Gifts Today Nov/Dec 2018

Supporting your industry for 29 years Month: Nov/Dec 2018 Issue: 2 Volume: 30

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Contents

Regulars 6 8

News Giftware Association News Read our exclusive interview with GA Chief

November/December 2018

Executive Sarah Ward

12

Licensing News We discover why licensing looks set to be the business of the 21st century

p 18

Cover story 14

Personalised Memento Company With consumers constantly demanding more from the giftware sector, we discover what makes the UK’s leading personalised gifts supplier so successful

Retail 18

The Royal Opera House gift shop Following the ROH’s £50.7m renovation, merchandising consultant Emma Matthews tells

p8

Gifts Today team

the story behind the venue’s fabulous new store

33 Retailers’ Panel Gift retailers talk trading, special news and plans for the year ahead

Special Features

Editor Sally Norton sally@lemapublishing.co.uk

22

Gift Books With physical book sales up by five percent, we

Advertisement Manager

take a look at this exciting category

Mark Horsnell markh@lemapublishing.co.uk

24 New Products

Layout/Design Rick Vickers rickv@lemapublishing.co.uk

p 26

Opinion 20 The Insights People 28 Ross Hewitt 30 Julie Dodsworth

Group Editor Mirella Cestaro mirella@lemapublishing.co.uk

Group Advertisement Manager

Exhibition Guide

Ryan Horwood ryan@lemapublishing.co.uk

Head here for news, previews and the crucial

Publisher

information you’ll need for next year’s key shows

Mark Naish mark@lemapublishing.co.uk

Production Director Paul Naish paul@lemapublishing.co.uk

Managing Director Malcolm Naish malcolm@lemapublishing.co.uk

Lema Publishing Ltd

PUBLISHING

1 Churchgates, The Wilderness, Berkhamsted, Herts, HP4 2UB Telephone: 01442 289930

p 22

34 35 36 38 40 42 44 46 46 48 49

Top Drawer Spring Fair Ambiente Christmasworld Harrogate Christmas & Gift IHGF Delhi Fair Wales Spring Fair Scotland’s Trade Fair Giving & Living UK Exhibition Diary Worldwide Exhibition Diary

S/S 19

Image Credits: Broste Copenhagen | DOIY by Manta Gifts | Emma Johnson Ceramics | Sibilia

OUT OF THE ORDINARY

BREAKING BOUNDARIES, DEFINING TRENDS At Top Drawer we search the globe for an extraordinary and distinctive edit of design-led brands across the lifestyle spectrum so you can create an offering that is out of the ordinary.

Register at topdrawer.co.uk/GiftsToday

13—15 JANUARY 2019 OLYMPIA LONDON

Message from the Editor www.gifts-today.co.uk Instagram: @giftstodaysally

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

Giving & Living – to name just a few. Turn to page 34 to discover more.

I was fascinated to visit the Royal Opera House’s new shop in London’s Covent Garden

“

Although, for many, Christmas is about winding down and putting your feet up, for the gift industry it’s battle stations!

“

I

don’t know about you but, when it comes to feeling festive, it’s not the dark evenings or the towers of chocolate advent calendars in the supermarket that do it for me – it’s the Christmas ads on the telly. I love discovering what the big supermarkets have put together to tempt us to buy our turkeys, sparkly tops and gift sets from them rather than their competitors. I love all the discussion at home and in the office in the days afterwards – people can get quite heated when they discuss whether this year’s Sainsbury’s ad is like last year’s John Lewis campaign and so on.

As the Christmas season gets in full swing, we bring you the final issue of the year. Although, for many, Christmas is about winding down and putting your feet up, for the gift industry it’s battle stations! Our cover story this month is from our friends at Personalised Memento Company who, I have seen first hand, are super-efficient at this time of year, producing a huge range of personalised gifts – I do urge you to take a closer look at their story on page 14.

I hope business is good for you and the tills ring loudly and that, when the shop door shuts on Christmas Eve, you get chance to enjoy time with friends and family. Of course, this time will be brief because, once the needles have fallen off the tree, it’ll be show time and that’s where our annual Exhibition Diary comes in. It’s a great way to plan for the year ahead, to check out which shows will be best for you. We’ve got special previews for a huge range of shows, including Top Drawer, Spring Fair, Ambiente, Scotland’s Trade Fair,

p14

new products from leading giftware companies starting on page 24.

Gifts Today’s ad manager Mark Horsnell and myself would both like to thank you for all your

p38

following the venue’s £50.7m renovation.

Merchandising consultant Emma Matthews was brought in to fill the store with product, and we caught up with her for this issue to discover more. You can read our special interview on page 18.

In this issue we also take a closer look at Gift Books and I’m pleased to report that sales of actual paper books are booming, especially when it comes to younger readers. Whether you’re reading a print or digital edition of this magazine, turn to page 21 to read more.

As well as this, we’ve got a special interview with the GA’s Sarah Ward on page 8, an introduction to licensing on page 12, and a look at some wonderful

support this year – we love being part of this industry and we both wish you a very merry Christmas and a prosperous 2019.

See you next year!

NEWS

25th birthday celebrations for Caroline Gardner The brand is celebrating with a charity birthday card designed by competition winner 8-year-old Felicity Hull, with all profits going to Meningitis Now. Felicity’s card stood out not for only its personal meaning Felicity lost her own brother to meningitis when he was just seven months old – but also for its fun and bold use of colour.

The card will retail at £3 and is available now online and at the Caroline Gardner shop, 17 Marylebone High Street, London.

Royal approval for Wild & Wolf The Bath-based gifting company received The Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade 2018 trophy at an awards ceremony in its home city on 23 October.

The ceremony was held at Wild & Wolf’s headquarters on Manvers Street and HM Lord Lieutenant, Mrs. Anne Maw, and Deputy Lieutenant Edward Bayntun-Coward were both in attendance to present Wild & Wolf with the official glass trophy. CEO Paul Taylor was ther to accepte the trophy on behalf of the business.

First instigated by Royal Warrant in 1965, The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise acknowledge and celebrate business excellence across the UK. Wild & Wolf have been recognised for their excellence in International Trade, demonstrating substantial international growth in overseas earnings and commercial success within their sector. Founded in 2005, and now employing 150 people globally, Wild & Wolf create design-led gifts and lifestyle products across a wide portfolio of popular licensed and own IP brands.

Paddington celebrates 60th birthday at Hamleys Have I got stationery for you!

Magazine Stationery Matters was in for a ribbing when it appeared as publication of the week on an October episode of Have I Got News For You. Putting the stationery industry firmly in the spotlight, companies who were name-checked included Parker and A Gift From The Gods.

What a Groovy appointment!

Mike McGillion has joined Groovy UK as International Development Director, bringing a wealth of experience in licensed giftware and a proven track record from both Character World and Amscan, where he identified and led multiple international partnerships and acquisitions.

Founder Monique Scott says: ‘To now have Mike in the team, we have truly set the stage for success on both our national and global challenges’.

Mike confirmed: ‘I’m really excited to join such a fabulous team of talented people with a great selection of licences and products and be part of such a vibrant and unique business that is going to be experiencing major growth internationally’.

6 gifts today

Britain’s best-loved bear has taken centre stage in one of the world’s most renowned toyshops as celebrations take place to mark the brand’s 60th anniversary.

The Copyrights Group, Rainbow Designs and Hamleys worked together to launch a Hamleys Exclusive Paddington plush based on the Classic Cuddly Paddington.

Exceptional detailing includes the Hamleys brand logo embroidered onto Paddington’s left foot and a special Hamleys gift tag.

A striking window display throughout October showcased the brand new bear, while a special Paddington Day at Hamleys took place on Saturday 27 October. Anthony Temple, Rainbow Designs’ Managing Director said: ‘Paddington Bear is a great British icon and Hamleys is a great British toy store, so the two complement each other perfectly. We’re delighted to be joining forces with this prestigious store to bring fans and enthusiasts this striking celebration marking 60 years since the publication of the first Paddington book.’

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GA news Latest developments from The Giftware Association, the trade association serving the gift and home industry since 1947.

‘Join the GA to get your voice heard’ Sally Norton caught up with Chief Executive Sarah Ward to review the Giftware Association’s year and learn why she passionately believes that more of the gift industry needs to join the GA. She says it’s about working together to ensure all our voices are heard at the highest levels and, it seems, just a couple of hundred extra members could make all the difference…

I

f you’ve been to a trade show this year, it’s a fair bet you’ve seen the GA’s Sarah Ward – she’s been to 29 of them! She’s also visited Westminster and the Bank of England as part of her role, ensuring the voice of the gift industry is heard at the highest levels. She’s led a team that’s run a raft of successful Meet the Buyer events, been on hand to advise and support hundreds of companies, and has instigated a host of networking opportunities for all branches of our industry. As an Ambassador Member of the Giftware Association, I thought it was a good time to ask Sarah about the state of our industry and what we can all do to help support it through what could be some bumpy months ahead.

‘We need support to ensure our industry is around next year, in ten years and, hopefully, in 70 years’

Sarah, could you tell us about your visits to the House of Commons and the Bank of England this year?

The GA is the voice of our industry and it’s taken 18 months to get to the position where we are asked to attend events like the Genesis Initiative at the Bank of England. It’s meant we’ve been able to survey our members’ views and ensure they’ve had their say. I have people tell me the GA should be campaigning around what’s going on in the high street, and I can tell you that that’s exactly what we do – that’s my role!

because we know so many people we can connect with each other. We can tell people what kinds of exhibitors are likely to be at a show, to help people make the very important business decision about which ones to exhibit at. For instance we might advise some people to visit a show before committing to exhibiting, or to look more closely at regional shows that may be more relevant to them, or how to prepare a list of potential buyers to invite before the show opens.

Why do you need more members?

We are a fairly sizeable association at around 800 members, but if we can get to more than 1000, we’ll really have a voice. To be honest, we should have a lot more members. Our industry’s valued at £367 billion and yet GA members at Spring Fair would probably only fill a single hall. I’m specifically asking some of the bigger players to join, because I could invite them to come with me to Parliament and support me. We need support to ensure our industry is around next year, in ten years and, hopefully, in 70 years. The GA is a not for profit organisation and if I don’t have the funds, I simply can’t afford to go to Parliament. It’s not just about the discounts you get by being a member – though these alone make it worth joining – it’s about getting your voice heard.

What’s your take on trade shows?

Because we are visible, impartial and we know the organisers, we find ourselves giving advice by default really. We can be a great resource

8 gifts today

How have the Meet the Buyer events gone this year?

We set out to do eight events and we’ve done 12! Every single event has generated sales for our members and there isn’t a single buyer who doesn’t want to do another event – these are from companies like John Lewis and the National Gallery.

And, finally, what can we expect from Gift of the Year 2019?

Numbers are up again from last year and we have doubled the number of companies entering. The judging panel has dramatically grown and buyers really want to be a part of it because they know they’ll see new and different product before anyone else does. The winners will be announced on the Sunday evening of Spring Fair at the NEC and we’re inviting people to come and take a look for themselves. One thing I’d like to stress is that you don’t have to be exhibiting at Spring Fair to enter – we’ve chosen it because it’s an environment where most people in our industry get to be in one place at one time. I look forward to seeing as many people there as possible.

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NEWS

Q&A with Suzanne Chapman We caught up with Suzanne to learn more about her freelance buying service.

Get set for Museum Shop Sunday The initiative organised by the Association for Cultural Enterprises in the UK returns for a second year on 25 November.

Last year an incredible 125 cultural venues took part, seizing the opportunity to draw in new visitors. It’s a worldwide event, with an estimated 600 venues across ten countries set to take part this year.

The idea is that venues put on special events alongside discounts and promotions on the day. Last year, for instance, The Royal Albert Memorial Museum in Exeter gave away festive nibbles and offered a discount, resulting in a 30% increase in footfall and 38% increase in sales versus the same day the previous year. The Freud Museum in north London got involved, too, resulting in a 50% increase in footfall. Said shop Manager Iveta Rozlapa: ‘Museum Shop Sunday really helped us to connect with our local audience and spread the word about our gift shop.’

Suzanne, can you tell us about your new business?

It’s a freelance buying service, launched with one goal in mind - to add commercial value to businesses by sourcing and delivering a range of products to help drive sales. My clients get the opportunity to work with a leading retail buyer on specific projects. I worked in the textile and clothing industry for 11 years, before moving into buying for one of the largest garden centre chains in the UK for 10 years. I’m also a member of the GA, a wonderful association that has a wealth of connections and knowledge their support has been amazing since I joined this year.

What is so unique about your new business venture?

Not all retailers want, or can afford, to have a full time inhouse buyer. My service means that retailers can have as little, or as much involvement from me, based on what suits them. I can help with all aspects of the buying process, from the initial sourcing of product and negotiations, to just simply giving advice. I also work with suppliers, to share my experience and knowledge of what sells at what time of year, and highlight where they may have opportunities to add to their ranges. The product areas I specialise in are gifting, home fragrance, and home décor, but have worked across other sectors as well.

What other key services do you offer?

I can complete a full SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis of their business, from both a buyer’s and a customer’s point of view.

We have also built a couple of websites for smaller retailers who wanted to reach a wider customer base. suzannechapman.co.uk

Glee 2018 was a blooming success With garden centres increasingly becoming gift destinations, it was no surprise to hear that Glee 2018 welcomed more exhibitors, exciting new content, a new footprint and a strong visitor contingent that delivered across the board and drew praise from all corners of the sector.

As Glee’s Event Director, Matthew Mein explained to Gifts Today: ‘Glee was about arming retailers and suppliers with the tools, inspiration and knowledge to grow their businesses.

