Progressive Gifts & Home: July/August 2016

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July/August 2016

Progressive Gift Greats Awards 2016

14 Times Winners Best Service to the Independent Retailer

A Big Thank You

We are all extremely proud and honoured to win Silver and would like to thank all our lovely customers who were kind enough to vote for us in the category of ‘Best Customer Service to the Independent Retailer’.

Joe Davies Limited 149 Broadstone Road, Reddish, Stockport SK5 7GA Tel: 0161 975 6300 Fax: 0161 975 6301 Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk www.joedavies.co.uk

®

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www.max-publishing.co.uk The home of market leading trade magazines

From baby to toddler to starting school

EXHIBITIONS

THE HOME OF MARKET LEADING TRADE AWARDS

progressive greetings awards

Max Publishing Ltd, United House, North Road, London N7 9DP. Tel: 020 7700 6740 Fax: 020 7607 6411 www.progressivegifts.co.uk www.thegreatsawards.co.uk

This Month

We're out of Europe, it's a done deal, isn't it? Yet as we go to press with Progressive Gifts & Home (on June 29), it's being said that some 3.6 million people want a second Referendum. That everyone 'gets it' now. They would be 'in' instead of 'out' if we could only go back to the polls. (David Cameron, however, has stated that the result of the EU Referendum will be respected). Few could have imagined what the international Pandora's box of an 'out' vote would trigger, not just with politicians but business leaders too, divided on whether we have made the right decision to leave Europe or not. The opposing sides taken by husbands, wives, parents and their (grown up) children also mirrored a similar great divide that revealed itself between the North and the South of England.

In the first five dramatic days, uncertainty over the outcome of the EU Referendum has given way to uncertainty about Britain's future as we go it alone. There is no crystal ball that can show us our future outside of the EU, but Germany has been the first to say that it doesn't want to put up EU barriers in terms of trading with the UK. China and India have both stated that the 'out' vote will actually help to increase Britain's trade on a global stage. But, the truth is, nobody knows.

From a retail perspective, prices are sure to rise - who knows for how long? People are already worrying about the damper on the housing market, and as for interest rates, it's hardly good news for those with savings. Cautious consumers? Almost certainly. At least until we have some sort of status quo back again, and Britain can move forward. Once again, all retailers, gift retailers included, will have to summon up their marketing nous to get people spending. We asked some of the leading gift companies for their views on how the 'leave' vote is likely to impact on the industry. To read what they have to say, turn to News on page 11.

Meanwhile, turning the clock back to May, and pre-Referendum times, the PG&H team would like to offer their heartiest congratulations to this year's outstanding Greats 2016 winners. At a magnificent Awards afternoon, the cream of gift retail gathered together at the Grosvenor House in London to hear the winners' names announced by comedian and compere Rob Deering. To find out who won which category, turn to pages 37-51 - and en route, don't forget to take a peek at the party photo on pages 33-35!

Elsewhere in this issue, we turn the spotlight on The Potteries in Stoke-on-Trent. Once said to be finished, they have risen magnificently over recent years, with their kilns at the ready to supply a thriving export market place, as well as the domestic market. What's continuing to stoke the fires? Turn to All Fired Up on pages 57-61. With gift retailers looking to start their buying for Christmas 2016, we also highlight the latest trends in jewellery and fashion accessories (see pages 75-79) and nursery and children's gifts (see pages 87-91), with mixed metallics the biggest trend for the second half of the year (see page 67).

Many gift retailers will, of course, be at the Home & Gift Buyers' Festival in Harrogate, taking place from July 17-20. (Turn to News on page 23). As always, the PG&H team will be combining business with the pleasure of catching up with industry colleagues, so if you're going to be at the show, we very much look forward to seeing you!

Above: The PG&H Greats team. From left to right: Warren Lomax, Jakki Brown, Angie Bryant and Sue Marks. Turn to The Greats pages on pages 33-51.

Cover: New fragrance launch for 2016: Di Palomo Black Cherry with Almond.

Publishers Jacqueline Brown, Warren Lomax and Ian Hyder

Design & Production Russell Sutton

Subscriptions enquiries: maxsubscriptions@marketingreinforcements.co.uk Tel: 020 8943 9541 ABC figure 6,788 July 1st 2010 - 30th June 2011 Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation.

Progressive Gifts & Home is published 7 times a year.

Subscription: UK; one year £50, two years £85 or three years £110. Overseas; one year £75, two years £125 or three years £165. Please send your cheque to: Progressive Gifts & Home, Max Publishing Ltd, United House, North Road, London N7 9DP. Tel: 020 7700 6740 Fax 020 7609 4222/020 7607 6411 email: ianh@max-publishing.co.uk Copyright 2016. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information in this magazine was correct at the time of going to press, the publishers cannot accept legal liability for any errors or omissions, nor can they accept responsibility for the standing of advertisers nor any organisation mentioned in the text. Views of contributors do not necessarily reflect those of the publishers.

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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Inside 11-25

News

27-29

Feedback HALF TERM REPORT Retailers reveal how the first of the year has been.

Jakki Brown Editor in Chief

64-65 31

jw@max-publishing.co.uk

Gift Of The Gab WORK SMART John Jackson, md of Retro36 in Scarborough, reveals how the business is reversing a tough first six months thanks to online trading.

33-35 Sue Marks Editor

The Greats Party Pages A HONEY OF A DAY

Ken Johnson, md of Enesco Europe, reveals what's new for the coming season.

67

Trends: Mixed Metallics A GLIMMER OF A SHIMMER

68-69

In Profile: Xystos A DOUBLE 'FIRST' With two new distributions, and two stands at Home & Gift Buyer's Festival in Harrogate, Tom Sykes, director of Xystos, reveals the company's growth plans.

Make a beeline for The Greats 2016 fabulous photo album where bees were the buzzword.

suem@max-publishing.co.uk

37-51

The Greats 2016 Winners

53

Sounding Off: Michael Weedon MORE HELLOS THAN GOODBYES

71-73

In his farewell column, Michael highlights why gift retailers are the stars of the high street.

Ian Hyder Publishing Director ianh@max-publishing.co.uk

In Profile: Enesco Europe FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

Retailer Face To Face: Notonthehighstreet GIFTS WITH A TWIST As online retailer Notonthehighstreet celebrates its 10th anniversary, PG&H talks to head of development Rebecca Saunders.

75-79

Spotlight On... Jewellery/Fashion Accessories GET READY TO SPARKLE The latest trends for Autumn/Winter.

Angie Bryant Advertisement Manager

85

angieb@max-publishing.co.uk

Face To Face: Ashleigh & Burwood A MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION A move to state-of-the-art new premises in Moseley sees Ashleigh & Burwood continuing to expand.

54-55

Retailer Face To Face: Imperial War Museum (IWM) London IN THE FRONT LINE OF RETAIL

87-91

As gift retailers get ready to up the ante for Christmas, PG&H looks at what will be driving the market over the coming months.

PG&H went behind the scenes at IWM London to discover what is giving IWM the retail edge.

57-61

Spotlight On... Stoke-on-Trent ALL FIRED UP PG&H visited The Potteries to discover what's continuing to fire up the kilns.

Spotlight On... Nursery/ Children's Gifts PLAYING AROUND

114-115 Best Sellers 117

On The Road: Sue Brayshaw

117

Last Word: Designer Sophie Conran

PAGES 143-145

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New Inspirations from Transomnia Despite the political and economic turmoil since the referendum, Christmas is still currently scheduled to happen on December 25th, and gift and homeware retailers are still going to need to stock their shelves with products their customers will love.

With this in mind, Transomnia have launched what they firmly believe is their best ever new collection for the second half of the year.

This year Transomnia have really gone to town with their collection of Christmas decorations and ornaments, the majority of which have been designed in-house by the company’s talented team of designers. From fabulous felt robins-with-scarves, to vintage style metal rocking horse decorations and Gandalf-like ceramic Santas, there is something for everyone.

It’s not just all about Christmas however, and there are lots of entirely new products including a host of LED illuminated signs with retail prices starting at just £9.95; a new collection in shades of blue,

called Nordic Light; a massive expansion of their Chloé range in gold, white and cream, plus lots, lots more.

Transomnia stopped exhibiting at Harrogate three years ago and instead are concentrating sales efforts on their open days and through their team of sales agents that cover all parts of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

Between now and the Autumn Fair the best way to find out about all the new Transomnia collections is to arrange for your local agent to call on you.

To find out more, or to arrange for an agent to call, contact sales@transomnia.com or phone the sales team on 01892 703660.

See you at the Autumn Fair, Birmingham NEC, 4th-7th September Hall 3 Stand Q22/R23

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An exceptional buying experience for exceptional results An inspiring array of new product launches and retail insight, all set in a uniquely social atmosphere.

Find it all first at Home & Gift. Register now at homeandgift.co.uk/pgh16 Giftware | Jewellery & Fashion | Interiors & Accessories | Greetings & Stationery

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Industry News

'Leave' Decision How Gift Suppliers Reacted After months of divisive debate and indecision by many voters, the UK has finally voted to leave the EU. So what will it mean for the gift industry?

"Ronnie Pavey [chairman], myself, and the majority of staff at Lesser & Pavey were strongly in favour of an exit so we are delighted at the result," states Julian Hunt, md of Lesser & Pavey. "We are extremely optimistic about the future and believe it is very much a positive for the company as well as the country. We buy our products in US$, and have good stocks all imported at good dollar rates, and are well covered with forward dollar contracts that guarantee no price increases for the many hundreds of new products we are now launching for the second half of the year."

However, other gift suppliers were less enthusiastic. "We’re importers, buying mostly in dollars," comments Piers Croke, sales director of Gisela Graham. "We managed to hedge a good proportion of our purchases but not all, regrettably, so of course, it’s going to hurt," he states. "My side bet on the renminbi which is yielding a useful little offset - we persuaded some suppliers to work on a fixed exchange rate US $ to yuan and to rebate us if the rate drifted in their favour, which it has. As for exports, we work in Europe on a euro price list, which works in our favour, as the euro is gaining substantially. By contrast however, I note that some major European gift trade exporters to the UK work with a sterling price list, which is going to hurt them. Overall though, for our company and the people who work here, it is a shattering experience. We have many friends among our European customers, and a great many of our staff come from other European countries. The Brexit vote has made us depressed and, above all, isolated. It was so needless and the consequences are unfolding exactly as predicted. As one of the Brexit MPs told a reporter in the event of a Brexit vote, “there was no plan! Wow!" In a statement released on the morning after the results of the Referendum, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) insisted that keeping the cost of goods down for consumers, and providing certainty for businesses, must be at the heart of the plans for life outside of the EU. This was echoed by the British Independent Retailers Association (bira), with ceo Alan Hawkins confirming that the Association's members were evenly split. He commented: “Above all, consumers, and the retailers that serve them, need to be given as much confidence as possible from now until the agreement for the UK to leave the EU is signed, sealed and delivered. That means laying out predictable timetables and sticking to them."

The Association believes that the market turmoil on the morning of the announcement, followed by the immediate political aftershocks, will not be the only potholes in the road to life outside of the EU. While the slide in the pound against the dollar will make imports, particularly oil, more expensive, pushing inflation upwards, it will however, help exporters.

Alan Hawkins was also watchful about the likelihood of interest rate changes, saying that a further fall was possible if the Bank of England became concerned about a developing recession, with increases following if inflation grew too quickly, dampening the national housing market. "While it might be relatively welcome in the overheating London market, it could also weaken prospects for retail sectors running from building supplies, through carpets and furniture to housewares," he predicted.

Top: The flag says it all. The UK has taken the decision to leave the EU and go it alone.

Above and left: Brexiteers Boris Johnson and Michael Gove.

Please Take Note Nuco's giant 4ft notepad - 300% larger than a standard A4 pad is the world's largest notebook, and that's official. The adjudication team from Guinness World Records visited the London Stationery Show to assess the notebook, and the good news was that it's a record breaker! ● The next London Stationery Show will be taking place at the Business Design Centre in London on April 25-26.

Right: Success! Nuco's notepad was declared the world's largest notepad at the London Stationery Show by officials from the Guinness Book of Records.

In The Frame The staff at Vintage Playing Cards were recently delighted to see one of their products - the Go Ahead Make My Day frame - in an episode of Coronation Street that was aired at the beginning of June.

"I was thrilled when we received a call from ITV ordering the frame, with the TV company explaining that it would be placed in Nick Tilsley's flat on Coronation Street," explains the company's joint founder Tracy Kemp. "As a lifelong fan of Coronation Street, I watch it anyway, but it was so exciting to see a frame that had been made in our studio on the wall of Nick Tilsley's flat during a particularly emotional scene. Most of our staff have now become Coronation Street converts as they want to look out for the frame which will be appearing regularly!"

Above: A clip from Coronation Street showing the Vintage Playing Cards' frame.

A Lively PG Live Pulling out all the stops in May to give both visitors and exhibitors the VIP treatment, dedicated greeting card show PG Live 2016 proved to be one of the most successful in the show's eight year history.

Owned and organised by Max Exhibitions, it was the biggest show to date, with gift retailers making a beeline not only the latest designs, but also new talent. Among the many gift shops that attended were Feathering Your Nest in Rayleigh, The Tokenhouse in Nottingham, Spirito in Glasgow, MAP Gift Shop in North London, MiMi (hw) in Hartley Wintney and Celebrations in Carlisle.

“We were absolutely blown away by the incredible levels of support and feedback” comments Warren Lomax, joint show director, “and delighted that so many of our exhibitors had such a successful time." ● The 2017 show will take place on Tuesday June 6 and Wednesday June 7. Visit www.progressivegreetingslive.com Top: Delighted to see you! PG&H's editor Sue Marks catches up with Greats 2016 winner Lesley Dunne, owner of Feathering Your Nest in Rayleigh, who was at the show with shop manager Lisa Dean.

Above: Greats winner Denise Laird, owner of Spirito in Glasgow, spends her £50 PG Live voucher at the show.

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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Joe Davies (Manchester) Limited 149 Broadstone Road, Reddish Stockport SK5 7GA Tel: 0161 975 6300 Fax: 0161 975 6301 Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk www.joedavies.co.uk

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Open Showroom Invitation O P E N S H OW RO O M D U R I N G

HARROGATE HOME & GIFT JULY 17 th - 20 th 2016

n o i t a t i v n I

TO T H E E G O IN G IF YO U A R G IF T OME AND H E T A G H A R RO E S AWAY N LY 8 M IL O E R A E OMS FA IR , W S H OW RO L U IF T U EA .W H Y AT O U R B S TA B L E S ..

L L A H Y IN N E W B A V IS IT ?

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showrooms r u o ir fa e During th pm om 9am - 6 fr n e p o e b will ore ents. For m m h s e fr e r g s servin ct your sale ta n o c e s a info ple d below: te s li e v ti ta n represe

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t: 07769 212421

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e: helenj@parlane.co.uk

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e: lynnf@parlane.co.uk

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Industry News

The Greats Awards 2016 The Sweet Taste Of Success For the 24 winners of The Greats Awards 2016, life couldn't have been any sweeter on May 5. At last, after months of waiting, the winners of the birds, bees and butterflies themed Awards were finally announced at a spectacular event, held for the first time in the stunning Ballroom of the Grosvenor House Hotel. (Turn to pages 37-51 to see full details of the winners).

"After 14 years, no-one is in any doubt that these awards are the bees knees in gift retail," PG&H's editor Sue Marks quipped. "They recognise and reward the greatest of the great, and all our finalists - talented, hard working, successful gift retailers - have done brilliantly over the past year."

With the Awards another sell-out, retailers arrived from all over the UK to find bees were the theme of the pre-drinks reception, with international honeys on offer from Greats’ category sponsor Root Candles, along with the opportunity to meet the world's No 1 beekeeper, Kim Flottum, who had flown in from America for the event. After a specially prepared Greats Awards lunch, stand-up comedy was provided by Awards presenter Rob Deering, with guests also surprised and thrilled by the operatic arias and jokey banter of The Three Tenors.

Once the results of The Greats Awards 2016 had been announced, winners were quick to engage with social media as well as their local press. Among those who hit the headlines were MiMi (hw) in Hartley Wintney, winner of the Home Counties, South & South East category, Lily Blue, winner of the Best Newcomer - Midlands, North and Scotland category and The Herbary in Troon, winner of the Best Jewellery and Fashion Accessories category. The following Monday, Retro36's md John Jackson, winner of the Best Display category, was interviewed on Coast Radio News.

"We had lots of press coverage after the Greats," enthuses Julianne Moore, owner of MiMi (hw) in Hartley Wintney. "It’s been fantastic, as has the interest it has generated @MiMi. " ● The Greats Awards 2017 will be taking place on Thursday May 4 at the Grosvenor House, with full details announced on www.thegreatsawards.co.uk at the end of October.

Top: What an achievement! The delighted Greats 2016 finalists get together on stage to say 'we did it'!

Above right: The Herbary in Troon was featured in The Troon Times with a story on the front page too.

'Great' Things Come In Twos This year's Greats Awards saw Andrew Illingworth, sales director of Widdop And Co, called to the stage to collect not one Greats trophy but two! On behalf of the company, Andrew's first foray to the stage was to collect the hugely prestigious Gold trophy in the Best Service to the Independent Gift Retailer category. His second was a personal honour, which saw him presented with The Greats Honorary Achievement award 2016.

"I was absolutely thrilled and humbled to receive the Honorary Achievement award and completely dumbfounded as well!" Andrew told PG&H. "As the words were spilling out of GA chairman Michael Papé's mouth my heart started to beat louder and louder, and when I knew it was me, it was quite a moment, and one that I will never forget. I'm also proud, on behalf of my brothers Stuart and Chris, to receive this award for Widdop."

Although the Honorary Achievement award could have gone to all three brothers, Michael explained that Andrew had received it partly for his work on behalf of The Giftware Association Andrew has been chairman as well as serving on the National Committee - as well as his industry commitment and achievement."

Continued Andrew: "As for winning the gold Best Service award, we were all chuffed to bits to win this most prestigious of service awards. We had a full staff meeting first thing the next morning to thank and congratulate our entire staff on this amazing achievement." (For an extract from Michael Papé's speech see The Greats Winners on pages 33-51).

Greats Trophy A Life Saver When Ian Morris and Kathryn Phalp, co-owners of MAP Gift Shop in North London's Archway, went up to receive their prestigious Greats trophy as winners of the Independent Gift Retailer of the Year London category, little did they realise that the award would literally save Ian's life the following day!

On his way into the shop the next morning, proudly clutching the trophy in a bag, a reckless motorist nearly killed him when the driver failed to stop at a red light on a pedestrian crossing.

"I took a step back, and the bag with the trophy hit the car. It made a huge bang, but the car just carried on," Ian told his local newspaper, the Islington Tribune.

Although, sadly, Ian and Kathryn's coveted award now has a chunk knocked out of it, fortunately, it took the full force of the accident with Ian thankfully managing to escape unharmed.

Above: Ian Morris with his damaged Greats trophy.

Bill Makes A Beeline For The Stage A sweet surprise was in store for Love Aroma, winner of the Best Specialist Multiple Retailer of Gifts category, which was sponsored by Root Candles. Former news reader and passionate beekeeper Bill Turnbull was a guest of the company at the Awards ceremony, and presented Love Aroma's Jo Newman, brand marketing manager, and ecommerce manager Lewis Love with the company's prestigious award. See page 43.

Above: Bill Turnbull (left) is shown on the Root Candles table at The Greats Awards.

Right: Delighted smiles from Widdop's Andrew Illingworth (centre), who is shown on stage with the company's Sue Grant, Stephen Illingworth (holding the gold trophy), Daniel Illingworth (right) and Mike Stansfield (left).

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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Industry News

Shock Announcement Hudson & Middleton In Administration Some 50 members of staff were made redundant, with immediate effect, when the Stoke on Trent Longton based pottery, Hudson & Middleton - founded over 140 years ago in 1875 - went into receivership in mid June. At the time of going to press at the end of June, a buyer is still being sought.

Under the direction of md Mike Shirley, the company had recently undergone a regeneration funded by an £854,000 grant received from English Heritage and the European Regional Development Fund.

Like many Stoke companies, the business had gone through many ups and downs in its long history, going into administration in 2011. However, when Mike took over the reins five years ago, the export side of the business grew significantly, with China being one of Hudson & Middleton’s biggest export markets as a result of its tie-up with Annvita's English Tea Rooms in China. Other successful export markets for the company included the Middle East.

All products were manufactured in Stoke on Trent, with one of the company's latest licenses, Wiggles & Florence, ready to be launched for the second half of the year. Before it went into administration, the company manufactured up to 1,400 fine bone china pieces a day.

See All Fired Up on pages 57-61.

Left: Hudson & Middleton has gone in administration.

Cool Britannia UK Partners Ambiente Following Ambiente’s announcement that the UK will be its 2017 Partner Country, show organiser Messe Frankfurt has revealed that the Partner Country presentation will be curated and designed by Scottish designer Janice Kirkpatrick.

As one of the UK’s leading graphic and product designers, Janice’s impressive client list includes 10 Downing Street, BBC, British Airways, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, Harris Tweed, Missoni, RBS and Volkswagen.

Looking forward to the task of bringing UK exhibitors’ products together in a special exhibit, Janice comments: "I'll be looking for products that express their origins in interesting ways. I will be searching for exceptional micro-local and national products and ingredients to create the 2017 UK Partner exhibition.”

Above: Janice Kirkpatrick will be Detlef Braun, member of the Board of Management of Messe Frankfurt added: designing a special British exhibit at Ambiente in February.

“I'm delighted that the United Kingdom, one of the world’s most important political and business players, and a partner of major significance for Germany, has agreed to be our Partner Country.

But that’s not all. The United Kingdom is a country of great diversity, which results in an incomparable spectrum of outstanding design. And this is exactly what we aim to show the audience of visitors and exhibitors from all over the world at the next Ambiente.” ● As well as highlighting UK exhibitors, Ambiente 2017, which takes place at Messe Frankfurt from February 10-14, will feature a Great Britain themed café and exhibitor party, while the Monday of the show will be Great Britain Day.

A FANT-astic Donation Danish jewellery brand Dansk Smykkekunst has donated its older stock to support the charity organisation Football For A New Tomorrow (FANT) which helps communities in Sierra Leone. The donations will provide young women with an opportunity to sell the jewellery at local markets, thereby earning a living.

"I had seen a television programme about a small Danish organisation called FANT," explains Dansk's md Christian Storm. "I contacted the former footballer, Erik Rasmussen, the co-founder of FANT, and the organisation was really interested in receiving our donation of five pallets of our older designs."

Continues Christian: "They do a really good job in Sierra Leone and it is fantastic to see that our donation is making a difference from day one. We are looking forward to future co-operation with FANT." Left: Dansk's Christian Storm (left) with Erik Rasmussen of FANT.

A Local Hero For the second consecutive year, Chris Beards, owner of Mantons Cards based in Port Erin, triumphed at the annual bira High Street Conference Awards held in May, taking home the bira Local Hero award 2016 to add to last year's Retailer of the Year prize.

Chris also took away £1,000 to donate to his chosen charity.

The bira Local Hero award is given to a bira member which has engaged with its community and has helped or supported local initiatives with honour and credit.

Above: Chris Beards, owner of Mantons, received the bira Local Hero award from Simon Bicknell of sponsors Toolbank at the Gala dinner. He is also shown with compere Alexis Conran from BBC’s The Real Hustle (right).

Success For Libby's Gift retailer Libby's of Chesterfield has reclaimed its title of Chesterfield's Home & Gift Retailer of the Year for the second consecutive year, describing the shop as “a shopping emporium within the unique small department store environment.”

Organised by Destination Chesterfield, the Awards recognise the best independent shops, high street stores and market traders in the region.

“My philosophy is simple: shopping should be a pleasurable and enjoyable experience," says Libby. "I travel extensively throughout the UK and Europe to source beautiful things, making sure that I meet the suppliers and understand their business ethics and practices.

We’re different and our collection isn’t to be found everywhere. My team and I care passionately about our customers and I always buy with them in mind.”

She adds that to win the award for a second time was fantastic. "It’s down to the fact that I work with the best team in the world and I’m very, very lucky," she states.

Above: From left to right: the Libby's team features Ann Barker, Julie Legden, Libby Morris and Jackie Meakin who are shown with the Mayor of Chesterfield Councillor Steve Brunt.

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Industry News

A Very British Union Portmeirion Acquires Wax Lyrical In what many in the gift industry are calling a "perfect fit", Portmeirion Group has acquired Lighthouse Holdings - manufacturers of Wax Lyrical and Colony - one of the UK’s largest home fragrance manufacturers, in a deal worth over £17.5 million.

“We are proud to acquire a group delivering world class Made in Britain home fragrances," commented Lawrence Bryan, chief executive of the Portmeirion Group. "Together with our existing, strong brands of Portmeirion, Spode, Royal Worcester and Pimpernel, these new brands will drive our business Above: Joanne Barber, md of Wax Lyrical. forward and offer significant opportunities for growth."

Dick Steele, non-executive chairman of Portmeirion added: “This earnings enhancing strategic acquisition by Portmeirion is an ideal fit of products, sales channels and people.”

