The Write Stuff Showcasing Stylish Stationery

www.giftfocus.com March/April 2010 March/April

Issue 58 www.giftfocus.com SPOTLIGHT ON PRODUCT GB • Made in Britain • Aviemore Trade Show • British Craft Trade Fair Candles and home fragrances Sweet smell of success from hard to beat lines

The write stuff Showcasing stylish stationery

Father’s Day Top lines for top dads

PLUS WIN! • Women’s jewellery £500 worth of Numberjacks • New products craft kits from Creativity International • Industry news

22 March/April 2010 Issue 58 Group Editor Emma Cant 48 +44 (0)1376 535 609 [email protected] contents Editor Sarah Reeve news&events +44 (0)1376 535 614 industry news 6 [email protected] All the latest in home and gift retail Editorial Assistant Rianna Fry on with the show 10 +44 (0)1376 535 613 Trade show updates from home and abroad [email protected] father’s day 33 Sales Manager Top gifts for top dads Mark White brand spanking new 14 +44 (0)1376 535 606 Showcasing new products to hit the market [email protected] ‘mug’niﬁ cent 48 Sales Executive hot property 79 Showcase of hot mugs for brewing up sales Sharon Connelly Spotlight on the world of licensing +44 (0)1376 535 607 [email protected] women’s fashion jewellery 51 Latest styles and trends Design Manager q&a special 85 Vicky O'Connor Our experts tackle your retail queries [email protected] the write stuff 57 Graphic Designers competition 94 Stylish stationery Sarah Barnes, Sophie Farage, Laura Perry, Win £500 worth of Numberjacks craft kits Steve Mckea, Leanne Walsh +44 (0)1376 535 616 retailer interview 60 Vintage style from lifestyle boutique fabulous Production Manager Stuart Weatherley focus on... Frippery Administration retail initiatives 36 Scott Brothwell Final instalment on top tips for clinching sales the sweeney 70 +44 (0)1376 514 000 Introducing Michael Sweeney, in coming chairman

Subscriptions internet technology 62 of The Giftware Association Alice Henson Second instalment on choosing a website +44 (0)1376 514 000 designer drying days 74 KD Media Publishing Ltd Line up of designer tea towels Broseley House, Newlands Drive business link 67 Witham, Essex CM8 2UL www.giftfocus.com Expert advice on networking online and the winner is… 88 Snapshot of latest award winning products Cover courtesy of Xystos insurance 72 www.xystosco.uk Counting the cost of lawsuits up and coming 98 Gift Focus is solely owned, published and Helping fi ght climate change with TreeTwist designed by KD Media Publishing Limited. Whilst every effort was made to ensure the information the ga 78 in this magazine was correct at the time of going All the latest from The Giftware Association to press, the publishers cannot accept legal responsibility for any errors or omissions, nor special feature can they accept responsibility of the standing of acid 82 candles and home fragrances 39 advertisers nor by the editorial contributions. Report from the coalface in the fi ght against The views expressed do not necessarily refl ect Focus on leading lines in this burgeoning sector those of the publisher. Gift Focus is published copying six times a year. Subscription rates for overseas readers are £40 per annum (incl. p+p), Cheques should be made out to KD Media Publishing shows Limited and sent to Gift Focus @ Broseley features progressive greetings live 29 House, Newlands Drive, Witham, Essex walking the aisles 19 Second outing for this dedicated greetings show CM8 2UL. Top buying tips straight from the halls of Spring british craft trade fair 54 Average Net Fair International Circulation: 7,438 Lifting the lid on home grown talent (01/07/08 to 30/06/09) meerkat madness 22 Round up of must-have meerkats aviemore trade show 64 Gift Focus magazine is proud to be associated with and supporters of: All the best from brand Scotland

MEDIA SUPPORTER made in britain 24 Flying the ﬂ ag for product GB macef 91

ANTI COPYING IN DESIGN Review of the spring edition in Milan

giftfocus 3 getting in shape The first rush of new year trade fairs is over and hopefully many will now be busy processing orders and stocking the shelves with spanking new product. Reports from the shows are upbeat and despite the dreary weather there seems to be a general atmosphere of growing optimism and returning confidence in the market. Spring Fair International has been and gone and what a show it was! Speaking to exhibitors and visitors alike there was plenty to smile about. Lots of great products, record orders, new show attractions and for most a much more pleasant experience all round. Foot sore and weary I returned to the office with bags full of inspiration and brochures packed with exciting new products to flag up in the magazine. Following the busy trade show season now is the time many retailers will be sitting back to evaluate their business and get in shape for the year ahead. With depleted stocks after Christmas and the January sales it’s time to replenish in time for those all-important dates on the retail calendar like Father’s Day. Notoriously hard to buy for we showcase some top buys for top dads on page 33. This issue is choc full of award-winning lines, latest releases and industry updates. There are previews of inspiring forthcoming shows like the British Craft Trade Fair (page 54) and Aviemore Trade Show (page 64) – ones not to miss for anyone looking for home-grown talent! We help fly the flag for product GB with a three page special on great British products starting on page 24. While starting on page 39 we unveil some of the latest candles and home fragrance lines to hit the market. Don’t forget either that time is fast running out for entries to the prestigious Gift of the Year Awards 2010. For the second year running, Gift Focus Magazine and sister title Attire Accessories, are headline sponsors of the awards and we’re looking forward to a cracking competition. The deadline is April 8th and organiser The Giftware Association is confident of attracting another healthy crop of entries this year. If you’re a UK gift and home-related company with product new to trade from June 2009 – what are you waiting for? Log onto the website www.giftoftheyear.co.uk and get your entry in now.

Good luck and happy reading! Sarah

Sarah Reeve Editor

giftfocus 5 industry news

Read up on all the latest in our regular news round up.

Glamour boost for charity The latest range from silver jewellery designers Hiho offers a touch of glamour as well as chance to support Help for Heroes. The collection consists of three statement pieces, a bracelet, earrings and necklace, with 20 per cent of every purchase going towards the soldiers’ charity. Featuring patriotic colours, the pieces include blue lapis lazuli, New owls take ﬂ ight red carnelian and blue Hannah Turner Ceramics has introduced a new owl range to its chalcedony. collectable ceramic birds and cats. For further information Designer maker Hannah Turner, well known for her quirky retro call +44 (0)1460 221 006 cats and birds, has added to the family with a new collection of or visit the website owls in striking designs. www.hihosilver.co.uk. “I’ve decided to add to the bird range with these new adorable owls. Available in four sizes, there is something for every budget. They come in three different colourways, featuring new bold patterns and lively characters to meet the popular demand of my bird enthusiasts, collectors, shops and galleries,” says Hannah. For further information call +44 (0)1179 047 067 or visit the website www.hannahturner.co.uk.

New partnership for Manhattan Toy Manhattan Toy has ﬁ nalised a worldwide licensing and distribution agreement with Quadrilla®, creators of Intelligent Play in Wood, to manufacture and distribute the company’s complete range of marble runs and accessories. “We’re delighted to have secured this new partnership,” said Manhattan Toy’s president Mike Klein. “Manhattan Toy is dedicated to the art of creative play and quality Vintage inspiration craftsmanship Betty Boyns Designs is a new company offering a fresh range of vintage so the link with inspired giftwrap. Quadrilla® The brainchild of Paula Nicholls, the company is named after her makes perfect mother. Inspiration for the designs came from the interior decoration of sense. Both Paula’s family home and childhood memories of her grandparents’ farm. brands share a The giftwrap can be put to a whole host of decorative uses from lining mission to inspire drawers, shelves and dressers, to topping homemade jams or making and enrich young fabulous bunting. lives and developing minds.” A fabric range featuring some of the designs will be out later this year. For more information visit www.manhattantoy.com or To ﬁ nd out more visit the website www.bettyboyns.co.uk. www.quadrilla.com.

6 giftfocus news & events

Brainstorm distributes eco-freindly CitiBlocs US-based CitiBlocs has appointed Brainstorm Limited as its exclusive UK and Ireland distributor. Customworks acquires Castle Melamine Award-winning CitiBlocs are wooden construction blocks, Customworks, a division of Scotbadge Ltd has expanded its business precision cut from high-grade pine sourced from sustainably portfolio with the acquisition of Stirling-based Castle Melamine. managed forests. The deal became official on February 1st 2010. The blocks are available in packs of 50, 100, 200 and 300. A manufacturer of high quality melamine table mats and coasters, Castle Call +44 (0)1200 445 113 or email [email protected] Melamine employs 12 staff, all of whom will be retained following the for details. purchase. Castle Melamine will continue to trade under its existing name as a division of Scotbadge Ltd. Record trade show sales Based in Bo’ness, West Lothian in Scotland, Customworks was established Hill Interiors in North Yorkshire has announced record sales from in 1998 by Ian and Jackie Scott to manufacture branded products for the its first three trade shows of the year. heritage market. General manager, Julian Potter attributes the record-breaking “We firmly believe that the acquisition of Castle Melamine is going to start to 2010 in both trade show sales and actual company be mutually beneficial for both businesses,” says Ian. “Previously our key turnover to a positive approach to business in hard times. customer base has been predominantly in the heritage market while we Instead of cutting back, the company has decided to make the know Castle Melamine has focused on high street retail. Now each business most of the current economic climate and is looking to grow will have access to the resources and sales channels of the other.” substantially in 2010. Customworks is also currently involved in a joint venture in the USA as So far this year, the company has added 18,000 square feet to well as setting up a factory in Australia later in the year. its warehouse space, redeveloped its showroom, doubled the size For more information on Customworks and Castle Melamine, contact of all trade show stands from 2009, taken on new sales/admin/ Ian Scott on +44 (0)1506 821 910 or email [email protected]. warehouse staff, bought new ranges including ample back up stock to deal with a double in turnover. To make room for all its new products Hill Interiors is having a A real tweet sale starting on March 21st, when over £500,000 of stock will be With spring around the corner reduced. To be added to the mailing list for the sale send an email Fairfull offers products for to [email protected] or call +44 (0)1945 567 044. enjoying the great outdoors, Visit the website www.hill-interiors.com for details. including brightly coloured new bird houses. Decorated with ceramic butterflies the Garden Wonders Birdhouse is part of the Blossom and Breezes range. Made from a yellow resin material painted to look like wood, the birdhouse has a removable bottom for cleaning. Other items in the range include a Garden Wonders Toad House; a Dragonfly Raingauge and a Butterfly Mystery Stepping Stone. To find out more call +44 (0)1505 335 025 or visit the website www.fairfull.co.uk.

giftfocus 7 industry news

Christmas cause Cath Kidston, working with Special Editions, has exclusively designed four Christmas cards to raise funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care. The designs show classic Christmas imagery in Cath’s distinctive vintage-inspired style. Marie Curie Cancer Care provides free nursing care to allow people with terminal cancer and other illnesses the choice of dying at home supported by their families. As part of its continuing support, Cath Kidston Ltd is donating its share of royalties from the sale of the cards to the charity. For more information contact Beth Keown, Special Editions on New Dash candles +44 (0)1924 454 200. American soy-based candle manufacturer For Every Body is to be the exclusive manufacturer of the Kardashian group’s new Dash Industry professionals line of candles and gel sprays. Licensed character manufacturer Rainbow Designs has The new line of eco-friendly soy-based candles will feature For appointed Ben Smith as its new national account manager. Every Body signature speciality toppers. Ben, 30, formerly worked for re:creation as a national Paul Travis, managing director of European distributor For Every account manager. Body Limited, said: “ This is a major coup for the company and a recognition of the quality and design of For Every Body fragranced products. It is planned to introduce the Dash brand to the European market as soon production restrictions allow.” Richard Walker has been appointed as joint managing It is hoped to have the product available in the UK by May 2010 director of Eddingtons Ltd. but supplies will be limited. He will share the position with Brian Rogers who will also For further details email [email protected] remain as the company’s chairman.

Pearl and Earl gets crafty with Granny Knits The Somerset-based walking stick specialist, Classic Canes, Granny Knits is a new craft brand offering contemporary cross has appointed Charlotte Gillan as a new managing partner. stitch kits. A Partner in Classic Canes since 2005, Charlotte takes on The Needlepoint Kits have a modern approach to a traditional the overall running of this established family business from craft and refl ect the trend for ‘make your own’. her parents, Ben and Diana Porter, the company’s founders. The 12 kits each contain everything needed to complete a tapestry, including quality Scott Brothers Ltd., specialist in storage products for the materials. home, has appointed Ben Peach as its new national sales The brainchild of executive. He previously worked as sales and marketing Pearl and Earl designer executive at Pacifi c Brands UK. Jacqui Pearce, the crafting enterprise has been inspired by her late Grandma and mum Yankee Candle® welcomes two new faces to the 20 Eileen, who taught Jacqui strong UK sales team based at the European headquarters her needlework skills. in Bristol. With new kits in the Tracey Smith joins as area sales manager covering the pipeline, visit the website Midlands area. Tracey brings with her 14 years of experience www.grannyknits.com to in the gift and card industry. fi nd out more. Oliver Ewins also joins the company and will be covering the South West of England.

8 giftfocus on with the show Catch up on the latest trade show news from home and abroad

“We are looking forward to meeting new buyers at the London Gift Fair. The organisers, Clarion, have always looked after us at Harrogate Home & Gift and seem to be doing a great job with the marketing of the show, so we are supporting them by taking as big a stand as is available.” Julian Potter general manager of Hill Interiors diary dates New London show Clarion Events, the organiser The British Craft Trade Fair behind the long-standing summer favourite, Home & Gift when 11th-13th April 2010 Harrogate, has announced the where Harrogate, North Yorkshire launch of London Gift Fair. website www.bctf.co.uk The show will be held at The Stationery Show London’s Olympia National Hall alongside the existing design led when 13th-14th April 2010 Top Drawer, from 12th to 14th where Business Design Centre, London September 2010. website www.sopx.co.uk London Gift Fair will offer Hill Interiors China Sourcing Fair:Gifts & Premiums retailers chance to meet and do business with top brands like Parlane, Libra, Lesser & Pavey and Hill Interiors. when 20th-23rd April 2010 Clarion Events say the launch meets growing demand for a central London gift and where Hong Kong home event with a wide product mix in an accessible venue. website www.tradeshow.globalsources.com Over 6,000 visitors are expected to join over 200 exhibitors displaying a diverse BIG & BIH range of products for completing Christmas stock and looking ahead to 2011. Launching the event alongside Top Drawer is aimed at offering visitors to both events when 20th-25th April 2010 enhanced buying opportunities during “this crucial dateline”. where Bangkok, Thailand Show manager Nathan Waugh said: “We are delighted to be able to respond to the website www.thaitradefair.com needs of the market for an accessible and broad focussed central London show, with Giftionery Taipei the launch of the London Gift Fair. Running alongside Top Drawer, London Gift Fair will offer visitors a fantastic ﬁnal buying opportunity of the season and exhibitors the chance when 23rd-26th April 2010 to secure some valuable new business.” where Taipei, Taiwan Visit the event website www.londongiftfair.com for further details. website www.giftionery.net

Boutique by Chic when 25th-27th April 2010 Countdown to new Stationery Show where The Ricoh Arena, Coventry The countdown is on to the new Stationery Show being launched in London. website www.boutique-by-chic.com The Stationery Show, the UK’s only dedicated trade exhibition for retailers and suppliers of stationery products, takes place at the Business Design Centre on Aviemore Trade Show Tuesday 13th and Wednesday 14th April 2010. when 25th-27th April 2010 Exhibitors include Castelli Diaries, Esposti, Ledco (Diplomat Pens), Carolina Pad, where Aviemore, Scotland Chelford, Nu:co International, Zebra Pen, Atlanta, Cathedral Products, Dicey Diaries, website www.aviemoretradeshow.co.uk WAP International, Gelcy, MoLin, Payper Box and SB Weston. Products at the Stationery Show will include notebooks and note pads, diaries, Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair ﬁling products, art and craft, writing instruments, organisers, storage and desk when 27th-30th April 2010 accessories. where Hong Kong Retailers and trade buyers can register online for free entry at www.sopx.co.uk or website www.hktdc.com/hkgiftspremiumfair by calling First Events on +44 (0)208 462 0721.

10 giftfocus news & events

Best of British Top Drawer kick The Select@Bath trade exhibition, now in its third year, starts 2010 opens on the 9th and 10th May 2010. Top Drawer kicked off the Set within the city’s historic Assembly Rooms, new year and the new Select@Bath aims to capture the essence of British decade with a healthy dose craftsmanship and to provide a unique forum for of optimism and renewed designer makers and gift manufacturers to sell their confidence in the market. work to a broad buying market. Organiser Clarion Events The event offers an eclectic mix of individually reports that 9,705 visitors crafted, quality items, encompassing contemporary came to Top Drawer 2010, ceramics, glass, jewellery, textiles, wood and sculpture. a 19 per cent increase on Visit www.selectatbath.co.uk for details. last year’s attendance. Held at London’s Earls Court in January the show featured design-led product from over 675 exhibitors. It has been hailed a major success, marking a return of optimism and confidence to the marketplace with exhibitors reporting impressive order quantities China sourcing and visitor numbers setting a China Sourcing Fair: Gifts & Premiums returns to precedent for 2010. AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong from April 20th to 23rd this Show director Neil Gaisford year to display thousands of exciting gift items, promotional commented: “The atmosphere has been vibrant and positive due to the products and premiums. increase in visitor numbers and the level of optimism throughout. The market A wide array of gifts and premiums will be on show in has turned a corner for the new decade and the success of Top Drawer only categories including general gifts, stationery, Christmas and promises good things for the year ahead.” seasonal products, trinkets and jewellery boxes, electronic The results follow a number of improvements and new additions to the premiums, watches and clocks. show. This year each sector was enhanced to provide visitors with a greater Last year’s autumn edition of the show saw a marked breadth of product. New features included a Modern Home area, which hosted increase in attendance, with a total of 22,551 visitors, a a variety of both British and international companies. big jump from 16,397 in April 2009. The co-located China Other successful additions include a new Design Collections area within Top Sourcing Fairs - Home Products and Baby and Children Drawer Fashion and a Wellbeing sector within Top Drawer Gift. Products, as well as the India Sourcing Fair: Home Products The free seminar programme offering business advice to both visitors and were credited with helping to boost buyer attendance. exhibitors was also well received. Global buyers enjoy the efficient sourcing platform the For further information visit the website www.topdrawer.co.uk. fair provides, the range of product and the opportunities for forging new partnerships with China’s suppliers. Global Sources’ verified supplier programme offers Bodum signs up as key sponsor for Exclusively comprehensive supplier information to reduce sourcing risk. Housewares 2010 All fair exhibitors are pre-checked to ensure they are able Bodum will be sponsoring the Exclusively Housewares exclusive Buyer’s Lounge to meet industry requirements. at this year’s show. AsiaWorld-Expo is Hong Kong’s premier exhibition The company is returning to the show following a break last year. centre, just a minute away from the airport and 28 minutes The 2010 edition of Exclusively Housewares, now in its ninth year, takes place from downtown via the Airport Express train. on 8th and 9th June at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London. It will The China Sourcing Fair is held every April and October, be bringing together one of the largest specialist line-ups of housewares and which are peak sourcing periods in Hong Kong. This strategic tabletop suppliers in the UK. timing allows buyers to take in other trade shows in the Thanks to Bodum, buyers will have access to free wifi connections, two region, to maximise their visit in a single trip. private meeting rooms and light refreshments throughout the show. For more information, visit www.chinasourcingfair.com For full details visit the website www.exclusivelyhousewares.co.uk.

