Progressive Gifts & Home: Jan/Feb 2021

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021

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a brand-new collaboration of two famous artists

NEW FOR 2021

BEATRIX POTTER™ © Frederick Warne & Co., 2021. ©2021 Jim Shore Designs, Inc.

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NEW FOR 2021

for further information, contact us…

www.enesco.co.uk ENESCO LIMITED LIMITED, Brunthill Road, Kingstown, Carlisle, Cumbria, England, CA3 0EN. UK Customer Services Telephone: 01228 404022 Email: uksales@enesco.co.uk Overseas Customer Services Telephone: +44 (0)1228 404066 Email: eurosales@enesco.co.uk © 2021 Kloche. Kloche™ is a registered trademark in U.K. and ROI

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Frida by SOPHIA® is a brand new range in women’s gifting that features elegant designs and gold shimmering elements to create beautiful gifts. From floral ceramics to animal print fabrics, this gift range is sure to brighten that special someone’s day.

Broadgate, Broadway Business Park, Chadderton, Oldham OL9 9XE UK T: +44(0)161 688 1226 I F: +44(0)161 682 6808 I sales@widdop.co.uk I www.widdopandco.co.uk

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This Month As the saying goes, from bad comes good, and, of course, that’s what we are all fervently hoping for in 2021. As we go to press on February 2, we are all reluctantly stuck in lockdown 3.0, and nonessential retailers are closed, but thanks to click and collect and a move to online sales, most gift shops are managing to show typical resilience and resourcefulness and carrying on. Some good news is that most had a strong Christmas up until they were forced to put up the ‘closed’ sign. Turn to Feedback on pages 17-19 to find out more.

And staying with retail, we couldn’t be more delighted to announce the 19th Greats Gift Retailer Awards, which, fingers and toes crossed, will be taking place at the historic HAC venue in London on Thursday September 23! You’ll find details of the timeline and how to enter on page 7, and we’re staying positive that, as an industry, we’ll all be able to get together to network and celebrate!

Meanwhile, with Brexit a reality, how is it impacting on gift suppliers? We asked eight companies for their views. Turn to pages 23-25.

Elsewhere in this issue, we take a look at why products that have been Made In Britain are more in demand than ever (turn to pages 31-33); what’s trending (turn to pages 27-29); what’s new in home fragrancing (turn to pages 39-41), nursery and children’s giftware (turn to pages 45-47), and jewellery and fashion accessories (turn to pages 51-53). We also congratulate Lesser & Pavey on the company’s milestone 50th anniversary (turn to pages 36-37). Plus, we feature the finalists in the Gift Of The Year competition 2021 (turn to pages 56-57).

But first, turn to pages 7-15 to catch up with the very latest industry news.

Enjoy reading!

Sue

@Prog_Gifts

Inside 7-15

News

17-19

Feedback: Christmas 2020 Did Christmas Deliver?

23-25 Industry Issue: Brexit Life After Brexit 27-29

Trends 2021 Let The Sunshine In

31-33 Made In Britain Flying The Flag

27

37

36-37 In Profile: Lesser & Pavey’s 50th Anniversary 50 Years Young 39-41 Focus On: Home Fragrancing Scents Of Spring 45-47 Spotlight On... Nursery/Children’s Gifts Hey, Baby 51-53 Spotlight On... Jewellery/Fashion Accessories All Things Bright And Beautiful 56-57 Gift Of The Year Finalists 2021

Above: Here’s to The Greats 2021!

(Sue is shown on screen at last year’s virtual Greats).

Sue Marks, Editor

64-65 Best Sellers

www.max-publishing.co.uk The home of market leading trade magazines Publishers: Jacqueline Brown, Warren Lomax, Ian Hyder and Rob Willis

The Greats Awards takes place on 23 September 2021 at the The HAC (Honourable Artillery Company) in London. For details on entering and attending visit www.thegreatsawards.co.uk

Sue Marks Editor

Jo Pilcher Ian Hyder Advertisement Manager Publishing Director

suem@max-publishing.co.uk

jop@max-publishing.co.uk

ianh@max-publishing.co.uk

Subscribe to Progressive Gifts from £60 (UK) to £90 (International) You can organise this quickly and easily online at our secure site: www.max-subscriptions.net For assistance, please email subscriptions@max-publishing.co.uk ISSN 2515-7523

Max Publishing Ltd, United House, North Road, London N7 9DP. Tel: 020 7700 6740 Fax: 020 7607 6411 www.progressivegifts.co.uk Copyright 2021. 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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View our new range of eco products at www.gbeye.com Call: 0114 276 7454 or email: enquiries@gbeye.com

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Industry The Greats Awards 2021 The Awards Are Back And Open For Entries!

With the fervent, heartfelt hope that gift shops will be able to re-open their doors sooner rather than later, PG&H is launching The Greats Awards 2021 to recognise and reward the amazing gift shops and gift departments that have risen to the challenges since May 1, 2020, having pulled out all the stops and continued to trade through click and collect and online, as well as through home and postal deliveries.

With the closing date for entries on Friday May 28, there’s plenty of time to enter, with the industry getting together at The Greats Awards on Thursday September 23 at the Honourable Artillery Club (HAC) in London.

“As always, we will be looking for those outstanding retailers who are a cut above the

rest and have continued to up the ante by being resilient and resourceful in an exceptionally challenging trading period,” commented Sue Marks, editor of Progressive Gifts & Home and GiftsandHome.net.

For retailers who want to shout about exceptional members of their staff - those who go the extra mile - or the suppliers that are providing the best service to gift independents, email ianh@max-publishing.co.uk Additionally, retailers are also invited to nominate outstanding suppliers in the Best Supplier Marketing Award - those who have demonstrated excellence in marketing over the past 12 months. Email ianh@max-publishing.co.uk Tickets to the event are available from event organiser Clare Hollick at Createvents: tel: 01183 340085; email clare@createvents.co.uk or from Max-Tickets.net.

Visit www.thegreatsawards.co.uk The Greats Awards, launched in 2003, are owned and organised by Max Publishing and Progressive Gifts & Home magazine.

Above: The historic Honourable Artillery Club (HAC) in London.

Left: The coveted Greats trophy.

The Greats Awards 2021: Sponsors This year, the impressive line-up of Greats sponsors include (in alphabetical order): Candlelight; Gift Republic; GiftsandHome.net; Gisela Graham; Good Housekeeping; Harrogate Christmas & Gift; Joe Davies; Progressive Gifts & Home; Premier Decorations; Progressive Greetings Live; Spring Fair and Autumn Fair; Wrendale Designs and The Giftware Association.

For remaining sponsorship opportunities, please contact Jo Pilcher on 020 3764 1694 email: jop@max-publishing.co.uk

NEWS

Britain’s Best Small Shop Giving the gift industry a massive boost, and hot on the heels of winning the Best Display category at The Greats Awards 2020 in September, Cornucopia in Worcester, owned by mother and daughter Clare and Hannah Bishop, took the coveted crown as the overall winner of the prestigious Britain’s Best Small Shop competition at the end of November.

The item was featured on BBC West Midlands Today, Sky News, as well as local radio stations BBC Hereford and Worcester and Radio Wyvern.

“Hannah and I both felt so humbled and honoured to have been shortlisted for this award, and then to find out we had won was just amazing!” enthused a delighted Clare. “We really couldn’t have achieved this without our customers. It’s just incredible.”

The judges commented that they “loved Cornucopia’s resilient approach, combined with the shop’s community spirit.”

Above: Cornucopia’s Clare and Hannah Bishop on hearing that their store had been crowned Britain’s Best Small Shop.

Gift Retailers ‘Buddy Up’ Following a Progressive Gifts & Home ‘retailer round table’ discussion, held at Harrogate’s Home & Gift in 2019, a WhatsApp group which was started by attendee Rachel Roberts, co-owner of five MOOCH gift shops in Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire - has significantly snowballed, with gift indies sharing their in-depth knowledge.

“I started the group with four of the people we met, and called it Retail Buddies,” explains Rachel. “Over the past 19 months, that group has grown to some 15 plus likeminded gift shop owners. During 2020, the group was the most incredible source of support, advice and recommendations, and I think everyone in the group would agree that we would have struggled to get through 2020 without each other's support.”

Over recent weeks, the group has started sharing recommendations for new product areas and merchandising solutions to grow sales. “With trade shows still off the agenda, I’m thinking about putting together a schedule for suppliers to have the opportunity to present their ranges to the group - and anyone else who wants to join. Everyone in the group has agreed that it has been a lifeline in a very difficult year.”

Above: Rachel Roberts, co-owner of MOOCH.

‘At Home’ Show Moves To March While the current lockdown continues, Joe Davies has taken the decision to reschedule the company’s ‘At Home’ Spring Fair show, moving the event to the first two weeks of March.

“Many more of our customers will be able to safely attend and we really can’t wait to give them a warm Joe Davies welcome,” enthuses commercial director Paul Hooker.

Right: The Joe Davies team look forward to welcoming visitors next month.

Gift Shop Featured On BBC1’s Panorama Liz Kemp, who owns shops Kemps General Store and Kemps Books in Malton, and Kemps on the Coast in Whitby - winner of The Greats 2020 Independent Gift Retailer of the Year: North & Northern Ireland category - was one of the business owners featured on BBC 1’s Panorama’s ‘Business on the Brink’ programme at the beginning of December.

The programme was a candid film about the challenges faced by businesses in North Yorkshire, threatened by their customers being taken away by the Covid19 pandemic. The programme followed businesses in the region during the summer, across both lockdown periods.

Above: Kemps’ owner Liz Kemp.

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Industry Lockdown 3:0: “We’ll Come Back Fighting!”

A (Mostly) Positive Message From Gift Indies A third lockdown is not the news anyone wanted to hear, least of all non-essential retailers, but it’s been a true ‘keep calm and carry on’ message from gift indies. They are continuing to trade online and through click and collect, with many shops organising in store Facebook ‘live’ slots, and social media keeping them engaged with their customers.

“Between periods of lockdown, our business has generally been pretty strong,” confirms Richard Barker, owner of four Cilla and Camilla stores in the market towns of Sherborne, Bridport and Beaminster in West Dorset. “December was ahead of expectations, but didn’t compensate fully for lost sales in November. Most difficult has been our fashion business which has lurched from one out-of-season sale to another.”

Bradley Trevelyan, owner of two lifestyle stores, Raven Lifestyle in Tavistock and Totnes adds: “This lockdown has certainly brought new challenges as we try and clear seasonal stock, though we fully back the restrictions and the national effort to push down the infection rate.

We’re still feeling positive about the future, making the most of our time to plan new ranges and get the shops looking great for when we can finally reopen.’’

At The Celtic Company in Welshpool, owner Rachel Bates, comments: “Having been through it in March last year, I know we can come back fighting. We fully intend on rising to the challenge and coming out the other end with fantastic new stock and a fresh outlook on things.”

In Grantown-on-Spey, Janet Hartree, owner of gift shops Ewe and Me and Ewe and Me Too, points out that the North of Scotland was originally in Tier 1. “We were happy to be there as we were allowed to be open. Unfortunately, that only made being put into Tier 4 on Boxing Day morning such an unwelcome surprise. Apart from missing our usual busy week between Christmas and New Year, being closed throughout January has given me the opportunity to do the stocktake and year end in solitude. However, the thought that we might miss Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and possibly Easter is worrying.”

In South London, Adam de Wolff, co-owner of two The Indigo Tree stores in Crystal Palace and Streatham adds: “hopefully our website will enable us to see it through by offering local delivery, click and collect and national postal services. However, we are counting on an agreement to defer VAT and having business rates relief for the year ahead as the new grants won’t really help any of us!”

NEWS

‘Ready Steady Dream’ Say Widdop Widdop And Co has unveiled its Spring/ Summer 2021 campaign - Ready Steady Dream which the company highlights is about building towards the future, reaching higher, and beginning to dream again.

“We’ve taken inspiration from seven great innovators - Frida Kahlo, Oprah Winfrey, Walt Disney, Muhammad Ali, Richard Branson, Steve Jobs and Elon Musk - who were unafraid to push through tough times and achieve amazing things,” Widdop’s creative director Stephen Illingworth told retailers at a webinar at the beginning of January. “We’ve used their inspiring words and actions to lead the way to Ready Steady Dream.”

Above: Raven Lifestyle, Tavistock.

Below: Ewe and Me in Grantown-on-Spey.

Award Winning Drinkware

Enesco Opens A Virtual Showroom

GB eye’s Peaky Blinders Drinkware won the Best Licensed Giftware, Home Décor, Tableware or Housewares range category at the virtual Licensing Awards in December. Also triumphing was Miffy which won the prestigious The Classic Licensed Property Award.

Surprise guests included David Walliams, along with a message from Jim from Friday Night Dinner. Adding a final sparkle to the evening was popstar and Strictly Come Dancing finalist HRVY.

Enesco recently launched a brand new virtual showroom, linked to the company’s website www.enesco.co.uk - featuring details of the January product launch. Buyers can place orders, check stock and order the latest pre-packs. In addition, catalogues were mailed to customers in late January. l The company will be exhibiting at the Kind und Jugend show taking place in Cologne from September 9-11. “Covid allowing, we are really excited to present our baby collections to a new audience,” says marketing director Helen Cottrill. (See Spotlight On...

Nursery/Children’s Gifts on pages 45-47).

The campaign features seven ‘pillars’ Presentation, Showroom, Content, Events, Service, Product and Roadshows, linked in with the seven innovators (see above) - with Product revealing a myriad of new ranges and product launches for Spring/Summer 2021.

Key collections include: Harvey Makin’s Mad Man, featuring trendy tech and gadgets; Sophia’s Frida (Hotchpotch), a collection of glassware, stationery, home fragrance, jewellery and ceramic mugs, and That’s not my… a fun collection of children’s keepsakes and gifts.

“We want to encourage people to book appointments with us to visit our showrooms, where we have extra Covidsafe measures in place to ensure that all of our visitors are safe and feel at ease when visiting us,” emphasises Stephen.

He continued: “We are also providing VR showrooms on our website so that retailers can explore our showrooms from the comfort of their own home.”

