Christmas in February 2022

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Christmas in February The UK’s only Christmas decoration trade magazine

www.christmasinjanuary.co.uk

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A Glimpse of Gisela Graham’s 2022 Christmas Collection Across Europe there’s really nothing to match Gisela Graham’s 2022 Christmas collection: fourteen designer collections comprising over 2,500 SKUs, including an awful lot of balls... and it sells Our London showroom opened 01 December 2021.

Please contact your local Sales Representative to arrange a showroom meeting or to visit you on the road.

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Features

Leader page

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G.C.A. Christmas Display winners

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Premier wow the buyers at Harrogate 10 An update on Premier’s Harrogate experience

Constantly re-inventing Christmas

Harrogate Christmas & Gift Show review

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Harrogate show pics

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Spring Fair intro

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This is what Noma have been doing For over 80 years

Trick or Treat at Premier Halloween

Building a Barker’s Christmas

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All the latest Halloween ranges from This major Halloween supplier

The festive forecast for Jingles

RETAIL

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Spring Fair awaits this fast-growing Christmas specialist

Creating brand awareness with the Lighting Specialists

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An update on Konstsmide’s lighting Collection

Making Christmas more magical Publisher: Malcolm Naish malcolm@lemapublishing.co.uk Features Editor:

Sarah Welsh

Production Director: paul@lemapublishing.co.uk

Paul Naish

Layout: rick@lemapublishing.co.uk

Rick Vickers

Circulation: robert@lemapublishing.co.uk

Christmas Inspirations are the European Distributors of Kurt Adler’s fantastic Disney collection

A decade of design magic

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Artcuts are celebrating ten years of supplying Their British-made Christmas ornaments

Shining a light on Seasonal success Robert Thomas

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Festive Lights have that ‘Twinkly’ feeling

Davies Products celebrates 75 years

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Plenty to celebrate at the show

Designs on Spring Fair

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Plenty of new products with a touch of Christmas flair

Taking triple the excitement to Spring Fair

33nd year of publication Published by: Lema Publishing Ltd 1 Churchgates, The Wilderness, Berkhamsted, Herts.

HP4 2UB Telephone: 01442 289930 Fax: 01442 289950 Email: info@lemapublishing.co.uk

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Woodlodge have a great new range of Christmas-related items under the ‘Snowlodge’ Range

All that Glitters

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Piers Croke of Gisela Graham tells the history of GLITTER

2022 is a year of considerable growth For Shatchi 50 Sales Director John McVey reveals all

The views of the contributors expressed in this journal are not necessarily those of the publisher. Comments, letters and criticism are welcome.

Contents

Regulars

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Leader 2022

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here were some people in the Christmas and Floral industry that had their doubts over whether the Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair would ever take place.

Well, I was certainly never in that category of people, I felt right from the start that with Boris freeing up Christmas and New Year, that in true British grit and determination that the show would go ahead AND HOW! On entering the halls on the day before opening, it was just great to see all those familiar names that like me didn’t doubt that the show would be held.

Come opening morning on a lovely bright clear blue sky over Harrogate, buyers were queuing up well before the 9 o’clock opening to get into the halls.

I must say ‘hats off’ to the organisers.

Simon Anslow and his team ensured that every visitor had to show proof that they had been jabbed, and if they hadn’t to take a lateral flow test to prove that they were Covid clear. Those who were O.K. wore a colour band around their wrist to prove this was the case. In the few who tested ‘positive’ they were refused entrance and quite right too.

Whilst wearing a mask was not legally enforceable, the vast majority of both visitors and stand personnel wore their masks.

Speaking to both exhibitors and visitors, it was obvious that they were all delighted to be at an exhibition once again. Let’s face it you can’t beat faceto-face meetings where you can see and touch product before making your mind up to place and order and from the

exhibitor’s perspective, nothing better than showing the range on a stand – it certainly beats a Zoom call.

It was also gratifying to find out that in the main buyers were sympathetic and understanding to the many problems that companies faced when bringing stock in from China. Of course, late deliveries are a pain, but having learnt that there could be a stock shortage, Products now in your store or warehouse will be worth a lot more now, if surging price increases are to be believed.

Let’s face it you can’t beat faceto-face meetings where you can see and touch product before making your mind up to place and order Local hoteliers and restauranteurs were also delighted to see exhibition visitors return. These also enjoyed a far better January than if the show had not gone ahead.

I wonder whether Spring Fair have shot themselves in the foot by shortening the show by a day? When they initially announced this, they were lengthening the hours to a 7.30. closing time for a couple of days. I believe this was never going to work, because who on earth would want such a long day. It is tiring work walking the halls for visitors, who

normally by 5 o’clock are ready to leave the show. At least the organisers quickly decided that this was a no, no from the very start.

With the closure of the German shows – christmasworld and Ambiente and of course Nurnberg, this has undoubtedly given Spring Fair an additional rump of buyers planning on coming to Birmingham.

Our February edition includes plenty of information on those companies showing at Birmingham as well as those companies who have decided not to show, but who will be very pleased to welcome readers to their showrooms dotted up and down the country.

Last month I mentioned the increases in container cost from China to the U.K. and suggested that as much as 8 times higher than 12 months earlier. I stand corrected as a number of Christmas suppliers have told me as much as 12 times higher were quoted. Shipping line Maersk have just released their latest financial figures with profits not short of Microsoft’s earnings which are astronomical – I’m definitely in the wrong business!

For industry golfers we will be running our golf day at Puckrup Hall on the 29th June sharing the day with our sister publication ‘Nursery Today’.

I have kept the rates the same of £100 for the day which includes a nine hole Texas Scramble in the morning, followed by lunch and then the afternoon team fourball and individual Stableford.

Once again fabulous prizes given after a mouthwater barbeque. All I need to do now is to ensure we have the right weather!

christmasinjanuary.co.uk Photo by Candis Hidalgo from Pexels

GCA CHRISTMAS COMPETITION

Barton Grange

Bents

Castle Gardens

Delivering the full-on

festive experience C

reating the perfect Christmas ambience in-store is nothing less than a retail art form for leading garden centres across the UK. And the skills it takes are something the management and merchandising teams behind what can only be described as festive garden centre theatre, are rewarded for in the Garden Centre Association’s muchanticipated annual Christmas competition But the highly challenging 18-month period leading up to the November 2021 judging of

last year’s contest - plus the fact that due to COVID restrictions the 2020 event couldn’t take place – meant that the latest edition of the GCA’s competition was perhaps more eagerly anticipated and hotly contested than ever before.

A total of 46 garden centres entered the display competition last year, with a geographical spread from Preston to Dorset and Kent to Lincolnshire. The 2021 competition was judged by horticultural industry expert Phil McCann, who visited all the centres who entered, ticking off

his first visit on 2 November, with the final one taking place on the afternoon of the 28 November.

Phil judged the entrants across two competitive categories, Destination Garden Centre (DGC) and Garden Centre (GC) of the year.

“The fact that the number of centres entering the Christmas competition was almost twice the number from previous years proves that the appetite for this magical and busy time of the year is voracious,” Phil says.

“Of course, my early visits to centres where when they were just starting their seasonal offerings, and by the time the lights twinkled on the final visit real cut Christmas trees were being piled high.

“A full-on festive experience was almost demanded by customers last year, but each and every centre – whether in the Garden Centre or Destination Garden Centre category – excelled in displays, merchandising and providing their customers with much anticipated and needed Christmas cheer. And all with COVID safety protocols and measures firmly in place.

“Not once did I, or the thousands of customers streaming into the centres, feel at

any risk other than spending way too much on delightful plants, gifts and decorations!”

The entrants weren’t judged on cafes and restaurants in 2021, and not did grottoes form part of the inspections – but every other festive aspect of the garden centres was carefully scrutinised.

When judging, Phil looks at factors including how much Christmas is represented throughout each centre, and individual sections of Christmas offer such as decorations, cards, wrapping, tree lights, artificial trees – and more.

