wax melts?

Candles are the top product in decorative home fragrance and reeds follow just behind. This trend doesn’t look to be disappearing any time soon – candles are especially popular, due to the global trend for wellness and subsequent relaxing rituals – they are not only about scent but mood as well.

No lifestyle Instagram feed is complete without a candle (in fact people say that adding a candle to a photo guarantees more likes). So, this desire to create a relaxed and peaceful environment has been a huge market driver for candle usage and brands are reporting this in their sales.

Innovation will drive fads that may become trends in the future.

For example, it was the trend for personalisation that has driven this year’s popular home fragrance market new addition - wax melts. They can be combined easily in the warmer to create something unique and bespoke and are multipurpose as you can pop them anywhere from drawers and wardrobes to under car seats.

Electric diffusers have been given an upgrade, but they are still seen mainly as functional (despite some of the price tags) and don’t have the accessory appeal of a candle or diffuser.

trendaroma.com gifts today 23

Trade talk

Gifts Today loves to hear your views.

In this Fragranced Gifts special, leading figures in the industry talk trends, new products and what’s selling well.

MARVIN LOMAX Director, Aromatize Ltd How important do you feel fragranced gifts are within the gifts industry?

The offering has never been as broad as it is today. The industry as a whole is constantly developing and evolving, digging a little deeper into using new technologies, and at the same time stripping some products back to basics.

This constant expansion is ensuring there is a fragranced gift for everyone.

TOM SYKES Director, Xystos How important do you feel fragranced gifts are within the gifts industry?

They are vital, having been a staple of our industry for many years, and are suitable for so many giftgiving occasions.

What benefits can retailers expect by building on their fragranced gift offering?

Xystos appreciates the repeat business that retailers have enjoyed by increasing their offer of candle and pampering products, giving consumers a choice of fragrances across a variety of ranges.

What trends do you recommend retailers should look out for in fragranced gifts?

Fruit fragrances are certainly fashionable, which is illustrated by both the Baylis & Harding and Di Palomo ranges. Beer-related and beard grooming products for men from Baylis & Harding are set to be popular next year, while its feminine offer will have lots of fizz, reflecting the continuing popularity of prosecco and the renaissance of gin, and featuring plenty of pink and rosé.

What fragrances and products are selling well for you at the moment?

We have been delighted with the reception of products from our new partners Baylis & Harding and Di Palomo, and also the decorative vessels that make up the new WoodWick Artisan Collection.

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What benefits can retailers expect by building on their fragranced gift offering?

A customer who buys fragranced products, either as a gift or for themselves, is usually a returning customer. Home fragrance is a journey, and one that develops with trends and personal tastes. Keep your customer returning time and time again by ensuring your product offering is always evolving, whilst keeping staple products they can rely on you for.

What trends do you recommend retailers should look out for in fragranced gifts?

We are noticing the Flameless Fragrance trend growing month on month. We expand our product range alongside growing trends, so our Goose Creek air fresheners, room sprays and new plug-ins are proving to be hugely popular.

What fragrances and products are selling well for you at the moment?

At Autumn Fair, we noticed a huge response to our new Ultrasonic. The diffusers offer a stylish way to enjoy our 12 Essential Oils and create the perfect ambience. The LED light gives a great addition to home décor, they use no heat energy and cut out once the water tank runs empty. They are a step forward in the fragrance world, in terms of the ultrasonic technology that’s used, and the safety element is really appealing to customers.

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Are you ready to meet the demand?

Order the NEW festive collection NOW!

ANNA BORRETT RICHARD WOOD Sales Director UK and Ireland, Bolsius How important do you feel fragranced gifts are within the gifts industry?

With a huge selection of products available at a variety of price points, it makes them easily accessible for any customer.

They love adding new scents into their homes, whether that’s through reed diffusers in the hallway providing a welcoming feel, or lighting a lavender scented candle to unwind after work.

What benefits can retailers expect by building on their fragranced gift offering?

Repeat and more frequent purchases of a variety of products. Consumers either try new fragrances depending on their mood or opt for their favourite scent each time.

What trends do you recommend retailers should look out for in fragranced gifts?

Fragranced Melts are becoming more and more popular, with customers looking to add a unique scent into the home.

What fragrances and products are selling well for you at the moment?

Our Creations Wax Melts are very popular with customers. We have a library of interior fragrance chips that can be mixed, matched and melted to create a home ambience that complements any mood.

Product Development Manager, Ashleigh & Burwood How important do you feel fragrance gifts are within the gifts industry?

Fragranced gifts can bring warmth and happiness into the home.

By selecting a favourite fragrance that a loved one already knows and loves, by hitting on a fragrance note that takes them to their happy place and by bringing back a happy memory. Gifting is all about making people happy and picking up on things that you know people like. We offer a fantastic selection of fragrances, providing olfactive choice to be able to pick the perfect fragrance for your present. Team the right person with the right fragrance.

What benefits do you feel retailers can expect by building on their Fragrance Gift offering?

Adding newness and interesting gift sets into your collection can ring in the seasonal changes. There is no better way to do this than through new fragrances that bring freshness into your home in spring or warmth into your home in autumn and winter.

Increasing the fragrance gift offering in-store can lead to even greater repeat business, as customers or gift recipients return to buy refill fragrances or to try the latest scents.

What trends do you recommend retailers should look out for in fragrances gifts?

Highly decorative vessels that make a style statement. Our Wild Things Collection of Luxury Scented Candles and Reed Diffusers encapsulate this trend perfectly. Each design in the collection features an artwork of flora and fauna that tells its own unique story and has been created by our in-house designer, Sumitta Spencer-Townson. You can’t get much more on trend than the ‘Pinemingos’!

What fragrances and products are selling well for you at the moment?

Our Home Gift Set. It’s visually striking on the shelf, with the gift box taking the form of a cute house complete with cut-out windows and chimney; it’s packed with product, reed diffuser, scented candle and scented cushion; and it’s the perfect pick-up price point.

SANDY BURNS Owner/MD, Sandy Bay How important do you feel fragranced gifts are within the gifts industry?

Fragranced gifts are affordable luxury items that are desirable and easy to give.

Fragranced gifts can be purchased for a gift on many different levels - because you know the recipient has a favourite fragrance, by the

26 gifts today

colour of the packaging, by season or simply ‘just because’.

What benefits can retailers expect by building on their fragranced gift offering?

The sale works on two levels. It will be the initial packaging that draws the customer to the product, but it will be the fragrance that is the deciding factor when it comes to the sale.

Fragrance is proven to ensure that customers linger longer in store.

What trends do you recommend retailers should look out for in fragranced gifts?

There is a strong trend toward more masculine-orientated fragrance blends, as demonstrated in the popularity of our Gentlemen’s Club Collection.

Each candle in the Traditions line features Village Candle’s dualwick technology, for a cleaner, more efficient burn and greater fragrance release...

Whats not to love?

Xystos 'MBNF 'SBHSBODF t #BUI #PEZ

The UK’s No.1 Home Fragrance Supplier to the Gift Industry

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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

18/09/2017 14:43:29 18/09/2017 16:31

Fragranced Gifts

One-stop shop Xystos can justifiably be described as a one-stop shop for candle and personal care products.

T

he various ranges from WoodWick continue to lead the flame and fragrance charge, while the company’s Cello melt burners have added another dimension to the success story that sees the company go from strength to strength.

Xystos director Tom Sykes describes the vessels that make up the new WoodWick Artisan Collection as ‘decorative art works in themselves as well as being the holders of candles with stunning new fragrances. They have been extremely well received,’ says Tom, ‘as have the other new editions of the candle with the crackling wick.’

But it is Xystos personal care products that have been making the big news of late. Two years ago the company made ‘a conscious move to become the number one bath and body distributor’ in the UK. Having subsequently added the distribution of the Woods of Windsor, Baylis & Harding and Di Palomo brands to that of The Naked Bee, it would be difficult to deny that the company has achieved its ambition.

Director Tom Sykes explains that, while continuing to be a leading player in the candle market – ‘we haven’t taken our foot off the gas there’ – much of Xystos’s growth is now with garden centres, and ‘bath and body is the 28 gifts today

cornerstone of that business as far as gifting is concerned.’

Comments Tom: ‘Baylis & Harding has proved to be a phenomenal addition to our portfolio. Never before have we taken on the distribution of products that are supported by so much marketing – and the brand awareness is second to none in the category.

‘They have given garden centres and independent gift shops affordable luxury gifts, including fantastic products for men between £8 and £20, which is just what the market wants.’

Looking ahead to next spring and summer, Tom says that Baylis & Harding will target men with beerrelated and beard grooming products, while its more feminine offer ‘will have lots of fizz’, reflecting the continuing popularity of prosecco and the renaissance of gin, and featuring plenty of pink and rose. He believes that its Signature ranges will continue to set trends.

The latest Xystos partnership is with another bath and body supplier,

Di Palomo, which Tom describes as ‘a very commercial brand’ with good distribution backed by strong marketing and product development.

The company continues to win admirers with a range of appealingly presented products such as Black Cherry, Wild Fig & Grape, Orange Blossom with Wild Honey & Olive, and White Grape with Aloe.

Tom adds: ‘We have created a one-stop shop so that buyers are able to source high quality fragranced bath and body products, all of which are beautifully packaged, which is so important when it comes to gifting.

Equally important is that we have something to suit every pocket.’

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

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Fragranced Gifts

Set for Christmas

Get festive

Ashleigh & Burwood’s recently launched Artistry Collection offers two beautifully packaged Gift Sets for the Christmas season. The new Scented Ceramics Sets and Decorative Reed Diffusers are available in two festive scents, warming Frosted Snow and spicy Christmas Time.

Each Scented Ceramics Set contains two ceramic ornaments, a Christmas Tree and a Snowflake, hand-finished with ribbon and complete with a home spray to refresh the scent. Ceramics can be hung anywhere around the home, including the Christmas tree, adding a gentle perfume as well as a unique and attractive hanging ornament.

The Decorative Reed Diffuser gift sets comprise a sparkling handcrafted mosaic glass vessel, white fibre reeds for outstanding scent diffusion and 180ml of fragrance which can be topped up with separate diffuser refills.

