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WIN! £750 RRP worth of stock from Xystos

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IN THE SUMMERTIMESummer product showcase

SHOW PREVIEWS

Exclusively HousewaresPulse

PG Live

HAPPILY EVER AFTERAll about weddings

Feel divine Bath & body

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focus on...company profile 86Goodlookers

retailer interview 96 Quirky Coo

anti copying in design 102Dids Macdonald looks at the biggest IP myths in the design industry

q&a 104Our experts tackle your retail related queries retail technology 109David Fairhurst gives his expert advice on launching an e-commerce website

the ga 113All the latest from The Giftware Association

up & coming 122A peak into newly launched personalised printcompany, Pumpkin & Posey

news&eventsindustry news 6All the latest from the world of gifts

on with the show 10Trade fair dates and news

brand spanking new 14Latest launches and hot new products

hot property 100Catch up on what’s new in the world of licensing

competition 117Win £750 RRP of Xystos stock

featureshappily ever after 29Weddings gift ideas

baby love 40Baby gifts

shining example 47Glassware

feel divine 51Bath & body

turning tables 57Tabletop

eco-friendly 62Love the planet

May/June Issue 95

Editor-in-Chief Alexandra North

Managing Editor Rosie Orgles

EditorFrances Leate+44 (0)1376 535 614editor@giftfocus.com

Chief Sub EditorLouise Prance

Director of Sales & Marketing Tony Fields 01376 538 480

Sales & Marketing Manager Michael Richards+44 (0)1376 535 606

Account ManagerSharon Connelly+44 (0)1376 535 607sharonc@giftfocus.com

Production +44 (0)1376 535 616artwork@kdmediapublishing.com

Production ManagerScott Brothwell

Deputy Production ManagerSarah Young

Senior Graphic DesignerVicky O’Connor

Graphic DesignersStephanie Hodder, Amy Smith

Web Development ManagerStuart Weatherley

Production AssistantCharlotte Potter

SubscriptionsKay Tilbury, Beth Varney+44 (0)1376 514 000

KD Media Publishing LtdPantile House, Newlands DriveWitham, Essex CM8 2AP UKwww.giftfocus.com

Cover image courtesy of:

DenbyGift Focus is solely owned, published and designed by KD Media Publishing Limited. Whilst every effort was made to ensure the information in this magazine was correct at the time of going to press, the publishers cannot accept legal responsibility for any errors or omissions, nor can they accept responsibility of the standing of advertisers nor by the editorial contributions. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. Gift Focus is published six times a year. Subscription rates for overseas readers are £75 per annum (incl. p+p), Cheques should be made out to KD Media Publishing Limited and sent to Gift Focus, Pantile House, Newlands Drive, Witham, Essex CM8 2AP UK.

Gift Focus magazine is proud to be associated with and supporters of:

A N T I C O P Y I N G I N D E S I G N

M E D I A S U P P O R T E R

Average Net Circulation: 7,294 (01/07/14 to 30/06/15)

contents

showsfinger on the pulse 69Pulse preview

home sweet home 81Exclusively Housewares

bed of roses 84Manchester Furniture Show

house of cards 90PG Live

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40

special featuresin the summertime 19Summer product showcase

high flyers 36Travel gifts

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Facebook www.facebook.com/giftfocus

Twitter @gift_focus

Pinterest www.pinterest.com/giftfocus

VISIT US ON

Editor loves…These natural Paua shell elephant earrings from Talbot Fashion’s Tide Jewellery range are just gorgeous. They come in a pretty gift box and there’s a necklace to match. www.talbotfashions.com

Here comes the sunNothing says summer like a beautifully wrapped, bright and colourful gift and this issue is crammed full of some of the best pressies around. Our summer product showcase (page 19) features some stunning summer-inspired gifts and as wedding season is now in full swing, we have the perfect gifts for the bride and groom in our wedding

feature (page 29). We’ve selected some super stylish gifts on page 36 to help sun seekers travel in style on their summer hols and we’ve got a cute selection of gifts for baby on page 40. We’ve also kept you in the loop with all the upcoming trade shows including Pulse (page 69), Exclusively Housewares (page 81) and PG Live (page 89) where we’ve featured our pick of some of the must-see exhibitors.

Don’t forget to enter our competition on page 117 and you could win an incredible £750 worth of stock from Xystos!

So sit back, relax and enjoy the issue.

Frances LeateEditor

Frances

Tea towel from Hannah Turner Ceramics. www.hannahturner.co.uk

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Catch up on all the latest in our news round up

industry news

Winter in Venice celebrates 10 yearsThe British award-winning brand of luxury toiletries and gifts, Winter in Venice, is celebrating its 10th year of business. Ermila Smith, an entrepreneur who started out with just £60 in her pocket, founded the company a decade ago. She’s since made £1 million in one year alone. Driven with an insatiable desire to make a difference through the work she does, she created Winter in Venice as a way to set about a chain of events that made a difference to all involved. From creating the designs, to hand finishing each product, over 2,000 people have benefited from the company she’s created. A decade later, Winter in Venice has grown from strength to strength enabling her to use it as a platform to help the various charities associated with the brand. Ermila is currently working on building a health centre in Ghana for orphans. For more information visit, www.winterinvenice.co.uk

New senior management appointments at ParragonKatharine Leck has joined Parragon as President and will be responsible for leading the direction of Parragon’s fast paced publishing departments. Through bringing the Children’s, License and Lifestyle departments under Katharine, Parragon will continue to effectively develop new and exciting content. Katharine Leck brings a tremendous amount of experience to Parragon, most recently working as MD at Insights Guides-Berlitz publishing. Previous to this Katharine was Global Publisher for Lonely Planet and before that spent several years at Random House. Gavin Jones has been appointed new CFO of Parragon and Wild & Wolf and will be responsible for providing strategic and financial management, guidance and insight across Parragon and Wild and Wolf, ensuring strong financial governance and building a talented and capable finance team.

RJB Stone Ltd rebrands to celebrate successHome and giftware company RJB Stone has unveiled its new trade logo: Sass & Belle, by RJB Stone. This marks the last step in its 18-month plan to reinforce its brand presence and align it for its trade and retail activities. The website address has also been changed. RJB Stone launched the first phase of its rebranding with new logos and complementary colourways introduced to both its trade and retail activities, giving the two names RJB Stone and Sass & Belle a cohesive uniformity.

“The Sass & Belle brand has always been at the heart of everything we do. We’re a passionate and creative British brand and we believe business should be fun, creative and innovative,’ said Coralie Viera, Marketing Manager. “Both our wholesale and retail entities are enjoying remarkable success and we’re unifying them to create a consistent message and celebrate the growth of the whole family.”

Discover Sass & Belle at www.sassandbelletrade.co.uk

Congratulations! The winner of our January/February 2016 competition is Andrew Page from The Gift Shop, in Lowestoft, Suffolk. He’s won £750 RRP of stock from J J Vaillant!

For your chance to win £750 RRP worth of stock from Xystos, please turn to page 117.

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Penguin Ventures launches newly designed Peter Rabbit websitePenguin Ventures has announced the official launch of a newly redesigned Peter Rabbit website. With a beautiful new look and enhanced navigation experience, the new site brings together all aspects of the Peter Rabbit brand for the first time. From the classic books to the animated series, live events and new product launches, the website has been designed for a global audience and will offer fans a truly immersive brand experience.

Working in close collaboration with children’s digital agency Complete Control, the aim was to create a cleaner, more user-friendly website that brings both classic Peter Rabbit™ and animated Peter Rabbit brands together in one central online destination. The website has been launched during the 150th anniversary celebrations of Beatrix Potter and will be used as the main brand destination, updating fans on all news, events and product launches throughout this year and beyond.

Visit the new website at www.peterrabbit.com

Designer brand Santoro selects Futura EPOS solution for first UK storeCelebrated global lifestyle designer brand, Santoro, has selected the popular Futura retail platform and EPOS solution to spearhead its move onto the UK retail high street, with the opening of its first store in Bath’s Milsom Street. Santoro’s range of gifts and design-led apparel has previously only been available via boutique spaces in independent and high end retailers such as Harrods, or under license. The move on to the UK high street with its own retail presence celebrates the brand’s 30th anniversary.

The choice of fashion and lifestyle brands, Futura’s retail management platform will provide Santoro store managers with an easy to use, cost effective and powerful EPOS solution with live stock data and fast transaction throughput to improve performance in store, with a range of modules supporting CRM, gift cards and points-based loyalty programs.

Tina Royall, marketing director at Futura Retail Solutions, said: “We’re delighted to be working with this iconic design house at its first store in Bath and look forward to supporting the brand as it develops its UK retail presence. With strong inventory control, fast stock allocations, as well as loyalty cards, click and collect, and email receipts, Futura provide a completely scalable solution to support UK growth and international expansion.”

Ashleigh & Burwood prepare for expansionWith business buoyant at Ashleigh & Burwood and steady year on year growth, the company has finally outgrown the offices and warehousing it occupies in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey. Chairman John Nettleton and Managing Director Andrew Nettleton have undertaken a search for new premises within Surrey that will accommodate the growing company as it stands today and will take into account future predicted growth.

Andrew said: “We’re both proud and excited to be taking this next step in the company’s development and looking forward to the benefits and opportunities the move will bring to the business as a whole.” The company, who celebrate its 23rd year in business next month, had humble beginnings with John and his wife Louise, together with son Andrew, beginning their home fragrance venture as a cottage industry from their family home with grandmother Phyllis, even taking on bottle filling duties from the comfort of the sofa. They now employ around 45 people.

The Tilnar Cycle Challenge set to ride againThe Tilnar Cycle Challenge, set up by cycling enthusiast, Tom Hawes, is now entering its second year, having had a very successful launch in 2015. The first annual Tilnar Cycle Challenge took place in June 2015 and raised more than £10,000 for charities across the UK through entry donations and personal sponsorship. The Challenge inspired people around the country and across the world to get on their bikes and see how far they could cycle in a day. The Tilnar Cycle Challenge raises money directly for Cancer Research UK and Porridge and Rice, who support children in the slums of Nairobi. Tom, the owner of the Fair Trade supplier, is now gearing up for the 2016 event.

He said: “After the huge success of the first challenge and the inspirational stories and positive feedback we’ve received, we’re sure the challenge is going to keep growing into an inspiring sporting event that will raise tens of thousands for charity over the coming years.”

The event will take place on 26th June, 2016. To find out more visit www.tilnarcyclechallenge.org

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industry news

Seascape snaps up top awardSeascape Island Apothecary’s Uplift range has won top honours from the Beauty Shortlist Awards 2016. Their Uplift Sea Salt Scrub was the winner of best body scrub in the market and their Uplift Body Wash also won best Shower Gel/Body Wash.

“Needless to say the Beauty Shortlist panel have very good taste in bath and body products and we’re very pleased and proud to have had two of our products recognised as category leaders by such a prominent organisation,” said Stuart Mactavish, Director of Seascape Island Apothecary. “While we get lots of compliments for our provenance, branding, packaging and giftability, the most important thing is to have products that excel in quality and performance, which these certainly do.” For more information visit: www.seascapeuk.com

Innovative mobile gift shop service shortlisted for awardSassi Gifts, a mobile gift shop service, formed by Sandra Samra in 2012, has been shortlisted for a Family Friendly Franchise Award, run by popular website www.workingmums.co.uk.

Having worked as a nurse, Sandra identified that residents in care homes wanted to be able to buy gifts for themselves or their loved ones, but were often dependent on the good nature of staff to purchase items for them on their own days off.  

Sandra tested the concept of sourcing good quality items and then supplying them lower than the high street prices. This was done by contacting care homes and offering the gift shop service to them as a free activity, the only cost being to the person purchasing.

In 2013 Sandra took on Tina Goodhart to run the first franchise and see if the concept could be rolled out. By October 2014, Sassi Gifts UK Ltd was formed and Tina was offered a partnership in the business. 

There are now 20 franchises with a view to opening a further 20 in 2016 across the UK. To find out more visit www.sassigifts.co.uk.

To be or not to be, that is the questionShakespeare-inspired home furnishings and toiletries could soon be exported globally as part of the celebrations to mark the Bard’s 400th anniversary. The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust is working with UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) West Midlands to maximise the commercial opportunities presented by the landmark anniversary of the playwright’s death, which falls on 23rd April.

Adam Sheratt, Retail Development Manager at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, said: “While most of the Trust’s activity for the 400th

anniversary is about extending our cultural reach, UKTI is helping us to maximise the commercial opportunities that this year presents. All profits from licensing go back into the charity, helping us to care for the Shakespeare Houses, support the internationally important Library and Archive, and fund the Trust’s learning.”The range of gifts and home items launched by the Trust are inspired by the objects and places that shaped Shakespeare’s life and works.Parminder Hayer, UKTI West Midlands adviser to the Trust, said: “Shakespeare is one of the most famous playwrights in the world and is arguably already one of the country’s best exports. For example, there have been publications and productions of Hamlet in more than 75 different languages.”

SnapDragon roars into action to help protect SMEsAs many in the Gift Industry will know, the rise in intellectual property (IP) infringement is one of the biggest challenges facing businesses today. Current estimates put the global cost of counterfeiting at around $1.7 trillion for last year. Every sector is affected by IP abuse, but SMEs can be particularly vulnerable as registration and enforcement costs can escalate quickly, especially when operating in an international marketplace. A new service, aimed specifically at SMEs, has been launched by a team with experience of defending their own brands in the global marketplace for the last 10 years.  Armed with this hard won expertise, multilingual proficiency and great working relationships with over one hundred e-commerce portals, SnapDragon tackles the sale of counterfeit goods online using IP rights. Multilingual data analysts use proprietary software to monitor, report and remove infringing goods from platforms around the globe, protecting clients’ brands, revenue and most importantly, unsuspecting customers. Now protecting some of the world’s fastest growing brands, SnapDragon’s success has come from offering an affordable, results oriented approach that allows SMEs to exert control over their IP rights – just as a multi-national business does – at a fraction of the cost. 

With SnapDragon as the first port of call for e-commerce infringements, legal and IP support can be focussed on strategic activity rather than day to day take-downs, saving time and money. SnapDragon is offering a free trial to anyone concerned about the potential impact of IP infringement on their business. For more information, contact Jet Doran, Director of Research at jet.doran@snapdragon-ip.com. T: 0131 466 9249, www.snapdragon-ip.com.

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Trade show updates from home and abroadon with the show Progressive Greetings LiveWhen 10th - 11th May, 2016Where Business Design Centre, LondonWebsite www.progressivegreetings live.comPulseWhen 15th - 17th May, 2016Where Olympia, LondonWebsite www.pulse-london.com

Exclusively HousewaresWhen 14th - 15th June, 2016Where Business Design Centre, LondonWebsite www.exclusively housewares.co.uk

Manchester Furniture Show When 17th - 19th July, 2016Where Manchester Central Convention ComplexWebsite www.manchesterfurniture show.com

Home & Gift When 17th - 20th July, 2016 Where Harrogate International Centre, North Yorkshire Website www.homeandgift.co.uk

Diary dates Bumper CHSI Stitches draws thousands of visitors The largest CHSI Stitches show in recent years saw thousands of retailers, from large multiples to independents, flock to the NEC Birmingham in February. The vibrant trade show was packed with more than 250 exhibitors showcasing the latest innovations in the creative craft industry. A catwalk, free seminars and workshops as well as a stunning Yarnia feature brought the products to life and enabled visitors to discover new skills and receive some expert advice.

Exhibitors brought engaging and interactive stands to the event, allowing visitors to get hands on with the product on offer. Adam Elkins, Show Organiser, ICHF Events, said: “This has been one of our largest shows for a number of years and reflects both the buoyancy of the industry but also the fact that exhibitors see trade shows as an essential part of the ever-diversifying marketing mix.

“Social media complements the show in allowing connections to be made and sustained and also enabling both manufacturers and retailers to grow their businesses. We responded to this once again this year with hugely popular seminars from Warren Knight and talented bloggers, The New Craft House.”

CHSI Stitches 2017 takes place from 19th to 21st February at the NEC, Birmingham. For more information about exhibiting or visiting, email info@ichf.co.uk, call +44 (0)1425 272 711 or visit www.chsi.co.uk.

Tendence, the international consumer-goods event, is Germany’s most international and biggest order platform in the second half of the year. Taking place from 27th to 30th August in Frankfurt am Main, Tendence has an extensive portfolio of products from the field of living, furnishing and decorating, as well as gift, jewellery and fashion accessories.

As well as being a great platform for new products, expect to see top brands and key players present their Christmas trends and give the national and European retail trade the chance to place follow-up orders for the Christmas season.

At the same time, they will show their collections for the coming spring and summer season. The event is being organised by Messe Frankfurt, one of the world’s leading trade fair organisers, generating around €645 million in sales and employing 2,297 people. Messe Frankfurt events take place at more than 40 locations around the globe and in 2015 the group organised more than 130 trade fairs, more than half of which took place outside Germany.

Comprising an area of 592,127 square metres, Messe Frankfurt’s exhibition grounds are home to ten exhibition halls. The company also operates two congress centres.

For more information, visit www.tendence.messefrankfurt.com or to book tickets, visit www.tickets.messefrankfurt.com

Readers’ PollWhat we’ve learnt from the latest reader poll at www.giftfocus.comWe asked: Do you trade outside of the UK?You Said:No, but we have plans to - 35% No, it’s not something we’re considering - 30%

Yes, and it’s been positive so far - 22%Yes, but with little gain to the business - 13%

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Spring Fair attracts tens of thousands of visitors Tens of thousands of retailers, contract buyers, interior designers and other trade visitors turned out in force for a buzzing edition of Spring Fair, which took place from 7th to 11th of February and coincided with the 40th anniversary of The NEC Birmingham. The show brought together thousands of exhibitors across 13 sectors from around the UK and the wider global community, with hundreds joining Spring Fair for the first time and many of them choosing the show as their exclusive UK or international launch pad.

New brands for 2016 included: On Interiors, Wow! Stuff, Boska, IB Laursen, SIA, Riviera Maison and Au Maison. This year’s exhibition incorporated a new layout which saw Greetings & Stationery relocated to Hall 3, adjacent to The Party Show, some of the country’s leading gift and toy suppliers took up new positions in Halls 4 and 5, with Children’s Gifts and Toys & Gadgets.

More hot products were brought to the fore at the Gift of the Year

2016 Awards, presented by new Giftware Association ambassador Cath Kidston during a ceremony held at the Fashion Catwalk on the Sunday. This year, the look and feel of the show was enhanced by wide, boulevard-style aisles, providing a seamless and stress-free visitor experience. The event was also well-attended by celebrity designers and TV stars, including The Great British Bake Off winner, Nadiya Hussain and Paul Hollywood, who both launched licensed product ranges at the event.

Commenting as the show closed its doors, portfolio director Nick Davison said: “I want to thank all our loyal customers, and those new to the exhibition, for supporting Spring Fair and helping to make it such a fantastic show. There was a great atmosphere of camaraderie throughout the show, which is the best place to do business and for members of the industry to network with their peers.”

The next edition of Spring Fair will run from 5th to 9th February 2017. To register for free tickets, visit www.springfair.com.

Pure Shanghai radiates success after March edition Pure Shanghai closed its doors on 18th March after three very successful days at CHIC; China’s largest fashion buying event. The show radiated energy and excitement with buyers present such as iLux, Eland, XInlelu.com, Alibaba and Shanghai Enovl’s.

There were more than 1,200 exhibitors and over 125,000 visitors; resulting in a positive experience from brands and buyers alike. Pure Shanghai curated an edited selection of international brands across womenswear, footwear and accessories.

Accessory brand, Jianhui London, said: “The sophistication of the Chinese buyers has really surprised me, they described my collection as art and were prepared to pay our competitive prices.” Raymond Lam, Director at returning brand, Vendula London, said: “We met such a big variety of buyers and we always find our target customers here.”

The next edition of Pure Shanghai will take place from 11th to 13th October at the NECC in Shanghai.

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Trade show updates from home and abroadon with the showon with the show Looking ahead

NY NOWWhen 20th - 24th August, 2016Where Javits Center, New YorkWebsite www.nynow.com

TendenceWhen 27th - 30th August, 2016Where Messe Frankfurt, 2016Website www.tendence.messefrankfurt.com

Exclusively Housewares When 14th - 15th June, 2016 Where The Design Centre, LondonWebsite www.exclusivelyhousewares.co.uk

FormexWhen 24th - 27th August, 2016Where Stockholmsmassan, Sweden Website www.formex.se

(All dates are subject to change. Contact organisers for more information before making arrangements)

For further show previews and reports turn to:p69 Pulsep81 Exclusively Housewaresp84 Manchester Furniture Showp89 PG Live p99 NY NOW

Autumn Fair shortlisted for Best Trade Show The organiser of Autumn Fair, i2i Events Group, has announced that the event has been shortlisted for Best Trade Show in this year’s Exhibition News (EN) Awards. Best Trade Show is the most hotly contested of all EN Awards and this time around it’s open to any trade exhibition held in the UK during 2015.

