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The Greats Awards 2021: A Trio Of New Sponsors Industry NEWS
Gift Retailers Urged To Enter, Nominations Invited
Candlelight, Carte Blanche Greetings (CBG) and Life Charms are the latest leading names to pledge their support to The Greats as sponsors, joining (in alphabetical order): Gift Republic; GiftsandHome.net; The Giftware Association; Gisela Graham; Harrogate Christmas & Gift; Joe Davies; Premier Decorations; Progressive Gifts & Home; Progressive Greetings Live; Spring Fair and Autumn Fair and Wrendale Designs.
The sponsors are all united in the belief that the UK’s best gift retailers definitely deserve to be applauded for their incredible efforts in the past year.
Now in their 19th year, The Greats 2021 gift retailer awards (organised and owned by Giftsandhome.net’s Max Publishing) will be shouting from the rooftops about the UK’s amazing gift retailers who have pulled out all the stops - even through three lockdowns by using click & collect, as well as online and home deliveries, to remain engaged with their customers.
While retailers are being encouraged to enter directly - a downloadable entry form is hosted on www.thegreatsawards.co.uk with a closing date of Friday May 28 - suppliers are also being invited to email their retailer nominations directly to Sue Marks, editor of Progressive Gifts & Home/GiftsandHome.net at sue@suemarks.co.uk.
“We are on the lookout for those outstanding gift 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,” says Sue. “Importantly, having The Greats awards event later this year – on Thursday September 23 - means that everyone can be together at a physical event. How great will that be?!”
In addition, The Greats Best Retail Employee category provides a wonderful opportunity for retailers to shout about exceptional members of their staff - those who go the extra mile. Plus, The Greats also provides an opportunity for retailers to applaud their suppliers, those that have provided the best service to gift indies despite the challenges of the last year.
In addition, 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.
For all supplier nominations, retailers are invited to email Ian Hyder, director of Max Publishing on ianh@maxpublishing.co.uk With the sponsorship roster of The Greats getting stronger by the day, the Awards event - a physical get together - is set to be a fantastic gathering, taking place at the historic Honourable Artillery Club (HAC) in London on the afternoon of Thursday September 23.
To find out more about sponsorship opportunities, contact Jo Pilcher on 020 3764 1694 e:jop@max-publishing.co.uk
For all Greats enquiries, please contact Sue Marks on 020 8361 2055 or email her at suem@max-publishing.co.uk
Tickets to the The Greats Awards event are available from event organiser Clare Hollick at Createvents: tel: 01183 340085 e:clare@createvents.co.uk or from Max-Tickets.net. For more details, visit www.thegreatsawards.co.uk
Above: The historic HAC in London. Left: Could your shop’s name be on a Greats trophy this year?
Open Till 10pm Gets Thumbs Down From Indies
The announcement that shops can stay open until 10pm, six days a week, from April 12, has received a thumbs down from independent gift shops in England.
“Shops staying open until 10pm is ridiculous,” states Tina Botterill, co-owner of Cool! Cards & Gifts in Skipton. “It will push up overheads and I am not convinced it will bring in a lot more business. Having said that, if I was a few years younger I would probably be giving it a go!”
Also highlighting the impracticalities of the scheme was Liz Killick at Calladoodles in Carshalton, who commented: “It is of very little benefit to small traders such as ourselves, many of whom have no spare hours to give. Even if we have staff, there's no magic money pot to pay extra wages. Once again, the 'big boys' benefit at the expense of the indies.”
At Mooch Gifts & Home, co-owner Jon May added: “extended hours will have little effect within the small towns where we trade - Bewdley and Stourport-on-Severn - therefore our normal trading hours will remain, although I’m sure larger chains in cities will take advantage but I wonder if even they will find it profitable.”
North London based Louise Rolfe, owner of The Present in Barnet, adds: “I work in the shop every day, so doing longer hours is out of the question. We’ve tried late night opening at Christmas and it’s not something that’s been successful.”
Above: The Present in Barnet, North London.
