Progressive Gifts & Home July/August 2017

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July/August 2017

15

Progressive Gift Greats Awards 2017

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

EXHIBITIONS

THE HOME OF MARKET LEADING TRADE 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 Publishers Jacqueline Brown, Warren Lomax and Ian Hyder

Design & Production Russell Sutton

Subscriptions enquiries mike@marketingreinforcements.co.uk Tel: 020 8943 9541

This Month

@Prog_Gifts

Shock. Horror. Disbelief. For most of us, those three words surely sum up the events of 2017 so far. Four UK terrorist attacks, a tragic, horrendous towering inferno in West London, and a snap General Election that backfired. Is it any wonder that most of us are feeling unsettled? As the Brexit negotiations drag on, and with inflation on the rise, it's no surprise that some people are starting to cut back, especially as higher living costs start to bite.

Of course it's not good news for retailers, but despite politics, the economy and the atrocities, life carries on. For the insightful views of leading suppliers and retailers turn to page 11. As our news pages reveal, gift retailers are continuing to open new stores, displaying a refreshing welcome air of confidence. As always, the retail winners - gift shops included - will be the ones who know what their customers want and deliver the right product at the right price, with, of course, great customer service a given.

It's therefore all the more reason to give a hearty round of applause to the winners of the recent Greats Awards 2017. Many of you will already know who these talented, award winning shops are, but for readers who didn't make it to The Greats Awards in May, or haven't visited The Greats website, please turn to pages 35-53 to see which gifts shops walked off stage with a prestigious trophy at the beginning of May. The party photos are on pages 35-37, and if you're an independent retailer, department store or garden centre that's kicking yourself for not entering, entries for The Greats Awards 2018 will be open in October. Visit www.thegreatsawards.co.uk Staying with gift retail, and with the events of 2017 very much in mind, we asked 10 retailers to tell us how business has been for them in the first six months of this year. To find out what they said, turn to Feedback on pages 29-31. Elsewhere in this issue, we catch up with Dartington Crystal which is celebrating its 50th anniversary (see pages 84-85) and designer Hannah Dale, founder of Wrendale Design (see Last Word on page 122). We also explore the growth of glassware in gifts (see pages 77-81), and ask manufacturers in Stoke-on-Trent what's firing up their bottom line (see pages 87-89). You'll also find the latest designs in jewellery and fashion accessories for Autumn/Winter on pages 61-65, along with what's trending in nursery and children's on pages 97-101. Plus, in a celebrity special, we talk interior design and homewares with Britain's Got Talent's Amanda Holden! (See pages 59).

Meanwhile, for those of you heading to Home & Gift in Harrogate this month, (turn to page 25), please keep an eye out for the PG&H team. We'll be out and about whatever the weather, the political and the economic climate, so looking forward to seeing you there!

Above: The Greats team, from left to right, Ian Hyder, Sue Marks, Angie Bryant and Jakki Brown. For more about The Greats, turn to pages 35-53.

Cover: Beautiful cut glass effect decanters and glassware form just one part of a substantial BarCraft AW17 collection from KitchenCraft.

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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Hundreds of great new products from Transomnia

Here we are in July and we’re all thinking about Christmas again. The Buying and Design team at Transomnia have been hard at work to bring you one of their largest and most exciting Christmas ranges yet, including our new gold sparkly Stardust decorations, humourous Christmas characters and our extensive ‘DeLights’ LED range.

However, it’s not just about Christmas, we also have a number of brand new exclusively designed ranges; for example our Eleanor Rose collection, which includes hints of rose copper with grey, mint and pink shades.

On the facing page you can see our stunning range of lustre artisan tealights and votive holders, and dotted about on this page are tasters of some of our other new products for Autumn/Winter 2017.

As in the last few years, we will not be at Harrogate, however we shall be exhibiting at Autumn Fair in early September (see bottom of page for details) but until then the best way to see and order our new collections, is to arrange for one of our highly-respected sales agents to call in on you.

See you at the Autumn Fair, Birmingham NEC, 3rd-6th September Hall 3 Stand H20/J21

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Inside 11-27

News

29-31

Feedback HALF TERM REPORT

87

Retailers look back at the first six months of the year.

Jakki Brown Editor in Chief jw@max-publishing.co.uk

33

73-75

Gift Of The Gab TIME TO REFRESH & RENEW

It's all to play for in the coming months, say the company.

Nic Stone, owner of The Bottle Kiln in West Hallam, gives his shop a lick of paint.

35-37

39-53

The Greats 2017 Winners

55-57

Retailer Face To Face: Garsons SEEKERS OF THE UNFOUND

84-85

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

87-89 Celebrity Interview: Amanda Holden AMANDA'S GOT TALENT The Britain's Got Talent judge unveils her debut interiors range.

61-65 Angie Bryant Advertisement Manager angieb@max-publishing.co.uk

Spotlight On... Stoke-on-Trent ALL FIRED UP A weak £pound is continuing to boost export sales for The Potteries.

93-95

Spotlight On... Jewellery/Fashion Accessories BRING ON THE BRIGHTS It's all things bright and beautiful for jewellery and fashion accessories this Autumn/Winter.

In Profile: Dartington Crystal RAISE A GLASS As Dartington celebrates its 50th anniversary, the company looks backwards and forwards.

The Greats' Best Garden Centre Retailer of Gifts winner reveals the secret of its award winning gift department.

59

Spotlight On... Glassware THAT'S THE SPIRIT! We clink glasses with the leading suppliers to find out what will be getting the tills ringing in the run up to the festive season.

We invite you to flick through The Greats Awards 2017 photo album.

Sue Marks Editor suem@max-publishing.co.uk

77-81

The Greats Party Pages A DAZZLING DAY!

In Profile: Xystos INVESTING IN THE FUTURE

Face To Face: Ashleigh & Burwood BACK TO THE FUTURE A re-branding and two new ranges will be leading the way for Ashleigh & Burwood at Home & Gift, Harrogate.

97-101

61

Spotlight On... Nursery/Children's Gifts IT'S A MAGICAL WORLD We reveal what's new in the run-up to Christmas for babies, children and kidults.

117

Sounding Off A YEAR OF HIGHS AND LOWS Lesley Dunne, owner of Feathering Your Nest in Rayleigh, assesses the year so far.

118-119 Best Sellers 122

On The Road: Scott Amos

122

Last Word: Hannah Dale

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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Industry News

General Election Feedback Carry On Regardless With a hung Parliament and Brexit negotiations in the balance, Britons are understandably feeling anxious by the tumultuous events of the past few weeks. But what impact will they have on the gift industry?

"None of us has a crystal ball, but we have become used to expecting the unexpected," says Oliver Tress, founder and MD of Oliver Bonas which has 60 retail outlets. "I really have trouble trying to look into the future right now. There are so many permutations of what might happen that I am now just getting on with business, trying to push our international sales to do what we can to protect us from what, over the next few years, could be very turbulent times, with Brexit and a real possibility of a Socialist Government. We do not expect sterling to strengthen, and it could get weaker. So the conclusion from the Election is plan for the worst, and hope for the best, but don’t expect our politicians to make life easier."

At Widdop and Co, sales director Andrew Illingworth says that lack of stability and good governance spells out uncertainty, "and that's the last thing we want," he states. "However, every cloud has a silver lining. If Mrs May has been halted in her tracks to re-think the negotiations for Brexit and is more tolerant, this could be a good thing for us all. We export to over 70 countries and the last thing we want is to over complicate the procedures re paperwork and bureaucracy. We need to access to the market. We need to have some movement of people and access to more labour to support our fast changing service sector."

Continues Andrew: "What is happening in the USA can also have an impact on the exchange rates, and the volatility of Trump does not seem to be going away quickly. We all need stability and calmness in the world in order to make us feel safe and confident. We have neither, and with a hung Parliament, we are definitely going to be in volatile times making it difficult for Theresa May to have any credibility. My real concern is that the massive problems of the large national debt and our slowing of productivity and our new business rates etc., have not gone away with everything put on hold over the last few weeks. The last thing we want now is to have a fight for a new leader of a hung government when one of the most important Top right: PM Theresa May is currently locked in talks about Brexit. negotiations ever has started."

Top left: Oliver Tress.

Mike Burgess, MD of Parlane, says that the result Above: Andrew Illingworth. of the Election has put the country in a weak Right: Mike Burgess.

Below right: Julian Hunt. position and at the worst possible time. "Our European friends must be wondering what on earth is happening to the UK while the UK population has no clear understanding how the Brexit negotiations will pan out over the next two years or maybe even longer, who knows? Added to which, we have a weak currency, rising inflation and a spate of terrorism right on our doorstep. Not an ideal scenario. It is only natural that business and, of course, our industry, might be feeling some uncertainty about the foreseeable future."

Continues Mike: "However, I strongly believe that once the post-Election dust has settled, and Brexit plans start to unfold, optimism and confidence will start to return. Having spent 50 years in the mad world of gifts and home accessories, and lived through many recessions, three day weeks and political turmoil, I still believe in three basic rules of survival: keep your business full of fresh ideas; never back pedal, you might fall over, and don’t let the b***ers wear you down!"

Also feeling upbeat is Julian Hunt, md at Lesser & Pavey. "The gift trade is extremely resilient and those companies who continue to innovate and offer new value for money quality products will continue to prosper," he predicts. "Our forward order book is significantly better than this time last year which reflects our ever improving product range. We continue to work harder than ever to develop this so that we appeal to both existing and new customers. Therefore all of us at L&P remain extremely optimistic both in the immediate and long term."

New Home Boutique Opens A second shop, Lulu Loves home boutique, has been opened by Louise Heyler, owner of gift shop Forget Me Not in Stubbington Green. The launch took place in May, with the champagne flowing!

Lulu Loves is the culmination of an idea that Louise has been nurturing for almost four years. “We decided that after selling homewares and interior furnishings in Forget Me Not for a couple of years that it deserved its own space. We have waited patiently for a unit within the same location so I can be hands-on with both stores,” explains Louise.

She says she has been delighted by the reaction to Lulu Loves. “The response has been amazing and it's been humbling to have so much support from friends, family, fellow traders and industry friends.” Louise has now set her sights on a Forget Me Not rebrand at the end of the year.

It's Showtime Lesser and Pavey will be opening its showrooms this month to launch the company's new ranges. The show takes place from July 10-23 and includes the weekend. Visitors will be able to browse thousands of new lines and product ranges - over 4,500 - that include innovative gifts, homewares, tabletop, stationery, glassware, photo frames, lifestyle pieces, reading glasses, fashion accessories, occasions and bespoke opportunities.

"We will use the showcase to launch new ranges for the second half of the year and enable buyers to make an appointment throughout the week and weekend so that they can be assured of one to one service from our experienced team,” confirms buyer and key accounts manager Jonny Greves. "Exhibitions can be hot and busy places to conduct business, and we can’t fit our full ranges on the space available at shows, so we have decided to open our showroom doors instead and host a showcase.”

The company's showrooms can be accessed off the M25 near Dartford Bridge and they are also close to Ebbsfleet station. Phone 01322 279225 or email sales@leonardo.co.uk to book a place. (The company will not be exhibiting at Home & Gift in July).

Above: Lesser & Pavey is inviting buyers to visit the company's showrooms this month.

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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15 times winners

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Heartfelt Sentiment Frames

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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Industry News

The Greats Awards 2017 A 'Sparkling' Event!

Some 400 guests - to include the cream of gift retail, leading gift suppliers and trade show organisers - headed for the glamorous Grosvenor House on London's Park Lane on May 4 to see the winners crowned at The Greats Awards 2017, organised

by Progressive Gifts & Home.

Taking crystal as its theme to celebrate the Awards' milestone15th anniversary, it was certainly a glittering, glitzy occasion, with everyone enjoying a magnificent lunch, created by the chefs at the Grosvenor House, stand up comedy from Charlie Baker, and music from jazz trio Midnight Blue.

In her welcome speech, Sue Marks, editor of Progressive Gifts & Home, commented: “Despite the many curve balls that retail throws at independents and multiples year after year, the best continue to rise to the challenge and it is these 'greatest of the great' gift retailers that we are delighted to recognise."

Details of the winners are revealed on pages 39-53, with the party pics on pages 35-37.

Whether retailers won or not, finalists were generous with their praise. "The awards ceremony was absolutely fabulous and I had an amazing day in London," commented Jo Williams, owner of Joco Interiors in Nuneaton. " Having reached the finals I'm still on a high, and my customers are over the moon with my achievements so far," she added.

"Everyone at the Zoo is so proud," enthused Alison Brooks, general retail manager at Chester Zoo, winner of the Best Retailer Initiative category. "The trophy has been on a tour of the Zoo to meet everyone who contributed to the Never Forget range."

To enter The Greats Awards 2018 visit www.thegreatsawards.co.uk in October for full details. The Awards will be taking place at the Grosvenor House Hotel on May 17, 2018. l The Greats is organised by Max Publishing, owner of Progressive Gifts & Home.

Above: The delighted Greats winners wave their trophies in the air.

Exclusive To Exclusively The 'invited buyer' format at Exclusively Housewares and Exclusively Electricals delivered a strong visitor profile for exhibitors, said show organisers Brooke House Exhibitions. "Senior, quality buyers from across the retail categories attended the show this year, along with an impressive line up of independent retailers," confirmed show director Simon Boyd.

A special trend display, co-ordinated by forecasters Scarlet Opus, highlighted Botanicals, Urban Planet and Space & Planetary Exploration as the key trends for 2018.

Left: PG&H's editor Sue Marks went 'shopping' at Exclusively Housewares.

Fashionista's Top Trend Predictions As International Jewellery London (IJL) gets ready to open its doors at the beginning of September, journalist and presenter Hilary Alexander OBE, editor at large on Hello Fashion Monthly and a judge on TV's Top Model, was among the judges of IJL's Bright Young Gems 3 - 5 SEPTEMBER 2017 competition. "It was my seventh year as a judge, and I noticed an incredible quantum leap by graduates," Hilary told PG&H. "Instead of using traditional materials such as gold and silver, they were working with more directive, high tech extraordinary materials that featured steel, plastic and rope, all of which will start to be reflected on the high street," states Hilary, who was the Daily Telegraph's fashion director for 26 years.

"Today's jewellery graduates want to experiment and break down boundaries, and what is happening in jewellery is indicative across all product sectors designwise. The whole design revolution is opening up, with 3D printing as an example," she continues. "When you look at retailers like Top Shop and Accessorize, the breadth of jewellery they offer now is streets ahead of what they were doing even 10 years ago." (See Spotlight On Jewellery... Bring On The Brights on pages 61-65).

IJL takes place from September 3-5 at London's Olympia. Visit www.jewellerylondon.com

New License For East West East West has signed up to license Sue Cunnigham's designs with a view to distributing them globally. "It's a new concept that's taking the decorated glassware by storm," says Terry Taylor, director, East West. "Sue is currently creating a lot of interest via consumers having recently seen her creations in Fortnum & Mason's sell out within two weeks. She has also just won the Small Business Sunday award sponsored by Theo Paphitis," highlights Terry. (See Spotlight on Glassware . . . That's The Spirit! on pages 77-81).

Below: Sunny by Sue which is being distributed by East West.

30th Anniversary, 30 Things We Love Promotions Having been in business for 30 years, gift, home and housewares shop Essentials in Hazlemere is saying 'thank you' to its customers with some exciting promotions. A special programme of events and offers - 'Thirty things that we love' - will be tied-in with Essentials' milestone anniversary, with everything drawn from the store's most popular products.

Regular promotions will be featured both in store and announced on Facebook, plus, lucky customers will also be able to win prizes each month. Additionally, quarterly booklets featuring offers will be delivered to a wide radius of homes in the area.

Owner Geoff Fendall sees this anniversary as just the first 30 years for Essentials "Our family shop will still be serving up happiness in 2047 because we're doing something that we love,� he states.

Below: Essentials owner Geoff Fendall with his son Matt.

Left: First Jewellery will be among the exhibitors showcasing product at this year's IJL.

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Industry News

Stationery Show Heads North

Socially Speaking Greats Winners Shout About Their Success Following The Greats Awards at the beginning of May, winners were fast off the mark to engage with social media as well as their local media. "After winning The Greats Independent Gift Retailer of the Year - South West award, we immediately posted it on Facebook and Twitter so that all of our 'Daisy Parkers' knew," explained Emma Paisey, owner of Daisy Park in South Molton. "We reached well over 6,000 fans on social media, and off the back of this, we were then asked by BBC Radio Devon to give an interview with Gordon Sparks on the morning show about our success and what it would mean to us as a small independent retailer. It was really positive and Above: The Barn At The Hollies Farm Shop team wer quick to again shared on social media and BBC iPlayer. Following on post news of their success. from that we were then nominated in three categories at the Below: The shop's Facebook posts.

North Devon Business Awards - Best Retail, Online Excellence and Best Small Business - and were lucky enough to come away with the trophy for Excellence Online which was amazing and added another high to another wonderful year." Adds Emma: "In addition, the town clerk paid us a visit and we also had lots of customers popping in to say well done."

Also making the most of social media was The Barn At The Hollies Farm Shop, winner of the Best Non-Specialist category. "We had an awesome response to our Facebook post," enthused marketing executive Sarah Holland, "and we are very humbled by all the attention our success has received as well as the support from our customers. The post reached over 52,000 people's news feeds, has had over a thousand likes, and 75 comments were shared 27 times!"

Adds director Ed Cowap: "Winning a Greats Award, coupled with our exposure on social media, made a big difference to the business. We had a fantastic month for trade with a big upsurge in sales. Our success helped to tell people that we are there, and we had lots of support from our suppliers as well as congratulations from customers. Our Greats success has been good for everyone, including staff."

At MiMi (hw) in Hartley Wintney, where sales assistant Nicky Leach won the Retail Employee of the Year award, owner Julianne Moore also fanfared that the response to the shop's success had been amazing. "Customers were popping in, messaging and even calling us to see how we got on," she commented. "Lots of supplier doors are also opening with many gift companies wanting us to be stockists of their products. I'll need a larger premises at this rate!"

Ocean Media Exhibitions, owners of the London Stationery show, is launching the brand new Manchester Stationery Show this Autumn to attract buyers from the North of England. The show, which will run from Tuesday 31 October Wednesday 1 November at the Cotton Sheds, part of the Victoria Warehouse venue in Old Stafford, will focus on specialist writing and paper products, based on design-led and fashion forward product.

"The Cotton Sheds are a great piece of Manchester's history, which have been developed into a modern, industrial space that we can make our own," confirms Tim Willoughby, MD of Ocean Media.

Confirmed exhibitors include Manuscript Pen, Tallon International, Pomegranate Europe, Portico Designs, Premier Stationery, Dear Prudence and Leuchtturm 1917.

Personalised Wedding Gifts Boofle wedding is the latest addition to the Personalised Memento Company (PMC) licensed Boofle range. The new personalised wedding collection features 'on the day' gifts such as guest books and venue decorations, as well as keepsakes for members of the wedding party, to include personalised mugs, coaster sets, photo albums and money boxes.

The new wedding range adds to PMC's licensed Boofle gifts, which also feature ranges for Valentine’s Day, Christmas, for him and for her.

Above: Part of PMC's personalised Boofle wedding range.

Only In New York The Gift section at New York's NY NOW will be showcasing a vast array of products to visitors when the show opens its doors at New York City's Jacob K. Javits Convention Centre from August 20-23. Products range from gifts and toys to tech accessories, men's gifts and pet gifts, with many companies exhibiting at NY NOW for the first time.

“With the 2017 holiday season fast-approaching, we know how important it is for stores to stock their shelves with the most exciting, stylish, and on trend products,” said Randi Mohr, NY NOW show director and vice president at Emerald Expositions, show organisers. “This summer, we are especially excited about our growing toy neighbourhood, which will undoubtedly be a destination for our attendees.”

In addition, the Handmade Designer Maker and Handmade Global Design sections will be making a big impact this year. Continues Randi: “The makers will be on-hand and eager to talk about their process and the personal stories behind their work inspiring buyers to explore new categories and offerings for their stores.”

Elsewhere, British, German and French Pavilions will be returning to the show highlighting designers from each country.

Other highlights at this year's show include the sustainability area and destination: new product displays. To register, visit nynow.com.

Left: Talking shop at NY NOW.

New Look Yankee Store Yankee Candle's standalone Bristol store was the first partner in Europe to receive the new Yankee Candle store fit. The shop in Cabot Circus enjoyed a full makeover in line with the latest shop-fit concept and re-opened its doors to shoppers in mid May. “The new look will really strengthen our presence at Cabot Circus and we are sure that it will offer our shoppers an improved instore experience with easier navigation and interaction with our products and staff,” commented Sarah Senior, head of retail development at Yankee Candle.

Above: The new Yankee store at Cabots Circus.

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Industry News

Less Joyful Gift Suppliers Lose Out From Joy's Administration

Below: The iCandy store in Ilford.

Fashion and lifestyle retail chain Joy recently went into administration, but has been bought back by its former owners, leaving many gift suppliers with a trail of unpaid debts. The retailer, which traded from 32 stores, did a pre-pack deal, which enabled it to divest itself of debts. High rents and rates have been blamed for Joy's downfall.

The company was immediately sold back to its owners, Louche London, and the Joy Group of Companies. As a result of the deal, some 11 Joy stores have closed, with 21 continuing trading.

This is the second time in the last decade that the business has gone into administration.

The first time was in September 2008, prior to Joy being bought by Louche London.

Many gift suppliers have also been left out of pocket following the demise of multiple retailer iCandy Cards & Gifts, which went into administration in early May, also leaving many suppliers, including gift companies, out of pocket. Four of the 14 iCandy stores were closed immediately, resulting in 22 job losses.

Cardzone has negotiated with the landlords to take on some of the shops. The iCandy stores, (owned by Clinton Lewin, son of Don Lewin, founder of Clinton's), traded in the South East, in Essex, Hertfordshire and Suffolk. iCandy, was Clinton's own business venture which followed after Clintons went into administration five years ago. It was subsequently acquired by American Greetings.

It Pays To Display The Hollies Farm Shop, which won a Greats award in May as winner of the Best NonSpecialist Gift Retailer category, was among the six winners of the recent Portmeirion Group/Wrendale Designs display competition.

The other winners were Potters Cookshop, Prillys Pantry, Heart of the Home, Bromley & Co and Webbs of Tenterden.

Each of the winning shops has been awarded £300 worth of Royal Worcester Wrendale Designs stock, £100 Portmeirion Group vouchers for the team who created the Above: PG&H's editor Sue Marks (centre) is shown with Hannah Dale, founder and display and a winner's certificate. creative director of Wrendale Designs and Portmeirion's group sales and marketing director Phil Atherton.

The judges tasked with deciding on the winners were Hannah Dale, founder and designer of Wrendale Designs, Phil Atherton, Portmeirion Group’s sales & marketing director and Sue Marks, editor of Progressive Gifts & Home.

Thanks to the high standard of the window and in-store displays, it was unanimously decided by all three judges that, on top of the six winners, all participating stores should receive a prize, and that three extra shops would be highly commended.

The stores were Daniel’s of Windsor, Elegance and The Granite House, who will each receive 12 Royal Worcester Wrendale Designs mugs, £50 worth of Portmeirion Group vouchers for the team who created the display as well as a highly commended certificate. The remaining 19 stores who entered will all be sent 12 Royal Worcester Wrendale Designs mugs and a certificate.

"The standard of entries was incredibly high and goes to show how much the high street has to offer the consumer and us as a business,” commented Portmeirion Group's Phil Atherton.“Our retailers certainly know their stuff - creative talent and commercial acumen. It's clear that there is a lot of love for the Wrendale Designs collection out there. Our social media competition that ran alongside the display competition achieved over 2000 likes!”

Added Hannah Dale: “It was so lovely to see how much effort the stores had put into their displays. We were all absolutely blown away by the 28 entries. It was an almost impossible task choosing the six winners and, in the end, we decided on three highly commended stores too, but gave a prize to all the entries because they were so fabulous. I felt a mix of emotions - honoured, ecstatic, humbled and sad - that everyone couldn’t win."

PG&H's Sue Marks, the third member of the judging panel, concurred: "The entries really were outstanding, with retailers large and small putting a huge amount of creative thinking into their innovative displays of Wrendale Design products."