Show organisers are assessed on their ability to meet show objectives, produce innovative content and marketing campaigns, record improvements in commercial performance, demonstrate visitor and exhibitor attendance growth and diversification, and the show’s longevity and finalists and winners are selected by industry peers. Autumn Fair brings together tens of thousands of retailers

with a huge portfolio of brands and manufacturers. Some of the best home and gift brands in the world choose the show as their product launch platform, alongside hundreds of new exhibitors and overseas companies.

The Portfolio Director for Autumn Fair, Naomi Barton, said: “I’m very proud that Autumn Fair has been short-listed for this prestigious award. The show has grown tremendously over the past few years as buying patterns have changed and retailers move increasingly towards seasonal buying at key times.”

i2i Events Group received a total of 15 nominations across several categories, recognising exhibitions, the teams and individuals working on them.

The next edition of Autumn Fair will take place from 4th to 7th September at The NEC, Birmingham.

For more information visit www.autumnfair.com

It’s all happening in Hong KongOrganised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and The Hong Kong Exporters’ Association; the Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair is the world’s largest fair of its kind. Running from 27th to 30th April, 2016 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, there were more than 4,200 exhibitors from 33 countries and regions presenting all the latest giftware products.

Green and energy-saving products are currently hugely popular in the giftware industry and Hong Kong enterprises are capitalising on opportunities and pooling resources in developing green gifts brands. Green & Associates (HK) Limited was established in 1994 and started to engage in green gifts in 2005. This year the exhibitor showcased various green products made by food wastes, such as coffee grounds, egg shell, apple pomace and tea grounds, showing how upcycling works. The Hall of Fine Designs housed high quality products of about 130 brands and there were a number of product zones making their debut, including Art & DIY Gifts, BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag), Photographic & Camera Accessories and Trophies & Medals. A number of seminars and forums were also held during the fair period too. Topics ranged from business opportunities, trend of gifts & premium retailing, the retail scene of the United States market to cross–border e-commerce strategy. For information about the next event visit www.hktdc.com

100% Design, the UK’s largest design trade show, returns to Olympia, London from 21th to 24th September for its 22nd edition. Taking place during London Design Festival, the show welcomes hundreds of exhibitors and more than 26,000 visitors to Kensington over four days, helping to foster relationships between some of the biggest architects, designers, specifiers, retailers and developers in the world.Each year 100% Design adopts a theme, which determines its visual identity, creative installations and talks programme. This year’s theme is Experience Design, which considers the many ways in which design guides, frames and improves the way that we live, work and consume. The theme will be expressed through a series of specially commissioned installations and the show’s unrivalled talks programme, Talks with 100% Design.

From kitchens and bathrooms to workplace seating and flooring, the range of products on show is unparalleled. Emerging talent sits alongside established international brands in a broad, far-reaching show that spans five sections: Interiors, Workplace, Kitchens & Bathrooms, Design & Build and Emerging Brands.

For more information on 100% Design please visit 100percentdesign.co.uk. 

Experience 100% Design in London

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Check out some new and exciting products in the current market

brand spanking new

Wit With WisdomRRP: from £4.95From the makers of Wit With Wisdom comes the brand new, The Gift of Wisdom. Its highly successful, witty and clever sayings find new life on greetings cards. Each card includes either a coaster, fridge magnet, magnetic bottle opener, wooden heart or pocket mirror. Target your local market with bespoke sayings for no extra charge or choose from their own selection. All can go in the post under a normal stamp. Great for special occasions like Father’s Day, birthdays and weddings. T: +44 (0)1494 814 062E: paula@witwithwisdom.co.ukW: www.witwithwisdom.co.uk

Global Luxury Brands RRP: £229.90 Last year, the Robin was voted the UK’s national bird after a public poll, so it’s fitting that the Hungarian porcelian manufacturer, Herend, have made this the subject of their very first UK figurine. Available only during 2016 this totally hand painted piece is a fine example of the skills for which Herend are known the world over. Colour and gold are used by highly skilled painters to give this piece a rich and jewel like appearance; a superb addition to a highly successful and much admired range. Global Luxury Brands are looking for a small number of new accounts for this prestigious range. T: +44 (0)1538 807 780 E: simon.willis@globalluxurybrands.co.uk W: www.globalluxurybrands.co.uk

Heart of the CountyRRP: £70 The all-new Rose Gold George is an electronic fragrance diffuser designed by Italian designer, Luca Trazzi. George works by blowing cool air through any of the Mr & Mrs Fragrance capsules. This innovative system is just about the safest way to produce fragrance – no flame, no heat, no liquid, no mess, just beautiful fragrances produced by this iconic diffuser. George also features a bluetooth speaker which easily connects to your phone, tablet or computer. Powered by a lithium battery, it can last up to eight hours on one charge. It’s available in four soft touch colours and two metallic colours.T: +44 (0)1543 481 612W: www.heartofthecountryltd.co.uk          

Jot Paper CoJot Paper Co’s new granite collection features patterns created from their original marbled paper. The granite print is available on greetings cards, gift tags and notebooks. All greetings cards are printed onto 100 per cent recycled card and then hand-pressed by Jot with gold hot-foil.

See all of Jot Paper Co’s new collections at Pulse.T: 07814 531 051E: dan@jotpaperco.comW: www.jotpaperco.com 

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brand spanking new

Dora Designs RRP: £27Dora Designs has a new addition to the Posh Traditional range, Majestic the Maine Coon Cat. This luxury doorstop is a must for any cat lover. As well as providing great decoration to any room, this loyal cat will do an excellent job of keeping the doors open. Also available as a gorgeous draught excluder. T: +44 (0)1780 430 188E: enquiries@doradesigns.co.ukW: www.doradesigns.co.uk

MorplanWith the trend for shabby chic permeating every angle of retail at the moment, Morplan has added a huge collection of products to its 5,000-strong range to meet the increasing demand for anything retro, deconstructed or reclaimed. From genuine fruit crates ideal for creating shelves, plinths and even counters to a scaffold-style urban wall system. For a complete revamp take a look at the Heritage and Cargo Collections with a choice of finishes that includes shelving units, counters and display stands. Team with chalkboards to create a lovely farmhouse look. UK delivery is free on orders over £85 ex. VAT (exceptions apply).  T: +44 (0)330 44 55 666 W: www.morplan.com

Just Now DesignsRRP £34.99Just Now Designs has a selection of seven contemporary designs with more to follow. Cushions are approximately 43 cm x 43 cm with a linen feel polyester complete with an oversized duck feather inner pad giving a wonderfully soft plump finish. All cushions are finished with a concealed zip fastening with the design image on the front and the rear finished in a plain cream colour. All pillows are designed by the company’s own artists in their north Yorkshire studio. T: +44 (0)1729 851 622 E: info@justnowdesigns.com W: www.justnowdesigns.com

Creative TopsRRP: From £6 Recognising the remarkable cultural success of British baking, Creative Tops has launched this stunning giftable bakeware that captures the joy and contemporary quirkiness of baking. Beautifully crafted in tones of ivory and black, Stir It Up has rustic character with quality materials of stoneware, acacia wood and cast iron. Fun phrases and labels decorate each piece with illustrations in a hand-drawn style and petite floral detail. The collection includes a Sweet As Pie dish, Beat It mixing bowl, labelled measuring cups and Yours and Mine ramekins. Cotton textiles feature on a playful Kiss The Cook apron and Hot Stuff double oven gloves. Also launched in this collection are products adorned with simple recipes for added gift appeal, such as a glass work surface protector decorated with recipes for different kinds of pastry. Perfect for premium gifting, Stir It Up will rejuvenate any baker’s kitchen.T: +44 (0)1536 207 710E: sales@creative-tops.comW: www.creative-tops.com

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brand spanking new

Worldy Goods Handmade mini cards add a new dimension to any gift or present. Designed and crafted to the highest standards, they are cello wrapped individually. Housed in a cute and practical counter display unit, there are 10 ranges all with different themes to satisfy every sector of the gift industry. They can be marketed in a jeweller, wine shop, florist or gift shop. The counter display unit is supplied free of charge and the cost of each card is just 60p + VAT. The carriage will be free for your first order. There is an additional offer for the readers of Gift Focus – if two units are ordered, a 25 per cent discount will apply to the cost of the second unit.T: +44 (0)7961 123 420E: info@kindcompliments.co.ukW: www.kindcompliments.co.uk

XystosRRP: £13.99-£24.99Hourglass candles are among the WoodWick autumn/winter releases from Xystos, along with two new ranges – the Boudoir Collection featuring six fragrances, and the Blue Arrow Collection of five scents in a distinctive HearthWick vessel. It’s also offering the Dancing Hourglass, Crackle Hourglass and Scenic Hourglass candles, as well as a range of attractive WoodWick candle shades – Geometric gold and silver, Glowing Forest, Woodland Wonder and Halloween. There’s also a variety of other candle products including a snowflake ornament and candle snuffer.T: +44 (0)191 499 1570E: sales@xystos.co.ukW: www.xystostrade.co.uk

Blue Eyed SunRRP: 2.99 Blue Eyed Sun is launching two gorgeous new ranges of hand finished Christmas cards. Vintage Too is a fresh, contemporary new generation of its best-selling vintage range based on original embroidered artworks by textile artist, Jo Corner. These beautiful cards are litho printed on FSC board and embossed to give a realistic look and feel. There are thirty new designs in the range which are 160mm square. Fleur are based on original illustrations by Jo Corner and are beautifully embossed on textured GF Smith board then hand finished with coloured jewels. These wonderful 125mm square Christmas cards are blank inside and come cello wrapped with a red envelope. All are printed on board from sustainable sources. T: +44 (0)1273 823 003E: sales@blueeyedsun.co.uk W: www.blueeyedsun.co.uk

Mezu LtdRRP: £8The Bougainvillea is the latest addition to Mezu’s range of beautiful silk flowers. Dramatic, sunny, bold yet delicate, these flowers are most often found in warmer climes than the UK. Their vibrancy and richness in colour is making them a popular choice in floral arrangements and as stand-alone displays. All Mezu’s flowers have been carefully sourced and every flower is individually hand-created for optimum authenticity that never fades or wilts. The range has expanded over the years building on the initial foundation of outstanding English and hybrid tea roses to include peonies, dahlias, hydrangea, gerberas, lupins, stocks, lavender, delphiniums and more.    T: +44 (0)1248 422 279E: info@mezusilkflowers.comW: mezusilkflowers.com

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make the living easy in the sunshine with these summer-inspired gifts

in the summertime

These beautiful ivory cake stands from Solo are part of the Artisan range of hand-crafted, recycled aluminium and iridescent resin. They will be a real show stopper in any garden this summer. Combine the different sized cake stands to create a superb Al Fresco table presentation that is sure to wow guests and look very tempting. Contemporary and stylish, the cake stands come in three sizes each with four colour options; ivory, gold-crackle, red and midnight-blue so you can mix and match to your heart’s content. T: +44 (0)1789 262 900 www.sololtd.com

With its bright and lively colours, NOA’s jewellery is a great summer accessory. Create your own selection from a catalogue full of vibrant designs. NOA uses alternative materials such as ceramics, walnut and aluminum as well as sterling silver, stainless steel and brass to create a one of a kind yet affordable collection.NOA’s jewellery is handcrafted in the UK and its catalogue is available to download on request from the company’s website.T: +44 (0)292 075 8409www.noajewellery.com

Nothing says summertime better than lazy days on the beach, and who wouldn’t recall long hot sunny days by the sea with D & J Glassware’s glass beach huts and lighthouses. Each one is skilfully made in colourful fused glass and evokes memories of the British seaside with names such as Dunroamin, Harbour View and Sea Breeze. Each piece is individually tagged to confirm its handmade authenticity and is gift boxed. T: +44 (0)1953 450 280 www.dandjglassware.co.uk

Summer means long lazy days with our nearest and dearest spent picnicking on the beach or cooking up a BBQ in the garden. Half Moon Bay is here to make sure you’re well equipped with its VW range, including essentials from a picnic blanket using original plaid upholstery from interior seating of a ’60s Westfalia T2 camper van, down to a matching rucksack perfect for carrying all of your tasty treats. T: +44 (0)1225 473 873 www.halfmoonbay.co.uk

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Bright and summery handmade mini cards from Worldly Goods can be a decoration to any fruit basket or present with a loving message. These bright and cheerful cards are decorated with ice-creams, lollies and muffins and are just crying out for a hand-written message. The Mini cards are housed in a counter display unit which is supplied free of charge. Each display contains 120 Mini cards, and 12 different designs. There are 10 various ranges with different themes to satisfy different sectors of the gift industry. T: +44 (0)7961 123 420www.kindcompliments.co.uk

The Strawberry Fayre collection from Creative Tops evokes the nostalgia of warm English summers. Fresh and fruity illustrations of strawberries and garden flowers are delicately woven across Strawberry Fayre pieces, bursting with colours of rich red and lush green. An ideal collection for gifting and afternoon teas in the garden. Strawberry Fayre pieces include tea sets, a gardener’s mug, side plates, and a cup and saucer. A beautiful, quality collection that has the official Royal Botanic Gardens Kew hallmark. The decoration of Strawberry Fayre is taken from a colour engraving published in Florence in 1825.T: +44 (0)1536 207 710www.creative-tops.com

Carrie Elspeth won two Gift of the Year 2016 categories and Mycolourbands were awarded the Fashion Accessories top honours for being a fun, practical and versatile product, beautifully packaged and at a very accessible price point. The second award was taken by Carrie’s stunning Agate Medley Collection, in the Fashion Jewellery category. Carrie has also just launched her brand new Summer 2016 collection which is packed full of winners. This vibrant and exciting series of designs is brimming with colour and style. Ask the friendly team at Carrie Elspeth about their award winners and extensive collections, all of which are carefully handmade in Wales. T: +44 (0)1446 771 271 www.carrieelspeth.com

Best Kept Secrets, the leading UK fragranced gift, candle and soap manufacturer, have launched a new innovative collection of candle tins, with fabulous fragrances. The stylish candles have three wicks to give an intense burn and aroma and come in an elegant deisgn to make for a very collectable candle tin range; perfect to gift this summer.T: +44 (0)1670 512 222 www.bestkeptsecrets.co.uk

in the summertime

The ever expanding range of Klima miniature porcelain animals can be viewed on www.trendle-co.com

For more details please contact Trendle Products

HAND PAINTED

Jewellery Storage solutions

Designed to hold up to 48 pairs of earrings. Earrings are kept

The Little Book of Necklaces

Designed to hold necklaces safely and securely at home or when traveling.

The Little, Little Book of EarringsDesigned like the Little Book of Earrings but

smaller. Able to hold up to 12 pairs of earrings.

If you would like any further information please

phone: (0044)0 2033711522email: info@littleshopof.co.uk

Visit us: www.littleshopof.co.uk

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Brighten up the garden this summer with the help of Orla Kiely. The popular designer has a brand new collection with Wild & Wolf for spring/summer 2016, featuring her retro-inspired patterns. The colour theme of bright greens and blues is consistent throughout the range and can be seen on potting gloves, a stylish garden kneeler and gardening essentials from a fork and trowel to secateurs. Brand new for 2016, Orla Kiely has introduced Grow Your Own Pots – a choice of five colourful plant pot designs each containing a different herb or seed to grow. No garden collection is complete without a watering can and this range showcases a stand-out yellow can, embossed with Orla’s stem print design. T: +44 (0)1225 789 909 sales@wildandwolf.com

Bridgewater Candle Company’s top selling fragrance, Sweet Grace, is the must-have fragrance for 2016. Combining sparkling tea notes with patchouli and full-bodied fruits, it’s available in 18oz jar candle, 8oz jar candle, votive, reed diffuser, wax bar, fragrance oil and sachet. Sweet Grace is a fragrance that proves irresistible to anyone who smells it. If you haven’t experienced Sweet Grace email: sales@heartofthecountryltd.co.uk putting FREE FOCUS in the subject as well as including your address and Heart of the Country Ltd will send you a sachet worth £3.50 for free. T: +44 (0) 1543 481 612www.heartofthecountryltd.co.uk         

If you know a gardening multi-tasker forever losing or misplacing those essential gardening bits and bobs, then you’ll love the new poc-kit gardener’s utility belt from Burgon & Ball. Manufactured in flexible and lightweight material, the poc-kit sits comfortably around the wearer’s waist to provide multiple storage places. Comfortable to wear, even when kneeling, it’s waterproof and machine washable and available in six vibrant colours – Eucalyptus, Poppy, Moss, Navy, Slate and Gooseberry. T: + 44 (0)1202 684 141www.burgonandball.com

Inspired by Italy… made in England, Black Cherry & Almond is the new fragrance from Di Palomo this summer. Known for its original fragrances and attention to detail, the company is confident that this new collection is set to follow in the footsteps of its existing best-selling ranges. The new range is presented in luxurious, soft touch packaging. Fully supported with testers and point of sale material, the collection is now available to order for immediate delivery. Price points from £4 to £25.T: + 44 (0)1803 612 772www.dipalomo.com

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in the summertime

Talbot Fashions has been designing and wholesaling natural Paua shell jewellery since 1980 and for 2016 it has launched the new brand, Tide Jewellery. The eye-catching pieces come in stylish boxes that look striking on display and make a great gift line suitable for all types of retailers. Tide Jewellery is very good value for money and is the largest range of boxed Paua jewellery in the UK with more than 275 lines to choose from, including in different colours.

Minimum order £25.T: +44 (0)1273 776 415www.talbotfashions.com

The huge range of over 250 fragrances offered by Busy Bee Candles includes some stunning summer scents. Pineapple Zing, Lime Cooler, Strawberry Pop, Pink Lemonade, Summer Breeze, the list goes on. With new fragrances for summer 2016 being added, there’s a sure fire selection your customers will love exploring. Variety is the spice of life and Busy Bee Candles has the variety to spice up your home fragrance display. T: +44 (0)1550 750 419 www.busybeecandles.co.uk

Fair Trade supplier, Tilnar Art’s RSPB British Bird Collection would make the perfect addition to any summer garden. All of the products are coated with varnish which make them suitable for the garden. The stunning sculptures are all hand made by a group of artists from Zimbabwe. They come with an informative product tag with pictures of the artists and details of how the products are made. Products in the new range include Herons, Red Robins, Swans and Puffins. The products are Fair Trade and purchases of these sculptures help provide a stable income and good standard of living for the artists and their families. T: +44 (0)1277 362 815 www.tilnarart.co.uk

The new on-trend colour range of Tribal Steel by Midhaven Ltd perfectly evokes the feel of summer. There is a huge choice of fresh colours, textures and materials in its new range, from beautiful smooth quality leather to luxury calf skin studded with Swarovski crystal – and just to make it fun; pastel metallics in synthetic pleather.

RRPs range from £17 to £40 and all items come in stylish Tribal Steel pouches. Independents and volume buyers are equally welcome. Tribal Steel can offer point of sale or your own bespoke collection (subject to quantity).  T: +44 (0)1299 851 513www.midhaven.co.uk

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The Little Shop Of opened in April 2009 to sell The Little Book of Earrings. The book came about after Jackie McLaren had searched for years for a neat way to store and organise her earrings. The company was after something that would hold the earrings securely but could also be kept in a drawer for safekeeping or, when travelling, could be carried in a suitcase.