Both companies are expected to benefit from a wider product offering and access to a large customer base, with Wax Lyrical’s high quality brands and Made in Britain pedigree representing a strong strategic fit for Portmeirion Group. Wax Lyrical is also expecting to grow its sales through Portmeirion’s existing UK customers, websites and retail outlets as well as export markets to include the US and South Korea.

Wax Lyrical, based in Lindal-in-Furness in the Lake District, will remain a standalone brand in the Portmeirion Group, with Joanne Barber, md of Wax Lyrical, continuing to run the business from the company's HQ. Manufacturing will continue at the current site.

As well as producing its own range of branded products, the company supplies private label ranges to supermarkets and other retailers.

Speaking about the sale, Wax Lyrical’s managing director, Joanne Barber, commented: “We are delighted to be joining such an iconic British group which champions some much-loved British brands.

Wax Lyrical is a great fit for the Portmeirion Group as we share a passion for quality British manufacturing”.

Adds Joanne: “The 122 strong Wax Lyrical team will continue to produce market leading home fragrance products at our base in the Lake District, under the guidance of the current management team. It’s business as usual and we are all looking forward to the next chapter in Wax Lyrical’s history.” ● In the year to December 31, 2015, Lighthouse recorded a revenue of £13.8 million, a pre-tax profit of £2.1 million and net assets of £7.6 million.

See All Fired Up on pages 57-61.

Autumn Fair Introduces Bira ‘Collective’ With the growth of kitchen giftware in mind, Autumn Fair, which takes place at the NEC from September 4-7, is joining forces with two trade associations - the British Independent Retailers Association (bira) and BHETA - in a new initiative.

Bira will host the bira Contemporary Collective within Contemporary Gift & Home at the show, where bira direct suppliers will be showing their contemporary home and giftware in an inspiring new format.

Elsewhere at the show, speakers in the dedicated e-commerce theatre include Facebook’s Niall Hanlon, Twitter’s senior retail account manager, Catherine Bennet, award-winning interiors blogger Jen Stanbrook of Love Chic Living, Lisa Cooney of One World Trading Company, and Mette Downer, ceo of The Great Gift Company.

"We are thrilled to be welcoming new brands and speakers to the show for their first Autumn Fair experience, as well as welcoming back loyal exhibitors for another year," says Autumn Fair's portfolio director Naomi Barton.

Also evident at this year show will be Autumn Fair’s promotion of the Greeting Card Association (GCA) Thinking of You Week initiative which takes place from September 26-October 2.

Other new features at the show will be Meet The Experts, featuring industry names who will host one-onone retail clinics offering visitors the opportunity to speak directly to retail experts.

Returning to Autumn Fair for the tenth year will be the Cardgains Village, where member suppliers include Wax Lyrical, Xystos and Yankee Candle. Also returning will be the daily catwalk show. Over 200 brands will be exhibiting solely at Autumn Fair. Visit www.autumnfair.com

Rewarding The Best

Right: Delighted smiles from Mens Society which won the Pulse Award for Best Brand Presentation.

Visitor numbers were up at Pulse in May, with show organiser's Clarion Events confirming that attendance from leading UK retail multiples and department stores rose by 29%, with overseas attendance increasing by 12%.

Among the highlights of the show were the Pulse Awards, where the winners include: Mens Society, which scooped the award for Best Brand Presentation; Utology, which won Best Newcomer; Be&Liv, which won Best New Product - Living; Promises Promises, which won Best New Product - Fashion, and Ware London which won the Innovation Award. ● The next edition of Pulse (May 14-16, 2017), will be co-located with Makers 2017 featuring over 200 new makers from around the globe. Visit www.pulse-london.com/makers

Fragrant New Partners For Xystos Following hot on the heels of its agreement with Yardley to distribute two Woods of Windsor ranges (see A Double First on pages 68-69), Xystos has announced another agreement to distribute a further two new ranges: Caption Fragrance Co. and Candle Warmers Etc., in the UK and Ireland.

Caption is a new brand range which provides fragrance through paper sticks infused with pure essential oils, while Candle Warmers Etc., lanterns warm the wax of scented jar candles without the use of an open flame.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with innovative companies which are helping to lead the way in fragrance technology," comments Xystos director Tom Sykes. "We look forward to working with them to deliver great results."

Right: Among the new brands joining the Xystos portfolio is Caption Fragrance Co.

Ireland Calling Beefayre has confirmed that it is moving into the Irish market. "We have many loyal Irish customers who have asked us to make the move and we are responding to demand," comments founder and md Sharon Jervis. "I see Ireland as a strategic market in our wider European expansion and look forward to developing additional products that have a closer link to this beautiful place. Therefore don't be surprised to see some traditional Irish plants make their way into my next wave of designs!" adds Sharon.

Top Trends At Tendence There will definitely be a festive feel in the air at Tendence, which takes place at Messe Frankfurt from August 27 to 30 August. Exhibitors will be unveiling an extensive range of products for the home, ranging from gifts and furnishing to decorating, jewellery and fashion accessories. In addition, top brands and key players will be presenting their Christmas trends as well as their collections for Spring/Summer 2017.

Above: The Quelle stand at last year's Tendence.

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Industry News

New, New, New It's All Change At The GA From a new chairman and vice chairman, to a new chief executive, new logo, new AGM venue and new AGM format, the theme of the Giftware Association's Member's Day/AGM was one of change, growth and moving forward.

Held at the Worshipful Company of Pewterer's in London's St Paul's, change led the way, with the Association focused on beginning a new chapter and entering a new era under the steer of new chief executive Sarah Ward who joined the Association eight months ago.

Henri Davis was officially 'crowned' the GA's new chairman, with Jeremy Corner, md of Blue Eyed Sun, named as the new vice chairman. "I'm passionate about building the GA's retail base while ensuring we don't alienate our supplier members," stated Henri. "We are all part of the same supply chain and, whatever the size of the business we are in, we all need each other. Each is nothing without the other and, wherever you are placed in the chain as a member, companies have more in common with each than perhaps they realise, with services equally useful to all our members."

The GA's new logo was unveiled by designer Paul Felton, who highlighted that the new branding recognises the Association's 68 year old heritage, reflecting the prancing gift horse which was part of the early identity of the GA. "The gift horse is back, redrawn and modernised in the new coat of arms," confirmed Paul. "The heart of the logo has been crafted to give the appearance of a crown and a gift. There are also a few subtle nods back to the previous identity, featuring ribbons, the circle, and the date when the GA was established," he pointed out.

The brand has also been given a new colour palette, expanding from blue and red to reflect both the Association's authority and "a vibrant, exciting, colourful gift industry." Other pointers include contemporary stone-carved typography, with new bespoke typefaces Elkan Sans and Percy Sans, specially created as a tribute to the GA's two founders - Elkan Simons and Percy Sweetser. In addition to the branding being rolled out on design deposit certificates and membership certificates, the Gift of the Year 2017 competition will now see a greater GA brand identity.

Commented Henri: "The rebranding is the first visual signal that shows what a modern, vibrant and relevant organisation we can be within the creative spectrum we work in."

The day's keynote speaker was Geoff Ramm, founder of Celebrity Service and OMG Marketing, who regaled delegates with anecdotes regarding good customer service and how to become a 'celebrity' retailer. "Consistency, Excitement, Love, Engagement, Bravado, Response, Independent, Thank you and You and your team are the nine components that anyone can use to really make a difference, to create a gap between themselves and their competitors," he stated, spelling out the word 'celebrity'.

Other speakers included Thomas Power, who showed how the business world was shifting from "closed, selective and controlling institutional thinking" to the other end of the spectrum - "open, random and supportive". . Outgoing chairman Michael Papé, director of Ravensden, revealed that the Association had formed an informal partnership with designGAP, set up by Shirley Frost in 1980, to assist high quality, innovative, contemporary UK artist-makers and designer-producers with the marketing of their work.

While Shirley will continue to oversee its development, the brand is to remain a standalone company, with the GA handling administration and assisting with projects. ● The GA's chief executive Sarah Ward cut a huge, iced celebratory cake featuring the new GA logo.

Top: The new GA logo, combines the past with the present.

Above right: Henri Davis, the new chairman of The Giftware Association, with vice chairman Jeremy Corner (right) and outgoing chairman Michael Papé (left).

Above: PG&H's editor Sue Marks congratulates the GA's new chairman Henri Davis.

Right: The new GA logo is shown on a cake created especially for the AGM.

GA Members Optimistic A recent Genesis Initiative* survey carried out among members of The Giftware Association revealed a positive attitude for their businesses going forward.

“Our suppliers and retailers are renowned for being resilient, but what also shone through in the feedback from this survey was their optimism," comments GA chief executive Sarah Ward.

Companies were asked to compare the next six months with the previous six months.

Half of those who responded said that their business confidence remained at the same level, while it was higher for 32% and lower for 18%.

Some 50% of companies expected business growth, while 41% thought there would be no change and 9% believed it would be lower.

Half of those survey expected UK demand to be the same; 29% thought it would be stronger and 21% weaker. Nearly a half (47%) expected export demand to be stronger; 41% thought it would remain the same, and 12% believed it would weaken.

Respondents included both the wholesale and retail sectors - from companies comprising one person to others with over a hundred employees. Their turnovers varied from less than £50,000 to more than £8 million. *The Genesis Initiative is an umbrella organisation focusing on economic reform to improve the prospects of Britain’s SMEs. Above: Sarah Ward, chief executive of The Giftware Association.

Triple Gold For Briers At Chelsea Flower Show Following a 10 year absence at the show, Briers was delighted to win a coveted RHS Three Star Tradestand Award - three gold stars - at the Chelsea Flower Show this year.

"I was over the moon!" comments Briers' md Jackie Eades. "I could not be more pleased with the result or prouder of Mike Cook and the team in their amazing efforts to get us to Chelsea and to get Briers this award. A great team, great products and a great stand too!"

Above: The Briers stand at the Chelsea Flower Show showing off the company's RHS Three Star Tradestand Award..

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SERIOUSLY GOOD STUFF. Prepare to discover the latest and greatest products for your store.

4 -7 SEPTEMBER 2016 NEC BIRMINGHAM UK

VOLUME OPENS 3 SEPT

Get your free ticket today:

www.autumnfair.com Credits: Staghorn Plant - Abigail Ahern, Small Pendent Light - Lene Bjerre, Rabbit - Tutti & Co, L light - Smiling Faces, Bronze Pipe Light - Pipe Art, White Cloudy Sea Urchin Vase & Papyrus Meteorite Vase - Ian Snow, Modeville Cream Linen Sofa - Libra, Giraffe Cushion - Wraptious.

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Industry News

Home & Gift Buyers' Festival Strong Seminar Line-Up An impressive line up of speakers will take to the stage at this year's Northern Retail Forum, which will be held on the first three days of Home & Gift Buyers' Festival in Harrogate. (The show takes place from July 17-20). Located upstairs in the heart of the Harrogate International Centre, the Forum will sit alongside the new Gifts For All area in Hall D. “Gifts For All is a new initiative for giftware buyers - a selection of great gift ideas located just next to our new Balcony Bistro and, of course, the greatly expanded Great Northern Retail Forum upstairs on the Harrogate International Centre site," explains show director Cleere Scamell. "With the Queen’s Suite sharing the same level, our newly-minted hall will be a must-visit at the show this year.”

The Forum's keynote speaker will be Michelin chef Tom Kerridge, who will be appearing along with Google's retail industry manager David Green, and Katherine Owen Fowler from John Lewis York.

Tom will be discussing his passion for British manufacturing with Matt Hopkins, md of The Great British Exchange, revealing the craftsmanship behind his new range of cookware products; David Green will be giving an overview of how the UK’s home and gifting market is changing online, and Katherine Owen Fowler will be showing delegates how to use merchandising and display to inspire the customer.

Other highlights include social media workshops from Warren Knight, panel discussions by the Prince’s Trust and a business case study given by Phil Atherton, group sales and marketing director of Portmeirion Group. There will also be a presentation by Lesley Watson and Dougal Philip, co-founders of New Hopetoun Garden Centre in Broxburn, winners of the Best Garden Centre Retailer of Gifts award at The Greats Awards 2016, who will be speaking about knowing your gift buying customers and how to earn their continuing loyalty. For dates and times, visit www.homeandgift.co.uk Home & Gift features four main sectors: Gifts, Interiors, Greetings & Stationery and Jewellery and Fashion, with four enhanced product trails in four distinct categories. New In, Christmas-themed, Ecofriendly and Made in Britain, have been created to help retailers navigate the aisles and halls and uncover the products. Stickers and swing tags will highlight all the stands. ● Wrendale Designs will be unveiling a 'first' at the show. The company is venturing into a new market place - soft furnishings - with a range of illustrated cushions made in England, taken from the company's award winning Country Set greeting card range.

Above: Among the exhibitors at Home & Gift Buyers' Festival will be Katie Leamon, above right, and Wrendale Designs.

Above left: Visitors enjoying the sunshine at Home & Gift in Harrogate.

Left: Tom Kerridge with Matt Hopkins md of The Great British Exchange.

All Hands To The Wheel BBC 2 has commissioned a second series of The Great British Pottery Throw Down which will be aired in the Autumn. The series is filmed at Middleport Pottery in Stoke on Trent, the home of Burleigh. "The programme has led to a shortage of potter's wheels and a waiting list for pottery classes!" reveals Sarah Heaton, a designer at Burleigh. (See All Fired Up on pages 57-61).

Right: Keith Brymer Jones is shown at work at Top Drawer in January. As well as being a judge on The Great British Pottery Throw Down, he is head of design at Make International.

NEWS IN BRIEF ❐ Cath Kidston (right), this year's ambassador at the Gift of the Year Awards, will be stepping down from her role as a non-executive director of the eponymous brand she founded in 1993. She will be looking to pursue other business interests. Currently she retains a 12% stake in the business. ❐ Tasked with creating a striking window display to highlight Spode Blue Italian's 200th anniversary, Cook ‘n’ Dine in Lakeside Village, Doncaster, really impressed the judges, beating tough competition from Portmeirion Group’s stockists across the UK. Runners-up were home and furniture outlet Wardens, and homeware specialists Hargreaves & Son. Above Cook 'N' Dine's winning Spode Blue Italian window display.

❐ Gift shop Calladoodles in Carshalton recently launched a new website, a new newsletter and a new blog which will feature product reviews, interviews, photos, videos and promotions.

Above: The team at Calladoodles.

❐ The UK’s first Colonial Candle store (right) opened in May on Commercial Street in the heart of Newport Town Centre in Gwent. Colonial Candle is distributed exclusively by Widdop And Co in the UK. ❐ The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has licensed Moorcroft to produce The RHS Rose Collection (right), a line of art pottery using rose designs inspired by the RHS Lindley Library. ❐ The January Furniture Show is the main sponsor of the Scottish Furniture Trade Benevolent Society (SFTBA) Golf Day (right). The event takes place at Deer Park Golf Club on August 4. ❐ Paul Klee’s painting Magic Garden was the inspiration behind a range of exclusive gift products created exclusively for the Peggy Guggenhim Collection in Venice.

Created by eatsleepdoodle, the bespoke products feature a pencil case and place mat.

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GB

27 – 30. 8. 2016 fresh.new.ideas.

“new

means for me innovative and exciting ideas that enable me to make the shopping experience more enticing for my customers.

” Dirk Bieler, Branch Manager, Retail

Innovations, trends and insights. International and inspiring.

Tendence 2016. Be there! fresh-new-ideas.com info@uk.messefrankfurt.com Tel. +44 (0) 14 83 48 39 83

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Industry News

NY NOW

PEOPLE

What's On The Agenda Visitors will soon be taking a bite out of the Big Apple's NY NOW summer show, the Market for Home Lifestyle + Gift, which opens its doors from August 20-23 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York. The show will offer a jam-packed agenda featuring insightful seminars. Topics will range from colour and design trends to sustainability, digital media and retail strategies.

“NY NOW’s seminars provide attendees with the opportunity to gain new insights into our industry on an array of topics that matter most to them,” comments Randi Mohr, Emerald Expositions' vice president and co-director of NY NOW. “This August, we’re thrilled to continue that tradition while also adding new sessions to the agenda to ensure that attendees leave with a fresh perspective and feel invigorated to succeed."

Returning to the show will be the popular SustainAbility: design for a better world sector as well as 'destination: new' product displays. The SustainAbility display - featuring more than 170 products from over 100 exhibitors - will showcase environmentally-conscious and socially-responsible products and manufacturers from around the world, while the 'destination: new' displays will highlight exhibitors with new product introductions including launches exclusive to the summer market.

“Each year, we are excited to highlight the industry’s most compelling product introductions and showcase the new and sustainable products that represent a wide range of world resources,” continues Randi. “For buyers and exhibitors alike, the SustainAbility and 'destination: new' displays provide a global stage for the most innovative products that continue to drive the industry forward."

NY NOW features three comprehensive collections - Home, Lifestyle and Handmade that encompass 100,000 products in hundreds of product categories. Attendees from all 50 states and more than 80 countries worldwide are expected to attend. Visit www.nynow.com Left: Visitors will soon be heading for NY NOW in New York.

Sadly Missed Helen Hopwood, Denby Visitor Centre marketing manager at Denby Pottery, who joined the company 17 years ago, recently lost her battle with cancer, facing the ups and downs of her illness with immense inner strength, confirmed the company. "Helen was an amazing person who had wide ranging interests," commented her brother Tony Hopewood.

"Very much a cup half full person, Helen rarely thought badly of anyone, and took the positives from all difficult situations that life presented. She took great enjoyment and interest in the achievements of others, with her long term sponsorship, via the Plan charity, of two under privileged African children.

Helen’s legacy is her substantial contribution to the success of Pottery Village adjacent to Denby Pottery."

❐ Following some three decades at the British Independent Retailers Association (bira), industry stalwart Michael Weedon (right), deputy ceo and communications director - and PG&H's Sounding Off columnist - will be leaving the organisation at the end of June.

The change is part of a realignment of the group. (See Sounding Off on page 53). ❐ The Giftware Association's new chairman, Henri Davis (right), was recently admitted to The Worshipful Company of Stationers, known as The Stationers’ Company. ❐ Stephen Illingworth (right) was recently appointed as product development director at Widdop And Co, joining Stuart, Andrew and Chris Illingworth on the Board of Directors. ❐ Widdop And Co has also appointed Lindsay Townsend (right) as national account manager where she will play a major role in the continuing development of this sector of the market place. Lindsay spent eight years in a similar role at Mamas & Papas. ❐ Rainbow Designs had appointed Suzie Howes (right) as head of marketing and licensing. She brings more than 15 years' industry experience to the company having previously worked at Winning Moves and Vivid Imaginations.

Above: Helen Hopwood (right) with Denby colleagues Louise Buckley (left) and Erica Coombes (centre) at a past Greats Awards event.

Letter To The Editor Dear Editor, Jo Poke, owner of Dandelion in Chudleigh, is not alone in her concern about the increased costs facing small business owners as a result of the new National Living Wage (NLW) and the roll out of pensions auto-enrolment (PG&H May/June issue, Feedback article). Our latest research shows small business confidence at the lowest level since 2013, and there is a strong indication that these policy measures are a key contributing factor.

FSB has been working tirelessly to get Ministers to understand the impact these policies are having on small businesses. A recent National Living Wage survey found that well over a third (38%) of our members with employees expect the new National Living Wage of £7.20 an hour to negatively impact their business. Many of them told us they will reduce staff hours, delay investment and put off new recruitment in response. We will soon be surveying our members again to see what impact the National Living Wage has had, since it came in on April 1.

The key to persuading government is having real life examples of the impact of their policies. We hope Jo and others like her will work with us to help demonstrate to Ministers the challenges these policies are presenting so that we can secure further support for small businesses in the future.

Yours sincerely, Martin McTague FSB National Policy Director

❐ As Apples to Pears’ continues to expand, the company has appointed new sales executive, Laura Koncki (right). ❐ Amanda Fergusson (right), who previously worked for Caroline Gardner, was formerly appointed onto The Giftware Association's National Committee, taking over from Rebecca Jay, md of Dodo Pad. ❐ Alyson Partridge, office manager at Classic Canes, recently celebrated her tenth anniversary working at the family run company. At a party held in her honour, she received a commemorative crystal vase and bouquet of flowers.

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Feedback

Half Year

Report How have gift retailers fared so far this year, given the uncertainty caused by the EU Referendum, the new National Living Wage, pension reforms and a slow start to summer thanks to a rainy June?

The answer is surprisingly well, with a diverse selection of Greats 2016 winners and finalists revealing their ups and downs in the first half of the year.

Above: The EU Referendum has been dominating the year.

Below: Fenwick, Brent Cross Shopping Centre, North London.

Bottom left: Dragonfly Gifts, Cheam.

Feeling Very Positive "Special occasions have definitely helped to increase sales this year," confirms Jennifer Mainwaring, buying manager home and seasonal, Fenwick, Brent Cross Shopping Centre, London. " We have had a great initial success with products sourced from the US shows, and have continued to see growth for teachers' gifts this summer. Therefore, we're feeling really positive about the second half of the year."

So Far So Good "So far, we've had a good year," says Jackie Humphrey, co-owner of Dragonfly Gifts in Cheam. "Among the positives was that we had out best ever Mother's Day which was surprising, as Mother's Day and Easter were so close together this year. In addition, we had a successful Easter which was a lovely surprise. Winning products for us have been the Katie Loxton clutch bags, along with Vineyard Candles. In addition, because we have built up a reputation for stocking a cross section of the latest greeting cards, we are getting people specifically coming in to buy a card and finding a gift too. We are also fortunate in that we have a very loyal following."

Jackie confirms that so far this year, the average spend has increased. "I think it's because people have felt more comfortable treating themselves and making impulse purchases, which I really hope continues to be the case after the results of the EU Referendum. However, with the Referendum in mind, I have been cautious about buying for the second half of this year."

Nevertheless, it hasn't all been smooth sailing, with Dragonfly affected by the closure of local businesses in the village, especially the banks, which has slowed down footfall. Other challenges have included extended factors such as setting up the new pension arrangements for staff. "The increase in the National Living Wage hasn't affected us at all, as, like most good businesses, we have always paid more than the basic rate," states Jackie.

All To Play For "For us, the single thing that continues to have the most impact is the weather," says Dougal Philip, co-owner of New Hopetoun Garden Centre in Broxburn. "We had our busiest ever May, and March and April together hit budget, with Easter shifting into March. March outperformed, and April slightly underperformed," continues Dougal. "It's unusual for Scotland to enjoy three good trading months in March April and May, but we did this year, as I think our weather was better on average than the rest of the UK. Giftware can suffer a bit if customers are happy buying plants, with giftware supporting us when the weather hampers gardening. So with gardening sales buoyant, gardening giftware sales from January to May saw 6.5% fall in sales compared to the same period in 2015. During the first five months of the year, total garden centre sales including the tea room and giftware section - increased by 1.5% compared to the same five months in 2015."

He adds that special occasions give the garden centre strong themes for 'hot spots' in the gift shop areas. "We keep sales high by running strong themes of appropriate products, and keeping the displays full and tidy. However, our most successful product areas are those we offer in depth, with good, better and best lines. For example, scarves

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Feedback The Year's Been Interesting

are still very strong for us, starting at good from SSP Hats (retailing £5.95 +), running up to Quintessential (retailing at £30). The same is true of handbags. We also have a small food offering where Bramble Foods is particularly successful, and have also introduced the Zeal range of kitchen utensils. It's floral based, supports bee conservation and is a comprehensive tool range at a good value price as well as fun for customers. Polish pottery from Arty Farty has continued to perform well too.

However, the most dramatic growth has been in Miniature and Fairy gardening. We have positioned ourselves as the ‘Scottish Home of Miniature Gardening’ and are working really hard to support this department. As it involves gifts and plants, it's ideal for us. For all giftware for the 12 months to May 31, 2016, we have increased sales by 7%, although the average price of each item has reduced to £6.32 from £6.44, down by 1.9%."

Adds Dougal: "As gardening demand settles down, from now on, we have to keep working hard on giftware, keeping it tempting and refreshed, relying a lot on companies such as Burgon & Ball, Gisela Graham, Wax Lyrical and Jellycat. The second half of the year is all to play for."

Libby's of Chesterfield's owner, Libby Morris, points to an "interesting" year for the shop. "It's been OK," she states. She says that, in the run up to the EU Referendum, although she had a lot of conversations with customers about whether to remain or leave, it didn't impact on the business, with people shopping as normal and the average spend staying the same. "Although Father's Day was a bit lack lustre for gifts, Mother's Day definitely boosted sales," she confirmed. "Two product sectors definitely stand out this year jewellery and fashion accessories along with home fragrancing, where we have done particularly well with Katie Loxton and Joma jewellery as well as St Eval and Di Palomo. Edblad jewellery has also sold very well for us, with everything else ticking over."

One aspect of the business that has impacted on Libby’s this year is the opening of a cafe, alongside the shop, at the end of 2014. "Although it's been a good thing, it's been amazing how time consuming it's been. I started out with two-and-a-half staff at the end of 2014 and now have 14 people. It's put me under a lot of pressure to oversee both sides of the business and I really couldn't have done it without the help of my wonderful team. It hasn't always been possible for me to do it all, which I have found frustrating, and has meant that, on the retail side, I'm having to rely on past contacts, while doing my best to keep up with what's new out there."