The Decorative Reed Diffusers are perfect for gifting to friends and family or as a festive treat to add sparkle to the home.

Over at Aromatize, they are delighted to extend their Goose Creek offering in the form of their Christmas fragrances. They all feature the same qualities we know and love about Goose Creek, including the dual wicks and high quality fragrances.

From the gourmet Christmas Cakes to the fresh and frosty Sparkling woods – their eight festive scents have a fragrance for every taste.

Also introducing their fragranced hanging decorations, in the popular Cinnamon Spice and the new Classic Christmas Tree. Welcome Christmas into the home this season with the Goose Creek festive collections.

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

Call: 01254 300268 Email: sales@aromatize.co.uk Visit: aromatize.co.uk

Made with love

As we know, candle making is the second oldest profession! And the word ‘artisan’ is a widely-used term to describe some small home grown businesses using handcrafted skills.

Artisan is a great word conjuring up images of skills from times gone by, being rediscovered and used to create products for consumers who are tired of mass-produced items made in large factories abroad.

Heaven Scent is very much an artisan company, based in the Wiltshire countryside. It’s a family business started in 1993, with a team of highly-skilled candle makers who blend fragrances every day. Stepping into their factory at this time year can be like walking into a Christmas grotto.

‘The smells being blended currently are spicy orange, cloves, cinnamon and mulled pear, an overload of Christmas in many jars; but it touches me to know that each candle will be burned in a ritualistic way in someone’s home over the Christmas period adding to the magic and joy of of the festivities,’ says Daniel Pettitt, owner of Heaven Scent Incense.

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

NEW

Our best selling melts – now in a giftpack A selection of our best selling melts and a burner in a highly giftable set. Mix and blend your favourite combination.

T +44 (0)800 169 5126 sales@uk.bolsius.com www.bolsius.co.uk

Fragranced Gifts

Winter wonders Sandy Bay London introduce two collections…

Winter Spice [ Black and Gold]

A stunning Collection featuring black glassware and packaging embellished with an elegant gold design. The aromatic spicy fragrance opens with citrus orange and lemon followed by rich warm cinnamon and clove, with hints of floral jasmine and fresh pine resting on a base of sensual woods and musk, that will add cheer on a cold winter’s day and embrace you in its serene warmth. All their candles are made at their facility in Epping with their own exclusive blend of natural wax containing coconut wax.

White Forest [White and Silver] A green woody blend with fresh pine needle top notes infused by sparkling tones of mandarin and bergamot. An elegant aromatic heart is composed of fir balsam, eucalyptus, geranium, armoise and rosemary resting on the bed of fine cedar, patchouli and a hint of white musk. This enchanting fragrance will transport you to a magical wintery land of snow tipped pine trees and pure white snowflakes. Presented in stunning white and silver glassware and packaging, featuring a stylish signature brand design, and handmade at the company’s facility in Epping using their own exclusive blend of natural wax.

Call: 01992 579949 Email: enquiries@sandybaylondon.com Visit: sandybaylondon.com

Scents of place

Bolsius have launched four brand new limited edition AW17 scented candles. The candles come in: Autumn Walk, Celebrate, Frosted Garden and Home Comfort.

These scents come in four styles, including small glass candles, reed diffusers, three-wick candles and tea lights. These products not only make ideal gifts but also go with many styles of interior. Perfect for adding a warm cosy feel in time for winter, when the weather begins to cool.

• Autumn Walk: A rich and woody fragrance elegantly blended with petals and creamy vanilla.

• Celebrate: Mulled Wine infused with cinnamon combined with orange zest and mandarin.

• Frosted Garden: A combination of rose, jasmine and lily of the valley with citrus and a hint of mint to give a refreshing winter scent.

• Home Comfort: A warming scent of oriental vanilla with a blend of inviting spices and woody autumnal notes.

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

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THE LAKES COLLECTION

AUTUMN / WINTER 2017 01229 461166 • www.waxlyricaltrade.com • info@waxlyricaltrade.com

Fragranced Gifts

From wellies to washroom

British artisan Julie Dodsworth has taken her garden and floral skills to add a new fragrance collection to her already popular Flower girl garden range by Briers. The organic products are all made in the UK and include essential oils and natural products. The collection includes deluxe bath melts, soaps and wash room lotions. The design is a pretty floral on a beautiful heritage blue and looks stunning. Other collections include ‘the honey bee’, ‘hygge figgy’ and the amazingly popular ‘ Lavender garden. ‘

Visit: juliedodsworth.com

It’s all about the fragrance….

With a passion for hot wax and fine fragrance, melt have been creating candles of exceptional quality since 1999. Fragrance is known for turning your mood and creating the right ambience in your surroundings – and melt’s preferred choice is always elegant, sophisticated, and a tad refined, confident and slightly sexy – or as some splendid newspaper of note said ‘Recherché’.

They specialise in producing hand-made, fine fragrance candles of fabulous quality and it is their willingness to step out of the conventional fragrance arena, in order to seek out more unusual perfume combinations for which they are now known.

They have worked hard to source raw materials locally and over 93% of ingredients and packaging comes from Lancashire companies - with the balance being from the UK. All their candles are hand-poured and can take up to 36 hours to produce – and working with molten waxes ensures the candle is fragranced throughout.

Melt’s range has now grown to include 33 unique fine fragrances. Each range consists of six candle sizes. Three pillar and three container candles with burns times from 22 hours up to 160 hours. As usual with melt – it’s all about the fragrance.

Call: 01200 443377 Email: sales@themeltco.com Visit: themeltco.com

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H E A RT & H O M E® soy blend candles

The perfect

festive fragrance collection

T: 01709 730700 E: info@heartandhome.com

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Fragranced Gifts

Make your house a home

With the pull of Heart & Home’s unique soy wax blend and distinctive lids, the fan-base for the brand is truly growing. This is reflected in the fact that more and more consumers are seeking out Heart & Home at retail.

More activity on social media, consumer shows, including This Morning Live and Countryfile Live have helped to get the gorgeous new collections into the hands of the target demographic who now want to buy their favourite fragrances on their local high street. Heart & Home continues to develop and build its range of scents and accessories offering choice alongside its environmentally friendly credentials and of course with the stylish lids and competitive pricing, this is really a brand to get behind - so get in touch to find out more.

Call: 01709 730700 Email: info@heartandhome.com Visit: heartandhome.com

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Easy elegance

Luna’s elegance brings a touch of class to Stoneglow’s new autumn/winter ranges. It is a new sleek, premium range of luminous candles and diffusers with opulent textures, rich colours with luxury metal interiors, combined with sumptuous perfumes for a decadent fragrance experience.

There are four intriguing perfume combinations consisting of Sandalwood & Patchouli, Cedarwood & Cypress, Dark Amber & Vetiver and Leather & Saffron. The luxurious range is available in four elegant colourways including navy|gold, black|rose gold, grey|rose gold and white|gold.

Call: 020 8595 8878 Visit: stoneglowcandles.co.uk

Living flame

Luminara, the World’s Living Flame Brand Leader, goes from strength to strength. Developed six years ago for the Haunted Mansion in Florida, this Disney-patented design continues to change the map of the candle market.

Range developments in 2017 include longer battery life. Innovative Design has led to the introduction of Mercury Glass Luminara, the most realistic flame to date presented in stunning gift tube packaging. Following a phenomenal autumn launch in USA, Luminara launches in UK the first-ever Fragranced Diffusing Living Flame Candle range, giving safe candle ambience with the added benefit of fragrance without flame.

Luminara fragrance diffusing candles feature eight luxurious scents crafted with rare ingredients and essential oils to diffuse subtly, safely and beautifully. And they couldn’t be easier to use.

Simply pick your perfect fragrance pod, place it in your fragrance candle and then prepare to get carried away.

Luminara candles safely go where traditional flame candles can’t. Perfect for homes with curious kids, pets and places like bookshelves and bedrooms.

(No more soot on the walls or ceiling, either.) You get peace of mind and a whole new world of decorating possibilities.

Luminara Fragrance Diffusing Candles offer

200 hours of fragrance from a single fragrance pod.

To change your fragrance, you don’t need to buy another candle, just change the pod for a completely new aroma in your home.

Each Luminara Fragrance Diffusing Candle gives 500 hours burn time from 2xD batteries and is equipped with infrared remote control and five-hour security timer in luxurious cylindrical gift packaging.

Natural fragrances from a Paris fragrance house are available for the European launch and include Warm Embers, Amber, Jasmine & Neroli, Rose & Peppercorn, Orange Blossom, Spiced Cinnamon, Blackcurrant & Tea and Fig & Moss. Stocked by premier retailers Selfridges, House of Fraser and John Lewis, don’t miss out and be one of the first to offer the innovation of Luminara electronic Fragrance Diffusing Candles in your store.

Call: 01622 845995 Email: info@luminaracandles.co.uk Visit: luminaracandles.co.uk gifts today 37

Fragranced Gifts

The scent of Christmas The experts at Price’s Candles explain that, when it comes to candles, it’s not just about the fragrance you choose to scent your home with during the festive season, it’s also about the aircare benefits, too.

T

hink Christmas and it’s a fair bet you’ll think of the warming scents that welcome family and friends into your home.

Many consumers opt for special festive fragrances at this time of year and Price’s Candles, candle manufacturers of choice to Her Majesty the Queen, are perfectly placed to offer the best scents for your customers’ homes. This year they’re offering four winter fragrance limited edition jars in their odoureliminating range.

• Winter Berries: a brand new limited edition fragrance. Sweet and succulent, it also brings subtle tones of cranberry and a warmth of vanilla.

• Mulled Wine: the best-selling traditional fragrance for Christmas.

• Warm Mandarin: with extracts of zingy mandarin and spicy ginger.

• Spiced Vanilla: a really warming fragrance containing crowd-pleasers vanilla and cinnamon.

What makes these products really special, however, is the odourneutralising technology they also offer.

For, as well as releasing a wonderfully festive fragrance, they also remove ‘malodours’ from the air at a molecular 38 gifts today

level. Common malodours can be caused by tobacco smoke, bathroom, body odour, kitchen, pets and mildew.