Candlelight’s Founder Rocks On
It’s going to be a summer of gigs for Mike Winch, a ‘60s Rotherham ‘rock star’, as he takes to the stage once more.
As a 15 year old schoolboy in the ‘60s, Mike, founder and managing director of Candlelight, was already playing five nights a week in a band called The Origators Creed, topping the bill by the time he was 16. “Joe Cocker was second on the bill to us!” he recalls. “It’s my claim to fame, along with the fact we played many gigs where we supported the Cream, Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood, Pink Floyd and Wilson Pickett.” Now, some 50 years on, Mike’s back on the road again with a new rock band the Road Runner, which features family members - some seriously good 17-year-old guitarists - as well as Mike’s tennis partner. “We’ve already taken bookings for three gigs,” Mike told PG&H. Visit https://youtu.be/qAZnEYnTpoE
Left: Candlelight’s Mike Winch is back on the road with a new band, Road Runner.
PG&H Retail Barometer Findings
Survey Reveals A ‘Better & Worse’ Year For Indies
The latest PG&H Retail Barometer annual survey, which looked back on an unprecedented 2020 - where non-essential retailers were closed for two thirds of the year - unsurprisingly revealed that over two thirds of respondents had a worse year than in 2019, down by 70%.
However, there were some ‘ups’, with Christmas 2020 being a good one for many of those surveyed, with almost two thirds (62%) confirming that it was better or the same as Christmas 2019. The average festive spend increased too, according to a whopping 81% of respondents.
For gift indies without a transactional website, creating one became a priority, with ‘shop local’ campaigns also having a positive effect. Engaging with customers on social media was also a ‘must’ for many, with Facebook and Instagram out in front.
Also on the up in 2020 was sourcing sustainable products, along with giftware that had been made in Britain, with 83% of those surveyed confirming that this was important when sourcing.
Meanwhile, the new products that scored well in response to the pandemic, included face masks, hand sanitiser, gift boxes and hampers, jigsaw puzzles and letterbox gifts.
With lockdown easing, overall, there was a positive feel about business in 2021, with the vast majority of respondents (83%) predicting that they would see significant or marginal growth, or that their business would remain the same.
For the full findings of the PG&H Retail Barometer, turn to pages 20-25.
Worse 38%
Same 31% Better 31%
Left: The majority of Retail Barometer respondents reported a good Christmas.
PG Live 2021 Moves To July
Progressive Greetings Live will be going ahead physically this summer on July 27 and 28. Taking place in its 'home' of the Business Design Centre in London’s Islington, the popular, dedicated greeting card trade show was due to be staged June 8-9, but organisers Max Exhibitions believe that the later dateline will give extra reassurance to exhibitors and visitors alike.
“While the Covid situation is improving by the day in the UK, with the vaccine rollout ahead of schedule, and lockdown measures eased, moving PG Live from early June to late July allows for an extra seven weeks of people’s confidence to build as we all embrace the new dawn,” explained Warren Lomax, joint show director of PG Live. He added: “it has come across loud and clear that the greeting card community really wants PG Live to go ahead, so that retailers can see in the flesh all the inspiring new ranges and designs that publishers have been creating.” Registration will open shortly. Visit www.progressive greetingslive.com
Above: A bevy of PG Live ‘cardies’ will be meeting and greeting visitors to the show in July. Left: The Business Design Centre in Islington.
Gift Indie On BBC Radio 4
Ahead of re-opening her shop on April 12, Cathy Frost, owner of independent gift shop Loveone in Ipswich, was a guest on BBC Radio 4’s Money Box programme, where she discussed the impact of the pandemic on her store, as well as the future of the high street. “My main question was how retailers in towns and cities can get round the lack of lunchtime trade due to workers not returning to their offices if the norm is working from home,” explained Cathy.
Two days earlier, Cathy was also featured in The Sunday Times Business News, where she was asked, as an independent retailer, about the effects and impact of the past year.
Right: Cathy Frost, owner of Loveone in Ipswich.
Industry NEWS
Giving & Living Goes Virtual In May
Dedicated gift, coast and home show Giving & Living will be taking place online from May 10-12, with the event product focused and image led. For this edition only, organisor Hale Events has confirmed that the show will be subsidised for exhibitors, providing them with a much needed route to market.
