Progressive Gifts & Home - January 2016

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January 2016

FORTHCOMING EVENTS Home Show

17th-19th January

Olympia London Stand G63

January Furniture Show

24th-27th January

NEC Hall 3 Stand P10

Spring Fair

7th-11th February

NEC Hall 8 Stand 8C03

+44 (0)1223 895800 Cambridge Road, Linton, Cambridgeshire, CB21 4NN Visit our new website at www.thelibracompany.co.uk

T F P L #INSPIRINGINTERIORS

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www.max-publishing.co.uk The home of market leading trade magazines

From baby to toddler to starting school

EXHIBITIONS

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15

Max Publishing Ltd, United House, North Road, London N7 9DP. Tel: 020 7700 6740 Fax: 020 7607 6411 www.progressivegifts.co.uk www.thegreatsawards.co.uk

This Month

As we say goodbye to 2015, it's interesting to reflect on what sort of year it's been for the gift industry.

The good news is that there have been many milestone anniversaries to celebrate and numerous awards won by both retailers and suppliers.

In addition, two industry stalwarts were Royally honoured at Buckingham Palace. Paul Farmer, md of Wade Ceramics, received an OBE presented to him

by HRH Prince Charles for both international trade and his contribution to the ceramics industry, while Dids MacDonald, the founder and chief executive of ACID, received an OBE from HRH The Princess Royal for her fight against design infringement.

The industry has also found itself well and truly in the media spotlight. Not only has it been featured in the local and national press, but also on TV, with BBC Breakfast's presenter Steph McGovern broadcasting live from the Wax Lyrical factory in April, following a £1m investment, and the Great British Pottery Throw Down on BBC 2, filmed at Middleport Pottery in Stoke-on-Trent, giving a welcome high profile boost to the potteries. For the full round-up, see A Year in Gifts on pages 23-27.

On the not such good news front, the Chancellor's Autumn Statement in late November definitely rocked the boat on the controversial business rates front. George Osborne announced that the promised 'structural review' of business rates would be postponed until the Budget on March 16. Plus, the £1,500 business rate discount that, in the last year, was given to any premises with a rateable value of less than £50,00, was removed without warning, a decision that, very unfortunately, is sure to affect many gift indies in 2016. (See A Poor Rating on pages 31-33).

Nevertheless, as I'm constantly hearing from people in the trade, regardless of external influences which are beyond their control, the good gift shops are continuing to invest and diversify. And with great gift shops and gift departments in mind, The Greats Awards, are now in full swing, so we want to hear from gift shops and gift departments that have raised their game over the past 12 months.

Whether it's through marketing initiatives, creating a visitor experience, opening a new outlet or investing in a refit, for those who think they stand out as exemplary retailers and would like to see their name on a Greats trophy in 2016, we want to hear from you! An entry form has been enclosed with this issue, plus, forms can also be downloaded from The Greats 2016 website by visiting www.thegreatsawards.co.uk.

In addition, category sponsors, suppliers, reps and agents are all invited to nominate outstanding shops or gift departments. The closing date for entries is Friday January 22, so there's still plenty of time to get entries in the post.

As we ring in the New Year, the PG&H team would like to wish all our readers a very happy, healthy and successful New Year. Pre-Spring Fair, we'll be back with a bumper February issue so get ready for all the latest news and views, to include whether Christmas was a cracker for the gift industry! (At the time of going to press in early December, it's too early to call).

Here's to 2016!

Above: PG&H's Sue Marks and Angie Bryant recently visited the state-of-the-art Wax Lyrical Factory in Ulverston. They are shown with chairman Mike Armstead. (See Proud To Be British on pages 50-51).

Cover: Lolita distributed in the UK by Enesco.

Publishers Jacqueline Brown, Warren Lomax and Ian Hyder

Design & Production Russell Sutton

Subscriptions enquiries maxsubscriptions@marketingreinforcements.co.uk Tel: 020 8943 9541 ABC figure 6,788 July 1st 2010 - 30th June 2011 Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation.

Progressive Gifts & Home is published 7 times a year.

Subscription: UK; one year £50, two years £85 or three years £110. Overseas; one year £75, two years £125 or three years £165. Please send your cheque to: Progressive Gifts & Home, Max Publishing Ltd, United House, North Road, London N7 9DP. Tel: 020 7700 6740 Fax 020 7609 4222/020 7607 6411 email: ianh@max-publishing.co.uk Copyright 2008. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information in this magazine was correct at the time of going to press, the publishers cannot accept legal liability for any errors or omissions, nor can they accept responsibility for the standing of advertisers nor any organisation mentioned in the text. Views of contributors do not necessarily reflect those of the publishers.

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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17—19 January 2016 Olympia, London

HOME Experience the new, beautifully curated world of Home at Top Drawer.

Discover a carefully edited, global cross-section of products from the finest brands and designers.

Be part of the evolution of Home at London’s international event for creative retailers: Top Drawer.

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Inside PAGES 23-27

7-19

News

21

Gift of the Gab IN PRAISE OF BIDs

23-27 Feedback A YEAR IN GIFTS 29

PAGES 67-69 Sounding Off JUST THE WAY IT WAS MEANT TO BE

31-33 Industry Issue A POOR RATING 35-37 Retailer Face To Face... Cheltenham GOING FOR GOLD 39

Spotlight On... Giving & Living COAST TO COAST

43-47 Spotlight On... Reed Diffusers MAKING A FRAGRANT STATEMENT 50-51 In Profile: Wax Lyrical PROUD TO BE BRITISH 53

Trends: Bees BUSY BEES

55-57 Spotlight On... Mother's Day Gifts MUM'S THE WORD 58-59 In Profile: Dealers THE TREASURE TROVE THAT IS DEALERS 61-63 Spotlight On... Licensed Giftware HOT PROPERTIES 67-69 Spotlight On... Collectables AN EMOTIONAL ATTRACTION 80-81 Best Sellers 85

On The Road: Doug Kilby

85

Last Word: Abigail Ahern

Sue Marks Editor

Angie Bryant Advertisement Manager

Ian Hyder Publishing Director

suem@max-publishing.co.uk

angieb@max-publishing.co.uk

ianh@max-publishing.co.uk PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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Industry News

The Greats Awards 2016 A Honey Of An Event Plans are well underway for The Greats gift retailer Awards 2016. Tickets have already gone on sale for the Awards which will take place in the Ballroom of the glittering Grosvenor House Hotel on London's Park Lane on Thursday May 5.

Following two consecutive sell-out events, the new venue (in the newly refurbished historic ballroom) will host some 450 people from the gift industry who will be welcomed with a champagne reception, followed by a sumptuous three course lunch and wine, a celebrity comedian, the Awards ceremony itself, and plenty of after party networking!

Everyone is ‘abuzz’ and ‘aflutter’ about the theme of this year Greats which is Bees, Birds and Butterflies, with the beautiful imagery of Sharon Jervis (founder of Beefayre) helping to set the tone.

Other key names who have already pledged their support to make The Greats Awards special including Root Candles, which will be sponsoring the drinks reception as well as the Best Specialist Multiple Retailer of Gifts category. For this year's full line up of sponsors to date, see The Greats Sponsors 2016, below.

There's still time to enter the Awards - the closing date is Friday January 22 with gift retailers across the spectrum, from the smallest village shop to the largest department stores and garden centres, invited to reveal why their shop or gift department stands out head and shoulders from the crowd.

A Greats entry form is enclosed with this issue, and can also be downloaded directly from The Greats website www.thegreatsawards.co.uk.

"Year on year, gift retailers of all shapes and sizes continue to up their game, and we look forward to receiving another bumper entry," says Sue Marks, editor of Progressive Gifts & Home.

For tickets, contact event organiser Claire Davis at Createvents on 01183 340085 or email Clare at clare@createvents.co.uk. To find out more about the Awards and how to enter, visit www.thegreatsawards.co.uk.

Left: The coveted Greats trophy.

The Greats Sponsors 2016 PG&H is proud to fanfare an impressive line-up of category sponsors for The Greats Awards 2016. They include: Carte Blanche Group; Christmas & Gift Harrogate; Gift Republic; Gisela Graham; i2i Events/Autumn Fair/Spring Fair; Joe Davies; Kaemingk; London Stationery Show/National Stationery Week; Parlane International; PG Live; Premier Decorations; Ravensden; Really Good/Soul; Root Candles; Sass & Belle; The Giftware Association; Wild & Wolf; Xystos and Yankee Candle.

PG Live's Website Gets A Makeover Max Exhibitions, organisers of PG Live, has launched a new website for its dedicated greeting card trade show which takes place from May 10-11 at London's Business Design Centre, a popular exhibition for gift shops.

The online portal, www.progressivegreetingslive.com, has been transformed to reflect the exhibition's fresh, modern approach to trade shows.

“Our new website makes planning for and attending PG Live even easier,” explains marketing manager Jacqui Parr. “We wanted to make the website faster, easier to navigate and more user-friendly, while still keeping the friendly feel PG Live is so famous for.”

Continues Jacqui: “The fresh, clean design allows buyers to browse all the exhibitors' exciting new ranges and designs in advance, making their time at the show as productive as possible, while the newly positioned exhibitor zone allows publishers to make the most of their preview page on the website.”

The newly-designed exhibitor zone will allow the 250+ publishers, artists and designers who are exhibiting to showcase their latest collections in advance of the show. Meanwhile, the simple navigation and streamlined content makes it simple for visitors to plan everything ranging from which exhibitors they want to see to where they want to stay overnight.

Brimming with information about the show, as well as helpful links to local accommodation and entertainment, the website continues to be a valuable online resource.

BCTF Launches London Show The organisers of the British Craft Trade Fair (BCTF), which is traditionally held in Harrogate during April, have confirmed an additional Autumn edition of the fair which will take place at The Old Truman Brewery in East London's trendy art quarter, Brick Lane, from September 11-13.

The show - the only trade fair that solely represents British design - is now in its 40th year, representing British designer-makers who want to profile and sell their creative work to independent home and gift retailers, galleries and heritage shops, as well as interior designers and architectural practises that are looking to commission pieces of art for public and private projects.

To register, visit www.bctf.co.uk

Christmas '16 Collections Unveiled Widdop Bingham's Christmas 2016 showroom opened at the company's head offices in Oldham, Manchester at the beginning of December and will remain on show until March 31. There will be nine themed Christmas stories incorporating tree decorations, festive home accessories and Christmas candle holders, with plenty of ideas for in-store merchandising.

During January, the company will be previewing its entire Spring 2016 collection in its showrooms prior to Spring Fair.

Appointments can be booked by visiting www.widdop.co.uk Above: Widdop Bingham's Golden Grandeur.

Happy 10th Anniversary Xystos, which has enjoyed a record-breaking 2015 with its flame and fragrance offering which include WoodWick, HearthWick, Kringle and Acquiesse, is currently celebrating the company's 10th anniversary. "We started out with products that included figurines and collectables, but now there is a 100% focus on flame and fragrance products and accessories, representing some of the most renowned American candle brands," says director Tom Sykes. "Looking to 2016, we are building on our success with a new American candle brand entering the portfolio, Candle-Lite, which we will be launching at Spring Fair. It’s more mass market representing affordable luxury. Our product range has a wide appeal. Ten years on, we have become a one stop fragrance shop, with greeting card shops a growth area this year."

Below: HearthWick’s Paradise Blue from US supplier Virginia Gift Brands, distributed by Xystos.

Left: The new look PG Live website.

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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Industry News

Chancellor's Autumn Statement Shock For Gift Indies The much anticipated ‘root and branch’ review of business rates, desired by independent retailers who are paying business rates based on the value of their property from the pre-recession era, failed to materialise in Chancellor George Osborne’s Autumn Statement at the end of November. The much anticipated 'Structural Review' has been re-scheduled to take place in the Budget on March 16.

Instead, the Chancellor hit many small independent gift retailers with a shock sting in the tail. The £1,500 Business Rate discount that in the last year was given to any premises with a rateable value of less than £50,000 encompassing most independent retailers - has been removed without warning. This will hit many small independents very hard, as the average rateable value of shops in England and Wales is £27,290.

“This will hurt high streets as early as April next year and small shops will see bills rise even higher than they already Above: Chancellor George Osborne dealt independent would have as the rates multiplier will increase then as well," stated retailers an unwelcome blow.

Alan Hawkins ceo of bira, the British Independent Retailers Association.“Make no mistake, high street pain is not over. Vacancy rates are still more than twice pre–crash levels and more small shops are closing now than opening."

However, he cautiously welcomed the fact that the Chancellor confirmed that the conclusions of his business rates review will be announced in the Budget next Spring. “At least it gives us a date to concentrate on and a chance for the government to adopt bira’s reform," Alan concluded.

(See Industry Issue A Poor Rating on pages 31-33).

Russian Around Wildlife artist Hannah Dale recently visited Moscow's flagship store Dom Farfora as part of a special family day to mark the 50th anniversary of the company. Hannah, whose illustrations feature on Portmeirion Group's Royal Worcester Wrendale Designs giftware collection, hosted painting master classes to specially invited guests at the store on Leninski Prospect.

“Hannah's visit to Russia helped our distributor Dom Farfora engage with their customers," comments Portmeirion Group’s head of export Carol Clyde. "The event is just one of the initiatives we are undertaking as part of our ongoing global strategy to work closely with our customers to support their sales efforts and promote our iconic British brands.”

Adds Hannah: "It was great to get close to the people who are buying and appreciating my designs and I took a great deal of inspiration from the event.”

Portmeirion Group recently invested £1.5m in a new kiln which will increase factory capacity by up to 50% Left: Artist Hannah Dale at work.

Above: Among Hannah's range of mugs for Portmeirion’s Royal Worcester brand.

Black Friday A High Street Flop

In Praise Of Mums Mother's Day is the theme of Caroline Gardner's latest window display competition, with customers receiving a poster to help them create their display. The winners of the two top prizes will receive a £200 Caroline Gardner gift voucher, and the three runners-up will each receive a £50 Caroline Gardner gift voucher.

The vouchers can be spent on the shops’ next trade order.

Entrants windows will also be featured on the company's social media activity.

Right: Caroline Gardner's Mother's Day leaflet invites customers to create a prize winning window display.

Gift Giving On The Up According to the latest research from analysts GfK, the gift of giving is alive and kicking.“This year we plan to spend more on gifts for our nearest and dearest rather than on ourselves," says GfK's consumer expert Joe Staton, "with men more likely than women to dig deep when buying gifts."

Adds Joe: "In contrast, compared to last year, we plan to cut back spending on clothing, booze and self-gifting splurges.”

High Street News Bishopsthorpe Road in York (affectionately known as Bishy Road), has been chosen as the Great British High Street of the Year. Out of the 80 shops and businesses, some 90% are independents. Among them is Frankie & Johnny's Cookshop. As well as selling kitchenware and baking items, the retail outlet also sells gifts, tableware, greeting cards and giftwrap.

"We'll be sharing Bishy's top tips with other high streets across the country to make sure others learn from their success," stated Marcus Jones, the minister for local government, speaking at the awards event which was held at London's Admiralty House.

Showing just how progressive Bishy Road is, local companies have developed an app to inspire shoppers, with representatives going round the country to help other high streets to be as successful.

Over 230 streets were entered in this year's competition, with 200,000 votes received. The annual event is organised by the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Below: Bishy Road, Britain's award winning High Street.

Although Black Friday was another mega success for online retailing - sales are said to have totalled over £1bn bricks, and mortar stores, such as Tesco and Argos, reported that footfall was significantly down compared to last year, with many gift independents reporting that the two days following Cyber Monday were particularly quiet.

Retail data from Springboard research company revealed a 62% increase in online sales between midnight and 7am compared to the previous year, while high streets and shopping centres were down by 6.5%. Such was the demand for goods online that many websites operated a queuing system. According to a survey by Visa, it was estimated that at least a fifth of workers had planned to take a day off 'sick'.

Black Friday has become the biggest shopping event of the year, kick-starting the Christmas gift-buying season.

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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The Largest Collection of Greeting Card Publishers in the World A unique trade show for the greetings industry, PG Live brings the wonderful world of cards to life.

Save the Date!

Put 10-11 May in your diary, we’d love to see you there!

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Industry News

Balmoral Buys Enesco LLC

Below: New Lolita glassware from Enesco.

New CEO To Lead The Way Los Angeles based Balmoral Funds has aquired Enesco LLC. “We are excited to welcome Enesco to the Balmoral Fund family of consumer product companies,” comments Jonathan Victor, Balmoral's senior md.

Enesco's portfolio includes highly recognised company-owned brands, such as Gund, Department 56, Our Name Is Mud, and Gregg Gifts, as well as iconic licensed brands such as Jim Shore, Disney, Britto and Peanuts.

Todd Mavis, an operating advisor for Balmoral, specialising in growth opportunities, has been appointed as ceo having previously been ceo of Katun Corporation and First Advantage Corporation. “There are many reasons to be excited about joining the company - great brands, global reach, and an experienced management team,” commented Todd. “I'm looking forward to working closely with our licensors, retailers and suppliers to meet the needs of our consumer customers."

Enesco is a global leader in gifts, plush toy, and home and garden decor industries, with over 40,000 customers worldwide. Balmoral Funds is a private equity fund focused on partnering with talented and committed management teams in the mid-market. l Enesco Europe will be welcoming the Lolita brand into its portfolio in 2016 having recently signed an exclusive worldwide agreement. "We will continue to offer the current best selling wine and beer glasses, as well as new introductions, starting in January, with 14 brand new designs," says Enesco’s director of marketing Helen Shield.

Lolita's combination of fun and sentiment driven messages feature on high quality, hand-painted, embellished glass.

Monty Bojangles

Left: Monty Bojangles' bright new packaging.

Start Licensing is working with award winning truffle brand Monty Bojangles to develop a licensing programme that features a recently refreshed packaging style. The brand has invested in a new design, which gives it an original look.

"With distinct colourways, each box of truffles shows a 'new adventure in taste' with varieties including Cookie Moon, Choccy Scoffy and Orange Angelical," explains Start Licensing's md Ian Downes. The design work features a collage of Victorian etchings, original botanical drawings and hand-painted illustrations. "We are looking to develop further activity in stationery and kitchenware and also looking develop food licenses," highlights Ian. (See Licensed Giftware on pages 61-63).

Charity Filmakers And Fundraisers Andrew Norman-Smith, director of Nemesis Now, fantasy and gothic giftware specialists, and his wildlife designer wife Lisa Parker, are going to Soi dogs in Thailand to film for a week during March. "We love all animals and are passionate about animal welfare, so would like to see an end to cruelty," says Lisa.

Lisa and Andrew, who work with companies worldwide, are hoping to enlist their to help to ensure the non-profit charity becomes more widely known. "The dogs are subject to horrendous cruelty and conditions, so we're hoping that our light-hearted fun videos will get lots of shares," Lisa explains. "We will be approaching it from a different angle to show the good that the charity does."

The couple have started a web page as well as a donation site.

"Hopefully we can surprise Soi dogs with a big amount when we arrive," enthuses Lisa.

There will be card standees throughout Spring Fair showcasing Soi dog video diaries. Visit www.soidogtrip.com and www.soidog.org/

A Cuddly Toy Fit For A Princess A Jellycat Fuddlewuddle fluffy puppy was recently highlighted as HRH Princess Charlotte's favourite cuddly toy. The photo, taken by proud mum Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, was recently the focus of a double page spread in the Daily Mail, with the normally publicity shy Jellycat very much in the frame.

The company, founded in 1999, turned over sales of £25m in 2014, with the Royal 'endorsement' hopefully guaranteed to set the tills ringing for many gift and toy shop stockists.

Above: Jellycat's Fuddlewuddle dog.

All Fired Up Master potter Keith Brymer Jones, together with fellow potter Kate Malone, were the judges on The Great Pottery Throw Down series on BBC 2 filmed at Middleport Pottery in Stoke-on-Trent. With 10 home potters in the frame for the title of Top Potter, the series followed the ups and downs of the contestants, which included a painter and decorator, builder and interior designer.

Keith has his own studio in Whitstable, Kent, where he produces his eponymous Keith Brymer Jones range, and is also head of design for MAKE International.

Above: Keith Brymer Jones, Kate Malone and presenter Sarah Cox with the contestants on The Great Pottery Throw Down.

It's Party Time

Above: Andrew Norman-Smith and Lisa Parker.

New York, New York The winter 2016 edition of NY NOW, which takes place from January 30 February 3 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City, features an exciting line-up of over 2,400 new and returning exhibitors, as well as a comprehensive agenda jam-packed with seminars and one-of-a-kind networking opportunities.

Over 100,000 products cover every aspect of home, lifestyle and handmade gifts under one roof in three curated collections: Home, Lifestyle and Handmade. Visit www.NYNOW.com

It will soon be time to party at Dartington Trading in Devon, which recently won Rainbow Designs' Miffy display competition. The retailer will receive £500 worth of Miffy products and books, a Miffy party and a visit from Miffy.

“We are delighted to have been selected as the winner of Rainbow’s window competition and look forward to hosting a very special Miffy party,” enthuses Darting Trading's owner Sharon Willcock.

The initiative tied-in with Miffy's milestone 60th anniversary as well as the new Miffy TV show which is hitting high viewing figures on the Tiny Pop digital channel on which it airs.

Above: Part of Dartington Trading's winning Miffy display, which won the Rainbow Designs competition.