The company also offers the Little, Little Book of Earrings, and The Little Book of Necklaces, and has recently introduced The Little Book of Rings. T: +44 (0)20 3371 1522www.littleshopof.co.uk

Puckator’s Botanical Gardens design is perfect for your summer with bright, floral patterns and inspiring slogans set to be this season’s top trend. Puckator has a fantastic range of gift items including picnic items such as vacuum flasks and cool bags, to beauty accessories such as manicure sets, lip balms and sunglasses cases. All designed exclusively by Puckator’s UK based design team. Visit the website or call the sales team for more details on the full Botanical Gardens range and many more summery items.T: +44 (0)800 011 6969www.puckator.co.uk

Wild from Flamingo Candles is a collection of four fragrances inspired by the 1990s. Presented in a range of attention-seeking animal print designs, the jar candles are filled with classic scents associated with the ‘90s including Dewberry, Strawberry Millions, Lemon Alcopop and White Musk. Hand-poured in the UK using natural soy wax and cotton wicks, each candle burns for between 40-50 hours and is priced at £10. T: +44 (0)845 8678296www.flamingocandles.co.uk

Calleesy Jewellery’s latest summer seller is wonderfully elegant and versatile.The Venus collection is comprised of a smooth three-strand silver chain cluster that captures a romantic mix of pearls and crystals and a silver heart droplet. It’s beautiful for the evening but even more fabulous with cottons and denims. The bracelet is a statement in itself with a chunky three-strand mix of the same stunning beads, finished with an oversized clasp and a sweet heart. As always Calleesy’s collections boast excellent handmade quality and wide range of colours for every style.E: info@calleesyjewellery.comwww.calleesyjewellery.com

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weddings

Perfect wedding gifts for the big day

happily ever afterJoe Davies has seen year on year growth of its wedding collection and the company’s frames and albums have been particularly popular. Following the success of Joe Davies’ Script Frames, the company has carried over the contemporary styling to its stunning wedding albums and guest books. The albums use classic fonts, silver embossed quotes and have a beautiful finish to produce a sleek product to perfectly preserve that special day forever. The Script Wedding Albums are available in sensible quantities with minimum orders of just £100 and free nationwide delivery.T: +44 (0)161 975 6300www.joedavies.co.uk

Signature Gifts personalised products are ideal for this upcoming wedding season. What better way is there to celebrate a union of two people than popping the cork on some bespoke bubbly? Available to be personalised for the wedding and the happy couple, you can thank the maid of honour and best man and even toast the mother of the bride and groom on this special day. All bottles are available in gift boxes and can be teamed with their own engraved glasses to add an extra keepsake. To keep treasured memories Our First Year book is complete with a full reprint of the news from the wedding day. Embossed in delicate silver with names together with the wedding date, this book can really be cherished. T: +44 (0)1582 464 809 www.signature-gifts.co.uk

As the demand for original and innovative personalised wedding gifts continues to grow, the Personalised Memento Company (PMC) has launched its newest personalised wedding gift range; Art Deco Wedding. Inspired by classic black and gold art deco themes, this range is on-trend and will make a perfect gift for any stylish couple. As well as the company’s stunning personalised photo album with sleeves, the range is also available for personalised wine and champagne, couples mugs, wedding invitations and even chocolate bars. PMC’s newest personalised wedding range is the latest addition to the growing collection of products. T: +44 (0)1782 744 900 www.personalisedmemento.co.uk

Wish the happy couple a very happy ever after with this beautiful wedding gift idea from enesco. Part of its Lolita Wedding Collection, this gift set includes two individual hand-painted wine glasses for the bride and groom, making this a gift that will definitely be remembered. Designed by US artist Lolita, each glass is hand blown and painted using food grade non-toxic paint to create the stunning designs. The set comes packaged in a branded gift box with an individual wine cocktail recipe on the bottom of each glass.  T: +44 (0)1228 404 022www.enesco.co.uk

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Wild & Wolf’s Ted Baker collection includes a variety of sophisticated gift choices, including this gold hip flask suitable for a best man or usher. It makes a perfect keepsake gift, engraved with the words As Good as Gold, with space available for personal engraving. The classic gold highlights Ted Baker’s elegant style and complements the standout presentation gift box. The notebook style box adds a splash of colour and pattern, with the hip-flask fitting neatly inside next to a space to write who it belongs to. The screw-top flask holds a capacity of 6oz for the tipple of choice. The classy design and presentation makes a perfect gift to give a best man. T: +44 (0)1225 789 909 sales@wildandwolf.com

With its fantastic selection of wedding albums, photo frames and guest books, Kenro has products to suit all tastes and complement any theme or colour scheme. One of its most popular ranges is the classically elegant White Satin collection. The newest addition to this, a stylish 76-page guest book, is sure to be a top seller. With a traditional textured satin finish and supplied in a beautiful crystal top gift box to keep the best wishes of the newlyweds’ family and friends safe and unspoilt forever, this is a gift as eye-catching and luxurious as it is thoughtful and practical. The book is in landscape format, and pages are approximately 8x5.5” with stitched binding that opens flat for ease of writing. T: +44 (0)1793 864 345 www.kenro.co.uk

Newlyweds only wanting each other’s company will fall in love with WoodWick’s new Boudoir Collection from Xystos, which features six captivating scents. These include Quiet Bliss – a serene mix of gentle white plum and jasmine with a kiss of roses – and Terrace Breeze, designed to evoke a secret terrace with the hint of green garden notes and rich, cosy oak wood. The perfect gift for romantics everywhere, the candle with the natural wooden wick that crackles as it burns has never looked so good.T: +44 0191 499 1570 www.xystostrade.co.uk

Up In Lights from Smiling Faces has the ever-popular Light Up Letters, the perfect wedding gift for the happy couple. Light up their names, initials or even Mr & Mrs for the newlyweds. The classy matte white finish suits any colour scheme and are a wonderful reminder of the special day. Brides will also love these as affordable decor for the venue. When switched on the white LED lights give a bright eye catching glow and add a fabulous ambience to any room. The beauty is that there are no cables and each light takes just two AAA batteries. They hang or stand and it’s easy to get to the switch to turn off and prolong battery life when not needed. T: +44 (0)1444 882 323 www.smilingfaces.co.uk

Sparkle and shine on your wedding day with breathtakingly stunning jewellery. Gecko’s ever popular Elements Silver collection offers a fabulous array of choices for that special occasion. Choose from perfect pearls, with a wonderful selection of seductive jewels brightened by the lustrous moon. Alternatively opt for delicate pave aligned with contemporary silver designs. In addition Gecko also offers Fiorelli Silver; a beautifully designed collection, combining a clever mix of influences creating unforgettable and iconic pieces, encapsulating the Fiorelli signature style offering sophistication at its core. T: +44 (0)1376 532 000sales@geckojewellery.com

happily ever after

Contact us to receive our trade catalogue:Warren House, Hinton St George, Somerset TA17 8TQ

Tel +44 (0)1460 75686 www.classiccanes.co.ukAlso on Facebook and Instagram

The Walking Stick SpecialistsFine quality walking sticks,

seat sticks and umbrellas for ladies and gentlemen.

potters crouchpassionate about fragrance since 1986

CANDLES ·

REED DIFFUSERS ·

ROOM SPRAYS ·

MELTS ·

Your customers will keep coming back for more once they experience

www.potterscrouchcandles.co.uk01727 836454

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weddings

Walking stick specialists Classic Canes stock formal canes suitable for grooms, ushers, male and female guests and even brides. Female wedding guests favour pretty canes in colours to match their outfits, whilst silver or chrome topped canes are popular with male guests and as gifts for the ushers. Brides who are stick users can choose from a range of pastel-hued canes including elegant champagne-coloured acrylic canes. Tippling canes, which contain a glass phial for whisky, are popular presents for nervous grooms in need of something restorative, and formal umbrellas are a wise standby for all weddings in the unpredicatble British climate.T: +44 (0)1460 75686www.classiccanes.co.uk

This photo frame with hearts from All Personal Gifts is from the company’s fine silver plated range and has a very deep, shiny finish to it. All Personal Gifts provide a large selection of personalised wedding gifts to celebrate the big day, from fine silver plated photo frames to beautifully crafted tableware for the happy couple, to wedding favours for bridesmaids and the best man which include compact mirrors, cufflinks, hipflasks, trinket boxes and much more. Each gift can be engraved with your personal message in memory of a very special day. T: + 44 (0)845 170 7000  www.allpersonalgifts.co.uk

Jola Designs Ltd offers a range of one-of-a-kind handmade gifts, including wedding presents with that all-important personal touch for the happy couple. These include thank you gifts for mums, bridesmaids and the best man. Other gifts available in this collection include handmade linen make-up bags, wash bags, cards, tea towels, bags and linen canvases. There is no minimum order. Jola products are all lovingly made to order in Cheshire allowing you to personalise each gift for no extra charge. Please visit their website to see the complete range or contact Jayne for more details. T: +44 (0)1625 503 162 www.joladesigns.co.uk

New for this season, luxury homeware pewter specialist Royal Selangor launches its whisky accessory collection, Bar. This streamlined retro-future aesthetic of the 1950s and 60s underpins this design, evoking nostalgic memories of elegant witty cocktail parties held in sleek suburbia homes or swanky bachelor pads. A perfect wedding present or gift for the best man, this unique range of mix and match tumblers and decanters will be sure to gain pride of place in any home. Royal Selangor’s beautifully handcrafted glass and barware collections exude effortless style. T: +44 (0)207 474 5511 www.royalselangor.com

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Lesser & Pavey has teamed up with the winners of the Henries award for design, Hearts Designs, to bring a new range of wedding gifts to retailers. Under license, this range is called Mad Dots and you can see why. From the gold of the wedding rings, the range features gold dots on everything with two different phrasing designs – Hugs and Kisses To The New Mr & Mrs and Love Laughter And Happily Ever After. Each range consists of gift bags, a set of two fine mugs, a perfect set of champagne flutes, two different types of storage boxes and a wedding card post box.T: +44 (0)1322 279 225www.leonardo.co.uk

Taking its name from the Italian word for love, Widdop and Co’s Amore brand combines the romance and elegance of Italian style in fresh, contemporary and timeless designs of real sentimental value. Predominantly a wedding and anniversary range, Amore marries modern, contemporary design with classic and lasting style that will stand the test of time. Photo frames, albums, keepsakes and champagne flutes have all been given a new lease of life combining home trends with classic finishing touches. Amore products are packaged beautifully, making them a stunning gift that will be cherished over time and will not look out of place on display in stylish, modern homes. T: +44 (0)161 688 1226 www.widdop.co.uk

Metallics are big in the gift industry currently and the trend is definitely part of the wedding scene now too. No matter the venue or theme, designers say rose gold and coppery tones are showing up on everything from rings to wedding décor and accessories. The softer effect of the new metallics is a trend Gaeltag Keltika Ltd has incorporated into its new gift glassware ranges launched under the Here’s to You branding, with beautiful foil finish typography on all six Emma Kate & Co glasses and packaging, including four designs that are perfect for weddings. T: +44 (0)20 8998 1781 www.gaeltagkeltika.com

happily ever after

Party product distributors, Amscan International, has a delightful collection spanning disposable tableware, decorations, favours, bakeware, balloons and accessories to celebrate the happy couple. Choose from an array of popular wedding colour schemes including pink, lilac and duck egg blue for stylishly coordinated décor. New to the range this year is a selection of tulle spool fabric to make perfect finishing touches to the wedding ceremony in addition to some stylish cake toppers and decorative bakeware accessories. Amscan also offer a stunning collection of wedding themed balloons. T: +44 (0)1908 288 500www.amscan.co.uk

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Set off in style with a great selection of gifts perfect for a summer holiday

The iBeani iPad and tablet stand is more than just your ordinary tablet stand; it has multiple other uses that make it the ideal travel accessory. It makes for an exceptionally comfortable travel pillow. One benefit of the iBeani over a traditional travel pillow is that the beanbag style filling allows it to mould to any shape or surface, meaning a comfortable pillow no matter where you are. It’s ideal for use on planes, trains, cars, buses and the uses of iBeani don’t stop once you get to your destination either, it can double up as a steady camera mount to get those perfect holiday snaps. T: +44 (0)1623 840 908 www.ibeani.co.uk

Palm & Peach’s round towels are a one-of-a-kind summer accessory for those who want to make an impact on the beach. The company currently stock three different round towel designs. You can choose from the Sri Lanka towel, which features peacock feather designs, the Ibiza towel, which has a monochrome banana leaf print, and the Mustique towel, with large palm leaf images. Each of the 500gsm towels measure 150cm in diameter and have absorbent terry cloth fabric on one side and soft velour on the other, finished with stylish tasselled edges. The beautiful, eye-catching designs are sure to get you noticed. These round towels are big enough for two and are also great for picnics and festivals. T: +44 (0)7796 260 011 www.palmandpeach.com

Rant & Rave - My Holiday is an award-winning journal with a fun twist: a double cover that inspires a child to rave about the good bits of their holiday, then twist the journal over to rant and let off a little steam. This innovative journal will not only create relaxed and enjoyable moments, it will help the child to let their feelings flow. Guided prompts will inspire any child to explore the highlights and challenges of their travels. Lively colour illustrations with lists and spaces to draw make it easy to use and ideal for a wide age range. It will help to build the child’s confidence in writing and self-expression, and create a wonderful keepsake.T: +44 (0)1225 866 225www.journalsofalifetime.com

The new Accessorize beauty collections from Heathcote & Ivory have been designed with travel in mind and are the perfect sizes for cabin friendly toiletries, packaged in fun and colourful printed tins and waterproof wash bags. Made with natural extracts and containing no parabens or sulfates, the two fragrances – sweet lotus and lychee sorbet – offer beauty and practicality. From lip balm and hand cream to sets containing face wash and face mist, they’ve thought of everything for this collection, even the clever travel hand creams (3 x 30ml) have a practical carabiner to clip on and attach to your handbag or luggage for ease of use and to ensure they won’t get lost.T: +44 (0)20 7483 8383www.heathcote-ivory.com

flying high

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travel gifts

For suitcases with style, the Parrot Paradise luggage tag from Sass & Belle is going to make drab cases a thing of the past. The tag is made out of shiny, treated plastic, which is durable and has a belt strap for adjustments. On one side there is a transparent plastic sleeve in which a name and address can be placed. The pretty Parrot Paradise collection makes this holiday item the perfect little pick-up from beside the till. Discover thousands of homeware and gifts from vintage charm to contemporary concepts on the Sass & Belle website.T: +44 (0)207 346 0100www.sassandbelletrade.co.uk 

Edwin Jagger’s compact travel cases, finished with carbon fibre effect material or textured fabric with orange stitching, are designed to hold either an exclusive Edwin Jagger travel razor and travel shaving brush or razor. Complete with its benchmark standard pure badger fill, travel shaving brushes are available nickel plated or with a lightweight aluminium anodised handle in silver, black and white.

The skincare range of soaps and creams are also available in travel friendly dispensing tubes and tubs. A perfect gift for all occasions.T: + 44 (0)1142 753 739www.edwinjagger.com

Clere Concepts is known for distributing fun but practical products, none more so than its new range of funky luggage labels that will ensure your bag stands out from the crowd. There are six bright designs with an address panel on the reverse, secured by either a belt or stretchy tie depending on design and are available in packs of 24 assorted designs. This is one of several new ranges introduced this year to run alongside existing best sellers, all designed to brighten the shelves this summer.T: +44 (0)1635 297 911www.clereconcepts.co.uk

The Sandusa is a sandproof and waterproof beach towel created by surfer, Baz Brown. The Australian engineer spent years perfecting his idea before producing the Sandusa, a luxurious cotton towel with a waterproof nylon backing which sand doesn’t stick to. As well as being a practical beach towel that dries really well, you can use the Sandusa for a picnic, to wrap up wet clothes or swimwear, or wrap it around yourself so your car seats don’t end up wet on the drive home. Other products include waterproof and sand proof bags.E: orders@sandusa.comwww.sandusa.net

MadPax creates 3D inspired, progressively modern backpacks for kids of all ages. Spiketus Rex was the first of these designs followed up by Bubble; semi-rigid, semi-circles that literally pops out from the body of the backpack. These were followed by BLOK – a design appealing to those who love Lego and Minecraft. MadPax represent the evolution of the backpack; the perfect fusion of design and functionality. T: + 44 (0)1132 843 477www.madpaxworld.com

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No excess baggage is required when you pack any of IF’s neat and clever travel reading accessories. From planning, preparation and peaceful personal space to hands free luxury holiday reading, this range of gifts-on-the-go holds your hand (and your book) throughout the whole travelling experience. For more information on any of IF’s 70 ranges of super things, call Selina for a catalogue. T: +44 (0)1751 475 757 www.thatcompanycalledif.com

The refillable perfume atomiser is the perfect way to carry your Di Palomo fragrance with you and is easily filled straight from the spray bottle. Ideally sized for your purse or handbag and approved for air travel, the atomiser will be offered as a free gift to customers when buying a 50ml Eau de Parfum from selected stockists. Retailers who are interested in participating in this offer should call now to pre-order as the offer is only available while stocks last.T: + 44 (0)1803 612 772www.dipalomo.com

These colourful, wonderfully individual deckchairs will make you stand out from the crowd on the beach or even just feel super stylish in the comfort of your own garden.

The deckchairs, which include a variety of pretty and original styles, have been designed by British artist and designer, Jacqueline Hammond, and is part of her Smart Deco collection, featuring fun art print deckchairs, cushions and lampshades. The stunning collection will brighten up any home or outing. Visit the website to see the full collection. T: +44 (0)7879 012 294www.in-spaces.com

Aroma Home’s range of travel pillows, ideal for planes, cars and trains, are available in four novelty designs perfect for relaxing during those long summer holiday journeys. Packaged to display well on the shelf its the perfect travel accessory. The company is offering a three for two special this spring and summer. T: +44 (0)207 735 9500 uk.aromahome.com

flying high

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Celebrate a new arrival with these beautiful baby gifts baby love

Taking its inspiration from fashion magazines, Showered with Love has a contemporary feel and unisex design that makes a refreshing alternative to the gender-based ranges often available. It comprises everything mums-to-be require to host a stylish celebration, from invitations to paper plates, cups, napkins and cupcake cases, all featuring a multi-coloured polka dot background and expectant mum design. Glass decorations and a gorgeous guest book complete the collection. T: +44 (0)845 638 1358 www.neviti.com

Hopping on to the personalised gift scene are the Personalised Memento Company’s range of adorable Hessian Friends products. Ideal for decorating a nursery with a special keepsake, the Hessian Rabbit Mantel Block is the perfect way to commemorate a little one’s arrival. The Hessian Friends feature on a growing range of PMC’s personalised baby gifts including their adorable star and heart decorations and wooden jewellery boxes – all perfect for celebrating a birth, christening, baptism or a naming day. T: 01782 744 900 www.personalisedmemento.co.uk

Baby showers, new births, christenings and baby birthdays all make baby gifts a perennial all year round seller for gift and card retailers. Giftware suppliers Joe Davies has seen sales of baby gifts rise year on year and expects the trend to continue. These charming Cuddle Time blankets are a brand new addition to its range. Six popular, cute animals are featured all holding a practical, super soft micro fleece blanket. They have certainly got the cute factor and make a great gift for a multitude of occasions.T: +44 (0)161 975 6300www.joedavies.co.uk

From books to ceramics, Signature Gifts has one of the widest ranges of personalised gifts for babies. Expertly fired ceramic gifts mean that the occasion can be marked with a personalised plate, cup or trinket box, all of which are available in a wide range of styles. If you’re looking for exclusivity, you can create products that include your own designs. Signature has created an embossed birth certificate holder and a bespoke baby book that was shortlisted for Gift of the Year 2014. Signature’s My First Year baby book includes a full copy of the newspaper from a child’s birthday and is personalised with the child’s name and date of birth on the cover. T: +44 (0)1582 464 809 www.signature-gifts.co.uk

animals are featured all holding a practical, super soft micro fleece animals are featured all holding a practical, super soft micro fleece blanket. They have certainly got the cute factor and make a great gift or a multitude of occasions.

T: +44 (0)161 975 6300www.joedavies.co.uk

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baby gifts

New for 2016 is the Grayson collection from enesco, featured here is the adorable grey huggybuddy, so soft and sweet your baby will love to cuddle with him. The collection includes a cuddly bear, rattle and a comfy cozy. Each item is machine washable and suitable from birth and is CE marked. Also available in soft pink, baby blue and neutral tan.T: +44 (0)1228 404 022www.enesco.co.uk

The Flower Stork is known for its fresh and imaginative range of baby clothes bouquets, containing essential items of baby wear presented in a modern, eye-catching way. Their latest additions: Cupcake Bouquet and County Garden, extend its offering at higher price points in response to customer demand. The Country Garden baby basket is inspired by an English country garden and this stunning baby gift basket is filled with rosebuds of baby clothes. The basket itself can be used for nursery storage, long after the gift has been enjoyed.

The Cupcake Baby Bouquet is filled with a complete set of essential items for the new arrival to take them from bath time to bed time. Bouquets are available in sugar pink, cornflower blue and classic white. Gift sets contain 100 per cent cotton high quality British made clothing aged 3-6 months. RRPs from £49.95 to £74.95. T: +44 (0)1495 303 030 www.theflowerstork.com

aysono, featured rey nd sweetcuddle with cludes a d a comfychine e from birth o available

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The ultimate baby shower, newborn or birthday gift, these letters from Smiling Faces are a fantastic way of lighting up a little one’s name and nursery. The classy matte white finish means they suit any colour scheme. When switched on the white LED lights give a bright eye-catching glow and add a fabulous ambience to any room. The beauty of these is that there are no cables and each takes 2 x AAA batteries. They hang or stand and it’s easy to get the switch to turn off and prolong battery life when not needed.T: +44 (0)1444 882 323www.smilingfaces.co.uk  

Kenro’s inspiring collection of baby photo albums, frames and scrapbooks have something for everyone. With all kinds of designs from subtle to bright, the company is sure to have something that new parents will want to keep forever. The latest baby album to appear in Kenro’s catalogue is the delightful Baby Zoo Memo Album and Keepsake Box. This vibrant, book-bound album is available in a green or pink theme, and has pockets for 120 6x4” photographs with a memo writing area next to each picture. Featuring colourful zoo animals on art-printed pages and supplied in a beautiful keepsake box, to keep precious memories safe, this is an album that will fly off the shelves. T: +44 (0)1793 864 345 www.kenro.co.uk

k

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baby gifts

Royal Selangor, the world’s largest pewter specialist, offers a wide variety of premium children’s gifts, beautifully sculpted and elegantly hand-finished. Supplied in taffeta lined wooden presentation boxes and branded gift

packaging, the company makes perfect gifts for newborn babies

and young children, which will eventually become cherished

treasures of the future. Inspired by the popular children’s songs,

the Teddy Bear’s Picnic collection includes a range of coin boxes, trinket boxes, bookends, baby cutlery sets, a mug and musical carousel that plays a joyful tune.T: +44 (0)207 474 5511 www.royalselangor.com

Widdop and Co’s premium baby brand, Bambino, combines smart, understated design with contemporary style to produce traditional giftware for newborns. This year the company has launched the new knitted plush, innovative storage for keepsakes including a My First Outfit box and lovely new photo frames. Bambino is a premium product that has been designed to stand the test of time. With neutral and stylish designs, the brand is appropriate for both boys and girls whilst finishing touches of rich colours and silver ensure it stays on trend for the modern consumer. Stylish packaging comes in ivory, cream and silver. T: +44 (0)161 688 1226 www.widdop.co.uk

The baby collection from Jola Designs Ltd features hand drawn images. New for 2016, and to be launched at the Harrogate Home & Gift Show in July, is the Little Star collection. The 100 per cotton white baby items are made in the UK and includes handmade linen cushions, wash bags and boxed linen frames which make original gifts to welcome a new baby or celebrate a christening or naming day.

