Month: October 2026 Issue: 1 Volume: 38
UNLOCK THE MAGIC OF THE YETIS Bearhouse by Charlie Bears reveals five enchanting new Yetis just in time for Christmas. Discover a winter wonderland of snowy adventures, magical personalities and Christmas-ready cuddles.
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Gifts Today October 2026
Contents
p 10
Regulars 8 News 49 Shop Talk: Independent gift retailers share their current bestsellers, festive preparations and seasonal expectations, plus the products they predict will be big hits this Christmas
Columnists 10 Fay Tranter, event director of Spring Fair 14 Neil Amer, director and co-founder of Retail100 Consulting 16 Gemma Sault, managing director of the Home & Gift Association 48 Sarah Halsall, owner of Hand Picked by Henrietta in the Cheshire town of Poynton
Cover Story
p 43
Gifts Today team
p 34
Advertisement Manager
28 This month, British brand Charlie Bears unleashes Monsterology: its own take on the mysterious world of mythical creatures, with a host of new characters, handmade craftsmanship and plenty of gift inspiration
Marian McNamara Marian@lemapublishing.co.uk
Fair Focus
Editor
12 Autumn Fair/Glee Review 18 Harrogate Christmas & Gift Preview
Layout/Design
Retailer Focus
Clare Turner Clare@lemapublishing.co.uk Rick Vickers rick@lemapublishing.co.uk
30 The Home & Gift Association’s Industry Champion Sophie Edwards, co-owner of More Than Just A Gift at Narborough Hall in Leicestershire, has spent more than 30 years building a thriving gift shop with her husband Simon. She explains how a customer-first approach has helped their business flourish
Managing Director
Mark Naish mark@lemapublishing.co.uk
Production Director
Paul Naish paul@lemapublishing.co.uk
Product Focus
Lema Publishing Ltd
Unit 1 Broomstick Industrial Estate High street Edlesborough Buckinghamshire LU6 2JA Telephone: 01442 289930
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ContentsOctober.indd 1
Harry Potter-Themed Gifts New Products In Style Sentiment Gifts Fragranced Gifts Giftable Stationery
Supplier Focus
www.giftstoday.media
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information in this magazine was correct at the time of going to press, the publishers cannot accept legal liability for any errors or omissions, nor can they accept responsibility for the standing of advertisers, nor any organisation mentioned in the text. Opinions and comments expressed in this publication by contributors and writers do not necessarily reflect those of the publishers.
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Wild Things Charlie Bears Captivate Brands Rex B2B Figured’Art Joe Davies Regency Fragrances The Milford Collection Enesco Museums & Galleries
13/10/2026 10:52
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Message from the Editor
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www.giftstoday.media LinkedIn: @giftstoday Twitter: @giftstodaymag Instagram: @giftstodaymedia
elcome to the Golden Quarter! From Halloween, Diwali, Bonfire Night, Black Friday, Cyber Monday and, of course, Christmas, the coming months offer a wealth of opportunities to drive sales. And this year, the festive rush appears to be kicking off sooner than usual, judging by shopping trends and feedback from retailers. John Lewis launched its Christmas shop nationwide on September 23, reporting early interest in festive preparations. Searches for Christmas gift tags were up 50%, tableware rose 25% and stockings increased by 50%. Wrapping paper is also proving popular, with the Gruffalo among the sought-after designs. A week earlier, sister brand Waitrose revealed sharp increases in searches on Waitrose.com for “Christmas Cake Kit” (+540%), “Christmas Chocolate” (+270%) and “Christmas Cake” (+83%) compared with the same period last year. Independent retailers are seeing similar signs. In this issue’s Shop Talk section, Charlotte Muir of Arnside House Gift Shop in Cumbria says customers are already shopping for Christmas, with many looking to spread the cost by buying little and often. At Feather Robins in Northampton, Lindsey Scott-Walker notes that customers are asking when the Christmas decorations will go out, and festive gift-buying has started earlier than usual. Meanwhile, Carl Dunne of Cards & Gifts in Derbyshire says: “We’ve already started putting some Christmas products out, and they’re beginning to sell, which is really encouraging.” For Bill Nettelfield of Bill & Bert’s in Essex, Christmas is an occasion in itself. “Christmas in Bill & Bert’s is always fun, noisy and full of excitement,” he says, with customers travelling from 50-plus miles away to do their entire Christmas shop at the store. He adds that the aroma of mulled wine on late-shopping nights really helps! Our columnist Sarah Halsall, of Hand Picked by Henrietta in Cheshire, is also looking forward to embracing the “ber” months, with their promise of “all things cosy”, while gearing up for Christmas. But how can retailers best build on these early signs of interest to drive standout sales? On page 14, fellow columnist Neil Amer, director and co-founder
of Retail100 Consulting, explores how changing customer behaviour, seasonal demand and smart stock decisions can help independents make the most of this month. He describes October as a turning point, when customers move away from summer habits and start thinking “warm” and “comforting” - and that mindset has a direct impact on what sells. He observes that as the weather cools and people spend more time at home, categories such as fragranced gifts, sentiment gifts and giftable stationery can come into their own, offering personal, thoughtful and home-centric purchases that suit the changing season. These are three of the key product areas explored in this issue, alongside our Harry Potter-themed gifts feature. With Harry Potter celebrating 25 years on the big screen and a TV series debuting at Christmas, retailers have an opportunity to tap into renewed demand for Wizarding World merchandise. This issue is also packed with fresh inspiration for Christmas must-haves and stocking fillers. A prime example is our Cover Star, Charlie Bears. Launching this month, Monsterology is the brand’s take on the mysterious world of mythical magic. As the company explains, “this is not about frightening customers away. It’s about creating characters that invite curiosity, spark stories and, ultimately, deserve a place on the sofa”. With four brands spanning different audiences, price points and stages of life, Charlie Bears believes there should be a cuddle for everyone, from its handmade limited-edition bears created as collectable heirlooms to soft, snuggly characters suitable from birth. Read more on page 28. As Neil concludes, October is the foundation of peak. The decision retailers make now will shaper their success through November and December. In his words, “when the temperature drops, gifting rises. And the retailers who embrace that shift early will be the ones who enter peak with confidence, clarity, and the right stock in the right place at the right time”. So, how has trading been for you so far in this final quarter? If you’d like to share your experiences, please get in touch at clare@lemapublishing.co.uk or connect with me on LinkedIn. I look forward to hearing from you.
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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.
LeaderOct.indd 1
13/10/2026 09:11
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News
DCUK scoops King’s
Registration open
for Spring Fair
Spring Fair is inviting buyers to secure their free ticket for four days of gift inspiration, product discovery, sourcing and networking at NEC Birmingham from February 7-10, 2027. Bringing together 40,000-plus retailers and more than 1,500 brands and suppliers, Spring Fair is where retail buyers from around the world come to explore 20 product sectors across four destinations, including Home, Gift, Fashion & Accessories, and Licensing. Event director Fay Tranter said: “Spring Fair has always been about discovery, but in 2027 we’re going further. We’ve reimagined the content programme with five specialist stages, expanded Licensing, introduced dedicated Gift and Fashion Edits and created more spaces for buyers to connect, exchange ideas and plan for what’s next.” Licensing is set for a major expansion at the show, with more than 800sqm of dedicated space in Hall 5. The enlarged destination will sit alongside the new Gift Edit, Gift of the Year Showcase, Kids, Toy & Play and Food & Drink sectors.
Award for Enterprise DCUK - The Original Wooden Duck Company has received the 2026 King’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade, following significant growth and more than two decades of international partnership. The accolade follows four years of strong growth for the Devonbased gifting brand, during which sales increased by 187%, with turnover reaching almost three times its previous level. Best known for its handcrafted wooden duck characters, DCUK works with skilled artisans in Indonesia, with whom it has partnered since 2004. The products combine traditional Indonesian craftsmanship with British-led creativity, character design and gifting appeal, and are now enjoyed by customers around the world.
Register now at https://www.springfair.com/visitor-registration.
BGC reports strong sales
and profit growth British Garden Centres (BGC), the UK’s largest family-run garden centre group, has reported a solid financial performance for 2025, with sales increasing by almost 30%. Favourable spring weather, continued investment across its existing portfolio and the opening of eight new garden centres all contributed to the growth. The group’s combined estate of Woodthorpe Hall Garden Centres Limited and BGC South Limited, trading together as British Garden Centres, now stands at 80 centres across the UK. BGC also reported stronger profitability, with EBITDA rising to £18.7 million. Operating profit reached £15.1 million, giving a margin of 6.8%, The Stubbs family, owners and leaders of while profit before tax increased by almost 60% British Garden Centres to £12.2 million. Gross margin rose to 53.3% in 2025, up from 51.7% in 2024. MD Amy Stubbs said: “BGC continues to focus on long-term sustainable growth, investing heavily in its people, centres, and supply chain infrastructure. These financial results reflect the group’s resilience and its ongoing strategy to create inspiring destination spaces for gardeners and families across the UK.”
Half Moon Bay wins
licensing award Half Moon Bay is celebrating after its Paddington™ Homeware and Accessories Range was named Best Licensed Giftware, Home Décor, Tableware or Housewares Range at The Licensing Awards 2026. Created in collaboration with STUDIOCANAL Kids & Family Ltd., the collection brings the muchloved world of Paddington into design-led gifts for the home, combining recognisable character storytelling with practical, giftable formats. For Half Moon Bay, the award recognises its approach to developing licensed products that go beyond applying familiar artwork to standard merchandise. The collection features distinctive product forms designed to give retailers fresh ways to present the Paddington story and create co-ordinated gifting displays.
8 Gifts Today
NewsOctober.indd 1
13/10/2026 09:13
The English Soap Company
gains B Corp status The English Soap Company has officially become a Certified B Corporation. This certification recognises its dedication to high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. For more than 25 years, the family-run business has been creating fragranced soaps and toiletries from its home in the heart of the East Sussex countryside. Achieving B Corp certification reflects its long-standing focus on creating products responsibly while caring for people and the planet. From manufacturing products in England and using plastic-free soap packaging to installing a solar array, the company continually strives to improve its environmental impact and support the local community. CEO Oliver Butts said: “Our B Corp certification reflects the values that have guided our business from the very beginning. We’re incredibly proud to join a community of businesses committed to making a positive difference, while continuing to create luxurious gifts our customers love.”
M&G signs Classic Mog deal
Museums & Galleries (M&G) has signed a three-year licensing agreement with London-based animation and film production company Lupus Films for Classic Mog. Judith Kerr’s original illustrations of her iconic cat have helped make the classic Mog book series a household name, with more than four million copies sold. The series is published by HarperCollins Children’s Books. The partnership will see Mog appear on a range of greeting cards, notelets, writing sets, social stationery packs, journals, notebooks and pads, bookmarks, tote bags, gift packaging, playing cards and mugs. The Mog range will be officially launched at Spring Fair in February 2027. The deal comes as anticipation builds for the festive release of “Mog’s Bad Thing” - Lupus Films’ new, hand-drawn, half-hour animated special for Channel 4.
MenKind makes
Irish debut
MenKind has opened its first-ever store in Ireland, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s ambitious bricks-and-mortar expansion programme and signalling its intention to expand its presence across Northern Ireland in the coming years. The new location, in Belfast’s Castle Court Shopping Centre, brings the gifting retailer’s distinctive mix of trending collectables, licensed merchandise, gadgets and gifts to a new audience. The space will allow customers to shop and experience some of the brand’s fastestgrowing categories, including Pokémon merchandise, collectable figurines, Squishies and the hugely popular NeeDoh range, reflecting the continued growth of the kidult and collectables market. The opening follows a period of exceptional growth for the business, which has secured seven permanent leases over the past 12 months while actively converting more of its flexible lease portfolio into long-term agreements. MenKind will continue to seek opportunities across major cities, shopping centres, high streets and retail parks nationwide as part of its growth plans. Gifts Today 9
NewsOctober.indd 2
13/10/2026 09:14
News Extra
It’s time to
rethink licensing Licensing has moved far beyond traditional character merchandise, says Spring Fair event director Fay Tranter, giving retailers new ways to create more relevant and distinctive ranges
I
think licensing has an image problem in gift retail. Mention the word, and many retailers still immediately think of children’s characters, blockbuster franchises and obvious merchandise. Those remain an important part of the market, but licensing has moved far beyond that. Today it can mean artists, illustrators, heritage brands, museums, designers, archives, personalities and cultural collaborations, opening up a much wider range of opportunities for gift retailers. The important point is that this isn’t about filling shelves with more licensed merchandise. It’s about using licensing to make a retail offer more relevant, distinctive and desirable. Gift retail is fundamentally emotional. Customers are rarely looking for just a mug, candle, greeting card or piece of stationery. They are looking for something that reminds them of somebody, reflects an interest or personality, or simply makes them think: “That’s perfect for them.” A well-chosen licence can strengthen that connection. It gives a product a story, familiarity or sense of belonging to a world the customer already cares about. For independent retailers in particular, that can be incredibly powerful. And increasingly, that opportunity is extending beyond traditional licensing, with artists, designers, heritage names and distinctive prints inspiring new products and collaborations. Nostalgia is also becoming an increasingly important part of the picture. The resurgence of 1990s and early 2000s culture is bringing much-loved names back into focus, from Bubblegum to enduring favourites such as Wallace & Gromit, Bagpuss and Harry Potter. Many have genuine multigenerational appeal, connecting with children as well as adults who grew up with them and are increasingly collectors themselves. As licences extend across categories, from gifting to plush and collectables, that collectability can encourage customers to return to a range or a brand, and the retailers they trust to discover what comes next. But licensing isn’t only about looking backwards. Being able to respond to cultural moments and fast-moving trends can be just as powerful. KPop Demon Hunters is a great recent example of how quickly a cultural phenomenon can translate into demand for products and collaborations. For buyers, that makes looking ahead increasingly important - understanding the films, launches, anniversaries, revivals and cultural moments coming down the line, and considering now where they could create a relevant commercial opportunity. One of the biggest changes I would encourage retailers to make is to stop thinking about licensing as another product category. Start with your customer instead. What do they love? What are they talking about? Which brands, artists, hobbies or cultural references mean something to them?
Then consider where those connections could translate into products they would want to give, display or keep. The question shouldn’t be: “What’s the biggest licence?” It should be: “What’s the right licence for my customer?” For an independent retailer, a smaller but highly relevant licence may be considerably more valuable than a globally recognised name that doesn’t fit their audience. Of course, familiarity and nostalgia alone aren’t enough. Gift retail also thrives on discovery. Independent stores succeed when they give shoppers something different from what they can find everywhere else. The opportunity is in taking that existing emotional connection and presenting it in a way that feels fresh, whether through a new collaboration, a different product category or a contemporary interpretation of a familiar name or design. And those categories are becoming increasingly blurred. Gift, home, fashion, greetings, stationery, toys and lifestyle no longer sit neatly apart. One strong idea can move across a range, allowing retailers to create collections and stories rather than simply buy individual products. There are signs that buyers are already recognising the opportunity. More than 4,000 Spring Fair buyers have identified licensing as a core area of interest, which is why we are significantly expanding the licensing offer for Spring Fair 2027. The expanded sector will bring brand owners, designers, artists, agents and licensees together with retailers, alongside dedicated space for meetings, education and practical insight. But retailers don’t need to become licensing experts overnight. My advice is simply to be curious. Look beyond the licences you already know. Ask who your customer would respond to and explore how a creative name, brand or design could bring something new to categories you already buy. Because ultimately, the best licensed gift shouldn’t feel like merchandise. It should feel like a great gift, made even more desirable because of the story behind it. Spring Fair takes place at NEC Birmingham from February 7-10, 2027. For licensing stands, sponsorship and partnership opportunities, businesses can contact the Spring Fair team to find out more about joining one of retail’s fastest-growing destinations.
