Greetings Today July 2021

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18-21 July 2021

Register today at homeandgift.co.uk

July 2021

contents REGULARS 5 Leader We’re back and ready to get back to business.

6 News Catch up on all the industry’s latest news.

10 Spotlight See what new releases are ready for customers.

14 John Ryan Columnist John Ryan looks at the relevance of trade shows to retailers.

the team Editor Rachel King rachel@lemapublishing.co.uk

18 Shop Talk Get to know retailers from across the country and hear what is happening in their stores.

22 On The Shop Front

01442 289940

Chris Fox ponders the impact going cashless has on small retailers.

Managing Director Mark Naish mark@lemapublishing.co.uk

51 Retail Advice

Henri Davis discusses the return of trade fairs and why she has missed them.

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Production Director Paul Naish paul@lemapublishing.co.uk Chairman Malcolm Naish malcolm@lemapublishing.co.uk

15 Ward’s Words Sarah Ward discusses communication issues across the generations.

Circulation Manager Robert Thomas robert@lemapublishing.co.uk

FEATURES

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12 Cover Story

Keep in touch follow us: @greetingstoday

Danilo looks at some of the big titles set to be launched in the coming months.

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16 PG Live Preview The greeting card show is set to return very soon.

www.facebook.com/ greetingstodaymag greetingstoday

36 Home & Gift Preview See some of the wonderful new things on offer at Home & Gift as it returns to its live format.

Advertisement Manager Mark Horsnell markh@lemapublishing.co.uk

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greetings-today

Lema Media Ltd

1 Church Gates, Wilderness, Berkhamsted, Herts HP4 2UB Telephone: 01442 289930 www.greetingstoday.co.uk Greetings Today has a circulation of 6,076

Subscription per annum: UK £60 (free for people in the greetings industry), Europe £80, ROTW £100

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leader Editor Rachel King

H

ello again! I know it’s been a long time coming but we’re back…a bit like trade shows there have been some false starts, hopes and hiccups along the way but the Greetings Today team are thrilled to be back making magazines again. In case you missed it, our team has had some changes of late. Simon has left Lema and moved onto another position – he’s still part of the overall industry, so I’m sure you will still see him at shows. To fill his shoes, I’m lucky to have the wonderful Mark Horsnell on board. Many of you may have heard of him or met him over the years as Gifts Today’s Advertising Manager and he has graciously adopted Greetings now too. But some things to know about Mark, he makes a great cup of coffee, he has a cheeky sense of humour and his attempt at an Australian accent isn’t too terrible. He will be introducing himself to people over the coming weeks, so if he gives you a call, please do say hello.

So, what else has been happening… like most people I’ve been enjoying the freedoms associated with the varying restrictions being lifted and things opening up over the past few months.

Heading to the shops, restaurants or the pub has never been so entertaining – it isn’t until you can’t do something you realise just how important it is. For the first time in well over a year, our family were all able to get together and celebrate my father-in-law’s 75th birthday. Our family isn’t large but the rule of 6 meant we weren’t allowed to all be together, just various fragments at different times. I can only imagine how tough it has been for people who have larger families than ours when various milestones and celebrations have had to be postponed or rearranged to allow for the rules.

If the pandemic has taught us

anything (besides good hand hygiene) then it is that humans really are social beings, we need to interact with others beyond screens and phone calls. Gift giving – and the associated greeting cards – seems to be growing exponentially too as we try to make sure people know how much we care. And with the end of another turbulent school year edging closer, I’m certain many a teacher can expect to be inundated with thank you cards and presents after helping families survive recent times.

We’re thrilled that trade shows are finally restarting and I for one am looking forward to seeing people out and about again. We’re showing some of the new things being launched at PG Live (p16) and a bumper Home & Gift preview (p36). Trade shows are the hot topic with some of our regular columnists too, John Ryan discusses their relevance to small business owners on page 14, while Henri Davis reveals her excitement, and minor trepidation about attending events again on page 51.

Four retailers share what is happening in their stores in Shop Talk (p18) as they discuss the highs and lows of trading this year. Our Cover Story features some of Danilo’s new collections (p12). Plus, we have loads of new greeting card ranges and designs from Nigel Quiney (p30), Rosanna Rossi (p34), Museums & Galleries (p26), Emma Ball (p26) and many others.

We hope you enjoy flicking through the pages of this magazine and look forward to bringing you more news, exciting new products and much more over the coming months.

As always if you want to get in touch, please do so at rachel@lemapublishing. co.uk.

Send your views and submissions for the magazine to: rachel@lemapublishing.co.uk Tel: 01442 289930

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It isn’t until you can’t do something you realise just how important it is

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inthenews

Maped Helix back National Stationery Week Maped Helix has been announced as a headline sponsor of National Stationery Week, set for October 1-7.

Competitions will be launched as part of Maped Helix’s sponsorship of Get Crafty Day on October 6, one of the week’s Seven Days of Stationery.

Maped Creativ and Color’Peps prizes will be on offer, providing everything children need to get drawing, doodling, colouring and making.

Maped Helix marketing manager Lianne Fletcher said, “Get Crafty Day is all about getting hands on with stationery so it’s a natural fit for Maped Helix and our more creative product ranges. In this digital age it’s hard to overestimate the importance of spending quality time away from screens and National Stationery Week is a wonderful celebration of why we should all keep putting pen to paper, so we are proud to be supporting it.”

Autumn Fair Announce SuperSize #SBS Pavilion Autumn Fair has partnered with Theo Paphitis’ #SBS Small Business Sunday to bring back the #SBS Pavilion to Autumn Fair 2021 and have announced the six winners of this year’s competition.

The #SBS Pavilion is dedicated to showcasing new and unique products from ambitious start-ups and small businesses. In partnership with #SBS Small Business Sunday, Autumn Fair run a competition to give the #SBS community a chance to compete for free exhibition stands at Autumn Fair. Managing Director, Retail & Fashion at Hyve Group plc, Julie Driscoll said, “We are incredibly pleased to continue our partnership with #SBS Small Business Sunday for Autumn Fair 2021 and support small independent businesses as they launch into the marketplace. Our shared values and vision with #SBS and Theo enable us to provide an incredible opportunity for start-up businesses, and I can’t wait to see our all winners at the show.”

The 2021 winners are: Arcform, Leo

Charley & Me, Bring A Book to Life, RoseMay, Alexia Claire Ltd and KIND2.

This year’s Autumn Fair is also welcoming 2020’s postponed #SBS Small Business Sunday winners to join the super-size #SBS Pavilion, totalling 15 inspirational winners across the home, gift, and beauty sectors, will receive a free exhibition stand giving them exposure and growth opportunity for their businesses. The 2020 winners are Canterbury Brewers, Cushy Paws, Give Gifts, Glamavan, Kate O’Brien Art, Life’s Little Bugs, Lizzie Martell Illustration, Photofinish Jewellery, Zac & Bella Fashion.

Theo Paphitis said, “#SBS Small Business Sunday is all about giving small businesses and entrepreneurs opportunities and the chance to network and thrive. Our longstanding partnership with Autumn Fair is perfect for our community and offers these opportunities in bucket loads. I know that the #SBS Pavilion will be the biggest yet and that the #SBS winners will be an asset to the show.”

Consumer goods trade fair trio set for 2022 Messe Frankfurt are keen for the return of Paperworld, Christmasworld and Creativeworld from 28/29 January to 1 February 2022. Additional digital formats will also ensure international reach, new contacts and networking opportunities during the year.

“Trade fairs have always been an instrument to revive the economy and trade after a crisis. Christmasworld, Paperworld and Creativeworld are making an additional contribution to the recovery after the Corona pandemic,” said Julia Uherek, Vice President Consumer Goods Fairs at Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH. Thus, the consumer goods sectors and Messe Frankfurt are optimistic about the coming year.

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The three trade fairs are being further developed after the pandemic experiences and are consistently thinking along the digital path. “The combination of the real trade fair with an additional digital offer provides both exhibitors and visitors with far-reaching new possibilities.

For example, lectures or workshops can be viewed online afterwards and exhibitors are given the opportunity to present their products both analogue and digitally,” says Julia Uherek.

STAY FRESH! WITH

Insights-X cancelled: Relaunch planned for 2022 After much deliberation, the management at Insights-X has made the difficult decision to cancel the stationery expo this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Despite the initially positive outlook, the Bavarian State Government’s new guidelines for trade fairs and exhibitions and their expected implications have left organiser Spielwarenmesse eG with no alternative. The early timing of this decision gives all market participants enough scope to plan ahead.

The motivation for cancelling Insights-X stems primarily from the government’s guidelines for staging trade fairs in Bavaria which come into force on September 1, 2021. The regulations would make it impossible to offer the kind of exhibition experience that helps firms strengthen and build business contacts. There is also a lack of clarity regarding the situation in October. Travel restrictions are still in place for many of the countries from which retailers, buyers and exhibitors hail. This has unforeseeable implications for the overall success of the fair.

Middle Mouse appoint new Sales Reps Middle Mouse has announced they will now be represented by the Sarah Jane Agency as sales representatives for the North West. Headed up by Sarah Reynolds, this newly formed agency has over 13 years’ experience in the greetings card and gift industry and is working with brands who offer eco-credentials as well as strong design.

“It’s a fabulous opportunity for us to showcase Middle Mouse, as well as forge new relationships with lovely retailers across the region,” said founder, Bec Wright. “We felt Sarah really understood what we were trying to achieve and was a great fit to champion our products.”

Sarah Reynolds has worked with a range of giftware and greetings card companies in the role of Territory Sales Manager and is ideally placed to improve on the growth of Middle Mouse, even after the tough year that was 2020.

See the full range online! sales@mint-publishing.co.uk

Tel: 0116 230 4197 Fax: 01536 401 031

www.mint-publishing.co.uk

inthenews Online Marketplace Kickstarts The Spring & Autumn Fair Online Marketplace has had a great start to trade. The Online Marketplace, a global digital trading arena enabling trusted brands and vetted buyers to trade all-year-round on a secure wholesale platform, already features over 4,500 products from 50 brands. With newness and curation at its heart, the Online Marketplace showcases a regular flow of new collections and enables brands and buyers to deepen relationships started in person at Autumn and Spring Fair.