From a new look with engaging entrances that excited visitors from the moment they entered the show, new inspirational and educational features, bigger stands and a new footprint that incorporates five halls of the NEC. In total Glee 2018 welcomed in excess of 5% new brands to the show compared with 2017, and a 7% growth in our show footprint.

‘This year’s seminar programme featured everyone from Charlie Dimmock, Skinny Jeans Gardeners, Annabelle Padwick of Life at No.27, Lee Bestall to 10 gifts today

Royal Canin, the RSPCA, the HTA, Romeo Sommers of ByRomeo, Glee’s Retail Lab Trend Forecaster and Concept Developer, and AMA Research. The Retail Lab also returned for its second year, with visitor numbers to this area increasing significantly.’ The next Glee will be at Spring Fair, 3-7 February 2019, NEC, Birmingham.

Licensing

‘I believe licensing is THE business of the 21st century’ Gifts Today headed to The Licensing Academy at Brand Licensing Europe in October to hear the Introduction To Licensing session hosted by LIMA’s MD Kelvyn Gardner.

If you stock licensed gifts in your shop, but don’t know the full process behind the business, it’s worth seeking advice from industry experts Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association, the international organisation for licensing industry professionals. At the licensing trade show BLE, MD Kelvyn Gardner hosted a special session that outlined the nuts and bolts of how this fascinating and growing industry works. Here’s what we took away:

What is licensing?

‘Many members of the public are unaware of licensing as an industry, they just see products in store,’ said Kelvyn. ‘A pack of fromage frais featuring PAW Patrol characters in the supermarket is a licensed product, as is a polo shirt with The Open Championship logo on it.’

What’s the industry worth?

Retail and related revenue generated globally by the trademark licensing business in 2017 rose 3.3% to US$271.6B, according to results from the Annual Global Licensing Industry Survey. The biggest category is Character at 45%, encompassing properties springing primarily from feature films, TV shows, videogames and online entertainment. This is followed by Corporate/Brand (21%), Fashion (12%), Sports (10%) and Publishing (7%).

The UK is the second largest market at around $14 billion, with USA in the top spot at circa $150 billion, and Japan third at circa $13 billion.

Where did licensing start?

It started with Peter Rabbit back in 1904. Beatrix Potter was behind

the development of a plush Peter Rabbit toy in the same year the book was published. Other well-known characters got into licensing early. In Belgium, the first Smurf figurines were introduced in 1959, a year after the comic strip was introduced. And the first Noddy merchandise was produced in France in 1962, three years after the

Why buy a licence?

‘For every consumer product there’s a suitable brand. For every brand there’s the right consumer product’ character was created by Enid Blyton – though it’s worth knowing that the French name for Noddy is Oui-Oui and they probably wouldn’t believe you if you told them Noddy was English!

What goes on at BLE? People attend the show to buy and sell Intellectual Property (IP) rights. The Licensors are the ones who own the IP rights being licensed and Licensees are those who buy the rights to use on their own products. For instance, Disney would be the Licensor and Hasbro would be the Licensee.

There are also specialist Licensing 12 gifts today

Agents who can make these deals between Licensor and Licensee.

CPLG is a global brand-licensing agent, while boutique Rocket is a small independent. ‘Like an estate agent, a licensing agent doesn’t own the IP, but they can do all the business, including collecting revenue,’ said Kelvyn.

Kelvyn suggests there are three key reasons. Firstly to increase sales. After all a Doctor Who mug can bring in more revenue than a plain one. Secondly to increase your profile. A case in point is the Finsbury Food Group who are known for their expertise in creating licensed celebration cakes for a raft of supermarkets. ‘If you see a Top Gear or a Disney Frozen cake, chances are they were made by Finsbury Food,’ said Kelvyn. ‘In a way they are seen as owners of these brands.’ Finally, buying a licence is an alternative to developing your own brand.

Funnily enough, some of the best partnerships are not always the most obvious. Kelvyn named one of his favourites that’s not obvious at first but is a match made in heaven – the Star Trek Pizza Cutter, which allows you to boldly slice…well, you know the rest.

Kelvyn summed up by stressing his personal philosophy. ‘For every consumer product there’s a suitable brand. For every brand there’s the right consumer product.’ That’s licensing, in a nutshell.

Personalised Memento Company

The one-stop personalised gift supplier With consumers constantly demanding more from the giftware sector, we discover what makes the UK’s leading personalised gifts supplier so successful

W

ith the Christmas season well underway, the Personalised Memento Company are wrapping up a successful 2018 and looking forward to 2019. Next year is certain to bring new trends, opportunities and challenges, but the company remains positive that next year will be just as successful, if not more so.

January 2019 promises to be an exciting month for the company, as they launch their brand new trade website, which is a culmination of feedback from customers and months of in-house development. The new site makes it easier than ever to place orders, giving retailers more time to concentrate on what’s important to them. PMC have ensured that finding products is effortless and that the site

14 gifts today

can be used as both a trade portal and a customer-facing selling tool, giving retailers complete flexibility to sell in a way that suits them. What’s more, PMC have ensured their new site can be shown to customers directly, creating an in-store solution for personalised gifts. The company will also be offering a demonstration of how the new site works at Spring Fair on 3-7 February at the NEC Birmingham (Hall 4, stand E90-F91).

This fresh new look is well timed, as PMC is also celebrating its milestone 15th birthday in 2019. PMC’s product range has evolved greatly over this time, now offering something for every recipient, occasion and taste.

The company’s core team of staff has remained the same for a number of years, keeping expertise within the business and allowing PMC’s in-house personalisation and drop shipping model to be perfected. Automation has been incredibly beneficial to the company and has enabled PMC’s productivity and accuracy to improve year on year. High levels of automation have also meant that PMC can adapt easily to meet seasonal demand and maintain vital lead times.

Adapting to suit consumer expectations is now second nature to PMC. With the giftware market becoming increasingly trend-led, an agile response is required to deliver cutting-edge product. For 2019, PMC are introducing a variety of new personalised product to their range. This includes new licensed Rachael Hale, animal themed gifts, personalised wedding planners, personalised unicorn snowglobes, precious metal premium silver and rose gold jewellery, resin memorials, story books and chalk board countdown products.

PMC will be exhibiting all their

‘Highly skilled staff and accurate automation help PMC deliver an industry-leading personalisation and drop-shipping service’ exciting new product at 2019’s Spring and Autumn Fairs. These exhibitions offer current and prospective customers a fantastic opportunity to meet PMC’s team, to see the full range in the flesh and to get a feel for how it works. PMC’s open showroom event will also be running next year too. Keep an eye out for news on this!

With 2019 on the horizon, PMC are

In the spotlight Personalised Unicorn Snowglobe

PMC’s new resin unicorn Snowglobe is on course to be a bestseller for 2019. This glittery ornament is perfect for all unicorn fans.

anticipating another year of growth and are turning their sights towards brand new product ranges, the exciting launch of their new website and maintaining their position as the UK’s leading personalised gift supplier.

PMC’s range of fragranced and flame gifts include their bestselling scented jar candle, geometric reed diffuser and pillar candle

What’s behind the success?

PMC’s in-house design and production teams are a huge factor in the company’s continued success, ensuring PMC stay ahead of the curve and provide their customers with a marketleading choice of personalised gifts. We sit down with their team and take a look at how the company achieve this.

Felicity Colbert

Photography and New Product Co-ordinator How do you ensure your product photography is fit for a variety of customers?

We are constantly updating and evaluating our photography and images to make sure they are of high quality and clearly show both the base product and the personalisation featured. With over 6000 products now on offer, it’s vital that everything is up to date with a fresh and modern look.

To achieve this, we’ve moved towards a stripped-back style of photography, which makes products more versatile for multiple categories and sellers. We strive to ensure our product photography

really stands out from the crowd, particularly in such a busy sector as ours.

The addition of product previews for larger customers also ensures that consumers have greater confidence in placing orders, as they can get a really good idea of how their gift is going to look. We’ve been working hard in-house to ensure this feature adds value to our products, and we’re really excited to see it in action on our customer’s websites.

How has PMC adapted to the latest trends with its new products?

We are extremely proactive in developing new ranges in line with emerging trends. This, combined with working closely with our customers, ensures our finger stays firmly on the pulse.

Expect to see lots of colourful

new geometric and licensed designs arriving in 2019.

We are constantly reviewing our range, to ensure that every recipient and occasion is catered for. We’re quite proud that customers are always getting the best that we have to offer!

How has your role developed since joining PMC? I originally joined the company in their customer service department, and then gradually took a more active role in imaging products for the website. Now I spend most of my time imaging all of our brand new products and designs as well as re-evaluating and improving the photography for our older products. I also help to create our weekly newsletters and monthly product roundups. This is just one of the ways that we keep customers up to date with our newest products and updates. gifts today 15

Personalised Memento Company

With this, we’ll also see more geometric and abstract alternative designs that focus on strokes, spots doodles and patterns.

We’ll also see a range of offbeat, bold designs that are fun to look at and make an impression. This type of design works particularly well with personalised gifts, where thinking outside the box always makes for a unique product!

Lucinda Dono Studio Assistant & Artworker

What designs or trends will be big for 2019?

Colours such as mustard yellow, coral and aqua are set to be big for spring/summer 2019.

Dan Wintle

Internal Design Liaison What processes do new products go through to ensure they’re fit for market?

When new product comes in,

16 gifts today

What are the key considerations when designing a new personalised gift or range?

In the first instance, we always consider the audience and ask ourselves, ‘who would buy this and who is this product aimed at?’ Trends are taken into account and particularly, how we can put a unique spin on it. Next, we look at colours and theme, as often

we initially test it on a variety of processes that are thought to bring out the best in the product.

The product and its process are then looked over by the new products, sales and production teams to ensure everyone is happy. Only then does it go to production.

We often do a wider trial of the product or process in the production environment to ensure everything runs smoothly and that the product can be produced within our lead-time structure.

It’s particularly important that we can personalise products on a fast turnaround, as our customers have come to expect this. We also use this opportunity to ensure that quality remains consistently high at all times.

certain colours are proven to work for specific occasions and recipients. Important elements we also consider are also motif, illustration, message or sentiment, typography, material and finish.

Perhaps most importantly, we look at whether the design is suited to a range of products,

which can offer more versatility and be gifted for a bigger range of occasions or recipients.

We often work to a broad brief, which allows room for creativity/ ideas. This freedom means that our customers are always getting the best designs possible.

In the spotlight Personalised Black Wash Bag

This Personalised Black Wash Bag is perfect for storing a variety of skin and haircare products.

What’s the best thing about working at PMC? Some of the best things about working at PMC are seeing new processes and equipment be developed, (and evolve with imaginative new uses), working with a variety of interesting technologies and the freedom to experiment with new products and processes. Management are always keen to help develop our skills and to ensure that opportunities for long-term growth are always nurtured.

What’s in a typical day for you at PMC? No day is ever really typical! There are always new challenges and products to work with.

My days are usually split with

part of my time being in the office, helping the design team with designs for products and working behind the scenes on the technical aspects of personalisation.

A significant portion of my time is also spent testing new products on our range of machines. This includes choosing the best process for the product and looking out for any problems and trying to overcome them. It’s such an interesting job because of the variety.

Visit PMC at Spring Fair 3-7 February 2019 Hall 4, stand E90-F91

instyle

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BRING InStyle is a new jewellery & accessories feature in Gifts Today.

T HE BLON We’ve created these pages in response to demand from lots of ING! our readers – in particular, retailers who are looking for on-trend YOUR ranges for their shops.

S HOP, We had a soft launch in our October 18 issue, with a special flip YOUR cover, an interview with a John Lewis jewellery buyer and lots STYLE and lots of lovely product. As well as expert comment and a look at upcoming trends, we created specially tailored editorial An advertiser says… for our advertisers on our ‘It was great for byEloise London to be featured in the new InStyle section stylish pages. of Gifts Today. I particularly enjoyed reading Sally’s interview with Enni Charlton, the John Lewis jewellery and watch buyer. Showing next year’s trends, it was very insightful. InStyle is a great way to give accessories and jewellery their place in Gifts Today.’

Get involved

Charlotte Drew, wholesale manager, byEloise London

A retailer says…

from as little as £150. Get in touch to find out more.

‘Jewellery is a continually growing area of our shop and as an independent it is really important that we offer variety and plenty of new designs. InStyle is a really easy read (lifestyle photos make such a difference) and is going to make it even easier to source the new pieces and suppliers I need to keep my offering fresh.’

Tabi Marsh, Director, Papilio (Heritage), Thornbury, Bristol

Designed to make you look great Our readers told us they loved the design of the Daily News, the official paper of Harrogate Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival created by the team here at Lema Publishing. In response, we’ve used this design to showcase our advertisers’ fashion and jewellery ranges – and the feedback has been great! instyle retail

instyle retail

Jewel in the crown When it comes to bringing on the bling, John Lewis & Partners has it covered. Editor Sally Norton caught up with Enni Charlton, jewellery & watch buyer, to discover what’s she’s buying, future trends and what the independent can learn from this high street favourite.

Head to any trade show these days and pretty soon you’ll spot one category that

came back from maternity leave a year and a half ago, the jewel-

seems to be getting more floor space every season – jewellery. There’s so much variety

lery buyer role happened to be vacant and I jumped at it! I absolutely love jewellery and, as a female, I’d say that jewellery really is my dream buying category. I’m

out there, and such a wide range of price points, that there really is something for every store – so long as you know what to choose! With this in mind, we asked buyer Enni to spill the beans on how the JL jewellery team go about curating the perfect selection across their 50 stores as well as online.

Enni, what was your career journey to becoming jewellery buyer?

