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Looking Ahead
Wishing & Hoping Inset: What does 2022 have in store?
As 2021 comes to a close, with Covid still dominating the headlines, and stock issues continuing to challenge both suppliers and retailers, PG&H asked some of the leading gift companies for their views on 2022, as well as what their New Year resolutions are.
More Of The Same Julian Hunt, managing director, Lesser & Pavey... Hopes for 2022: “We have lots of hopes for 2022, and wish to see a return to the pre-Covid normal as early as possible in the New Year. We’ve seen a healthy increase in business in 2021 from online businesses and garden centres, and are very encouraged by the recent significant upturn in business from high street retail customers. We also continue to find new customers and are delighted to see how many of these are young, enthusiastic and full of new ideas. So more of the same is top of our ‘wish list’ for 2022.” Feeling optimistic about the year ahead? “Yes, we are very optimistic. We are eagerly looking forward to the shows in early 2022 and will be exhibiting at Harrogate Christmas and Gift in January and at Spring Fair in February. With the success of Autumn Fair in September ’21, and the enthusiasm of customers who visited, we are confident the shows will be busy and well attended by buyers keen to get back to face to face contact with their suppliers and to see new products in the flesh. And with reports of excellent Christmas trading, we have even more reason to be really optimistic for the coming year.” Any New Year resolutions? “We always set ourselves new goals for the year ahead, to improve our customer service level as well as bringing a continual flow of innovative new well priced quality products to the market.”
Equipped To Deal With Opportunities Mike Winch, founder and managing director, Candlelight... Hopes for 2022: “That we are in a good position to meet issues head on.” Feeling optimistic about the year ahead? “I’m always optimistic. In 2022 there are some serious challenges for retail and the supply chain. All I can say is that Candlelight is better equipped than most to deal with the opportunities and threats that will occur.” Any New Year resolutions? “The New Year’s resolution is to face up to the bullies!”
Hoping For Normal Trading Paul Hooker, commercial director, Joe Davies... Hopes for 2022: “Our biggest hope for 2022 is that the shadow of uncertainty the pandemic brings is left well and truly behind us. Independent retail has had a tough time and any return to normal trading will be well-deserved and welcomed by us all.” Feeling optimistic about the year ahead? “We have been working really hard on our new product range and are very optimistic for the year ahead, especially as many of these exciting new developments will make their debut at Spring Fair.” Any New Year resolutions? “We really only have one resolution every year and that is to work harder than ever to support our customers. For us that means making sure we have plenty of great new stock available, backed up with our award-winning Joe Davies customer service.”
PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE
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