Giftguide Autumn 2023

Giftguide is published by

IN THIS ISSUE

4 gift fairs trends and products from Sydney

10 colour trends celebrating the changing seasons

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14 small business Wild Mingo is about colour and sustainability

20 outdoor & pet tips, trends and products

32 wrapup the latest news from Ambiente

40 trends easter is just around the corner

42 Mother’s Day celebrating mums in Australia

54 visual merchandising inspirational window displays

58 retail Spoilt Gift and Homewares

62 ecommerce why authentic storytelling is key

66 interior Q&A with Annie Sloan

72 profile Ian Hardy reflects on his time in the gift industry

76 profile home and away with Codu

80 marketing tips to maximise your ROI

84 products to take your store from summer into autumn

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SHOW TIME

The gift fairs in Sydney were back in full force with buyers eager to source new products and check out the latest trends.

Sustainability was a major theme at the gift fairs, held from 18 to 21 February 2023, as it is moving from ‘just a trend’ to being a part of people’s lifestyle and influencing product purchases.

Australian made and female founded business, Worthy, was launched in 2021 by Angela Michel. Its bottles are made in Melbourne from 100 per cent sugarcane and the brand is the first to pioneer bioplastics in Australia.

“Sugarcane is chemically identical to HDP plastic, so they function just like plastic,” explains Michel.

“They are dishwasher friendly, durable, lightweight, but yet they are completely non-toxic. They are good for us, good for the planet and the process of making them is actually the most sustainable for a drink bottle, because it is zerowaste and carbon negative.

“We use the waste of the sugarcane to power the factory and we use the stem to create the product.”

Being called Worthy, Michel wants to spread the message of self-worth and she runs resilience

workshops, sharing her start-up journey.

“I needed a lot of resilience when starting my business. I’ve got three kids, I have never manufactured before, I’m actually a radiographer. One night after feeding my daughter with a bottle that was just not what I wanted to use, I thought, I’m going to make the most sustainable drink bottle there is and I’m going to do it in Australia.

“I did some research and my sister suggested bamboo. However, when I found out about sugarcane I knew that was what I wanted to use for my bottles.”

Worthy’s bottles retail for $29.95 and come with a 12-month warranty, so if anything happens the company will replace it for free. In fact, customers are asked to send the broken or faulty product back to the company so they can turn them into new sugarcane products.

Exhibiting at Life Instyle last month at the ICC, feedback has been really good, says Michel.

“We’ve had boutiques that like the exclusivity stop by the stand. We had someone from the Barossa Valley and she was excited because no

one else in her area has our bottles and because we are a fresh brand that is doing something new and innovative, people love that.”

Worthy is also open to collaborations and has some in the pipeline already. “Our strong values are ethical, sustainable, excellence and adventure, so whoever we align with needs to have those same values.

“We find so many businesses want to support us, it has been amazing. Ten per cent of every bottle sale goes to Vision Rescue, an organisation my husband I volunteered with for six months in India. We have a real heart for people in need.

Sandra Gale Studio (Life Instyle)

Worthy (Life Instyle)

Intrinsic (Sydney Gift Fair)

Mohu (Life Instyle)

Qalara (Sydney Gift Fair)

“We also work locally in Melbourne with a notfor-profit that runs resilience projects and I do a workshop and presentations for kids that are at risk. It’s a big part of our brand.”

While new to Australia, bioplastics seem to be the trend overseas, especially with toy companies as Artiwood’s managing director, Andrew McGregor, noticed when visiting the Nurnberg toy fair in January.

“If they were a plastic toy company they had a bioplastics range, whether they were a new brand or established,” he says. “Anyone that was

promoting a new range that was plastic, inevitably it was bioplastic.”

For Artiwood, sustainability has always been part of the brand’s DNA. Showcasing exciting new products at the recent Reed Gift Fairs Sydney (ICC), McGregor enjoyed meeting buyers during the five-day trade fair and showing them the new collections.

“We have the new Bobi Craft range on display, which is made in Vietnam. They have a series of regional factories all across Vietnam where they take professional knitters and crocheters to teach

The Holiday Collective (Reed Gift Fairs) Enjoy Living (Reed Gift Fairs) Earth Worthy (Sydney Gift Fair) Indigo Love (Reed Gift Fairs)

Porter Green (Life Instyle) French Bazaar (Reed GIft Fairs)

N F L I V I N G

local people how to make the product, providing regional employment throughout Vietnam.

“About 20 per cent of the workforce are disadvantaged people including a number of blind people, so they are providing an income for people who in most communities are often ostracized.”

The products are 100 per cent cotton yarn and the filling is a certified recycled polyester. The range includes classic bears in a variety of sizes, plus a range of classic plush animals including unicorns, penguins and farm animals.

The other brand Artiwood launched at the gift fair is Ludic, a games brand made in Italy. There are 12 launch titles in the range at the moment which includes a selection of both adult games as well as educational games for younger children.

“Feedback at the fair to both brands has been amazing. Everybody has loved Bobi Craft and people are loving Ludic, as it is a beautifully presented product with good solid packaging, nice and clean, so yes, that has done really well.

“Foot traffic has been steady, both Saturday and

Artiwood (Reed Gift Fairs)

Intrinsic (Sydney Gift Fair)

Artiwood (Reed Gift Fairs)

Alcoholder (Reed Gift Fairs)

Compendium (Sydney Gift Fair)

Dog by Dr Lisa (Reed Gift Fairs)

Sunday, which is encouraging, and about half of the people we talked to were new to Artiwood, so a good mix of regular customers and new contacts.”

At the Sydney Gift Fair (Olympic Park), Intrinsic had a new collection of cards on display which had been a few years in the making after co-owner Adele Basheer experienced writers block at the end of 2019.

Towards the end of last year she started to feel the connection again that she had lost, which also included reconnecting with customers.

“We were so busy with Intrinsic in our warehouse and I just wanted to go down there and reconnect with our customers, so I spent most of my time in November and December working in the warehouse,” Basheer explains.

“That reconnection to the core of what we do, the love that we put into everything that we do, not just being a product, it’s just what I needed. That’s when I started writing again but I needed to have a different tact, so I started looking at

millennials—my children are millennials—and I wanted to tap into this target group as well as my own generation.

“I wanted to write to these different age groups and generations and now we have 27 brand-new cards in our range, which is so exciting as they have been on hiatus for like three years.”

Feedback to the new collection has been fantastic, she adds, and the resurgence on the cards has been amazing.

“We also sold double the amount of diaries this year. We have really promoted this collection and we are building a community of people around it. For example, we have created a private Facebook page which currently has 600 members that are diary fans.

“They talk about how life-changing it has been for them, just by having a diary and being part of a wider community that feels the same way. I want to stress to people more and more that, yes, Intrinsic is a product but it is so much more than that, and I had to reconnect with that as well.” G

IsAlbi (Sydney Gift Fair)

Clare Makes (Reed Gift Fairs) Alfresco Gardenware (Reed Gift Fairs)

LINES BLURRED

Colour to celebrate the changing seasons.

Autumn is here—a time of year when we gravitate indoors as the days get shorter and the evenings turn crisp. As we head into the cooler months, Aussies want their homes to feel cosy and inviting—a space where they can relax, while at the same time providing a frontrow seat to the beauty of the changing seasons outside.

This autumn, forecasters predict the warm neutrals and muted yellow-greens in Connect, one of three palettes identified in the Dulux Colour Forecast 2023, will take centre stage. Together, these colours can create a calm, earthy vibe that’s perfect for laid-back entertaining and family gatherings as the weather cools, whilst blurring the lines between inside and out.

“The Dulux Connect palette is filled with beautiful earth-based neutrals that are so easy to live in and decorate within our homes,” says Andrea Lucena-Orr, Dulux colour and communications manager.

“They speak to our growing passion for craftsmanship, sustainability and living more simply, and create the relaxed and cocooning feeling we crave from our homes in the autumn months. They are also extremely versatile and work with a variety of architectural styles, adding warmth and colour to contemporary interiors or enhancing the character of period homes.”

Texture is key to making any space feel inviting, adds Bree Leech, Dulux colour forecaster and stylist.

“Layer tactile, natural materials including raw timber, rattan, worn leather, heavy linen fabric, shearling and stone—all drawn from the same curated colour palette to create a cohesive look. Handmade ceramics and a mix of botanicals and dried flowers emphasise the earthdrawn theme, whilst an abstract artwork reflects the dynamic colours in the landscape,” she says.

Dulux Autumn Forecast 2023Connect palette. Styling: Bree Leech. Photographer: Lisa Cohen.

Dulux Autumn Forecast 2023Connect palette. Styling: Bree Leech. Photographer: Lisa Cohen.

Dulux Autumn Forecast 2023Connect palette. Styling: Bree Leech. Photographer: Lisa Cohen.

“A generous sized rug will help zone your living area within an open-plan room—as a guide, look for one that fits under the front legs of all the main furniture in the room such as your sofas and armchairs. Sofas, ottomans and armchairs emphasise the casual ‘relax anywhere’ vibe.”

This is the time of year when we want our homes to feel intimate, familiar and inviting, so pull out the paint brush and have fun experimenting with some cosier colours, enthuses Lucena-Orr.

“While saying goodbye to your white walls might feel a little scary at first, remember that paint is the easiest low-commitment update you can make for your home. Once you get started with colour and paint, the connection and emotive qualities gained means you’ll never look back.”

• Up the texture: for a cosy and comfortable feel,

mix soft-touch, tactile fabrics such as linens, velvets, corduroy, shearling and soft leather.

• Take in the view: do you have a beautiful backyard outlook? Make it a highlight by keeping window coverings to a minimum or dispensing with them altogether.

• Wrap the room: for a truly enveloping feeling, run your chosen room colour onto the ceiling as well.

• Go big with rugs: furniture in large, open-plan spaces can sometimes look lost—define clear living and dining zones by adding large floor rugs.

• Try something different: if you want to keep your existing wall colours, try painting small furniture pieces such as side tables, planters or vases and then add in cushions and throws in similar tones. Use the palette as your decorating scheme.

• Highlight special features: use a rich, warm natural grey colour as a backdrop for your favourite artwork or behind shelving.

• Bedroom beauty: neutrals are perfect for creating a serene and nurturing feel in a bedroom.

• Take it outside: earthy, natural colours also work beautifully on a façade, balcony or outdoor entertaining area. Using them inside and out helps visually connect your interior and exterior.