Visit: www.widdop.co.uk/our-showrooms

Above: The award winning Peaky Blinders Drinkware from GB eye.

Above: Brand-new baby items in Enesco’s Izzy and Oliver collection.

Top: Stephen Illingworth.

Above: Mad Man is among Widdop’s key launches.

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Industry Look Who’s Talking At Spring Fair Theo Paphitis Heads Strong Speaker Line-Up In an exclusive, keynote interview for Spring Fair @ Home, taking place virtually from February 8-10, retail tycoon Theo Paphitis will be discussing his experiences with journalist and broadcaster Sasha Qadri. Theo will also be sharing his insightful views on the future of retail, as well as offering advice to other entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Also taking to the virtual stage will be Beth Horn, head of industry, retail and e-commerce at Facebook, who will be sharing her insights into the role social media will play in the future of retail.

On the trends front, Simon Moriarty, EMEA director of trends at Mintel, will be discussing consumer behaviour trends for 2021 and beyond, linking the effects of the pandemic on shopping habits and purchasing decisions.

In addition, Colour Hive’s creative director, Sam Donnachie, will be highlighting the latest trends in colours, materials and finishes. Plus, trend forecaster Owen Wright from Trend Bible will be sharing the macro-

trends informing the more niche product aesthetics.

In addition, there will be panel sessions as well as practical business advice covering topics such as social media and marketing.

“Our speakers have so much experience and knowledge to share with our audience and I know that they will bring real value to many of the businesses involved in Spring Fair @Home,” comments Julie Driscoll, managing director of UK Retail for Hyve Group.”

Spring Fair @Home will also provide buyers with an easy, accessible way to discover new brands and products from existing suppliers via a virtual showroom.

Plus, the return of the Product Showcase concept will see brands taking buyers on showroom tours, or talking through their latest collections during a sector-specific time slot throughout the three-day forum.

Visit www.springfair.com Above: Retail tycoon Theo Paphitis will be the keynote speaker at Spring Fair @ Home next month.

Left: The Hyve Group’s Julie Driscoll.

NEWS

Christmas In May Harrogate Christmas & Gift show, scheduled for the end of February, has now been moved to May 9-11, and will be taking place at the Harrogate Convention Centre.

Show organiser Simon Anslow is delighted to have secured new dates for the show, commenting: “The festive and gift industry is quite unique - unlike industries where items are mostly branded and familiar to consumers. With these types of products, buyers really need to see and feel them to get the vibe of whether they will suit their store.”

As well as festive goods, the event also showcases gifts for all occasions and novelties.

Exhibitors currently include Premier Decorations, Festive Productions and Gisela Graham.

Visit www.harrogatefair.com Above: Harrogate Christmas & Gift will take place in May.

Gift Of The Year Finalists Revealed Following two rounds of online judging, the finalists were announced in the 22 categories of the 2021 Gift of the Year competition a few weeks ago. Organised by The Giftware Association, GOTY saw a record breaking entry, up 20% on last year, with over 700 entries. A further round of online judging determined the winner of the Judges’ Choice award.

A ‘super-secret’ recorded event will be shown at Spring Fair @ Home which can be viewed from February 8 onwards on the Spring Fair platform as well as through the GA’s own channels.

Additionally, the GA announced a brand new People’s Choice Award, which afforded the general public the opportunity to vote on the finalists products and companies in order to arrive at an overall winner.

Once again, this year’s judging panel included Sue Marks, editor of Progressive Gifts & Home and GiftsandHome.net, sponsors of two categories: Branded Gift and Under £15. (See The Gift Of The Year Finalists 2021 on pages 56-57).

Top Drawer On Demand Extended

International Consumer Goods Show Cancelled

South West gift and home show Giving & Living has been moved from January to May 10-12, 2021, and will be taking place at its usual venue, Westpoint, Exeter.

“We are delighted to have secured these dates, which provide more than two months lead time before the summer season,” confirmed Mike Anderson, managing director of show organisers Hale Events.

Visit givingliving.co.uk

The International Consumer Goods Show, which was scheduled for April 2021 - a hybrid event comprising Ambiente, Christmasworld, Paperworld and Creativeworld - has been cancelled.

Instead, organisers Messe Frankfurt have confirmed that the shows will revert to their previous format and will take place individually next year.

Christmasworld will be held from 28 January-1 February 2022, and Paperworld and Creativeworld from 29 January-1 February 2022. Ambiente will be opening its doors from 11-15 February 2022.

In the meantime, a Consumer Goods Digital Day will be held on April 20, 2021, giving suppliers and retailers an opportunity to get together, and will be supplemented by Nextrade, an order and data management portal for the home and living sector.

Left: Visitors to the Giving & Living show in 2020.

Above: The iittala stand at Ambiente 2020.

A virtual Top Drawer On Demand kicked off the buying season at the end of January with a comprehensive line-up of content for Spring/Summer 2021. A programme of product launches across the breadth of the show’s offering included gifts, interiors, fashion, greetings and stationery, giftable food and drink, craft and children’s products, while industry experts shared their knowledge and advice on RetailFest and Design Talk.

The week-long celebration of retail and design has been extended by three weeks to afford opportunities to network and Above: Top Drawer’s myriad of expert speakers. source through the On Demand platform before it closes on February 21, 2021. Visit www.topdrawer.co.uk

New Date For Giving & Living

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Industry Fanning The Flame Flame Tree Distributes Andrews McMeel Publishing It’s been a great start to the year for Flame Tree Publishing - best known for its art-related calendars, notebooks and journals having doubled the size of its calendar and diary portfolio.

The company recently signed a landmark deal with leading American publisher Andrews McMeel Publishing (AMP), for the UK and Ireland distribution of the company’s calendar and diary lines, starting with the 2022 season. (These were formerly distributed

by BrownTrout before the company’s demise last year).

The deal also includes calendars published under the Universe Publishing and Abrams brands.

“It’s a fabulous opportunity to bring our customers a very wide range of new and ontrend brands,” enthuses Frances Bodiam, managing director of Flame Tree Publishing.

NEWS PEOPLE l Widdop And Co has

Andrews McMeel (with Universe and Abrams calendars) is the premier American publisher of popular culture, savvy humour and progressive dated and undated seasonal products.

The catalogue includes properties such as Thomas Kinkade, Disney Kinkade, The Far Side, Dilbert, Peanuts and Bob Ross.

Above: Flame Tree’s Frances Bodiam, (centre), is shown with her team at The Calies Awards in 2019, owned and organised by Max Publishing.

Paperchase Acquired Having been close to going into administration last month, and been given time to explore restructuring options, Paperchase has been acquired by Aspen Phoenix NewCo. The pre-pack safeguards around 100 stores and 1,000 jobs.

expanded its senior management team, with Mark Wilson (right) appointed managing director.

His career includes both managing and overseeing change in family businesses that include Mamas and Papas, and, more recently, Plum Play.

Stuart Illingworth, who has been managing director for over 30 years, has taken on the new role of chairman, and will continue to be significantly involved in the business, with Mark directly reporting to him.

Andrew Illingworth will continue as sales director, and Stephen, Daniel and James Illingworth, well established in product development, sales & IT respectively, will continue the family tradition at Widdop.

Together with the senior management team, they will work with Mark to complete the transition between generations, as well as to build the business over the next couple of years. l Phil Atherton (right) (previously group sales and marketing director at Portmeirion Group), has been appointed sales director of Enesco. He will be covering the EMEA markets, responsible for growing profitable sales across all customers and channels. l Chris Lewis (right)

Right: Paperchase has avoided going into administration.

New Kid On The Block With games and puzzles one of the biggest trends during the pandemic, Whiz Kid Games has launched its first product range for distribution in the UK and internationally. A designer of environmentally-friendly, educational games, the company has been launched by Heather Watherston - the former managing director of the Lagoon Group - and will be focusing on developing games for children that support the key stage 1 and 2 curriculum.

For retailers looking for environmentally sound product, the company ticks all the boxes. “Whiz Kid Games manufactures in Europe not only to avoid the damage of long-distance travel on the environment but because our partner there prides itself on its green credentials using 100% renewable energy to power its plants,” explains Heather.

“We’ll print on FSC paper, and playing pieces and dice for the games will come from local, sustainable forests while colours will all be water-based and non-toxic. All materials will be 100% recyclable,” adds Heather.

(See Spotlight On... Nursery/Children’s Gifts on pages 45-47).

Above: Passport To Genius from Whiz Kid Games.

BLE Confirms New Dates

Going Digital

With licensing continuing to go from strength to strength in in the gift sector, new 2021 dates, along with a new multiplatform event format have been confirmed for Brand Licensing Europe (BLE).

The show will take place at ExCeL London on November 17-19, 2021, with an online event following two weeks later on November 30 December 1, 2021.

The British Craft Trade Fair is planning to stage two digital shows this Spring and Autumn, with dates to be confirmed.

The shows will feature products from hundreds of exclusively British designer makers, to include home fragrancing, jewellery and ceramics.

(previously with Parlane) has joined Gallery Direct as head of sales & business development (Accessories).

He will be focusing on independent shops, to include gift shops and garden centres, as well as interior designers and online retailers. Identifying fast moving products and gaps in the market will also be a key element of his position, along with working with the product design and development teams. l Clarion Events has

announced a brand new line-up of four senior appointments.

Daniel Nwaokolo (right) is expanding his role as managing director to encapsulate both Clarion’s Enthusiast and Retail portfolios.

Zoë Bonser has been appointed as portfolio director, bringing over 15 years of events and exhibition experience to her role.

Russell Rule, who has over a decade of multi-function event experience, has been appointed as the Retail portfolio’s gift events show manager. In addition, Abigail Quesnel has been appointed senior operations manager for the portfolio, bringing with her a breadth of trade show experience.

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Award For Wax Lyrical’s Chief Executive

Below: Award winning Jacqui Gale, chief of executive, Wax Lyrical.

Jacqui Gale Wins Business Person of the Year Award In a surreal and extraordinary year for business, Jacqui Gale, chief executive of Wax Lyrical, received the In-Cumbria Award for Business Person of the Year 2020. The Award recognised her outstanding contribution to the company, where she demonstrated her leadership and drive to overcome challenges and significantly transform the business.

Jacqui was quick to share the accolade with the Wax Lyrical team. “I’m honoured to accept this Award, but do so on behalf of the 138 staff at Wax Lyrical and the wider Portmeirion Group. 2020 has been a challenging year for everyone but it is important to appreciate what was achieved in the face of such adversity.”

In 2020, Wax Lyrical continued to drive down its carbon footprint and recruited more staff to the Barrow and Lindal sites. The company also continued to produce cruelty free, 100% fragranced candles and diffusers, exporting to 46 countries.

Last March, Jacqui led the business to play a major part in helping the NHS, using the company’s onsite lab to produce 70% alcohol sanitiser and surface spray.

In 2021, Jacqui and her team will be continuing to grow Wax Lyrical. “We will be launching several new product ranges and beginning construction of a factory extension,” Jacqui confirmed. “We continue to support the NHS and our local community and we are grateful to our customers for choosing products which are made in England.”

B&LLAs 2021 Open For Entries The UK Brand & Lifestyle Licensing Awards 2021 (B&LLAs) are now open for entries. The entry deadline is Friday 7 May 2021, with the awards event rescheduled to take place on Wednesday July 7, 2021, at a lavish afternoon event at the Hilton Park Lane, London.

Now in their sixth year, The B&LLAs 2021 will look to reward brand and lifestyle licensing activity which has taken place in the UK between 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2020, across Product, Retail and Property categories.

In addition, a Brand Ambassador Award will also be presented to a special individual (brand owner, licensor, retailer, licensee or supplier), acknowledging their contribution to the brand licensing sector.

There will be a validation process for each of the awards sections, involving panels of industry experts pertinent to the categories. The entry and nomination process for all categories is free and via online submission. Visit www.brandlicensingawards.com “The incredible activity in the brand licensing arena over the last year so deserves to be recognised and rewarded, which is what The B&LLAs 2021 will most definitely do,” commented Ian Hyder, joint managing director of Max Publishing, which owns and organises The B&LLAs. Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) returns as the headline sponsor of the Brand & Lifestyle Licensing Awards, alongside many stellar names as loyal sponsors, while trade body Licensing International will once again be lending its support.

Tickets to the event are available from event organiser Clare Hollick at Createvents: tel: 01183 340085; email: clare@createvents.co.uk or from Max-Tickets.net.

Record £1.1bn Spent On Small Business Saturday Spend on Small Business Saturday (December 5) hit £1.1bn, exceeding the billion £pound mark for the first time ever, as 15.4m people showed support for their local high streets.

The campaign was supported by political figures across the country including Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak, Keir Starmer, Nicola Sturgeon and other MPs who visited small businesses to support the campaign in person or virtually.

Above: Michelle Ovens MBE.

Spring Catalogue With a reduced opportunity to showcase new products and speak to retailers directly, Rex London has launched a new trade catalogue for Spring 2021 that’s filled with best selling collections and new products. The catalogue features key categories to include toys and games, stationery, picnic and party, baby, night lights and recycled bags.

Above: Rex London’s new catalogue.

Industry

NEWS NEWS IN BRIEF l Chilly’s Bottle, whose sales

rose to £44.1m in the year to July 2020, took the No.6 spot in December’s Sunday Times Fast Track 100 listing, published in December. Jewellery company Emma Bartlett made its debut at No. 94.

Right: Chilly’s Pastel Road Trip Bottle.

l San Francisco-based Chronicle Books,

which is distributed in the UK by Abrams & Chronicle Books, recently acquired Wild + Wolf’s three award winning, signature game and toy brands: Petit Collage, Ridley’s Games and Games Room. l Xystos has resumed its distribution of

Shearer Candles in the UK and Ireland.

Shearer is continuing to distribute in Scotland. l Having raised over

£3m for FareShare and Home-Start through its ‘Give a Little Love’ Christmas campaign, the John Lewis Partnership has confirmed that the relationship with the two charities will continue, with a further £2m donation.