‘Whilst the vast majority of air fresheners only aim to mask the unwanted odours, Price’s products employ intelligent Odourfoyl technology to eliminate them altogether,’ says Laurence Whiting, Sales Manager at Price’s. Here’s how they work: • The Odourfoyl molecule interacts with the malodour molecule in the air.

• The malodour molecule distorts.

• The malodour molecule no longer has the precise characteristics to interact with the receptor site in the nose.

• The malodour is eliminated.

As well as the four key fragrances in their core range – Chef’s, Tobacco, Household and Open Window – Price’s also offer limited edition fragrances to stimulate consumer interest all year round. Price’s always recommend retailers try the candles for themselves.

‘By trialing at home, you can be sure that what you’re selling to your customers really works rather than simply believing all you read,’ says Laurence.

www.prices-candles.co.uk

Retail Interview

Described as a ‘little slice of London’ by its customers and fresh from winning the accolade of Best Gift Shop in Bucks/Oxon in the Muddy Stilettos’ awards, Feather and Nest in Wallingford, Oxfordshire, celebrates its second birthday this month. Sally Norton caught up with founder Angela Dobson to discover why British brands, a Grade II listed building and social media are the secret to the shop’s success.

Nesting instinct W

hile online shopping can be quick and convenient, there’s really nothing like experiencing the personal touch and tactile experience of a real-life store.

40 gifts today

Take Feather and Nest in the pretty riverside town of Wallingford, where the in-store experience generates more sales than online. ‘People visit us because they love the building itself, it’s Grade II listed with lots of character,’ says founder and owner Angela Dobso Dobson. ‘It was originally a bakery and th then a fishmonger, so has lots of history history. With its bare brick walls, three old firreplaces, lots of gorgeous beams a and an original old baker’s oven, itit’s a perfect setting for our look.’

An Angela and her husband Be Ben pride themselves on be being different and offering c cool, tasteful stuff for c customers and their homes. ‘We are great believers in filling your home with things that tell a story about you and bring your home to life,’ she says. ‘We love things that have personality, a sense of fun about them a and simply make you feel h happy. We look for unique an and quirky products, try to avo avoid mass-produced stuff and many of our products are m made or designed here in the UK UK. ‘We rea really like to support Britishmade and d designed products. Eighty

percent of our card and wrap are British-made, along with some of our bestselling products. We are always on the hunt for new talents. We visit Top Drawer, Pulse and Maison & Objet as our main trade shows, but are always on the look-out for smaller, lesserknown brands, too, and we use social media channels like Instagram to find those unknown gems.’

Social media is incredibly important to the company. ‘It’s very important, it’s how we engage with customers about new products, launches and events,’ says Angela, who has worked as a buyer in retail for over 20 years for various big High Street names.

‘Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest are all key for us, as well as our own blog. Instagram is my personal favourite as it’s creative and visual, the best way to showcase our products and brand.’

Over her career, Angela has sourced and bought many different product categories, from clothing to home accessories, and says she has been lucky to travel the world in doing so.

‘The dream has always been to have my own store and buy for my own brand,’ she says, ‘so I took the plunge two years ago and opened Feather and Nest. We are a team of four; myself as the owner and buyer, my husband Ben who manages the website, plus my mum Meryl and Karen who work part-

time in the shop.’

Angela says there is no typical Feather and Nest customer but, rather, a wide range of customers including teenage girls, young families and more mature customers. ‘They all love great product and, of course, have the good taste to shop with us!’

When it comes to products that consistently sell well, Angela pinpoints Paddywax Soy Candles and diffusers, Nkuku glass photo frames and Skinny laMinx cushions. ‘Personalisation is really hot for us right now, too,’ she says. ‘We can’t keep our glitter initial purses, cushions and tote bags in stock. The cushions and totes are a local designer-maker, so we make these to order. Our own plant brand Green & Wild is also hugely popular, with the cacti and succulent look still very much a big trend in interiors.

We pot up our own cacti, plants and terrariums and our customers love them.’

Looking ahead to Christmas, Angela is excited about the six key themes she has planned.

• Merry Monochrome, a contemporary story of black and gold, black and white with a little champagne sparkle.

• Dark Nordic, a rich lavish offering of midnight blues, copper, chocolate and brass.

• Winter White, think mercury glass,

‘We are great believers in filling your home with things that tell a story about you and bring your home to life’ metallic finishes, frosted white and sparkly silver.

• Woodland Whimsy, a colourful, fun Christmas theme with craft, wood, felt, novelty and retro characters.

• Wonderland, blush pink, rainbow lustres and warm white sprinkled with a little magical fairy dust.

• Modern Scandi, a super contemporary story of beech woods, cool greys, pure white and matt finishes.

Feather and Nest have lots planned for gift buyers over the coming festive season. ‘We are planning an evening to launch our Christmas Collections in October, where our customers can get their first glance of Christmas with a glass of bubbles and a goody bag, along with special promotions on the evening,’ says Angela. ‘We’ll also be hosting late night events called Fizz Thursdays in the lead-up to Christmas, where our customers can shop and browse a little longer than usual, all with a glass of Prosecco and artisan chocolates.’

Enhancing the in-store experience is clearly crucial in these times, and Angela describes consumer confi nfidence as ‘pretty fragile.’ She explains: ‘I think consumers really haven’t felt the impact of Brexit yet and, as a retailer, etailer, it’s becoming harder and harderr to offer customers good value. Forr us it’s about offering the best products we can source along with a unique shopping experience and environment that you can’t get in a big high street chain or online.’

Interestingly, though, Feather and Nest aren’t just concentrating on their bricks and mortar offering. ‘We are

growing our online sales rapidly, both through our own site and though a fantastic website called Trouva, which allows customers to shop small independent boutiques online,’ says Angela.

‘Online is a real growth market, and it helps us to reach customers who are not local to our store, so this is a real focus for us.’

Looking forward to the future, Angela says her focus is definitely on offering her customers the best products and service she can, and to continue to build the Feather and Nest brand. And, she adds, ‘another store within the next two years would be great, too.’

xxxxxx

featherandnest.co.uk

gifts today 41

Fashion Accessories

With no sizing to worry about, fashion accessories make both a great gift and self-purchase. We take a closer look at this growing category, and ask some key names in the industry to give their take on why it’s so popular.

A fitting gift F

rom design-led scarves to on-trend fashion jewellery, eye-catching bags to ready-boxed gloves, fashion accessories make a great addition to your gift offering. Not only do the products in this broad sector cover all tastes and looks, they also cater to a huge range of budgets.

‘A change of season always means a change of wardrobe, and fashion accessories are an inexpensive way of updating your wardrobe at little cost,’ says Mary Richards, buyer at Joe Davies.

‘The vast majority of gift consumers are women, and fashion accessories are an important buy both as a self-purchase and as a gift. Fashion accessories are often an impulse purchase, allowing the retailer to maximise sales and footfall in their store in this very popular area.’

Emily Ingram from Peace of Mind (POM), offering fashion jewellery and scarves, agrees. ‘Women are always looking for a quick and inexpensive way of updating their looks,’ she says. ‘Fashion accessories are the perfect solution. A new scarf or hat instantly updates last year’s coat; and who doesn’t love buying a new bag?

‘Fashion accessories also make great gifts and there’s no sizing to worry about; they’re practical and, with so many different patterns, textures and colours to choose from, there’s something to suit every age and style. Fashion accessories are an all-year-round seller, can create eye-catching displays and give your customers another reason to visit your store.’

There are some items that consistently sell well.

For Sarah Watmore from Miss Milly, it’s jewellery sets, ‘particularly when beautifully boxed.’ Sarah comments: ‘The amount of sets we sell has increased over the years and is always at its highest in October and November.’ Stephen Thurlow from Alexander Thurlow agrees about making jewellery as giftable as possible. ‘Fashion jewellery may well come in a presentation box which makes an ideal gift for the customer,’ he says.

When it comes to trends for the coming season, Mary Richards from Joe Davies says ‘it’s all about keeping warm and cosy, fabrics with a luxurious feel, bling and embellishments. The love of shimmer and sparkle shines through in the popular Equilibrium collection, which features beautiful diamanté hats and

42 gifts today

scarves, stunning metallic printed fauxx fur scarves and jewel-encrusted embellished gloves.

Dressing up your bag has become a hot trend and the range also includes a full range of furry bag pompoms.’

While there are the obvious seasonal events like Valentine’s Day and Poppy Day, Stephen Thurlow advises keeping things simple. ‘I think, in general, retailers should try not to go too high fashion, but to stock t k good d core ffashionable hi bl basic lines that always keep selling,’ he says.

The colder months signal bigger sales for POM, too. ‘We’ve introduced knitted hats, gloves and suede bags this autumn and some beautiful new free branded packaging,’ says Emily Ingram. ‘The sudden change in weather helps, but retailers are just loving our designs; demand is very high and it promises to be a bumper season.’

Finally, don’t forget more specialist fashion accessories, like the range of walking sticks from Classic Canes. ‘Until you buy a walking stick for yourself, or for a close friend or family member, you may not realise what fashionable accessories they can be,’ says MD Charlotte Gillan. ‘Even the most glamorous person can find something to suit their personal sense of style. They then find that their walking stick can add to their appearance rather than detract from it, and that an interesting walking stick can often be a conversation-opener and source of many compliments.’

It seems that, when it comes to fashion accessories, there’s always something new to discover.

The Walking Stick Specialists

SIMPLY GORGEOUS

JEWELLERY AND ACCESSORIES

Over 700 walking sticks, folding canes, seat sticks and umbrellas.

Please contact us for a trade catalogue.

www.classiccanes.co.uk

Buy online at missmilly.co.uk or call: 01905 622 509

www.pom925.com PEACE OF MIND

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01225 777749

Fashion Accessories

Potty about Potter

The contemporary gift company Enesco unveils a new Beatrix Potter collection – its exclusive Peter Rabbit adult accessories range. The range includes: • Peter Rabbit Purse. An ideal size for holding coins and small change, the fabric purse comes in light blue with a floral background detail, and features many of the much-loved characters from the author’s books, including Peter Rabbit sitting on a bed of pastel pink flowers.

