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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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Industry news
All the latest from the world of gifts
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Spring Fair International
Your essential bumper preview
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Internet technology
Quick guide to mobile commerce
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Sales tips
How to stay ahead of the game
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The GA
All the latest from The Giftware Association
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Industry insight
Business views on crucial price points
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Top trends for 2012
What's hot for the year ahead
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Retailer interview
Charting the story of thriving gift retailer Pod
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Novelty gifts
Gloom busting products to draw customers in
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Fashion handbags
Bags of style with new season must-haves
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| Plus... |
| Regular features, news, events, Q&A special - and much more |
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| Next Issue Out |
| 5th March 2012 |
| A VIP break at The British Craft Trade Fair |
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Billed as 'the most inspirational trade fair in the UK calendar', The British Craft Trade Fair (BCTF) is a leading showcase for the nation's creative talent.
Featuring the work of 500 UK designers and artisans, this year's BCTF takes place at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate from 15th to 17th April.
For buyers and trend-spotters, looking to source original and innovative handmade products, it's a date not to be missed. Strictly a trade-only event it provides a launchpad for new talent and has seen many exhibitors go on to achieve international success during its 36-year history.
For 2012 courtesy of the organisers PSM Ltd and The Crown Hotel Harrogate we are offering the chance to win two VIP gold passes to the fair, staying at The Crown Hotel with dinner for two in the award winning Orchid Restaurant, one of the best Thai restaurants in Yorkshire.
For further information visit:
www.bctf.co.uk
www.crownhotelharrogate.com
The competition prize includes:
- Two nights accommodation with breakfast for two people at The Crown Hotel Harrogate
- Dinner for two in the award-winning Orchid Thai restaurant in Harrogate
- Tea for two in Bettys world famous tea rooms in Harrogate
- Chauffeur service to and from the fair each day
- VIP gold passes to the fair which includes a free show guide plus free tea and coffee
- £50 voucher to spend in Fodders (www.fodderweb.co.uk) a new shop championed by Yorkshire Agricultural Society that acts as a shop window for local farmers and producers giving a crucial local market for their produce.
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| Backing British design talent |
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Seek Unique is launching Ruby South, a new fashion brand with a strong ethic rooted in showcasing British design talent.
Ruby South will embrace a new designer fresh from college or university each year to design the season's fabric. Last July, Angela Hector, director of Seek Unique, visited the New Designers Exhibition held at the Business Design Centre, Islington, in search of new talent to help launch the brand. After hand picking a selection of talented graduates, Angela chose to work with brand new designer, Kate Harding.
Kate, who studied Fashion and Textile Design at the University of the West of England, has created three on-trend fabric designs to launch the new brand - Birds, Strawberries, and Bows. The first collections each include a wash bag, cosmetic bag, gadget case and zip purse, with funky ruby red spotty lining in all of the products. All the designs have been produced in oilcloth for looks as well as durability.
Kate Harding will be helping to launch the new collections at the forthcoming Spring Fair International. She will be on the Seek Unique stand (Hall 6, Stand P8) on the first day of the show on Sunday 5th February.
For more information email angela@seekunique.co.uk or visit the website www.seekunique.co.uk |
| Rainstick offers soft option |
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Multi cultural wholesaler Rainstick Trading has been busy with its new range of Alpaca blankets and scarves. Highly prized for its softness and warmth, Alpaca wool is water resistant and very fine. Says MD Jonathan Wells: "I was travelling in the high Andes last year when I met a family of weavers in a mountain market. At first I only bought in a few throws, but they were immediately popular and we now have blankets, children's blankets, and scarves. We have been delighted with our supplier, we are their only export customer but are already shipping their product to several countries."
To find out more visit their stand at Spring Fair (Hall 5, Stand L51) or visit the website www.rainsticktrading.com |
| Giving and Living hits positive note |
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Held at Westpoint Exhibition Centre, near Exeter, this January's edition of Giving and Living has struck a welcome note.
The largest and earliest trade show in the South West, it provides an early barometer for the industry and is one of the first opportunities of the year to start stocking up for the seasons ahead.
"We did not know what to expect going in to this year's Giving & Living, Exeter trade show," said project manager Mike Anderson. "We had conducted extensive marketing including a social media strategy, and awareness was very high. We were delighted to welcome such positive and enthusiastic buyers, who were coming to buy and in very similar numbers to previous years."
He reported that the show's new features were well received, with the newcomers' area a definite highlight; the regional food and drink area is set to grow for next year, and the industry experts, running retail surgeries for visitors, were kept busy throughout the four days.
Gift Focus competition winners Sarah and Steve Winterbourn of Over The Rainbow Gifts in Cardiff enjoyed a VIP trip to the show, which included two nights luxury accommodation at the Woodbury Park Hotel & Golf Club.
"I cannot tell you how fabulous the hotel was," enthused Sarah. "Visiting the show was also uplifting and encouraging. It was so easy to get around and we made some really good contacts, which I am now in the process of following up. It was really worthwhile and we found people to be very optimistic."
