Gifts Today

Independently audited ABC circulation of 7,098

Supporting your industry for 27 years

Month: Nov/Dec 2015

Issue: 1

Volume: 27

1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015

www.gifts-today.co.uk

est: 2004

THE HOME OF PERSONALISED GIFTS

ONE STOP SHOP FOR PERSONALISED GIFTS Football Licenses

w w w. p e r s o n a l i s e d m e m e n t o . c o . u k est: 2004

Email: sales@personalisedmemento.co.uk

17—19 January 2016 Olympia, London

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Contents

Regulars 6 18 52

News GA News Ross Hewitt Time to ‘get fit’ with your social media

November 2015

Retail 17

Brian Wiseman Brian Wiseman looks offshore

20 Retailer Profile This issue we question Buying Manager Mark Brindle and Head of Customer Retention Louise Southern, of Express Gifts

P27 Personalised Gifts

22

Grass Roots What were the highlights for the independents visiting the 2015 exhibitions?

Profile

Gifts Today team

24 Personalised Memento Company

Editor

Find out why PMC is one of the one-

Penny Franks penny@lemapublishing.co.uk

stop suppliers of choice

Assistant Editor

Features

Paul Donnelley pauld@lemapublishing.co.uk

27

Advertisement Manager Mark Horsnell mark@lemapublishing.co.uk

Group Editor Mirella Cestaro mirella@lemapublishing.co.uk

Personalised Gifts Time to get personal – take a look at

P33 Well Being

products that are available

33 Well Being What’s currently driving this sector?

Group Advertisement Manager

40 Books

Ryan Horwood ryan@lemapublishing.co.uk

Are we seeing a rise in popularity when we look at books as a gifting solution?

Publisher Mark Naish mark@lemapublishing.co.uk

Show Previews

Production Director Paul Naish paul@lemapublishing.co.uk

44 Giving & Living 2016 48 Scotland Trade Fair 2016

Managing Director Malcolm Naish malcolm@lemapublishing.co.uk

Media Solutions Manager

Exhibition Diary

Bradley Mason bradleymason@hotmail.co.uk

Lema Publishing Ltd

PUBLISHING

1 Churchgates, The Wilderness, Berkhamsted, Herts, HP4 2UB Telephone: 01442 289930 A member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation

Independently audited ABC circulation of 7,098 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015

P40 Books

53 54 56 58 60 62 64 65

Introduction Christmas & Gift christmasworld Welsh Spring Fair ambiente London Stationery Show UK Diary Dates Worldwide Diary Dates

THE UK’S LARGEST SHOWCASE OF INSPIRATIONAL NEW GIFTS. Get ready to discover the most exciting, original designs for your shop, all under one roof.

www.springfair.com Espresso Cup, Bialetti, Hot Plate Products · Tree, CB Imports · Pineapple, Two’s Company by Mulhouse · Stool, Baa Stool · Foo Dogs, India Jane · Cockatoo Cushion, Bombay Duck · Patterned Cushion, CB Imports.

7-11 FEBRUARY 2016 NEC BIRMINGHAM UK VOLUME OPENS 6 FEB

Message from the Editor www.gifts-today.co.uk Twitter: @giftstodaymag

The views of the contributors expressed in this journal are not necessarily those of the publisher.

Comments, letters and criticism are welcome.

“

The good news for all those in the gifting industry is that by having such a great choice of exhibitions throughout the year, no matter your location, you can find a show that suits your location and product requirements

“

A

gifts. There is definitely a higher demand for these products and more companies are now offering products that have that personal element. Take time to read what’s hot at the moment by turning to page 27.

Next we look at the Well Being category – gift selections in the area should offer products that give a sense of calm and relaxation and can range from skincare, scented products, reed diffusers, aromatherapy items and candles – go on, pamper your customers! The good news is that your suppliers understand this category and offer a superb choice of product ranges. More information can be found on page 33.

Finally we take a look at Gift Books. These are a great addition in-store to offer your customers, from humorous to personalised and even better, these can be bought as a gift no matter the recipient’s age or humour.

Suppliers have definitely got this category covered – turn to page 40.

Of course, I can’t not mention Christmas!

For me, I always know when the festive season is well underway by the commencement of the ‘war of the TV commercials’.

Personalised This year we had some Memento Company, strong contenders, with Personalised Gifts John Lewis looking like page 27 they were going to have the most popular ad.

However, Sainsbury’s may have pipped them to the title this year if recent news announcements are anything to go by.

Talking of television advertising, this year has now also seen the launch of the TV campaign by Temptation Gifts. After more than thirty years of successful trading Temptation Gifts has taken the plunge with their first television advertisement campaign.

nd here we are, our last issue before Christmas! What a year it has been. Our trade shows appeared more buoyant this year, which was great for everyone. Naturally, let’s keep the momentum going throughout 2016. This issue we bring you our annual Exhibition Diary, where you’ll find all the key dates you need to sort out your diaries.

There are many shows for consideration next year, and planning is vital to ensure you really get the best out of each. We have tried to assist this issue – turn to page 57 where you will find detailed information on some of the key shows, coupled with a concise yearly diary of exhibitions both here in the UK and overseas.

The good news for all those in the gifting industry is that by having such a great choice of exhibitions, no matter where you are, you can find a show that suits your location and product requirements.

So what else do we cover in this issue?

The first feature you will find is personalised

The firm, which began as a small shop in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, and now has six high street stores chose fifteen products involving candles, bespoke china, fiddly gadgets and cuddly toys to be featured in the advertisement. Could this be the start of a new trend next year for independents? I would love to hear from you if you have any exciting media plans on the horizon.

Finally, can I take the opportunity on behalf of the whole team at Gifts Today to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year.

NEWS

regular

Cheers to Dartington

Portmeirion Group scoops insider’s Midlands International Trade Award

Chivas Regal the world’s first luxury Scotch whisky has joined with Dartington Crystal to produce the mouth-blown, hand-finished crystal decanter for Chivas Regal The Icon -- its ultra-prestige whisky recently launched to the world luxury market.

Renowned for its contemporary and clean design style, Dartington Crystal was selected as the perfect match for producing a bottle befitting of discerning consumers expecting the highest standards of quality and elegance. Dartington MD Neil Hughes comments: “We are delighted to be associated with such an exclusive and distinguished product. Our involvement in the Chivas Regal The Icon decanter reflects the unique skills and capability that we are justly proud of.”

Portmeirion Group is celebrating after scooping the Medium and Large Exporter Award at this year’s prestigious Insider Midlands International Trade Awards.

The accolade comes just a few months after the Stokeon-Trent - based homewares company walked away with the Exporter Large Award at this year’s West Midlands Business Masters Awards.

The awards, which were held at the Hilton Metropole in Birmingham on Thursday 15 October, celebrated the accomplishments of scores of companies and organisations, across The Midlands, involved in overseas trade.

Portmeirion Group beat off tough competition from Gleadell Agriculture, Exol Lubricants, Abacus Lighting and NutraHealth to walk away with the accolade.

According to the judges Portmeirion epitomised the renaissance of British manufacturing and exporting. They were praised for proudly reinforcing the ‘Made in England’ stamp and for bringing new life to the ceramics sector, boosting production in the Midlands, investing in technology and people, and developing exports to three quarters of its output.

New manger at Squire’s Garden Centre in Woking

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas Monday 7th December sees the opening of Widdop Bingham’s Christmas 2016 showroom at their Head Offices in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The collection boasts nine stunning Christmas stories incorporating tree decorations, festive home accessories and Christmas candle holders. Visitors to the showroom will be treated to an amazing array of eye-catching themes with ideas galore for in-store merchandising. The Christmas range will remain on show right through to 31 March 2016.

During the month of January, the company will also be previewing their entire Spring 2016 collection in their showrooms prior to Spring Fair. An opportunity for visitors to kill two birds with one stone.

Retailers wishing to book an appointment can do so by via the Widdop website.

Widdop’s Christmas collection will also feature at two trade shows in the New Year - Harrogate Christmas and Gift Show (10 – 13 January) on stand B13, and of course not forgetting the Spring Fair (7 – 11 February) in their newly located stand in Hall 4 G10-J11.

Web: www.widdop.co.uk 6 gifts today

Squire’s Garden Centres are delighted to announce the appointment of Ed Ridgeon as manager at their Woking centre.

He brings with him a wealth of experience having been at Squire’s for six years – as assistant manager at both the Badshot Lea and Twickenham centres. Prior to joining Squire’s, Ed was in the finance sector. His passion for horticulture stems back to his university days when he studied for a Biological Sciences degree.

His role will be to maintain a great shopping experience for customers in Woking, who Ed described as “very knowledable and green fingered.”

Sarah Squire, Squire’s Deputy Chairman commented on the appointment: “We are very pleased to appoint Ed Ridgeon as Manager at our Woking centre. His experience in horticulture, as well as his retail and financial knowledge, will ensure that Squire’s in Woking continues to be successful, and offer a friendly shopping experience for local residents.”

Squire’s Garden Centres is a family business, and they will be celebrating their 80th anniversary next year.

Light it up with Solo New for autumn 2015, these “Artisan” Loom Lamps from Solo are a must in any home!

Hand-made in India, there are three different styles to choose from to make any house light up. And with the help of the LED lighting inside, the lamps create that perfect warm and comfortable feeling. See more new Artisan products from Solo at www.sololtd.com

Giftware

Over 2000 brand new gifts 7500+ lines to choose from Only £100 minimum order ‘Little & Often’ ordering system FREE next day delivery Award winning customer service

Equilibrium Fingerless Gloves

snoozies! Soft Pointé Ballet

Ruby Tulip Candle Holders

Equilibrium Modern Pendants

Apothecary Ceramics

Script Message Frames

Star Cluster Baby Boxes

Floral Happy Message Plaques Progressive Gifts Greats Awards 2015

13 times winners

Best Service to the Independent Retailer

Metallic Box Frames

Equilibrium Floral 3 Tone

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

Great Service • Great Products • Great Prices

NEWS

regular

Kringle’s new fragrances

Hello Handsome recognised in awards NPW’s ‘Hello Handsome Muscle Miniatures’ have been announced as the winner of the Best New Male Grooming Product category at the Pure Beauty Awards.

The Pure Beauty Awards are nationally recognised awards that are voted for by readers of Pure Beauty Magazine and the general public. Pure Beauty is the UK’s leading magazine for high street beauty and fragrance retailers read by management, beauty buyers and sales consultants every month.

The awards ceremony was a Black and Gold themed event held at The Savoy, London. The exclusive occasion was hosted by Welsh TV Presenter Gethin Jones and was attended by leaders in the Beauty Industry as well as former The Only Way Is Essex star Lucy Mecklenburgh.

Other Gold Winners include Wilkinson, Tresemme, Batiste, Dove and Lacoste. Hello Handsome Muscle Miniatures were up against influential brands in Male Grooming including Lynx, Remington and Philips.

Web: www.npwgifts.co.uk

Carte Blanche makes online shopping easier than ever Launched one year ago, Carte Blanche has unveiled a raft of improvements to its Trader Site online ordering facility in line with its ongoing commitment to improve service levels for Independent Retailers.

Carte Blanche’s Trader Site now boasts improved menus and filtering systems which make products much easier to find. Clearer product flags also ensure that customers can clearly see which products are in stock, as well as the date when unavailable products are due back.

Improvements have also been made to the checkout process, meaning that orders can be made in just a few clicks of a mouse.

Customer Relations Manager, Chris Barrett, comments, “We’ve listened to our customers to ensure that our Trader Site really delivers in terms of the service they should expect. As well as improvements to navigation and ordering process, we’ve also made changes to ensure the site is mobile friendly, as many of our customers wanted to be able to access our products whenever and wherever they wanted. Customers can also download imagery and barcodes for each of our ranges, which following our user survey was an important function to offer.”

Chris adds, “For anyone who hasn’t yet placed an order via the Carte Blanche Trader Site, an introductory 10% discount will be applied to their first order, so if you haven’t experienced our Trader Site yet, there’s never been a better time to shop.”

8 gifts today

Fans of Kringle Candle can look forward to tantalising new fragrances in 2016.

Distributor Xystos, which signed a deal with the American company earlier this year, will be launching eight scents – Egyptian Cotton, Fresh Air, Fresh Mint, Picket Fence, Spa Day, Sweet Pea, Mystic Sands and Dewdrops – as Kringle continues to increase its market share in the UK. RRPs are from £22.99 for the large candle to £2.49 for the wax melt and Daylight candle.

Tel: 0191 499 1570; email sales@xystos.co.uk www.xystostrade.co.uk

Royal Selangor UK appoints David Mills as Country Manager Malaysian luxury pewter specialist, Royal Selangor, who earlier this year marked their 130th anniversary with the opening of their first UK flagship store on King’s Road, has appointed David Mills, as Country Manager for the UK. Following an impressive performance during an intensive initial six months with the company, he has been promoted to Country Manager, and turns his attention to the future and the direction he hopes to take the brand. David comments, “My vision is to continue to elevate Royal Selangor’s brand presence within the UK. Through communicating and raising awareness of the exquisite products and the brand’s commitment to its heritage and craftsmanship, I aim to put the 261 King’s Road flagship

on the map as a destination for luxury home ware, and having just launched the official Star Wars collectors range, am confident the unique offering will propel Royal Selangor UK to a successful future.”

David Mills joined the Royal Selangor team in April 2015, following four years at iconic London luxury department store, Harrods. Having entertained his personal passion for interior design and home ware brand managing multiple luxury concessions within the store, he was intrigued by the fourth generation family owned business and its international presence in over 20 countries worldwide, so was delighted to join the team earlier this year as Royal Selangor UK Sales Manager.

Web: www.royalselangor.com

Staff at two High Street card stores are celebrating Cool Cards & Gifts in Skipton and Rathbone’s in Chingford have been recognised for the great range of cards, gifts, balloons and accessories they offer to customers and now go forward to the grand prize draw in December with the chance to win £1,000 worth of Cherry Orchard stock.

Tina Botterill, owner of North Yorkshire-based August winners Cool, said: “I’m so pleased to receive this prestigious award. I try to offer customers a great range of quality products to choose from with a focus on providing excellent customer service, so it’s lovely to be able to display the certificate in my shop for all my customers to see.”

Pictured receiving her certificate and Champagne from Karen Rathbone, Cherry Orchard’s Area Sales Manager for the North East, Yorkshire and Humber, Tina added: “Earlier in the year, we also got to the finals of Best Greetings Card Retailer – new shop or branch – for the North of England in the industry Retas Awards.

“Being based in the Canal Quarter, we have lots of locals and tourists coming into the shop browsing for things that are unusual and different.”

“I choose the products for the shop very carefully, so customers have a great range of highquality goods to choose from, so this award also reflects the attention to detail and focus on quality in the production of the cards and accessories from my chosen suppliers.”

Down in Essex, Rathbone’s owner Claire Richardson is pictured top with Keith Taylor, the publishers’ Area Sales Manager for London and East, and was also delighted when she heard about winning the September title.

Claire said: “We try to offer our customers a great range of quality products to choose from and our focus is on providing excellent customer service, so to have all our hard work recognised is indeed an honour and a credit to our hardworking staff.”

VILLAGE CANDLE

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NEWS

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Balmoral Funds completes the acquisition of Enesco LLC Balmoral Funds, a Los Angeles based private equity fund focused on partnering with talented and committed management teams in the mid-market, have announced that it has aquired Enesco, LLC, a global leader in gift, plush toy, and home and garden decor industries. Serving more than 40,000 customers worldwide, Enesco designs, develops, and distributes consumer products to a wide variety of speciality card and gift retailers, home decor boutiques, as well as national retail chains and direct to consumer retailers.

“We are excited to welcome Enesco to the Balmoral Fund family of consumer product companies,” said Jonathan Victor, Senior Managing Director at Balmoral. “The company’s portfolio includes highly recognised company-owned brands, such as Gund, Department 56, Our Name Is Mud, and Gregg Gifts, as well as iconic licensed brands like Jim Shore, Disney, Britto, and Peanuts.

Balmoral Funds also announced today that Todd Mavis, an operating advisor for Balmoral, will become the CEO, effective immediately. Todd specialises in growth opportunities and most recently was CEO of Katun Corporation and First Advantage Corporation. “There are many reasons to be excited about joining the company; great brands, global reach, and an experienced management team,” said Todd Mavis, newly appointed CEO. “I am looking forward to working closely with our licensors, retailers, and suppliers to meet the needs of our consumer customers.

Tom Bowles, outgoing CEO, will be retiring after successfully leading the business for the last five years. Mr Bowles will continue working with the company in a consulting capacity to help ensure a smooth transition of leadership.

Web: www.enesco.com

Card Factory posts 8% sales growth Card Factory, one of the UK’s leading specialist retailers of greeting cards, dressings and gifts, has announced a trading update for the nine months ended 31 October 2015. The company’s expectations were met with a 7.9% growth in revenue and 45 new shops were opened, nine in the last quarter.

This brings the total estate to 809 stores as at 31 October 2015. The company plans to open fifty new shops in the next tax year.

The trial of the recently relaunched Card Factory transactional website is ongoing and they are pleased with progress to date. Over the quarter they introduced ranges of personalised cards and gifts to the website, the first time such products have been offered under the Card Factory banner.

Richard Hayes, Card Factory’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “We have seen another period of consistent performance across the Group as we continue to drive growth from existing and new stores, as well as our expanding online operations. We are well prepared for the important, competitive Christmas period, and remain confident of our ability to continue to increase market share whilst delivering on all four pillars of our growth strategy.”

Promotion at Pomegranate Pomegranate are delighted to announce the promotion of Daniel Rabot to Marketing Manager. Dan celebrated 10 years with the company in September of this year and in that time has learnt his skills working with our establishment account base both in the UK and Europe.

Sales Director Ley Bricknell said, “It has been wonderful to see Dan work his way up from sales assistant to becoming our Marketing Manager. He has a design flare which impacts the way we look and come across at Trade Shows, press releases and advertising.” web: www.pomegranate.com 12 gifts today

Royal Crown Derby and Bettys’ collaboration combines 380 years of British heritage and craft British fine bone china manufacturer, Royal Crown Derby, has extended its reach into the hospitality market with an exciting new partnership with Bettys, the iconic Yorkshire-based tearoom and craft bakery.

The Derby-based company, which offers a personal bespoke service to high-end brand hotel and food service establishments, has supplied the world-renowned purveyor of afternoon tea with an exclusive tableware collection for its new reservation-only Lady Betty Afternoon Tea. The initial order for the specially commissioned collection includes a 23.5cm plate, 16cm plate, tea cup and tea saucer and is exclusive to the Lady Betty menu offered in the Imperial Room, Harrogate or the Belmont Room, York. Each piece is hand-embellished with a bespoke tealeaf design created exclusively for Bettys by Royal Crown Derby.

The collection, which was designed by Royal Crown Derby’s Creative Director, Andrew Klimecki, was inspired by a tea leaf design discovered in the company’s extensive pattern archives, which dates back to the year that Bettys was launched – 1919 including a dual-branded back stamp.

Miss Milly wins Small Business of the Week Award British jewellery and scarf wholesaler, Miss Milly, was named as his ‘Small Business of the Week’ by Nick Brown, the business expert on Jeremy Vine’s Radio 2 show in October.

“What a fantastic start to the week,” smiled a delighted Sarah Watmore, owner of Miss Milly.

