Giftguide - January 2019

JANUARY 2019

FOR HOME & LIFESTYLE RETAILERS. EST.1975

The rise of experiential shopping & the concept store Meet our gia Australia 2018/19 winner Jumbled

Proudly supported by the Australian Gift & Homewares Association - the Voice of the Industry

A world of inspiration AUSTRALIA’S PREMIER GIFT & HOMEWARES FAIRS ARE BACK, BETTER THAN EVER IN 2019

SOURCE FROM BRAND NEW PRODUCT CATEGORIES

ELEVATE YOUR BUSINESS SKILLS

DELIVER A NEW CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

REGISTER AT reedgiftfairs.com.au Trade only | Free entry

Register for Reed Gift Fairs today | reedgiftfairs.com.au/register

Welcome to A World of Inspiration at Reed Gift Fairs where you will find the very best products and brands of the season and exciting new products to kick off your trading year!

Make new business connections and reconnect with familiar faces while you discover our reimagined product categories and gain business skills to take your business to the next level.

Y E Y N R D UA Y SY B R N L E F O

DON’T DREAM. DO. Bring your RETAIL store to life.

Be part of the new and dynamic retail frontier. Visit the innovative Retail Activator Pod at Reed Gift Fairs Sydney February, to discover ideas and techniques to create unique, engaging and captivating in-store customer experiences to drive sales.

The Retail Activator Pod will inspire retailer professionals to improve customer experience within their store environment.

• Design + digital • Point of purchase and display • Interactive technology • Customer culture Dedicated specialists from across the retail industry will discuss solutions to: • Engage customers and drive brand loyalty • Create powerful visual displays for maximum impact • Develop a consistent multi-channel brand • Excite customers with interactivity and cutting-edge technology • Discover more about the next generation of retail

Dark Green - Pantone 555C / Lime - Pantone 368C

DESIGN

DISPLAY

TECHNOLOGY

CULTURE

Available only at Retail Quarter Melbourne, Maggie Pana, a firm Retail Therapy presenter will again deliver her popular workshop on all things social, as well as a new partner in Marguerite Bell, bringing her sound knowledge to deliver a workshop on simple yet effective ways to drive your store’s sales.

SUNDAY 3 FEB

MONDAY 4 FEB

Get Visually Savvy 10:30am - 12:30pm

Get Visually Savvy 10:30am - 12:30pm

Instagram Masterclass 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Instagram Masterclass 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Instagram Masterclass

Get Visually Savvy

Maggie Pana, Kreo Inc

Marguerite Bell, Retail Life

Cost: $40

Cost: Complimentary

The jury has spoken: Social media for business is no longer optional – it’s essential and one of the most popular and ever-growing platforms is Instagram.

Are you ready to create a store environment that allures customers and stimulates them to buy?

In this 2-hour session dedicated to getting the best out of Instagram, Maggie Pana, founder of digital agency and online store Kreo Inc, will guide you through all things Instagram - the etiquette, tips & tricks you didn’t know you needed to know.

Find out how to: • • • • •

Attract more customer to your store Inspire them to browse more products Encourage them to purchase more Entice them to purchase more Drive more repeat & loyal customers

The Retail Life team will inspire you to take action and drive your retail sales higher.

Roll up your sleeves in this hands-on workshop.

BOOK YOUR SESSION NOW AT

reedgiftfairs.com.au/melb-education

Discover the most innovative, functional gifts in these two dedicated product categories this year.

Source from the largest collection of wholesalers in home furniture, textiles, décor, lighting, linen & bedding for the bedroom, living room and outdoor. Discover the latest innovations and original designs across cookware, bakeware, utensils and more for the kitchen and source for aroma-inducing candles, luxurious soaps and everything in between for the bathroom and rest of the home.

Bestsellers, on-trend designs, unique and personalised gifts and treasures. Source licenced products with keepsake appeal and novelty, partyware, seasonal, stationery, giftwrapping, decorations and more for every occasion and celebration.

Bring together every kind of gift product to create special moments from the show floor to shop floor.

FASHION

KIDS & FAMILY

On-trend fashion essentials and eye-catching accessories. Source footwear, fashionable bags, stylish clothing and jewellery for every occasion.

Beautiful handcrafted toys, brainteasing puzzles and must-have gadgets come together to celebrate the joys of play time. Source fun children’s clothing and beautiful baby & newborn gifts.

EW

LAUNCHING AT REED GIFT FAIRS SYDNEY FEBRUARY N

Providing a new opportunity for retailers to capitalise on other markets, Reed Gift Fairs Sydney February is introducing two brand new product categories, Travel and Tech.

SURPRISE & DELIGHT

EW

In a bold new approach that captures the world of retail today, we’ve given our categories an exciting and intuitive make-over with the re-categorised Home, Fashion, Kids & Family and Surprise & Delight.

HOME

N

REED GIFT FAIRS 2019 MORE THAN A NEW LOOK.

Register for Reed Gift Fairs today | reedgiftfairs.com.au/register

TRAVEL

TECH

An insider glimpse into the latest travel gear, security devices and accessories. Whether it’s by plane, train, car, bus or an outdoor adventure, the fair reveals all the cool new ways to make the journey as comfortable as possible.

In a new gift giving era, discover smart connected devices for the home, wellbeing, wearables, adaptors, speakers, virtual gaming and robots, tech gadgets, headphones, mobile accessories and more.

EXPLORE THE NEW CATEGORIES ONLINE AT

reedgiftfairs.com.au

from the editor

Giftguide is published by

THE INTERMEDIA GROUP PTY LTD ABN 94 002 583 682 41 Bridge Rd Glebe NSW 2037 Australia Ph: 02 9660 2113 Fax: 02 9660 4419 MANAGING DIRECTOR: Simon Grover PUBLISHER: Mark Kuban EDITOR: Marion Gerritsen Email: marion@intermedia.com.au NATIONAL ADVERTISING MANAGER: Carolyne Gowan SENIOR DESIGNER: Chris Papaspiros PRODUCTION MANAGER: Jacqui Cooper HEAD OF CIRCULATION: Chris Blacklock Print Post Approved Publication No. PP 250003/01405 ISSN 0312-5327 DISCLAIMER This publication is published by The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd (the “Publisher”). Materials in this publication have been created by a variety of different entities and, to the extent permitted by law, the Publisher accepts no liability for materials created by others. All materials should be considered protected by Australian and international intellectual property laws.

Unless you are authorised by law or the copyright owner to do so, you may not copy any of the materials. The mention of a product or service, person or company in this publication does not indicate the Publisher’s endorsement. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Publisher, its agents, company officers or employees. Any use of the information contained in this publication is at the sole risk of the person using that information. The user should make independent enquiries as to the accuracy of the information before relying on that information. All express or implied terms, conditions, warranties, statements, assurances and representations in relation to the Publisher, its publications and its services are expressly excluded save for those conditions and warranties which must be implied under the laws of any State of Australia or the provisions of Division 2 of Part V of the Trade Practices Act 1974 and any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof. To the extent permitted by law, the Publisher will not be liable for any damages including special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages (including but not limited to economic loss or loss of profit or revenue or loss of opportunity) or indirect loss or damage of any kind arising in contract, tort or otherwise, even if advised of the possibility of such loss of profits or damages.

While we use our best endeavours to ensure accuracy of the materials we create, to the extent permitted by law, the Publisher excludes all liability for loss resulting from any inaccuracies or false or misleading statements that may appear in this publication. Copyright © 2019 The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd.

H

appy New Year! The busy festive season has only just finished, but already many Aussies are heading overseas on buying trips to check out what will be big for next Christmas!

Trade fairs such as NY NOW, Maison&Objet Paris, Ambiente, IHGF Delhi Spring Fair and many more will be displaying the latest products and trends. Check out the fair previews on Ambiente and IHGF Delhi on pages 26 and 30 respectively as well as a wrapup of Maison&Objet Paris 2018 on page 60.

And there is no time to rest because as soon as they are back home they have to prepare for the gift fairs in Sydney and Melbourne in February.

This year Reed Gift Fairs is turning 50 and of course this is reason to celebrate! In our special feature on page 38 we look at where it all began for Reed Gift Fairs, how the industry has evolved, we talk to some long-time exhibitors and we get a sneak peek at exciting new categories Reed is introducing at the upcoming February fair.

We also feature the gia Australia winner for 2018/19, which is Jumbled. Located in Orange, NSW, this concept store is all about giving back to its customers and community as well as promoting the region of Orange as a must-see travel destination. Read more on this amazing store on page 46.

Terri Winter’s top3 by design is a previous gia winner and her popular store was launched 18 years ago. The concept was up to 3 products per category, the best in the world by merit of design―an edited selection of the best product from around the globe. Now with three stores in Australia, top3 by design’s concept is just as relevant today as it was in 2001, and on page 48 she shares her thoughts on concepts as well as experiential shopping.

As we are in the midst of summer, our trends feature is looking at colour trends for the hot season. With the wellness movement in full swing, this summer’s colours are all about gentle, nurturing colours, contrasting textures and hints of mint and lemon. Home interiors will focus on soft minimalism, creating calm and reflective spaces that allow us to block out the visual noise and turn our attention to self-care. Check them out on page 16.

Strong customer focus and support for local independent retailers is what drives family-run business, Urban Products. We talk to managing director, Heath Agostini-deBruyn, about the past, the present and the future of the business in this issue’s cover story, starting on page 12.

We also talk to Dreamfarm founder, Alex Gransbury, about how it all started and why his products are always about solving a problem. You can read more on page 34. And don’t miss our profiles on retail store Spoilt and handbags and accessories brand, b.sirius.

Once again we have selected the best products for your store, which you can find in our regular sections starting on page 64, with the seasonal selection this issue being Mother’s Day.

Marion Gerritsen, EDITOR

12 16

30 FEATURES

12 cover story family-run business Urban Products 16 AGHA latest news and information for all members

48 instore experiential shopping & concepts with top3 by design

52 supplier profile b.sirius’ mission is to inspire happiness

23 trends colour trends for summer

56 retailer profile Spoilt Gift & Homewares

26 preview Ambiente brings the future into

60 wrapup Maison&Objet Paris 2018

30 preview IHGF Delhi Spring Fair

PRODUCTS

34 design Aussie brand Dreamfarm’s story

64 accessories & jewellery

38 reed gift fairs the company is celebrating its

66 baby & child

the present

50th anniversary

46 gia australia Orange-based concept store Jumbled is going to Chicago 6 giftguideonline.com.au

72 bed & bath 74 cards & wrapping

Contents

34 26

76 desktop & tech

46

78 home & living 84 kitchen & dining

56

88 outdoor & pet 91 travel, work & play 92 mother’s day REGULARS

10 trade fair news 98 trade fair diary 98 advertisers index

ABOUT OUR PRICES In all product stories, prices are expressed as either wholesale before GST or recommended retail including GST, unless otherwise stated.

January 2019 7

REED SYDNEY TRADE FAIR STAND #FF28-FF29 81 Tulip Street, Cheltenham, Vic 3192, Australia t: 03 9581 3666 f: 03 9583 9321 e: enquiries@gibimp.com.au www.gibsongifts.com.au www.colour-my-world.com.au

trade fair news

SMART HOME & PETS NEW TO THE AGHA SYDNEY GIFT FAIR The AGHA Sydney Gift Fair is the perfect place to see the latest trends and source the newest brands and products to hit the market. In response to the needs of the retail industry and to meet increased demand, the AGHA Sydney Gift Fair has updated its product categories and introduced some exciting new categories.

Smart home, smart kitchen, the Internet of Things (IoT); there is no way of escaping this growing trend, not even in Australia. There are some really cool gadgets and products out in the market that will make life easier and maybe a bit more interesting along the way!

This new category is perfect for any business looking for new opportunities to expand their digital offering instore.

Huge numbers of retail business owners are incorporating innovative pet products into their store and the AGHA Sydney Gift Fair has recognised this exciting trend by adding this new category to the fair. www.sydneygift.com.au

REED GIFT FAIRS INTRODUCES 2 NEW CATEGORIES Reed Gift Fairs Sydney February 2019 is introducing two brand new product categories in 2019―Travel and Tech.

Recent trends reinforce the fact that consumers are now more tech savvy than ever, constantly looking for the latest most innovative product to support their lifestyle. The emergence of tech and travel addresses this need of the new consumer and provides a new opportunity for every retailer to capitalise on this market demand.

Additionally, Reed Gift Fairs has refreshed all product categories to make sure they are in line with current market trends including Home, Fashion, Kids & Family and Surprise & Delight.

Give your business a great start to the year by exploring Reed Gift Fairs Sydney February, 23-27 February at the ICC Sydney Exhibition Centre. www.reedgiftfairs.com.au 10 giftguideonline.com.au

ETHICAL BRANDS IN FOCUS AT LIFE INSTYLE SYDNEY 2019 Life Instyle Sydney 2019 officially launched late last year, with a sneak peek of what to expect including a new logo and new features.

Life Instyle exhibition manager, Flyn Roberts, highlighted all the exciting new plans for next year including the addition of The Neighbour and The Studio as well as the importance of ethical brands and how the event has worked to incorporate them.

“There was a lot of love for conscious brands during our Melbourne show this year, so we have brought this concept back to Sydney through The Neighbour’s ‘A Conscious Community,” she says.

Guests were then taken on a tour of several studios of exhibitors―such as Inartisan, The Society Inc, Saarde, Water Tiger and Print Society―based in Precinct 75, where they were able to speak to the makers and designers about their products and what they will be bringing to the show in February. www.lifeinstyle.com.au

A SNEAK PEEK AT THE LATEST PRODUCTS The 2019 International Home + Housewares Show, held 2-5 March at Chicago’s McCormick Place, offers buyers myriad opportunities to learn about trends―from special product displays to the Global Innovation Awards to educational seminars.

Before the show opens, buyers can visit two pre-show events featuring 150 new and current exhibitors. The New Exhibitor Preview offers 90 first-time exhibitors in all show categories.

The Trending Today Preview will present ‘A Marketplace for Specialty Beverage’ and highlight 60 new and current exhibitors focused on products and accessories for specialty beverages including craft beer, cocktails, coffee, tea and water.

Buyers can also view product trends in the new product showcases, located in the Buyer’s Clubs in each building. The showcases feature nearly 500 new items debuting at the show.

At the showcases, buyers can scan products of interest and leave with a list of companies and stand numbers for easy follow-up on the show floor. www.housewares.org/show/

New Waterproof Paper Pottery

Stand NN53

Eco Max Brushes & eco-friendly products NEW to Reed Gift Fair Sydney info@importants.com.au | 02 9516 1496 www.importants.com.au

FAMILY

ties

12  giftguideonline.com.au

Strong customer focus and support for local independent retailers is what drives family-run business, Urban Products.

cover story

F

or many people, a global financial crisis would be a deterrent to start anything let alone launch a new business, but that is exactly what happened with Urban Products when it made its debut in the gift and homewares market in 2007.

Launching during such a challenging time, the brand had to find a niche in a crowded market to ensure it would succeed and thrive.

“We had to learn from early on to not just buy what we loved (although we do love what we buy for the most part), but to also deliver a product range based on commercial reality and what will translate well into a retail environment,” explains managing director, Heath AgostinideBruyn.

“The key to overcoming these challenges and having a unique point of difference was understanding the market better. By listening to our customers, our agents, our staff and doing our own research and development we were able to focus more on meeting market demands.”

While staff or customers might be hesitant to tell it like it is, as a family-run business honesty always prevails at Urban Products.

“The reality of running a business isn’t always glamorous and to remain informed and to make the right decisions you do need some feedback that isn’t ‘sugar-coated’.

Whether it’s a design, the catalogue, distribution and so on, family tends to help guide us in the right direction.”

“The reality of running a business isn’t always glamorous and to remain informed and to make the right decisions you do need some feedback that isn’t sugar-coated.”

January 2019 13

“It gives us the biggest buzz to be walking down the street and seeing our products in a retail environment looking as great as we envisioned them to be.”

14 giftguideonline.com.au

Indeed, since the launch the brand has flourished and broadened from a primary focus on home decoration to a diverse range of home, gift, junior and Christmas collections.