Right: John Lewis & Partners.

l Dunelm’s total sales for the 13-week period

ending 26 December 2020 were up 11.8%, reflecting very strong growth, despite store closures during the period. Homewares remained buoyant, with stores performing significantly ahead of the market when they were allowed to open. l BooHoo has bought

Debenhams (right) for £55m, closing all stores and taking the brand entirely online with the company planning to create the UK’s largest marketplace across homeware, fashion, beauty and sport.

On The Scent Crumble & Core has expanded its gift portfolio by launching a candle and votive to complement the company’s greeting cards-cum-jewellery.

“The twist is that the products feature our own artwork on the glass vessel,” explains co-founder and director Louise Pike, “and come boxed with a greeting card ready to give as a gift.”

Right: Among the new candles from Crumble & Core.

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Feedback

Did Christmas

Deliver?

In a month that saw non-essential retailers in England re-open their stores on December 2, followed by tier 4 restrictions closing down non-essential shops in London and the South East on December 20 - with additional regions across the UK plunged into tier 4 restrictions from Boxing Day – ‘shop local’ nevertheless brought plenty of Christmas cheer for many independent gift retailers.

Right: The ‘Merry Social Dist-mas!’ heart outside Buy The Light in Bury St Edmunds, with words courtesy of a Lanther Black Christmas card.

Best Day’s Takings In 20 Years How was Christmas? “Despite everything, we were on course for the best Christmas we’ve had in years,” confirms Louise Rolfe, owner of The Present in Barnet, North London. “Everyone was saying how they were making a concerted effort to ‘shop local’, and on the high street, and our sales reflected that. Just before we had to close again, in the week before Christmas, we had the best day’s takings we have ever had in 20 years of trading. In fact, keeping stock and staff levels right was a bit of a juggle and a balancing act.”

Continues Louise: “Average spends were definitely up, as I felt that customers were doing the majority of their Christmas shop with us rather than just their ‘add on’ gifts.

“Having to close in November, then again for the last week leading up to Christmas Eve, was hugely disappointing and frustrating as it was so busy. As limiting numbers in the shop was a bit tricky at times, we hired a youngster to man the door which helped.

“I just hope that the fantastic takings at Christmas are not cancelled out by the current closure. Hopefully the positivity around high streets and ‘shopping local’ will continue when we are allowed to re-open.”

Festive favourites: “Top sellers included Nuzzle Slipper Socks from Joe Davies; PoM scarves and Gisela Graham Christmas decorations, plus much else besides.”

Above: The Present, Barnet, North London.

Right: An eye-catching Gisela Graham Christmas decoration.

Sales Were Up How was Christmas? “When we re-opened on December 2, we didn't know what to expect,” admits Lesley Bancroft, director, Buy The Light in Bury St Edmunds. “We were very busy during the first week of December and then things became slightly slower - lively, but not manic. Luckily, those who were asked to queue did so, rather than walk away. We did need to re-stock certain lines, but it was quite hard trying to guess the numbers.

“Obviously, we lost the sales for November, which was devastating, but this December compared favourably with December 2019.

Sales were up overall, and the average basket sale was up 8% too. Possibly the initial frenzy happened because people were concerned that they might be locked down again and wouldn't be able to do more shopping. Many customers told us that they were only shopping local, and with independents if they could, which is maybe why we did well.”

Adds Lesley: “Let's hope that sentiment carries through 2021! We learnt on December 23 that we would move into Tier 4 on Boxing Day, so Christmas Eve was our last day of trading until who knows when....”

Festive favourites: “British products did very well for us to include St Eval, and soap, sanitiser and hand cream from The English Soap Company, along with diffusers from Classic Candle.”

Top: Buy The Light, Bury St Edmunds.

Above: Three Kings Christmas Soap from The English Soap Company.

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Feedback A Very Busy Christmas How was Christmas? “Since we opened after the first lockdown we were busy, noticing that people were already starting to buy Christmas presents, which carried on right into to December,” comments Janet Hartree, owner of Ewe and Me and Ewe Too in Grantown-on-Spey.

“We managed to stay open until Christmas Eve, having been put into Tier 1, so we were highly delighted. We were chasing our stockists for orders wanting to keep our shelves stocked and they didn’t let us down. All in all, we were very pleased with our business performance from coming out of lockdown at the end of July right up to Christmas Eve. “Our customers, locals and tourists said that they valued the opportunity to shop in small independent stores, rather than face city centres, as they were still nervous about social distancing.”

Festive favourites: “We did well across the board. However, East of India was wonderful for us as were Shoeless Joe, Shearer Candles, Scottish Fine Soaps, outdoor and puzzle books - both of which sold out - Sheila Fleet Orkney Jewellery and postable Crumble & Core’s boxed silver jewellery cards.”

Above: A gift and card in one from Crumble & Cole.

Left: Ewe and Me in Grantown-on-Spey.

Christmas Rollercoaster Down in Cornwall however, Christmas trading was something of a rollercoaster for multiple gift store Brocante. “We put Christmas in store from September and it was storming,” explains Keiron Cockley, co-owner of Brocante which has four shops in Fowey, Mevagissey and St Ives. “We invested heavily in brands such as Gisela Graham and Heaven Sends as decorations were flying out. Then the November lockdown came, and by the time we were able to re-open, people had put up their trees. We were also competing against the garden centres which remained open. Consequently, we had to go into sale on these lines, something we never have to do. We didn’t want to be left with money tied up in stock for another year.”

Continued Kieron: “December itself started well, with lower footfall, but increased average spend. However, once the tiers changed in mid December, and then again in late December, we noticed the fall in trade. We would expect it to be a busy week before New Year, but people had accommodation cancelled so they didn’t arrive. Sadly, we also missed many of the regular second home owners as well. Plus, we are frustrated to be in tier 3. We are effectively cut off, as nobody can visit, and there are no restaurants, coffee shops, or even tourist attractions open. Plus, we miss out on the government support available in tier 4. However, when we have been able to welcome visitors and locals to our shops we have done really well, with lots of people taking advantage of staycations.”

Above: Brocante in St Ives.

A Phenomenal Christmas How was Christmas? "Christmas was amazing customers were so kind and patient and we were just delighted to be able to open!” enthuses Rachel Roberts, co-owner of MOOCH, which has five gift shops in Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire. “It was our first Christmas in the newest shop on Rushden Lakes and it was phenomenal!”

Festive favourites: “The big winners were Ginology gin glasses from Enesco, Scentiment candles from Light up Your Life, Life Charms bracelets, and the late addition to the range from WPL - Inside Out mugs - which proved to be a big hit in stores and online.”

Above: MOOCH at Rushden Lakes.

Right: Ginology Gin Glasses from Enesco.

Right: The Wild Ginger, Lytham St Annes.

Incredible Community Support How was Christmas? “The support I received during the Christmas season was incredible, and all credit to the local community for wanting to support ‘shop local’,” states Sarah Peteranna, owner of The Wild Ginger in Lytham St Annes.

“The lockdown in November highlighted the uncertainty ahead and many people came out early in support. When I was allowed to re-open in December, community support was non-stop, with customers often telling me that they were avoiding online/bigger retailers and wanting to do as much as they could to support The Wild Ginger as they didn’t want to lose me from their high street. Some days I even had queues forming outside. I was overwhelmed by it all and can’t thank my customers enough.”

Festive favourites: “Home fragrances - especially locally made candles - as people definitely wanted to create a cosy home environment.”

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Industry Issue: Brexit

Life After

With the historic Brexit trade deal signed - allowing British companies to sell goods to all 27 EU countries without tariffs and quotas - most businesses are feeling relieved that, after four-and-ahalf years, a deal has finally been done.

However, there will be a slew of nontariff barriers that will come into force, including extra customs checks and forms, creating additional administration and cost for companies.

And that’s not all...

We asked some of the leading names in the gift and home industry for their views on how Brexit will impact on their business.

Positive News

“At Lesser & Pavey, we’re thrilled with the news that a Brexit deal has finally been agreed,” comments Lesser & Pavey director Jonny Greves. “Zero tariffs and zero quotas were what we were all hoping for, and although there will be additional paperwork and customs checks, this is something we have been preparing for some time.

“While we still have some uncertain months ahead regarding the pandemic, we feel this is the positive news that lots of UK and European businesses were hoping for and we are certainly in a very positive frame of mind for a good 2021.”

He adds: “In spite of all the recent uncertainties and challenges, we have continued to develop more new products than ever for prompt delivery in early 2021 as we continue to support our ever-resilient customers both at home, across the EU and the rest of the world.”

Above: Jonny Greves, director, Lesser & Pavey.

European Expansion “We are delighted that the UK and EU have reached an agreement on trade that will benefit both our European customers and the European consumers who are fans of Enesco ranges,” says Phil Atherton, sales director at Enesco. “We had already made extensive plans around either a ‘no’ deal or a ‘yes’ deal, and have now implemented the plans and were good to trade from midnight 31 December 2020, under the new rules of engagement. Our export processes and documentation have all been updated and we are ‘Brexit ready’ and feel that our business in Europe is set to expand in 2021. We look forward to continuing to support our European customers to drive sales on our core ranges of Willow Tree, Disney and Beatrix Potter products.”

Above: Phil Atherton, sales director, Enesco.

We’re Thinking Positively “At Gisela Graham we’ve always thought positively,” emphasises the company’s sales director Piers Croke. “We carried on designing and developing through Spring and summer 2020 so that we could offer a terrific designer Christmas collection which is easily the most extensive in Europe. It’s already got very positive thumbs-up from major UK customers which is very encouraging.

“However, quite a chunk of our main Christmas business comes from European customers, so we have to brace ourselves for lot more paperwork and admin, but we have a strong German agent and good new Italian and French agents who were optimistically appointed in January 2020! They’ve all seen our new collections on the two video presentations that we’ve invested in, and they are very positive for 2021. And - positive thinking again! - we only deliver from August 2021, by which time we reckon to have the admin/paperwork under control.”

Above: Piers Croke, sales director, Gisela Graham.

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Over 3500 products across our range and an updated collection of over 550 new Home Accessories for SS21

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Accessories are perfect for adding personality and interest to interiors. Whether you want to add a touch of colour, texture or design, our eclectic new range offers a wonderful choice so you’re sure to find something to complement your dÊcor. Stylish ceramic and glass vases can be used as feature pieces in their own right, or pair beautifully with our incredibly realistic plant stems, whilst candle holders and lanterns offer an easy way of adding ambience to a room.

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Industry Issue: Brexit

Impact On Immigration "I’m relieved the Government achieved a Brexit deal, but my primary concern is the impact on immigration,” says Sam Wahid, managing director of Gift Republic. “The majority of our industry is seasonal and I am worried that there will be a shortfall in the number of temporary workers available for warehouse work in the build-up to Christmas.

“Gift Republic owns its own warehousing and although we took on more than 100 employees in the warehouse in 2020, we were still understaffed. Despite our best efforts to recruit, including working directly with the local job centre and community, we were left with many vacant positions. With immigration now restricted, I foresee considerable issues for all industries relying on seasonal workers, many of whom are from overseas. Our contingency planning has already started."

Above: Sam Wahid, managing director, Gift Republic.

Keeping Calm & Carrying On “In a way we’re glad Brexit is ‘over’ and we can move on and have some certainty to deal with,” says Jules Vahrmann, founder and managing director of Wild Things. “But - it’s a can of worms really isn’t it? It sounds like such a simple idea. Obviously, we are relieved there is a deal, such as it is, but it still involves a huge amount of extra paperwork. Our main supplier is Swarovski - Austrian of course - and we export a lot back to Europe.

“We will have to wait and see if our customers are happy with extra paperwork and having to pay VAT on our products, and what effect this has on our business. We may have to follow the lead of other gift companies and set up a distribution warehouse in Europe, or use a fulfilment house. On top of a pandemic, we could do without the extra headache to be honest.

“However, all said and done, if you are in business it’s ‘adapt or die’ - so basically it’s ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ at Wild Things!”

Above: Julian Vahrmann, founder and managing director, Wild Things.

Tariffs & Duties Still Applicable “As an EU business supplying the UK market, we have had to do a lot of research on the best way to supply our UK clients,” confirms Luke Felton, Present Time’s country manager UK & Ireland.

“There was a sigh of relief when the trade deal was signed. However, in effect, the deal is irrelevant if your goods do not meet the rules of origin and therefore tariffs and duties are still applicable. Our couriers are well prepared for customs checks and the forms required. However, every process also incurs more costs.”

Adds Luke: “The UK market is incredibly important to us and keeping our customers happy is our sole focus. Therefore we have, and will, continue to limit any cost implications for the customer. Brexit is a big change for everybody and something we are learning about as we go. Despite the challenges of Brexit and coronavirus, we are extremely optimistic about growing further in the UK.” Above: Luke Felton, Present Time’s

Significant Barriers To Trade “The recent confirmation of zero-tariffs has been extremely welcome and it means we can finally look ahead with an understanding of all the costs involved,” states Nigel Biggs, ceo, Rex London. “We're pleased to have avoided the worst-case scenario, but we're not cracking open the champagne just yet! Tariffs were only part of the story.”

Nigel points out that there remain significant barriers to trade in terms of administration and other regulations. “Of course, we are prepared for this, and we have invested in our IT systems to handle the changes - although this has been an investment that we will only be able to fully assess later in the year.

“At this point, we are also not aware of the impact the customs processes will have on the speed of goods crossing the border, which is less than ideal as our customers are used to a fast turnaround of their orders from us.

“That being said, we have always been adaptable and we will remain committed to ensuring as little change as possible for our European customers.”

Above: Nigel Biggs, ceo, Rex London.

Increase In Freight Costs “As the UK finally agreed a trade deal with the EU we had seven days of planning - only three of which were true working days - but were part of our company shut down for Christmas,” highlights Thomas O’Brien, managing director of Boxer Gifts. “As there are no additional tariffs, the only issue is the increase in freight costs to Ireland (North and the Republic) and the rest of the EU. We therefore hit the New Year with difficult transport links and a ‘third time lucky’ lockdown.”

Right: Thomas O’Brien, managing director, Boxer Gifts.