Below: Libby's of Chesterfield.

Above: New Hopetoun Garden Centre, Broxburn.

We're Bucking The Trend "I do think that MiMi is bucking the trends in retail," observes Julianne Moore, owner of MiMi's (hw) in Hartley Wintney. "The retail environment is tough and uncertain, with shopping habits definitely changing. However, we have battened down the hatches and are prepared to weather the storm. Being in a small village has its challenges in regard to footfall, but we are lucky local residents are very loyal and our location on the A30 has constant passing traffic."

Julianne confirms that the shop's Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Easter, figures all increased from last year by approximately 20%. "I did think that, with the close proximity of the latter two events, we may have struggled, but we kept this in mind when we were buying for these events and ensured we kept our gifts generic so that we could continue to sell them afterwards."

She also highlights that footfall into the store is up this year, helped by MiMi's success at The Greats Awards in May, with the shop's regular customer average spend per head also increasing.

"However, the weather in the first part of this year has really affected the type of clothing we are buying," comments Julianne. "For example, we have seen a marked increase in knitwear and poncho sales, with the latter in our top 10 weekly product sales regularly in June. This time last year, it had dropped to 25th! We are lucky in that we forward buy as well as real time buy so have the flexibility to purchase weather dependent items to boost our sales."

Left: MiMi (hw), Hartley Wintney.

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Left: John Jackson, md of Retro36.

Below: The PM wants Britain to stay in the EU, but there's a strong case for Brexit too, that's causing a feeling of uncertainty.

Bottom: Managing director John Jackson, and creative director Paul Jackson, received The Greats trophy for Best In-Store or Window Display from category sponsor Gisela Graham's purchasing and product manager Dorota Ridge.

GIFT OF THE

GAB

Work Smart Reflecting on the year so far, John Jackson, md of Retro36 in Scarborough, admits that it's been a bit of tough one in the North of England. But thankfully, online sales have been booming.

"The first part of 2016 has been very disappointing. There's no point in sugar coating it. It's tough up North at the moment.

Footfall is down and shoppers are spending less. That's not a good combination.

Shoppers are definitely shunning my town centre. With an abundance of pound shops, charity shops, betting shops, vape shops and very few inspirational shops to capture their imagination, who can blame them?

To be honest, the town has never fully recovered from the financial crisis of 2008.

There were shoots of growth in 2013.

Business felt buoyant. But a full recovery failed to materialise.

The uncertainty brought about by Brexit and the US Presidential primaries hasn’t helped matters in the first half of this year.

Hopefully consumers will feel more at ease after the outcome of these two pivotal issues. Experts predict business will bounce back, whatever the outcome.

In the meantime, we've been looking closely at our costs, eager to make savings. A penny saved is penny earned, as they say. We successfully negotiated a rent reduction with our landlord for the next six months. We wrote to our landlord and were pleasantly surprised by his positive, genuine response.

If you don't ask, the answer is always 'no'.

Other savings on insurance, electricity and accountancy fees have also helped our cash flow.

So, control your costs.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. For my business, there’s been a major surge in online sales

this year. We’ve shipped orders to countries as far away as Thailand, Israel and Brunei. It’s been an eye opener.

Perhaps the ‘Exporting is Great’ marketing campaign has helped raise Britain’s profile within the global economy.

Our plan is to build on our online success over the next 12 months and take it to the next level. It's such a great feeling when we get to the shop, boot up the iMac and see a wealth of online orders ready to be picked and packed. It’s great to start the day with money in the till, before even opening the doors. Therefore working smart is the key here. As an independent with a finite amount of resources, we need to devote our energies into what's generating sales rather than idly waiting for a customer to walk through the door.

In difficult times you’ve got to stay positive. It’s easy to lose motivation and let your standards slip. Don’t.

Maintain them and when things pick up, you’ll be in a great position to capture those elusive shoppers. Go the distance. Do what you do best. Concentrate your efforts on what’s generating sales for you. Remain focused. Work on new ways of driving sales, control your costs and success might just be round the corner."

'Great' News "The highlight of the year so far has been winning the Best Retail Display at The Greats Awards in May. I attended with my twin brother, Paul, the creative director at Retro36, and it was fantastic to be among some of the best retailers in the UK. We sat next to a lovely couple from Beauly, in the Scottish Highlands, who we met last year. We got chatting about how they’re doing, what’s working for them and what’s not. It’s easy to get stuck inside your own bubble.

Once the awards got underway, the closer it got to our category, the more nervous we became. It’s a big deal for a shop in Scarborough to be up for a national award three years in a row. So there was an immense feeling of pride when we heard “Retro36” called out. It’s an occasion that’s forever etched into our memory.

The local radio station picked up on our success via social media and asked me for a one to one chat with them at their studio. They also featured our success on their website.

To promote our success, we’re busy working on a super sized poster design, which will take pride of place in our window. Three wins in a row is an amazing achievement, so we’re also keen to display our three trophies prominently in-store. We're a nationally acclaimed store, so why not shout about it!"

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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GOLD WINNER

(From left to right) Stephen Illingworth Product Development Director, Andrew Illingworth Sales Director, Dan Illingworth Sales Development Manager

u o y k n Tha

FOR YOUR SUPPORT AT THE GREATS!

WIDDOP and Co, Broadgate, Broadway Business Park, Chadderton, Oldham OL9 9XE | tel: 0161 688 1226 | Fax: 0161 682 6808 Email: sales@widdop.co.uk

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The Greats Awards 2016

A Honey Of A Day Bees were the buzzword at The Greats gift retailer Awards which took place recently, with over 400 guests really entering into the spirit of this year's birds, bees and butterflies theme! Keeping things as sweet as honey in the pre-lunch drinks reception was sponsor Root Candles, while butterflies were all of a flutter at the Awards lunch, and birds in full flight on The Greats goody bags.

PG&H flicks through the photo album. To see who the winners are in each category, make a beeline for pages 37-51.

Inset: In gift retail, it doesn't get better than this! The Greats trophy on show outside London's glittering Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane, where The Greats took place in May.

Above: Drinks are served! Glasses of champagne are on their way to guests at the glittering reception.

Below: Colin Hall (centre), with the team from Yankee, which included Keeley and Carl Esberger from Bigwicks and Charles Wagstaff and Andrew Cousins from Peter Jones.

Above: Above: Dressed for success, lunch is served.

Below: Beekeeper Kim Flottum with a beekeeper mannequin, on the Root Candles' 'honey sampling' stand.

Above: The Greats team, from left to right: Warren Lomax, Jakki Brown, Angie Bryant and Sue Marks.

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The Greats Awards 2016

Right: Winning smiles from Lily Blue!

From left to right: Sarah Kiely, Angela Jones, Helga Green, Bob Green, Hollie Jones and Dale Jones.

Above left: Clinking glasses were Greats winners Natalie Yates (left), Lyndsey Ellerker (centre) and Sue Dale (right) from Gifts From Handpicked.

Left: Among the finalists networking at the pre-lunch drinks reception were, from left to right: Janice Urquhart from Embrace, Helen Crawford from The Old School Beauly, Claire O'Donnell from The Herbary (third from right) and Denise Laird from Spirito (right).

Right: Getting into the spirit of the event were, from left to right: Really Good's David Hicks and Lisa Shoesmith, who are shown with Max Publishing's Warren Lomax.

Below left: from left to right: Rajesh Shah and his wife Meena, founder of Cards Galore, with Really Good's Lisa Marcuccio and David Hicks, (back left) Ian Morris and Kathryn Phalp from MAP Gift Shop, Really Good's sales representative Lynn Briody and the company’s Lisa Shoesmith.

Below: Xystos' Des Docherty (second left), with Lesley and Chris Dunne of Feathering Your Nest (left), Howard Webb from Java Store and Xystos' Barbara Lindhoffer.

Below: Enjoying a glass of bubbly are Roddy Bedford and Sheena Cox from Waddesdon Manor Gift Shop.

Below: A boys get together, Jonny Greave (left) and Julian Hunt (centre) from Lesser & Pavey, with Max Publishing's Ian Hyder.

Inset: We're having a great time! Marmalade Meringue's Tilly Rathie (left) and Trudy Tebbutt (right), who are shown with Liza Davies, sales executive at Sass & Belle by RJB Stone..

34

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The Greats Awards 2016

Left and below left: To get everyone in the mood to have some fun, guests took part in a 'higher and lower' competition.

The bee-themed menu cards that were waved in the air (higher) or not (lower) were donated by Beefayre.

Below: And the winner is...

Keeley Eisberg from Big Wicks who received her prize of a magnum of champagne and tea at the Grosvenor House Hotel from Max Publishing's Warren Lomax.

Above: Damian Noblett and Pravin Patel, from Greats sponsors Premier Decorations.

Above right: Among the raffle prize winners was Simon Anslow of Greats sponsor Harrogate Christmas & Gift, who received his prize from Max Publishing's Jacqui Parr. All raffle proceeds went to The Light Fund charity.

Left: The raffle was drawn by former BBC Breakfast presenter and beekeeper Bill Turnbull, who is shown with Brad I Root (right), president of Greats sponsor Root Candles, and Root's beekeeper Kim Flottum (left).

Above: Entertainment was provided by singers The Three Waiters, who surprised the audience with their thrilling operatic arias and jokey banter.

Left: Stand-up comedian Rob Deering's quick fire patter had everyone in fits of giggles.

Above: We won! Huge smiles all round as the winners go back on stage with their trophies for a final photo call. In the front row with comedian Rob Deering are PG&H's editor Sue Marks (left) and advertisement manager Angie Bryant (right).

Left: Enjoying a hug, mother and daughter Lynn and Stacey Roberts from finalists Olive Grove.

Right: After a 'great' day, there was a going home bird themed goody bag for every guest - donated

by Sass & Belle by RJB Stone - brimming with fabulous gifts, kindly donated by Greats category sponsors and gift suppliers.

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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YOUR PARTNER FOR SEASONAL DECORATIONS AND OUTDOOR LIVING

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Retail Employee of the Year Winner 2016: Marina McManus "When my name was called out I was overwhelmed and honoured that out of all the fabulous candidates I had won, as I was certainly up against strong competition! To achieve Retail Employee of the Year has been a truly wonderful experience and I intend to continue my hard work and support to my company and team."

Marina McManus, shop manager, Liquorice Tree, Edinburgh Airport

Left: A delighted Marina.

Award sponsor

Left: Angelina Stojsavljevic (second right), marketing manager for Clarion Events' Home and Gift Harrogate Buyers’ Festival, which sponsored this category, presented the trophy to a beaming Marina McManus.

Also pictured is Pat Davidson, owner of Liquorice Tree (right) and comedian and awards host Rob Deering.

Independent Gift Retailer of the Year

London (inside the M25)

"It was such a 'great' honour to be recognised with the award as we go from strength to strength in this thriving industry!"

Ian Morris and Kathryn Phalp, co-owners, MAP Gift Shop

Winner 2016: MAP Gift Shop, Archway

Left: A smiling Kathryn and Ian on their way to the stage.

Award sponsor

Right: Lisa Shoesmith, (second right), general manager, and Lisa Marcuccio sales manager, from Really Good/Soul, sponsors of the category, presented the trophy to Ian and Kathryn.

Independent Gift Retailer of the Year

Home Counties, South & South East Winner 2016: MiMi (hw), Hartley Wintney "The MiMi team are flying high since our success and are thrilled that we won our category and have been recognised for our achievements thus far. We love what we do, and strive to be the best, so to have the acknowledgement has boosted our confidence no end."

Julianne Moore, owner, MiMi (hw)

Award sponsor

Right: A smiling Julianne Moore with her trophy.

Left: Julianne Moore was presented with her trophy by regional account manager Charles Spencer of category sponsor Carte Blanche Group.

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Independent Gift Retailer of the Year

East Anglia Winner 2016: Feathering Your Nest, Rayleigh "With the competition being so high I did not allow myself to dream we would win. So when our name was announced, I was in total shock but everyone was cheering and clapping around me so I thought it must be true!

It was one of the proudest moments ever receiving the award for Feathering Your Nest."

Lesley Dunne, owner, Feathering Your Nest

Below: A delighted Lesley Dunne with her husband Chris making their way to the stage.

Far left: Simon Anslow, exhibition organiser of Harrogate Christmas and Gift, sponsors of this category, presents the award to Feathering Your Nest's owners Lesley and Chris Dunne.

Award sponsor

Independent Gift Retailer of the Year

Midlands & Wales Winner 2016: Set Design, Leicester "Wow! What a fantastic award to have won, it really is much appreciated. Retail is a funny old business and one where you work in isolation of your peers. So to come together at events like this is rewarding enough, but to win and receive the acknowledgement of the industry is very special."

Stuart Delahoy, owner, Set Design

Left: Terry Wallace on his way to the stage.

Far left: Mike and Caroline Burgess, md and finance director of Parlane International, category sponsors, present the Greats trophy to Terry Wallace on behalf of Set Design.

Award sponsor

Independent Gift Retailer of the Year

North and Northern Ireland Winner 2016: The Bottom Drawer, Portadown Below: Smiling with delight, Rhonda Woods and Frances Doran en route to the stage.

Right: Rhonda and Frances received their Greats trophy from David Cree, national sales manager of Joe Davies, category sponsors.

"As we walked to the stage to collect the award we felt that all the hard work over the past nine years had been recognised. The Award brings that little bit of extra certainty that we are offering that intangible piece of brilliance."

Rhonda Woods and Frances Doran, owners of The Bottom Drawer

Award sponsor

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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We won’t be at the Harrogate Gift Fair this year.

But please feel free to come and see all our lovely products in our showroom in Leeds, which is only 18 miles away!

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Independent Gift Retailer of the Year

South West Winner 2016: Hyde + Seek, Exeter "When I heard we were the winner for the South West I couldn't believe it and doubted my hearing! But a rush of joy and excitement washed over me and then it was quick march to the front we were sitting on the table furthest away - to receive our amazing award!"

Justine Hyde, owner, Hyde & Seek.

Award sponsor

Above: Hyde + Seek's Justine Hyde and friend Emily Atkinson on their way to collect the trophy.

Right: Justine Hyde with her Greats award which was presented to her by Dave Heffernan, commercial director of category sponsor Wild & Wolf.

Independent Gift Retailer of the Year

Scotland Winner 2016: Maia Gifts, Glasgow

Below right: Soni and Samantha received their award from Richard Stone, md of Sass & Belle

by RJB Stone, category sponsors.

Below left: Big smiles from Samantha and Soni.

"To make the finals was a great feeling but when it was announced that we were the winners we were completely stunned! Getting the award was a huge compliment and we’re still flying!"

Samantha Rose and Soni Ahmed, owners of Maia Gifts

Award sponsor

Independent Gift Retailer of the Year

Best Newcomer South & Wales Winner 2016: We Built This City, London, W1 "This win recognises not only our talented and hardworking shop team, but also the community of London artists, designers and makers represented in our store."

Alice Mayor, founder, We Built This City.

Far left: Alice Mayor on her way to the stage.

Left: John Calvert, md of category sponsor IF (That Company Called) presented the award to a delighted Alice.

Award sponsor

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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SUMMER 2016

TRADE SHOWS: 17 – 20 July Home & Gift Harrogate, UK Hall DP1 Stand 23 2 – 6 Sept Maison & Objet Paris, France Hall 6 Stand G114 - H113 4 - 7 Sept Autumn Fair International NEC Birmingham UK Hall 5 Stand L05

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Contact Us: 0800 011 6969 www.puckator.co.uk customerservices@puckator.co.uk

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Independent Gift Retailer of the Year

Best Newcomer - Midlands, North and Scotland Winner 2016: Lily Blue, Hagley

Above: Angela Jones (right) and Sara Kiely en route to the stage.

Below: The Greats trophy was presented to Angela and Sara by Naomi Barton, portfolio director for Autumn Fair.

"Oh wow, what a surprise we had! To be a Best Newcomer finalist was exciting enough but to win our category was such an amazing feeling. Being recognised by industry experts was so special. Thank you The Greats for a fantastic day out, one we certainly hope to repeat!"

Angela Jones, owner, Lily Blue

Award sponsor

Best Specialist Multiple Retailer of Gifts Winner 2016: Love Aroma (10 stores) "We were so excited to be presented with the trophy

by Bill Turnbull, BBC newsreader and Strictly Come Dancing contestant, who was lovely. We are going to take the trophy to each of our stores so they can share this success with our customers, and so that each team member gets the chance to feel how heavy it is!”

Jo Newman, brand marketing manager, Love Aroma

Left: Love Aroma's Lewis Love and Jo Newman received their trophy from former BBC Breakfast presenter and beekeeper Bill Turnbull.

Award sponsor

Left: They couldn’t be happier! Love Aroma’s e-commerce manager Lewis Love and Jo Newman, brand marketing manager, proudly hold the Greats trophy

Best Department Store Retailer of Gifts Winner 2016: Debenhams "We are delighted to win this accolade which, having worked so hard as a team both across the Debenhams business and externally with our suppliers, reinforces the success we achieved on gifting this year," Sarah Theobald, buying manager, Debenhams

Left: Emma Cain receives the trophy from Kaemingk’s Sarah Doran on behalf of Debenhams.

Award sponsor

Left: Sales agent Sarah Doran of category sponsor Kaemingk announces Debenhams as the winner.

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W H AT ’ S N E X T I S N O W

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Best Non-Specialist Retailer of Gifts Winner 2016: Robert & Ruby, Helmsley "We were genuinely shocked to hear our name announced. It was with great delight that we received this prestigious award in recognition of what we have achieved at Robert & Ruby."

Helen Nicholson, owner, Robert & Ruby

Left: Wow, it's us! Helen and Mark Nicholson owners of Robert & Ruby, with their Greats trophy.

Right: Chris Leonerd-Morgan, (right), founder and director of the London Stationery Show and National Stationery Week, sponsors of this category, presented the trophy to Helen and Mark.

Award sponsor

Best Lifestyle Or Homewares Retailer Of Gifts Winner 2016: Time & Tide "When our name was read out, I simply couldn't believe it - we thought no-one would have heard of us! I wasn't sure if I'd really heard correctly and couldn't stand up until I was pushed up!"

Ewan Douglas, owner, Time & Tide

Award sponsor

Right: Des Docherty, UK sales manager of category sponsor Xystos, announces the winner.

Far right: Des presented the Greats trophy to Ewan Douglas, owner of Time & Tide, and general manager Jeremy Thomas.

Best Gift Retailer of Jewellery And Fashion Accessories Winner 2016: The Herbary, Troon "I was absolutely blown away by being nominated for an award and therefore, for The Herbary to have won our category, is still unbelievable. My business doesn't feel like a job to me, it's part of my life which I live and breathe with a real passion," Claire O'Donnell, owner, The Herbary

Right: Thrilled to bits, Claire hugs her coveted Greats trophy.

Left: Carrie Shapiro, creative director of Carrie Elspeth, sponsors of this category, presented the award to delighted winner Claire O'Donnell, owner of The Herbary.

Award sponsor

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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Poppy

equilibrium

C O L L E C T I O N

HARROGATE 17-20 JULY 2016

Hall Q, Stand Q50

Joe Davies will introduce over 500 new Equilibrium lines for Autumn & Winter at Harrogate Home & Gift Show.

Everything is available in our trademark ‘Little & Often’ quantities with minimum orders of just £100.

Equilibrium the UK’s Hottest Jewellery Range Tel: 0161 975 6300 Fax: 0161 975 6301 Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk www.joedavies.co.uk f: joedaviesgiftware

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Best Garden Centre Retailer of Gifts Winner 2016: New Hopetoun Garden Centre, Broxburn Far left: Winners Lesley Watson and Dougal Philip were presented with their Greats award by Premier Decoration's director Pravin Patel..

Left: Beaming smiles from Lesley and Dougal.

"Lesley couldn't believe it when she heard New Hopetoun Garden Centre read out as the winner. Being a finalist in our category was just so good, and then to be the winner was beyond our imagination. To beat such highly thought of garden centre outlets is indeed a great honour and very valuable to our team and business."

Dougal Philip, co-founder of New Hopetoun Garden Centre

Award sponsor

Best Museum Or Visitor Attraction Gift Shop Winner 2016: Imperial War Museum (IWM) London

Award sponsor

Below: Michael Pape, director of Ravensden, category sponsors, announces the winner.

"We were absolutely thrilled!

After working so hard for the last few years it’s been great to get such wonderful recognition.

Thank you so much!"

Laura Mullins, buying and merchandising manager, IWM London Above: Michael presented the Greats award to Kieran Whitworth, IWM's book buyer, online retail manager and distribution centre manager, and Laura Mullins, buying and merchandising manager.

Best In-Store or Window Display Winner 2016: Retro36, Scarborough "On hearing that we had won the Best Display category we felt utter amazement! We had achieved the impossible and won a Greats award for the third year running."

John Jackson, md, Retro36

Right: A delighted John and Paul Jackson make their way to the stage.

Left: Managing director John Jackson and creative director Paul Jackson, received their trophy from category sponsor Gisela Graham's purchasing and product development manager, Dorota Ridge.

Award sponsor

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Best Online Retailer Or Mail Order Gift Retailer Winner 2016: Gifts From Handpicked “When Gifts From Handpicked was read out we were stunned and so proud to collect the award.

We are overwhelmed and still in shock! We have had a great response on social media since announcing our great news."

Natalie Yates, md of Gifts From Handpicked

Award sponsor Left: I’ve won! Lesley with her trophy.

Far left: A clearly delighted Natalie Yates, md of Gifts From Handpicked, was presented with her Greats trophy

by Sam Wahid, md of Gift Republic.

Best Retailer Initiative Winner 2016: Spirito, Glasgow "When our name was called out as the category winner we were absolutely delighted to win. My shop manager Marion McCloskey and I jumped up celebrating! We were so pleased to take the trophy home to all the staff and our customers."

Denise Laird, owner, Spirito

Award sponsor

Right: A delighted Denise and Marion.

Far right: Colin Hall, head of customer care at Yankee Candle Europe, sponsors of the award, presented the trophy to Denise Laird, owner of Spirito, and Marion McCloskey, shop manager.

Honorary Achievement Award Winner 2016: Andrew Illingworth "The recipient of this year's Honorary Achievement Award is one of the driving forces behind a company that dates back well over a century to the late 1800’s. Here is someone that, like the company of which they are a director, is not afraid to trailblaze or diversify, as evidenced by its recent expansion on the licensed giftware front. Our winner is one of a holy trinity - fourth generation great grandchildren of the company's founder - who, with drive and determination, has taken the company forward into the 21st century. In the past 12 months, our winner has played a significant role in the company's recent re-branding - an exciting, new beginning - which also gives a respectful nod to the past. In the wider world of gifts, despite their hefty workload, our winner has always been prepared to do more than their bit for the industry that they love. A very active and committed member of The Giftware Association, our recipient selflessly served for many years on the National Committee, later becoming chairman of the GA, a responsibility they fully embraced and fulfilled with distinction. Our winner drove the Association forward with the same enthusiasm and commitment that he shows as sales director of the hugely successful family company he helps to steer."

Part of the citation by Michael Pape, chairman of The Giftware Association.

Award sponsor

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Home & Gift Harrogate 17-20 July Stand DP4-1

See men’s gifts in a new light Gifts that hit the right note

The Chopin Bag

“Singin’ in the Rain” Umbrella

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M U SIC GIFTS C M PA N Y

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01202 57 00 57

Creating the best gifts for 21 years More than 500 gifts on a music theme including Socks, stationery, cufflinks, jewellery, mugs, bags, kitchen gifts, men’s gifts, chocolates, keyrings, pins, umbrellas, 3D cards and so much more....

After 21 years we still produce the majority of our gifts in the UK View our new website for online trade ordering

Home & Gift Harrogate 17-20 July 2016 Stand DP4-50

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Unique collection of gifts covering cycling, golf, rugby, football, cricket, fishing, tennis, running, motor-racing, sailing, motorbikes, cars and so much more...

See the complete range on display

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Trade website for online orders T 01202 57 00 57 E info@elementgifts.com 24/06/2016 15:49

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Best Service to the Independent Retailer Bronze Award 2016 Ashleigh & Burwood Far left: Carolanne Glaister, Ashleigh & Burwood's UK sales and customer services manager, and Steve Powell, the company's national field sales manager, accepted the Bronze award from Simon Boyd (right), show director of category sponsor Progressive Greetings Live.

"We are delighted to be an award winner, particularly being in the company of such reputable fellow finalists with wider customer bases than our own. I’m thrilled that the dedication and hard work of our sales and customer service teams has been recognised in this way.”

Andrew Nettleton, md, Ashleigh & Burwood

Award sponsor

Best Service to the Independent Retailer Silver Award 2016 Joe Davies

Award sponsor

"All at Joe Davies are absolutely delighted to win the Best Service to the independent retailer award at the Greats. It means so much to us because it's voted for by the most important people in the trade - independent retailers - and to be recognised for the 14th year in succession is extra special.”

Steve Davies, md, Joe Davies Left: Linzi Watts, finance manager at Joe Davies, accepted the silver award from Simon Boyd, show director of category sponsor Progressive Greetings Live.