“The big factor impacting the league table of centres was ambience,” Phil explains. “Some centres excelled at welcoming customers in and creating a special atmosphere and a feeling of belonging to a family – as opposed to a strict retail transaction – but that’s what the great garden centres in the GCA do better than any other retail sector.

“We’d also heard media murmurings about lack of stock and transportation challenges, but where this was the case, centres merchandised and displayed beautifully and gave customers more reasons to visit on multiple occasions by

Old Railway Line Garden Centre

6 christmas in february

christmasinjanuary.co.uk

Fron Goch explaining that new items were always arriving.

“Many of the Christmas displays throughout the competitors certainly featured the more traditional elements of Christmas and the customers I chatted to were revelling in nostalgia and old-fashioned values.

“It was also interesting that many centres had superb and evocative nativity displays at the beginning of the customer journey. Candy canes, gingerbread houses and Christmas classics such as Victorian literature were all used as a catalyst to the creation of breath-taking displays.

“This creativity was then backed up by expert execution and attention to detail. I overheard one customer telling her friend during a visit that: ‘This is better than those Harrod shop windows.’ She was right!”

Another category that was judged by Phil, but not counted toward the overall score for each garden centre, was the environmental aspect of Christmas. He was pleased to see plastics being reduced, especially in crackers and baubles, with more sustainable ideas for decorations also being highlighted.

Phil also noted the rise in local manufacturers supplying many centres with gifts and decorations, with UKmade festive product in the ascendancy. “I have no doubt that these areas will weigh more heavily in future years in the

christmasinjanuary.co.uk

Christmas inspection process,” he adds. The overall winner in the Destination Garden Centre category was Barton Grange in Preston, with Castle Gardens, Dorset, scooping the top prize in the Garden Centre category.

“The standard of display, attention to detail, availability and knowledge of staff to help customers was exceptional at Barton Grange,” Phil says.

“Whilst at Castle Gardens, from the moment you arrive in the car park, the subtleties, charm

Garsons Esher and creativity of Christmas were apparent. It was subtle, classy and oozing style – and that was the beauty and skill of every centre I visited really. Each catered brilliantly for their own customer base.

“Even though each area of the UK had their own winners of the GCA Christmas displays, I genuinely believe that any centre could be overall winner in any given year.”

GCA Chief Executive Iain Wylie adds: “We’d like to say a huge

congratulations to Barton Grange and Castle Gardens. I’d also like to say an additional thank you to everyone who created some truly joyous and memorable displays in 2021.

“In 2020 we were unable to hold the Christmas competition with travel restrictions and various lockdowns in place, so 2021 was a particularly exciting occasion to return to our muchloved competition.” *For more information on the GCA visit: www.gca.org.uk

Creative Christmas

Crackers!

The GCA’s annual festive competition is always hotly contested, with the Area Winners in the Destination Garden Centre (DGC) and Garden Centre (GC) categories lining up as follows in 2021: *Midlands - Gates Garden Centre in Leicestershire (DGC) and Planters at Bretby (GC) *South Thames – Garsons Garden Centre, Esher (DGC) and Castle Gardens, Dorset (GC) *North Thames – Sunshine Garden Centre, Bounds Green, London (DGC) and Squire’s Stanmore (GC) *North West – Barton Grange, Preston (DGC) *North East – Tong Garden Centre, Bradford (DGC) *Wales and West – Whitehall Garden Centre, Lacock (DGC) and Old Railway Line Garden Centre, Brecon (GC) christmas in february 7

t Exhibiting a Spring Fair NEC : Birmingham Christmas Inspirations

Presenting Disney and Marvel Licensed Christmas decoration including:

tion Tree Decora nds Tinsel Garla ckers i t S w o d n i W Nutcrackers

Visit us at Spring Fair NEC Birmingham 6-9 February 2022 Hall 5. Booth C81

Christmas Inspirations B.V. Havenstraat 1 1948 NP Beverwijk The Netherla nds +31(0)251730051

See our full range at www.christmasinspirations.nl More info: info@christmasinspirations.nl

PROFILE Premier Decorations

Premier wow the buyers at

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Harrogate

ean-Michael Basquiat once said, “Art is how we decorate space and music is how we decorate time…”. Well, all the decorations were certainly out on display at the Premier stand in Hall H of the Harrogate Christmas and Gift show. It was an event that the industry had been looking forward to and customers were delighted to see the doors open whilst exhibitors were keen to take their orders. Safety was the number one concern for all of us and every possible step was taken to ensure rules were adhered to. This was reassuring for all involved and attendance at the show was encouraging.

Although Premier have had their showrooms open for all since the 1st of December in 2021 there are still many customers who have not yet been able to visit either location, be it Wrexham in North Wales or Ruislip just outside of London, so it was great to see them at the show, scanners in hand readily placing their orders.

Last year presented many challenges to our industry, no trade shows being one of them, so to be back at the H.I.C. with such a bang felt good for all. The range of products on display on the Premier stand was, in their usual style, both impressive and all encompassing. Their reputation of being a one stop shop for Christmas assuredly justified.

Once again, both innovative thinking and focus on what are established best sellers for retailers, were at the forefront of what was available to purchase. Premiers own rainbow colourway for example, now cemented as the first new colourway in decades to stick

10 christmas in february

in Christmas lighting, has been expanded from solely string lights, into other major categories such as their fantastic wall mounted twinkling silhouettes.

Visitors were inspired by displays of these alongside market leading spinning LED pyramid trees, soft acrylic lit multi-action shapes and brand-new digital action willow trees. With old favourites still on show such as Premier’s very own real snowing action icicles, it was a joyful experience especially when coupled with equally wonderful displays on the opposite side of hall H in the Premier themed decorations section.

The new themes on offer were a huge hit with over 50% new products available in this category. Many in house own design items are topping the list of Premier’s decoration sales. That said, sales in Premier seasonal accessory favourites remain as strong as ever and new designs dominate these areas also.

Paint your own decorations, new Gonk “Santa Stop Here” signs, boxed sets of Nutcrackers now offered in new colourways to name a few.

Another major success story at Premier has been the growing tree division and in particular both the Colorado and the Portland Pine have proven extremely popular for 2022 with great demand for them on orders at the Harrogate show. Pricing is a huge consideration this year with the shipping crisis having a dramatic effect on the larger boxed items. However, Premier continue to offer a fantastic value added service and can help the retailer to mix containers of Christmas trees and fibre optic

trees along with a wide range of floristry.

This strategy has achieved the very lowest price for even some of the smaller customers so they can compete in a market that has seen a huge increase in demand.

The buzz around the Premier stand was as apparent as ever. The new sustainable range of products that includes soft to touch rugs made of recycled plastic bottles as well as decorations made from other sustainable sources such as mango wood has been greatly received. We all care about our planet and it is great to see an organisation as large as Premier being at the forefront of this particular area of goods as well as doing what they can to reduce their impact on the environment in general.

Being of a certain size has certainly helped Premier prepare for 2022. With all the uncertainty around the world with regard to global shipping and factories in the far east being subjected to reduced capacity due to labour shortages and local governance, early orders for traders and retailers have become more important than ever before.

So please do not forget to get your orders in as soon as possible. Premier itself has been placing orders with their suppliers already for key lines and I have it on good authority that containers are on the water right now.

It is great to see such preparedness in the full spectrum of services available from this company as well as being wowed by their product developments.

Come and see for yourself… book your showroom appointment as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

christmasinjanuary.co.uk

PROFILE NOMA

Constantly re-inventing

Christmas

Following a very successful and busy Harrogate show where Noma’s new Collection was extremely well received, below is a selection of those new products. For buyers who were unable to visit Harrogate, the complete range can be seen at Noma’s Hinxworth showroom New for 2022

A collection of outdoor festive figures including a magnificent Highland stag. These festive outdoor characters have a clever ‘duo bulb’ that can change from white to warm white or even a mixture of the two. Many new designs have been added and as Frank says “We feel these new design give the Wow factor.