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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Industry News

Over The Moon

Santoro Opens Its First Shop Below: John Lewis' Man On the Moon advertisement.

Record Sales For John Lewis John Lewis' hugely successful and much talked about The Man On the Moon Christmas TV ad has been ringing up sales for the department store, with themed gifts a part of the product mix.

The full range of products, available in store and online - to include mugs, cushions, bags and tableware - has been inspired by the TV ad where a little girl sees a man on the moon while she is looking through her telescope one night. She sends him a telescope for Christmas so that he can see her too, with telescopes quickly selling out for the department store!

In the week to the end of November, John Lewis confirmed record sales of £18.77m, a 4.8% increase compared to the same week in 2014.

On the international front, although the department store remains committed to expanding in the UK, it has confirmed that it will move into Europe in the Spring following a tie-up with Dutch department store de Bijenkorf. John Lewis will open three ‘shops within a shop’ in de Bijenkorf’s flagship stores in The Hague in both Amsterdam and Rotterdam. A further four will follow in 2017. The departments will stock John Lewis’ own brand products across gifting and living as well bed and bath.

In 2015, John Lewis opened 14 ‘shop within in a shop’ formats across Singapore and The Philippines, and also has a further seven stores in South Korea. Other international collaborations are likely in 2016.

Love It, Want It Sparkling news for gift shops is that bricks and mortar stores are king for costume jewellery shoppers. A new poll from The Market Creative reveals that a majority (79%) of costume jewellery shoppers buy in store with almost a third (28%) preferring independent retailers and 72% favouring a visit to a jewellers over online when researching a purchase.

Emotion ranked top on their biggest influence to buy, with 91% citing their ‘love for a piece’ as the single most important driver. In terms of more tangible influences to buy, price, assistance in store and the person they were shopping with were the three biggest motivators.

The survey revealed that the largest proportion, (44%) of shoppers, spend between £26 and £100 on costume jewellery, with one in 10 splashing out over £200. Some 20% buy more than one piece in a single trip.

Above: Bluestone, Glasgow, winner of The Greats 2015 Best Gift Retailer of Jewellery.

The majority (85%) of shoppers bought costume jewellery for themselves, with 44% saying they felt like treating themselves, and a third shopping for a special occasion.

“Bricks and mortar are clearly king when it comes to shoppers buying costume jewellery, so it’s vital that jewellers make the most of their in-store marketing," comments Sue Benson, md of The Market Creative. "As well as hero-ing their offer in window displays, staff also need to be well-trained and informative to help guide purchases.”

ACID Founder Honoured Anti Copying In Design (ACID) founder and ceo Dids Macdonald, recently received an OBE from HRH The Princess Royal at Buckingham Palace for her fight against design infringement.

Commenting on her OBE, Dids said: "I am immensely proud of my being recognised and awarded with an OBE. This highlights the importance of the incredible contribution of great UK designers and the intellectual property which underpins design brands whether micro or macro. I shall continue to raise awareness about ACID's ongoing design and IP campaign Commission it, Don't Copy it."

Dids co-founded ACID in 1996 and it is now recognised as the leading UK design and Intellectual Property (IP) trade organisation, helping thousands of designers protect their intellectual property through IP awareness. Recent SMEs it has supported include award winning homeware design consultancy Black + Blum.

In 2014, history was made when the IP Act became law and the intentional infringement of a registered design is now a crime. ACID spearheaded this campaign to change the law over a 15 year period.

In an exciting expansion for Santoro, the company - which publishes cards and manufacturers products under its own brand as well as through licensing agreements - has launched its first retail outlet in Milsom Street, Bath. This is the first in an international roll-out of stores planned across the UK and globally, to include the Middle East. The new shop will bring together Santoro's eclectic greeting cards, design-led gifts, fashion accessories and homewares.

The company, which is currently celebrating its 30th anniversary, has previously worked directly with retailers such as Harrods, which has housed a Santoro pop-up boutique.

Revealing a catalyst that led to the new retail operation, Meera Santoro, co-founder, explains: "The final clincher to open a store was when a father and daughter travelled from Sweden, knocked on our office door, and asked where our shop was!"

Christmas Collections Unveiled Pigment is the latest card publisher to have signed a licensing tie-up with Widdop Bingham. The licensing agreement will initially span four giftware collections, with the one based on the By Appointment card range described as ‘the backbone’. The collection will see its official launch at Spring Fair. (See Licensed Giftware on pages 61-63).

Top Of The DreamToys Charts A Meccano robot, a sing-along Care Bear, an interactive Tracy Island from Thunderbirds and a 3D art studio were just some of the toys that made up this year’s DreamToys list. Decided by a panel of leading toy retailers in the UK, including Argos, Boots, Selfridges, Smyths Toys, The Entertainer, TK Maxx and Toys R US, The Toy Retailers Association’s DreamToys list, announced in November, gave consumers expert insight into what were likely to be the most popular toys this Christmas. l Toy Show 2016 takes place from January 24-26 at London's Olympia.

Below: Gary Grant, chair of DreamToys, beside this year's Top 12 Toys from the DreamToys list.

Left: Dids MacDonald with her OBE outside Buckingham Palace.

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W W W. K A E M I N G K . C O M

SEASONAL DECORATIONS • CHRISTMAS LIGHTING • FLORISTRY CHRISTMAS TREES, WREATHS AND GARLANDS • GLASS BAUBLES

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Industry News

New Look Top Drawer Four Brands Become One Gift, Home, Fashion and Craft will unite under one Top Drawer brand from January 17-19 at London's Olympia creating a single destination for design-led products.

"The result is a curated, exciting and inspiring event that presents up and coming trends and showcases the very best of each sector," explains event director Alejandra Compos. "The new look is fresh, premium and contemporary. By simplifying the brand architecture we are able to focus more on the relevant content and engage fundamentally with each of the communities we represent."

Top Drawer will unveil thousands of selected British and international brands and designers representing an edited, global cross-section of products.

Over 1,000 exhibitors will showcase products in Interior Accessories, Fashion Accessories and Jewellery, Stationery & Greetings, Wellbeing, Children's, Kitchen & Dining, Furniture & Lighting and Outdoor Living.

"Home at Top Drawer has developed tremendously since its launch in 2012," states Ian Rudge, development director. "Buyers and press can now find an unrivalled homeware selection from leading international brands of the highest quality, at selection that they won't find at any other UK event."

Returning for the third year will be the world of Craft, which will reveal an impressive selection of handmade products from over 150 contemporary makers.

The popular sector Spotted will expand to become the hub for new and emerging brands across the show, and will include the Confessions of a Design Geek bursary award. Elsewhere, fashion will take to the catwalk featuring six design-led scenes showing the latest fashion accessories for Spring/Summer. l New to the show this year is the Food Emporium, which will be introducing the best speciality and fine foods from leading artisans, producer and brands.

Visit www.topdrawer.co.uk Left: Top Drawer will be unveiling the world of Home, Gift, Fashion and Craft in January under one brand.

BHS Gets Personal Since exhibiting at PG Live in June, personalised card and gift concept, Creation Express, has been securing retail partners from within the sector as well as in general retailing.

The concept that combines cutting-edge technology and design that enables high street retailers to personalise cards and gifts in store, has recently debuted in BHS in New Street, Birmingham. "The high street multiple installed five this side of Christmas and will be rolling them out throughout 2016," confirms Kurt Abbott, md of Creation Express.

Adds Kurt: "It's set to offer a year round gift and card solution in one of Britain's largest high street retailers, and is the first of many that are going into BHS stores. We are so proud and overwhelmed at how far we have come in just ten short months. The concept offers retailers a point of difference, and we have launched frames, cushions and cards on the system as well as ceramics."

Above: BHS in New Street, Birmingham.

Below: The new Creation Express personalisation system.

A Christmas Cracker Of A Show Harrogate Christmas & Gift (10-13 January) is looking forward to a bumper show with new exhibitors on board, and a year on year increase in visitor numbers for the past five years.

"Harrogate Christmas & Gift continues to go from strength to strength and is now considered the number one trade show for garden centre and visitor attraction buyers as well as department stores and independent gift retailers," says show organiser Simon Anslow. Visit www.harrogatefair.com

Bigger And Better Furniture Show This year's January Furniture Show is shaping up to be bigger and better, thanks to a host of existing exhibitors taking larger stands.

Confidence in the furniture event has seen big brand names such as Nolte Mobel, Weimann, Rauch, Forte, Lebus, Sweet Dreams, Breasley Consumer Products, World Furniture, Time Living, Steens, VIDA Living and Danalight increasing space by up to 200%.

"While the show is bigger for 2016, around 25%, it has been carefully managed to keep it concise and compact with a proper visitor flow around the halls," confirms Laraine Janes, co-director of the January Furniture Show.

"We have seen many new quality names joining us, but our significant growth has come from existing exhibitors requesting more stand space to accommodate their products and designs.

"Our aim from the beginning has always been to keep the show focused and relevant so even though the 2016 will be bigger we are controlling the growth so that it's to the benefit of both visitors and exhibitors."

The four day industry showcase (January 2427) will bring together 450 leading companies, representing every section of the furniture and furnishings industry, at the NEC, Birmingham. Visit www.januaryfurnitureshow.com

Coast To Coast Coastal living giftware show Giving & Living, which takes place at Westpoint, near Exeter, will be opening its doors from January 17 - 20.

The show offers a huge range of products for buyers targeting the coast and tourism market places. Show features include a Newcomers area, Designed & Made in Britain, the Naturally Trail and Enhance. Visit www.givingliving.co.uk (See Coast To Coast on page 39).

Left: Darwin's Study from Libra.

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Industry News

Spring Fair 2016 Improving The Customer Experience As Spring Fair appoints two big hitters, Nick Davison and Saul Leese - see People on page 19 - the launch of a Wish List will enable buyers to save and print lists of their favourite items from exhibitors' products. As well as helping buyers with their selections, organisers i2i Events say that it will also generate leads for exhibitors throughout the year.

Also new at the show in February will be a trend focused guide for buyers, highlighting new products available at the exhibition.

"The Product Guides bring to life the very latest innovations available to buy at Spring Fair and also provide a year-round source of inspiration for buyers," explains Saul.

Other changes to Spring Fair include an improved layout and an express entrance in Hall 9, driving footfall to Halls 6, 7 and 8 as the show opens.

Spring Fair takes place at the NEC, Birmingham, from February 7-11.

Visit www.springfair.com

Seize The Power To Vote The Buyers Power List 2016 Awards, launched at Autumn Fair by i2i Events Group, are underway, designed to celebrate, reward and recognise the contributions of buyers and retailers throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland.

The competition honours buyers across six key categories: Best Buying Team Multiple (six stores or more), Best Independent Buying Team, Best Pure Play Buying Team and the Buyers Power List itself.

The first round of nominations will also reveal a Power 30 list of 30 buyers who industry peers will vote for and rank to produce an overall winner. The winner will be considered by the industry to be the most inspirational retailer in the country.

The Buyers Power List shortlist will be compiled and reviewed in the run up to Spring Fair by an advisory panel of key industry influencers that include The Giftware Association, bira, bira direct and BHETA. The 2016 finalists and winners will be commended and awarded at the Buyers Power List awards champagne reception, to be held on site at Spring Fair. The event will celebrate the winners’ achievements during an opportunity to network with peers and suppliers.

The awards are decided via an industry-voted nomination system, ensuring an unbiased and democratically elected group of winners.

To vote, visit the Spring Fair website www.springfair.com/Content/Spring-Fair-s-2016-Buyers-Power-List Spring Fair takes place from February 7-11 at the NEC, Birmingham.

Mantons Goes To Downing Street After winning bira's British Retailer of the Year award, and being named as one of the UK's 100 most influential small businesses, Mantons Cards in Port Erin was one of 100 businesses from around the country invited to represent the UK’s 5.4 million small businesses at a special event at The Treasury in London. The event, which took place on December 4, was to mark the UK’s third Small Business Saturday the following day. Chris Beards, owner of Mantons, joined other small business owners at a special small business Christmas Fair at The Treasury’s Internal Drum, attended by the Chancellor, George Osborne.

"I was delighted to be invited by the Chancellor to such a prestigious event and represent the Mantons team at the Treasury," enthused Chris. "I was also especially proud that we were representing the Isle of Man as we were the only Manx business to be invited. After such a successful year, winning multiple awards, the invitation really was the perfect early Christmas present for the Mantons team."

Above: Chris Beards, owner of Manton's, is shown at The Treasury with Michelle Ovens, OBE.

NEWS IN BRIEF p According to the CBI's latest quarterly report, retail sales growth slowed in the 12 months to November. p Businesses affected by the floods in Cumbria are to be given a business rates tax reprieve. p A Grand Night In: The Story of Aardman will be shown as part of the BBC festive season on Boxing Day, in celebration of the company's 40th anniversary. p The BJGFF's black tie Benevolent Society's Ball raised a record £32,000 for the charity. p Caliope Gifts in Haywards Heath, which opened in October, won the town’s Best Christmas Window competition.

Right: Caliope Gifts' winning Christmas window.

Italian Style Showcased At HOMI HOMI, the lifestyle show organised by Fiera Milano, is celebrating its fifth edition and will be taking place at Fieramilano, Rho, from January 29 to February 1. The show features a host of design ideas for the home as well as themed satellite sections include Living Habits, Home Wellness, Fragrances & Personal Care, Fashion & Jewels, Gifts & Events, Garden & Outdoor, Kid Style, Home Textiles, Hobby & Work, alongside different special areas and events, all focused on business, conviviality and experimentation.

Special areas at the show will include Creazioni, Creazioni Designer and HOMI Sperimenta dedicated to craftsmanship; Homi Wellness and Homi Kids Style.

Visitors will also find a Festivity area, devoted to Christmas decoration and festivities and a new La Dolce Vita area dedicated to Italian costume jewellery, focusing on Bijoux in the 1970s. Visit www.homimilano.com/ Below: Home fragrancing is a popular sector.

Crafts Beautiful At Scotland's Trade Fair Spring Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring will be showcasing new products from over 400 exhibitors to include a group of young, original companies exhibiting in the Launch Gallery.

New for 2016 is the Craft Gallery, featuring 30 specially selected, quality craft producers exhibiting in their own designated gallery organised by Craft Scotland and organisers Springboard Events.

Other highlights of the Show will include the return of The Orkney Aisles featuring a group of producers that include Sheila Fleet and a newly re-launched Ortak, as well as the Best Product Awards, which will be judged by buyers from Historic Scotland, The Liquorice Tree and the New Lanark Visitor Center.

A focus this year will be on textiles and clothing, with almost a third of stands dedicated to the sector.

Seminars will cover a wide range of topics from social media and ecommerce to pop-up shops. Among the speakers will be GA vice chairman Henri Davis.

"What we offer in Scotland is rarely found elsewhere in the UK," states show director Mark Saunders.

Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring, which takes place in Glasgow from January 24-26, is held in conjunction with Scotland’s Speciality Food Show. Visit www.scotlandstradefairs.co.uk PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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we’ve got giftware all wrapped up

Come and join us at…

29th January–2nd February Christmasworld, Frankfurt, Germany, EF: Hall 9.1 Stand C78–Enesco Ltd Hall 9.1 Stand C71

12th–16th February Ambiente, Frankfurt, Germany, Hall 9.1 Stand C71

Enesco Limited, Head Office & Customer Services, Brunthill Road, Kingstown, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA3 0EN Tel: 01228 404022 Fax: 01228 404041 email: uksales@enesco.co.uk Overseas Customer Services: Tel: +44 1228 404066 Fax: +44 1228 404080 email: eurosales@enesco.co.uk

7th–11th February International Spring Fair, NEC, Birmingham, Hall 4

© 2016 Distributed by Enesco Ltd.

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Industry News

New GA Initiatives

Below: Sarah Ward, chief executive, The Giftware Association.

Meet The Buyers Days To Expand Following on from The Giftware Association's successful Meet The Buyers days, plans are underway to expand the programme in 2016 to include new retailers, and, in particular, independent department stores.

“We intend to offer many more opportunities for training, further chances to 'meet the buyers' and a new Business Boost Day with pertinent information across a range of topics," explains GA chief executive Sarah Ward. "Feedback from our members is going to be absolutely essential in ensuring that what we are organising is truly relevant to their needs and will support them in growing their businesses.” Members are also being offered the opportunity to vote on which seminars would be the most useful to their business.

Other GA initiatives to be rolled out over the coming months include giving designer-maker members their own niche on the Association’s website and in its Giftwrap magazine.

Explains Sarah: “The gift and home industry would be nothing without its designers, whose everfertile creative brains are so essential to the introduction of the wonderful new products that we see coming onto the market season after season. We would like to get to know more about them and the invaluable work that they do and have therefore decided to launch Designer’s Corner in January, where they can have their say and share their recent triumphs and creative insights with the industry.”

New Judges For Gift Of The Year Among the eight new judges that have joined The Giftware Association's Gift of the Year panel are Suzie Abel, buyer for retail stationery, hosiery, beauty and Christmas at Norwich department store Jarrolds, and Joyti Gohil, buyer for gifting cards and stationery at The Garden Centre Group (formerly Wyevale Garden Centres).

Other retailer judges this year include John Lewis, Ocado, V&A Enterprises and Dobbies Garden Centres.

The top runners are Home Accessories, Gifts for Men, Kids, Under £10 and Hot Novelty, with the firstround online judging taking place between December 17 and January 4. Suppliers who have been shortlisted will see their products go forward to the second round judging taking place in mid January.

The winners will be presented with their awards at Spring Fair on Sunday February 7.

Above: Suzie Abel.

Left: Joyti Gohil.

Move Over Steven Spielberg

PEOPLE p i2i Events Group, organisers of Spring Fair and Autumn Fair, has made two senior appointments.

Nick Davison (right), who joined the company in 2007, is the new portfolio director for Spring Fair, and Saul Leese (below), who joined from 100% Designs, is the show's head of marketing. p Royal Selangor has appointed David Mills as country manager for the UK. He joined the Royal Selangor team in April as UK sales manager. David previously spent four years at Harrods.

GA Voucher Scheme Goes Digital The GA’s member-to-member voucher scheme will see the launch of a new look Lifestyle app in 2016, which will eliminate paper vouchers. In addition to exclusive discounts and other deals offered at major trade shows, members will also be able take advantage of special deals from local hotels, restaurants, clothes shops, beauty salons and entertainment venues.

The current line-up of Birmingham participants includes Marco Pierre White’s restaurant, vegetarian restaurant The Warehouse Café, and The Jam House, a well-known music venue in the city’s Jewellery Quarter.

The app is downloadable for free from the iTunes store.

Right: David Kukadia.

A promotional video has been produced by The Giftware Association’s new business development executive David Kukadia, whose previous experience includes film making. The Autumn Fair footage, which was amalgamated with that of show organiser i2i Events, has been posted on the Association’s website and linked to social media to promote the Gift of the Year competition. It has also been edited to publicise services offered by The GA, such as Copywatch, along with other i2i trade shows.

“The GA’s marketing and PR needs to be savvy in an increasingly competitive marketplace and this video will add another dimension to our efforts,” comments David, who hopes to produce more videos for The GA. His experience in film making includes working with actors and directing and producing corporate videos, short films and features.

Design Leads The Way In Wales Venue Cymru in Llandudno is busy preparing for its annual trade show, Wales Spring Fair 2016, which takes place between January 17-20. Many of last year's key exhibitors are set to return in 2016, including RBW group, Pendragon Wales, Richard Lang and Manav.

In response to increasing demand from buyers searching for high quality products, the exhibition will be showcasing design-led, one-off products which have been hand-selected for their commercial appeal, quality and price. Visit walesspringfair@venuecymru.co.uk

A Jewel Of A Show Ambiente will be reflecting the market’s growth in living and giving with jewellery and accessories a prominent feature along with a growing demand for gifts aimed at the younger generation.

In the Giving product group, Ambiente has opened up a new segment specifically for Accessories & Jewellery where fashion and handmade jewellery, leather goods, bags, belts and other fashion accessories, beauty-care items, wellness products and beauty accessories will all be exhibited together. Time Square and Traveller’s Point will also continue to feature.

Gifts for children and toddlers will be another new focal point in February featuring practical gifts for the younger generation.

The show takes place at Messe Frankfurt from February 12-16.

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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See our full range of products at Harrogate Christmas & Gift

10th - 13th January 2016

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24th - 26th January 2016

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Left: Sara Park-Patterson, manager, Bluestone.

Below: Largs Live 2015 was organised by the Largs BID.

GIFT OF THE

GAB

In Praise

Of BIDs

Sara Park-Patterson, manager of Bluestone, which has gift shops in Largs, Barrhead and Lochgilphead, explains why BIDs are the way forward if high streets are to stay alive, as well as what first inspired her to get involved.

"Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) originated in Canada, providing towns across the world with a practical framework to reinforce and unite businesses within town centres. Fuelled by a town's reaction to compete with a local shopping mall and other impacting economic factors, the first BID was formed in a suburban commercial district in Toronto in 1970. BIDs were then introduced into the UK early in 2000, with the first British BID elected in 2004 and launched in 2005.

This proactive approach is, I believe, the key to keeping our retail high street alive by ultimately putting a business 'back on the map'. For businesses operating within the gift sector, BIDs offer significant advantages, yet the topic as a whole sparks great controversy.