“With a passion for trends and beautiful products the business has thrived upon seeing these come to life in the retail environment,” he explains.

“We have an amazingly dedicated sales team who love our products and sell them with a passion, a committed office support team that has a strong customer focus and desire to see Urban flourish and a wonderful warehouse team.”

Agostini-deBruyn adds that listening to staff and customers and applying that to the business

makes Urban Products the company it is today.

“We have trust in ourselves and our buying team that if we invest in the effort to design a collection, that this will resonate with our customers―it’s really about loving what we do so our customers will love it too.

This applies across all our teams from our salespeople, warehouse management, office, customer service, design and buying teams.

“Our sales team can sometimes be on the road for weeks on end with no downtime. Our purchasing team spends weeks in Asia working 9am to 9pm, often it’s past midnight before they check into their hotel. Our warehouse team often work weekends packing orders and unpacking containers, they’ve been known to still be

setting up our trade fair stand at midnight prior to a fair, but we all do it because we love it― loving what we do is so important so others love what we provide.”

Urban Products is a family business and most of its customers are smaller family businesses, so we do understand the hard work behind that and remain true to what drives them, says Agostini-deBruyn.

“We really do have such a strong customer focus and an understanding of bricks and mortar retailers, what drives them is similar to what drives us, and this means that we commit to staying true to supporting independent retailers.

“We love seeing our products for the first time in a front window, knowing that someone has decided to take that stock, especially when it has been designed and put together for six months.

It gives us the biggest buzz to be walking down the street and seeing our products in a retail environment looking as great as we envisioned them to be.”

The key is to find new and exciting products that will fly off store shelves, whether these are new brands from overseas or stem from collaborations with local artists.

In recent years Urban Products has become more active with its design teams and partnering with Australian artists.

cover story

“It’s always great and still a key to success to go with the trends, however, we also have always remained true to simply providing a beautiful product range to the market, something that shows the work and effort put behind it.

“A coaster or a mug may seem a simple product to a customer walking into a retail environment but the reality is that our team could have spent weeks or months, developing the concept and design for it, working with the artist to get the finest details right. Sometimes we spend a day simply changing the font, a colour, a petal of a flower―we care about the detail and we think this is what makes the difference in the end product.

“With such a crowded commercialised environment we think people want to see unique, authentic designed products and we are so very lucky to have the opportunity to work with the amazing artists we have on board.”

Additionally, when selecting and designing products it’s important to be aware of all trends, especially when there is a heavy focus on development.

“We try to draw inspiration from fashion, European and US markets to stay current and one step ahead.

“Trends that may be unrelated to us now can be evolved and tweaked and work its essence into our product range and market. We pull trends from everywhere; they really are all around us all the time.

With social media, blogs, advertising especially those drawn from European and US markets, we are constantly exposed to

consumerism, so we really pay attention to that and constantly have in the back of our minds how it works for us, for Urban’s image.

We always try to put a spin on it and create something new and exciting rather than relying on others as well.

“Our product mix is designed to be fresh exciting and on trend. We have such a diverse range across our brand, so we really can have fun and play around with how we apply our trends, colour pallets and quirky characters to what we sell.

For example, we have seen the llama and sloth coming through very strongly in our last season and we had a lot of fun applying this to our pots and planters through to our candles and Christmas products and our customers couldn’t get enough. It can be easy to stick to the safer options, but we have found that sometimes the quirkier and different something is the better.”

It’s also about being innovative, adds AgostinideBruyn, as the brand likes to show its customers how they work and do things, showing a more raw and organic view of the industry and how they bring their products to you.

“For several seasons we have used our own pallets as our trade fair stand structure and have received a great response.

Sometimes you don’t need things to be polished and perfect especially in keeping to the budget, you can really make innovation work in your favour.”

While trade fairs are still one of the best ways to get your products in front of retailers, all in one place, the strong emergence of online

has certainly changed the way people do business.

Agostini-deBruyn says while ecommerce will still continue to evolve this doesn’t automatically mean the end of bricks and mortar.

“Online has changed the way we look, it has gradually been developing in time and nowadays ecommerce is very important but it’s really not as scary as it is made out to be. If you continue to stay fresh and innovative you can still succeed. There is still room for us all and some methods of retail will work differently for different people, it doesn’t have to be one or the other or everything.

It’s about staying informed within the industry and putting the effort in behind what works for you.” www.urbanproducts. com.au/ January 2019 15

trends

style

SUMMER Soothe your senses with soft tones summer colour trends.

Stylist: Bree Leech, photographer: Lisa Cohen

January 2019  23

W

ith the wellness movement in full swing, this summer’s colours are all about gentle, nurturing colours, contrasting textures and hints of mint and lemon.

Home interiors will focus on soft minimalism, creating calm and reflective spaces that allow us to block out the visual noise and turn our attention to self-care.

Wholeself, one of the four palettes in the 2019 Dulux Colour Forecast Filter, features powdery pinks and warm neutrals, mixed with citrus and minty blue-green colours.

It speaks of simplicity and understated luxury and pairs beautifully with this season’s mid-tone timbers, soft undulating lines and relaxed design detailing.

“The Wholeself palette is all about slowing down and tuning into the things that really matter,” says Dulux colour and communications manager, Andrea Lucena-Orr. “Wellness has emerged as a major theme in the design world for 2019,

with many of us looking to switch off our digital devices and focus on nurturing our tired bodies and spirit. The Wholeself palette brings this theme to life. It has a serene yet cocooning feel, with gentle colours and subtle textural layerings that hint at creative exploration and new beginnings. Powdery peach/pink has emerged as a key base colour, with accents of clay, gold and blue-green adding a fresh, modern spin.

“This palette is a significant shift from the playful brights and rich, luxe tones of last year.

Rather than looking outward for inspiration, this season’s understated colours and intriguing textures draw you inwards and encourage moments of stillness and mindfulness.

“Expect to see a paring back of the overdone or unnecessary; the idea is to surround yourself with furniture and accessories that serve a purpose and bring you happiness.

Environmental awareness will be an important

“Wellness has emerged as a major theme in the design world for 2019.“

24 giftguideonline.com.au

trends

Summer styling tips • Edit out the unnecessary; surround yourself with only those pieces you truly love and use.

• Curves are key; choose furniture with rounded edges and soft, sumptuous cushioning.

• Balance out soft pastels with warm, mid-tone timbers.

• Add in contrasting natural materials such as a stone, wool and linen in the form of side tables, accessories and cushions.

• Inject small doses of unexpected brights, such as citrus, mint and gold, through decorative accessories such as vases and tableware.

• Give new life to an old piece of furniture, by painting it in a complimentary tone, or a contrasting accent colour.

thread running through design in 2019; rather than discarding those pieces we no longer have a use for, we’ll be encouraged to repurpose or reimagine them in a new way,” she says.

When choosing colours from this trend palette, think about how they’ll work with your existing furniture, flooring and soft furnishings. You should also factor in the room type and any colours in

rooms, you could use them on a single wall, a feature nook, a piece of furniture or a door.

“The great thing about colour is how quickly and easily it can transform a space. Whether you

“When choosing colours from this trend palette, think about how they’ll work with your existing furniture, flooring and soft furnishings.”

“This season’s gentle, reflective colours are easy to live with and work beautifully with Dulux Most Loved Whites,” says Lucena-Orr. “Or, pair them with the neutral greys and greiges that are so popular right now.

adjoining spaces. One area this palette works particularly well is the bedroom. In this space it can create a calm and restful feel.

“If you want to include a smaller volume of these new colours in other

choose to paint an entire room in this season’s hues or add smaller accents, pull out your paintbrush and watch the space come to life. And if you tire of the look some time down the track, you can simply paint over it,” she adds.

January 2019 25

preview

future

BACK TO THE

Acting as a barometer of the latest trends as well as an order and design platform, Ambiente is back for another year, with a focus on bringing the future into the present.

C

onsumers today want more than just products and displays when they walk into a store. Good customer service requires perfect interaction between analogue and digital.

At Ambiente, in the foyer of Hall 4.1, you can find Point of Experience―a special presentation set up by design and implementation office, Gruschwitz, together with consultancy firm Waketo― which links online and offline shopping. The shopping concept of the future shows how digital age products can be presented and showcased in such a way that consumers still enjoy going to high-street shops.

“Our philosophy is not 26 giftguideonline.com.au

to digitise unless there is a real need,” says Nikolai Gruschwitz, CEO of Waketo.

“We only want to use digital tools and digital enhancements if they create added value for the customer―in other words, if they generate some additional benefit. The consumer of the future will still want to handle things and see what they feel like.

However, they will also be interested in unlimited variety and in getting the perfect product at the right time. These are precisely the ideas we use, for instance, when we customise a product through interaction between touch and feel, on the one hand, and digital, on the other.”

Last year new hall 12 was

opened which was reason enough for Ambiente organisers to restructure the fair for 2019. The Houseware & Storage area will be moving from

its current locations (Hall Levels 5.0, 5.1, 6.0 and 6.1) to Hall 12. As Hall 6 needs to be available for reconstruction in 2019, Table Top Trade will move

temporarily from Hall Levels 6.2 and 6.3 to 5.0 and 5.1. Drinking bottles and thermal flasks will become part of Kitchen Trends and move to Hall 1. The new Kitchen Houseware Express will enable visitors to proceed directly and without stopping from Hall 12 to Hall 3 and the other way round, so that the two areas will be closely connected by this service.

From 2019, shoppers will find Living and Giving in Hall 8, with interior design including furniture, interior concepts, lighting, home and design accessories as well as fine and designer jewellery.

Interiors & Decoration in Hall 9 will feature interior concepts, furniture, lighting, home textiles and home accessories.

Hall 9.1, with Interiors & Decoration, will have accessories (including handmade), pictures and frames, room scents, candles, seasonal and

MARKING S COL L ECTI ON Monochromatic range with abstract prints & lineal patterns | Features 13 unique product styles 23-27 FEBRUARY | REED GIFT FAIRS SYDNEY | STAND #QQ10/11 | SPLOSH.COM.AU

preview

“We only want to use digital tools and digital enhancements if they create added value to the customer .”

fashion decorations, floristry and plant pots.

Hall 11.0 with its Urban Gifts will be a great place to find trendy and designer gifts, decorative accessories and office products as well as bags, fashion accessories and jewellery. Gift Ideas in Hall 11.1 will give visitors a chance to buy classic gifts, souvenirs, beauty gifts, bags, fashion accessories 28 giftguideonline.com.au

and jewellery. The rearrangement of the Living/Giving area will reinforce synergies through clear hall structures and the effective channeling of visitors.

As always, Ambiente 2019 will feature the most important trends in dining, cooking, living and giving.

Design studio Stilbüro bora.herke.palmisano has researched four important

areas of trends and will be presenting these at a major special exhibition in Galleria 1.

If you are looking for sustainable, ethically manufactured consumer goods at Ambiente, you can easily find them with the Ethical Style Guide. Using a range of categories, visitors can find the stands of ethical and/or sustainable manufacturers without having to roam the halls trying to look for them.

Buyers looking for original product ideas should visit the Talents and Next areas, which feature contemporary designs and creations by young and unknown designers. Hall

4.0 will showcase Dining and Hall 8.0 will be the place for Interior Design.

Designer and curator Sebastian Bergne will demonstrate creative solutions from Ambiente exhibitors, with the focus on dining, cooking and houseware. There will also be short video clips, showing how the various selected and particularly clever products can be used in everyday life.

Partner country for this year is India. Curated and designed by the Jaipurbased India designer Ayush Kasliwal, this year’s exhibition will be shown again at Galleria 1 covering a wide range of products by traditional

crafts and artisans.

Ambiente is for the second time providing visitors and exhibitors with an exclusive digital Business Matchmaking Program in English and German. Manufacturers and buyers can save their own search parameters to a web portal, whereupon the program automatically brings the relevant parties together.

In other words, you can make appointments before Ambiente has even started!

Ambiente will be held from 8 to 12 February 2019. ambiente. messefrankfurt.com/ frankfurt/en

NEW

MINI DESIGN 13 x 13cm

G L ASS FRON T

MIN I CHAN G E B OX COL L ECTI ON A fresh new take on our best-selling range | Available in 12 designs 23-27 FEBRUARY | REED GIFT FAIRS SYDNEY | STAND #QQ10/11 | SPLOSH.COM.AU

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STRAIGHT TO

the source

India’s signature and unique craftsmanship aims to redefine home and lifestyle product sourcing.

F

eaturing more than 3,000 exhibitors across 14 product categories in an area of 197,000 square metres, the IHGF Delhi Spring Fair 2019 offers unique styles and quality products for buyers from all over the world looking for something different.

Sourcing destination Now in its 47th year, the IHGF Delhi Spring Fair 2019 has everything on offer when it comes to international gifting and lifestyle products. This ultimate sourcing event encompasses home fashion and utilities, gifts and decoratives, and fashion jewellery and accessories.

More than 3,000 exhibitors will be showcasing the latest products across 14 product categories at the India Expo Centre in New Delhi, India. Visitors also have access to 900 permanent showrooms in the Mart, spread out over four levels at the centre.

What’s on offer The show sees a significant expansion across all categories 30 giftguideonline.com.au

and source directly from artisans as well as upcoming local entrepreneurs.

On trend

including art metal ware, EPNS ware, wood carvings, furniture and accessories, glassware, fashion jewellery and accessories, hand-printed textiles, shawls, stoles and scarves, embroidered goods, lace, toys, houseware, decorative, gifts and general handicrafts, home textiles and home accessories, candles and incense, pottery, terracotta & ceramics, nautical instruments, Christmas and floral decorations, dry flowers and potpourri, handmade paper products, crafts made of leather, lacquer, marble, etc. offering unparalleled access to exhibitors from all major manufacturing hubs, artisan clusters and craft pockets of India.

There will also be Theme Pavilions and buyers will have the opportunity to explore new sections

If you are looking for handmade and unique pieces, the Delhi Fair is the place to be with a focus on exclusive, handcrafted and hand embellished products.

According to visitor feedback, buyers always find new items in the showcased themes and many wholesalers and importers sourcing from India highly appreciate the warmth and work culture of Indian manufacturers and exporters.

Twice a year The IHGF Delhi Fair is held biannually, in April (spring) and October (autumn), maximising the busy buying periods for wholesalers and retailers.

The popular event is organised by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), a non-profit organisation and the apex body representing handicraft manufacturers and exporters, pan India. epch.in/

EXCLUSIVE TO

Available in 38 styles across 10 different ranges in Women’s, Men’s & Babies.

23-27 FEBRUARY | REED GIFT FAIRS SYDNEY | STAND #QQ10/11 | SPLOSH.COM.AU

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THE FUTURE IS

Bright When Splosh was founded in 1999, owners Kim and Michael Kendall had little idea their handmade timber gifts would eventuate into one of Australia’s leading wholesale brands in the homewares and gifting sector.

F

ast forward to 2019 and Splosh now has over 3,000 stockists across Australia and New Zealand and international distributors in the United Kingdom, Canada and America. At the helm of Splosh today is Laura Colman, Kim and Michael’s daughter who has progressed through the business over the last 10 years to Managing Director and is taking Splosh to new heights whilst remaining grounded in the solid roots Kim and Michael created.

As well as being the primary distributor of Yankee Candle® and WoodWick® fragrances in Australia and New Zealand, Splosh has continued to expand its distribution portfolio.

“In 2018, we engaged in an exciting partnership with American brand, slumbies!®. We developed 38 new designs across 10 ranges in women’s, men’s and babies. As Splosh continues to grow, we are always looking for exciting opportunities to expand our breadth of offer whilst continuing to provide our customers with the same high quality product and customer service they’ve come to love!” says Colman.

With a rapidly growing business to lead, Laura set about building an experienced leadership team to help guide Splosh through this exciting period of growth. “After 20 years of successful leadership as a family run business, we found it was the right time to bring in a team of experienced leaders to work alongside myself in taking the business to the next level”, says Colman.

32 giftguideonline.com.au

In 2017, Splosh hired Chief Marketing Officer, Sally Boyes. Sally came from a well-established retail marketing background and has since led the evolution of the Product and Marketing teams whilst transforming the operating efficiencies of the business.

