Gift Focus - Mar/Apr 2018 (Issue 106)

6 giftfocus Catch up on all the latest in our news round up industry news CAROLINE GARDNER DESIGNS WAITROSE, CHARITY JUTE BAG IN AID OF MENINGITIS NOW Waitrose and Jutexpo, the world’s biggest supplier of reusable jute bags, have joined forces with designer Caroline Gardner to produce a new shopping bag, in aid of UK charity Meningitis Now. The bags are made from juco, a blend of jute and cotton. They are due to be launched in Waitrose stores across the country in February 2018. Shoppers will be able to buy the environmentally-friendly bags for £5, with 50p from each sale going to Meningitis Now, which works to help those suffering from or affected by the disease. Caroline Gardner is best known as one of the UK’s leading and most prolific stationery and gift designers. Her distinctive designs now stretch across a wide variety of product categories, including paper, accessories and lifestyle. Caroline said, “We are so pleased to have been able to help bring this bag to the market. Meningitis Now is a fabulous charity and I feel sure that the new Green Dreamer print will help build upon the success that these fabulous reusable bags enjoy in Waitrose.” XYSTOS MAKES A SPLASH WITH SPLOSH AND UNVEILS OWN-BRAND CANDLE RANGE Xystos will take over the sole UK distribution of well-known Australian lifestyle brand Splosh on 1 st May after a ‘soft launch’ of several of its ranges at Spring Fair. One of these, Fairy Houses – battery-operated night lights for a child’s nursery or bedroom – was the surprise hit of the show for Xystos. “We had phenomenal orders. It’s bang on-trend,” said Director Tom Sykes. Other Splosh ranges that featured were pet-themed Adopt a Doorstop pieces and Mugs to Give, which carry sentiment-driven messages and are in handbag-style packaging. Tom added, “The other Splosh product will land in the spring, when we will also take on board the existing lines which include Signature Photo Frames, Numbers and Moneyboxes.” As Xystos continues to move across the home fragrance, bath & body and lifestyle gifting product streams, the company also unveiled its own Cello Birch Bark brand of largely unscented handcrafted statement-piece candles, as well as Himalayan Glow salt crystal candle holders and lamps. For further information, visit xystostrade.co.uk WILDLIFE WORLD CELEBRATES 20 YEARS IN BUSINESS This year marks the 20 th anniversary of Wildlife World. Founder and MD of Wildlife World, Norman Sellers has seen the company grow into one of Europe’s leading designers and manufacturers of wildlife feeders, habitats and other educational products. Norman started making and selling simple wildlife products and gradually the love for wildlife transformed into a business. Norman and his wife Eve began by travelling around the country in their caravan with their two dogs and showcasing their products at garden and agricultural shows. With a strong commitment to the conservation of species, Wildlife World now produces a huge range of innovative and valuable nesting habitats and feeders for birds, mammals, amphibians and insects for use in the UK, Europe and The Americas. Commenting on the company’s anniversary, Norman Sellers said, “I would like to express my thanks to our longstanding team and a community that’s been supportive from the start. Wildlife World is extremely grateful to all its loyal customers and it will be exciting to be part of future development in wildlife products over the next 20 years.” Further information is available from Wildlife World on +44 (0)1666 505 333, by emailing info@wildlifeworld.co.uk or by visiting the company’s website at wildlifeworld.co.uk