“This year it's new, so we are subsidising the cost to take part,” confirmed Hale Events’ managing director Mike Anderson. “It’s important to us that this event is successful for clients, most of whom have had their trade severely restricted over the last 12 months. We are keeping the cost to a minimum, while we plan for our physical show in January 2022.”
Buyers will have the opportunity to browse through a curated range of companies, discover new products, download catalogues, view videos about them, as well as to set up meetings, both live text chat and video, with exhibitors. There will also be additional content from organisations such as The Giftware Association.
Added Hale Events’ marketing manager Jennifer Trotman: “Giving & Living online will enable buyers from all over the UK to attend, browse and meet new suppliers.”
Giving & Living will take place physically in Exeter from January 16-18, 2022.
Above: The Giving & Living show, traditionally held in January, will take place online in May.
Virtual Tour With Puckator
Puckator has created a virtual tour of its Sheffield showroom enabling customers to see the company’s range in its entirety. The tour allows visitors to walk around the showroom, zoom in on certain sections and then click on hotspots that take them to categories on the company’s website. Individual tours can be arranged. Visit puckator.co.uk where there is a direct link to the virtual showroom.
Above: Puckator has launched a virtual showroom.
Home & Gift: “We’re So Glad It’s Back!”
Industry Delighted At Harrogate Show’s Return This July
In response to overwhelming industry demand, and in line with government guidelines, the news that Home & Gift in Harrogate will be opening its doors again from 18-21 July has delighted the gift and home industry.
Taking place across the Harrogate Convention Centre, and in the grounds of the DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate, the show will offer the retail industry the first and largest faceto-face opportunity for buyers and brands to unite and do business in over a year.
“This is the good news that everyone wanted to hear and is just what the industry needs,” said Steve Davies, managing director of Joe Davies. “Harrogate is everyone`s favourite show and we can`t wait to see all our customers again. We’re looking forward to the busiest Harrogate show ever.” At Gisela Graham, sales director Piers Croke added: “An excellent fair where we launch our Spring range and do some good business! We’re so glad it’s back!” Marmalade’s Helen Mcleod was just as thrilled. “We can’t wait to see all our lovely stockists and welcome new ones as we have lots of exciting new products to show them.”
Also echoing the jubilant mood was Hot Tomato’s founder and director Alex Machin: “Such great news - we’ve been holding our breath for this! We can’t think of a better venue to kick those trade show blues into touch and get going again - fabulous!”
Chris Lewis, head of sales & business development (Accessories) at Gallery Direct added: “We have secured 170M2 front of exhibition stand space in hall M to showcase our new collections of home accessories, and can’t wait to share a Pimms, face to face, with all our trade friends again.”
Information on registration, exhibiting brands and safety guidelines and procedures for Covid will be released in the coming weeks. Visit www.homeandgift.co.uk.
Above: July can’t come soon enough! Visitors are shown relaxing during a break at Home & Gift in Harrogate in 2019.
Great News For Gift Retailers
Gift retailers too, were just as delighted at the return of Home & Gift, with many having booked favourite hotels and restaurants in anticipation. "Harrogate Home & Gift is the highlight of our buying year and we’re thrilled to bits that it's going to be happening in 2021,” enthused Rachel Roberts, co-owner of five Mooch gift shops in Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire. “We're so excited to be able to go and find lots of gorgeous new lovelies to fill our shops with. Roll on July!"
Added Jo Webber, owner of Jo Amor in Tiverton: “Woohoo! A date in the diary at last! Such a great venue to review all the brands in the shop. Whatever it takes, we will be there, lists and buying book at the ready!”
Also thrilled with the news was Liz Kemp, owner of Kemps General Store and Kemps Bookshop in Malton, and Kemps on the Coast in Whitby. “We have missed meeting our suppliers, and the opportunity to choose and curate our stock collections, having actually seen and touched the items before we buy! It's great news for the industry and great news for our customers.”