giftfocus 11 on with the show

Record breaking Spring Fair Retailers with a combined spending power of £12 billion delivered record-breaking transactions for many exhibitors at this year’s Spring Fair International. The biggest home and gift event in the buying calendar, it is estimated that around £2 billion of orders will be placed by buyers as a direct result of their attendance at the show. Held from 7th to 11th February 2010 at Birmingham’s NEC initial visitor numbers total 711,239*, outstripping the previous two years’ attendance ﬁgures with international visitors also reported up by eight per cent to over 5,600* compared with last year’s event. Over the ﬁve days, buyers keen to restock for 2010 visited the show’s 2,800 exhibitors, who launched more than 270,000 new products between them. Some suppliers reported their best-ever trade show. Show organiser Emap Connect devoted some £2 million to the production of Spring Fair International and The Jewellery Show, which was invested on the creation of crowd-pulling new features, customer service initiatives, marketing and PR campaigns. This built on the success of Autumn Fair International 2009, which signalled a retail revival and also saw an increase in visitor numbers from both the UK and overseas. Managing director of Emap Connect, Louise Young, commented: “Spring Fair looking ahead International 2010 has been a resounding success. Our feedback indicates that substantial orders have been placed. Retailers are keener than ever to restock and Select@Bath differentiate their offering.” when 9th-10th May 2010 Exciting new product features and innovations brought the wow factor to the show. where The Assembly Rooms, Bath The 2010 fair included the unveiling of a revamped and re-edited production of website www.selectatbath.co.uk The Jewellery Show, the UK’s largest dedicated exhibition for jewellery, which attracted almost 20,000 visitors. Progressive Greetings Live Visitors and exhibitors alike welcomed the launch of the Pandora Catwalk Café, a when 25th-26th May 2010 specialist jewellery catwalk and central café at the heart of The Jewellery Show, which where Business Design Centre, London drew large audiences daily. website www.progressivegreetingslive.com Sponsored by designer cookware supplier Maxwell & Williams, Cook Live! was another highlight of Spring Fair International 2010, creating a massive draw for visitors at Pulse the heart of Kitchen, Dining and Housewares. when 6th-8th June 2010 Well-known visitors to the show included Birmingham Ladywood MP Clare Short where Earls Court, London and there were celebrity appearances from Jeff Banks, Kara Tointon, Hairy Bikers, website www.pulse-london.co.uk Laurence and Jackie Llewellyn-Bowen, Jody Craddock, Rachel Elmore, Dave Lee Travis, Anton du Beke, Gino D’Acampo, Rachel and Sophie Conran amongst others. Exclusively Housewares Spring Fair International 2011 will be held from 6th –10th February. (* Subject to audit.) when 8th-9th June 2010 where Business Design Centre, London Scottish cheer website www.exclusivelyhousewares.co.uk Attendance at Scotland’s Trade Fair at the SECC China Sourcing Fair:Gifts & Premiums in Glasgow was up nine when 8th-10th June 2010 per cent with many new where Dubai retailers and buyers from website www.tradeshow.globalsources.com Scotland and abroad. The show attracted (Please note: All dates are subject to change, contact almost 400 exhibitors event organisers for more information before making across the three key arrangements.) areas – home and giftware; jewellery and fashion accessories and clothing and textiles. For further in-depth show previews turn to The three-day event featured a separate Scottish section – Showcase Scotland - and new ‘Best Product Awards’. Page 29 Progressive Greetings Live The Launch Gallery, the area for companies under two years old, was also well Page 54 British Craft Trade Show received with a record 28 exhibitors. Page 64 Aviemore Trade Show For further information visit the website www.scotlandstradefairs.co.uk

12 giftfocus

Catch up on some of the latest arrivals to the giftware market brand spanking new

Baggee

Product: Baggee© Contact: Telephone +44 (0)7931 587 864 or email [email protected] Price: RRP £4.95 Specification: A flexible, hollow ball on a keychain for storing plastic bags so you have them to hand when you need them. It comes in six ‘on trend’ colours with a practical spring lever key ring. Retailer Benefits: Made from BSI compliant recyclable materials sourced in the UK and made in Britain. Other Information: There is also the Doggee® for carrying dog litter bags, which can be attached to a dog’s lead. Both were designed by former Hollyoaks actress Jaq Croft.

Becky Broome Ltd

Product: Kitchen textiles and homewares range Contact: Telephone +44 (0)1514 240 126 or email [email protected] Price: Starting from £14.99 for tea towels Specification: Becky’s debut collection of quality kitchen and home textiles featuring original embroidered designs from her degree show reproduced through digital print. Retailer Benefits: All products are made in Britain using quality material, woven in British mills. Other Information: Inspiration for the collection is drawn from sentimental heirlooms and family documents including old Post Office savings, rent and Co-op books.

Globee Ltd

Product: Globee Contact: Telephone +44 (0)800 987 5907 or email [email protected] Price: RRP from around £19.95 for four-inch version Specification: Illustrated globes mapping out major landmarks, parks, historic buildings and famous streets of some of the world’s best loved cities. Available in three sizes in either a paper or plastic finish and housed in a brushed metal stand of various colours and styles. Retailer Benefits: Each Globee comes with booklet packed with interesting facts about the city and tourist sites depicted. A fun and educational product designed for both adults and children. Other Information: Cities available include London, Cambridge, Rome, Paris and New York to name a few, with more to come.

Bagabook Ltd

Product: Bagabook Contact: Telephone +44 (0)7821 895 381 or email [email protected] Price: RRP from £14.95 Speciﬁcation: A book carrier providing a practical solution to the problem of reading on the move, in style. Suitable for any paperback book or diary/notebook up to A5 size it includes travelcard/business card pocket and pen holder with a reliable magnetic closure. Retailer beneﬁts: Available in a range of colours, fashionable, conservative and practical styles. Low minimum order. Can be sold all year round with books, travel goods, fashion accessories and giftware. Point of sale and full product range available. Other information: A family run business with a passion for quality.

14 giftfocus news & events

Fraser Studios

Product: Beanpod reed diffusers Contact: Telephone +44 (0)1592 774 540 or email sales@fraser studios.com Price: RRP £16.99 Speciﬁcation: Reed diffusers derived from palm plants. Retailer Beneﬁts: The ‘green’ revolution is gathering momentum as consumers seek out natural and organic ranges. Other Information: Beanpod already offers best-selling ‘green’ candles.

The Original Metal Box Company

Product: Beer Mats Contact: Call +44 (0)1453 833 016 or email [email protected] Price: RRP £12.50 Speciﬁcation: An attractive tin containing 18 assorted card beer mats, each printed on both sides with caricatures from the company’s Public Servant range, including Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Boris Johnson and US President Barack Obama. Retailer Beneﬁts: A perfect election special present! Other Information: Political caricatures are also available as sticky note holders and new bottle openers.

Roo Salon

Product: Dog walking pouch Contact: Telephone +44 (0)845 603 6236 Price: RRP £14.99 Speciﬁcation: Made from 100 per cent water and stain resistant leatherette, the pouch is available in trendy animal prints and bold colourways. The compact design houses a host of features including quick access extra depth pockets designed to hold waste bags, dog treats, leads and even a small water bottle. Retailer Beneﬁts: Designed by Roo Salon’s team of experts with assistance from pet industry experts and professionals. Other Information: The pouches also offer a universal mobile phone pocket plus fully adjustable and detachable waist band.

For Every Body

Product: Itsy Bitsy Mini Jar Candles Contact: Telephone +44 (0)1952 457 409 or email [email protected] Price: RRP £3.95 Specification: These colourful minis give 15 hours of fragrancing. Ideal for travel or gifts with all the benefits of soy based candles. Retailer Benefits: An ideal pick up gift for under £5, wooden counter top unit supplied free with £200 carriage paid order. Other Information: For Every Body soy based candles focus their marketing on the independent retailer, supplying quality product and customer service.

giftfocus 15 brand spanking new

Heathcote & Ivory

Product: A Painter’s Garden collection Contact: Telephone +44 (0)207 935 1975 or email [email protected] Price: RRP from £3 for single scented sachet Specification: A collection of bath, body and home fragrance products celebrating Sanderson’s 150 year anniversary this year. Features a fresh floral fragrance. Retailer Benefits: Luxurious pampering products at affordable prices, with beautiful packaging featuring design taken from a Sanderson classic. Other Information: Heathcote & Ivory is a quintessentially English toiletries company, dedicated to producing high quality toiletries and gifts.

Rainbow Designs

Product: Snoopy ‘It’s a Comical World’ Contact: Telephone +44 (0)8707 587 700 or email [email protected] Price: RRP from £4.99 Specification: Trendy new gift range including 8cm Snoopy collectables printed in fashionable designs like ‘pure gold’, ‘Union Jack’ and US flag. Retailer Benefits: This year marks the 60th anniversary of Charles Schulz’s iconic character Snoopy and the new range has been launched to celebrate the event. Other Information: The range also includes a design-your-own Snoopy money box, a twin bell alarm clock and Snoopy keyrings.

Ollypop

Product: Tinypop towel Contact: Telephone +44 (0)1840 211 079 or email [email protected] Price: RRP £19.95 Specification: Child’s version, of the Ollypop surf towel designed to help novices perfect the pop-up – going from lying down to standing on a surfboard without falling off. Retailer Benefits: The towels are endorsed by the British Surfing Association and also come with a CD of the Tinypop song with lyrics to guide children through the exercises. Other Information: Entrepreneur Olly Daglish has successfully launched the brand despite being turned down for financial backing on the popular Dragon’s Den programme two years ago.

Xystos

Product: Gleneagles Studio Jewelled Collection Contact: Telephone +44(0)1914 991 570 or email [email protected] Price: £24.99-£49.99 Specifications: A striking range of three gazelles, six elephants, five giraffes and four leopards Retailer Benefits: Gleneagles is famous for its crystal so this collection offers an opportunity to maximise sales of a famous brand. Other Information: Gleneagles Studio also features the new Rosewood and Antique Collections, as well as wall art, lamps and picture frames.

16 giftfocus

buying tips walking the aisles With buyers and businesses often under strict time restraints making the most of time spent walking the aisles at a major trade show is a valuable skill. At last year’s Spring Fair retailers Jenny Lockton and her business partner Debbie Ogg of Edinburgh-based lifestyle boutique Bohemia were named Buying Team of the Year. Here Jenny shares some of her secrets…

There is something special about the beginning As I walked around the Spring Fair this year I which perfectly suited the floral print ceramics, of a new year in retail, when the shop is also became aware of what really turned me off bags and homewares on offer. depleted of stock after a bumper Christmas as a buyer and things I would urge companies to (well one hopes!) And if buying is your thing, be wary of: Top Tip - plan your first visit then woo hoo, there’s lots of it to do. 1. Disorganisation - if an exhibitor has not to a hall or exhibitor you are I like to approach shows with an open mind, bothered to get to the fair in time for opening particularly excited about as it can prepared to discover something new and fresh, they have lost me already. set the tone for the rest of the which excites me and in turn my customers. 2. Exhibitors looking bored/depressed/ show and it’s great to start the day By the end of January we’ve had time to take desperate - attitude of mind and body on a high note. stock of the past year and make note of what language are such an important part of the have been our buying highlights and those which message picked up by buyers. I work to a pretty tight schedule on buying trips might have been less successful. This helps to In hall 4 I was immediately attracted by a but this works quite well for me as it keeps me shape our wish list for the year ahead. company from Holland and which is new to focussed and after doing this for so long I can Before I head off to Birmingham’s NEC the UK called PiP Studios. I had looked them up work my way around a hall pretty quickly. We for Spring Fair I have made a note of the after seeing them previewed and had them on now have very long established relationships companies I definitely want to see and where I my ‘hit list’. Their product was just as fabulous as with our really key suppliers and agents, so will find them. I had hoped, bright, cheerful, quirkily individual at trade fairs I like to take the opportunity to I’ve been attending trade fairs for many years and well made. The stand was buzzing with the have a quick overview of the new season’s now, in fact this must be my 25th year at Spring excitement you find when buyers have made collections. I might place an order there and Fair (yikes!), and the buying process for me is a a new discovery and people were queuing to then but am more likely to do this back at very instinctive one. But if you are new to buying place orders. The products were beautifully base with our agent or through catalogues the first few trade fairs can be quite a daunting displayed in shabby chic, vintage style room sets, or websites. experience, especially one the size of Spring Fair. My advice is to prepare and do your homework before you go. You can really research the product areas you are interested in and even contact key suppliers beforehand to make appointments, check out whether they are able to supply to you, what their minimums and carriage paid orders are. This can save wasting time and energy at the fair. When I’m walking the aisles I tend to keep to a steady pace looking left and right until something catches my eye. Exhibiting companies have to do the same job that we as retailers do - present their product in the most appealing way they can to the buyer. PiP Studios

giftfocus 19 walking the aisles

This means that at the fair I can devote more create around them. It is great to order a few do a well balanced, minimum or carriage time to seeking out the new and undiscovered, flamboyant statement pieces which add drama paid order. Often young new companies are make sure there’s nothing important I’m to your window or instore displays but at worth keeping an eye on, they may not have missing and generally absorb the way trends times like the present, at both Bohemia and enough of a range to make sense in your store are developing. Bliss, we are concentrating on products which environment to start with but can develop sell readily and allow for a reasonable mark up. really nice collections over time. Top Tip - you can put together a As ever the time flew by and the two days good story for your shop by buying Top Tip - if in doubt don’t order. I had dedicated to this year’s Spring Fair were from different suppliers around a over in no time. I came home laden with theme that is currently in vogue. I sometimes get to the end of a day and seem catalogues and full of ideas about new lines Think of how you are going to to lose all judgement and can’t decide whether we could explore for our stores. A week or something is fabulously good or fantastically two later I am still reflecting on the ranges I merchandise all your new products awful. Take away a catalogue to ponder over have seen and discussing these with the team in store and find something to link later or visit the stand again with fresh eyes the while going through the various catalogues them together. following day and it will all fall into place. together. I placed a good few orders at the I sometimes need a break from very fair, particularly concentrating on those where concentrated buying and make a diversion into there was no up to date catalogue or website another hall for a bit of light relief. It can help available and where it was easier to order with to freshen your eyes to look at a completely the goods in front of me. Now back at the different range of goods and you never know ranch I can write up more orders at my leisure you might discover a completely unexpected and will place these over the coming weeks. little gem on your wanderings! Our approach this year is to stick to the good old ‘little and often’ formula and the Top Tip - always take note of hall Spring Fair has brought together such a and stand numbers of exhibitors great mix of companies both new and well you want to revisit later in the day. established, that I am confident we now have more than enough leads to keep our shop full Many times I have walked around in circles of the great products our customers love. trying to find someone again and might not For further information about Bohemia visit even be able to remember their company the website www.bohemiadesign.co.uk. g name but just knowing they had something on their stand that I liked. HABA Toys have always been a great bread and butter line for us. It is great to see a resurgence of interest in traditional wooden toys and there are some very good designers now creating some really beautiful contemporary models with luscious We used an Alice in Wonderland tea party painted finishes. Think the Honeybake range theme for the opening of our newest Bohemia by Le Toy Van, Haba of Germany and Djeco store and it was great fun sourcing products to from France. I was also struck by the number work in with this. of companies supplying fancy dress outfits I have to keep an eye on myself at trade and saw some very nice dressing up clothes fairs as I am so attracted by things that are for children. Perhaps a new niche we could aesthetically pleasing to me that I can be explore in the future! tempted to place orders for goods that don’t really have a place in our shops back home. Top Tip - look for a rounded offer. In fact this is where a few companies really excel, in creating a desire for their products I often see stands where there is one due to the fantastic lifestyle imagery they product that I really like but not enough to

20 giftfocus hazel atkinson jewellery JH Designpoint ‘Heaven And Earth Collection’ Want something really special? Extensive range of exclusive designs on most subjects: dinosaurs, animals, amusing quotations and more.

Anodized aluminium jewellery handmade in Nottingham UK

BCTF 11th-13th April - Stand 115 55 Cecil Street, Glasgow G12 8RW [email protected] www.hazelatkinsonjewellery.co.uk tel/fax: 0141 339 4927 Tel: 0115 9586183

/DZUHQFH of%DWK

Cheeseboards ~ Olive & Nibble dishes Bowls ~ Coasters ~ and much more

Tap into the green consumer market with our wonderful range of recycled and beautiful items, all handmade at our studio in Bath.

These novel and unique items are fantastic as gifts, table or homeware, give you instant ‘green cred’ with your customers, and provide you with a fast moving line that will not stay on your shelves for long.

New ~ take a look at our beautiful handmade plates, coasters and scented tea cup candles.

To ﬁnd out more about this fast moving range visit: www.lawrenceofbath.co.uk or call us on 08450 212145

AGENTS REQUIRED Xystos meerkat madness Meerkat madness is sweeping the industry. The loveable creatures are popping up all over the place – on stationery, greeting cards, collectables and plush. We went meerkat hunting at Spring Fair International and Gift Republic sighted a whole mob set to hit the shelves.

Th e arrival of a cheeky Russian meerkat Blue Poppy Art, are fast becoming best sellers. character on our TV screens has helped Available as a family set of three or individually. catapult the cute desert creatures right up the Call +44 (0)1793 759 000 or visit the website popularity rankings. www.frithsculpture to fi nd out more. Fans of all ages are keen to get their hands on ‘Adopt a Meerkat’ is one of the latest meerkat merchandise and plush fi rm NICI is additions to Gift Republic’s range of happy to help. personalised gift s. Packaged in a luxury gift tin NICI is all geared up to release a full family it includes everything needed to adopt a wild of furry meerkats, available in fi ve diff erent South African meerkat. sizes. Th ere’s even a tiny magnetic meerkat. Th e recipient is helping Meerkat Magic, the Boom International is NICI’s UK partner. only conservation project in the world which Th e company’s MD Mary Wood said: “NICI seeks to protect wild meerkats. is very responsive to consumer needs and Once the gift is registered a meerkat what consumers want at the moment is a photograph and a personalised supporter meerkat! Ever since David Attenborough fi rst certifi cate follows in the post. introduced us to meerkats 20 years ago, they’ve Visit the website www.gift republic.com or gained a special place in many people’s hearts. telephone +44 (0)8451 262 324 for details. Art Blue Poppy We’re confi dent all the enthusiasm for these Th e loveable meerkat also joins the hit endearing creatures will ensure the newest African Plains range from Xystos, along with NICI family fl ies off the shelves.” nine other new additions, including gorillas, For further details call +44 (0)7776 255 042 baboons, the rhino and hippo. Call +44 (0)1914 or email [email protected]. 991 570 or visit the website www.xystos.co.uk Meerkats sculpted by Paul Jenkins, a new to fi nd out more. g addition to the growing range available from

NICI MEERKAT FACTS COURTESY OF NICI

• Meerkats live in the Kalahari Desert • Their average life expectancy is 12 to 14 years • Collectively they’re called a mob or gang • In their native land they are also known as sun angels • A meerkat’s ‘ﬁ ngerprint’ is in its stripes – each pattern is unique • They weigh between 720 and 730 grams (around one and a half pounds)

22 giftfocus #VUUFSGMZ5SBEJOH$P Beautiful Handcrafted and Hand Painted Gifts for Children and Adults

0560 247 4298 • info@butterﬂ ytradingco.com www.butterﬂ ytradingco.com

PHWDOSODQHW ,QVSLUHG*LIWVIRU6SHFLDO2FFDVLRQV

ZZZPHWDOSODQHWQHW Daisy Roots Dartington red, white and blue… Product GB has enjoyed a renaissance during the recession with more people looking to their roots for reassurance and names they feel they can trust. Growing concern about the carbon footprint of goods we buy has also helped the cause. We take a look at new and established companies currently flying the red, white and blue…

It’s hard to imagine British manufacturing Dartington is now the only British crystal that has real people making things ... and ever returning to its heyday. and glass brand that still has a factory in have been since 1967.” With competition from abroad and the UK. The latest crystal vase collection like all cheaper foreign imports it’s a steep Says marketing and design director current Dartington crystal is hand made in mountain to climb. However, there’s Richard Halliday: “While we are justly proud their Devon factory. The three sizes of vase no shortage of skills and the seeds of of this it is more about keeping us flexible feature a soft optic look and a hand finished enterprise have continued to germinate and responsive to our customers’ needs as neck, which supports and displays blooms giving rise to a thriving business community much as maintaining the skills and jobs we to best effect. For details call producing quality British goods. support. There is certainly a lot of good will +44 (0)1805 626 221 or visit Some established names like Dartington towards locally sourced UK products now www.dartington.co.uk. have nurtured their roots and continue and we are keen to get the message across to take pride in maintaining a UK that Dartington stands for British craft and Brand new company Becky Broome Limited manufacturing base. design skills. We are a truly authentic brand has just launched a unique collection of quality home and kitchen textile products, Becky Broome all made in Britain. After graduating last year with a BA (Hons) in embroidery, Becky has used original embroidered designs from her degree show and reproduced them through digital print to create her debut collection. Her designs are concerned with the exploration of family history through long- forgotten ancestral ephemera passed down through generations. Inspiration is drawn from sentimental heirlooms and family documents like Post Office savings, rent and Co-op books, reflecting the social history of the time. The products are made from quality material, woven in British mills and include cushions, tea towels, aprons, tea cosies and oven gloves. Visit the website www.beckybroome.com or telephone +44 (0)1514 240 126 to find out further details.