In 2018, Sally took on the role of General Manager and is working alongside Laura to shape the future of Splosh.

Together, Laura and Sally have built out the Leadership Team over the last year, bringing on board highly experienced subject matter experts including Natasha McDonough, Product Manager, Simon Boler, National Sales Manager, Alan Spender, Marketing & eCommerce Manager, Matthew Robinson, Financial Controller and Jackie Alesi, Operations Manager.

“Together as a Team, we have focused our energy on two main areas; providing a world-class customer experience and evolving the product strategy across our 5 key categories; Homewares, Inspirational, Novelty, Occasion and Pets”, says Colman.

At the core of Splosh’s commitment to customer service are 11 highly trained Sales Reps with in-depth product knowledge and visual merchandising experience, supported by a skilled Customer Support Team.

Featuring cutting edge technology, b2b.splosh.com. au makes ordering easy with real time stock updates and automated carton quantity checks, plus a stockist marketing portal with free downloadable point of sale and over 5,000 high res images and merchandising tips to boost in-store sales.

Splosh’s 4,400sqm Distribution Centre has the capacity & technology to ensure uninterrupted supply chain management. The DC Team uses voice picking technology to achieve a 99.6% pick accuracy rate and average 48 hour order turnaround time. “We regularly get feedback that the order customer’s placed at Trade Fair arrived before they even returned home! This type of feedback is what fuels us to continue to provide exceptional customer service. We put the customer first, always”, says Colman.

At Splosh, we’re more than a gifting and homewares brand, we’re a community of passionate, and dynamic team members dedicated to creating the latest trends in homewares and gifting and bringing it directly to you.

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AVA I L A B L E F R O M S P L O S H 23-27 FEBRUARY | REED GIFT FAIRS SYDNEY | STAND #QQ10/11 | SPLOSH.COM.AU

corner

design

THE INVENTORS

IHA’s Vicki Matranga talks to Dreamfarm founder, Alex Gransbury, about how it all started and why his products are always about solving a problem.

34 giftguideonline.com.au

G

reat design must solve problems believes the crew at Dreamfarm, a problemsolving company that grows ideas for clever, useful kitchen and household products.

“The hardest part of our job isn’t coming up with a solution,” says Alex Gransbury, Dreamfarm’s founder. “It’s finding a problem so that our products have a reason to exist. Products without a purpose are junk and the customer we design for is remarkably good at spotting junk.”

Established 15 years ago, Dreamfarm is a company powered by a group of highspirited Australian designers,

inventors and creatives who dream up original tools for daily living. The company now produces more than two dozen items sold around the world.

The crew enjoys tinkering in the workshop as well as playing word puzzles, so the name of each multi-function product describes its uses. The Spadle spoon/ ladle, Chopula chopping spatula, Clongs cliplock tongs, and the Levups, Levoons and Levoop line of scrape leveling measuring cups, spoons and scoop, reveal the team’s sense of humor and inventiveness.

What propelled the early success of your business?

Many people. Starting a company is like raising a child—it takes a village.

I started with just one product, the Grindenstein, and for years my mum helped me put them together every night of the week. As did my sister, Cate, who still makes magic happen for us daily for managing inventory and working in sales and marketing. My dad did our accounts for free for more than a decade, and Phil Howieson, our design manager, has been pushing the envelope with us for just as long. I honestly have a list as long as my arm of all the friends, family, teammates and factories that have bent over backwards from day

design

one to make Dreamfarm a success.

Our first product is still one of our best and most consistent sellers—it just works better than anything else on the market. Would Dreamfarm have died if Grindenstein failed?

Absolutely. Every time we launch a product it feels like a make-or-break pivotal event. And so it should be. Making stuff is hard.

Making stuff that matters is even harder.

What makes Dreamfarm design unique?

The standard we hold ourselves to. For us to create a product it must be new, it must solve a problem that’s worth solving and it must work better than anything else on the planet. It’s the reason we do all our 36 giftguideonline.com.au

inventing and design work in-house. We don’t work with outside agencies because you can’t pay a design agency to create the world’s best garlic press, you can only pay for their time and ask them to try.

We drive a concept hard, but when something’s not happening, we let it simmer and move onto something else. For every award-winning product that makes it into our customer’s hands, there are countless prototypes and half-baked ideas that just aren’t good enough yet.

Are there any specific designers, places or eras that influence you?

‘If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants’, is how Sir Isaac

Newton described the idea that we discover truth by building on previous discoveries. As inventors, it’s our job to connect new dots and create something new but we can’t do that in a vacuum. It’s important that we understand the problem we’re trying to solve as well as what has come before us.

Our job is to build, not copy. And when we are fortunate to come up with a useful new idea, we need to stay humble by remembering that every new idea is built on, or is only possible because of, someone else’s idea that was once new too.

How do you choose which idea to develop and take to market?

The biggest challenge in creating something new

and useful is getting people to understand what you’ve done because they’ve never seen it before. The reason that’s so important is because people can’t figure out if they care until they figure out what you’ve done. Yes, your product needs to be new, but equally, if not more important, is that it needs to be understandable.

While Phil, Tom (product development engineer Tom Schuster) and I are our own harshest critics, there’s nothing more deflating than watching someone we know is smart fumble in trying to use one of our prototypes. It’s also very refreshing and keeps us honest.

On average we aim to launch between two and four products per year.

That means in the next 10 years, of all the prototypes we make, only between 20 and 40 new products will see the light of day. That’s not a lot of chances to create something new and so useful that our children’s children and their children will use it. So we make sure to make them count.

We only launch our very best ideas, and we believe if we can keep holding ourselves to the standards that got us this far, the great customers we’ve found will keep introducing their friends to us. www.dreamfarm.com innovation, design, trends + inspiration from the International Housewares Association (IHA) and the International Home + Housewares Show— www.housewares.org

Visit us at SYDNEY

DY17

REED GIFT FAIRS

TURNS 50!

Reed Gift Fairs is celebrating 50 years in the gift and homewares industry. We talk to group director―operations, Steve Steenson, about the past, present and future.

What inspired the launch of the first gift fair?

The gift fairs are a true example of the historical aspects of exhibitions overall, the story of the market traders across the globe became more structured and from market stalls to a business to business offering. The fairs developed and supported a need for retailers to source products locally from wholesalers that had their own creative skill and sourcing networks to meet this demand.

My understanding is Kingsley Blunsden and his brother Keith Blunsden worked in advertising and publishing, and produced a trade catalogue of gift and homewares products. Kingsley’s entrepreneurial instincts identified a need to create an opportunity 38 giftguideonline.com.au

for this to become a face to face experience and World Trade Promotions was created as the promoter of the event.

The gift fairs grew and were then sold to Thompson World Media in the early 80s and relocated to the Centre Point Tower and other surrounding hotels in Sydney and the Royal Exhibition building in Melbourne.

Over 25 years ago Reed Exhibitions acquired Thompson World Media including the gift fairs.

How has the gift industry changed in the last 50 years?

The industry is always changing and the flow on to the live face to face aspects of trading at the fairs follows these changes.

In the early days the wholesalers would identify the products that consumers would

want and offer a ‘show special’. Retailers would buy large quantities at the fair and warehouse the product while wholesalers went sourcing for the next new products that were new and different!

These days we see that ‘show specials’ are still highly valued, however, retailers are more cautious in buying large amounts of stock at one time―they spread their spend and purchase month to month online.

Wholesalers at the fairs are still very much family businesses, and the children have taken the businesses to new successes and levels that their fathers and mothers could only dream of.

At the same time larger businesses are being acquired by multinational companies and private equity groups

How has Reed Gift Fairs adapted to these changes?

The team at Reed Gift Fairs spend a lot of time focusing on the global trends. Reed Exhibitions owns and manages Maison&Objet in Paris, China Gift Fairs and many other similar events across the globe.

Strategy is set to enable us to adapt to the changes and support the exhibitors. We keep close to our customers so we understand what our customers’ needs are.

Reed Exhibitions is a subsidiary of the RELX Group, a multinational information and analytics company. RELX operates in four key business segments in over 40 countries with Reed Exhibitions running over 500 shows for 140,000 exhibitors and 7 million visitors. This network supports the local market leadership of Reed Gift

Fairs where the analytical approach supports the future directions of changes with confidence.

Name 3 highlights & 3 challenges over the last 50 years?

There have been many highlights of the fairs and challenges that have influenced the way the fairs operate today.

Location has always been key in ensuring the retailers find the most convenient location to search for products.

The opening of the Sydney Convention Centre in 1988 and the Melbourne Convention centre in 1994 were timely in the growth of the gift industry. Starting with 130 exhibitors in the early 90s to 900 exhibitors in 30,000 square metres of exhibition space over 10 years.

The fairs became bright and colourful and had a

reed gift fairs 50 years

and the most successful for the wholesalers and retailers who participated.

party atmosphere, exhibitors come to network as much as to do business. In 2000 the Olympics came to Sydney and timing impacted the Sydney September fair and the Melbourne August fairs forever. Still valuable, the September fair had to move to July. The impact was twofold―long term with the September fair repositioning to support the NSW market, while the Melbourne August fair grew to become a national event attracting retailers from all parts of the country and overseas.

In 2004 the gift fairs were repositioned― the team spent two years researching and communicating with all customers about the value of categorising the fairs.

The creation of Reed Gift Fairs was formed and four key buying areas developed―Gift, Home, Kitchen and Jewellery & Fashion. These core sectors still exist today. Exhibitors also changed the way they presented their own brands and there was a big shift in stand and product presentation developed that has lifted the look and feel of the fairs today.

In 2006 Melbourne built a new Convention and Exhibitions Centre. A short-term home was found in an unused transport warehouse in Graham St,

Port Melbourne, known as the Graham Centre. For the past 10 years Reed Gift Fairs has operated in two venues―the MCEC and the Melbourne Showgrounds― where each year 700 or more exhibitors trade with over 18,000 buyers.

In 2013 the Sydney Exhibitions Centre closed and to overcome the three year period for a brand new venue to be built, Reed Gift in Sydney needed a new home. The exhibition industry lobbied the NSW Government with success and a large investment was made to create a temporary home at Glebe Island in Sydney.

In true Reed Gift Fairs spirit the 600 exhibitors and the thousands of retailers supported the fairs through this period.

In 2017 the next chapter for Reed Gift Fairs took shape with the opening of the International Convention Centre and Exhibition halls at Darling Harbour, a new home for the long-term future of the event.

Finally, in 2018 the new exhibitions space opened at the MCEC, the long-term location of the Reed Gift Fairs at the main entry to the exhibitions halls was supported with extra space―this was the largest Reed Gift Fairs at the MCEC

Over the last 50 years, what was the one innovation that stood out for you and why?

The stand-out innovation from the observations at Reed Gift Fairs is the use of technology around the fairs.

In many areas the use of tech driven devices, tools and systems have met the changing needs of our customers. Pre-show orders from online marketing through Reed Gift Fairs portals, the use of social media to promote the fairs and the participating brands.

At the fair exhibitors have live systems taking orders and the product is picked and packed that same day for shipping. Wholesalers are more strategic in the way they package and sell their products and the new ‘show specials’ include longterm commitments for the connection between buyer and seller after the fairs via online relationships. All of which started and continues at Reed Gift fairs.

What does the future look like for the gift industry and Reed Gift Fairs?

Loyalty from Reed Gift Fairs customers is a value unique to Reed Gift Fairs, the exhibitors and retailers attending Reed Gift Fairs are the key drivers behind all decisions made.

At Reed Gift Fairs we are embracing the change, nothing has and nothing will stay the same, the challenge is the speed to move with the changes. We see

globally that the products sectors are changing and the competition is greater from other sources competing for the consumers spend.

Reed Gift Fairs will continue to evolve and

ensure the exhibitors of today and tomorrow see value in using the fairs to do business. We have created matchmaking systems that give greater value to both wholesaler and retailer at the event and post event.

Key milestones 1969―gift fairs were born from the demand of wholesalers and retailers wanting to see products at one place at one time. World Trade Promotion created the gift fairs.

1980s―Thompson World Media, over a transitional period, took total control of the gift fairs.

1988―the Sydney Exhibition Centre opens moving customers all under one roof in Halls 1 and 2 1993―the acquisition of Thompson World Media

by Reed Exhibitions 1994―MCEC opens and the gift fairs move from the Royal Exhibitions Building 2003―Reed Exhibitions acquires the Brisbane Gift Fair from Peter Black, the Brisbane Fair grows to four halls and other spaces as the industry matures 2004―the gift fairs are categorised and the Reed Gift Fairs brand successfully delivers strength and support to all participating partners 2006-08―Reed Gift Fairs has a second venue in Melbourne―the Graham Centre and then the Melbourne Showgrounds 2012―the first online trade guide is released supporting the print version connecting buyers and sellers prior to the fair 2013―Sydney Convention Centre closes for three years and a temporary location is created by the NSW Government 2014-16―Reed Gift Fairs Sydney moves to Glebe Island 2017―The International Convention Centre and Exhibitions halls open at Darling Harbour 2018―The Melbourne Convention Centre opens and Reed Gift Fairs holds its largest event at the venue

January 2019 39

SHOWTIME We talk to some long-time exhibitors about their time in the industry and their involvement with Reed Gift Fairs.

Annabel Trends What are your tips for retailers attending the gift fair?

1 Wear comfortable shoes and clothes―there is a lot of walking up and down aisles!

2 Have a plan―study the fair magazine for the suppliers you really want to see.

3 It’s always good to come with a stock list for each supplier you already buy from to help with reordering.

4 Be open to new ideas.

How do you prepare for the gift fair?

We have been exhibiting since the 70s! We think it’s important to start planning early so that you have all your samples in time. Make sure your stand fixtures are appropriate for the product you are showcasing, and also make any repairs that might be needed when the fixtures come back from a show. We also like to have a plan for where the products are going to be placed so that we can set up as fast as possible.

40 giftguideonline.com.au

How has the industry changed from when you first started?

In the 60s and early 70s the main source of finding suppliers and customers was The Yellow pages. Sales reps lugged their heavy sample cases in and out of the shops of potential customers.

The first gift fair in Melbourne was at hotel The Southern Cross in Melbourne’s Bourke Street in the early 70s.

The fairs really started putting customers and suppliers together to buy and sell. Sydney had begun gift fairs a year or so earlier. Both fairs have moved venues quite often for the want of more space for exhibitors.

So many changes since those early days―axes, the computer, websites, hand-held devices taking orders with a simple scan of a bar code directly back to the office. It’s so much easier today.

How important has exhibiting at Reed Gift Fairs been to the success of Annabel Trends?

Reed Gift fairs are extremely important to us…it’s the best way to showcase new product to our audience, it’s a great place to catch up with customers and other suppliers to share ideas, and it’s the best way to find new customers. It’s always an exciting and rewarding week.

DWBH Homewares Can you share 3 tips for retailers that are attending the fair?

• Identify which suppliers you definitely want to visit and know where they are located on the floor―plan your day/s at the fair to ensure that you visit everyone you need to • Be open to new suppliers―perfect opportunity to find exciting new products • Wear good walking shoes & carry the least amount of stuff with you that you can manage―as it is a big day!

What are the 3 things you do to prepare yourself for the gift fair?

• Plan your layout―do a mock setup • Make sure your promotional material is printed well before the show • Check the samples are labelled and coded correctly Name one key innovation over the last 50 years that has impacted the way you run your business?

When we first started the internet barely existed, and websites were almost non-existent. Adapting to the changing needs of shop owners and consumers is the biggest change that has impacted our business. We now generate the majority of repeat sale through our website.

How important is Reed Gift Fairs to the success of DWBH? Reed has provided a strong platform to service existing clients and meet new clients. A trade fair enables you to demonstrate your products and USP directly to clients, in a condensed time frame. Exhibiting at a trade fair also provides direct feedback on products―invaluable information for future product development and direction.

Independence Studios (IS) What are your 3 tips for retailers attending the fair?

• It’s important to know what your overall goal for attending the fair is and which stands you need to go to before the fair is over. Plan out upcoming seasons and focus on products for these occasions.

