Gifts Today

Independently audited

25

ABC circulation of 7,100 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014

Month: July 2015

Issue: 6

Volume: 26

O N E S TO P SHOP FOR P E RS O N AL I S E D GIFTS

est: 2004

NEW ‘My 1st Christmas’ Range for 2015

ALCOHOL GIFTS

NE

NE

W NE

NE PERSONALISED CHRISTMAS GIFTS

APRONS

W

JAM POTS

FOR THE GARDEN

SHOE SHINE SETS

PERSONALISED SLIPPERS

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All products are designed and manufactured at our Stoke On Trent premises

DISCOVER THE FULL RANGE AT:

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 Email: sales@personalisedmemento.co.uk

Contents

Regulars 6 14 16 28 32 123

July 2015

News Exhibition News Licensing News Trade Talk GA News New Products

Retail 18

Brian Wiseman Taking a closer look at innumeracy

22

Retailer Profile Penny Franks had the pleasure to question Squire’s Gift & Leisure Buyers, Sally Lomax and Jenny Middleton

P36

24 Grass Roots Naturally a look at Home & Gift 2015, what’s the current buzz?

Features

Gifts Today team

100 Designer Jewellery Enter the world of ‘Blingtastic’!

106 Wooden Gifts Always standing the test of time, a pure classical gift

Editor Penny Franks penny@lemapublishing.co.uk

114 Christmas Gifts A staple gifting arena

Assistant Editor Paul Donnelley pauld@lemapublishing.co.uk

Special Feature

Advertisement Manager

34 The evolution of home fragrance

Mark Horsnell mark@lemapublishing.co.uk

Group Editor Mirella Cestaro mirella@lemapublishing.co.uk

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Group Advertisement Manager

Interview 96 Village Candle

Ryan Horwood ryan@lemapublishing.co.uk

Penny Franks had the pleasure to question Managing Director, Marvin Lomax, Village Candle UK Ltd, to find out more about this recognised company

Publisher Mark Naish mark@lemapublishing.co.uk

Production Director

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Paul Naish paul@lemapublishing.co.uk

Profiles

Managing Director Malcolm Naish malcolm@lemapublishing.co.uk

Media Solutions Manager 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 7,100 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014

P114

44 48 54 60 98 112

Xystos The Music Gifts Company Widdop Bingham Joe Davies Signature Gifts Namaste

Harrogate Home & Gift 38 Introduction to the show 42 Take a closer look at what you’ll find in the show halls

Home & Gift Harrogate Stand M2

Š Wrendale Designs

t: +44 (0)1782 744721 e:homesales@portmeiriongroup.com www.portmeiriongroup.com E. & O.E. June 2015

Royal Worcester is a registered trademark of Portmeirion Group

Š 2015 Portmeirion Group UK Limited

Message from the Editor www.gifts-today.co.uk Twitter: @giftstodaymag of the Great British High Street and how to get the very best from opportunities via an online presence.

It may be wise to register to attend this event visit the Home & Gift website where you will find further information and how to register.

To further assist your visit, you will experience many helpful product trails. You will find the New Products trail – guiding you through the 10,000 new product launches which can be found at Home & Gift. The Eco Product Trail - assisting you to discover those exhibitors who take an environmental ethos into the heart of their products and newly launched this year. The Best of British Trail - formulated to celebrate the best of British Industry and finally the newly launched Christmas Trail - targeted to help you around to locate all those Christmas essentials. Happy hunting!

Remember also the show format is slightly different this year with a newly refreshed Hall Q which will feature many of your favourite brands together with thousands of new product launches and new exhibitors showing for the first time. There is also a new Design Point - DP5. Here you will experience a great mix of giftware, greetings and stationery products.

Of course, let us not forget the great social aspect that is Home & Gift. By mixing with like-minded individuals, the social front can be just as important as the opening times. Take time out at the end of a long day, for example, relax and share information at the infamous Sunday Sundowners. This event is held from 6pm onwards in the grounds of The Majestic Hotel and is a great opportunity to share your new product finds with colleagues over the

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

Comments, letters and criticism are welcome.

“

Clarion Events, the organisers behind Home & Gift are delighted to introduce this year the new Great Northern Retail Summit. The summit, to be held in the heart of the HIC on Monday 20th July

“

I

s everyone ready? Why? Because it’s July, the month of Harrogate Home & Gift.

This year is set to wow visitors with more than 10,000 new products launching making it pretty difficult not to be able to find that something unique, locate those allimportant Christmas stock items, and check out what product offerings are available coupled with trends for not only this year, but also potentially what will be on the 2016 horizon. This is an event that everyone really should attend.

Naturally this issue is crammed with the latest information, products that you will find of interest and hopefully give you a good head start to assist you in the planning of your visit.

Visitors will not only be able to view all the products on display, but also attend the fantastic seminars that have been announced. Clarion Events, the organisers behind Home & Gift are delighted to introduce this year the new Great Northern Retail Summit. The summit, to be held in the heart of the HIC on Monday 20th July, has been expertly curated to ensure you have the best business advice in the retail sector.

The summit will deliver an inspirational and educational programme with industry experts, which has been designed to give you practical advice to help you grow your business. Topics will cover a variety of subjects such as The Re-Birth

obligatory glass of Pimms, as the sun sets over Harrogate.

On a final note before we all gather at Harrogate, remember also to pick up your free daily newspaper whilst in attendance, brought to you courtesy of Gifts Today. This will be available to all visitors free of charge at key entry points at the show and available within certain hotels in time for a breakfast read before you head to the show halls.

It also provides a great daily insight into what’s happening, news as it happens, further product information, retailer interviews, supplier interviews and of course, and much, much more.

Looking forward to seeing you all there - let the sun shine!

NEWS

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Bolsius Netherlands announced the loss of John Barthorpe It is with great sadness that Bolsius Nederland B.V. announced the death of John Barthorpe, the company’s Sales Manager for UK & Ireland at Bolsius UK Ltd, who has died after a period of illness.

Even during the time he was unwell, John continued to run the UK business in his usual quiet, unassuming and efficiently successful style.

John joined the company in 2012 and was instrumental in markedly growing the business in the giftware, housewares, catering and garden markets. He will be sorely missed by his colleagues, business partners and customers.

Alain Grillo, International Sales Manager, will assume interim responsibility for UK operations.

Two New Appointments at Lesser & Pavey Nick Baker joins the Lesser & Pavey team after many years working for Salco. He brings with him a wealth of experience and international contacts. His role will be to handle our overseas accounts and develop the company’s international business, as well as assisting with major key accounts in the UK. “We are delighted to have Nick join Lesser & Pavey.

He is well known and highly respected in the trade and his natural enthusiasm, drive and energy is irresistible” said Julian Hunt, Managing Director of Lesser & Pavey.

Jonny Greaves joins Lesser & Pavey from his parents’ Kent-based Giftware Wholesale business where he spent 7 years assisting them in all areas of the business.

Jonny will assist on the product development side of Lesser & Pavey working closely with the in-house design team to develop bespoke and new ranges for both Lesser and Pavey and for customers “Jonny has a sound understanding of the industry and we are all looking forward to working with him on exciting projects as we develop new ranges. His role will be varied and he will be working very closely with customers on bespoke projects as well as liaising with our exclusive factories overseas. I see him as a key part in our new market drive and his eye for products, energy and ambition are a huge asset” said Julian Hunt.

6 gifts today

TORQUE TEAMS UP WITH NEW BRAND YAWN End-to-end logistics services provider Torque, which has sites in Leeds, Bradford and Wakefield employing over 700 people, has taken steps to further establish itself as a truly innovative company by joining forces with new brand Yawn.

After being approached by Yawn ahead of the brands’ launch, Torque said a firm yes to working with them to set up the logistics side of the business and service its consumer and wholesale clients. Torque provides a full suite of services to include: Freight; e- fulfilment; customs support; quality checking; pick and pack; distribution and returns management.

Torque is an independent company with a turnover of £60m employing more than 825 people across sites in Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, Wigan and London. It offers a full logistics service, from origin to end customer, and clients are able to choose which service options they need, when they need them, to suit their own logistical and warehousing needs. Providing over 1.8 million square feet of warehousing capacity, Torque operates globally for clients ranging from large and famous high street names to small internet retailers.

For further information on Torque, please visit www.torque.eu, call 0800 085 5510 or email enquiries@torque.eu

Ashleigh & Burwood receives rave review The ever-discerning Jane Cunningham, the British Beauty Blogger, is known throughout the makeup, skincare and fragrance industries for her hardhitting and honest reviews, her approval consequently in popular demand.

Speaking of Ashleigh & Burwood’s location-inspired collection ‘Escapology’, Cunningham gushed “… as soon as I opened the boxes I was smiling”. A testament to the quality and longevity of the Escapology collection.

With scents inspired by some of the world’s most captivating and exotic locations, British Beauty Blogger raved of fragrances Koh Samui, Madagascan Vanilla and Seychelles, exclaiming “…If that’s what the Seychelles smells like, book me a flight today…”.

It seems that the respected blogger is in agreement with Ashleigh & Burwood that Escapology releases the gentle smell of summer, warming you up to the holiday you have booked, and soothing those holiday blues once you return. Ashleigh & Burwood’s Brand Manager, Hilary Osmon commented, “A significant amount of research and development was invested in the creation of the collection. During this process, we meticulously reviewed every element of the product, to ensure each is the best it could possibly be in aesthetic and performance. We’re avid readers of British Beauty Blogger, and for Escapology to receive the glowing review we feel it deserves is fantastic.”

United Oddsocks named Herts Business of the Year At the annual Hertfordshire Business Awards, presented by the Federation of Small Businesses, Hitchin-based sock company United Oddsocks was named Enterprising Business of the Year and also overall Business of the Year, much to the delight of company MD Gary Redman-Schaffer.

“This is a massive accolade for us,” said Gary. “Selling funky socks that deliberately don’t match was one of those classic down-the-pub throwaway ideas that people have all the time. But Paul Hughes (left) and we were actually mad enough to give it a go and look where we Gary Redman-Schaffer, are now – selling two and a half million socks a year and being co-owners of United named the best business in Hertfordshire. I couldn’t be any more Oddsocks chuffed.”

Gary founded United Oddsocks with partner Paul Hughes and they sold their first pair of nonmatching socks in March 2006. For the next few years they slowly built up the business attracting new customers mainly through word of mouth. “When you start a business from scratch it’s a lot of hard graft with no guarantee of reward, so you need little signs of encouragement along the way,” explained Gary. “I well remember the huge buzz I got when I first spotted a complete stranger wearing a pair of our socks, and I thought ‘we could be on to something here.”

And adding to the good news Gary has also recently been elected to The GA’s national committee.

NEWS

regular

Joe Davies appointed as official distributor for Sheaffer Ferrero offers sweet deal to Thorntons Italian chocolatier Ferrero has plans to acquire fellow manufacturer and retailer Thorntons for about £111.9m.

In a joint-announcement, the two businesses said they have agreed for Ferholding, a Ferrero subsidiary, to buy the entire stockholding of Thorntons. Ferrero will pay 145p for each Thorntons’ share, having taken an initial stake of 29.9%. The deal values the UK producer and retailer at a 42.9% premium to its closing price on Friday.

Last month it emerged that Thorntons chief executive Jonathan Hart was stepping down after four years leading the business. The Derbyshire-headquartered company issued a profit warning in December after grocers cut orders and it experienced problems in its new warehouse.

Speaking today, Thorntons chairman Paul Wilkinson said: “Ferrero is offering our shareholders an attractive premium to the average price of Thorntons’ shares over the last three months.

“Although the prospects for Thorntons as an independent company remain strong as the company embarks on the next phase of its strategy, the board of Thorntons also recognises the potential benefits to the brand and the business, including employees and all stakeholders from combining with the Ferrero Group.”

Ferrero said it will carry out a “strategic and operational review” of Thorntons’ business and operations.

It added: “Pending the outcome… Ferrero cannot be certain what, if any, repercussions there will be for the locations of Thorntons’ place of business, or the redeployment of Thorntons’ fixed assets or employees and currently has no firm intentions in relation to the foregoing.”

Ferrero’s chief executive Giovanni Ferrero said: “This transactions brings together two highly complementary businesses, but more importantly it unites two companies that share the same passion for growing brands, and a proud heritage, drive and culture built upon their family foundations.

“We have long admired Thorntons and what they have achieved in the UK as demonstrated by their tremendous customer loyalty, and we look forward to working with their experienced team.”

Thorntons’ directors said they intend to recommend “unanimously” that its shareholders accept the Ferrero offer. The offer remains open until 12 July, Ferrero said.

8 gifts today

Internationally renowned pen brand Sheaffer have appointed Joe Davies as their official distributor to the UK Independent Gift Market.

Joe Davies will launch a stunning collection of very commercial, affordable writing instruments all bearing the famous Sheaffer White Dot of writing excellence. The range will be available for delivery from July with the collection making its official debut at Harrogate Home & Gift.

The entire offering of more than 50 designs from three core collections will be available using Joe Davies’s Little & Often ordering system. Sheaffer was recently acquired by AT Cross, who appointed Joe Davies as Distributor of their Franklin Covey Collection of pens four years ago.

Tim Rice, the UK National Sales Manager at AT Cross commented: “Joe Davies are the obvious partner and have done such a super job distributing Franklin Covey, extending this to the Sheaffer Brand was a natural progression.”

Each new range in the collection features unique designs in a selection of finishes and technologies. Many of the writing instruments can be engraved are ideal for giving as a present and all are supplied in gift boxes.

Lolita in UK/Europe Following changes in the representation of Lolita in the US market, Lolita brand owner ‘Designs by Lolita’ has taken the decision to consolidate worldwide licensing of the brand, and has assigned this to Enesco.

Gaeltag Keltika MD Frank Emmel says “We obviously regret the consequences of the changes in the US. Gaeltag has been proud and happy to represent Lolita and to have successfully built the UK and European market for the brand for the past nine years. The change

in responsibilities will be staged across the various international markets, with Gaeltag working with Enesco here in Europe to ensure a smooth transition from January 1st 2016.

“Contact details for Lolita enquiries and orders will remain unchanged until that time.”

All other Gaeltag Keltika Ltd licences are unaffected.

Straits invite you Straits are pleased to announce that despite their absence from the Harrogate Home & Gift exhibition this year they will have their showroom open throughout the show period. Here, all their new collections for the autumn and winter seasons will be showcased in a range comprising over 3000 items.

To arrange an appointment or order a copy of the latest catalogue please contact us on the details below.

Web: www.straitstrading.com Tel: 01254 300260 Email: sales@straitstrading.com

Price’s Candles delighted with listing Price’s Candles are delighted to announce that Beales department stores will be listing their candles from next week. The illustrious chain of 29 department stores, founded in 1881, will begin stocking Price’s Fresh Air range of odour eliminating candles as well as their popular altar

candles and tealights. With over 319 years of trading between the two family owned companies, it is hoped this will be the beginning of a long term and fruitful relationship.

Tel. 01234 264521 Web: www.prices-candles.co.uk

VILLAGE CANDLE

Home & Gift - Harrogate 19th - 22nd July 2015 Hall B, Stand B12

Autumn Fair - Birmingham NEC 6th - 9th September 2015 Hall 5, Stand J30

www.villagecandle.co.uk Tel: 01254 300268

R

Email: sales@villagecandle.co.uk

NEWS

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Villager Jim – As seen on the BBC’s Countryfile A fabulous new licensing deal for Arora Design Ltd will be unveiled at Home & Gift Harrogate.

Working closely with the talented photographer Villager Jim, seen on the BBC’s Countryfile, “The Villager Jim Collection” includes several of his stunning countryside images presented in various different mediums. The first ranges to make their debut are mug and coaster sets, clocks, melamine trays, tea towels, magnets and mirror compacts.

Perfect gifts for anyone with an interest in birds, animals or the countryside.

Visit them at Home & Gift in Hall B Stand B23 and be one of the first to view this exclusive collection.

Web: www.arora-design.co.uk

PORTMEIRION GROUP SHORTLISTED Stoke-on-Trent - based homewares company, Portmeirion Group, is delighted to announce that it has been shortlisted in not one, but two categories, at this year’s Staffordshire Business Awards.

The announcement comes hot on the heels of the Group’s West Midlands Business Masters Awards win last week, where Portmeirion Group walked away with the prestigious Exporter Large Award.

Portmeirion’s rising star, Ben Foster, has beaten tough competition to reach the final for this year’s Staffordshire Business Awards Young Apprentice of the Year. Ben, who has been working for Portmeirion for over four years, has been commended on several occasions, over the last 18 months, for how well he has progressed and developed and is now considered a fantastic ambassador for the business.

Phil Atherton, group sales and marketing director at Portmeirion Group said: “To have reached the final in two categories is just fantastic. Ben has been outstanding over the last 18 months and is now a great ambassador for not only the business but for all young apprentices. I’m particularly proud to have also been shortlisted in the International Trade Award. Our international sales teams work extremely hard in developing first class relationships with distributors and key customers across the world. Their knowledge of the international market is second to none, I can’t wait for the winners to be revealed.”

10 gifts today

Mad about vintage MAD Stuff by MAD Beauty Ltd has recently launched a full range of Kellogg’s Vintage stationery to complement their cosmetic gifts range. Shown for the first time in London recently, two of the range won ‘Commended Status’ at the respected Stationery Awards.

Harrogate is the first exhibition to display the full range now that is in stock and shipping to stores.

Visit Stand number DP1-82a to see all the stationery and opposite on Stand Number DP171 for MAD Beauty’s incredible range of cosmetic gift products.

MAD claim to “Be Serious about making cosmetics fun”, now they can add stationery to that claim too!

Tel: 020 8958 0555 Web: www.madbeauty.com

New craft gallery launching A date for every northern retailer’s diary is Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring which takes place in Glasgow from 24-26 January 2016.

With almost 500 exhibitors from Scotland and beyond this large trade show is the principal gift buying arena for the north of the UK. New for 2016 is The Craft Gallery where about 30 specially selected quality craft producers will exhibit in their own designated gallery organised by Craft Scotland and Springboard Events. Exhibitors have been invited to apply and those who were selected by the panel have been chosen because of the quality of their products, design, innovation and commercial appeal.

Other highlights of the show will include The Launch Gallery for young, original companies, the Seminar Theatre where interesting talks and related events will be held, The Best Product Awards and the adjacent Scotland’s Speciality Food Show.

About one third of all stands will be from new exhibitors, while most exhibitors will use Scotland’s Trade Fair to launch their 2016 new ranges. Remember to book travel and accommodation early to get good deals.

Web: www.scotlandstradefairs.co.uk

Creative Tops introduce Farmers Market additions Creative Tops Ltd is pleased to present a range of vintage-style kitchen additions.

Farmers Market is a collection created for the kitchen, including storage jars, teapot, tea cosy and butter dish, as well as chopping boards, tea towels and milk jugs.

The design features some of Great Britain’s best loved farmyard animals beautifully presented in all their glory set against neutral backgrounds. The neutral colour palette of the collection means that products can easily be used within the kitchen and throughout the home.

Web: www.creative-tops.com

CUSTOMISED CONTRACT CANDLE AND OWN LABEL MANUFACTURE PARKS HAVE LITERALLY MADE THOUSANDS OF OWN LABEL CANDLES AND PERFUME DIFFUSERS FOR MAJOR HIGH STREET RETAILERS, PRESTIGIOUS DEPARTMENT STORES, INDEPENDENT RETAIL SHOPS, INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED PERFUME AND COSMETIC COMPANIES, SALONS, SPAS, FLORISTS, EXCLUSIVE GARDEN CENTRES, HOTELS, EVENT ORGANISERS AND ALL SECTIONS OF THE RETAIL TRADE.

• PARKS IS THE PREMIER MANUFACTURER OF HIGH QUALITY 100% NATURAL WAX CANDLES AND PERFUME DIFFUSERS

• CHOOSE DESIGN OF GLASS AND BOX • SELECT YOUR FRAGRANCE FROM A CHOICE OF

120

• BE EXCLUSIVE AND BUILD YOUR BRAND AND CUSTOMER LOYALTY

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150 PIECES

CONTACT US FOR A WORRY FREE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS. YOU ARE IN SAFE HANDS PARKS (L (LONDON ONDON) LTD TD, J MERRION AVENUE , S,TANMORE ,M UUBILEE NIT 10,H TOUSE HE H,ARP BUSINESS CENTRE APSLEY W AYIDDLESEX , LONDONHA7 NW24RY 7LW TELEPHONE: +44 (0) 20 8830 6300 FAX: +44 (0) 20 8830 6301 EMAIL: INFO@PARKSCANDLES.COM WWW.PARKSCANDLES.COM

NEW LOCATION IN HALL Q, THE NEW ‘HOME OF GIFTS’ AT HARROGATE

NEW STAND

HALL Q, STAND Q50

Lifelines Doggie Message

Equilibrium Sparkle Earrings

Metal Message Plaques

Equilibrium For Mum & Nan

Pastel Owl Message

Crystal & Silver Wedding

Rustic Floating Frames

Casablanca Pastel Tealights

Silver Filigree Elephant

Vintage Glass Perfume Bottles

Great Service • Great Products • Great Prices

NE LOCATION NEW IN HALL Q, THE NEW ‘HOME TH OF GIFTS’ AT HA HARROGATE

NEW STAND

HALL Q, STAND Q50 H

Poo-Pourri® Original

Are you buying from Joe Davies?

Over 2000 brand new gifts 9000+ lines to choose from Only £100 minimum order ‘Little & Often’ Ordering System m FREE next day delivery Award winning customer service ice

Shangri La Wood

Equilibrium 3 Tone Metal

Kitchen Chic Clocks Progressive Gifts Greats Awards 2015

13 times winners

Best Service to the Independent Retailer

Apothecary Bottles

mudpie® Circa Style Wine

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

The ‘Little & Often’ giftware supplier

exhibition news

Autumn Fair unveils ground-breaking new website The organiser of Autumn Fair, i2i Events Group, has unveiled a new website and refreshed branding for the September 2015 exhibition.

The new site, which was developed by ASP, includes a ground-breaking wish list functionality that mirrors some of the world’s most successful ecommerce sites and provides a year-round exhibition shopping experience for the retail community.

The addition of a wish-list enables browsers to add favoured items to an online shopping cart, making retail trade buying possible for 365 days of the year.

This easy to use buying tool is designed to help Autumn Fair visitors navigate one of the largest new product selections available to the trade ahead of Christmas.

Autumn Fair Brand Manager Kate Disley comments: “I’m delighted to unveil the new website for Autumn Fair, which has been in development for several months and represents a significant investment in the show by i2i Events.

“The exciting new functionality we’ve introduced will greatly enhance the product sourcing experience for many thousands of retailers who want to see what’s on offer at Autumn Fair and browse our website for inspiration. As far as we are aware it is the first time such technology has been implemented by a retail exhibition organiser.”

The Autumn Fair website can be shopped in the same manner as the show, by product category or direct searches for specific exhibitors. As soon as something of interest is spotted a user simply clicks the star on the product image to start creating a wish list. As with popular consumer shopping sites, the personalised My Wish List can be viewed at the top right corner of the website and emailed to the user ahead of the exhibition to facilitate the Autumn Fair product-sourcing experience.

A new website with similar functionality is already in place for sister event Pure London and the same technology is due to be rolled out for Spring Fair 2016 later this year.

Autumn Fair 2015 takes place from 6 – 9 September at The NEC Birmingham.

For more information and to register for free, visit the new website and start creating your own wish list! www.autumnfair.com

Stay connected. Learn more. Purchase better with Tendence 2015.

The world’s leading trade fair for living and giving consumer goods held in the second half of the year welcomes trade buyers to Frankfurt am Main from 29 August to 1 September 2015. But with the exhibition halls holding over 1,212 international exhibitors and seven different product groups, Tendence is not for the faint-hearted.

For the 2015 edition, online campaigns have been designed and launched to help visitors stay connected and learn more about the show. Talk about Tendence is effectively the fountain of all knowledge for visitors attending Frankfurt in August. Talk about Tendence is an online blog, discussions page, trend tracker and provides answers to just about any question you might have regarding the show. Discover more at talk-abouttendence.com.

For when you get to the fair, visitors can utilise the free Tendence app available for iOS and android smartphones. The Tendence app provides organisation tools where virtual business cards can be swapped, business contacts can be logged and a constant reminder of your location within the Messe can be seen on a map of the exhibition halls. As well as these utilities, visitors can see a full programme of events with location and timings, a full list of exhibitors and product groups at a glance.

The level of interactivity, connection and ability to do more online has led Tendence to keep visitors up to date with what’s new at the trade fair. These premium assets to a trade buyer’s visit can only increase productivity and take a lot more away from the annual industry event.

Afterall, Tendence is the opportunity to cherry pick from mid to high end assortments to enrich your retail collections; don’t miss out! For more information about the show, go to www.tendence.messefrankfurt.com

14 gifts today

THE NEW PULSE UNVEILED The new Pulse was unveiled to the UK’s most discerning buyers on the 10-12 May at its new home – Olympia, London. Cutting-edge products were launched and exclusive brands revealed over the three day show to a fantastic reception from buyers.

Claire Foster, Fashion Trend Consultant, revealed, “As a trade show attendee veteran I was so impressed with the energy, lightness and contemporary feeling at Pulse. From the show design to the selection of exhibitors I felt that there was a lot to discover and be inspired by.”

“We’ve been coming to shows for 20 years and this is the most exciting show I’ve been to,” explained online retailers Anthony and Sheila Cooper from Have a Nice Day. The finest emerging designers such as Maya Magal Jewellery, Gail Bryson, Dazzle & Jolt, Paige Cartledge, Jolie Lola and Tessa Metcalfe showcased their cutting-edge products to a wide array of buyers from Fenwick, Tate Enterprises, Archica, Fortnum & Mason and thousands more.

Retailers discovered exciting new collaborations including edgy fashion brands in Secret Emporium, exceptional upcoming designers in Selected by University of Arts and Launchpad, and innovative Hungarian designers in Hothouse Hungary.

Independent retailer Caroline Danziger-Webber from Present in the Laine commented, “I really enjoyed visiting Pulse this year. I was impressed by how many new and upcoming designers there were, many of whom were showing at a trade show for the first time.” She added, “Pulse is lovely with a carefully edited selection of brands perfect for my buying needs as I stock a wide variety of categories. “ The coveted Pulse Awards 2015 returned and were held on the opening day of the show to celebrate the very best in innovation and commercial design. Five award categories were revealed, judged by an independent expert line-up which included Barbara Chandler, Design Writer, Evening Standard; Clare Foster, Fashion Trend Consultant; Katie Law, Design Writer, Evening Standard; Philippa Stockley, Arts and Architecture critic for Homes & Property magazine, and Nigel Carrier, Retail Consultant.

Show Director Louise Wallace mentioned, “We’re really pleased with the warm reception the new Pulse has received from both visitors and exhibitors alike. We’ve repositioned Pulse to offer buyers exclusive and cutting-edge products that will put them ahead of the competition, and it was great to see how it all came together in Pulse’s new home Olympia London.”

For more information please visit www.pulse-london.com

SITTING PRETTY. The greatest gifts to make your shop shine in 2016.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Get your free ticket today at www.autumnfair.com

Gift Boxes - Globe Enterprise, Teapot Lamp – Culinary Concepts, Telephone – Wild & Wolf, Union Jack Pillow – Woven Magic, Light up A – Trans 3aciȴc, Party Hat – Meri Meri, Decorations - Talking Tables, Purse - Helen Moore

licensing news

OASIS AND THE V&A

It’s A Wild Life snaps up two new deals Bulldog Licensing, global agent for It’s A Wild Life, has announced details of two new licensing agreements for the top design property.