“This year just gets better and better for us; sales are growing phenomenally and the brand is going from strength to strength. National recognition from a renowned business guru is definitely something to be proud of and anything that boosts the profile of the contribution that small businesses make to the economy is valuable.”

At the start of 2014, there were a record 5.16 million small businesses contributing £1.2 trillion to the economy, equivalent to 33% of private sector turnover. Add in a further 31,000 medium sized businesses and the turnover jumps to £1.6 trillion. And wholesale and retail trade accounts for 35% of this SME turnover.

Web: www.missmilly.co.uk

Simon Pykett Director M +44 (0) 7967 209156

Paul Francis Southeast M +44 (0) 7795 536574 Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Central and Greater London, Channel Islands, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Middlesex, Surrey & Sussex.

Nicola Atkinson Southwest England and Wales M +44 (0) 7802 313128 Wales, Staffordshire, Shropshire, West Midlands, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Avon, Berkshire, Somerset, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Somerset, Dorset, Devon & Cornwall.

John Murphy Ireland M + (0) 353 87 2640065 Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man.

John Gibbons Scotland M +44 (0)7956 934059 Scotland

Chris McVey Northern England M +44 (0) 7795 484412 Northumberland, Cumbria, Tyne and Wear, County Durham, Lancashire & Yorkshire

Harriet Ayers

SIA Home Fashion Unit 7, The Votec Centre, Hambridge Lane, Newbury RG14 5TN

Website: www.sia-homefashion.co.uk Email: salesuk@sia-homefashion.com

Central areas M: 07714 656106 Merseyside, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Rutland, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk & Suffolk

NEWS

regular

Scottish-themed products Ancestors Group have been manufacturing and supplying Scottish Themed products for many years. Under the brand Timeline they have become the leading supplier of historical giftware sold to Castles, Museums, Historic Houses, Cathedrals and Specialist gift shops worldwide. Scottish products are a firm favourite and you will be glad to know that over 85% is manufacture on site at our Folkestone. The range of products includes a Royal Wallchart, colour-in posters, pencils with themed pewter toppers, children’s jewellery, replica coins, coasters, magnets, keychains, figures such as William Wallace and knights in armour.

Tel:01303 857200 Web: www. ancestors. co.uk

Funding campaign changes tack Inspired Goodbyes haven’t hit their target in their bid to raise £10,000 via Kickstarter to publish their book It’s Not Fair to help children deal with bereavement – but they have a cunning plan.

Having reassessed their ideas greetings publishers Helen Lawson and Sophia Lucop-Leech have worked out they need just £3,000 to get the book into print so are asking the people who pledged via Kickstarter to re-pledge through their own website.

They launched the 29-day campaign on 23 September but they told supporters: “We are not going to make our Kickstarter target, this is quite clear. And yes, we are really disappointed but we do not want to let this stop us publishing our lovely book. So we have a plan and we need your help.

“After doing some number crunching and scaling back what we wanted to spend on trade shows and promoting the book we believe we can publish it for £3,000.

“The quality will be just the same as we always planned. We will just print fewer books and not go to the very expensive trade shows. Inspired Goodbyes will pick up any extra or unforeseen costs of printing.

“Question is now, can you still help us? We’ve set up a donation page on our website where you can donate the exact same amount as you have already pledged, only this time through Paypal.

“We won’t touch a penny of this until we achieve our £3k target, hopefully by 30 November. If we don’t raise enough by then we will simply refund your donation through Paypal.”

Inspired Goodbyes specialise in sympathy cards and It’s Not Fair is their first bid to expand with the book written by founders Helen and Sophia because children don’t always know how to behave after bereavement.

Tel: 0161 667 5762 Web: www.inspiredgoodbyes.co.uk

Profile: Brands Select UK

Time to Fink

Fink, known for over 30 years for its passion for silver plated home accessories, gifts and furniture has been consolidated into one of the leading German interior brands. The products are designed by their designers with passion.

Fink Living are suppliers of stylish living accessories and furniture. To complement their range of silver plated products further they have added an exclusive range of high quality lighting, elegant leather collection, beautiful candleholders, picture frames and special statement piece accents.

Their range is as multifaceted as their designs are individual. By combining precious silver with high quality materials, the silver always gets a new great look.

Whether you prefer classical forms or clear lines, a product from Fink brings a touch of luxury in any ambience. The articles which are exclusively designed by their designers are handmade with loving precision. For 2016 they will be introducing fabulous new candle holders, picture frames and table top accessories offering the distinctive charm to the Fink collection.

14 gifts today

MARETTI is the new sophisticated leather accessory range through black or brown cowhide.

The range is superb offering items such as magazine baskets, wine coolers, trays. The range also matches perfectly with Fink’s SENTADO range of furniture featuring side tables and exquisite pouf made of wide braider leather stripes.

Feel inspired and enter the shining world of Fink by either visiting them in Frankfurt: Christmas World, hall 9.1 stand A10 29 January - 2 February 2016 Ambiente Hall 9.0 stand B10 12-16 February 2016 Alternatively contact Fink Living’s exclusive UK & Ireland sales agents Brand Select (UK) Ltd. Tel: 020 8953 7059 Email: info@brandselectuk.com Web: www.brandselectuk.com

Available from 1st January!

As from January 2016, Enesco will be distributing the Lolita collection, which includes brand new designs as well as previous best sellers. There are a host of beneďŹ ts for Enesco stockists, including carriage paid on orders over ÂŁ150.

Whether you are an existing Lolita account holder or would simply like more information, please contact our UK Customer Service dept. on 01228 404022

we’ve got giftware all wrapped up

Come and join us at‌ ‌a brand new location!

7th–11th February: International Spring Fair NEC, Birmingham Hall 4, Stand 4H80–J81 11th–29th January: Carlisle Showroom Show By appointment only, please contact your area sales manager or our customer services on 01228 404022 to make an appointment. )RIWGS 0MQMXIH ,IEH 3J½GI 'YWXSQIV 7IVZMGIW &VYRXLMPP 6SEH /MRKWXS[R 'EVPMWPI 'YQFVME '% )2 8IP *E\ IQEMP YOWEPIW$IRIWGS GS YO 3ZIVWIEW 'YWXSQIV 7IVZMGIW 8IP *E\ IQEMP IYVSWEPIW$IRIWGS GS YO ÂŒ (IWMKRW F] 0SPMXE %PP VMKLXW VIWIVZIH [SVPH[MHI ÂŒ )RIWGS 0XH

NEC, Birmingham Hall 4, Stand 4H80–J81

RJB Stone

RJB Stone has it covered Here’s a selection of products currently available at RJB Stone, the home of pretty, fun, unique, home and giftware collections.

Warm Metals / Copper For a more minimalist and industrial style, this season’s trend of copper products adds a touch of luxury to the home. RJB Stone’s new range is both contemporary and rustic, with high shine finishes, geometric shapes and an autumnal palette. Glass jewellery boxes encased in brass have a minimal, geometric shape and practical kitchenware is given an achingly modern edge in brushed copper.

You’ll also find best-selling items including terrariums and photo holders, have been given a fresh look with their inclusion to this range. Relish in the new, stripped back aesthetic that gives the most essential homewares an opulent feel.

Love You to the Moon and Back RJB Stone introduces the new Golden Stars collection, designed around the adorable quote ‘Love You to the Moon and Back’. Written in beautiful typography against a crisp white background, this design is simplistic but not without detail. With a sprinkle of golden stars, this collection has contemporary charm and the sentimental saying which is widely recognised and loved.

Found on ceramic coasters and mugs as well as popular decorative signs, this range brings a smile to the everyday. Discover uniquely designed homeware items with uplifting sentiment in this modern and on-trend, Sass & Belle collection.

Illustrated Trucks collection The Illustrated Trucks collection is a Sass & Belle original design brought to you by RJB Stone. This sweet design can be found on a range of practical homeware items created for children. The pattern includes charmingly illustrated tractors, diggers and fire trucks occurring in a simple, repeat pattern. It uses a bright, primary colour palette against a crisp white background resulting in a clean and fun design which is perfect for the playroom. Find wooden crafted calendar blocks with hand painted trucks and adorable bookends in a vintage style which evoke a sense of nostalgia.

Nail Files This season, RJB Stone showcases a wide selection of characterful nail files. Who said everyday essentials had to be boring? These affordable treats are thoughtfully designed, with each nail file having a unique character and charm. Often an addition to an existing Sass & Belle range you’ll find British Birds, Biscuits and your favourite woodland characters appear in this fresh new form. Each pack contains 48 nail files with an assortment of four designs and come packaged in a Sass & Belle display tray. Perfect for popping at the till point, they’re great for the handbag or as small token gift.

16 gifts today

Foldable Shopping Bags With the new plastic bag policy, the need for environmentally friendly, practical totes is on the rise. RJB Stone have a collection of reusable bags that can be packed away in the most charming of ways. Discover this season’s sweetest characters, including an elephant, a busy bee and a badger. What makes these products even more unique is that when folded out the creatures form part of an even bigger, pretty scene.

Thoughtfully designed and with tonnes of Sass & Belle flair, these are not to be missed.

Tel: 020 7346 0100 Email: rjbenquiries@rjbstone.com Web: www.rjbstone.com

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Special - Brian Wiseman of Present Company

n a m e s i W n a i r B looks e r o h s off

Brian Wiseman

S

urely it cannot be true that Google paid £11.6 million to the Treasury in 2012 on sales of £3.4 billion? Can it? Surely it cannot be true that company tax accountants are entertained by Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC) with Rich Tea biscuits in front of a roaring fire while their tax liability is agreed, “Will that be a fiver or can you spare the Exchequer a tenner, sir?” Probably not.

It certainly seems to be true that small businesses are subjected to increasingly random and aggressive tax investigations.

Victims report that they are treated as guilty until proven innocent.

So let’s hear it for the plucky little Welsh market town of Crickhowell. “The Powys tax rebellion,” chuckled The Independent.

The local traders are reportedly “shocked” by the “complicated offshore tricks” of certain well publicised large companies.

Allegedly, Caffé Nero has paid no UK corporation tax since 2008 on the £1.2 billion turnover generated. So the Crickhowell traders have decided to join the elite by setting up their own offshore scheme. And found that it is not only legal but may also prove acceptable to HMRC.

Monday 5 October saw the introduction of the 5p charge in England for single use plastic bags.

The vast majority of Gifts Today readers will find themselves unaffected by the rules as only larger retailers employing 250 or more are required to charge customers

The traders involved in this ingenious protest deny that they are looking to avoid making their fair share of tax contributions. Instead, they insist that their initiative, replicated throughout the land, would force Government action to close the loopholes that seem to allow spectacularly successful enterprises to pay little or no tax in the UK. One of the understandably aggrieved traders complained that last year he paid seven times more corporation tax than Facebook’s £5,000 UK remittance. For those with the temerity to question our prices, I take the moral high ground, pointing out that we pay our taxes in the UK .

Defunct on High Street Here in Burgess Hill, it may prove difficult to recruit resentful retailers to this worthy Welsh cause. In reality, most of the town’s independent retailers have closed down.

Shockingly, Present Company is now one of the few remaining specialist retailers in the town. Two independent pet shops have joined the grim list of defunct high street businesses in recent weeks. Even the pound shop is closing down. Wags delightedly surmised that it proved “too expensive for Burgess Hill.” Ninety seconds away the Waitrose supermarket thrives with its offer of one hour of free parking. And Lidl is packed and struggling to refill its shelves without free parking.

So it was kind of a good friend to send us a text wishing us well and hoping that we would find a bright future in the £70 million scheme planned for our town. And I felt a bit mean replying that while we were grateful for the kind thoughts, we were, well, a bit sceptical that the plans would restore Burgess Hill town centre to the retail destination it once was. The plans revolve around an extensive housing development, a ten-screen cinema, a Travelodge, library and new premises for existing Burgess Hill retailers Lidl and Argos. What is conspicuous by its absence

is any talk of independent speciality retailing and, for these traders, I suspect that their futures lie away from the mainstream town centres.

Freedom from the law Monday 5 October saw the long awaited introduction of the 5p charge in England for single use plastic bags. The vast majority of Gifts Today readers will find themselves unaffected by the rules as only larger retailers employing 250 or more are required to charge customers. We have always tended to ask customers, “Do you need a bag?” In general, the answer has changed to a nervous, “No thank you.”

They fear a 5p charge, of course. We don’t tell them that we are exempt from the legislation.

I have a big birthday this Christmas.

60 years big in fact. It’s a funny old life isn’t it? I have sometimes been asked why I decided to enter the retail trade.

I have long believed that life consists of 5% dreams and aspirations. And 95% circumstance. Dear reader, the blunt truth is that I didn’t want to enter the bloody retail trade. It sounded like anathema. But I am a pragmatist, and it’s been a pretty damned good life in home and gifts.

But I wanted to be a rock star.

So imagine my surprise when my band, The Reform Club (www.thereformclub. net) signed a record deal to Angel Air a few weeks ago. Our album “Never Yesterday” is released in mid-January.

National dates look set to follow.

A very Happy Christmas to you all! May your tills overfloweth.

Brian Wiseman has owned home and gift shop Present Company in Burgess Hill, West Sussex for 28 years. Brian’s wife Louise is buyer. During Present Company’s recent power problems, she took to wearing one of those head torches, greatly adding to the shop’s well-deserved reputation for eccentricity. brian_presentco@yahoo.co.uk gifts today 17

GA news

Former Next store manager and Penny Kennedy director is new GA chief executive A woman who spent the early part of her career as a store manager for Next and The Burton Group and went on to become director of Penny Kennedy, the upmarket gift packaging division of Swan Mill Group, is the new chief executive of The Giftware Association.

She is 42-year-old Sarah Ward, who attributes her “enthusiasm and passion” for retail to the “many, often stressful years” spent as part of fast-paced dynamic businesses, which included senior management roles with The Arcadia Group and Coast.

For the past 11 years Sarah has been director of Penny Kennedy, during which time the brand became synonymous with great design and innovation, earning Sarah a reputation in the industry for both her drive and great sense of style.

The move to The GA follows her decision to “embrace a complete life change”.

She explains: “I have a plaque on my wall at home that says, ‘Courage is taking the first steps to your dream, even if you can’t see the path ahead.’ And, excitingly, the role within The Giftware Association gives me the opportunity to step out boldly on my new path.

“I am so looking forward to working with everyone involved in the gift and

Earlybird suppliers give Gift of the Year entries a big boost Entries for Gift of the Year 2016 – the UK’s premier competition for gift and home products organised by The Giftware Association – have soared by 70% compared with the same time last year.

GA events co-ordinator Chris Munns reports that suppliers have taken advantage of the special early-bird rate which gave them a 20% discount on entries submitted before midOctober.

Well-supported categories to date include Home Accessories, Gifts for Men, Kids, Under £10 and Hot Novelty.

Says Chris: “I expect us to receive the usual avalanche of entries as the December 16 deadline approaches.

While that is still some time away, suppliers 18 gifts today

of products which fall into the Eco-Friendly, Premium/Luxury, Fashion Jewellery and Body, Bath & Spa categories – which haven’t yet seen a rush of entries – may feel that this is an opportunity for them to win one of our coveted awards.”

First-round online judging will take place between 17 December and 4 January, with successful suppliers seeing their products going forward to the second round where a panel of retailer judges – including those from John Lewis, Ocado, V&A Enterprises, The Garden Centre Group and independent department store Jarrolds – will choose the winning and highly commended products.

The awards will be presented at Spring Fair on Sunday, 7 February.

home industry and I’m sure great things can be achieved in the coming months and years.”

Away from work, Sarah is “mum to Harry, aged 13, and slightly obsessional in buying beautiful shoes”.

Her style icon is Audrey Hepburn and she is also a Dolly Parton fan.

Sarah, who was born in Newport, Isle of Wight, comments: “Going to the gym helps me to clear my head and find focus and I enjoy mooching around antique shops and wonderful walks with friends, family and the dogs”. She also admits: “I love animals and my alter ego is Mrs Doolittle.”

GA chairman Michael Papé says of the appointment: “We are thrilled to have someone with Sarah’s retailer and supplier experience leading The Giftware Association into an exciting new era. She understands our mission to create more trading opportunities for our members and subscribers through new GA initiatives, helping them to prosper and grow.”

It’s a wrap! GA film-maker produces promotional video for the association The Giftware Association’s business development executive David Kukadia has used his film-making experience to produce a promotional video for The GA. The Autumn Fair footage, which was amalgamated with that of show organiser i2i, is being posted on the association’s website and links to social media to promote Gift of the Year. The video will also be cut and edited to publicise services offered by The GA, such as Copywatch, as well as other i2i trade shows.

David has had a passion for film-making for many years, working with actors and directing and producing corporate videos, short films and features.

The GA video was shot by Sonny Michael Chohan of SMC Media Productions. He edited it with David, who says: “The GA’s marketing and PR needs to be savvy in an increasingly competitive marketplace and this video will add another dimension to our efforts.”

David, who hopes to produce more videos for The GA – featuring interviews with members – paid special thanks to i2i and the NEC Group for their assistance in the making of the video and its approval.

www.ga-uk.org

Agents Wanted

SALES AGENCY VACANCY Pomegranate is a leading publisher of award winning gift and paper products, books and calendars. With a focus on fine art and illustration, Pomegranate collaborates with individual artists as well as museums, galleries, and libraries across the world.

Since 1968, we have been creating a wealth of unique products which also includes our fantastic jigsaw puzzle range and games for children.

As an independent, family owned company we value quality, excellent customer service and innovative ideas. We continually introduce new formats and designs, with the mission to inspire through art.

Pomegranate currently has a vacancy for a highly motivated sales agent in the following area:

Should this be of Interest please contact Howard at Brand Select (UK) Limited on: 07834 771224 or: info@brandselectuk.com www.brandselectuk.com

Cheshire – Cumbria – Greater Manchester – Lancashire – Merseyside – Isle of Man Please contact: sales@pomeurope.co.uk

Giving & Living. Ideas that sell.

A vibrant trade show – packed with a year’s worth of ideas.

Entry is free for trade buyers. Call 01934 733456 or register online.

Stands are selling fast – to enquire 01934 733433.

Exeter 17-20 January 2016 www.givingliving.co.uk

Gift | Coast | Home

This trade only event is organised by Hale Events Limited, Premier House, Old Church Road, Axbridge, Somerset BS26 2BQ Telephone: 01934 733433

Retail Interview

Express route As one of the largest direct mail order businesses in the UK offering a personal shopping service to around 1.5 million customers each year, Penny Franks had the pleasure to question Mark Brindle, the buying manager, and Louise Southern, the head of customer retention, at Express Gifts.

Can you firstly tell us a little bit about Gifts Express?

Louise: Express Gifts is a multi channel retailer – the mail order division of Findel Plc. The two main brands are Studio and Ace with two smaller brands – Webb Ivory Fundraising and Health & Home shopping. Customers shop via mailed catalogues and via the website.

Ranges offered include kitchen, household, electrical items, audio visual, gifts, toys, Christmas, card and

paper products, furniture, garden and clothing. Both Studio and Ace offer well-known brand names as well as a range of own brand lines in small electricals and clothing. One of our USP’s is the facility to personalise gifts which is a free service offered on over 1,100 skus.

Customers can either open a credit account where they have the opportunity to spread the cost of their order or by a deferred cash option.

There are currently more tham 1.4

million customers shopping from Studio and Ace.

retailer. We offer seasonal gift items all year round.

As an online and printed catalogue gifts provider, what expectations do you feel your customers have?