• Test it out: it’s always a good idea to test paint colours in your home before you commit. View them at different times of day and night, under both natural and artificial light. G

Dulux Autumn Forecast 2023 - Connect palette. Styling: Bree Leech. Photographer: Lisa Cohen.

WILD

at heart

We chat to Wild Mingo founder, Candice Lester, about her desire to brighten the fitness world with her products and how important sustainability is to her and the brand.

When Covid hit in 2020

and people were locked inside their homes, many Australians were getting creative, coming up with new ideas and having the time to implement them.

For organisational psychologist, Candice Lester, launching Wild Mingo was all about brightening up your fitness world one paint splatter at a time.

Tired of the same blue yoga mat, Lester wanted to bring fun to her yoga and pilates classes.

“Wild Mingo is all about bringing colour, individuality and joy to your workout whether it is yoga, Pilates or personal training,” she explains.

Lester had been looking at her own yoga and pilates props and realising they didn’t exactly spark joy or entice her to pick them up and head to class, she wanted to find a way to create something that was more functional and didn’t leave a trail of foam everywhere, but that also motivated her to step onto a mat and move.

“The idea bubbled away

from a much bigger landfill challenge and one that I hope I can pioneer in solving in years to come,” she adds.

“But there was a clear gap in the market, an opportunity to create a product to solve a challenge that many others were facing. A workout mat that didn’t slip and slide either as you used it on carpet, was great for floorboards in studios too and something that was easy to clean and didn’t leave a trail of electric blue foam every time you rolled it out. An opportunity to build a brand that was wildly

Wild Mingo founder, Candice Lester

different and good for both you and the planet.

“The push for this came at a time of grief—I had recently lost my mum unexpectedly and I had a lot of boundless energy to navigate—I chose to channel it into creativity and Wild Mingo was born.”

Growing up Lester always had a bit of a business streak and many years ago started a jewellery company with her sister—it was a bit of a passion project and not scalable but something they built a wholesale base on.

“As an organisational

psychologist I spend a lot of time thinking about what motivates people both at work and at home. I had spent a number of years working in the wellbeing space and have personally always had a love for colour, so it seemed like a natural progression to combine these into a new brand and scale that within Australia and globally.

“Our target market is people looking to get motivated to move their bodies. Some of them are hardcore pilates and yoga practitioners and our mats stand up to their quality test, but

others have been thinking about taking a class or are just needing a little motivation to stretch—we are passionate about promoting health, not size, at Wild Mingo.”

After researching the best mats, Lester then teamed with longtime friend Ashleigh Ben Danan, a local Melbourne artist, to bring colour and fun to her pieces.

“The range not only looks good but is functional. I wanted a way to create joy for people and to showcase incredible art and artists, so the chance to work with Ashleigh was too good to pass up.

Resistance bands

Washable workout mats and art yoga blocks Washable workout mat and art yoga block

Washable workout mat

Washable workout mat

“I have another collaboration coming up in mid-2023. We are in sample testing at the moment but it’s with the most incredibly talented first nations artist and I am keen to provide more opportunities for artists who use canvas based work to be spotlighted and profiled as Wild Mingo continues to grow.”

Lester is all about colour and fun, from her hot pink reading glasses to her regular rainbow nails, so the brand name had to be something that captured all of its personality.

“Flamingos are known for their beauty, balance, potential and romance—four things we are passionate about bringing into our Wild Mingo products. Beauty is all about incredible designs by talented artists; potential stands for opportunity for each of our community to brighten their workout and get ‘wild’, while balance shows beautiful props built with care and all the good stuff (no icky materials). Romance is about the design so that you fall in love with them just as much as we have.

“We are super passionate about creating a community and a space for people to unlock their wild side, spark joy and add a bit of colour to their everyday. Our range of washable workout mats, art yoga blocks and resistance bands are eco-friendly and bright and a whole lot different to those grey, brown or blue pilates mats you’ve used over the years. It’s our purpose to

brighten the fitness industry one paint splatter at a time,” she enthuses.

Wild Mingo products have to be long lasting and at the right quality, not just beautiful looking—Lester spends time pre-production trialling the range with instructors, physiotherapists and personal trainers to make sure the products are fit for purpose.

“We use recycled materials in everything we make and are keen to see this increase over time. I am also passionate about pushing boundaries—our mats are machine washable so they can be cleaned, keeping them better for you.

“I also really wanted a way in this business to spotlight incredible female talent wherever I was able to. A dear friend of mine is an incredibly talent artist. I have several of her pieces and their colour and design is wonderful at starting conversation and eliciting

Resistance bands

Washable workout mats

Washable workout mats

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emotion—two things I am passionate about for our Wild Mingo community. As we grow we plan to continue to feature talented artists wherever we can—they are so significantly under-represented so any opportunity Wild Mingo can provide to showcase them is important.”

All Wild Mingo mats and products are carefully sourced using recycled materials. “We are passionate about creating products that are good for you and good for the planet.

“Sustainability is key to us as a brand as it’s where our bigger ambition lies—we want to solve some of our biggest landfill problems, not just in Australia but globally, and we think a way to do that is to keep adding recycled materials into our products and to invest in research to look at ways to break down stockpiled material and repurpose it.”

Since launching, Wild Mingo has attracted a big Australian and New Zealand following and has been sold in gifting and lifestyle retailers, health and wellness spaces and online through a growing base of stockists, and more products and artist collaborations are in the pipeline.

“Wild Mingo has literally gone wild,” she enthuses.

“I always knew that people were looking for

more colour in their daily workouts and the reaction to the Wild Mingo range has been amazing. We have just launched new resistance bands and yoga blocks in the same wild colour palette and can’t wait to see more people enjoying these additions.

“Our products are unique but also thoughtful— we have designed them to solve the gap in the market around props, to add individuality and colour into something that people use weekly and, in some cases, daily.

“Our customers and stockists tell us that they love the quality, the designs make them smile and we have been so fortunate to see our retail and wholesale customers return time and time again to add to their collection or purchase gifts for friends and family.”

While in the future Wild Mingo might move into other product categories, for now she will be focusing on brightening the fitness world and with the importance of getting moving for all of us after the last few years, the range will continue to expand.

“In time we have a number of other product categories in the works, but you’ll have to stay tuned and connected to our journey.” G

Washable workout mats

Washable workout mats

THE OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE

From outdoor rugs to interesting seating, playful and eye-catching outdoor furnishings featuring natural curves and soft waves as well as firepits and rugs bring a warmth and vibrance to any outdoor space.

ver the past few years, the outdoor room has become one of the most valued rooms in the house as Australians rekindle their love affair with the outdoors for improved wealth, health, wellbeing and peace of mind.

The onset of the cold winter months doesn’t mean we need to retreat indoors and abandon our outdoor lifestyle. Making small changes to your outdoor space will encourage quality time outside even during winter and add value to your home by creating a year-round usable backyard.

“The beauty of the outdoor family room is that it can be anything you want it to be; you are only limited by your imagination,” says Andrew Di Bartolo, outdoor heating product manager at Aurus.

“Whatever size outdoor space you have, there are countless ways to create an exceptional room to entertain, relax and spend time with family.”

Indeed, Australians love the outdoors, our

climate and lifestyle is orientated around backyards and outdoor dining. Covid has made us more appreciative of having our own little sanctuary, an outdoor space that is both calming and cosy.

Aussies are investing in their back decks and porches to bring in comfort from outdoor rugs, floor cushions, throws, stylish lanterns, candle holders and wall hanging pieces. These little touches really lift the space, creating an extension of the style they’ve created inside their home.

“Trending in the last couple years has been outdoor fireplaces, fire pits and pizza ovens,” says Alex Tanya Weller, Miss Amara creative director and co-founder.

“These all indicate an intent to spend more time outside at night and a range of products are needed to make that time comfortable. From picnic rugs, blankets, comfortable outdoor chairs and stylish outdoor tableware including pretty plastic wine glasses, we’ve moved past just throwing snags on the barbie and are building beautiful alfresco dining experiences.”

Make your entertaining spaces intimate

As more homeowners choose to entertain outdoors, landscapes have become extensions of interior spaces, complete with furniture and appliances. Features such as awnings, pergolas and gazebos help to frame spaces making them

Aurus low smoke fire pit

feel more like interior rooms, as well as providing shelter from the elements, adding to the livability of the space.

There are a few ways homeowners can achieve this such as installing permanent structures like glass walls, cement blocks or PVC weather screens, or more budget-friendly and versatile options such as adding outdoor blinds or retractable screens.

“While these elements add depth and dimension to the yard, people shouldn’t forget to check with the council before building structures in the yard,” says Di Bartolo.

An existing patio can be made more intimate by adding timber privacy walls, tall hedging or screening panels, which double up as decorative features for climbing plants.

According to Weller, when it comes to elevating the exterior space and turning it into your own private retreat, outdoor rugs are the answer whether you’re looking for colour, character, protection or personalisation.

“Make your outdoor space an extension of your home by adding soft (waterproof) furnishings to bring the space together,” she explains.

“A rug is a great way to add zones to the space, like a dining zone or a relaxing lounging area, and is also a great way to make your outdoor oasis feel more homey.

Mika rug (Miss Amara)

Miss Amara Kali outdoor rug

Miss Amara Allegra rug

“To bring more ambience to a space, add in some lighting to the area whether soft yellow down lights, sconces or solar powered fairy lights. These all set the mood and allow you to enjoy the space long after the sun is set.”

Incorporate a fire pit

Embracing autumn and winter is all about creating warmth and there is no better way to do this than by investing in a fire pit. One of the best things about choosing a freestanding fire pit option is that it’s an easy addition to any space and can make a huge

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The ambience a fire pit brings is worth the investment alone, providing a feature for the garden or patio and a natural gathering spot for socialising and entertaining. It’s a great focal point and people are naturally drawn to the campfirelike atmosphere.

feel, twinkling fairy lights for a romantic touch throughout the backyard, create illumination to walkways using mounted wall lights and subtle bollards or simply include outdoor candles for a cosy ambience.

Personalise your outdoors

“We’re going to continue to see outdoor spaces transformed into full-service kitchens with pizza ovens and grills, and specialty outdoor furniture making them super comfortable. An extension of this are themed spaces such as yoga gardens or outdoor workspaces, which will further personalise outdoor spaces to suit homeowners’ interests,” says Di Bartolo.

Choosing the right furniture is imperative to maximising the time spent in the outdoor room.

Start by considering your lifestyle and how you anticipate the room will be used.