Karin Hausmann, Project and Digital Marketing Director of the Online Marketplace, said, “After lengthy research we knew there was a big appetite for an easy-touse online trading platform that builds on the physicality of our live shows, offering a continuous flow of newness and a growing cross-section of products. We are delighted by the response and eagerness in the industry to showcase on and use the Online Marketplace. New brands are signing up daily and we’re also very excited to see a large focus on sustainable products. With our long-standing heritage and experience we are so pleased to have built an innovative platform that meets the trading needs of both the brands and buyers.”

The Online Marketplace currently offers gifts, home décor, stationery, toys, fashion accessories, beauty and jewellery with more lines being added regularly.

The Spring & Autumn Fair Online Marketplace can be accessed on www.autumnfair.com/ onlinemarketplace

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UKG Supports World Land Trust UK Greetings announced a new partnership with the World Land Trust to mark World Environment Day and support their Carbon Balanced Paper programme.

The move will offset close to 10,000 tonnes of CO2e relating to the manufacturing of the board used to produce UK Greetings’ 200m cards per year.

Chris Shaw, Head of Sustainability at UK Greetings, said, “UKG is committed to reducing our impacts in every aspect of our business. Since 2019, we have removed over 250 tonnes of single use plastic from our cards and reduced our carbon footprint by 400 tonnes simply by improving our energy efficiency. With paper being our primary raw material, we work closely with our suppliers to help ensure that every single card and paper product can be physically traced back to sustainably managed forests. Choosing Carbon Balanced Paper was therefore a natural next step in our sustainability journey. We are thrilled to support World Land Trust in their efforts to protect the world’s most biologically significant and threatened habitats.”

By choosing Carbon Balanced Paper, UK Greetings will fund the protection of 635 acres of threatened habitat in the Khe Nuoc Trong region of Vietnam, a remnant of biodiverse tropical forest in an area blighted by deforestation.

Riverside Greetings Launch Rebrand Riverside Greetings is making significant investments in its business including a relaunch of its brand as part of a series of initiatives designed to accelerate the growth of the greetings category in the convenience sector.

Riverside Greetings is embarking on new marketing activities designed to demonstrate to convenience retailers how important and profitable the greetings category can be. The new branding uses a less formal font and a raspberry pink background which communicates friendliness, care and approachability. The new brand is at the front and centre of point of sale, a brand-new fleet of company vehicles, new workwear, new stationery and a new website.

Speaking about the developments Andrew Glen, Riverside’s MD said, “Over the last year we’ve delivered a number of ground-breaking initiatives which have made us leaner, quicker, more flexible, better informed and able to add significant value for convenience retailers. We’re using those attributes to drive our customer’s businesses forward. The relaunch enables us to market the value which we add for our customers in a more effective way and differentiate ourselves from the traditional offerings. We have the knowledge to make relatively small displays generate significant sales and profits and we’re sharing that knowledge with an ever-growing number of retailers. Our brand relaunch is the start of a new phase in the growth of our business and the businesses of the retailers we work with.”

BCTF Acquired by Kerrison Exhibitions Limited Kerrison Exhibitions Limited acquired The British Craft Trade Fair (BCTF) after completing a deal with previous owner, PSM Limited. After the cancellation of the event in April 2020 and 2021 due to lockdown, PSM Limited were forced to seek a new owner.

A live edition of BCTF will take place from April 10-12, 2022 at the Yorkshire Event Centre in Harrogate, Kerrison Exhibitions have confirmed. As an immediate goodwill gesture, exhibitors who booked to participate in BCTF 2020 before the pandemic struck will have the opportunity to take up their stands next year at no further cost.

Previous owner, Margeret Bunn, will continue to work on the fair as a consultant and mentor for the community of British designers she has supported over the past two

decades as the Fair Director.

Mrs Bunn said, “The timing of lockdown could not have been worse for us, but I’m pleased to have found a solution which both guarantees the continuation of BCTF and honours the agreements made with exhibitors before the pandemic turned all our worlds upside down. The vast majority of exhibitors have been incredibly understanding and supportive of the predicament we found ourselves in and it’s a big relief that their faith and support will be rewarded at next year’s event. The show’s new owners have proven capability, experience and are well-funded. I’m confident this will mark a bright new chapter in the ongoing evolution of BCTF, an event which means so much to both me personally and the entire community of British makers”.

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For the modern man The ‘Fiori Rosa’ collection has extended to now include a modern selection of male general birthday, milestone age and relation titles.

This collection is known for its vivid pops of colour and contrasting black varnish detail, and the masculine designs really work well with these elements. Each card is finished with emboss detail and presented with a complementing blue envelope. The Rosanna Rossi team are continuously adding to this range with beautifully illustrated designs so please get in touch for more information. www.rosanna-rossi.co.uk

spotlight A selection of the latest greetings, gift and industry services releases

Double duty Equilibrium counter display units are always a sure winner for retailers as they are both stylish and compact and offer the perfect solution to maximise sales where limited space is available. The Equilibrium “Bracelet Bobble” Collection from Joe Davies is proving to be a popular choice as it is not only a pretty, decorative bracelet, it also doubles up as a useful hair bobble and all for under £5 retail! Bracelet Bobbles are available in nine styles/captions, each with a vibrantly coloured band, an exquisite charm and a little message, making them the perfect affordable gift. sales@joedavies.co.uk www.joedavies.co.uk | 0161 975 6300

Making a mark VENT for Change are launching their new pens made from recycled single use plastic drinks bottles, with their new Make a Mark ball pens.

The team are making use of some of the billions of bottles used each year to create the pens which are available in four bright colours to match their recycled leather notebooks and journals.

“It’s fantastic to give a longer and more purposeful life to some of the billions of bottles otherwise destined for landfill each year. Giving them second life that also spreads the message is amazing,” said Evan Lewis, Founder of VENT for Change. retail@ventforchange.co.uk for more information.

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Animal instinct StarletCharlotte has released a new greeting card range with an animal theme that brings the joy of nature to life with plenty of pops of colour and fun.

The cheery collection features florals, animals and boats and are suitable for all occasions as they are blank inside, so perfect for any heartfelt and personal messages.

To see the full range, visit www.folksy.com/shops/ StarletCharlotte. Orders can be made by email or phone. starletcharlotte@gmail.com 07554366306 | 01904 471896

Growing catalogue Middle Mouse’s catalogue of products is growing rapidly, adding two new ranges to their line-up and extending lines from their bestselling ranges, Midnight Garden and Characterful.

Middle Mouse have added ages and occasions to the Midnight Garden range, with gift wrap also on the way, and there are now 72 designs in the popular Characterful collection.

Since its spring launch, Impractical Cats is already becoming a firm favourite, with good sales across all eight cards which feature feline friends and simple illustration. More designs will be added to the range soon. sales@middlemouse.co.uk |middlemouse.co.uk

Keeping it clean!

Taking design cues from vintage packaging and soap powder boxes of the past, M!NT’s ‘Soapbox’ range shouts warm and positive birthday wishes from the rooftops.

Wording riffs on the bold claims you would find on packaging from yesteryear, such as ‘Special Edition Birthday Formula!’ or ‘Fun Guaranteed!’ and even the obligatory small print offers good news!

Cards are printed on a tactile uncoated board and feature retro half-tone detail and a bold yellow neon ink to complete the authentic ‘pop’ feel.

The cards are 5” x 7” and have a suggested retail price of £2.00. Fresh from M!NT, Soapbox combines happy, bright and bold styling with a broad mix of messaging and colours for friends and family, young and old. It’s the retro marvel that’ll make your shelves sparkle! www.mint-publishing.co.uk

More graceful ladies Following on the huge success of the new range Grace, Cherry Orchard have now added 23 stunning new designs to the range. The designs feature lovely artwork of ladies in brightly coloured elegant dresses which stand out on the grey background. The new designs cover 12 milestone ages from 16 to 100, six designs cover 16, 18 and 21 for daughter and granddaughter and five designs are for ages 18, 21, 30, 40, 50 with a friend caption. The cards are luxuriously finished with flitter and foil and are supplied with a beautiful gold envelope. The full Grace range includes 14 open designs at code 60 (RRP £1.99) and 15 relations designs with codes 60, 75 and 100 (RRP £1.99, £2.39 and £3.29). www.cherryorchardpublishing.co.uk

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COVER STORY DANILO

Back and Bigger Than Ever

This July sees the return of London greetings card exhibition PG Live and leading licensing publisher Danilo are looking forward to showcasing their exciting new greetings card and gift wrap ranges from their larger-than-ever product portfolio. Retailers and distributors will be able to see a variety of popular designs, from lifestyle brands such as The Van Gogh Museum and Animal Planet, to gaming titles Xbox, Warhammer and Minecraft, through to juvenile licenses like Coco Melon and Elmer the Elephant. So why not pop along and say hi to the Danilo team on stand 513 on July 27 and 28 to see all this and much more.

Coco Melon Providing entertaining and educational content for preschool families, Coco Melon is a combination of fun, colourful animation and classic nursery rhymes and kids songs. Appealing to boys and girls aged 1 to 4 years, Danilo is launching a brand new range of official Coca Melon greetings cards, wrap and bags.

Brightside The Brightside brand, created by Rachel Bright, with its distinctive ‘voice’ has enjoyed a huge amount of success since it was first created over 10 years ago. This fun range includes positive captions which aim to encourage, inspire, indulge and uplift.

Danilo’s new Brightside greetings card range aims to reflect these sentiments, helping people to send happy thoughts around the globe.

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The Van Gogh Museum Dedicated to the prominent works of Vincent Van Gogh, Danilo are partnering with The Van Gogh Museum to publish a new official greetings card and gift wrap range which will include some of Van Gogh’s most inspiring and revered works of art.

Elmer the Elephant Elmer remains one of the most iconic and widely read children’s book series of all time, selling over 10 million copies worldwide since it was first published by Andersen Press in 1989. New greeting cards, gift wrap and bags are being added to the wonderful world of Elmer the Patchwork Elephant which will be available at the show.

Super Mario

Xbox

Celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2021, over 300 million Super Mario games have been sold since it launched. Targeted at kids aged 6 to 12 years and families, Danilo is creating an official range of Super Mario greetings cards, wrap, bags and calendars.