I’ve been a Partner at John Lewis for around 15 years now, covering a few roles including buying for electricals and sports. When I

‘All types of earrings are doing really well and I think this is partly because of the whole social media trend for selfies’

part of a team of nine and my main role, alongside my senior merchandisers, is buying jewellery.

Is there a typical John Lewis jewellery customer?

To be honest it varies, and we really try to cater for a huge range of customers and occasions. We’re definitely seeing a trend towards brands that have a more modern, younger feel, and these ones are selling really well.

Daywear is also important and we have to be sure we hit the right price point for the everyday and that’s where our own John Lewis range comes in. Mind you, people also come to us for special occasion purchases for events like engagements and weddings, so we really do have a lot of

Does your jewellery offering vary from store to store and online?

Other than our secondhand range, our strategy is to offer the same range across all stores, dependent on their size. We give the same range to most of our stores, apart from some of the higher-end pieces

different customers. Overall, we try to create a balance, with a service offering, quick pick ups for those who just want to get something to match an outfit, and our top-of-the-counter ranges.

Where are sales strong at the moment?

All types of earrings are doing really well and I think this is partly because of the whole social media trend for selfies. It’s all about the face, and earrings really stand out.

Resin earrings are doing well for us as statement pieces, often for the older market. Costume jewellery is definitely a growing trend for us, and I don’t think that’ll be very different from everyone else.

We do well with finer pieces for our younger customers and we find that they’re definitely coming to us to buy the more on-trend pieces, such as fine necklaces for the current layering trend. We also find that hoop earrings aren’t going anywhere and really bring the younger market to our doors. One of my personal favourites is our new Modern Rarity range and I’ll be asking my husband for some beautiful hoop earrings with diamonds for Christmas.

Our top-of-the-counter boxed ranges are also popular because they’re so accessible to our customers. When you’re in a rush and not relying on service, they’re a great way to pick up a gift or self-purchase.

instyle Looking ahead to SS19, what do you think will be the big trends?

I don’t think earrings will fail and we will be still focusing predominantly on the ears. We’re going to test and trial selling single stud earrings, and we’ll be seeing a lot of ‘crawler’ earrings coming through.

I also think the layering of necklaces will continue to grow, as it’s incredibly popular on social media and in the glossy magazines. This trend is where shorter necklaces are worn with longer ones, and we’ve spotted people starting to buy two or three of the fine type to get that look.

Premium watches do really well

to some stores where we know there’s that premium customer base. And, in terms of styling, we keep it consistent, meaning for

for us, too, especially at Christmas, and attract the traditional John Lewis

instance there will always be a selection of rose gold in all our stores.

customer, perhaps because they have a lot of heritage behind them. We also

We also have the same offering in store and online. If you’re a customer, you’ll

find that people are really going for lifestyle pieces and that’s why some of the watch brands like Olivia Burton and Daniel Wellington are doing well.

I mean, if you’re already wearing a watch, why wouldn’t you want to match it up with some jewellery?

How do you decide what items to offer?

As buyers for John Lewis, we try to curate a range rather than simply offering everything within a range. That’s because we like to make the choice as easy as possible for our customers.

COSY UP

Indulge in a sense of luxury with soft wool and softest chambray. Inside or out, there’s plenty to help you keep warm and toasty on cold winter days. These are styles your customers will love.

The founder of Joma jewellery tells us about the brand.

As you start to add new brands, look at what you already have and try to offer something different – there’s no point adding something that will take away sales from your current brands.

Review every season and look at performance. If a brand isn’t doing well or there isn’t a demand for it, consider working with the supplier to see what you can do.

If demand tails off, then start looking at new brands to replace it. Finally, keep a close eye on your competitors to see what they’re doing.

want to see a product in store if you’ve seen it online, to hold the silver against your skin tone, to see if it suits you. That’s important for us because we want to minimize returns.

Where does most of your inspiration come from generally?

We do go to most of the shows like International Jewellery London, Top Drawer and so on. We also get approached quite a bit from potential suppliers. However, social media plays a huge part. We look at people’s branding, their followers. It’s not just about the products now, it’s about being a retail brand. You need to cut through the noise these days.

What are the big trends for AW and Christmas 2018?

Brooches are set to do particularly well for autumn/winter, particularly as younger audiences are now opening their eyes to them having seen them on the catwalks and in magazines. Resin will continue to do well and, I think, animal print resin in particular will be popular – especially on earrings.

Trend

Q&A Katie Loxton

What advice would you give to the small independent retailer when putting together a jewellery offering?

Start with one brand to ensure you don’t split your focus. Look for a brand that stands out, that tells a lifestyle story. Try and see it from a customer point of view, and consider what’s going to make an impact and what you can do to support that.

Get in touch If you’d like to talk about advertising or editorial, we’d love to hear from you. We run editorial for all our advertisers, and there’s also the opportunity to simply buy speciallytailored editorial for your brand.

Katie, what was the inspiration behind the range?

We saw a gap in the market for fashionable, contemporary products with meaning and heart behind them.

PoM

Which products are your bestsellers?

The ‘A Little’ bracelet was an instant hit as soon as it launched.

Carefully crafted and designed to be collected, stacked and gifted, we now offer over 300 designs and it’s continuing to grow.

The company’s autumn/winter collection is brimming with new arrivals, timeless classics and on trend must-haves. Scarves, wraps, hats and gloves go bold with tactile textures and spiritlifting pops of colour.

pom925.com

Where are your ranges stocked?

We work with high-end independent gift stores, some garden stores and also John Lewis, Fenwick and other department stores. We are now stocked in over 3000 stockists worldwide.

Yawn

What are the benefits of keeping design in-house?

It gives us complete control, end-to-end, of our products and also allows us to react quickly to trends and sales. We are a team of over 15 designers, now covering product, graphic design and digital.

loveyawn.com

The young British nightwear brand has a mission to help women relax and feel good. With PJs this luxurious, staying in is definitely the new going out! Check them out.

Yawn

What’s going to be new for AW18 and SS19?

We’re really excited to launch our Signature Stones collection. Each piece showcases real semi-precious stones and is finished with a sentiment bar, to make it that extra bit more personal. jomajewellery.com

PoM

Bring on the bling!

Joe Davies have seen huge growth in their popular Equilibrium collection of jewellery and fashion accessories. Now with over 2000 designs, the range has something for everyone.

Beautifully packaged and fabulous quality. joedavies.co.uk

YOUR ADVERT HERE

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Media Solutions Manager: Simon Davis simon@lemapublishing.co.uk Call: 01442 289940 Editor: Sally Norton sally@lemapublishing.co.uk

Retail Profile - Royal Opera House

Night - and day - at the opera Following a £50.7m renovation, The Royal Opera House in London’s Covent Garden now opens its doors every day from 10am to let the public in to drink, play – and shop – in its beautifully refurbished spaces. Editor Sally Norton caught up with the ROH’s merchandising consultant Emma Matthews to discover the story behind the fabulous new store

S

tuffy opera buffs beware!

That bastion of high culture, the ROH, is waving goodbye to its elitist image and welcoming the public through its doors without needing to buy a ticket to a performance. One of the stand-out features is the stunning new openplan shop designed by Drinkall Dean and, having already seen a significant increase in footfall, it looks set to be a destination for people to browse, buy and own a little piece of the Royal Opera House for themselves.

Emma Matthews from the Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester was brought in to develop the buying strategy and to support the new ‘open to everyone’ ethos of the new store. With a background in buying womenswear for high street retailers, Emma moved into the cultural sector in 2015. Here

18 gifts today

she shares her thoughts on the new ROH store.

Emma, what was your overall aim as merchandising consultant in this store?

My main aim was to bring a fresh new concept to the store. The Royal Opera House believes that opera and ballet should be experienced by everyone and we are excited to welcome audiences and customers to the store.

What do you think is so special about the new store?

The theatrical heart of the building is clearly referenced in the open-plan retail space that was designed by Drinkall Dean. The shop units sit on grand piano wheels, while the wooden merchandise benches are a nod towards the equipment found in the

ballet studios. The book displays take their reference from music stands. The materials used in the shop build mirror those used by the architects throughout the new spaces. Our exciting new product range includes collaborations with some sensational emerging designers whilst encapsulating the spirit of our theatre.

Do you have to be an opera/ballet lover to find merchandise in the store?

No! We have a wide range of products that act as a great introduction to the art forms, whether that’s DVDs, books, stationery or products inspired by the fantastic craftsmanship of the artisans working at the Royal Opera House.

Swan Lake that closed The Royal Ballet’s 2017/18 Season as we expect this collection to have lasting appeal.

What are the price points across the shop?

Prices start from 50p and 70% of the range is less than £50. We also stock a number of limited edition items including a bespoke quilt made by the costume department using Royal Opera House fabrics from past productions.

What about the specially commissioned items you have introduced?

We commissioned Melanie Smith from ‘Story’ after I saw her work at Pulse. Melanie has developed a bespoke Royal Opera House ‘Behind The Scenes’ map to excite and educate our younger audience members and visitors. The ‘WalkIn-Story’ book is based on the Royal Opera House and includes a map and story cards to encourage children to create their own opera and ballet narratives. We have also used Melanie’s designs for a range of children’s stationery.

‘The Royal Opera House believes that opera and ballet should be experienced by everyone and we are excited to welcome audiences and customers to the store’ What was your inspiration?

The archive collections are obviously a huge inspiration but, as with any well-established organisation, commercial usage rights can be a challenge. We have only just begun to showcase some of the collection but it is exciting that we have a constant supply of material to take inspiration from! I was particularly inspired by a tour of the making departments and we have tried to bring a little of that magic into the shop.

Which trade shows do you visit to source merchandise?

The usual London trade shows including Pulse, Top Drawer and Design Junction, but I also like Maison&Objet in Paris as a destination for interesting homeware.

Could you give an idea of the mix of merchandise in store?

What we have tried to do with the new shop is readdress the balance and future-proof ongoing business by introducing a wider offer of gifting products – something for everyone regardless of age, price or interest.

You can now find the ultimate gift for friends, family or colleagues.

As well as a core range, do you also offer specific ranges to coincide with specific events at the ROH? Absolutely. At the start of the Season we look at which productions we expect to have the most commercial appeal and longevity. We recently developed ranges in collaboration with John Macfarlane using his stunning designs for the new production of

How important are licences to your offering?

It’s a really important and interesting part of the retail mix that we are looking to grow. The addition of the ROH crest to a product can be very powerful, within the UK and across global markets. Licensees help us extend our brand and create additional revenue for our charitable activities.

We have collaborated with a number of emerging talents and some established designers including Scottish design duo Timorous Beasties who have created a bespoke illustration which features on a collection of ceramics, textiles and accessories.

The design layers Timorous Beasties’ signature silhouettes and richly garlanded flourishes with architectural, dance and orchestral motifs inspired by the Royal Opera House and its various art forms.

We have also worked with emerging men’s fashion designer Rory Hutton whose bespoke designs for us include a capsule collection inspired by Wagner’s The Ring Cycle. Each of our collaborations tells a very interesting story and at the Royal Opera House we are all about storytelling.

It would have to be some of the work from our very own costume department. The bespoke cushions and quilts which feature fabrics from Royal Opera House productions are exquisite. Each item is utterly unique and has such heritage, making them a very special purchase and one to certainly treasure.

What do you love most about the new store?

Drinkall Dean have done an amazing job designing the space and I love the way we have managed to evoke the spirit of the theatre in the new shop that feels like an integral part of the new spaces.

If there were one item in the shop you could take home for yourself, what would it be? gifts today 19

Consumer Insights

Kids Insights have teamed up with Gifts Today to look at the changing shape of kids’ Christmas presents. CEO Nick Richardson, CEO of The Insights People, explains more.

Unwrapping the changes in Christmas presents

T

his quarter, we focused on identifying the changing shape of kids’ Christmas presents – by asking 5000 4-18s about what they would like for Christmas.

From our data we know that nearly two thirds of all 4-year-olds own a tablet and half of 10-year-olds own their own mobile phone, meaning this generation of connected miniconsumers have far greater access to information than ever before, and as a result are far more knowledgeable about the presents on their wish lists – often providing an exact specification to their loved ones!

As expected, collectively Toys are the overall top gift that 4-12 children are asking for this Christmas. Although, for boys, video games are a very close second. At this age LEGO is the favourite toy of boys and girls alike. Our data does show, however, that LEGO is

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considerably more popular with boys with over 25% making this their first choice and their second choice toy - Paw Patrol branded items – achieving only 7.5% in comparison.

For girls, the percentage lead is far less. LEGO leads with just over 11% of girls, with second favourite Barbie close behind with 10% Whilst Toys still hold the majority favour for 7-9-year-olds, with just over 40% wanting them as presents, video games double in popularity as priority Christmas gifts at this age, indicating the steady transition from toy preference to video games.

Curiously, we see LEGO-based video games occur in the top 10 favourites from ages 4 up to 12, which demonstrates how some brands are building such engaging ecosystems that some children’s individual microsystems are becoming solely dominated by one or two pastimes.

We also know that girls aged 4-12 favour brands such as Adidas, Nike, and prefer retailers such as New Look, Next and Primark – meaning that it should come as no surprise that clothes and fashion items are the second most hoped for gift by girls, followed closely by books, chocolate and sweets.

Boys between the ages of 4-12 live in a far more focused ecosystem.

Their interests are less varied than girls and tend to focus on gaming and football – in fact 36% of all boys aged 4-12 in the UK say one of those is their favourite.

Gaming has just become the 7th

favourite hobby of girls aged 4-12 this quarter, and video games are the 5th most asked for present. With 38% of 4-12s owning their own console, it is no surprise that video games are scoring high – though in a world where computer games are increasingly downloaded it will be interesting to see how video game brands bring back the tangibility to gift purchasing.