A rateable value based levy from each business owner allows a fund to be generated, which is then used throughout the town in various forms. This can include investment into marketing, events, ‘shop local’ campaigns, cultural development and other aspects which are not currently serviced by a local council. While some quibble over operational details, others embrace a BID's potential and capability.

The underlying tone of a BID is to always react and anticipate future developments or opportunities for a town, driven by the need to avoid complacency.

The execution of the business plan unfolds over a five year period, providing local businesses with a key link to various partnerships which enhances the local business community. Is reminding retailers that we are just that - a community; the hub of where shoppers, families and

customers frequent - such a bad thing? I believe this factor alone is crucial in taking a step back and refreshing our memories that we need to take pride in and nurture the town that supports our business.

Are BIDs a means of marketing a business? Absolutely! As a gift shop, it would be typical to link the sale of jewellery items to fashion or candles through the promotion of home fragrance, therefore selling a product through its associated features. Businesses within a town are no

different. Branding a town simultaneously benefits the town alongside the individual businesses within it. Developing a brand thereafter creates a pathway to further opportunities and, for the gift industry, most importantly, the promotion of 'shopping local'.

The existence of a BID stimulates business owners to use their initiative that little bit more while highlighting that creativity and thinking outside the box is key. Gift shop owners are renowned for offering an interesting shopping experience, so endorsing a local BID can provide small independents with an increased competitive edge by inspiring

further innovation. Gift retailers can also benefit substantially, more than other contributors. Many of the activities are already endorsed to a certain extent and come naturally - from window dressing competitions, ‘shop local’ initiatives, stall holding at events and other footfall driving strategies. Seasonal buying and themed displays are core to this, with gift shops already at an advantage by being able to adapt and align with current BID projects.

Stepping up the effort and bringing others on board creates a snowball effect.

One of our shops is located within the seaside town of Largs, and having experienced the Largs BID efforts first hand inspired me to become the vice chair of the Barrhead BID steering group. After 15 years in business at Bluestone, we are keen to see our local towns not only survive but to thrive in today's economy, as local businesses are a large contributor to this.

An example was the creation of two major events to drive tourism to Largs, which included Largs Live and Largs Food Fest. An independent research company, IBP Strategy and Research, reported that £637,000 was the combined total generated across the two weekend events for local businesses within the town.

Having attracted 10,000 visitors to Largs Live, and a further 8,000 to Largs Food Fest, the report revealed the majority of these visitors were attending only because these events were on. While some local businesses were less enthusiastic, the footfall was greatly welcomed with returning custom throughout the following months.

Growing steadily across the UK, and indeed the world, BIDs continue to evolve offering complementary functions to the small independent retailer. While many businesses will remain sceptical, my advice would be to take small steps to become involved with the fund you are essentially contributing to, as the financial contribution you make will be greatly outweighed by the benefits received."

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A Year In Gifts

Gifties were really in the spotlight during 2015 as our annual review reveals. PG&H takes a look at some of the ups and downs of the past 12 months.

Who Put Up The Closed Sign l

Who Sold What To Whom l Wild & Wolf was sold to DC Thomson Consumer Products (DCTC) which acquired a majority stake in the company founded by Jon Cameron and the late Richard Barson in 2005. l Waterford Wedgwood Royal Doulton (WWRD) was sold to Fiskars for £281.5m.

The sale by US private equity firm KPS Capital Partners was agreed in May. Above: Wedgwood's Daisy Tea Story.

Who Opened Their Doors l

Price’s Candles opened a new trade shop at its Bedford HQ welcoming trade customers and strengthening their ties with the local community. l Ted Baker opened a new retail concept - Ted Baker & Moore - in East London's Commercial Street.

The focus is on products from the company's 17 licensing partners which include Portmeirion Group and Wild & Wolf. l Saffrons of York opened a third gift shop - Saffrons Of Northallerton - as did Calliope Gifts which opened a new outlet in Haywards Heath.

With a break clause in her lease, Fiona Fabien, owner of Papyrus, took the decision to close her second gift shop, Illuminati, also in Glasgow, to concentrate on the main Papyrus brand. l Tickled Pink in Wandsworth Common closed its doors during the summer. l Kringle Candle Company (Europe) went into liquidation as did Apple Shopfitting and Display. l After more than a decade of gift retailing Lynn Ashton, owner of Memento Gifts in Newent, took the decision to retire, with the shop closing its doors on Valentine’s Day. l In response to exhibitor and visitor feedback, UBM EMEA Built Environment confirmed the closure of the May Design Series exhibition. The show launched in 2013.

Above: Papyrus in Glasgow.

Left: Memento shut up shop.

Milestone Anniversaries l

Royal Selangor celebrated a milestone 130th anniversary, marking the occasion

by opening a flagship store on London's King’s Road. l Dodo Pad celebrated its 50th anniversary with a Mad Hatters tea party held at Claydon House in Buckinghamshire, seat of the Verney family, who first introduced Lord Dodo - aka Sir John Verney - to fans in 1966. l T&G Woodware celebrated its 40th anniversary with a day at Chepstow races.

Left: Royal Selangor's flagship Kings Road outlet.

Below: Rebecca Jay, owner of Dodo Pad, (centre), cut the 50th Golden Jubilee anniversary cake with other affeciandos.

Bottom: T&G's md Patrick Gardner (centre) with staff and friends at the races.

Above: Laurence Whiting, sales manager at Price's Candles, officially opened the company's new trade shop in July.

Above right: Ted Baker & Moore in East London.

Right: Saffrons of Northallerton.

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THE UK’S NO.1 SHOWCASE OF NEW.

7-11 FEBRUARY 2016

NEC BIRMINGHAM UK VOLUME OPENS 6 FEB

Discover the latest innovations, coolest brands and most original products in gift and home.

www.springfair.com Espresso Cup, Bialetti, Hot Plate Products · Tree, CB Imports · Pineapple, Two’s Company by Mulhouse · Stool, Baa Stool · Foo Dogs, India Jane · Cockatoo Cushion, Bombay Duck · Patterned Cushion, CB Imports.

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Celebrity Watch

l The Bottle Kiln in West Hallam celebrated the shop's 30th anniversary as did gift supplier Orchid Designs. l Celebrating 21st anniversaries were Frith Sculptures, distributed by Blue Poppy Art; l Among those celebrating 20 years were The Music Gifts Company, which launched a new brand, element, to mark the milestone, and Maison & Object in Paris; Above: The Bottle Kiln.

Below: Elements from The Music Gifts Company.

l Bluestone, which has gift shops in Largs, Barrhead and Lochgilphead, celebrated 15 years, as did gift retailer Spirito in Broomhill, Glasgow. l Wild & Wolf celebrated the company's 10th anniversary. l P&A Agencies celebrated its 10th year as the distributor of leading Danish jewellery company Dansk Smykkekunst in the UK. Also celebrating 10 years in the UK was Danish retailer Tiger.

Above: Spirito in Glasgow.

Above right: Christian and Malene Storm, owners of Dansk Smykkekunst.

Below: Tiger which has roared into the UK over the past decade.

l Hollywood ‘A’ Lister William Hurt popped into Best Kept Secrets, based in Northumberland, for some natural, scented candles for his trailer. The actor was filming scenes for the movie Beowulf and was staying in the North East. l Mary 'Queen of Shops' Portas was interviewed by Alexis Conran from BBC TV's The Real Hustle at the bira High Street Conference, while perfume Queen Jo Malone was the keynote speaker at the former May Design Series.

Above: Actor William Hurt visited Best Kept Secrets.

Above right: Mary Portas talked shop at the bira conference.

Right: Jo Malone revealed the secret of her success at the May Design Series.

Media Mentions l Six celebrities travelled back in time to Stoke-onTrents' 1840s pot bank at the Gladstone Pottery Museum to create and decorate china for BBC One's prime time history series, 24 Hours in the Past. l TV presenters Philip Schofield and Amanda Holden were each presented with a bottle of Vin du Pays with a personalised vineyard label, courtesy of Signature Gifts, during a food slot on ITV's This Above: Going back to the Morning programme.

19th century, Anne l Following on from a £1million Widecombe and Miquita investment made by Wax Lyrical in Oliver did some hand its factory and laboratory this year, decorating at the Gladstone Pottery Museum. the company played host to BBC Left: This Morning's Philip Breakfast which broadcast live from Schofield with his personalised wine bottle Wax Lyrical's factory floor. from Signature Gifts. l Boo the Socky Doll from the Below: BBC Breakfast Intelex Group collection of Warmies presenter Steph McGovern off a personalised was recently featured in the Dunelm shows candle during a filmed visit TV ads featuring the Dunelm Sleep Sheep. to Wax Lyrical last month. l Container Group Buying's (CGB) Do Not Open Until 25th December Santa sacks (left) were recently featured on BBC Breakfast TV. l Oliver Bonas became the first retailer on the high street in Britain to pay staff an independently calculated living wage. The Independent and The Guardian, were quick to fanfare the story. l Autumn Fair, which celebrated its 25th edition in September, saw i2i Event Group's Louise Young interviewed on BBC Breakfast TV during the show. l i2i Group's Christmas toy chart was picked up by both BBC Breakfast as well as BBC Radio West Midlands.

Continued on page 27

Honoured BY HRH l

Paul Farmer, md of Wade Ceramics in Stoke-on-Trent, received an OBE from HRH Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace for both international trade and his contribution to the ceramics industry. l Also honoured in 2015 was Dids Macdonald, founder and chief executive of ACID. She received an OBE from HRH The Princess Royal at Buckingham Palace for her fight against design infringement. Recent SMEs ACID has supported include gift company Black + Blum and children's supplier Trunki.

Above: Paul Wade, md of Wade Ceramics, with his wife Kate, and his OBE, at Buckingham Palace.

Above right: Did Macdonald received an OBE from HRH The Princess Royal.

Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

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Available from 1st January!

As from January 2016, Enesco will be distributing the Lolita collection, which includes brand new designs as well as previous best sellers. There are a host of benefits for Enesco stockists, including carriage paid on orders over £150.

Whether you are an existing Lolita account holder or would simply like more information, please contact: 01228 404022

we’ve got giftware all wrapped up

Come and join us at…

7th–11th February: International Spring Fair NEC, Birmingham Hall 3, Stand 4H80–J81

11th–29th January: Carlisle Showroom Show

By appointment only, please contact your area sales manager or our customer services on 01228 404022 to make an appointment.

Enesco Limited, Head Office & Customer Services, Brunthill Road, Kingstown, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA3 0EN Tel: 01228 404022 Fax: 01228 404041 email: uksales@enesco.co.uk Overseas Customer Services: Tel: +44 1228 404066 Fax: +44 1228 404080 email: eurosales@enesco.co.uk © 2015 Designs by Lolita. All rights reserved worldwide. © 2015 Enesco Ltd.

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Welcome To... ...Sarah Ward, who was announced as the new chief executive of The Giftware Association. She has taken over from Isabel Martinson who left during the summer having worked for the Association for almost 15 years.

Right: Sarah Ward, the GA's new chief executive.

Award Winners l Portmeirion Group added to its trophy cabinet by scooping the Medium and Large Exporter Award at the Insider Midlands International Trade Awards and the Exporter Large Award at the West Midlands Business Masters Awards. Portmeirion also became the first company in the country to be presented with an Investment in Young People Award.

Above: Apprentice Ben Foster with Portmeirion's Alan Varley and David Wright.

Below: From left to right: Libby Morris, Ann Barker, Julie Legden and Jackie Meakin.

l Independent gift retailer Libby's was named Home and Gifts Retailer of the Year at the 2015 Chesterfield Retail Awards. l Among the winners of The Greats 2015 was Mike Burgess who was presented with the prestigious Honorary Achievement Award by The Giftware Association's chairman Michael PapĂŠ.

Above: Mike Burgess, md of Parlane International, pictured with his wife Caroline, is shown with the Greats Honorary Achievement trophy.

l John Allan, co-founder of Stone The Crows!, along with his wife Philippa Allan OBE, received The Giftware Association's Elkan Simons award.

l Sock company, United Oddsocks, was named as Enterprising Business of the Year and overall Business of the Year at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) annual Hertfordshire Business Awards. l Tiger Retail, the London and South East division of the Danish store Tiger, was presented with The Danish Export Association's Diploma and HRH Prince Henrik's Medal of Honour, for its performance in the UK market.

Below: Philip Bier, md of Tiger Retail UK (left), was presented with The Danish Export Association's Diploma, and HRH Prince Henrik's Medal of Honour, by the Danish ambassador Claus Grube.

Above: John Allan (left) received his award from the GA's David Simons.

Below: Denise Laird, owner of Spirito, with her team, enjoying their success at the recent Scottish Independent Retail Awards.

l Gift shop Spirito in Broomhill, Glasgow was among the Scottish businesses honoured at the annual Scottish Independent Retail Awards, organised by Oceanic Creative. Voted for by the public, the shop won the Bespoke Retailer category. l Mantons in Port Erin was named British Independent Retailer of the Year at the bira retail awards, the only Manx company to have ever reached the final.

Right: Chris Beards, owner of Mantons, received bira's Best Independent Retailer of the Year Award last month. He is shown with comedian Tony Hawks (left), and Nigel Wright, operations director at Stax Trade Centres, which sponsored the award.

l Ocado was voted as the winner of the inaugural Spring Fair Buyers Power List Awards, with Gillian Leahy, buying manager for Ocado, named as the Power 30 overall individual winner. l Stoneglow Candles won the East London Growth Business and the overall Business of the Year award. l Widdop Bingham won the Return On Investment (ROI) category at the SHD Logistics Awards in March.

Below: From left to right : Pete Jones, chief financial officer, Briggs Equipment UK, sponsor of the ROI award; Tony Pearson, IT director, Proteus; Chris Illingworth, IT and logistics director, Widdop Bingham and Romesh Ranganathan who hosted the evening.

Sadly Missed... ...Bolsius Nederland B.V. announced the death of John Barthorpe (right), the company's sales manager for UK & Ireland at Bolsius UK, who passed away in the summer after a period of illness. l Rob Kindred (far right), UK sales director for Dartington Crystal, passed away in March.

Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

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Unicorns

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MICHAEL WEEDON

SOUNDING OFF

Just The Way It Was Meant To Be Is the new National Living Wage, which comes into force in April, more consequential that it seems? Michael Weedon, deputy ceo and communications director for the British Independent Retailers Association (bira), shares his thoughts on how it is likely to pan out in the longer term.

"I have a thing, it has to be admitted, about unintended consequences. I’m a believer in the 'cock-up' theory of history. People have plans, the plans don’t work out the way they expect, they do end up with unpredictable results and the rest is, well, history.

We spend a lot of time looking at changes in the environment for our members, particularly regulation, to try to spot the hidden problems that are latent in the new developments.

Sometimes, though, we find ourselves facing things that both hurt our members and are fully intended to do so - but for reasons other than the pain. The most obvious recent case has been the unheralded appearance of the National Living Wage.

The Chancellor announced in his July Budget that a new minimum wage would apply from next April, to workers aged 25

and older. He called it the National Living Wage (NLW), partly to steal the rhetoric of Living Wage campaigners and partly to distinguish it from the National Minimum Wage (NMW).

The second of those reasons is a bit of a nonsense as it is clearly just another level of the NMW and the Low Pay Commission (LPC) will take on the task of advising on how to increase it from its initial £7.20 per hour to 60% of median earnings, somewhere north of £9 per hour by 2020, just as it does for the other levels of the NMW. It is also clear that it is expected that the two will stay in close relationship to each other and, furthermore, that the regulated minima will drive increases in higher, non-regulated pay scales.

Retailers reacted with some shock, initially. At first, seven out of ten forecast that the new rate would cost jobs or hours or both. Three months later, over half are still predicting this. The bira wages survey shows that most retailers are paying at rates fairly close to £7.20, with a bit of ground to make up, but nothing too much of a stretch. But retailers large and small have also worked out that to get above £9 between 2016 and 2020 will require four compound annual pay increases of 6% or more.

Top: Michael Weedon.

Above: Chancellor George Osborne.

Left: The National Living Wage will increase to £7.20 in April.

On this they are in greater agreement: unless turnover growth matches wage increases jobs will be threatened.

Thing is though - that’s the point.

When the Chancellor announced the NLW he added that the OBR were expecting that it would cost 60,000 jobs and a little bit of GDP. Behind the move is a concern about productivity, on which we lag countries with whom we compete. Rather than wait any longer for productivity to improve naturally, the government decided to force businesses to get more output per hour of work, by raising the cost of an hour of work.

Far from being a free-market Tory initiative, this is a straightforward piece of economic engineering. So when those retail jobs are lost, as the Chancellor expects them to be, we can at least, for once, be sure that this is not an unintended consequence of the policy it’s just the way it was meant to be."

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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Industry Issue: Business Rates

A Poor Rating Above: The thorny issue of business rates has, once again, come to the fore following the Chancellor's Autumn Statement.

Below: Retro 36, Scarborough.

Below right: Chancellor George Osborne's Autumn Statement didn't deliver on business rates.

As both analysts and retailers agree, Chancellor George Osborne's much anticipated Autumn Statement, at the end of November, was a huge disappointment. There was no promised 'structural review' - which has been postponed until the March Budget - and definitely no positive changes.

In fact, without warning, the Chancellor removed the £1,500 business rate discount which, in the last year, was given to any premises with a rateable value of less than £50,000.

So what does it mean for independents over the coming year?

PG&H asked gift retailers up and down the country for their views on the mixed messages from a government that once said it wanted to do everything it could to help high streets survive.

Removing A Lifeline "The Chancellor's Autumn Statement was a sucker punch to the embattled high street retailer," states John Jackson, md of Retro 36 in Scarborough.

“Firstly, the Chancellor has removed the £1,500 discount which was applied to premises with a rateable value of £50,000 or less. This relief was a small lifeline, which has been removed from the patient which is still on life support. At Retro36, £1,500 equates to around one month's worth of business rates.

“Secondly, the Chancellor failed to announce reforms to the business rates system even though the government had promised to do so by the end of this year.

Reform will now be announced in the 2016 Budget.

“All this has prolonged my feelings of uncertainty about the future of my business. I'm not able move my business forward as I don't know what the forthcoming reform will be."

Adds John: "It appears that the government still isn't serious about resolving the business rates burden and sees the high street retailer as a cash cow that must be milked dry. I hope when reform finally does come into force, it's in-sync with the times. I believe current business rates are simply too high and no longer mirror the economic climate. But, as the Government needs to increase revenue, I won't hold my breath for any meaningful reduction for the high street retailer."

Business Rates: In A Nutshell Businesses, particularly retailers, have been increasingly struggling under the current business rates with trade associations and trade bodies, such as bira and the British Retail Consortium (BRC), lobbying the government to change a system that everyone agrees is medieval and outdated, failing to reflect the challenges that today's retail businesses are facing, notably a combination of business rates, wage increases - taking the minimum wage for over 25s to £9 an hour by 2020 - new pension regulations and parking issues. The consensus is that the government’s policy needs to change in order to encourage investment and support Britain’s struggling high streets.

"There needs to be a root and branch reform of the whole system," Sir Terry Leahy, the former head of Tesco, and currently chairman of B&M, told Neil Craven of the Financial Mail On Sunday on December 6. "We need a modern tax for a modern economy and it's probably a decade overdue. The digital economy is transforming how we all live and work and the tax system has to keep up with that." ● Start-ups and SMEs account for 99.3% of all private sector businesses in the UK, as well as 48% of private sector employment.

Kick In The Stomach "To remove the £1,500 business rate discount is absurd at a time when high street retailers need a break," says Matthew Nunn, owner of Paisley Cat in Farnham.

"It's a kick in the stomach, and we will be among those affected. Instead of trying to claw money from business rates, the government should be making it easier for businesses. For example, offering free parking would help to increase the number of shops on the high street which would in Above: Paisley Cat, Farnham. turn increase business rates for the government. The high street is difficult enough as it is with shops battling against online sales. The government should be making things easier on high streets in order to benefit both retailers and their local communities."

Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

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Industry Issue: Business Rates

A Crippling Decision "We currently receive the small business rate relief and this hit will make a huge difference," says Ian Morris, co-owner of MAP in Archway, N London. "When that finishes it will be crippling for us. It's another nail in the coffin for the high street, and I can't understand the reason for ruling out this assistance."

As Ian points out: "The high street has changed so much in the past few years, and withdrawing the £1,500 business rate discount will make business very difficult. The government has promised a review of business rates, but hasn't delivered."

Ian says that meanwhile, another bugbear, aside from business rates, is parking. "Parking has always been an issue, but now Islington council want to increase parking rates. The only helpful scheme for retailers in this area is the Resident Roamer scheme which gives Islington residents parking permit holders the freedom to park in resident bays and in any controlled parking zone in the borough between 11am and 3pm. This has been very good as it allows people to use their cars for shopping."

Left: MAP Gift Shop in Archway, N London.

Above right: Marmalade Meringue, Hinckley.

Bottom right: Maddy Moo, Southampton.

Not A Level Playing Field

Big Blow To SMEs "Removing the £1,500 business rate discount is a big blow to small businesses," concurs Trudy Tebbutt, director of Marmalade Meringue in Hinckley. "We are all struggling in times of change. Our rates are coming up for renewal at the beginning of the financial year in April and this will bite deep. It will be another hurdle to jump so it's not good news. I'm old school in that I can remember when you paid more in business rates than you did for the rental property, and I think that, for some people, it could be nearing that today."

