Gift Focus - May/Jun 2018 (Issue 107)

Online retail offers many things, but not everything. With a few clicks of the mouse, you can browse through the whole range of products on offer, find detailed information, and order from the comfort of your own home. What it does not offer is qualified advice and the opportunity to touch. This is something that only the retailer on the ground can provide, as well as many other things: elements of surprise, an experience and entertainment. It remains exciting to see how stationary retail will develop in the future. From 30 th June to 3 rd July, 2018, the international consumer goods fair Tendence will be demonstrating various avenues, in the special Tendence. Impulse area in Hall 11.0, including ways in which the retail trade can make their customers’ lives faster, simpler and, ultimately, more beautiful. The name says it all: Tendence.Impulse serves the retail trade as a source of inspiration and ideas for appealing to customers at the point of sale (PoS), particularly in terms of table and decoration themes. Tendence.Impulse is not a new feature. Introduced at Tendence in 2017, it has grown out of its infancy and is being continuously developed. Once again this year, the special area in Hall 11.0 will be the analogue core. It’s where there will be information, training and interaction on the main theme: ‘creating shopping experiences’. In four different sections, the area will provide its trade visitors with the ideal platform for coming into contact with industry representatives and an expert audience. In the Point of Event area, it will be all about implementing innovative concept solutions at the PoS. Among other things, retailers will give their own accounts of how they've been able to develop creative ideas with the online impulse.tool, in order to stage their own sales events perfectly. Valuable expert advice on retail promotions and targeted sales pitches will also be on the agenda. TENDENCE.IMPULSE – GUIDANCE ON ‘BEING INNOVATIVE’ Jewellery & Watch closed its doors on a strong show for 2018, with visitors from across the globe seeking the latest collections of loose gems, diamonds, watches, bespoke jewellery, Silver, semi-precious and wholesale fashion jewellery frommore than 270 exhibitors. A spectacular array of new collections was on display from 4 th - 8 th February from brands including Unique & Co, Alex Monroe, Gecko, Beach Art Glass, Clogau, Dogfever and Fiorelli, together with new international brands including Astra from New Zealand, Carini Gioielli from Italy, Chordia Gems from India and Mioro from Turkey, which debuted for the first time. The quality of exhibitors was a high point for a number of visitors including Julie of Jewels Angel, “I haven’t seen such a good selection for many years. There are more products to choose from than in previous years.” Jewellery & Watch 2018 attracted some of the nation’s most loved high street names and prestigious jewellery boutiques, with the likes of J M (Goldsmiths), Fenwick Limited, Banks Lyon Jewellers, Jessop Jewellers Ltd, The British Museum Co., Beaverbrooks, Marmalade Fine Jewellery, John Lewis and ChloBo Jewellery in attendance. Enhancing the visitor experience, The Atelier provided an all- immersive trend showcase experience of what’s new, what’s hot right now, what exciting trends are ahead for AW18/19 and SS19, and crucially, how visitors can make it work for their business. Jewellery & Watch will return to the NEC Birmingham from 3 rd - 7 th February, 2019. To register for the show please visit the website jewelleryandwatchbirmingham.com New collections shine at Jewellery & Watch 2018 Readers’ poll What we’ve learnt from the latest reader poll at giftfocus.com We asked: How was your gift business affected in the recent snow? You said: Not at all - business as usual! – 38% We closed for 1-2 days – 25% We were closed for three days or more – 25% We had very limited opening hours but tried to run like normal – 12% Congratulations! The winner of our January/February competition is Lucy Nixon from Thetford garden Centre in Norfolk. She’s won £500 RRP worth of Blue Eyed Sun cards. To win more than £500 RRP worth of esscentualcandles stock, please turn to page 115. Call for New Talent! The autumn/winter 2018 edition of Spotted at Top Drawer is open, the selection process has begun and stands are already filling fast, indicating that this edition is on track to be the best yet. Open to brands from across the world looking to make their UK trade fair debut, Spotted encompasses each of Top Drawer’s sectors: Home, Gift, Fashion, Craft, Greetings & Stationery and Food. Over the past eight years this programme has helped to launch more than 200 small businesses and is now firmly established as one of the show’s main attractions. Spotted is Top Drawer’s curated showcase of innovative, market ready, design-based businesses new to the trade fair market. Specially designed within the UK’s longest established and most highly regarded trade events, Spotted is a must-visit destination for UK and international buyers at the show. All Spotted brands receive a three-year plan discount programme and are also eligible to enter the Spotted Award, a prestigious new prize judged by a panel of industry professionals. Awarded to the three most original, best designed and most promising brands at the showcase, the prizes include a free stand at Top Drawer Spring for the winner and a series of mentoring sessions with key designers, retailers, brand consultants and PRs for the three finalists. To take advantage of this opportunity visit the website topdrawer.co.uk/spotted giftfocus 11 news & events