Light it up

Brighten up an outdoor space and add a touch of interest by including lighting fixtures. Experiment with lights in different and multiple spaces for the ultimate sensory experience. Try adding a statement pendant to the patio area for a luxe

“Choose pieces that encourage togetherness,” he advises customers. “Items that are multifunctional, flexible and can be easily moved around to create an alternative setting are popular with families. An outdoor family room with seating facing each other will create an environment where conversation and interactivity will thrive.”

Smaller items such as warm blankets and comfortable pillows in a combination of textures and styles add further cosiness and interest. These extra

Miss Amara Allegra rug

touches of comfort can be easily washed and stored away when no longer in use in the warmer months.

From neutral beauty and plays on texture to eyepopping colour and prints, the transitional appeal of a rug is that it epitomises the idea of creating an extra ‘room’ in your exterior space, adds Weller.

“Just as a fresh coat of paint can really brighten a room, a decorative rug can help elevate your outdoor space and make it much more inviting for both you and your guests. When it comes to choosing a rug, the first thing to consider is that it

will actually be able to withstand harsh conditions, so therefore you should lean toward rugs that are designed specifically for outdoor use.

“In addition to offering a homey touch of style, they can also help to muffle sounds, warm floors and protect floor surfaces from heavy traffic and furniture scuff marks. While typically outdoor rugs are used for covered entertaining areas like a patio, veranda or deck, they also make for great large outdoor rugs at picnics and at the beach where the whole family can congregate.” G

Aurus 600 low smoke fire pit

for the love ofPETS

Australians

While the pet boom during Covid has levelled out to a new normal, pet ownership in Australia remains strong with 69 per cent of households across metropolitan, regional and remote Australia now home to one or more pets.

Animal Medicines Australia (AMA)’s latest Pets in Australia study found an estimated 28.7 million pets are now calling home to around 6.9 million households across Australia and many of these people are first time pet owners, having brought their pet into their home during the pandemic.

Dogs and cats were the most popular with almost half of all households having at least one dog and a third of all households housing at least one cat.

“The research identified four distinct

segments of pet owners, says AMA CEO, Ben Stapley.

“The largest cohort (30 per cent) are driven by affordability and convenience, meaning they are less likely to spend money on non-essential items. Others (25 per cent) —many of whom are retirees and empty nesters—are looking for simplicity and reliability to maintain a happy and well cared animal companion.

“For 27 per cent of pet

are estimated to be spending over $33 billion annually to keep their pets fed, healthy and well-accessorised.

owners—who are typically middle to higher income families— ‘care and quality’ is a key driver in their approach to pet care. They are willing and able to spend money across all pet products and services including preventative care.

“Interestingly the least experienced cohort—but arguably the ones more likely to have more pets— are driven to care and share experiences with their pets, even if it means stretching the budget.”

Despite the growth in ownership, housing constraints and costs are key barriers holding back would-be owners and current owners hoping to grow their ‘pack’. Current non-owners— particularly renters and apartment dwellers—are especially likely to point to unsuitable homes or issues with

landlords, body corporates and strata laws as a reason not to bring a pet into their lives.

“In some circumstances, these challenges can lead to difficult decisions to find alternate care arrangements for a beloved pet.”

While a family member or friend remains the most popular choice for rehoming a pet if they can no longer care for it, more people are now likely to take their pet to a shelter (20 per cent, up from 15 per cent in 2019).

SEC Newgate’s Mood of the Nation August 2022 indicates that as Australia emerged from its pandemic-driven pet acquisition boom, there was also a surge in pet surrendering occurring in parallel—in part driven by difficult circumstances and amongst pet owners with greater financial and social vulnerabilities.

“This data paints a portrait of some people who are stretched thin and stressed out, dealing with increased living costs and having to give up their pets. It suggests a need for supporting services to help keep pet owners with their animals through difficult times, particularly given the findings regarding the mental health benefits of companion animals,” Stapley adds. G

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GOOD VIBES ONLY

It seems that the gamble of combining three fairs into one has paid off for Messe Frankfurt, with 154,000 buyers from all over the world attending the consumer goods fairs from 3 to 7 February in Frankfurt.

Ambiente, Christmasworld and Creativeworld joined forces for the first time where more than 4,500 exhibitors displayed their latest products and ranges.

“With an overwhelming participation and tremendous internationality, we have made an incredible comeback for the global consumer goods world after two years of pandemic,” says Detlef Braun, member

of the executive board.

“Frankfurt has strengthened its leading position and is the comprehensive inspiration, ordering and networking event. Our new concept one-stopshop is working.”

Ambiente drew over 109,400 visitors, who checked out new products and trends during the five days of the fair.

“The response to Ambiente was simply overwhelming,” says Thomas Kastl, director Ambiente Dining.

“Personal exchange is more important than ever at the moment—we have experienced this again in many conversations over the last few days. We

sensed an extraordinary euphoria among the exhibitors and visitors who attended Ambiente 2023.”

Indeed, the aisles and halls were busy from start to finish and buyers were eager to get their hands on their next best-sellers. With the four product sections Dining, Living, Giving and new area Working, Ambiente offered a diverse product mix.

“Due to the four Ambiente sections and the fact that they were held in parallel with Christmasworld and Creativeworld, visitors were able to find out about new and exciting additional product ranges and benefit from

Large crowds of visitors, an overwhelmingly positive mood and a unique mix of ideas and products made for a successful edition of Ambiente.

valuable synergies,” says

Yvonne Engelmann, director Ambiente Living, Giving and Working.

“We are particularly pleased about the newly acquired premium suppliers for office design & solutions and the extremely positive response to our new Working section. The relevance of the living world of working was also reflected by the new Ambiente highlight Future of Work with its conceptual solutions.”

Ethical Style by Ambiente featured a curated selection of ecologically produced and socially responsible products. In 2023, a total of 247 exhibitors received the Ethical Style by Ambiente award from an independent jury of experts.

In addition, there were two Ethical Style Spots for the first time, which focused more strongly on the theme of sustainability and featured sustainable exhibitor products from small companies as well

as top brands in the sector such as Spanish brand, Lekue, which introduced its latest Go To Organic collection.

The new range is the perfect choice for taking out your homemade food preparations. It is made with organic materials and a lower percentage of plastic. The main material is a combination of wood fibre and polypropylene— one of the most widely-used plastics, which is 100 per cent

Ambiente 2023

Martinspa

Rosenthal

Lekue To Go Organic collection

Koziol’s new coffee mug

recyclable and perfect for contact with food.

Its Veggie Lovers collection lets consumers prepare pulse-based healthy snacks at home in the microwave, while Save & Store Essential includes adaptable and ingenious food storage containers for dried goods to maximise and save space.

Being sustainable is also very important to Finnish brand, Happy Sinks.

“Happy Sinks is fighting for happiness and sustainability in homecare by creating sustainable, surprising and super-useful products for cleaning, organising and for minimising bacterial contamination in the kitchen,” CEO and cofounder, Juhani Sirén, enthuses.

“Every product relates to the kitchen or part of the kitchen, that’s where our strength lies, as well as in waste management. Sustainability is very important to us as a brand and we want to help people to be sustainable as well while solving a problem at the same time.”

The innovative brand launched the KONNA fly trap at Ambiente, which is made of high-quality Finnish wood composite by UPM Biocomposites. The raw materials are from renewable sources and Finnish wood industry leftovers, so no additional wood harvesting is needed.

It was created after Sirén became frustrated with the amount of fruit flies always hanging around his food.

Kartos Koziol

Originalhome

Microplane Black Sheep series

“We all know fruits and veggies are good for you, but no one likes a certain group of unexpected houseguests—fruit flies. KONNA is designed to attract and catch fruit flies in an aesthetically pleasing and eco-friendly way.

“KONNA is a small thing that can make a big difference,” he adds.

The cute frog-like design comes in three colours including natural white, lake blue and garden rose.

Happy Sinks also launched a wine glass rack at the fair, designed to fit into the dishwasher. It comes flat packed so it can be put away for easy

Workout Mats, Yoga Blocks and Resistance Bands

storage at any time. Feedback on both new products was very positive at the fair.

“The fair has been really busy and we had a lot of interest. People are just excited to be here after three years and it feels like we are back to the Ambiente as it used to be.

“We picked up new customers from Canada, Italy, France, Germany and even the US. In our first year we were mainly focused on the Nordics—Finland, Sweden and Norway—but now it’s time to expand a bit.”

Belgian based BergHOFF creates durable and sustainable collections for the kitchen including pots and pans, knives, cutlery and accessories.

The company believes in functional product design following the three Rs—reuse, reduce and recycle.

“Searching for the perfect combination between sustainability, aesthetics and functionality is the main goal of today’s designers,” says Pieter Roex, product designer at BergHOFF Worldwide.

At Ambiente, the sustainable kitchen brand introduced three new collections, Leo Balance, Leo Graphite and Leo Phantom.

Leo Balance Cookware is made of 100 per cent recycled aluminium combined with a sustainable and healthy ceramic non-stick coating. Available in moon mist

grey and desert sage green, this collection sets an example for sustainable use of resources, says Roex.

“The collection is the perfect mix between performance, health and sustainability.”

The Leo Graphite range is a versatile collection of pots and pans, also made of 100 per cent recycled aluminium and a ceramic non-stick coating as well as recycled stainless steel.

“The Graphite cookware collection has all you need for a great cooking performance.

“It’s the most versatile cookware range to cover any job in the kitchen combined with healthy and sustainable cooking.”

The Leo Phantom range of recycled cast aluminium pots and pans is designed for energy-efficient cooking due to the optimal conductive properties of aluminium and the full disk bottom that heats fast and evenly without hot spots.

All pots and pans, including the lids, are suitable for use in the oven up to 200 degrees celsius thanks to the detachable handles of the pans and the removable sleeves of the pots.

“With a single-handed move you snap off the handle to use your pan in the oven or wash up after cooking, it’s that easy.

Happy Sinks wine glass rack

Happy Sinks KONNA fly trap

“You can cook on the hob, pop it in the oven or serve directly on the table, the choice is yours.”

Koziol’s new coffee mugs took ‘banter’ to a whole new level at Ambiente. The ISO TO GO Epic Shit and F*ck thermal mugs will surely get tongues wagging in today’s world.

The double-walled coffee mugs keep the coffee at the right temperature for hours so you can take it into the office or on your commute to work. Thanks to flexible fins, the lid sits like a glove on the cup and allows for comfortable drinking. Zero waste starts right here, because ISO TO GO is

robust and easy to care for and can be refilled many times.

