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Max Publishing Acquires London Stationery Show
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The Show Will Take Place On May 14-15 Max Publishing, known for its strong roster of B2B retail trade media and awards, as well as its Progressive Greetings Live trade show, has acquired London Stationery Show from Ocean Media Group. The show is the UK’s only event dedicated to the stationery, arts, crafts, paper and writing instruments sector. The acquisition also includes Stationery Matters magazine/online and National Stationery Week. “We are absolutely delighted to welcome London Stationery Show into the Max Publishing family and look forward to really getting to know the stationery community,” commented Rob Willis, coo at Max Publishing who concluded the acquisition with Ocean Media Group. “Ocean Media Group has done an outstanding job in the last few years, elevating London Stationery Show as the most important event in the stationery industry’s calendar.” As Jakki Brown, co-founder of the company added: “Every market has its own nuances, but with Max Publishing being so entrenched in affiliated retail sectors through our magazines, awards and our PG Live trade show, notably greeting cards, gifts and licensing, this wonderful synergetic opportunity to extend into the wider stationery field was too good to miss. We are already overflowing with ideas and can’t wait to get deeply involved in this fascinating
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Gift Retailer Wins Display Competition
and fast-moving retail sector.” London Stationery Show 2024 will take place, as planned, 14-15 May at London’s Business Design Centre, and Chantelle White has joined the Max Publishing team from Ocean Media to continue as its event manager. As well as further developing London Stationery Show, Max Publishing is fully committed to expanding Stationery Matters both as a magazine and digital news platform as well as further elevating National Stationery Week, which falls on 13-19 May 2024. To find out more about stands and sponsorship opportunities, contact Chantelle White on chantellew@max-publishing.co.uk or +44 (0)7795 951244. Founded in 1990, Max Publishing is an independent media business, wholly owned and run by its four directors, Warren Lomax, Jakki Brown, Ian Hyder and Rob Willis. Above: From left to right: Warren Lomax, Rob Willis, Chantelle White, Jakki Brown and Ian Hyder.
As winner of a recent Talking Tables display competition, winner Lucy Eason, owner of gift, homewares and card store George’s in Whitstable, received her prize of a visit by visual merchandising expert Debbie Flowerday, who helped to create two of Lucy’s six festive windows, as well as offering her some practical tips for building eye-catching displays. Right: George’s Lucy Eason with Debbie Flowerday.
Dunelm Opens Its First Shopping Centre Store Dunelm has opened its first shopping centre store at the Atria centre in Watford. The occasion was celebrated with carol singers, face painting, goody bags and golden tickets, with the doors opening to a queue of customers waiting to see the new shop. Dunelm’s latest opening is a 33,000 sq ft store, located in the former John Lewis site, with products including home accessories and a Little Dunelm for children’s items. Right: Customers queued outside the new Dunelm store in Watford.
Recognition For Achievement A Message From Sara Davies MBE As a ‘Dragon’ and a hugely successful woman in business, Sara Davies MBE, founder of retail multiple Crafter’s Companion, was a surprise speaker at the inaugural Women In Gifts event, which took place on 6 December. Unable to be there in person, she popped up on screen with some inspiring words for delegates: “It’s important for all of us to share our experiences about running a business because as much as we do have our successes and wins, which we are more likely to shout about, it’s also really crucial, especially at the moment, for people to talk about challenges and failures, so that we can learn from them and learn from each other. We all want this industry to succeed, so I guarantee that if you ask another business they will be willing to share their experiences as well. Running a business can be hard, so take a little bit of time for yourselves because we’re all often our worst critics,” advised Sara, Ending on a positive note for 2023, she stated: “Keep pushing forward with your brands and your businesses. Remember to ask questions, and don’t be afraid to explore lots of new opportunities.” Turn to pages 27-29 to read the full Women In Gifts article. Above: Sara Davies MBE.
For two women in gifts, awards were the order of the day recently, with Hannah Dale, founder and creative director of Wrendale Designs receiving the silver award in the Business Woman Of The Year Medium (£10m-£25m turnover) category at the recent National Business Women’s Awards, as well as being a finalist in the International Woman’s Award, and Northern England Business Woman Of The Year sectors. For Julianne Moore, her Wokingham MiMi gift and clothing store was named Community Business Of The Year in the town’s inaugural awards run by the borough council, with the staff recognised for their unwavering commitment to serving the town, going above and beyond to ensure customers feel at home while browsing. The nomination entry described the team as “one of a kind, lovely and deeply caring”, even offering glasses of water to those who could do with refreshment, and added: “Wokingham wouldn’t be the same without them.”. Above: Hannah Dale in her studio. Right: Team MiMi, Wokingham.
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