Noma have a merchandising team that are able to help customers to create appealing Christmas scenes within their garden centres/stores – just another service than enhances Noma’s customer care.

A very clever range launched last year are their ‘Magic Candles’.

These have a wand that control the lighting and as Frank states ”These now have a definite magical feel to them.”

Connectables – An ever growing range that more and more can be added for all year round and not just for the Christmas period. These lines are also ideal for summer lighting too ! `A growing trend are Noma’s colour changeable ranges. Also finding favour more and more

12 christmas in february

are Noma’s fine wire lights, I particularly liked a new range from Noma of Bristle lit trees.

These make an ideal indoor centre piece for any table, door or shelf.

Being also a leisure outdoor furniture supplier we have used our expertise and designed a new range of outdoor festive rattan characters in a stunning flat grey weave material combined with the duo bulb.

With a history going back over 80 years, Noma’s ‘Heritage’ range comprising a selection of nostalgic Christmas light chains and seasonal table top that include a Ferris wheel, Carousel, ice skating ring and a most impressive rocking horse, that I can foresee being an item that can be handed down the generations.

New for Noma are a collection of paper stars plus a selection of lit baubles, all in white – certainly different to the traditional Christmas bauble.

Quite a number of Noma’s products could be described as stunning the Outdoor lit wreaths certainly fall into this category.

Starry Nights – An ever more

popular part of Noma’s outdoor lighting are their magnificent starry nights range It consists of a range of trees that have both hard and soft fixings with heights up to 12 metres. The larger trees need a flag pole to guarantee a firm fixing. Part of this range are their door trees that can be easily fixed to any door both inside and out.

Having been shown around the showroom, it was time to enter a new area known as ‘Secret Garden’. This room comprised a collection of impressive garden lighting that comes under the Solar 365 and ‘Fit & Forget’ battery category Many different shapes and sizes that give the consumer 72 days of constant high lumen lighting.

Packaging and re-branding – Frank was very pleased with the company’s new re-branding, which has resulted in increased orders, the new style enables the customer to instantly understand the product they are purchasing.

Tel:01462 744500 or www.noma.co.uk

christmasinjanuary.co.uk

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OW SH Extensive library of lifestyle images available for trees & floristry

EARLY ORDERING ESSENTIAL

Contact your Sales Account Manager, call 020 8624 5555 or e-mail sales@premierdec.com to make an appointment now PREMIER DECORATIONS LIMITED • www.premierdec.com Tel: 020-8624 5555 • e-mail: sales@premierdec.com

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7 ranges of fabulous Themed Decorations

Extensive library of images available to use throughout the ranges

EARLY ORDERING ESSENTIAL

Contact your Sales Account Manager, call 020 8624 5555 or e-mail sales@premierdec.com to make an appointment now PREMIER DECORATIONS LIMITED • www.premierdec.com Tel: 020-8624 5555 • e-mail: sales@premierdec.com

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EXHIBITION Harrogate

A Seasonal Smash at Harrogate!

After a tough two years and uncertainty in the months leading up to the show, the 2022 edition of Christmas & Gift proved to be festively fabulous for all…

T

he Harrogate Convention Centre played host to a truly magical Christmas & Gift show in January, with a wealth of new inspiring festive and gift product on show.

Doors opened to eager visitors on 16th January, with the event running to the 19th, with feedback from manufacturers, suppliers, designers, buyers and merchandisers alike universally glowing.

“We are absolutely delighted with how successful this year’s show has been,” says Christmas & Gift organiser, Simon Anslow. “I’d like to thank everyone who participated for giving us their confidence, voting with their feet and turning up in hoards.

“Visitor numbers were marginally lower than the 2020 show, but exhibitors have reported full order books and brisk business for the entire four days. In fact, some stated that this was not only their best Harrogate Christmas & Gift show, but their best of all trade shows ever.”

High praise indeed, as echoed by Andrew Mellowes, General Manager of Woodlodge – one of a dozen new exhibitors in 2022.

“The show couldn’t have gone any better for us,” Andrew enthused. “Our Snowlodge brand is

16 christmas in february

our first foray into the festive category and was well received by buyers at the show.

The quality of visitors was excellent, and in addition to securing first-time Christmas orders with existing customers we also onboarded well over 100 new customers.”

Christmas in February’s own Malcolm Naish – also a show director at Harrogate – added: “The many exhibitors that we spoke to all confirmed that not only had the show attracted plenty of buyers, both small and large, but that the exhibition had been brilliant for written orders and enquiries.

“We had been telling visitors – along with exhibitors – that they must place their orders early this year if they wanted to guarantee deliveries into their stores, garden centres and online warehouses.” *Harrogate Christmas & Gift 2023 takes place from 15 to 18 January next year, with priority bookings opening in March. Visit www.harrogatefair.com for more information.

Konstsmide ’Quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten’

KONSTSMIDE (UK) Ltd Hardwick View Road, Holmewood Industrial Estate Holmewood, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S42 5SA, United Kingdom

Tel. +44 (0)1246-852140 Fax +44 (0)1246-854297 E-mail: sales@konstsmide.co.uk www.konstsmide.co.uk

EXHIBITION Harrogate

Proving that British-made Christmas products can sell really well are Artcuts. A family business thriving in the Christmas business. Caroline Cox shows me their wooden collection of 3D stags, beautifully crafted and very appealing. Delighted with buyers’ reactions to their whole range that includes bespoke opportunities.

Busy throughout the show, we caug ht up with Giftware Trading’s Paul Frater, just as he was completing an order for the Beck worth Emporium from Meers Ashby, nea r Northampton. All smiles are Paul with left Yvonne Noble, Heike Bron and Cath y White

Harrogate Gallery With Malcolm Naish

Both prior to the Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair opening it’s doors plus opinions voiced by exhibitors I spoke with, quite a number of both exhibitors and visitors were not 100% sure that the show would open on the 16th January. They need not have worried.

The many exhibitors that we spoke to all confirmed that not only had the show attracted plenty of buyers, both small and large, but that the exhibition had been brilliant for written orders and enquiries. We had been along with exhibitors telling visitors that they must place their orders early if they wanted to guarantee deliveries into their stores, garden centres and on-line warehouses.

Hamac had increased their stand space at Harrogate along with their sales.

Here sales director Philip Nichol and Tracy Cook have enjoyed listening to their two piece Nordic Reindeers singing along together a selection of over 80 Christmas songs via a clever little s.d. card. I’m sure that by the end of the week, they both knew all the words to their Christmas favourites.

18 christmas in february

Jeremy Whittle with Ursula Heyland show off their Hope and Glory range. “We have had a good start to the year with lots of new business with particular focus on the Independents” stated Ursula.

This was Christmas Inspirations third Harrogate show with the Kurt Adler Disney Collection. Our pic shows Tim Schrama, Amber Bouman and Michel Gozeling.

Disney is the number One licensing brand in the world and that world is encapsulated within their Disney Collection. Michel Gozeling believed that it was most important that the Harrogate show went ahead. “We have been happy with the response and taken plenty of orders.

Konstsmide Quality lasts longer – more environmentally friendly

KONSTSMIDE (UK) Ltd Hardwick View Road, Holmewood Industrial Estate Holmewood, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S42 5SA, United Kingdom

Tel. +44 (0)1246-852140 Fax +44 (0)1246-854297 E-mail: sales@konstsmide.co.uk www.konstsmide.co.uk

EXHIBITION Harrogate

It was smiles all round on the Premier stand with Jason Athwal , Nico Baloi, David Fletcher and Liz Hill

I recognise that face anywhere!

None other than Adrian Yapp of Puleo. Adrian told me that the y were not sure at the beginning of January just how the show would go, but delighted once the show opened with not only regular customers placing orders, but also plenty of new accounts. Sunday and Monday were particularly good.