The competition was also a success on social media with fans taking part in a ‘selfie contest’ using the retailer’s displays as a background. With over 50 entries via Instagram and Facebook, the campaign received thousands of ‘likes’ with customers sharing their posts and showing their love for Royal Worcester Wrendale Designs and their local stores.

Spreading The Stationery Word April's National Stationery Week (NSW) campaign reached an impressive 12.5m people in print or via online coverage in The Sun, Metro and Daily Express. It was also mentioned on various radio programmes to include Simon Mayo's Drivetime Show on BBC Radio 2 and tweeted about by retailers such as John Lewis, WHSmith and B&M Stores. Almost 100 national, international and independent retailers, to include Paperchase, Smiggle and Notonthehighstreet, signed up to be part of this year's campaign.

Additionally, a National Stationery Week postmark was franked on letters and parcels between April 24-30. l Almost seven out of 10 Britons have said that they preferred to receive a handwritten letter or card as opposed to an email or e-card, recent research commissioned by Sainsbury's Home revealed. Only one in 10 Brits admitted that they had not send a handwritten card or letter in the past five years.

Above: The National Stationery Week postmark.

Click Into Personalisation Creation Express, an instore franchise allowing gift and card retailers to personalise products, has launched a new website www.creationexpress.co.uk - giving retailers the full benefit of online sales. "The shopping cart enables customers to select 'click and collect' or have an order sent direct to them or a recipient," explains director Kurt Abbott.

"People can order a gift or card to pick up from a local store later the same day, with retailers getting 100% benefit of the orders placed in their territory, whether they are click and collect or standard deliveries."

Poppy Jewellery Raises Money For Soldiers Joe Davies recently donated £21,462.50 to two forces-related charities, Scotty’s Little Soldiers and Soldiers Off The Street, thanks to gift and greeting card retailers selling its Equilibrium Poppy Jewellery. For each piece sold, the company donated 50p to charity.

Below: Joe Davies’ Equilibrium Poppy Jewellery range has been a fundraiser.

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Industry News

Celebrating In Style GA's 70th Anniversary A Sizzler

PEOPLE Below: The Giftware Association recently celebrated its 70th anniversary in style.

Below left: The 70th anniversary cake.

There was plenty of fun in the sun as The Giftware Association (GA) celebrated its 70th anniversary during June's mini heatwave with temperatures sizzling at 33 degrees. "It's our biggest audience to date with 120 attendees," chief executive Sarah Ward told the audience at the Fazeley Studios in Digbeth, Birmingham.

The keynote speaker was Geoff Ramm, founder of OMG Marketing, who stressed that suppliers and manufacturers need to use marketing to stop people in their tracks. "It could be an email heading that grabs people's attention, or receiving something through the post," he emphasised. "The important thing is that you need to create an 'OMG moment'. Inboxes are full and letter boxes are empty, so when you are doing your marketing do it differently."

He also advised businesses to look at every single aspect of their marketing activity and ask themselves: is someone going to remember this? "Plus, you also have to think engagement, which is the most important thing of all," he continued. "At a trade show for example, stack your brochures and catalogues in a pile in the same way that Argos do to encourage people to take one. Also, create a buzz around your space. As an exhibitor you're in competition with other companies, so make sure that all eye are on your stand and not on theirs by putting some fun into it."

Other speakers included Andy Powell, VP UK of Cybersecurity, who advised delegates on the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) that come into force on May 25, 2018. "To be secure, companies have to build, react, watch and pro-act," he stated. In addition, Ravinol Samuel Chamber of Be Inspired Films stressed the increasing relevance and importance of video - both showcase video and relationship video - was the way forward in engaging with an audience. "It's the super power of our time," he stated. To mark the occasion, attendees were treated to a cream tea, as well as a15 minute group yoga session by Lulu May Rose after the break.

Summing up, GA chairman Henri Davies said that turning 70 years old was a very significant milestone for the GA. "Now, our job is to ensure that the voice of the GA is heard over the next 70 years.

That is our challenge. In 70 years time, we want to have a relevant Giftware Association for the future." l After many years, Andrew Illingworth, sales director at Widdop and Co, and a past chairman of the GA, stepped down from his position on the GA's National Committee. "He has played a huge part in the development of the GA," emphasised chief executive Sarah Ward.

Gift Of The Year Celebrates 40 Years

Above: Shrieking Violet director Lash Marash, winner of the 2017 GOTY's Fashion Jewellery & Accessories category, sponsored by Progressive Gifts & Home, is shown with PG&H's ad manager Angie Bryant.

The Giftware Association's Gift of the Year (GOTY) competition will be celebrating 40 years in 2018, with the GA working closely with Ascential, organisers of Spring Fair and Autumn Fair, to promote the Awards through multi-channels.

"Products will be featured on the GOTY website, and promoted through both the Spring Fair and Autumn Fair websites as well as the GA website," confirmed GA chairman Henri Davies, speaking at the recent GA AGM. "There will also be a PR campaign with targeted messages for both the trade and consumers, and a social media campaign that will be promoted through Spring Fair. The 2018 winners will also be announced through all Spring Fair channels, helping to guide buyers to seek best sellers that have been identified by their respected peers."

p Karen Broadhead (right) has joined the sales team at Joe Davies. Karen, who brings a wealth of experience to the role, will be looking after customers in the South East of England and East Anglia. She will initially be covering the maternity leave of Lucy Dowling Fleet. p Fi Douglass-Gibson is getting her fancy shoes under the table as director of sales at Cherry Orchard. She previously worked as sales director at Nigel Quiney as well as in sales manager roles with Camden and Really Good and Soul. p Peter Rockhill recently joined Caliq. With a strong background in business software systems development in the wholesale and direct-to-retail sectors, Peter, who was previously with Trisoft, brings a wealth of relevant experience to the Caliq team.

Although he is based at Caliq's Southampton office, he is working with the team at the Cambrideshire HQ and clients across the UK.

Sadly Missed Lynn Tait (above), owner of gift and card shop The Lynn Tait Gallery in Old Leigh-onSea, died peacefully at home on June 1 with her family, having lost her five year, hard fought battle with Myeloma, a rare bone marrow cancer.

"Aside from being a gift retailer, Lynn was also a publisher, a photographer, the founder of The Ladder Club for young greeting card publishers, as well as being a wife, mother, grandmother and great friend to many," comments Progressive Greetings' editor Jakki Brown who was a close friend and colleague for some two decades.

"Lynn's motto was Carpe Diem, meaning ‘seize the day’ and she certainly lived up to that, right to the end. However, her legacy lives on in so many ways, in so many people, in so many businesses and among so many communities. Lynn really was ‘one of a kind’, her generosity of spirit knew no bounds. Her pioneering determination was infectious and her love of life, family and friends made her an absolute joy to know."

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Home & Gift

NEWS IN BRIEF

What's Trending At The Show With independent retailers in mind, a strong line-up of speakers will be taking to the stage at the Harrogate Convention Centre's Great Northern Retail Forum at Home & Gift, Harrogate, which takes place from July 16-19. Among them will be Melanie Lissack, blogger at Melanie Lissack Interiors; Neil McLennan, lifestyle journalist at Livingetc.; Rachael Rowe, founding partner at Grace and Favour Home, Dan Bartram, account manager at VMC Accessories, and Warren Knight, social media strategist and author.

Over 1,000 products will be showcased at this year's exhibition which covers four main sectors: Design-led Gifts; Jewellery & Fashion; Home Interiors and Greetings & Stationery, with bigger jewellery and home interiors sections than in previous years, and over 200 new exhibitors offering thousands of products.

"Our visitors will be able to have a look at the next big trends and also discover a great range of new, exciting products in the design-led marquees," highlights show director Cleere Scamell. "The timing of Home & Gift makes it ideal for retailers of all sizes to source new products for Christmas.

Many manufacturers now see it as the best place to launch new items so it’s a must-see for buyers.”

Other highlights at the show include the New Collection, Eco Collection Christmas Collection and Best of British Collection, which will all have their own dedicated logos on exhibitors' stands. l Exhibitor Grand Illusions will be celebrating the company's 30th anniversary during the show, and will be holding a series of workshops on how to use its vintage chalk paint. l Visitors travelling by train can save 25% on trains booked with Virgin Trains, courtesy of the Harrogate Convention Centre, by visiting virgintrainseastcoast.com/HIC25 and entering the code HIC25.

Visit www.homeandgift.co.uk Above: Visitors enjoying the sunshine at Home & Gift in Harrogate last year.

Left: Pignuts Family & Friends collection. The company will be making its debut at the show.

Food Glorious Food A brand new Food Emporium will make its debut at Top Drawer in September featuring a selection of giftable food products from producers and artisans. Elsewhere, Spotted will again bring a strong edit of fresh designs from up and coming designers.

The show returns to London Olympia on September 10-12 presenting thousands of leading and undiscovered UK and International brands. Featuring four sectors - Home, Gift, Fashion, Craft - Top Drawer will showcase some 1,500 edited brands, many of which are showing exclusively in the UK this September.

Visit www.topdrawer.co.uk l The Paper Awards will be returning to the show recognising talent and innovation within the Greetings & Stationery sector.

30 Years On Gift shop owners Meryl and Lawrence Evans of Cane & Able (right) in Cwmbran are currently celebrating the shop's 30th anniversary. "It's been a joy helping people with their gift and home choices," enthuses Meryl. "Although things have changed greatly over the years, we have adapted with the trends and have finally managed to set up a Facebook page which is proving to be lots of fun!"

p Once again, Mother's Day won out over Father's Day when it came to gifts, cards and food. While the spend for Mother's Day was worth almost £1.4bn, Father's Day was thought to be in the region of £695.2m, said analysts GlobalData. p History & Heraldry made it into the Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200 league, entering the chart at 97. The company, which celebrated its 21st anniversary this year, has previously been in The Sunday Times Fast Track 100 fastest growing companies and the Sunday Times Profit Track 100. p Aspire Style, which has five outlets in Oxford and the Midlands, was named Independent Retail Business of the Year at the bira conference Awards in May. Other winners included lifestyle and gift store Roobarb which won the trophy for Independent Team of the Year. p Design-led gift shop Utility launched a popup shop on June 24 at The Colonnades, Albert Docks in Liverpool during the International Mersey River Festival. To celebrate, the shop held a prize drawer offering visitors the chance to win £250 voucher during the first two weeks.

Above: Utility has popped up at Albert Docks.

p Caliq Software, which has successfully worked with many companies in the gift industry, has recently been working with Xystos to implement a new back office system which will be going live in July. See Investing In The Future on pages 73-75. p Lesley Aaronson, creative director of Heathcote & Ivory, and wife of its founder Denis Aaronson, was featured in a three page article in the Mail On Sunday's You magazine in June. "As a woman and a mother, I bring a sense of practicality to the business," she told journalist Josephine Fairley. p A brand new department store, Days, has opened in Carmarthen, with more retail outlets planned. Alongside fashion brands, the store includes a homewares department as well as a kitchen shop. p The SDEA has marked the start of its 70th year with a new Retail Display Directory 2017/2018. It is available free of charge to 50 PG&H readers. Phone 01883 348911 or email: directory@sdea.

Right: The latest SDEA directory.

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Successful Outcome For Fiesta Studios ACID Resolves IP Dispute

BelowAbove: Fiesta Studios' original Romantic Stroll tile by B. Heighton.

Below left: The copycat tile from YH Arts Ceramics.

With copycatting continuing to be rife in the gift industry, Fiesta Studios has successfully resolved a copyright dispute arising from this year's Spring Fair over the sale of infringing goods through ACID, assisted by association's legal affiliate McDaniel & Co. "As an ACID Accredited Exhibition show, we were supported by on the spot presence to intervene, take action and deliver a result, a huge benefit to us in the protection of our intellectual property rights," said Fiesta Studios MD Andy Kingston.

Fiesta became aware that one of its competitors was selling tiles which depicted images for which Fiesta held the exclusive licence. Initial requests, asking the competitor to remove the goods from the view of the public and discontinue sales at Spring Fair, unfortunately proved unsuccessful. Fiesta decided to press ahead with legal action.

During the exhibition, Fiesta Studios was able to provide evidence to YH Arts Ceramics confirming that Fiesta Studios was the exclusive licensee for these images. "This compelling evidence proved to YH Arts Ceramics that the products which they were selling were the same as Fiesta's tiles and countered the argument that they were independently created," explained senior associate IP solicitor Kelly Hudson of McDaniel & Co. "As an exclusive licensee, Fiesta held the sole right to sell the tiles featuring these images and this gave them the right to take legal action against YH Arts Ceramics for selling the tiles without obtaining prior permission."

ACID ceo Dids Macdonald, OBE, commenting on the case said, "The dispute was resolved following the exhibition without the need to go to court and the outcome was a success for Fiesta. The company secured payment of compensation for the infringement, as well as their legal costs, which totalled over £9,000. The competitor also undertook to destroy all the infringing goods by sending them to Fiesta."

Fiesta also took the issue to Ascential, the ACID Accredited Exhibition Organisers of Spring and Autumn Fair. A decision is currently pending as to whether YH Arts Ceramics will be allowed to exhibit at Ascential events in the future. Adds Dids: "Infringement is clearly against their articulated policy as an ACID Accredited Organiser, which requires a zero tolerance of IP theft."

What's New At BLE Online registration has opened for Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) which will be hosting a raft of new visitor activations and exhibitors for 2017. Among them will be the brand new Gaming Activation Area, highlighting the potential of gaming at retail, from concept to store.

BLE will also feature an expanded Brands & Lifestyle Theatre Programme as well as interactive performances and demonstrations.

There will also be a newly revamped Product Showcase and the biggest ever sports line-up.

Organised by UBM and sponsored by the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association (LIMA), the show takes place from October10-12 at Olympia London. Visit www.brandlicensing.eu/register.

Winning Designs Olivia Hicks and Ninola Design (by Laura Estelles) beat over 700 entrants to be named the winners of the 2017 Wraptious design competition.

Artists had to submit three designs suitable to use on a cushion with the winners decided by public vote, along with 60 industry judges, a mix of high street buyers, leading magazine editors, past competition winners and design lecturers.

Above: The winning cushion from Ninola Designs.

PG Live's Wall Of Fame There was lots to celebrate at PG Live's Wall of Fame drinks reception held for winners and finalists, past and present, of The Greats and The Retas (retailer awards organised by PG&H's sister magazine Progressive Greetings).

Among the gift indies enjoying a glass of champagne were Nigel and Sara Morris owners of Rhubarb in Great Malvern, Julianne Moore and her team from MiMi (hw) in Hartley Wintney, Jenny Morrison, owner of Top Drawer in St Andrews and Emma Paisey, owner of Daisy Park in South Molton.

“Glasses were raised, orders were placed, Greats and Retas gold and silver tickets were spent, and Above: PG Live's organisers and exhibitors gather to welcome visitors on the first day of the show. friendships were made – there’s no denying that PG Live 2017 was a wonderful celebration of the greeting card industry,” said Warren Lomax, joint show director.

Max Exhibitions, organisers of the show, confirmed that the ninth PG Live has been the most successful show so far.

Benevolent Society Rebrands The Benevolent Society has revealed a new logo which has been created to reflect the Society's evolvement and forward thinking. Unveiled at a drinks reception and dinner for sponsors and supporters, attendees heard how the Society has been using funds raised to help both people who have served in the industries that come under the banner of the British Allied Trades Federation (to include The Giftware Association), as well as awarding bursaries to individuals who are just beginning their careers. l The Benevolent Society will be holding its annual Ball on December 7 at the St John's Hotel in Solihull. For tickets, contact Gill Price on 0121 236 2657 or email: gill.price@batf.ik.com Above: From left to right: David Doyle, vice chairman of the Benevolent Society; David Simons, chairman of Benevolent Society, and GA members Kate Owen and Steve Northcott.

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Feedback

Half Term

Report Few would disagree that it's been an eventful 2017 so far, with an increase in business rates for many, negotiations continuing over Brexit and a shock General Election.

PG&H asked what impact events have had for gift retailers this year, and discovered a year of highs for some and lows for others.

Up On Last Year "We've increased the team to 14, and done really well so far this year, with our year-end figures showing that we were slightly up on last year," confirms Julianne Moore, owner, MiMi (hw), Hartley Wintney. "My strategy this year has been to do more promotions and discounts and, as a result, we are showing a healthy profit. Another positive has been that Above: MiMi, Hartley Wintney we have been able to buy our building and are actively looking to open a second shop as soon as we find the right premises and the right location."

A Mixed Bag "Overall, it's been slightly quieter in St Andrews this year, but we had a really good April," confirms Jenny Morrison, owner of Top Drawer in St Andrews.

"However, the mixed feelings re the SNP's proposal for a second Referendum, and the uncertainty over the General Election, had a major effect - so much so that I now have to watch what I say to customers on the subject of the Referendum, preferring to keep my thoughts to myself!"

Jenny says that although May was a quiet month, June was a much better one, with tourists starting to arrive making up for the departure of university students. "I'm therefore looking forward to a solid few months and have included plenty of Made in Scotland gifts in the product mix as well as greeting cards and candles. Also, I definitely think that this year people are looking to make their homes just that little bit nicer."

Meanwhile, Jenny says that she's really excited about Christmas. "I think more people will be staying at home this year, and I intend to put lots of effort into creating a traditional Christmas theme."

Exceeded Expectations "Last year was particularly good, so this year we thought we would be lucky to match it," comment Amanda and William Oscroft, owners of Love It in Bury St Edmunds and Stamford. "However, we have managed to exceeded it. I think people shop with us because we have gift items, such as coasters with amusing and silly sentiments on, that make people laugh. We like to think of ourselves as a 'feelgood shop', and that, when people come in, they leave their troubles at the door. We also put a sign up in February saying 'Buy Local. Use Us Or Lose Us' and it's made people realise how fortunate they are to have us in the town. It's definitely had a positive impact."

Above: Love It, Bury.

Gift Essentials Only "Sales flat lined in the first six months, plus people didn't seem to want to spend before the General Election," says Emma Paisey, owner, Daisy Park, South Molton. "Also, no-one seems to have been treating themselves so far this year, with customers only buying essential gifts for birthdays etc. However, I've had plenty of highs too, to include winning two awards - The Greats Independent Gift Retailer of the Year - South West category and the Excellence Online category at the North Devon Business Awards."

Below: Daisy Park, South Molton.

Left: Top Drawer, St Andrews.

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Feedback Ups And Downs "The first six months of the year have definitely seen highs and lows," says Cathy Frost, owner, Loveone, Ipswich. "Valentine's Day and Mother's Day were both strong for gifts, with good performers such as candles, jewellery and plush. The lows however, included a late Easter which wasn't great for us. Plus, as always, the weather Above: Loveone, Ipswich. had an impact."

She adds that in the run-up to the General Election, customers seemed deflated and unsure. "Rather than buying a gift they were more likely to buy a card and then take their friend out for coffee and cake as a birthday treat. Nevertheless, as soon as the Election was over, the fog cleared and things went back to normal with people realising that like it or not, they had to accept the Election result."

A Quiet May "So far, it's been a steady year with January and February our best months and May our quietest," comment Nigel and Sara Morris, owners, Rhubarb, Rhubarb Home and the Card Emporium, Great Malvern.

"Our newly opened Rhubarb Home shop has been doing very well, but sales have been unpredictable. We've had days that have been very quiet and then a few monster days. I think people shopping with us at the Home shop are making a more considered purchase, as opposed to those shopping in Rhubarb who are looking for gifts and are buying more on impulse. Also, the uncertainty over Brexit and the General Election caused sales to slow in May, as it's unusual for us to have a month that's noticeably quieter."

Nigel says that looking to the rest of the year he's feeling very positive. "I think people are finally realising that they need and want to support their local, independent retailers. We've based our stock on what went well last Christmas and will be ensuring that we pay a lot of attention to our displays in the run up to the festive season."

Above: Rhubarb, Great Malvern.

A Positive Year

Below: Highworth Emporium, Highworth.

"Generally speaking, the year has been positive following a very quiet January," confirm Richard Marsden and Aga Gabrysiak, co-owners of Highworth Emporium, Highworth. "February was positive with a buoyant but last minute Valentine's Day. Mother's Day and Easter were generally strong with a more prolonged trade increase before the event.

Following the announcement of the snap General Election, May was quiet with some good days here and there. As we're new to the retail side of the business, getting stock levels right for a quieter May has probably been our biggest challenge so far.

Throughout the year we have endeavoured to increase the average spend by introducing new products and generally it seems to be working for us."

Inconsistency "The main positive for us this year has been the complete revamp of our original store," highlights Lynda Robertson, director, Pozzi, in Buckie, and Bijou in Elgin. "This meant that we were initially in sale mode and were then closed for nearly three weeks.

Despite this, we had very strong lead in the week leading up to Mother’s Day. The average spend is down slightly this year, but this could be due to us offering slightly cheaper products. The market is such that the customer is looking for good quality but at a value price point."

Lynda says that the shop's biggest competitor is the internet.

"All we can offer in exchange is pleasant one to one service from our attentive staff. The inconsistency of daily sales figures, be it weather related, when people have money (salary time) or paying off large bills purchases (holidays) is somewhat disconcerting.

Footfall is, of course, an issue but we know when we get the customer over the threshold that we can offer something different as well as that personal touch. There is, of course, an air of uncertainty at the moment due to Brexit as everything seems to be rising in cost from the last deliveries. Plus, there is also a great deal of uncertainty over corporation tax. For medium to small businesses, it always feels that we are carrying the load."

Below: Bijou, Elgin.

Double Digit Growth "This year has been good, with double digit like-for-like growth in line with this time last year," confirms Ewan Douglas, owner of Time and Tide in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Berwick. "Over the past two years we have changed a large part of the Spring range to make this happen and are selling a lot of seasonal garden furniture which is helping. A late Easter is never good and we ended up looking at a six week like-for-like to get a proper read. However, Mother's Day is continuing to grow with categories such as cushions and throws lifting as well as the more expected candles, diffusers and general decorations. Kaemingk and TOBS conservatory lounge sets/hanging chairs were the top lines for us this Spring."

Continues Ewan: "The average spend is up nearly 10% due to a change in product mix and selling higher price items. A big challenge however, is growing online. Some people think it's easy, but it's a lot of work, especially when a key part of our appeal is layout and display which is not really what online is about."

Above: Time and Tide, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Berwick.

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Left: Nic Stone.

Below: A pot of paint is the starting point to up the ante in store.

GIFT OF THE

GAB

Time To

Refresh & Renew A recent visit to Daylesford Organics in the Cotswolds inspired Nic Stone, owner of The Bottle Kiln in West Hallam, to get out his paint brush and give part of his retail outlet a fresh new feel. It’s given everyone plenty to talk about, says Nic. "When in the Cotswolds recently visiting Parlane my wife and I visited the annoyingly fabulous Daylesford Organics near Stow-on-the-Wold. There the Bamford family (of JCB fame) have grown what was originally an organic farm and farm shop into a visitor attraction of excellence, with not just an extensive deli and catering offering, but also homewares, floristry and clothing, plus a spa too. It’s all done to the very highest standards and is in a beautiful spot, with the buildings in that lovely honey-coloured Cotswold stone.

It was good the last time we visited, about a year ago, but it has been extensively developed and refitted and is now extremely impressive. If you want to see how well these things can be done, I recommend a visit. It’s in a beautiful part of the country so not a hardship. Of course they have many advantages there which most of us don’t, not least deep pockets. But I was forcibly reminded of the power of a refresh or refit and inspired to do some overdue work on an area of our shop.

At the other end of the scale, growing up in a fairly poor Derbyshire town, my friends and I used to go out on a Friday evening drinking around the town’s various pubs. What was striking about this popular local routine was that the latest pub to get a revamp was always by far the busiest,

followed by the one before that, and so on. It obviously cost them a fair bit to do the work but also clearly benefitted them at the tills.

People are drawn to the new, to anything that has a buzz. What draws them is not necessarily the sausage but the sizzle! It might be new signage, a partial refit or even just a lick of paint. It reminds them that you are there, and gives them something to talk to their friends about.

And it makes them feel connected to what is fresh and happening.

More than this, though, a refreshing of the offer gives you the opportunity to recalibrate the space to the items you sell.