First launched in 2001, Microsoftowned video gaming brand Xbox is one of the world’s most popular consoles. A new official Xbox greetings card, wrap and giftbag range featuring a fun, graffiti-style look is being released by Danilo.

LOL OMG Expanding on the immensely successful LOL Surprise range, comes the new OMG (Outrageous Millennial Girls) dolls. All about style, fashion and accessories, they launched in 2019 and have since proven popular with girls ages 7+. Danilo has designed a brand new greetings card and wrap range based on the OMG dolls edgy and standout look.

www.danilo.com | 01992 702 900

Mr Men and Little Miss The Mr Men brand celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year and Danilo will be launching a new official range of greetings cards based on the strong nostalgic appeal for adults who remember the books and TV show. It will include an array of captions and include gift wrap, bags, calendars and diaries.

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JOHN RYAN RETAIL ENVIRONMENT

Are trade shows still worth attending?

John Ryan looks at the long-awaited return of trade shows and discusses how useful they may or may not be to retailers in these changing times.

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n off. On off. That, pretty much, is the story of trade shows at the moment and more generally the tale associated with lockdown since March last year.

The shops, however, are open once again and have been trading as ‘normal’ for a little while now (well, except that everybody now wears a mask, but that’s fine).

But on trade shows, a traditional mainstay of not just the greetings card sector but almost any industry you might care to think of, is it worth signing up and getting ready for the things, only to be told that they have been delayed once again? The answer is short: yes.

But it’s a qualified affirmative.

In ‘olden times’ we would have arrived at the trade show, met a range of suppliers, some new and others familiar and then gone away with a good idea of the status quo, having placed a few orders. And the point about the whole thing was that it was not just about the orders that

were placed, but the sense of the direction of travel about what should be in your shop(s) that was one of the main reasons for attending.

Potential ongoing delays to trade shows mean that the normal order of things is disrupted and if you’re not careful you are operating somewhat in the dark and hoping that instinct and commercial savvy will carry the day.

Well, perhaps they will, but operating sporadically means more work. You can still see all of your suppliers, but it will mean a lot more schlepping around for you and them. Having everybody in one place has very obvious advantages for all parties

“Keep attending, even if it is sporadic”

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concerned, but this may not be the case currently. Unless you’re a real risk-taker, therefore, making sure you get out and about is essential.

Of course, there will be trade shows and of course they will be worthy of your time, but the way things are you will have to go over and above what you normally do to keep things on an even keel. This might actually do some good insofar as making a trip to see an individual supplier will mean that you take more time considering their ranges and end up being better informed.

Few things, however, are better for deciding what to do than the supplier, coffee, supplier, coffee, supplier routine that is the trade show hallmark. Keep attending, even if it is sporadic.

John Ryan is Stores Editor of Retail Week, a position he has held for more than two decades, and managing director of Newstores, a daily information service on what’s new in retail across the world. @newstores | www.newstores.co.uk | +44 7710 429926

Ward’s Words SARAH WARD

GIFTWARE ASSOCIATION

Inter-generational

communication Is your business communicating effectively across the generations? Sarah Ward looks of some of the communication issues facing businesses today.

I

n 2017 generation Z entered the workplace. For the first time there were five generations sideby-side as customers and employees.

How does this broad demographic influence the way you communicate with customers and manage staff effectively?

Problems can arise due to stereotyping and miscommunication making staff harder to manage and potentially leading to conflict.

George Orwell said, ‘Each generation imagines itself more intelligent than the one before and wiser than the one after it.’ The rapid pace of change in so many areas of life can lead to friction between generations.

The generational cohort theory suggests that people born within 15-20 year blocks do things in a similar way because they had similar experiences in adolescence, such as Gen Z, Millennials and Boomers. These divisions are stereotypes, people are all different and the fields are too long.

However, possessing some generational empathy is key, as understanding the way a generation grew up and how it affects their attitude can be helpful. In fact, the differences between peoples’ values and preferences are actually very small, the perceived differences are more stereotypes than reality. It is worth considering the profile of your

customers and considering if you might be using stereotypes in your marketing and communication with them.

The generations have more in common than differences and a marketing strategy to appeal to a broad age range should build on common things. All generations value family most, look for appreciation and recognition, seek work-life balance and are concerned about debt and savings.

Communication platforms cause the most problems with communication as the style used can cause barriers.

Is the tone of emails too formal, reflecting business letters for example? Also how do you speak to your audience on newer platforms such as Instagram and Tik Tok. Considering and understanding the personal communication preferences of customers and in the workplace and how to flex them is particularly valuable in building relationships and avoiding misunderstanding.

■ Is the preferred method of communication by phone, text, email, face-to-face or something else?

What is the tone, level of formality in greetings, sign offs, layout, punctuation?

■ Consider the message length, one stop detailed communication or more frequent concise messages?

■ Look at the format, including the preferred font, spacing, and even the use of bullet points ■ What grammar rules apply and do they vary on mobiles?

Are abbreviations or text speak appropriate?

■ Are there expected response times?

■ Can you utilise video or audio messages or voice mail to clearly convey your message?

■ What is your policy on the use of emojis? Always, occasionally or never?

It is important to review your communication policies to identify current challenges and make sure your message is getting through clearly to the recipient, no matter what method of communication is being used.

■

Sarah Ward is Managing Director of the British Allied Trades Federation which includes the Giftware Association. The GA is at the heart of the gift industry supporting members by offering invaluable advice and assistance. Coming originally from a retail background, she then worked at Penny Kennedy gaining extensive knowledge in the card, wrap and stationery sector, and now utilises these skills across a broader environment. www.ga-uk-org

PREVIEW PG LIVE James Ellis

Ling Designs

Reunited at last…

It has been a long time coming but the Greeting card industry will be reunited at last when PG Live returns to the Business Design Danilo Centre on July 27 and 28.

Few would have predicted that Spring Fair back in February 2020 would have been the last time many people in the greeting card industry would actually get together in one place to share what was new and exciting in their ranges and collections. But as months and then a year passed, trade shows of any size were non-existent and just when we hoped things would re-open, plans changed time and time again. But finally, July 2021 sees the return of trade events and PG Live, giving everyone

the chance to meet up, discover new ranges, be inspired by new designers and reunite with colleagues.

PG Live is promising to have a host of new launches from new names to the industry as well as old favourites that continue to sell well, plus there will some great gift, stationery and party lines to complement the card collections.

The line-up of exhibitors includes The Art File, Belly Button Designs, Ling Design, Dandelion Stationery, James Ellis, Emma Bryan, Paperlink, UK Greetings, Cath Tate Cards, Wendy JonesBlackett, Danilo, Hallmark, Jessica Hogarth, Cheeky Chops, Words ‘n’Wishes, Pigment, Woodmansterne and many more.

There will also be an exhibition of greeting card designs from the past century. Unveiled at the GCA’s 100th anniversary AGM and celebration in 2019, the GCA’s Centenary Exhibition shows how styles and tastes have changed over time as well as innovations in the industry. Curated by industry expert Geoff Sanderson with Helen Snell of Orchard

“PG Live is promising to have a host of new launches from new names to the industry as well as old favourites that continue to sell well”

Ling Designs

Design House, the exhibition includes pieces from personal and company archives as well as museums and auctions.

Buyers from retailers big and small will be in attendance to check out the show, we hope you all enjoy being back together again and find just what you’re looking for.

Show Essentials: Dates: Tuesday 27 – Wednesday 28 July 2021 Venue: Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street, Islington, London N1 0QH Opening hours: Tuesday 9.30am – 6.00pm, Wednesday 9.30am – 4.30pm

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Bloom Boom Emma Bryan is bringing floral joy to PG Live 2021 with twelve additional cards joining the current twelve Bloom Boom designs. The new designs celebrate our release from lockdown, with wording that gives a nod to our new freedoms.

The 127mm x 177mm range is printed in the UK on 350gsm textured matt board and supplied naked or eco clasped with a kraft envelope.

Visit the Emma Bryan team at PG Live at stand 146. hello@emmabryan.co.uk www.emmabryan.co.uk

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Shop talk Greetings retailers tell it how it is....

Sue Swearman

Blacketts Gift Shop Bamburgh, Northumberland How did you get into the greeting card industry or retail?

As part of a development project over 30 years ago, my husband built our first premises on a redundant site in the coastal village of Bamburgh, comprising seven holiday apartments, a restaurant and gift shop. Two years ago, we relocated into an adjacent Grade 2 listed Walled Garden, which gave us added space for gardenalia and plant sales and which also allowed the restaurant business space into which it could expand!

- always a real buzz when it flies off the shelves! And having a happy customer!

The two worsts are: watching a customer google on their phone as they browse, looking for items cheaper online. We do all we can to provide an enjoyable customer experience in a unique environment from the moment they walk through our door. The “Googlers” really make me mad - so rude!

“We’ve been manically busy! We had an advantage because we are close to Scotland, where shops didn’t open until later”

What are the best & worst things about working in retail?

The two best things are taking a risk on a new artist or line you have discovered

How have things been post-lockdown?

Are you having any ongoing issues?

We’ve been manically busy! We had an advantage because we are close to Scotland, where shops didn’t open until later. Also, Northumberland is one of the UK’s best-kept secrets! With people having to stay at home for holidays, they have had to look further afield for places and we have been rediscovered. Footfall has been unbelievable. My shoppers are about 90% visitors anyway. We have had local visitors and those people who have holiday cottages here. It seems they are happy to spend money and have a little bit more to spend. It really has been great to welcome people back into the high street and they are really appreciating the shop.

What’s in your shop window?

Eribe, Mousqueton, St Eval, Shoeless Joe, East of India, Tweedmill, Jellycat, Emma Ball.

What cards are selling well in your store at the moment?

Cards selling well currently are Louise

How do trade magazines like Greetings Today help you?

Greetings Today provides a sound insight into new trends in the industry. Going forwards, I think that trade magazines could prove invaluable as we move further into the world of the virtual trade show.

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Mulgrew and Little Dog Laughed. I’m doing a lot more local artist cards too.

Local artist Jane Jackson / Bright Seed Textiles go particularly well for us.

What is your favourite item in store?

