Progressive Gifts & Home - March/April 2016 by Max Publishing: Print, Digital Media + Events (London)

March/April 2016

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The LargesT CoLLeCTion of greeting Card Publishers in The WorLd “PG Live gives you the chance to really focus on cards, which you can’t do at other shows. It is short and sweet so everyone always has lots of energy!” Hannah Tait, buyer, Oliver Bonas.

Don’t Miss Out! Pg Live 2016 is proud to present thousands of original designs, exciting ranges and exclusive show offers from the top 250+ publishers, artists and designers from around the globe. Tickets to the largest global gathering of the greeting card industry can now be booked online at www.progressivegreetingslive.com

Pg Live 2016 Tuesday 10 - Wednesday 11 May Business design Centre, London

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Book Your Ticket now! +44 (0) 1635 297070 @PgLiveLondon www.progressivegreetingslive.com

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This Month

As our 11th PG&H Retail Barometer revealed, business rates continued to be the thorn in the flesh for the majority of independent gift retailers last year. But as we went to press with this issue, the Chancellor delivered his March Budget - and the great news was that he has raised the threshold for small business rate relief from April 2017! Turn to News on page 11 for the full story. The Barometer continues to be a window on the world of life as an independent gift retailer. Was 2015 a good year? For the majority of respondents yes, it seemed to be, with lots of positives and a good attitude taking retailers forward into 2016. Turn to pages 22-27 to see what respondents had to say about a myriad of topics - from the continuing threat of Amazon to which celebrity they would most like to walk into their shops! With The Greats Awards 2016 just a few weeks away now, independent gift retailers have, of course, been at the forefront of our minds as entries and nominations have poured in. From a single outlet to department stores, garden centres and visitor attractions, we were delighted by the wealth of talented retailers who are pulling out every marketing stop to make their shop or gift department a cut above the rest. We're thrilled to announce this year's finalists (see pages 4 and 5), and wish them all the very best of luck on Thursday May 5 when the winners will be announced at London's Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane. We'd love you to be there, so please turn to page 7 to find out how to buy tickets. Elsewhere in this issue, as we step into Spring, you'll find a focus on Made in Britain and who's doing what to mark the Queen's 90th birthday in April (see pages 57-61 and 73); how to make the most of the gifts for gardeners (see pages 37-39); what's trending in men's gifts (see pages 67-69), why gourmet food gifts are the next big thing (see page 29), and why April is the biggest opportunity of the year for retailers selling social stationery (see pages 47-51). Happy reading! Above: Nadiya Hussain, winner of the 2015 Great British Bake Off, was a VIP guest on the Wow! Stuff stand at Spring Fair last month. She's shown with the company's ceo Richard North and PG&H's editor Sue Marks. See what Nadiya told Sue by turning to Last Word on page 85).

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

4-5 7-21 22-27 29 31 37-39 42-45 47-51

THE GREATS: 2016 FINALISTS NEWS RETAIL BAROMETER A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE GIFT OF THE YEAR 2016 SPOTLIGHT ON...GIFTS FOR GARDENERS IN PROFILE: IF (THAT COMPANY CALLED) SPOTLIGHT ON... STATIONERY

53-55 57-61 64-65 67-69 73 80-81 85 85

IN PROFILE: GROOVY UK MADE IN BRITAIN/QUEEN'S 90TH IN PROFILE: LESSER & PAVEY SPOTLIGHT ON... MEN'S GIFTS BCTF BEST SELLERS ON THE ROAD: PAUL McGOOGAN LAST WORD: NADIYA HUSSAIN

Publishers Jacqueline Brown, Warren Lomax and Ian Hyder

Progressive Gifts & Home is published 7 times a year. Subscription: UK; one year £50, two years £85 or three years £110. Overseas; one year £75, two years £125 or three years £165. Please send your cheque to: Progressive Gifts & Home, Max Publishing Ltd, United House, North Road, London N7 9DP. Tel: 020 7700 6740 Fax 020 7609 4222/020 7607 6411 email: ianh@max-publishing.co.uk

Design & Production Russell Sutton

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

Sue Marks Editor

Angie Bryant Ian Hyder Advertisement Manager Publishing Director

sue@sjbassoc.freeserve.co.uk

angieb@max-publishing.co.uk

ianh@max-publishing.co.uk

Copyright 2008. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information in this magazine was correct at the time of going to press, the publishers cannot accept legal liability for any errors or omissions, nor can they accept responsibility for the standing of advertisers nor any organisation mentioned in the text. Views of contributors do not necessarily reflect those of the publishers.

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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The Greats 2016

All A-Buzz

With more nominations and self-nominations than ever before, the finalists have been announced for The Greats Retailer Awards 2016! The winners will be revealed at a lavish awards event on Thursday May 5 in the stunning, newly refurbished ballroom of the Grosvenor Hotel in Park Lane, London, where the theme will be birds, bees and butterflies. PG&H shares the strong line-up of official contenders for these all important awards. (All finalists are listed in alphabetical order)

Retail Employee of the Year 2016 p Lynsey Bolton, department manager, Cliftons, Lytham p Shelley Frost, customer sales assistant, The Country House Gift Company, Winscombe p Leah Grimes, senior sales assistant, Hallmark Celebrate, Chigwell p Marina McManus, shop manager, Liquorice Tree, Edinburgh Airport p Georgia Perkin, assistant manager, The Inside Man, South London Independent Gift Retailer of the Year London (inside M25) p All Good Gifts, Battersea, p In Spitalfields, Spitalfields p MAP Gift Shop, Archway, p Rumbles, Ealing p SMUG, Islington p The Indigo Tree, Streatham, Independent Gift Retailer of the Year Home Counties, South and South East p Box of Delights, Flitwick p Dragonfly, Cheam p MiMi, Hartley Witney p One Forty, Cranleigh p Pussy Home Boutique, Brighton p Something Special, Edenbridge Independent Gift Retailer of the Year East Anglia p Feather Your Nest, Rayleigh p Gifted, Norwich and Cambridge (3 shops) p Horizon Gifts, Hunstanton p Osokozi Gallery, Holt p Quest Gifts, Holt p The Java Store, Norwich Independent Gift Retailer of the Year Midlands and Wales p Hamptons, Penarth 4

Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

p p p p p

Marmalade Meringue, Hinckley Narborough Hall, Narborough Selections, Port Talbot Set Design, Leicester Skinny Whistle, Quorn

Independent Gift Retailer of the Year North and Northern Ireland p Libby's, Chesterfield p Oklahoma, Manchester p Peppermint Pig, Clekheaton p Saffrons of York and Little Saffrons, York p The Bottom Drawer, Portadown p The Imaginarium, York Independent Gift Retailer of the Year South West p Bentleys, Stourpourt on Severn p Hyde + Seek, Exeter p Just Delights, Penryn p The Cedars, Bourton on the Water p The Country House Gift Co., Winscombe p The Emporium, Devizes Independent Gift Retailer of the Year Scotland p Bijou, Elgin p Cloudberry, Edinburgh p Liquorice Tree, Edinburgh and Glasgow p Maia Gifts, Glasgow p Papyrus, Glasgow p Spirito, Glasgow Independent Gift Retailer of the Year Best Newcomer - South & Wales p All About Rose, Great Missenden p Bibi's Home, Weymouth p Coast & Country Interiors, Bude p Panache, Yeovil, Taunton and Lyme Regis p The Bump Company, Southampton p We Built This City, London, W1

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The Greats 2016

Independent Gift Retailer of the Year Best Newcomer - North, Midlands and Scotland p Embrace, Strathpeffer p Lily Blue Gifts, Hagley p Penny and Black, Lundin Links p Quirky Coo, Dundee p Saffrons of Northallerton p Serendipity House, Kirkham

Best Museum/Visitor Attraction Gift Shop p Chester Zoo, Islands Gift Shop p Imperial War Museum Gift Shop, London p Longleat Safari Park, Longleat p Science Museum Gift Shop, London p St Michael's Mount, Marazian p Waddesdon Manor Gift Shop, Aylesbury (National Trust)

Best Specialist Multiple Retailer of Gifts (4 stores or more) p Between The Lines (12 stores) p Love Aroma (10 stores) p Menkind (40 + stores) p Sass & Belle (5 stores) p Time & Tide (6 stores) p Utility (4 stores)

Best Retail Display Of Gifts p The Bottom Drawer, Portadown p Gardenarium, East Molesley p MAP Gift Shop, London p Olive Tree, Wolverhampton p Orange Tree, Topsham p Retro36, Scarborough

Best Department Store Retailer of Gifts p Barretts of St Neots p Bentalls of Kingston p Debenhams p Fenwick of Brent Cross p John Lewis p Jarrolds, Norwich

Best Online Retailer and/or Mail Order Company p Firebox p Gifts From Handpicked p Handpicked Gifts p JD Williams p Love Aroma p The Inside Man

Best Non-Specialist Retailer of Gifts p The Bristol Guild of Applied Arts, Bristol p Brodie Countryfare, Brodie by Forres p Paperchase p Potters of Hockley p Robert & Ruby, Helmsley p Zing Furniture, Willington Best Lifestyle and Fashion Retailer of Gifts p About Living (3 stores) p Love Thy Interiors, Thirsk p Oliver Bonas (multiple) p Orange Tree, Topsham p The Old School Beauly, Beauly p Time & Tide (6 stores) Best Gift Retailer of Jewellery p Celtic Company, Welshpool p Harvey Willis, Glenrothes p Macmillans of Penwortham p Ruby Red, Milngavie p Staacks, Wirral p The Herbary, Troon Best Garden Centre Retailer of Gifts p Lanchester Garden Centre, Durham p New Hopetoun Garden Centre, Broxburn p Redfields Garden Centre (Blue Diamond), Crookham p Thetford Garden Centre, Thetford p Whitehall Garden Centre, Lacock p Van Hage, Amwell

Best Retailer Initiative p Loch Levens Larder, Loch Levens - For its series of Princess breakfasts and afternoon tea events p Mantons, Port Erin - For its Small Business Saturday campaign p Narborough Hall, Narborough - For its Pay Forward Day: random acts of kindness p Oliver Bonas - For its Innocent Big Knit for Age UK initiative p Spirito, Glasgow - For its jewellery initiative p The Old School Beauly, Beauly - For its Mrs Old School blog Best Service To The Independent Retailer (companies are listed in alphabetical order) p Ashleigh & Burwood p Enesco p Gisela Graham p Joe Davies p Lesser & Pavey p Really Good p RJB Stone p Widdop Bingham p Xpressions 4 U p Yankee Candle Honorary Achievement No finalists are revealed for this special award

Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

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

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

Illustration courtesy of Beefayre www.beefayre.com

Lunchtime Thursday May 5 2016 The Grosvenor House Ballroom Park Lane, London I would like to book………………place(s) at £160 per place + VAT I would like………………table(s) of ten at £1600 per table + VAT I would like………………table(s) of twelve at £1920 per place + VAT I enclose a cheque made payable to Max Publishing Debit my Visa/Mastercard (please delete as necessary) Card No........................................................................................................... Expiry date........................................................................... Start date.......................................................................... Security code........................................... Address if different to company address....................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. Name................................................................................ Company Address......................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ Tel............................................................................................................................. Fax.................................................................................................................................... email.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... All bookings must be accompanied with payment. We will be unable to refund any cancellations after 1 May. Tickets and invoice will be sent to you once payment has been received. Please return this booking form with payment to: Createvents Ltd, 450, Brook Drive Reading Berkshire RG2 6UU Tel: 01183 340085 or by E-mail: clare@createvents.co.uk www.createvents.co.uk

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Industry News

Greats News

'Greats' Awards Lunch

Finalists 'Over The Moon'! A bulging postbag of self-nominations and nominations for the 2016 Greats Awards has once again revealed that gift retailers and gift departments, both large and small, have had a very busy and exciting 12 months, with a raft of initiatives, new shops, refits and expansions helping to up the ante. The finalists are revealed on pages 4 and 5, with a flurry of emails showing just how fast the excitement is building. "We're over the moon to have made it to the finals - thank you for being the bearer of such good news!" enthused Adam Shoemark and the We Built This City team in London's Carnaby Street, who are finalists in the Best Newcomer South and Wales category. "Amazing news," said Lynn Roberts, owner of Olive Grove in Wolverhampton, a finalist in the Display category. "I'm really excited to have been nominated - I'm absolutely chuffed to bits!" she enthused. Over at MiMi in Hartley Witney, among the finalists in the Home Counties, South and South East category, owner Julianne Moore told PG&H: "This is such exciting news! The MiMi team is buzzing!" In Broomhill Glasgow, Spirito's owner Denise Laird, a finalist in two categories, Independent Gift Retailer of the Year - Scotland and Best Retail Initiative, could hardly wait to share the fabulous news. "I am so delighted I cannot wait to tell the girls as soon as the shop opens. They will be over the moon!" "The entries and nominations were of an incredibly high standard, meaning that this year's line-up is one of our strongest and most diverse, featuring retailers from right across the gift spectrum, from traditional and contemporary gift and lifestyle shops to the niche and the quirky," says PG&H's editor Sue Marks. Visit www.thegreatsawards.co.uk Above: The stunning Greats trophy. Above left: London newcomer We Built This City is among the finalists. Left: The penguin display at Olive Grove, Wolverhampton.

The Greats Sponsors 2016 The Greats 2016’s strong line up of sponsors includes (in alphabetical order): Carrie Elspeth; Carte Blanche Group; Clarion Events/Home & Gift Harrogate; Gift Republic; Gisela Graham; Harrogate Christmas & Gift; i2i Events/Autumn Fair/Spring Fair; IF (That Company Called); Joe Davies; Kaemingk; London Stationery Show/National Stationery Week; Parlane International; PG Live; Premier Decorations; Ravensden; Really Good/Soul; Root Candles; Sass & Belle; The Giftware Association; Wild & Wolf; Xystos; Yankee Candle.

The Greats 2016 winners will be announced at a spectacular Awards afternoon event which will take place on Thursday May 5 in the magnificent, newly refurbished ballroom of London's Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane. The buzzy theme this year is birds, bees and butterflies. With all the UK’s top retailers attending, it will be a fabulous celebratory networking event for suppliers and retailers alike. Tickets to the Awards are available from Clare Davies at Createvents on 01183 340085 or by emailing Clare at clare@createvents.co.uk. Visit www.thegreatsawards.co.uk Below: The Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London, the new home of The Greats.

The Greats Invitation This year's fabulous Greats 2016 invitation was created especially for the Awards event by Really Good/Soul, among this year's Greats category sponsors. "The theme for The Greats Retail Awards 2016 is birds, bees and butterflies so I knew the design would need to work around this," explains designer Lollie Dunbar. "I wanted to design something that was fun, creative and contemporary but that would also reflect the elegance of the awards. I also really wanted to incorporate a new finish that we had been working with to give the invitation some tasteful embellishment." Adds Lollie: "Taking all of these ideas and putting them together lead me to create the final design." Below: The Greats Awards 2016 invitation, designer by Lollie Dunbar at Really Good/Soul.

A Honey Of A Reception The Greats Awards pre-lunch champagne reception - sponsored by Root Candles, also a Greats Awards category sponsor - will be focusing on this year's theme of bees. The company will be bringing along a beehive and Roots' very own 'No 1 in the world' beekeeper, Kim Flottum, who is also the advisor to Her Majesty the Queen's Royal beekeeper, John Chappell, who will also be present at the event. In addition, Root will be bringing honeys from all over the world for guests to sample. Plus, a copy of Beekeeper magazine will also be going in every Greats goody bag along with Root’s signature candle, Drizzling Honey. Right: The Root Candle beehive, will be buzzing along to The Greats Awards in May.

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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Industry News

PG&H Retail Barometer A Good Year Ahead For Gift Indies Despite today's still challenging environment, gift independents are feeling quietly confident about the year ahead, as confirmed by the findings in the PG&H Retail Barometer. Now in its tenth year, the PG&H Retail Barometer is the only dedicated research into the health and wealth of the independent gift retailer providing invaluable insight into this important sector. With an unprecedented level of response to the survey this year, encouragingly 86% believe that they will grow their business in 2016 with only15% bracing themselves for a decline this year. Looking at 2015 year’s trading over three quarters, shops either increased their business or remained on a par with 2014 Above: Looking ahead: how gift indies view the future of independent levels with 51% of indies increasing their average customer spend. retailers in the next three to five years. The findings of the recent survey also revealed that improvements in the UK economy boosted business for 43% of respondents in 2015, although, unsurprisingly, two thirds cited business rates as having a detrimental effect on their business. Diversification was seen as having the greatest positive effect, followed by social media, with Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram all helping retailers to engage with their customers. Greeting cards too, are continuing to be a major sector for gift shops, with over 60% of respondents seeing an increase in sales of cards last year. With Made In Britain continuing to gain ground, a significant 87% now regard this as important or slightly important in their product sourcing. The findings of the Retail Barometer appear in full on pages 22 - 27.

Inspiring The High Street An inspirational day is guaranteed at bira's annual High Street conference, which will be taking place on Wednesday May 11 at the Chateau Impney in Droitwitch Spa. A strong line-up of speakers include Labour MP Chuka Umunna, Claire Harper, a former marketing director of Mamas and Papas and now owner of IndiaCoco, customer service and giftwrap expert Jane Means, and Greg Williams, deputy editor of WIRED. The conference will be bringing to life key topics surrounding the independent retail industry, in particular, the future of retail and how to address the digital advances within a bricks and mortar business. Visit www.bira.co.uk

A Meeting Of Brands Afternoon tea and catwalk glamour have come together in a new collaboration between Topshop and Wedgwood. “The marriage of two such celebrated British brands feels very fitting and the reworked prints perfectly encapsulate our girl for the season,” said Kate Phelan, global creative director at Topshop. Two prints have been created – Cupid, which is inspired by Wedgwood’s Jasperware, and Blackbird, which draws on the Wild Strawberry pattern but with an added ‘rebellious’ twist. The prints are being used on dresses, blouses and jeans as well as a limited edition Wedgwood/Topshop Unique Blackbird tea cup and saucer. Below: Wedgwood’s collaboration with Topshop.

At The Heart Of Art After 18 years at the helm of two Darch and Duff gift shops, Mary Darch and Helen Duff took the decision to close them both in order to return to their artistic roots. Helen, who paints bespoke watercolours, will be exhibiting her paintings, while Mary will be resuming her bespoke china and mosaic mirrors businesses. "Both of us have developed card ranges which have been best sellers in our shops, and we will continue with these," continues Mary. "We are sad to leave all our lovely customers, but are excited about our new lives, and can’t wait to get back to our creative roots. We know we will miss retail, but are excited about the future."

Left: Chuka Umunna MP will be among the speakers at the bira High Street Conference.

NY NOW Award For British Company Earlier this year, the new doodle Monet placemat set from eatsleepdoodle won the Best New Product Award in the Best New Product Gift category at NY NOW. "It was very cool to be a UK company winning an Award in the States," founder and ceo Chrissie Probert-Jones told PG&H. The award winning placemat design was inspired by Monet’s great impressionist paintings of the Japanese-style bridge and water-lily pond that he created at his home in Giverny. Added Kate Barker, eatsleepdoodle’s brand and marketing director, who created the concept and the Monet doodle: “We’re thrilled to have won this award and to be flying the flag for great British design. We are lucky enough to work with some of the great American and European museums and galleries, as well as a host of wonderfully creative retailers, and this keeps us inspired and determined to bring new ideas to the market.”

Sentimentally Speaking

Above: Chrissie Probert-Jones, left, ceo of eatsleepdoodle, with NY NOW's Best New Product Gift award. She is shown with the company's sales manager Niki Blake on the company's stand at Ambiente in February.

In a first for Widdop & Co, the company will be launching a Focus on Sentiment show from April 4-8 at its North Manchester showrooms. Each visitor will be offered a free pack of Widdop's best selling sentiment product to take away, giving them the opportunity to trial the company's leading sentiment brands such as Amore wedding gifts or Bambino baby lines. There will be a special focus around Father’s Day, Graduation and Thank You Teacher, with 'show only' promotions for every occasion, and tips on simple ways of creating eyecatching sentiment displays in store. To book a place, call the sales office on 0161 688 1226. Above: Visitors will be heading to Widdop & Co in April.

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Joe Davies (Manchester) Limited 149 Broadstone Road, Reddish Stockport SK5 7GA Tel: 0161 975 6300 Fax: 0161 975 6301 Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk www.joedavies.co.uk Progressive Gifts Greats Awards 2015

13 times winners Equilibrium Tapestry Bags

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Best Service to the Independent Retailer

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Industry News

Business Rates Slashed!

It Pays To Display

Cheers From Small Retailers

Below: George Osborne.