• Peter Rabbit Wash Bag. Featuring the same design elements as the Peter Rabbit Purse. Larger in size, the wash bag and purse feature a wrist strap, making it convenient to carry toiletries and make-up items while on-the-go.

• Peter Rabbit Scarf. It’s the perfect length for throwing around your neck or draping over jackets on a cool evening.

• Peter Rabbit Umbrella. Featuring a colour palette of pale blue with a grey floral over-tone design. The edges of the umbrella once again feature characters from the much-loved books.

• Peter Rabbit Tote Bag. This fabric hold-all is perfect for stowing away in a bigger bag for when more storage is needed, or to be used alone a fashion accessory.

The range debuted at Spring fair this year, gaining massive attention from buyers.

Call: 01228 404022 Email: trade@enesco.co.uk Visit: enesco.co.uk

Get Groovy

Join the Marvel Avengers in saving the day with this Iron Man outfit robe from Groovy UK Ltd. The super-soft red and yellow robe has a printed blue electromagnet on the chest and yellow satin detail on the arms, along with blue boosters on the wrist cuffs.

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

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

Hand in glove Golden days

Rose gold is incredibly popular at the moment, lending itself to fashion accessories, interior design and even mobile phones. The demand for rose gold-themed gifts has never been stronger and, to cater for this, the Personalised Memento Company have developed a range of jewellery for her that includes this gorgeous rose gold plated bracelet.

This range combines jewellery with personalisation in a fashionforward way, creating a selection of gifts she’s sure to love.

PMC’s collection of jewellery also includes charming silver-plated necklaces and bracelets, as well as a range of classic pearl products. PMC even supply a huge range of jewellery specifically for him, from engraved dog tags to stylish bracelets.

See PMC’s full range of personalised jewellery and fashion accessories 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 requirement.

Email: sales@personalisedmemento.co.uk Visit: personalisedmemento.co.uk 44 gifts today

The hugely successful Equilibrium fashion accessories collection from Joe Davies continues to grow in popularity. Pretty butterfly and feather prints, metallic and glittered prints, diamanté embellishments and luxurious faux fur ensures the Equilibrium collection is right on track with the top trends on the catwalk for AW17.

Gloves are particularly good sellers coming up to the Christmas period with customer demand increasing year on year. The fabulous new Equilibrium glove collection is adorned with intricate pearl and crystal detail, faux fur trims and embroidery to name but a few of the stunning embellishments used to create this popular range.

Scarves are always hot sellers within the collection and the addition of a stylish Equilibrium gift box for many of the scarves and gloves on offer ensures these fabulous pieces create a perfectly coordinated and eye-catching display within your store as well as making them an ideal gift. Add to all this excellent quality and affordable prices and you have a real must-have collection for the Christmas period.

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

10-12 OCTOBER 2017 OLYMPIA LONDON

Do you know which brands will be trending in 2018?

COME AND FIND OUT! Discover 2,500+ new & innovative brands and secure new deals at the only event dedicated to licensing & brand extension in Europe Sponsored by

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Fashion Accessories

In the bag

The family company have just launched some new handbagsize folding canes which fold to five sections instead of the usual four, making them more compact when folded into a lady’s handbag.

Call: 01406 75686 Email: charlotte@ classiccanes.co.uk Visit: classiccanes.co.uk

Colour therapy

Miss Milly are jumping into the new season with a burst of colour, including a stunning new style of resin with a shell backing, adding intense lustre to the eye-catching jewel tones of teal, purple and red. Used in their best-selling Floria Collection, hinged bangles and coordinating necklaces, earrings and rings will certainly brighten up any in-store display on the dullest of days.

Also, look out for a gorgeous new peacock colourway in their beautiful layered necklace, a consistently great seller throughout the year; a striking design yet easy-to-wear and very affordable.

Miss Milly supplies branded packaging and display stands for all its accessories. Order online or sales agents are available in many areas. The brand makes itself hard to resist with a low £100 minimum order, no minimum order quantities and a quick, efficient service. And if you’re not sure where to start, they’re more than happy to put together a starter order for you of best-selling jewellery designs or combining with their A/W viscose and acrylic scarves.

Tel: 01905 622509 Email: hello@missmilly.co.uk Visit: missmilly.co.uk

Getting cosy

The Dove of Peace

The team at the third generation family business are very proud of their new brooch – a dove carrying a poppy. This beautiful piece has a great significance to The Great War and the forthcoming Remembrance Day. Alexander Thurlow make a donation to The National Memorial Arboretum for every one sold as they have worked closely with them on designing this product.

Call: 020 8766 6466 Email: sales@alexanderthurlow.com Visit: alexanderthurlow.com 46 gifts today

Autumn and winter are the perfect time to give your business a boost with PoM’s latest collection of seasonal accessories and jewellery.

With stunning scarves, gloves, cosy hats and fabulous tote bags as well as their beautiful jewellery range, Peace of Mind has everything you need to create a visually exciting and financially rewarding start to the season.

Stocking accessories give you, the retailer, a great opportunity to create eyecatching displays in even the smallest of shops. Layer up PoM ponchos with snoods, match gloves with knitted hats or scarves, be bold and colour clash or choose a neutral coloured wrap and add subtle flashes of metallics with their clutch bags or beaded purses - a must for the fast-approaching party season.

If bling isn’t your thing, then there’s plenty more to keep you happy.

Fabulously patterned cotton and wool scarves, elegant long silks, and comforting knits with tassels, pom poms and fringing adding superb detailing your customers will adore. Invest in a great mirror and be on hand to give advice or to make styling suggestions - it can work wonders.

PoM’s silver and silver plated collection offers another great solution for a style overhaul. The perfect blend of fresh clean, well-polished style, with an underlying bohemian vibe. Easy to wear, ageless and timeless it has, as always, PoM’s signature laid back elegance at its core. Mixed metals have huge appeal with the rose gold, gold and silver combination being one of their big hitters.

Crystals, pearls and charms all add to its playfulness. And with new branded packaging, great point of sale and such a comprehensive collection to choose from, PoM offers you an autumn and winter that’s all wrapped up.

Call: 01225 777749 Email: sales@pom925.com Visit: pom925.com

Retailers’ Panel

Gifts Today Retailers’ Panel Key gift retailers talk candles, consumer confidence and Christmas.

JENNY MORRISON

KAREN GREIG

Top Drawer, St Andrews, Scotland

Destined for Home, Edinburgh, Scotland

How has 2017 been for you as a company?

2017 has been a slightly quieter year in general.

It hasn’t been a bad year – just that we seem to have to work harder for the same returns. There also seems to be less impulse buying than in previous years.

What plans do you have as a company for the last quarter of trading?

Past trends have shown that people are thinking about Christmas earlier and earlier so we need to have Christmas gifts available to them from early in the last quarter.

What trends in home fragrance have you noticed this year?

Prosecco and Gin & Tonic fragrances by Vineyard Candles and Ecosse Candles continue to be our top sellers. We always do well with the Plum Blossom & Musk and Grapefruit & Mimosa fragrances in the candles and diffusers in the Modern Classics range from Stoneglow.

What are you stocking up on, home fragrance-wise, for Christmas and spring/summer 18?

We recently took delivery of the new A/W collections from Stoneglow and within a week, we had sold out of all the Pomegranate & Spiced Woods diffusers. We will be topping up on the Christmas scents from McKelvie Candles also. In terms of S/S18, the usual fresh scents, along with the florals and musks will be on our shopping list.

If you stock licensed gifts, which ones are selling well for you at the moment?

We don’t sell a huge amount of licensed gifts, although Widdop & Co cover us for some ‘different’ gifts. Scott Inness is a fantastic Scottish Brand whose designs cover all items from tea towels to notebooks.

How has 2017 been for you as a company?

It’s my first year so it’s all new. I’ve had a great time meeting such lovely customers. August was busy as Edinburgh hosted The Edinburgh Festival. We were lucky enough to have a venue near us, met some of the stars and production staff.

What plans do you have as a company for the last quarter of trading?

It’s a busy time. We have Early Bird Shopping Evenings and we are also supporting Edinburgh Sick Kids Hospital with their Prosecco & Stalls Evening, which looks set to be amazing.

What trends in home fragrance have you

noticed this year?

Customers are loving the benefits of natural soy candles - they provide a clean burn, better scent throw, you can put the melted wax on your skin. The only issue is … they just last too long so it’s ages before customers pop in for another one.

What are you stocking up on, home fragrance-wise, for Christmas and spring/ summer 18?

This Christmas I am going to be stocking up on multi use soy candles and Electric Candle Warmers which I personally think are brilliant.

And generally what are you stocking up on for the seasons ahead in other categories?

Secret Santa Gifts for both men and women, as this one has always been tricky. I am also stocking more luxury scarves, dressing gowns and home and personal fragrances.

TABI MARSH Papilio at Heritage, Thornbury, Bristol How has 2017 been for you as a company?

Honestly, tough, we are down on where we had hoped to be with the gift shop (although the coffee shop is doing better), but we know that’s an industry wide thing. It is instead spurring us on to continue to dream up new ideas and not get at all complacent.

What plans do you have as a company for the last quarter of trading?

After 44 years of this business trading as Heritage in Thornbury, we are renaming! We will be Papilio at Heritage with the two sides; Papilio home and Papilio coffee. After owning the business for almost four years, the time has come as the current name gives the impression of historical and more traditional stock, which is definitely not what we sell or who we are anymore.

What trends in home fragrance have you noticed this year?

Home fragrance is always slower for us over the summer, although we’ve been seeing more repeat purchases throughout the year on the oils for the essential oil electric diffusers. Relax and Make Me Happy are the most popular - perhaps a sign of the times?

What are you stocking up on, home fragrance-wise, for Christmas and spring/ summer 18?

Our own-branded candles and reed diffusers from Heaven Scent are always our bestsellers in home fragrance. This is one of those areas where I’m always glad for the EPOS system to remind how many I need to order for the A/W season, otherwise I would be consistently under-ordering.

And generally what are you stocking up on for the seasons ahead in other categories?