Left: Brexit has thrown up an array of challenges for suppliers.

country manager UK & Ireland.

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Talking Trends

Let The

Sunshine In With hopes of a happier and more ‘normal’ 2021, especially in the second half of the year, an array of top trends are emerging that include back to nature, lush tropical prints, jungle/safari themes, and a laid back Californian vibe.

Colourwise, there will be plenty of green around, as well as sunshine-y yellow to brighten everything from the home and home accessories, to fashion and fashion accessories, plus much, much more besides.

With a yearning to feel the mood lift, the good news is that trends in 2021 are setting out to bring vibrant colour into our lives, with one of Pantone’s two colours of the year the brightest, happiest yellow imaginable. There are greens in abundance, along with soft peachy papaya and terracotta, a nod perhaps to the interest in bringing the garden inside, and the keen interest in making the most of our gardens outside, both of which have been driven by the pandemic.

Gift Republic’s biggest trends for the upcoming season tie into the summery, back to nature trend. “I think most of us can’t wait to get back outdoors again and have a normal summertime!” says designer Isaac

Michael. “We’re really excited about our 100 Ways to Help Your Community product, as this last year has definitely brought communities together and this product explores great ways for us Top left: Candlelight’s new Palm in Print design.

Above: Among the quirky, eye catching accessories from Gisela Graham’s Modernist collection.

Right: A colourful toucan planter from Gallery Direct’s Strangely Smart collection.

Left: Gift Republic’s 100 Ways To Help Your Community.

to continue this into the spring and summer.

Plus, a lot of the products we’re bringing out are pet related, such as our How To Speak Dog and How To Speak Cat guides. We also have our Dog and Cat IQ Tests which will bring people back to the nature within their homes, while our Dog-saster and Nine Lives games will be perfect for people spending time in the sun with friends.”

Also homing in on the trend for bringing the outdoors in is Candlelight, with the company’s Palm in Print range featuring a natural, stripped back feel. “Colours in this trend are mainly greens, working with warm linen tones, black, cream and grey,” explains the company’s sales director Emma Yeardley. “Natural mango woods and bamboo colours add to the relaxed, organic vibe, and oversized plants spill onto a backdrop of vintage-feel monochrome palm etchings. The natural look materials and textures we’ve featured

SS21: What Else Is Trending l Highly decorative maximalist patterns: eg paisley, lotus leaves, lush jungle and

animal motifs, especially monkeys, elephants and the SE Asian tiger. l ‘Smart’ nature: influenced by botanical and oceanic themes, using recycled materials.

The colour palette features purples, blues and greens, along with ‘otherworldly’ glamour and a myriad of kaleidoscopic patterns.

(Source: Scarlet Opus)

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Talking Trends

include rattan, bamboo and raw ceramic finishes,” adds Emma.

At Gisela Graham, sales director Piers Croke highlights a ‘Neutrally Nordic’ trend that’s been around for a while. “It’s a very comfortable look for these troubled times, which won’t go away,” says Piers. “We’ve added some new neutral coloured throws to our big collection in this area, and we’re also bringing the outdoors in with our Lost Garden collection of plant pot covers and sculptural ornaments. Elsewhere, we’re bursting out in colour, which is especially strong in our Modernist collection, with quirky arty pieces in block colours, to include yellow. Plus, we have new candles in colours that inspire, and have hit the fashion button with jeweltone animal prints in our Emporium range.”

Adds Piers, “working from home and wellbeing are some of the other influences in our collections.”

Let’s Dream Widdop And Co recently unveiled its Spring/Summer 2021 campaign - Ready Steady Dream. “This year, there will be fresh new themes and bold statements, ranging from fun and wild jungle themes to crisp, fresh countryside scenes, which can be seen across our Frida by Sophia, Meg Hawkins and Country Living brands,” highlights senior marketing executive Leoni Brown.

Right: Frida by Sophia, from Widdop And Co, is an elegant gift collection with a bright jungle vibe.

Above: Mediterranean from SIL. Below left: Striking Batik from Temerity Jones.

Right: Summer in Seville from Caroline Gardner.

Below right: The Back To Nature collection from Joe Davies’ Equilibrium collection.

Gallery Direct’s head of sales and business development (Accessories), Chris Lewis, highlights: “Our Lookbook features several key trends. One of these embraces all that is weird and wonderful, an exciting new trend, offering an eclectic array of unusual pieces with unique, quirky designs, from colourful Toucan planters to Sloth table lamps. With a deep colour palette and the injection of bright metal finishes, this trend is full of curiosities which will add excitement to all interiors.”

Other home accessories trends at Gallery Direct include Retreat, which showcases a relaxed palette of pale tones, natural textures and materials that bring the outdoors inside, as well as Orangery which features natural

materials and hues designed to create an oasis of calm. “Key to both these trends are faux flowers and plants,” Chris emphasises.

For Spring/Summer 2021, SIL is taking inspiration from the earthy tones of the Mediterranean. “The palette is influenced by the vivid blues of Greece and the terracotta clays of Italy, with splashes of greens and reds to highlight this warm, al fresco collection,” comments director Emma Medd.

As she points out: “Spring/Summer 2021 is all about lifting the spirits with a vibrant palette of colour. As an example, our sister brand, Temerity Jones, has used a bright, summery array of colours which have been applied to a large range of products in the classic Indonesian style of Batik.”

At Caroline Gardner, independent sales manager Luca Bridges reveals that the company’s stories have been inspired by a longing to travel again, bringing a little escapism to both retailers and their customers. “Fruit is still a strong print trend, and we’re excited to launch oranges that whisk you away to Seville. Additionally, cool California vibes

inspired our wave print, paired with sunny yellow accessories and the rainbow colours of Salvation Mountain in the California desert.”

For both suppliers and consumers, there is, understandably, a strong need to move forward positively this year, with the trends for vibrant colours, nature, escapism and strong, bold themes reflecting an fervent hope for a happier, healthier and brighter 2021.

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Spotlight On... Made In Britain

According to the trend analysts, the provenance of a product, and its carbon footprint, is going to be more important than ever this year, with a social shift in people wanting to know where everything - from UK produced food, to a gift or an item for the home - has been made.

So how are ‘Made In Britain’ manufacturers helping retailers to reinforce the message to their customers?

Driven by the ongoing pandemic and Brexit, there is sure to be an even stronger desire for products that have been made In Britain, with both retailers and consumers seeing it as increasingly important when making a purchase.

“At Portmeirion Group, we have always seen an appetite for our Made in Britain products, and there’s no denying that we’re seeing increased demand for our ‘Made in England’ backstamp,” confirms the company’s marketing director, Gemma Copping.

“We believe that the pandemic and Brexit is, and will, continue to have an effect on the UK’s desire for product made in our factory in Stoke-on-Trent. However, the wider offering is of paramount importance too. We’re very much seeing a global trend for brands and products that have a story to tell about their heritage, craftsmanship, quality and design credentials.”

She adds that given that it is so important for retailers to be able to communicate to their customers about provenance, the company offers a bank of instore PoS and imagery, video and copy for online channels, as well as other marketing materials. “They sing loud and proud about each of Portmeirion Group’s brands,” emphasises Gemma.

Warren Gell, global commercial director at Wax Lyrical, points out that at home, there is always a significant desire for British-made products, both from the perspective of customers wanting to support local industry, and also, because they trust in the high-quality craft and skills. “That same reputation for quality, steeped in heritage and tradition, drives an ever-increasing global appeal,” he states.

“Wax Lyrical has significant plans for continued growth, both in the UK and across the world, and we expect our 40 years of ‘Made in England’ credentials will stand us in good stead, whatever challenges 2021 has in store for the economy,” Warren emphasises. “The attributes of being a British manufacturer certainly appeal to consumers, as does an authentic approach to environmental issues.”

The company has a robust instore and online presence in place to both market its products and support retailers. “We champion our quality, design, fragrance and our ‘Made in England’ credentials by highlighting the inspiration and skilled workforce who design and manufacture with passion and pride in their work,” he adds.

At Pintail Candles too, everything is made in the traditional way in the company’s

Above: Sea Breeze from Wax Lyrical’s Made In England collection.

Below left: Black Italian from Spode.

Below: At Pintail, everything is Made in Britain.

South Lakeland studio. “All the ingredients are sourced in the UK, even the candle tins,” highlights managing director James Long.

It’s a similar story at Wild Things, based in Exeter. “Just about every aspect of what we do is British, through and through,” emphasises founder and managing director Jules Vahrman. “Not just the products, but the entire production line itself - they’re designed here, made here, quality checked here and shipped from here. As that has become a big selling point in recent times, we’ve adjusted our own marketing to reflect this fact, and, in turn, our stockists can confidently pass this onto their customers.

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Spotlight On... Made In Britain

A Global Perspective

Above: Carrie Elspeth’s Sending Love & Rainbows sentiment bracelet is ‘Handmade in Wales with Love’.

Below left: Wild Things’ rainbow crystal.

Naturally, with everything that’s going on, there’s even greater demand than ever for very personal, heartfelt gifts, and doubly so if they’re handcrafted in Britain.”

However, as Jules points out, shopping conscientiously isn’t a particularly new trend. “People have been more selective of which businesses they support and more interested in the origins of a product for quite some time. The pandemic has just brought it all into very sharp focus. One of the few silver linings of this year is that it has brought a greater appreciation of the things on our doorstep - local businesses, people in the community, the nature and outdoor spaces around us. It’s a shame that it took a pandemic to encourage that, but I’m hopeful it’s something we don’t forget after this is all over.”

On the jewellery front, Carrie Shapiro, Carrie Elspeth’s founder and creative supremo, adds: “Although we have avoided the worst that a no-deal would have promised, the changes Brexit will bring

Illustrator Clare Davis, founder of Bottlesoc, emphasises that the Made in Britain swing tag needs to be visible for both consumer and retailers as part of the country’s re-branding as we move away from Europe.

“I think Covid has had a catastrophic impact on our manufacturing base. As a British entrepreneur in Covid, and at the start of the actual Brexit, I am having to be creative in how I sell and cast my customer base wider. We live in a global marketplace and we need to sell our great British products proudly, therefore my products are all sold with British product swing tags on. People don’t expect much to be made in the UK and are genuinely pleased when they know that we are a UK based manufacturer.”

Right: Bottlesoc shouts loud and proud about being a UK manufacturer.

will magnify the ‘buying British’ sentiment in a profound way. Once the effects of the pandemic subside, and we can see and understand more clearly the new retail landscape, I think ‘buying British’ will be significantly more important to our retail offerings than it was only 12 months ago. This is not just a commercially driven sentiment but something the British public are looking for in their gift buying. As our resilient retailers adapt and reinvent themselves to become even more of an interactive, socially aware and engaging shopping ‘experience’, buying local will certainly play a bigger role than it ever has.”

Meanwhile, at Signature Gifts, among the leading UK suppliers of personalised gifts, trade marketing manager David Morris says that ‘Made in Britain’ has always been a point of pride for both retailers and consumers. “Now, perhaps more than ever, there is a comfort that comes with the knowledge that you are supporting a British company and British

jobs. Plus, from a practical standpoint, avoiding customs charges that now apply to almost everything imported from outside the UK is an added bonus. All our books are made and dispatched from our production facility in Bladnoch, Scotland.

With ‘Made In Britain’ a back stamp that both retailers and consumers respect and trust, 2021 could well be the greatest year yet for ‘Great’ Britain’s giftware manufacturers.

Below: Signature Gifts’ Paw Patrol Bedtime Stories Collection.

In Partnership Looking to develop homeware outside of the kitchen, ceramics manufacturer Denby recently broadened its offer by partnering with another UK manufacturer, Stoneglow. The launch collection has taken five of Denby’s most iconic patterns into luxury candles and reed diffusers, available in both ceramics or in a tin.

“When retailers and consumers buy Denby they are choosing items with purpose and soul - hand crafted, made to last ceramics and homeware which are a conscious choice,” points out Linda Salt, head of corporate affairs at Denby.

“With this collection, the ceramic items can be re-purposed and enjoyed around the home with a variety of different uses, from drinks vessels to plant pots and bud vases.”

Left: Manufactured in the UK: Denby recently launched a ceramics home fragrancing collection in partnership with Stoneglow.

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WHAT’S NEW

Progressive Gifts & Home highlights some of the latest gift products to be showcased this month Red Robin for Christmas 2021 Introducing the new Jennifer Rose Winter Forest and Winter Robin designs that form part of the Lesser and Pavey 2021 Christmas range.

These hand painted festive illustrations feature wildlife associated with Christmas, such as the Red Robin surrounded by red berries, cones and holly and are transformed into household ranges that include fine china, melamine tabletop items, lap

Wise Words Wooden Signs

trays, and kitchenware.

Coulson Macleod is excited to announce the launch of its Mini Hanging

Lesser & Pavey

Wooden Signs in its best-selling Wise Words range. Each little sign is

T: 01322 279225

made from FSC-approved plywood, printed and finished in-house, and

E: sales@leonardo.co.uk

supplied with a vintage-style metal bulldog clip hanger. Sized at

W: www.leonardo.co.uk

150x100mm, there are more than 120 different designs to choose from, with a POS display stand also available.

Coulson Macleod T: 01536 419944 E: hello@coulsonmacleod.com W: www.coulsonmacleod.com

New Kiss Jewellery Collection

Nature themed glassware

This modern, contemporary

The beauty of nature has been magically captured in Nobile

Equilibrium Kiss collection from Joe

Glassware’s new collection of Bees & Blooms vases and gifts.

Davies features fashionable “kiss”

Each detail has been individually hand-decorated onto the high

bracelets, necklaces and earrings.

quality, mouth blown glass, creating a life like impression that

This is just one of the exciting new

brings nature into the home. Over 100 new items have been

ranges in the popular Equilibrium

added to its current offering of 1200 products for 2021.

spring/summer collection which can

Nobile Glassware

be ordered alongside the extensive

T: 0118 973 2033

Joe Davies range of gifts.

E: info@nobileglassware.co.uk

Everything is available to order in

W: Web: www.nobileglassware.co.uk

their trademark “little and often” quantities with free carriage on orders over £100.