Eribe Knitwear.. we have become a stockist this year. Such a lovely company - they mix traditional design with contemporary colours. They are a real standout line, sustainable and ethical fashion at its very best. The fact that they are made locally in the Scottish Borders is a huge selling point for us too!

What card range or category do you always ensure you keep in stock because of its popularity?

Cards always in stock here are all “feelgood”; Louise Mulgrew, Alex Clark, Little Dog Laughed, Emma Ball, Peartree Heybridge Spring Chicken Range. I love listening to customers having a giggle, and it puts them into a positive buying mode! We also have a wide range of local landscape photography cards.

Will you be going to any trade shows when they start up?

I would normally go to Harrogate but I’m on the fence about it. I’ve actually discovered lots of little independent crafts people. A lot of indies have been cold calling - normally I wouldn’t encourage it but I feel that at the moment everybody deserves a chance.

Elizabeth Blandford

Will you be going to trade fairs now they are starting to open?

Blandford Group Ledbury, Herefordshire How did you get into the greeting card industry?

I blame my husband for that! I was, of all things, working as an agronomist in the potato industry when I met Andrew, who had a shop in Broadway.

We got married and it made sense (cheap labour?!) that I joined him on the retail side of things … and 17 years later I have to say that I love my career change!

How have things been postlockdown?

It’s been really encouraging. Footfall is down but when people come in they know what they want. They buy a lot of greeting cards at once, I think to replenish their card drawers at home. Birthdays and anniversaries always happen whatever is going on in the world!

The footfall pattern has changed - we tend to get people in in the mornings, then it peters out and then it improves later in the afternoon. We’ve started opening at 9am rather than 9.30am to account for that.

We’re also getting a lot of visitors now, because of where our shops are located and people aren’t going abroad.

Yes we’ll go to Harrogate and stay the night so we get two full days. I’m so looking forward to seeing stock again!

Ordering stock online is hard - I ordered some earrings and when they came they were much bigger than I thought!

Luckily I was able to send them back.

What is in your shop window at the moment?

We are lucky to have two brilliant windows in Ledbury. One side we dress with gifts and the other side is our children’s window, so Jellycat is always in the window as well as books, jewellery, general gifts, handbags and always a selection of our greeting cards and wrap. We just always try to make them eye-catching and interesting every time.

There’s Golunski wallets, Heathcote & Ivory, cards and roll wrap from Glick, Woodmansterne and Ling.

“We try to keep Lings topped up, their Rainbow humour range goes really well in both our stores as well as their occasion cards”

What cards are selling well in your stores?

Rosie Made A Thing always sells really well, it helps having the spinner by the till. I enjoy hearing people laughing at her designs!

We also have a spinner supplied to us locally, they are just blank cards of great photographs of animals, plants, views etc. Another is a range by Ling Design called Curious Inksmith, I also love Belly Button Designs new card range and the Paper Salad Summer range - they’re bright neon and so cheery!

What card range do you always keep in stock because of its popularity?

We try to keep Lings topped up, their Rainbow humour range goes really well in both our stores as well as their occasion cards. We really keep an eye on what we call ‘The Big Boys’ card companies so that’s Woodmansterne, Ling, Paperlink. These companies are easy to order and work with and they have been really helpful to us throughout lockdown.

Have you had any strange requests for something on a card and did you have the stock to meet the demand?

Yes, I had a request for a 75th Wedding Anniversary card - that’s something isn’t it? I explained that as far as I was aware no such card yet exists, I may be wrong?

She was happy with an ‘On Your Anniversary’ card.

If you could send anyone a card from the past or present, who would it be and why?

I’ve thought hard about this and I think with everything that has been going on with lockdowns, job worries, being apart from friends and families, I’m going to say that I have and always will continue to send cards to my mum and sisters. We send each other cards that made us laugh. My mum loves a rude ‘tongue in cheek’ card and I often spot the perfect one to send to her. There doesn’t have to be a reason, it’s often ‘I saw this and thought of you’. I know when I get a card in the post it’s a great feeling.

www.greetingstoday.media 19

Shop talk

Irene Mackenzie Paper Moon Glasgow

How did you get into the greeting card industry?

I’ve always had a love of greeting cards or any kind of ephemera and after having a successful gift shop for 10 years with only two card stands, I decided it was time to start a new business venture concentrating on greeting cards. I now have 25 feet of wall display units and 10 card stands, although it’s still never enough!

What are the best & worst things about working in retail?

The best thing about working in retail is meeting so many lovely and interesting people - customers who have become friends, some great and helpful reps, and finding Fiona my amazing helper, all have been so kind and encouraging about the improvements I’ve made to the shop.

The worst thing is never having enough time to spend taking good photos and posting on social media.

How have things been postlockdown?

It’s not been too bad at all - but it’s not been great! I’ll have a week where we are quite busy and then the next week will not be so good. I hope we’re going to be fine - as long as we don’t

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go into lockdown again! Some stores managed to stay open because they sold miniature whisky and shortbread!

I have seen a change in customer we’re not seeing so many of our older customers. I hope that’s just because they are not comfortable coming out yet. We’re seeing a lot of younger people - before they had gone to work before I opened and came back after I closed. But now many are working from home so we are convenient. But having a younger age group means we need to look at our stock. Older people like cards with words, younger people tend not to - it’s still a learning process.

Will you go to the trade fairs now they are opening up?

No, I wouldn’t feel comfortable. I had Covid and was in hospital for three weeks, I wouldn’t want to chance it. I do a lot of my ordering online. With just me in the shop it’s hard to deal with reps - and of course we can only have three people in the shop. The reps that have come have been very good about stepping out while my customers browse!

What is your favourite item in store?

I’d have to say my favourite new birthday card is from The Art File range called “Fierce & Fabulous”.

You can see two of them in my window above the puffin and the Klimt cushions!

Have you had any unique requests for something on a card and did you have the stock to meet the customer’s needs?

I was asked recently for an anniversary card “To my Daughter and her Wife” and although there are quite a number of gay wedding cards now, I haven’t seen any specific family anniversary ones.

“The new Cherry Orchard ‘Grace’ range is selling well. They are in greys and have lovely gold detail”

What is in your shop window?

There’s a small display for Father’s Day, with male grooming gift sets and really nice soaps in whisky and cocktail flavours such as Rusty Nail - all from the Scottish Fine Soap Company.

Plus, cards from UK Greetings, ICG and Words ‘n’ Wishes.

What cards are selling well in your store?

The new Cherry Orchard ‘Grace’ range is selling well. They are in greys and have lovely gold detail. I’d say Pigment ‘Artisan Days’ Range is the best in blank cards just now.

If you could send anyone a card from the past or present, who would it be and why?

I would send a Thank You card to the late Oliver Sacks, the neurologist and storyteller who wrote the most fascinating book I have ever read, “The Man Who Mistook his Wife for a Hat” and for the inspiring film “Awakenings”, which was based on another of his books.

Scott Taylor

I came from an engineering background, building roller coasters and fancied a change. My aunt and uncle suggested it, so here we are.

wary about coming out. Over lockdown we dropped off cards to them - we’d drop a selection and say just pop in and drop off the leftover cards and money.

We still do that for a select number of customers.

We’ve got the website up and running but we’re not really getting any visitors.

Our customers are older and don’t really do technology.

What are the best & worst thing about working in retail?

What is in your shop window at the moment?

Terrys Wigan

How did you get into the greeting card industry or retail?

The best has to be meeting new faces and learning their stories. If I’m honest there aren’t really any bad things.

I’ve got card racks with IC&G, Kingfisher and Jonny. We’ve also got communion and confirmation cards and gifts.

“Jonny Javelin is a good seller, as always closely followed by Berni Parker and Cherry Orchard”

How have things been post-lockdown? Are you having any ongoing issues?

It’s been a bit hit and miss. We’ve not seen the footfall we had before. But when people do come in they pick up three or four months’ worth of cards at a time. We used to see 150 people a day, and now it’s 50 to 70, but luckily they are spending more.

People’s habits have changed there’s a lot of click and collect and of course people from the offices and council offices are not around to come in. But it’s been nice to see some of our regular old familiar faces.

Some of our older customers are still

What cards are selling well in your store/s at the moment?

At the moment Jonny Javelin is a good seller, as always closely followed by Berni Parker and Cherry Orchard.

What is your favourite item in store?

The toiletry giftware for men and women from the Scottish Soap Company.

What card range or category do you always ensure you keep in stock because of its popularity?

We have two, Jonny’s double captions birthday ranges and Cherry Orchard’s memory lane.

Will you be going to any trade shows now they are starting to open up?

We will hopefully go to PG Live as we can combine it with a trip to see family.

And we’ll play it by ear for the autumn show. We’re quite well covered for cards but if somebody new came along with an eco-friendly range we’d look at that.

Customers do ask for this, but they are not wanting to pay extra for it.

Have you had any strange requests for something on a card and did you have the stock to meet the customer’s needs?

The strangest request I’ve had was for a sympathy card “on the loss of your plant”, needless to say that wasn’t in stock!

If you could send anyone a card from the past or present, who would it be and why?

My Dad, who sadly passed a few years ago and who the shop is named after.

Why? Just to say hi and that he’s missed.

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On The Shop Front VIEWPOINT FROM AN INDEPENDENT

Cashless Society

Lockdown and Covid have instigated many changes in the retail landscape, Chris Fox from Wishes of Cudworth looks at potential side-effect that has far-reaching consequences.

I

t’s the year 2031. Barnsley is a still With a puzzled look he throws it away and a barren wasteland after President continues on, cash is worthless in this crazy Kanye West launched a nuclear new world. attack just over two years ago. A lone First, I can only apologise for the rather figure moves quietly indulgent intro. But there “There is no from burned out vehicle is a point to it... no really. to crumbling doorway, Even before the pandemic doubt that followed closely by his the use physical currency Coronavirus robot sausage dog, Frank. was on the decline has accelerated but there is no doubt It’s only safe to move in the shift away the light of day now. The that Coronavirus has man squeezes under a accelerated the shift away from cold hard broken metal shop shutter. cash to digital from cold hard cash to Inside he finds a small digital payments. Having payments” locker and amazingly some seen calls for cash to be lost treasures. A face mask, cancelled, what we must a notepad and pen, a Baby Shark birthday remember is once a service or facility is card and then at the very back something lost, it so often never returns. Maybe the catches the light and draws his eye. Gingerly day will come when our fiver notes and he reaches inside and pulls out a small metal copper coins are no more. Lost to history, disc decorated with the face of a woman. a distant memory like cassette tapes, Marathon chocolate bars and Woolworths.