As PG&H went to press, independent retailers were at last rejoicing as the Chancellor announced in his March Budget that he had raised the threshold for small business rate relief from £6,000 to £12,000. The long running campaign to see business rates reformed means that over 600,000 small businesses will pay no business rates at all from next April. Arguably the biggest tax cut of the Budget, it represents an average saving of £6,000 a year each - money that can now hopefully be spent on investing in stock, taking on new staff, giving shops a makeover or opening a new outlet. The threshold at which companies pay higher business rates has risen from £18,000 - £51,000 benefitting some 250,000 businesses who will now come out of the higher rate. Chancellor George Osborne also confirmed that revaluations will now be more frequent - every three years - and that, for larger businesses, he will be linking the business rates multiplier from the Retail Price Index (RPI) to the lower Consumer Price Index (CPI) from 2020. The Chancellor told the House of Commons that the business rates reform represented, "a £7bn tax cut for our nation of shopkeepers... a tax system that says to the world we are open for business." Reaction from the trade was swift. “We have campaigned for a long time for the business rates multiplier to be calculated by reference to CPI, which is a much better indicator of commercial property rental growth than the now-discredited RPI," said Melanie Leech, chief executive of the British Property Federation. "This move, coupled with an improved appeals regime, should go some way to making business rate fairer. We also welcome the suggestion of more frequent business rates revaluations, which we have long advocated. Frequent revaluations maintain fairness for ratepayers, who should expect to be taxed in proportion to the economic benefit that they derive from their property. We are glad that it looks like the government is finally taking this recommendation on board." l To date, business rates bring in some £23bn a year for the government.

Magnificent Seven

Left: The Portmeirion factory in Stoke on Trent.

Portmeirion has reported growth for the seventh consecutive year, with revenue increasing by 11.9% to £68.7 million (compared to £61.4 million in 2014). "We are delighted to be reporting another record year," commented non-executive chairman Dick Steele. "Our core values of innovation, targeted product development and operational excellence remain unchanged. Trading in the first two months of the current year is ahead of the comparative period in 2015. The outlook for 2016 is positive." The company's highlights included investing £1.5 million in a new kiln, seeing the Ted Baker range win Best Licensed Home Decor, Tableware or Housewares range at The Licensing Awards, attaining an Investors in People silver level, and becoming the first UK company to be awarded the new Invest in Young People Awards. Portmeirion is currently celebrating the 200th anniversary of Spode's Blue Italian range.

Connor's Fragrant Day A letter that arrived at the Stoneglow offices recently proved to the company that their products do more than scent homes. "When Claire Shaw wrote to us, telling us how much her autistic son Connor loved our Modern Classics Leather and Cashmere candles because they helped to calm him down, we wanted to do something special for him," explains Hazel Simmons, head of design and product development. "We therefore decided create a personalised reed diffuser bottle with Connor's favourite fragrance so he could enjoy the benefits 24/7. Claire provided some images of Connor which we then transferred onto a giant reed diffuser bottle and with the help of Stoneglow stockist Jo Newman from Love Aroma, and our sales manager John Sellman, we planned a special presentation." Continued Hazel: "Afterwards, Claire wrote to us again to thank us, explaining that although his autism makes Connor very reserved in unusual situations, as well as meeting strange people, he thoroughly enjoyed his visit to the Love Aroma store in Derby as the staff there were very welcoming. She told us he couldn’t wait to get home to tell his dad, and is hoping to go back and visit again soon." Above right: Connor Shaw with his personalised reed diffuser from Stoneglow, which was presented to him at Love Aroma in Derby.

The winners of the recent Caroline Gardner window competition were Tilly Mint in Liverpool, and POD which has shops in Bristol, Clifton and Oxford. Runners up were Red Card in Petworth, On The Green in Chalfont St Giles and The Lion Gallery in Penrith. "All the windows were really striking and of great quality," comments the company's senior sales and marketing co-ordinator Luca Bridges. The winners of the two top prizes will receive a £200 Caroline Gardner gift voucher, and the three runners-up will each receive a £50 Caroline Gardner gift voucher, which can be spent on their next trade order. Entrants' windows will also be featured on the company's social media activity. Above: Tilly Mint, Liverpool. Left: POD in Oxford.

New Look To soften the RJB Stone wholesale presence and use the trade entity to reinforce brand recognition, RJB Stone has unveiled a new trade logo Sass & Belle, by RJB Stone. This marks the last step in the company's 18 month plan to reinforce its brand presence and align it for trade and retail activities. The website address has also been changed to www.sassandbelletrade.co.uk

Autumn Fair Gets Recognition Autumn Fair has been shortlisted for Best Trade Show in the Exhibition News Awards. “Autumn Fair has grown tremendously over the past few years as buying patterns have changed," comments portfolio director Naomi Barton. "It's now one of the most important transactional events in the retail trade and we’ve been pulling out all the stops to make it an inspirational experience for our visitors and exhibitors. It's wonderful that our efforts have been recognised." The winners will be announced at London's Park Plaza on April 28. A highlight of last year's event was the launch of The Light Show - which has been signed for a further three years - along with the introduction of several new international exhibitor pavilions within the Home sector. l Autumn Fair 2016 takes place at the NEC, Birmingham, from September 4-7. PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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Industry News

PG Live 2016 It's A Sell Out! Gift indies attending the biggest PG Live in the show's history can look forward to a star studded lineup, with some 260 publishers, artists and designers showcasing their latest collections. “We're incredibly excited about this year's show,” enthuses Warren Lomax, joint show director. “The support that has been shown to PG Live is fantastic and we have more publishers exhibiting than ever before. There will be fabulous offers, key launches and more than a few surprises in store!” Over 100 exhibitors are exclusive to PG Live for 2016, joining exciting and dynamic names from the world of greeting cards exhibiting, which include Five Dollar Shake, Belly Button Design, Wendy Jones-Blackett, Woodmansterne and The Art File. The line-up of new and emerging publishers is equally impressive, with over 120 'Springboarders' coming together to showcase the very best up-and-coming names in the industry. PG Live hospitality is, as always, an important part of welcoming visitors to the show, with free refreshments, a two course lunch and an opening night party allowing buyers to focus solely on cards. The show, organised by Max Exhibitions, takes place from May 10-11 at London's Business Design Centre which will play host to buyers from the UK's major retailers and leading independents, alongside greeting card buyers from over 50 countries. Left: The greeting card industry comes together for two days of networking, business and fun.

Royal Greetings

BIG In Bangkok Thousands of lifestyle products ranging from gifts and decorative home accessories, to stationery and household products, will be leading the way at BIG + BIH in Bangkok, which takes place at BITEC in Bangna from April 19-21. Highlights at this year's show include Top of OTOP - products with premium export quality - DEmark, showcasing products by winners of the Design Excellence Award, as well as Showcase Thai Wellness, Showcase Thai Character and Thailand B2B E-Marketplace, a project organised by Thaitrade.com, which will be providing information to exporters and importers. Running alongside BIG is BIH, which focuses on household products, to include tableware. The show is among the largest in Asia and will welcome almost 500 exhibitors and some 50,000 international buyers. Visit www.bigandbih.com Above: Environmentally friendly products at BIG span bowls, vases and lamp bases as well as furniture items.

As part of the plans to make PG Live 2016 a true celebration of everything that is great about the greeting card industry, a major display feature is being planned (in conjunction with the Greeting Card Association) to honour Her Majesty’s 90th birthday. While the Queen’s official birthday is on April 21, the official celebrations are kicking off just after PG Live and will be continuing for the rest of the year. Publishers across the board have been invited to create a special card for the Queen, and it is hoped that the Queen’s 90th birthday Above: PG Live will be putting a big focus on cards to celebrate The Queen's 90th birthday. cards celebration at PG Live will also form the basis of a possible exhibition at the Houses of Parliament in June (which will be organised by the Greeting Card Association). After this, the cards will be delivered to Her Majesty at Buckingham Palace. In addition to the special signed cards, retailers and visitors to PG Live will be encouraged to write a 90th birthday card to the Queen, which will be delivered as part of the industry’s bumper birthday ‘postbag’.

A Head Start At Pulse Visitors are being encouraged to put together a shopping list before they visit Pulse, which takes place at London's Olympia from May 15-17. The new Pulse product gallery, Pulse Unseen, showcases the latest product launches from emerging designers and renowned brands. “It’s the perfect place to see new products first. Plus, buyers can also contact Pulse exhibitors throughout the year," highlights Pulse show director Louise Wallace. "There are so many cutting-edge, stand-out brands at Pulse that deciding who to see can be a daunting prospect for both new and returning visitors. Pulse Unseen helps to make this process easier as it allows buyers to regularly check who’s launching what and to get a feel for a particular brand before coming to the show." Adds Louise: "Visitors will also be able to see trend patterns appearing and make more informed purchasing decisions.” Buyers will be able to discover what the Evening Standard's design writer Katie Law is coveting this season, and to view top picks from fashion trend forecaster Claire Foster along with Elle Decoration's stylist Sania Pell’s wish-list. The show will also be revealing an exclusive edit of 140 UK and international brands that have never been seen at any other trade events. This includes new international brands in Found, emerging designers in Raw, and a collective of East London inspired fashion accessories designer in Secret Emporium. l An impressive line up of seminar speakers will be taking to the stage in ShopTalk. They include notonthehighstreet.com, Liberty, Heals, Farrow and Ball and Imperial War Museum. Visit www.pulse-london.com

HOMI Focuses On Sustainability HOMI in Milan stayed true to its ethos of looking outside the box, with 'sustainability' a buzzword. "We are continuing to present products from a different perspective, as well as to involve different channels of distribution to include e-commerce," show director Christian Preiata told PG&H's editor Sue Marks. "We also continue to focus very closely on sustainability across all materials, and various manufacturing processes. More companies are beginning to understand that the end consumer spends more time evaluating products and is willing to spend more." The strongest colour theme at the show was black and white which was evident across home accessories to fashion accessories. Housewares revealed more coloured cookware and glassware along with metallics, wood and certain plastics that had been certified as sustainable, which are starting to be a substitute for glass and ceramics. Below: Mono was a popular theme at HOMI.

Left: Among the products showcased at Pulse will be Engel's bamboo plate triangle.

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Industry News

GOTY Winners

PEOPLE

Cath Kidston Takes To The Stage There was rapturous applause for Wraptious as the company was announced as the winner of the PG&H sponsored Home Accessories category of the 2016 Gift of the Year competition. The winning product was the company's vegan suede cushions by Katherine Williams. Highly commended in the category were iBeani iPad, Tablet and eReader Tablet Bean Bag Stand (DeVancer) and Floating Cork Light (Suck UK). (See A Soft Touch on page 31). Announcing the names of the winners and highly commended companies in all Gift of the Year categories was internationally acclaimed designer Cath Kidston, the new ambassador of the Above: Cath Kidston delivered an upbeat speech at the GA's Gift of Gift of the Year Awards. the Year Awards presentations. “Tonight we are celebrating the best product that is going to the market for this season – and that product will stand out and it will have kudos and will get incredible exposure from being not just at the fair but as you go around selling it," she stated. “It’s going to be in shop windows and it’s won an award. It’s an incredible thing to have that affirmation. We designers are very insecure, but always try to do our best and make things better. But actually, there is a moment when somebody says, ‘you’ve done great, you’ve won a prize,’ and it feels really good!” “Judges have reported that this year’s standard of entries was higher than that of 2015," stated the GA's chief executive Sarah Ward. "‘Innovative’ is the word they have most frequently used to describe the shortlisted products, which is a terrific tribute to the great designers and forward thinking suppliers that have entered these products." Continued Sarah: “A significant number of them have already been earmarked for purchase by the judges, who represent multiple retailers, garden centres, mail order, online retail and independent shops and department stores. The Gift of the Year competition is so highly regarded because it is a proven way of enhancing sales.” The Awards ceremony was held on the first day of Spring Fair at the NEC.

GOTY 2016 WINNERS The Judges’ Choice: Heart Drop Guest Book Frame (Ginger Ray); Body, Bath and Spa: The Great British Bathe Off (Wild-Olive); Branded/Character: Batman Egg Cup & Toast Cutter (Paladone Products); Card and Wrap: Showtime Cards (Really Good); Commemorative and Collectable Gifts: Baby Personalised Oak Photo Keepsake Box (Treat Gifts); Eco-Friendly: Magpie The Modern Home Bamboo Trays (Cubic Products); Fashion Accessories: mycolourbands (Carrie Elspeth); Fashion Jewellery: Agate Medley Collection (Carrie Elspeth); Festive and Seasonal: Peel the Sprout Game (Talking Tables); Garden and Outdoor Living: Sophie Conran for Burgon & Ball – Seed Collections (Burgon & Ball); Gifts For Men: The Ultimate Gift For Men (Arora Design); Home Accessories: Vegan-Suede Cushions by Katherine Williams (Wraptious); Home Fragrance: Fired Earth Candle Tin in Assam and White Cedar (Wax Lyrical); Hot Novelty: Star Wars Millennium Falcon Multi Tool (Ginger Fox); Kids: Teeth-Marks (IF That Company Called); Kitchen and Dining: Microwave Popcorn Maker (Thumbs Up); Made in UK: Prosecco Candle (Vineyard Candles); Occasions: Heart Drop Guest Book Frame (Ginger Ray); Premium/Luxury: Adventurer’s Personalised Sun Dial and Compass (Treat Gifts); Stationery: Letter Writing Set (Wrendale Designs); Under £10: Glo Bottle Lamp (Dunk Trading). Left: PG&H's editor Sue Marks with Simon Wadsworth, founder of Wraptious, who is shown with the prestigious GOTY Home Accessories trophy.

A Perfect 10 Dragonfly Cards & Gifts in Knaresborough, run by mother and daughter Rita Knibbs and Rachel Barnes (right), is pulling out all the stops to celebrate the shop's 10th anniversary this year. Staff were presented with bespoke, commemorative glasses hand painted with dragonflies and the years 2006 - 2016, with Rita and Rachel currently planning 10 months of celebrations around the number 10. "There will be 10 giveaways in total to include the 10th of the month, at 10am, to the 10th customer of the day, to the 10th person to 'like' a Facebook status and so on," explains Rachel. "There'll be no doubt how many years we're celebrating!"

p Following the acquisition of Wild & Wolf by D C Thomson Consumer Products a year ago, Gavin Jones (right) has been appointed CFO and will be responsible for providing strategic and financial management, guidance and insight across Parragon and Wild & Wolf. The role starts immediately, and will enable Stewart Bailey, as COO, to fully focus on managing business operations across Parragon and Wild & Wolf. Gavin, who was previously CFO of the Royal Canin UK and Ireland pet food division of Mars Inc., will report directly to Paul Taylor. p Jen Hodges (right) has joined Wild & Wolf as UK sales manager. She previously spent 10 years with Lego as national accounts manager. p Richard Wood (right) has joined Bolsius International as sales director UK & Ireland, Bolsius UK. He will head the company's sales activity, and brings with him over 20 years experience in the gift, homeware and home fragrance markets, most recently as sales & marketing Director at Wax Lyrical. p IF (That Company Called) has expanded its sales team. Sally Fielding has been appointed sales director and is joined by Ellie Budhoo, previously at Claires Accessories, as Midlands area sales manager; Donna Newman, previously merchandising manager at IF, has been appointed as area sales manager London; Joanna Hockett, previously with History and Heraldry, is the company's new international sales manager. In addition, Sue Brayshaw joins as an agent for the North East, along with Helen Hoggard who has been appointed as the agent for Yorkshire. p Anna Borrett (right) has joined Ashleigh & Burwood as the company's new product development manager. She brings 12 years experience to the role and will now lead the Ashleigh & Burwood design team as they design and develop new products for the coming seasons. p Having been responsible for delivering the marketing content for Hale Events shows for the past six years, Cait Daniels (right) of Ginger Creations has taken on the role of the company's marketing manager.

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Industry News

London Stationery Show Take The #StationeryChallenge With the countdown to the London Stationery Show already underway, the organisers are challenging buyers not to find at least one great new product when they attend next month’s event! Dubbed #StationeryChallenge on social media, exhibition director Chris Leonard-Morgan says, “The London Stationery Show, the venue for the annual Stationery Awards, has nearly 70 new exhibitors to date who weren’t at last year’s show, as well as 80 returning ones, and two thirds of exhibitors haven’t been seen at any other UK trade show this year. We’re super confident all buyers will see new products and new suppliers when they visit. Expect the unexpected!” The exhibition is also adding #StationerySurprises and #StationerySpecials into its social media campaign as more details emerge from exhibitors about their planned product launches and special show promotions, who they hope will issue the same challenge. “We already know that well over half of our exhibitors are intending to launch new products at the show and that over 30 have special deals lined up for visitors - and that’s just the ones we know about!” says Chris. “We’ll be making sure buyers are made aware of these over the coming weeks with #LondonStationeryShow the hashtag to use." The 2016 London Stationery Show is the biggest yet, with over 300 brands and suppliers from all around the world, all in one place, showing on over 150 stands. The number of stands has doubled and the floor space trebled, since the show's launch in 2011. The London Stationery Show takes place on Tuesday April 26 – Wednesday April 27 at the Business Design Centre during National Stationery Week (April 25– May 1. Visit www.stationeryshow.co.uk and www.nationalstationeryweek.com Left: Chris Leonard-Morgan, founder and organiser of National Stationery Week and the London Stationery Show, at last year's exhibition.

NEWS IN BRIEF p Spring Fair has joined together with The Guardian to create two master classes to enable retailers to hone their in social media skills. Classes take place at The Guardian, Kings Place London on April 4 (social media) and April 11 (blogging). Email events@springfair.com p Ashleigh & Burwood recently took part in the promotion of National Fragrance Day, led by The Fragrance Foundation, to help spread the power and importance of fragrance. Visit www.scentmemories.org. p Allsorted, the distributor of gift books and stationery, is to distribute the Americanowned stationery brand Eccolo featuring design-led Italian made journals, notebooks and boxed stationery. p Moonpig recently unveiled its first exploration into stationery. Among the bouquets of flowers, chocolates and plush were notebooks from Wild & Wolf, NPW, Go Stationery, Abrams & Chronicle Books and Moleskine. p Coeur de Lion has received a prestigious design award from the German Design Council. The company's jewellery collection, VividCOEUR, was shortlisted in the Excellent Product Design category for its unique style. Above: Coeur de Lion's VividCOEUR.

2016 Stationery Awards Henri Davis, who becomes chairman of The Giftware Association later this year, is heading up an august panel of judges for the 2016 Stationery Awards. Head of buying and merchandising for Scribbler, and also an independent retail advisor, Henri will be joined by Lisa Rutherford, stationery buyer for John Lewis, Suzanne Hack, procurement and category manager at London Graphic Centre, Lucy Edmonds, owner of Quill London and Joanne Barber, owner of The Stationery & Gift Boutique in Ampthill. The judging panel will be assessing the entries based on design, packaging, functionality, value for money and saleability. The results will be announced at the end of the first day of the show with the finalists and winning products shown on a central display as visitors enter.

p Smiggle is adding to its portfolio of UK children's stationery stores this month, with a new shop at the Silverburn shopping centre in Glasgow. Since the multiple launched in the UK two years ago, it has opened 48 stores and is on course to open a further 250 over the next five years.

Right: Henri Davis will be the head judge at the 2016 Stationery Awards.

Above: Smiggle is rolling out new shops in the UK.

A Card Fit For The Queen National Stationery Week, which takes place from April 25-May1, has had a massive boost following a promotion with best selling, fortnightly consumer title Yours magazine. The publication recently launched a competition encouraging children to get creative for the Queen's 90th birthday on April 21. Winners will be selected in each of three categories - 7 and under, 8-11 and 12-15 - with each one receiving a bundle of prizes from the sponsors of National Stationery Week - BIC, Shaeffer, Maped Helix, Staedtler and Nu: Notebooks - worth over £200. The runners-up in each category will receive a sponsor’s bundle worth £25. The winning cards will be sent on to the Queen and will also be featured in Yours magazine, which goes on sale from April 12. l PoS is available free online for all retailers - independents and multiples - to download, with a massive consumer push for stationery in the run-up to the event. The pack includes shelf strips, posters, window vinyls, counter top displays. To register and become a participating retailer in National Stationery Week, contact katharine@smallmanmedia.com Visit www.nationalstationeryweek.com

p Danish homewares multiple Sostrene Green has opened its first UK store in the Intu Victoria Centre in Nottingham. p The January Furniture Show has seen record re-bookings with 85% of 2016 exhibitors already signed up for 2017. Visit www.januaryfurnitureshow.com p Coasters from Dibujo Design won the Home & Giftware category at the Best Product Awards held at Scotland's Trade Fair Spring Fair. Show attendance was up by 8.4% and exhibitors up by 15% with the new Craft Gallery a popular feature.

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Industry News

Spring Fair

Below: Richard North, ceo of Wow! Stuff, with Great British Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain, and Jen North, Richard's daughter.