Call: 0203 545 9830 Email: yvette.marshall@hyve.group Visit: www.springfair.com
10 Gifts Today
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Review
Discovery
takes centre stage Autumn Fair and Glee closed at the NEC Birmingham on September 9 with a clear message: success increasingly depends on finding products with a point of difference, building strong supplier relationships and looking beyond traditional retail categories
W
ith more than 800 exhibitors across Gift, Home and Fashion, and more than 25% of brands new to the show, Autumn Fair offered buyers thousands of products to explore as they prepared for the Golden Quarter and planned for 2027. The show, held from September 6-9 at NEC Birmingham, welcomed buyers from leading retailers including John Lewis, Next, Fenwick, IKEA, Argos, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, The Range, Mamas & Papas, Hobbycraft and Amazon, alongside independent retailers, garden centres, visitor attractions and specialist stores. A major development for 2026 was the co-location with Glee, which opened its doors on September 8. Bringing home, gift, fashion, garden and outdoor living together created a broader buying opportunity, encouraging visitors to explore new categories and discover suppliers they might not otherwise have encountered. For retailers, the combination offered a more productive buying trip. Emma Foster, general manager of Lanchester Garden Centre in Durham, said the two shows justified a two-day visit, allowing her team to complete gift buying while planning garden centre ranges for the following year. She added that the opportunity to move between the shows made the visit more productive, helping the business open new accounts and build relationships. The benefits extended to exhibitors too. Fashion and lifestyle brands reported meeting buyers from gift shops, interiors businesses and garden centres, opening up potential new routes to market. For Tretorn distributor Juls Dawson, the crossover introduced the brand to retailers who might not traditionally attend fashion trade shows.
Discovery remained at the heart of the experience. Buyers highlighted the importance of seeing products first-hand, meeting the people behind brands, and understanding the stories that make ranges distinctive. Claire Bevan, head of buying at the Natural History Museum, noted a growing emphasis on creative, story-led products and stronger relationships with producers and suppliers. For fragrance brands such as The Tipsy Candle Co., the ability to see, feel and smell products in person remained an important part of the buying process. Exhibitors reported positive conversations with independent retailers, alongside new orders and account openings. Alice Wheeler sales director Oli Woodyatt reported opening at least 10 new accounts in the first two days. Emerging brands also benefited from the show’s reach, with first-time exhibitor The Highland Soap Company reporting strong orders and interest from independents and garden centres. Alongside sourcing, Autumn Fair’s content programme addressed the practical realities of running a retail business. The Counter Talks Stage covered retail crime, social commerce, AI, visual merchandising, sustainability and business growth. Pitch Live gave emerging brands the opportunity to present products to retail experts, while the Whatnot activation demonstrated live commerce in action. On the final day, Retail Huddle Live brought retailers and experts together for practical advice, peer-topeer discussion and new connections. The show also kept the challenges facing Britain’s high streets firmly in view. Autumn Fair continued its campaign calling for a minimum of 90 minutes’ free parking in town
and city centres across England, with a Parliamentary petition seeking 100,000 signatures by January 2027. The campaign reinforced the show’s wider commitment to supporting independent retailers and addressing the barriers affecting footfall and local economic growth. Matthew Mein, event director of Autumn Fair and Glee, said the show had demonstrated a retail industry ready to act on opportunity, with buyers looking beyond familiar categories and prioritising distinctive products and relationships with suppliers. “Buyers are searching for products with a genuine point of difference, and they’re putting more value on the relationships and stories behind the brands they buy,” he commented. “The response to the Autumn Fair and Glee co-location has been particularly encouraging, showing how much potential there is when you give retailers the opportunity to cross-shop and discover something outside their usual buying remit.” As Autumn Fair and Glee prepare to align their dates again in 2027, the 2026 edition highlighted the value of bringing retail communities together: not only to source new products, but to exchange ideas, build partnerships and uncover opportunities that can help businesses move forward. Autumn Fair returns to NEC Birmingham from 5-8 September 2027, with Glee taking place from 6-8 September.
Visit: www.autumnfair.com www.gleebirmingham.com
12 Gifts Today
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OPINION
October’s
turning point Retail100 Consulting director and co-founder Neil Amer explores how changing customer behaviour, seasonal demand and smart stock decisions in October can help independent retailers build momentum and maximise the opportunities ahead
O
ctober is one of those rare months in retail where everything shifts at once. The light changes, the temperature drops, routines reset, and customers move from the spontaneity of summer into the structure of autumn. For small independents and emerging suppliers, this transition is both an opportunity and a pressure point. It’s the moment when the early signals of peak trading begin to show, and the moment when buying and merchandising decisions really start to matter. This year, October brings its usual dual personality. The first half of the month can still feel surprisingly mild, with customers lingering in late-summer habits. But by the end of the month, the season has fully turned: darker evenings, colder mornings, and a noticeable shift in how people shop. That shift is emotional as much as practical. Customers start thinking “warm”, “cosy”, and “comforting” - and that mindset has a direct impact on what sells. When the weather cools, people spend more time at home. That’s when categories like home fragrance, sentiment gifts, and giftable stationery begin to accelerate. These are products that feel personal, thoughtful, and home-centric - exactly the kind of items customers gravitate towards when the heating goes on and the blankets come out. Home fragrance is often one of the first categories to lift. As soon as evenings draw in, diffusers, candles, wax melts and room sprays become part of the customer’s “seasonal reset”. Retailers who lean into this early, through storytelling, sensory
merchandising and clear navigation, tend to see stronger momentum going into November. Sentiment gifts also resonate more deeply at this time of year. Whether it’s a small token for a student heading back to university, a pick-me-up for a friend, or an early Christmas purchase, customers look for items that carry meaning. October is the month when those “little lifts” start to matter. And then there’s giftable stationery - an evergreen category that becomes even more relevant as routines re-establish. Journals, planners, desk accessories, and premium pens all benefit from the “new season, new start” mindset. October is also a month of micromoments. Back-to-uni brings a burst of demand for practical but giftable items: desk organisation, cosy homeware, self-care gifts, and small tokens that parents buy to send students off with a smile. Halloween, while not a core gifting event, still influences footfall and store theatre. It’s a chance to create energy, drive impulse purchases, and transition the shop from autumn into early winter. Even a light touch - seasonal
windows, themed displays, or novelty gifting - can help bridge the gap. And then, of course, comes the phenomenon that has quietly reshaped the retail calendar, and what I have termed Black November. What used to be a single promotional weekend is now a month-long event, with customers expecting early deals, early drops, and early inspiration. For independents, this doesn’t mean joining the discount race. It means being ready - stocked, confident, and clear about what your hero products are. October is the moment when buying discipline becomes critical. The temptation is to spread cash across lots of options “just in case”. But the retailers who perform best in peak are the ones who back their winners early and with conviction. This is where understanding demand curves matters. If home fragrance is already lifting, now is the time to secure replenishment before suppliers sell through. If sentiment gifts are resonating, double down on the lines that are already proving sticky. If stationery is moving, make sure you have depth in the styles that customers are gravitating towards. Small retailers often worry about
over-committing, but under-committing can be just as risky. Peak is unforgiving. If you run out of your bestsellers in midNovember, you lose margin, momentum, and customer loyalty. October is your window to make bold, informed bets. Based on current trends across independents and suppliers, a few categories are showing strong early traction: amber, oud and warm-spice home fragrances; weighted plush and tactile comfort gifts; affirmation-led sentiment pieces; premium journals and planners; small self-care gifts such as balms, sleep sprays and mini sets; and retro-inspired novelty gifting. These are categories with emotional pull - exactly what customers seek as the season turns. October isn’t just another month. It’s the foundation of peak. The decisions retailers make now, including what to back, how deep to go, how to merchandise, and how to tell the seasonal story, will shape their success through November and December. The weather may be unpredictable, but customer behaviour isn’t. When the temperature drops, gifting rises. And the retailers who embrace that shift early will be the ones who enter peak with confidence, clarity, and the right stock in the right place at the right time.
Neil Amer is a director and co-founder of Retail100 Consulting: a consultancy drawing on more than 100 years of combined retail experience to help retailers and brands grow.
Email: hello@retail100consulting.co.uk Visit: www.retail100consulting.co.uk www.linkedin.com/company/retail100-consulting The Retail100 team (L-R): Sara Allbright, Anna Berry, Neil Amer and Elaine Hooper
14 Gifts Today
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OPINION
OPINION
A stronger voice Home & Gift Association managing director Gemma Sault explains how trade associations create connections, open doors, share knowledge and help drive business growth
L
et’s be honest. Most people don’t wake up thinking: “Today feels like a great day to join a trade association.” They’re thinking about sales targets, rising costs, stock delays, trade shows, social media algorithms and whether there’s enough coffee left to get through the day. Running a business isn’t easy. If it were, we’d all be sipping cocktails on Managing Director yachts while our perfectly Gemma Sault automated businesses ran themselves. Instead, business owners wear multiple hats before lunch and spend their days solving problems, chasing opportunities and keeping the wheels turning. That’s exactly why trade associations matter. Not because they give you another logo for your website, but because they help businesses do something increasingly difficult: grow. Business can be lonely. Behind every successful company is usually a network of people helping it move forward: suppliers, buyers, mentors, customers, advisers and cheerleaders who share knowledge, open doors and offer support when it’s needed. Business isn’t a solo sport. It’s a team game. A strong trade association brings that team together. It creates opportunities to learn from one another, collaborate, solve shared challenges and build relationships that can genuinely change the course of a business. One thing I’ve learned throughout my career is that opportunity rarely arrives neatly wrapped in a gift bow. More often, it comes through people: the right introduction, the right conversation or the right meeting at the right time. While you can spend months trying to find the right contact, a trusted network can connect you with the right people far more quickly. Growth often comes down to being in the room where conversations are happening. Trade associations help businesses get into that room.
The Buyers Circle Every supplier wants more buyers. Every buyer wants great products. Yet both sides still spend far too much time trying to find one another. That’s why we created the Buyers Circle. It gives retailers direct access to products, brands and suppliers they want to discover, while helping suppliers connect with decision-makers. For suppliers, that means access. For buyers, it means efficiency. For everyone involved, it means opportunity, and opportunity is what drives growth.
Gift of the Year Awards Awards are about far more than recognition - and programmes like the Home & Gift Association’s Gift of the Year create visibility, credibility and confidence. When buyers, retailers and consumers see a product recognised by industry experts, that product immediately stands out. In a crowded market, standing out matters. The best businesses don’t just create great products; they create awareness and trust around them too.
Industry Champions Every industry faces challenges, whether that’s rising costs, business rates, skills shortages, economic pressures or changing consumer behaviour. That’s why our Industry Champions initiative matters. It brings together respected leaders from across the sector to ensure the voice of the home and gift industry is heard clearly and collectively. The group helps raise awareness of the issues affecting businesses, from supporting SMEs and improving trading conditions, to championing the value of trade shows and exhibitions as drivers of
economic growth. If we don’t tell our industry’s story, nobody else will tell it properly.
The hidden superpower One of the most valuable benefits of a trade association is community. Business ownership can be rewarding, but it can also be relentless. Having access to people who genuinely understand the challenges you’re facing is invaluable. Sometimes the solution to your biggest problem is sitting in the head of someone you meet at an event. Sometimes your next retail listing begins with a simple introduction. Sometimes your future business partner is standing next to you in the coffee queue at a trade show. Connections create opportunities, and opportunities create growth. Membership is an investment in visibility, relationships, knowledge and influence.
A final thought The home and gift industry has always been built on relationships. People buy from people. Retailers trust people. Consumers connect with stories created by people. Technology will continue to evolve and trends will come and go, but relationships remain at the heart of business success. So whether you’re looking for new customers, new opportunities, new knowledge or a stronger voice, don’t think of membership as simply joining an association. Think of it as gaining a competitive advantage. Because in business, it’s not always the biggest company that wins. It’s often the company that is best connected, best supported and best positioned to take the next opportunity.
The Home & Gift Association (formerly known as The Giftware Association) is the UK’s dedicated trade body for the home and gift industry. Established in 1947, its core mission is to support, connect, and educate businesses of all sizes by promoting growth, innovation, and sustainability. Key services include business support, networking, education, government lobbying, international trade, and running the annual Gift of the Year Awards.
Call: 0121 236 2657 Email: gemma.sault@hga-uk.org Visit: https://www.homeandgiftassociation.org.uk/ www.giftoftheyear.co.uk
16 Gifts Today
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Preview
HARROGATE CHRISTMAS & GIFT
Christmas buying
starts here
Harrogate Christmas & Gift returns in January 2027 with fresh launches, new names and plenty of inspiration for the year ahead, while buying opportunities extend well beyond the festive season
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s Christmas approaches, the gift trade is already looking ahead to January 2027, when planning for the next festive season begins in earnest. From January 10 to January 13, Harrogate Christmas & Gift returns to the Harrogate Convention Centre, giving buyers the chance to get ahead of the game, see new collections first-hand, and start shaping their ranges for the year ahead. For retailers, that early buying window has never been more valuable. Customers are increasingly looking for products that feel fresh, distinctive and worth their money, while buyers need ranges that offer the right balance of quality, value and commercial appeal. Harrogate brings all of this together under one roof. The show has long been a key date in the retail calendar, attracting buyers from independent gift shops, garden centres, department stores, visitor attractions and destination retailers. They visit not only to see what’s new, but to compare ranges, spot emerging trends and meet suppliers who could become important partners over the next 12 months. And there’s plenty to discover. From Christmas decorations, lighting and floristry to giftware, home accessories, stationery, packaging and food gifting, the breadth of product on show is one of Harrogate’s biggest strengths. Established names sit alongside specialist suppliers and newer brands, making it just as easy to source proven bestsellers as it is to uncover something unexpected. While Christmas naturally takes centre stage, the buying opportunities extend well beyond the festive season. Many exhibitors also showcase products with year-round appeal, including home décor, fragrance, greeting cards, lifestyle accessories and everyday giftware. For time-pressed buyers, that makes Harrogate an especially productive trip. Rather than sourcing solely for Christmas, visitors can build ranges that work across multiple seasons and categories - potentially finding products that will still be earning their place on the shelf long after the decorations have come down.
Just as importantly, Harrogate remains a show where buyers can actually do business. Its compact format makes it easy to navigate the halls, revisit stands and spend productive time talking to suppliers. In an industry where relationships matter, those face-to-face conversations can be invaluable, whether discussing a new range, planning displays, negotiating orders or simply getting a better feel for the people behind the brands. That relaxed approach continues outside the halls too. With hotels, restaurants, cafés and bars all within easy walking distance of the Harrogate Convention Centre, the North Yorkshire town has developed a social side that is very much part of the show experience. Conversations started on a stand often continue over coffee, dinner, or a drink later in the day. With exhibitor support already strong and preparations gathering pace, Harrogate Christmas & Gift 2027 is shaping up to be another key buying event for the trade. Whether the mission is to find the next festive bestseller, refresh an existing range, discover a new supplier or simply see which trends are beginning to emerge, Harrogate offers buyers the chance to start the year with fresh ideas and a head start on the 2027 Christmas season.
What: Harrogate Christmas & Gift 2027 Where: Harrogate Convention Centre, Harrogate, North Yorkshire When: January 10-13 2027 Call: 01902 882280 Email: info@harrogatefair.com Visit: www.harrogatefair.com
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Focus On... Wild Things
Sparkle, shine and British design Christmas is a time for magic, wonder and a little extra sparkle, and this year gift wholesaler Wild Things will be pulling out all the stops to make the festive season extra special
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ith an enchanting collection of shimmering decorations, charming characters and seasonal designs, Wild Things is helping retailers bring festive cheer to Christmas 2026. Renowned for its distinctive British design, attention to detail and unmistakable sparkle, the gift wholesaler has created a collection that captures the spirit of the season. From delicate little birds to glowing winter trees and whimsical characters, there’s something to add personality to every home.
Pretty Little Birds steal the show One of the standout products is the Pretty Little Birds Robin, which was shortlisted in the Affordable Gifts category of the Gift of the Year Awards 2026. These glass birds capture the magic of Christmas, combining delicate detailing with the sparkle that Wild Things does so well. And it seems retailers are just as enchanted as their customers! Some shops have filled an entire 144-pocket spinner exclusively with robins and are already reporting that the birds are flying off the shelves. Others have opted for the starter pack, which includes an LED Holly Tree. Combining festive foliage with a gentle glow, these trees make a great centrepiece for a Christmas display, catching the light and creating an irresistible atmosphere to draw customers in. The robin theme extends beyond decorations too. With Robin Bookmarks and Robin Pins also proving popular, there are plenty of ways for customers to enjoy the much-loved design. With their timeless appeal and special sentiment, robins make appealing gifts, stocking fillers and keepsakes that can be treasured beyond Yuletide.
