PLUS• Seaside special• Novelty items• Trends for 2014

www.giftfocus.com

Tempting treatsGet creative this Easter

Roll up, roll up

WIN!£900 RRP worth of

stock from Joe Davies

Mum in a million

Spring Fair is back in town

Issu

e 81

Jan

uary

/Feb

ruar

y 20

14w

ww

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focu

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Stock up for Mother’s Day

Big appetiteTh e Very Hungry Caterpillar celebrates 45 years

HUSH A BYE BABYInspirational ideas for little ones

giftfocus 3

34

focus on...the ga 38All the latest industry news from The Giftware Association

retail technology 51David Mackley brings you a guide to Google updates and the risks

company profi le 56Giftware giant Puckator tells all

insurance 66Brokers TH March answer your insurance-related questions

q&a 184Our industry experts tackle your retail-related queries

anti copying in design 192How to protect your designs

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 74Catch up on what’s new in the world of licensing

competition 199Win £900 RRP worth of stock from Joe Davies

showsbangkok show review 68Mark White reports from Bangkok

get ready 71Low down on Ambiente

roll up, roll up 77Spring Fair is back in town

featurestrend talk 20Predictions for 2014

tempting treats 34Easter inspiration

the future’s bright 40We chat to Michael Papé, the future Chairman of The GA

hush a bye baby 43Gifts for little ones

Beside the seaside 54Summertime sizzlers

fun and laughter 59Gloom-busting products to draw in the crowds

special featuremum in a million 25Treats for Mother’s Day

January/February Issue 81

Managing Editor Georgina Casselsgeorginac@kdmediapublishing.com

Deputy Managing Editor Lauren Dowey

Chief Sub EditorLouise Prance

EditorLyndsey Dennis+44 (0)1376 535 614lyndseyd@giftfocus.com

Sales & Marketing Manager Robert Clark+44 (0)1376 535 606robertc@giftfocus.com

Sales Executive Sharon Connelly+44 (0)1376 535 607sharonc@giftfocus.com

Production +44 (0)1376 535 616artwork@kdmediapublishing.comProduction ManagerScott BrothwellDeputy Production ManagerSarah BarnesSenior Graphic DesignerVicky O’ConnorGraphic DesignersSamantha Lock, Rebecca ClarkeWeb Development ManagerStuart WeatherleyProduction AssistantAimee Smith

SubscriptionsKay Tilbury, Tammy Watt+44 (0)1376 514 000

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

Cover image courtesy of:

Wild & Wolf

Gift 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 refl ect 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:

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Average Net Circulation: 7,292 (01/07/12 to 30/06/13)

contents

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giftfocus 5

Daisy Roots

Happy New YearFirstly, a very happy New Year to all our readers! I hope you had a relaxing break and you’re feeling ready for 2014. We bring you the biggest ever issue of Gift Focus this month, including our largest ever preview of Spring Fair, with more than 50 pages of editorial dedicated to this key buying event. Turn to P77 for a comprehensive round-up of the show’s features and highlights, as

well as extensive visitor profi les. We also provide you with all the details of Ambiente in Frankfurt this

February, on P71. With Mother’s Day on the horizon in March, it’s time to stock up for

this key event in the gift calendar. Turn to P25 for some inspiration. We also provide you with some Easter delights on P34.

Novelty gifts are a great constant all year round, and on P59 we bring you a selection of items that are sure to bring a smile to your customers’ faces. Another constant all year round are gifts for babies. On P43 we look at a mix of delightful treats for little ones, from keepsake boxes to cute leather shoe sets.

A number of suppliers in the sector give us their trend predictions for 2014. Flick to P20 to fi nd out what they have to say.

We also introduce to you Michael Papé, a Director at Ravensden and future Chairman of The Giftware Association from June. Michael shares his hopes and aspirations for his two-year chairmanship.

I’ll be on the judging panel for the Best Product Awards at Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring later this month. Look out for a review of the awards in the next issue of Gift Focus.

Lyndsey DennisEditor

Facebook www.facebook.com/giftfocus

Twitter @gift_focus

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VISIT US ON

Editor loves…Holy Mackerel’s One Lump or Two range of greetings cards has all of life’s events covered: different ages, weddings, anniversaries, get well soon, congratulations, moving home, thank you, retirement… the list goes on. The images always bring a smile to my face, and the attention to detail by designer Erica Sturla should be commended.

Lyndsey

6 giftfocus

industry newsCatch up on all the latest in our news round up

Congratulations!The winner of the competition in our September/October 2013 issue is Andrew Page of The Gift Shop in Lowestoft. Andrew wins an assortment of fashion accessories from Poltsa worth more than £750 RRP. Turn to P199 for this month’s competition, where you can win £900 worth of Yo! Sox stock from Joe Davies.

K Two Products rebrands as Busy BExciting times are ahead for K Two Products, launched 15 years ago by Kerrie Binnie. Exciting new changes for the company will take place, including lots of new products, designs and a fresh brand name – Busy B.

When Kerrie became a mum, her previously busy life suddenly became very busy indeed, leading the product designer to create solutions to take the mayhem out of modern life.

Every Busy B product is packed with ingenious features and stylish details to free your world from clutter and confusion, making life simpler and better organised. Products include a recipe file, weekly planner, magnetic to dos and a birthday card organiser. A new range of baby keepsake and organising products have also been developed, and the company’s best-selling wedding range will now be branded as Bride to B, with new additions for spring 2014.

Visit www.busyb.co.uk after 23rd January, 2014 to find out more about the range.

45 years and still hungryDesigned, illustrated and written by Eric Carle, The Very Hungry Caterpillar is celebrating its 45th birthday this year. The book has been voted top of the under-five list and fourth overall in a Booktrust poll for the top books for children under 14-years-old. The UK licensing campaign for The Very Hungry Caterpillar is managed in the UK by Rocket Licensing through the worldwide agent The Joester Loria Group.

The brand has expanded considerably since the first book was published in 1969. The lovable caterpillar, which eats its way through all sorts of food before transforming into a beautiful butterfly, has been given the Wild and Wolf treatment with a selection of new merchandise. These include creative play kits for children aged two to six-years-old, comprising bunting making, card making, finger printing, 3D animal making, chalks and crayons, as well as some melamine homeware products.

Visit www.wildandwolf.com to view these products.

giftfocus 7

news&

events

The Specials bassist, Horace Panter, helps Sheaffer celebrate 100 yearsHorace Panter, the bassist in The Specials and also a professional artist, was contacted by Sheaffer to help the iconic pen brand celebrate its 100th anniversary. A special exhibition took place in November at London’s Strand Gallery, with approximately 400 people in attendance.

The exhibition included a piece commissioned by Sheaffer, which Horace describes as “a painting about writing about painting.”

Pictured is Horace with Tim Williams, CEO of Sheaffer, and Jasmine Jones, Sheaffer’s International Business Development Manager, with the commemorative artwork.

To fi nd out more about Sheaffer, visit www.sheaffer.com

Joe Davies appointed offi cial Spring Fair Giftware Partner for 2014Joe Davies is delighted to have been appointed as the Offi cial Spring Fair Giftware partner for 2014.

Steve Davies, Managing Director, commented: “The Spring Fair is such an important event for independent retailers all over the country. Our relationship and attendance at the show goes back more than 20 years, and becoming the giftware sponsor seemed a very natural thing to do.”

Aside from the huge numbers of visitors that attend the fair, many retailers refer to the Spring Fair website as a source of information and to search for potential suppliers. With a £100 minimum order, more than 8,000 products, its Little & Often order system and award-winning service, Joe Davies is an ideal match for independent retailers nationwide.

For more information, call Joe Davies on +44 (0)161 975 6300 or visit www.joedavies.co.uk

Yankee Candle® Advent Calendar is one of the company’s fastest selling products of all timeFor Christmas 2013, Yankee Candle® created something a little bit different: the world’s fi rst ever Yankee Candle® home fragrance advent calendar.

The limited edition advent calendar completely sold through, which makes it one of the fastest Yankee Candle® products of all time, giving retailers a new and innovative product to tempt shoppers in store.

The item contains a range of classic and new festive fragranced tea lights, from family favourites such as Balsam & Cedar, Snow in Love and Sparkling Cinnamon to new scents Merry Marshmallow and the top-selling Snowfl ake Cookie.

The company already started working on the 2014 advent calendar last November. We look forward to fi nding out what scents are in this year’s one!

Visit www.yankeecandle.co.uk to fi nd out more about the brand and its full range of products.

8 giftfocus

industry news

Kirstie Allsopp will join Sapona at Spring FairWith the first range on sale since October, Kirstie Allsopp Home & Body is a proven hit with the signature fragrance of Lansdowne Rose – a fresh blend of Moroccan Rose, Geranium, Lily and a hint of Iris – being particularly well received.

At Spring Fair, Sapona will be showcasing a range of new products to complement the existing product line, including mugs printed with some of her best-selling patterns and additional scents from the home fragrances collection.

Kirstie will join Sapona at Spring Fair to showcase the collection on Monday 3rd February in Hall 20 Stand A20.

To find out more about the collection, visit the website www.sapona.co.uk

Rosemoore now distributes direct to retailersRosemoore Home Fragrance has announced that from January it will be distributing its home fragrance collection directly to retailers, and not via its current distributor, Enesco.

Marketing Director, Hilary Tongue, comments: “We’re delighted to be selling our diverse range of quality home fragrance products directly to retail customers. We’re working closely with Enesco to ensure that everything is in place for a seamless transition between the two companies. We’re looking forward to officially launching the new set-up at Spring Fair this February, where we will be showing new products and new fragrances, as well as offering a number of special show promotions.”

To find out more, visit www.rosemoore.co.uk

Presenting True Utility® and its useful gifts and gadgetryTrue Utility® offers more than 60 products, many of them patented and selling in over 50 countries around the world. Specialising in stainless steel gifts, gadgets and keyring accessories that fit in your pocket, the brand also designs its own packaging and POS displays, presenting a complete package.

Most items retail at around £6.50, making them ideal gift purchases. Amongst the many innovations is a portable phone charger ; a stylus pen that transforms into a tiny keyring size – perfect to keep on your keys; the world’s smallest flashlight and an emergency hipflask. The front of the box can be opened and closed with a magnetic clasp to display the products, alongside a lifestyle shot showing off its functionality.

The new gift boxes are available in a range of striking colours attracting both female and male buyers. To find out more, visit www.trueutility.com

10 giftfocus

Trade show updates from home and abroadon with the show

Jewellery & Watch Birmingham reveals impressive list of exhibitorsJewellery & Watch Birmingham, organised by i2i Events, has revealed an impressive list of brands that have signed up for the forthcoming February show.

Taking place at Birmingham NEC from 2nd - 6th February, 2014, as part of Spring Fair, Jewellery & Watch Birmingham has confirmed that almost 700 top jewellery and watch brands will be exhibiting their latest collections.

The event will also see some exciting debuts, with new Danish brand Lars Larsen Watches using the show as the platform to launch its first collection, while jewellery brand Esoteric Luxury will be debuting its new Lucky Talisman collection. The show will also play host to an exclusive jewellery design competition in conjunction with renowned jewellery buying group, The Houlden Group.

For more details, visit www.jewelleryandwatchbirmingham.com

Scotland’s Trade Fair Springwhen 19th - 21st January, 2014where SECC, Glasgowwebsite www.scotlandstradefairs.co.uk

Homi (previously Macef)when 19th - 22nd January, 2014where Milan, Italywebsite www.homimilano.com

Wales Spring Fairwhen 19th - 22nd January, 2014where Venue Cymru, Llandudnowebsite www.walesspringfair.com

Showcase Ireland when 19th - 22nd January, 2014where RDS, Dublinwebsite www.showcaseireland.com

Toy Fairwhen 21st - 23rd January, 2014where Olympia, Londonwebsite www.btha.co.uk/toy-fair

Maison & Objetwhen 24th - 28th January, 2014where Paris, Francewebsite www.maison-objet.com

Christmasworldwhen 24th - 28th January, 2014where Frankfurt am Main, Germanywebsite www.christmasworld. messefrankfurt.com

NY NOW – New York International Gift Fairwhen 1st - 6th February, 2014where New Yorkwebsite www.nynow.com

diary datesBrand Licensing Europe continues to growFollowing the phenomenal growth experienced by Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) in 2012, Advanstar announced a further five per cent growth in visitor attendance in 2013.

A total of 7,244 retailers, licensees and sales promotion professionals from 69 countries attended the show, making it the biggest and most successful in its 15-year history. Total attendance reached 9,537.

Retail attendance increased again in 2013 by five per cent, and overseas attendance also went up. One in three visitors came from outside the UK, confirming anecdotal evidence that this was the most international BLE to date, while confirming the show’s position as the definitive event for the European licensing industry.

Darren Brechin, Event Director, said: “To think that there were 29 per cent more visitors to BLE in 2012 than 2011 is startling. It’s indicative of two great strengths of the licensing industry: firstly, that there are always people coming to the industry afresh, with new ideas, brands, products and retail space. Second, that licensing across Europe is holding up in a very challenging economic climate. We worked very hard this year to make the new layout a success, and will continue to dig deep into the three vertical categories to bring new companies and people to BLE, and to ensure we give our visitors and exhibitors what they need and want from the show.”

The organisers have brought the 2014 show dates forward by one week. The next show will now take place on 7th - 9th October, 2014 at London Olympia. Visit the website www.brandlicensing.eu or follow BLE on Twitter @bleurope for show updates.

giftfocus 11

news&

eventsnew

s&events

Get ready for CH+SThis year’s Craft, Hobby + Stitch is set to be its biggest event in five years. Taking place between 16th - 18th February, 2014 at the Birmingham NEC, the show is Europe’s largest trade show for the creative craft industries.

The event will be celebrating its 39th year of providing exhibitors and buyers with a world-class forum to promote, sell, buy and network with industry colleagues from around the globe. New for 2014 is a dedicated cake decorating and sugarcraft suppliers section.

“It’s great to see such a fantastic range of new products from exhibitors, reminding us what a creative and exciting industry we’re all part of. Retailers will be spoilt for choice at Craft Hobby + Stitch International 2014 with a host of new ranges, techniques and trends to discover,” said Andrew Morton, Show Manager.

Visit www.chsi.co.uk to find out more.

Packaging Innovations has it coveredPackaging Innovations 2014 returns to the NEC between 26th - 27th February, 2014, offering an array of product launches and packaging solutions. A mass of first- time and international exhibitors will increase the range of ideas on offer this year.

The 2014 event will feature seven co-located shows: Packaging Innovations, Ecopack, Contact Pack, Packtech, Print Innovations, Labelling Innovations and, new for this year, Converting Innovations.

The BIG Packaging Debate will be returning to the NEC, where a panel of packaging experts will form a lively Question Time style session. There will be 50 content-rich learnShops seminars, addressing hot industry trends and issues, plus six brave contestants who will enter the Lion’s Lair, pitching their latest products to a panel of brand, retail and packaging experts. Furthermore, on the second day of the show, the BIG Print Debate will bring industry experts together to discuss the crucial issues of print.

Visit www.easyfairs.com/PIUK to find out more.

National Stationery Week to get Britain writingTaking place between 31st March - 6th April, 2014, National Stationery Week is a celebration of the written word and all things stationery. Its aim is to get more people putting pen to paper and writing by hand more often, especially children.

Today, stationery and pens are also a must-have fashion accessory and where fashion meets function.

The Greeting Card Association, National Handwriting Association and

Writing Instruments Association (part of the BOSS Federation) are all partnering with the event, which is sponsored by Faber-Castell, Letts Filofax, Post-it, Sheaffer and Zebra Pen.

“The Greeting Card Association is delighted to support this important campaign,” says Sharon Little, Chief Executive of the GCA. “It’s been proven that handwriting is important in child development and helps with thoughts and ideas, thinking, language and working memory. There’s also no better form of emotional communication; in adult life, sending a handwritten card is one of the most important tools for showing we care about the people we love.”

Dr Angela Webb, Chair of the National Handwriting Association, comments: “Handwriting is still a valuable skill to be promoted alongside digital technology, and using the right tools can enhance the experience of writing for a young person. The National Handwriting Association is pleased to be supporting National Stationery Week and the Get Britain Writing campaign.”

Retailers can get on board with special in-store and online promotions, as well as talking about it on Twitter, Facebook and in company newsletters.

Contact the organisers of National Stationery Week to see how you can get involved. Call T: +44 (0)208 462 0721, E: nationalstationeryweek@firstevents.com or visit www.nationalstationeryweek.com

British Craft Trade Fair is on the horizonThe British Craft Trade Fair returns to Harrogate on 6th - 8th April, 2014 for another inspiring exhibition of hand-crafted delights.

BCTF has been promoting British hand-made giftware for more than 35 years, and now has an online trade catalogue – BCTF Online – which brings these products to you throughout the year. No mass-manufactured products or overseas goods are allowed to exhibit. If you want to buy one-of-a-kind, hand-made work from the British Isles, then the BCTF and BCTF Online will offer you all the choice you need.

For more information and to register for a visitor badge, visit www.bctf.co.uk

12 giftfocus

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

Looking ahead

Spring Fair Internationalwhen 2nd - 6th February, 2014where Birminghamwebsite www.springfair.com

Ambientewhen 7th - 11th February, 2014where Frankfurtwebsite www.ambiente.messefrankfurt.com

Craft Hobby + Stitchwhen 16th - 18th February, 2014where Birminghamwebsite www.chsi.co.uk

British Craft Trade Fairwhen 6th - 8th April, 2014where Harrogatewebsite www.bctf.co.uk

Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fairwhen 27th - 30th April, 2014where Hong Kongwebsite www.hktdc.com

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

For further in-depth show previews and reports turn to:

P68 BIG and BIH reviewP71 Ambiente previewP77 Spring Fair preview

Head to the London Stationery Show in AprilIt’s not long until the London Stationery Show takes over the Business Design Centre in Islington in April.

Visitors can look forward to even more stationery delights at a bigger show, as well as a dedicated New Product Showcase. A Stationery Spectacular theme has been chosen for this year’s event, to reflect the growing number and diverse range of products that can be seen at the UK’s leading stationery event, which is part of National Stationery Week.

The show organisers always have a few surprises up their sleeves, so we look forward to finding out what this year’s delights will be. We’ll be bringing you a preview of the show in the March/April issue of Gift Focus magazine.

To register to attend, visit www.stationeryshow.co.uk

PG Live takes shapeProgressive Greetings Live, the only trade exhibition dedicated to greetings cards, is shaping up for its sixth exhibition later this year.

Taking place at the Business Design Centre in Islington on 13th - 14th May, 2014, the show underwent a revamp in 2013 with a new show logo, colour scheme and website, as well as the dates being brought forward by two weeks.

The show includes major and medium-sized publishers, as well as a special area called Springboard@PG Live, a potent hub of small and emerging card publishers.

Selected artists and designers will have a booth in the special Artists’ Quarter, which was introduced in 2012. In addition, the DIAL@PG Live area is dedicated to design, image and art licensing companies. Don’t forget the opening night party – a great chance to mingle and network.

Log on to www.progressivegreetingslive.com to find out more.

New curator is confirmed for 2014 New Designers’ One Year On exhibitionNew Designers returns to Islington in the summer and welcomes back One Year On, a curated exhibition presenting a celebration of young, entrepreneurial designers in their first year of business.

The past few years have seen One Year On go from strength to strength thanks to curator Jethro Macey. A brand new curator, Gemma Fabbri, will take over in 2014.

Gemma is founder of London design studio Scene and co-founder of curated e-commerce store FAO-shop.com. Her diverse experience encompasses furniture, interiors, graphic design and event curation. Gemma designs furniture for international brands as well as producing her own range of products. She has worked with a host of young designers over the years, featuring their work in curated exhibitions, pop-up shops and interior design projects.

Gemma will play a key role in the development of One Year On and nurturing the 50 talented young designers selected to exhibit.

Part 1 of New Designers takes between 25th - 28th June, 2014, with Part 2 following on 2nd - 5th July, 2014, both at the Business Design Centre in Islington.

For more information, visit www.newdesigners.com

Eastern inspiration at Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre will once again be home for The Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair this April for its 29th show. The 2013 event attracted more than 50,000 international buyers.

Organised by the HKTDC, the fair offers various gifts and premiums such as innovative design products, figurines and decorations, outdoor and travel goods, photo frames, stationery and paper, tech gifts and party and festive items. More than 4,120 exhibitors will present a diverse range of giftware and premium.

For more details of the show, visit www.hktdc.com

14 giftfocus

Check out some new and exciting products in the current market

brand spanking new

CarrieMeRRP: £55 The Blue Heart Bag Hook and Finder gift set in the limited edition CarrieMe Fusion Collection fuses art with fashion to deliver beautiful, hand-painted masterpieces, each an original. Presented in gift boxes signed by the artist, together with a short bio, this is the ideal gift for art and design lovers who can keep their handbags safe and keys and mobile handy with these stylish accessories. T: +44 (0)20 7912 0108 E: carrie.gh@carrieme.co.uk W: www.carrieme.co.uk

The Green Board Game Co. RRP: £11.99 The Green Board Game Co. has collaborated with Mister Maker to launch a range of crafty products. As with all BrainBoxes, Colour and Create offers the award-winning BrainBox mix of fun and learning. In this edition, players have the opportunity to colour in cards to their own designs as well as writing their own questions. T: +44 (0)1494 538 999 E: games@greenboardgames.com W: www.greenboardgames.com

EnescoRRP: £39.95We are Three is one of several new figurines added to the Willow Tree collection for 2014. Hand-carved by artist Susan Lordi – as is every original piece in the collection – the figurine expresses the overwhelming sentiment of joy and love in becoming a parent for the first time. The sculpture features a young couple cherishing their new-born child, and celebrates their transformation from a pair of lovers to a family of three. T: +44 (0)1228 404 022E: uksales@enesco.co.uk W: www.enesco.co.uk

Lesser & PaveyRRP £29.99Lesser & Pavey gets stylish with retro satchels in blue, pink, red, black, tan and purple. Each features a front window pouch with a name and address card within, quality popper front fasteners and a detachable shoulder strap to provide diversity of usage. The bags are made from faux leather that is supple, encasing hard-wearing but soft-to-touch lining. T: +44 (0)1322 279 225 E: sales@leonardo.co.uk W: www.leonardo.co.uk

giftfocus 15

brand spanking new

NavigateRRP: £19.99Navigate, an expert in insulated design, has created these Beau & Elliot insulated baby bottle bags specifically to accommodate those bare essentials for trips out and about. The compact size makes them easy to carry but they’re roomy enough to accommodate two bottles, a nappy, small soft toy, soother and personal belongings like keys and phone etc. The bags are available in three contemporary colours.T: +44 (0)1279 653 249E: sales@navigate.ltd.ukW: www.navigate.ltd.uk

Yankee Candle®

RRP: £19.99The new Yankee Candle® Décor reed diffuser collection is a natural extension to the brand’s collection of stylish Décor candles. Featuring a sleek, contemporary bottle, the reed diffusers are sophisticated and on-trend in both style and scent. Alongside the new design, each diffuser now comes in a larger 130ml size to last even longer, and provides up to 10 weeks of authentic and continuous home fragrance. T: 0117 316 1200 E: info@yankeecandle.co.uk W: www.yankeecandle.co.uk

Multiply DesignRRP From £3New for 2014 from Multiply Design is the Circle of Love collection of pendants and keyrings in solid English pewter and Greek leather. Stamped with special messages of love and friendship, these hand-made keepsakes are both tactile and light so easy to wear or carry with you. They make ideal gifts to give to friends, family and loved ones. The company is also launching a new range of cerise pillow boxes with its signature logo – multiply design give a little love – on them. These will be available as packaging to complement all of the designs.T: +44 (0)1629 815 413E: sales@multiplydesign.comW: www.multiplygifts.com

Metal PlanetRRP: £6.95As well as jewellery, Metal Planet also has a line of quirky gifts, including pewter tokens, message pebbles, wedding horseshoes and novelty cufflinks. The Perfect Match token (pictured) has been added to the offering. T: +44 (0)20 8440 2468E: sales@metalplanet.net W: www.metalplanet.net

16 giftfocus

brand spanking new

JellynBeanRRP: £7.49JellynBean is launching a range of great big mugs perfect for him and her. These huge 15oz mugs are ideal for those who love a bucketful of tea or coffee. You can even fi t all your fi ngers in the handle! This collection of more than 20 mugs shows pertinent captions for today’s modern world. The mugs come with their own chunky box and are available to trade at £3.13. T: +44 (0)1423 879 182E: offi ce@jellynbean.comW: www.jellynbean.com

Mulhouse Design Co.RRP: 100ml: £16.90 RRP; 18ml: £4.95 RRP; car freshener: £4.95 RRPAnimikados diffusers are a completely new concept in the expanding diffuser market. They combine premium mood-enhancing aromas with an optimistic greeting that friends will love to give one another. Made in Spain by Ambientair, the attractively packaged collection offers the traditional 100ml size, and two one-of-a-kind ideas – an 18ml greeting bottle and an Animikauto car freshener. T: +44 (0)1949 850 115E: animikados@mulhouse.co.ukW: www.animikados.co.uk

NamasteRRP: From £1.75 to £13.99Brand new for spring is Namaste’s new collection of vintage fl oral print tins and hanging decorations. There are three distinctive ranges – pictured here is the Vintage Rose collection. Made from iron, with delicate transfers applied by hand, these are set to be best-sellers. Namaste supports traditional craftwork and artisans who specialise in skill-based products. The company is recognised by BAFTS, the British Association for Fair Trade Shops and Suppliers, as a fair trade importer. With excellent stock availability, low minimum order of only £150, effi cient service and a friendly approach to business, Namaste is well worth a look.T: +44 (0)1756 700 790E: sales@namaste-uk.comW: www.namaste-uk.com

Two Little BoysRRP: £6.99Two Little Boys’ new range of notebooks features 10 titles, including things to worry about when I have nothing better to do, things I should do just in case I don’t win the lottery and things I plan to do but probably won’t get around to. There’s a title for each of us and everyone we know. The jotters are available as perfect bound A6 with lined inner pages and elastic closures. T: +44 (0)20 8400 3606E: info@2littleboys.co.ukW: www.2littleboys.co.uk

20 giftfocus

We hear from a selection of leading experts about their thoughts on trends for 2014trend talkFrom vintage and home baking to owls and moustaches, many current trends remain strong for 2014. We look forward to seeing what’s hot at Spring Fair in February; in the meantime, a selection of giftware specialists share their thoughts.

The marketplace will continue to refl ect the economy in 2014. Feedback suggests that products under £10 will remain a key part of the retail offering. That said, there will always be people with money who are prepared to buy high-end gifts: here, sales have held up well in the past 12 months and I see that trend continuing this year.

Also, while parents and grandparents may no longer spend as much money on themselves as they once did, they’re still buying gifts for children.

I expect things that have a function and offer value for money to continue to sell well. As people spend

more time at home, fragrance products have become more important and are now a staple for many retailers. This is why we’ve introduced Home Fragrance as a Gift of the Year category for 2014, along with Gift Food, which is another growing sector.

Suppliers who sell products that demonstrate traceable ethical values have gained support and it will be interesting to see whether this trend continues or if pressure on prices prevails.Isabel Martinson, Chief Executive of The GAwww.ga-uk.org

One of the major jewellery trends for 2014 will be personalisation, either by taking a mainstream product and adapting it to suit your style, or wearing hand-crafted bespoke commissioned pieces. Anything with an initial on it, stamped, etched or cut out will be considered charming and retro. Written messages added to pendants and cuffs as well as hidden engraving should often feature. Pandora and other beads that encourage you to create your personal charm bracelet will continue to be strong.

Interchangeable pendants will prove popular, enabling the wearer to match their fashion colours and giving friends the opportunity to add to that selection through gifting additional discs or add-on options to

the many collectable ranges now available. Enamelling looks as if it will have resurgence,

from the expensive vitreous method with its time consuming application and tricky fi ring, to the inexpensive mass-produced paint-by-numbers methodology used in costume jewellery.

Cocktail rings with lots of mixing of metals, stones and alternative materials; the larger and bolder the better! Check out the BJA award winners on the jewellery catwalk, Hall 18 at The Jewellery & Watch Show Birmingham in February. Lindsey Straughton, Marketing & Export Manager, at British Jewellery Association (BJA)www.bja.org.uk

Wealthier consumers are increasingly eco-conscious, making natural elements, sustainable materials and British-made products increasingly desirable. Recycling is moving higher-end, bringing an individually stylish, nostalgic twist and feel-good factor to home and gift. Hand-crafted, personalised products are key as consumers back away from the throw-away culture of former years.

