Gifts and Homes January 2018 by Max Publishing: Print, Digital Media + Events (London)

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January 2019

Come and see us at Spring Fair, NEC Birmingham - 3rd to 7th February 2019 Hall 4 - Stand 4E31. Professional Beauty Show, Excel London - 24th & 25th February 2019 - Stand D10

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www.maxpublishing.co.uk The home of market leading trade magazines

EXHIBITIONS

THE HOME OF MARKET LEADING TRADE AWARDS

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 Publishers Jacqueline Brown, Warren Lomax and Ian Hyder

Design & Production

This Month

@Prog_Gifts

If everything has gone according to plan, you should be reading this issue on or around Christmas Eve, with the tills, fingers crossed, jingly merrily away! What has particularly touched me this Christmas is the ‘gift of giving’ in its many interpretations. Our lovely columnist Lesley Dunne, owner of Feathering Your Nest in Rayleigh, sat on her Christmas window idea for over six months before turning her dream into a reality. Turn to the Gift of Giving on page 79 to find out more. I was also very touched to hear from Jo Williams, owner of Joco Interiors in Nuneaton, about how, with the support of Jo and her team, an apprentice with mental health issues won two prestigious awards. Turn to page 13 to read this heart-warming story. It’s gift retailers such as Lesley and Jo that make us all feel proud to work in such a fantastic industry, taking ‘giving’ to another level, and it brings me to The Greats 2019, where it’s game on for gift retailers and gift departments who have shown that they’re a cut above the rest. As always, we want retailers to self-nominate - you can email your entry to me at suem@maxpublishing.co.uk - or fill out the entry form enclosed with this issue. It can also be downloaded by visiting www.thegreatsawards.co.uk. And, of course, we want nominations from the industry too! And talking of people at the top of their game, we meet a design ‘great’ - Tom Dixon OBE - who recently opened a gift shop in London (see pages 33-35); we turn the spotlight on the next big gift giving occasion, Mother’s Day, (see pages 55-59), and take a look at what’s new in licensed giftware for Spring (turn to pages 63-65). We also discover what’s trending in reed diffusers (see pages 47-49) and which collectables are thriving (see page 53). Plus, we meet two Cornish gift retailers who achieved success in the South West category at The Greats in 2018. To find out the secret of their success, turn to pages 37-41. Plus, regardless of the season, discover why Thomas O’Brien of Boxer Gifts is urging businesses not to be ‘snowflakes’. (Turn to page 71). On the celebrity front, read our Last Word, exclusive, heart-to-heart with the King of Retail, Theo Paphitis (see page 84), and go Behind The Counter with Ella Bradbury of Forget Me Not in Stubbington (also on page 84). As we say goodbye to 2018, on a personal note, December marks my 20th anniversary as editor of Progressive Gifts & Home. I honestly feel I couldn’t have enjoyed these past two decades more, and can’t wait to see what the next decade will bring in terms of how the industry will step up to the plate as the landscape changes. But for now, as 2018 bows out, take a look at A Year In Gifts (see pages 27-29) to recap on the highs and lows of the past 12 months. I’m looking forward to seeing you all at the January shows, and talking of exhibitions, please turn to Showtime Worldwide on pages 85-102 for the lowdown on the shows taking place in 2019. Wishing all of you a wonderful Christmas and a sparkling, happy, healthy and successful New Year!

Above: Sue in the brand new Tom Dixon store in the Coals Drop Yard area of London’s Kings Cross. See pages 33-35.

Cover: Jimmy the bull, exclusively available from Enesco Ltd.

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

Russell Sutton

Subscriptions enquiries maxsubscriptions@marketingreinforcements.co.uk Tel: 020 8943 9541 ISSN 2515-7523

Copyright 2018. 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.

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Inside 7-23

News

Gift of the Gab IN PRAISE OF INDEPENDENTS

27-29

Feedback A YEAR IN GIFTS

Trends THINK PINK

33-35

Face To Face: Designer Tom Dixon DEDICATED TO DESIGN

37-41

Spotlight On... The South West SUN, SAND & SEA

43-45

In Profile: Stoneglow INVESTING IN THE FUTURE

47-49

Spotlight On... Reed Diffusers REED ALL ABOUT IT

Spotlight On... Collectables A BREED APART

55-59

Spotlight On... Mother's Day MUM’S THE WORD

63-65

Spotlight On... Licensed Gifts LICENSED FOR SPRING

In My Opinion: Boxer Gifts WHY BE A ‘SNOWFLAKE’ BUSINESS?

Sounding Off THE GIFT OF GIVING

80-81

Best Sellers

Behind The Counter: Ella Bradbury

Last Word: Theo Paphitis

85-102 SHOWTIME WORLDWIDE 2019

Sue Marks Editor

Angie Bryant Advertisement Manager

Ian Hyder Publishing Director

suem@max-publishing.co.uk

angieb@max-publishing.co.uk

ianh@max-publishing.co.uk

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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Find Us

Top Drawer – 13-15 January – Stand K47 | Atlanta Gift Show – 9 -13 January – Stand 508 Maison et Objet – 18-22 January | Spring Fair – 3-7 February – Hall 8 A15

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Industry News

The Greats Awards 2019 Could It Be Your Shop’s Name On A Greats Trophy? With just over a month until the closing date for The Greats Gift Retailer Awards, there’s still time for outstanding gift retailers of all shapes and sizes to see their names on a prestigious Greats trophy in 2019. (Please see the entry form enclosed with this issue of PG&H). Retailers are encouraged to self-nominate their shops in all categories, and to enter their extra special shop staff for the Best Retail Employee Award. "Now in their17th year, The Greats have become the gift retailing accolades of the industry, the jewel in the crown for all great gift retailers," enthuses Sue Marks, editor of Progressive Gifts & Home. “We know that there are some fantastic retailers out there, and we’re looking to recognise and reward them.” Retailers are also eligible to vote for their top suppliers in the Best Service to the Independent Gift Retailer categories by emailing ianh@max-publishing.co.uk. Plus, suppliers, reps and agents are also encouraged to nominate the exceptional retailers that they believe stand out head and shoulders from the crowd. Nominations for the prestigious Honorary Achievement Award - which recognises a very special person who has made a major contribution to the gift industry as a whole are confidential and can be emailed to ianh@maxpublishing.co.uk For details on how to enter this year’s competition, visit www.thegreatsawards.co.uk where an entry form can be downloaded. Entries can also be emailed directly to suem@max-publishing.co.uk The closing date for entries is January 31, 2019. Winners will be announced at a glittering Greats 2019 Awards lunch held in The Ballroom at the Grosvenor House on London’s Park Lane on Wednesday May 15, 2019, where the theme will be Walk On The Wild Side. For ticket information, contact Clare Hollick at Createvents tel: 01183 340085 e:clare@createvents.co.uk First launched in 2003, The Greats Gift Retailer Awards are owned and organised by Max Publishing and Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide. Top: The prestigious Greats Gift Retailer trophies standing proud. Above: Peter De La Mare, store manager at England At Home, Brighton, was the winner of The Greats 2018 Retail Employee of the Year category. Right: The Greats winners 2018 are shown on stage with their trophies.

Speaking Up Among the highlights at January’s coastal gift show, Giving & Living, will be a new area called Speakers’ Corner. “It will host a range of free workshops and drop in sessions, created around the theme of helping the independent retailer compete effectively in today’s challenging marketplace,” explains Hale Events’ managing director Mike Anderson. Speakers include Sarah Ward, chief executive of The Giftware Association. Giving & Living takes place at Westpoint, Exeter, from January 13-16. Visit www.givingliving.co.uk (See Sun, Sea, Sand on page 41).

Nessie’s Den A new feature at Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring, taking place at the SEC in Glasgow from January 2022, will be Nessie’s Den. Three Scottish gift retailers will evaluate selected exhibitors’ products on Monday January 20. Another session for food producers, judged by food retailers, will take place in the ‘Den’ on Tuesday January 22. Returning will be the Launch Gallery, The Craft Gallery, in association with Craft Scotland and the Best In The Show awards Visit www.scotlandstradefairs.co.uk

NY NOW Debut Making its debut at New York’s NY NOW in February will be Transcend, a an innovative showcase featuring leading brands and designers. It will be supported by Transcend Talks taking place on the show floor, which will highlight how to grow a retail business as well as a career in retail. NY NOW takes place at the Jacob K. Javits Centre, New York, from February 3-6. For the first time, the show will be colocated with NSS and SURTEX.

MBO For Beales

The Greats Awards Sponsors 2019 Current sponsors of The Greats 2019 Awards include (in alphabetical order): A Gift From The Gods; Boxer Gifts and Boxer Books; Candlelight; Gift Republic; GiftsandHome.net; Gisela Graham; Harrogate Christmas & Gift; Joe Davies; Premier Decorations; Progressive Gifts & Home; Progressive Greetings Live; Spring Fair/Autumn Fair and The Giftware Association. For remaining sponsorship opportunities, please contact Angie Bryant on 01993 212994; e:angieb@max-publishing.co.uk

Beales department store group - which sells gifts, homewares and housewares alongside furniture, fashion and beauty is another in a long line of retail multiples about to undergo a restructuring. In a management buyout for an undisclosed sum, chief executive Tony Brown bought 97% of the shares backed by a private equity group. He worked at Beales from 2008-13, returning as chief executive in 2017. Above: The Beales department store in Bournemouth.

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S/S 19

Image Credits: Broste Copenhagen | DOIY by Manta Gifts | Emma Johnson Ceramics | Sibilia

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Industry News

Countdown To Christmas Are The Tills Jingling For Gift Retailers? At the time of going to press in midDecember, Christmas is looking like a mixed bag for gift independents. “So far it’s been brilliant,” enthused Evelyn O’Flaherty, who co-owns two Mooch gift shops in West London with Sandra O’Connell. “We’ve been really, really busy. We’re definitely busier than last year this time and the good news is that the average spend is up.” Adds Evelyn, “we’re finding that lots of people are ‘shopping small’, preferring to Above: Mooch in Ealing. visit their local retailers rather than heading into town.” At Spirito in Glasgow, owner Denise Laird says that, at the time of going to press, Christmas has been very different to last year. “From the start of November 2017, we were all go and off to a flying start. November this year however, was slower. The weather was wet, there was Black Friday and there were a lot of other offers online. However, since the beginning of December it has been good with customers buying across the board so hopefully it will continue in the final run up.” At MiMi in Hartley Wintney, owner Julianne Moore says: “Christmas really crept up on all of us this year with the mild weather, lack of shoppers and Brexit. However, MiMi is holding its own in this volatile market place. Nevertheless, over the past two months, we have experienced our worst footfall in the eight years of trading, but our spend per head is significantly up so our figures will match last year. Fortunately, we still have new customers flooding through our doors who have heard about us through word of mouth - the best advertising we can have - looking for individuality on the high street. It’s been a real tale of two halves, but I’m proud that we are weathering the storm, as many are not. In fact, we’re are looking forward to expanding in 2019 both on line and with more physical outlets.”

Spirito Named One Of Scotland’s ‘Coolest’ Indies Gift shop Spirito in Glasgow received a welcome Christmas boost when the shop was featured in an article in Scotland’s Sunday Herald entitled ‘We wish you an indie Christmas. Scotland’s 21 coolest gift shops’. “It was great news and obviously we were all really delighted,” Spirito’s owner Denise Laird told PG&H. This follows on from a record year for Spirito which saw the company crowned the best gift shop in Scotland’s Business Awards earlier this year. The shop also won the Gift Shop category at the Glasgow Retail Business Awards in February and picked up Scotland’s Bespoke Business Of The Year title in April at the Scottish Independent Retail Awards. A further honour for Spirito was that their local MP mentioned them in the House of Commons as being “an outstanding business” in Glasgow. Below: Multi-award winning gift shop Spirito in Glasgow.

‘Save Our Shops Bewdley’ In an initiative spearheaded by Greats winner Jon May, co-owner of mooch gifts & home, independent retailers in Bewdley recently joined forces to launch a petition demanding that Wyre Forest District Council (WFDC) offer two hours free parking for everyone who visits the town. The ‘Save Our Shops Bewdley’ initiative was launched at the beginning of December to tie-in with Small Business Saturday, with petitions available to sign in every shop displaying a poster, plus online via the Facebook page Shop, Eat, Sleep Bewdley. “Many of the town’s street parking is only 30 minutes, just enough time to queue in the Post Office let alone have a coffee and a look around the town’s shops” explained Jon. “WFDC do not offer any support to local traders,” Jon continued. “Nationally, we see high streets dying and large chains closing stores, but on a local level, the same challenges exist for us all.” l Jon May was also at the forefront of a second marketing initiative, a Festive Shop Trail, which ran from December 1-December 21. Visitors were invited to to Guess the Christmas Song, with entry forms available at 30 shops in Bewdley. “Entrants had to match the shop with the song from a list provided,” explains Jon. “Correct matches were entered into a draw to win one of three fabulous prizes.” l mooch gifts & home was the winner of The Greats 2018 Independent Gift Retailer of the Year Midlands & Wales category. Left: Jon May, co-owner of mooch gifts & home in Bewdley and Stourport-on-Severn, recently led a petition to increase parking time in Bewdley.

Talking Big On Small Business Saturday T&G hosted Dr Liam Fox, secretary of state for Trade & Industry, on Small Business Saturday (December 1). The company was part of a round table discussion at the Department of International Trade’s Export Hub - which is touring the UK to foster encouraging business - along with other SMEs local to T&G’s HQ in Portishead, near Bristol. The discussion looked at the issues faced by exporting SMEs and included T&G’s insights into export. “T&G is a great example of an environmentally conscious business who export all over the world,” said Liam. Below: Patrick with Dr Liam Fox MP are shown looking at T&G’s Ocean range. For each sale, T&G is making a donation to Plastic Oceans UK.

Italian Trends And Traditions ‘Endless experimentation’ will be at the heart of lifestyle show HOMI which takes place from January 25-28, 2019, at Rho in Milan. Italian elegance and style will epitomise the event which focuses on gifts, home, tabletop, kitchenware, jewellery and fashion accessories. Additionally, Festivity will turn the spotlight on Christmas and other special occasions throughout the year. Sector experts will also be sharing their knowledge at a series of workshops and talk shows. Visit www.homimilano.com

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VISIT US AT SPRING FAIR

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HARROGATE Christmas & Gift

13th to 16th January 2019

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Industry News

Queen’s Award For Enterprise Wild & Wolf Receives International Trade Award Wild & Wolf’s new offices in Manvers Street, Bath, set the scene for the presentation of the company’s Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade, which was presented to Wild & Wolf’s ceo Paul Taylor. Staff gathered to hear HM Lord Lieutenant Anne Maw tell them: “Being awarded The Queen’s Award for Enterprise is a really serious achievement. A huge number of companies put themselves forward for this award and don’t get through, and that includes many of the larger businesses. So to have been awarded The Queen’s Award For Enterprise is a huge accolade, and I feel honoured to be presenting it to you.” She continued: “It’s companies like Wild & Wolf that help to make our country what it is, and I feel so proud of what you have achieved. Every single person who works here should feel proud of this award, which is very well deserved. People will now look out for Wild & Wolf as they know that the company is special.” Responding, Wild & Wolf’s Paul Taylor told staff: “This is a huge achievement for Wild & Wolf, and it’s down to you. There have been a lot of changes in the last couple of years and they have contributed to massive growth internationally.” Currently, the UK represents a third of the company’s business, with the USA now a slightly bigger market place. “However, we fully intend to keep growing the UK side,” Paul told PG&H. Wild & Wolf was founded in 2005 and now employs 150 people globally. Products are currently sold in over 60 countries worldwide. l Wild & Wolf recently launched the company’s first direct-to-consumer (D2C) website: https://store.wildandwolf.co.uk/ Products on the site will be sold at RRP and orders will be fulfilled from Wild & Wolf’s new, larger warehouse based in Salisbury. Above: Wild & Wolf’s ceo Paul Taylor shows PG&H’s editor Sue Marks the prestigious, official glass trophy. Left: The About Us page on Wild & Wolf’s brand new new D2C website.

Village Candle Re-Launches Brand In UK Market American brand Village Candle has confirmed a brand re-launch in the UK market, demonstrating the company’s commitment to making the UK market a priority for 2019. The company is also taking responsibility for building the Village Candle brand through direct partnerships with valued UK buyers and stockists. “We listened to our customers who wanted a closer relationship with our brand and I realised a direct model was the only way we can deliver what they asked for,” explained Paul Aldrich, founder and ceo of Village Candle. The brand re-launch will be bringing a fresh look, a new UK based team and local distribution, focusing on the importance of building local relationships Above: Village Candle’s and partnerships with retailers. Fresh Cut Peony. The company says that offering a faster time to market, and a direct relationship, will allow them to build long-standing partnerships and to be proactive, while responding to retailer and market needs. “We would like to thank Xystos for their support over the past year, and their continued support throughout this transitional period,” continued Paul. “We are very excited about what the future holds and look forward to working with all our current and future customers, as well as meeting up with them in Hall 5, stand D40-E41 at Spring Fair in February.”

RHS Appoints New Licensees Two gift suppliers - Heathcote & Ivory and Shruti have been confirmed as among the latest RHS licensing partners. Heathcote & Ivory will develop, manufacture and distribute bespoke beauty and toiletries lines, with the first two collections - Flower Blooms Daisy Garland and Tender Palm, both inspired by the Glasshouse at RHS Garden Wisley - launching in Spring 2019. Aiming at an Easter launch, Shruti will be bringing together a range of fashion products that include scarves, bags and umbrellas, as well travel cups and water flasks. Above: Heathcote & Ivory’s Daisy Garland, one of two RHS collections launching in the Spring.

Double Success For Gift Shop Apprentice Having joined Joco Interiors in 2017 as a retail apprentice, Kacey Barker recently won North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College’s Student of the Year 16-18 award. She was also awarded the prestigious principal’s STAR Student of the Year award. “Kacey, an epileptic, came to us with a number of issues, including severe anxiety,” Joco Interiors’ owner Jo Williams told PG&H. “She was lacking in self confidence and often struggled with instructions which added to the obstacles we had to overcome.” Continued Jo: “However, during her time with us, she has worked hard to overcome many of these issues. With constant coaching and mentoring from the team, she has improved massively since starting at Joco, and is due to complete her Level 2 retail apprenticeship in the New Year. The whole team are immensely proud of her, and we see a difference in her every day.” Above: Kacey Barker is shown with Jo Williams, owner of Joco Interiors.