Created by leading graphic design agency Form Advertising, It’s a Wild Life brings together fashion, style and humour through a stunning blend of design and photography. The brand combines wildlife with uniquely human characteristics and accessories. With the high quality design that features in all of Form’s work, the result is a unique property that is perfectly placed to take advantage of the growing presence of design brands across the globe.

Bulldog has brought on board Pyramid in the UK and Eire for posters, stationery, mugs, wristbands, badges, stickers, keychains, magnets, postcards, coasters and calendars, whilst Spanish sub-agent Edebe Licensing has signed Creaciones Euromoda for bedding, cushions and comforters.

The new deals add to an impressive pan-European licensing programme that includes Cabero Group (calendars and diaries) and Bagtrotter (backpacks, shopping bags, luggage, pencil cases and diaries) and CCI Shoes (slippers, rain boots, flip-flops and canvas shoes) in France. In the UK, Bulldog has signed Cooneen for nightwear and underwear, Misirli for hosiery and socks, VMC for accessories, Yoofiti for wall art and Spearmark for a range that includes lunch bags, mugs, travel cups and bottles.

More new deals announced for Shopkins Bulldog Licensing has announced more new deals for Shopkins, the phenomenally successful collectible that secured the girls category Toy of The Year Award in New York to add to its Collectable of the Year award from the BTHA. Shopkins are cute little characters that live in Shopville.

Each series features 148 to collect, including ultra-rare and limited edition characters, and are sold inside adorable little shopping bags. Despite only having been on the market for a few months the brand has sparked a craze that has swept the world, fuelled by an online presence that has seen over twenty million hits on the Shopkins Youtube channel and over 400 million views on fan videos. Retailers across the UK are struggling to satisfy demand and are airlifting in new supplies to cope.

“Shopkins is proving to be an absolute phenomenon,” says Bulldog Group MD Rob Corney. “The demand is incredible and the brand is showing huge growth with retailers across the whole market asking us for more product and bespoke promotions. Kids just can’t get enough of them and it’s no surprise that we are securing deals with so many top licensees.”

18 gifts today

The Victoria and Albert Museum is pleased to announce a new partnership with Oasis, the high street fashion brand renowned for its unique design details and boutique-like styles. Launching in May 2015, the first fashion collection is based on around 11 botanical prints, all handselected by the Oasis design team from the V&A’s extensive textile and design archives.

The V&A’s licensing team worked closely with Oasis to retain authenticity of the original printed fabrics and designs.

Each design has been artfully re-imagined and styled into contemporary ensembles and accessories. Pieces in the Oasis x V&A collection include this season’s casual kimono style jackets, wide-leg highwaisted trousers, voluminous culottes and A-line midi skirts.

Aardman signs new UK licensing agent for Shaun the Sheep With Shaun the Sheep Movie premiering around the world, and the much anticipated US Lionsgate release set for the 7 August, Aardman have announced that they have signed brand licensing experts JLK Brand Licensing Group as their new agent for the United States.

The partnership covers both Shaun the Sheep and Wallace & Gromit properties and will be aimed at building a long term licensing and merchandising programme for the US Market.

Rob Goodchild, Head of Licensing at Aardman says; “The Shaun the Sheep Movie has opened to critical acclaim around the world and will provide a great platform to develop our licensing activity in the US. Aardman celebrates 40 years of creating unique this time we have built a strong and loyal fan base. We want to create a programme that reaches out to these fans, and also our new audiences that will be attracted through the movie and home entertainment releases and our continuing on-demand partnership with Amazon Prime” Joshua Kislevitz, President at JLK Brand Licensing Group adds; “The Shaun the Sheep Movie is smart and funny.

Already warmly received by critics and audiences where it has been released, we are looking forward to the same reception and success in the US and bringing this incredible brand to market.”

The global Shaun the Sheep licensing programme boasts over 180 licensees across 25 territories. Following on from the movie, a half-hour special “The Farmers Llamas” will air from December 2015 around the World.

Aardman are also producing 20 brand new 10 minute episodes for 2016, taking the total number to 150.

+DUURJDWH &KULVWPDV *LIW

10th - 13th January 2016

Book your stand online today

www.harrogatefair.com

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Special - Brian Wiseman of Present Company

n a m e s i W n a i r n B o g n i t n ? u y c co a r e m u inn

Brian Wiseman

G

reat Britain is famous for its innumeracy. In fact, I rather imagine that a three year old in South Korea has learnt more arithmetic than the average Brit acquires in an entire lifetime. Many of our customers find numbers difficult. One day a sweet but batty primary school teacher had to ask us how to calculate a 10% discount on a bulk buy for her beloved pupils at the end of the school year. “Oh dear,” she purred, “I am useless with maths.”

Last Tuesday a large, blustering buffoon came into Present Company with his wife dutifully following two paces behind.

What, they wondered, could they buy for their daughter’s birthday gift; she has a preference for blue decorative accessories in her home. They were underwhelmed by my suggestion, based entirely on margin yield considerations, that they should look favourably upon a very nice turquoise lamp. I recalled Dale Carnegie’s wise words, “You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.” I left wifey to convince herself of the suitability of the lamp, and engaged our abrasive friend in conversation. He

18 gifts today

Like many retailers, I had hoped for a better deal when the European Parliament’s decision to cap credit card fees won widespread applause from the retail industry for holding out the hope of lower card processing costs

had, it transpired, been an astoundingly successful, self-made and self-effacing businessman. So when his wife did duly approve the lamp option, he demanded a discount. I quietly drew his attention to our SALE offer sign indicating that a 20% discount would be deducted from the £49 advertised price at the counter. “I couldn’t care less about your 20% off, I want a better price” he thundered, “I’ll give you £40.” I protested mildly, accepted his offer with the due reluctance it deserved and took his £40.” Of course, dear reader, £40 less 20% discount = £39.20. Sometimes my life in retail is so delicious that I wonder why everyone doesn’t do it.

It all put me in mind of a teacher’s pay protest rally in the 1970s when a placard read, “8% of nothing is nothing! We want 12%.” Plus ca change . . . .

Now Dale Carnegie in not a name that is regularly heard these days, though he was still on the agenda in the 1950s when my father was a UK sales manager for the mighty 3M company with its American roots. Dale Carnegie’s clean cut, home spun American philosophies may seem a little trite today, but they remain a source of comfort and inspiration to those who feel they need to get a grip when life is less than encouraging. Others more cynically subscribe to the view that the only ones who ever made money from self-help guides were the authors.

A successful businesswoman was telling the BBC how she asks every job applicant for their favourite quote. There is no right or wrong answer, but she finds it insightful. Here’s one of my favourites; in the early 1970s, New Zealand’s Prime Minister Norman Kirk said that people don’t want much. They want, he said, “Someone to love, somewhere to live, somewhere to work and something to hope for.”

Like many retailers, I had hoped for a better deal when the European Parliament’s decision to cap credit card fees won widespread applause from the retail industry for holding out the hope of lower card processing costs. The ceiling for

fees has been set as 0.2% for debit cards and 0.3% for credit cards. But before we crack open the champagne, what’s this I see on my merchant card processing invoice? Ah yes, a sneaky and rather expensive little add on has appeared which charges me for a telephone call each time a transaction is authorised. Presumably, this pernicious little perk for the financial services industry is outside of both the letter and the spirit of the cap?

In recent years, card processors have proliferated with a huge influx of new players. There have been reports of very competitive rates indeed, but counterbalanced by gripes of very long contracts of five years with onerous early exit penalties. Dear readers, I would be most interested to hear of your card processing arrangements and your reviews.

Still on the subjects of banks, do you remember the old days when a bank loan or any type of overdraft facility effectively meant an approach to one of the Big Four? Fast forward seven years and the world of business finance is looking like a different place. My post box and my inbox are increasingly filled by tentative offers of finance from a myriad variety of different sources, even crowdfunding. Again, I would be interested to hear of readers’ experiences. But many will still prefer to borrow from family and friends if at all possible.

Meanwhile, with the wonderful Harrogate Home and Gift Fair coming up (19th – 22nd July) in that loveliest and leafiest of Yorkshire towns, I leave you with a Dale Carnegie gem to enrich all of our lives: “Develop success from failures.

Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success.”

Brian Wiseman has owned home and gift shop Present Company in Burgess Hill, West Sussex for 28 years. Brian’s wife Louise is buyer. And her quote for retailers everywhere? “However bad the times may be, there’s always someone making a fortune at retail.” brian_presentco@yahoo.co.uk

New

Autumn Winter 2015 catalogue available now

Autumn Fair -6th - 9th September 2015 Hall 5 Stand E1

www.straitstrading.com Tel: 01254 300260

Email: sales@straitstrading.com

Museums & Galleries

Mark it with Museums & Galleries The Finest Art Cards, Stationery and Gifts

T

he aim of the Museums & Galleries team is to bring you the best of art and design from around the world, selecting and transforming it into a wonderful collection of greeting cards, stationery and Christmas product.

Founded more than thirty years ago

by Caroline Humby-Teck, in 2013 MGL began a new phase of its development under the ownership of Alan and Debbie Williams of the Mint Group.

It has been a long journey, but the

20 gifts today

results are showing clearly in increased sales and customer satisfaction.

Museums & Galleries publishes a comprehensive mix of traditional and contemporary fine art cards and a wide and varied selection of gift stationery, including ranges of journals, giftwrap, and amazingly high-quality and excellent value gifting products The team fine-tuned and reengineered the company’s traditional product offering, focusing sharply on customer needs and preferences.

Problems with stock control were eliminated, but the traditional aim of offering a highquality product at a great value price was maintained and enhanced.

From the treasures of the V&A Museum, London and Museums & Galleries on every continent, to the archives of Wedgwood; from the illustrations of Rupert and Postman Pat to the heartwarming children painted by Jessie Willcox Smith.

New product types were added to the range: in spring 2014 bookmarks, magnetic to do pads, poster wraps and magnet sets and this spring saw the stunning launch of a suite of gifting products (matching gift boxes, gift bags, tissue paper packs; and the new

gift tag and sticker sets); a new range of advent calendars, and a range of beautiful and tactile soft cover - lined journals which join the company’s popular hard cover elasticated journals, at a slightly lower price point (£6.99 retail; £2.91 trade).

Never a company to rest on their laurels, Museums & Galleries’ comprehensive array of gift and gifting products was extended even further this June by the addition of a charming, innovative and useful range of Gift Tag and Sticker sets, and also durable plastic bookmarks with coordinating ribbons.

The Gift Tag & Sticker sets are in the four key patterns from the V&A which coordinate across all the ranges of gift wrap, gift boxes, gift bags, journals and notebooks, pencil boxes,

magnetic to do pads, writing sets, and notelet wallets.

Each set contains six tags with coloured twine, and eight parcel stickers on an A5 sheet. They are suggested to retail at £3.99 each.

The twelve bookmarks feature an eclectic mix of images from the V&A’s world-renowned archives of art and design, and look particularly splendid on the glossy durable plastic. They join Museums & Galleries’ successful and rapidly growing collection of bookmarks, and make an ideal stocking filler gift or an add-on to a book gift. Suggested retail price per bookmark is £1.49.

Tel: 01373 462165 Email: sales@mgml.co.uk Web: www.museumsgalleries.co.uk

DID YOU KNOW? • Museums & Galleries was originally founded by Caroline Humby-Teck in 1987 on her kitchen table at home in London • Today, all the products are designed in a dedicated art studio in Frome, Somerset • “Roobarb Smiling” is the company’s longest running bestselling card • Since the company’s relaunch in August 2013, the company has raised almost £75,000 for charity through sales of its charity Christmas cards • The company’s British Library licence is its oldest partnership, and dates back to the foundation of the company.

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Visit our new look stand where a warm welcome is guaranteed.

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REGISTER TO VISIT www.homeandgift.co.uk Widdop Bingham, Broadgate, Broadway Business Park, Chadderton, Oldham, OL9 9XE T: 0161 688 1226 F: 0161 682 6808 sales@widdop.co.uk www.widdop.co.uk

Retail Interview Squires

Certainly Squire As a company who is committed to providing a wide range of quality plants and garden products, together with an extensive array of gifts, garden furniture and houseplants Penny Franks had the pleasure to question Squire’s Gift & Leisure Buyers, Sally Lomax and Jenny Middleton.

Tell us a little bit about the history behind Squires.

D.J. Squire founded Squire’s Garden Centres in 1936. Initially it was a landscape gardening business, which then developed into one of the first garden centre businesses in the UK. We are immensely proud to remain a family business, and to be celebrating 80 years of participation in the UK horticultural industry next year!

When and where did the first store open?

We opened our first garden centre 22 gifts today

in Twickenham in 1964. Since then the company has become one of the best success stories in the industry, remaining in the Squire family under the leadership first of D.J’s son Colin Squire - who is still actively involved in the business - and, today, Colin’s daughter Sarah Squire who is Deputy Chairman.

How many stores are there today?

We have 15 garden centres across Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex and Berkshire.

In Home Fragrance, the room diffusers from Wax Lyrical are one of our hero products When we talk about gifts, what is the largest category for you?

For us, it is notably Home Fragrance.

Is there a particular ‘hero’ product at the moment?

In Home Fragrance, the room diffusers from Wax Lyrical are one of our hero products. In other categories, a retro glass jug with a

straw, and light up letters are selling really well at the moment.

How do you keep up with gifting trends?

Through trade shows, trade press, visiting competitors and talking to suppliers.

How important is the packaging on products that you stock?

Packaging is very important as it can really add value to an item, and it makes it stand out well on shelf.

Do you feel there is sufficient innovation within the gift sector?

Some suppliers are great at keeping ahead of trends and providing something fresh.

A gift can be anything, how do you fine-tune your gifting solutions?

By thinking about the person our customers are buying for, and satisfying certain price points.

Do you offer a complete gift service, for example, a gift wrap option?

We offer a free gift-wrapping service on houseplants, and some of our bigger centres do gift-wrap all year round, but all of them put together bespoke hampers at Christmas, which are really popular.

What about greeting cards, are these a popular purchase in-store?

Absolutely and we have a great selection. Customers like to send and receive cards and mark an occasion.

How do you manage your floor space that is dedicated to gifting?

Our floor space flexes all the time depending on the time of year.

How do you differ from other retailers?

Our garden centres are a lovely place to shop, essentially we are like a department store but with easy parking! Customers can enjoy browsing, as there is so much on offer from birthday gifts, to outdoor entertaining products, BBQ’s to plants. They can take advantage of our free Wi-Fi, have a nice cup of coffee or a bite to eat in our Café Bar, and learn how to garden via our gardening workshops and talks. We also attract a lot of families and run children’s events through the schools holidays, but what makes us really different is

that we are seen very much part of the local community and get involved in lots of different ways, including each centre supporting their local chosen charity of the year.

Customers can enjoy browsing, as there is so much on offer from birthday gifts, outdoor entertaining products, BBQ’s to plants

How far in advance do you plan products/ranges that you are going to stock?

Some ranges are booked months in advance but we are also reacting to sales patterns and trends within the season.

Let’s talk about your websites, how do these operate alongside your stores?

We don’t have e-commerce yet, but we do showcase some of our gifts online, together with any monthly offers.

There is a larger range in the centres.

What about social media, how important is this to you?

Social media is certainly becoming an important channel for our industry. Our online community base has grown largely because of the popular family events that we run throughout the year. Facebook especially, enables us to promote gifts to a slightly younger audience than our core customers, who wouldn’t always consider a garden centre as their first point of call to buy a gift for a friend, or something for their home.

And finally, on a more personal note, what is the most exciting aspect of your job?

The thrill of finding a volume line!

DID YOU KNOW? • During the 1939/45 war, all landscape activities ceased and the nurseries were turned over to vegetable production • Founder David Squire was originally Head Groundsman and gardener at the Police Orphanage in Twickenham • Squire’s is a family business, and will be celebrating their 80th anniversary next year • 10 of the top 100 girl’s baby names are flowers - the most popular are Lily, Poppy, Daisy, Holly and Jasmine • 5 of Squire’s Garden Centres have a Pets & Aquatics area, selling a variety of small animals such as rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs, as well as more unusual animals like Bearded Dragons, Koi Carp and even Skinny Pigs (Guinea Pigs without fur)!

gifts today 23

Grass Roots It is Harrogate Home & Gift time again and the industry is gearing up for another show that will be a lot of fun and see an awful lot of business carried out. We spoke to a number of retailers planning to visit the show to find out what they are looking forward to.

Sara Baines,

Sally Walker,

Ewe and Me, Grantown-on-Spey, Perth

Bright Ideas, York

Will you plan your visit?

We know the suppliers we want to go and see but we will also be looking for new lines.

What will be of interest this year?

It’s a bit difficult. At Spring Fair we look for different things to see us through to Harrogate. Then we need top ups to get us through to Christmas, maybe new lines in jewellery. Something new and exciting.

Are you looking for new trends and product inspiration?

Yes but being in the north of Scotland we don’t go for anything too trendy.

We sell relatively traditional gifts; we sell nice jewellery. We have Sheila Fleet jewellery. We like nice items we can sell to suit locals and holidaymakers alike.

Who is on your must-visit list?

We always go to Gisela Graham, Bright Side, East of India, Carrie Elspeth; people that we deal with to see if they have brought out any new exciting lines.

We just go to as many as we can; we will start off in the marquees and then work our way out. We will probably be there for a couple of days.

Sarah Lightfoot, Bywater Gifts, Castleford, West Yorkshire.

Will you plan your visit?

I generally try to plan who I want to see but I also like to go and find a couple of different suppliers while I am there. I generally don’t plan the Harrogate one; I always plan the NEC but I generally try to wing it with the Harrogate show.

What will be of interest this year?

Owls have been a big thing. I am trying to find what the next big thing like that is going to be. Because of where I have got my shop I like to buy things that other people don’t have so there are certain suppliers I don’t use purely because I know other gift shops near me have certain things and I don’t want to have the same.

Are you looking for new trends and product inspiration?

There are quite a lot of new things that are in; also florally things.

Who is on your must-visit list?

That’s a tough one but probably Gisela Graham but I haven’t properly looked at the book yet.

24 gifts today

Will you plan your visit?

Yes. What will be of interest this year?

I always head to DP1 and the card hall.

Are you looking for new trends and product inspiration?

Oh yes, I am always trying to find that next best thing.

Who is on your must visit list?

That would be telling!

Jeff Kitching, Brambles, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, Redcar and Cleveland Will you plan your visit?

Half and half. We have a plan but it is a flexible one. It depends on the weather – it might involve sitting outside quiet a bit.

What will be of interest this year?

All sorts really. We tend to see round most of the show because we are into general gifts, cards and the like which makes it hard work for us but definitely worth it in the end.

Are you looking for new trends and product inspiration?

We are always looking to see what is coming along, what people are doing.

Unfortunately, it is very rare that you find anything completely new but you are always looking. Something different that we can lead with.

Who is on your must-visit list?

Clement Fragrance, One Button, Peony, Powder – there are a few.

Visit us at

Autumn Fair Birmingham NEC, 6th - 10th September 2015 Hall 5, Stand F30

We are looking forward to seeing you there!

Price’s Patent Candles Ltd, 16 Hudson Road, Bedford, MK41 0LZ

+44 (0)1234 264500

sales@prices-candles.co.uk

Grass Roots Tim Price,

John Kerr,

Cottage Craft Centre, Fife

Harvey Willis, Fife

Will you plan your visit?

I have been going for twenty-five years so I am just going to wing it. You do that traipsing about and get the feel of what is there.

What will be of interest this year?

Something new, something interesting. I don’t want to see any more stags – I did that five years ago.

Are you looking for new trends and product inspiration?

You need to get the feel for who is developing products and who is just copying things. People are fearful of putting money into development at the moment so they are just copying others. When you get big companies ripping off other big companies, I find it really strange. When companies get fearful innovation goes out the window.

Who is on your must-visit list?

I need to see Emma Ball. There are quite a few card companies I need to see.

Pigment Productions; cards are a huge part of my sales. As far as interiors if they are there I definitely need to see Hill Interiors, and J J Vaillant because it is one of the main times I get to see them. It’s changed these days but you still need to be able to see the stuff before you buy it. You have to speak to Gisela Graham whether you buy anything or not.

Harrogate is always a good show for us and a lot of people; it is quite a relaxed show but also it is at the perfect time to get things in for the autumn

Will you plan your visit?

I plan every year. We go every year and we know who we are going to see and we will also look for new suppliers.

What will be of interest this year?

I don’t really know because this year is quite different. Generally, we will be looking for jewellery; my wife looks for handbags and scarves for the shop and various other things, maybe something different. We are looking for new things, new products all the time.

Are you looking for new trends and product inspiration?

Nothing massively that I have seen but generally the consensus seems to shifting away from normal figurine-type ornaments and people are into more personal things – scarves, handbags, hats, the sort of things that they can use right away. I think the ornament side of gifts is definitely on the wane at the moment. Harrogate is always a good show for us and a lot of people; it is quite a relaxed show but also it is at the perfect time to get things in for the autumn. We also do a lot of Christmas buying at Harrogate.

Who is on your must-visit list?

We will definitely be going to see Yankee Candle preparing our final orders for Christmas. Sadly Enesco are not showing this year because they were also another must visit. We will definitely be going to a few jewellery stands.

Generally, we visit a lot of suppliers when we are down there but we always pick up quite a few new lines. Harrogate is where we look for new lines. This year we are going on the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. It is quite a relaxed affair, which is always very nice.

Chloe Hill, Strickland & Holt, Yarm, Yorkshire.

Will you plan your visit?

Well, we are probably going on the Tuesday. We go along and see what is there.

What will be of interest this year?

We are looking at next year now because we have done all our Christmas buying. So it will be Easter and we are looking at new spring stuff.

Are you looking for new trends and product inspiration?

Yes we are looking for new stuff that is about and compare them to other companies that we deal with. We compare prices and the like.

Who is on your must-visit list?

The main one is Gisela Graham. It’s just beautiful; the stock is gorgeous. RJB Stone is a big one we look at. We look around but we have usually done our Christmas stock at Birmingham. Harrogate gives us a chance to have a look round and then a rep will come and see us afterwards. It is always so busy.

26 gifts today

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Dublin 16th–19th August Autumn Gift & Home Fair Citywest International Events Centre Stand F2

Birmingham 6th–9th September Autumn Fair International NEC Hall 3, Stand 3W04–X03

Trade talk

Gifts Today loves to hear your views. This month we speak to key wholesalers and suppliers to learn what’s on their minds.

This issue we ask a number of the industry’s finest about their current ranges, trends, and social media Mary Overmeer

Helen Shield Director of Marketing, Enesco How many new products have you introduced this year?

We have launched 1,100 new items this year, a combination of line extensions and thirteen brand new collections.

What categories do these mainly fall within?

Gift and collectible.

Why is it imperative for you that you keep your ranges refreshed?

It is very important when you have a collectible brand, consumers are looking at what is new to add to their collection. Also a lot of what we do now is licensed products and the trends change, our sales in 2014 and 2015 have been very much focused on the film Frozen but we have to also plan ahead as lead times are long and predict what is going to be the next big thing. Some collections for example Willow Tree are more consistent, the best selling items have been best sellers for over ten years, this is rare in the gift industry.

How are you monitoring current consumer trends?

We have a small team of people dedicated

Puckator Ltd to looking at trends and licences. Enesco are well known as licensing partners therefore we are often approached as a preferred licensee.

What do you think people are searching for when looking at gifts?

Something personal, often sentimentdriven, our sales of text driven products have increased dramatically over the years.

Quality, price and gift packaging are also driving factors.

Is there anything in particular you feel is driving the gifting sector?

Brand names and licenses are becoming more and more important to us. However the product has to be exceptional quality and relevant to current trends. We get offered many licenses every week but only a small handful fit our portfolio and customer base.

Are you running any specific social media at present?

We are very active on social media, across Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and eleven different Facebook pages.

Sam Brummitt Namaste

How many new products have you introduced this year?

We don’t count them as there are too many but there must be well over 500.

What categories do these mainly fall within?

Home & Gifts • Incense • Home Furnishings • Furniture • Clothing • Accessories • Jewellery Why is it imperative for you that you keep your ranges refreshed?

Our customers need to keep their own offerings refreshed so we work very hard with that focus in mind.

How are you monitoring current consumer trends?

Frequent visits to trade fairs both in the UK and on buying trips overseas, lots of days out in great places like London and a lot of internet browsing!

What do you think people are searching for when looking at gifts?

I do believe that most people are looking for something a little different to the boring

28 gifts today

High Street multiples!

We see this in the fantastic growth of alternative high streets where independent shops prosper and the street becomes a destination in its own right.

Ethically sourced and Fair Trade products or products with a distinct environmental or charitable message are still becoming more popular.

Is there anything in particular you feel is driving the gifting sector?

I think there is a drive for handmade gifts with individual character.

Are you running any specific social media at present?

We do use Twitter and Facebook to keep customers informed of new product launches and special offers. Our new website is in its final development stage and we hope to up the social media content when we have got it up and running.

How many new products have you introduced this year?

As usual, our design department have been hard at work creating brand new designs and ranges which we’ve been introducing throughout the year. So far we have launched over 2,000 new products. Notable new designs include Christmas Pugs & Kisses and also Gingerbread Men for the festive season.

We have further expanded our ever-popular London souvenirs collection, and we’ve also introduced a new selection of our best-selling solar powered dancing characters.

What categories do these mainly fall within?

Our main focus is design-led gift ware.

We always strive to offer a wide range of contemporary and exciting new products in this category.

Why is it imperative for you that you keep your ranges refreshed?

Not only are we trying to attract new retailers with our latest designs, but we cannot forget our strong base of current customers. It’s important that we keep introducing new ranges so that they always have something to come back for and can rely on us to provide exactly what the end consumer will want.

How are you monitoring current consumer trends?

We often see the first glimpses of a new trend appearing on the fashion catwalks and it’s then filtered down into the various gift ware sectors.

By keeping an ear to the ground and an eye on the fashion industries, we are able to keep abreast with current consumer trends. We also travel to various tradeshows to identify themes before they become too main stream, Maison & Objet in Paris is particularly good for this.

What do you think people are searching for when looking at gifts?

Among other things, they are, of course, looking for good margins. They are searching for competitively priced product lines but still original designs.

Is there anything in particular you feel is driving the gifting sector?

Dependent on the products, this could be anything from television and movies to celebrity crazes and social media. A good example would be the recent trend in Sloth-themed products, and before this was the Meerkat craze.

29. 8 – 1. 9. 2015

Discover international new ideas for the home and gift sectors – at the industry’s most important meeting place in the second half of the year. fresh.new.ideas. info@uk.messefrankfurt.com Tel. +44 (0) 14 83 48 39 83

Come and take a look inside: talk-abouttendence.com

This issue we ask a number of the industry’s finest about their current ranges, trends, and social media

Keren Dicken Sales & Marketing Director Personalised Memento Company How many new products have you introduced this year?

As ever, we’ve been working hard this year with over 400 new products.

Not only new designs but also new base products including scented candles, slippers, acrylic decorations to name only a few. Over the last 12 months we have focused on fresh new ideas with even more in the pipeline.

What categories do these mainly fall within?

Every category! We offer a huge range of products to choose from, many of which can be sold in more than one category.

For us, our product range is about offering a choice to our customers; from those who sell gifts for every occasion to those who offer a niche style, or offer specific categories such as pet gifts. We have choices for everyone, we feel this then doesn’t saturate the market with the same range of gifts – there is something for every taste.

Why is it imperative for you that you keep your ranges refreshed?

We feel it gives strength to what we do, the market as a whole moves very quickly and we put a lot of emphasis on all of our gifts being design led. We know that customers search for ‘new’ when choosing a product range, the lines that we bring to market are fresh, modern and on trend.

How are you monitoring current consumer trends?