In Scotland, Janet Hartree, owner of Ewe and Me and Ewe Too in Grantown on Spey, commented: “The joy of seeing our suppliers with new stock, chatting with those we’ve come to know so well over the years, and passing on our orders is all in a day’s work and we couldn’t be happier to be doing it again.”
Right: Jo Webber has got her order book ready and waiting!
Sophie Allport Charity Initiative
Homewares designer Sophie Allport, and international conservation charity, ZSL (Zoological Society of London), have collaborated on the launch of a new giraffe collection which will help to raise funds for the conservation charity and support its work.
Left: A Sophie Allport giraffe coaster.
Industry NEWS
Delhi Fair Opens Its Doors In May
The IHGF Delhi Fair will take place physically from 19-23 May at the India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida, Delhi NCR, organised by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH). Unique traditional workmanship and techniques will sit alongside the latest international designs.
An important show on the calendar for many UK gift wholesalers, the IHGF Delhi Fair is a one stop sourcing destination across Home, Lifestyle, Fashion, Furniture and Textiles, with over 2000 exhibitors showcasing designs.
To encourage international visitors to attend, a special promotional scheme for overseas buyers offers ‘star’ category hotel accommodation at US$100 (including breakfast, taxes, airport transfer, and transfers to and from the exhibition venue) for four nights during the show.
Register at: www.ihgfdelhifair.in/register
Below: Traditional jewellery made in India.
Christmas & Gift 2021 Has Been Cancelled
Harrogate Christmas & Gift 2021 - which had been postponed from its original date in January to May - has now been cancelled for this year. The next event will be in 2022, taking place from Sunday January 16 to Wednesday January 19 at the Harrogate Convention Centre.
“Following the government’s announcement that the UK will not be able to resume events until June 21, it has been decided to focus on the 2022 show,” confirmed show organiser Simon Anslow.
“It is very disappointing for everyone involved, but hopefully life and business will be back to normal by January next year and we can all look forward to another bumper show.”
As well as festive goods, the event also showcases gifts for all occasions. Visit www.harrogatefair.com
Below: Harrogate Christmas & Gift will now take place in January 2022.
Mum’s The Word
Everlasting Flowers, Vases And Planters Led The Way
With Mother’s Day the second biggest gift giving occasion of the year for gift retailers, gift shops put their all into making sure that they did their very best to make the most of it, despite being closed, with many of the best sellers linking in with the current trend for faux flowers and planters.
“Mother’s Day sales started much earlier this year as I think lots of people had been missing their mums,” commented Tracey Bryant, co-owner of Expressions in Swindon, The Cats Whiskers in Bishop’s Cleeve and Polkadot in Keynsham. “Our shop windows, social media and live videos were at the forefront of showcasing our Mother’s Day cards and gifts, and our everlasting flowers were very popular. “
At England at Home, Bob England, owner of two England at Home stores in Brighton, concurred that planters, and vases in particular, were among the most popular lines for mums, alongside scented candles, mugs and tea towels.
As Keiron Cockley, coowner of four Brocante shops in Fowey, Mevagissey and St Ives, pointed out: “We only took a fraction of what we would have taken compared to normal sales if we had been open, but it was a great help. Smaller gift items sold really well for Mother’s Day, as we offered to wrap and send direct with a card for mum as well.” At Williams of Audlem in Audlem, owner Judy Evans explained: “Our Mother’s Day gift and card sales were equally strong this year, with Emma Ball’s bee-themed products, Bomb Cosmetics’ candles in a tin, Ashleigh & Burwood’s reed diffusers, Miss
Sparrow’s bamboo socks, Miss Milly jewellery, Jellycat's Riverside Ramblers, and Eco Chic products selling well across the range.”
However, Mother’s Day wasn’t a winner for all gift shops. “Mother’s Day behind a mask definitely isn’t one we want to repeat,” said Sarah Halsall, owner of Hand Picked by Henrietta in Chapelen-le-Frith. “Unfortunately, our usual best weekend of the year certainly wasn’t, although we did receive a few orders and many messages of support. However, we can’t wait to be back in our shop doing what we love.”