Home interiors take inspiration from the fashion world where big statements are made using colour. For spring I think we’ll see soft pastels combined with vivid brights, as well as lots of blues and luxurious textures. In terms of pattern, strong geometric designs have dominated for the past few years so there could be an overall softening, perhaps with more classic, botanical

and fl oral designs. In gifting the market is very diverse and harder to

predict, but licensing is still very big and continuing to grow. As a hot tip I expect to see Moshi Monsters get even bigger in 2014 with a major new gift licensee on board. Intricate paper cutting is also a nice theme that seems to keep building, and I’m pleased to see the greetings card market generally doing well after a few shaky years. As more and more people move further online, high-tech gadgets and accessories will inevitably be strong sellers.Sarah Mclaughlin, Spring Fair Portfolio Director – this will be her fi rst Spring Fair as Portfolio Directorwww.springfair.com

giftfocus 21

trends

We’re coming out of a recession (albeit slowly) so there’s optimism for the future. With buds of spring around the corner I will be designing the new collection of ribbons with an understated yet luxury fi nish, in colours that will suit year-round occasions. I’ll be focusing on the less-is-more approach with warming colours to welcome the spring, and extending our range of skinny ribbons, which are extremely popular for weddings and parties.

The craft market is still as strong as ever with a high demand for one-of-a-kind trimmings and materials, so we’ll be adding more seasonal ranges to our hand-picked collection including Lace and Ric Rac. We’ve also included our ribbon dispensers into our wholesale range, which are perfect for shops with limited space and come with fi ve 10m rolls of ribbon.Jane Means, gift-wrapping expert www.janemeans.com

Nostalgia seems unstoppable and on trend for every budget – it really is the blue jeans of the gift world, be it retro prints or old-fashioned candles and diffusers. Another area that’s strong and continuing to evolve is woodland as an extension of the animal trend we’ve seen of late, with alpine colour themes depicting deers, owls, foxes, birds and trees gaining in popularity. Greetings and stationery are a key part of the show’s offering and we’re seeing a huge range of illustrative styles, from child-like simplicity to more evolved adult sketches. Colour wise, there’s a noticeable trend towards yellows and oranges, and this appears to be extending into cushions and other home accessories. Across all product sectors, fl oral prints are strong with more traditional, antique designs being updated with modern colours and twists. Wood is also eternal – stepping in from the garden and out of the

toy box into challenging uses, such as jewellery. Happily, 2014 looks to be a year of optimism and change, so keep an eye out for sleeper trends in the second part of the year. Cleere Scamell, Show Director of Home & Giftwww.homeandgift.co.uk

At Miss Milly, we’ve worked towards two distinct trends for spring and summer 2014. The fi rst is the romantic nomad in our new Amora Collection. It’s styled with geometric shapes and lightweight, matt silver-coloured metal delicately embellished with stones in the pretty pastels of salmon rose, dusky sand, duck egg blue and pale pistachio. Perfect for everyday and occasion wear, you can mix and match across the range of necklaces, bracelets and earrings.

Our second trend is lush tropics in our award-winning Floria collection, with bright lime green, raspberry pink and cobalt blue. A real injection

of colour in statement resin jewellery, which will co-ordinate well with the palm fronds, butterfl y wings and parrot feathers we’ll be seeing in fashion. Add either a spot of colour or go the whole hog with the wide collection of necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings available.

Colour really does return this season with orange, red and pink hues all key tones.Sarah Watmore, Owner of fashion jewellery brand Miss Millywww.missmilly.co.uk

Hannah Turner’s Owl collection www.hannahturner.co.uk

Miss Millywww.missmilly.co.uk

22 giftfocus

trend talk

The vintage look has become a staple of the high street and beyond. Many companies are now looking to their history and heritage to re-invent classic patterns. A consequence of this is that we’ve become a nation of bakers and makers, with the kitchen being very much a central part of the home. The economic situation has also encouraged people to consider what they can achieve themselves with guidance from TV personalities like Mary Berry and Kirstie Allsopp.

Natural as a trend is one that continually develops and re-invents itself over time. It’s all pervading and ingrained in our lives. However, we’re looking deeper into the natural world for inspiration and we should expect to see some new natural colour palettes with a twist, moving away from earth tones.Richard Eaton, Design Director for Denby Brandswww.denby.co.uk

Although there’s talk of the economy strengthening, it will be some time before the average person feels any benefi t. And when they do, I suspect there won’t be a great loosening of the purse strings.

My guess is that what little disposable income there is will be spent on holidays – and when it comes to gifting or self-purchase, functional products will continue to do well.

I can’t see that there will be a sudden surge in

people going out to restaurants, so I expect candle sales to be buoyant as people opt to dine and entertain at home.

As ever, customers will want new products, new fragrances and variety. This is what will drive our sales in 2014.Tom Sykes, General Manager at Xystoswww.xystos.co.uk

The make do and mend trend is going to be strong next year and hand-made products using traditional crafts like stitching, knitting and sewing will do well. The same will be true for DIY kits and craft materials while scrap booking and stamping continue to grow in popularity. British-made cards and gifts will continue with their ongoing success, particularly those featuring British woodland wildlife. Multi-use gift items like candles with reusable tins, for example, will also do well. Value for money is going to remain important as the economy strengthens so pricing will be important

for both suppliers and retailers. This doesn’t necessarily mean price items cheaply; pricing has to make sense and offer good value for money with appropriate brands. Gifts with a clear purpose (especially those with targeted sentiments to family, friends and loved ones) will remain strong sellers in 2014.Jeremy Corner, Owner of Blue Eyed SunJeremy will be speaking on Trends in the Greeting Card, Stationery and Gift Markets at Spring Fair on Monday 3rd February, 2014 at 12.15pm in the Trend Theatre. www.blueeyedsun.co.uk

Denbywww.denby.co.uk

Denbywww.denby.co.uk

giftfocus 23

trends

Spring, as always, gives us the chance to bring in some fresh new colours, and this season will be full of striking yellow and electric blue hues. A lot of the current shades seen on the high street will be toned back to more earthy hues and tones. Gold has featured prominently on the catwalks, and handbags and purses will feature more hardware in this shade than previously seen.

There’s been a shift away from the leopard

and snakeskin prints that had become a staple in our wardrobes. The new look is a softer tone of tortoiseshell which many of the top designers have put onto handbags and statement jewellery pieces.

We’ll continue to see accessories with slogans emblazed across the front, more fringing and tassels to complement plainer designs. Janette Faulkner, Founder of Mala Leatherwww.malaleather.com

We expect the trend for fashion gifts to continue in 2014. Our Equilibrium range of jewellery and accessories will follow the latest fashion trends and also keep its feet fi rmly in the gifting camp. This will see more delicate pieces, gold and silver combinations and crystals being very much in focus. Following an emerging trend started in 2012, sentimental jewellery is also developing strongly.

It will be a more gentle evolution across homewares and general giftware with subtle washed out colours like blue and grey hues really seeming to be in favour. We’re very excited about some new fi nishes we’ve seen in decorative glass too.

In the baby and nursery sector there are bright and bold colours following gender specifi c themes like rockets, super heroes, princesses and fairies.

For retailers prepared to try something different we will push the boundaries again with the launch of a range of funky socks called Yo Sox! Our hugely successful snoozies!® have really established themselves as a hot gift line; themes will be repeating patterns, animal fi nishes, coloured fl eece insides and new bling colours. With so much development going on we’re all very excited about 2014. Paul Hooker, Commercial Director of Joe Davieswww.joedavies.co.uk

With the economy still recovering from a bitter recession, consumers are still craving products with a nostalgic authentic feel. The vintage trend that has been strong for the past few seasons is still very much in evidence, but it has moved on. This can be seen clearly through the use of retro labels and brands, vintage typography as well as nostalgic themes and characters featuring across kitchenware and homeware accessories.

With demand for the past an overriding factor for 2014, there will be a move back to organic shapes and rustic forms reminiscent of individual craftsmanship

with a distinct hand-made feel.The baking trend that has grown from strength

to strength over the past few years shows no signs of abating but will develop slightly, with the focus moving away from traditional baking utensils to baking accessories, such as storage jars and utensils. With a notable change throughout this trend, there will be a clear move towards softer, pastel colour palettes that will evoke feelings of the ’50s. Caitlin Laws, Marketing Assistant at Creative Topswww.creative-tops.com

Equilibrium jewellery from Joe Davieswww.joedavies.co.uk

giftfocus 25

Gifts for a special lady

mum in a million

mo

ther’s day

Lesser & Pavey offers a new range of products under licence from Jennifer Rose Naylor, called Vintage Lane, with other exciting new designs to follow. In addition to the wording shown on the products, there are items dedicated to Nan and Grandma, as well as products with Valentine’s Day in mind that say With Love. Products include gift bags, scented candle tin and candle jar, decorative hanging heart plaque – also available as a free standing plaque – reed diffusers, fine wine glass and china mug, fine china cup and saucer, pretty satin cushions to decorate a bedroom and fridge magnets. T: +44 (0)1322 279 225www.leonardo.co.uk

Alljoy Design’s new range of laser-cut cards combines striking foils and is hand-embellished with diamantés. Measuring 128mm x 178mm, all of the cards are blank inside and come with a coloured envelope. T: +353 (0)1 445 3537www.alljoydesign.com

The Naturally Natural range of candle tins from Best Kept Secrets makes a great selection for Mother’s Day. The range, which is now available in 12 one-of-a-kind fragrance blends, uses soy wax from renewable sources and only the finest essential oils. The natural wicks mean that the entire candle is sourced and produced in the UK and uses completely natural products. T: +44 (0)1670 512 222www.bestkeptsecrets.co.uk

giftfocus 25

Searching for something fresh and new for Mother’s Day? The Holy Mackerel One Lump or Two spring collection features Erica Sturla’s warm and witty artwork. This best-selling range includes 10 Mother’s Day cards that offer those difficult-to-find Mother’s Day designs for first-time mums, grandmas and step mums. You can browse Holy Mackerel’s full collection of more than 600 cards online, or call the company for an up-to-date brochure.T: +44 (0)1297 33 899www.holy-mackerel.co.uk

Rose & Co. was created by the inspiring mother and daughter team of Patricia and Caroline Rose. Their passion for beautiful vintage design, delicious fragrances and British heritage has led to an iconic Victorian-inspired apothecary in the heart of Yorkshire and a well-loved brand of gorgeous gifts for any occasion. Apart from finding pretty little treasures for each other, Patricia & Caroline love to create beautiful products for the Rose & Co. collection. Among their favourites for this gift-giving season are Sugar Rose Bath Fancies, available in a prettily packaged box of three.T: +44 (0)1827 280 080www.graftons.co.uk

26 giftfocus

mum in a million

Yankee Candle® has introduced a new generation of gift sets. Launching for spring and summer 2014, the new sets have been developed specifi cally for the international market. The fl oral theme for the spring collection is designed to meet consumer demand identifi ed from the brand’s extensive research. This collection features refreshing and wild fl oral fragrances, as well as a new packaging design in spring’s hottest colours to really attract consumer attention. The number of products has also increased. Joining its popular classic candle gift sets, which now includes a new medium jar candle, Yankee Candle® has launched a new set of nine Wax Tarts, a 5 Votives set and a 4 Votives & 4 Bucket Votive Holders set. T: +44 (0)117 316 1200www.yankeecandle.co.uk

All Personal Gifts provides a comprehensive range of fi ne silver-plated gifts that can be engraved for a personal touch, presented in top quality boxes. The whole range comprises business card cases, desk and table clocks, handbag mirrors, cuffl inks, photo frames, bookmarks, desk and offi ce gifts, novelties and games, key rings, tableware items and wine and spirit gifts. Pictured is a butterfl y key ring, ideal for mums this Mother’s Day. T: +44 (0)800 030 2345www.allpersonalgifts.co.uk

MotherDaughter is one of several new fi gurines added to the Willow Tree collection for 2014, available from Enesco. Hand-carved by artist Susan Lordi – as is every piece in the collection – the fi gurine celebrates the strength of the bond between a mother and her daughter, and its foundation in love and laughter. Inspired by Susan’s personal memories of her time with her own daughter, the sculpture features a mother hugging her child as they laugh and play together. T: +44 (0)1228 404 022www.enesco.co.uk

Gibsons has many products suitable for mums on this special day. Last year, Gibsons introduced two new Downton Abbey jigsaws, a 1,000-piece and a 4 x 500 piece to add to the ever-growing collection. In addition to the Downton Abbey range, Gibsons also produces beautiful Call the Midwife jigsaws that capture the heart-warming atmosphere of the hugely popular BBC drama that takes us back into London’s East End in the ’50s. There are two jigsaws available; a 1,000-piece and a 500-piece that both feature the nuns and children that appear in the drama alongside midwives Jenny, Trixie, Cynthia and Chummy.T: +44 (0)20 8661 8866www.gibsonsgames.co.uk

26 giftfocus

Joe Davies always has a vast selection of Mother’s Day gifts to please its independent retail customers. This year, the company has high hopes for its new Mum’s Style collection. The series features soft pinks and lilacs with butterfl ies and heart-warming messages guaranteed to charm every Mum. Retail prices for Mum’s Style start from just £1.99, and as always everything is available with the company’s little and often quantities. T: +44 (0)161 975 6300www.joedavies.co.uk

28 giftfocus

Winter in Venice is an award-winning brand of British toiletries and gifts. Its moisture locked natural formula is paraben-free and enriched with shea butter, cocoa butter, mango butter, almond oil, plant and fruit extracts. The brand has added vitamin A, vitamin E, pro vitamin B5 and evening primrose oil to leave skin feeling totally pampered and nourished. Winter in Venice is against all animal testing and cruelty. Each Bath Gift set consists of an array of high quality toiletries placed inside reusable containers such as hat, sewing and jewellery boxes to complement your house and garden. T: +44 (0)845 652 1223www.winterinvenice.co.uk

Miss Milly has a large selection of jewellery suitable for gifting this Mother’s Day. Help your customers show their love for Mum with a pretty pastel heart necklace, which uses a touch of crystal for sparkle. Now available in purple, pink and aqua, this has been one of Miss Milly’s best-selling designs since it launched in 2012. The brand also has a line of contemporary classics, including great value freshwater pearl jewellery, with necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings available. Add to your display with multi-coloured jewellery to make it easier for customers who are unsure of which colour to pick. T: +44 (0)1905 622 509www.missmilly.co.uk

mum in a million

The Special Mum candle from Pintail Candles is available in the best-selling fragrance of Patchouli & Tibetan Musk, with an attractive pink fl oral design. Also available is the Special Grandma candle featuring a delightful Geranium & Rose Petal fragrance. With an RRP of under £5, these candle tins are a wonderful and affordable way for people to show their appreciation this Mother’s Day. T: +44 (0)1539 559 007www.pintailcandles.com

This sterling silver Mum pendant is made with real forget-me-not fl owers by Shrieking Violet. Complete with an 18in sterling silver chain and stylish gift box, this necklace is a thoughtful and appropriate gift for mums. T: +44 (0)20 8521 9151www.fl owerjewellery.co.uk

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The intricate Harmony series from Kenro is an elegant selection of silver fi nished photo frames that would make a luxurious addition to any room. The Harmony Classic version has a 20mm-wide profi le, is delicately decorated with fi ne crystals, has an ivory coloured enamel border and is available in two sizes. The Harmony Elegant Crystals series is equally stunning with a lattice design of clear crystals and a black velour lined back. There’s a choice of six designs in the series. T: +44 (0)1793 615 836www.kenro.co.uk

Absolutely Divine is the UK distributor for the whimsical and fun collection of double-sided art charms from Pick Up Sticks Jewellery of New Mexico in the USA. The charms feature miniature vintage images alongside added messages. There’s an eclectic mix of alphabet charms and a host of collectable trinkets, allowing customers to create their own jewellery designs with messages for family and friends. There are hundreds of designs to choose from. T: +44 (0)1285 862 470www.absolutelydivine.uk.com

30 giftfocus

Amongst Gaeltag Keltika’s spring offering from the Lolita range is a selection of glasses that are tailor-made for Mother’s Day, ranging from Chocoholic, Queen of Hearts and Heart of Gold, to the mum-specifi c Mum You’re Amazing and Mummy’s Time Out. All of these designs are the perfect partners for a bottle of something special or a box of chocolates. T: +44 (0)20 8998 1781www.lolitadesigns.co.uk

Talbot Fashion’s new spring/summer 2014 collection features many designs ideal for mums on their special day. Items include a crystal embellished seahorse, gecko and snakes, which are a Victorian symbol of eternal love. All great sellers, the range also includes lockets, crosses, and sentiment jewellery that are perfect for that special Mother’s Day gift.T: +44 (0)1273 776 415www.talbotfashions.co.uk

mum in a million

Busy Bee Candles is offering a huge selection of wonderfully scented candles, wax tarts and tea lights this Mother’s Day. Customers can choose from a variety of heavily scented, beautifully presented soy wax products and Paraben-free bath and body lines. There are more than 200 fragrances available. T: +44 (0)7511 642 733www.busybeecandles.co.uk

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The Little Book of Earrings solves the problem of how to store and carry your earrings safely and securely at home or when traveling and ensures that you can always fi nd a matching pair. The Little Book of Earrings is designed like a book with each of its four pages able to hold up to 12 pairs, including clip-ons and creoles. The pages are padded and the fi xing holes are off set to ensure the earrings are held securely when the book is closed, preventing them from becoming tangled and possibly damaged. There are a number of colour options available. T: +44 (0)20 3371 1522www.littleshopof.co.uk

Hazel Atkinson is set to make Mother’s Day special this year by giving the gift of hand-made original jewellery. Hazel makes every piece in her Nottingham studio, creating fl oral designs in stunning colours with butterfl y, heart and fl ower adornments that will make a long lasting and treasured gift. Crafted from anodized aluminium the beautiful and robust colours won’t fade, and despite the metal being durable, it’s also incredibly light and very wearable. T: +44 (0)115 941 1110www.hazelatkinsonjewellery.co.uk

Tel 01629815413 | Email sales@multiplydesign.com

Website: www.multiplygifts.com

Multiply Design, Unit 12b Deepdale Business Park, Ashford road, Bakewell, DE45 1GT

Hand made pewter gifts designed and made in England by Chris and Nicky AlgarCreate an account on our website to buy online.

New for 2014 our own brand cerise pillow boxes.

NEW“circle of love” keyrings and

pendants.

info@wood-knit-bee.com

JHDesignpointenquiries@jhdesignpoint.nettel/fax: 0141 339 4927

Right: Bicentenary of Mansfield Park 2014.

Left: ever popular Pride and Prejudice.

From a New Series of designs of UK Wildlife+/- literary quotes.

32 giftfocus

mum in a million

Rosanna Rossi has launched six additions to its Lovey Dovey spring range of greetings cards for 2014, featuring a mix of open Mother’s Day titles with decorative hearts and birds, pretty geisha dolls and fancy teacups. These are all enhanced with beautiful embossed and colourful foil detailing. The collection is complemented with fuchsia coloured envelopes, and the cards measure 150mm x 150mm. T: +44 (0)7900 698 522www.rosanna-rossi.co.uk

The Floating Mug is off to a great start. Launched officially to retailers in October, it sold out a full month before the busiest shopping period. The popular mug and coaster design is also proving very functional. The company will be building on its inventory in anticipation of its first full year of sales. T: +44 (0)7730 521 430www.floatingmug.com

The individual designs of NOA’s jewellery suit women of different styles and ages, and make the ideal British-made gift. The company’s ceramics can be framed with cool aluminium, warm brass or sterling silver. The large range of designs on offer makes it possible for buyers to tailor collections to suit their customers. Trade prices range between £5 - £27, and a trade catalogue is available from the company’s website.T: +44 (0)29 2075 8409www.noajewellery.com

Ronin Designs, a specialist in semi-precious gemstone jewellery, is launching three new ranges for the spring season. Hand-made in Wales, all of the company’s pieces are supplied in beautiful gift boxes, making them an ideal gift for Mother’s Day.T: +44 (0)1269 826 000www.ronindesigns.co.uk

32 giftfocus

This Celebration Bubble from D & J Glassware is ideal for mums this Mother’s Day. Mouth-blown in high quality glass, the ball contains strands of glass inside to symbolise the many ways that a mother loves, nurtures and guides her child. Each Celebration Bubble is a one-of-a-kind piece, which makes it even more personal. Each item is individually boxed, gift tagged and supplied with a white satin ribbon. T: +44 (0)1953 450 280www.dandjglassware.co.uk

34 giftfocus

Create some fun displays in-store this Easter with our inspiration pages

tempting treats

Tilnar Art’s range of hand-made recycled metal chickens make a great gift and display for Easter. These sculptures are hand-made by artists in Zimbabwe and are created from recycled oil drums. Each is a one-of-a-kind piece of artwork and sculpture produced under fair trade guidelines. T: +44 (0)1277 362 815www.tilnarart.co.uk

For 2014, Yankee Candle® has launched its White Chocolate Bunnies design, its first ever white chocolate scent which joins the best-selling Bunny Cake. White Chocolate Bunnies is a delicious twist on a classic Easter treat – creamy, sweet white chocolate with a touch of vanilla. Back by popular demand, Bunny Cake brings a sweet treat of sugary coconut, creamy vanilla and bright citrus into the home. Both of these fragrances are limited edition for the Easter period. T: +44 (0)117 316 1200www.yankeecandle.co.uk

Dora Designs has an attractive range of cute farmyard animal doorstops, paperweights and draught excluders. Take your pick from the motherly Mrs Cockolarum Hen, Liddy Lou Lambkin, Flock of Sheep or Maisy Mallard and her family of ducklings. T: +44 (0)1733 305 452www.doradesigns.co.uk

Easter cards from Alljoy Design are created with the beautiful technique of laser-cutting. Cut from high quality textural card, the shapes are hung on metallic paper and hand-finished with sparkling diamantés. The laser-cut piece can also be used as decoration and as a bookmark. T: +353 (0)1 445 3537www.alljoydesign.com

Last year, Puckator’s solar dancing animals were its best-selling products. For 2014 it has increased the range, including more of the brand’s own individual designs. This dancing chick is sure to prove a success for any retailer selling Easter gifts. Available from January, just pop it in your shop window and watch it dance! T: +44 (0)800 011 6969www.puckator.co.uk

giftfocus 35

Aroma Home has just the thing for keeping feet warm this Easter. A popular favourite year-on-year, Fuzzy Friends slippers are designed to gently stimulate your feet as you move around in them, as well as keeping them warm and cosy. There are 13 characters to choose from, including Duck and Sheep. T: +44 (0)1793 487 684www.aromahome.com

The Happy Easter party range from Neviti features an adorable bunny motif, Easter eggs and a palette of pink, yellow, blue and purple hues. The collection includes bunting that’s suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, and spells out Happy Easter.

Colourful eggs are ideal for decorating a room or garden, while baking is a joy with the cupcake cases covered in a chevron and Easter egg design, with a cute bunny cake pick adding the finishing touch. Paper plates and bunny napkins are also included. Younger guests can enjoy the Happy Easter bubbles – a perfect addition to table settings. T: +44 (0)1494 473 211www.cscimports.com

Jim Shore celebrates the Easter season in true form with the latest additions to the ever-popular Heartwood Creek collection for January 2014. Available from Enesco, these chicks are decorated in spring colours, patterns and motifs with Jim’s style touch. They’re part of an introduction of five brand new Easter figurines. T: +44 (0)1228 404 022www.enesco.co.uk

This Easter, Daisy Roots UK has a gorgeous collection of bunny shoes for you to add to your gift range. Available in pale blue, navy and baby pink, the design features a cute bunny with a fluffy tail. To help turn these shoes into the perfect Easter gift, Daisy Roots UK can provide them in display bags or in an elegant gift box. The shoes are available in four sizes: nought to six, six to 12, 12 to 18 and 18 to 24 months. T: +44 (0)1604 880 066www.daisy-roots.com

easter

Traditional Kashmiri crafts have long been prized for their colourful and distinctive decoration but relentless political turmoil in Kashmir, India brings economic hardship and a near collapse of the tourism industry. Namaste strives to develop trade with disadvantaged producers in the hope that trading with such a troubled area will brighten their future and help preserve traditional crafts. These beautifully hand-painted eggs make great ornaments or gifts – why not try heaping in a glass bowl or on a decorative plate? Colours and designs are entirely assorted.

T: +44 (0)1756 700 790www.namaste-uk.com

36 giftfocus

New Overseas Traders offers a range of animal strings, hand-made in West Bengal by a women’s self-help co-operative. They’re made from 100 per cent recycled materials, which means they’re completely green as well as being colourful and endearing. The medium size string measures 90cm long and the large string is 155cm long. T: +44 (0)1672 851 166www.newoverseastraders.co.uk

Bobby Bunny is part of Original Candy’s range of natural candy. Free from artifi cial fl avours and colours, the confectionery is a great alternative to chocolate for the spring season. It offers great counter-top sales and product life, and is a great pick-up line with a cost of just 60p and RRP of £1.25. T: +44 (0)1628 535 991www.originalcandyco.com

tempting treats

Busy Bee Candles offers a huge range of heavily scented, soy wax home fragrance products and a Paraben-free bath and body range, all of which are hand-made in Wales. With fragrances such as Spring Daffodils, Chocolate Fudge Brownie and Spring Bouquet, the scents fi t perfectly with Easter. There are more than 200 fragrances available. T: +44 (0)7511 642 733www.busybeecandles.co.uk

The Squegg is a new talking point of Thorntons’ Easter range. This quirky squashed egg is the brand’s new must-have gift for teens this Easter. The creamy cookies & cream and cinnamon & waffl e fl avour Squeggs were voted its best fl avours. T: +44 (0)845 121 1911www.thorntons.co.uk

Cozy Plush is a range of different fully microwavable soft toys from Intelex. Simply warm them in the microwave for two minutes to release the soothing lavender aroma. Pictured are the duck and sheep characters. T: +44 (0)1933 679 777www.intelex.co.uk

With spring around the corner, these faux speckled eggs from Jane Means will brighten up any interior. The lightweight eggs can be scattered in a bowl or hung on an Easter tree. Jane says: “In the past retailers have bought our lightweight eggs to use in a shop feature or window display, only to fi nd that they’ve had to order more as customers love them so much.” The cartons of six eggs are available in several colours, including popular pastel pink and are priced at £2.40.T: +44 (0)1522 522 544www.janemeans.com

ABSOLUTELY DIVINE

38 giftfocus

GA newsAll the latest news from The Giftware Association

Survey reveals business optimism and satisfaction with The GAMore than 73 per cent of suppliers and 60 per cent of retailers who took part in The GA’s pan-industry survey in 2013 have said they expect business to improve. The survey was carried out by The GA to enable it to better represent the views of those within the gift and home industry and provide the most appropriate assistance.

Almost 74 per cent of those questioned said they would recommend The GA to a colleague, while more than 76 per cent were totally satisfied with the association’s services.

Supplier members rated trade fair discounts and warnings about fraudulent companies or scams among The GA’s key services, while retailer members valued special offers on products from supplier members; savings on reduced credit card processing rates and free trade magazines. Legislation updates and industry information were important to both.

An increased perception of the new GA website illustrated that it was having a positive effect on users.

Respondents variously described The GA as “a comfort blanket” and “a great organisation to be a part of ”, while others said “it has improved over the last five years”, was “very supportive of my business” and a “very well- run and professional body that works hard to stay relevant and current to the industry it represents”.

More than twice as many entries for Gift of the Year 2014The association reported that entries to The GA’s Gift of the Year 2014 were more than double the previous year. Popular categories include Kids, Under £10, Kitchen & Dining, Home Accessories, Made in the UK and Home Fragrance.

GA Chief Executive, Isabel Martinson, says that their strength may be a trends’ indicator, citing fashion jewellery and fashion accessories as examples where this has happened in previous years.

“There’s definitely been a resurgence of interest in products made in the UK,” comments Isabel. “British retailers will always search out quality. But they also want products to be accessible, which is why home-based manufacturers – with shorter lead times than those from the Far East – are winning customers. Also, rising costs in China, coupled with higher freight charges, can also give them an edge.”

She believes that the growing popularity of the competition is due to a realisation by suppliers that winning Gift of the Year – or being highly commended – can boost sales and enhance their credibility.