24 giftfocusgiftfocus productproduct GB GB

JHDesignpoint

Gibsons

Jam Tart

Andrew McGavin

New design-led company Jam Tart Gibsons, a British family company Visit www.silverseashells.net or call has worked exclusively with English celebrating 90 years of trading this year, +44 (0)1273 472 570 to find out more. manufacturers since it launched. prides itself on quality British products and Partner Mandy Allen explains: “Working excellent service. Andrew McGavin Designs has a range of with English manufacturers allows us This year sees the company launching products tailored to the gift market. to build up good relationships with our new puzzles that are made in Britain using The stone-effect cast resin pendants suppliers. We meet regularly and exchange thicker, recycled board. Highlights include and wall plaques are produced by Andrew ideas allowing us to produce highly creative The Cutty Sark – a 1000-piece puzzle and Janet McGavin in their small workshop and individual products. licensed by the Cutty Sark Trust, Greenwich, in the Highlands of Scotland. Each item is “Consumers have become increasingly to celebrate the restoration of this Great carefully crafted and presented with its own aware of having a carbon footprint and British icon. packaging and display to sell to both the the shorter lead times have considerable The founder’s grandson Michael Gibson, tourist and home market. advantages for the buyers. As manufacturers who runs the company, says: “We look to firmly find their feet again I can only see this source as much as possible from the UK. current trend continuing and a small but Over 50 per cent of our puzzles are made quality industry rising though the recession. in Britain. “Based on our success to-date, later this “This is important to us because we like year we are planning to launch Jam Tart to support British industry.” Visit the website Studio, using our experience to work with www.gibsonsgames.co.uk for details. other designers and UK manufacturers. For details call +44 (0)1789 205 732 or Silverseashells produces all its jewellery visit www.jam-tart.com. from its workshop in Lewes, East Sussex. Each item is made using a real shell, leaf Daisy Roots UK Ltd says: “We strongly or feather, covered with layers of pure support UK manufacturing, not only to silver making every piece truly unique. By support local and national business, but continuously developing their processes to accommodate our customers who also the company is able to offer pieces at believe in buying British, to ensure British affordable prices and with the same small jobs and manufacturing are preserved.” team handling every stage of production, Their Union Jack leather shoes are quality is kept to the highest standard. handmade in Northamptonshire and are Surrounded by the scenic south coast available for babies from 0-6mths to 18- beaches and the rolling beauty of the 24mths. For more information telephone Sussex Downs there is an endless source +44 (0)1604 880 066 or visit the website of natural items to continuously add to the www.daisy-roots.com. already extensive collection. Silverseashells

giftfocusgiftfocus 25 Ronin

Blue Poppy Art Butterfly Trading Co The Bath House

“Drawing inspiration from the Celtic art the provenance of our products, with many its British roots and tradition for quality. of Britain's Dark Ages we believe we offer buyers keen to find British products that The range provides a complete package for products that are both steeped in history have an interesting story behind them. We retailers looking for special product with and contemporary in appeal. We are often use the centuries-old forestry system of exceptional quality and packaging. asked where our gifts are made and it is ‘coppicing’ to produce many of our rustic “Retailers have definitely become more a source of pride to be able to say, in our walking sticks. It takes three to four years interested in selling products made in the own workshop," says Janet. to grow a walking stick, and then a further United Kingdom and it’s unique brands like Call + 44 (0)1309 672 423 or visit the year in the drying room before the finished Bath House that really benefit from this,” website www.andrewmcgavindesigns.co.uk article is produced by hand. Each one is says company director Nigel Brooks. “We for further information. unique, and our retailers report that their have been supplying more merchandising customers find this fascinating.” material to get the ‘Made in Britain’ message Walking stick specialists Classic Canes Visit the website www.classiccanes.co.uk across to the customers and the response report a growth in demand for their home- or call +44 (0)146 075 686 for details. has been great!” grown and manufactured English walking For details call +44 (0)1539 621 992 or sticks. Managing partner, Charlotte Gillan, Butterfly Trading Co produces a quirky visit www.thebathhouseshop.co.uk. says: “We are increasingly being asked about range of handcrafted and hand painted gifts, to suit both children and adults. Based in rural South Wales, Ronin is Classic Canes The company has launched a range of proud of its 'Made in Britain' tag with Duck letter racks and Butterfly peg holders, every piece being handmade to order. The which have proved to be extremely popular. company creates colourful jewellery using Other new introductions include a long semi-precious gemstones combined with heart key holder in an assortment of pearls and glass beads. The infinite variety colours and another children’s door hanger. of gemstones formed within the earth Visit the website www.butterflytradingco.co provides constant inspiration. Visit the or call +44 (0)5602 474 298 for details. website www.roninjewellery.co.uk or call +44 (0)1269 826 000 for further details. JHDesignpoint has been designing and producing fine quality mugs in the UK for all New to Blue Poppy Art’s growing portfolio markets since 1981. are foundry bronzes sculpted by award The range was recently extended to winning artist Louise Peterson, well known include specially commissioned fine china for her fine dog sculpture. baubles and tea towels. They are hand made in the industrial Telephone +44 (0)1413 394 927 or heart of the West Midlands by a long email [email protected] for details. established foundry using the ancient lost wax method of production. The Bath House has two shops in the heart To find out more visit the website of rural Cumbria, from where the company www.frithsculpture.co.uk or telephone has established a toiletries brand proud of +44 (0)1793 759 000. g

2626 giftfocus giftfocus

pg live devoted to greetings

In just one visit to Progressive Greetings Live you could IN BRIEF transform your greetings offer. The show promises show Progressive Greetings Live th th everything needed all under one roof - a range of designs, when 25 -26 May 2010 where Business Design Centre, Islington, names, colours, offers and ideas to choose from. Read on to London ﬁnd out more… website www.progressivegreetingslive.com

The majority of the Business Design Centre in London overseas buyers, and offer them free meeting gift retailers would last May. facilities at the venue on set up day to catch acknowledge that offering The show’s venue, timing and its essential up with existing suppliers and contacts, and greeting cards is a must – ingredients – of creating a level playing ensure they get the most out of the show. they draw people in and field for exhibitors, controlling admission “We think this show can act as a world hub encourage return visits. to encourage primarily retail visitors and for the greeting industry hence our strapline The UK is an acknowledged haven for the providing open handed hospitality for all at this year ‘The London International Card very best and latest in greeting card design; the show – will remain in place. However, for Show’,” says co-show director Warren Lomax. as a nation we send more cards than any 2010 the show has been expanded on two key “UK publishers lead the world in terms of other*, and for the one in six retailers* that fronts; more opportunities for taking part for design, so Progressive Greetings Live is the stock them, greeting cards offer a massive new and emerging card publishers and more perfect place for the overseas industry to meet profit potential. It’s a short step therefore, to facilities for overseas buyers. their peers and their suppliers.” Progressive Greetings Live, a UK trade show PG Live wants to establish itself as the For further information visit the website dedicated to greeting cards. leading show for new talent and emerging www.progressivegreetingslive.com. g Now working towards its second outing in publishers, hence the launch of ‘Springboard@ (* Source: GCA) May 2010, PG Live, as it has become known, PG Live’, a new area of the show introduced is already expanding its initial concept to take for 2010. This area offers smaller stands, in feedback from its debut which took place at effectively lowering entry costs for new companies, but still offering them access to all the UK’s and the world’s key buyers and the show’s hospitality package. This initiative means the show is currently on target to offer visitors the opportunity to see well over 200 card publishers, including the world’s largest; Hallmark, right down to the very freshest start up! “For greeting retailers, even if cards are just one of many items on their buying list, PG Live is the show that will contribute to their product knowledge, product selection and ultimately, profit margin – and we’ll make the whole experience fun!” says Jakki Brown, one of the show’s co-directors. In 2009 the show played host to buyers from 31 different countries, with the largest contingents from Australia, The Netherlands and Sweden. For 2010, in response to direct requests, the show will host a special reception on the evening before the show opens for all

giftfocus 29 devoted to greetings

Buttongirl Designs exhibitor previews Stand 782 Tel: +44 (0)1767 315 612 Web: www.buttongirl.co.uk Buttongirl Designs report their most successful button year yet and showcase for the ﬁ rst time at Progressive Greetings Live 2010 with new button ranges to be unveiled! Buttongirl offers originality with beautiful printed ranges from embroidered designs embellished with ribbons, unique trinkets, buttons and bows to make them stand out from the crowd. New ranges include a quirky children’s ‘Time to go to the Zoo’ age range, a vibrant ‘Shaken not Stirred’ cocktail age range and ‘Boys will be Boys’ range with each card embellished with a hand tied bow and a special Buttongirl button! Blue Eyed Sun Stand 524 OpenBoxDesign Tel: +44 (0)1273 823 003 Stand 772 Web: www.blueeyedsun.co.uk Tel: +44 (0)1224 867 669 Handmade card specialist Blue Eyed Sun has launched a selection of Web: www.openboxdesign.co.uk luxurious Christmas counter cards hand embellished with jewels or Brand new ranges for 2010 are hand glittered with sequins and printed on quality GF Smith boards. the small but perfectly formed There are two main ranges, Tinsels and Magical Christmas, with 36 ‘O NO’ range and the humorous designs in total covering all major relations and loved ones. ‘Random Chat’ set which has hit the zeitgeist of the way Blue Eyed Sun has a new brochure available from April with people talk and think today. ‘Random Chat’ has already details of all of its Christmas ranges, which also includes all of its best equalled the popularity of the company’s biggest selling designs. selling range ‘Brilliant Birthdays’ for 2010. OpenBoxDesign aims to continue its success at Alice Palace PG Live where the company will be showing all Stand 780 the cards, which have marked it out as unique Tel: +44 (0)1386 424 977 and innovative. New additions to ‘Random Web: www.alicepalace.co.uk Chat’, which is already 18 cards strong, will be The ‘Farm Animals’ range is unveiled at the show. fresh from the imagination of Alice Palace; purveyors of fun and unique greeting cards Soul Water that combine illustration Stand 184 and found materials in a Tel: +44 (0)208 767 9559 collage style. Web: www.soulwater.co.uk The number one best- The new notebook-to-post is selling card in the range is a simple card and gift in one. the pair of Indian runner Representing elegance and ducks. The text reads ‘I like ease in the form of fashion you best of anyone in the illustrated notebooks, the whole world’. As with all Indian Summer collection Alice Palace greeting cards, comes with 250 gsm, peel and the range is eco-friendly, using recycled board and envelopes and seal envelope – ready to post biodegradable cello-bags. for the ultimate gift to go. There are eight farm animals in the range.

30 giftfocus

2YHUPRGHOVRI WUDGLWLRQDODQG FRQWHPSRUDU\ZDONLQJ VWLFNVVHDWVWLFNV DQGXPEUHOODV

:DONLQJVWLFNVPDNHZRQGHUIXO)DWKHUV·'D\SUHVHQWV DQGPDQ\RIWKHPDUH0DGHLQ%ULWDLQWRR

:DUUHQ+RXVH+LQWRQ6W*HRUJH6RPHUVHW7$74 7HO )D[ LQIR#FODVVLFFDQHVFRXNZZZFODVVLFFDQHVFRXN CLERE CONCEPTS

Calypso and Carnival Colourful gift boxed pens

New for 2010 Gemstone pens and paperweights. Wooden pens and desktop gifts. Available in two wood combinations with a checked or two-tone design.

To see more new items for 2010 please go to our website or contact us for a catalogue and price list.

T: 01635 297911 F: 01635 299237 E: [email protected] W: www.clere-concepts.co.uk fab dads fab dads

Gibsons fab dads Father’s Day falls on Sunday June 20th this year – an important date on the retail calendar. We take a look at some great gift ideas for fab dads. Metal Planet

Men are notoriously hard to buy for, which can make shopping for Father’s Day a chore. Retailers with a varied range and fresh ideas are most likely to cash in. New and diff erent lines with plenty of ‘dad appeal’ are available as an alternative to the customary socks and ties. Rainbow Designs For wine lovers Royal Selangor’s new accessories provide an ideal gift solution. Th e ornate tracery of Gothic windows provides the inspiration for the recently launched range. Created in collaboration with the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, Tracery is a collection of cast pewter wine accessories which includes a decanter, wine funnel, bottle stopper with pourer, bottle coaster, cork extractor, wine glasses as well as a pair of champagne fl utes. Royal Selangor Each piece is authenticated with a V&A logo Blue Eyed Sun and the touchmark. Th e Classic Games range is presented in Retailers can tap into the growing demand for For details call +44 (0)207 474 5511 or visit luxury black, faux leather casing and includes men’s gift s with Rainbow Designs’ selection of the website www.royalselangor.com. Backgammon, Dominoes and Chess. cool and comical character gift s. All Gibsons’ games include quality pieces, For Father’s Day fun, Snoopy is top dog Handmade card specialists Blue Eyed Sun have comprehensive rules and great designs. Visit especially as the iconic character is 60 this year! launched a selection of eye catching Father’s www.gibsonsgames.co.uk for details. Charles Schulz’s popular creation is the star of Day cards hand glittered on embossed board two new ranges. with foiled stars. Metal Planet off ers contemporary ‘Best Dad’ Th e ‘Snoopy – then and now’ collection Th e range is called World’s Greatest Dad and pewter tokens designed and made in the UK at with nostalgic appeal off ers an array of gift s features nine designs in total. their studios in Barnet. featuring vintage artwork packaging. All World’s Greatest Dad designs are sized Selected from a range of 12 palm size tokens Th ere’s also the new Snoopy ‘It’s a Comical overall at 160mm square. that can be ordered in small quantities or as a World’ range, which off ers fresh ideas for those Visit the website www.blueeyedsun.co.uk or stocked display tray. Th e token range includes who like to collect or as a one off gift . email [email protected] for details. other messages like Best Mum, I Love You, Wallace & Gromit are another popular Sorry, Love Always, Miss You and more. favourite and Rainbow has introduced an array Gibsons, a British family company established Each token is smartly packaged in a of new gift s to the collection. in 1919, produces traditional games sure to purple box with clear lid and makes a perfect Th e fun and practical gift s include Gromit win favour with many dads. keepsake gift for Father’s Day. slippers, two new mugs, Wallace & Gromit Th e company’s traditional wooden games For more information take a look at the pens and pencils and plush Gromit keyrings. are made from re-forested hardwood and website www.metalplanet.net or telephone Telephone +44 (0)8707 587 700 or visit the include the favourites: Shut the Box, Solitaire +44 (0)208 440 2468. website www.rainbowdesigns.co.uk for details. and Cribbage.

giftfocus 33 fab dads

Canova re:creation

Select products will be available in time for Father’s Day! For more information call re:creation on +44 (0)1189 736 222 or send an email to [email protected].

Xystos Gift Republic’s new Stamp Collection gift range Gift Republic is a celebration of stamps. Give dad’s ego a well-deserved boost with the ‘First Class Dad’ porcelain mug, one of eight in the collection. All are hand-fi nished in the UK and come gift boxed. For details visit www.giftrepublic.com or telephone +44 (0)8451 262 324.

For Father’s Day you can say it all with a personalised gift . The Personalised Memento Company supplies an extensive range of personalised Th e Mans Candle, ‘Highly Commended’ in characters of the era vividly recapture all the gift s covering all occasions. As Father’s Day Gift of the Year 2009, is a contemporary and thrills of the wind in your hair. is one of their busiest times of the year, it’s useful gift for the man that’s diffi cult to buy In contrast there’s the Street Machines range no surprise that their range is full of great for. Packaged in re-cycled card boxes with – all pedal to the metal, turbo-charge, high- personalised gift ideas. colourful stylish artwork they make an eye- octane Father’s Day ideas for petrolheads with From sports gift s to funky mugs, and from catching display in-store. Th e candles are a passion for power. beautifully engraved cut crystal whisky sets to made by hand pouring 100 per cent pure soy Designed by Richard Cooper, the models cute and cuddly message teddies, PMC has got wax into a re-cycled glass jar. Th e soy wax are replicas of cars, which come with an it covered. has a long burn time of 50 hours providing indelible pen to fi ll in the numberplate for that Visit www.personalisedmemento.co.uk for great value for money. Th e range comes in six personal statement. Personalised Memento’s full product range. g designs each with a diff erent natural fragrance. Fo r further information phone Xystos on And, as with all Canova’s products, the candle +44 (0)1914 991 570 or log on to the website is 100 per cent UK made. www.xystos.co.uk. Th e product range includes Sandalwood & Orange, Cassis & Fig, Basil & Coriander, Th is year marks the 40th anniversary of Monty Lemongrass & Th yme, Nutmeg & Ginger as Python. To mark the occasion re:creation is well as Cedarwood. unveiling the fi rst range of novelty gift lines Visit the website www.canova.co.uk to fi nd featuring the Monty Python characters. out more. Th e fan base of the Monty Python franchise is global and for the fi rst time in its 40 year For Father’s Day Xystos has two great lines Car history, key characters and sketches from the Couture and the Street Machines range, sure to classic TV series and ground breaking fi lms delight any man who loves motors. will appear in the range. Car-crazy guys may not be able to aff ord to Th e extensive range of greetings and novelty drive the model of their dreams, but with Car gift s, will feature laugh out loud products like Couture, they can relive the gloriously carefree the Mr. Creosote sauce dispenser based on the days of open-top motoring. outrageously obese Mr. Creosote in Monty The Personalised Beautifully sculpted classic marques and Python’s Meaning of Life fi lm. Memento Company

34 giftfocus New ranges available! Organic Soap Bars, Luxurious, Natural and Ethical High Quality Candle Gift Boxes for large vases, plus two sizes of candle in glass storage jars 350ml & 650ml. Exciting new products and fragrances for 2010 Filled with our 100% Natural Wax and Made in England from the ﬁnest strongly scented with a choice of pure natural ingredients essential oils or a sophisticated range of unusual fragrances for which We supply testers and POS to get you started we have become famous! Contemporary design & realistically priced. Capture a growing market To give shops a real Natural choice in the storage jar candle world. Tel: 01293 863606 Tel: 01225 868788 Fax: 01225 868789 Email: [email protected] [email protected] www.heylandandwhittle.co.uk ringing in the sales Over the past ﬁve issues industry expert Clive Harper, managing director of Yankee Candle® Europe has delivered a series of informative articles on top retailer initiatives to help you stay ahead of the game. In this the last of the series, he reveals his top tips and explains how each can contribute to successfully building your business.