Joe Davies T: 0161 975 6300 E: sales@joedavies.co.uk W: www.joedavies.co.uk Celebrating 50 years Rainbow Designs is celebrating 50 years of the Home of Classic Characters in 2021 with the addition of some fun new wooden toys to join the Guess How Much I Love You and Fun with Spot collections. There will be colourful new Shape Puzzles, Building Blocks and playful Wooden Pullalongs, as well as a fun Balance Toy and Wooden Bowling Set. Rainbow Designs T: 01329 227300 E: sales@rainbowdesigns.co.uk W: www.rainbowdesigns.co.uk

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Lesser & Pavey: 50th Anniversary

Years Young Having started life as a china, glass and collectables importer in 1971, Lesser & Pavey has gone on to become among the biggest, best known and most successful suppliers in the gift and homewares industry.

So how is the company - which prides itself on offering high end quality, value for money products with mass appeal - celebrating its milestone 50th anniversary in 2021?

How has it evolved over five decades and what’s going to be new for Spring/Summer 2021?

These were just some of the question PG&H put to Lesser & Pavey’s managing director Julian Hunt, and fellow director Jonny Greves, as the company gets ready to take confident strides into its sixth decade.

There are only a handful of companies in the gift industry today that can boast 50 years of continuous trading, supplying the industry with an ever changing variety of gifts and homewares. It therefore comes as no surprise that Lesser & Pavey is making the most of its 50 year heritage. There’s a striking and proud new ‘50 years’ logo of course, and hopefully at some time in the not too distant future, the opportunity to celebrate with customers and industry friends.

“We had all sorts of celebrations planned for February’s Spring Fair had the show been able to go ahead,” points out Julian.

Founded in 1971 by chairman Ronnie Pavey, in the early years, Lesser & Pavey was very much a china and glass importer sourcing the company’s products from Europe. By the mid ‘70s, the entrepreneurial Ronnie had established ‘The Leonardo Collection’, a brand synonymous with Lesser & Pavey that has become a household name, renowned worldwide.

At the time, products were very traditional, sourced from many different European countries: Italy, Portugal, Romania and Poland to mention a few. And in addition to sourcing from Europe, there were now regular trips to source

Lesser & Pavey’s 5 Best Sellers l l l l l

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The Leonardo Collection’s Little Nook: original, collectable animal figures The Leonardo Collection/Alberon porcelain dolls Above: Desire aroma lamps William Morris tableware and humidifiers are a huge selling product area.

Desire home fragrancing and aroma lamps Right: Little Stars melamine Christmas feeding sets.

Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

Above: Julian Hunt (left) and Jonny Greves.

products from the Far East - initially from Japan, Korea and Taiwan, but before long, directly from China, where Ronnie was undoubtedly a leading pioneer.

However, while sourcing from the Far East was inevitably a game changer, it was also a pivotal moment for the company in other ways. “From the very first trips, strong relationships were forged with factories who began developing exclusive product for Lesser & Pavey,” explains Julian.

“In fact, having such strong relationships with our factories has certainly helped us during the pandemic. We were able to work closely with our suppliers to keep shipments flowing and supply on time to meet the very significant volumes of products we have sold. It also helped us with developing new products for the second half of the year and early 2021. Without doubt we have sold and developed even more new items than in a normal year, all of which have been

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Lesser & Pavey: 50th Anniversary welcomed by existing and new customers alike, at a time when many other suppliers have not had good supplies or new products to offer.”

So, what are the new launches for Spring/Summer 2021? “Our home fragrancing products were fantastic sellers before and during the lockdowns, and we have therefore added hundreds of new products to our Desire Aroma range for 2021,” Julian confirms. (In addition to soy candles, reed diffusers and aroma lamps, there are also tealight wax and oil warmers). “We have also added to our homeware ranges - the William Morris inspired Strawberry Thief and Pimpernel - plus we are introducing a new colourway in Golden Lily and, brand new to Lesser & Pavey, the Blackthorn range,” he continues. “We have stunning new ranges for Spring - Butterfly Garden, Garden Birds and Woodland Wildlife.”

In the children’s category, the company’s hugely successful Little Stars collection sees the addition of colourful feeding sets for children, where a wide selection of products featuring Unicorns, Dinosaurs, Vehicles, Fairy Tale and Spaceman are among the best sellers.

As always, there continues to be a big emphasis on attractive quality gift packaging to ensure everything is very giftable. “In turn, this adds to the perceived value of the products” Julian points out. “We have always been innovators when it comes to gift packaging and Ronnie was the first importer to introduce this. This is something we will continue to develop, as eye-catching packaging helps our customers promote and sell more of our products which we all benefit from.”

The company continues to source from the Far East, and exclusive product remains a major cornerstone of the business. Over the past two decades, Lesser & Pavey has established its own in-house art department, with a creative team that develops exclusive products driven by the ever growing appetite of customers for new innovative quality products. “We have produced many of our most successful products inhouse, some of which uses artwork Top: The William Morris inspired Pimpernel collection.

Right: The Macneil Robin collection 2021.

Left: Colourful Desire aroma lamps.

Lesser & Pavey: The Lowdown l Lesser & Pavey was established in 1971 by chairman and founder Ronnie Pavey, with the

company among the leading UK trade suppliers of giftware and homewares. l Julian Hunt joined the business in 1993, becoming managing director in 2000. l Own brand The Leonardo Collection has become renowned worldwide, with longstanding

customers across the UK, EU and the rest of the world, for the past 50 years. l The company currently boasts over 5,000 products. l Ranges cover gifts and homewares, as well as seasonal lines and special occasions, with

an exclusive range of Christmas gifts and homewares that the company has become well known for. l Lesser & Pavey’s HQ is based at Leonardo House in Dartford, a purpose-built 15,000 sq ft building housing a 6,000 sq ft showroom - which is open all year round - an in-house art department and extensive modern offices.

we have exclusively developed with well known artists,” Julian explains.

In recent years, there has also been a young vibe across the company in all departments. “It’s been another pivotal move for us and evolved naturally, as we expanded our team and recruited younger highly talented staff which has definitely helped us to stay ahead of the game,” says Julian. Jonny Greves, who joined Lesser & Pavey in April 2015, heads up the new, younger Lesser & Pavey team, and in recognition of his contribution and leading role in the company, he was made a director 18 months ago.

So what plans are in the pipeline for the rest of the year? “We will continue to keep up with the trends, as well as continuing to build on all the products, both gifts and homewares, that we are so well known for,” Julian confirms, “appealing to the mass market and ensuring that the business continues to go from strength to strength.”

He continues: “The gift trade is changing faster than ever and we continue to change with it. We listen to customers’ feedback, move with the times and evolve, adapting however we need to, to remain successful.

Undoubtedly the gift industry in the short term will continue to face challenges created by both political and economic uncertainty, to some degree caused by Brexit, but there’s always creativity and innovation, and, importantly, there are always new customers both at home and internationally. It’s always exciting to see the number of new businesses opening and young talent coming into our industry. We remain ever optimistic and see this, our 50th year, as a very exciting one for the company, and hopefully, with Covid vaccines coming on stream, it will help life and business return to normal. We therefore look forward to seeing our many customers in the very near future and thanking them in person for their continued loyalty and support.”

Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

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Spring/Summer Fragrances available to ORDER NOW

Get in touch with us today on 01173161200 or via hfcustomercare@newellco.com

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Spotlight On... Home Fragrancing

Scents of Spring

With Mother’s Day the next big gifting occasion, home fragrancing products will be very much on the list for gift givers of all ages, with suppliers looking to fragrances reflecting Springtime florals and exotic holiday destinations, along with scents that encourage rest, relaxation and wellbeing.

With vessels that reflect the trend for enhancing and blending in with different home décors, suppliers have pulled out all the stops as we kick off a new year.

Far left: Ashleigh & Burwood’s Mimosa Life In Bloom reed diffuser.

Left: New for 2021 from Gisela Graham.

Bottom left: The new Yankee Candle sleep diffuser.

Below: Candlelight’s new Sicilian collection.

As suppliers and gift retailers concur, if there was a strong positive for the giftware sector in 2020, it was that home fragrancing enjoyed a mega year, with people spending more time in their homes and home offices and wanting to fragrance them.

“We’re all looking for 2021 to bring us some positivity, and even small things, such as an uplifting fragrance within the home, can provide a boost to help us feel good,” says Ashleigh & Burwood’s PR manager (trade), Deborah Bettinson. “Our new Life In Bloom collection has a floral theme running throughout the uplifting scents, complemented by a bright colour palette, evoking the fresh essence of Springtime all year round.” The collection includes fragrance lamps and lamp fragrances, soy wax blend candles, and reed diffusers that combine white fibre reeds with colourful stems of real gypsophila flowers for an original diffuser aesthetic.

For those looking to light a scented candle to promote relaxation, Yankee Candle’s new The Last Paradise collection is inspired by the desire to seek-out meaningful experiences that enrich lives and offer a relaxing escape from the demands of everyday life.

Comments Hannah Jenkins, directormarketing EMEA, Newell

home fragrance division: “The Spring collection provides a pastel oasis, helping to create an escape to paradise in the home.”

Also new is the company’s Yankee Candle sleep diffuser, which releases a soothing mist to create a relaxing atmosphere for a restful sleep. There are two designs and three specially designed scents, with both launching this January.

At Gisela Graham, the company has added a further 19 fragranced products to its range of over 100 scents. “Fragranced products are year-round sellers, with scented pillar candles, diffusers, and candle pots fitting so many slots that we’ve developed them to blend with all our main merchandise areas - Christmas, Everyday Gifts and Garden Gifts. And because customers are very choosy, we’ve gone for unusual, offbeat scents,” explains the company’s sales director Piers Croke. “Our range tends towards the lighter notes for indoor use, fresher notes for bathrooms and a citrus-y note for outdoor use.”

He adds that candle pots, the company’s biggest section,

are boxed with Gisela Graham’s own artwork that echoes the fragrance, priced for impulse purchase or a smaller gift.

“Since a lot of travel has been restricted this year, and sadly looking likely to continue into 2021, we have created a giftable fragrance range that will whisk the user away to a favourite destination - Japan, India, Sicily, Morocco and Thailand - without having to leave home,” explains Candlelight’s sales director Emma Yeardley, “with the bright packaging and scents helping to relive precious memories.”

The Japan collection has a wild cherry scent; the Indian-inspired range blends Kashmir, pear and fig; Sicily features a citrus blend of lemon and basil; Morocco is filled with red cinnamon, while Thailand is infused with a floral scent.

This theme will also be reflected in the new Spring 2021 fragrances in Price’s Candles’ Fragrance Collection. “We have seen continuous demand for fruity, florals and high end tropical-inspired fragrances,” says Price’s graphic designer Nicky Dawson.

“We will also be launching a new product in Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

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Spotlight On... Home Fragrancing

over 30 different fragrances,” reveals Nicky.

“It will be cute - the smallest member of the collection by far - and will be launching in the Spring.” Other new additions include a limited edition Tropical Fusion odour eliminating jar candle.

Closer to home, Pintail’s managing director James Long highlights that home interiors for 2021 looks set to embrace all things floral, flora and country chic, with Rhubarb & Rose the latest addition to the company’s UK manufactured Paint Pot candles range, which features 40 fragrances in vibrant colours.

At Marmalade of London, sales manager Helen Flook confirms that the company will be expanding its Mosney Mill botanicals range with Winter Fir, as well as three new Autumn/Winter fragrances. “We will also be developing a range of fine bone china candle and diffuser vessels designed by Emma Sutton who owns Mosney Mill - fired here in Great Britain,” explains Helen.

In addition, a further three collections will be added over the coming seasons. The Marmalade Wellbeing collections will be launched this year, followed by the Marmalade Naturals collection in 2022 and Marmalade Luxe collection in 2023.

“Each collection will feature its own unique fragrances, vessels, packaging and point of sale,” says Helen.

Best Kept Secrets meanwhile, has launched a brand new format - fragranced glass containers. “While tin containers remain as strong as ever for candle products, we felt there was a developing market for candles in glass,” states managing director Vanessa Curry. Using feedback from three focus groups, which all supported the trend, the company has introduced Twist Crackle & Cut which launched this January, in time for

Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. “A new presentation box in navy blue and pink adds enormously to the whole package,” continues Vanessa. To tie-in with the Olympic Games in Tokyo, scheduled for this summer, fragrances feature Sakura, Whispering Bamboo and Japanese Honeysuckle.

At Wax Lyrical meanwhile, head of product, Rachel Holmes, highlights several new ranges for 2021, to include Sophie Conran’s Energies range, with bespoke fragrances

Top left: Gourmand from Prices Candles.

Above: Newly launched: Twist Crackle & Cut from Best Kept Secrets.

Left: New from Pintail: Rhubarb and Rose.

Below left: Marmalade of London’s Prosecco and Juniper diffuser.

Below right: Street Mythology from Wax Lyrical features floral and exotic perfumes.

With Mum In Mind Much of the sentiment of a greeting card has been captured in an air purifying, sanitising, aroma lamp from Lesser & Pavey’s Desire Aroma range, that has been specially created to give as a gift on Mother’s Day. When lit, the wording says: ‘Forever my Mum Forever My Friend’.

“It’s the first in our new range of sentiment aroma lamps that will include messages for the family, friends, love and the home,” explains Lesser & Pavey’s managing director Julian Hunt. “It will last longer than just one day, a reminder of the love that is sent. Going forward into 2021, we will be continuing with our ranges of fragrance lamps, soya candles, diffusers and our Desire range of wax melts and fragrance burners.”

Right: Lesser & Pavey’s sentiment aroma lamp for mums.

inspired by one of the seven chakras, and Street Mythology, which looks to the past while featuring distinctly modern scents.

Additionally, there are new fragrances in the company’s HomeScenter range, including one taken from Wax Lyrical’s nostalgic Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh, with three new fragrances also launching in HomeScenter Pets.

“The focus on reusable vessels will continue to grow with our Yvonne Ellen collection for 2021 designed to be a permanent decoration in the home, reused in lots of different ways,” Rachel points out.