Louise: Our customers are mainly looking for value, choice and key brands. We pride ourselves on offering great value on thousands of items.

Many of our customers are looking for quirky gifts – items that would be difficult to source from another

There are currently three sites that you operate, 24studio.co.uk, 24ace. co.uk and Kitbag.com - what are the key differences between these?

Louise: We no longer use ‘24’ as a prefix, the brands are studio.co.uk and ace.co.uk. There is no difference between the brands, they are marketed in the same way and receive the same offers and benefits. Kitbag is an online sports retailer which has deals with selected football clubs and other key sporting events. It is part of the Findel Group (not part of EGL) How do you source the gift products that you offer?

Mark: We employ an experienced team of buyers who specifically cover the giftware ranges. From Christmas to adult gifts,

“Our customers are mainly looking for value, choice and key brands. We pride ourselves on offering great value on thousands of items. Many of our customers are looking for quirky gifts – items that would be difficult to source from another retailer” - Louise Southern 20 gifts today

from collectables to toys. The giftware product areas are sourced from both the UK and overseas. We travel regularly to Europe, the Far East, India and the USA as well as using important specialist importers in the UK. We ensure we balance the range between branded/licensed and non branded OEM products. Our buyers are constantly searching for the latest innovations and trends in the market place to ensure our breadth of offer is varied, appealing, current and priced to meet our customers high expectations in terms of both quality and value.

They monitor trends and fashions by attending shows and exhibitions and develop their ideas for future publications.

You offer a personalised gift range do you feel that this is now becoming a more popular gifting choice?

Louise: Personalisation is something we have offered for over 30 years.

It is a key USP for our business.

Customers like to personalise gifts as it gives a personal, unique touch – it’s something our customers look for in our catalogues and online Are trade shows important to you?

Mark: Trade Shows are a vital tool in our quest to find the latest products.

We attend trade shows around the world to ensure no stone remains unturned to ensure we understand what, where and how the future trends can be sourced, interpreted, introduced and presented to our customers and most importantly at the best possible price.

What about current trends, how do you monitor these?

Mark: To ensure we are aware of current trends we not only attend exhibitions and trade shows, we competition shop, again in the UK and abroad. In addition we constantly peruse magazines, the internet and in particular trade magazines in order to investigate and monitor what is happening within the giftware market.

Is there a particular gifting category that performs well for you?

Louise: Personalised gifts for all the family, plus health and beauty including fragrances is a big growth area for us.

“Trade shows are a vital tool in our quest to find the latest products. We attend trade shows around the world to ensure no stone remains unturned to ensure we understand what, where and how the future trends can be sourced” - Mark Brindle Do you regularly offer any particular offers to your online database?

Louise: We have special offers within the catalogues and online– buy x and save, BOGOF, hot buys. The majority of special offers are given across all ordering channels as we would not want to penalise any customer just because they choose a different channel to order from.

Is there a particular time of the year

when you experience increased visits to your websites?

Louise: Our peak month for online traffic is in November How do you drive consumer awareness to your website and bring awareness?

Louise: We operate via an ‘offline driving online’ model. Most of our traffic is driven to the website by mailing catalogues, TV advertising and OTP advertising. In addition we have an extensive e-mail campaign and undertake brand and non-brand online advertising. We have Facebook and Twitter accounts How important is social media to you as a company?

Louise: Very important. In addition to being an emerging cost effective recruitment channel, it is the equivalent of our shop window, generating direct and indirect traffic and sales whilst allowing us to engage with our customers too.

The key groups are schools, scouts, guides, churches and playgroups, although there are a multitude of other charities and good causes using Webb Ivory to raise funds. The fundraiser distributes the catalogue to supporters and for all orders taken, a 25% commission or profit is donated to the special cause.

And to the future - can we expect to see any expansion plans on the horizon?

Louise: From a product perspective we will continue to extend our ranges and look for opportunities in new ranges which our customers say they would like to see. Our main focus over the next couple of years is moving to real time processing and offering a choice of delivery options.

You also offer a printed catalogue how does this operate alongside your website?

Louise: Everything published is replicated online. However the website can offer a more extensive range via online exclusives and all clearance lines.

You work with Webb Ivory - can you tell us a little more about this and the projects that you support via this with regard to fundraising?

Louise: Webb Ivory offers fundraising support to small groups and charities.

gifts today 21

Grass Roots

This month we talk to retailers about their trading experience this year, how 2015 has panned out and what they are looking forward to in 2016.

Lindsey Adam

Carolyn Wilson

Bonkers, Fife

Victoriana, Ross-shire

We are now at the end of the year, what would you say has been the biggest consumer trend you have noticed?

Now you have put me on the spot… I have just been talking to a customer about ordering something special in for them. I suppose that is what people want – they want things bespoke, and they do want them quickly. And they want them made in the UK; they want something special like that. Because you can get anything on the internet they want the same kind of service in a shop.

What was your favourite trade show this year and why?

I like Spring Fair at the NEC because it’s big and busy.

Do you have something in particular you will focus on next year?

I won’t know until I go to the trade shows. I definitely need to go to Spring Fair to find something. The home fragrance thing is definitely going to keep going with diffusers, that’s pretty strong for us. Bags as well. In the past year we have sold a lot of bags since the introduction of the bag tax [a year earlier than in England] and it’s different here. It’s all shops not just the larger ones. We have had to charge 5p for a bag since October last year. People are buying more bags, shopping bags, storage bags.

What was your biggest retail difficulty during 2015?

Probably footfall. The weather always affects your business so it is unpredictable. If there is bad weather people can now do their shopping without leaving the house. We have more highs and lows than we used to.

We are now at the end of the year, what would you say has been the biggest consumer trend you have noticed?

In our area people are thinking more about how they are spending their money; they are being a wee bit more cautious. When buying gifts, our customers are being more selective and ensuring that the person that they buy the gift for will be very pleased with it.

People are much conscious how they think about money.

Has there been a particular product category that has performed well for you this year?

Handbags, purses, scarves and jewellery have done very well for us this year. Branded or well-known gifts like Terrimundi pots that people know. We also sell a lot of tweeds and cushions, stag’s heads. We live in the Highlands of Scotland so maybe that would be something that people would associate with us.

What was your favourite trade show this year and why?

My favourite is Home and Gift in Harrogate. I make a holiday of it, rent a house every year for a week. For me it is less stressed and we generally pick up more small companies that maybe show at Harrogate but don’t go to the NEC. We get more connections there. For example, last year we picked up Miss Milly jewellery for the first time. That has become a massive thing for us. I think we order something every month.

What was your biggest retail difficulty during 2015?

My biggest challenge is trying to find that gap in our stock, that edgy, modern, rising trend. I struggle with that sometimes. You can always buy what you have always bought but that way you don’t get anything new. I am encouraged by my staff to go away and look for gifts that are a complete gift like the Ashleigh & Burwood lamp. The companies that make an effort to sell you jewellery that comes in a box is always good. That kind of thing makes a big impression on the customer and make a big difference to us.

Carrie Wright

Alison Jones Cards for all Occasions, Camborne

Warren and Wright, Yorkshire We are now at the end of the year, what would you say has been the biggest consumer trend you have noticed?

We are part-gifts, part-jewellers but I would say moderately priced silver jewellery is going very well with us. Cubic Zirconia-set jewellery, a bit flash and at the other end of the scale we are doing very well with conventional-style diamond rings. On the gift side Border Fine Arts is still ticking over but gone are the days where people would buy the limited edition pieces as investments and then try to sell them on again like they used to a few years ago.

What was your favourite trade show this year and why?

We attend Home & Gift in Harrogate and we go to Spring Fair at the NEC in Birmingham. Harrogate is only an hour from here so we get to see modern trends and it’s a nice day out for us. Birmingham we go for the jewellery side.

What was your biggest retail difficulty during 2015?

I can’t grumble. We have had a very good year. We are in a small Dales market town. I think there is a bit of a trend for people to stay home and have holidays at home due to delays at airports or problems abroad. I think there is an increase in consumer confidence and people are willing to buy a gift in the £20-£30 range. So perhaps we are bucking the trend a bit, things have certainly been a lot better for us this year. But you can never take anything for granted.

22 gifts today

We are now at the end of the year, what would you say has been the biggest consumer trend you have noticed?

That’s hard because we have not had a brilliant year. Last year was brilliant this year not so. This year we seem to have had a lot more holidaymakers buying souvenirs. We are not a seaside town, we are only a small town and we have never seen a lot of people coming through but it seems to have increased this year.

What was your favourite trade show this year and why?

We only go to one – the one in Exeter. We like to see all the new ranges from the companies we stock already but trying to find something a bit different.

Do you have something in particular you will focus on next year?

Gifts. Being in Cornwall, people like gifts that are made in Cornwall for Cornwall rather than elsewhere.

Simon Lord Lord Collectables, Spalding We are now at the end of the year, what would you say has been the biggest consumer trend you have noticed?

Trading is not as good this year as it was last year and people are looking for a bargain. They are looking for sale items.

Has there been a particular product category that has performed well for you this year?

Practical gifting – the like of candles. Portmeirion, etc – the ones that have a use as well as being a gift, practical as well as looking good.

What was your biggest retail difficulty during 2015?

Competing. The internet has a big influence. Pricing is very competitive.

Puckator

Birthday celebrations with Puckator are 25 this year and to mark this momentous occasion the company will launch a brand new stand at the NEC Spring Fair 2016.

Measuring 200m2, it will be the biggest stand to date and will allow for the effective showcasing of thousands of product lines. Many of the collections will be newly launched and there will be a primary focus on the design-led elements of the ranges.

Did you know?

W

ith a head office and distribution centre located in Cornwall, Puckator currently has four additional offices throughout Europe and China; located in Sheffield, Turin, Valencia and Xaimen. The company has ten international ecommerce B2B websites and as expansion continues further across the globe, 2016 will see the launch of new Czech and Swiss sites. If you visit the UK website, you will be sure to recognise some of the designs from product stocked by your local high street stores and tourist attractions.

Puckator participate in the main UK and European trade fairs each year; this includes the NEC Spring & Autumn Fairs for 25 years, Giving & Living Exeter, Homi Milano and Intergift Madrid. In more recent years, the company has started exhibiting at Home & Gift Harrogate, Top Drawer London and Maison & Objet Paris.

Also, this year’s introduction to the Swedish and Portuguese markets has proven a great success; both Formex in Stockholm and Interdecoracao in Oporto now feature as fixed events in the annual trade show calendar.

These additional trade shows have generated a new customer-base and therefore a change in the demand for specific items and a huge increase in interest for bespoke gifts. Some

years ago, the company established a design office in Sheffield which has grown rapidly with a young and dedicated team of designers focused on bringing to the market the latest trends. The constant strive to produce contemporary and exciting new collections has seen the launch of designs including ‘Pugs & Kisses’, ‘Botanical Gardens’ and ‘London Map’. These have already brought in large pre-orders and look set to be top selling ranges for 2016.

Along with the in-house design team, Puckator also works with a number of UK designers including Lisa Parker, Jan Pashley, Natasha Faulkner and Howard Robinson. The licensed designs appear on a variety of product lines including bone china mugs, cotton bags, wall clocks, gift packaging and cushions.

The ever-expanding range of Solar Pal characters that Puckator offers has always been a firm favourite in the company’s catalogue. Among other designs is the best-selling Dancing Queen which now has a London guardsman and waving policeman to sit nicely alongside her. These are soon to be followed by a British Bulldog and some rather exciting officially licensed characters. The dancing Mr Bean is definitely worth checking out, if you haven’t seen him already! He is part of Puckator’s growing licensed giftware range which includes brands such as The Beatles Yellow Submarine and Disney’s Frozen.

Having attended the Licensing Expo in Las Vegas and the Brand Licensing Europe Show in London, there is a new collaboration with Aardman Animations to announce. In 2016, there will be brand new Solar Pal characters of Shaun the Sheep and Wallace & Gromit! You will have to keep an eye on Puckator to see what else is in the pipelines, but we can’t wait to have the new characters dancing on our desks.

As well as the growth in strength of the design team, Puckator has also seen dramatic expansion of the warehouse and all of the offices over the past few years. The company continue to recruit new staff to build on a great sales and customer service team.

To make sure you don’t miss the latest product news and promotions direct from the Puckator team, you can sign up to the newsletter at www. puckator.co.uk. If you use social media then you can follow there too - Puckator loves staying in touch with customers and partners across all social media channels. There will also be a new and exciting blog launched in 2016, allowing you to keep up with market trends, design ideas and some behind the scenes exclusives.

For further information on any of the products or services provided by Puckator, please call the customer service team on 0800 011 6969.

Email: customerservices@ puckator.co.uk

• Puckator supplies 10k+ retailers across Europe and over half a million retailers are registered on the company’s various B2B websites.

• Puckator share a birthday with Mr Bean both turn 25 this year!

• The name ‘Puckator’ comes from the Cornish meaning Fairy/Spirit (Puck-) on a (-a-) Hill (-tor) and was the name of the cottage where the owner lived when the company was first set up.

• Puckator is introducing more licensed giftware ranges... Already working with brands such as Mr Bean, The Beatles Yellow Submarine and Disney’s Frozen; plans to launch brand new Shaun the Sheep and Wallace & Gromit Solar Pal characters are underway for 2016!

• Puckator participate in 14 national and international trade shows per year – you can view the stand details for all of these at www.puckator.co.uk gifts today 23

Personalised Memento Company

The One-Stop Personalised Gift Supplier Personalised gifts are one of the fastest growing categories in the industry. Read on to find out why the Personalised Memento Company is the one-stop supplier of choice.

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015 has been an exciting year for the Personalised Memento Company (PMC). Due to massive growth, PMC have recently expanded their office, showroom, production facilities and stock warehouse to new premises in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire.

PMC can now support thriving demand for personalised giftware, while continuing to offer the friendly, reliable and professional drop shipping service that their customers have come to enjoy Over the years, PMC have established themselves as the UK’s number 1 trade supplier for personalised gifts. Using their years of experience, PMC are proud to offer a personalised gift for any occasion. From a simple ordering system, to quick production and drop-shipping, PMC have set the bar high for the gift industry and have swiftly become many gift retailer’s first and only choice for personalised gifts.

As customer’s expectations of new and upcoming products diversify, PMC is committed to providing a range of cutting-edge personalised gifts. These range from the traditionally engraved

24 gifts today

gift to stylish and practical personalised homeware. By examining the market, PMC continues to develop a unique collection of products that suit customer’s desires for gifts that are stylish, practical and that offer longevity. New gift ranges for this year have seen kitchen, baking and homeware gifts taking centre stage. Personalised tea towels, baking bowls and

website platform, retailers can take advantage of PMC’s growing range of giftware, allowing them to supply their customers’ needs.

The affiliate model offers a generous rate of commission and a website that requires no maintenance of product listings, no administration of placing orders; and all with the added bonus of being completely free of charge.

The website is loaded with

This year, PMC have made it even easier for smaller and independent retailers to gain a foothold in the rapidly expanding personalised gift category. cushions have all stormed the market, with even more innovations for personalised gifts on the horizon.

For The Independent Retailer

This year, PMC have made it even easier for smaller and independent retailers to gain a foothold in the rapidly expanding personalised gift category. Using their free affiliate

an expertly assembled range of personalised gifts, covering every occasion. PMC apply the retailer’s branding to a personalised landing page for seamless integration with their existing online presence and branding, making personalised gifts work for any customer.

It’s incredibly easy for retailers to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity to expand into the personalised gift industry; simply visit PMC’s website and click on the affiliate website button to get started.

There are option to expand to a white label website or even a fully bespoke site if you need PMC to cater for something a little different, such as integrations to your current retail offering.

In addition to growing their premises, PMC have also expanded their new products team earlier this year by appointing Cara Beech as New Product Manager.

The team is dedicated to all aspects of new ideas and imagery of new gift lines. The secret to PMC’s success is due to both their ability to reliably supply their retailers with the best personalised giftware on the market and to their industry-leading design process.

Thanks to recent expansion, PMC can draw upon the expertise of their dedicated new product and design teams to constantly source and produce unique products that embrace the latest market trends.

PMC’s New Product Manager agrees, “Personalised giftware has become more accessible, with the consumer now more able than ever to put their hands on a bespoke item that can be enjoyed for themselves and not always gifted.”

The catalogue of PMC gift lines is extensive, but designed in a way that retailers can cherry pick the design and categories which best suit their target consumer market.

PMC specialise in unique gifts such as pet gifts and personalised remembrance keepsakes to general gifting.

Recent new products to hit the market include personalised acrylic

decorations and wall art, as well as expanding on their existing ranges including ceramic mugs, baubles, slate and cheese boards.

Grandparent’s Day has sparked an increase in interest this year for PMC’s personalised frames, glassware and traditional silverware gifts. Popularity is only set to increase in this category for 2016.

How Does It Work?

If you are an independent, online or multichannel retailer, PMC have the solution for you to sell personalised gifts.

Benefits include; • Choose from their huge range, including gifts for weddings and anniversaries, Christenings, First Holy Communion, gifts for teachers, back to school and birthdays. There are ranges for all the calendar occasions; St Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and of course Christmas.

• Place orders using the trade website with access to hundreds of product lines and all the information to start selling personalised gifts.

• There are no minimum order quantities or contract and you can start from a small product range, or take a leap with a whole host of gifts ranges which fit your consumer audience.

• You can keep a track of your

orders with confirmation and despatch notifications. There are options to grow, with PMC offering expansion to sending orders automatically and account options.

• There is no stock to hold, with a reliable drop ship service. Each gift is individually personalised and despatched.

• PMC offer an industry leading service with fast lead times, with the majority of the range available to be personalised and despatched for next day delivery.

• The main benefit from using a one source supplier is the ability

to consolidate your postage costs. As well as one point of contact to grow your market for personalised gifts.

• PMC are well catered for the peak seasons, working in such a way that you can depend on them as a supplier right up to the occasion.

• It’s well known that consumers are always looking for brand new gifts. You can keep up to date with PMCs new products launched every single week, and there is easy access to download product images and an information feed including how to personalise every item.

DID YOU KNOW? • PMC was founded in 2004 and supplies nearly 500 retailers, across independent, high street brands and mail order companies.

• Their 22,000 sq. ft. premises is home to over 50 processes of equipment and machinery to personalise all of their gift range in house.

• Everything PMC offer is personalised and despatched from their Staffordshire premises.

• They have more than 7,000 products on their trade website, all personalised.

• A recent study showed that 72% of us prefer a personalised gift to one that isn’t. gifts today 25

Personalised Memento Company

Say ‘Hello’ to Hello Kitty Personalised Gifts

W

ith PMC’s current line-up of personalised licensed gifts, such as Me to You and Purple Ronnie proving to be a huge success, they have recently partnered with Sanrio to add the ever popular Hello Kitty license to their range. This pop culture icon now features on a growing collection of products, from personalised drinks bottles and pencils cases to mugs and lunch bags, with even more designs due to be introduced in the coming New Year.

PMC boast a huge array of personalisation techniques, but you can be assured they are by no means a ‘jack of all trades’.

PMC carry a resource of expertise from engravers to print experts.

Every product they personalise is rigorously tested and approved, from the safety of product manufacture, to the quality of the personalisation process. Many of the products are despatched the same day as they are received.

Embracing Sanrio’s vision of ‘small gift, big smile’, personalised Hello Kitty gifts are already proving hugely popular with many retailers in the run up to Christmas.