With the passing of time, the product mix will have developed in some areas and

"People are drawn to the new, to anything that has a buzz. What draws them is not necessarily the sausage but the sizzle!"

fallen off in others. It is essential that when this happens, the retail space is modified accordingly and that also, to some degree, you reflect current trends in the appearance of your business, whether it be with colours, wallpaper, vintage accessories and so on.

The other benefits are that you create something to talk about in your social media, emails newsletters or even to the local press, and you may well find that you rekindle your own interest in your enterprise. The staff will like it too. I, for one, am never happier than when wielding a paintbrush or screwdriver and love to move things around, dodgy back permitting. Certainly the current fashion to use items of furniture or reclaimed pieces to display things on makes it a lot easier to change the flavour and function of a room.

Retail spaces eventually get tired and battered and it is surprising how many you visit that never seem to receive any TLC or creative input, especially considering how inexpensive it can be to do so.

Magazines and Pinterest are excellent for inspiration. My recommendation is this: visit somewhere you know is really good and will inspire you. Borrow their best ideas, then add a few of your own. This is the fun bit of retailing! And it should be an easy win as long as you constantly think about the flow around the space and the best presentation of the products, remembering both shopability and inspiration. People should be inspired to want it and then easily be able to find it.

Happy painting!"

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equilibrium

Thank you for your support You have raised

£21,462.50

Poppy

equilibrium

C O L L E C T I O N

Joe Davies and Equilibrium® would like to thank all their customers for their support of Equilibrium® Poppy Jewellery.

IN SUPPORT OF

A contribution of 50p from every sale has raised a total of £21,462.50 which has been split evenly between two fantastic charities; Scotty’s Little Soldiers and Soldiers Off The Street.

The charity for children of the fallen

www.scottyslittlesoldiers.co.uk

www.soldiersoffthestreet.com

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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a dazzling day!

With crystal as the theme of the fabulous Greats Awards in May, the day was bound to have plent of glitz and glamour, with guests making the most of the champagne pre-Awards drinks reception and a specially prepared lunch. Jazzing things up were Midnight Blue, along with sparkling comedy from Charlie Baker.

If you couldn't be there, we'd love to share our photo albumn with you!

Left: John Lewis buyers Jane Bailess (left) and Sara Allbright caught up with Andrew Illingworth, sales director, Widdop and Co. Right: Getting into the party spirit were the gang from Garsons. From left to right: Lorraine Francis; Klara Klimova; Lauren Bennett; David Parsons; Sarah Crees and Chantelle Dixon.

Left: Two 'fans' of The Greats!

Below: Root Candles were the sponsors of the pre-Awards drinks reception.

Above: Big smiles from the team at Sass & Belle.

Left: A glimpse into the Ballroom where tables were laid for the Awards lunch.

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Left: PG&H's editor Sue Marks enjoys a glass of champagne with the girls from MiMi's.

Above: Max Publishing's Jakki Brown met up with Thelma Drabik of Melbury Gallery.

Below: Dartington's Richard Halliday (centre) with from left to right: Nathalie West and Clare Northwood from John Lewis, and Dartington's Liz Leader (right).

Above: Lots to smile about: guests and staff get together on the Gisela Graham table at the drinks reception.

Below: Dartington's Andrew Cakebread (left) is shown with Jo Williams of Joco Interiors, Jenny Morrison of Top Drawer, Liz Leader from Dartington, and Alan Morgenroth, Goviers, Sidmouth (right).

Bottom left: Above: Good to see you! PG&H's ad manager Angie Bryant (right) catches up with David Hicks and Lisa Shoesmith from Really Good/Soul.

Right: We're having a great time! Big smiles from Frances Doran and Rhonda Woods, co-owners of The Bottom Drawer in Portadown.

Below: PG&H's Sue Marks and Angie Bryant welcomed guests.

Below: Ready to clink glasses at the drinks reception were Julie Poynton (right) and Becki King from Barkers Home.

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Below: Comedian Charlie Baker entertained guests before the Awards presentation.

Right: From left to right, Mains of Drum's Craig Forbes, Margaret Sutherland, Deryck Forbes, Audrey Forbes and Tammy Forbes.

Right: Premier Decorations' John Athwal, second right, is shown with colleagues Rolf Hunt, Jason Barnet and Iain Ross.

Below: Music was provided by Midnight Blue.

Left: Toastmaster Robert Persell introduces the Awards.

Above: Great to see you!

Dan Illingworth (centre) of Widdop And Co, with the gang from The Barn at The Hollies Farm Shop. On the right is Alex Machin, creative director at Hot Tomato.

Right: Time to go home. A guest leaving the Grosvenor House.

Inset: The Greats 'higher and lower' competition had everyone up on their feet.

Right: Big smiles from Ashleigh & Burwood's guests: Jane Parsons of Chessington Garden Centre and sales agent Geoff Hutchins.

Inset: Ooh, look what's inside our goody bags!

Inset: And the winner was . . .

Mike Webber of Jo Amor. Mike received his prize from Brad I. Root, president of Root Candles.

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Retail Employee of the Year 2017 WINNER 2017: Nicky Leach “Opening The Greats finalists brochure and seeing the other amazing finalists in my category made me feel so humble to be included in the final six. When my name was announced as the winner, I was completely shocked, overwhelmed but so, so happy as I love working at MiMi’s. We are one big team." Nicky Leach, sales assistant, MiMi (hw), Hartley Wintney

Award sponsor

Left: Cleere Scamell (right), show director of Home & Gift Harrogate, category sponsor, presented Nicky Leach with her Greats trophy.

Also shown is Greats compere Charlie Baker.

Independent Gift Retailer of the Year

london (inside m25) WINNER 2017: source, Spitalfields and South Woodford

Right: Caroline Glaister, UK sales and customer operations manager for Ashleigh & Burwood, category sponsor, presented the Greats trophy to Sonya Clayton, (centre), owner of source.

Award sponsor

"I was so excited and shocked to have won, but equally just relieved to have arrived on the stage without tripping over! As independent retailers, these awards are so vitally important as we all strive to avert the wave of the generic high streets we so often see these days."

Sonya Clayton, owner, source

Independent Gift Retailer of the Year home counties, south & south east WINNER 2017: England At Home, Brighton "I felt a real boost and pride for our business, and I’m fired up to make sure we improve from here. Therese, my wife, and creative force of the business, was flying back from visiting family in Australia during the Awards 'do', so what kept going through my mind was how I couldn’t wait to tell her!"

Bob England, co-owner, England At Home

Award sponsor

Above: Bob England was presented with his Greats trophy by Carte Blanche’s national account manager Richard Holmwood, category sponsor.

Left: Bob with his coveted Greats trophy.

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Independent Gift Retailer of the Year

east anglia WINNER 2017: Feathering Your Nest, Rayleigh "When our name was called out I was in total shock and disbelief.

It's a good job I was sitting down as my knees went all wobbly!

But everyone else on our table was cheering, so I thought OMG we've won again!"

Lesley Dunne, owner, Feathering Your Nest

Right: Smiling from ear to ear, winner Lesley Dunne (centre) who received her award from Simon Anslow, exhibition organiser of Harrogate Christmas & Gift, category sponsor. On the right is Lisa Dean, Feathering Your Nest's manager and among the Retail Employee of the Year 2017 finalists.

Award sponsor

Independent Gift Retailer of the Year

midlands & wales WINNER 2017: Rhubarb, Great Malvern Below: Jo Pilcher was presented with The Greats trophy by Ian Hyder, joint MD of Max Publishing/Progressive Gifts & Home, which was the category sponsor.

Award sponsor

“We were so delighted and surprised to win the award for the second time. It means a great deal to us as we do put our 'heart and soul' into what we do and it's nice when that's recognised.

Our trophy has taken pride of place in the shop."

Sara and Nigel Morris, owners, Rhubarb

Independent Gift Retailer of the Year north & northern ireland WINNER 2017: The Shop At The Emporium, Clitheroe “We were ecstatic, speechless and absolutely over the moon when we heard the Emporium name!

We couldn't wait to tell our colleagues back in Clitheroe that we had won such a fabulous award. We really are thrilled and so proud to be part of The Emporium and James' Places!"

Holly Tyne, shop manager, The Shop At The Emporium, Clitheroe

Award sponsor

Above: David Cree, sales manager at Joe Davies, category sponsor, presented Holly Tyne (right), and colleague Jessica Strickland, interiors assistant, with their Greats trophy as winners of the North and Northern Ireland category.

Left: Big smiles from Holly and Jessica.

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The Original

Starlight Bottles Beautifully coloured bottles with twinkling stars that light up heart-warming sentiments.

Our beautiful range of twinkling Starlight Bottles includes: • Relation & Occasions • Celebratory Ages • Wedding & Anniversary • Add a bit of magic with our Fairy & Unicorn bottles!

Visit us at the Home & Gift Fair, Harrogate 16th - 19th July • Stand B35

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Independent Gift Retailer of the Year

south west WINNER 2017: Daisy Park, South Molton “It was one of those jaw dropping moments in life that was completely unexpected but absolutely amazing!"

Emma Paisey, owner, Daisy Park

Award sponsor

Right:A smiling Emma Paisey, owner of Daisy Park, received her Greats trophy from James Portman, commercial director of Wild & Wolf, category sponsor.

Left: Thrilled to bits! Emma with her trophy.

Independent Gift Retailer of the Year

scotland WINNER 2017: Papyrus, Glasgow "After the initial shock, I felt very proud of our Papyrus team that worked so hard throughout the year: a fabulous bunch of talented, creative, hard-working people and a delight to work with.

We couldn’t have done it without them and feel very lucky."

Fiona Fabien, co-owner, Papyrus, Glasgow

Below: Fiona Fabien (left), and her sister and Papyrus co-owner Felicity Pollock, received their Greats trophy from Richard Stone, MD of Sass & Belle, category sponsor.

Below left: We couldn't be more delighted. Fiona (right) and Felicity.

Award sponsor

best newcomer south & wales WINNER 2017: Mooch, Ealing "We were honoured to be shortlisted for these Awards in our first year of trading. When our name was called out as the winners we were shocked to say the least, but hugely thrilled."

Evelyn O'Flaherty and Sandra O'Connell, co-owners, Mooch, Ealing.

Award sponsor

Top right: Richard Halliday, commercial director of Dartington Crystal, category sponsor, presented Sandra O'Connell (left) and Evelyn O'Flaherty (right) with their Greats award.

Right: So happy! Sandra and Evelyn enjoy the moment.

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O

riginating from an 18th century apothecary, situated beside Windsor Castle, Woods of Windsor is a premium English niche lifestyle & gift brand inspired by Windsor’s beautiful landscape and the nostalgic romanticism, charm & wildness of an English country garden.

See the full range at... Hall Q Stand13

Xystos Flame & Fragrance • Bath & Body

The UK’s No.1 Home Fragrance Supplier to the Gift Industry

Progressive Greetings July 2017.indd 1 074_GH_July August 2017.indd 74

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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best newcomer midlands, north & scotland WINNER 2017: The Lion's Paw, “Wow! I couldn't believe it when Lion's Bridge of Weir Paw was selected as a winner. To win

such a prestigious prize made me feel that all our hard work to create a really great gift shop had been recognised by the experts. A fabulous day!"

Alison Stenhouse, owner, The Lion's Paw, Bridge of Weir

Award sponsor

Right: The Greats trophy was presented to owner Angela Stenhouse (centre), Diane Gallacher, shop manager, (second right) and Evelyn Aitken, (sales assistant), by Bhavika Pattni, (far right) key account manager, Autumn Fair, category sponsor.

Left: The Lion's Paw's Alison Stenhouse holds the trophy, flanked by Diane (right) and Evelyn.

best specialist multiple gift retailer (4 or more shops) WINNER 2017: Between The Lines (13 stores)

Award sponsor

"I felt elated and immensely proud of the whole team and what we had achieved together in the last 12 months. We were up against some very strong competition and to come out on top just felt wonderful."

Florian Kleinlercher, MD, Between The Lines Right: A delighted Florian Kleinlercher, MD of Between The Lines, was presented with his trophy by Brad I. Root, president of Root Candles, category sponsor.

Left: It doesn't get better than this! Florian with his award.

best department store retailer of gifts WINNER 2017: Barkers Home, Northallerton "When I heard Barkers Home announced as the winner, I felt utterly speechless and completely overwhelmed.

Thank you so, so much."

Julie Poynton, homewares buyer, Barkers Home, Northallerton

Below: Presenting the trophy to Julie Poynton (centre right) and Becci King was Cait Penfold, area sales manager of Yankee Candle, category sponsor.

Bottom left: Big smiles from Julie (left) and Becci, the store's homewares assistant manager.

Award sponsor

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limited edition christmas collections NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER 01229 461166 • www.waxlyricaltrade.com • info@waxlyricaltrade.com

COME AND SEE US AT AUTUMN FAIR Cardgains Stand • HALL 4, D40-F41 3rd-6th Sep 2017 • NEC Birmingham

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best non-specialist retailer of gifts WINNER 2017: The Barn at The Hollies Farm Shop, Little Budworth ““When The Barn was called out as the winner I was shocked and super excited; what a feeling! I couldn’t (and still can’t) quite believe it! We couldn’t do it without our amazing team, our fabulous customers and our incredible suppliers. Thanks to each and every one of them.”

Ed Cowap, director, The Barn At The Hollies Farm Shop

Award sponsor

Left: Tim Willoughby (right), event director of the London Stationery Show and National Stationery Week, category sponsor, presented The Greats trophy to Ed Cowap, director of The Barn At The Hollies Farm Shop. Shown on stage from left to right were: Sarah Holland, marketing executive; Heidi Alexander, retail assistant; Ed Cowap, director and Sean Camm, head of visual merchandising.

best lifestyle or homewares retailer of gifts WINNER 2017: Lily's Attic, Witney

Award sponsor

Above: An excited Tamsin Butler, director of Lily's Attic, received her Greats trophy from Sarah Skyte, director of sales for NPW, category sponsor.

"Being nominated for a Greats award was such a shock that I thought it was a mistake. When my category was announced, I joked with our table that I was only there to make the numbers up and it couldn’t possibly be me. How wrong was I? I was totally speechless, overwhelmed, ecstatic!"

Tamsin Butler, director, Lily's Attic

Right: A huge smile from Tamsin.

best gift retailer of jewellery and fashion accessories WINNER 2017: Melbury Gallery, Dorchester and Sherborne

Bottom left: Lash Marash, director, Shrieking Violet, category sponsor, presented a smiling Thelma Drabik, owner of Melbury Gallery, with her trophy.

Below: Thelma with her award.

“Wow! I was so shocked when our name was announced! Completely unbelievable. All the way home, people were asking us what we had won, and congratulating us! What a great day!

After sharing our news on social media our customers were all delighted for us.

A huge thank you to our incredible designers and suppliers, our wonderful staff and our amazing customers.”

Thelma Drabick, owner, Melbury Gallery, Dorset and Sherborne

Award sponsor

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PG&H_Gorgeous_Gifts_A4_full_page_may_june.pdf

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best garden centre retailer of gifts WINNER 2017: Garsons, Esher and Titchfield

Left: Lorraine Francis and David Parsons, gift supervisors at Garsons, were presented with the Greats trophy by John Athwal, MD of Premier Decorations, category sponsors.

"We felt thrilled, as the award acknowledges the huge effort everyone has put into creating a gift area which is exciting and enticing for our customers.

We are very fortunate to have a dedicated and talented team creating brilliant, unique and inspiring displays throughout the year and who constantly have an eye on the latest trends."

Sarah Crees, gift buyer, Garsons

Award sponsor

Left: It's us! Lorraine and David with the Garsons trophy.

best museum or visitor attraction gift shop WINNER 2017: ZSL London Zoo “The ZSL London Zoo team were thrilled when our shop won this prestigious award.

To be nominated among such esteemed retailers in the Best Museum/Visitor Attraction Gift Shop category was a real honour, and to win celebrates the hard work we’ve put in to making our shop a real visitor destination.”

Tracie Nesham, buying and merchandising manager, ZSL London Zoo Award sponsor Right: Chris Webb, commercial manager (second right) and Tracie Nesham, buying and merchandising manager, ZSL London Zoo, were presented with the Best Museum or Visitor Attraction trophy by Michael Papé, director, Ravensden, category sponsor.

Left: Their smiles say it all!

best in-store or window display WINNER 2017: Rossiters, Bath “When Rossiters was announced as the winner of the display category we were absolutely thrilled. We have always placed a great deal of importance on visual merchandising and particularly our window displays, so to receive recognition and an industry award for this means a great deal to our team.

It’s fantastic.”

Ann-Marie, director, Rossiters

Below: Agne Zavistanavice, customer services supervisor at Gisela Graham, category sponsor, presented Ann-Marie (second right), director of Rossiters, and buyer Rachel King, with the winner's trophy in the Best In Store or Window Display category.

Left: Ann-Marie and Rachel were thrilled with their success!

Award sponsor

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Best Kept Secrets Ltd Morpeth, NE61 6JT Tel: 01670 512222 Email: sales@bestkeptsecrets.co.uk Web: www.bestkeptsecrets.co.uk

Just Because Candles

Always Seriously Scented!!

Trade Price ÂŁ3.75 + vat

RRP ÂŁ8.99

12 different fun messages for friends, family and special occasions Classic Cotton fragrance with a multi coloured topping and plenty of glitter!!

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best online or mail order retailer of gifts WINNER 2017: iwantoneofthose.com “We’re delighted to have received the award as winner of the Best Online/ Mail Order Gift Retailer category.

Thanks to everyone that voted for us.

It’s great to receive the recognition for our dedicated team, and in such a competitive retail space!"

Michelle Marley, head of buying - gifts, IWOOT

Award sponsor

Left: Sam Wahid, MD of Gift Republic, category sponsor, presented Emma Cain with The Greats trophy for Best Online retailer.

best retailer initiative WINNER 2017: Chester Zoo “To receive national recognition for our retail offering is wonderful. To receive it for our Never Forget initiative, a range of products from which sales are helping to secure a future for elephants around the globe, is absolutely fantastic. Less than 40,000 remain in the wild so to be able to make a difference through our retail collection is incredibly important and hugely satisfying.”

Alison Brooks, general retail manager, Chester Zoo

Award sponsor

Right: Chester Zoo's Alison Brooks (right), and Rose Gelder, corporate partnerships co-ordinator, were presented with the Best Retail Initiative trophy by Ben Hickman, director, Brainbox Candy and Unknown Ink, category sponsors.

Left: We're thrilled! Alison and Rose are shown with their award.

honorary achievement award WINNER 2017: David Hicks "The recipient of this year’s Greats Honorary Achievement Award 2017 truly is a one off, someone who has always dared to be different, in a really good way . . . This person has always been that little bit ahead of the curve and has never been afraid to take risks, spotting the potential of new genres and designers . . .

An opinion former in so many ways, there are many in this room who have had the pleasure of getting to know this individual; so many retailers who will have been stockists of their products for many years, ever grateful for the stream of best sellers they have created."

Part of the citation by Jakki Brown, joint MD of Max Publishing

“I was utterly gobsmacked. I didn't really listen to the first part of the intro, but then I slowly thought how interesting it was that someone else in the room had a similar background! I was making a mental note to chat to whoever it was, when it slowly, slowly dawned on me. I put my jacket on right towards the end of the words. So surprised. I feel humbled. Cards I've been doing for years, of course, but gifts for a shorter time in comparison. We have tried hard, but I was still surprised as there are so many worthy winners of such praise."

David Hicks, MD, Really Good/Soul Award sponsor Left: David Hicks received the prestigious Honorary Achievement award from Henri Davis, chairman of The Giftware Association, category sponsor.

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Home & Gift, Harrogate / Stand DP2-9 www.bookspeed.com

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best service to the independent retailer BRONZE WINNER 2017: Gisela Graham "The table erupted with delight!

A little bird tells me the team went on celebrating after the event at a rather less posh places than the Grosvenor! The trophy is now on proud display at our warehouse."

Piers Croke, sales director, Gisela Graham

Award sponsor

Right: Agne Zavistanavice, customer services supervisor, accepted the Bronze award from Simon Boyd (right), director of category sponsor Progressive Greetings Live.

Left: Agne with the bronze trophy.

SILVER WINNER 2017: Joe Davies “We were absolutely delighted to hear our name called out as a winner. It means so much to us as it’s voted for by the most important people in the trade – independent retailers. To win an award for the 15th successive year is a great honour; and one that everyone at Joe Davies is proud of.”

David Cree, sales manager, Joe Davies

Award sponsor

Above: Elaine Bashforth, business development manager at Joe Davies, accepted the silver award from Simon Boyd, show director of category sponsor Progressive Greetings Live.

Right: Elaine holds the silver award.

GOLD WINNER 2017: Widdop and Co. “What a privilege! To receive this incredible accolade, voted for by our customers, is incredibly humbling. A big thank you goes out to everyone who took the time to vote – it is so much appreciated.”

Stuart Illingworth, MD, Widdop and Co.

Below: Stuart Illingworth, (centre), MD of Widdop and Co., received the gold award which was presented to him by Simon Boyd, show director of category sponsor Progressive Greetings Live.

Right: A smiling Stuart Illingworth (left) is shown with Simon Boyd.

Award sponsor

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Retailer Face To Face: Garsons

Seekers Of The

Unfound

With an impeccable background spanning 147 years, and a fierce determination to stand out in garden centre gift retail, family-owned Garsons, winner of the highly competitive Greats 2017 Best Garden Centre Retailer of Gifts category, is clearly at the top of its game.

Over the past three years, the company, a fore-runner of garden centre gifting, has invested over ÂŁ5m in the redevelopment of its two sites at Esher and Titchfield, to include its gift areas, with the focus on giving customers the best possible shopping experience.

So what else is on the gift horizon? PG&H popped into Garsons Esher in Surrey, to meet up with company gift buyer Sarah Crees and assistant manager Nikki Macey.

Garsons has been synonymous with growing produce since the late 19th century, having initially started out selling vegetables in 1871 when Queen Victoria was still on the throne.

Over 13 decades later, and successfully operating in very different times politically, economically and socially, Garsons, started

by George Henry Thompson, remains a successful family-run business with MD Ian Richardson - the fifth generation of the family - currently at the helm. (Other family

directors, working in the business are Ian's brother Alan, their father Derek, Peter Thompson, his daughter Clare James and his nephew Ben Thompson. All are direct descendants of George).

A programme of prudent re-investment and business development has kept the company constantly moving forward over the years. "Although its long heritage is at the heart of the business, the current directors are very progressive and have taken the company forward very successfully into the 21st century," states assistant manager Nikki Macey.

"The rebuilding and redevelopment of the gift and home retail space at Esher two years ago is a testament to that, as is

Below: Gift buyer Sarah Crees (left) and assistant manager Nikki Macey.

Bottom: Home fragrancing is among the best selling sectors.

the purpose-built gift retail operation at our second site in Titchfield, Hampshire, which was opened last November. The fingerprint of the garden centre remains the same, it's just been configured differently," Nikki emphasises. (Interestingly, at Garsons' newly developed Titchfield site, the indoor area, which has been purpose- built for gifts, has increased, and is now under cover, while the plant area has decreased).

Finding alternatives to the high street offer is a key factor when sourcing product.

In charge of central buying for both sites is Sarah Crees, who joined Garsons 15 years ago, having previously worked at Jerry's Home Store.

Her remit is a challenging one by anyone's standards, covering everything from home accessories and home fragrancing to bath and body, jewellery, fashion accessories, greeting cards, stationery, books, housewares, furnishings and toys. The home interiors sector has recently been extended at both sites to give

Sarah Crees: The Lowdown l Garsons' central gift buyer Sarah Crees joined the business in 2002 as an assistant buyer, moving up to a gift supervisor before taking on her current role at the beginning of 2015. l She says what she loves most about her job is the variety. "The giftware I buy is so varied, with so many different types of products that I can be dealing with candles and greeting cards one day, kitchenware another and toys the day after that." l Aside from Garsons, her favourite shops include American multiple Crate & Barrel, as well as Liberty's, Anthropologie and Hamleys.

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Retailer Face To Face: Garsons customers a wider choice to include soft furnishings, prints, and glassware.

"We constantly have an eye on the latest trends, but strive to offer a point of difference," underlines Sarah. "We find that our customers follow and buy specific brands, with products that have been 'made in Britain' an important part of the mix."