All Jola gifts and cards are made to order allowing you to personalise each item for no additional charge. T: +44(0)1625 503 162 www.joladesigns.co.uk

If you’re looking for a beautiful and unusual card or an elegant gift bag or box to celebrate the arrival of a new baby, Sara Miller London is a new luxury lifestyle brand that celebrates a love of print and gorgeous patterns and colours. Each card, gift box and bag in the range is shot through with a riot of jewel colours and delicately embossed with shimmering gold foiling. Sara’s designs celebrate her love of travel and the beauty of nature, many featuring woodland creatures, exotic birds and foliage – the perfect way to congratulate a new mum or dad. E: sara@saramiller.london www.saramiller.london

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baby love

Specialists in party supplies, Amscan International has an extensive collection of products to create the perfect baby shower. For 2016 there are six cute ensembles featuring both gender specific and neutral designs. Items include disposable tableware, decorations from banners to confetti and coordinating invitations to set the theme of the celebration. Amscan has also recognised the growing trend for gender reveal parties and launched a new party range for this special occasion with a fitting blue and pink colour scheme. Add even more fun to the occasion with Amscan’s new baby shower games and party accessories. T: +44 (0)1908 288 500www.amscan.co.uk

D for diamond is a best-selling children’s jewellery brand from Gecko Jewellery. What makes it distinctly different from the rest is its signature design – a sparkling diamond set into every piece. Appealing to all ages, from birth to early teens, the jewellery and keepsakes are perfect for everyday wear or as a truly memorable present to mark a special occasion. Children will love wearing them and adults will love buying them as gifts, especially as all D for diamond jewellery purchases come complete with quality, co-ordinated packaging, which includes a pretty gift box, a gift card for a personal message and a little shopping bag. T: +44 (0)1376 532 000 www.geckojewellery.com

New for the baby market is this little gem of a range from Lesser & Pavey, designed by its own in-house designers. Little Sunshine is a cute range with an illustrated giraffe featured in baby colours. The range includes egg cup set, gift bags, keep sake boxes, storage box, money box, clock for the nursery wall, baby birth or naming certificate holder and lunch bag for baby’s lunch. Charming and perfect for the arrival of a little one.T: +44 (0)1322 279 225www.leonardo.co.uk

Hot on the heels of its Highly Commended Gift of the Year win, the Totseat travel highchair has been praised by many new parents thrilled by the confidence it delivers in enabling them to simply leave the house with a baby. Harnessing a baby safely, and simply, in any adult chair (and adjusting quickly and easily for all shapes and sizes of chair, and baby) the Totseat is a traditional highchair replacement, meaning you really can go anywhere with your little one. Pocket-sized, machine washable and with a lifetime guarantee, it’s an ideal gift for anyone out and about with a little one.T: +44 (0)131 226 6064 www.totseat.com

Unique Baby GiftsBeautiful Bouquets of Baby Clothes

Cleverly handcrafted from UK made baby clothesAward winning range - Low minimum order

NEW RANGES

OUT NOW

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glassware

Be sure to sparkle with the latest glassware

Luxury pewter homeware specialist Royal Selangor introduces Bar, a collection of whisky accessories for 2016. With design elements reminiscent of the 1950s and 60s, the range of four mix and match tumblers and two decanters boasts a retro-futuristic aesthetic, appealing to both whisky and interior enthusiasts alike. Inspired by the geometric trends of the period; Cell, Circle, Diamond and Hexagon motifs define Bar’s origins and are showcased in beautifully hand crafted pewter. T: +44 (0)20 7474 5511 www.royalselangor.com

All Personal Gifts supply a range of beautiful glassware that can be engraved in order to make your gift truly special. Whether it’s a wedding anniversary, birthday or sporting event, the company caters for all occasions. The range of glassware is extensive, from a simple half globe paperweight to sporting trophies and they come in a variety of colours. The company also uses a technique with coloured paint to give definition and clarity to the artwork. The paperweight green glass star pictured measures 100mm x 100mm x 19mm.T: (0)845 170 7000  www.allpersonalgifts.co.uk

A more relaxed approach to life is reflected in a new range of glasses from Gaeltag Keltika Ltd. The range brings together images by prize-winning card publishers. There’s a gentle girly humour in Berni Parker’s work, zingy neons from Paper Salad; Kali Stileman’s bold brights, and the on-trend copper foil typography and sentiments in Emma Kate’s work. “The beauty of featuring four designers means there’s a style to suit any occasion in this collection – with a sprinkling of glitter and gems too,” said Director, Lorena Golfetto. RRP from £14.99. T: +44 (0)20 8998 1781 www.gaeltagkeltika.com

Shining example

J J Vaillant’s Galle style range of lamps are made using the original techniques of layering different colours of glass. First making the lamp base and shade then acid etching through the various layers to give these wonderful warm cameo style designs.   T: +44 (0)121 380 0720www.jjvaillant.com

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shining example

Half Moon Bay has a fantastic range of licensed glassware. The company has some of the best loved licenses including Disney and Star Wars and multiple different product formats including large glasses and shot glasses. There’s something for everyone and the collection is a great way to introduce some cool new additions to your glassware offerings. Whether it’s for a party, BBQ or just chilling at home, everyone needs a glass to drink their favourite beverage from. Say cheers with one of Half Moon Bay’s stunning glasses and make sure you get your orders in ready for the summer.T: + 44 (0)1225 473 873 www.halfmoonbay.co.uk

D & J Glassware is one of the UK’s favourite glassware supplier. If you want to offer your customers great quality at sensible prices, the company’s extensive collections are ideal. Mouth blown and fused glass pieces are available in a wide range of tea-light holders, scent diffusers with English-blended fragrance oils, stunning tree of life globes, friendship balls and hearts, figures, mirrors, pictures and more. New designs are launched throughout the year. T: +44 (0)1953 450 280 www.dandjglassware.co.uk

Ideal for any occasion, Signature Gifts range of personalised glass gift sets are certainly the best gift for a special occasion. You choose the name and message and it will be seamlessly incorporated on to the label of your drink of choice. You can also add your choice of exquisite glasses. Once the bottle is opened the recipient can enjoy the contents in the glasses that come within the beautifully presented set. Choose one of five exclusive designs, or leave your glasses blank, there’s a set for every occasion. RRP from £19.99. T: +44 (0)1582 464 809 www.signature-gifts.co.uk

Lesser & Pavey has launched a brand new glass range called Royal Crest Mirror.

The range brings quality glass in the form of mirrors with added historical pillar features, which reflect more light and mirrored images. This is especially so with the elegant new freestanding lights that come complete with a white or black quality shades. Tell the time or keep your jewels inside; the range is very distinctive and eye catching for the home. T: +44 (0)1322 279 225www.leonardo.co.uk

New for 2016 recycled glass bottle lamps with 6 sizes launched this spring and a further 4 this summer these are not to be missed.

Assembled in the UK with multi coloured fl ex giving these new lamps an added feature and at very competitive pricing.

Contact: stewart@jarapa.co.uk or call 0845 5191982 for pricing and a catalogue

www.jarapa.co.uk

With production well on the way now Jarapa can offer bespoke lamps, cables and fi nishes to your requirements giving you that all important difference.Lamps range from 25cm high to 55cm high with an additional 75cm high

lamp this summer. Sold with or without shades

Where quality meets design:

www.dandjglassware.co.uk Tel: 01953 450280

Contact us to see the latest designs from the UK’s favourite supplier of quality handmade Tree of Life

Balls, Friendship collections and popular Fused Glass designs

giftfocus 51

bath and body

A pick of the best indulgent products for some real pampering

feel divine

Ladybug Home Textiles makes a luxury range of towels and bathrobes at its workshops in Turkey. The company relies on traditional manufacturing methods, using jacquard looms and organic cotton from the Bergama region of Turkey and yarn dyed with eco-friendly colours. Designs range from simple but elegant, to more complex based on traditional Turkish patterns with attention to detail and a flexibility that can’t be achieved with mass produced automatic machine made towels. All of this results in a product for the bathroom that is luxurious, elegant and long lasting. T: +44 (0)1753 892 603 www.ladybughome.co.uk

Winter in Venice is all about feeling nurtured and loved. Great emphasis is placed on the reusability of items so that the gift is a constant reminder of the person who gave it to you. None of the packaging gets thrown away. The packaging can be re-used, creating a product that serves as constant reminders of the gift received and this plays a great role in triggering memories and feelings. It’s a brand that’s defined by the art of nurturing and the scent of a cologne or a sprig of lavender can have the most amazing effect on your senses. T: +44 (0)845 652 1223www.winterinvenice.co.uk

One-of-a-kind in design and practical in application, the Body Bottle is revolutionary for a market driven by comfort and convenience. Measuring 75cm x 12 cm, the Body Bottle is the world’s first flexible hot water bottle. Filled by one kettle, the Body Bottle stays warm for up to eight hours. Each high quality fleece cover is fitted with an adjustable loop strap for securing around the abdomen, back, shoulders etc. Providing hands free heat application to soothe those aches and pains. All bottles are made from high quality natural rubber and are British and US standard checked and tested. The Body Bottle has a proven track record of success in markets around the world in the form of UK Gift of the Year Finalist and sister brand, the Yuyu Bottle. All bottles come boxed.E: orders@yuyubottle.comwww.yuyubottle.com

Busy Bee Candles manufacture a range of scented bath and body products. Gentle, moisturising and beautiful to use, they impart wonderful fragrances to refresh, relax or uplift the body and the mind. Featuring a body wash, bath foam and a luxurious hand wash, the range includes unique fragrances including florals, fruits and fantasy scents. T: +44 (0)1550 750 419 www.busybeecandles.co.uk

onary for nience.tle is e. Filled rm for ecetrap for houlders on to

ty tandard as aetsof the Bottle.

52 giftfocus

feel divine

Joe Davies’ partnership with Rose & Co. is strengthened by the introduction of some lovely new fragrances and products that include hand and body lotions and bath and shower créme. Joe Davies began offering this gorgeous range of UK made bath and beauty products to its customers from September last year and sales have been phenomenal. The collection is beautifully packaged and presented for giving and for display too. The entire Rose & Co. collection can be seen at Joe Davies’ south Manchester showrooms. T: +44 (0)161 975 6300 www.joedavies.co.uk

Best Kept Secrets, the leading UK fragranced gift, candle and soap manufacturer is celebrating another successful product launch with the extension of the Bath Burst range. The new and exotic range of bath bursts has something for every age group and all occasions. The bath bursts have been developed to maximise the scent and fragrance and is another example of how Best Kept Secrets retains its reputation for having the most seriously scented products on the market. T: +44 (0)1670 512 222 www.bestkeptsecrets.co.uk

Wholesale flower guest soaps from Ancient Wisdom are handmade in Sheffield using cold process method. The flower soaps measure approximately 4cm across and are 1.5 cm deep. Each one weighs 25 grams. They’re packed in a display box of 100. You will definitely find your perfect scent with 10 floral fragrances available in 10 individual colours to match any colour scheme. They’re ideal for wedding favours, goodie bags, birthdays, hen parties and baby showers and will add that finishing touch to B&B bathrooms. The flower guest soaps produce a beautifully soft lather and gentle fragrance and are paraben free. Wholesale prices starts at just 15p per soap, that’s £14.63 per box of 100 soaps. They retail at 40p each or three for £1.T: +44 (0)114 2729 165www.ancientwisdom.biz

Heaven Scent’s bluebell candle conjures up the feeling of walking among wild bluebells in the woods, perfect for a relaxing soak in the bath. Heaven Scent has more than 70 fragrances to choose from, giving its customers a wide choice, including its popular fragrances, Wild Flowers and Buttercup Meadows, which perfectly complement the best selling Bluebell fragrance and will look good in a shop together. Finally another fragrance emerging in popularity is the romantic English Hedgerow scent, full of the wonder of a hedgerow, with its sweet berry notes combined with the delicate smell of blossom and greenery.  T: +44 (0)1225 868 788 www.heavenscent.co.uk

Quintessentially English’s organic handmade artisan soaps are made in the National Trust village of Lacock in England, using a traditional recipe and the finest organic ingredients. Each organic soap is lovingly hand decorated using pretty flowers and botanicals. Every batch of organic soap is hand-stirred, and divided up and wrapped in glassine paper. The organic soap is both SLS and SLES free and doesn’t contain any animal fats so its vegetarian friendly.T: +44 (0)1249 730 100www.quintessentially-english.co.uk

Award-winning British bath & bodyRecognised 15 times by the UK beauty industry and counting!

• Awards include “best new”, “best natural”, “best in category” and “best overall quality and performance”

• Perfect as a gift or for personal use

• Hand care, hair care, bath, body and personal pampering

• Maternity safe ranges and award-winning products for children

• Essential oil based, as natural as you will fi nd in the marketplace. Paraben, SLS, Petroleum and Silicon free

• Seascape is NOT tested on animals in any way

Discover Seascape at Harrogate Home & Gift 2016, stand G178

www.seascapeuk.com Tel: 0845 003 5255 contact@seascapeuk.com

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The Naked Bee from Xystos is an easy to carry pampering range that contains all the good stuff, none of the bad stuff. The Orange Blossom Honey bath and body products have personal care needs covered from head to toe – from shampoo to foot balm. There is a free counter display for the range, which Tom says is a boon for retailers when placed by the till. The Naked Bee is a great pick-up line with retro-style packaging that has great appeal. The range includes hand and cuticle healing salve, body wash and body lotion, as well as hand sanitiser, lip balm and soap. Tel: +44 (0)191 499 1570 www.xystostrade.co.uk

Seascape Island Apothecary is set to release a new Uplift Awake Oil to join its hugely popular collection of award-winning bath and body products. Following the success of the popular 8ml Soothe Sleep Oil, the Uplift Awake Oil features a 100 per cent natural essential oil blend of Jersey Eucalyptus to stimulate the circulation, lime to energise the body and lavender to refresh the senses. Easily applied to pulse points using the roller ball applicator, Seascape’s Awake Oil is the natural way to achieve a revitalising start to the morning or that midday pick me up. RRP £10.T: +44 (0)845 003 5255 www.seascapeuk.com

feel divine

Heyland & Whittle is a quality soap and home fragrance manufacturer based in Sussex. The company creates what it believes are outstanding natural products with tradition, style and authenticity for a discerning market.

Heyland & Whittle’s hand washes and lotions have no added sulphates or parabens and also contain borage oil, vitamin E and natural emollients. The range is available in six fragrances, with greentea & grapefruit, neroli & rose and citrus & lavender being the favourites. To complement the hand wash and lotions the company also has a body wash and lotion in the three favourite scents. T: +44 (0)1293 525 825www.heylandandwhittle.co.uk

With the Star Wars movie such a success everyone wants to be a Jedi, Stormtrooper, Kylo Ren, Yoda or Darth, so why not do it in your bathrobe and slippers? Designed to replicate the Star Wars outfits these robes come in fleece or toweling. Designed exclusively by Groovy there are no other robes like them. Groovy has also designed matching slippers for all their robes. As well as Star Wars, Groovy offers robes and slippers for Superman, Batman, Assassins Creed, Doctor Who, Breaking Bad, Ghostbusters, Rocky, Only Fools and Horses, Grumpy Cat and Marvel.T: +44 (0)116 239 110www.groovyuk.com

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tabletop

Serving up some top table trends

JH Designpoint has two new designs, based on Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s stained glass. One has a pretty rose element, complemented by turquoise, and another has a striking yellow and black design, appealing to all lovers of Art Deco or minimalists. No minimum order is required.T: +44 (0)141 339 4927www.jhdesignpoint.net

Wild & Wolf’s new in-house homeware range, Wild Wood, features a colourful choice of contemporary lamps. The two designs of task-lamps and goose-neck lamps add colour and interior-style to any tabletop. Available in a choice of the five bold shades that make up the Wild Wood colour palette; including subtle Swedish Green and Concrete Grey and the bright English Mustard, French Blue and Goldfish Orange. The stylish lamps will suit both traditional and modern interiors to add a splash of colour or to fit in with an existing theme. The versatile designs are suitable for bedside tables, coffee tables, desks and shelves, both practical and decorative. T: +44 (0)1255 789 909 sales@wildandwolf.com

As a specialist in design-led sustainable products for the home, Green Pioneer sells a wide selection of products that will add a twist to any tabletop. The company’s Flox coasters are made from recycled tyres and are printed with quirky designs; cool enough for even students to consider protecting their tabletops! For a more natural look the great value ReSpiin sustainable jute baskets are perfect for fruit and bread as well as other bits and pieces around the house. Then for a glamorous twist, There’s A Slice of Green insulated bottles are ideal for taking coffee, tea or water from home and smartening up your desk at work. The 750ml size also works well as an insulated outdoor carafe for those sunny days.T: +44 (0)1380 859 600www.greenpioneer.co.uk

turning tables

New ranges from My Gifts Trade include this timeless and elegant crockery, which draws inspiration from the British tradition of Delftware and is a contemporary take on the English country look, depicting blue farmyard animals set against a fresh creamy glaze. Studioware is a new British-made signature collection. The hand-decorated stippled blue cobalt cups; saucers, jugs, bowls and platters are decorated using natural sponges that give a sometimes uneven but wonderfully pleasing quality to the surface decoration. T: +44 (0)161 946 1234www.mygiftstrade.co.uk

giftfocus 59

tabletop

Corelle dinnerware from US manufacturer World Kitchen is the perfect gift for anyone looking for tableware that will stand up to the rigors of entertaining and still look beautiful. It’s ultra-durable, ultra-lightweight and made from vitrelle; a three-layer glass that makes it highly chip and break resistant, yet lightweight and stackable to fit easily into cupboards. Available in square or round shapes, it comes in more than 30 different patterns, to match any décor. T: +1 (0) 847 233 8598 www.worldkitchen.com

After the dark winter months Stubbs mugs are here to remind you what you’ve been missing. They have bone china mugs and coasters for everyone and every occasion, including designs like I’d rather be… on the beach, out on the hills, on my bike, drinking pimm’s, by the pool, sailing, having a barbeque, playing cricket or not have a soggy bottom. Their humorous products will constantly make you smile every time you use them.T: +44 (0)1263 823 333www.stubbsmugs.co.uk

A stylish addition to your table, these colourful glass coasters from D & J Glassware are individually handmade and finished with rubber feet to prevent any scratching to surfaces. A wide variety of designs are available for your customers to mix and match. T: +44 (0)1953 450 280 www.dandjglassware.co.uk

The new Cream Kitchen range from Lesser & Pavey is simple in its design with script writing on the mug face. Items in the range include a jug, teapot and teabag tidy, sealed canisters for tea, coffee and sugar; a salt and pepper set and sets of two eggcups, utensil jar, butter dish and biscuit barrel. Each item is individually gift boxed in new, stylish packaging to match the ranges’ simplicity and quality. Homewares are hugely popular as wedding or moving house gifts and Lesser & Pavey provide gifts of quality at affordable prices to meet consumer expectations.T: +44 (0)1322 279 225www.leonardo.co.uk

All Personal Gifts provides a comprehensive range of stunning fine silver plated gifts, like salt and pepper pots, which can be engraved for that personal touch. They come in top quality presentation boxes. In addition to the silver plate range there’s a top quality metal range that will suit all tastes and budgets, consisting of business card cases, desk and table clocks, handbag mirrors, cufflinks, photo frames, bookmarks, desk and office gifts, novelties and games, key rings, tableware items and wine and spirit gifts.T: + 44 (0)845 170 7000  www.allpersonalgifts.co.uk

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The kitchen has become the centre of the modern household and increasing popularity of kitchen gifts is a reflection of the times. These days everything in the kitchen must be attractive and desirable as well as practical. Joe Davies White Bamboo collection of contemporary, white porcelain teamed with modern bamboo has been a top seller for five years and constant new additions keep the range fresh and interesting. The sleek symmetrical, quirky design and reasonable prices combine to make White Bamboo a great impulse line as well as a great gift. Joe Davies’ little and often ordering system of small quantities and minimum orders of just £100 makes buying a selection of White Bamboo simple and inexpensive for customers. Re-orders are quick and easy and delivery is free nationwide.T: +44 (0)161 975 6300 www.joedavies.co.uk

McLaggan Smith Mugs are currently offering a 7.5 per cent discount on all minimum orders of 96 mugs until May 17th. Refresh your shelves with new and improved designs from Hey!Holla as well as new designs from Alice Scott and a comprehensive new range from one of Britain’s best loved illustrators, Sir Quentin Blake. All designs are screen-printed and individually transferred on to fine white bone china mugs in the UK.  New mug sizes are also available, offering more choice and flexibility.T: +44 (0)1389 755 655www.msmugs.com

Xystos offers candles that must be seen and heard. This striking and unusual Chevron Mosaic candle would look good on a piece of vintage or contemporary furniture and is expected to appeal to retro lovers of all ages. It may not be typical of the much-loved WoodWick range, but demonstrates that American manufacturer Virginia Gift Brands has something for all tastes. And, of course, like all WoodWick candles it has a natural wooden wick that crackles as it burns.T: +44 (0)191 499 1570 www.xystostrade.co.uk

turning tables

Recycled glass lamps from Jarapa are new for 2016 and come in six different shapes, with or without shades. UK made shades and the lamps are assembled in the UK too.Multi-colour fabric cable are threaded through the lamps, adding an excellent feature and design element to the range. All lamps are made in the UK and more designs will be launched later inthe year.T: + 44 (0)845 5191 982www.jarapa.co.uk

Tel: 01389 755 655 Web: www.msmugs.com

Email: sales@msmugs.com: MclagganSmithMugs : @msmugs

New designs now available from Alice Scott, Hey!Holla, Sir Quentin Blake and Lotta Jansdotter.