• Booking appointments is a great way to ensure you make the most of your time at the fair.

• Don’t forget to wear comfy shoes!

reed gift fairs 50 years

What are the 3 things you do to prepare yourself for the show?

• We prepare for the fair with a sales conference the week before the fair. We present our new ranges to the team.

• We invest time in designing the layout of our trade fair stand so it flows well for our customers. We group our homewares, giftwares, toys and trends together so they are easy to find.

• We make appointments with our customers so we can show them our new collection and avoid disappointment when our stand is busy.

How has the industry changed from when IS was first launched and name one key innovation that has impacted the way you run your business?

The industry is much more sophisticated than it was in 1987 when Independence Studios began. Trade fairs have changed and are now much more efficient.

The biggest innovation has been the advancement in technology. All of our communication used to be face to face or by phone. Now we can send off a quick email to our customers or skype our brand partners on the other side of the world in an instant. Because of this the speed of our operation is much faster and on trend.

How important has exhibiting at Reed Gift Fairs been to the success of IS? Exhibiting is an important part of our marketing strategy.

It’s fantastic to have everyone under the one roof for the week to showcase our new collection. We look forward to catching up with our loyal customers and are excited to meet new customers coming to the fair for the first time.

Splosh Jasnor (Australia) Top tips for retailers that are attending the fair?

Planning your trip is key to maximising your time, effort and cost for attending the fair. Identify your must-see suppliers, potential new suppliers and work towards a budget, this will ensure peace of mind.

Come into the fair knowing what your stock levels are, then you can stock up on core ranges with confidence and take advantage of the many special offers valid during the gift fair.

Identify gaps within your product assortment and find suppliers that can help fill those gaps.

Finally, look at ways to improve your visual merchandising in-store, take note of great displays which will help to keep your merchandise looking fresh in store. Be prepared to buy some items which can be used as props, the investment is worth it.

As an exhibitor, how do you best prepare for an event like this?

To ensure a successful event, our preparation is all year round―we continuously source new items and new suppliers so we can bring the latest product to our retail partners. We rely on various departments, service providers and human resource to pull the event together and also follow up once the event concludes, it’s a true team effort.

What was the gift and homewares industry like when you first started and how has it changed?

There was a lot less competition, especially with the likes of major retailers who couldn’t compete in breadth of range or on price, however, these days many of these retailers are doing a great job in the homewares space so styling homes and offices is a lot more affordable for the average family. Online buying and selling didn’t really exist so this has been both an opportunity and a challenge. Finding new suppliers and sourcing product was a lot harder and a lot more expensive.

Can you share your tips for retailers that are attending the fair?

• Having a clear, robust plan of where you’re going to go and who you would like to see first is essential.

• Always keep your stores customer front of mind when buying new stock. Who is the type of customer shopping in your store and what will they want to buy from you?

• Keep track of your budget and tick off ranges/ products once you have purchased them • Stay hydrated How do you best prepare for a trade fair?

We usually begin preparing for a fair about eight months out. This ensures all departments have a clear, concise and time efficient plan. We hold fortnightly meetings where we identify any road blocks and keep up-to-date with our marketing, product,

How important has exhibiting at Reed Gift Fairs been to the success of your business?

Over the years exhibiting at the various fairs has helped us build relationships with both retailers and suppliers. It’s an opportunity to showcase our latest finds and a great way to keep abreast of trends whilst sharing our knowledge and expertise with our retail partners.

January 2019 41

distribution centre, operations and finance departments projects.

We’re meticulous about planning what product ranges will feature on our trade fair stand. Customers only see the new and bestselling products and we have a team of skilled sales reps who merchandise the product on the stand so customers can see the best way to display the range in their store.

What was the gift and homewares industry like when you first started and how has it changed?

When Splosh first started out, the industry was a lot smaller and the variety of brands was limited. Today, there is a lot more variety of brands and competition which is great. It keeps us grounded but also makes us strive to keep up with immerging trends and ensure our products are always unique and innovative.

How important is Reed Gift Fairs to the success of Splosh?

We have benefited from exhibiting at the fair for several years, it exposes us to new business and offers a great platform for us to launch our new ranges to customers.

We launch 10+ new season ranges at each fair and love being able to personally show customers new products and categories, customising range suggestions to suit their individual needs.

42 giftguideonline.com.au

Urban Rituelle What are your top tips for retailers that are attending the fair?

My top priority would be pre-planning so you can make the most out of your time at the show.

First, I would make a list of the existing suppliers I need to see, those suppliers that you want to build relationships and engage with face to face. Write down the stand number, mark them on the map and check your current stock levels before you leave your store, so you know what reorders you need to do with your current suppliers.

Second, I would make a list of new products or suppliers that I need to find, so you can introduce a fresh offering of products for your customers.

Finally, I would have a budget. Know what you can afford to order and when you want delivery from your suppliers. Keep a tally of what you have ordered and delivery dates so you keep track of your buying.

If you have a sales budget in place, you will know how much stock you will need to order to reach this target.

We start planning for the gift fair six months prior to the event. I work on a yearly planogram starting with the trade fair set up date and work backwards.

I have all my key dates set in both outlook and Asana ( an online scheduling tool) plus a white board and I share these dates with our entire team.

We begin with new product development, working on new fragrances, packaging and products, considering the upcoming season. All new product development is signed off three months prior to the show starting. We then receive samples and do photography for our catalogue one month prior to the show. Once we have our new photography we work on pricing and set up the website and update the iPads for our agents’ ordering systems.

Team rosters are set months in advance along with any travel arrangements. We also like to book our restaurants for dinner in advance, the last thing you want to think about at 6:30 is where are we going to eat!

As an exhibitor, how do you best prepare for an event like the gift fair?

How has the gift and homewares industry changed since Urban Rituelle launched?

In 2019, we proudly celebrate 20 years in the gift and homewares industry!

The industry has changed enormously during this time.

When we exhibited at our first gift fair in September 1999, we had a small 3x3m stand that we built ourselves. Now the quality of all stands is world-class.

Technology has also changed the industry, our first catalogue was prepared in a word document, printed in house on A4 paper, with a black and white printer and no photographs. When we set up our business in 1999, the only way you could see what we had to offer for the new season was to visit us at the gift fair. Today you can view and order our full product offering online with wholesale pricing at your convenience 24 hours a day.

We also send regular EDMs with offers and promotions to our wholesale database.

Our catalogue is now a full colour production plus we also have a custom built online ordering system, where orders taken on the stand at the gift fair are integrated straight into our warehouse system, and an email is sent to the customer on the spot with full colour photos of the products they have ordered and the total amount of the order.

How important has exhibiting at Reed Gift Fairs been to the success of your business?

Exhibiting at Reed Gift Fairs has been integral to the success of our business. Over the last 20 years we have exhibited at approximately 50 gift fairs, where we have had the opportunity to meet 1000s of incredibly successful retailers from all around Australia as well as buyers from the US, UK, Japan, NZ. Each year our team looks forward to exhibiting at the Reed Gift Fairs―it gives us a chance to get out from behind our computers, off the telephones and engage with people and industry. Most exciting of course is connecting with new and existing customers―hearing about their experiences, their wishes and hopes when it comes to sourcing product for their stores and seeing their reactions firsthand to our new product launches.

The fairs also give us the chance to connect as a team with our national salesteam in the one place, which doesn’t happen often enough with everybody being so spread out and busy in their day-to-day work.

reed gift fairs 50 years

You can find House of Marley at Stand DD24.

Orbitkey Founded in Melbourne, Orbitkey was created to inspire and change the way people interacted and organised their keys; enhancing everyday life through clever organisation.

The Orbitkey Key Organiser transforms your cluster of keys into a beautiful and organised stack―eliminating key jingles, scratches and bulk associated with traditional key rings. Check out Orbitkey at Stand D46.

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK Australia’s premier gift & homewares trade event is evolving.

Reed Gift Fairs Sydney February 2019 is introducing two brand new product categories in 2019―Travel & Tech, specifically created in response to consumer demand, addressing the interest in functional, forward thinking products.

The Travel category will feature the latest travel gear, security devices and accessories. Whether it’s by plane, train, car, bus or an outdoor adventure, this section shows all the cool new ways to make the journey as comfortable as possible with stylish luggage pieces and backpacks, inflight comfort pieces, drink bottles, and much more.

Tapping into the smart home trend, the Tech category will be focusing on smart connected devices for the home, wellbeing, wearables, adaptors, speakers, virtual gaming and robots, tech gadgets, drones, headphones, mobile accessories and more.

Additionally, Reed Gift Fairs has refreshed all product categories to make sure they are in line with current market trends including Home, Fashion, Kids & Family and Surprise & Delight.

Let’s check out some of the (new) exhibitors to look out for at Reed Gift Fairs Sydney February.

Wild & Wolf If you are looking for design-led gifts and lifestyle products with style and substance, make sure you visit Wild & Wolf in Sydney at Stand D42.

Wild & Wolf is all about smart thinking and innovative design and will be showcasing brands such as Ted Baker,

Scrabble, Petit Collage and V&A plus Ridley’s Games, Gentlemen’s Hardware, Pretty Useful Tools and Yes Studio as well as its in-house brands.

Design Mode International DMI distributes innovative, functional design brands covering home, office, travel and lifestyle categories.

Covering both travel and tech, brands include Secrid, Notabag, Zootility, Banale, Bobby, Lexon and Gingko. New to the portfolio is Sttoke which is a Good Design winning reusable cup made form Shatterproof ceramic and stainless steel and will be on show at Stand D28.

Give your business a great start to the year by exploring Reed Gift Fairs Sydney February, 23-27 February at the ICC Sydney Exhibition Centre. Don’t miss out and register at www.reedgiftfairs.com.au

House of Marley Homedics will be showcasing several new brands at the Sydney fair including House of Marley.

Sustainability and a commitment to charitable causes is an important part of this Aussie brand. Materials used are either recycled, upcycled or reclaimed, ensuring its commitment to a safer global environment.

The brand also uses proceeds from product sales to support global reforestry through its foundation, Project Marley.

Products include audio, speakers and headphones.

January 2019 43

n o 60 Gibs YEARS WITH

3 MD’s in History

Gibson is celebrating its 60th anniversary next year so Giftguide sat down with managing director, Jamie Moir, to chat about the highlights & challenges and what to look forward to in the years to come.

Left to right: Jamie Moir, Wal Gibson (Company Founder), Don Moir

When did you start working at Gibson and what was your first job?

I first started working at Gibson in January 1993―27 years ago! My first job was as a sales representative, selling sunglasses and reading glasses to pharmacies and opticians.

Name three things you learned from working with your dad? ● Persistence pays and you must never give up ● Listen to your customers ● Slow product is not like a fine wine―it does not improve with age!

Why did Gibson decide to enter the gift and homewares industry?

Gibson Importing has been a family owned business since 1959. It was started by Wal Gibson and the following year my father Don joined the company and together they formed a fabulous partnership.

The company evolved from a primary focus on the pharmacy market selling millinery and expanded its product range with products as diverse as Italian bathing caps to perfume bottles then finally giftware in the late 1960s. At that time, the business worked out of a room on Flinders Lane, which soon became several rooms as the company expanded.

In 1976, Gibson moved to a 650 square metre warehouse in Asling Street Gardenvale. In 1990 we moved into a 2,500 square metre 44 giftguideonline.com.au

warehouse in Tulip Street Cheltenham and then in 2001 we moved right next door into a 5,500 square metre facility that we are still in today.

Gibson Importing is one of the largest wholesale distributors of giftware in Australia and New Zealand. In addition to our gift business we also operate an eyewear and fashion accessory business that specialises in supplying customised ranges to fashion and chain store customers. We have a fabulous team of over 50 staff, some of whom have worked with the company for more than 40 years!

Name 3 highlights and 3 challenges in Gibson’s 60 year history?

Highlights: ● Excellent relationships with staff & customers ● Substantial growth of the company ● Being involved in a fun industry, developing different products Challenges: ● An ever changing marketplace & economic conditions ● Changing trends (this is also a great opportunity) ● Being one step ahead of the competition

What can we expect from Gibson in 2019?

Gibson will be launching Sock Society’s woolly friend….Nuzzles. We’ve been working away on this range for over a year, ensuring all boxes were ticked when it came to price, design, age group and retail space solution.

Stock will be hitting the floor in March 2019 and we are 100 per cent confident Nuzzles will walk out the door.

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Right: Gibson Importing’s first ever Trade Fair. Above: Now

What is the one innovation that stood out for you in the last 10 years that impacted the way Gibson did business?

In this space the internet has certainly made a dramatic impact on the way retailers shop. As we are aware time is an important factor to any business (big or small). Web ordering makes life easier for the retailer due to the convenience of placing an order in their own time and viewing products without being rushed.

60 years in the industry is quite an accomplishment, how has Gibson remained relevant in the industry?

We never stand still and have to continuously reinvent ourselves in order to remain relevant. Keeping up with trends and making sure we are on trend and ahead of our competition. We frequently travel overseas and attend lots of international trade fairs and visit leading retailers for inspiration.

The other point that keeps us relevant is making sure we’re at the top of our customers minds. We pride ourselves on providing the best customer service which has ensured customers keep coming back to Gibson!

How has the industry changed from the launch of Gibson till today?

When the company started there was a clear delineation between importer, wholesaler and retailer. Whereas today, it is a much more competitive marketplace as there are many more importers who have become online retailers.

In addition to this, many of the major retailers have become vertically integrated by importing directly. So in a nutshell, there is much more competition, tastes have become more sophisticated and there is a much more diverse choice for consumers which means that importers have to sharpen their offer to a particular niche in the marketplace.

What advice would you give businesses just starting out in the industry?

It is a crowded marketplace so for a new business to be successful, they must have a point of difference and continually innovate. All businesses must also remember that cash flow is king―reinvest in the business in order to survive when it is quiet and thrive when it is busy. The other non negotiable is to provide excellent customer service.

Was there any advice given to you over the years that you still follow to this day?

The harder you work―the luckier you get!

January 2019 45

s g n i eb ginn HUMBLE

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For concept store Jumbled it is all about giving back to its customers and community as well as promoting the region of Orange as a must-see travel destination. Meet our latest gia Australia winner.

gia awards

B

ringing the best of the city to a regional town, Jumbled is a place of inspiration, colour and Australian design. Founder Pip Brett launched the store in 2012 as a small bricks and mortar store in Orange, and not much later added an online store, which, with the power of social media, has continued to grow in leaps and bounds.

In 2016 Brett purchased and renovated an old Masonic Hall which is still Jumbled’s home today.

“The Sonic consists of three separate stores― Jumbled, my clothing store iglou and a coffee shop,” explains Brett.

“There are no physical barriers between spaces but through our store design we have created distinct zones. The front doors open into Jumbled, customers can weave across into the clothing store or wander through to the cafe.”

Each zone has a designated counter space which anchors the customer’s focus, as well as subtle signage to reinforce the identity of the space.

Each space has a distinct feel, but is cohesive.

There are several bedroom and living spaces throughout the store that are styled for a lived-in feeling.

This helps customers envision the products in their own spaces. The relevant product categories are presented alongside these display zones, for the customer’s convenience and to increase sales.

Products that require more assistance are placed near the counter so staff can easily help, says Brett.

“The point of sale is wireless so there is no restriction at the counter.

Staff can take the iPad around the store to assist customers with product enquiries. Also, to improve the shopping experience, customers have access to iPads that are connected to our online store.”

Brett adds that Jumbled is more than just a store.

“We are a multifaceted business that offers workshops, travel experiences and styling. We have created a community of like-minded people.

“Having multi-skilled staff members means we can offer our customers an enriched experience that goes above and beyond.

We have the knowledge and skill to offer an interior stylist service and pull together a room that suits the customer’s needs and taste.

“We are passionate about finding emerging artists and designers, who aren’t currently represented.

“Our use of social media sets us apart from our competitors. We want people to know who we are and our story as well as what we sell, what we stand for, what we believe in and what we love.

“Our e-magazine, the Jumbled Journal, has elevated our brand and is filled with the stories behind our products and creatives, and links to our online store in a thoughtful way. The idea is to inspire, educate and give back.”