In the last few months, several new suppliers have been introduced as part of Sarah's thrust to differentiate Garsons by buying into the whole spectrum of products.

These include brands such as Sara Miller, Wrendale Designs and Happy Jackson, which help to create a 'story' for customers.

"We like to put around six products together, such as a candle, a reed diffuser, an item of stationery, piece of ceramics, a gift bag and a greeting card. "It adds to the uniqueness and authenticity of the brand and illustrates what we offer as a gift retailer."

In addition to an impressive housewares section, which stocks many of the leading brands from Le Creuset to Joseph Joseph (as well as complete ranges of tableware), both sites also feature large areas dedicated to toy retail. "We feel this department really sets us apart from other local garden centres as well as the high street," explains Sarah.

"Although we sell the big brands such as

Left: Garsons' interiors range includes soft furnishings.

Below left: Also strong is the store's range of bath and body products.

Below right: The range of products under the Sarah Miller brand.

Lego, what gives us our point of difference is that customers can also buy toys and games from other companies such as Orchard Toys, Orange Tree, Brio and Ravensburger, with the toy area a definite magnet for families."

Merchandising is a crucial part of the gift offer with members of the gift team - gift supervisors and assistants - responsible for specific sectors. "Sarah has a vision, and, although we work closely with Garsons Titchfield, it's lovely to see how her ideas are interpreted in different ways by the individual teams," comments Nikki. "Plus, by contrast to gift shops, we want to give shoppers a really comfortable experience, which is why we leave plenty of space around the display tables."

With such a wide spectrum of product, unsurprisingly, there's no 'typical' Garsons' shopper. Instead, one, two or even three generations of families often come in together. "A common thread though, is that people tend to come for the day," Nikki adds, "staying for lunch as well as for afternoon tea, with free parking a definite incentive."

Naturally Sarah is a regular visitor to the major UK gift and toy shows, as well as Exclusively Housewares and PG Live, with

Garsons: The Lowdown l George Henry Thompson started Garsons in Esher in 1871. The name Garsons comes

from historical maps of the farm land. l He specialised in vegetable production for wholesale, supplying London via Borough

Market near London Bridge. l George died in 1905 and was succeeded by his sons George, William and Edwin. l By 1939, Edwin was the sole remaining partner, with his sons Eddie and Roy joining him

in the business. l Post-war, Derek Richardson took over, followed by Peter Thompson in the 70’s and his

brother Bob in 1979. l In 1981, Garsons opened its popular Pick Your Own farm which spearheaded the

company's move to retail, away from wholesale farming. l The Farm Shop and garden areas were joined by a small amount of giftware in 1992,

l l l l

introduced by Derek Richardson. (Prior to that, garden centres focused on plants, compost, seeds etc.).

In 1999, a second site, Garsons Titchfield, (near Portsmouth), was purchased.

In January 2015, the company introduced central gift buying for both sites.

New retail buildings and a new restaurant opened at Garsons Esher at the end of 2015.

Garsons Titchfield underwent a redevelopment at the end of 2016.

her office stacked floor to ceiling with brochures! "I'm very open minded when it comes to sourcing and see the gift team as 'seekers of the unfound'!" she smiles.

Looking ahead to Christmas, furniture makes way for a Christmas wonderland, with Sarah looking forward to doing some of her Christmas buying at Home & Gift in Harrogate this month.

Although initial Christmas giftware will go in store in September, some 30,000 loyalty card customers know that Christmas is on its way when the company's festive brochure one of four annual seasonal publications arrives at the end of October filled with gift ideas for all the family. “We started with a more contemporary Christmas theme last year, and will continue building on this even more this year which better suits the style of the new retail building,” highlights Nikki, "but we will, of course, have reindeers, and will look for lots of photo opportunities to capitalise on social media opportunities." A festive video 'walk through' will also be promoting what's in store on the company's website.

So what else will be taking Garsons forward in the coming months? "We're looking to revamp certain areas," comments Nikki. "We will also be putting in new table displays and new signage. Obviously we have regular shoppers, so we do our best to keep everything looking and feeling new and fresh."

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Celebrity Interview

Amanda's Got Talent Best known for being a judge on Britain's Got Talent, it seems that actress and musical theatre star Amanda Holden has no end to her own talents! Happy to admit that she has always had a passion for interiors, she has just launched an exclusive homewares range for QVC - BundleBerry - that includes everything from mugs and photo frames to chairs and cushions.

PG&H asked Amanda not only where her inspiration came from, but also, whether her designs reflect her own home, where she lives with her husband Chris and children Lexi and Hollie.

Given her glamorous, individual style when it comes to fashion, it comes as no surprise that Amanda Holden has always been very passionate about interiors too. "I have never employed anyone to help me with interior design in my home, as I think it is very important to create a home yourself where possible - mainly so that you can take the credit when it’s good!" she laughs.

Now, she's got her sights set on jazzing up other people's homes, with a first, vibrant collection called BundleBerry which she, as brand ambassador, will be presenting herself on QVC. ("Lexi’s nickname was ‘the bundle’ when she was born as she loved being swaddled, and Hollie’s nickname was Berry, like the holly berry," Amanda divulges about the range's distinctive name).

She describes the new collection as Danish/mid century inspired - simple yet daring accessories that will fit in any home and any colour scheme. "They are all my ideas, with QVC giving me free rein," Amanda

confirms. "The like-minded, mainly female team had a lot of belief in me which really boosted my confidence."

The pieces in the collection all feature a gold ladybird, so what's the significance? "It's a deep, meaningful symbol to me, my husband Chris and the girls and I will never disclose its full story as it’s magical and I don’t want that magic to disappear!" she states enigmatically.

"However, I will say that I hold the ladybird

symbol close to my heart and that, in some cultures, it’s believed that a ladybird brings you good luck.”

Amanda describes her debut range as being robust and inexpensive, with her inspiration a real mish mash. "I'm lucky enough to have travelled the world staying in some lovely and not so lovely hotels," she comments. "I take photos of interiors and exteriors everywhere I go and believe that Mother Nature puts together some of the best colour schemes."

However, intriguingly, the interior of Amanda's own home is more subdued. "My home is 50 shades of grey, with mustard, sea blue and darker pops," she reveals. "However, lots of the pieces in my collection have been inspired by what I have bought on my travels and collected over the years with Chris."

Amanda believes that what makes a home a home is good lighting and well placed accessories - but no clutter. "I'm not a big fan of nick nacks," she admits. "Classy one off pieces, and good photo frames are definitely the way forward with designing my own home collection having always been a dream of mine!"

Inset: Amanda Holden sitting pretty with her new quirky, colourful, interior pieces for QVC.

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Spotlight On... Jewellery/Fashion Accessories

BRIGHTS Bring On The

As if to off-set the country's current sombre mood, jewellery is set to razzle dazzle in the second half of the year, with an abundance of bold, bright colours as well as plenty of sparkle for the party season.

For gift shops, it's all to play for, with statement pieces leading the way.

Left: A big splash of colour from One Button.

Top right: Sparkling blue crystal stud earrings from Monisha London.

Right: Joe Davies' Equilibrium collection for Autumn/Winter will feature druzy crystal and natural agate.

Below right: Dazzling statement earrings from Hot Tomato.

Bottom: Pompeian Red is a key contributor to Miss Milly’s Autumn/Winter Floria Collection.

s retailers look to stock up for Autumn/Winter, the good news is that colours are anything but wintry! "We have revelled in fabulous sales of big, bold beautiful beads, enthuses Amanda Angless, creative director at One Button. "Our jewellery, scarf and accessory collections too, are distinct, daring and pack a punch!"

At Miss Milly, MD Sarah Watmore is predicting a colourful run up to the festive season. "We’re looking forward to an explosion of colour that we haven’t seen in the Autumn/Winter season for a long while," she states. "Our palette includes Brilliant Blue, Pompeian Red and Magenta Haze much brighter tones than we’d normally work with for this time of year. With these colours sitting alongside the more usual grey, navy, teal and amethyst, it has led to us to creating a very vibrant collection that will hopefully help the summer vibe to continue." Sarah adds the company is also seeing colour blocking and strong, simple designs, with a nod to the '60s and '70s that are really kicking the vintage look into touch. "As far as design can

A

influence our mood, it feels very positive and forward looking," she comments.

Bright blue is also a focus for Monisha London, whose designer, Rachel Gadhia, describes the jewellery as: "a combination of opulence, glamour, joy and femininity. That is the root of these intense rainbow of jewels," she explains. "The striking mix of crystals and colours plays with the period charm, adding colour to dull days and sparkle to people's hearts."

Joe Davies' buyer Mary Richards highlights colourful druzy crystal and natural agate as huge trends for Autumn/Winter 2017 with both featuring prominently in the company's Equilibrium jewellery collection.

"Druzy and natural agate are entirely natural products, making each piece truly unique, with an array of colours available in our range," Mary confirms.

Hot Tomato meanwhile, is looking backwards to go forwards. "Revisiting a

decade can be exciting and, with hindsight, helps us to avoid the pitfalls while making it great fun too - think 80’s!" says Alex Machin, creative director at Hot Tomato. "Look out for decadent pieces with more definitely more this party season. We're capturing the trend through boldly jewelled statement necklaces with coordinating bracelets and earrings."

Continues Alex: "In the UK, we tend to prefer our gems in a more neutral palette and this season's bevy of beauties is no exception.

Keep an eye out for those aided and abetted with the honeyed tones of topaz and gold," she advises.

At Carrie Elspeth, creative director Carrie Shapiro says that colour blocking, multilayering, silver, denim, and multi-tone black and blues are featuring strongly on the Autumn and Winter 2017 catwalks. "Fun is the aim of the game," says Carrie. "Despite the current doom and gloom, no-one will be Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

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Carrie Elspeth H A N D M A D E

I N

WA L E S

NEW Autumn 2017 Collection HOME & GIFT, HARROGATE - STAND DP1-36

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

CARRIE

HANDMADE IN WALES

NEW AUTUMN COLLECTION

HOME & GIFT, HARROGATE STAND DP1-36 e sales@carrieelspeth.com | t 01446 771271 | w www.carrieelspeth.com

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Spotlight On... Jewellery/Fashion Accessories shying away this season." She points out that the bold, colour mixing palettes will bring a welcome zest to Autumn looks, with jewellery boasting spiced up pearls, Autumnal hushes, multi-layered bracelets and pick’n’mix. "Colour and charms will be king," Carrie predicts, "with sentiments and personalisation still key themes. Expect to see symbols, mindfulness and timelessness at the forefront of what sells this year."

Meanwhile, Kit Heath's Autumn/Winter Dew collection features an array of different trends. “Necklaces will really be making a statement with a variety of options," says creative director Katie Nickell. "We will see the lariat and Y necklace profiles feature strongly, with necklaces with stations spaced with silver balls and bars, pendant necklaces

with figurative stars, as well as hearts and butterflies. Our design team has brought together the key season trends for our retailers with circles, hoops, modern studs in contemporary profiles, a variety of shape combinations and unconventional earring fittings in silver, cubic zirconia and textured finishes. Our aim is to offer the new season on trend shapes and profiles at the best value.”

There will also be plenty of razzle dazzle from Peace of Mind. Chris Holden, director and designer, says that as we slip into Autumn/Winter we're going to see plenty of sparkle.

"Jewellery is fresh, clean and highly polished with a definite bohemian edge. Rose gold continues to be a big hitter, and this crosses over to scarves and bags, with metallic foils creating plenty of dazzle."

Above: Sea Gems will be launching new additions to the company's jewellery ranges Pure Origins and Celtic Lands, along with a fine enamel collection that features Mackintosh, Celtic and the new Nature series of floral and wildlife designs. Shown are earrings in the company's contemporary sterling silver range Pure Origins.

Continued on page 65

Above: Unconventional earrings are among the latest designs in Kit Heath's new Dew collection.

Left: Bold colours will be playing a key role in Carrie Elspeth's Autumn/Winter range.

Right: A star necklace from Peace Of Mind.

Best Foot Forward There's no getting away from it, design-led socks are one of the trendiest fashion accessories around, with bold, colourful designs, sporting themes, slogans and personalisation leading the way. "Our Element range has a variety of new socks to include designs for sports fans and car lovers," highlights David Gee, MD of The Music Gifts Company.

"Themed cufflinks and socks are definitely in vogue again with cycling, rugby and golf at the top of the wish list. Plus our core range of music gifts still attracts an amazing following, thanks to so many would-be musicians out there."

Sock Academy's MD Gary Schaeffer says that the company's socks are always at the forefront of new trends with Autumn/Winter no exception. Within the hosiery arena, there is a definite move to consumers looking for bold, vibrant design and eye-catching colours," he comments. "More than ever it seems we all want to stand out from the crowd. In addition, within our United Oddsocks brand we’ve gone to town with bright and bold and will be launching You Animal! featuring funky, daring animal prints for men. For ladies, we have moved the ever popular unicorn theme to our six pack of oddsocks and created Be A Unicorn."

Lauren Dorling, founder and MD of Solesmith, a cult personalised sock company, says that the company's range has a quintessentially British feel.

"We make all of our witty, fun, high end socks in Derby, with the socks featuring slogans and puns for weddings, such as 'don't get cold feet'!" With the gift market in mind, packaging is a key factor, featuring classic black and white, as well as stripes and polka dots.

Meanwhile, colour is a key theme for Marcus Davies, founder and designer at Mr D London. "When it comes to socks there's no resistance to bright colours whether they're sporty liner socks, chunky casual socks or smarter fine gauge socks," Marcus comments. "These type of luxury socks are for successful men who want to add fun, personality and individuality to their outfits."

Above right: Socks for sports fans from The Music Gifts Company.

Left: United Oddsocks' You Animal! range.

Right: Solesmith are putting a big focus on the wedding gift market.

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La De Da! Living Harrogate Home & Gift Stand DP1-73 enquiries@ladedaliving.co.uk 01242 250 653 trade.ladedaliving.co.uk LD023 Harrogate Advert AW.indd 1 064_GH_July August 2017.indd 64

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Spotlight On... Jewellery/Fashion Accessories

Blue Is The Colour lues and greys will be dominating in fashion accessories in the coming months. “Tones of deep blue, rich burgundy and slate grey are set to be the Autumn's key colours," confirms Dominique FracassoStroud, director, La De Da Living. "Also, expect to see fringe detailing alongside personalised accessories within the fashion sector for the second half of this year. At RD

by La de da! Living, the collection is growing for AW17, with slogan embossed fold-over clutches, on-trend fringe scarves, metallic ‘Hot Lips’ lip balms and much more, with our stockists able to offer a personalised service for RD handbags in-store."

B

At Joe Davies, there is a big emphasis on metallic foil printing. "The trend features strongly on the fashion catwalk for Autumn/Winter 2017," says Joe Davies' buyer Mary Richards, "and is prominent within our Equilibrium scarf collection. Rose gold and silver foiled feathers, trees and butterflies are just some of the designs that will be featured in the collection," she highlights.

Peace of Mind meanwhile, highlights oversized wool wraps and Above: Blue and burgandy will be among the key trends for RD La De Da Living.

Right: Metallic foil scarves from Joe Davies.

Below: Among Peace of Mind's latest bag designs.

Above: A blue wash bag from Shruti.

Below middle: A splash of colour from Hot Tomato on a hat design.

chunky knit ponchos that will provide both warmth and luxury. "Bags and purses will also be getting the shimmering space dust treatment making them ideal for the party season," says director and designer Chris Holden.

"Dusky Blue is the colour for Autumn/Winter and we're starting to see this reflected in both designer and high street brands," says Michaela Davies, product director at Shruti. "It's an excellent ground colour for bags and accessories, given that it complements and works well for everyday use. Our own Autumn/Winter 2017 ranges once again include a variety of tones of blue this season." Adds Michaela: "In addition, metallics too, are still 'in' for Autumn/Winter. Therefore, with a nod to the catwalk, we have added some subtle sparkle, combined with rich and bold Autumnal colours designed to lift the spirit during the darker, colder months."

But it's not all about blue. Alex Machin, creative director at Hot Tomato, says that another colour that will be dominating in accessories this winter is grey. "Textiles will be comforting, practical and outdoorsy," she reveals.

"Predominantly, neutral and grey palettes abound with the best designs 'lifted’ through on trend splashes of colour. The classic rules regarding patterns, and

how we wear them, are flouted and far more random and mixed than before."

At Disaster Designs, general manager Neil Gaukwin points to painterly as a major trend. "Florals will be big too, but they are more graphic," he explains. "In addition, we're still seeing neon details, as well as tassels and beads in terms of hardware. For Autumn/Winter, we're working on new innovations in a painterly style, along with embroidery. Plus, bugs and insects are back with a vengeance."

One Button's creative director Amanda Angless, says the company will be offering clean lines for layering, plus overstated length to add drama. "We're celebrating geometric print, and are excited by robust bold colour, and inspired by a matt finish, timeworn texture, defined lines, enveloping shapes, hand sewn and hand spun thread and fabric that cocoons. Our collection includes gloves, hand knitted bobble hats, matching snoods and mittens, cosy socks and our ever popular faux fur."

Meanwhile, taking her first steps into women’s accessories is Hannah Dale, founder and creative director of Wrendale Designs. "The range includes lightweight patterned scarves covered with watercolour artwork from some of our most popular designs including dogs, flamingos, peacocks and the hare," explains Hannah. "To offset the artwork we’ve chosen colours such as soft, muted pastels - pink, stone and grey and hues of honeycomb and cloudburst blue."

Above left: A tote bag with a painterly design from House of Disaster.

Above right: Among One Button's colourful scarves for Autumn.

Left: Flamingos feature in Wrendale Design's new scarf range.

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Est 2007 fashion with passion

Discover us at: Harrogate Home & Gift, DP1 9, 16-19th July Autumn Fair NEC, Hall 3 R07, 3-6th September +44 (0) 1225 422188 sales@hot-tom.com / www.hot-tom.com

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What’s New Progressive Gifts & Home highlights some of the latest jewellery and fashion accessories to be showcased this month.

Crystal Peardrops Hot Tomato always offers up a wealth of earring designs and this season is no exception. From these stunning crystal peardrops through to beautiful, understated day-wear styles, Hot Tom really is your one-stop shop for earrings. They have even worked their magic on the perennial problem of earring display, and when teamed up with their natty solution…..‘et voila’, or kerching as we like to say!

Hot Tomato Tel: 01225 422188 Email: sales@hot-tom.com www.hot-tom.com Home & Gift: Hall DP1 Stand DP1-9

Colourful Carrie

Arm Candy

Autumn sees Carrie Elspeth add more beautiful designs to her stunning best selling jewellery collections. With gorgeous branded packaging and new point of sale, this latest collection is keeping pace with the hot trends for the season and will undoubtedly put a smile on your customers’ faces! There are additions to all her brands as well as a new concept - which she is keeping under wraps until Home & Gift Harrogate!

Still proudly made in Wales, Carrie prides herself on quality, super-fast delivery and supporting local. Call the studio for the latest full-colour Autumn brochure.

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

Yet again, Hot Tomato has been super busy sourcing the very best in arm candy. Always aiming to delight and inspire, the company will be showcasing many new and exciting designs, from wraparounds to some Bobby Dazzler sparklers for the coming festive season.

Unusual combinations include these vintage style facetted beads set alongside classic crystals – wear on their own or team up with other favourites for that layered look – just lovely!

Hot Tomato Tel: 01225 422188 Email: sales@hot-tom.com www.hot-tom.com Home & Gift: Hall DP1 Stand DP1-9

Nauturally Beautiful

Soft & Tactile Along with a raft of new textile designs, Hot Tomato will be launching these simply stunning, super soft and gloriously tactile scarves. Made from fine brushed acrylic it’s a case of one touch and they’ll be sold – honestly we can hardly put them down ourselves! Other launches include some seriously over the top rock-chick faux fur, classic plaids, beanies, caps and mitts. It might be warm right now but get your order in early to avoid disappointment!

Hot Tomato Tel: 01225 422188 Email: sales@hot-tom.com www.hot-tom.com Home & Gift: Hall DP1 Stand DP1-9

Sea Gems, Cornwall, is launching hundreds of new, exciting additions to its popular jewellery and gift ranges for summer 2017. Pure Origins silver jewellery brand reflects Cornwall’s natural beauty with oceanic, nature and wildlife inspired designs.

Shells, pebbles, leaves, bees, insects and birds form a simple yet elegant collection of best selling, affordable jewellery that expresses individuality. This stunning yet accessible brand is beautifully packaged. Clean, simple acrylic POS display available.

Sea Gems Tel: 01736 335840 Email: sales@seagems.co.uk www.seagems.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall C Stand C15

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Est 2007 fashion with passion

Discover us at: Harrogate Home & Gift, DP1 9, 16-19th July Autumn Fair NEC, Hall 3 R07, 3-6th September +44 (0) 1225 422188 sales@hot-tom.com / www.hot-tom.com

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What’s New Progressive Gifts & Home highlights some of the latest jewellery and fashion accessories to be showcased this month.

More New Ranges Building on from the success of the launch of our concept collection last year, Carrie has added eight new ranges for Autumn 2017. Gorgeous Swarovski crystals, cute silver plated charms and edgy statement pieces make up this latest range. Every piece comes beautifully boxed making it the perfect gift. We also have a new display bust with hot foil detailing to lift your display. Come and see this exciting collection, still lovingly handmade in Wales at Harrogate, Home & Gift.

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

Heart of Hearts Made using Swarovski crystals and beads, this beautiful Heart of Hearts will add sparkle to any room. Designed and handmade in Devon, a great addition to the Wildthings range of crystal suncatchers featuring the aforesaid SwarovskiÂŽ crystal.

Wild Things Gifts Tel: 01392 211268 Email: sales@ wildthingsgifts.com www.wildthingsgifts.com Autumn Fair: Hall 5 Stand H20

Monotone Jewellery Joe Davies (Home & Gift Hall Q, stand 50) will be launching over 500 exciting new Equilibrium items in their Autumn/Winter 2017 collection. Monotone colours and monochromatic dressing features strongly on the fashion catwalk for the coming season, with elements of this trend taken to create this sharp, stylish new look encompassing tones of black, grey and silver. Each eye catching piece is finished to the highest standard and packaged in the stunning co-ordinated Equilibrium signature blue and cream packaging to complete this fabulous 'look'.

Joe Davies Tel: 0161 975 6300 Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk www.joedavies.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall Q Stand 50

Chakra Butterflies An on-trend Chakra butterfly necklace, made using Swarovski crystals and a sterling silver chain. Designed inhouse and hand made by our dedicated local homeworker team, the Chakra themed jewellery range sits alongside Garden Reflections, inspired by flowers and Guardian Angels. All individually carded ranges include matching earrings and necklaces and perfectly complement our range of suncatchers and Rainbow Makers.

Wild Things Gifts Tel: 01392 211268 Email: sales@ wildthingsgifts.com www.wildthingsgifts.com Autumn Fair: Hall 5 Stand H20

Stylish Gloves Joe Davies (Home & Gift Hall Q, Stand 50) are delighted to introduce their phenomenally popular Autumn/Winter 2017 Equilibrium glove collection at Harrogate Home & Gift. The new collection features stylish faux fur trims, intricate crystal detail, embroidered embellishments and much, much more. Due to popular demand, a range of gift boxed gloves has been added to the collection, packaged in signature Equilibrium boxes which match the Equilibrium boxed scarves, ensuring that you can have a co-ordinating, eye catching fashion accessories display in your store.

Joe Davies Tel: 0161 975 6300 Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk www.joedavies.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall Q Stand 50 PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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Harrogate Home & Gift Show 16th - 19th July

www.pom925.com

www.seagems.co.uk

01225 777749

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

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What’s New Progressive Gifts & Home highlights some of the latest jewellery and fashion accessories to be showcased this month.

Flower Heart Charm Necklace Shrieking Violet’s new sterling silver heart charm necklace combines our most popular design with a gorgeous selection of beautiful miniature flowers. Hand crafted, this particular item includes colourful tiny forgetme-nots, purple verbenas and a red rose, all delicately dried and set in resin. This unique accessory is perfect for all jewellery lovers!