We listen to feedback from our customers, we love to meet our retailers at the Autumn and Spring Fairs and show them what our designers have created and find out what has worked for them for the last season. We

have a passionate team who bring our new products to life, we all buy gifts in our day to day life so we really assess and consider every gift we put to market.

What do you think people are searching for when looking at gifts?

Consumers are looking for something personal and something unique which obviously our gifts are all about with everything being individually personalised. Personalisation has become a very popular gift idea in recent years and we have seen our gifts flourish with a strength that is set to continue.

Is there anything in particular you feel is driving the gifting sector?

Home and Kitchen gifts are driving the market for us at the minute.

We find that consumers are not only buying the products in our gifts category for relatives and friends but also as a ‘just because’ gift for themselves.

Are you running any other projects at present?

Yes we are still ongoing with our free website projects which have received a fantastic response. Of course we are still working hard on our range bringing new ideas for the next season. We also have a brand new license partnership to announce at the Autumn fair, which we know our customers will be very excited about!

Laurence Whiting Prices-Candles How many new products have you introduced this year?

Fresh Air new Maxi Lights across four fragrances. And Signature Range editions for winter in diffusers, large and small jars.

What categories do these mainly fall within?

Home fragrance for Fresh Air, and Gift for Signature.

Why is it imperative for you that you keep your ranges refreshed?

To keep the customer engaged and remain at the forefront in candle manufacturing.

How are you monitoring current consumer trends?

We research the market regularly and keep an eye on competitors, alongside regular meetings with our fragrance houses.

What do you think people are searching for when looking at gifts?

Value for money, nicely designed packaging, long burn times and strong fragrances that are following trends.

30 gifts today

Is there anything in particular you feel is driving the gifting sector?

In Home fragrancing. Diffusers and Wax Melts are becoming popular.

Are you running any specific social media at present?

Our customers often run competitions and promotions through their websites which prove very successful.

Also we have increased our budget this year to advertise in the trade publications to support our presence at the Trade Shows.

We are also on facebook! Finally we are redeveloping our company website.

It’s here!

TV Helping everyone sell EVEN more!

For more details on how you could proďŹ le your company and products to 60,000+ viewers contact Ryan Horwood on 01442 289930 ryan@lemapublishing.co.uk

GA news

GA Members’ Day record attendance There was a record attendance for The GA’s Members’ Day and AGM, where Isabel (Izzy) Martinson received a standing ovation when she said goodbye after nearly 15 years as chief executive.

The audience at Federation House in Birmingham on 10 June also saw Stone The Crows! managing director John Allan presented with the association’s Elkan Simons Award, and heard from speakers about performance driven digital marketing and alternative funding and investment.

And there was a lively debate, The Next Generation in Gifts, which featured panelists who are helping to drive the gift and home industry into a new era.

Prompted by questions from GA chairman Michael Papé – himself a young entrepreneur and director of themed toys and gifts company

Panellists were Steven Smith, the co-founder of Thabto, which won the GA

Ravensden – they discussed issues including the future of the high street;

Gift of the Year competition Judges’ Choice prize in 2014 for the Subbuteo

how the internet had changed the nature of buying and selling; business-to-

Bottle Opener; Natalie Yates, founding director of Gifts from Handpicked; Steve

business and business-to-consumer websites; how independent bricks and

McGuire, global sales director and senior vice president of glassware supplier

mortar retailers could remain competitive; the damaging effect of replica and

LSA International, and Sara Allbright, the John Lewis buyer for home and gift

counterfeit products, and the personalisation of products.

collections and candleshop.

Parlane’s Mike Burgess scoops second major industry award Mike Burgess, managing director of Parlane International, admitted that the announcement he had won a second major industry award in less than a year completely stunned him.

“To receive The GA’s Elkan Simons Award last summer was a big shock, but to receive another prize at The Greats left me absolutely speechless,” he said after collecting the GA-sponsored Honorary Achievement Award. “I didn’t see it coming until I spotted my mugshot on the big screens around the room.

32 gifts today

“Receiving both awards for doing something that I thoroughly enjoy has left me feeling very humble. I can honestly say that I consider myself so very lucky to have spent 50 years in various businesses within the gift and home industry. I have met some wonderful people and become friends with so many fantastic customers. I would like to say an immense thank you to everyone in the industry who believed in me.”

GA chairman Michael Papé, who presented this latest award at London’s Savoy Hotel, said that Mike had continued to lead and influence the gift and home sector. He had spent a lifetime in the industry “yet loves to help those who are just starting out – sharing both wisdom and experience”.

Mike Burgess began his retail career running a market stall while still in his teens. “He’s been employed as a window dresser for a major department store in Manchester, and he’s also done a stint as a sales rep for companies both large and small,” Michael continued.

“However, today, as head of one of the most respected international home and gift companies – which is currently celebrating its 45th year – he also knows a thing or two about wholesaling, importing and exporting as well.”

An astute businessman, he was one of the original founders of The Summerhouse and is still instrumental in its ongoing success. Elected chairman of The GA in 2008 during the height of the recession, he “provided strong leadership to the industry as he continues to do today”.

Michael Papé concluded: “As his wife Caroline – his right-hand woman in life and business – will confirm, he works crazy hours, travelling the world for most of the year, but is always ready to take a phone call or answer an email from anyone in the trade.”

www.ga-uk.org

GA news

Although GA members who took part in the Virgin Media Business #VOOM initiative won’t be walking away with part of the £1 million prize fund, they have spoken enthusiastically about how the competition has helped to publicise their companies.

Steve Barton who, with his wife Katrina, started Krasnaya in 2010, has developed Painta Pets craft kits, which they started selling through trade shows and trade magazines while “all the time keeping costs to a minimum”.

Says Steve: “We do everything ourselves and have established a brand in the UK, but we now need to go into volume sales and export.

“We saw the Pitch to Rich [Richard Branson] as an opportunity for finance and expert advice. Our pitch has given us the chance to tell our story and promote it on social media. And although we didn’t progress, we have had some great feedback and exposure.”

Steve and Katrina use genuine Russian dolls for the kits – Krasnaya means ‘beautiful’ or ‘red’ – and two of its product characters are named after daughters Zoe and Ellie.

It took Keep This Cracker three weeks of hard work to prepare its pitch video. Bea Thackeray, owner/designer of the reusable alternative to the disposable party cracker, entered the competition with realistic expectations and saw it as “a great way to spread the word”.

She comments: “The support we received in the first round was amazing and I’d like to thank The Giftware Association, Greetings Card Association, i2i Events, The Card & Gift Network, Brand Events 1, Greetings Today, Deco-mag – everyone who voted and generated valuable publicity through Facebook and Twitter. Who knows how

Business card invitation to enter Gift of the Year Talent spotters will be on the lookout at Home & Gift for high quality products that are suitable for The GA’s Gift of the Year 2016 competition, which will open for entries on September 6 – the Sunday of Autumn Fair.

Gift of the Year judges and GA retail members and subscribers are being invited to hand special business cards – available from The GA’s stand KS10 in the King’s Suite – to suppliers of products they like to encourage them to enter. These talent spotters will then fill in a form with the appropriate details to enable The GA team to make follow-up visits to exhibitors’ stands.

The GA does not anticipate that any new categories will be introduced for 2016, although there may be some refinements.

No changes are being made to the judging line-up.

However, people interested in joining the panel will be considered to ensure that the featured categories – spanning everything from gift and home products to gardening items and jewellery and fashion accessories – are assessed by a wide cross-section of retailers – from those online to independents, multiples and garden centres.

The GA’s stand will feature this year’s winning and highly commended products. Outgoing chief executive Isabel Martinson reminds suppliers that the 2016 winner of The Judges’ Choice category will be awarded a free stand at Autumn Fair by show organiser i2i Events, headline sponsor of the competition.

www.ga-uk.org

many hundreds, if not thousands, more people have now heard about Keep This Cracker?”

All the support wasn’t enough to get the company on to the final shortlist of around 90. “But coming in the top third out of more than 900 entries in the New Things category does feel like an achievement and every vote was very much appreciated,” says Bea. And she adds: “It’s easy to be sceptical about social media in business, but this experience taught me the value of a powerful online presence and having an effective strategy. We will be devoting more time and effort to this from now on. Having said that, it’s important not to lose sight of the goal – to imagine, conjure, innovate and create products that will make our world a better place.

“You should grasp every opportunity as you will always come away having learned something new. This experience gave us the space to consider a whole new approach to our marketing by focusing on the environmental aspects of Keep This Cracker.”

Krasnaya – The Barton Family

‘Pitch to Rich’ boost for GA members

Bea Thackeray – Keep this Cracker

Home & Gift offers The GA’s member-to-member scheme will again be operating at Home & Gift. Retail members and subscribers will receive their vouchers for a variety of offers from exhibiting suppliers before the show. Those wishing to join the association or subscribe while they are at the fair will also be entitled to the vouchers and can collect them from The GA’s stand (K10 in the King’s Suite).

Networking opportunity The GA and show organiser Clarion Events will hold a get-together for the association’s members and subscribers at the close of the show on Monday, July 20, at the BBQ area in the grounds of the Majestic.

It’s ‘business as usual’ at The GA Outgoing GA chief executive Isabel Martinson will make her final appearance as chairman of the Trade Association Forum (TAF) at London’s Glaziers Hall on 9 July. She hopes to be joined at the annual conference, general meeting and awards by BATF president and former chairman of The GA Kate Owen, as well as current chairman Michael Papé and vice chairman Henri Davis.

Isabel explained: “Apart from networking, they are keen to engage more with the TAF and find out what conference believes might be the impact of the new government on business. This is good news for The GA and is part of the plan to ensure continuity: it sends out the message that it will be ‘business as usual’ after I leave.”

gifts today 33

Ashleigh & Burwood Hall B, Stand: B4

The evolution of home fragrance From masking odours to wellness, mood enhancement, gifting and interior design, we explore how the movement of home fragrance has created the multi-billion pound industry it is today.

A

lmost 2,000 years since scented candles made their debut and the theory of fragrancing the home was conceived, it is now a multi-billion pound market. Always looking forward and responding to demands for the latest technology in home fragrancing, the innovators at Ashleigh & Burwood have launched a new brand, harnessing not only quality fragrance delivery but other desirable benefits too.

As a family-run company, which remains true to heritage, Ashleigh & Burwood retains the core products and qualities it is known and loved for, as well as investing in pioneering technology. Indeed, this business model is mirrored throughout the global home fragrance market. Unlike many other markets, the original products invented have not become obsolete through innovation and advancement.

It is one of a very few industries where a 2,000 year old product, the scented candle, is still a commercial success amongst its contemporary cuttingedge technological counterparts. It is this that makes the home fragrance industry one of the fastest growing industries within which to operate.

At Ashleigh & Burwood, scented candles, reed diffusers, their renowned catalytic fragrance lamps originating 34 gifts today

from 1800’s technology, Oil Burners and even Incense continue as a mainstay at the heart of the brand.

Whilst their newly-launched brand, the highly contemporary Amora, combines ultrasonic diffusion with Bluetooth technology to deliver a multisensory home fragrance product. It is harnessing both extremes, investment in the latest innovations whilst improving original products, which generates optimum business success.

Retailers today demand a wide array of home fragrance products to offer their ever-discerning customers - from traditional through to futuristic design, each has its place. As the factors behind why home fragrance products are purchased have evolved from simply masking bad odours to everything including wellness, mood enhancement, gifting and interior design, the diversity of new products to deliver solutions to these purchasing demands has grown exponentially.

Other considerations today include safety, environmental concerns and style. The naked flame of a candle is not always appropriate for example, so alternatives such as reed diffusers or hanging scented pomanders are ideal.

The design of the home fragrance vessel itself may be key to suiting a particular style of home dĂŠcor, or indeed the packaging design crucial for

those buying a gift. All this has created opportunity for constant new product innovation.

Key movement affecting the evolution of home fragrance is the actual usage of the original products, as they have remained the same but may have an altered intended purpose. For example, scented candles were originally created to perfume the surroundings in an attempt to combat

combined with the ability to scent rooms, is unlikely to dwindle and will always have a place in the market.

Similarly, catalytic fragrance lamps were originally invented as an industrial product to purify and cleanse the air in hospitals of dangerous airborne bugs and bacteria; whereas today this technology still remains popular but on a domestic scale, not only for purification but to enhance mood

As a family-run company, which remains true to heritage, Ashleigh & Burwood retains the core products and qualities it is known and loved for, as well as investing in pioneering technology the foul smells of rudimentary historical living, as well as the acrid odour from burning the highly flammable tallow oil (a rendered form of beef or mutton fat) originally used in candle production. Today, scented candles remain a popular way to fragrance a space, but for different reasons, mainly to create atmosphere and affect mood. The charm of the traditional candle and its flickering ambient light,

through fragrance diffusion.

The other key movement affecting the evolution of this global home fragrance industry is the introduction of new technology and design, delivering new methods of controlling the atmosphere of a space, as well as being able to combine a number of benefits in one product. Electricity has played an obvious role in such development, with the invention of plug-in fragrance

Retailers today demand a wide array of home fragrance products to offer their ever-discerning customers from traditional through to futuristic design, each has its place diffusers, some of which also boast mood lighting. Or there are battery powered candles, negating the need for a naked flame. The mutations of products that use electrical energy are endless and account for a significant percentage of the market share. Then there are products that boast benefits for one’s health and wellbeing, which have become a huge consideration in the home fragrance sector, as consumers align scent with mood enhancement and positivity. Naturally the ancient art of aromatherapy remains a powerful element in this area, as does air purification through catalytic combustion in fragrance lamps; but there are new developments such as ionisation that add to the wellbeing direction. Ionisation is a process where negative ions are generated and released into the air to collide with airborne particles such as smoke or dust particles, giving them a charge.

Once charged, these particles are attracted to other particles, which group together eventually becoming heavy enough to fall to the ground, thereby removing them from the air in the home.

Ashleigh & Burwood’s new Amora product harnesses the diversity of demand in one exciting product.

Amora fuses aromatherapy, humidification, ionisation, air purification, fragrance diffusion and ambient lighting in a collection of six appealing, contemporary, easy to use designs. The technology behind this incredible product is ultrasonic diffusion, and in the case of two models in the collection, ‘Harmonia’ and ‘Apollo’, there is the added benefit of Bluetooth technology for audio streaming. Music, light, fragrance, all in one attractive package. A collection of 100% pure and natural Essential Oil blends complete Amora.

In summary, from the quintessential scented candle through to the latest pioneering technology and design, the home fragrance industry is unique.

Ancient inventions and ingredients discovered by our ancestors sit comfortably together with modern-day technology and science, delivering the ultimate solutions for today’s discerning consumers and environment. This is an exciting market to operate in, with endless possibilities…

Tel: 01932 267060 Email: info@ashleigh-burwood.co.uk Web: www.ashleigh-burwood-trade.co.uk gifts today 35

Home & Gift

19th – 22nd July 2015

No place like Harrogate There really is no place quite like Home & Gift Harrogate in July. Exhibitors and visitors always enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of this favourite buying event during the month of July in the UK. This year the show will feature thousands of new product launches, never seen before lines and a new retail summit debut. Welcome to the bigger, brighter Home & Gift 2015.

Steepletone Stand: A31 Steepletone are launching five new products at Home and Gift. Their new Touch Rock 50 WiFi - taking Home Jukeboxes to a new level.

Remote control SMD Lighting, new Touch Screen which has a detachable 7’’ Tablet with HDMI and WiFi. Pop over to their stand to say hello to Mark Tyler, his son Kristian and Laurence Fox.

The Music Gifts Company Stand: DP4 -50 The Music Gifts Company has a double celebration at Home & Gift Harrogate. The company is celebrating its 20 birthday as well as launching an entirely new brand of men’s gifts - element.

David Gee (pictured) founded the company with his wife Colette two days before they got married in August 1995. “We are thrilled to have reached this milestone and want to thank our customers for their support during the first 20 years. We now want to start the next stage by providing an exciting new collection of men’s gifts.”

36 gifts today

H

ome & Gift Harrogate will be taking place this year from 19-22 July, where thousands of buyers will be gathering to discover new season lines for the key buying Autumn/Winter sales period and beyond, gather valuable market insight and successfully mix business with pleasure – all at one uniquely sociable event.

Independent retailer, Brian Wiseman, Present Company, told Gifts Today: “There is so much about Harrogate’s wonderful Home & Gift fair to love. It isn’t just the perfect excuse to visit this loveliest of Yorkshire towns in summer.

It isn’t even just the promise of lovely hotels, restaurants and cafes. No, Harrogate is the most special event in the home and gift industry calendar.

With the exhibition held virtually in the very centre of the town at a time of year which allows retailers to plan for Autumn and Christmas, this is an unmissable event. It combines business and opportunities to socialise like no other.

Recommended!”

Of course, one superb feature is that Home & Gift is perfectly timed for the start of the Autumn/Winter buying season, and buyers to the show can prepare for their best and most profitable Autumn/Winter yet. Planning and buying is made easy with access to the widest range of new and exclusive lines across four vibrant show sectors: Gifts, Interiors, Greetings & Stationery and Jewellery & Fashion. The show enables visitors to plan not only though for these seasons, but also have the opportunity to see what is in the pipeline for the beginning of 2016!

Long standing Home & Gift exhibitor, Joe Davies agrees. “Joe Davies has been exhibiting at Harrogate for over 25 years and it’s the most important event in the trading year,” comments Steve Davies, Managing Director.

“The show attracts both premium quality retailers and suppliers and is ideally timed for serious buyers to start their purchasing for Autumn/Winter and to check out any likely trends. Buying and selecting at Harrogate means retailers can get stock in their shops in

this only too well. “Home & Gift is not only a perfectly timed pre-Autumn/ Winter showcase of all that’s going to be big within the giftware industry but an opportunity to come together in a beautiful town, at a well organised show and appreciate the people, companies and industry they are lucky enough to be part of.”

But of course, we mustn’t forget all of you visitors who make the show such a success year on year. Testament to this comes from independent gift

Planning and buying is made easy with access to the widest range of new and exclusive lines across four vibrant show sectors: Gifts, Interiors, Greetings & Stationery and Jewellery & Fashion good time for the Christmas rush and retailer Janet Hartree, Ewe and Me who more importantly they can repeat the was quick to tell us that she will most winning lines and hone their selection definitely be there. “Of course l will be to maximise sales from September there not only because it is an important onwards.”

Gift Fair but also the most enjoyable.

The timing of this The timing of the show is perfect established event with Autumn and Christmas cements Home & sales and also to consider Gift as a must visit any top up product destination for lines. From a personal many retailers. perspective l am f o 0 Ben Stubbs, better at doing that in 0 ,0 3,000 director, July than l ever am in e Over £7 n o s was d Heart of the February.” busines last Country knows Independent retailer he show

Did you know?

at t

year

Joe Davies Stand: Q50 Joe Davies use the show to introduce over 2000 new products from the Autumn Winter Collection and the timing is perfect for customers to make a head start on their buying in Joe Davies team collect their Gold Award the all-important run up to Christmas. for Service to the Independent Retailer This year is doubly exciting as for the first time Joe Davies will come ‘down the hill’ from the Cairn Hotel to a brand new stand in Hall Q.

Yankee Candle Stand: A16

you

Did know ?

Over effor 50,000 h our t go Hom into cre s of e&G a ift ev ting e ry year

Bonkers also thinks the shows timing and location is spot on. Lindsey Adams told us, “July really is the time of year when we need to decide on the main direction of our stock for Christmas so Harrogate is the ideal time to see existing suppliers and hopefully find some new must-haves for the Christmas season. Like everyone, we love the show location and the chance to enjoy Harrogate.”

But what are visitors perhaps seeking whilst there? Janet told us of her intentions during her time at the show.

“As always l shall be looking for the latest trends coming through, new stockists to keep the shops looking fresh and interesting. I am not usually disappointed.

I have received my pre show catalogue and am already marking off current

I’m also looking forward to reading this issue of Gifts Today when it arrives.”

New to this year and freeto-attend is the Great Northern Retail Summit taking place on Monday 20th July at the HIC. It will deliver an inspiring and educational programme bursting with business advice, and retail industry experts will tackle hot topics including the re-birth of the Great British High Street and how to maximise online sales opportunities.

Janet will be one retailer who will be in attendance for this. “I am looking forward to attending the ‘Rejuvenation of the High Streets’ talk. On a separate note it’s also good to see that some stockists are doing special offers. I am always attracted to carriage free small trial packages with new stockists. This

“The show attracts both premium quality

“We look forward to welcoming you to the Yankee Candle stand at the trade show of the Summer, Harrogate Home & Gift 2015.

“We at Yankee Candle will be highlighting a number of fragrance collections, including the scents of an romantic African adventure, fun and cosy delights for the festive season plus the new and exciting scents for Spring / Summer 2016 with a combination of Serenity and Riviera escapism.”

David Crawford, Sales Director

Caroline Gardner Stand DP1-113 “This year we are hosting a competition for our existing and new customers; when they place an order with us at the Home & Gift show they will be entered into our competition to win a case of prosecco!”

GiftScribes Stand: D25

“We will be showcasing new additions to our personalisable range of hanging Christmas decorations, together with four beautiful new designs in the ‘Special Moments’ Piggy Bank Collection.”

Please say ‘Hello’ to Linda and Howard Thomas on their marvellous new stand for Harrogate.

Linda and Howard Thomas

retailers and suppliers and is ideally timed for serious buyers to start their

Widdop Bingham

purchasing for Autumn/Winter and to

Stand: B1

check out any likely trends.”

Steve Davies, Joe Davies suppliers and checking out stands l may want to visit. Having this big showy catalogue is just such a help for the pre planning of the show so no time is wasted and nobody missed. Of course,

way l can bring new items into the shops without a huge outlay and when it’s successful followed up by larger orders. It wouldn’t be a good year if l was to miss Home & Gift in Harrogate.”

“Harrogate is a great show and we are very much looking forward to meeting up with old customers and new, customers from overseas and those much closer to home. We have a product offer that is second to none designed right here in the UK catering for every retailer.”

Andrew Illingworth gifts today 37

Home & Gift

19th – 22nd July 2015 There will also be easy to follow product trails which have been designed to guide retailers through the tens of thousands of inspiring product lines: Best of British, curated by David Nicholls, will offer the pick of the home-grown bunch; Oliver Heath’s Eco Showcase will offer the sustainable option; and the essential Christmas Trail will highlight the must-see festive products.

Good news then, as many exhibitors With so much happening, is it cater exactly for this. One example being surprising that we are seeing a trend Joe Davies who this year will introduce forming of exhibitors who perhaps over 2000 new gift, jewellery, fashion exhibited for the first time at the show accessory and home décor products last year return for the 2015 event? at the show and the July timing means Miss Milly is one such company. Sarah they can place reorders for any winning Watmore told us: “2014 was the first lines to ensure good stocks for the last time we exhibited at Home & Gift and quarter. there was no question of us not coming Steve Davies told us what makes this back this year. We were busy from show an unmissable event in the year. the moment the show opened every “Doing business in Harrogate is fun. It’s day and customers were sometimes the last of the large, old fashioned style standing three deep to order with us. shows and takes place in a beautiful We cemented existing relationships and environment with an abundance of local started working with some fantastic accommodation, lovely restaurants and new retailers. Time-wise, it’s a hugely some fantastic pubs too. It’s the last important show for us as we promote really sociable show and is a great place current and new season stock, offering to meet old friends and acquaintances both short and forward ordering.” in the business and make new contacts Other examples of returning companies and friends too. is Puckator and Caroline Gardner.

“Harrogate is the friendliest and most Mary Overmeer, Puckator’s exhibitions relaxed show of the year but this is manager told us: “Harrogate Home & backed up by some of the best suppliers Gift is such an important event in our in the business and some first class up calendar as it’s our first opportunity to date, new products.” to showcase our new designs for the Exhibitor Frank Emmel, managing Autumn/Winter season. It’s also a great director of Gaeltag Keltika totally chance for visitors to get an exclusive agrees. ‘I always look forward to preview for before the bulk of Harrogate. It’s a great lead the tradeshows begin in in to the all-important September. Having second half of the not done the year and the Home & Gift ’s customers who show last year, m im water, P come are always we are looking Enough beverages is er in a positive and to make an ll th fi o d to n a show e th relaxed frame of t impact this year a drunk ic sized p m mind to really take and unveil some ly O an g pool in in what’s on offer. show-stopping m im sw “It’s also always a designs.” good show to get plenty of Caroline Gardner are feedback on what we need to do delighted with their new location. to maximise Christmas sales.”

DP1-113, told Gifts Today:“It’s such Comments keep flowing with positivity an important show for us as it’s the about this show. Trevor Hatch of launch pad for our AW ranges, plus Melt told us why, for them, this is the it’s such a fun and social show, where place to be: “Home & Gift offers a we get to engage with our customers!” relaxed, informal buying opportunity...

Katie Finegan, Customer services and where stockists have the time to place Sales Manager. “Coming to the stand considered orders for this important time gives customers a chance to immerse of year...and where suppliers can enjoy themselves in the brand and pick the promoting new products alongside the good old favourites.”

What’s more, this year we will experience the new design at Design Point Debut & Spotlight which will be Sunday 19 July 09:00 the place to source distinctive, designMonday 20 July 09:00 led and innovative products that will Tuesday 21 July 09:00 ensure buyers are a step-ahead of their competitors during their busiest selling Wednesday 22 July 09:00 season and beyond.

“Of course l will be there not only because it is an important Gift Fair but also the most enjoyable.”

Janet Hartree, Ewe and Me

Ben and Toby

Heart of the Country Stand: A26 “Heart of the Country will be launching Greenleaf Gifts and Bridgewater Candle Company’s brand new fragrances and products for the season but we extremely excited to introduce Home & Gift to the Mr&Mrs Fragrance Family.”

Melt Stand: DP140 “As a British candle maker, Harrogate Home & Gift is perfectly timed for our stockists Trevor Hatch Autumn/Winter buying season which is as crucial for them as it is for Melt.”

Sarah Watmore and Jo Heaton

Miss Milly Stand: DP3-9 “This is our second Home & Gift and a definite must-attend as last year’s edition was our best show of the year. This season sees our biggest ever launch with many new lines in every range.”

38 gifts today

Did w? you kno

Did y o know u ?

Bene a marq th the De uee sign 10 m s there a Point re ov iles o scaff f suppor er t oldin g looks which work best for their stores in a fun and social environment.

We also launch our Christmas collection at Harrogate which has such detailed embellishments.”

Some of the brands exhibiting for the first time this year include Willow Brooks, Sophia & Matt, Stockwell Ceramics, Purcell & Woodcock, Arran Aromatics, Repeat Repeat, Professor Puzzle, Branch d’Olive, Blossom Collection, Gillian Kyle; and will showcase alongside popular established exhibitors including RJB Stone, Yankee Candle, Lesser & Pavey, Widdop Bingham, Boxer Gifts, Xystos, Heyland & Whittle, Music Gifts, Heathcote & Ivory, Gisela Graham, GiftScribes, Portmeirion, Village Candle, Ashleigh & Burwood, Stone Glow Candles, Arora Design, Heart of the Country and many more.

Cleere Scamell, Show Director for Home & Gift mentions “Home & Gift Harrogate is unlike any other trade show.

With over 50 years of heritage, Home & Gift is an exhibition, a conference and a festival all rolled into one, making it a must-attend event for the gift retail industry.”

He adds, “Visitors not only have first access to a huge range of lines for the new season but they will also have time to really focus on their business at the Great Northern Retail Summit, plus time to get together with colleagues and the wider industry at an exciting range of social events. These unique networking opportunities are an integral part of the value of Home & Gift.”

With an enhanced show layout this year, retailers will find getting around easier and quicker than ever before. In addition, a new Home & Gift mobile app will be available to download to allow buyers to plan their days efficiently.