However, we are going to remain positive because my daughter and codirector Tilly and I try to put a positive spin on everything we do which rubs off on our customers. So regardless, we will be taking a deep breath and carrying on!"

Nothing We Can Do Below: Bijou, Elgin.

"In Scotland, the business rates are going to be set by local government," explains David Robertson, owner of Bijou in Elgin, Scotland. "They are allowed to reduce or increase them by a certain percentage over or below the norm. This was to allow local authorities the ability to help regenerate certain areas/town centres by reducing business rates."

Emphasises David: "ALL businesses are looking to be helped in any way possible. Indies have been hit with the National Living Wage, business rates and pensions, not to mention increased competition and the internet. The government has also altered the investment allowance dropping it from £100k to £25k, to then putting it up and now bringing it back down to £100k again! All of this seems to me to indicate that there is not a long, thought through plan and that they are trying to find solutions or, possibly some would say, quick fixes."

He says that banks are also increasingly inflexible. "I know that the rules and regulations for independents trying to gain investment or support are becoming more and more rigorous," David highlights. "The cut in corporation tax is supposed to offset this, but when you see large, very profitable companies such as Starbucks paying less than £5,000 this is demoralising as well. You ask yourself how can this be right, and you know that this is a case of large corporations playing the system.

"Small independent stores and groups provide stable long term employment. They care about their business and customer and play by, and stick by, the rules. This is all we ask - a level playing field - and I don’t think that, at the moment, we are getting this."

"The Chancellor has put everything in the hands of the local council so there's no way of knowing what they are going to do about business rates until we get our demand in March," points out Kevin Nolan, co-owner of Maddy Moo in Totton, Southampton. "There is nothing we can do until we see it in black and white. Obviously a lot of small businesses like ours will get hit with an increase along with the National Living Wage, so small businesses like ours are going to have to take a very careful look at things. However, if our rates do increase then it could mean less hours for staff which defeats the objective of the new National Living Wage.

Politicians don't think about the knock-on effect their actions have on businesses."

Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

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Retailer Face To Face: Cheltenham

GOING FOR

Gold

Cheltenham, located on the edge of the Cotswolds, is possibly best known for being the home of the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Cheltenham Literary Festival.

But it is also a thriving spa town with some excellent independent gift retailers.

With three gifts shops in the finals of The Greats 2015, PG&H indulged in some retail therapy to meet up with the owners of Inside Out, winner of the Best Independent Gift Retailer South West category, as well as category finalists Sugar Loaf and Emporium.

Above: Cheltenham Gold Cup Day. Below: Chris Bullingham.

Bottom: Sugar Loaf.

Sugar Loaf

At the end of 2010, Chris Bullingham, an ad man turned retailer, decided to open a Christmas pop-up shop selling quirky gifts in the Regent Arcade Shopping Centre in Cheltenham where he already had another shop, Time Watch. The idea was so successful that in March 2011 Sugar Loaf (formerly launched as Time Watch Extra) became a permanent fixture.

"What makes Sugar Loaf stand out from the competition is its ever changing range of unusual gifts and homewares at reasonable prices," states Chris. "We are predominantly an 'occasions' shop, with the product mix including a wide range of sentiment gifts and wall signs, but we do try to avoid expensive upmarket gifts, preferring to stay with gifts at affordable prices. Also, we are in the town centre, which means we really are in the thick of retail, and need to turn over a lot of stock because we pay such high rents and rates."

Chris says that the most important thing for him as a gift retailer is that his regular customers find something different every time they come in.

Among the challenges Chris sees for Sugar Loaf, as the economy continues to improve, is holding onto customers who might be drawn more to the boutique-y gift shops in the town. "The average spend here is between £10-£15, but it's hard to be specific because some people just come in to buy a greeting card.

However, the basket does get bigger in the run-up to Christmas."

Greeting cards are, in fact, a significant product sector for the shop. "Pigment’s cards are a huge seller," confirms Chris, "followed by Yankee Candle and more quirky giftware, currently the fingerless gloves from Joe Davies and the range of occupation mugs from History & Heraldry."

Although the shop is busy for most of the year - the door is always open and there is a huge array of colourful products that catch the eye - Chris points to May, June

and the beginning of July as the 'quiet' months. "Excluding the run up to Christmas, the busiest time of year starts from the beginning of September and continues until Easter," he explains. He says that while he's very happy for customers to browse, the shop has a fast turnaround and a particular product won't necessarily be there a month or so down the line.

Traditionally, he holds a sale the day after Boxing Day which he runs till midJanuary, and another sale at the end of July until September. "For the rest of the year we don't discount," he confirms.

In 2016, Chris will be concentrating on upping the ante re Sugar Loaf's website.

"We're playing around with it, and working with an online marketing company to increase the traffic," he comments. He's also continuing to look for the next big thing, a product or series of products that will capture people's imaginations. "Keep Calm and Carry On is a good example, and nothing feels better than finding a line that works!"

Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

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Retailer Face To Face: Cheltenham

Inside Out

Inside Out, owned by Sam Malvern, is situated in the popular shopping area of Bath Road offering a wide range of gifts, greeting cards, giftwrap, jewellery, books and children’s toys, as well as lifestyle products and homewares.

Sam became the proud new owner of Inside Out in the summer of 2012 when her godmother Jo, who’d built the business up over 13 years, decided to sell it to spend more time with her family.

"It had always been my dream to own my own gift shop, ever since I'd worked in Inside Out as a schoolgirl," she confirms. So after she graduated from Cardiff University with a degree in business management and marketing, she did some travelling, worked in Bristol for a little while, and eventually found herself back in Cheltenham buying the shop she'd dreamt of owning. "I love being my own boss," she smiles.

A year later, following a National Skills Academy training course, she was put forward for Retail Week’s Rising Star Awards where she not only won her category, but also had her award presented to her by former Dragon’s Den star Theo Paphitis.

So what have been her goals for Inside Out since

she took over? "I really wanted to put my own stamp on the shop," she states. "I love doing the marketing and merchandising, and the high level of competition in Cheltenham makes me continually want to re-invent. I'm therefore constantly trying to find new products to draw people in, especially as John Lewis will be opening here in 2017 which has made me more determined than ever!"

She says the shop's strongest sectors are jewellery, greeting cards, children's giftware and home fragrancing, with the average spend between £15-£20. "For example, Joma Jewellery's 'a little' carded bracelet flies out.

And on the greeting card side, we're doing

Above: Sam Malvern pictured with Theo Paphitis.

Below: Inside Out.

particularly well with Wendy Jones-Blackett, Belly Button and Cinnamon Aitch. We're also getting more into humour with Cath Tate cards, and at Christmas, we stock humorous mugs as well." Another important product sector is home fragrancing, where Sam has recently introduced WoodWick. Personalised gifts meanwhile, offer an additional revenue stream to include 'likes' posters and boxed frames for babies.

Looking to 2016, Sam says that she will be investing more time and capital into expanding the shop's website. "I will also be upping the frequency of my blogs, because, along with Facebook, an advantage is that it encourages companies to contact me with interesting product ideas."

Emporium

After many years working in the sports industry and travelling the world with their respective jobs in marketing - to include living in Australia for five years - husband and wife David and Angela Theobald were ready for a complete sea change and a new challenge. Their first gift shop opened in Winchcombe in 2011 (now run by Angela) followed by a second on Bath Road in Cheltenham, in 2013 (now run by David).

"Before we opened in Cheltenham, we did lots of research and identified our target market - women aged 30-55," explains David. "We then went out and bought for that market place and continue to do so today."

He adds that a huge number of mums shop at Emporium, so a priority is to ensure that there's plenty of space for them to push buggies around. "Plus, everything in our shop has to have a use," continues David. "It's a concept that's been very successful for us it's all about finding your niche."

Products cover gifts, homewares and

children's toys, although the biggest turnover comes from Emporium's own brand home fragrancing products. "Typically, we sell more candles in the winter and more reed diffusers in the summer," he explains. Other popular ranges include jewellery from companies such as Fink, Joules and PoM, as well as bags from Lua and Troop, and Orange Tree toys. Scarves have been flying out, with bath and body ranges also on the up.

Also setting the till ringing are greeting cards, another big seller, which have a top retail price of £3.50.

"Cards attract everyone. In fact, hardly a day goes by Above: Emporium.

Left: David Theobalds with his wife Angela.

without someone complimenting on us on our great selection which includes Bexy Boo, Janie Wilson, Two Little Monkeys and Juniper Tree. We're also selling more Caroline Gardner."

An Emporium branded 'bag for life' is given to all customers spending over £20, a promotional tool that David says hopefully encourages customers to come back.

Looking ahead to 2016, David says that he feels very optimistic. "We're definitely heading in the right direction. In fact, we're currently looking into the possibility of opening a third store."

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Giving & Living Ideas that sell.

A vibrant trade show – packed with a year’s worth of ideas.

Entry is free for trade buyers. Call 01934 733456 or register online.

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Exeter 17-20 January 2016 www.givingliving.co.uk

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Coast To Coast A soggy end to summer was a mixed blessing for gift shops and attractions across the UK in 2015, with many reporting increased footfall as holidaymakers ducked out of the squally showers by indulging in a spot of retail therapy.

As coastal gift show Giving & Living opens its doors at Westpoint in Exeter from January 17-20, buyers will be on the lookout for what's new to tempt next year's holidaymakers.

No-one can predict the weather, of course, but one thing's for certain, come rain or come shine, countless British families will be heading for the West Country next summer ready to take advantage of the beaches, the sea and the culture, to include Wookey Caves, the Eden Project and Buckfast Abbey, with a visit to gift shops and lifestyle stores a given.

With more suppliers than ever offering personalised location gifts, there's nothing nicer than taking home holiday mementoes, either as a self purchase, or as a gift for someone else, reflecting memories of happy times.

"Giving and Living will certainly be showcasing that trend," confirms Mike Anderson, md of organisers Hale Events.

"Companies such as The Workshop and Proctor & Clark offer location products that reflect everything from embroidered cushions with locations sewn in, to tea towels promoting traditional cream teas."

But that's not all that will be trending at the show in January. Buyers will be able to find refreshed favourites, with new colourways on traditional products such as windbreaks, traditional beach gifts and toys, British made gifts and also food gifts.

"There’s an increasing trend among holidaymakers to buy consumable souvenirs/ gifts as can be seen by Taste of the West, who we have links with through our other trade shows," explains Mike. "They have a presence at Giving & Living each year, showing the increasing importance of this sector of the market place."

Also showcased will be gift ideas ranging from 50p pocket money items to one-off British made gallery pieces, with products appealing to large tourist attractions looking for high volume and small Above: Mike Anderson, md of Hale Events.

Left and below: Busy aisles at last year's show.

independent outlets on the look-out something different.

Big name exhibitors at the show this year include Wilton Bradley, KandyToys, Marshall Group, Out of the Blue KG, Powell Craft, Morrigan, Emelia Accessories, Legler Toys, Richard Lang & Son, Puckator, Elgate Products, and History & Heraldry, while at the other end of the spectrum, there is a Newcomers area. Explains Mike: "These companies have never done a trade show before. They are the freshest businesses with appeal to buyers looking for something different."

Elsewhere, visitors will be able find the Designed & Made in Britain area which is returning, along with Enhance, featuring Attention Grabbers, Point of Sale and Holiday Souvenirs. The Enhance area has been designed to inspire retailers to add new items to their offering, with visitors also having the opportunity to source and learn more about business services, EPoS systems and packaging.

While some 70% of the buyers who attend the show are independent retailers, others represent tourist attractions, holiday centres, multiple retailers, garden centres, museums and heritage sites. "As the financial climate has changed, we're now seeing a more focused approach from buyers, who spend less time at the show to achieve the same results� explains Mike.

While the weather can be a game changer for seaside locations, one thing is for certain. We all like to be beside the seaside, and, with the West Country one of the hottest destination for holidaymakers, regardless of the temperature, retailers will need to stock up!

Giving & Living: The Lowdown

p Giving & Living takes place at Westpoint, near Exeter, from January 17-20, 2016. p Some 300 companies will be exhibiting. p Visit www.givingandliving.co.uk

Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

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What’s New Progressive Gifts & Home highlights some of the latest gift products on show at Giving & Living and Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring.

The 'Wow' Factor Each season our brooches continue to 'wow'…. we have huge fun drawing and playing with crazy embellishments to create maximum smile! Each piece is lovingly hand cast from resin, polished and finished with hand applied trim making each piece unique! If you haven't stocked our amazing brooches yet, hurry to see us at Giving & Living and then at Scotland’s Trade Fair.

One Button Tel: 0116 279 3715 Email: info@onebuttnuk.com www.onebuttonuk.com Giving & Living: Stand B526 Scotland’s Trade Fair: Stand H56

HearthWick for repeat business Down the years, Virginia Gift Brands has been responsible for a number of significant breakthroughs in the candle sector which have given retailers what they most want – repeat orders. Xystos says that the range now delivering these is HearthWick, featuring gorgeous WoodWick fragrances in beautiful oval vessels. These give the cosy comfort of a glowing fireplace and the sound of a crackling fire anywhere in the home.

Xystos Tel: 0191 499 1570 Email sales@xystos.co.uk www.xystostrade.co.uk Top Drawer: Stand P65 Scotland’s Spring Fair: Stand G22

Dancing Characters Visit Puckator on Stand A 718/619 to see the latest solarpowered dancing characters! The best-selling Dancing Queen now has a London guardsman, British bulldog and waving policeman to sit nicely alongside her. Other brand new designs include a Rastafarian, a waving Jesus, a Pope Francis, and, later this year, there will be officially licensed Shaun the Sheep and Wallace & Gromit dancing characters.

Puckator Tel: 0800 011 6969 Email: customerservices@puckator.co.uk www.puckator.co.uk Giving & Living: Stand A718

New WoodWick fragrances New collections are in the pipeline from America’s Virginia Gift Brands, the creative force behind WoodWick and the staple offering from Xystos, the home of flame and fragrance. The candle with the crackling wick already has six core fragrances confirmed for 2016 – Coconut, Honeysuckle, Lemon, Lilac, Pineapple and Rose.

Xystos Tel: 0191 499 1570 Email sales@xystos.co.uk www.xystostrade.co.uk Top Drawer: Stand P65 Scotland’s Spring Fair: Stand G22

Tantalising Kringle Xystos, the home of flame and fragrance, is introducing eight tantalising scents for 2016 from new American partner Kringle Candle, which is bidding to increase its market share in the UK. The new fragrances, which have wide customer appeal, are Egyptian Cotton, Fresh Air, Fresh Mint, Picket Fence, Spa Day, Sweet Pea, Mystic Sands and Dewdrops. RRPs are from £22.99 for the large candle to £2.49 for the wax melt and Daylight candle.

Xystos Tel: 0191 499 1570 Email sales@xystos.co.uk www.xystostrade.co.uk Top Drawer: Stand P65 Scotland’s Spring Fair: Stand G22

Stunning New Collections With stunning new collections and inspired line extensions, Portmeirion Group will showcase a range of tableware and gifts. Fall in love with Royal Worcester’s new Wrendale Designs gifts, be wowed by the new Sanderson for Portmeirion design and celebrate the 200th anniversary of Blue Italian with Spode’s Giallo collection.

Portmeirion Group Tel: 01782 744721 Email: homesales@portmeiriongroup.com www.portmeiriongroup.com Scotland’s Trade Fair: Stand G33

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Spotlight On... Reed Diffusers

Making A

Fragrant

Statement

Reed diffusers have come a long way since they were first introduced, with design-led containers, coloured glass, multicoloured reeds and exotic fragrance combinations enticing consumers to repeat purchase or be ever more adventurous.

But when it comes to gifting, it's often the quality, the price and the packaging that clinch the sale, with home fragrancing companies rising to meet the challenges.

PG&H sniffed out what will be delighting the olfactory senses in the New Year.

While candles still outperform reed diffusers as the most popular way to fragrance a home, reed diffusers are poised to become a mighty challenger next year, with home fragrance companies predicting further growth in sales.

It's easy to see why too. They're easy to use, emit a subtle perfume and are safe to have around. But they're not the only reasons why people love them so much.

Denise Edwards, director of Best Kept Secrets, says that as the market has been steadily improving for home fragranced

products, so reed diffusers sales are expected to rise rapidly next year. "The driver for sales will, as always, be a good competitive price, so that the diffuser is an affordable gift option, but our customers have also said that fragrance choice is playing a much bigger part in sales.

Customers have much more sophisticated and complex tastes and the desire to have

Above: Two Little Birds diffuser set from Ashleigh & Burwood.

Left: Tuscan Velvet from Best Kept Secrets.

Inset: Yankee Candle's Black Cherry.

a choice and a more unique product is a big factor. “Also, the diffuser has changed in the last two years from being a functional product into a much stronger gift offer," she points out. "That has meant that everything from packaging design, container choice and design, and the range of fragrances available, is playing a much more important part in the overall development of new products. As manufacturers, we have to respond to the needs of the customer who want high quality, premium finish and great scent experience from reed diffusers."

Ashleigh & Burwood's marketing manager, Deborah Bettinson, highlights that while candles were once the mainstay of the home fragrance world, the reed diffuser has now become its equal, with consumers readily understanding the product format and demanding a wide choice of fragrances as well as styles.

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Spotlight On... Reed Diffusers

Bigger And Better Size matters too when it comes to purchasing a reed diffuser.

"Customers have found our smaller 50ml diffuser hit the right price point, proving particularly popular as end of term teacher presents," says Bex Hewetson, sales and marketing director at Beefayre.

"But there has been a demand for the larger 100ml diffuser bottles too, which last up to 12 weeks.” Above: Beefayre's Waggledance At Wax Lyrical, the company points to large statement diffusers large room diffusers. as a growing trend."We have introduced a 500ml container for two of our bestselling fragrances Black Tea & Jasmine and Emperor’s Red Tea," highlights md Joanne Barber.

"The broad appeal of the product format also means that a range of product price points are required to meet demand at all levels," she comments. "We will be making diffuser introductions in Spring/Summer16 at each of the key price points - from our pick up line in Earth Secrets, through to The Scented Home, and the premium Ashleigh & Burwood reed diffuser gift sets."

On the fragrance front, Deborah says that the company is continuing to innovate with scent in The Scented Home collection, with four new fragrances to include Mojito, a fresh modern twist on traditional fruity scents.

"With the market now demanding innovation in both fragrance and design, we've added a range of new Simply Ceramic reed diffusers to our premium reed diffuser collection. Each one is designed to meet the latest interior style trends and provides a style statement within the home."

Following the trend for alternative ways to fragrance a room, Hannah Jenkins, brand and marketing director at Yankee Candle, confirms that Yankee's customers too, have embraced the trend for reed diffusers. "We have continued to see sales of our range grow every year," she confirms. "Consumers appreciate that they have an alternative way to enjoy their favourite Yankee fragrance, and that the product can be left unattended

Top Tip "Gift retailers should look to cross merchandise diffusers in a number of areas around the store, as well as incorporating them into displays, and colour coordinating them to work with other products for impulse and gift purchases."

Joanne Barber, md Wax Lyrical.

in situ at all times while adding a finishing touch to their interior design. There is a particular attraction for the diffusers during the summer months when the weather gets warmer and they are less inclined to light a candle in the home."

To meet the increasing demand for flameless home fragrancing, the company has expanded its reed diffuser collection and added a new range which is already proving to be a hit with customers. "The Classic reed diffuser combines Yankee Candle’s iconic apothecary jar with much-loved classic and new fragrances and is particularly appealing to those who want a distinctly unique diffuser, or the eye-catching shape of our iconic jar," says Hannah.

Quality, of course, is at the heart of every sale. "The quality of the diffuser is the number one selling Top left: Parlane International fragrances are high quality, alcohol-free scents that are produced in the UK. Above left; Millefiori's Jasmine Ylang.

Above right: madebyzen's Signature range features 10 fragrances.

Below: Caroline Gardner's reed diffuser boxes feature the company's iconic geometric print in colours that are relevant to the scent.

point, even over price," says Mike Burgess, md of Parlane International. "We realise that once our customers have found a favourite fragrance they will re-buy time after time."

The company launched 10 new scents for 2015/2016, with pretty as well as exotic sounding combinations to include Wild Lily and Meadows and Spice and Serenity. "The introduction of a larger size diffuser means we now have 65ml and 125ml bottles as well as a choice of candles, wax filled glass pots and packs of tealights all available in the same fragrances," points out Mike.

"They key with diffusers or any home fragrance is quality in both scent and appearance," concurs Caroline Gardner, creative director of her eponymous company.

"The idea of home fragrance is to lift spirits, create a mood and ambience in the home, to evoke memories. Beautifully designed diffusers are able to conjure up these feelings, by having a strong fresh scent that hits you when you enter a room, while also having a subtle yet natural style." The company recently created a modern, luxurious collection featuring eight fragrances to include pomegranate, rose, fig & mandarin and lime, based on Caroline’s reputation of contemporary designs.

Continued on page 47

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Stylish reed diffusers from the world’s leading home fragrance company Orders being taken now +44 (0)117 316 1200

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While Beedfayre says it has seen a trend in people wanting a more natural fragrance, Millefiori believes that perfume and design are intrinsically linked and that ‘style has its scent’. "It's important that our reed diffusers portray this belief and enable consumers to add a personal touch to their décor," says marketing manager Chiara Pazzagli. "Our reed diffusers have become renowned throughout the world because of their quality, colours and fragrances which are distinctly European, fresh and emotive."