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sensational exceptional original

8. – 12. 2. 2019

The outstanding diversity of the international consumer goods market. Eye-catching new ideas for gifts and personal accessories in sight at the Giving area. The trade fair that leads your industry into the future. Information and tickets: ambiente.messefrankfurt.com Tel. +44 (0) 14 83 48 39 83 info@uk.messefrankfurt.com

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England

the show

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Industry News

MBO For Dartington Crystal Directors Will Take The Company Forward John Hammond MBE recently stepped down as chairman and major shareholder of Devon-based glass makers Dartington Crystal, with directors Neil Hughes (managing) Richard Halliday (commercial) and Alan Ramsay (finance) - supported by Barclays Bank - acquiring the majority control of the business. From the beginning of 2019, the three directors will be taking the company forward and continuing its growth. “We are grateful to John Hammond for his commitment and investment in Dartington Crystal over the last 12 years are delighted to be able to Above: From left to right: key shareholders further his ambitions for the company and for his belief in us as Neil Hughes, managing director, and Richard Halliday, commercial director, a management team,” stated managing director Neil Hughes. drink a toast to Dartington’s future. Since 2006, John has led the company to independent ownership and strengthened its performance to its current healthy trading levels. “Despite market challenges, the company and its employees are well positioned to meet them and prosper,” John commented. “I am very proud of what we have achieved over the years and look forward to seeing progress continuing.” As the last factory scale producer of crystal in the UK, Dartington Crystal employs 130 staff at its Torrington HQ. The company also owns the Scottish Caithness Glass brand, Royal Brierley cut crystal and John Beswick ceramics. In 2017 the business celebrated 50 years of trading with record sales of circa £14m.

Pulse To Co-locate With Top Drawer Show organisers Clarion Events has confirmed that going forward, Pulse London will co-locate with Top Drawer from September 2019. The merger of the two design-led shows marks the next stage in the evolution of the Top Drawer brand say Clarion. “After careful consideration and consultation with the market we have taken the decision to move Pulse from a stand-alone event to a co-located one at Top Drawer, for both the S/S and A/W editions, with the first taking place on 8-10 September 2019,” confirmed Neil Gaisford, managing director of the Retail Division at Clarion Events. “This will provide buyers with an unrivalled offer of new creative talent for their most important buying periods.” Added Top Drawer’s Alejandra Campos, Top Drawer’s event director: “Highly regarded by buyers, Pulse has always been at the forefront of industry trends, presenting the next wave of design talent and cutting edge content, making it the perfect addition to Top Drawer. With the re-location of Pulse, our visitors will now have access to the UK’s largest platform of commercially-ready emerging brands, affirming Top Drawer’s place as the home of leading design-led brands and new talent.” Top: Gift retailers Victoria Suffield (right), owner of The Hambledon in Winchester, and Zoe Anderson, owner of W A Green in London, were interviewed by the Evening Standard’s Katie Law at a keynote Q&A session at Pulse in May.

Grand Showroom Opening For Libra Having traded very successfully from its HQ in Linton, Cambridgeshire, Libra recently moved its offices, warehousing and showrooms to Newmarket in Suffolk, bringing everything under one roof. The relocation has more than doubled the space for the company, which has opened a brand new 520 square metre showroom space, allowing Libra to showcase each of the company’s diverse themes in 12 individually styled, purpose-built spaces, featuring over 2,000 products. With the additional storage space afforded by the move, the company has confirmed that it will also have closer stock control, and will be able to fulfil orders with quicker turnaround times. l Following on from Libra’s concessions with stores that include Fenwick in Bracknell, the company recently opened a new 270 square metre concession Bentalls in Kingston.

At The Heart Of Art The latest artist to join Widdop and Co’s licensing portfolio is watercolour artist Meg Hawkins. “Meg’s work celebrates the true beauty and majesty of wildlife,” says Widdop’s product development director Stephen Illingworth. “We are introducing Meg’s work to a collection of home and gifting items within our Country Living brand, which ranges from cushions to mugs, to offer everyone the chance to own some of this beautiful art.” The collection will make its debut at Widdop’s January show, which takes place between January 2-23 at the company’s North Manchester showrooms. New ranges include Just 4 Kids’ In the Jungle, and Celebrations’ Tutti Frutti, as well as new distributorships and licensed collections that include Roald Dahl. Visitors will also be among the first to see the Santa Express showroom, fanfaring Widdop’s 2019 Christmas collection, where they will also be invited to welcome in the New Year at the Celebrations Café. Greeting card publishers Wendy JonesBlackett and Carte Blanche Greetings will be showcasing their new 2019 collections during the week beginning Monday January 7, with Widdop launching a collection of mugs complementing Wendy’s designs. Above: Widdop’s Country Living brand will be unveiling a Meg Hawkins collection.

Totally Strawsome Reusable metal Suck It straws from Really Good recently received a mention in Hong Kong’s Time Out Magazine under ‘Recommended Gifts’. Under the headline: ’12 best cheap and cool gifts that you can get for under $250’, the upbeat editorial suggested: “tell waste to ‘suck it’ with an awesome Suck It re-usable metal straw this Christmas. With sustainability being a hot button issue, you can help your friends and families start their zero-waste journey with the nifty straw.” As Really Good/Soul’s key account manager Fiona Burge explained: “They come with their own CDU which is ideal for an impulse buy just next to the till.” Below: Totally Strawsome.

Left: One of the 12 themes on show at Libra’s new Newmarket HQ.

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Industry News

High Street Hero David Triumphs At The Great British High Street Awards Inspirational independent gift retailer David Robertson managing director of gift shop Bijou in Elgin, and two Pozzi gift shops in Buckie - recently won the prestigious High Street Hero Award, Scotland category, at the Great British High Street Awards. The judging panel - made up of retailing, business and community experts - were impressed by David’s passion and approach as chairman of the Elgin BID. A tireless high street campaigner, David, who won a Greats award in May, was praised by the Daily Mirror, who together with Visa, backed the competition. He was featured in an Awards editorial, with the coverage showing David in his shop. “David helped his parents turn their newsagent’s into a gift shop,” explained the Mirror. “Then nine years ago, he and his mum bought a former nightclub and converted it into a shop, café and Above: David Robertson was the of Scotland’s High Street beauty salon. He also helped to set up the local Business Improvement winner Hero trophy at the prestigious District - BID - which transformed a street in Elgin where half the shops Great British High Street Awards. stood empty in 2008.” Responding, David commented: “You need to stand up and be counted.” He was nominated by his local council in Moray in recognition of his dedication not only in boosting trade in Elgin, but also for the relationship that he has forged with schools over the past 15 years, as well as for his work in raising awareness on mental health issues. This year’s Great British High Street Awards featured four High Street Hero categories: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Free Watch ‘Giveaway’ At Jewellery & Watch In a ‘first of its kind’ promotion, Jewellery & Watch exhibitor J&K Henderson, (Henderson Group) - which has been showcasing products at the show for 42 years - will be offering a free watch (worth £50) to Spring Fair buyers crossing over from the giftware Halls 4, 5 and 20 to Halls 18 & 19 to visit the Jewellery & Watch show. Both shows are co-located and take place at the NEC in Birmingham from February 3-7, 2019. “We are not only one of Europe’s largest watch importers, but we also import unrivalled ranges of jewellery, fashion accessories and gifts, so although watches are our core product, we have much to offer to buyers who would not normally venture into Jewellery & Watch,” explains J&K Henderson director, Jim Henderson. The business will distribute vouchers for a free watch in Halls 4, 5, and 20 at Spring Fair, with the company expected to gift more than 1,000 watches from across its broad spectrum of brands. “This is a first of its kind initiative for any Jewellery & Watch exhibitor, and we want to thank J&K Henderson for supporting our vision of a more inter-connected Jewellery & Watch and Spring Fair,” said Jewellery & Watch event manager, Kirsty Broere. J&K Henderson will be exhibiting in Hall 18, stand J10-K11 Visit: www.jewelleryandwatchbirmingham.com Top: J&K Henderson’s Elizabeth Rose watches will be showcased at Jewellery & Watch in February, which is co-located with Spring Fair.

January Furniture Show’s ‘High Five’ Some of the industry’s biggest names in furniture and home accessories will be showcasing their latest SS19 ranges at the fifth January Furniture Show which takes place from January 20-23 at the NEC, Birmingham. Continuing to develop since its inception in 2015, the event caters for retail buyers, interior designers and specifiers wishing to purchase at volume, mid and high-end levels of the market. New show additions include LIGHT, a Bed Zone and new feature areas. Visit www.januaryfurnitureshow.com

PEOPLE p March sees Julie Driscoll (right) at the helm of Spring and Autumn Fair, taking over from current managing director Louise Young who will become the UK regional director for the ITE Group. Julie is currently managing director of the Fashion Portfolio and has been working in the events industry for over ten years. p Ali Hunter (right), previously with a premium chocolate company, has joined Dartington Crystal as area sales manager for Central and East. p Rainbow Designs has strengthened its core sales team with the appointment of two new team members: Mark Standen (right) in the new role of sales manager and Mandy McGough (below) as Northern territory manager. Mark brings with him a wealth of toy, gift and greeting sector knowledge and experience with brands such as Disney, while Mandy’s will be drawing on her experience as a territory manager for DMC.

Gifts Galore At Harrogate The Harrogate Christmas & Gift show will take place at the Harrogate Convention Centre from January 13-16, 2019, showcasing year round gifts and garden ranges in addition to Christmas ranges. Simon Anslow, show organiser, explains: “Because of its name, everyone expects Harrogate Christmas & Gift to be just about Christmas - and of course, to an extent it is. However, there is also a huge element of year-round ranges which are suitable for all retailers including garden products and lighting, greetings cards and toys, fragrance and aromatherapy products, fireworks, Easter and Halloween ranges.” Visit www.harrogatefair.com Above: Eco range from Ultimate Products.

Right: Onza from Dar Lighting.

FOR THE LATEST NEWS VISIT GiftsandHome.net PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

Discover Source on-trend, unique and personalised gifts to inspire your customers at Spring Fair.

56,000+ visitors 2,500 exhibitors 15 show sectors springfair.com

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Industry News

Pushing The Boundaries Top Drawer Will Be ‘Out Of The Ordinary’ Say Clarion

Left: Top Drawer: No Ordinary Event.

Top Drawer’s ‘out of the ordinary’ marketing campaign has been highlighting what will be setting the show apart when it opens its doors at London’s Olympia from January 13-15. “Stores are increasingly challenged to distinguish themselves and provide something special and different,” states event director Alejandra Campos. “As we continue to push boundaries and define trends, our ‘out of the ordinary’ message reflects the need to provide something unique.” Continues Alejandra: “We continuously evolve and develop Top Drawer, investing in the design and features of the show to help retailers meet this challenge. In doing so we aim to provide a relevant, enjoyable and inspiring experience which is extraordinary on every level.” In Gifts, brands with a fun edge will include Spanish brand Doiy, along with Cubic, Suck UK, Sunnylife, NPW/Vivona Brands and Zakka Europe. Fashion brands will include Pilgrim, Happy Socks/Hysteria, Johnny Loves Rosie and Il Bussetto. Wellbeing meanwhile, will feature seasonal products and ranges with year round appeal from companies such as Fellowstead, Peppermint Grove Australia and new soap brand Nuddy. Craft meanwhile, will be spotlighting contemporary handmade products ranging from ceramics to scarves and jewellery. Exhibitors include Jane James Ceramics, Annie Neill and Lore Segers Jewels. Elsewhere at the show, Home will be showcasing the best in luxury tableware, interior accessories, kitchen & dining, furniture & lighting and outdoor living. Brands exhibiting include Coach House, LSA International, Stelton Studio, Alessi and Grand Illusions. In the Food Emporium, there will be goods from the top artisan brands and producers such as Spice Kitchen, Coco Chocolatier and Paxton & Whitfield, with Lemonaid Beverages making its debut. In the Greetings & Stationery sector, a new name to look out for is Scandinavian brand Kikki.K. Following a successful September launch, Play will be returning to Top Drawer along with Spotted which will again be turning the spotlight on market-ready new products and designers across all sectors. Also returning will be Table, the luxury tableware presentation for the global hospitality industry, which will be situated next to Home. Additionally, RetailFest will enable visitors not only to network but also to gain advice and expertise from leading industry experts and influencers. The S/S19 edition of Top Drawer, which will showcase over 1500 brands, will be taking place at London’s Olympia from January 13-15. Sectors include: Gifts, Home, Greetings & Stationery, Fashion, Food Emporium, Play, Craft and Spotted. Visit www.topdrawer.co.uk

New Men’s Sector Unveiled With the menswear market predicted to outperform womenswear globally by 2020, Top Drawer’s January edition will feature a brand new dedicated area called MR. which has been developed in response to industry demand. The new feature will present a display of designled men’s accessories, jewellery, grooming and lifestyle products -designed as a concept store - showcasing an exclusive edit of the most on trend men’s fashion accessories and jewellery, a curation of what customers will be seeking next. Complementing the area will be the MR. Lifestyle Trail. Visit topdrawer.co.uk

Above: Mahi leather bags will be showcased in the new MR. section at Top Drawer in January.

Winners To Be Revealed The winners of Top Drawer’s PaperAwards SS19 will be announced prior the show in January, with members of the retail industry eligible to vote for their favourites on the Top Drawer website. Celebrating and recognising design, creativity and innovation within Greetings & Stationery, there are three categories: Exciting Use Of Colour; Engaging Print and Emotive Design. All finalists will have their work showcased in the Greetings & Stationery area, with winners receiving a prize worth £1000. Judges include Holly Tucker, founder of Notonthehighstreet, Really Good/Soul’s founder and managing director David Hicks and Alejandra Campos, Top Drawer’s event director. Visit topdrawer.co.uk

V&A Celebrates Portmeirion’s Founder The great and the good recently gathered at the V&A to celebrate the work and centenary of visionary designer the late Susan Williams-Ellis, who founded Portmeirion in 1962. Susan’s son and daughter-in-law, Robin and Sian Llywelyn, were among many other family members, friends, current designers such as Sophie Conran and Sara Miller, and key Portmeirion employees, who heard the V&A’s director, Tristram Hunt - a former Labour MP who was the Member of

Parliament for Stoke-on-Trent for seven years - officially open Portmeirion: Pottery Trendsetter which will run until July 28, 2019. “Portmeirion is a British success story,” highlighted Tristram. “It’s founder Susan Williams-Ellis, and subsequent groundbreaking designers, have set the trends in pottery for over six decades. Through their innovation and uncompromising standards in design, the company has flourished despite the economic downturn.” Above: Susan Williams Ellis’ iconic Botanic Garden remains a best seller for Portmeirion.

What’s Trending At Christmasworld Looking ahead to the 2019/2020 festive season, Christmasworld, which takes place from January 25-29, 2019, in Frankfurt am Main, will be revealing the four trends that will be next year’s hot properties: Tender Festivities; Essential Ceremonies, Sweet Traditions and Luminous Celebrations. Visitors will learn how the new trends can engage their customers, along with up-to-the-minute trend knowledge, products and presentations. Featuring a selection of exhibitors’ products, the dedicated Trend area will form the centrepiece in the show’s Hall 11.0. A series of Trend Talks will also be held each day. Visit www.christmasworld.messefrankfurt.com Above: Sweet Traditions.

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Industry News

GOTY Shortlist Revealed Judges Faced With Tough Decisions After weeks of waiting, The Giftware Association has revealed the shortlisted companies in the Gift of the Year 2019 competition. Finalists reflected the diversity of the gift industry, from leading names to niche suppliers. Among the companies to get multiple nominations were Parlane, Talking Tables, Thumbs Up, The Lagoon Group, Transomnia, Carrie Elspeth, Burgon & Ball, Widdop and Co, Wild & Wolf and Signature Gifts. Visit www.ga-uk.org to see the full listing. A 25-strong judging panel - which included Sue Marks, editor of Progressive Gifts & Home reflected the home and gift sector. According to competition organisers The Giftware Association, the judges had some difficult choices to make in the first round of the online judging with over 1100 entries to consider across 20 categories. The next stage of the competition will be a ‘live’ judging day in January where the judges will have the opportunity to see the products and make their final selections. “Congratulations to all the companies who were lucky enough to make the shortlist,” stated Luke Palmer, the competition’s project manager. “As ever, we are delighted by the quality and diversity of products, and have been blown away by some of our categories, particularly Ethical Gift and Design & Craft, which have each more than doubled our expectations.” The winners from the ‘live’ judging day will be kept under wraps and announced on the first evening of Spring Fair, Sunday February 3, at an all-inclusive ceremony on the main stage in Hall 20. Everyone is invited to the awards presentation giving buyers and retailers an opportunity to meet the people behind the products. Entry to the event is free.

New GOTY Competitions Launched A new dimension has been added to the Gift of the Year awards in 2019 which sees The Giftware Association partnering with The Insights People to introduce the Kids Gift of The Year award and Parents Gift of The Year award. Both competitions will run throughout the year - with seasonal winners across Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter - with the awards running alongside The Giftware Association’s Gift of The Year competition. The final decision on the winners will be made by kids and parents - the end consumers. The winners will receive an industry report - marketing collateral to shout about their success - and the chance to attend a networking lunch with buyers and industry peers. The winning products will also feature in the Gift of the Year pavilion at Spring Fair 2019. Entries for both awards are now open and will run throughout the year. Visit ww.kidsgiftoftheyear.co.uk and www.parentsgiftoftheyear.co.uk

Ambiente Welcomes Indian Artisans With India as Ambiente’s eighth consecutive partner country, Indian artisans will be showcasing handmade crafts live at the show which takes place from February 8-12. Speaking at a recent event to launch Ambiente 2019, Shri Shantmanu, India’s development commissioner for handicrafts, highlighted the importance of handmade products for India’s economy. “India has 1.3bn inhabitants, of which 10m are artisans,” he explained. “Today, some 20% are connected to global suppliers, with the majority of products still being handmade.” The partner country presentation - to be designed by Ayush Kasliwal, who exhibited as Above: An Indian and up and coming designer in Ambiente’s Talents section several years ago - will cover a artisan at work. wide range of products by traditional artisans. Ambiente’s vice president, Nicolette Naumann, highlighted the scale and significance of Indian exhibitors at the trade show, particularly in the expanding Global Sourcing Halls, with companies able to deliver handmade products via containers in two months. l Ambiente will be unveiling its new Halls 12.0 and 12.1 for Housewares & Storage at the February show.

John Lewis & Partners New Retail Report The new John Lewis & Partners latest retail report - How We Shop Live Look - described the past year as one of the toughest retailers have seen,’ citing the high street’s difficult trading conditions and political uncertainty over Brexit. However it was also marked by sustainability going ‘mainstream.’ Sales of sustainable water bottles were up 37% and the number of brands stocked up 85%. Left: John Lewis & Partners.