Home & Gift will take place in Harrogate from 19-22 July. Registration is now open for the event at www. homeandgift.co.uk/register. Travel and accommodation can be arranged through Reservation Highway on 01423 525577.

Web: www.homeandgift.co.uk

Home & Gift Opening Times: – 18:00 – 18:00 – 18:00 – 16:00

Har r

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Hall Q

Stand Q13 - 22nd July 201

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For more info please email sales@xystos.co.uk or call 0191 499 1570

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08/06/2015

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Home & Gift

Caroline Gardener

Design Point 1, Stand: DP1-113 Caroline Gardner is excited to be joining the line up once again for this year’s Home & Gift show. Their beautiful stand, packed with new product for AW15, will be in the new, prime location of DP1 so make sure you pay them a visit.

On display will be the gorgeous new Caroline Gardner AW15 gifts seeing additional Muchly lovely characters and exciting new Chroma accessories. We are also launching a vibrant brand new range called Pina Coladas with gorgeous stationery items, featuring colourful dots and flowers with extra special detailing of gold foiling. They are very excited to present this range for the first time! To sit alongside the gift will be the full collection of luxury Christmas products, featuring cards adorned with gold and silver flitter, foiling and sweet Christmas characters.

To see all the new ranges head on down to their new stand position DP1-113.

Tel: 0208 288 9696 Web: www.carolinegardner.com

Aroma Home

Design Point 1, Stand: DP1-27 Aroma Home are launching their 2015 range of Knitted Animal Hotties at Harrogate. This year they are introducing a Silver Owl and Polar Bear to complement the successful Fox Hottie.

In addition to the ever popular Hottie the ranges are complemented with hand warmers, cosy ears, booties and drawer fresheners.

The company is also launching a new range I love my Cosy Friend a knitted range of warming toys including a pug, penguin, rabbit and panda. This range, in conjunction with the best-selling Cosy Hotties and Hot Hugs give retailers a wide variety of warming animals for this season.

The launch of the companies’ new ranges in addition to the extension of existing favourites such as Fuzzy Slippers and Screen Wipes gives Aroma Home a broad base of innovative gifts suitable for all ages.

Tel: 01793 487684 Email: sales@aromahome.com

MAD Beauty

Design Point 1, Stand: DP1-82a MAD Beauty “is serious about making cosmetics fun” and this year’s Harrogate show is the opportunity for a first look at all of their Winter 2015designs. There are some really fun new designs on show that join the line of cosmetic gifting goodies introduced earlier in the year at Spring Fair. Last Christmas MAD Beauty introduced their Kellogg’s Vintage range and these products have rapidly established themselves as firm favourites with gift shops. This year under the brand name MAD Stuff, the Kellogg’s Vintage license has been enhanced with their award winning stationery range.

Visit Stand Number DP1-71 for MAD Beauty’s incredible cosmetic gifts and opposite on DP1-82a for Stationery.

Carrie Elspeth

Design Point 1, Stand: DP1-36 Autumn comes to life at Carrie Elspeth jewellery with an exclusive 2015 collection that explores delicate miniature beads that pop with personality, as well as sultry designs and hot new colour combinations that will tone perfectly with the new season’s wardrobe. Additions to the Sentiments gift range will fly off your shelves, and new fully-beaded opulent styles are available as the limited edition merges with the core collection to give you fantastic new ranges and price points.

This is simply beautiful jewellery that has been handmade in Wales for 16 years and continues to grow in popularity. Find out why.

Tel: 01446 771271 Web: www.carrieelspeth.com 42 gifts today

Tel: 0208 958 0555 Web: www.madbeauty.com

Hall Q, Stand: Q13 Aquiesse

Xystos

Burning flames of desire ‘Slow burn’ partnership policy lights the way to big candle business for Xystos

A

year ago, Xystos general manager Tom Sykes told Gifts Today that the company turned down most of the offers received from manufacturers who wanted it to distribute their products.

And he said that while Xystos would continue to look to grow its business with complementary collections, there was no point in taking ranges that would not add value or benefit potential partners.

“The relationships with individuals are absolutely crucial as well as the products being right and there being an opportunity in the market,” commented Tom. When it comes to partnerships, this ‘slow burn’ policy continues to pay dividends for Xystos. The company waited years to sign an agreement for WoodWick – the revolutionary candle with the crackling wick – which now heads its enviable portfolio of brands which have earned the company the deserved reputation as ‘the home of flame and fragrance’.

Xystos is determined to further 44 gifts today

Kringle Water Colours

extend its UK market share in this key sector. To this end, it has formed a new partnership with Mick Kittredge – his father Michael founded Yankee Candle – and is now the sole distributor for American manufacturer Kringle Candle in the UK and Ireland.

The home of flame and fragrance has added Kringle Candle to its portfolio Mick considered “several options” before concluding that Xystos was best equipped to help grow the brand, which produces beautifully crafted and highly fragrant candles.

“The Xystos team caters to the very best stockists and their service and track record as a distributor for home

Xystos is again expecting to write a tremendous amount of candle business in Harrogate, and Tom Sykes is happy to pay tribute to the manufacturer of WoodWick which makes this There are more than 150 WoodWick jar products, available in medium, large and mini sizes, while the gorgeous Gallerie collection has 11 pieces with intriguing names such as Evening Onyx, Raspberry Yuzu and Lemon Verbena.

The Reserve Collection is very much designed with men in mind and features fragrance notes from a male perspective. The candles have names such as Driftwood, Leather and Canyon. Each of the 12 is presented in a substantial piece of glass with stylish architectural detailing and a front label made of stamped leather.

There are 20 fragrances in the everpopular Trilogy range, which offers three scents in one candle. There is also a comprehensive collection of Wax Melts.

But it is WoodWick’s HearthWick which has been the star of 2015.

The gorgeously crafted vessels and sensational scents have kept the range flying off the shelves, with the American producer working tirelessly to fulfil orders and meet UK customer demands. Retailers can choose from 42 products and fragrances such as Dew Drops, Jasmine and Marionberry.

Xystos is again expecting to write a tremendous amount of candle business in Harrogate, and Tom Sykes is happy to pay tribute to the manufacturer of WoodWick which

makes this possible.

“Their products are on-trend year in and year out,” he says. “WoodWick fragrances and vessels are not only second to none, but the innovative and creative approach of Virginia Gift Brands has changed the way that candles are perceived. They never forget that we are part of a fashionled industry and Xystos is proud to be associated with such a company.”

Also from the US – and complementing WoodWick – is Aquiesse, whose subtle scents and beautiful product presentation distinguish this high-end range from other brands.

The exquisite fragrance compositions are inspired by nature, and while these remain the cornerstone of Aquiesse, fashionable packaging and home décor and environmental concerns are paramount in creating its portfolio of aesthetic scents.

The candles are poured with the purest natural wax formulations derived from soy beans, coconut and natural oils for a luxuriously clean burn and perfectly balanced fragrance throw.

Organic and/or renewable resources are used

Inspiration

fragrance are very impressive,” he says.

And the man who, with his father, established Kringle in 2010 adds that it looks forward to working with Newcastle-based Xystos to increase its already enthusiastic and loyal UK fan base with “exciting new fragrance introductions”.

Massachusetts-based Kringle promises that, in addition to a vast assortment of fragrances, it will offer a comprehensive range of candle formats – “something for everyone” – with its premium products ideal for both home use and gifting.

Great things are expected from the brand and there are plans to launch 11 new Kringle scents at Home & Gift, which will see Xystos move to Hall Q, Stand 13.

Harrogate has traditionally been one of its best shows for orders and business leads, and Tom Sykes is optimistic that the event will again help to give the company additional impetus in the second half of the year.

Life has certainly never smelled so sweet for Xystos.

Its famous WoodWick brand keeps retailers coming back for more with ever-changing scents to delight a loyal and fast-growing customer base.

Xystos will look to introduce 12 more core fragrances at the show.

The WoodWick range comprises hundreds of products across a series of collections, including Inspirational which features uplifting messages on its vessels, with titles Celebrate, Faith, Family, Friends, Happy Birthday and Love.

Luminare

Woodwick Reserve

possible

Sienna Gold Zen Spa

Continued on page 46

gifts today 45

Xystos

Hall Q, Stand: Q13

Hearthwick Flame

whenever possible without jeopardising the effectiveness or stability of the product. And only lead-free wicks are carefully matched to each size and fragrance combination.

Aquiesse’s Portfolio Collection comprises 16 fragrances – 11oz and 5oz candles in gift boxes and 2oz travel tin candles. There are also reed diffuser gift sets. Best-selling fragrances include Luxe Linen, Passionfruit & Citrus and Boardwalk.

The same sizes are available in the

Black Currant and White Currant collections, where Black Orchid and Black Tea & Cognac are highly sought after.

Also available are stunning flame and fragrance accessories in 19 patterns, with three shapes of electric melt burners – barrel, flared and straight – as well as La-Tee-Da! lamps in 18 patterns.

Luminara from Xystos is an attractive candle that gives ‘the realistic illusion of a dancing flame’, but which can be placed anywhere without the worry or risks associated with real candles. The indoor colours are ivory, silver and gold, with the outdoor version only available in ivory.

The Naked Bee pampering products continue to attract an increasing number of consumers who only want to use ‘all of the good stuff, none of the bad stuff’ on their bodies. And this range meets their needs from head to toe.

This summer has seen strong demand for The Naked Bee Travel Kit and Mini Bee Kit as retailers ready themselves – and their customers – for what they hope will be a long, hot summer.

Tel: 0191 499 1570 Email: sales@xystos. co.uk www.xystostrade.co.uk 46 gifts today

Kringle Hot Chocolate

DID YOU KNOW? • Woodwick candles are produced using renewable and natural resources, including organic wicks, natural wax and fine essential oils • The Virginia Candle Company, the developer of WoodWick candles, began operations in 1990 • WoodWick candles feature a wide, short wick, which is made from organic wood • A WoodWick candle functions as a crackling fireplace in a jar!

• The Naked Bee product range was successfully launched in 2004

Music Gifts Company Design Point 4, Stand: DP4-50

Double celebration at Home & Gift The Music Gifts Company has a double celebration at Home & Gift Harrogate. The company is celebrating its 20 birthday as well as launching an entirely new brand of men’s gifts - element.

D

avid and Colette Gee founded The Music Gifts Company two days before they got married in August 1995. “We want to thank our customers for their support during the first 20 years and have chosen Home & Gift Harrogate to be the launch of element.”

Talking of this newly launched men’s gift range David told Gifts Today: “We

mugs and coasters, socks, cufflinks, twin-pack hankies as well as pewter keyrings, pins and birthday cards. For the mugs and coasters, they worked with local illustrator, Vikki Gibson. She has created designs which capture speed and motion across ten sports – resulting in the perfect gift for any male sport enthusiast.

At launch, there are more than 30 designs of cufflinks. Each pair is presented in a bespoke gift box. “We wanted to create something special and unique from the outset. Over the last 20 years, we have formed a great bond with our craftsmen who make our products. By working closely with

great excitement about the new range, but we are extremely proud of how we have managed to reach this milestone.

As element is a men’s range, we therefore thought it best to celebrate our 20th birthday of The Music Gifts Company with more gifts for women, by extending our range of jewellery.

Our designer has just made lovely new earrings to complement the existing Heart of Clefs pendant.

“It is wonderful to see how our gifts have stood the test of time so incredibly well. The first product we launched was “The Chopin Liszt” shopping list. Twenty years later, it is still our number one best-seller with

“We are so excited about creating this new brand. It has come about as a result of listening to our customer’s demands for men’s gifts” David Gee are so excited about creating this new brand. It has come about as a result of listening to our customer’s demands for men’s gifts. For element, we have worked with our craftsmen as well as new illustrators to form the basis of the catalogue.”

The new elements range extends to

48 gifts today

them, we have been able to establish this exciting new collection. All the gifts are based around a wide variety of men’s hobbies and interests.”

As well as the most popular sports like football, cycling, golf, rugby and cricket, there are gifts featuring running, motor-racing, tennis, fishing, photography, motorbikes, darts, snooker, sailing, off-roading and even beer! It is important to offer customers quality products which still allow retailers to make good margins. The socks, for example, are 95% cotton with 5% lycra. There are six designs which are available on a rotating display stand.

“Of course there is

sales in excess of 1/2 million units.”

At Home & Gift Harrogate, you will instantly notice that they have a new larger display which incorporates both ranges. There is a new bespoke display using the element colour scheme alongside the black and

white themed-display they use for The Music Gifts Company (Stand DP4-50).

They have spent six months putting this collection together with a great emphasis on the very finest of details, from the use of the colours within the branding to the name itself - element.

Even though element is a new brand, they actively wanted to keep both brands within the same company.

This strategy simplifies accounting for customers.

David concludes, “Home & Gift is always an exciting show for us but this year’s looks like being very special indeed and we look forward to welcoming you all onto our stand to show you our newly launched range.”

Tel: 01202 57 00 57 Web: www.musicgifts.co.uk

DID YOU KNOW? • The Music Gifts Company was founded in 1995 • All items are their own products • Majority of items are made in the UK

Home & Gift

Kenro

Hall B, Stand: B24 Kenro will be displaying their extensive range of Gift Albums and Frames on stand B24 (Hall B).

New Gift Albums include: the Cottage Flower Series which have a fabric cover and frame on the front with natural surround; the Candy Series which has fabric covers in either a striped pattern with a light green spine and back or a spotted pattern with pink spine and back.

The Holiday Series of Albums has been extended to include the new Euro Traveller and Global Traveller albums as well as new sizes in the Boat and Old World Map Designs. These are book-bound slip-in albums with a memo writing area next to each picture.

Also new are the Patchwork Baby Albums and the Summer Breeze Series Albums.

New Wood Gift Frames include: the

Kington Antique and Kington Beaded ‘shabby chic’ designs; the smart modern Lytton Series in black or white; and the Milton and the Toulon ‘distressed’ Series.

New metal frames include: the Chloe 6x4” size with its delicate flower design; the Silver Plated Flower Series; the Symphony Copper Series; and new sizes and colours in the popular Whisper Classic Series.

Tel: 01793 615836 Email: sales@kenro.co.uk Web: www.kenro.co.uk

Xystos - Kringle Hall Q, Stand: 13

Kringle Candle – the latest addition to the Xystos portfolio – has added a further 11 fragrances which will be introduced at Home & Gift. There are currently 34 scents and they will be joined by Spellbound, Hot Chocolate, Slate, Secrets, Midnight, Frosted Cranberry, Kringle, Christmas, Snow-Capped Fraser, Autumn Winds and Grey, which is pictured. Massachusetts-based Kringle promises that, in addition to a vast assortment of fragrances, it will offer a comprehensive range of candle formats – “something for everyone” – with its premium products ideal for both home use and gifting.

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

GiftScribes

Hall D, Stand: D42 GiftScribes is launching a series of beautiful NEW hanging Christmas decorations onto the UK market this summer and the first samples will be shown at Harrogate. A variety of dainty angels and happy young couples all feature pretty smiles and angelic eyes; set in front of Christmas trees, stars, crowns and decorated front doors.

Every decoration can be personalised at the point of sale, transforming a thoughtful gift into a unique and special keepsake.

These highly collectible gifts are made from high quality poly resin and each comes with a gift bag and a hanging ribbon.

Tel: 01584 811 190 Email: sales@giftscribes.co.uk Web: www.giftscribes.co.uk 50 gifts today

scented candles natural soaps fragranced gifts Just relax and see the Seriously Scented ranges from Best Kept Secrets.

COME AND SEE US AT

HOME AND GIFT, HARROGATE // 19-22 JULY 2015 // STAND Q1 AUTUMN FAIR, NEC BIRMINGHAM // 6-9 SEPTEMBER 2015 // STAND 3G-40 T. +44 (0)1670 512222 E. sales@bestkeptsecrets.co.uk Best Kept Secrets, Coopies Field, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 6JT, UK www.bestkeptsecrets.co.uk

HANDM

IN THE ADE UK

Home & Gift

Duckydora

Design Point 4, Stand: DP4-22C Duckydora are showcasing additions to their collection at the show. The British-designed textiles and ceramics bring elegance and style to your home.

Duckydora’s hand-painted ceramics range includes plates, bowls, mugs, jugs, storage jars, and pet bowls.

Duckydora launches Verona, an addition to their ceramics range. Verona features a repeat pattern in pink, continuing the mix and match theme of the collection.

Duckydora’s linens and accessories are made in Britain. The range includes tablecloths & runners, napkins and placemats, seat pads, cushions, draft excluders, doorstops and memo boards.

Tel: 08434 873104 Email: customerservices@duckydora.co.uk

Heyland & Whittle Stand: DP1-78

Heyland & Whittle are proud to introduce their new fragrance for the Spring and Summer months. Cherry Blossom, sweet cherry blends with warm amber and gentle vanilla, soft like a drift of blossom on the breeze. This collection would complement any room in your home.

The range includes the ever popular Reed Diffuser and Refill to fragrance a room, a candle in a glass or a tin. Both candles which are made with a blend of sustainable soy wax for a clean and even burn.

Tel: 01293 525825 Email: sales@heylandandwhittle.co.uk Web: www.heylandandwhittle.co.uk 52 gifts today

Lesser and Pavey Hall M, Stand: M14

Lesser and Pavey introduce a new range of social stationery featuring glitter red shoes and matching nail polish illustrations.

Tres Luxe cases come in various size and shapes.

Boxes available in sets with a suitcase, travel case and vanity case sets consisting of two different sizes.

Made from quality materials, with leather affect handles, edging and brass catches and studwork, they make a perfect gift.

Tel: 01322 29225 Web: www.leonardo.co.uk

A fabulous collection of Sentiment based gift ranges perfect for friends and family for any occasion.

New for Summer 2015 Ceramic Heart & Mug Gift Sets, Jigsaw Wall Art that can be hung locked together or free standing.

To view the complete range visit us at Hall B Stand 23 Home & Gift

ARORA DESIGN LTD WORCESTER, ENGLAND T: +44 (0)1386 861666 e: sales@arora-design.co.uk w: www.arora-design.co.uk

Widdop Hall B, Stand: B1

The wonderful world of Widdop At Harrogate Home and Gift, visit the Widdop stand and discover the quick and easy way to increase sales in your store with gifts that sell. And this year they have a new look stand packed with thousands of great products.

O

rdering from Widdop Bingham has never been simpler: a minimal investment is all it takes to create a huge in-store wow factor – many of our lines can be purchased in singles making your money go even further. There’s no minimum order and carriage paid is surprisingly low. Oodles of choice (over 7000 lines ) and years of experience (over 130 years) will leave you knowing that you’ve chosen the right giftware partner to support your business.

Colonial Candles

This iconic American brand has generated huge levels of interest since its first unveiling at the Spring Fair earlier this year and expectations are high for the Harrogate Home and Gift.

The unique range of high-quality fragranced candles are widely recognised for its exclusive fragrance and its signature oval shaped glass jar sets the brand apart in terms of style as well as enhancing the fragrance experience.

In addition to 16 everyday fragrances, Harrogate Home and Gift will also see the launch of brand new fragrances as well as Christmas gift sets and unique tailormade gift boxes.

A Moustache is for Life …. not just November

We’ve all admired the moustaches – now support the Movember Foundation by stocking this collection of gent’s gifts from Widdop Bingham. With 30 different gifts to choose from covering a variety of price points, it’s an easy, pick-up solution for gent’s gifting for the second half of the year.

As a Movember partner, Widdop Bingham is donating 10% of its nett sales of all these lines to the Movember Charity.

54 gifts today

Petit Cheri

“Petit Cheri” is the latest baby collection from the in-house studio of Widdop Bingham. The style of the collection picks up on both the vintage and hand-crafted trends combining a natural wooden finish with a chalky pink and blue colour palette. Pink and blue has traditionally been the firm favourite for many baby gifts and have always been viewed at the more traditional end of the spectrum.

This simple, smart treatment has resulted in a very modern look in tune with today’s nursery.

Stratton of Mayfair

Stratton of Mayfair boasts a rich pedigree with over 150 years of trading under its belt. The exclusive range of luxury giftware has generated huge levels of interest since its re-launch at the start of 2014. During this time the brand has seen a substantial amount of new product development including moving into new areas as well as inspirational and exciting in-store display solutions.

The collection boasts a subtle vintage influence and an eye for precise detail creating a gift to treasure today for many years to come. All Stratton products are engineered to the highest standards ensuring a quality expected from classic items that have stood the test of time.

Accompanying gift boxes add a charming element to a range that is proving to be a huge hit.

Tel: 0161 688 1226 Email: sales@widdop.co.uk Web: www.widdop.co.uk

Home & Gift

DUNOON Hall B, Stand: B29

The ‘Longest Reigning Monarch’ on Wessex shape.

On the 9th September 2015 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II becomes the longest reigning monarch in British history and Dunoon celebrates this historical landmark with an exclusive Fine Bone China Wessex mug.

This beautiful commemorative mug is made in the heart of Staffordshire, England and is richly embellished with 22 carat gold which perfectly marries with the purple background colour, essentially a Royal colour.

The design is both elegant and classical, inspired by the impressive decorative features in Buckingham Palace’s Throne Room and so is perfect for this Royal occasion.

On September 9th HM The Queen surpasses the sixty three year, two hundred and sixteen day reign of her great-great-grandmother HM Queen Victoria who reigned from 20th June 1837 to 22nd January 1901and long may it continue.

Tel: 01785 817414 Email: sales@dunoonmugs.co.uk Web: www.dunoonmugs.co.uk

D & J Glassware Hall D, Stand: D27

D & J Glassware’s stand is a must-see for great quality glassware. David and Jocelyne are looking forward to welcoming customers old and new to see their stunning collections. “Harrogate is a great opportunity to see our popular fused glass figures and mouth blown pieces. We will be bringing designs not seen before at Home & Gift, as well as more familiar pieces,” Jocelyne explains: “Hopefully the sun will shine, but even if it doesn’t, there will be a warm welcome for everyone who loves beautiful glassware.”

Don’t miss the chance to see the gorgeous Scent Diffusers, which were shortlisted for the coveted Gift of the Year award.

Great quality, fabulous design, friendly service and sensible prices are assured from the UK’s favourite supplier of Tree of Life balls, Friendship Balls and Hearts and colourful fused glass pieces.

With no minimum order and practical lead-times, D & J Glassware ensures you can offer your customers the very best in handcrafted glassware throughout the year.

Tel: 01953 450 280 Web: www.dandjglassware.co.uk

Melt

Design Point 1, Stand: DP140

Sandy Bay London Design Point 1, Stand: DP1-3

Sandy Bay London is a Luxury, Heritage Brand of Home Fragrance, manufactured and hand poured here in the UK. With stunning melodious floral’s through to seductive musk fragrances this collection really does have a scent for everyone.

Recently launched in Australia, Founder and Director Sandy Burns explains “British manufactured goods are really leading the way in design for home products which enhance lifestyle and décor.”

Loved by celebrities and dignitaries alike this wonderful collection is timeless.

Not only do the products smell divine but they look divine too, designed to sit in any setting whether it be Vintage Classic or Modern Contemporary. Pleasing on every sense.

Tel: 01992 618015 Email: enquiries@sandybaylondon.com Web: www.sandybaylondon.com 56 gifts today

After an exciting 2014 and an equally exuberant first half of 2015, Melt are delighted, to again be exhibiting at The Harrogate Home and Gift Show.

Melt have 30 stunning fragrances in the Candle range across six different sizes of which 13 are also available in the Melt Reed Diffusers.

The new Garden Collection consists of five glorious fragrances all of which are ‘pure’ and ‘true ’to the flowers they represent, these are: Lavender, Wisteria, Hyacinth, Carnation, and Lily of The Valley.

The new collection is proving to be very popular, especially with the new Pewter name badge and logo which is now attached to the candlemaking them an even more special gift.

As always, Melt products are all handmade in the lovely Ribble Valley in Lancashire and produced especially to order.

Tel: 01200 443377 E mail: info@themeltco.com Web: www.themeltco.com

Home & Gift

St Eval Candle Company

Design Point 1, Stand: DP1-95 St Eval Candle Company will be bursting at the seams for the Home & Gift show this year. Showcasing their popular year round Collections they will also be revealing their brand new 2015 Christmas Collection.

Along with their stunning gold pots available in a wide range of festive fragrances, they will also be revealing brand new candles to this year’s collection. Three new sized pillar candles will be available in their bestselling fragrances Inspiritus and Orange & Cinnamon, all with intricate gold detailing applied by hand. Each of their hand finished candles will hold that personal touch this Christmas.

St Eval will also be showing their classic Christmas range from advent candles to their vintage Christmas Tins.

Treat your senses by coming along and having a smell of over 30 different scents which are all quintessentially British and very St Eval.

Tel: 01841 540850 Email: info@stevalcandlecompany.co.uk Web: www.stevalcandlecompany.co.uk

Rainbow Design

Design Point 1, Stand: DP1-64

Ronin

Design Point 3, Stand: 7 Ronin have only got a small stand at Home & Gift but it will be crammed full of tempting jewellery. Their semi-precious beaded gemstone jewellery, handmade in Wales, comes in an array of colours so whether are you looking for Summer pieces for immediate delivery, or looking ahead to autumn/winter, you will find something that’s just right. Trade prices range from £4.95 to £11.95, with all the jewellery beautifully gift boxed.

Tel: 01269 826000 Web: www.ronindesigns.co.uk 58 gifts today

Making its debut Rainbow have their Brand New updated Paddington Movie collection, available from October Paddington has a new look based on the film and is available as a 15cm bean toy, a 24cm soft toy and a 30cm talking soft toy.

Also making its first appearance is the updated Classic Paddington Collection, their bestselling lines have been updated and refreshed to keep Paddington looking his very best.

Just in time for the Rugby World Cup they will also have their official Rugby World Cup Shaun the Sheep soft toys, Shaun is wearing the Official Rugby World Cup shirt and is available in two colours (White & Blue), our soft toys are available in two sizes and as a window stick on - a must have for all rugby fans.

Peppa For Baby, Peter Rabbit and Guess How Much I Love You collections will also be on display.

Tel: 020 757 2183 Web: www.rainbowdesigns.co.uk

Home & Gift Hall Q, Stand: Q50

25 years happy at Home & Gift This year Joe Davies are celebrating 25 happy years at the Harrogate show. From a humble start with a small stand in the Cairn Hotel, Harrogate quickly established itself as the most important show of the year for Joe Davies. With year on year growth in visitor numbers and orders placed it very much remains so.

T

Snoozies Artisan

Elly Elephant Baby

he timing and venue of the show is just perfect for customers and exhibitors alike and Harrogate is simply the industries nicest place to do business. It’s the only large show left which maintains the friendly, sociable, relaxed atmosphere that the gift trade is renowned for.

Harrogate has always attracted organised, successful and committed retail visitors who use July to get a head start on their Christmas buying and to spot the new trends ahead of the competition. The high standard of exhibitors at Harrogate reflects the high quality of visitors. This makes it a great place to place orders and avoid the last minute rush for stock in September.

Joe Davies use Harrogate to introduce their new Autumn & Winter

priced for easy selection. In total over 6000 up to date products will be on show - easily the largest range in the Fair!

Joe Davies really do offer one stop shopping for many of their customers and their stand is always the busiest at the show and is the first stop for many gift retailers.

This year Home & Gift visitors will see the first outing of the Sheaffer Pen Collection. Joe Davies are proud to have been appointed Sheaffer’s Official distributor to the independent Gift market. The Partnership gives independent retailers unprecedented access to this renowned international brand. Three carefully selected, very commercial ranges will be available at Harrogate and all are easy to buy in Joe Davies’s modest quantities. The timing

The high standard of exhibitors at Harrogate reflects the high quality of visitors. This makes it a great place to place orders and avoid the last minute rush for stock in September

Equilibrium 3 Tone Metal

Collections. The Company are famous for introducing more new products than anyone else in the trade and bring in 4000 exciting, modern gifts every year all designed or sourced by the Joe Davies Buying team.