With so much choice around, suppliers are, as ever, continuing to up the ante to ensure that their products guarantee them a place on retailers' shelves in 2021.

Touch Technology “In 2020, with people having to juggle so much due to the pandemic, they have wanted lines that are safe, easy to use and attractive, so that products are much more a part of the home décor than they might have been previously,” explains David Lewis, managing director of Xystos. “They are looking for anything that they can turn on with a touch, pop on a timer, or use throughout the day without having to think about too much.

“With that in mind, we have expanded our electric burner range to include decorative pieces and touch technology, with our ultrasonics collection currently the largest we have ever offered, giving longer run times and a timer feature as standard, but without compromising on style.”

Right: An electric burner from Xystos.

Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

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Best Kept Secrets Ltd Morpeth, NE61 6JT Tel: 01670 512222 Email: sales@bestkeptsecrets.co.uk Web: www.bestkeptsecrets.co.uk

Seriously Scented Candles

Beautiful Fragrances & Plenty of Sparkle!

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WHAT’S NEW

Progressive Gifts & Home highlights some of the latest gift products to be showcased this month Vibrant Scented Candles Adding a pop of colour to the home with their brightly coloured glass vessels, the new single wick Scented Candles in The Scented Home collection, from Ashleigh & Burwood, are made from a highly fragranced soy wax blend for a powerful scent release and 42 hour burn time.

These new candles are available in ten different fragrances.

Ashleigh & Burwood T: 01932 267060 E: info@ashleigh-burwood.co.uk W: www.ashleigh-burwood-trade.co.uk

Fragrances to bring pleasure These quality fragrance diffusers from Lesser and Pavey will add an aroma to any room. The ‘Desire’ range continues to grow in colours and fragrances as well as forms; from candles to diffusers, aroma lamps and oil burners. They make a perfect gift for the home, or on Mother’s Day and come in three colours ways – lavender violet, rose pink and pastel orange.

Lesser & Pavey

New Fragrance Additions

T: 01322 279225

The Scented Home collection from Ashleigh & Burwood is expanding from

E: sales@leonardo.co.uk

eight to ten core fragrances. The top ten scents, now including White Cedar and

W: www.leonardo.co.uk

Bergamot and Sea Spray fragrances, are available in the Scented Home’s wide range of product formats, including reed diffusers and refill fragrance, scented candles, scented sachets and interior and linen sprays.

Ashleigh & Burwood T: 01932 267060 E: info@ashleigh-burwood.co.uk W: www.ashleigh-burwood-trade.co.uk

An Aroma Lamp for Mum Paradise at home

Lesser and Pavey has led the way in light and

The new The Last Paradise Collection from

fragrance and now with Mother’s Day in mind has

Yankee Candle is inspired by the desire to seek-

created a lamp especially for ‘Mum’. The lamp is

out meaningful experiences that enrich lives and

especially designed for Mother’s Day and is just

offer a relaxing escape from the demands of the

the first in a new range of sentiment aroma lamps

everyday. The spring collection provides the

by Lesser and Pavey that will include messages for

perfect pastel oasis, helping create an escape to

the family, friends, love and the home.

paradise in the home and the new summer

Lesser & Pavey

collection introduces bright, bold colours that

T: 01322 279225

evoke a desire for exotic exploration.

E: sales@leonardo.co.uk

Yankee Candle

W: www.leonardo.co.uk

T: 0117 3161200 E: sales@yankeecandle.co.uk W: www.yankeecandle.co.uk

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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Swarovski Crystal Birthstone Necklace & Bag Charm Set

A thoughtful gift for any birthday and a stunning piece of jewellery for everyday wear

UNFORGETTABLE GIFTS Beautiful Bears, adorned with S wa rovs k i C r ys t a l c h a r m s

Pa c k a hand ged in -finis hed p re s e nt a gift b tion oxe s

+44 (0) 1268 567317

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sales@poshpawsinternational.co.uk

Gloucester House Basildon Essex SS14 3BX UK

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Spotlight On... Nursery/Children’s

Hey, Baby With a birth rate boom expected in 2021, suppliers and gift retailers are gearing up for a big gift giving year! (Searches for ‘new baby’ on johnlewis.com in December were up by 274%)!

From baby showers and the arrival of newborns, to christenings and gifts for toddlers and older children, the tills will hopefully be working overtime.

More good news for retailers is that with parents looking for new ways to keep their children entertained during the pandemic, sales of puzzles and games have been, and are continuing to soar.

PG&H takes a peek at what will be trending for Spring.

While traditional ‘pink for a girl and blue for a boy’ baby and children’s gifts remain a core presence, gender neutral colours, such as grey, pastels and softer colour palettes are continuing to gather pace, with more parents opting to be non-specific. Nurseries and bedrooms are therefore taking on a more contemporary look and feel, with gifts following suit. In addition, eco and sustainable materials are

continuing to be among the biggest sales drivers.

“A huge trend is the ecoconscious era of parents, which is why we have introduced a range of wooden toys and teethers to our range,” explains Widdop And Co’s senior marketing executive Leoni Brown. “We’re also finding that customers want something that really captures their emotions, using words that connect and resonate, as well as celebrating the wider family of siblings, grandparents and, more commonly, great grandparents.

Keepsakes and record books too, are ever more important in a digital era,” she continues.

“Therefore as our Bambino range grows, new launches will be about bringing in exciting new product areas, but

Above: The We’re Going on a Bear Hunt brand is a new addition to the Rainbow Designs portfolio. (See page 47).

Far left: Among the wooden toys in Widdop And Co’s Bambino range.

Below: A Nattou soft toy, from Hippychick.

Below left: PMC’s Adventure range includes a personalised framed print and a storage bag.

Below right: Rainbow socks from Joe Davies.

always with a focus on a gift or keepsake. It’s about thoughtful gifting. It’s not just a frame, it’s celebrating a new life welcoming a new member of the family.”

Kristina Ruffell, marketing manager at PMC, concurs: “We have seen a huge rise in the amount of inspiring messages from parents, grandparents, godparents, aunts and uncles alike, with our personalised gifts a special way to celebrate and create a hopeful outlook to our next generation.”

She adds that with lockdown seeing more people connect with nature and the outdoors, this theme has been reflected in

Star Attraction Lesser & Pavey has introduced a new kids range, Little Stars, created by the in-house design team, with more products to follow. “It’s bright, bold and traditional, but at the same time fun, so we’re expecting it to be very popular,” comments managing director Julian Hunt.

The new range, which features a segmented plate, and a handled beaker with matching fork and spoon, is covered in colourful illustrations featuring dinosaurs, space, unicorns, vehicles and fairytale. The designs feature on the packaging too, making them very giftable.

Left: Among the products in Lesser & Pavey’s new Little Stars range.

the company’s nursery and children’s gifts for the year ahead.

Alex Molyneux, marketing executive at Hippychick says that keeping collections fluid is the go-to at the moment. “With that in mind, we have new collections from Nattou arriving in the new year, while sustainability awareness has also massively accelerated during Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

45

GiftsandHome.net is published by gift sector experts, for gift trade experts

From the publishers of Progressive Gifts & Home, and the organisers of The Greats Gift Retailer Awards.

With an unrivalled email subscriber base of 7,559 readers and industry leading open rates, - largely dominated by retail buyers, the twice-weekly this fast-paced sector.

The modern, easy to navigate website provides a in-depth articles, an industry jobs board, retail analysis, digital issues of Progressive Gifts & Home, and much, much more.

Advertising and Commercial Opportunities: Advertisement Manager - Jo Pilcher jop@max-publishing.co.uk

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Editorial and Content Opportunities: Editor - Sue Marks sue@suemarks.co.uk

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Spotlight On... Nursery/Children’s the pandemic and is becoming the biggest trend for 2021.”

“The home nursery has become more gender neutral, with a neutral palette of grey or colourful rooms, and gifts popping up everywhere using every colour of the rainbow,” comments Laura Leigh, head of product development at Joe Davies. “With this in mind, we have introduced a bright, colourful range of Nuzzles Sherpa socks for kids, toddlers, and adults too, featuring rainbow stripes, fun characters and neutral greys.”

Inset: The new children’s cool bags from Global Journey.

Traditional Characters Of course, much loved traditional licensed giftware remains ever-popular in the nursery and children’s sector.

“Our main focus remains on licensed gifts, to include our Beatrix Potter Baby Collection, which won a Gift of The Year award in 2020 and then went on to win some prestigious consumer awards,” confirms Helen Cottrill, marketing director at Enesco. “For 2021, we have little backpacks which are ideal for nursery or days out.

Typically, in Beatrix Potter, we offer most items in Peter and Flopsy due to demand, although Peter does outsell every other character.”

Continues Helen: “2021 also sees us launching a brand new baby gift collection within our Izzy and Oliver brand, which features cosy onesies in seasonal Above: A new backpack from Enesco’s and everyday designs, from reindeer to unicorns. CoBeatrix Potter Baby Collection. ordinating bibs, hats, towels, booties and tag-a-longs make this a comprehensive collection, which will make a statement in any retailer environment.”

At Rainbow Designs, managing director Anthony Temple confirms that a series of new wooden toys - pull-alongs, balance, building blocks and shape puzzles - will be joining the Guess How Much I Love You and Fun with Spot collections. Other new Rainbow products include ‘unfold and discover’ activity toys launching in the Spring for the Peter Rabbit and Disney’s Winnie the Pooh ranges, along with the launch of the We’re Going on a Bear Hunt brand in February, which sees the introduction of a bear soft toy along with a wooden shape puzzle.

Kids Mean Biz

For both parents and children, puzzles and games have been one of the strongest winners throughout the pandemic.

Ian Samuels, sales director at Global Journey, says that consumers are looking for kids products that are fun and fashionable - toys and games that they can play with at home, as well as useful, functional products. “With that in mind we have been very focused on SS21, creating on trend products that fill those needs for busy parents and grandparents. Trending in 2020 were kids’ jigsaws, and we see that trend continuing into 2021, with our original personalised jigsaws which are ideal for kids aged between 3-6. Launched in 2020, our new Christmas puzzles were a great success and are sure to be as popular in 2021.”

Meanwhile, 'fun and functional' sum up the company’s new kids bright, colourful cool bags which can be personalised. Trendy designs feature favourite themes, such as flamingos, mermaids, unicorns, and firemen, as well as animals, space and football, with the bags fitting comfortably into any size school bag.

Rex London meanwhile, offers a plethora of children’s accessories, decor, tableware and toys in distinctive designs. “We have always opted for ungendered kids’ designs, focusing more on unbiased characters, interests and patterns,” explains marketing and communications manager Anna Williams.

“During 2020, unsurprisingly, we saw huge growth in the toy industry, and in Above: Puzzles have been hugely particular, in the games and puzzles, outdoor toys and building sets sub-categories, with an increase in popular for Rex London. educational and brain-boosting games and puzzles during the school closures,” highlights Anna.

Among the company’s range of activities for children, is the Make Your Own range, to augment kids’ learning, and an extensive range of puzzles to develop problem-solving skills.

“Consumers have nurtured an emotional connection to toys, and have enjoyed products that bring a sense of nostalgia to distract from the challenging times of the past year, Anna points out.

At Kidcentral, ceo Nicola Barnett concurs that the play category is currently booming, accounting for over 62% of sales. “We’ve seen a real demand for the Scandi look, with colours such as olive, ochre, mauve and cinnamon. It's interesting to see what's coming though for 2021, with colours including soft yellows, pinks and calming neutral colour.

My Favourite Toy As A Child Was... “...my Girls World, with the wind ‘in and out’ long hair function.”

Helen Cottrill, marketing director, Enesco “...Subbuteo. It gave me hours of enjoyment and fulfilment.”

Ian Samuels, sales director, Global Journey “...Barbie. I had so many of them!” Leoni Brown, senior marketing executive, Widdop And Co “ ...(and still is) Little Ted (right), a little teddy bear I received when I was born. Alex Molyneux, marketing executive, Hippychick Above: New from Kidscentral.

“...an ‘Etch-A-Sketch’ because I loved drawing.” Laura Leigh, head of product development, Joe Davies Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

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New for

2021

PERSONALISED

HAND SANITISERS 30ML VOLUME

New Shaped Bottle

The coolest way to keep kids’ meals fresh.

Coolbags are collapsible when empty and compact when full. They are easy to clean and an exciting, fun way to carry kids’ snacks and lunches.

These new bright, vibrant and insulated cool bags, personalised with the most popular kids’ names are certain to be the hottest and coolest new product for 2021.

Optional display available with 24 generic designs.

Global Journey’s great, new and fun children’s Hand Sanitisers are an essential product for all hands.

These scented, non sticky, antibacterial pocket / bag sized hand gels are a great pick up line retailing for only £2.99.

Ideal to attach to school bags or keep in pockets, or clipped to kids’ belts, these cool hand sanitisers are a must-have item for children of all ages.

There are 72 names, and 24 fun generic designs, including Flamingos, Unicorns, and Superheroes.

Insulated to keep meals tasty and fresh.

To order

48_GH_February 2021.indd.indd 1

Call us on : 0161 872 0333; email: isamuels@global-journey.com; visit: www.global-journey.com or scan here:

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WHAT’S NEW

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

Soothe and comfort baby Within Mary Meyer’s new Scandanavianinspired Leika line, it’s introducing a nine inch-long silicone teether design which has the durability needed to soothe baby’s new teeth, but it also adds the soothing softness of a velour plush tail or ears. The teether is dishwasher safe and the fabric ears /tail is removable and machine washable.

Available in raccoon, fox, bunny, and owl.

Mary Meyer T: 01243 780501

Licensed Figurines

E: orders@whitepebbleint.com

licensors to create a unique collectable offering. Beatrix Potter is teaming with

W: www.whitepebbleinternational.com

award-winning artist Jim Shore, to bring some of the author’s iconic characters to

Enesco has announced a brand-new collaboration between two of its biggest

life. The brand-new collection includes Peter Rabbit, Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle and Jemima Puddle-Duck figurines to name but a few, with each piece presented in a branded gift box.` Enesco T: 01228 404040 E: uksales@enesco.co.uk W: www.enesco.co.uk

Swarovski Crystal Birthstone Bears Posh Paws has added a new range of premium Swarovski Crystal Birthstone Bears, to its luxury Chic & Love bears collection. It features a white Bailey Bear teddy with a rose-gold plated keychain attached. It also includes an elegant rosegold plated necklace with a sparkling Swarovski Crystal birthstone pendant.