NEWS IN BRIEF p Novelty gift company Fizz Creations was listed 80th on the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 chart published at the beginning of December. p Widdop and Co was named Supplier of the Year Award at the recent Choice Marketing Conference. The award recognised Widdop and Co for outstanding customer service and support.

p A Burgon & Ball RHS Gifts for Gardeners gift set was named as a top gift by Oprah Winfrey in her Favorite Things 2018 list. The company’s Flora and Fauna gift pack was one of only five items selected in the Eco-Friendly Gifts section. Above: Burgon & Ball’s Flora and Fauna collection.

p Dutch multi-channel retailer HEMA, which has nine stores in the UK was recently acquired by Ramphastos Investments owned by entrepreneur Marcel Boekhoorn. p Socks rock this Christmas, according to the latest survey carried out by SockShop. Some 85% of Gen Z -1824 year olds - would either appreciate (48%) or greatly appreciate (24%) socks as a gift in their Christmas stocking. Right: Socks are a popular Christmas gift for Gen Z.

p According to the findings released by VoucherCodes.co.uk, the average parent was predicted to spend £119.45 per child on Christmas presents this year. Right: Children’s Christmas gifts are now averaging £119.45 per child.

p In the run-up to Christmas, Greggs not only offered a free gift-wrapping service at selected stores, but also released a range of stocking fillers that included a Greggs Christmas jumper, doughnut socks and sausage roll inspired umbrellas. p According to a new study from Thatsweetgift.com, one in five Brits put their unwanted gifts on Ebay without the giver ever knowing.

FOR THE LATEST NEWS VISIT GiftsandHome.net PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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Left: Nic Stone. Below: Visa’s All I Want For Christmas Is You advertisement featuring individual independent shopkeepers in empty shops, doesn’t appeal toNic at all.

GIFT OF THE

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In Praise Of

Independents

In today’s evolving retail climate, independents have the edge on their multiple counterparts believes Nic Stone, owner of The Bottle Kiln in West Hallam. “It’s funny how things change over time. I remember, not so very long ago, it being vaguely embarrassing to run a small retail business. Notwithstanding the fact that you had marshalled all of the resources and guts to take the plunge with such a risky venture, the world kind of saw you as someone who couldn’t really get a proper job, and your shop as a much smaller slightly rubbish version of the big proper shops. What a difference a decade makes! Now it’s the big shops who are rubbish. Like dinosaurs after a meteorite strike they lumber along, wobble and crash noisily to the ground to be eaten by vultures while the agile and increasingly clever mammals run around them planning how to take over the planet. We don’t need to name the obvious dinosaurs in this scenario though. At the time of writing, even the apparently smarter ones were beginning to experience some difficulties. I for one don’t care about them, though I feel for the staff who are laid off. There have been too many Christmases lately where our trade has been badly hit by their very publicly offloading massive amounts of overstock to the detriment of the retail trade in general. They have been big, boring and slow to change and seem to have very little to offer in a world where the general basics of life are so easily available on the internet. More than that though, they, by their very nature, will never acquire the magical quality everyone craves now: authenticity. So we are now cool! Authentic, niche, alternative, specialist, hipster, personal. With stories to tell, staff who know and

care about their products and stuff you can’t always find readily on the internet, independents offer a shopping experience, not just stuff. We also carry stock (mostly). I walked around the interiors shop of a well-known fashion retailer recently and was embarrassed for them because of how little was actually in the shop. The company clearly felt that their customers were going online now and barely bothered to show real things. The displays weren’t much to write home about either. The real measure

of this sea change is the degree to which some multiples are even trying to look like independents now, rather than the other way round as it was before. So I ought to be encouraged about all of the recent talking up of independents. There has been Small Business Saturday, and a well-publicised entreaty to shop local with those ‘All I want for Christmas is you’ ads featuring singing (solitary) shopkeepers in (empty) shops. The ‘Just a Card’ campaign urges us to support our high streets (albeit with token purchases). All entirely laudable but somehow harking back

to the pity shopping of yore when you picked up a bit of something you didn’t really need from your dodgy local shop to keep them in business. You know what? I don’t want your pity shop! We are better than the big boys. We will turn your soul less hollowed-out shopping into something that feels authentic and leaves you with a warm feeling. All that ‘please feel sorry for us’ stuff just doesn’t sit for me with how I see our sector: proud, resurgent and with the wind in our sails. I know it’s been hard. I know that the politicians are doing everything they can to make life difficult for us and that they believe that the same level of regulation is appropriate for small businesses as it is for huge ones (more about this another time!). But we are smart, we are agile and we are determined. We look good on social media (who ever followed Debenhams or M&S on Instagram?) and we care about the good opinion of our customers. So hold your heads up high. We bring dynamism to the economy, colour to the high streets and innovation to the industry. We are back and we are here to stay. Buy Local, like Buy British before it is altogether well-intentioned and, who knows, maybe still necessary, but it has its risks. In the end, we will only survive and thrive if we are excellent by any standards and people want us for what we do best: keeping it real. So good luck with 2019. We are accustomed to stormy seas now, but can console ourselves with the knowledge that the future is surely ours.” PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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Feedback

2018 will be remembered for many key events which include high streets - and high street retailers making headline news; a greater focus on environmental issues, and much wrangling over the Brexit withdrawal agreement. In the gifts and home sector, there were acquisitions, shop openings and shop closures, plus several prestigious honours for the industry.

In Administration l Orla Kiely ceased trading in September, following the collapse of parent company Kiely Rowan. However, good news for the gift and home industry is that the company’s licensing business is continuing to trade. Above: Wild & Wolf is among Orla Kiely’s official licencees.

Rebranding l The John Lewis

Acquisitions l Giftware company Half Moon Bay

purchased the main assets of Shruti (formerly Junction 18). l Hale Events, owners of Giving & Living in Exeter, acquired the company’s first consumer show, Christmas Shopping Fayre. l KitchenCraft announced the acquisition of the exclusive distribution rights for Maxwell & Williams and Casa Domani (owned by HAG Corp Australia) in the UK and Ireland. l My Gifts Trade, owned by Music Exchange (Manchester), acquired ECP Design. l Multi-channel gift retailer The Present Finder was acquired by seed, plant, gifts and sundries retailer Suttons. l Home and gift company Stow Green became the latest addition to the Eddingtons portfolio. Above: Shruti has been purchased by Half Moon Bay. Left: Hale Events’ Mike Anderson (second from right) is shown with Grahame Davidson, the Christmas Fayre’s previous owner. On the right is Hale Event’s director Mike Sartain.

Partnership was rebranded as John Lewis & Partners. l Rex re-branded the company’s dotcomgiftshop as Rex London. The move joined the trade and consumer arms of the business under one umbrella. Above: John Lewis & Partners.

Retailers Who Closed Their Doors l Goviers of

Sidmouth closed its doors at the end of 2018 having traded since 1904. Coles, a second gift shop on Sidmouth’s high street, also put the closed sign up. Above: Alan Morgenroth, owner of Goviers of Sidmouth, is shutting up shop at the end of the year.

Shop Openings l Between The Lines opened a further three stores, bringing the current total up to 16. l Brocante opened a third shop in St. Ives, Cornwall. l James Webster, owner of Josie’s in Bideford, opened a second shop focusing on furniture and interiors. l Clare Jarvis and Nicky Stephenson, co-owners of The Tutbury Gift Company, opened a second shop specialising in home accessories. l John Lewis & Partners opened its 51st store in Cheltenham. Above right: Between The Lines in Cranleigh opened in 2018. Right: Brocante, St Ives. Left: The new Josie’s Home store in Bideford.

Milestones l The Gift of the Year competition, organised by The Giftware Association, celebrated its 40th year. l Gisela Graham celebrated 35 years. l JP Pozzi celebrated 30 Above: Joe Davies’ Steve years, as did The Lagoon Davies is shown receiving a Group, Martick Jewellery, bottle of 25th anniversary Big Metal and Portico. bubbly from Progressive l Progressive Gifts & Gifts & Home’s Angie Bryant. Home celebrated the magazine’s 25th silver anniversary. l Other companies celebrating 25 years included Oliver Bonas, Paladone, Frith Sculpture, Ashleigh & Burwood, Pintail Candles, Village Candle, Caroline Gardner, Heaven Scent and Cath Kidston.

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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Feedback l Bath House celebrated its 21st anniversary as did The Art File. l Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) celebrated 20 years, as did The Little Dog Laughed and gift shop Buy The Light. l Dedicated greeting card show PG Live celebrated its 10 year milestone. l Also celebrating 10 years were gift shop Uno in the Mumbles. and Gifts from Handpicked. Right: PG Live visitors were welcomed by a saxophonist.

Who Won What l Gift shop Spirito in Glasgow was crowned the best gift shop in Scotland’s Business Awards. l The shop also won the Gift Shop category at the Glasgow Retail Business Awards and picked up Scotland’s Bespoke Business Of The Year title at the Scottish Independent Retail Awards. l Josie’s in Bideford was named the best gift shop in the Muddy Stilettoes Awards Devon category, which is voted for by the public. l A further honour for Spirito was that their local MP mentioned them in the House of Commons as being “an outstanding business” in Glasgow. l Widdop and Co won the Supplier of the Year Award at the Choice Marketing Conference. l Mad Beauty won the Disney Company’s Health & Beauty Product of the Year 2018 category for its Beauty and the Beast range. Above: Multi-award winning gift shop Spirito in Glasgow. Left: Widdop’s Andrew Illingworth (centre right) and marketing manager Sue Grant (centre left), received the award from Choice Marketing’s ceo Michelle de Lavis-Trafford (left) and Mike Cook.

Retired Honoured l The Queen’s Award For Enterprise: International Trade was presented to Wild & Wolf’s ceo Paul Taylor on behalf of the company. Above: Wild & Wolf’s ceo Paul Taylor (left) was presented with the company’s Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade. He is shown with HM Lieutenant Anne Maw, Deputy Lieutenant Edward Bayntun-Coward (centre) and export sales manager John Scarman.

Ken Johnson, managing director of Enesco Europe, retired after a career spanning five decades in the ceramic and gift industry. Right: Ken Johnson received The Greats 2014 Honorary Achievement Award from Andrew Illingworth, then chairman of The Giftware Association, sponsors of the category.

Ambassadorial Role

l Premier Decorations'

founder and managing director John Athwal received an OBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list for his services to business and charity. l Additionally, John was also presented with The Greats 2018 Honorary Achievement Award in May. l The V&A paid tribute to Portmeirion’s founder, Susan Williams-Ellis, with a retrospective of her work Portmeirion: Pottery Trendsetter - which runs until July 28, 2019. l Jeremy Corner, managing director of Blue Eyed Sun, became the new chairman of The Giftware Association. Above right: John Athwal received the OBE. Above: Susan Williams-Ellis, the founder of Portmeirion. Right: The new line up at the GA: GA chairman Jeremy Corner (centre), vice chairman Gert Schyberg (left) and deputy chairman Henri Davies.

l Following her success at The Greats 2018 in May,

Amanda Oscroft, co-owner of Love It in Stamford and Bury St Edmunds, was made an ambassador for Stamford. Left: Love It’s co-owners Amanda and Will Oscroft are shown with their Greats trophy.

Hitting The Headlines l Meera Santoro, co-founder of the Santoro, winner of a

Queen’s Award for Enterprise, made a splash in the national press as a result of some cheeky remarks whispered into Prince Charles’ ear! l Designer Emily Coxhead, founder of The Happy News, featured in The Independent newspaper’s Happy List 2018. l A planner from A Gift From The Gods Dream Odyssey collection (below) was featured on Have I Got News For You. l Gift shop Brocante in Fowey received a plug in the Daily Express when former Richard and Judy TV presenter Judy Above: Happy News’ Finegan named Brocante as founder Emily Coxhead. her favourite gift shop. l Puckator was ranked 92 on the Sunday Times Lloyds SME Export Track 100 for 2018.

Sadly Missed A gift industry veteran, John Rutter, sadly passed away. John founded Parlane 48 years ago and later went on to introduce SIA to the UK market

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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Pretty In Pink TRENDS: Shades Of Pink

Forget the fuschia of old. A more subtle pink is weaving its way into giftware and homewares, finding its way onto everything from fashion and home accessories to photo frames and travel mugs. PG&H takes a look at the spectrum of giftware that suppliers will be unveiling for Spring. Left: Pink Prosecco from Sass & Belle. Below: Caroline Gardner’s gold tie jewellery roll, part of the Full Bloom range.

Above: A glamorous pouch in Hot Tomato’s embroidered purse and faux snakeskin collection. Below: Winter in Venice’s Pink Fairy Dust jewellery box.

Left: A Yes Studio travel mug from Wild & Wolf.

Above: Best Kept Secrets’ Pink Pomegranate candle.

Below: A photo frame and reed diffuser from Candlelight.

Above: The Luscious Lash range from SIL features pink with gold. Right: Parlane’s pink Positano vases.

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Face To Face: Tom Dixon

Dedicated

Design Tom Dixon OBE is a widely celebrated global force in interior design, with hubs in London, New York, Hong Kong, Los Angeles and Tokyo. Known for his iconic lighting and furniture, Tom recently opened The Coal Office in London’s uber trendy Coal Drop Yard in King’s Cross, housing not only the design studio, factory and offices, but also a gift and lifestyle shop, and a restaurant where you can buy the tableware. As the company gets ready to exhibit in Ambiente’s prestigious Hall 4.1 in February, PG&H caught up with Tom at a recent press event to hear more about the home accessories side of the business. It seems that Tom Dixon, self-taught and self-motivated, has always been someone who breaks the mould, both as a visionary and as a maverick. “However, my interest in design didn’t come from having attended art school,” he explains. “Instead, my inspiration came from the art department at my failing comprehensive school, as it was there that I learned about pottery. I subsequently discovered a love of welding, and set about making things for fun, made out of found objects.” He says it was because he didn’t go to art college that he had the benefit of being inspired Above: Designer Tom Dixon OBE. Above right: Furniture and lighting. Right: The Coal Office, in London’s Coal Drops Yard, Kings Cross.

through his innate love of designing and making things, rather than by the commercial side of being a designer. “However, my career originally kicked off in music, where I was a bass guitarist in a band. I subsequently became a DJ at

weekends, which meant my days were free. I worked from a very tiny studio, but it was only when I realised that people were willing to pay for my early works, such as my chairs, that I realised I could actually make a living from design. My welding skills began to improve, and I stopped using found objects. I invested in tooling, and began chopping metal into strips. I learned about engineering and how I could make furniture and lighting. I began to understand that the most important thing as a designer was to have a strong attitude and I instinctively knew that I wanted to start my own design industry.” Tom eventually joined Habitat as the company’s creative director. He stayed there for 10 years, learning everything he could, leaving when he decided that he wanted to launch his own label. “But whereas it has always been normal to do that in the fashion business, it was more unusual for a designer to do it, although there are some notable exceptions such as Alessi,” he explains. “I launched Tom Dixon as a brand because I wanted to have my own aesthetic and my own infrastructure. And fortunately, Tom Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

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Face To Face: Tom Dixon Dixon makes a snappy brand name,” he smiles. The company started out with lighting - specialising in pendants - and furniture (which currently represents 20% of the business), with the Tom Dixon brand going on to receive worldwide acclaim. (Today, Tom Dixon products are available in 65 countries). This year however, has been another milestone for the company. Following a major re-location from Ladbroke Grove to The Coal Office in Coal Drops Yard, Kings Cross – a three story Victorian, industrial brick-built building running along Regent’s Canal - Tom decided to introduce a complementary selection of other types of products, which are showcased in the brand new Tom Dixon gift shop on the ground floor. The lifestyle store is divided into different units - designed as arches - which include a perfumery (candles, reed diffusers, liquid hand soap - black as well as white hand lotion, and candle holders). “We've created a steamy space full of fragrance and flavour with a series of intangibles that can be just as important in interior design as colour, luminosity and shape,” he highlights. Other units feature tableware, haberdashery, a lighting shop and furniture shop, with collections of extraordinary items within each sector. “We’ve included classic elements such as tea sets and coffee sets,

Left: Royalty hand lotion. Far left: An Etch tea light holder. Below left: The Fire collection. Below: Brew coffee set.

and we’re still playing with accessories,” he explains. “My obsession continues to be about using materials and transforming them,” he stated. Elsewhere, the furniture shop reveals a collection of old and new, to include the S chair, Pylon chair and Bird chaise, while the lighting shop showcases the brand’s latest adventures in optics and reflectivity; haberdashery reveals Tom’s new Super Textures, a move away from shiny metallics. Additionally, the gift shop also features a ‘live’ studio, where visitors can watch skilled craftsmen at work, allowing them to get a glimpse of what goes on behind the brand. And if all of that wasn’t enough, The Factory invites the public to go down into the coal arches to experiment with craft and manufacturing. Taking a realistic view, Tom admits that it’s no secret that retail is tough at the moment. “So what we’re trying to do,” he continues, “is to have a different kind of experience, a place and space that’s not only about retail but about the food too. Therefore in collaboration with chef Assaf Granit, the Coal Office is also establishing itself as a restaurant that’s based around food from Jerusalem, the Middle East and the Mediterranean. People are invited to share dishes, and they can also buy the

Doing Things His Way Ambiente’s vice president Nicolette Naumann describes how she first met Tom Dixon at Ambiente in 2001. “In those days, we had a special exhibition within Ambiente called Extra shows. For each show, we invited three relevant designers to work on a topic of our choosing. That year, one of the shows was called Plastic Fantastic, and we invited Tom to take part. At the time, Tom was working at Habitat as the company’s creative director. However, he didn’t do what he was expected to do, which was to feature the products of our exhibitors. Instead, word got back to me that Tom was asking for hundreds of a certain product. My response was to say, “let him do what he wants to do”. And what he wanted to do was to show his own prototypes!” laughs Nicolette. “Fortunately, it turned out to be a very spectacular feature, and I still remember it very positively. But he was the only designer we ever had who completely ignored the design brief and showed his own work!”

tableware.” (The respected restaurant critic Fay Maschler recently gave the restaurant five stars when she visited). Another side to the Tom Dixon brand is working with leading hotels around the world, to include the sophisticated Mondrian in London. “It’s great to see how our products work in different contexts,” Tom enthuses. “We love the fact that in a hotel for example, we are not just designing a communal space. We are designing for people operating in their personal space too, such as the bathroom, where they can experience our soap and hand lotion, and leave the hotel smelling of our fragrances.”