Celebs Turn Out In Force Celebrating its 40th anniversary at the NEC, Spring Fair welcomed a host of celebrity names, to include Great British Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood, the show's current winner Nadiya Hussain (see That Hollywood Razzle Dazzle below and Last Word on page 85), designers Cath Kidston, Sophie Conran and Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen, as well as industry 'name' designers that included Hannah Dale founder of Wrendale Designs, and Heather Flynn, the co-creator of Happy Jackson. Fans of Nadiya flocked to the Wow! Stuff stand at the show where she signed copies of The Great British Bake Off book, while the company showcased its first range of licensed Great British Bake Off kitchen giftware which includes 'method' mugs, multi-bake timers, personalised bake tins and ceramic baking beans, all with an innovative twist. The range features popular phrases from the show to include 'soggy bottom', 'star baker', 'great bake', 'show stopper' and 'on your marks, get set'. "It was wonderful to have Nadiya on our stand to celebrate the launch of Wow! Stuff's Great British Bake Off giftware ranges," enthused ceo Richard North. "On the day, the Twittersphere was alive with so many positive comments about the brand, Nadiya and our range, so we were thrilled to bits!" He continued: "We worked closely with Love Productions, creators and owners of The Great British Bake Off, to produce a giftware range in time for the show that taps into the heart of the brand reflecting its warmth and broad appeal," said Wow! Stuff's ceo Richard North.

That Hollywood Razzle Dazzle Spring Fair saw Kitchen Craft unveil a pre-launch of an exciting new partnership with Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood, featuring a diverse collection of high quality, kitchen gift bakeware and accessories designed by the company in conjunction with Paul - aimed at the surging popularity in home baking that goes beyond cakes to include bread, pies and puddings. Products range from baking tins to a designled timer, a rolling pin and scales. "Following on from the success of Bake Off, sales of bakeware have really rocketed, so to make this collection work, I wanted it to be user friendly and quite masculine," Paul Hollywood told PG&H's editor Sue Marks. "Having worked on Bake Off for so many years, I understand what home bakers need." Paul says that a gift shop, for example, could group together the basics - the bowl, the dough cutter and the set of scales - all of which would be very gift-able either individually or as a set. "There is a massive baking fraternity and this is an aspirational, gender neutral range that sets out to ensure that people relax and enjoy baking," he highlighted. Commenting on the colour of the collection, which taps into this year's fashionable metallic trend, Paul continued: "Gold, a sort of prosecco/champagne colour, softens the aesthetic, and because of the colour, it not only makes an attractive display in store but home bakers will want to keep it out on display rather than putting it away in their kitchen cupboards." Above: PG&H's editor Sue Marks met up with the Great British Bake Off's Paul Hollywood on the Kitchen Craft stand at Spring Fair.

Mum's The Word

Below: Red Card's Mother's Day window.

Despite its earlier timing, Mother's Day was a huge success for many gift shops. "Mother's Day for us is always really, really good - up there with Christmas," commented Alison Douglas, co-owner of Daisy Chain in Histon, "and this year was better than last year. We sold giftware across the board, from fashion accessories and jewellery to toiletries and candles, with the spend slightly up." At Red Card in Petworth, owner Sally Matson did especially well with a new range of ceramics, Herdy, inspired by Herdwick sheep, as well as Katie Loxton pouches, and Powder scarves and short socks. "The only challenge was the timing," stated Sally. "We only have one area in the shop for seasons products, so having Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Easter coming one after the other in a six week period made it challenging and there was some overlap." Sally themed her window with Caroline Gardner products featuring wallets, notebooks and pencil cases, which also helped to catch the eye of passers-by. (See It Pays To Display on page 11). At The Bolthole in Rawtenstall, owner Elizabeth Taylor did well with clear, heart shaped vases, the shop's best selling Mother's Day line. "Our regular customers came in earlier and planned their purchases, but as with previous years, we had an amazing Saturday."

21st Birthday Celebrations Carte Blanche Greetings invited industry friends to celebrate Me to You’s 21st birthday at a drinks reception on its stand at the end of the first day of Spring Fair. As champagne corks popped, the company revealed totally re-launched Tatty Teddy plush and gift collections. Founder and chairman Stephen Haines, together with invitees, toasted the next 21 years with blue nose cocktails, blue themed cupcakes and a meet and greet with Tatty Teddy. Head artist Steve Mort-Hill was also on the stand to personalise artwork and showcase a Me to You original which will be given away as part of a 21st anniversary competition. This year sees the introduction of new entry price points, new packaging, super soft fur and PoS solutions for all store formats. As part of the year-long anniversary celebrations, Carte Blanche is also embarking on a 10,000 Tatty Teddy bear giveaway. A commemorative Me to You story book is also being published to mark the occasion. Above: Left to right: Brothers Paul Haines, consultant, and founder and chairman Stephen Haines with Tatty Teddy at Carte Blanche's 21st anniversary party.

Flying The Flag At Ambiente The UK is to be Ambiente's partner country in 2017. "The United Kingdom is a nation that stands not only for classic but also for eccentric and individual design," stated Detlef Braun, member of the board of management of Messe Frankfurt. Added Sir Sebastian Wood, British ambassador to Germany: "It is an excellent opportunity for British companies and designers to present both their products and the diversity, innovation and uniqueness of British design, and to establish contact with trade experts and business partners. Ambiente 2016 meanwhile, was the most international in its history, confirmed organisers Messe Frankfurt. Some 79% of exhibitors came from outside Germany – from a total of 96 nations – making the show a global hub for buyers from over 150 countries. Above: Buyers browse the Giving section at Ambiente.

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Retail Barometer 2016

Better Than Expected PG&H’s Retail Barometer is the only dedicated research into the health and wealth of the independent gift retailer sector. Now in its 11th year, the latest research findings not only confirm how gift indies fared in 2015, but what their feelings are about this year. PG&H delves deeper into this important research survey. Last year's PG&H Retail Barometer revealed that over 90% of gift independents were looking forward to 2015 - a prediction that was proved to be largely right. Compared to the previous year, 2015 was a better one for many indies, although, of course, not for all. While some retailers saw an increase in sales, others did not, and it was evident that there was genuine concern at the increases in the National Minimum Wage, and the introduction of the National Living Wage this April. Yet for the first time in many years, increased consumer confidence was tangible, with over three quarters of respondents revealing that business was better or the same than the previous year, with many shops looking to invest in sprucing up their stores in 2016. While the average spend remained on a par for roughly a third of respondents, it increased for over 50%, with improvements in the UK economy boosting business for 43%. For almost a third of respondents, it was on a par with last year, although, typically, for some, the economy was also cited as having had a detrimental effect. On the downside, the much anticipated business rates review failed to materialise. The Chancellor continued to make promises but didn't deliver. There was no promised 'structural review' in his

Autumn Budget either - postponed until the 2016 Budget on March 16 - and definitely no positive changes. In fact, without warning, the Chancellor removed the £1,500 business rate discount which, in the last year, was given to any premises with a rateable value of less than £50,000. Not surprisingly, some 67% of indies cited business rates as having a detrimental effect on their business. Unsurprisingly, supermarkets and garden centres were all viewed as a continuing threat, with Amazon first in the firing line for taking business away from the high street. However, it seems that more gift independents are fighting back with websites of their own, but the underlying message is clear. The internet per se remains the major competitor, along with suppliers selling direct to consumers. Meanwhile, on a positive note, encouragingly, 86% of respondents are expecting to grow their businesses in 2016, with 14% of those polled planning on opening a new shop, an increase on last year’s Barometer findings. Plus, greeting cards are continuing to make the tills jingle, with 61% reporting increased sales, once again putting them in pole position. So what else did PG&H's latest Retail Barometer reveal?

Average Spend Per Customer Declined significantly 3%

Increased significantly 10%

Declined 16%

Increased slightly 41%

Remained the same 30%

How Did Your Business Fare Over The Last Year? PG&H looks back at seven years of Retail Barometer data 2015 v Better Same Worse

2014 50% 27% 23%

2014 v Better Same Worse

2013 53% 24% 23%

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2013 v Better Same Worse

2012 46% 26% 28%

2012 v Better Same Worse

2011 31% 29% 40%

2011 v Better Same Worse

2010 11% 21% 44%

2010 v Better Same Worse

2009 42% 9% 49%

2009 v Better Same Worse

2008 50% 23% 27%

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Retail Barometer 2016

What effect did the general state of the UK economy have on gift sales in your shop over the last year? Increased significantly 10%

Increased slightly

33%

Remained the same

27%

Declined

26%

Declined significantly

Positive Thinking Diversification had the biggest positive impact on gift indies last year, with over half of respondents confirming it was the main factor in boosting business, with personalised gifts a big driver for many stores. Social media too, was instrumental in connecting retailers with their customers, with 47% citing it as an increasingly important tool to generate enthusiasm. Not surprisingly, staff remained the most important business asset, reflected by a jump of six places, with an increase in new customers making 2015 a more positive year for independents.

What main factors had a positive effect on your business in the last year? (Last year's figures shown in brackets)

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th

Diversification (4th) Social media (3rd) Staff (9th) Upsurge of new customers (8th) Promotional activity (6th) Local competition closing down (2nd) Shopfit (5th) Online/website (1st) Expansion into greeting cards (7th) Small Business Saturday (-)

On The Downside It seems that charity shops, once one of the most painful thorns in the flesh for gift shop owners, are not quite the bugbear they once were although charity shops selling new product naturally remain a threat. Only 16% of respondents said they had a detrimental effect on their business this year, compared to a whopping 67% who cited rent reviews as their biggest concern. The UK economy too, was seen as having a detrimental last year, along with parking issues which continue to impact on a lack of footfall.

What main factors had a detrimental effect on your business in 2015? Rent reviews The UK retail economy Parking issues The National Minimum Wage/National Living Wage Expansion of gift and home products in supermarkets Competitive websites Competition from multiples Expansion of discount/deep value retailers Charity shops selling gifts

67% 58% 38% 37% 36% 33% 29% 29% 16%

Investing In Growth Thanks to a stronger economy in 2015, gift retailers focused on sprucing up their shops, with partial refits and new shop units leading the way. Almost three quarters of respondents (74%) confirmed that they would be making improvements to their retail outlet this year, perhaps indicating that there is a bit more cash to spare. 1st Partial refit 2nd New shop units 3rd Website 4th Computer equipment 5th EPOS equipment

Going For Promotion With independent gift retailers continuing to be savvy marketeers, money off/discount promotions were again way out in front as being the most popular marketing mechanism for over half of respondents. Press advertising was the choice for around 40% of indies, on a par with previous years. Loyalty cards remained in third place, while collaborating with other local retail businesses and free gift promotions both leapt up three places. (Last year's chart position is in brackets)

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th= 5th= 5th= 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th

In store money off/discount promotions (1st) Press advertising (2nd) Loyalty cards (3rd) Collaboration with other local retail businesses (6th) Customer evenings (4th) Leaflets (7th=) Charity fundraising (7th=) Free gift promotions (9th) Gift voucher schemes (8th) BOGOF (or similar) (5th) Radio advertising (10th) TV advertising (-)

What are your business expectations for your business in 2016? Despite the ups and downs of owning a retail outlet in today's challenging environment, gift independents are definitely feeling confident about the year ahead. Some 59% said they felt that their business would see marginal or significant growth, with over a quarter believing it would remain the same. Only 15% of those polled believed their business would decline this year.

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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Retail Barometer 2016

Major decline 2% Slight decline 12%

Pension Scheme

Significant growth 8%

New government rulings state that all employers must, by law, now offer a workplace pension scheme, and while 44% of respondents seemed unconcerned about this additional responsibility/costs, over half see it as making an impact this year. Will use it to motivate staff 5%

Remain about the same 27%

Major negative effect 16%

Marginal growth 51% No effect anticipated 44%

Wage Increases

Slight negative effect 35%

With the increased National Minimum Wage/National Living Wage coming into force in April, over half (52%) confirmed that they expected it to have an impact on their business in the coming year, but some indies plan to use it as a motivator. Will use it motivate staff 12%

Staff Of Life Major negative effect 21%

Only 11% of respondents are planning on recruiting new staff this year, with the majority (71%) confirming that they were happy with the current levels. Just 16% admitted that they were looking to reduce their staff.

Diversification No effect anticipated 36% Slight negative effect 31%

Impulse items moved up four places to top the charts this year as the product sector that independents will be focusing on. Jewellery and home accessories were in second and third place respectively. Seven new product sectors, to include chocolate/confectionery, collectables, partyware, crafting products, fashion, children's non-toy products and tableware - made their debut in the Top 10 this year.

Product Matters How did the following sectors fare in 2015 compared to 2014? (Last year’s figures have been shown in brackets))

Category

Increased

Stable

Decreased

Bath and body Children’s clothing/accessories Collectables Confectionery/edible gifts Craft products Decorative home accessories Fashion accessories (eg scarves, belts etc) Furniture Garden gifts Gift stationery/journals Greeting cards Giftwrap Home fragrancing Handbags Impulse items Jewellery Plush Seasonal gifts Tableware/kitchen gifts Toys & games Women’s fashions

37% 14% 16% 31% 31% 45% 55% 27% 12% 32% 61% 39% 49% 30% 45% 47% 22% 30% 19% 26% 26%

35% 50% 35% 54% 51% 41% 30% 59% 70% 54% 32% 46% 36% 41% 42% 31% 48% 47% 50% 54% 52%

27% 36% 49% 15% 17% 14% 15% 14% 17% 14% 7% 15% 15% 29% 13% 21% 29% 23% 30% 20% 22%

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

(32%) (10%) (3%) (30%) (17%) (42%) (66%) (19%) (0%) (32%) (66%) (36%) (49%) (44%) (34%) (46%) (16%) (21%) (24%) (26%) (40%)

(49%) (62%) (45%) (61%) (70%) (44%) (24%) (57%) (68%) (49%) (26%) (48%) (29%) (41%) (52%) (31%) (54%) (51%) (48%) (53%) (36%)

(19%) (29%) (51%) (9%) (13%) (15%) (10%) (24%) (32%) (32%) (7%) (16%) (22%) (25%) (14%) (17%) (30%) (28%) (27%) (20%) (24%)

Above: Among the latest Caroline Gardner greeting card designs.

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Retail Barometer 2016

Which product areas would you like to further diversify into? (Last year's figures are shown in brackets)

1st 2nd 3rd 4th= 4th= 5th 6th 7th 8th= 8th= 8th= 9th= 9th= 10th= 10th=

Impulse items (5th) Jewellery (1st) Home accessories (4th) Fashion accessories (3rd) Greeting cards (2nd=) Handbags (2nd=) Chocolate/confectionery (-) Stationery (7th) Toys (6th) Collectables (-) Partyware (-) Crafting products (-) Fashion (-) Children's non-toy products (-) Tableware (-)

"Our sector is highly competitive, but a positive attitude and willingness to make changes when necessary will encourages business."

Community Spirit Which local organisations were you involved with last year? Chamber of Commerce 35% Federation of Small Businesses 26% Town Centre Retailing Group 55% Schools 30% Charities 42%

Facebook Friendly Some 86% of respondents confirmed that they actively use social media to promote their shops. In addition to Facebook and Twitter, respondents also regularly used Instagram and Pinterest.

Left: Equilibrium from Joe Davies. Below: Lily Flame's Fairy Dust fragrance continues to be a winner.

Facebook 96%

Best Sellers Best selling products for gift indies in 2015 went across the board, with candles, jewellery, scarves, sentiment products, photo frames and mugs all getting the most votes. Topping the suppliers charts were (in alphabetical order) Lily Flame; Jellycat; Joe Davies; Joma; Widdop Bingham, Xystos and Yankee Candle.

Twitter 58%

Linkedin 7%

Cashing In Despite a healthier economy, almost two thirds of respondents confirmed that the majority of their customers are continuing to pay with cash or with a debit card.

'Hero' Products When it came to the one product that gift shops couldn't live without, the three winners were, in alphabetical order, Jellycat plush, Joma jewellery and WoodWick candles from Xystos. Left: Woodwick, distributed by Xystos, is making the tills jingle.

"I wish there could be a group buying system for small independent retailers in the gift trade."

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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Retail Barometer 2016

Made In Britain More and more gift retailers are continuing to source products that have been Made in Britain, especially those that have been designed and manufactured locally, with 87% regarding it as an important or a slightly important 'decider'.

Supermarket Challenge How do you view the supermarkets expansion on the gift and home front? Serious threat 22%

Not important 12%

Very important 41%

Threat 61%

Neutral 16% Slightly important 46%

Bonus 1%

Making An Exhibition Of Themselves Gift independents are continuing to rely on the major trade shows to source products, with 89% of respondents attending shows in 2015. 1st Exhibitions 2nd Visit from an agent/rep 3rd Reading PG&H 4th Looking at other shops 5th Sourcing from the internet 6th Feedback from customers 7th Word of mouth

How Does Your Garden Centre Grow? How do you view garden centre growth in the gift and home sector? Serious threat 20%

Threat 50%

Sourcing New Suppliers In general, respondents seemed happy with the suppliers they are using, with just over a quarter of respondents looking to find new companies in 2016. Some 85% concurred that there were happy with the service they were receiving which had either stayed the same or improved slightly. Increase in the number of suppliers 27%

Neutral 27%

Bonus 3%

Online Operators Amazon and online companies per se were cited by 87% of indie respondents as a threat or serious threat to their business, in line with previous years.

How do you view online operators in the gift and home sector (eg Amazon?)

Remained about the same 59% Below: Online operators such as Amazon are seen as a serious threat.

Decrease in the number of suppliers 14% Serious threat 47%

Threat 40%

Neutral 12%

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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Retail Barometer 2016

Direct Selling In line with last year's Retail Barometer, some 90% of respondents continue to be upset by gift and home suppliers selling direct.

How do you view gift and home suppliers selling online direct to the public? Neutral 10%

Serious threat 43%

Threat 47%

The Internet Rules The gap is closing between transactional and non-transactional websites. While the number of gift shops with websites remains similar to last year - around two thirds - over half of respondents now have a transactional website as opposed to just a home page. Over half of respondents are planning to develop their websites in the coming year, with a quarter planning to create a website in 2016. For those shops with websites, two thirds of respondents confirmed that having a website helps to bring the vast majority of customers (90%) into their shops.

Looking Ahead How do you view the future of independent gift shops in the next 3-5 years? Very weak 9%

Very positive 5%

Weak 22%

Positive 44%

Neutral 19%

"We need to have a national accreditation for retail staff."

Magic Wand Time How could life as an independent gift retailer be improved? We'd all like a magic wand to make good things 'happen', but what would gift independents wish for? Sort out business rates to make it a fairer playing field versus online trading; give town centre shops free business rates and charge edge of town shops more; ask suppliers to give exclusivity; remove competition from supplier websites; ban charity shops from the high street; remove Amazon; give us more male, design-led products; let there be fewer products but better quality; shut down discount stores; reduce minimum orders; bring carriage paid orders down; increase footfall in town centres; offer free parking for shoppers; push more retailers to sell Made in Britain products; ban reps who cold call.

Personality Speaking The Queen and Mary Portas tied for first place as the females that gift retailers would most like to walk through their doors. On the male front, the clear winner was Prince William. Although most gift retailers agreed that everyone was welcome, politicians on both sides of the Atlantic - to include David Cameron, George Osborne, Jeremy Corbyn, Nicola Sturgeon, Nigel Farage and the Blairs, as well as Donald Trump and Sarah Palin - all received short shrift. TV presenter and journalist Piers Morgan was a close runner up, as was Keith Lemon. Also guaranteed to be shown the door was Katie Hopkins in first place, followed by Katie Price. Above and above left: Popular customers would be The Queen and Prince William. Below: Katie Hopkins was front runner for the least welcome female customer, with Piers Morgan (left) topping the male charts.

Wordly Wise Asked to sum up the gift industry in a single word, 'challenging', 'competitive' and 'struggling' were offset with 'exciting', 'interesting', 'enjoyable' and 'vibrant', all representing the most popular words used by respondents.

"We need to stop the use of iPads for reps as it takes away both credit and quality control."

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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A Global Perspective

Food For Thought With more and more lifestyle retailers adding food gifts to their product offering, high-end gourmet food gifts seem to be a hot product sector at trade fairs this year, where they were spotted at Top Drawer in London, HOMI in Milan and Ambiente in Frankfurt. Not surprisingly, PG&H worked up quite an appetite at the early Spring shows, sampling everything from premium pink gin at Top Drawer, to olive oils and balsamic vinegars at HOMI, and handmade chocolates and speciality loose leaf fruit teas at Ambiente. HOMI, Milan

Ambiente, Frankfurt

HOMI Food was trialled for the first time at the Milan show in January, with luxury, eyecatching packaging making basic supermarket shelf items very gift-able. "Going forward, it's a section of the show that we will definitely be expanding," confirmed show director Christian Preiata. "Food is part of our Italian heritage, with gourmet foods such as oils, vinegars, jams, chocolates, and speciality teas and coffees increasingly presented as gifts. After all, food, together with kitchen and tableware - and fragrance too - are all 'emotional' products and fit together very well." Gift ideas ranged from raw materials such as extra virgin olive oil and its many flavours and fragrances, to gift-able upmarket bottles of tomatoes and vegetables. Chocolates and confectionery too, were showcased in eye-catching boxes, many featuring floral and vegetable themes.