PMC have worked with Sanrio to ensure the recognisable character is seamlessly incorporated with personalisation, yet still maintaining the brand that fans have come to love.

An overview of the designs in the collection so far include; • 1st Christmas gifts have been a popular seller so far this season.

26 gifts today

Including a Fairy design, a perfect Christmas keepsake for any girl.

• Beautiful Bow is perfect as an offering for young girls and new baby keepsakes.

• Fancy Floral is easily recognisable as a classic design; a modern theme perfect for all ages.

• Girly Chic with striking black and gold colours is perfect for an older and tween range.

New for 2016 are spring and summer ranges. Featuring the iconic character that is so widely recognised amongst pretty pastel colours for Mother’s Day and striking bold colours for St Valentine’s Day. With so many well-known brands already under the PMC personalised umbrella they have attracted talks with another licence partner for 2016.

Visit the entire range of Hello Kitty and other licensed gifts at www. personalisedmemento.co.uk Meet the PMC team at Spring Fair 7-11 February 2016 Hall 4 Stand E90-F91 For more information email the dedicated customer service team at sales@personalisedmemento. co.uk

Personalised Gifts

This time it’s personal Add emotional sentimentality to a gift by having it personalised Picture courtesy of Personalised Memento Co

C

ustomers often know the gift that they are going to buy for a loved one on a special occasion.

There is a way to enhance their shopping experience and make the gift even more precious and memorable for the recipient.

Getting it personalised.

Gifts can be personalised in any number of ways from engraving to having a name printed in a book.

We spoke to people involved in the personalisation of gifts to find out the latest in this exciting category.

Kristina Ruffell from the Personalised

is creating an individual and unique keepsake for each customer.”

Thanks to modern technology, companies can produce personalised product in the way that they never could only a short time ago.

The fact that an item is bespoke gives this more sentimental value, which is a factor people are willing to pay more for.

Kat Grant, Signature Gifts, added: “With more innovative ways of printing, there is now the option to personalise almost anything you can think of.

That being said we do find that our personalised children’s books are best-sellers all year round, though our

“Why give a child a book when you can give them a personalised book, which was printed especially for them?”

Memento Company said: “The flexible nature of personalised gifts means that their appeal over other gifts is constantly growing. Our expansion into new personalised gift ranges, such as bakeware and kitchenware has proved popular with retailers and consumers alike. Licence holders like Sanrio (Hello Kitty) and Carte Blanche (Me to You) have also realised the huge opportunity for expansion into the personalised gift market by recently coming on board with PMC. This has allowed us to diversify our range even further with a collection of exclusive personalised licensed products.”

Howard Thomas from GiftScribes Gifts agreed. He remarked: “What makes this a growing product category? People like something that is dedicated to them.

“How does putting a name or date onto a product give a higher perceived value? Our products are not mass personalised. The specific retailer

bespoke baubles are a definite winner over the festive period.”

Howard told us: “Our piggy banks and money boxes are a year round purchase. There are also elements of our hanging decorations range that do work outside of Christmas.

We have a number of designs for a personalised wedding gift and then there are designs for graduation, christening, Holy Communion, wedding anniversaries and other events.”

In other words personalisation can be used for almost any gift. And best of all presents can be personalised at Christmas and any time of the year.

“With the option to add any message as well as a name to our personalised children’s books, they make the perfect gift whatever the occasion, and so they are a great seller all year round.

Particular favourites are My Book of Nursery Rhymes and the Once Upon a Time Fairytale collection,” said Kat Grant.

Obviously, there are benefits for retailers in this category as they can offer a gift off the shelf or a bespoke product.

Retailer Alan Philpot of The Gifts Shop in Lancashire stocks a variety of gifts. “I have regulars who come in for special events. They look at my stock and then select the anniversary, birthday or whatever. My customers know that I can arrange a quick turnaround so they make good gifts.”

“With our drop-ship service, retailers only need to stock samples of these products, lowering their risk of storing stock and meaning they can provide a wider range of personalised products than ever before. There is no longer the need to buy display stands where customers need to search for a name, which may not even be there; they can see an example and then order the bespoke item to be sent to them direct,” said Kat. Howard said: “Retailers really like our products as they are not pre-named.

This means that they do not have stock that sticks. Also, our repeat customers find that there is collectability, particularly for our Christmas decorations.”

Kristina Ruffell told us: “PMC, we have made it easier than ever for a retailer to dip a toe in the personalised gifts marketplace. With our tried and tested drop-shipping model, we have eliminated the need for retailers to hold any stock. We also offer a successful White Label Website option, meaning that retailers now have more options than ever for selling personalised giftware. What’s more, now that there’s such a huge range of personalised gifts on the market, retailers can cherry pick the lines that will best suit their business.

“2015 has been a hugely successful year for personalised gifts. As we head towards 2016, more and more innovative personalised gifts are entering the market, catering for every occasion throughout the year. This will result in a surge in demand. As next year’s trends start to emerge, we will begin to see a shift in designs of personalised gifts making a statement with their designs, leading to striking concepts that stand apart from previous years’ ranges. This evolution in design will undoubtedly lead to continual growth for the personalised gift market through and beyond 2016.”

Did you know?

• eBay has more than 50,000 personalised birthday gifts on its site.

• Actress Vivien Leigh refused to personalise autographs for fans.

• The Royal Mail allows customers to personalise the labels adjoining their stamps.

• The DVLA began selling personalised number plates in 1989.

• The personalised greetings card company Moonpig launched in July 2000. gifts today 27

Personalised Gifts

Winter Warmer Solo Ltd

Wedding bliss with Neviti

Neviti have a fantastic selection of wedding items perfect for adding a personal touch to your special day. Their collection of elegant cufflinks provide ideal gifts for friends and relatives with a variety of different designs to choose from including best man, usher and father of the groom.

To complement the cufflinks Neviti also have a variety of personalised wedding socks providing a fun addition to your wedding attire. A guest book is a wedding essential to capture all of those special personalised messages from your guests, to create a lasting keepsake of your special day. Neviti have a selection of different guest books to choose from with printed designs or plain varieties perfect if you personalise wedding stationary.

Other particularly nice options include Neviti’s guest books with pen. These guest books add a sophisticated touch to your wedding day with white and ivory options to choose from perfect for personalising with your own choice of decoration. If you’re looking for an alternative to the traditional guest book why not explore the selection of wedding wishes post boxes, perfect for creating a special memento. Guests can use the co-ordinating wedding wishes cards to add their own personal message for the bride and groom and then simply place in the matching post box. For gifts or wedding favours Neviti have a fantastic choice of tags with beautiful designs to choose from. These provide a lovely way to add a personal touch to your favour boxes or bags, or to add a pretty detail to napkins with your own unique message.

Tel: 01494 472311 Web: www.csimports.com

Weddings have become a huge part of the personalisation market with traditional gifts transformed into personalisation classics. This traditional window style hip flask is perfect to see how much of the precious liquid gold you have left and is number one for personalisation. The window lets you know if you’re running low and, more crucially, when you need to top up.

The flask is a great gift for any special occasion such as birthdays and weddings and with a large engraving area on the back, it makes a really thoughtful present for any spirit lover. Creative Director Tanya Ross said; “Personalisation has really taken off in the wedding sector with everything from personalised confetti, wine, table presents and of course best man and usher gifts and this flask has proved a consistent best seller with its stylish design and great personalisation area” A perfect gift for winter weddings…especially if you fill it first!

Tel: 01789 262900 Email: retail@sololtd.com Web: www.sololtd.com

Sheaffer Pens – perfect for engraving Joe Davies

Personalisation is a great way to add value to any product and the Sheaffer 100 range of which Joe Davies are the official distributor to the independent gift market, are perfectly suited for this purpose.

The collection consists of over 20 different designs and configurations. All items are beautifully gift boxed making them great for giving, suitable for engraving and this internationally renowned brand adds kudos to any gift range.

All Joe Davies 8,000 plus items are available in small quantities and carriage is free on orders of only £100. This is all backed up with the best customer service in the trade.

Tel: 0161 975 6300 Email: sales@ joedavies. co.uk Web: www. joedavies. co.uk

28 gifts today

KING

ILKINSON

Great for all the family and really good for your male customers who can be tricky to cater for. Enamelled pin badges depicting your family Coat of Arms and your family motto. Presented on a gloss laminated gift card/keepsake which also gives you the origination of of your name and the translation of your family motto.

The Coat of Arms are taken from authentic hand drawn original artwork associated with your name compiled by leading genealogists and heraldists. The range includes the top 194 UK Surnames researched from the latest census so you have the best offering for your customers.

The 200 pin display (we have doubled up on the top 6 surnames) makes it easy for your customers to see where their names are and also makes it easy for you to re-order and merchandise the display.

Ancestors® Group Bowles Well Gardens, Dover Road, Folkestone, Kent, CT19 6PQ T: +44 (0)1303 857200 F: +44 (0)1303 857201 E: sales@ancestorsgroup.com www.ancestors.co.uk

Heraldic Name Keyfob & Coaster Spinners 312 Named British Heraldic Keyfobs and Coasters with English, Scottish, Irish and Welsh names available off the shelf.

Laminated and “Crystal Lens” Coasters

Acrylic and “Crystal Lens” Keyfobs

The spinner is supplied FREE on loan and holds 180 names x 6 coasters a total of 1080 coasters. (Choose from a list of 312 names).

The spinner is supplied FREE on loan and holds 312 names x 6 keyfobs a total of 1,872 keyfobs. (Choose from a list of 312 names).

Available in two formats these felt backed 88mm diameter coasters show the surname history and an associated coat of arms in full colour.

They can be supplied laminated in the traditional style or can be enhanced using our unique “Crystal Lens” covering, this gives a special quality and feel, lifting the image to a new level.

Any name can be researched and produced and top-ups are available in minimum quantities of 6 per name.

Available in two formats these keyfobs show the surname history on one side and an associated coat of arms, in full colour, on the other.

They can be supplied as traditional acrylic keyfobs or enhanced using a chrome key-rings with our unique “Crystal Lens” covering, giving them a special quality and feel, lifting the images to new levels.

Any name can be researched and produced and top-ups are available in minimum quantities of 6 per name.

Personalised Gifts

Signature Alcohol Gift Sets

Ideal for any occasion and beautifully unique, these ranges of personalised glass gift sets are certainly the best gift for a special occasion. You choose the name and message that is seamlessly incorporated onto label of your drink of choice, and add your choice of additional gift. From an original newspaper from your choice of date, a luxurious silk rose, or delicious hand-made Belgian truffles there’s a luxury gift to compliment any taste. Once the bottle is opened the recipient can enjoy the contents in the glasses that are also available within the beautifully presented set. Choose one of 5 exclusive designs, or leave your glasses blank, there’s a set for every occasion.

Exclusively made by Signature Gifts, feel free to call for details, or visit www.signature-gifts. co.uk.

RRP from £19.99

Tel: 01582 464 809 Email: Sales@signature-gifts.co.uk Web: www.signature-gifts.co.uk

Heraldic gifts with the personal touch Ancestors Group

Ancestors Group, like the name suggests, started out as a team of genealogists. The company soon turned its attention to products and have since been an established leading supplier of Personalised Heraldic gifts. Their best-selling impulse and personalised gifts include Pin Badges, Coasters and Keychains with their attractive co-ordinated concept lines that are designed to add value to your business. These eye-catching ranges fit a whole selection of retail environments, including visitor attractions, garden centres and independent gift stores.

Tel:01303 857200 Web: www.ancestors.co.uk

Vibrant bracelets with BOING PoM launch new collection

Spring is the perfect time to try something new. In january, PoM launches their new initial necklace and birthstone charm collection, just in time for St Valentine’s Day. With the personalisation market getting bigger, if you sell or are thinking of selling silver or silver plated jewellery, this is a trend you should really be buying into. Adding a heart charm or loved ones birthstone to one of PoM’s simple necklaces takes seconds and creates a unique and very thoughtful gift that can be added to again and again.

Tel: 01225 777749 Web: www.pom925.com 30 gifts today

Inspired by extreme sports and the great outdoors BOING makes unique and vibrant rope and leather bracelets. BOING’s rope bracelets are made using genuine climbing and sailing ropes. They are beautifully designed, unfussy and a super tough piece of jewellery. They appeal to both men and women who adore the great outdoors.

BOING bracelets make perfect gifts, as each one is handmade to order in the UK comes in its own round embossed tin or pouch.

RRP start from just £30.

Email billy@ boing-inc.com Web: www. boing-inc.com

Personalisable

Gifts

Taking a brief moment to personalise a gift for someone else tells them that they are special and it creates a unique keepsake.

GiftScribes offer a huge range of personalisable gifts and a dedicated selection of Special Art Pens.

Every one of our beautiful ceramic Piggy Banks can be personalised at the point of sale, with family names or a short message; or sold with a fine point or medium point art pen in one of six or more colours.

Proven demand • Good margins Small minimum orders • Personal service

www.giftscribes.co.uk

Piggy Banks

eMail: sales@giftscribes.co.uk Call: 01584 811 190

Personalised Gifts

Personalised Mug and Coaster Set Personalised Memento Company

A unique new product offering from the Personalised Memento Company is the new ‘Home Is Where The Heart Is’ personalised mug and coaster set.

Available now £14.99 RRP. Personalised Memento offer the largest range of personalised gifts, covering all occasions. Most of the range is personalised and despatched in 24 hours.

Tel: 01782 744 900 Email: sales@personalisedmemento.co.uk Web: www.personalisedmemento.co.uk

Personalised Me To You Bear Personalised Memento Company

Key to Your Heart

Birthdays, St Valentine’s, Mother’s Day and, of course, Christmas, this unusual heart shaped locket keyring is always a personalisation favourite.

Solo have been personalising metal gifts with diamond engraving for over 20 years, but over the last five years there has been a large resurgence in personalisation driven by online innovations. Creative director Tanya Ross says; “Personalisation is one of the biggest success stories in the retail sector in recent years, and this keyring ticks all the boxes to make it one of our best-selling personalisation items and one of my personal favourites.”

The shiny silver-plated keyring sporting a smooth undulating surface opens up to reveal a special place for two of your favourite photos. It’s a great gift to express to someone how much they really mean to you, and so with the ability to engrave on both the front and back with either diamond or laser engraving, it has that extra personal touch which is essential for the personalisation market.

This perfect personalisation gift is sure to brighten up any set of keys.

Tel: 01789 262900 Email: retail@sololtd.com Web: www.sololtd.com 32 gifts today

The Personalised Memento Company’s selection of plush toys includes a selection of personalised Tatty Teddy bears from Me to You. Made with high quality materials and soft fur, they are expertly made and beautifully personalised by PMC. These bears make special gifts for flower girls and other events such as Birthdays and Christenings. These plush bears are a great addition to the wide range of personalised Me to You items which PMC offer including decorations, tokens, mugs and bags. With well-known brands such as Me to You and Purple Ronnie combined with their swift and simple drop shipping service, it’s clear why PMC are the UK’s leading trade supplier of personalised gifts.

Tel: 01782 744 900 Email: sales@personalisedmemento.co.uk Web: www.personalisedmemento.co.uk

Well Being

The importance of being well and well being In these fast-paced times, well being is more important than ever

I

n the not so distant past we were all assured that, come the future, we would have so much leisure time with time-saving devices and the like, that we would simply not know what to do with it all.

We were also told that we would all be walking around in silver jump suits but perhaps that is one prediction we should be glad did not come to fruition.

So what happened? Most of us far from having eons of leisure time are working harder than ever before and putting in longer hours.

It is therefore very important that we take care of ourselves in our non-work time. This can take many forms as well as the obvious pair of eating properly and taking some exercise.

There is an enlarging market of firms producing goods that allow us to if not exactly pamper ourselves then at least ensure we are at the very least able to look after ourselves.

Well-being is a growing category as it is one that holds appeal to an emerging young market of health conscious individuals.

We spoke to a number of firms that are helping in the fight to distress, de-worry and make us less anxious.

Deborah Bettinson from Ashleigh & Burwood told us that more people are looking at calming and holistic products: “As everyone’s life becomes faster paced, more and more of us are looking for a time out from this and are seeking effective ways in which to relax.”

Gary Savage, the general manager of the Intelex Group, agrees. He told us: “We are continually growing the heatable body ranges and only use the finest French lavender leaves that give a soothing calming scent. We are also looking at other scents as the need for choice grows.”

Indeed, it would appear that scents and pleasant smells are an important area that people inhabit to help themselves relax and the one that tops most people’s list is lavender. Long regarded as a scent for the more mature lady, it is now very much a mainstream product.

Gary Savage said: “We continue to see lavender as the number one scented fragrance, this soothes and calms and

omits a very pleasant aroma.”

On the candle front, Sarah Bellis, Label Design and Marketing for Heaven Scent had this to say: “There are many good selling points to our candle, the fact that we use recycled glass and packaging and when the candle is burned there is no black smoke produced like so many paraffin candles. In terms of a particular fragrance it has to be lavender.”

Deborah Bettinson adds: “Candles will always play a role in well being. The flickering light from a candle as much as its scent is something that people strongly associate with relaxation.”

The smell can come from reed diffusers or candles, not to mention bath bombs, essential oils and other products one can use when one is wet or doing one’s ablutions.

David Cree, the sales manager of Joe Davies, says: “We are finding particularly strong sales of the Rose and Co Collection of soaps, bath melts, bath bombs, hand creams and lip gloss from the Patisserie de Bain and No 84 collections.”

Deborah Bettinson told us: “For us Amora is performing strongly in the wellbeing category. Consumers like that our Amora essential oils are 100% pure and natural. The Amora Scent Hubs themselves provide a fantastic way to relax and unwind, providing a multisensory experience of scent, light and even music for some models. The consumer media in this from this sector have embraced the brand, with both Top Santé and Women’s Fitness having featured Amora Scent Hubs in recent months.”

How do retailers benefit from selling “feel good” products?

David Cree of Joe Davies said: “The benefits to retailers in stocking these products are many. The items are a consumable so once a customer buys a product, uses it and loves it they come back for more.”

Gary Savage said: “The retailer will benefit from having a fast selling range that is on trend, design led and has attractive margins.”

So, there we have it – everyone wins from the wholesaler to the retailer to the consumer.

Soothing the senses Ashleigh & Burwood

Amora from Ashleigh & Burwood is a brand which is synonymous with wellbeing. The range of ultrasonic Scent Hubs when used with the oils from the range, are designed to release a soothing mist of essential oils, providing mood enhancement through aromatherapy. The hubs also feature ambient mood lighting with fixed light or colour changing options available to create the ultimate relaxing ambience. The Apollo and Harmonia models also boast integrated Bluetooth speakers which play music from any smartphone or MP3 device adding an additional sensory experience. There are six models to choose from.

Tel: 01932 267060 Web: www.ashleigh-burwood-trade.co.uk

“As everyone’s life becomes faster paced, more of us are seeking effective ways in which to relax.”

Did you know?

• Essential oils are generally extracted by distillation, often by using steam.

• The earliest recorded mention of essential oils is from the 12th century.

• A candle manufacturer is traditionally known as a chandler.

• A French surgeon, Jean Valnet, pioneered the medicinal uses of essential oils during World War II. • In 1937, the word aromatherapy first appeared in print in a French book. gifts today 33

Well Being

Spring/Summer sorted with Village Candle

Village Candle now have all their Spring and Summer 2016 collections available to order. New fragrances for spring include Lemon Pistachio, Pink Grapefruit and Dahlia. New accessory collections include assorted rotary fan candle jar tops and electric mosaic wax burners in 16 designs. Many more new items are also available for delivery from January. Take a look on-line, visit their showroom or arrange for a sales agent to visit. Initial stocks are limited so order soon to avoid disappointment.