Eating-on-the-go has become an integral part of our modern life, but when it comes to containers, sustainable concepts are the way forward.

The MOVE series features a collection of sustainable concepts for eating-on-the-go. The products are made of Koziol organic bio-circular material (ISCC Plus), which can easily be 100 per cent recycled. They are food-safe, BPA-free, dishwasher-safe up to 100°C and are 100 per cent climate-neutrally produced in Germany.

Products include MOVE Pizza, MOVE Bowl, MOVE Lid, MOVE Menu, MOVE Cup, MOVE Food and MOVE Tray.

Zyliss has gone back to its Swiss roots, especially with its packaging, but with a very strong environmental message attached to it as showcased at Ambiente.

“For example, the brand has gone back to kitchen tools with a whole new range and the handles are now made of recycled wood fibres,” says Michael Anstee, marketing manager at DKSH, which distributes the brand in Australia.

“So it’s a departure from their traditional products, because of the environmental concerns—new materials, new look.”

A lot of companies are playing it safe these days and instead are opting for subtle changes such as different colours or packaging, but Microplane’s truffle slicer is another product to look out for, says Anstee.

“Truffles have become very mainstream, we are growing them now in Australia. They are more

accessible and people love them.”

The truffle tool is part of the Master series and comes with two different blade options for grating and slicing. With the straight, razor-sharp blade, the truffle can be easily and quickly sliced to the desired thickness.

If you prefer to finely grate the truffle instead, simply turn the tool around. With the photoetched stainless-steel blade, the truffle can be precisely cut without much effort and without ripping or tearing.

“If you are a foodie, this is the perfect gift,” says Anstee. “It’s got the design, the packaging and it’s something that’s just a little out there in terms of being special.”

The new Microplane Black Sheep grater series was also on display at Ambiente and comes in a completely black look—it is, so to speak, the ‘black sheep’ among the graters, but in a positive sense.

“The design inspires with its unique and extravagant appearance and the combination of

soft curves and sturdy, solid stainless-steel frame. In its functionality, look and feel, the Black Sheep— in all-black stainless steel—is a design object and a real eye-catcher in any kitchen.”

The series offers five blade options including Zester, Fine, Coarse, Ribbon and Extra Coarse.

Full Circle has always been known for cleaning products with a strong environmental focus, however, at Ambiente the brand was showcasing its new kitchen gadgets range.

“The idea behind Full Circle has always been items that you use every day made with 75 per cent less plastic, so huge benefits to the planet. A lot of Full Circle’s customers asked for a kitchen range but with the same sustainable qualities and so the demand was there to expand into a new category.”

The sustainable line of stainless steel gadgets is made with uniquely engineered handles, utilising a bonded kraft paper that has the best qualities of wood while being naturally antibacterial, dishwasher safe and comfortable to grip.

“They didn’t use bamboo, which they normally would, because it is not dishwasher safe. For example, the garlic press, it’s easy to clean and sustainable. It comes with a removable handle and you can put both parts in the dishwasher. People love it and feedback has been very positive.”

The collection also includes an ice cream scoop, zester, coarse grater, straight peeler and a can opener.

The next Ambiente is held from 26 to 30 January 2024, again in conjunction with Christmasworld and Creativeworld. G

Cooee Design

Lekue veggie range

MOVE Menu

Easter is just around the corner, so here are some trends to look out for ranging from classic bunny motifs to decorative pastel colours when filling your store shelves with products for this festive holiday.

INTO EASTERHOP

Easter side table decoration with pastel candles by Lights4fun

Easter décor set by Truffle Tablescapes

Ginger Ray peeking bunny Easter napkins

Bears & Bunnies Rosie & Penelope the bunny rabbits from Evie and Skye

Chinoiserie bunny figures (set of 2) by Pretty Homestyle

Four rabbits and Easter bonnet special occasions cushion by We Love Cushions

Society of Wanderers pineapple thrills bunting from Antipodream

Spring pink & white flower wreath from Home Luxe Co

Jasnor (Australia) GUND animated flora bunny, wholesales for $45.45.

Classic hellebore linen napkin from Rebecca Udall

Jasnor (Australia) Beatrix Potter Peter Rabbit with chicks soft toy, wholesale for $29.50.

A5 rabbit notebook by Samantha Hall Designs

Peter Rabbit luxury Easter crackers from Annabel James

Nordic Rooms limited release Easter collection, retails from $9 to $27.

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

As we are approaching Mother’s Day we want to celebrate women who run a successful business and are raising a family at the same time.

Mana Simpson, Foxy Beginnings

When did you launch Foxy Beginnings and what inspired the launch?

Foxy Beginnings launched in 2019. When I had my daughter Freyja in 2018, I couldn’t find any toys that were sustainable, beautiful and contributed to a meaningful cause amongst the abundance of plastic on offer. Gender equality— especially in developing countries like Iran where I was born—was also always something that I wanted to play a part in improving.

These two desires are how the concept of Foxy Beginnings came to life. A business where dolls are made by women artisans from their homes in the developing world, providing them with sustained employment and financial independence.

How do you go from being an aerospace engineer to developing toys?

I think I owe that to Freyja, my daughter. It was through searching for gifts and toys that were socially, environmentally and ethically responsible that my attention was brought to the shortage in

the market and I became inspired to create a brand where they could become accessible to everyone.

Why is sustainability important to you?

Whatever we do, we do to ensure that the next generations—our children and grandchildren— will have a healthy planet to live on. Our global population is growing quite rapidly and if we do not focus on reserving and maintaining our natural resources, there will come a day where we can no longer support the population on earth (and, let’s face it, we have not yet achieved technological advances to allow us to live on any other planet).

Sustainability not only improves the quality of our lives now, it also protects our ecosystem and preserves natural resources for future generations.

How do you balance work and family?

If I am completely honest with you, I don’t believe

Mana Simpson

I have managed to balance work and family and I strongly believe that trying to reach a completely balanced life is unrealistic. I take things as they come.

There are times that I need to spend more time on work, so I have to sacrifice the hours I would have had with my family and there are times that go the other way around. I have also learned the importance of delegating to my trusted team, where I can.

Truth is, I have given up trying to be perfect. I just do my best and that should be enough, because—like any other person—I only have 24 hours in my day. I work full-time, I run a business, I am a mum and a wife and always strive to do each to the best of my ability (whatever that may be, in the moment).

Why do you think so many mums are starting a business?

I believe it is because the corporate world has not yet reached the point that can accommodate mothers in the workplace flawlessly. There is so much that is expected of us at work. We need to be 100 per cent present, 100 per cent focused and if you work in a majority male dominated industry like I do, you better not make any mistakes for the entirety of your career, because, trust me, the corporate world will not let you forget about it.

As women and mothers, we are acutely aware that we are judged more harshly at work against our male colleagues and that we are overlooked more.

Trying to juggle all these, when you also have children at home who need 100 per cent (and more) of your focus and attention is hard and eventually something needs to give.

I personally applaud any woman who has taken their faith in their own hand and started their own business. Ladies, teach your daughters to do the same because we need more women-owned businesses, where mums can work around their children and family life.

Mana Simpson and family

What would be your top tips for other mums who are looking to start a business?

The first tip would be: just start something. It is frightening to start a business but you do not need to know everything, you just need to know how to take that first step and then learn the next steps as you progress. Your business plan and marketing plan do not need to be completely flawless. Just put your thoughts down and then refine them as your experience grows. There are also some amazing free resources available that you can access, as you learn your way into the business.

Secondly, delegate as much as you can. Be the project manager of your business, not the worker. Hire people with the skill set you need in your

team and then trust them to do the job. There is no one person in the world that is proficient in every skill set.

Thirdly, surround yourself with those who believe in your vision and mission, because sometimes you will fall, you will lose or you will feel overrun. So, in those moments when you start doubting yourself, doubting your mission and doubting your capabilities, you need those people in your corner to remind you why you are doing what you are doing. They will help you to remember why you need to get up, dust yourself off and get back on it; hopefully this time harder, smarter and with much more experience.

Failure is completely unavoidable when you start your business, so it’s important to accept it as part of the journey to success. Then you will be able to learn from it and come back as a smarter and more experienced businesswoman.

Tell us more about your latest collection?

The latest collection that is in development at the moment is a philanthropic effort with City Church of Indonesia to train and up-skill ‘at risk’ women— mostly women who are survivors of human trafficking—to handcraft our new design.

This project has been a long time coming and I cannot express how excited we are to welcome these beautiful, brave and courageous ladies into our Foxy fam.

Mana Simpson with daughter Freyja

Gabrielle Palma, Snug as a Bub + Co

When did you launch Snug as a Bub + Co and what inspired the launch?

Snug has been in the pipeline whilst pregnant with my fourth baby and we launched a small wholesale collection late 2022.

As a mum of four, I have come to use so many baby products over the years and a muslin swaddle has been a consistent go-to for all my babies.

As a mum, I am surrounded by a saturated market of ‘beige’ baby products. I wanted to create a range that was truly unique and beautiful,

reliancetrading.com.au

(03) 9372 3555

Snug as a Bug cot quilt caption

something that will become an heirloom piece, that you can look back in photos and recognise. Motherhood is already beautiful but our range makes it just that little more beautiful.

Why are you launching your website to the public?

Launching directly to our customers is our main priority. Being able to communicate to the person actually using our products is hugely beneficial and having the opportunity to hear feedback on our products will enable us to improve and grow over time.

We want to be part of their

journey, share the first birth photo, come home from the hospital, first sleep through the night, snuggly cuddles on the lounge—the ups, downs and inbetweens, we want to be there to support you through this beautiful chaos.

Tell us more about the new collection?

Our collection consists of 100 per cent organic muslin swaddles, bassinet sheets, cot sheets, cot quilts and lounge covers. Our swaddles are multipurpose and can double as a nursing cover, light blanket for a toddler and cover for the pram. Our cot sheets and quilts will

take you right through to toddler years. They’re great as a cosy blanket and easy to cart around, whether you use it as a blanket for day care or a little picnic rug.

I have collaborated with a variety of talented illustrators to bring you the most unique, beautiful designs appropriate for all tastes and genders.

Why is sustainability important to your brand?

We really love our beautiful planet and care deeply about what happens to it. All Snug as a Bub + Co products are made from GOTS certified organic cotton.

Keeping your bub snug in our products knowing that we have removed harmful chemicals, irritants and pollutants from our cotton supply chain is a priority to us. Our goods are packaged in reusable cotton bags. All our packaging bands, look books, product inserts and marketing collateral are printed on 100 per cent recycled paper, and we

Snug as a Bug cot sheet

have made significant reductions in the amount of printed marketing material we produce.