As always, Ambiente in Frankfurt set out to be ahead of the trends, with a selection of exhibitors showcasing foodie products at the stylish Gourmet Shop in the Dining sector. "Passion can be given as a gift â&#x20AC;&#x201C; symbolically, of course," explained Ambiente's director for Dining Thomas Kastl, "and the more individual the better. It's why culinary treats continue to be very popular, especially those that are likely to be rare in everyday life, such as highgrade oil, fine pesto, sauces, dips and chocolate creations." He says that, for the consumer, top quality ingredients, appealing presentation and unusual taste combinations are not only a topic of conversation, but also create new sensory stimuli. "Creations such as hazelnut mustard or strawberry liqueur on grappa have this potential," he points out, "with cold-brew coffee a current trend in the USA." Among the exhibitors at the show was IMV, where international marketing director Celine Schmahl confirmed that the company is seeing an increase in retailers wanting to add high end confectionery products into the mix, often at the check-out. "The fact that they display well adds to the impact at Above right: As well as oils and vinegars, Gourmet Berner also point of sale," she commented. sells a wide selection of loose Elsewhere, companies confirmed that leaf fruit teas - a big focus at Ambiente - rissotto rice, pasta there is currently a trend for cross-selling and wines. in Europe, with everyone from Above: Gift boxed chocolate, hairdressers to lifestyle shops looking for complete with a chocolate hammer, from Le Comptoir food gift add-ons to help them diversify de Mathilde. and attract a new customer base.

Top right: Extra virgin olive oils from De Molfetta are presented in handmade terracotta pots which are then boxed, ready to give as a gift. Above: I. Contandini's fresh, natural products include tomatoes and other vegetables such as artichokes.

Top Drawer, London The Food Emporium at Top Drawer, London, showcased the top artisans, producers and brands across gifts and seasonal products, drinks and confectionery, bread and baked goods as well as oils and condiments. Among the most popular products was award winning Pinkster premium gin, made from hand-steeped fresh raspberries and juniper, reflecting Spring/Summer's top colour trend, blush pink. Left: Pinkster Gin was among the leading food and drink exhibitors at Top Drawer's Food Emporium.

Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

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Gift of the Year 2016

A Soft Touch A last minute entry into this year's Gift of the Year competition turned out to be a fortuitous decision for Wraptious. The company's Splatter vegan suede cushions, designed by artist Katherine Williams, scooped the top prize in the Gift of the Year's prestigious Home Accessories category, which is sponsored annually by Progressive Home & Gifts. Wraptious' founder Simon Wadsworth explains the concept behind the award winning product. Four years ago, Simon Wadsworth left his job as a graphic designer and backed an artistic hunch to start his own company in Manchester, originally producing giftwrap. Greetings cards, prints, coasters, mugs and T-shirts followed, with a range of cushions launched last summer. "The concept of the company is to support emerging artists - currently we have 30 - and the response to our award winning Splatter cushions range has been phenomenal," Simon enthuses. "It's inherently difficult for anyone creative to make a name for themselves, so what I wanted to do was create a platform that allows artists to showcase and sell their work and for customers to enjoy it." Everything the company produces is handmade in the UK, and it was therefore very important that the cushions were ethical. "We selected our manufacturer very carefully - they're a family run business in Cumbria - and the result is cushions that are super-soft, velvety, vegan suede - the way we think a cushion should feel." In fact, the award winning Splatter range, which originally started out as

greeting cards, was created by new graduate - and Wraptious competition winner - Katherine Williams. She used pastels and inks - although the vibrancy of the artwork looks as though it was painted directly onto the cushions. "We run competitions twice a year, and ask artists to share three pieces of work with us via our retail website and social media," explains Simon. People are asked to vote, and subsequently we

compile a short list and then ask the industry to judge it. It's a risk because we don't choose the winners ourselves," Simon admits. "However, Katherine actually won the competition before she graduated from Sunderland University, and in just a few short months has gone on to become our best selling artist. In fact, with her success in mind, our next competition in April is going to be a cushion competition!"

Highly Commended Runners up in the Home Accessories category this year were De Vancer and Suck UK who were both highly commended. DeVancer's iBeani iPad tablet and eReader tablet bean bag stand sets out to combat aches and pains from prolonged tablet use, while Suck UK's Floating Cork Light turns a favourite glass into a lamp through filling it with water and floating the cork inside. Right: The iBeani from De Vancer. Left: Suck UK's Floating Cork Light.

Top: Wraptious founder Simon Wadsworth, and artist Katherine Williams, are shown at the GOTY awards ceremony with Cath Kidston (back row), and PG&H's Sue Marks (front). Right: The Wraptious Splatter range award winning vegan suede cushions, by Katherine Williams, are super soft to the touch and manufactured in the UK. Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

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Spotlight On... Gifts For Gardeners

Digging Deep For The

Green Fingered With so many avid gardeners in the UK, and a growing trend to become selfsufficient and organic, gift suppliers have naturally dug deep to create ever innovative giftware collections that tap into everything from mugs and tableware to home and outdoor fragrancing products. With summer on its way, and dining al fresco de rigeur, PG&H went for a stroll around the garden sector to see what's sprouting. If there's one hobby we Brits love, it has to be gardening, with the benefits of relaxation and being outdoors added bonuses to beautiful borders, 'grow your own' vegetable patches and trendy allotments. With winter behind us, and warmer, sunnier months on their way, garden gift suppliers are making the most of the next six months, which is being reflected in a myriad of products that would make ideal gifts for the green fingered. "Gardening gifts clearly have to be practical and serve their purpose," says Alice Hughes, marketing and PR assistant at Wild & Wolf. "However, nowadays, the gardening gifts market place is so big that a product has to stand out. We believe that brand reputation, pattern and quality all make a winning item. For example, our V&A and Orla Kiely licences are collections we are really proud of, with respectable names known for high quality and knowledge on gardening products. The colourful floral patterns and recognisable designs - all V&A and Orla Kiely designs flow with consistency each season, and are

instantly recognisable as individual brands - also help with gardening gifts, as people are likely to choose an attractive product that stands out." Rod O'Mahony, md of Transomnia, says that there has undoubtedly been a big growth in the popularity of gardening in recent years, especially among younger adults who traditionally have not been associated with the pastime. "A survey of 25 to 35-year-olds in 2014 claimed it had become more popular among this age group than going to the cinema!" he reveals.

Left: Wild & Wolf's V&A fork and trowel set in Kilburn Blue. Below: Garden giftware from Transomnia.

Rod adds that, with gardening itself becoming a more popular hobby, it's no surprise that gardening-related gifts are trending. "There are two broad categories, practical and functional items, usually with a twist to make them more attractive as gift purchases, and decorative items which employ garden and gardening related themes. The humorous and sentimental signs, which have been such a staple of the giftware market in recent years, lend themselves very well to this trend. One of our best-selling signs says: 'To you it may only be a shed, but to me it's a sanctuary'. The idea of the garden shed as a welcome retreat from the cares of the world particularly for male gardeners - inspires many signs and other gifts. Botanical and nature-themed products extend the trend further," adds Rod. "Although not necessarily explicitly garden-related, they help to bring the outdoors inside and break down the division between house and garden." Piers Croke, sales director at Gisela Graham, says that the watchword phrase for success is 'pretty utility': things that are useful to the gardener, but attractive and different enough to be given as gifts, such as tool bags, kneeling pads and gloves. "But more decorative items, such as hanging discs, go well too," confirms Piers. "And thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a big market out there reflected by the attendance at shows such as Hampton Court and the TV gardening Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

37-38-39_New Grid 16/03/2016 14:46 Page 38

Spotlight On... Gifts For Gardeners

Home Extension

programmes," he points out. "Even for people whose 'garden' is a few pots in the back yard, so lots of our gift shop customers find it’s worth putting in a small gardening section." At Puckator, exhibitions and PR coordinator Mary Overmeer says that with the move towards organic and grow-your-own produce increasingly popular, the company is currently seeing a surge in interest for gifts for gardeners. "Customers are looking for fun designs with catchy slogans and attractive packaging, so we’ve kept earthy tones and muted colours in mind when designing our new garden themed mugs in gift boxes." Heathcote & Ivory has also introduced a new design to its Gardeners Collection for summer, inspired by the British hedgerow. It features hedgehogs, birds and mice alongside typically English fruits and British wildflowers. "Focusing on the practical side of gardening, the new Above left: Gisela Graham's Summer Garden range. Below: Puckator's garden-themed gift mugs features garden shaped handles and tin mugs.

Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

While some people want to bring the garden in, others are looking forward to using the garden as an extra room this summer. "At Bolsius, we are anticipating a growing trend of home extension that flows into the outdoors and garden," confirms international sales manager Alain Grillo. "The increasing demand for outdoor dining and lounging has developed in seasonal décor and we have developed a strong, elegant range of candle holders to support not only the product safely, but to add to the ambience of the setting. Our Citronella range is a perfect example of how we can take a classic concept and twist the design to deliver a really exciting new look of bright colours and subtle fragrances while maintaining the core purpose for citronella in the garden. For the future home extension trend, we see larger stand alone items having a greater impact within the overall garden gift and candle category." Looking to floral fragrances, Ashleigh & Burwood's marketing manager Deborah Bettinson highlights that with seasonal fragrance trends and the specific desires of garden lovers in mind, the company has introduced two new floral reed diffusers and refills to its The Scented Home collection - Peony and Bluebell Wood. "Packaging is so important as it’s very often the starting point for interest in one product over another," comments Deborah. Above: Citronella Garden from Bolsius. Left: Ashleigh & Burwood's Peony reed diffuser features pale pink blooms that reflect Pantone's colour of the year.

Left: The Gardeners Collection from Heathcote & Ivory, Right: Widdop and Co's Yorkshire glass dispenser, with an infuser. Below right: Among Lesser & Pavey's new range of candle holders is a Van Gogh Sunflowers scented candle.

Heathcote & Ivory products are suitable for storing seeds, plant markers or other small garden treasures after the contents have been enjoyed," explains the company's marketing, PR and business development manager Amanda Pullen. Sue Grant, marketing manager at Widdop and Co highlights that gifts for gardeners are increasingly crossing over into lifestyle products. "With the garden seen as an extra room for dining and outdoor entertaining, so gifts to enhance the outdoor experience are proving popular. Many of the finishes used on gardening products are inspired by the outdoors and include wood, stone and rattan," she explains. "Lovely sentimental plaques with garden-style sayings are popular pick up lines and packaging for gifts for gardeners reflect the gift itself with kraft style packaging a firm favourite."

Lesser & Pavey has produced some stunning large glass lanterns to hang outside so that candle light can give the garden a warm glow during the early summer evenings. "We also have a new range of candle holders that protect the candle flame from the wind blowing it out as well as presenting an attractive, sweet smelling centre piece for alfresco dining," comments md Julian Hunt. "Garden themed products definitely have a season," points out Lisa Marcuccio, sales manager at Really Good/Soul. "They tie in with summer and the planting months, which usually span March to September. Our

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Spotlight On... Gifts For Gardeners collection of Bright Side accessories has been designed to keep gardeners going. For those who like to use their time in their gardens and allotments to switch off and destress, we've included a tin for cakes, a tray, a mug and a flask." From little acorns, big oaks grow, and with such a wide range of diverse garden giftware to choose from, could a 'gardener's corner' in store set the tills ringing this summer? Above: Guaranteed to keep gardeners in a good mood, a flask from Really Good's Bright Side range. Below: A handy storage bag for gardeners from Briers featuring William Morris' distinctive Strawberry Thief design.

A Force To Be Reckoned With Poundland has signed up the former host of Ground Force, Charlie Dimmock, as the face of its new value gardening range. The new line - In the garden with Charlie Dimmock - features 120 products ready for the Spring/Summer to include garden ornaments. Below: Charlie Dimmock.

Bringing The Outdoors In With only a few short summer months to enjoy, many people are delighted to bring the outside in. "Indoor gardens have increased in popularity, and hanging pots and plants have made a comeback," says Mike Burgess, md of Parlane International. "Our macramé pot holder is a real blast from the past. To help create a stylish indoor garden we’ve also introduced up-to-the-minute hanging terrariums and glass spheres which create the perfect atmosphere for air plants." Succulents are also a key feature of Parlane's indoor garden. "Ours are, of course, faux but do come with a guarantee to last forever!" quips Mike. "Cement is currently very on trend and we have used it to create plant pots, wall art and signage." Mike says that the company's best selling item by far in its Potting Shed range of animal pot hangers. "We currently have a squirrel, dog, cat, mouse and rabbit and these make the perfect gift for the gardener who has everything. It’s a great pick-up item and makes a thoughtful but inexpensive gift, with customers tempted to purchase all five designs." RJB Stone/Sass & Belle is also focusing on bringing the outdoors in, celebrating the uncultivated beauty of nature which is evoked in the company's most recent collections. "The Wildflower collection celebrates the individual blossom, preserving the essence of simplicity and the fragile nature of plants," explains Coralie Vieira, marketing & online trading manager. "Using botanical illustrations and a Spring-inspired palette, it transports the idyllic garden onto design-led homeware." Items include Mason jar vases, industrial look photo frames and cushions. Botanical pieces continue to be a focus for Stoneglow. "Large size gel inclusion candles, made with our unique natural wax blend, are a real show stopper, and are perfect for all garden lovers featuring real botanical items, some sourced from exotic locations and others locally grown," highlights Hazel Simmons, head of design and product development."Each piece is carefully positioned to create stunning designs and contains a high fragrance natural wax inner to be burnt. The candles have been designed to complement our popular Nature's Gift reed diffusers." Top right: Parlane International's best selling animal pot hangers. Above: RJB Stone/Sass & Belle's Wildflower collection. Right: Stoneglow's botanical gel candles.

What Gets People Gardening? ● Under-35s made up a significant number of the participants in a recent poll of 1000 people,

suggesting that more young people are gardening than middle-aged or retired people. ● The most popular reasons for gardening within the age group were relaxation, maintenance and

growing their own produce. ● Time spent gardening varied greatly, with around 27.3% gardening for under an hour a week and

36.1% gardening for over three hours a week. (Source: Lawnmowers Direct)

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

Metallic Wind Spinners Iconic British Gardening Briers proudly launches its largest ever garden gifting collection in the famously iconic William Morris Strawberry Thief pattern. Working in close partnership with the William Morris Gallery has ensured that the Briers design is true to the original pattern. It offers 18 gorgeous products including all-over-print hand tools; fullcolour gift-boxed tools; gloves; extralarge kneeler cushions; bags; fabricfeel rubber boots; pots; mugs and more... Every item is finished with artful labelling in keeping with the period. Prices from only £5.99 to £34.99. Briers Tel: 01963 279077 Email: sales@briersltd.co.uk www.briersltd.co.uk

These stunning wind spinners from Joe Davies are carefully designed to catch the breeze. Made from high grade stainless steel and powder coated, they will not rust in the garden. Two sizes, 6” and 12”, are available in a variety of designs. Levitating ball spirals can be added for customisation. Small revolving motors are available to bring their visual impact indoors. They are available individually or as a starter pack. For further information on these and Joe Davies 8500+ gifts, please contact us. Joe Davies Tel: 0161 975 6300 Email sales@joedavies.co.uk www.joedavies.co.uk

Amazing Antiseptic Ointment Perfect for gardeners and proving popular with garden centres is the Amazing Zam-Buk traditional antiseptic ointment, distributed by Joe Davies in partnership with Rose & Co. , which comes packaged in a tin based on the original Victorian design. A great repeat purchase gift too, all supplied in an eye catching counter unit. As with Joe Davies’ entire collection of 8,500 lines Zam-Buk is available using their trademark Little & Often order system, £100 minimum order and free delivery. Joe Davies Tel: 0161 975 6300 Email sales@joedavies.co.uk www.joedavies.co.uk

One Stop Warehouse Rustic woodland garden patio sets composite stone five piece sets plus bowls of fruit in an antique green finish. We also stock a variety of composite stone garden benches in assorted styles. As well as composite stone garden furniture we have a choice available of two styles of teak garden benches plus traditional rustic styled pine benches with matching pine chairs. In addition to our garden furniture range we also stock a large selection of decorative and useful garden items including birdbaths, urns, statues, fountains and much, much more. Dealers Ltd Tel: 01743 761241 Email: dealers@dealers-uk.com www.dealers-uk.com

Baroque Storage Crates

Ceramic Bird Feeder

Each piece of T&G’s Baroque rustic acacia collection is completely unique varying widely in its appearance, making every one unique. Within the range there are a selection of kitchen accessories and storage items including rustic boards. New for spring 2016 are the featured new medium and large display racks for use with a selection of T&G crates for storing garden treats. The collection of popular vintage crates are perfect for keeping freshly grown and harvested produce tidy! For more information please contact the sales office. T&G Woodware Tel: +44 (0)1275 841841 Email: enquiries@tg-woodware.com www.tg-woodware.com

The delightful Swing Time bird feeder by Fred evokes happy memories of childhood fun, Swing Time looks so realistically like a black rubber tyre it’s hard to believe that it is made from durable ceramic. It comes complete with hanging rope and is packaged in a full colour gift box making it an ideal present for gardeners and bird lovers. Contact Fred at Kitchen Craft. Kitchen Craft Tel: +44 (0) 121 604 1111 Email: sales@kitchencraft.co.uk www.kitchencraft.co.uk/fred

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

OFF TO A FLYER We really feel like we got out of the blocks on the ‘B’ of ‘BANG!’ this year with so many of our new products acclaimed by the UK Giftware Association in the ‘Gift of the Year’ awards.

2016 GOTY WINNER

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2016 WINNER Teethmarks Bookmarks

2016 HIGHLY COMMENDED The Base Camp Reading Lamp

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+44 (0) 1751 47 57 57 info@thatcompanycalledif.com

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In Profile: IF (That Company Called)

Intelligent Thinking What connects a flat-packed, cardboard Bertie the biplane with multi-award winning, book, reading related and novelty accessories that are sold from Plymouth to Papua New Guinea? The answer is the very creatively minded entrepreneur John Calvert, founder and md of IF (That Company Called). PG&H visited the company's new, £500,000 state-ofthe-art R&D studios in York to take a peek at the next chapter for this constantly evolving company that started out with the humble bookmark 20 years ago, and now turns over £7m a year. The story of how IF came into being is a real page turner. (And if you're wondering why the company is called IF (That Company Called) you'll have to read on!). To start on the first page, its concept was to produce the very smallest product possible for the retail trade that would generate as much profit as possible per square ft for retailers. "The idea came from feedback I received from buyers at two major retail multiples," explains founder John Calvert, who left his (public) school at 16 without a single academic qualification, but somehow managed to combine his mother's creativity and his father's structure and discipline. "I went into toy and gift sales at an early age, but quickly got bored and subsequently

went into business with a couple of friends to make wearable biplanes and horses, diecut out of cardboard," he explains nonchalantly. "We wanted to step outside of the huge amount of product that was being imported from China and manufacture our products in the UK. They were based around the theory that children prefer playing with the cardboard box rather the toy inside. However, two multiple retail buyers pointed out that not only was cardboard available for free at the back of a Tesco store, but that the products were too large and were not producing enough profitability per square foot to make them viable." John took the life changing advice on board, and as business cards - the tiniest

product he could think of - was a saturated market, his next thought was bookmarks. They featured die-cut pigs, sheep and cows alongside cats, dogs and frogs - characters he had already created - and suddenly, all the major booksellers, including Waterstones, WHSmith and Borders, began to sit up and take notice. "The bookmarks enabled us to use our die-cutting, paper engineering and print skills which still run throughout business today and have become a common denominator," he highlights. Following on from IF's success in the UK, the company broadened its reach internationally, with Barnes and Noble, one of America's largest booksellers becoming a customer. (The retailer has continued to

Above: John Calvert, md of IF, is shown receiving the company's Gift of the Year award for it's Teeth-Marks bookmarks, which won the Kids category. John is shown with GA chairman Michael Papé, and designer Cath Kidston. Inset: IF's new studio in York which houses 12 designers.