Looking specifically at teenagers, cash is now the overall most wished for item, though boys still prefer

“

The changes in kids’ attitudes, behaviour and consumption is for all to see, but few understand

”

video games. Video games such as FIFA, Fortnite, Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto are all some of 13-15s current favourite games.

We also see older teenagers show fondness towards experience-based presents, once the numbers for concert and live sport tickets plus day trips/holidays are combined.

Considering that cash becomes increasingly popular as a gift option from the age of 10 and is the most popular option for 16-18-year olds,

it is also worth considering where children themselves spend their money.

However, we are seeing some significant opportunities for the gift category to develop for this generation of children. In the last 18 months we have seen how YouTube has transformed the screen to a destination, one where children go to passively consume information to become a gateway to inspire and educate them. Our data identified the slime phenomenon last year and we have also seen the popularity of Arts & Crafts increase, which if brands and retailers can develop the right approach – there is no doubt that there is a significant opportunity which at present remains untapped – and that is where we help our growing list of clients.

Kids Insights are the UK’s most comprehensive and dynamic market intelligence on all things kids, tweens and teens – surveying more than 400 different children every week (20,000 a year) For more information and to receive a free report visit: kidsinsights. co.uk/giftstoday

Freepic

Gift Books

Give the gift of reading With the UK publishing industry reporting a record-breaking year and sales of physical book sales up by five per cent, it’s a great time to stock up on gift books – especially for the little bookworms in your life.

W

hen it comes to reading, parents are driving the trend for reading real books, turning to books for family time and a break from screens and social media. In fact, according to research firm Nielsen, children’s book sales in the UK have grown by 23% over the last five years, with parents clearly valuing books for their children.

In fact, according to a new survey of 1000 parents for the Baby to Toddler show, 85% believe that teaching their child to read as early as possible will benefit them later in life. According to expert Dr Robert Titzer, ‘reading can be a great time to bond with your baby while helping them learn new words. The number of words taught to a baby by 18 months of age predicts how many words the child will know at later ages.’

Books, especially gift books, need to be seen in the flesh to appreciate the paper, the finishes and the special touches like foil and ribbons. When it comes to publications from the likes of House of Marbles, you can’t recreate a gift book digitally because you need to handle it to really appreciate its true quality. The company offer a huge range of titles for adults and children – there really is something for everyone in their range.

Commenting on the rise of total physical book sales to £3.1bn, Stephen Lotinga, Chief Executive of The Publishers Association says: ‘Export income has increased significantly and this increase is testament to the high regard UK publishers, authors and their work are held in around the world – and the continued appetite of readers for them.’

A good read!

House of Marbles

Look no further than the House of Marbles for a massive range of unique gifts books for children and adults. Their collection is packed with a high-quality selection of titles, including early learning, activity and education through to humour and puzzles for grownups. Each book has been handpicked by the team to offer the very best in entertainment and value so it stands out from the crowd.

For Christmas they have a special assortment of festive-themed books, including Trump’s Christmas Carol and The Jolly Christmas Postman. This eye-catching collection is set to be in huge demand and will make wonderful gifts that can be shared with family and friends over the Christmas season.

You’ll also receive plenty of help with your shop displays with lots of counter packs and display stands available to maximise the impact in store and show off the ranges. If that wasn’t enough to tempt you, all the titles can be ordered in small quantities and carriage paid orders start from only £150. You can register on the company’s easy-to-use website to see the full range and gain access to their latest online-only offers.

Call: 01626 835358 Email: uk@houseofmarbles.com Visit: houseofmarbles.com/tradeuk gifts today 21

Gift Books

A book for Christmas

Personalised Memento Company New this year from the Personalised Memento Company are their adorable personalised ‘It’s Christmas’ story books. These magical books are available in versions for both boys and girls, and feature the recipient as a character in a festive adventure. The recipient’s name is placed both within the narrative and the illustrations, creating an immersive and unique reading experience. These new story books are the newest additions to PMC’s vast library of personalised titles, which continues to grow year on year.

As the UK’s leading supplier and drop-shipper of personalised gifts, PMC are no stranger to offering a first class service all year round.

With new products added to their range weekly, they can supply a personalised gift to suit every recipient and occasion. Visit their trade website to register for your account and to start working with the company today.

Email: sales@personalisedmemento.co.uk Visit: personalisedmemento.co.uk

Stylish read Abrams & Chronicle Books

The team at Abrams & Chronicle Books have been working with gift shops, high street retailers and other specialty customers for many years. The company are known for their beautiful design and photography.

Visit: abramsandchronicle.co.uk co.uk

Live inspired Widdop & Co

2018 marked the launch of Widdop & Co’s first foray into gift books. Inspired by the innovation within the American market, they partnered up with one of the leading gift book publishers, Compendium. ‘Live inspired’ is the mantra behind this award-winning North American brand; a cursory glance confirms a range that lives up to its hype.

The focus of the brand is primarily on gift books that combine fresh, vibrant designs with thoughtful words. Each hardback book offers inspiring words and imagery - producing a gift that turns an everyday occasion into a memorable event. The brand includes guided journals – a favourite has been Letters to You, a guide to writing a letter each year for your child and given to them on their 18th birthday. Gift books are a brand new product category for the company, complementing their strong existing sentiment offer in the market place with a unique take on traditional giftware, bringing fresh designs and inspiring copy.

Visit: widdopandco.co.uk 22 gifts today

New Products X marks the spot Xystos

There’s so much to discover at Xystos over the coming months Shearer Candles Xystos have launched three collections of candles and reed diffusers from Shearer Candles, including Couture, the award-winning range with a trio of new fragrances for 2018 – Clean Slate, Lemon Zest and Cocoa & Sandalwood. There is also The Highland Collection, inspired by Shearer’s Scottish heritage, which is ideal for first footings and Burns’ suppers and features the best-selling A Fond Kiss, a scent of delicate white heather mixed with sweet Highland honey. Look out too for the Home Collection, tailored to suit living spaces that encapsulate the true essence of home.

Cello Xystos have created their own exciting bespoke collection of candles, reed diffusers and accessories.

There are 12 best-selling Cello fragrances, with each blend featuring a top, middle and base note which, when combined, create a harmony of scents. The artful colourways and on-trend design on each product are stylish and elegant, while all Cello products carry a subtle logo, ensuring authenticity and quality. The wax offering of muted colours is complemented by reed diffusers and accessory collections.

Village Candle Flame and fragrance specialist Xystos have introduced four new scents to their Village Candle jar range as the American brand continues to make inroads into the UK candle market. The new fragrances, which come in three sizes, are a nod to autumn, winter and the festive season – Fall Festival, Winter Clementine, Forest Morning and Christmas Spice, which conjures up images of a crackling fire and good times with friends and family.

Himalayan Chef WBM’s Himalayan Chef food products line being distributed by Xystos is ideal for gifting and self-purchase, and perfect for foodies and those who want to display their kitchenware. There is a range of salt and pepper grinders – the salt is revealed in its natural pink – as well as a gift set featuring a cooking plate made of Himalayan Salt. After being heated in the oven, it can be brought to the table for food to be cooked healthily – without the use of fat or oil – in front of guests.

Splosh Following the success of Splosh’s Fairy Houses, Xystos have introduced the Gingerbread House and Santa’s Workshop. These LED night lights are ideal for a child’s bedroom or nursery. Several new Splosh ranges have been added, including Signature photo frames and numbers which can be signed as a lasting memento by party guests instead of the traditional guest book. There are also Wish Jars, which enable guests to write their special messages to the receiver and insert them in the jars. Look out too for impulse purchase sentiment plaques and photo frames spanning the spiritual, tribal and botanical.

Baylis & Harding Baylis & Harding have personal care covered from head to toe and includes products that range from a bar of soap to a luxury wicker hamper that includes bath and shower crème, body cleanser, bath soak crystals and even a wash mitt. Spearheading the nine new autumn/winter bath & body introductions from Xystos is the Sweet Mandarin & Grapefruit Collection, which sees the return of the best-selling fragrance. The stylish geometric print cleverly incorporates presents of all shapes and sizes and sets the tone for the gifting season.

Get in touch!

Call: 0191 499 1570 Email: sales@xystos.co.uk Visit: xystostrade.co.uk 24 gifts today

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New Products Scent & style Joe Davies Home Fragrance

Landon Tyler the gorgeous home fragrance brand of candles, diffusers and gift sets have five exciting new fragrances available from Joe Davies. The candles feature attractive frosted glass bottles and elegant packaging and all Landon Tyler products have been exclusively developed using the finest ingredients and contain particularly high percentages of scented oils to ensure rich long lasting scent throughout their long burn time. Joe Davies distribute Landon Tyler to independent retailers throughout the UK using their trademark ‘Little & Often’ ordering system with a minimum order of just £100 and free delivery.

Equilibrium Jewellery Valentine’s Day is the first major event in the new calendar year for gift retailers and as such it is important to have the best possible start to the new trading year. ‘Hearts’ are a staple trend for Valentine’s Day and jewellery is no exception. Joe Davies have a vast collection of Equilibrium fashion jewellery featuring many different ‘heart’ pieces, not to mention the stunning new 925 by Equilibrium sterling silver collection which includes modern heart necklaces and earrings which are just perfect for that special Valentine’s gift. The combination of fashion pieces and sterling silver pieces ensures there really is something for everyone, to suit all budgets.

Call: 0161 975 6300 Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk Visit: joedavies.co.uk

Have a swig!

Valerie Graham

Valerie Graham are delighted to announce the exclusive UK and Ireland distribution for the Swig range of hydration. Available in six lifestyle colours, the range includes stemless wine/drinking cups, mugs, tumblers, bottles and kids’ bottles.

‘I noticed there was no premium hydration company offering the variety of cup shapes women want, and certainly not in colours that appeal to a female demographic’, says founder and CEO Tracee Mathes. ‘I felt there was an unmet need in the marketplace to combine those elements into one brand.’

While men enjoy Swig’s products too, the line remains at its core a female-oriented brand. Mathes says she plans to continue building a brand focused on the average woman who wants stylish, well-made products for her on-the-go lifestyle.

With the added thickness, the insulation of Swig keeps your drinks hot for up to nine hours or cold for up to 12. All Signature Swigs are dishwasher safe, and feature a branded silicone nonslip base.

Call: 020 8200 5100 Email: sales@vgltd.co.uk

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Buy into the Growth of your Business…

Behind every successful retailer sits a unique set of skills, talent and insight that lies at the heart of commercial success.

Knowledgeable Buyers are an essential cog in any business, and with a direct impact on sales, retailers rely on their buyers to keep ranges current, build supplier relationships, and simply drive sales.

Launching in August 2018, after 15 years of buying experience with national retailers, Suzanne Chapman Consultancy is delighted to now be able to offer the chance for brands and retailers, both large and small, direct access to this unprecedented skill set.

Based in Edinburgh, Suzanne is looking forward to working with a range of businesses in her new role, commenting – “Not all businesses want or require a full-time in-house buyer. This service means that I can tailor projects to provide as much or as little support in the buying process that is needed, whether it is sourcing and developing, buying, sales, negotiating – or the complete package. ‘’ Suzanne’s consultancy is a distinctive service that not only covers the initial sourcing of commercial ranges, but also negotiating, route to market, merchandising in store, a website building service, SWOT analysis, and just general advice on how to drive sales through your business.

Set to shake up the Buying industry, if you want to find out more about the services offered, Suzanne’s experience, or how she can help you to elevate the commercial success of your business, please visit www.suzannechapman.co.uk.

Always one step ahead!

BOLTZE has been a reliable expert wholesaler in the home accessories business for over 50 years.

The family-run company is managed by Adrian Boltze – the second generation of the Boltze family, and is doing business with far more than 8,000 national and international customers.

Why do our customers love us?

• • • • • •

Three showrooms with more than 11.000 selected products International and powerful indoor and outdoor collections Great product availability with no need for storage as well as excellent logistics We are seasonal and also all-year supplier Multifunctional B2B online shop A powerful sales network of representatives and very motivated team in our headquarters

As part of our expansion, we are looking for Agents /Agency in Great Britain and Northern Ireland Knowledge of the decoration branch would be helpful. Qualified customer base and experience in sale is essential. Join our great team of sales representatives and agents all over the world and decorate the life of our customers!

Get more information: Homepage: www.boltze.com Don’t hesitate to contact us on: bewerbung@boltze.de

Sales Agents Required for Leading Candle Company in two territories • The North East • South and North of Ireland Focused and high-energy agent required for North East Region in England. County’s from Northumberland down to Yorkshire Client: Price’s Candles are a historic and prestigious candle company acting as Candle makers to Her Majesty The Queen. For over • Competitive commission 180 years, Price’s has led the way in the candle • Regional Exclusivity industry with quality and innovation. Price’s • Market support/samples supplied have a comprehensive selection of candles • Trade exhibition support from fragrance to dinner and utility.

Price’s are one of the largest candle companies within For further details or to apply for this role, please email: the UK and are looking for a highly motivated sale Lisa Fuller Lisa.fuller@prices-candles.co.uk agent to continue to grow the company.

Social Media - Ross Hewitt

Hit the target with Facebook

While the Facebook ads system is clunky, confusing and complicated to use, it does have a lot of advertising power under the bonnet, so it‘s time to get to grips with it once and for all

T

Ross Hewitt, Managing Director of Secret Pie and author of ‘Savvy Social Media’. Ross began his digital marketing career in 1998 when social networking was something you only did in a pub. He set up Secret Pie in 2010 and has been helping clients get found and loved online ever since. www.secretpie.co.uk | Ross@secretpie.co.uk | 01904 410027 | Twitter: @Secret_Pie

28 gifts today

he targeting feature is the most useful aspect of Facebook ads and the most important. Good targeting means your adverts will be shown to the ‘right’ people and if the ‘right’ people start to react to the advert by liking, clicking or commenting on it then your ‘relevance score’ increases for the campaign. This relevance metric is important as it’s a factor that determines how much you will be charged each time when your advert is shown. Don’t worry, you can set a maximum budget, but high relevance means more people see the advert for the budget you set.