Please contact the office for further details

LOVE QUOTES

EGYPTIAN NORMAN

MARGARET MACDONALD

JH DesignpointAWARD-WINNING AND EXCLUSIVE MUGS,

VASES AND BAUBLES

Simple but eff ective design on bone china mugs and vases

DESIGNED AND MADE IN THE UK

0141 339 4927 | enquiries@jhdesignpoint.netwww.jhdesignpoint.net

from Shakespeare

Heiroglyphs Conquest

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Why not stock gifts that are not just gorgeous but eco-friendly too?

Best known for its outdoor living accessories, table and kitchenware, Hertfordshire based Navigate has added to its eco-friendly bamboo tabletop range. Rebu Ombre is a colourful collection of indoors or outdoors salad bowls and servers, fruit bowls and side dishes. Offered in deep pink, aqua and lime with a dip-dye effect allowing the natural wood grain to remain visible. Made from fully sustainable bamboo and plant extracts, Rebu is completely free from plastics and melamine and it’s entirely biodegradable. T: +44 (0)1279 653 249www.navigate.ltd.uk

Something Different Wholesale is one of the UK’s leading distributors to the gift trade. Established in 1999, the company has grown organically over the past 17 years to deliver outstanding products with exceptional customer service. Products include giftware, home accessories, garden products, spiritual and gothic gifts amongst many others. Many of the items the company purchases are from Thailand, India, Indonesia and China have been ethically sourced and made from sustainable materials. They currently have more than 3,000 products in stock for next day delivery.T: +44 (0)1792 793 610www.somethingdifferentwholesale.co.uk

Best Kept Secrets has launched a new innovative collection of candle tins, with fabulous fragrances and three wicks to give intense burn and aroma. They come in an eloquent design to make for a perfect candle tin gift collection. The Burning Gold collection was showcased at the recent Spring Fair and Scotland’s Trade Fair to rave reviews from new and existing customers. All ingredients are sourced locally and everything is produced on site in Northumberland in smaller batches, so limited waste and made to order. T: +44 (0)1670 512 222 www.bestkeptsecrets.co.uk

Fair Trade supplier, Tilnar Art, has teamed up with the RSPB to launch a recycled range of RSPB branded British metal birds. The stunning sculptures are hand made by a group of artists from Zimbabwe. The products are Fair Trade and handmade from recycled oil drums. The reclaimed metal is heated and once hot and malleable is individually crafted to produce these fabulous sculptures that are then finished with a varnish. All the sculptures will come with an informative product tag with pictures of the artists and details of how the products are made. They’re the perfect addition to any home or garden. T: +44 (0)1277 362 815 www.tilnarart.co.uk

love your planet

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eco-friendly

Towels and bathrobes from Ladybug Home Textiles are more than just the quality and designs of the products. The company prides itself on sustainable environmental credentials and only use organic cotton from the Bergama region of Turkey famed for its long silky cotton fibres that spin into the best quality yarn. It also uses only eco-certified dyes, and dye the yarn before weaving, unless of course it’s the natural ivory colour of the cotton. In the company’s workshops in Bursa, master weavers produce the finished product on traditional Jacquard looms that have been rescued and refurbished to keep the art alive. T: +44 (0)1753 892 603 www.ladybughome.co.uk

The trend for returning to traditional ways of making things is exemplified by walking stick manufacturers Classic Canes. The Somerset-based firm grows the raw material for many of its country and rustic sticks in its own woodland. A centuries old forestry technique called coppicing is used to produce fresh shoots from existing trees. After three to four years, these grow to the necessary diameter for walking sticks, hiking staffs and thumbsticks, which make popular presents and accessories to country outfits.  T: +44 (0)1460 75686www.classiccanes.co.uk

The Naked Bee from Xystos is presented in understated packaging that is reminiscent of bygone days. The pampering products have old-fashioned values too, boasting that they comprise all the good stuff and none of the bad stuff. They are paraben-free and have no dyes or pigment, propylene glycol or mineral oil, lauryl or laureth sulfate. Absolutely no animal testing is ever involved in the making. The Orange Blossom Honey bath and body products in the easy-to-carry range have personal care needs covered from head to toe – from shampoo to foot balm. T: +44 (0)191 499 1570 E: sales@xystos.co.uk

Namaste has a beautiful new range of recycled enamelled aluminium in brilliant turquoise to add to its existing extensive ranges. The range includes a salad bowl and server, a boat-shaped serving dish, set of coasters, pickle tray with spoons, and a lovely picture frame. Wherever possible Namaste choose to re-use and recycle. Recycled aluminium saves up to 90 per cent of carbon emissions compared to the production of new aluminium from bauxite – it also reduces landfill waste.

The aluminium is cast and then highly polished to give its smooth finish. The colour is applied and allowed to dry before being hand finished with clear enamel, which is then given a final polish. All items are food safe. It also has planned for autumn a stunning new range in a brushed grey finish, visit them at the Autumn Fair to see their fantastic new ranges.T: +44 (0)1756 700 790www.namaste-uk.com

Gibsons wooden games range is forest friendly, having been manufactured from super smooth reforested rubber wood. The rubber trees are only cut down once they are no longer producing rubber and are immediately replaced with another tree. The range consists of classic games including cribbage, Chinese chequers, solitaire and four mini travel games. Presented in smart contemporary packaging with cut-out holes in the box, encouraging shoppers to feel the high quality wood for themselves, these games are as good to look at as they are fun to play and make the ideal gift for both casual and serious gamers. T: +44 (0)20 8661 8866 www.gibsonsgames.co.uk

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NIB + INK: THE NEW ART OF MODERN CALLIGRAPHY BY CHIARA PERANORRP: £12.99Format: Trade PaperbackISBN: 978 0 75355 7280Calligraphy as a visual art is having a huge resurgence and in an age of machine made uniformity there's a renewed modern appreciation for handwriting. This beautifully illustrated book will reignite a connection with writing and help people discover exciting, creative and interesting ways to develop their own original style of modern penmanship. Printed on luxurious paper and with room to practice letters and ideas on the pages, readers can play with type, get creative with letterforms and grasp calligraphy basics by following tips, techniques and easy instructions.Visit: www.lamplighterlondon.com

FOOD & BEER BY DANIEL BURNS AND JEPPE JARNIT-BJERGSØRRP: £29.95Format: HardbackISBN: 978 0 71487 1059Food & Beer, published by Phaidon, pairs beer with fine dining and is written by Danish brewer, Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergsø and Canadian chef, Daniel Burns. From a shared space in Brooklyn, New York, they run Tørst, a Nordic-influenced beer bar, and Luksus, the first beer-only tasting menu restaurant to receive a Michelin star. The book features over 75 recipes from Tørst’s bar menu and Luksus’ tasting-menu, each with suggested beer pairings and in-depth discussions of the styles of beers being brewed globally today. The book explores beer and its relationship to food through 10 commonly shared flavours: bitter, funky, sweet, earthy, sour, smoky, tart, spicy, fruity and tasty. Visit: www.phaidon.com

TECHNICOLOUR TREASURE HUNT BY NAN NA HVASS AND SOFIE HANNIBALRRP: £9.99Format: Board bookISBN: 978 1 8478 07441 This chunky tabbed board book is perfect for little fingers. There’s a different theme on every colourful spread so little ones can discover nature and learn to count from one to 10. The nature inspired treasure hunt also contains 80 first words to see and say. Turn the tabs of the chunky board book to discover all the colours of the rainbow. This is visual learning made fun.Visit: www.quartoknows.com

bookshelfWe turn the page on some of the latest gift books to hit the shelves

DRAW YOUR WAY TO A YOUNGER BRAIN BY ANASTASIA CATRISRRP: £4.99Format: PaperbackISBN: 978 1 40916 5477A new art therapy series that aims to boost your brain’s health with beautiful, easy to draw creations comes in three versions, Cats & Big Cats, Dogs & Wolves and Safari.Published by Orion, the books help to enhance your brain’s cognitive function through art therapy techniques. Each book contains 30 intricate line drawings of animals, with space on the opposite page for you to copy the illustration and some helpful hints to start you off. Gradually becoming more challenging, every page will help to stimulate parts of the brain that are vital for memory retention. Visit: www.anastasiacatris.com

Global Luxury Brands work with some of the greatest International brands in giftware, Herend and De

Rosa are just two of those great names. We are looking for a few more key partners to join us in working

with these wonderful ranges. If you are looking for something unique, exclusive and commercial we would

love to hear from you. We will also be exhibiting at the Home & Gift show in July.

01538 807780 | simon.willis@globalluxurybrands.co.uk | www.globalluxurybrands.co.uk

Tel: 01753 892603 Fax: 01753 892001 Email: info@ladybughome.co.uk

www.ladybughome.co.uk

* Award-winning towels and bathrobes transmitting warmth and luxury that fascinate the eyes and seduce the senses

* Made of 100% organic Bergama cotton, hand loomed by master weavers

* Natural colour fast dyes

* An expression of luxury lifestyle,

typical of people who know how to

treat themselves well and how to

feel well about themselves

COME SEE US AT PULSE STAND G16

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pulse

In briefShow Pulse Organiser Clarion EventsWhere Olympia LondonWhen 15th - 17th May, 2016Website www.pulse-london.comOpen 9.30am – 6pm Sunday - Monday; 9.30am – 5pm on TuesdayTwitter @Pulse_London_

finger on the pulseEverything you need to know about this year’s Pulse, from what’s new to our pick of the must-see exhibitors

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Pulse offers buyers and retailers an unmissable opportunity to source thousands of cutting edge products from more than 500 exciting brands at this summer’s largest design-led retail event. All beautifully curated by a market leading

panel of design and trend experts, as well as a whole lineup of new and unseen brands from the UK and overseas.Pulse works with the most forward thinking trend and retail experts including Design Trends and Features Writer for the Evening Standard, Katie Law; Fashion Trend Consultant, Claire Foster; Stylist and Author, Sania Pell; Luxury Brand Writer and Editor, Rachel Ward and Trend Agency; Unique Style Platform.

Inspiring autumn/winter 2016/17 design and fashion trends to be spotted at Pulse include Maximalist, Retro Romantic, Coastal Simplicity, Modernist and many more.Visitors can also plan their shopping list ahead of the show with Pulse Unseen, a brand new online product gallery showcasing the latest product launches first.

Each month, over 10,000 retail buyers visit the Pulse website to browse through images of the latest product launches and design

talent. Pulse Unseen will now make it even easier for retail buyers to keep up to date with their favourite brands and discover exciting new ones throughout the year.

Louise Wallace, Pulse Show Director, said: “It’s the perfect place to see new productsfirst and buyers can contact Pulse exhibitors throughout the year. Also there are so many cutting edge, stand-out brands at Pulse that deciding who to see can be a daunting prospect for both new and returning visitors. Pulse Unseen really helps to make this process easier as it allows buyers to regularly check who’s launching what and get a feel for a particular brand before coming to the show.”

“It’s also a great way to keep track of launches from numerous brands in oneplace throughout the year, meaning you will be able to see trend patterns appearing and make more informed purchasing decisions,” she added.

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Industry experts are also on hand, regularly highlighting their favourite products and providing a snapshot of the latest launches to look out for. Retail buyers will be able to discover Katie Law’s list to find out what the Evening Standard’s Design Writer is coveting this season; top picks from the experienced fashion trend forecaster Claire Foster; and Elle Decoration Sania Pell’s wishlist to name a few.

Trend expert, Claire Foster, said: “Pulse Unseen is a great way for visitors and buyers to get a

head start on their buy for the season. Being able to see the latest products from key exhibitors, highlighted with the Editor’s Picks, is invaluable and adds more validation to product choices.”

This year, Pulse also brings visitors a packed ShopTalk seminar programme featuring distinctive speakers who will offer invaluable retail insight and inspirational stories. The stellar line-up includes Notonthehighstreet.com, Liberty, Heals, Farrow & Ball and Imperial War Museum.

Unseen brands revealed Having searched high and low to bring buyers designs like no other, Pulse will be revealing an exclusive edit of 140 British and international brands that buyers will have never seen before at any other UK trade event. This includes exciting new brands in FOUND; Pulse’s international trail of discovery; emerging designers in Raw and a collective of East London inspired fashion accessories designers in Secret Emporium.

The unseen lineup features:All Things We Like | C AYBOO | Chá com Letras | Cotton Ball Lights | Craft Collective |Design Susanna Sivonen | Eva and Anne | Gedigo OY | H JEM | InkyPinkyBlinky | Katie Davies | Katy’s Print Shop | LAURIGER | Michelle Carlsund Illustrations | MYRTE | Objects of Obsessions | Project mg | Puik Art | Riverstones | Rosemeyers | Scandinaviaform | Scenery Label | Zonnelijk

Register online now for free at www.pulse-london.com, trade only.Follow the @Pulse_London_ #pulseunseen social media feeds for the latest news and updates.

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Thumbs UpStand J18 www.thumbsupuk.comThumbs Up bring innovation, fun, quality and value to the gifting market. The award-winning, international design and distribution company has been bringing quirky gadgets, gifts and homeware to retailers large and small since 2004. New for this year, Thumbs Up has new licensed ranges to the market, including Original Stormtrooper, which mixes homeware with gifting. Based on the original moulds used for the first movie it promises to appeal to new and old fans alike.

Intelligent RetailStand H80www.intelligentretail.co.ukIntelligent Retail specialise in intelligent e-commerce and website design, linked together with central stock control. Its experts can design and implement your website and link it to a Connect till in your shop, making it easy to sell in-store and online. It has hundreds of retailers selling across store and web successfully. With Intelligent Retail, you only do things once.

Germaine des presStand B61www.germainedespres.comCrafted from finely woven cottage industry cotton voile, Germaine des Prés is an impossibly fresh collection of women’s and girl’s underwear. An ideal gift for an upbeat chick, the rainbow palette come in matching individual pouches or are packed three at a time, in beautiful chromatic boxes. This kaleidoscopic range of delicate knickers is the perfect antidote to drabness, and invites the wearer to experience what happens when the savoir-faire and elegance of Parisian design are coupled with the exotic hues of India.

Lauriger LtdR18www.lauriger.comThe Lilia collection from Lauriger Ltd combines the geometry of Cubism and oriental origami with the effortless grace of the water lily. Meticulously designed and hand crafted near Prague, the collection represents the finest quality porcelain in the world.Each piece finds the perfect balance between beauty and utility. The design and quality craftsmanship results in striking, timeless homeware – perfect for art lovers and connoisseurs alike. Individually, each fine dinnerware piece is striking. It’s together, however, that the collection shows its true potential – each piece tessellates to create intricate, three-dimensional forms. These geometric mosaics make for a stunning presence in any contemporary space.

Exhibitor profiles

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Art Rookie Stand J14bwww.artrookie.co.ukArt Rookie is a one of a kind online store supporting emerging British artists and designers, selling a variety of homeware and gift products, there is a huge mix of trends and illustrations. Every product is made in the UK and only printed after it’s ordered so it’s 100 per cent custom-made for each and every customer. The team is constantly updating its product ranges and always developing the site to benefit customers. The current products include art prints, framed art prints, canvases, phone cases, mugs, cups and saucers, plates, tote bags, t-shirts, clocks, greeting cards and cushions.

Art Rookie was founded by two friends, Liz Bush and Jodie Prince, who had the vision of creating an easy and accessible platform for likeminded artists and designers to profit from. Whether it’s at the beginning of their career, a part time passion or an extra element to a thriving profession. Together with their versatile skills they hope to discover, expose and endorse Britain’s hub of thriving, creative talent. Quality is vital to the team at Art Rookie and they work with some of the best technology experts around.

Craft Collective Stand H31www.craftcollective.seCraft Collective is a range of home furnishings and lifestyle products produced with organic materials using traditional manufacturing methods, including a lovely selection of handmade jewellery with natural stones, towels in organic cotton with handmade fringes, and more. All products with a story to tell and are designed in Sweden and made in Turkey. Craft collective call it Nordic Orientalism.

In the old days, quality, natural materials, and respect for the environment were not a choice, but the only possibility. It was a time when pride of workmanship and handicraft were prized. Proven methods were passed from craftsman to craftsman. Goods were manufactured that lasted for many generations. Craft Collective’s vision is to continue in this tradition, creating beautiful and functional products, with roots in traditional manufacturing, but that work with today’s lifestyle.

Exhibitor profiles

finger on the pulse

Exhibitor profiles

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Deck the HallsStand J58www.deck-the-halls.co.ukDeck The Halls beautiful range of wooden tree decorations handmade in the UK will be shown exclusively this year at Pulse and its signature animal’s collection will also be available, including the best selling Labradors. The traditional range features clear nordic red and whites and this year is teamed with a Gustavian Grey to give a more contemporary feel. Strong themes of woodland animals sit side by side with classic Snowmen and Reindeers to appeal to all ages. Deck The Halls has a strong collector following and each range builds on the years before to allow the customer to build its collection over time.

NOA JewelleryStand B81www.noajewellery.comSubtle yet intricate, classy yet affordable; NOA is a unique British jewellery brand that’s not afraid to stand out from the crowd. Colourful designs on ceramics or walnut framed with stainless steel, aluminum, brass or sterling silver will create a beautiful, eye-catching display in any gift shop, gallery or fashion boutique. Most of the NOA pieces come with especially designed presentation boxes. NOA’s jewellery also includes a beautiful and popular range of men’s cufflinks.

Heaven Scent IncenseStand H90www.heavenscent.co.ukA joint venture between Heaven Scent Incense natural candle maker and the Eden Project has created a beautiful natural room fragrance range. Inspired by the plants grown at the Eden Project, 12 different fragrances have been selected to represent the Eden Project’s Mediterranean and Rain Forest Biome plants and the British plants that grow outside and around the site. The range was beautifully designed by artist Sarah Wilson. The Eden Project’s ethos of working with nature and helping to create a sustainable planet fits very well with Heaven Scents’ values. One of the aims of this joint venture is to create a beautiful gift that supports nature and sends a positive message to the consumer.

Oh VoilaStand E76www.ohvoila.comSouth African company Oh Voila’s aim is to make fashion-conscious people, despite age and gender, look and feel good by standing out in an understated way. It does this by offering a huge array of individual designs in various colours, themes and finishes, wrapped around an eye-catching, branded tube that has a multi-functional benefit (a display stacking tool with visual impact and also creative packaging and/or a gift box). The company supplies wholesale and is actively seeking to engage with agents or distributors for the UK and European markets. Visit the company at Pulse to see what it has to offer. 

finger on the pulse

Exhibitor profiles

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Cotton Ball LightsStand J38www.cottonballlights.comCotton Ball Lights are colourful fairylights that brighten up people’s homes with fashionably coloured cotton balls all year round. It has more than 65 carefully selected colours in stock and select new colours every season, so your string of lights will be up to date with all the newest home-deco trends. The Cotton Balls can be presented separately, so people can select their own colour combination in your store or in a box of 20, with different pre-selected colour combinations. These boxes are easy to store and great as a gift. The company also offers big Cotton Ball lamps. These lamps range from 9.5 inch, up to 20 inch, and can be attached to a ceiling rose or used as a table lamp. Cotton Balls are hand made in its production facility in Chiang Mai, Thailand. This is the only Fair Trade certified production facility worldwide. All the products meet the European safety-standards and are very competitively priced.

The company will set foot in the UK for the first time at PULSE. For this occasion the company is offering special introduction prices till the end of 2016.