Fashion accessories; scarves, socks, jewellery and so on. The final quarter always astounds me with the amount of this we sell. So much so we have just done some building work to create a new and fresh area for fashion accessories to give it more space.

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 47

Licensed Gifts

Brand New Brand Licensing Europe rolls into town this month, bringing together 280+ leading brand owners showcasing the hottest properties, characters and images available to license. We talk to some key names in the gift industry to discover why licensing is so important within the sector and why licensed goods can be a lucrative option for retailers.

W

hen BLE opens its doors at Olympia from 10-12 October, everyone who is anyone in the licensing world will be there to spot what’s up-and-coming, network with the industry and start the conversations that could lead to their next big licensing deal. Now in its 19th year, and the most prestigious licensing event in Europe, the show is organised by UBM and sponsored by the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association (LIMA). ‘BLE is a very exciting event in the calendar and a great opportunity to get great face-time with some key partners and potential licensors for 2019 and 2020,’ says Monique Scott at Groovy UK. Last year’s BLE was the biggest in the show’s history with more than 280 exhibitors and 7,578 visitors from 76 Keren Dicken countries. For 2017, exhibitors include 20th Century Fox, BBC Worldwide Consumer Products, CPLG, Endemol Shine UK, Hasbro, ITV Studios Global Entertainment, Helen Shield Mattel, NBC Universal, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures, The Pokémon Company, Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe, Sony Monique Scott 48 gifts today

Pictures Consumer Products, Turner Broadcasting and Victoria and Albert Museum. Check out the full list on the show’s new website. Visit: brandlicensing.eu.

To give a flavour of the licensing industry within the gifts industry, we spoke to some leading UK companies about trends, products and their thoughts on what look set to be the next must-have licences.

‘Licences are incredibly important as they keep us on trend and add fresh new designs to our product range,’ says Keren Dicken from Personalised Memento Company. ‘Licences also allow us to tap into the popularity and success of well-known brands, creating an instantly recognisable product range. Depending on the licence, there can be an element of collectability, which creates repeat customers who are fans of the licence – which results in more sales. Our Me to You and Boofle ranges are great examples of this, as customers often purchase items from the range for each member of the family for all major gifting occasions.’

Helen Shield from Enesco agrees: ‘Licences are extremely important.

They offer us exclusivity and, in the main, protection from copies in the marketplace. Brand awareness is also a key part of taking on a licence.

Licensed products offer something unique, something high quality and a good perceived value to customers.

Trusted brands are a key part of the decision-making process when buying something. Despite the demise of the traditional collector, lots of licensed brands are great repeat sales opportunities. For us, brands like

Disney and Pusheen are showing all the signs of being collectable brands.’

For Monique Scott at Groovy UK, licences are also incredibly important.

‘The strength of movies and celebrities is stronger than ever and, with social media, images spread worldwide in seconds,’ she says. ‘Licensing has been fundamental to our continued success and it’s often about backing the right trend. Star Wars, One Direction, Wonder Woman, you name it and there’s a licence behind it. There are fans, and fans want dedicated products. The growth of licensed products is huge and now many of the high street retailers are getting a piece of the action; from discount to high end, there is something for every shopper.

‘The enormous budget for licences means consumers are kept aware of the licence activity, which is continual promotion. If the licence and product suit the retailer, then the customers will buy. If they don’t want to be the same as everyone else, they can pick

must be adaptable to all major gifting occasions.

‘We’ve just launched our new range of personalised Rachael Hale gifts, which we’re really excited about. This range merges animal photography with on-trend artwork elements and personalisation, which allows us to bolster our offering of personalised gifts for teens and tweens. It also means we can offer something

‘BLE is a very exciting event in the calendar and a great opportunity to get some great face-time with some key partners and potential licensors for 2019 and 2020’ different licences to the mainstream, but still have a following. Frida Kahlo is a perfect example.’

Indeed, Groovy UK confirm they have recently signed the Frida Kahlo licence. ‘It’s a fabulous addition to our range,’ says Monique. ‘It showcases everything I love - a powerful woman celebrated internationally for her unique style, mixing realism with fantasy, an iconic symbol for women. I think the creativity of the licence will be perfect for Groovy and I can’t wait to see some of our unique concepts coming to life.’

For PMC, character licences are always popular. ‘For us, they have to offer longevity, appealing to a large audience year on year,’ says Keren.

‘Licences that are a flash in the pan aren’t ideal for us as our licences

completely new for pet lovers.’

It’s vital for companies to keep ahead of current licensing trends and Helen Shield at Enesco says it’s key to build great relationships with licensing agents as well as do their own research via the internet, licensing publications, trade fairs and retail visits.

She cites Pusheen as the company’s hot brand of the moment and promises great things for 2018. Of 2017’s launches, she says: ‘Our The World of Miss Mindy Presents Disney collection has just hit the stores – this unique and brand new collection is big news for Disney Collectors, and we are very excited about it.’

All in all, it’s proof positive that when the partnership is right, great brands will always sell.

Licensed Gifts

Stylish stationery

Museums & Galleries launched several new gift formats this year, including gift pens and luxury sized Grande journals. One of the loveliest perhaps is a new luxury foiled notecard box.

This premium box format features 16 foiled cards in each box, eight each of two designs and all tied with a coloured ribbon inside. The box outer is also foiled and makes a stylish keepsake box when empty. There are six boxes to choose from: three boxes featuring classic designs from the V&A, and three featuring the stylish contemporary work of Matthew Williamson. All six would make a very pretty gift.

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

Wild about Harry

With two new books from the Harry Potter universe set to be released in October, along with a British exhibition that celebrates the 20th anniversary of the launch and the new Voldemort Origins film due to be released this year, this is a train you don’t want to miss - last call Hogwarts Express!

Due to the success of their current Harry Potter range, Groovy are expanding and introducing the Quidditch, Platform 9¾ and the Golden Snitch collections. With products ranging from bathrobes, slippers, lighting and bags.

Groovy have gone all out with magical detail - a reflective gold body for the Golden Snitch bag is set to shine and any sports fan will love the new Quidditch bag range with the infamous Potter 7 and his sporty stripes.

Call: 0116 239 1105 Email: hello@groovyuk.com Visit: groovyuk.com

Animals from PMC

Personalised Memento Company has two new ranges to highlight: Rachael Hale Gifts PMC’s Rachael Hale personalised gifts were extremely well received at this year’s Autumn Fair. This licensed range combines photography of popular animals, such as pugs, with on-trend artwork elements, motifs and slogans to create a range of unique personalised gifts. By selecting specific animal photography to work with particular audiences, PMC have created a range that is suited to all recipients, with particular emphasis on the teens and tweens category.

50 gifts today

Personalised Paddington Bear Gifts With the upcoming launch of the second Paddington film in November, the Personalised Memento Company’s range of personalised Paddington Bear gifts have seen a significant increase in demand. The range covers major gift categories including personalised mugs, soft toys, decorations, photo albums, cutlery and also practical gifts for school, such as lunch bags and drinks bottles. PMC even produce a range of Christmas-themed Paddington Bear gifts, giving the bear from darkest Peru a festive touch. Each item in the range features adorable Paddington artwork and is personalised to perfection.

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

Make a statement.

Easy as 1, 2, 3

Enesco has three exciting licences to share.

Belle Organic Dinner Set. A tasty treat for Disney fans, the set can be used at home, in the garden or even in the park. This fresh and natural eco-friendly dinner set includes a plate, a bowl, a cup and cutlery comprising of a spoon and fork, all made from organic bamboo. Trimmed with a pretty pink floral pattern and featuring an image of Belle wearing the iconic yellow dress from the ballroom scene where she dances with the Beast; the plate, bowl and cup include inspirational quotes for little girls, written in a beautiful blue font.

Disney range from Miss Mindy. Enesco has paired with American folk cartoon artist, Miss Mindy, to bring to life much-loved characters from Beauty and the Beast. This new collectable figurine range has a unique twist on the iconic Disney brand — Miss Mindy Presents Disney. The range includes Belle, Lumiere and Cogsworth Figurines. Perfect for the adult and young adult consumer market looking for a more unique collection to call their own, Miss Mindy is tipped to be the next big thing in collectable figurines.

Gund expands Pusheen Mermaid collection.

Building on the best-selling Pusheen Mermaid, featuring the cat lying on her side with pink and green scales for her tail and a sweet yellow starfish tucked behind her ear, Gund — America’s most prestigious soft toy company and the only official global licensee of Pusheen plush — has expanded its collection to feature Pusheen mermaids in a number of other different colours, as well as introducing her little sister Stormy to the collection. Visit: gund.co.uk

Call: 01228 404022 Email: trade@enesco.co.uk Visit: enesco.co.uk

Seek out style.

We’re not ones to blow our own trumpet, but we do enjoy seeing savvy, stylish retailers succeed with the Museums & Galleries product collection in their range.

So why not harness the power of beautiful and distinctive licensed paper products to make your business stand out?

With an exclusive annual collection of world-renowned British brands, trusted product quality and dedicated customer service, you’d be ‘mad as a hatter’ not to try…

sales@mgml.co.uk

museumsgalleries.co.uk

Tel: 01373 462165

Image: White Rabbit by John Tenniel – from the Classics range gifts today 51

Games & Puzzles

It’s a puzzle In this high-tech age, sales of traditional games and puzzles are booming. We ask some leading companies to tell us why they think this is.

D Samantha Goodburn Amy Cowdell

Lauren Woodsford

52 gifts today

id you know that jigsaws are playing a big role in the digital counter-revolution?

It’s a fact. So strong is their popularity that jigsaws made their way into the UK’s official shopping basket earlier this year, as researchers for the Consumer Price Index found that UK retailers are filling up space on their shelves with the traditional treats.

It’s a similar story with board games, which are experiencing a resurgence, too. And not just amongst children.

Globally, adults aged 20-years and over are the fastest-growing demographic amongst traditional toys and games consumers.

‘This new interest in puzzling is certainly reflected in our sales figures,’ says Samantha Goodburn from Gibsons Games. ‘We are finding that a younger demographic is enjoying traditional pastimes, such as puzzling.