Right: Linzi Watts with the silver award.

Best Service to the Independent Retailer

Below left: Andrew Illingworth, sales director of Widdop And Co, accepts the gold award which was presented to him by Simon Boyd (right), show director of category sponsor Progressive Greetings Live.

Gold Award 2016 Widdop And Co "We are all chuffed to bits at Widdop in winning this most prestigious of service awards. We had a full staff meeting the following morning to thank and congratulate our entire staff on this amazing achievement!"

Andrew Illingworth, director, Widdop And Co

Award sponsor

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Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, E1 11th - 13th September 2016

London’s only trade fair exclusively for British craft and design.

To find out more about being part of this unique fair, go to

www.bctf.co.uk

British by design...

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS LONDON AD APRIL 2016 LEFT.indd 1

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British by design... British by design... British by 26/04/2016 13:31:33

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MICHAEL WEEDON

SOUNDING OFF

More Hellos Than Goodbyes In, sadly, his last article for PG&H, Michael Weedon, outgoing deputy ceo and communications director of the British Independent Retailers Association (bira), does some retail maths, noting that, last year, the star performers on the high street were independent gift shops.

"All things, not just the good ones, come to an end. This holds as true for magazine columns as it does for retail businesses, empires, geological eras and the Universe.

We notice things when they end.

This might explain the outpourings of woe about a national retailer with about 170 branches that went into administration in May and may or may not be closing some shops. We are used to seeing BHS fascias in our towns and cities. I, for one, have to admit that I haven’t actually stepped over the threshold of one of its stores for, um, let me see, more than five years, although I don’t ascribe the current difficulties of that high street stalwart just to a lack of my custom, and I think I’m probably not alone in that.

A big chunk of the attention has been driven by an entirely humane concern for the 11,000 workers with jobs in jeopardy and big worries about a £half-billion hole in the pension fund. This is horrible for everybody directly involved, and worrying for a good few who are not.

It’s interesting to compare that with the largely unnoticed story of closing independents - an invisible story being played out right under our noses in every town across the country every day - only visible in ‘big data’. Last year, bira’s recent report with the Local Data Company shows, 47,080 shops closed their shutters for the last time. That’s a BHS every day and a half. Of those 33,812 were independents (a BHS every two days). Of those 780 were gift shops; more than one

in five of the 3,633 retail outlets that LDC categorise as pure gift shops. That’s four and a half BHSs in a 12 month period among gift retailers alone.

The average bira member employs between five and 10 colleagues, so taking the lower measure, closures of independents saw at least 169,000 job losses in 2015.

That’s really, really horrible.

Top: Michael Weedon.

Above: BHS, which is currently in administration.

However, all things, good or otherwise, also start with a beginning. BHS started out in 1928 and, at the latest count, had opened 174 stores. Independents turned the sign on the door to 'open' for the first time in 34,288 shops last year. That’s 94 every day of the year (if we include Sundays) or more front doors opening than a BHS ever had, every two days.

Within that huge number of new independent shops, 873 were gift retailers.

So, across the year, we ended up with, net, 93 more gift shops than we started with on

New Year’s Day. This is good. In fact as the total gain in the numbers of independents across the whole of Great Britain was only 476, gift was one of the star performers.

Take a bow.

Gift also triumphed over one of the hidden trends in those numbers. Of the 79,002 retailers that sold products, 'comparison' in the lingo of the analyst, at the start of the year, their numbers by New Year’s Eve were 989 lower. Chain stores dropped by a net 473.

Independents in food, leisure and services all gained. Service businesses rose by over a thousand net, alone. The biggest gainers? Barbers. The biggest losers?

Women’s fashion boutiques.

What this says to me is that businesses which require the customer to physically turn up and say 'hello' in person are growing, while those where shopping can be done purely by couch-commerce, with an iPad, are under long-term challenge. So, while gift is doing well, the more that can be done to bring services such as personalisation instore, will help fight against the long term draining away of retail footfall.

As hard as it is to achieve, what will continue to wear down the high street vacancy rate is an excess of openings and hellos, over closings and goodbyes - and more and more reasons to get up off that sofa and into town. Gift retailers are showing, against the odds, that beginnings can be made to outnumber endings.

However, this is a goodbye and ending for me as I leave bira soon and this is my last article for Progressive Gifts & Home.

This is me, signing out of Sounding Off." PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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Retailer Face To Face: Imperial War Museum (IWM) London

In The Front Line Of Retail IWM London’s fast paced retail team - winner of The Greats 2016 Best Museum/Visitor Attraction Gift Shop category in May - have successfully re-invented Imperial War Museums’ retail offering.

With a focus on sourcing the unique, while putting a contemporary twist on the traditional, the four very individual shops at IWM London have become a role model in how to make museum retail cutting-edge, producing a destination shopping experience which can stand alone.

PG&H spoke to IWM London's David Fenton, head of retail, admissions, publishing and brand licensing, and Laura Mullins, buying and merchandising manager, about what continues to inspire them.

IWM is unique in its coverage of conflicts.

Starting with the First World War (WW1), exhibits take visitors through to the present day, a study in social history encouraging not only an understanding of the history of modern war but also the wartime 'experience'.

IWM London, the museum group’s flagship branch (located on Lambeth Road, near to Waterloo), is one of the five museums that make up IWM. The family of museums also includes visitor attractions the Churchill War Rooms and HMS Belfast, as well as former airfield IWM Duxford in Cambridgeshire and IWM North in Manchester.

IWM London houses nine exhibition spaces, which are filled with an extraordinary

range of exhibits, from objects of war, photographs and personal letters and diaries, through to powerful artworks such as Steve McQueen’s Queen and Country. There is also an impressive rotating exhibition schedule, the latest of which, Real To Reel: A Century Of War Movies, opens on July 1.

With recent government cuts seeing a decline in funding, the retail offer at IWM has

had to become more self sufficient, and is now an integral part of the visitors experience, led by David Fenton, head of retail, admissions, publishing and brand licensing. He joined IWM London three and half years ago, having previously worked for Liberty of London for 12 years.

"At the time, the main project was to transform IWM London, with new Galleries to mark and commemorate the centenary of WW1," he recalls. "However the transformation went beyond the exhibitions and Galleries. It also included creating a new retail experience. Moreover, we wanted to create a template, that could be used for the retail spaces at IWM’s four other museums, while giving all shops their own individuality."

(IWM also has an online shop where David is currently looking at ways to up the ante).

Having come from a high street retail background, David felt confident that he could bring a new dimension to the retail operation, looking outside the box to bring in a level of the commercial world. From concept to completion, the retail make-over took about

Above: One of four cutting edge gift shops at IWM London.

Left: IWM's David Fenton and Laura Mullins.

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Retailer Face To Face: Imperial War Museum (IWM) London

Licensing: Creative Inspiration Licensing is, of course, an increasingly important part of the IWM’s product mix, featuring around 20 partners to include 'big boys' such as Royal Mail and The Royal Mint. But there are smaller companies too. "Because of the sensitive subject matter, suppliers have to develop products that are linked with war and conflict while still being commercial," David explains. To give companies a head start, he and his licensing team have recently been collaborating with Wayne Hemingway Design. "As soon as licencees see the ideas it becomes obvious to them," confirms David.

Adds Laura: "One thing we don't do is to put a poster design on something for the sake of it! Everything we do is creatively led."

18 months, a collaboration between the museum's retail team and London retail/museum design agency Drinkall Dean.

"Their knowledge and experience proved invaluable," states David. "We set out to reevaluate IWM London's entire retail strategy, right down to the width, depth and angle of the book shelves, as well as how to make the displays flexible and multi-functional. In creating a certain 'look' for IWM London and all other IWM retail outlets - we also had to ensure that we were designing shops that would still work for us in 10 years time."

A key member of David's team has been Laura Mullins, buying and merchandising manager, who heads a team of three.

Although the museum does source from mainstream gift companies, such as Wild & Wolf and Rex International, the fact that products can't be bought off the shelf at the major trade shows means that the buying team are required to do a lot of their own research, collaborating closely with IWM’s in house design team, and a variety of external artists and designers. The end result is exclusive, unique products that reflect not only the IWM's overall concept but also the special exhibitions that are held throughout the year.

Like David, Laura has been at IWM London for over three years, having previously worked in retail at the Science Museum, and before that at Woolworths.

She was also a designer at Habitat working on visual merchandising. "It's important for the retail offer to link to the wider museum experience," she states. "We want people to

Above: Facing out: books about model-turned-Vogue war correspondent Lee Miller reflect a special exhibition held in her honour earlier this year.

Left: A recent IWM/Realm & Empire clothing pop-up shop in Covent Garden which also showcases the iconic Spitfire.

Below: The Remembrance range by artist Julia McKenzie tells a story.

walk around and feel an emotional connection with what they see in our shops.

We want to move them, to communicate with them, and it's why you won't find any toy soldiers or toy guns. Nevertheless, products have to be commercial."

It's also important to try and bring stories into ranges. "For example, the illustration created for our Remembrance range is by artist Julia McKenzie who took her inspiration from the words of Siegfried Sassoon in his poem Aftermath, along with stories of those caught up in WW1," explains Laura. "The wild roses woven into the illustration are taken from a small bag, held in our world renowned collections, embroidered by Lance Corporal

Imperial War Museum (IWM): Facts & Figures l Some 2.8 million people visit IWM’s five museums each year. l The most popular products feature the Spitfire, poppies, food and rationing, which can be

seen on, for example, mugs, T shirts, textiles and stationery. l An average spend at IWM London is currently £9.50, up by 20% following the re-opening

of the shops in July 2014. l Items start at 75p for a pencil, going up to £700 for a flying jacket. l A popular purchase is a model of a Spitfire, by A & M Models, which sells for £580. l Recently, IWM London created a pop-up shop in London's Covent Garden in collaboration

with licensee Realm and Empire, an English clothing company. All items feature an ID label bearing a unique number.

Charles Frampton of the 12th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, while he was in hospital."

(Sadly, he later died).

If there is a thread that runs through all IWM shops then it is World War II. "There is still such nostalgia for those years, with memories being passed down through the generations," says Laura. Iconic designs at all five museums, include, of course, references to the Spitfire. "Everyone knows its shape, the noise it made, and, of course, its history," points out Laura.

Naturally, men's gifts are very much to the fore. "We get lots of male visitors," concurs Laura, "so we aim to deliver strong ranges with male appeal, not just in relation to Father's Day, but for other gift giving occasions throughout the year."

Books and guidebooks, are, of course, one of the biggest money spinners for IWM, representing 40% of sales. A key change David made was to have all books facing out. "It has meant that the number of books on a particular subject has been reduced, but it gives a stronger sell through and a cleaner range," he explains.

The main retail challenge now lies not only in new product development and keeping the ranges fresh, but also taking the IWM brand outside of the museum environment to grow the retail side. "We have built up a lot of trust in having used the collection in the right way and shown that we are sensitive to the subject," David states, "so there is a possibility that we may open stand alone shops.”As always, we're very open to taking risks and to changing things."

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Spotlight On... Stoke On Trent

All

FiredUp A continuing interest in high quality ceramics, with a Made In England back stamp, is ensuring that the kilns in Stoke On Trent are being kept very busy.

With UK manufacturing on the increase, alongside a thriving export market, PG&H visited The Potteries, discovering that gifting too, is helping to fire up the kilns.

It's been quite a year for Portmeirion Group, a major success story in Stoke-on-Trent. As the Queen celebrated her 90th birthday on April 21, it was announced that the company - whose brands feature Portmeirion, Spode, Royal Worcester, Pimpernel and Wax Lyrical - had been awarded The Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the International Trade category, recognising the Group’s continuous growth in overseas sales and overall outstanding achievement in international trade over the last six years.

In addition, the Group's Spode Blue Italian pattern celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2016, adding to the excitement of a year that saw the Group enjoy a seventh consecutive year of record sales in 2015, with revenues and earnings driven to their highest ever levels.

The Group has also improved its sales in the UK and the USA - the company's largest overseas market, which represents nearly a third of its sales - and has also enjoyed revenue growth in Asia. India, in particular, has seen exceptional growth, primarily due to the wedding gift market.

With the arrival of a new £1.5m kiln last summer, the Portmeirion Group has also grown its manufacturing in the UK to ensure a competitive advantage through the authentication of its British brands.

"The demand for the Made In Stoke on Trent back stamp remains very high," confirms Phil Atherton, Group sales and marketing director.

Above: Middleport Pottery has undergone a regeneration over the past year, with this striking mural greeting visitors and staff as they approach the Transfer Room.

Artwork by Paine Proffitt.

Left: Soho, a new tableware range from Portmeirion Group.

Below: Burleigh is setting its sights on the gift market place with iconic gift boxed products including this Blue Arden mini teapot tray.

And if all of that wasn't enough, licensed giftware, which includes Ted Baker and Wrendale Designs, now features William Morris’ Strawberry Thief, new to the Spode collection, (licensed by Walker Green Bank/Sanderson), with Sophie Conran by Portmeirion currently celebrating its 10th year. Meanwhile, new for the second half of the year and about to launch is a rose gold range of Ted Baker cutlery, as well as a white Soho tableware collection which is made at the company's Stoke on Trent factory.

At Middleport Pottery (owned by Denby), the home of historic brand Burleigh, the company's newly opened £9m regeneration site - comprising a retail outlet, museum, visitor centre and restaurant is attracting over 3640,000 visitors a year, with retail enjoying a 15% increase.

A USP for the company, which does

bespoke work for Highgrove and many other Blue Chip retailers, to include Harrods and Fortnum & Mason, is its tissue room. It gives the company the distinction of being the only pottery in the world using the same method of tissue transfer decoration that was used 150 years ago in Victorian England, with some 9,000 pieces produced each week. "Because it is a continuous sheet of pattern, it can be used to, for example, go round handles," explains Burleigh's designer Sarah Heaton.

"Everything we do with tissue is hand done and archive based, making every item unique. And because Burleigh is so English and hands on, it really appeals to, for example, the Japanese, with our other big overseas markets South Korea and North America." (The company is also doing more business with South America, especially Chile, and is also looking closely at India).

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Spotlight On... Stoke On Trent New ranges and shapes have been launched to include special items, limited editions and larger pieces, as well as pieces from Burleigh's archives to include statement 'champion' pieces and large pieces from the past.

Interestingly, gifting is now seen as a major sector for Burleigh, with iconic, standalone pieces, such as Flowers of Burleigh, available in stylish gift boxes for the first time. Other examples include a Gentlemen's Club's moustache mug, which was originally launched for Movember last

year. "It's been so popular that we have been asked to keep it in," confirms Sarah.

"Another example is our teapot tray which we gift boxed last Christmas, and which customers have also asked us to keep in the range. We are therefore looking at more packaged items and are also looking to launch children's gifts sets. Gifting is a big opportunity for us and a great route to market," confirms Sarah. "Our key priority is to build awareness based around provenance, heritage and authenticity, with our back stamp featuring a genuine copper design."

Also looking to the gift market is WWRD. The UK is Wedgwood's biggest European market, alongside Italy, Germany and The Netherlands, with Ambiente in Frankfurt the launch platform for new collections. "We try and build gifting around them as it helps with the positioning of the collections," explains Antony Robson, marketing manager for Wedgwood and Royal Doulton.

He says that the company is seeing a trend for more informal dining - pasta bowls are currently huge for Royal Doulton - as well as a growth in gift products which is catching on in mainland Europe too. "We are

Mugging Up At Dunoon in Stone, Stoke on Trent, the company is continuing to develop new mug shapes and patterns. "We are introducing 50 new mug patterns over various shapes as part of our mid year launch for 2016," confirms director Peter Smith. "For 2017, our creative designers are continually working on new patterns as well as a new mug shape and a new tea cup and saucer, with all items made from fine bone china and produced in England."

Also seeing increased growth is Just Mugs which makes bone china mugs at the company's state-of-the-art factory in Stoke On Trent.

"We have three brands - Create, Old Pottery Company and Rose of England," explains md Philip Tittensor. "Half of our sales come from Stoke and the other half from our outsourced ranges, with 50% of our business being bespoke." He believes that mugs are an impulse purchase which means that the designs have to turn someone's head. "They are a fashion product nowadays and can really help to freshen up a kitchen," he states. "We are currently doing very well in the USA and Canada which are both buoyant markets for us."

Above: Dunoon's new fine bone china Argyll shape mug, designed by Jane Brookshaw, features contemporary new cat, cockerel, cow, dog, pig and sheep designs.

Left: Just Mugs' new fine bone china Buddy mug: Spotty Hearts.

Above: Tying in with the trend for metallics, Wedgwood's Arris range, launched last year, continues to be a best seller.

Left: Wedgwood's new Tea Garden range features a contemporary design that enables the company to cross-merchandise at retail.

also seeing growth in the Far East, especially China," Antony continues.

"Because Wedgwood is a global brand, different territories perform in different ways," he points out. "For example, the Very Wang brand, which does very well both in tableware and bridal, is very strong in America as well as in the UK." At the moment, a big story for Wedgwood is Christmas 2016. "What sells very well for us are the iconic Christmas pieces which are unique to us," he highlights.

In addition, teaware is another huge category for the company, a combination of self-purchase and gift items. "In our new Tea Garden range, we have tried to link our own fruit teas with our china, while on the gift side, we offer a two or three piece tea set which comes beautifully packaged in a hat box," Antony highlights.

Churchill China meanwhile, is involved in both the retail and hospitality markets. "The hospitality market side of the business is larger in terms of proportion of pieces manufactured in the company's UK factory, and also in terms of overall sales," points out retail marketing manager David Hubzer.

"However, we are continuing to develop new retail dinnerware patterns in the UK, with Tiverton being the latest example."

In addition to a range of licences, the latest of which is Harlequin, the company is expanding its own brands with the addition Continued on page 61

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New Up In Lights shapes!

From the company that brought you the best-selling Up In Lights Letters, comes four exciting new products; Up In Lights Shapes, Light Up Bunting, Love Balloons and Cinema Lightboxes.

Visit us at www.smilingfaces.co.uk | 01444 882323 | sales@smilingfaces.co.uk |

Find us at Home & Gift, Harrogate. Stand Number: Q39

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Spotlight On... Stoke On Trent Left: Churchill China's blue and white Tiverton range is manufactured at the company's factory in Stoke on Trent.

Below: Wade Ceramics’ apple pie funnel is distributed by Eddingtons.

of new collections that include Country Pursuits, Bramble & Brocket and The In Crowd. "On mugs, there is a strong trend for bone china," says Rosey Hampton, marketing, PR and new product development business manager. "We are also investing in gift packaging to give added value."

In line with the other leading Stoke potteries, export sales account for a significant chunk of Churchill's UK's retail production capacity, with the USA still the company's largest market. Other significant markets include Europe and Australasia.

Although Wade Ceramics doesn't manufacture tableware - its diverse products range from decanters and Gluggle jugs to Vernalis ceramic lamp bases, Kraken spiced rum bottles, flagons and mortar and pestles - it has made a significant expansion on the giftware side over the past year.

"The real growth has been in decanters, and housewares in particular," confirms md Paul Farmer. "This year, we began working with Eddingtons in the UK, where we have put extra products into the range to include four flan dishes which nest, five mixing bowls which nest, as well as pie dishes. Interestingly however, 70% of Eddingtons' opening sales were our pie funnels," Paul confirms. He adds that home fragrance related products, such as candle holders and perfume bottles, are another new sector for the company, attracting a lot of interest from Blue chip companies looking for bespoke product.

Wade has also been expanding its overseas interests, having recently appointed two new distributors: Ladelle's in Australia for Gluggle jugs and housewares, along with Dutch distributor Duikelman's. "We are also in talks with a Canadian distributor," adds Paul.

"We’re finding that there's a lot of interest in products that are Made in Britain as we are able to

10th Anniversary Celebrations The Sophie Conran for Portmeirion range, which was first launched in 2006, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. It has become one of Portmeirion Group's best selling collections around the world, sold in over 20 countries.

To mark the occasion, the company launched an anniversary collection of mugs earlier this year - decorated with stripes and spots - to mark the milestone.

“We’re looking forward to many more years of inspired product designs,” says the company's Phil Atherton, Group sales and marketing director.

The collection includes tableware, serving pieces, cookware, bakeware kitchen accessories, a glassware collection, as well as Sophie Blue and Christmas designs.

Left: One of Sophie Conran for Portmeirion's 10th anniversary mug designs.

get product to market cost effectively which is a very real benefit for limited editions. It's a low entry for companies." With a manufacturing increase of 15-20%, the company has made a three quarters of a million pound investment in its manufacturing, with further investment scheduled over the next three years. "Looking to the next six months, we will definitely be growing the gifting side," Paul states.

It's all a far cry for the bad old days when Stoke was said to be on its last legs with outsourcing to China the norm. With increased British manufacturing, a strong demand from overseas markets, and an increase in gifting opportunities, it seems that worldwide, everyone is potty about The Potteries.

Happy Birthday Ma'am A Royal occasion is always welcomed by the leading potteries in Stoke on Trent, seen as an extra boost to business. With the Queen celebrating her 90th birthday throughout 2016, the kilns have been firing on all cylinders, with companies welcoming the opportunity to produce commemorative products, both for the domestic and overseas markets, to celebrate the magnificent Royal milestone.

"We find that any commemorative product, directly associated with the Queen, is always a best seller," says Dunoon's director Peter Smith. "As we manufacture in the UK, this means we can continue to respond to demand as our customers re-order which is a great boost for our factory."

Interestingly, at Burleigh, the largest number of orders for the company's limited edition Queen’s 90th commemorative cups and saucers and mugs came from Japan. Steven Moore, Burleigh’s creative director, well known from his appearances on TV’s Antiques Roadshow, commented: “I’ve always known that the Japanese love Burleigh and the UK, but I didn’t think that they were going to be such big fans of our Queen too!”

Above: A limited edition of 500 commemorative cups and saucers, along with 1,000 mugs were created by Burleigh to mark the Queen's 90th birthday.

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ly 2016

-19 Ju 7 1 L A R T N E C R E MANCHEST

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What’s New Progressive Gifts & Home highlights some of the latest gift products from the Stoke-On-Trent potteries to be showcased this month.

Ready For Halloween On Dunoon’s large size Henley shape mug there is a design called Spellbound. This is a very amusing take on witches and their antics - flying on broomsticks amongst bats and pumpkin lanterns. Beautifully illustrated in Cherry Denman’s inimitable style, this mug is sure to be a popular Halloween gift. Made in fine bone china in Staffordshire, England.

Dunoon Tel: 01785 817414 Email: sales@dunoonmugs.co.uk www.dunoonmugs.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall B Stand B27

Animal Crackers These are a set of six very contemporary designs on Dunoon’s sleek new fine bone china mug called Argyll shape. A very striking animal features strongly on the front and back of each mug and is drawn in a bold style on a white background enhancing the fine bone china. The name of each animal is pronounced as a bold inside motif. Designed by Jane Brookshaw, made in fine bone china in Staffordshire, England.

Dunoon Tel: 01785 817414 Email: sales@dunoonmugs.co.uk www.dunoonmugs.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall B Stand B27

Sketched Blooms Clematis is a beautiful new earthenware collection made in Stoke-on-Trent, exclusively for Fairmont & Main. An exquisite sketched bloom is the focal point of the design in hues of purple and lilac with paler shades and a hint of grey extending to the leaves and stems.

Twelve pieces make up the collection including dinner and side plates, cereal and rimed bowls, salad bowl, teapot, sugar, creamer, mug and a selection of jugs. The gorgeous new collection will be showcased at Home & Gift.

Fairmont & Main Tel: 01924 848300 Email: sales@fairmont.co.uk www.fairmont.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall DP1 Stand DP1-110

Personalised Gifts Based in Stoke-on-Trent, the traditional home of pottery, PMC is the largest UK supplier of personalised gifts. Amongst their huge range of products are ceramic and bone china gifts, personalised using traditional methods by firing in kilns onsite. PMC personalise each gift for all occasions from birthdays, weddings, gifts for her and for him to personalised home and kitchenware gifts.

PMC use methods and techniques that have been tried, tested and perfected allowing PMC to become the largest experts in personalisation and drop-shipping.

PMC Tel: 01782 744900 Email: sales@personalisedmemento.co.uk www.personalisedmemento.co.uk

Beautiful Bakeware Wade’s kitchen collection of bowls, bakeware, flan dishes and pie dishes have been created to make your cooking experience as seamless as possible, providing a professional result each time. With a range of designs to meet all your needs, each piece can be used from freezer to oven, from microwave to table.

Wade Tel: 0845 481 0206 Email: enquiries@wade.co.uk www.wade.co.uk

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From Strength To Strength In Profile: Enesco Europe

Last November, Enesco LLC was acquired by American private equity company Balmoral Funds, with Ken Johnson, md of Enesco Europe, highlighting that the company now has the confidence to begin the realisation of its ambitions.

With a thriving collectables portfolio, ongoing collectors clubs, a factory in the Scottish Borders, an impressive licensed portfolio, successful giftware ranges created in house, and many exciting collaborations as UK distributors, the company is continuing to go from strength to strength.