Tel: 01254 300268 Email: sales@villagecandle.co.uk Web: www.villagecandle.co.uk

‘Mummy Bee’ is the Queen Bee of gifting ideas Beefayre

Beefayre’s Mummy Bee Collection is a beautiful collection of individual home fragrance and beauty products, all using lavender and geranium essential oils.

As well as ideal Mothering Sunday gifts, the collection also has broad appeal throughout the year providing multiple gifting opportunities for mums, mumsto-be and new mums.

The products include hand cream, lip balm, various natural plant wax candles, a room diffuser and now a room spray.

The Mummy Bee collection is made up of individual items ranging from £5£20 and includes a richly moisturising hand cream, organic lip balm, various sized natural plant wax candles and a room diffuser.

This allows shops to package sets together with their own gift boxes or to range as a mini collection in a children’s section of their shop.

The collection includes Beefayre’s four hero products; glass tealights, votive, large candle and room diffuser) so it will sit along side any of the Bee Garden Collection and fits neatly into Beefayre’s new Beehive floor standing unit. This creates the ideal opportunity for retailers to introduce something new and keep their beefayre collection looking interesting and fresh without having to find new space or radically change their display.

Artist and founder Sharon Jervis hand draws the company’s designs from flowers and plants in the Beefayre garden and pair them with the fragrance elements. The Mummy Bee packaging and glassware feature printed botanical designs with a lavender, geranium and bee design.

Sharon commented on the new collection: “The Queen Bee is one of nature’s essential matriarchs and it seems only fitting that we created a beautiful product to celebrate the essence of this strong, central figurehead of the hive. This resilient role model image transcends to Mummies everywhere.

This is why we have introduced our Mummy Bee collection - to celebrate, recognise and ultimately reward these amazing women.”

Beefayre’s mission is to produce excellent quality gifts made in England using the finest ingredients. The beauty products within the collection are free from parabens, and the home fragrance products are made from natural plant wax and are hand poured into recycled glass. Buying Beefayre products means customers are directly helping save bees - as 3% of the company’s profits are donated to bee conservation.

Tel: 01858 434492 Email: sales@beefayre.com Web: www.beefayre.com 34 gifts today

A Royal Flush with Poo-Pourri Joe Davies

Joe Davies, the South Manchester-based importer of the Shudehill giftware collection, are proud to be the exclusive UK distributor for Poo-Pourri, the ‘beforeyou-go’ toilet spray, fresh from the USA. There are three fragrances available, Original Poo-Pourri, Deja Poo and the more masculine Royal Flush. It’s all beautifully packaged in attractively labelled, spritzer bottles and the marketing is first class. Poo-Pourris’ spoof ad has had over 34 million hits on YouTube!

Poo-Pourri is fun to sell and what’s more it really works. Once purchased it quickly becomes a household necessity and the company reports fantastic repeat sales.

Re-ordering is quick and easy using Joe Davies’ trademark little and often ordering system, with carriage paid orders of just £100. The full range can be viewed at the company’s spacious South Manchester showroom.

Tel: 0161 975 6300 Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk Web: www.joedavies.co.uk

Well Being

ScentChips introduce ScentPearls to Home Fragrance Market

madebyzen - a journey for the senses

One of the leading home fragrance brands madebyzen continues to flourish with diversification into high-end spa, aromatherapy and home fragrance sectors as it’s uniquely niche product range becomes globally coveted.

Following another successful year which included the expansion into India the release of a further four innovative aroma diffusers, and delightful additions to their fragrance ranges, the opulent brand has announced its impressive growth and increased distribution. madebyzen has positioned itself as one of the leaders in ultrasonic aroma diffusers and has won the respect of some of the most reputed retail names in the UK with presence in John Lewis, Neals Yard and Fenwicks to name a few. The brand has strong visibility within the Garden Centre sector and is also listed with premier centres throughout the country including Cadburys, Bents and Hayes, which are some of the best names in the sector.

Synonymous with innovation, style and luxurious scents, madebyzen products are sophisticated and elegant in design and uniquely enhance their surroundings making them well suited to the spa sector. The company has recently begun working with Kempinski, Sofitel and Four Seasons Spas as a result.

The soothing aroma diffusers such as the Amaya bring a calming ambience to the room with delicate light displays and flame free scenting, which cleanses, purifies and rejuvenates.

The Amaya is inspired by nature and uses sustainably sourced, hand cut bamboo, topped with an elegant ceramic cover to mirror a water droplet.

Tel: 0161 257 3524 Email: info@europiumworld.com Web: www.madebyzen.com 36 gifts today

ScentPearls are colourful fragrant silicon beads for use in a ScentPearls Electric Warmer, a low wattage light which creates a gentle heat releasing the aroma.

With no naked flame or molten wax, ScentPearls are a safe alternative way to deliver fragrance to a home.

Available in 12 fragrances and as with ScentChips Wax Melts the consumer can mix them to create their own fragrance.

A special introductory offer of a ScentPearls Warmer complete with a tub of ScentPearls to retail at £39.95 (Normal Price £ 51.95) is a great opportunity for retailers to boost both sales and profits.

With the launch of ScentCrush - the Create your own Scented Candle Collection developed in Europe for the Home Fragrance Market and exclusive to ScentChips, (see Gifts Today October 2015 Page 41) ScentChips UK now have a range of innovative products for this rapidly growing market sector.

Tel: 01259 751009 Email: service.uk@worldofscentchips.com

Holistic approach with Heaven Scent

Heaven Scent is well known for their natural candle, created mainly to offer to the growing Holistic sector in the early 90s. Today natural products are more mainstream than they used to be and you will see a Heaven Scent candle in many high street gift shops. Their line of pure essential oil candles called Relaxing, Inspiration, Love and Peace and Meditation include beautiful oils like Rosemary with its distinctive woody fragrance can help calm and balance hormones. Neroli used in their Inspiration candle has a fragrant orange blossom smell blended with lavender and rosemary it has properties that are said to be good for nervousness and anxiety. Ylang Ylang is an oil used in our Relaxing Candle which can help to sooth and restore. Their Mediation Candle includes Ho Wood Oil which may help with colds and Flu. Along with the beneficial oils their blends smell heavenly too, mixed with clean burning wax their essential oils range are one of the best quality candles on the market.

Tel: 01225 868788 Email: contact@heavenscent.co.uk

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Mummy Bee Collection• Perfect for Mother’s Day Visit our stand S58 at Top Drawer, Olympia. t 01858 434492 e sales@beefayre.com www.beefayre.com

BOING® BRACELETS UK. Tough, tactile and vibrant rope and leather bracelets, made using genuine climbing and sailing ropes.

Unfussy jewellery that appeals to those who love the great outdoors.

Makes an ideal gift, comes in it’s own embossed tin RRP starts from £30.

POS Stand given to new stockists.

To become a stockist email billy@boing-inc.com

www.boing-inc.com

Heaven Sends

Angelic service with Heaven Sends From small beginnings around a kitchen table Heaven Sends has over the past ten years fast become one of the UK’s leading wholesalers of fabulous gifts, stylish home accessories, and seasonal decorations… It’s not just Christmas!

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ot only renowned for their witty signs, distinguished clocks, shabby chic accessories and fabulous festive decorations, but with the introduction of their paper bag range Heaven Sends has become a one-stopshop for retailers no matter what their budget. They’re very proud of their reputation for quality, unique design and quirky products, all at extraordinary value for money prices.

The Angels (aka Account Managers) are key to the business offering customers a heavenly service. With a wealth of product knowledge, an understanding of what consumers really desire - and most importantly what sells they act as Guardian Angels, and guide customers to all the bestsellers, super offers, and introduce them to all the new collections as they are launched. They even produce tailor-made product portfolios as one of their many services.

If you want to experience a piece of Heaven Sends for yourself, then their Midlands based showroom is a great way to take a look at their expansive collections. So there’s no need to elbow your way round at busy trade

38 gifts today

fairs when you can get the one to one angelic service at the onsite showroom.

With the launch of their new update website packed full of features ordering online has become a dream. Easier searching and navigation by theme and product type make finding the prefect product simple.

If you prefer to do your buying at trade fairs, Heaven Sends exhibit at all the major home and gift fairs from Harrogate Christmas and Gift in January through to Autumn Fair NEC in September. Showtime is the best time to pre-order all the new goodies for the following season so you’re ahead of the game… and best of all you get to have a good old catch up with your Angel.

Expect the extraordinary… from their products and service.

The Heaven Sends’ Angels are a friendly team... so why not give them a call 0121 351 7457 or email them at sales@heavensends. com to find out more or place an order. You can view the full collection by visiting www. heavensends.com

If you want to experience a piece of Heaven Sends for yourself, then their Midlands based showroom is a great way to take a look at their expansive collections

5 Fabulous reasons to order with Heaven Sends...

1. Offer FREE DELIVERY with orders over £350 (UK mainland only) 2. Minimum order is ONLY £100 (UK mainland only) 3. Your very own dedicated Angel 4. Products are all extraordinary value 5. You get to try more of the collection as pack sizes are small.

Presenting...

NEW 2016 Christmas

Quality gift stationery.

All wrapped up.

AT

Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair 10-13th January 2016 Stand No. C3 7 & C24-25 ORDER YOUR TASTER

CATALOGUE &

FREE GIFT

*

visit www.heavensends.com/gifts & enter promo code: GTODAY *one free gift per trade customer while stocks last

T: +44 (0)121 351 7457 . F: +44 (0)121 ( ) 313 3234 . E: sales@heavensends.com

as...

Christm me for come ho

Tel: 01373 462165 Email: sales@mgml.co.uk

www.museumsgalleries.co.uk

Gift Books

Book ahead Are we seeing a rise in popularity in this gifting category?

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nce upon a time, books were only available in bookshops but now after the abolition of the Net Book Agreement, which forbade shops to sell books at discounted prices, many more shops can sell a selection of books.

Books have been around for more than two thousand years and appeal to every sector of society and every age and it must be said every taste.

Young children love having a bedtime story read to them by their parents or grandparents and feel ever so grown up when they are able to read their own special book.

There are a number of books that do not at first

Did you know?

• Google has estimated that as of 2010, around 130,000,000 unique titles have been published.

• The best-selling copyright book is Guinness World Records.

• Rubricators were the monks who painted in the red letters in books.

• The first books used parchment or vellum (calfskin) for the pages.

• Paper was first made in China as early as 200 BC 40 gifts today

Great gifting solutions with PMC

The Personalised Memento Company has an extensive range of gift books extending to classic novels, colouring books and Children’s story books. You can also choose from a wide choice of joke and humour books. Sports fans will be impressed with a wide range of golf, rugby and ‘on this day’ books, filled to the brim with facts for all the major football clubs.

These unique books are personalised by PMC and a great gift idea for a special occasion or birthday.

Retail prices for personalised books start from £8.99 each, and are personalised on the cover and throughout the story.

Tel: 01782 744 900 Email: sales@personalisedmemento.co.uk Web: www.personalisedmemento.co.uk

“Books make a great gift whatever age you are because of the personal connection from the giver to the person receiving it” appear to be educational and that is their skill – the child is unaware that they learning as they read.

The advent of personalisation has opened up a whole new possibility for wholesalers and retailers.

Youngsters not only read an adventure story or a humorous tale or indeed anything that takes their fancy, but they also star in it.

We asked Ley Brickhill of Pomegranate whether she thought books make an ideal gift. “Absolutely!

Most people who want a book for Christmas usually make a list so that means they get the book they want and I really like that concept.

“I think it is a very personal thing because it means that they know that person and are helping in the education of the child.”

Kristina Ruffell from the Personalised Memento Company agreed. She told us: “They are practical gifts, our personalised gifts always make special keepsakes but with the added fact they are useful and in some cases educational is a big draw for consumers.”

As we have seen there is no age limit on buying books as gifts whereas some other categories only appeal to certain age groups.

“I don’t think there is an age limit at all especially if one is encouraged to have books from a young age,” said Ley. “They make a great gift whatever age you are because of the personal connection from the giver to the person receiving it.”

There is also a benefit for retailers as they can stock a sample copy of a personalised book to show potential customers.

“We can despatch our personalised book gifts very quickly and are quality items,” said Kristina. “Our personalised classic novels are a unique gifts where the. Retailers embrace our products as they are something that is a unique and personal.”

It is not just novels but also sports books that appeal to the book-buying public when socks just don’t cut the mustard for dad, granddad, uncle or nephew.

“All of our personalised Sport Books, in particular our On this Day books are a great keepsake and we offer a wide range,” said Kristina, “not just of the top football league teams but book choices for other sports like rugby, cricket and Formula One racing.”

Groucho Marx once said: “Outside of a dog a book was man’s best friend” and we agree wholeheartedly.

Gift Books

House of Marbles – Discover the Magic of Books

From children’s education and activity books through to adult humour and puzzles – House of Marbles has a fabulous collection of unique gift books perfect for the independent retailer.

Customers can choose from a massive range of titles, each carefully selected to really stand out from the crowd. With retail prices starting from as little as £1.99, there’s something special for everyone this Christmas.

Whether you want puppets, magnets, make your own kits or wit and wisdom, you will be spoilt for choice – and with carriage paid still only £150 it couldn’t be simpler to give this delightful range a try!

Email: uk@houseofmarbles.com Tel: 01626 835358 Web: www.houseofmarbles.com/trade

Pictures speak louder than words Pomegranate

MIKE WILKS set out in the 1980s to depict as many words as possible in twenty-six images corresponding to the alphabet.

His four-year painting odyssey resulted in a suite of magnificent compilations, all minutely detailed, masterfully rendered, and slightly surreal.

Each image contains dozens, if not hundreds, of items all starting with the same letter. The Ultimate Alphabet: Complete Edition brings these images together with an annotated key, in this deluxe slipcase edition.

Art aficionados both old and young will delight in identifying and discovering all that Wilks has drawn—7,819 objects at last count.”

Web: www.pomegranate.com 42 gifts today

Expanding the range Signature Gifts

After the continuous success of My Book of Nursery Rhymes in a classic cloth cover, Signature gifts have expanded their range of premium Children’s Books. The classic cloth finish covers are foil embossed with the recipient’s name along with a design to reflect the story within. Each book within the range has a festive or educational element, creating a premium gift ideal for young children. From learning how to spell their name or recognising months of the year, to a fun Christmas story about Santa or a fact-filled encyclopedia; each book is given a personalised twist and includes the child’s name throughout the images and often the story as well!

The whole range is available from 1 November 2015, exclusively designed and printed by Signature Gifts Ltd, RRP £16.99.

Tel: 01582 464 809 Web: www.signature-gifts.co.uk

Test a publisher’s statement of circulation. In today’s business climate you can’t afford not to.

Our ABC Certificate provides accurate, independently verified circulation figures, giving you confidence in your advertising investment.

If you want to reach 7,098* total average net circulation, then call Mark Horsnell on 01442 289930 or email markh@lemapublishing.co.uk *. Circulation figure relates to period from 1st July 2014 to 30th June 2015

For more information visit www.abc.org.uk or email info@abc.org.uk

Giving & Living

Sunshine to drive sales at Giving & Living 2016 17-20 January 2016 It was a bumper summer in the West Country, and the autumn sunshine continued to attract tourists. Visitor numbers were up and so was visitor spending. With tourist attractions and retailers now looking to restock with the latest in gifts and homewares for 2016, the Giving & Living trade show in January will be their next port of call.

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iving & Living is the largest home and gift trade show in the South West. This vibrant event is packed with a year’s worth of ideas that sell. As the first show of the season, Giving & Living provides visitors with the opportunity to see the very latest new and exclusive 2016 gift and homeware product ranges before anyone else, and with Easter falling so early in 2016, it is perfectly timed for retailers to stock up for the year ahead.

Next year’s show, which takes place at the Westpoint Exhibition Centre, 44 gifts today

Amongst the familiar faces at the show, such as Puckator, Jane Adams Ceramics, Talbot Fashions and Arora Design, there will also be more than 50 companies new to the show Exeter, and runs from Sunday 17 January to Wednesday 20 January, will bring together up to 300 exhibitors and more than 4,000 retail buyers.

The coast and tourism are huge driving forces for the South West

economy, so it’s no wonder that this show has always had a fine selection of products ideal for this market.

Giving & Living is undoubtedly the best show in the country for buyers keen to order coastal merchandise – every year

launching a wave of new ideas which are eagerly snapped up by those who successfully target the holidaymaker.

To showcase this market, and new for 2016, Giving & Living has created a special area dedicated to the Coastal market. See the beach towels and bags from Sea Kisses, drysuits from Typhoon Ltd, wetsuits from TWF International Ltd, surfboards and beach goods from KandyToys, flags and souvenirs from John Brady Agencies, gifts and souvenirs from Nauticalia, and much more.

Other show features include a newcomer’s area which showcases new exhibitors from the UK that have never before exhibited at a trade show so it’s a great opportunity to spot new companies and products. The Designed & Made in Britain area is where you’ll find unusual products of high quality with a distinct local flavour, reflecting the UK’s unique heritage, such as the handmade lampwork bead jewellery from Beach Art Glass. If you’re after products with a strong ethical and/or environmental background, the Naturally Trail will lead you to exhibitors such as Sapooni and Little Trove. In addition to the wide range of products available, the Enhance area will inspire you to add new items to your offering, and source services that could help you

do business more profitably.

Among the familiar faces at the show, such as Puckator, Jane Adams Ceramics, Talbot Fashions and Arora Design, there will also be more than 50 companies new to the show. For the first time you can see the range of leisure goods from Wilton Bradley, gift, trend and joke articles from Out of the Blue, beautiful silver and gemstone jewellery from Silver Arcade, UV swimwear from Jakabel, traditionally woven Turkish hamam towels from Ailera, and the cards and gifts from Sarah Kelleher.

Giving & Living has it all. From gifts that can be personalised for your venue, to those that reflect the UK’s unique heritage, there’s a huge range on show - from 50p pocket money gifts to oneoff British-made gallery pieces. The show presents an unrivalled selection of products for retail buyers, whether the outlets are large tourist attractions looking for high volume, or small independent outlets looking for that little something that is unique and different.

If you’re looking to get your products to market – this is your open door to South West buyers. If you’re looking for the best products for your retail business, this is your chance to meet a great range of exhibitors at a relaxed, timely and effective show.

Giving & Living has it all. From gifts that can be personalised for your venue, to those that reflect the UK’s unique heritage, there’s a huge range on show - from 50p pocket money gifts to one-off British-made gallery pieces For more information about the show, to book a stand, or pre-register to attend, please call 01934 733433, follow @giving_living, or visit www.givingliving.co.uk. gifts today 45

Giving & Living

Arora Design

Following a long absence Arora Design returned to Giving & Living in 2015 with great success, so are pleased to once again be exhibiting in January. They will have extensions to their existing ranges on show, as well as fabulous new collections and exciting new brands which will make their debut in the New Year.

Their designers and artists have once again been hard at work and they will be revealing some fantastic British designed product in 2016.

To view what’s new, visit them at East Anglian Gift & Toy Fair Stand SA17, Giving & Living A255, and Spring Fair Hall 5 Stand A03

Email: sales@arora-design.co.uk Tel: 01386 861666 Web: www.arora-design.co.uk

Puckator

Stand: A718/619 Puckator will be launching hundreds of new design-led gift ranges at Giving & Living, Exeter in January.