‘Games and puzzles are the ultimate entertainment when the nights start drawing in, so having a wide games and puzzle offering will certainly draw customers of all ages in store. We have been entertaining generations

for almost a century, which means we have something for everyone in our range. From preschool puzzles to children’s card games and 2000-piece jigsaws, our products will entertain consumers of any age.’

At House of Marbles, Lauren Woodsford says: ‘Vintage-inspired board games are already looking very popular this Christmas. There are so many festivities and family gatherings at Christmas, it’s the perfect excuse to get everyone together around a table to play a good old fashioned board game.’

Over at Orange Tree Toys, Amy Cowdell says: ‘Our traditional puzzles have always been one of our key sellers, offering a wide variety of alphabet, number and mini puzzle sets.

This range seems to grow from year to year; we offer a large array of puzzles, ranging from three-piece puzzles to alphabet puzzles.

‘As a company, we believe that games and puzzles are a very important part of children’s play.

Not only do items such as puzzles entice with their bright colours and interesting shapes, they are a fantastic

tool for children’s minds and cognitive development. Games and puzzles are such a huge part of the gift industry that companies offering a wide variety covering different ages and styles will benefit their scope for sales.’

When it comes to jigsaw trends, Gibsons report that while the licensed product trend is still huge, consumers are looking for more than just a branded gift. ‘Our Iconic Brands Collection is a selection of quirky, branded gifts that combine cleverlydesigned jigsaws with larger-than-life packaging,’ says Samantha. ‘Last year our Marmite, VW and Pringles jigsaws were hugely popular as the iconic tins draw people in. This year we have introduced two new products to the range – Wall’s Twister, presented in a giant tin replica of the iconic green and white ice lolly, and Krispy Kreme, which is packaged in a smaller version of the Krispy Kreme Assorted Dozens box.’

It’s never been a better time to encourage customers to turn away from the screen and indulge in a little old fashioned puzzle or board game fun.

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Inspired by the tongue-in-cheek Famous Five Books for Grown-ups, Gibsons have released a range of parody puzzles packaged in the style of Enid Blyton’s iconic novels.

250

Puzzle dimensions 34 34.5 5 x 23 23.5 5 cm Box dimensions 20.5 x 13.5 x 3 cm

sales@gibsonsgames.co.uk • www.gibsonsgames.co.uk sales@gibsonsgame bsonsgames.co.uk 020 8661 8866

Suggested retail price £5 £5.99 99 © 2017 Hodder & Stoughton Limited. All rights reserved.

Puzzle time

Orange Tree Toys have a great variety of brightly coloured wooden toys and puzzles, including a large range of alphabet, number, and mini puzzle sets.

The Crocodile Alphabet Puzzle is one of Orange Tree Toys’ signature products, and has remained a top seller since its release back in 2012. The colourful puzzles are ideal to help children learn their letters and numbers in an exciting and engaging way, whilst helping to encourage hand to eye coordination and develop fine motor skills.

As well as Orange Tree Toys’ own brand designs, there is also a beautiful selection of Peter Rabbit puzzles and toys, including an award-winning play set, number puzzles, musical instruments and skittles.

The wooden skittles come in a wide variety of designs, so there is a set to suit everybody. These skittles are not only great fun to play with, but also look absolutely beautiful displayed on nursery shelves. The skittles are perfect for both indoor and outdoor play, and the adorable characters will keep a child entertained for hours. All the products are beautifully hand-painted, with wooden pieces that are perfect for little hands!

Call: 01242 244500 Email:sales@orangetreetoys.com Visit: orangetreetoys.com gifts today 53

Games & Puzzles

High five

Gibsons have a brand new licensed range arriving this autumn. Inspired by the UK’s best-loved author, Enid Blyton, the ranges consist of five new Famous Five puzzles and the release coincides with the 75th anniversary of book one of the classic series.

Four of the puzzles are based on the tongue-in-cheek Famous Five Books for Grown-Ups, the parody books that have been a publishing sensation and frequently topped the bestseller charts over the last year. The 250-piece puzzles have been designed to look like the iconic front covers which include Five On Brexit Island and Five Go Parenting. Packaged in book-sized boxes to capitalise on their gift appeal and with a pick-up price point of £6.99, they are perfect stocking fillers for any family member who fancies a giggle. Also part of the Enid Blyton range is a challenging 1000-piece montage puzzle that features artwork from the classic novels, including Five Go to Mystery Moor and Five on a Secret Trail.

Following the success of their TFL licensed card game, Mind the Gap, Gibsons have just released another new card game. Chicken Out! is the featherruffling card game for two to six players. Players must take it in turns to play cards from their hand with the aim of reaching 21, but there are hidden obstacles in the form of 10 cheeky foxes that will either help or hinder players’ chances of winning! Presented in a beautifully designed CDU, Chicken Out! is the perfect stocking filler for children aged seven and up.

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

Puzzling puzzles

Adult Puzzle Brand Wasgij, continues to lead the way for the manufacturer, driving increases in sales during its 20th anniversary year. Key to the growth this year has been the special edition Wasgij Original 27: The 20th Party Parade! 1000-piece puzzle, that also includes a free 1000-piece puzzle.

Jumbo’s Falcon deluxe range of traditional puzzles is also showing substantial growth throughout 2017 with its well-loved collection of nostalgic puzzles. To continue this growth, Jumbo have released 10 brand new Falcon deluxe puzzles this month to add to the 30 new releases that have already been released this year. These new puzzles cover the traditional Falcon themes of nostalgia, scenery, festive and cottages, across varying piece counts from 500 to 1000 pieces, with autumn and festive themes featuring heavily for the key puzzle-selling period.

Jumbo Games continues to offer their Portapuzzle and Puzzle & Roll puzzle accessories. Highlights of the ranges include the Puzzle Mates Portapuzzle Deluxe which can store jigsaw puzzles up to 1000 pieces securely.

Visit: jumbo.eu 54 gifts today

Perfect Puzzle Presents and Great Gi Gift Games.

All NEW for 2017

www.cheatwell.com

For more re information nformation and a copy of our latest catalogue please contact mark@cheatwell.com or call 02392 524098

New Products A perfect gift to say ‘I love You’

This range from Lesser and Pavey, ‘PS I Love You’, contains mugs, wine glasses, candles, heart plaque, trinket box, photograph frames and is set to grow into other product spheres. All items are decorated with real 18ct gold and include sweet diamanté hearts.

All these items are licensed to Lesser and Pavey by Hearts Designs and form part of the hugelysuccessful Mad Dots Collection.

It is a charming range of fine chinaware, pink in colour, with hearts in place with the wording ‘PS I Love You.’ It makes the perfect gift for Valentine’s day, and for years to come, representing a moment of someone’s love for the recipient to treasure for years to come. Even better, the gift is affordable and offers true value for money - unlike the normal cost of red roses on Valentine’s day.

Call: 01322 279225 Email: sales@leonardo.co.uk Visit: leonardo.co.uk

Man Appeal

The trend for men’s jewellery is still going strong in the UK and, with that in mind, the Equilibrium Men’s collection from Joe Davies - especially men’s leather bracelets - continues to go from strength to strength. This smart classic range includes stitched leather, two-tone leather, and knotted leather all finished with stylish metal clasps.

Available in a number of designs and styles to suit all tastes, they are the perfect male gift.

Also sitting within the ever-popular Equilibrium range for men is a collection of coin purses and wallets to match perfectly with the leather bracelets. These are also available in a range of colours such as browns, black and tan with stitching and textured finishes giving them a stylish classic look.

Customers are increasingly looking for more unique male gifts and that, in part, is driving the market for quirky, unusual gifts. The Joe Davies’ Techno range of miniature clocks certainly provides a quality gift at a great price and, with 32 different designs ranging from trendy VW surf vans to the more traditional sporting themes such as cricket and rugby, there are certainly plenty to choose from.

As with Joe Davies’ entire collection of 10,000 lines, all the Men’s gift ranges are available using their trademark Little & Often order system, with a minimum order of just £100 and free delivery.

Call: 0161 975 6300 Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk Visit: joedavies.co.uk 56 gifts today

250 Million Year`s in the making

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

New Products

Get framed

Cheers!

From distinctive barware and classically-styled lamps, to luxury giftware and sporting themed accessories, Culinary Concepts boast a large range of sophisticated gift ideas, suitable for even the most discerning gentleman.

The Cartridge collection is quintessentially British and the perfect gift for someone with a love of the great outdoors. The distinguished barware and pocket-sized accessories are a sure-fire way to make their day.

Another top selling range is the Sporting Themed Gifts featuring bottle stoppers, bookends and paperweights made from silver-plated brass and designed to replicate rugby, golf and cricket balls. Great for those with a love for the game.

The Equestrian collection is perfect for the horsey-type, with stunning horsehead bookends, stirrup lamps and photo frames. Plus, the Polo helmet wine cooler and nibbles bowls make a fabulously unique gift for the Polo enthusiast.

For stocking filler ideas, they have wooden bottle coasters and stunning Cheese Knife Collections for a real twist on a classic. With on-trend classically styled lamps for the study or library and free-standing tripod lamps featuring Rolls, Bentley and spotlight headlamps, Culinary Concepts’ impressive range of gifts for men covers all budgets and a wide variety of tastes.

Call: 01252 852235 Visit: culinaryconceptsliving.com

58 gifts today

As the weather turns and we head into the last part of the year, Kenro is delighted to unveil a number of new albums and frames ranges ready for the busy retail season.

Kenro’s new lines have something for every taste, from smart contemporary to traditional classics. In frames, the Jadu Series is one of their latest additions – these distressed wood frames are available in two single aperture sizes, as well as a triple aperture option for three photos 6x4” / 10x15cm. They have a generous deep profile with a shabby chic finish in white or grey.

In albums, the fun Candy Spots & Stripes Series consists of colourful slip-in memo albums available in two playful, art-printed designs: either brightly-coloured spots or pastel-coloured stripes. Each album holds 200 photos in either 6x4” or 7x5”, with memo writing space next to each photo.

And for something completely different, Kenro is also pleased to release its new A5, spiral-bound travel journal to complement the Old World Map Series of albums.