The awards will be presented at the NEC, Birmingham at the close of Spring Fair on Sunday 2nd February. The headline sponsor is show organiser i2i Events.

Spring Fair voucher scheme set to be biggest to dateThe GA’s member-to-member voucher initiative – where suppliers offer their retailer counterparts special deals at trade shows – is set to be the biggest ever at Spring Fair.

A number of companies – including Tilnar Art and Blue Eyed Sun – have already taken advantage of the association’s new package. This rewards them with discounts if they participate in two shows or all three events – Spring Fair, Home & Gift and Autumn Fair – where the scheme is operating.

A new feature for those taking part is an online showroom on The GA website, similar to its Inspire section. Here, suppliers will be able to upload a product image or range, together with descriptive editorial.

The scheme is supported by GA-tailored emails to retailers – who receive their voucher sheets by post – as well as advertising, a social media campaign and news coverage in relevant trade magazines.

Suppliers taking part include Ancestors, Blue Eyed Sun, British Fossils, Cavendish French, CSC Imports, Half Moon Bay, HHJ Trading, Lifemax, Maingate, Mandarin Arts, Nick Smyth Trading, Opal Trading, Peartree Heybridge, Perfect Pillow,

Ping Ping Jewellery, Sebnini, Tilnar Art and Really Good with ‘Soul’.

GA signs 83 new members: quest to bring buyers and sellers closerThe GA signed 83 new members in 2013 as it began what Isabel Martinson describes as “a big push to bring suppliers and retailers closer to each other.”

This mission statement is close to the heart of GA chairman-elect Michael Papé, who is keen for the association to be seen as a facilitator of trade between the two after it successfully introduced virtual showrooms on its website.

Isabel says: “It was no accident that Michael asked experienced independent retail consultant Henri Davis to be his Vice Chairman. It was a conscious decision as Michael, who is a supplier, wanted The GA to have a well-rounded offering that was representative of all its members.”

Isabel says that in 2014 the association will launch a campaign that will see The GA reach out to “the people who do such a great job in our shops and stores” as it strives to create an exhaustive database that will be “irresistible” to its supplier members. g

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

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The CarrieMe Collection of gifts and useful accessories includes Bag Hooks, Finders and limited editions handmade in the UK.

Get your complimentary product when you order quoting GFCMS14 - offer ends 10/2/2014.

For sales please contact:Carrie Gregory-Hoodcarrie.gh@carrieme.co.uk

T: 020 7912 0108 M: 07801 715707

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Your Everyday Indulgence

40 giftfocus

looking aheadWe speak to Michael Papé, The Giftware Association’s Chairman-elect, about his hopes and aspirations in preparation for his appointment in June

As young boys, Michael Papé and his brother Richard would rummage through the suitcases their mother and father brought back from sourcing trips to the Far East.

Packed with samples such as toys, rubber snakes and plush, this was Michael’s introduction to the industry whose trade body, The GA, will install him as its Chairman in June.

He recalls the excitement at the return of parents Barry and Susan, laden with the goods from which they would select their new ranges: “That was the first product screening. If we broke anything it just wasn’t considered!”

During school holidays he helped out in their warehouse and also earned pocket money for attaching swing tickets to toys. Hardly surprising then that Michael is now a Director of Ravensden, the family firm. But his career path was by no means clear.

Although he spent his gap year working for the business before going to university, Michael originally wanted to join the Army. He eventually settled on the TA, in which he served throughout the ’90s. Michael then completed an intensive business course and returned to Ravensden.

That was 18 years ago. Today, he enjoys a variety of roles within the company including key account management, purchasing and supplier management, compliance and corporate social responsibility, along with general business management.

Ravensden has been a member of The GA since 1983, and although Michael is happy to adopt the benefits that the company enjoys through membership, including an advantageous rate for health insurance and trade show discounts, it’s the bigger picture that is equally, if not more, important to him.

“Being a member of The GA gives our company a level of credibility and that’s particularly evident when someone is looking at our business for the first time. That’s why we use the association’s logo on the Ravensden website and in all our catalogues.”

So what are his hopes and aspirations for his two-year chairmanship? Michael prefaces

his reply by saying that it’s the association’s communal strength that benefits members. “My mantra is that we should work together even more closely and pool our knowledge. As an industry we have many problems in common. Five people affected by the same issue can achieve much more through The GA than by working alone.

“I would hate, for instance, to see someone come a cropper because another member hasn’t shared their experience with others. A classic example is where a supplier loses money because a customer fails to pay – and then, because information hasn’t been passed on, that same company takes down somebody else.”

There are many people in the gift and home industry – many of them members – with whom he is able to have “honest discussions and bounce ideas off.”

He hopes to help forge a closer relationship between members and associations within the British Allied Trades Federation for the benefit of all concerned, and says: “We don’t all compete against each other all of the time – we have our own little niches. So it’s about sharing ideas and experiences.”

Michael cites recent examples of The GA’s effectiveness – including its warnings about proposed anti-dumping duties, which saved members significant sums of money. “What good trade associations such as The GA do is present that information to members in a relevant and digestible form.”

He’s keen to recruit more businesses into The GA and broaden the membership and feels that recent moves will help achieve this.

“We have a community where companies can offer incentives to retailers, who in turn know that they can come to The GA and find suppliers that can sell them credible products. The new virtual showrooms on the association’s website give me, as a supplier, a great shop window and are a calling point and a resource for the retailer.

“I want The GA to continue to facilitate trade between our supplier and retailer members for

their benefit and that of the association.”He describes his invitation to independent

retail consultant Henri Davis to be his Vice Chairman as “a conscious decision” and adds: “I’m supplier focused and Henri is retailer focused, which gives us a rounded offering that is representative of our members.

“It’s vital for suppliers and retailers to work hand in hand. I’ve known Henri for a number of years through The GA and worked with her briefly through the National Trust. She’s a very capable person with a good reputation who has been in the industry for a number of years.

“Going forward I hope we can ensure that we have a good spread of retailers and suppliers on The GA national committee. I also think it’s important for the association to have a mix of male and female officers – which is nothing to do with quotas but everything to do with the skills people bring to the table.”

Michael is determined to maintain a balanced lifestyle. There will still be time to enjoy walks with his barrister wife Lorna, “boisterous” sons Felix (five), Hugo (seven) and the lively chocolate-brown Labrador Lotte in the Northamptonshire countryside. If he still has the energy at the end of a busy day, you might find Michael in the kitchen indulging his passion for cooking… and enjoying a well deserved glass of wine.

The GA and Ravensden appear to be in safe hands. g

To find out more about The GA, visit www.ga-uk.org

giftfocus 43

Giftware for babies is a steady money-spinner worth stocking

HUSH A BYE BABY

babies

Rosanna Rossi has launched a new line of baby girl and boy greetings cards, which will be launched in readiness for Spring Fair. Part of the popular Spotlight birthday and occasion range, the cards are fi nished with colourful foils and emboss details. Each card is presented with a complementing metallic silver envelope and measures 150mm x 150mm. T: +44 (0)7900 698 522www.rosanna-rossi.co.uk

Totseat has launched its new Alphabet Soup design. The multi-award winning washable highchair makes meal times on the move quick and easy by creating a safe haven for babies from any adult chair. The new design features the Roman alphabet in a muted range of highly fashionable colours, adding to an already stylish collection of fabrics. This portable highchair is incredibly versatile and can be shortened or extended to fi t all manner of high-back, low-backed, traditional, weird and wonderful chairs – even a deck-chair for the summer months. T: +44 (0)131 226 6064www.totseat.com

Imajo has a wonderful range of cute and cuddly knitted toys, suitable from birth and in a soft palette of colours. Made in Sri Lanka, Imajo promises there will be new designs in the collection to look out for in early 2014. The brand is known for its extensive range of rag dolls, but we think these knitted toys with their adorable faces are hard to resist. T: +44 (0)1425 600 600www.imajo.co.uk

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The essence of the Busy Peas brand revolves around an adorable range of clothing, toys and books for babies and toddlers. The roots of the business lie in the garden, with the aim of combining fashion and education by introducing children to fruit and vegetables at an early age, encouraging them to read and learn to grow their special favourites. The Busy Peas product range comprises a vibrant range of clothing for babies from newborn to 18 months, and fi ve fruit and vegetable characters feature in a range of entertaining and educational books and toys. T: +44 (0)1772 331 883www.busypeas.co.uk

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HUSH A BYE BABY

Every product at Butterfl y Trading Co is hand-made and hand-painted, making each item one-of-a-kind and an extra special gift for a baby or child. Because of the popularity of the children’s gifts, the company has launched beautiful presentation boxes to suit its personalised door hangers and birth and christening hearts. The rigid boxes have a ribbon covering the top lid and are fi nished off with a bow, as well as an individually personalised wooden heart name tag. T: +44 (0)1383 623 482www.butterfl ytradingco.com

Babyface has a beautiful selection of cot bed quilts for little ones and prides itself on the quality of the cotton and workmanship in the appliqué detail. The designs feature cut motifs in a range of themes, from pirates to fairies, or for a timeless patchwork classic the Matilda quilt fi ts the bill. The cot bed quilts can also be used on a toddler or single bed once the child grows out of the cot. These make great heirloom gifts to welcome a new arrival. T: +44 (0)1483 481 550www.babyfacedesigns.co.uk

These lovable soft leather baby shoes are available from Pre Shoes, which has a comprehensive range of shoes and gifts for boys and girls from birth to two years. Beautifully presented, they make an ideal impulse purchase. With no minimum order, Pre Shoes offers a fl exible approach.T: +44 (0)845 257 0244www.preshoes.co.uk

The Tractor Ted wooden toy is a little wooden replica of Tractor Ted along with his smiley face. Solid and sturdy and ready for play, there’s also a red baler complete with three bales that can be hitched onto the back. T: +44 (0)1373 834 500www.tractorted.co.uk

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Baby snoozies!® are the offspring of grown up snoozies!®, Joe Davies’ exclusive hot line from the USA. They’re made from super soft, cosy Sherpa fl eece, and the baby version is available in six designs for boys and girls and in three sizes. The baby snoozies!® sit attractively in their quality display unit and can be reordered by mixed pack or size. T: +44 (0)161 975 6300www.joedavies.co.uk

All our products are Handcrafted and Hand Painted making each one not only a little bit quirky and rustic,

but best of all unique.

We have aimed for a Country Style feel with wonderful Shaker Style Lines and Colouring, which suits and delights

both children and the home.

01383 623482 info@butterflytradingco.com

www.butterflytradingco.com

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Bringing fashion and education together, Busy Peas introduces children to fruit and vegetables at an early age, encouraging them

to read and learn to grow their special favourites!

BabyPod features a vibrant range of clothing for babies from newborn to 18 months and PlayPod introduces the fruit and

vegetable characters as a range of entertaining and educational books and toys.

For more information please contact Jayne ListonT 0208 748 7671

E jayne.liston@busypeas.co.uk

www.busypeas.co.uk

46 giftfocus

Under license from Cavania, Lesser & Pavey has taken illustrations from the Little Bird & Ellie range and transformed them into items of quality giftware for the baby market. The company has extensive ranges of gifts for babies in both fi ne ceramics and silverware. Lines include money boxes, fi rst curls and tooth boxes, keep sake boxes, certifi cate holders, cups and bowls, clock, gift bags, baby gift set and photo frames. T: +44 (0)1322 279 225www.leonardo.co.uk

The Baby Keepsake Box from Signature Gifts contains an original newspaper, teddy, engraved birth certifi cate and photo frame presented in a premium foil embossed keepsake box. Launching in January is My First Year Book, a commemorative gift to record a baby’s fi rst year, but unlike others of this type, it contains a full newspaper from the birthdate reproduced in colour and bound inside a premium foil embossed personalised cover. T: +44 (0)844 669 9300www.signature-gifts.co.uk

HUSH A BYE BABY

Two new collections have been added to the GUND Baby range for 2014, available from Enesco. Stripes & Dots™ features four animals – Grigsby™ Giraffe, Evert™ Elephant, Teller™ Turtle and Brynlee™ Bunny – in pretty pastel shades of spots. Each character is available in two formats: plush and matching size rattles. The Mini Meadow range features four characters, also available as rattles and plush: Briar™ Bear, Clove™ Cat, Begonia™ Bunny and Mossly™ Mouse. The animals are wearing cute gingham outfi ts in pastel shades and are all suitable from birth. T: +44 (0)1228 404 022www.enesco.co.ukA welcome addition to the From You to Me multi award-winning

Parent & Child range, Dear Baby Guest Book makes a wonderful gift for baby showers, new baby celebrations, christenings or naming ceremonies. Available in three colourways with beautifully illustrated pages, space for messages, photos and gift details, Dear Baby Guest Book is a wonderful way to create a one-of-a-kind baby keepsake. T: +44 (0)1225 866 225www.fromyoutome.com

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A Baby Clothes Bouquet from The Flower Stork combines the beauty of fl owers with essential items of baby clothes to bring you a new baby gift range that’s as beautiful as it is practical. The bouquets contain high quality 100 per cent cotton UK-made baby clothes, aged three - six months. Recipients can enjoy the bouquet for a period, as you would a bouquet of fresh fl owers. The fl ower buds can be unfurled to fi nd a selection of essential baby clothes hidden inside. T: +44 (0)1495 303 030www.thefl owerstork.com

HUSH A BYE BABY

Daisy Roots UK believes that every new baby deserves the best possible start. Its giftware collection is hand-made with loving pride in Great Britain and the items make gorgeous new baby gifts and keepsakes. This cute Camper Van continues to be one of the brand’s best-selling designs. This spring, Daisy Roots is introducing a pale pink camper to the range. This will be available as a pair of soft leather shoes, a gift boxed organic cotton top or a gift set comprising an organic cotton top with a pair of shoes. T: +44 (0)1604 880 066www.daisy-roots.com

48 giftfocus

After its highly successful launch in autumn, Mousehouse is going from strength to strength in both its gift and soft toy collections, and has big plans for expansion early this year, including moving to new offi ces and larger warehouse facilities. Mousehouse is expanding its range of baby products to include hand-crafted gift sets, record books and baby imprint sets alongside key boxed collections of matching comforters, rattles and music boxes. They’re all available in traditional soft blues and pinks but their usual trademark quirky, tasteful designs. T: +44 (0)1606 868 000www.mousehousegifts.co.uk

Blue Eyed Sun’s Gorgeous range is based on original hand-stitched embroideries by Jo Corner. Printed with beautiful embossed motifs, the cards are then hand-fi nished with jewels and come with an RRP of £2.99 (trade price £1.25 each). The Vintage range is based on original stitched artworks and four-colour printed with embossing. This charming collection is also fi nished with jewels. All the cards come cello-wrapped with a coloured envelope. T: +44 (0)1273 823 003www.blueeyedsun.co.uk

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retail technology

If you have a website and rely on Google listings to bring in customers, you may be aware of Google updates and how they can change the position of your website in Google search listings. You will have probably heard of Panda, Penguin and other friendly names, however, a Google update can seriously damage your business. Here’s a potted history of Google updates, and my own view on how to reduce the risks of being damaged by them.

What is a Google update?Bing has just launched a new logo for its search engine, as it strives to make a bigger dent into Google’s dominance, but it’s still miles behind. Google has its faults, but it really is good at delivering relevant search results, which is why

they’re so utterly dominant in this market. Google search is powered by its secret

algorithm and every now and again the Google team find new ways to improve it. These improvements are sometimes announced and, more recently, kept quiet. In either case they do tend to have an impact on the search results.

So, if you sell teddy bears online and are lucky enough to be in Google’s first page results for these items, you’ll probably be getting a nice revenue stream from new customers. How would you feel though if Google publishes an update that pushes you down, and effectively out of the search results? You would lose most, if not all, of your teddy bear business overnight.

This does actually happen. Some businesses have literally gone bust; as a result they’ve launched petitions with thousands of signatures asking Google to remove updates, but chances are nothing will happen. It’s pretty scary but

very real. There are lots of cases where small businesses have lost more than 40 per cent of their turnover overnight after the Google Panda update. Who knows when the next one will strike?

For those wanting to track such things, there are SEO companies that have tools to track changes in Google rankings on a massive scale and give temperature readings to reflect change in rankings. When the temperature gets above 100 degrees, it means there are lots of changes to Google rankings. Webmasters then get very twitchy.

Google has more recently become wary about officially confirming when updates are released. Partly because so much rides on Google listings for so many businesses, and also after the uproar that happened with Panda and Penguin updates. As this is an area of concern for people, there are rumours that fly thick and fast. Here’s a summary of some of the main Google updates in recent years.

on the searchDavid Mackley brings you a guide to Google updates and his views on how to reduce the risk of being damaged by them

“Google search is powered by its secret algorithm and every now and again the Google team find new ways to improve it. These improvements are sometimes announced and, more recently,

kept quiet. In either case they do tend to have an impact on the

search results.”

52 giftfocus

Google updates – A potted history

• Domain Crowding – May 2013. Google released an update to reduce the problem where a website comes up multiple times for the same search term. • Exact-Match Domain Update – September 2012. Google announced a change in the way it handled exact-match domains (where the search term is the same as the URL of the website, e.g. teddy bears = www.teddybears.com). This led to devalued listings for about one per cent of sites. • 7-Result SERPs – August 2012. Google made a change to limit its first page to only show seven, and not 10 results for many queries. This change impacted about 18 per cent of keywords.• DMCA Penalty – August 2012. DMCA stands for Digital Millennium Copyright Act. You can post a DMCA Takedown to request an Internet Service Provider (ISP) takes down material that infringes another’s copyright. Google announced that it would start penalising sites with repeat copyright violations, probably via DMCA takedown requests. • Knowledge Graph – May 2012. In a step towards semantic search, Google started rolling out Knowledge Graph, a new page layout providing extra information about certain people, places, and things. Type Star Wars into Google and see the Knowledge Panel appear. • Penguin – April 2012. Google rolled out this major anti-spam update, which became known as Penguin. Penguin impacted an estimated three per cent of English queries. A number of changes were made to clean up search listings. Sites were penalised for keyword stuffing, participating in link schemes, deliberate creation of duplicate content and other underhand techniques.• Venice – February 2012. This update appeared to give more strength to geographically based results, e.g. if Google knows you are in Leeds and you type in toy shop, you’re more likely to get local shops appear than shops down in Devon.• Ads Above The Fold – January 2012. Google devalued sites with too many adverts in the top part of the page.

• Freshness Update – November 2011. Google announced it would reward freshness, e.g. fresh content on sites. This impacted up to 35 per cent of queries. This update primarily affected search terms that were time-sensitive like news, but signalled a much stronger focus on fresh content generally. • Panda (Europe) – April 2011. A major update hit sites hard, affecting up to 12 per cent of search results. Panda seemed to crack down on websites with thin content, sites with a high ratio of adverts to content, as well as other quality issues. Google has since rolled out about 30 more revisions to Panda.

How to avoid being impacted by an updateHere is my view on how to avoid being penalised by a Google update. Take the view that Google wishes to present the best possible site for any particular search term. They want to get rid of poor quality and copied websites. Put yourself in the shoes of someone typing a search term into Google; what would you want Google to provide for that term? This mind-set will start you on the right track. Here are a few pointers: 1. Aim for your website to be a positive contribution to the World Wide Web.

2. Provide genuinely useful information in the form of text, images and video content for people to use. 3. Don’t copy or spam, i.e. don’t write junk for the sake of Google listings. 4. Endeavour to get other good quality websites to link to yours where it’s relevant and useful.

Google’s informal corporate slogan is Don’t be evil. If your general frame of mind is to cheat Google, you’re at risk. If your frame of mind is to genuinely provide useful information for people using the web, you’re less likely to be affected; in fact, you’ll probably gain good listings over time. g

David Mackley MBA BSc is Managing Director of Intelligent Retail – www.intelligentretail.co.uk – providers of multichannel EPoS and eCommerce websites for independent retailers. If you have any questions you can contact David on T: +44 (0)845 680 0126 or E: dmackley@intelligentretail.co.uk

on the search

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Create a simmering in-store display this spring and summer with these seaside treatsbeside the seasideThese beach huts and lighthouses by D & J Glassware are individually made in coloured fused glass. The lighthouses have been cleverly designed so that when they catch the light the beacon appears to light up. The beach hut collection is truly evocative of the British seaside, with names such as Dunroamin, Harbour View and Sea Breeze. Each piece is individually tagged to confirm its hand-made authenticity and is gift boxed. T: +44 (0)1953 450 280www.dandjglassware.co.uk

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The Seaside collection from The Country Candle Company includes four fragrances: Beach Sunset, Driftwood, Ocean Mist and Seagrass Linen. These are available as a candle tin with a 30-hour burn time, vogue jar with 60-hour burn time and reed diffusers with a 100ml bottle that lasts for around eight weeks. T: +44 (0)844 915 0005www.thecountrycandlecompany.com

The Beachtime range from Lesser & Pavey makes an ideal gift and these fi ne china mugs will sit as well in a beach-side hut as a kitchen table. Each one comes in a beautifully illustrated gift box to mirror the mugs’ designs. Illustrations bring bright colours to the shelves of any store, and will capture the eyes of shoppers. T: +44 (0)1322 279 225www.leonardo.co.uk

Well known for its humorous mugs, Stubbs Mugs also has an attractive seaside collection. Designs include sandcastles, sailing boats, beach huts (solid colours and striped), gulls, boats, lighthouse and fi sh. T: +44 (0)1263 823 333www.stubbsmugs.co.uk

These ceramic Beach Huts from Puckator are hand-painted in pastel colours. Finished with a high-gloss glaze, they come presented in a decorative card gift box. Each Beach Hut is an original Ted Smith Design. T: +44 (0)800 011 6969www.puckator.co.uk

seaside

Belly Boy Prints is the brainchild of Derek Cadogan, a graphic designer with a passion for letterpress typography and vintage illustrations. Pictured is the ‘Oh I do like to be beside the seaside’ print, which is A3 size. From his studio in Kinghorn, Fife, Derek creates original hand-pulled screen prints and greetings cards. T: +44 (0)1592 892 421www.bellyboyprints.co.uk

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How did Puckator begin and when? Puckator was started by myself, Mark Howard, in 1991, after a holiday in Bali inspired a career in importing. From fairly humble beginnings based in a small industrial unit on Bodmin Moor, the company has stayed loyal to its Cornish roots, now operating from a bespoke built 50,000sq ft warehouse and office close to Liskeard. The site was acquired in 2001 and has been developed as the company has grown, with the latest extension to the warehouse completed at the end of 2013. Despite the fact that the company now has offices in Spain, Italy, China and a design office in Sheffield, Cornwall is still home and always will be.

Were there any teething problems when setting up the company? As with most new start-ups, cash flow was a cause for concern in the early days, as were the pitfalls of importing hand-made goods from distant lands. However, with hard work, perseverance, the birth of online sales and a little bit of luck, the company has gone from strength to strength.

What’s the inspiration behind the company and its products? This has changed substantially over the last five years with Puckator, slowly at first but now with greater speed, changing from a company that was buying off-the-shelf to

designing the majority of products in-house. Finding recruitment of designers a challenge at our base in Cornwall, we opened an office in Sheffield in 2010; this enabled us to tap into the talent from the university and has been pivotal in the company’s continued growth

With Puckator’s expansion into Europe over the last few years, we also involve staff from the entire company when it comes to product development.

What types of products do you offer? Puckator has come a long way from the beginning when best-sellers included banana trees from Bali and wind chimes from South America. We now stock more than 5,000 products, from headphones to homeware and mugs to moustaches. Product ranges like beauty accessories, which we hadn’t dreamt of selling five years ago, are now becoming a huge part of the range. Having in-house designers has opened up a world of possibilities, with overseas buying trips now focusing on products to add designs to, rather than looking for products to buy off the shelf.

How would you describe your most recent product collections?Working with a team of in-house designers, as well as freelance artists, means Puckator has a very diverse range of own design products. From Fantasy artist Lisa Parker, with whom

Puckator has worked with on a licence basis for some time, to in-house designers Laura Bell and Teddy Smith, there really is something for every retailer and this is reflected in our customer base. We like to provide current designs, but still keep prices realistic for our traditional and growing customer base. New designs for 2014 include the Laura Bell Chouko butterfly collection, with products including pocket mirrors, cushions, beauty accessories and more. Designed by Teddy is the contemporary Robotnies range, giving retro robots a modern twist.

When was the website launched and how does it support the business? Puckator launched its first e-commerce website in 2001, long before many of our competitors. Many people thought that although business to consumer websites had started to take off, persuading traditional retailers in a B2B environment to order online just wouldn’t work. We proved that wrong, and most other importers are now selling directly to retailers online. After launching the website puckator.co.uk, we noticed we suddenly got orders from all over Europe, something that had not happened before. This gave us the confidence to first take on a French speaker to launch puckator.fr, and then onto all the other major European countries. We now have websites with full native speaking customer

fun-filledMark Howard, Managing Director of Puckator, shares how the company has grown since its inception in 1991

giftfocus 57

com

pany profi

le

service in France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Holland, Sweden, Poland and Portugal, as well as physical office presences in Spain and Italy, with France coming soon.

What sets you apart from your competitors? I think our diverse European staff base sets us apart from some of our competitors. This enables us to get a wider perspective on the European market. Also, the fact that we own our own warehouse enables us to be very flexible on minimum orders, and linked to the above, also allowed us to be the first gift importer to launch a dropshipping website back in 2003; this has gown annually since then, and now allows us to dropship for some major retailers like JD Williams and Amazon.

How do you see your business developing? Puckator will continue to increase the percentage of own design products over the coming years; this is a major factor in our growth plans.

With the launch of websites in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Holland and Sweden over the last 10 years, all offering local free phone and native speaking customer service, Europe is another target area for growth. We will continue to add to our trade fair calendar, beginning with Formex Stockholm in August 2014 and will also look at fairs further afield.

We’ll also be expanding our sales force on the ground right across Europe, beginning with Spain and Italy where we have a physical presence on the ground, to France and Germany, where plans to open further offices are in the pipeline.

As always, at Puckator we’re on the lookout for opportunities to expand the business, while sticking to the fundamentals that have made the business a success up to now.

What emerging trends do you expect for the coming year? For spring/summer 2014, Puckator expects butterflies, all kinds of nautical and seaside products to move well for many of it’s customers, and with London expecting a bumper season for tourism, we’ve worked very hard on contemporary London and UK icon ranges.

We’ll also be focusing on craft, baking, and haberdashery with our Stich in Time range by Jan Pashley and Make Do and Mend Button products.

In addition, there will be new twists to some of our current best-sellers, including Dotty

Kittens and the best-selling Bike range.

What are your plans for the Puckator brand in the future?Just continue what we’re doing, making the most of our excellent team of staff, create products that customers love and can sell, and try to have fun along the way.

To find out more about Puckator, visit www.puckator.co.uk

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Breaking NewsDuring 2013, one of Puckator’s best-sellers was the solar dancing pals. Designs included monkey, flying pig and elephant, with hundreds of thousands of pieces sold. New for 2014 is the Dancing Queen, designed in-house and attributed to Puckator under a European Community design registration application. The company has already had fantastic pre-orders for this fun collectable. It’s sure to be a winner in not only the souvenir market, but also any gift retailers that like a fun novelty line. Come and see her dancing at Spring Fair.

