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| Find out more about the latest industry news and product launches in the current issue of Gift Focus. Why not download the magazine in PDF format from www.giftfocus.com? |
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Greener giving
Turning green to gold with eco-friendly gifts
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Countdown to Christmas
Part two of our festive product showcase
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The teen market
Hot lines for cool teens
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Seal of approval
Opening the envelope on the latest in greetings
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Competition
Win fabulous fashion jewellery from Rosa Red
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| Plus... |
| Regular features, news, events, Q&A special - and much more |
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| Next Issue Out |
| 31st October 2011 |
| Congratulations |
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| Congratulations to three lucky retailers who have won a selection of fair trade fashion accessories from Earth Squared in our recent Gift Focus competition, they were - Lesley and Donna from Bags & Bling, Annabel Plaister from Posh Hippo and last but not least Kim Smiley from The Treasury Home & Gift. |
| Enhanced Giving & Living |
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New areas and initiatives are being introduced to make Giving & Living better than ever. Organisers Hale Events are enhancing the 2012 show, which takes place near Exeter from 15th to 18th January, with more attractions and features for visitors.
These include:
- A newcomer's area showcasing South West companies that have never exhibited at a trade show before
- Retail surgeries to provide expert advice on retail and etail
- Continuation of the Naturally Trail to help guide buyers to fairly traded goods
- Specialities from the South West sector showing regional food and drink
The show offers trade buyers one of the first opportunities of the year to view and order latest home and gift products, a wide selection of coast and tourism gifts and a Designed and Made in Britain section to showcase regional and national makers and manufactures.
Ideally timed for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Easter, the show also provides an opportunity to preview and advance plan latest ranges for the summer trade. Taking place over four days, there is plenty of time to browse and buy.
For the latest news and information or for free trade buyer registration, visit www.givingliving.co.uk or call +44 (0)1934 733 433. |
| The property market |
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With the curtain set to rise on this year's prestigious Licensing Awards we take a look at some of the current hot properties in this lucrative sector
Wild and Wolf is introducing new licensed lines including a selection featuring iconic toys. The new Hornby, Scalextric and Airfix range features boxed mugs, playing cards, dispatch bag, wash bag, flask and enamel mugs.
The Abbey Road Studios collection is a range of men's accessories capturing the spirit of the studios. One of the most famous recording studios in the world and an iconic
symbol in British music, the range includes gadget case, coasters, phone case, wallet and more.
+44 (0)1225 789 909
www.wildandwolf.com
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| Eco friendly packing |
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Void fill specialists at AirPouch® have launched new high performance EarthAware™ pillows for faster, cleaner and more eco-friendly packing.
The company says: "AirPouch Express 3 outputs filled EarthAware pillows at speeds of more than 15 metres per minute off a tiny footprint, making it an easy-to-use, cost-effective and space-saving solution for busy packing and dispatch zones."
Now customers can choose oxodegradable pillows or pillows made from reprocessed film at the Automated Packaging Systems UK manufacturing facility in Malvern, Worcestershire. Both are produced to the same high quality standards for superior pillow strength and seal integrity. They are available in green and transparent finishes as standard and can be custom-printed.
For details visit www.airpouch.co.uk or telephone +44 (0)800 731 3643. |
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| Subscription is FREE to all qualified buyers. Complete our quick online application form now |
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| Stacking the shelves |
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Following Autumn Fair International and Top Drawer London thousands of brand new products have been unveiled to product-hungry buyers.
Retailers nationwide are now busy stocking the shelves with latest lines in readiness for the crucial festive period ahead. To find out more about some of the must-have buys check out our extensive exhibitor profiles in this edition.
One way of staying ahead in today's difficult economic climate is by going the extra mile, keeping offering bang on trend, refreshing the shelves on a regular basis, walking the aisles at trade shows looking for the next big thing. Great customer service is also key to success - providing a shopping environment people want to return to, that is friendly and relaxed. For top tips on how to get shoppers coming back for more see our customer service special.
Packed full of news and essential information, we also offer a wealth of business advice from industry experts covering everything from insurance, multichannel retailing, protecting stock and how to make the most of promotions.
Business rates are a hot potato for many retailers all over the country, as we discovered when we canvassed views on the government's high street review being headed up by retail guru Mary Portas. Find out what they had to say in our industry insight feature.
With features on the latest London 2012 Olympic merchandise, toys, greeting cards, eco-friendly products, the teen market, tableware and more, there's plenty to inspire and get in shape for the crucial Christmas period ahead.
Enjoy reading,
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| Sarah Reeve, Editor |
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| Make sure you email editor@giftfocus.com to keep us up to date with all your news |
| Win! Rosa Red Jewellery worth a total of £750 RRP |
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Design, quality and service are key to the success of Rosa Red's co-ordinated fashion jewellery. Every piece is handmade, hand painted and hand polished to create a high quality, superior product.
Established in 2006, Rosa Red was created by Ann Atri and Marie McAleer. After years of working at senior levels for major high street organisations and scouring the world sourcing new products and suppliers, Marie and Ann decided to pool their wealth of experience to create a collection of jewellery that combined timeless elegance with the latest, on-trend fashion colours.
Based in Scotland, Rosa Red works in conjunction with its partners in the Far East to produce, original, vibrant designs. With matching necklace, earrings, bracelets and rings, available in almost all ranges and various colourways, Rosa Red jewellery provides designs suitable for retailing in gift shops, jewellers and boutiques, aimed at women of all ages.