Above: Coral and Mint’s star earrings were designed as a gift for mums. Left: Brocante’s content manager Maria Norman heading off to post parcels in time for Mother’s Day.
A Cracking Easter
In a mostly glorious week for weather, a second Easter in lockdown didn’t deter gift shops from going all out on their shop window displays, with retailers reporting good sales across gifts, decorations and cards.
“Some of our top treats hopping out from Jo Amor were Liberty print Jellycat bunnies for the non-chocoholics, along with creative mini egg cookie kits for a great family bake off, and a pocket size Devon walks book featuring great routes for outdoor adventures over Easter,” highlighted Jo Webber, owner of Jo Amor in Tiverton.
At Corncuopia in Worcester, director Hannah Bishop told PG&H that, in previous years, people had tended to shop quite late for Easter. “However, Easter gifts and decorations have really taken off for us this year. It’s all looking promising for when we reopen on April 12th!"
Aga Gabrysiak, owner of Highworth Emporium in Highworth, added: “sales of Easter decorations grow every year, and last year we literally sold out through our online channels – the beginning of the first lockdown - so I ordered more boldly for Easter 2021 and am not expecting to have many Easter decorations or gifts left. The weakest Easter seller was Easter chocolates, which fortunately, we ordered cautiously.” In Glasgow, Denise Laird, owner of Spirito, pointed out that Easter fell very early this year. “We were quite cautious when ordering Easter themed stock, given the uncertainty around lockdown durations. Although there was a steady flow of Easter decorations and cards ordered through our website it was not on the scale that we would normally expect.”
Above: An eye-catching Easter window at Highworth Emporium. Left: Pop out bird and animal cards from Art Angels were popular at Loveone in Ipswich.
Industry NEWS
PEOPLE
l University Games is continuing the substantial growth and success it enjoyed in 2020 and has announced directorships for two members of the senior management team.
Mark Jones - who joined the company in 2018 - has been promoted to sales director, while Gemma Lewington - who was appointed in 2019 - has been appointed marketing director. Both have both played significant roles in the integration of Lagoon Games into the core business.
Above: Gemma Lewington (top) and Mark Jones.
Enesco Expands Its First Eco Collection
Enesco recently expanded its first ecofriendly collection Kloche which features miniature decorative pieces in a classic vintage style. Exclusive to Enesco, the giftware is produced using sustainably sourced wood and glass domes instead of plastic, with the pieces presented in a unique branded giftbox created from biodegradable packaging.
The new items in Kloche’s The Tiny Town collection include new flower figurines, each highlighting a different posy and sentiment: red roses for the Love You figurine, sunflowers for the Happy Birthday Figurine and daisies for the Fabulous Friend figurine.
Above: New figurines in Enesco’s first sustainably sourced collection from Kloche.
Ashleigh & Burwood’s Virtual House
Ashleigh & Burwood has gone live with a brand new state of the art 360 degree virtual showroom TheHouseOfAB.com - an immersive experience that allows retailers to view, in 3D detail, the company’s popular home fragrance products including the newest editions for SS21. Scent cards for eight of the latest fragrance launches are available on request.
The custom built show space is designed around a beautiful home that is an expression of the style and aspirations of the brand.
Above: House of Ashleigh & Burwood.
Plus A Further Eight Department Stores Close
Looking to the year ahead, John Lewis’ five-year plan will include destination stores alongside smaller format ‘best of John Lewis’ stores, as well as the roll out of John Lewis areas within Waitrose stores which are currently being trialled in Horley, Godalming, Lincoln, Lymington and Wallingford.
“It's really exciting to be working closely with Waitrose on stocking more and more John Lewis products in their stores,” Sara Allbright, John Lewis Partnership’s buyer for Gifts and Candleshop, told PG&H. “This year will see several new ranges of John Lewis branded home fragrance launch in store, alongside collaborative working on all the big seasonal events.”
If the roll out is successful, the John Lewis ‘mini’ stores will go into a significant number of Waitrose’s 331 outlets, with all general merchandise in Waitrose shops sourced from John Lewis. The roll-out is scheduled to take place over the next 12-18 months.