Fresh, bold and playful, Jumbled is a must see for all colour lovers. www.jumbledonline.com January 2019 47

experience

THE SHOPPING

We asked Terri Winter, co-owner and founder of Aussie concept retail store top3 by design to share her thoughts on ‘experiential shopping’ and concepts.

48 giftguideonline.com.au

Y

our customers no longer come to your store just to shop. They go shopping to touch and feel the products and to experience the product and the environment.

I would argue that technology has enabled many new ways to interact with the customers, but the fundamentals of retail remain the same.

Good old customer service Creating an experience should not be at the detriment to customers

finding what they want easily. The basics of retail are more important than ever; customers still want good customer service― in an authentic, genuinely friendly way. Once the basics of customer service are covered, they also want an inspiring shopping experience.

Be memorable Not only do you need to get customer service right and your inventory right, you need to be memorable. One thing that is very different from the ‘good old days’ is your customer has so many

alternatives to your store that you can be easily forgotten―even if you do a good job.

Creating your concept You don’t need to start turning your business into a juice bar in the morning or have a DJ in-store to create an experience.

What you need to have is a concept. Your own concept. It is not a matter of ‘adding on’ an experience because everyone is talking about it; it needs to feel that it belongs to you.

Unexpected is fantastic― but a mismatch leaves

your customer confused.

Ultimately, if you want a new pair of jeans and you walk into a store and they have a live DJ, you will think that is pretty cool―but it gets much less amazing when they don’t have what you came in for and they can’t help you.

Experience is great if it adds to your credibility―it is detrimental if it erodes it.

Ask yourself some questions―what is it that is uniquely you―why should people seek you out and come into your store? It is unlikely to be one thing―it is likely to be

instore

a series of qualities combined that make you a destination.

Work them out and then enhance them. Make them truly yours. These days you can be niche. Figure out whom you are talking to and make sure your concept is just for them. You will never please everyone.

To illustrate, here is my story Nearly 18 years ago (in 2001) top3 by design was born. The concept: up to 3 products per category. The best in the world by merit of design. An edited selection of the best product from around the globe.

Authentic. Innovative. 100 per cent original.

At the time of top3 by design’s inception, Google was not what it is today. Research was difficult.

Consumers defaulted to brands because they provided safety and trust in what they knew. For consumers who did not know much about design, there was safety in brand names. Emerging designers struggled to get traction because they were unknown.

It is a little like when you go to a restaurant and look at the wine list but know very little about wine. You can recognise regions, or styles you like, but after that you are guessing. If you are out with a client you want to impress, January 2019  49

instore

you might go towards the top end of the list; if you are with close friends on a midweek meal, then you might grab something cheap

“At the time of top3 by design’s inception, Google was not what it is today. Research was difficult. Consumers defaulted to brands because they provided safety and trust in what they knew.” and cheerful towards the bottom.

I began to notice that when people were buying product it wasn’t that different. After the style and look of the 50 giftguideonline.com.au

product was decided, then people selected by price: ‘if it is more expensive it must be better’ or ‘somewhere in the middle is safe, it should be ok’. More expensive does not necessarily make it better, and less expensive is not always worse. top3 by design was born to research the product, to provide a store where customers could trust that all the product was original, that the quality was good, and therefore feel more comfortable in choosing what sparked joy, rather than worrying about quality issues. It also gave a platform for young or

emerging designers to sit shoulder to shoulder with well-known international greats.

It is important to continue to assess your concept, ensure that it is still relevant.

Fast forward to 2018.

Google means you can find just about anything.

Customers can research everything they want to. So what does that mean for top3? Although the initial purpose of pre-researching product is not as relevant as it was back in 2001, the principle concept remains just as important today.

In a world where you can buy anything, what do you buy? With so much

choice, top3 plays a role in editing the selection down. It is not about limiting choice, but in a world where everyone is busy it is about curating, about getting get rid of the clutter that falls outside the parameters of quality and innovation. top3 by design’s concept is just as relevant today as it was in 2001―to provide an edited collection of the best product from around the globe, by merit of design. www.top3.com.au innovation, design, trends + inspiration from the International Housewares Association (IHA) and the International Home + Housewares Show― www.housewares.org

the show

sensational exceptional original 8 – 12. 2. 2019 The outstanding diversity of the international consumer goods market. Eye-catching innovations, trends and designs in sight.

All segments. All themes. The trade fair that leads your industry into the future.

Partner Country India

Information and tickets: ambiente.messefrankfurt.com Tel +61 2 9955 5515 M +61 419 202 023 info@australia.messefrankfurt.com

The PURSUIT OF

b.sirius’ mission is to inspire happiness with products that create a feel good experience. We chat to owner Vanessa Eldridge about how she aims to do this.

s s e n i p p ha

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supplier profile

W

hile fast fashion was taking over the world a few years ago, today it’s all about slow fashion, products that are created with care and respect for the environment, and that are made by people who work in safe conditions.

“Even though fashion trends change rapidly, customers are increasingly conscious of how their products are made,” says Vanessa Eldridge, owner & director of handbags and accessories brand, b.sirius.

“People love to know the story behind their

products and astute buyers are seeking more than a product―they’re seeking a tale behind their purchase that they can share with their friends.

“They want to not only look good but feel good about what they are wearing and know how their purchasing decision impacts our world.”

Eldridge explains that b.sirius has always been conscious to carefully design and construct bags and accessories that are not only practical and functional but also meet a woman’s every day needs, look beautiful and make her feel special using January 2019 53

supplier profile

them. They are strong and resilient and suit a myriad of purposes.

“It’s important to me that our products are both useful and beautiful.

That will never change for b.sirius. As a business owner, it’s important to be aware of what is impacting the market but more important to hold true to our values.”

These values also include caring about our environment and our animals and as such, b.sirius only uses vegan materials. Durable canvases and denims are screen-printed to the highest quality and used in conjunction with other animal friendly materials.

“Not only are we absolutely committed to ensure that our products are made from ethical materials, but we ensure that the 54 giftguideonline.com.au

people who lovingly make our products work in an environment that also meets our high standards.

“We only ever produce enough product for what we need for the season and if there does happen to be any fabric left over, we use it to make up other unique items in smaller runs. Born out of a desire for creating special Australian inspired pieces that are fashionable and longlasting, our products are designed to be long lasting, rather than fastfashion pieces.”

This includes the brand’s reusable shopper bags, which were made from some fabrics sitting in storage from previous seasons. Inspired by the need to reduce waste, Eldridge says the recent plastic bag free shopping

has been the single most significant innovation in the Australian community in years.

“Personally, my family has been doing it for years, but policy is needed to support all of us to make a real difference. Reducing plastic is only a small step, but a significant first step.” b.sirius is known for its unique, screenprinted fabrics which are combined with a range of vegan leathers to create bags and accessories in a variety of shapes and styles. Fabric designs are based on nature’s own shapes and colours.

Designs are updated with every collection to meet the demands of our everchanging world. Eldridge adds that customer feedback is extremely important and collections are often inspired by their suggestions.

“With inspiration drawn from our abundant earth, our textile design company uses nature’s organic colours, forms, shapes, feel and figures.

Whenever I’m out and about, I’m constantly taking photos and writing notes about images that draw my attention― anything from a leaf on the ground, a tiny insect or bird all inspire our designs. Every collection is themed around nature and our environment.” b.sirius products are not just to be enjoyed by the Australian consumer, with the brand aiming to expand its market share in the US. “Although we already have a developing international presence, we want to see b.sirius expand into the US market to showcase our unique products across

the globe; in particular to stage our beautiful Australian designed collections to a wider audience.

“While our current spring season 2018/19 collection Taking Flight is keeping us busy right now, our autumn winter 2019 collection will include some favourite shapes plus have been broadened to include nappy bags and a wider range of cosmetic and travel bags. The autumn winter collection is due for release in stores and online in February 2019.

“We also have an exciting new website launching in January 2019 which will create an even easier shopping experience for our wholesalers and retailers,” Eldridge adds. www.bsirius.com.au

&

I N S P I R A T I O N A L C O M M U N I O N

GIFTS TO INSPIRE

C O N F I R M A T I O N

STAND# 3S12 AGHA SYDNEY HOMEBUSH

5 Stanford Way Malaga WA 6090 P:(08) 9248 7440 F:1800 766 201 E:email@gatto.com.au

W W W. G AT T O . C O M . A U

choice SPOILT FOR

Spoilt started from humble beginnings as a family owned business. While keeping the integrity of its roots the business has continued to thrive and has been commemorated for its success over the years.

I

n a climate where the retail industry has become increasingly hard to survive, gift and souvenir retailer Spoilt Gift & Homewares has gone from strength to strength and recently opened its eighth store.

Since its launch in 2005, the retailer has expanded from a single bricks and mortar store to a chain across Melbourne as well as an online business.

Founder Chelsea McIntosh says she found a gap in the market when it came to tourists.

“Running a retail business for over 10 years I have seen the industry change,” she explains.

“Many souvenir stores have fairly generic products and we found our customers commonly 56 giftguideonline.com.au

asking for Australian and Melbourne souvenirs to send overseas to friends and family that were a bit more unique and special than what they had seen elsewhere.

“With so many visitors coming from all over the world and from interstate to Melbourne, I could see the potential for my business to really hone in on this market and provide beautiful products for them to take back home with them as gifts.

“This has been a focus when opening our eighth store, especially given its location. The majority of our stores are based in office towers, whereas this one is right on the door step of Bourke Street Mall, where many tourists and visitors shop.”

retailer profile

Honing in on consumers’ desire for all things local, the new store has a strong focus on Australian made and designed products.

“We’ve always stocked a lot of products designed by Australian businesses, now we’re putting even more of a focus on this, as well as sourcing products that are made here in Australia too,” adds McIntosh.

“I think it is very important to support local businesses. We work closely with many of our suppliers to be able to provide souvenirs and products that are a little bit different. Some of the Australian brands we stock are Urban Rituelle, FlatOut Bear, Freckleberry, Willlow TreeLane, Tooletries and we recently added Australian brand, Couchmate.

“We’re also very aware of the environmental impact we have as a society, so we provide environmentally friendly products from local businesses such as HoneyBee Beeswax Wraps and Onya Bags.

“We also made the decision as a business earlier in the year to switch from plastic bags to reusable bags in all of our stores. We hope that making these changes and

paying close attention to the changing market in Melbourne we will continue to grow and expand.”

Owning multiple storefronts is no easy task and McIntosh says it’s important to have fantastic staff and a manager that you trust and can rely on.

“Your staff is the core of your business. They are the people that meet and great your customers and leave a lasting impression.

When you find the right staff it can really help to make life a bit easier when running a business.

“Also, learn to let go of things if they’re not 100 per cent to your standard and your way. It is impossible to be a successful business owner with multiple stores, a family person and the store manager. Trust your staff, they may not do everything the way you would but they may also do some things better.”

But before you put those expansion plans into practice, she advises 2019 will be another tough year and retailers can’t keep doing what they have done in the past.

“Try to engage with your customers in every way you can. Embrace social media as a way to communicate with

Chelsea McIntosh’s trends to watch in 2019 Spoilt is always looking for the latest trends locally and around the world.

So much so that, myself and two work colleagues have just started an Instagram account called Trends by Three (instagram.com/trendsbythree) to share all the great pictures and trend ideas we are continually collecting.

As for 2019, llamas, sloths and the French bulldogs are definitely not going anywhere and I have a sneaky suspicion that maybe the cheeky racoon will be making an appearance.

As for homewares, you can expect planters, planters and more planters.

There’s definitely a strong trend of a lot of indoor plants in homes so we can expect this to continue strongly. The quirkier the better, from a sloth, cat and dog planter to funny heads with greenery coming out like their hair.

As for colours that we can expect to be trending in 2019 it’ll definitely be the Pantone colour of the year, Living Coral. I’d expect we’ll be seeing pops of orange coral tones and complimentary colours to match like pale pink, purple and even some green and blue. The more colours the better if you ask me, but I am always fond of pale pink, burgundy and navy going into winter.

In terms of the local Australian market, souvenirs and Australian designed and made products have definitely been a huge growth in the market. There are so many gorgeous souvenir items to choose from these days that are not the typical traditional style souvenirs that once were the only option. Our newest store at 231 Bourke Street has an amazing selection of locally designed and made items that local residents and tourists can’t get enough of. We frequently hear customers saying we have the best souvenirs in Melbourne.

your customers and allow them to learn more about your store and what you offer.

“With brick and mortar stores constantly fighting the ongoing battle of increased running costs each year and competition rising, retail for many is getting tough and tougher.

We are no longer just

competing against other brick and mortar stores, but competition internationally has increased, especially with large retail platforms like Amazon,” she adds.

“On top of this, many suppliers are continually popping up with their own stores and website, competing directly with

us, their customers. So in saying this, in 2019 Spoilt will not be opening any new stores but we will be focusing heavily on our customers, improving our existing stores and growing our online presence to be a brand that is recognised Australia wide.” www.spoilt.com.au

January 2019 57

sponsored content

HOMEDICS H

oMedics was launched in Australia in 2003 and has become a trusted and well-known brand in health and wellbeing. We also own 6 brands within the Australian marketplace, including The House of Marley, SOL REPUBLIC, Ellia, HDMX, Salter Housewares and JAM Audio.

Born by the wellness experts at HoMedics, Ellia is a line full of premium diffusers and 100% pure essential oils.

We invite you to take a moment to breathe. Release all negativity and worry. Reduce your stress. And recharge your body. With our beautiful diffusers and pure essential oils you can create the most peaceful environment possible. So, add a little ambience.

58 giftguideonline.com.au

Experience their effects. And open your sense to all they have to offer.

To experience their effects aromatically, choose one of our diffusers. They are consciously crafted from eco-inspired materials including ceramic, glass, and wood. Whatever your décor may be, there’s a diffuser that can effortlessly complement it. Each and every one is thoughtfully designed to add style to any room, in any home.

Next, find your favourite essential oil. From citrus to mint to floral, choose from our single notes and signature blends. Simply add five to seven drops of essential oil to your diffuser, then fill the room with pure, natural scent.

Some of our essential oils can even be used to freshen your home. Let them cleanse. Let them purify. Let them invigorate. You can fill a spray bottle with water and a few droplets of oil. Then, spritz throughout your space. You can even make your own household cleaners.

Ellia has recently added 4 new diffusers to her range, the Relax, Ascend, Refresh and Gaze, which are all thoughtfully designed to complement your home décor, add style to any room, and inspire a serene environment.

Ellia and Homedics’ products are available in stores such as Harvey Norman, Shavershop, Myer, Go Vita, United chemists, to name a few. And our audio range is available in stores like JB HiFi. We also sell online at www.homedics. com.au, www.ellia.com.au, www.thehouseofmarley.com. au, www.sol-republic.com.au, www.jam-audio.com.au and www.salterhousewares.com.au.

Ellia and her team is also showing at Reed Gift Fair Stand #DD24 at the ICC in Sydney.

al nes CHANGING

With a new structure, floorplan and sections, Maison&Objet September pulled out all the stops to make it the ultimate customer experience.

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wrapup

FACTS & FIGURES • 76,502 unique visitors from 171 countries i.e. -2.2 per cent compared with September 2017, an all-time attendance record including 31,928 non-French visitors i.e. +0.2 per cent compared with September 2017 and 44,574 French visitors i.e. -3.6 per cent compared with September 2017 • 3,112 exhibiting brands in total including 647 new brands.

72 countries represented 1,238 French exhibitors and 1,874 non-French exhibitors. Top 10 most represented countries include France (1,132), Germany (207), Italy (195), Netherlands (167), Belgium (159), UK (148), Spain (121), Denmark (104), Portugal (74), Sweden (51) • Social media: 473K Instagram followers, 27.8K Twitter followers and 490K Facebook followers

T

he September 2018 edition of Maison&Objet was all about change―its layout was completely revamped and new sections were introduced to simplify the structure of the fair and improve visitor experience.

The two new hubs, aptly name Maison and Objet, were divided into four styles for Maison and seven product categories for Objet. Maison was all about furniture and interior design, while Objet focused on accessories and homewares.