Our postage bags that carry our product are biodegradable cornstarch bags.

Snug as a Bub + Co is an extension of ourselves and our family and it’s important to us that we remain true to our values, so always try to take care of our beautiful planet, she’s worth it.

How do you balance work and family with small kids at home?

I’m not going to lie, it’s is very, very hard.

Two out of my four babies are at school now,

Spoil Mum this Mothers Day

Snug as a Bug cot quilt

my eldest, my daughter is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and attends a special school, which makes life that little more challenging.

I have always wanted to be home with my kids and really embrace the journey of motherhood, but most of us all need to earn an income, so I wanted to do both.

I love mothering but I have a creative mind and always feel the urge to create and sell, it is just something that I need to do to keep balanced and content in life.

As we grow it is inevitable that we will have to outsource as my husband and I simply can’t do it all, but we are definitely enjoying the journey. Why do you think so many mums are starting their own business?

Motherhood is so very rewarding and beautiful

but it is also extremely exhausting, repetitive and it can be very lonely—sometimes talking to a twoyear-old all day can take a toll.

We as women crave that social interaction and purpose. My main priority is being the best mum I can be to my children and to do that I need to be the best I can be within myself by being happy and balanced.

Eating well, exercising and filling my entrepreneurial cup keeps me balanced. I believe this is a common goal for so many mums, hence why so many mums are taking that risk and starting their own businesses.

I’m so proud to be a part of this community of strong, independent women and being able to interact with them through forms of social media, collaborations, business relationships and events is one of the many reasons to start a business.

What would be your top tips for other mums who are looking to start a business?

Don’t overthink it, start small but think big. When thinking of an idea, stay close to your own life and something you are familiar with. It will come as second nature to you and then it won’t feel like a chore, more like a passion.

People often say, ‘don’t you get scared because the baby market is so saturated’ and though it may seem daunting I always remind myself, I’m not here to dominate, I just need a slice. G

Urban Rituelle Botanica hand cream, body wash and lotion, wholesale from $11.80 to $17.25. www.urbanrituelle.com.au

Reliance Trading artificial rose spray, wholesales from $5.75. www.reliancetrading.com.au

Annabel Trends Cosy Luxe collection, wholesales from $9.85 to $42.70. www.annabeltrends.com

Artwerx Australia stainless steel elephant wind spinner, wholesales for $23. www.artwerxaustralia.com.au

Luxe perfume body oil from Asriq, retails for $139.95. www.asriq.com.au

Natural stone wrap bracelets, wholesale for $24.75. Bramble Bay Co, www.bramblebayco.com

DLUX Accessories scarves from Complice, wholesale from 39.50 to $45. www.d-lux.com.au

Crossbody bag from Hue Lane, wholesales for $80. huelane.com.au

Intrinsic Mumma Love handcream, wholesales for $11.81. www.intrinsiconline.com

Jasnor (Australia) Defined mum large desk sign, wholesales for $3.15. www.jasnor.com.au

NF Living figurines from Nicholas Agency, wholesale from $6.50 to $13.95. www.nf.net.au

eb&ive Helena clutch by The Kindred Co, wholesales for $18. www.thekindredco.com.au

Luk Beautifood instant glow tinted complexion balm, retails for $45. www.lukbeautifood.com

Urban Rituelle Botanica scented soy candle & diffuser, wholesales from $13.65 to $22.70. www.urbanrituelle.com.au

DLUX Accessories Mantra plum from Complice, wholesales for $40.50. www.d-lux.com.au

Reliance Trading artificial Candice & Camille rose real touch, wholesale from $2.70. www.reliancetrading.com.au

eb&ive La Vida stone earrings by The Kindred Co, wholesale for $14. www.thekindredco.com.au

Jasnor (Australia) Disney Gifts Dumbo photo frame & mug, wholesale for $15.90 & $13.65 respectively. www.jasnor.com.au

eb&ive Heritage necklace by The Kindred Co, wholesales for $16. www.thekindredco.com.au

Intrinsic Mumma Love collection, wholesales from $11.36 to $15.68. www.intrinsiconline.com

Essential purse from Intrinsic Enterprises, wholesales for $14.08. www.intrinsiconline.com

ManukaRx pro-ageing collection, retails from $30.95 to $41.95. manukarx.com.au

NF Living frame collection from Nicholas Agency, wholesales from $4.35 to $26.95. www.nf.net.au

Reliance Trading artificial hydrangea stem, wholesales from $5.95. www.reliancetrading.com.au

STEP INTO AUTUMN

As we are leaving summer behind and move into the cooler months, here are some window displays to inspire your own visual merchandising story for the next season.

ROSE & RIVER

LIGA ECO STORE

THE PET BOUTIQUE

& CO

BRAMLEY & WHITE

KAMIEL

CLOSET & BOTTS

NIDDLE NODDLE

GLOUCESTERSHIRE GUILD

ATKINSON PRYCE BOOKSHOP

Changing

LANES

Giftguide chats to Spoilt Gift and Homewares owner, Chelsea McIntosh, about how the pandemic affected her retail business and the steps she has taken to move forward.

hile we are finally leaving the Covid restrictions behind, the pandemic has permanently affected many retailers who had to pivot to survive and do whatever they could to get through the crisis.

For Spoilt Gift and Homewares

Wowner, Chelsea McIntosh, her business was literally flipped on its head overnight.

“We were structured around serving the CBD workforce and tourists, and what we thought was our strength—our proximity to a large customer base—became a massive liability as the CBD was deserted,” she remembers.

Indeed, when McIntosh started Spoilt Gift and Homewares in May 2005 she had been working in an office tower in Melbourne and realised there was a huge opportunity in the Melbourne CBD.

“Seeing thousands of people enter office towers each day, with very limited retail near their workplace, I quickly realised

Chelsea McIntosh

Spoilt Gift and Homewares

Spoilt Gift and Homewares

there was an opportunity to fill a gap in the market. After seeing the success of our first store we soon opened another at the other end of the city. Over the following 10 years we ended up with eight stores, seven of which were in Melbourne CBD and our online store was then launched in 2009.”

However, Covid threw a spanner in the works and she admits 2022 was her toughest year yet.

“I would love to say we are stronger on the other side, but the truth is Covid hit us really hard being in the CBD. That being said I have had to really change my way of looking at my business and certainly now understand Spoilt a lot better.

“Firstly, we really took the time the past few years to build our online presence, relaunching our website in 2020. This was not only to increase our web orders, but to also help with foot traffic to our bricks and mortar

stores. Although our website is now a big part of our business, it is like running a separate business, so you have to be able to allocate the time and resources to make it a success.

“Secondly, I had to be prepared to close or relocate my stores. I think the hardest thing was to learn how to take the emotional connection out of my decisions and do what I had to do to survive.

“Lastly, it forced me to understand the financial side of my business better. I am going to sound like a broken record, but you must know your costs. It’s great to have huge revenue, but if your costs are too high you will still struggle. Understand your margins and your breakeven point.

“I think like many brands we have been so caught up in sales like Black Friday, that we are impacting the chance to cover our overheads. With costs such as wages, rent, insurance and

Staff at Spoilt Gift and Homewares

Highpoint Shopping Centre

Ascot Vale

Lonsdale

so on going up, we really can’t be profitable if we are on sale all the time. It is important that we back our brand and customer service to not have to discount too often.”

Now in 2023, McIntosh only has two stores left in the CBD. “Where we could exit our leases, we moved our city stores to the suburbs. We now have stores in Port Melbourne, Ascot Vale and Highpoint Shopping Centre and have put more focus on building the brand online.”

Although Spoilt has always had an online presence, it was never a focus until 2020.

McIntosh admits she saw it more as a marketing tool for her bricks and mortar stores and really should have been more proactive sooner.

“Covid had such a terrible impact on our bricks and mortar stores, so our online store became a crucial part of our survival. We were actually in the process of launching our new website in March 2020, so the timing resulted in amazing growth on our online store. With a new platform and procedures in place, we were able to capitalise quickly on the opportunity that the lockdowns presented for online shopping.”

Indeed, one lesson she has learned is that as a business owner you shouldn’t just focus on revenue but also how profitable that revenue is.

“With the industry changing so much in recent years with online taking a large market share and suppliers selling direct to customers, we have really had to look at what makes us different. When you are an on seller of other brands, it’s hard to stand out from the crowd.

“This has made us look at what we excel at and that is bringing together a selection of the best Australia has to offer in the one store, coupled with amazing customer service in store and online.

“We are always on the hunt for new and exciting gift lines. We follow trends on social media in Australia and overseas. I love going to the Australian trade fairs and of course reading local media such as Giftguide and supplier catalogues.

“We want to discover products that really wow us—things that are a bit different and unique.

Spoilt Gift and Homewares

Spoilt Gift and Homewares

Spoilt Gift and Homewares

Spoilt Gift and Homewares

There is definitely a strong trend to support local businesses and this year we will be looking for more Australian designed gifts as we have seen a big increase in customers traveling overseas.”

Recently, Spoilt Gift and Homewares expanded its homewares section, an opportunity that presented itself as McIntosh moved stores out of the city and was able to have bigger floor space.

“Customers shopping local are definitely happier to buy bigger items and are often looking for home décor.

“I also think the last few years has meant many of us are spending more time at home, so house pride has seen customers looking for new homewares to give their home some personality.

“I think we will see a lot of fun bold colours and patterns this year in homewares and fashion. I am also expecting to see a lot of coloured glass and warm tones of brown and reds for winter. With still a strong focus on sustainability and eco-friendly products, we will also see beautiful soft natural colours in home furnishing, complemented with textured fabric and dried natural foliage.”

Looking ahead, McIntosh believes 2023 is going to be tough with the ever-increasing cost of running a business coupled with the fact that people are doing it tough with all the interest rate rises and inflation generally.

“As customers are likely to be watching what they

spend it is important that you have the right stock. Don’t be afraid to discount old stock to make way for exciting new items. If you need to reduce your spend on stock, consider the 80/20 rule.

“Within reason many businesses will find that 80 per cent of their sales come from 20 per cent of their products. So, focus on what is working for you and make sure this is what you are spending your money on and that you are marketing in your window and on social media. Spoilt has always had a strong emphasis on new and exciting product but they must offer value for money, this will definitely be a focus for 2023.” G

Spoilt Gift and Homewares

Spoilt Gift and Homewares

Spoilt Gift and Homewares

Spoilt Gift and Homewares

THE SOCIAL COMMERCE EXPERIENCE

Are shoppable videos the future of ecommerce? Why authentic storytelling is key to cutting through the noise of ecommerce.