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In Profile: IF (That Company Called) sell IF's Really Tiny Book Light for the past 12 years). In fact, book stores were very receptive to IF's products, with their audience aligned to IF's own love of books. Shops felt the company empathised with their customers. "We therefore started to develop a range of products that appealed to book lovers, catching a gear with booksellers not just in the UK but all over the world. As the products became more book and reading related, we discovered that department stores and gift retailers too, have a similarly large book loving audience. Whether it's a department store in Singapore, a posh shop in London or a volume newspaper retailer in California, book lovers love book lovers’ products. Despite living in a digital age, reading continues to be popular be it a book or a bus timetable." John says it's why the company's development of reading related - and not just book related products - has seen an expansion of its practical optical lines that include dictionaries and spectacles. "We've spilled over into giftware and toys too, but we continue to develop our products along a theme - intelligent products for intelligent people. We started IF with a passion, and what continues to inspire us is not only to

embrace design, but an innate desire to create original products for people to enjoy that they haven't yet seen. It makes us a different species in the gift trade, although if we do happen to catch a gear with something, we inevitably see a surge in turnover," continues John. "But we don't follow trends in the knee jerk way that suppliers in fashion and gifts do. We have waves of being fashionable and waves of people raising an eyebrow. But to us, there is nothing more depressing than being given someone else's product and being asked why we don't do something similar." He says the company prefers to plough its own path, working from the ground up, investing in design as a sign of intent. "With

Above: The Base Camp reading lamp. Right: Creative, stand-out packaging is a major driver for the company. Below: The Brilliant Reading Rest.

our new York studio in place, we will be expanding into more practical optical and 3D products, as well as injection moulding and electronics, with our design team, headed by creative director Phil Jarvis, always looking for a witty angle. We never create products purely from the wit side, but we do like to soften the edges by presenting them in a way that is more exciting and interesting." Products can take between six months to three years from their inception to their completion, with the most important criteria being that they are well designed, well produced and something that will stay on the shelves for at least five years. "In fact, there is one product that has stayed on a certain UK PLC company's shelves for seven years," confirms John. "Creating product that lasts is something that we are very proud of, and they're designed for everyone from 8 to 80, male or female. They also have global appeal with no language barrier, and when we achieve all those criteria, we naturally feel very proud." He is a firm believer that people like to give witty gifts that project their own

intelligence. "If one of our product is well received then the recipient is likely to go and buy it for someone else as a gift," he states, particularly when it comes to mums in the 30-40 age group looking for a gift for around £10. "As a generation we are more recreationally focused and we therefore like producing products that give people a buzz. Finding new retail paths and customers has tended to be serendipitous which is always a great way to do business, and we still get an enormous thrill seeing our products at the tills in book shops and airports around the world. It's not so much about the bottom line as about creating things in our studio that people like." He feels the fact the company has stuck to its guns in terms of product authenticity has been a driver in its success over the past two decades. "For us, it's not about fads and fashion." With the recent appointment of Sally Fielding as sales director, there has also been a big investment in the company's sales force this year with a push to get more diverse retailers on board. (See People on page 17). Looking to the next 12 months, John has big plans to expand the company's business in America - to include South America - as well as in China and India, and to put a bigger focus on its optical products. "However, our biggest move over the next three years will be in distribution where we will be looking for dedicated distributors in all, not just some, of the countries that we sell to. Our ambition is to continue to be recognised globally as an innovative designer, manufacturer and distributor of our products." Clearly, that's the next chapter. As John points out, "a book holder is a book holder whether you are in Castleford or Chang Mai."

IF (That Company Called): The Lowdown ● Launched in 1996, IF, based in Pickering and York, creates paper product, 3D fabricated

product, injection moulding and novelty product. ● Currently, the company offers 90 product lines, employs over 50 staff and distributes to over 70

countries worldwide, with export representing 50% of the business. ● Popular lines are book lights, book holders, electronic dictionaries and children's dictionaries, as

well as stationery and paper products - to include the award winning Alphabooks notebooks and optical products, such as magnetic fridge spectacles. ● Over the years, the company has won or been highly commended in diverse Gift of the Year categories, to include Design Led, Children's Novelty, Under £10 and Stationery. ● The company name resulted from phone conversations with overseas customers who mis-heard the word IF, leading onto the introduction: 'it's that company called IF'.

Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

The London Stationery Show makes stationery buying a pleasure with hundreds of great brands and thousands of products from around the world, all in one place. Beautiful pens… wonderful wrap… stunning notebooks and diaries… gorgeous gift and social stationery… stylish storage… this is where fashion meets function! Be part of it.

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Spotlight On... Stationery

Keep Writing! With design-led notebooks and notepads firmly engrained, and adult colouring books a current ‘must have’, stationery at its most social and personal is undergoing a re-dawning. As National Stationery Week (April 25-May 1) is ‘pen poised’ to push ‘the envelope’ for both retailers and stationery lovers, with the London Stationery Show ready and waiting to welcome buyers (April 26-27), PG&H takes note of what will be trending over the coming months. If there's one thing stationery suppliers are very certain about, it's that people are still writing. In tandem with texting, emailing, social media and blogging, there is an innate desire to put pen to paper, whether it's jotting points down in a design-led notebook with a stylish pen at a meeting, simply writing out a shopping list, or using colouring pens to join in with the trend for adult colouring-in books. Children too, continue to be huge stationery users, with parents looking to buy everything from paper products and scrapbooks to pencils, pens, pencil cases and erasers. In fact, as suppliers seem to agree, far from digital communication putting paid to social stationery, the two continue to happily co-exist side by side. Wrendale Designs, winner of the Gift of the Year Stationery category, has been delighted with the response to the company's new stationery ranges. "Despite the fact that we now live in a digital age, I think that people still see the value in sending and receiving good quality

stationery. There is no substitute for receiving a hand-written letter through the post, especially when it is written on well designed and beautiful quality stationery," says the company's founder and md Hannah Dale. "Our letter writing sets have gone down well, in part due to the packaging which makes it a lovely gift as well as being something to purchase for yourself. We have also recently launched a children’s stationery range that includes notelets, writing paper and colouring pencils in the hope of fostering a love of stationery in the next generation as well." As stationery has got more gift-y, Caroline Gardner confirms that the company's stationery collection has been a huge area of growth this season. "People want value for money, something that’s a little different and feels special," says founder and creative director Caroline Gardner. "Currently, a huge trend is metallic which is the sort of feature that will certainly be seen next season. We see these attributes in embossed, leatherlike products, with features of gold

Above: Caroline Gardner's handbag pencil case features a trendy gold zip. Below: Really Good's Deck Chair password book. Bottom left: Wrendale Designs' peacock letter writing set.

gilded edges, zips and text. Popular stationery items for us are our bright orange handbag pencil case, and a bright pink address and birthday book which sits with top selling pieces such as our traditional heart print pen." Lisa Marcuccio, sales manager at Really Good/Soul, concurs that there are a lot of stationery lovers out there, which is why there will always be a demand for lovely notebooks. "It's impossible to live without one!" states Lisa. "Among our best sellers are our Bright Side notebooks, and we also see a big demand for our address books. If something goes wrong digitally, you run the risk of losing everything."

The Lowdown ● National Stationery Week takes places from April 25-May 1,

2016. Visit www.nationalstationeryweek.com ● The London Stationery Show takes place from April 26-27,

2016, at the Business Design Centre in London's Islington, and includes the annual Stationery Awards. Visit www.stationeryshow.co.uk ● World Stationery Day takes place on April 27, 2016. Visit www.worldstationeryday.com

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Spotlight On... Stationery Left: By Appointment from Widdop and Co is a ladies licensed gift collection from Pigment Design Studio. Right: J-me's Lean Tidy. Below: Lesser & Pavey's Gentlemen's Quarters notebooks. Bottom left: A Ted Baker Shadow floral touch screen stylus.

She makes the point that often a stationery item is bought on impulse, with someone not knowing they wanted it until they see it. "An example is our Deck Chair password book which is something you can keep on your desk or in your bag to ensure you never forget your passwords again," Lisa highlights. At Widdop and Co, marketing manager Sue Grant agrees that stationery continues to hold its own against modern technology. "Who can resist an elegant notebook, even if you can make the same notes on a tablet?" she asks, adding that stationery has always been important in the self-purchase gift market. "It offers an affordable self-indulgent gift with beautiful designs and finishes that entice female buyers particularly into treating themselves to a new notebook, a pretty set of sticky reminder notes or a stylish handbag pen." At Lesser & Pavey, md Julian Hunt says that stationery's continuing popularity is that it is not only attractive to the eye, but also serves a purpose. "Our men's stationery, for example, is a mix of bold, black, strong lettering, whereas our new Butterfly Paradise is pretty and softer, and therefore more appealing to female users." "At Wild & Wolf we know how important stationery items are to our retailers," states marketing and PR assistant Alice Hughes. "Stationery never goes out of trend, and due to the practicality of pens, pencil cases

and notebooks people are always going to want and need stationery." Continues Alice: "Stationery items have become statement pieces, something a bit different that stands out. Our designs are all produced as gift items, with innovative ideas behind them and a lot of attention to detail. Ranges include the unique Happy Jackson and stylish Ted Baker, both of which help express personalities through their designs. The growth of social media and blogging has also boosted stationery designs, with people constantly ‘sharing’ images of stationery items complete with quotes and eye-catching pen collections."

Stationery is an obvious extension for IF (That Company Called). "However digital people get, they are buying more journals than ever," says founder and md John Calvert. "Taking a notepad and pen with you to a café for example is a more romantic notion than staring at a Facebook page." Adds John: "Writing is an intelligent thing to do, and it’s nice to doodle with pens too." As stationery lovers around the world get ready to celebrate National Stationery Week taking place from April 25 to May 1, and World Stationery Day on April 27, the events are sure to boost sales for gift retailers who are no doubt already stationery addicts themselves! Continued on page 51

Putting Pen To Paper Pens have always been seen as a gift item, particularly where men are concerned. "There are few other gifts that can really be bought to reflect the personality of the receiver, and perhaps this is what makes stationery so popular," says David Cree, national sales manager at Joe Davies. "We find retailers look for a quality stationery product that is well packaged, and our range of pens from Sheaffer have done very well since we launched the collection last year." Of course, there are special occasions in life when only the very best of pens will do. "They remain important gifts, particularly for special occasions such as the celebration of a milestone birthday or a His and Hers pen set, ideal for signing the register," highlights Widdop and Co's marketing manager Sue Grant. With the popularity of adult colouring books at an all time high, felt colouring pens too, are seeing growth “Currently, bright colours are on trend," says Lianne Fletcher, marketing manager at Maped Helix, "with bright, bold shades lending themselves to the adult colouring craze too." Above right: Pens in the Sheaffer 100 range from Joe Davies. Above: A wedding pen set from Widdop and Co's Amore wedding brand. Right: Maped Helix's Graph/Peps.

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Spotlight On... Stationery

Adding A Fun Element Stationery doesn't have to be serious of course. More and more suppliers are tapping into the fact that people like their stationery to have personality. For example, Wild & Wolf’s latest stationery collection is an extension to Happy Jackson’s top-selling range. New for 2016 is a sticky notes set, and an A6 and an A7 notebook with a mini pencil. These cheerful items feature new catchphrases - Madness is Just a Genius in Disguise and Notes of a Lovely Person (Fact!). "The fresh designs are all perfect sizes for taking out of the house to jot down notes and ideas as you go," says the company's marketing and PR assistant Alice Hughes. NPW's trade marketing manager Katie Benson concurs that going beyond just being useful, playful stationery is becoming increasingly popular as it allows people to unlock their creative potential. "The recent introduction of new high street stationery shops is helping to grow this market in themed, fun stationery products," she confirms. "With so many people leading busy lives, the importance of play is being recognised as beneficial in increasing creativity and productivity. Sometimes all you need is a giant burger eraser on your desk to make you smile!" One fun, original stationery product that is certainly attracting attention is eatsleepdoodle - winner of the 2016 NY NOW gift category Best New Product Award - which enables the user to make notes on a variety of products and materials, such as an iPad case and a pencil case using fabric wash-out pens, which can be machine washed so that they are completely clean. Explains founder and ceo Chrissie ProbertJones, "the pencil case is especially popular

with school children, as they can use it for play, or to make notes or even do a bit of maths on!” At RJB Stone/Sass & Belle, Coralie Vieira, marketing & online trading manager, says that lovely notebooks, pens and cases have always been a giftware staple, with the company offering an eclectic range of items for the coming season that will add fun to everyday essentials and workplace accessories. "With fun illustrations and bold pops of colour, our Tropical Summer collection brings a summer’s day straight to the desk, with an abundance of gift tags, wrap, notebooks and pens inspired by characters and designed with original illustrations." Mustard too delights in creating fun stationery gifts, especially for people's desks and work stations. "Our new stationery

products range from pineapple shaped erasers to bubble gum scented colouring pencils," says md Reuben Utudjian. "Even filling out forms is that little more bearable when you’ve got something fun like a flamingo shaped pen in your hand!" For licensed stationery with character, MAD Beauty recently added MAD Stuff

Above left: Happy Jackson from Wild & Wolf. Above right: Tropical Summer notebooks from RJB Stone Sass & Belle. Right: A tropical range of stationery from Mustard includes a flamingo pen, tropical pineapple shaped erasers and a tropical pen pot. Far right: Notebooks with nostalgia from MAD Stuff. Below: The eatsleepdoodle washable pencil case. Bottom left: NPW's Get Emojinal range.

stationery under its Vintage Kellogg’s licence, which appeals to people's sense of nostalgia. "The range includes the 50’s range as well as Tony the Tiger, Coco Pops, Rice Krispies and Classic Cornflakes from the '70s series which was commended at last year's London Stationery Awards," highlights MAD Beauty's director Trevor Cash.

Back To School Licensed children's and tweenage stationery is a huge sector of the market place for stationery suppliers. Blueprint has two new collections launching for back to school in 2016, Pusheen and Moomin, with both collections targeting teen and tween girls. "We are finding that collections for this target consumer need to be much wider than stationery and we have therefore included gift items such as money boxes, compact mirrors and accessories," explains the company's md Lisa Shand. "This enables the retailer to build a more interesting gift display in store and allows the consumer to buy a broader collection of products." Lisa adds that license trends for this consumer group have changed over the years. "Moomin is a classic property which the girls remember growing up with, while Pusheen is known from Facebook and is a new digital phenomenon." Piers Croke sales director at Gisela Graham remembers the lure of stationery as a child, and believes that it still holds true. "The impossible neatness of the boxed set, the clean, empty pages of notebooks and imagining the things you were going to fill them with new, sharp pencils, a smart pencil box - and above all, the smell of newness. I bet it hasn’t changed!" Above right: Blueprint's Moomin collection. Left: A pirate stationery set from Gisela Graham.

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In Profile: Groovy UK

In The

Groove

For the past 25 years, Monique Scott, a former independent gift retailer, retail buyer and wholesaler, has been at the helm of Groovy UK, a company she founded in 1991 when she couldn't find the type of licenced products she wanted to buy for her own shops. A self-proclaimed "Happy Days, Grease and Batman kinda kid", who had a Batman and Superman bedroom when she was an a student, she tells PG&H about the buzz she gets out of getting a new licence that no-one has heard of - think Breaking Bad - or to be the first company to get in on a craze such as onesies. But that's not all that continues to drive the entrepreneurial Monique who says her job is a dream come true. Monique Scott says that investing in licences can be a bit like following a boy band and knowing when to get in and out. "Timing is often everything," she states. In fact, Monique seems to have got her Groovy UK timing pretty well perfect. That doesn't mean that she's got it right all the time - no-one in business does, of course but she was so successful with Rocky, the company's first licence, that 25 years on, it's still in Groovy's top five. "Guys love it," she states. Another mega hit for the company has been the Playboy licence. "It was our biggest by far," Monique recalls. "It had little to do with its original concept and more to do with its great logo and its cultural history," she explains. Groovy's niche in the world of official licenced product, is creating original products across bathrobes, jumpsuits, loungers, slippers and lighting. "I started out with two

gift shops - purely because I love gifts - and when I couldn't find the products I wanted to buy I looked into designing and manufacturing in China," highlights Monique. "Initially I brought in products for the Groovy shops and then started to sell the surplus. However, I soon realised that I was making

Monique Scott: The Lowdown ● Monique studied art at Loughborough Art College, following in the footsteps of her mother who went back to art college in her '40s gaining a first in 3D ceramics. ● While studying, she created her own Batman and Superman bedroom using cardboard cut-outs she got from a Metro car dealership at the end of one of their promo campaigns. ● Monique, who loves retro, is an avid collector, always on the look-out for interesting pieces such as Bakerlite telephones and radios, as well as art deco figurines. ● The first time she visited the NEC, she thought she'd "died and gone to heaven!" ● Licencing was introduced to her by an ex-partner when she was working as a buyer. ● The best piece of advice she has ever been given is "if you want things to change, change things" a statement that continues to inspire her.

Above: Monique Scott, md of Groovy UK. Below left: New from Groovy, a Batman glow in the dark light. Below: The company's Jedi bathrobe.

more money wholesaling than retailing, so I closed the stores and went to work as a buyer for my biggest customer The Gadget Shop, and then The Discovery Store, before becoming the creative director of Groovy UK. Having been in the industry both from a retail and wholesale perspective means that I can see things from both sides, and know the challenges retailers have, and also that pricing has become even more of an issue on some lines." Initially, the company did both licenced and unlicenced products, but when their unlicenced ranges were copied by the big retailers, Monique switched to 100% licenced. Today, Groovy's core strength is that it originates and innovates products that are everyday lines but with a twist. "Bathrobes and slippers are commonplace, but with glow in the dark Superman logos they become different," points out Monique. "A bathrobe that looks like a Jedi robe is not 'everyday'. Rocky wore an Italian Stallion robe in the movie and we have a bathrobe that replicates it. We also have an Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

Wedding WIDDOP and Co is the home of sentiment giftware with every occasion covered. For the wedding season select from over 700 lines, all designed by our in house UK - based design team.

FOCUS ON SENTIMENT 4-8 APRIL It’s not all about Weddings though. From 4-8 April we are hosting a Focus on Sentiment show at our showrooms with exclusive promotions, merchandising ideas and tips and competitions. We’re giving away a FREE pack of product to every retailer who attends the show... contact us to book your place now!

0161 688 1226 sales@widdop.co.uk www.widdop.co.uk 54_GH_March April 2016.indd 1

Widdop and Co, Broadgate, Broadway Business Park, Chadderton, Oldham, OL9 9XE

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In Profile: Groovy UK

Only Fools and Horse bathrobe. When Sports Relief 2014 did a Beckham in Peckham sketch, the fleece robe that looks like Del Boy's sheep skin coat went down a storm!" She makes the point that the company's licenced products are unique and that you can't get them anywhere else. An example is the Look-ALite lamp which is designed and moulded to Groovy's own spec. "It creates a fat little light that’s funny," Monique explains. "We have a chubby Betty Boop and Wonder Woman. Village People is my own personal favourite and I'm looking forward to creating a Village People collection of mini Look-ALites too. For my team, this was the driving force behind us getting the licence. Although some of our buyers aren’t old enough to know the band, every one of them has heard YMCA. We're also looking to do a LookALite of the Queen, which I feel sure will become iconic." Naturally, the company is always on the look-out for new lines and licences with media attention making it much easier for buyers to recognise what the company does. "We were thrilled when our Stormtrooper mood light was used in the Argos adverts last year. It was amazing to see our products on TV, especially over Christmas. And Suicide Squad has opened doors on product, so we hope the movie is

successful because the characters look really dark and interesting!" One skill that Monique has had to learn over the years is to be patient. "We have new licences we want, but we have to wait until they are available and it’s like waiting for Christmas on some of them," she laughs. "New products, like bags, are very exciting, especially with some of the designs we are developing. For example, we’ve developed two new product lines this year and its exciting waiting to see if they are going to be as good as we expect. One is the Batman projection light. It projects clearly at 8 metres and we’ve had it

Monique's Favourite Products "Aside from Village People, my favourites products are Betty Boop and Shaun the Sheep Look-ALites. They both make me laugh," she smiles. Right: A Monique favourite: a Shaun the Sheep Look-Alite.

Above and right: Star Wars mules and mood lights.