Visitors to Joe Davies’ new stand in Hall Q (Stand Q50) will see a huge select of over 2000 brand new gifts, fashion accessories, home décor and Equilibrium jewellery products all on show for the first time. Everything will be attractively displayed and clearly

of the launch is just perfect as pen sales traditionally soar on the run up to Christmas.

Snoozies!, the cozy little foot coverings from the USA, have been a big seller for Joe Davies’ customers with huge demand in the months before Christmas. This year sales look set to be even stronger. Prices of traditional Snoozies! have been significantly reduced due to large reductions in material costs which Joe Davies are delighted to pass on. Original

60 gifts today Continued on page 62

Distributed by:

Always changing...always something new...always something to love!

Visit us at Harrogate Home & Gift, Stand DP1-14: July 19th – 22nd and discover our wonderful new ranges for Autumn/Winter 15! email: hello@shrutidesigns.co.uk

tel: +44 (0)1985 847774

www.junction18.com

Home & Gift Hall Q, Stand: Q50 Continued from page 60

The Leonardo Collection from Lesser & Pavey has been one of the leading brands available to the independent retailer for nearly 50 years. Joe Davies have been the largest distributor of this successful brand since the very beginning

Equilibrium Cross Body Bags

Visitors to Joe Davies’ new stand in Hall Q (Stand Q50) will see a huge select of over 2000 brand new gifts, fashion accessories, home décor and Equilibrium jewellery products all on show for the first time Happy House Tea-lights

Snoozies!® will now retail at a market beating £6.99 (down from £9.99) and best-selling bling Snoozies!® will now retail for just £8.99 Six exciting new ranges of Snoozies! will also debut at Harrogate. New designs, fabrics and construction has made them completely different from anything else in the market and they are perfect for gift shops.

Joe Davies Equilibrium Collection of Jewellery and fashion accessories has fast become a staple line for retailers.

At Harrogate there will be over 500 new jewellery pieces, all in the signature Equilibrium packaging, which makes merchandising so attractive and giving a pleasure. Don’t miss the new sentiment series pendants, a lovely modern three tone collection, rose gold combination jewellery and exquisite pavé pieces too. Equilibrium fashion accessories also go from strength to strength with new boxed scarves, gloves and hats which are sure to be a winner for Christmas. There’s also a very commercial Equilibrium for Men collection too.

The Leonardo Collection from Lesser & Pavey has been one of the leading brands available to the independent retailer for nearly 50 years. Joe Davies have been the largest distributor of this successful brand since the very beginning. All that’s new and good from Leonardo will be at Harrogate and is available to buy in small quantities for easy, affordable ordering.

Wooden Gifts and home products are the big trend right now and Joe Davies offer a huge selection to choose from at Harrogate ranging from frames and

Kitchen Chic Clocks

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trinket boxes to lovely wooden signs and sentiment gifts at very affordable prices. Shabby Chic still rules but there is also a move towards more rustic woodware and Joe Davies have some lovely wooden baby & occasion products too.

Christmas is coming up fast and now is the time to start buying Christmas related gifts. Joe Davies will have a huge selection on show at Harrogate and always offer something that’s a little bit different. This year don’t miss their huge collection of LED, illuminated gifts and of course Joe Davies’ best-selling glass Xmas Trees which are a ‘must buy’.

Since 1919 when Joe Davies established his eponymous business the company has specialised in serving the independent retailer. Customer service has always been at the heart of the business. To make life as easy, practical and pleasant for their customers everything in Joe Davies range is easy to buy in small quantities, their minimum order is just £100 and delivery is free nationwide. The companys website is amongst the best in the business and Joe Davies staff have just won their 13th consecutive Greats Award for customer Service.

Everyone at Joe Davies looks forward to welcoming customers old and new to their new Hall Q50 Stand and keeping alive the Harrogate tradition of good old fashion, family business hospitality and service.

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

Home & Gift

Emma Ball Design Point 1, Stand: DP1-12B

Caroline Cleave’s work has proved so popular with all customers that Emma Ball Ltd are adding to her collection with more stationery and fabrics.

The ‘fishy’ theme works well for homeward and kitchens so retailers have found this most successful, shown here is the new Lobster tea towel which will compliment the crab designs.

Arora Design

Tel: 0115 985 8081 Email: sales@emmaball.co.uk Web: www.emmaball.co.uk

Hall B, Stand: B23

Arora Design’s Said with Sentiment Tea Light Holder range continues to perform outstandingly well at both retail and within mail order. Summer 2015 sees five new designs added to the range taking the collection to twenty-one, all innovatively designed to create the perception of a hand written message for the recipient. New introductions include First Holy Communion, In Loving Memory and Faith along with Teacher and Thank You. Each item includes a tea light and is presented in a lovely branded box making them the perfect gift. To assist our retailers, point of sale is available for this range. RRP £9.99.

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

Lesser & Pavey Hall M, Stand: M14

Lesser & Pavey, working with an independent card company called Hearts Designs, launch Miss Smith at Harrogate.

Over a six years working relationship Lesser & Pavey have enjoyed the designs from Hearts Designs and are now delighted to work with them again to bring a fresh and charming new range to the market place this summer.

The range comprises of manicure sets, compact mirror, key, ring, wine glasses, money boxes, gift bags, umbrellas, fine china mugs, fashion bags, travel mugs, organisers, hat boxes, lunch bags, shoppers and much more.

This range will appeal to all ages, as it is very feminine, pretty and something different whilst maintaining the highest quality, attention to detail and affordable prices.

Tel: 01322 29225 Web: www.leonardo.co.uk 64 gifts today

Gift StanShow d D 20 P1- 15 71

Home & Gift

Portmeirion Group Hall M, Stand: M2

Leading homewares company, Portmeirion Group, has unveiled a number of new products this summer from its Great British brands. Featuring the timeless hand-thrown lines for which the range is famous for, a tea party teapot, stackable cups and tea-for-one join the Sophie Conran for Portmeirion collection. Portmeirion’s fresh and vibrant Alfresco Pomona range serves as the ideal accompaniment to casual entertaining whilst Spode’s Christmas Jubilee collection brings a modern twist to Christmas dining. The effervescent and coveted Wrendale Designs range also welcomes the introduction of two shopping bags, each featuring a delightful country animal illustration.

Tel: 01782 744721 Email: homesales@portmeiriongroup. com Web: www.portmeiriongroup.com

NPW

Hall Design Point, Stand DP2-27 Humpty Dumpty Egg Cup All the king’s horses and all the king’s men will surely be happy to eat their eggs safely from this cute and fun egg cup. Complete with toast solider rack.

Tel: 020 8735 2882 Web: www.npw.co.uk

Neviti

Hall Design Point 1, Stand: DP1-1 Neviti have some fantastic ranges on display at this year’s Home & Gift show including their popular wedding offering ‘With Love’, ‘Fancy That’ a collection for summer parties and ‘Little Owls’ a versatile range which features items suitable for birthdays, baby showers and first birthday celebrations.

The With Love collection features a really on trend design with a delicate colour palette of ivory, lilac, pink, green and blue with stunning heart, flower, butterfly and dove illustrations. The collection offers a wonderful selection of items perfect for decorating wedding tables and venues, which will co-ordinate beautifully with a variety of different colour schemes. Fancy That is a fantastic offering for summer parties and picnics with a fun floral, butterfly and polka dot design in fresh summer colours of blue, pink and green.

The collection includes all your party essentials and some fantastic baking items such as cupcake cases and picks and beautiful items to create thoughtful gifts with Jam Jar labels for homemade jam and gorgeous gift tags.

Little Owl’s has been another popular collection since its launch earlier this year with

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two colour varieties in pink and blue and then specific items for birthdays, baby showers and first birthday celebrations. This cute owl collection features all of your party essentials with tableware, stationery, decorations and even two fun party games. Neviti will also be showcasing their licensed collections Dennis The Menace & Gnasher and Guess How Much I Love You at this year’s Home & Gift Show. The Dennis & Gnasher collection has been a big hit for birthday parties of Beano fans both young and old and the Guess How Much I Love You range is perfect for birthdays, baby showers and Christening celebrations.

Tel: 014940883428 Web: www.neviti.com

s t a t i o n e r y

g i f t

h o m e

a c c e s s o r i e s

b e a u t i f u l p r o d u c t o f t h e f i n e s t q u a l i t y, f o r t h e d e s i g n c o n s c i o u s r e t a i l e r

come & see our wonderful new gift, card and christmas ranges at...

exciting new location!

*place an order at the show for your chance to win a case of prosecco

wi n me !

*

t 020 8288 9696 e katie@carolinegardner.com www.carolinegardner.com

Home & Gift

Yankee Candle Hall A, Stand: A16

Yankee Candle, reveals Scenterpiece, the newest innovation in the wax melt market.

The latest innovation to launch into the wax melt market, Scenterpiece simplifies Flameless home fragrancing into one easy process, allowing customers to enjoy and quickly swap out their favourite fragrances without the cooling, scraping and pouring normally associated with traditional melt warmers. The stylish and easy-to-use wax Easy MeltCups work with Yankee Candle’s Scenterpiece Easy MeltCup Warmers. Designed to be heat-resistant so it remains cool to the touch, the new MeltCup system keeps wax contained within the MeltCup, meaning that fragrances can be changed quickly and with ease.

The new Warmer features a flameless heater that quickly melts the wax and distributes Yankee Candle true-to-life fragrances evenly around the room for up to 24 hours per Easy MeltCup. Highlight the new collection in store with branded support materials and lead your customers to discover world full of ground-breaking home fragrancing.

Tel: 0117 316 1202 Web: www.yankeecandle.co.uk

Quail Ceramics

Hall Design Point 1, Stand DP1-30 These delicate Budgerigar Bud Vases are ideal for displaying flower heads. Measuring just 12cm they sit prettily on a window sill, mantelpiece, or dresser.

As our tropical range was proving so popular we wanted to extend it with more small birds. Quail is known for producing both decorative and practical ceramics and the bud vase fitted perfectly into that concept.

Hand painted in four vibrant colourways -blue, green, yellow, and violet, they capture the sweet nature of these little birds.

Tel: 01304 379901 Web: www.quailceramics.co.uk

Terramundi

Hall Design Point 1, Stand DP1-35 This spring/summer 2015 the team at Terramundi like to show you a softer (sweeter) side to TerramundiPastel colours.

Sugary pastel tones are this summers paint trend and these pale tones can be seen in many of our designs, in keeping with the changing of the season offering a lighter feel to the range.

These cotton candy colours work for anyone...

Whether it’s for a baby’s nursery, a wedding or just those girly girls... there’s a pot for everyone!

Tel: 020 8808 3818 Web: www.terramundi.co.uk

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www.rjbstone.com Visit us at Home & Gift Harrogate Stands DP1-49 & DP1-55 5% off Christmas orders over £500 (ex VAT) Be the first to see our Autumn/Winter 2015 collection with over 800 new products, from vintage charm to contemporary concepts Discover over 1500 Christmas decorations and receive an exceptional show discount

Minimum Order £150 net. Carriage paid UK £200 net. +44 (0) 207 346 0100 | rjbenquiries@rjbstone.com

Home & Gift

Yankee Candle Hall A, Stand: A16

Yankee Candle reveals the fun new festive fragrances for winter 2015, set to tempt customers in store with warmth and comfort: Baby it’s Fun Outside… and Cosy Inside.

Developed to bring the different elements of the festive season to life, the Baby It’s Fun Outside… and Cosy Inside collection includes four enticing new fragrances: Winter Glow, Bundle Up, Cosy By The Fire and Berry Trifle.

Bundle Up - a clean wintry scent that brings back frosty days and cozy warm clothing. A touch of citrus adds the crispness of cool powdered snow to layers of fresh linen.

Cosy By The Fire - a warm mix of ginger, clove, and orange combines with woody notes to give the snap of a crackling fire and the comfort of a hot and aromatic drink beside it.

Berry Trifle - the mouth-watering fragrance of fresh berries, tangy and sharp, nestled on a white bed of soft vanilla cream — delicious!

Winter Glow -a crisp scent of frosted leaves on snow-covered trees with a stand of evergreens nearby, all warmed by golden amber sun rays.

This exciting new theme will also see the addition of new Christmas accessories featuring festive designs and inspirational gift ideas for all. From elegant and stylish,

to sparkling and fun, every Christmas taste is considered through 12 new collections, including Snowflake Ceramic, Santa Sleigh, Deck the Halls, Starry Night Ceramic and the Silver Ceramic Trees collection.

The Baby Its Cold Outside… and Cosy Inside collection includes a variety of fantastic and innovative gift sets, such as the Yankee Candle collectable bauble and this year’s new, highly anticipated fragrance advent calendar! The collection is supported by a variety of eye-catching themed POS and display materials to highlight its presence in store.

Tel: 0117 316 1202 Web: www.yankeecandle.co.uk

Aroma Home

Design Point 1, Stand: DP1-27 Aroma Home continue to be one of the leaders when designing innovative gifts for all sectors of the retail market.

“We have designed ranges for major retailers worldwide this year, and AROMA HOME BESPOKE is set to for further considerable growth this year,” says National Account Manager Gina Martin.

On the home front the introduction of its new Knitted Animal range is being well received by our UK independents as is the launch of our new I love my Cosy Friends range - an innovatively designed knitted warming toy with unique packaging.

“Our cutting edge design of product and packaging creates a point of difference for all retailers who carry the brand,” says Martin.

We also continue to lead the field in safety aspects as regards warming gift and all our warming toys are filled with Tourmaline a ceramic bead which is the safest filling in the marketplace.

‘Our wide range of products give retailers plenty of options in all sectors’ says Martin.

Tel: 01793 487684 Email: sales@aromahome.com

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Alexander Thurlow Hall C, Stand: C6

Alexander Thurlow will be launching their new range of poppy inspired boxed jewellery.

They have gone for a really authentic vintage tin box with a very simple but effective kraft paper card insert which harks back to the first world war era. Also completing the theme they will be launching new poppy scarves.

These and their new autumn/winter range of Fashion Jewellery will be on display at Home & Gift stand C6.

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

Home & Gift

Hall B, Stand B4

Simply stunning at Ashleigh & Burwood Take a look at what Ashleigh & Burwood have in store for you this year at Home & Gift 2015.

This is just a small sample of the delights you will find on their stand. Make sure you stop by for a fragrant feast!

Fragrance Trends

Ashleigh & Burwood’s new AW15 scents for the Fragrance Lamps draw inspiration from current fragrance trends, flirting with opposing tendencies for deep dark alluring notes and pure fresh white florals, to create inspiring ambient fragrances to adorn the home.

Jasmine & Damson incorporates pure white jasmine and calla lily with seductively sweet damson. In contrast the new Amber and Tonka Bean answers the desire for dark and mysterious aromas with smoky Tonka Bean and warming amber at its heart. Both new season launches are available in 250ml and 500ml sizes.

Ashleigh & Burwood answer the consumer demand for nostalgic heart-warming festive scents, with the brand new ‘Christmas Time’ lamp fragrance which is available in the 500ml size with the attractive festive red and gold label.

New Style Natural Elements Collection

This season Ashleigh & Burwood present fresh designs in the Natural Elements Collection, with their launch of new sultry dark Fragrance Lamp designs. The new models are angular and sleek, bringing an air of heightened sophistication to the collection. There are three new additions: Midnight Stone partnered with White Tea fragrance, Midnight Silver with Moroccan Spice and Midnight Gold also with Moroccan Spice. The three new midnight styles each come packaged in a beautiful black gift box with indulgent gold detailing for an inspired superior gift.

Tel: 01932 267060 Email: info@ashleigh-burwood.co.uk Web: www.ashleigh-burwood-trade.co.uk 72 gifts today

New Style Simply Ceramic

A fresh creative interpretation for Simply Ceramic, this season Ashleigh & Burwood present a contemporary design inspired by the patterns found in nature. This subtle ornamentation is influenced by natural forms, creating an organic and minimalistic design.

The new style and collection as a whole, perfectly meets the desire for simplistic, earthen homeware, whilst introducing the Fragrance Lamp to a new market segment ready to immerse themselves into a new world of fragrance. The beautiful Simply Ceramic Fragrance Lamps are priced competitively and are available in the following colours: ‘Mint Fizz’; ‘Café Au Lait’; ‘Rainstorm’; and ‘Damson in Distress’.

Amazing Unique

Electronic Gifts Visit Our Stand at A31

Established 1972

email: sales@steepletone.com Tel: 01869 812828

www.steepletone.com

Home & Gift

Gaeltag, Keltika

Design Point 4, Stand: DP4-5

Wild Things Hall D, Stand: D4

Wild Things are now in their 32nd year in business. They will be showing a whole range of new glass ornaments, Rainbow Makers and jewellery incorporating Swarovski crystal. All are designed in-house, and most assembled locally in Devon. Many are themed, and every item can be shown on point of sale displays. Amongst some highlights are some lovely nature-inspired sterling silver jewellery set with Swarovski crystal, a new peacock-coloured range of Rainbow Makers, and new birthstone jewellery. Illustrated - new colours in the popular Fantasy Glass range.

Tel: 01392211268 Web: www.wildthingsgifts.com

Tel: 020 8998 178 Email: sales@gaeltag.com Web: www.gaeltagkeltika.com

Heart of the Country Hall A, Stand: A26

Heart of the Country is introducing the Mr&Mrs Fragrance Family to visitors to Home & Gift. Mr&Mrs Fragrance is an Italian company who effortlessly blend passion, technology, design and fragrance to produce an incredibly exciting home fragrance which is sure to shake up the UK home fragrance market. Members of the family include George and Sissi, electronic diffusers which utilise Mr&Mrs Fragrance Capsules on Air. Niki and Cesare who cling on to your car airvent sharing their beautiful fragrances. Finally Ercole (Cesare’s brother) who hangs out in wardrobes keeping it fresh and moths at bay.

Tel: 01543 481612 Web: www.HeartoftheCountryLtd.co.uk 74 gifts today

Gaeltag Keltika will be showing a fun new line at Harrogate this year with their LED Flashy Gift Bows.

An idea to liven up present-giving for any occasion, the range is fresh to market for the Christmas season this year.

These Flashing LED bows come in 4 styles and 5 classic colourways, giving a total of 20 options with real wow factor.

The LED lights change hue and mean that the bows suit any gift presentation. The novelty value extends to secondary use as tree decorations, or even as part of a floral Christmas table setting.

Flashy Gift Bows come ready to merchandise on j-hooks, an ideal extra pick up line at just ÂŁ2.49 RRP. The Flashy Gift Bows join Lolita, Cowparade and Tindra candle lanterns at the Gaeltag Keltika stand at Home & Gift DP 4-5.

THE GIFT

THAT

MATTERS

Joe Davies have been appointed by Sheaffer® as their official distributor of pens and pen sets to the Independent Gift Market.

Over 50 designs across 3 ranges Beautifully packaged and ideal for gifting Unique designs and finishes Internationally renowned brand Available in ‘Little & Often’ quantiities

HALL Q, STAND Q50

Joe Davies Limited. Tel: 0161 975 6300 Fax: 0161 975 6301 Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk www.joedavies.co.uk

Joe Davies are proud to be an official distributor of the Sheaffer® Range

Natural products since 1993

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NEW STAND

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CI PE A LAUNCH FFER

L

NEW LOCATION IN HALL Q, THE NEW ‘HOME OF GIFTS’ AT HARROGATE

Visit our Stand d for details(Q50)

Home & Gift

Gibsons

Design Point 1, Stand: DP1-65 As always, Gibsons have a number of exciting products to showcase at Harrogate this year. The much anticipated Christmas Limited Edition jigsaw puzzle will be revealed and some new licensed puzzles will be launched of the likes of Thelwell and Beano.

The annual Marcello Corti Limited Edition Christmas puzzle It’s Christmas! – is presented in the usual classic gold foiled box and comes complete with a serial numbered certificate, ideal for collectors and jigsaw puzzle fanatics.

A new range of Thelwell puzzles will also be introduced.

Regarded as the unofficial artist of the British countryside, Thelwell is one of the most popular cartoonists in Britain and this fabulous range is based on his famous artwork of little girls and their little fat ponies.

Finally, no show would be complete without an enticing show offer! Gibsons will be continuing their Lucky Dip promotion, where customers who place orders over £450 will be given the chance to dunk their hand into the Lucky Dip Bin and draw fabulous prizes such as cash, champagne and free stock. Be sure not to miss out on the Gibsons stand, DP1-65, at the show!

Tel: 020 8661 8866 Web: www.gibsonsgames.co.uk

Miss Milly

Design Point 3, Stand: DP3-9 Miss Milly, the British jewellery and scarf supplier, showcases its new lines on stand DP3-9. With striking colour combinations for autumn/winter, the collections feature cayenne orange, pink sapphire and peacock blue across jewellery and scarves so retailers can create striking in-store displays.

There are colourful, new resin and enamel pieces in Miss Milly’s flagship Floria Collection. And the gift-boxed

Amora Collection introduces matt gold plating and rose gold plating.

Miss Milly offers branded display stands and packaging, a low £50 minimum order and no minimum order quantities.

Tel: 01905 622509 Web: www.missmilly.co.uk

Stone Glow Candles Hall A, Stand: A32

Perfect for a cold winter’s evening, this beautiful collection of candles is made with real botanical pieces. Gel candles are made with a natural wax inner, and can be used time and time again with a Stoneglow Natural Wax Refill Candle. The delightful fragrance will warm the cockles of your heart, with a combination of zesty orange, spicy cinnamon, nutmeg and clove, sitting on a warm woody base of patchouli vanilla and musk. High Fragrance Reed Diffusers and Candle Tins are also available in the same collection.

Tel: 020 8595 8878 Web: www.stoneglowcandles.co.uk 76 gifts today

To view the full range of Intelex products please visit

www.intelexgroup.com

f t Toys o S e l b a t Hea Warming the nation since 1995

T: 01933 679777 F: 01933 679888 E: sales@intelex.co.uk W: www.intelexgroup.com Warmies® is a registered trademark belonging to Intelex Group, NN8 6GR UK © Intelex Group 2015. All Rights Reserved

Join us at Harrogate Home and Gift

19 - 22 July 2015

Stand B9

The Best of British

01805 626226 • sales@dartington.co.uk

Home & Gift Harrogate 19-22 July Hall B Stand B40

Home & Gift Design Point 1, Stand: DP1- 14

Shruti back British talent at Harrogate Founded in 2008 by Product Director Michaela Davies, the Shruti brand has grown from strength to strength resulting in last year’s merger with long established gift distributor Junction 18.

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he Shruti team have always sought to create easy living, on-trend and functional designs, developing unique, innovative and fun-loving product stories, often inspired by the Great British countryside…and this season’s range doesn’t disappoint.

Michaela commented, “What started out as a one off licensing programme with Casey Rogers, has developed into a series of exceptional collections in Shruti’s British talent category. Susie Faulks, Lisa Buckridge, Daisy Maison, Victoria Armstrong, Tessa Nash and Philip Raiskin are the latest to have joined the fold. It’s great to work with such a talented range of artists, each with their own unique style. Working together we are able to offer some fabulous collections to our customers which have been extremely successful – we are all delighted, and long may it continue.”

1. For autumn/winter 15 we see the introduction of oil-cloth from artist Lisa Buckridge with her ranges, Woodland, Walkies and Woof.

2. The Susie Faulks’ collection features three key repeat patterns, screen printed on 100% cotton canvas in various bag styles and scarves, for a more hand crafted appeal. Dove, Squirrel and Running Hare are unique and exclusive lines developed for Shruti by Susie.

3. Victoria Armstrong’s beautiful ceramics are a dog lovers’ dream gift. In three distinct collections - the Signature collection, the Cartoon collection and fine artist Justine Osborne’s collection in soft charcoal, are not only designed in Britain but are made from 100% Cornish Clay and manufactured in Staffordshire Potteries. These really are delightful examples of British talent at its best.

4. The Casey Rogers range still remains one of the company’s best sellers and her new lines in Mens’ Gift will surely prove popular this Christmas.

5. The British Talent ranges fit seamlessly with Shruti’s own core collections; Home Textiles and Home Decs, Gift, Christmas, and Baby are some of the great stand-outs not be missed. Daisy Maison’s exquisite decoupage framed pictures are a fabulous example of how artists are working together creating extensions to product stories. A must see Lisa Buckridge’s Scottie dog in wonderful decoupage.

6. Finally, the luxurious natural blends and 100% pure wool scarves are absolutely delightful.

Several new designs will launch for the first time alongside the new Mary oilcloth bags and accessories. High quality at an affordable price points make these on-trend designs sure fire winners.

Tel: +44 (0)1985 847774 Email: hello@shrutidesigns.co.uk, Web: www.junction18.com 78 gifts today

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Se S Ha e Y ta ll ou nd D at 4 Ha 2 rro ga te

When I’m all grown up Every little Princess needs somewhere to start saving for her dreams; even if she spends it on the treats now and again!

The GiftScribes range of traditional piggy banks make a perfect gift for girls or boys and our fun collection of unique, contemporary money boxes include a castle, football, Choo Choo train, elephant and a moolicious cow!

Order now from a range of coloured paint pens to personalise any piggy bank or money box by hand, (errors are easily wiped away!) All are made from sturdy ceramic with a hard-wearing glaze and brightly coloured, themed artwork and everyone will take a ÂŁ2 coin.

Proven demand t Good margins t Small minimum orders t Personal service

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

GiftScribes Gifts Limited, 31 Boraston Drive, Burford, Tenbury Wells, Shropshire, WR15 8AG

Visit us at Harrogate Stand DP1- 78

www.heylandandwhittle.co.uk / sales@heylandandwhittle.co.uk

Tel 01293 525825 Handmade in England

Home & Gift Hall Q, Stand: Q50

What’s hot at Joe Davies Make sure you visit the Joe Davies stand where you will find 2,000 brand new gift ideas from their Autumn/Winter Collection.

This year their new stand, which you will find located in Hall Q, offers perhaps one of the biggest selection of products in Harrogate - all being easy to buy in ‘little and often’ quantities.

Apothecary Vases

Joe Davies’ Apothecary series of crackle glaze message ceramics has proved a big seller over the last six months.

Apothecary is Joe Davies’ own design and is exclusive to them in the UK. The series is right on trend, is very attractively priced and looks great in any shop. Eight new styles will be introduced at Harrogate Home & Gift Show (Hall Q, Stand Q50) including new tea-light holders & oil burners, which are always the number one sellers.

Snoozies! Soft Point Ballerina

Snoozies!, the ‘cozy little foot coverings’, have been a sales phenomenon for Joe Davies and their customers. The success looks set to continue with the Harrogate show debut of six exciting new Snoozies! ranges. New fabrics, designs and colours have really moved these Snoozies! on, above and beyond anything else in the market. They really are unique.

There is great news for original Snoozies! too. Huge growth in worldwide demand has led to some great quantity discounts and now Joe Davies can sell original Snoozies! to retail at a market leading £6.99 well down from last year’s £9.99.

Joe Davies are expecting sales to double and have stocked up accordingly. Best Selling Bling Ballerinas now have a great RRP of £8.99 too!

Don’t miss Snoozies! on Joe Davies Hall Q Stand (Q50). They’ll be among your best sellers by far in the run up to Christmas.

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

SAROME UK

Specialists in Gifts for Men & Suppliers of

Artamis Gifts

Stand B33 Harrogate Home & Gift - Call 01943 872778 to register for our trade website www.sarome-uk.com

RJB Stone Design Point 1, Stand DP1-49 & DP1-55

Happy Homes at Home & Gift

Premiering over 800 new products, RJB Stone, the home of Sass & Belle, will be delighting retailers once again at Harrogate Home & Gift.

