3 minute read
Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide
This Month
With so much uncertainty at the moment - rising inflation, increasing energy and fuel costs, and, of course, the heart-breaking war in Ukraine, demonstrating the very worst of humanity, it’s been important to celebrate any uplifting moments. And for those gift retailers who heard that they had made it through to the finals of The Greats Awards, it came as very welcome news indeed. Turn to pages 24-25, as well as page 5, where a selection of excited and delighted finalists share their initial reactions!
The winners will be announced at the inaugural The Gift Awards at London’s glittering Royal Lancaster hotel on 12 May, along with the winners of the Gift of the Year (GOTY) competition, organised by The Giftware Association, uniting the gift industry in a joint awards evening ‘first’ for the industry. To find out more and to book tickets visit www.thegiftawards.com. In addition, turn to pages 31-33 to see who the GOTY finalists are, and to pages 27-29 to read about the live judging day at Spring Fair where, once again, I was delighted to be on the judging panel.
In addition, something else to celebrate in this issue is the publication of PG&H’s unique Retail Barometer, now in its 16th year, which turns the spotlight on how independent gift retailers performed over the previous 12 months (2021). Despite the challenges in a year that saw non-essential retailers close their doors until April 12, over 90% of survey respondents said that 2021 was a pretty good year overall. Turn to pages 15-21 to read the full Retail Barometer findings.
Staying with celebrations, many of us are now looking forward to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend taking place from June 2-5. We spoke to Talking Tables’ founder Clare Harris to hear how to party away while being kind to the planet. Turn to pages 36-37.
Meanwhile, with Mother’s Day done and dusted for another year it’s time to start thinking about Father’s Day on June 19 and gifts for men. For gift shops still struggling with male gifts, turn to pages 39-41 for some innovative ideas. Plus, for fashionistas, Joe Davies’ fashion guru, Bev Allen, reveals what’s hot for the company’s exclusive own label brand SugarLane. Turn to pages 45-47.
We also look at the newest garden-themed gifts. Turn to pages 51-53 for plenty of ideas.
But first, take a look at our amazing, ultimate home fragrancing supplement which has everything you need to know about when it comes to what’s trending in a marketplace that is continuing to evolve and to up its game.
Enjoy the issue! Sue
Sue Marks, Editor
Above: Iconic fashion designer Jeff Banks on the Candlelight stand at Spring Fair, where he was launching the Jeff Banks Home collection. He is shown with Janet Hartree (right), owner of Ewe & Me in Grantown on Spey, her daughter Sarah (left), and PG&H’s Sue Marks.
@Prog_Gifts
Inside
5-13 News
15-21 Feedback: Retail Barometer
24-25 The Greats Awards 2022: Finalists
27-29 Gift of the Year Judging Day
31-33 Gift of the Year finalists
36-37 In Profile: Talking Tables
39-41 Spotlight On... Men’s Gifts
45-47 In Profile: SugarLane
51-53 Spotlight On... Gifts for Gardeners
60-61 Best Sellers
39
53
The UK gift and home industry is dynamic, innovative and vibrant and The Greats Awards reflect all of this and much more. Be a part of it! Visit www.thegreatsawards.co.uk
Sue Marks Editor Ali Farrell Advertisement Manager Jo Pilcher Commercial Manager Ian Hyder Publishing Director
Subscribe to Progressive
Gifts from £60 (UK) to £90 (International) You can organise this quickly and easily online at our secure site:
www.max-subscriptions.net
For assistance, please email
subscriptions@maxpublishing.co.uk
ISSN 2515-7523
www.max-publishing.co.uk The home of market leading trade magazines Publishers: Jacqueline Brown, Warren Lomax, Ian Hyder and Rob Willis
Max Publishing Ltd, United House, North Road, London N7 9DP. Tel: 020 7700 6740 Fax: 020 7607 6411
