Leader

Hello 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 ll 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 co ee, 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 rst 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 di erent 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 nally 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 icking 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.

leader Editor Rachel King

Send your views and submissions for the magazine to: rachel@lemapublishing.co.uk Tel: 01442 289930 It isn’t until you can’t do something you ‘ realise just how important it is’

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