Next year's show is set to take place from 13th to 16th January 2013. To find out more visit the website www.givingliving.co.uk |
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| Ring in the new |
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The start of the year has already seen some high profile high street casualties, including gift retailers Past Times and Hawkins Bazaar.
Despite some better than expected trading figures for December, the year ahead will undoubtedly be tough with more retail victims anticipated in the next quarter.
Retailers will be knuckling down for another tough year, but despite the hardships there will be winners to emerge.
Those most likely to do well are the ones on top of their game, with the right product offering in line with consumer demand and latest trends.
Trends are a recurring theme in this bumper edition. With disposable income still tight shoppers are ever more discerning and want original, quality products that are bang on trend. To find out what's set to be hot in the months ahead we showcase some of the key trend predictions for 2012.
As well as all the regular news, business advice and industry insights, this issue includes great gift ideas for Mother's Day, Easter treats and gloom-busting novelty items to draw customers in.
We also spotlight the new season must-haves in fashion handbags. As an official media partner for Spring Fair International for the third year running we have been busier than ever with news of latest product launches to be unveiled at the show.
In our bumper preview we provide all the essential information needed to make the most of the show. There are pages of fabulous new products plus all the latest on the new layout and re-editing of the event. It all sounds very exciting and we can't wait to hit the halls.
Extra copies of the magazine and sister title Attire Accessories will be available from the newly-located press office in the Concourse Suite near Halls 8 & 9.
Don't forget to make the most of the informative seminar programme running throughout the show in Hall 6. Come and say hello and catch my briefing on Gift Trends for Christmas 2012, from 11 to 11.30am on Thursday, 9th February.
See you there!
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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 |
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| Destination Spring Fair |
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With only days left to go the curtain is set to rise on this year's Spring Fair International.
The show has been re-vamped for 2012 to resemble a destination department store - customer-friendly, with plenty of wow factor and packed full of must-have buys.
It takes place from 5th to 9th February this year at Birmingham's NEC, with the volume halls opening one day earlier.
The re-edited show will take up three more halls than in 2011 and promises to deliver a raft of new features, an array of design-led product with increased focus on visitor comfort and convenience.
Major investment in the show has been geared towards creating clearly distinct product zoning, better rest and relaxation facilities and a more vibrant atmosphere.
Louise Young, managing director of show organiser Emap Connect, says: "We want buyers to spend more time at Spring Fair and so we've pulled out all the stops to make it
an unrivalled buying experience that provides a stimulating and enjoyable environment for retailers. Our aim is to make the show easier to shop, reduce queues, provide more rest and relaxation facilities and to create a better all-round ambience."
A significant investment in interior design is aimed at creating a more inspirational atmosphere in 2012 in order to encourage buyers to spend longer at the show.
Three thousand exhibitors have chosen SFI as their launchpad for around 300,000 brand new products, including 500 international suppliers, 400 new exhibitors and over 1,000 companies are said to be exhibiting exclusively at Spring Fair in the coming season.
For further information and to pre-register visit the website www.springfair.com |
| Gift Focus and Attire Accessories Magazines sponsor new awards at British Craft Trade Fair (BCTF) |
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| Image provided by Simone Morris |
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Gift Focus Magazine and sister title Attire Accessories Magazines are backing British in 2012 by sponsoring two new awards for creative talent.
Since its inception 35 years ago, BCTF has had an award system in place which recognises some of the UK's most talented creative designers and artists in disciplines ranging from jewellery, functional and decorative ware, fashion accessories and soft furnishings.
This year there will be two new awards added to the existing five, one for best gift product sponsored by Gift Focus and the other for best fashion accessory, sponsored by Attire Accessories magazine.
"We are thrilled to be backing British talent particularly in such a landmark year with the London 2012 Olympics and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee just around the corner," said Gift Focus editor Sarah Reeve.
"The handmade sector is a burgeoning area of the home and gift market and one that is tipped to do well in 2012 as consumers continue to seek quality, original gifts with authenticity. What better place to find this type of desirable product than the British Craft Trade Fair!"
Margeret Bunn, BCTF organiser added: "The two new awards are a welcome addition to our portfolio and I am very much looking forward to working with Gift Focus and Attire Accessories on this." BCTF represents some of the best British designers and independent giftware manufacturers and is an Aladdin's Cave for retailers.
This year's fair takes place at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate from 15th to 17th April and will feature the work of 500 UK designer makers.
To find out more and to pre-register go to www.bctf.co.uk |
| Gift of the Year |
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After a successful return to Spring Fair last year, The Gift of the Year Awards will once again be revealed at a special ceremony to be held after the first day of the show on Sunday February 5th.
The winning and highly commended products will be displayed in the Gift of the Year (GOTY) show house at The Giftware Association's newly located home in Hall 7, E30/F31. There will also be an additional GOTY display in Hall 6, S50.