Festive characters Of course, no Wild Things Christmas would be complete without a little whimsy. The Christmas Dreams Angel brings a touch of heavenly beauty.
Delicate, dreamy and full of festive charm, she’s a lovely addition to any Christmas collection and a thoughtful gift for someone special. For those who prefer decorations with a playful twist, the adorable Dachshund in a Santa Hat is sure to raise a smile. This delightful little character is ideal for dog lovers and anyone who enjoys something a little different,
A sparkle for everyone One of the appealing things about Wild Things is that its distinctive designs needn’t come with a hefty price tag. The Christmas Dreams decorations are a good example. Offering all the charm and attention to detail associated with the brand, they have an RRP of £7.99, making them an accessible way to bring a little Wild Things magic into the home. They’re also well suited to impulse purchases, whether it’s a treat for yourself, a gift to slip into a Christmas card, or one more special addition to the Christmas tree. After all, a little festive magic doesn’t have to cost a fortune!
Designed for Christmas With its mix of traditional favourites, playful characters, illuminated displays and affordable decorations, Wild Things offers plenty of inspiration for Christmas 2026. For retailers, the collection provides scope to create eye-catching displays and inspire festive shoppers. For customers, it’s a chance to discover beautifully designed decorations that bring joy, personality and a generous helping of sparkle into their homes. Beautifully British, wonderfully giftable and bursting with Christmas charm, Wild Things is ready to make this festive season shine brighter than ever.
Call: 01392 211268 Email: sales@wildthingsgifts.com Visit: wildthingsgifts.com
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Our brand new full range of twelve licensed Ballpoint Pens are each presented in a matching gift box, available now. See our unrivalled collection of cards, gifting and homewares online.
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museumsgalleries.co.uk
Tel: 01373 462165
Focus On... Charlie Bears
The gift of a
Charlie Bear Handmade with imagination, character and more than 20 years of bear-making expertise, Charlie Bears brings something truly special to Christmas gifting
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here are gifts that are opened, and gifts that become part of a family. Charlie Bears belong firmly in the second category. For more than 20 years, the British brand has been creating beautifully crafted bears for collectors and gift-givers around the world. Founded by Charlotte (Charlie) Morris, whose huge imagination and passion for bear-making continue to shape every collection today, Charlie Bears is built on traditional bear artistry, attention to detail and an unwavering love of character and personality. Every bear is handmade, giving each one its own individual expression, personality and look. No two are ever quite the same - a quality that makes every Charlie Bear feel personal and precious and which has inspired the brand’s hallmark strapline: Bears with Personalities. With all bears either limited edition or limited in production, they offer retailers a gift with genuine collectability and a story that lasts long after Christmas morning.
This Christmas, there is plenty to tempt collectors… Elf Dust and Cookie Crumbs bring festive luxury to the collection, each featuring delicate embedded sparkle flecks, a cosy scarf and Charlie Bears’ signature paw pads. Standing at an impressive 17 inches tall, these beautifully detailed bears are made to take centre stage, with an RRP of £125 each. For a wonderfully traditional take on Christmas, Sugar Cookie and Spice Cookie are a charming festive duo. Dressed in rich red and green, with sweet white faces,
soulful eyes and elegant organza and satin bows, these 13-inch bears capture the warmth and nostalgia of Christmas beautifully. Each has an RRP of £92.50. Completing the Christmas collection are Fir, Chestnut and Maple: three beautifully characterful bears inspired by the colours and natural beauty of the season. At 12 inches, Fir and Maple are perfectly sized for a festive cuddle, while 14.5-inch Chestnut is made for a proper bear hug. Finished with an organza bow, these bears offer retailers further opportunities to introduce customers to the craftsmanship and collectability of Charlie Bears, with RRPs of £40 for Fir and Maple and £48 for Chestnut.
For retailers looking to offer customers something more meaningful this Christmas, Charlie Bears delivers craftsmanship, collectability and character, all wrapped up in one very special gift. To stock Charlie Bears this Christmas, contact the UK sales team.
Call: 01566 777092 Email: uk-sales@charliebears.com Visit: charliebears.co.uk
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Product Focus Harry Potter Themed Gifts
A magical haul As Harry Potter celebrates 25 years on the big screen, the Wizarding World continues to inspire gifting, with the highly anticipated TV series set to introduce the franchise to a new generation of fans this Christmas
Craft Buddy
Craft Buddy is seeing growing retail momentum for its Harry Potter Crystal Art Sticker Album. The company is now looking to expand distribution further, as interest in Harry Potter remains strong in the UK and internationally. Gary Wadhwani, co-founder of Craft Buddy, said: “The continued performance of the Harry Potter Crystal Art Sticker Album has been really encouraging. To see major retailers coming on board since its launch, alongside strong sales through existing partners, shows us there is still a lot of potential in this range. Harry Potter has an extraordinary fanbase across generations, while the collecting element gives customers a reason to keep coming back.” The Harry Potter Crystal Art Sticker Album combines the collectability of a traditional sticker album with Craft Buddy’s Crystal Art format. Fans complete each sticker using crystals before placing it in its corresponding position within the album. There are 102 designs to collect, featuring characters, locations and objects from across the Wizarding World, including Harry, Hermione, Hagrid, Dobby, Hedwig, and the Golden Snitch.
Call: 0203 417 6565 Email: trade@craftbuddyltd.co.uk | Visit: https://craftbuddyltd.co.uk/
Figured’Art
Figured’Art has launched its officially licensed Harry Potter creative craft collection, developed in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products. The collection brings together two of Figured’Art’s most successful formats - Paint by Numbers and Diamond Painting - reimagined with Harry Potter artwork inspired by the Wizarding World. The range includes a selection of designs, including Hogwarts Castle, Hogwarts Express, Hedwig, character portraits and classic poster artwork. Products are available in 40 x 50 cm formats, supplied rolled or framed. Each format comes as a complete, ready-touse kits. Paint by Numbers kits include preprinted canvases, vacuum-packed paint pots with no mixing required, and all essential tools. Diamond Painting kits feature full canvases with square diamonds, clearly labelled bags and all accessories included. With continued demand for licensed products and growing consumer interest in mindful hobbies, the Harry Potter creative craft range offers an opportunity for gift shops, hobby and craft specialists, bookshops and museum stores to tap into these areas.
Email: helen.cottrill@figuredart.com | Visit: https://b2b.figuredart.co.uk
Joe Davies Mad Beauty
Mad Beauty is bringing its creative approach to the wizarding world for A/W26 with its most innovative Harry Potter-inspired collection yet, created in collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products. Leading the collection is the Harry Potter Hogwarts 24 Days Bath, Body & Beauty Advent Calendar. Hidden behind the first door is a UV wand, which reveals the dates across the calendar before fans discover a selection of bath, body and beauty surprises. Mad Beauty’s playful interpretation continues with a moulded Sorting Hat Lip Balm, a Dobby Sock Gift Set featuring 3D pop-out packaging, and Hogwarts Bath Dust presented in potion timer-inspired bottles. The wider collection spans fragrance, skincare, bath, body and accessories. The launch follows Mad Beauty’s Harry Potter-inspired collection having been named a finalist in the Global Licensing Awards.
Call: 0208 958 0555 Email: sales@madbeauty.com | Visit: www.madbeauty.com
Harry Potter magic comes to home fragrance with Joe Davies’ collection of candles and reed diffusers. The range is packed with instantly recognisable designs, from Hogwarts and the four iconic houses to the Golden Snitch and Golden Egg, offering plenty of choice for Harry Potter fans and gift buyers alike. Eye-catching counter display units also make the collection easy for retailers to merchandise. A Christmas highlight is the Harry Potter Wax Melt Advent Calendar, offering a countdown to the big day, which coincides with the premiere of the TV show on December 25.
Call: 0161 975 6300 Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk Visit: www.joedavies.co.uk
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for Potterheads Rainbow Designs
Supplier snapshot
Rainbow Designs’ Harry Potter collection brings a sprinkle of Wizarding World magic to the very youngest fans, with a selection of infant toys and gifts designed for precious early moments. From The Stars of Hogwarts My First Soft Toys to ring rattles, comforters and activity toys, the collection introduces little ones to muchloved characters including Harry Potter, Hedwig the Snowy Owl and Dobby the house-elf. With their cute designs and soft, tactile details, these companions make beautiful gifts for newborns and young fans, with plenty of keepsake appeal. The range also includes the Hogwarts Express Soft Book, which is perfect for little hands, featuring baby-friendly fabrics, crinkle pages and textured surfaces to encourage sensory discovery. The Harry Potter Activity Cube is another highlight, packed with engaging details on every side, including crinkle sounds, a baby-safe mirror, textured fabrics and Dobby’s floppy ears. Combining familiar characters with gentle sensory play, Rainbow’s Harry Potter collection makes enchanting gifts to treasure, while introducing a new generation to the magic of the Wizarding World.
Call: 01329 227300 | Email: sales@rainbowdesigns.co.uk | Visit: www.rainbowdesigns.co.uk
Widdop & Co.
University Games
A little bit of Hogwarts magic makes a wonderful gift, and University Games’ bestselling Harry Potter 3D Puzzles offer fans the chance to recreate their favourite corners of the wizarding world. Perfect for birthdays, Christmas and those all-important gifts for Potterheads, the collection combines the fun of puzzling with the lasting appeal of collectable memorabilia. From Hogwarts Castle and the Hogwarts Express to the Knight Bus, the Burrow and Hagrid’s Hut, each set recreates an iconic location in colourful detail. Fans can also build their own Diagon Alley with Quidditch Supplies, Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, Ollivanders Wand Shop and Gringotts, available as a set of four or individually, making the range particularly appealing to those who want to bring the famous street to life. Each 3D Puzzle set contains between 62 and 197 sturdy pieces that slot together easily, with no scissors, glue or tools required, making them a fun and satisfying experience for Harry Potter fans aged 8-plus. They can be enjoyed solo or with family members, providing screen-free entertainment for holidays and rainy days. Once complete, each model becomes a piece of Harry Potter memorabilia to display, adding a touch of wizarding magic to any fan’s home.
Call: 0207 254 0100 Email: office@ugames.uk.com Visit: www.university-games.co.uk
Widdop & Co.’s Harry Potter range translates the details fans know and love into a collection of home accessories, keepsakes and giftware. Featuring iconic characters, symbols and stories, the products bring a touch of magic to everyday moments while celebrating the elements that make the Wizarding World so memorable. With consumers continuing to seek gifts with personality, the range offers retailers an opportunity to bring imagination, nostalgia and a sense of wonder into the home.
Call: 0161 6881226 Email: sales@widdop.co.uk Visit: www.widdop.co.uk
Yasmin Snowdon, marketing & content creator at Half Moon Bay, shares her insight with Gifts Today on the appeal of the company’s Harry Potter range and the thinking behind its latest designs Which products, characters, or themes are proving most popular? Across our Harry Potter range, Hogwarts, Platform 9¾, Dobby and the Marauder’s Map continue to perform particularly strongly. Their appeal comes from being instantly recognisable parts of the Wizarding World, but how those familiar themes are translated into new products is important too. Combining recognisable details with an interesting shape, use or gifting occasion can give established themes a fresh feel for shoppers. What opportunities does the Harry Potter category offer retailers during Q4 and the festive season? Harry Potter is particularly well suited to Q4 because its strong recognition gives retailers scope to cover a wide range of Christmas gifting occasions, from smaller impulse and stocking-filler purchases through to more considered gifts. Bringing different product types and price points together around familiar themes can make the range easier for shoppers to navigate, while creating a strong visual story in-store. It also allows retailers to add a festive layer to an established year-round gifting category rather than treating Christmas as a completely separate offer. Any launches or developments that you expect to make an impact? We’re particularly excited about our new book-shaped ceramic candles and co-ordinating miniature book hanging decorations, featuring Dobby, Hogwarts, Platform 9¾ and the Marauder’s Map. The book-shaped formats give familiar Harry Potter themes a fresh treatment and feel especially relevant for gifting. The miniature decorations bring a playful seasonal element, while the ceramic candles offer a distinctive new interpretation of the characters and locations shoppers already recognise.
Call: 01225 473873 Email: sales@halfmoonbay.co.uk Visit: https://www.halfmoonbay.co.uk/ Gifts Today 25
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New products
Style with a smile Lesser & Pavey
Disney delights Enesco
Enesco has introduced the Disney by Department 56 Metallic Hanging Ornament Collection, featuring 10 designs inspired by Disney favourites including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Stitch. Each ornament combines intricate character detailing with a contemporary metallic finish, offering a fresh take on traditional Christmas décor. The reflective finish enhances every design, delivering eye-catching pieces suitable for both tree dressing and festive displays. The collection adds a distinctive touch to retailers’ Disney Christmas assortments, combining instantly recognisable characters with striking finishes.
Call: 01228 404022 Email: uksales@enesco.co.uk | Visit: www.enesco.co.uk
Garden-fresh Gisela Graham
Gisela Graham welcomes the arrival of Spring with ‘Spring Vegetables’, one of its headline collections for Spring/ Easter ’27. The range brings together playful, organic shapes, vibrant greens, and a nostalgic, garden-totable aesthetic. The collection features a wide selection of stoneware ceramics, including tableware, kitchenware, and illustrated glassware. Designs include crisp peapods, juicy vine tomatoes, heritage carrots, and peppery radishes. From mugs and bowls to pitchers, these items bring a light-hearted, earthy character to tablescapes. Ideal for Easter gatherings or casual Sunday roasts, the collection extends into table linens and coasters, designed to complement the stoneware. It combines rustic tradition with a modern edge, whether styled as a set or used as single statement pieces to add a pop of colour.
Lesser & Pavey is continuing to look beyond traditional giftware with collections designed to add personality to the home. Its new mirror wall art collection combines decorative framing, vintage-inspired mirror finishes and witty typography. Designs including Gin Bar, Let’s Dance, Please Leave by 9pm and Posher Than Next Door are intended to feel decorative first and humorous second, making them versatile additions to hallways, kitchens, home bars and entertaining spaces. A range of decorative cushions combines premium fabrics and hand cross-stitched wording with playful statements and colourful patterns. Designs such as Just One More Episode… and Good Vibes Only reflect the appetite for products that make the home feel more individual while remaining useful and easy to merchandise.
Call: 01322 279 225 Email: sales@leonardo.co.uk | Visit: www.leonardo.co.uk
Picture this Figured’Art
Figured’Art has given Paint by Numbers a fun, sociable twist with its new Mini Series: six co-ordinating 15 x 20cm designs in one box, available flat or individually framed. Each set contains all six canvases, the paints needed to complete the collection, and three sets of paintbrushes, making them ideal for sharing with friends and family, parties, group activities and creative evenings - or enjoying solo. With themes ranging from florals and cocktails to cute Highland cows, the finished pieces make an eye-catching display when grouped together. The flat version retails at £24.90, while the framed collection has an SRP of £36.90, offering six creative projects in a single box.
Email: helen.cottrill@figuredart.com Visit: https://b2b.figuredart.co.uk/
Call: 0207 708 4956 Email: sales@giselagraham.co.uk Visit: www.giselagraham.co.uk 26 Gifts Today
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Fashion meets function for beauty & home Joe Davies
Stylish and practical, the new Equilibrium Cosmetic Bag Collection from Joe Davies brings a touch of everyday luxury to beauty essentials. Choose from two distinctive looks: the glamorous Sparkle Collection, crafted in shimmering satin style fabric, or the elegant Toile Collection. Both ranges are quilted and available in an assortment of pretty colours and feature a compact handbag-sized cosmetic pouch alongside a larger travel size, which comes complete with a convenient carry handle. An elegant pearl charm attached to the zipper adds a sophisticated finishing touch. Joe Davies has also introduced a new Mango Wood Floral collection,
combining the warmth and natural character of mango wood with colourful botanical designs. Available in two complementary looks - one featuring a soft cream floral and the other a richer blue floral - the range includes bowls, trays, coasters, spoon rests and serving pieces, making it easy for retailers to create a co-ordinated display.