Following a new June launch, and with Autumn Fair on the horizon, PG&H asked Ken to reveal what's new for the coming season. ention the name Enesco and there is an immediate connection to collectables, which remain at the core of the company's product offering.

Brands such as Lilliput Lane, Border Fine Arts, Disney and Willow Tree have become synonymous with the company

M

Above left: Ken Johnson, md of Enesco Europe.

Above right: Pete's Dragon Elliot from Disney Traditions.

Inset: Alice In Wonderland, made in the UK, was a limited edition of 250 pieces.

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which is continuing to expand on all fronts.

The June launch, (there is another in January), saw over 300 new products unveiled, many of which were licensed.

Highlights across the Disney collections featured a new Lion King collection in Enchanting Disney, as well as Elliot from the 1977 film, Pete's Dragon.

"After the successful launch of Peanuts by Jim Shore we are now adding The Flintstones and Looney Tunes," confirms Ken, who has been with the company for 31 years, initially joining Border Fine Arts as sales director and becoming md of Enesco Europe 10 years ago. "The nostalgic value of these brands, combined with Jim's unique styling, will appeal to consumers of all ages," he states confidently.

The company's strong Disney collectors base encompasses Europe as well as the UK. "Due to extremely good sales across our Disney Collections, we made the decision to launch A Moment In Time and Marvel in 2014, with these low edition limited figurines entirely hand made in the UK. In 2015, we held our first collectors events for the brands and currently have another tour planned for the Autumn, with sculptor Peter Mook travelling to Europe to meet collectors.

Alice in Wonderland was our June introduction, with the Cheshire Cat only available at collectors events such as these."

Meanwhile, the company's core collectable brands - Lilliput Lane, Border Fine Arts and Beatrix Potter - are also showing signs of growth. "Our collectors clubs for these brands are retaining many thousands of collectors worldwide. In fact, we have just announced the venue for our annual collectors fair, which will be taking place in Deene Park, Northamptonshire, on Saturday September 17," highlights Ken. "While collectors are not buying as

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In Profile: Enesco Europe

“

�

We have strategic plans to continue the growth of our company in both sales and financial performance.

they did at the height of collecting, there is still demand for these products, with new launches twice a year. We are in the very unique position that both Lilliput Lane and Border Fine Arts are still entirely handmade in the UK. Our factory, based in the Scottish Borders, is one of the last, if not the last, remaining UK manufacturer of figurines and collectables and, naturally, we are extremely proud of this as British Made remains important to our collectors."

With the 150th Anniversary of the birth of Beatrix Potter in full swing this year, Enesco's Beatrix Potter range has had a great year so far, with awareness of the line increasing significantly. "Our 150th Anniversary limited edition Peter Rabbit plush sold out in three months," Ken highlights.

Currently, Enesco exports to over 50 countries across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. "The prime task is to build on the relationship Enesco has across those countries, expanding the reach of our successful licensed product," comments Ken. Distribution collaborations are also helping to take the company forward, with many well known brands being welcomed into the Enesco Europe portfolio. Earlier this year, Enesco reached a distribution arrangement with Designs by Lolita, which

Above: This limited edition Peter Rabbit sold out.

Right: Lolita hand-painted glassware will be showcased on Enesco's stand at Autumn Fair in September.

Below: Enesco's Himalayan Candle Collection was launched January and is new to the UK.

has seen Enesco Europe become the exclusive European distributor of Lolita wine and beer glasses. Plus, in January, the company launched Himalayan Candles into Europe where they are quickly gaining a firm foothold in a hugely competitive product sector. "We are currently

negotiating with several other companies too," Ken confirms.

With the new National Living Wage and compulsory pension scheme coming into force this year, has the company seen any signs of retailers tightening their purse strings? "As yet it hasn't impacted," responds Ken. "While the consumer is still being cautious, there are nevertheless positive signs that there is generally more disposable income available in 2016. Having said that though, the high street is very volatile, as it was during 2015, with low footfall being reported generally. Internet sales are still on the increase, with the ease of purchase, quick deliveries and no parking costs clearly important factors."

What has made an impact though, and in a very positive way, is the acquisition of Enesco LLC

by Los Angeles based, private equity company Balmoral Funds. "Their support and encouragement of our performance gives us the confidence to begin the realisation of our ambitions," Ken emphasises.

"We have strategic plans to continue the growth of our company in both sales and financial performance and are currently looking for a combination of organic growth and acquisitions where these will be complementary."

Enesco: The Lowdown l Enesco LLC was founded in Chicago in

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1958 by Gene Freedman, and continues to be a global leader in gifts, plush and home and garden decor industries, with over 40,000 customers worldwide.

The company's portfolio includes well known company owned brands such as Gund, Department 56, Our Name Is Mud and Gregg Gifts, as well as iconic licensed brands that include Jim Shore, Disney, Britto and Peanuts.

Enesco Europe has two export divisions: a Berlin based sales office covering Northern and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Enesco France, based in Nice, which covers France, Spain and Italy.

The company exports to over 50 countries.

Currently, Enesco Europe employs 240 staff spanning its HQ in Carlisle, two factories and Enesco France.

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TRENDS: MIXED METALLICS

A Glimmer Of A Shimmer

Metallics will definitely be the hottest trend around this Autumn/Winter, with suppliers pulling out all the stops. From interior products and homewares to stationery, jewellery and fashion accessories, metallics are making their presence felt across the board.

PG&H takes a look at what will be hitting the gift and home catwalks over the coming months.

Left: Parlane International's Doily collection of glass plates and bowls with a metallic gold lace pattern.

Below: Epicurean barware from Eddingtons includes a wine cooler.

Above: Modern artisan brass homewares from Sass & Belle by RJB Stone.

Left: A new rose tinted jotter from Caroline Gardner.

Below left: Joe Davies' metallic, LED Firefly table lights.

Below: Kitchen Craft's Bar Craft six piece cocktail set.

Left: Showing its gold credentials, a Ted Baker cake slice from Portmeirion Group.

Above: Silver Dreams candle holders from Premier Decorations.

Right: A copper telephone from Wild & Wolf's Classic Telephones range.

Right: Part of a collection of glass jars from T&G featuring stylish copper lids.

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In Profile: Xystos

A Double ‘First’ For the first time, Xystos, the home of flame and fragrance, will be taking not one but two stands at Home & Gift, Harrogate, where the company will be unveiling two new distributions to its portfolio - Woods of Windsor and English Heritage - owned by Yardley of London.

The additional brands will further strengthen Xystos’ position as a major distributor, says director Tom Sykes.

There's a sweet smell of success at Xystos, which is situated on the Blaydon Industrial Estate in Newcastle. As a leading supplier of fragranced candle products and decorative home accessories, the company boasts brands that include WoodWick and Hearthwick (candles well known for their 'crackling' wick), Kringle Candle, CandleLite, Aquiesse and Cello Home Fragrance Accessories, as well as bath and body company The Naked Bee. With the addition of Woods of Windsor and English Heritage this summer - both owned by Yardley of London - the company confidently expects to double last year's sales. In fact, a significant investment has been made in a Microsoft Dynamics back office and warehouse system to take the company to the next level.

"We are also restructuring internally and giving more responsibility to staff in order to establish the company as a leading player," explains director Tom Sykes, who has been with the business since its inception. "For example, our UK sales manager Des

Right: Tom Sykes, director, Xystos.

Below right: Woods of Windsor True Rose eau de toilette.

Docherty will have a wider remit, as will our national accounts and key accounts team. We have doubled our sales force in the past 18 months - a mix of sales managers and agents - and we will be adding to the sales team again as we continue to grow.

"Our aim is to maximise sales for Woods of Windsor and English Heritage through the channels we have successfully opened for the other top selling brands in our portfolio, particularly in relation to garden centres and home fragrance specialist outlets," Tom continues. "With our tag line of 'home of flame and fragrance' we think that bath and body/personal care is a move on from that, with 60-65% of our customer base already carrying this type of product."

He believes that the most successful retailers have moved with the times and

Emotional Connection Tom's favourite fragrance to burn at home is Aquiesse's Black Orchid.

"It's a mellow, discerning scent that really appeals to me," he reveals.

Left: Black Orchid from Aquiesse.

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looked outside the box as the fragrance market has changed. "It has grown and we are growing with it, striving to be market leaders and to continually bring out new product. For example, we offer 54 electric wax melt burners where we feel we can confidently say that we are the market leader," Tom states.

On the home fragrancing accessories front, a high proportion of the company's product is designed in-house by a team of four, with Xystos also able to call on the resources of the Virginia Candle Company which owns WoodWick. In total, there are 18 collections within the range which complement the various home fragrancing brands distributed by the company. "Some 20-25% of candle purchasers buy complementary accessories," observes Tom, "and we will be showcasing 13 new additions to the ranges for Home & Gift, Harrogate."

Meanwhile, Tom is clearly excited, and very enthusiastic, about the company's latest sales distribution agreement. "Quentin Higham, the md of Yardley of London, approached us, which was a huge compliment," he comments. "Quentin's

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In Profile: Xystos decision to work with us was based on his requirement to enter into a partnership with a UK sales distribution company that specialises in servicing garden centres, department stores and gift stores. He was impressed by our understanding of the channel and category, and by the fact that we have been very successful in building so many high profile brands. Woods of Windsor and English Heritage fit in perfectly to our portfolio, as most garden centres sell a massive amount of bath and body product, so this distribution is a natural step in our expansion. So many of our customers are creating a 'scented' department in their outlets, a synergy of bath and body and home fragrance products, giving consumers a bigger choice when purchasing. From our perspective, the partnership will open up new markets, allowing us to go into more compact areas.

As a result, we have designed new flexible fixtures to reflect that."

So what can buyers expect to discover at Home & Gift? "With the re-branding, repackaging and re-launching of Woods of Windsor and English Heritage, the product offer is phenomenal," enthuses Tom. "We will be unveiling the new English Heritage Home Fragrance Collection, and the new look Floral Fragrances Collection, showcasing both brands on our existing stand in Hall Q (Q13), as well as on a

Xystos: The Lowdown l Xystos was launched in 2005 by Philip, Barbara and David Lewis, who originally owned a

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chain of Collectables retail outlets in the North of England selling leading brands that included Royal Doulton, Lladro and Coalport. (There are still eight Collectables shops based in the North to include The Metro Centre in Newcastle).

The Lewis family began importing directly for their retail business, subsequently setting up a warehouse.

When a well known collectable company, PenDelfin, was struggling, it was bought by Philip Lewis, a close friend of the owner, and the decision proved to be a catalyst.

Philip and his son David then launched a wholesale company, Xsytos, and the acquisition of other collectable brands such as Piggin', Lost Dog, Enchantica, Myth and Magic and Gleneagles Crystal followed.

However, it was the African Plains collection which saw the company gain critical mass in the home decor sector followed by Xystos' first fragrance distribution, La Tee Da. In 2011, the company changed its route to market, and over the next couple of years, moved out of the declining collectables and glassware market place to concentrate on home fragrancing and its own product.

In 2016, the company was appointed as the UK & Ireland distributor for Woods of Windsor and English Heritage.

specialist Woods of Windsor stand in Hall A (A15), adjacent to other bath and body companies." (Both brands are manufactured by Woods of Windsor, which originates from an 18th century apothecary situated next to Windsor Castle).

Inspired by three of English Heritage’s historic English landmarks, the Home Fragrance Collection includes luxury scented candles, room fragrances, diffusers, drawer liners and wardrobe sachets, available in three fragrances -

Above: A Citrus & Basil candle from English Heritage.

Below: New from WoodWick.

Tudor Rose, inspired by Kenilworth Castle and the Elizabethan Garden; Citrus & Basil, inspired by Eltham Palace, and Sea Spray & Freesia inspired by Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. "The designers have taken aspects from the decor and the gardens," highlights Tom, “so, for example, there is imagery taken from, say, a window or a ceiling as well as from the gardens."

Inspiration for Woods of Windsor's Floral Fragrances Collection comes from modern and vintage flower illustrations, the beauty of Windsor Great Park and the romance of Windsor Castle, along with the delicate flora and fauna of a fragranced English garden. The result is a fresh, new take on its heritage for Autumn 2016.

"The inspiration really comes through in the design, fragrance and packaging of the products," emphasises Tom. The collection features a luxury eau de toilette spray, a super-hydrating moisturising hand wash, a moisturising bath and shower gel, nourishing hand cream, luxury soap, dusting powder and drawer liners.

So what other goals does the company have going forward "We will be consolidating on the home fragrance side, as we now cover all price points, and are continuing to grow the company, and our portfolio with products that have synergy," Tom confirms. "Also, there are several major re-launches in the pipeline, to include Aquiesse and The Naked Bee. We are also looking to expand our retail reach into greeting card shops where we see huge potential for our brands."

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Retailer Face To Face: Notonthehighstreet

Gifts With A Twist

As head of development at notonthehighstreet.com currently celebrating its 10th anniversary - Rebecca Saunders' brief covers everything from buying gifts and stationery to jewellery, soft furnishings and Christmas decorations. But ask her what her favourite product category is, and she happily admits to being a passionate stationery addict, with four different journals, a paper diary and a paper 'to do' list all on the go at any one time!

PG caught up with Rebecca at the London Stationery Show in April to discover not only what's trending but also, what changes she and her team are currently observing in the market place.

Rebecca Saunders started her career in the City, but as soon as she began working with retail clients she realised that that was the sector for her. "I'm fascinated by customers’ decision making and I love the dynamic pace of working in retail which is magnified in ecommerce where decisions can be made quickly," she explains.

"Online retailing makes me tick."

After studying retail marketing as part of her MBA at Columbia University, she decided to go in-house so that she could get more involved with the creative side of working with products. "I have bought everything from beauty to computers. Now, as head of development at notonthehighstreet.com, where I have been for just over a year, I'm responsible for a number of fast growing categories that include all of the company's

baby and child areas, such as clothing, toys and haberdashery, food and drink, weddings and parties, Christmas decorations and experiences - everything from distilling gin to learning to swing dance! Plus, I look after stationery and all the products that sit within that area - greeting cards, wedding invitations, desk accessories, notebooks - the lot!" she smiles, describing herself as "passionate, determined and focused on product."

She views stationery as the intersection of home and fashion, pointing out that today, it is as much about self-purchasing as gifting. "Continuing innovation in the sector is important through providing surprise and delight," she states. "When someone buys or uses

Above: Notonthehighstreet's Rebecca Saunders recently delivered a seminar - Stationery Is Anything But Stationary - at the London Stationery Show.

Left: A personalised Look Out World journal notebook by Tillyanna.

stationery, it is not only seen as a luxury product but also says something about them personally - about their style, how they want to be perceived, how trend conscious they are - and this works for men as well as women. At notonthehighstreet.com we are seeing a huge boost in the self-purchase market," she continues. "It's a bit like the 'lipstick effect' which we see in recessions.

Stationery enables us to buy into a trend at a relatively affordable level, and feels like a treat when bought for oneself."

As well as stationery, in all categories, Rebecca says that innovation is really important to Notonthehighstreet customers.

"Rachel Jackson Gift is an example of a partner who recently launched on notonthehighstreet.com and has developed an unusual range of jewellery gifts with subtle personalisation based on birthstones."

Popping Up In London For the first time, notonthehighstreet.com opened a pop up shop in London's Spitalfields over the first May Bank Holiday weekend. "The Open Door event was an immersive brand event and our first ever opportunity for customers to experience and shop from notonthehighstreet.com product ranges in a physical environment," Rebecca explains. "Customers had the chance to meet a selection of the brand’s most innovative and fastest growing creative small businesses such as understated jeweller Minetta. We also held very popular product masterclasses from tea mixology to pom pom making."

Right: Personalised gold bar jewellery from Minetta.

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Retailer Face To Face: Notonthehighstreet

Notonthehighstreet.com: The Lowdown l Notonthehighstreet.com was founded in 2006 by Holly Tucker MBE and Sophie

Cornish MBE. l It has become the leading curated modern marketplace connecting the best small creative

businesses with the world. l The brand offers an alternative to the high street: a curated product selection with

unique designs, high quality craftsmanship and inspiring stories behind the people who make them. l The brand has experienced exceptional growth, with gross sales in 2015 reaching £156 million and delivering a compound growth rate of 135% since the company's launch. l With a team of over 200 at its headquarters in Silicon Upon Thames, South West London, Notonthehighstreet.com is backed by venture capitalists Venrex Investment Management, Index Ventures, 83North, Industry Ventures and Eight Road Ventures. l Under the leadership of newly appointed ceo Simon Belsham, there is a renewed energy and focus on building the brand.

Rebecca and her team are also very much on the ball when it comes to observing changes in the market place, along with consumer and lifestyle buying trends. "Changes happen very, very quickly and we also need to anticipate them," she points out. "Take the current trend for mindfulness with adult colouring books a good example," she observes. "Who would have thought that it would be such a big market? However, it plays to taking time for yourself - the ultimate luxury in the busy, digital world. Plus, we need to find new ways of marketing and communicating with our customers."

In addition, she feels the website is increasingly appealing to customers that are purchasing for themselves, rather than buying gifts, which is particularly prevalent in homewares. "One of my favourites is Lauren Aston who knits beautiful blankets and cushions using giant six foot needles – so large they have to rest on the floor!" she explains. "Her products epitomise the brand - unique design, great quality, passionately produced by a creative entrepreneur that really connects with our customers."

So what's next for the Notonthehighstreet? "We are adding new partners and products all the time, so customers have a reason to keep coming to

Current Trends l Metallics: to include rose gold and

mixed metals. l Monochrome: seen in geo patterns and

unusual categories such as Christmas. l Slogan fashion: statements can be

seen on, for example, notebooks and pencil cases. l Block colours: which translate into cards. l Foliage: a colour palette that works well with stationery items such as pencil cases. l Texture/Materials: such as marble and concrete.

Top: Mixed metallic lockets from Rachel Jackson Gift.

Above: A Lauren Aston 'big knit' throw.

Below: Notonthehighstreet is expanding its categories.

notonthehighstreet.com regularly to see what’s new," comments Rebecca. "Sharing the stories of our partners is very important to our customers, who care about the provenance of their products and about helping small, creative businesses. We support our partners with product development in line with trends that we have identified so they can be agile in responding to customer demand and providing innovative, trendled products. And finally, we have just appointed our first ever customer director to ensure that we are always putting customers at the heart of our business."

The company will also be expanding in all its product categories, adding new partners through initiatives such as its Pitch Up events and partnership with

Crowdfunder. "Through this, we are reinforcing our position as a go-to for customers looking for innovative, high quality products across a range of categories from jewellery to greeting cards. We are also growing quickly in newer categories for us, such as food and drink, where customers are looking for premium products, subscriptions and hampers, as well as experiences, which has seen triple digit growth."

Rebecca adds that the aspect that she loves most about the brand is its strong sense of purpose. "We work with 5,000 small creative businesses and help them grow through connecting them with our millions of customers. Our teams work closely with partners, sharing support and advice on everything from packaging to product development. It’s truly rewarding and humbling to meet these entrepreneurs and hear how we’ve helped them to build a business that has transformed their lives."

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Spotlight On... Jewellery/Fashion Accessories

Get Ready

To Sparkle This Autumn/Winter will be revealing not only an exciting season for jewellery and fashion accessories, but also a very sparkly one!

Mixed metallics are set to dominate, with rose gold predicted to be huge, but there is also a big push on cosmic influences, with designs encouraging us to reach for the stars!

Fashion accessories meanwhile, will be making a major trend statement with super sized pom poms, ponchos, fringing and tassels ready and waiting to lead the way.

PG&H sashayed down the catwalks to discover what else gift retailers should be on the look-out for.

With Autumn and the festive season in mind, fashion jewellery is ready to deliver in the second half of the year, with a clear focus on metallics, celestial influences, crystals and bling.

At Joma Jewellery, creative director Katie Loxton comments: "From crystal clusters and shimmering shooting stars, this season is all about the magical night sky.

We’ve noticed a definite movement in trends from hearts to stars, tying in perfectly with the most sparkly season of all."

With rose gold still one of the company's most popular lines, Katie highlights that Joma will be introducing larger charms finished with a subtle sparkle.

At PoM, designer and director Chris Holden says that the relaxed feel of summer will follow on through to Autumn/Winter 2016/17, with the continuing trend for gold and rose gold complementing the mellow tones of Autumn. "Our latest collection uses subtle coloured leathers, layering and crystals to keeps things playful," she confirms.

Meanwhile, La De Da Living will be mixing rose gold with silver in the company's personalised range. "Personalisation is key, especially in the jewellery as gifts market," says director Rita Danazo. "Our Rose collection offers charms bearing initials which can be mixed and matched making them great fun and very sweet."

Carrie Elspeth's creative director, Carrie Shapiro, also highlights crystals and pearls as among the front runners. "They are on trend for jewellery this Autumn/Winter with layering and stacking evolving towards more

Top: Stardust from Joma Jewellery.

Above: From La De Da Living's Rose collection.

Bottom left: Rose gold is continuing to be a best seller for PoM. Below: A rose gold sentiment bracelet from Carrie Elspeth.

than just the wrist," she confirms. "Expect to see earthy tones and rusty Autumnal hues much stronger and bolder than the light pastels of the Spring trends. My new Harmony Collection is a subtle fusion of these newest styles."

Carrie also points out that the catwalks are full of chain too, despite the fact we’ve seen so much of it already this year.

"Therefore, with chain in mind, we will be launching a contemporary capsule collection this Autumn/Winter, an exciting new addition to the normal Carrie range, something we haven't done before. Retailers also need to think about gold and rose gold which is

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Summer Collection now in...

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Spotlight On... Jewellery/Fashion Accessories Left: New from Joe Davies’ Equilibrium collection.

Right: Bracelets from Hot Tomato.

Below right: Druzy Rocks Autumn collection from Mercy Jewellery.

Bottom right: Among the many bridal styles in Kit Heath's Dew collection.

continuing to head towards becoming one of the most prominent palettes of the season."

Picking up on Autumn hues is Joe Davies. “We strive to keep up with the latest trends,” comments buyer Mary Richards.

“Autumn/Winter 2016 is no exception, with a trend towards chokers and bling a focus of the new Equilibrium range. In addition, a rustic romance theme is featuring heavily in fashion, so we have taken elements of this look and developed a new russet tones

range of jewellery using rich spicy tones which are key to the look.”

At Hot Tomato, the company will be unveiling a whole gambit of greys, from the darkest charcoal and browns through to bitter chocolate hues. "Alongside this, the accent palette for Autumn/Winter includes the most glorious rich, berry colours, deep blue teals and muddy lime tones – all heart-warming and uplifting," says director Alex Machin.

"The overall look should be unstructured, informal and ultra-feminine, with 'relaxed vintage’ capturing the mood perfectly.

Classic pieces can be softened with layering and accessorising, creating individuality. It’s

For Men With Style Finding trendy gifts for men has long been a plea from gift shop owners. But as men get trendier and more appearance conscious, the good news is that there are a myriad of suppliers who are looking to gift outlets as a way to increase their retail reach.

A fashion statement made by a growing number of men of all ages is mis-matched socks. They've become the gift for the man who has everything and who isn't afraid to show the fun side to his personality. "Our new range of licensed character collectable socks has meant that we can drive into new markets including the independent retail sector," says the company's account manager Robert Broadhurst of Roy Loewe & Sons. "But our two UK manufactured own brands – SockMine - technical socks featuring sporting interests ranging from cycling, running and walking to ski-ing and snowboarding - and Roy’s Boys, our eccentrically British line of men’s fashion socks, are also taking off.

Odd socks are definitely growing in popularity!"

"Socks are more to do with personality than fashion per se, but with a 50% growth in sales again in the last 12 months, socks still seem to be the gift of choice for those who appear to have everything," says David Gee, md of The Music Gifts Company. "We have even sold socks as gifts for the likes of Elton John and Mick Jagger," he highlights.

Cufflinks too, continue to be winners for the company. "We have seen a 35% increase in sales during the last 12 months," confirms David. "There is definitely a trend towards a smarter, more refined look, a reflection on the huge increase in sales of men’s grooming products."

While not a fashion accessory per se, men's toiletries are definitely focusing on the fashion for beards which are now accepted as the norm for Millennial males in particular. The London Beard Company, for example, says that half of the company's customers are women buying, for example, combs and beard oils for their men folk. "The trend for beards is ongoing," says cofounder Abrar Mirza."The average man is lazy, so if he can grow a beard and avoid shaving he will, although he nevertheless wants to keep his beard looking groomed."

Top: Quirky, odd socks from Roy's Boys, among the brands from Roy Loewe & Sons.

Above left: Element from The Music Gifts Company.

Above: Quavers cufflinks from The Music Gifts Company.

Left: Oils from The London Beard Company.

about being unique as well as part of the tribe."

Personalisation in the jewellery sector is, of course, continuing to drive sales. "We're going to see a surge in interest in this from the high street as they look to compete with online stalwarts such as Notonthehighstreet," says Mercy Jewellery’s md Rachel Parkin.

"Our Amity and Grace collection offers different looks for different styles of shop, while our Druzy Rocks collection fuses fashion and real stones, combining sparkle with earthiness."