Posh Paws International T: 01268 567317 E: sales@poshpawsinternational.co.uk W: www.poshpawsinternational.co.uk

Keeping Things Cool The coolest way to keep kids’ meals fresh. Coolbags from

Babywear Collection

Global Journey are collapsible when empty and compact when

Brand-new into its Izzy and Oliver collection,

full. They are easy to clean and an exciting, fun way to carry

Enesco has announced the addition of a range

kids’ snacks and lunches. These new bright, vibrant and

of baby wear and accessories. The range

insulated cool bags are personalised with the most popular

includes onsies, sleeping bags, hats,

kids’ names.

bibs, hooded towels, car blankets,

Global Journey

booties and tagalong comforters. Each

T: 0161 8720333

piece in the collection is suitable for

E: isamuels@global-journey.com

newborns as well as older babies.

Enesco T: 01228 404022

W: www.global-journey.com

E: uksales@enesco.co.uk W: www.enesco.co.uk

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Spotlight On... Jewellery & Fashion Accessories

All Things

Bright And Beautiful

Sentiment jewellery continues to be an all year round, lovely way for gift givers to tell others how they feel about them, and with Valentine’s and Mother’s Day around the corner, it’s sure to be among the winners for gift retailers this Spring.

“At Joma Jewellery, to reflect new beginnings, we’ve introduced some of our most special collections yet,” confirms Katie Loxton, founder of both her eponymous company and Joma Jewellery, “and as always, our signature gold, rose gold and silver-plating takes centre stage.”

Katie highlights that additional beaded ‘A Little’ bracelets have been introduced to Joma Jewellery’s bestselling collection, featuring more dainty charms and sentiments than ever before, alongside new occasion earring boxes, birthstone anklets, and much more besides. “We also have brand new ‘A Little’ jewellery boxes featuring soft suedette linings and ribbon fastenings,” adds Katie.

With hopefully a better, brighter year to look forward to, positive vibrant colours are leading the way for jewellery and fashion accessories in 2021, with sunny yellow, ochre, greens, papaya, pinks and blues among the trendiest colours.

Nature too, is influencing designs, along with sentiment jewellery that is creating a strong emotional connection and is sure to be a hit for both Valentine’s and Mother’s Day. PG&H asked some of the leading suppliers to reveal what will be adorning ears, necks and wrists this Spring, as well as revealing the tip top trends in fashion accessories.

Left: On trend necklaces from Hot Tomato.

Right: Kiss from Joe Davies’ Equilibrium collection.

Bottom left: Joma Jewellery’s new occasion earring boxes.

Below: Miss Milly’s Floria Collection includes a yellow resin pendant.

Colour too, is a huge trend this Spring, “and we’re so ready for it shaking off 2020 and shouting colour!” enthuses Alex Machin, founder and managing director of Hot Tomato. “Think pearly, ethereal iridescence across a palette of soft lilacs, limes and creams through to peaches and pinks - all accented with dusky grey tones. Additionally, there are the exotic - corals with strongly weighted peachy pinks teamed with a brilliant azure turquoise through a whole plethora of greens.”

Colour is always a core element for Sarah Watmore, founder and creative director of Miss Milly. “Coming out of the doom and gloom of winter, and being optimistic about 2021, there was only one thing for us to do and that was to herald the new year with a kaleidoscope of colour,” she states. “We have therefore created some adventurous new colour combinations, with blue, red and pink dancing together, and another necklace with lilac, mint green and peach adding ice cream pastel hues to the

mix. There is also a completely yellow resin pendant, a colour we’ve only previously touched on, but this deep mango shade definitely shouts out for attention, reminding us of sunshine and holidays.”

At Joe Davies, buyer Mary Caputo also points to sunny yellows, exotic pinks, lilacs and striking silver, “ensuring that after many months of restrictions and lockdowns we have something happy and bright to look forward to,” she emphasises.

She adds that the iconic rainbow and symbol of hope continues to be a key design element, with the company launching new pieces of Equilibrium rainbow jewellery that includes pastel rainbows and vibrant, painted rainbows to enhance the collection.

Additionally, Mary says that our love of nature has driven another prominent trend for Spring 2021, ‘au naturelle’, with the company’s latest Equilibrium Back to Nature collection featuring silver and rose gold plated elegant fern and leaf jewellery in new bespoke branded packaging. “Plus, given Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

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East Anglia/Home Counties: 07738 219882 - Barbara 07786 980906 - Dawn Midlands: 07535 367599 - Helen Wales: 01225 422188 - Office

London: Scotland: 01225 422188 - Office 07770 724802 - Jennie North: South East: 07940 953875 - Ruth 07741 018298 - Tamsin N.Ireland: South West/Home Counties: 07802 914599 - Linda 07738 963774 - James

www.hot-tom.com . 01224 422188 . sales@hot-tom.com

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Spotlight On... Jewellery & Fashion Accessories that hugs and kisses from friends and family have been something we have all missed, there is also a trend in ‘kiss’ jewellery,” Mary points out, “with our contemporary Kiss collection offering a fashionable ‘kiss’ which not only makes an excellent gift for friends and loved ones, but also a lovely gift for mums on Mother’s Day.” Brightness and love are also strong themes for Crumble & Core in the year ahead, along with peace, hope and positivity. “We are looking to the future with good vibes only,” emphasises director and artist Jilly Mercer. “Our new range includes cubic zirconia hearts, heart dangles and a new range of hoop earrings.”

Far left: Cubic zirconia heart earrings from Crumble & Core.

Left: Coral and Mint’s star earrings that have been designed as a gift for mums.

At Coral and Mint, an affiliate company of Redback Cards, colour is again a key element. New designs in the company’s gift card range are being launched, with female relations taking centre stage. In addition, the company has developed a new range of necklaces with colourful interchangeable charms.

Comments founder and managing director Kate Stanley: “We believe that

sentiments are at the forefront of the jewellery gifting experience and that they will continue to play an important role as we emerge from Covid in 2021. We are also in the final development stage of our new Dare to Dream collection, a series of bracelets that set out to inspire, encourage, empower and overall deliver some much-needed positive vibes.”

With such an uplifting explosion of colour, and so much positivity and loving sentiment, come what may in 2021, jewellery is set to be the feelgood gift or self-gift treat that will go on giving.

Colour Leads The Way To celebrate a shiny new year, Katie Loxton too, has been inspired by colour. “Sage green and lilac are luxe new additions to our collections,” confirms Katie Loxton, founder of her eponymous company. “Paired with bright ochre and soft pinks, we have created a collection that feels uplifting and inspiring. As we enter the early Spring season, fresh pastels will steal the limelight before neutral straw shades are introduced for the summer season. Mixed with our premium design details, from gold-tone hardware to brand new resin details, our pretty pastel palette has been designed to brighten stores.”

Brand new products will be taking centre stage, with mini versions of the company’s best selling bags in popular styles but in more compact sizes, along with new designs with tassel detailing.

As well as PU and vegan leather materials for handbags and accessories, the company is also going one step further with a brand new sustainable capsule collection featuring bestselling designs using RPET-based PU and RPET polyester lining. “RPET material is made by using recycled plastic bottles, with our mini Kensington bag comprising 21 plastic bottles,” explains Katie.

Hair accessories too, are going to be a major player this year. “They continue to be a growth sector, taming lockdown tresses with all manner of clips, grips and hairbands,” says Alex Machin, founder and managing director of Hot Tomato. “For SS21 we have broadened our range to include some pretty wristie-hair bands as well as the introduction of acrylic hair accessories in the form of clamps, barrette clips and ponytail bands. Expanding our offering of scarf-scrunchies was a no brainer, as it’s a simple, effective ‘cheat’ which gives the illusion of a scarf in your hair.”

Meanwhile, the new Miss Milly scarves for SS21 feature lighter weight, bright, breezy designs with fresh colour combinations to mix and match with the company’s jewellery. In a mix of abstracts and florals, the new designs sit alongside Miss Milly’s staple glitter sparkle and sequin plain colour scarves. “Additionally, our range of magnetic brooches has grown yet again, with a plethora of new designs ready to decorate coats, scarves, bags and hats,” comments managing director Sarah Watmore.

Face ’fashion’ too, is riding high. At Caroline Gardner, the company has six brand new mask options to take them into Spring featuring micro florals, tropical leaves and oversized spots. “Along with two new mask pouches, we also have new hand sanitiser pouches - in gold metallic, rich burgundy and a spotty leather look complete with an empty bottle, that can clip onto a bag or keys,” explains independent sales manager Luca Bridges.

“Our stories are inspired by a longing to travel again, to bring a little escapism for retailers and their customers.”

Left: Katie Loxton birthstone pouches in trend colours.

Below: Hot Tomato’s newest scarf-scrunchies.

Bottom right: Miss Milly’s new scarf collection.

Bottom left: Among Caroline Gardner’s Spring accessories.

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WHAT’S NEW

Progressive Gifts & Home highlights some of the latest Jewellery & Fashion Accessories to be showcased this month Ideal Mother’s Day Gifts Miss Milly offers colour and style at reasonable prices. Its range of jewellery, scarves and accessories has easy online ordering and no MOQs. Spring/summer 2021 brings beautiful new designs and colours, including ontrend yellow and delicate lilac, making deal gifts for Mother’s Day. Branded packaging, POS and display stands are available.

Miss Milly T: 01905 622509 E: hello@missmilly.co.uk W: www.missmilly.co.uk

Jewellery for all occasions Life Charms offers a modern range of jewellery which would prove popular for any retailer. The team would be delighted to discuss becoming a stockist of Life Charms jewellery this year - Together, lets make 2021 as great as possible!

Life Charms T: 0203 4882656 E: support@lifecharms.co.uk W: www.lifecharms-trade.co.uk

Scented Candles & Greetings Cards Set Fresh for 2021 Crumble & Core has launched a collection of candles with a twist. Following on from its extremely popular Boxed Jewellery Greeting Cards, it has created a range of Boxed Scented Candles and Greeting Cards. Each of the five extensively researched candle fragrances are available in two sizes - a white glass 9cl votive or 20cl candle. Beautifully boxed, they feature one of the gorgeous watercolour artwork designs on them with a matching greeting card enclosed, making a perfect card and gift in one with all occasions covered.

Crumble & Core T: 01825 841412 E: crumbleandcore@gmail.com W: www.crumbleandcore.com

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Gift Of The Year 2021

The Gift Of The Year 2021

Finalists

Below: Richard Osman’s House of Games (Hacche Retail)

The Gift of the Year 2021 winners will be revealed during this year’s virtual Spring Fair @ Home, which takes place from Monday February 8 - Wednesday February 10.

The finalists in this year’s competition are (in alphabetical order):

Beauty, Bath & Spa l The Candle Brand: The Burn and Bloom Candle Collection l The Candle Brand: The Flower Diffuser l Mama Bee Soaps: Mama Bee Soaps l Marigold Charms: Organic Letterbox Spa Gift Collection

Bottom left: Card Games For Rebel Girls (Gibsons) Bottom right: Royal Opera House Create Your Own Theatre (Clockwork Soldier)

Branded Gift l Burgon & Ball: RHS Gifts for Gardeners British Meadow

Commemorative, Collectable and Charitable

Gardening Gift Collection l Clockwork Soldier: Royal Opera House Create Your Own Theatre l Gibsons: Jigsaw Puzzles & Games for Rebel Girls l Hacche Retail: Richard Osman’s House of Games

l DCUK: Remembrance Duckling l Gibsons: Rainbow Heroes In Aid Of Samaritans Charity

Cards & Wrap

Contemporary Gift

l Alljoy Designs: Message In A Bottle Pop Up Cards l Boxstar Creative: Bedazzled Greetings Cards l Lottie Simpson: Colour + Send Greeting Cards l Two for Joy Illustration: Crafty Cards

l Beevive: The Bee Revival Kit l Blue Eyed Sun: Bioloco Loop l Gift Republic: 100 Things To Do After Quarantine l Gift Republic: Fire Catcher Lamp

Children's, Educational and Pre-School

Design & Craft

l Apples to Pears: Storytime Tins l Sweet Dreamers: Bendies l Totseat the Smoothie: On-The-Go Instant Highchair l Whiz Kid Games: Passport To Genius

l The Candle Brand: The Flower Diffuser l Clockwork Soldier: Create Your Own Giant Ocean Origami l Fizz Creations: Hyper Jungle Paper Heads l Urban Green Company: Bees Wax Bead Bag

500 piece Jigsaw Puzzle l Gift Republic: 100 Ways To Help Your Community l Gift Republic: Adopt A Sea Turtle

Ethical Gift l Beevive: The Bee Revival Kit l Blue Eyed Sun: Bioloco Plant Kids Bottle l My Gifts Trade: Gustainable l Urban Green Company: Reusable Face Pads

Fashion Accessories l Beevive: The Bee Revival Kit l Carrie Elspeth: Stay Safe Sentiment Bracelets l The Pocket Scarf: The Pocket Scarf l Soake: Darling Divas Umbrella Collection

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Gift Of The Year 2021

Far left: RHS Gifts For Gardeners British Meadow Design Collection (Burgon & Ball) Left: SqueezyBand (MMi Products) Below left: Seriously Smart Cookies (The Bottled Baking Co.) Below middle: Birthday In A Box (Craft + Crumb)

Festive & Occasions l Craft + Crumb: Christmas Jumper Baking Kit l The Crafty Kit Company: Nordic Gnomes Needle

Felting Kit l Gibsons Games: Christmas Around the World Jigsaw Advent Puzzle l Wren & Rye: Pawbles

Food & Drink l The Bottled Baking Co: Baking Mixes l The Great British Exchange: The Bake Off Box l Hot Smoked: Smoke & Spice BBQ Kit l Little Cooks Co: Little Cooks Co