In a market which is constantly evolving and advertising and on correspondence, continued ask questions to determine customer views; advancing, it can be difficult as a retailer to through your website and in-store graphics. inform consumers of new stock or a sale – keep on top of new developments as they By knowing your target customer you can basically talk to your target customer and, just emerge and to master the many existing create a brand which will appeal to their age as importantly, let them talk to you. techniques which ensure a healthy profit. By group, sex and demographic. taking into consideration the following tips, you can increase your presence and ring in Knowledge is power “Social networking is no the sales. With a brand now established and appealing longer a platform which we to your target customer, you can provide a can afford to ignore.” Claim your position first class service to make sure that a first-time Every high street or shopping area holds a customer soon returns. Knowing as much as number of retailers which appeal to a different possible about the products and brands you Strength in numbers consumer or occasion. By knowing your offer will help when selling, allowing you How many staff members work in your retail position, who you are catering for and your to answer questions and provide advice for shop? How many of these have you asked for brand identity, you can encourage return any customer’s gift conundrum. Find out if ideas, thoughts on the business or how you customers who know what they’re looking for. the brands you stock offer retail seminars: can move forward? Every member of the team Whether you are an occasion, contemporary these are events, which will provide you is an individual with different creative views or traditional gift shop you can claim this with invaluable information to help sell their and experiences and by working together position – detracting new competitors from products. Whether it’s display techniques you can instantly increase your strength. Try setting up in the area and encouraging your to tempt customers, marketing information holding regular brain-storming sessions, target customer. or company history, the information they encourage staff to look out for ideas and are willing to provide you with is aimed at techniques day to day and consider offering increasing sales – use the opportunity! incentives for a successful promotion. You “By knowing your position, may be surprised by the creativity you have who you are catering for and Network, network, network... but with a just waiting to be discovered. your brand identity, you can difference There is no time span for these tips and Social networking is no longer a platform techniques, and there is no right or wrong way encourage return customers which we can afford to ignore. While those to implement them. Even if you take away just who know what they’re who are unsure spend time trying to avoid it, one idea, it could be the idea which works as competitors are taking courses, trying it out a catalyst for a progression of growth and the looking for.” and pushing ahead with this one phenomenon next step in your journey. g which is not going to go away. Facebook and The power of the brand Twitter are the two leading sites which are Knowing your position is the first step in being used not only for social networking identifying your brand. Your brand represents but increasingly for brands to talk to their Further information your ethos, personality and target customer consumers. By setting up a profile for your For further information on Yankee Candle® and can be used throughout many mediums brand on each site, you can invite customers and advice about retailer initiatives telephone to build up your presence. For example, your to join; run competitions to encourage traffic +44 (0)1454 454 500 or visit the website brand logo can determine the font you use in to your website or customers to your shop; www.yankeecandle.co.uk.

36 giftfocus yankee candle

advertising feature

It’s plain and simple...

The world's leading home fragrancing clean linen and spring sunshine. effective use and a Fabric Refresher Spray to manufacturer takes this concept one step The range includes a 6oz Tumbler candle. combat odour in curtains, furniture and other further and launches Good Air™ to leave the The tumbler has a super charged core soft furnishings around the home. home feeling and smelling odour free, fresh containing 50% more active odour ﬁ ghting This range contains leading patented and clean. ingredients. The wax is poured making the odour eliminating technology, keeping Spring is in the air and with this consumers super charged core visible to the consumer. Yankee Candle® at the forefront of product will open windows and doors and let the The core does not have an extra layer of wax innovation in the world of fragrance. Available springtime fresh air into their homes. Yankee on the top therefore the odour eliminating to order from 1st April 2010. g Candle® has captured this fragrance and molecules are effective immediately. feeling in a new range to give consumers this The range also includes, Electric Home uplifting mood all year round. Fragrance Unit and reﬁ lls, to constantly See the complete Yankee Candle® ranges Good Air™ offers 50% more of Yankee's® provide the home with the Good Air™ at www.yankeecandle.co.uk or call patented odour eliminating formula. It fragrance, a small space Air Freshener, perfect 01454 454 500 to speak to a Customer neutralises odour molecules on contact leaving for cupboards, wardrobes, closets and drawers Care advisor. a clean fragrance which is a combination of plus a Concentrated Room Spray for quick

giftfocus 37

candles sweet smell of success We showcase a selection of hard to beat lines from the burgeoning candle and home fragrance sector.

The candle and home fragrancing sector has remained buoyant with growing demand for eco-friendly ranges as well as luxury lines with stand out packaging and fabulous fragrances. Candles, diffusers, fragrance lamps and accessories continue to offer great scope for gifting or indulgent self-purchase at the right guilt-free pricepoint.

This year sees UK home fragrance Xystos Fraser Studios manufacturer Colony Gift Corporation celebrates its 30th birthday. To mark the consumers currently purchase home fragrance contemporary Flatyz range. Says general occasion, the company is re-launching all products on average 13 times per year and manager Tom Sykes: “This range is really operations under the Wax Lyrical brand. the most popular selling fragrance group is challenging the stereotype of candle shapes The name change will mean that all ranges, clean and fresh. and ideas. Flatyz really are on-trend and we including the Homescents, Jelly Belly, RHS, Clive Harper, Yankee Candle® Europe says: are expecting great things from this line.” Timeless, Soy and the Reed Diffuser Bar, will “ I believe that 2010 has seen a positive start. sit together as part of the Wax Lyrical family. Yankee Candle® has seen on average 30 For Every Body’s best selling fragrance This year also sees the launch of the new per cent growth year on year since launching in 2009 was “Clean Linen” and its Aroma Equilibrium Spa Collection, which gently in Europe and continues to be the leading Therapy collection was also strong with infuses soy wax with essential oils. premium home fragrancing manufacturer for fragrances such as “Mango & White Tea” and the UK market. Business is good and we “Cool Water & Fresh Air”. Yankee Candle®, one of the best known intend to keep it that way.” “Organic Living” proved to be their names in the market, is celebrating the results winning collection in 2009, with 10 distinctive of a recent survey revealing the strength of As well as introducing new WoodWick fragrances and new ones being introduced the brand in the UK. fragrances this year, Fraser Studios has also including “Coconut Lime”, “Cucumber & The independent marketing survey revealed unveiled two new lines - the WoodWick Melon” and “Pomegranate”. that Yankee Candle® holds a 40 per cent 12-strong treble fragrance Trilogy candle range Two new collections for 2010 are “Signature brand awareness within the UK market with and a new WoodWick Petite range. Scents” and “Fresh Scents”. only six other leading mass market brands Two new collections of the leading ‘green’ Colony mentioned ahead of them. The only other candle Beanpod have also been introduced, premium brand name featured in the top along with reed diffusers. Each Beanpod candle ten had less than half the awareness of the uses natural soy wax, has a natural cotton and Yankee® brand and all the other brands were lead-free wick and is biodegradable. mass market home fragrance products. Says managing director Colin Fraser: “The The more traditional candle styles are more big thing about ‘green’ and organic products is popular in the UK than the rest of Europe, that although we like the idea of buying them, making their Housewarmer® collection and we are normally asked to pay a premium, so the new Signature range top performers people often have second thoughts at the last in the UK. These candle styles are most minute. With Beanpod there is no premium.” commonly used in the living area of the home to create an ambience or for decoration. UK Flame and fragrance is a key product stream for Xystos, which distributes the popular Yankee Candle® Comfort Candles and Comfort to Go lines from the Pavilion Gift Company. Comfort Candles is the main range in the candle offering from Xystos and a raft of new For further information visit the websites: product has been introduced this year. www.wax-lyrical.co.uk Also new from Xystos are ﬁve scented www.yankeecandle.co.uk candles, added to the Norfolk Lavender range www.xystos.co.uk of body and skin care products. www.foreverybody.biz Xystos is also distributing the stylish and

giftfocus 39 most wanted

candles

Bougies la Francaise spring/summer collection 2010 offers scented and decorative hand-moulded candles. The Coeur Grenadine story offers a fresh, poetic look featuring birds, orange and pink ﬂying ﬁshes using delicate, mute colours of turquoise, green, lilac, white and pink. The fragranced candles come in beautiful containers with feminine scents sourced from Grass in Provence, France, including tomato/ nasturtium and pansy/raspberry to give homes a fresh, perfumed air. For further information go to www.bougies-la-francaise.com.

Scentilicious candles from Canova come beautifully packaged in a re-cycled card tube with metal lid. The candles are made by hand pouring 100 per cent pure soy wax into a re-cycled glass jar. The soy wax provides 60 hours burn time and the range comes in 12 tantalising natural fragrances. In keeping with Canova’s ‘green’ ethos the candle also has a lead free wick and, as with all Canova’s products, the candle is 100 per cent UK made. View more at www.canova.co.uk.

40 giftfocus The new WoodWick 12-strong treble fragrance Trilogy candle range gives users three complementary fragrances in one product. The names of the candles are evocative of their fragrances – Apple Festival, Citrus Burst, Clothes Line Fresh, and Nature Retreat, Ocean Escape and Warm Woods. There will be seasonal additions in the autumn. Telephone +44 (0)1592 774 540 or visit www.fraserstudios.com for further details.

For Every Body introduces the new “Signature Scents”, a collection of fragranced soy based seven ounce candles with average burn times of 45 hours. Fragrances include new “Cherry Blossom” and “Bamboo Mist”. Visit www.foreverybody.biz or call +44 (0)1952 457 408 to ﬁnd out more.

giftfocus 41 most wanted

Due to popular demand Pintail Candles is expanding its fusion range this year. Ashleigh and Burwood has introduced new mid-priced reed diffusers. The company has added four spring fragrances to both the reed The new reed diffusers with 24 different fragrances are packaged in diffusers and the wax fusion glass in all three sizes. Each fragrance striking colourful printed tubes, creating a bold bank of colour when has been carefully selected from the best selling scents in the filled merchandised. Accompanying the range is a complete set of 200ml refill tin candles ranges. fragrances presented in disposable plastic bottles, allowing the consumer The top selling ranges of Pintail Candle tins and glass are not to replenish rather than replace their reed diffuser once the fragrance forgotten either. As well as bringing back the spring/summer has gone. They also serve as fragrance for the Decadent Diffusion range, favourites to the already successful range the company is adding six which is the artisan-made collection launched last year. new fragrances and colours including “Cottonsoft” and “Geranium To find out more visit www.ashleigh-burwood-trade.co.uk. and Rose Petal. Visit the website www.pintailcandles.com for further details. fragrancing

Abode Aroma has splashed out with three delightfully unique fragrances – Blood Orange, Zucchini Flower and Citrus Sage. With ingredients more at home on a chopping block or cocktail menu, the new Citrus fragrance story is sure to thrill the senses. The citrus inspired fragrances create a mouth- watering concoction of aromas. Abode Aroma’s formulation Greenleaf Scented Sachets are proving a top performer on every ensures an effective longer lasting level for Heart of the Country. The Greenleaf Sachet lasts at least product, made even more unique four months and keeps customers coming back for more. This year by stylish packaging and vibrant sees the launch of two brand new fragrances Garden Breeze, a colours. jasmine, rose, and citrus combination with a woodsy and ylang base Visit the website www. as well as Valencia, an orange and jasmine combination with a musk beautyconnectionlimited.com and light ﬂoral base. to ﬁnd out more. Call +44 (0)1543 481 612 for details.

42 giftfocus

candles most wanted votives and holders

Bougies la Francaise offers a range of contemporary candleholders to create a complete home décor. The company also offers coloured metal lanterns for a dramatic statement piece. Visit the website www.bougies-la-francaise to ﬁnd out more.

Accomplished artist Nel Whatmore has designed two exclusive votive collections, Reason to Give and Keep a Secret, for Enesco Gift. Reason to Give includes 12 ceramic votives each filled with wax delicately fragranced with vanilla essence, as well as two vases – ideal for holding bunches of spring flowers. The designs such as Tulips and Freesia are typical of Nel’s trademark style of bright and bold florals. Keep a Secret is a sophisticated contemporary collection of 12 glass Xystos distributes the popular Comfort Candles and Comfort to votives. Each of the three different meadow flowers or grass designs is Go lines from the Pavilion Gift Company. available in four colours. An innovative mirrored effect to the inside of These feature candle holders and complementary items with each votive reflects and magnifies the sparkling LED tealight. inspirational sayings. This year 11 new products have been added to Telephone +44 (0)1228 404 022 or visit www.enesco.co.uk for the range including the Best Things In Life tealight holder. further information. Visit www.xystos.co.uk for details.

giftfocus 45

‘mug’niﬁ cent Mugs, mugs, glorious mugs! Stock up on some of the latest hot designs to help boost sales…

Takkoda Sid Peep mug from the Vicious mug Herdy Company www.takkoda.com www.herdy.co.uk

The Stamp Collection multi-coloured mug from Gift Republic Koala Joey mug from NICI www.giftrepublic.com [email protected]

Campervan mug from Pearl & Earl www.pearlandearl.com

Anna plum mug from The DRH Collection www.thedrhcollection.com

Hits the Spot… Fairycakes www.makeinternational.com by Poppy Treffry www.poppytreffry.co.uk giftfocus 48 48 giftfocus 48 giftfocus

women’s jewellery handbags

Ag Silver

fashion foremost Women’s fashion jewellery is a thriving sector providing huge scope for gift retailers. We showcase some of the season’s

latest lines… Ronin

Women’s enthusiasm for accessories Th e new spring/summer collections feature seemingly knows no bounds. everything from soft pastel shades and Fashion jewellery is a must-have and with delicate designs to bold, chunky brights for new collections available every season it’s a summer statement pieces. rewarding revenue stream for those keeping abreast of the trends. Contemporary jewellery brand, Ag Silver, With a wide range of pricepoints and styles has launched its spring / summer 2010 range. there’s always something new to suit most Th e new collection embraces femininity and tastes and pockets. a springtime colour palette of pinks, blues, lilacs and turquoise. Fraser Studios Ag’s new Indi line takes infl uence from meadow fl owers. Each element in the delicate collection contains intricate silver detailing “It taught us that price is not the most and has been hand enamelled with pretty important thing when you have a product fl ower designs. Th e eye-catching teal blue set that is design led and just that bit diff erent in comprises matching oval pendant, earrings quality. Frederic Duclos will eventually only and adjustable ring. be sold in a few hundred retail outlets. Th is Other new designs include a range of will make it particularly special as it will be fi ligree pieces in a choice of polished silver or relatively exclusive.” rose gold plate along with additions to Ag’s Hallmarked earrings, necklaces and Posh collection incorporating vibrant shades bracelets are available in pre-packs. Th e range of zirconia in rubset silver settings. features freshwater pearls, natural stones, Holly Yashi from Creative director Charlie Maddocks exotic materials and hand textures. Fraser Studios comments: “Bold design has been replaced Th e Holly Yashi range also saw new pieces by more intricate detailing to create a more introduced at Spring Fair. romantic and feminine collection. And with Jewellery artist Holly Hosterman was such a kaleidoscope of colours to choose from infl uenced by the romance of ancient Egypt there’s no excuse for heading back to black!” when creating the Bohemian chic jewellery Telephone +44 (0)1603 631 314 or visit the range. It features airy patterns cut into lush website www.agsilver.co.uk for further details. semi-precious metals, set with gemstones. Telephone +44 (0)1592 774 540 or visit Th e Frederic Duclos sterling silver jewellery the website www.fraserstudios.com to fi nd range, is a recent addition to Fraser Studios’ out more. growing portfolio. Offi cially launched at this year’s Spring Fair Semi-precious gemstones come in a vast International with more than 100 exciting array of colours and patterns and these are pieces, items are available gift boxed with the inspiration for Ronin’s range of handmade supporting point of sale material. fashion jewellery. New ranges are launched Managing director Colin Fraser says: three times a year to suit the season and all “I have long admired the range and was come gift -boxed. encouraged to distribute it aft er the positive Visit the website www.roninjewellery.co.uk reaction of retailers to Holly Yashi. or call +44 (0)1269 826 000 for more details.

giftfocus 51 fashion foremost

Hazel Atkinson Carrie Elspeth

Last year Carrie Elspeth celebrated a decade pearl sets to bold, chunky resin pieces. Th e Visit the website www.caipora.co.uk or call of producing exclusive designer jewellery, all company is launching more items, including +44 (0)7538 531 289 for more information. of which is handmade in the UK. the Paulette Necklaces, fi ve diff erent designs From the outset, Carrie has been passionate using geometric shell pieces in attractive Hazel Atkinson’s anodised aluminium about supporting the local economy and colour combinations. jewellery off ers an eye-catching collection in being able to utilise the skills on off er within Visit the website www.fatlip.biz or a rainbow of colours inspired bynature - the her community. telephone +44 (0)1905 612 955 for details. sky, sea and landscape. She says: “An extensive training programme Visit www.hazelatkinsonjewellery or call for my home-workers ensures that my high Zelda Wong’s unique and feminine botanical +44 (0)1159 586 183 for details. g standards of quality are maintained, and I am silver jewellery, is inspired by a variety of able to off er unprecedented lead times to my sources both organic and contemporary. customers. Other companies may save money Th e botanical pieces preserve the everlasting manufacturing their products overseas but beauty of garden plants and fl owers. all of my customers are thrilled to know I am With fl owers currently on trend, her supporting the UK. It also helps that I launch jewellery is attractive to women of all ages. Zelda Wong three exclusive collections of my designer Visit the website www.zeldawong.co.uk to jewellery every year.” fi nd out more. Call +44 (0)1446 771 271 or visit the website www.carrieelspeth.com for details. Caipora has introduced two new lines to its range of eco jewellery. Amanda Cox’s jewellery is inspired by an Th e Multi-Use Collection is a range aimed exploration of the tactile properties of metal, at women who enjoy fi nding new means of combined with the visual qualities of simple expression. Th e collection can be reinvented organic forms. In her ranges she has created to off er a fresh, unique look. not only elegant bridal and partnership Th e Re-Collection combines “reduce, pieces, but also bold modern chunky pieces reuse, recycle and rethink” to the company’s available in a variety of fi nishes. trademark multicultural style. Visit www.amandacoxjewellery.co.uk or Caipora works with over 60 professional call +44 (0)1422 842 446 to fi nd out more. artisans in the northern Brazilian state, Belem, surrounded by the Amazon rainforest. Fatlip supplies a wide range of costume and Th e jewellery is made from carefully selected fashion jewellery, from delicate freshwater natural materials making each piece unique.

Fatlip

Caipora

Amanda Cox

52 giftfocus • Jewelcity doubled sales again in 2009, so did many of its customers • Launch of 800 new lines of jewellery, scarves and handbags • Register online, order any time and get your best deal delivered next day

Jewelcity, Marcoms House, Abbey Barn Rd, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP11 1RL T: 01494 444200 F: 0870 0056921 W: www.jewelcity.co.uk British design shines through The British Craft Trade Fair (BCTF) has deﬁ ed negative predictions for the giftware industry by continuing to deliver increases in exhibitors and buyers year on year. Read on for a taste of what’s to come in 2010…

Sarah Nicol Stand 171 Tel: +44 (0)1684 591 024 Web: www.sarah-nicol.com Sarah is a textile designer with over 10 year’s experience. She travels extensively, gathering inspiration and sourcing exotic materials. Her ranges include soft furnishings and wall art, decorative items and clothing.