The company’s UK-based design team are constantly striving to produce contemporary and exciting new collections. The ‘Pugs & Kisses’, ‘Botanical Gardens’ and ‘London Map’ designs are all set to be big sellers and with such a variety of products available, you can create some fantastic displays.

The ever-popular Solar Pals range has also seen some new characters introduced; there is now a Saluting Guardsman, a waving Policeman and a Leprechaun which will all dance alongside the top-selling Queen and officially licensed Mr Bean.

Puckator are very focused on the licensed giftware sector and have some very exciting news to announce! Having attended the Licensing Expo in Las Vegas and the Brand Licensing Europe Show in London, there is a new collaboration with Aardman Animations planned.

In 2016 you will see the launch of brand new Shaun the Sheep and Wallace & Gromit Solar Pals! Watch this space to see who else Puckator have in the pipelines; we can’t wait to have the new characters dancing on our desks. Visit Puckator on Stand A718/619 to see their full product range.

Tel: 0800 011 6969 Web: www.puckator.co.uk 46 gifts today

Unicorns

TRADE SHOWS 2016 17 - 20 Jan : Giving and Living: Westpoint - Exeter, UK Stand A 718/619

29 Jan - 1 Feb : Homi Milano - Milan, Italy

20 - 23 Jan : Formex - Stockholm, Sweden

3 - 7 Feb : Intergift - Madrid, Spain

22 - 26 Jan : Maison & Objet - Paris, France

7 - 11 Feb : NEC Spring Fair International -Birmingham, Hall 4 Stand C10-D11

Scotland’s Trade Fair

Scottish Trade Fair provides ideal buying arena For many retailers Scotland’s Trade Fair is the chance to re-connect with suppliers and see what the 2016 collections will be

48 gifts today

Scotland is renowned for its innovation and entrepreneurial spirit which is plain to see at its Spring Trade Fair from 24 -26 January 2016.

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mongst the 400 plus stands there are a multitude of interesting gifts, exquisite jewellery, unusual cards and stylish textiles and clothing.

Many of the exhibitors only exhibit at this Show while most take this opportunity to unveil their 2016 ranges for the first time. With such a wide range of products from handmade goods to more general giftwear, and from gallery pieces to small affordable gifts it will have something for everyone and is a must visit for retailers.

New! Craft Gallery After demand from retailers to see more crafts this year a Craft Gallery will be included where around 30 specially selected quality craft producers will exhibit in their own designated area, organised by Craft Scotland and Springboard Events. These include textiles from Warped Textiles, Chantal Allen, Joan Fraser and Wonky Woollies,

jewellery from Christina Hirst, Eileen Gatt, Gabrielle Reith and Aubin Stewart, ceramics from Tom Hopkins Gibson and Redcastle Pottery and glass from Michael James Hunter.

Launching to the Trade The first place many buyers will head is to the Launch Gallery, where new, young, innovative companies will exhibit, in a special zone in the centre of the Show. This year’s line up includes Amy Britton’s tweed accessories, designer homewares from Lux and Bloom, Lisa Marsella jewellery, Scott & Robson cards and Clanbags, Daisy Blue Candles and Pop Up Designs.

What’s New? About a quarter of all stands are newcomers including companies such as RJB Stone’s affordable home and giftware, Emma Ball Designs, Earth Squared, Peartree Heybridge cards, Hummingbird Sculptures, I Like Birds cards, Alexander Thurlow and Harris Tweed, Isle of Harris.

Launching 2016 ranges For many retailers Scotland’s Trade Fair is the chance to re-connect with suppliers and see what the 2016 collections will be. The Show stalwarts include Chloe Gardner, Santoro, Peony Scarves, Dunoon mugs, Bothy Knits, Portmeirion, Chris Lewis Silver, Samantha Holmes clothing, Belltrees Forge and Bomb Cosmetics.

Trip to Orkney The Orkney Isles are a hub of creativity so we have created a special zone called The Orkney Aisles, where a group of inventive producers come together under one banner. Sheila Fleet will launch her 2016 jewellery, as will Ortak and Aurora Jewellery. A mix of newcomers and familiar faces comprise the rest of the group which includes, Castaway, Hume Sweet Hume, Celina Rupp, Leo Kerr, Fluke and Hilary Grant.

Seminars for the added extras How often do we want extra tips on

The first place many buyers will head is to the Launch Gallery, where new, young, innovative companies will exhibit, in a special zone in the centre of the Show

social media for our business or how to improve but never have the time? This year’s Show will have an impressive line-up of educational seminars on subjects such as social media, e-commerce, pop-up shops, how to choose a successful brand, food tastings and more.

Awarding the best Best Product Awards are made for the best products in four categories – home and gift; jewellery and fashion accessories; textiles and clothing and Launch Gallery. Judged by industry experts at the opening of the Show the winners will be displayed in special cabinets.

Feeding the trade Scotland’s Trade Fair is held in conjunction with Scotland’s Speciality Food Show where 140 fine food and

drink producers will be exhibiting. This allows buyers from tourist shops, cafes, gift stores, garden centres, hotels, restaurants and large stores to buy under one roof.

And finally…

Mark Saunders, Director of the Show said: “What we offer in Scotland is rarely found elsewhere in the UK. In the comparatively intimate surroundings of the SECC in the centre of Glasgow, buyers can find gifts, jewellery, clothing, crafts and food from some of the best and most interesting producers around.

Caroline Smith from Wild Things gift shop in Braemar said: “Scotland’s Trade Fair is a great way to begin January’s buying process and its size and layout means it is easy to navigate and see so many producers.”

Scotland’s Trade Fair, Spring 24-26 January 2016 SECC, Glasgow Organised by Springboard Events Tel: 01877 385772, www.scotlandstradefairs.co.uk gifts today 49

Scotland’s Trade Fair

Alexander Thurlow Stand: J47

Alexander Thurlow are pleased to be showing at this year’s Scotland Trade Fair for the very first time. They are very excited about this new show in their calendar and can see some great opportunities here.

This will be the first showing of their new S/S 2016 collection also which features many new designs with a flower theme.

There is also a brand new website that has just gone live, so all in all a good start to the new 2016 season. The new website can be found at www.alexanderthurlow.com

Tel: 020 8766 6466 Web: www.alexanderthurlow.com

Ashleigh & Burwood Stand: G20

Ashleigh & Burwood will be launching a host of new fragrances and products, including two new scents for Fragrance Lamps and four fresh fragrances in The Scented Home. There are brand new products launching in Ashleigh & Burwood Premium Fragrance Lamps and Reed Diffusers and The Scented Home, plus two new models in amora.

The two latest models to join amora are the diminutive venus and orion, both of which sport sleek cutting-edge styling and USB cables, providing convenience and adaptability for powering the hubs.

The compact design of these 2 distinct models makes them the perfect desk companion or the ideal enhancement to a bedside table –what better way to start and end the day! The USB cables allow the hubs to be powered via a lap top or any other device with USB connection. The two new models make a welcome addition to the existing range of six amora scent hubs.

Tel: 01932 267060 Web: www.ashleigh-burwood-trade.co.uk

50 gifts today

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Scotland’s Trade Fair

24-26 2016 SECC JANUARY

Spring

fresh ideas for Spring

To register for your free entry badge and for further information please visit scotlandstradefairs.co.uk

Social Media - Ross Hewitt

Get FIT for Your Social Media Marketing “Get FIT” says the largely inactive marketing geek who spends around 10 hours a day hunched over a laptop. Oh the hypocritical irony of it all.

Written by: Ross Hewitt, Secret Mud Pie

O Ross Hewitt, Managing Director of Secret Pie and author of ‘Savvy Social Media’. Ross began his digital marketing career in 1998 when social networking was something you only did in a pub. He set up Secret Pie in 2010 and has been helping clients get found and loved online ever since. www.secretpie.co.uk | Ross@secretpie.co.uk | 01904 393394 | Twitter: @ Ross_Hewitt

52 gifts today

K, I was getting all short-hand on you…I mean get Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for your social media marketing. I’ll leave the fitness advice to true experts, such as those soap opera and reality TV show ‘stars’ who like to release exercise DVDs around this time of the year.

What follows now is a heady mix of my own fallible opinions and the results of some very in-depth social media trends research from the U.S.A. Facebook remains a very important platform for targeted marketing and advertising in the UK. It is also a very powerful customer service tool when used correctly and monitored closely. Your prospective and existing customers are on Facebook, in their hundreds, thousands and millions.

More than 24 million people log in every day in the UK to see videos of cats or things their tenuous acquaintances are eating or have eaten. That’s over a third of the population. To put that into parochial terms, if you own a gift store in Bristol then around 150,000 people on your doorstep log into Facebook every day. If you are based in the Birmingham area then it’s over 366,000 people. If you are national then it’s…over 24 million people.

Not all of them need a gift today but around Christmas time they are all in the market for your products.

It’s an audience, and a very big one, and right now you should be on there as a business with a proper business page and doing what you can to promote your wares and brand to that substantial chunk of people.

Facebook has advertising services which let you target people by location, gender, age and a huge range of interests (such as baking, candles,

Star Wars and thousands more). As a quick example if you run a gift store in Brighton and have a supply of Star Wars cake moulds or cookie cutters then you can target Facebook users within 20km of Brighton that have interests in Star Wars and Baking and you have a potential reach of 66,000 relevant prospects during a very topical time of the year for both interests. You can run a test campaign to such a group of prospects yourself very, very cheaply…give £20 a whirl and see if the results are worth spending more.

If you want to be thinking about the future and how social media uptake and behaviour may twist or change then I would recommend embracing Instagram if you haven’t done so already. Research from the States within the last 12 months has convincingly shown a surge of enthusiasm and uptake for Instagram among teenagers and millennials (people who hit adulthood around the year 2000). This is echoed by UK youngsters too and research over here suggests they are staying off Facebook because their parents are on it!

32% of US teenagers say Instagram is their most important social media service, compared with 14% for Facebook. 73% said they used it, compared to 47% for Facebook.

Around 55% of 18 to 29 years olds used Instagram, which means it is now more highly used than Twitter, Pinterest and LinkedIn over there in that age group.

At the start of 2015 there were 300 million users of Instagram. In september they went through the 400 million user milestone. Instagram is gathering a real head of steam and is being loved by young folk and those young folk will be your customers through the forthcoming years so

start curating your own Instagram page soon if you aren’t already. They will expect you to have one. It is image based, and there is no part of the gift industry that does not lend itself well to images and photography and it is not difficult to use. Don’t miss the boat on this one!

That leaves me with Twitter, and what’s not to like?

Well, OK, it’s not everybody’s cup of tea but it’s very easy to use and an instant way to share updates and photos.

It integrates easily with websites so you can squirt news straight onto your webpages from your mobile phone and it is fast becoming an established channel for consumers to ask direct questions to brands and retailers. The right answer in a timely manner can bring customers to you as it can lead to very public displays of great customer service and that has real value in the modern consumer’s mind.

User numbers in the UK are sketchy for Twitter, but they are believed to be somewhere in the 9.5 to 10 million mark, which is still a decent chunk of the UK population. Once again, your customers and prospects are on there and in volume so go find them and follow them. They will already expect you to be available through Twitter.

So, it is Facebook for its genuine marketing power and massive in-situ audience; Instagram for the sharing of lovely images whilst waiting for the existing ultra-fans to get older, and Twitter for the instant broadcast capabilities and incredible customer service opportunities.

They would be my top three for the gift industry. Maybe you agree or disagree, and do let me know. Not right now though…I’m off to the gym.

Exhibition Diary

Exhibition Preview 2016 This issue Gifts Today brings you a superb round up of exhibitions that you will find useful to attend in 2016.

The Exhibition Diary provides you with all the information you will need to organise your 2016 show calendar. You will also find the UK Diary and Worldwide Diary dates.

By ‘flicking’ through these pages you will find exhibitions previewed to give you some great insight on what to expect at your favourite events.

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Christmas & Gift Harrogate

56

Christmasworld

58

Wales Spring Fair

60

Ambiente

62

London Stationery Show

64

UK Diary Dates

65

Worldwide Diary Dates

Raft of new initiatives implemented for Spring Fair 2016

Save the date!

THE DATES for Home & Gift Harrogate have been confirmed as July 17-20, 2016, when thousands of new product lines and design-led gifts will be revealed to discerning buyers for the key Autumn/ Winter buying sales period and beyond.

There’s still nine months to go to the uniquely sociable show and 80 per cent of Home & Gift is already sold out so organisers Clarion Events are hoping it’s set to be the best yet. New companies that will debut in 2016 include Portico Designs, CB Imports, Charles Viancin UK Limited, Dexam International, Garden Trading, Lancaster and Gibbings, Thinkgadgets, Two Little Boys, and Woodstock Chimes UK. After a very successful launch this year, Home & Gift will see the return of the Great Northern Retail Summit, with an enhanced programme packed full of expert advice and case studies which will run across three days of the show.

Show director Cleere Scamell said: “We are delighted to reveal the refreshed and exciting 55th edition of Home & Gift Harrogate – the greatest in giftware and homeware, all set in a uniquely social atmosphere.

“I’m delighted to see outstanding new brands and products coming on board faster than ever before and, with must–see conference and networking events all rolled into one incredible festival, buying has never been more easy and enjoyable.”

www.homeandgift.co.uk

The organiser of Spring Fair, i2i Events Group, has made two new senior appointments as part of a raft of initiatives being implemented for the 2016 edition of the show.

Nick Davison is the new Portfolio Director for Spring Fair and Saul Leese joins as Head of Marketing for the exhibition, due to take place from February 7 – 11 at The NEC, Birmingham.

Nick, who joined i2i Events Group in 2007, is already a familiar face to Nick Davison both retailers and exhibitors, having started out as an event director for garden centre industry exhibition, Glee, before moving onto Autumn Fair.

Now at the helm of the UK’s largest retail trade show, Nick comments: “I have recently taken over the running of the Spring Fair and my primary objective - one that I am absolutely resolute on - is improving our customer experience. Putting exhibitors at the heart of what we do is fundamental.

“I am very proud to have been put in charge of such an important event and I have been working closely with both buyers and exhibitors to ensure Spring Fair 2016 fully represents the needs of our customers. I personally look forward to welcoming back new, lapsed and our very loyal exhibitors to next year’s show.“ This year sees the introduction of The Wish List, which gives buyers the Saul Leese opportunity to save and print ‘shopping lists’ of their favourite items from a comprehensive database of Spring Fair exhibitors’ products. This handy online sourcing mechanism generates leads for exhibitors throughout the year – not just around show time - whilst greatly facilitating the selection process for buyers.

Spring Fair’s new Head of Marketing, Saul Leese, also has an impressive career in the exhibitions industry and joins i2i Events Group from London-based event, 100% Design.

Alongside the innovative Wish List functionality, Saul has introduced a new guide for buyers, a trendfocused UK publication highlighting the great new products available for retailers at Spring Fair. Saul commented: “We’ve just launched The Product Guides, which bring to life the very latest innovations available to buy at Spring Fair and also provide a year-round source of inspiration for buyers”.

Further changes to Spring Fair for 2016 will include an improved layout, which will further enhance the show’s superb cross-over buying opportunities across 14 different product sectors. Consultation with exhibitors has also revealed the need to improve access to the atrium side of the show. This will be achieved via the introduction of an express entrance in Hall 9, helping channel footfall to Halls 6, 7 and 8 as soon as the show opens.

www.springfair.com gifts today 53

Harrogate Christmas & Gift

Gifts galore - and not just for Christmas

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nce again the show is fully booked with many exhibitors returning after a hugely successful show last year and 30 new exhibitors presenting some exciting new ranges for the very first time.

Show organiser, Simon Anslow, comments: “Christmas & Gift goes from strength to strength as the word spreads about its success we have more new companies jumping on board. Visitor numbers have increased dramatically over the last four years and it is now one of the UK’s number one events for retailers and buyers seeking not only festive products, but home and garden gift ranges for the entire year.”

Amongst the new exhibitors, Harrogate is delighted to welcome Koopman International to the show with its offering of thousands of products from Christmas gifts and decorations to almost everything imaginable for the home and garden.

Also new is Fountasia, an innovative family run company which specialises in quality gifts for inside and outside the home; Boxer Gifts – innovators and creators of unique quality gift ideas, including novelties to make people laugh; and Global Journey with a diverse range of products including personalised fun signs, music and jewellery.

Once again, Premier Decorations will dominate Hall H with many exciting new product ranges including its 2016 Christmas Collection with exclusively designed ‘Christmas Stories’ presenting unique and innovative themes specially chosen for the UK market. Within all of these beautiful collections you will find every product imaginable to inspire a well-planned, harmonised Christmas scene. Choose from tree trims starting with Premier’s quality UK manufactured tinsels and combine with sumptuous fabric trims

54 gifts today

North Yorkshire is set for huge influx of visitors in January 2016 as Harrogate Christmas & Gift opens its doors to what promises to be another bumper event. and ornaments from cute Christmas characters to sparkling crystals and glass. Also on view will be a range of Premier’s brand new 2016 Halloween and Garden and Outdoor Living collections.

Retailers and buyers will also be delighted with lots of exciting new product launches from well known names which return to Harrogate year after year such as Gisela Graham, one of Europe’s leading giftware design companies renowned for crafting

glitzy hanging Christmas characters.

Its collection also features an entire menagerie of the most adorable creatures you’ll ever see. Whilst The Satchville Gift Company will be launching its new Christmas ranges including its very popular driftwood collections such as reindeer, trees and lanterns, together with rustic and natural wreaths, hearts and garlands.

These companies are just a taste of what Harrogate has to offer so be sure to check the website at www.

Once again, Premier Decorations will dominate Hall H with many exciting new product ranges including its 2016 Christmas Collection with exclusively designed ‘Christmas Stories’ presenting unique and innovative themes specially chosen for the UK market beautiful decorations for Christmas and Easter and also pretty things for the home and garden.

Heaven Sends is one of the UK’s leading wholesalers of fabulously quirky gifts, stylish home accessories and seasonal decorations and will be presenting some unique designs providing quality yet great value for money.

Festive will once again be prominent in Hall C having increased its product portfolio to include nearly every conceivable Christmas decoration category from ornate glass baubles, shatterproof baubles, tinsel garlands, wreaths, fibre optic and artificial trees to name but a few.

Felt so Good is bringing bundles of new furry magic with a stunning Christmas collection which features everything from beautifully handcrafted traditional Christmas stockings to

harrogatefair.com for a full list of exhibitors. You will also find a link to Mice Concierge – the show’s official partner – which is able to secure extremely preferential rates for hotels and guest houses in Harrogate.

Simon concludes: “The show exceeded all expectations last year with numerous buyers attending from department stores, supermarkets, independent retailers, garden centres, visitor attractions and even museums and cathedrals as the offering of products is so diverse. Visitors can expect to see not only ranges for Christmas, but novelties and gifts for the home and garden the entire year round.”

When: 10th-13th January 2016 Where: Harrogate International Centre Web: www.harrogatefair.com

+DUURJDWH &KULVWPDV *LIW

10th - 13th January 2016

Register to visit free online today!