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Put a smile on your customers’ faces with these gloom-busting gifts

fun and laughter

novelty

We all know a super fan, whether it be of the iconic Star Wars, Dr Who or Walking Dead, Marilyn Monroe or Elvis. Star Cutouts caters for the full range of tastes and experiences. With life sized cut-outs and masks of all your favourite characters, the brand’s novelty gifts category has never been stronger. T: +44 (0)161 344 5839www.starcutouts.com

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New to Aroma Home’s slipper range, the Owl Fuzzy Friends slippers are a fun treat for feet, with adorable faces and cute characters. The fuzzy frond material is designed to gently stimulate your feet as you move around in them, as well as keeping feet cosy and warm. The sole is a special non-slip sole with multi-grip for slip resistance. T: +44 (0)1793 487 684www.aromahome.com

Wild & Wolf offers a wide range of gifts in the Ridley’s collection. The Ridley’s 4 Classic Joke set comprises four classic practical jokes in one retro-style package. The set includes snappy chewing gum, nail-through-fi nger trick, whoopee cushion and the classic insect in ice. T: +44 (0)1225 789 909www.wildandwolf.com

The Floating Mug is a one-of-a-kind concept that elegantly combines a mug and coaster in a no-drip design. The drip-catch™ design works exceptionally well to control the fl ow of moisture by raising the mug off the furniture; letting the drip slide under the mug. A great gift for tea and coffee drinkers.T: +44 (0)7730 521 430www.fl oatingmug.com

The humorous Stubbs Mugs collection continues to grow, with new fi ne bona china mug designs, tea towels and aprons. The I’d Rather range has many quirky new designs, as well as the Clive Cat’s collection (pictured right). T: +44 (0)1263 823 333www.stubbsmugs.co.uk

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Busy Bee Candles’ huge range of more than 200 fragrances includes scented candles, wax tarts, tea lights and more, with some rather novel scents. Sizzling Bacon, Fresh Bread, Fresh Coffee, Buttered Popcorn, Fresh Cut Grass and many more will make the perfect novelty gift for your customers. Displayed alongside more traditional scents, the choice is vast and colourful. Each Busy Bee candle is very heavily scented and hand-made in Wales with natural soy wax. T: +44 (0)7511 642 733www.busybeecandles.co.uk

Little Robot Shop has a passion for robots, rockets and ray guns from the Space Race era of the early ’50s to the late ’70s. The company loves photographing and presenting anew from its own huge collection of space toys that reflect the endless inventiveness, colour and imagination of this period. Products available include greetings cards, giftwrap and posters. T: +44 (0)20 8964 9018www.littlerobotshop.com

Rugy Bugy shades aren’t only great value sunglasses, they’re also a funky fashion accessory. Colourful, soft and warm, they fit perfectly as a headband with one side of the label able to be printed with individual graphics such as an event name or logo. These sunglasses are suitable not only for fashion retail but also as souvenir and promotional items. T: +420 257 317 795www.rugybugy.com

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Boxer Gifts’ range of glassware is well developed and proving a success. The new range of Pilsner glasses fulfils the need for that difficult-to-satisfy male gift category. Each of the glasses comes in an attractive presentation box. T: +44 (0)113 395 5595www.boxergifts.com

Apple Pie Jewelry, a leading American range of acrylic jewellery, launched at last year’s Home & Gift Harrogate. More than 27 exclusive designs are hand-made in high quality laser-cut acrylic and made with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS. Pieces are available as necklaces, hair bands, cuffs in adult and kids’ sizes, ponytail holders, key chains and rings. T: +44 (0)1738 842 772www.applepiejewelry.com

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Joe Davies is the UK distributor for Nuzzles!© They’re a colourful combination of Beanie hats and mittens with cute character designs that will have instant appeal for children. The range includes 12 bright designs and are available in two sizes for ages three to fi ve and fi ve to nine. The entire collection can be purchased on a spinner that holds comfortably 144 sets; repeats are in small quantities by size and design. From experience, Joe Davies reports high repeat rates when sold on the spinner. T: +44 (0)161 975 6300www.joedavies.co.uk

Puckator has expanded its own design of solar pals for 2014. These solar powered novelties are great for sunny window displays and are sure to bring in the customers as they dance and wave in the sunlight! New designs for this year include Loch Ness Monster, Clown Fish and its famous Dancing Queen.T: +44 (0)800 011 6969www.puckator.co.uk

fun and laughter

Half Moon Bay has expanded its superhero ranges in 2014 to include these cape towels, so people can live out their childhood fantasy of being a costumed hero. Featuring the two iconic superheroes Superman and Batman, these make the perfect gift for grown up kids and avid comic book fans alike.T: +44 (0)1225 473 873www.halfmoonbay.co.uk

Gift buyers can make a cheeky saving with the B.Duck character Savings Banks, which is a perfect gift for children, teens and adults alike. The novelty fun from B.Duck continues with the Animal Series and Ocean Series keyrings. Ideal for adding novelty touches to the home and offi ce are the Sweetie Mug, Paperclip Magnetic Holder (pictured) and Perpetual Calendar. Looking cool on the move is now easier than ever thanks to the B.Duck Ear Buds, the iPhone sticker skin featuring a Yellow Sweetie design and the yellow iPhone case with jewels.T: +44 (0)1329 227 300www.rainbowdesigns.co.uk

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Artscape has a wide range of novelty aprons, from Christmas slogans to barbeque quotes. Each apron is generously sized and comes with a substantial front pocket, ideal for storing the designated cook’s emergency hip fl ask, bottle opener or fi re extinguisher! T: +44 (0)20 8681 8368www.artscapeonline.com

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Email marketing has been utilised for a long time due to its success as a marketing medium. Martin Barnes from Create Click explains how to get started on your own email campaigns

enhance relationships with email

There are more than 3.2 billion email accounts in the world and it’s predicted that this will increase to 6.4 billion by 2016. With this in mind, the potential for email marketing as a way to communicate with your customers and convince them to buy and remain loyal to your brand is as important as ever. In 2012, 44 per cent of email recipients made at least one purchase based on a promotional email, and 56 per cent of businesses said the company would increase their use of email marketing in 2013.

What is email marketing?Email marketing remains one of the most effective ways to keep in touch with your customers while promoting your business. Other promotional methods can be costly, but email marketing is both cost effective and environmentally friendly, while enabling you to target specific markets and customers. There are many ways to use an email marketing campaign, from a welcome email that thanks a new contact for opting in to your subscription, to announcing products, services and discounting future purchases.

Choose software that is capable of functioning as your lists grow, that can also scan outgoing messages for viruses, and can measure the effectiveness of your campaign. Mail Chimp is probably one of the most well-known email marketing solutions and has 3.5 million users that collectively send more than 4 billion emails a month.

Benefits of email marketingSharingThe ability to share emails can increase your email marketing reach. Even if the direct recipient of your email isn’t interested in what you have to offer, they can forward it on with ease to a friend or colleague who they think might be.

FeedbackEmail marketing allows your customers to give you feedback in the form of a direct reply to the email you sent them. This information can then be used to see what works and what doesn’t, so that your next email campaign can be more successful.

You can track your campaign’s progress through the use of some useful statistics such as:• How many emails have been delivered (delivery rate)• How many emails have been opened (open rate)• The number of click-through generated (click-through rate)• How many people that go to your website and leave (bounce rate)• How often a specific person opened your email.

List buildingBuilding your own list internally can take time, however, the quality of your recipient list will remain relevant to your business. Make sure your homepage includes an email sign-up form that allows people to sign up to your mailing list themselves.

Keep an accurate audit of how your business receives permission to contact the subscribers of the lists, as people can forget how they signed up. Make sure you delete

"It's predicted that email accounts will double by 2016 and with this in mind, the potential for email marketing is

as important as ever," explains Martin Barnes from Create Click

business advice

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those who know longer wish to receive your email campaigns.

Appearance and contentsYour email should be built with HTML and CSS, which will allow you to style your email to suit your business with images and logos. Plain text email campaigns can look bland and uninteresting, which could turn customers off from wanting to buy.

TIP: Take a look at some of the promotional emails that you’ve received yourself recently to identify what you liked about them – and what you didn’t!

TimingIts important to decide how often you intend to send out this type of communication – there’s a fine line between too many and not enough! Combining a mix of content at different times is usually acceptable to most customers who have opted in to your email list.

Make sure you have a variety of compelling promotional editorial communication. Put yourself in your customers’ shoes and ask yourself questions like:• What is there to read about and respond to?• Would I like to receive updates of when products are back in stock? • When to send the email out is equally as important.

Most emails have a life of only three days. Thus, if you’re marketing to business people at their offices, sending early in the week is usually better than sending on a Friday. However, if you’re marketing to individuals at home, it’s best to send on a Saturday to be read leisurely over the weekend. Campaign titleThe title of your email campaign is very significant. Subject lines of less than 10

characters have an open rate of 58 per cent and those that have personalised subject lines (for example those that were name specific “Hello [name]”) had an additional 22 per cent chance of being opened.

Try to keep your subject line short, sweet, and straight to the point while also being relevant to the market you’re trying to target. Try not to use words like free in the title as this can trigger spam filters.

ContentMake the content easy to scan quickly so the recipient can get the gist of the email without having to read it in full. Most recipients won’t read every word until they’ve decided whether or not they’re interested.

Don’t rely on your email’s spell checker, and ask someone else to proof read it for accuracy before sending. Keep scrolling to a minimum and make your call-to-action prominent and clear so that your audience knows what to do. Make images and text clickable and direct customers through to a relevant landing page on your website. You’ve successfully got them to open and read it so don’t allow them to lose interest by clicking through to a page that isn’t relevant.

The bottom lineEvery email that you send out should have your company’s information on the bottom, giving potential customers a chance to learn more about your business as well as an ‘opt-in’ to get future emails. Provide recipients with a clear way to contact you for more information, including a staffed telephone number or email address.

Test before you sendFirst impressions really do count and you don’t want anything to go wrong so test your email on yourself and a colleague to see how it looks on the receiving end. You won’t get everything right first time, but it’s important to use your campaign results to adapt and re-test in the future.

"Make your email communications stand out by telling a story that will

engage your customers and call them to action."

Create Click Ltd is a leading marketing agency based on the South Coast. Founded in 2012, Create Click offers a wide range of marketing services including brand, illustration, graphic and print design, web, social, email and SEO. Further information T: +44 (0)2392 876 030E: hello@createclick.co.ukW: www.createclick.co.uk

ResourcesFor more statistic information on email marketing, visit the Salesforce Bloghttp://blogs.salesforce.com/company/2013/07/email-marketing-stats.html

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I plan to exhibit at Spring Fair this year. Do I need to inform my insurance company?

Yes, it’s always a good idea to inform your insurance company, as there can be insurance implications and various problems that might occur from misunderstandings over thelevel of cover provided under standard insurance policies.

For exhibitors there’s the risk associated with attendance at the trade fair itself and you need to make sure you have the following pointers covered:• Stock and trade stands, fixtures and fittings – Does your policy extend to cover attendance at trade exhibitions? If so, is the extension sufficient to cover the values at risk? • Commercial policies are traditionally subject to an under-insurance condition, which means that if you insure for 50 per cent of the value taken to the exhibition, any claim you make will be reduced by 50 per cent. • Public liability – Notify your insurers that you plan to attend trade exhibitions, as there may be exclusions within your policy. • Exhibition event organisers can demand a minimum £5 million worth of cover. While this can be purchased separately, it’s often cheaper to increase the limit under the annual cover rather than take out small extensions to cover the individual exhibitions attended. • Loss of profits – Does your policy provide cover for loss of profits arising from problems at the event? Most policies won’t and require a specific extension. This cover is not widely available but some insurers will offer it. For example, a fire on your stand causing damage to property that leads to a loss of profit arising

from the event can be insured. Again, you will of course need to have told your insurers that you’re attending events.

When dispatching goods sold at my show stand or from my premises, what should I be aware of and what needs to be included in my insurance policy?

The extent of your insurance can include all shipments of goods within the UK, whether by your own or hired vehicles, haulage contractors, post and delivery services. It’s important to be aware that many carriers restrict their liability for loss or damage to the goods they carry. This could potentially leave you seriously out of pocket in the event of a claim. However, arranging your own insurance protection can solve this problem. Overseas shipments (imports and exports) can also be insured from place of origin to destination. Insurance is usually offered by freight forwarders and monetary limits may apply in all or part depending on methods of transport – often there are more than one, i.e. road, air and sea.

What is Business Interruption Cover and should I have it?

Imagine you’ve been flooded! Clearly your business insurance policy will cover flood damage to premises and stock. If you also have business interruption cover, which I believe to be vital, additional costs such as hiring temporary premises will be met. This means you’ll be able to continue trading during the subsequent repair and clean-up period, enabling you to maintain both cash flow and customer levels.

Business Interruption Insurance will also replace the gross profit for your business for the period that the business is interrupted by an insured risk (such as a flood). This covers the recovery of customers phase.

Business Interruption cover will cushion you

from the blow and may even be the vital factor that saves your business. Many who don’t have such cover will go out of business within 12 months of a major incident.

Many people who have been flooded want to know if their premiums will automatically go up. The answer to this isn’t simple. However, if your business is located in an area that isn’t normally at risk and you have simply fallen foul of unusual weather conditions, you may experience only a temporary increase in premiums. Of course, each case is highly individual and this is where a good broker will be your most valuable asset because we will be acting on your behalf, fighting your corner to achieve the best possible outcome for you and your business.

Visit T. H. March at Spring Fair in February in Hall 17 Stand S58.

Gift Focus readers put their insurance queries, concerns and questions to leading brokers T.H. March

insurance solutionsNeil McFarlane, Managing Director of T.H. March & Co Limited

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Further information:T.H. 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

“The extent of your insurance can include all shipments of

goods within the UK, whether by your own or hired vehicles, haulage contractors, post and

delivery services.”

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Last Autumn’s Bangkok International Gift Fair (BIG) and Bangkok International Houseware Fair (BIH) provided another great opportunity for designers from Thailand and other ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) nations to show their creativity and individuality to a worldwide audience.

Organised by the Department of International Trade Promotion and Ministry of Commerce in co-operation with Thai Lifestyle Products Association, the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Bitec) was the venue for this key buying event, which took place in October 2013. With more than 600 exhibitors spread over 40,000sq m, this exhibition is a fantastic showcase for products from across South East Asia.

Thailand’s cost of production compares favourably with most developed western economies, but can’t hope to match the economies of scale and low prices available from larger countries like China and India. For this reason, BIG is committed to promoting excellence in design, specifically ethnic products not available in other markets. This year’s show included a number of specialist sections:

Talent Thai An area devoted to developing Thai designers and encouraging them to create one-of-a-kind, high quality lifestyle products for export to a global market. The area is divided into NOW and NEXT sections representing established and up and coming designers. This project has been in existence since 2004 and has a long track record of developing and promoting Thai designers.

DEmark 2013 Exhibition In this sector, 53 companies that have won Design Excellence Awards throughout 2013 exhibited their international quality products. The area was linked to Japan’s Good Design Awards 2013, further highlighting the growing international recognition of the quality of Thai design.

Mark White reports on the Bangkok International Gift Fair (BIG) and Bangkok International Houseware Fair (BIH)

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For more information, T: +44 (0)207 493 5749 and visit www.bigandbih.com

big + bih

Top of OTOPOTOP (One Tambon One Product) is a local entrepreneurship stimulus program, which aims to support the locally-made and marketed products of each Thai tambon (sub-district). The Top of OTOP exhibition featured carefully chosen lifestyle products from all over Thailand. The emphasis is very much on the use of locally-sourced natural materials and traditional local craft skills.

Thailand has long been associated with spa products and cosmetics, and the latest show featured a wide range of individual Thai products where exotic ingredients such as Pueraria Mirifica (known as the queen of Thai herbs), Ylang Ylang, Wild Lime and Sandalwood are expertly blended into a range of soaps, creams and lotions for all parts of the body.

BIG offers the chance to source new and innovative products, but the opportunity to visit this city of more than 10 million people is also a good reason to make the trip. While in Bangkok, the opportunity to enjoy the bustling street life, sample the many shopping malls and see some of the remarkable sights the city has to offer should not be missed. The Royal Palace and Temple of the Golden Buddha in the centre of Bangkok are easy to visit, and if

you have more time then a trip to the ancient capital of Siam, Ayutthaya is simply a must

The next BIG & BIH will be held on 19th - 21st April, 2014.To see this exceptional selection of high quality gift and housewares for yourself, the Thai Trade Centre is keen to welcome international buyers and offers overseas buyers official hotels at special rates with free shuttle buses running to the fair. It also offers a business matching service, allowing visitors to make appointments with exhibitors in advance through the DITP website – www.thaitradefair.com.

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Messe Frankfurt will bring together gifts for every type of person and every price bracket at this year’s Ambiente. From 7th - 11th February, 2014, more than 4,700 exhibitors from all over the world will be displaying products around the themes of table, kitchen and household, living and giving. These include around 1,400 manufacturers of gift items, jewellery, stationery, personal accessories and handicrafts, together with their new collections.

The Giving section offers a wealth of ideas and products that can be used for supplementing existing special assortments, which is particularly relevant for the furniture and furnishings sector as well as the glass, porcelain and ceramic trade.

This section is joined by Dining and Living to form the other two pillars of Ambiente. In the Dining segment, buyers will find every kind of product concerned with tableware, kitchenware and household. The Living segment, on the other hand, is all about lifestyles, furnishing and decorating.

The Giving area presents an entire range of products, from fast-selling high-turnover products, one-of-a-kind fine-quality items and gift articles, to trendy and classical. Jewellery and watches are just as much a part of the portfolio as wellness and beauty products, candles, writing sets, gourmet items, toys and lifestyle products such as leather goods and fashion accessories.

The offerings provided at Gifts Unlimited in Halls 9.1 and 9.2 seem just as unlimited.

Here, suppliers of classical gifts such as Boltze, Gilde Handwerk, Hoff Interieur or Nici will display their latest collections for the coming season. These include decorative goods such as candlesticks, figurines and candles as well as writing sets, souvenirs, hand-crafted items and culinary delights such as choice tea and coffee specialties, chocolate or fine selections of oils. Joint presentations from Great Britain, Italy, Austria and Russia emphasise the international variety of goods on offer in Hall 9.2.

As was the case at last year’s show, Smoking Accessories – pipes and accessories such as humidors, cigarette cases or lighters – can once again be found in Hall 5.1B. This is where exhibitors such as Akra Kotschenreuther, BIC Deutschland, Hermann Hauser or Zippo will be showing their latest products. To complement the existing offer, there will also be a new and exclusive smokers’ lounge in the hall foyer.

Purchasers on the lookout for especially trendy and original gifts are in good hands with Young & Trendy in Hall 11.1. Here, suppliers such as DFP Design, Donkey Products, Gift

Head to Frankfurt this February for a wealth of inspiration at Ambiente

get readyIN BRIEFShow AmbienteOrganiser Messe FrankfurtWhere Frankfurt, GermanyWhen 7th - 11th February, 2014Website www.ambiente. messefrankfurt.comOpen 9am - 6pm (9am - 5pm on the last day)Twitter @ambiente

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Company, KARE Design or Troika will be showing what we can look forward to in the field of trendy presents.

At Carat in Hall 9.3, everything revolves around the dazzling world of real and fashion jewellery. The focus here is on fashionable pieces as well as pearls, genuine and designer jewellery. Among other exhibitors, there will be displays of fashion jewellery by Dazzle Design, Heide Heinzendorf or Langani. Companies such as Alfred Schmiesing, CC Pearls, Juchem, Stephan Hermann or Ruppenthal will be showing pearls along with genuine and designer jewellery. Once again in a prominent position in the foyer there will be the Times Square watch area, for which an entire array of renowned design-oriented watch brands and suppliers have already registered. These include Christoffel with the Obaku Denmark brand, Filius Zeitdesign with brands like Rosendahl Copenhagen and Jacob Jensen and the suppliers Unique Time, Katharina Cremer or Aristo Vollmer.

In matters of fashion, buyers can discover those who have their fingers on the pulse of the times on a tour of the Personal Accessories section in Hall 9.3. Here, renowned exhibitors such as Herold, Knirps, Verde, Voi Leather or Vom Hof will present bags, accessories in leather and felt, chic knitwear, trendy scarves, caps and umbrellas.

Beauty & Bath in Hall 9.2 is where exhibitors like Accentra Kosmetik, Get Fresh Cosmetics, Top Team or Becker Manicure will be showcasing their wellness and high-quality care products and beauty accessories along with wellness candles and fragrances.

Purchasers in search of large volume orders will find the right address in Hall 12.0, which has been specially installed for that purpose, as well as in Hall 10.0 at Passage Gifts. Here, overseas exhibitors will be presenting all their novel items around the theme of giving on the largest sourcing platform outside China.

Ambiente: trend platform and innovation barometerThe key trends for the Table, Kitchen, Living and Giving segments will be on show for

the seventh time at Ambiente, located in Galleria 1. To conduct their research, experts from Stilbüro bora.herke.palmisano tracked down trend developments from around the world. The style experts have developed four worlds from the various trends they identified: stunning temper, subtle spirit, serene nature and striking mind. These will be staged in a lavish presentation at Ambiente where there will also be daily guided tours and lectures.

This year, it will be Japan’s turn to be the partner country of Ambiente, the world’s leading consumer goods fair in Frankfurt. The Partner Country Globe was handed over by France to Japan at a ceremony during Ambiente 2013. After Denmark and France, Japan is Ambiente’s third partner country and the first from Asia. An extensive program is planned, with theme days, activities and events. The project’s ambassador is architect and designer Yukio Hashimoto.

One of Ambiente’s firm fixtures is Next, the promotional area in which Messe Frankfurt helps to foster the talents of young, creative companies. Participants receive support in their endeavours to develop their position in the consumer goods segment. The designers will present themselves at the Giving section in the Young & Trendy and Carat product groups.

In the Promotional Areas of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology in Halls 9.2 and 9.3, young, innovative companies from Germany will present their products to an international public and establish their first contacts with trade and industry. This opportunity is offered by Ambiente in cooperation with the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Technologie – BMWi) in the Personal Accessories, Gifts Unlimited and Carat segments. The initiative by the BMWi makes it possible to take part in leading international fairs in Germany on favourable terms. The aim is to provide the best possible support for marketing innovative German products internationally and to use Ambiente as a career springboard.

There's such a wide selection of product offerings at Ambiente; visitors won’t be short of inspiration.

get ready

For more information, visit the website www.ambiente.messefrankfurt.com

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Beatrix Potter plush collection unveiled by GUNDA new collection of plush soft toys inspired by the characters from the iconic tales written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter is to be unveiled by GUND, in January 2014. The launch will feature five of Miss Potter’s most appealing characters in a range of sizes.

Beautifully hand-made in GUND’s trademark style using soft tactile plush and with careful attention to detail, the charismatic Peter Rabbit leads the collection. He’s portrayed in his famous blue jacket with pockets and buttons as drawn by Beatrix Potter in her tales, which were first published in 1902. Made in three sizes and as a keyring, Peter Rabbit is joined by the adorable Flopsy, the capable Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle and the gullible Jemima Puddle-Duck in the same selection of sizes, and by a handsome Benjamin Bunny as a large and medium toy only.

Visit www.enesco.co.uk to find out more.

hot propertyCatch up with all the latest from the world of licensing

Widdop Bingham signs up the Bebunni licenceWiddop Bingham is the latest company to sign up to the Bebunni licence, the new, cute brand that has taken the greeting card industry by storm. First launched in October 2012, the Great British Card Company was its first licensee and now boasts a range of more than 185 cards, resulting in a meteoric rise of Bebunni to its star cute brand.

“The charm and appeal of Bebunni was immediately apparent, and after learning of its success within the highly competitive greeting card market it was an easy decision to sign the licence and bring Bebunni gifts to market. We’re delighted with our product offer and have already received a massive thumbs up from many of our customers,” says Stephen Illingworth, Business Development Manager at Enesco.

The range, which officially launches at Spring Fair in February, features Bebunni across a variety of different product categories including frames, mugs and keyrings, and across all the major sentiment titles (Mother’s Day, Birthday, male and female relations).

Visit www.widdop.co.uk to find out more.

New licensing deals announced for GUND’s Classic Peter RabbitSilvergate Media has announced two significant additions to its Classic Peter Rabbit licensee roster.

Toy manufacturer Gund will be producing Classic Peter Rabbit plush, plush keyrings and mohair plush for the UK, Eire/Channel Islands and mainland Europe. Products will be distributed through high-end retail outlets and are expected to launch in Spring 2014.

Emma Bridgewater has developed a range of ceramic tableware. The initial ceramic collection includes a bowl, plate and child’s mug, available in a boxed set or individually, as well as a full-sized mug. A melamine range and additional ceramic designs are due to follow in 2014.

Visit www.silvergatemedia.com to find out more.

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The Village People are in townITV Studios Global Entertainment (ITVS GE) has announced a major new addition to its highly successful portfolio of third party M&L representations in the UK: the Village People.

ITVS GE has been appointed by PGS Entertainment to represent Village People in the UK, and with first retail launches planned for Q4 2014, ITVS GE has already received strong interest from licensees. Key category targets include apparel, gifting, homewares, stationery, back to school, video games, figurines, accessories, electronics and apps.

The positioning is off-beat, fun and free, using ’70s humour and ’80s colours. It identifies three creative and market segments: vintage, vibe and fun. Vintage is aimed at teenagers and young adults, capturing the essence of the disco era through a creative combination of famous photos and graphic design touches. The fresh, youthful image of Vibe has a strong appeal to teenage girls, young women and music fans. Fun captures pop culture history with a modern touch through the use of contemporary colours, icons and humour, reflecting the fun of the disco era.

Visit www.itvstudios.com to find out more.

The Beano continues to growThe Beano has strong licensing focus on toys, publishing, apparel, gifts and stationery built around instantly recognisable comic characters Dennis the Menace and Gnasher, Bananaman and Desperate Dan.

The Dennis the Menace & Gnasher animation series continues to gather momentum on CBBC. The show is ranked fifth of all animation on BBC, reaching more than three million viewers and is also an extremely popular download on BBC iPlayer.

For publishing, the duo star in the Dennis the Menace and Gnasher monthly Megazine, the weekly Beano magazine and The Beano Annual which is consistently one of the best-selling annuals in the market.

Golden Bear has a great range of Dennis the Menace & Gnasher toys including a Bashing Buddy and a Prank Kit. It’s undertaken a whole raft of new product development with input from children – one product emerging from this process is the Farting Football.

Penguin Group UK has plans to publish an array of childrens fiction, kicking off with The Diary of Dennis the Menace penned by acclaimed author Steven Butler.

Other licensing activity include Smiffy’s for dress up, confectionery from Rose Marketing, Abbey Home Media for DVDs, posters from GB Eye, bedding from Ashley Wilde and The Lagoon Group for family games.

To find out more, visit www.dcthomson.co.uk

Widdop Bingham links up with The Walt Disney CompanyWiddop Bingham has partnered with The Walt Disney Company to produce a range of high quality themed licenced giftware. This is a significant and exciting addition to Widdop Bingham’s portfolio of brands, with the company investing heavily in developing a one-of-a-kind range of collectable gifts for both children and adults alike, aimed at introducing the heritage and magic of Disney to the giftware arena. The range will encompass die-cast crystal embellished treasure trinkets as well as frames, albums and ceramic gift sets across three themes: Disney Princess, Winnie the Pooh and Disney Classics. The collection will be officially launched at Spring Fair in Hall 5, Stand J4/K3.

For more information, log onto www.widdop.co.uk

Anderson Press celebrates 25 years of Elmer This year marks 25 years since Anderson Press published Elmer, the first in a series of picture books about a patchwork elephant, written and illustrated by David McKee. This milestone anniversary will be celebrated with a year-long marketing campaign entitled Elmer’s Parade, inviting people to join in and show their colours, and will be supported by a nationwide programme of events throughout 2014.

Licences have been sold worldwide, and the brand’s profile is continually growing, especially in the UK, France and Japan. The main UK licensors are Rainbow Design and Shreds who produce a range of plush, wooden toys, aprons and bags. Hype and Pyramid design greeting cards and wall art, and also on board are Greenboard Games, Stamp Creative, Art You Grew Up With and Lindy Lou Umbrellas.

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

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spring fair

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In briefShow Spring Fair InternationalOrganiser i2i Events GroupWhere NEC BirminghamWhen 2nd - 6th February, 2014Website www.springfair.comOpen Saturday (Volume hall

only): 10am - 5pm; Sunday - Wednesday: 9am - 6pm; Thursday: 9am - 4pm

Twitter @SAF_Int

roll up, roll upSpring Fair International is back in town. We bring you our biggest ever preview of the show

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spring fair

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Kick-start the 2014 buying season at Spring Fair International by browsing more than 300,000 new products from 3,000 exhibitors. Along with Europe’s largest presentation of trend-driven gift and homeware, Spring Fair offers fantastic cross-over buying opportunities, with 13 different product sectors for buyers to source from: Contemporary Gift & Home; Gifts; Children’s Gifts, Toys & Gadgets; Christmas Gifts, Floral & Seasonal Decorations; Gift, Home & Volume; Greetings & Stationery; Body & Bath; Fashion Jewellery, Accessories & Luggage; Home Interiors & Furniture; Kitchen, Dining & Housewares; Art & Framing; The Summerhouse and The Party Show.

The major growth areas for 2014 (at the time of going to press) are Greetings & Stationery, Contemporary, Gift & Home, Fashion & Accessories and Bath & Body. There has also been an influx of new exhibitors in Gifts at Spring Fair, with 70 giftware companies making their debut in this sector. Impressive international brands joining the show for the first time include Artesania Esteban Ferrer S.L, Bergoff, Addis Homewears, S Green & Sons, DIJK Natural Collection, Tel International, Emerald Eternal Greens and Jodeco Glass. A total of 340 international companies will use Spring Fair as their UK launch pad in 2014.