Shrieking Violet Tel: +44 (0)20 8521 9151 Email: sales@shriekingviolet.co.uk www.flowerjewellery.com Home & Gift: DP1-37b

Bright And Beautiful Miss Milly is looking forward to a vibrant, colourful winter for jewellery and scarves. Whilst the traditional jewel and darker colours still dominate, we have a stunning palette that also includes bright blue, paradise pink and saffron. The best-selling Floria Collection jewellery has evolved with revamps of popular lines alongside stunning new resin and enamel pieces. The Carmen Collection gets bolder, featuring striking metal necklaces with crystal highlights. Fantastic prices, excellent quality and first class customer service.

Miss Milly Tel: 01905 622509 www.missmilly.co.uk Home & Gift Stand: DP3-8

Forget-me-not Dog Britain is undoubtedly a nation of dog lovers and whether you own a pooch yourself, or just appreciate their very existence, this necklace is the perfect accessory! The sterling silver Dachshund necklace is hand crafted by Shrieking Violet with real baby blue forget-me-nots which are dried and then delicately preserved in resin. See Shrieking Violet’s new collections at Home & Gift, Harrogate.

Shrieking Violet Tel: +44 (0)20 8521 9151 Email: sales@shriekingviolet.co.uk www.flowerjewellery.com Home & Gift: DP1-37b

Timeless Jewellery

Metal Beads Are Back At One Button, our jewellery, scarf and accessory collections are distinct, daring and pack a punch! Each year, sales of our faux fur never cease to amaze us and our cosy sock were a top seller last winter. Our glove collection is true hand candy, not forgetting our hand knitted bobble hats, matching snoods and mittens. As we will not be attending Home & Gift in Harrogate this year, we would love to share our AW17 collections. Go to One Button: www.onebuttonuk.com/AW17preview Tel: 0116 279 3715 Email: info@onebuttonuk.com www.onebuttouk.com

The indulgences of these timeless pieces of extremely well made jewellery, loved by so many people, come to you with their blessings In the form of TVISHA CREATION. TVISHA CREATION’S greatest appeal will be to offer innovation that may never have been seen before at such a fast pace, producing styles, colours and choices at a whim, so allowing a greater choice and flexibility to offer to your customers. I feel confident that our innovative artisan brand of beautifully packaged jewellery will greatly appeal to your clients. The results will speak for themselves, which will bring magic to your bottom line.

Monisha London T: 020 8561 0704 Email: info@monishalondon.com www.monishalondon.com

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Harrogate Home & Gift Show 16th - 19th July

www.pom925.com 01225 777749

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

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

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

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Investing In The Future Investment has certainly been the name of the game at Xystos over the past 12 months. From a brand new back office system that is helping to improve efficiencies and facilitate growth, to an exciting consumer marketing campaign that kicks off in the Autumn, it's all to play for in the coming months, says company director Tom Sykes.

But first, the Xystos team are heading off to Home & Gift in Harrogate (July 16-19), where they will be meeting and greeting visitors on Stand 13 in Hall Q, unveiling a myriad of exciting launches in both the home fragrancing and bath and body sectors.

PG&H caught up with Tom at the company's Blaydon HQ to hear more about what will be driving the business forward.

Having initially started out as a collectables wholesaler in 2005, Xystos quickly evolved to find its flame and fragrance feet some 10 years ago as the UK and Eire distributors of a clutch of leading American brands that currently include WoodWick, Village Candle and Caption. In addition, the introduction of Xystos' own in-house candle accessories brand Cello, and the distribution of quintessentially English bath and body brand Woods of Windsor, (owned by Yardley), has seen the portfolio considerably expand.

While the unstoppable candle market place continues to grow, ‘flame free’ too, is going from strength to strength, with an insatiable consumer appetite for candle accessories, wax melts and electric wax melt burners. "We've made a huge investment in new skus and new designs for Cello, which all have a more contemporary look and feel," explains Xystos' Tom Sykes.

In Profile: Xystos

Above: Tom Sykes with products from the new Woods of Windsor Gardeners range by Village Candle.

Below: Xysots' own brand Cello. Shown is the porcelain English Garden.

Inset: Village Candle's Lemon Pound Cake.

"Each of our products, within both home fragrancing and bath and body, has a reason to exist as a hero brand, and this strategy is working very well for us. Therefore currently, we're not looking to take on any competing or new candle brands. Instead we're looking to consolidate and to grow what we have, while extending further into the bath and body sector on the back of Woods of Windsor. For a long time now we've been building a brand around Xystos, changing our strapline to the Home of Flame & Fragrance to better reflect what we do."

With Home & Gift in Harrogate homing into view in July, Tom reveals that not only will the stand be Xystos' biggest yet at the show (the same floor space as it had at this year's Spring Fair), but each brand within the Xystos portfolio will have its own dedicated area. "Instead of simply being a trade stand showcasing product, we will be representing the Xystos brand, demonstrating that it delivers from trade to retail. We will be communicating the synergies between the

Trends For Autumn/Winter Tom points to fragrance trends becoming more subtle in the winter months.

"For example, our Artisan Collection will be offering fragrances such as Sea Salt and Magnolia, Honey Tabac and Black Amber and Citrus. They're signature fragrances but with a twist," he points out.

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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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In Profile: Xystos

Xystos: The Lowdown

Above and below: Among the new fragrances from WoodWick. adjacencies of the products, as well the synergy between wholesale and retail market in terms of mail order and is working something we've worked hard on for many very well off the page in terms of its artwork years. A lot of the branding on the stand will and history," highlights Tom. "We're finding represent the consumer aspect, so we will that the brand's IP has really come to the be putting more attention to detail on the fore." Cello too, will reveal six new collections PoS. We want to sell the vision and the across various formats, skus and styles. passion to retailers so that they can replicate As the Xystos portfolio continues to the same look in their stores. We are increase, so the sales force is growing in constantly looking at how we can work and tandem, up a third on this time last year. grow with our trading partners, building While Des Docherty remains in charge of the brands within an expanding retail space." growing field sales operations, Shaun On the product front, a raft of new Schofield has recently joined Xystos as launches and a huge number of skus will be senior national accounts manager, having unveiled across the board at the show. "It's previously worked for Widdop and Co. our second strongest trade show of the year, "When we first started out, 99% of our after Spring Fair," confirms Tom. "We find business came from the independent sector. the show more leisurely, with buyers Now that ratio is more like 55%/45% and spending more time with us which results in therefore needs a different approach," points doing more business together." Among the new launches from brands such as WoodWick and Village Candle will be an all year round gifting collection from Woods of Windsor, along with a brand new Gardener's Collection. "In addition to bricks and mortar retail, Woods of Windsor has also hit the

Hitting The Headlines A further investment for the company this year focuses on a strong consumer marketing campaign - a first - that will see Xystos running advertorials and competitions in consumer magazines At Home with Lorraine Kelly in August/September, and At Home with Tess Daily in October/November.

"At Home magazines are distributed through WHSmith, Warner hotels and airport lounges, with the magazines kept and passed round to at least two or three other readers," Tom explains. "We want to build consumer awareness for Village Candle and to drive consumer business to the high street, encouraging high street retailers to give more space to the brand in store."

out Tom, "with Shaun having the background to do that. Plus, we're continuing to expand our retail reach into greeting card shops where we see huge potential for our brands, as this type of retailer is looking less to a paper element nowadays and more to wax."

With a healthy forward order book and a growing customer base, the company has also made a significant investment in a state-of-the-art, brand new back office system which includes a new server, a directional warehouse pick and pack system, as well as B2B and B2C websites. "The new system will facilitate growth and allow us to

l Xystos was launched in 2005 by Philip, David and the late Barbara Lewis, with the family originally owning a chain of Collectables retail outlets in the North of England selling leading brands that included Royal Doulton, Lladro and Coalport. (There are still six Collectables shops based in the North to include The Metro Centre in Gateshead). l The Lewis family began importing directly for their retail business, subsequently setting up a warehouse. l 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. l 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. l 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! l 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. l Own brand Cello, a candle accessories company, was launched in 2015. l In 2016, the company was appointed as the UK & Ireland distributor for Woods of Windsor.

grow to the next level," underlines Tom. "It allows the operators to answer customer queries 'live' 24/7, making customer service, as well as deliveries, an even slicker operation for customers."

He emphasises that overall, the company is the most excited it's ever been about the business.

"Since our inception, we have continued to move with the times, and to adapt and to re-invent ourselves. We like to think that we have done that very successfully, with everything evolving and moving on. We therefore believe that we are now uniquely positioned in the market place, with a complete flame and fragrance solution for every room in the house, and for all demographics, giving us our edge. We're a one stop home fragrance supplier, and that is what is driving the marketing behind the brand. It's all about adjacencies, having the right product that fits in. We are therefore continuing to feel very positive indeed about the future."

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Celebrate with Dartington

5255c Silver =grey 30% black

The Best of British Gifts Harrogate Hall B Stand B40 Tel: 01805 626226 • www.dartington.co.uk • sales@dartington.co.uk Gifts Focus Harrogate 2017 advert.indd 1 076_GH_July August 2017.indd 76

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That's The

Spotlight On... Glassware

Spirit!

There's something extra special about well designed, quality glassware. Not only does it sparkle, adding instant glamour to the table, it makes drinks taste that much nicer! Plus, from an all important gifting perspective, glassware has perceived value, with suppliers putting attractive, gift-led packaging high on their agendas.

With flavoured gins currently trending as the tipple of the day, companies have tapped into the mood, with drinkware shapes and sizes taking their lead from the catwalk. But beer and wine glasses too, are having a moment.

With the festive season in mind, and a tranche of trade shows on the horizon, how can gift shops get into the spirit?

With so much innovation in glassware nowadays, be it drinkware or homewares, it's often the 'go to' choice when buying a gift for a special person or a special occasion.

"Gifts linked to trending drinks are a really popular choice," says Richard Halliday, Dartington Crystal's commercial director.

"Prosecco and gin balloons in our Just The One selection are among our best sellers, and in our more premium priced glassware, Glitz, the prosecco, gin and champagne coups have become must have options too."

He adds that for men's gifting, the company offers crystal speciality whisky glasses as well a new Brew Craft collection featuring glasses for every style of beer. "Selling a single glass, or a pair as a gift solution, needs good packaging concepts and we use the packing - be it a box or a tube - to show the item off and to explain why it is the perfect glass for a favourite tipple," adds Richard.

Above: New for 2017, Anton Studio Designs Fizz set of four gin glasses distributed by The DRH Collection. Each has a different coloured bubble effect in the base and are part of a wider collection featuring wine, hi ball, cocktail, flutes, tumblers and shots.

Below: Dartington's Just the One. Bottom: LSA International's GIN Grand Serving Set.

At LSA International, the company's latest collections are characterised by tactile combinations of mouth blown glass, natural wood and leather, complemented by coloured, textured and iridescent finishes.

"The hero collection of the new season is GIN, our specialist new collection of handmade barware for enhancing the spirit’s delicate botanicals," explains the company's Hannah Lambert, PR & project manager, marketing.

The centrepiece of the collection is the Grand Serving Set, a 14-piece assortment that includes gin glasses and serving accessories, set on an ash wood stand with leather straps and two removable trays for serving drinks or storing cocktail barware. Additionally, a range of tumblers has been inspired by sorbet colours, while balloon glasses with generously shaped bowls have been designed for serving drinks or individual desserts.

"The ‘home bar’ is definitely a strong theme this year, and while we have collections across our glassware brands that include shapes and sizes for different beers, wines and spirits, the top trend has to be gin which is huge," concurs Mike Holmes, director The DRH Collection. "You only have to walk down the aisles of the supermarket to see the many different brands and gin types."

The company offers a range of oversize gin glasses in its Anton Studio Designs Manhattan collection which was successfully launched last year. "We have therefore Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

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Spotlight On... Glassware

Above: Entertain Gin Balloons from Ravenhead.

Below: Parlane's Sylvie coupe glass.

expanded on our gin offering with several ranges under both the Anton Studio Designs and Artland glass brands," highlights Mike.

Gin glasses are also leading the way for Ravenhead. "Our Entertain Gin Balloons were born from the idea of creating an oversized glass which allows plenty of space for ice and lemons and lime to infuse, providing a greater tasting experience," highlights senior brand manager Sally Owens.

At Parlane, it's time to pop open the bubbly! The company has a really strong collection of glassware with plenty of fizz, including a wide selection of glasses for champagne and sparkling wine that are selling very well "unsurprisingly," says MD Mike Burgess. “It’s not surprising as reportedly, the Brits consumed a third of the world’s prosecco last year!"

Last Autumn/Winter the company introduced six different styles of boxed glass

Making It Personal "There’s no better way to make a glass unique than to personalise it," says Kat Grant, copywriter, PR & sales support at Signature Gifts. "Keeping ahead of the market is always a winning factor when creating giftware, and glass giftware is no different."

As she points out: "2016 was labelled the ‘year of gin’ due to a massive increase in sales of the spirit, which broke the £1billion barrier for the first time ever. However, everyone has their favourite tipple, so a glass to drink it from makes the perfect gift for any occasion. We've been extending our range of glassware to keep up with this demand, and have found that the more unique the glass is, the more sales we make," states Kat. "The boom in craft brewery and distillery has led to many new and exciting varieties of beer and

Celebrating 25 Years Leading German glass manufacturer Ritzenhoff, distributed by the White Brand agency, has commemorated the company's 25th anniversary with four brand new glass collections - The Next 25 Years - featuring Gin & Tonic, Champagne, Beer and Milk. Designs are based on surface design collaborations with 29 leading creatives from 11 countries.

Below: The Next 25 Years from Ritenhoff, features striking typographic and illustrative designs.

flutes, with a further two styles added for Autumn/Winter 2017 - the glamorous Ophelia, which features a silver rim and diamentes, and the tall stemmed Sylvie coupe glass in blush pink, "which has more of a vintage feel to it," points out Mike.

Meanwhile, KitchenCraft's constantly evolving BarCraft collection is also embracing the latest trends. "Classic cut glass is back, with a new, traditionally styled cut glass square decanter and whisky glass set adding a splash of nostalgic style," highlights marketing director Claire Budgen. "Whisky and gin currently have a new fashionable feel due to an increase in popularity of micro distilleries and tasty new cocktails, while at the other end of the trend spectrum, Tiki bars and Zombie cocktails are all the rage!"

With some trends continuing and new ones emerging, Tradestock too, is enjoying continued success with its glassware. "Craft Below: KitchenCraft's BarCraft cut glass decanter set has a hint of nostalgia.

Continued on page 81

gin spilling onto the market, which has also fuelled demand for an equally unique and personal way to serve these drinks," highlights Keren Dicken, sales and marketing director at PMC. "Our personalised craft ales, beer glasses and gin glasses have been designed to fit in with this trend, drawing on strong typography and popular design motifs including adventure and the great outdoors."

Above: Signature Gifts' Happiness gin glass.

Left: Personalised glassware from PMC.

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Citronella with a twist!

Scent your summer with citronella and botanical blends.

Rosemary

Basil

Tomato Leaf

T +44 0800 169 5126 sales@uk.bolsius.com

www.bolsius.com

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Spotlight On... Glassware beers and craft spirits, especially gin, is still big news and this is reflected in our buoyant sales of beer glasses and tumblers," comments the company's MD Keith Nye. "Wine is also very big business and we are finding a re-emerging trend towards oversized wine glasses."

Good news for wine lovers is that a bottle capacity wine glass will be part of Tradestock's Autumn/winter launch, but Keith is quick to point out that it's not intended for filling to the brim in one go!

He adds that elegant fine wine glasses are also among the company's best sellers, especially the Crystalite brand. "It includes full colour gift packaging which is always a plus for merchandising and enhanced gift appeal,� he emphasises.

Although Portmeirion Group is best known for its award winning ceramics, the company's botanical prints and retro designs are currently a big trend. The company's new Portmeirion Botanic Garden glassware, launched earlier this year, features the collection's popular floral motifs from the iconic Botanic Garden tableware collection -

Statement Pieces Of course, glassware is much more than simply drinkware. When it comes to home accessories, beautiful glassware, be it clear glass or coloured glass, immediately makes a statement.

"In homewares, we see the use of colour in glass as a strong theme," confirms Richard Halliday, Dartington Crystal's commercial director. "Our latest designs, such as our Aurora vases, feature shapes in amethyst, olive green, teal and ink blue - a pallet we have developed to match interior trends and which also complement Above: Aurora from Dartington Crystal. each other when displayed in a group."

At LSA International, designs for the new season include handmade glass vase duos, designed to be paired back to back for holding stationery and books or for displaying flowers. "Plus, innovative arrangements of flowers and foliage can be created within our spherical mouth blown vases, that can be tilted and turned to any angle on their ash wood base," reveals LSA's PR & project manager, marketing, Hannah Lambert. with a comprehensive tabletop solution. The everlasting trend for botanical prints drives the development of our Botanic Garden collection into new categories," she adds.

For gift shops, it's crystal clear that trendy glassware is a mover and shaker this year. And with the party season getting ready to sparkle in the run up to Christmas, it's all to play for in the gift-led drinkware sector. Cheers!

Right: Portmeirion's Botanic Garden glassware.

Below: Tradestock's Crystalite wine glasses are gift boxed for added appeal.

hydrangea, poppy, sunflower and sweetpea with the champagne flutes, wine glasses, stemless wine glasses, high balls and double old-fashioned glasses brimming with colour and nostalgia.

"Glassware remains an important category for Portmeirion Group," confirms Sara Dickenson, marketing communications manager. "It extends the appeal of our product ranges and provides the consumer

Wine O'Clock Fine crystal decanters have always been a popular gift for wine lovers, with the decanters in the Elia fine crystal range handcrafted and mouth blown to accentuate the flavour profile in wines, with the company taking its inspiration from its ranges of cutlery and china.

"As an example, Leila stemware features a classic curve and shape that matches with the shape of the Leila cutlery design when setting the table," explains the company's sales manager Adam Walker. "The Elia Motive range was designed to match the styling of modern homes and interiors, with a strong silhouette, tapered bowl and long stem. It radiates style and modernity, with the tapered bowl helping to concentrate the aroma and reveal subtleties in wine."

Above: Siena Bordeau oblique decanter from Elia.

Top Display Tips l "Retailers need to make sure the glass is sparkling clean and that the display area is well lit." Mike Burgess, MD, Parlane l "Seasonal displays are effective, so in summer for example, retailers should fill the glassware with ice, fruit slices and rosemary." Hannah Lambert, PR & project manager, marketing, LSA International l "Retailers should feature a combination of boxes and loose display for the product, giving the customer choice to purchase the quantity they require and how they wish items to be packaged."

Adam Walker, sales manager, Elia l "Showing aspirational yet achievable scenarios, with the use of props, to simulate how customers would use the products in their home, is key." Sara Dickenson, marketing communications manager, Portmeirion Group l "Retailers should display by item theme, and create impact by merchandising in colour blocks with a mixture of items in a matching colour theme." Richard Halliday, commercial director, Dartington

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

Impossible Bottle A unique display for your favourite things. It’s hard to squeeze a ship or any other object into a bottle, but now it’s easy. Simply place your precious find through the bottom lid. The result is no less than magical! Brought to you by Bookspeed from Peleg Design Studio.

Bookspeed Tel: 0131 467 8100 Email: sales@bookspeed.com www.bookspeed.com Home and Gift: DP2 Stand 9

Boys Night In Take the pub "back home" for the boys with this Dartington set of four dishwasher safe pint glasses. Great for sharing a few beers together, these quality crystal glasses will raise a cheer every time. Supplied in eye catching packaging this latest Dartington winner makes another great ma's gift and are an easy to afford treat for any home.

Dartington Tel: 01805 626226 Email: sales@dartington.co.uk www.dartington.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall B Stand B40

Festive-themed Wine Glasses Enesco has unveiled a range of new yuletide wine glasses from Lolita, perfect for a mulled wine to help warm the cockles when the weather outside is frightful. Let’s Get Nuts, Gingerbread Wonderland and I’ll Be Home are all new additions to the Lolita collection. The wine glasses measure 22.5cm tall and retail with an SRP of £19.95.

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

Wine Bottle Glass Drinking wine straight from the bottle is socially unacceptable in normal circumstances. However, these clever wine bottle glasses from Boxer Gifts are perfectly acceptable! Fill up and enjoy because one glass is just never enough. Packaged in an attractive gift box this is a perfect gift for wine lovers everywhere.

Boxer Gifts Tel: 01133 955595 Email: sales@boxergifts.com www.boxergifts.com Home & Gift: Hall B Stand B35

Champagne Saucer Party Celebrating its 50th Year in 2017, Dartington rocks the party with this latest set of great glasses. The set of six in-vogue coupe Champagne glasses let you serve fizz in style or can dress up a tasty desert. Presented in an eye catching box the set makes a great year-round gift or a very affordable new addition to the drinks cupboard.

Dartington Tel: 01805 626226 Email: sales@dartington.co.uk www.dartington.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall B Stand B40

It’s A Prosecco Summer Gaeltag Keltika are making the most of the popularity of prosecco with their six new Here’s to You gift glassware products developed with card publisher Megan Claire. Two of the new glasses are a specially designed traditional Italian prosecco tulip shape which enhances the taste of this favourite fizz. Available from July, all the wine and prosecco glasses are decorated in metallic fonts and patterns in gold and rose gold, featuring Megan Claire’s trademark amusing sentiments. Contact Lorena Golfetto.

Gaeltag Keltika Email: sales@gaeltag.com Tel: 020 8998 1781 www.gaeltagkeltika.com

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In Profile: Darlington Crystal

Raise A Glass What do you get when you cross Scandinavian design and skills with a British glassware company that has a factory in rural Devon? The answer is Dartington Crystal (or Dartington Glass as it was originally known), which is currently celebrating its milestone 50th anniversary and going from strength to strength.

PG&H caught up with MD Neil Hughes, commercial director Richard Halliday and head designer Hilary Green, to discover more about the company's eventful history, its award winning products and what is continuing to take the business to the next level.

Dartington Crystal's origins lie in the 'marriage' between The Dartington Hall Trust, a team of young Swedish glassmakers and the outstanding talents of the charismatic Frank Thrower, designer extraordinaire, who went on to receive an MBE for his services to design and the glassware industry.

What brought them together was the Dartington Hall Trust, which was looking to create employment for young locals, and, in its wisdom, decided to open a glass-making factory in the small market town of Torrington in North Devon. The Trust recruited Eskil Vilhelmsson from a Swedish glass manufacturer, who in turn recruited a team of Scandinavian glass blowers, bringing them to Torrington in 1967 to teach local youngsters their skills.

The rest, as the saying goes, is glassware history - 50 years of ups and

Above: Glassmakers at work in the factory.

Left: Neil Hughes, MD, and Richard Halliday, commercial director, in the Dartington showroom at Torrington.

Below left: The ground breaking Sharon flute, originally created by award winning designer Frank Thrower 46 years ago, is still in the catalogue.

downs, successes and failures, and, for the past seven years, enduring stability, growth and prosperity. Driving the management team are MD Neil Hughes (who spent 20 years at Royal Worcester and joined in 2006 as operations director, subsequently being appointed Dartington's MD in 2010), commercial director Richard Halliday (who joined in 2001 from Royal Doulton) and chairman John Hammond (previously MD of Enesco in the UK).

Dartington therefore remains a story of huge design talent, of specialist skills and an unwavering belief by its management that the company could and would be a success

through continuing to manufacture its crystal at the Torrington factory - although today, 50% of the glassware is manufactured in Europe, but designed at Torrington.

As the company celebrates its half century, with much to look forward to, it continues to fondly remember Frank Thrower ("the George Best of the glassware industry," reveals Richard) who reputedly named many of his collections after a string of girlfriends! As a testament to his talent, given that he had never been formally trained, Sharon, designed by Frank in 1971, and named after his daughter, was chosen by the V&A for its 100 Best Ever Products exhibition. Poignantly, 2017 marks the 30th anniversary of Frank's death. "Even though he was very, very ill, he still had a sparkle in his eye, and managed to sip champagne through a straw from one of his flutes!"

Celebrating 50 Years To mark Dartington's 50th anniversary year, the company added significant new elements of made in the UK hand crafted crystal to its range featuring a new suite of drink and serve ware called Celebrate, as well as a special gold trimmed edition of its Dimple barware, originally designed by Frank Thrower. Master engraver Nick Davey also created a limited edition collection of studies inspired by tropical sealife, finished with hand gilded starfish as a subtle link to Dartington's Golden anniversary.