Don’t miss the UK’s fastest growing trade show for the festive gift sector!

www.harrogatefair.com

Christmasworld

- Sparkling future found in Frankfurt

W

e all know Christmas is just around the corner but there is something far bigger beyond it! Taking place from 29 January to 2 February 2016 Christmasworld annually attracts a whopping 36,000 visitors including wholesale and retail trades, shopping centres, DIY markets and the green sector to Frankfurt am Main. And there are some distinct reasons why it is the leading international trade fair for seasonal and festive decoration…

Visitors will see designs for the future showcased and shared from over 910 international market leaders.

Offering a selection of fresh ideas and unconventional products to spice up your retail collection, Christmasworld is the international order platform for the year. Held over five days, visitors see nine exhibitor halls designed to lead them directly to the product groups of interest. Although named Christmasworld, whether for weddings, birthdays, Easter, christenings or any celebration, there is something to meet every requirement. The product selection includes florists’ requisites & garden decoration, ribbons & wrapping, candles & fragrance, seasonal decoration & gifts, Christmas & advent, Asian Christmas & decoration, visual merchandising & light, Christmas & advent.

At Christmasworld 2016, buyers will find a broad spectrum of creative ideas and materials for artificial flowers, plants, artificial trees, wreaths, sprays, vases and for garden decoration. But 56 gifts today

that’s not all: in 2016, the range to be seen at the fair will be supplemented for the first time by fresh flowers in the form of seasonally decorated sprays. Christmasworld Director Eva Olbrich explains why: “On the basis of discussions with the sector, we have ascertained that there is a genuine demand for supplementary sales channels for fresh flowers as decorative elements, and therefore plan to establish a special area for this in Frankfurt in the future.” See it all in Galleria 0.

Accompanying the additional fresh flower provisions, for the sixth time, Rudi Tuinman and Pascal Koeleman from 2Dezign are set to present their special show, “design by modern nature” in Galleria 1. Transforming the hall into a modern and atmospheric decorative forest using products from the exhibitors such as copper and gold articles, forest figures such as owls, stags and foxes, visitors will find inspiration from the festive luxurious display for large areas, shop-windows and shop interiors.

Christmasworld is the unrivalled source of inspiration for new assortments, shop window presentations, market information and invaluable business contacts.

As a way of offering new business potential, Christmasworld focuses on new market opportunities and builds a complementary programme of events for visitors.

The Christmasworld Trend show seen in Galleria 1, is the most helpful way to source the 2016/17 colours, patterns, shapes and materials. Using

the products from 2015 exhibitors, four different worlds of style under the motto ‘Creating atmospheres’ are created; ‘surreal laboratories’, ‘boho treasuries’, ‘quiet harmonies’ and ‘playful possibilities’. Based on the fields of fashion, architecture and interior design, the trend prognosis seeks the most current festive articles for all occasions for 2016/17.

The Decoration Star Innovation Award will be announced at the show in Foyer, Hall 11.0. Awarded in three different categories; Christmas Star (products for the Christmas festivities), Seasonal Star (products for seasonal

best-practice lectures and panel discussions with renowned experts focusing on how the retail trade can take advantage of digitalisation, lighting and PoS presentations to attract more customers. The Partner of the Premium Business Programme is the German Council of Shopping Centres.

Registrations are invited up to 12 January 2016 on the website at www. christmasworld.messefrankfurt.com/ premium.

The neighbouring Paperworld and Christmasworld fairs offer valuable synergetic effects for Christmasworld visitors. Find everything from gift-

Visitors will see designs for the future showcased and shared from over 910 international market leaders. Offering a selection of fresh ideas and unconventional products to spice up your retail collection, Christmasworld is the international order platform for the year decorations and gifts) and Promotion Star (advertising, sales promotions, PoS activities and campaigns).

Aimed at international decision makers for the procurement of indoor and outdoor decorations for shopping centres, shops and municipalities, as well as Christmas market and leisure park operators, innovative designers and decoration agencies, the exclusive networking and lecture programme will be held on 29 January 2016. The agenda includes

wrapping materials and paper, via greetings cards and calendars, to office supplies, stationery and writing utensils at Paperworld. At Creativeworld, the trade fair for hobby, handicrafts and artists’ requisites, retailers will find a complete spectrum of products for making festive decorations at home.

See all three trade fairs with one ticket. It’s an industry opportunity not to be missed! Buy your tickets now: www.christmasworld.messefrankfurt. com

Seasonal Decoration at its best 29. 1 – 2. 2. 2016

Your seat on the front row!

Keep a step ahead of the competition. Discover the latest trends and top exhibitors for your future business on an international stage. Start a successful year at the world’s leading trade fair for seasonal and festive decorations – with the best the industry has to offer.

Order your tickets now: www.christmasworld.messefrankfurt.com info@uk.messefrankfurt.com Tel. +44 (0) 14 83 48 39 83

Wales Spring Fair

Kick Start Spring with Wales Spring Fair!

Wales Spring Fair 2016!

I

t’s that time of year again when Venue Cymru is busy preparing for its annual trade show, Wales Spring Fair 2016, which takes place between the 17-20th January 2016. There is no better place to start planning for next season’s giftware as Wales Spring Fair offers a fabulous opportunity to exhibitors to showcase their latest best-selling products.

Now in its 36th year the show is growing from strength to strength attracting new exhibitors as well as the usual favourites. Situated in the heart of North Wales, Llandudno is a beautiful Victorian town that comes alive every January during the 4 days of Wales Spring Fair.

The Wales Spring Fair 2015 was as popular as it was in 2014 with a slight increase of buyers from the Cheshire area, cementing the show’s place as Wales’s premier home and gift show.

This has been recognised by the exhibitors. In addition to nearly all of last year’s companies rebooking their stands, a quarter of all exhibitors will be new to the Wales Spring Fair. This means that there will be something fresh and exciting for the buyers, which travel from across Wales and the rest of the UK.

58 gifts today

Buyers visiting the show will have the opportunity to discover all the fabulous new products, it also gives them a chance to see all the latest product from their favourite suppliers. Many of last years’ key exhibitors are set to return in 2016, including RBW group, Pendragon Wales, Richard Lang and Manav, plus many, many more. They are very excited to welcome Star Edition who are exhibiting with us for the very first time this year.

In response to increasing demand from buyers searching for high quality products, The Wales Spring Fair team have taken the opportunity to carefully source new exhibitors. Theses Exhibitors which offer the more designled, one of a kind type of products are

supportive and friendly. Thank you, keep up the good work” – Becky Underwood Proprietor of Flourish.

This year we can confirm that Pretty Beautiful are also returning with their stunning dried fruit wreaths and garlands, teacup candle stands and a whole range of decorative items for the home. Pretty Beautiful first

Now in its 36th year the show is growing from strength to strength attracting new exhibitors as well as the usual favourites hand-selected for their commercial appeal, quality and price. Whatever your retail focus may be, you can guarantee to find a whole host of new and innovative products to please your customers.

Wales Spring Fair is such a great opportunity for designer-makers who are interested in developing commercial trade opportunities. “I have had lots of re orders from this years’ Wales Spring fair. It is a lovely show, well executed and very

exhibited with us in 2014 and has never looked back.

Wales Spring Fair Event Manager Adrian LaTrobe explains: “Last year’s buyers specified a range of product areas that they would like to see more of at the Wales Spring Fair. One of the ranges that kept being requested were hand-crafted so this is where we have concentrated our focus.”

The mission to attract more of these key exhibitors has been a success with a host of new exhibitors coming on board, showcasing: hand made jewellery, unique artwork, hand-crafted shabby-chic accessories and designled homeware.

In the last three years they have increased the numbers of their

designer–makers and are still working on attracting more. The mission has been a success with exhibitors like Pretty Beautiful, Vanilla jewellery and Mark Kostiak coming on board to showcase their hand made jewellery, hand-crafted shabby–chic accessories and design-led homeware.

Wales Spring Fair Marketing Officer, Anwen Jones says: “We targeted these exhibitors because our buyers asked us to, but in doing so we have enriched the offering of the Wales Spring Fair and greatly increased our target visitor market. By including these unique products we hope to attract buyers from art galleries, boutiques and high-end gift shops who may not have previously recognised what the Wales Spring Fair had to offer them.”

Agencies including the Federation for Small Businesses and Grwp Llandrillo Menai will be offering FREE help and advice to retailers during the 4 days.

The Wales Spring fair presents an unmissable opportunity for buyers to stock up on the latest must-have gifts.

Email: walesspringfair@ venuecymru.co.uk Tel: 01492 879771

Ambiente

The International ordering platform for the gift trade Pack your comfortable shoes; there are over 25 exhibitor halls to explore from 12 -16 February 2016. Taking place in Frankfurt am Main, Ambiente, the annual leading trade fair for the consumer goods sector welcomes you.

T

he show for Dining, Living and Giving showcases an awe-inspiring product selection from over 4,800 international exhibitors all with their latest designs. Ambiente is the largest consumer goods trade fair where companies and buyers from all over the world meet up here to exhibit and to discover new products, to establish contacts and to build a retail collection to ‘wow’ for the coming season.

Six halls are designated to the Giving sector where beautifully crafted products are discovered in the categories of Gifts Unlimited, Accessories & Jewellery, Young & Trendy, Smoking Accessories, Pipe & Cigar Show and Passage Gifts.

Hosting the present and future trends, visitors can source everything that is available for giving as a gift. “The extensive range of our ‘Giving’ exhibitors is so arranged, that buyers from each and every target group can find and put together an appropriate selection for all occasions and all budgets,” says Yvonne Engelmann, Director of Ambiente Giving.

Offering both traditional and future oriented products in the fields of fashion accessories, beauty products, jewellery and watches as well as stationery items, it is no surprise that Ambiente is an attractive magnet for retailers.

As a reflection of the consumer 60 gifts today

goods market, Ambiente seeks to keep pace with developments in the industry. It is evident that accessories, watches and jewellery remain as popular gift items and so the market continues to show growth. Mirrored at the 2016 edition of Ambiente, the new product group Accessories & Jewellery will see fashion and handmade jewellery, leather goods, bags, belts and other fashion accessories, beauty-care items, wellness products and beauty accessories all exhibited together.

Time square and Traveller’s Point complete the product range on offer in Hall 9.2, with watches, luggage and accessories; an extensive product palette, with a new layout, designed to create a multitude of synergies for both buyers and exhibitors.

Another focal point for the Giving halls is the additional exhibitors offering gifts for the younger generation. Both practical yet beautiful products can be seen from the likes of Carletto and their TY brand products, Jellycat, Rex International and Tyrell Katz in Hall 11.1.

Consumers around the world are showing an increasing interest in sustainable products and, for the first time in 2016, Ambiente will offer buyers orientation in a highly complex global market place. With categories such as ‘Eco-Friendly Materials’, ‘Fair & Social

Production’, ‘Re-/Upcycling Design’, and ‘Handmade Manufacturing’, the Ethical Style Guide provides insights into different aspects of sustainability offered by numerous Ambiente exhibitors. Visitors can find these exhibitors around the trade fair using the Guide and stand labels accordingly.

The colours, shapes and materials as well as international developments in product design, fashion,

of Ambiente exhibitors have been selected for this widely respected special presentation.

As well as learning about the latest trends in the giving market, visitors are able to discover the exhibitors who are young and creative, yet ready to enter the successful market of Gifts.

Messe Frankfurt gives opportunity to designers to present and sell their original and unusual ideas in the Giving

Offering both traditional and future oriented products in the fields of fashion accessories, beauty products, jewellery and watches as well as stationery items, it is no surprise that Ambiente is an attractive magnet for retailers architecture and art are brought together in a number of “trend worlds” and displayed in a special presentation at Ambiente. For the 2016/17 show, the trends can be seen in Artisanal gardening, Futuristic Couture, Functional Simplicity and Composing Freedom. Visitors can see the trends presentation in Galleria 1 but subsequent guided tours give greater depth to the findings and specific examples make future designs tangible. Several hundred products from the latest collections

& Living ‘Next’ areas of the show. This is certainly an opportunity not to be missed by retailers wanting to find the unique products that create a product line set to impress customers. See the Next areas in Hall 9.2, Hall 11.0 and Hall 11.1.

Don’t miss Ambiente 2016; seek inspiration and build your retail collection to include the latest designs from the Dining, Living and Giving markets to wow your customers. Buy your tickets now: www.ambiente. messefrankfurt.com

12 – 16. 2. 2016 Spot on: With its Giving area, Ambiente opens up the extensive world of gift ideas.

Experience cross-sectoral offerings and benefit from countless synergies at the world’s most important consumer goods trade fair. Discover the future and be inspired by a fascinating product diversity.

Information and tickets at ambiente.messefrankfurt.com Tel. +44 (0) 14 83 48 39 83 info@uk.messefrankfurt.com

Italy

Partner coun

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Ambiente 20

16

London Stationery Show

Stationery heaven The London Stationery Show is the UK’s specialist exhibition for writing and paper products with a great selection of brands from around the world.

N

ow in its sixth year and part of National Stationery Week, the exhibition is on track for its fifth consecutive year of growth in 2016. It is the go-to show for a large and growing number of leading retail stationery buyers and suppliers who know they will always find something new.

Dedicated to writing products, wrap, gift and social stationery, calendars and diaries, notebooks, storage and much more besides, the product focus and friendly feel-good atmosphere of the two-day show continues to attract an unrivalled line-up of both established brands and new entrants to the stationery sector.

Who is exhibiting in 2016?

New suppliers to date for next year’s show include Pomegranate Europe, Pilot Pen, GMC, Daler Rowney, MUM’s Office, Toad Diaries, Van Moose and Perfectly Wrapped Presents.

Returning exhibitors include Stone Marketing (MT, Faber-Castell, Nuuna, Tombow, Schneider), AT Cross/ Sheaffer, Leuchtturm1917/Semikolon, Pentel, Museums & Galleries, Lamy, ExaClair, Mustard, Nuco, Staedtler, Lime Stationery & Art (Original Crown Mill, Troika, Bomo Art, Monteverde), Pyramid, Stabilo, Flame Tree Publishing, Jakar/Caran d’Ache, GBA Pen (Montegrappa, Fisher), Notable Designs, Kaweco, Dodo Pad, Sinclairs, Collins, Robert Frederick, Manuscript Pen, NPW/Moleskine, Maped Helix and Zebra Pen. In addition, a number of exciting new overseas bookings to date include 62 gifts today

E4MA Design from Nigeria, Ballograf from Sweden, Ecozz from the Czech Republic, Mishmash from Portugal, Nunuco Design from Finland, Pensan from Turkey and Shark Stationery of Pakistan.

Stationery Awards and global trends The exhibition’s New Product Showcase, which faces buyers immediately on entering the show, is a key part of any visit. The area features all the entries for the annual Stationery Awards, which are judged and presented on the first day of the show, and includes many of the new launches at the show, making it a real time-saving ‘must see’ and a great place to compare product trends and interests.

In addition, following the launch of World Stationery Day in 2015, which drew interest and visitors from as far away as Australia and New Zealand, the show will once again mark the day (Wednesday 27 April) by offering visitors the opportunity to sit in on a Global Trends presentation from wellknown trend forecasters Scarlet Opus.

The presentation will cover how the trends are identified, what they are and practical tips for retailers on how to make the most of the trends that suit their offer via visual merchandising.

Who visits?

Fun, fashionable and stand-out stationery continues to extend its reach and relevance to many different retail channels. This is reflected in the many and varied types of buyers who attend the show; stationers and stationery specialists, card and gift shops,

department stores, garden centres, bookshops, visitor attractions, student campus stores, printers, art and craft, office supplies and supermarkets to name but a few. All styles and sizes of stationery retailers are represented, from the large multiple chains, to independents and online retailers. So, from the smallest countertop display of everyday writing pens, to a great range of social and gift stationery, or the colourful addition of home office filing, storage and desk accessories, to a luxury or personalised stationery offer, the London Stationery Show delivers.

Event director Chris Leonard-Morgan says: “With an ever increasing list of exhibitors and brands, the London Stationery Show makes it easy for retailers and buyers to source from the biggest range of stationery and writing products anywhere in the UK.”

Views from visitors “The exhibition was excellent – the location is fantastic, and I love that it’s all stationery in one place,” Katy Golden, category manager of Stationery & Gifts for WHSmith Direct “This is our favourite show of the year, and has an excellent range of suppliers,” Jo Irons, director of Bureau Direct.

“Congratulations on a great Stationery Show. It was very useful to us for both sourcing and networking,” Louise Chapman, manager, The Pen Shop.

Great location The London Stationery Show takes place at the stylish Business Design Centre in the heart of Islington, north London. The venue is easy to get to

and get around, and is just one stop on the underground (Angel) on the Northern Line from the mainline King’s Cross St Pancras station.

The whole area is full of great bars, cafes and restaurants so there is something for everyone.

To see a full list of who is exhibiting and register for free entry, go to www. stationeryshow.co.uk.

Show Essentials: Dates: 26 & 27 April 2016 Venue: Business Design Centre, London Tel: 020 8462 0721 Fax: 020 8462 0724 Email: stationeryshow@firstevents.com Website: www.stationeryshow.co.uk Twitter: @StationeryBytes Facebook: www.facebook.com/ stationeryshow The London Stationery Show is part of National Stationery Week 25 April to 1 May 2016.

For more information visit: www.nationalstationeryshow.co.uk

Save the date!

The London Stationery Show makes stationery buying a pleasure with hundreds of great brands and thousands of products from around the world, all in one place.

Beautiful pens… wonderful wrap… stunning notebooks and diaries… gorgeous gift and social stationery… stylish storage… this is where fashion meets function!