Boosting British retail i2i Events Group has forged a strengthened partnership agreement with UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), designed to inspire and support UK-based SMEs in their efforts to succeed in overseas markets.

The partnership will boost international representation at Spring Fair and other i2i

Events Group exhibitions in the year ahead, providing British suppliers with an entry point to international markets and offering a broad variety of pre-event and on-site benefits. These will include prominent Best of British showcases and Exporter trails throughout the exhibition halls.

Five UKTI Villages will be located around The NEC with a total of 50 carefully selected exhibitors, which are all entrepreneurial British companies with a particular strength in export business and new to the show. UKTI will subsidise the exhibition space for these companies, most of which will be launching to the trade for the first time at Spring Fair. The UKTI Villages will be located within Greetings & Stationery (Hall 4), Gift (Hall 5), Contemporary Gift & Home (Halls 6 and 7) and Kitchen, Dining & Housewares (Hall 1), which will be put together with additional support from the British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA).

An Export Theatre, designed with invaluable networking opportunities in mind, will be located within the International Buyers Lounge in Hall 4, also featuring a beautiful showcase of British-made products to entice overseas retailers. UKTI will assist Spring Fair exhibitors with a one-of-a-kind hosted buyer programme that will see 50 of the world’s leading department store buyers brought directly to the NEC.

The Prince’s Trust partnershipAnother high-profile partnership has been forged with The Prince’s Trust for the first time at Spring Fair. This will see a collection of young designers supported by The Prince’s Trust exhibiting individual collections of

jewellery and accessories within the Fashion Jewellery, Accessories & Luggage sector of the show in Hall 20 and Greetings & Stationery in Hall 4.

Identify new trends and track down the most exciting new suppliers and ranges with six key buying trails – New Product, Exporter, Ethical Product, Creative Britain, Licensed Product and Retail Services. Look out for the logos on exhibitor web profiles, in The Little Black Book and on stands at the show.

What’s on – hall by hallSpring Fair offers a varied selection of new and returning feature ideas, designed to help guide your buying decisions. Feature areas are interactive zones located around the show, which give you access to exclusively edited product selections, live demonstrations, catwalks and displays.

HALL 1Cook Live!An interactive kitchen featuring professional and celebrity chefs demonstrating the latest kitchen and dining products. Previous participants have included Delia Smith, Fiona Cairns and Ed Kimber.

SproutNew for 2014 is Sprout, a one-of-a-kind platform to help smaller fledgling companies in the kitchen, dining and housewares sector develop and grow their brands.

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Ecommerce ZoneThis highly popular theatre answers all of your e-retail questions, from building online start-ups through to multichannel retailing and developing an e-commerce strategy. Key industry fi gures will offer you expert technical guidance on how to harness the web to grow your business.

HALL2Gift of the Year Awards 2014Winners of Gift of the Year will be announced at Spring Fair. Be the fi rst to see winning and highly commended products at the Gift of the Year Showhouse, Garden and Retail Lounge.

Gift Box demo area Learn how to make a real impact in store with expert visual merchandising, fl ower arrangement and gift-wrapping. By fi nding out how to create head-turning window displays, beautifully effective gift-wrapping techniques and craft tips, you’ll set your store apart on the high street with these seminars.

HALL 3

Licensing LoungeThe Licensing Lounge is a place for one-to-one meetings, sourcing information around licensing, viewing entire property ranges, networking and socialising.

The StageAn exciting feature in The Party Show, The Stage features a seminar area and catwalk presenting the very latest fancy dress and party accessories.

HALL 4Art & Framing Seminar TheatreShowcasing inspiring educational sessions and hands-on demonstrations covering framing and merchandising.

HALL 6Trend Briefi ng Seminar TheatreAs well as guiding you through the hottest new design trends for AW14, these experts will provide practical advice on key areas of retail: Getting the right buying edit, enhancing customer service and creating an in-store environment tailored to modern day shoppers’ psychology. One of the most popular speakers at last year’s show, Kirstie Allsopp will return in 2014 to hold two interactive Arts & Crafts Q&A sessions with visitors on Monday 3rd February at 11.30am and 2pm.

The Trend BarGain a one-of-a-kind insight into future retail trends and themes to inspire and guide your future buying. WGSN is the leading online trend analysis and research service, providing creative and business intelligence for the apparel, style, design and retail industries.

HALL 6 & 20Design LabAn exciting new showcase for individual and original design available in two separate sectors: Contemporary Gift & Home and Fashion Jewellery & Accessories.

The StudioVisit The Studio to witness a collection of innovative and contemporary designers that can be found in the Contemporary Gift halls.

HALL 9New Product Showcase and Contemporary Product ShowcaseThe best source of inspiration comes from those perfect displays where you can see the latest products really come to life. At Spring Fair you have access to over 17 product displays featured in every hall entrance, the New Product Showcase and the Contemporary Product Showcase in Hall 9.

HALL 20Fashion Accessories CatwalkThe Fashion Accessories Catwalk and seminar theatre brings fashion and the latest design trends to the fore at Spring Fair. The very latest fashion accessories collections are live on the catwalk on each show day, interspersed with inspirational seminar content.

Natural & Organic VillageIf your customers love eco-friendly beauty and fragrance products then pick up some delights from the new Natural & Organic Village in hall 20.

Prince’s TrustDiscover a collection of young designers supported by the Prince’s Trust, who will exhibit one-of-a-kind collections of jewellery and accessories at the top of Hall 20. This is a must-visit destination for buyers on the hunt for something totally fresh and original.

Harrogate Christmas & Gift12–15 January 2014 Hall A Stand A37

Spring Fair NECSpring Fair to 2 - 6 February

Email: sales@tilnarart.co.ukTel: 01277 362 815 or 07740 946 518

Tilnar Ltd, Days Farm House, Days Lane,

Pilgrims Hatch, Brentwood, Essex CM15 9SL

www.tilnarart.co.uk

Hand carvedSoapstone Sculptures

Hand carvedWooden

Sculptures

BambooHomeware

Recycled MetalSculptures

New WWF Collection

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HALL 1

• Kitchen gadgets• Small domestic appliances• Cleaning and storage• Housewares• Cookware

• Bakeware• Barware• Tableware• Glassware• Cutlery

KITCHEN, DINING & HOUSEWARES

Half Moon Bay www.halfmoonbay.co.uk

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Find an unbeatable range of stylish and innovative housewares ideas. Take your pick from thousands of inspiring, on-trend and traditional favourites including a huge variety of tableware, glassware and kitchen gadgets from leading brands.

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HALL 1

Exhibitor profiles

Half Moon BayHall 1 Stand B27www.halfmoonbay.co.ukHalf Moon Bay is significantly adding to its brand licenses, with new names such as Disney, Colman’s Mustard and Jelly Babies to add to its list of family favourites. Popular existing ranges such as McDougall’s Flour, Marmite and Typhoo are also being expanded to include bread bins, recipe tins, wooden signs and much more.

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DenbyHall 1 Stand E30 - D31www.denby.co.uk Poole Pottery has been one of Denby’s heritage brands for the past year, and the firm’s design team has assisted Poole’s artisans in creating a whole new collection in aqua tones and colbalt blue. Still hand-made and decorated in England, the two new collections are called Alexis and Tallulah. Alexis was inspired by the splendor of the peacock feather whilst Tallulah takes its name from the jewel-like aqua tones of the ocean with bold green brushstrokes. Both are available in eight statement vases and as a decorative oval dish.

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CHILDREN’S GIFTS, TOYS & GADGETS – HALL 3THE PARTY SHOW – HALL 3

Gibsons Games www.gibsonsgames.co.uk

The UK’s biggest gathering of children’s gifts, toys and gadgets. Here you can source toys, games and puzzles, hobby and craft, plush, gadgets and novelties from suppliers of traditional, educational, funky, general toys and gifts. Visit this sector for :

• Toys• Games and puzzles• Character products and licensing opportunities• Boys’ toys and gadgets• Activities and crafts

• Puppets• Plush toys• Traditional, wooden and educational toys• Children’s gifts

The Party Show presents the largest selection of fun products for all seasonal occasions. Here you’ll fi nd balloons, novelty items, partyware products, fi reworks and a wide range of fancy dress. Items include:

• Partyware and accessories• Fancy dress clothing• Jokes and novelties• Balloons, streamers and party favours

• Fireworks• Party decorations• Halloween• Hen and stag accessories

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Exhibitor profiles

The Green Board Game Co.Hall 3 Stand H05www.greenboardgames.comThe Green Board Game Co. has lots of new and exciting products to kick off 2014. Two recent launches are BrainBox Colour and Create with Mister Maker, and a UK edition of the best-selling US game, Name 5.

As with all BrainBoxes, Colour and Create offers the award-winning BrainBox mix of fun and learning. In this one, players have the opportunity to colour in cards to their own design as well as writing their own questions.

Name 5 is the quick-thinking trivia game. Five answers must be recalled fast, before the timer runs out. Visit the stand to view the new products and enjoy a refreshing milkshake!

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GibsonsHall 3 Stand K04 – L05www.gibsons.co.ukGibsons will showcase its new range for 2014, which includes its three innovative concepts. The first of the collections is the Keeping Up With The Joneses range created by Keith Drury, the artist of Santa’s Midnight Magic. Keeping Up With The Joneses is a series of puzzles that follow the Jones family after it wins £10.5m on the National Lottery, and each puzzle depicts the next episode of the Joneses story as it travel around the world and spends the winnings.

The Discoveries range is another addition to the 2014 collection. The two jigsaws are painted by artist Steve Read and, on the surface, are beautiful wildlife paintings. Yet once you look closer, you begin to spot secret additions that turn the puzzle from a pretty painting to a jigsaw of discovery.

Puzzlers who love a challenge are in for a treat this year. Mystery Mayhem is the third new range to the collection and is the trickiest puzzle yet. Inside the innovative box design are two jigsaw puzzles; the first is a hectic 1,000-piece jigsaw that matches the image on the box. After completing this, the next challenge is to find out what triggered the mayhem, by piecing together the second 200-piece puzzle, but this time there’s no guide to help find out what caused the chaos. Another jigsaw is the much awaited, I Love Winter. Mike Jupp is back once again with the 13th jigsaw in the I Love range, which captures the comical and ridiculous side of everyday life.

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Exhibitor profi les

Tractor Ted™

Hall 3 Stand H41www.tractorted.co.ukTractorland, brand owners of Tractor Ted™, will be exhibiting new launches at the show. The new Tractor Ted™ Digger Design® will appeal to young children who love diggers and big machines. It’s been created in the style of the highly successful Tractor Ted Farm Design® and includes a rucksack, thermal lunch bag and pencil case. Tractor Ted™ is an established brand that has been entertaining and educating young children from two to six-years-old for more than 10 years through farm-based books, DVDs, merchandise and live events.

ImajoHall 3 Stand N13www.imajo.co.ukThe new Bonikka range of rag dolls has proved to be an outstanding success with stock selling out before Christmas. Created in Sri Lanka, these dolls are a great addition to the Imajo collection and there are plans to extend the range and bring in some new designs during 2014. With two different designs, in a variety of attractive colours and pretty fabrics, these dolls are guaranteed to bring a smile to anyone’s face. Bonikka is a family of rag dolls, designed to stand the test of time and bring enjoyment in giving and receiving.

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Lanka KadeHall 3 Stand P41www.lankakade.co.ukExotic wild animals and stylish new packaging across the Lanka Kade range are certain to cause a stampede of interest on its stand. Safari play sets, zoo building blocks, gorilla jigsaws, and additional natural wood animals are just some of the new arrivals to entice young animal lovers. If you’re looking for exclusively designed, high quality, wooden toys not listed on third- party websites from a supplier intent on great customer service with good all-year-round stock levels, plus the integrity of a fair trade company using wood from sustainable sources, then contact Lanka Kade.

Star CutoutsHall 3 Stand Q14 - R15www.starcutouts.comStar Cutouts has so much to share with visitors on its stand, and so many new licenced products being added to its range. Come and spend some time with the brand at the show and you will see these new additions first-hand. They include Looney Tunes, The Hobbit, all-new Dr Who, and of course all of the company’s iconic characters and standees that we all know and love.

Star Cutouts is delighted to tell you that Spring Fair will see the launch of its Football Party range, with products ranging from face masks to full-size adult stand-ins.

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www.holy-mackerel.co.uk

GREETINGS & STATIONERY – HALL 4ART & FRAMING – HALL 4

Presenting major publishers and original artists, Art & Framing offers an essential mix of limited editions, fi nished art pieces, framing products and equipment. Here you will fi nd:

• Original art• Limited edition prints• Framed prints

• Frames and framing equipment• Mouldings and machinery• Artists’ materials

The world’s largest showcase of cards, gift-wrap and stationery. Britain is the creative hub of the global greetings card industry and Spring Fair is home to the biggest publishers, brands and new designers. Visit the sector for :

• Greetings cards• Gift wrap• Calendars• Gift and social stationery

• Cards for gift shops• Packaging• Art licensing• Partyware

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Exhibitor profiles

ThorntonsHall 4 Stand F02www.thorntons.co.uk

10 reasons why you should have Thorntons in your store: 1. Thorntons is British! We’re proud to be British and today we still use some of the famous recipes that were created in the ’20s.2. Thorntons' name over your door will increase customer numbers! With our logo over your door you will attract customers who never visited your shop before.3. Thorntons in your store will increase sales! Carrying our range will increase your sales dramatically and in the process you will enjoy lots of cross-over sales. 4. We offer incentives during set up. Incentives relevant to you and the size of your business that helps you in the process. 5. Thorntons in your store will fit your store environment! Contemporary but traditional fixtures and fittings will make Thorntons in your store a welcome addition.6. Everybody loves chocolate! Do we need to say anymore?7. Thorntons in your store gives you the best return per sq ft! We're happy to explain how Thorntons in your store can transform your business.8. Thorntons in your store is a business format which will suit you. Together we work out a way that will make you successful – that’s our ultimate goal.9. Thorntons in your store will be successful. Ask your peers. We will put you in touch with retailers who've already taken the step and added Thorntons in their store. 10. Everybody knows Thorntons. There are many more chocolate companies out there, but not one with the brand recognition that Thorntons has. The Great British public love us!

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NevitiHall 4 Stand B12www.cscimports.comSpring Fair will see Neviti launch four new ranges designed and developed by its creative team. There will be two children’s collections called Dino Island and Fairy Princess, along with a new wedding line and Happy Easter range.

Inspired by pirate adventures at sea, Dino Island features enduringly popular themes of pirates and dinosaurs across everything from plates to bunting. The magical Fairy Princess range features toadstools, flowers and butterflies, providing a fairy tale touch to party tables. The Happy Easter range features cute bunny illustrations and colourful bunting suitable for outside use to decorate the garden for Easter egg hunts, and tubs to serve ice cream, sweets and other treats. Home-made cakes stand out with Easter egg cupcake cases and adorable bunny cake picks. Following the continued success of Neviti’s wedding ranges, the company will be launching the New Frills and Spills collection. The shabby chic-style range in pink, turquoise and white adds an elegant touch to that special day.

KenroHall 4 Stand B03www.kenro.co.ukThe Kenro team is eagerly making preparations to show off an exciting new range of products. One series of note is the Indian made Jadu collection. Available in seven different designs, these colourful 6in x 4in frames would make an ideal personal gift and an eye-catching feature in homes. In keeping with the major trend of distressed-style accessories, colours available include gold, blue and teal, or for those who like a more neutral effect, there are cream and plain wood designs. The frames are supplied with an easel back only and look great when displayed all together.

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Exhibitor profiles

The London StudioHall 4 Stand H74www.thelondonstudio.comMulti award-winning design house, The London Studio, will be unveiling exciting new ranges for occasions, ages and everyday. Designer, Soula Zavacopoulos, explains: “We have gifts and new social stationery, including a family planner based on the funny things kids say – it’s hilarious! I’m also excited about our new Scratch and Reveal range of cards. They have a special silver panel that you scratch off to reveal a hidden message. It’s a very clever idea, great design, and the hidden messages will make people smile. We’re launching card and gift combinations as well, such as our Coaster Cards, which include a detachable coaster. As they are a gift and card in one, the customer feels they’re getting good value as well as great design. Our doorhanger cards are another gift and card concept. Shaped like a Do Not Disturb sign, they feature gold and silver foiling, embossing and die cutting on an extra thick, luxury board.”

Jo StockdaleHall 4 Stand H76www.jostockdale.comThis Spring Fair is to prove an exciting show for Jo Stockdale; 2014 will see the launch of Jo’s third design concept to her broadening range of greetings cards and double-sided gift-wrap and tags. Alongside which will be her new card size, designed to fit a 125mm x 175mm envelope. Jo will also be launching her new gift range of Open Edition Prints, available in two formats, mounted or flat and presented backed and bar coded in cello bags. The wide range of designs are to retail at under £25, creating a perfect gift option for any animal loving client, and designed to fit any standard frame.

Alljoy DesignHall 4 Stand J29www.alljoydesign.comAlljoy Design will be launching new laser-cut greeting card ranges at Spring Fair, with 24 new cards in each collection. Each card is cut from high quality shimmering paper with intricate laser-cut designs. Each card is hand-embellished with diamantes. All cards have extra sheet inside to allow you to write your own message. The cards measure 128mm x 178mm and come with a colourful envelope.

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Exhibitor profiles

Holy Mackerel UKHall 4 Stand K54www.holy-mackerel.co.ukIt wouldn’t be a new year without a whole host of fresh card designs from Holy Mackerel. Drop by at Spring Fair for some 2014 inspiration, to catch up on the welcome relaunch of Rupert Faxcett’s best-selling Fred cards, or to discover a feast of new designs in Erica Sturla’s One Lump or Two range. If it’s occasions you’re after, Holy Mackerel has got it covered, from baby showers to 7th anniversaries, christenings to 100th birthdays.

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Rosanna RossiHall 4 Stand J90www.rosanni-rossi.co.ukRosanna Rossi has announced the launch of an additional 24 occasional titles to complement the success of its Spotlight birthday card collection. A sophisticated range depicting quirky birds, shimmering jewellery, cute love cats and baby bunnies. Each design incorporates pretty illustration with colourful foils and emboss. The cards are individually cello-wrapped and presented with a complementing metallic silver envelope.

Molly MaeHall 4 Stand J60www.mollymae.co.ukWith almost 100 new card designs being launched at the beginning of the year, accompanied by an attractive new giftware range, Molly Mae is looking forward to an exciting Spring Fair 2014. One range being launched is The Tea Lady collection that consists of 12 designs. These glittery teapots are inspired by their own love of tea and a good natter with a friend. Titles include My Fashionable Friend, My Dearest Friend and My Potty Friend, all available as a box set of 12.

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Exhibitor profiles

Dodo PadHall 4 Stand L30www.dodopad.comQuirky diary, organiser and planner creator Dodo Pad has been titillating the world for almost 50 years with its witty wordplay and humorous illustrations. Now the company is set to amuse in a brand new way, with the launch of its new greetings card collection. This range of 16 cards is as bright and eye-catching as the Dodo Pad itself, and each card displays a comical sketch from the brand’s almost-50 year history. Spanning the subtly humorous to the completely ludicrous, the cards are a perfect everyday range for celebrations all year round. The cards, which are being co-published and printed by Catch Publishing, will retail at £2.50 each with special online discounts to be announced during the launch. The range will be officially unveiled at Spring Fair.

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Laura Darrington DesignHall 4 Stand K61www.lauradarrington.co.ukLaura Darrington Design is celebrating its 10th anniversary at Spring Fair, and as a thank you to its loyal customers over the past decade is offering all UK customers 10 per cent off all orders placed at the show. Laura has also been busy working on new additions to the Decoupage collection (pictured), plus an additional 48 exciting designs covering masculine, kids and everyday ranges all to be launched at Spring Fair.

MulhouseHall 4 Stand K30www.animikados.co.ukThe world of Animikados is beautifully brought to life by Spanish illustrator Monica Carretero. Combining mood enhancing aromas, colour and a warm story, each character presents a funny, soulful way of seeing life. An attitude we can extend into our homes through this delightful collection of reed diffusers. The beautifully packaged collection offers the traditional 100ml size, and two one-of-a-kind ideas; an 18ml greetings bottle and an uplifting Animikauto car freshener.

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Exhibitor profi les

Blue Eyed SunHall 4 Stand L66www.blueeyedsun.co.ukBlue Eyed Sun is launching a beautiful new Everyday range at Spring Fair. Allotment is based on original, free-hand, machine-stitched embroideries by artist Jo Corner. Printed with beautiful embossed motifs that give the designs a realistic feel, the cards are hand-fi nished with jewels. Retailing at £4.99 (trade £2.10 each), there are 30 Everyday designs. The cards measure 214mm sq, are sold in threes and come cello-wrapped with a white pearlescent envelope.

Blue Eyed Sun’s cards are available to order through its trade-only website and new 2014 brochure. It also has a team of sales agents across the country that can come in to see you with samples and help you choose the right look for your shop.

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Mousehouse GiftsHall 4 Stand M90www.mousehousegifts.co.ukAfter its incredibly successful launch last Autumn, Mousehouse is going from strength to strength in both its gift and soft toy collections and has big plans for expansion in early 2014, including moving to new offi ces and larger warehouse facilities.

Baby products are proving a real growth sector, and through its innovation of exciting and individual new products the brand is

expanding these ranges to include hand-crafted gift sets, record books and baby imprint sets alongside key boxed collections of matching comforters, rattles and music boxes. All in traditional soft blues and pinks but its usual trademark quirky, tasteful designs.Spring also sees the launch of new soft toy collections, including a range of quirky, fun and colourful designs alongside the more traditional fi rm favorites, all in the best, softest, snuggliest materials and all suitable from birth. With new moneyboxes, stationery and home deco items, 2014 looks very exciting for Mousehouse.

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HALLS 5, 9 & 10

• Gifts• Home interiors• Collectables• Heritage and souvenirs• Specialty food and confectionery

GIFTS

Source from a diverse range of gifts, collectables, home accessories and interiors across three of the show’s halls. Here you’ll find:

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Rosemoorewww.rosemoore.co.uk

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Exhibitor profiles

Boxer GiftsHall 5 Stand A04 - B03www.boxergifts.comBoxer Gifts’ range of glass products is well developed and successful. The new range of fun Pilsner Glasses fills that difficult-to-satisfy male gift category. Each Pilsner glass comes in a great presentation box.

Add sparkle to your store with Bejewelled Pretty Purses. These purses are in funky-coloured silicon, available in purple, pink, and blue and are an excellent pick-up line. Each purse has a large jewel with either a name or an initial in bright, friendly lettering. There are more than 100 names and 15 generic words, with early indications showing that the purses are very popular.

Boxer Gifts’ new range of quality flasks and shooters feature attractive retro-style pictures to add spice to the drinking occasion. The flasks are made from high-quality stainless steel, and each one comes with four shooters and a funnel in a delightful presentation box. There are two generic flasks, as well as individual designs for Happy Birthday, 18th and 21st celebrations.

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Books By BoxerHall 5 Stand A04 - B03www.boxergifts.comBooks by Boxer’s extensively revised range of fun gift books have again excelled as Christmas gifts. Hilarious titles like How To Poo At Work and Hangover Survival Guide have been pick-up lines all year.The company also has strong titles for the young-at-heart such as the hysterically illustrated Love & Passion for the Elderly and 101 Things To Do With A Retired Man. These books will bring a smile to even the grumpiest person!

Books by Boxer’s pick-up range of Little Books – with an RRP between £2.99 and £3.99 – work fantastically well as a pick-up line. This range now includes the interesting Tips books. These books give great fun tips on cooking and drinking, sports, and many other leisure activities.

The company also has a wide range of children’s titles that sell consistently well. Among the many great titles for all ages, Star Wars Origami has sold especially well.

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Exhibitor profiles

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Yankee Candle®

Hall 5 Stand A10 - B11www.yankeecandle.co.ukOpening up a world of opportunity at Spring Fair International and fresh for 2014, Yankee Candle® brings you four seasons of new products in just one show.

Blossoming into life is the interior and gift trend for florals; from the bold and the bright to the delicate and dainty, the company brings you three new floral fragrances to meet consumer demands for the season.

Pink Hibiscus is an uplifting and vibrant candle; the hot pink wax releases an effervescent, slightly citrus bouquet of delicate tropical hibiscus petals. Lovely Kiku, the flower of happiness, offers a feminine and enchanting scent that blends chrysanthemum with hints of sweet cherry blossom and warm vanilla. The third new fragrance, Champaca Blossom, is delightfully neutral, with champaca blossoms brought to life in this captivating fruity flower nectar.

The new Beautiful Bloom fragrances will be available in all classic product forms as well as a new generation of Yankee Candle® gift sets.

With continual innovation top of the agenda, the brand’s new generation of gift sets has been developed specifically for the international market. Striking new gift packaging in the season’s must-have colours houses a collection of best-selling and new sets, such as a 4 Votives and 4 Bucket Votives Holder and a 9 Wax Tarts gift set.

Similarly to the spring collection, the new fragrances for the summer season have been developed following extensive research to identify each season’s key trends. For summer, consumers will look to fill their homes with refreshing and inspirational fruit aromas to instil energy and vivacity. Together, the three scent launches form Yankee’s Fruit-a-licious theme, which is filled with thirst-quenching juices, colourful combinations and tropical treats.

New for summer 2014 is Black Plum Blossom, an enticing nectar of black plum blossoms with hints of white musk and vanilla. The succulent new juicy Orange Splash fragrance will fill a room with the aroma of juicy, just-picked oranges. The third new fragrance to form the Fruit-a-licious trend is Sweet Apple, a sugary sweet crispness of perfectly ripe apples fresh from the orchard.

Without spoiling the surprise, Yankee would like to invite you to visit its new-look stand at Spring Fair to discover not only the new products and home fragrances for the autumn and winter seasons, but also the trends from around the world which have inspired them. The brand can reveal, however, that Spring Fair is set to see a rather special accessory launch: one which it expects to prove as much as a consumer hit as its advent calendars, if not more…

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Exhibitor profiles

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Instant Gifts InternationalHall 5 Stand A09www.instant-gifts.co.ukInstant Gifts has launched a new range of 12in x 10in neoprene insulated fashion lunch or cosmetic bags featuring the teen idol licensed images of One Direction. The company will be showing these and other designs featuring Betty Boop and the lyrics of John Lennon and Paul McCartney. A great new gift line for 2014 with an RRP of £9.95.

The company will also be showing new 5.5in x 4.75in verse plaques, which are new additions to the Splosh best-selling Seaside range, featuring photo frames, blockwords, clocks, door signs and keyholders plus lots more.

Signature GiftsHall 5 Stand A30 - B31www.signature-gifts.co.ukSignature Gifts continues to develop its range of innovative and one-of-a-kind personalised books, with the launch of two Keepsake books in January. The first is focused on the birth of a baby and/or first birthday, called My First Year. The second is a gift for weddings or first anniversaries, called Our First Year. Each contains a full newspaper reproduced in colour from the date, plus special memories pages

to add photos, messages and record events and special moments in the year. Both books are beautifully presented in foil embossed personalised hardback covers.

Signature Gifts also recently launched Princess Opposite, a fun educational children’s book teaching opposites. Also launching are January - April, Months-of-The-Year, Tooth-Fairy, My Big Brother/Sister is Great, Is-It-My-Birthday Yet, ABC Letterland and more. With more than 7,000 lines, Signature Gifts is one of the UK’s leading premier personalised gift companies.

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Exhibitor profiles

Kringle Candle Company (Europe)Hall 5 Stand A31www.kringlecandle.co.ukKringle Candle is very excited about the new year and, like any three going on four year old, it's growing, experiencing and learning all at the same time. While Kringle Candle was born out of the heritage of Mike Kittredge’s well-known candle business, the brand is busy blazing its own one-of-a-kind trail.

New for 2014 are Medium and Large Two-Wick Classic Jars, bigger at 16oz and 22oz respectively. They have two wicks in a larger diameter jar, providing a cleaner burn. They’re also faster, as two flames create a fragrant wax pool more quickly, and have a stronger scent as the larger diameter wax pool provides stronger fragrancing. There'll be six new fragrances to try out at the show.