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In Profile: Darlington Crystal recalls Dartington's head designer Hilary Green, (known as Billy), a graduate of the Royal College of Art, who, over the past three decades, has taken over Frank's role.

She was honoured to have worked with him for six months as a placement student in the mid '80's, having won an RSA Design Award, and his influence lives on. "I have felt a certain responsibility to refresh the classics, breathing new life into, for example, the Sharon flutes and Dimple glassware," she explains.

However, over the past 30 years, Billy, like Frank, has put her own design mark on the Dartington Crystal brand. She is responsible for much of the contemporary collection, where she's particularly proud of the coloured Flower Bottle vases. She leads the design process, working with glass makers at the factory in the sampling and development stage, both at Torrington and in Europe, although she now uses state-of-theart technology by comparison to the more basic tools of yesteryear. Today, her work typifies the contemporary English style that Dartington has become known for.

The company brings out two launches a year, with the Autumn collection tapping into the gift market. "The added appeal to our glassware is that it can be easily personalised and engraved with a name or message to make the gift more special," highlights Richard.

"Packaging is a vital element, and all our products are presented in brand boxes that add appeal, both for the purchaser as well as the gift recipient."

With increasing awareness and interest in products that are made in the UK, both with British customers and for export markets, the fact that Dartington is a truly British glassware brand that manufactures in the UK is a

strong USP. "We still have to offer great designs and good value of course, but making a significant 50% of our glassware in Britain certainly helps," Richard emphasises. "How and where products are made are a part of the brand appeal and a justification for buying, and everything features our back stamp and Made in Britain labelling."

It certainly gives the company an edge in the competitive export market, where Antony Wilson has recently been appointed as international export sales manager, and has considerable experience of world markets.

Under his direction, Dartington returned to Ambiente in Frankfurt earlier this year after a 15 year lapse, with international buyers showing serious interest.

Bespoke too, as well as special projects, have played a huge part in the company's success, and in truth, it's this side of the business that keeps the factory and the designers most busy, with prestigious Blue chip clients tripping off the tongue: BA, Chivas Regal, the FA and Sunseeker Yachts among them.

So where does Dartington go from here? In the short term, Top: Connoisseur whisky glasses come boxed and ready to give as a gift.

Left: Beswick art vases reflect the work of artist such as Klimt. Shown is the Silhouette D'Art vase - The Three Ages of Woman.

Below: The main gift shop at the Dartington Visitor Centre features the largest glassware retail floor space outside of Harrods.

it's to Harrogate, where the company will be unveiling new ranges of boxed drinkware at Home & Gift, (Hall B, Stand B40) as well as new vases, new John Beswick pieces, and its best gift lines our 'bankers'," adds Richard.

In the longer term, it's to drive the export side of the business, which already includes the Far East, Middle East and Australia. "Export is a big growth market for us, and we will be looking to grow our European base," confirms Neil. "Under my watch, we have grown from a ÂŁ6m turnover company seven years ago to delivering ÂŁ13m this year. We have added brands and products to our portfolio. We also have an important transactional website, but we retail fairly, and do not undercut our retailers.

Additionally, gifting is a major thrust, and keeping keen with price points will be an important part of that. The main building blocks are in place and we're set to make this our best year yet."

Dartington Crystal: The Lowdown l Dartington Crystal was founded by The Dartington Hall Trust in 1967. l It is now the only factory scale producer of glassware in the UK and currently employs over 130 people. l In the early days, there was a shared distribution with Portmeirion, and in the 1980s, the company was part of a joint venture with Wedgwood, who then owned a glass factory in Kings Lynn. l Dartington was eventually bought by Enesco in 2004 and subsequently sold a year or so later, which led to a "shaky" MBO (management buy out). l The company's fortunes were turned around by the arrival of Neil Hughes in 2006 as operations manager, who became MD in 2010. l Other brands owned by the company include Royal Brierley, Caithness art glass, which is made in Scotland, and John Beswick ceramics. l New to the company this year is the Tony Laithwaite Signature Series, created in collaboration with Tony, one of the most respected names in wine. l Dartington's HQ also includes the popular Visitor Centre, which attracts over 200,000 visitors a year. l Dartington (through its Royal Brierley brand) is the holder of two Royal Warrants, and has done bespoke work for the Pope, the Royals, celebrities and the RHS Chelsea Flower Show among many other prestigious commissions.

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Spotlight On... Stoke On Trent

All Fired Up A weak ÂŁpound is certainly having a positive effect on the potteries in Stoke on Trent. Export is thriving, with Made in Britain the benchmark on a global stage. But there's a strong UK market too, with domestic consumers, along with tourists, looking for brands with provenance, not just in design but in manufacture and quality.

PG&H visited the world's 'capital of ceramics' to discover what else is driving sales for the potteries.

As the retail landscape continues to evolve, it's no secret that today's consumers want to know where goods are made, with many associating Made in England with the best in design and excellence in quality.

"The Made in England back stamp continues to drive sales, along with our licensed giftware portfolio which now includes Sara Miller London alongside our established licensed collections such as Sophie Conran for Portmeirion and Wrendale Designs," comments Portmeirion's group sales and marketing director Phil Atherton. “Export sales are increasing throughout the world with a strong push towards the gifting market. With our recent acquisition of the home fragrance company Wax Lyrical, we have introduced a range of candles and diffusers to complement our existing best selling Portmeirion and Spode brands."

At Burleigh, commercial director Jim Norman concurs that British design and provenance stands for quality the world over. "The magic ingredient at Burleigh is the craftsmanship we employ which is illustrated by the tissue decoration Top: Portmeirion's Sara Miller London range.

Above right: Burleigh tiered cake stand.

Right: Queen's Couture, part of Churchill China's The Kingdom range.

method that is now unique in the world.

Plus, Burleigh's 165 year heritage and traditional hand-crafting techniques brings another level of interest," he continues.

"Our classic designs have been given a contemporary edge with new colours reimaged for the 21st century market.

Showing flexibility and foresight enables our premium teaware and tableware to meet global trends such as gift giving and afternoon tea, and to be a successful world

supplier to discerning consumers and the best hotels and restaurants."

Churchill China's Dannielle Birch, marketing communication, says that while changes in the economy can create new challenges for export sales, it can also create opportunities. "We have seen growth in sales to export markets and expect this to continue over the coming months," she states. "No matter where in the world you are, Stoke on Trent retains its heritage and experience within the potteries industry. This is particularly true for Churchill. We were established in 1795 giving us over 220 years of innovation, passion and expertise."

Looking to the varying design trends for 2017/2018, Dannielle she says that inspiration is coming from different landscapes, events and cultures, all of which people are experiencing on a daily basis.

"We're becoming so virtual, living through screens in our everyday lives, that we crave comforting, tactile, natural, modest materials in our homes. Once again, we're inspired by nature and a back to basics approach to Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

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Tumble down the rabbit hole into the wonderful world of Alice in Wonderland‌..

Not only are our designs inspired by true English icons but we’re incredibly proud to say that our products are completely (and proudly!) made in Stoke-on-Trent; the provider of some of the finest pottery in the UK. Mrs Moore tea and dinner ware - made in England, from start to finish.

View our entire collection at http://www.mrs-moores-vintage-store.co.uk/

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Spotlight On... Stoke On Trent living. As a result, tribal and jungle-inspired prints are making a strong statement. In addition, the floral story of the year is romantic and folkloric with hand-painted effects and loose brush strokes key. It's what has driven development additions to Churchill's The Kingdom range.”

At Christopher Dawson Heritage, sales and marketing director Paul Travis confirms that business growth has come from the heritage sector where the company supplies fine bone china, melamine and textiles through its partnership with Stuart Morris.

"The heritage sector is benefiting from increased overseas tourists and Britain’s holidaying at home," Paul highlights. "Our success is being able to supply product ranges with low minimums, and short lead times at competitive prices. We also launched the British Heritage Collection in January offering off the shelf designs from Charles Rennie Mackintosh to Walter Crane."

Another key arm to the business has been producing for independent artists such as Robert Fuller Gallery, Hic Haec Hoc, John Palmer and Leah Speight. "We are also working with Stuart Morris on the Diz Andrews Watercolours of Britain Collection in fine bone china. Plus, many greeting card artists are looking to add giftware to their ranges which is a key area of growth for us."

tableware to be sold directly into retail. Having been selected to be official licensees for the William Morris Museum to produce the great British designer’s patterns this is going to be a key kick-starter in a bigger picture of producing our own brand identity, with the idea of creating a fully UK manufactured tableware range that will be synonymous to the William Morris brand worldwide."

As well as the larger pottery companies seeing a thriving market place, smaller companies too, are seeing sales grow.

Heraldic Pottery, bespoke decal printers and decorators of a wide variety of fine bone china and glassware items for the retail and giftware markets, confirm that they will be focusing on designer-led customer projects.

"The company's aim is to give established, as well as up and coming artists and designers, a route to help get their product to market by focusing on smaller production runs to allow for tighter start up budgets, with a good quality of product and quick lead times," says director Andrew Tooth. “With the weakness of the £pound after Brexit, in the second half of 2017, our marketing focus will initially be aimed at reaching out to a European designer market, then pushing for worldwide exposure in the early part of 2018 as the skills and quality of UK manufacturing offers a USP to a far wider audience."

Adds Andrew: "We are also currently working to produce our own range of fine bone china

Peregrine Pottery produces its own luxury handmade creamware featuring spongeware designs. Everything is handmade in Stoke on Trent, with co-owner Joanne Deakes taking her design inspiration from her family, as well as the English seaside and countryside. "The designs are quintessentially English," she explains.

Top: A fine bone china dessert plate manufactured by Heraldic Pottery for Lebanese design house Nimerology.

Above right: Peregrine Pottery's Buttercup Meadow collection shown with accents of Lime Sprig.

Right: Also manufacturing product in Stoke on Trent is Mrs Moore whose designs include eccentric black and white etchings of Alice in Wonderland.

Left: Christopher Dawson Heritage's Charles Rennie Macintosh collection.

Mugging Up Dunoon, based in Stone, continues to be a market leader in the fine bone china mug sector. "As a company that enjoys an excellent export trade to the EU, we didn't want Brexit," admits sales director Peter Smith. "However, while the negotiators thrash out an exit for the UK, we are enjoying a weak £pound which is a massive advantage to Above: New from Dunoon: Lomond Ishtar. us as a British manufacturer. Consequently, we are growing in most markets with existing customers ordering more and new customers coming on board. Long term, however, we do fear the imposition of regulations and tariffs etc."

Continues Peter: "Currently, we're having great success with geometric patterns, especially when gold is included within the design."

For Autumn/Winter, Dunoon has developed a number of new fine bone china mugs in different sizes: Cairngorm Medina, Lomond Marrakesh and Lomond Ishtar.

Commenting on shapes, Joanne highlights that the company has introduced pudding basins this year. "We find people are becoming more homely and creative in the kitchen," she explains. "Our mug collections have grown from our standard size to include the espresso and the new larger mug, although our standard mug is still a favourite especially with the trend for coffee machines as it fits perfectly beneath them. We are also finding that the butter dish is having a revival.” With a strong demand from overseas markets and an increase in gifting opportunities, its no wonder that Stoke is on a roll.

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Visit us at the Autumn Fair 3 – 6 S e pte m b e r | H a l l 3 - 3 A 3E30 – F31 | Birmingham | UK

Seasonal decorations | Outdoor living | Garden furniture | Fountains | Lighting | Pottery W W W. KA E M I N G K . CO M

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

Strictly Ballroom

Mugs With Men In Mind The team at Cherry Orchard’s greetings cards were used to hearing retailers requesting more cards and gifts for men and in response launched the Timeless Moments range of square male open birthday cards covering male sports and hobbies. As the card range proved so popular, a complementary line of bone china mugs has been launched with 14 bone china mugs with open and captioned designs for those who love golf, DIY, gardening, trains, hiking and much more. All mugs are supplied with a free presentation box.

Cherry Orchard Tel: 01684 295500 www.cherryorchardpublishing.co.uk Home & Gift: GS-51a

On Dunoon’s very popular large size Glencoe mug there is a new colourful informative design on the subject of ballroom dancing. This features a brief history and interesting facts about popular ballroom dances such as the waltz, the foxtrot, the salsa and many others. Designed by Caroline Dadd, the mugs are made in fine bone china and in the heart of Staffordshire, England.

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

Arabic Architecture Following on from the success of Dunoon’s Sheikh and Dubai there is now Ishtar, a set of three colourful designs on the Lomond shape which feature intricate patterns inspired from Arabic architectural features and are highlighted by metallic 22 carat gold. Designed by David Broadhurst, the mugs are made in fine bone china in the heart of Staffordshire, England.

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

Alice in Wonderland The signature range from Mrs Moore is based around the wonderful, whimsical world of Alice in Wonderland. The collection is made in England and the bone china pieces are the jewel in its crown. Everything from cake stands, plates, tea cups and more are made in Stokeon-Trent by a talented pottery. The techniques and skills used create luxurious pieces that bring a bit of joy into every day. Contact Ana at Mrs Moore for more information Mrs Moore Tel: 01442 831 397 Email: mrsm@mrs-moores-vintage-store.co.uk www.mrs-moores-vintage-store.co.uk

Animal Stripes Dunoon has introduced Stripy Cats and Stripy Dogs on their popular Orkney fine bone china mug shape. These feature black and white portraits of cats and dogs set on a background of brightly coloured watercolour stripes. The mugs are designed by Caroline Bessey and made in the heart of Staffordshire.

Dunoon Tel 01785 817414 Email: sales@dunoonmugs.co.uk www.dunoonmugs.co.uk

Eccentrically Stylish Inspired by the drawings of 19th century French caricaturist, J. J. Grandville, the Metamorphosis range from Mrs Moore is the perfect balance of eccentric and stylish. Each bone china product - from delicate sugar bowls to elegant serving dishes - is made in Stoke-onTrent by a wonderfully talented pottery. The timeless finish of every piece is testament to the experience and quality that producing in Stoke-on-Trent brings.

Contact Ana at Mrs Moore for more information.

Mrs Moore Tel: 01442 831 397 Email: mrsm@mrs-moores-vintage-store.co.uk www.mrs-moores-vintage-store.co.uk

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Face To Face: Ashleigh & Burwood

Back To The

Future

Following a move into large, contemporary new premises in Surrey last year, Ashleigh & Burwood is continuing its programme of dynamic expansion with a fresh new look for its branding and packaging under the strap line Fragrance ReImagined.

In addition, two new ranges will be unveiled at Home & Gift in Harrogate this month to include luxury hand-poured candles, which marks a major step change for the company.

PG&H put Anna Borrett, the company's product development manager, into the hot seat to hear what else will be taking the company forward over the coming months.

Top left: The new Ashleigh & Burwood insignia.

Above middle: Anna Borrett, product development manger.

Above: The Peony scented candle from the Artistry Collection.

Above right: The restyled Ashleigh & Burwood packaging shows off the new chevron design.

Having worked as a home fragrancing buyer for multiple retail brands such as The White Company, Accessorize and the late BHS, there isn't much that Anna Borrett doesn't know about home fragrancing. "I have an absolute passion for fragrance," she smiles.

"It can take you to different places. It can transform your mood. It can make your house feel fresher. It often invokes happy times and brings back memories."

Having joined Ashleigh & Burwood two years ago, Anna has recently been the driving force behind Fragrance ReImagined, a completely new look and feel for the company, which will be unveiled on the company's stand (Hall B Stand 4) at Home & Gift.

"We've pulled the brand apart and put it back together again," she explains, "addressing our branding, our packaging and our colour palette. Every aspect has been re-evaluated to include the logo and our monogram."

Interestingly, Fragrance ReImagined revisits Ashleigh & Burwood's early roots.

"We've brought black and gold back to the forefront and we will be bringing that colour combination through into many areas of our branding palette," Anna confirms. "We also

have a new chevron motif which has refreshed the brand, as well as new writing for our monogram insignia and logo - specially created by a calligrapher - which reflects our heritage yet retains the scrolling, hand drawn element that we are known for. We believe it gives all our products, from our signature fragrance lamps through to our reed diffusers, as well as our brand new candles, the 'Ashleigh & Burwood stamp' - a seal of approval that reflects both the quality and performance of the product. Looking ahead, our long term ambition is that the new monogram becomes recognised and respected both in the UK and on a global stage."

On the product front, two brand new ranges will be unveiled at Home & Gift.

Wild Things is the brainchild of in-house designer Sumitta Spencer-Townson whose love of exotic bright colours and patterns shines through. "It's loud, eclectic and aimed at people who want to have things in their home that are noticed," Anna points out.

The designs feature different animals - a flamingo, a peacock, a tiger, a humming bird, an owl, a stag and a fox - in vibrant colours, while fragrances from the spicy to the fruity have been taken from the company's popular lamp fragrances.

"It's the most premium range that we have offered yet, and contains a very high concentration of fragrance which Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

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Face To Face: Ashleigh & Burwood Inset: Wild Things' Pinemingos collection.

Bottom left: Sundrenched Fig reed diffuser from the Artistry Collection.

Bringing Production In House

complements the strong visual impact of the packaging," highlights Anna. The collection also features luxury candles, where containers have taken their inspiration from Chinese tea drinking vessels.

The second new range is the Artistry Collection, very much at the other end of the visual spectrum. Designed by in-house designer Philippa Steele, it sets out to capture fragrance through print and illustration. "It's soft and subtle and radiates warmth," explains Anna. The packaging is more considered and reflects the fragrances which range from Country Lavender and Eastern Spice to Winter Forest and Champagne Noel.

"Philippa worked from photos and images that suited the mood, adorning them with paint and hand-drawn elements to fill

For the first time in its 24 year history, Ashleigh & Burwood has gone into in house candle production, investing in a production room and machinery. The new facility is headed up by special projects manager Tony Palmer-Johnson.

"We have always outsourced our manufacturing, but bringing it in house is something we've been thinking about for a decade or more," comments the company's MD Andrew Nettleton. "However, the move to our new premises has made it possible, as we now have the space and storage to manufacture our own products and to store them. The production side is still being trialled, but by the time we get to full candle production I would envisage that we will also be working towards bringing elements of diffuser filling in house," he continues. "We have invested in high end equipment that enables us to pour candles quickly and efficiently while allowing fragrance changes to be done in a matter of minutes. This enables us to pour large orders of a single fragrance, or lots of smaller orders using multiple fragrances.

Plus, we can be more efficient and flexible with production times and minimum quantities."

The production room also houses a laboratory for testing and development, with Tony working closely with technical development manager Alison Clayson MChem, whose remit it is to develop candle formulas to the highest quality through a combination of fragrances, waxes and cotton wicks. "My objective is to find the right combination of the three so that we can produce candles of the highest quality to release the most beautiful scents," she highlights.

the spaces and give the designs a unique style," Anna explains. "By contrast to Wild Things, it's a more poised home fragrancing solution." Luxury candles are, once again, part of the offer. Plus, with gifting in mind, the collection also includes house-shaped gift sets comprising a small votive, a scented heart, a reed diffuser and reeds which neatly fit into the 'chimney'. Fragrances span four seasonal Christmas scents and six non-Christmas scents.

In addition, The Scented Home collection (an entry price point for the Ashleigh & Burwood brand) has seen its packaging refreshed and re-imagined to give it a more harmonious, contemporary look.

Anna enthuses that she has really enjoyed putting the colours and fragrances together for the new ranges.

"Having joined Ashleigh & Burwood from The White Company it's been very inspiring to work with colour and pattern, plus, I'm really enjoying being involved in things that I didn't do before such as new fixtures, PoS, designing our exhibition stand as well as having a say in our product brochures. It's given me a terrific overview and helped me to bring the ReImagined vision together."

With Home & Gift around the corner, Anna and the Ashleigh &

Burwood team are looking forward to showing off the company's exciting new exhibition stand which will, of course, be emblazoning the new black and gold branding, as well as showcasing Wild Things and Artistry. The chevron design will be very much in evidence and has been taken through to the company's gift and tote bags. As Anna comments: "We'll definitely be making a very bold statement at the show!"

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Visit www.orangetreetoys.com for our full range of bright nursery gifts!

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Spotlight On... Nursery/Children’s

It's A

Magical World The world of myth and magic is currently taking the nursery and children's sector by storm, with everything from unicorns and mermaids to fairies and princesses on trend and on products. Plus, licensed giftware too, is continuing to go from strength to strength.

With baby showers becoming the norm - good news for gift shops! - PG&H peeked into the nursery to see what's new for Autumn/Winter.

For loving parents, grandparents and friends, few gifting occasions beat buying a little something for a baby or child. From practical gifts to something to cuddle up to, there's a wide spectrum of giftware to choose from.

Joe Davies’ buyer Julia Wallbank reports that baby, nursery and children’s gifts are the top selling category by far in the company’s extensive sentiment and occasion collections.

"The popularity of baby showers has had a

Also tapping into the mermaid trend is NPW. "We're launching a new mermaid trend called Mermazing," explains senior marketing manager Katie Benson. "The mermaid trend isn’t going away and we have developed a range which targets kids as well as adults," she continues. "Our new collection is inspired by the ocean’s most mesmerising, mythical creature, with beauty and stationery forming the basis of the range. With our obsession for all things iridescent bubbling to the surface this season, think shimmering scales, glittering shell hues and pearlescent detailing," she enthuses.

Back on planet earth, Gisela Graham's sales director Piers Croke says that the company tends to focus on small things for children, such as impulse purchases, to keep the tills ringing. "Current ranges feature popular pirates and ballet items which are all

significant effect as has the quality and availability of product in the market place."

Julia highlights that the big trend this year is for anything girly and mythical, especially if it involves unicorns, fairies, mermaids, princesses and swans. "And in that order!" she states. “We will be introducing new products at Home & Gift, Harrogate, with unicorn ranges galore, as well as fairy and mermaid figurines and Equilibrium children’s jewellery. We're particularly excited by our new Fairytale snoozies that we designed in house," she adds.

Top: Petit Collage, brand new from Wild & Wolf.

Above: NPW's Mermazing collection.

Right: At Gisela Graham, pirates never go out of style.

Left: Fairies, unicorns and mermaids are a strong theme in Joe Davies' children's Equilibrium range.

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Mystery Boxes: Collect them all!

GIFT GIVING…all wrapped up Come along and see all of our collections at the: Door

International Autumn Fair, NEC, Birmingham, 3rd–6th September, Hall 5, Stand 5A44

Door

5A21

5A25

5A20-B27

Enesco Limited, Head Office & Customer Services, Brunthill Road, Kingstown, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA3 0EN. 5B20-C21 Tel: 01228 404022 email: uksales@enesco.co.uk Overseas Customer Services: Tel: +44 1228 404066 email: eurosales@enesco.co.uk. © 2017 Pusheen; Pusheen

5A31

5A30 5A36-B31

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Spotlight On... Nursery/Children’s useful, fun and strong sellers," confirms Piers, who highlights that the ranges are about to be joined by five new children’s ranges in the 3-6 year old age group which will be unveiled at Home & Gift, Harrogate.

Wild & Wolf meanwhile, has welcomed children’s brand Petit Collage to its family of design-led brands. "It's a combination of modern design and sustainability, with the brand creating bold, thoughtful toys and gifts to inspire creativity, play and discovery," explains Wild & Wolf's brand director Dave Heffernan. The new collection, which launches for the Autumn, features products for children aged 06, ranging from wooden toys, puzzles, games and

activity and craft products, to back to school lunchboxes and backpacks.

Also extolling the virtues of traditional wooden toys and games is House of Marbles.

"They're always a popular choice for gift shops, especially if they offer quality at pocketmoney prices," says trade marketing and online manager Lauren Woodsford. "They provide great value for money and make excellent stocking fillers at Christmas, giving parents and grandparents the chance to share their childhood toys with the younger generations."

For gift shops that are new to the sector, introducing a 'kiddies corner' could well be the next big thing as Christmas homes into view.

Above: Following on from the success of Enesco's award winning Gund animated Flappy elephant, the company is also launching the Twisty Tongue Twister Animated Giraffe.

Above right: Pink continues to be a winner for Ravensden, with flamingos and unicorn among the company's most popular plush items.