With the growth of contact-less payments, it ultimately means that less people carry cash and our wallets are empty and trouser pockets decidedly less jangly. The future is digital but at what price?

Covid 19 is given as the reason to go contact-less as money is dirty. And whilst cash may no longer be king, what about the businesses that are unable to cope with the additional burden card payments can bring. The banking, transition and Internet fees, all mean taking our customers money is getting increasingly expensive. What about our community collection boxes?

The staff tips and couple of quid for the delivery drivers? We’ve already lost most of the high street banks and cash machines are becoming increasingly rare.

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Finally, it’s worth considering the effect a power cut or the Internet going down can have too. Earlier this year, our payment terminal stopped working after a failed software update. With six weeks before a replacement could be shipped from China, we had to scramble to swap supplier or face losing customers with no cash in their pockets.

I’m also not suggesting we rebel against the digital payment revolution.

What I’m suggesting is that we still have the choice to use either cash or card with access to such facilities. We should consider the impact a cashless society can have on local communities and small shops. As for the post-apocalyptic future I described well let’s hope it doesn’t come to be. Here’s to a brighter tomorrow, renewed optimism and our shops remaining open with lots of grubby but lovely coins and notes going into our tills.

Chris Fox works for Wishes of Cudworth a Greeting Card & Gift Shop owned and run by Julia Keeling in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. He’d like to point out this column is a little tongue in cheek and he has nothing against Kayne West or the good people of Sheffield. He’d also very much like a sausage dog, robotic or real please. www.wishesofcudworth.co.uk

IN-FOCUS ENVECO

Customisation

Capabilities Enveco are diversifying their product range to include a variety of notebooks that can be customised to your needs.

Bespoke notebooks made in the UK remain highly popular. They offer a great opportunity to turn your most popular designs into great looking notebooks and a gift worth giving or receiving. Enveco offers low minimum order quantities with a fully customisable service for notebooks enabling you to test out the waters. Their production capacity enables them to produce quantities starting very low to as large as you can achieve.

Enveco’s current production range features Perfect Bound notebooks, Saddle Stitched notebooks, Wiro notebooks (both hardcover and softcover), Weekly Planners, To-do List, Shopping pads, Notepads, Clipboards, Envelope Notecard sets, Casebound Notebooks and much more.

Simply decide on the size, style of notebook, cover material, paper weight and colour, number of pages and order quantity. You can also add on custom printed pages, elastic closers, rounded corners, foiling or embossing, bellybands, shrink-wrapping or packing into cello bags, magnetic strips and much more. The products can be customised to your wants and needs.

Contact the Enveco team on info@enveco.co.uk or call them on 01908 378 866.

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COVER STORY KALI IN-FOCUS STILEMAN CHERRY ORCHARD

New

Beginnings 2021 has been the start of many new working relationships for Cherry Orchard as they open new accounts, launch new ranges and release new designs.

As we emerge from lockdown and head for a more normal way of life, the team at Cherry Orchard have been busy launching new ranges and have opened a record number of new accounts. The new ranges include the very successful range Grace, which has beautiful ladies in elegant, brightly coloured dresses, set on a grey background and are finished with foil and flitter. The cards are supplied with a gold envelope and the feedback on these has been incredible. With such a fantastic

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response to the range, Cherry Orchard have now added 23 new designs to cover milestone ages and double captions for daughter, granddaughter and friend.

Owner and co-founder of Cherry Orchard, Jackie Collins said, “It’s been wonderful to see our independent stockists finding this range working so well for them and we’ve received fantastic feedback. It’s been such a difficult time for everyone with lockdown and restrictions, but we’ve been amazed at how many new accounts we’ve opened during 2021.

It’s always lovely to be in touch with our loyal customers, many of whom have been with us for many years and have helped us get to where we are today.

But whenever we open a new account, we hope that this is the start of a longlasting working relationship and we send a handwritten card to welcome our new stockist on board. We’re very proud of our customer care as the feedback from our stockists is what inspires us when we’re creating new designs, listening to what customers want.”

Cherry Orchard’s other new ranges, Hip Hip and Roadtrip, have also worked really well and as a result, they have put together two new catalogues, one covers everyday designs and is

full of all the latest designs that cover relations and occasions, wedding and anniversary, get well soon, thinking of you, sympathy as well as a range of open designs. With so many new ranges being launched, the team have also put together a special offers catalogue with a 50% discount on all the designs included as they need to make some space for the new collections. It’s a case of first come first served with those, so if you want to get your hands on some bargains, you’ll need to move quickly.

The sales team have been very busy out on the road, meeting up with longstanding customers and introducing themselves to new customers. They’re always happy to arrange a visit but Cherry Orchard can also take orders by telephone, email or through the website. Sending out catalogues and samples keeps everyone busy in the office where the customer care team are happy to deal with orders and enquiries and make sure everything goes well with your order.

Cherry Orchard are still cautiously optimistic about the government’s roadmap out of lockdown, but hope we’re moving in the right direction and we can look forward to brighter days ahead.

www.cherryorchardpublishing.co.uk 01684 295 500

IN-FOCUS MUSEUMS & GALLERIES

Bringing joy and optimism Three new fine art ranges from Museums & Galleries are ready to spread some joy.

Summer 2021 sees the UK entering a period of progressive opening up from the pandemic lockdown, and mirroring the buoyant mood Museums & Galleries has three new fine art greeting card ranges full of joy and optimism.

Veteran British designer Sarah Campbell is exactly the relaxed joy we all need right now.

With a career and portfolio stretching back 50 years, and still very much working today, Sarah’s exuberant sense of colour and her astute commercial appeal shines through in all her work.

Museums & Galleries have launched a range of 16 blank cards, boxed notelets, two suites of gift packaging (gift wrap, gift bags, and gift tissue), bookmarks and two premium soft cover journals. The cards are all 7” x 5”, printed on texture board and come with white envelopes (SRP £2.50). In a bold colour palette, the imagery focuses on the pleasures of exotic travel, florals, animals and birds.

Ben Dorney M&G’s Creative Director says, “We are really excited by Sarah’s work, it feels very suited to the M&G customer. We were drawn to Sarah’s joyful, expressive, vivid illustration and pattern.”

Catherine Rowe is a designer who seeks out the offbeat and unusual, and that applies to the animals in her card range – whether mythological unicorns, mermaids, or the more exotic types of earthly creature, like lemurs. “I had been sketching lemurs simply because they looked like fun to draw, and I wondered what elements I could include to complete the design,” Catherine says.

“I like to research what plants etc. would be found naturally where the animal I am sketching lives - so I did some reading on Madagascar, famously home to the lemur. The baobab tree can be found on Madagascar, and I loved the look of their incredible fruits known locally as the miracle fruit for its impressive health benefits.” Catherine’s designs are luxurious, traditional, and classy with a contemporary and playful twist. All her artwork is drawn using scraper board, a highly unusual medium evocative of a Victorian etching. There are 20 square cards with accompanying white envelopes in her launch collection (SRP £2.75).

A runaway success when introduced as gift stationery last year, Helen Ahpornsiri’s Wild Press range has been extended onto greetings cards this year. The launch collection features 16 intricately worked natural pressed foliage and petal collages depicting a kaleidoscope of animals, flowers, and pattern. Helen skilfully used traditional flower-pressing techniques to create truly inspirational, contemporary artworks. (SRP £2.65).

01373 462165 | sales@mgml.co.uk www.museumsgalleries.co.uk

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IN-FOCUS EMMA BALL

Celebrate with

Emma Ball Emma Ball Ltd celebrate their 20th Birthday in 2021 and they have lots to celebrate!

New ranges Emma Ball have two new 6” x 6” square card ranges including Feathery Feelgoods, which hopefully does exactly what it’s called with 36 birdie designs to make the recipient smile. Plus, there is the new Sealife card range with twelve coastal cards which all tie in with the other Sealife ranges.

The Coastal and award-winning Cornwall calendars are now in stock and being shipped, as well as a Coastal 2022 calendar tea towel retailing at £7.00.

The team have also added 12 new cards to Eric’s Wildlife and new florals into Caroline’s range too.

Christmas Christmas 2021 is all now coming into stock including the popular bauble cards with a removable keepsake melamine hanging bauble (RRP £4.50), 11 new Christmas card packs with a great retail price point of just £3.50, two new glass baubles and two fabulous new tea towels!

New ideas The team are also buzzing with excitement about their three brand new ranges - Eric Heyman’s Bees, Caroline Cleave’s Sunflowers, and Emma’s Penguins in Pullovers - all designed with bringing a smile in mind! They will also be adding new products to the scrummy Sheep in Sweaters collection.

There is so much to share and not enough words but drop the team a line if you’d love a catalogue.

0115 9858 081 sales@emmaball.co.uk www.emmaball.co.uk

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Celebrating

20 Years

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IN-FOCUS NIGEL QUINEY

Baby Boutique Nigel Quiney are keen to celebrate any new arrivals, producing a new Baby Boutique collection to mark the occasion.

The birth of a new child is a special day filled with lots of love and emotions, a day which deserves a special card to commemorate the event.

Nigel Quiney Publications have produced a new ‘Baby Boutique’ range to help mark this special occasion, these elegantly finished designs come foiled and inserted with lots of added love and sparkle. The beautiful Pizazz designs have the perfect blend of contemporary and traditional styling, lots of pinks and blues with modern balloons and baby grow designs.

Titles within this collection are the usual split of ‘Baby Girl’, ‘Baby Boy’, ‘Baby Son’ and ‘Baby Daughter’, complemented with the new ‘Baby Shower’ and ‘Leaving to have a Baby’ cards.

There are 12 beautiful C50 designs in the range that combine to make a stunning display, all are supplied with thick white envelopes, making these cards something very special, perfect for that memorable occasion!

For more information visit the website or email info@nigelquiney.com.

Follow the team on social media www.facebook.com/ nigelquineypublicationslimited/ twitter.com/nqpcards www.instagram.com/ nigelquineypublications/

www.nigelquiney.com

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PREVIEW LONDON STATIONERY SHOW

Back with a bang!