Following the success of previous years, the Rising Talents Awards once again showed how important it is to support up and coming designers.

Part of Maison&Objet Paris, the awards provide a platform for young designers to show their work to an international audience and, after the UK and Italy, it was up to Lebanon to present its talents last September.

Design is booming in the country, even though it was only introduced as a discipline recently when designers like Nada Debs, Karen Chekerdjian and Karim Chaya returned to their home country in the late 90s.

Some of the Lebanese young talents chosen to showcase their works included Carlo Massoud, Marc Dibeh, Carla Baz, Anastasia Nysten, Caramel Studio and Paola Sakr.

Bridging the gap between east and west, the choice to honour a country with a booming creative scene shows

Maison&Objet is willing to keep pushing the boundaries of creation.

The fair also introduced four What’s New exhibitions, featuring the show’s best new and innovative products presented in themed displays. ‘Share’ featured new products for the table and kitchen; ‘Leisure’ was all about stationery, gifts, accessories and children’s products; ‘Décor’ focused on artisanal objects, vases, mirrors and other new creations in a wide variety of styles, materials and colours; and, ‘Care’ ranging from cuddly soft toys to must-have jewellery, from candles to ethical bedding.

The trade fair’s theme Virtuous questions the senses, the notion of usefulness with an understated approach.

New-era consumers want to indulge and not feel guilty about it. They want to be swept away on an adventure, understand the process, become a protagonist in the story.

There is certainly room in the interior industry for attractive concepts that are actually ‘virtuous’.

Maison&Objet is popular with Aussie brands including Incy Interiors and Melbourne-based studio, Made by Pen, which made its M&O debut in September 2017.

Founder Susan Chung says she was delighted to be back in Paris to showcase the exceptional work of Australian designers such as Sway by Nick Rennie, a distinctively kinetic floor lamp and Field by Helen

Kontouris―a sculptural tiered ‘Lazy Susan’.

“We previewed some of our 2019 collection which includes more in the lighting arena as well as accessories including wall hooks and planters in line with the interior trend of plant therapy. We will also continue to work with our current designers such as Nick Rennie (SWAY) as well as new partnerships to be announced at a later stage―for now these are under wraps.” www.maison-objet.com

January 2019 61

We were excited to see heaps of different prints, patterns and textiles at Maison&Objet.

Sustainability, ethical and eco-friendly items are really gaining traction in the global market as we noticed at Maison&Objet. However, it will still take some time before everyone is converted!

The September 2018 edition of Maison&Objet was all about contrast We are talking neutral colours versus bright and bold or sustainable items versus big and outrageous.

Maybe it’s in response to the minimalism trend, but the bigger, the bolder, the better was the way to go this year at Maison&Objet.

Animals, animals and more animals. The bigger the better, they are bound to make a statement!

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Tribal and ethnicity were prominent at Maison&Objet.

wrapup

Kids products are becoming more sophisticated and will look great in a kids bedroom as well as the loungeroom. This trend is still going strong.

We love this cool light from Danish brand Piiffany Copenhagen, which should be available in Australia soon.

January 2019  63

Fun, fashionable and classic finds for every style

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1. Aboriginal art silk scarves, wholesale for $54.50. Alperstein Designs, 03 9584 5333, marc@alpersteindesigns.com.au, www.alpersteindesigns. com.au 2. Velvet jewellery boxes, wholesale from $21.10 for small box. Annabel Trends, 07 5593 4755, sales@annabeltrends.com, www.annabeltrends.com, facebook.com/AnnabelTrends, instagram.com/annabeltrends 3. Punch Studio Lilac & Sage eyeglass cases, wholesale for $9.50 each. C.S. Nugent, 03 9583 8891, csnugent@bigpond.com, www.csnugent.com 4. Alice Pleasance range, wholesales from $13.61 to $127.25. Every Other Way, 02 9363 0370, sales@everyotherway.com, wholesale.everyotherway.com/everyotherway.com, facebook.com/everyotherway, instagram.com/every.other.way 5. Orbit keys, wholesale for $18.18. Hbutler, 02 9011 5899, sales@hbutler.co, findorbit.com/orbit_au/, facebook.com/findorbit/, instagram.com/findorbit/ 64  giftguideonline.com.au

accessories & jewellery

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3 6 5 4 1. Nuzzles range, pair wholesales for $6.80. Gibson Importing (Aust), 03 9581 3666, enquiries@gibsongifts.com.au, www.gibsongifts.com.au 2. Beautiful Angel beaded bracelet, wholesales for $15.90. Intrinsic Enterprises, 08 8232 2366, hello@intrinsiconline.com, www.intrinsiconline. com, facebook.com/TheIntrinsicWay, instagram.com/theintrinsicway 3. Bobino bag hook, retails for $22.95. Independence Studios, 1800 819 270, sales@independencestudios.com.au, www.independencestudios.com.au, facebook.com/IndependenceStudiosIS/, instagram.com/ independencestudios/ 4. Glasses case, wholesales for $8.49. Lisa Pollock, 07 5576 2369, office@lisapollock.com.au, www.lisapollock.com.au, facebook.com/LisaPollock–ArtfromtheHeart, instagram.com/lisapollockartist 5. Men’s Accessories Woodland shaving set, wholesales for $227.25.

Royal Selangor, 03 8797 0750, sales.au@royalselangor.com, www.royalselangor.com, facebook.com/RoyalSelangor, instagram.com/royalselangor 6. The Garden Party collection, wholesales from $10.43 to $30.43. Ruby Olive Jewellery, 0435 854 731, hello@rubyolive.com.au. rubyolive.com, facebook.com/rubyoliveonline, instagram.com/rubyoliveonline January 2019 65

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Toys, games, clothing and educational products for babies, children and mums-to-be

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4 1. elou hedgehog, wholesales for $23.80. Artiwood Australia, 02 8294 3030, info@artiwood.com.au, www.artiwood.com.au, facebook.com/ artiwoodaustralia, instagram.com/artiwoodaustralia 2. Eguchi aqua sea gull, wholesales for $120. Axis Toys, 02 9986 3456, paulaopfer@axistoys. com, www.axistoys.com, facebook.com/AxisToys/, instagram.com/axis_toys/ 3. Onkaparinga moss weave Australian cotton baby blanket, prices available on request. William A Mcneil, 03 8390 3333, sales@mcneil.com.au, www.onkaparinga.com.au, facebook.com/onkaparinga/, instagram.com/onkaparinga_home/ 4. Guess How Much I Love You Nutbrown Hare comfort blanket & plush rattle gift set, wholesales for $22.70. Jasnor (Australia), 03 9562 9900, sales@jasnor.com, www.jasnor.com.au, facebook.com/JasnorAUS/, instagram.com/JasnorAUS/ 66  giftguideonline.com.au

baby & child

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1. Indigo Jamm Bernie bus ride-on, wholesales for $75. Artiwood Australia, 02 8294 3030, info@artiwood.com.au, www.artiwood.com.au, facebook.com/artiwoodaustralia, instagram.com/artiwoodaustralia 2. Sassi Junior Houses of the World, wholesale for $22.25. Axis Toys, 02 9986 3456, paulaopfer@axistoys.com, www.axistoys.com, facebook.com/AxisToys/, instagram.com/axis_toys/ 3. Baghera My Great Wagon, wholesales for $87.50. Bright Wonders, 1300 859 566, info@brightwonders.com.au, www.brightwonders.com.au 4. Rubber soled socks, pair wholesales for $5.85. ES Kids, 08 8371 0371, sales@eskids.com.au, www.eskids.com.au 5. The World of Eric Carle The Very Hungry Caterpillar Limited Edition 50th Anniversary plush & print gift set, wholesales for $27.25. Jasnor (Australia), 03 9562 9900, sales@jasnor.com, www.jasnor.com.au, facebook.com/JasnorAUS/, instagram.com/JasnorAUS/ 6. Sequin slap band bangles, wholesales for $4.95. TNW Australia, 02 9559 1300, sales@tnw.com.au, www.tnw.com.au, facebook.com/tnwaustralia, instagram.com/tnw_australia January 2019  67

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1. elou mouse trailer, wholesales for $42.85. Artiwood Australia, 02 8294 3030, info@artiwood.com.au, www.artiwood.com.au, facebook.com/ artiwoodaustralia, instagram.com/artiwoodaustralia 2. Wooden Story stacking toys, wholesale for $38.95. Axis Toys, 02 9986 3456, paulaopfer@ axistoys.com, www.axistoys.com, facebook.com/AxisToys/, instagram.com/axis_toys/ 3. green sprouts Snap & Go easy-wear bib, 3-piece set wholesales for $11.50. For Baby and Up, 02 8011 3873, info@forbabyandup.com.au, www.forbabyandup.com.au, facebook.com/forbabyandup, instagram.com/forbabyandup 4. Elephant comforter toy, wholesales for $9.45. ES Kids, 08 8371 0371, sales@eskids.com.au, www.eskids.com. au 5. Rosemarie rag doll, wholesales for $45. Kate Finn, 02 4869 1201, info@katefinn.com.au, www.katefinn.com.au, facebook.com/katefinn. com.au, Instagram.com/katefinnaustralia 6. Colourful Plush Llama, wholesales for $20.50. TNW Australia, 02 9559 1300, sales@tnw.com.au, www.tnw.com.au, facebook.com/tnwaustralia, instagram.com/tnw_australia 68  giftguideonline.com.au

baby & child

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1. elou 6 bowling skittles, wholesales for $59.50. Artiwood Australia, 02 8294 3030, info@artiwood.com.au, www.artiwood.com.au, facebook. com/artiwoodaustralia, instagram.com/artiwoodaustralia 2. Sophie La Girafe bead maze, wholesales for $25. Bright Wonders, 1300 859 566, info@brightwonders.com.au, www.brightwonders.com.au 3. The Little Wiggles Lullaby Lachy Feature Plush, wholesales for $22.70. Jasnor (Australia), 03 9562 9900, sales@jasnor.com, www.jasnor.com.au, facebook.com/JasnorAUS/, instagram.com/JasnorAUS/ 4. Profile Australia baby pram albums, wholesale from $13.61. Profile Products Australia, 02 9476 4568, sales@profileproducts.com.au, www.profileproducts.com. au, facebook.com/ProfileAustralia, Instagram.com/ProfileAustralia 5. Stretch Sloths in Tree Stump, wholesale for $10.50. TNW Australia, 02 9559 1300, sales@tnw.com.au, www.tnw.com.au, facebook.com/tnwaustralia, instagram.com/tnw_australia 6. Haba Terra Kids maxi hand glider, wholesales for $23.25. Bright Wonders, 1300 859 566, info@brightwonders.com.au, www.brightwonders.com.au January 2019  69

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1. elou snail rocker, wholesales for $200. Artiwood Australia, 02 8294 3030, info@artiwood.com.au, www.artiwood.com.au, facebook.com/ artiwoodaustralia, instagram.com/artiwoodaustralia 2. green sprouts Snap & Go silicone bib, 4-piece set wholesales for $14.50. For Baby and Up, 02 8011 3873, info@forbabyandup.com.au, www.forbabyandup.com.au, facebook.com/forbabyandup, instagram.com/forbabyandup 3. Baghera vintage trike, wholesales for $99.95. Bright Wonders, 1300 859 566, info@brightwonders.com.au, www.brightwonders.com.au 4. Janod Spirit Philip sidecar, wholesales for $29. Bright Wonders, 1300 859 566, info@brightwonders.com.au, www.brightwonders.com.au 5. Dome butterfly musical jewellery box, wholesales for $29.95. TNW Australia, 02 9559 1300, sales@tnw.com.au, www.tnw.com.au, facebook.com/tnwaustralia, instagram.com/tnw_australia 6. Rock-A-Light, wholesales for $14.95. TNW Australia, 02 9559 1300, sales@tnw.com.au, www.tnw.com.au, facebook.com/tnwaustralia, instagram.com/tnw_australia 70  giftguideonline.com.au

baby & child

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1. Baghera jet plane, wholesales for $39.50. Bright Wonders, 1300 859 566, info@brightwonders.com.au, www.brightwonders. com.au 2. Kaloo Filoo Racoon, wholesales for $16.50. Bright Wonders, 1300 859 566, info@brightwonders.com.au, www.brightwonders.com.au 3. Growing Panda, wholesales for $8.95. TNW Australia, 02 9559 1300, sales@tnw.com.au, www.tnw.com.au, facebook.com/tnwaustralia, instagram.com/ tnw_australia 4. Zoolu card game, wholesales for $5 per set.

Zoolu Game, zoolusales@gmail.com, www.zoolugame.com

unit 18, 5 parsons street rozelle nsw 2039 australia phone +61 2 9555 6434 | fax +61 2 9810 3304 email askus@flatout.com.au

www.flatout.com.au January 2019  71

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A selection of products for the bedroom & bathroom

3 4

1. Super soft waffle bath robe, wholesales for $34.30. Annabel Trends, 07 5593 4755, sales@annabeltrends.com, www.annabeltrends.com, facebook.com/AnnabelTrends, instagram.com/annabeltrends 2. Ecology Homewares Florae cosmetic bags, set of 3 wholesales for $6.72.

CWM Homewares, 03 9765 5700, lauraf@cwmhomewares.com.au, ecologyhomewares.com.au, facebook.com/ecologyhomewares, instagram.com/ecologyhomewares 3. is gift Australian Collection botanical shower cap, retails for $12.95. Independence Studios, 1800 819 270, sales@independencestudios.com.au, www.independencestudios.com.au, facebook.com/IndependenceStudiosIS/, instagram.com/ independencestudios/ 4. Michel Design Works Flamingo and Flamingo Palm collection, wholesale from $4 to $50. Villa Mondo, 1300 555 150, sales@villamondo.com, www.villamondo.com, facebook.com/villamondoaustralia, instagram.com/villamondogifts 72  giftguideonline.com.au

bed & bath

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1. Miriam Bereson Koala lip balms, wholesale for $5.89. Alperstein Designs, 03 9584 5333, marc@alpersteindesigns.com.au, www.alpersteindesigns. com.au 2. Glam slipper slides, wholesale for $11.60. Annabel Trends, 07 5593 4755, sales@annabeltrends.com, www.annabeltrends.com, facebook.com/AnnabelTrends, instagram.com/annabeltrends 3. Punch Studio Lilac & Sage pill box, wholesales for $6.25. C.S. Nugent, 03 9583 8891, csnugent@bigpond.com, www.csnugent.com 4. is gift Jade & Rose Quartz facial rollers, retail for $29.95. Independence Studios, 1800 819 270, sales@independencestudios.com.au, www.independencestudios.com.au, facebook.com/IndependenceStudiosIS/, instagram.com/ independencestudios/ 5. The English Soap Company Kew Gardens collections, wholesale from $6.80 to $9.07. Profile Products Australia, 02 9476 4568, sales@profileproducts.com.au, www.profileproducts.com.au, facebook.com/ProfileAustralia, instagram.com/ProfileAustralia 6. Onkaparinga watercolour quilt cover collection, prices available on request. William A Mcneil, 03 8390 3333, sales@mcneil.com.au, www.onkaparinga.com.au, facebook.com/onkaparinga/, instagram.com/onkaparinga_home/ January 2019  73

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Source the perfect gift with our pick of cards, wraps and novelty items

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1. Post Animal standing post card by Good Morning Inc, wholesales for $4.50. Living and Dining, 03 9810 4565, info@livinganddining.com.au, www.livinganddining.com.au 2. Gentle Spirit greeting cards, retail for $7 each. Spirit Publishing, 02 8354 0091, mail@spiritpublishing.biz, www.spiritpublishing.biz , facebook.com/spiritpublishing/, instagram.com/spirit.wisdom/ 3. Fragment wrapping paper (60cmx60m) with blush grosgrain ribbon (25mmx50m), wholesale for $45 and $10.50 respectively. Vandoros Fine Packaging, 02 9966 8868, sales@vandoros.com.au, www.vandoros.com.au, facebook.com/vandorosfinepackaging, instagram.com/vandorosfinepackaging 4. Niaski greeting cards & pins, wholesale for $2.95 and $5.90 respectively. Vevoke, 02 9882 2278, info@vevoke.com, www.vevoke.com, facebook.com/vevoke, instagram.com/vevoke 74  giftguideonline.com.au

cards & wrapping

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1. Spirit Humour greeting cards, retail for $5.99 each. Spirit Publishing, 02 8354 0091, mail@spiritpublishing.biz , www.spiritpublishing.biz, facebook.com/spiritpublishing/, instagram.com/spirit.humour/ 2. Meadow and Papillon wrapping papers, wholesale for $3.25 per roll. Vandoros Fine Packaging, 02 9966 8868, sales@vandoros.com.au, www.vandoros.com.au, facebook.com/vandorosfinepackaging, instagram.com/ vandorosfinepackaging 3. Blank inside greeting cards, wholesale for $2.95 each. Vevoke, 02 9882 2278, info@vevoke.com, www.vevoke.com, facebook.com/vevoke, instagram.com/vevoke 4. Red Cap card and wrapping paper, wholesale for $4 and $2.95 respectively.