Left: Christmas Jumping Jacks from House of Marbles.

Some Of The Trendiest Licences Licensed product is, of course, a cornerstone of the nursery and children's market place. At Lesser & Pavey, the company is building on its Mad Dots collection - exclusively licensed from Heart Design - which was launched 18 months ago. "We first launched the brand with a baby range and since then it's gone from strength to strength," explains Jonny Greves, the company's buyer & key accounts manager. "The new version has a slightly more contemporary feel to it, with a gold font and signature Mad Dots Diamante Hearts, which sets it apart from anything else in the market place. We wanted to bring something different to the market, moving away from traditional baby gifts while appealing to everyone."

Rainbow meanwhile, is excited about its innovative new nursery lines launching for the second half of the year, which includes the Elmer for Baby collection.

"There will also be new additions to the Paddington for Baby collection," adds head of licensing and marketing Suzie Howes.

As for trend colours, the new nursery neutral – white and soft grey – features in Widdop and Co's new Twinkle Twinkle collection of nursery gifts which includes light up wall plaques, keepsake boxes and baby journals. "Soft pastels also carry forward onto the Disney Magical Moments new hanging heart plaques," points out marketing manager Sue Grant. Meanwhile, the company’s Velvet Olive licensed baby gift range, has picked up on the watercolour trend with a flash of gold adding a sophisticated finishing touch. Adds Sue: "and for those that love a pop of colour in the nursery, our licensed range of gifts from Rachel Ellen sees the circus taking centre stage."

Top: Mad Dots Baby from Lesser & Pavey.

Above: Rainbow Designs' Paddington For Baby sees some new product for Autumn/Winter.

Right: Widdop and Co's Velvet Olive's My First Passport holder and luggage tag.

Food For Thought A popular and easy to buy gift for babies and children is, of course, a food set, with suppliers looking to popular licenses to make eating more fun, especially when it comes to fussy eaters.

"We will be adding a couple of Beauty and the Beast products to our organic bamboo collection, with the organic dinner sets and snack box also available as the Lion King and in two Beatrix Potter designs," confirms Enesco's director of marketing Helen Shield.

Dannielle Birch, marketing and communications, Churchill China, highlights Above: New products in Churchill's Old MacDonald collection are helping to bring the outside in.

Below: Among the new children's melamine sets from Elite.

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Spotlight On... Nursery/Children’s two new additions to the company's Little Rhymes range for Autumn/Winter: When Santa got Stuck Up the Chimney and the Old MacDonald melamine collection. "Our new products are reflective of the children's trends showing in 2017 moving to 2018," says Dannielle."There is a clear emphasis on the exploration of the outdoors and bringing the outside in so why we saw this as the right time develop the Old MacDonald range."

Elite too, has a new nursery melamine sets launching for the Autumn."The difference between loose melamine items and a boxed set is summed up by the word ‘gift’," says James Brierly, owner of Elite.

"Our boxed melamine sets have always

A Penchant For Puzzles Games and puzzles aren't just for Christmas.

For many retailers, including gift shops, they're an all year round good seller, with licensed product leading the way.

“Over the last few years we have seen good growth in the games and puzzles sector with this division predominantly a very stable sector of the toy market," confirms Richard Wells, MD of Paul Lamond Games.

"Licences certainly play a key role, especially in the entertainment and preschool fields. We like to have a good mix of hot licenses and evergreens within our games and puzzles portfolio with Yes/No, Charades for Kids and TRex among the perennial favourites."

A key trend for Gibsons this year has been a renewed interest in jigsaw puzzles.

"The new interest in puzzling has been reflected in our product range where we've added a record number of new additions this

Above: Wrendale Designs' new children's baking set from Portmeirion Group.

Right: Gibson's new Krispy Kreme puzzle.

Below left: Silly Spaghetti, from Paul Lamond.

Bottom left: Jumbo’s Wasgij Original puzzle.

Below: Ravensburger's 3D puzzles.

season," comments marketing & PR executive Samantha Goodburn. Part of the mix includes two new products to The Iconic Brands Collection - Krispy Kreme, which is available in July, and Wall's Ice Cream Twister puzzle, which comes out in September.

"For independent gift shop owners, the challenge is finding great games that ‘sell themselves’ as well as being something that's a little different, something that you won’t necessarily find in the toy shop next door," says Cheatwell’s head of UK sales Mark Jones. "Consequently our games for gifts line very strong this year."

Jumbo's senior marketing executive Steven Russell points out that more adults are choosing to spend money on themselves as part of the ‘kidult’ trend. "We are ensuring that we stay ahead of this by continuing to grow our adult puzzle and family gaming portfolios," he states."Puzzles in particular are proving more popular than ever.”

Above right: Orchard Toys' Farmyard Heads and Tails game.

Below: An alphabet puzzle from Orange Tree Toys.

been a staple best seller, especially during peak gifting seasons, and launching this Autumn are two Belle and Boo six piece melamine eat sets. For gift givers, the bonus is that they come in easy to wrap rectangular boxes."

At Portmeirion Group, children’s products always receive special attention with the launch of a Royal Worcester Wrendale Designs children’s baking set. "With a shatterproof melamine bowl and spoon alongside a child’s apron, this set makes a delicious gift," says marketing and communications manager Sarah Dickenson. There are also melamine additions to the company's The Very Hungry Caterpillar range.

Meanwhile, with an everincreasing demand for innovative products, Ravensburger’s range of 3D puzzles enables puzzle addicts to decorate their room with them! "The Unicorn range includes a funky Flower Vase that can hold real flowers, a Pencil Pot, a handy Storage Box and a Jewellery Tree."

At Orange Tree Toys, Phoebe Goodchild, marketing and design, is quick to add that toys with an educational aspect remain important. "Plus, with licensed toys on the increase, we have a good range of puzzles and games in our Peter Rabbit Collections, and will also be launching range of toys in Autumn/Winter for Disney, with the range previewed at Autumn Fair."

Orchard Toys meanwhile, has noticed two very positive trends in the preschool to under 7’s market. "The first is an increase in the sales of our 18 month+ games, such

as Farmyard Heads and Tails, with consumers buying games earlier for their children," reveals marketing manager Ali Brown. “In addition, we are also seeing a trend for overtly educational games such as our Match and Spell, Tell the Time and Flashcards," she continues. “Parents are becoming more conscientious about the steps they take to develop their child’s education outside school as more is expected of children nowadays."

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NEW CAKE CANDLES!

N E W F RO M S M I L I N G FAC E S !

New from the company that brought you the best-selling, original Light Up Letters, UP IN LIGHTS, comes new and exciting Light Up Shapes, including Rocket. Plus, Smiling Faces’ Cake Candles collection relaunches with exciting new designs.

Visit us at www.smilingfaces.co.uk | 01444 882323 | Find us at Home & Gift, Harrogate. Stand DP1-87 Progressive_Gifts.pdf

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Intelex Group (UK) Ltd Unit 17-18 Regent Park, Park Farm Industrial Estate, Wellingborough, NN8 6GR Email: sales@intelex.co.uk Phone: 01933 679 777 Web: www.intelex.co.uk

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

Snoozies Fairytale

Sweet Treats

Joe Davies has been in business for 98 years and snoozies, ‘the cozy little foot coverings’ from the USA are still their best selling product ever! These adorable Fairytale snoozies are already selling fast, with new snoozies for women and men too, and new Christmas snoozies. Don’t miss this year’s new collection on Joe Davies’ Hall Q50 stand at Harrogate Home & Gift. Snoozies are exclusive to Joe Davies in the UK. Joe Davies Tel: 0161 975 6300 Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk www.joedavies.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall Q, Stand 50

The perfect entertainment for the kids on a rainy day, Giles & Posner’s Jelly Sweet Maker gives you the freedom to create your own fun and tasty gummy treats in a variety of shapes and sizes. Simply melt your gelatine mixture in the centre of the tray, choose between the heart, dummy, snake or star moulds, and watch the transformation!

Giles & Posner Tel: 0161 934 2283 Email: sales@upgs.com www.gilesandposner.com

Best In Show The new Best in Show Play Set has already been shortlisted for two prestigious toy awards this year. The toys design is based on a dog show, with a variety of favourite puppy breeds, and obstacles for them to complete. This set includes a very stylish poodle, a pug, a dalmatian and much more!

Orange Tree Toys Tel: 01242 244500 Email: sales@orangetreetoys.com website: www.orangetreetoys.com

Calling All Wizards Harry Potter fans will love to brighten up a space with the new Gryffindor and Hogwarts House Crest string lights from Groovy UK. Twelve folded plastic, die-cut shaped crests are illuminated by yellow LED’s with a 2.5m cable length. 2 x AA batteries (not included).

Packaged in a three sided window box, RRP £10. The perfect pressie for a wannabe wizard!

Groovy UK Tel: 0844 372 7820 Email:info@groovyuk.com www.groovyuk.com

All About Paddington With the launch of the Paddington 2 film in November this year, the marmalade loving bear is set to be as popular as ever. Orange Tree Toys currently have a lovely range of Paddington Bear wooden toys, including skittles, push along, and music box, and are looking to expand the collection in line with the new film.

Orange Tree Toys Tel: 01242 244500 Email: sales@orangetreetoys.com website: www.orangetreetoys.com

New Dinner Winners The new Fred lines that are being launched at Home & Gift will have you crying with laughter! And it’s better that than crying whilst chopping onions, something that’ll be a thing of the past with the new ‘fun-ion’ glasses, with a comical take on masculine and feminine styles. Other new lines include an extension to our tea infusers - Cute-Tea, Sweet & Salty Grub Mugs, and two new designs – Dino Time and Winter Time - in the award-winning Dinner Winner range – the 2017 Gift of The Year.

Fred at KitchenCraft Tel: +44 (0) 121 604 1111 www.kitchencraft.co.uk/fred E: sales@kitchencraft.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall M, Stand M25

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

Disney Princess Money Bank The Lost Princess money bank from the Enchanting Disney Collection by Enesco makes the perfect gift for any little girl. Standing 13.0cm tall, the money bank features the muchloved Disney Princess, Rapunzel. Dressed in her purple and pink-tone Disney Princess dress, the sweeping nature of Rapunzel’s hair gives The Lost Princess a soft shape with a delicate curve to the edges of the structure. Available to purchase from Enesco it has a SRP of £19.95.

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

Tongue Twisting Giraffe Launching this summer, and a perfect gift for children, is Twisty Tongue Twister Giraffe which plays popular tongue twisters for children to learn and help develop their speech. Following on the theme of animals you might expect to see in the Savannah, GUND has also launched its new collection of Jungle Friends. Items include rattles; activity toys that can be used as a comfort blanket as well as a puppet; a stacker set; a bowling set and, of course, a range of soft toys perfect for snuggling.

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

Organic Dinner Set The Belle Organic Dinner Set can be used at home, in the garden or even in the park. This fresh and natural eco-friendly dinner set includes: a plate measuring 23.0cm, a bowl measuring 14.0cm, a cup measuring 10.0cm; and cutlery comprising a spoon and fork, all made from organic bamboo.

Dishwasher safe, but not recommended for microwave use, the Belle Organic Dinner Set is available to purchase from Enesco with an SRP of £22.00.

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

New Look Games and Gifts This season sees huge new launches from Ridley’s Games, including jigsaws and classic toys and tricks. Perfect for Christmas are new kraft boxed toys featuring a Voice Changing Megaphone and Horseshoe Magnet. Exciting new sub-ranges from Ridley’s are Barrel of Laugh and Test Tube Challenge. Both are innovative group games involving challenges such as moulding dough, impersonating and rhyming! See the whole Ridley’s collection at Home & Gift.

Wild & Wolf Tel: 01225 789909 Email: sales@wildandwolf.com www.wildandwolf.com Home & Gift: Hall DP2, Stand DP2-20

Keeping Track New Light Up Shapes The Shapes & Characters collection is expanding! Adding to the current range of Panda, Cloud, Cactus, Unicorn and Moon & Stars comes eight fantastic new characters; Flamingo, Swan, Mint Ice Cream, Strawberry Ice Cream Dinosaur, Rainbow, Bunny and Rocket. These adorable lights are battery powered, with warm white bulbs and can be wall hung or stand alone. Perfect as presents and beautifully boxed. Available early July.

Smiling Faces/Up In Lights Tel: 01444 882323 Email: ask@upinlights.com www.up-in-lights.co.uk/www.smilingfaces.co.uk

tiddlers & nippers are a British designer of unique baby and toddler daily tracking journals. A cleverly designed range of luxury trackers for recording baby's daily feeds, sleeps and changes, as well as logging important milestones and achievements. Beautifully crafted family keepsakes that make a great gift for new/expectant mums and dads, or parents who love stationery. For more info visit www.tiddlersandnippers.com. tiddlers & nippers…

Never Miss A Moment! tiddlers & nippers Tel: (07718) 650686 Email: hello@tiddlersandnippers.com www.tiddlersandnippers.com

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FRITH SCULPTURE

Sculpture - Naturally

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE HOLLIES FARM SHOP AND ALL THE STAFF!

Frith Sculpture are proud to be suppliers to The Hollies Farm Shop.

Harrogate Hall A Stand A9 T: +44 (0) 1666 577110 E: sales@frithsculpture.co.uk www.frithsculpture.co.uk Frith Sculpture-2.indd 1

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What’s New A selection of products launching at Home and Gift, 16-19 July, Harrodate

Animal Sculptures A visit to the Frith Sculpture stand is a must this year as three incredible new dogs are being introduced. Firstly, Frith’s largest sculpture to date is Geoffrey, an impressive standing hound; also Dudley, who is a charming Basset. Geoffrey is so lifelike that visitors are invited to come and pat him, feeding not allowed! In addition, following on from the success of their new Cockapoo in the Spring, Frith are introducing Lucy, a larger sitting version.

The company also has additions to its hedgehog family. They were huge sellers last Christmas so customers are being asked to make sure they stock up early for 2017! You will also see the brand new MINIMA range – a selection of new miniatures based on the best larger Frith sculptures. Retailing at only £25, Frith conducted trials with them this summer with exceptional sales. They include hares, birds and highland cattle, with Frith promising many more designs in 2018. Last, but not least, new cats, hares and other British wildlife will be on display, together with the rest of the stunning Frith collection. Do not miss their FREE stock show offer available. Ask for details and for the new catalogue.

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

Getting Creative Creative Tops will be launching exciting collections specialising in on-trend gifts: pretty and motivational Ava & I [pictured], Earlstree & Co for men, Tails & Treats for pet gifting, and Bulb & Bloom for gardeners. New Roald Dahl homewares will be presented, featuring Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The BFG and Matilda.

Creative Tops Tel: 01536207710 Email: sales@creative-tops.com www.creative-tops.com Home & Gift: Hall M Stand M27

Sentimentally Speaking These Bright Sentiment message boxes are just one of over 2000 new introductions to Joe Davies’ Autumn/Winter collection which will be on show for the first time at Harrogate Home & Gift Show (Hall Q, Stand 50). The series features ontrend gold scripted messages and includes message boxes, photo frames, money boxes and cute mini heart boxes. Everything from Joe Davies is available ‘Little & Often’ so buying is easy and inexpensive.

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

New ‘Brights’ Storageware Brighten up somebody’s day, and their kitchen, with these colourful new storage tins from KitchenCraft. They feature bold graphics depicting the uses of each tin coupled with complementary tones to give a modern twist to traditional steel storage.

Eight items make up the collection with tins for utensils, flour, bread, cake, biscuits, tea, coffee and sugar. These, along with other new lines, will create a striking display at Home & Gift Harrogate, providing inspiration for AW17 buying.

KitchenCraft Tel: +44 (0) 121 604 1111 Email: sales@kitchencraft.co.uk www.kitchencraft.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall M Stand M21 PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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Carrie Elspeth H A N D M A D E

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Please get in touch for our new full colour Summer catalogue e sales@carrieelspeth.com | t 01446 771271 | w www.carrieelspeth.com

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What’s New A selection of products launching at Home and Gift, 16-19 July, Harrodate

Good Karma Paisley Crescent is the new home fragrance range from British interiors brand Mini Moderns. Fusing images of British domesticity with a traditional eastern pattern, the design is a hero print of the Mini Moderns Buddha of Suburbia collection. The captivating Eastern Orange Blossom fragrance contains aromatic scents of fruit and spices, which exude exotic charm. Jasmine, orange blossom and hints of cardamom blend together to evoke a subtly eastern fragrance that’s guaranteed to bring good karma.

KMI Brands Tel: 02086144700 Email: sales@kmibrands.com www.kmibrands.com Home & Gift: Hall DP2 Stand DP2-7

Grey Juniper Berry The Seasonal Collection is available in an array of choices: advent candles, cute tins, cracker gift sets, diffusers and boxed candles, along with matching gel and inclusion candles, which are synonymous with Stoneglow’s heritage.

Juniper Berry & Cedar is bang on trend, with touches of rose gold and moody greys, fragranced with creamy cedar woods and citrusy juniper berries with hints of spices.

Stoneglow Candles Tel: 0208 595 8878 Email: sales@stoneglowcandles.co.uk www.stoneglowcandles.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall A Stand A32

Timeless Musical Creations It’s hard to believe that The Music Gifts Company has been designing gifts since 1995. The world may have changed in the last 22 years, but music remains timeless. The latest creation is Musical Dominoes which tests your knowledge of music notation. This 28-tile game is made of resin and comes gift boxed, with a launch price of just £7.50 for orders at Home & Gift. With over 500 gifts on a music theme, there’s something for everyone.

The Music Gifts Company Tel: 01202 57 00 57 Email: enquiries@musicgifts.co.uk www.musicgifts.co.uk Home & Gift: Design Point Debut DPD50

Men's Gifts Made Easy If you struggle to find men’s gifts, why not take a look at ELEMENT, a unique collection solely offering men’s gifts. What sets ELEMENT apart is the attention to detail while offering the finest quality products. Latest new gifts include 'I should be…cycling, playing golf, playing rugby, in the pub' available for mugs and coasters as well as socks, and 'Mine’s the Ferrari, Porsche, Aston Martin' socks for any aspiring supercar dreamer.

Element Tel: 01202 57 00 57 Sales: info@elementgifts.com www.elementgifts.com Home & Gift Design Point Debut DPD 1

Cosying Up For 2017 think hygge, that stay at home feeling of being all wrapped up, cosy and comfortable.

Stoneglow are offering a new natural wax range called Geometric, with sculptured matt coloured glasses and textured materials all set off beautifully with fragrances such as soft Freesia & Cedar for a serene and comforting fragrance, or Rose & Oud with velvety rose petals and delicate wood notes for a fragrance hug.

Stoneglow Candles Tel: 0208 595 8878 Email: sales@stoneglowcandles.co.uk www.stoneglowcandles.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall A Stand A32

Designer Wash Bags Travel in style with Orla Kiely’s new season wash bag collections. Building on the success of her current wash bags, Orla has created three new colourways and prints, while also introducing updated design features with additional wash bag shapes including a charming new Cosmetic Brush Case, Train Case and a Large Cosmetics Bag. Perfect for all your travelling essentials and needs.

KMI Brands Tel: 02086144700 Email: sales@kmibrands.com www.kmibrands.com Home & Gift: Hall DP2 Stand DP2-7

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BATH

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Perfect Gift

Discover our New Collection of 24 Gift Sets plus empty boxes for your customer to Create their own Gift

&

Black Cherry almond

ORDER NOW FOR SEPTEMBER DELIVERY

t: 01803 612772 e: robt@dipalomo.com w: www.dipalomo.com

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What’s New A selection of products launching at Home and Gift, 16-19 July, Harrodate

Served With Style

Hot Chocolate Spoons

Gentlemen’s Hardware is expanding this season, with new ventures in attire accessories and cookware. The authentic range features socks, belts and bow ties to add smart finishing touches to outfits and also make quality gift ideas. New sophisticated cook and barware, made with acacia wood, is perfect for hosting diner parties. Products include salad servers, a steak knives set and a serving paddle and shot glasses. See the whole collection at Home & Gift.

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

Set in a thick layer of creamy chocolate, and topped off with a sprinkling of hundreds and thousands, our vintage silver-plated teaspoon has been hand stamped on the handle with a variety of quotes. Each spoon is then wrapped in cellophane, tied in grey ribbon with logo tag and a cute heart charm, making them an ideal Birthday or Christmas gift. Simply stir in a mug of hot milk, sit back, relax and enjoy a truly sumptuous hot choc!

La de da! Living Tel: 01242 250 653 enquiries@ladedaliving.co.uk www.trade.ladedaliving.co.uk Home & Gift: DP1-73

New Artisan Collection Unveiled at Home & Gift, WoodWick’s new Artisan Collection from Xystos is a unique blend of herbs, dashed with deep woody fragrances and citrus undertones. This tasteful palette of vibrant painted textures is designed to “bring out your inner artisan”. It comprises a medium hourglass, HearthWick ellipse vessel, tin, mini wax melt and four ounce reed diffuser. All are available in eight fragrances, Black Amber & Citrus, Ebony Woods, English Lavender, Honey Tabac, Red Currant & Cedar, Lime Bergamot, Sea Salt Magnolia and Vanilla Sol. RRPs are from £2.29 to £29.99.

Xystos Tel 0191 499 1570 Email sales@xystos.co.uk www.xystostrade.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall Q Stand Q13 & Q13A&B/Q25B

Range For Gardeners Xystos will have a huge bath and body stand at Home & Gift where retailers will see the new Gardener’s Range from Woods of Windsor. It comprises a hand wash, hand scrub, hand cream and hand balm/butter, with RRPs from £4.99 to £7.99. A counter display holds four hand washes, five hand scrubs, five hand creams and six hand butters, and has a combined retail value of £130.80. The Ayr gifting range will also be unveiled.

Xystos Tel 0191 499 1570 Email sales@xystos.co.uk www.xystostrade.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall Q Stand Q13 & Q13A&B/Q25B

Christmas POP Candles A thirst quenching collection of boozy candles designed to create the magic of Christmas. The best selling collection of luxury soy wax blended candles are hand poured in the UK ensuring a premium quality. All occasions are covered throughout this fabulous range which also include fun lip balms and reed diffusers.

They smell great too, and will fill and brighten any home with a delicious fragrance! The candles and reed diffusers come beautifully gift boxed making them a perfect gift for all occasions.

La de da! Living Tel: 01242 250 653 enquiries@ladedaliving.co.uk www.trade.ladedaliving.co.uk Home & Gift: DP1-73

Green Is The Colour Xystos believes that, this year, consumers will be seeking out subtle and discerning blended fragrances and more muted colours, including plenty of green! This is reflected in the new Village Candle limited editions. Urban Nights has scents of fresh sage, patchouli and a touch of vanilla, while Forest Hike comprises rainforest moss, juniper and dark timer. The trio is completed by Acai Berry Tobac, featuring light tobacco, sweet berry and soft musk. They are available in three core vessels, 11oz, 16oz and 26oz, with RRPs of £12.49, £16.99 and £19.99 respectively.

Xystos Tel 0191 499 1570 Email sales@xystos.co.uk www.xystostrade.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall Q Stand Q13 & Q13A&B/Q25B

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What’s New A selection of products launching at Home and Gift, 16-19 July, Harrodate

Let The Sunshine In Celebrating a summer festival of fragrance and colour, Sunshine Glow is this month’s must have candle. Sunshine Glow is a rich, fruity fragrance of cassis and raspberries with leafy green notes. A heart of Magnolia and Lily of the Valley.

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

Fragrance Of The Lakes The Lakes Collection is inspired by our beautiful home here in the Lake District. Capturing the fragrances of Autumn and Winter, our brand new Fallen Leaves and Snow scents truly reflect the English lakes during these magical seasons.

Continuing the trend, our packaging features delicate, hand illustrated motifs representing individual scents, and a glittering foil inlay creates a truly exceptional product that is sure to keep customers wanting more.

Wax Lyrical Tel: 01229 461166 Email: info@waxlyricaltrade.com www.waxlyricaltrade.com Home & Gift: Hall M Stand M2

Festive Fragrances Staying loyal to our traditional Colony roots, we’re introducing two festive fragrances to our Colony Christmas collection. Cinnamon Spice and Winter Spruce will be available in all of our bestselling Colony products, including the new 180ml reed diffuser, three votive refill box and multi-wick candle jar.