Lesser & PaveyHall 5 Stand B04 - C03www.leonardo.co.ukA comprehensive range of photo frames awaits buyers on the Lesser & Pavey stand. Quality, gift-boxed frames to match all tastes, from traditional to modern and stylish. The resin Cherub frames come in an antique-style pale gold finish with detailed sculpting or white with an antique ivory finish.

Crisp, clean and with a white finish, the butterfly frames feature touches of cream enamel trim. Diamanté and beading decoration give each frame an individual look and appearance.

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Joe DaviesHall 5 Stand C30 - D31www.joedavies.co.ukJoe Davies will launch the largest collection of new products at Spring Fair. More than 2,000 brand new gifts, fashion accessories, home décor and jewellery products will be on display on the brand’s stand. The company’s trademark little and often ordering policy allows retailers to select in small quantities across the whole range of over 8,000 products. A minimum order value of just £100 is yet another draw.

Among this spring’s new offerings are these quirky Comic Spec Holders, which are guaranteed to raise a chuckle and make for a great impulse gift. There are 20 new models in the range including these bashful bathroom characters.

The Equilibrium collection of fashion and jewellery accessories will also be a major draw. Hundreds of new models will be introduced including the new Daisy series (pictured). All Equilibrium jewellery is beautifully packaged for easy and attractive merchandising, and prices continue to be extremely competitive.

Satchels are one of the hottest items in the bag category at the moment, and Joe Davies’ collection is bolstered by 30 new models including smart two-tone designs and trendy glitter and metallic satchels in various sizes, starting from the mini. The satchels join more than 40 new bags specially designed for the spring/summer season.

Gift retailers will be no strangers to the snoozies!® phenomena – cosy little foot coverings from the USA that have proved to be the hottest thing in gifts for a long time, with exceptional Christmas sales. Spring Fair sees four brand new ranges of spring bling: Animal, Spotty snoozies!®, Skinnies and a new polka dot and heart series exclusive for the UK.

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Exhibitor profi les

Temple IslandHall 5 Stand A74www.templeisland.comThe Alice Tait brand continues to grow as Temple Island looks forward to launching the designer’s third range of gifts, this time a celebration of Great British Dogs.This neat homewares collection includes a fun treat tin, tray, mug, notebook and apron.

Burleigh launches Regal Peacock 1,911 hours in the making Spring Fair International Stand 1E30-D31 Tel. 01773 740740

Come and see the New Spring lines at the January Home show Stand M61 or Spring Fair NEC Summerhouse Stand E13

Tel: 01622 812897www.raggedrose.comsales@raggedrose.com

About EyesHall 5 Stand B63www.abouteyes.co.ukSpring Fair sees the launch of the latest collection of the About Eyes range of eyewear. The collection features not only the latest trends but also a wealth of classic styles, great design, good quality and ample choice, all at low prices. About Eyes eyewear truly makes necessity into an attractive accessory and are not just for women – its range of men’s styles is second to none. The brand offers a wide choice of display options to suit every need, low value repeats and excellent customer service.

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A fantastic range of gifts, home décor, interiors,

reproductions, candle holders & candelabras

for all occasions.

Ask us about our discounts for volume orders.

Great range of large Church candle lanterns

plus the usual unbeatable lantern ranges.

15 Dulverton Road • Witton • Birmingham B6 7EQ • England (UK)

T: +44 (0) 121 326 9966 F: +44 (0) 121 326 9933

E: enquiries@EverestArtsandCrafts.com

Show Details:

Giving & Living (Westpoint Exeter)

Hall B - Stand 503/602

Spring Fair (NEC Birmingham)

Hall 5 - Stand H30

Great show offers please enquire on the stand.

www.everestartsandcrafts.com

IMPORTERS WHOLESALERS EXPORTERS

J J VaillantHall 5 Stand C18www.jjvaillant.co.ukJ J Vaillant will be adding to its highly collectable range of Betty Boop fi gurines with new colourways and models, including Betty Boop Christmas, Betty Boop Buying Shoes and Betty Boop Nurse. New occasional furniture and decorative boxes will also be on display for the fi rst time.

J J Vaillant’s Once A Tree wood carvings range now features these incredibly detailed, fairly traded, hand-carved and polished owls. There are three sizes available: 20cm, 30cm and 40cm, and prices start at just £12.98.

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EnescoHall 5 Stand E04 - F03 and F04 - G03www.enesco.co.uk

In the Disney Traditions range, award-winning artist Jim Shore combines much-loved characters from Disney films with American folk art-inspired patterns and bold colours, in a style that is individual and instantly recognisable. The latest additions to this range draw inspiration from across a wide selection of magical Disney classics.

There’s a piece celebrating Mickey & Minnie Mouse’s 85th Anniversary; an exciting new range of 12 Mickey Mouse figurines – one for each month of the year – and each includes the birthstone for each month too, as well as plenty of new Disney Princesses, including the two pictured. Celebrating the 25th anniversary of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jim Shore has created a sculpture featuring Ariel, Flounder and Sabastian, entitled Dreaming Under the Sea. Meanwhile, A Brave Princess (Merida) exemplifies what it means to be a Disney Princess through being brave, passionate and confident.

Hairy Coos, a humorous giftware collection from Border Fine Arts, will be launched in January 2014. Portraying Highland cows and calves dressed with Scottish flair in winter woolies and chic accessories, the range will bring a smile to people’s faces.

The fashion-conscious cattle are the work of sculptor Janet Miller

and stem from her unusual sense of humour. Wearing tam o’shanters, plaid scarves and horn warmers, and modelling a stylish ranges of Arran jumpers, these are the smartest Highland cattle ever to be found. Each Hairy Coo is made and painted by hand, giving it an individual quirky character.

The Trail of Painted Ponies grows in popularity year-on-year, with two launches being added for January 2014. The two new stable mates have a distinct Native American flavour, but in two very different styles, conveying the message of harmony and loyalty. Painted Harmony features a mare and her foal running alongside. Known for its distinct markings, the American Paint Horse is a colourful, naturally intelligent and versatile Western breed. Characterised by a broad chest, well-muscled hindquarters and refined head, Paint Horses come in a variety of coat patterns. Standing vibrant, The Guardian represents the special bond between horse and rider in Native American culture. If an Indian wishes to gain something, he promises his horse that if it helps him he will paint it with native dyes, so that all may see that help and protection have come to him through the aid of his horse.

Enesco’s fun money bank collection, Where the Smart Money Is, creates quirky saving banks from everyday items and has been treated to a smart new look for the new year in the form of three new money banks aimed directly at male giving. Inspired by a robot, camera and car, each one has been finished in sleek metallic tones, giving a timeless and sophisticated feel. They’re also reminiscent of vintage toys, and as the colours are neutral they’ll sit comfortably in any setting, be it the office, study or a boy’s bedroom.

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PuckatorHall 5 Stand D60 - E53www.puckator.co.ukPuckator will be launching more than 600 new products at Spring Fair 2014. Fresh products and ranges will include haberdashery themed gifts, making the most of the UK’s sewing and knitting craze. In-house designer Laura Bell’s Chouko Butterfl y range and the Robotnies fun Retro Robot range by Teddy will be a highlight on the Puckator stand.

Gaeltag KeltikaHall 5 Stand E20 - F21www.lolitadesigns.co.uk“A good Spring Fair is really important to kicking off the year positively for our products,” says Gaeltag’s Managing Director, Frank Emmel. “The timing is perfect for key sales opportunities such as Mother’s Day, and the start of the new wedding season, and, after Christmas, this period is so important for our more female-oriented products. We feel that 2014 will mark a real upturn from which all of us in the gift business can benefi t.”

Amongst the company’s brands, Lolita® will be refreshing its product range and showing its widest-ever selection of glasses tailored to both celebrations, whilst TindraTM candle bags, which enjoyed great success in the run up to Christmas, will be adding more Scandinavian chic to its range with new designs of innovative paper–based products targeted specifi cally at the UK wedding market.

British Designed Ribbons and Gift TagsFree Samples and Next Day Delivery • Minimum Order £75

Ribbons including 3m, 10m and 100m rolls.

Grosgrain stitched, stripes, dotty and gingham designs

Gift Wrapping Courses and DVD available

New Trade Website – visit www.janemeans.co.uk for details

Tel 01522 522 544 (M-F 10am-3pm) • Email info@janemeans.co.uk

Ribbon Dispensers

NEW!

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Exhibitor profiles

D & J GlasswareHall 5 Stand F35www.dandjglassware.co.ukA visit to D & J Glassware’s stand is always good for discerning retailers wanting to offer their customers something different. Always at the forefront of innovation, D & J Glassware has built up an enviable reputation as the UK’s favourite supplier of quality Friendship Balls, Hearts and Tree of Life Balls. The fused glass collections have become a firm favourite with customers and new designs are added regularly.

Amelia Art GlassHall 5 Stand F80 - G81www.ameliaartglass.co.ukAmelia Art Glass will be launching many new collections of glass this spring fair. New products added to its glass portfolio will include stemware, all of which come gift boxed. Also on show will be a one-of-a-kind collection of friendship hearts, also gift boxed. A new selection of vases will also be unveiled, and the company is constantly introducing new collections.

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Intelex GroupHall 5 Stand G10 - H11www.intelex.co.ukLast year was another exciting year for Intelex. With the launch of the fully warmable ranges of YooHoo™, Boofl e, Knitted Warmers™ and new Hooty™ and Socky Dolls™ variants, visitors to Spring Fair 2014 can always rely on seeing exciting new products from the heatable toy innovators. With Socky Dolls™ mania reaching fever pitch last Christmas, this versatile range of warmable characters are popular with both kids, teenagers and adults alike, who love the quirky little bed warming companions. Visitors to the Intelex stand can expect to see a new range of SockyDoll™ characters and much more.

RosemooreHall 5 Stand G46www.rosemoore.co.ukDesigned to offer affordable luxury to customers, Rosemoore scented candles are highly scented, 100 per cent vegetable wax and hand-poured into attractive glass. They have the added luxury of a highly polished metal lid, embossed with the Rosemoore logo. The candles are available in two sizes and a wide choice of fragrances, including Eucalyptus & Kaffi r Line, Amber & White Musk, White Tea, Egyptian Cotton and Lavender Blue.

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Shared EarthHall 5 Stand F50www.sharedearth.co.ukShared Earth has been one of the UK’s leading fair trade gift suppliers for the last 25 years. Working with producers in more than 16 countries across Asia, Africa and South America, it specialises in producing well-designed gifts, home accessories, fashion accessories, jewellery and toys for retailers of all types.

While committed to a constantly evolving range of products to stay up to date with current trends, Shared Earth’s core home and gift range includes many vintage lines that have been best-sellers for years.

Its generous discount structure allows retailers to maximise margins and make the most of their buying power. For orders over £400, customers receive a five per cent discount, while orders over £750 receive 10 per cent, orders over £1,500 receive 15 per cent off, and orders over £2,500 receive a whopping 20 per cent discount. This is on top of free carriage for all orders over £200.

Coupled with Shared Earth’s sale or exchange policy, which ensures that customers are never left with stock that won’t sell, its discount scheme allows customers to be safe in the knowledge that they’re getting the best possible deal.

Also of note is Shared Earth’s bespoke design service, offering companies the opportunity to produce lines of fair trade products

in their own brand or design. Many retailers large and small use Shared Earth to create their own branded lines of ethically produced, sustainable jute bags.

While these are one of Shared Earth’s more popular bespoke lines, its incredibly enthusiastic design team is able to work on bringing any sort of fair trade line you can imagine to the UK market.Shared Earth began trading long before fair trade became trendy, having been set up specifically to benefit producers in the poorest parts of the world. It’s also particularly concerned about the environment and offers a great selection of recycled fair trade products, made not just from paper and glass but from old saris, crayon stubs, bicycle chains and tyres, door locks, keys and bottle tops… you name it!

Shared Earth was one of the founders of fair trade in the UK. A wealth of experience through its own shops has given the company real knowledge of retailers’ needs.

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Bolsius (UK)Hall 5 Stand G80 - H81www.bolsius.comThe new spring 2014 range from Bolsius is entitled Sweet Celebration. Living up to its name, it includes filled glass candles, ceramic display plates, tea light holders and rustic candles in candy colours.

Spring Party comprises a vibrant theme with fragrance-filled glasses, rustic metallic pillar candles and pillar candles all in yellows and lilac. Summer Lounge combines the colours of the sun, sea and air to bring you rustic candles, glass three-wick candles, glass filled single candles and flame bowls, all beautifully coordinated.

The new Citronella Garden range arrives in 2014 with an unusual herbal fragrant twist. It’s available in tea lights, filled glasses, classic lowboy, party lights and flame bowls. The new 2014 autumn/winter range will be unveiled at the show.

NamasteHall 5 Stand H10 - J11www.namaste-uk.comNamaste has got lots of exciting product launches planned for Spring Fair. Design-led and fairly traded, its vast collection encompasses gifts, homewares, soft furnishings, furniture, incense, clothing, accessories and jewellery, with a generous discount structure to suit all retailers.

New additions include quirky animal themed gifts and decorations from the Philippines. This vibrant and fun new range will enliven any shop as readily as any home. The collection includes clocks, hooks, garden stakes and ornaments.

Adding to the animal theme are new hand-made metal gifts from India. Fairly traded yet very commercial, sensibly priced and with very wide appeal, the line features beautifully painted elephants, chickens, cats, pigs and birds.

Namaste’s recycled aluminium is an established best-seller in gift shops and home stores throughout Britain and beyond. Aluminium is a beautiful material for ornamental use with its muted metallic texture and the enamelled colours, at once vibrant and subtle, bring these lovely pieces alive. The range includes new variations of the popular coasters dips and nibbles trays, salad bowls and servers, keyrings and a line of paperweights.

Everest Arts & CraftsHall 5 Stand H30www.everestartsandcrafts.comEverest Arts & Crafts is a family-run business established in 1969. At present, the company is the largest importer of brass products in the UK, complemented with copper, wood, iron, resin and related or combined products. It has a range of nautical, candle stands and candelabras, a huge collection of lanterns for home and garden, wooden boxes, wooden games, reproductions of cycles, magnifiers, measures, tankards, goblets, wine coolers, ice buckets and a diverse range of sports cups and trophies.

A beautiful range of designer silver jewellery for every occasion.

Tel: 01489 795555Email: sam@joforgirls.co.uk

Best SellersWedding

Christening Cute

Watches

Colourful

Sparkly

See us at Spring

Fair - Hall 18

Stand E03

Reading Glasses, Sunglasses, Sun Readers & Accessories

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Dartington CrystalHall 5 Stand J08 - K07www.dartington.co.ukDartington Crystal has got plenty to offer its customers in 2014, and will showcase many new collections. Crystal and glass under the Dartington, Caithness and Royal Brierley brands will feature alongside ceramics from Beswick and Top Choice.

With more than a nod to the past, Dartington has recreated its stylish and functional kitchen glassware. These combinations of hand-made glass with cork and wood include storage jars, an oil/vinegar bottle and dome-covered boards. As well as a great way to present and serve food, the glass dome cover doubles up as a bowl – which is why it was originally called Cheese & Greens.

A strong gift focus runs through the new coloured glass vase collection of Little Gems. These petite vases come in a variety of shapes each in a distinctive gem like colour. Offered in giftable presentation sleeves, they’d make ideal presents in time for Valentine’s Day.

Clere VisionHall 5 Stand J51www.clerevision.co.ukClere Vision’s glasses for the spring/summer 2014 season reflect the quality and trend-setting designs synonymous with the brand. The new collection contains a mixture of classic and new shapes, bold designs and bright colours, as well as some more conservative styles equally suitable for gents. Spots, stripes and swirls make for an eye-catching display that will complement spring and summer fashions. There's also a new tartan design available in vibrant pink and a more traditional green. The final range to be launched in the New Year is a cat’s eye-shaped design available in two pastel colours, featuring delicate crystals on the frame.

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XystosHall 5 Stand K04 - L05www.xystostrade.co.uk

A WoodWick SmoothieIt’s been another sensational year for WoodWick, the candle with the crackling wick distributed by Xystos. Sales have boomed as the brand continues to attract new customers, thanks to the creativity of The Virginia Candle Company, which produces imaginative candles and great fragrances for every season. The Trilogy Wild Berry Smoothie, pictured here, features Dreamsicle Daydream, Strawberry Parfait and Marionberry. This is just one of the new WoodWick products that will be seen on the Xystos stand at Spring Fair.

Appealing AquiesseThe classic Aquiesse Collection of Aesthetic Scents from Xystos has attracted interest not only from independent retailers but well-known department stores too. Designed to convey a timeless sense of luxury, three lines are being offered. Black Currents and White Currents feature travel tin candles, gift boxed candles and reed diffuser gift sets. The popular Portfolio collection features eight scents – Pink Peony, Shoreline, Boardwalk, French Oak Currant, Cherimoya, Sandalwood Vanille, Passionfruit & Citrus and best-seller Luxe Linen. The elegant packaging is designed to minimise cost and maximise reusability.

The Art of RibbonwickThe gorgeous glow from a Ribbonwick candle is always enhanced by the stylish vessel which cossets it. These are available from Xystos in a variety of shapes and sizes. Pictured is Peach Poppies, an attractive example of Ribbonwick’s USP to transform a candle into a lifestyle product. Ribbonwick not only looks good but its revolutionary technology is said to give a mellower burn than that of a wooden wick or cotton wick. Line extensions to Décor Glass and Décor White see Moroccan Spice and Snow Flower now available in large and medium sizes in both ranges. Other recently launched pieces include Toasted Tonka, Ocean Lagoon, Black Forest, Parisian Vanilla and Sugared Praline.

Trapp’s top with buyersTrapp Candles uses a full bottle of perfume in every 7oz candle, which is guaranteed to fragrance a home from top to bottom. Trapp has been voted the best-scented cotton wick candle by customers in the US. The range comprises vessels and votives with a 20-hour burn time and 10 of the best-selling reed diffusers in stunning packaging. There are also 13 room fragrance sprays in attractive French-inspired perfume bottles.

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Tilnar ArtHall 5 Stand K38www.tilnarart.co.ukFair trade supplier, Tilnar Art, will be launching a number of new ranges and products at Spring Fair, and is very proud to be linking up with the WWF to create a new range, set to include a whole new collection of WWF branded soapstone hearts and keyrings.

Tilnar Art will also be exhibiting new bespoke recycled car part sculptures for the fi rst time, which have to be seen to be believed! As well as these and many other new products, Tilnar Art will be showing its popular recycled sculptures, metal and wooden giraffes, zebras, coloured soapstone, Raku pottery and MO-HOme’s bamboo homeware collection.

CybertillHall 5 Stand K53www.cybertill.co.ukCybertill will be offering free advice to retailers on how they can improve the ranking of their website on Google. The company will also be showcasing its new mobile point of sale (Mobile PoS) system

that can run on an iPad. Cybertill’s Mobile PoS enables retailers to carry their EPoS system with them wherever they are. Ideal at trade shows, allowing retailers to check previous orders, live stock levels as well as placing new orders, it will help retailers towards under or over ordering. In addition, the company will be demonstrating its award-winning EPoS and e-commerce systems.

Whether it is our striking packaging, our natural fragrancing or our overall product performance, Seascape Island Apothecary is one of the most exciting premium bath & body collections to come out of Britain in a long time.

Seascape highlights include: •100% natural essential oil – based formulations for the whole family• maternity – safe collections and formulations for children • no parabens, silicones, petroleums, SLS, artificial colors or fragrances• Seascape is against animal testing and is suitable for vegetarians

Come and experience Seascape Island Apothecary at stand 20A17, where you will find our entire range to sample, including our very

popular new SOOTHE 8ml SLEEP OIL.

web: www.seascapeuk.com e-mail: contact@seascapeuk.com tel: 0845 003 5255

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MaingateHall 5 Stand K85www.maingate.co.ukSpring Fair veteran Maingate is approaching the 2014 show in buoyant mood, having booked its largest ever stand to accommodate a raft of new launches. Among the most exciting news is a range of striking plant and candle holders moulded in a mineral composite incorporating Pumice volcanic rock. The range is painstakingly fashioned to resemble a collection of wooden logs and stems that you just carted home from today’s walk in the woods – the difference being that these logs will never crumble or deteriorate. They’re neat enough for any interior setting, and tough enough for outside use.

Maingate’s well-established Stylys range is being extended too with dozens of new products in glass and porcelain, such as the delicate art deco votives pictured below.

Personalised Memento CompanyHall 5 Stand L20 - M21www.personalisedmemento.co.ukAvailable from Personalised Memento Company is this new collection of baby clothing including baby vests, bibs and super soft sleep suits. The full baby gifting range features blankets and keepsakes to treasure forever. The Twinkle range is set to be a best-seller with its sweet nursery rhyme, including any baby name.The new super sleek black glass range is the ideal gift for her, including trinket boxes to store charms and jewellery. The frames in the ranges are available in an array of designs for all occasions on the calendar, making an ideal gift for every family member.

The company has also launched a new collection of personalised gifts to celebrate famous pairings. The We Go Together Like... range is made all the more personal with any couple’s name. With gifts that are suitable all year round, they are the ideal present for any special occasion.

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Mandarin ArtsHall 5 Stand K79www.mandarinarts.co.ukThis attractive hand-made lacquered box is from a small town in Shanxi province in northern China where, over a period of 2,000 years, the community has built a reputation as one of the country’s most famous lacquerware producers. A layer of natural lacquer is brushed on by hand, allowed to dry, and then gently rubbed down before several more layers are added in the same way. The design is painstakingly applied by hand to create a quintessential Chinese jewellery box steeped in tradition. Mandarin Arts sells many other oriental treasures, lamps and decorative items.

Best Kept SecretsHall 5 Stand L31www.bestkeptsecrets.co.ukThe Occasion range from Best Kept Secrets will feature at this year’s Spring Fair. Covering all occasions, these gift candles have been updated and feature a 50-hour burn time, outstanding scents and a range of attractive toppings.

The line complements other product offers and gift packs in the Best Kept Secrets range, including the top-selling Super Seven’s and Three Lites boxed series of candle gifts. The range of occasion candles has been reviewed following enquiries from major retailers including Harrods, and now features designs for New Baby, Congratulations, Anniversary and Thank You, which sit alongside existing Just Married, New Home and Happy Birthday.

Sister company Thistle Soaps, the Northumberland-based specialist in luxury scented hand-made soaps, will be working more closely with Best Kept Secrets in 2014, with a combined presence at trade shows and more direct support to customers throughout the year. At Spring Fair, Best Kept Secrets’ stand will also feature a complete range of Thistle Soaps, so customers can buy all their seriously scented products in one place.

Wild ThingsHall 5 Stand L32www.wildthingsgifts.comSpring Fair sees the launch of a brand new catalogue and website from Wild Things Gifts. It’s the brand’s first brochure in more than two years and it’s made a major upgrade to the website. In addition to its new Crystal Daydreams© suncatchers, Wild Things will be showing its updated Flower Power range of jewellery, which features SWAROVSKI® ELEMENTS and takes its inspiration from popular blooms such as roses, forget-me-nots, dahlias and wisteria (illustrated). Virtually all Wild Things products are hand-made in the UK.

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Sifcon InternationalHall 10 Stand A05 - B04www.silplc.comSIL brings woodland wonders to Spring Fair. SIL will be delighting us with a new range based around traditional woodland creatures. Fantastic foxes, sensational squirrels and awesome owls are all over textiles, ceramics and wall art. Our particular favourite is the handsome herringbone squirrel doorstop.

Following the success of its Christmas Collection at the last Spring Fair, SIL is also launching three new ranges. There’s pure and sparkling Ice White, crisp and clean New Scandinavian, and earthy and organic Natural Wood.

JarapaHall 9 Stand A06www.jarapa.co.ukJarapa will be exhibiting an array of colour and many plain and simple 100 per cent recycled glass items. Focusing on building the range of clear glass products this spring, Jarapa will be introducing more than 50 new products, many of which are ready for immediate dispatch.

BabyfaceHall 9 Stand H46www.babyface.uk.comBabyface will be presenting a beautiful range of children’s bedding and accessories. This year, the brand introduces a new child’s playhouse into its collection. This fabric house features flower and butterfly appliqué detail and a cute red gingham roof. Two more rugs make great additions to the brand’s rug collection. A girl’s star rug features pastels colours, while a boy’s striped rug comes in classic red, white and blue. Both rugs will be stocked in the standard 90cm x 120cm size and the popular large 120cm x 180cm size.

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CONTEMPORARY GIFT & HOME – HALLS 6 & 7

Wild & Wolf www.wildandwolf.com

Find the UK’s biggest selection of modern, directional and quirky medium to high-end gifts, home and lifestyle products. Visit the sector for : • Design-led gift and gadgets• Luxury lifestyle ranges• Home accessories• Contemporary children’s gifts

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Exhibitor profilesNavigateHall 6 Stand G22 - H23www.navigate.ltd.ukThese satchels are the latest additions to the boutique brand Beau & Elliot, from Navigate. Taking the current trend for all things preppy to another level, these bold and colourful designs are fused with a traditional look. The pretty satchels come in three colours: aqua, lime or pink. The Beau & Elliot range now also includes baby-changing bags and baby bottle bags, with the same colourful confetti design, as well as a new and very giftable range of storage jars. These are in stock from January onwards.

Black GingerHall 6 Stand G58www.blackginger.co.ukThis year, Black Ginger’s spring/summer collection has something for everyone, but is particularly focused on Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Easter. There are more than 40 different designs of photo frame coasters ranging from single colours to pretty floral patterns to heartfelt words. On top of that, the company offers a collection of scarves, jewellery, Easter decorations and lots more gift ideas.

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Think PinkHall 6 Stand H04 - J05www.thinkpinkblue2.comExciting times at Think Pink, as it prepares to launch an exclusive collection of Hello Kitty products. Designed specifically with independents, garden centres and high-end department stores in mind, the line will include a musical jewellery box, rag dolls, chef ’s apron and hat set, photo frames and a tea set. Off the back of its very successful autumn 2013 launch of the Sleepover Fairies, a Birthday doll and a Ballerina doll will join the family this spring. Finally, a range of jigsaws and jewellery boxes exclusively designed by Amanda Loverseed for Think Pink will also form part of this exciting Spring 2014 product launch programme.

Half Moon BayHall 6 Stand H22 - J23www.halfmoonbay.co.ukHalf Moon Bay is excited to showcase its new licence with the Walt Disney Company, with both Disney and The Muppets characters. Exciting product formats including mini retro bags, shaped money tins and tablet sleeves are being introduced to the comprehensive collections. The giftware company will also be previewing its new Christmas ranges, and additions to existing licences including Doctor Who, Superman and Batman. Half Moon Bay has a new licence with the Justice League of America in anticipation of the upcoming film, and a World War I range to mark the 100-year anniversary.

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Wild & WolfHall 6 Stand H42 - J43www.wildandwolf.comWild & Wolf will be launching The Very Hungry Caterpillar creative play range. The Very Hungry Caterpillar, which celebrates its 45th anniversary this year, has won the hearts of millions of children all over the world, created by Eric Carle whose illustrations are instantly recognisable. Wild & Wolf has an extensive offering ready for Spring Fair, featuring creative play kits for children aged two to six years old, including bunting making, card making, finger printing, 3D animal making, chalks and crayons as well as some melamine products. The company will be launching a range of other products at the show, so be sure to visit the stand to find out more about the range.

New Overseas TradersHall 6 Stand J04 - K05www.newoverseastraders.co.ukNew Overseas Traders will be showing an exciting new collection this Spring Fair. This includes the Nelly the Elephant range, which is hand-made, hand-painted and fairly traded. The range features a cute elephant and includes cups, jugs, tiffin tins, trays and pin tins, starting from £1.41. Other new products include a range of basketware, floral fabric storage boxes, bamboo salad bowls, block-printed bedspreads and cushions, scarves and bags. The company offers no minimum order and a low carriage paid rate. New Overseas Traders is a member of the World Fair Trade Organisation and the British Association for Fair Trade Shops and Suppliers.

BaggeeHall 6 Stand K26www.baggee.comThe Baggee is a flexible hollow ball on a keychain designed to hold plastic bags. It has a spring-lever keyring and attaches to your keys or handbag so the forgetful shopper always has a bag to hand. Also great for carrying bags for camping, dog walking, nappy sacks or any for any time when plastic bags are needed. Simply stuff your bags into the unit and they’ll stay in without the need of a cap or lid and can be pulled out one at a time when needed. All Baggee products are made in the UK.