Vevoke, 02 9882 2278, info@vevoke.com, www.vevoke.com, facebook.com/vevoke, instagram.com/vevoke January 2019  75

1 2 From pencils, notepads and stationery to phone accessories & gadgets

4 3

1. Australiana fauna playing cards, wholesale for $4.54. Albi, 03 9474 1300, albi@albi.com.au, www.albi.com. au 2. Punch Studio Lilac & Sage boxed foiled journal with pen, prices available on request. C.S. Nugent, 03 9583 8891, csnugent@bigpond.com, www.csnugent.com 3. is gift wireless shower speaker, retails for $22.95. Independence Studios, 1800 819 270, sales@independencestudios.com.au, www.independencestudios.com.au, facebook.com/IndependenceStudiosIS/, instagram.com/independencestudios/ 4. Pusheen–Simple & Sweet Desk Pad: ‘Things To Do (Later)’, wholesales for $4.55. Jasnor (Australia), 03 9562 9900, sales@jasnor.com, www.jasnor.com.au, facebook.com/JasnorAUS/, instagram.com/JasnorAUS/ 76 giftguideonline.com.au

desktop & tech

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1. Mini UltraFlex 2LED book light, wholesales for $8. Arnott’s of Australia, 03 9326 9696, arnotts@arnottsgadgetman.com, www.arnottsgadgetman.com 2. Punch Studio Lilac & Sage boxed pens, wholesale for $9.25 each. C.S. Nugent, 03 9583 8891, csnugent@bigpond.com, www.csnugent.com 3. Alice Pleasance range, wholesales from $13.61 to $127.25. Every Other Way, 02 9363 0370, sales@everyotherway.com, wholesale.everyotherway.com/everyotherway.com, facebook.com/everyotherway, instagram.com/every.other.way 4. Papaya notebook, wholesales for $11.30. Vevoke, 02 9882 2278, info@vevoke.com, www.vevoke.com, facebook.com/vevoke, instagram.com/vevoke 5. Pepin Press letter writing set, wholesales for $22.70. Vevoke, 02 9882 2278, info@vevoke.com, www.vevoke.com, facebook.com/vevoke, instagram.com/vevoke January 2019  77

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Decorative, contemporary and classic homewares for all lifestyle choices

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1. Baileys shopping tote, wholesales for $9.09. Albi, 03 9474 1300, albi@albi.com.au, www.albi.com. au 2. NF Living hand painted canvas wall art, wholesales from $89.95 to $119.95. Nicholas Agency & Co, 02 9579 2200, sales@nf.net.au, www.nf.net.au, facebook.com/pages/category/ Shopping---Retail/NF-Living-223048861162437/, instagram.com/nf_living 3. Velvet cushion collection, wholesales from $12.90 to $18.90.

Rayell, 1300 859 728, sales@rayell.com, www.rayell.com, facebook.com/rayellgifts, instagram.com/rayell__/ 4. Allen Designs designer planter pots & vases, wholesale from $10.95 to $21.95. Rikaro, 03 9587 9554, wsales@rikaro.com.au, www.rikaro.com.au 78  giftguideonline.com.au

home & living

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1. Aboriginal art framed reproduction prints, wholesale for $18.18. Alperstein Designs, 03 9584 5333, marc@alpersteindesigns.com.au, www.alpersteindesigns.com.au 2. Natural timber oil burner, set of four wholesales for $27.60. Asra Aromas, 07 5678 2010, sales@asra.com.au, www.asra.com.au, facebook.com/AsraAroma 3. Five Elements premium incense, wholesales for $6.80. Buckley & Phillips Aromatics, 03 9735 3755, sales@buckleyandphillips.com, www.buckleyandphillips.com, facebook.com/BuckleyAndPhillips, instagram.com/buckleyandphillips 4. Glitter unicorn plaque, wholesales for $6.95. Gibson Importing (Aust), 03 9581 3666, enquiries@gibsongifts.com.au, www.gibsongifts.com.au 5. Ellia Refresh Essential oil diffuser, retails for $99.95. HoMedics Australia, 03 8756 6500, david.hudd@homedics.com.au, www.ellia.com.au, facebook.com/ElliaAustralia, instagram.com/ElliaAustralia 6. DCUK Baby Emperor Penguins, set of 5 wholesales for $113.50. Jasnor (Australia), 03 9562 9900, sales@jasnor.com, www.jasnor.com.au, facebook.com/JasnorAUS/, instagram.com/JasnorAUS/ January 2019  79

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1. Mirrored Inspiration frame, wholesales for $6.95. Gibson Importing (Aust), 03 9581 3666, enquiries@gibsongifts.com.au, www.gibsongifts.com.au 2. is gift The Australian Collection-Botanical foldable shopper, retails for $7.95. Independence Studios, 1800 819 270, sales@independencestudios. com.au, www.independencestudios.com.au, facebook.com/IndependenceStudiosIS/, instagram.com/independencestudios/ 3. NF Living faux florals, wholesales from $2.85 to $8.95. Nicholas Agency & Co, 02 9579 2200, sales@nf.net.au, www.nf.net.au, facebook.com/pages/category/ Shopping---Retail/NF-Living-223048861162437/, instagram.com/nf_living 4. Profile Australia Coastal photo frame, wholesales from $13.61.

Profile Products Australia, 02 9476 4568, sales@profileproducts.com.au, www.profileproducts.com.au, facebook.com/ProfileAustralia, instagram.com/ProfileAustralia 5. Drop Vase collection, retails from for $39.95. Villeroy & Boch, Villeroy & Boch, 1800 252 770, www.villeroy-boch.com 6. Onkaparinga pop pom velvet cushion, prices available on request. William A Mcneil, 03 8390 3333, sales@mcneil.com.au, www.onkaparinga.com.au, facebook.com/onkaparinga/, instagram.com/onkaparinga_home/

80  giftguideonline.com.au

home & living

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1. Morocco Amal Links market shopping baskets, wholesale for $30 each. Content Imports, 0418 143 950, contentimports@hotmail. com, www.contentimports.com.au 2. EcoSAK, wholesales for $2.60 or $78 for box of 30. Envirotrend, 07 3376 4416, sales@envirotrend. com.au, www.envirotrend.com.au, facebook.com/envirotrendau, instagram.com/envirotrend/ 3. NF Living printed & plain velvet cushions, wholesales from $14.95 to $19.95. Nicholas Agency & Co, 02 9579 2200, sales@nf.net.au, www.nf.net.au, facebook.com/ pages/category/Shopping---Retail/NF-Living-223048861162437/, instagram.com/nf_living 4. Marvel Limited Edition Thanos the Conqueror figurine, wholesales for $399.98. Royal Selangor, 03 8797 0750, sales.au@royalselangor.com, www.royalselangor. com, facebook.com/RoyalSelangor, instagram.com/royalselangor January 2019  81

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1. The Trail of Painted Ponies Tempest figurine, wholesales for $61.35. Jasnor (Australia), 03 9562 9900, sales@jasnor.com, www.jasnor.com.au, facebook.com/JasnorAUS/, instagram.com/JasnorAUS/ 2. Ellia Gaze Essential oil diffuser, retails for $129.95. HoMedics Australia, 03 8756 6500, david.hudd@homedics.com.au, www.ellia.com.au, facebook.com/ElliaAustralia, instagram.com/ElliaAustralia 3. Allen Designs foldable bags, wholesale for $5.60 each. Rikaro, 03 9587 9554, wsales@rikaro.com.au, www.rikaro.com.au 4. Star Wars Limited Edition Chewbacca & C3PO figurines, wholesale for $259.07 and $295.43 respectively. Royal Selangor, 03 8797 0750, sales.au@royalselangor.com, www.royalselangor.com, facebook.com/RoyalSelangor, instagram.com/royalselangor 5. Fipsi tin collection, wholesales from $2.45 to $6.70. Tinco, 03 9588 0411, sales@tinco.com.au, www.tinco.com.au 6. IXXI Kkmono with cranes double sided wall art, wholesales for $149.50. Until, 02 9119 8700, hello@until.com.au, www.until.com.au, facebook.com/untilhq/, instagram.com/untilhq 82  giftguideonline.com.au

home & living

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4 1. Mirrored Inspiration heart plaque, wholesales for $2.95. Gibson Importing (Aust), 03 9581 3666, enquiries@gibsongifts.com.au, www.gibsongifts.com.au 2. NF Living jute fringed & basic linen blend cushions, wholesales from $13.95 to $19.95. Nicholas Agency & Co, 02 9579 2200, sales@nf.net.au, www.nf.net. au, facebook.com/pages/category/Shopping---Retail/NFLiving-223048861162437/, instagram.com/nf_living 3. Aztec pots with tray, set of 3 wholesales for $14. Quality Products, 02 9999 0684, info@qualityproducts.com.au, www.qualityproducts. com.au, facebook.com/QualityProductsDirect/, instagram.com/ qualityproductsau/ 4. Wouf cushion cover, wholesales for $45.43.

Until, 02 9119 8700, hello@until.com.au, www.until.com.au, facebook.com/untilhq/, instagram.com/untilhq

2

R&V Living have been manufacturing the timeless Lillia Dining Tables for 15 years customising in Black, Gold, Polished and Matt Stainless Steel.

97 Percival Road, Smithfiled NSW 2164 | Ph: 02 9756 4300 E: info@randvliving.com.au | W: www.randvliving.com.au January 2019  83

1 2 All the latest tools for the kitchen from food preparation to table presentation

3

4 1. Miriam Bereson Koala tea towel, wholesale for $9.99. Alperstein Designs, 03 9584 5333, marc@alpersteindesigns.com.au, www.alpersteindesigns. com.au 2. Ecology Homewares May Gibbs collection, wholesales from $2.56. CWM Homewares, 03 9765 5700, lauraf@cwmhomewares.com. au, ecologyhomewares.com.au, facebook.com/ecologyhomewares, instagram.com/ecologyhomewares 3. Alice Pleasance range, wholesales from $13.61 to $127.25. Every Other Way, 02 9363 0370, sales@everyotherway.com, wholesale.everyotherway.com/everyotherway.com, facebook. com/everyotherway, instagram.com/every.other.way 4. Salt&Pepper Lace collection, wholesales from $14.95 to $39.95. Bambis, 1800 246 987, marketing@saltandpepper.com.au, saltandpepper.com.au, facebook.com/SaltandPepperHome/, instagram.com/saltandpepperhome 84  giftguideonline.com.au

kitchen & dining

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1. Baileys tea towel, wholesales for $5.90. Albi, 03 9474 1300, albi@albi.com.au, www.albi.com. au 2. Aboriginal art melamine tea bag holders, wholesale for $3.60. Alperstein Designs, 03 9584 5333, marc@alpersteindesigns.com.au, www.alpersteindesigns.com.au 3. Ecosoulife coffee cup, wholesales for $6.90. Ecolife International, 03 9544 7066, info@ecosoulife.com, www.ecosoulife.com, facebook.com/EcoSouLifeR/, instagram.com/ eco.soulife 4. Beautiful Angel range, wholesales from $9.08. Intrinsic Enterprises, 08 8232 2366, hello@intrinsiconline.com, www.intrinsiconline.com, facebook.com/TheIntrinsicWay, instagram.com/theintrinsicway 5. Australian Wildflower ceramic coasters, wholesale for $4.95 each. Koh Living, 1800 811 598, info@kohliving.com.au, www.kohliving.com.au, facebook.com/KohLiving/, instagram.com/kohliving/?hl=en 6. Allen Designs insulated double wall & stainless steel water bottles, wholesale for $14.75 each. Rikaro, 03 9587 9554, wsales@rikaro.com.au, www.rikaro.com.au January 2019  85

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1. Baileys collection, wholesales from $9.09 to $27.27. Albi, 03 9474 1300, albi@albi.com.au, www.albi.com. au 2. SAY WHAT? Man Stuff Football Season pint glass & drink cooler, wholesale for $3.60 and $3.15 respectively. Jasnor (Australia), 03 9562 9900, sales@jasnor.com, www.jasnor.com. au, facebook.com/JasnorAUS/, instagram.com/JasnorAUS/ 3. Japanese dinnerware gift sets, wholesale from $13.60 to $36. J Style, 02 4225 8811, info@jstyle.com.au, www.jstyle.com.au, facebook.com/jstyle.com.au/, instagram.com/jstyle_au 4. Disney Christopher Robin & Winnie the Pooh range, wholesales from $18 to $32. J Style, 02 4225 8811, info@jstyle.com.au, www.jstyle.com.au, facebook.com/jstyle.com.au/, instagram.com/ jstyle_au 5. Bar hexagon beverage glass, pair wholesales for $68.16. Royal Selangor, 03 8797 0750, sales.au@royalselangor.com, www.royalselangor.com, facebook.com/RoyalSelangor, instagram.com/royalselangor 6. AUS-ION Satin cookware range, wholesales from $44.95 to $136.35. Solidteknics, 0416 769 876, sales@solidteknics.com, www.solidteknics.com, facebook.com/solidteknics, instagram.com/solidteknics 86  giftguideonline.com.au

kitchen & dining

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1. is gift double walled ceramic eco bottle, retails for $24.95. Independence Studios, 1800 819 270, sales@independencestudios.com.au, www.independencestudios.com.au, facebook.com/IndependenceStudiosIS/, instagram.com/independencestudios/ 2. Bar hexagon decanter, pair wholesales for $113.61. Royal Selangor, 03 8797 0750, sales.au@royalselangor.com, www.royalselangor.com, facebook.com/RoyalSelangor, instagram.com/royalselangor 3. Salt&Pepper Dusk collection, wholesales from $29.95 to $49.95. Bambis, 1800 246 987, marketing@saltandpepper.com.au, saltandpepper.com.au, facebook.com/SaltandPepperHome/, Instagram.com/saltandpepperhome IHAad_AustralianGG_185X135.qxp_Layout 1 11/13/18 3:09 PM Page 1

2019 2 – 5 March Chicago, USA

The International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago is a fantastic opportunity to get a truly holistic grasp of the latest trends and innovations from not only US brands but also global suppliers. We loved the focus on creativity and were particularly impressed with the large number of brilliant startups and emerging brands demonstrating unique products. The IHA team's meticulous attention to detail resonates through every organizational level of the event.