Millefiori's most popular range of reed diffusers are those in its Natural collection, a vibrant line featuring a selection of perfumes that range from delicate floral notes to sparkling and fruity, layered with wood, spice and musk, to create a stimulating blend of sensations that evoke nostalgia.

"The diffusers are ideal for bringing an invigorating splash of colour into the home, while creating a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere," says Chiara. "For Spring, the romantic pink tone of Jasmine Ylang reflects the beauty of Spring blooms and the start of the new season after the darker winter months."

"Reed diffusers are certainly ahead of candles in the popularity stakes during the Spring/Summer months," says Hazel Simmons, head of design and product development at Stoneglow. "We find that most of our sales are centred around our home fragrance ranges such as Modern Classics, Nature's Gift, Art Collection and Modern Apothecary as opposed to seasonal lines, with our customers looking for a year round fragrance that they will want in their

Fragrance Layering Sales are continuing to grow at Wax Lyrical, with the company responding with the introduction of a new diffuser range, Home Fragrance Library, where the concept of fragrance layering creates a home’s signature scent by selecting different fragrances for different rooms.

"Our customers will be able to make multiple purchases of diffusers from a range of fragrance categories - Floral, Fresh, Oriental and Woody," explains md Joanne Barber. “This exciting range is being launched initially as a diffuser range, with some fabulous new contemporary packaging and POS. We intend to expand Home Fragrance Library to include other products such as candles later Above: Wax Lyrical's Home Fragrance Library new for in the year, giving customers the opportunity to add to their ‘signature 2016. Shown is Floral. scent’ or their own blend of fragrances.”

Far left: Stoneglow's Sea Salt & Oakmoss mini reed diffusers, a new fragrance in the Modern Classics collection.

Left: Among The Country Candle Company's new products for Spring is Wild Lime & Rose Tea Fragrant Orchard.

homes every day. At the top end, Nature’s Gift reed diffusers contain real botanical pieces, while all our ranges all encompass one of the most diverse range of bottles on the market at the moment. We go to a lot of trouble to source new designs so that we can offer something different, such as our Modern Classics bottle, a lovely round shape. Plus, of course, we are always on the search for new fragrances which are original and offer a great fragrance throw. For Spring/Summer we have four

Packaging That Packs A Punch In such a highly competitive market place, it can often be the packaging, that first catches the eye of a customer.

In addition to the subtle scents of Aquiesse, Xystos director Tom Sykes believes that packaging has made a significant contribution to the success of the Aquiesse brand which features eight reed diffuser gift sets in the Portfolio Collection. Comments Tom: “The packaging is high-end like the products themselves, giving retailers the best possible opportunity to maximise sales.

It’s very important to stand out from the crowd.”

Equally distinctive is the packaging for Aquiesse’s Black Currant and White Currant ranges, with each offering three reed diffuser gift sets. Fragrances include Black Tea & Cognac, Black Orchid and Black Sandalwood, while White Currant offers White Iris & Veviter, White Grapefruit Acai and White Currant & Rose.

Packaging also continues to be a key factor at Yankee Candle, which has refreshed its Décor reed diffuser range, reflecting the clean contemporary design of Yankee’s Décor

exciting new fragrances to offer across Modern Apothecary, Nature’s Gift and Modern Classics."

Also building on its current fragrance collections is The Country Candle Company. Creative director Hamish Smith says that in 2016, new introductions will be refreshing the brand, with on trend packaging to draw the eye, as well as new fragrances to tempt the senses. "Home fragrance is becoming increasingly popular with reed diffusers the ‘must have’ accessory for the modern home. We will therefore be developing and enhancing our range of reed diffusers, with fragrances and designs to appeal to every taste."

With new generations of reed diffusers continually refreshing the market place, and innovation as strong as ever, not only are reeds here to stay, but candles are sure to be given a run for their money!

pillar candles, by introducing stylish new packaging with appeal as a gift or more refined option.

"Our Signature reed diffuser range has also benefitted from rejuvenated packaging," says brand and marketing director Hannah Jenkins. "Each fragrance is presented in an ornamental glass vase which artistically depicts the scent housed inside and adds a decorative touch to the room."

Beefayre's Bex Hewetson, sales and marketing director, points to the eye-catching, bright colours of the Bee Garden collection. "We keep looking at ways of creating a point of difference through the packaging and by printing on the glassware with bee and flower designs. The company has become well known for its distinctive botanical prints which people reuse."

At Parlane International, md Mike Burgess says that while packaging needs to be attractive and colourful it should also be strong and fit for purpose. "It should be designed to withstand any drop test and mail order challenges," he emphasises.

Left: The Aquiesse Portfolio Collection, distributed by Xystos.

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What’s New Progressive Gifts & Home highlights some of the latest Reed Diffusers gift products to be showcased this month.

Unique Fragrances

Star Performers Best Kept Secrets, the seriously scented candles, soaps and fragranced gifts specialist, launched its new range of diffusers late in 2015, and the range looks like it will be a star performer in 2016. The new range of 12 fragranced diffusers comes in distinctive gift packaging, with seven coloured reeds and a newly designed cube container.

Denise Edwards comments: "The new reed diffuser ranges offer an excellent addition to our seriously scented range of candles, soaps and fragranced gifts."

Best Kept Secrets Tel: 01670 512222 Email: sales@bestkeptsecrets.co.uk www.bestkeptsecrets.co.uk Spring Fair Stand No: 4B 33 Scotland’s Trade Fair Stand No: H2

Leading home fragrance brand madebyzen has developed its stylish reed diffuser range to include four new unique fragrances on top of its already extensive and stunning selection. They include Amber Sakura; Nerola; Paradise and Berry Vanille. The reed diffusers, (RRP £25), are timeless in design with an elegant glass bottle and synthetic reeds which help disperse the delicious fragrance even better. Each one is also finished in a beautiful and opulent madebyzen gift box.

Made By Zen Tel: 0161 257 3524 or 0161 257 3644 www.madebyzen.com

Art Collection This stylish grey vignette effect glassware will bring a touch of class to any room. Each item is packaged in a stunning box which features real watercolour artwork. This design features beautiful on trend tones of grey, amber and taupe, which perfectly complement the gorgeous scent of crystal amber, sultry musks, powdery iris and pepper. The collection features three different products, a 140ml reed diffuser, a 40 hour tumbler and an 18 hour bubble ball.

Stoneglow Candles Tel: 0208 595 8878 Email: sales@stoneglowcandles.co.uk www.stoneglowcandles.co.uk Top Drawer: Stand R55

Modern Classics Modern Classics, Sea Salt & Oakmoss, a new fragrance/colourway to add to this best-selling home fragrance collection. The simple classic styling, high fragrances and unusual bottle shapes make this range a very popular choice.

The new blue colour option is bang on trend, as is the wonderful salty, oceanic fragrance.

The range offers a wide selection of products such as a 140ml reed diffuser, 40 hour candle and 15 hour candle as well as a room spray and a gift set option.

Stoneglow Candles Tel: 0208 595 8878 Email: sales@stoneglowcandles.co.uk www.stoneglowcandles.co.uk Top Drawer: Stand R55

Simply Ceramic Following the success of the Simply Ceramic addendum to their fragrance lamp collection in 2015, Ashleigh & Burwood is now introducing the pared back styling of the ceramic lamps to six new premium reed diffuser sets, making the perfect gift for the style-conscious consumer.

The new Two Little Birds design boasts an ontrend monochrome wildlife print. The reed diffuser is presented in a gift box with the bestselling fragrance, Fresh Linen.

Ashleigh & Burwood Tel: 01932 267060 Email: info@ashleigh-burwood.co.uk www.ashleigh-burwood-trade.co.uk Scotland’s Trade Fair, Spring: Stand G20 Showcase Ireland: Stand D75

New Gift Packs Wax Lyrical has developed a set of gift packs that will cover all of the Spring gifting occasions including Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and Easter. The new Bloom collection contains a variety of candle and diffuser selections at varying price points and has been cleverly designed to carry through until the end of the summer with the release of individual diffusers to extend the range.

Wax Lyrical Tel: 01229 461111, Email: customerservice@wax-lyrical.co.uk www.waxlyricaltrade.com

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In Profile: Wax Lyrical

Proud To Be British

In the ultra competitive world of home fragrancing, Wax Lyrical, which lays claim to being the greenest business in Cumbria, boasts an all important USP. Based in Ulverston in the heart of the Lake District, it holds the distinction of being the UK's largest home fragrancing manufacturing company, with a £1m investment in its factory last year which attracted Steph McGovern, BBC Breakfast's business correspondent, to broadcast live from the state-of-the-art factory floor.

In 2016, Wax Lyrical will be focusing on its Britishness and Northern roots, with new branding, new packaging, new positioning and new seasonal giftware propelling the company in new directions.

PG&H donned a pair of sturdy factory boots to take a look around.

It's a well-documented fact that chairman Mike Armstead bought Wax Lyrical (formerly Colony) on a gut feeling while he was on holiday in the Lake District. It was a rainy day, and his wife Jen went into the Colony candle shop. She spent £100, and Mike came home with the company two days prior to Christmas 2007!

A former owner of Dunlop, and having previously held senior management roles at Nestle, following kickstarting his career at BP as

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a trainee market analyst, he was on the look-out for another business venture and had already discounted Colony because it was haemorrhaging £5m a year and bankrupt. But visiting the candle shop that weekend, he immediately saw the company's huge potential - not least that it was situated in the Lake District - and set about transforming its fortunes. He changed its name to Wax Lyrical in 2010 - a trademark Colony had owned but had never used - switched all manufacturing to Ulverston, and set about doing everything he possibly could to emphasise the

Below: Mike Armstead, chairman, and Nikki Garnett, head of marketing and creative.

Bottom left: Bloom has been launched to encompass the Spring seasons.

Bottom: Kitchen Garden (left) and Home Fragrance Library (right) are new for Spring/Summer.

company's Britishness. "People like the name Wax Lyrical. It seems to add endorsement," he states.

Eight years on, the company is thriving, comfortably in the black, backed by a powerful management team and seen to be green. "We are very proud that we managed to re-shore the business," says Mike.

He stepped down as md two years ago to become chairman, handing over the reins to the company's Joanne Barber who comes from a strong blue chip retail background.

Last March, he appointed Nikki Garnett, a previous head of marketing at Selfridges, and consultant to a number of high street

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In Profile: Wax Lyrical retailers, as head of marketing and creative.

And it's Nikki and her team of in-house designers who are currently behind transforming the perception of Wax Lyrical, pushing the boundaries in terms of the company's image, taking it more upmarket and building on the concept of the Fired Earth brand, the company's first foray into the premium market. While Wax Lyrical remains proud of its established ranges where line extensions are continually introduced - an extensive marketing and PR campaign is currently underway which includes the promotion of two brand new ranges which are launching in 2016.

"Kitchen Garden was inspired by the trend for home produce at the 2015 Chelsea Flower Show and is a unisex range,” explains Nikki. "It picks up on the trend for super-foods, and features rhubarb and ginger, fig and quince, tomato leaf, blackberry and basil. Our extensive consumer research, carried out by Lancaster University, has shown that people want to be challenged - even those who always buy ivory coloured products - so we have used waxes in strong colours."

Also new will be Home Fragrance Library, a mid-market range that features a provenance story on every box. "The creative inspiration came from the catwalks, especially London Fashion Week, with the concept focused on layering fragrances in every room in the home to give it a distinctive 'signature' scent," comments Nikki. Scents are Floral, Fresh, Oriental and Woody, aimed at discerning consumers, with a dialogue on the back of every box, just like a book 'blurb'.

A third range Bloom, is focused on seasonal gifting. It was recently launched to retailers for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Easter, and boasts trendy packaging that will take retailers from Spring comfortably into summer and beyond. A reed diffuser range will be introduced for summer.

Emotional Tie Of all the fragrances across the Wax Lyrical ranges, Mike's favourite is Fired Earth's Black Tea and Jasmine. "It has a male feel with a lovely fragrance, lovely packaging and both a warm and a cold throw. Every time I smell it, it gives me a wonderful feeling of wellbeing."

Right: Mike Armstead with Fired Earth's Black Tea and Jasmine.

Wax Lyrical The Lowdown

Top: 2016 sees a re-branding and new image for the company.

Above: Fired Earth decorated candle tins are new for this year.

Meanwhile, another major step taking the company forward in 2016 will be an exciting re-branding which will be unveiled at Spring Fair. "We want to communicate that we are a one stop shop," confirms Nikki.

"Having a new identity and logo will help us launch to the premium market."

The inspiration for the new design was created in-house, with the lettering inspired

by British ironmongery to give it a 'Northern' feel. The copper lettering reflects candlelight while the icon encapsulates a candle flame.

Routes to market include a brand new catalogue, licensed product, bespoke and white label. "We will be focusing on becoming a one stop shop," states Nikki.

"We offer production and quality alongside a testing laboratory where we employ two PhD scientists in-house, with a dedicated perfumer on hand who ensures that the 'notes' work across all our home fragrancing formats. We're testing quality the whole time and benchmarking. Plus, with a talented team of in house designers we can also offer design, product development, design

● Wax Lyrical was bought by Mike Armstead in 2007 and currently employs 130 staff across the factory and warehouse. ● Following a £1m investment in the factory in 2015, improvements in productivity, a reform of manufacturing techniques and the upskilling of staff, the company is targeting a significant growth in turnover by 2017. ● New machinery includes a state-of-theart filling tank; a new tea light station which has doubled capacity and new wet machines for the production of reed diffusers. ● The company currently produces 15m pieces a year, significantly up on output in 2014. ● The factory is powered by its own wind turbine, with all paper and packaging made in the North of England. ● Export to 42 countries represents a third of sales, to include Russia, South Korea, Japan and the Middle East. ● Wax Lyrical will be unveiling a brand new stand design at Spring Fair in February, and will be moving into Hall 4.

packaging, customer service, accounts, warehousing and distribution." (The company is proud to hold a BRC accreditation and a SMETA four pillar audit).

Naturally, Wax Lyrical also works with many of the leading fragrance houses, with six accredited 'noses' within the company, of which Nikki is one. "With a unique library of scents, we have the capacity to develop bespoke fragrances, and this year, there will be a special emphasis on premium and B2B products which will see us working closely with luxury brands. For us, bespoke is a whole new dimension and inspiration."

As Mike Armstead puts it: "Home fragrancing is the most wonderful market to be involved with. It's a 'cashmere' category, which is why we are moving the company more upmarket. We broke through the £35 barrier with Fired Earth so we want to see how far we can go. Plus, having spent eight years and £1m on our manufacturing base we are targeting significant growth in 2016."

(See Wax Lyrical The Lowdown above).

Meanwhile, Mike reveals that the company's next big thing as pioneers is a brand new laboratory which will be pioneering not only new fragrances but also new fragrance formats to include an ultrasonic diffuser. "I feel we are very privileged to have the great good fortune to spend all our days thinking and talking about fragrance," he smiles, clearly delighted that that rainy weekend in Cumbria has clearly led to him having the time of his life!

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TRENDS: BEES

Busy Bees

As the plight of the bumblebee gains increasing media attention, bees are definitely the ‘buzz word’ this year, with The Greats 2016 adopting bees as its theme.

Gift suppliers too, are bang on trend across all product sectors, with the highly respected pollinators appearing on everything from ceramics to children's backpacks.

PG&H takes a look at what's buzzing around.

Above: A bee themed tile from Fiesta Studios.

Above: The Naked Bee Orange Blossom Honey bath and body Mini Bee Kit, which is distributed by Xystos.

Above right: Three scented lavender tea lights from Beefayre.

Right: A colourful washbag/make-up bag from Gisela Graham's Kitchen Garden range.

Right: A colourful LittleLife Bee Toddler Daysack from LifeMarque.

Left: A wooden and bamboo Thoughtful Gardener Bee House from Wild & Wolf, a contemporary home for solitary bees.

Above: Soul Bees, a new range of stationery from Really Good featuring notebooks, storage tins and boxes, a mug, glasses case, money tin, torch and tray.

Below: Hexagon Bee nail file containers from RJB Stone/Sass & Belle.

Left: Bee Happy! from Transomnia.

Below: Wild English Lavender luxury hand and nail cream from Heathcote & Ivory’s Wild English Lavender collection, inspired by bees enjoying the pollen.

Right: New from Ulster Weavers, a bee design by Ann Edwards which launches in January 2016.

The collection features a linen tea towel and a PVC apron.

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The home of British vintage hand stamped cutlery

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Spotlight On... Mother’s Day

M U M’ S The Word It's no secret that Mother's Day far outshines Father's Day when it comes to gift and card giving, with gift independents really making the most of this emotive Spring occasion.

As retailers head to the Spring shows, PG&H took a peek at how a myriad of gifts will we be helping us to tell our mums how much we love them on Sunday March 6.

After the romance of Valentine's Day, Mother's Day - a week or two earlier than usual in 2016 - is a very special date on the family calendar, with 'children' of all ages eager to show how much their mums mean to them. While a huge bunch of flowers or box of chocolates is always appreciated, there's something very special about going the extra mile, tapping into what mums themselves would really like to receive if they had a wish list.

As Piers Croke, sales director of Gisela Graham points out, a lot of Mother's Day gifts are going to be bought by children and young people, so a low RRP is important.

"It's even better if the gifts are small as well as useful, such as mugs, purses and specs cases. We have a very pretty range called Birdsong, which includes some things specifically for mum. But we also bear in mind that mums have birthdays all the year round, so most of the range is generically pretty, featuring flowers and birds, which are also suitable for Spring sales."

A highlight for Joe Davies this year will be the new Rose & Co. collection, which the company distributes exclusively in partnership with Grafton International. "The collection is beautifully packaged and presented for giving and for display," emphasises md Steve Davies. "Everything is made in the UK using the very best ingredients and is perfectly priced for all ages to find something for their mum's special day."

Continues Steve, "after Christmas, Mother’s Day is the biggest trading period for our independent retail customers so we bring out numerous Mother’s Day specific ranges, with the occasion bringing a general upturn in gift sales for shops, particularly in pretty and low cost items."

With fragranced giftware one of the most popular gifting market sectors, most mums would also be delighted to receive a

Below: Rose & Co., distributed

by Joe Davies.

Below middle: Mums Make Everything Brighter from Yankee Candle's Sentiments range.

Bottom left: Gisela Graham's Birdsong range which has mothers in mind.

scented candle, especially if it has a relevant sentiment message. Yankee Candle's marketing director for EMA, Hannah Jenkins, says: "We find that a lot of consumers like to give fragranced candles as a gift for Mother’s Day because there are so many scents to choose from, from floral and fresh fragrances to food and fruit scents."

As she says, scented candles can also be very nostalgic for both the gift giver and the recipient, evoking fond memories."We find a lot of people love our Clean Cotton candle because it reminds them of running through their mother’s washing on the line as a child!" she highlights.

In response to consumer demand and emerging trends, Yankee has launched a new range of gift sets for Spring 2016, giving consumers a choice of boxed gifts for every occasion to include Mother’s Day. "These include pretty pastel themed sets from the new My Serenity collection and more opulent and indulgent sets from the Pure Essences range," explains Hannah. "We are also anticipating that there will be great demand for our Sentiments range Lilac Blossoms scented candle because it features the thoughtful message ‘Mums Make Everything Brighter’ making it a popular fragrance for mothers."

Jewellery, of course, is a 'must have' product for gift shops, with Carrie Elspeth's new range of Sentiments embracing the celebration, with personalised gifts at an accessible price. "Jewellery is still a top gift, Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

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Spotlight On... Mother’s Day

Left: From Carrie Elspeth's Sentiments jewellery collection that tells mums how special they are.

Below: Lesser & Pavey's Willow patterm.

Right: A Ditsy make-up bag from Caroline Gardner.

with colourful trends for Spring and an emphasis on items with more personal meaning. Mother’s Day is very strong for us."

The themes of tea and cake are also hard to resist when it comes to thinking of a gift for mums. "Mother's Day is dominated by flowers and chocolates and, to a certain degree, the giftware industry plays a secondary role to these gifts, but it is a healthy one, as mum's are much loved by family and thus enjoyment/delight is wished for the receiver of a gift," says Julian Hunt, md of Lesser & Pavey. "We take the theme of floral and add it to productive gifts such as quality fine china mugs and teapots, trinket boxes and candle table settings which are presented in attractive gift packing at an affordable price."

Still thinking about tea, La De Da! Living offers personalised spoons as a commemorative gift.

"Personalised unique

gifts are a must for Mother's Day, as mothers do deserve something very special," comments director Dominique Fracasso-Stroud. "The larger high street stores offer a very mainstream product for this special occasion, so for an independent retailer, it is absolutely key to offer something they can’t, with personalised definitely the way to go."

Mike Burgess, md of Parlane International, says that flowers are still the most traditional gift for Mother’s Day. "The Parlane flower collection has grown over the years and the quality of craftsmanship has grown with it," states Mike.

"Permanent botanicals are no longer an embarrassing cliché found in the downstairs loo. They are very realistic in colour and each of our hand-finished flowers has been studied intricately to recreate it to perfection. We are almost unrivalled in our large selection of single stems, potted sets and statement plants."

Mike predicts that pastels will be big news for 2016. "Our new spring flower collection is full of soft pinks and

Right: A spoonful of commemorative sugar from La De Da! Living.