So what’s next for the visionary Tom? “I’m working on various projects to include one in the Bahamas where I’m growing underwater furniture,” he highlights. “It’s a half conceptual, half sustainability project, and one that’s very important to me at the moment.” As he underlines, “It’s been imperative not only to find a new office and shop but also to find a new home. London isn't just another city. It’s where it all started. So going forward, we will be using these 17,500 sq ft in this incredible location as a platform to broadcast our latest ideas in interior design and product innovation. We will also be continuing our experiments in food, functionality and future living.” Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

2019 GIVING & LIVING

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Spotlight On... The South West

Having had a bumper summer season in 2018, thanks to sizzling temperatures and seemingly endless summer sunshine, coastal gift retailers are keeping their fingers crossed that 2019 will deliver the same. With coastal trade show Giving & Living getting ready to open its doors in Exeter in mid-January, PG&H chatted to the owners of two Cornish retailers - Brocante, winner of The Greats 2018 Independent Gift Retailer of the Year South West category, and category finalist Just Delights in Penryn - for their views on what’s driving business. Right: Coastal retailers in the West Country are hoping that more people will take the decision to staycation in 2019. Below: One of three Brocante shops in Cornwall.

major towns for customers. This in turn generates local support. Our customers no longer have to travel to the big towns for the best products.” Keiron adds that as Brocante trades from three relatively small villages, he and David have to constantly ensure that they are on top of their game in terms of new products and displays. “We avoid supplier cross-overs, and buy little and often so our loyal locals see something new every time they come in,” he continues. “As we’ve expanded, we have had to employ people to help keep our standards high across the board, with a visual merchandiser and back of house staff joining the team.” As for the best performers in terms of product, Keiron says that furniture has been “brilliant” for Brocante. “We’ve sourced some more unusual pieces but work hard to keep the prices at a level that means people feel they are getting a bargain. Clothing too, has also been a growth sector for us. Again, it has to be

Winner: Independent Gift Retailer of the Year: South West

Brocante, Fowey, Mevagissey and St Ives “The South West has always had some of the most incredible scenery in the world, with fantastic beaches, perfect for the summer months,” highlights Keiron Cockley, who co-owns three Brocante gift shops with David Lorimer. “However, the offer is expanding every year, with top class restaurants and tourist destinations, such as the Eden Project. This has created an all year round trade that

wasn’t here maybe ten years ago. As a retailer, this means that unlike other parts of the country, there is a constant change flow of new customers every week looking to spend and enjoy their time. “As retailers, this means that we are all striving to better the offer that visitors see at home, and provide a unique experience. The South West is no longer a sleepy backwater. We are competing with the

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Spotlight On... The South West good quality, but at a price that means you don’t have to think too hard about treating yourself.” Although Keiron and David use social media, they regard it as more of a platform to engage with their customers than to sell. “We do promote products, but the best responses we get are from snapshots of our day, and what we are up to, rather than pushing stock,” Keiron explains. When it comes to bugbears, Keiron says it’s about the costs the customer can’t always see, such as the charge for waste and business rates. “Also, the government increase in wages,” he adds. “We have always paid above the minimum wage, but the level is being pushed and we have to rise in line, so it all comes off our bottom line.” Thoughts on 2019: “2019 will be a big unknown with uncertainty over Brexit,” states Keiron. “We guess a weak £pound will convince people to holiday in this country, plus 2018’s stonking summer means people will want to come and visit again in the hope it will be repeated. Fingers crossed!”

Finalist: Independent Gift Retailer of the Year: South West

Above: Furniture is currently a big seller. Below: Artificial plants from Kaeming’s Spring/Summer collection. Below left: Just Delights, Penryn.

Just Delights, Penryn “The West Country has always been a very touristy destination and in the summer it attracts a huge amount of holidaymakers with some visiting two or three times a year,” comments Gemma Guillmard, owner of Just Delights in Penryn. “A lot of people come back year after year, often popping in to say hello, but also wanting to buy gifts to take back for friends and family. But tourists aside, we also have a big local following too, with customers coming in weekly or monthly to shop with us. We are based in a university town with students wanting a fresher take on things. The whole vibe is very young and designer/arty, so that reflects the way that people shop. They are more in touch with trends and they shop less conservatively.” Gemma also points out that a lot of students decide to stay in the area after graduating, getting married and having families. “Therefore having the university here has made a big difference to me as a retailer,” she states. “In fact, it’s the same university that I attended myself - although in those days it was an art college. I fell in love with Cornwall, and together with my mum, Daun Bryans, we decided to open a gift shop down here.” She says that what differentiates Just Delights is the fact that a lot of the products are sourced from Europe, especially from Holland and Germany. “We want to source ahead of the trends because people soon catch up,” Gemma explains. “Helped by the media, Instagram and Pinterest, the gap is closing.” Currently, what’s trending for Just Delights are artificial plants, especially succulents, echoing the trend for indoor plants. “The quality is so fantastic that they look real,” Gemma enthuses. As a retailer who imports products from Europe, Gemma’s major concern for 2019 is the expected increase prices. “So, with Brexit in mind, we’re patiently waiting for the dust to settle so that we can carry on trading with our European suppliers,” she confirms. Thoughts on 2019: “2019 looks like it’s going to be good for us, due to both Mother’s Day and Easter falling a bit later which makes a huge difference,” highlights Gemma. “In the shorter term, I’m also praying that we don’t get any snow this winter, as we did last year. If the weather’s good then that will encourage more people to come and visit.” Continued on page 41

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Spotlight On... The South West

When Giving & Living opens its doors from January 13-16 at the Westpoint Exhibition Centre near Exeter, it will be bringing together some 200 exhibitors ranging from big importer wholesalers such as KandyToys of Exeter, and Wilton Bradley, to jewellery and accessory companies that include Alchemy England, Superbia, F&J Collection, Nordic London Jewellery, S H Sales, Radford Supplies, Sea Gems, Talbot Fashions and Berber Leather. “We’ve also seen growth in the clothing sector with companies such as Nomads Clothing and Pachamama returning to the show,” confirms Mike Anderson, managing director of organisers Hale Events. Other exhibitors include Stonewashed Clothing, Urban Beach and Bohemia. The show will have a strongly themed ‘Designed & Made in Britain’ area, where regional and national makers will be showcasing unique one-off and batch produced items, with a wealth of Cornish makers. Once again, there will also be a dedicated Newcomers area. Plus, the Coastal Path feature will be leading buyers around the show, while the Coastal Product Revealed area will be showcasing a selection of merchandise from companies on the Path for buyers to browse. “Giving & Living is definitely the show to discover beautifully crafted gifts and unusual home accessories inspired by sun, sand and sea,” highlights Mike. “We are seeing Above: Writing orders at last year’s show. coastal themes in everything from jewellery to home accessories to pocket money gifts and toys. Trending will Left: Among the exhibitors at the show will be Nauticalia. be products that can be personalised, or tailored for, retailers and tourist attractions.” Below: Gone Crabbing’s lobster mugs. As he says, lots of external factors are currently having a positive effect for coastal retailers. “While confidence has been knocked by Brexit, more UK holidaymakers and weeks of summer sunshine have created strong opportunities for businesses in the UK, and current uncertainty about travel rules, currency rates, and more, is likely to boost the staycation, which can only be good for the tourist market. We expect to see buyers stocking up to replenish shelves after this year’s bumper summer season, and to take advantage of pre-Brexit imports. We’re among the first shows of the year and wise buyers should secure their lines at known prices.” With the show coming on the back of an extremely good holiday season in the South West, with Cornwall 20% up on visitor numbers, Mike stresses that there are amazing opportunities for savvy shopkeepers to maximise their return on the staycation trend, which he doesn’t see changing in the immediate future. “With Brexit uncertainty, the show offers access to a UK market of independent buyers for those taking part, and for retailers, it provides the products they will need for the 2019 season right on their doorstep.” This year, the show will be ‘single plastic free’, with a badging system for exhibitors and visitors removing the need for plastic wallets.

“We are seeing coastal themes in everything from jewellery to home accessories to pocket money gifts and toys.”

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Regional Showroom 12 - 15 January The Mews, Exeter Golf & Country Club Exeter, UK Open 9 - 5

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In Profile: Stoneglow

Investing In The Future A new year is, of course, all about looking forward, with the best yet to come, and for Stoneglow, that certainly rings true. A major move in the early summer will see the company re-locate into premises that are three times the size of its current home, with a further investment of some £500,000 in new machinery and additional sales staff. With the Spring 2019 shows homing into view, both in the UK and internationally, PG&H enjoyed a preview of the new formats, fragrances and packaging that will be continuing to take the company forward over the Spring/Summer season. With home fragrancing continuing on its upward trajectory, Stoneglow has certainly made the most of the opportunities. From being bottom to mid range when the company was founded by chairman Perry Simmons in 1991, today it is riding high as a mid to premium brand, a favourite of John Lewis & Partners which currently has four of the company’s ranges in store, making Stoneglow arguably the only candle company to have achieved this distinction over the past year. With international sales moving up a gear, and the contract side of the business going from strength to strength, the only way is up, with the ink newly drying on a contract that will see Stoneglow move into owneroccupied premises in Hainult in May that are

three times larger than their current space. It will give the company much needed extra warehousing, and will accommodate a growing workforce, to include increasing the sales department by around 25%. What makes the move so noteworthy is the speed at which the company has grown over the past few years. Having vacated its Dagenham offices and factory four years ago to move into new premises in Romford - effectively doubling the size of the old accommodation - the company is now on the move again to accommodate growth, not just in the UK but internationally too, this time trebling the business’ existing square footage. There’s been a change on the management front too, with chairman Perry

Above: Stoneglow’s Louise Dooley and Curtis Simmons. Below: The new Urban Botanics.

Simmons handing over the everyday running of the business to Louise Dooley, who has been with the company virtually since its inception. A year ago, she stepped up from her role as account development manager to become the company’s commercial director, with Perry remaining Stoneglow’s hands-on chairman. In addition to presiding over key accounts, Louise also has a big role to play in contributing to, and deciding on the new fragrances and the packaging design, but as she explains: “we’re a small team, we really understand the brand and we’re all very creative. We aspire to create beautiful fragrances that look lovely in a home environment. Our diffusers, for example, are like pieces of art.”

Louise’s Favourite Fragrances Focusing on the new Spring/Summer collection, Louise enthuses that Coconut and Lime Zest, in the new Urban Botanics collection, is her new favourite fragrance. “It has such a welcoming aroma when I get home,” she comments, adding: “I also I can’t get enough of Ylang Ylang and Amber from our Luna pink collection!”

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In Profile: Stoneglow Louise adds that fragrancewise, people are ever more educated and discerning, with products needing to fit in with their lifestyles and fragrance preferences. “However, fragrance and design have to be a complete unit as there is such a strong connection between the two,” she emphasises. What also continues to give the company its edge is the fact that products are designed and manufactured in the UK, with ‘Made In Britain’ highlighted by a Union Jack on the sales ticket along with a Made In the UK stamp. “It’s a key selling point,” says Curtis Simmons, Perry’s son, who joined the business three years ago, starting out in the factory and working his way through the departments to include, most recently, international sales. From 2019, he will be working alongside Louise, while completing a business management degree at Cranfield University’s School of Management. “People love the variety of products we offer, and everything we do makes for an easy gift to give,” he comments.

Also giving Stoneglow a big point of difference is the fact that the company is 100% fragrance-focused, with fragrances akin to perfumes. Plus, Stoneglow uses its own blend of natural wax, which enhances the fragrance throw and ensures a clean burn. So what’s going to be new for Spring/Summer 2019? Louise highlights that one of the biggest new collections for Spring/Summer 2019 is the brand new Urban Botanics, which brings the outdoors in with a range of new ceramic candles (the vessels are re-usable), along with reed diffusers, featuring brash tropical prints and botanical watercolours. Fragrances range from Coconut and Lime Zest to Papaya and

Above: Perry Simmons. Left: Teal is the new colour trending for Luna. Below: A first for the company, Occasions birthday milestone tins in rose gold. Below left: Modern Classics is one of two ranges that has been given a contemporary new look.

Watermelon, together with Pineapple and Pomelo and Hibiscus and Apple Blossom. “This is a very premium range at a premium price point,” Louise confirms. Also trending massively for 2019 will be the colour teal, which has evolved from the green palette of 2017 and can now be discovered in Stoneglow’s Luna collection, with Papyrus Woods & Jasmine a brand new fragrance for this Spring. The Infusion collection meanwhile, is an amalgamation of teal and tropical, with a brand new fragrance called Escape, a blend of white tea and mint. In Geometrics, new to the range is Water Lily & Thyme, with Citrus Blossom joining the Botanic collection. In addition, two very popular collections, Modern Classics and Nature’s Gift, have been given a makeover to give them a more contemporary twist, with Geranium Rosa a new fragrance for Nature’s Gift. Elsewhere in the Spring/Summer collections, new formats for 2019 feature a gift set in the Day Flower range, along with room sprays in both Day Flower and Night Flower, and innovative perfume cards – a first - in Luna, which are easy to slip into a handbag or hang in a car. But even that isn’t all. The Occasions collection, which celebrates special occasions throughout the year, has launched another ‘first’ for the company, based on birthday milestone candle tins in rose gold. “Currently, pre-sales are looking really strong for all our new ranges and formats,” confirms Louise. “We usually do candle tins for Christmas, but for 2019 we wanted to give consumers a spread of price points, so

we have the perfume cards selling at £5 and the candle tins at £10, in addition to our more expensive candles and reed diffusers.” On a global stage, Curtis confirms that sales have grown 100% over the past year. “We are doing especially well in Asia, Taiwan, Singapore and China, with South Africa booming too. Therefore we’re constantly looking at new markets, with Scandinavia in our sights for 2019, along with several other countries in Europe. We are also working with our American distributor to extend our reach in the US.” (In 2019, the company will be exhibiting at both the Atlanta Gift Show and Maison et Objet in January, along with Top Drawer in London, and Birmingham’s Spring Fair in February). With an even bigger growth target to aim for in 2019 - “but one that’s very achievable,” smiles Perry, there’s everything to play for over the next 12 months. As Perry puts it: “home fragrancing is a very exciting market, and for us, there will be some very exciting times ahead!”

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Spotlight On... Reed Diffusers

Reed With Spring/Summer ‘19’s pre-sells of reed diffuser collections currently underway, PG&H talked to several leading suppliers about what will be driving sales over the coming months. Interestingly, it’s not only fragrances that are leading the way. For both suppliers and retailers, reed diffusers remain a growth market sector, with vessels getting more stylish, fragrances more sophisticated and packaging more eyecatching. But it’s reusability, reeds and refills that are taking centre stage. “Reusability continues to affect how consumers shop, with diffuser refills and reeds that enable a vessel to be used again and again in demand,” says Ashleigh & Burwood’s product development manager Anna Bourrett. “Therefore for Spring, we are bringing out a new size diffuser refill in six of our best selling fragrances in The Scented Home range. Twice the size of our standard diffuser refill at 300ml, the new size provides value for the consumer and a convenient way for them to stock up on their favourite fragrances.”

Top New to Ashleigh & Burwood’s The Scented Home range is Lime & Basil, featuring citrus with an unexpected twist. Below left: Heart & Home's Spring fragrances feature River Rock, Basil, Lime & Mandarin, White Tea & Eucalyptus and With Love. Right: Diffusers will be taking centre stage at Best Kept Secrets this year. Below right: Stoneglow’s Urban Botanics ceramic diffusers.

At Heart & Home, the company’s fragrance diffusers have had a contemporary makeover for 2019, in line with the rest of Heart & Home’s update. “They feature a simple, elegant home décorfriendly bottle, branded lid and on trend black fibre reeds giving them a luxurious feel while still retaining their competitive price point,” confirms product manager Dawn Matthews. “With matching photographic gift boxes, we feel they really do sit centre stage, not only among our own collection but within the ever-growing market place.” Best Kept Secrets too, is putting a special emphasis on reed diffusers this Spring, and will be showcasing both the company’s 50ml and 100ml diffusers with new branding. (The 50ml size was recently introduced for under £10). Reed diffusers have also been added to the company’s

successful Just Because range which currently features candles and soaps. “It will mean that retailers will be able to upsell by offering all three products as a composite package for Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day, or just as a special gift,” says managing director Vanessa Curry. “Lots of people use diffusers and candles in tandem, so if they are available in the same fragrances the diffuser creates the background ambience, with the candle boosting the fragrance enjoyment.” Points out Vanessa: “The early months of the New Year are the

second most important selling period of the year in the home fragrance sector, with diffusers set to play an increasingly important part of that opportunity.” The design of the container too, is key for complementing what’s trending in the home. “Tropical decor is a big interior trend for the Spring Summer 2019,” confirms Stoneglow’s head of design Winnie Wong. “For the coming season the wow factor is about making a statement. We have done Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

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Spotlight On... Reed Diffusers He adds that pinks too, are a recent trend in home furnishings, with Pressed Rose as one of Pantone’s colours for 2019. “Tying in with this, we will be adding a new Rosewater & Ivy fragrance to our reed diffuser collection this Spring, which releases a bouquet of soft peony and rose, infused with hints of fresh green leaves.” Additionally, fragrances that promote wellbeing will also be continuing to drive sales, says madebyzen’s managing director Dharmesh Bhayani. “Scents inspired by nature, and the teaming of more unusual notes, which create exciting and sophisticated fragrances, will be trending for the early part of 2019,” he

this by bringing the outdoors in with our collection of Urban Botanic ceramic diffusers and candles, where exotic aromas have been packaged in fun vibrant vessels featuring four punchy scents.” As for fragrances, Pintail Candles’ managing director James Long comments that fresh, invigorating fragrances, evoking coastal living and dramatic Nordic landscapes, are becoming increasingly popular, complementing the trend in home interiors for using cool natural stones, quartzite and granite. “We recently introduced Sea Salt into our reed diffuser collection which captures the mood, with fresh oceanic notes of sage, bergamot and freesia riding on a wave of citrus, amber and seaweed.”

predicts, “with wellbeing and happiness the inspiration for our scents in 2019. We will be continuing to mix unusual notes with more recognised scents to create heady, floral and warm concoctions that communicate emotions, culture and trends.” New fragrances from the company include Fig & Cassis, Colonia and Sea Mist. “Because gifting is a very important in relation to reed diffusers, the packaging design has to be fitting for the person or the occasion,” says Sultan Khan, managing director of Hassett Green. “We have two versions available, a classic glass bottle with a branded collar and classy white fibre reeds, as well as a premium 250ml diffuser which features our ceramic diffuser wand. For 2019, we have extended our fragrance offer by adding two new fragrances, Honeysuckle & Jasmine and Silk.” With the reed diffuser market continuing to be one of the most exciting areas of growth in home fragrancing, it’s down to retailers to make the most of the key advantages, with refills leading the way to attract repeat business.

Innovation Leads The Way Taking reed diffusers a stage further, Xystos’ new Cello collection features the company’s pioneering new hourglass innovation, which fills a room with fragrance. Explains Xystos’ director Tom Sykes: “The glass vessel is filled with oil, reattached to its metal frame and turned over, allowing the scented liquid to seep into the absorbent reeds at its centre. The passage of air produces the fragranced result, with a complete cycle taking between two and a half and three hours.” “We always endeavour to stay ahead of the curve and are continuing to bring reed diffusers to the market that capture the imagination of buyers,” he confirms. Best selling fragrances in the reed diffuser range feature Spring Garden, Lavender Fresh, Peach Velvet, Crisp Cotton, Spiced Citrus, Summer Berry, Butter Fudge, Caribbean Coconut, Cinnamon Spice, Wildflower Garden, Soft Linen and Berry Burst.