Artscape PublishingHall 6 Stand P04www.artscapeonline.com

Artscape Publishing will be showing its extended range of everyday aprons. With a roomy front pocket for storing those essentials, these one-size aprons are adorned with hilarious slogans such as King of the Barbeque, Queen of the Kitchen, Prick with a Fork and many more. Proudly made in the UK, they’re packaged in a euro-hooked acrylic box.

Artscape will also be exhibiting its collection of Santa Balls, as well as oven gloves, tea towels, boxer shorts, socks and Christmas cards.

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thumbsUp!Hall 6 Stand P37www.thumbsupuk.comThe latest additions to thumbsUp!’s innovative giftware and home accessory products will be revealed at this year’s Spring Fair. Coming to you from the gift and gadget gurus that conceived the Camera Lens Cup and following on from its hugely successful gift, gadget and homeware lines in 2013, highlights of the new collection include Robocup, Leaning Tower Cups, the latest Touch Speakers, LochNess Table Set, Mr White Fox, Shoelace Earphones, Ninja Mug and more! Visit thumbsUp! to meet the team and preview its exciting new range.

Dora DesignsHall 6 Stand P22 - Q23www.doradesigns.co.ukDora Designs has introduced 26 new designs for its spring 2014 collection. Following on from the popularity of the British Birds and Owls range, Angela has designed a new Birds of Prey collection featuring a Red Kite, Golden Eagle and Sparrow Hawk. Further new collections include Canine, Patchwork, Nautical and Pantry.

Repeat RepeatHall 6 Stand P40www.repeatrepeat.co.ukRepeat Repeat will be launching its new Silhouette Portrait range of bone china mugs at Spring Fair. Expanding on the ever popular Silhouette dog and cat themes, the designs are bigger and bolder than ever – but the joke and punch lines remain subtle, well, maybe not so subtle!

Exhibitor profiles

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Mad BeautyHall 6 Stand Q01www.madbeauty.comMad Beauty’s iconic cardboard exhibition stand will be bursting with cosmetic gift goodies at this year’s Spring Fair, including its Pop Heart soaps, lip gloss, hand warmers and wash bags. Mad’s incredibly successful Make Do & Mend range of cosmetic gifts has been extended with a full range based around Balls of Wall with tweezers, wash bags, tissues, lip balms and nail files added to the Buttons and Cotton reel themes. Ideal for spring are the Ice Cream body butters and lip balms as well as other new body creams, lip gloss concepts and fresh impulse purchase lines.

Nail Art also features heavily with suedes, sprinkles, holographic glitter dust, rhinestones and Mad polish on show. New lip gloss products include Happy Campers and Elephants, and these sit alongside other animal themed glosses. New Tidy Me Up make up organisers, Brush Me Up gift sets and many other great cosmetic gifts and bath products complete the line up.

The Country Candle CompanyHall 6 Stand Q05www.thecountrycandlecompany.comThe Country Candle Company is a fast-growing, independent company based in Wiltshire. The company regularly creates new collections and variations that respond to domestic design trends and tastes. All collections are made in the UK and the company uses high-quality raw materials and artisan methods to create gifts with great trade margins and RRPs.

One particular addition to this year’s spring and summer catalogue, which will be available to sample at Spring Fair, is The Country Candle Company’s vacation-inspired fragrances. This is an extension to the company’s best-selling Polka Dot collection – designed to spread the feel-good factor with scented reminders of exotic places and classic holiday destinations.

Candles are presented in the choice of a tin or vogue jar. There's also a matching reed diffuser. The packaging adds even more to the overall value of these attractive gift products, even after each candle has used up its typical 40 hours of burn-time.

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Metal PlanetHall 6 Stand R34www.metalplanet.netMetal Planet will be exhibiting its beautiful pewter inspired range of contemporary jewellery and quirky gifts, all designed and hand-made at its Hertfordshire studios. The brand will introduce its spring/summer Luna London range of jewellery, which combines chunky, solid pewter alongside delicate, zesty strands of sparkly crystals. Metal Planet has mixed up bracelet and necklace designs too in smart gold and pewter mix, hematite and rose gold.

Cute new stretch rings from just £2.25 will be on show, which match the company’s range of bracelets.

Deck the HallsHall 6 Stand Q08www.deck-the-halls.co.ukWit With Wisdom by Deck the Halls presents a new collection of witty wooden signs, coasters, and mugs at Spring Fair. All hand-made in the UK using Farrow and Ball paints, the range was a huge success in the run up to Christmas and the company’s the ability to provide speedy turnaround really helped to maximise customers sales. The signs are funny rather than sentimental and meet the demand for a more quality contemporary country style. Over half of the brand’s sales are now bespoke signs, making each store’s offering truly original. With a minimum of only six pieces for bespoke signs this is a great sales opportunity with some customers making personalised signs for local schools using local sayings (and languages) and even wedding and birth keepsakes. The signs retail at £5.95.

Kate Hamilton-Hunter StudioHall 6 Stand S17www.katehh.co.uk

Kate Hamilton-Hunter Studio produces beautiful, delicate hand-made jewellery, fashioned from all kinds of modern and vintage tins including biscuit, toffee, cake and tea tins. Designed by Kate and created on the stunning coast of North Wales, the jewellery is sold throughout the UK, a few select shops abroad and online.Kate’s Valentine’s collection for 2014 is deliciously romantic. Florals abound with dainty daisies, soft pinks and vibrant reds on her most popular delicate heart shapes, all embellished with sparkling Swarovski crystals.

Daisy RootsHall 6 Stand R01www.daisy-roots.comDaisy Roots will be unveiling its 2014 catalogue at this year’s Spring Fair. It will also be launching a host of new gift ideas, including a gift set featuring an organic cotton hat and coordinating fl eecy slippers. Available in pink or blue, the hat and slippers are embroidered with stars and make the perfect new baby gift. Presented in Daisy Roots hanging gift boxes, these new hat and slipper sets are available in two sizes: nought to six and six to 12 months.

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Pintail CandlesHall 6 Stand T31www.pintailcandles.comFollowing a hugely successful Christmas and 20th birthday celebrations, tt’s proving to be a great New Year for Pintail Candles. Now in its 21st year of business, Pintail is showcasing its full product range at Spring Fair 2014, and will be introducing brand new colours and fragrances, such as Milk & Honey and White Bamboo. As well as all the Pintail favourites in fragranced tin candles, also on show is the No 20 range of glass candles and diffusers, which are tipped to be this season’s hot products following record sales over the festive period. With a fabulous new stand, exciting new fragrances and a fresh new look for this season’s brochure, 2014 looks promising for Pintail.

Exhibitor profi les

HAZEL ATKINSON JEWELLERY

www.hazelatkinsonjewellery.co.uk tel 0115 9411110

Handmade in the UK.

Exhibiting at, Scotland’s Trade fair

at Stand I44 Spring Fair Stand 18DQ46.

spring 2014 range in stock now! see us at top drawer stand ze2 and

spring fair hall 19 stand b04

call - 01620 824 392

email - sales@earthsquared.com

order online - www.fairtradewholesale.co.uk

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Shruti DesignsHall 7 Stand D04 - E03www.shrutidesigns.co.ukShruti Designs will be presenting lots of new products and designs in its Casey Rogers collection. Launched with only four products back in June 2013, there are now more than 30 lines in stock for the spring/summer season. In addition, the company plans to use Spring Fair to present some new designs to sit alongside existing favourites, and launch a new collection of ceramic mugs, aprons, coasters and fun kitchen clocks, as well as a few surprises for men!

Stubbs MugsHall 6 Stand S41www.stubbsmugs.co.ukThe Stubbs Mugs range continues to grow, with more fi ne bone china mugs, coasters and linens. New titles in the Rather range include I’d Rather It Was Wine O’Clock and I’d Rather Be Cycling, as well as all the favourites such as I’d Rather Be Better At Driving and I’d Rather Be Better At Dancing. New designs added to the company’s offering include the Simon Hart range, new mug designs from Clive’s Cats and an extension to the Time For Tea and Cup & Saucer collections.

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You will find a collection of stylish, design-led home and gift products from leading UK and international suppliers including:• Interior accessories• Furniture• Quality kitchen accessories• Leather handbags• Wool throws• Garden accessories

THE SUMMERHOUSE – HALL 8

Ragged RoseHall 8 Stand E13www.raggedrose.comRagged Rose will be launching its new range of summer cushions and bedding, along with kitchen aprons and textiles. The latest launches combine plains, prints and stripes in luscious shades of fuchsia pink, lime and duck egg blue. From the success of its best-selling PVC garden kneelers featured in The Daily Mail, the brand has expanded the garden gift range into new colourways and products, including pottering aprons, trugs, garden hats and gloves. Aimed at garden centres, gift shops and department stores, Ragged Rose offers a colour-coordinated lifestyle and gift collection.

Ragged Rose www.raggedrose.com

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You'll find skincare ranges, perfumes, bath scents, home fragrances, diffusers, reeds and candles here. Visit this sector for :• Body, bath and spa• Home fragrance, candles and incense• Beauty and hair products• Luxury gifts• Health and wellbeing

BODY & BATH – HALLS 6 AND 20

Patisserie de Bain www.graftons.co.uk

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The Fragrance LoungeHall 6 Stand T26www.thefragrancelounge.comABODE AROMA® fragrances have been revamped with the launch of Hue and Scented Sentiments.

Hue makes a statement with its line-up of bold, bright colours in newly designed gift boxes. The revered high quality fragrances have been poured into distinctive elliptical bottles with an elegant brushed aluminium collar to complement and enhance any interior.

Scented Sentiments puts a whole new spin on the giving of greetings cards by combining heartfelt sentiments with the gift of a mini fragrance diffuser.

Both collections feature brand new high-performance dispersion wicks boasting controlled porosity which help to better diffuse Abode Aroma’s 90 per cent fragrance oil formulations.

Seascape Island ApothecaryHall 20 Stand A17www.seascapeuk.comInspired by and including ingredients from the beautiful island of Jersey, Seascape features three luxurious bath and body ranges, hand care, hair care, and collections for men and children, as well as those with sensitive skin. A UK brand, Seascape is 100 per cent essential oil-based, and uses only the fi nest ingredients. Its formulations contain no parabens, SLS, petroleum, silicones, artifi cial colours or artifi cial fragrances. Seascape is suitable for vegetarians, and includes two ranges that are maternity safe. For personal use or as a gift, Seascape impresses with its delightful packaging, delicate fragrancing and overall high quality performance.

Exhibitor profi les

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Heyland & WhittleHall 6 Stand Q29www.heylandandwhittle.co.ukHeyland & Whittle has extended its range to include many more exciting new products including the much sought after Room Mists. These are now available in six fragrances, including Olive & Fig, Wild Lemongrass and the increasingly popular Jasmine & Lilac launched in 2013. Also new in the fragrance range are oil burners and fragrance oils. Becoming fashionable again, the oil burner has a classic elegance that would look just the part in any home. With six fragrances to choose from, customers can create a range of ambiences to suit any mood.

Grafton InternationalHall 20 Stand A41www.graftons.co.ukPatisserie de Bain by Rose & Co. contains an array of pretty colours and fragrances, inspired by the pastel hues of Parisian patisseries and British sweets from childhood memories. Packaged in traditional, richly decorated tins, bottles and boxes, no-one is able to resist these delicious treats. Alongside its classics, Rose & Co. will be launching some exciting new products into the Patisserie de Bain collection. Be the first to see them at Spring Fair 2014.

Aroma HomeHall 20 Stand A21www.aromahome.comAroma Home is launching some new knitted gift ranges this year following the success of its Snuggle Me Hotties and Cozy Ears which sold out in many stores last year. The company will also be launching a new range of novelty blankets and neck pillows that are available immediately. In addition to innovative new gift products for all ages, for 2014 there are also extensions to the popular Fuzzy Feet and Fun for Feet novelty slipper and slipper sock ranges.

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Heaven ScentHall 20 Stand C18www.heavenscent.co.ukHeaven Scent has introduced a new three-wick candle to suit any side table or fireside in the home. This beautiful glass candle measures 12cm x 8cm and burns for approximately 60 to 70 hours. Made with the company’s natural plant waxes combined with essential and fragranced oils, this candle boasts quality with a conscience. The glass is recycled and the materials used in the wax are natural and ethically sourced.

Exhibitor profiles

Winter in VeniceHall 20 Stand E09www.winterinvenice.co.ukWIV Global is a British award-winning designer and manufacturer of luxury bath and bodycare products. Each bath gift set comprises an array of high quality toiletries placed inside reusable containers such as hat boxes, sewing boxes, jewellery boxes and others; nothing gets thrown away. Pictured is the gardening trug, an ideal gift for Mother’s Day. The brand’s moisture-locked natural formula is paraben-free and enriched with shea butter, cocoa butter, mango butter, almond oil, plant and fruit extracts. Vitamins A and E, pro vitamin B5 and evening primrose oil help leave skin feeling totally pampered and nourished. The company is against all animal testing and cruelty.

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JEWELLERY & WATCH BIRMINGHAM – HALLS 17 & 18

Sea Gems www.seagems.co.uk

The Jewellery Show at Spring Fair has re-branded to become Jewellery & Watch Birmingham, reinforcing its position as the leading event in the jewellery and watch buying calendar.

Watches will have more prominence among the jewellery collections, with more watch brands exhibiting and increased exposure on the catwalk.

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Linda Macdonald JewelleryHall 18 Stand DQ15www.lindamacdonaldjewellery.comLinda Macdonald Jewellery will be launching new collections, Starry Night and Forget Me Not at the show. This delicate and distinctive jewellery is designed and made in Scotland. Over the years Linda Macdonald Jewellery has achieved continuous success as an award-winning jewellery brand in the UK, culminating most recently in her being named the British Jewellery Association’s Designer of the Year 2012. All items are supplied with branded packaging and RRPs range from £35 to £350.

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Hazel AtkinsonHall 18 Stand DQ46www.hazelatkinsonjewellery.co.ukTo celebrate spring’s awakening, Hazel is introducing exciting new lines to her highly successful Natural Selection range. Holiday blends azure blue, fuchsia and tangerine in an expressionistic anticipation of summer vacations, while the cool silvers and crisp greens of Fresh Air evoke the optimism and promise of a clear spring morning. Saturated with colour and ever-changing intricate design, each hand-made piece is produced in Hazel’s Nottingham studios. Bright and breezy, light-hearted and fun.

Jo for Girls®

Hall 18 Stand E03www.joforgirls.co.uk

Children’s jewellery specialist, Jo for Girls® has introduced a butterfly necklace and earrings for spring. These butterflies are new for 2014 and made from 925 sterling silver and cubic zirconia gemstones.

For eight years, Jo for Girls® has been delighting young girls aged three to 13-years-old with popular and attractive pieces that are sparkly, colourful, cute and fun – all designed, of course, for the smaller wrist, neck, ear and finger.

Looking forward to this year’s Spring Fair, Keith Richards commented: “We love the opportunity to showcase our designer silver jewellery for girls at the Jewellery & Watch Show. It’s extremely satisfying to see the delight on the faces of our existing customers and potential customers when they can see the entire Jo for Girls® range fully displayed.”

Rosa RedHall 18 Stand C66www.rosared.co.ukFollowing the success of Rosa Red’s Adam and Eve collection, designed by young Scottish designers, the brand will be exhibiting its new core range of affordable, distinctive designs as well as launching new pieces for the Adam and Eve range. Rosa Red has built up a reputation for quality, style and affordability. This, combined with next-day delivery and a no-quibble guarantee, means that customers can be assured of the best the fashion jewellery industry has to offer. Designs such as Ness (pictured) have been so well received that they'll be translated in to spring colours such as pink and turquoise. Necklaces start at £9.45 and with co-ordinating bracelets, rings and earrings in most ranges, this collection will stand out in any environment.

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MidhavenHall 18 Stand F02www.midhaven.co.ukBurst into spring colours with the new Tribal Steel range by Midhaven. Many new styles of leather and stainless steel bracelets and necklets for men and women will be shown including the new Raindrop collection. RRPs range from £8 to £35. Point of sale is free with orders over £200, and each bracelet comes with a branded hessian pouch. Also on show will be the Lavish Silver ranges of plain and stone-set silver jewellery.

VizatiHall 18 Stand H05www.vizati.comBrought back by popular demand, Vizati is launching a fresh and very substantial range of dazzling dichroic glass jewellery to complement its ever-expanding collection of 5XTRA silver-plated jewellery. Textured glass in a variety of popular shapes and shades will catch the eye and brighten any display. The 5XTRA collection of silver-plated jewellery has many new additions, from contemporary organic designs to animals, fish and dinosaurs!

Sea GemsHall 18 Stand K04 - L05www.seagems.co.ukSea Gems offers original, British jewellery and gift design with hundreds of new, exclusive launches for spring 2014. Contemporary silver jewellery brand Pure Origins features naturally inspired hand-crafted pieces with floral, wildlife, romantic and whimsical themes, enhanced with delicate textures, gold accents, pearls and gemstones. The charming designs come with luxury boxes, packaging and displays.

New Celtic Lands and Mackintosh sterling silver jewellery will be on show, as well as fine enamel jewellery and scarf rings. On the gifts side, the company’s signature Celtic and Mackintosh motifs have been transposed onto pens, bookmarks, pillboxes and compacts.

New Touch Stylus pens for phone/tablet devices, crystal pens and men’s pens are also available. These are the perfect contemporary gift, and truly look great in store too thanks to the attractive box and POS.

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GeckoHall 18 Stand K30 - L31www.geckojewellery.comGecko will be showcasing seven collections at Spring Fair. The company’s jewellery and accessory ranges for the new season (catering across the board for men, women and children) arrive from the best-selling brands Fiorelli, Fred Bennett and D for diamond. These will be exhibited alongside collections from Elements and Basics.

Must-see highlights include two new smart watches from Fred Bennett – a fi rst for the popular men’s jewellery label – as well as tropical showstoppers from the costume collection at Fiorelli Jewellery, and the teddy bears’ picnic-inspired range from children’s jewellery brand, D for diamond.

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FASHION JEWELLERY & ACCESSORIES – HALLS 19 & 20

Discover thousands of beautiful and stylish handbags, fashion jewellery, leather accessories and luggage.Visit the sector for :• Fashion and gift jewellery• Handbags• Purses• Belts• Gloves• Scarves• Luggage and travel goods• Volume jewellery

Earth Squared www.fairtradewholesale.co.uk

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Earth SquaredHall 19 Stand B04 - C03www.fairtradewholesale.co.ukEarth Squared is delighted to be back at Spring Fair with its new season designs. Building on the success of a record-breaking autumn 2013, the new ranges feature linens, fl orals and cottons, and fresh handbag and scarf designs. Great quality, inspiring designs and affordable prices make for the fair trade brand's winning combination, which is all in stock from January.

Little Shop OfHall 19 Stand A31www.littleshopof.co.ukLittle Shop Of developed the Little Book of Earrings to solve the problem of how to store and carry your earrings safely and securely at home or when travelling; helping globetrotters keep their earrings in matching pairs. The Little Book of Earrings is designed like a book with each of its four pages able to hold up to 12 pairs of earrings, including clip ons and creoles. The pages are padded and the fi xing holes are off set to ensure the earrings are held securely when the book is closed, preventing them from becoming tangled and possibly damaged.

Miss MillyHall 19 Stand C18www.missmilly.co.ukMiss Milly will be showcasing new jewellery in the Floria and Elodie collections, as well as launching Little Miss Milly, a children’s jewellery and accessories brand.

Little Miss Milly is aimed at girls of all ages. It offers pretty jewellery free from nickel and lead, including bright beads for the youngest, sparkly and neon pendants for girls of primary-school age, and guitar, angel and crystal designs for the teens. Cute acrylic hairbands with fl ower and bow details are also available in this range.

For adults, the brand is launching a variety of earthy pastel pieces in the Elodie collection, fi tting with the natural nomad trend. Using silver-coloured metal and hues of rose, sky blue and taupe, this jewellery is light and easy to wear.

The Floria collection features the lush, tropical colours of lime, raspberry and blue crush in statement pieces, following the carnival jungle trend. Old favourites will make a comeback in brand new colours with popular heart designs re-introduced in time for Valentine’s Day.

Miss Milly will also be launching new packaging to help retailers create more of a branded display and continue to grow the brand. Exclusive to Spring Fair, all customers placing orders of £200 or more will receive a selection of the new packaging free of charge.

Ambiente is a manufacturer of printed paper napkins and table top accessories

We have our own in house design team and all paper products are manufactured in our factory from FSC certified tissue on flexographic presses .We are able to produce designs from 1 to 9 colours in 25/33/40 cm and offer a very speedy Private Label service.

Each year we produce 2 collections featuring a variety of flower / plain embossed/lifestyle designs with co-ordinating accessories such as napkin holders ,tissues,candles, and fine china gifts. At Ambiente quality and customer care are the top priority and we offer a 4 day delivery service.

Contact : Richard Weitzkorn 07956 -424482 richard@ambproducts.co.uk

Scottish Fair Hall 4H13 Spring Fair Hall 4 D42-E43

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Apple Pie JewelryHall 19 Stand G45www.applepiejewelry.comApple Pie Jewelry is one of America's leading acrylic jewellery brands and launched in the UK at Harrogate Home & Gift show last year. The brand’s 27 exclusive designs are hand-made in laser cut acrylic and made with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS. Pieces are available as necklaces, hair bands, cuffs in adult and kids sizes, ponytail holders, key chains, rings, etc. Low opening orders, great margins and fast sell through create a winning combination. The funky and fun jewellery appeals to all ages and retails between £4.99 to £11.99.

NOA Handcrafted JewelleryHall 19 Stand D29www.noajewellery.comNOA’s jewellery is one-of-a-kind, made in the UK and well priced. The ceramics can be framed with cool aluminium, warm brass or sterling silver. The large range of ceramic designs on offer makes it possible for buyers to tailor collections to suite their own customers. Every pendant can come with a matching pair of earrings and bracelet. Trade prices are between £5 to £27. A trade catalogue with fabulous designs is available on request from the company’s website.

Talbot FashionsHall 19 Stand F21www.talbotfashions.co.ukTalbot Fashions will be showing off its spring/summer 2014 collection. Full of colour and vibrancy, the new collection comprises beaded and enamel jewellery. Popular motifs include a crystal-embellished seahorse, gecko and snakes, which are a Victorian symbol of eternal love. Along with lockets, crosses, and sentiment jewellery, the new launches are ideal for that special Mother’s Day gift. Abalone jewellery, which Talbot has successfully sold for more than 30 years, is still in great demand and the company is always looking for and has found many new designs to add to its collections of butterflies, dragonflies, hummingbirds, owls as well as a Celtic collection of bracelets, necklaces, earrings, rings and brooches. Children’s themes include pirates, skulls, fairies, princess accessories, icon bracelets and polka dots in bright neon colours.

Ronin DesignsHall 19 Stand E05www.ronindesigns.co.ukAt Spring Fair, Ronin Designs will be showing its full range of British-made gemstone jewellery, including three new ranges for spring. The company will be offering a great value starter pack for new customers, so visit the company’s stand to find out more. All jewellery is supplied gift boxed, making it perfect for Mother’s Day.

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Classic CanesHall 20 Stand J21www.classiccanes.co.ukWalking stick specialist Classic Canes will launch a spring 2014 collection of new sticks and folding canes at Spring Fair. Ladies’ beech wood Derbys in delicate shades of lavender, aqua and peach will bring a modern twist to a traditional style. A very contemporary new range includes acrylic-handled canes in glamorous colours such as emerald and garnet. For gentlemen, there are new collectors’ canes including a striking design topped with a No. 8 pool ball, as well as macabre ivory and gold resin skull designs. This is Classic Canes’ 25th consecutive Spring Fair, a milestone that Managing Partner Diana Porter will be celebrating as she will have been to all 25.

Mala LeatherHall 20 Stand K20www.malaleather.comBuilding on the success of the Abertweed range, there will be some new colour combinations and styles on show. This range is made from 100 per cent British wool and soft, silky Nappa leather. Each item can be made in any choice of tweed or tartan. Mala Leather will also be exhibiting new additions to the Poppy Cat range and has added more handbags added to the popular Lucy range, featuring a fresh new, vibrant colour palette.

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stop pressLast but not least some latest news from exhibitors hot off the press

The Healthy Back Bag CompanyHall 20 Stand J19www.thehealthybackbag.co.ukSpring/summer sees more than 25 new bags added to the Healthy Back Bag line-up, featuring a mix of pastel hues, vibrant carnival colours and street-cool urban tones along with new outdoor shoulder bags and hi-tech sport bags. Probably the world’s most comfortable bag, the Healthy Back Bag’s one-of-a-kind patented shape contours to your spine, rather than pulling away from your body, making a bag that looks great, is comfortable for everyone to wear and enables you to carry weight safely.

Glebe CottageHall 4 Stand K27www.glebe-cottage.co.ukEco-friendly card company Glebe Cottage is launching a new collection of black and white photographic cards featuring graphics inspired by the British seaside. With images taken by Co-Director, Scott Morrish, the new designs look at people’s love of the sea and interaction with it. The cards are blank inside and printed on 50 per cent recycled paper. A new 2015 calendar is also planned to complement the range and will be available to order at Spring Fair.

Ambiente EuropeHall 4 Stand D42 - E43www.ambiente.euAmbiente is a manufacturer of printed paper napkins and table top accessories.

The company has its own in-house design team and all paper products are manufactured in its factory from FSC-certified tissue on flexographic presses. Ambiente is able to produce designs from one to nine colours in 25cm, 33cm and 40cm and offers a very speedy private label service. Each year it produces two collections featuring a variety of flower, plain embossed and lifestyle designs with co-ordinating accessories such as napkin holders, tissues, candles, and fine china gifts. At Ambiente, quality and customer care are the top priority, and it offers a four-day delivery service.

The Balagan GroupHall 18 Stand K28 - L29www.balagan.co.ukThe Balagan Group will be showcasing new designs across its varied portfolio of collections at Spring Fair. Expect fresh styles from Studio, Vintage, The Early Bird, 345Wrap, AnyWhichWay, Kaolin, No Beads No Glory, Narrate and the award-winning range, One Wish. With products predominantly made from sterling silver, the label offers delicate, feminine pieces with a real fashion edge. New packaging and displays will be unveiled on the stand, alongside hundreds of fresh of-the-moment designs.

Qall the answersOur experts tackle your retail-related queries

If you have any questions about any aspect of the gift retail industry, simply write to: Q&A special, Gift Focus magazine, Pantile House, Newlands Drive, Witham, Essex, CM8 2AP. Alternatively, send your queries to: editor@giftfocus.com

AQ

Vhari Russell is Founder of The Food Marketing Expert, a group of experts passionate about developing, creating and growing businesses. The company can help you grow and develop your business, increase your sales, and drive your brand forward with minimal cost. T: +44 (0)7769 683 020 or send an email to: ask@thefoodmarketingexpert.co.uk

Yolanda Artal is the Founder and Managing Director of Poltsa, a supplier of fashion accessories. Born in Spain, who'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 T: +44 (0)20 8393 6010 or E: yolanda@poltsa.co.uk

Tom Syes has been with Xystos since the company’s launch, starting as Operations Director, responsible for product development, sourcing, supply chain and logis-tics including management of the warehouse. Five years ago after restructuring, Tom was appointed General Manager, responsible for overseeing all aspects of the business. T: +44 (0)191 4991 570 or E: tomsykes@xystos.co.uk

Stephanie Jerome is the Founder of the Intelligent Retail Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) programme and has optimised many retail websites over the years. She is closely tapped into the UK and worldwide SEO community and conducts her own research into techniques as a specialist in SEO for e-commerce and retail. T: +44 (0)1635 517 923 or E: sjerome@intelligentretail.co.uk for more information.