Noma’s Frank Kapinski told me that a number of major buyers had appointments with him on the last day, that afforded them more time as the sales team had been so busy on the first three days of the show. He continued “Business has been very, very good. Customers have been really understanding regarding the situation last year, realising that it was out of our hands.” Noma’s grey weave outdoor collection with the Duo bulb had been really well received.

Richard Keel (left) was not sure before Harrogate opened as what to expect and whether customers would turn up. He continued: “Actually, it has been very good and is our best Harrogate for many years. As our first show of the year, we are now really confident for Toy Fair and Spring Fair and I believe that 2022 will be fantastic.” Also in our pic are Keel’s sales manager Jonathan Ingham and CIJ’s Marian McNamarra

l C, With a much larger stand in Hal their ey McV n Joh les. smi all e wer Shatchi ers tom cus t tha me sales director told few very t tha but ers, ord ing plac were nly due made it across from Ireland, mai . No nes airli the by ts fligh ed cell to can this. from efit ben doubt Spring Fair will with l Pate n Hire .

M.D are pic the Also in h Sha u ksh Cha Asmita Patel and

20 christmas in february

Simon Lightbown of Sincere was having an excellent show.

Pictured here with Nick Roberts l and Kerry Brassil from Listowe nd Irela ry, Ker Garden Centre, County

With an impressive new stand, Konstsmide’s M.D. Oscar Johansson (pictured with Dawn Shore) told me they had been busy with far less window shoppers, orders being placed from day one with a great response to their new products. In particular the Cable Reel with detachable light side wheel. Oscar believes that this will revolutionise Christmas lighting.

lM Showing for the first time in Hal dge wlo Sno ir the with ge were Woodlod Richard collection. Sales Manager Retail more Newton (left) told us that he was y will The e. ons than happy with the resp er bigg a for ing look r, yea t be back nex ge. Also stand for their Snowlodge ran tre) in the pic are Oliver Thornhill (cen and Neil Blakey

Konstsmide THE brand for all your quality Christmas Lighting

KONSTSMIDE (UK) Ltd Hardwick View Road, Holmewood Industrial Estate Holmewood, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S42 5SA, United Kingdom

Tel. +44 (0)1246-852140 Fax +44 (0)1246-854297 E-mail: sales@konstsmide.co.uk www.konstsmide.co.uk

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PROFILE Premier Halloween

Trick or Treat at Premier Halloween F

ollowing a very hectic four days at the Harrogate Christmas & Gift show, Premier Halloween are looking forward to a most successful 2022.

Book a showroom appointment if you were unable to see us at Harrogate.

2021 Halloween was an amazing year! Many children as well as adults dressed up and were out in the thick of it, trick or treating… what a joy that has been. Laughter as well as screams were heard up and down all streets. Even houses were all dressed up to the very last detail. Long gone are the days when one basic cobweb and a lantern were the most you would see. It was obvious how much planning, care and effort everybody put into their decorations and costumes. Lights and lit figures, animation, inflatables… all out!

In the last couple of years, we have faced challenges in almost all aspects of life but I believe that we have also learned and grown, developed at the same time. We have seen more technology developments, systems and procedures being brought in and

24 christmas in february

utilised to their utmost efficiency.

Premier Decorations has not been an exception with our updated and improved online ordering portal, new and improved DD services, new packaging with the environment in mind and much much more.

For 2022 the Premier Decorations Halloween range has a lot of surprises.

From new fun inflatables to innovation in outdoor lighting, animation and even whole new categories like Halloween gonks, trees and pet costumes and toys.

Our showrooms are already open and packed with a variety of astonishing products and more surprises.

Our Sales Team would be glad to make an appointment for you to visit and are ready to go around with you in case you need them.

Alternatively you can always place your order online by registering for an account at www. premierdec.com,

email us at sales@premierdec.com or simply pick up the phone and give us a call on 02086245555.

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CHRISTMAS

2022

Specialists, not Generalists At NOMA we’re specialists, not generalists. In fact, we think lighting is so important, we don’t do anything else.

We are at the forefront of the latest lighting technology and trends. Our priority is delivering great products and great service at great prices.

We’ve got everything you need to make Christmas 2022 your best ever.

FOR SHOWROOM BOOKINGS OR A VIRTUAL TOUR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SALES REPRESENTATIVE OR CALL 01462 744500

Scan the QR code to let the magic begin

www.noma.co.uk

22 Scan the QR code to let the magic begin

Specialists, not Generalists Visit us at our inspiring showroom in Hertfordshire where you can explore the NOMA forest, walk around our lighting wonderland, and enjoy a Grillstream BBQ lunch in the LeisureGrow BBQ lodge.

For showroom bookings or a virtual tour contact your local sales representative or call 01462 744500 Alternatively visit our showroom remotely with our immersive, highly detailed virtual guided showroom tour.

www.noma.co.uk

RETAIL PROFILE Barkers Home

Building a

Barkers’ Christmas Barkers Department Store’s Christmas Buyer, Cara Allinson, turned her hand to running festive retail for the historic store for the first time in 2021, and loved the challenge – as she tells Sarah Welsh…

B

arkers Department Store has been a North Yorkshire institution for well over a century, with customers travelling from miles around to shop there.

The Barker’s brand dates back to 1882. It was founded by William Barker, who was one of 14 children and grew up on a farm. He became an apprentice in a drapery shop that would eventually become Barkers and then bought out the business in 1918.

But this is a retail brand that has also successfully blended a proud history and heritage with innovation in recent years. Barkers Home – one of the largest home stores in the North of England – which now houses the brand’s famed Christmas shop, was originally built in 1994 and then then underwent a 20,000 square foot extension in 2016 as part of a wider £3.5m refurbishment programme. Barkers Home is now pivotal to the success of the Barkers brand, alongside the beautiful town-centre store.

Barkers’ Christmas Buyer, Cara Allinson, has worked for the company for 20 years and also

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“I work closely with the visual merchandising team here, and we create festive feeling throughout the store as well as in the Christmas shop.” buys for lighting and seasonal and home accessories. Based at Barkers Home, Cara is married with a 15-year-old daughter and was herself born and raised in Northallerton.

In your job it’s literally Christmas all year round! How did you come to work within festive retail?

I was very artistic from a young age and had a Saturday job working on a fruit and veg stall as a teenager. I studied textiles at university and went to work in visual merchandising for fabric brands in London. I’ve now worked for Barkers for two decades, starting off in lighting, but one of my favourite things is still helping people on the shop floor.

Our seasonal department used to be at our high street store, but following the extension of the home store, it moved here. I

took over buying for Christmas in 2021 from our previous seasonal buyer, Julie Poynton, but I’ve long managed the Christmas department.

How did you combine your expertise in home accessories with festive planning?

Last year we dressed the downstairs of Barkers Home looking at Christmas through a home wares lens. I work closely with the visual merchandising team here, and we create festive feeling throughout the store as well as in the Christmas shop which is in the centre of the first floor. From our Tree View Café to the lighting department to cookshop to soft furnishings, Christmas flows through everything here and that’s key.

In recent years we’ve seen as a trend people dressing their whole homes for Christmas, and that’s reflected in the team input that

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creates the festive themes here at Barkers. We want the themes to have huge impact, from walking through homewares in the ground floor, right the way up to the Christmas department.

When do you start planning for Christmas?

I start thinking about the next Christmas before the one previously has even finished! I took up this new role as Christmas Buyer right at the end of December 2020, so came up with Christmas 2021 during the national lockdown at the start of that year.

It was strange having that time to plan without customers in the background, but the peace and quiet was helpful in some ways!

I take festive inspiration from all sorts of places – other shops and garden centres, travelling, galleries and museums, visiting other British cities, television, and I also take a lot from nature.

What themes did you have for Christmas 2021?

Every year our themes are different, and we come up with them at the start of the year, working in conjunction with our visual merchandising experts. For 2021 we had: our luxe ‘Time to Sparkle’ range which featured silver and grey hues, hints of blue and frosted glass, and was the best seller for us. We also had ‘Tis the Season’ – our traditional colour palette – which evolves slightly each year. In addition, there was ‘Night before Christmas’ which contained some retro styling and novelty characters, aimed at children and families, and ‘A Nostalgic Christmas’ a 1920s-inspired opulence range with jewel tones.