Discover new, buy original, be inspired at the London Stationery Show this October.

London Stationery Show is back with a bang, taking place at the Business Design Centre from October 5-6. This year’s show will host its most diverse mix of new and established paper and writing products it has ever seen.

“We’re delighted to be back and with one of the most extensive line-ups! Buyers will be spoilt for choice with a range of well-known and independent suppliers on display,” says the show’s Event Director Alex Butler. “For the first time in over two years, buyers will once again be able to discover new and original products, be inspired, and get up-to-date with the latest industry developments.”

“The importance of stationery, from everyday essentials, through to carefully chosen gifts, has never been so evident.

The variety of products on show reflects the widespread consumer appeal and offers buyers a depth of product choice,” added Alex.

2021 Exhibitor Line Up Some of stationery’s best loved brands are returning, including Avery, Clairefontaine, Cre8 Tapes, Cross, edding, Esterbrook, Exacompta, Frisk, Hahnemühle, Kaweco, Leuchtturm, Makers Cabinet, Manuscript Pen, Montegrappa, Parafernalia, Pentel, Pukka Pads, Royal Talens, Semikolon, Shaeffer, Silvine, Snopake, Stabilo,

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Staedtler, Ultratape, uni-ball and Zebra Pen. There’s also an impressive line-up of new brands, including Accent Manufacturing, Artcadia, Bark & Rock, Carioca, Goldbuch, London Block

By Block, Modena by Railex, Pixie Crew, Robert Fredrick, Storigraphic and Yop & Tom, Retro 51, plus many others.

New for 2021 As well as seeing all the latest products from leading brands, London Stationery Show is packed with all the latest industry news and trends designed to entertain, inspire and educate.

■ The Trends Hub will focus on future global consumer and design trends, and how they will impact the stationery industry and buying choices.

■ The Boutique Collection will showcase beautiful and original designs, great stationery gifts and unique finds. While LaunchPad introduces exciting new suppliers looking to break into the stationery industry.

■

For an overview of the hottest products right now, head to the Buyers’ Choice Awards where a curated selection of the exhibition’s stand-out stationery finds will be on display.

■ Retailers can try before they buy in the Creative Workshops.

■ The immersive room sets will bring carefully selected pieces to life in inspiring examples of the ‘home office’.

■ Retail Matters will help with all aspects of running a successful business through live talks and workshops with leading industry professionals and peers.

■ Catherine Erdly, founder of Resilient Retail Club will be on hand with tailored one-to-one advice in The Resilient Retail Clinic.

Entry to London Stationery Show is free for industry professionals, you can register for your ticket at www.stationeryshow.co.uk today.

Show Essentials: Dates: Tuesday 5 – Wednesday 6 October 2021 Venue: Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street, London N1 0QH Opening hours: Tuesday 9.30am – 5.00pm, Wednesday 9.30am – 4.00pm

LONDON STATIONERY SHOW 5-6 October 2021 Business Design Centre

Register now Discover the largest selection of writing and paper products from around the world in one place.

Register now at stationeryshow.co.uk

IN-FOCUS ROSANNA ROSSI

A Bit of

Sparkle Rossana Rossi are thrilled to be sharing their beautiful new ranges and designs.

The team at Rosanna Rossi are very happy to be back and showcasing their lovely new designs. The studio has been bustling with activity, creating sparkling new children’s age birthday cards, alongside new additions to best-selling ranges.

The latest collection ‘Mini Munchkins’ is all about cute, illustrative animals. Each of the 10 cards features an adorable character holding a bright, big sparkling glitter balloon – which is biodegradable of course – and the cards are presented with vivid pops of coloured complementing envelopes. These cards measure 110mm x 158mm.

Mini Munchkins is all about cute

They have also extended the ‘Confetti Sprinkles’ collection with fun birthday titles and have added some really sweet occasions too. The range is beautifully hand-illustrated with floral elements and finished with emboss and gloss varnish detail.

Finally, not forgetting the long-standing range ‘Kirra’. Rosanna Rossi have introduced more occasions to the range including anniversary, sympathy and thank you. Each card is finished with stunning emboss and satin gold foil detail.

To see more of the new designs and other ranges, please visit Rosanna Rossi trade website at

www.rosanna-rossi.co.uk

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PREVIEW

Retailer Comment “We will go to Harrogate and stay the night so we get two full days. I’m so looking forward to seeing stock again!

Ordering stock online is hard.”

Elizabeth Blandford, Blandford Group, Herefordshire.

36 www.greetingstoday.media

Home & Gift is happening!

After a long wait for events to restart, the Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival is happening as it joins with the Manchester Furniture Show at the Harrogate Convention Centre. Discover some of the plans in place and what exhibitors will be launching in our special preview.

The return of trade shows is imminent as the Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival, co-located with Manchester Furniture Show, will be going ahead as planned from July 18-21. The event will be held across the Harrogate Convention Centre (HCC) and grounds of the DoubleTree

by Hilton Harrogate, organiser Clarion Events has confirmed.

Following detailed discussions with the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Public Health Bodies and Harrogate Convention Centre, the Home and Gift Buyers’ Festival & the Manchester Furniture Show in Harrogate has been selected to be part of a limited number of pilot events in the third phase of the Government Events Research Programme.

Under the ERP pilot conditions, there will be no restrictions on visitor numbers or social distancing requirements on any day of the event. All attendees will be required to certify either they have had two vaccinations at least two weeks prior to attending or a negative NHS Lateral Flow Test at least 48 hours before attending. The consent required from all participants to opt in to the Event Research programme and NHS Test and Trace will be sent to all registered buyers and exhibitors individually.

Health and safety is paramount and remains organisers number one priority with measures such as face coverings, wider aisles, increased ventilation, an enhanced daily and deep cleaning regime being implemented. Hand sanitising

stations will be available at all entry and open and is currently tracking in line exit points and various other points across with previous years, with key names the site. A comprehensive Health and confirming their attendance and hotel Safety document with FAQs for the event stays as part of the VIP hosted buyer can be found on their website. programme. Show Director Russell The show will occupy a large footprint Rule said, “With the backing of the made up of two distinct areas, the HCC government, public health bodies, and and the Hotel Grounds with Marquees our key customers we can see that the (DP areas) occupying both outside and appetite and enthusiasm are there for indoor areas. Organisers are also providing an in-person buying and selling event. many outside areas to relax and enjoy. This There is great excitement from both means visitors and exhibitors exhibitors and visitors to are spread out across the reconnect in Harrogate exhibition, and capacity and to celebrate our 60th visitor flow can be controlled Anniversary!” effectively adhering to event Cathy Headdock, from guidelines, not affecting Bay Tree Gifts, said, “I am visitor numbers across the super excited to be visiting four days.

H&G this year. It will be Paul Hooker, Commercial the first trade show I’ve Director from Joe Davies been to for over a year and said, “At Joe Davies, we I can’t wait to find some can’t wait to attend Harrogate Home new lovely goodies for the shop, and to & Gift. After such a long break from see suppliers old and new. Holding the exhibitions we are all very excited to show in Harrogate is an added bonus meet our customers again and launch as we love the town”. our new range.”

Visitors are invited to register to The legendary Sundowners event secure their free ticket to the industry’s will take place on the Monday July favourite show! Register here: 19, outside in the grounds of the www.homeandgift.co.uk DoubleTree by Hilton hotel and renowned exhibitor party will Dates: Sunday 18 – Wednesday 21st July 2021 now take place on the Venue: Harrogate Convention Centre evening of Tuesday Opening hours: Sunday to Tuesday 9.00am – 6.00pm, July 20. Home & Gift Wednesday 9.00am – 4.00pm visitor registration is

“Health and safety is paramount and remains organisers number one priority”

Show Essentials:

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PREVIEW

Exciting times DP1, Stand C15

The Art File believe the best way to support their customers through these challenging times is to continue to publish bright new designs and creative collections which they are launching at Harrogate.

This year The Art File are launching six new Everyday collections together with over 50 new Occasion and Relation cards. There are also a number of new Everyday Gift Wraps and Bag designs. All of this newness will be launching at Harrogate Home & Gift at DP1, Stand C15.

Two new designers have joined The Art File’s ranks. It Takes Two is a brandnew collection for Autumn/Winter 2021 designed by Remy Goddard, one of the newest design team members! This playful and contemporary collection celebrates the best of female friendship, with pastel colourways and elegant illustration combining to make the collection extremely appealing.

Wildflowers is a cute collection designed by Kate Mainard, another new designer. This soft and endearing collection has a broad appeal to both adults and children due to the incredibly charming hand-drawn illustrations that depict numerous loveable characters which are printed on a textured cream board with tasteful embossing.

The Art File have teamed up with designers Susy Snow and Gracie Tapner, otherwise known Snowtap. The result is a show-stopping collection of hilarious greeting cards, combining beautifully detailed artwork with funny quips to achieve the desired chuckle. This exclusive license was born from Susy and Gracie’s love of the natural world, as well as a pun or two to for good measure.

And finally there is Parade, a new collection of Birthday and Occasion cards created by Claire Mayes. This clever collection consists of three different constructions; Zig Zag cards, 3D box cards and 3D foldout cards, all of which are packed with additional finishes including hot foils and die cuts. What’s more, the packaging is made from 120gsm paper so the cards are completely recyclable! The entire collection is made in the UK. The Art File will also have its award-winning Christmas 2021 collection showcased on the stand, including Luxury Boxes in smart fully recyclable packaging, the successful Charity Pack collection, and the Gift Packaging collection, all designed to turn even the most discerning of heads this Christmas.

www.theartfile.com

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Best-sellers and

new launches DP4-66

British-made brand Love Country will be launching a host of new products at Home & Gift as well as showcasing their top-selling seed card range.

Love Country will be showing their bestselling plantable seed card range that includes a free counter display unit, lovingly illustrated by the artist to give you an eye-catching display for your store. These cards have proven to be a popular product for their stockists despite only being launched in May this year.

With more designs on the way, these are not to be missed.

The brand will also be launching stunning new editions to their popular Home Fragrance Collection. These exciting new scents will be available in Diffusers, Room Sprays and Wax Melts in their unique colourful packaging.