Meanwhile, with brides in mind, Kit Heath's Dew collection has plenty to offer in bridal trends. The company's Dew's Luster collection is saying 'happily ever after' with creamy white freshwater pearls, opals and sparkling cubic zirconias. Alternatively, for a classically elegant wedding day, the

collection offers sparkle and pearl pendants with silver chains and matching studs complemented by dainty quad clusters of cubic zirconia. "Solo pearl necklaces, and drop or stud earrings in smoky black, silver, rose blush or natural white pearls are ideal for pretty bridesmaids too," says the company's Laura Tomlin, e-commerce and marketing executive. "The Boho bride will love Dew's twisted rope necklaces of freshwater pearls, white quartz and Swarovski crystals. Tiny pearls intertwine with delicate leaves in silver, or touched by yellow and rose gold on bangles, drops and pendants which add an art nouveau look."

As the fashion media confirm, it's all about making a statement this year, with suppliers being as innovative as ever in focusing on the trends tripping off the catwalks.

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925 sterling silver

Harrogate Home & Gift Show

17TH - 20TH JULY - STAND C15

www.seagems.co.uk

sales@seagems.co.uk - +44(0)1736 335840 © All designs protected by Sea Gems Copyright & Design Right.

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Spotlight On... Jewellery/Fashion Accessories

Wearing It With Style As the saying goes, you either have, or you haven't got style! So gift retailers looking to appeal to fashionistas this Autumn/Winter will need to focus on the hot trends that are already making their presence felt.

"We're delighted to be launching our first range of clothing this Autumn - a capsule collection of wearable knitted capes, scarves and bags, which tap perfectly into the current trend for easy, effortless elegance," comments Rita Davanzo, director, La De La Living. "We love the metallic trend going on at the moment, and our chunky knit scarves and bags reflect this with metallic accents.

Colours are soft and neutral shades of tan and slate - very current, and again, very easy to wear."

At PoM, scarves that keep out the seasonal chill will feature large squares, snoods and ponchos in super soft fabric, as well as the company's characteristic clash of colour and print. "Tassels, pom poms and fringing all add to the laid back feel and

Above: La De Da Living's new knitwear collection.

Below: Tassels are creating a statement for PoM.

Top: At Miss Milly, bold colours brighten up winter and the cotton embroidery adds interest.

Above: Pom poms are a major focus for Joe Davies's Equilibrium range.

create a vibrant statement," says designer and director Chris Holden.

Staying with scarves, Katie Loxton's brand new scarf collection is filled with unique sayings and sentiments. (The new Katie Loxton brand is a sister company to Joma). "We're introducing starry, cosmic prints with our sentiment scarves in crushed burgundy, teal and charcoal hues," reveals Katie Loxton. "We are also introducing a new range of snuggly blanket scarves, featuring relaxed luxury in classic block colours, soft greys and charcoal khaki tones, finished with golden hardware for something special."

"The introduction of mixed materials, combining different fabrics for an even softer feel, is proving successful," says Sarah Watmore, md of Miss Milly. "The delicate pastel and neutral colours that we’ve seen a lot of this year will continue into next season with soft pinks and sky blues set with dove grey in materials of a similar feel with super soft jerseys and wools.” She says red will be making a comeback as ever for the end of the year in a range of tones from tomato

to pomegranate. The company has focused on two main themes: Girlie Gothic which has a vintage, feminine vibe and Indian Winter.

“The trend for playful styling will continue to play an important part in accessories for Autumn/Winter," says Mary Richards, buyer at Joe Davies. "Pom poms in particular will remain a key element of this trend, both in bag charms and other accessories. With this in mind, the new Equilibrium fashion accessories range will include faux fur hats and scarves with pom pom attachments. The bigger the pom pom the better!"

Shruti meanwhile, has identified and responded to two major trends for Autumn/Winter. "Our favourite features metallic textures, reflected in our Ta Da! collection. It includes neutral backdrops in velvets and suede with metallic overlays, including a hot rose gold tone," explains brand director Michaela Davies who designed the range to extend across fashion as well as homewares and gifts.

Above: Wild & Wolf's Folklore keyring and necklace.

Below left: Part of Shruti's Ta Da! collection.

"Lisa Buckridge has also designed a sophisticated folksy collection using a palette of dark grey, crisp white and colour pops of chartreuse," adds Michaela.

Also focusing on a folksy look is Wild & Wolf. Designed in house, the company's Folklore accessories will be continuing with the strong Scandi theme of nature and design as seen in homewares. The collection will be launched with enamel necklaces and keyrings, trinket tray, make-up pouches, lip balms, nail lacquers and hand creams, all beautifully packaged, creating an array of dressing table products," explains Alice Hughes, marketing and PR assistant. "To stand out, jewellery and fashion accessories have to show something unique to what's already out there, yet in a stylish way."

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Carrie Elspeth EXCLUSIVE

DESIGNER

HANDMADE

NEW

2016 WINNER

NEW

AGATE MEDLEY & MYCOLOURBANDS FASHION JEWELLERY & ACCESSORIES

IN

JEWELLERY

WALES

NEW

Come and see our new Autumn/Winter 2016 Collections Home & Gift, Harrogate Stand DP1 - 36

e sales@carrieelspeth.com | 01446 771271 | w www.carrieelspeth.com

What’s New Progressive Gifts & Home highlights some of the latest in Jewellery and Fashion Accessories gift products to be showcased this month.

Wrap it Round

Harrogate Home & Gift Show

17TH - 20TH JULY - STAND C15

Dansk Smykkekunst’s Autumn/Winter 2016 collection is a collaboration of Scandinavian design with strong minimalist and sculptural lines.

Again this season, we work with leather and suede in combination with snake chain for a series of edgy bracelets and necklaces. You will also find a large collection of fine and knitted scarves suitable for all occasions.

P & A Agencies Tel: 0161 653 1586 Email: info@pa-agencies.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall DP1 Stand DP1 - 67

Danish Style Delivers

Designer Pens www.seagems.co.uk

sales@seagems.co.uk - +44(0)1736 335840 © All designs protected by Sea Gems Copyright & Design Right.

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Creative husband and wife team, Malene and Christian Storm, are successfully running one of Scandinavia's most desired fashion jewellery brands. Malene's focus on fashion helps drive her design skills to create wearable, eye catching pieces for today's modern woman in a fast moving industry. Malene's designs are a unique combination of Danish style and affordable, stunning jewellery.

P & A Agencies Tel: 0161 653 1586 Email: info@pa-agencies.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall DP1 Stand DP1-67

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What’s New Progressive Gifts & Home highlights some of the latest in Jewellery and Fashion Accessories gift products to be showcased this month.

Gorgeous Gloves

New Capsule Collection It’s all about change for the Autumn season at Carrie Elspeth, with a brand new capsule collection that's totally different to normal, alongside new packaging. Think chain with gold, rose gold and silver with a splash of colour. Carrie has also added two extremely giftable collections to her mycolourbands brand with a premium charm range and gift carded collection. There are also new additions to the core range of sophisticated, colourful jewellery with new Autumnal designs ready for the season.

Carrie Elspeth Tel: 01446 771271 Email: sales@carrieelspeth.com www.carrieelspeth.com Home & Gift: Hall DP1 Stand 36

Hot Tomato will be launching a gorgeous range of gloves for the coming season including this quirky floral motif. All designs retail for between £15- £17 making them a fab gift or a guilt-free treat for yourself! Amidst a whole gambit of lovely new temptations, they have also extended their collection of wrap-around bracelets for the coming season. Now that’s what we call arm candy!

Hot Tomato Tel: 01225 422188 Email: sales@hot-tomatouk.com www.hot-tom.com Home & Gift: Hall DP1 Stand 09

Crystal Fantasies Wild Things will be showcasing new additions and improvements to their best-selling Crystal Fantasy range. These beautiful and original suncatchers are designed and handmade in Devon. They are made with best quality beads, mirror finish metals and Swarovski crystals. There are two sizes and many different designs, ranging from wildlife to cats and dogs, teddies, fairies and angels. Counter-top fountain and rotating floor-standing displays are available.

Wild Things Tel 01392 211268 www.wildthingsgifts.com Home & Gift: Hall D Stand D4

Faux Fur's Hot

Bright & Bold We are just loving our bright and bold new launch for AW16! Prints are dynamic, textures are soft across the board, melange and ombre shading is hot! Our new wraps are stunning and look fantastic hanging simply or with one of our crazy brooches! Hem&Edge collections for AW16 cover the whole spectrum of the latest super soft cosy acrylic, right though to our sumptuous silk! Trade prices from £4.80. See us at our new location – DP1-64.

One Button Email: info@onebuttonuk.com www.onebuttonuk.com Home & Gift: Hall DP1 Stand 64

Once again, year after year, we sell out! Our faux fur continues to be the hottest out there! Ours is softer than soft and so scrummy to wear! As well as new shapes and patterns in snoods and wraps, this year we are thrilled to bring you our new knitted mittens. Complete with cable pattern and faux fur wrist trim, we have even added the cable to thread through your sleeves to allow ‘glove dangle’! Trade prices from £6.00.

See us at our new location - DP1-64.

One Button Email: info@onebuttonuk.com www.onebuttonuk.com Home & Gift: Hall DP1 Stand 64

Plethora of Jewellery Miss Milly, the British brand for gorgeous jewellery and scarves, is launching a plethora of jewellery lines in seasonal colours with resin, enamel and metallic finishes. Beautiful multicolour jewellery with Girlie Gothic and Indian Winter colour palettes, as well as coastal blue combinations. Fantastic prices and great quality backed up by an efficient, friendly service. You can order at the shows or online now. No minimum order quantities. Branded packaging and display stands available.

Miss Milly Tel: 01905 622509 Email: hello@missmilly.co.uk www.missmilly.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall DP3 Stand 8 PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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What’s New Progressive Gifts & Home highlights some of the latest in Jewellery and Fashion Accessories gift products to be showcased this month.

Statement Scarves Embrace the seasonal chill with Peace of Minds latest scarf collection. Large squares, snoods and ponchos, in super soft and subtly textured cottons, elegantly patterned silks and comforting wool knits, creates a wonderfully mellow transition from summer to Autumn.

Tassels, pom poms and fringing all add to the laid back feel and create a subtle statement.

Peace Of Mind Tel: 01225 777749 Email: sales@pom925.com www.pom925.com Home & Gift: DP1-103

Colourful Crystal The new Druzy Rocks summer collection has just arrived. Druzy Rocks is an exuberant colourful collection of natural crystal jewellery. With its vivid colour swatches, sparkling facets and gold electroplated finishes, this is fashionable jewellery at its finest. It’s a gorgeous show stopping collection of natural stone jewellery in vibrant colours with branded packaging and POS. Mercy Jewellery Tel: 08452 600925 www.mercyjewellery.co.uk Email: sales@mercyjewellery.co.uk

Scandi-Inspired The Scandi-inspired Folklore range has expanded to include statement necklaces and keyrings featuring the brand’s woodland animals. Folklore homeware also has new additions in the form of tea towels, coasters and placemats continuing the theme and style of its previous collection.

For these exciting ranges and more don’t miss Wild & Wolf at Home & Gift stand DP2-3.

Wild & Wolf Tel: 01225 789909 Email: sales@wildandwolf.com www.wildandwolf.com Home & Gift: Hall DP2 Stand DP2-3

On Trend For Autumn

Paw Prints Sentiment Joe Davies (Home & Gift Hall Q, stand 50) is excited to introduce the company's brand new Paw Print collection of silver plated sentiment jewellery. Equilibrium has fast become a recognised brand for retailers and customers alike and the sentiment collection continues to go from strength to strength. These stylish new silver plated dog and cat sentiment pieces will be a popular addition to the range and are perfect for animal lovers.

Joe Davies Tel: 0161 975 6300 Email sales@joedavies.co.uk www.joedavies.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall Q Stand Q50

PoM's latest sterling silver and silver plated collection takes gold and rose gold, along with subtle coloured leathers, crystals and charms, to create playful yet grown up jewellery that perfectly complements the mellow tones of Autumn.

Also launching this season is a wonderful collection of Art Deco inspired pieces, with all the sophistication of the era brought well and truly up to date with on trend colours and modern finishes.

Peace Of Mind Tel: 01225 777749 Email: sales@pom925.com www.pom925.com Home & Gift: DP1-103

Expanded Chloé Collection Transomnia is building on the success of the company's hugely popular gold, white and cream Chloé range, with more than 20 additional new products. Made from wood, glass, ceramics and cotton, and nearly all designed inhouse in Tunbridge Wells, the much expanded collection has been one of the best sellers at their open days held in June and early July. As Transomnia no longer exhibit at Harrogate, the best way to see the new ranges is to contact your local sales agent.

Transomnia Tel: 01892 703660 Email: sales@transomnia.com www.transomnia.com PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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Face To Face: Ashleigh & Burwood

A Move In The Right Direction From little acorns big oaks grow, a statement that would seem to sum up the growth of Ashleigh & Burwood, which started out with pot pourri in the '90s, and which is now best known for its fragrance lamps and reed diffusers.

The move has seen the company more than double its space to a massive 60,000 sq ft. "It enables our warehouse operation to be housed under one roof, with ample office space that can accommodate more staff as we expand," highlights Andrew.

"It's very much how we felt when we first moved into our previous premises - how are we going to fill the space? - but we outgrew them very quickly!"

He says that the new HQ will provide important, additional opportunities for the company. "For the first time, we are able to house a permanent showroom, with an additional room dedicated to prototypes and sampling," he states.

"In addition, we also have the luxury of a merchandising lab as well as a photographic studio, giving us the opportunity not only to do the photography in-house for our packaging, but also the more creative lifestyle shots in terms of point of sale and publicity material."

Having started Ashleigh & Burwood as a family business at the kitchen table almost a quarter of a century ago, father and son John and Andrew Nettleton have continued to take the business from strength to strength.

Last month, the company moved two miles down the road into state-of-the-art premises in Molesey, Surrey, taking their existing workforce with them. "The new premises are so large that we can house two jumbo jets in the warehouse alone!" quips John.

PG&H went on a tour.

While the company currently does do some manufacturing in-house, mostly involving assembling and filling, which is peripheral to the core business, there is a good chance that this side of the business will grow. "For example, as we expand still further, we are looking at doing our own candle and liquid-fill manufacturing," Andrew comments. "There is definitely a cachet to products being manufactured in Britain, so, going forward, we will be exploring this avenue."

Meanwhile, with the second season shows on the horizon, the company is looking forward to a strong Autumn/Winter season. "We have a lot of new launches, which have a central 'cosy Autumn' theme," Top: John and Andrew Nettleton, chairman and md respectively.

Above right: The Cosy Autumn theme embodies the comforts of Autumn and winter.

Left: Carolanne Glaister, Ashleigh & Burwood's UK sales and customer services manager, and Steve Powell, the company's national field sales manager, holding the coveted Greats 2016 bronze trophy.

Inset: The company's new HQ in Molesey.

confirms Andrew. "And with our new warehouse in place, we are confident that orders will be turned around very quickly, with our customers benefitting from an even faster service."

Adds Andrew: "The move allows the business to substantially increase its turnover and is another significant step in helping to make Ashleigh & Burwood a global brand."

A Place For Everything A reception area has been created for visitors that includes a recess for The Greats trophy, won by Ashleigh & Burwood as the bronze winners of the Best Service To The Independent Gift Retail category at The Greats 2016.

"It's taking pride of place and we're very proud to put on show," says Andrew, "In fact, we have put in back lighting to really show it to its best advantage! It has meant so much to ourselves and our staff."

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Spotlight On... Nursery/Children’s Giftware

Playing Around From Finding Dory to Beatrix Potter, licensed giftware, both cutting edge and traditional, is leading the field for more and more giftware suppliers.

In addition, with Christmas in mind, traditional games are being given a contemporary twist, while personalisation is continuing to make baby and children's gifts extra special.

With Christmas in mind, PG&H asked the leading suppliers what's new for Autumn/Winter.

Licensing is continuing to see huge growth in the nursery and children's gifts arena, with Disney playing an important part for several gift licensees. Among them is Widdop And Co’s children’s collection, where Disney is playing a pivotal role. "As well as the flagship Disney film launches - Finding Dory and Jungle Book - all the classic Disney characters are represented across the full product range," highlights marketing manager Sue Grant.

The company's new introductions for Autumn/Winter include a range of Disney silver plated ornaments and photo frames

featuring the Disney Princesses, Frozen and Tinkerbell, with Magical Beginnings for younger children capturing the magic of Disney with photo frames, figurines and a first passport holder.

Other licensed ranges offered by the company include Rachel Ellen, a new Widdop licence for 2016, with princesses and pirates featuring nursery accessories from height charts to coat hooks.

At Enesco, where the company is also enjoying significant growth in licensed children's giftware (see From

Strength To Strength on pages 64-65), the biggest trend in nursery in 2016 has been Beatrix Potter. As Helen Shield, director of marketing confirms: "The 150th anniversary of the birth of Beatrix Potter has been a huge success with fantastic PR from the

The Prince George Effect A monogrammed bathrobe and slippers, worn by Prince George to greet Michelle and Barack Obama at Kensington Palace earlier this year, caused a fashion frenzy! The bathrobe, by My First Years, sold out within minutes.

Top: From Enesco's Beatrix Potter collection.

Above: A bathrobe fit for Prince George. The young prince is shown with Prince William and Michelle and Barack Obama.

Inset: Finding Dory children’s gifts from Widdop And Co. The film has its UK release on July 29.

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HE’S BIG Official Licensed Products The BFG movie in cinemas JULY 22

DREAM JAR READING LIGHT RRP £12.99 (8cm TALL)

Ask us forr a copy of our co olo lour urfu full ca cata talo logu gue. e.

Teel : +4 +44 4 (0)1751 47 57 57 5 Ema Em ail : ni nicethin ings gs@ @thatcompa pany nycalllled edif.ccom MAGNETIC BOOKMARK

thatco co mp mpanycall le ledi dif. f co m

RRP £1.99 (15cm TALL)

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Spotlight On... Nursery/Children’s Giftware licensors which has created a real buzz at retail. Our Gund Peter Rabbit plush collection has been extremely popular, as have our new organic bamboo dinner sets."

Christine Harrison, independent sales director at Xpressions 4 U, says that nostalgia never goes out of fashion. "Disney is a master of re-creating these memories for so many people.

"Winnie the Pooh, along with Dumbo, has always been a classic character for Disney baby, so we have used this as the focus for our gift offering this year. Using the soft pastel look it really gives it a cute feel.

These gifts are adorable as well as useful."

Suzie Howes, head of marketing and licensing at Rainbow Designs, says that the

Left: Winnie the Pooh Pot of Dreams from Xpressions 4 U. Below left: Teeth-Marks, from IF (That Company Called) was the winner of the Kids category at the Gift of the Year Awards 2016. The character bookmark's dangly tail helps young readers to keep their place.

Below right: A Flower Fairies design from Elite.

Bottom left: A set of Scion Guess Who? mugs from MAKE International.

company's hot, brand new launch in the nursery sector this Autumn will be My First Thomas and Friends Nursery collection. "This iconic preschool brand will now feature as a variety of nursery toys, including a comfort blanket, chime ball, ring rattle, activity cube and a plush My First Thomas, along with a feature plush Thomas activity toy that says phrases including ‘peep peep’ and ‘I’m the number one blue engine’."

Suzie says that licensed products continue to be a major player in the nursery sector with today's consumers also looking for toys and gifts that are more than just a soft toy by providing added value. "Products that combine an iconic classic character with multiple features and activities to help entertain and educate little ones will always be extremely popular,” she states.

Autumn/Winter also sees MAKE International adding to the company's Scion Guess Who? range of mini mugs and character glassware. Produced in collaboration with Scion Living, the shape of the mugs was designed by MAKE International’s head of design Keith Brymer Jones, who was also a judge on BBC2’s The Great Pottery Throw Down last year.

"They feature some of children’s most loved creatures, such as the elephant and the lion," says Emma Bennett, marketing and administration assistant. Each fine china mug shows a unisex design and boasts a slightly smaller child-friendly size. “To add value, gift retailers could fill them with chocolates or a small cuddly toy,” suggests Emma.

Meanwhile, busily expanding the company's range of licensed tinware is James Brierley, owner of Elite. "Retro designs on modern materials are popular themes and are recurring across giftware and lifestyle product, relevant in the children and nursery gift sectors too," he confirms.

"Our new PVC lunch bags, which we will be launching at Autumn Fair, feature Men at Work and Dancing Mice, which are decorated with classic imagery from Emma Bridgewater."

Wild & Wolf meanwhile, is pleased to be extending its hugely successful range of Ridley’s toys and games featuring fun and newness. "Old-time favourites have been re-imagined for all generations to enjoy, including wooden spinning tops, wooden snakes and a classic wooden 4 In A Row game, along with a nostalgic spiral art kit, and a fun photo-booth props kit," explains creative director Mat Thomas. Ridley’s has also expanded its popular balloon modelling kits with three new kits focusing on zoo animals, unicorns and under the sea creatures. Other popular products that have been redesigned for the new season are Ridley’s pick-up sticks, and a retro styled pinball machine featuring cosmic cats in space.

Meanwhile, new additions in the Ridley’s Games Room range include newly designed trivia sets with updated questions on movies and general knowledge, two quiz compendiums with four games in one and triominoes - triangular shaped dominoes.

Continued on page 91

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We are launching

Over 100 new Innovative lines Home & Gift show, Harrogate.

DP1, Stand 27 (17th- 20th July)

Autumn Fair International NEC, Birmingham.

Hall 3, Stand W42/X43 (4th- 7th September)

New FSDU

to view all our ranges and for our great show offer, visit our website: www.aromahome.com mail: caitlin@aromahome.com call Caitlin on 0203 735 9500 for further information

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Spotlight On... Nursery/Children’s Giftware

Left: Wild & Wolf's Ridley's photo booth props kit.

Below left: Also from Wild & Wolf's Ridley's range, a robotic arm.

Right: Lesser & Pavey's new Mad Dots baby boy collection.

Below right: Stick The Carrot On The Snowman game is new for House of Marbles and will be out later this year.

"Nostalgic toys and games are always a popular theme for gift shops, particularly during the run up to Christmas and they make ideal stocking fillers too," comments Mat. "Old-school themed gifts stand out from the modern-day children’s toys and entertainment and give other generations a chance to share their childhood toys with younger family members meaning that

all ages can enjoy these gifts."

On the nonlicensed front, a new range from Lesser & Pavey sets out to capture the fun of a new arrival. "This range endeavours to embrace all likes and dislikes and nursery themes by simply being baby blue or pink with the theme being Mad Dots, as people can be dotty about new born babies," says md Julian Hunt.

"The lettering features luxury gold to illustrate that each

item is of superb quality while offering value for money, which is also important, as a new youngster can be an expensive time. In addition, our new born baby ranges offer quality at affordable prices, depicting a teddy bear, a giraffe or dots."

At House of Marbles, the company is seeing a growing market for children’s party gifts at pocket-money prices. "They

Keeping It Personal As personalisation continues to go from strength to strength, gift givers are making the most of it in relation to baby and children's gifts.

"Personalisation is a real winner for new babies as it immediately has the appeal of an heirloom gift," highlights Dominique Fracasso-Stroud, director, La De Da Living.

"We have a great range of vintage teaspoons that can be personalised to order which make wonderful gifts for baby's first Christmas for example, and which will be cherished forever."

In addition, the company's new batteryoperated initial Letter Lights are another popular purchase for babies and for older children. "They come in white wood, with a soft light, making them an ideal nursery accessory, while older children love to use personalised objects in their rooms as an expression of their growing individuality," explains Dominique.

Above: My First Christmas from La De Da Living.

Right: Also from La De Da Living, Letter Lights.

are the perfect pick up and make great stocking fillers for any occasion," comments trade marketing and online manager Laura Woodsford. "For Autumn/Winter, we are launching a brand new range of Christmas games which are always hugely popular during the festive season as they offer value for money. In addition, parents really love the mix of entertainment and education a good game offers, making them a fantastic gift for children.”

For gift retailers with an eye on the Christmas market, clearly there's a wealth of product, both licensed and non-licensed, to make gift buying easier than ever.

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Proudly handmade in Great Britain

we’ve got giftware all wrapped up

Come and join us at…

The Autumn Gift & Home Fair

Citywest International Events Centre

Autumn International Fair

14th–17th August 2016

4th–7th September 2016

Dublin, Ireland

FOOD BAR

STORE

STORE

Stand F2

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ESCALATOR - UP

THE HUB

ESCALATOR - UP

RECEPTION / FOYER

NEC, Birmingham

Hall 3 Stand 3W04–X03

Enesco Limited, Head Office & Customer Services,

Brunthill Road, Kingstown, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA3 0EN Tel: 01228 404022 Fax: 01228 404041 email: uksales@enesco.co.uk

Overseas Customer Services: Tel: +44 1228 404066

Fax: +44 1228 404080 email: eurosales@enesco.co.uk © 2016 Enesco Ltd. BFA Scotland. © Disney © 2016 Enesco Ltd.. © 2016 MARVEL.

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What’s New Progressive Gifts & Home highlights some of the latest nursery/children’s gift products to be showcased this month.