When does your Christmas Shop usually open?

We normally open in mid-

September and have a preview event. In any year it’s quite hard to get the timing right because you have some customers for who it can’t come early enough, while others only start to think about shopping at the end of November.

“I came up with Christmas 2021 during the national lockdown at the start of that year. The peace and quiet was helpful in some ways!”

What about your own personal ‘Christmas timing’?

I’m pretty organised and had already finished wrapping presents by mid-November! But I think that’s necessary when you work in festive retail. I’m a bit of a stickler about the Christmas tree which doesn’t go up until after 12 December, and it’s also very traditional with reds and greens, which is interesting considering my job!

What product sold well for Barkers in the run-up to last Christmas?

Greys and silver-themed products are still quite fashionable and sold well for Christmas 2021, alongside the traditional colour palette of red and green. We saw this activity throughout the Christmas Shop and our home section. Simple cookshop linens always sell well

as does white dining and cut glass in tableware, alongside the Emma Bridgewater range.

What suppliers and brands have been important to you for Christmas?

Stone the Crows are brilliant for store décor and candle holders – they sold really well last year.

We work closely with Floralsilk and Festive Productions, and accessories pieces from Straits sold well. As last year was officially my first buying for Christmas, we did focus on suppliers that we know well, and these include Robin Reed Crackers, Gisela Graham and Heaven Sends.

And looking to Harrogate Christmas & Gift, Spring Fair and other shows this year – what are you hoping to find?

At any of the shows the Barkers team attends, we don’t just want to deal with our warm portfolio of suppliers. We’re very open minded and also will be looking for new eye-catching brands. At Barkers we love brands with innovative visual merchandising ideas, as this enables us to tie in their collection as we’re decorating the store. I think home décor and Christmas brands will become even closer in 2022.

Finally, what would you say is the best thing about your job?

You do get stress levels coming out of your ears, but I also always have a smile on my face. I work as part of a small, integral team, who are brilliant and when we see Christmas come together it’s all worth it. When I get to say thanks to a member of my team for putting that smile on my face, that’s definitely the best part of the job.

www.barkers.co.uk/ www.barkersome.co.uk christmas in february 29

PROFILE Jingles

The Festive Forecast for

Jingles

Jingles marks an important anniversary this year – and is celebrating with continued Christmas trade success, as Iain Mercer, Managing Director of Mercer Agencies explains…

What can you tell us about your company’s brand Jingles?

Jingles is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. We’ve seen significant growth since introducing the brand in 2007 with 100 product lines. Now we showcase more than 2,000 products, making us one of the leading ‘Christmas decoration suppliers’ in the UK and Ireland.

Our showrooms, located in Moira,

Northern Ireland and in Coventry, are also open for customer visits. Jingles has also continued to see unprecedented growth through the pandemic, and, as such, we have strengthened our sales team throughout the UK and Ireland, headed up by our sales manager, Nick Gabb. We have also expanded our territories throughout England and Wales with a strong sales giving accessibility to all our customers.

How was the Harrogate show for you this year?

The show at the St. George Hotel in Harrogate was a great success. Despite the pandemic we had a great turn out and got to meet our customers in person which has not been the case for a while. We were able to highlight our completed range of Christmas lighting, trees, and decorations in the two main function rooms of the hotel. Customers were impressed by how the products were displayed and the sales team were able to advise on any enquiry in a relaxed environment.

What was the recipe for success at Harrogate 2022?

The pandemic forced us to cancel our show in 2021 so our customers were looking forward to meeting up again. We have a vast range of products that were all well received and that was reflected in the turnout we had over the five days. The success of the show was evident when our customers were often seen admiring the products into the later hours of the evening. The feedback we received was both positive and complimentary.

What can we expect from Jingles at Spring Fair?

At Spring Fair, we will have our full range of Christmas lighting, trees, and decorations. Our sales team will be there to help and assist with any customer enquiries. We look forward to meeting up with our customers and being given the opportunity to impress and build on both existing and new relationships.

What are your plans for the Jingles brand looking ahead?

We will continue to grow the brand by continuing to impress our customers with our product range, customer service and delivery.

We will continue to listen to our customers and provide service and products that exceed their expectations. We’re excited about the future for Jingles and the opportunities that will present for the brand.

*For more information visit: www.merceragencies.com Spring Fair show stands: 5B50-C51, 5C50-E51 30 christmas in february

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Woodlodge showcases new ranges at Spring Fair to energise Christmas & gift markets for 2022-23 Woodlodge is delighted to announce that they will be exhibiting at the Spring Fair again this year in Hall 6, stand A60.

With displays from the well received and renowned Honey & Wild gift and Root indoor ranges on display, it will be the first time Snowlodge has been presented at the event and they will be showcasing over 800 festive lines.

All of the collections are backed up with innovative displays and merchandising to ensure a busy season.

For more information on any of Woodlodge’s product ranges, or to request a catalogue, please contact your local sales representative or visit www.woodlodge.co.uk

PROFILE Konstsmide

Creating brand awareness with the lighting specialists

- Konstsmide

Richard Jerrom - Finance Director with Oscar Johansson - M.D.

F

ollowing a highly successful Harrogate Christmas & Gift show Oscar Johansson their Managing Director sees future growth through a far greater use of Social Media to further enhance recognition of the Konstsmide range and of course the company’s website.

2022 sees the company celebrating 80 years of experience and they are proud to have led many advances in lighting technology. The first company to create ‘Welcome Lights’ that now sees almost every home in Britain owning a set. Over the years Konstsmide’s Welcome Lights have seen many new designs and ideas to suit all tastes and pockets first hitting the market in 1947.

Transformers – Konstsmide were the first company to make use of transformers to run their lighting sets and finally LED’s – again the first company to create LED lighting.

First and foremost is their almost slavish commitment to quality. They have never been a company to manufacture for a specific price, always using top quality parts and components to ensure that the finished product is second to none.

Konstsmide are famous as specialists in all forms of lighting and whilst this magazine concentrates on Christmas related products, their other lighting assortment that specializes in outdoor lighting for your house and garden also enjoys a very good reputation.

Any company that has a long history such as Konstsmide (founded in 1942) and one that has never deviated from its core products must be doing something right!

Sustainability – Equally important, according to Oscar, was that the quality branded product is better made and will last longer, a thing Konstsmide pride themselves on. This, of course, will have an environmental impact as well. Instead of buying the “one year throw-away” cheap product that impacts on the environment, if carefully stored each year will most certainly last the test of time.

It has been a challenging year for all companies delivering from the Far East and he believes the freight companies have been taking advantage and inflating their prices. Unfortunately, he can see it going on well into 2022. Konstsmide have been

delighted that despite all the problems they have managed to deliver the bulk of their products that were ordered. Oscar continues “Customers have been most understanding, appreciating the challenges that we have faced and were most understanding when we spoke with them at the show .”

Oscar fears, though, that everything they source in China is going up. Their government is far more stringent now when it comes to inspecting standards in Chinese factories and has been closing many of these down.

Whilst this is encouraging from the quality angle, this has meant far fewer factories to choose from, although the Konstsmide group has a very good relationship with their suppliers and have, in the most, been cooperating with them for many years. Many other UK suppliers have the habit of changing Chinese suppliers every year in the pursuit of a cheaper price. “Not good for the end consumer” Konstsmide continue to thrive in the U.K. marketplace by constantly offering top-quality product with original designs that give them a point of difference over their rivals.

For more information visit: www.konstsmide.co.uk | E-mail: sales@konstsmide.co.uk 32 christmas in february

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25/01/2022 16:30:35

SPRING FAIR Preview

“People value trade shows

even more now” Retail expert Suzanne Ellingham knows exactly what makes seasonal buyers feel festive – and as she tells Sarah Welsh, the sheer wealth of Christmas product and sparkle promised by Spring Fair simply can’t be beaten…

S

uzanne Ellingham knows a thing or two about trade events that grab retail headlines for all the right reasons.

