Here is a selection of features from Gift Focus magazine.
Lockdown has seen the spread of mental wellbeing and self-care into the hobby world. From crocheting to watercolours, creative pursuits have become more important than ever to consumers looking for something different to pass the time. Early indications suggest this trend has no signs of slowing. As more people are interested in productive and creative hobbies, how can you capitalise on this gift market? Autumn Fair posed the question to our expert panel, to find out their views.
Christmas is the biggest season of the year in retail. As retailers we want to make the most out of the last quarter, which is why it's vital to plan, plan, plan. We, like others, have no idea of what the next year may hold, so it's important that we put things in place and think outside of the box. Natasha Necati from CraftyArts gives her advice. Natasha Necati runs the family business craftyarts.co.uk together with her husband. CraftyArts is a multi-award-winning e-commerce retail outlet, where Natasha has gained over 12 years' experience in running the business. She's an expert in this field, enabling Crafty Arts to grow to become a multi-million-pound company. They also run Art of Business which is a teaching platform for shop owners and online retailers wanting to grow their business
by Molly&Izzie began in 2015 as a side hustle when founder Sarah Patterson decided to use her graphic design training to launch a range of wedding stationery. This business gradually expanded to include art prints based around celebrating important moments. The business grew slowly and by early 2016 I was also designing and producing business stationery for small businesses. Here, Sarah Patterson talks us through the brands evolution from wedding stationery to the newest eco-jewellery range
Squire's Garden Centres has released the results of its recent "Gardening during Lockdown" survey, with the results making for positive reading for the gardening industry.
With messages of love, condolences and congratulations happening even during the hard times of lockdown, greeting cards have remained steadfast sellers, and its not hard to see why with this stellar lot
The UK Government has supported wages of 1.73 million workers across wholesale and retail sector during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here's more information about the schemes
Nick Howes, managing director at Leadership Management International UK, discusses how to maintain business productivity during a period of disruption with clear actions to undertake
We throw the spotlight on some must-have accessories for men, which are set to be great pick up gift items in-store or online as lockdown rules loosen
Hyve Group is pleased to announce Autumn Fair @ Home, Glee Gathering and Fashion Together (comprising Pure, Pure Origin, Moda and Scoop), three completely virtual forums happening this September. These forums will provide exhibitors and attendees with the opportunity to showcase and discover new products, engage with suppliers via "The Virtual Showroom", and hear market leading content from retailers and trend forecasters on what 2021 may hold for the industry and how they can kick-start their own sales now.
At the March Budget, the government announced key decisions on the design of the Plastic Packaging Tax ahead of its commencement in April 2022. This included extending the scope of the tax to plastic packaging which has been filled before being imported into the UK (i.e. bottles which are filled with liquid). Alongside the Budget announcement, the government launched a consultation to provide more information on the tax design and seek views from stakeholders. As a result of COVID-19, the government extended the consultation period by three months, with a new closing date of 20th August, 2020.
Having started the company with a desire to find a role with purpose, Founder John Pritchard and his team have evolved Pala Sunglasses into a classic eyewear brand with sustainability and ethical practice at its core
The first online edition of the British Craft Trade Fair ran from June 14 – 15 to support the designer-makers who were due to exhibit at BCTF 2020 before it was forced to cancel during lockdown.
Amanda Hamilton, CEO of National Association of Licenced Paralegals (NALP), chats to Gift Focus and looks at where your business stand with regards contracts and the coronavirus
Since the launch of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS), the UK Government has supported the wages of 1,736,800 jobs in the wholesale and retail sector.
UK consumers are increasingly purchasing gift cards to spend on themselves, according to the latest industry research from the Gift Card & Voucher Association (GCVA), in partnership with research and data specialist GlobalData.
Anti Copying in Design (ACID) is pleased to announce that the text from the UK on design rights includes the recognition that designs shown in the UK would receive protection across the EU post Brexit.
UK tariff changes announced from 1 January 2021: From 1st January, 2021, the UK will apply a UK-specific tariff to imported goods. This UK Global Tariff (UKGT) will replace the EU's Common External Tariff, which applies until 31st December, 2020.
Tilnar Art is looking forward to touching base with its loyal customer base post-COVID-19 pandemic, and in the meantime is keeping calm and carrying on.
Gift company Chocolate Genie offers a realistic view of the struggles of lockdown, however, while still creating orders for Christmas gifting, there is an air of positivity.
Anna Willique from her namesake brand talks about how the current pandemic has brought her even closer to her team, and is witnessing an upsurge in online orders.