Introducing food in-storeI’d like to introduce a small display of food into my gift shop. How can I best display it to help drive new customers into my shop?Vhari says: Don’t be afraid of stocking food – it can open up so many new opportunities. I’d suggest you add some empty packs to your window display; most suppliers would be happy to help. Here are some pointers to help you out:• Create an eye-catching display in context with the season or occasion.• Provide your customers with a complete gift solution at a glance.• Offer samples. Giving away a few tasting samples can create a real buzz.• Use your newsletter and social media to mention your new products and that you will be sampling.• Producers/suppliers love to see displays including their products so don’t forget to take a photo and tweet them. Communicate in store that it’s new. • Add POS with suggestions, such as ‘A perfect thank you gift’ or ‘Do you know someone with a sweet tooth in need of a treat?’• Social media is a great way to get new customers into your shop.• Contact your local press, especially if the range of food you’re stocking is local or seasonal and ties in with Christmas or Valentine’s Day as they may want to feature it in their gift guide. • Keep the range tight to begin with and don’t try too many different product groups. • If, for example, you have a Christmas tree in your window why not add candy canes and some chocolates under the tree? Add parcel tags to them with messages like ‘I’m new, why not give me for Christmas?’

q&a

AAQ

QA

QA

Sourcing hand-made productsWhat are the benefits of sourcing hand-made products from overseas rather than made in the UK? Yolanda says: In the last few years we’ve seen a revival of the arts and crafts movement in the UK. Hand-made is no longer just found at craft fairs and local markets, but a very powerful tag that your customers expect to find in their local gift shops and boutiques as well as in high-street stores.

If you’re already sourcing UK hand-made products, you already know how well these wares perform in your shop. These can range from small things such as hand-made cards, jewellery, chocolates and fudge to larger items such as paintings and furniture, not forgetting handbags and clothing in between. Get the quality-design-price balance right and your customers will come back for more.

But why stop here? Many other countries also have excellent artisans with magnificent skills and traditions dating back hundreds of years. Bulgaria offers fantastic ceramics, and

Spain and Italy are famous for their leather work. When sourcing overseas: • Be different – you’re setting yourself apart from the rest as you’re offering something that your customers might not be able to find anywhere else.• Price – as you might be offering something different in your area, you might be able to apply a higher mark up that will reflect your extra efforts sourcing these products. Price doesn’t need to be an issue, as your customers recognise the value of hand-made products and they won’t want to compromise quality and design over price. • EU – source within the EU and you won’t have to worry about import duties or any extra paperwork. If you’re VAT registered, you won’t even have to pay the VAT in that country (more information is available on the HMRC website). You can also buy from small UK-based suppliers like Poltsa that specialise in hand-made leather products from Spain. This benefits the local economy as your money doesn’t leave the UK and ensures the overseas makers receive a fair price for their work and can continue using old local traditions. • Tell your customers about these overseas products; perhaps you can even create an event around their country of origin? Lastly, don’t forget to tell the local press.Source overseas hand-made products as well as UK hand-made pieces to reap all the benefits of the current trend. These benefits might include exclusivity, higher margins, press exposure and most importantly, customer satisfaction.

Candle displaysI’m considering introducing a line of candles and home fragrance products into my store but have fairly limited space. What would be the best way of displaying these effectively?Tom says: Because there’s a plethora of such products in the marketplace – not all of them of great quality – we would recommend that you use the point of sale material offered by well known brands such as WoodWick, Ribbonwick, Trapp and Aquiesse to not only maximise the space that you have but also to boost sales.

This includes a range of display units – some of which are illuminated – to suit the size of the store, so having a small retail outlet is not

a problem.While many customers purchase candles

regularly, they’re also a pick-up buy, so if it’s possible to position one of these near the till, that will undoubtedly drive sales.

Another way to boost business is to feature a particular candle brand in your window: in the case of WoodWick you may wish to highlight the seasonal products you have inside the shop or focus on the candle of the month.

Google+ accountsIs there any point to having a Google+ account for my business?Stephanie says: Google continues to be a lifeline for many small businesses, providing most of the traffic that drives its sales. Google has certainly been making the most of this power and recently made changes which require us to use the Google Adwords system to pay for traffic that was previously free (Google Shopping) and even simply to use its Keyword tool.

While these sorts of things can rub us up the wrong way, it still makes sense to use the tools and applications it has made available to help your website succeed. One of those things is Google+, its own social network.

The general consensus of SEO experts is that social signals are only going to increase in their influence to rank your website, and it just isn’t viable anymore to ignore Twitter, Facebook or Google+. Getting involved in those networks will have a rapid positive effect on customer acquisition and retention, and long term it’s going to have an impact on your stead in Google.

You will have a personal Google+ profile automatically applied to your account, but while signed in to that you can create a separate business account by going to: www.google.com/+/business/. It would be better to use a business account for integration with your website, unless you’re happy with a personal profile being associated with it.

Additionally, you can use Google Authorship with a Google+ account to claim blog posts and other articles you’ve written, which further increase your importance to Google and in turn helps your website. An excellent article which details this further can be found here: www.socialmediaexaminer.com/google-plus-for-business g

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retailer interview

What’s your career background?Vicki: I’ve been in the jewellery trade for 15 years, starting out at DeBeers as a diamond sorter and, after gaining a degree in Jewellery, Silversmithing and Allied Crafts at Sir John Cass, London I worked at a number of companies in various areas of the London jewellery trade, from supply and manufacturing to design and commission work. My work has been featured in a number of high profile exhibitions in the UK and Japan. I’m very passionate about the jewellery trade and making sure my clients are involved in each stage of a project. Purnell Jewellery was established in 2009 with its permanent home, Purnell & Powell opening in 2013.

Terry and Irene: Our background is in engineering, manufacturing, senior transport management and general business owners.

What made you decide to go into business together with your shop? We decided to go into business together for a couple of reasons. In the financial climate of the time it was more viable for both companies to go in together. This has proved a

great success as our customers love the variety we’re able to provide as a joint venture. Also, home fashions, gifts and jewellery tie in very nicely together, giving the shop a great USP and the customer a varied choice.

When did you open your shop and what was your inspiration for doing it?Purnell & Powell was opened in July 2013 and is the combination of two companies, Purnell Jewellery and Powell Home Fashion. Our inspiration came from trying to bring new ideas and high quality products to the local area. We wanted to encourage the community to shop locally and support local business.

What items do you sell and from which companies?Vicki: Purnell Jewellery sells work by UK-based jewellery designers, Odette, Rebecca Steiner, Ellen Monaghan and Julia Burness and Purnell. We also offer a commission service for wedding and engagement rings and onsite repairs and one-off pieces.

Terry and Irene: Our products are sourced from all over the world. We stock items from Sia, Pairfum, Azeti and Ruby Ruth among others. We also source stunning one-off pieces ourselves for unusual additions to the home.

What’s your best-selling product?Vicki: My best-selling products are hand-crafted, one-off commissions such as wedding and engagement rings.

Vicki Purnell, owner of Purnell Jewellery, teamed up with Terry and Irene Chandler, owners of Powell Home Fashion, to open Purnell & Powell in July 2013 in the heart of Coulsdon, Surrey

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Terry and Irene: Our best-selling products are our candle, doorstop and Azeti ranges.

Please describe the interior and layout of your shop.Vicki: Our shop is divided into two environments. We have Powell home

accessories in the front of the shop. The decor is very contemporary and open with plinths and niche alcoves to contain our products. Our aim is to heighten the senses with room scents, effective lighting and selective music to create an ambient shopping experience. At the rear of the shop we have Purnell Jewellery with a contemporary and welcoming commission area and jewellery workshop, giving the customer the feeling of being involved in the project to create their dream item to wear.

How often do you change your window displays and why?We change our window displays once a week. The reason for this being that the window is the main focal point for customers looking in from the outside. We merchandise our products into theme and colour.

Do you have any plans to expand or buy other shops? Our shop would work very well in other high streets around the UK. Due to our pricing we are able to offer one-of-a-kind items at very competitive rates.

What’s next for Purnell & Powell?This year will be a year which sees us building on the great start that we’ve made in 2013. We feel we have every chance of expansion due to the appealing products that we stock.

For further information, visit www.purnelljewellery.co.uk and www.powellhomefashion.co.ukg

perfect pair

New Spring 2014 collection now in stockDesigned in ScotlandNext day delivery

Phone 0141 572 7297sales@rosared.co.ukwww.rosaredtrade.co.uk

See us at Spring Fair

Stand 18C66

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

Special features• Featured articlesRead our regularly updated spotlighted features whenever you wish, covering legal issues, intellectual property advice, the latest EPoS information, tips from the Giftware Association and much, much more.

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

• Back issues archiveIf you’re looking for information on a particular giftware sector or show, take a look at our back issues archive. All back issues will be sent out post-free.

• Media packDownload our comprehensive on-line media pack for a 2014 features list, advertising rates and specifications.

www.giftfocus.com

PREVIOUS ISSUES AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD

NOW!

Since 1922 Nutscene have been producing fine quality twines in

Scotland. Renowned to both gardeners and crafters, Nutscene offers a

large and colourful range of bio-degradable jute twine, raffia and garden

giftware. Our design-led range is developed in-house and utilises natural

materials such as jute, FSC wood, British slate and English Terracotta.

Nutscene is also the home of the iconic Sheila Maid® ceiling clothes airer.

Contact us for a trade catalogue today - sales@nutscene.com

www.nutscene.com+44(0)1307 468589Nutscene (1922) Ltd

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design protectionNew design or product launch?In a tough competitive market, launching new, innovative designs is a key differentiator and an integral part of brand development to stay ahead of the game. I hope I can help answer for you. But how do you protect your designs from the ‘me-too’ or deliberate copying challenge and how do you ensure that bringing your tradable intellectual property

to market will earn you the rewards as the originator? How can you maximise the return on investment made in bringing a new product or design to market and is it protectable? How do you go about it, what are the criteria for protection and what’s the cost of registration? How can you protect your next must-have design? What is ACID Marketplace?

Firstly, have you got your IP house in order? One of the first things to do it to create a simple proactive IP strategy positively communicated internally and externally and throughout the whole supply chain. Basically, if you don’t want to be copied, say so! There’s no better place than on a website, within terms and conditions, marketing

Dids MacDonald, CEO of Anti-Copying in Design (ACID), advises how to protect your designs

UK Registered Designs

UK Unregistered Design (UDR

Registered Community

Design

Unregistered Community

DesignUK Copyright

How do I obtain registration?

Register at Intellectual Property Office –www.ipo.gov.uk

Automatic, no need to register. Consider ACID Marketplace, Design Databank

Register through OHIM at www.oami.europa.eu

Automatic, no need to register. Consider ACID Marketplace, Design Databank

Automatic, no need to register. Consider ACID Marketplace, Design Databank

How long does protection last?

25 years 25 years15 years from date design first published

3 years 70 years after death of originator or 25 years if designs made by an industrial process

Type of protection

Monopoly MonopolyExclusive right against copying. Licence available for last five years

Exclusive right against copying

Exclusive right against copying

Can I renew? Yes, every five years

No No NoYes, every five years

What does it protect?

Overall appearance of the design excluding technical features.

The shape or configuration of the whole or part of the article. Surface design not protected.

Overall appearance

of the design

excluding technical

features.

Overall appearance of the design excluding technical features.

An artwork, craftwork, a work of architecture or a model for a building. Copyright protects design drawings, but doesn’t prevent anyone making articles based on the design drawings.

What are the criteria for protection?

A design must be new and not identical to an existing design and have individual character.

A design must be original, not copied from an existing design and not commonplace.

A design must be new and not identical to an existing design and have individual character.

A design must be new and not identical to an existing design and have individual character.

A design must be original and not copied from an existing work.

Further information For more information, visit www.acid.uk.com

Register for protectionThere are different kinds of protection that may apply to designs. Register new designs wherever possible and budget for enforcement. ACID’s Design Databank for unregistered designs continues as part of ACID Marketplace for ACID members. This doesn’t add to IPRs, but nevertheless serves as compelling evidence as independent third party proof of the existence of a design when it is received by ACID.

• UK Registered Designs (you pay to register, £60)• UK Unregistered Design right (free and they arise automatically)• Registered Community Designs (you pay to register – visit www.oami.europe.eu for costs)• Unregistered Community Designs (free and they arise automatically)• Copyright (free and arises automatically)

What is ACID Marketplace and how can I launch new products more safely? It’s a UK first! Consider launching your new designs on ACID Marketplace and inviting your independent retailers and retail buyers to view them in a safer trading environment. Recently launched, this is an exciting new online trading portal and conduit between designers and design buyers. The majority of members send their designs into the ACID Design Databank, which is confidential and unseen by anyone. With ACID Marketplace, members now have the option of expanding their markets with a 24-hour online exhibition zone, either by showing their designs by invitation or opening them for all design buyers to view.

Alternatively, if members wish to keep their new designs confidential like the original Design Databank, that option is also still open – the best of all worlds. Members will have the safety of knowing that all design buyers who want to see their new product ranges will first have to register and sign in support of the ACID Design Buyers’ Charter, an open demonstration of best practice in design buying. All design viewings are tracked and recorded on the member’s personal profile. g

material and product labelling. Identify where you’re trading and what are the risk factors. If your

designs are infringed in another country, where is your IP support? Have you registered your designs in that country? For example, to take legal action in China you need to have registered your designs. Create an IP portfolio of your design and trademark registrations, and if you employ anyone ensure there are restrictions in their contract of employment. There’s nothing worse than finding out that an ex-employee has run off with all your valuable trade secrets to arm a competitor with a fast track to your know-how. Guard your trade secrets carefully. Ensure that there’s a confidentiality protocol in place to ensure that your business isn’t compromised. Create confidentiality agreements for sensitive information between you and any employees privy to this information.

If you have a good idea for a new product, keep it safe. Never underestimate the risks of sharing a good idea unless you know there are safeguards. If the safeguards are in place then the idea can turn into positive design collaboration that can be mutual advantageous and successful for both parties.

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once you popAre pop-ups what we need to revive our high street? Vhari Russell, Founder of The Food Marketing Expert, poses the question and visits Whisk Hamper’s pop-up shop at Somerset House in London

One of our clients, Whisk Hamper, recently opened the doors to its first pop-up shop. As you would expect, this was done with both excitement and trepidation. The brand opened its pop-up at Somerset House as part of the festive Skate event, which is on for 10 weeks from November to January. This made us question, should the high street support more pop-up shops?

Pop-ups are becoming more popular and offer brands and retailers the perfect opportunity to move from online to physical retail space. Are they the answer to rejuvenating our high street? Yes, they’re quite possibly a key factor in helping get traffic back to our high streets. Offering retail space at an affordable rate for an agreed duration and enabling a new retailer to launch can only be a good thing.

We also discussed pop-ups with Emma Jones, Co-Founder of StartUp Britain, who says: “We’re witnessing record numbers of start-ups in the UK. Many of these are people running online retail operations from home. The interesting thing we’ve noticed is that despite being online, they need to have a physical presence in the real world in order to drive social media content and learn traditional retail lessons, like is their brand any good?

“Our own report into pop-up retailing revealed 82 per cent of new retail businesses consider the pop-up experience to be essential in building a new brand.”

Whisk Hamper’s journey to the point of opening has been an accelerating adventure and the key points they’d recommend to any one embarking on a pop-up are as follows: • Hire the right staff – invest in people with retail experience

• Fully understand who your demographic is and what their buying triggers are• Don’t just use your shop to sell; run a competition to win a monthly prize to increase the size of your database • Speak to other retailers around you to understand the busy points in the day • Allow your staff the freedom to develop your displays and shop• Work with someone like Eve Reid at Metamorphosis to highlight how you can attract customers to your store and how the space can work for you. • Buy the shop fittings so it doesn’t look temporary and offers the wow factor. • Plan how your customer will recognise you – think about your branding.• Vinyl graphics are a must and really get the message across. g

For more information about The Food Marketing Expert, visit www.thefoodmarketingexpert.co.uk

Helpful links for anyone opening a pop-up shop:www.wbc.co.uk/products/retail-displaywww.metamorphosisgroup.co.ukwww.popupbritain.comwww.wearepopup.com

“Your pop-up is your opportunity to be heard and gain new customers;

make the most of it. We’re really enjoying the reactions our shop is getting and it’s

wonderful to meet customers face to face again.”

Paul Medhurst, Founder of Whisk Hampers.

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

Big Appetites by Christopher BoffoliRRP: £8.99Format: PaperbackISBN: 9780761176411Christopher Boffoli indulges childhood imagination in Big Appetites by placing hand-painted figurines in scenarios involving real food. Each scenario is accompanied by humorous and starkly truthful captions about these tiny people in everyday situations. A fun book for all food lovers. Visit www.workman.com

The Bluffer’s Guide to Cars by Martin GurdonRRP: £6.99Format: PaperbackISBN: 978-1909365803Written by automotive guru, Martin Gurdon, Bluffer’s readers can instantly acquire all the knowledge needed to pass as an expert in the world of cars. The Bluffer’s Guide to Cars is the latest edition in the iconic five-million-best-selling series, which boasts 22 titles. A must read for anyone who claims to be a car expert, and is guaranteed to make you smile. Visit www.bluffers.com

All The Songs – The Story Behind Every Beatles Release by Philippe Margotin and Jean-Michel GuesdonRRP: £35Format: HardbackISBN: 9781579129521All The Songs is sure to keep any Beatles fan happy for hours. This mammoth publication is a record of every song ever released by The Beatles, from Please Please Me (1962) to The Long Winding Road (1970). Weighing more than 2.5kg, its packed with 600 photographs ranging from rare black and white publicity stills to intimate colour shots of the fab four in the studios. The authors delve deeply into the history and musical origins of all 215 Beatles songs, recounting the circumstances that led to the composition of each one, the recording process and the instruments used. It’s packed with trivia, tales and even discrepancies and mistakes in song recordings to listen out for. Visit www.blackdogandleventhal.com

Caketails – Intoxicating Cupcakes for Grown-Ups by Jill Collins and Natalie SavilleRRP: £12.99Format: HardbackISBN: 978-1908202161Written by Jill Collins and Natalie Saville, owners of The Great Little Cake Company, this book is full of fun cupcake recipes based on cocktails. The cupcakes are packed with alcohol, and are a deliciously decadent adult-only treat. Each cupcake has been specially created to offer an explosion of flavours that capture some of the most popular party cocktails around, including Strawberry Daiquiri, Bellini, Sex on the Beach, Cosmopolitan, Martini, Mojito, Bloody Mary and Mulled Wine. Each caketail comes with three novel decorating ideas, from Valentine’s Day romance and summer sun to Christmas festivities, exploring quick and easy designs to more intricate ones. Visit www.chefmagazine.co.uk/bookshop

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 7,292* total average net circulation, then call Sharon Connelly on 01376 535 607or email sharonc@giftfocus.com

For more information visit

www.abc.org.uk or email

info@abc.org.uk

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show previewsBritish Craft Trade Fair &London Stationery Show

home grownMade in Britain

who's the daddy?Father’s Day

sweet aromaCandles and home fragrances

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

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£250,001 - £1,000,000 £1,000,001 - £5,000,000

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£50,000,001 +

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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 qualifi ed registered readers. Published six times a year, Gift Focus contains news on industry trends, new products and all gift trade events. Simply fi ll 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 82March/April 2014Available from: 10th March 2014Advertising deadline: 21st February, 2014

next issue...

Plus• Gift of the Year winners• Women’s fashion gems• Plush toys

Kringle Candle

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WIN!A Yo Sox! display stand from Joe Davies worth more than £900 RRP

In focus – Joe DaviesWith more than 8,000 sensibly priced lines in its collection, Joe Davies has the UK’s largest selection of giftware for the independent retailer. Brands include its own exclusive Shudehill Giftware Collection, snoozies!®, Equilibrium and the famous Leonardo Collection, of which Joe Davies is the UK’s number one distributor.

Everything is available in modest quantities and sensible assortments, with all orders over £100 delivered carriage free, anywhere in mainland Great Britain. Re-ordering is quick and easy with the company’s trademark little and often ordering system.

As you would expect from a company that values service highly, one of its proudest achievements was being voted winner of the Great Best Service to the Independent Retailer Award 11 times by its customers – that’s every year since its inception!

What’s available for 2014Joe Davies will launch more than 2,000 brand new lines for spring/summer in fashion gifts, jewellery, home décor, general giftware and occasion gifts. One of the most exciting launches at Spring Fair this February will be a completely new brand of funky socks called Yo Sox! With socks being bang on trend, the brand follows closely on from the company’s huge success with snoozies!®, cosy little foot coverings. The full range will be on display at Spring Fair in Hall 5 Stand C30. With a huge range of products and fresh innovative brands all backed up with great prices and service, Joe Davies is a must-see supplier.

For more information on Joe Davies products, call T +44 (0)161 975 6300 or visit www.joedavies.co.uk

To be in with a chance of winning this fantastic prize, simply answer the following question:What is the name of Joe Davies’ brand new funky sock collection?The winner will receive a Yo Sox! display stand from Joe Davies worth more than £900 RRP. Enter online at www.giftfocus.com before the closing date of 10th March, 2014. Terms and conditions apply. Joe Davies operates a stockist policy – the winner will be the fi rst eligible entry drawng

HOW TO ENTER

com

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product showcaseWe reveal some of this season’s hottest gifts

New Happy Jackson for SS14We have teamed up with Giles Andreae again to produce a bright collection for spring/summer. There are new versions of old favourites like the mugs and notebooks plus brand new concepts such as travel mugs, lip balms, magnets, manicure set, kitchenware and lots more…in total over 50 new skus!

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

Bank Note WalletOur fun £50 note wallet will make an ideal gift for any big spender. Give as a gift or an I.O.U! You also don’t have to put any money inside as there is a £50 bank note already printed on the cover! It comes in a presentation box ready to give. Also see our Penny Purse Clasp Purse and £1 Zip Purse too.

For more information T: +44 (0)1494 474 037 W: www.templeisland.com E: sales@templeisland.com

Wooden Pens and Desktop AccessoriesAmong our most popular lines are wooden pens and desk top accessories. This year we are adding several new boxed pens and pen sets. The single boxed pen/stand (pictured) is available with three pen designs. This is just one of the new ranges being introduced or updated for the new year. All will be on display at Spring Fair Hall 5, Stand J51.

For more information T: +44 (0)1635 297 911W: www.clereconcepts.co.uk E: info@clereconcepts.co.uk

GruffaloWe have a charming new collection of children’s art and craft activities such as chalks, height chart and crayons with more to come later on this year! With beautiful detail and carefully designed packaging these are brilliant for creative little hands.

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

Great British Dogs Great British Dogs is the new gift range from the fabulous illustrations of Alice Tait. Extending the Alice Tait brand even further to new products as well as new design. See all of Alice’s great ranges as well as Red Bus, Money and more in Hall 5 Stand 74A at Spring Fair.

For more information T: +44 (0)1494 474 037 W: www.templeisland.com E: sales@templeisland.com

Novelty Flamingo PensBuilding on last year’s success, our flamingo pens have … graduated! There are also two more new designs and the two best sellers from last year returning. Fluffy and outrageously colourful, the Flamingo Pens come in display packs of 24. See them along with many more new products at Spring Fair Hall 5, Stand J51.

For more information T: +44 (0)1635 297 911W: www.clereconcepts.co.uk E: info@clereconcepts.co.uk

The new Big Ages birthday rangeThe Big Ages birthday range from The Personalised Memento Company complements it’s ever-growing range of exciting gifts for every occasion of the year. Personalised with an age and a name, they’re the perfect way to toast the occasion. The range includes personalised mugs, chocolate bars, pint and wine glasses. Many of the gift ranges supplied by PMC are personalised and despatched in 24 hours making them the ideal gift even for the last minute shopper! Spring Fair Hall 5 L20 M21

For more information, visit W: www.personalisedmemento.co.uk

Angelic HensAngelic Hen’s ‘awfully posh’ new products are ideal for the aspiring lord and lady of the manor. So too are the Witty signs, big pegs, jewellery holders, jolly useful key rings and clever chalk boards. Experts in Pegnology (the science of pegs) and rather good at designing for men and teenagers. Beautifully British designs that have been inspired by life and designed from experience.Welsh language and bespoke products available.For more information T: +44 (0)1600 891 572 W: www.angelic-hen.co.uk E: customerservices@angelichen.com

International Greetings brings crackers to the everyday marketWho says crackers are just for Christmas? The fun and excitement that a cracker brings to a child is now available all year round! Our new Disney Party Crackers are the perfect addition to the party table, designed to match the Disney party ware ranges. Available in boxes of eight, each cracker contains a snap, party hat, stickers and joke. Available now in Toys R Us selected stores. RSP £2.99.

For more information W: www.internationalgreetings.co.ukE: mbutchart@ig-uk.com

The UK’s leading magazine for the giftware industry

www.giftfocus.com

To advertise here telephone Sharon Connelly

on +44 (0)1376 535 607

Borough sign cushionsExclusive to Heaven Sends, these quirky designer cushions are inspired by iconic London Borough signs. Designer, Samantha Morris has put a twist on words and you can’t help but smile when you discover an ‘Utterly brilliant fabulously attractive couple live here’ in the borough of togetherness. Your customers are bound to relate to one of them and they’re the perfect addition to any living room.

For more information T: +44 (0)121 351 7457 W: www.heavensends.com

Go by Bus!Stress Less and go by bus is our advice. Our squeezy stressless Bus is the latest fun product in the Original London Red Bus range. Other new items this year are water bottle, magnetic notepad and laptop case. Red Bus continues to grow in popularity across the world. See the full range at Spring Fair in hall 5 stand A74.For more information T: +44 (0)1494 474 037 W: www.templeisland.com E: sales@templeisland.com

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In March 2012, after many years of dreaming about and developing the concept of SOAK Yourself, Jackie Hope finally launched her ideal business.

“The product was ready to go to market in October 2012, but we’ve been tweaking bits here and there since then. I launched the business after years of ideas and dreams, and felt that if I didn’t just go for it I’d never do it,” explains Jackie.

At the time, Jackie was working in the city as a Commercial Building Surveyor and wasn’t happy. “It wasn’t what I wanted from life. The idea of the Bath Ritual Recipe Kit grew stronger as I witnessed the long hours everyone around me were working. I was also commuting four hours a day and had no life whatsoever. I had no energy to even connect with my husband when I got home, and on top of this I was expected to study for an impending exam. I just decided it was now or never, and went ahead creating a product which I hoped would bring some joy to people’s lives.”

Jackie’s background in marketing helped

her achieve her dream. The design, packaging, copy writing, and branding is all a product of her marketing days. “I left marketing in 2004 to study for a degree, something I always felt I was lacking. I decided on construction as I’ve always been interested in buildings and architecture. I didn’t finish school and proceeded to have my son very early, so I knew I had missed out on an education. I was a bit of a rebel, and always will be to some degree!”

The brand’s USP is that it uses all natural ingredients in its products. Jackie also tries to source as much from the UK as she can. “Our Bath Ritual Recipe Kits come with permission to take time out for yourself. They aren’t just smellies in a box. Each kit is designed to be an experience and a ritual, and comes with instructions which not only guide the user on how to draw the bath, but gently entice them into a more happy and relaxed state of mind.

We include everything one needs for a guilt-free soak, including tea bags to make a relaxing cup of tea. Our products are completely hand-made. We cut every ribbon, tie every bow and hand-pack each item. You can see, smell and feel the luxury of the product. Even our lovely boxes are hand-made in England.”

There are currently seven different Bath Ritual Recipe Kits in two sizes: Feeling Groovy SOAK, Love SOAK, Remedy SOAK, Muscle SOAK, Blanche the Blues SOAK, Full Moon SOAK and the Broken Heart SOAK. “Creating the seven different recipes was a lot of fun but also challenging. There are so many elements to each recipe, and I wanted to get the mix of benefits, colours and aromas just right. We also have a range of 100 per cent natural, hand-made artisan soaps and there are 17 in total. We have a new range of soaps coming

out in the first quarter of next year. I’m very excited about that.”

Jackie takes inspiration from day-to-day life. She enjoys nature and would prefer to be outdoors most of the time. “I also just love aesthetics and colour and a lot of my decisions are based on how something looks to me, and in turn how that feels to me. So much of what I’ve developed with this product came about by just playing with different ideas and colours.”

The Feeling Groovy SOAK is the brand’s best-seller. This is a generic relaxation kit available in two sizes, original and small. In January to February the Love SOAK is the best-seller in time for Valentine’s Day.

Other products are already in the pipeline. “Our logo lends itself to many possibilities. I have a lot of ideas in the offing, the first of which will be face and body cream, as well as massage oils.”

SOAK Yourself is stocked in big names such as Fortnum & Mason, Blue Diamond Group and the Four Seasons Hotel Group. “These are amazing opportunities for us, but we consider the independents to be hugely important to us as our goal as a company is to ultimately be helping people to make a living from doing something they love. People who are passionate about their little retail unit are the ones we target.”

Jackie is currently developing a range of new products, but for now the details are being kept firmly under wraps.

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

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and relax...SOAK Yourself and the concept of the Bath Ritual Recipe Kit was brought to life in 2012 by busy city professional Jackie Hope, who dreamed of escaping the rat race