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nchanting customers with unique style and offering a 5% discount on £500+ Christmas orders placed at the show, the company will be unveiling its diverse collection of highly anticipated A/W 2015 gifts and home accessories; offering perfect designs to suit all tastes and occasions. RJB Stone will also showcase its extensive selection of over 1500 on-trend Christmas

With lines in the new ranges priced from 45p per unit for hanging decorations to £99 furniture pieces, the company caters to an extensive range of tastes and styles

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decorations on a separate festive stand.

Renowned for beautiful feminine patterns and vintage inspired products, RJB Stone offer wonderful women’s gifts. The striking new ‘French Rose’ collection blends vintage aesthetics with on trend colours, available in storage, stationary and more. The popular and unashamedly girly ‘Ditsy Floral’ range provides pretty accessories that will be a sure hit for Autumn 2015 in new designs and oilcloth fashion accessories in contemporary ‘Scandi Birds’ and sophisticated ‘Lady Antoinette’ prints will charm. Shortlisted for product of the year by the GA, RJB Stone offer new handy foldable shopping bags from £1.65 each and stocking fillers including manicure sets are now available, complimented by new nail files and floral glasses cases.

This season’s remarkably large selection of accessories will make abodes more precious than ever.

Discover the captivating Charlotte and Celeste collections- shabby chic and classic with a contemporary twist. Timelessly desirable, the Ashley Farmhouse and Rustic Wood ranges expand offer more frames and décor among a plethora of products and new cream ceramics and geometric prints put the ‘kitsch’ into kitchens.

Delight kids with the cute and uplifting Woodland Friends collection, offering charming frames and sentimental plaques among a lovingly crafted selection in on-trend pastel tones. Bright, bold and beautifully crafted, the new Illustrated Trucks range evokes the fun of kid’s playtime and is available in a range of bedroom and personal accessories and new lovable characters and inspiring sayings cushions give winter cuddles.

Men can be tricky to shop for,

but help is here. The new Best Dad collection is a modern and whimsical take on traditional gifts, including a hip flask, mug, decorative plaques and a man-sized cushion for home-heroes.

Hot trends are in abundance.

Discover the Warm Metals range: Contemporary ‘rough lux’ products, available in frames, decorations and much more. The bright and beautiful Moroccan Geometrics collection provides contemporary accessories that will be bought, worn and loved through the season. RJB Stone is also proudly introducing additions to existing collections such as the Happy Animals on Bikes, including coasters, mugs and cushions. Retailers looking for uplifting products full of of character should explore the fun and quirky Party Safari Animals collection- is set to be a huge success this season.

Stationary is now available in almost every pattern and print to maximize back to school sales and in time for the gifting season.

Excited yet? Then hold on to your

bobble hats and explore RJB Stone’s Christmas collections!

RJB Stone’s versatile collection of styles and themes for Christmas 2015 has proven to be a huge hit with retailers this year and there is still time to add their festive magic to your collection. Whether you are looking for traditional style, fun and novel Christmas gaiety, subtle rustic charm or retro and vintage designs, you will find the perfect decorations to create a winter wonderland this Christmas!

Visit RJB Stone, the home of Sass & Belle on stands DP1-49 and DP1-55 and receive 5% discount on Christmas orders over £500 placed at the show!

Contact UK & International Sales on: 0207 346 0100 www.rjbstone.com

DID YOU KNOW?

• RJB Stone started with one product, juggling balls, in 1996 • They currently stock over 5,000 gifts and home accessories • Sass & Belle, RJB Stone’s retail brand, has 4 dedicated stores in London and Brighton.

• RJB Stone supplies Sass & Belle products to over 79 countries worldwide • Labour MP Chuka Umunna paid a visit to RJB Stone earlier this year, calling it ‘An excellent example of the importance of British businesses’

Home & Gift show July 19-22.

Stand DP14 /A Fine Fragrance Candles Loving Hand-Poured Made in England

www.themeltco.com “Look for a lovely thing and you will find it -shining brightly.

It is not far... Never far”.

“Candles by melt boast an exquisitely distressed patina and recherché sent”.

FT Weekend Magazine

Stand DP1-40 01200 443377 •email: info@themeltco.com

AMBIENTE PAPER PRODUCTS THE COLLECTION THAT HAS NAPKINS AND TABLE ACCESSORIES FOR ALL SEASONS AND OCCASIONS. We offer a 5 day delivery service from our factory in The Netherlands, so contact us or come and see our outstanding range.

Please call for more info, Richard Weitzkorn: 07956424482 email:richard@ambproducts.co.uk or see us at a show.

Irish Autumn Fair Dublin, August 16-19. 2015.

Autumn Fair NEC, September 1-4. 2015.

www.ambiente.eu

Home & Gift

House of Marbles

Design Point 1, Stand: Stand DP1- 39 House of Marbles are making memories with their hugely popular Make & Do range – a collection of retro inspired activity kits designed to keep developing (and ageing) minds occupied for hours!

2015 has brought some fantastic additions, including their Motorised Warship, Paper Planes and Tornado Dragster. Presented in beautiful 1950s-inspired packaging they all contain a gorgeous toy that is extremely fun to make and a joy to play with and own.

Their Home & Gift stand will be overflowing with nostalgic classics such as Knitting Doll, Weaving Loom and Real-Flying Bi-Plane, each inciting lots of creativity and offering the perfect entertainment for all the family during the British summer, come rain or shine.

To see their unique and generous selection of toys, games, puzzles, novelties and books a visit to House of Marbles is a must at stand DP1-39.

Tel: 01626 835358 Web: www.houseofmarbles.com/trade

Dartington Crystal Hall B, Stand: B40

Heaven Scent Hall D, Stand: D19

Nothing puts us in the holiday spirit like the smell of fresh baked goods swirling with the aroma of holiday-favourite spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Heaven scent are launching their own Christmas Candle Nutmeg and Cinnamon to compliment their already successful Christmas range. Cinnamon is a bittersweet spice obtained from the inner bark of several trees from the genus cinnamomum. Nutmeg is a delicate spice, also known as pala in Indonesia, is derived from an evergreen tree species in the Spice Islands of Indonesia. So our candle is not sickly sweet but complex and spicey. It will fill the room immediately with the smell of Christmas, find it our candles, reed diffusers and newly launched room sprays.

Phone: 01225 868788 Web: www.heavenscent.co.uk

84 gifts today

The latest must have gift from Dartington celebrates the renaissance of gin as one of the UK’s finest spirits. Endorsed by brand leading premium natural mixers, Fever –Tree, the Gintuition set of glasses features a classic highball, stemmed Copa glass and a stylish Martini glass. The presentation gift boxing includes a mixing guide and gin recipe suggestions. Visit us at Home and Gift, Stand B40, Hall B. Or alternatively call 01805 626226 for more information.

Tel: 01805 626226 Web: www.dartington.co.uk

Global Luxury Brands Stand Q42 New products from all our partners including

T:01538 80 77 80 E: enquiries@globalluxurybrands.co.uk W: globalluxurybrands.co.uk

Doorstops, draught excluders and much much more!

LAUNCHING NEW RANGES AND BEAUTIFUL ADDITIONS TO EXISTING RANGES

Visit us at HARROGATE HOME & GIFT

DP2-18

w: www.doradesigns.co.uk l t: 01780 0 430188 l f: 08432 0 161879 l e: enquiries@doradesigns.co.uk

Home & Gift

Steepletone Hall A, Stand: A31

Electronics gift company Steepletone, who are now in their 43rd year, are constantly inventing and innovating their growing range of unique electronic gifts.

The company has solid foundations and is a family run business that was founded by Tony Tyler, who remains the company Chairman, with the Managing Director being his son Mark Tyler.

Make sure you visit stand A31 to say hello to Mark, his son Kristian and Laurence Fox where you will be shown a fantastic display of design led radios, jukeboxes, radios, telephones, clock radios and one of the largest ranges of vinyl turntables with or without CD, radio and Bluetooth, all produced in a variety of the latest colours and finishes.

A visit to the Steepletone Stand A31 is a must.

Tel: 01869 812820 Web: www.steepletone.com

Beefayre

Design Point 2, Stand: DP2-4 Beefayre is launching its first outdoor candle, Bee Outdoors, which will sit alongside the Bee Garden collection. This garden-inspired range is designed to connect people with nature and the British countryside.

Made from natural plant wax with the purest essential oils of Citronella, this large 300g candle produces a zesty, lemongrass fragrance with a burning time of approx. 65 hours. The candle has an uplifting and refreshing aroma - evocative of a sunny summer’s day.

Citronella essential oils are renowned for keeping bugs and insects away from the BBQ and alfresco eating, but without the use of any harmful chemicals or pesticides. Packaged with a complimentary sachet of British wildflower seeds, the Bee Outdoors candle is designed with conservation in mind by encouraging users to plant habitat for bees.

The Bee Outdoors candle is hand-poured into a recycled glass holder that features a stunning hand-drawn design by Beefayre’s founder and illustrator, Sharon Jervis. This distinctive botanical green design allows the candle holder to be reused and recycled within the garden or as an alfresco dining centerpiece.

Tel: 01858 43 44 92 Web: www.beefayre.com

Puckator

Design Point 1, Stand: DP1-23 Puckator will be launching a number of brand new licensed products at the Harrogate Home & Gift Show this year. Their latest items are the Yellow Submarine Money Box, Vacuum Flask and Wall Clock which are perfect for both Beatles fans and collectors alike. The iconic Yellow Submarine design from the 1968 British animated film, based on the music of The Beatles, is still hugely popular nearly fifty years on. To see all the latest additions to Puckator’s growing range of officially licensed gifts, and many more items, visit their stand at DP1-23.

Tel: 0800 0116969 Email: sales@puckator.co.uk Web: www.puckator.co.uk

86 gifts today

St. Eva Eval Candle Company ompany Engo Engollan, St. Eval, Cornwall nwall PL27 7UL, United Kingdom gdom Tel: 01841 540850 info@stevalcandlecompany.co.uk ndlecompany.co.uk www.stevalcandlecompany.co.uk www.ste any.co.uk

Harrogate Home & Gift Stand DP1-95

Home & Gift

Ambiente Paper Products Design Point 1, Stand: DP14 A

Ambiente is a Dutch manufacturer of printed paper napkins and table top accessories.

They have their own in house design team and all paper products are manufactured in their factory from FSC certified tissue on flexographic presses. They are able to produce designs from one to nine colours in 25, 33 and 40cm and offer a very speedy Private Label service.

Each year they produce two collections featuring a variety of flower/plain embossed/lifestyle designs with co-ordinating accessories such as napkin holders, tissues, candles, and fine china gifts.

At Ambiente quality and customer care are the top priority and they offer a four day delivery service.

Tel: 07956 -424482 Email: richard@ambproducts.co.uk

Intelex

Hall B, Stand: B9 Intelex Group are set to showcase their biggest range of Warmies at this years’ Home and Gift Fair, Harrogate.

Visitors to the stand can expect to see old favourites including fully heatable licensed ranges like Bagpuss and Yoohoo, along with the full range of Warmies which has seen the portfolio bolstered by a further 27 fresh and innovative new products in 2015.

Fresh new designs include new animal-themed characters from the new Warmies Cozy Pets and Cozy Dogs range, along with a delightful range of Warmies Craft Warmheart dolls. The new line-up of foot warmers include attractive new polka dot designs across both boots and slippers in pretty blue and pinks.

Find Intelex Group on stand B9.

Web: www.intelex.co.uk

Caroline Gardner

Design Point 1, Stand: DP1-133 Caroline Gardner is excited to be joining the line up once again for this year’s Home and Gift show. Their beautiful stand, packed with new product for AW15, will be in the new, prime location of DP1 so make sure you pay them a visit. On display will be the gorgeous new Caroline Gardner AW15 gifts seeing additional Muchly lovely characters and exciting new Chroma accessories. They are also launching a vibrant brand new range called ‘Pina Colada’s’ with gorgeous stationery items, featuring colourful dots and flowers with extra special detailing of gold foiling and they are very excited to be presenting this range for the first time! To sit alongside the gift will be the full collection of luxury Christmas products, featuring cards adorned with gold and silver flitter, foiling and sweet Christmas characters. To see all the new ranges head on down to their new stand position DP1-113.

Tel: 0208 288 9696 Web: www.carolinegardner.com 88 gifts today

29 cm

42cm

9781409595434

A book about life in a Victorian house

RRP

Out October 2015 in time for Christmas

ÂŁ25.00

18.5cm

inc V A T

A sturdy foam board doll’s house which slots together without the need for glue

Home & Gift

Lesser & Pavey Hall M, Stand: M14

Lesser & Pavey have a wonderful range of metal vehicles which form the vintage transport range which covers motorbike, bus, scooter, cars, black taxi, tractor, train, planes and delivery van.

Each one is a relica of the real machine and comes in great detail.

A must have man’s gift.

Tel: 01322 29225 Web: www.leonardo.co.uk

Global Luxury Brands

Hall Q, Stand: Q42 Global Luxury Brands works with some of the most iconic brands from all over the world to offer exciting products for both retail and contract. De Rosa Collections are made in Uruguay, hand carved ceramic is fired, hand painted and fired again to create tactile and engaging subjects. Herend is a hand painted porcelain brand from Hungary admired worldwide but having its debut at Home & Gift. Villeroy & Boch, perhaps best known as a tableware company now offers a huge giftware range.

Bronte Porcelain is produced 100% in the UK and offers a unique range of hand painted bone china while William Edwards offers both tableware and giftware hand decorated in Stoke-on-Trent.

Gaeltag Keltika Design Point 4, Stand: DP4-5

Lolita’s new lines for autumn/winter are previewing at Home & Gift..

New Christmas glasses feature a mix of the funny with Frosty’s Beer Belly and the Strictly Reindeer Dancing wine glass, plus the glamourous Christmas Diva, Too - through to the more classic etched Winter wine glass suited to a formal Christmas table dressing.

Three new standard wine glasses: are also launching ‘You’re my BFF’ - pretty and witty; ‘Butterfly Kisses’, a design for any occasion, and Shopaholic 3, a spangly update on a fab and favourite theme.

Tel: 020 8998 1781 Email: sales@gaeltag.com Web: www.lolitadesigns.co.uk www.gaeltagkeltika.com

90 gifts today

Tel: 01538 8077 80 Web: www.globalluxurybrands.co.uk

Half Moon Bay

Design Point 2, Stand: DP2-33 Join the adventure and make learning fun by collecting this irresistible range of children’s bath time products. New animals will continue to join from around the world. Half Moon Bay are delighted to introduce this new range along with their Opal London 2015 range at Home & Gift 2015, Harrogate.

The team look forward to seeing you there.

Tel: 01225 473873 Web: www.halfmoonbay.co.uk

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Simply Stunning Glassware Fabulous Scent Diffusers, Tree of Life Balls, Friendship collections and Fused Glass designs.

Come and see D & J Glassware: the UK’s favourite supplier of quality handmade glassware at

HOME & GIFT HARROGATE STAND DP2-4

MADE IN THE UK

t 01858 434492 e sales@beefayre.com www.beefayre.com

D& J

Home & Gift, Harrogate, Hall D - Stand 27

D & J Glassware www.dandjglassware.co.uk Tel: 01953 450280

Home & Gift

Usborne Publishing Design Point 4, Stand: DP4-20c

Press out the sturdy, foamboard pieces, slot together following the simple instructions and you’re ready to play – no scissors or glue required. Includes a book about life in a grand Victorian house, allowing children to find out how a family would live in a house like this.

Amazing value at £25. All the fun of a real doll’s house without the price tag.

This sturdy, eight-roomed model doll’s house features the utmost attention to detail, with furniture and interior décor in the late Victorian style and formal gardens front and rear.

Access to the interior is provided by roof and wall panels which open outwards. Furniture is provided for each room, and the house comes complete with inhabitants – a Victorian family of four and their pets.

Tel: 07939 173031 Web: www.usborne.com

Lesser & Pavey Hall M, Stand: M14

Charming Scottie dog doorstops will be shown alongside many other doorstop designs at the Harrogate fair this July on the Lesser & Pavey stand M14.

Modern coloured Scotties made of quality fabrics are part of the fun but practical ranges that will be on show.

Tel 01322 279225 Web: www.leonardo.co.uk

Sarome UK Hall B, Stand: B33

Sarome UK are one of leading suppliers of exclusive gifts for men and will once again be showcasing their gift range at Harrogate Home and Gift. Giftware includes stainless steel and leather hipflasks, cufflinks, pocket watches, leather wallets, pens, shaving accessories and shaving creams from Taylor’s of Bond Street.

Many of the products are suitable for engraving for those important occasions.

In recent years, they have seen a significant rise in their gents’ grooming range, with the decline of the independent pharmacies.

The practical and contemporary shaving range is fast becoming a gift shop staple, particularly popular with younger gentleman.

Tel: 01943 872778 Email: sales@sarome-uk.com Web: www.sarome-uk.com 92 gifts today

The Walking Stick Specialists Traditional and contemporary walking sticks, seat seats and umbrellas for ladies and gentlemen

2015

Home and Gift Harrogate DP1-30 Telephone: 01304 379901 info@quailceramics.co.uk www.quailceramics.co.uk

Please contact us for a trade catalogue: Warren House, Hinton St George, Somerset TA17 8TQ Tel +44 (0)1460 75686 www.classiccanes.co.uk Also on Facebook and Instagram.

Let little minds wander as far as their feet...

Sandy Bay London stunning, Luxury home fragrance products hand poured in the UK Harrogate Stand DP 1-3 www.sandybaylondon.com

Email sales@inch-blue.com Telephone +44 (0) 1495 311123 www.inch-blue.com

Home & Gift

Heart & Home Hall A, Stand: A18

A beautiful range of stylish, fragrance-rich candles created to fill the home with evocative scents and designed to look stylish anywhere. See us at Harrogate and discover our latest collection of irresistible scents which reflect the distinctive changing seasons... from the uplifting floral bouquet of Sweet Pea to the warming heart of oud wood in Easter Promise. With soy wax as the central ingredient customers can enjoy this gorgeous indulgence safe in the knowledge that it has its heart in nature.

Tel: 01709 730700 Email: info@heartandhome.com

Dora Designs

Design Point 2, Stand: DP2-18 Dora Designs, the award-winning company, produce high quality doorstops, draught excluders and paperweights. Harrogate Home & Gift will see the launch of a beautiful new Christmas Range as well as stunning new additions to existing ranges.

The Traditional Range welcomes Piggles Piglets, Hyde the Pig and Splash Junior into the ever popular collection. Marcus Fielding Senior, a charismatic new draught excluder, graces their award winning Country Folk Range. New characters also join the Patchwork Range, Canine Collection, Feline Collection, Woolly Cats Range and the Pedigree Collection.

Dora Designs look forward to welcoming new and existing customers onto their stand, DP2-18, and introducing you to all their beautiful new characters.

Tel: 01780 430188 Email: enquiries@doradesigns.co.uk Web: www.doradesigns.co.uk

Di Palomo

Design Point 1, Stand: DP1-105 Di Palomo launches its second Limited Edition fragrance for Christmas 2015 with the hot fragrance for the coming season, Mulberry.

The eye-catching packaging and alluring fragrance offers newness to the Di Palomo core range. Tuscany launched as the first in a Limited Edition programme for spring 2015, Mulberry joins the programme with a scent for autumn/winter.

Sold in trade packs consisting of best-selling products, the programme offers retailers a number of ways to cross sell and increase margins.

The range includes top selling products such as Eau de Parfum, Hand & Nail Cream, Reed Diffusers and a selection of gift sets. Retail prices range from ÂŁ8 - ÂŁ25 and the products are available to buy as individual lines or as a trade pre-pack attracting 20% discount. The packaging reflects the fragrance description in high quality Di Palomo brand ethos with colouring and visuals.

Tel: 01803 612772 Web: www.dipalomo.com 94 gifts today

Visit us at stand DP4-22C FREE SHIPPING

to mainland UK on orders placed at show

Exclusive designs • hand painted ceramics textiles made in Britain

Tel: 08434 873104 Email: customerservices@duckydora.co.uk w w w. d u c k y d o r a . c o m

Putting the style into lifestyle

at 5, t us Visi ift 201 G B, & l l e a Hom gate. H , o 4 r Har and B2 uly St nd J - 22 19th

Supplying the photographic & gift trade for over 40 years T: 01793 615836 F: 01793 530108 E: sales@kenro.co.uk www.kenro.co.uk

Village Candle Hall B, Stand: B12

Pouring over Village Candle Penny Franks had the pleasure to question Managing Director, Marvin Lomax, Village Candle UK Ltd to find out more about this recognised company, how they have grown over the years and what exciting developments they have in the pipeline for the remainder of 2015?

Village Candle is an established brand in its own right - tell us a little about the company’s history and how you came to be involved with them?

Village Candle was founded in Maine

by Paul Aldrich in 1993 and has grown to become one of the largest producers of poured candles is the U.S.A. Paul is still actively running the business unlike many larger candle producers who have sold out in recent years to larger corporations.

In August 2012 VC Inc. approached myself through my giftware and home furnishings company (Straits Trading) to act as a UK and European partner.

Village Candle UK Ltd was formed and began distributing products in January 2013.

You state that you use ‘dual wick’ technology - what is this?

Dual wicks allow for a much cleaner and efficient burn through our

96 gifts today

fragranced candle jar collections.

They create a larger wax pool which generates more fragrance throw without compromising the wax melting process. More light is also produced and therefore an increased sense of ambience is achieved. Dual wicks do not allow the wax to tunnel like other candle brands where unused wax residue is left on the sides of the glass container.

Based in Accrington, you have quite large premises - how is this managed - do you have a showroom for example?

We operate out of 100, 000 square feet of warehouse and 8,000 square feet of offices and showrooms. Given we have over 30 years’ experience through import and distribution of varying products the management of the process is relatively straight forward. Key management and staff have been with our company

We will stock over 1000 items as we enter the second half of 2015. Over 80 fragrances are offered in five wax formats and we offer the largest collection of candle accessories available on the market. throughout this period and we work with a sophisticated and efficient I.T logistics system.

Do you run all logistics from your premises? How does this assist with regard to your levels of customer service?

All logistics are run from our premises.

We use several courier companies dependant on the nature of freight we are delivering. All our parcel business is despatched on a 24 hour service and all pallets are delivered within 3 days. A high level of customer service is key to what we have achieved as a company and what we want to maintain going

forward. We aim to have all orders despatched within 1-5 working days dependant on seasonal peaks through our distribution network.

How many products do you have in your current range?

We will stock over 1000 items as we enter the second half of 2015.

Over 80 fragrances are offered in five wax formats and we offer the largest collection of candle accessories available on the market.

And what about refreshing your ranges - how often does this take place?

Our ranges are refreshed twice a

year in line with Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter product launches. We will add between 200-300 new items to each season’s collection.

How do you keep ahead of seasonal fragrance trends?

Village Candle Inc. work continually with leading perfume houses to develop their wax fragrances. These companies are the driving force with regard to new blending techniques and fragrances for each different market. Each season is very specific in terms of fragrance development. For example, Spring and Summer launches generally include Floral and Fruit combinations whilst Autumn and Winter adds in spices, baked goods and Christmas specifics.

We generally aim to have around sixeight new fragrances per season along

highest quality materials available. Food grade paraffin wax is used in every candle we manufacture, this creates a very pure and safe wax product. Only natural oils are used in our fragrances.

What about burn quality - how do you regulate this?

Each candle produced in the U.S is batch tested before it is made available for general release. In the UK we have had the candles tested and approved

by SATRA which is a recognised testing and safety organisation. Our candles conform to BS EN 15426:2007 which is a British Standard regulation relating to the sooting behaviour of candles through normal use. Through these diligent testing procedures and certification obtained we believe our candles perform better than most

Our candles are produced using the highest quality materials available. Food grade paraffin wax is used in every candle we manufacture, this creates a very pure and safe wax product. Only natural oils are used in our fragrances with the inclusion of seasonal limited editions available throughout the year.

We have 12 new fragrances for the upcoming season including Celebration, Christmas on the beach, Coffee bean, Eucalyptus mint, Fall fun, Hard Cider, Home for Christmas, Peppermint bark, Powder fresh, Red hot cinnamon, Sleigh ride and Smoked birch. Limited editions in the run up to Christmas include Santa’s village, Naughty or nice, Nutcracker and Sugarplum fairy.

Can you tell us a little about the candles themselves, for example, what type of wax is used?

Our candles are produced using the

premium candles available on the market.

Are all your candles the same, or are there differing levels of quality offered?

The same components and perfume levels are used in every fragranced candle, votive and melt that Village Candle produce. Quality is not compromised through any of the products we offer.

Tell us a little about your accessories ranges - what percentage of your current range does this cover?

Our accessory ranges contribute circa

50% to our entire product offer. We have in-house designers working on many new and exclusive collections for each season. The added benefit for the retailer is that our accessories also compliment many other brands of candle available. Whilst other companies may present some accessory ranges no-one can compete with the design depth, quality and pricing of our offer.

What type of POS material do you offer your retail partners?

We have just completed an entire programme of POS material which is available immediately. Items include retail bags, window and wall visuals, safe practice customer hand-outs along with other useful retail aids.

Do you operate a minimum order policy?

Our minimum order is £200 and we also work on small quantity sell packs.

What is the best way for potential retail partners to contact you to stock your ranges?

Anyone wishing to stock Village Candle can either order via our website,

Marvin Lomax through our sales office, through a visit to our showroom, at one of 3 trade fairs we attend each year or through our sales team who are present throughout the UK and Ireland.

How important are trade shows to you - where can people find you this year?

Trade shows are very important to us. They allow us to showcase our new products to new and existing customers and are a key driver for new business. We will attend the Harrogate Gift & Home exhibition (Hall B, Stand B12) and the Autumn Fair in Birmingham (Hall 5, Stand J30).

Tel: 01254 300268 Web: www.villagecandle.co.uk gifts today 97

Signature Gifts

Premier One Stop Shop Signature Gifts was established in 2003 and grew from historic newspaper gifts to personalised print, calendars and books. It is foremost in offering personalised books, newspaper gifts, calendars, stationery and other printed gifts.

W

hile print and books are the two strongest sectors for the company, in 2013 Signature Gifts reinforced its position as the Premier Personalised Gift Company, by teaming up with Debbi Hancock, founder of PGUK, to create Signature PG (SPG), a separate company that focuses on ceramics, glassware, engraving and embroidery.

SPG has been through a period of investment, and has recently moved premises to a space more than three times the size of their previous manufacturing warehouse, allowing Signature to concentrate on the print and book sides of the business, letting both parts of the company utilise their wealth of experience in the gift industry to bring customers the widest and most extensive portfolio of personalised gifts possible. Watch this space for a new and wider range of glassware gifts.

Together, Signature Gifts and Signature PG have become a one stop shop for all things personalised, and boast one of the largest ranges of personalised giftware in the UK. As one of the market leaders, Signature supplies most retailers selling personalised gifts, including top High Street names as well as all sizes of internet retail, including start-ups. Every item has a bespoke

minimum order of one and operates on a dropship service, giving retailers the flexibility of listing products aimed at their customer base without the risk of holding any stock.

Learning Is Fun and Educational The perfect gifts for relatives to give to a child, this range of children’s books are a perfect alternative to electronic gadgets and they encourage a bond between the adult and the child who is being read to. This bond is the best thing to help the child develop self confidence as they grow. Their name appears in the illustrations of the books, often on the cover and within the actual story too! What better way is there to encourage them than with books that have been created just for them?