Call: 0161 975 6300 Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk Visit: www.joedavies.co.uk
Create & cosy up Rex B2B
Beyond the card Paper Mirchi
Paper Mirchi is launching a Limited Collection of home and gifting products designed to extend the brand’s distinctive aesthetic beyond its established greetings range. The collection will span everyday and Christmas gifting, giving retailers the opportunity to introduce customers to new product categories while retaining Paper Mirchi’s signature designs, patterns and skilled craftsmanship. The brand is particularly excited to explore new product types, including cushion covers, tableware and shopper bags. These additions bring Paper Mirchi’s designs further into the home and lifestyle space. The seasonal products will provide additional opportunities around Christmas, while the everyday pieces are intended to have longevity beyond the festive period.
Rex B2B is bringing creativity and comfort together with two new additions: Pocket Blocks miniature building sets and a range of checkered blankets. Part of the company’s craft and build range, Pocket Blocks comprises easy-to-assemble building blocks in living room, home office and study editions, giving kids the chance to build their own miniature interiors from scratch. Encouraging imaginative play and offering a screen-free activity that children can enjoy at their own pace, the sets are suited to fans of building and construction toys. They also make appealing stocking-filler options for youngsters and creative teens. For those who prefer to relax, the new checkered blankets bring a cosy feel to the home. Generously sized and soft, they are an ideal companion for a chilly Christmas morning, whether draped over the sofa or wrapped around you. With their chic check pattern and practical appeal, they are a thoughtful present for those who enjoy the simple pleasures of staying in.
Call: 020 8746 1700 Email: info@rexlondon.com | Visit: www.rexlondontrade.com
Call: 0203 633 1415 Email: pollyanna@papermirchi.co.uk Visit: https://www.papermirchi.co.uk/
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Cover Story... Charlie Bears
Welcome to This October, British brand Charlie Bears unleashes a world of mythical characters, handmade craftsmanship and gifting opportunities for every customer
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or more than 20 years, British brand Charlie Bears has been creating handmade bears for a growing global fan base, combining traditional bear artistry skills and time-honoured techniques with distinctive character design. Every handmade Charlie Bear is unique, and it is this craftsmanship, alongside an instinct for creating characters with their own identities, that has become the hallmark of Bears with Personalities. Monsterology is Charlie Bears’ own take on the wonderfully mysterious world of mythical magic. But this is not about frightening customers away. It’s about creating characters that invite curiosity, spark stories and, ultimately, deserve a place on the sofa. As part of its house of brands, Charlie Bears believes there should be a cuddle for everyone, from its handmade limited-edition bears created as collectable heirlooms, through to soft, snuggly characters suitable from birth. With four distinctive brands spanning different audiences, price points and stages of life, there is something for every kind of bear lover. And this October, every brand has its own Monsterology story to tell…
Unlock the magic
Bearhouse by Charlie Bears has conjured up five magnificent new characters especially for Monsterology Month: The Yetis. Inspired by one of the world’s most enduring legends, these mythical mountain creatures have been reimagined as irresistible collectable characters that are as magical as they are huggable. Rather than fearsome beasts, the Bearhouse Yetis are gentle guardians of snowy peaks, brought to life through luxurious plush fabrics, frosted pastel colour palettes and beautifully sculpted details that make them impossible to walk past without reaching out for a closer look. Each Yeti has a distinctive personality, with names inspired by expressive sounds that capture their individual characters. 28 Gifts Today
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Monsterology Leading the family is Thud, the largest at 14 inches, whose calming grey tones and generous proportions make him perfect for oversized hugs. At the other end of the scale is Oomph, the smallest at 10 inches, with striking blue tones and two horn-like antlers. Between them sits Trundle, measuring 12.5 inches with a snowy white face and soft purple hues, while Galumph, at 12 inches, stands proudly in warm earthy browns with a distinctive single antler. Completing the family is Tip Toe, an 11-inch Yeti with delicate pink feet and two tiny horns. From their tactile fabrics to bespoke pebble-shaped embroidery stitched into every footpad, these are statement pieces designed to create theatre in store. Merchandised together, the five Yetis become a magical mountain family. Displayed alongside other characters from Bearhouse, such as the trolls, gargoyles, giants and ogres, they help create an immersive world that encourages customers to stop, explore and discover. And that’s where the strength of Bearhouse lies. Storytelling has enduring appeal. Children are drawn into the fantasy and adventure, while adults connect with the nostalgia, craftsmanship and collectability. It makes Bearhouse equally at home in gift shops, garden centres, visitor attractions, department stores and destination retailers. With Christmas approaching, the opportunity is particularly strong. Consumers are increasingly looking for gifts that feel distinctive and memorable - presents with personality that can become keepsakes rather than simply another item under the tree.
Meet The Charlie Bears Monsters
Next up in the Monsterology story are The Monsters: five handmade plush characters with a rather unusual talent for collecting the things that mysteriously disappear around the home. Where have your glasses gone? Who keeps stealing your socks? And why do your keys vanish just when you need them most? Charlie Bears thinks it may have found the answer. Glasses Monster, Watch Monster, Sock Monster, Money Monster and Key Monster are curious little creatures who live quietly amongst us, hiding in the places we least expect and collecting the treasures that humans accidentally leave behind.
Lovingly handcrafted using traditional techniques and soft, tactile plush materials, each has its own colouring, features and accessory designed to reveal exactly what makes them tick. Glasses Monster keeps a close eye on things. Watch Monster listens to the tick-tock of his favourite treasures. Sock Monster has an impressive collection of mismatched socks, while Money Monster has a soft spot for shiny coins. And Key Monster? He seems to have an uncanny knack for finding the things that have just disappeared. Available in a range of sizes, from the 10-inch Key Monster to the 13-inch Watch Monster, these mischievous characters are designed to be discovered, collected and, perhaps, blamed when something mysteriously goes missing.
Magic from birth
Monsterology does not have to stop with collectors and older children. For customers looking for a magical character suitable from birth, Bear & Me by Charlie Bears offers a softer introduction to the world of fantasy. With enchanting unicorns, dragons and Pegasus characters, soft colour palettes and machine-washable plush, the collection is designed to be cuddled, gifted and loved from the very beginning. Then there’s Cuddle Cubs by Charlie Bears, bringing Monsterology to an accessible pocket-money price point. The latest collection introduced five charming additions: Sabre Tooth Tiger, Dodo, Woolly Rhino, Woolly Mammoth and Grumbleweed the Dragon, a dreamy mythical companion joining four prehistoric favourites that may be lost to history but certainly have not been forgotten. Super-soft, pocket-sized and with an RRP starting from £9.99, Cuddle Cubs are designed to encourage collecting, impulse purchases and repeat visits, giving retailers an easy-entry opportunity to introduce new customers to the Charlie Bears world. Four brands. Four ways to cuddle. And one month dedicated to monsters, myths and magnificent personalities. That’s the magic of Monsterology at Charlie Bears - there really can be a cuddle for everyone. For more information about the Charlie Bears house of brands, contact the Charlie Bears sales team.
Call: 01566 777092 Email: uk-sales@charliebears.com Visit: www.charliebears.co.uk Gifts Today 29
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RETAIL INTERVIEW
More Than Just A Gift
A destination worth Sophie Edwards, co-owner of More Than Just A Gift at Narborough Hall in Leicestershire, has spent more than 30 years building a thriving gift shop with her husband Simon. Clare Turner finds out how a customer-first approach has helped their business flourish
What’s your background? I’ve not really known anything but shopkeeping! I was 16 when my parents opened our front rooms as an art and antiques gallery with a tea room and gift shop. I got stuck in immediately, building displays with my dad and choosing stock with my mum. I went on to study Archaeology and Prehistory at the University of Sheffield, intending archaeology to be my career, but kept working in the shop every holiday. After graduating, I gave the business one year to prove it could become profitable. More than 30 years later, I’m still here! Everything I know has been learnt on the shop floor. I also design and publish greeting cards through my own brand Petimo and write about independent retail through The Shopkeeper Journal, but my own shop floor remains where every idea has to prove itself. What first sparked your love of independent retail? As a child, I played shop in one of the rooms that is now our real shop. My parents used to drag my sister and me along antique-hunting in towns, and I made a beeline for every quaint little gift shop I could find. To me, they were magical worlds of beautiful objects and unexpected treasures. At university, my husband Simon and I wandered around Sheffield’s student districts conducting our own private critiques of the many independent shops. It was a slightly niche form of entertainment! Tell us about your business. We opened in July 1991. Narborough Hall is a stone-built 425-year-old building which looks nothing like a conventional shop, and is probably most people’s idea of the worst location ever! We’re tucked down a quiet residential road with virtually no passing footfall.
On top of that, 2.5 miles away, Fosse Park had opened in 1990 and was developing into a pioneering new kind of out-of-town shopping destination. Looking back, opening where we did was a triumph of hope over common sense. Fortunately, our family was too naïve to understand quite how difficult it would be. Although the original business combined an art and antiques gallery, gift shop and tea room, it still couldn’t turn a proper profit. They had also made the classic mistake of believing that the right stock would fix everything. By the time I graduated, the shop was bursting with slow-moving products. Seeing how quickly that tied up cash and choked the business gave me a lifelong respect for lean stockholding.
“Every customer visit still has to be earned” Despite that, I had complete conviction that the shop could become profitable. It had to, otherwise we would have to sell the house. I calculated the costs and a turnover target, and then set out to take the business in a new direction. Simon put his law career on the back burner and joined me too. We repriced and redisplayed products, altered fixtures, made signs, held sales and finally took the last remnants to car boot sales! After months of unpaid work, the debts were cleared and the shop was making a profit. That experience shaped everything we have done since. You don’t always need to spend much money to make an impact. Today, More Than Just A Gift is thriving, but every customer visit still has to be earned.
How would you describe your range? I love everything we stock, but I don’t stock everything I love. My taste and sensibilities shape the shop, but it isn’t an expression of me. Our customer is at the centre of it. As a destination gift shop, our range must never let her down. Whatever the person, occasion or budget, she should feel confident she can find something genuinely good to give. She has made an effort to visit us, so every time we need to prove that effort was worthwhile. That customer focus shapes both our buying and displays. Gift buying shouldn’t be stressful, and you can’t chuck a random assortment of products onto shelves willy-nilly and expect customers to make sense of it. Each area has a clear mood or gifting purpose, so someone can think: “Yes, this is the right place to choose for the person I have in mind.” We’re product-led rather than brand-led. We want customers to trust our overall edit: the pieces we choose, the combinations we create and the personality we layer over everything. Many visit regularly, so freshness matters. Deciding what we don’t reorder is every bit as important as choosing what comes in next. How many suppliers do you work with? There are probably up to 75 suppliers represented on our shelves at any one time. Some stay for a season, some for a year or two and some we have worked with for decades. Our current list includes Joma Jewellery, PoM, Freckleface, Rosie Made A Thing, Belly Button Designs, Ginger Betty, Jellycat, Bare Boutique, Best Kept Secrets, Softies, Wild Things, East of India and Lisa Angel. How has business been this year? We seem to have hit a new level. I honestly thought we had reached our limit and would struggle to grow without introducing completely
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Sophie & Simon Edwards with their daughter Dulcie, who joined the business five years ago, and dog Nixie, who loves to hang out in the shop
h discovering new categories, but campaigns, such as Female Founders Month (see box), coupled with an even greater focus on meeting our customers’ needs, have had a massive impact. In our last financial year, sales were up 25%, and current trading is nicely up on that again. For a mature business, that has really surprised us. Which categories are performing well? Fashion accessories, home fragrance and wellchosen impulse gifts are consistently strong, especially products that feel small but emotionally useful: something that communicates affection, humour or thoughtfulness without requiring a major purchase. The best performers combine easy gifting, a clear emotional message and what I like to call pick-up-ability! We’ve also invested in sterling silver jewellery. Rather than relying on well-known brands, we created our own identities for selections sourced from multiple suppliers. That has been very successful and, as the commodity price of silver has risen, has helped protect margins that might otherwise have been eroded. What are some of your bestsellers? Sales come from a broad base. Jellycat is, of course, on the list. We have stocked it for more than 25 years, but the current craze is something else. Our mission is to turn every Jellycat customer into a long-term regular by engaging them with everything else while they’re here. Sterling silver jewellery remains extremely strong. Belly Button Designs’ giftware is another favourite, particularly its striped mugs and age-specific porcelain heart decorations. Cards are our essential footfall driver. “I only came in for a card!” is our customers’ favourite phrase as they approach the counter - usually with a big basket of treats! Petimo has fast become our main card supplier. I started it to fill all the gaps I knew customers were searching for, and it’s made a big impact. Since introducing it, we’ve quadrupled overall card sales in just three years. How do you get the word out there? I have a love-hate relationship with social media. It
helps us reach new people and stay connected with existing customers, but I resent the time and energy it demands when the platform is invested in keeping people there, not encouraging them to put down their phones and visit our shop! Luckily, my team is far less cynical than me and has great fun creating our content. With no passing trade, social media reminds people we exist when we might otherwise be forgotten. But the best way anyone discovers us is still personal recommendation. We have a tribe of loyal customers who tell their friends and often bring new people with them. Do you offer any services? We don’t offer traditional gift wrapping. We scaled back our branded carrier bags and have actually seen gift bag sales soar. We prompt customers to add one and, when they do, we wrap their purchase in tissue and pop it in the bag so it’s ready to give. I believe the greatest service we can provide is a beautiful, browsable shop where people can easily discover everything they didn’t know they were looking for! Thoughtful curation and presentation do most of the heavy lifting, but of course we help anyone who needs extra advice too. My private view is that if they can’t decide for themselves, after we’ve spent all the hours scouring trade shows and websites, carefully selecting, editing, curating and presenting the best range of gifts we possibly can, then my inner Basil Fawlty might have something to say! But again, luckily, my team has endless patience with even the most indecisive gift-giver and everyone goes away happy. What’s next? We will keep developing the campaigns that customers have responded to so strongly over the past 18 months, taking them further, particularly this Christmas. I have also recently become one of the inaugural Home & Gift Industry Champions, giving me another opportunity to contribute to the wider industry.