Facebook wants to show relevant content to its users so rewards good advertisers by charging less for more exposure and punishes bad advertisers who don’t target well by charging them more.

The Facebook Pixel is another crucial part of the puzzle and this needs to be installed on your website. Any digital marketing helper you have should be able to sort this out in ten minutes and it is important as it lets you target adverts on Facebook to people who have already visited your website and lets you set up conversion events so that you can measure the success of your ads.

Even if you’re not planning to run any Facebook campaigns for a few months at the very least you should install the pixel now so that you can start to build up a Custom Audience in Facebook of people who visit your website. This audience can then be used in future Facebook advertising campaigns.

Using Facebook to target previous website visitors is hands down the best route for advertising as people who have already experienced

your brand or store’s website are far more likely to buy from you through Facebook adverts than people who are discovering you for the first time.

Research on Facebook retargeting campaigns versus first-time exposure adverts show that people are 80% more likely to convert if they have discovered you previously. The reason for this is relatively easy to explain…

“

Start creating some small campaigns to test out this targeting process

”

When someone types something into Google they are already in a mind-set of wanting to find out about that ‘thing’ and may already be looking to purchase. That keyword triggers an advert relevant to the product they are searching for and if they click on the advert then a warm lead arrives on the website that the advert points to.

With Facebook, an advert appears in someone’s feed just because they are a certain type of person, or because they follow certain types of pages or even because they live in a certain part of the country. The advert has NOT been triggered because they are in the process of searching for something and has instead appeared when they might simply be trying to relax and see what friends have been up to. A very small percentage

of people are in a buying mood when they are on Facebook and their behaviour differs dramatically from how they use a true search engine such as Google or Bing. The advantage is gained by reintroducing your brand or store to people in this situation, as they are less likely to ignore something familiar.

There is naturally a finite number of people who will be in your Custom Audience that have already visited your website and been picked up by the Facebook Pixel but, by being able to create said Custom Audience, you are then able to find more people on Facebook like this group by creating a Lookalike Audience.

A Lookalike Audience is an audience generated by Facebook of people who are behaviourally or demographically similar to (or ‘look like’) one of your Custom Audience. This is the best way to sift through the millions of ‘strangers’ on Facebook to find new prospects who have a higher chance of being interested in what you do. Targeting a new Lookalike Audience reduces the risk of your campaign having a low relevance score because a higher proportion of the people being advertised to should ‘look’ and ‘behave’ like people who already have interacted with your website.

You can also create a Custom Audience by uploading your email newsletter list or a list of customers and then create an even warmer Lookalike Audience from these contacts.

These are the people you need to go after, so stop boosting posts and start creating some small campaigns to test out this targeting process. The actual instructions on how to do all of that are out there for you to read and follow…sometimes you just need to know where to start.

New Products Full steam ahead!

Langs

2018 has been non-stop for the design team in Derbyshire developing unique and quirky gifts, with more hand-painted and own designed products than ever before! They have covered all genres from friendship, family and all types of special occasions to nautical, pets, the gin drinking craze and even their own take on a simpler, minimal look for gifts and home décor.

Christmas is fast approaching but now is the time to think about what’s ahead for 2019. The show season will be starting soon and over at Langs they aim to start the New Year with a bang. They have lots of new collections to share with you, The Country Sheep collection launched early due to customer demand, so here’s a look at what to expect if you haven’t seen it already.

Launched in September, the company’s seasonal collections are already proving very popular. Don’t miss out on the Valentine’s collection that features a new concept, Langs ‘I Found My Penguin’ display, a complete point of sale with adorable hand-painted characters on their bestselling product styles. Thinking how penguins fall in love and mate for life is perfect inspiration for Valentine’s Day. They also have a more traditional collection with lots of funny slogans – their tongue in cheek coasters sold out last year, so don’t miss out this time!

Mother’s day has become such a big event in the calendar, this collection keeps growing for Langs each year. Langs cover just about every angle on this special day with gifts to suit all ages from a young child buying for the first time to someone looking for something for that special person who is ‘just like a mum.’

Spring always brings a smile to our faces as it’s such a lovely time of year and Langs hope their new spring collection will have you smiling and hopping into the new season with their usual mix of fluffy and cute characters. All of their seasonal collections are available to view online now or alternatively you can contact the sales office and they will supply you with the details of the sales agent covering your area.

Call: 01332 340927 Visit: richardlang.co.uk

Bespoke style

Alexander Thurlow Known for their stunning Poppy range, British family business Alexander Thurlow can produce a product exclusively for you.

The inspiration can be provided over the phone from a sketch or photograph. What’s more, they offer speed, great quality and very manageable production quantities.

Shown here are the latest additions to their spring flower collection – some stunning snowdrop pieces.

Call: 020 8766 6466 Email: sales@alexanderthurlow.com Visit: alexanderthurlow.com

gifts today 29

Julie Dodsworth

Go platinum!

When it comes to good times and bad, positivity is the name of the game – even when dealing with the trickiest customers

I

Julie Dodsworth is a British artisan whose lifelong business in her plant and display company gave birth to her homeware business in more recent years.

Gifts Today has invited Julie to share with us her inspirations, the great ideas of others she meets along the way and what she feels has been amazing advice in business.

30 gifts today

t’s no secret that I do like to keep things positive. It’s one of my 10 rules of everyday (we can touch on the other nine another day!) and I do feel it is of the highest importance.

But what does keeping it positive really mean? To me it has to be as simple as trying to remember to smile at all you meet (from those you know to someone who may simply serve you at the check out) to trying really hard not to be a complainer.

Accepting what you can’t change in life and doing something about the things you can is probably a good start. Even change in ourselves is possible - after all, apart from things like your height, everything else you may be able to easily do something about.

Language is a good start. My colleagues laugh (but have adopted!) my own Julie euphemisms. I don’t like the word fail. ‘Deferred success’ is much preferred and it brings a smile if nothing else. ‘Challenge’ or ‘issue’ are better words than the word ‘problem’. To say ‘let me sort that for you, it’s my pleasure’ is better than saying ‘that could be difficult but I’ll give it a go’. I believe that saying ‘it won’t be a problem’ simply infers that it already is!

I also try to be extra careful when writing emails, avoiding as many negative words as possible. Words like ‘disappointing’ and ‘complaint’ d are just ju a no-no. There are always better bette and more positive ways of getting your message across. gett Perhaps you’re wondering Pe whether there’s a point to all this? wh Well We I think so, for sure. Working alongside a like-minded team alo makes for a much better and m more productive day. We even m have a better word for…let’s call h them ‘tricky clients.’ We call t them ‘platinum customers’. We t all know a ‘platinum customer’ just needs a little extra TLC.

Indeed to talk disparagingly about out a client is a dismissible offence in our contract because, after all,, clients do pay our wages and so let’s keep that respect.

Moaning about competitors is pointless, too. They are, as I have touched on in previous columns, simply on a different chapter in their book. And

“

We even have a better word for…let’s call them ‘tricky clients.’ We call them ‘platinum customers’

”

anyway, we can’t see their outtakes and blooper reel.

They’re bound to have one but it would be very rare that you would get to glimpse it. Complaining about your competition is like moaning about others on the road - it’s just a sheer waste of energy. Moaning about someone else’s driving is like drinking poison and expecting them to die from it.

So there we are. A little insight into my world of creative and positive thinking. If nothing else, I hope it’s brought a smile to your face. Remember, if you smile and go the extra mile it’s a quiet road - there aren’t that many people out there on it!

New Products Stylish home

Culinary Concepts Renowned for their luxurious home accessories, lighting and furniture, 2019 is set to be another stylish year for Culinary Concepts. With a whole host of new additions added to their bestselling repertoire, visit them at their 2019 shows and discover a world of unique designs influenced by top trends of the moment.

Harrogate Christmas and Gift will see Culinary Concepts introduce over 600 new and exciting festive lines - heavily inspired by vintage finishes and antique shop delving. With subtle colour pops of dusty pink and sage green, amidst a sea of shimmering silver, their huge assortment of stunning baubles and festive decorative accessories, will join their collection of hand cut glass bud vases, dainty tea light holders and smaller gift ideas.

Statement style is the focus for the January Furniture Show and here they will be introducing their newest furniture pieces, accent soft furnishings and contemporary lighting. Their distinctive new musical collection sees traditional trumpets and clarinets transformed in the most unique way to create eye-catching table lamps and side tables. They’ll also be taking elegant upholstery to the next level with their plush velvet style armchairs, two-seaters and snuggle chairs with trendy two-tone finishes and exquisite piped edges. Their vintage-feel Persian rugs with beautifully faded patinas will also be waiting to be discovered in an array of chic colours and patterns.

Taking inspiration from around the globe and the beauty of the natural world, rld, take a trip from the plains of Africa to the stunning Orient at Spring Fair where re they will be showcasing their newest barware and home décor accessories featuring lions, elephants, cranes and swans. With new additions to their signature octopus collection too, they’ll have everything needed to transform m any interior space into a stylish haven. culinaryconceptsliving.com

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DISHWASHER SAFE - All Signature Swigs are dishwasher safe. Each Swig is completely sealed so no water can access the inside of the cup and affect the technology.

SUPERIOR TEMPERATURE RETENTION (HOT/COLD) - Swig’s double-wall tumblers, mugs and bottles will keep your drinks seriously cold for upto 12hrs and hot upto 9hrs.

SILICONE BASE - The new Signature SwigTM Collection features a branded silicone nonslip base. The silicone is noise-reducing and keeps your SwigTM in place wherever you go.

HOT upto 9 hours COLD upto 12 hours

To receive a catalogue and view the whole collection in all colourways, please contact: Valerie Graham Ltd 16 Boulevard Drive, London, NW9 5QF Tel: 020 8200 5100 Email: sales@vgltd.co.uk DOUBLE-WALLED & VACUUM-SEALED - SwigTM drinkware uses double-wall, vacuum-sealed insulated technology, which ich ure means the space between the stainless steel walls is void of matter. With no medium for heat to transfer, your drink’s temperature will not be impacted by the outside temperature.

gifts today 31

New Products

Superheroes and wizards Groovy UK Deadpool

It’s a great time to be a superhero fan, especially if you love the wisecracking mercenary Deadpool. The hilarious tongue-in-cheek, fast action sequel made $783,112,979 world wide at the box office and Groovy have launched their new ranges for hardcore fans. The range includes a selection of bathrobes and slippers with soft fleece, embroidered and appliqued motifs and string lights with twelve 3D character logos, 2.5m in length. Other superhero ranges include DC Comics; The Flash, Wonder Woman and Batman and Marvel collections which include Spiderman and The Avengers: Captain America, Iron Man and Hulk.

Fantastic Beasts

Heaven Scent have always thought about their packaging options and have where possible use recycled materials.

Choosing gift boxes that are easily biodegradable and are made of FSC recycled board, Heaven Scent wanted to persuade customers to have very minimal gift packaging to prevent excess wastage, that only ends up in a landfill site.

They use recycled glass for their candles and, of course, natural plant wax which is kind to the environment, cruelty free and suitable for vegans. Last year they took soap production in house and are working on creating a ‘hard shampoo bar’.

‘We would like to be plastic-free and do try and keep the use of plastic in our business to a minimum, by creating a shampoo bar this will help consumers have a plastic free option available to them,’ says Sarah Pettitt of Heaven Scent. ‘We do use plastic bottles for our body products, but it is recyclable material, which means it can be recycled in a council run recycled scheme. We are having a conversation with our packaging companies about introducing plastic alternatives for our products in the future.’

For a chance to see the full range that Heaven Scent wholesales, visit them at Top Drawer in January and Spring Fair in February 2019.

For all those Wizarding World fans the longawaited sequel for Fantastic Beasts will be released on November 16 2018.

The Magizoologist Newt Scamander joins forces with wizard Albus Dumbledore in 1920s Paris. The first film saw Newt searching for an array of magical creatures which Groovy have included in their new product ranges along with the Newt Scamander bathrobes, slippers and infamous ‘suitcase’ bag.

Groovy’s other licences include Star Wars, Marvel, DC Comics, Assassins Creed, Mr. Men, Gudatama and Frida Kahlo.

Call: 01225 868788

Call: 0844 372 7820

Email: contact@heavenscent.co.uk

Email: hello@groovyuk.com

Visit: heavenscent.co.uk

Visit: groovyuk.com

Bubbling up Heaven Scent

32 gifts today

Retailers’ Panel

Gifts Today Retailers’ Panel Key gift retailers talk trading, special news and plans for the year ahead Tabi Marsh

wanted to do for a long time so it’s great to finally be doing them and having customers respond in such a positive way.

Papilo (Heritage) Ltd Thornbury, Bristol

How would you sum up your trading year in three words?!

Highlights of 2018 for your business?

Rollercoaster, growing, rewarding.

I love our yearly Brio play day and this year we had 150 kids across the day (it might be some people’s nightmare but I love it!) and it really helps raise our Brio sales. We’ve also launched some special evening events this year with our first two bite-size play and meal evenings being a sell out. We’ve also had to squeeze in an extra Christmas wreath making workshop. These evenings have been something we’ve

Any special news you’d like to share?

We have an alcohol licence due to our coffee shop, but that isn’t something we’ve done anything with in regards to the gift shop. We’re just starting to create gift sets combining our Belgian chocolates and locally made 6 o’clock Gin, but we’re also looking to do some evening events with suppliers I met at Top Drawer.