To find out more about these and other new albums and frames arrivals, visit the catalogues page of Kenro’s website to download the What’s New leaflet.

Call: 01793 615836 Visit: kenro.co.uk

0121 704 9696 sales@netherwoodcollectables.com www.netherwoodcollectables.com

MOON

ICE

FIRE

SUN

RD0001 ICE DRAGON LARGE 21CM

RD0006 FIRE DRAGON LARGE 23CM

RD0011 SUN DRAGON LARGE 22CM

RD0016 MOON DRAGON LARGE 21CM

RD0002 ICE DRAGON MEDIUM A 19CM

RD0007 FIRE DRAGON MEDIUM A 19CM

RD0012 SUN DRAGON MEDIUM A 17CM

RD0017 MOON DRAGON MEDIUM A 19CM

RD0003 ICE DRAGON MEDIUM B 20CM

RD0008 FIRE DRAGON MEDIUM B 20CM

RD0013 SUN DRAGON MEDIUM B 19CM

RD0018 MOON DRAGON MEDIUM B 21CM

RD0004 ICE DRAGON SMALL A 14CM

RD0009 FIRE DRAGON SMALL A 14CM

RD0014 SUN DRAGON SMALL A 15CM

RD0019 MOON DRAGON SMALL A 14CM

RD0005 ICE DRAGON SMALL B 14CM

RD0010 FIRE DRAGON SMALL B 14CM

RD0015 SUN DRAGON SMALL B 14CM

RD0020 MOON DRAGON SMALL B 14CM

NETHERWOOD COLLECTABLES LTD, UNIT 17 RADWAY INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, RADWAY ROAD, SOLIHULL, WEST MIDLANDS, B90 4NR

New Products

Realm of dragons

Netherwood Collectables presents an exciting new range of British-designed, hand-painted dragons featuring ice, fire, sun and moon.

Netherwood Collectables was created originally by father and son duo Graham and Charles Hughes in 2009. Until then Graham had been chairman and Managing Director of the Tudor Mint, trade name of The Watson Group Limited with its hugely successful fantasy ranges of Myth and Magic and Land of the Dragons. Two years ago, Graham semi-retired and Charles took over as Managing Director.

Charles created various collectable items and at the Spring Fair earlier this year was approached by some of the Tudor Mint’s old customers with a request to create a range of good quality but affordable dragon pieces. Hence Realm of the Dragons was born.

The original designer of the Tudor Mint’s fantasy pieces, Jessica Ascough, was asked to design twenty new dragon fantasy pieces which you can now see today. There are four types of dragon featured in three different sizes: The Ice Dragons range is finished in a deep blue with a contrasting snow/ice base.

The Fire Dragons, in reds, yellows and black, depict the dragons in the fiery flames.

The Sun Dragons, in yellows and browns, have the glowing disc of the sun in the background.

The Moon Dragons, in blues, greens and yellows, have the white glow of the moon depicted in each piece.

All the pieces are beautifully hand-painted and all come gift boxed in attractive red and gold packaging. Realm of the Dragons is available for delivery at the end of October in good time for Christmas.

Call: 0121 704 9696 Email: sales@ netherwoodcollectables. com Visit: netherwoodcollectables. com

60 gifts today

Lamp light

Himasal is delighted to offer to all retailers who would like to stock their beautiful Himalayan Salt Lamps and products an opportunity to stock their products with a guarantee that no retailer will lose any money. They are extremely confident that, once on display, their products will sell and bring in new customers to any retail premises.

Himasal offer a retail pack on a sale or return basis, known as ‘retail one’, to all retailers who wish to secure stock, and offer a 10-year no-quibble warranty on all salt lamps. They also offer area exclusivity, full customer service and social media support.

Himasal guarantee that no retailer will be left with stock or lose money whilst stocking a Himasal product, as they are proud to take back any stock items that don’t sell and credit against future purchases of the lines that do well in your particular retail outlet. Call them today and you could be selling their salt lamps within seven days.

Call: 0333 733 1264 Visit: himasal.co.uk

Luxury Giftware for Men

www.culinaryconceptsliving.com

!

E S AV MUG H ST INA U M CH ZZ IP ZA

Celebratory Milestone Ages Gift Mugs Award winning Pizazz Classic and Pizazz Male styling Age 40 and 50 male and female milestone ages Excellent quality rigid box presentation packaging Competitive price ÂŁ8.99 RRP

Cloudesley House Shire Hill Saffron Walden Essex CB11 3FB t: 01799 520200 f: 01799 520100 www.nigelquiney.com

Social Media - Ross Hewitt

Silence is golden When it comes to social media, it’s okay to be quiet for a day or two provided your content is well-planned.

‘B

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 62 gifts today

etter to remain silent and thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.’ Those were the wise words of President Abraham Lincoln and I am yet to find a more fitting historical quote that can be applied to social media activity.

What is this obsession for so many people and brands to always be on broadcast mode? It sometimes feels like the online equivalent of people walking around a public place and constantly shouting out anything that pops into their minds. Moments of silence are often the smarter route as quantity does not result in quality… far from it.

Let’s inject some real-world thinking into our social media content. Have a look at your last five posts or tweets. Consider what sort of response you might get if you stood outside your office and shouted them or stopped a group of your customers and said them face to face. Telling strangers how nice that coffee was, or who you are rooting for in Strictly Celebrity Baking On Ice probably won’t have them following you around for the rest of the day hoping to hear more.

So, what are your next five posts or tweets going to be about?

If you can already answer that then you probably have some sort of social media content plan in operation and, to you, I tip my hat.

If you are not sure, then putting some time aside to start a content plan really will be time well spent.

You need to be driving your social media activity in a way that moves your business on by attracting new customers and helping to retain the existing ones. You will drive your

social media activity off a cliff if you do not operate to a plan. This risk is also compounded if you try to take on too much activity across too many different platforms. Having links on your website to six different social media accounts does not work if only Facebook gets updated, while Pinterest, Google+ and Instagram are withering on the vine.

“

I see no problem with an account being quiet for a day or two if a regular enough pattern of compelling content persists

”

Be brutally honest and assess your available time and resources. What can you (or your team) definitely commit time to do, and enough time to do really well? If you only have time to manage a Twitter account well, then just plan to do that. If you can manage a fortnightly blog article and a Facebook page well, then just do those.

A couple of hours each month to keep the plan up to date is all that is required and it will save you time. You

will approach your accounts on any given day with an idea about what you will be posting and why you are doing it. You will also realise that it is OK to have days where nothing is planned. I know, controversial, but I see no problem with an account being quiet for a day or two if a regular enough pattern of compelling content persists.

I recommend pulling together a three-month rolling content plan, as this period of time remains manageable and most businesses can plan content based around events or initiatives that are known to be occurring over a 12-week period. You should be able to look at a calendar and pick out events that will be happening in your company, industry or marketplace that will inspire content to be created and campaigns to be planned.

An ‘internal’ event might be the launch of a new product or service, or your attendance at a trade show or conference. Industry events could be a change in government legislation that requires new information to be passed on. Marketplace events would be things that mean your existing and potential customers might start to adopt a new pattern of behaviour or a seasonal pattern of activity might be coming in to play.

Such a plan doesn’t have to be confined to social media. Start to add in your email newsletter content, Google AdWords campaigns and website homepage updates. Pretty soon you will have yourself a nifty digital marketing content plan… and it can all be powered by a simple spreadsheet. I’ll even send you a copy of the spreadsheet I use if you want to drop me an email…

Job Title: Key/National Accounts Manager - Sales Manager Department : Sales & Marketing Reporting to : General Manager Koopman International, founded in Amsterdam in 1937, started with a market stall and has since developed into a global trading house with showrooms & offices in over 24 countries. Paramount to the company are quality, reliability & service. As a result the company has become a highly trusted & reliable partner to a wide range of retailers / sectors, such as DIY, garden centres & department stores – our client portfolio contains many worldwide multi-nationals.

Responsibilities : ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■

To proactively seek out new business in different market sectors To qualify client enquiries & follow up on all leads Maintain & document all proposals, quotes, correspondence & contracts Actively prepare sales proposals Build & promote strong, long-lasting client relationships – understand client event needs To understand the market within which the company trades – including local competitors Education and/or Experience preferred 4-year university or college degree in Sales, Marketing or related fields 2 years minimum, sales related experience Industry experience Skills & Abilities preferred Strong customer service - oral & verbal Strong organizational & communications skills – oral & verbal Good time management The ability to close business deals The ability to work irregular hours – over & above normal business hours, as required

The UK Office/Showroom of Koopman is in the West Midlands – out of which the successful applicant(s) would work, when required For more information about Koopman, visit our website www.koopmanint.com Applicants should submit CVs, plus any covering letter, to uk@koopmanint.com

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

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

G&L Gifts Today halfpage ad Oct2017.indd 1

SHOW STATS

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

52% found 3 or more new suppliers.

92% of our visitors would recommend the show.

To secure your free visitor badge call 01934 733456 or register online. Stands are selling fast – to enquire call 01934 733433.

26/09/2017 13:15

Licensed Gifts

More, more, more A totally unique event, the only one of its kind catering to the entire European licensing industry and a self-styled networking heaven where licensing deals are born, dreamed up and signed.

Join the stampede to London’s Olympia, because BLE 2017 is upon us…

‘BLE is unique because of the range of exhibitors on show and its London location,’ David Fenton, Head of Brand Licensing, Imperial War Museums

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an More th rers and brand ctu manufa will be at the rs e n w o is year show th 64 gifts today

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tatistics can be impressive things in the exciting and ever-changing world of licensing – especially if they’re connected to Brand Licensing Europe. BLE, as it’s affectionately become known, kicks off at West London’s Olympia on 10 October, running for three days. It’s the one annual event where the European licensing industry comes together to sound out new licences, get a heads up on brands that will be hitting the headlines – and stores, TV screens, social media and more – over the coming year, and get up to speed with the key industry trends that will be affecting their business. And then, of course, there’s the myriad of networking opportunities. It’s an important place to discover what will be new in the gift world in the coming year.