Groovy's Top 5 Since 1991, Groovy UK has worked with a myriad of licences - currently Star Wars, Doctor Who, Warner Bros./DC Comics, Marvel, Rocky, Only Fools & Horses, Breaking Bad, Assassin's Creed, Shaun the Sheep, Betty Boop and Harry Potter with the most successful being: ● Playboy ● Star Wars ● Rocky ● DC Comics ● Hello Kitty

sculpted to look like the one from the movies. The others are two mini Look-ALites in Batman and Superman. The initial reaction has been fantastic." Looking back on a career lifetime that's mostly been in licencing, Monique thinks that licences in 2016 are far stronger due to social media, as people have so much more access through marketing. "Also, branding seems much bigger now. Plus, the celebrity culture is far wider for people who have actually achieved very little other than being on a reality TV show." She believes the secret of Groovy's success is that it's niche and that the company's products are unique, aimed mainly at adults - the eternal child. "Having a product with a USP is often what makes the difference, and we supply that with all our products," she states. As Monique concludes, "licences can be expensive but also very lucrative when you get it right. Groovy has won and lost on both but that’s the gamble." Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

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Spotlight On... Made In Britain

Flying The Flag The Made In Britain back stamp is continuing to go from strength to strength, with the British Craft Trade Fair opening its door in April to buyers who are specifically looking for quality, British made gifts, and UK gift shows across the board signposting companies who manufacture their products in the UK. With the Queen's 90th birthday putting an extra bright spotlight on Britain this year, UK manufacturers and retailers can hopefully expect increased interest and sales in Made In Britain giftware that not only has provenance, but also a lower carbon footprint. Made in Britain products has been one of the growth sectors of the gift industry in recent years, defying the naysayers who said that suppliers who stuck to their British manufacturing roots would never survive in such a hugely competitive market place. Yet, as the major trade shows can testify, the reverse is actually true, with more and more companies proud to display the British flag, and buyers more eager than ever to source locally made British product whenever they can. "At Joe Davies, the Made in the UK stamp was really important when we launched the Patisserie De Bain range in partnership with Rose & Co. to our independent customer base," explains Top: Made in Britain is sure to have a positive effect on companies that manufacture in the UK. Above right: For Spring/Summer, British made Rose & Co. bath and shower crĂ¨mes have been added to the collection which is distributed by Joe Davies. Below: Portmeirion Group's Blue Italian is made in the company's factory in Stoke on Trent.

commercial director Paul Hooker, "and it was a real factor in the fantastic take up on the range. This key selling point was cited by many of our customers as standing for quality, innovation and a support of British industry, a message many said they intended communicating on to their own customer base." "The Made in Britain back stamp is incredibly important to our business," says Ian Davies, head of retail sales & marketing services at Portmeirion Group. "Very much synonymous with quality, it is being demanded from customers across the globe, so much so that production at our Stoke-onTrent factory has almost doubled over the last eight years. Consumers are now, more than ever, looking for heritage, quality and craftsmanship," confirms Ian. "They are immersing themselves in information about the brands they buy and are making considered purchases. As a result, UK gift retailers are looking for the brands that offer this, for brands that have a valuable story to tell." Dunoon's sales director Peter Smith underlines that a Made in Britain back stamp confirms British authenticity, both in the UK and overseas, and replicates British craftsmenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capabilities and high

Above: New for Spring/Summer from Dunoon is its Argyll shape Puffin, Mackerel, Oystercatcher and Crab & Lobster patterns, popular in coastal locations and made in Stoke on Trent. Below: Enesco's Contemporary Classics are made in the Scottish Borders. Shown is The Vanna bronze.

quality products. "More UK gift retailers are becoming interested in products that have been made locally because products made in the Far East are not as desirable, due to quality and reliability. British manufacturing has an increasingly important reputation for excellence." Enesco's director of marketing. Helen Shield, says that there are many consumers, both in the UK and Europe, who strongly

believe that products Made In Britain represent high quality and exclusivity. "In relation to our brands this is certainly the case," she confirms. "Our most sought after collectable products are still made in the Scottish Borders, entirely by hand, and I believe we are now the only manufacturer of figural product of this type, and certainly the only UK company manufacturing Disney and Marvel limited editions made here. Retailers who have a stronger collectable consumer Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

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Spotlight On... Made In Britain

base still see demand for UK manufactured product but I do think this is more of a niche market." Carrie Elspeth has always prided itself on its jewellery being made in Wales. "When I first started my business, I was determined to create a well-designed product which was made in the UK," explains creative director Carrie Elspeth. "It has always been essential for me to feel that I am supporting my community and helping to keep jobs at home." Continues Carrie: "We have a definite advantage over companies who manufacture abroad because we are able to offer a unique product of excellent quality with exceptional lead times. As all of our jewellery is made locally we have complete control of its manufacture, especially the high standard of quality we demand, and we are able to be flexible by producing specific quantities in a very short time. I also think that it is excellent for the tourist industry, as visitors can purchase a beautiful gift that has made in this country." She adds that Made In Britain has become even more important recently, with increased global awareness of our carbon footprint and ethical issues being raised about the integrity of overseas manufacturers. "These factors have an impact on where people choose to buy their goods," she points out. Financially however, manufacturing in Britain remains a challenge. "Our overheads are higher than companies who choose to manufacture items abroad, so we have to be better than them with our designs, our service and our quality."

Left: An agate medley necklace from Carrie Elspeth, handmade in Wales. Right: All Wax Lyrical home fragrance products are made in the company's factory in the Lake District. Below: Stoneglow's UK made, hand produced gel candles. No two are alike.

At The Original Metal Sign Company, md Robin Milsted takes pride in always having manufactured the company's retro-based signs in Keighley. "We could halve our costs by manufacturing overseas, but we prefer to base ourselves here to protect our workforce although it does hinder the growth of the company," he admits. "For example, we can't sell into certain overseas markets because our price points are too high. However, we stay profitable by adding new products. If we can't do it in our own factory we don't do it."

Also seeing a growing demand for British made product is Stoneglow. "Where the candle market is concerned, customers are far more savvy," says Hazel Simmons, head of design and new product development. "They now know that they will get a far better quality product when buying from a British maker than one from the Far East, and are prepared to pay a little extra for it." As Hazel highlights: "Producing and designing our own product range also provides us with the ability to offer an unsurpassed diversity of products giving our customers a wide choice of product at various price points that all carry that important Made in Britain stamp. Although we produce all the product we sell ourselves, our botanical gel candles are probably the most recognisably hand produced items, and are among the most popular. Customers are genuinely fascinated when the see the intricate production process, and love to hear

how the designs come together. We are also proud to say that all our fragrances are sourced through UK manufacturers too." At Wax Lyrical, Made in Britain is a badge that the company wears proudly, and which resonates with customers both in the UK and overseas. "From inception and design to production, everything is handled in-house meaning we can react to emerging trends, produce products with a short lead time and give outstanding quality and customer service," highlights md Joanne Barber. "Our customers know they can pick up the phone to speak to a real person about an issue." "Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also very important to us, and increasingly important to the consumer, to lower our carbon footprint so we source as much as we can from the North of England." Joanne believes that, globally, there are many reasons why people buy British. "Tradition is a huge part of it, which is one Right: New metal wall art from The Original Poster Company featuring a pug, made at the company's factory in Keighley. Below: Really Good chocolate bars are made by a UK manufacturer.

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Call 01670 512 222 Email sales@bestkeptsecrets.co.uk

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all about the scent

Best Kept Secrets, Coopies Field, Morpeth, Northumberland NE61 6JT. www.bestkeptsecrets.co.uk

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reason why our Royal Horticultural Society ranges sell so well. We find that our customers like the fact that we’re based in the heart of the Lake District, as it’s a great talking point for the product and sells well with tourists. Many businesses are using Made in the UK as a USP for the items they stock, which is successfully driving footfall into their stores. We’re expecting our Royal Horticultural Society ranges to be very

Happy Birthday Ma'am If there's one thing the gift industry loves it's a Royal celebration. And this year, with Harry yet to marry, the focus is fully on the Queen who is at the height of her popularity and about to celebrate her 90th birthday. A Royal Collection commemorative china range is already on display in Royal Collection shops, handmade from fine bone china, and featuring forgetme-nots which flower in April, and cornflowers which flower in June, to tie in with the Queen's actual birthday on April 21 and her official birthday on June 6. Naturally, the kilns in Stoke-on-Trent have been delighted to produce a selection of mugs and tableware. Among

popular this year due to the Queen's 90th birthday and the link with the Royal Family." For those with a sweet tooth, Really Good has gone to a top British manufacturer to produce six bars of milk chocolate in the company's Bright Side range. The company's Deck Chair range also offer tattoos and transfers that have also been Made in Britain. "We always try to source in the UK if we can," says sales manager Lisa the companies bringing out commemorative product is Portmeirion Group. "As with any commemorative piece for Royal events, we ensure our products look quintessentially British," confirms Ian Davies, head of retail sales and marketing services. The Spode Blue Room celebratory collection is decorated in a classically British blue and white colourway, featuring unique, intricate designs from Spode’s archive originating from the 18th century. The Royal Worcester collection meanwhile, features the symbols of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales as well as the Royal Arms, with the collection finished with 20 carat gold. We expect sales of those items designed, made and/or decorated in Britain to achieve higher price points and a stronger sales performance. The Queen’s 90th birthday will certainly help raise the profile of Made in Britain giftware."

Top left: Queen Elizabeth II 90th birthday tankard and plate from Portmeirion Group. Top right: Windsor Castle has been captured Really Good's Qooky collection. Above: Ulster Weavers, a Royal warrant holder, is now into its sixth print run with this commemorative design. Above right: Dunoon has commemorated the Queen's 90th birthday with two fine bone china mugs one on its Wessex shape featuring a traditional, classic design by designer David Broadhurst, the other on its Cairngorm shape showing a more fun design by designer Kate Mawdsely. Left: A new design in Churchill China's James Sadler range, produced in Stoke on Trent, reflects the focus on London this year.

Marcuccio. "There is a certain cachet about British chocolate which is a good selling point for retailers." As more gift retailers look to source locally or from UK manufacturers, and more suppliers look to manufacture In Britain, it's no longer a trend but an important supply chain that is very much here to stay.

Not all brands have gone for something directly relating to the Queen's milestone 90th birthday however, preferring instead to reflect both Windsor (which the Queen calls 'home') and London (where she has her 'office' in Buckingham Palace) in this all important year for the capital. "James Sadler, founded in 1882 in Burslem, Stoke on Trent, is a uniquely British brand brimming with heritage and nostalgia favourites for collectors and tourists," explains Kate Cartwright, marketing communications manager at Churchill China. "The love affair with London has given the brand a modern feel with imagery and landmarks that capture the vibe of the city." At Really Good, with the Royal birthday imminent, the company confirms that it has seen an increase in interest for its Qooky Windsor product, a small selection of design-led gifts by artist Clare Phillips. Called Wish You Were Here, it features a gift range celebrating the souvenir in a retro-chic style. "Clare has captured the landmarks of Windsor in a whimsical 1950’s style illustrations giving them an air of nostalgia," explains Really Good's sales manager Lisa Marcuccio. "Applied to a collection of quality products, the artwork comes to life making these keepsake gifts, and we have been delighted to send them to the Queen as a gift." Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

Carrie Elspeth EXCLUSIVE

DESIGNER

HANDMADE

JEWELLERY

WALES

New Summer 2016 catalogue now available call us on 01446 771271 e sales@carrieelspeth.com

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w www.carrieelspeth.com

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

Seriously Scented Best Kept Secrets, the leading UK fragranced gift, candle and soap manufacturer is celebrating another successful product launch with the extension of the Bath Burst range. The new and exotic range of bath bursts has something for every age group and all occasions. The bath bursts have been developed to maximise the scent and fragrance, and is yet another example of how Best Kept Secrets retain their reputation for having the most ‘seriously scented’ products on the market. Best Kept Secrets Tel: 01670 512222 Email: sales@bestkeptsecrets.co.uk www.bestkeptsecrets.co.uk

Limited Edition Tableau The romantic tale of Disney’s Lady and the Tramp has enthralled generations of Disney fans and one of its most enchanting scenes has inspired a new tableau for the prestigious Border Fine Arts’ A Moment in Time collection. Talented UK sculptor Peter Mook worked with the Border Fine Arts design team to create this outstanding study. Every Lady and the Tramp, seventh in the worldwide edition of 250, is handmade and exquisitely hand-painted by the highly gifted artists working in the Border Fine Arts studios in Langholm, Scotland. Enesco Tel: 01228 404040 Email: uksales@enesco.co.uk www.borderfinearts.co.uk

Award Winniners These stylish candles tins won Gift of the Year 2016 in the home fragrance category and it’s not hard to see why. With a great price point of £12 RRP, it’s a luxury product at an affordable price. The designs were sourced from the Fired Earth wallpaper collection which lets these candles cross over into the home décor sector and have a collectable element to them. The range includes the brand new scent Assam & White Cedar alongside seven existing fragrances. Wax Lyrical Tel: 01229 461111 Email: customerservice@wax-lyrical.co.uk www.waxlyricaltrade.com

Handmade In Wales You can’t afford to miss Carrie Elspeth’s exclusive new Summer Collection, which is a joyful feast of delicious bright colours and cool pastels. Carrie’s new ranges are keeping pace with the latest trends, which will ensure that these gorgeous designs are enduring favourites. Alongside the award winning jewellery ranges are new additions to Sentiments, Carrie's best-selling carded bracelet range and her colourful hair accessories mycolourbands. All of Carrie’s jewellery is still beautifully handmade in Wales. Carrie Elspeth Tel: 01446 771271 Email: sales@carrieelspeth.com www.carrieelspeth.com

Art Collection This stylish grey vignette effect glassware will bring a touch of class to any room. Each item is packaged in a stunning box which features real watercolour artwork. This design features beautiful on trend tones of grey, amber and taupe, which perfectly complement the gorgeous scent of crystal amber, sultry musks, powdery iris and pepper. The collection features three different products: a 140ml reed diffuser, a 40 hour tumbler and an 18 hour bubble ball. Stoneglow Candles Tel: 0044 208 595 8878 Email: sales@stoneglowcandles.co.uk www.stoneglowcandles.co.uk

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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In Profile: Lesser & Pavey

Investment in

‘New’

Left: Julian Hunt, managing director of Lesser & Pavey. Below: Sail Away. Below left: Collie and Sheep. Bottom: Butterfly Paradise.

After 45 years as one of the UK’s leading importers and distributors of giftware and housewares, well known for its brand The Leonardo Collection, Lesser & Pavey is confidently moving forward in 2016 with an energetic young team, an innovative in-house design department, a continuing focus on licensed giftware and a fresh, original new take on quality product. PG&H asked managing director Julian Hunt what’s going to be taking the company onwards and upwards this year. Despite being in its fifth decade, Julian Hunt points out that Lesser & Pavey is actually getting younger - well internally anyway. “We have really upped our game and invested in new people,” he states. “A year ago, the average age of our staff was in the 50’s. Now we’re looking at an average of early to mid 30’s, giving us a fresh, bright new team of people who are involved in the business right across the board - from buying to sales to new product development. One key factor is that everyone who works for us is highly motivated, ambitious and focused on doing their best. We encourage everyone to get involved and believe this is an important factor in our recipe for success.”

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Important new members of the team include Jonny Greves, Nick Baker, Carl Miller and Jamie Hogg. Jonny joined Lesser & Pavey last April, having spent seven years working for his family’s successful wholesale giftware business. His role involves buying, product development and looking after certain key accounts, particularly when customers require their own bespoke designs to be developed. “I see Jonny as having a key role to play in our new market drive. He has a great eye for product and, coupled with his energy and ambition, is having an immediate and very beneficial impact on important areas of the business,” says Julian. "The Gentlemen’s Quarter range of practical gentlemen’s gifts, which Jonny

developed together with the Lesser & Pavey in-house design team, is concrete proof of this. The range has instantly become a best seller with Jonny now working on a ladies range for the second half of 2016." Nick Baker joined the team 18 months ago. His role involves working with key accounts in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world. Comments Julian: "hugely energetic and charismatic Nick, with many years experience in the trade, has produced significant growth in all the areas he manages." Carl Miller joined the company in August 2015, having been involved in the giftware trade from a very early age. He now covers the Midlands and Wales for the company. "He has worked extremely hard over the past nine months to get to know the territory and its customers and this is producing excellent results," Julian highlights. Jamie Hogg joined the business in late October 2015. Still a young man in his early 20’s, Jamie has worked in the trade for more than four years and covers the North East, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Comments Julian: "Extremely focused and ambitious, Jamie is hugely popular among his many customers and is generating exceptional sales across his territory." As for products, the days of solely relying on off-the-shelf products from the Far East are long gone. For many years

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In Profile: Lesser & Pavey now, Lesser & Pavey has invested in its own exclusive designs, many of which are generated by the company's hugely talented in-house design team, which has helped create an ever expanding and diverse range of 5,000+ exclusive giftware and housewares products. The trend for occasions and sentiments giftware continues to be a growing area in the trade and remains a major focus for the company across a wide range of products. Lesser & Pavey has also become well known for its commemorative Royal occasions products. “Our Royal Wedding and Queen’s Golden Jubilee ranges were a huge success for us, and we have recently launched a brand new collection to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday. All products - fine china mugs, cups and saucers, decorative plates and coasters - are designed in the UK by our in-house design team.” Meanwhile, licensed giftware continues to be a significant sector for the company. “We were one of the trailblazers in gifts for licensed product,” emphasises Julian. “Some of our earliest successes were the hugely popular Crisalis Paintbox Poppets and Faerie figurines which we created more than 20 years ago.” Currently, Lesser & Pavey has exclusive licences with The Macneil Studio, Jennifer Rose Naylor and Hearts Designs to mention just a few. As Julian explains, “using our diverse range of product skills we are able to take the artwork of these talented artists and fit it onto a wide selection of products to create high quality fast selling and affordable

Above: Cockerel and Hen. Below right: Gentlemen's Quarters. Below: A Royal collection to commemorate the Queen's 90th birthday.

giftware in attractive gift packaging. The new Macneil Collie & Sheep and Cockerel & Hen ranges, Butterfly Paradise and Sail Away from Jennifer Rose Naylor, as well as the eye-catching new Mad Dots Baby and wedding ranges are testament to this." Having worked in the gift industry for more than 30 years, 24 of them with Lesser & Pavey, Julian is keenly aware of the changes that have taken place and which are continuing in the trade. “Online trading has had a huge impact,” he states. “We are doing more and more business with successful online businesses and many of our traditional customers also have a growing online presence.” Another key area of growth for giftware is in garden centres, with Lesser & Pavey continuing to increase their business in this sector. “Our well packaged and often functional gift products sell extremely well through garden centres and this is a very important and growing area of business for us,” says Julian. Highlighting the very positive response to its products at the Spring Fair in February, Julian believes

customers are definitely feeling upbeat. “Customers are buying a far wider selection of products from us than before and many have commented that they have noticed a significant increase in the quality of both our products and our gift packaging.” This was something started by the company for the second half of 2015, with the introduction of sets of two and sets of four fine china mugs in lidded shoebox style gift packaging. These proved an instant success and were a best seller for Christmas. “We’ve now rolled this out onto many other products,” comments Julian. “Importantly, from a customer’s perspective, this has lifted our presentation and taken our products into a different league without impacting on prices. We’re simply giving them better products, better presentation and better value. Existing customers have quickly picked up on this and it has also attracted many new customers.”

Asked if he is concerned about the widely publicised slow down in China in recent months, Julian comments: “it certainly hasn’t affected us. The exclusive factories we deal with are all busy, many are booming, expanding and taking on more workers. We don’t see China in any way in decline!” He is equally relaxed about the outcome of the EU 'in'/'out' vote. “As with the General Election, there’s always caution in the run up to the vote and it will be good to know the outcome later in June so that we can all get on with normal everyday life and business.” In the meantime, it’s on with the show at the company, whether it’s developing their own new products, creating bespoke designs for customers, introducing a new licence or investing in people. “As we know, being a success in the gift industry is, as always, all about new innovative quality products and we certainly have plenty of them. There is no room for complacency and, in our world, good old hard work and dedication go a very long way to achieving and maintaining success." Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got giftware all wrapped up Enesco Limited, Head Office & Customer Services, Brunthill Road, Kingstown, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA3 0EN Tel: 01228 404022 Fax: 01228 404041 email: uksales@enesco.co.uk Overseas Customer Services: Tel: +44 1228 404066 Fax: +44 1228 404080 email: eurosales@enesco.co.uk ÂŠ 2016 Distributed by Enesco Ltd.

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Spotlight On... Men’s Gifts

Manning Up With the right mindset, men are actually getting easier to buy for, with everything from the traditional to the more contemporary, to laugh out loud giftware, all upping the ante when it comes to sourcing product. Thinking laterally reveals a myriad of giftware that men may not know they want, yet are thrilled to receive - and if it makes them smile then so much the better. With Father's Day in mind, PG&H went on a 'man' hunt! Faced with the challenge of finding the perfect gift for a man, retailers, as well as consumers, are often flummoxed as to where to begin. Hobbies are always a good start, with sporting themes a popular genre, but naturally the gift giver wants to show that they've put some thought into the present, with something unexpected guaranteed to impress. Sue Grant, marketing manager at Widdop and Co. says the old adage of ‘one size fits all’ is no longer true. "It’s all about segmentation of the market with strong, themed collections targeting a specific type of guy and his interests. From a retailer's point of view, it’s a win-win situation. Strong

visual merchandising in store helps to signpost the range clearly to consumers, with lots of opportunity for cross-selling." She highlights three big themes on the horizon: adventure, with camping and BBQ type gifts featuring heavily this summer; hobbies, with the company's MPH collection targeting specific occasions, such as birthdays and Father’s Day, and products for men who are "a cut above", as reflected in Widdop's signature new men's collection Emporium, which has been licensed from Pigment Design Studio. "Every line in the range has a stamp of quality from the product itself right through to the packaging," states Sue.

Above: Signature Gifts' popular personalised football books. Left: MPH from Widdop and Co. Below right: Among the Perception puzzles from Lagoon Gifts.

With the 'beautiful game' top of the list for most males, a gift - especially if it's personalised - means that football books are sure to score a goal when it comes to gift giving. "Customers always say men are hard to buy for, so catering to this market is something definitely worth tapping into," says Kat Grant, trade marketing communications administrator at Signature Gifts. "Our newspaper football books have been best sellers since they were launched, and, with a recent re-vamp of their looks and content, sales of these books over the fourth quarter in 2015 were higher than we’ve ever seen before." Of course, products that require a bit of lateral thinking will always have man appeal.