Ladybug Home TextilesStand G16 www.ladybughome.co.ukLadybug Home Textiles prides itself on its environmental credentials allied to the manufacture of the highest quality towels and robes and design led products. The company uses locally produced Turkish organic cotton, yarn dyed with certified eco-friendly colours. The towels are made by master weavers on traditional Jacquard looms with attention to detail and flexibility that cannot be achieved with mass produced automatic machine made towels. The company will be exhibiting its new colours and designs of full weight and lighter weight spa range of towels and robes alongside its popular existing range. It will also be showcasing Peshtemals, flat weave towels often referred to as Hammam towels, equally useful for the beach, spa or in the home.

iBeaniStand G90www.ibeani.co.ukRecently awarded Highly Commended in the 2016 Gift of the Year Awards, iBeani is a stylish, versatile, quality UK-made tablet bean bag stand. Styles to suit males and females of all ages, iBeani will hold any size tablet securely, at any viewing angle, on any surface; great when relaxing on the sofa or streaming the latest movie on your tablet in bed. It has received excellent reviews by national press, magazines and customers. It as multi-use too and can hold books, be used as a travel pillow and can even act as a steady camera mount. iBeani is also believed to help combat common aches and pains associated with prolonged tablet use. 

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PULSE LO

NDO

N

new exhibitor showcaseWe reveal some of this year's hottest new suppliers

Be wise when you advertise

Test a publisher’s statement of circulation. In today’s business climate you can’t afford not to.

Our ABC Certifi cate provides accurate, independently verifi ed circulation fi gures, giving you confi dence in your advertising investment.

If you want to reach 7,294* total average net circulation, then call Sharon Connelly on 01376 535 607 or email sharonc@giftfocus.com

For more information visit www.abc.org.uk or email info@abc.org.uk

Germaine Des PrésStand B61

Germaine Des Prés is a stunning yet practical collection of women’s and girl’s underwear, crafted from cottage-industry very

T: +33 (0)623 915 934 E: damien@germainedespres.com W: www.germainedespres.com

Cotton Ball LightsStand J38

These colourful fairy lights come in over 65 different colours. By selecting their favourite colours, people can design their own colourful string lights that match with their home and personal preferences.

With a World Fair Trade Organization membership, we help you with decorating your home

the same time.

T: +31 (0)765 141 834 E: wholesale@cottonballlights.com W: www.cottonballlights.com

Craft CollectiveStand H31

Craft Collective is an original range of home furnishings and lifestyle products produced with organic materials using traditional manufacturing methods.

A unique selection of handmade jewellery with natural stones, towels in organic cotton with handmade fringes and more.

Designed in Sweden, made in Turkey, the company call it Nordic Orientalism.

T: +46 (0)707 315 434 E: info@craftcollective.se W: www.craftcollective.se

Lauriger – Lilia Tableware CollectionStand R18

Lauriger - debuting at Pulse London 2016 - offers a refreshingly unconventional take on the world of homeware. Curating luxury products and gifts from trailblazing designers across Europe, each piece from the Lilia Collection is hand-crafted, digitally designed and every mould is 3D-printed. Due to its geometric nature, each piece tessellates together, creating intricate, three-dimensional mosaics. Lauriger’s collection offers something a little different for the design-savvy consumer when it comes to decorating their home.

T: +44 (0)7502 006 630 E: laura@lauriger.com W: www.lauriger.com

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exclusively housewares

Visit the 15th Exclusively Housewares & Exclusively Electrical show for all the latest on-trend homeware and gadgets.

This will be the 15th Exclusively Housewares show, which offers visitors access to the largest UK line-up of housewares suppliers all under one roof. Exclusively Electrical, which was successfully launched last year and runs alongside Exclusively Housewares in the Business Design Centre’s Gallery Hall, is also back with an impressive second year line-up of 25 leading Small Domestic Appliance (SDA) suppliers.

“This year the Exclusively shows are aiming to give buyers a helping hand to search out and recognise on trend products, focusing particularly on Christmas 2016 and the

spring/summer season for 2017,” said Show Director, Simon Boyd. “As two specialist shows we offer a depth and breadth of brands, products and suppliers that is very attractive to a great mix of retailers for whom housewares and SDA products range from the purely functional right through to ideal gifts.” The continuing consumer interest in baking and cooking, supported by on-going prime time TV programming, has meant that consumers now view all sorts of housewares items as useful and desirable gifts,” added Simon. “From coffee machines and juicers in the latest colours, to must-have tools and gadgets, and from the latest table settings to all sorts of high end knives, saucepans and storage – well designed, functional products continue to be sought after and popular with all types of retailers.”

Exclusively Housewares has 120 leading housewares suppliers exhibiting and representing many more brands. In addition, buyers will be able to join the team from trend forecasters, Scarlet Opus, on

accompanied trend tours around the show. The shows’ regular Wednesday morning seminar programme is also back with three presentations aimed at retailers keen to stay on top of consumer trends and gain an insight into what their customers will be looking out for in the future.

The shows are free to visit for bona fide trade buyers. g

home sweet homeIn briefShow Exclusively Housewares & Exclusively Electrical 2016Organiser Brooke House ExhibitionsWhere Business Design Centre, LondonWhen 14th - 15th June, 2016Website www.exclusively housewares.co.uk; www.exclusively electrical.co.ukTwitter @ExclusivelyHW or @ExclusivelyElec

Buyers interested in visiting either show can browse the full exhibitor lists and register their interest online via www.exclusivelyhousewares.co.uk or www.exclusivelyelectrical.co.uk or by calling 0121 237 1130.

home sweet home

Vacu VinStand 236www.vacuvin.nlThe Swirling Carafe by Vacu Vin is an eye-catching centrepiece that lets your wine breathe in a fun and elegant way. A gentle push sends the Swirling Carafe into a spin and the sturdy cork base with its off-centre mechanism allows the wine to turn, roll and breathe. It adds a new dimension to wine drinking.

Luxury HousewaresStand 452www.welshslate.comWelsh Slate, in conjunction with Luxury Housewares, is launching its new giftware range at Exclusively Housewares 2016. Featuring stylish and eye-catching purple slate from its own quarry at Penrhyn on the edge of Snowdonia, many of the beautiful gift sets pick up on one of this seasons big trends – solo dining. The new products also perfectly complement Welsh Slate’s existing Fine range of tabletop products designed by 2 Michelin Star Chef, Michael Caines – plates, placemats and coasters, trays and serving platters.

George East Housewares Stand 277 www.talacooking.com Tala, from George East Housewares, will be presenting a new beautifully coloured, high quality oven dish to its tableware range that will make serving meals a delight. The durable stoneware range is oven, microwave, fridge and freezer safe not to mention high in performance. Each piece is available in Tala Red, blue, cream and pistachio to match every kitchen and home. Built to last, stoneware is higher in quality than earthenware and will not develop cracks due to its low porosity. Available in a range of sizes and shapes, there is a product and collection for all uses.

exhibitor profiles

City Look Imports LtdStand 283www.citylookimports.co.ukNew for 2016, the Cooksmart collection from City Look Imports Ltd include Listen to your Heart. On a soft duck egg background, this design mixes inspirational words with sparkling diamantes as part of their visionary new embellished collection. Available as an apron, double oven glove, gauntlet and set of three tea towels, even their new coordinating individual fine china mugs feature a metallic finish too.

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While the title suggests that the Manchester Furniture Show is all about sofas, dining tables and beds, the reality is quite different. Exhibitors, including Gallery Direct, Hookes Interiors and CIMC, have major stands in the main hall of the show and put accessories, lighting and soft furnishings centre stage during this popular three-day event.

The show is the smaller sister show to the January Furniture Show, which is held at the NEC. For more than 15 years Laraine Janes, Theresa Raymond and their team have organised the event, which now has more than 130 exhibitors in 100,000 square feet of stylish exhibition space.

With a summery country fair theme, this year’s show promises to have its usual relaxed atmosphere, but with big brands launching a plethora of new designs, buyers will be eager to take in all the attractions. The main hall for the upcoming 2016 show had a rapid sell out and is now full. While upholstery, beds and cabinet furniture will dominate; there are plenty of exhibitors

introducing new designs in the gifts and accessories world.

“The Manchester Furniture Show always has a great buzz about it,” says Laraine Janes, Show Director. “We wanted to capture that with the country fair themed marketing and presentation of the show. There’s a very important business side to the show too and we have an abundance of new exhibitors, designs and products that will be irresistible to buyers, all against the backdrop of a smart and relaxed venue, in a vibrant city.”

Head to Manchester this summer for some inspired home furnishing ideas

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In briefShow The Manchester Furniture Show Organiser Furniture & Gift Fairs LimitedWhere Manchester Central Convention ComplexWhen 17th - 19th July, 2016Website www.manchester furnitureshow.com

Manchester Furniture Show

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How did Goodlookers begin?Having a strong background in the giftware and fashion accessories trade – both in UK high street retail, design, product development and wholesale distribution – Graham and I recognised the increasing consumer demand for high quality fashion reading glasses at affordable prices, and Goodlookers was conceived as a result of our motivation to improve what the market was currently offering.  What’s the idea behind the brand and who do you appeal to?As our brand name suggests, our trendy specs are for people that want to look good, and our brand certainly appeals to the fashion conscious glasses wearer. We understand that whilst glasses are essential items, they’re also important fashion accessories and can be the defining element of any outfit. Our designers continuously update our collection with up-to-the-minute trends of the season.  From everyday styles, to trendy retro, to bright and funky, we like to think there’s a pair of Goodlookers for every occasion. Why has Goodlookers been so successful?More than 50 per cent of the over-40s require reading glasses, and the demand for on-trend glasses really is escalating. Our eyewear collection blends the perfect balance of style, quality and affordability. Our reasonable prices provide a great reason for consumers to own not just one pair of Goodlookers, but different pairs to accessorize every outfit. This creates fast repeat business, which, together

with good retailer margins, relates to a high level of success with our stockists.

How does the father and son dynamic work?Certainly part of our success is due to our working relationship. There are lots of ideas that we don’t agree on, but that generally means that if there’s an idea that we do agree on then that’s a keeper. However, we both think in a similar way so if one of us has an idea for a new product or design, we can generally bounce ideas off of each other to bring our ideas to fruition. Our generation age gap means that our experience, influences and skills lie in different areas. My dad’s very

much old school while I’m very much from the dot com generation, which is beneficial because it helps us to cover a lot of ground both creatively in terms of the day-to-day running of the business. My dad will probably tell you that he’s taught me everything I know, but not everything he knows! I guess there’s an element of truth here, but that statement doesn’t really hold up when I’m helping him fix his emails for the fifth time on any given day. I guess we’re lucky that we can build a successful business like this together, and we can spend a lot of time travelling together on business trips, even if it is sometimes to not-so-exotic places like the NEC. My mum, Sandra runs a successful gift shop in Hythe,

Father and son, Graham and James Pegler, established Goodlookers in 2007. Proud to be a family-run business, they are based in Rochester, Kent. James tells Gift Focus their story.

Keeping it in the family

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Kent, called Obidosh and needless to say she is a Goodlookers stockist! We look to her for feedback on new concepts we are looking to develop. This extra perspective can sometimes be very beneficial because of her day-to-day interaction with the public and their buying habits. What’s your best-selling product and why?This year has seen some key innovations in the Goodlookers range. As a first for the UK gift trade, our Changers™ collection is proving to be very popular because not only are they a fabulous, vintage unisex frame shape, but they also feature ultra-convenient photochromic lenses that darken in the sunlight. They’re therefore perfect for reading both on the beach and at bedtime - essentially reading glasses and sun-readers all in one - complete with the added benefit of UV protection. Also new and equally as popular is our ScreenSpecs™ collection, which filter blue light emitted from smartphones, tablets and PCs. Available as reading glasses or with non-prescription lenses, sales of our ScreenSpecs™ have been propelled by the media, as the negative effects associated with too much time in front of the screen are increasingly publicised.  How important is an online presence and social media to your brand?The convenience of the web makes it a very important way for us to keep in touch with our customers. From enabling our trade customers to see what’s new and place orders (we had a trade website even before we had

a physical catalogue!) to a consumer posting a review on our Facebook page for all their friends to see, online is vital to the promotion of our products. I like the immediacy of online, and that we can notify our entire customer base about a new product launch with the click of a button. The web is, of course, very important for brand awareness because, whether our products are first found in store or online, it’s often the first port of call for people to find out more about our brand. What challenges have you faced and why?Our reading glasses serve a dual purpose, being both visual aids and desirable fashion accessories.  This means that it’s become commonplace for fashionable ready readers to be sold across a big variety of retail outlets, and our customers include gift shops, department stores, boutiques, garden centres, pharmacies, and of course online retailers. A big challenge for us has been to determine the most effective display requirements and merchandising needs for the various store types, and indeed each retailer as an individual. This has been a big learning curve for us, and one that we’ll never reach the end of, as we strive to improve our presentation. What’s next for Goodlookers?Our long term plan is to reinforce Goodlookers as the natural first choice for fashionable reading glasses, sunglasses and eyewear accessories within the independent gift and fashion accessory trade. In order to develop and strengthen the brand, our key focus points will be to maintain innovation

in new designs, to ensure our products continue to be well presented and of exceptional quality, and all at a price that will keep customers coming back for more. We will certainly continue our recent trend for original product development, being the first to introduce photochromic readers, make-up glasses, screen-protective readers and sustainable bamboo eyewear to the UK gift market. g

For further information, visit www.goodlookers.co.uk

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pg live

A taster of what to expect at the eighth annual greetings card show

Greetings card buyers from across the globe are looking forward to uncovering exciting new greeting card collections at PG Live 2016. Organisers, Max Exhibitions, has reported a surge in exhibitor numbers for the two-day event, taking place from 10th - 11th May, 2016. An impressive 250 publishers, artists and designers from around the globe will be coming together at London’s Business Design Centre to inspire, excite and delight the greetings world.

Many high-profile names are exclusive to PG Live for 2016, while the star-studded exhibitor line-up is packed with some of the most exciting and dynamic names from the world of greeting cards.

“We’re delighted with the support, which

has been shown to PG Live 2016,” said Warren Lomax, joint show director. “The line-up of publishers for this year’s show is incredibly impressive, from the best-loved brands down to the wealth of brand new start-ups.”“PG Live is a truly international greeting card show,” Warren continued, “making it the perfect hunting ground for anyone looking for fantastic new cards and original designs.”The show attracts greeting card buyers from more than 50 countries, who'll be roaming the aisles alongside major UK retailers and leading independents looking to source fresh product and find exciting new publishers and artists.

The famous PG Live hospitality remains as important as ever, as all visitors to the show receive a free two-course lunch, refreshments throughout the show and a free drinks party on the first night.

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house of cardsIn briefShow PG LiveOrganiser Max Exhibitions Where Business Design Centre, LondonWhen 10th - 11th May, 2016Website www.progressive greetingslive.comOpen 9.30am to 6.00pm on Tuesday; 9.30am to 4.30pm on Wednesday

To book your tickets to the largest global gathering of the greeting card industry, or for help planning your visit, please call the PG Live Team on +44 (0)1635 297070 or visit www.progressivegreetingslive.com.

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Jo Clark DesignsStand 683www.joclarkdesign.co.ukJo’s cards are recognisable for their cute hand drawn illustrated designs. Her ranges include, the Henries 2015 nominated Cats in Hats, alongside the ever popular Doggy Dress-Up and the latest pun themed cards, featuring Fruit & Vegetables and Ocean Buddies. The Christmas season is covered perfectly with the sell out range of very grumpy looking Cats in Christmas Hats, available in singles or packs, with some fabulous new designs added for 2016. As an author, Jo has recently published her first Children’s picture book, Hehehe Hyena, a lovely book to make the little ones giggle.

It’s clear to see that Jo has one aim within her work – to make you smile and spread some joy with her bright, quirky characters.

exhibitor profiles

XystosStand 523www.xystostrade.co.ukXystos director Tom Sykes says that the company will be attending PG Live in the knowledge that an increasing number of greeting card shops are taking more and more candles and he expects them to be a growth area for the company’s brands this year. He believes that fruit and floral fragrances will be very on-trend, as will emotive fragrances rather than fragrance-specific scents. Meanwhile colour palettes for this year will be very pastel and soft. Xystos will be building on a record-breaking year thanks to the outstanding performance of its top ranges.

WoodWick’s autumn/winter collection will be on display at the show including this gorgeous HearthWick Mercury Glass candle (RRP £24.99). There are also four Hourglass candles; two new collections – Boudoir and Blue Arrow – as well as a range of attractive WoodWick candle shades from the home of flame and fragrance. Look out, too, for the Vintage Hobnail, Chevron Mosaic and Snowflake Ornament candles.

Alljoy Design LtdStand 770www.alljoydesign.comAlljoy Design Ltd is a graphic design company based in Ireland. Its designers put their heart and soul into their many one of a kind, intricate and contemporary designs on greetings cards, notebooks, bookmarks and home accessories.

The company has just launched a new range of laser cut greeting cards. The 50 new designs include everyday and occasion. Cards come in an eye-catching red envelope.

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exhibitor profiles

Olive & BelleStand 782www.oliveandbelle.co.ukOlive & Belle will be exhibiting at PG Live for the first time. The company designs and publish quirky design led cards and gift-wrap, which aims to brighten any day. The cards are printed and packed in the UK on beautiful textured board, with ranges covering popular occasions, birthdays, mother’s day, and Christmas. The company also welcomes licensing and export enquires. Olive & Belle has a wonderful team of sales agents across the UK who are often happy to pop by and present the designs to you in person.

Amscan InternationalStand 428www.amscan.co.ukParty product suppliers, Amscan International, is returning to PG Live again this year and will display an exciting variety of new products including its versatile Party Essentials collection. The range includes core items for any party including banners, badges, candles, confetti and latex balloons. Visitors can expect to see an assortment of new licensed party and balloon ranges from Amscan’s extensive portfolio including; Paw Patrol, Peppa Pig, Marvel, Angry Birds and more. Also on display will be a selection of eye-catching new themed foil balloons for all occasions from birthdays to weddings and special messages featuring the latest innovations. See for yourself and find out more about Amscan’s complete range of over 12,000 products.

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Holy Mackerel Stand 435 www.holy-mackerel.co.uk Check out Amanda Seymour’s latest card designs for Holy Mackerel’s CMaw range. Amanda’s well-loved quirky birds are popping up everywhere and these new designs are a great add on to the huge variety of occasions and birthdays in the CMaw collection – you’ll find general birthdays, ages from 18 to 90, and a whole host of occasions, from weddings to exam cards, and from christenings to retirement. There are 16 new designs, which all come cello-wrapped with a ribbed Kraft envelope.

Intelligent RetailStand 431www.intelligentretail.co.ukIntelligent Retail specialise in Intelligent e-commerce and website design, linked together with central stock control. The company’s experts can design and implement your website and link it to a Connect till in your shop – making it easy to sell in-store and sell online. They have hundreds of retailers selling across store and web successfully. With Intelligent Retail you only do things once and it’s beautifully simple. You can work efficiently to increase profits with central stock control and reports.

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Raising awareness of Fair Trade Being part of a community is one of the best things about fair trade. At this time of year there are plenty of opportunities for BAFTS members to join the wider Fair Trade Community to promote the benefits of buying Fair Trade to the consumer.

Fairtrade Fortnight fell this year from 29th February - 13th March, with the theme; Sit Down For Breakfast, Stand Up For Farmers. This campaign fortnight is held annually with the aim of raising awareness of how purchasing Fair Trade products benefits producers in developing countries.

The Fair Trade mark independently guarantees individual products we all eat for breakfast including coffee, tea, bananas, sugar, cereal and jam as being Fair Trade. Buying them assures the farmer or grower a fair price and a premium for their community,

which is spent democratically. This is usually put towards vital improvements such as road repairs, mosquito nets, or installing piped water for the first time. Most BAFTS’ shops stock a selection of products with the Fair Trade mark alongside their gift range and are part of local Fair Trade town or city campaigns. These campaigns link towns and cities in the UK with communities in the developing world where our food is grown.

World Fair Trade Day World Fair Trade Day is on Saturday 14th May this year, a Global Campaign Day, organised by the WFTO (World Fair Trade Organisation) to celebrate Fair Trade in its fight against poverty and exploitation. Its main focus is to emphasise that trade must benefit the most vulnerable, and deliver sustainable livelihoods for small and disadvantaged producers. While

Fairtrade Fortnight is all about farmers, World Fair Trade Day focuses on artisans and craftspeople who make many of the Fair Trade gifts we find.

BAFTS’ week World Fair Trade Day also sees the start of our very own BAFTS’ week (14th - 22nd May) when BAFTS’ members work to raise awareness of our member organisation and how we work to try and use Fair Trade principles as a valid alternative to those of mainstream trade, which tends to put profit before people.

BAFTS newsKathryn Sygrove, marketing and membership co-ordinator of BAFTS (the British Association of Fair Trade Shops and Suppliers), brings you the latest news in Fair Trade retailing

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BAFTS is the British Association of Fair Trade Shops and Suppliers, a national member organisation offering advice to, and providing a community for Fair Trade shops and wholesale suppliers who trade fairly with the developing world. The company currently has just over 140 members and this figure is increasing all the time. For further information, please visit www.bafts.org.uk

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How did the shop come about?We’d worked together as Project Managers for Local Authority Government for more than five years, car sharing to and from work. Our contracts were coming to an end and we both decided it was time for a total change in career. The Quirky Coo is our first proper leap into the world of retail (unless you count Dave’s after school job as a trolley boy!). We were both keen for a change. Was it hard to go from the idea to the actual opening? We had looked at various locations and both agreed we wanted to open in Dundee due to the major redevelopment and investment underway in the city. Time was then taken to find the right unit, we knew exactly what area of the city we wanted to open in and it was a waiting game until the right location became available. Thankfully the chosen home of Quirky Coo became available quite quickly and picking suppliers and altering the interior of the shop probably took us a total of four months.