Top left: Pintail’s Sea Salt reed diffuser. Left: Among Hasnett Green’s new fragrances is Honeysuckle & Jasmine. Above: Candlelight will be launching three new reed diffuser collections for Spring/Summer: Destinations, Wellbeing and Slogans. Below: madebyzen’s new Fig & Cassis fragrance.

Above: Xystos’ new Cello hourglass reed diffuser.

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Fairy Houses

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The Hamptons homewares collection brings the peace and serenity of the seaside into your home by pairing clean, white wood with organic coral prints in trending tones of navy and blue for a modern coastal look.

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What’s New Progressive Gifts and Home highlights the latest in fragranced gift products to be launched this month.

Contemporary & Elegant Candlelight are introducing more new, vibrant designs to their very successful branded Candlelight candle collection which is being launched at Harrogate Christmas & Gift in January. The Blush & Mint range of candles and reed diffusers has a contemporary, elegant feel, designed for those who like that extra bit of luxury. Attractively presented in peach and teal boxes, these gifts feature an appealing pineapple fragrance with names including Siesta, Paradise and Tropic.

Limited Edition Gift Sets A new limited edition fragrance lamp gift set joins the Ashleigh & Burwood line up for the Spring/Summer 19 season, ideal for spreading joy and happiness on key gift-giving occasions. Housed in a striking royal blue gift box, featuring the signature chevron, the new gift set combines the glittering handcrafted blue and gold mosaic of the Masquerade fragrance lamp with the magical woody scent of Enchanted Forest lamp fragrance.

Candlelight Tel: 01709 723000 Email sales@candlelight.co.uk www.candlelight.co.uk Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair: Hall B, Stand B16

A Touch Of Luxury Candlelight are introducing more new, vibrant designs to their very successful branded Candlelight candle collection. The range is being launched at Harrogate Christmas & Gift in January. The Bohemian range of candles and reed diffusers has a contemporary, elegant feel, designed with that extra bit of luxury. Attractively presented in blue, plum or ochre boxes, each has a hint of gold foil, these gifts feature the fragrances of Amber Shea, Angel Flower and Amber Lily.

Ashleigh & Burwood Tel: +44 (0) 1932 267060 Email: info@ashleigh-burwood.co.uk www.ashleigh-burwood-trade.co.uk Top Drawer: Stand M31 Spring Fair: Hall 4, Stand B10-C11 Ambiente - 9.1, F20

Candlelight Tel: 01709 723000 Email sales@candlelight.co.uk www.candlelight.co.uk Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair: Hall B, Stand B16

Simple & Timeless Simplicity is key for this timeless collection, with classic designs and modern aromas, selected for their captivating fragrances. Made in the UK.

Beautifully Botanical Nature’s Gift candles and reed diffusers bring together beautiful fragrances that are handmade in the UK with botanical pieces. They are available in seven scented candles and diffusers.

Stoneglow Candles Tel: 020 8595 8878 Email: sales@stoneglowcandles.co.uk www.stoneglowcandles.co.uk

Ultrasonic Style Cello’s new ultrasonic diffusers will be unveiled by Xystos at Spring Fair in three different styles with colours to suit any décor. These are spearheaded by six decanters – Exotic Scales, Ocean Floor, Golden Rays, Galaxy Swirl, Nebular and Marble – while the Signature ultrasonic diffusers use fragrance burst colours and red and blue. There is also a simple dream catcher design. Essential oils are being launched for the ultrasonic diffusers, comprising the UK’s 12 best-selling fragrances, as well as five unique, exclusive scents and the three new spring/summer fragrances.

Xystos Tel: 0191 499 1570 Email sales@xystos.co.uk www.xystostrade.co.uk Spring Fair: Stand 4H50-J51 PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

Gift Giving…All Wrapped Up! ENESCO LIMITED, Brunthill Road, Kingstown, Carlisle, Cumbria, England, CA3 0EN. UK Customer Services: Telephone: 01228 404022 Email: trade@enesco.co.uk Overseas Customer Services: Telephone: +44 1228 404066 Email: eurosales@enesco.co.uk

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Spotlight On... Collectables

A Breed Apart As the saying goes, what goes around comes around, with that seeming to be the mantra for collectables in 2019. With people less fussed about minimalism it appears that they are once again looking for a myriad of diverse items to collect, ranging from Disney and animal figurines to collectable mugs. How do you define a collectable? The answer is that it’s very much down to what’s trending, what people want more of in their homes, and to individual taste. From a supplier’s perspective, if they can get it right, then the collectables market place is very much alive and kicking. Helen Cottrill, director of marketing at Enesco confirms: “We have had an outstanding year across collectables, seeing a huge increase again in consumer demand for figural product, with our Disney collection covering all characters and many formats. However, the hero character for 2018 has been Stitch, with the large statement figurine a top seller.” In fact, the company has seen the collectables market go full circle. “Minimalism is no longer the trend, with people much

freer to fill their homes with beautiful items that they love, and this is something that we will absolutely be focusing on in 2019,” Helen confirms. Staying with licensed collectables, Andrew Norman-Smith, director of Nemesis Now, agrees that the giftware sector is constantly evolving. “We believe customers are looking for branded licensed collectables and, carrying on from our 2018 release of collectables for Rock n Roll heavyweights

Right: Rock on! Nemesis Now has launched an ACDC collectable collection. Left: Stitch from Enesco. Below: Dougal, a Highland Bull sitting from Blue Poppy Art/Frith Sculpture. Below left: Widdop’s Nature Craft wood effect animal collectables. Below right: Mugs from Creative Tops’ The Nonsense Alphabet collection.

Motorhead, Iron Maiden and Slayer, we have other new collaborations up our sleeves for our 2019 launch. Our new ACDC collection is just a teaser of what we have in store. We are offering a new angle on music licensing, which transcends generations and appeals to both the more mature veterans of rock and their successors who are just beginning to be acquainted with these heavy metal giants.” Animals too, continue to be hugely popular. “Over the last 18 months we have launched two new ranges - Cockapoos and Miniatures,” says David Wilkinson, founder of Blue Poppy Art/Frith Sculpture. “There is an enormous interest in cockapoos from the public and they are actively collecting our entire range. We, in turn, are responding by producing more models this Spring. Meanwhile, our miniature works of art collection, MINIMA, has been

even more successful, and we will soon have over 30 different animals to offer.” Sue Grant, marketing manager at Widdop and Co adds: “Traditional collectable figurines, such as our Broadway Belles 1920’s lady figurines, continue to appeal as colours are updated in line with home trends. Animal collectables too, have been expanded to include abstract glass objets d’art and the decorative Treasured Trinkets die cast metal trinket boxes.” Interestingly, mugs too, have become a collectable, with Creative Tops’ recent V&A launch focused on The Nonsense Alphabet mug collection where there are 26 different designs to collect. “The mugs can be collected to create words, co-ordinate colours or just for the most favourite nonsense poems or drawings,” says PR manager Katrina Lawton With animal lovers in mind, the Royal Worcester Wrendale Design mug collection from Portmeirion, features the watercolour designs of Hannah Dale. They come in 30 designs making them a very collectable range,” says sales and marketing director Phil Atherton. For suppliers willing and able to move with the times, clearly collectables are continuing to thrive. Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

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VISIT US AT: HARROGATE CHRISTMAS & GIFT FAIR 13TH -16TH JAN 2019 - HALL C - STAND C27 SPRING FAIR NEC BIRMINGHAM 3RD -7TH FEB 2019 - HALL 4 - STAND C50 To become a stockist email: bryn@alliedimports.com www.baileyandbrooke.co.uk

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Spotlight On... Mother’s Day

Mum’s The Word With Mother’s Day second only to Christmas on the gift giving event calendar, retailers can hopefully look forward to a gifting bonanza. But as suppliers point out, social media, most notably Instagram, is playing a big role in influencing opinion. So what will be trending in the run up to the big day on March 31 next year?

No matter which end of the age spectrum you are, recognising and rewarding your mum with a gift is a non-negotiable. But times have moved on when it comes to gifting. Women, especially mums, have really come into their own, greatly influenced by social media. Joelle Engolia, senior marketing executive at Wild and Wolf concurs: “We’ve seen a growing trend for more considered gifts for Mother’s Day, which is shaping up to include beautifully designed gifts that tie into women’s interests or enable them to look after themselves - gifts that recognise that they’re not just a parent and allow them to have some much needed ‘mum time’. Plus, the millennial mums’ demographic is also extremely important. They have been causing a storm on social media by reinventing the way mums portray motherhood. It’s where the ‘gin and wine-loving bad mum’ trend originated, which sees them sharing the realities of motherhood: the good, the bad and the ugly.”

Continues Joelle: “Millennial mums are challenging the pressure to always be perfect with a mindset of ‘we’re doing our best, and that’s okay’. Socially-savvy they’re a group of women who would love Mother’s Day gifts that are Instagrammable, have a hint of nostalgia and reflect their fresh approach to parenting. Several of our new SS19 Yes Studio lines tap into this trend - for example, our Don’t Panic notebook, I Have No Idea What I’m Doing mug and Happy Hour water bottle.”

Enesco’s director of marketing, Helen Cottrill, highlights the ongoing trend for gin which is still riding high, along with cocktails and enjoying life a little more. “With the gin trend set to stay for a while yet, we will have our new Ginology collection in stock for Mother’s Day 2019. With a £15 price point it’s a great price and comes gift boxed. Featuring unique designs, using modern on trend relevant images, these are ideal for all mums or women that you want to thank. There’s no text, therefore not limiting them to one recipient.” Adds Helen: “We also cannot talk about Mother’s Day without mentioning Willow Tree which resonates with so many people. It’s ideal for new mums, mums to be, or for simply creating a family grouping.” She believes that diversity is key to Mother’s Day. “Having something for all ages and demographics, with functionality, is still a great selling point,” adds Helen. Commenting on Mother’s Day, Sue Grant, marketing manager of Widdop and

Top left: Wild & Wolf’s Happy Don’t Panic notebook is aimed at millennial mums. Above right: Enesco’s Ginology. Above: Stationery from Widdop and Co. Inset: The Calligraphy and Hearts collection from A Gift From The Gods.

Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

COME VISIT US AT SHOWCASE, DUBLIN STAND D21, SCOTLANDS TRADE FAIR, GLASGOW STAND B23, AND SPRING FAIR, BIRMINGHAM STAND 9E30-F31 Tel: 0844 844 1325

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Spotlight On... Mother’s Day Co, points to the rise of two dominant themes. “Firstly, the radiant femininity of the ditsy floral look and secondly, the on trend ombre finish, where soft colour fades with delicate lacelike patterns, along with some heartfelt and completely Instagrammable sentiments and gin-credible puns.” Sue adds that retailers should be on the lookout for traditional gifts - photo frames, glassware and indulgent aromatics - that have been updated with fresh new skins, as well as unique products such as the company’s Mum tokens. Chloe Bayles, head of wholesale at A Gift From The

God, points out: “Your mum is ‘a gift from the gods’ and our ‘go to’ gifts for this celebratory occasion are anything pink. As a colour of love, it’s always on trend and a winner for showing gratitude. Additionally, we find that gifts that complement flowers work well, so a handy pocket notebook or stylish journal are a good match. And who doesn’t love a pretty slogan mug for your favourite cuppa?” Pink is also a key colour at Lesser & Pavey, with quality, usable feminine gifts trending for Mother’s Day. The company’s Mad Dot range, licensed from Hearts Designs, features a new range specifically for women, with products including fine china mugs, candles, reed diffusers, a compact mirror and a keyring. “Retailers should create a display that will entice the consumer by bringing together a collection of gifts that would be welcomed on Above: Lesser & Pavey’s new Mad Dot women’s range. Above right: Really Good/Soul’s Secret Garden make-up bags. Left: A Gisela Graham reed diffuser from the company’s Feathers collection. Right: A Mother’s Day plaque from Splosh, distributed by Xystos.

A Jewel Of A Gift Jewellery, of course, is always a popular gift for mums, with Joe Davies seeing a demand for the company’s Equilibrium sentiment jewellery themed with mum messages, confirms managing director Steve Davies. “We also expect gin-themed gifts to continue to perform well, particularly Sunny by Sue gin glasses, with mum frames also starting to move up the pre-order list. Trending are homely, mum sentiment messages on clean, craft style wooden frames and plaques.” As Joma Jewellery/Katie Loxton’s marketing manager Sophie Stainton emphasises that the true gift of Mother’s Day is in the giving. “This season at Joma, our brand new Occasion gift boxes are truly special. They have sentiment at their heart as well as being filled with timeless treasures. Our Marvellous Mum Occasion gift box, for example, has three stacking bracelets, displayed on a soft pink suedette pillow.” Above: Mum-themed Equilibrium jewellery from Joe Davies. Left: Joma Jewellery’s Marvellous Mum Occasion gift box.

Mother’s Day,” says Lesser & Pavey’s managing director Julian Hunt. “These gifts will last a lot longer than flowers or chocolates, and is the reason why we believe our range will be enjoyed for more days that just the Sunday of Mother's Day.” At Gisela Graham, sales director Piers Croke says that people are spending more on Mother’s Day gifts. “Our Feathers gift collection has the occasion in mind, with its feminine style and products range making it suitable for gift giving to women at any season. The soft focus design features on handy, usable gifts such as make-up bags, specs cases, wash bags, mugs and jugs, as well as candles and reed diffusers. It’s accessorised with similar products in gold which makes a great display concept.” Adds Fiona Burge, key account manager at Really Good/Soul: “Gift shops should look out for lines that show personality at a reasonable price range, covering all age groups. Mother’s Day is all about a mindset, with women being reminded that they are more than just a mummy.” Splosh meanwhile, distributed by Xystos, has made a splash with a variety of sentimental wall plaques for Mother’s Day in the company’s Botanical and Spirit ranges, which capture, mostly in verse, just what mums mean to their sons and daughters. Additionally, there are two mugs in the Splosh Mugs to Give range which will give tea and coffee drinkers a daily reminder of their mums - the first carrying the message You are Special, and the other bearing the inscription Mum.” As everyone buying a gift for Mother’s Day will agree, whether retailer or shopper, regardless of budget, it’s special gifts for special mums, and that’s official! Continued on page 59 Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

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Spotlight On... Mother’s Day

All Lit Up Candles and reed diffusers too, are a ‘must have’ for mums of all ages. Best Kept Secrets has created four candles from their Just Because range: Lovely, Lovely Mum, Happy Mother’s Day, With Love On Mothering Sunday and You Are My Sunshine, featuring the award-winning fragrance Classic Cotton as well as plenty of sparkly topping. “Different parts of the country say ‘mam’ rather than ‘mum’, and we can do that too, plus translations are available in Welsh,” explains Best Kept Secrets’ managing director Vanessa Curry. Adds Vanessa, “contrary to popular belief, candle sales hold up very well in the Spring which is the second most important selling season of the year. Special occasions such as Mother’s Day, along with Valentine’s Day and Easter are naturally crucial.” Above: Katie Loxton’s Marvellous Mum Perfect Pouch. Left: Signature Gifts’ personalised Purple Ronnie’s Little Poems For Mum. Below far left: A personalised candle from PMC.

Above: Best Kept Secrets Lovely, Lovely Mum candle from the Just Because range.

Sentimentally Speaking At PMC, new product manager Cara Beech says that the company expects to see the demand for personalised jewellery continue to grow for Mother’s Day, especially in relation to practical personalised gifts that offer usefulness and sentimental value. “Examples include our personalised make-up bags, fund boxes, reed diffusers and candles,” confirms Cara. “Trending are cursive font styles, featuring black, gold or

silver tones, with natural pink and beige colour palettes becoming more prevalent. Botanical themes too, such as cacti and succulents, will also continue to be popular.” At Signature Gifts, copywriter and PR executive David Smith says that although the sentimentality value is still really popular for gifts in general, no occasion on the calendar proves this as much as Mother’s Day, when customers meticulously browse the web in the hunt for finding a bespoke gift that their mum will want to cherish. “Personalised gifts are our speciality, such as our Purple

Ronnie’s Little Poems for Mums, which is a square format book that is personalised with the name of ‘mum’ throughout the book, as well as the name of the son or daughter that bought it for them. Each poem is a funny, charming homage to the special lady and is illustrated with the iconic characters from the Purple Ronnie franchise. The personalised nature of the book, and the fact that it comes presented in its own free gift box, definitely makes it a sentimental keepsake.” At Katie Loxton, the company’s marketing manager, Sophie Stainton, highlights that sentiment and meaning are always at the heart of Mother’s Day, “To make this year even more special, personalising a gift will let the giver give their mum a one of a kind present she can treasure forever,” says Sophie. “Our Personalise Me monogramming service at Katie Loxton is a special way to make our Perfect Pouch unique and distinctly her with the Marvellous Mum Perfect Pouch giving her a little reminder of how loved she is every single day.”

Making Mother’s Day Fun Humour too, often plays a big role when it comes to gifts for Mother’s Day. Highlights Mike Burgess, managing director of Parlane: “Faces are a huge, trending theme for Spring/Summer 2019, and we have integrated a few in to our latest collection. We’ve produced some ceramics with animal faces that are a break from the norm, introducing a touch of quirkiness and fun.” Continues Mike: “Our unique range of small pots and vases with smiling cat faces would make a wonderful gift for Mother’s Day, displayed with a small faux or real succulent or cactus for maximum visual effect.” Boxer Gifts meanwhile, is renowned for putting the emphasis on fun. As Thomas O’Brien, senior operations director states: “For Mother’s Day, gift shops should be looking to take a break from the norm. Supermarkets and discounters have the dullards covered with World’s Best Mum, so retailers who are trailblazers are already looking for fresh new sentiments and novel ideas. At Boxer, we’re encouraging our retailer allies to be fun and different. Mother’s Day is a great chance to engage with new customers so it’s important to make sure you leave them with an interesting experience. Our Mum’s Medicine wine stopper says something more personal and specific about mums, so leave World’s Best Mum for an uninspired, bland outlet!” Right: Parlane’s animal ‘faces’ pots and vases. Left: Boxer Gifts’ Mum’s Medicine wine stopper.

Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

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Come and see us at Spring Fair, NEC Birmingham - 3rd to 7th February 2019 Hall 4 - Stand 4E31. Professional Beauty Show, Excel London - 24th & 25th February 2019 - Stand D10 Tel: 01622845995 Email: enquiries@charlotterhys.uk.com

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

Gin Loving Mums As gin becomes Britain’s favourite drink we are all starting to fall in love with the classic balloon glass. Boxer Gifts have produced a stunning Mothers Ruin gin glass. Packaged into a gorgeous individual box, the glass makes a perfect gift for any gin loving mother that perhaps doesn’t always drink responsibly. Come and meet our fun loving team at Spring Fair (Hall 5, Stall A10/B11). You won’t be disappointed – after all, Fun is Our Business!