Karen Greig Destined for Home Edinburgh, Scotland Highlights of 2018 for your business?

Instead of paying for advertising which is so costly for such a short period of time, my wonderful hubby bought me a decommissioned London Taxi. This means I can not only advertise on it but I can also make local deliveries with it too – very chuffed!

How would you sum up your trading year in three words?

Lovely loyal customers.

Any special news you’d like to share?

Chris Beards Mantons Cards, Isle of Man How was 2018 for you?

So far 2018 has been better than last year, largely due to there being six months of road works outside the shop last year.

Being based in a seaside town, the glorious summer also helped. Unfortunately this can’t be relied on next year.

Any special news you’d like to share with readers?

We’ve also done well in some awards and taken on a few new suppliers to further improve our range.

Any special plans for 2019?

At the start of 2019 we are installing new card racks to give us extra space for our card ranges and we are looking to take on a few new card and gift suppliers.

Next June I’ll be entering my third year in business – it’s been such a huge learning experience having never even worked in a shop before and I’ve loved every moment of it. I’ve enjoyed meeting and getting to know customers and learning from them what it is they are looking for. I get such a buzz when they say they could ‘buy the whole shop’ – although some have wanted to buy the shop dog, Harley (but he’ll never be for sale).

Any special plans for 2019 you can share?

It could be a precarious year for us as Edinburgh City Council may decide to start tram works that will run past the shop, closing the road for up to three years! It means that there will be no buses or cars and that is where I get a lot of business from. I will have to rely only on footfall pedestrians. While it may be devastating news I’ve got a few ideas that I might have to resort to ensure I can survive!

gifts today 33

Top Drawer

1.

2. Top Drawer

The UK’s leading design-led lifestyle trade show, returns to Olympia London in January 2019, presenting a global edit of more than 1500 brands across its nine expertly curated sectors

3.

4.

5.

F

irmly established as a must-visit destination for discerning buyers and design-led retailers, Top Drawer will once again showcase the very best in giftable products across a range of categories including home and interiors, fashion, greetings & stationery, food, children’s, wellbeing and lifestyle.

Presenting a diversified offering to meet the evolving demands of the modern consumer, the January show will embody the theme of ‘out of the ordinary’, with each selected brand set to showcase creatively designed and commercially appealing gifts with an edge of originality.

The hugely successful RetailFest and PaperAwards, will both return for S/S19, featuring a remarkable shortlist of nominated brands alongside a dynamic selection of discussions from a range of top industry experts, who will be announced soon.

Top Drawer will take place at Olympia on 13 -15 January 2019.

Buyers are invited to register at: topdrawer.co.uk

Top Drawer Event Director Alejandra Campos’ Top Picks for Gift at Top Drawer SS19 1. ACC Art Books

6.

7.

Mixing more than 50 years of tradition with the finest in contemporary art and design, ACC Art Books bring the latest books by the world’s top architects, stunning monographs on top photographers and impeccable catalogues from the latest exhibitions.

2. Sunnylife The world’s leading summer lifestyle brand, inspired by the Australian summer.

3. Coco Chocolatier A chocolate brand that reflects art, design, fashion style and culture.

4. SC Brands – Fiona Walker

8.

9.

UK distributor of beautiful ranges of toys, children’s clothing, nursery accessories, gifts and homewares.

5. Portico Designs Spring/summer ’19 sees the launch of Portico’s 16 piece collection showcasing Archive’s hero prints across a range of stationery and gift.

6. Priormade Design-led gift and homeware, all responsibly made with sustainable materials.

7. SUCK UK

10.

Presenting ‘the greatest gifts on earth’, Suck UK are designers and developers of original, design-led gifts.

8. Kikki.K This 3AM Journal is the perfect gift for those who get moments of inspiration at any hour.

9. Orbitkey Clever organisation for better living.

10. Lola Design Beautifully designed premium greeting cards and notebooks of the highest quality.

34 gifts today

Spring Fair

All set for Spring Fair The UK’s largest and number one home and gift marketplace is back from 3-7 February 2019, offering unrivalled scale, variety and choice for retail buyers.

S

pring Fair will inject a fresh and vibrant flair into retailers’ 2019, offering buyers and industry professionals a first look at the hottest and most desirable new items on the market. This year’s event is set to see more deals done and relationships forged than ever before, with thousands of exhibitors and 56,000 trade professionals expected through the doors.

As a hub for some of the UK’s most innovative, inspiring and intriguing designers, manufacturers and craftspeople, Spring Fair will offer visitors the chance to source the ideal products to drive sales throughout 2019, including gifting periods such as Mother’s Day, Easter, Father’s Day and, of course, Christmas.

Louise Young, Spring Fair’s managing director, said: ‘Visitors to Spring Fair will have unmatched access to the newest products and trends taking hold in 2019, across our 16 carefully edited show sectors.

As always, we’ll be bringing together the most innovative products and the creative thinking of the trade, to have a real impact on the financial success of both retailers and exhibitors.’

will be making their debut at Spring Fair, joining a number of the event’s most popular exhibitors including Straits Trading Co., PMC, Puckator Ltd, Widdop & Co, Something Different Wholesale, Joe Davies and many more.

‘Visitors to Spring First Fair will have The ‘First’ unmatched access to initiative across the newest products a number of show sectors and trends taking is set to offer hold in 2019, across up-and-coming and pioneering our 16 carefully brands the edited show sectors’ opportunity to showcase their products at the largest and ever encompassing sourcing marketplace for Home & Gift. Look out for DesignFirst, TasteFirst, ToysFirst and NurseryFirst.

Debut Area In its successful third year running, the ‘Debut Area’ in Greetings & Gift will offer visitors fresh, contemporary greeting cards from new publisher members of The Greeting Card Association, making it easier to locate unique and innovative new designs.

FashionFirst

Here are just some of the reasons to visit:

Spring Fair 2019 will bring together the largest collection of fashion accessories and luggage exhibitors in the UK. Exhibitor newcomers will feature in the FashionFirst showcase, where fresh brands will profile their diverse and unique offerings that set them apart from competitors.

New, new, new

The return of Glee

Across all of the show’s 16 sectors, Spring Fair will be welcoming hundreds of new exhibitors, and 1000s of products and ranges. In the Gift sector, Gala World of Candles

The popular Glee showcase will be back for the 2019 event, allowing garden retailers the chance to restock after the busy Christmas and New Year period, and prepare for

the upcoming Mother’s and Father’s Days.

Christmas Gifts, Floral & Seasonal Decoration Spanning across Halls 2 and 3, this showcase will offer an even larger selection this year welcoming new suppliers like Hogewoning, DIJK Natural Collection and Mercer Agencies alongside buyers’ favourite such as Premier Decorations, Festive Productions and Sincere.

SF Product Match Following on from the success of Autumn Fair 2018’s Product Match app, which helped visitors find and locate the best suppliers for their business, Spring Fair will see the launch of a newly improved and updated version.

Who can attendees look forward to meeting?

Spring Fair will this year play host to a number of exciting theatre and workshop spaces each delivering their own unique and dedicated area of retail insight.

Each individual stage will deliver a myriad of speakers and workshops, affording attendees some excellent opportunities for networking and connecting with potential buyers or suppliers. Organisations confirmed to speak on the main stage include, Louis Vuitton, Wrendale, Pinterest, The V&A and The Colour Hive.

Speakers on the Studio Stage include, designer Rachel Galley, Simon Forrester, Chairman, National Association of Jewellers, Paola de Luca, Trend Spotter and Futurist, Simon Rainer, MD, IIDGR, Jane Bellman, Founder, Unique style Platform.

springfair.com gifts today 35

Ambiente

Living + Giving at Ambiente Ahead of the show running 8-12 February 2019 in Frankfurt am Main, we caught up with Yvonne Engelmann, Director of Ambiente 2019 Living + Giving

Yvonne, what can the first-time visitor expect from Ambiente?

Ambiente is the event of the year for the global consumer goods market. Covering everything from tableware, kitchen utensils and household goods to leisure, gifts, interior design and furnishings, it’s the ideal place to network, share ideas and move your business forward. Ambiente is also exceptionally international with 81 percent of the exhibitors and well over half the visitors to last year’s event coming from abroad.

Which halls/areas should gift buyers put at the top of their list?

Ambiente displays Giving trends from personal accessories to jewellery. Here, dealers can not only identify products for their core range but also find out more about matching additional assortments and order them immediately. To get a comprehensive overview, buyers should definitely visit Halls 11.0 and 11.1 where there’s a special focus on two product groups: Urban Gifts and Gift Ideas. If you are looking for expensive real and designer jewellery, Hall 8.0 is the place for you.

And another exciting place for distributors in the Giving segment will be Hall 9.3, where the focus will be on volume business in Global Sourcing.

Could you tell us about Hall 12?

It is Messe Frankfurt’s answer to the challenges of the future. Visitor guidance with optimised logistics and high-performance data networks are just two of the key services we offer to ensure visitors and exhibitors continue to enjoy a great trade fair experience in the future. We’re looking to unify Living + Giving even more closely now, both stylistically and with regard to the various market segments.

This will benefit buyers as well as end consumer groups. In this way, we’re hoping to create fresh stimuli among both national and international buyers, to open up opportunities and synergies, and to strengthen growing product segments.

What can visitors expect to find at Giving and Living areas at the show?

Giving + Living are focal areas where they will find everything that can be used as gifts, both now and in the future, and also the kind of trends that are currently fashionable in international interior decorating. Giving covers such a wide spectrum that buyers can compile the right product range for every target group, occasion and budget. They will discover classic or trendy gifts such as stationery, fashion accessories, jewellery as well as beauty products.

On the other hand, Living has the most beautiful products in furnishings, design, lifestyle and home accessories. It is ideal for buyers acting for home furnishing retailers, furniture showrooms, fashion boutiques, galleries and lifestyle stores.

Individual interior design ideas and accessories for the home in the Living area make Ambiente an important barometer for trends in the entire sector and provide valuable inspiration for businesses.

Any key trends visitors should look out for?

The styles that reflect the spirit of the time for 2019 have been researched and curated by the design studio Stilbüro bora.herke.palmisano. These styles will be showcased in the form of three ‘trend worlds’ - Tasteful Residence, Quiet and Ambience.

What makes the show so special?

Ambiente sets the tone for the world of consumer goods. With its clear structure, product segments focused on the retail trade and varied supporting programme, it is the perfect place to catch up on the latest trends and experience the dynamics of the industry live. The upcoming Ambiente will focus on the Republic of India as a partner country. The partner country presentation covers a wide range of traditionally crafted products as well as modern Indian design.

36 gifts today

ambiente.messefrankfurt.com

sensational exceptional original

8. – 12. 2. 2019

The outstanding diversity of the international consumer goods market. Eye-catching new ideas for gifts and personal accessories in sight at the Giving area. The trade fair that leads your industry into the future.

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

Partner Country India

67617-031_AM_Giving_GiftsToday_240x315 • FOGRA 39 • CMYK • tp: 10.10.2018

DU: 05.11.2018

England

the show

Christmasworld

Back to the future at Christmasworld The stunning Kinemona Vintage special show in Hall 12 is designed to inspire large-scale shop window and shop designs to tempt customers at the 2019 show.

Just one reason to visit the show in January

E

xpect the unexpected at Christmasworld in January 2019. The Kinemona Vintage special show from the Dutch design team at 2dezign is set to plunge the Christmasworld visitors into a world of new and rather special experiences at the centre of Hall 12. The aim is to provide maximum inspiration and efficient ordering for buyers.

At the show, visitors will discover that vintage is very much in fashion and the new ‘Kinemona Vintage’ special show picks up on this trend. This unique new vintage look will be based on very fashionable saffron yellows and is designed to serve as inspiration for storytelling at the point of sale and give retailers plenty of stimulating ideas for extravagant large-scale, shop-window

and shop designs.

The aim of the two designers is to attract customers with a completely unexpected display and tempt them to buy things through the use of a unique presentational scenario. ‘You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression, so surprise your customers with a completely new look and feel’, say the two company directors of 2dezign, Rudi Tuinman and Pascal Koeleman. One of the key features of their presentation will be fresh flowers and plants from Floradecora exhibitors,

combined with the decorative products of Christmasworld exhibitors.

This special display will form the centrepiece of Hall 12 at the heart of the Christmas and Seasonal Decoration product groups. This special show will offer a nostalgic feel, making use of old doors, window panes, leaded windows and cupboards. ‘The creative reworking of old objects, to turn them into cool, modern items, is always a challenge but makes, in the end, for an extremely interesting look.

And as a result, we can create eye-catching displays that are ideally suited for use in retail environments,’ says Pascal Koeleman. ‘It doesn’t matter if it’s furniture, Christmas decoration, lighting or decorative features – it’s all about combining things in a different way, in order to create a special atmosphere in the shop. And it can be done without buying lots of new things,’ adds Rudi Tuinman.

Did y o know u ?

‘Kine Haw mona’ is aiian th nam e e saffro for n

Those, who would like to order the products used will find the entire range of seasonal and festive decoration in Halls 8, 9, 11 and 12. These can be combined with the fresh flowers and plants on display at Floradecora in the Galleria.

‘You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression’ Christmasworld in Frankfurt is the world’s most important order venue for the international festive-decorations sector. Every year, it shows the latest products and trends for all festivities of the year and generates innovative concept ideas for decorating large and outdoor areas for the wholesale and retail trades, shopping centres, building and DIY markets and the green business. In 2018, it welcomed 1,047 exhibitors from 43 countries and over 43,400 visitors from 129 nations (including Floradecora).