Tell me about the location? Why does it work for you?There’s a real buzz about Dundee at the moment, with a £1 billion regeneration programme currently underway and the Victoria & Albert Museum scheduled to open in 2018, it’s an exciting time for the UNESCO City of Design. We’re lucky to be situated in a fantastic city centre street filled with some of the best independent shops in the city. One of our customers called it the Soho of Dundee and we loved that. Our street will be well connected to the new waterfront development and we’re lucky to have daily commuters from the train station passing our door every day.

What makes your gift shop stand out?I think it’s our products. We’re lucky to have similar ideas of what we want to see on our shelves so there’s been no falling out…yet! As the name suggests, we like to find quirky, design-led products for our shop and if it’s made in the UK, even better. We try to work with local designers and we’ve sold items made by students at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design and even a 72-year-old local designer just starting out. Keeping it local allows us to tell customers how and

where items are made, we find they’re alot more interested in where the products they’re buying are made these days.

Tell me a bit about the typical Quirky Coo customer? Our customers are an eclectic mix and we love that. We get lots of office workers in through the week along with those lucky people of a certain age who have more leisure time on their hands. At the weekends we get lots of couples having a lazy day shopping and our particular favourites are the lunch hour customers, there’s always a good bit of chitchat with them and a few funny stories.

What keeps them coming back? We’re lucky and grateful to have a high amount of repeat, local customers and building relationships with them is one of the most important parts of our business.

Dundee is becoming more of a shopping destination and we get a lot of visitors from Aberdeen and nearby Perth as well as overseas tourists. The experience that customers have in our store is extremely important and we strive to offer a friendly, laid back environment to allow customers

Dave Blair and Viv Stephen decided to take a complete U-turn in their careers after car sharing together. They now own the Quirky Coo gift shop, in Union Street, Dundee

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the opportunity to browse our range, we do like a good chat though but thankfully so do our customers! One of the reasons we find customers returning to our shop is the range of personalised gifts we can offer. We have a range of stockists that can offer personalised items such as framed map prints of special locations, bespoke retro street signs, tweed stags and framed family trees. We find that customers are asking more and more for bespoke gifts as expectation of customer service increases and we ensure our products can match those expectations. We’re grateful to see many customers returning time and again for their cards, some even buying multiples of the same design because it’s appealed to their sense of humour. Nothing is better than listening to customers chuckle at our shelves as they browse our range of cards… that to us, means we’ve done our job well.

What products do you sell?We source a variety of unusual, design-led cards for our shelves and we spend a great deal of time finding just the right stock. The trend for personalised cards has increased and we have met that demand by working closely with local suppliers. Scottish girls Hiya Pal and Cockadoodle Design create cards specific to the local area or with local dialect phrases, some with a cheeky twist which are popular with our customers. Our Homeware range includes tableware from Just Slate, Gillian Kyle and My Blu Dog. Contemporary artwork from Glasgow based Stephen O’Neil and Troon based Southbeach Design and a range of handpoured candles from the Isle of Skye. For the little people, we have Scottish

books, quirky height charts and a bit of magic with our Irish Fairy Doors. Jewellery includes items from Custom Made, Ladybird Likes and Pilgrim, with our Harris tweed range of bags and purses continuing to be a popular choice.

What’s been your best selling products to date?Our Dundee products certainly do well, Dundonians are a proud and passionate bunch and we try to source new bespoke products for the city as often as we can. Our Dundee cushions from Jola Designs, Dundee Mugs from Sprint Design and our Dundee wooden street and football signs have all been extremely popular. So much so, we’ve now expanded this range to other Scottish cities. We focused in expanding our gift range for men last year and our Whisky Barrel range of pens and razors handmade by The Highland Pen Company have been an excellent find.

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing retailers in 2016 going forward?As with many smaller, independent shops one of our bigger challenges will be getting the word out there about Quirky Coo. We have a great base of loyal and encouraging followers on social media and we’d like to continue to boost this while also getting our name out there through word of mouth.

How important is your website to the success of your shop?Very important. We have spent a great deal of time working on our website which has paid off with Quirky Coo being number one in the Google rankings for searches on Gifts Dundee

and Gift Shops Dundee. We have gained a loyal social media following and promoted our business throughout the area via pop-up shops at large local businesses eg hospitals, agricultural shows, evening events, summer fetes and markets. This all helps spread the word and lets potential customers know they can find us online.

Which trade shows do you attend and why?We attend Scotlands Trade Fair in Glasgow, this gives us an excellent opportunity to meet new suppliers and catch up with existing suppliers about new products being developed. We also attend Harrogate in July which gives us a chance to start planning for the run up to Christmas.

Finally, do you have plans to expand the business in 2016?This year we’ll be focussing on promoting the Quirky Coo website and reaching customers far and wide g

For further information, visitwww.quirkycoo.co.uk

ny now

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NY NOW, the market for home, lifestyle and gift, will kick off in August and will once again fill the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City with three comprehensive collections, encompassing more than 100,000 on-trend product lines in hundreds of different product categories.

The SustainAbility display at NY NOW will showcase environmentally-conscious and socially-responsible products and manufacturers from around the world while the destination: new display will highlight

exhibitors with new product introductions; brand new to the marketplace as of January 2016, including launches exclusive to the summer market.

The industry’s most expansive marketplace event will also feature an exciting line-up of new and returning exhibitors, a comprehensive agenda jam-packed with a full range of seminars as well as industry events and fantastic networking opportunities that will provide market attendees with an unrivalled buying and sourcing experience.Approximately 25,000 attendees from all 50 states of America and 80 countries worldwide will have the opportunity to explore everything that New York City has to offer, including the Only in New York events. These are a series of social and cultural activities capitalising on the vibrancy of New York City, including shopping discounts, theatre trips, educational seminars and networking opportunities.

For those keen to turn their trip into a holiday too, a full listing of events in and around New York City during Market Week is

available through NYC & Company, New York’s tourism organisation; www.nycgo.com.

“NY NOW’s summer 2016 market will heat up New York City this August and give attendees a valuable opportunity to experience the industry’s latest trends at the sprawling Javits Center,” said Scott Kramer, Co-Director and Vice President of NY NOW. “This is set against the backdrop and bright lights of the world’s most exciting city. This summer we’ll have an outstanding market experience including countless exclusive product launches and dozens of seminars as well as the exciting Only in New York events that attendees won’t want to miss.”

Take flight across the Atlantic for some serious shopping stateside

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In briefShow NY NOWOrganiser Emerald ExpositionsWhere Javits Convention Center, New YorkWhen 20th - 24th August, 2016Website www.nynow.comTwitter @nynowmarket

the big apple

Information and registration available online at www.nynow.com

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New puzzle with Harry Potter license One of the most beloved film franchises in history now comes to life with the release of the Harry Potter Hogwarts Collection from Wrebbit 3D. Teaming up with Warner Bros, Consumer Products, one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organisations in the world, has added to the company’s incredible momentum. Fans from all over the world who have read and watched Harry Potter can now build their very own Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in 3D puzzle format. The collection features famous sections of the castle including the 850-piece Great Hall, and a second model with the 875 piece Astronomy Tower. When combined, these puzzles create a stunning 1725 piece 3D Harry Potter universe spanning 90 x 40 x 49cm. For more details or to order, contact Coiledspring Games on +44 (0)20 3301 1160 or sales@coiledspring.co.uk.

The Star Wars empire strikes back with new itty bittys from HallmarkHallmark has launched a brand new collection of itty bittys, this time linked to the biggest film event of the year – Star Wars. Star Wars itty bittys include some of the most popular characters from the iconic film franchise, including Yoda, Chewbacca, Darth Vader and Stormtroopers. Two brand new itty bittys have also been added to the collection, the lead characters from the new film The Force Awakens – Kylo Ren and Rey. The launch is supported by a full point of sale retail campaign with stores receiving standees, window posters, unique display solutions and window stickers. Alison Kildunne, Head of Brand and Marketing for Hallmark, said: “The Star Wars range looks set to be just as popular as the first itty bittys and we’ve already seen that because of their great look and reasonable price they can appeal to both adults and children.”

Inspired by nature with new National Trust license Creative Tops has launched another stunning collection with the National Trust, inspired by one of its protected sites. New Forest Toile is adorned with illustrations of English wildlife and blooming lavender flowers, set in the traditional countryside. Fine china pieces like tea sets and plates, and cotton textiles such as tea towels and aprons are adorned with these hand-painted creatures in a delicate watercolour effect. The New Forest Toile pieces make perfect gifts and beautiful collectables and when united, the whole collection looks truly stunning together, creating an enchanting forest scene.

hot property

Feeling groovy about licensingGroovy UK design and manufacture one-of-a-kind gift lines including bathrobes, slippers, pyjamas, lighting, onesies, bags, ceramics and glassware. Groovy has a team of designers creating new product concepts to give everyday lines an original slant. Licenses from television and film have proven really popular in the last few years and are currently dominated by Star Wars and DC Comics including Batman and Superman. The company is now working on lines in conjunction with the new Warner Bros film Suicide Squad that will include bags as well as bathrobes, slippers and lighting. Groovy has produced a patented lighting range called Look-ALite and licenses included are Star Wars, Batman and Superman (new and old) Wonder Woman, Assassins Creed, Shaun The Sheep, Rocky, Breaking Bad and Suicide Squad as well as many more in this funny little fat light form. For more information visit www.groovyuk.com.

Catch up with all the latest from the world of licensing

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Milly & Flynn launch new Dear Zoo range of ethical wooden toysRod Campbell’s pre-school favourite, Dear Zoo, continues to expand its range of early learning and play-focused, licensed products. Milly & Flynn has now added Dear Zoo to its growing portfolio of licensed toys. The range of wooden toys has been designed in close collaboration with author, Rod Campbell, and incorporates the book’s much-loved animal cast. The range features some fantastic products, including a naughty monkey push-along, a beautifully designed skittles game in a useful pull-along storage crate, a four piece wooden block puzzle, a wooden puzzle tray with chunky wooden character pieces and a traditional shape-sorter. The wooden range is also complemented with an eight-piece lift-the-flap puzzle and a matching pairs range. The products are ethically sourced and beautifully presented with appeal not only to consumers as a self-purchase, but also as a gift. For more information visit: www.millyandflynn.com.

Jumbo Games jumps on wings of Batman filmJumbo Games’ DC Batman and DC Super Friends range of puzzles and games are perfect for letting even the youngest fans join in the action with this year’s hit film, Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice. Jumbo’s Batman range is aimed at slightly older children and designed to keep them entertained. There are four different, brightly coloured 100-piece jigsaw puzzles to collect in the assortment, all suitable for children aged four upwards. The newest edition, the 64-piece Batman Puzzle & Build, lets children piece together a 2D jigsaw puzzle, then using the specially designed pieces, construct a 3D model of the famous Batmobile and character figurines. Arriving in June will be a 100 extra-large piece puzzle that incorporates artwork taken from the movie itself; perfectly timed for the DVD launch.

For more information, visit www.jumbo.eu.

Ian Downes, Director of Start Licensing, reveals the latest in the world of licensing. Licensed properties come in all shapes and sizes. Licensing stretches from sports properties such as the England Rugby team through to brands such as Tango. It’s a diverse business but one constant is that a successful license brings with it a defined audience. Licensing programmes are generally based on popular properties and it’s possible to identify the consumer group they appeal to. For retailers this is a real plus point as it should take out the guesswork from who will buy a product. Using licensed products in a planned way to provide and add attractive selling opportunities to the retail mix is a sensible way to engage with licensing.

A good example of this is the Funko range of vinyl Pop! figures marketed by Underground Toys in the UK. Young adults generally buy these products and they’re highly collectable and inspire repeat purchase. Properties in the range include Batman, Asterix and Star Wars. The look and style of the figures stand out and it’s a way of featuring a popular license but achieving a different visual look in store. They are also products that score highly on the cool scale and inspire a lot of social media activity; this should also be a benefit to retailers.

A further good example from my own portfolio is a new range of gift products developed by Half Moon Bay using classic comics such as The Hotspur and The Victor. The product range is based on iconic covers which feature cricket, football, motorsports and science fiction. The comics were in their heyday in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s – this reveals one potential consumer audience whilst the subject matter opens up other selling opportunities. A licensed range can be used to fill gaps in a retailer’s inventory and also create a distinct product offering.

Licensing also allows retailers to build ranges of product in an efficient way, for example, linking products from areas such as giftware, greetings cards and wall art – maybe sourced from different suppliers but the licensed property provides a focal point and a consistent design style. Think about products using licenses such as the RHS, Orla Kiely and the National Trust – there’s a consistency in styling.

At first glance licensing can appear confusing but think about it in consumer terms. A good mix of licensed products can provide a retailer with a well-targeted, efficient way of selling products to people who want to buy them and maybe even tweet about them.

For more information, visit www.startlicensing.co.uk

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Intellectual property (IP) is quite complicated and surrounded by many myths. Two of the most common myths, thought by copyists to be a defence, are:

If someone makes seven changes or a certain percentage change to a design it becomes a new designRegistering designs is useless because if you make one slight percentage change in the design the registration is invalidThose who alter designs by making a few changes and think they’re creating new designs could be in for a very sharp shock and land on the wrong side of the law. The good news is that designers are getting more IP aware than ever to protect their original designs.

THE TOP TWO IP MYTHS If I change a design or artwork by a percentage it becomes a new designWrong! It’s neither the number nor percentage of changes that somebody makes to your design. It’s the importance of the elements which have been taken from your design that is used in deciding whether your rights have been infringed. This will always vary from case to case.

Registering designs is useless because if you make one slight percentage change in the design the registration is invalid Wrong! The test for whether a design infringes a registered design is whether it creates a different overall impression as the registered design on the informed user. It’s not simply about counting the number of elements of the design which have been reproduced or changes that have been made to it.The other latest IP myths are:

How do I register Copyright? You can’t! In the UK, Copyright arises automatically upon the creation of a new and original work in a tangible form (e.g. a design drawing or greeting card); there is no requirement for registration. Copyright protects written or published works such as books, songs, films, web content and artistic works.

Will posting a copy of my work to myself help to prove its origination? Known as the poor man’s copyright, posting a copy of your work to yourself is not a reliable method for proving origination. The reason is that the method can be easily faked and manipulated. For example, an empty and unsealed envelope can be posted and the work sealed inside at a later date to give the impression it was created earlier. It’s unlikely this evidence would stand up in Court.

The best way to deal with origination issues is to ensure all stages of design development that go into the creation of a work are signed by the author, and dated, then stored in a safe place. Such documentation could include sketches, drafts, plans etc. However, once the work’s complete, filing a copy of the work with a recognised third party such as a solicitor, bank or independent organisation will help provide evidence of a latest possible date of creation. ACID offer such a service through the ACID Design Databank. Approximately 25,000 designs per year are logged with ACID. This does not add to unregistered rights such as Copyright or design right but provides the all-important, third party evidence of the design(s) existence on the date of receipt.

Can I use quotes and pictures of famous people on my products, artwork or designs? The answer to this question is not simple, but in view of recent case law, the answer would be no, not without permission. In the UK there is no concept of protectable image rights per se, but celebrities can protect their images and famous quotes through the tort of passing off. The right of celebrities to do this in the UK was first really established in the case of Irvine and another v Talksport Ltd [2002] EWHC 367 where racing driver Eddie Irvine successfully sued Talksport Ltd for unauthorised use of his image. The same occurred more recently in Robyn Rihanna Fenty v Arcadia Group Brands Ltd (T/A Topshop) [2013] EWHC 2310 (Ch), a case where Rhianna sued Topshop for unauthorised use of her image on a t-shirt. Both these cases concerned the use of images being taken to endorse another brand

without the celebrities’ permission, but the same could equally apply to a quote if that celebrity was very well known by the quote.

A company wants to use my artwork. How do I earn money from this but keep ownership of my work? In this scenario you would exploit your artwork through licensing. This would allow you to retain the legal rights in the artwork itself but the license would essentially grant someone else the legal right to use that work and in turn will normally specify a fee payable to you for this license, known as a royalty fee. There are three main types of license, an exclusive license, a sole license and a non-exclusive license.

There are always exceptions and it may be that what you wish to do will fall into one of those exceptions. Always contact an IP solicitor or, if you are a member of ACID, their legal affiliates offer initial free advice, really useful in cases like these.

Original or copy: do you know the difference?

Further information To find out more visit www.acid.uk.com

Dids Macdonald, ACID’s CEO, looks at the biggest IP myths in the design industry

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RELATED CASE STUDYArtist Colin W Thompson was amazed to spot remarkably similar cards to his Flocking Sheep range being produced and sold by a previous client without permission. If anyone spots these for sale via retail outlets or on the internet please notify ACID to assist with enquiries.

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AQAAAQLouise Wallace is the Show Director for Pulse, a

trade event showcasing directional and one-of-a-kind products, industry insight and trend forecasts throughout the year. Pulse takes place on 15th - 17th May, 2016 at Olympia in London, and is online at www.pulse-london.com. Call Louise on +44 (0)20 7384 8052 or email her at louise.wallace@clarionevents.com

Kerry Wilson is Creative Manager at Morplan. Since studying Fashion Design & Marketing at university, Kerry has spent more than 20 years working with Morplan’s marketing department to develop and promote the 5,000 plus retail products within the company’s range. She’s also worked in fashion and accessory retail and PR. Call Kerry on +44 (0)1279 451 122 or email her at kerry.wilson@morplan.com

Keren Dicken is the Sales and Marketing Director and co-owner of the Personalised Memento Company, founded 12 years ago. Keren is at the heart of the company’s innovation in products and marketing. Call PMC on +44 (0)1782 744 900 or email the company on sales@personalisedmemento.co.uk

SourcingI’ve recently opened my store and I’m overwhelmed by the number of trade shows for home, fashion and gift. I’m looking for trend-led products and collections by new designers so that I’m offering something different. Which shows are best for me to attend?Louise says: As a new store owner, there’s a lot to consider but finding the right product for your store is absolutely critical. Finding products that your competitors won’t stock is not an easy task and where a show like Pulse can really help. Taking place on 15th - 17th May at London Olympia, Pulse has done the hard work for you. Edited to just 500 brands, we’ve searched far and wide to bring you thousands of trend-leading, design-led products from an unrivalled collection of unseen brands and cutting-edge design talent.

New for 2016, you can discover more than 140 UK and international brands that have never seen before at any other UK trade events. This includes unseen international brands in FOUND, Pulse’s international trail of discovery; emerging designers in Raw and a collective of East London inspired fashion accessories designers in Secret Emporium. All beautifully curated by a market-leading panel of design and trend experts – including Design Trends and Features Writer for the Evening Standard, Katie Law; Fashion Trend Consultant, Claire Foster; Stylist & Author, Sania Pell; Luxury Brand Writer and Editor, Rachel Ward and Trend Agency, Unique Style Platform.

Pulse is unmissable opportunity to discover something unexpected. What’s more, buyers can now plan their shopping list ahead of the show with expert trend and retail advice on the Pulse Blog and Pulse Unseen, a brand new online product gallery showcasing the latest products as they launch all year round. Pulse is the ultimate destination for savvy retailers.

PresentationI’m introducing a line of scarves into my gift shop but unsure about the best way to display them. Do you have any tips please?  Kerry says: There are a multitude of clips, hooks and hangers on the market specifically designed to hold scarves, and many more general purpose ones that will also do the job. What you choose is going to depend on

Yolanda Artal is the Founder and Managing Director of Poltsa, a supplier of fashion accessories. Born in Spain, she’s lived in the UK for more than 20 years. Her love for eclectic designs led her to establish her own fashion label, working with selected Spanish designer makers. In 2010 she opened her own boutique in Surrey. Contact Yolanda on +44 (0)20 8393 6010 or email her at yolanda@poltsa.co.uk

all the answers Our experts tackle your retail-related queries

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several factors: what the scarves are made of, how much they will retail for and the style and designs. Knitted scarves will do well on circular hangers with a bar across the middle to hold them a little more securely without stretching them. Many of these hangers will have holes near the hook to allow you to add matching hats or gloves with a tagging gun. For lightweight, woven scarves, a peg hook should suffice but choose one with a gentle grip to prevent damaging the fabric. Pashminas, wraps and large square scarves will stay neatly folded on a trouser or peg hanger, which both have the added bonus of displaying any pattern or design more clearly, reducing the amount of handling (and potential soiling) your merchandise will endure while customers browse the rails. If your range is particularly delicate or highly priced, it could be worth displaying them in a protected environment – a glass counter or showcase – or keeping them wrapped with samples displayed out of reach. If you choose this option, ensure prices are displayed clearly so that only genuinely interested customers ask to take a closer look. Finally, for your window displays, the options are endless. Wrap your scarves around anything from a purpose-made display head with a long, sinuous neck to a beautifully worn and twisted length of driftwood. Knot them around rails, cascade them from shelves or link them to other ranges using colour or design.