RSVP to www.stationeryshow.co.uk for free entry

Follow us on Twitter @StationeryBytes

UKDATES JANUARY East Anglian Gift & Toy Fair 10-12 January 2016 St Andrew’s and Blackfriars’ Hall Norwich Tel: 01603 890070 www.eastangliangiftfair.com

Cumbrex Trade Fair 10-13 January 2016 Hydro Hotel Bowness-on-Windermere Tel: 01423 359259 www.cumbrex.co.uk

Harrogate Christmas & Gift 10-13 January 2016 Harrogate International Centre Harrogate Tel: 01902 882280 www.harrogatefair.com

The Trophex Show 17-18 January 2016 NEC Birmingham Tel: 01442 826826 www.trophex.com

Home 17-19 January 2016 Olympia London Tel: 020 7370 8168 www.home-london.net

Top Drawer 17-19 January 2016 Olympia London Tel: 020 7370 8216 www.topdrawer.co.uk

Giving & Living 17-20 January 2016 Westpoint Exhibition Centre Exeter Tel: 01934 733433 www.givingliving.co.uk

Wales Spring Fair 17-20 January 2016 Venue Cymru Llandudno Tel: 01550 777254 www.walespsringfair.co.uk

Scotland’s Speciality Food Show 24-26 January 2016 The SECC, Glasgow Tel: 01877 385772 www. scotlandsspecialityfoodshow. com

Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring 24-26 January 2016 The SECC Glasgow Tel: 01877 385772 www.scotlandtradefairs.co.uk

Craft, Hobby + Stitch International

Museums & Heritage Show

Autumn Fair International

21-23 February 2016

18-19 May 2016

4-7 September 2016

NEC Birmingham Tel: 01425 272711 www.chsi.co.uk

Olympia West London Tel: 01905 724734 www.museumsandheritage. com/show

NEC Birmingham Tel: 020 7728 4265 www.autumnfair.com

The National Wedding Show 26-28 February 2016 Olympia London Tel: 08445 811404 www.nationalweddingshow. co.uk

Top Drawer Stationery Show 26-27 April 2016 Business Design Centre London Tel: 020 8462 0721 www.stationeryshow.co.uk

24-26 January 2016 Olympia Grand Hall London Tel: 020 7701 7127 www.toyfair.co.uk

MAY

FEBRUARY Spring Fair International 7-11 February 2016 NEC Birmingham Tel: 020 7728 4267 www.springfair.com

The Source and Taste of the West 10-11 February 2016 Westpoint Exhibition Centre Exeter Tel: 01934 733433 www. tasteofthewesttradeshow. co.uk

Pure London 14-16 February 2016 Olympia London Tel: 020 7728 3512 www.purelondon.com

Pulse Hobbycrafts 3-6 March 2016 The SECC Glasgow Tel: 01425 272711 www.ichf.co.uk

15-17 May 2016 Earls Court London Tel: 020 7370 8043 www.pulse-london.com

JUNE The National Wedding Show 4-6 March 2016 NEC Birmingham Tel: 08445 811404 www.nationalweddingshow. co.uk

Exclusively Housewares 14-15 June 2016 Business Design Centre London Tel: 0121 237 1130 www.exclusivelyhousewares. co.uk

Ideal Home Show 18 March-3 April 2016 Earls Court London Tel: 08444 154144 www.idealhomeshow.co.uk

Harrogate Nursery Fair 20-22 March 2016 Harrogate International Centre Harrogate Tel: 01902 882280 www.nurseryfair.com

Olympia London Tel: 020 7370 8216 www.topdrawer.co.uk

Glee

MARCH Toy Fair

11-13 September 2016

12-14 September 2016 NEC Birmingham Tel: 020 7728 4623 www.gleebirmingham.com

Decorex 18-21 September 2016 Syon Park London Tel: 020 7921 8666 www.decorex.com

100% Design 21-24 September 2016 Olympia London Tel: 020 8271 2147 www.100percentdesign.co.uk

OCTOBER JULY Home&Gift Show

Brand Licensing Europe

17-20 July 2016

11-13 October 2016

Harrogate Tel: 020 7370 8043 www.homeandgift.co.uk

Olympia London Tel: 020 8956 2667 www.brandlicensingeurope. com

SEPTEMBER International Jewellery London 4-6 September 2016

APRIL

The National Wedding Show

British Craft Trade Fair

20-21 February 2016

10-12 April 2016

Manchester Central Manchester

The Great Yorkshire Showground Harrogate Tel: 01444 246446 www.bctf.co.uk

Earls Court London Tel: 020 8910 7173 www.jewellerylondon.com

• Dates Correct at time of going to press.

Please check before departure

64 gifts today

WORLDWIDEDATES JANUARY Philadelphia Gift Show 8-11 January 2016 Greater Philadelphia Expo Center Philadelphia, USA Tel: 00-1-678 285 3976 http://www.philadelphiagiftshow. com

International Jewellery Festivity 2015 TBA Tokyo 20-23 January 2016 Tokyo Big Sight Tokyo, Japan Tel: +81 3 3349 8503 www.ijt.jp/en/home

Eclat de Mode 22-25 January 2016

San Francisco International Gift Fair 8-11 January 2016 Moscone Center San Francisco, USA Tel: 001 678 285 3976 www.urban-expo.com

Hong Kong International Stationery Fair 11-14 January 2016 Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Hong Kong Tel: 00-852 1830 6682015 www.hktdc.com

Hong Kong Toys and Games Fair 11-14 January 2016 Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Hong Kong Tel: 00-852 1830 6682015 www.hktdc.com

Heimtextil 12-15 January 2016 Messe Frankfurt Frankfurt am Main, Germany Tel: 01784 415950 www.ukfrankfurt.co.uk

The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishing Market 12-19 January 2016 Atlanta Convention Center at AmericasMart Atlanta, USA Tel: +1 404 220 2446 www.americasmart.com

Tradexpo 17-21 January 2016 Le Bourget Exposition Parc Paris, France Tel: 00 33 1 44 31 82 13 www.tradexpo-paris.com

Paris Porte de Versailles Paris, France Tel: +33 1 47 56 52 82 www.bijorhca.com

Expogift TBA Batalha Centro de Exposicoes Batalha, Portugal Tel: + 351 244 769 480 www.exposalao.pt

Fieramilano Milan, Italy Tel: +39 2 89120637 www.festivity.biz

TBA Feiria de Madrid Madrid, Spain Tel: +34 91 722 5000 www.ifema.es

Formex 20-23 January 2016 Stockholmsmassan Stockholm, Sweden Tel: +46 8 749 4100 www.formex.se

Dallas Total Home & Gift Market 20-24 January 2016 Dallas Market Center Dallas, USA Tel: +1 214 655 6100 www.dallasmarketcenter.com

Expohogar [Spring]

Gave & Interior 28-31 January 2016

Montjuic Venue Barcelona, Spain Tel: + 34 902 233 200 www.expohogar.com

Norges Varemesse, Oslo, Norway Tel: +47 66 93 91 00 www.messe.no/gave

Chicago Winter Market

Forma

24-26 January 2016

29-31 January 2016

Merchandise Mart Chicago, USA Tel: +1 800 677 6278 www.shopchicagomarket.com

Helsinki Exhibition Centre Helsinki, Finland Tel: +358 10 820 9800 www.formamessut.fi

TBA Los Angeles Convention Center Los Angeles, USA Tel: 1 213 763 5818 www.californiagiftshow.com

Maison & Objet 22-26 January 2016 Paris-Nord Villepinte Paris, France Tel: +33 8 11 09 20 09 www.maison-objet.com

Chicago Spring Market [In conjunction with Stylemax] Merchandise Mart Plaza Chicago, USA Tel: 00 1 800 677 6278 www.shopchicagomarket.com

Seattle Gift Show

24-27 January 2016

22-25 January 2016

RDS Dublin Dublin, Ireland Tel: +353 1 295 8185 www.showcaseireland.com

CMC Gift & Home Market TBA California Market Center Los Angeles, USA Tel: +1 213 630 3600 www.californiamarketcenter.com

Canadian Gift and Tableware Association Gift Show 29 January-2 February 2016 Toronto Congress Centre Toronto, Canada Tel: 00 1 416 679 0170 www.cgta.org

Maritime Gift Show TBA Exhibition Park, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Tel: 1 902 444 4087 www.maritimegiftshow.ca

Biloxi Mississippi Gift Show 30 January-1 February 2016 Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum & Convention Center Biloxi, USA Tel: 00 1 800 951 1994*Can’t be dialled from UK www.wmigiftshows.com

New York International Gift Fair 30 January-2 February 2016 Jacob K. Javits Convention Center New York, USA Tel: 1 914 421 3200 www.nyigf.com

Creativeworld 30 January-2 February 2016 Messe Frankfurt Frankfurt am Main, Germany Tel: 01784 415950 http://creativeworld. messefrankfurt.com/frankfurt/en/ besucher/willkommen.html?nc

Paperworld International Toy Fair 27 January-1 February 2016 Nurnberg Exhibition Center Nurnberg, Germany Tel: +49 911 998 13-37 www.spielwarenmesse.de

24-26 January 2016

Showcase Ireland Washington State Convention Center Seattle, USA Tel: +1 678 285 3976 www.urban-expo.com

Salzburg Exhibition Centre Salzburg, Austria Tel: +43 [0] 662 4477-0 www.casa-messe.at/en

23-26 January 2016

California Gift Show Giftrends Madrid --Promogift

Casa [TexBo] 27-30 January 2016

Oasis Gift Show 28-30 January 2016 Phoenix Convention Center Phoenix, USA Tel: 00 1 602 952 2050 www.oasis.org

Macef Milano 29 January-1 February 2016 Fieramilano Milan, Italy Tel: 39.02.4997.6144 www.macef.it

Christmasworld 29 January-2 February 2016

30 January-2 February 2016 Messe Frankfurt Frankfurt am Main, Germany Tel: 01784 415950 http://paperworld.messefrankfurt. com/

New York International Gift Fair 30 January-3 February 2016 Jacob K. Javits Convention Center New York, USA Tel: 00 1 914 421 3395 www.nyigf.com

Toronto Gift Show 31 January-4 February 2016 Toronto International Centre and Toronto Congress Centre Toronto, Canada Tel: 00-1-416 642-1024 www.cgta.org

Messe Frankfurt Frankfurt am Main, Germany Tel: 01784 415950 www.ukfrankfurt.co.uk

gifts today 65

WORLDWIDEDATES FEBRUARY The 75th Tokyo International Gift Show 2013 Autumn 3-5 February 2016 Tokyo Big Sight Tokyo, Japan Tel: +81 3 3843 9851 www.giftshow.co.jp/english

Formland 4-7 February 2016 MCH Messecenter Herning Herning, Denmark Tel: +45 9926 9926 www.formland.dk

Australian Toy, Hobby & Nursery Fair

MARCH

19-22 March 2016

Osaka International Gift Show

Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre Melbourne, Australia Tel: +61 3 9320 2600 www.toyfair.com.au

Indian Handicrafts & Gifts Fair 20-23 February 2016 India Expo Center & Mart New Delhi, India Tel: +91 11 261 35256 www.epch.in

Sydney February Market Square Valley Forge 7-9 February 2016 The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center Oaks, Pennsylvania, USA Tel: 00 1 717 796 2377 www.marketsquareshows.com

Ambiente 12-16 February 2016 Messe Frankfurt Frankfurt am Main, Germany Tel: 01784 415950 http://ambiente.messefrankfurt. com/

20-24 February 2016 Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre Sydney, Australia Tel: +61 2 9422 2523 www.reedgiftfairs.com.au

Alberta Gift Show 21-24 February 2016 Nothlands Edmonton Expo Center Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Tel: 00 416 642 1049 www.albertagiftshow.com

Bangkok Gems & Jewellery Fair 24-28 Feb 2016

Orlando Gift Show 13-15 February 2016 Orange County Convention Center Orlando, USA Tel: 00 1 678 285 3976 www.urban-expo.com

Impact Challenger Bangkok, Thailand Tel: +66 2 630 1390 www.bangkokgemsfair.com

Denver Gift, Home, Jewellery & Resort Show

American International Toy Fair 26-29 February 2016

13-16 February 2016

Jacob K. Javits Convention Center New York, USA Tel: 1 212 675 1141 www.toyfairny.com

Denver Merchandise Mart Complex Denver, USA Tel: 00 1 303 292 6278 www.denvermart.com

Cadeaux Leipzig Furniture Fair Mechelen 14-17 February 2016 Mechelen, Belgium Tel: +32 015 20 57 50 www.internationaalmeubelfestival. be/

66 gifts today

2-3 March 2016 My Dome Osaka, Japan Tel: +81 3 3843 9851 www.giftshow.co.jp/english

The Atlanta Spring Gift, Home Furnishings & Holiday Market 2-4 March 2016 AmericasMart Atlanta, USA Tel: 00 1 404 220 3000 www.americasmart.com

Hong Kong International Jewellery Show 3-7 March 2016 Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Hong Kong Tel: 00-852 1830-688 www.hktdc.com/fair/ukjewelleryen/

Creativ Salzburg Spring

Giftionery Taipei 2015 22-25 April 2016

Place Bonaventure Montreal, Canada Tel: 00 1 888 823 7469 www.montrealgiftshow.com

Taipei World Trade Center Exhibition Hall Taipei, Taiwan Tel: +886 2 2725 5200 www.giftionery.net

APRIL The Portland Gift & Accessories Show 1-3 April 2016 Oregon Convention Center Portland, USA Tel: 1 415 447 3234 www.urban-expo.com

Boston Gift Show 2-5 April 2016 Boston Convention & Exhibition Center Boston, USA Tel: 00 1 678 285 3976 www.urban-expo.com

Oasis Albuquerque 7-8 April 2016 Albuquerque Convention Center Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA Tel: 00 1 602 952 2050 www.oasis.org

China Sourcing Fair

4-6 March 2016

11-14 April 2016

Exhibition Centre Messezentrum Salzburg Salzburg, Austria Tel: +43 662 4477 2239 www.fj.creativsalzburg.at/en

Asia World Expo Hong Kong Tel: +852 8199 7308 www.chinasourcingfair.com

International Home + Housewares Show 5-8 March 2016 McCormick Place Chicago, USA Tel: 00 1 847 292 4200 www.housewares.org

Sarcda International Expo

27-29 February 2016

10-13 March 2016

Leipziger Messe Leipzig, Germany Tel: +49 341 678 8270 www.cadeaux-leipzig.de

Gallagher Convention Centre Johannesberg, South Africa Tel: +27 11 728 6668 www.sarcda.co.za

Vancouver Gift Expo

Montreal Gift Show 20-23 March 2016

Montreal Gift Show

28-29 February 2016

20-23 March 2016

Pine Forum Building Vancouver, Canada Tel: 00 1 877 395 0474 www.vancouvergiftexpo.com

Place Bonaventure Montreal, Canada Tel: 00 1 888 823 7469 www.montrealgiftshow.com

The 45th International Premium Incentive Show 13-15 April 2016 Tokyo Big Sight Tokyo, Japan +81 3 3847 9185 www.premiumshow.jp

China Sourcing Fair, Gifts & Premiums [Dubai] 18-21 April 2016 Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 4 364 4983 www.chinasourcingfair.com

Hong Kong Houseware Fair 20-23 April 2016 Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Hong Kong Tel: +852 1830 668 www.hkhousewarefair.tdctrade. com

Manila Fame International 21-24 April 2016 SMY Convention Centre Manilla, Phillipines Tel: +63 2 833 4258 www.manilafame.com

Hong Kong Gifts and Premium Fair 27-30 April 2016 HK Convention and Exhibition Centre Hong Kong Tel: +852 1830 668 www.hktdc.com

MAY ChibiMart TBA Fiera Milano City Milan, Italy Tel: +39 02 485501 www.chibimart.it

International Jewellery Kobe 11-13 May 2016 Kobe International Exhibition Hall Kobe, Japan Tel: +81 3 3349 8503 www.ijk-fair.jp/english

International Contemporary Furniture Fair 14-17 May 2016 Jacob K. Javits Convention Center New York, USA Tel: 00 1 914 421 3200 www.icff.com

Surtex 15-17 May 2016 Jacob K. Javits Convention Center New York, USA Tel: 00 1 914 421 3200 www.surtex.com

National Stationery Show 15-18 May 2016 Jacob K. Javits Convention Center New York, USA Tel: 00 1 914 421 3394 www.nationalstationeryshow.com

Beautyworld Middle East 15-17 May 2016 Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 4 3380 102 http://www.beautyworldme.com/

JUNE

Dallas Total Home & Gift Market 22-28 June 2016 Dallas Market Center Dallas, USA Tel: 00 1 214 655 6100 www.dallasmarketcenter.com

Singapore Gifts & Premiums Fair

Melbourne August

Zuchex 2016

6-10 August 2016

22-25 September 2016

Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre and the Melbourne Showgrounds Melbourne, Australia Tel: +61 2 9422 2523 www.reedgiftfairs.com.au

Tuyap Istanbul International Exhibition and Congress Center Istanbul, Turkey Tel: +90 212 292 60 31 www.zuchex.com

OCTOBER Tendence

29 June-1 July 2016

27-29 August 2016

Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre City Centre, Singapore Tel: +65 6467 8385 www.sgpfair.com

Messe Frankfurt Frankfurt am Main, Germany Tel: 01784 415950 www.ukfrankfurt.co.uk

JULY

Fort Lauderdale Gift Show 27-29 August 2016

ISOT 2012 6-8 July 2016 Tokyo Big Sight Tokyo, Japan Tel: +81 3 3349 8505 www.isot-fair.jp/en

Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center Fort Lauderdale, USA Tel: 00 1 678 285 3976 www.urban-expo.com

Gulf Coast Gift Show

1-3 June 2016 Tokyo Big Sight Tokyo, Japan Tel: +81 3 3359 0894 www.interior-lifestyle.com

Fukuoka International Gift Show 6-8 June 2016 Marine Messe Fukuoka Fukuoka, Japan Tel: +81 3 3843 9851 www.giftshow.co.jp/english

Licensing International Expo 21-23 June 2016 Mandalay Bay Convention Center Las Vegas, USA Tel: 00 1 212 951-6612 www.licensingexpo.com

International New Age Trade Show – West 26-28 June 2016 Denver Merchandise Mart Denver, USA Tel: 00 1 800 710 8859 www.inats.com

The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market

Edgewater Island and Golf Resort Panama City, USA Tel: 00 1 678 285 3976 www.urban-expo.com

Galveston Gift & Resort Merchandise Show October 2016 Galveston Island Convention Center Galveston Tel: 00 1 678 285 3976 www.urban-expo.com

12-19 July 2015 AmericasMart Atlanta, USA Tel: 00 1 404 220 3000 www.americasmart.com

Oasis Gift Show 9-10 September 2016 Phoenix Convention Center Phoenix, USA Tel: 00 1 602 952 2050 www.oasis.org

AUGUST India International Jewellery Show 2016

Interior Lifestyle China Giftrends Madrid September 2016 Feria de Madrid Madrid, Spain Tel: +34 91 722 5000 www.ifema.es

17-20 September 2016 Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre Sydney, Australia Tel: +61 2 9422 2523 www.reedgiftfairs.com.au

Christmas Fair South America

Shanghai Exhibition Centre Shanghai, China Tel: +86 21 6160 8523 www.messefrankfurt.com.hk

TBA AsiaWorld Expo Hong Kong Tel: 852 8199 7308 www.chinasourcingfair.com

Mega Show Part One 20-23 Oct 2016

Vancouver Gift Expo 18-19 September 2016 Pine Forum Building Vancouver, Canada Tel: 00 1 877 395 0474 www.vancouvergiftexpo.com

Merchandise Mart Chicago, USA Tel: 00 1 800 677 6278 www.shopchicagomarket.com

Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre Hong Kong Tel: +852 2311 8216 www.kenfair.com

NOVEMBER Smoky Mountain Gift Show November 2016 Gatlinburg Convention Center Gatlinburgh Tel: +1 678 285 3976 www.urban-expo.com

Ocean City Resort Gift Expo November 2016 Roland Powell Convention Center Ocean City, USA Tel: 00 1 678 285 3976 www.urban-expo.com

ChibiMart Inverno 13-16 November 2016 Fieramilano City Milan, Italy Tel: +39 0248550301 www.chibimart.it

DECEMBER Grand Strand Gift & Resort Merchandise Show December 2016 Myrtle Beach Convention Center Myrtle Beach, USA Tel: +1 678 285 3976 www.urban-expo.com

Mega Show Part Two

Tbc Bombay Exhibition Centre Bombay, India Tel: +91 22 6645 0123 www.iijs.org

Tbc

China Sourcing Fair Sydney September

22-25 October 2016

October 2016

SEPTEMBER Interiorlifestyle

Chicago Fall Market [In conjunction with the International Casual Furniture and Accessories Market]

Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show 18-21 September 2016 Las Vegas Convention Center Las Vegas, USA Tel: 00 1 678 285 3976 www.urban-expo.com

20-23 Oct 2016 Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre Hong Kong Tel: +852 2311 8216 www.kenfair.com

6-9 August 2016 Transamerica Expo Center Sao Paulo, Brazil Tel: 55 [11] 2105 7000 www.grafitefeiras.com.br

Heimtextil Russia 20-23 September 2016 IEC Crocus Expo Tel: 7 495 649 8775 www.heimtextil.messefrankfurt.ru

• Dates Correct at time of going to press.

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