"There's strong demand for innovation and contemporary good looks," says Heather Watherspoon, director of Lagoon. "As always, we try to capture the zeitgeist and have started using new materials and cutting edge technology to design our original puzzles and executive gifts for men. This year, star products include our neon chess and our Perception puzzles." Laser cut gifts are also a growth area for the company. "One of the most popular is our design-led Siegebeast Catapult, that was shortlisted in the men’s category of Gift of the Year awards," highlights Heather. At Lesser & Pavey, the company has created a brand new men's gift range, Gentlemen's Quarters, featuring bold colours and striking imagery. The collection ranges from a manicure set to social stationery and storage to a wash bag, hip flask, whisky tumbler and beer opener. "Men's gifts are definitely a growth area for the company," confirms md Julian Hunt. "In our experience, a man's gift also has to appeal to the female buyer, therefore it needs to be aesthetically appealing and, in most cases, practical," comments Helen Shield, director of marketing at Enesco. "Highlights from our current ranges include our Globe collection where we have added

Sock It To Them! Socks may be a traditional present for men, but they continue to ring up sales all year round. "We have seen another huge growth in sales of men’s gifts again this year - with the exception of ties, which may come back into fashion one day - with the biggest increase in the popularity of socks," states David Gee, md of The Music Gifts Company. "Throughout the year, they really are the ideal, affordable men’s gift. Plus, having launched our men’s collection Element last summer, we are already planning to expand the range." Left: Sales of socks continue to trailblaze for The Music Gifts Company, with cycling a popular theme.

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Spotlight On... Men’s Gifts hugely popular." She adds that food-related gifts for men do very well too, especially the company's Man Chocolate bar.(See Made in Britain on pages 57-61). When it comes to gifts for a slightly older male age group, Charlotte Gillan, md of walking stick specialists Classic Canes, says that both walking stick users and retail buyers are expressing a preference for natural products with an interesting provenance. "Wooden sticks, such as traditional crooks, knobsticks and hiking staffs in native British hardwoods such as ash, hazel and blackthorn, are much in demand."

Above: Really Good's Bright Side charger bag, designed with men in mind. Below: Classic Canes new hiking staffs feature country motifs, such as stags and Labradors.

an on trend copper finish, the Volkswagen Collection by Brisa which features a diverse range of products with a masculine edge, while our answer to the seemingly endless love of all things retro for men is our brand new St. John range of high quality mechanical collectables." Tapping into the black and white theme for 2016, RJB Stone/Sass & Belle, has introduced the Modern Monochrome collection which features enamel and ceramic mugs with uplifting, witty sayings written in bold typography. In addition, the company's Vintage Map collection introduces

Mandles Maketh Man

Top: Lesser & Pavey's new Gentlemen's Quarters. Above right: the Vintage Map from RJB Stone/Sass & Belle. Above: One of Enesco's new St. John range of mechanical collectables.

new product additions that include a money pot, a set of three suitcases and a wall hanging canvas print. "The vintage atlas print evokes nostalgia, reminding us of the wonder of travel, exploration and world discoveries, and illuminates the importance of keeping the stories alive," says Coralie Vieira, marketing & online trading manager. Also highlighting travel, along with the outdoors, grooming and food, is Lisa Shoesmith, general manager at Really Good. "Currently trending for men at Really Good are items such as our Bright Side charger bag, which has just been re-designed and is 68

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Although after shave and socks may still be among the most popular presents to give a man, Tom Sykes, director of Xystos, says that feedback from the company's retailers suggest that candles are becoming increasingly popular too. "Just as personal grooming products have found favour with younger males, so too have candles," Tom states. "And buying them isn’t just the preserve of women. There has been a rise in the self-gifting of candles by men.” He highlights Kringle’s Grey range, distributed in the UK by Xystos, as an example of how a manufacturer saw the trend and released candles to meet the demand. “The packaging is clever because it features a picture of a stylish young man, thereby transforming it into an aspirational product. And that’s often half the battle when you’re trying to sell something.” "High end home fragrance for men is a huge trend with men’s candles daily increasing in popularity, " says Hannah Jenkins, brand and marketing director at Yankee Candle. "Men are more aware about how they look and smell, and how their home looks and smells. It's an important factor for not only attracting a partner, but also as an extension of who they are. Candles can also be very thoughtful gifts, because it shows that you have paid attention to a man's favourite fragrance." Hannah adds that men’s candles make great gifts for Father’s Day. "They are something which a lot of men of all ages enjoy, but wouldn’t necessarily buy for themselves. Our male customers often see them as a treat and an affordable luxury when relaxing at home." Above: Kringle's Grey from Xystos. Left: Yankee Candle's Barber Shop range features masculine and woody fragrances.

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Spotlight On... Men’s Gifts

Good Grooming With men taking grooming seriously these days, more and more are looking to presenting an immaculate image to work colleagues as well as to friends and family. "The male gifting market continues to be a focus, with a rise in male beauty gifting driven by a shift in attitudes around male grooming habits over the years," says Katie Benson, NPW's trade marketing manager. "A large proportion of male consumers consider their appearance to be very important and the market has grown in response to this. Hello Handsome is our take on this, serious products but with a playful NPW spin. Classic fragrances and inherently masculine styling is paired with

humorous word play to make a man’s grooming regime fun, appealing to women as gifts for their boyfriends, husbands and dads. In terms of design, vintage packaging is a strong influence for us, freshened up with new palettes and clean typography." "We believe men want practical, versatile items that are also stylish," says Alice Hughes, marketing and PR assistant at Wild & Wolf. "Our men’s ranges, such as Gentlemen’s Hardware and Ted Baker, offer unique products that are useful with brand names to be proud of. With such a huge competitive men’s gifts market place, something that's different to other brands is important, such as our Gentlemen’s Hardware which has a specific style, oldschool design, but is still features essential products." At Really Good, a big male sector is the company's Tom's Depot men's grooming range which focuses on a nail clipper kit set, shaving set and men's wash bag. "These are probably products that men wouldn't buy for themselves but once they have them they will

Make 'Em Laugh Something humorous can often be a winning choice. "Many men don’t want anything in particular - if they want it they just buy it themselves - so a fun novelty, such as our beer bottle shaped opener, allows the purchase of a gift they most likely haven’t got, and gives them a good laugh in the process," says Thomas O'Brien, sales operations director at Boxer Gifts. He says that wine gifts are also a big thing for men at the moment. "There are lots of men whose favourite tipple is a ‘Chateau Neuf Du Cr••p’, so our fun bottle stoppers for Dad's Medicine and Emergency Use Only fill a real gap in the market." Adds Thomas, "quite often, a man’s sanctuary at home is the loo, so our fun books such as Games on Thrones and The Daddy, which are often read in the loo, provide something to while away the hours in their den of tranquillity," he points out. Piers Croke, sales director at Gisela Graham, concurs. "The most successful men’s gifts tend to be ones that make men smile - and preferably those with some utility."

Above left: Hello Handsome Muscle Miniatures from NPW. Above: Tom's Depot nail clipper set from Really Good. Far left: Wild and Wolf's Gentlemen's Hardware shaving set. Left: A visual of a Grumpy travel essentials wash bag from MAD Beauty which will be launching this Autumn.

always use," comments general manager Lisa Shoesmith. MAD Beauty recently introduced the Novel Idea gift set for men, along with a Manitizer moisturising hand sanitizer, which was highly commended in the recent Gift of the Year Awards. "Going forward in 2016, under our new Disney licence which is launching for A/W16, will be Don’t Be Grumpy Be Happy," confirms director Trevor Cash. "It's a range of grown-up gift sets creatively using images from these two much loved characters from Disney’s Snow White. Men love novelty gifts which are a bit of fun too!"

Dedicated Follower Of Fashion One of the most successful developments for Joe Davies has been the company's Equilibrium Collection for Men. "Scarves and cufflinks are performing very strongly, but trending in particular are the leather bracelets with matching necklaces," confirms commercial director Paul Hooker. "A great men’s gift has to have that something special to cut through. For us, Equilibrium seems to have that ingredient X.” Other male best sellers for the company include a smart pen, a mug outlining a hobby, sentiment photo frames and humorous beer mugs.

Above: A good loo read - Game of Thrones from Boxer Gifts. Left: All About Him office range from Gisela Graham. Right: Joe Davies' Equilibrium men’s bracelets.

Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

SIGNATURE GIFTS PREMIER supplier of

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

Discover the World The Globe Collection is a fresh take on a classic design and makes an ideal gift for all devotees of travel. January saw the introduction of a new Black & Copper Globe in three different sizes: 20.0cm, 25.0cm and 30.0cm. This stylish black contemporary globe sports a stunning highgloss finish with striking copper details, and expands the existing black globe collection, which previously consisted of black, silver and gold colour schemes. Each is set on a copper finished tilt mount with horizontal rotation. Enesco Tel: 01228 404040 Email: uksales@enesco.co.uk www.enesco.co.uk

Bear Hands Perfect for those macho men who like to boast about “using their bare hands”, now they really can use their 'bear hands' in the kitchen and round the barbeque, without a grimace or a growl! These hilarious oven mitts from Fred by Kitchen Craft come as a pair and are made from insulated cotton featuring silicone pads which help protect from the heat as well as offering an element of grip. Contact Fred at Kitchen Craft. Kitchen Craft Tel: +44 (0) 121 604 1111 Email: sales@kitchencraft.co.uk www.kitchencraft.co.uk/fred

Lighting Up Gotham City With the Dawn of Justice movie released in March seeing Batman and Superman at odds, and Gotham being such a TV hit, it seemed time to develop a proper Batman signal projection light. This unique light, developed exclusively by Groovy, projects over 8 metres across a room. The light is classic in design and any Batman fan would be happy with the fantastic results. Groovy UK Tel: +44 (0)116 239 110 Email: j.johnston@groovyuk.com www.groovyuk.com

Coaster Cards Sometimes it's nice to give a card that is something a little more special. With Tracey Russell's new Coaster card range you get just that - a range of 24 cards that have a detachable drinks coaster as the main part of the design. Designed with hobbies as the theme. 181 x 181mm. Tracey Russell Tel: 0191 3732497 Email: office@traceyrussell.co.uk www.traceyrussell.co.uk

Dining Outdoors Wild & Wolf’s original Gentlemen’s Hardware brand is extending, with accessories ideal for the outdoors this spring and summer! The new collections feature enamel and steel dining accessories, suitable for camping and travelling. The enamel range follows a colour theme of cream and navy blue, whilst the steel keeps it simple yet stylish with stainless steel and matte black details. All products are finished with the recognisable and inspiring slogan ‘The Adventure Begins’ and the Gentlemen’s Hardware logo. Wild & Wolf Tel: 01225 789909 Email: sales@wildandwolf.com www.wildandwolf.com

Classic Comic Gifts The Victor, The Hotspur and The Wizard are amongst the classic comics used by Half Moon Bay to create a range of gift items including tins, mugs, fridge magnets, tin signs, exercise books and notebooks. They are using covers featuring popular subjects such as football, cricket, aeroplanes and motor cars. Ian Downes from Start Licensing commented: " Half Moon Bay understand the iconic status of these comics and they have selected some fantastic comic art to create their range ". See www.halfmoonbay.co.uk/new_and_featured/no stalgic_themes/classic_comics/ For further information contact Ian Downes. Start Licensing Tel: 0208 337 7958 Email: ian@startlicensing.co.uk www.startlicensing.co.uk

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

British by design... British by design... British by design... British 72_GH_March 2016.indd 1 Progressive GiftsApril Feb 2016 finished.indd 1

bctf

British Craft Trade Fair

British Craft Trade Fair 10th - 12th April 2016 Great Yorkshire Showground Harrogate, HG2 8QZ, UK

Featuring 500 of the best British designer-makers creating unique, handmade gifts and homeware. If you havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t already registered, go to...

www.bctf.co.uk Tel: 01444 246 446 Email: info@bctf.co.uk

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Spotlight On... BCTF

Quintessentially

British

Left: Margeret Bunn, BCTF show director. Below and bottom: Exhibitors products include animal themed mugs from Nosey Parker Designs and candles from Flo.

Some 22 years ago, show organisers PSM bought the rights to the British Craft Trade Fair - now known as the BCTF gradually turning round its fortunes to make it one of today's most exciting and successful shows on the exhibition calendar for UK designer-makers. As some 460 companies get ready to showcase their wares at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate, from April 1012, PG&H looked at what buyers might expect to find this year, and also asked show director Margeret Bunn what continues to drive the success of the show.

well as independent retailers in home, gift and fashion - to identify those that are new to the industry," explains Margeret. As consumers become more selective about designers, but also as businesses, gives me Trends to look out for this year include what they eat, what they wear and what they great pleasure.’’ she states. retro with a twist, with animal inspired put into their homes, so products that have Next month's show will introduce yet designs popular too. "Humour is evident in been Made in Britain continue to thrive, with more fresh talent into the trade arena, with a lots of makers work, making it instantly people willing to pay more for something that strong presence from designers of home recognisable as quintessentially British," has been designed and made here in the UK furnishings and wall art. Established Margeret highlights. "Although similar rather than mass produced in the Far East. exhibitors include Stuart Akroyd, David themes are picked up by many makers "Made in Britain has definitely found a Meredith, Sanders and Wallace Glassmakers across the mediums, each has their own way place in today’s market, no longer hiding who will showcase their work alongside of interpreting their passion through their behind imports and handmade work from emerging artists. "Although they will be in creations which are all wonderfully unique overseas," concurs BCTF organiser Margeret the same hall, the Newcomers Gallery allows and exquisitely made." Bunn. "Designer-makers in the UK can be buyers from many sectors - to include A highlight of the show each year are, proud of what they produce, offering an galleries, architectural and interior design of course, the BCTF awards, sponsored by individual product to more and more practises, heritage and museum shops, as the British Jewellery Association, The consumers wanting something Giftware Association and different for them and their homes." British Craft Trade Fair: The Lowdown craft&design magazine. l The BCTF was originally launched in 1975 at the Harrogate Exhibition Margeret says that she has Past winners that have gone on Centre for designer-makers seeking a platform to showcase their work to always enjoyed the job of selecting to great success over the past two a commercial audience. the exhibitors that showcase their decades include Christine Cummins, l When the show was subsequently sold, it began to lose its original work at the BCTF. "Seeing makers focus through large manufacturers and importers being allowed to exhibit. who was the first winner of the Best l In 1994, the show was bought by PSM who re-launched it as an at the start of their careers, Newcomers Award 20 years ago; exclusive event for British designer-makers. Some 22 years on, the watching them grow not only as Ingrid Pears MBE who won the exhibition is continuing to go from strength to strength. craft&design Newcomers Award 15 Join Our years ago and Daniela Dobesova who was the Breakfast Club 2006 Newcomer winner 10 years ago. A strong line-up of "Winning an award at the BCTF has speakers will be taking part helped numerous makers gain confidence and in the BCTF's Breakfast success in the years that have followed," Club, which was introduced highlights Margeret. "After all, BCTF exhibitors two years ago. This April, key players in the gift sector set the trends that others follow." will be sharing their insights into the industry.

Show Essentials Dates: Venue: Tel: E-mail: Web:

April 10-12, 2016 Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate 01444 246446 info@bctf.co.uk www.bctf.co.uk

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10-11 May - Stand 523

Flame & Fragrance 74_GH_March April 2016.indd 1

For more info, contact our Customer Service Team Email: sales@xystos.co.uk or call 0191 499 1570 www.xystostrade.co.uk

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

Natural Glow

‘A Little Box of…’ Gaeltag’s brand new impulse line A Little Box of... comprises 16 mini gift boxes supplied in a bright and eye-catching outer, cleverly designed as an all-in-one counter-top display. Covering all occasions, each box features different items – sentimental keepsakes, some sweet, some humorous, but all endearing, with a card to summarise the contents and the thought. A Little Box of... makes a unique gift for any special moment - at pocket money prices. .For additional information contact: Lorena Golfetto. Gaeltag Keltika Tel: 020 8998 1781 Email: sales@gaeltag.com www.gaeltagkeltika.com www.cowparade.eu

Natural Glow, an outstanding collection of luxury wax flameless candles, have been designed using the latest LED technology to naturally flicker and create soft, warm ambient light. Importantly, they create no heat, no odour, no dripping wax and no smoke. The Crystal LED technology enhances battery life and can be used in conjunction with a multifunction remote control (available separately). Four distinctive ranges are currently available in a selection of styles and colours. Tradestock Tel: 01823 661717 Tel: +44 (0) 1823 661717 Email: sales@tradestockltd.co.uk www.tradestockltd.co.uk

Reading The Small Print For people in the kitchen squinting at the small print on food labels and packaging, IF’s brand new InSPECtors are the perfect gift! Available in three different funky colours and styles, these magnifying label readers contain hidden magnets - designed to stick to the fridge. IF’s philosophy of 'fun and functional’ is behind many of their new products, winning them various awards including a shortlisting for InSPECtors in Gift of the Year 2016. A fridge shaped display stand is available with starter pack of 18. IF Tel: 01751 475757 Email: selina@thatcompanycalledif.com www.thatcompanycalledif.com

Happily Ever After Yankee Candle has added a new design to its popular Sentiments collection, which sees much-loved Yankee Candle fragrances transformed into heart-warming gifts and keepsakes. Beachwood scented Happily Ever After joins the range which provides thoughtful gestures for important life events, such as birthdays, Mother’s Day and weddings, reflecting the growing trend for positive sentiment gifting. Each double wick candle is presented in a contemporary glass pillar featuring a message and decorative pattern in a rainbow of vibrant colours. Sentiments create an eye catching display and attractive gifting proposition. Yankee Candle Tel: 0117 316 1200 Fragrance Spheres www.yankeecandle.co.uk Yankee Candle is launching new Fragrance Spheres this summer as the perfect flameless solution for small spaces. The scent filled sphere beads are activated by removal of the protective seal and shrink as the fragrance is diffused into the air, neutralising odours and refreshing the room. When all the beads have dissipated, it’s time to replace with another jar. Perfect for small spaces like laundry rooms, cupboards and bathrooms, Fragrance Spheres will be available in a selection of classic Yankee fragrances. Yankee Candle Tel: 0117 316 1200 www.yankeecandle.co.uk

Reading Lamps Lighting up everyone’s life with their brand new set of four small but perfectly formed reading lamps, IF has ingeniously packaged them in themed tent shaped boxes, creating great little gifts for big kids and little kids alike! Whether your idea of adventure is an expedition to the North Pole, a muddy festival, family holiday or snazzy glamping trip, there is definitely one to suit! Fabulous camping POS display available too! Winner of a highly commended award in the Gift of the Year 2016! IF Tel: 01751 475757 Email: selina@thatcompanycalledif.com www.thatcompanycalledif.com

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

NEC Autumn Fair 4-7th September Hall3 Stand 3YO4

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

Put On Your Dancing Shoes Widdop and Co introduces Jitterbug, a selective collection of high quality, themed licensed giftware from the award winning Pigment Design Studio. With a strong Art Deco influence, the collection of ladies gifts offers a simple solution to the retailer with a collection of 30 lines across gifts and home accessory lines ranging from mugs to frames and figurines to storage boxes, all featuring a stunning gift box solution, rich jewelled colours and a gold hot foil finish. Widdop & Co Tel: 0161 688 1226 Email: sales@widdop.co.uk www.widdop.co.uk

Burning Gold Best Kept Secrets has launched a new innovative collection of candle tins, with fabulous fragrances, three wicks to give intense burn and aroma, and an eloquent design to make for a perfect candle tin gift collection. The Burning Gold collection was showcased at the recent Spring Fair and Scotland’s Trade Fair to rave reviews from new and existing customers. The full range of candles will be available from April with the company taking pre-orders now. Best Kept Secrets Tel: 01670 512222 Email: sales@bestkeptsecrets.co.uk

Quirky One Offs Wonder Of WoodWick This striking and unusual Chevron Mosaic candle from Xystos may not be typical of the much-loved WoodWick range, but it demonstrates that its American manufacturer has something for all tastes. This example is expected to appeal to retro lovers of all ages as the wonder of WoodWick enchants an ever-growing customer base following best-ever sales for the brand at Spring Fair. Xystos Tel: 0191 499 1570 Email: sales@xystos.co.uk www.xystostrade.co.uk

Always available in stock at Dealers a most unusual mix of goods to meet your stocking needs and your refurbishment and design needs. Lots of unusual quirky one off feature items can also be found at our showroom/Warehouse. New and exciting products come in daily - we never know what will arrive next! Along with all the old and vintage items, we also carry our regular stocking lines - easy for you to repeat on. Dealers Ltd Tel: 01743 761241 Email: dealers@dealers-uk.com www.dealers-uk.com

Crackle Glass, Crackling Wick This delightful Crackle Glass Hourglass offering is among the new autumn/winter releases from WoodWick, the candle with the crackling wick. It has an RRP of £18.99. Two new ranges have been added, the Boudoir Collection, featuring six fragrances, and the Blue Arrow Collection of five scents in a distinctive HearthWick vessel. There are three other hourglass candles, too – Dancing, Plaid and Scenic – as well as a range of attractive WoodWick Candle shades. Available from Xystos, the home of flame and fragrance. Xystos Tel: 0191 499 1570 Email: sales@xystos.co.uk www.xystostrade.co.uk