'Glamour you can afford' is the Rosa Red motto - bringing glamour and style to any outfit - old or new, without breaking the bank.
"As we all know, we are in a very tough economic climate and if customers cannot afford to splash out on a new outfit they can
revamp an old one by adding a new piece of fashion jewellery. Rosa Red designs help women extend the life of their wardrobe," says the company.
The new autumn/winter 2011 collection features a rich array of red, purple, teal and silver coloured jewellery. Continuing the Rosa Red ethos of distinctive, good quality fashion jewellery at affordable prices, there are many new designs as well as old favourites.
Dramatic statement pieces include Candy - an eye-catching, sparkling design designed to add instant impact to any outfit - comprising necklace, earrings, bracelet and ring for those that want to stand out from the crowd.
For a more classic look there is Solar - a hand-painted disc in black and in purple surrounded by 'silver' inlaid with diamanté chips and Liza - a simple yet stunning design in five colourways.
Hearts continue to be popular so Rosa Red has introduced three new heart designs. Amor features an interlocking hearts necklace and bracelet with matching earrings, Sara offers a cluster of silver hearts with matching earrings, bracelet and ring while Celia is an antique 'silver' design with filigree and plain hearts combined. RRPs start from £25 for the necklaces.
The new collection will be on show for the first time at Autumn Fair International this September at Birmingham's NEC in Hall 4, Stand K21 and at Scotland's Trade Fair Autumn on Stand G2.
For further information visit the company website www.rosared.co.uk
Rosa Red's co-ordinated fashion jewellery offers a distinctive, affordable range and for one lucky retailer the company is offering the chance to win a selection of its designs worth a total of £750 RRP. |
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| National Stationery Day on the calendar |
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National Stationery Day is being launched by the Stationery Show as part of its ongoing campaign to promote all things stationery.
The first official National Stationery Day will take place on Tuesday 24th April 2012 - the opening day of next year's Stationery Show in London.
"Although for many people every day is already stationery day, National Stationery Day will be a day of celebration and fun for everyone and will raise the bar for stationery in a way that has never been done before," says organiser Chris Leonard-Morgan.
An extensive programme of PR activity is planned around the day including social media, radio and press coverage. A team of stationery 'ambassadors' from both within and outside the trade will be appointed and celebrities with a known penchant for stationery and pens will be invited to visit the show.
The Stationery Show, a trade exhibition dedicated to stationery, writing instruments and accessories, takes place at the Business Design Centre in London on Tuesday 24th and Wednesday 25th April 2012. It features the products of over 100 stationery suppliers, with a growing number from overseas.
For information, visit www.stationeryshow.co.uk or call First Events on +44 (0) 208 462 0721. |
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| Take a look at our regularly updated Find a Supplier feature on our website where you find profiles, photographs and contact information from all our current magazine advertisers. |
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| For all gift retailers... |
| Christmas charity cards |
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| Glebe Cottage has launched a new collection of charity Christmas cards to raise money for Children's Hospices UK. There are 24 designs, across three sizes including minicards. Each pack contains eight cards of one design and the collection includes cute, traditional and photographic images. The company is donating 10% of the RRP to Children's Hospices UK, the national charity that gives voice and support to all children's hospice services. |
| New manchester gift show |
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The curtain is set to rise on a brand new gift show being staged at EventCity, Manchester from 16th to 18th October this year.
Organisers ChicEvents are well known within the fashion industry for organising the spectacular Boutique by Chic and Chic fashion accessory events, which have been the UK's dedicated trade events for the industry since 1994.
The company says exhibitors have been extremely positive about the October timing of the new show for providing an early opportunity to secure spring 2012 orders in addition to immediate delivery for mid season top up orders, as well as for those retailers who have had to be cautious in placing Christmas orders.
"It's like three shows in one that will appeal to a very broad cross section of buyers from every sector," says director Mark Greenhalgh. "As soon as we saw the enormous venue we knew that this would be the ideal location for a signifcant new national gift fair. The halls are equivalent in size to five or six halls at the NEC with a huge amount of free parking directly outside the entrance. The Trafford Centre is so easy to get to and easily accommodates in excess of 100,000 people per day so all links from Manchester city centre, the airport and train stations are excellent. It is also directly off the M60 ring road so visitors can avoid the city centre completely if they prefer."
As well as ease of access, ChicEvents lists a host of other attractions to the brand new 28,000 sq.m exhibition complex.
Manchester already has a reputation for its nightlife, with its theatres, museums, restaurants and cafe culture and therefore provides an ideal location for an all inclusive buying experience that can be mixed with a little well deserved pleasure too!
For further details the web site www.manchestergiftshow.com or call
ChicEvents on +44 (0)1614 308 878 to discuss the show in more detail. |
| Seal of approval |
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We open the envelope on some first class deliveries in the world of greetings
Slice of Pie Designs offers greeting cards that are designed, manufactured and hand finished in the UK by designer Laura Meare. From the cute to the quirky, the cards feature simple designs based on the ethos that less is more. With cards for all occasions featuring little birds, hand painted sketches and typewritten phrases the designs are sure to strike a chord with a wide range of customers. All cards are supplied in an eco-friendly corn starch clear bag with a recycled brown envelope.
+44 (0)1625 619 287
www.sliceofpiedesigns.com |
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