7_9-13_15.qxp_31/33/35/37/39/41 24/03/2020 17:14 Page 2
Industry News
‘Greats’ Excitement The Greats Finalists 2020 Whoop It Up!
Expansion In The US Below: Medusa Gems, Southport. Below left: The Indigo Tree in Crystal Palace.
Feeling “really chuffed”, “grinning from ear to ear” and “popping the cork on a bottle of wine”, were some of the many ways that this year’s Greats 2020 finalists reacted to the exciting news that they had made it to the finals of The Greats 2020 Gift Retailer Awards. “The wonderful news reached us on a lovely beach on the beautiful Thai island of Ko Lanta,” said Aga Gabrysiak and Richard Marsden, co-owners of Highworth Emporium in Highworth. “It’s late evening and we’re celebrating with a bottle of wine.” “Aga’s grinning from ear to ear!” added Richard. “The news made our day!” enthused Sarah Halsall, owner of Hand Picked By Henrietta, Chapel-En-LeFrith, a finalist in the Independent Retailer of the Year – North and Northern Ireland category. “We’re looking forward to joining you for the celebrations.” In Southport, Helen Pallis, owner of Medusa Gems, a finalist in the Best Retailer of Jewellery & Fashion Accessories category added: “In these times of uncertainty it was wonderful to receive such good news. I’m really chuffed!” Further South, three finalists in the Independent Retailer of the Year - London category were overjoyed with the news. “This means so much to us,” said Adam de Wolff, director of The Indigo Tree in Streatham and Crystal Palace, while Zoe Anderson, director of W.A. Green, added: “Incredible news!” Added Savita Marsh, owner of Northwood Cards & Gifts in Northwood: “This came as a complete shock, but a lovely shock mind you!” The winners will be announced at a fabulous event to be held on Wednesday September 30 at the historic Honourable Artillery Club (HAC) in London’s trendy Shoreditch. (See Same Place, New Date on page 7). Taking the Victorious Greats as its theme, The Greats Awards are set to be a fun, networking afternoon for the great and the good in gift retail, providing an opportunity for everyone to get together and let their hair down. Tickets to the event are available from event organiser Clare Hollick email: clare@keystonecomms.co.uk tel: 01733 294524. To read more about being at the hottest ticket on the gift industry’s calendar, visit www.thegreatsawards.co.uk/tickets/
Enesco Invests In German Marketplace With Enesco continuing to expand and invest in both the UK and Europe, the company has appointed a new sales team in Germany, Explains marketing director Helen Cottrill: “Germany is a big market for us, and we have sold into it for many years, but we have changed the focus and put a great deal of time and investment into growing the market place this year to continue to boost export sales.” Through distributors and agents, the company exports to over 40 countries. In addition to Germany, they include Scandinavia, Holland, Belgium, Russia, South Africa, Greece and Australasia, while Enesco France, based in Nice, distributes to France, Spain and Italy.
Mad Beauty - which recently saw the company’s Disney licence extended to include the US, Canada, Brazil & Mexico - has signed a distribution agreement with Diverse Marketing and Total Business Fulfilment to support a huge expansion into the US market. The agreements provide the infrastructure for the countrywide distribution of the company’s award winning, design-led, bath, body and beauty gifting ranges which have seen huge growth over the last two years in the UK. “It is a great honour to be able to bring our products to the US marketplace, especially as this includes some of America’s most iconic brands names,” states Mad Beauty’s managing director Trevor Cash. Below: Mad Beauty’s trio of Disney lip balms.
New Distribution Partnership My Gifts Trade/ECP Design (MGT/ECP) and A Gift From The Gods recently announced a new distribution partnership which sees MGT/ECP take on exclusive distribution for the brand A Gift From The Gods. “This exciting lifestyle brand encompassing stationery, jewellery, accessories and sleepwear - is a perfect fit to our current portfolio and gives our customers additional choice,” comments My Gifts Trade director Nikki Courtney. Added Jane Reucroft, founder of A Gift From The Gods: “The new arrangement will free up more of the team’s time to focus on brand and product development and extend our reach through primary retail.” Below: A Gift From The God’s Dream Odyssey collection.
Above: Enesco’s Enchanted Disney range.
FOR THE LATEST NEWS VISIT GiftsandHome.net PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE
9