PersonalisationI’m thinking of introducing personalised items to my gift shop. How would I go about doing this? Keren says: Adding personalised gifts to your range is a great decision for any type of gift shop. It’s very easy to get started within a shop with our very easy to use iPad app;

this allows you to display the full range in one compact space. We developed the app as we saw a gap in the industry for independent retailers to sell the full range of personalised gifts in store. Personalised samples are a great way to generate interest in store, but by developing the app we took this to a new level. It gives our independent retail customers the ability to showcase a large choice of gifts, which can be purchased easily in one visit to the shop. We provide everything you need to get started including printed point of sale posters and banners. The app itself is easy to use with clear images and personalisation fields to fill in. Once the end customer has chosen a gift, they can simply checkout and purchase direct from the app. The order is sent off to production automatically so there’s no admin work involved for the shop. The order can be delivered direct to the end customer’s address or back to store for collection, it’s their choice. Getting started is easy whether you’re an existing customer or not, just contact one of our team.

Starting upI have my own line of giftware and I’m considering opening a retail outlet. What advice can you give me? Yolanda says: Firstly, consider whether you’re going for a stand-alone shop selling just your own giftware or whether you’ll also be stocking goods from other suppliers. If your shop is going to be in a local shopping parade or a location with a small population, you’ll need to refresh your offerings regularly. That might mean buying other stock. These other lines could be totally different to yours, but should always complement your own giftware. At Poltsa we complement our range of accessories with clothing and small gifts such as stationery, soaps and lotions. This won’t be so important if you’re thinking of

opening up in a busy high street, holiday resort or tourist destination, as each day there will be different passers-by. Your most important job in this case will be to attract them into your shop, as they might not be passing by ever again. Your window displays must be interesting and eye-catching, inviting them in, and if your own line of giftware is different enough you won’t need to purchase extra stock to open up but you might want to consider it as time goes by. Look for premises that would suit your business in terms of size, layout and location. As you already have a line of giftware, you must have a base somewhere, whether this is your home, an office, workshop or industrial unit. Are you going to move this base to the new premises, or will they be just retail only? Unifying premises could save you money in overheads but bear in mind that costs such as business rates will be higher for larger retails premises in a busy high street, and parking for staff might not be available. Once you’ve found your perfect premises, don’t sign a lease unless you’re 100 per cent happy with it. Look for a penalty-free exit clause, avoid upwards-only rent reviews and negotiate a rent-free period. Most landlords are happy to negotiate. g

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Gift Focus readers put their insurance queries, concerns and questions to leading brokers TH March

insurance solutionsNeil McFarlane, Managing Director of TH March & Co Limited

Further information:TH March is a chartered firm of insurance brokers. Established in 1887, the company has offices in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Sevenoaks, as well as its National Administration Centre in Yelverton near Plymouth.

To find out more T: +44 (0)1822 855 555 E: giftware@thmarch.co.uk, or visit the website www.thmarch.co.uk

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Ways to control your employers’liability costsWe’re often asked for advice regarding employers liability insurance so here are a few tips that should help readers negotiate this often tricky subject.

Be aware that insurers will likely analyse your claims history when underwriting your employers’ liability premium, so it follows that if you can help to control your claims, you can potentially lower the price you have to pay.

What should I do if there’s an accident?Investigate accidents immediately and thoroughly; take corrective action to eliminate hazards, and be aware of fraud.

What should I do straight away?Report all claims to your insurer immediately. Alert the insurer to any serious, potentially serious or suspect claims. Frequently monitor the status of the claim, and communicate with the adjuster to resolve them as quickly as possible.

On return to work, how do I deal with an injured employee?Take an aggressive approach to providing light duty to all injured employees upon their release from treatment. Supervise light duty employees to ensure their conformance with any restrictions.

What about more serious cases?In serious cases that involve lost time, communicate with the loss adjuster to demonstrate your interest in returning the injured employee back to full and gainful employment.

Do I get colleagues involved?Set safety performance goals for those with supervisory responsibility. Success in achieving safety goals should be used as one measure during performance appraisals.

What procedures should I put in place?Develop a written safety programme, and train employees in their responsibilities for safety. Incorporate a disciplinary policy into the programme that holds employees accountable for breaking rules or rewards them for correctly following safety procedures. Frequently communicate with employees, both formally and informally, regarding the importance of safety and make safety an absolute priority. Lead from the front; senior management must always be visible in the safety effort and must support any improvements.

What about keeping records?Evaluate accident history and near-misses at least monthly. Look for trends in experience, and take corrective action on the worst problems first. Talk to your insurance broker if you have any questions at all – they’re there to help.

1000s of product photosDetailed at-a-glance information on suppliers. Save your favourite suppliers for future visits

The directory is still free to use - no registration. All listings are thoroughly vetted.

We only list UK-based wholesalers

What’s New?

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As a seasoned online marketer, I’ve probably seen every possible scenario when being asked to promote a website, however it always surprises me when clients are totally on-board with the advice that I give and it really makes my day when it happens.

Recently I was asked to promote a new e-commerce business. That’s fine, it’s something that I’ve done many times, but this particular e-commerce business is so new that it doesn’t exist yet, as the website which will be powering the business is perhaps three months away from completion and isn’t even at the design flat-file stage!

So how exactly do you promote a business that’s unable to trade and doesn’t have any visible online presence? The answer is, you can’t! However, that isn’t the full story…

Why community mattersThere’s a very good reason why old, established online retailers have stable incomes and that is the fact these websites generally have lots of repeat business. Getting repeat business relies on lots of happy, communicative customers who are willing to share knowledge of your business online. This is great for established businesses, but if you have no e-commerce trading history and are starting a brand new online venture, how can you get the ball rolling when your new e-commerce website is nowhere near ready for launch? The answer is show people what they can expect and then build community.

Teaser campaigns and bloggingIf you don’t have the ability to launch your e-commerce website with all of its associated revenue generating product content straightaway, then do what you can to start

laying the groundwork for e-commerce

Intelligent Retail’s David Fairhurst explains why it pays to plan ahead when setting up a new e-commerce website launch

“There’s a very good reason why old, established online retailers have stable incomes and that is the fact these websites generally

have lots of repeat business. Getting repeat business relies on lots of happy, communicative customers who are willing to share

knowledge of your business online.”

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building a community and getting people interested in what you will be offering. The way to do this is to create a content-rich holding page for your website and a good quality blog with regularly updated content.

If you already have your domain for your new e-commerce website registered then get some hosting set up and create an informative, well written holding page telling people what they can expect when your new e-commerce website arrives.

You’ll also need a blog – I recommend Wordpress as it’s easily the market leader in terms of functionality and user base, being open source and with a vast array of community produced plugins and themes to use. Your blog should be installed in a sub-folder of your main domain (www.littlepeckers.co.uk/blog/ for instance) which means any content you add to your blog will be adding to the overall search engine effectiveness of your website as a whole.

After your blog is set up and you’ve installed a simple design – get blogging! The sooner you add content to your blog the better as this will start to build up history with search engines and make it more likely that the content you write will appear in search results for related key phrases.

Social marketingOf course, as you’ve planned ahead, you’ve already grabbed your social media accounts for your new business and that’s good

because you’ll need these next when it comes to promoting all of the content you’ve created on your blog and holding page.

Get all of your social accounts associated with your holding page and when you’re ready, tell the world about the amazing products you’ll be offering.

Tracking resultsYou may not think that it’s important to track results at this stage, however I’d urge you to get a statistics package installed at the outset. This helps to build up a clearer picture from day one of what people are looking for, so you don’t have to guess. I’d suggest using Google’s own Analytics package (google.co.uk/analytics) and Search Console (google.co.uk/webmasters) which will give you all the data you need and more. Using Google search console will also mean you can submit sitemaps for both your holding page and blog, which will speed up indexing of your new pages and mean you get results even quicker.

You’re a blogger, get those links!Links from one website to another are used by Google to gauge the popularity of any website. If your website has lots of high quality links from respected websites then it is going to rank well.

Believe it or not, now is the time to get some of the best, most valuable links your new e-commerce business will ever have!

Because you’re running a blog at this point, not an e-commerce website, people are more likely to give you links as you’re not directly trying to sell anything, so get out there and ask for some links! Approach other website owners and ask for links from their related content to yours, this will do your new business the world of good later on…

Moving forward with e-commerceOf course there will be a point when your brand spanking new e-commerce website is ready for launch. You’ve put in all the hard work writing product descriptions and category content and your designers have done a fantastic job of presenting all of this information with some great imagery. What now? Well, I’d suggest that you keep blogging and posting on social media. All of that community you have built up will still be wanting your content and Google will be loving your dedication to the cause. Plus, I guarantee you’ll be thanking your foresight and planning when the revenue starts pouring in.

David Fairhurst is Head of Creative Online Marketing at Intelligent Retail.

David has been involved with search engine optimisation (SEO) and web development since 1999 and has spoken at many different retail and SEO conferences including Spring Fair and SES London. Call David on +44 (0)845 680 0126.

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GA to unveil rebranding at June members day as it reaches out to wider audience The GA members’ day will take place at Federation House in Birmingham on 15th June, when the complete rebranding of the association will be unveiled. The chairmanship of The GA will pass from Ravensden’s Michael Papé to independent retail advisor Henri Davis, the first person from a retailing background to hold the position. Blue Eyed Sun managing director Jeremy Corner will take over as vice-chairman.

Members’ day guest speakers have yet to be finalised, but the format for the day – which includes the AGM – will follow last year’s successful formula, with panellists debating current industry issues and, following a networking lunch, GA workshops and surgeries spanning a wide range of subjects of interest to both retailers and suppliers.

Recently-appointed chief executive Sarah Ward will tell the meeting how The GA team has been reaching out to existing and would-be members, covering 16 previously unvisited trade shows in the first few months of the year.

These included The East Anglian Gift & Toy Fair; Wales Spring Fair; The Toy Fair and Craft, Hobby & Stitch International – with The Baby Show, Asian Bride and the National Asian Wedding Fair also on the agenda. A further

eight shows will be visited in April and May.

GA set to offer bespoke multi-media packages after video showcases members The GA has moved into multi-media and produced what the association’s David Kukadia describes as a mini-movie to showcase some of their members and products.

David, who presents the video, said: “It features some of the most memorable bits from Spring Fair 2016 and the Gift of the Year Awards ceremony at which Cath Kidston presented the prizes.”

The association would like to offer bespoke multi-media packages to include the production of promotional videos, as well as website creation and photography. For more information contact david.kukadia@ga-uk.org or call 0121 237 1149. To view the video, visit: https://youtu.be/rDII2bPNVSQBusiness Boost Days The GA will hold a series of Business Boost Day seminars on 28th April and 18th May at its Federation House headquarters in Birmingham. Topics to be covered include intellectual property, social media, agents’ law, importing/exporting and press release writing as well as dealing with large retailers. If you’re interested in attending please contact GA Events Co-ordinator, Chris Munns, on 0121 237 1105 or email christopher.munns@ga-uk.org

Meet the Buyer: John Lewis The GA’s next Meet the Buyer event will be held with John Lewis in London on the morning of 7th April. The retailer is currently selecting the suppliers whose products it would like to see from the 50 plus applications submitted.

Show organisers join GAThe GA recruited 26 new members in the first quarter of 2016 including show organisers Asian Bride and The Clothes Show; new company Melting Messages; designer Sara Miller; retailer Elephant Monkey Interiors & Gifts, and service providers International Packaging Corporation (UK).

GA newsWe bring you the very latest news from The Giftware Association

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Michael Papé David Kukadia Jeremy Corner

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Today, you’re known as an independent retail advisor, but who did you previously work for? I was part of the team that opened the flagship Habitat store under Terence Conran, and I also worked for George Davies at Next in the interiors and jewellery divisions. I then spent 13 years at WH Smith managing their own-brand products and packaging development team before becoming a buyer for all areas of stationery, including gifts. I joined the National Trust in 2003, buying stationery, gifts and cards for its gift shops while simultaneously setting up my own consultancy business.

What inspired you to enter retailing? I read Law at university but had difficulty funding my place at Law School so had to look for other options. The customer focus of retailing really appealed. It was a great choice. I love the challenge of understanding changes in consumer needs and how my retail offer needs to change to reflect that. When current GA chairman Michael Papé

asked you to be his vice-chairman – which meant the chairmanship was inevitable – how long did it take you to accept? Quite some time. Being self-employed I needed to be sure that I could give the association the time and input it deserves. But being passionate about the industry, the chance to give something back, particularly to those who are starting out, was an opportunity I couldn’t miss. I’m hoping that my retail perspective can make a real difference to the GA.

But hasn’t the chairmanship always been the preserve of those on the supply side of the industry? Michael’s mission has been to bring suppliers and retailers closer by opening up

more channels through which they can do business. He has certainly helped to do that. I believe my election signals that this work will continue and demonstrates to retailer members that we regard them as being equally important as our suppliers.

Why join the association? Go to The GA website (www.ga-uk.org) and it’s a no-brainer when you consider the financial savings for suppliers and retailers and the raft of services on offer. There’s also a programme of seminars, Meet the Buyer events and other relevant initiatives being developed to meet their changing needs.

Gift Focus talks to Henri Davis, who next month becomes the first ever woman with a retail background to become chairman of The Giftware Association

Further informationFor The GA, log on to www.ga-uk.org

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WoodWick candles, distributed by Xystos, combine Old World craftsmanship and the best of modern methods to offer truly original candles with amazing fragrances; from the first inch to the last. Using only a high quality soy wax blend and premium scents, each WoodWick candle is carefully crafted by the experienced candle-makers of Virginia Gift Brands, who are passionate about creating the best candles possible.

The WoodWick Candle features a natural wick made from organic wood to create the soothing sound of a crackling fire with exceptional fragrance.

WoodWick’s HearthWick is the range that keeps on giving – repeat business to retailers, that is! It’s a trend that looks set to continue throughout 2016. These candles, packaged in gorgeous containers, are lifestyle products fit to grace any home, which is why they’re flying off the shelves.

Xystos, which enjoyed a record-breaking 2015 and its best-ever show at Spring Fair in February, also boasts exceptional brands Candle-Lite, Kringle and Aquiesse in its enviable portfolio of candle products. To find out more visit the website www.xystostrade.co.uk, or call +44 (0)191 499 1570. g

HOW TO ENTER

To be in with a chance of winning this fantastic prize, simply answer the following question:

Who distributes the WoodWick candle?

The winner will receive Xystos flame and fragrance products worth £750.

Enter online at www.giftfocus.com before the closing date of 27th June, 2016. Terms & conditions apply.

WIN! Win £750 RRP worth of stock from Xystos, the home of flame and fragrance

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PlusHalloween

Home accessoriesCompetition

Do you work within the giftware industry?

Yes No Name

Job title

Company name

Address

Postcode

Telephone Fax

Email address

Please tick one or more of the boxes below which best describe your business

Independent Gift Shop Importer

Gift Shop Multiple Mail Order

Garden Centre Agent/Rep

Department Store Manufacturer

Wholesaler/Cash & Carry Museum/Heritage Outlet

Other (Please specify)

Number of Employees 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?

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Date

Send the completed form to Gift Focus Magazine, Pantile House, Newlands Drive, Witham, Essex CM8 2AP. Alternatively, register online at www.giftfocus.com.

Fill in the form below to receive a regular copy of your favourite magazine.

Gift Focus magazine, the leading trade title for the giftware industry, is available free of charge to qualified registered readers. Published six times a year, Gift Focus contains news on industry trends, new products and all gift trade events. Simply fill in the form below and post to Gift Focus magazine, c/o KD Media Publishing, Pantile House, Newlands Drive, Witham, Essex CM8 2AP. Alternatively, photocopy the form and send a fax to 01376 514 555 or register online at www.giftfocus.com

Subscribe to Gift Focus

Issue 96July/August, 2016Available from: June 27th

Advertising deadline: June 10th Editorial deadline: June 3rd

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christmas cheer Christmas part one

in the framePhoto frames and albums

show previews• Home & Gift• Tendence• Giftionery

man in the mirrorMen’s accessories

PLUS• Easter gifts• Ambiente preview• Anniversary ideas

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WIN! £750RRP worth of stock from the J J Vaillant Once A Tree range

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A NOVEL IDEANovelty gifts

Fun at the fairSpring Fair preview

Mum’s the wordMother’s Day ideas

Get in the knowExpert trend advice for 2016

Home & Gift, Harrogate. www.homeandgift.co.uk

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PLUS• Stationery• Made in Britain • Company profiles

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Wax lyrical Candles and home fragrance

Daddy dearFather’s Day

ON TO A WINNERGift of the Year 2016

SHOW PREVIEWSLondon Stationery Show

Hong Kong Gifts & PremiumBritish Craft Trade Fair

Wax lyrical Candles and home fragrance

PLUS• Baby gifts• Glassware• Tabletop

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IN THE SUMMERTIMESummer product showcase

SHOW PREVIEWS

Exclusively HousewaresPulse

PG Live

HAPPILY EVER AFTERAll about weddings

Feel divine Bath & body

Mezu is passionate about providing customers with the very best realistic beautiful silk flowers that can be found in the marketplace. We’re sure you’ll love our range of outstanding English and Hybrid tea roses which are part of our stunning collection that also includes gorgeous peonies, dazzling dahlias, elegant hydrangeas and colourful gerberas to name a few - and each variety is available in a wide assortment of colours.

The UK’s leading magazine for the giftware industry

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To advertise here telephone Sharon Connelly

on +44 (0)1376 535 607

New Mr Men and Little Miss mugs

Classic favourites Mr Men and Little Miss are back with brand new mug designs from Wild & Wolf.

An ideal gift for any occasion, these new mugs complete the original collection by adding new fun characters. The ceramic mugs now feature two new Mr Men designs – Mr Tickle and Mr Cool – and two new Little Miss designs – Little Miss Naughty and an original Little Miss Birthday.

The colourful mugs are neatly packaged

and making it perfect for presenting as a gift.

T: +44 (0)1225 789 909 E: sales@wildandwolf.com W: www.wildandwolf.com

Outdoor fun with Ridley’s

Wild & Wolf ’s nostalgic toy range Ridley’s has been extended with an Outdoors collection in time for summer. Featuring classic favourites such as Hoopla, Boules and a Tin-Can-Alley set, the range aims to encourage outdoor entertainment for all ages.

Garden games for the whole family include Rounders and Croquet sets in wooden designs and coloured detailing. Fairground fun can be bought home with the Hook-a-Duck set and exercise is made entertaining with the Skipping Rope and Hula Hoop.

Completing the collection are a Giant Bubble set and bright red Boomerang for great outside fun.

T: +44 (0)1225 789 909 E: sales@wildandwolf.com W: www.wildandwolf.com

product showcaseWe reveal some of this season’s hottest gifts

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Designed and printed by mum-of-two Jo McAree, Pumpkin & Posey’s personalised graphic prints allow you to record a baby’s name, birth date and weight in a cool minimalistic design available in four different styles and numerous colour choices. You can even cement your silhouette in a simple paper-cut effect design taken straight from your pregnancy profile with your name and baby’s due date. All you need to do is send in a side profile picture and Pumpkin & Posey will do the rest.

After launching Pumpkin & Posey earlier this year, Jo wanted her product range to stand out amongst the crowd on social media sites like Instagram. She realised small kitchen table businesses including her own were being swamped by major companies and lacked their own visual identity thus sparking an idea and experiment.

“These businesses may have fabulous products however the art direction and styling was lacking,” said Jo. “Finding an innovative yet authentic way to shoot products was really needed if my business was going to thrive.”

So, after meeting on a photo shoot a few years before, Jo called upon the talent of fellow mum, Glenda Tarling (aka GR Tarling Photography) to help her create innovative, conceptual product shots that would give Pumpkin & Posey the impact it needed. Upon launching the new imagery on Instagram, Jo was inundated with requests for graphic design and branding solutions and noticed a substantial growth in traffic to the website and most importantly, revenue.

“It soon became clear that Glenda should come on board as joint Creative Director to build upon the creative assets that Pumpkin & Posey were offering,” Jo explained. “Glenda has an excellent business sense and brings some great ideas to the table for the growth of the company. She has an amazing eye for design and styling; she’s a great partner in crime.”

Irish born Jo and Glenda make the perfect team, both passionate about their work but also dedicated mums, they’re able to work around the demands at home.

“I worked as an art director in advertising for many years, which is extremely stressful and not the easiest of careers to maintain while bringing up small children,” said Jo. “Both of Glenda’s children are at school and so is my six-year-old son but my daughter,

who is 16-months-old, comes to work with me and plays, paints, makes a mess and has fun.“We finish work in time for the school run and when the kids are fed, washed and in bed we get back to it. We’re both fortunate to have great support from our husbands and family too. It’s not easy, but when you love what you do and have fun working together, it’s an absolute pleasure.”

The working mums work from a studio in Southend, Essex, but are now planning to expand and move to a larger space. Pumpkin & Posey Prices start from £7.50.

Mummy dream team Jo McAree and Glenda Tarling have teamed up to create personalised print company, Pumpkin & Posey.

For more information, visit the website www.pumpkinandposey.co.uk

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