Far right: Widdop Bingham's Wendy Jones-Blackett collection has mum appeal.

Below: New from Parlane International's flower collection for Spring.

creams and who could resist a classic cream potted rose as a gift?"

Caroline Gardner, creative director of her eponymous company, concurs. "Flowers and pretty florals are always a great gift for Mother’s Day,” she comments. "My interest in floral prints comes from my love of interiors, because you can make the pattern interesting and quirky by attention to detail."

Adds Caroline: "As florals are an ongoing trend, whether it’s vintage or traditional, the consistency and popularity makes it a perfect gift for Mother’s Day." "Cool mums, fun mums, strict mums, happy mums. Mums come in all shapes and sizes so retailers need to make sure all mums are catered for," says Sue Grant, marketing manager at Widdop Bingham. "From a pocket money gift through to a full-bodied pamper gift, there’s an opportunity right across the board, with trends within Mother’s Day gifts mirroring those of other categories - simple, stylish and following the 'less is more' dictum.

An example is our Wendy Jones-Blackett Mother’s Day collection."

As most people on the look-out for a gift for Mother's Day would agree, finding a special gift for a special mum is nonnegotiable. And while a big hug and breakfast in bed might be top of her list, nothing beats seeing her face light up when she tears off the giftwrap to find a gift to treasure.

It Pays To Display Display plays an important part in highlighting Mother's Day, gifts points out Clare Davis, creative director of Clare Davis London. "One of the tricks that the large department stores use is to colour theme items together, and then have a smattering of statement gifts to give the consumer a clue as to the special occasion," explains Clare. "It helps keeps the stock down on items that only have a small window of sales, such as Mother's Day." She adds that, from a retailer's perspective, colour and pattern for 2016 are very important, with Peach Echo and Rose Quartz key for Spring, along with ornate foil gold.” Glass, foil, paper and wood are also key materials for Spring collections, so retailers would do well to have malleable items such as pretty paperweights, mirrored boxes and foiled glassware as a collection, and maybe a focal point of fine bone china worded Mother's Day tea cups and mugs so that mums can Above: Clare Davis London's 'mum' mug reflects the trends for Spring 2016. drink their tea in special 'mum' mugs!" says Clare.

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In Profile: Dealers

The Treasure Trove That Is Dealers

Where would you find three submarines, a '50's Hygena kitchen cupboard and a jar of marbles, not to mention a pre-Victorian pine horse, a 17th century bakery shovel, a cattle feeder, three aeroplane refuelling pods, a rickshaw and Russian oil barrels?

The answer is at Dealers, based at Coton Farm, in Shrewsbury, a vast 36,000 sq ft warehouse set in 10 acres, frequented by a diverse range of businesses.

PG&H went scavenging to Shropshire to hear more about it.

"I always wanted to go 'tatting'," admits Dealers’ founder and md John Lees, who started out buying and selling other people's unwanted goods when he was a youngster. "There's always stuff there if you search for it."

Following a few years in the army when he was in his teens, John couldn't wait to come back to Shropshire to go back to 'dealing'. He initially opened a large retail Above: An aerial view of the warehouse.

Inset: The outside area.

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furniture and carpet store, alongside exporting containers of old furniture and accessories to North America and around Europe on a weekly basis. The experience he gained taught him to always be on the lookout for a good deal which could be passed onto his many customers.

In fact, there's nothing that John loves more than a deal. He is always looking for ends of lines and clearance goods to blend

in with his existing stock. He regards every item in his immaculate warehouse - and acres of outside show area - as a work of art, stopping to highlight the design features, skill and craftsmanship, conversant with every one of the 8,000 plus items in stock.

"I have full confidence in the variety of stock that I carry," he says with a smile. And with half a century of experience under his belt, who could argue?

He admits it's been a colourful career, buying and selling to 45 countries, and putting him in touch with a few 'characters' as he puts it, "the good, the bad and the ugly! "I've been to some wonderful places, and met many different types of people.

That's what makes it the best job in the world," he states.

Up For Auction Currently, John is hugely excited about an ambitious new project, the launching of a brand new auction saleroom nearby to the Dealers site, where he will be working in an advisory role. It will be housed in a 50,000 sq ft building with a four acre hard standing sales area that will be starting to trade early in 2016. A major marketing campaign will soon be launching involving ads in the national press and extensive local press coverage.

"The auction will be offering a service to, and dealing with, the public, liquidators, solicitors as well as the trade," explains John. "From my perspective, I feel that I'm dipping a very little finger into a very big pie."

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In Profile: Dealers John sources goods from far and wide and imports a steady flow of containers full of different types of merchandise throughout the trading year.

"A lot of work is put into developing and designing, with the aim being to keep abreast and get ahead of current trends," he explains. "Some of our major suppliers are UK based, plus a lot of secondhand and vintage items are found in the UK as, of course, we always strive to support our own UK economy too."

He lives on site in a 17th century house with his girlfriend Teresa who also works alongside him helping him do the buying being something of a canny negotiator herself.

He says the business consumes him 24/7. "If you snooze you lose," he states. "For me, it's more about the fun than the profit. You have to listen and learn every day and I'm never shy to ask any of my mates for advice."

Although he recently reached a milestone birthday, he says that he will never retire. "Vintage, recycling and upcycling are all trending now, and I'm still loving every moment," he confirms. "As trade has altered over the years we have adapted and now enjoy continued success due to the benefit of our excellent online presence, which has proven to be a huge advantage to many of our customers who register and place orders with us that way.

“We update our website daily - currently we have over 4,000 lines listed - but at the warehouse, we carry a constantly changing assortment of over 8,000 lines."

He highlights that a lot of the company's customers still like to visit the warehouse and showrooms to buy and collect themselves. "It lets them see the full and vast range of diverse products that are available," John points out. "No-one ever goes away empty handed, and I enjoy having a chat with our customers too, listening and learning. I know that every day is going to be a school day.

The products we offer include an enormous variety of furniture both large and small, interior and exterior, decorative and giftware items, mirrors, garden statuary, fire pits, milk churns, crates, hooks, architectural columns, doors, plaques, signs and so on," he reels off. "We also stock various Above: Some of the many products on offer.

Right: Diverse stock includes a yellow submarine.

Dealers: The Lowdown refurbished and upcycled cabinets, tables, shelving, racks and blanket boxes, so we really do have something for everyone! Plus, we also have many one off items, too numerous to mention, but they include old mopeds, fairground rides, a full size train, aircraft refuelling pods and much, much more, so it's always a great experience visiting us at Dealers. Because of the enormous range we offer, we are able to attract a wide variety of customers and I pride myself on the fact that Dealers is indeed a one stop warehouse, a real Aladdin’s cave. After all, where else would you find everything from an egg cup to a search submarine?"

John's also quick to emphasise that everyone receives a warm welcome and a cuppa. "My staff of 12 have all been with me for many years and are knowledgeable in all aspects of the business. They have a very good rapport with our customers," he states.

Lillian Rideout and Sue Medlicott oversee both the running of the business at the warehouse and showroom, and also deal with the daily updating of the website.

In addition, they are also always at the end

● Dealers, a B2B company, was officially

launched in 1971 and is currently celebrating its 45th anniversary. ● The company moved to Coton Farm in Shrewsbury in 1985. ● Products are diverse, to include a constantly changing assortment of old, new, recycled, vintage and reproduction furniture and home accessories, garden wares, architectural pieces and unusual items to suit a large variety of businesses. ● Customers range from film and TV companies, architects and designers, restaurateurs, independent businesses and retailers to shop fitters, garden centres, plus many others.

of the phone helping out and advising customers. "All my staff work well as a team and strive to keep the warehouse, yard and showroom clean, well presented and tidy, not an easy job when they never know what I’m going to buy next."

Looking back at his long career, he says he gets even more of a buzz finding something today than he did when he first started out. "I'm still loving every moment and I'm still prepared to get my hands dirty.

You can never tell when the phone's going to ring or what’s going to turn up on the yard. It's an ever changing market and there's always more to learn and to find. You never know who is going to come here and who is going to buy."

With the interview over, John's off to check out a battered upright piano and an old Volkswagen that's just come in. As he says, you never know what might arrive next.

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tel: +44 (0)1225 789909 | sales@wildandwolf.com | www.wildandwolf.com

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Spotlight On... Licensed Giftware

Hot Properties A host of new licensed giftware products are on the launchpad for 2016, including jewellery, glassware, soft toys and tinware.

PG&H took a look at what's new for the Spring seasons.

Heather Flynn Artist Heather Flynn is the creator and co-creator respectively of Alice Scott and Happy Jackson – two brands that are continuing to make their presence felt in the gift and greeting card arena.

"I’d been following Heather Flynn’s brand Alice Scott for some time and snapped it up when Heather offered us the tinware licence," confirms James Brierley, owner of Elite. "Heather’s work on Happy Jackson and many other Elite products means the look and feel are just right," he confirms. "We picked a matt finish for the tins which ties in with the high specification cards by Pigment."

Above: Among the Alice Scott tinware from Elite.

Below: The Harry Potter collection from Half Moon Bay.

By Appointment One of Widdop Bingham's newest licensing signings for 2016 is with award winning greetings card publisher Pigment Design Studio. By Appointment is one of four Pigment brands that are being licensed by the company.

By Appointment adds to Widdop Bingham’s portfolio of brands, particularly within the sentiment category, with the company investing heavily in a gift collection which includes social stationery, ladies gifts and home accessories.

“This is an exciting partnership with an industry-leading design studio that is recognised for its cutting edge designs," says Stephen Illingworth, head of product development and national account sales.

Above: Widdop Bingham's By Appointment collection.

Roald Dahl British novelist Roald Dahl is best known as the author of universally loved children's books such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The BFG, Matilda and James and the Giant Peach. His centenary will be commemorated in 2016.

“Next year sees the centenary of the world’s number one story teller and we are delighted to be launching a new plush collection," says Anthony Temple md of Rainbow Designs.

The collection will be available in time for World Book Day on March 3, and will feature a series of soft plush characters including Matilda, The BFG and Willy Wonka.

Right: Rainbow Designs' BFG produces eight different whizzpopping sounds.

Harry Potter Harry Potter, written by J K Rowling, was first introduced in 1997 and has gone on to be a worldwide phenomenon. The series features the Hogwarts School of Wizardry, with Harry Potter and his friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger taking on ‘He who must not be named’ (Lord Voldemort). The School’s four main houses, Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, have become favourites with fans of the series. A range of Tshirts and apparel hit the market in 2015.

"Following on the back of the success of the Harry Potter apparel, Half Moon Bay has recognised Harry Potter as the ideal new licence to add to our collection," says marketing manager Ben Craddock. "The licence closely mirrors the success of our key licences from Disney, Warner Brothers and the BBC, whose appeal has grown, rather than diminished, over time. Harry Potter, like Star Wars, Batman, Superman and Doctor Who stands the test of time, with new fans discovering the books and films each year and old fans staying loyal to the series."

The company has developed an extensive range of gift and housewares to include favourites such as boxed mugs, retro bags, tin storage and glassware. "The caped towel and marauders map novelty puzzle are sure to be big hits within the range," predicts Ben. "We envisage wide appeal for the product range and the timing of the three new films from the Harry Potter universe further cement the licence as an ideal new partner for Half Moon Bay." Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them are set for release in 2016.

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Spotlight On... Licensed Giftware

Poldark Cornish jewellery company St Justin has been appointed by ITV Studios’ Global Entertainment to produce an exclusive range of official Poldark licensed jewellery and giftware.

The filming for the first, and, more recently, the second series, of Poldark took place within a few miles of where St Justin produces its collections.

“The story of our company’s heritage created a natural link with Poldark, and it seemed like a perfect opportunity to expand our Cornish jewellery in a new and exciting way,” explains St Justins' marketing manager Wayne Hutchings.

The new Poldark collection will include jewellery and giftware that is inspired by the story’s mining settings and Cornish filming locations, as well as pendants that have been designed to reflect the styles worn in the series. "These include pendants with crystals and pearls that are hung on ribbon rather than chains, keeping the authenticity of the period," Wayne points out. The initial collection will be handcrafted from 100% Cornish tin, which St Justin managed to buy following the discovery of a large quantity of ingots from a shipwreck.

In the coming months, items made from pewter, sterling silver and Cornish bronze (recycled copper and Cornish tin) will be added to the Poldark collection.

Above: A pendant in the Poldark collection from St Justin.

The National Gallery Collection The National Gallery houses the national collection of paintings in the Western European tradition from the 13th to the 19th centuries. Paul Bristow Associates is a supplier of textile products for The National Gallery Collection which are sold in the museum's shops.

"The National Gallery Collection is a very exciting license, full of unique and incredible masterpieces produced on our UK made and printed textile products," explains Ben Bristow of Paul Bristow Associates. "The collection consists of kitchen textiles, tote bags, cosmetic bags and wash bags, and, with a literal interpretation of the paintings, each product is a piece of art in its own right," states Ben.

Aardman Animations Puckator recently confirmed a new collaboration with Aardman Animations which will be celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2016. The company is best known for its animated films and television series of Wallace & Gromit and Shaun The Sheep.

"The Shaun the Sheep brand fits very well with Puckator’s expanding portfolio of licensed gift ware items," comments the company's Mary Overmeer. "In 2016 we will be launching brand new Solar Pal characters of Shaun the Sheep and Wallace & Gromit."

Above: Shaun the Sheep is to make his debut in Puckator’s portfolio.

Thelma Madine Camal Enterprises, run by former Royal Doulton ceo Wayne Nutbeen, is the home of The English Ladies Co figurines. The company has teamed up with wedding dressmaker Thelma Madine, star of TV's Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, to create a range of fine bone china figurines.

"We are delighted with our collaboration with Thelma which is bringing our figurines to a new audience, and also celebrates the extravagance of Thelma's flamboyant designs, generating annual sales of over £2m," comments Camal Enterprises’ marketing director Malini Pashley. "New lines will be launched at the NEC." Above: Fairytale Gypsy Bride Brunette from Camal Enterprises.

Hallmark Hallmark offers greeting cards for special days and events as well as life's big occasions.

History & Heraldry has been appointed as Hallmark’s UK licensee in the home fragrance category. Drawing on artistic inspiration from the sentiment and design style of two of Hallmark’s most successful card ranges, Lucy Cromwell and Bellissima, the range will be launched at Spring Fair. “History & Heraldry's ability to appeal to the consumers’ emotions through beautifully sourced and designed impulse gifting means we couldn’t have chosen a better partner for this fastgrowing gift category,” comments Julie Michell, European licensing manager at Hallmark.

Right: A large, lined tote bag of Vincent Van Gogh's Sunflowers designed by Paul Bristow Associates for The National Gallery Collection.

Below: Also from Paul Bristow Associates for The National Gallery Collection, a wash bag of Ambrosius Bosschaert The Elder, A Still Life of Flowers In A Wan-Li Vase.

Inset: The new Hallmark home fragrance range from History & Heraldry.

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What’s New Progressive Gifts & Home highlights some of the latest in licensed gift products to be showcased this month.

Lifestyle Giftware Briers launches yet another new successful licensed range - the William Morris Collection - based on three iconic, inspirational patterns by the most influential British designer from the Arts & Crafts movement. Thirty four products include all-over-print tools in shelfready units; colour gift-boxed tools; gloves; extra-large kneeler cushions; bags for almost every occasion; fabric-feel rubber boots; pots for string, seeds or bits and bobs; mugs and more. Every item is finished with artful labelling, pre-priced with a removable label.

Prices start from £5.99.

Briers Tel: 01963 279077 Email: sales@briersltd.co.uk www.briersltd.co.uk

Rennie Mackintosh Range The works of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, a Scottish architect, designer, water colourist and artist in the postimpressionist movement, have been captured by Lesser & Pavey with brand new designs for a high quality range of tableware. The image shows a small selection from this comprehensive range of high quality tableware that includes three different trays, mugs, and cup with saucer, all presented in co-ordinating packaging which will be on view for the first time in February.

Lesser & Pavey Tel: 01322 279225 Email: sales@leonardo.co.uk www.leonardo.co.uk Spring Fair: Hall 5 Stand C04/D03

EastWest Gets Tango'd The Tango licensing programme has been expanded with the addition of EastWest ( Europe ) as gift licensee. The company will produce mugs, tinware including storage and money tins, coasters, keyrings and a specific drinkware range including glasses, bottle openers and tin coolers. The range will use the latest Tango style guide and feature brand phrases such as the well known 'You've Been Tango'd' line.

2016 will see further new products launched including popcorn and ice cream. For more details call Ian Downes.

Start Licensing Tel: 0208 337 7958 Email: ian@startlicensing.co.uk

Sarah Stokes Collection

VW Collection by BRISA Tarpaulin wallets, shoulder and messenger bags, ideal for everyday leisure and business travel, are set to join the VW Collection by BRISA. Celebrating the retro appeal of VW, the latest additions to the giftware collection include backpacks and shopper bags as well as a range of home accessories from bone china and enamel mugs to 3D magnets in the shape of the iconic Camper Van. Enesco Tel: 01228 404022 Email: uksales@enesco.co.uk www.enesco.co.uk

Artist Sarah Stokes’ preferred medium is watercolour because of the luminosity and spontaneity that the style brings to her art. Her fresh and vibrant paintings of a Highland Cow, Fox and Pheasant have inspired the Sarah Stokes Collection of home and gift wares, all of which are exclusively available from BFA Contemporary Gift. All products, from mugs and place mats to textiles such as scarves and cushions, will feature one of the three animals.

Enesco Tel: 01228 404022 Email: uksales@enesco.co.uk www.enesco.co.uk

New Limited Editions The SANTORO's Gorjuss collection of keepsakes, goes from strength to strength with four new figurines being added to the collection for the start of 2016. The highlight of the launch is the limited edition Ruby, portrayed on her swing in a woodland scene with her special cat. Produced in a limited edition of 600 pieces, each will come with its own certificate of authenticity. Also new are two medium figurines: We Can All Shine and Pulling On Your Heart Strings, plus the large figurine, Dear Alice.

Enesco Tel: 01228 404022 Email: uksales@enesco.co.uk www.enesco.co.uk PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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An Emotional

Spotlight On... Collectables

Attraction Collecting is still a much loved hobby for many people, with the 'collectables' market evolving to include everything from classic figurines and licensed characters to bears and Lego sets.

PG&H spoke to some of the movers and shakers in the industry to discover what's driving sales.

Ask people what they collect, and most will have a ready answer. Although they don't consider themselves 'collectors', they nevertheless have emotional ties to certain things, helping to paint a diverse picture of today's market place. (See What People Are Collecting on page 69).

"The collectables market remains steady, although the term 'collectable' can be applied to many products that perhaps are not considered true collectables," says Helen Shield, director of marketing at Enesco. "We continue to support our core collectables which still, to this day, have many thousands of dedicated fans who join our clubs, attend our events and make our annual fair a huge success year after year."

Adds Helen: "In addition, we are, I believe, the only company still manufacturing resin figurines in the UK and, over the past 18 months, we have expanded production into Disney and Marvel limited edition figurines under our Border Fine Arts and Lilliput Lane brand names."

She highlights that the company has seen great success with its collectors from the UK and across Europe.

"They're closely following our progress. "In fact, our sales promotion team, along with the sculptor Peter Mook, have toured Germany, Belgium and Holland, as well as the UK, to meet collectors in recent months."

At Carte Blanche Group (CBG), director of marketing Ruth Leonard says that the company has seen a very clear shift in the collectables market in recent years, with collectable pieces being purchased as a gift rather than simply as a selfpurchase. "Of course, collectors will always purchase a piece for themselves, but they have also started to ask friends and family to buy special occasion driven or caption pieces as well, which have an added element of sentiment, making the piece even more emotive."

Continues Ruth: "As a business, we have been quick to Top: A Moment In Time: Beauty and the Beast from Enesco.

Above: Pearl Kingdom is a new, exclusive collection of Pearl Kingdom fairies designed in the UK by Elgate Products. Shown is Pearl Queen.

Above right: Moonbeam Hare cold cast bronze is part of a range of collectable animal figurines by renowned sculptor Harriet Glen, exclusively for Fiesta Studios.

Left: Baking Delights from Carte Blanche's Me to You collectables range which launched in December.

spot this trend and are mindful to introduce a variety of price points with each new launch, including commemorative, milestone and hero products, as well as smaller impulse products too. We regularly talk to our fans and shoppers via our social media channels to keep them informed and excited about new launches and answer any questions they have. For us, it's just as important to connect with our customers as it is to create the perfect product for them."

At Elgate, sales director Guy Askew says that although the collectable market is smaller now than it was several years ago, there are still many people looking for exclusive quality collections.

"Following the success of our licensed collections over recent years, including Horrible Histories and, more recently, the VW Camper Van collections and Paddington Bear collectables, the company made the decision to complement its licensed collections and to develop a classic range of artistic fairies for the collectable market.

"With the launch of the exclusive new Pearl Kingdom collection in October, the initial response has been strong and the collection is expected to be a successful collection at the Spring exhibitions in 2016."

Guy adds that the company has also been active in promoting the collection with retailers in mind. "We have instigated a new pricing structure which enables retailers to Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

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Spotlight On... Collectables Left: Fairy Wishes collectable figurines from Widdop Bingham.

Below right: A Bulldog salt and pepper set, new for 2016 from Quail.