Global Inspiration Introducing new addition to the Bailey and Brooke jewellery collection – Luminosity. Inspired by the colours of the world - desert sunsets in Morocco, the vibrant rich tones of Marrakesh to the fresh crystal blue coastline of the French Riviera - the vibrant Luminosity collection has been designed to add a little sunshine whatever the season. This new collection includes a vast array of bracelets, earrings, bangles and necklaces, each one featuring a myriad of colours and accents.

Boxer Gifts Tel: 01133 955 595 Email: sales@boxergifts.com www.boxergifts.com

A Touch Of Glass

Allied Imports Email: bryn@alliedimports.com www.baileyandbrooke.co.uk Spring Fair: Hall 4 Stand C50

Joe Davies are ensuring that all mums get a proper treat on Mother’s Day with their lovely new Sunny By Sue gin glasses. Two floral designs are available in special Mother’s Day packaging. If gin isn’t mum’ favourite tipple, brand new cocktail, rum and margarita glasses are also available. All Sunny by Sue glasses are easy to buy in Joe Davies trademark ‘little & often’ quantities with free delivery nationwide. For more information contact the award winning Joe Davies.

Joe Davies Tel: 0161 975 6300 Email sales@joedavies.co.uk www.joedavies.co.uk Spring Fair: Hall 5, Stand D50/E51

Chic & Functional Bailey and Brooke have created a stunning collection of stylish, on trend handbags and wallets. Expertly designed and manufactured, the Bailey and Brooke design team travelled the world, visiting all the designer fashion shows, to create these chic, functional handbags. From casual to formal affairs, we have a handbag to suit your requirement. Our handbag collection are a perfect complement to any ensemble, the epitome of refined luxury.

Allied Imports Email: bryn@alliedimports.com www.baileyandbrooke.co.uk Spring Fair: Hall 4 Stand C50

A Jewel Of A Gift Equilibrium jewellery from Joe Davies (Spring Fair Hall 5, Stand D50/E51) is always a popular choice for Mother’s Day, with the new Spring/Summer collection featuring a range of specific Mum, Nan and Grandma sentiment pieces. These stylish new items will each carry a heartfelt message that’s perfect for the special day. The entire Equilibrium collection will be displayed alongside 7500 exciting gifts on the extensive Joe Davies stand, all available in their trademark ‘little and often’ quantities, with free nationwide delivery.

Joe Davies Tel: 0161 975 6300 Email sales@joedavies.co.uk www.joedavies.co.uk Spring Fair: Hall 5, Stand D50/E51

For A Lovely Mum Mother’s Day remains the most purchased for event in the Spring/Summer season and the Lovely, Lovely Mum candles serves to celebrate those special ladies who deserve a treat this March. All of the candles in the Just Because range are fragranced with neroli, citrus and sandalwood and peppered with plenty of sparkle to mark this very special day.

Best Kept Secrets Tel: 01670 512222 Email:sales@bestkeptsecrets.co.uk

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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Spotlight On... Licensed Giftware

Licensed For

Spring Following on from the very successful Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) show in October, licensed giftware continues to surge ahead in leaps and bounds with a myriad of licences launching at the Spring shows.

The Lagoon Group: Einstein2 The Lagoon Group will be launching a new collection of Einstein² gifts at Spring Fair, featuring three board games - Genius Trivia, Genius Lateral Thinking and Genius Classic Logic - along with a jigsaw puzzle. Additionally there will be an IQ test kit and books unravelling scientific myths and mysteries. “The range translates Einstein, the man and his science, into a new, exciting range of games that are perfect for teenagers and adults,” says Lagoon Group’s director Heather Watherston. “Einstein is an instantly recognisable character who truly changed the world and our games are a great new addition to the range and complement our other licensed collections which include David Walliams, Professor Rubik and Plasticine.” Above: A jigsaw for budding Einstein’s from The Lagoon Group’s new Einstein collection.

Half Moon Bay: Disney’s Dumbo For Spring/Summer 2019, Half Moon Bay is adding Disney’s Dumbo to its portfolio of classic licences, featuring classic Dumbo artwork that will be instantly recognisable to Disney fans. “Our Dumbo range encapsulates all the excitement of the circus,” says Half Moon Bay’s head of product and licensing, Etta Saunders Bingham. “The little elephant with big ears has sent us soaring and we’re thrilled to be working with this wonderful Disney classic” Formats include a range of mug styles, a coaster set, bamboo lunch box, notebook, a coin purse and a cosmetic bag, adorned with classic illustrations of the world’s only flying elephant in a nostalgic red, blue and white circus colour palette. The company will be extending its Disney partnership still further in 2019 with the addition of classic licenses that include Aladdin, Disney Princess, The Lion King, Toy Story and Frozen, all of which will be showcased for the first time at Spring Fair.

Groovy UK: Mr Men and Little Miss; Frida Kahlo Mr. Men and Little Miss have enjoyed multi-generational appeal throughout the years with one Mr. Men or Little Miss book is sold every 2.5 seconds. “Currently, the Mr. Men and Little Miss brand features over 90 fun characters with unique personalities, but they still have a very cool 1970’s retro edge which sits well with the Groovy persona,” explains Groovy’s founder and managing director Monique Scott, with the new range including bathrobes, slippers, bags and lighting. Characters range from Little Miss Naughty to Mr. Cool. “We are very excited about the Little Miss Sparkle range which is full of glitter and sparkle,” continues Monique, “while Mr. Strong has his own gym range with holdall, water bottle and gym towel.” Additionally, Groovy UK will be bringing out a range of licensed Frida Kahlo, giftware in the Spring, boosting the creativity and unique style of Groovy, alongside growing new product areas within its licensed portfolio. “Beautiful print and pattern come together on a collection of bags, ceramics and homeware and Frida’s love of plants and parrots have inspired our first range,” confirms Monique. “The trend for home cooking, and all the accessories that go with it, are a hot property. Lovely dining ware becomes important, as we all have our little ways of showing off!” Above: Groovy UK, Mr Men. Below: Groovy UK Frida Kahlo.

Above: Disney’s Dumbo collection from Half Moon Bay.

Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

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Spotlight On... Licensed Giftware

Widdop and Co: Swan Lake

Below: Swan Lake from Widdop and Co.

New from Widdop and Co for 2019 is Swan Lake, produced under licence from Hotchpotch - love from london. “Dreamy illustrations and luxury champagne foils combine to bring the Swan Lake collection alive,” explains Widdop and Co’s marketing manager Sue Grant. “Sitting within Sophia, our ladies gifting brand, the range offers contemporary, design-led elegance with Hotchpotch's signature glamour. “Our licensing programme is now an integral part of our offer with new licences across many of our brands.”

Paladone: Icons

Temerity Jones: Frida Kahlo Following an enormously popular exhibition at The V&A this year, the trend for all things Frida Kahlo has gone global. Comments Temerity Jones’ Craig Masson: “We had already spotted the appetite for Frida Kahlo’s image some time ago, and this new wave of interest cemented out desire to be a part of this trend. Working with the FK Corporation, we selected and developed a core design which simultaneously celebrated the iconic image of the artist, but also kept true to the Temerity Jones aesthetic. The result is a bright and celebratory range of homewares and gifts.” The range consists of classic Temerity Jones best sellers, as well as new products developed to showcase this extraordinary woman. Left: Part of the Frida Kahlo barware range from Temerity Jones.

Mad Beauty: Disney Next year is another year of anniversaries and important dates with Barbie celebrating her 60th birthday and Mad Beauty’s newest licence, Hello Kitty, marking its 45th year since its launch. “Disney has a big year next year with new movie launches including Aladdin, Dumbo and the Lion King, where Mad will be releasing products featuring imagery from the original movies to ensure there is a strong sense of nostalgia and fun,” comments Mad Beauty’s managing director Trevor Cash. “From our very first licensed product for Kellogg’s Vintage - the award winning Milk Bath carton - through to creating unique Mickey Mouse shaped containers for lip balms and hand creams to celebrate Mickey’s 90th anniversary, we have tried to combine nostalgia with contemporary design and humour to appeal to all ages.”

Paladone’s Icons is a new range of collectable lights featuring icons from the world’s biggest TV, movie and gaming brands. They include Harry Potter, Overwatch, Crash Bandicoot as well as Rick and Morty. “As well as being a notable addition to our range of innovate lights, it’s a huge statement in our intent to expand on our collectables offering,” says Paladone’s sales manager Alex Ryan. Above and below: Paladone’s Icons collection.

Shruti: RHS Collection Shruti Designs has teamed up with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) to create a new collection of RHS gift and fashion items which will launch for Easter. “The RHS brand along with its associations and superb library of images - is ideally suited to both Shruti’s product range and its target market,” confirms Shruti’s design manager Matt Green. The RHS Irises & Hellebores range, inspired by the RHS’ Lindley Library, brings together fashion products that include scarves, bags and umbrellas, with gift and stationery items such as travel cups and water flasks. Above, centre and below: The new Shruti giftware collection, in collaboration with the RHS, will be launching in time for Easter.

Above: Mad Beauty’s Barbie wardrobe.

Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

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What’s New Progressive Gifts & Home Highlights some of the latest in licensed gift products to be showcased this month

Genie Of The Lamp Ahead of the highly anticipated live-action remake of the Disney classic Aladdin, your customers ain’t never had a friend like this before, as Enesco proudly presents a new figurine in its Disney Traditions by Jim Shore collection. Your customers’ favourite genie of the lamp is captured perfectly in Born Showman, presenting the lovable blue genie in a scene reminiscent of his lively performance during the musical number Friend Like Me. 21.0cm tall and retailing with a SRP of £44.00.

Cracking Sense Of Humour Gudetama is a lazy egg, cracked too early on the wrong side of the shell. Starring in short animations, muttering and grumbling, complaining and sighing, he’s one of the newest characters from Sanrio, who created Hello Kitty, with Groovy’s ranges having a cracking sense of humour. The fun collections include bathrobes, slippers, and homeware including tea towels, ceramics, travel mugs, placemats and coasters. Groovy’s other licenses include Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts, Star Wars, Marvel, DC Comics, Assassins Creed, Mr. Men, and Frida Kahlo.

Enesco Tel: 01228 404022 Email: uksales@enesco.co.uk www.enesco.co.uk

It’s A Dog’s Life

Groovy UK Tel: 0844 372 7820 Email: hello@groovyuk.com www.groovyuk.com Spring Fair: Hall 6 Stand H40-J41 Harrogate Xmas & Gift: Stand D10

After finding himself alone in an empty flat following a divorce, artist Rafael Mantesso filled the blank space in his home with cleverly positioned illustrations of his beloved English bull terrier Jimmy. The drawings attracted the world's attention and, luckily for Groovy UK, a partnership was born. The crazy but heart-warming imagery looks just as fun and funky on Groovy’s collection of bags, ceramics and homeware as it does on Rafael’s walls.

Groovy UK Tel: 0844 372 7820 Email: hello@groovyuk.com www.groovyuk.com Spring Fair: Hall 6 Stand H40-J41

Homer & Bart Brand new and launching for 2019, Puckator will be debuting their latest licensed novelty solar pals. To celebrate 30 years of The Simpsons, Puckator have teamed up with America’s longest running sitcom to bring you their biggest collectable novelty gift to date. Named as Time magazine’s best 20th century television series, with a star on Hollywood’s walk of fame, the appeal of the Simpsons is unaffected by time. With this in mind, we expect big things in 2019 for Puckator’s novelty dancing Homer and dashboard riding Bart.

Puckator Tel: 0800 011 6969 Email. customerservices@puckator.co.uk www.puckator.co.uk

Housewares By Nadiya

Exeter Showroom Invitation International giftware wholesaler Puckator has some exciting news for everyone based in the South West area. From January 12-15 they will be onsite at The Mews, Exeter Golf & Country Club showing off their latest collections of brand new products, such as the adorable Cutiemals range that will be highly featured this Spring. The event will be open from 9-5 each day and everyone interested is welcome to visit.

Puckator Tel: 0800 011 6969 Email. customerservices@puckator.co.uk www.puckator.co.uk

High profile TV personality and author Nadiya Hussain has launched her first range of licensed products. Nadiya's Make Life Colourful range has been developed with BlissHome and includes mugs, bowls, spice racks, aprons and tea towels, with Nadiya hands-on in the design and development of the range. BlissHome will be showcasing the range at Top Drawer and Ambiente. Nadiya recently presented two new programmes for the BBC, published a new book, appeared at several BBC Good Food Shows, and guested on wide ranging TV shows. Contact Ian Downes for more information.

Start Licensing Tel: 0208 337 7958 Email: ian@startlicensing.co.uk PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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What’s New Progressive Gifts & Home Highlights some of the latest in licensed gift products to be showcased this month

New Pusheen Plush Dragonsheen sees Pusheen in a mint green colour, with purple-accented wings and spinedetailing down her back. Measuring 24.0cm tall and weighted to sit upright, the Dragonsheen plush is suitable for children aged one year and over, is hand washable and comes with a lenticular hand tag. It retails with an SRP of £24.00, and will be a welcome addition to any Pusheen super-fan’s collection.

Sleepy Seas Sounds GUND, is proud to introduce its Sleepy Seas Sound & Light Whale to the UK market. Press the right fin and the whale splashes into life. Press the musical note on its left fin and the plush starts to play one of five different noises. It also has soft white glowing lights that help relax little ones. Batteries included. With an SRP of £29.95, the Sleepy Seas Sound & Light Whale is surface washable and suitable for babies from birth.

Enesco Tel: 01228 404022 Email: uksales@enesco.co.uk www.enesco.co.uk

Floral Sophistication A host of beautiful new ranges will launch from Shruti, the home, gifting and accessories division of Half Moon Bay. Collaborating with the RHS, Shruti’s brand new Hellebores and Irises collection of gift and fashion items are set to bring a touch of floral elegance to Spring, with the designs sourced from the RHS Lindley Library. Featuring cosmetic bags, scarves, stationery and water bottles, the RHS Hellebores and Irises collection is set to become the epitome of floral sophistication for Spring.

New Disney Collections feature original Disney artwork with favourite quotes and phrases from the films, across popular formats including heat change mugs, lunchboxes and accessories. Launch ranges include Disney’s Dumbo, Aladdin, Toy Story, The Lion King, Disney Princess and a capsule collection of coloured mugs featuring original Disney classic characters. Also showcased will be a brand-new Paddington Bear and Moomin range. Friends will also be showcased along with a classic Beano range; a Thunderbirds collection with Lady Penelope and Brains sub brands; and a Captain Marvel collection. Half Moon Bay will also be showcasing its first collection of gift books under brand new publishing imprint Ice House Books.

Half Moon Bay Tel: 01225 473873 Email: sales@halfmoonbay.co.uk www.halfmoonbay.co.uk

Exotic, Fresh & Peaceful

Warm & Dry Wrap up warm and puddle proof your feet for adventures in the great outdoors or your own back garden. Available in grey and burgundy, with contrasting pom-poms ,our Aaron stitch knitwear are the perfect items to keep you cosy this season, while the bright and bold prints on our wellies will ensure your feet stay dry on your adventure.

Our signature candles are hand poured in the UK from 100% natural soy wax. This ensures a superior burn time of 40 hours. Each candle is infused with exotic, fresh and peaceful scents. Designed to evoke memories and take you to a faraway place. Each candle is presented in a screenprinted glass jar, so it will still look beautiful once burnt.

Ulster Weavers Tel: 0844 844 1325 Email: web.enquiries@ulsterweavers.com www.ulsterweavers.com

Ulster Weavers Tel: 0844 844 1325 Email: web.enquiries@ulsterweavers.com www.ulsterweavers.com PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

PRINTED PAPER STRAWS

! e e r F t l i u G y Part

8mm, Totally Re-cyclable, Funky Printed Paper Straws! GIN TIME

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY

PROSECCO TIME

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In My Opinion

Why Be A

‘Snowf lake’ Business?

Generation ‘snowflake’ is a current buzzword, coined to define young adults who shy away from life’s criticisms and challenges. But it’s not just youngsters who have a ‘snowflake’ mentality, argues Boxer Gifts’ Thomas O’Brien. Retailers too, both online and offline, have a tendency to play it safe, when being a bit more maverick would both help to differentiate them and get the tills ringing. “The snowflake generation have social media largely to thank for their ‘melt in the face of criticism’ persona. Through a large portion of their life being played out and recorded online, vulnerable people have played safe with life itself. Yet snowflake businesses too, are guilty of doing just the same, playing it one step safer with each comment, tag or campaign online. Feedback is important and should be processed, with a decision taken to ignore or adjust. It’s easy to play safe, remove the irreverent comment or take off sale the crazy product you brought into store. In fact, snowflake bosses across the land have uttered those words ‘make it go away’ many times, despite this not being true to their own beliefs, customers or fans. This is selling out! They’re killing their message, their personality and their business. Be true to your company’s personality and act in accordance with it. If you want to be bold, interesting and relevant to your customers then stand up and to hell with everyone else! ‘Oops, sorry’, and a prompt removal from your range feels safe. It is. Safe is not a reason for action; safe is a cop out. The best and most important response is ‘be true to your brand.’ If you're not clear in what it is, you need to find out, and fast! Each step away from your brand is a step closer to the mundane, the bland, the boring and the

Above: Boxer Gifts’ Thomas O’Brien. Left: Boxer Gifts’ letter candles. Bottom: The company’s Poo Timer.

irrelevant. This applies to your message, your product and your company. Snowflake companies drift towards mundanity by removing risk and their personality, both online and off. At Boxer Gifts, we are designers and manufacturers of fun, humorous gifts. Humour and fun are emotions which cannot be calculated scientifically. They are subjective both to the gift recipient, the gift buyer and the times we currently live in. We constantly face criticism for what we do and why we do it. We never shy away from

evaluating it. We ask ourselves: have they a right to be offended? (Were we wrong?) 2. Is it true to our brand? Our slogan is ‘Fun is our Business’, and we try stay true to who we are and what we do. This is us. We can’t, and don't want to, remove our personality. If our products are not for you then don’t buy them, don’t buy from the shops that sell them if you feel strongly enough, but don’t impose your personality on us. We believe in what we do and have the conviction to carry on, despite the naysayers and the snowflakes telling us otherwise. We take risks, we push boundaries and we get it wrong! However, we are not boring. We have taken our own less well trodden path, leading our market by being first with quirky new ideas and fresh, interesting concepts. We - and our customers - want to make waves, be irreverent, be interesting and be different, which can scare even ourselves along the way. But ultimately, we will be true to ourselves, our brand and to our customers. Despite being a largely reported section of the population, nobody I’ve met yet has signed up to this tribe known as the ‘snowflakes’, so there must be unwilling members... Therefore, believe in what you do and don’t melt in the face of criticism. Own it, it’s yours, but when it’s wrong just ignore it or your customers will ignore the new melted, and more boring, you.” Email: thomas@boxergifts.com Snowflake Melter @ Boxer Gifts (makers of waves since 1982) Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

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

On-The-Go Mug Our bright new travel mug, Go Fish, designed by Rebecca Hogg, features a shoal of fish painted in various shades of blue watercolour with textured patterns in Rebecca’s fresh and quirky expressive style. Made in lightweight fine bone china, it is dishwasher safe and easy to keep clean, while the pale blue silicone lid and heat resistant band is a perfect match to the colours in the design. A good solution for life on the move a stylish eco-friendly choice.