The pandemic has had a monumental impact on the ecommerce industry, instigating a rapid-fire change in consumer behaviour. Bricks and mortar shopping experiences have been replaced with a digital shopping landscape, with more than two billion online shoppers scouring the internet globally for their next purchase.

Consumers are enthusiastically buying into the

convenience of online shopping, but on the flip side, they are facing the challenge of a limited understanding of their purchase through a lack of product visibility online.

Today there are an estimated 24 million ecommerce sites across the globe and it is forecast that by 2040 nearly 95 per cent of all purchases globally will be made online or through a digital platform. Business owners find themselves in a situation where competition is

increasing faster than the market is expanding and drop-shipping is gaining huge traction. It is now more and more difficult to stand out in an overly saturated market.

“Audiences of tomorrow demand more complexity and authenticity,” says videobased platform Tolstoy co-founder and CEO, Dov Kaufmann.

“Australians are very forward thinking and receptive towards new ecommerce models, which is why Australia remains an extremely important market for us.”

Consumer expectations for content have evolved since the inception of social media and the growth in the popularity of short-form, authentic and off-the-cuff video heavily influenced by TikTok, Instagram Reels and Snapchat, means an increasing number of people consider it the new norm.

This change in buying behaviour along with the rising demand for short-form video has revealed that marketing tactics need to be redefined to be about immersive, customer-centric content, not just disruptive messages. TikTok’s monumental success can be attributed to its ability to allow brands to inspire their fans in authentic and entertaining ways and that’s what consumers want—genuine connections with authentic brands.

Recent statistics also reveal that the average person spends nearly two hours a day watching videos and video posts attract 48 per cent more views than static posts.

These subtle shifts to video across multiple platforms are a sign of more significant shifting trends in consumer behaviour—and that the future of ecommerce lies in video content.

“The writing is on the wall and it’s telling us that to stay front-of-mind in audiences of the future, brands need to up their game in terms of creative storytelling and the representation of their ethos,” says Kaufmann.

“The globally minded audiences of tomorrow demand more complexity, more authenticity and more transparency. Marketing tactics like interactive and shoppable videos can channel the desire for authenticity and help businesses build the valuable connections they need to succeed and stand out from their competitors.

“Marketing in 2023 is poised to be about making the shopping experience more fun, convenient and meaningful.”

So, what marketing tactics can we expect to see in 2023?

storefront by capturing an audience’s attention with an experience as immersive as TikTok, with eye-catching product videos to show how their products look in real life, on real people.

Videos can be embedded in ecommerce sites, sent via SMS and email or displayed as stories, a carousel or widget, enabling users to scroll through videos to view products and buy directly from the videos with ‘add to cart’ or ‘shop now’ buttons.

or founder story, announce a new collection and gain their audience’s attention, interest, and overall, their trust.

It also offers viewers the opportunity to ask questions or see and interact with the products they’re interested in. This not only saves brands in cost and time, but it provides them with more targeted leads.

Product demonstrations

Shoppable videos

With over 82 per cent of all consumer online traffic spent viewing video content, businesses are realising the tremendous potential of this incredibly effective tool. Shoppable video is rapidly transforming the ecommerce

Interactive videos

Shoppers of all ages now turn to their devices to make purchases. Interactive videos are a highly effective marketing tool that allows brands to send users on a unique journey where there’s more of a person-toperson conversation or personal experience. This allows brands to share their recommendations

Interactive product demonstrations allow potential customers to experience a product and all its features through a self-guided, clickable process. By providing each customer with the opportunity of a personalised demonstration, they’re able to view the product in a way that interests them, thus avoiding unnecessary information and potentially boring the customer.

A product demonstration

can be as complex as allowing a customer to explore the intricacies of an engine or as simple as displaying different clothing items on different models with different body types.

Competitions and games

Virtual reality

Virtual reality (VR) marketing incorporates the full immersion of a customer into a virtual world. This can connect a customer with a brand or product by engaging a variety of the customer’s senses, encouraging more interaction.

VR allows brands to create and imbed memorable experiences as well as bring an entertainment factor to advertising. This is more immersive than a customer scrolling down a static catalogue and encourages visitors to spend more time viewing the products, interacting with the brand and ultimately increasing the chance of sales.

Competitions and games are prize-driven strategies that encourage people to participate and engage with a brand in the hopes of a reward. This marketing tactic can help a business obtain multiple goals such as increasing brand awareness, encouraging customer loyalty, increasing sales and obtaining customer information with little effort. Not only are people more than willing to share their details when it comes to entering competitions and playing games, but they will also share achievements around social platforms which can further boost awareness.

With more and more people spending time at home and working remotely, the demand for and consumption of authentic storytelling and genuine connections with brands has—and will

continue—to accelerate. Brands are optimally positioned to embrace technology like shoppable videos to meet their customers’ need for an immersive, personalised online experience.

For retailers, there are opportunities to develop new types of shopping experiences by meeting their customers where they hang out online and by connecting in new ways and engaging influencers/creators.

For brands it means embracing the shift from big to small, empowering small businesses and engaging directly with consumers through social platforms.

One thing’s for sure, says Kaufmann, video is a must in the ecommerce operations of the future, a model that retailers and businesses must embrace if they wish to stay relevant and successful in this highly competitive market. G

Colour me HAPPY

Annie Sloan

We chat to colour expert Annie Sloan, who is committed to making the world a more colourful place, saving unloved furniture from landfill and giving people the tools to transform their homes with highly pigmented quality paints inspired by her love of art.

Author, colour expert, artist and designer Annie Sloan is one of the world’s most popular experts in the field of decorative painting. She is the founder of Annie Sloan Interiors, a family run, international interiors business based in Oxford, UK.

The company was established in 1990 after Sloan invented her revolutionary Chalk Paint designed to transform furniture. The company now creates wall and satin paints, decorative finishes, stencils, decoupage papers, brushes and much more.

Tell us a little bit about what you do?

I paint, make colours, write books and design. I run my company Annie Sloan Interiors from my Oxford HQ. My paints are stocked by a network of handpicked, highly trained independent business owners with a passion for my paints.

I am very hands-on and am in the workshop every day, when I am not travelling around the world visiting my stockists. I create new paint colours and finishes, write books and my bookazine The Colourist, create designs for stencils and decoupage papers, direct photo and video shoots and chat to my customers on Instagram.

Living room: Capri Pink sideboard, mirror and vase, Louis Blue wall, Louis Blue and Greek Blue floor

Who or what inspires you?

Art, going to art galleries and art books mainly.

Art is everywhere. It can be a painting hung in a gallery or it can be more practical things like pottery and ceramics. I love the decorative painting on 19th Majolica plates, for instance. My shelves are heaving with beautiful art books which I find an endless source of inspiration.

I also love looking at architecture and the colours of old buildings, decorative details and design. In New Orleans I recently spent a day drawing and painting all the wonderful colourful combinations on the shot gun houses there.

Travelling to different countries is another major source of inspiration. I have travelled all over the

world and always come back with sketchbooks full of ideas. When I travel, I also make sure I visit the local art galleries.

I was in New Mexico last autumn and took time out of my work schedule to visit Georgia O’Keeffe’s house in the desert. I love to see where other artists lived and worked. I am well-known for my love of Charleston House and the Bloomsbury Set continues to be a wonderful source of inspiration to me.

I also love the arts and crafts of different countries. I am very inspired by art from Africa (where I lived as a child) and India, which is so culturally important and where so much of what we think of as European art came from.

Where did you first find your creative inspiration?

I was born in Sydney to a Fijian/Cuban mother and an art loving Scottish father. He had paintings on all his walls, lots of books about artists and I was also dragged around art galleries all the time, so I was surrounded by art from an early age. But it wasn’t until we moved to England when I was 10 that my love of drawing started.

I have a vivid memory of my father taking me along to an artist friend’s house. I was mesmerised by the sight of him standing at an easel painting, while my father talked to him. The fact that he had a tank of tropical fish in his studio made him all

Annie Sloan

the more fascinating. I was in heaven. It was this encounter that first gave me the inspiration to start drawing, which is where it all began.

I did a degree in Fine Art at Croydon School of Art (where one of my contemporaries was Malcom McLaren, who went on to manage the Sex Pistols). An MA in Fine Art at Reading University followed and then I lived in an artist’s collective in East London and painted murals for a living.

It was there I started learning about pigments, paint and different paint techniques. That led to me writing my first book, The Complete Book of Decorative Paint Techniques (since then I have published 26 books on paint effects, colour and interior design).

I started teaching paint techniques and soon realised there was a gap in the paint market which led to me launching Chalk Paint. It quickly gained a global demand and my company was born. Over 30 years later and I am still making paint in my factory in Oxford, where we remain a proud family-run business.

Where do you like to work and why?

I have a workshop at my HQ, but I do find I get interrupted a bit too much trying to paint at work. I also have a studio at home in Oxford where I find it a bit more peaceful to work. I also have a beautiful old house in France where I love to paint in the summer.

There are two things I find incredibly important to help me get into the zone for painting—water and light. I like to work anywhere I can be alone to get in the ‘zone’ to paint. Once I’m there I find it easy to be creative, but I need peace and quiet. I am not good when I am asked to paint to order.

When travelling I always take a sketch book so I can draw and paint when I’m away. I have a wonderful little portable palette of paints I bought from a museum store that always travels with me.

Drawing all the time is so important to me. It helps with hand-eye coordination and also forces me to really look at things.

What is your favourite colour combination and why?

It is always the last one I saw. I do have some good old favourites though—blue and brown, blues and green, and pink and orange. But the colours I love change all the time, depending on where I’ve been or what I’ve seen. I’m not led by trends. My colour combinations are much more likely to be inspired by a 20th century British painting or the faded colours of the backstreets of Sicily.

How has your style as an artist developed?

It’s hard to see your own style, but I’d say I’ve become more spontaneous, free and confident. When I first went to art school, I realised quite quickly that when I tried too hard, my painting wasn’t great. It was much better when I went with

the flow. It comes back to the right brain/left brain thing. I can be in one or the other, but not at the same time.

What are the interior trends you are seeing for 2023 and how can people incorporate these into their homes?

The most strident trends of 2023 seem so far to be very wholesome. Perhaps after the ravages of Covid we’re all reassessing what’s important in life. People are rediscovering my old books on

upcycling and I’ve noticed a real thirst for my paint as an alternative to buying new.