Below right: Tardis and Jon Pertwee from Robert Harrop's Doctor Who collection.

take the whole collection in very appealing quantities," he points out.

Sue Grant, marketing manager at Widdop Bingham, says that as the collectables market continues to evolve, it has seen some interesting developments along the way. "The type of collectable continues to diversify, attracting new collectors into the market with new offerings," she states. "Fairy and angel figurines, such as our Fairy Wishes, have opened up the collectable market to both lovers of angels but also to younger girls, while 1920’s figurines, such as Gatsby Girls, are regularly updated using new techniques, including fringing and fabric finishes."

Adds Sue: "Old Tupton Ware teddies and Natural World animal figurines - particularly dolphins and penguins - highlight the continuing importance of the more traditional type of collectable."

But although people are still collecting, it's no secret that the market is a very different one to the collectables market of yesteryear. "The market is pretty tough at the moment as many of the traditional high street gift shops specialising in collectables, ornaments, chinaware and glassware don't exist as they did in the heyday of the 1990's," reflects Dan Buckley, operations director at Robert Harrop. "Gifts have become extremely broad, and literally anything can become a 'gift', from kitchen utensils to living-room interiors.

Collectables have consequently become very niche and we have therefore had to diversify from the traditional market places and methods of selling. Much of the trade is now carried out online or by attending smaller specialised events."

However, Dan says that that is not to say that there is no strength in the market. "You just have to look at little harder, have the foresight to move along with the times and be a little more creative in your releases," he suggests. "Nostalgia is still the core strength of our portfolio and it is what we are good at.

Moving into 2016, we will be continuing to build on our flagship Doggie People collection which is now in its 30th year, along with additions to our popular Aardman and Supermarionation ranges and our new Doctor Who collection which was launched to great success earlier in the year."

Clearly collectables may have changed, but while people still want to collect, companies are finding different routes to market.

What People Are Collecting ● "I like to collect things in threes," says Sarah Ward, chief executive of The Giftware Association. "For example, I collect certain elephants in threes because they are good luck. I also collect very pretty silver bits and Edwardian balloon clocks.

Every room in my house has a clock in it and I have had many of them reconditioned. I also collect shoes which I display on a wall in my bedroom."

Above: The GA's Sarah Ward owns a collection of Edwardian balloon clocks like the one above.

Left: The 50th anniversary edition of Dodo Pad.

● Dodo Pads have been

collected since Lord Dodo (aka John Verney) published the first diary-cumorganiser in 1966. Avid collectors are always proud to show off their collections, many of which were revealed at Dodo Pad's 50th anniversary party last June. ● Subbuteo is still the Beautiful Game according to collectables’ expert David Jinks of ParcelHero, who predicts that Subbuteo prices will soon be going up a division. He says that old Subbuteo sets are likely to become a major goal for collectors, with vintage Subbuteo figures set to gain in value.

"Collectors are beginning to pay Premiership prices to recreate the excitement of yesteryear," he states.

Below: A 1951 original Subbuteo box set.

● Since 2000, Lego kits have gone up in value by an average 12%.

They are now highly collectable, with the Ultimate Collector's Millennium Falcon set which sold for £342.49 eight years ago, now winning bids of up to £2,712 on eBay!

All In The Best Possible (Bad) Taste At Nemesis Now, director Andrew Norman-Smith believes that, in 2016, collectables are going to be more popular than ever. "That’s why we are adding new lines with our latest product launch Bad Taste Bears," he explains. "Working in collaboration with renowned artist Pete Underhill, we are proud to present a first new collection of Bad Taste Bears. The new range features new designs, with each product in the range - which includes wine bottle holders, tankards and toilet roll holders - having a functional purpose around the home."

Andrew says that The Bad Taste Bears, which first exploded onto the giftware market at Spring Fair in 1999, have grown in popularity and collectability. "Their loyal fan base and new found followers alike eagerly wait to be disgusted once more now the Bad Taste Bears are back,” he comments.

Left: Bad Taste Bears are a new launch from Nemesis Now.

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Spring Fair Hall 6 Stand 21

Spring Fair 2016 Hall 6 Stand T21

QUAIL’S EGG

Top Drawer K6 Top Drawer N39/41 Telephone: 01304 379901 info@quailceramics.co.uk www.quailceramics.co.uk

www.quailsegg.co.uk Email: info@quailsegg.co.uk Tel: 01304 379 901

Come and see our brand new Spring Collection & new additions to mycolourbands.

Top Drawer, Stand 440 e sales@carrieelspeth.com t 01446 771271 www.carrieelspeth.com

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What’s New Progressive Gifts & Home highlights some of the latest collectable gift products to be showcased this month.

Creating An Impact

British Artists Collectables Produced in the UK by hand, Frith Sculpture has been the leading sculpture supplier in the UK for 22 years.

Renowned for their exclusive creations which are sculpted by British artists Paul Jenkins, Harriet Dunn, Veronica Ballan and others, Frith has always been innovative with introducing new designs. This coming season, they will be introducing 16 new works of art at Spring Fair and Ambiente in Frankfurt. If you would like Frith’s impressive new 2016 catalogue then see them at one of the trade shows.

Frith Sculpture Tel: 01666 577110.

Email sales@frithsculpture.co.uk www.frithsculpture.co.uk

Edge Sculpture is a unique style of sculpture that merges primeval emotion with pure animal instinct and prowess of stature. The portfolio has become increasingly sought after and the depth of subjects more diverse. This has broadened Edge's appeal into many market places with the impact of seeing them in the flesh furthering their allure. Sculpted by Matt Buckley, this striking range is constantly evolving. We will be premiering several of Matt's new pieces, including some surprises, at this year’s January Furniture Show and Spring Fair.

Hope to see you there!

Edge Sculpture Tel: 01952 884804 Email: sales@edgesculpture.com www.edgesculpture.com January Furniture Show, Hall 3, Stand M60 Spring Fair, Hall 1, Stand H20

Inspired By Love The outstanding Willow Tree collection by the award-winning artist, Susan Lordi, continues to evolve, and nine new designs show her personal engagement in creating meaningful pieces that convey emotion and can give comfort.

Two new pieces have been added to the prestigious Signature Collection, Duet and Vigil. Explains Susan: "The pieces have a common theme of love... romantic, patient, comforting, timeless love."

Enesco Tel: 01228 404022 Email: uksales@enesco.co.uk www.enesco.co.uk

Brand New Breed Studies Border Fine Arts Classics is introducing seven new figurines for January 2016, each featuring a different subject matter: Sleepy Heads; Woodland Venture; Winning Salute; The Bid’s to You, Sir!; Root and Grain - plus two brand new breed studies: Greyface Dartmoor Ewe & Lambs and Blue Grey Cow with Cross-bred Calf. Don’t forget the special painting service available meaning each collector can make their Classic figurines personal to them! All Border Fine Arts Classis sculptures are entirely handcrafted in their studios in the Scottish Borders by highly trained craftsmen.

Enesco Tel: 01228 404022 Email: uksales@enesco.co.uk www.borderfinearts.com

New Era for Lolita The Lolita glassware brand, known and loved for its artistic, festive and fun designs has joined the Enesco family. The exciting new collaboration will see fresh designs for the hand-painted glassware collection. Coming up for 2016 are 14 new designs in Lolita’s trademark informal, upbeat art style.

Highlights include the Tipsy Birthday wine glass, decorated with images of celebratory cakes matched with a green and black striped stem, and the Sweet Dreams wine glass festooned with pink hearts and swirls.

Enesco Tel: 01228 404022 Email: uksales@enesco.co.uk www.enesco.co.uk

Latest Gift Ideas Handmade and hand-painted in Great Britain, Lilliput Lane continues to bring the best that our architectural heritage has to offer. January 2016 sees a diverse mix of new introductions to many of the collections, many with targeted gift-giving themes. For Valentine’s Day, there's Hearts Afire, whilst Mum's Retreat is the perfect Mother’s Day, Birthday - or ‘just because she’s special’ - gift. Other highlights of the January launch include the 2016 annual special edition, Stay in Touch, only available during 2016, and It’s All in a Name.

Enesco Tel: 01228 404022 Email: uksales@enesco.co.uk www.enesco.co.uk

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A World of Inspiration The dedicated hall for furnishings accessories is now 50% bigger.

See the very best of interior accessories and decorative gifts, essential for the complete home offering.

Gifts and accessories exhibitors include: Blue Bone British Art Company CIMC Culinary Concepts Danalight Dar Lighting Febland Gallery Direct Hill Interiors Julian Bowen Libra Makasi Home Mindy Browne Minster Giftware Pacific Lifestyle PD Global Steven Shell Stone the Crows Wilde Java

Register now for the most complete show of the year www.januaryfurnitureshow.com 72_GH_Dec 15_Jan 16.indd 1

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What’s New Progressive Gifts & Home highlights some of the latest gift products to be showcased at The January Furniture Show, January 24-27, 2016.

Boxing Clever

Bronze Sculptures Over 200 stunning, exclusive sculptures will be on display at Frith's stand Q60 in Hall 3. Now in their 22nd year, the Frith Sculpture collection of cold cast bronzes are proven sellers and are designed and made by hand in the U.K. Some 16 new, exclusive designs are being shown for this Spring. Well-known for their animal designs, these figurative sculptures are also high sellers. The collection is featured in their impressive catalogues which you can collect on their stand or contact us using the details below.

Frith Sculptures Tel: 01666 577110 Email: sales@frithsculpture.co.uk www.frithsculpture.co.uk January Furniture Show: Hall 3 Stand Q60

Assorted Burnham boxes with velvet lining and inlaid sheesham wooden lids. The collection includes jewellery and cufflink storage in addition to boxes containing popular games such as bridge, dominoes and backgammon. Trade prices start from ÂŁ14.95.

Libra Tel: 01223 895800 Emai: sales@thelibracompany.co.uk www.thelibracompany.co.uk Top Drawer Home Show: Stand G63 January Furniture: Hall 3 Stand P10 Spring Fair: Hall 8 Stand 8C03

Two Drawer Chest Two drawer bedside or sofa end chest with hand inlaid bone petal pieces and two hand carved bone handles. The interior is finished in grey.

Libra Tel: 01223 895800 Emai: sales@thelibracompany.co.uk www.thelibracompany.co.uk Top Drawer Home Show: Stand G63 January Furniture: Hall 3 Stand P10 Spring Fair: Hall 8 Stand 8C03

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What’s New Progressive Gifts & Home highlights some of the latest gift products to be showcased this month.

Vintage Cutlery Our award-winning vintage cutlery collection for Spring/Summer 2016 is bigger and better than ever with lots of fun, witty and loving new quotes to celebrate all occasions. The full collection will be on show at Top Drawer in January.

La de da Living Tel: (01242) 250 653 Email: enquiries@ladedaliving.co.uk Website: www.ladedaliving.co.uk Top Drawer Stand Number N30

LED Lights In addition to our best-selling rusty carnival wall lights our range has now grown with distressed white letters with LED lights. We look forward to launching the collection at Top Drawer and Spring Fair.

La de da Living Tel: (01242) 250 653 Email: enquiries@ladedaliving.co.uk Website: www.ladedaliving.co.uk Top Drawer: Stand Number N30

Glittery Glasses Clare Davis glasses are all about the sparkle and the unique handbag packaging! So Clare has been busy redesigning her packaging with a clever little handle slotted into the wrap and a cute little swing tag. On the back of all the packaging is a new way for you and your customers to win prizes by simply uploading a 'you and yours' celebration to our social media sites. Give it a try!

Davis & Brown Tel: 01494 883097 Email: clare@davisandbrown.co.uk

Limited Edition Collection

Retro Pill Boxes These good sized pill boxes, with their monochrome colouring and quirky/retro designs, will make them great practical gifts for men. To complement them we are also introducing an eye catching collection of flamingo designs to run alongside. Check out our website for images.

Clere Concepts Tel: 01635 297911 Email: info@clereconcepts.co.uk www.clereconcepts.co.uk

Welly Boot Manicure Sets Funky designs and bright colours, these manicure sets are ideal for the washbag when travelling as well as looking good on the bathroom shelf. Each contains four good quality tools. The lid of each boot opens to reveal a handy mirror.

Clere Concepts Tel: 01635 297911 Email: info@clereconcepts.co.uk www.clereconcepts.co.uk

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Building on this best-selling partnership, Portmeirion Group has launched a limited edition collection featuring Ted Baker’s A/W16 prints. Appealing to the fashion focused, the two striking prints, Shadow Floral and Technicolour Bloom, adorn a mug and coaster set, a set of two stacking mugs and a set of two side plates. Each is presented in stylish gift packaging and supported with stunning point of sale to create an impactful in-store display.

Portmeirion Group Tel: 01782 744721 Email: homesales@portmeiriongroup.com www.portmeiriongroup.com

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What’s New Progressive Gifts & Home highlights some of the latest gift products on show at Top Drawer, 17-19 January 2016, Olympia, London.

New For Spring With a well balanced mix in the assortment, and introducing lots of new products, ARTEBENE presents the company's new Spring 2016 collection. Around the product themes of packaging, stationery and greeting cards, retailers will find lots of beautiful new things to brighten their store. Designs include Pink Elephant, with the We Love range featuring new cosmetic bags, coin pouches and key rings. New designs have also been added for Valentine’s Day, Mother's Day, Wedding and Baby as well as Back To School. Visit www.artebene.com Artebene Tel: +49 (0) 2591 79239 - 24 Email: ilona.bensmann@artebene.de www.artebene.de Top Drawer: Stand U44

Bands And Bracelets Carrie Elspeth’s gorgeous new collection for Spring 2016 is a celebration of colour and light. These elegant new ranges are a masterclass in beauty and subtlety, blending Carrie’s much-loved style with a delicacy of touch that sets them apart. Alongside the Spring Collection are additions to Carrie’s Colourbands, introducing three adorable charms making this range the perfect gift. All of Carrie’s jewellery continues to be lovingly handmade in Wales.

Carrie Elspeth Tel: 01446 771271 Email: sales@carrieelspeth.com www.carrieelspeth.com Top Drawer: Stand 440

Pearl With Leather We are launching beautiful new jewellery with fine chain detailing and an expanded freshwater pearl selection, including combining pearl with leather. We focus on attractive designs with competitive pricing, allowing for great margins.

Try our Eliza Gracious gift packaging and display stands. Benefit from no minimum order at shows, free branded packaging for orders over £200 and free delivery over £300. All stock items are delivered within two working days.

Eliza Gracious Tel: 07767 785822 www.elizagracious.com Top Drawer: Stand: 260

Show Stoppers

Modern Apothecary A supersize multi-wick candle that will fill your home with fragrance and complement any interior. The candles have a stylish white and frosted glass finish and are made with our unique high performance natural wax blend. Each candle is packed in a stylish white gift box with simple colour coded numerical identity and details of top, middle and base fragrance notes. They will burn for up to 50 hours. Pictured is our new fragrance No:7 Bergamot, Patchouli & Oakmoss.

Stoneglow Candles Tel: 0208 595 8878 Email: sales@stoneglowcandles.co.uk www.stoneglowcandles.co.uk Top Drawer: Stand R55

Beautiful large size gel inclusion candles made with our unique natural wax blend.

These candles are a real show stopper, featuring real botanical items, some sourced from exotic locations and others locally grown.

Each piece is carefully positioned to create the stunning designs and contains a high fragrance natural wax inner to be burnt. The candles are presented in a simple, stylish white gift box with foiled print so offset the dramatic designs. The nine stunning options have been designed to complement our popular Nature's Gift reed diffusers.

Stoneglow Candles Tel: 0208 595 8878 Email: sales@stoneglowcandles.co.uk www.stoneglowcandles.co.uk Top Drawer: Stand R55

British Brand Miss Milly, the British brand for gorgeous jewellery and scarves, is launching a plethora of new lines in on-trend, seasonal colours. Look out for pastels and tropical brights, including shimmery iridescent and metallic resins.

Choose from best-selling pieces, floral designs and gift sets. Fantastic prices and great quality backed up by an efficient, friendly service, you can order at the shows or online now. Branded packaging and display stands available.

Miss Milly Tel: 01905 622509 www.missmilly.co.uk Top Drawer: Stand 405 PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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What’s New Progressive Gifts & Home highlights some of the latest gift products to be showcased this month.

British Made Wax Lyrical will have an exciting new stand to fully unveil their new look at Spring Fair this year. They will be displaying some exciting new ranges as well as their core collection and unveiling a new design for their bestselling Christmas gift packs. All products are British made in the heart of the Lake District so be sure to visit them in Hall 4, stand E41.

Wax Lyrical Tel: 01229 461111 Email: customerservice@wax-lyrical.co.uk www.waxlyricaltrade.com

Juicy Fruit Fragrance Spring Fair will see the launch of Root’s Wild Strawberry fragrance.

Juicy Wild Strawberry is the primary note of this succulent strawberry dessert candle fruity notes of the luscious berry, with spicy maple, complemented by white cake, vanilla and sweet cream. Made with all natural waxes, essential oils, vegetable dyes and natural cotton wicks. The natural choice when it comes to candles.

Root Candles Tel: 01484 850059 Email: office@rootcandles.co.uk www.rootcandles.co.uk Spring Fair: Hall 5 Stand C21

Initials & Birthstones Spring is the perfect time to try something new. In January, PoM launches their new initial necklace and birthstone charm collection, just in time for Valentine's Day. Adding a heart charm or loved ones birthstone to one of PoM's simple necklaces takes seconds and creates a unique and very thoughtful gift that can be added to again and again.

Peace of Mind Tel: 01225 777749 Email: sales@pom925.com www.pom925.com Top Drawer: Stand 480

Natural Beeswax The demand in 2015 for premium all natural candles was huge and 2016 will be no different. Root Candles offers the market the highest quality candles using all natural products. Our all natural beeswax blend, fragranced with essential oils and coloured using vegetable dyes ensures a cleaner longer burning candle.

All natural beautifully burning candles from Root. One family, 147 years and five generations of dedication.

Root Candles Tel: 01484 850059 Email: office@rootcandles.co.uk www.rootcandles.co.uk Spring Fair: Hall 5 Stand C21

Enchanted Rainbow Puckator’s new Enchanted Rainbow design is now available on a wide range of products including cotton bags, cushions, air fresheners, key rings, coin purses, bone china mugs, salt & pepper pots and also gift wrap. We think your customers will love this fun and colourful collection! It’s set to be one of Puckator’s best selling lines and there will be more items available throughout the year.

Puckator Tel: 0800 011 6969 Email: customerservices@puckator.co.uk www.puckator.co.uk

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Clever Ceramics Ever popular ranges of ceramic buttons, pendants, earrings, cufflinks, brooches and decorations. There are many new designs for Spring including beautiful elephant drop earrings, vibrant floral pendant necklaces and Indian inspired brooches. We supply museum shops, galleries, gift shops and many more.

Bespoke ranges available. Entirely handmade in Cornwall, UK. Stockwell Ceramics Tel: +44 (0)1579 351035 Email: info@stockwellceramics.co.uk www.stockwellceramics.co.uk

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What’s New Progressive Gifts & Home highlights some of the latest gift products to be showcased this month.

Mother’s Day Equilibrium Joe Davies has lovely new sentiment jewellery to make Mother’s Day extra special. It has proved a best seller for many independent retail customers and sales are particularly strong for Mother’s Day. Over 30 Mum & Nan specific messages are available all in stock for immediate delivery. Joe Davies offer hundreds of Mother’s Day lines every year, all easy and affordable to buy, using their traditional Little & Often ordering system.

Minimum orders are just £100 and delivery is free.

Joe Davies Tel: 0161 975 6300 Email sales@joedavies.co.uk www.joedavies.co.uk

One Stop Warehouse These framed sets of old wooden doors, some panelled, many of which are glazed, are just a few from a choice of many others available in various sizes and designs including louvered doors and ships doors with portholes. We also carry small and large iron grilled door sets plus smaller completely glazed panel door sets.

No two items within this range are the same, as they have all been refurbished to some degree. They have always been very popular due to their individuality, visual impact, character and usefulness.

Dealers Ltd Tel: 01743 761241 Email: dealers@dealers-uk.com www.dealers-uk.com

Angelic Thoughts Sentiment message gifts continue to dominate the gift trade and these charming Angelic Thoughts figures from Joe Davies make a lovely, inexpensive gift for friends and relatives. Eight new designs will be added to the range for Spring Fair. Angelic Thoughts are available using Joe Davies’ trademark Little & Often ordering system, in small quantities with free delivery.

Joe Davies Tel: 0161 975 6300 Email sales@joedavies.co.uk www.joedavies.co.uk

Persian Textiles Mugs

Himalayan Candles

Growing Miss Smith

BFA Contemporary Gift’s new collection, Himalayan Candles, combines beautiful, eternal fragrances with vintage art and traditional artisan hand-making skills.

Each candle is poured by hand using a natural soy wax blended with high quality essential and fragrance oils, whilst cotton wicks ensure a clean and even burn. All containers are unique and handmade, and can be reused once the candle has burned away. Traditional hurricane lamp shapes, filled half way and containing double wicks and a burn time of 140 hours are also available.

Enesco Tel: 01228 404022 Email: uksales@enesco.co.uk www.enesco.co.uk

Persian textile mugs are part of a new range from Lesser & Pavey entitled Exotic Mugs. The full range currently consists of 20 different designs from around the globe including Persia, Morocco and Egypt. Based on traditional patterns, the fine, quality mugs come with matching coasters. Mugs are available in sets of two or four, in good quality decorative packaging and rigid boxes. Mugs are recommended to retail at £14.99 for a set of four. The range will be available from stock at Spring Fair.