‘At BLE there’s the chance to network with over 7,500 retailers, manufacturers and brand owners,’ says Anna Knight, Brand Director at BLE. ‘This year there will be 280 exhibitors with more than 2500 brands on show.’

BLE’s three show zones include Character & Entertainment, Brands & Lifestyle and Art, Design & Image, and the show is nothing if not global in terms of its reach – last year welcoming visitors from an amazing 76 countries.

Now in its 19th year, Anna says the enduring success of BLE is testament to how much the team behind the show has listened to – and grown with – the European licensing industry to ensure that they provide both visitors and exhibitors alike with the content they need to do business better.

‘Over the years we have grown exponentially and now take over the

whole of the grand and west halls at Olympia London, both upstairs and downstairs,’ she explains. ‘We have more seminar content, more exhibitors, more properties, more feature areas, more networking opportunities – more of everything!

‘We’ve also got more European exhibitors, more European retailers and licensees are registering and our focus on engaging and providing for the entire European licensing industry gets stronger every year.

‘This year there’s also a huge European focus to the show’s educational content – including a Brexit session that will help to prepare us all

‘BLE is not just about three days the show actually runs – the ability to arrange meetings with key people, potential retailers and licensees at a key time of the year is massively important for the success of my business,’ Richard Pink, Pink Key Consulting

‘This year’s BLE has more seminar content, more exhibitors, more properties, more feature areas, more networking opportunities – more of everything!’

Anna Knight, BLE Brand Director for what’s about to come.’

But what about the views of those attending this year’s show – is it the networking prospects, the chance to showcase their work or brands or the opportunity to spark or seal business deals that draws them back to BLE year after year?

Richard Pink from specialist licensing agency Pink Key Consulting, says for his company BLE provides an important focus for the whole year.

‘BLE is not just about three days the show actually runs – the ability to arrange meetings with key people, potential retailers and licensees at a key time of the year is massively important for the success of my business,’ he explains.

‘The timing of the show is hugely important in terms of securing deals and also making contacts that will enable product to be manufactured to go to market in the following year.

I’ve been attending BLE in one form or another since 2003, but PKC has had a stand for the last six years.

‘This year we are looking for licensees

David Fenton, Head of Brand Licensing at Imperial War Museums, says BLE is extremely important because it’s where IWM makes new contacts, hopefully converting these into new business, and also where existing relationships can be refreshed and consolidated.

‘It’s also good to see what others in the industry are doing and spot key trends,’ David says. ‘BLE is the most important show of the year for us because it allows us to present our brand and assets to a wide and varied audience. The show is unique because of the range of exhibitors on show and its location in London – this will be our seventh year.

‘We’re really excited to be giving a seminar on day one of the show about Toys and Games Licensing with a heritage brand. We’re welcoming guest speakers and licensing partners, Smart Fox (a Koch Media company) who will discuss their experience working with IWM, the benefits and added value and also walk us through their product development process. We will

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Match makers

Last year’s smash hit Matchmaking Service has been updated for 2017. Free to use, it’s the perfect tool for visitors to set up one-to-one meetings with brand owners and get face time with IP owners. Visitors can search by company, property type or interest area to help them find the perfect connection for them. in areas where we currently have gaps for our more established brands – but also for the core areas of our newer acquisitions. We look forward to the buzz and ability to network that leads to chance meetings that can lead to something bigger. As well as our key brands – Vintage Kellogg’s, Pringles and Slush Puppie – we will also be launching Pan Am which we have just signed up and we’ll be looking for licensees for all four.’

Show and tell

be discussing emerging trends in the ‘kidult’ market - and explore why toys which involve both parents and children are becoming increasingly popular.

‘And of course we’re also really looking forward to showing off new products. Our new range of construction sets with Smart Fox have been really well received so far.’

What? Brand Licensing Europe Where? London Olympia When? 10-12 October Why? 280 best-in-class exhibitors, 2,500+ brands More: www.brandlicensing.eu

Show time, play time

LIMA will once again be running their BLE Garden Party at Kensington Roof Gardens on Wednesday, 11 October, and tickets are available from the LIMA website with members also getting a discount. ‘This year there are rumours of a karaoke competition with some great prizes up for grabs so watch this space!’

Anna Knight, BLE Brand Director reveals.

New Products

Big birthdays need special tea breaks

Nigel Quiney’s latest release in the Pizazz gifts offering is a small but perfectly formed collection of milestone age mugs, 40th & 50th, with male and female designs for each. The designs have been created using their best-selling Pizazz and Pizazz for Men designs, including plenty of butterflies for the ladies, bikes and guitars for the men.

The mugs come in a beautiful circular presentation boxes, which make them the perfect gift for that special birthday. These items have full colour print on the outer and inner of the mug, they’re made of new bone china, and are exceptional quality.

Call: 01799 520200 Email: info@nigelquiney.com Visit: nigelquiney.com

Let the fun be gin!

Toast the summer with the new specialist Gin collection from LSA International. From a cocktail set and serving accessories to a Grand Serving Set which includes a bespoke solid ash table designed to hold two removable drinks trays – flared stems, tapering forms and thick bases optimise the enjoyment of Britain’s favourite spirit.

LSA International is a family-owned business which has been designing and creating contemporary mouth-blown glass and high quality porcelain since 1966. Monika Lubkowska-Jonas, LSA International’s Designer and Creative Director, is the daughter of cofounder, Janusz Lubkowski. The simplicity, balance and timeless elegance of her designs have been at the heart of the company’s global success for more than 25 years.

Monika creates more than 250 designs a year, ranging from practical everyday glassware to striking statement pieces made from a combination of materials. Designed to heighten the enjoyment of entertaining, dining and decorating, LSA International’s glassware and porcelain is chosen by many of the world’s leading retailers, restaurants and hotels.

All LSA International’s products are made in Poland and almost all the glassware is handmade and mouth-blown by skilled artisans. LSA International received its first Good Design Award in 2015 for the Stack collection of vases. More recent awards include a second Good Design Award for the Utility Bread Bin with Ash Lid and a 2017 iF Design Award for the Nomad collection of drinkware. lsa-international.com 66 gifts today

Julie Dodsworth

Sell the sizzle, not the sausage!

Se Selling a product shouldn’t be about its fea features, but more about the good things th that will happen when someone uses it.

O

ne of the amazing parts of my adventures into Home is the opportunity to meet some very talented folks along the way; retailers who really know their stuff, the fantastic manufacturers I have had chance to collaborate with, lovely editors like Sally who produces your Gifts Today, and, best of all, the lovely consumers who are good enough to buy the things we make. I am always very humbled to meet anyone in business in this chain of sales and buying of such calibre and I enjoy the challenge (even if it can be a little daunting) of a VIP appointment. At the end of the day, we are all looking to take our business a little further and, with hard work and the belief of others, we hope to get there somehow.

My lovely friend in business from the hospitality trade would always tell me a good sales meeting is when you have both ears flapping and say very little. Quite difficult for me as I’m quite a chatterbox. But I do try.

To explain and not to ‘sell,’ he would tell me, is the key, as well as to do the three most important things - listen, listen and listen a little bit more. Most of all, I’m mindful not to get bogged down in the mechanics and geek speak that can so easily happen. In our plant and flower

business, for instance, even bu though the team is proficient tho in all our Latin names, I have banned them except for use ba in our own internal orders.

Our O clients do not need to be bamboozled by such complications and what c I call ‘non-information’.

Focusing on the sizzle F (the benefits of our ( service) rather than the sausage (the ra mechanics mechanic and components) is most certainly key. After all, when we buy face cream we read on the jar that it will make us more beautiful (sizzle), we don’t scour the jar to read about the alchemy within (the sausage). We trust the brand names we trust to get that right for us.

The finest example of a sales meeting experience in the most amazing way was probably the day we bought our beloved narrowboat Calamity Jane. Taking the decision

“

We all love to shop, but hate to be sold to

”

to just a least ‘have a look’ at a narrowboat and wandering around the boat builders’ yard on that cold October morning, I remember thinking perhaps this wasn’t such a good idea. A narrowboat was going to take a good deal of our hard-earned cash and the work and upkeep looked far more than I had first envisaged. What’s more, the narrowboat wouldn›t be ready until the following autumn. Even worse, the boats, dull and grey before their colourful coats were applied, looked sad and uninviting.

My other half Simon looked beyond that and was busy checking out engines and structure, where as

I - ever the romantic - was trying to visualise our holidays and weekends living aboard this cold, grey lump of steel.

Then we met the boat yard owner.

As I look back I deem him to be a genius of salesmanship. He listened to all Simon’s questions and answered those quite reassuringly - he knew his stuff. But he could see I had my doubts and it was here he delivered the sizzle. He said he could see my colourways would bring the boat to life and I would soon be enjoying the early mornings on the water, the mist before the sun burns it away. He said my lovely flowers and displays would make it a show boat and he knew I would make it a holiday home for all the family to enjoy, that we would make amazing memories there. This was sizzle by the frying pan load. ‘And for the winter’ he added, ‘we could install you a lovely log burner so you’ll be all cosy when you watching the wildlife on the ice out of the window.’ That was it. I was sold. Ten years on we thank our lucky stars for that gentleman and his listening ear and the romantic picture he painted.

True to his word I have an album full of memories and I found my love of painting. The rest, as they say, is history.

Sales, when done well, can be a wonderful and artful thing. It is everywhere. We all love to shop but hate to be sold to. Yet we are constantly buying stuff, like it or not - from petrol, coffee, the clothes we wear, homewares and gifts. Whether a sale is so subtle we don’t even notice or it is delivered in a more structured way, it can be done so very well and I applaud companies and individuals who are blessed with fantastic honesty and this most ‹sizzling› gift. I raise my glass to agents, reps and retailers everywhere.

Julie Dodsworth is an artisan British designer who works from her narrowboat Calamity Jane. At the age of 50 Julie started her ‘third age business’ - leaping into the unknown to follow her heart. From a tiny beginning Julie has launched an international-selling home and gift business working with the very best of British manufacturers. Gifts Today have invited her to share with us her experience, her passion for the industry and some of the great advice she feels she has been given along the way.

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