Dunoon Tel: 01785 817414 Email: sales@dunoonmugs.co.uk www.dunoonmugs.co.uk

Seaside Themes Following on from the success of the Hannah Longmuir collection, Dunoon is proud to launch a new set of three seaside themed mugs by this talented artist. Hannah has a textured drawing style with washes of watercolour and captures her subjects masterfully. Each design has various images of items to be found at the seaside, such as fishing boats, lobsters, puffins, coastal birds and sea anemones among others. The Orkney mug is made in fine bone china in the heart of Staffordshire, England.

Dunoon Tel: 01785 817414 Email: sales@dunoonmugs.co.uk www.dunoonmugs.co.uk

Reusable Coffee Cup Kafe in the Box is the ultimate reusable coffee cup. It’s double-insulated making the perfect choice for hot or cold brews. With a sculpted spout it is comfortable to use, splash-proof and compatible for use with straws. It slots into any standard cup holder, fits under most cartridge coffee makers and is dishwasher safe. It’s available in two sizes — 12oz/355ml or 16oz/473ml - and four different colours. With a SRP of £16.00 for the smaller size and £18.00 for the larger size, Kafe in the Box is available to order from:

Enesco Tel: 01228 404022 Email: uksales@enesco.co.uk www.enesco.co.uk

Beavering Away The artists at Frith have been ‘beavering’ away recently – so much so that Thomas Meadows has created one! Retailing at only £40 it is bound to sell well, as there is so much interest in these interesting characters at present as they are slowly being reintroduced around the UK. The latest area is the Forest of Dean which is close to Frith’s HQ.

Frith Sculpture Tel: 01666 577110 Email: sales@frithsculpture.co.uk www.frithsculpture.co.uk Scotlands Trade Fair: Stand K18 January Furniture Show: Hall 3

Make A Splash Eight new Splosh ranges are being introduced by Xystos at Spring Fair, including two homewares collections. Hamptons features a variety of coastal products that incorporate soft white washed wood and deep blue coral reefs that capture the essence of beachside living, while the Magnolia range brings the simplistic elegance of magnolias into the home mixed with organic textures and trending tones of off-white and olive green.

Xystos Tel: 0191 499 1570 Email sales@xystos.co.uk www.xystostrade.co.uk Spring Fair: Stand 4H50-J51

Making Waves Wavelength is a set of three seaside inspired designs by Rebecca Hogg that feature fishing boats, lighthouses and beach huts in a seaside scene with bold choppy waves. Each design is painted in an expressive watercolour style. Made in fine bone china in the heart of Staffordshire, England.

Dunoon Tel: 01785 817414 Email: sales@dunoonmugs.co.uk www.dunoonmugs.co.uk

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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

Candles In A Tin Ashleigh & Burwood’s new The Scented Home candles are hand-poured using a vegan-friendly refined mineral wax blend, and use Ashleigh & Burwood’s multi-wick ‘mega-throw’ fragrance release system to match the impact and quality standard that customers know and trust in The Scented Home. The candles are available in eight bestselling, UK-made fragrances. Each scent is housed in a colour co-ordinating tin, decorated with an evocative image of the fragrance.

Ashleigh & Burwood Tel: +44 (0) 1932 267060 Email: info@ashleigh-burwood.co.uk www.ashleigh-burwood-trade.co.uk Top Drawer: Stand M31 Spring Fair: Hall 4, Stand B10-C11 Ambiente - 9.1, F20

Personalised Letter Candles Boxer Gifts are delighted to announce the introduction of their brand new letter candles. Perfect for that touch of personalised decoration for any room in the house, these candles really lighten up your living space and give you a warm feeling inside. Just don’t let the immature members of the house crudely rearrange them…

Boxer Gifts Tel: 01133 955 595 Email: sales@boxergifts.com www.boxergifts.com

Candles For All Occasions Best Kept Secrets is delighted to announce that they have joined forces with Tracey Russell Design to offer a unique new candle product. Tracey has a countrywide and an international reputation as one of the leading designers of greeting cards in Great Britain. She has now turned her design flair towards candles and the result is an amazing set of Occasion candles. There are many different, amazing designs and sentiments which means that there really is something for every event, ceremony and celebration.

Best Kept Secrets Tel: 01670 512222 Email: sales@bestkeptsecrets.co.uk www.bestkeptsecrets.co.uk

Feeling Lucky? Get ready for a wave of nostalgia. We are bringing back Lucky Bags! There are 36 different designs: 18 boys and 18 girls. Each bag has its own design with three mystery items inside. Suitable for ages 4+. As always, we have new ranges in angels pins and everyday gifts too. Contact our office for more info. We will be exhibiting at the Scotland’s Spring Trade Fair (stand D15) and the NEC Spring Fair.

Willow and Company Greetings Tel:0131 665 6677 Email: enquiries@willowgreetings.co.uk www.willowgreetings.co.uk Scotland’s Spring Trade Fair: Stand D15

Online Shop Goes Live The new Artebene B2B online shop is now live. With a great number of new features, retailers will now find it even easier and more convenient to do their shopping. All relevant details on orders and products can be taken from the extensive customer service section, and the retailer’s conceptual work is made a lot easier because they can select their products by themes. Questions can now be asked and answered even quicker by using the new live chat feature.

Artebene Tel: +44 20 8588 9510 Email: info@artebene.com www.artebene.com

Bold, Fun & Educational Lesser & Pavey has introduced a brand new range of melamine tabletop for little ones, with zoo animals helping them learn about animal shapes and colours. Primary colours make this new range stand out, and is just one of the new in-house designed ranges that will be on offer on the Lesser & Pavey stand at Spring Fair (Hall 5; stand D10-E11). The range is of first class quality and beautifully gift boxed. It contains a lunch bag, kids lap tray, cutlery, folding storage box and plastic water beaker.

Lesser & Pavey Tel 01322 279225 Email: sales@leonardo.co.uk www.leonardo.co.uk Harrogate Xmas & Gift: Stand D10

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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

Luxury Brands The start of 2019 sees luxury German porcelain brand Goebel join De Rosa, Herend and Cmielow at Global Luxury Brands. Artis Orbis and Rosina Wachtmeister already have a strong following in the UK, and we will showcase more of the range at Spring Fair including the Christmas product. De Rosa will be adding to the range including the often asked for Flamingo. Certainly a challenge. We will also have new cats, elephants and additions to the miniature range, and new tableware from Noritake and exciting new eco-friendly items from French masters of tableware and cookware, Revol. All in all an exciting start to 2019 awaits at Spring Fair.

Global Luxury Brands Tel: +44 1538 80 77 80/+44 7912 616297 Email:srw@glb.uk.com www.globalluxurybrands.co.uk Spring Fair: Hall 4 Stand H55

Quirky Planters KitchenCraft has launched a range of ceramic planters in a selection of designs, colours and textures, essential for hip home décor, particularly to accessorise kitchens. Designs include block colour, geometric and abstract florals as well as a selection of little faces such as little bear, sleepy face, winking face and fox. They all allow for fun and playful ways of displaying, not only plants, but a host of everyday items too – quintessentially multi-functional! A fully rotating hot spot merchandiser is available for all 12 designs (36 planters).

KitchenCraft Tel: +44 (0) 121 604 1111 Email: sales@kitchencraft.co.uk www.kitchencraft.co.uk

Fruity Palette Miss Milly, the contemporary British brand, kicks off 2019 with a stunning array of new, beautifully crafted, stand-out jewellery and soft, tactile scarves. It’s a bold and bright season, and watermelon colours play a huge part with coral and lime green featuring heavily. With reasonable prices, strong, easy-to-wear designs and friendly, efficient customer service, you can order from just £100. New ranges will be available to order online from 2 January. See us at Spring Fair!

Miss Milly Tel: 01905 622509 Email: hello@missmilly.co.uk www.missmilly.co.uk Spring Fair: Hall 19, Stand C18

Price’s Candles is set to launch six brand new fragrances at Spring Fair to complete the best-selling Fragrance Collection. The full 30 contemporary scents are offered in a candle tin, candle jar, boxed jar, medium jar, large jar and a 100 ml reed diffuser, ensuring retailers really do have every option available!

Price’s Candles Tel: +44 (0)1234 264500 Email: sales@prices-candles.co.uk www.prices-candles.co.uk Spring Fair in Hall 4, E80-F81

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

Combining state of the art technology with modern design, madebyzen have created this beautiful ceramic centrepiece. The Kasper offers warm, ambient lighting which helps you to relax while dispersing the fragrance of your choice. Kasper can also be used simply as a soft glow lamp if desired. It creates a cosy ambiance while producing a plume of divine fragrance and humidifying mist. RRP £80

Made By Zen Tel: +44 161 257 3644 Email: info@europiumworld.com www.madebyzen.com Spring Fair: Hall 4 Stand E60-F61

Fragrance Collection

Ceramic Centrepiece

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

Birds At Home Brand new from Lesser & Pavey is an exciting range of tabletop chinaware featuring native birds of the garden called Country Life Birds. This quality range consists of fine china mugs gift sets of two mugs and four mugs, each presented in transparent gift boxes. It also includes a matching fine china jug, butter dish, eggcups, salt and pepper pots with a tea, coffee and sugar sealed canisters, individually sold. The range extends to matching coasters and placemat and three size of serving tray with teabag tidy, spoon rest, laptray, lunch and shopping bags.

Tropical Picnic Time After the heat of last summer, what better way to prepare for 2019 than with a brand new eco-friendly range of tabletop wares from Lesser & Pavey. The bamboo eco-friendly Tropical Leaves range includes beaker, bowl, plate, jug and trays in two sizes. The fibre of bamboo closely resembles wood and is destined to be the wood alternative for the 21st century, with Lesser & Pavey delighted to bring products to the market place that are durable and sustainable.

Lesser & Pavey Tel: 01322 279225 Email: sales@leonardo.co.uk www.leonardo.co.uk Harrogate Xmas & Gift: Stand D10 Spring Fair: Hall 5 Stand D10-E11

On the Move Save time and the planet by carrying your own mug with you for a hot or cold drink. Lesser & Pavey are introducing a range of bamboo travel mugs at Spring Fair that come in three designs, with four assorted of 350 ml size, which includes one William Morris branded assortment. There are also three designs in four assorted of 600 ml which includes one of the William Morris branded assortment. This range is made with eco-friendly sustainable natural bamboo fibre. The mugs are re-usable, environmentally friendly and dishwasher and microwave safe.

Lesser & Pavey Tel 01322 279225 Email: sales@leonardo.co.uk www.leonardo.co.uk Harrogate Xmas & Gift: Stand D10

New Outdoor Candles Silver Art With silver currently on trend, Lesser & Pavey will be offering a brand new range of style pieces for the home at Spring Fair. There are nine large silver vase designs, with cutting edge designs, styled animal studies of a French bulldog sitting with a chihuahua, both relaxing, a pair of swimming fish, elephant bookends, Maasai people, cheetah and an elephant family, as well as mystical characters of unicorns and mermaids. Other style pieces include a silver finish trumpeter, saxophonist guitarist and skull study.

Lesser & Pavey Tel 01322 279225 Email: sales@leonardo.co.uk www.leonardo.co.uk Harrogate Xmas & Gift: Stand D10 Spring Fair: Hall 5 Stand D10-E11

Luminara continued to go from strength to strength in 2018 offering ‘All of the romance and fragrance of real candles without the risk or worry!’.New for 2019 is a comprehensive range of outdoor Luminara Living Flame candles, weather resistant to IPX5 compliance for genuine outdoor use. The range includes ivory pillars and giant ivory pillars, available in three heights and quality; metal decorative lanterns in Vintage Bronze and Antique White in both 12” and 16”, complete with Luminara Living Flame Candles. All candles offer 500 hours burn time from 2D batteries, included, and come with 5hr security timer. They are infra-red enabled for ease of use.in business!

Luminara Candles Tel: 01622 840229 Email: info@luminaracandles.co.uk Spring Fair: Hall 4, Stand 4E31

One-Stop Cello The Cello home fragrance collection of candles, reed diffusers and accessories will lead the charge for one-stop shop Xystos with a raft of new products at Spring Fair. The spring/summer launch sees the addition of three new scents - Ginger Fizz, Cucumber Spritz and Poppy Blush - in different sized jars, as well as wax medallions, scent cups, standard and hourglass reed diffusers and essential oils. These follow the strong-selling autumn/winter fragrances of Frosted Pine, Winter Mittens and Mistletoe Kiss.

Xystos Tel: 0191 499 1570 Email: sales@xystos.co.uk www.xystostrade.co.uk Spring Fair: Hall 4 Stand H50-J51 PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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

Fabulous Frida Groovy UK is very excited, having just signed Frida Kahlo, to be boosting the creativity and unique style of Groovy, alongside growing new product areas within their licences. Beautiful print and pattern come together on a collection of apparel, homeware and accessories. The Frida minimalist robe is a supersoft fleece with large applique and embroidery on the back, with the Frida logo on the chest. It comes with matching slippers. Robe RRP: £40 Slippers £15.

Urban Grafitti Groovy UK is developing exciting ranges with their new licence, Brandalised, an urban graffiti licence with high visibility and recognition featuring a collection of the artworks and photographs of Banksy graffiti. Ranges include iconic images such as ‘Lizzie’ The Queen, The Guard Dog (a balloon dog) and the street sign painter with the Yellow Daisy art. All ranges have unique features that sit perfectly with the Brandalised brand. The ranges include: bags, purses, keyrings, mugs, tea towels, aprons, oven gloves, coasters, placemats and stationery.

Groovy UK Tel: 0844 372 7820 Email: hello@groovyuk.com www.groovyuk.com Spring Fair: Hall 6 Stand H40-J41

Groovy UK Tel: 0844 372 7820 Email: hello@groovyuk.com www.groovyuk.com Spring Fair: Hall 6 Stand H40-J41 Harrogate Xmas & Gift: Stand D10

Perfect Paradise Create your own perfect paradise this season with all of the prettiest things from Katie Loxton and Joma Jewellery’s Spring Summer 2019 collections. Brand new additions to Katie Loxton’s Perfect Pouch collection radiate a metallic glow, designed to have you shining all season, while Joma Jewellery’s new occasion gift boxes make the perfect gift for a loved one.

Katie Loxton/Joma Jewellery Tel: 01295 250879 Email: enquiries@katieloxton.com www.katieloxton.com

Prosecco Stopper Do you always feel obliged to finish the whole bottle of prosecco? We know the feeling, you can't leave any in the bottle until the next day as you know it will go flat. Luckily for you our prosecco stoppers are the solution to your prosecco worries.

Boxer Gifts Tel: 01133 955 595 Email: sales@boxergifts.com www.boxergifts.com

Gin-tastic A conspectus, a confection, a veritable cornucopia of GINformation to slake the thirst of those GINtellectual connoisseurs of GIN wishing to embark on a GINtrepid quest in search of rare and GINteresting facts

Boxer Gifts Tel: 01133 955 595 Email: sales@boxergifts.com www.boxergifts.com

Marvellous Melody The Melody collection from Ulster Weavers features richly patterned jewel tones on a soft cream background. This allows the collection to sit seamlessly with both traditional and contemporary kitchen decors. With it’s central heart shaped design, Melody is the perfect collection to give as a Valentine’s gift.

Ulster Weavers Tel: 0844 844 1325 Email: web.enquiries@ulsterweavers.com www.ulsterweavers.com

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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

Foxy Lady The Personalised Memento Company’s new range of personalised Mother’s Day gifts includes their adorable Mummy Fox range. Building on the popularity of their Daddy Bear gifts from 2018, this adorable range will feature on a variety of best-selling personalised gifts, such as greetings cards, candles and photo frames.

Watch This Space

PMC Tel: 01782 744900 Email: sales@personalisedmemento.co.uk www.personalisedmemento.co.uk

The Personalised Memento Company’s new range of precious metal jewellery is engraved in a variety of eye catching and elegant designs. In addition to jewellery, watches will also be at the forefront of PMC’s continued expansion into fashion accessories, with a new collection of designs due to launch later this year.

PMC Tel: 01782 744900 Email: sales@personalisedmemento.co.uk www.personalisedmemento.co.uk

Classic Floral Fragrance Spring arrives with a fresh range of floral and clean fragrances. Village Candle’s top selection for Spring is Fresh Cut Peony, a classic floral with a clean and modern twist that announces the season. The full new range is available to order directly from Village Candle, now with local UK distribution. It’s what’s inside a Village Candle that makes the quality difference for a clean and long-lasting fragrance experience.

Village Candle Email: enquiry@villagecandle.com villagecandle.co.uk Spring Fair: Hall 5, Stand D40-E41

Soy Wax & Essential Oils Village Candle brings a new global collection to the UK market to meet the needs of those consumers seeking a more natural candle choice. The new collection is made with a blend of soy wax and essential oils in a numbered 7 fragrance range. The colour range of muted pastels, combined with a fresh new look for the brand, and what Village feels to be “extraordinary” fragrances makes for an exciting point of difference for stockists and consumers. Come experience first-hand at Spring Fair.

Village Candle Email: enquiry@villagecandle.com villagecandle.co.uk Spring Fair: Hall 5, Stand D40-E41

Beautiful Bees Swarovski. Part of the Crystal Fantasy range of window ornaments which create rainbows when hung in the sunshine. Wild Things will be at the Exeter, Glasgow and Birmingham shows, a great opportunity to see their brilliantly-lit booth. They will be giving this away free with a minimum spend. Stop and have a tipple if you are so inclined – share their year-long celebration of 35 years in business!

Wild Things Tel: 01392 211268 Email: sales@wildthingsgifts.com www.wildthingsgifts.com Giving & Living: Stand A205 Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring: Stand K17 Spring Fair: Hall 4 Stand C61

Celebrating 35 Years 2019 - a momentous year for Wild Things. New branding, new website, new people joining the team… Hot off the press is our latest crystal fantasy - a tropical toucan with mirror bright metal, and embellished with crystals from Swarovski. Come celebrate with us at the following 2019 exhibitions.

Wild Things Tel: 01392 211268 Email: sales@wildthingsgifts.com www.wildthingsgifts.com Giving & Living: Stand A205 Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring: Stand K17 Spring Fair: Hall 4 Stand C61

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s New Progressive Gifts and Home highlights some of the latest gift products to be showcased this month.