Wax Lyrical Tel: 01229 461166 Email: info@waxlyricaltrade.com www.waxlyricaltrade.com Home & Gift: Hall M Stand M2

Bohemian Vibe PoM's autumn silver and silver plated jewellery collection is the perfect blend of fresh, clean and well polished style with an underlying bohemian vibe. Easy to wear, ageless and timeless it has, as always, PoM's signature laid back elegance at its core. With new branded packaging, great point of sale and such a comprehensive collection to choose from, they offer you an autumn and winter that's all wrapped up.

Peace of Mind Tel: +44 (0) 1225 777749 Email: sales@pom925.com www.pom925.com Home & Gift: DP1-103

Shades Of Summer With a new batch of grown up metallic foil print scarves, clutch bags in super soft leathers, suedes shimmering with sparkle, and tote bags glistening with gold, the summer will feel that little bit longer. And if bling isn’t your thing then there is still plenty to keep you and your customers happy. Ultra feminine, hand printed slim silk scarves, cotton knit ponchos and wool scarves in rich autumnal tones are hard to resist when it's cold outside.

Peace of Mind Tel: +44 (0) 1225 777749 Email: sales@pom925.com www.pom925.com Home & Gift: DP1-103

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New Disney Launches Following on from the highly successful launch in 2016 - Never Too Old For Disney MAD Beauty is debuting another two iconic Disney classics at Home & Gift, Harrogate: Bambi and Beauty & The Beast. The products are specifically designed to tapin to the Millennials and older target market. Everyone grew up with Disney and it is that emotional link that we are seeking to develop with these beautiful collections. The company will also be showcasing other exciting new collections.

Mad Beauty Tel: +44 (0) 20 8958 0555 Email: sales@madbeauty.com www.madbeauty.com Home & Gift: DP1-109

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What’s New A selection of products launching at Home and Gift, 16-19 July, Harrodate

Scented Souvenirs Presented as part of a brand new home fragrance collection for Ashleigh & Burwood this season, Wild Things Luxury reed diffusers capture the imagination with vibrant graphic artworks featuring patterns of flora and fauna which adorn both the ceramic vessels and packaging. There are eight distinct designs and fragrances to choose from, each one representing a ‘scented souvenir’ that captures the spirit of the weird and wonderful.

Ashleigh & Burwood Tel: +44 (0) 1932 267060 Email: info@ashleigh-burwood.co.uk www.ashleigh-burwood-trade.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall B Stand B4

At The Heart Of Art New to Ashleigh & Burwood for AW17 is the Artistry collection, a unique set of products inspired by the creativity of fragrance design. The collection of six different fragranced products includes a brand new 200ml reed diffuser, featuring an elegant contoured glass vessel and white fibre reeds. The new reed diffuser is available in six year-round fragrances and four festive scents.

Ashleigh & Burwood Tel: +44 (0) 1932 267060 Email: info@ashleigh-burwood.co.uk www.ashleigh-burwood-trade.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall B Stand B4

Occasion Candles Just Because is a collection of occasion candles to celebrate friends, family and special occasions. Prosecco Princess, Lovely Lovely Mum, Special Friend, Happy New Home, to name but a few, with 12 fun messages in the range. The award winning Classic Cotton fragrance is used throughout the range, with a sparkly multicoloured topping and plenty of glitter.

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

Scent With Love Cherry Orchard’s new range of fragranced greetings cards, Scent With Love, features artwork of roses and inserts infused with a fragrance of rose and vanilla. The printing technique used means the scent continues to be released over many months without fading. The designs cover a range of price codes, including 16 at Code 150, 8 at Code 90 and 16 at Code 75. The captions include open Birthday, relations, occasions and ages. The cards are supplied cello wrapped and a pink branded spinner is available.

Cherry Orchard Publishing Tel: 01684 295500 Email: info@cherryorchardpublishing.co.uk www.cherryorchardpublishing.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall GS Stand 51a

Animal Crackers

Grow Your Own Pug Grow your own pet pooch without the poop! These brilliant pocket money gifts are a fun novelty gift that can grow up to six times their normal size in just 72 hours. No walks, no poop, no barking, just cute pug fun!

Boxer Gifts Tel: 01133 955595 Email: sales@boxergifts.com www.boxergifts.comwww.boxergifts.com Home & Gift: Hall B Stand B35

An ever-expanding range, the popular Warmies Plush collection from Intelex Group has recently welcomed some new friendly faces: a charming blue dragon, a lovable baby penguin, a cute little tiger, plus a few adorable puppies and cuddly cats.

All these new soft toys are, of course, scented with the soothing fragrance of French lavender and can be gently warmed in the microwave for just 90 seconds. RRP is £12.95 per toy.

Intelex Tel: 01933 679 777 Email: sales@intelex.co.uk www.intelex.co.uk Home & Gift: Hall B Stand B9

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

Cricket Bat Frame You’ll be bowled over by Transomnia’s exciting new addition to their collection of men's gifts. One of the highlights of the extended range is this triple photo frame in the shape of a cricket bat. With an RRP of £12.99, it makes a fantastic and unique gift for the cricketer who has everything (else).

Transomnia Tel: 01892 703660 Email: sales@transomnia.com www.transomnia.com

Fairy Magic Enesco has announced the launch of brand new Flower Fairies cake stands, ready for the summer season. A fine addition to any afternoon tea table, the Candytuft cake stand and the Gorse cake stand make beautiful centre pieces for sweet treats, with the lovable characters taken from Mary Cecily Barker’s hand-drawn illustrations. Both are available to buy from Enesco with an SRP of £18.00. To complement the cake stands, matching figurines are also available to purchase from Enesco with an SRP of £42.00 and £69.95 respectively.

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

Sentiment Stems Transomnia’s new Sentiment Stems are perfect to add the finishing touch to any gift of a plant pot, vase or flowers. They also look great in a champagne or Prosecco bottle – but make sure you drink the fizz first! They come in heart and star shaped designs, with six thoughtful and affectionate messages. Retailing at £4.99, they’re supplied with a counter-ready display box.

Transomnia Tel: 01892 703660 Email: sales@transomnia.com www.transomnia.com

Blooming Perfect At Parlane, all of our flowers are skilfully crafted by hand and are of the finest quality available on the market. Our new Cymbidium potted orchids showcase the very best of this craftsmanship. Each petal is either hand-painted or screenprinted, shaped by hand and applied to the stems to create stunningly realistic plants that will last for many years. Available in three colours and two sizes.

Trade price: small £9.95; large £28.00.

Parlane Tel: 01451 812 700 Email: welcome@parlaneinternational.co.uk www.parlane.co.uk

Personalised Photo Album The Personalised Memento Company are expanding their on trend Fresh Botanical range with the launch of their new personalised Fresh Botanical traditional photo album. The strong typographic and natural design of this photo album make it ideal for a range of occasions, particularly weddings, where it will suit themes of nature that are currently in huge demand.

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

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It's Pizza Time Become a great pizzaiolo and create the perfect pizza with The Bella Pizza Oven from Giles & Posner. Achieve an irresistibly crispy base with the removable stone, absorbing moisture within the oven for an evenly heated cooking plate.

Including a convenient pizza cutter and aluminium pizza paddles, serve your pizzas with a professional finish.

Roll out your base and experiment with toppings for a home-made, personalised meal.

Giles & Posner Tel: 0161 934 2268 Email: sales@upgs.com www.gilesandposner.com

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

Soundchip Lighting

Tantalising Towels Our fun, colourful beach towels are looking set to be the hottest (and coolest) thing to hit the beach, with the towels coming in seven imaginative designs. Choose from Bacon, Egg, Hot Dog, Beer, Ice Cream, Cactus and Rainbow designs. Each one is approximately 180 cm long with the width varying depending on the design. Made out of microfiber polyester, they are lightweight and don’t take up much suitcase space! Towels will retail at £19.99.

Giggle Beaver Tel: +44 (0) 1926 819333 Email: wholesale@gigglebeaver.com www.gigglebeaver.com

Beautiful Buddha

Alpaca the Herd This Autumn, Puckator has lots of fantastic new products to showcase ready for trade fair season. We have been expanding our existing top selling ranges to give you guys the most comprehensive collections possible! As of now, keep your eyes peeled for lots of funky new Alpaca the Herd gifts!

New products you can look out for include; non woven bag, purse, ceramics, cool bag, hip flask and cushions. Don’t miss out, ‘Alpaca’ your baskets today!

Puckator Tel: 0800 011 6969 Email: customerservices@puckator.co.uk www.puckator.co.uk

Groovy’s lighting just got even better with their Star Wars collection with sound effects! The range includes: Darth Vader Mood light and LookAlite, bathrobe, slippers, Christmas stocking and Christmas sack, all with the infamous Darth breathing sound.

The Look-Alite mood light, including a real cape, is especially unique and definitely adds a bit of personality to a room. If you want a product that’s different but sells, the chances are Groovy have it.

Groovy UK Tel: +44 (0)116 239 1105 Email: j.johnston@groovyuk.com www.groovyuk.com

Alphabet World Lesser and Pavey are launching new ranges in July which include alphabet/monogram fine mugs. Entitled 'initially yours' each fine china mug has a letter on it and comes individually boxed in an open fronted window box.

This monograming range seems to be very popular with the consumer featuring on fashion accessories, with Lesser & Pavey going one step further in bringing the alphabet to the home accessory and gift markets.

Lesser & Pavey Tel: 01322 279225 Email sales@leonarod.co.uk www.leonardo.co.uk

Launching in July are cream Buddha style pieces. Made from resin, each style piece falls under the range name of Exotic Cream Art which includes Buddha, elephants and skulls. This range has also had the Exotic Black Art added to it. Each piece features antique paint finish and is sold individually boxed in a classic gift box with appropriate labelling to depict the range.

Lesser & Pavey Tel: 01322 279225 Harry Potter Email sales@leonarod.co.uk Onesie www.leonardo.co.uk For all those Lounge Wizards out there, Groovy has designed a Harry Potter, Hogwarts onesie with a printed Hogwart’s crest motif on the chest and a Harry Potter logo on the back.

Striped pocket and zip pull detail replicates the Hogwarts scarf along with a contrast colour zip. RRP: £42. Groovy UK design and manufacture many unique gift lines including bathrobes, slippers, lighting, bags and ceramics.

Licenses include Star Wars, Marvel, DC Comics, Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them, Assassins Creed, Shaun The Sheep & Suicide Squad.

Groovy UK Tel: 0844 372 7820 Email:info@groovyuk.com www.groovyuk.com PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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LESLEY DUNNE

SOUNDING OFF

A Year Of Highs And Lows PG&H columnist Lesley Dunne, winner of a Greats award in May, reflects on the year so far which has seen plenty of ups, but a few downs too. However, as resilient as ever, she's been busy refurbishing her shop, Feathering Your Nest in Rayleigh, and making way for an exciting new concession this month.

"At Feathering Your Nest, the first six months have seen some great highs, a few lows and way too much excitement! January gave us the opportunity to have a good clear out. The diminished footfall can be somewhat sweet relief in an odd sort of way.

Most of the time, we retailers hunger for busier days, but Christmas is always physically and mentally draining and I for one could not sustain that level for 52 weeks, especially at my age!

A sale, donations to charity shops, tidying the stock room and a thorough deep clean brought us to mid-January where my thoughts turned to planning the unmissable Spring Fair, with February always the highlight of my year.

When I got back we went straight into Valentine's Day and I'm happy to say that the shop gets busier with each passing February. March, of course, only meant one thing - Mother’s Day! Thankfully, it was later this year which gave us time to get stock in and displayed in plenty of time to make the most of it. Having been a girlie shop on the high street for the past 12 years, everyone knows that we giftwrap in pink tissue for free, which meant that were tremendously busy on the lead up. Saturday was totally manic, with two continuous queues until we closed. Extra big smiles, lots of sweets and all hands on deck meant we had happy shoppers and not much left on the shelves.

Historically, April and Easter aren't big for Feathering Your Nest so we don't go overboard with product. We're old fashioned in that we always close on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Overall, the

shop was on the quiet side due to school holidays but we're used to that.

Of more concern were the business rates rises in April, where there were some rather upset and angry business owners at the Chamber of Trade AGM. Our own business rates dropped slightly, but that was primarily due to an appeal dating back five years where we felt our rates were too high.

Above: Lesley is shown at The Greats in May with Feathering Your Nest's shop manager Lisa Dean.

The reduction seemed to validate this, so hopefully, the appeal will be in our favour when it finally gets a hearing.

May saw The Greats and my birthday.

We were delighted to win a trophy for Best Independent Retailer in East Anglia and we're still on a high - or maybe it's the cocktails from the Feathering Your Nest celebration meal! Our customers warmed our hearts with their congratulations and are still popping in to see the award. I have

dedicated it to our wonderful staff that make the shop a fun, comfortable, caring and exciting atmosphere to shop and work in.

Retailers can fill a shop to the brim with beautiful products, but if the atmosphere isn't right customers won't return. We were also doubly proud that Lisa Dean, our superduper manager, was a finalist in the Retail Employee of the Year category.

Onto June and one of my favourite shows, PG Live, which is dedicated to greeting cards. Next year we'll ensure that we do both days, but for now we can't wait for the orders that we placed at the show to arrive!

We're now in the midst of a mini refit and facelift. Our biannual paint up is progressing well, and a new sign is being designed. We're also putting in a new path and have updated the lighting. Next we'll be moving cabinets around, re-painting old units and buying some new ones. We've ordered some new stock too.

We're also creating a Katie Loxton-Joma ‘shop’ within Feathering Your Nest which we'll be launching in early July. It isn't money I readily have to hand, but it's a challenge I'm prepared to overcome with careful budgeting. I'd rather rip out the slat wall and the suspended ceiling, but unfortunately, I don't have a spare £20K. To my mind, shops in small towns need to stay fresh and exciting to keep customer interest and curiosity. We rely pretty much on the same customers every day, so the offer has to be ever-changing and on trend otherwise they get bored, and with so much internet competition who can afford that?

As for the snap General Election, it seems to be a case of act in haste repent at leisure as we rush headlong into chaos. So far, our customers seem blissfully unbothered but it's definitely a wait and see!"

PROGRESSIVE GIFTS & HOME WORLDWIDE

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Best Sellers PG&H asked a selection of Greats 2017 winners and finalists about the products which have been flying off their shelves this month.

Bob England, owner, England At Home, Brighton Two stores, side by side, in the centre of town.

Winner: Independent Gift Retailer of the Year - Home Counties. South and South East CATEGORY

SUPPLIERS/RANGES

COMMENT

Decorative Home Accessories

Cubic: birds;

The range is very trendy and great to build a display around in store.

The new range is provoking lots of customer interest, and is selling well already.

Wild & Wolf: Orla Kiely

Fragranced Giftware

Canova: Noctua; Aroma Home: candle tins

These make great hostess gifts.

Great scented candle tins in a higher price point.

Fashion Accessories

Newgate: watches; Oozoo: watches

These watches have smart, classic look with a contemporary twist.

Fashion watches that are also suitable for a teen's first proper watch.

Greeting Cards

Dean Morris

Breathtakingly rude cards, but they really make our customers laugh.

Giftwrap

Ohh Deer

Some really trendy designs.

Other Hot Hits

Smiling Faces: Light Up Letters

They have the feel of bespoke product at an affordable price.

Evelyn O'Flaherty and Sandra O'Connell, owners, Mooch, Ealing A small gift shop on a secondary site.

Winner: Independent Gift Retailer of the Year - Best Newcomer South & Wales CATEGORY

SUPPLIERS/RANGES

COMMENT

Decorative Home Accessories

Stolen Form: London Brick Vase; Cubic: trinket trays

Contemporary, versatile and iconic.

Nathalie Bond: organic candles and skincare; The Fragrance Lounge: Paddywax

The products are stunning and the scents are amazing.

The Urban range is brand new for us but is already a winner.

Rosa Pietsch: resin and laser cut; Annie Sherburne: across the board

Unique, colourful, contemporary statement jewellery.

An eccentric, colourful, beautiful collection.

Fashion Accessories

One Hundred Stars: scarves and kimonos; Lua: scarves and bags

Quality, classic, design-led products.

Ethical, affordable and wearable with lots of detail.

Greeting Cards

English Graphics

Stunning, glitter designs.

Giftwrap

Belly Button

Bright, funny, versatile wrap.

Other Hot Hits

Locomotion: flamingo and cactus lights

These designs have been done really well.

Fragranced Giftware

Jewellery

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These trays are fun and affordable.

Plus, the trays with flamingos and butterflies on are currently very trendy.

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Tamsin Butler, owner, Lily's Attic, Witney A small-to-medium size lifestyle shop on the high street.

Winner: Best Lifestyle or Homewares Retailer of Gifts CATEGORY

SUPPLIERS/RANGES

COMMENT

Decorative Home Accessories

Retreat Home: across the board;

This range is pretty and feminine with great gifts for all occasions.

Tableware is also available.

A wide range of contemporary and traditional homewares, gifts, ornaments, photo frames and accessories at reasonable prices.

Shruti/Junction 18: across the board

Fragranced Giftware

Stoneglow: across the board; Wild Olive: bath and body

A wide range of styles, packaging and pricing. The fragrances are beautiful.

A new company to us, offering exciting bath bombs, flavoured teabag bath salts and soaps. Customers love the fragrances.

Jewellery

Joma: across the board; Jambo Jewellery: silver

A favourite brand. It never stops giving and is much loved by everyone.

Sterling silver 925 contemporary jewellery at affordable prices which helps when buying a special piece from the collection.

Fashion Accessories

Powder: across the board; Miss Shorthair: scarves

Fab printed scarves, socks, hats and gloves. Slightly more pricey but the products definitely stand out from the rest.

Loads of colours and styles at very affordable prices.

Greeting Cards

Bluebell 33

Very quirky cards with some fab ranges and a bespoke service.

Giftwrap

Bombus

I've recently introduced this brand and it's going down well with our customers.

Other Hot Hits

Talking Tables: party products

We do really well with funky flamingos, sunglasses, tableware and anything al fresco.

Tabi Marsh, co-owner, Heritage in Thornbury, Thornbury.

A medium sized gift shop on the high street.

Finalist: Independent Gift Retailer of the Year - South West CATEGORY

SUPPLIERS/RANGES

COMMENT

Decorative Home Accessories

Chive: Pooley vase;

Decorative vases that you would be happy to leave out on display.

Good quality eyecatching cushions.

Voyage: cushions

Fragranced Giftware

Heaven Scent: shop's own brand candle;

Ashleigh & Burwood: fragranced lamps

These are a consistently good seller, with Lime Leaf & Ginger the top seller.

These are an all year round winner with fragrances that change with the seasons. Amora is gaining in popularity too.

Jewellery

Rodney Holman: across the board; Joma: 'a little'

Customers love the designs and the quality, plus it's gaining brand identity.

It's always fresh and customers love the range. Also, it's easy to give as a gift.

Fashion Accessories

Powder: scarves and socks;

The packaging helps to sell the products which customers want to give and keep.

Greeting Cards

Alex Clark

Hand drawn animal illustrations with a distinctive look.

Giftwrap

Wrendale Designs

Quirky, fun animal designs which appeal to both men and women.

Other Hot Hits

Potwells: Three Sprouts

Bright, quality storage for kids and rooms.

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Best Sellers

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!

WILD & WOLF T: 01225 789909 E: sales@wildandwolf.com W: www.wildandwolf.com

STONEGLOW T: 020 8595 8878 E: sales@stoneglowcandles.co.uk W: http://www.stoneglowcandles.co.uk/

JUNCTION 18 T: Tel: 01985 847774 E: salesadmin@junction18.com W: www.junction18.com

HEAVEN SCENT T: 01225 868788 E: contact@heavenscent.co.uk W: www.heavenscent.co.uk

SMILING FACES T: 01444 882323 E: sales@smilingfaces.co.uk W: wwww.smilingfaces.co.uk

THE FRAGRANCE LOUNGE T: 01829 730028 E: sales@thefragrancelounge.com W: www.thefragrancelounge.com

ASHLEIGH & BURWOOD T: 01932 267060 E: info@ashleigh-burwood.co.uk W: www.ashleigh-burwood-trade.co.uk

BLUEBELL 33 T: 01932 506406 E: info@bluebell33.com W: www.bluebell33.com

BLUEBELL 33 T: 01932 506406 E: info@bluebell33.com W: www.bluebell33.com Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

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On The Road Scott Amos Scott Amos has been a gift agent for five years, working with his father until his retirement from the industry three years ago. He covers Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, London and Essex within the M25. His principals are Pure by Coppercraft, Ashleigh & Burwood and the Milford collection.

With price increases, business rate increases and a General Election, he admits that by anyone's standards, it's been a tough six months.

"So far, 2017 has been a difficult year, mainly due to post Brexit, the General Election and the fear of business rate rises," states Scott. "The need to increase product prices has definitely impacted on consumer purchasing, especially in relation to non-essential purchases. However, Mother's Day and other key events helped to keep consumers buying in the first quarter of the year, with suppliers working hard to be innovative. Most retailers were purchasing well in advance which helped to gain the best chance for better buying margins and getting new products out onto the shelves as earlier as possible."

Sean adds that as an agent, it's been essential to stay positive.

"Fortunately, I'm offering products from companies that are strong in their respective market places, and who focus on exciting, new

ranges that are interesting and different," he points out. "Retailers too, are working hard to attract business through fantastic displays based on key events, and buying into new and key lines. The one aspect that’s different from previous years however, is that retail customers, particularly independents, have become more conservative in terms of the quantities they are purchasing. This seems to be directly in relation to post Brexit and the Election.

"Nevertheless, my bigger buyers have already started to get their Christmas selections done in order to manage their budgets better and to get the products out on the shelves as early as possible to give them the best chance for a successful season. In fact, I'm finding that buying early has started to become increasingly common in the industry over the last couple of years.

Also, more and more of my customers are looking to gain extra business through using social media. Therefore, despite the many obstacles that are affecting business at the moment, it's great to see that everyone is pulling together to get through this tough, challenging time."

Last Word Hannah Dale Award winning designer extraordinaire Hannah Dale, founder of Wrendale Designs six years ago, is best known for her quirky animal designs and licensed giftware ranges, which includes a successful collaboration with Portmeirion Group through its Royal Worcester brand.

With a brand new in-house designed scarf range about to be launched at Home & Gift, Harrogate, this month, Hannah confides that she can count up to 20 in olde English, enjoys a good crime drama when she has some downtime, and why she stays up very late and wakes up very early! l Three words that best describe you? "Hard working, passionate, tenacious." l Is there a quirky fact we don't know about you? "I can count up to 20 in olde English! I learned it on a visit to a petting farm when I was six years old and I've never forgotten it. It's how the farm counted its sheep." l What was your first job? "After leaving Cambridge University where I studied zoology, I worked in the City in Equity sales." l What was the best piece of business advice you've ever received? "Be original and don't look at the trends in the market.

If something means a lot to you it will show in the final piece." l What advice would you give to someone? "Delegate what is 122

Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide

l

l

l

l l

l

l

not your strength. It will help you to develop your business more quickly and efficiently."

What's your favourite book?

"I have always loved Far From The Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy. Tess of the D'Urbervilles is another favourite."

What's your favourite film?

"I'm still captivated by Dr Zhivago. I even called my daughter Lara after the main female character!"

What are your favourite TV programmes? "Line of Duty and Broadchurch."

Where's your favourite place to go on holiday? "I love Yorkshire, especially the Dales."

How do you start your day? "I wake up at 5am so that I can finish off what I was working on the night before. I wake the children at 7am."

How do you end our day? "We recently launched Wrendale Designs in the States so I take calls late into the night, sometimes in my pyjamas!"

Which one thing would you take to a desert island? "Oil paints. I always paint in watercolours, so I really would like to try my hand at oils."

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Just a few reasons to buy from Joe Davies

Wood, plastic, metal & glass frames.

Over 8000 gift items Low £100 minimum order ‘Little & Often’ order system Free carriage

T: 01908976443 E: sales@homsquare.co.uk www.homsquare.co.uk

Please contact our Award Winning sales staff for further details.

Tel: 0161 975 6300 Email sales@joedavies

GIFTS & GREETINGS

Good Rates of Comm mission and support

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www.joedavies.co.uk

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