In a difficult year for the retailer, a further eight John Lewis store closures have been announced which is likely to impact on the supply chain - to include many gift and homewares suppliers - as the retail portfolio decreases from 50 stores to 34.
On the online front, Johnlewis.com has grown significantly in the past year, up 73% compared to 40% before the pandemic, equating to three quarters of the brand’s sales.
Above: John Lewis’ flagship Oxford Street store.
UK Licensing Awards 2021 Are Open
The UK Licensing Awards 2021 are open for entry. All award categories including those for licensed products, licensed properties, retail, marketing, honorary achievement, plus the awards for sustainability, international retail and licensed live events - can be entered free via the website (www.thelicensingawards.co.uk). The deadline for entries is Tuesday 1 June.
The Licensing Awards 2021 (owned and organised by Max Publishing) cover licensed product launches, licensing activity and licensed retailing execution in the 12 months up to the end of May 2021. The entry and judging (by retail buyers) of all product categories will be done online.
Winners will be revealed at a physical awards event on Tuesday 14 September in The Great Room at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel.
Tickets and tables can be reserved online by visiting Max-Tickets.net or by contacting Clare Hollick at Create Events: clare@createvents.co.uk or phone +44 (0)1183 340085.
Smelling Sweet
Fruit and floral fragrances topped the charts for the scents that people enjoy most in their homes, followed by woody, citrus and spicy scents respectively, confirm Lesser & Pavey.
The company recently carried out an online survey with both consumer and trade buyers, which saw 87% of respondents confirming that they favour burning candles, wax melts and oil warmers, with 60% preferring reed diffusers, and over 47% choosing aroma lamps. Just under a fifth said that they preferred humidifiers which have become popular during the lockdowns.
Above: Lesser & Pavey’s Desire aroma lamps and humidifiers.
Portmeirion’s Virtual State-OfThe-Art Showroom
Portmeirion Group is showcasing its new 2021 collections via a bespoke, state-of-the-art virtual showroom, and immersive digital platform, that will host events and live appointments.
The new collections will be showcased with the use of a high quality, fully integrated, face to face virtual world, which looks and feels like a premium real life showroom.
The Group combines six homeware and fragrance brands: Portmeirion; Wax Lyrical; Spode; Royal Worcester and Nambé.
Below: The new Portmeirion Group virtual showroom.
Industry NEWS
NEWS IN BRIEF
l Retail guru Mary Portas is among the wellknown names lobbying the government to consider a Shop Out to Help Out summer discount scheme, echoing last summer’s Eat Out To Help Out initiative.
l A recent Springboard report predicts that shopping centres and retail parks footfall will rise by +46% and 26% respectively during the first week that shops open.
l For the first time, Moda will be co-locating with Autumn Fair which is being held from September 5-8 at the NEC in Birmingham. It will co-exist alongside Jewellery & Watch and Fashion (JWF) to create a new fashion buying destination. Visit www.autumnfair.com.
Above: Moda will be co-locating with Autumn Fair.
l Following the announcement that Thorntons’ 62 standalone shops will close, it was confirmed that gift and card shop franchisees will continue to trade.
l A ‘Thank You’ Wentworth Puzzles
jigsaw puzzle raised over
£12,000 for NHS staff and key workers and was donated to the Wiltshire Community Foundation’s Coronavirus Response Fund.
Above: Wentworth’s fund-raising jigsaw puzzle.
l University Games has created a new ‘Taking Steps to Protect Our Planet logo. The company offers over 700 gifts, games and puzzles, the majority of which utilise cardboard in either their production or packaging process.
l Card and gift multiple, Cardzone is trading well from its first ever e-commerce site www.cardzoneltd.com/ - featuring gifts and home fragracing products from leading brands. They include Enesco, Yankee Candle, Gorjuss and Wild Things.
l Moonpig has made a successful debut on the Stock Exchange, and now has a market valuation of £1.5bn. Flowers, wine and chocolates accounted for 46% of the company’s sales in the 12 months to October 31, 2020, with Moonpig looking to expand its gift offer.