These stories are primarily aimed at pre-school children as this is the age where children are expected to learn more than at any other time in their lives. Therefore this is the perfect time to introduce a child to the world of literacy. Through repetition of stories they engage with, children learn at a faster pace and so have the best head start in life when it comes to their education.

Each book in the L.I.F.E. range is easily recognised by our L.I.F.E. emblem included on the cover. The books within this ever-growing range are especially written and designed to have an educational element. Whether they are activity books or story books, every book has a set learning objective, which is designed to stimulate development. We believe that children are never too young to love reading and so our main aim for these unique books is to encourage children to read and have fun.

Plans for the Future Over the next 12 months, Signature will only be getting bigger, offering more and more extensive ranges of personalised gifts. One major sector that 98 gifts today

will be expanded is their range of children’s books. With an inhouse team of writers and artists Signature plans to release an average of one book each month for the foreseeable future.

One book recently released, Once Upon a Time: a Timeless Collection of Fairy Tales, is a luxury embossed book, is designed to be a premium gift, and has outsold all of their other children’s books for the last two months. This concept basically evolved from one of their first books, My Book of Nursery Rhymes, which has been a Christmas favourite for the last three years.

The momentum for these books continues to grow, and with their ability to produce the books in-house, the team are able to produce books which span a variety of different subjects, meaning Signature stay ahead of the curve in the personalised children’s books market.

Not only do Signature plan on expanding their range of products aimed at children, they have revamped their range of gifts for adults.

A new range of glassware has been created for their personalised alcohol gifts sets, which allow customers a choice of five exclusively designed glass sets to be paired with a bespoke bottle of tipple.

Brand new looks have been created for their bespoke newspaper football books, with a plan in the pipeline to redesign the look of the other newspaper books they offer, Signature continue to be innovative and offer premium products for all ages.

New Portal Site Currently, the company is developing a new portal system, going live later on this year, where the full ranges of everything Signature and SPG produce will be available in an online one-stop shop.

Together, Signature Gifts and Signature PG have become a one-stop shop for all things personalised, and boast one of the largest ranges of personalised giftware in the UK Not only will this new site create an easy order system for one-off orders, customers can provide an Excel or CSV file for multiple orders. A new function will also be available which creates easy way for retailers to collect product information for listing products on their own sites. Images, retail prices, SKUs and even editorial copy will be available at the click of a button.

Whether you currently list Signatures products or not, their ranges are definitely worth a browse, there’s something for every situation and it’s all perfectly personalised and delivered direct.

Visit www.signature-gifts.co.uk for more information and to browse the range.

Summer Additions!

Summer Additions 2015 Please note we will NOT be attending Harrogate Home & Gift 2015.

Please view our website or ask your agent for full details of our Summer Release.

New – V&A Bookmarks

New – V&A Gift Tag & Parcel Sticker Sets

Packs contain: 6 x Luggage Gift Tags with coloured twine 8 x Parcel Stickers on A5 sticker sheet

(e) sales@mint-publishing.co.uk (t) 0116 230 4197 (f) 01536 401 031

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

Please note, we will not be attending Harrogate Home & Gift

www.museumsgalleries.co.uk

Designer Jewellery

Pic courtesy of Kit Heath

Once it was the preserve of flashy women and trashy rappers but now almost everyone is into adorning themselves with designer jewellery.

Blingtastic F

lashy jewellery even has its own name – bling – and you don’t have to be a purveyor of poetical music to wear something dramatic.

We spoke to a number of firms to gauge their take on the blingtastic world of designer jewellery.

It’s an area that is beneficial for retailers as well as customers.

Sarah Watmore of Miss Milly told us: “Designer jewellery offers retailers products that are different to those of the high street chain stores.

“It is also generally supplied by smaller companies who can offer a more personalised service with quick

turnaround and lower minimum orders allowing retailers to try out different brands. And branding is key in this category, allowing retailers to offer greater value, maximising margins, and create in-store brand stories.”

Kay Griffith of Ronin Jewellery is of the same view and relishes the appeal the product has when given as a present: “Designer jewellery, when beautifully presented in a gift box, makes the perfect gift – a stylish gift that is not run of the mill, it shows you have taken care in selecting a gift.”

It is a category that people will spend a long time in shops selecting and choosing what they want to buy. The

DID YOU KNOW? • Historically jewellery designers originated as goldsmiths.

• A total of 174,100 tons of gold has been mined in human history.

• A single gram can be beaten into a sheet of 1 square meter • Because of the softness of pure (24k) gold, it is usually alloyed with base metals for use in jewellery.

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cost of designer jewellery can be quite high and so consumers want to know that what they are buying is good quality, worthy and appreciated by the recipient.

jewellery. The trends I am seeing are people buying more jewellery.”

Sara Watmore has spotted that jewellery buying depends on who is doing the purchasing. “When

“Designer jewellery offers retailers products that are different to those of the high street chain stores.”

(Sarah Watmore) What trends are apparent in the industry? Sarah Watmore said: “All metal colours (gold, silver, rose gold) are currently popular as is mixing the colours. And much designer jewellery mimics the fine jewellery styles.”

Kay Griffith has a different take: “Coloured gemstones seem really popular at the moment. There are lots of images of celebrities wearing statement gemstone pieces on the red carpet so of course that increases their popularity. Also, ‘off-duty’ shots of celebrities show them wearing smaller gemstone pieces, stud earrings for example. The celebrity influence cannot be underestimated.”

Retailer Sara Baines from Ewe & Me has noticed that her customers are certainly purchasing jewellery. “We sell relatively traditional gifts; we sell nice jewellery. We have Sheila Fleet

bought as a gift for someone else, co-ordinating jewellery sets are more popular,” she said, “but if buying for themselves, women are purchasing more on a mix and match basis.”

Kay Griffith of Ronin Jewellery said: “My feeling is that younger people go for a more eclectic look, wearing a mix of styles together, whereas the older jewellery wearer co-ordinates their jewellery, going for matching pieces and buying jewellery to wear with a particular outfit.”

As we have noted for many years it was not considered “manly” for a man to wear jewellery. That is changing, as Sarah Watmore says: “Whilst Miss Milly doesn’t sell men’s jewellery, we believe that the real growth area for men is in watches.”

So watch out for the next big thing – gentlemen’s timepieces.

Home & Gift DP3 Stand 7 Handmade in Wales Trade prices ÂŁ4.95-ÂŁ11.95 01269 826000 www.ronindesigns.co.uk

Designer Jewellery

RJB Stone

Ronin Designs

The beauty of semi-precious gemstones provides the inspiration for Ronin’s collection of beaded jewellery, designed and handmade in Wales. Combining gemstones with freshwater pearls & crystal glass, their ranges are full of colour, pattern and texture. Ronin Jewellery comes beautifully gift boxed, with trade prices from £4.95 to £11.95.

Home & Gift - DP3, stand 7

Tel: 01269 826000 Web: www.ronindesigns.co.uk

Focusing on trend, RJB Stone’s designers are in the know when it comes to the latest fashions.

Jewellery is literally the crowning glory of personal style and RJB Stone pays tribute to the industry with beautifully designed jewellery display and storage solutions for retailers and consumer magpies to fall in love with. Expertly balanced, contemporary jewellery trees in striking colours compliment this season’s latest looks and classical style hooks that would please Hepburn adorn walls. Introduce a flare of baroque, a hint of vintage or a playful theme into your jewellery display and make yourself a diamond’s best friend.

Tel: 020 7346 0100 Web: www.rjbstone.com

Fall in love with Kit Heath The essential everyday sterling silver collection from the team at Kit Heath, Dew, is brimming with great gifts or that special treat for her, whatever the occasion.

Colour is a must! Real stones in amethyst, topaz and turquoise continue as key colours, with an array of vivid zirconia designs also coming through.

Silhouettes and symbols provide a gift with a personal touch; whether congratulations is in order, treating a friend or you just want to say I love you, there is a design for every occasion. Cute animals have been so popular, especially the owl and the pussycat!

The Dew customer has a pretty feminine style; with a gorgeous new collection of delicate floral pieces using freshwater pearls and combinations of rose and yellow gold, Dew has a winning collection coming for Autumn!

Kit Heath offers beautiful, classic and contemporary sterling silver designs featuring the eternal themes of love, friendship and the beauty of nature. The collection boasts jewellery that will be cherished for years to come at fantastic gifting prices. Kit Heath is an everyday collection of timeless and quality sterling silver designs.

Coming soon… the autumn collection introduces signature designs; organic feminine forms, the epitome of Kit Heath. Statement sterling silver designs highlighted with rose and yellow gold plating and adorned with real gemstones.

With over 150 new design options this is a really exciting time for the brand.

Tel: 01271 329123 Web: www.kitheathretailer.com 102 gifts today

Sterling Silver Jewellery

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Call us for our latest catalogue

Home & Gift DP3-9 Simply gorgeous jewellery and scarves Telephone: 01905 622509

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Online: missmilly.co.uk

www.kitheathretailer.com Tel 01271 329123 Email sales@kitheath.com

Designer Jewellery

Joe Davies

Joe Davies’ Equilibrium collection of jewellery and fashion accessories has grown hugely in response to demand and is now a staple range for shops up and down the land. Eighty per cent of the Equilibrium collection is designed and manufactured in house and hundreds of new designs are introduced each year to ensure the collection is bang up to date with current trends.

Packaging is all important for jewellery sales and Equilibrium boxing is amongst the best in the business. The signature grey boxes with story cards merchandise beautifully, giving the jewellery added value and make it a pleasure to give and receive.

Amongst the ‘must have’ trends this season are modern three tone jewellery, rose gold and silver combinations, gorgeous new pavé designs, sentiment and children’s jewellery and a lovely diamante range of sparkly Christmas jewellery.

Tel: 0161 9756300 Web: www.joedavies.co.uk

Solo

Solo have been personalising metal gifts with diamond engraving for over 20 years, but these innovations have meant that Designer Jewellery, both for men and women, personalised with engraving has emerged as one of the fastest growing product categories. Obvious giving occasions like birthdays, St Valentine’s, Mother’s Day and anniversaries are, of course, very popular, but also wedding gifts for bridesmaids and hen parties are now all the rage.

Solo have a range of designer and sterling jewellery and can supply plain stock or can also engrave in-house and drop-ship direct to customers.

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

Tempest Designs

Shruti

Bold statement jewellery pieces are set to dominate this autumn/winter. Heavy metal cuffs, chunky beadwork, bangles and chains are the focus from Shruti. Golds, silvers and dark brass tones form the signature of the brand palette and style perfectly with the company’s core fashion accessories lines.

Affordable price points makes this on-trend collection a very attractive offering.

Tel: 01985 847774 Email: hello@ shrutidesigns.co.uk Web: www.junction18.com

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Tempest Designs has developed its design capacity tremendously over the last few years, leading in experimental plating development and leather combinations, using a multitude of effects and finishes on metal surfaces, focusing on motifs which create on-trend fashion jewellery for the quality retailer to take advantage of the unique Tempest Design style. There are 1,000s of pieces online from simple leather friendship bracelets to intricate boutique statement pieces, the range of jewellery on offer is so extensive there is something in the collection for everyone, and with a no minimum quantity and order value, the company offers a risk-free opportunity to any business wishing to try Tempest Designs design-led fashion jewellery look.

The success of the brand has been phenomenal to date, customers just love the design, quality and price and behind the scenes, in-house, the Tempest Designs team is constantly striving to improve customer service and are investing heavily in upgrading their existing website and sales tools for exhibitions, to enhance the customer buying experience to ultimately make everyone’s life easier. You can visit Tempest Designs at most trade shows or simply order online, where you can receive your order on the next day, and there are also various point of sale and display materials on offer. What more could a potential customer ask for.....get this pure gorgeousness in your store.

Tel: 01656 842102 Email: enquiries@ tempestdesigns.co.uk Web: tempestdesigns. co.uk

Carrie Elspeth EXCLUSIVE DESIGNER JEWELLERY H A N D M A D E I N WA L E S

Come and view the Autumn Collection at Harrogate, Home & Gift, DP1-36 Tel: 01446 771271 Email: sales@carrieelspeth.com www.carrieelspeth.com

Miss Milly

Miss Milly, the British supplier of contemporary jewellery, has been beavering away, bringing to life new designs that focus on colour trends including combinations of bold colours with grey alongside natural tones for the season, such as cayenne pepper, peacock blue and moss green. Miss Milly is now in its third year and growing rapidly with mass appeal designs and purse-friendly price points. New finishes for the coming season are matt gold and rose gold plating, and combinations of these with matt silver. A full range of branded gift packaging is available as are acrylic display stands.

Tel: 01905 622509 Web: www.missmilly.co.uk gifts today 105

Courtsesy of Namaste

Wooden Gifts

Wooden it be good?

Gifts made of wood are long-lasting, durable and easy on the eye – this is a product category that just never seems to lose its appeal.

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ooden products have been a popular choice for presents for hundreds of years. The popularity of wood has sustained the test of time for several reasons, not least because it is now considered a classic material.

The long tradition of wood having many uses has allowed designers and manufacturers to explore a wide variety of applications.

Established uses for wood include photo and picture frames, kitchenware and home décor items, not to mention toys for all ages. The strength and longevity of materials such as wood have made it an appealing choice for consumers who are looking for durable keepsakes and value for money.

We asked a number of businesses for their views on this fascinating category.

When asked why she felt wood has a

they are engraved or hand-carved.

Joyte Brown of RJB Stone told us: “Our Sass & Belle Wooden Fox Coasters are mass produced, but each fox’s face has been carved so that every face is slightly different.

This individuality is recognised as particularly desirable and can regularly be found in wooden gifts. Many consumers choose engraved wood as a gift to mark an occasion for its sense of endurance.”

From a manufacturing point of view, wood is readily available and cost effective due to its strength. Add to this that modern machinery makes it relatively easy to produce, particularly on a larger scale and the result is that retailers are able to source a broad selection of well made, durable and well-priced products. Aesthetically, wood is incredibly versatile: From the

Aesthetically, wood is incredibly versatile: From the simple rustic charm of sanded wood, to baroque varnish or even painted wood, the effect can be incredibly different huge appeal Susan Grant of Widdop Bingham told us: “It’s a great way of bringing the beauty of the outdoors inside; it has a timeless appeal with no two pieces of wood looking the same; each specimen of tree produces its own unique look and it lends itself perfectly for both traditional or contemporary designed products.”

Sarah Dayus of Great Gizmos believes that “wooden toys are generally perceived as traditional and during the past year we have seen a huge trend in people moving away from battery powered and technological toys and towards more traditional toys with educational value.

Wooden toys last a long time and have plenty of play potential.”

Historically, a level of craftsmanship is required to create good quality wooden products: Although technology has revolutionised the manufacture of wood products to allow for mass production, there is still an established allure with wooden gifts, particularly if 106 gifts today

simple rustic charm of sanded wood, to baroque varnish or even painted wood, the effect can be incredibly different.

Are there specific trends in wooden products?

Joyte told us: “One very prominent trend for the coming season is a global fusion of pattern in bold colours – inspired by world travel, this trend encompasses Aztec and geometric prints, quatrefoils and chevrons. Our take on this is the inspiring Tribal Adventure range, which we will be showcasing this autumn, and our geometric Modern Morocco range, which we are expanding in response to popular demand. Animals are still a huge trend, especially safari and woodland animals, often shown with distinctly human characteristics. Our Happy Animals on Bikes are a great example of this trend, bringing humour and personality together and our Party Safari Animals are fun and represent true British humour.”

The interest in wood also means that companies want to be seen as eco-friendly so that in turn leads to the giftware market taking the global impact of the industry into consideration.

Susan Grant said: “Timber regulations ensure the provenance of the wood giving consumers a peace of mind.”

Sarah Dayus of Great Gizmos told us: “We carry a wooden brand called Plan Toys that is completely eco-friendly.

Each toy is sustainably manufactured and made from sustainable materials, including disused rubber trees, nonformaldehyde glue and water based dyes. The company is truly exceptional and customers are becoming increasingly interested in giving back to the environment.”

RJB Stone are not left behind as Joyte tells us: “At RJB Stone we take the responsible sourcing of natural materials seriously and we are always looking for new ways to maintain our business while minimising our effect on the planet. Currently, at least 25 per cent of our products, including our most popular photo frames and coasters, are manufactured using sustainable Mango wood, which utilises dead and otherwise wasted trees, whilst reducing C02 emissions.”

Did you know?

Are wooden gifts a passing trend?

Sue Grant thinks not: “In the same way that trees never go out of fashion. Its versatility means it can be transformed into almost anything.”

Sarah Dayus agrees: “We feel that with wood the design is often timeless and the play value is unlimited.”

Joyte concurs: “Wooden products have a timeless appeal: the pleasing aesthetic of a natural resource and the versatility of wood as a material, means that designers can find inspiration in wood. For consumers, bringing nature into the home and the traditional connotations associated with wooden products maintains a historical appeal and the durability of wooden products mean that consumers are happy to invest in them. For this reason, we believe that wooden products will always have a place in interior and gift trends.”

And we can’t say fairer than that…

• In 1958, Brio, based in southern Sweden, introduced its wooden toy trains with wooden tracks in Europe.

• The first Russian wooden doll set was made in 1890 by Vasily Zvyozdochkin.

• Rocking horses were not regarded as children’s toys until the 19th century.

• In the mid-1700s, jumping-jack figures known as “pantins” were popular among the French nobility.

• The EU has introduced legal measures to protect woodlands and forests, and now more trees are planted than felled.

Visit - www.ggtrade.co.uk or call us! - 01293 543221

SOFT

TOYS GIFTS and great ideas!

New for 2015 In stock now and ready to order! trade.bigjigstoys.co.uk bigjigstoys

@bigjigstoys

bigjigstoysltd

Wooden Gifts

Bigjigs

With more than 1,500 toys to choose from in the Bigjigs Toys collection even the most selective customer is bound to find just what they’re looking for when it comes to buying a gift.

New for 2015 are a troop of beautifully crafted Guardsman Skittles. This wonderful set will happily stand to attention until an accurate roll of the ball knocks them over. The new Rocking Pirate Boat has a similar price point and is just as entertaining with a colourful collection of stacking fish and the chance to introduce youngsters to the basics of balance.

For a special occasion the new Sunflower Cottage Heritage Playset is a gift that will fulfil every little one’s dreams. The charming doll’s house becomes a home with the addition of 25 pieces of furniture, six family figures, a pet cat and pet dog. A sheet of stickers is also supplied for customised decoration and an additional set of Home and Garden Furniture is available for even greater play potential.

One of the most popular gift choices are the Bigjigs Rail Name carriages, either as an addition to an existing rail system or as a start to a new one that can grow and grow! Made from wooden alphabet letters in one of six different colours, these delightful carriages sit perfectly on the back of the wooden toy train carriages and can be connected to spell out the recipient’s name. Each carriage comes with a magnetic coupling system that ensures they are compatible with all Bigjigs engines and other rolling stock.

Web: www.trade.bigjigstoys.co.uk

Classic Canes

Walking stick specialists Classic Canes have noticed a resurgence of interest in wooden walking sticks in recent years. Managing Director Charlotte Gillan explains: “Walking sticks are now available in many contemporary materials such as aluminium and acrylic, which are deservedly popular. However, we are also seeing increased demand for wooden walking sticks and hiking staffs again.

People are increasingly interested in the provenance of products and buyers especially like the walking sticks we grow and manufacture on site at our Somerset woodland. Wooden sticks somehow have more character and become much loved companions when used for many years.”

Tel: 01460 75686 Web: www.classiccanes.co.uk

RJB Stone

RJB Stone, the home of Sass & Belle, offers a remarkable selection of gorgeous wooden gifts and home accessories. Extending their popular Ashley farmhouse collection this summer, retailers are delighted by rustic wooden frames, coasters, boxes and letter racks adorned with delicate white hearts. Traditional wooden gifts such as dark wood frames and jewellery hooks are complimented by wonderfully quirky decorations and endearing animal coasters, designed exclusively by the company. From chalk boards to shelving units, in every colour and style imaginable, RJB Stone offers over 500 beautifully crafted wooden gifts and home accessories to suit every style and occasion.

Tel: 0207 346 0100 Web: www.rjbstone.com 108 gifts today

Gibsons

Producing high quality games since 1919, Gibsons have a wealth of experience in providing entertainment and quality through their extensive games range.

The wooden games range consists of nine games, which are tried and tested favourites that have been enjoyed all over the world for decades. Using only the finest quality materials and traditional craftsmanship, they are harvested with minimal cost to the environment and each product goes through an exhaustive hand finishing process, resulting in a smooth and polished finish.

In the range you’ll find classics such as Shut the Box and Chinese Chequers.

The range also includes the four much loved travel games, Travel Chess, Mini Shut the Box, Mini Tiddlywinks, and Mini Solitaire. Each travel game is almost half the size of the other games in the range and the box not only acts as storage for the pieces but has been designed to double up as a playing board, making the games the perfect travelling companion.

Gibsons also offer a deluxe range of games, including wooden Backgammon and Chess which are inlaid with walnut and maple. This range is pricier than the wooden games range but goes all the way in terms of luxury, presented in a faux leather case and containing weighted ‘Staunton’ pieces made from Kariwood and Boxwood. Presented in attractive, metallic silver packaging they are an ideal for the novice or more serious games player.

Namaste

Namaste have a huge range of wooden giftware and home accessories. New offerings for this season include a new range of wooden chests with drawers with a beautiful hand painted floral design. The image shows a lovely new shape ninedrawer chest, perfect storage for all those herbs and spices, little trinkets or just for hobbyists. The wood used is mango wood, which is a sustainable resource, these truly beautiful hand crafted ceramics are hand painted and hand fired which creates a products with a wonderful handmade feel. The range also has our bestselling six-drawer and 16-drawers chests as well as a new kitchen unit.

Tel: 01756 700790 Email: sales@namaste-uk.com Web: www.namaste-uk.com

Tel: 020 8661 8866 Web: www.gibsonsgames.co.uk

Great Gizmos

Eco-friendly gifts are more than catered for with Great Gizmos’ Plan Toys collection of colourful wooden toys. They not only offer quality toys that kids and parents love, but have the most robust eco credentials too. The toys encourage children to be aware of sustainability whilst also educating them about environmental awareness.

Plan toys use wood from rubber trees that no longer produce latex to create their toys.

Even the sawdust is moulded to make toys and the roots are burnt to make electricity for the factory and any excess electricity is given to the local community.

Ideal as a birthday present or a treat from mum and dad, the Plan Toys Pirate Ship is a large 35cm vessel that includes a sail, crow’s nest, helm, cannon and a pirate.

For eco friendly presents with an educational element, children can learn the history of Noah with the wooden Noah’s Ark. Plan Toys also offer a collection of wooden pull and push along toys, such as the Happy Puppy, Pull Along Zebra and Sorting Bus, which contains colourful shapes that children must push through the correct shaped hole, ideal for when learning hand-eye co-ordination.

Tel: 01293 543221 Email: enquiries@greatgizmos.co.uk gifts today 109

Wooden Gifts

Personalised Memento Company

Encourage children to develop with a personalised wooden toy from one of the UKs leading trade suppliers of personalised gifts, Personalised Memento Company. This wooden toy is perfect for stimulating children’s imagination, with its rocking frame and multi coloured beads wrapping around the cute dog character.

It helps to develop their motor skills and hand-to-eye coordination whilst still having fun! A name is engraved on the side of the item, the toy itself makes a precious keepsake for when they are a little older. The Personalised Memento Company offer many gifts on a same day despatch service including silver moneyboxes, teddy bears and this selection of wooden toys.

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

Edge Sculpture

Edge Sculpture is a unique style of sculpture that merges primeval emotion with that of pure animal instinct and prowess of stature. The portfolio has become increasingly more sought after and the depth of subjects touched upon more diverse. This has broadened ‘Edges’ appeal into many marketplaces with the impact of seeing them in the flesh seemingly furthering their allure.

Sculpted by Matt Buckley, this striking range is constantly evolving and they intend to premiere several of Matt’s new pieces, including some surprises, at this year’s Autumn Fair.

Autumn Fair, Hall 2, Stand G39.

Tel: 01952 884804 Email: sales@edgesculpture.com Web: www.edgesculpture.com

Joe Davies

Wooden Gifts have been one of the fastest growing categories over the last three or four years and Joe Davies have seen the sector grow exponentially over this time. Wood is a very flexible adaptable material and responds well to painting, laser cutting, printing and stencilling so lends itself to a vast array of products and at very reasonable prices.

Shabby Chic is the style that brought wood to the fore and the style is still incredibly popular. There is also a trend towards more rustic, natural looking wood and there is a return to ‘New York Loft’ style too.

Joe Davies will introduce hundreds of new wooden gifts at Harrogate Home & Gift in Hall Q (Stand Q50) The new Bird on Wood Series pictured is right on trend with a natural wood finish over printed with bird designs. The range comprises frames, trinket boxes and top-selling Tea-light holders.

Joe Davies best-selling Provence range has also been greatly expanded with a delightful new baby series and more occasion and sentiment frames. There are some lovely new wooden decorations too. With retail prices from £1.98, everything is available in small quantities ideal for independent retailers.

Tel: 0161 9756300 Web: www.joedavies.co.uk

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Namaste

The New Windhorse Windhorse is no more, but 30 minutes from Harrogate a veritable Aladdin’s Cave of Treasures awaits...

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indhorse sadly stopped trading earlier this year much to the surprise of many retailers and fellow wholesalers. It was sad to see a good company go but for those customers who want to continue to buy their funky and fun gifts you should check out Namaste’s new offering at Skipton, a short drive from Harrogate.

Namaste has taken over exclusive distribution of the rainbow mosaic range which was the consistent best seller for Windhorse. Their other best-seller was the fantastically cheerful rainbow ceramics range and Namaste are stocking this one too along with a large range of lightcatchers, Buddha’s, windchimes, animal carvings, candles, and other mosaics. The goods will be at sea and on their way this month.

During Harrogate Home & Gift Show week, Namaste’s showroom offers visitors a very warm Yorkshire welcome! Namaste don’t exhibit at the show itself but if you are tempted by the huge design-led range, up to 25% discount, excellent customer service & impressive stock availability then you will certainly be tempted by the cream teas and all day refreshments!

Just a short and beautiful scenic drive away from Harrogate, amidst the lovely

Yorkshire Dales National Park is the picturesque market town of Skipton and Namaste’s Showroom.

Harrogate week is also the time when Namaste launch their Autumn/Winter and Christmas Collections. In addition to the Windhorse lines they will be launching an extensive range of their own diverse designled products from around the world. The offering includes extensive ranges of Giftware, Soft Furnishings, Incense, Furniture, Clothing, Jewellery and Accessories.

Visiting the showroom is the only way to view one-off pieces and amazing clearance/end of line deals. You can also take advantage of extra Cash and Carry Discounts, for example a minimum order (only £150) attracts at least 5% discount (Proforma Payment) while an order of £2500, which is not difficult given the vast offering, attracts a 20% discount (Proforma Payment). An extra 5% discount applies to cash and carry orders and during Harrogate week this extra discount applies even if you can’t take the goods with you. Delivery is at Namaste’s expense.

Namaste is recognised by BAFTS, The British Association for Fair Trade Shops and Suppliers, as a fair trade importer. They really are the nearest thing to a fair trade one-stop shop and their focus on strong design led

Visiting the showroom is the only way to view one-off pieces and amazing clearance/end of line deals 112 gifts today

products is backed up by impressive stock levels.

The vast majority of their customer base is made up of their much valued independent retailers and their friendly sales team are striving to get to know each and every one of them and understand their individual needs. Some of their customers are fair trade specialist shops, but by no means all. They also have a growing number of garden centres, zoos, galleries, museums and visitor attractions featuring their products. Their aim is to provide handmade, craft made high quality products which are well designed and will sell on any high street as well as in specialist outlets. Fair Trade is central to Namaste but they recognised early on that only products that are well designed and competitively priced will really benefit the craftspeople who make them, as these are the ones that will sell and provide them with the next order!