- In light of high profile gift retailers Past Times and Tobar, parent company of Hawkins Bazaar, Letterbox and Stocking Fillers, recently going into administration The GA is holding a meeting at Spring Fair for GA members worried about repercussions. The aim is to discuss matters surrounding the cases, share experiences and practical solutions. The GA's lawyers have agreed to take part to give detailed legal advice. The meeting will take place at The GA stand in Hall 7 E30/F31 at 6pm on the Monday evening.
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| For all gift retailers... |
| D & J Glassware celebrates tenth anniversary |
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D & J Glassware celebrates its 10th birthday this year and to mark the occasion, the company will be exhibiting the quality, handmade products at this year's Spring Fair International.
At the forefront of innovation, D & J Glassware is a leading supplier of friendship balls, hearts, wishing balls and ornamental balls, including the eye-catching new Tree of Life collection.
The company offers a selection of products for the home and garden, including fused glass, mouth blown glass, amber jewellery and stylish bird tables. To find out more visit D & J Glassware's stand in Hall 5, L72 or visit the website www.dandjglassware.co.uk |
| Jan Constantine hits double figures |
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Jan Constantine has plenty to celebrate in 2012. As well as celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the London 2012 Olympics, the company will be 10 years old.
Since Jan started the business in February 2002, stitching lavender hearts with friends around the kitchen table, she has successfully built the brand to become a renowned British designer. She is well known for signature vibrant, patriotic and iconic designs, which incorporate flags, hearts, the word 'Love' and bold motifs, all stitched in the old-fashioned way.
To celebrate the milestone birthday, Jan has been working closely with Ulster Weavers to produce a kitchen textiles collection incorporating designs from her archives. Included in the range are the butterfly, dragonfly and rose embroideries from her very first collection which have been made into aprons, tea cosies and oven gloves.
Jan says: "I am thrilled to be celebrating the birthday of my business in such good company and delighted how my archive embroideries look so fresh and strong 10 years down the line! This brings my original designs full circle - what better way could there be to celebrate!"
Telephone + 44 (0)1270 821 194 or visit the website www.janconstantine.com to find out more. |
| Boxer's 30th anniversary |
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In February 1982 Boxer opened for business. In 2012 the company is still in business and thriving as it approaches its 30th Spring Fair International. At the show this February Boxer plans to introduce a series of recession-busting, party treats for its customers.
As well as refreshments and music to entertain visitors, Boxer is arranging some deals for special customers who have helped build up the business over the last 30 years.
"We have never had so many new products at this time of year", says Thomas O'Brien, head of sales for Boxer. "We have learned through tough times in the past, going right back to 1982, that though the instinct is to pull back, the way forward is to be bold and creative in difficult times. Boxer has again pushed forward with a varied and bright new range of products that we're both excited and proud to launch at the Spring Fair."
Founder of the company James O'Brien is extending a warm welcome to customers old and new at Spring Fair (Hall 3, stand G32) to share in the 30th anniversary celebrations.
Contact Boxer on sales@boxergifts.com or call +44 (0)113 3955 595 for more information. |
| Introducing Herdy Junior |
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Herdy Junior and the Big Old Boulder is a children's story book from the Herdy Company, which follows the adventures of a mischievous young Herdwick sheep - a distinctive breed found on the fells of the Lake District where the Herdy Company is based .
The book is the first creation in a junior range of giftware the company hopes to develop, building on the brand's established cute appeal.
The story follows Herdy Junior as he leaves the flock, and seeks out new places to play.
Aimed at the four to seven-year age group, the book is written by Lowri Lynn Webster with illustrations by Stephen Linnell. It has been created, published and printed entirely in the English Lakes where the story takes place.
"This is our first step into the world of children's books, but like Herdy Junior, we love an adventure! He is cheeky and resilient and wants to see the world. We want to promote kids getting out there and making the most of the great outdoors, but always coming home safely. Our brand's tag line is 'made to make you smile', and we hope that this book will do just that," said Herdy Company co-founder Diane Hannah.
'Plans for further junior products include t-shirts, babywear and other gifts for children, to complement the company's existing home and gift range, which features vibrantly coloured kitchen ware and stationery.
To find out more telephone +44 (0)1539 739 202 or visit the website www.herdy.co.uk |
| Top brands back National Stationery Day |
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Leading writing instrument manufacturers Sheaffer, Faber-Castell and uni-ball have signed up as official partners for National Stationery Day on Tuesday 24th April 2012, the opening day of this year's London Stationery Show.
"This is great news for National Stationery Day," says organiser Chris Leonard-Morgan. "The involvement of these major names will really help National Stationery Day achieve its objective of getting people writing, talking about and buying more stationery and writing instruments."
National Stationery Day is being launched in celebration of the written word and all things stationery, from the functional and fun to the stylish and luxurious. An extensive programme of PR activity is planned around the day including social media, radio and press, the appointment of a team of stationery 'ambassadors' and invitations to well known public figures with a penchant for stationery and pens to visit the show.
For more information, visit www.stationeryshow.co.uk or call LMC Media on +44 (0)208 462 0721. |
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