But More Than Just A Gift will always remain at the centre. It’s where every idea is tested, refined and proved. I will never lose my love of shopkeeping, although Simon would probably be delighted if I could dampen down my enthusiasm for yet another new project just a little! Congratulations on being named a finalist in the Best Retailer Initiative category of The Greats Gift Retailer Awards for Female Founders Month and the Gratitude Tree. What did the recognition mean to you, and what inspired these initiatives? I was absolutely delighted. Recognition is always lovely, but this was particularly meaningful because it celebrated one of my less traditional marketing ideas. This wasn’t about selling products; it was about what our shop stands for: kindness, gratitude, connection, community and small business. Female Founders Month introduced customers to the women behind many of the products they already knew and loved. Instead of just anonymous stock, we shared the photographs, stories and creative businesses behind it, showing how one purchase could support both the shop that chose the product and the founder or designer who created it. Our Gratitude Tree then invited customers to think about someone who had supported them and add a message to the branches. We ended up with hundreds and, honestly, reading them was truly touching. The campaign resonated because it emphasised what independents do differently and created an emotionally engaging experience unique to our shop. People stayed longer and often added something extra to their baskets, so the sales uplift was significant and continued into the following month too. Gifts Today 31
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Focus On... Captivate Brands
The Cath Kidston kitchen and homeware collection is perfect for gifting. Pictured is the Spitalfields design
The William Morris At Home collection blends heritage pattern with contemporary practicality, as seen in this Kitchen Garden design
Designed for Captivate Brands brings flair and imagination to products proudly designed in Britain, with licensed designs that offer retailers distinctive, gift-ready collections from some of the UK’s leading brands
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aptivate Brands has a portfolio of iconic collaborations, with products designed in-house in the UK for leading brands including Cath Kidston, William Morris At Home, Mary Berry, Orla Kiely and Yvonne Ellen. The company’s design team works closely with licensing partners throughout the process, ensuring every product reflects the brand’s distinctive look and feel. Managing director Kevin McKay says Captivate Brands has been bringing one-of-a-kind treasures to the market for years. He explains: “With our licences, we look to collaborate with market-leading brands to create distinctive ranges - from contemporary compositions to country kitchens. We think our offer, which really is unique,
can work well for gift retailers looking for products backed by an unwavering dedication to quality, style and value. “Our licensed brands are performing phenomenally but we also have a really strong portfolio of in-house brands that are going from strength to strength, like Woodbury Lane tabletop and giftware. “The licensed designs are integral to our business and will continue to be so. But it’s all about getting the right partners - licensed brands that have a commercial as well as a creative eye.” The full licensed portfolio at Captivate Brands now numbers eight. The original licence was Mary Berry, closely followed by Cath Kidston, Yvonne Ellen and Maxwell & Williams. Autumn 2025 saw Style Sisters and Orla Kiely
Carefully illustrated animals and on-trend colours in the award-winning Yvonne Ellen collection create an elegant aesthetic - and a bit of fun! 32 Gifts Today
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success join the line-up, followed in 2026 by MADE.com and William Morris At Home. Here’s a closer look at some of the key licences for gifts…
William Morris At Home William Morris At Home is one of the latest licences from Captivate Brands. Inspired by Morris’ timeless prints and his belief in bringing artistry into everyday spaces, this collection blends heritage pattern with contemporary practicality. William Morris At Home is a well-established brand that has already seen great success across soft furnishings, furniture and beauty, and the Captivate Brands collection features tableware and accessories. Each piece showcases intricate motifs, rich colour and crafted detail, reimagined for today’s homes. Thoughtful materials, elegant finishes and a sense of quiet luxury make the range feel both classic and fresh. It’s a celebration of creativity and craftsmanship, inspired by William Morris’ belief that you should have “nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful”.
Woodbury Lane tabletop and giftware is one of Captivate Brands’ in-house collections that is going from strength to strength
The Cath Kidston kitchen and homeware collection captures this spirit, with charming prints and practical designs that brighten your space and bring a smile to your day. Perfect for gifting or enhancing your own home, these products are a true celebration of life’s little joys.
Yvonne Ellen Founded in 2013, the Yvonne Ellen brand partnership with Captivate Brands continues to result in gorgeous tabletop and giftware with a twist of nostalgia – and most recently earning the Top of the Table Award at the Excellence in Housewares Awards 2026! Carefully illustrated animals with on trend colours and subtle hints of gold give you an elegant aesthetic that’s great for gifts or just buying yourself for a treat.
Cath Kidston Cath Kidston is a quintessentially British brand, celebrated for its joyful prints that spark cherished memories, and its thoughtfully crafted products made for real life. Born in a small shop in Notting Hill in 1993, Cath Kidston has grown into a global lifestyle brand, inspiring everyday optimists to find the extraordinary in the everyday.
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Call: 01386 421622 Email: info@captivatebrands.co.uk Visit: www.captivatebrands.com
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Wrap stars Art On Scarves
Art On Scarves, founded by multi-award-winning designer and entrepreneur Lucy Hay, creates distinctive scarves that bring together art, fashion and British craftsmanship. Designed with individuality and versatility in mind, the collections offer stylish accessories for year-round wear. A highlight is the RPET scarf collection, made from recycled plastic bottles that are transformed into a silky-soft, lightweight fabric. Designed and handprinted in North Wales, the collection demonstrates how sustainability and contemporary fashion can work beautifully together. Alongside the RPET collection, Art On Scarves offers designs such as the Gathering Seasons Collection, celebrating the changing beauty of the British landscape through September Glow, Autumn Ramble and Winter Hedgerow. Each design captures the distinctive colours, textures and atmosphere of the seasons. Lucy’s creative vision has earned recognition across the gift and entrepreneurial sectors, including a Highly Commended accolade in the Made in the UK category of the Gift of the Year Awards 2026 and inclusion in the prestigious iAlso100 2026 (now rebranded as The Female Founders List), recognising inspirational female entrepreneurs.
Step to it! Joe Davies
Add a splash of colour to your sock assortment with Equilibrium’s bamboo designs. The socks combine eye-catching patterns with everyday comfort and are available in a variety of shades for both men and women. These socks are breathable and gentle on the skin, making them comfortable to wear hroughout the day. Choose from individual pairs supplied with practical hanging headers, ideal for creating an in-store display, or luxury gift boxes containing two pairs - a ready-made gift! With great gifting appeal and styles to suit all tastes, Equilibrium Bamboo Socks make an easy addition to your gift offering.
Call: 0161 975 6300 Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk | Visit: www.joedavies.co.uk
Call: 07592 451667 Email: lucy@artonscarves.com Visit: www.artonscarves.com
Beaded beauties Gold Trip
This season Gold Trip launches an all-new collection of beaded bags and accessories, complementing its demifine jewellery and hair accessories offer. The purses and keyrings feature beaded or velvet backings, satin linings, high-quality gold hardware, and tactile finishes. Inspired by the theme of love, the clutch bag collection is aimed at the bridal market, but is intended to be enjoyed beyond the wedding day. Available in whites, golds, pinks and black, the versatile style showcases on-trend motifs and comes with an optional gold chain shoulder strap, making it suitable for multiple occasions. The coin purses are ideal for cash, cards, makeup or organising handbag essentials, while the keyrings feature two attachments, allowing them to double as bag charms. Designs include an oyster, diamond ring, lucky horseshoe, paw print and ballerina.
Call: 07863 452 069 Email: hello@goldtrip.co | Visit: https://goldtrip.co
London calling Signare
Signare, the official licensee for Transport for London (TfL) woven tapestry accessories, has launched its Piccadilly line 120th Anniversary Collection, developed in close collaboration with TfL. Commemorating 120 years of one of London’s most iconic Underground lines, the collection transforms the Piccadilly line’s instantly recognisable seat patterns into a range of woven tapestry lifestyle accessories, designed to appeal to both Londoners and visitors looking for a stylish keepsake. The special-edition collection also features TfL’s roundel alongside the “Mind the Gap” motif, bringing together some of the capital’s most enduring transport symbols in a design that celebrates London’s heritage.
Call: 01276 29483 Email: info@signarelondon.com Visit: www.signarelondon.com
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Product Focus Sentiment Gifts
Flowers for special moments Alexander Thurlow
A new flower has arrived at Alexander Thurlow: the cornflower. A popular staple in country gardens and wildflower meadows, it was also a Victorian symbol of love and courtship, often worn in a bachelor’s buttonhole. The cornflower has a powerful connection to remembrance. In France, it’s known as the Bleuet de France and is worn to show solidarity with veterans, victims of war and anyone affected by conflict. This makes it a fitting addition to the Alexander Thurlow flower family. The range includes a brooch, lapel pin, stud earrings, drop earrings and necklace. With Christmas approaching, Alexander Thurlow’s ever-popular Christmas tree brooch range is back. There’s something for everyone, whether it’s colourful and fun, minimalist and modern, or classic and traditional. The trees are joined again this year by classic Christmas flora, including holly, mistletoe and poinsettia. The jewellery’s sentimental meanings and associations, including birth months, anniversary flowers and namesakes, offer broad gifting appeal. Products come on pre-barcoded presentation cards, with gift boxes also available for retail display.
Call: 020 8766 6466 | Email: sales@alexanderthurlow.com | Visit: www.alexanderthurlow.com
From the heart
Sentiment gifts give retailers an opportunity to drive sales with products that tap into shoppers’ desire to express affection, appreciation and connection
Designs with meaning Joe Davies
Building on the success of Joe Davies’ much-loved Equilibrium “Robins Appear” collection, the company has introduced new designs to the range. Robins have long been associated with remembrance, hope and the comforting thought that loved ones are near, making them a popular choice for sentiment gifts. Among the latest additions is a delicate robin nestled within a wreath - a lovely choice for the festive season - alongside an elegant robin perched upon a pearl and a characterful antique-style robin design. With necklaces, bracelets, earrings and brooches to choose from, all plated in genuine silver, the “Robins Appear” collection offers a versatile selection for a range of gifting occasions. Another longstanding Equilibrium favourite is the “Guardian Angel” pin collection, which has been updated with six new designs. Each is presented on a colourful backing card featuring a heartfelt verse. This range comes with an acrylic counter display unit, creating an eye-catching presentation while requiring minimal counter space. Ideal for impulse purchases, the CDU makes an easy addition to any gift or jewellery display. Meanwhile, Joe Davies’ new Meadow Crystal collection brings together pretty florals, heartfelt words and giftable designs in a fresh take on sentiment gifting. The range covers popular sentiments and relationships, including Mum, Nan, Sister, Auntie, Friends, Best Friend and Family, alongside Robin and Forget Me Not designs with remembrance appeal.
Milestones to treasure Widdop & Co.
Some of life’s biggest emotions come from its smallest moments. From welcoming a new arrival to celebrating early milestones, baby gifting remains one of the most heartfelt areas of the gift market. Little Roglets was created to mark these moments. Originally launched as a greetings card collection, the muchloved characters have evolved into an equally endearing gifting range, bringing their playful personalities and heartfelt messages to products designed to be treasured. Inspired by the belief that every child’s journey is unique, the award-winning collection encourages families to recognise, support and celebrate each milestone along the way. Adorable characters, thoughtful design and a gentle message of positivity sit at the heart of the range. As gifting becomes increasingly personal, gifts that tell a story, mark a special occasion or become keepsakes continue to resonate. Little Roglets captures this beautifully, creating gifts that celebrate every journey and milestone, big or small.
Call: 0161 688 1226 Email: sales@widdop.co.uk Visit: www.widdop.co.uk
Call: 0161 975 6300 | Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk | Visit: www.joedavies.co.uk 36 Gifts Today
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Focus On... Rex B2B
A treasure trove
of gift options Bring joy to your store with traditional toys, thoughtful gifts, chic home decor, and whimsical daily essentials from Rex B2B, offering something for every occasion
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ex B2B (formerly Rex London Trade) has been designing and curating gifts for retailers since 1981. Known for its eclectic product range spanning homeware, toys, novelties and kids’ products, the brand aims to have a gift for every occasion and every loved one (even those who are seemingly impossible to buy for!). New products are unveiled nearly every week, with approximately 600 lines released each year, giving stockists plenty of opportunities to regularly refresh their stores. Alongside the ever-evolving product offering, Rex B2B takes pride in its distinct brand identity, defined by bright colours, whimsical details, and a retro flair. Everything is conceived, designed and sourced from its London headquarters, with fresh lines added throughout the year rather than being limited to seasonal collections. The in-house design and buying teams are quick to respond to customer feedback and market trends, while staying true to Rex B2B’s signature aesthetic. For example, this year the brand added 12 designs to its bestselling retro storage tin collection. Ultimately, it’s about ensuring there’s a treasure trove of options that customers truly love, so that no one is stuck for a gift. Rex B2B has been trading successfully for 45 years, and many of its creatives and strategists have been working with the company since its inception. That level of industry experience, coupled with a sharp instinct for what resonates with customers, has served the business well. The UK wholesale operation continues to boom, with the latest annual financial report showing yet another yearon-year increase in revenue. With plenty more lines in the
pipeline for 2026 and beyond, that trajectory shows no sign of slowing down. Rex B2B is committed to making its products as accessible as possible, especially for independent stockists, offering no minimum order and carriage paid at £250. All items shown on its trade website are in stock and ready to dispatch. You can explore Rex B2B’s bestsellers and new collections at www.rexlondontrade.com. Whether online or in person, the team is always eager to connect with both new and established customers.
Call: 020 8746 1700 Email: info@rexlondon.com Visit: www.rexlondontrade.com Gifts Today 37
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Focus On... Figured’Art
Christmas creativity From fresh formats and licensed favourites to distinctive new designs, premium gift craft brand Figured’Art is bringing innovation and choice to the festive season
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igured’Art is heading into Christmas with its strongest UK collection yet, combining bestselling creative crafts with new formats, licensed collections and fresh designs created specifically with the UK market in mind. New for autumn is Figured’Art’s Highland Cow and Puffin collection, bringing two much-loved British favourites to the range. Colourful, characterful, and highly giftable, the new designs are ideal for both traditional gift retailers and tourist destinations. The brand is also expanding its Paint by Numbers offering with its new Miniseries, available in both framed and flat formats. Each set contains six co-ordinated miniPaint by Numbers projects, providing a fun, accessible way to enjoy the craft. They can be completed individually, displayed together, or even shared as part of a creative evening with friends and family. Also new are Figured’Art’s 3D Relief Painting Kits. Instead of following printed numbers, painters use a beautifully-detailed raised resin design as their guide, offering greater creative freedom while retaining the reassurance of a defined outline. The launch collection includes interpretations of famous artworks alongside contemporary designs, with an attractive SRP of £18.90. Figured’Art’s popular Book Nook collection also enters the Christmas season with a new pricing structure. Increased production volumes have enabled the brand to significantly reduce prices across the range, with some SRPs falling by more than 20%. The new pricing makes these intricate miniature worlds an even more compelling gifting proposition, with highlights including the wonderfully festive Christmas Shop. For fans of iconic entertainment, Figured’Art’s first Warner Bros. licensed collection is now in stock, featuring Harry Potter™ and Superman™ across Paint by Numbers and Diamond Painting. Combining
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instantly recognisable artwork with Figured’Art’s premium creative formats, the collection brings a new dimension to gifting for fans and collectors. Alongside the new launches sits Figured’Art’s extensive core collection of Paint by Numbers, Diamond Painting, and other creative formats, offering retailers a broad choice of gifts across distinctive styles and price points. With consumers increasingly looking for meaningful ways to switch off, spend time away from screens and enjoy the satisfaction of making something themselves, Figured’Art offers gifts that provide an experience long after the wrapping paper has disappeared. Beautifully presented, relaxing to complete, and with a finished creation to keep and display, Christmas 2026 is looking particularly creative at Figured’Art.
Email: helen.cottrill@figuredart.com Visit: https://b2b.figuredart.co.uk/
13/10/2026 09:44
Focus On... Joe Davies
Crochet’s big appeal From flowers and characters to accessories and sentiment gifts, crochet is a feel-good gift trend with plenty of selling potential. Joe Davies explains why retailers are getting hooked
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n a gift market driven by emotional connection, crochet has emerged as one of the most exciting trends of the moment. Nostalgic yet contemporary and handmade in appearance, crochet gifts offer something that massmarket products can sometimes lack: warmth, character, and a sense of fun. For Joe Davies, crochet is one of its fastest-growing trends - and it’s easy to understand why. The company’s expanding collection brings the look into multiple gift categories, giving retailers plenty of opportunities to introduce this sought-after style across their stores. Crochet’s appeal is wonderfully broad. It taps into the continuing love for crafting and traditional techniques while feeling cheerful and highly giftable. Each piece has a distinctive, lovingly made appearance, helping even an affordable impulse purchase feel thoughtful and special. At a time when consumers are looking for gifts that create an emotional response, crochet delivers charm in abundance. Flowers are a natural fit for the trend. Joe Davies offers colourful crochet flowerpots, buckets of individual stems and pretty flower posies, providing a lasting alternative to fresh blooms. With no watering required and no expiry date, they are ideal for all occasions, from thank-you gifts and birthdays to Mother’s Day and ‘thinking of you’ moments. The trend also lends itself beautifully to fun, characterled gifting. Joe Davies’ emotional support characters combine crochet with uplifting sentiments for everyday and Christmas. Designed to make recipients smile, they are ideal for friends, family members and anyone who could use a small reminder that somebody cares. Presented in a wooden crate, they make a great display on the shop floor. Wearable accessories extend crochet’s reach even further. Traditional crochet brooches bring a handcrafted flourish to coats and scarves, while fun bag charms appeal
to customers who enjoy personalising their everyday accessories. These smaller products work well as pick-up gifts and affordable treats, allowing shoppers to embrace the crochet look without making a large purchase. Joe Davies has also carried the theme into sentiment home gifting, with photo frames and plaques that unite heartfelt words with the crochet trend. This combination adds softness to a familiar gift format, helping the products stand out on the shelf and giving retailers fresh options for milestone occasions, friendships, and family gifting. One of crochet’s greatest commercial strengths is its ability to work across generations. It can evoke fond memories of traditional handmade crafts, while its bright colours and quirky characters connect with younger shoppers. That crossover appeal makes it a valuable theme for independent gift shops and garden centres seeking products that feel distinctive but remain easy to buy. Warm, cute, and full of personality, crochet is much more than a passing craft revival. It reflects the consumer appetite for comforting, characterful gifts that feel personal and bring joy. With a broad and growing selection of flowers, characters, accessories and sentiment pieces, Joe Davies makes it easy for retailers to get hooked on one of gifting’s fastest-growing trends. As always, Joe Davies continues to support customers with its popular ‘little & often’ ordering system, low £100 minimum order value and free nationwide delivery.