I’m hearing from lots more people who want to paint to be sustainable, to save furniture from landfill and to prevent deforestation caused by mass furniture production. Which is all very noble and the fact it saves you money and looks beautiful, too?

So the best thing you can do to dip your toe is to ‘shop your home’ rather than buying new.

Annie Sloan

Chalk Paint something you already own to give it a new lease of life and you’ll have the excitement from the feeling of having something ‘new’, but with the longer lasting satisfaction of creative empowerment and the pride that you expended a little bit of effort to make life more beautiful and it really worked. How have recycling, upcycling and sustainability impacted the way you work and the products you create and where do you see this (trend) in the next five to 10 years?

Sustainability has always been important to me.

I think it’s partly to do with spending such a long time as a struggling student; I studied fine art for seven years which gave me the confidence to create my own designs (whether that was clothing, furniture or whatever). Necessity is the mother of invention and that mindset has stayed with me; I would hate to buy something new when I could give something old a second act. I think there’s great romance in that and I hope we just see this trend gaining momentum.

With the extra pressure on companies to be transparent about how they help the environment and what they’re doing to minimise their impact on the planet comes lots of new initiatives. We use those fabulous potato starch fillings in our packaging, we plant a tree for every UK order from

our website and we reuse water throughout our manufacturing processes.

These are new things that we’ve only been able to do since new technologies have become available, so for me it’s very important to stay involved and remain up to date and constantly reassess how we are operating to make sure we’re always using best practice. So, I think we’ll see more breakthroughs in how we operate. What can we next expect from Annie Sloan in Australia?

I’ve got such thrilling news for you regarding Annie Sloan in Australia. A new paint colour, inspired by my homeland. I was born in Australia and lived on a small holding out in the sticks until I was 11. I feel a great affinity with the country and one of my closest friends is a proud Aussie. I love the sense of humour, the straightforwardness and the style of their interiors. I think Australians are very cool.

My latest paint release, coming March 2023, is a brand-new colour inspired by the eucalyptus trees of my childhood. It’s a silvery sage green named Coolabah Green. It’ll create a feeling of calmness and sophistication. It will look beautiful indoors or outdoors. I’m always looking for new stockists in Australia so if you’re interested in being a local champion for colour, community and sustainability then please email stockists@anniesloan.com.

AS

IsAlbi CEO Ian Hardy reflects on his time in the gift industry after resigning from the company.

By James Wells

fter almost three decades, IsAlbi CEO Ian Hardy is stepping down from the business he spent almost his entire career growing and developing.

His replacement has already been found in Simon Fraser, who joined the business on 1 March.

“I wanted to find a successor who fits with the culture, who understands our business and holds likeminded values,” Hardy explains.

“Simon is a people person who believes in fostering a dynamic culture. Originally

AS IT GETS

GOOD A

from Melbourne, now living in Sydney, he has a positive disposition and brings great energy to the business. Coming from Procter & Gamble, he also comes armed with a wealth of industry knowledge and experience.

“When I met Simon, I knew he would not only be compatible with IsAlbi, but also the gift and homewares category. His pleasant disposition and approachable nature make him a natural fit for the market.”

Hardy will continue working within the business as an executive director of growth and brands.

“Simon will bring a fresh set of eyes to the business and in this fast changing world, it can only benefit our team and our customers. A fresh set of eyes, a new burst of energy and an alternative point of view will ensure the business goes from strength to strength. I believe our clients will be the big winners here.”

The creation of IsAlbi took place at the beginning of Covid with the merger of two companies, Independence

Ian Hardy

Studios and Albi. Combined, this business became the largest gift and homewares provider in the southern hemisphere.

“Prior to the merger, we identified a lot of synergies. Both businesses shared the same amount of independent accounts, around 4,000 each. Notably, there was a crossover of 25 per cent. We could see the benefits of cross-pollinating and offering customers a complete end-to-end service door-to-door.

“Since Covid we have introduced a new third party logistics provider and brought on a new ERP computer system. Both advances have dramatically streamlined operations.”

With experience and expertise across the kitchen, home, décor, giftware, artificial flowers and plants categories, IsAlbi has become a one-stop shop for brands.

“I am committed to continuing my work in the business. Our

new leadership format will allow the company to go from strength to strength. Our commitment to supporting customers and finding complementary brands and products remains strong. Our focus continues to be providing original, unique and coveted products to market,” Hardy adds.

James Smail and Hardy built Independence Studios from the grassroots, before the sale to Oaktree capital four years ago.

“I remember answering a 30-word advertisement in the Sydney Morning Herald. I sat down opposite James to be interviewed, in a tattered wicker chair, opposite a fax machine balancing precariously on two ratty milk crates. The job was for a sales rep and he asked me: ‘what can you do for me’? I immediately asked him the same question back. I got the job. The rest is history.

“There were less than 10 people working in the business

Above and below: Independence Studios stands thoughout the years Independence Studios stand

at the time and we had products like Magic Tree, Magic Garden and kaleidoscopes. As a travelling door-to-door salesman, I would call on everyone from an eclectic antique store, a newsagency, a toy store, a souvenir store or a tobacconist. I’ve driven ever road of this big brown land. The soundtrack to my life is Hoodoo Gurus ‘A thousand miles away’.

“We slowly worked on chains of stores and I will never forget our first big order from Granny May’s—they wanted thousands of smiley-faced silicon stress balls. I couldn’t wipe the smile from my own dial! James and I have moved, packed and unpacked more brown cardboard boxes over our respective careers than we care to remember. Our first big order from David Jones had a quick turn-around time and I wound up bribing my childhood buddies with cases of cold beer and hot pizza to help me get the

orders out one sweaty Saturday afternoon,” Hardy laughs.

They soon outgrew their first office and quickly moved into the second office as they took on brands such as Hog Wild and Lagoon Games.

“James and I complemented each other. We also had a lot of fun meeting new people and traveling the world.

“We could not have achieved everything we did without a phenomenal team surrounding us over the years. Many employees have spent more than a decade on the payroll, working their way up and achieving career goals of their own along the way.

“Our graphic designer, Simone Wrightman, has been with the company for more than two decades, our head of buying and gifting, Sam Morgan, has been in the hotseat for more than a decade, Kim Gladsman has been overseeing shipping and has just celebrated 20 years in Melbourne, and Francis Yates in our NZ office had been punching hard from across the ditch for over 15 years.

“People stay with our company because they love the culture. They thrive in the dynamic and fast-paced environment. We spur each other on.

“I remember the first time we

Ian Hardy and James Smail

Ian Hardy and James Smail

doubled the size of our trade show in the late 1990s and also the first time we went on TV with the Build a Better Bracelet campaign. We always selected products on ‘gut feel’ where we could see a gap in the market as well as something with a unique point of difference.

Smail and Hardy operated with a philosophy of investing back into the business to grow it, but he admits it wasn’t always easy.

“Sometimes we would use our credit cards to pay staff wages. Some months were really tight. James and I often put our necks on the line. I remember we stretched the budget to buy a shipping container full of Living

Reef magnetic fish tanks. Thank goodness customers were reeled in, hook line and sinker.

“We all had a go at trends like fidget spinners, but let me tell you, they’re risky business. Fads come and go, and if you’re not careful, stock quickly gathers dust. After the first Jurassic Park movie, we were stuck with a container of inflatable dinosaurs. We found ourselves wishing another asteroid would hit earth, landing directly on our container of plastic predators. In the end we didn’t need a strategically targeted asteroid. Spielberg released his Jurassic Park sequel and suddenly our T-Rex’s were once again in demand.

“And sometimes you can only look back and laugh. We were once offered Razor Scooters in China. ‘They won’t work in Oz’ was our thought. How wrong we were.

“I am looking forward to stepping away from the game day to day and instead offering my guidance and mentorship from the coach’s box. This industry is in my blood and I know we’re a premiership winning team with many more goals to kick in future.” G

Ian Hardy and James Smail at Reed GALA

Ian Hardy and James Smail

Independence Studios stand

Independence Studios stand, Discovery Zone

HOME and AWAY

Giftguide chats to the founders of Aussie brand Codu about how it all started, their love for wool and their commitment to Ukraine.

Codu is a combination of the words Casa and Kodu, meaning ‘home’ in Spanish and Estonian respectively. Its heritage in a Baltic nation inspired the launch of textile brand Codu in January 2020 as the founders have a real affinity with the region, in particular Ukraine.

“Ilya and Emily were getting married in

Ukraine, so we all went over for the wedding,” says co-founder Marcus Alexander.

“Coming from a career of more than 12 years in big box home improvement, I had to visit their local hardware store to see how they went about it. I was excited to find that wool product was high in demand for the domestic market. I knew straight away that Australia’s obsession with wool would mean everyone would fall in love with this range. From there, we developed our own unique blends, colours and designs.

“Fittingly, Emily,

Chiswick Scarf Blush

Ilya and myself teamed up to officially launch Codu in January 2020.”

The team initially developed six blends which have now evolved into nine product families including 100 per cent New Zealand wool (Brighton/ Cambridge), super fine merino/ cashmere blend (Kensington), super fine merino/cashmere/ acrylic blend (Chiswick), wool/ acrylic blend (Soho), recycled wool (Richmond) and merino wool/nylon blend (Hampton/ Oxford/Paddington).

“From my experience, I knew we had to offer a product at a mix of price points to be able to delight every customer, irrespective of their discretionary spend. This also helps our diverse range of retail partners to find a product that suits their customer base.

“From a product perspective, it also means we can achieve a mix of texture and colours. All our colours are based on

market trends from the staples like charcoal and navy blue, through to more contemporary colours like sage green, mustard and peach.”

Customers have expressed their appreciation for the quality Codu is bringing to market and the surprisingly competitive price points. Wool products in the decorative and functional textile category have a long legacy in the Australian market. Australia remains the largest exporter of wool in the world and Australia’s love for wool remains strong.

“We feel we can add value in this segment with on trend designs and state of the art manufacturing in the heart of Europe. Our sister company, Codu UK, distributes our ranges across the UK, Europe and US. We also service our NZ customers from our Melbourne warehouse.”

Indeed, the founders’ ties to Ukraine kickstarted Codu’s

Chiswick Navy

Hampton Mustard

Brighton Sage Striped

journey and now the brand processes all its wool there.

“We are loyal to doing business with Ukraine for many reasons. Ukraine is a place close to our hearts. Ilya was born there, before his family moved to Australia on his second birthday. Also, as previously mentioned, Odessa, Ukraine was the special place that hosted Ilya and Emily’s magical wedding.

