Industry NEWS

Talking Together

Talking Tables, which became B Corp accredited last September, took part in its first B Corp month in March, with a series of activities and initiatives designed to raise awareness of the accreditation body and the importance of sustainability and social impact. These included bringing interested brands together for the third of its ‘Talking Together’ events, in association with The Giftware Association, under the theme Harnessing the Power of B Corp.

Above: Talking Tables recycled glass bud vases.

New Look John Lewis Store In Horsham

John Lewis has revealed a newly redesigned store layout in Horsham, moving from an existing ‘at home’ format to a one stop destination for home design, fashion, beauty and tech. The new look store is part of a trial testing a series of new concepts and services for John Lewis customers.

Horsham is one of five co-located with a Waitrose shop, with around 50% of Waitrose customers already shopping in the John Lewis next door.

News In Brief

l According to The Guardian, Spring & Autumn Fair owner Hyve Group is being sold to an American private equity firm, Provident Equity Partners, in a £481m buyout deal.

l As part of a pre-pack deal, Tesco bought the Paperchase IP and brand after the greeting card and gift retailer collapsed into administration at the end of January.

l Adding to the company’s trophy cabinet, Mad Beauty scooped the Animation Product of the Year award earlier this year for its Scooby-Doo bath, beauty and gifting range at the Warner Bros. Discovery Consumer Products Licensee Awards.

l Mother and son Shashi and Sanjay Aggarwal, cofounders of gift-led Spice Kitchen - winner of the Gift of the Year’s Food & Drink category award in 2022 - were interviewed on On Radio 4’s You and Yours Gap Finder slot.

Above: An award winning Indian Spice Tin from Spice Kitchen.

l At Toy Fair earlier this year, soft toys were officially confirmed as the best performing toy category in 2022, with sales up a significant 29% year on year.