Gemstone Bracelets After the huge success of their wellbeing range of jewellery, Carrie Elspeth has added 30 different gemstone bracelets to the collection. Perfect for collecting and great for stacking, these beautiful charm bracelets come with an organza gift bag and a card explaining the properties of the semi-precious stones. Feelgood jewellery at its finest and all lovingly handmade in Wales! Get in touch now for your full-colour spring catalogue.

Swarovski Sparkle Carrie Elspeth is celebrating 20 years of trading this year, with the established Welsh brand adding a touch of sparkle to the Spring collection with a range of Swarovski crystal charms on faux glitter leather. Still proudly producing amazing, affordable and quality designs in the UK, spring also sees the launch of one of their most colourful collections yet, crammed with luscious semiprecious gems and gorgeous glass. Gorgeous packaging and full point of sale items are available. Get in touch now for your full-colour spring catalogue.

Carrie Elspeth Tel: 01446 771271 Email: sales@carrieelspeth.com www.carrieelspeth.com

Pretty Fans Hot Tomato is at it again, bringing us more loveliness than we know what to do with! These pretty fans have us utterly entranced with their delicate flower motifs and gloriously embroidered satin pouches. Sold in a mixed pack of six and with the amazing RRP of just a fiver each they will be making their debut at Top Drawer.

Carrie Elspeth Tel: 01446 771271 Email: sales@carrieelspeth.com www.carrieelspeth.com

Hot Tomato Tel: 01225 422188 Email: sales@hot-tom.com www.hot-tom.com Top Drawer: Stand 285

Key Fobs & Handbag Charms Hot Tomato has arguably some of the best key fobs and handbag charms around and this new season sees them expanding that collection further. In addition, they have re-worked some of their most enduring designs using fresh, on-trend colour palettes. As ever,this little company aims to keep you ahead of the curve on margin and product and will be showcasing these little beauties at Top Drawer.

Hot Tomato Tel: 01225 422188 Email: sales@hot-tom.com www.hot-tom.com Top Drawer: Stand 285

On-The-Go Drinkware Swig has launched a new range of on-the-go drinkware in four new exciting print designs. The range includes stemless wine/drinking cups, mugs, tumblers and bottles. With the added thickness, the insulation of Swig keeps drinks hot for up to nine hours or cold for up to 12 hours. All Signature Swigs are dishwasher safe and feature a branded silicone non-slip base. The silicone is noisereducing keeping the Swig in place wherever you go.

Valerie Graham Tel: 020 8200 5100 Email: sales@vgltd.co.uk

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

Bags Of Bags The Australian cult favourite Punch Neoprene has brought its signature handbags to the UK. Made with neoprene fabric and strong rope to showcase. New for Spring 2019 is the neoprene reversible bright coloured tote bags and matching cosmetic bags, with new gym/overnight bags, alongside a range of puffer bags in new spring colours of navy and grey, together with black, metallic silver and rose gold. At only ÂŁ39.95 retail.

Valerie Graham Tel: +44 20 8200 5100, Email: sales@vgltd.co.uk www.punchneoprene.co.uk

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LESLEY DUNNE

SOUNDING OFF

The Gift Of Giving Christmas has been a very special one for PG&H columnist Lesley Dunne, owner of Feathering Your Nest in Rayleigh. Not only did she offer her customers the most on trend gifts but also, some of the most thoughtful ones too. Reflecting her determination to raise awareness for not only being kind at Christmas but also for mental health issues, she devoted an entire window to try to bring some joy if not to the world, then at least to Rayleigh. “The run up to Christmas always leaves me and most other retailers I’m sure - thoroughly exhausted by the time the big day arrives. We always start the FYN Christmas windows in the first week of November which means we are usually the first in the high street. As I always say, it's never too early to get customers in the buying mood, creating the urgency that Christmas is just around the corner! As we now have to compete with online and Black Friday deals, I believe bricks and mortar should really get a head start. We've done many themes over the years, with Mr D giving me that look... here she goes again! My partner in crime is, as always, my treasured friend and interior designer Claire Louise Allison of Innovations. She is there with me and my wacky Christmas ideas until the wee hours, and usually all week. We love getting in a muddle, creating mayhem and a scene for our customers and the town to enjoy. Last year's naughty elves caused lots of laughs.

Above: The Feathering Your Nest Christmas windows. Below: Lesley Dunne’s husband Chris with gift agent Stef Becci.

We had a competition to count how many elves there were, and it got mums and dads looking at the products too... kerching! FYN is lucky to have a double front with huge windows, so large props are vital. One of the windows had a traditional fanfare of ‘girlie’ gifts with lots of pink - even Santa has a pink fluffy scarf! The other window featured a take a #selfie but with a message to raise awareness for being kind and for mental health issues. So picking up on an idea I saw on Instagram from another shop last the Spring - yes, I waited this long! - we tailored it to our message. Poor Claire Louise was chalk painting angel wings for many hours and writing backwards too! The angel wings are super stunning and really catch everyone's attention. However, the usual suspects I see posting selfies on their Instagram and Facebook accounts were rather shy! We used

lots of #hashtags in the hope that people would remember to be kind this Christmas, and every day, in considering what someone else may be going through. This year wasn't so retail-led, risky I know, but I desperately wanted to do something close to my heart. Mental health is very much a part of our lives, and most of us would be hard pressed not to know someone who hasn't suffered in some way at one point or another. So we added a donate button for the Samaritans charity and wrote their number on our window. Although the Christmas adverts were abundantly filled with food, gifts, parties, family and friends - a piano too! - for so many though, it is the loneliest time of the year. Added to that is the pressure of the cost and unrealistic expectations, so being kind is something we can all do and it's free. Alongside all of that, we also ran a Pay It Forward (#payitforward) initiative. For the second consecutive year, we wrapped 50 gifts and slipped them into random bags when our customers made a purchase so that we didn't know who the recipient was beforehand. These were freebies, samples and slightly damaged stock which we get credit for during the year. The gift tag asks the customers to either keep the gifts and enjoy or give it away. However, we ask them to, perhaps pass on an act of kindness. The staff are ecstatic when they give someone the bag that has the random gift. They thoroughly get behind it and it also gives them a warm sense of community spirit. One message we received was from a nurse who had just finished a long grotty shift but popped in to do some last minute Christmas shopping on her way home. She told us it really made her day and she paid the kindness forward. So for FYN this year, I'm hopeful that we made a difference in our town in a very positive way.” 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. Jonathan Faull, co-owner, Uno, The Mumbles, Swansea A small gift shop on a main street. CATEGORY

SUPPLIERS/RANGES

COMMENT

Decorative Home Accessories

Sophie Allport: across the board;

We do exceptionally well with her kitchen accessories.

Fragranced Giftware

Maison Berger: Lampe Berger; Parfum Berger;

Best sellers for us are the lamps and reed diffusers. Stylish packaging and gorgeous fragrances. Invigorating fragrances, beautifully packaged. We stock the bath and body range too.

Aromatize: Goose Creek; Xystos: Di Palomo

Jewellery

Coeur de Lion: across the board Otis Jackson: silver

A lovely, upper end costume jewellery brand. Very design led.

Fashion Accessories

Powder: across the board

We stock hats, gloves and ponchos. An all year round winner.

Greeting Cards

Janie Wilson: across the board

An everyday good seller with some fabulous designs.

Other Hot Hits

Paperblanks: journals and diaries

These high end journals and diaries are a terrific product, encouraging repeat business for us.

Design-led, quality, silver jewellery.

Louise Prydderch, Lulu Loves, Stubbington A medium sized lifestyle shop on a village green. CATEGORY

SUPPLIERS/RANGES

COMMENT

Decorative Home Accessories

Thomas Kent: clocks;

Fabulous quality and design.

LSA International: gin glasses

These come beautiful packaged, attracting customers looking for quality and design.

Lulu Loves: own brand candles and reed diffusers; Wax Lyrical: Fired Earth Collection

Customers love the branding. They’re made from natural wax and recycled packaging. Beautiful fragrances and attractive designs.

Jewellery

Hot Tomato: across the board; Marlene Hounam: sterling silver

Winners are the magnetic bracelets. The jewellery is handmade in the UK and the products are fabulous!

Fashion Accessories

Miss Shorthair: scarves

Great prices, great designs and a great range of products. We’ve introduced hats, gloves and handbags.

Greeting Cards

Belly Button: Platinum

Lovely designs at good price points.

Giftwrap

Hotchpotch: Neon

Bright, colourful, modern wrap.

Other Hot Hits

Dutch Imports: Retro Industrial Bar

This is a wonderful unit for creating an‘at home’ bar for drinks, glasses and accessories.

Fragranced Giftware

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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David Robertson, managing director, Bijou, Elgin; two Pozzi stores in Buckie Three large gift shops on high streets. CATEGORY

SUPPLIERS/RANGES

COMMENT

Decorative Home Accessories

LSA International: across the board;

The market leader in designer glassware. We do fantastically well with it. The new ranges have been real winners for us.

Hampton: photo frames

Fragranced Giftware

Somerset Toiletries: Mr range;

Bailey & Brooke: candles and diffusers

Very strong visuals. The range, which includes soaps, hair and body wash and a toiletries bag, worked really well for Christmas. Luxurious designs and high quality. A popular fragrance is Pomegranate and Pink Grapefruit.

Jewellery

Joma Jewellery: ‘a little’ bracelets; Anartxy: contemporary

The ‘must have’ jewellery for us. We’ve been stocking it for over two years. We brought this jewellery in store in November. Pieces are contemporary and unique. It’s jewellery with personality.

Fashion Accessories

V Fraas: scarves; David Jones: handbags

The scarves are made from soft ‘cashmink’ which can be washed by hand. A fantastic, helpful company to deal with. The range of bags are good quality and at good prices.

Greeting Cards

Hearts Design

Handmade female cards that have sold very, very well.

Giftwrap

Artebene; Glick; Deva

You can’t go wrong with these three companies.

Other Hot Hits

Ty: Flippables

A new Ty Beanie sequin range that allows the beanies to change colour.

Sue Morris, owner, Swags and Tails, Waltham A large git and lifestyle shop on a village high street. CATEGORY

SUPPLIERS/RANGES

COMMENT

Decorative Home Accessories

Parlane: across the board;

I’ve stocked Parlane products for over 20 years and they continue to be among my best sellers. Stemware, especially champagne flutes and wine glasses, are consistently popular gifts.

Coach House: across the board

Fragranced Giftware

Potters Crouch Candles: across the board;

Melt: across the board

Great packaging. The candles come in small tins with lots of sprinkles on top making them a little bit different. These are a bit more expensive, but the products are made in the UK with very high quality perfumes.

Jewellery

Pilgrim: across the board; Joma Jewellery: ‘a little’ bracelets

Twenty years on, Pilgrim jewellery still sells amazingly well. These lovely sentiment bracelets fly off the shelves. For Christmas we stocked earrings, rings and necklaces too.

Fashion Accessories

Powder: scarves, socks, hats and gloves; David Jones: handbags

Beautiful packaging. These products are all great sellers for us.

Greeting Cards

Woodmansterne

Affordable cards for everyone. Lots of great designs.

Giftwrap

Belly Button Bubble

Quality gift bags, colourful designs and good price points.

Other Hot Hits

Joe Davies: special occasions

We do really well with christening, new baby and wedding giftware. There’s always something new.

Good quality, mid-price, fashion-led handbags in great seasonal colours.

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

STUNNING SCULPTURE FROM FRITH!

YEARS

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Carrie Elspeth H A N D M A D E

I N

WA L E S

Our artists have again created some fabulous new designs for 2019. Building on the unprecedented success of our Cockapoos in 2018 we have added more designs to our range as well as these charming Cocker Spaniels. Please come and see them together with all our best sellers. Also our new MINIMA collection has been expanded – where else can you get an exclusive and innovative miniature work of art retailing at only £25? See us at January Furniture Shown in Hall 3 on R45; Scotlands Trade Fair (Highland Cattle special) on K18; Spring Fair in Hall 4 on G52.

sales@carrieelspeth.com | 01446 771271 | www.carrieelspeth.com

Please collect our new catalogues or contact us on 01666 577110 – email sales@bluepoppyart.co.uk www.bluepoppyart.co.uk

SPRINGFAIR BIRMINGHAM 03.02. – 07.02.19 3Q20-R25

www.artebene.com

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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!

ARTEBENE T: +44 20 8588 9510 E: info@artebene.com W: www.artebene.com

BELLY BUTTON DESIGNS T: 0161 902 1064 E: sales@bellybuttondesigns.com W: www.bellybuttonbubble.com

GLICK T: 01274 655980 E: info@glick.co.uk W: www.glick.co.uk

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

KATIE LOXTON T: 01295 250879 E: enquiries@katieloxton.com W: www.katieloxton.com

JOMA JEWELLERY T: 01295 263430 E: enquiries@jomajewellery.com W: www.jomajewellery.com

PARLANE INTERNATIONAL T: 01451 812700 E: Welcome@parlane.co.uk W: www.parlane.co.uk

WAX LYRICAL T: 01229 461 111 E: info@wax-lyrical.com W: www.waxlyricaltrade.com

XYSTOS T: 0191 499 1570 E: sales@xystos.co.uk W: www.xystostrade.co.uk Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

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BEHIND THE COUNTER

Ella Bradbury

Above: Ella Bradbuy, shop manager at Forget Me Not, Stubbington. Right: The shop is currently celebrating its 20th anniversary.

Ella Bradbury, 19, is the shop manager at Forget Me Not in Stubbington, Hampshire, a respected gift shop that is currently celebrating its 20th anniversary. So what made Ella choose a career in gift retail and why does she prefer being ‘in the back’ rather than out on the shop floor?

“I started at Forget Me Not as a Saturday girl when I was 15,” explains Ella. “I wasn’t particularly academic and didn’t want to go to uni. I didn’t have a career plan in mind either, so when I left school the following year, I decided to train in bridal retail. However, it wasn’t for me, and I eventually came back to work at Forget Me Not full time, becoming the manager two years ago. I love working at the shop because we spin so many plates every day, and there is always something different to get my head around.”

LAST WORD

Theo Paphitis

Above: Theo Paphitis. Right: Theo and his fellow ‘dragons’ on Dragons’ Den.

Former ‘dragon’ Theo Paphitis launched the Theo Paphitis Retail Group in 2015. The combined group - which includes Ryman Stationery, Robert Dyas and Boux Avenue comprises over 350 stores and 4,000 employees who serve over 28 million customers every year. Theo was the keynote speaker at Autumn Fair in September where it was standing room only. He also gave an exclusive interview to PG&H.

Three words that best describe you? “Obsessive, compulsive and foolish.” What was the best advice you received when you were starting out? “Cash is King.” What advice would you give to others today? “Follow your passion and love what you’re doing. You will work for too long not to enjoy it.” Can you tell us a quirky fact that we don’t know about you? “I enjoy archery.”

Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

What’s your favourite TV programme? “Currently it’s Jack Ryan, a new series on Amazon Prime, and also Sky’s Lucky Man. Plus, I watch lots of Catch Up TV on Netflix and Amazon Prime. I love historical programmes and really enjoyed watching Game of Thrones.” What’s your favourite film? “Casablanca.” When you go on holiday, where do you like to travel to? “I love water and boats!”

Interestingly, Ella prefers stockroom management to having a customer-facing role. “I think it’s because I like everything to be very neat and tidy,” she comments. “So although I do work on the tills, and am on the shop floor at weekends, I spend a lot of my time at the back of the shop dealing with, for example, deliveries, and booking them in. I’m definitely more of a behind the scenes person.” So far, a highlight of Ella’s career with Forget Me Not has been being chosen to be part of the buying team visiting the Harrogate Christmas & Gift show each year. “It’s shown me a different side to the business and I love having a say in the buying process which is very much a team effort,” Ella enthuses. When she gets some time to herself, Ella likes nothing more than curling up with a box set. “I love to relax by watching TV. Currently, my favourite box sets are Game of Thrones and Peaky Blinders,” she smiles.

How do you like to start and end your day? “I start my day with an hour in the gym, but at the end of the day, I can’t go to bed without watching something on TV. I particularly enjoy classic comedy shows but equally, I’m always searching for something that’s fresh and new.” Who or what keeps you grounded? “Mrs P! No matter how exciting my day’s been she’ll tell me off for being late home and that my dinner has gone cold!” What one item would you take to a desert island? “My iPad.”

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Discover The New

A Max Publishing special publication previewing and listing all the relevant trade shows in the licensing, gifts, greetings, party and housewares sectors.

Max filler advert 2018 A5.qxp_Layout 1 08/05/2018 12:26 Page 1

Market leading trade magazines

Market leading trade awards

Market leading digital platforms

Market leading trade exhibitions

Max Publishing, United House, North Road, London N7 9DP For further details please contact us on T: 020 7700 6740 or www.max-publishing.co.uk or email hello@max-publishing.co.uk

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WELCOME TO...

Showtime 2019

The current buzzword in trade shows at the moment seems to be co-location. In the UK, going forward, Pulse will be colocating with Top Drawer, starting with the Autumn/Winter show at London’s Olympia in September, with organisers Clarion Events highlighting that the merging of these two design-led London shows marks the next stage in the evolution of the Top Drawer brand. Internationally, the National Stationery Show (NSS) and SURTEX will be co-locating with NY NOW at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York from February 3-6. With retailers constantly on the look-out for new products and ways to differentiate themselves, trade shows continue to inspire, giving buyers the opportunity to brush up on the latest trends in both product and technology, or simply to sit down for half an hour to hear top level speakers or industry gurus share their wisdom. Additionally, shows are also a great opportunity to meet up with others in the industry. To find out more, turn the pages of Showtime to see who’s who and who’s doing what in 2019, with both UK and international show listings on pages 85-102.

88-89

Brand Licensing Europe 2019 Organised by UBM

90-91

Exclusively Housewares/Exclusively Electrical Organised by Brooke House Exhibitions

92-93

International Home + Housewares Show Organised by the International Housewares Association

94-95

NY NOW Winter 2019 Organised by Emerald Expositions

96-97

Progressive Greetings Live 2019 Organised by Max Exhibitions

98-101

Listings of exhibitions and dates

Sue Marks, Angie Bryant and Ian Hyder Team Showtime Worldwide 2019

Sue Marks

Angie Bryant

Ian Hyder

This annual publication is produced by Max Publishing United House, North Road, London N7 9DP Tel: (0) 207 700 6740 E-mail: angieb@max-publishing.co.uk Web: www.max-publishing.com Showtime Worldwide 2019

BLE is moving, save the date!

Thank you for helping to make this year’s BLE a success, why not save the date now for next year’s show? Join us 1-3 October 2019 at ExCeL London, the new home of Brand Licensing Europe. We hope to see you there!

FIND OUT MORE AT BRANDLICENSING.EU/EXCEL

Part of Global Licensing Group:

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