After all, she’s Head of Content at international exhibition experts Hyve Group for good reason.

But sitting at the helm of shows including Autumn Fair, Glee and Spring Fair, even she couldn’t have predicted the events of the past two years, that ultimately led to last year’s NEC extravaganza converting to a virtual only edition.

Suzanne is sure of one thing though when we speak – not long before Christmas 2021 – and that’s not only that Spring Fair 2022 will be going ahead in style (from 6 to 9 of February), but that demand for it is greater than perhaps ever before in its history.

“Retailers really want this show,” Suzanne, who has worked at Hyve Group for four years, insists. “And everything we do is with buyers in mind. When we ran Autumn Fair and Glee at Birmingham’s NEC in the autumn, the reception was just amazing.

“The fact is that if you’re buying

34 christmas in february

online you can’t assess the quality of products and see and touch exhibitor’s ranges. Being able to see products in person makes a real difference – and you’re not having to visit 10 show rooms.

Both exhibitors and visitors want Spring Fair back!”

Looking back to the start of 2020, Suzanne says Spring Fair went ahead that year to a great reception, but then of course just weeks later everything in the retail landscape had changed.

“Spring Fair was one of the last big trade shows held in 2020,” Suzanne recalls. “We were aware of COVID at the show and had already made small contingencies, like having hand sanitiser and face masks available – but when the March lockdown hit the impact was huge. It was transformational for all industries, but especially retail.

“Spring Fair is held in February for a reason. It aligns to when buyers are actually buying for Christmas, and the year ahead, so if the date moves it becomes another show. That’s why the physical show had to go fully digital in

February 2021, because the health of our team, exhibitors and visitors had to come first.

“Last year we ran our event solely to connect retailers and suppliers. It was very much a networking event and there was a business need for it, but we did it in a non-commercial way. In terms of orders our expectations were massively over exceeded and so many good news stories did come out of it, but a virtual offering can never replace the in-person show.

“Retailers want to get back to normal and that means attending trade shows. I think people value them even more now.”

The huge scale of the Christmas offering and massive range of festive suppliers who showcase their ranges at Spring Fair – many with product that’s either brand spanking new or exclusive for the show – means that many buyers wrap up their seasonal buying at the NEC. Alongside household names like John Lewis and W H Smith, Spring Fair is also a hugely important event for the garden centre

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Suzanne Ellingham sector, and Suzanne reports that at least 25 garden centre owners will be buying at the show this year. But it’s not just a chance to stock the shelves with everything from decorations in every possible colour you can imagine to festive homewares that’s important. Visual merchandising inspiration is also top of mind for visitors.

“Exhibitors in the Christmas Hall go all out,” she says. “They bring a high level of production value with them to Birmingham because there’s a two-way benefit to supporting retailers with brilliant display ideas. If buyers can translate the visual magic easily to their store settings, it’s a win-win for everyone.

“And not only is there a fantastic mix of festive exhibitors expected at the show this year, but buyers are coming armed with knowledge from a digital Christmas 2022 trend session we held for them in December, in conjunction with leading forecasting agency TrendBible. It all adds up to people being incredibly engaged with buying for Christmas.”

New for this year at Spring Fair is a curated meeting programme that Hyve has invested in. It pairs buyers with exhibitors based on mutual areas of interest, and the platform will ensure that Spring Fair is even more valuable to bigger buyers.

“Spring Fair is our biggest show

and we understand what’s important to buyers,” Suzanne explains.

“It was 95 per cent sold out by mid-December and that’s never happened before at that stage.

“Foot fall is something that’s quite hard to comment on, but – on the basis of Autumn Fair – we expect a great turnout at Spring Fair. Some of our Autumn Fair exhibitors told us that they had their biggest sales days at a show in 25 years – and we expect the same at this show. What we do know is that buyers are coming here to buy.”

For more information visit: www.springfair.com

Christmas Flair at

Spring Fair

Christmas sits in Hall 5 at the show, within the wider Gift section that opens the show and runs from Halls 1 to 5, and the festive hall itself is famed for its extravagant show stands and visual merchandising inspiration.

“The Christmas Hall is magical and takes days of work to set up,” Suzanne reveals.

“That could be up to five days of build for some festive exhibitors, working up to 18 hours a day.”

All the festive exhibitors are ones to watch at Spring Fair ranging from big hitters to brand new names. Key names on Suzanne’s list this year include Kaemingk, Woodlodge Products, Mercer Agencies, Shatchi, Swift Imports, Art File, Lows of Dundee Ltd and Honest Love Our Planet – to name just a few. christmas in january 35

PROFILE Christmas Inspirations

Making Christmas

more magical Christmas Inspirations has been exclusively supplying the beautiful Kurt S. Adler brand across Europe since 2008, and can’t wait to wow visitors at Spring Fair…

C

hristmas Inspirations marks 14 years in 2022 since it started helping to decorate Europe with the stunning festive ornaments designed by the Kurt S. Adler, or KSA, company.

And what a beautiful collection of high-quality Christmas ornaments it offers, with eye-catching design perfectly combined with immaculate attention to detail and high-quality production, all starting life in KSA’s New Yorkbased design studios.

The KSA brand is one that’s also built on a fascinating history, with Kurt S. Adler once being described in the New York Times as a man who ‘helped change the look of Christmas décor.’

Adler helped restore a European sense of style to Christmas decorations postWorld War II, introducing collectible snow globes and festive figurines to the American market. He started out importing hand-carved angels from his native Bavaria, and today the

36 christmas in february

company boasts more than 7,000 decorative pieces, offering its many customers unrivalled choice.

Thanks to Christmas Inspirations, KSA products can be found in department stores, garden centres, independent boutiques and specialist shops throughout the continent.

“Our high-quality Christmas ornaments, including detailed tree pendants, are our specialty,” says Christmas Inspirations’ CEO, Michael Gozeling. “The catchy

collections are contemporary and attractive and our customer service is of the same high level. It’s our mission to make everyone’s Christmas experience even more magical each year.

“We represent the largest collection of KSA ornaments on the market. The pieces have been designed with great attention to detail in the KSA studios in New York, and our collection alternates between classics and innovative contemporary designs.

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“Festive themes like Gingerbread, Santa’s Workshop and Ballet are timeless, but in addition every year we also present more on-trend themes, such as Peppermint Plaza and Platinum Elegance.”

Festive Inspirations is also very proud to work with well-known licenses, including Coca-Cola, in conjunction with the Kurt S. Adler brand.

Michael adds: “In addition to our ornaments, we also excel in handmade wooden nutcrackers.

These extravagantly designed models, full of glitter and bright colours, have made a definite breakthrough in the European Christmas market, while Fabriché Santas are also gaining a lot of popularity.”

Since 2020, the KSA brand has also been licensed to design and products its own range of Disney products, with the collection expanding year on year since, with ornaments produced around different themes and characters. ​The Disney Collection includes ornaments from classic animated films, such as The Aristocats and Bambi. Plus, there are also other ornaments featuring your favourite Disney Characters, including: Mickey & Friends, Frozen, Winnie the Pooh Woodland, Alice in Wonderland, Minnie’s Night Out and Disney Princess.

“In 2022 we proudly present two themes: Villains and MARVEL,” Michael reveals. “Our

Disney collection contains more than 250 ornaments and is growing each year.

“We’re really looking forward to exhibiting at Spring Fair and can’t wait to show off our beautiful new themes and products.

At Christmas Inspirations we can assure you of one thing – we will make your festive season magical.

“So visit us in Hall 5 at the NEC and immerse yourself in a Christmas wonderland!”

