7 minute read
Focus on
Plush friends go eco
The Puppet Company and its sister company Wilberry Toys have dived headfirst into creating eco-friendly product, with three ranges produced in the past few months - and there are more new launches planned…
In the past few years, The Puppet Company and its sister company Wilberry Toys has rightly focused on pushing more eco-friendly ranges of puppets and soft toys into its offerings. The launch of the Eco Walking Puppets late last year (made from 100% recycled plastics) was a huge success, and the company says it had to reorder these quicker than any other range. They also made the finals for Gift of the Year, an accreditation that the Puppet Company is still very proud to have achieved.
This July sees the eagerly-anticipated Wilberry Eco Cuddlies landing in the UK, each made from seven recycled plastic bottles. Wilberry Toys is anticipating that these will complement the Wilberry brand just as well as the Walking Puppets did for The Puppet Company, and has already placed another order before the first container has even arrived!
The ever-popular Puppet Buddies range is also getting revamped to be produced out of the eco material - and will launch A/W this year. This means that three eco-friendly ranges have been launched in a very short time frame, making the initial movement to becoming as eco and sustainable as possible, a real success!
The Puppet Company and its sister company Wilberry Toys will be working with its partners to move more ranges across to eco-friendlier materials and reduce its carbon footprint, which means looking at packaging, going plastic free where possible and creating POS that is sustainably resourced.
Thanks to these new ranges achieving great sales results in a short amount of time, the companies have been looking at new and innovative ranges and products. They have recently employed “Due to the success of the small versions, we could not be happier with how traditional and eye-catching these larger sizes [of Wilberry Knitted Dinosaurs] are, with many retailers placing forward orders to secure their stock back in February at Spring Fair!’’
Sam Lockey, Sales Director
a very talented designer with extensive experience in toys and the film industry, so future new product innovation is already very much well under way. Sales director Sam Lockey says: “Due to the success of the small versions, we could not be happier with how traditional and eye-catching these larger sizes are, with many retailers placing forward orders to secure their stock back in February at Spring Fair!’’
The development of new products is critical in helping retailers offer fresh new items in store and provide great sales opportunities and the companies are confident that the ideas they have will add significant value to any retailer.
Another huge launch this year are the new Medium and Large Wilberry Knitted Dinosaurs (launching August). Sam adds: “Our core ranges are still as popular as ever, with Sockettes and Finger puppets being best sellers along with our Wilberry Minis - which recently introduced more than 15 new designs - being a key range for us.
“What other plans do we have? We have some very exciting plans, which we will reveal at Autumn Fair - In particular, is our adorable ‘My First Christmas’ Puppet collection, which includes Father Christmas, Mrs Christmas, an Elf, Reindeer, Gingerbread Man, Penguin, Polar Bear and Snowman. This set is suitable from birth, machine washable and a great first puppet for any child. We are really excited about this range, which should be available just in time for those crucial Christmas sales.
“Looking ahead to 2023, many new ideas will come into production and we are excited to show the world once again, why we are global leaders for puppets!’’
Gifts for Card shops
Enesco
01228 404022 www.enesco.co.uk
Whimsical wonders
Contemporary gift retailer Enesco has announced a new and exclusive range of ladies’ accessories featuring the wonderfully whimsical works of American artist, Michelle Allen, into its ever-growing Allen Designs collection.
The perfect present for someone special, be it for a birthday, anniversary or other big milestone, or a ‘just-because’ gift or a selfpurchase as a special treat, items in the lady’s collection from Allen Designs are all pretty, yet practical, too.
The range of zipped pouches are sure to be firm favourites with customers. Available in sizes small, medium, and large, these super functional pieces are ideal for carrying pens and pencils, wires and charging cables, makeup or face masks and so much more.
The Fox and Flowers Zipped Pouch is a stylish addition to any handbag or carry-on piece of luggage. Set against a teal backdrop, this ginger fox is surrounded by a bed of bright abstract flowers in clashing colours including hot pink, acid yellow and vibrant orange.
The Boldly Grow Compact Mirror can be kept safe in the pouches or stored safely in a customer’s handbag. This compact mirror is lightweight, durable, and makes an artistic statement with its abstract presentation of plant pots growing their foliage, blooming with bright, bold colours.
The Black Moth Trinket Box is an ideal way to store small valuables at home, or transport little pieces safely while out and about. Home collectable
A new range of decorative pieces and collectables designed for the home, come from artisan brand Demdaco (pronounced Dem-day-koh).
Demdaco features six sub-collections, one of which is the newly-launched Heartful Home range; a collection from artist Tracy Pesche, which aims to bring a wonderful, whimsical and happy touch through her uplifting ceramic art.
With pieces in the collection including planters and bells, all items across the Heartful Home range feature Pesche’s signature style of hand-drawn, line-inspired graphics that bring a sense of joy to her work, paired with bold colours and black edging, off-set against the neutrality of the ceramic backgrounds.
These little planters and bells carry heart-warming sentiments such as Happy, Blessed and Love, as well as having sweet pieces specific to the recipient, including Mum and Grandma.
Retailers can present these lovely pieces instore with a 4-Tier Light Wood Displayer and Heartful Home Bell Pop by Demdaco. Quiet Moments
Also in the Demdaco collection is the newlylaunched Quiet Moments range; which shows how important self-care is and how taking time out is essential. Just one way Quiet Moments encourages calm and serenity is through its new Succulent Oil Diffusers.
With six pieces in the collection, the individually crafted succulent ceramic pots give the ability to create a quiet, peaceful aroma anywhere – combining the senses of sight and smell to encourage a truly serene environment. Customers simply place a few drops of their favourite scented oil into the white sculptured succulent top for slow, relaxing oil diffusion.
Each Succulent Oil Diffuser features a different designed ceramic pot carrying a caring and sweet sentiment, with examples including Blessed, Smile and XOXO (hugs and kisses). Created in calming tones of greens, blues and stone, they also add to the relaxing self-care vibe of the whole collection.
Together Time
Finally, the Demdaco Together Time range is a collection that aims to bring families and friends together in fun ways through pieces such as playing cards, a dominoes set, and Tic-Tac-Toe.
Each piece is presented in muted tones of greens, blues, pinks and oranges, with game sets such as dominoes and Tic-Tac-Toe featuring wooden pieces. Sure to be a huge hit with this collection is the Family Conversation Starter Jumbo Dice, which encourages customers to strengthen their family bonds in a fun and engaging way.
Simply roll the dice, see what question it lands on, and take part in the conversations that this piece helps to facilitate. With questions such as What did you do today that made you proud? and What are you thankful for today? the Family Conversation Starter Jumbo Dice is a great way to help family members – young and old – develop the skills of mindfulness, gratitude and positivity.
The pieces are super affordable as well as being small, compact and easily transportable. Each piece can be neatly stowed away at home, easily brought out for a bit of enjoyment at parties, or taken on family road trips to entertain during the journey.