“The people of Ukraine are incredibly warm, genuine and are very hospitable and welcoming.

“There is significant demand for wool for functional purposes in Eastern Europe, so it made it a great place to access raw materials. We’re also impressed by the quality that can be achieved with European made product.”

With the current war in Ukraine, the team behind

Codu has remained committed to the country and its manufacturing facilities.

“For us, it’s more than business, it’s our values. In the initial stages of the attacks on Ukraine, there was some uncertainty around how to continue production in these circumstances, but with time, staff gained the confidence to return to the mill and it was business as usual.

“As with many businesses facing strategic supply chain diversification challenges, we plan to add diversity by bringing in additional ranges from other Baltic countries. Where possible, we will continue to source new and exciting products from Ukraine. We have worked intensively with our mill to develop our ranges and we have local Codu staff on the ground in Ukraine, ensuring we can innovate quickly.”

Chiswick Ivory Kensington Blush Chiswick Grey

Chiswick Beige Hampton Silver Kensington Navy Assorted

Wool has so many great properties; it breathes well, is a natural fibre, it’s sustainable, recyclable, fire retardant and with ranges starting from $49 (RRP), there is a Codu product for every customer, enthuses Alexander.

“The inclusion of wool content in all our products, from 100 per cent pure New Zealand wool to wool blends, ensures we are highly differentiated in the market.

“For 2023 autumn/winter, we have just launched our Oxford and Cambridge collections. Oxford is a premium merino wool blended product in a range of classic colours, super soft to touch, with a very subtle weave. Cambridge is a 100 per cent New Zealand wool throw and it has a stunning textured finish, and of course, is also available in a range of colours.

“For summer, we have a range of lightweight, wool blended product in our Paddington collection. These are a great alternative to linen and are priced competitively at only $79 RRP. Nearly all our ranges are generously sized at 140x200cm.”

Codu will continue to build its range with a focus on bringing the best of Europe to Australia. Initially, the focus will remain on textiles, but in the long term it could introduce some exciting products across other categories such as dining and decorative.

“As a group, we are really focused on building our portfolio of products and supporting our retailing partners, ensuring they can continue to delight their customers with high quality products at great prices, all year round.

“Everyday we push ourselves to improve and grow, whilst understanding great things take time. The more effort we put in, the more opportunities will arise. Our products already feature in some unique places including one of Neil Perry’s restaurants and in the hands of some of Australia’s best known celebrities.

“We also plan to spend more time in Europe, working on future programs and also visiting our customers face to face, to understand their perspectives and how we can improve and add value to their businesses for the long term,” Alexander emphasises. G

Brighton Sage Striped Brighton Emerald

Brighton Beige

Kensington Sky Blue

TIPS to maximise your marketing strategy 7

Sharon Zeev Poole shares some key advice on how retail businesses can get the most value out of their marketing budgets.

With the current economic climate possibly heading into a recession, many retail businesses are looking to tighten their purse strings. Generally, in these instances, one of the first things to be cut is the marketing budget for digital and PR, however, this could be a detrimental move for your retail business.

After being in the industry for over 20 years as a PR and digital marketing expert, I know from experience how important it is to strategically utilise your marketing budget, especially in a recession. Here are some tips that will ensure retail businesses are getting the most ROI from their marketing budgets in 2023.

1Don’t underestimate earned media:

Paid advertising is the tempting route to take, however, building a strong rapport with journalists and media outlets can create valuable editorial media coverage.

2

Digitise your business:

Utilise the digital offering that is available through digital marketing, this includes social media and email marketing. These methods can reach wider audiences and increase engagement without burning a hole in retail businesses’ pockets.

Retail businesses have the ability to reach new audiences with the help of algorithms on social media and remind existing clientele what their offering is through email marketing.

3

Consistency is key: Integrating all messaging is best practice when it comes to digital marketing.

Retail businesses need to evaluate all their channels to ensure that their messaging is consistent and aligned with what the business offers.

4

Use data as your secret weapon: Track the results of your digital marketing efforts through data collection and analysis. This information will help retail businesses discover which strategies are producing positive results and which areas need improvement.

Sharon Zeev Poole

Utilise the information you’re collecting for future campaigns as data allows retail businesses to discover which aspects of their campaign were well received. As an example, our real estate client’s website traffic was benchmarked with Google Analytics since the beginning of his campaign with us and thanks to data-driven insights we learned that the traffic had doubled.

5Conduct a website audit:

Auditing your website and benchmarking relevant information can provide important insights into how your website is performing and will provide areas for improvement. Utilising tools like Google Analytics 4, Moz and Semrush will be your most valuable assets in this process.

6

KPIs are the roadmap to success: Business impact can be difficult to measure without key performance indicators (KPIs). Having KPIs in place can give retail business marketers a way to monitor their PR and digital marketing efforts and measure the success of their campaigns. KPIs could be conversion rates, social media engagement or website traffic and by measuring these channels businesses can readjust their strategies if necessary.

7

Share the wins:

Collaborating with other retail businesses in a non-competing space for a shared goal can help alleviate marketing spend and increase exposure. Recently, one of our gin brand clients launched in Australia and to increase awareness we partnered with a bakery for a Valentine’s Day promotion to create a gininfused croissant.

Both businesses benefitted from this campaign which included earned media, sponsored content, influencer relations and social media. The collaboration was valuable to both brands to help them reach a wider audience on a limited budget.

I truly believe that retail businesses have a huge opportunity over the next 12 months to strategically utilise their marketing budgets to fuel long-term business growth. It is important to recognise the tools you have available such as earned media, integrating channels, maximising data and analytics, optimising digital marketing, creating KPIs and working alongside other retail businesses. If you invest in your business now while the economy is doing it tough, you’ll reap the rewards for the long-term. G

Sharon Zeev Poole is the founder and director of boutique PR and communications agency Agent99 PR.

The latest products to take your store from summer into autumn

5

1.

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www.thekindredco.com.au, www.facebook.com/thekindredcolifestylebrands, www.instagram.com/the_kindred_co

3492 0951, sales@bramblebayco.com, www.bramblebayco.com, www.facebook.com/BrambleBayCo, www.instagram.com/bramblebayco

, 1300 466 252, hello@mocka.com.au, www.mocka.com.au, www.instagram.com/mockaaustralia

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4. Cushions & covers, wholesale from $34 to $210. Carnival Homewares, 03 9808 2222, info@carnivalhomewares.com.au, www.carnivalhomewares.com.au, www.facebook.com/CarnivalHomewares, www.instagram.com/carnivalhomewares

5. Glasses

wholesales for $30. Hue Lane, clare@huelane.com.au, huelane.com.au, www.instagram.com/huelane_

eb&ive Studio arrow board, wholesales for $40.75. The Kindred Co, 02 9667 1991, sales@thekindredco.com.au,

The Nordic Collection, wholesales from $14.85 to $15.85. Bramble Bay Co, 07

Eros, Boucle & Nyla homewares and furniture pieces, prices on request. Mocka

case,

1. Kaloo simuli sensory cube, wholesales for $22. Bright Wonders, 08 7425 1400, info@brightwonders.com.au, www.brightwonders.com.au, www.instagram.com/brightwonders_au 2. eb&ive Kit salad bowl, wholesales for $40.75. The Kindred Co, 02 9667 1991, sales@thekindredco.com.au, www.thekindredco.com.au, www.facebook.com/thekindredcolifestylebrands, www.instagram.com/the_kindred_co 3. Zip purse, wholesales for $45. Hue Lane, clare@huelane.com.au, huelane.com.au, www.instagram.com/huelane_ 4. NF Living napery range, wholesales from $5.40 to $52.50. Nicholas Agency, 02 9579 2200, sales@nf.net.au, www.nf.net.au, www.facebook.com/NF.Living.AU, www.instagram.com/nf_living 5. The Crafty Kit Co fawn hoop needle felt, wholesales for $24. Bright Wonders, 08 7425 1400, info@brightwonders.com.au, www.brightwonders.com.au, www.instagram.com/brightwonders_au 6. DLUX Accessories Sammi baby blanket & goblin baby hat, wholesale for 31.50. Complice, 03 9830 6811, info@d-lux.com.au, www.d-lux.com.au, www.facebook.com/dluxonline, www.instagram.com/dluxonline

1.

wholesales

The Kindred Co, 02 9667 1991, sales@thekindredco.com.au, www.thekindredco.com.au, www.facebook.com/thekindredcolifestylebrands, www.instagram.com/the_kindred_co 2. eb&ive Studio apron, wholesales for $18. The Kindred Co, 02 9667 1991, sales@thekindredco.com.au, www.thekindredco.com.au, www.facebook.com/thekindredcolifestylebrands, www.instagram.com/the_kindred_co 3.

4.

wholesales for $22.72. Intrinsic Enterprises, 08 8232 2366, hello@intrinsiconline.com, www.intrinsiconline.com, www.facebook.com/theintrinsicway, www.instagram.com/theintrinsicway

1,000

, 08 7425 1400, info@brightwonders.com.au, www.brightwonders.com.au, www.instagram.com/brightwonders_au

from $34 to $210. Carnival Homewares, 03 9808 2222, info@carnivalhomewares.com.au, www.carnivalhomewares.com.au, www.facebook.com/CarnivalHomewares, www.instagram.com/carnivalhomewares

collection, wholesales from $7.15 to $24.30. Nicholas Agency, 02 9579 2200, sales@nf.net.au, www.nf.net.au, www.facebook.com/NF.Living.AU, www.instagram.com/nf_living

eb&ive Nostalgia candle,

for $15.75.

Jigsaw puzzle,

pieces

Janod sports magnetibook, wholesales for $19. Bright Wonders

5. Rugs and mats, wholesale

6. NF Living serving ware

Inspired by the scents of Scandinavia, this stunning collection will take you on a journey from the highest mountain tops, through misty forests and flowering meadows, to the rippling lakes of Norway and beyond. Featuring snow tipped ceramic vessels and breathtaking imagery on the packaging, we welcome you to our Nordic Collection.

The Nordic Collection comprises of a 400gm natural soy wax candle and natural reed diffuser, both hand poured in ceramic vessels. Perfectly paired with 5 premium fragrances, the result is a beautiful and thoughtful curated collection.

Bramble Bay Co 17 - 19 Imboon Street

Deception Bay, QLD 4508

Stockist opportunities are available, contact us today!

sales@bramblebayco.com

www.bramblebayco.com