Each bespoke scent is vegan-friendly and

made in England’s finest perfumeries.

Don’t miss the launch of their new design, Pollyanna, an adorable guinea pig who likes to wear flowers in her hair, along with the new hot selling designs Rosie Robin and Pip & Poppy, the loveable donkeys.

The Fine China also features Story Mugs, where each mug comes with a copy of the accompanying story written by the artist.

If you haven’t seen Love Country before, now is the perfect time to visit and see the wide range of stationery and gift items including Wooden Cards, Tableware, Fine China, Kitchenware, Wall Art, Textiles, Home Fragrance and various small gift items all beautifully illustrated by Sarah Reilly.

Quality British-made products, supplied to only one store per town. Secure your location and become a stockist by visiting them at the show.

01502 507352 support@lovecountryuk.co.uk www.lovecountryuk.co.uk

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PREVIEW

Heading to

Harrogate

Joe Davies are excited to introduce some exciting new products at Harrogate Home & Gift in July – visit them in Hall B, stand 66.

Hall B Stand 66

Currently trending is all things to do with nature.

People’s love of nature has been key this last year as everyone had more time to enjoy nature and their surroundings. The Equilibrium Back to Nature collection captures nature perfectly with its elegant leaves and rhinestone encrusted ferns which feature strongly throughout each piece. The range comes complete with its own matching packaging. Also new from the popular jewellery brand is the contemporary Kiss collection which features a range of stylish necklaces, earrings and bracelets each with a little “kiss” for that someone special.

The Tree of Life collection of home décor planters and vases have been a massive hit for Joe Davies with customers and retailers alike. With this in mind Joe Davies have developed a new collection of butterfly designs. It is available in two lovely colourways, gun metal grey and champagne, there are four modern vase shapes which feature elegant butterflies and foliage on a textured background.

Planters, décor balls and tea lights complete the collection. The Tree of Life collection also features tea lights, coaster standing plaques and photo frames with intricate laser cut trees make up the range with heartfelt messages for family and friends. The colours are a mix of neutral grey and white.

Sentiment gifts are still a popular choice, especially after such a tough year. The Just Saying collection is a vibrant range of brightly coloured gifts all with heartfelt sentiment

18 www.greetingstoday.media

messages for the loved ones in your life. The range features hanging hearts, trinket trays, gin and wine glasses, coasters and mugs and each piece comes complete with pretty branded packaging making it an ideal gift which is sure to brighten anyone’s day!

Keeping sentiment at the heart of their ranges, the Thoughtful Words range has had some exciting new pieces added to it. The new lines complement the existing range perfectly with its sweet messages and simple classy cream, metallic gold and black style.

The collection includes a heart shape trinket box, heart shape trinket tray, tea light holder, coasters, standing hearts and sweet little pebble hearts in a counter display unit.

A visit to Joe Davies spacious stand in their new position in Hall B, stand 66 shouldn’t be missed as this is an ideal opportunity to see their vast collection of gifts in its entirety.

Everything will be available in their trademark little and often quantities with a minimum order value of just £100.

Visit: Stockport, SK5 7GA sales@joedavies.co.uk www.joedavies.co.uk 0161 975 6300

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Thoughtful Words

snoozies!® Dazzle Bling Ballet

Rainbow Scrabble Frames

Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk

www.joedavies.co.uk

PREVIEW

Back on the

circuit Stand DP4-3

Natural Partners are excited by the prospect of being able to get back on the trade show circuit and meet up with customers old and new, although they promise there will be no hugging!

Natural Partners, the family-run greeting card publishing business based on the North Yorkshire coast, will be on Stand DP4-3 at Home & Gift in Harrogate and will follow that up in September on Stand 6A24 at Autumn Fair at the NEC, Birmingham.

On display will be a host of beautiful new card designs that the company has released over the last 18 months, along with some of their established best-selling ranges, featuring work by Wendy Brown, Kate Green, Tabitha Mary, Andrew Midgley, Nikki Monaghan, Vivian Riches, Mary Stubberfield, Vicky Tucker, Claire West and many more.

All Natural Partners’ 1,400+ greeting card designs, along with lots of fine art prints, can be seen on the company’s website www.naturalpartnersart. co.uk, where retailers can register with the trade part of the site to browse and order online.

To keep up-to-date with new releases and hear about occasional discount offers to trade customers, just email your details to joe@naturalpartnersart. co.uk and you will be added to the mailing list.

Natural Partners’ MD, Joe Cole, said “We’ve kept in touch with our customers with frequent emails throughout the pandemic and have had a lot of traffic through our website, but we know that many people do like to see what they are buying up close and we love the chance to chat and put faces to names! I know that the organisers of both shows have put in a huge amount of effort to make the events as safe as possible, so I hope we get lots of retailers coming along to see what’s on offer.”

www.naturalpartnersart.co.uk

42 www.greetingstoday.media

Stationery, textiles and more DP3-16 and DP3-30 Lime Tree Design are launching new collections across two stands at Harrogate in DP3, visit them both to see their range of stationery, textiles, jewellery and more.

New for Harrogate Lime Tree Design are launching their new collection of correspondence cards and notecards which are inspired by their own block print textile designs. The capsule stationery collection is designed to complement their clothing range and features motifs from the natural world including bees, florals, fish and birds. The traditional craft of block printing, takes hand carved wooden blocks and works with simple colour separations to create striking and colourful designs.

On DP3-16, you’ll discover their new collection of cotton, block print loungewear, made using their own textiles. Working with artisans in Jaipur, their fabrics are hand printed on 100% cotton using eco dyes. For every piece sold, a donation is made to British Asian Trust Oxygen Appeal. The collection features kimonos, tunics, pyjamas and bandanas.

New lavender hearts in their Liberty of London Tana Lawn collection join their boxes of fish and bird lavender drawer sachets.

Launching at Harrogate are new single boxed Tana Lawn hankies.

Plus, on DP3-30, you’ll find Lime Tree Design’s range of hand-created, British-designed jewellery and locket collection. Their jewellery collection has a new birthstone range, encompassing rings, earrings, and pendants.

01636 894043 studio@limetreecollection.com www.limetreecollection.com www.greetingstoday.media 43

PREVIEW

Make a wish DP3-5

With a WishStrings bracelet, a little wish goes a long way.

When you open a WishStrings’ Wish Bracelet, simply make a wish as you tie the bracelet around your wrist. Then, when the string begins to fray, the wish will come true, so they say.

With a collection of thoughtful sentiments and beautiful designs to choose from, WishStrings make the perfect gift your customers will really appreciate. WishStrings are lovingly handmade to order in their Scottish studio by their Wish Makers, especially for you and your customers. WishStrings also have an exciting new range of wooden Wish Tokens and exciting Wish Cards launching this year.

wishstrings@hotmail.co.uk www.wishstringswholesale.co.uk

Just heavenly Hall A, Stand 30

There are new fragrances, new additions and new gift boxes among Heaven Scent’s offerings at Harrogate.

Heaven Scent will be presenting their new amber glass candle range, which comes in a 9cl, 20cl and 30cl candle size and sits comfortably alongside their popular pharmacy pot range. Customers will also get the chance to smell the new fragrances in the Rose Gold Tin candle range that elegantly complements the amber and pharmacy pot.

They will be showcasing new additions to their Essential Candles with the Well-being Range’s six new fragrances promoting self-care. They will also be introducing their new Wellness boxes and Gift boxes, where people can choose any Heaven Scent component to go in the box.

Own label is going from strength to strength and is often a customer's first choice when deciding on a label for their product. More so than ever, retailers are embracing localism, and making Heaven Scent products their own.

01225 868788 contact@heavenscent.co.uk www.heavenscent.co.uk 44 www.greetingstoday.media

Feeling fancy Hall A, Stand 22

Fancy Metal Goods have plenty to shout about as they share their latest brand collections and fabulous designs at Home & Gift.

The company are having an amazing year with Alice Wheeler London, introducing the Spring/Summer 21 collection of beauty and fashion accessories, featuring brand new designs and an array of joyful colourways with co-ordinating Geo patterns.

Harrogate provides their first opportunity to showcase Alice Wheeler’s latest designs and preview the Autumn 21 collection featuring the all new show-stopping range of beauty and fashion accessories, crafted using the finest faux animal print designs.

This year has seen a huge interest in Alice Wheeler backpacks, and FMG are introducing a wonderful range of new designs and accessories to co-ordinate and complement their latest colour palettes. These include some additional gems designed to add further value and depth to this hugely successful collection.

New from the stables of FMG Ltd is Paul Oliver Designs, a luxury lifestyle brand, offering classic men’s accessories fused with contemporary accents.

FMG are proud and excited to be showcasing this fabulous new range. Crafted in the finest faux vegan leathers and canvases; with attention to detail, FMG have created a luxurious, everyday range of wash/toiletry bags. There are two categories, beauty and fashion, incorporating two designs multi stripe and graphite band.

Fashion accessories includes functional but stylish messenger bags, wrap top back packs and the category includes RFID bi-fold wallets housed in Paul Oliver branded gift boxes. In addition, they have created a selection of gift-boxed sets, featuring three and five-piece manicure sets, cardholder and keyring combination sets and organiser trays. Perfect and practical gifts for any occasion.

Paul Oliver is about exquisite designs meeting today’s demands, which include two styles of iPad cases and a generous compartment tech organiser. The ideal travel or home accessory to house all cables and chargers neatly together.

0121 459 49777 office@fmgsales.co.uk

44 Gifts Today

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PREVIEW

All about eco Hall M, Stand 25 Heyland & Whittle reveal a new eco collection to help customers make more environmentallyfriendly choices.

Heyland & Whittle have released an eco-collection of fragrant, hand-poured and blended soy candles and reed diffusers, housed in 100% recycled glass and packaged in 100% recycled card. This eco-collection helps customers to make more eco-friendly lifestyle choices in the home.

This new eco collection takes Heyland & Whittle’s commitment as a business to care for the planet one step further. Not only does the collection use 100% recycled glass and is packaged in 100% recycled card, the diffuser and candle vessels can be re-purposed again and again as drink or cocktail glasses, hot beverage glasses, flower vases, biscuit and snack bowls, water and juice jugs and decorative pots.