Matt Ryan, Partner Success Manager citiesocial, Taiwan

Show information and free online pre-registration: www.housewares.org For more information, please contact the IHA Australia & New Zealand representative Robert Parker, Tel: +61 419 330447, robert@rpmi.com.au

January 2019  87

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The latest pet and backyard products to enjoy the great outdoors

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1. Square Global & Stainless Eclipse wind spinners, wholesale from $14 to $28. Artwerx Australia, 02 4323 9598, info@artwerxaustralia.com.au, www.artwerxaustralia.com.au, facebook.com/ArtwerxAustralia/, instagram.com/artwerxaust/ 2. Briers Sicilian Lemon cotton gloves, pack of 3 wholesales for $9.50. Products of Excellence, 02 9939 0566, sales@gardenproducts.com.au, www.gardenproducts.com.au 3. Memories wall hanging flower tub, wholesales for $169. Think Outside, 02 8824 4488, sales@thinkoutside.biz, www.thinkoutside.biz, facebook.com/thinkoutsidetos, instagram.com/think.outside/ 4. Easter Metal Buckets, wholesale for $5.50. TNW Australia, 02 9559 1300, sales@tnw.com.au, www.tnw.com.au, facebook.com/tnwaustralia, instagram.com/tnw_australia 88  giftguideonline.com.au

outdoor & pet

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1. Baileys bottle tote, wholesales for $5.90. Albi, 03 9474 1300, albi@albi.com.au, www.albi.com. au 2. Ecology Homewares May Gibbs Blossom garden tools set & gloves, wholesale for $7.18 and $2.01 respectively. CWM Homewares, 03 9765 5700, lauraf@cwmhomewares.com.au, ecologyhomewares.com.au, facebook.com/ecologyhomewares, instagram.com/ecologyhomewares 3. Briers Sicilian Lemon clogs, pair wholesales for $16.50. Products of Excellence, 02 9939 0566, sales@gardenproducts.com.au, www.gardenproducts.com.au 4. Burgon & Ball RHS Gifts for Gardeners series British Bloom kneeler, wholesales for $26. Quality Products, 02 9999 0684, info@qualityproducts.com.au, www.qualityproducts. com.au, facebook.com/QualityProductsDirect/, instagram.com/qualityproductsau/ 5. Upcycled brick five mould planter ladder and Yuki Dog, wholesale from $26 to $29. Think Outside, 02 8824 4488, sales@thinkoutside.biz, www.thinkoutside.biz, facebook.com/thinkoutsidetos, instagram.com/think.outside/ 6. Galaxy Squeeze Ball, wholesales for $3.50. TNW Australia, 02 9559 1300, sales@tnw.com.au, www.tnw.com.au, facebook.com/tnwaustralia, instagram.com/tnw_australia January 2019  89

outdoor & pet

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3 AUSTRALIAN MADE WIND SPINNERS

FLAT PACKED FOR EASY FREIGHT + TRANSPORT W W W. A RT W E R X A U S T R A L I A . C O M . A U 90  giftguideonline.com.au

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1. Rice Husk Little People 3 or 5 piece set, wholesales for $15.50 and 17.50 respectively. Ecolife International, 03 9544 7066, info@ecosoulife.com, www.ecosoulife.com, facebook.com/ EcoSouLifeR/, instagram.com/eco.soulife 2. Briers Sicilian Lemon kneeler pillow & pads, wholesale for $18.50 and $9 respectively.

Products of Excellence, 02 9939 0566, sales@gardenproducts.com. au, www.gardenproducts.com.au 3. Burgon & Ball RHS Gifts for Gardeners series British Bloom watering can, wholesales for $18.

Quality Products, 02 9999 0684, info@qualityproducts.com.au, www.qualityproducts.com.au, facebook.com/QualityProductsDirect/, instagram.com/qualityproductsau/ 4. Rainbow Windmill, wholesales for $5.50. TNW Australia, 02 9559 1300, sales@tnw.com.au, www.tnw.com.au, facebook.com/tnwaustralia, instagram.com/tnw_australia

travel, work & play

1 2 Work, travel and play made easy with these fabulous finds

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3 1. Ecology Homewares Florae travel mug and bottle, wholesale for $2.67 and $4.64 respectively. CWM Homewares, 03 9765 5700, lauraf@cwmhomewares.com.au, ecologyhomewares.com.au, facebook.com/ecologyhomewares, instagram.com/ecologyhomewares 2.

Alice Pleasance range, wholesales from $13.61 to $127.25. Every Other Way, 02 9363 0370, sales@everyotherway.com, wholesale.everyotherway. com/everyotherway.com, facebook.com/everyotherway, instagram.com/every.other.way 3. Car diffusers, pack of 48 wholesales for $265.

Kaili International, 02 9644 8665, info@kailiaustralia.com, www.kailiaustralia.com.au, facebook.com/Kaili.Australia 4. Animikados car fragrance, wholesales for $4.52. Profile Products Australia, 02 9476 4568, sales@profileproducts.com.au, www.profileproducts.com.au, facebook.com/ProfileAustralia, instagram.com/ProfileAustralia January 2019  91

1 2 Lovely gifts for mum’s special day

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1. Best mum roses coaster set, wholesales for $6.85. Annabel Trends, 07 5593 4755, sales@annabeltrends.com, www.annabeltrends.com, facebook.com/AnnabelTrends, instagram.com/annabeltrends 2. Mad Dots mum mug, wholesales for $6.95. Gibson Importing (Aust), 03 9581 3666, enquiries@gibsongifts.com.au, www.gibsongifts.com.au 3. Me to You best mum flower, wholesales for $9.05. Jasnor (Australia), 03 9562 9900, sales@jasnor.com, www.jasnor.com.au, facebook.com/JasnorAUS/, instagram.com/JasnorAUS/ 4. Willow gift bags & wrapping papers, wholesale for $0.45-$1.20 and $45 respectively. Vandoros Fine Packaging, 02 9966 8868, sales@vandoros.com.au, www.vandoros.com.au, facebook.com/vandorosfinepackaging, instagram.com/vandorosfinepackaging 92  giftguideonline.com.au

mothers day

1 6

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5

4 1. Mirrored Inspiration jewellery box, wholesales for $17.95. Gibson Importing (Aust), 03 9581 3666, enquiries@gibsongifts.com.au, www.gibsongifts.com.au 2. SAY WHAT? Girl Gear acrylic desk sign, wholesales for $2.70. Jasnor (Australia), 03 9562 9900, sales@jasnor.com, www.jasnor.com.au, facebook.com/JasnorAUS/, instagram.com/JasnorAUS/ 3. Blush Crush Mother’s Day range, wholesales from $4.33 to $51.74. Kelly Lane, 07 5534 6844, enquiries@kellylaneart.com, www.kellylane.com.au, facebook.com/KellyLaneHomewares, instagram.com/ kellylanehomewares/ 4. Pocket notebook, wholesales for $3.99. Lisa Pollock, 07 5576 2369, office@lisapollock.com.au, www.lisapollock.com.au, facebook.com/LisaPollock–ArtfromtheHeart, instagram.com/lisapollockartist 5. Profile Australia Occasion photo frame, wholesales for $9.07.

Profile Products Australia, 02 9476 4568, sales@profileproducts.com.au, www.profileproducts.com.au, facebook.com/ProfileAustralia, instagram.com/ProfileAustralia 6. Cosmetic bag set, wholesales for $16.34. Splosh, 07 3805 4718, sales@splosh.com.au, www.splosh.com.au, facebook.com/sploshaust, instagram.com/splosh January 2019 93

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1. The Mindful luxury soy candle collection, wholesales for $19.95. Conscious Candle Company, 08 9498 1452, sales@consciouscandleco.com.au, consciouscandleco.com.au 2. Love Minikin lanterns, wholesale for $34.95 each. Koh Living, 1800 811 598, info@kohliving.com.au, www.kohliving.com.au, facebook.com/KohLiving/, instagram.com/kohliving/?hl=en 3. Ecology Homewares Florae cup & saucer, wholesales for $2.93. CWM Homewares, 03 9765 5700, lauraf@cwmhomewares.com.au, ecologyhomewares.com.au, facebook.com/ecologyhomewares, instagram.com/ecologyhomewares 4. Beautiful Angel scarf, wholesales for $22.72. Intrinsic Enterprises, 08 8232 2366, hello@intrinsiconline.com, www.intrinsiconline.com, facebook.com/TheIntrinsicWay, instagram.com/theintrinsicway 5. Ceramic travel mug, wholesales for $9.99. Lisa Pollock, 07 5576 2369, office@lisapollock.com.au, www.lisapollock.com.au, facebook.com/LisaPollock–ArtfromtheHeart, instagram.com/lisapollockartist 6. Hutch Cassidy & Ooh Deer Mother’s Day cards, wholesale for $2.95 each. Vevoke, 02 9882 2278, info@vevoke.com, www.vevoke.com, facebook.com/vevoke, instagram.com/vevoke 94 giftguideonline.com.au

mothers day

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1. SAY WHAT? Off the Clock stemless wine glass, wholesales for $5.90. Jasnor (Australia), 03 9562 9900, sales@jasnor.com, www.jasnor.com.au, facebook.com/JasnorAUS/, instagram.com/JasnorAUS/ 2. The English Soap Company Occasion Italian wrapper soap, wholesales for $5.89.

Profile Products Australia, 02 9476 4568, sales@profileproducts.com.au, www.profileproducts.com.au, facebook.com/ProfileAustralia, instagram.com/ProfileAustralia 3. Mum’s Treat Fund change box, wholesales for $13.07. Splosh, 07 3805 4718, sales@splosh.com.au, www.splosh.com.au, facebook.com/sploshaust, instagram.com/splosh

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS

Confused by the increasing choice of natural & organic baby skincare products?

Don’t be…

AROMABABY® is Australia’s trusted name in natural mother and baby care since 1994. Created by natural skincare specialist Catherine Cervasio, as the first of its kind, combining research with organic and natural ingredients. The result? Absolute peace of mind for store buyers and consumers alike.

• Used in select hospitals • Beautiful gifts available • GWP and incentives • Free bonus with first order • Not sold in grocery/discount stores • Free posters, brochures, testers

SPECIAL OFFER

Wholesale orders over $300 receive complimentary Rattle Teddy Bears (valued at RRP $12.95) Tel: 03 9464 0888 Web: www.aromababy.com Email: info@aromababy.com AromababyOrganicBabySkincare aromababy_official

January 2019 95 Aromababy_HPH_Jan19.indd 1

4/12/2018 10:12 AM

DELAY NO MORE EXHIBITION MERCHANDISING LED LIGHTS * LED Lights for all Fairs will be mandatory from February 2019 * Exhibitors have the choice to purchase their own compliant lights or hire them from the event contractor.

DETAILS: • 30 watt LED’s -2900 looms • 700mm long arm with easy to use clamp • White Light or Warm Yellow Light

PLEASE NOTE: All power needs to be purchased through the event contractor, and all lights must be tested and tagged (which is inclusive with the purchase of power).

INFORMATION: Price – $100 ex GST • No UV emission • No product fading • No heat emission • Power efficient • Plug in 4 metre long cord with transformer • Easy to install-just clamp to the wall and plug into a power point

GET IN EARLY AS SUPPLY COULD BE LIMITED. Contact our office to discuss your requirements (03) 9326 9696 Arnott’s Of Australia Pty Ltd (Not The Biscuit Company)

202 Stanley Street, West Melbourne VIC 3003

arnotts@arnottsgadgetman.com Arnotts_HPH_Jan19.indd 1

96 giftguideonline.com.au

22/11/2018 11:24 AM

Reed Gift Fairs Sydney February 23 - 27 2019 Stand #RR15

Gifts with meaning info@kohliving.com.au www.kohliving.com.au

KOH168 ReedGiftGuideHPH.indd 1

1800 811 598

26/11/18 3:51 pm

Sydney AGHA Gift Fair Stand 2L12 Quality gardening gifts from around the world.

02 9999 0684 www.qualityproducts.com.au

January 2019  97

trade fair diary

Following is a list of forthcoming 2019 trade fairs. Details can change so double check dates and venues before making firm travel plans.

AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND The Retail Quarter Melbourne, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, 2-5 February Life Instyle, Royal Hall of Industries and Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, 21-24 February AGHA Sydney Gift Fair, Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park, 23-26 February Reed Gift Fairs Sydney, ICC Sydney Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour, 23-27 February Autumn Gift & Homeware Fair, ASB Showgrounds, Greenlane, Auckland, New Zealand, 3-5 March Australian Toy Hobby and Licensing Fair, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, 3-6 March Décor + Design Melbourne, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, 18-21 July

ASIA IHGF Delhi Fair Spring, India Expo Centre Expo XXI, Noida, India, 18-22 February Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF), MITEC & PWTC, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 8-11 March Sipremium, COEX Exhibition Centre, Seoul, South Korea, 21-23 March Style April, Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC), Bangkok, Thailand, 17-21 April Giftionery Taipei, Taipei World Trade Centre, Taiwan, 18-21 April Hong Kong Houseware Fair, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong, 20-23 April Manila FAME, World Trade Centre, Manila, Philippines, 25-27 April Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong, 27-30 April GIFTEX, Tokyo Big Sight, Japan, 26-28 June Singapore Gifts & Premiums Fair, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, 10-12 July Interior Lifestyle Tokyo, Tokyo International Exhibition Centre (Tokyo Big Sight), Japan, 17-19 July Gifts World Expo, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, India, 26-28 July

UNITED KINGDOM Top Drawer Spring, Olympia, London, 14-16 January Spring Fair Birmingham, NEC Birmingham, 3-7 February 98 giftguideonline.com.au

Pulse, Olympia, London, 20-23 May

EUROPE Expohogar Primavera, Montjuic Exhibition Centre, Barcelona, Spain, 14-17 January Maison&Objet, Paris Nord Villepinte, France, 18-22 January Oslo Design Fair, Norway Trade Fairs, Lillestrøm, Norway, 23-25 January HOMI Milano, Fiera Milano, Milan, Italy, 25-28 January Paperworld, Frankfurt am Main, Germany, 26-29 January Spielwarenmesse, International Toy Fair, Exhibition Centre, Nuremberg, Germany, 30 January-3 February Formland, MCH Messecenter Herning, Denmark, 31 January-3 February World of Gifts, Kiev International Exhibition Centre, Kiev, Ukraine, 6-9 February Intergift & Giftrends Madrid, Feria de Madrid, Spain, 6-10 February Ambiente, Frankfurt am Main, Germany, 8-12 February Interdecoracao, Porto, Portugal, 13-17 February Mitteldeutsche Handwerksmesse, Exhibition Centre Leipzig, Germany, 23 February-3 March Forma Spring, Helsinki Fair Centre, Finland, 1-3 March Cadeaux Leipzig, Exhibition Centre Leipzig, Germany, 9-11 March Prodite Children’s Fair, Brno Exhibition Centre, Brno, Czech Republic, 14-17 March Papergift, Feira Internacional de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal, 28-31 March Tendence, Frankfurt am Main, Germany, 29 June -1 July Formland, MCH Messecenter Herning, Denmark, 15-18 August

NORTH AMERICA Philadelphia Gift Show, Greater Philadelphia Expo Centre, Philadelphia, 4-7 January Toronto Gift Fair, Toronto International Centre, Toronto, 27-31 January Seattle Gift Show, Washington State Convention Centre, Seattle, 2-5 February NY NOW, Jacob K Javits Centre, New York, 3-6 February Alberta Gift Fair, Edmonton Expo Centre Northlands, Edmonton, Alberta, 24-27 February

International Home & Housewares Show, McCormick Place, Chicago, 2-5 March ASD Market Week, Las Vegas Convention Centre, Las Vegas, 17-20 March

AUSTRALIAN TRADE FAIR ORGANISATIONS Australian Gifts and Homewares Association (AGHA), 1300 441 384, email: contact@agha.com.au Reed Gift Fairs, 02 9422 2500, reedgift@infosalons.com.au Diversified Exhibitions Australia, 03 9261 4500, email: retail@divexhibitions.com.au Life Instyle, 02 9422 2552, info@lifeinstyle.com.au Expertise Events/Fair Events, 02 9452 7575, info@expertiseevents.com.au

advertisers index AGHA 25 Aromababy 95 Arnott’s of Australia

96

Artwerx Australia

90

Australian Toy Association

IBC

Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts

35

Flatout Australia

71

Gatto & Co

55

Gibson Importing Co

Gourmet Fudge Supplies HoMedics Australia Import Ants

OBC, 5, 8, 9, 44, 45 96 58, 59 11

IHA 87 J Style

81

Koh Living

97

Messe Frankfurt

51

Quality Products

97

Reed Gift Fairs

IFC

R&V Living

83

Splosh Australia

Vandoros Fine Packaging

27, 29, 31, 32, 33 37

TRADE ONLY!

3-6 March 2019

Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre

registration is now live!

Come along and join in the fun The Fair is strictly a trade only event.

For more information visit our website.

Proudly sponsored by