Call: 0161 975 6300 Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk Visit: www.joedavies.co.uk Gifts Today 16
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Product Focus
Ashleigh & Burwood
Fragranced Gifts Millefiori Milano
Best Kept Secrets
Scents of the season From sophisticated seasonal blends and design-led diffusers to stylish sets, fragranced gifts offer retailers plenty of opportunities to attract shoppers this Q4 and boost festive sales
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ith wellbeing, sustainability and design shaping the fragranced gifts sector, brands are responding with evolving formats and more sophisticated scent profiles. Ashleigh & Burwood NPD & innovation director Claire Bristow, Millefiori Milano managing director for the UK & Ireland Sarah AllardMorgan, and Best Kept Secrets marketing manager Jessica Barker share their insights.
Claire Bristow
Sarah Allard-Morgan
Jessica Barker
How has the fragranced gifts sector evolved in recent years? Claire: Home fragrance is no longer seen as a luxury. For many consumers, it’s now as much a part of their home ambience as colour, décor and lighting. Sarah: Sustainability is a driving factor; consumers are looking for brands with a clear sustainable policy and are willing to pay more for it. This applies not only to the product but also the packaging. Our packaging is crafted from recycled paper and is also recyclable. There’s also a clear shift into the wellbeing space. Wellness now sits at the heart of the home fragrance category, with a growing emphasis on how scent influences mood, atmosphere and how we experience different areas of the home. Consumers are increasingly thinking about how each room should feel - calming, energising, comforting - and choosing fragrances that support those moods. Premium, design-led diffusers paired with refined fragrances have become the go-to choice for consumers seeking wellbeing and style. Which formats are currently performing best and why? Claire: We’ve noticed a real shift in the way consumers approach the dining table and home
entertaining. Consumers increasingly want fragrance to be part of the hosting experience, so some of our new Christmas formats have been a real hit. Our Scented Christmas gift sets are also performing well, with beautiful packaging and a safe, easy way to give the gift of seasonal scent. Sarah: Our Milano range is ticking all the boxes with its design-led Italian aesthetic and distinctive fragrance blends. Since our relaunch into the UK market earlier this year, Milano has become our standout performer. Its premium look, thoughtful fragrance profiles and sustainable refillable format make it a compelling choice. What scent profiles do you expect to be popular in Q4? Claire: Fruity gourmands are absolutely huge, moving on from simpler vanilla and nutty notes. Adding a warm, rounded, rich fruit accord takes edible fragrance to a new, more sophisticated level. Sarah: Our two new fragrance launches are both vanilla-based. Vanilla has always been a popular home fragrance choice, and blends are becoming increasingly sophisticated. It’s also the perfect base for many Christmas fragrances, including our two launches. Zucchero & Vaniglia blends gingerbread and sugar cane top notes with sandalwood, acacia honey and marzipan, which just embraces Christmas. Oro & Spezie has top notes of saffron and candied orange, followed by salted caramel and pastry cream, with a base of tonka bean and sandalwood. This fragrance is also great for the important Christmas selling period. Jessica: This season, fragrance is moving beyond traditional festive favourites, with richer, more sophisticated scent profiles taking centre stage.
Warm woods are popular, with sandalwood, cedar, amber and soft musk creating an effortlessly cosy atmosphere. For those with a sweet tooth, vanilla, toasted caramel, coffee, cacao and warming spices are hugely popular. Dark fruits also make an appealing choice for A/W gifting. Plum, blackberry and black cherry bring depth and richness, particularly when blended with amber, woods or subtle spice. And, of course, there’s still plenty of room for seasonal nostalgia. Cinnamon, clove, baked apple, ginger and fireside notes capture the feeling of crisp evenings and gatherings at home. Retailers are taking a broader approach to A/W fragrance, selecting a mix of seasonal scent profiles to reflect changing customer tastes, rather than relying solely on traditional festive fragrances. Any launches or collections you’re particularly excited about? Claire: We have a new collection launching next year that approaches home fragrance in the way younger consumers do, focusing on mood and moments, with packaging that feels as playful and covetable as a cosmetics brand. Our three Christmas fragrances are also wonderful in every way. Sarah: We returned to the UK market with a redesigned Milano Collection and we’re excited about how well it’s been received. We’re now stocked in some high-profile interior design and home furnishing stores, thanks to the range’s clean, premium look. We will continue to grow the Milano range and develop its fragrance offering as our signature range in the UK market.
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Embrace the season Enesco
Enesco is a key home fragrance partner for retailers, offering a strong portfolio of recognised brands including Disney Home Fragrance, Yankee Candle and WoodWick. Disney Home Fragrance offers multiple formats including wax candles in jars, glass vessels and pick-up tins featuring characters including Mickey Mouse, Disney Princesses, Stitch and Winnie The Pooh - and the 2026 Winnie The Pooh 100th anniversary offers a timely theme for seasonal displays. With character-led packaging, delightful fragrances and attractive price points starting at £9.95, Disney Home Fragrance can create stand-out merchandising and encourage cross-selling, while appealing to Disney fans and gift shoppers alike. A seasonal highlight is the Yankee Candle 2026 Christmas Gifting Collection, which features a selection of festive fragrances including Sparkling Cinnamon and Silver Sage & Pine. Beautifully gift packaged, the collection of gift sets of various price points includes tumblers, tealights, votives, and an advent calendar.
Coffee Break
Gifts Today takes a break with Siesta Crafts wholesale manager Darren Sutton to explore his views on how incense has evolved into a premium fragranced gift category
Nordic Skies is Best Kept Secrets’ take on the classic Fir Tree scent, bringing fresh, woody notes to autumn and winter gifting. Combining fresh pine with warming notes, the fragrance evokes crisp woodland walks, frosty mornings and evergreen trees, creating a cosy atmosphere as the nights draw in. Part of Best Kept Secrets’ new The Secret Collection, Nordic Skies is one of 12 candles inspired by much-loved luxury perfumes and home fragrances, inviting customers to discover the inspiration behind each scent. Hand-poured in Morpeth, each candle offers a 50-hour burn time and is finished with Best Kept Secrets’ signature biodegradable sparkle. With on-trend packaging and a £4.58 trade price, Nordic Skies offers an accessible fragranced gift for the season.
Darren says: “Over the last few years, the incense market has evolved to mirror the scented candle sector. What was once just a home staple has transformed into a gift everyone actually wants to receive. We’re seeing bold branding, creative conceptdriven collections, and customers who are genuinely loyal to their favourite blends. Our bestselling ranges are now designed to hit multiple trends at once, from wellness, aromatherapy, and crystals to specific occasions such as Christmas and birthdays. Customers love the whole sensory experience. Better still, they’re buying them as gifts now more than ever. Over the past few Christmases, we’ve noticed customers are after concept-driven, occasion-based collections rather than just pretty scents. Our festive range features sticks and cones with cosy notes like spiced orange, frankincense, fir, clove, and cinnamon. Alongside these sit our brand new Mystic Spirits range of six aromatic blends created around specific intentions: Energy, Focus, Prosperity, Protection, Purification, and Self-Love. Each pack includes mini crystal chips and is made using aromatic ingredients designed to complement the intended mood, increasing both its giftability and market appeal. Built on the success of our Crystal Magic incense range, launched earlier this year, these blends appeal to spiritually-minded customers and represent the future of fragranced gifting. For Q4, we’re positioning both the Christmas collection and Mystic Spirits range as premium gift solutions that speak to the modern consumer’s desire for meaningful, intentional purchases.”
Call: 01670 512222 Email: sales@bestkeptsecrets.co.uk Visit: www.bestkeptsecrets.co.uk
Call: 01227 786066 Email: thewarehouse@siestacrafts.co.uk Visit: www.siestacrafts.co.uk
Call: 01228 404022 Email: uksales@enesco.co.uk | Visit: www.enesco.co.uk
Festive fragrances The Milford Collection There’s something instantly comforting about the scent of Christmas - fresh pine, warming spices and the unmistakable aromas that make a home feel festive. The Milford Collection’s Scented Pine Cones and Scented Sticks have been created to capture that feeling and bring fragrance, decoration and seasonal charm into the home. The Scented Pine Cones combine the natural beauty of real pine cones with festive scents. Displayed in a bowl, basket or festive arrangement, they offer a simple way to add both texture and fragrance to a room perfect for creating a cosy atmosphere throughout A/W. Milford Scented Sticks can be placed around the home, tucked into festive displays or used to refresh artificial Christmas trees. Available in fragrances including Pine Forest, Winter Spice and Gingerbread, they make it easy to create a festive mood. Affordable, giftable and easy to display, the collection offers retailers a seasonal addition with impulsepurchase potential.
Call: 01686 629919 Email: sales@milfordcollection.com | Visit: www.milfordcollection.com
Woodland warmth Best Kept Secrets
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Product Focus Fragranced Gifts
A scented setting Ashleigh & Burwood
Ashleigh & Burwood has launched three Scented Dinner Candles and three Scented Tealight packs, just in time for autumn and the lead-up to the festive season. Rich in festive colour and evocative seasonal imagery, the collection is designed to complement cosy dining scenes and living spaces with a soothing atmosphere, gentle glow and fragranced ambience. While most dinner candles are traditionally unscented, these new formats combine candlelight with fragrance, adding another dimension to seasonal entertaining at home. The collection is available in Frosted Berry, Festive Fir & Cedarwood and Christmas Spice - three new festive scents suited to seasonal gifting and entertaining.
Call: 01932 267060 Email: CustomerOperationsTeam@ashleigh-burwood.co.uk Visit: www.ashleigh-burwood.co.uk
Ready to gift Lesser & Pavey
Botanical beauty Widdop & Co. Launching this month, The Wax Company introduces a selection of new additions that combine luxurious fragrance with considered design. Reflecting demand for indulgent yet practical gifts, the collection pairs distinctive fragrances with stylish presentation. Inspired by nature, the new fragrances feature rich berry notes, vibrant citrus accords, warming fig and comforting spices, creating inviting aromas throughout the home. Each product is presented with illustrated botanical artwork, adding shelf appeal and making the collection ideal for gifting. Alongside candles and diffusers, the collection introduces elegant candle warming lamps, providing a contemporary way to enjoy fragrance while adding a soft ambient glow to interiors. Combining functionality with decorative appeal, these pieces reflect the continued crossover between home accessories and fragranced gifting.
Call: 0161 688 1226 Email: sales@widdop.co.uk Visit: www.widdop.co.uk
Lesser & Pavey has introduced new Maison Parfum gift bags, each containing a 150ml reed diffuser, 150g candle and 50ml room spray. They bring three bestselling fragrance formats together in one beautifully presented, ready-to-gift package ideal for Christmas gifting. Director Jonny Greves notes that the wider home fragrance category continues to evolve, with 1L reed diffusers remaining a particularly strong performer, valued for their longevity, impressive fragrance throw and perceived value, while room sprays offer a convenient way to refresh a space. He adds that fragrances inspired by well-known perfume houses are expected to remain popular in Q4, alongside growing interest in new fragrances that combine different notes to create more unusual and interesting scents, such as Amberwood & Oud, Cedar & Oakmoss, and Pomegranate & Patchouli.
Call: 01322 279 225 Email: sales@leonardo.co.uk | Visit: www.leonardo.co.uk
Milanese keepsakes Millefiori Milano
For its first Christmas in the UK market, Millefiori Milano has launched a sophisticated gift set collection celebrating the festive atmosphere of its home city, Milan. The book-inspired gift boxes feature bespoke illustrations of three iconic Milanese settings - the Duomo, Galleria and Navigli - created by local Italian artist Sonia Ligorio. Designed for reuse, the sturdy boxes also contain a matching illustrated gift card. Available in two sizes, the sets combine different products at varying price points, with a choice of three fragrances.Two new scents launch for Christmas 2026. Zucchero & Vaniglia blends gingerbread and sugar cane with sandalwood, acacia honey and marzipan, while Oro & Spezie combines saffron and candied orange with salted caramel, pastry cream, tonka bean and sandalwood. Completing the collection, Mela & Cannella offers a gourmand blend of sparkling green apple, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove.
Email: info@millefiorimilano.com Visit: www.millefiorimilano.com
Affordable aromas Joe Davies
Joe Davies is bringing Elements Eau De Parfum to gift retailers, offering an exciting collection of affordable perfumes inspired by some of the world’s most popular fragrances. With an extensive choice of scents for both men and women, the stylish presentation and attractive price points make Elements Eau De Parfum a natural fit for independent gift retailers, with strong potential for both self-purchase and gifting throughout the year, from birthdays and Christmas to Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.
Call: 0161 975 6300 Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk Visit: www.joedavies.co.uk
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Focus On... Regency Fragrances
The £12 fragrance find
For retailers looking to add an affordable fragrance option to their gifting offer, Regency Fragrances brings together a simple proposition: designer-inspired scents at an accessible price point
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ith 100 fragrances across women’s, men’s and unisex collections, Regency Fragrances offers retailers plenty of choice while keeping the offer straightforward for shoppers. A combination of recognisable fragrance profiles, attractive packaging and a consistent £12 price point makes the range particularly well suited to Christmas gifting.
An easy price point At £12, Regency Fragrances provides an accessible option for Christmas gifting. It gives customers the opportunity to choose fragrance as an affordable gift without moving into a higher price bracket. For retailers, this makes the range relevant across a variety of gifting occasions - from Secret Santa and stocking fillers to gifts for friends, family and colleagues. It can also appeal to customers buying several presents, where the accessible price point makes it easier to add fragrance to the basket. The consistent £12 price across the range also keeps the proposition simple. Customers can browse and choose without having to compare different price levels, making the collection easy to understand during the busy festive season.
Designer-inspired scents A key part of Regency Fragrances’ appeal is its selection of designer-inspired fragrance styles. The scents take inspiration from familiar fragrance profiles, giving shoppers an easy starting point when choosing. This is particularly valuable for gifting. Choosing fragrance for someone else can be difficult when the scent is unfamiliar, but recognisable fragrance styles can help customers feel more confident in their choice. Regency Fragrances offers shoppers the opportunity to explore these familiar scent directions at just £12, providing an affordable alternative to higher-priced designer fragrance while still giving the gift a premium feel.
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A broad range With 100 scents, retailers can offer something for a wide variety of customers and gifting occasions. That breadth is especially useful at Christmas, when shoppers are buying for different people and looking for different types of gifts. From feminine and masculine fragrance styles to versatile unisex options, the collection gives customers plenty to browse. The £12 price also creates the potential for multiple purchases, whether customers are buying for several people or adding an extra gift to their basket.
Made to work on the shop floor Presentation is another important part of the offering. Distinctive packaging gives the fragrances individual personality, while the branded black Regency Fragrances stand brings the collection together in-store. For retailers, this creates a dedicated fragrance area that is easy to shop and simple to merchandise. During Christmas, when customers are surrounded by gift ideas, a clear display can help the collection stand out and make fragrance an easy category to discover.