The fragrant hand-poured candles are made with a sustainable soy wax and essential oil blend for a clean, slow, even burn. There are three new fragrances in this collection, available as both diffuser and candle options - come and sniff!

■ Geranium & Oud: Fresh and rich green, peppery geranium blended with sweet, smoky oud and fragrant hints of rose, jasmine and praline.

■ Mint & Bergamot: Uplifting and refreshing fresh, cool mint blended with zesty, citrussy bergamot –the ‘just picked’ aroma of summer.

■ Hibiscus & White Tea: Calming and relaxing woody citrus notes of white tea blended with gentle florals, hibiscus, freesia and jasmine - a gentle aroma with feel-good benefits.

Also new from Heyland & Whittle are twelve fragrant, 100% natural, handmade soaps boxed in recycled card make it easier for customers to care for both the planet and their family. This new collection of palm oil-free soaps promises a better tomorrow for the planet.

Heyland & Whittle are well practised in the artisan production of handmade, 100% natural soaps. They follow the cold processed method using only 100% natural, pure ingredients, including essential oils, herbs, spices and natural colourings such as madder root and turmeric.

All the soaps are proudly handmade by them in their workshop in West Sussex. All paraben and sulphate-free and not tested on animals.

01293 525825 sales@heylandandwhittle.co.uk ww.heylandandwhittle.co.uk

46 www.greetingstoday.media

Wonderful Warmies Hall B, Stand 81

Intelex are set to launch multiple new Warmies ranges at Harrogate to get you through the year.

The summer of 2021 will see the release of four new Warmies ranges, including The Luxury Range, that’s made up of Luxury Boots, Slippers and Neck Wraps. What sets this range aside from any other product is the use of the all-new luxurious fabric. This soft touch, opulent faux-fur takes comfort to new heights and gives luxury a new meaning. The entire collection will be available in three new colourways; Charcoal, Latte and Steel Grey. This is the perfect range if you’re looking to treat someone special or if you’ve decided the time is now to invest in self-care.

Alongside the Luxury Range, they have welcomed Warmies’ My First collection. This range is aimed at new babies and young children, and is designed to be their first soft toy but can be enjoyed by any age. This six-toy collection includes a Donkey, Elephant, Hippo, Pig, Puppy and Sloth, and offer a supers soft-touch corduroy, also benefitting from silky smooth assets – perfect for your little one’s sensory learning.

Warmies’ Sentiments Bears will be launching later this year, and will be showcased at Harrogate. This four-piece collection offers sentiment messages of Congratulations, Happy Birthday, I Love You and New Baby. These reheatable furry friends are the perfect gift for your nearest and dearest when celebrating special occasions, and also feature the signature Lavender Scent to make them even more luxurious.

Intelex will also be launching a whole new range of the Warmies original item; the HotPak – but this time, they’ve

made them luxury. With 12 beautiful new designs to choose from, including signature lavender, woodland and polka dot, there’s something for everyone. The new designs come with a fleeced back for extra comfort and added softness, offering you all the benefits of the original HotPak, and more.

As well as these exciting new collections, Intelex will be showcasing 16 new large Soft Toy designs and a 20-piece collection of 9” Junior Soft Toys to name a few.

01933 679 777 sales@warmies.co.uk www.warmies.co.uk

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PREVIEW

A bird’s eye view Hall B, Stand 61 Opticaid are relaunching their I Like Birds collection of glasses and wallets.

Opticaid is using Harrogate Home & Gift to relaunch its range of premium reading glasses and RFID card blocking wallets designed by Stuart Cox of the award-winning brand I Like Birds after the pandemic delayed their launch plans.

The reading glasses feature eight designs of well-loved birds in eye-catching to sober designs – all featuring scratch resistant and aspheric thin lenses, durable spring hinges, coordinating neoprene case and very tactile recyclable gift box. They retail for a competitive £17 and retail packages come with branded point of sale and an I Like Birds optical stand.

‘We started with over 200 variations and have ended up with eight frames and designs, but we think we’ve got something for everyone,’ says Gillian Marchbank, buyer. ‘The range appeals to those who already love the I Like Bird brand, or those who need a pair of really cool or slightly quirky readers.

Initial response was excellent but we shelved our plans as retailers had to close.’

The I Like Birds collaboration also includes 12 RFID blocking credit card wallets featuring iconic bird designs. These retail at £7 and can be bought by design or in assorted retail packs.

0113 239 1400 sales@opticaid.net www.opticaid.net

Colour & style DP3-8

The award-winning Miss Milly brand will be showcasing current spring/ summer lines for immediate delivery as well as new lines for Autumn/Winter.

Miss Milly brings colour and style to your store at affordable prices. This gorgeous range of jewellery and accessories has a low £100 minimum order and no MOQs. Miss Milly expects many buyers to still be stocking cautiously as we emerge from our Covid cocoon and is anticipating the traditional Autumn/Winter darker and jewel colour palette being most popular with dark red, navy, teal, purple and grey all featuring. But it wouldn’t be Miss Milly without some brightness too, so expect to see pink, orange and a bit of turquoise in the new lines.

The need to lighten the mood has resulted in some very cute, matt silver squirrel, reindeer and donkey brooches, which are being added to popular animal styles from 2019/20 alongside the best-selling magnetic brooches.

01905 622509 hello@missmilly.co.uk www.missmilly.co.uk 48 www.greetingstoday.media

For the bumblebee DP1-A63

Marmalade of London are launching their Autumn/Winter range at Harrogate and a percentage of the profits help Bumblebee Conservation.

Bring your garden inside with the Marmalade of London Mosney Mill Botanical range. They will be launching their Autumn/Winter range at the Harrogate show and the company are giving 5% of the profits to the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.

There are currently 24 species of bumblebee in Britain.

Another, the Shorthaired bumblebee, is being reintroduced after going extinct in 1988. Britain also has two extinct bumblebee species: Cullum’s bumblebee, last recorded on the Berkshire Downs in 1941, and the Apple bumblebee (a short-lived establishment on the south coast in the mid1800s).

Bumblebees are large, furry, and charismatic four-winged insects that belong to an order called the Hymenoptera, which also includes sawflies, ants, and wasps. They are well known for their meandering, ‘bumbling’ flight, and their distinctive buzz, which is where their Latin name Bombus originates.

Bumblebees don’t make honey, as they do not need to store food for winter. Instead, the season’s new queens hibernate and emerge to found their own nests in the Spring. You can find out about this charity at: bumblebeeconservation.org.

T: 01242 257509 E: hello@marmaladeoflondon.com www.marmaladeoflondon.com

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PREVIEW

New jewellery for all DP3-40

Sometimes you need a piece of jewellery just because, and Life Charms have the collections to fill that need.

If you are looking to stock something fresh, modern and fast selling to your 2021 offer, then check out Life Charms.

The company’s new #justbecause range continues to sell extremely well. What’s more, they are introducing new gift sets, gift boxes and a Christmas Collection, meaning there are lots of new lines for their customers to see at the show.

Whether it’s a gift for a friend, mum, grandmother or sister, the collection of bracelets and necklaces has something for everyone. The charms include stars, hearts, horseshoes, bumblebees and even a coffee cup to appeal to the taste of women of all ages.

info@lifecharms.co.uk www.lifecharms-trade.co.uk 50 www.greetingstoday.media

Retail Advice

Deckled Edge

WITH HENRI DAVIS

Have you missed

trade fairs?

J

une 8th 2021 was a big milestone for me , I went to my first trade fair since February 2020!! It was Source a 2-day show in Exeter.

I had a conversation a few weeks ago adamant that I wouldn’t go to a trade fair even though I was keen to find new products. I didn’t want to travel by train, stay in a hotel and I was really uncertain about being indoors with so many people.

So why did I go? The location meant I could drive and do the trip in a day. I’m new in the food sector and desperate to find good new local suppliers and the focus of this event was very relevant.

What did I find? It was wonderful to talk to suppliers and to see and touch their products. Did I feel compromised by the indoor environment? Not really, the stands were well spaced and the event wasn’t overcrowded. The worst thing was wearing a face mask for such a long

James Ellis

Trade fairs are finally being allowed to operate once more. Henri Davis looks at how important they are to small businesses. new buyers can view my offering and period in a warm environment. It was a really positive experience for me, it felt like see and feel my products. For me it’s also important to meet fellow a real step forward and the “Many publishers, industry suppliers and products I found will be a see emerging trends. The cost of real bonus this summer. businesses exhibiting is high and is a risk but Sue Morrish from The used I believe I need to take such risks Eco Friendly Card Company lockdown to grow my business.” was exhibiting, I caught Many businesses used up with her after the show, to innovate lockdown to innovate and where she said, “I was really and trade trade shows will be the ideal excited to be back at a trade shows will opportunity to showcase what show, I’ve missed having be the ideal they have been doing. For face-to-face conversations with customers and wanted opportunity example, James Ellis now offer our south-west stockists to showcase 100% recyclable plastic-free stationery having developed a to have a chance to see what they simple plastic-free method of our new ranges in person. have been packaging their notecards.

I didn’t expect the show to With Home & Gift and PG Live generate lots of revenue we doing” confirmed as going ahead in went because we wanted July those wanting trade fairs to open their to send a message that we are open for business. Surprisingly we more than covered doors will be feeling very excited. our costs with orders taken at the show Eco Friendly Card and got some really valuable leads. I’m Company very pleased.”

A publisher keen to get back to shows is Janna of Deckled Edge, “We do need trade shows. I feel it is still so important for me to expose my business and collections to a real live face-to-face audience so

Henri Davis is an independent retail advisor to businesses in the cards, gifts, stationery and heritage industries with more than 35 years of retail experience. She has worked for Habitat, Next, WHSmith and the National Trust and now advises retailers, visitor attractions, manufacturers and suppliers. A past Chairman of the Giftware Association, during lockdown she has taken over a village store and moved to Cornwall. For more information visit www.henridavis.co.uk.

www.greetingstoday.media 51

www.greetingstoday.co.uk 19

Simply Beautiful Cards

www.naturalpartnersart.co.uk

Home & Gift, Harrogate (18-21 July) Autumn Fair, NEC Birmingham (5-8 September) Stand DP4-3 Stand 6A24 See our full range of more than 1,500 greeting card and print designs by 56 talented artists and photographers at

www.naturalpartnersart.co.uk