Emma Dolan Stand N28 Tel: +44 (0)7914 964 790 Web: www.emmadolan.co.uk. was developed and managed. Within three Emma is an up and coming textile artist In brief years she achieved her goal and the fair now who creates fabric teacups! show The British Craft stands alone as the only purely British trade She is based in Yorkshire and her studios Trade Fair fair for the gift ware and jewellery industry. th th are a treasure trove of 20th century when 11 –13 April 2010 Asked why she thought the BCTF had domestic paraphernalia and imagery – where The Great Yorkshire fl ourished during such diffi cult trading times, from old Vogue knitting patterns to glossy Showground, Margeret said: “Current retail trends point art deco catalogues. Harrogate fi rmly at consumers favouring unique, hand- website www.bctf.co.uk made products over mass produced, and oft en Th e British Craft Trade Fair represents the inferior, imported goods. Th e fair features very best of British makers. the very best in British craft and design and With around 500 stands it showcases a with our strict vetting procedure, buyers can variety of unique products and provides a be sure of sourcing genuine, contemporary, window on future trends within the industry. design-led UK product that is appreciated by Th e designer makers chosen to exhibit an increasing sector of consumers. represent a wide selection of disciplines with a “Over the years buyers have learnt to carefully planned balance between established appreciate our selection process and to trust names and newcomers. our judgement as to what is right for the fair. I Th e fair saw a change in management fi ve would urge any buyers who have not attended years ago when Margeret Bunn, who heads BCTF recently to register and visit, to witness up the BCTF team, set about making it a for themselves how British design has come of g showcase for British craft and design. Th is age in recent times.” meant a total change of policy on how the fair

54 giftfocus BCTF asia expo

Massey and Rogers Stand N38 Tel: +44 (0)1332 203 433 Web: www.masseyandrogers.co.uk Massey and Rogers is a partnership between Barbara Massey and Helen Rogers. Their inspiration comes from a love of colour, form and line and they blend these together into fresh Esther Coombs unique combinations. Stand 225 They live in Derby and source their inspiration from their surroundings, the natural and Tel: +44 (0)7729 774 177 urban landscape, often delving into history for their colour inspiration, mixing modern and old Web: www.esthercoombs.com to inspire and decorate their works. Esther has launched an innovative range of homeware from cake stands to Blue Poppy Art chairs created from discarded ceramics Stand 123 and reclaimed furniture. Tel: +44 (0)1793 759 000 Her cake stands give a new lease of Web: www.frithsculpture.co.uk life to unwanted crockery, whilst the Blue Poppy Art selects exclusive creations by intricate heat-sealed illustrations tell an British artists and carefully recreates them in individual story. Her tea sets hark back unique bronze fi nishes. The company recently to a bygone era when tea was taken at introduced ceramic artist Veronica Ballan to three o’clock. the group. Based in Northumberland she is well known for fi gurative work and her delightful “woolly” animals. Following the success of the fi rst two introductions last year, eight new sculptures have been added for 2010.

Amanda Cox Jewellery Stand 378 Tel: +44 (0)1422 842 446 Web: www.amandacoxjewellery.co.uk Amanda’s work has developed from and been inspired by an exploration of the tactile properties of metal, combined Hazel Atkinson Jewellery with the visual Stand 115 qualities of simple Tel: +44 (0)115 958 6183 organic forms. Web: www.hazelatkinsonjewellery.co.uk Her ranges Hazel Atkinson offers new designs within include gem set rings in a combination the popular ‘Heaven and Earth’ collection Naive Textile Art of silver and 18ct gold and beautiful ‘lily’ of anodised aluminium jewellery. Each Stand DE354 designs incorporating freshwater pearls of piece is individually painted, assembled and Tel: +44 (0)1304 380 888 various hues. She creates not only elegant fi nished in her Nottingham studio. Web: www.naive.biz bridal and partnership pieces, but also bold ‘Heaven and Earth’ is inspired by sky, sea Mother and daughter partnership, Becky modern chunky pieces available in a variety and landscape, incorporating, the calming and Susan Jennings create jewellery boxes of fi nishes. greens and purples of fi eld and forest, the and pincushions. At the show Amanda will be unveiling a strong blues of the ocean, and hot pinks of Each textile art piece is individually new collection of contemporary wedding summer fl ora. handmade from wool, fabric and felt. and engagement rings.

giftfocus 55 Frances Collectables

Specialising in Betty Boop, Disney Range, The Muppets, Winnie The Pooh, Garﬁ eld, Whimsical Figures and Mr. Bean.

Frances Collectables Ltd is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of resin ﬁ gurine decorations that are designed and sculpted by world acclaimed artist Peter Mook. Visitors are welcome by appointment. Carriage paid £375.

REAL WAX SCENTED ELECTRONIC REMOTE CONTROL CANDLES WWW.DIGICANDLES.COM

Frances Collectables Ltd T: 01702 544546 F: 05600 498490 E: [email protected] www.frances-giftware.com

Magees Nurseries, Windsor Gardens, Hawkwell, Essex SS5 4LH stationery

the write stuff The electronic age has failed to dampen enthusiasm for stylish stationery. There’s growing demand for novelty lines, licensed ranges and trendy notebooks to take notice of… Richard Sawers Associates

Richard Sawers Associates off ers distinctive stationery lines to appeal to a variety of diff erent tastes. Th e company’s collections include jotters, Girls will love the latest Horse Paulina range of stationery products should appeal to the boys. notebooks, journals, diaries and more. stationery including magnetic board Paulina Th e range also includes a magnetic board, Says the company: “We are off in the realms from HABA. desk pad, pencils and a slide rule. For pride of designing products that project a positive Complete with a calendar with movable day of place on any boy’s desk there’s the Cosario personality. Sometimes eccentric, certainly indicator, the board comes with a washable desk raft , a desk tidy with a boat sail with colourful, oft en amusing and carrying bags marker pen and cloth, plus four magnets. pockets to hold pencils, rulers and erasers, a of character, the Right Note range is one of Also in the Paulina range is a Little Horse sturdy wooden base and a note pad. refreshing individuality.” pencil case with pencils, rulers and erasers and Th ese are just a few of HABA’s stationery Latest introductions include a Sherlock the Horse desk pad to provide the fi nishing lines – all designed with children in mind. For Holmes collection featuring the famous sleuth touches to a girl’s workspace and give a wipe more information visit www.haba.co.uk or in classic form with appropriate quotes and clean surface to work on. email:[email protected]. HABA’s Lina and Linus pencil pots make graphic imagery. HABA Th e Robert Burns range is a new addition the perfect gift to brighten up a desk. to the company’s Literary Lines range and Th e cute characters are made from beech features a facsimile of a song by Burns in his wood and include a pot, pencil, eraser and own handwriting, a gathering of Scottish clan metric ruler. Also in the Lina and Linus range tartans together with a dancing laddie. is the stationery set Utensilo – designed to Th ere’s also a Cool Doodling Pad with pages keep things tidy and shipshape; a Lina & Linus of printed blank t-shirts for doodling on. stationery set with note pad, pencil, ruler and For details call +44 (0)1647 433 448 or visit eraser – plus for tricky mathematical problems the website www.right-note.co.uk. – a slide rule Lina to do the counting. Th e nautical feel of Haba’s Cosario Fraser Studios has launched Wellspring’s top- Fraser Studios selling Everyday Flip Notes – metal spring- loaded cases with notepads and pens – and the complementary Madison Collection, into the UK. Th e company has also unveiled the Audrey Collection (pictured), a stationery range with its own colourways which also includes bookmarks, sticky notes and pens. Th ere’s also a new fl oor-standing unit that houses the entire range. Call +44 (0)1592 774 540 or visit the website www.fraserstudios.com for details.

giftfocus 57 the write stuff

stylish peacock feather design with gold foil detail, printed pages and are available in an Blueprint eye-catching counter display unit. New for 2010 Bobbypin fans can now Blueprint will be launching a new range of accessorise with pens, six pencils in a trendy Hello Kitty stationery and bags this spring. tube and a new barrel pencil case. Hello Kitty Sweetie, features products Britain’s favourite bear is the star of including a triple tier pencil case, a book bag, re:creation a selection of notebooks thanks to the a 3D pencil sharpener and sticky notes. Paddington Bear Vintage range. Fans of Tel: +44 (0)845 217 2400 or visit the Michael Bond’s much loved character can website www.blueprintcollections.co.uk to fi nd select from three timeless products. out more. Th e vintage A4 Paddington notebook has Th e Stylus pen range adds a dynamic and lined paper and is a handy size for school NICI’s brand new stationery, combines cute creative twist to the humble ballpoint pen by and college. Th e vintage A5 Paddington characters with high quality products, great combining a pen and a play element together notebook is ideal for popping into handbags for offi ce desks as well as schoolbags! in one. Take a break and stimulate your and for Paddington fans on the move, the Th e global gift fi rm has draft ed in Koala creativity by playing the in-built game! With travel journal is a practical yet personal gift Joey as the star of one range – complete with a six iconic game formats to choose from such and features a luggage tag style bookmark and green message, adorning notebooks, deskware as Monopoly & Trouble there is a fun Stylus to pockets for tickets and photos. and much more. suit everyone! Call +44 (0)8707 587 700 or visit the Th e ballpoint pen is not only decorated Call re:creation on +44 (0)1189 736 222 or website www.rainbowdesigns.co.uk for details. with the furry friend but also has its own little send an email to [email protected] for pendant. Fans can match it with a Koala Joey more information. More Than Bags’ buff allo leather journal spiral bound notebook and a robust character contains 96 treeless (Lokta) paper unlined pencil case. Rainbow Designs is taking the stationery scene sheets. Every journal is handmade and of the NICI’s fl agship range Jolly Mah also has by storm in 2010 with stylish and sophisticated highest quality. some fresh faces for 2010. Brand new kid in character products ideal for the home, offi ce Available in fi ve sizes, with environmentally, the fl ock, Marley-inspired Jolly Bob features and school. sustainable, ethically traded paper which is on some eye-catching stationery along with Jeff rey Fulvimari’s glamorous Bobbypin girls great to write on too! his fl ower arranging ewe-friend Jolly Lovely. look set to steal the limelight when it comes to Th e goat leather journal with treeless Th e woolly twosome have their very own back stationery and Rainbow’s new collection is a (Lokta) paper inserts has a journal insert, to school range. stylish addition to any desk.3 which can be bought separately so that the Mary Wood heads up NICI’s UK team. She Th e colourful and contemporary illustrated cover can be reused and treasured! says: “We have a fantastic range of stationery girls star on two glamorous notebook ranges For further information telephone products and deskware for 2010, with available in four designs and in fl ip or chunky +44 (0)1248 717147 or send an email to something for every pocket and all ages – it formats. Each Bobbypin notebook features [email protected]. isn’t just kids that love NICI products! Lots of older teenagers and working women have favourite characters, collecting everything in the range.” Koala Joey products are available now and More Than Bags Jolly Bob are due to hit the market from April 25th this year. Call Mary on +44 (0)7776 255 042 or email [email protected] for details. g

NICI Rainbow Designs 58 giftfocus

Fabulous Kim Wade and Clare Oakey FRIPPERY Frippery brings elegant, girly glamour to the historic town of Colchester with gorgeous products from covetable designers. Clare Oakey tells us about the store... What was your career background before you opened Frippery? I studied Fashion Retailing at The College For Distributive Trades in London having wanted to work in PR. However, jobs were scarce so I chose to work in manufacturing. After a couple of years I became a fabric and trimmings buyer, which enabled me to travel to Europe and the Far East. My partner Kim worked in administration in the luxury car industry.

What prompted you to launch the business? After having three girls we made the move to my husband’s home town of Colchester. I was surprised at the lack of independent boutiques and shops offering quirky or unique goods. I met Kim at the girls’ school, she stood out immediately as someone with style and a good eye. So, Frippery was born at the school gates. Initially we started holding Frippery parties at home and charity events, and we then progressed to out of town premises. In top bath, ideal for displaying cushions! We alongside Frippery favourites. It is also nice to May 2008 we made the decision to move into have also used a mixture of lighting from free see more fair trade items being available to the town centre. standing vintage lamps to chandeliers. Several buy as people seem to be increasingly aware customers have said that they would love to about these issues. How did you decide on the concept of the move in and live in our shop! shop, with the premises and location for your Which trade shows do you attend? store? What do you consider to be your core Top Drawer, Pulse and Pure. The main concept of the shop is a lifestyle customer base? boutique offering gorgeous things for you and Dating back to our home parties we have built How important is product knowledge and your home. We found premises on Sir Isaacs a loyal base of lovely Fripperettes. We have a customer service in store? Walk, which date back to Victorian times with wide age range from 10 to 80, with our core We really pride ourselves on good light and airy high eves. The position is ideal, customers being 30 to 50. We often have merchandise knowledge, and if we can’t just off the main square on a small lane with mothers and daughters shopping together answer a question we will endeavour to find other independent shops. In November 2009 and more recently, fathers and daughters! It out. Customer service should be a real benefit we doubled our retail space by taking the was lovely over Christmas to see young men of shopping in a small independent shop, so unit next door and knocking through. This has thoughtfully buying for their mum or girlfriend. we always try to be as helpful and creative as made a huge difference, enabling pushchairs possible with both styling and gift ideas. It is and more people to access the shop. What are the key factors you consider when nice when we are buying to have particular sourcing new product lines? customers in mind for certain products. How would you describe the presentation of We try to source things that are a bit the shop? different, often with a vintage charm. We also How important is an online presence to the We wanted to create a welcoming boudoir buy and revitalise vintage items of furniture business? feel and to achieve this we have used vintage and clothing. We are increasingly getting It is of ever increasing importance, therefore dressing tables and display cabinets rather approached by small independent jewellery we are currently revamping our website. than modern shop fittings. We have a roll designers, which is lovely to have new ranges We are going to have fewer items to view

60 giftfocus retailer interview

up soon, a vintage hairstylist. We also offer want to look but are probably a bit more private shopping events tailored to customers’ cautious about what they will pay. It is more individual requirements. important than ever to value and look after your customer. Who would be your ideal customer for Frippery, and why? What are your future plans for the business? Our ideal customer would have an individual We aim to build on the success of our look of their own, probably enjoying mixing expansion, continuing to source individual and vintage pieces alongside high street clothes. unique products. Hopefully the re-launch of At the moment we think Holly Willoughby our website will see increased traffic and bring has the perfect Frippery look about her; our additional services of vintage hire, party glamorous, curvy and already wears ‘Darling’, a bags, styling and sourcing to a larger audience. g but change them much more frequently. range that we carry and now being a yummy One lesson we have learnt is that no matter mummy, she would find things for her baby how beautiful a website looks it needs to here too. be constantly updated. We are also giving more information about our services, in What has been your proudest moment since particular the hire of vintage china and glass launching Frippery? for weddings and events. I think even if you It has to be our recent expansion. We set can’t buy online, a web presence is another ourselves a big task shutting for just one week opportunity to give a potential customer an (we had to knock down the dividing wall), and idea of what you do. Our vintage items are it was much more work than initially thought. often ‘one offs’, but a gallery can show the Everyone mucked in, including our children. type of things we are able to source. It has made such a difference to the retail experience we offer, so many people have Do you run any special events to attract new complimented us on our transformation. Our customers? other proudest moment was the first time we We try different things from in-store saw someone on the train to London carrying promotions advertised locally and through our one of our Frippery carrier bags! email database. We have held charity events for Breast Cancer, the N.S.P.C.C and The Eve How do you view the current state of the Appeal, giving a percentage donation and raffle market? prize. In September, we took part in a fashion Trading conditions are tough, but life goes on. show for the ‘Wish Foundation’ which raised People are still getting married, having babies, £9000 and attracted many new customers. buying gifts for others and treating themselves. Further information We also have themed evenings with tarot We have noticed less expensive clothing To find out more call +44 (0)1206 766 661 card readers, alternative therapists and coming and accessories are selling best. Customers or visit www.frippery.biz

giftfocus 61 choosing a website designer

In the second of his series, expert David Mackley looks at five essential things to know before choosing a website company so you get it right first time. Part 2

Internet shopping a bank like HSBC, then add in the option to images. A website will need several sizes of in the UK is still take payments from PayPal accounts because image for any one product. A good system will a growth area. many people find using PayPal so convenient take any size image you throw at it and create According to the and have money sitting in their accounts that the different sizes needed for the website. voice of e-retail they use on shopping. This will save many hours of your time. Also IMRG, growth ask whether you can have ‘zoomable’ images. was 21 per cent These make a difference to how many people in 2009, about “Be aware that having a separate will end up buying from you because they can 10 times that in website to your shop is just like zoom in to an item and really see the detail of the high street. The internet has become running separate businesses.” the materials, texture and finishing. just a part of everyday life now for so many people. According to Forrester 28 million UK TIP: Stock control is the classic problem. consumers use internet shopping now, and TIP. Google Checkout has not yet reached the Retailers run on small quantities of stock. this will grow to 36 million by 2014. popularity of PayPal so don’t get too precious When the last item is sold in the shop, who We have seen in previous articles there over this. But it is worth keeping an eye on it. will tell the website that the product is now are certainly opportunities for independents out of stock? when a strategy appropriate to the business 4. How do you keep it up to date? has been considered, but finding a website TIP: If you have a shop, consider a company to help create the right eCommerce This is essential to consider. Once the website multichannel system, rather than just website can be difficult. I have seen retailers goes live, how do you add items on to your standalone websites. Multichannel systems let spend many thousands of pounds on below website? How do you manage stock? It is very you put products and images on once for your standard websites that will always struggle to easy to underestimate how long it takes to shop and your website. These all run from a produce a payback on the time and money update products on the website and before single stock system. It makes managing both put into it. So whether refreshing an existing long the products are out of date or have no shop and website much more efficient, and website or starting a new one, one of the most pictures or the prices are wrong. Be aware can make the difference between success and common questions is: “How do I select the that having a separate website to your shop is failure for an independent retailer’s website. right website design company?” and “where just like running separate businesses. The web do I start?” company you choose should talk you through 5. How will the website perform in Following Part one in the last issue, which how you add and update items. search engines? outlined the first two points, here are some more to consider, to hopefully help you make Marketing your website is a big topic and will the right choice first time. “A good system will take any size be covered in future articles. However, it starts image you throw at it and create with choosing the right shopping engine. 3. What forms of payment can be used? the different sizes needed for A good shopping engine will automatically the website.” format your product pages in such a way that Check what forms of payment can be the search engines like Google can easily read accepted. It is likely the web company will them. If this happens, they are more likely to work with selected providers. Popular ones TIP: Check if there are limitations on the get good rankings in the search results. are PayPal, SagePay, HSBC and the emerging number of products you can upload. Google Checkout. I would suggest having one TIP: There is a simple way to check this method of taking cards such as SagePay or Ask the company how you would manage without having to know any technical details.

62 giftfocus “A good shopping engine will automatically format your product pages in such a way that the search engines like Google can easily read them.”