Home and Garden l Gingko Electronics: Smart Diffuser Lamp l Ilex Studio: Avocado Vase l Original Products: Indoor Greenhouse l Seedball: Mini-Meadow Wildflower Pots

l Blue Eyed Sun: Bioloco Plant Lunch Pot l Samantha Lois Illustrations: Resin Coated Solid Olive

Wood Bowl l T & G Woodware: T&G Tip Top Mills

My Gift of All Time l Apples to Pears: Make Your Own Insect House l The Candle Brand: The Flower Diffuser l Enesco: Willow Tree l Fizz Creations: Slush Puppie Machine

Novelty l Gift Republic: 80's & 90's Board Game l Go La La: Filthy Gorgeous l Professor Puzzle: Burger Balance l Puckator: Gel Hand Sanitiser

Own Label l Blue Eyed Sun: Bamboo Cup by Chic.Mic l Leather Guild: Comprehensive Own Label Service l Sheepers: Elsa Sheepers l Widdop and Co: Impressionsâ Photo Frames

Pet Gift l Bubblegum Stuff: Cat Kong l Fizz Creations: Whack-A-Mouse l Fran + Jonesy The Cat: Mr. Spoon The Cat l Wren & Rye: Pawbles

Stationery Home Fragrance

l Busy B: Pretty Petals l Clockwork Soldier: Create Your Own Giant

l Aery: Botanical Collection l Aery: Fernweh Collection l Ashleigh and Burwood: Life In Bloom: Floral

l My Happy Journal: My Happy Journal l Thinking Gifts Company: Bookworm Lights

Ocean Origami

Reed Diffusers l The Candle Brand: The Flower Diffuser

International l Canova: Puritx l Fizz Creations: ICEE l Gibsons: Avocado Park 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle l Julia Gash: Julia Gash

Kitchen & Dining l The Birmingham Balti Bowl Company: Authentic

Birmingham Balti Bowl

Tech & Gadgets l Fizz Creations: Arcade in a Tin l Fizz Creations: Make Your Own Tech l Puckator: Insulated Digital Thermometer Reusable Bottle l Widdop and Co: Mad Man

Under £15 l The Bottled Baking Co: Seriously Smart Cookies l Craft + Crumb: Birthday in a Box l MMi Products: SqueezyBand l The Thinking Gifts Company: Bookworm Booklights

Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

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Over 700 models available from stock Please contact us for a trade catalogue: Tel 01460 75686 www.classiccanes.co.uk

Carrie Elspeth View the full bracelet collection online or get in touch for a digital catalogue. sales@carrieelspeth.com | 01446 771271 | www.carrieelspeth.com

SIMPLY GORGEOUS JEWELLERY AND ACCESSORIES X

HELLO! SPRING & SUMMER 2021 BUY ONLINE www.missmilly.co.uk or tel: 01905 622 509

Classic Canes.indd 1 58_GH_February 2021.indd 1

FIND US

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launches

eCO, EDUCATIONAL GAMES!

e: INFO@WHIZKIDGAMES.CO.UK

w: WWW.WHIZKIDGAMES.CO.UK

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- 3D pop up card - Greeting card

- Gift - Candle

www.alljoydesign.com

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a i l me

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The UK’s leading supplier of drop ship Personalised Gifts

est 2004 WWW.PERSONALISEDMEMENTO.CO.UK

sales@personalisedmemento.co.uk Licensed Football Gifts

For Him - For Her - For Children - For The Home For All Occasions

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WHAT’S NEW

Progressive Gifts & Home highlights some of the latest gift products to be showcased this month Go Potty with new pot hangers Add charm and character to planters and vases, with these new pot hangers, part of Gallery’s huge new accessories collection. Offering a fantastic range of designs, the collection features two lovely figurines and a varied selection of animals and birds from across the world; from exotic toucans to a cute hedgehog.

There is a range of finishes, including antiqued, metallics and the realistic colours of the animal.

Gallery Direct T: 01795 439159 E: sales@gallerydirect.co.uk W: www.gallerydirect.co.uk

Fine Ranges for enthusiasts and collectors Lesser and Pavey has a fine new range that features excellent imagery of classic cars, motorbikes, aeroplanes and trains. The range, which depicts photographic images, is made up of fine china mugs, matching trays, coasters and table mats.

Each mug comes in a photographic gift box and the whole range is available to order now for immediate delivery Lesser & Pavey

The Original Stormtrooper Hand Sanitiser Puckator’s all new Original Stormtrooper hand sanitising gel not only kills 99.9% of harmful bacteria, it’s also cruelty free. The gel comes in a silicone holder

T: 01322 279225 E: sales@leonardo.co.uk W: www.leonardo.co.uk

shaped like the iconic Stormtrooper helmet and can be refilled when needed.

The holder also features a handy carry strap so it can be attached to a bag.

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

Eco-friendly flower figurines Scrabble Message Table Plaques

Exclusive to Enesco, the contemporary gift retailer

Joe Davies’ popular scrabble sentiment range

is proud to introduce the expansion of Kloche, its

now has an additional product to sit with the rest

first ever eco-friendly collection. Made from glass

of the range. The new table plaques based on

with a wooden base, each Kloche is designed in

the scrabble tile holders that are in the

the UK and hand assembled, with a ribbon

traditional scrabble game make the perfect gift

attached to the top of the glass jar, so the recipient

and home décor accessory. Designed in the

can choose to display their piece free-standing, or

shabby chic style to match the rest of the range

as a hanging decoration.

in cream and natural wood they are sure to

Enesco

evoke happy memories.

T: 01228 404022

Joe Davies

E: uksales@enesco.co.uk

T: 0161 975 6300

W: www.enesco.co.uk

E: sales@joedavies.co.uk W: www.joedavies.co.uk

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www.aromatizetrade.co.uk

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WHAT’S NEW

Progressive Gifts & Home highlights some of the latest gift products to be showcased this month Licensed VW range Puckator is proud to be working with the Volkswagen license and is launching a new range of products inspired by the timeless VW Camper Van. To kick off 2021, Puckator is looking to welcome brand new products to the range, such as drawstring bags and shaped cushions. When creating the Volkswagen range, it was important to introduce eco-friendly products where possible, so it includes rPET and bamboo items, all of which are high quality and reusable.

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

Personalised Photo Upload Gifts The Personalised Memento Company (PMC) offers this jar full of nostalgic sweets and a photo and personalised message this Valentine’s Day. This sweet jar is part of the wide range of Me To You Photo Upload personalised gifts which includes a chocolate bar, cushion, greetings card, mug and crystal keepsake token.

Personalised Memento Company T: 01782 744900 E: ales@personalisedmemento.co.uk W: www.personalisedmemento.co.uk

Jolly Santa Christmas range Jolly Santa images feature on part of the Lesser and Pavey 2021 Christmas range licenced from the Macneil Studio. The Santa and Robins illustrations are vibrant, eye catching, and project the jolly traditional scene of Christmas time, from the fireside to the outdoors of winter. The ranges include fine china, Melamine tabletop items, lap trays and kitchenware; such as glass surface protectors and salt and pepper pots.

Lesser & Pavey T: 01322 279225 E: sales@leonardo.co.uk W: www.leonardo.co.uk

Reusable no touch tool Stormtrooper Figurine Nemesis Now has developed a Stormtrooper Poker Face Gambling Figurine scene. Cast in high-quality polyresin before being expertly hand-painted, this figurine shows three Stormtroopers sat around a poker table while one stands in as croupier.

Nemesis Now T: 01782 596660 E: sales@nemesisnow.com W: www.nemesisnow.com

The Last Touch tool enables users to open public doors, press buttons, operate touch screens without coming into direct skin contact. It allows the user to avoid germs and bacteria without the need for disposable plastic gloves. It comes on a handy keyring and is available in four colours.

The Last Company E: katie@thelast.company W: www.thelast.company

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

Jon May, co-owner of two gift stores, Mooch Gifts & Home, in Bewdley and Stourport-on-Severn Both are on high streets, with Stourport-on-Severn covering three floors.

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Decorative Home Accessories

Quail Ceramics: across the board; Shoeless Joe: seaside accessories

Quirky, lovable animal collections. Pen pots have been very popular, especially the elephant pot.

These have been a huge hit for us, in particular, the driftwood and tin puffins and other seabirds. Products are handmade, plastic-free, with zero packaging.

Home Fragrancing

Agnes & Cat: jam jar candles

The beautiful scents and eco packaging have been popular, especially with customers looking for reduced packaging.

These tick all the boxes for customers, who love anything ‘brand Cornwall’. Top fragrances are Sea Salt, Bay & Rosemary and Orange & Cinnamon.

St Eval: Tin Candle Collection Above: Quail’s Elephant Pen Pot. Right: A rainbow bracelet from Life Charms.

Jewellery

Hot Tomato: crystal bracelets; earrings; Life Charms: across the board

Customers love the sparkly crystal bracelets and the affordable, quality designs of the extensive earring collection.

We launched these in December and they have been an instant hit with our customers.

Fashion Accessories

Jelly Crumble: scarves; bobble hats Powder: Multibands scarf: face covering

These have flown out of our stores. The super soft ‘star’ scarf in particular has been our No.1 seller for the second year running.

We couldn’t get enough of these! Customers were buying in 3’s. Lots of beautiful designs and very versatile.

Greeting Cards

Paper Salad: Jumbo Jamboree

Bright, quirky designs. Sales have increased significantly.

Giftwrap

Special Impressions

The four sheet wrap has unique designs with a high-end finish.

Louise Rolfe, owner, The Present, Barnet A large gift shop on the main high street.

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Decorative Home Accessories

Gisela Graham: Christmas decorations

Customers were decorating their houses earlier and spending a bit more on it this year.

Home Fragrancing

Fikkerts: bath oils

Stunning oils and gorgeous natural ingredients.

Jewellery

Jambo: sterling silver

Great prices along with amazing customer service and incentives.

Fashion Accessories

Joe Davies: Nuzzle slipper socks

Almost every customer who came in walked out with a pair. People bought handfuls for the whole family.

Greeting Cards

Five Dollar Shake

Even though they’re at a higher price point, people come into us specifically to buy them for family and close friends.

Giftwrap

The Art File

The designs are very on trend and a little different to everyone else.

Other Hot Hits

Bottled Baking Co.: cake mixes in a bottle; Chilly’s Bottles

A great looking product and perfect for lockdown life.

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These are strong sellers all year round.

Top: Nuzzle slipper socks from Joe Davies.

Above: Bottled Baking Company baking mixes.

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David Robertson, MD of gift stores Bijou and Bijou by the Sea, in Elgin and Buckie respectively The flagship store in Elgin covers two floors.

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Decorative Home Accessories

Straits Trading: hurricanes, vases; console table; candles

Great quality and very on trend. The feature candles saw customers buying two or three at a time.

Ideal for people looking to lift their home.

Widdop And Co: Hestia

Home Fragrancing

Stoneglow: electric diffusers; The Scent Boutique: candles; reed diffusers

The diffusers combine a mix of home fashion and great scents.

A local company that we have done exceptionally well with. There’s a very strong local following.

Jewellery

Joma Jewellery: A Little

The mix of price point, sentiment and packaging are a winning combination.

An aspirational range of jewellery we have always done well with.

Coeur de Lion: watches;

Fashion Accessories

Zelly: scarves; PoM: across the board

One cross-over scarf in particular was a huge success. We couldn’t get enough.

The strong designs, eco packaging and quality product is a winner every season.

Greeting Cards

Tracks: charity

We had a full charity stand in both stores and virtually sold out.

Giftwrap

Tom Smith: Boutiques

Great value. The giftwrap has a grid on the back making it super easy to wrap gifts. It’s an annual winner.

Other Hot Hits

Funtime: Trio of chocolate bombs; Danielle Creations: giftware

We sold all the stock we had. They appeal to everyone.

Hair turbans were among the winners.

Top: Widdop And Co’s Hestia hurricane lamps.

Above: Vases from Straits Trading.

Aga Gabrysiak, co-owner of Highworth Emporium, Highworth A large gift shop in a market town.

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Home Fragrancing

Scentiment Gifts: Light Up Your Life; Heathcote & Ivory: across the board

These sold exceptionally well with their lovely messages for family and friends.

We did particularly well with Forest Folk and the Artist Journey collections.

Jewellery

Joe Davies: Equilibrium

We sell a lot of Equilibrium. The jewellery is beautifully boxed. An ideal gift.

Fashion Accessories

Wrendale Designs: scarves

The new winter scarves were extremely successful.

Powder’s scarves and Alphabet socks were also very popular with customers.

Powder: scarves and socks

Greeting Cards

UK Greetings

A big winner at Christmas due to the variety of designs and styles and the ability to supply until the very last day.

Giftwrap

Glick

This proves to be a winner every year.

Other Hot Hits

Jellycat: Amusables Christmas; Bloom Remedies: artisan organic skincare

We sold out, literally to the last piece, long before Christmas!

A lovely company from Cornwall that we discovered last year at Top Drawer.

Above right: A winter scarf from Wrendale Designs.

Right: Jellycat Amusables Christmas wreath.

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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!

LIFE CHARMS T: 0203 4882656 E: support@lifecharms.co.uk W: www.lifecharms.co.uk

HOT TOMATO T: 01225 422188 E: sales@hot-tom.com W: www.hot-tom.com

GISELA GRAHAM T: 020 77084956 E: sales@giselagraham.co.uk W: www.giselagraham.co.uk

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

STRAITS TRADING T: 01254 300260 E: sales@straitstrading.co.uk W: www.straitstrading.co.uk

ST EVAL T: 01841 540850 E: info@st-eval.com W: www.st-eval.com

QUAIL T: 01304 379901 E: info@quailceramics.co.uk W: www.quailceramics.co.uk

BOTTLE BAKING T: 07539 432108 E: info@bottledbaking.co.uk W: www.bottledbaking.co.uk

JOMA JEWELLERY T: 01295 232782 E: customercare@jomajewellery.com W: www.jomajewellery.com Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

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