*For more information visit: www.christmasinspirations.nl Spring Fair show stand: 5C81 christmas in january 37

PROFILE Artcuts

A Decade of

Design Magic In April, Artcuts celebrates its 10-year anniversary, and there is so much to look forward to for this utterly delightful British-made brand…

A

rtcuts has never been a company interested in mass-market production.

Rather the hard-earned success of this home-grown brand is built on high quality, beautifully made products, stylish design and - in recent years - considered collaborations with some of the biggest names in British retail.

Derek Cox, the owner and founder of the South Godstonebased business – although he hails from Dunfermline, Fife, himself and brings much of his Scottish heritage to Artcuts’ designs – is also refreshingly frank about how challenging the COVID pandemic has been for the team. It’s partly why, although Artcuts celebrates its 10th birthday in April, he doesn’t want to look too far ahead.

“We are planning some extra deals to mark the occasion,” Derek says. “But 2021 was in one sense a bit of a slog, and in the current climate it is hard to predict what’s going to happen.

“The first six months of last year saw strong online retail sales, but the last quarter was quieter. This followed the best couple of months

we’d ever seen for the performance of our craft products in the autumn of 2020.

“What we’re focusing on for 2022 is the quality of our designs. We do small product runs, with pared back, simple pieces, and that’s what our customers love. As well as the fact all of our pieces are designed, produced and hand-finished in our Surrey studio and workshops.”

Following hugely successful partnerships with John Lewis and National Trust England, Artcuts will be building on a fruitful trip to the Christmas & Gift show in Harrogate with taking their signature wooden shapes, decorations and gifts – made from the finest Scandinavian Birch wood, with beautiful finishes, including William Morris Liberty of London prints – and a growing collection of craft kits to Spring Fair.

“We’ve long been known for craft product but we’ve never done craft kits to this extent,” Derek says. “We’ve got a lovely selection of Christmas craft kits that we’ll be showcasing. And some lines that we

couldn’t launch in 2021 will be on show at Spring Fair this year.”

The collection of craft kits visitors to Artcuts’ NEC show stand can take in, include a bee garland, spring wreath, highland coo bunting and festive decorations. All the kits come neatly boxed with everything needed inside, as well as guided video tutorials.

“With the shows we attended in the autumn, we couldn’t keep up with demand,” Derek reports. No doubt that trend will continue at Spring Fair.

*For more information visit: www.artcutstrade.com Spring Fair show stand: 4D70 38 christmas in february

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ChristInJan2022ShowsInvite_A4advert_Layout 1 16/12/2021 12:47 Page 1

Shatchi are delighted to announce our exciting and extensive new ranges of

Trees Lights Fibre Optics Room Décor and Gifts for 2022 Come and see us at: Birmingham Spring Fair NEC Hall 5, Stand 5C -E 6th - 9th Feb 2022

"To order a catalogue or book an appointment at our Hitchin Showrooms please call 01462 432600"

PROFILE Festive Lights

Liverpool Football Club

by Festive Decorators

Cross Street Twinkly Wreath & Garland

Shining a Light on

Seasonal Success Festive Lights is one of the big retail winners of the last few years, expanding their expertise in the competitive Christmas lighting sector. Next on the list is an exciting launch at Spring Fair…

Middlesbrough Town lights

40 christmas in february

I

t’s been five years since the eagle-eyed marketing team at Festive Lights came across Italian lighting brand Twinkly and Twinkly Pro on social media, and discussed its potential with the team of directors who head up the company.

It’s fair to say that since then the partnership has been a hugely fruitful one, with Festive Lights securing the UK distribution rights for the Twinkly brand in 2018.

Exciting plans for 2022 include the launch of Festive Lights’ second Twinkly showroom in February – a custom-build space in Colchester, that will offer customers new and old a ‘fully immersive Twinkly experience’ – and the launch at Spring Fair of the Twinkly Pro Features Collection.

But then you’d expect nothing less from the family behind this hugely proactive and digitally savvy company. Festive Lights was founded by Mark Higginson in 1999, partly by circumstance, but really due to his clever business sense.

Mark, who is still Managing Director alongside his wife Margaret, was liaising with factories in the Far East to produce a car security device he had invented, when he

happened upon opportunities in the Christmas lighting sector.

Having imported a container of seasonal lights and run a hugely successful Christmas shop for one season, Festive Lights grew from there.

Mark and Margaret now run the company with their four children, Matt, Mark Jr, Martin and Michelle, as well as Michelle’s husband Stephen.

Matt, who is the Business Sales Director, explains that Festive Lights has built a ‘likeminded and exuberant’ partner network in their role as UK supplier for Twinkly, and boast a plethora of commercial clients as well. As the leading app-controlled light system on the market, Twinkly has become very big business – both in terms of retail and commercial sales.

Twinkly Pro is leading the way in Smart Lighting, and the list of household names that Festive Lights has created unbelievable displays for makes for jaw-dropping reading. From Manchester City and Liverpool Football Clubs, John Lewis (Oxford Street) and Media City in Salford to numerous garden centres and hospitality venues, and huge-scale city and town centre displays in Plymouth, Peterborough and

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Media City, Manchester installation

Twinkly Pro installation at Barton Grange Garden Centre (pic credit: LITE) Watford. The display the Festive Lights created in Middlesbrough included a whopping 235,000 LED lights controlled by the touch of a button.

Festive Lights has a dedicated in-house commercial projects team, and for 2022, Festive Lights for Business has expanded its manufacturing of large Twinkly display items, with production taking place at the company’s UK projects warehouse.

“The ‘Twinkly Team’ is already designing and building the new statement pieces in preparation for next Christmas, as we know there’s going to be lots of interest,” says Matt. “We’re delighted to be launching the Twinkly Pro Features Collection at Spring Fair.

“We’re exhibiting Twinkly Retail and Twinkly Pro at the show, together with our installation partners – LITE and Dreamwave Group – who will be on hand to discuss customers’ project ideas.

“The Twinkly Pro Collection includes giant garlands and wreaths, archways, stars and pre-lit wall panels. These new pieces are to complement our incredibly popular cone trees and our new 10m maypole tree – the first of which was installed at Manchester’s Media City for Christmas 2021.”

The Festive Lights team is hoping for a Spring Fair that is as successful for them as the Christmas & Gift show was in Harrogate.

“Jointly exhibiting with our national project partners LITE Ltd, Harrogate was a surprising success for us overall,” Matt

reveals. “From the first hour on Sunday it was clear the show attendance was strong, which quickly alleviated any pre-show anxieties we’d had concerning foot fall.

“Thanks to the many successful projects we completed in 2021, many visitors were pre-engaged in the Twinkly brand and the potential it could offer their business. We made over 60 strong leads at Harrogate, along with the prospect of many site visits to follow up.”

And show success aside, the Festive Lights family is also ‘really excited’ to be opening the doors to their new Colchester showroom.

Matt adds: “Working with our installation partner Dreamwave Group, the new purpose-built showroom is just an hour’s commute from London and we’re expecting to welcome new clients through the doors for a fully immersive Twinkly experience.

“Customers will be able to see the products in action and discuss plans for this coming Christmas. Having the expertise of Dreamwave Group included from the initial concept stage ensures we can create, install and manage many unbelievable displays. With Twinkly Pro the possibilities really are endless.” *To enquire about arranging a visit to either of the Festive Lights showrooms, in Lancashire or Colchester, email: twinkly@ festive-lights.com or call: 01257 228288.

Twinkly Mini at The Flower Bowl, Barton Grange Garden Centre

Twinkly Assets

by Sarah Welsh

email: twinkly@festive-lights.com or call: 01257 228288.

Spring Fair show stand: 5B64-C65 christmas in february 41

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PROFILE Lesser & Pavey

Designs on

Spring Fair Festive and gift experts Lesser & Pavey are bringing many new Christmas lines to Birmingham’s NEC this year…

S

pring Fair success is looking plush for Lesser & Pavey with the launch of super soft new range, Festive Friends. But this is just one range amongst a plethora of new product that the Christmas and gift specialists will be showcasing at the iconic show, from homewares to festive ornaments and decorations.