More than just a Christmas gift While Christmas is a key gifting opportunity, Regency Fragrances can also work as an affordable everyday fragrance range. Its £12 price point, recognisable designer-inspired scent styles and 100 fragrances give retailers an offer that can remain relevant beyond the festive season. For retailers looking to introduce an accessible fragrance collection, Regency Fragrances brings together designerinspired scents, strong gifting appeal, distinctive presentation and a straightforward price point. It’s a simple proposition for shoppers and a flexible fragrance category for retailers - particularly when customers are looking for affordable gifts with plenty of choice.
Call: +353 1 8809150 Email: Marketing@regencyfragrances.ie Visit: www.regencyfragrances.ie
13/10/2026 09:48
Focus On... The Milford Collection
40 expertise years of gift
For more than four decades, The Milford Collection has been helping retailers source commercially appealing gifts, backed by the personal service of a family business
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ince 1985, The Milford Collection has been supplying retailers with an ever-evolving range of gifts for the home, garden and lifestyle. Still family owned and based in Mid Wales, the company has built its reputation around a simple approach: great products, attractive price points and dependable, friendly service. What began as a specialist supplier of Welsh gifts has developed into one of the UK’s most established wholesale gift companies, supplying garden centres, gift shops, visitor attractions, pharmacies and independent retailers throughout the UK and beyond. Today, The Milford Collection offers thousands of products across categories including home fragrance, decorative glassware, ceramics, garden gifts, seasonal collections and jewellery. Across every category, the focus is firmly on products with genuine retail appeal - eye-catching designs, accessible price points and strong margins. Product development remains at the heart of the business. New ideas and collections are introduced throughout the year alongside Milford favourites, giving retailers the opportunity to continually refresh their displays while retaining proven bestsellers. The company’s jewellery offering has also grown significantly following the acquisitions of Coppercraft and Lila Jewellery. Both brands are now firmly part of the wider Milford portfolio, complementing its existing collections and allowing retailers to source an even broader selection of products from a single trusted supplier. The Milford Collection has always placed particular emphasis on finding products that are just that little bit different. From its Animo sandblasted glassware and popular home fragrance collections to colourful garden gifts, ceramics, jewellery and seasonal impulse lines, the aim is to offer products that stand out in store and earn their place on the shelf.
The business also keeps a close watch on changing consumer trends, using these insights to develop and source new products, while maintaining the accessible price points that are increasingly important to both retailers and their customers. Behind the range is the same family business that has been trading for more than four decades. The Milford Collection believes that good service matters just as much as good products. Its knowledgeable sales team covers the UK, supported by the team at the company’s Mid Wales headquarters, making ordering straightforward and offering the responsive support that independent retailers appreciate. As The Milford Collection moves through its fifth decade, the focus remains firmly on the principles that have driven the business since 1985: distinctive products, excellent value, dependable service and lasting relationships with its customers.
Call: 01686 629919 Email: sales@milfordcollection.com Visit: www.milfordcollection.com
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13/10/2026 11:00
Focus On... Enesco
Ready to maximise
Christmas sales? The golden quarter is an exciting time for the Enesco team, with campaigns, evergreen favourites and new launches giving retailers plenty of inspiration for the festive season
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ith home fragrance continuing to be a popular choice for both gifting and self-purchase, the Autumn/Winter campaigns from Yankee Candle and WoodWick bring the warmth, atmosphere and appeal of these much-loved brands to life in-store. The Yankee Candle AW2026 collection celebrates the simple pleasures of this time of year. From the rich warmth of Woodland Spice to the frosty freshness of Snow Kissed Pine and the spiced depth of Crackling Embers, each fragrance invites shoppers to enjoy the beauty of the season. From large, medium and small wax-filled jars to votives, wax melts, reed diffusers and beautifully packaged gift sets, the offering is designed to create meaningful moments while filling homes with a comforting glow and the unmistakable scents of the holidays. A key part of these campaigns is the dedicated point of sale (POS), which is designed to help retailers create stand-out displays and make it easy for shoppers to explore the seasonal collections. With eye-catching presentation and clear brand messaging, the POS can help retailers make better use of their space, inspire customers and drive those all-important seasonal sales. Retailers can also take advantage of complimentary branded Yankee Candle and WoodWick gift bags. A simple but valuable addition, they give customers a premium gifting experience while adding brand visibility and helping retailers offer an extra service at no additional cost. Enesco’s extensive portfolio gives retailers a combination of evergreen gifts and seasonal newness, helping to attract new customers, encourage repeat purchases and maximise Christmas sales. Iconic collections include Willow Tree, Disney Traditions and Beatrix Potter, which offer recognisable characters, timeless sentiment-driven designs and collectable gifts with year-round appeal. Alongside such proven favourites, Enesco is committed to bringing fresh product to market for the key Christmas trading period. This year’s launches include the Disney Showcase Metallic Figurine Collection - a striking new interpretation of Disney character décor, where sculptural artistry meets a contemporary metallic finish to create statement pieces with strong retail appeal. Headlined by Mickey Mouse, the collection spans other
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timeless favourites including Minnie Mouse, and Donald Duck, alongside legendary Disney Villains such as Maleficent, Ursula, Evil Queen and Hades. Each figurine combines beautifully sculpted forms with character-defining details and a lustrous metallic finish, transforming much-loved Disney personalities into contemporary décor pieces while showcasing the exceptional craftsmanship and artistry synonymous with the Disney Showcase Collection. Continuing the metallic theme, Enesco has also introduced a collection of hanging ornaments from Disney by Department56. Boasting a shiny finish, there are 10 much-loved Disney characters in festive designs, including Stitch and Angel, Mickey and Minnie Mouse and Simba, offering an appealing choice for a range of gifting occasions, from stocking fillers and Secret Santa presents to family gifts and personal treats. In addition, Enesco invites retailers to expand their gift and lifestyle offerings with the vibrant, high-energy world of Bear La La. Designed to appeal to the rapidly growing kidult market and collectors of all ages, this official collection features a highly retail-friendly lineup of ultrasquishable characters, eye-catching collectables and heartwarming gifts. Counter display units are available. Enesco offers retailers a one-stop shop for Christmas, bringing together leading brands, evergreen bestsellers and exciting seasonal newness. With a broad choice across price points and categories, retailers can simplify buying, build a varied and compelling Christmas offer, maximise valuable retail space, and benefit from products designed to drive gifting and impulse purchases.
Call: 01228 404022 Email: uksales@enesco.co.uk Visit: www.enesco.co.uk
13/10/2026 09:49
Product Focus Giftable Stationery
festive marker Perfectly A VENT for Change paired Joe Davies
Joe Davies is expanding its popular Bridgewater Pen collection with a stylish selection of new notebooks and co-ordinated pen-and-notebook gift sets. Ideal for birthdays, thank-you gifts, new jobs and everyday self-purchase, the sets give retailers even more ways to create a cohesive stationery and gifting display.
A limited-edition robin page marker adds a festive touch to VENT for Change’s sustainable Make a Mark notebooks. Made from 100% recycled Italian leather, each A5 notebook repurposes designer bag offcuts, is finished with an elastic closure and contains 192 pages of ivory, lined paper. The Make a Mark notebooks are available in a variety of colours, including vibrant Christmas green and red, along with raspberry pink, burnt orange, purple, mustard yellow, dusty blue and charcoal.
Call: 07395 284788 Call: 0161 975 6300 Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk Email: retail@ventforchange.co.uk Visit: www.joedavies.co.uk Visit: https://www.ventforchange.co.uk/
Take note From stylish notebooks to practical desk essentials, discover design-led stationery ranges with strong gifting appeal for your shelves
Artisan craftmanship Namaste
Namaste’s Recycled Sari Cotton Paper Notebook combines sustainability with craftsmanship and design. Handmade in India using traditional papermaking techniques, each notebook features pages crafted from recycled cotton rag paper and a cover made from reclaimed sari fabric. The vibrant sari covers mean no two notebooks are the same, with each showcasing its own rich colours, patterns and textures. Designed for journalling, sketching or gifting, the notebook combines a practical format with artisan appeal.
Call: 01756 700790 Email: sales@namaste-uk.com Visit: namaste-uk.com
Kawaii must-haves Rex B2B
Kawaii stationery has long been among Rex B2B’s most popular offerings, and the brand is expanding its whimsical range with new lines of food-inspired erasers and animal-themed sticky notes. The new erasers take the form of familiar favourites, including chocolate bars, pizza, bread loaves and popcorn. Meanwhile, the animal-themed sticky notes feature the faces of lions, tigers, frogs, foxes and crabs. Practical yet playful, the products appeal to a broad demographic, from schoolage children to young adults who like design-led novelties. They’re thoughtful gifts for anyone who enjoys stationery with character, while also making fun and affordable stocking fillers.
Call: 020 8746 1700 Email: info@rexlondon.com Visit: www.rexlondontrade.com
Distinctive designs The Art File
The Art File has published a collection of A5 notebooks. Each features 190 lined pages, as well as a paper pocket, two ribbon page markers, a pen holder, rounded corners and an elastic fastener. Available in 29 designs, including two dotted options for bullet journalling, they’re ideal for everyday use or gifting.
Call: 0115 648 3240 Email: sales@theartfile.com Visit: www.theartfiletrade.com
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Product Focus Giftable Stationery
Get ready to scribble and sip! Museums & Galleries has launched two major releases: a stylish range of gift-boxed ballpoint pens and a collection of fine bone china mugs. Gifts Today finds out more
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useums & Galleries (M&G) has reported a very strong Top Drawer A/W, with visitors responding warmly to its two main launches: a collection of 12 gift-boxed ballpoint pens and a new collection of fine bone china mugs. The mugs were a huge success when the original collection launched at Top Drawer last year, while the new 2026 collection won the Top Drawer Spotlight Award for ‘Best in Home’. The Top Drawer Award sounded the starting gun on M&G’s autumn of prizes. In the next couple of weeks, it was confirmed that M&G’s Matthew Williamson Ikat Collection had won the Licensing Award in the Excellence in Housewares Awards 2026, and the following evening, M&G won the Henries 2026 Award for Best Licensed Heritage, Lifestyle, Art, or Design Card Range for its branded Angela Harding range of cards. M&G’s stylish collection of 12 ballpoint pens is presented in matching, plastic-free cardboard gift boxes. The packaging and pens work in concert to emphasise the beautiful repeat patterns that M&G has selected from its roster of licences, with many of the pen designs specifically chosen to co-ordinate seamlessly with matching notebooks and journals. The ballpoint pens feature a metal clip and tip, with retractable twist action and replaceable black ink cartridges. The pens have a suggested retail price of £11.99. M&G is synonymous with the V&A, and the range features five designs from the museum, three of them by the incomparable (and currently super-fashionable) William Morris: Strawberry Thief, Leicester, and Willow Bough. A relatively new pick for M&G, Willow Bough is one of William Morris’ most popular designs and was the design that William’s daughter, May Morris, chose to furnish her bedroom. Rococo, inspired by the work of Anna Maria Garthwaite, Britain’s first woman professional textile designer, already proved successful for M&G on stationery products launched to coincide with the museum’s ‘Marie Antoinette Style’ exhibition. The last V&A design, ‘Marching
Guardsmen’, also joins a co-ordinated design group of stationery and gift products. The other pens showcase designs from the British Museum, NHM, Sarah Campbell, and Wild Press by Helen Ahpornsiri. For the British Museum pen, the art team at M&G has worked with the licensing team at the British Museum to develop a repeat pattern from a popular Japanese Frog print. Rather charmingly, the pattern appears as a tasteful, almost art deco abstract print until examined closely, when the frogs emerge. M&G’s second major release is a collection of seven fine bone china mugs featuring two more designs from the V&A, a new mug from the NHM, another mug by the inimitable Angela Harding, a Van Gogh Sunflowers mug, a Christmas mug from Brambly Hedge, and a Peter Rabbit mug. Its marketing and sales team received a huge boost from winning the Top Drawer Spotlight Award for this collection. 2026 marks the 160th anniversary of the birth of Beatrix Potter, and M&G has launched two collections of Beatrix Potter gift packaging products, for everyday and Christmas: sheet and roll wrap, gift tissue packs, and gift bags in two sizes.
There is a large theme pack of 16 notecards and envelopes, and a smaller pack of eight thank-you cards and envelopes. A luxury A5 notebook will inspire the user’s own dreams and creativity, or users can decorate their space with a magnetic notepad, while an organic cotton pencil case will keep pens and pencils tidy. There is also a stylish organic cotton tote bag, a fine bone china mug with a keepsake gift box, a set of corkbacked coasters, four bookmarks, a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle, and a pack of playing cards. Finally, M&G has a collection featuring contemporary illustrator Josie Shenoy’s decorative London Map - which has been a hit with M&G customers since the original card design was released earlier this year. The new collection, entitled London Landmarks, includes a fine bone china mug, a PLA mug, an insulated metal bottle, a cork-backed coaster set, an organic cotton tea towel set, a playing cards pack, a magnetic notepad, and an A5 journal.
Call: 01373 462165 Email: sales@mgml.co.uk Visit: www.museumsgalleries.co.uk Gifts Today 47
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OPINION
Diary of a gift shop Sarah Halsall, owner of Hand Picked by Henrietta in the Cheshire town of Poynton, reveals how she has refreshed her shop, made the most of a busy summer, and is now embracing autumn as she gets ready for the Christmas rush
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hen you thought the summer lull would be the perfect time for a little renovation… what lull! We’ve had a lovely flow of customers all season, despite the ongoing battle with long-term roadworks that have overrun and are still not finished. I’d been wanting to refresh our back wall to make it a focal point as you walk in, drawing people through the shop. I’d talked to a carpenter about taking out the slat wall and we’d measured up, but our schedules never quite aligned. Summer was my window. When you work with a small team, you get used to wearing several hats, so ‘DIY Sarah’ put in a couple of late nights: • Painted the area the same charcoal grey as the shop exterior. Somehow, it reads much darker inside, even with extra lighting. • Swapped the shelves for slightly deeper ones, running all the way across the back wall. • Added LED strip lights - surprisingly easy, very thin and with a peel-back sticky backing. •A dded a pink scalloped edge to each shelf. It keeps us on brand, softens the harshness of the charcoal, and neatly hides the lighting mechanics. More than that, it’s made us stop and look properly at every display, giving each area a clear identity. We’ve taken a less-is-more approach, letting each product have room to shine. The shop floor is looking great. Now the stock room needs the same treatment, and with Christmas deliveries arriving thick and fast, I’m not sure when that’s going to happen. It’s amazing what you accumulate in nearly 15 years - I definitely need to be ruthless in the display graveyard!
We had lots of great chats with children about entering our Happy Card Project for Thinking of You Week, which took place from September 21 to September 27. The initiative, organised by The Greeting Card Association (GCA), brings together local schools, families and charities while celebrating the power of sending cards and spreading kindness. The Happy Card Project fits neatly with Thinking of You Week’s message of “Send a Card, Deliver a Smile”. It invites primary school children to design a greeting card with one simple aim: to make someone smile. The children’s artwork is displayed in-store and customers are invited to vote for their favourite design. The winning card is then professionally printed and sold by the retailer, with all profits donated to the young designer’s chosen charity. The project was launched by Heidi Early, cofounder of greeting card publisher Earlybird Designs, and is supported by specialist print manufacturing company Windles Group. We were delighted to see entries flow in, with some gorgeous designs coming through from local children. Children have also been spending their saved holiday money in “their favourite shop” - a comment which is just adorable to hear. NeeDoh advent calendars lasted less than an hour on the shelf, and fidgety squishy toys have been our top-selling summer staple without a doubt. Now I’m looking forward to the season change and ready to embrace the “ber” months and all things cosy - and, of course, gearing up for Christmas.
Back wall: Jellycat. On the desk: chocolate from Cocoa & Paper and Van Roy, Rachel Ellen stationery, Wild-Olive tin candles. Spinner: Earlybird Designs.