When: 25-29 January 2019 Where: Frankfurt am Main Visit: christmasworld.messefrankfurt.com 38 gifts today

England

Seasonal Decoration at its best 25. – 29. 1. 2019

all you wish

for

Christmasworld makes your wishes come true. Discover the new trade fair concept with an even more diverse offer of seasonal and festive decorations!

We look forward to seeing you here. christmasworld.messefrankfurt.com

info@uk.messefrankfurt.com Tel. +44 (0) 14 83 48 39 83

will delight you as a marketplace for fresh flowers and ornamental plants.

67898-014_CW_allgemein_Gifts_Today_240x315 • FOGRA 39 • CMYK • bs: 04.10.2018

DU: 26.10.2018

business

Harrogate Christmas & Gift

The magic of Christmas F & Gift One of the first ‘must-attend’ events of 2019 will be Harrogate Christmas & Gift – the number one trade show for Christmas retailers and everyone involved in any type of giftware from independent retailers and department stores, garden centres to tourist attraction outlets and florists

or most retailers in almost every sector in the UK, Christmas is the key commercial season of the year and successful sales during November and December will oil the wheels and keep them turning for the following 12 months. in-house specialist design team. If it’s Michelle Martin of Haskins told the red-nose cheer you are looking for, don’t organisers last year: ‘This show is miss House of Marbles with their huge incredibly important to me. As a buyer, selection of pocket money toys, retro the timing is just about perfect with games and festive books which make Christmas still very much in the mindset wonderful grotto gifts and stocking fillers. and we have sales figures to know what and where to concentrate our efforts.

With so many suppliers under one roof, you just wouldn’t get the time to visit these individually in their showrooms.’

Christmas & Gift provides the launch-pad for most of the brand new 2019 Christmas ranges with most key industry players presenting exciting new products for the very first time. For example, Premier Decorations introduce Simon Anslow, show organiser eight fabulous new Christmas colour explains: ‘Harrogate sets the perfect stories with traditional elements to scene for the UK’s most important trade inspire the British market and Christmas show for the Christmas sector. It is not lovers everywhere, whilst Gisela Graham only the seven halls of the Harrogate promise lots of white, plus some tales Convention Centre which come alive of the unexpected with 14 new themes with the wonder of Christmas – but designed to bring a distinctive difference the entire town embraces an extended to the retail scene. festive season with trees and lights Widdop and Co guarantee to help decorating the streets until after the make stores stand out from the crowd show ends on 16 January. With over with a splash of magic, wonder and 5000 visitors attending last year, excitement and everything you need for Harrogate Christmas & Gift is truly one an unforgettable instore show. Not-toof a kind – yes, it is all about business, be missed is the company’s spectacular but it is so magical, there is a huge Santa Express train with seven striking element of pleasure too.’ colour themes.

Visitors can register online now, and There are lots of new exhibitors the website is also the place to find this year too, so visitors have plenty information about exhibiting if you of exciting new ideas to catch their haven’t already secured a stand. customers’ imaginations. History & Heraldry have beautiful personalised transparent decorations with over 140 names and popular generic titles making the perfect impulse-buy Where: Harrogate gift; Ultimate Products have responded to one of the UK’s Convention Centre hottest topics with plant-saving When: 13 -16 designs and a mission to January 2019 and reduce plastic. The company entry is free for all offer a fantastic range of ecotrade visitors friendly bamboo mugs with Web: designs hand-painted by their

‘With so many suppliers under one roof, you just wouldn’t get the time to visit these individually in their showrooms’

Harrogate Christmas & Gift

40 gifts today

harrogatefair.com

HARROGATE Christmas & Gift

13th to 16th January 2019

The No. 1 trade show for retailers & buyers in gift, garden, & festive sectors Home & garden ware, artificial floral products & accessories, toys, gifts & greetings cards for all occasions - and everything CHRISTMAS! BOOK ONLINE TODAY www.harrogatefair.com

Gifts Today Nov 18 .indd 1

29/10/2018 15:00:41

IHGF Delhi Fair - Spring

IHGF Delhi Fair expands offerings Organised by India’s Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), the 47th edition of IHGF Delhi Fair offers a showcase of India’s handcrafted, hand embellished and exclusive handicraft offerings

I

HGF Delhi Fair is organised by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), a 10,500-member group of handicraft manufacturers and exporters with offerings for th the global sourcing community.

A destination for the international gifting and llifestyle products industry, IHGF Delhi Fair describes ititself as the world’s largest and most comprehensive ssourcing event, encompassing the complete ssupply chain of home fashion and utilities, gifts and d decorative items as well as fashion jewellery and a accessories.

The show draws buyers from over 110 countries, g USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, South including America, Middle East and Asia. Wideranging selections presented by leading export houses in 14 well-defined product segments at the show are set to inspire buyers to replenish their merchandise and add new product lines for seasons ahead. While the top manufacturers, exporters and artisan groups queue up to be amongst the 3000+ participants in the forthcoming Spring edition of this distinguished sourcing show, overseas buyers too are expected to turn out in large numbers.

At this state-of-the-art venue, visitors tto the fair also get access to the 900 p permanent showrooms of leading Indian m manufacturers of home, lifestyle, fashion a and textile products, located on four llevels at the India Expo Centre.

Spring 2019 will see significant e expansion in all categories with a promising assortment of products, varied in

inspiration, processes and materials. Expect art metal ware, EPNS ware, wood carvings, furniture and accessories, glassware, fashion jewellery and accessories, hand-printed textiles, shawls, stoles and scarves, embroidered goods, lace, toys, house wares, decorative gifts and general handicrafts, home textiles and home accessories, candles and incense, pottery, terracotta and ceramics, nautical instruments, Christmas and floral decorations, dried flowers and potpourri, handmade paper products, leather goods, lacquer and marble. This breadth offers visitors unparalleled access to exhibitors drawn from all major manufacturing hubs, artisan clusters and craft pockets of India. Theme Pavilions and regional representations will provide the opportunity to source directly from artisans and new entrepreneurs besides established exporters from these provinces.

Exclusive, handcrafted and hand embellished products are what sets this show apart, and the balance between size and quality of display and number of buyers create a winning combination, giving unique business value to all trade partners.

Many wholesalers and importers sourcing from India highly appreciate the warmth and work culture of Indian manufacturers and exporters.

IHGF Delhi Fair is organised twice every year for spring and autumn, by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), a non-profit organisation and the apex organisation representing handicraft manufacturers and exporters across India. Beyond providing unparalleled business platforms to buyers and sellers, EPCH also provides comprehensive information about the sector to international buyers and ensures optimal interface between the Indian handicrafts industry and international buyers, facilitating harmonious business.

Fact file When: 18-22 February 2019 Where: India Expo Centre & Mart, New Delhi, India Call: +91-11-26130692/ 26135256 Email: visitors@epch.com Web: epch.in 42 gifts today

Wales Spring Fair

Whatever your retail focus may be, this show offers an unmissable opportunity for buyers to stock up on the latest must-have items

Wales Spring Fair

I

t’s already that time of year again when Venue Cymru is busy preparing for their annual trade show, the Wales Spring Fair, offering a fabulous opportunity for exhibitors to showcase their latest best-selling products.

Now in its 40th year, the show is growing from strength to strength attracting new exhibitors as well as all the usual favourites. Situated in the heart of North Wales, Llandudno is a beautiful Victorian town that comes alive every January during Wales Spring Fair. Well worth a visit.

The show has now cemented its place as Wales’s premier home and gift show and this has been recognised by exhibitors with a steady increase in new exhibitors taking stand space every year. With these constant new additions the show ensures that there will always be something fresh and exciting for the buyers to discover.

Wales Spring Fair is such a great opportunity for designer-makers who are interested in developing commercial trade prospects. Pretty Beautiful, who first exhibited in 2014, wanted to develop their business further by venturing into the world of trade

44 gifts today

shows and are now a firm favourite amongst buyers. Lyndsay Carter, proprietor of Pretty Beautiful, said: ‘Wales Spring Fair has opened up an entire new market for us, allowing us to take our business to the next level. Although smaller in size to other trade shows it has the huge advantage of not being so daunting to visitors, and most importantly, allowing you to really build personal and lasting relationships with your customers. Wales Spring Fair has become a large part of our business over the last few years and we certainly can’t see that changing any time soon’.

Lots of other favourite exhibitors are all set to return in 2019 including Pendragon Wales, Manav UK Ltd, TY UK Ltd, On Track Wholesale and Pageant Wood Craft. The show is also welcoming back Cadwyn, Brookwood Powys and Vanilla jewellery all who have now become loyal exhibitors to Wales Spring Fair, showcasing all of their latest product ranges.

In response to increasing demand from buyers searching for high quality products, the Wales Spring Fair team have worked tirelessly to carefully source new exhibitors. New additions to the show this year include Spice Kitchen with a range of unique spices and GlowBeanie with their exciting line of beanie hats, enhancing the already wide selection of different products available at the show.

Excellent feedback has been received from both exhibitors and buyers every year since Venue Cymru took over the running of the show in 2012. Each year this is taken on board to continue making the show bigger and better.

Wales Spring Fair Event Manager Adrian La Trobe explains: ‘Last year’s buyers specified a range of product areas that they would like to see more of at the Wales Spring Fair. One of the ranges that kept

being requested were hand-crafted and designled gift and homeware so this is where we have concentrated our focus’.

Wales Spring Fair Marketing Officer, Anwen Jones said: ‘By including these unique products we hope to attract buyers from retail outlets who may not have previously recognised what the Wales Spring Fair had to offer them’.

Agencies including the Federation for Small Businesses and Gr p Retail Skills Academy will also be exhibiting at the Wales Spring Fair 2019, offering free help and advice to retailers over the duration of the show.

Fact File

When: 27-30 January 2019 Where: Venue Cymru, Llandudno, North Wales Call: 01492 879771 Email: walesspringfair@ venuecymru.co.uk Web: walesspringfair.co.uk

Scotland’s Trade Fair

Discover the new at Scotland’s Trade Fair The show has already attracted over 150 new exhibitors, offering excellent buying opportunities for quality gifts, homewares, crafts, textiles, fashion accessories and jewellery

N

ew for 2019 are some great names in giftware - Wrendale Designs, The Highland Soap Company, Channel Jumpers, Bucktrout Tailoring Ltd, the Tartan Centre Wales and Strathurie Scotland. The Show’s backbone is the established exhibitors such as Bronte by Moon, Sea Gems, The Orkney Isles, House of Edgar, Emma Ball, Portmeirion, Bookspeed and Richard Lang.

The Launch Gallery is where new young exhibitors, including The Moffat Perfume Co, Botanic Isles jewellery and Black Cat Soap House, as well as many more. At the front of the Show in the high quality Craft Gallery, where specially selected craft producers of textiles, jewellery and fashion accessories showcase their latest designs and includes producers such as Warped Textiles, Tasteful Tartans, Pick One and Green Thomas.

Mark Saunders, Show Director said: ‘It has been another successful tourist season and this has kept footfall steady throughout the shops and stores which cater for a slice of these customers.’

As well as the Seminar Theatre, new for the 2019 Show is Nessie’s Den where some exhibitors will have the chance to pitch their products to three key buyers in an entertaining and useful interactive session. The Best Product Awards will be judged and awarded by retail experts on the opening morning of the Show and showcased as a central feature. Scotland’s Trade Fair is run along with Scotland’s Speciality Food Show.

Fact File When: 20-22 January 2019 Where: SEC, Glasgow Call: 01877 385772 Visit: scotlandstradefairs.co.uk

Boost your business at Giving & Living The South West’s largest Gift and Home trade show is a breath of fresh air for retail buyers keen to get ahead of the game in the New Year. Spread over four days, with around 250 exhibitors and 4000+ retail buyers, Giving & Living makes buying a relaxed and enjoyable experience

T

here’s a wide and varied range of general gifts and homeware for all occasions on display, offering something for everyone.

If you are buying for a retail outlet or attraction near the coast, Giving & Living has more Coast than anyone else. There’s nowhere better for discovering beautifully crafted gifts and unusual home accessories inspired by sun, sand and sea.

Follow the Coastal Path to discover a treasure trove of novel products, niche suppliers and fresh ideas, and take a closer look at a selection in the Coastal Product Revealed area.

Making its debut at the show in January is Speakers’ Corner where you can get business advice and information from experts. Visitors will be able to engage with a range of industry experts such as the FSB and the GA, all with the same goal of giving independent retailers useful tools and advice to help them compete effectively in today’s challenging marketplace. Other features at the show allow you to meet ‘Newcomers’ to the market, discover unique products that are ‘Designed and Made in Britain’, and find companies with ‘Naturally’ products.

46 gifts today

When: 13-16 January 2019 Where: Westpoint, near Exeter Call: 01934 733433 Email: mail@hale-events.com Visit: givingliving.co.uk

Scotlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Trade Fair

20-22 January 2019 SEC Glasgow

Spring

New ideas, brilliant buys

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

2019 GIVING & LIVING

SHOW STATS

IDEAS THAT SELL Giving & Living is the largest Gift and Home trade show in the South West and covers more Coast than anyone else.

88% of visitors placed orders at the show or shortly afterwards.

47% found 3 or more new suppliers.

89% of our visitors would recommend the show.

93% will be back next year in 2019.

43% of visitors travelled over 50 miles to come to the show.

13 - 16 January 2019 Exeter www.givingliving.co.uk

G&L Gifts Today halfpage ad 210x138.indd 1

To secure your free trade entry badge register online or call 01934 733456.

Stands are selling fast â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to enquire call 01934 733433.