The Festive Friends are new for Christmas 2022 with original designs and colourways beautifully captured in the form of reindeers that have a super soft white plush body and face, topped off with shiny silver antlers. They also have fluffy grey jumpers with silver buttons, gloves, and boots.

The range includes 10 different items, including Festive Friends sitting, standing and riding sleighs, and Lesser & Pavey have extended it to include Mr & Mrs plush reindeers, as well as Gonks and Santas.

Homewares also feature in the company’s Christmas collections, with nostalgic festive themes combined with practicality, creating a range of items customers

will love to use throughout the season.

This year Lesser & Pavey has launched their exclusive festive ‘Berry Thief’ design collection featuring artwork by Karen Tye Bentley, who was inspired by the hugely popular William Morris Strawberry Thief print.

Lesser & Pavey have a longstanding reputation and success in selling products using William Morris designs, which hints that this seasonal take on Strawberry Thief will prove a huge hit for next Christmas.

The range includes several items, including condiment sets, a spoon rest, fine china mugs, coasters, mats and the new addition of a two-tier cake stand and doorstop.

This year Lesser & Pavey has also teamed up again with MacNeil Studios, with beautiful artwork bringing to life a snowy Christmas scene of warm lights shining from a snow-covered cottage, festive British wildlife, a jolly snowman and Santa and his sleigh brimming with gifts. The artwork features on a beautiful

selection of homewares, including mugs, plates, butter dishes, table mats and coasters.

British illustrator, Jennifer Rose, has created exclusive designs for Lesser & Pavey for Christmas 2022, this year themed around nature, featuring traditional British birdlife and wildlife.

The Christmas Robin collection includes new items for 2022 that bring the fragrance of Christmas into the home with ‘Desire’ Christmas reed diffusers and soy wax candles featuring the coveted family of Robins. The range also include home accessory textiles, with a single and double oven glove, tea towel and apron. It also includes a two-tier cake stand.

Other items customers are sure to want on their Christmas table include fine mugs, gift sets, placemats and coasters, melamine trays and accessories, a lap tray, doorstop and cushions. *Other Lesser & Pavey Christmas collections can be seen at www.leonardo.co.uk, or at Spring Fair.

Spring Fair show stands: 5D10-E11, 5D20-E21 44 christmas in february

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PROFILE Woodlodge

Taking triple the excitement

to Spring Fair

Green-fingered family company Woodlodge has seen massive growth in the Christmas product market over the past year, and is celebrating by taking three popular ranges to Birmingham’s NEC…

P

ay a visit to Spring Fair’s Hall 6 this year and you’ll be met with a 140-metre square show stand resplendent with festive, garden and luxe outdoor and indoor living inspiration.

Woodlodge – which this year celebrates its 35th anniversary – is a family company inspired by the natural world and horticulture. Based in Tetbury in the beautiful Cotswolds, Woodlodge is also focused on sustainability and has become the UK’s leading supplier of garden pots, distributing pieces from its portfolio of brands to more than 2,000 garden centres and retail outlets across the UK. Which makes Spring Fair, one of the UK’s biggest and brightest retail events, much

loved by the garden trade, the perfect event to showcase a trio of Woodlodge’s most successful brands, including Christmas collection Snowlodge that launched to great acclaim just a year ago.

The Snowlodge brand boasts more than 700 different products, including Christmas decorations, tree decorations, lighting, ornaments, festive plushes and more. It is one of the largest festive collections supplying the garden industry, and Woodlodge’s team will expertly showcase the clever blend of trend-led and traditional décor pieces that it offers, designed to boost seasonal sales with a wide variety of price points.

Alongside Snowlodge, Woodlodge is also taking its Honey & Wild garden decorations range to Spring Fair. This collection grew massively last year, and promises many new additions for visitors to the show, including solar mirrors, wall art, garden spinners and arches and even insect hotels – ideal for embellishing any garden space whilst also adding character.

And completing the show line up, is Woodlodge’s flagship interior range, Root Indoor. Inspired by the massive popularity in ‘indoor outdoor’ living, where consumers

love to bring gardening and outdoor spaces into their homes, the Root range offers a broad range of designs and finishes, from character pots to natural wicker, and colours and prints ranging from geometric lines to vintage colour palettes.

Also new to Root is a fresh collection of amazingly realistic-looking artificial plants and flowers, building on the hot botanical trend of adding greenery to home interiors.

And to top it off Woodlodge is also thrilled to be sponsoring the GTN Greatest Christmas Awards 2022, with winners being announced at Spring Fair.

Michael Woolridge, Director at Woodlodge, says: “The return of in-person trade events provides Woodlodge with an excellent opportunity to showcase the latest product innovation and extended ranges that we have been working on in the past year.

“Spring Fair is the UK’s biggest trade show for gift and home products, and offers a key trading opportunity for many of our customers.

“Our aim at this year’s show is to highlight these three key product ranges to the attention of the many independent and multiple retailers that attend this prestigious event.”

*For more information visit: www.woodlodge.co.uk Spring Fair show stand: Hall 6, Stand 6A60 46 christmas in february

christmasinjanuary.co.uk

4VTUBJOBCMF $)3*45."4 CHOOSE TO REUSE - Recycled & sustainably sourced products

As a responsible company, our buyers have been sourcing products with the environment in mind. We have also been removing polybags, minimising the use of acetate and reducing the amount of plastic in our packaging wherever possible.

Every step helps towards achieving our ethical goals.

This year we are also proud to be including a range of products made from recycled glass, recycled plastic and wood from sustainable sources.

MANGO WOOD >>>

Simple, elegant decorations, hand carved from sustainable mango hardwood. The warm colour and beautiful grain of the wood adding to the charm of these natural products.

NEW PRODUCT FOR 2022 <<< R RECYCLED GLASS >>> Beautiful heavy product sold as single pieces or display boxes of 6pcs - Feel the quality!

RECYCLED PLASTIC >>> Exclusively designed Rugs, Cushions, Throws and Table Linen - soft to touch linen.

EARLY

Contact your Sales Account Manager, call 020 8624 5555 or e-mail sales@premierdec.com to make an appointment now PREMIER DECORATIONS LIMITED www.premierdec.com • Tel: 020 8624 5555 • e-mail: sales@premierdec.com $ B&,)B6XVWDLQDEOHB&KULVWPDVBDGYHUW LQGG

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PROFILE Shatchi

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2022 is a year of considerable growth for Shatchi

caught up with Shatchi’s sales director John McVey at Harrogate to find out how they have been coping during these turbulent times and to learn what 2022 holds for this fast-growing company. John was delighted with the reacton from both their regular customers plus new customers

who visited their stand in Hall C at Harrogate.

Over the past three years both sales of their ‘Shatchi’ brand of Christmas products and MSpa hot tubs have enjoyed massive growth. So much so that their stand in Hall ‘M’ at Harrogate is far larger than in previous years to cope with the increased range of both existing and new products.

These include all main categories of Christmas such as lit products, room décor and gift items.

With all companies in this sector experiencing frustrating delays to their shipping and delivery plans I asked John the question ‘How have Shatchi managed their deliveries from the Far East to ensure customers’ deliveries?”

He told me “Like everyone else, we managed to battle

our way through to ensure that the bulk of our deliveries arrived in good time, but we certainly had some very frustrating problems to overcome.”

John continued “We have taken measures to ensure that for 2022 by ordering key items already and working with our closest and most trusted factories that deliveries will arrive in a timely fashion. Of course, this is a global problem and what with power supply problems in China and possible shortages of chips

and other necessary raw materials, we can only ensure that we have done everything possible our end to ensure the arrival of our products.”

Shatchi have increased their Hitchin, Hertfordshire showroom and are already welcoming buyers by appointment to come and see for themselves.

John stresses that not only are Shatchi top quality, but their prices are amongst the keenest in the U.K.

Showroom appoints call 01462 432 600 or email John at john@shatchi.co.uk 50 christmas in february

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