2 minute read

Editor’s Insight

from Gifts & Home May/June 2023

by Max Publishing: Print, Digital Media + Events (London)

from Gifts & Home May/June 2023, page 74

Article from: Gifts & Home May/June 2023

WE’RE HIRING!

There’s nothing the gift industry enjoys more than a reason to get together, and in May, the fabulous black-tie Gift Awards at London’s glittering Royal Lancaster Hotel was a wonderful opportunity to network, with all strands of the industry there to recognise and reward the past year’s outstanding gift retailers and suppliers.

“I strongly feel that you can’t put a price on being at an event such as The Gift Awards,” says The Giftware Association’s ceo Sarah Ward in her column. To see what else Sarah has to say, turn to page 37 for her insightful views on why it’s so important to network. If you couldn’t make this year’s Awards, you can flick through the fun party pics on pages 18-19, and discover who this year’s Greats and Gift of the Year winners are (if you don’t know already!). Turn to pages 21-35 for our winners special!

And staying with getting together, the much-loved, dedicated greeting card show

Progressive Greetings

Live, organised by Max Exhibitions, will be opening its doors at London’s Business Design Centre on 6-7 June. With greeting cards an everexpanding sector for gift shopshighlighted by Progressive Gift & Home’s latest Retail Barometer - it’s a ‘must visit’ experience, with thousands of new launches from established names and newbies at the heart of the show. (Turn to page 9). And don’t forget, you can enjoy a delicious free lunch, and refreshments on tap on both days, as well as entry to the free post-show drinks party at the end of the first day, where visitors and exhibitors can really let their hair down!

Meanwhile, also back at the Business Design Centre next month (June 13-14) is Exclusively, the dedicated housewares show. We take a look at what’s trending in kitchen gifts on pages 43-45. Plus, with wellness one of the biggest trends around at the moment, we lather up with some of the coolest bath and body gifts around, and also take a look at plush, the best performing toy sector category in 2022, to discover which products have got the ‘ooh, aah’ factor. Turn to pages 56-57.

We also chat to Jules Vahrman, founder and managing director of Wild Things, to find out what will be dazzling buyers at Home & Gift, Harrogate (16-19 July) – turn to pages 38-39 – and meet up with Amanda Peffer, founder of awardwinning children’s clothing company Blade & Rose, which is celebrating its 13th anniversary. Turn to page 41.

In addition, Libby Holden, owner of Lovely Libby’s in Rayleigh, talks us through the Coronation and Father’s Day (turn to page 61), while a crosssection of gift retailers share their feedback on how the year’s been so far. Turn to pages 15-17 to discover what business has really been like for gift shops. Plus, we reveal the hottest, most up-to-the-minute industry news on pages 7-13.

Enjoy the issue, and here’s looking forward to seeing lots of you at the trade shows in June. It’s always good to talk, and to network!

Sue Marks, Editor