Pocket Money Fun Following on from Briers’ hugely successful launch of its Briers Kids gardening range, it has added yet more fun and affordable new products. 2016 sees new car and bird patterns in complementary pantones, ranged as garden gloves, kneelers and boot socks perfect range extensions to this compact collection. The full range now encompasses 19 products sensibly priced from only £2.99 for gloves up to £24.99 for the wheelbarrow.

To find out more contact our sales team.

Briers Tel: 01963 279077 Email: sales@briersltd.co.uk www.briersltd.co.uk

Making Fantasy Real Making kids happy is what GUND is all about and the new selection of loveable, huggable dragons and unicorns available from June 2016 is guaranteed to get their imaginations running wild and free. Choose from the beautiful LilyRose Pink Unicorn (available in large and jumbo sizes) or three adorable dragons: Sparx Black Dragon (available in small and jumbo sizes), Ember Green Dragon and Russle Teal Dragon.

Enesco Tel: 01228 404022 Email: uksales@enesco.co.uk www.enesco.co.uk

It's A Winner Fred from Kitchen Craft offers an amazing array of gifts for kids including the best-selling Dinner Winner concept, which provides foodie fun for little ones, and has just seen the introduction of three additional designs. Each Dinner Winner tray/plate provides eat-as-you-go action with the goal of getting to the finish line where a hidden ‘treasure’ awaits. Moulded from 100% virgin melamine Dinner Winner is packaged in full colour gift box. Fred will be showcased at Home & Gift Harrogate on stand M25.

Kitchen Craft Tel: +44 (0) 121 604 1111 Email: sales@kitchencraft.co.uk ww.kitchencraft.co.uk/fred Home & Gift: Hall M Stand M25

Dotty About Babies

Shaun The Sheep Light With the ever growing popularity of Shaun the Sheep (winning the British Academy children’s award twice), Groovy has designed a new, super cute Look-ALite. Shaun the Sheep fans will love this 3D Look-Alite, with his fluffy tail and sticking out ears. The subtle white light from the LED bulb really brings these characters to life. Dims: H25cm X D10.5cm X W13cm. RRP £20.

Groovy has designed Look-ALites in many other licenses including Star Wars and DC Comics.

Groovy UK Tel: +44 (0)116 239 110 Email:j.johnston@groovyuk.com www.groovyuk.com

Lesser & Pavey's Mad Dots new baby range comes in two colour ways - pink and blue - and consists of gift bags for the gift; a handled mug; a money box; photo frame; a set that will entice any little ones to eat; a keepsakes trinket for special items; first tooth and first curl trinkets, and a keepsake box for larger memories. Coming soon will be a Mad Dots Wedding range as well as a Mad Dots Mum, Grandma and Nana range. See the full range on the Lesser & Pavey stand M14 at Harrogate July fair.

Lesser & Pavey Tel 01322 279225 Email: sales@leonardo.co.uk www.leonardo.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall M Stand M14

A Tune In A Spoon Sip & Slide is just one of a vast number of comical, clever gifts for kids by Fred from Kitchen Craft. A sturdy spoon one minute and a high quality slide whistle the next, Sip & Slide brings music to the table and puts a tune in their spoon! Sip & Slide comes brightly packaged (carded) and makes a wonderful little kids gift. Fred will be showcased at Home & Gift Harrogate on stand M25.

Kitchen Craft Tel: +44 (0) 121 604 1111 Email: sales@kitchencraft.co.uk ww.kitchencraft.co.uk/fred Home & Gift: Hall M Stand M25 PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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Greenhouse

Collection

Refreshing notes of freshly picked herbs and garden cucumber enveloped with fruity melon

Xystos

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For more info, contact our Customer Service Team Email: sales@xystos.co.uk or Tel: +44(0)191 499 1570 www.xystostrade.co.uk

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What’s New Progressive Gifts & Home highlights some of the latest gift products launching at Home & Gift, 17-20 July 2016, Harrogate.

Starlight, Star Bright Brighten up someone's day with these gorgeous Starlight bottles. They are the perfect gift for a special person in your life, with a touching sentiment on the front of the bottle and lovely star light inside. The beautiful Starlight bottles, with heart-warming sentiment, will not only brighten up their day but their home as well.

Boxer Gifts Tel: 0113 955 595 Email: sales@boxergifts.com www.boxergifts.com

Starter Discovery Kit Ashleigh & Burwood's new fragrance lamp Discovery Kit has been designed to help those new to the world of fragrance lamps. The kit includes a unique, petite glass fragrance lamp, and a 250ml bottle of lamp fragrance. The clear glass of the fragrance lamp is designed to introduce customers to the concept of fragrance lamps, helping them to gauge how much fragrance is needed and when they need to refill.

Ashleigh & Burwood Tel: 01932 267060 Email: info@ashleigh-burwood.co.uk www.ashleigh-burwood-trade.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall 4 Stand B4

Triple Fragrance The exclusive range of 3 wick candles with triple fragrance offers an outstanding scent range. Denise Edwards from Best Kept Secrets commented: "The appeal of the whole collection of candles has been overwhelming and every candle in the range has been in great demand. One of the most popular candle tins is Sugar Plum because it is the perfect citrus blend of bergamot, lychee, mandarin and tuberose. There are also base notes of caramel, vanilla, sandalwood and musk."

Best Kept Secrets Tel: 01670 512222 Email: sales@bestkeptsecrets.co.uk www.bestkeptsecrets.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall Q Stand Q1

Animal Sculptures These two new horse creations, Freckles and Smudge, by new sculptor Linda Fowler – who has recently joined Frith - are bound to become part of the company's best seller range, alongside two hedgehogs created by Thomas Meadows, Wiggles and Snuffles. Also new for Autumn are stags, mini hares, cats, a red kite and a little owl featured here. Take advantage of Frith's show offer and find out how to get a free sculpture!

Frith Sculpture Tel: 01666 577110 Email: sales@frithsculpture.co.uk www.frithsculpture.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall A Stand A9

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Beautiful Lifestyle Giftware Home and garden gifting inspired by iconic British designs

Tel: 01963 269077 Fax: 01963 402060 sales@briersltd.co.uk www.briersltd.co.uk

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What’s New Progressive Gifts & Home highlights some of the latest gift products launching at Home & Gift, 17-20 July 2016, Harrogate.

Cosy Autumn Fragrances

New Fragranced Giftware Best Kept Secrets will be previewing its refreshed range of fragranced gifts at Harrogate Home and Gift. Among the premium ranges is a new collection of necklace fragranced gift bags, bracelet fragranced gift bags and earring fragranced gift bags. The business, which acquired Sepia Fragranced Gifts in 2015, has extended the most popular ranges, leading the charge with independent retailers to stock a medium priced range of fragranced products which combine a well packaged gift item alongside a seriously scented gift.

Best Kept Secrets Tel: 01670 512222 Email: sales@bestkeptsecrets.co.uk www.bestkeptsecrets.co.uk Home and Gift: Hall Q Stand Q1

Ashleigh & Burwood add to their ever-popular The Scented Home collection, introducing five brand new fragrances which draw inspiration from their cosy Autumn theme, available in both diffusers and refills. The new Log Fires fragrance headlines the launch of the cosy AW16 collection, warming the senses with its evocative scent.

The other just launched new fragrances, which embrace the comforts of the season, are Roasted Fig, Blackberry Picking, Toasted Marshmallows and Vanilla.

Ashleigh & Burwood Tel: 01932 267060 Email: info@ashleigh-burwood.co.uk www.ashleigh-burwood-trade.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall 4 Stand B4

Quirky One Offs Always available in stock at Dealers, a most unusual mix of goods to meet your stocking needs and your refurbishment and design needs.

Lots of unusual quirky one off feature items can also be found at our showroom/warehouse. New and exciting products come in daily - we never know what will arrive next! Along with all the old and vintage items, we also carry our regular stocking lines - easy for you to repeat on.

Dealers Ltd Tel: 01743 761241 Email: dealers@dealers-uk.com www.dealers-uk.com

Celebrate Glasses Celebrate in style with these chic champagne flutes and wine glasses at a great RRP of £6.99 for the champagne flute and £9.99 for the wine glass.

Whether you’re turning 18, 30 or simply want to celebrate a special date, these jewel coloured glasses are perfect for any occasion. The 'celebrate' glasses come in a great range of current colours, pink, blue and green, and a range of designs: 18, 21, 30, 40, 50, 60 and a generic 'celebrate'.

Boxer Gifts Tel: 0113 955 595 Email: sales@boxergifts.com www.boxergifts.com

Emoji Mugs

Tea Time Treat

The Emoji style mug: ‘I doughnut give a …’ is a perfect gift for all emoji fans. Emojis add personality to that early morning cuppa, giving onlookers a mind workout while they try figure out how your feeling. This 10oz porcelain mug with an emoji icon detail come complete with a decorative gift box, which make these a perfect present for the emoji lover. It comes in a range of other designs to suit any taste.

Boxer Gifts Tel: 0113 955 595 Email: sales@boxergifts.com www.boxergifts.com

The new Camellia Tea Magnet and Infuser Set is beautiful in design, as well as improving on the ingenuity of 19th century tea drinkers and the Victorian method of brewing tea. The silicone cover and infuser lining ensures tea stays hot, while all mess is contained and fingers are safe. A spin of the infuser allows tea to fully express its qualities. Lift the infuser when tea is ready and it will keep spinning slowly, keeping the spent leaves from dropping.

Charles Viancin Tel: 01280 841333.

Email: salesuk@charlesviancin.com www.charlesviancin.com Home & Gift: Hall M Stand M25a PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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What’s New Progressive Gifts & Home highlights some of the latest gift products launching at Home & Gift, 17-20 July 2016, Harrogate.

One Stop Warehouse A truly exceptional buying experience - and all under the one roof! Including furniture - tables, benches, chairs, racking and shelving, cabinets, sideboards and dressers; interior accessories - baskets, buckets, trays, hooks, crates, mirrors, giftware, glassware, ceramics, hanging shades and all sorts of decorative items - even the odd zebra or wooden Indian. Plus lots of items for designers too - panelling, ladders, ventilator mirrors and shutters, ships' wheels, boats, fairground rides, airline trunks, old, original large and small scales. Not only indoor but a varied range of outdoor items are also available - wooden or iron furniture, statuary, wooden and iron wheels, gates, old original milk churns, cast iron and stone urns, a shepherd's hut and yellow search submarines. In a complementary way, we stock and offer not only reproduction 'new' items for the interior and exterior. but also old original and vintage options.

A real Aladdin’s cave - not to be missed.

Dealers Ltd Tel: 01743 761241 Email: dealers@dealers-uk.com www.dealers-uk.com

New Packaging Inspired by Italy … Made in England, Di Palomo have launched improved packaging styles to their Orange Blossom & White Grape ranges. Soft touch bottles and new carton designs for body washes and lotions (RRP £10), re-designed bathing bubbles (RRP £8) and new 200g luxury soap bars (RRP £6) have all been introduced to complement the company’s latest new product launches, including the Black Cherry & Almond range which is already proving to be a huge success.

Di Palomo Tel: 01803 612772 Email: debbie@dipalomo.com www.diaplomo.com Home & Gift: Hall DP1 Stand 105

Made With Love Pang, including both traditional and innovative Asian cookware, and a range of kitchen textiles, will be on show at the Home & Gift show, alongside the new Made with Love giftware and other exciting products which are ideal gifts for keen cooks and passionate foodies. Come and see the Dexam team on stand M29.

Dexam Tel: 01730 811811 Email: sales@dexam.co.uk www.trade.dexam.co.uk/ Home & Gift: Hall M Stand M29

Superhero Supremacy Fruity Fragrances Di Palomo has launched a range of tinned candles and reed diffuser re-fills in four fragrances: Wild Fig & Grape, White Grape, Orange Blossom and the new Black Cherry & Almond. Hand poured using a blend of natural vegetable wax, olive oil and fine quality perfume, the candles will burn for approximately 35 hours. RRP £10.

The diffuser re-fill packs provide two top ups and include two sets of reeds. Alternatively, customers can use the pack to create their own diffuser using a favourite vase or bottle.

Di Palomo Tel: 01803 612772 Email: debbie@dipalomo.com www.diaplomo.com Home & Gift: Hall DP1 Stand 105

New Christmas Fragrances Ten new candles, four new fragrances and a new attractive container join the Himalayan Candle Collection. The new spicy scents of Mistletoe and Cinnamon evoke a festive aroma through the home at Christmastime, while the mellow tones of Indian Sandalwood and the fragrant Wild Rose complete the launch.

Available in Fleur de Lys and bubble glass tumblers, or the brand new mini powder pot finished with an etched lid and a choice of peacock or butterfly design.

Enesco Tel: 01228 404022 Email: uksales@enesco.co.uk www.enesco.co.uk

Launched in January 2016 to much acclaim, Border Fine Arts’ Marvel collection introduced three new figurines to the range in June 2016.

Each piece features two superheroes battling it out for supremacy. Featuring legendary characters who have starred in Marvel comic books over the past eight decades, the figurines are inspired by original artwork and are painted by hand. Each pose successfully captures the agility of the superheroes and the movement and power of the scene.

Enesco Tel: 01228 404022 Email: uksales@enesco.co.uk www.enesco.co.uk

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FOR W NE 2016 • • • •

Bends, folds and molds Deeper, longer lasting heat Use hot or cold Soft, and supple Simply warm this innovative new design in a microwave for 90 seconds and the specially formulated ceramic clay material inside will provide deep penetrating heat for up to two hours. Flexi Clay Hot-Pak® can even be chilled in a freezer to provide instant relief for bumps, sprains and bruising. www.intelex.co.uk Tel: 01933 679 777 Fax: 01933 679 888 Email : sales@intelex.co.uk

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What’s New Progressive Gifts & Home highlights some of the latest gift products launching at Home & Gift, 17-20 July 2016, Harrogate.

The Force Awakens

Get Creative Highlights of the June 2016 launch from Demdaco’s Art Hearts collection are two brand new hearts. The Colour Me Art Heart is guaranteed to be a huge success and comes with six felt tip pens to colour in the beautiful designs on the heart. Chalkboard is another huge trend in the crafting and giftware world. The Chalkboard Art Heart comes with three chalk sticks, in pink, white and blue, to enable a truly personalised message of love.

Enesco Tel: 01228 404022 Email: uksales@enesco.co.uk www.enesco.co.uk

With Star Wars The Force Awakens setting new viewing figure heights, everyone has grown to love the new droid BB-8 which has become a customer favourite. Groovy have designed the BB-8 character paper shade to sit in our range of paper shades which includes R2D2, X-Wing v Tie Fighter and the Death Star. RRP:£5. Dims: 30cm X 38.3cm. Groovy design other lighting ranges which include Look-ALites, mood lights, neons and larva lamps in many other licenses including DC Comics and Assassins Creed.

Groovy UK Tel: +44 (0)116 239 110 Email:j.johnston@groovyuk.com www.groovyuk.com

Festive Wine Glasses Among this season’s new launch for the Lolita glassware collection are four festive wine glasses, hand-blown, distinctive in design and adornment and finished with a hand-lettered wine-based cocktail recipe on the base of the stem. Choose the glass to suit the personality of the friends in your life whether it’s the colourful Holiday Beauty, the elegant sparkle of Winter, the artistic Winter Magic or the crisp Snowy Night wine glass.

Enesco Tel: 01228 404022 Email: uksales@enesco.co.uk www.enesco.co.uk

Make A Note The Music Gifts Company is launching a wide variety of new products at Home & Gift including mugs, socks, wash bags, pens and bottle openers, as well as pewter earrings and pendants. This unique range is now in its 21st year. Their men’s range - Element - now has its own separate display and showcases the complete collection of gifts for sports including cycling, golf, tennis, cricket, football, rugby and much more.

The Music Gifts Company Tel: 01202 57 00 57 Email: enquiries@musicgifts.co.uk/ info@elementgifts.com www.musicgifts.co.uk/ www.elementgifts.com Home & Gift: Hall 4 Stand DP4-50

Teatime Range From the drab days of 1920's post WW1 England, comes this collection of 'delicious' recipes to make the mouth water.....not. Simply presented on basic enamel, these meals, snacks and drinks can be rustled up by just about anyone with a slight spirit of adventure. Perfect, simple and original gifts for folk who love food and their kitchens.

Really Good Tel: 01235 537888 www.reallygood.uk.com

Pusheen Mystery Boxes As the only official licensee of Pusheen soft toys, Gund uses its vast experience in creating high quality soft toys to bring Pusheen fans an exciting new collecting experience — Mystery Boxes. Two collections are being launched in the UK for June 2016: Series 1 features Pusheen in eight different poses with her favourite snacks, while Series 2 is about Christmas and introduces of Pusheen’s little sister Stormy. Each mystery box contains either a mystery keyring (Series 1) or a versatile ornament (Series 2).

Enesco Tel: 01228 404022 Email: uksales@enesco.co.uk www.enesco.co.uk

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What’s New Progressive Gifts & Home highlights some of the latest gift products launching at Home & Gift, 17-20 July 2016, Harrogate.

Quirky Cushions At Ulster Weavers, we have always loved home accessories so it’s no surprise we’ve expanded our product range and branched out into these beautiful quirky cushions.

Available in six trendy designs, the cushions can be displayed on either side, front or back.

There are some new faces, Puppy Love and Cats Pyjamas, while other designs come from our already popular ranges Curious Cows and Dotty Sheep. We will be launching these and other new products at Home & Gift Harrogate, Stand Number DP2-9.

Ulster Weavers Email: sales@ulsterweavers.com Phone: 02890 329494 Website: trade.ulsterweavers.com

Let’s Celebrate Did you know that world sales of Prosecco are now greater than champagne, with Britain leading the way? To celebrate our love of bubbles we are stocking six different sets of elegant flutes for our favourite fizz. Each set comes smartly boxed with reasonable cost prices starting at £4.95 for two. If you’re visiting Harrogate Home & Gift, come and view the full collection at our Newby Hall showroom in Ripon.

Parlane International Tel: 01451 812700 Newby Hall Showroom Tel: 01423 329076 Email: sales@parlane.co.uk www.parlaneinternational.co.uk

Halloween Treats For Autumn 2016, Wax Lyrical has created a range of spooky scented candles, ideal for Halloween parties and watching scary movies.

Available in the aniseed scent of Witches’ Brew, with black wax and the sweet, candy fragrance of Trick or Treat in candle jars, candle tins and tealights. Pre-order now to secure your stock for delivery in September.

Wax Lyrical Tel: 01229 461111 Email: customerservice@wax-lyrical.co.uk www.waxlyricaltrade.com

Sounds Like Summer Wax Lyrical’s brand new outdoor citronella scented candle range is a great way for your customers to celebrate a summer of sport. With the retro '60s design and bright colour of the wax, this range is perfectly suited to garden parties and BBQs. The candle names are titles of popular songs, which research has proven encourages customers to buy. We like the sound of that!

Wax Lyrical Tel: 01229 461111 Email: customerservice@wax-lyrical.co.uk www.waxlyricaltrade.com

New For Autumn Wild & Wolf is proud to be showcasing new AW16 collections at Home & Gift. Extensions to its in-house ranges make perfect stocking fillers, including a photo booth prop kit and a classic wooden set of dominoes from Ridley’s.

Similarly, its Gentlemen’s Hardware collection of multi-tools has extended, introducing the new Fishing Tool, Garden Tool and Wrench Tool. For these exciting ranges and more don’t miss Wild & Wolf at Home & Gift.

Wild & Wolf Tel: 01225 789909 Email: sales@wildandwolf.com www.wildandwolf.com Home & Gift: Hall DP2 Stand DP2-3

In The Frame At Widdop and Co,. there’s no shortage of choice when it comes to frames. With a frame at every price point, across a huge range of different designs and finishes, whatever the budget there’ll be a frame that’s just right. This Autumn/Winter new introductions from our Impressions brand include 20 new suites combining unique finishes and designs. Now that we’re producing better and more photos with our phones, and using software to enhance our photos, there are more photos looking for that perfect home.

Widdop And Co Tel: 0161 688 1226 Email: sales@widdop.co.uk www.widdop.co.uk

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Inspired by Italy • Made in England After the heat of the day, we walk through the olive & orange groves above the bay of Naples, drawing in the soft, sweet fragrance carried on the evening breeze.

Top Notes Bergamot, Mandarin & Orange Blossom

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Middle Notes Jasmine, Honey & Geranium

Base Notes Sandalwood, Olive, Amber & Musk

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What’s New Progressive Gifts & Home highlights some of the latest gift products launching at Home & Gift, 17-20 July 2016, Harrogate.

Lighting The Way An all new Batman projection light, with amazing 10m (or more!) clear projected Batman logo. Just what every citizen needs when help is required! A fully adjustable light unit which enables the logo to be projected from different angles.

Designed by Groovy, there is no other gift product on the market with the size and quality of projection of the Batman logo over such a distance. Dims: H120mmX W90mm X D90mm Groovy UK Tel: +44 (0)116 239 110 Email:j.johnston@groovyuk.com www.groovyuk.com

Impulse Buy The clip on Look-Alite is a super Groovy 60mm character light, with LED bulb. Has push on/off button and a keychain for handy safe keeping. Battery powered. RRP £5.

Due to the success of the Batman V Superman movie this year, we are pleased to launch our new collection with a classic Batman and Superman, with more characters to follow including Star Wars.

Groovy UK Tel: +44 (0)116 239 110 Email:j.johnston@groovyuk.com www.groovyuk.com

What’s In A Letter?

Well, quite frankly, just about anything you like! IF’s brand new pocket-sized letter-shaped Alphabooks notebooks are brilliantly paper engineered (and ring bound for very practical reasons), so they can be used for scribbles, notes or just for decoration.

Yet another highly commended winner at Gift of the Year 2016 for IF. Offering every letter in six irresistible patterns, they display themselves, but just in case they are having a day off, IF supply a POS with a starter pack of 60.

IF Tel: 01751 475757 Email: nicethings@thatcompanycalledif.com www.thatcompanycalledif.com

Christmas Wishes Once again, Transomnia are not exhibiting at Harrogate, having launched their new collections at a series of Open Days held in late June and early July at their Tunbridge Wells headquarters. This year they have significantly increased their Christmas-focused collection of ornaments and decorations for the festive season, with lots of original new products designed by their young and talented in-house design team.

Contact their friendly and helpful sales team for more details.

Transomnia Tel: 01892 703660 Email: sales@transomnia.com www.transomnia.com

Hot And Cold Relief Scented Sachets The Greenleaf scented sachet is the ultimate home fragrance product.

Made using essential oils and recycled paper, it will fragrance a room for up to four months. With no naked flame, no spills or breakages why bother burning a candle, diffusing with reeds or pumping a spray?

Remove the sachet from its shelf life extending cellophane and leave the sachet to do what it does best, fragrance. A consumable gift with a recommended retail price of £3.50, customers will keep coming back for more.

Heart Of The Country Tel: 01543 481612 Email: sales@HeartoftheCountryLtd.co.uk www.HeartoftheCountryLtd.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall A Stand A26

Flexi Clay Hot Pak is a patented flexible heat pack that can bend into almost any shape to provide instant relief for minor injuries and aches.

Featuring a specially formulated ceramic clay inside, the Flexi Clay can be warmed in the microwave to provide soothing heat for up to three hours, or chilled in the freezer to provide cold relief. RRP from £14.95.

Intelex Tel: 01933 679 777 Email: sales@intelex.co.uk www.intelex.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall B Stand B9 PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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What’s New Progressive Gifts & Home highlights some of the latest gift products launching at Home & Gift, 17-20 July 2016, Harrogate.

Solar Woodland Houses Joe Davies' Fairy Dell Houses will be on show for the first time at Harrogate Home & Gift Show (Hall Q50). The 12 charming models in the series are all illuminated by solar power and give off a cosy, lived in glow by night. Joe Davies introduce their new Autumn & Winter collections at Harrogate and over 2500 brand new gifts, jewellery and home décor products will be displayed on their large, spacious stand.

Joe Davies Tel: 0161 975 6300 Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk www.joedavies.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall Q Stand Q50

Metallic Barware Kitchen Craft’s mid-year launch includes everything from gifts, bakeware, beverageware, cookware, tools and gadgets to the new Paul Hollywood collection and, of course, barware. Exquisite new items have been introduced to the Bar Craft brand with shimmering ontrend metallics at the heart of the new introductions, designed to add style and sparkle for the party season.

Bar Craft will be showcased on the Kitchen Craft stand at Home & Gift Harrogate - stand M21.

Kitchen Craft Tel: +44 (0) 121 604 1111 Email: sales@kitchencraft.co.uk www.kitchencraft.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall M Stand M21

Creative Coasters There’s a fantastic array of innovative gifts from Fred this summer, showcasing at the Home & Gift Show. Offering as much fun as you can handle, there’s now a vast array of fully stocked lines, perfect for the Autumn/Winter gift buying season. Ever been at a party, where you really want to say something but can’t quite blurt it out? Well, Noted Coasters, in six different styles, are just what you need. Fred will be showcased at Home & Gift Harrogate on stand M25.