The Retailers’ Friend HearthWick is the candle that keeps on giving – repeat business to retailers, that is! And it’s a trend that looks set to continue in 2016 following a record-breaking year for Xystos, its UK distributor. WoodWick’s autumn/winter collection includes this gorgeous HearthWick Ellipse Mercury Glass candle – yet another example of the outstanding quality products from Virginia Gift Brands. It has an RRP of £24.99. Xystos Tel: 0191 499 1570 Email: sales@xystos.co.uk www.xystostrade.co.uk PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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

Starry Heart Keepsakes

Fine Fragrances

La de da! Living has done it again and designed eight beautiful high end metal plaques for their new, exciting range called Starry Heart! Choose from a selection of four hanging stars and four hanging hearts which have been stamped with fun and sentimental quotes creating a stunning keepsake. Suitable for all occasions throughout the year, these gorgeous decorations are a 'must-have' retailing at just £12.99 complete with gift packaging. La de da! Living Tel: 01242 250653 Email: enquiries@ladedaliving.co.uk www.ladedaliving.co.uk

Home fragrance specialist, Ashleigh & Burwood has been appointed as exclusive distributor in the UK & Ireland, for a new range of six happy Australian-made fragrances from the Fine Fragrance Company. Available as a 150ml, long lasting non-alcohol formulation reed diffuser and a 250gm soy-blend scented candle with wooden wick, both are delivered in pastelpop hand painted vessels, with gift boxes to match. Fragrances include Mai Tai, Crème Anglaise and Wild Frangipani. Ashleigh & Burwood Tel: 01932 267060 Email: info@ashleigh-burwood.co.uk www.ashleigh-burwood-trade.co.uk

Compact Scent Hubs Ashleigh & Burwood introduce portable, compact amora Scent Hubs, orion and venus this spring. The new hubs provides all of the function of the full sized amora ultrasonic diffusers in a convenient compact design that can be connected to a laptop via USB for fragrance on the go. Their smaller stature makes them ideal to use where space is limited, such as desktops or bedside tables. Ashleigh & Burwood Tel: 01932 267060 Email: info@ashleigh-burwood.co.uk www.ashleigh-burwood-trade.co.uk

Hand Stamped Vintage Cutlery La de da! Living is renowned for its high end award winning vintage cutlery. The stunning silverware is proudly sourced here in the UK and then hand stamped letter by letter. The range covers all occasions and once a stockist you can offer your customers a personalised service. The collection is stocked by British flagship stores like Liberty Of London and Twining’s to amazing independents all around the world and we would love for you to be part of this fun, fabulous journey! La de da! Living Tel: 01242 250653 Email: enquiries@ladedaliving.co.uk www.ladedaliving.co.uk

A Royal Celebration Lesser & Pavey is delighted to present a quality range of chinaware to help celebrate the Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II birthday, with the company expecting the range to sell out quickly. The range features a fine china mug individually gift boxed with photographic imagery; a mug and coast gift set; a pair of fine china mugs; a fine china cup and saucer to follow the trend for a return to tea parties and fine chinaware; celebration plates in two sizes and a six coaster set. Lesser & Pavey Tel 01322 279225 Email: sales@leonardo.co.uk www.leonardo.co.uk

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

Royal Furmily Pawtraits If you missed meeting The Royal Furmily Pawtraits at Spring Fair then contact Gaeltag to arrange an audience with these eccentric aristo-cats. Based around four ceramic cat figurines with big personalities – Lord Downtown Tabbey, Baroness Anchovy-de-Breath, Lady Tiny Tinsy TeenaTuna and Purrince Eaton de Mousen - the cat imagery also features on mugs, a tea-for-one teapot, tea towels, apron, and fridge magnets. All come in gift boxes with a humorous twist... purrfect! For additional information contact: Lorena Golfetto. Gaeltag Keltika Email: sales@gaeltag.com Tel: 020 8998 1781 www.gaeltagkeltika.com www.cowparade.eu

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

Glass LED Balloons

Clangers In A Tin The new Clangers in a Tin from Apples to Pears encourages kids to make up problem solving stories and adventures with charming wooden play pieces of the Clanger family and their planetary friends, whilst the Clangers Astronomy Kit and Make Your Own Soup Dragon satisfy early learning and crafting interests respectively. A Knit Your Own Clanger from the Crafty Kit Company will also join the eagerly anticipated line-up, which is set to leave stockists looking pretty in pink. Apples to Pears Tel: 01453 826759 Email: sales@applestopears.com www.applestopears.com

These gorgeous, eye-catching glass balloons are proving a big hit with Joe Davies retail customers. The balloons make a fantastic retail display and as an added bonus contain lovely ‘firefly’ LED lights which look spectacular when lit. The balloons are available in three sizes and an array of colours including bright Mercury, metallic Mercury and plain finish. Retail prices start from £3.99. Joe Davies’ minimum orders are just £100 and everything in their extensive range is easy to buy in small quantities to suit the independent retailer. Joe Davies Tel: 0161 975 6300 Email info@joedavies.co.uk www.joedavies.co.uk

New Classic Telephones

Modern Classics Modern Classics, Sea Salt & Oakmoss, a new fragrance/colourway to add to this best selling home fragrance collection. The simple classic styling, high fragrances and unusual bottle shapes make this range a very popular choice. The new blue colour option is bang on trend, as is the wonderful salty, oceanic fragrance. The range offers a wide selection of products such as 140ml reed diffuser, 40 hour candle and 15 hour candle, as well as a room spray and a gift set option. Stoneglow Candles Tel: 0044 208 595 8878 Email: sales@stoneglowcandles.co.uk www.stoneglowcandles.co.uk

Wild & Wolf is excited to be extending its classic telephones range with two new additions to the 746 collection. The topselling line is expanding and includes a new glossy wood design and a contemporary marble effect phone. The unique telephones reflect a retro, yet modern trend that will impact the style of any home or office. Both include an original bell style ringer and push button dialling. Available now, RRP £64.95. Wild & Wolf Tel: 01225 789909 Email: sales@wildandwolf.com www.wildandwolf.com

Bigger Is Better

Creative Colouring

500ml reed diffusers have been introduced into the Fired Earth collection for the very first time. Available in the top two fragrances, Black Tea & Jasmine and Emperor’s Red Tea, these reed diffusers fill the gap for larger home fragrance items in the market. Their size and design makes them a welcome addition to home décor and they can easily be marketed as gifts. Wax Lyrical Tel: 01229 461111 Email: customerservice@wax-lyrical.co.uk www.waxlyricaltrade.com

DKL has announced over 50 new products from Scentco Scented Stationery. Following a successful year distributing Smencils, Smarkers, Smens and more, DKL is launching new Scented Paper Clips, Scented Gel Crayons and, new licenses, Disney Princess, Tsum Tsum and Finding Dory. The Scentco range boasts eco-friendly products with scents lasting two years. DKL has also introduced new Scentco FSDUs. Available as generic or with licensed Disney Frozen lines, the new stands allow retailers to merchandise Scentco in an eye-catching and space-effective way. DKL Tel: 01604 678780 Email: dkl@dkl.co.uk www.dkl.co.uk PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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Best Sellers Progressive Gifts & Home asked a selection of retailers about the products which have been flying off their shelves this month. Emma Woodword, co-owner, Aspire Style which has shops in Earlsdon, Warwick Solihull, Stratford-upon-Avon and Oxford CATEGORY

SUPPLIERS/RANGES

COMMENT

Decorative Home Accessories

RJB Stone: copper frames;

A simple design with a definite vintage feel. A stylish, on trend addition to any home. Too good to write in - ideal for display!

That Company Called IF: Alphabooks notebooks

Fragranced Giftware

Heathcote & Ivory: Cath Kidston;

Bath House: lip balms

This fits in really well with our other ranges and is a good price point for easy pick-up gift purchases. Great quality and fun packaging designs.

Jewellery

JOMA: bracelets; Virtue: sterling silver stack rings.

Great gift packaging which made them a lovely Valentine's purchase. Customers love to collect them, so they are great for encouraging repeat purchases.

Fashion Accessories

Chic&Tique: tartan scarves;

These have been great, especially when the colder weather hit post Christmas. Quirky designs with a practical use.

Disaster Designs: travel wallets

Above: Aspire Style, Coventry.

Greeting Cards

Cardmix

One of our favourite brands. Lovely feminine, modern, new designs.

Other Hot Hits

Little Mistress: dresses

Perfect dresses for the prom and wedding season.

Susan Kerr, co-owner, Harvey Willis, Glenrothes, Fife A large shop in the Kingdom Shopping Centre CATEGORY

SUPPLIERS/RANGES

COMMENT

Decorative Home Accessories

Poole Pottery: across the board; Frith Bronze: sculptures

Customers love the vivid colours. Good prices and great designs.

Fragranced Giftware

Yankee Candle: across the board; Stoneglow: candles and reed diffusers

Our customers love the melt cup warmers. Stylish products and great fragrances

Jewellery

Hot Diamonds: sterling silver/diamonds Antica Murrina: contemporary

Consistent quality at a good price.

Fashion Accessories

Ness: bags and purses; Miss Shorthair: scarves

Great design, instantly recognisable. Great colours and good prices.

Greeting Cards

Nigel Quiney: Pizazz

Beautiful cards for women. We can't get enough of them.

Giftwrap

Belly Button Designs

The wedding giftwrap features good quality reversible paper with lovely designs.

Other Hot Hits

Sienna Glass Collection: friendship balls; Faye: eco bags

We have sold loads!

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

Above Harvey Willis.

Vivid colours for special occasions.

Nice colours and very popular since the shopping bag tax!

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Alison Chapman, owner, Wonder Stuff, Treorchy A medium sized gift shop CATEGORY

SUPPLIERS/RANGES

COMMENT

Accessories

Widdop & Co: Love Life;

Well priced gifts with great sentiments for friends and family, to include mugs and plaques. Great, inexpensive gifts.

East of India: Little Pictures; Fragranced Giftware

Yankee Candle: across the board;

Bath, Bubble and Beyond: Bath Marble Jewellery

Joe Davies: Equilibrium;

Always one of our best sellers. The gifts sets are great pick up lines, especially for gifts at ÂŁ10 and under. There are a wide range of colours and fragrances, which we put together in little gift packs.

Above: Wonder Stuff.

Nirvana Jewellery: costume

This vast range includes bracelets, necklaces, earrings etc. One of our best selling lines. Inexpensive fashion jewellery.

Fashion Accessories

Medley Jewellery: watches

Colourful watches with little charms. Great PoS item.

Greeting Cards

Second Nature: Champagne

Even though these cards seem a bit pricey, the quality and design speak for themselves.

Giftwrap

MIC

The gift bags come in a wide range of designs, from floral to vintage.

Other Hot Hits

Instant Gifts: Light Up Letters; Wild Things: Guardian Angels

A 'must have' at Wonder Stuff! They're ideal for weddings, birthdays and teenage gifts. Their birth stone colours offer something different when there's a difficult gift to buy.

Josie Rossington, owner, Follie, Lincoln A small gift and home accessories shop on a main road CATEGORY

SUPPLIERS/RANGES

COMMENT

Decorative Home Accessories

Retreat Home: across the board;

Lovely core range of photo frames, cushions and decorative accessories that make great wedding presents. Eco-friendly homewares, photo frames, wooden letter, vintage style coat hooks and glass coasters.

Nkuku: across the board

Fragranced Giftware

Wild Olive: candles and bath and body;

Branche D'Olive: across the board

A classic, luxury handmade range of home fragrances, candles and soaps. The heart shaped pomanders are very popular as a gift.

Above: Follie.

Jewellery

Lovett: across the board; Hot Tomato: across the board

Vintage inspired jewellery with fresh and romantic colours for Spring. We've already sold out of our S/S 16 stock. Earrings and bracelets are great value. A diverse range of styles.

Fashion Accessories

Miss Shorthair: scarves; One Hundred Stars: scarves and kimonos

A sell-out over Christmas and the same for Spring. Great colours/patterns. Fantastic value for money. Clever scarves and kimonos that are printed with vintage style maps of London, Paris and New York.

Greeting Cards

Rosie Made A Thing

Fun, cheeky cards that make customers laugh out loud.

Giftwrap

Caroline Gardner

A trusted brand. Lovely quality paper, great prints and gift bags.

Other Hot Hits

Animo Glass: glassware

Stylish, great quality and a useful male gift.

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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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!

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

FRITH SCULPTURE T: 01666 577110 E: sales@frithsculpture.co.uk W: www.frithsculpture.co.uk

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

STONEGLOW CANDLES T: 0208 595 8878 E: sales@stoneglowcandles.co.uk W: www.stoneglowcandles.co.uk

NIGEL QUINEY PUBLICATIONS T: 01799 520200 E: info@nigelquiney.com W: www.nigelquiney.com

WILD THINGS GIFTS T: 01392 211268 E: info@wildthingsgifts.com W: www.wildthingsgifts.com

SMILING FACES T: 01444 882323 E: sales@smilingfaces.co.uk W: www.smilingfaces.co.uk

THAT COMPANY CALLED IF T: 01751 475757 E: selina@thatcompanycalledif.com W: thatcompanycalledif.com

UP T: E: W:

IN LIGHTS FROM SMILING FACES 01444 882323 sales@smilingfaces.co.uk www.smilingfaces.co.uk Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

FORTHCOMING EVENTS Open Week Preview

22nd - 25th May and 5th - 8th June

Libra Showrooms

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

T F P L #INSPIRINGINTERIORS

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On The Road Paul McGoogan With Christmas long done and dusted, PG&H asked gift and card agent Paul McGoogan (who works alongside agent Kenny McLeod to cover Scotland), how 2016 is shaping up, with Paul in a buoyant mood following a good start to the year. Paul's principals include Xystos, Carte Blanche Greetings, Glick and Nigel Quiney. "Most retailers I deal with had a good festive season so it's been a good start to the year," says Paul. "In fact, I've been pleasantly surprised at how many stores were looking to re-stock in January. I did a lot of good, everyday business, with customers going into 2016 very positively. Already, my sales are up in terms of shops buying into Christmas product for the next festive season with buyers looking to stay with trusted brands." As for the major Spring occasions, Paul highlights how the very short window for retailers this year, with Valentine's Day three weeks apart from Mother's Day on March 6, and Easter following three weeks later on March 25, brought its challenges.

"It's meant that gift and card shops had to treble display," Paul highlights. "As soon as Valentine's Day was finished Mother's Day came along, and once that was over, it was time to put out the Easter displays!" Continues Paul: "I found that for Mother's Day - one of the biggest special occasions of the year for gift retailers next to Christmas - buyers were looking to expand on the home fragrance side, with candles and reed diffusers among the most popular lines. This sector of the market place is continuing to grow, with consumers being very discerning, so not only does the packaging have to be right in terms of creating a display and making the products gift-able, but also the brand, the fragrance and the quality." He says that other products that were enormously popular were sentiment plush items, helping people to convey their feelings to friends and loved ones. Overall, Paul says that for him, so far, it's been a really positive year - "in fact, one of my best for several years!" he states.

Left: Paul McGoogan.

Last Word Nadiya Hussain Inspirational baker Nadiya Hussain left school at 16, had an arranged marriage at 19, and now, aged 30, is a mum of three, and one of the most popular and successful winners of The Great British Bake Off (GBBO). Since winning the 2015 competition, Nadiya has been a panellist on Loose Women, a guest on The One Show, and is also a Saturday Times magazine columnist. She was also at the recent Spring Fair to help promote Wow! Stuffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s launch of GBBO kitchen giftware collection, which features the show's favourite sayings that include 'soggy bottom' and 'star baker'! l Three words that best describe you? "Nervous, happy, focused." l Is there a quirky fact we don't know about you? "The second time I met my husband Abdal, an IT specialist, I married him! The first time, we got engaged. If I can't fall asleep, I ask him to tell me about his day. It works every time!" l What was the best piece of advice you've been given? "Don't start a fight you can't finish." l What's the best advice that you would give to someone else?" "Don't give up, especially when it comes to baking!" l What are your favourite TV programmes? "Bake Off of

l l l

l l

course, plus Strictly Come Dancing. I'm a closet fan. However, I will never be a contestant as my husband would get very jealous!" What's your favourite film? "Gladiators." What's your favourite book? Above: Nadiya Hussain. "The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold." What's been your favourite holiday or place to visit? "We've travelled all over Europe but have never been to the same place twice." How do you start your day? "The first thing I do when I wake up is to pray. Then I turn on the central heating and make a green juice. After that, I wake up the kids and do the school run." How do you end your day? "Sitting in front of the TV with a cup of green tea and a packet of balsamic vinegar crisps." What's your kitchen like? "We're living in a rented house at the moment as we're currently renovating our new house, but when the kitchen is finished it will be quite subtle, but just like the kitchen in the Bake Off tent." Is there a baking tool that you couldn't live without? "My ice cream machine. I'd never used one until Bake Off, and then I bought one in a sale. It's quick and easy to use and the ice cream is delicious." Which one item would you take to a desert island and why? "My silicon pads. As well as using them to line baking trays to make biscuits theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re useful for a host of other things too." Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

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CLASSIFIED

CLASSIFIED BESPOKE

Manufacturer & distributor at your door.

POSITION: BUYER , GIFTS, PACKAGING AND PARTY Scribbler is a vibrant, humorous card, gift & stationery retailer with over 30 shops in the UK

Your one stop shop for bespoke photo frames.

We are looking for an experienced Buyer to join our hardworking and dynamic Buying and Merchandising team in our Head Office in Kennington, London.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Sourcing new products for your categories that fulﬁl the range strategy Driving sales and proﬁt of your product categories Analysing sales of current products to identify strengths and weaknesses of current range Develop a calendar of promotional opportunities Working with the merchandisers to deliver the stock strategy for the category Negotiating terms with suppliers Developing visual merchandising guidelines for implementation

Just a few reasons to buy from Joe Davies

Wood, plastic, metal & glass frames.

Over 8000 gift items Low £100 minimum order ‘Little & Often’ order system Free carriage

T: 01908976443 E: sales@homsquare.co.uk www.homsquare.co.uk

Please contact our Award Winning sales staff for further details. Tel: 0161 975 6300 Email sales@joedavies

This role requires someone who is passionate about product and finding the next great product that will excite our customers and drive sales.

As part of the team you will be responsible for:

GIFT IMPORTERS & DISTRIBUTORS

GIFTS & GREETINGS

www.joedavies.co.uk

TRADE ASSOCIATION

To do this effectively you will need the following skills and experience: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Previous retail buying experience as a buyer or junior buyer Experience of working in a design led retail business Negotiation experience Strong analytical skills, numerate Proﬁcient with Excel Good planning and organisational skills Enjoy being part of an energetic team and a good team player

The Giftware Association is the UK’s long established trade association serving retailers and suppliers in the gift and home industry, offering a wide selection of money-saving services, including free marketing, product offers, discounted hotel rates, legal advice and much more.

The position is full time (35 hours per week), Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm and we offer a competitive salary.

Website: www.ga-uk.org Email: enquiries@ga-uk.org Tel: 0121 237 1104 10 Vyse St, Birmingham B18 6LT

Interested applicants should send their CV together with a brief covering email to work@scribbler.com by Friday 15th April we will contact suitable applicants for interview shortly after that.

FOR SALE Profitable, prime location gift and kitchen ware business for sale in East Anglia. Leasehold consists of 2000 square feet sales floor plus upper floor storage. Stockists of major gift and kitchen brands.

It costs as little as £250 per annum to advertise in the Product Directory. Contact Angie Bryant on 01993 212 994 for further information.

★ Yankee Candle ★ Charlie Bears ★ Steiff ★ Enesco ★ Nemesis Now ★ Joe Davies ★ Widdop and Co. ★ Kitchen Craft ★ Horwoods ★ Portmeirion Established 10 years Please Email all enquires to: lena.ina291@gmail.com 86

www.dealers-uk.com We have a constantly changing assortment of over 8,000 items including decorative goods, old and new, recycled, vintage, upcycled and reproduction items of furniture, accessories, garden wares, architectural and unusual items It is well worth a visit to our 36,000 square feet warehouse and acres of outside show area or visit our website

www.dealers-uk.com Contact us on: Phone: +44 (0)1743 761241 Email: dealers@dealers-uk.com TRADE ONLY IBC_GH_March April IBC_GH_Oct Nov 2015.indd 1 1 Dealers Advert.indd 1 2016.indd

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Exclusive to

The home British hand stamped cutlery We are very excited to announce theoflaunch of vintage an exclusive range by Daisy Maison for La de da! Living... We have worked closely with the fabulous Shelley & Julie at Daisy Maison to create a new, beautiful and sentimental range of wall pictures that you wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t find anywhere else! This exclusive range is completely hand-made here in the UK and is exclusive to the trade customers of LDD only!

01242 250653 | enquiries@ladedaliving.co.uk | www.ladedaliving.co.uk OBC_GH_March April 2016.indd 1 LDDL017-PG-Advert.indd 2

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