05/11/2018 14:09

Exhibition Diary

Time to get the diary out and plan ahead for the coming year. At home and abroad, check out our comprehensive listings

2019 EXHIBITION GUIDE UKDATES CHSI Stitches

JANUARY

When: 17-19 February 2019 Where: NEC, Birmingham Web: chsi.co.uk

Trophex Live When: 13-14 January 2019 Where: Sandown Park, Surrey Web: trophex.com

MARCH

JUNE Exclusively Housewares When: 11-12 June 2019 Where: Business Design Centre, London Web: exclusivelyshows.co.uk

Top Drawer The Creative Craft Show

When: 13-15 January 2019 Where: Olympia, London Web: topdrawer.co.uk

When: 14-17 March 2019 Where: NEC, Birmingham Web: stitichandhobby.co.uk

Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair

Ideal Home Show When: 22 March-7 April 2019 Where: Olympia, London Web: idealhomeshow.co.uk

When: 13-16 January 2019 Where: Harrogate Convention Centre, Harrogate Web: harrogatefair.com

When: 13-16 January 2019 Where: Westpoint Exhibition Centre, Exeter Web: givingliving.co.uk

When: 20-22 January 2019 Where: SEC, Glasgow Web: scotlandsspecialityfoodshow.com

Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring When: 20-22 January 2019 Where: SEC, Glasgow Web: scotlandstradefairs.co.uk

When: 14-17 July 2019 Where: Harrogate International Centre, Harrogate Web: homeandgift.co.uk

When: 24-26 March 2019 Where: Harrogate Convention Centre, Harrogate Web: nurseryfair.com

The Toy Fair When: 22-24 January 2019 Where: Olympia, London Web: toyfair.co.uk

FEBRUARY Spring Fair When: 3-7 February 2019 Where: NEC, Birmingham Web: springfair.com

The Source Tradeshow When: 6-7 February 2019 Where: Westpoint Exhibition Centre, Exeter Web: thesourcetradeshow.co.uk

Pure London/Pure Origin When: 10-12 February 2019 Where: Olympia, London Web: purelondon.com

The National Wedding Show, London When: 15-17 February 2019 Where: Olympia, London Web: nationalweddingshow.co.uk

48 gifts today

Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival

Harrogate International Nursery Fair

Giving & Living

Scotland’s Speciality Food Show

JULY

APRIL British Craft Trade Fair When: 7-9 April 2019 Where: Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate Web: bctf.co.uk

London Stationery Show When: 30 April – 1 May 2019 Where: Business Design Centre, London Web: stationeryshowlondon.co.uk

MAY Pulse When: 12-14 May 2019 Where: Olympia, London Web: pulse-london.com

Museums + Heritage Show When: 15-16 May 2019 Where: Olympia, London Web: show.museumsandheritage.com

SEPTEMBER International Jewellery London When: 1-3 September 2019 Where: Olympia, London Web: jewellerylondon.com

Autumn Fair When: 1-4 September 2019 Where: NEC, Birmingham Web: autumnfair.com

Top Drawer AW When: 8-10 September 2019 Where: Olympia, London Web: topdrawer.co.uk

WORLDWIDEDATES JANUARY Exponoivos Lisbon When: 4-6 January 2019 Where: Centro de Congressos de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal Web: exponoivos.pt

Philadelphia Gift Show Glee When: 10-12 September 2019 Where: NEC, Birmingham Web: gleebirmingham.com

100% Design When: 18-21 September 2019 Where: Olympia, London Web: 100percentdesign.co.uk

Brand Licensing Europe When: 29 September â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3 October 2019 Where: ExCel, Docklands, London Web: brandlicensing.eu

When: 4-8 January 2019 Where: Greater Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia, USA Web: philadelphiagiftshow.com

Hong Kong International Stationery Fair When: 7-10 January 2019 Where: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong Web: m.hktdc.com

Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair When: 7-10 January 2019 Where: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong Web: m.hktdc.com

Heimtextil When: 8-11 January 2019 Where: Messe Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany Web: Heimtextil.messefrankfurt.com

Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market

OCTOBER Decorex International When: 6-9 October 2019 Where: Olympia, London Web: decorex.com

When: 8-15 January 2019 Where: Atlanta Convention Center at AmericasMart, Atlanta, USA Web: americasmart.com

Dallas Total Home & Gift Market When: 16-22 January 2019 Where: Dallas Market Center, Dallas, USA Web: dallasmarketcenter.com

Bijorhca Paris When: 18-21 January 2019 Where: Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, Paris, France Web: bijorhca.com

Maison & Objet Paris When: 18-22 January 2019 Where: Paris Nord Villepinte, Paris, France Web: maison-objet.com

Showcase Ireland When: 20-23 January 2019 Where: Royal Dublin Society, Dublin, Ireland Web: showcaseireland.com

Formex When: 15-18 January 2019 Where: Stockholmsmässan, Stockholm, Sweden Web: formex.se

International Jewellery Tokyo When: 22-25 January 2019 Where: Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo, Japan Web: ijt.jp/en

Oslo Design Fair When: 23-25 January 2019 Where: Lillestrom Web: oslodesignfair.no

HOMI When: 25-28 January 2019 Where: Fiera Milano, Milan, Italy Web: homimilano.com

Christmasworld When: 25-29 January 2019 Where: Messe Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany Web: christmasworld.messefrankfurt.com

Biloxi Mississippi Gift Show When: 26-28 January 2019 Where: Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum & Convention Center Biloxi, USA Web: wmigiftshows.com

Creativeworld When: 26-29 January 2019 Where: Messe Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany Web: creativeworld.messefrankfurt.com

Paperworld When: 26-29 January 2019 Where: Messe Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany Web: paperworld.messefrankfurt.com

Toronto Gift Fair When: 27-31 January 2019 Where: The International Centre, Toronto, Canada Web: cangift.org/toronto-gift-fair

International Toy Fair Nuremberg When: 30 January-3 February 2019 Where: Nuremberg Exhibition Center, Nuremberg, Germany Web: spielwarenmesse.de

gifts today 49

Exhibition Diary

Formland Spring When: 31 January-3 February 2019 Where: MCH Messecenter Herning, Herning, Denmark Web: formland.com

FEBRUARY Seattle Gift Show When: 2-5 February 2019 Where: Washington State Convention Center, Seattle, USA Web: seattlegiftshow.com

Market Squareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Galley Where: 3-4 February 2019 Where: The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, Oaks, Pennsylvania, USA Web: marketsquareshows.com

India International Jewellery Show 2019

1st Kyoto International Gift Show

When: 8-11 February 2019 Where: Mumbai Exhibition Centre, Mumbai Web: iijs.org

When: 6-7 March 2019 Where: Miyako Messe Kyoto Web: giftshow.co.jp

Sarcda International 2019

Ambiente

When: 7-10 March 2019 Where: Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand, Johannesberg Web: sarcda.co.za

When: 8-12 February 2019 Where: Messe Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany Web: ambiente.messefrankfurt.com/

The 87th Tokyo International Gift Show Spring When: 12-15 February 2019 Where: Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo, Japan Web: giftshow.co.jp/english

Sydney Gift Fair When: 23-27 February 2019 Where: International Convention Centre, Sydney Web: reedgiftfairs.com

Alberta Gift Fair When: 24-27 February 2019 Where: Edmonton Expo Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Web: cangift.org/alberta-gift-fair

Mechelen Furniture Fair When: 25-28 March 2019 Where: Nekkerhal, Mechelen, Belgium Web: expohour.com

Hong Kong International Jewellery Show Surtex When: 3-5 February 2019 Where: Javits Convention Center, New York, USA Web: surtex.com

NY NOW When: 3-6 February 2019 Where: Javits Center, New York, USA Web: nynow.com

National Stationery Show When: 3-6 February 2019 Where: Javits Convention Center, New York, USA Web: nationalstationeryshow.com

Intergift Madrid When: 6-10 February 2019 Where: IFEMA, Madrid, Spain Web: ifema.es

Oasis Gift Show When: 7-9 February 2019 Where: Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix, USA Web: oasis.org 50 gifts today

Indian Handicrafts & Gifts Delhi Fair 2019 When: 18-22 February 2019 Where: India Expo Center & Mart, New Delhi, India Web: indiaexportmart.com

Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair When: 20-22 February 2019 Where: Impact Challenger, Bangkok, Thailand Web: bkkgems.com

The Rocky Mountain Gift Show When: 21-26 February 2019 Where: Denver Merchandise Mart Complex, Denver, USA Web: rockymountaingiftshow.com

California Marketplace When: 23-26 February 2019 Where: LA Convention Center, Kentia Hall, LA Web: california-marketplace.com

When: 28 February - 4 March 2019 When: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong Web: hktdc.com

MARCH Forma Spring When: March 2019 Where: Helsinki Fair Centre, Helsinki, Finland Web: formamessut.fi

International Home + Housewares Show When: 2-5 March 2019 Where: McCormick Place Exposition Center, Chicago, USA Web: housewares.org

Australian Toy, Hobby & Nursery Fair When: 3-6 March 2019 Where: Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, Australia Web: austoy.com.au/the-fair

Cadeaux Leipzig When: 9-11 March 2019 Where: Leipziger Messe, Leipzig, Germany Web: cadeaux-leipzig.de

Vancouver Gift Expo When: 10-12 March 2019 Where: Pacific National Exhibition, Vancouver, Canada Web: vancouvergiftexpo.com

The Atlanta Spring Gift, Home Furnishings & Holiday Market When: 13-15 March 2019 Where: AmericasMart, Atlanta, USA Web: americasmart.com

APRIL International Premium Incentive Show When: 12-15 February 2019 Where: Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo, Japan Web: premiumshow.jp

Beautyworld Middle East When: 15-17 May 2019 Where: Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Dubai Web: beautyworldme.com

Giftionery Taipei When: 18-21 April 2019 Where: Taipei World Trade Center, Taipei, Taiwan Web: giftionery.net

Hong Kong Houseware Fair When: 20-23 April 2019 Where: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong Web: hkdc.com/fair

Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair When: 27-30 April 2019 Where: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong Web: m.hktdc.com

Tendence When: 26 Juneâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;1 July 2019 Where: Messe Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany Web: tendence.messefrankfurt.com

JULY MAY International Jewellery Kobe When: 16-18 May 2019 Where: Kobe International Exhibition Hall, Kobe, Japan Web: ijk-fair.jp/en

International Contemporary Furniture Fair When: 19-22 May 2019 Where: Javits Convention Center, New York, USA Web: icff.com

JUNE Licensing Expo 2019 When: 4-6 June 2019 Where: Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, USA Web: licensingexpo.com

INATS When: 7-9 June 2019 Where: The Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, Denver International Airport, Colorado Web: inats.com

ISOT 2019 When: 26-28 June 2019 Where: Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo, Japan Web: isot-fair.jp/en

Singapore Gifts & Premiums Fair When: 10-12 July 2019 Where: Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre, Singapore Web: sgpfair.com

Interior Lifestyle Tokyo When: 17-19 July 2019 Where: Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo, Japan Web: interior-lifestyle.com

AUGUST Melbourne Gift Fair, August When: 3-7 August 2019 Where: Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, Australia Web: reedgiftfairs.com.au

Formland Autumn When: 15-18 August 2019 Where: MCH Messecenter Herning, Herning, Denmark Web: formland.com

SEPTEMBER Cadeaux Leipzig When: 7-9 September 2019 Where: Leipzig Messe, Leipzig, Germany Web: cadeaux-leipzig.de

Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show When: 11-14 September 2019 Where: Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, USA Web: lvsouvenirshow.com

Intergift Madrid When: 11-15 September 2019 Where: Feria de Madrid Convention Centre, Madrid, Spain Web: ifema.es

Heimtextil Russia When: 17-19 September 2019 Where: IEC Crocus Expo, Moscow, Russia Web: heimtextil-russia. ru.messefrankfurt.com

Osaka International Gift Show, Spring When: 19-20 September 2019 Where: Tokyo Big Sight Web: giftshow.co.jp

Asian Gifts & Travel Goods Show When: 27-29 October 2019 Where: Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai, Hong Kong Call: +852 27006726 Email: cs@comasia.com.hk Web: asiangnt.com

NOVEMBER ChibiMart Inverno

OCTOBER Interior Lifestyle China 2019 When: 11-13 October 2019 Where: Shanghai Exhibition Centre, Shanghai, China Web: interior-lifestyle-china. hk.messefrankfurt.com

Asian Gifts & Premiums Show When: 20-23 October 2019 Where: Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai, Hong Kong Call: +852 27006726 Email: cs@comasia.com.hk Web: asiangnp.com

Asian Festive, Christmas & Seasonal Show When: 20-23 October 2019 Where: Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai, Hong Kong Call: +852 27006726 Email: cs@comasia.com.hk Web: asianchristmas.com

When: 8-11 November 2019 Where: Fiera Milano City, Milan, Italy Web: chibimart.it

Ocean City Resort Gift Expo 2019 When: 17-19 November 2019 Where: Roland Powell Convention Center, Ocean City, USA Web: oceancitygiftshow.com

Asian Gifts & Housewares Show-Paris When: November 2019 Where: Paris Nord Villepinte Call: +852 27006726 Email: cs@comasia.com.hk Web: asiangnhparis.com

DECEMBER Grand Strand Gift & Resort Merchandise Show When: 8-11 December 2019 Where: Myrtle Beach Convention Center, Myrtle Beach, USA Web: grandstandgiftshow.com

Please note: Every effort has been made to ensure the information in this guide is correct at the time of going to press. However, we recommend you check before departure. gifts today 51

Stitch Statement Figurine Height: 36.0cm

Gift Giving…all wrapped up Enesco Limited, Head Office & Customer Services, Brunthill Road, Kingstown, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA3 0EN. Tel: 01228 404022 email: trade@enesco.co.uk Overseas Customer Services: Tel: +44 1228 404066 email: eurosales@enesco.co.uk © Disney. Background image: © Roman King. © 2018 Enesco Limited.

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15/03/2018 14:32