All you do is go to one of the reference sites from the web design company. Select one item they are selling at random and highlight its name. Then copy and paste the name into Google. Now see where that item is ranked. This is not an exact science so repeat for five randomly selected products. Are they appearing reasonably high up in the rankings? Are other companies higher in the rankings for that same product name? Don’t expect it to always be on page one. As a broad rule of thumb, two or three of the items should appear in the first few pages. Try it with a second website as well. If you are not satisfied, talk to the web company about it before proceeding. g

David Mackley MBA BSc is MD of Intelligent Retail – providers of Multichannel EPoS and eCommerce websites for independent retailers. If you have any questions you can contact David on 0845 6800126 or [email protected] In brief show Aviemore Trade Show when 25th-27th April 2010 where Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort, Scotland opening hours Sun-Mon 9.30am–5.30pm, Tues 9.30am-4pm website www.aviemoretradeshow.co.uk admission Trade only Aurorabearealis a welcome in the highlands

Scotland’s Aviemore Trade (www.aurorabearealis.co.uk). She will be back this year with more of her unique Show is more than just tartan miniature bears and a bigger stand to and thistles. It’s a showcase incorporate her husband’s business Charlie for a wide range of Scottish Phillips Images. He will be exhibiting for the first time with a selection of his wildlife and art, craft and giftware and a other prints. valuable launchpad for new As a first time exhibitor herself last year, businesses as well Susan knows how valuable the show is for new businesses. There’ll be a welcome in the highlands this “It is such a friendly show from an April as buyers converge on Aviemore – a exhibitor’s point of view. As a newcomer it gateway to the best of Scottish art, crafts puts you at your ease because everyone is and gifts. so welcoming,” she says. Now in its fourth year, the Aviemore Aviemore buyers range from small craft Trade Show is an independent event, and gift shops to larger outlets, such as organised by Gail Steele who, as a designer/ major department stores, national tourist maker for over 20 years, knows what both organisations, and buying associations. exhibitors and buyers require and, most As well as an increasing number of new importantly, expect from a trade show. businesses exhibiting year-on-year there are The show promotes 'brand' Scotland and a growing number of new enterprises using guarantees buyers that everything they see the event as a launchpad. is made in Scotland. Says organiser Gail Steele: “ This Visitors can expect beautifully presented commitment underlines the value products which demonstrate the innovation, exhibitors place on this event - viewing it as rich culture and heritage of Scottish THE show for Scottish-made items. The show is famous for its hospitality, producers. Products range from glass, “From the all-important retail buyer's providing opportunities for exhibitors and textiles, jewellery to artwork and soap perspective, they know they will see buyers to socialise 'after hours'. and all things in between - not just the products at Aviemore which they won't This year is no exception, with two events perceived tartan, thistle and shortbread! have seen at any other trade show.” scheduled, a ‘Magical Dinner' on Sunday Scottish Minister of Enterprise, Energy New exhibitors this year include Ripples - an evening of food, wine and close-up and Tourism, Jim Mather, will be attending Crafts, with beautiful hand-dyed yarns and magic, plus the traditional Monday’Ceilidh' the second day of the show, underlining his kits, together with loyal Aviemore 'regulars' with the Mackay Music Band. support to exhibitors and the event itself, such as Sheila Fleet Jewellery, the award Gail Steele concludes: “I'm confident of as well as presenting the show awards. winning designer from Orkney, Trewscots another successful event for exhibitors, Gift Focus Magazine sponsors the Best with their range of baby and miniature kilts buyers and the show as a whole!" New Business award, which last year was and Ladycrow Silks with vibrantly coloured Further details can be found on the show g won by Susan Phillips of Aurorabearealis silk scarves. website at www.aviemoretradeshow.co.uk.

64 giftfocus aviemoreaviemore

Sheila Fleet Jewellery Stand F11 Bertie Girl Tel: +44 (0)1856 861 203 Stand 198 Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)1356 626 968 Web: www.bertiegirl.co.uk Atlantic Swell is the new design from Sheila Fleet Jewellery, shown in silver with vibrant ocean-hue enamel. The new Scottish textile graduate Bertie will be showcasing her collection simulates the flow and movement of water with handmade and exclusively designed handbags and accessories. individual sculpted forms. This complements her most recent Working from her studio in Angus, Bertie Girl uses recycled collections Tidal and Shoreline Pebble. The future looks and ethically sourced fabrics from UK weavers, including positive with Sheila lining up lots of new developments for exciting new Harris tweeds. the coming seasons.

The Nature of Things Stand G35 Tel: +44 (0)1381 610 309 Email: [email protected]

Jenny Gunn has created a garden at her home on the shore of the Black Isle in the Highlands of Scotland. Drawing inspiration from the garden and conservatory and the gardens of friends, she creates stunning images for her range of stationery. The whole process, from growing to printing and packaging, is carried out in-house, allowing The Nature of Things to respond quickly and efficiently to orders of all sizes and special requests from customers. Blue Daisy Jewellery Stand A36 Tel: +44 (0)1307 460 551 Email: [email protected]

Set up by Maura Lyons more than five years ago Blue Daisy Jewellery will be showcasing at Aviemore for the first time. They will be promoting their intricate and complex pieces of Chain Maille, worked in sterling silver, or colourful anodised aluminium, from long necklaces to earrings. For its range of ‘one-off’ glass and silver necklaces, the company strives to find the very best in unique, innovative British glass bead design, to create unfussy signature pendants. Blue Daisy Jewellery designs are all hand-made in Maura’s studio in Angus.

giftfocus 65

business link

spreading your net wide Do you know your Facebook from your Twitter? Let Keith Padbury, Business Link Adviser, advise on how to bring your ofﬂine networking online

Social networking sites have been established their personal profile so that friends know most suitable form. You will also need to invest in the UK for more then eight years, with what they are doing at any given moment. It is some time – and patience – for your efforts one of the first popular sites being Friends primarily a forum for socialising via the internet, to bear fruit. Setting targets and monitoring Reunited. Things have rapidly developed and allows users to share photos, videos and effectiveness once you are up and running since then, and it has been reported recently create groups – many businesses have created is also essential to get the most out of your that 50% of internet users in the UK use their own group. social media efforts. social networking sites (Mintel 2009). Social networking has been deemed as one of the www.youtube.com Here are some simple steps to get you started: UK’s favourite online addictions, and leading Plainly and simply, this is a site that enables the pack today is Facebook. users to upload and share videos. From 1. Focus on what you want your social So what are social networking sites? Plainly commercials to music videos and business ‘how media marketing to achieve and simply, they are online communities where to’ guides, you can find a clip on just about we can interact with each other, enabling us anything. One of the business advantages of %strengthening communication with to share opinions, thoughts and experiences the site is the ability to upload a video and existing customers on almost any subject matter. Although the link the URL back to your website, essentially Social media provides a number of tools which word ‘social’ is used to describe this activity, providing you with a virtual filing cabinet for enable you to have a dialogue with customers, businesses are increasingly using some of the your content. both individually and collectively. You can most used sites as a communication channel communicate with customers more frequently through which to tell consumers about their www.linkedin.com for a minimal cost, and your customer also has products and services. The primary function of this site is business- an easy-to-use channel to get in touch with One example is the ‘bring back Wispa’ orientated professional networking. Users you, at a time they can choose. You can use it campaign, where Facebook was used as a create a profile, essentially an online CV, that to learn about your customers, and they can virtual word of mouth tool to create a buzz can be viewed by those that you connect with get a greater understanding of you and your amongst consumers who were lamenting via the site. It is a very useful business tool, business. Your customers can also tell you what the loss of one of their favourite chocolate allowing users to maintain a list of contacts that they like or don’t like about your business, bars. Websites, blogs and chat rooms across they know or trust in business. It can be used products and services < and you can respond. the globe were dominated with talk of a to find jobs, people and business opportunities Wispa comeback, and over 90 ‘bring back via your (and your network’s) list of contacts. %reaching new customers Wispa’ groups were created by consumers on Selecting social media channels used by your Facebook, totalling almost 14,000 members. www.twitter.com potential customers can provide valuable Cadbury’s soon bowed to consumer pressure Twitter asks just one question, ‘what are you exposure for your business at a lesser cost and the one of the nation’s favourite chocolate doing?’ and gives you 140 characters to ‘tweet’ than many traditional customer acquisition bars made a comeback. your answer, which can be sent via mobile methods. It also provides another method So we know that social media sites are text, the web or instant messaging. Followers of generating invaluable word-of-mouth continuing to grow, but which are the most can view your tweets, so for business it can be recommendation for your business. networked sites? Here’s a rundown of some of used to post your latest news or talk about the more frequently used: your products and services. %raising your profile You can raise your profile or the profile of www.facebook.com Social media is fresh, fast < and mostly free. To individuals within your business. Creating an This site is really all about getting in touch make the most of it, like any form of marketing, outlet to offer customers your opinions and with others. It enables users to add friends you will need to carefully consider your advice can also set you apart from competitors and send them messages, as well as update objectives and marry them with social media’s who simply want to bill them.

giftfocus 67 spreading your net wide

%improving your reputation and staff may be able to add some character The use of social media is a fast-changing If you use social media to generate customer to your social media activities. But make the and growing art. Learn from what you do, feedback - and you are then seen to act on boundaries between business and personal and don’t be afraid of trying new approaches. it - you can establish yourself as a service-led, communication very clear. Maintain what works well, but don’t be afraid customer-focused business. In addition, the to experiment. Unlike, for example, a whole easier it is for customers to communicate with %keep it in perspective redesign of your promotional material, dipping you, the higher they will regard you. Social Exciting and powerful as social media is, a toe into running a blog need not be costly. media gives them a chance to communicate at remember it is just one part of your marketing a time they choose, in a manner they choose, plan – and allocate resources accordingly. 6. Essential points to make social media with a tone they choose. work for you 4. Integrate social media into your 2. Choose the right platform marketing plan %don’t sell persistently or aggressively Plain sales messages will at best turn off the Understand where your customers are. Like Use social media as an additional channel to readers of social media – and at worst actively any successful marketing, you must target existing activities – it is unlikely that social turn them against you. Running competitions your efforts towards the channels that your media will replace more traditional marketing and offering special deals and discounts to customers or potential customers are using. methods, so you will need to continue with your social media followers can be a successful Look at existing social media outlets first those as before. strategy, however. to see if your customer base is using them. If When you are revising your marketing plan, your customers are clearly already using one think about which of your existing marketing %remember, it is about conversation particular type of social media, such as Twitter activities can be better delivered through social and connection or Facebook, that is an obvious place to create media. For example, would your company Social media provides a much more two-way your own presence. But be realistic – for newsletter be more effective as a blog, allowing communication than traditional media. It is just example, if your customer base doesn’t use you to update more frequently at lower cost? as much about hearing what your customers discussion forums, it is unlikely that the time Or would a discussion forum on your site want to tell you as it is about you marketing and effort you may spend in building your own lower pressure on your sales support line? to them. will bear fruit. But only make changes if they match your customer’s behaviour. It is not a good idea to %be patient 3. Assess costs, resources and benefits try to force customers to contact you social Using social media is mainly an investment in media if they would prefer to telephone. time. And it takes time for your presence to %bear in mind the time commitment spread. Keep a close eye on how it is working Whatever form of social media you decide to 5. Measure, review, revise for you, but don’t lose heart if it doesn’t use, you will need to allocate time to manage transform your marketing strategy overnight. g and update it. For example, if someone Set targets – but be patient. Like other makes a complaint and you don’t address it electronic communication, social media for a week, your reputation will be hit hard. benefits from being highly measurable. Keep But if you acknowledge it the same day, your track of the time and effort you are investing stock will be raised, both in the eyes of your in your social media by setting targets, such as Further information complaining customer and other readers. increasing traffic to your website by, say, 5% For help with developing a social a month or generating 200 hits on your blog. networking strategy, or for answers to any %give staff responsibility, but manage it But remember, you will need to give social of your questions, contact Business Link on If you have staff, consider how they can help media time to show its worth – it is rarely an +44 (0)845 600 9006 or visit the website manage your social media marketing. You don’t overnight transformation unless you have hit www.businesslink.gov.uk. necessarily have to do everything yourself on something really unique.

68 giftfocus

the sweeney It’s a crime not to be a member of The Giftware Association, says the man with a mission. Alan Monahan reports…

When he becomes chairman of The Twenty years later they are joint managing directors of Worldwide Giftware Association, it will probably and also Natural Products, which was launched in 1992 on the back occur to Michael Sweeney that he could of a UK distribution deal with L’occitane. When the French toiletries still make parts of the chain of office company decided to open its own retail stores five years later, Michael that will be slipped over his head. and Jonathan decided to develop their own ranges of personal care, As joint managing director of beauty, toiletry-related and daily use items. Worldwide Co and Natural Products, Today, they export to more than 40 countries and have offices in the he is a mainstay of the gift and home United States and France. industry, with a career that started 35 Both their companies have been members of The Giftware years ago when he left school and went Association for more than a decade and Michael is quick to spell out to work for a Masonic jeweller. the benefits. “It was absolutely fascinating,” he “Most people know that if you exhibit at major UK gift and home recalls. “I was heavily involved in jewellery manufacture, picked up trade shows – and belong to The GA – you receive a discount. a lot of useful information and met some real characters while I was So, if you do, membership is a no-brainer. But there are many selling jewellery, watches and giftware.” other advantages and you have to use the numerous services that It wasn’t too long before young Michael decided to move on and the association offers to fully understand what belonging to this went to work for Gerald Ratner, former chief executive of the British community really means. jewellery company Ratners Group, before the now legendary speech in “For example, we have used Costwatch to make big savings by which he famously rubbished the company’s products. switching all our utilities and waste disposal. If you are a retailer and “That was educational and I spent much of my time putting up and belong to The GA it’s definitely worth reviewing your credit card costs pulling down promotional posters,” he smiles. and how The GA’s Streamline service can probably help – particularly Michael was just out of his teens when London beckoned and a job if you are an online business.” with a design-led jewellery company with premises in the posh parts He is also a big fan of the association’s Gift of the Year awards. He of the capital – Sloane Street, Bond Street and South Molton Street. speaks from strength – his companies having had products that have He met a lot of international high rollers in the Eighties – kings, either won the competition or been highly commended. dukes and pop stars – but always kept his feet on the ground and, “It’s a wonderful thing and I can’t stress enough how important while he was there, started a small business and his career as an it is to consider entering. Your product is immediately seen by entrepreneur took off. retailer judges who may order it – even if it doesn’t win or is highly “The Japanese were very keen on Sixties and Seventies mechanical commended. And if you are successful it immediately gets people watches, which had quickly been phased out by the mid-Eighties and buying your product and creates a buzz through press coverage, giving replaced with quartz. Good, unworn examples were very hard to find, you opportunities to expand that product range and get it into the but I managed to buy them from Switzerland and then re-sell them in market very quickly. Japan.” Michael initially resisted an approach by high-flying company Next, “Most people know that if you exhibit at major UK but eventually went to work for them after what he describes as “a long gift and home trade shows – and belong to The GA – and tortuous interview with George Davies, who talked me into it”. you receive a discount. So, if you do, membership is a When the part of the business with which he was involved was no-brainer. But there are many other advantages and you sold to a management buy-out, he decided to start the Worldwide Co have to use the numerous services that the association – “focusing on gift stationery and bright ideas” – with another Next offers to fully understand what belonging to this employee Jonathan Pooley. community really means.”

70 giftfocus Award Winning New Baby Gift Range Beautiful Baby Clothes Bouquets NEW 2010 range now available No Minimum Order - On-line Ordering contact us for a free sample

“The GA makes it so easy to enter that it’s almost a crime if you don’t. Products with which we won the competition years ago are still up there with our best-sellers!” Michael pays tribute to outgoing chairman Mike Burgess, GA chief executive Isabel Martinson and her team for doing a “wonderful job” www.theﬂ owerstork.com in retaining members in the current economic climate and signing up email: info@theﬂ owerstork.com new ones. tel: 01495 303030 He is encouraged that at Spring Fair he met people who were opening gift and home shops. “This is something we haven’t seen for a couple of years. A little bit of confidence appears to be returning and people are prepared to invest in new businesses.” His ‘coronation’ on May 6th this year, when he becomes chairman of The GA, will be at the association’s ‘away day’ and AGM. Former world boxing champion Chris Eubank will be one of the speakers. “I do hope that all members will make an effort to attend,” he says. “It’s always good to step outside of your business. That way you can sometimes learn more than by grinding away day to day. I have found that my companies have benefited by me not being there – it gives staff room to make their own decisions.” Asked if he will have a mission during his tenure of the chairmanship, Michael says: “Being one, I am particularly fond of small start-ups. Our first booth was way back in 1990 at Top Drawer, which was then held at Alexandra Palace. We had a six-metre booth and were graced with the presence of Sir Terence Conran, who gave us a mention in his post-show speech. “Ever since, we have continued to build what we consider is now a mature business. But we had support from people along the way – our bankers, suppliers and peers in the industry. But we could have done with a little more assistance, which would have enabled us to accelerate the growth of the business. “I’d like to think that, through The GA, I can now give something back to smaller businesses with help and advice. We made mistakes when we were first starting out and I would like to mentor others. “I have a lot of good instincts about the industry and am looking forward to sharing them with new businesses. Over the two years of my chairmanship I look forward to getting out and about – talking to our membership and introducing as many people as possible to the services The GA has to offer.” Michael Sweeney will become chairman of The Giftware Association at its annual meeting on May 6th, 2010. g

giftfocus 71 directors’ & ofﬁcers’ liability – know the facts In today’s litigious society when something goes wrong, those affected want to ﬁnd someone to blame and will use the available law to help them. Company law is becoming increasingly complex and insurance brokers are continuing to see company directors brought to task over the decisions or actions they have taken. Neil McFarlane of insurance brokers T.H.March & Co Ltd sheds light on the protection available.

In law, irrespective of whether or not your looking into legislation, the Insolvency Act company and an increasing focus on smaller company has “limited” status, directors can and Companies Directors Disqualification Act businesses. Even when there is no initial be held personally liable for the decisions they of 1986 come into play. allegation that a director has done anything make on behalf of the company. D&O Insurance provides a pool of wrong, having the funds to obtain legal Directors’ and Officers’ Liability Insurance money for the directors to draw on to fund representation at these investigations enables (D&O) is liability insurance which is payable defence and settlement costs and the cost directors to gain the best possible outcome to the directors and officers of a company. of legal representation at investigations. • In one year The insurance can cover a range of losses D&O insurance works two ways to help i) Over 1,500 directors were disqualified for including cover for damages or defence costs your business; protecting the individual between 2 and 15 years in the event that an organisation suffers losses director from financial loss arising from ii) The DTI’s Companies Investigation Branch as a result of a lawsuit for alleged wrongful claims for negligence or breach of duty in the looked at almost 5,000 companies acts, while acting in their capacity as directors management of the company and secondly iii) The HSE issued over 11,000 notices and and officers for the organisation. reimbursing the company where it has agreed prosecuted 982 cases Claims can be made by employees, to indemnify the director against such claims. • Cover for D&O for small and medium size current and former shareholders, customers, enterprises is available at highly realistic and suppliers, liquidators and receivers. Whilst Why should you consider buying Directors’ affordable premium levels claims can be made from a number of and Officers’ Liability Insurance? • As with all insurance policies, there are people they can also arise from different • Directors’ personal liabilities are unlimited exclusions to D&O cover which may include: organisations, in particular government and in the course of carrying out everyday • Bankruptcy/liquidation in the first 180 days agencies. There are several government duties for a company, directors are • Deliberate fraudulent or illegal activities bodies that can investigate your company exposing themselves personally to lawsuits, • Circumstances which already exist including DTI’s Companies Investigation investigations and criminal prosecutions. • Your companies professional services Branch, The Health & Safety Executive, The Without insurance, directors can end up • Claims in the USA/Canada g Serious Fraud Office and The Disability Rights having to re-mortgage ( their home or worse), Commission. These bodies will look into just to pay legal fees incurred Further information legal undertakings as well as legislation. When • When a director needs to defend lawsuits, T.H. March is a well-established family business looking into legal undertakings a company investigations and prosecutions, being able founded in 1887. With offices in London, will be viewed to see if they are performing to draw on insurance funds to obtain quality Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Sevenoaks duties with a reasonable degree of care and legal support and advice can help achieve the and Yelverton near Plymouth, the company skill together with looking to see if a company best possible outcome has departments covering household, motor, is acting within the Memorandum and • There are an increasing number of travel, commercial and scheme insurance. To Articles of Association of the Company. When government bodies that can investigate a find out more visit www.thmarch.co.uk

72 giftfocus

drying days

1 2 3

7 8

1. Blue Cups from the black rabbit 3. Our House by Michelle Mason 5. Tea Cups from Jam Tart Ltd www.theblackrabbit.co.uk www.michellemason.co.uk www.jam-tart.com

2. Teacake by Gillian Kyle 4. Dandy from Disaster Designs 6. Union Jack from Pearl & Earl www.gilliankyle.com www.disasterdesigns.co.uk www.pearlandearl.com

74 giftfocus tea towels

Doing the dishes doesn’t need to be a chore with the selection of fab tea towel designs currently on the market. Take your pick to soak up sales and clean up at the tills...

