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Industry News
Fanfaring The Greats 2020! Trendy New Venue, Contemporary New Look To celebrate and fanfare the milestone 18th year of The Greats Gift Retailer Awards in 2020, the event has not only moved to an exciting new London venue, but has also had a makeover with a contemporary new logo. “We have moved the event to a stunning new venue - the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) and Artillery Garden, next to London’s trendy Shoreditch area,” explains Progressive Gifts & Home editor Sue Marks. “It’s a unique, vibrant venue that’s steeped in ancient history, reflecting this year’s theme of the Victorious Greats which ties in with the 75th anniversary of VE Day on May 8.” An impressive line-up of sponsors to date include (in alphabetical order): Candlelight, Gift Republic, Gisela Graham, Joe Davies, PG Live, Wrendale Designs and The Giftware Association. Once again, The Greats Awards will be open to all gift shops and gift departments. Details of how to enter, along with the closing date for entries, will be announced shortly. Winners will be announced at a glittering Awards lunch held on Wednesday May 13, 2020. For ticket information, visit Max-Tickets.net or contact Clare Hollick at Createvents tel: 01183 340085 e: clare@createvents.co.uk First launched in 2003, The Greats Gift Retailer Awards are owned and organised by Max Publishing and Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide. Visit www.thegreatsawards.co.uk Left: The Honourable Artillery Club is the home of The Greats 2020.
Gift Shop Takes On The Multiples Four years after opening gift shop Joco Interiors in Nuneaton, owner Jo Williams, winner of The Greats 2019 Independent Gift Retailer of the Year Midlands & Wales category, has expanded yet again by moving into the Ropewalk shopping centre. “We are one of the only independent retailers within the shopping centre, nestled between The Body Shop and Pandora, but also alongside Costa, Muffin Break, Topshop, Monsoon and others,” Jo pointed out. Jo held a grand reopening at the beginning of July, with the highlight a visit by Nuneaton entertainer Hoop Guy, a past finalist in Britain's Got Talent, who created a spectacular show outside the shop. Joco first opened in April 2015 with a tiny shop on the Queens Road, Nuneaton, but moved to a much larger shop at the Abbeygate Shopping centre two years later. “We outgrew that shop too, needing more space to be able to offer our increased services which include gift wrapping and same day local delivery with our own van,” Jo explained. Above: Jo Williams, owner of Joco Interiors, is shown with Hoop Guy at the opening of her new shop in the Ropewalk shopping mall.
It’s ‘Great’ To Talk Celebrating her success at The Greats 2019 earlier this year as winner of the Best Newcomer South & Wales category, Aga Gabrysiak, co-owner of Highworth Emporium in Highworth, and her assistant manager Paula Zielinska, were recently invited onto Swindon 105.5 community radio’s programme Roundabout Swindon to join Verity Manners for an hour long programme. “Entering any award is a great time to sum up your business, look at it from a distance and actually be proud of the success you have created,” Aga told PG&H. “Working hard every day you don’t really have time to stop and think about how great your stuff is, how many great reviews your business has received, how many new customers are coming through your door, how successful your social media activity is and so much more. We actually skipped quite a few songs to be able to talk through everything.” Above: Greats winner Aga Gabrysiak, co-owner of Highworth Emporium, Highworth, with assistant manager Paula Zielinska, are shown in the Swindon 105.5 community radio studios.
Thinking Of You Week With the countdown to the GCA’s Thinking Of You Week initiative already underway - which this year takes place from September 22 September 28 - gift shops, along with greeting card retailers, are being invited to download the branded Thinking Of You Week PoS material, which includes a banner, poster and flyers from https://www.thinkingofyouweek.cards/toolkit/ The concept behind the initiative is to create a wave of happiness and caring through sending greeting cards. "Thinking of You Week, now in its sixth year, is attracting more and more retail involvement each year,” states the GCA’s ceo Amanda Fergusson. “Retail promotions have highlighted the opportunity to send a card to someone you care about, just because, to share a joke or beautiful image, or just to say ‘Thinking of You’.” During the week, those taking part will be encouraged to share photos, videos and stories via social media using the hash tag #Thinkingofyouweek Thinking of You Week has now become an international event, held in the USA and Australia, as well as other large card sending nations.
VIP ‘Meet & Greet’ Exhibitors at Home & Gift in Harrogate were delighted when the Mayor and Mayoress of Harrogate District, Mayor Peter Martin and Mayoress April Martin, took time out of their busy schedules to pop into the show on the last day. “We’ve been talking to businesses about how the past four days have been for them,” the Mayor told PG&H. During the show, exhibitor Wrendale Designs held a drinks party on its stand to celebrate the company’s Queen’s Award to Enterprise: International Trade, which was followed by a special event at the company’s HQ in Lincolnshire in August to thank customers for their support. Above: Shown from left to right are Wrendale Design’s founder Hannah Dale, PG&H’s editor Sue Marks, Lisa Marcuccio, head of sales, and Nigel Williams and Miles Robinson (right), coowners of House of Cards.
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