Lesser & Pavey Tel: 01322 279225 Email: sales@leonardo.co.uk www.leonardo.co.uk Spring Fair: Hall 5, Stand C04/D03

Lesser & Pavey, working with independent card company Hearts Designs, are seeing Miss Smith ranges grow as her popularity grows, with the company bringing out a fresh new range this summer. The range comprises manicure sets, compact mirror, key, ring, wine glasses, money boxes, gift bags, umbrellas, fine china mugs, fashion bags, travel mugs, organisers, hat boxes, lunch bags, shoppers and much more.

It's feminine, pretty and something different while maintaining the highest quality, attention to detail and affordable prices.

Lesser & Pavey Tel: 01322 279225 Email: sales@leonardo.co.uk www.leonardo.co.uk Spring Fair: Hall 5, Stand C04/D03 PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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What’s New Progressive Gifts & Home highlights some of the latest gift products to be showcased this month.

Fragrance Lamp Gift Sets

Fresh New Scents

Ashleigh & Burwood’s fragrance lamp gift sets make a truly unique gift for any occasion including the key Spring gift giving occasions of Valentine’s and Mother’s Day. Two new gift sets have just been launched that cater perfectly to these occasions. The ready-made gift sets take the fuss out of shopping; complete with beautiful fragrance lamp and a best-selling lamp fragrance, they make a lasting and thoughtful gift that keeps on giving!

Ashleigh & Burwood Tel: 01932 267060 Email: info@ashleigh-burwood.co.uk www.ashleigh-burwood-trade.co.uk Scotland’s Trade Fair, Spring: Stand G20 Showcase Ireland: Stand D75

Ashleigh & Burwood are excited to unveil the new headline lamp fragrance in their fragrance launch of five new scents! Water Lily is a bright, refreshing scent, blending watery, ozonic notes with Lily of the Valley, giving this classic floral scent a new and refreshing twist, perfect for SS16! The beautiful dreamy lifestyle product photography for the new Water Lily scent also adorns the latest Ashleigh & Burwood gift bag! All new scents are available in 250ml and 500ml bottles.

Ashleigh & Burwood Tel: 01932 267060 Email: info@ashleigh-burwood.co.uk www.ashleigh-burwood-trade.co.uk Scotland’s Trade Fair, Spring: Stand G20 Showcase Ireland: Stand D75

Simplicity is Key

Quirky Cards Sarah will be showcasing some brand new quirky card ranges at Top Drawer this Spring! With over 60 designs to choose from, Sarah’s illustrated quirky cards and stationery brings something unique to 2016. All cards are made in the UK using FSC certified stock. Find Sarah at stand ZB35.

Sarah Ray Tel: 07974705981 Email: hello@sarahray.co.uk www.sarahrayshop.co.uk Top Drawer: Stand ZB35

This season simplicity is key. Simple colours, shapes and designs give PoM's latest collection a very modern but feminine feel. Rose gold softens the clean lines of their silver and silver plated jewellery as does the clever use of subtly coloured cords and beads. PoM's much loved super soft scarf range adds to the overall feeling of comfort and luxury.

Peace of Mind Tel: 01225 777749 Email: sales@pom925.com www.pom925.com Top Drawer: Stand 480 Spring Fair :19F20-G21

Lunch Box Delights Wild & Wolf is proud to launch its latest collaboration with children’s favourite, The Gruffalo. The new range showcases a brand new water bottle, a colourful lunch box, lunch bag and snack boxes set. The snack boxes are available in different sizes and are ideal for school packed lunches and storing food. The vibrant range also includes quirky quotes, making little one’s lunch times more exciting!

Wild & Wolf Tel: 01225789909 Email: sales@wildandwolf.com www.wildandwolf.com Spring Fair: Hall 6 Stand H42-J43 Top Drawer: Stand i61

Gifts For The Green Fingered Wild & Wolf has teamed up with designer Orla Kiely for another green-fingered range ready for Spring. The new range includes gardening essentials from potting gloves to secateurs.

There is also a new line of Grow Your Own vintage seed pots adorned with Orla Kiely’s famous floral designs. The pretty pots each come with a different seed to grow, including basil, chives, coriander, dill and chillies, making the perfect gift for gardening lovers!

Wild & Wolf Tel: 01225789909 Email: sales@wildandwolf.com www.wildandwolf.com Spring Fair: Hall 6 Stand H42-J43 Top Drawer: Stand i61

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What’s New Progressive Gifts & Home highlights some of the latest gift products to be showcased this month.

Personalised Children’s Books Signature Gifts have expanded their range of premium children’s books. The classic cloth finish covers are foil embossed with the recipient’s name along with a design to reflect the story within. Each book within the range has a festive or educational element, creating a premium gift ideal for young children. Each book is given a personalised twist and includes the child’s name throughout the images and often the story as well! The range is exclusively designed and printed by Signature Gifts. RRP £16.99.

Signature Gifts Tel: 01582 464 809 www.signature-gifts.co.uk

Quirky One Offs Always available in stock at Dealers, a most unusual mix of goods to meet your stocking needs and your refurbishment and design needs. Lots of unusual quirky one off feature items can also be found at our showroom/warehouse. New and exciting products come in daily - we never know what will arrive next! Along with all the old and vintage items, we also carry our regular stocking lines - easy for you to repeat. Here is an example of old and new just arriving at our warehouse.

Dealers Ltd Tel: 01743 761241 Email: dealers@dealers-uk.com www.dealers-uk.com

Tea Light Holders These beautiful little animal tea light holders are another unique idea from Quail Ceramics. The attractive holders feature animals such as budgies and pugs and make an elegant addition to any table or mantlepiece. They look great with their matching salt and pepper sets and egg cups.

Using their quirky yet practical signature, Quail Ceramics has produced another classic gift for all occasions.

Quail Ceramics Tel: 01304 379 901 Email: info@quailceramics.co.uk www.quailceramics.co.uk Top Drawer: Stand N39/41 Spring Fair: Hall 6 Stand T21

Gift Sets For Every Occasion Yankee Candle is launching an exciting new range of gift sets for Spring 2016, giving consumers a choice of beautifully boxed gifts for every occasion. They include a new large jar candle with Illuma-Lid and a five votive set adorned with hearts for Valentine’s Day. Celebrate Easter with a pretty coloured votive holder and three votive candles, or a decorative wax melt hanging egg. Perfect for weddings, or just to say ‘I love you’, there is a stylish new gift set containing two stemmed votive holders with Champaca Blossom votives.

Yankee Tel: 0117 316 1200 www.yankeecandle.co.uk

All About Katie With bold background colour, and crisp edges and colouring to the cascading floral decoration, this new range from Lesser & Pavey is a winner. It encompasses a folding storage box; memo pad with matching pen, a delightful gift set which includes an address book, notebook, note pad, pencil; a spiral notebook and weekly organiser; a clipboard memo pad with pen, a jewellery box and vanity case.

The stationery items have co-ordinating bags and shoppers as well as housewares items to match.

Lesser & Pavey Tel: 01322 279225 Email: sales@leonardo.co.uk www.leonardo.co.uk Spring Fair: Hall 5 Stand C04/D03

Ceramic Warmers Following the hugely successful launch of the Scenterpiece system in the UK this summer, Yankee Candle is introducing four stunning new Easy Meltcup Warmers for Spring 2016 – Rosa, Lucy, Elizabeth and Heather.

Scenterpiece Warmers and Easy MeltCups simplify flameless home fragrancing into one easy process, allowing customers to quickly swap fragrances without the cooling, scraping and pouring normally associated with traditional melt warmers. Yankee Candle’s new ceramic Warmers come in a choice of several on trend Springtime pastel colours and different designs to suit any décor.

Yankee Tel: 0117 316 1200 www.yankeecandle.co.uk

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Best Sellers Progressive Gifts & Home asked a selection of retailers about the products which have been flying off their shelves this month.

Claire Self, director, Whitehall Garden Centre, Lacock and Whitchurch Both centres sell a wide range of gifts as well as baby/children's and Christmas CATEGORY

SUPPLIERS/RANGES

COMMENT

Decorative Home Accessories

Gisela Graham: across the board;

The company offers lots of themed ranges that aren't on the high street.

Designs mostly focus on animals and nature. Floral does extremely well.

Voyage Cushions: cushions and throws

Fragranced Giftware

Yankee Candle: across the board; Wax Lyrical: across the board

Yankee sells itself. We have a lot of very loyal customers.

Products are made in Cumbria. We do especially well with the RHS range which has lovely packaging.

Above: Whitehall Garden Centre, Lacock.

Jewellery

Joma Jewellery: across the board; Kit Heath: Dew and across the board

All ranges sell well, but the 'a little' carded bracelet collection is our top seller.

Classic pieces that go on selling.

Fashion Accessories

Bolla: bags; Peony: scarves

Stylish, classic leather bags, in traditional colours, that work across all age groups.

There's a huge range, with plenty of choice for customers.

Greeting Cards

GBCC

A good variety of designs and captions.

Giftwrap

Glick

Good quality paper, and great designs across wrap, roll, bags and accessories.

Other Hot Hits

Joules Clothing: women's wear; Lego

A well loved brand with a loyal following.

Definitely the best selling product in the toy department.

Chris Beards, owner, Mantons, Isle of Man A medium sized gift and card shop in Port Erin CATEGORY

SUPPLIERS/RANGES

COMMENT

Decorative Home Accessories

WPL: espresso mugs

These sell really well for us, helped by the popularity of the coffee culture.

Fragranced Giftware

Rosemoore: candles;

These are popular with customers who want a quality gift that isn't available everywhere else.

Quality products that are exclusively at Mantons in the area.

Di Palomo: across the board

Above: Mantons, Port Erin.

Fashion Accessories

One Button: Hem and Edge: bags and scarves

A great selection and great designs make them popular with customers.

Greeting Cards

Wendy Jones-Blackett: across the board

Good quality, lovely designs. These cards are completely different.

Giftwrap

Glick

A great selection of wrap and accessories.

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Alison Brooks, general retail manager, Chester Zoo Three gift shops: large, medium and small CATEGORY

SUPPLIERS/RANGES

COMMENT

Decorative Home Accessories

Puckator: sloth cushions; Joe Davies; animal figurines

It's amazing what a TV ad can do!

A constantly changing menagerie that ties in with high street trends.

Fragranced Giftware

Root Candles: across the board

Natural beeswax candles that fit in with Chester Zoo's sustainability ethos.

Jewellery

Stands Out: friendship bracelets

These are great for multiple purchases.

Fashion Accessories

Pure Fashions: scarves

Our best sellers in the fashion accessories sector.

Greeting Cards

Heart of the Garden

Great wildlife photographic images.

Other Hot Hits

Charlie Bears Aurora World: YooHoo

Very collectable. The bears tie in with our endangered bears.

Bright, coloured endangered species that are perfect for our core customer.

Right: Chester Zoo.

Rhonda Jardine and Frances Doran, co-owners, The Bottom Drawer, Portadown, Co. Armagh A small 'Life and Style' store in the centre of a market town CATEGORY

SUPPLIERS/RANGES

COMMENT

Decorative Home Accessories

Joe Davies: Noah's Ark; Parlane International: photo frames;candle holders

A perfect christening gift.

Changing designs that keep up-to-date with current interior design trends.

Fragranced Giftware

Heathcote & Ivory: across the board;

Quality, beautifully packaged products, combined with a good price point, ensure a high sell through.

These candles are produced in Northern Ireland to an exceptional standard - loved by our customers.

Bog Standard: candles

Jewellery

Shira: designer jewellery Joma Jewellery: 'a little' bracelets

Above: The Bottom Drawer, Portadown.

Stunning, colourful statement pieces. We also love the rose gold collection.

Sentiment bracelets with one for each of life's occasions.

Fashion Accessories

Earth Squared: handbags, scarves

Fabulous and fair trade.

Greeting Cards

Belly Button Designs

Eye catching designs.

Giftwrap

Caroline Gardner

The wrap matches the card and gift bag.

Other Hot Hits

Pink Lining: Yummy Mummy change bags

Quirky designs and functionality for yummy mummies.

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Best Sellers

What better testimonial for products than those of your fellow retailers. Here's all the information you need to get in touch and start stocking!

ROOT CANDLES T: 01484 850059 E: sales@rootcandles.co.uk W: www.rootcandles.co.uk

PUCKATOR T: 0800 011 6969 E: customerservices@puckator.co.uk W: www.puckator.co.uk

DEW T: 01271 329123 T: sales@kitheath.com T: www.kitheathretailer.com

PARLANE T: 01451 812712 E: sales@parlaneinternational.co.uk W: www.parlaneinternational.co.uk

HEATHCOTE & IVORY T: +44 (0) 20 7483 8383 E: info@heathcote-ivory.com W: www.heathcote-ivory.com

ONE BUTTON LTD T: 0116 279 3715 E: INFO@ONEBUTTONUK.COM W: www.onebuttonuk.com

GISELA GRAHAM T: 020-7708 4956 E: sales@giselagraham.co.uk W: www.giselagraham.co.uk

EARTH SQUARED T: 01620 824392 E: sales@earthsquared.com W: www.fairtradewholesale.co.uk

JOE DAVIES T: 0161 975 6300 E: sales@joedavies.co.uk W: www.joedavies.co.uk

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Best Sellers

WENDY JONES-BLACKETT T: 0113 2888468 E: info@wendyjonesblackett.co.uk W: wendyjonesblackett.co.uk

Scotland’s Trade Fair

What better testimonial for products than those of your fellow retailers. Here's all the information you need to get in touch and start stocking!

ONE BUTTON LTD T: 0116 279 3715 E: INFO@ONEBUTTONUK.COM W: www.onebuttonuk.com

JOE DAVIES T: 0161 975 6300 E: sales@joedavies.co.uk W: www.joedavies.co.uk

24-26 2016 SECC JANUARY

Spring

fresh ideas for Spring To register for your free entry badge and for further information please visit scotlandstradefairs.co.uk Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

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Greats A4 Ticket Booking advert 2016 NEW!!!!_Layout 1 09/12/2015 14:54 Page 1

The only awards that celebrate gift retailing in the uk...

Illustration courtesy of Beefayre www.beefayre.com

Lunchtime Thursday May 5 2016 The Grosvenor House Ballroom Park Lane, London I would like to book………………place(s) at £160 per place + VAT I would like………………table(s) of ten at £1600 per table + VAT I would like………………table(s) of twelve at £1920 per place + VAT I enclose a cheque made payable to Max Publishing Debit my Visa/Mastercard (please delete as necessary) Card No...........................................................................................................

Expiry date........................................................................... Start date.......................................................................... Security code...........................................

Address if different to company address....................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Name................................................................................ Company Address......................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Tel............................................................................................................................. Fax.................................................................................................................................... email....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

All bookings must be accompanied with payment. We will be unable to refund any cancellations after 1 May. Tickets and invoice will be sent to you once payment has been received.

Please return this booking form with payment to: Createvents Ltd, 450, Brook Drive Reading Berkshire RG2 6UU Tel: 01183 340085 or by E-mail: clare@createvents.co.uk www.createvents.co.uk

www.thegreatsawards.co.uk

85_New Grid 08/12/2015 17:08 Page 1

On The Road Doug Kilby Doug Kilby has been a gift and greeting card agent for 26 years, and looks after London as well as Norfolk and Suffolk. His current principals include Smiling Faces; Lily-Flame; Quotables; WPL; Two Up Two Down and Portfolio.

"Overall, 2015 has been a good year," says Doug. "I've got some very good lines and I'm slightly up on last year. However, I think most retailers in the London area have had another tough year.

Rates and rents in London are higher than anywhere else in the country, with independents in the capital having to mark up their prices far higher than other parts of the UK. But the really good gift shops are continuing to survive and invest in product, and as always, in the run-up to Christmas, I received lots of last minute orders."

Doug says that overall, retailers were cautious in placing orders early for Christmas. "I think many independents were hoping to be able to do re-orders closer to the festive season, but that's not always possible nowadays, as suppliers can't guarantee stock levels. My advice, therefore, was to place orders for bigger quantities earlier in the season to avoid being disappointed. From experience, I've found that retailers can get quite frustrated when they can't get winning lines immediately."

A case in point was Light Up Letters from Smiling Faces. "Sales went through

the roof," Doug explains. "Both the letters and the numbers were a phenomenal success and were sold out by the beginning of December."

Looking back to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, he feels that the knock on effect for gift retailers was that trade dropped on the following Tuesday and Wednesday, picking up again towards the end of the week. "People spent their money over that weekend which did have a negative impact for many retailers."

Looking ahead to 2016, Doug says that the way retail has performed over the past couple of years has become the norm. "Retailers know that they have to work very, very hard. Unfortunately, over the past five years, 40% of my customers in London have gone. So while product has never been a problem - I can offer plenty of choice - it's more about a lack of shops. My 'patch' has now widened to include Norfolk and Suffolk, and as always, my advice to retailers is to diversify as much as possible. It's what I've had to do as an agent. In fact, I've got more companies in my bag now than I've ever had."

Left: Doug Kilby.

Last Word Abigail Ahern i2i Event Group's Autumn Fair Most Viewed Products chart recently revealed that celebrated interior design guru and author Abigail Ahern's faux plants and cacti had received the most clicks in the Home Trends 2016 product sector.

So what makes her tick? PG&H put Abigail in the hot seat to find out more about her. l Three words that best describe you? "Eclectic, dark and glamorous." l What was the best business advice you have ever been given? "Follow your gut." l What's the best advice that you would give to someone else? "Success doesn't happen overnight. Retail is a tough gig, a hard slog, so slow down and don't try to hit the ground running." l What's your favourite TV programme? "The Wire." l What's your favourite film? "39 Steps. I watched it in black and white with my father when I was a child." l Which book are you currently reading? "To Kill A Mocking Bird by Harper Lee." l Where is your favourite holiday or place to visit? "Saint Paul De Vence in the South of France." l What's your favourite shop, anywhere in the world?

"Merci in Paris." l What do you love most about your home? "When I put the key in the door, I step into cosy, sumptuous glamour. It's tantalising. I've made it feel like walking into a magical kingdom."

l How would you describe your interiors style?

"Masculine,edgy and frou frou. Masculine glamour with feminine touches." l What do you see as the secret of your success? "Everything has happened organically. It started with one store on Upper Street in London's Islington and has morphed into something so much bigger thanks to all the media attention I've received, I've gone on to become an interior designer and an author, yet the original plan was simply to open a shop." l Which celebrities can you count among your clients?

"Robbie Williams, Robert Downey Junior, Emma Watson and Jeremy Paxton." l Which one item would you take to a desert island and why?

"Aside from my dogs, it would have to be a radio so that I could listen to Radio 4's World Service."

Right: Abigail Ahern.

Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

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CLASSIFIED

CLASSIFIED BESPOKE

GIFT IMPORTERS & DISTRIBUTORS

Premium Retail System

Connect Multiple Channels

Manufacturer & distributor at your door.

Your one stop shop for bespoke photo frames.

Wood, plastic, metal & glass frames.

Sell on the largest online shopping centres the same time as your own website. With drag & drop control over all channels it is so easy to list and manage your items. Then fulfill all orders from a single screen! Central stock control means you can deliver first class customer service everywhere you sell.

T: 01908976443 E: sales@homsquare.co.uk www.homsquare.co.uk

COUNTER ROLLS

Just a few reasons to buy from Joe Davies: Over 7500 gift lines Low £100 minimum order ‘Little & Often’ order system Free carriage Please contact our award winning sales staff for further details Tel: 0161 975 6300 Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk

www.joedavies.co.uk

TRADE ASSOCIATION nage the “Now it is so easy to ma time on our end sp now website. We not devel oping the business chasing our tails” Cookware Andy, Original

The Giftware Association is the UK’s long established trade association serving retailers and suppliers in the gift and home industry, offering a wide selection of money-saving services, including free marketing, product offers, discounted hotel rates, legal advice and much more.

Gillian: IR Finance Team

Website: www.ga-uk.org Email: enquiries@ga-uk.org Tel: 0121 237 1104 10 Vyse St, Birmingham B18 6LT

Call us on 0845 68 00 126 or email info@intelligentretail.co.uk

GIFTS & GREETINGS

It costs as little as £250 per annum to advertise in the Product Directory.

Contact Angie Bryant on 01993 212 994 for further information.

AGENTS WANTED DISPLAY/SHOPFITTING

We are back as Odey Designs and need new agents to help put Odey back out there.

If you would like to see more designs please visit our website www.odeydesigns.co.uk If you want to join our team please contact Beccy 07730195587 or beccy@odeydesigns.co.uk

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www.dealers-uk.com We have a constantly changing assortment of over 8,000 items including decorative goods, old and new, recycled, vintage, upcycled and reproduction items of furniture, accessories, garden wares, architectural and unusual items It is well worth a visit to our 36,000 square feet warehouse and acres of outside show area or visit our website

www.dealers-uk.com Contact us on: Phone: +44 (0)1743 761241 Email: dealers@dealers-uk.com TRADE ONLY IBC_GH_Dec 15_Jan IBC_GH_Oct Nov 2015.indd Dealers Advert.indd 1 16.indd 1 1

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