They are also committed to minimising any environmental impact, using recycled raw materials and packaging where possible.

Wherever possible Namaste buy direct from the producer, maximising the benefits to the suppliers.

www.freedommatters.org.uk

Namaste firmly believe that trade is the long term answer to poverty; they also believe that aid to the developing world is important and are currently involved in two aid projects.

They are a long term supporter of the Esther Benjamins Trust and a relatively new charity called Freedom Matters. Both of these are Nepalese charities and after the dreadful earthquakes in Nepal recently it has become even more important to spread the word.

For more details please visit:

www.ebtrust.org.uk

If you would like to visit Namaste before the show give Namaste a call.

They have extended opening hours during the Harrogate Home & Gifts Fair 19-22 July 2015 as they are not exhibiting this year.

NAMASTE SHOWROOM SPECIAL 19TH-21ST 9.00AM - 8.00PM 22ND 9.00AM - 5.30PM The showroom is of course open all year Monday - Friday 9am - 5.30.

For directions or any assistance please call Namaste. Public transport options are also available.

Request a free set of their inspirational catalogues or register a wholesale account and order on their website www.namaste-uk.com.

www.namaste-uk.com Minimum order only £150 plus VAT • Free colour catalogues available.

SHOWROOM SKIPTON NORTH YORKSHIRE TEL: 01756 700790 EMAIL: sales@namaste-uk.com Home & Gifts • Incense • Home Furnishings • Furniture • Clothing • Accessories • Jewellery gifts today 113

Christmas Gifts

Ho-ho-ho...

It’s that time of the year when people spend money they don’t have on people they don’t like…

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or most people Christmas starts not long after Bonfire Night and ends usually in a mad rush buying presents on Christmas Eve. For businesses, Christmas can start as early as January! Joyte Brown of RJB Stone told us: “For RJB Stone, one Christmas ends in January and the next one begins in January! Retailers that tend to plan their Christmas gift stock in advance have the advantage of being able to plan their Q4 budget and ensure that they approach the season as prepared as possible.

“We have been processing Christmas orders since the spring and will continue to receive Christmas orders right up to early December. We offer discount rewards for early bird orders at trade shows and will be offering 5

majority view Harrogate as a perfect Christmas buying platform but buyers do buy later. It depends on the retail outlet or requirements of the buyer, this varies according to the outlet. Some will have a selection process to go through whereas others will wait to see trends, etc.”

Talking of trends what is in vogue this year? Sally tells us that at Lesser & Pavey they “are looking to meet many trends i.e. we have some excellent new light signs of Christmas wording as well as the Diva Christmas wine glasses.

We also have traditional items that sell well every year including gift bags. We produce stylish as well as practical gifts that will be used by the receiver.”

Sara Baines said that “home accessories and jewellery” are the items she is seeing people buying.

“Retailers that tend to plan their Christmas gift stock in advance have the advantage of being able to plan their Q4 budget and ensure that they approach the season as prepared as possible” Joyte Brown, RJB Stone per cent discount on Christmas orders over £500 at Harrogate H&G.” Retailer Sara Baines of Ewe & Me told us: “We ordered quite a bit at Spring Fair and then we will look at anything that is different. We would go to Gisela Graham, Archipelago, and see what they have that is new.”

Susan Grant of Widdop Bingham also commented about how this particular time of year is better managed: “Christmas takes some planning – and planning takes time. The sooner the retailer starts, the better the planning process and the better the end outcome. There’s no shortage of ideas for Christmas gifts. Serious buying will start though around June/July and will be completed around September.”

The situation is slightly different for Lesser & Pavey. Sally Pavey told us that the retailers they deal with pick a later time to buy their stock: “The 114 gifts today

Joyte also comments with regard trends this year: “We expect to see clear trends coming through in the giftware market this Christmas. The prevailing trend for sentimental gifts influences much of the design for this time of year: nostalgic designs, such as vintage prints, retro kids’ toys and familiar uplifting sayings will be a popular choice. For example, our kids’ tea sets and our sentimental sayings are expected to sell at an increased volume over Q4. We believe that consumers are more trend conscious than ever and are therefore more likely to seek out trend-based gifts. With this in mind, we are offering products that tap into the hottest trends of the season, while still providing consumers with the uplifting and sentimental themes that are popular at this time of year. Interestingly, gift bundles have become more popular, for example, a

matching purse, wash bag and glasses case, rather than mix and matched items is expected to be a buying trend for Christmas 2015.”

Susan Grant said that “fragranced candles, vintage-themed gifts and gifts that support a charity” are trending this year.

For RJB Stone, Joyte told us: “It is also worth noting that seasonal products, themes and colourways are also affected by occasions – at Christmas, wintery and warmer colours begin to sell in greater volume, as well as indoor products, rather than garden or outdoor accessories. We provide products that adhere to the season’s most popular trends- as a design lead company, this is of paramount importance to us, as we pride ourselves on providing highly desirable items that stand up to competition. Overall, with regards to buying trends, we see an increase in order quantities as retailers prepare for the shopping rush. We sell a greater volume of smaller items and in particular, sentimental and ‘fun’

products. Packaging can be important with regards to value added, but we tend to find that products speak for themselves and many wholesalers will need to increase their prices to cover the cost of packaging.”

Retailer Sara Baines said that nice packaging can make a difference but in her shop she offers free gift wrapping.

Of course there is no point being ontrend unless people are encouraged to go into shops to buy the products.

“Lesser & Pavey have a long standing reputation for providing original products, excellently designed, first-class service, quality, original and affordable pricing,” states Sally Pavey.

For Susan Grant placement of product in-store is key: “At Christmas particularly, consumers need to be able to quickly identify the key lines in store.

It’s no good hiding them away – tables with product highlights are a great way of attractively displaying lines even to the casual passer-by.”

So it would appear that for the trade every day is Christmas.

Did you know?

• The royal family exchange presents on Christmas Eve. • Every year the people of Norway give Britain a Christmas tree that is set up in Trafalgar Square.

• The first Christmas cards were commissioned

by Sir Henry Cole and illustrated by John Callcott Horsley in London on 1 May 1843.

• If you wanted to buy your pooch the most expensive dog collar for Christmas it would cost you $3.2m.

• In Japan a successful advertising campaign in the 1970s made eating at KFC around Christmas a national custom

e ll D 2 gat Ha nd 4 arro a St u at H o eY

Se

Every Christmas can be unique Your customers will love a product range that enables them to decorate the tree and ‘deck the halls’ with highly collectable, unique keepsakes.

GiftScribes have added more hanging decorations to the ‘Special Moments’ Christmas collection for 2015 and all are personalisable at the point of sale. This enables every individual gift to be thoughtful, personal and added to every year to create a very special, personal collection.

All product lines are available year round, supplied with hanging ribbon and manufactured to a long-lasting high quality, with attention to detail and a huge choice of themed designs.

Proven demand t Good margins t Small minimum orders t Personal service

www.giftscribes.co.uk Christmas

by GiftScribes Gifts

eMail: sales@giftscribes.co.uk Call: 01584 811 190 GiftScribes Gifts Limited, 31 Boraston Drive, Burford, Tenbury Wells, Shropshire, WR15 8AG

Christmas Gifts

Completely Independent Distribution

CID’s Christmas crew neck and knitted jumper range is set to be even bigger this year. They have some fantastic DC Comics Christmas jumpers for all the family, with favourites such as Batman and Superman, and there will be more titles released soon. Stand out from your friends in December with these cool Yuletide jumpers.

Tel: 0116 278 7273 Web: www.cidmerch.com

Ashleigh & Burwood

Just launching in The Scented Home, Ashleigh & Burwood present a new festive Mini Diffuser Trio. The set combines three complementary 50ml diffuser scents in a presentation box; White Christmas, Christmas Spice and the brand new heart-warming nostalgic scent, Christmas Time. The set is ideal for giving and perfect also as a present for yourself to get the home ready for festive entertaining, as three rooms are fragranced simultaneously.

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

Classic Canes

If the best Christmas gifts are ones the recipient will find useful, walking sticks from Classic Canes are a very practical addition to any retailer’s Christmas stock. With a range of more than 650 models, there is a stick for everyone, from folding canes for everyday use to glamorous formal canes to add a touch of pizzazz to Christmas party outfits. Many people collect walking sticks, so models with animal heads, or tippling flasks hidden inside, make an interesting and unusual present.

Tel: 01460 75686 Web: www.classiccanes.co.uk

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Christmas Gifts

Enesco

Joe Davies

A particular highlight this year is Joe Davies new Equilibrium Christmas jewellery. The range comprises tasteful earrings, pendants and brooches in sparkly Christmas coloured diamanté and silver plate. Equilibrium quality ensures that their pieces will be worn year after year to add cheer to the season.

Tel: 0161 9756300 Web: www.joedavies.co.uk

Designed by artist Natalie Kibbe, every hand-painted Bea’s Wee carries a heartfelt happy and affectionate message and is perfect for gift-giving and celebrating. There’s a whole host of enchanting new characters being introduced for June 2015 with a strong emphasis on the festive season.

From new mini and large Holiday Wees to a brand new Nativity set of three, as well as adorable new hanging ornaments which are made extra special with pearl and diamanté features, your Christmas is already more than catered for.

Worthy of special mention are the two new Mushroom Houses where the little Wees can now live and there’s even a Christmas Tree around which they can congregate.

But it’s not all about Christmas, as two new sets of Wees couples are being introduced too — the first set features a bride and groom (Happily/Ever After) and the other set, Always/Forever, can be used for weddings, engagements or anniversaries.

Tel: 01228 404022 Email: uksales@enesco.co.uk Web: www.enesco.co.uk

Personalised Memento Co

Dora Designs

For autumn 2015, Dora Designs launches a beautiful new Christmas Range. Designed in Aztec knitted fabric, the range consists of a Christmas Robin doorstop and a Christmas Reindeer in both a doorstop and a paperweight. This range is fun, bright, beautifully crafted and would make ideal Christmas gifts or as little treats for yourself.

Dora Designs will be exhibiting at Harrogate Home & Gift and will be located at DP2-18. They look forward to welcoming new and existing customers onto their stand and introducing you to all their beautiful new characters.

Tel: 01780 430188 Email: enquiries@ doradesigns. co.uk Web: www. doradesigns. co.uk

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Remember a special Christmas or simply decorate your home with a personal touch with PMC’s new personalised acrylic Christmas decorations. Available in a range of seasonable shapes with motif detailing, these personalised decorations make a beautiful addition to any tree or mantelpiece. The stunning acrylic makes it a practical decoration for young families or pets as they are durable and won’t shatter if dropped, so should last for many Christmases to come. This new product is a great addition to the range of decorations already available from Personalised Memento Company including wooden, metal and ceramic decorations.

PMC is the one stop shop for a truly personal Christmas and with their swift dropship service and large gift range, they are one of the UK’s leading trade supplier of personalised gifts.

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

Christmas Gifts

Usborne Publishing

This sturdy gift box contains the bestselling That’s Not My Penguin… touchyfeely board book and a luxury plush toy which has been made especially for Usborne, based on the illustrations from the book. All elements are produced to the highest possible standards, making this the perfect gift for any baby or toddler.

The That’s not my… brand is a household name amongst parents with young children, and Usborne are thrilled to be offering a quality gift offering to complement that, in time for Christmas 2015. There are more than 40 books touchy-feely books in the series, which was launched sixteen years ago, and the range continues to be one of Usborne’s bestsellers, with sales in excess of 12 million copies worldwide.

Tel: 07939 173 031 Web: www.usborne.com

RJB Stone

Introducing over 800 new gifts and home accessories to their already impressive collection of over 4,500 products, RJB Stone, the home of Sass & Belle, is putting the gift into giftware this Christmas. Embracing the latest trends and adding their undeniably unique style, RJB Stone delight retailers with their diversity and understanding of what makes giving special.

This autumn the company is launching exciting new ranges including the charismatically cute and uplifting Tribal Adventure and their sentimental Friends and Family collections, as well as offering classic gifts, including frames, mugs, decorations and on-trend personal accessories. Be inspired

by RJB Stone.

Tel: 020 7346 0100 Web: www.rjbstone.com

The Music Gifts Company

Christmas 2015 has just been made much easier with the launch of an entirely new brand of men’s gifts element. It has been created by the lovely people at The Music Gifts Company who have 20 years’ experience in designing gifts. The new range covers a wide variety of hobbies and interests including football, cycling, golf, rugby, tennis, cricket, sailing, fishing, motor-racing, darts and even drinking beer. If you’re looking for something different, this new range aims to fulfil your needs. Choose from twin-pack hankies (as pictured), socks, cufflinks, mugs and coasters, keyrings, pins and birthday cards. Stand DP4-50 Home & Gift Harrogate.

Tel: 01202 57 00 57 Web: www.musicgifts.co.uk 120 gifts today

GiftScribes

Being able to personalise any one of the exclusive, designled hanging decorations in the Special Moments Christmas collection - at the point of sale - is what sets GiftScribes Gifts apart. This transforms a thoughtful gift into a unique and special keepsake.

The large range of decorations on offer includes baby’s first Christmas, Santa, snowmen and reindeer for the children and seasonal sentiments for couples and families. This life line of choices ensures that these gifts become highly collectible as families grow from one generation to the next.

Tel: 01584 811 190 Email: sales@giftscribes.co.uk Web: www.giftscribes.co.uk

Shruti

Shruti launched a host of seasonal product stories in January in their newly extended dedicated Christmas showroom in Warminster. Home & Gift will provide customers with opportunity to see just some of their best-selling lines to add more sparkle and delight to the holiday season. Ranges will include, cosy blankets, country garlands, scented candles and twinkly lights. Fantastic lines for Baby’s First Christmas including felt animals, wooden decs, and a special cosy blanket... quite simply for sugar and spice and all things nice visit the Shruti stand at DP1- 14 or email: hello@shurtidesigns.co.uk for further information on our ranges.

Tel: 01985 847774 www.junction18.com

Lesser & Pavey

Wine glasses with a difference. Featuring four different designs of party girls having a fun time coloured in turquoise, pink, lilac and green and new for Harrogate are the Christmas girls having fun.

Each one individually gift packaged; two have slightly different shaped bowls, each one is hand painted and all come with 3D ‘boobies’.

The drinking glasses make for a fun gift and have various birthday messages – ‘Drink til he’s cute’, ‘Sip back and relax’, ‘TGIF – thank God I’m fabulous’ and ‘Why limit happy hour’.

Tel: 01322 279225 Web: www.leonardo.co.uk

Puckator

Puckator’s brand new Christmas Pugs & Kisses range is bang on trend and are must-have items for gift retailers this Christmas. The range includes gift wrap with matching self-adhesive tags, a variety of matchbook nail files with both a black and a brown pug design, and also an adorable air freshener with a festive spiced apple scent. Puckator will be showcasing this new design, and others, at the Harrogate Home & Gift Show in July (Stand: DP1-23), Top Drawer in London (Stand: D41) and also at the NEC Autumn Fair (Stand: 5K02-L03).

Tel: 0800 0116969 Email: sales@puckator.co.uk Web: www.puckator.co.uk gifts today 121

Christmas Gifts

Heaven Sends

Renown for Christmas, Heaven Sends has outdone themselves this year with a fantastic range of collections to suit every taste and every pocket. All of these themed collections are captured in their delightful new taster catalogue. One of their Angels will be more than happy to put one in the post to you… Just call or order one online at their fabulously new website.

Highlights are Winter Wonderland… a blizzard of white. Alpine (pictured)… with its natural simplicity and Enchanted Forest filled with crazy woodland critter.

So say hello to your Sales Angel and finalise your Christmas orders while stock is still available…

Tel: 0121 351 7457 Email: sales@heavensends.com Web: www.heavensends.com

Namaste

Namaste have added to their best-selling recycled aluminium ranges with three bright shiny new ranges, featuring new colours and new shapes. They are introducing a new red range in a lovely brushed finish, a new range in gold, olive and bronze which is equally stunning and a new range of dips and nibble trays on mango wood. These come in a range of shapes and sizes and also a beautiful mix of colours, they will happily sit alone or can be mixed in with existing ranges.

Namaste have a huge range of this recycled aluminium with enamel and it remains one of their best sellers year after year.

Recycled aluminium saves up to 90% carbon emissions compared to the production of new aluminium and it reduces land fill too. All items are food safe.

Tel: 01756 700790 Email: sales@namaste-uk.com Web: www.namaste-uk.com

Yankee Candle

Home & Gift with see Yankee Candle launch their season’s most festive home fragrance gift set collection.

Designed to sit perfectly beside the season’s new Baby It’s Cold Outside… and Cosy Inside collection, the 12 unique gift sets are decorated with a traditional, festive scene reflecting a snowy winter’s sky and the warm glow of cosy houses. Featuring stylish new designs, inspirational gift ideas and new innovations, the collection will ensure the coming festive season is the most scent-sational yet!

Tel: 0 1173 161 202 Web: www.yankeecandle.co.uk

Enesco

America’s classic sweetheart, Betty Boop, has been given a modern twist by international pop artist Romero Britto for Enesco’s latest launch, Betty Boop by Britto.

The launch collection encompasses figurines, ornaments, glass plaques and tumblers decorated in vibrant colours, bold patterns and the exquisite detail that characterise Britto’s popular pulsating style.

Betty Boop statue reveals the heroine in a glamorous dress and in one of her trademark flirty poses. The coquettish portrait of Betty Boop in a Santa outfit along with three Christmas hanging ornaments portraying her as an angel, within a holly wreath with her pet dog, Pudgy, and as a small sized version of statue pose, all make captivating seasonal gifts.

Tel: 01228 404022 Email: uksales@enesco.co.uk Web: www.enesco.co.uk 122 gifts today

New Products Exquisite design with Bababook

Bagabook gets ready to launch their latest special edition book bag this summer as part of the 150th Anniversary celebrations of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland.

Under licence with the British Library this exquisite design tells the story with the original illustrations by John Tenniel.

As publicity gains momentum, Alice is set to be amongst one of the hottest topics of 2015/16. Macmillan Books first published it in 1865 and has now produced a range of beautiful new editions to mark the occasion, so now would be a great time to get on board and offer your customers a book cover that would be an ideal gift for all ages.

Bagabook stylish book bags fuse fashion and practicality, allowing different size and thickness of books to be carried, with a fast closing magnetic clasp and a discreet back pocket to keep small personal belongings. Bagabook can offer the book lover a cover that rivals many of the electronic kind. Also ideal for notebooks, diary and journals, it’s a gift for all ages and occasions.

Their in house designs book covers have matching iPad pouches and tote bags in durable canvas with a luxurious georgette scarf. Available in Candy Stripe, Abstract Floral and Liquorice.

Tel: 0782 189 5381 Email: info@bagabook.com Web: www.bagabook.com

Oiled up with Puckator

Puckator have a wide range of home fragrance accessories including Oil Burners, Incense Holders, Incense Sticks and now a brand new range of Eden Fragrance Oils. These new oils can be ordered in packs of twelve, which come in an attractive display box. They are for use with Oil Burners, Lamp Rings, Reed Diffusers and Dried Flowers. Fragrances include Sandalwood, Lavender, Citronella, Patchouli, Jasmine, Ylang Ylang, Eucalyptus, Rose, Vanilla, Lemon and Lime, Orange and Strawberry. Go to www.puckator.co.uk to view the whole range of fragrance oils and accessories, or visit Puckator at Harrogate Home & Gift on stand DP1-23.

Tel: 0800 0116969 Email: sales@puckator.co.uk

Enchanting chinaware

Lesser & Pavey introduce William Kilburn designs of chinaware to Harrogate buyers.

This enchanting new range comes in red, green and blue and comprises of tier cake stand, fine china mugs, travel mug, Melanie trays, coasters and jugs.

Eye-cathching and practical, Lesser& Pavey are sure buyers will find this range irresistible as well as affordable with quality designs and presentation packaging.

For buyers not familiar with William Kilburn, he was an 18th Century illustrator, known for original watercolours that went on to be textiles and form part of the Kilburn Album that is housed at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Tel: 01322 29225 Web: www.leonardo.co.uk

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New Products

Complement any room Heyland & Whittle are proud to introduce their new fragrance for the Spring and summer months. Cherry Blossom, sweet cherry blends with warm amber and gentle vanilla, soft like a drift of blossom on the breeze. This collection would comple ment any room in your home.

The range includes the ever popular Reed Diffuser and Refill to fragrance a room, a Candle in a Glass and also in a tin. Both of which are made with a blend of sustainable soy wax for a clean and even burn.

Border Fine Arts – Enesco

Showcasing the talents of Border Fine Arts’ renowned craftsmen and women, Langholm Design builds on over thirty years of technical and artistic expertise in the giftware manufacturing and moulding industry, bringing you stunning, eye-catching collections in a range of different materials and finishes to suit any taste and décor, traditional or contemporary.

Six new bronze figurines are being introduced in the June 2015 launch which include: ‘Highland Bull’, ‘Highland Cow’ and ‘Highland Calf’ — which make up an appealing family group, as do, ‘Sitting Fox’ and ‘Fox Cubs’ — the final piece is an ‘Alert Hare’.

The bronzing effect of these figurines is achieved by coating the casting first with a black etching coating, then dusting the surface with a bronze powder suspended in a clear xylene enamel. Once dry, certain areas are highlighted further with the bronze powder until the item matches the exacting standards set by their designers.

Tel: 01293 525825 Email: www.sales@heylandwhittle.co.uk Web: www.heylandandwhittle.co.uk

Tel: 01228 404022 Email: uksales@enesco.co.uk Web: www.enesco.co.uk

Cats@Work

Area Sales Agent Northern Home Counties An exciting sales agent opportunity will become available from January 2016. Straits Trading Company Ltd and Village Candle UK Ltd are two well established companies in the giftware, home furnishings and home fragrance sectors. Both companies are looking for a sales professional who has a passion and expertise in working with these product categories.

The successful candidate will be offered an existing customer base to work with whilst actively seeking and developing new business opportunities and achieving sales targets. Full head office support will be offered to assist in this role including, but not limited to, Ipad sales presenter, attendance at major trade exhibitions, websites, biannual product brochures, samples and sales reports.

The territory includes Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Berkshire, Oxfordshire and London (north of the river).

To apply, please submit your CV and covering letter outlining your suitability for the role to: marvin.lomax@straitstrading.com

The new Cats@Work stationery and giftware collection from Enesco Gift introduces the witty comic strip style designs of American graphic illustrator and greetings card designer, Kathy Weller. As a young child Kathy loved to illustrate, and now her art and ideas have combined together in Cats@Work - a unique and humorous take on work life as seen through the eyes of a cat character.

Available as mugs, memo pads, and tumblers, Kathy’s dry, in-your-face proclamations are spoken by quirky cats with deadpan expressions. From mugs and tumblers with fun sayings such as ‘It’s Monday, Let’s do this’ and ‘At Some Point This Made Perfect Sense’ to a memo pad bearing the pithy ‘Not Happening K?’, the colourful Cats@Work encourages us all to laugh at our jobs and ourselves.

At prices under £10, the Cats@Work products are ideal as a gift or self-purchase. The entertaining sayings and bright illustrations will add goodhearted cheer to office environments or home work spaces alike.

Tel: 01228 404022 Email: uksales@ enesco. co.uk Web: www. enesco.co.uk

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New Products

Sentiments with Arora Design

A fabulous new range from the Said with Sentiment brand by Arora Design, featuring a jigsaw design which allows the consumer to build their family collection piece by interlocking piece. Designs include, Family, Home, Love, Mum, Dad, Son, Daughter and a special version containing photo frames so personal photos can be added. A fabulous collection which can be added to over time, from both gifts or self-purchases.

Each piece comes in a gift box, which also contains two wooden dowels so the consumer can choose to stand an individual piece rather than hanging it on the wall. RRP £9.99 for the printed items and £12.99 for the special photo frame.

Visit them at Home & Gift Harrogate Hall B Stand B23.

Personalised Me To You Bear

The Personalised Memento Company’s selection of plush toys now 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 one of the UK’s leading trade suppliers of personalised gifts.

Tel: 01386 861666

Tel: 01782 744 900

Email: sales@arora-design.co.uk

Email: sales@personalisedmemento.co.uk

Web: www.arora-design.co.uk

Web: www.personalisedmemento.co.uk

Fresh new designs from Elite Emma Bridgewater’s melamine has had an Elite make over. Launching at the end of June, Elite, the long term tin licensee will be wholesaling six refreshed designs.

‘Melamine has been part of Elite’s offering for many years now, always as an add on to our tinware’, said James, Elite’s MD, ‘We are really proud that Emma Bridgewater approached us to be their preferred partner and supplier of this product category.’ The melamine is a cut above, featuring two tone and heavy weight items, launch items are dining plate, bowl and beaker.

Tel: 01603418153 Email: info@elitetins.com Web: www.elitetins.com gifts today 125

New Products Inch Blue’s Cosy Cwtches

Inch Blue’s natural sheepskin boots make the perfect baby gift this winter. Each pair is hand-stitched and presented in a beautiful white gift box. Cwtch, pronounced “cutch”, is the Welsh word for cuddle which perfectly describes these luxurious booties. Doesn’t every baby’s foot deserve a cwtch…we think so!

Tel: 01495 311 123 Web: www.inch-blue.com

Snuggable with Puckator

Introducing the ‘Snuggables’ heated teddy range from Puckator. These adorable animal teddies have a heat pack inside them which can be heated in the microwave to provide a comforting warm cuddle! Each heat pack is made from a 100% polyester cover with a cotton inner filled with wheat and lavender seeds, perfect for relaxing. Each teddy comes in its own branded display box with full safety and usage instructions. To view Puckator’s full range of plush items, visit www.puckator.co.uk or pop along to their stand (DP1-23) at the Harrogate Home and Gift Show.

Tel: 0800 0116969 Email: sales@puckator.co.uk

First steps to drawing

T

he idea for Skinny Sketcher came about when mum and architect Gillian Logan found herself being her son’s show and tell during his school architecture topic. Unable to source an architectural product aimed at children and frustrated by the lack of quality drawing activities for boys and girls, she developed the range of step by step drawing kits.

Aimed at children age seven up, the self-contained kits include everything needed to produce fabulous freehand sketches. Each kit has beautifully illustrated step by step drawing instructions, tracing paper and a mechanical pencil.

The fun packaging is based on a skinny latte. Kids often covet their parent’s belongings and they love having their own “coffee cup” just like the one sported by sleep deprived adults in every park!

Featuring a variety of topics to capture children’s interests and get them drawing.

The range includes: 126 gifts today

Capture The Castle: Featuring: Inveraray Castle, Knight, Draw Bridge, Coat of Arms, Cannon and a Princess.

Architecture: Famous lookalike buildings including “The Gherkin”, “The Armadillo”, “The Cheese Grater”, “The Pringle”, “The Birds Nest” and “The Shard”.

The Fast And The Curious: Learn to draw a Campervan, Helicopter, Tractor, Boat, Motorbike and Plane.

Dinosaurs: Sketch a Pterodactyl, Stegosaurus, Triceratops, Ankylosaurus, Brontosaurus and T-Rex Butterflies & Blossoms: Draw Butterflies, Cherry Blossom, Sun Flower and a Rose.

London Flavour: Famous London landmarks, including The London Eye, Tower Bridge, Big Ben, Queen’s Guard, Telephone Box and London Bus. Each of the kits is priced at RRP £5.99 Tel: 0141 255 1988 Email: info@skinnysketcher.com

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Web: www.signature-gifts.co.uk Tel: 01582 464809