Kitchen Craft Tel: +44 (0) 121 604 1111 Email: sales@kitchencraft.co.uk www.kitchencraft.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall M Stand M21

Mirror, Mirror Lesser & Pavey's new range of wall art lights up as well as reflects. Approx 30cm square, this new range come with battery operated lights, some featuring hot red lips, traditional London phone box, Paris, New York, or classic Hepburn or Marilyn Monroe depicted. Some change colouring of lights as well. Another mirror range new to Lesser & Pavey, Royal Crest mirror lamps, reflect more light and mirrored images, with elegant new freestanding lights that come complete with a white or black quality shades.

Lesser & Pavey Tel 01322 279225 Email: sales@leonardo.co.uk www.leonardo.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall M Stand M14

Christmas China A First For Millefiori For the first time since its launch in the 1990’s, stylish Italian brand Millefiori will be showcasing at the Home & Gift show in Harrogate this summer. Elegant and luxurious, Millefiori’s products are not only aspirational but also accessible with prices starting from just £7.95, allowing anyone to add a hint of Italian style as the finishing touch to their décor. To discover the new collections, visit Millefiori at www.millefiorimilano.com Millefiori www.millefiorimilano.com Home & Gift: Hall Q Stand Q23

A quality fine china range from The Leonardo Collection will be launched at the Harrogate Gift Fair this July on stand M14 .

Lesser & Pavey captures the joy of the red robin in the new range of fine chinaware, under license from NcNeil. The new ranges of illustrations are captured on trays, fine china mugs, coasters, place mats, gift bags, tea tidy, jugs and much more. All are presented in illustrated quality gift boxing to ensure they are the perfect gift for all.

Lesser & Pavey Tel 01322 279225 Email: sales@leonardo.co.uk www.leonardo.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall M Stand M14

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CITRONELLA WITH A TWIST! Available now!

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T +44 0800 169 5126 sales@uk.bolsius.com

www.bolsius.com

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What’s New Progressive Gifts & Home highlights some of the latest gift products launching at Home & Gift, 17-20 July 2016, Harrogate.

New From Scenterpiece Retailers searching for an innovative gift will be delighted to discover the new models added to our flameless Scenterpiece collection. The sophisticated Iona and Eclipse are new for Autumn and offer the very best in contemporary design with a chic colour palette that will enhance the home. A new feature for 2016 is an adjustable time with an automatic shut off.

Don’t forget, Easy MeltCups are ideal stocking fillers and last minute, cost effective gifts.

Yankee Candle Tel: 0117 316 1200 www.yankeecandle.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall Q Stand Q23

Meet George Introducing George, the future of home fragrance, an electronic fragrance diffuser which works by blowing cool air through any of Mr&Mrs Fragrance capsules. No flame, no heat, no liquid, no mess, just beautiful fragrances produced by this iconic diffuser. George is powered by a lithium battery and can last up to 8 hours on one charge. He has two separate one touch fragrance programs and will always revert to standby. George is available in four soft touch colours and two metallic colours.

Heart Of The Country Tel: 01543 481612 Email: sales@HeartoftheCountryLtd.co.uk www.HeartoftheCountryLtd.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall A Stand A26

LED Table Lights

Summer Nights

Joe Davies has hundreds of brand new illuminated products to show retailers at Harrogate Home & Gift (Hall Q50). Don’t miss gorgeous new additions to Joe Davies’ bestselling LED glass balloons, mason jars and bottles as well as new modern illuminated message plaques, letters and new lanterns and flicker candles. The contemporary firefly table lights (pictured) are available in three sizes and three mercury metallic finishes.

Retail prices start from £4.99.

Joe Davies Tel: 0161 975 6300 Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk www.joedavies.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall Q Stand Q50

Yankee Candle reveals an exciting new collection for Autumn 2016 which captures the essence of a relaxing balmy summer evening. Warm Summer Nights includes four new definitive and contemporary fragrances, Flowers in the Sun, Sunset Breeze, Dreamy Summer Nights and Passion Fruit Martini that bring together the bright scents of sweet blossoms in the garden, evening walks by the ocean, the refreshing mix of passion fruit martini and dreamy summer slumbers.

Yankee Candle Tel: 0117 316 1200 www.yankeecandle.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall Q Stand Q23

Home Fragrancing Autumn Fragrances Yankee Candle brings harvest time to life with an exciting new collection of fall fragrances for Autumn/Winter 2016 featuring favourite seasonal treats and invigorating, seasonal outdoor elements. Yankee Candle has expertly blended a selection of on-trend fragrance notes with classic candle aromas to create a range which embodies the change in season and highlights of Autumn. The new collection has been specifically developed for the European fragrance market and will consist of Honey Clementine, Rhubarb Crumble, Autumn Night and Ebony and Oak. Yankee Candle Tel: 0117 316 1200 www.yankeecandle.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall Q Stand Q23

This colourful Miami range of glass candles and diffusers is just one of over 2500 brand new products on Joe Davies’ spacious stand (Hall Q50) at Harrogate Home and Gift Show. There are three colours and fragrances in the series which is attractively packaged and well priced with retail prices starting from just £4.99.

Joe Davies boasts the largest range of gifts at the Harrogate show and will show over 8500 products in total. The minimum order is just £100.

Joe Davies Tel: 0161 975 6300 Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk www.joedavies.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall Q Stand Q50

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What’s New Progressive Gifts & Home highlights some of the latest gift products launching at Home & Gift, 17-20 July 2016, Harrogate.

Here’s To You Gaeltag Keltika's new glassware, available from August under the Here’s to You banner, brings together images from award winning card publishers. There's gentle humour from Berni Parker; zingy neons from Paper Salad; Kali Stileman’s bold brights, and the on-trend copper foil sentiments from Emma Kate. "Featuring multiple designers means there’s a style to suit any occasion– all with a sprinkling of glitter and gems!" comments Gaeltag director Lorena Golfetto. RRP’s from £14.99.

Gaeltag Keltika Tel: 020 8998 1781 Email: sales@gaeltag.com www.gaeltagkeltika.com http://www.cowparade.eu

New Dahl Wall Art Creating classic novels and fairy tales into wall art, with the complete story on one poster, Spineless Classics is celebrating 100 years of the famous author Roald Dahl with three new designs to launch at Harrogate Home and Gift 2016. The new designs include Fantastic Mr Fox, George’s Marvellous Medicine and BFG (The Big Friendly Giant). These join the current designs in the Spineless range including two versions of Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory and Matilda.

Spineless Classics Email: trade@spinelessclassics.com www.spinelessclassics.com Home & Gift: Hall DPE4 Stand DPE4-10A

Say It In Lights From the creators of the best selling Up In Lights Light Up Letters comes two new exciting product ranges: Cinema Lightboxes and Light-up Bunting!

The Cinema Lightboxes are available in three sizes (A3, A4 and single track), with extra letter packs and themed symbol packs also part of the range. Up In Lights Light-Up Bunting is a new, totally unique product made with high quality card and LED lights.

See the full collection from Smiling Faces at Harrogate Home & Gift Fair 17-20 July.

Smiling Faces Tel: 01444 882323 Email: sales@smilingfaces.co.uk www.smilingfaces.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall Q Stand Q39

You Are An Angel

New Savanna Range A new collaboration between Harlequin and Stoneglow features designs from the best-selling Amazila range. The new collection offers a stunning range of natural wax candles and reed diffusers in stylish matt white ceramic holders, offset with a glazed interior in contrasting colours to match the fabulous packaging. Pictured is the Savanna range which features elephants and a grey feature colour, fragranced with leather, tobacco and cognac, a sophisticated woody scent. The range will be available to stores from July. Agents are taking forward orders now!

Stoneglow Candles Tel: 44 [0] 208 595 8878 Email: sales@stoneglowcandles.co.uk www.stoneglowcandles.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall A Stand A32

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Gaeltag Keltika is very excited to officially announce the release of the You Are An Angel brand to UK retailers. They are the newly appointed distribution partners of Australian greeting card and giftware company The Aird Group, best known for their development of the internationally successful kimmidoll brand. The You Are An Angel initial range includes figurines, wish bottles, mini journals, mugs and keychains, and will be available from August 2016.

Gaeltag Keltika Tel: 020 8998 1781 Email: sales@gaeltag.com www.gaeltagkeltika.com http://www.cowparade.eu

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What’s New Progressive Gifts & Home highlights some of the latest gift products launching at Home & Gift, 17-20 July 2016, Harrogate.

Stylish Car Fragrance Cesare is a car air freshener by Mr&Mrs, who just sits on your air vent and fragrances your car, but with style. Cesare is made of a special type of plastic. His fragrance is incorporated into his body with essential oils. He will give you two months of beautiful fragrances and is available in 12 different colours and fragrances.

Cesare is made in Italy and comes sealed in plastic, within a box, with a scratch and smell sticker.

Heart of the Country Tel: 01543 481612 Email: sales@HeartoftheCountryLtd.co.uk www.HeartoftheCountryLtd.co.uk Home &Gift: Hall A Stand A26

Cinnamon & Orange This best-selling range, Modern Classics, is joined by one of our all-time favourite fragrances, Cinnamon & Orange. This seasonal special features stunning burnt orange packaging, while the heart-warming fragrance of zesty oranges, spices of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove, and a base of patchouli, vanilla and musk, is a proven winner. The range is hand poured in the UK and carries a high fragrance content, usually only associated with designer brands.

Stoneglow Candles Tel: 44 [0] 208 595 8878 Email: sales@stoneglowcandles.co.uk www.stoneglowcandles.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall A Stand A32

Hot New FSDU

How Old Are You? Want to give a friend or relative a special message that can be kept forever for a special birthday? This is a fab idea for a special birthday. Buy them a number and watch the messages fill the surface by all those that want to wish them a Happy Birthday. LED light up numbers come with a pen that enables special messages to be written on the 18, 21, 30, 40, 50, 60 wood numbers. See the full range on the Lesser & Pavey stand at Home & Gift.

Lesser & Pavey Tel 01322 279225 Email: sales@leonardo.co.uk www.leonardo.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall M Stand M14

Aroma Home is launching an FSDU as a home for its new microwaveable snuggable Hottie range. The FSDU will also hold its popular cosy Hotties so that customers can mix and match their warming soft toys. In addition, we are launching over 100 new innovative gift lines. Visit our display at DP1, stand 27 at the Harrogate Home & Gift show or contact Caitlin.

Aroma Home Tel: 0203 735 9500 Email: caitlin@aromahome.com www.aromahome.com Home & Gift: Hall DP1 Stand DP1-27

Nautical Giftware Launches Launching this July at Harrogate, the Lesser & Pavey stand, M14 in the main halls, will be awash with nautical giftware. The range includes gift bags; folding storage box; fine china mugs and travel mug; lunch and cooler bags; notebook and memo pad with pen; organiser; complete social stationery gift set; clipboard with memo pad and pen; book boxes and trunks, as well as a shopping bag, beach bags, tote bag, cross body bag and jumbo bag. Each piece is of exceptional quality.

Lesser & Pavey Tel 01322 279225 Email: sales@leonardo.co.uk www.leonardo.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall M Stand M14

Sweet Sachet Giveaway Bridgewater Candle Company’s top selling fragrance, Sweet Grace, has the must have fragrance for 2016.

Combing sparkling tea notes with patchouli and fullbodied fruits, it is available as an 18oz jar candle, 8oz jar candle, votive, reed diffuser, wax bar, fragrance oil and sachet. If you haven’t experienced Sweet Grace, we will be handing out free sachets from our stand A26 at Home & Gift for you to enjoy.

Heart of the Country Tel: 01543 481612 Email: sales@HeartoftheCountryLtd.co.uk www.HeartoftheCountryLtd.co.uk Home &Gift: Hall A Stand A26

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What’s New Progressive Gifts & Home highlights some of the latest gift products launching at Home & Gift, 17-20 July 2016, Harrogate.

Warming Things Up Xystos has signed a new agreement to distribute Candle Warmers Etc., lanterns designed to quickly warm the wax of favourite scented jar candles without the use of an open flame. They provide all the ambience and beautiful fragrance of a lit candle and are perfect for places that don’t allow open flames. And because warming wax with a bulb doesn’t produce enough heat for the wax to evaporate, the ‘burn time’ of a jar candle is doubled.

Xystos Tel 0191 499 1570 Email: sales@xystos.co.uk www.xystostrade.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall Q Stand Q13

Scents Of Discretion Xystos has partnered with Enviroscent and will distribute Caption Fragrance Co, a new brand range designed to provide “fragrance the way nature intended” through a simple but high-tech, patented format of sustainable paper sticks. These are infused with pure essential oils and other safe ingredients. Each ScentStick is placed within a vase, floral display, plant, car or somewhere discrete to emit its fragrance. Scents include Amber Dahlia, Provence Lavender, Coastal Waves and Mandarin Tea. Xystos Tel 0191 499 1570 Email: sales@xystos.co.uk www.xystostrade.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall Q Stand Q13

Floral Collection For the new-look Floral Fragrances Collection, Woods of Windsor has taken inspiration from modern and vintage flower illustrations, the beauty of the Great Park and the romance of Windsor Castle, as well as the flora and fauna of the fragranced English garden, to develop a fresh, new take on its heritage for Autumn 2016. Distributed by Xystos, the collection features a luxury eau de toilette spray; a super-hydrating moisturising hand wash; bath and shower gel; hand cream; luxury soap; dusting powder, and drawer liners.

Xystos Tel 0191 499 1570 Email: sales@xystos.co.uk www.xystostrade.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall Q Stand Q13

Historic New Fragrances Xystos, the home of flame and fragrance, is distributing the new English Heritage Home Fragrance Collection, launched by Woods of Windsor. Inspired by three of English Heritage’s historic English landmarks, it includes luxury scented candles, room fragrances, diffusers, drawer liners and wardrobe sachets. Each range is available in three fragrances – Tudor Rose, inspired by Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden; Citrus & Basil, inspired

by Eltham Palace, and Sea Spray & Freesia inspired by Osborne. All are beautifully decorated with designs reminiscent of these monumental sites.

Xystos Tel 0191 499 1570 Email: sales@xystos.co.uk www.xystostrade.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall Q Stand Q13

Valentine Special Greenhouse Fragrances The wizards at Virginia Gift Brands have created two delightful WoodWick candle collections with captivating food fragrances. The Greenhouse Collection features the scents Cucumber Melon, Radish & Rhubarb and Windowsill Herbs, while the Summer Sweets Collection also has a trio of fragrances – Raspberry Yuzu, Sparkling Orange and Sweet Lime Gelato. All are available from Xystos in core medium and large and ellipse vessels.

Xystos Tel 0191 499 1570 Email: sales@xystos.co.uk www.xystostrade.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall Q Stand Q13

Xystos, the home of flame and fragrance, will launch five new WoodWick collections at Home & Gift. Among them is the Valentine’s Day Collection which features a medium Sweetheart hourglass and Sweetheart ellipse and ceramic vessels. The Citronella Collection will be available in core medium and large and ellipse vessels, as will the Waterfront Collection which has three evocative summer candle fragrances – At the Beach, Coastal Sunset and Tropical Oasis. There will also be a range of candle warmers.

Xystos Tel 0191 499 1570 Email: sales@xystos.co.uk www.xystostrade.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall Q Stand Q13

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Best Sellers Progressive Gifts & Home asked a selection of retailers about the products which have been flying off their shelves this month.

Natalie Yates, owner, Gifts From Handpicked Online gift retailer

Winner of the Best Online or Mail Order Gift Retailer category CATEGORY

SUPPLIERS/RANGES

COMMENT

Decorative Home Accessories

Heaven Sends: signs and plaques; Bluebell: alphabet placemats

Customers love the quirky sayings.

Fragranced Giftware

East of India: soy, scented candles

These sell well and make lovely gifts for all occasions.

Fashion Accessories

Disaster Designs: across the board;

Customers love the range of scarves.

The travel wallets are very popular too, especially at this time of year.

The satchel bags and wash bags are great sellers. The come in washable fabrics with pretty designs.

Gisela Graham: bags

We love picking the orders and playing Countdown conundrum!

Greeting Cards

Rachel Ellen

Cute cards for children featuring brilliant illustrations.

Giftwrap

Peel & Sardine

We offer a giftwrap service and love Peel & Sardine's double sided giftwrap.

Other Hot Hits

The Art File

Frank the sausage dog is loved by lots of our customers!

Above: Gifts From Handpicked.

Gary Hogan, md, About Living, Giffnock, Newton Mearns and Perth Large gift and homewares store

Finalist in the Best Lifestyle or Homewares Retailer of Gifts category CATEGORY

SUPPLIERS/RANGES

COMMENT

Decorative Home Accessories

Just Slate: across the board;

A wide range of homeware products from slate dipping sets to coasters. Great new home and wedding gifts.

Leslie Gerry: animal cushions and mugs Fragranced Giftware

Wild Olive: bath melts;

About Living: candles and diffusers

Fun, colourful products.

An amazing selection. Plus, their range of tea bags smell delicious.

We moved into own branding last year and love being able to create our own range.

About Living, Perth.

Jewellery

Edblad: fashion jewellery; Coeur de Lion; design-led jewelley

Stylish, affordable jewellery from Sweden.

Sales continue to increase as the range gets stronger.

Fashion Accessories

Katie Loxton: sentiment scarves; Powder: scarves

These are finished off in a beautiful gift bag.

Greeting Cards

Belly Button: Paloma

Beautiful designs at affordable prices. Customers love the Paloma range.

Giftwrap

Arte Bene

Bright, colourful designs at a great price. There are new designs every season,

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A great choice. The new socks and sunglasses have been great.

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Lesley Dunne, owner, Feathering Your Nest, Rayleigh A large gift shop situated on a high street

Winner of the Independent Gift Retailer of the Year - East Anglia category CATEGORY

SUPPLIERS/RANGES

COMMENT

Decorative Home Accessories

Junction 18: across the board; La De Da Living: across the board

Shruti in particular is a best seller for us.

Our customers love the vintage spoons.

Fragranced Giftware

Xystos: WoodWick;

We have phenomenal repeat sales. Customers adore the fragrances and the 'crackle'.

The return sales for the Above: Feathering Your Nest. fragrance oils ensures we see our customers very regularly! We love selling the lamps.

Ashleigh & Buwood: fragrance lamps and oils

Jewellery

Joma: 'a little' bracelets; Lisa Angel: across the board

The 'a little' bracelets on cards, with their delightful packaging, just fly out!

The jewellery - and scarves - win on packaging. Young, fun and stylish .

Fashion Accessories

Katie Loxton: across the board; Disaster Designs: across the board; Lady Crow: scarves

Bags, scarves, purses and tassels are stunning and do fantastically well for us. The gorgeous gift bags make the gift feel special.

These are a cut above the rest. We have a hard core following who love the fun, quirky handbags, scarves, purses, make-up bags and wallets.

Scarves come with pewter brooches and scarf rings, which are beautifully packaged. Men often buy them for their wives.

Greeting Cards

Hearts Designs: Mad Dots

Sparkly, girly designs. We're based in Essex so they're just right for our customers!

Giftwrap

Glick

Bold, happy colours.

Other Hot Hits

Joe Davies: wedding gifts

Traditional gifts that suit a wide range of our customers. They include horseshoes, chimney sweeps, garters and lucky black cats along with photo frames and memory boxes.

Claire O'Donnell, owner, The Herbary, Troon A medium sized jewellery and fashion accessories boutique

Winner of Best Gift Retailer of Jewellery and Fashion Accessories category CATEGORY

SUPPLIERS/RANGES

COMMENT

Fragranced Giftware

Di Palomo: across the board

A beautifully packaged, well priced fragrance range. The reed diffusers sell particularly well.

Jewellery

Orli Designs: silver plated pewter;

Hearts are the key focus to their designs, but the tree of life, dragonfly and stars are also very popular.

The best selection of brooches on the high Above: The Herbary, Troon. street.

We sell a piece of Joma every day. The 'a little' card range offers a bracelet for every occasion. Well priced.

Rodney Holman: costume jewellery; Joma: across the board

Fashion Accessories

Katie Loxton: across the board; Owen Barry: bags; Clare O'Neill: Harris Tweed

Other Hot Hits

Samantha Holmes: Alpaca clothing; Madaraff: basket bags; sun hats

Fashion led products, such as the tote bag, shoulder bag, pouch and sentiment scarves, offer great value for money.

Quality, well priced products that are made in the UK. The quirky styles and prints are very appealing to our customers.

Handbags, purses, glasses cases and corsages are handcrafted in Cupar, Fife.

The 'must have' is the travel shawl, an all-in-one that makes a luxurious gift.

Embellished basket bags in wonderful designs and colours, complemented by sun hats which can be rolled up to pack into a suitcase.

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Best Sellers

LA T: E: W:

ASHLEIGH & BURWOOD T: 01932 267060 E: info@ashleigh-burwood.co.uk W: www.ashleigh-burwood-trade.co.uk

JOE DAVIES T: 0161 975 6300 E: sales@joedavies.co.uk W: www.joedavies.co.uk

XYSTOS T: +44 (0)191 499 1570 E: sales@xystos.co.uk W: www.xystos.co.uk

GLICK T: 01274 655980 E: sales@glick.co.uk W: www.glick.co.uk

BLUEBELL 33 T: 01932 506406 E: info@bluebell33.com W: www.bluebell33.com

DI PALOMO T: 01803 612772 E: debbie@dipalomo.com W: www.dipalomo.com

JUNCTION 18 T: 01985 846414 E: salesadmin@junction18.com W: www.junction18.com

SHRUTI/JUNCTION 18 T: 01985 846414 E: salesadmin@junction18.com W: www.junction18.com

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DE DA LIVING +44 (01242) 250 653 enquiries@ladedaliving.co.uk www.ladedaliving.co.uk

What better testimonial for products than those of your fellow retailers. Here's all the information you need to get in touch and start stocking!

Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

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On The Road Sue Brayshaw Gift agent Sue Brayshaw, who covers Northumberland, the North East, Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire, is gearing up for a positive July.

Her principals are Orange Tree Toys, Moulin Roty, Imajo Rag Dolls, Little Blue House, Jean Barrington, BusyB and IF (That Company Called).

"I find that May is traditionally the month that trade slows down dramatically, and this has certainly been the case this year," comments Sue. "The excitement of the preseason shows is now over, and stock has all been delivered, or should have been, so retailers feel that they are OK for the next few months. Staff take holidays, and end of year accounts are completed, so May is generally a month for them to consolidate and sit tight. Certainly the very early Mother's Day and Easter seasons didn't help retailers, and the slow economy wasn't helped with the constant talk of Brexit."

Sue believes that, as a result, many retailers have been finding it very tough this year. "Tourist towns such as York are showing how slow it is. The usually bustling cobbled streets are quiet despite the bursts of sunshine."

She says that garden centres too, have been hit particularly badly in the first half of the year, and are now concentrating on their core business of plants and outdoor products in order to catch up from business lost throughout the early months due to the very cold weather.

"Generally the first half of the year has been difficult, so naturally, retailers are being cautious, preferring to order little and often across categories ranging from toys and gifts to stationery. However, suppliers offering extended credit or reduced price offers are benefitting from that little bit of available business."

Nevertheless, despite the slow start, Sue is optimistically looking forward to the second half of the year.

"Following the EU vote, I think July will be much more positive. Plus, there is always a buzz around Home & Gift in Harrogate which has already started, so hopefully, retailers will be able to make up for the slow start to the year, with footfall increasing along with an increase in spending."

Left: Sue Brayshaw.

Last Word Sophie Conran Designer Sophie Conran is the daughter of Sir Terence Conran and cookery writer Lady Caroline Conran. Sophie is a well known face at trade shows such as Spring Fair, where she works closely with companies that include Portmeirion Group, T&G Woodware and Arthur Price, on a diverse range of home and gift collections produced under licence featuring her name. l Three words that best describe you? "Eccentric, sparkling, family orientated." l A quirky fact we don't know about you? "I can't spell. I made friends with the best speller in the class!" l Best advice you've been given? "Money is the lifeblood of any business. You must get the cash flow right. It was said to me when I was 18 and working at the Conran shop." l Best advice you would give to someone else?

"Don't be afraid." l Favourite TV programme? "Miss Marple." l Favourite film? "Kung Fu Panda." l Favourite book? "Consider The Fork by Bee Wilson, a history of cooking implements." l Favourite holiday? "A road trip to Seville with my husband Nick."

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l How do you like to start your day? "Slowly.

I have a bath, I meditate then go into my studio." l How do you usually end your day?

"Usually by whizzing out to dinner!" l What do you like best about your home? "I like making it lovely, cooking, nattering to the kids around the kitchen table, and spending time with my husband." l What was the best gift you every received?

"My engagement ring from Nick. It's very special to me." l Which one item would you take to a desert island? “A set of knives so that I'd be able to chop my vegetables!"

Above: Sophie Conran.

www.dealers-uk.com We have a constantly changing assortment of over 8,000 items including decorative goods, old and new, recycled, vintage, upcycled and reproduction items of furniture, accessories, garden wares, architectural and unusual items It is well worth a visit to our 36,000 square feet warehouse and acres of outside show area or visit our website

www.dealers-uk.com Contact us on: Phone: +44 (0)1743 761241 Email: dealers@dealers-uk.com TRADE ONLY IBC_GH_Oct Nov 2015.indd 1 Dealers Advert.indd 1 IBC_GH_July August 2016.indd 1

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