4 5

10 12 11

7. Cupcakes by Poppy Treffry 9. Pocket Money children’s tea towel 11. Pudding Club from Charles Gallen www.poppytreffry.co.uk from Twisted Twee www.charles-gallen.ie www.twistedtwee.co.uk 8. Beach Huts by Snowden Flood 12. Hell’s Kitchen from Lush Designs www.snowdenﬂ ood.com 10. Bramley Rose from Scott Inness www.lushlampshades.co.uk www.scottinness.com

giftfocus 75

news round up All the latest from The Giftware Association

Time is running out for entries to the that like them.” year’s Spring prestigious Gift of the Year Awards 2010. Companies wanting to increase their Fair to offer their Backed for the chances of success are being invited, where views following second year appropriate, to submit products in different intellectual running by Gift categories. The competition is open to all UK property disputes Focus Magazine gift and home related companies. To find out in two separate and sister title more and to enter online visit the website cases involving Attire Accessories www.giftoftheyear.co.uk. GA members who as headline were exhibiting at sponsors, this year’s Chris Eubank the show. competition looks packing a punch for “The immediate set once again to be an influential event. GA’s ‘away day’ advice they are The entry deadline is April th8 and organiser Former world boxing able to give can obviate the need to spend The Giftware Association (GA) is confident of champion Chris thousands of pounds on legal fees,” says attracting a healthy crop of entries. Eubank has fuelled Isabel Martinson. “There may be special Gift of the Year judges and The GA’s retail interest in The circumstances or reasons why a dispute members were out and about talent scouting Giftware Association’s arises and discussion and understanding at the recent Spring Fair International. annual meeting. can sometimes prevent litigation. Where it Says chief executive Isabel Martinson: There has been a is appropriate I am always ready to act as a “Retailers are very excited about the surge of enthusiasm since he was announced mediator when GA members are in dispute wonderful selection of new product they have as one of the guest speakers at the AGM and with each other.” found at the show, so this year’s Gift of the ‘away day’ being held at The GA’s headquarters Year promises to be a cracker. in Birmingham on May 6th. Stephanie steps “We have information about these The meeting will also hear from Iain up for The GA companies – and the products which have Nicol, Emap exhibitions’ commercial The GA has been recommended - and will be contacting director for digital. He will discuss the use of beefed-up its them before the entry deadline to urge them e-communications and how digital marketing e-communications to take part. can be used to promote companies. and digital “A number of Gift of the Year winners tell There will also be a presentation on trends marketing me that their success in the competition has from WGSN – Emap’s market-leading global operation to quite literally put their company on the map trends forecasting website. provide better and resulted in some fantastic orders. The meeting will also see The GA advice to members “But irrespective of whether they are chairmanship pass from Parlane International about the marketing opportunities presented shortlisted, highly commended or actually managing director Mike Burgess to Michael by new technology. win, the products of companies that enter will Sweeney, joint managing director of Stephanie Hale – who has a Masters degree be seen by high-profile retailers who might Worldwide Co and Natural Products. in marketing and communications – has not have discovered them at trade shows. And joined The GA and will produce fact sheets, we know from previous experience that even Copywatch on the spot which are relevant to the needs of members. those products that get no further than the Lawyers from The Giftware Association’s She will also give advice in the members’-only first round are ordered by the retailer judges Copywatch service were on the spot at this section of the association’s website. g

78 giftfocus hot property hotAll the latest fromproperty the world of licensing Food for thought Leading Housewares company Spearmark is to launch an informative website to help make children’s packed lunches healthier. A recent study suggested that just one per cent of primary school children’s packed lunches met the nutritional standards set for school meals in England. Now, thanks to an innovative initiative by lunchware manufacturer Spearmark, help will soon be at hand. In July 2010, prior to the crucial ‘back to school’ period, the company will be launching www.whats4lunchclub.com a fun and informative online resource for those seeking inspiration as to what they might include in their children’s lunch boxes. The site will include the option of becoming a member of the What’s For Lunch? Club, with regularly updated packed lunch menus, recipes, competitions and an activity zone. The website will be promoted via a swing tag on all Spearmark’s lunchbags and boxes. Explains Alex Bloom, licensing director at Spearmark: “We launched a What’s For Lunch? booklet in 2006 and continue to get enquiries from schools and other organisations who are using it as a teaching aid. The new website takes this initiative to another level allowing the information to be constantly refreshed keeping parents and their children hungry for more.” For further information visit the website www.spearmarkhousewares.co.uk.

Guinness World Records partner with Paladone Products Guinness World Records™ and gift suppliers Paladone Products, have announced a new partnership, which will see the launch of the fi rst range of licensed toys and gifts. The products, from juggling sets to bus-jumping motorbike kits, are due to be on sale in gift and toy shops across the UK from summer 2010. Record breaking packs will include a Guinness World Records mini book packed with records, facts and tips on how to be the best, covering areas from circus skills to stunt jumping to chocolate eating! Hannah Scroggs, new product developer for Paladone said: “For years Guinness World Records has been inspiring people of all ages. With our range of products we are hoping to engage people in record breaking feats and encourage them to have a go themselves.” ‘Friends together’ For more information visit www.Paladone.com or call +44 (0)1273 230 037. Hasbro’s global master toy licence for BBC Worldwide’s popular In the Night Garden has been renewed. New Star Wars™ science toys from Brainstorm The deal comes as 4.4 million In the Night Brainstorm ‘strikes back’ with a new line-up of Uncle Milton Star Wars™ science toys. Garden plush toy sales are confi rmed in the Uncle Milton has once again translated the ‘science’ of the popular fi lm franchise into UK since launch. new toys and exploration tools for all ages. Lightsaber construction kits and a Death Star The deal will see Hasbro extend In the Planetarium are just a few of the toys being featured in 2010. Night Garden product ranges alongside BBC Highlights from the Star Wars™ Science new product introductions include a Worldwide’s growth strategy for licensing of Star Wars Science remote controlled Lightsaber™ light. the brand. Children can construct their own Jedi Lightsaber and fi x In the Night Garden is set to receive a it to the wall as a room light. There are eight colour effects refreshed look and feel with the launch of the to personalise the Lightsaber and a wireless remote control ‘friendship theme’ in autumn/winter 2010. The to turn the light on and off. During construction, children friendship theme will be extended across all learn about electronics to make the Lightsaber work. BBC Worldwide licensed In the Night Garden To fi nd out more email [email protected] or visit categories and integrated into style guides, the website www.brainstormltd.co.uk. packaging and non-toy licensee ranges.

giftfocus 79 KRWSURSHUW\

Treasure Trove announces Saddle Club launch The stars of TV’s popular Saddle Club are coming to life for horse mad girls in the UK. Treasure Trove Toys has unveiled a comprehensive range of Breyer models based on the TV show. Created from the books written by the popular children’s’ author Bonnie Bryant, the live-action series follows the adventures of three young friends who formed the Saddle Club. Breyer’s Saddle Club collection of horses, ﬁgures and accessories, has already been a huge hit in the United States and Australia. Ignition Licensing - the independent UK based international brand management and licensing agent - was recently appointed UK Merchandising & Licensing Agent for the Saddle Club, and is responsible for developing the merchandising rights to the popular girl’s TV programme. For more information call +44 (0)1285 762 039.

First class gifts New and exclusive for 2010 the Stamp Collection from Gift Republic offers a range of first class gifts officially licensed by the British Postal Museum and Archive. The collection is a celebration of stamps. Each gift evokes a sense of Love it regal heritage and classic British design. There are stamp-based gifts suitable Wild and Wolf for everyone including mugs, notebooks, greeting cards, gift wrap with more has launched a to come. new licensed Visit www.giftrepublic.com or call +44 (0)8451 262 324 for details. Marmite collection featuring the pop art design on a range of melamine, stainless steel and enamel plates, mugs, beakers, flasks and water bottles. There is also a selection of colourful Marmite notebooks. The famous spread first came into production over 100 years ago. Established as a British institution and recognised internationally, it is celebrated for its distinctive, bulbous shaped glass jar and branded label, first introduced in the 1920s. Marmite has enjoyed renewed favour in recent years following the successful “Love it or Hate it” advertising campaign. For further information call +44 (0)1225 789 909 or visit the website www.wildandwolf.com.

Latest bulletins … An official collection of Michael Jackson dolls will be launched in the The Licensing Awards 2010 are now officially open for entries. UK later in the year. The newly designed website has launched incorporating entry The collection produced by Playmates Toys, and distributed in the UK forms, nomination forms, ticket booking forms plus a wealth of other by Character Options, will include two figures launched in August to information. The awards ceremony will take place on 9th September be followed by a further two designs before Christmas. Playmates Toys 2010 at the Lancaster London Hotel. has linked with music merchandising company Bravado to produce the For further details visit the website www.thelicensingawards.co.uk. figures and dolls.

80 giftfocus acid at the coalface As ever, Spring Fair proved a fantastic launch pad for an impressive number of micro enterprises, as well as household names, all seizing the opportunity to market new designs and products. It also sprung a few unwelcome surprises – Dids Macdonald, CEO of Anti Copying in Design (ACID) reports…

It was a mixed Spring Fair for ACID member Jan Constantine. be taken seriously. It took On the one hand her order book was full and over flowing but the a significant amount of excitement was tinged with frustration at having discovered not investment and time to create one, but three, alleged copies of one of her design collections. Most our product range and it’s exhibitions are natural showcases for new products but some exhibitors something I feel very proud of.” can also be vulnerable to those who seek the fast track to market Jan Constantine’s background through copying and Jan was no exception this year. in fashion, interiors and styling Fortunately, ACID was able to help and, using the Exhibition proved a real driving force Protocol for complaint handling, informed the people concerned and behind her dream to fulfil a put them on notice regarding the complaints. Prior to that one of lifetime’s ambition and produce ACID’s IP lawyers had confirmed Jan’s IP ownership and that there her own collection and all the were sufficient similarities in the alleged copies to inform the stand designs are created by her with owners in question. None of the companies concerned co-operated help from her team. Copies with ACID’s requests to remove the products and matters are now of all designs are sent to the being dealt with by ACID accredited law firm McDaniel & Co. The ACID Design Data Bank and clear message to anyone thinking about marketing any new product is this provides valuable evidence that they are unauthorised to do so unless they have created their own of the date they are received intellectual property rights or have a licence to market those products. which provides compelling Following discovery of the alleged copying Jan Constantine evidence in pursuing any IP commented: “All intellectual property rights in our designs are the infringement. property of Jan Constantine Ltd and any infringements will always Added Jan: “We joined Anti Copying in Design (ACID) All images courtesy of Jan Constantine to protect our designs and the intellectual capital which underpins our brand. One of the main advantages is the visually powerful ACID logo which, when used at fairs and exhibitions, helps to deter others from copying. The ACID logo is prominently displayed on the homepage of our website and also inside the front cover of our new brochure.” As a member of the newly created ACID Spring & Autumn Fair IP Steering Committee, Jan endorses ACID’s objectives to work closely with ACID accredited show organisers Emap to build on the positive IP work already achieved. Not only in their support for respecting intellectual property, but also to ensure that the voices of those who represent ACID members and others exhibiting at the show are heard loudly and clearly so that improvements can be considered for the future. Jan hopes that the new ACID IP Steering Committee will be a first for many exhibitions in the UK. “After all”, she explained, “We invest heavily each year in exhibiting at several exhibitions in the UK. We are there to market and sell our products, not to have to spend time going after copyists. We look to the

82 giftfocus “After all, we are no longer a nation of shopkeepers, ours is a knowledge economy and full exploitation of your intellectual property will be key in today’s competitive marketplace. One person’s innovative ideas - if carelessly discussed without conﬁdentiality - can be another’s instant passport to success.”

UK exhibition organisers to take a leaf out of European organisers’ books who take a much firmer attitude to infringement of original designs.” So, whether you are an established company within the giftware sector, or a start-up hoping to make it in today’s competitive market, there is no time like the start of a new decade to take a fresh look at what is one of your most important assets – your intellectual property. Daunting though it may sometimes appear there are some simple steps all businesses should take to ensure that this precious commodity, the lifeblood of business in the 21st century, is protected. After all, we are no longer a nation of shopkeepers, ours is a knowledge economy and full exploitation of your intellectual property will be key in today’s competitive marketplace. One person’s innovative ideas - if carelessly discussed without confidentiality - can be another’s instant passport to success. g

For information about ACID’s industry standard agreements visit the website www.acid.eu.com

giftfocus 83

Q&A special all the answers Our experts tackle your insurance, retail technology and visual merchandising queries

a career in display Neil McFarlane, sales and marketing director, of My daughter creates some very interesting T H March & Co Limited. T H March is a well- window displays in our shop and loves to arrange established family business founded in 1887, Qthe stock inside as well. She has a junior office with offices in London, Birmingham, Manchester, job at present but is not very happy so I have Glasgow, Sevenoaks and Yelverton, near Plymouth. suggested that she should look out for jobs in shop The company has departments covering display but they all want experienced people. Can household, motor, life and income protection, you help her to get started? travel, commercial and scheme insurance. Alan Springall says: I’m pleased to hear that she is enthusiastic and that she enjoys presenting merchandise. Alan Springall’s work has always involved display SheA is, of course, gaining experience with what she is doing for you and she could volunteer to create displays for other and exhibitions, from 13 years in Selfridges’ retailers that are nearby, the idea being that she will be able display department to lecturing at colleges and to put together a portfolio of all her VM related projects. running a consultancy with his partner. Areas Obviously photos are ideal but sketches or scrapbooks of of expertise include design, construction, prop how she developed her ideas and evidence of other craft making, merchandise handling, and exhibitions. skills would enhance the overall content. The next step is to have the confidence to make appointments to see VM managers in the stores where she might like to work. Don’t go through the HR department, my previous experience suggests that they have little David Mackley has 20 years' experience in knowledge of what are good VM skills. So she needs to information technology and is now managing find the VM department and say she realises that there are director of Intelligent Retail, the company probably no jobs at present but she would appreciate some behind Giftware Connect. Areas of expertise advice on her portfolio and how to progress. Generally are EPoS, retail IT systems and eCommerce. people enjoy giving advice and she will gain experience and feedback on her portfolio. Hopefully they will offer to keep Call David on +44 (0)845 680 0126 or email her details on record for a future position or possibly offer him at [email protected]. work experience. Alternatively she could take a job as a shop assistant, get to know the VM staff, then offer to help on busy projects or creating displays in her department. She will then be in a good position to apply when a job comes up. If she wishes to continue in her existing job she might consider enrolling for a part-time/evening course to gain a qualification and add to her portfolio. There may be a college locally although they are not common. I know of good courses at the Fashion Retail Academy in London and at East Berks College in Windsor but to be more flexible there is a new online VM course offered by the British If you have a question about any aspect of the gift retail industry, simply write Display Society at www.bdsonline.co.uk. to: Q&A special, Gift Focus Magazine, Broseley House, Newlands Drive, Witham, I wish her the best of luck in her quest, I have never Essex, CM8 2UL. Alternatively, send your queries to [email protected]. regretted making display my chosen career. Qgiftfocus 85 all the answers

buying cover online positive swings in net profit. Having actual data merchandising and in some areas marketing With the increase in internet sites in front of you makes it much easier to get as well. Qpromoting insurance, can I use this what you want. If you are used to window display then, with rather than talking to an advisor? a few modifications, the same techniques can employers’ liability be applied to interiors; focal points, lines of Neil McFarlane says: The internet serves a I have public liability cover with sight and working to a pattern or shape. The useful purpose but of course the sales tend myQ present policy; that covers my big difference is that many of the presentations to be unadvised. Unless your risk fits closely employees as well, right? are likely to be handled by customers so they A will need frequent maintenance to keep them into the “box” and you understand the various insurance wordings you may wish to seek Neil McFarlane says: If you are an employer, up to standard. Some interior VM areas are advice from an insurance broker. youA do need Employers’ Liability Insurance, also viewed from two, three or four sides, To simplify the sale of shop retail products as required under the Employers’ Liability which can complicate composition and layout. many clauses are built into the policy wordings (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 and so if you buy a policy over the internet then subsequent amendments. Should a member Here are a few guidelines: do carefully read the policy within the stated of your staff be injured or become ill as ‘cooling off’ period. a result of carrying out their duties (for 1) A logical arrangement helps to sell, example, repetitive strain injury) they may be associated products should be grouped useful data entitled to claim for compensation from you together e.g. greeting cards, wrapping paper I have taken over a shop with an as their employer. The injury/illness may take and ribbons. existing EPoS system that provide lots many years to materialise and it is therefore 2) Mass display of identical products, such as ofQ reports, ok so they are interesting imperative that all expiring Employers’ Liability candles, can increase sales substantially as they what can they really be used for? Certificates are kept as proof of cover for no attract the eye automatically. less than 40 years as required by the above 3) Creating a pattern or shape with David Mackley says: There are lots of ways to legislation (and you will also know who to merchandise aids selection and makes more answer this question. I will look at one of the claim against!). Even if your staff members are impact, although displays should not always directA ways in which to utilise this information. not employed on a contractual basis or are be tidy and symmetrical. Sometimes a certain When talking with suppliers, many retailers part-time, this cover is still required. amount of planned disarrangement can fail to ask for discounts because they don’t Should a member of the public (including encourage bargain hunters to buy. Though this feel they have the leverage of the big boys. In an agent of another company) be injured approach should be used with care as the many cases, that’s simply not true. They just on your premises (for example a trip or fall) jumble-sale-table-look can discourage all but need to ask. The worst the supplier can say they may be entitled to claim against you for the most intrepid customer. is no. Reports can help you ask in a factual compensation for injuries/illness sustained 4) The best selling area of a shelved display businesslike manner, they provide a rationale whilst on your premises. Taking into account is just below eye level followed by the lower for getting a lower price. the litigious nature of modern society, it is areas with the top areas attracting the least For example, you could call your supplier imperative that all businesses have this cover attention when viewed at close range. and say, “I’m looking at the reports in my EPoS in place, but it is not a legal requirement. 5) Point of sale material can often help software and analysing the profit margins for Should a claim be successful against you, increase sales, but an excessive amount can my business. I see that you’re one of our top without adequate insurance cover, the assets confuse and take up valuable selling space. suppliers, but our margins on your products of the business would be at risk. 6) Merchandise should largely be accessible, are towards the bottom. In fact, they’re eight merchandise handled by the customer is per cent lower than our top two suppliers. the bigger picture often merchandise well on its way to being We really like your products and we would I am keen on dressing the windows in sold. In some areas, like toys and audio visual, consider ordering even more, but we simply Qmy small shop but I have noticed you the products need to be working or easily need to make more money. What can you do referring to it as visual merchandising demonstrated, but security is a consideration. about better discounts on a permanent basis?” in previous answers. Is this what I am 7) Products should be displayed in proportion This is so much more effective than simply doing now? to their sales and stockturn, there is no point saying, “Can I get a discount please?” in featuring lines which cannot be supported You’d be amazed how just asking for better Alan Springall says: Visual merchandising by stock. prices from your suppliers can knock off a big A(VM) incorporates not only the window but 8) All merchandise should be correctly priced chunk of your stock costs. This goes directly the look of the whole shop and the way in and described. to net profit, so even a small price reduction which merchandise is used promotionally I hope this helps to convert you from a g from your main suppliers can mean big in-store as well. The techniques overlap with window dresser to a visual merchandiser. A86 giftfocus open|box|design and the winner is… 2010 has kicked off in fine form with a whole raft of award winning products. We spotlight a sample of those picked for special acclaim.