Jellycat
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Charlotte Muir Buyer/Manager Arnside House Gift Shop Arnside Cumbria What’s selling well? Our Wallace & Gromit range from Half Moon Bay is flying off the shelves, with water bottles and coasters proving particularly popular with both children and adults. How confident are you feeling about the Autumn/Winter season? We’re feeling really positive. As a small, tourism-led shop, the weather can have a big impact on winter footfall, but we have a strong Christmas trade, with lots of day-trippers, and we’re already seeing customers starting to shop for Christmas, with many people looking to spread the cost by shopping little and often. Have you completed your holiday buying, and what ranges are you excited about? We start thinking about Christmas very early, partly because I love Christmas and think about it all year round! We’re particularly excited about our candle ranges, with their beautiful winter scents helping us create that warm, cosy Christmas feeling in-store, alongside our lovely selection of hats and gloves. After the craziness of summer, we really look forward to transforming the shop into winter mode. What do you expect to be the big gift and stocking-filler hits this Christmas? Our History & Heraldry ranges are always a fantastic choice for stocking fillers. They’re personalised, beautifully presented and offer really accessible price points, so customers can pick up several for children or grandchildren - and the range is constantly evolving with new designs. What do you look forward to most about the festive season? For me, it’s the little things - wrapping a gift, helping someone find the perfect present for a loved one, and seeing the excitement when they know they’ve found just the right thing. As a buyer, there’s a real buzz in watching customers choose and enjoy products that I’ve personally selected for the shop.
Becky Hart Owner & Buyer With Love Card & Gift Shops 3 Shops in: Oakwood (West Yorkshire) and Kendal and Kirkby Lonsdale (Cumbria) What’s selling well? We had a ‘Gnome’ summer in Kendal and Kirkby Lonsdale, selling over 600 garden gnomes - they’re very ‘Marmite’, though! Currently, jewellery is selling very well. We’ve just started working with Clementine Jewellery, Flax Barn Jewellery and Wild Spirit London, and still work with Hot Tomato, Estella Bartlett, PoM and byEloise (for bangle bands). We’ve also introduced Inis fragrance to all three shops, with a positive response and great sell-through. Following my chosen departure from Jellycat in March, we’ve introduced Snoopy, Miffy, Peter Rabbit, Mr. Men Little Miss, Guess How Much I Love You, Happy Horse and Best Years toys. All are doing very well. Plus, the new Louise Mulgrew mini cards on a spinner from The Art File are great sellers. How confident are you feeling about Autumn/Winter? My thoughts are divided. I suppose I’m hoping for a busy few months, but I understand that gifts and cards are not a necessity and may therefore be lower on people’s priority lists. Have you completed your holiday buying, and what ranges are you excited about? I’ve ordered my usual autumn, Halloween and Christmas decorations from Gisela Graham, Heaven Sends, Giftware Trading, Gainsborough Giftware and Portland Living. I’m looking forward to dressing all the windows for Halloween and Christmas. Oli Olsen keyrings have been selling well, as have Stubbs Mugs’ Wild Giggles range of funny mugs, and Dialectable’s mugs have been very well received in Kendal and Kirkby Lonsdale. What do you expect to be the big gift and stocking-filler hits this Christmas? Last Christmas, ‘Relief Pills’ (gag medication mints) from The Diabolical Gift People were our top stocking-filler sellers. We’ll definitely be ordering them again, plus Stubbs Mugs’ Wild Giggles. We’ve recently started working with Coach House Partners, which produces a great men’s giftware range including metal construction sets, jigsaws, playing cards, mugs, metal signs, posters and books. The sets featuring Landy (Land Rover), Campervan, sports cars, tractors, stunt bikes and Del Boy’s Independent Traders Robin Reliant are all doing brilliantly. What do you look forward to most about the festive season? Decorating the windows, and then listening to people’s comments and seeing the children’s faces. It’s a magical time of year.
Gifts Today
SHOP TALK K We ask retailers about their customer favourites, festive preparations, seasonal expectations and the products they believe will make an impact this Christmas Bill Nettelfield Owner Bill & Bert’s Colchester Essex What’s selling well? Some of our best sellers for the last few months have been anything squidgy - obviously NeeDoh is number one, but the whole Speks range is very close behind, along with lines from Keycraft. Emma Bridgewater mugs are also selling very well, and Chilly’s Original Bottle had a revival during the hot summer. Soft toys continue to be huge: Jellycat, Charlie Bears and Wrendale Designs are all performing well ahead of last year. How confident are you feeling about Autumn/Winter? Confidence was down a bit at the start of the year, but having been well up in June, July and August, confidence for the final quarter is very high. Have you completed your holiday buying, and what ranges are you excited about? Christmas buying is finished, with the last few lines ordered at what was a great Home & Gift back in July. Hopefully, we will be able to top up where needed. One of our big hopes for Christmas is diffusers we ordered at Spring Fair from the Australian brand Home Fragrance Co. These are proving to be the bestselling diffusers so far this year. I’ve already put orders in for the final months. NeeDoh will obviously be huge: I think every stocking in Colchester will have one inside! Last year, we started selling Talking Tables, and this year we will sell a lot more. Its escaperoom and murder-mystery games are great. What do you expect to be the big gift and stockingfiller hits this Christmas? In the two weeks before Christmas, food gifting is one of our strongest lines. Suppliers including Cartwright & Butler, Cottage Delight and Spice Kitchen, along with Popcorn Shed and The Naked Marshmallow Company, are firm winners. At Home & Gift, we ordered from Cocoba Chocolate and also the most amazing liquorice from Lakrids by Bülow. What do you look forward to most about the festive season? Christmas in Bill & Bert’s is always fun, noisy and full of excitement. We get customers travelling from 50-60-plus miles away and doing their entire Christmas shop here. The smell of mulled wine on lateshopping nights really helps! Gifts Today 49
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Gifts Today
SHOP TALK Denise Ballard Owner Fourteen Lifestyle Stroud Gloucestershire What’s selling well? Cards are always my top seller and socks are a very close second - not your run-of-the-mill of course, but the cheekier the better. How confident are you feeling about Autumn/Winter? I’m feeling pretty confident; I don’t feel there’s as much doom and gloom as last year! Have you completed your holiday buying, and what ranges are you excited about? I haven’t even started my Christmas buying yet - I’m always pretty much last-minute.com! I never overcommit too early; I like to gauge how things move and how busy I am, etc. What do you expect to be the big gift and stocking-filler hits this Christmas? Socks, especially FabDaz and Groovy Things (from Sock Vault), desk plates from Flamingo Candles, A7 Tiny Hardback Notebooks from Ohh Deer, and the Fun Pills range from The Diabolical Gift People. What do you look forward to most about the festive season? I love the busyness and chaos, and seeing lots of our lovely customers.
Amy McCusker Founder WeeBox Glasgow Scotland www.weebox.co.uk What’s selling well? Trading is taking an upturn as our subscribers look towards autumn. Pumpkin-themed gifts and ‘sweater weather’ gifts are selling well. Thoughts are turning to Halloween, with subscribers keen to put the hot summer behind them! How confident are you feeling about Autumn/Winter? I’m confident, although the cost-of-living and concerns about pricing are still prevalent globally. That said, we’re getting the feeling that people want an escape, and the festive months bring that. Have you completed your holiday buying, and what ranges are you excited about? Just about! This holiday season we will have some fun new products from Selbrae House, together with handmade gifts, to create ‘moments’ in your home. What do you expect to be the big gift and stocking-filler hits this Christmas? Oh, that’s a good question! We’re seeing a particular interest in gifts with a story behind them, so things like Hebridean Baker shortbread for stocking fillers, and handmade pewter jewellery for bigger gift-giving. What do you look forward to most about the festive season? I so look forward to having family and friends together over the festive season - laying a big table and having good wine! We need it after the chaos!
Paddy Morton General Manager Strickland and Holt Yarm North Yorkshire What’s selling well? After a period of lower sales, mugs are back! They’re selling well, and we have some great designs from Eleanor Bowmer and Gisela Graham. Home fragrance also picked up towards the end of the summer holidays, including candles and incense sticks. Our ‘pick your own’ bath melts from Wild-Olive have also been very popular as small gifts. How confident are you feeling about Autumn/Winter? Quite confident, due to an earlier start of autumn seasonal sales for us. The temperature has dipped a bit in the North East and immediately customers have been buying from our autumn range, which is great. Autumn-themed glassware and dishes have been selling well, along with pumpkin-themed candles. Have you completed your holiday buying, and what ranges are you excited about? We’ve mostly completed our buying. We went to Autumn Fair to do our last orders and check that we hadn’t missed anything! We have a new seasonal baby range coming in from Chalk, and we’re excited about that and hope it will do well. What do you expect to be the big gift and stocking-filler hits this Christmas? Undoubtedly Jellycat and squishies will be big sellers - let’s hope so, because we’ve ordered a lot of the latter! So we’re hoping the toy sector will give a good boost to overall sales. Current demand suggests squishies are still very much on trend. Gift-wise, I think socks will be popular again for mum, dad and the whole family. There are plenty of great brands and companies with good product for retailers to choose from. What do you look forward to most about the festive season? Having a shop full of customers and being busy helping and serving them. The buzz and atmosphere are great, and feedback from happy customers makes the job worthwhile. It’s always good to have the shop fully decorated and wow visitors with our displays.
Gary Wakeman Managing Director MenKind 57 stores across the UK What’s selling well? We’re really pleased with how our expanded kidult category has performed, alongside strong sales of trending squishy toys and blind boxes. These categories are helping us grow sales outside the traditional Christmas gifting peak, giving us a much stronger year-round proposition. How confident are you feeling about the Autumn/Winter season? We’re quietly confident, for a number of reasons. Menkind offers something for everyone, from consumables and stocking fillers through to kidult, tech, gadgets and licensed products, as well as bigger-ticket items. This broad proposition across generations and price points means we’re in a good place and ready for a busy Q4. We also launched our biggest ever Horror range in September, which will run through to Halloween and our Christmas launch. Continued investment in new store openings across the UK gives us further confidence that we can build on our growth and capture high-street footfall during this key gifting period. Have you completed your holiday buying, and what ranges are you excited about? Our Christmas ranges are 99% planned now, although the range is never completely closed as our buying teams continue to source the latest lines to ensure our range is as fresh and on point as possible for this key period. With more than 30% of the range new this Christmas, we’ve lots to be excited about. In particular, we’re looking forward to our biggest ever gadgets range, as well as the kidult licences that cross over perfectly into Christmas gifting, such as Only Fools & Horses, Formula One and Star Wars. What do you expect to be the big gift and stocking-filler hits this Christmas? At the stocking-filler end, we see strong potential in mini tech, desk toys, gaming accessories and collectable/novelty items, particularly around the £10-£30 price point. For bigger-ticket gifts, smart technology, gaming, man-cave products, food and barware, and fitness/recovery tech are key areas of opportunity. Ultimately, we think the strongest products will have that “I didn’t know I needed that!” appeal - distinctive, giftable and ideally an upgrade to something the recipient already enjoys.
50 Gifts Today
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Nish Kanabar
Carl Dunne Director Cards & Gifts Dronfield Derbyshire
Director Ace Cards and Gifts Wetherby West Yorkshire
What’s selling well? As it’s the tail-end of the wedding season, we’ve seen a huge increase in sales of Carte Blanche Greetings’ Mr & Mrs diamante-embellished mug sets. We also stock horseshoes and other small, affordable gifts priced under £8, which have gone extremely well. We then upsell Glick’s stunning gift packaging, including gold gift bags, roll wrap and tissue paper, helping customers to create a beautifully co-ordinated gift.
What’s selling well? Pop-up cards, with the frames to go with them, as they can be kept as a gift afterwards.
How confident are you feeling about Autumn/Winter? Now that the extreme heatwaves are over, I’m sure business will get back to normal. We’ve noticed shoppers are slowly getting out and about, and I’m confident we’re going to have a fantastic autumn and Christmas season. We’ve already started putting some Christmas products out, and they’re beginning to sell, which is really encouraging. Have you completed your holiday buying, and what ranges are you excited about? Yes, the bulk of our stock has arrived over the past two weeks, so we’re well ahead of the game and ready to roll. We already have a lot of Christmas stock out, and it’s now just a case of fine-tuning everything and making sure it looks absolutely stunning for customers to buy. What do you expect to be the big gift and stocking-filler hits this Christmas? It’s always a difficult one in the gift industry, as it can be hard to know what to buy someone for Christmas unless they have a particular hobby or interest. We always turn to the lovely House of Sarunds, where we buy loose gourmet chocolates alongside personalised chocolate bars. For Christmas, we go all out with the seasonal captions, as well as personalised names. We always keep a pile on the counter and ask customers buying Christmas gifts if they’d like to add one, as they make the perfect present to pop inside a card or a great little stocking filler alongside the gourmet chocolates. More often than not, customers are tempted once you’ve planted the seed - it’s something a little different and unique.
Helen & Paul Southgate Owners Cards n Things Norwich Norfolk
Helen and Paul with their dog Tommy
What’s selling well? Customers are already starting to think ahead to Christmas. East of India gifts always sell well, as do Legami products, particularly for children’s gifts and stationery. How confident are you feeling about Autumn/Winter? We’re feeling optimistic. We’ve got a strong seasonal range, in particular from Katie Loxton, Park Lane and Lisa Angel, in smaller gifts and jewellery. Have you completed your holiday buying, and what ranges are you excited about? Yes, the majority of our seasonal winter buying has now been completed. We’ve focused on products that offer a mix of sentiment and fun, alongside a new fragrance range from Stoneglow. What do you expect to be the big gift and stocking-filler hits this Christmas? Customers are increasingly looking for gifts that feel personal without breaking the budget, so smaller thoughtful items that can be mixed and matched for stocking fillers are likely to be particularly popular. Lisa Angel has a great range of jewellery and gifts ideal for family and friends, and Legami’s erasable pens are perfect stocking fillers. What do you look forward to most about the festive season? The festive season always brings a special atmosphere. We love helping customers find that perfect gift for loved ones.
How confident are you feeling about Autumn/Winter? Really positive. We have lots of newness in-store. Have you completed your holiday buying? Yes, we tend to do our Christmas buying at the start of the year, and deliveries start to arrive from mid-August onwards. What do you expect to be the big gift or stocking-filler hits this Christmas? We sell a wide variety of gifts, including bespoke jigsaws, confectionery, soft plush toys, and our own range of Wetherby-themed tea towels, keyrings and china mugs… we expect all of these to be winners. What do you look forward to most about the festive season? The festive period brings cheer to all. So, lots of lovely conversations with customers, helping them choose gifts for their loved ones and then, of course, time spent with family when we get the days off!
Lindsey Scott-Walker Owner Feather Robins Daventry Northampton What’s selling well? Maileg has always been our bestseller, but since we relocated to Daventry we’ve really put our focus behind it, and the response has been incredible. Sales have grown enormously and we’re building a genuine following of collectors and gift buyers who come back to us again and again. How confident are you feeling about Autumn/Winter? I’m feeling positive. Customers are already asking us when the decorations will be going out, and gift-buying has started earlier than usual. We had a big launch at the beginning of September for our autumn and Christmas gift range, and we put a lot of social media behind it. This year we’ve been more strategic buying less, but making sure each piece has a bigger impact. Have you completed your holiday buying, and what ranges are you excited about? Yes, I’ve completed our Christmas buying already this year. We’ve been keeping a tight rein on our buying and purchasing strategically, which means focusing on a core group of brands - Maileg, Powder UK, Fable England, Lisa Angel and Powell Craft - rather than spreading ourselves too thin. We’re really building a following around these ranges. What do you expect to be the big gift and stocking-filler hits this Christmas? For stockings, we’re doing something quite fun and a little different for us this year: the Hijinx brand from Designworks Collective. We’re bringing in the notepads, pens, mugs, and socks in a tin, so there’s a real story to the range that I’m hoping will make them brilliant stocking fillers. Alongside that, we’ll be stocking some lovely stationery, plus the usual favourites like Christmas socks and Christmas badges. What do you look forward to most about the festive season? For me, it’s all about building the theatre around the shop - the decorations that make people stop and say: “Oh my god, I need that!” I love the fragrance too; we’ll be stocking our own-branded wax melts again this year, and I always have one burning in the shop when we’re open, just to create that atmosphere. I really look forward to our late-night shopping events: our Sunday Shop and Fizz evenings. I love Christmas, so I can’t wait for it all to begin. Gifts Today 51
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