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In Profile: Parlane
The Big
5-0 There aren’t that many companies around in the gift industry today that can boast 50 years of continuous brand building, so it comes as no surprise that Parlane is making the most of its 50 year heritage. There’s a 50 year emblem, a new promotional swing ticket and black and gold branded bag, and special offers for customers. Founded by John Rutter in 1970, with Mike Burgess, a former customer, becoming its managing director before eventually buying the company in 2008, Parlane now has an exciting new business partner. At the beginning of 2019, the company was sold to Gallery Direct, who was looking to expand Gallery’s home accessories collection by acquiring a wellestablished, respected company with the same core values and work ethics. “It’s been a perfect fit,” says Parlane’s head of sales Chris Lewis, who joined Parlane five years ago having previously worked in the upholstery business. “The two
Parlane’s Best Sellers l Pothangers. l Jam jars with straws. l Branches with lights.
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Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide
Left: Chris Lewis, head of sales at Parlane. Below: Christmas tree vases.
companies not only complement each other in terms of product, but also both focus on design, quality and value for money. Since we joined forces with Gallery Direct 15 months ago, we’ve really moved forward, to include diversifying our products. We have definitely benefitted from fresh eyes taking a look at what we do, with the synergies obvious and the two businesses working closely together.” A significant change over the past year has been an investment in trade shows. In addition to Spring Fair, Parlane returned to Home & Gift in Harrogate last July and also to Autumn Fair in September. “The shows were fantastic for us, attracting a lot of new customers, so we will definitely be back at both this year,” Chris enthused. The company’s stand has also had a makeover.
Having started life as a small, specialised, recycled glassware business in 1970, Parlane has gone on to become a hugely respected British lifestyle/home accessories company boasting not only two showrooms in the UK, but also a company ahead of its time in recognising natural materials and handmade techniques as the way forward. So how is Parlane celebrating its milestone 50th anniversary in 2020, and what changes have there been since the company was acquired by leading interiors company Gallery Direct just over a year ago? These were just some of the questions PG&H put to Parlane’s head of sales Chris Lewis. “At Spring Fair for example, we designed the stand in room sets making it easier to navigate,” explains Chris. Part of the company’s Christmas 2020 offer was also on display. “It’s been our earliest festive launch ever, following on from previews last December, but it’s certainly paid off,” Chris highlights. “Buyers at Spring Fair were very much in a Christmas mindset at the show.” Among the