The new year round of home and gift trade (www.openboxdesign.co.uk) Think Bubble shows has heralded a growing optimism “Being at 'Fresh' had a significant effect on with products that showed style, innovation and confidence in the market. open|box|design. Winning the very first and commercial appeal. With that comes the continuing need to 'Best of Fresh' Award was the icing on The awards were judged by leading source great new products. A snapshot of the cake and was a real surprise especially interiors journalist Heather Macleod and the recent shows reveals some leading lines considering the calibre of the other Wendy Ross Owner of The Old Mill Gift sure to win sales and boost business in the exhibitors.” – Sunil Vishin, director. Shop and Ruby Red in Glasgow who were seasons ahead. impressed by the high standard of products. 'Best New Product was judged and As well as the four winners there were SPRING FAIR awarded by Steve Mackie, owner of the runners up in each section and highly INTERNATIONAL Gilded Cage in Scotland. commended products. Three outstanding winners were selected Winner: Think Bubble by judges at the inaugural Fresh! Awards, (www.thinkbubble.uk.com) Best Product Awards held as part of the new Fresh! area in Hall “We are really pleased to have had all

3 at Spring Fair 2010. our hard work, creativity and originality 'Home & Giftware All companies exhibiting in Fresh! were recognised with an award for 'Best New Winner: Dekassa with Midgie Candle entered into the awards with the award Product' in the 'Fresh' section at this year's (www.dekassa.com) for Best New Company open only to Spring Fair.” – Janette Phillips, director. companies that had been trading for less Tartan Spirit than three years. SCOTLAND’S TRADE FAIR At the inaugural Best Product Awards

'Best New Company was judged and at Scotland’s Trade Fair, in Glasgow this awarded by Isabel Martinson, chief January four companies won their category executive of The Giftware Association. Winner: Scott Inness Scott Inness (www.scottinness.com) Jill Henderson, director says: “We have a genuine desire to build Scott Inness into a brand which represents good quality, affordability and unique eye-catching designs. By winning this Fresh! award, which recognises new design-led companies, this has helped us realise some of our early ambitions and gives us real credibility in an exciting market sector.”

'Best of Fresh was judged and awarded by David Pursley the president of the Australian Giftware Association and a Distributor for Australia. Winner: open|box|design

88 giftfocus awards awards

Pearl & Earl Anorak Kirsty Davies

'Clothing & textiles TOP DRAWER Winner: Tartan Spirit for bag and corsage Each year the Top Drawer Awards are held (www.tartanspirit.com) to acknowledge the new products set to be the next big thing across each of the show 'Jewellery & Fashion Accessories sectors – Gift, Home, Fashion, Stationery & Winner: Gracie J for silver pendant or belt Greetings and Children’s. (www.graciej.co.uk) The awards are judged by a panel of experts within the industry. This year the 'Launch Gallery judges came from a number of recognisable Winner: Scott Inness for cushion brands and companies including Gift Focus (www.scottinness.com) Magazine’s sister title Attire Accessories. Editor Jennifer Kettle picked Kirsty Davies 'Special Award for Innovation for the Best New Product Award in the j-me The Articulate Gallery for specially fashion category. (www.kirstydavies.co.uk) created frames Jennifer commented: “Kirsty Davies’ 'Best Dressed Stand Under 24 sq m (www.articulategallery.co.uk) products are beautiful and versatile designs. Winner: Sort of Coal They have a fantastic blend of commercial (www.sortofcoal.com) appeal and directional, on-trend style.” Jellycat 'Winner – Over 24 sq m Other awards were: Grand Illusions (www.grandillusions.co.uk)

'Best New Product Gift Winner: Anorak for apron NYIGF (www.anorakonline.co.uk) Five companies won Accent on Design® awards at the New York International Gift

'Best New Product Home Fair this year. Winner: Pearl & Earl for art prints The winning exhibitors were recognised (www.pearlandearl.co.uk) for design excellence and included London based j-me. The company scooped top

'Best New Product Children’s honours for Excellence in Product Design Winner: Jellycat for Bashful Bunny with its magazine rack ‘Float’. (www.jellycat.com) An original design by j-me, the chrome and powder coated steel magazine rack

'Best New Product Stationery & features a sleek industrial design. The judges Greetings recognised Float’s potential to become a Winner: The Carte Postale for Vase range new classic. g (www.thecartepostale.com) (www.j-me.co.uk)

giftfocus 89 If you’ve enjoyed reading Gift Focus magazine, why not log onto our website at www.giftfocus.com? Containing up-to-the-minute news, events and special offers, the site is updated regularly with information to help you advance your business.

Find a Supplier The latest feature on www.giftfocus. com, the supplier directory, allows you to contact advertisers in the magazine for more information about their products or services. Simple to use and available world-wide 24 hours a day, the supplier directory is a reader reply service for the 21st century.

PREVIOUS ISSUES AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD NOW!

• Back Issues Archive If you’re looking for information on a particular giftware sector or show, take a look at our back issues archive. All back issues will be sent out post-free. Special Features • Featured Articles Read our regularly updated spotlighted features whenever you wish, covering legal issues, intellectual property advice, the latest EPoS information, tips from the Giftware Association and much, much more.

• Media Pack Download our comprehensive on-line media pack for a 2010 features list, advertising rates and specifications. www.giftfocus.com

90 giftfocus 90 giftfocus Macef

Italesse

Alessi the italian experience

Macef, the international exhibition of household goods and gifts, is reinventing itself in order to meet the challenges of an evolving market. Sarah Reeve reports from the 88th edition held in Milan this January.

Macef has its sights firmly set on the future 2,000 top foreign buyers invited to Milan, 30 Big name Italian brands included Alessi, – not only as a showcase for promoting per cent of whom were first-time visitors. Italesse and Millefiori. Millefiori presented renowned Italian goods to the domestic Delegations from different countries its home fragrance range, including a marketplace but as an international platform to included Saudi Arabia, Canada, United Arab new laundry collection and the sleek and the world. Emirates, Russia and the USA. contemporary Red Tulip design diffuser. Organisers have been working to raise The January edition presented around Other well known international names the international profile of the show and to 1,800 exhibitors spread over four traditional included Yankee Candle, Umbra, Aroma Home respond to the changing marketplace, fostering categories, Table and Kitchen, Gifts, Home and Enesco. new young talent as well as promoting Decoration, Bijoux and Fashion Accessories. For British companies looking to gain traditional Italian goods. At the heart of the show was the table international exposure there was a special This January’s edition marked a major step and kitchen area, with events and promotions dedicated area called 100% British Design forward in the show’s reinvention as ‘the new designed to celebrate the joy of food and the at Macef. Macef’, as it is being billed. art of cooking. The Cooking show, designed The British Consulate-General Milan A reported 90,000 people visited over by Gambero Rosso, was designed as a visually working with UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) the four days - a 12 per cent increase on the exciting and engaging event with cookery staged the showcase to spotlight new design previous year. lessons showing off exhibitors’ products. from Great Britain. The area offered an Other features included The Workshop: exclusive showcase of home and decoration “Macef’s ambition is to tradition and innovation area, for producers products within Hall 4. who have updated and adapted artisan skills become a world reference and crafts to meet market demand. Millefiori point for Italian products” There was also space dedicated to incubator projects, providing a valuable launchpad for start up enterprises and first time exhibitors. “Following the positive signs of a recovery Once again Macef presented the Creazioni in consumer spending evidenced by Christmas and Creazioni Designer areas, both devoted to purchases,” commented Fiera Milano managing innovation and quality craftsmanship. director, Enrico Pazzali, “the distribution Creazioni provides a showcase for art and industry seems to have gained confidence and craft led businesses producing unique pieces or now feels the need to begin investing again. So small collections. a significant recovery is looking possible for the Creazioni Designer is for up and coming homeware industry, which finds Macef to be designers to present their projects and the ideal occasion to offer new ideas.” prototypes. As a new initiative, meetings with He explained that: “Macef’s ambition is to international buyers were lined up to enable become a world reference point for Italian them to view the projects privately, to give products, those products which, like Macef their views and opinions on the products’ itself, are characterised by the intelligent hand relevance and appeal to their own markets. of those who design and make them.” As ever the show presented some Behind the scenes Fiera Milano has been spectacular displays particular in the home investing time and money in raising the decoration halls, with show stopping statement international profile of the show, with over pieces in dramatic red, black and silver.

giftfocus 91 Timea

Shaping up for the future Macef’s new artistic director is architect Ettore Mocchetti, and the Timea new format is based on the slogan The Italian Six companies exhibited within the special companies in Stoke,” explained Paul. Experience. The next edition will take place zone including Anglepoise, which for over 75 “For us everything we do is new and from 9th to 12th September this year (and not years has created table lamps and table lights the reaction we have received has been from 3rd to 6th as in the past). that are now British design classics. extremely good. “The new date,” says Enrico Pazzali, “is Visit the website www.anglepoise.com to find “People are responding really well to the the result of a wider project that meant we out more fact that much of what we are trying to do is could redraw Fiera Milano’s calendar for the Steven Harkin Design exhibited a colourful reinvent a market that has not really moved month of September, and finally place Macef collection of stylish handbags. for a long time – the bone china, table and in a position that’s better suited to market Steven said: “I was approached about giftware sector.” requirements, distancing it further from August exhibiting at the show because they believed For further details visit the website and ensuring it does not overlap with other the product was the right fit and should appeal www.thenewenglish.co.uk. important European fairs.” to the market because of the colour, quality “The new date is a further element in and design.” London-based designer Timea Sido was also the ‘listening to the client’ strategy that we Italy is home to a long tradition of fine making her debut in Italy. initiated in January and that continues with leather goods and his mix of simple, classic and “ I wanted to come to Italy because I felt investments in Italy and abroad and a strong futuristic shapes found favour with visitors to my work would fit well with the market,” communication campaign to support the the show. she explained. project,” he concludes. He launched the BoHo range at Macef and Her award winning, contemporary ceramics From next September, the show will also be the colours that proved particularly popular feature an innovative layering technique, open to new sectors - Outdoors, Gardening were orange, yellow, purple, spring green and interweaving thin lines of earthenware clay to and Pets. g Amparo blue. construct a fine tangled lace-like pattern. To find out more visit the website She offers bespoke pieces, handcrafted For further information visit the website www.stevenharkin.com. pieces, as well as gift lines including candles, www.macef.it. Christmas ornaments and new to the range – Paul Bishop founded The New English home textiles featuring her trademark Products & Designs Ltd in Stoke on Trent just Tangled design. over a year ago. Visit the website www.timeasido.co.uk to Exhibiting for the first time at Macef the find out more. company’s unique collections of contemporary china were well received. “There has been positive feedback, which is very encouraging, people really like the product,” said Paul. Steven Harkin “People appreciate there is a very particular aesthetic to our products, the fact that they are English seems to resonate and people are appreciating that.” The company is aiming to spearhead a renaissance of ceramics in Stoke on Trent and their quirky take on traditional products has already grabbed the headlines. “ We are one of the newest manufacturing

92 giftfocus

WIN! £500 worth of Numberjacks craft kits from Creativity International

Creativity International is fast becoming a available. The Numberjacks are ten small leading name in licensed children’s craft kits superhero numbers from nought to nine who and toys. solve real problems. Broadcast regularly on They make cracking kits featuring the best CBeebies and BBC2 the series is tied into the For further information visit the website children’s entertainment characters from teaching curriculum. http://retail.creativityinternational.co.uk/ Mister Men to Mister Maker! At £4.99 So while the kids really love doing the Paint and log in with the user name: creativity each they make perfect gift and toy lines. by Numberjacks, playing with the Stick Puppets and password: retailer – all in lower case. The company’s full list of licences features hit and creating the other kits, parents know that favourites like Mister Maker, Mr Men and Little they are learning stuff too! Miss, Postman Pat, Numberjacks, Pingu, Bob There’s also Make your own Numberjacks For your chance to win the Builder, Thomas the Tank, Fireman Sam and Mobile, Make a Number 5 Bag, Card Making, £500 worth of Numberjacks Art Attack. Reward Charts, Tell the Time and our favourite craft kits simply answer the All the kits that Creativity International … the Number 3 Tambourine! following question online at makes are made to be fun, bright and Everything is included in the pack enabling www.giftfocus.com. collectable! Most importantly, the kids love children to make their very own Number 3 them! Creativity is also keen to make sure tambourine. Encouraging children to learn Question: How many different that each kit is linked to the national basic sewing skills and working with different Numberjacks craft kits can you curriculum too! textures makes this a really fun project. Once buy from Creativity International? The Numberjacks range is one of the completed, the kit also helps children learn The closing date for entries is 4th May 2010. current best sellers with eight different kits about rhythm and music. g

94 craftfocus subscribe subscribe to gift focus Fill in the form below to receive a regular copy of your favourite magazine

Gift Focus magazine, the leading trade below and post to Gift Focus magazine, title for the giftware industry, is available free c/o KD Media Publishing Ltd, Broseley House, of charge to qualiﬁed registered readers. Newlands Drive, Witham, Essex, CM8 2UL. Published six times a year, Gift Focus contains Alternatively, photocopy the form and fax to news on industry trends, new products and +44 (0)1376 514 555 or register online at the all gift trade events. Simply ﬁll in the form website www.giftfocus.com.

Subscription form Do you work in the giftware industry? Yes No Name BIGGEST EVER ISSUE! www.giftfocus.com Job title Company name

January/February 2010 January/February Address

www.giftfocus.com Issue 57 Issue ional 2010 ing Fair Internat Postcode Ofﬁcial media partner for Spr Novelty Gifts SPRING FAIR Telephone Facsimile Fun lines to fly off the shelves PREVIEW Email address

Great Please tick one or more of the boxes below which best describe your business. GREENS Spotlight on planet friendly products Independent Gift Shop Importer Gift Shop Multiple Mail Order Garden Centre Agent/Rep Mother’s Day Department Store Manufacturer Top gifts for mums Wholesaler/Cash & Carry Museum/Heritage Outlet Clock picture special Other (Please specify) Time pieces that tick all the boxes WIN! PLUS Fabulous products • Hot trends for 2010 from Ashleigh • Fashion handbags Number of Employees & Burwood’s • New product showcase Fragrance Lamp range 1-5 6-15 16-30 31-50 51-100 101-300 301-1000 1001 + Annual Turnover £0-£25,000 £25,001 - £50,000 £50,001 - £100,000 £100,001 - £250,000 £250,001 - £1,000,000 £1,000,001 - £5,000,000 £5,000,001 - £10,000,000 £10,000,001 - £50,000,000 £50,000,001 + Do you wish to receive a free copy of Gift Focus Magazine? Yes No Signature Date

giftfocus 95 next issue... Show previews • Pulse • Exclusively Housewares Men's jewellery Great accessories for stylish guys

Bath and body Me-time treats and pampering products

Metal Planet Tying the knot Gifts for the big day

HABA

Plus • Industry news • New product launches • Trade show updates Issue 59 May/June 2010 Available from: 4th May 2010 Baby booty Advertising th Deadline: 16 April 2010 Hard to resist lines for little treasures

96 giftfocus product showcase We reveal some of this season’s hottest gifts

Blue Poppy Art This is just one of our stunning Hares, sculpted by Paul Jenkins, featured in our Premier collection. In addition we will be showing our Meerkats as well as Dogs, Foxes and Cats also by Paul. Also on display will be our wonderful Highland Cattle, Sheep, Donkeys and Alpacas. We are also introducing a delightful collection of small foundry bronzes produced in the Midlands. Visit us at the British Craft Trade Fair, Harrogate on Stand 123. For more details contact [email protected] tel 01793 759000 or visit www.frithsculpture.co.uk

Fruit Bowl makes big splash Hello. We’re my mums factory and your eyes haven’t deceived you; this isn’t a fancy stop motion photo of fruit falling into milk. We’ve teamed up with designer Sam Plant Dempsey to produce some truly stunning individually hand made home accessories... such as this; his gravity defying Flow Fruit Bowl delicately hand cast from liquid resin.

Log into the trade section of our website, www.mymumsfactory. co.uk, email hello@mymumsfactory. co.uk or call 0844 884 84 91 for more information.

Product showcases Available in every issue of Gift Focus magazine. They are an ideal and cost effective way to promote new products to over 7,438 gift shop owners and operators.

To ﬁ nd out more contact Sharon Connelly on 01376 536 607 or email [email protected]

Average Net Circulation: 7,438 (01/07/08 to 30/06/09) from little acorns TreeTwist is a new company putting a fresh twist on helping save the planet. T

TreeTwist is a little woodland wonder. Trees for Life also propagate seedlings Founded by Sex Maxted and Katie Maitland gathered on the forest floor for TreeTwist the enterprise has a simple objective – to allowing the cycle of life to continue. help ordinary people do their bit for the Katie and Sez launched TreeTwist in an environment – painlessly. attempt to do their bit for the planet. They And what could be more painless than felt that as consumers they were not being buying an affordable and desirable gift! offered the opportunity to do something Put simply every TreeTwist bought represents simple and effective, which could be easily a tree. absorbed into their everyday lives. “TreeTwist Ltd was established to help “Present giving was a particular everyday individuals and families do frustration,” says Sez, “Katie and I believe that something positive to help combat climate if we all make a small step then together we change by making it easy to plant a tree,” can make a difference.” explains Sez. “We are different because not “We have managed to create an entirely UK only do we plant the tree, we acknowledge based project: the TreeTwists are designed the purchase by giving a TreeTwist to act as a and made in the UK and the trees planted in talisman and a reminder of the tree.” the UK. The Tawny Owl TreeClip is a recent The trees are planted by TreeTwist partners, “Our TreeTwists are designed by Ingrid introduction – a tree for the future in wool! Trees for Life in the Caledonian Forest in the Tait of Tait & Style, and handmade largely The TreeOwl, is hand made from pure wool North West Highlands of Scotland. Trees for by outworkers in the Shetland and Orkney by Tait and Style exclusively for TreeTwist. Life is a multi award-winning organisation Islands. The collection includes woollen Every one sold represents a seedling planted. recognised as world experts in reforestation. scarves, bracelets and clips each with leaves, The TreeOwl can be clipped onto a bag, The types of trees planted are rowan, alder, bobbles flowers or hearts. Colours vary keys or belt, making an ideal eco-gift for birch or Scots pine. from earthy and masculine to the most vivid friends and family and to help draw attention shades. The scarves in particular have never to the cause. g been seen before – metre long tubes of wool. “The new ToyClip range has been created to bring fun and humour to the collection allowing consumers to buy clips with a squirrel, a mouse, an owl or a bird.” The products are made from natural materials and Tait & Style’s designs are both eye-catching and entirely original. Using largely wool and felt the range comes in a variety of different, rich colours. For Valentine’s Day TreeTwist produced a special edition Twist to celebrate love. “The LoveTwist has been running a little longer though after we reached the conclusion that love shouldn’t be tied down to just one day!” Sez explains. “When you buy a LoveTwist two trees will be planted side by side in the Caledonian Forest, destined to spend their lives Further Information intertwined. What could be more romantic To ﬁnd out more call +44 (0)8701 420 388 T we ask?” or visit the website www.treetwist.co.uk.

98 giftfocus