The Giftware Association has announced a significant evolution of its organisation, unveiling its new identity as the Home & Gift Association. The rebrand follows an extensive twelve-month period of consultation, member feedback, and strategic planning, designed to ensure the association continues to reflect the changing landscape of the industries it serves. The new name recognises the growing diversity of the sector and strengthens the organisation's position as the collective voice for businesses operating across giftware, homeware and stationery categories.
Posted: 28 July 2026
The recipients of The King's Awards for Enterprise have been announced, celebrating the achievements of outstanding businesses from across the UK and Channel Islands and recognising their vital contribution to economic growth and improving lives.
This year marks a significant milestone for the Awards, as they celebrate 60 years since the first honours were conferred in 1966. Established in 1965, the programme has since recognised more than 8,000 exceptional UK businesses, highlighting the strength,innovation,and ambition of British enterprise.
To mark this anniversary year – and to ensure the Awards continue to reflect the evolving landscape of UK business – a new category has been introduced: The King's Award for Enterprise – Young Founder.
Posted: 20 July 2026
Fanattik has announced the renewal and significant expansion of its licensing agreement with Hasbro.
This extended partnership covers the iconic brands of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), Magic: The Gathering and Transformers, and now adds Power Rangers and Baldur's Gate 3 (one of the highest rated video games of all time set in the universe of D&D), to the Fanattik's portfolio. The agreement also introduces new product categories including gifts, homewares, home décor and collectibles, plus opens the Japanese market for several titles.
"We already supply pop culture retailers in Europe, Australasia, MENA and North America. Japan is a market we wanted to focus on with titles such as MAGIC: THE GATHERING, which is very popular in this market." says Anthony Marks, CEO Fanattik.
Posted: 6 July 2026
Gibsons, the UK-based family games and puzzle company, has announced a major sustainability milestone: the protection of 2 million trees through purchases made on its website, in partnership with environmental organisation One Tribe.
Since launching the partnership, every puzzle or game purchased directly from the Gibsons website has contributed to rainforest protection, helping to safeguard biodiversity and reduce CO emissions. The milestone reflects the collective impact of conscious consumer choices and Gibsons' ongoing commitment to putting people and planet at the heart of its business. As a Certified B Corporation, Gibsons is committed to using business as a force for good.
Posted: 30 June 2026
More than 6,000 businesses have already signed up to support UK Small Business Week 2026 within days of its pre-launch campaign, with thousands more expected to join before the national movement officially begins next week.
The initiative, created by Nigel Botterill's Entrepreneurs Circle, is calling on Britain to get behind the small businesses keeping towns, high streets and local economies alive.
Running from June 1–7, UK Small Business Week aims to celebrate the real people behind Britain's independent businesses while encouraging consumers to actively support them.
"Small businesses are the people opening up early, staying late and taking risks every single day," said Botterill.
Posted: 28 May 2026
US hydration brand, Owala, has appointed Unify Brand Partnerships as its exclusive UK distributor, marking the brand's first dedicated retail and logistics base in Britain.
The partnership is designed to accelerate Owala's expansion into the UK's growing reusable-bottle market. The sector was forecast by Mintel's UK Water and Hydration Drinks Report Report (released in August 2023) to reach £733.5 million by 2032 in the UK.
Founded in 2020, Owala has rapidly become the best-selling water-bottle brand in the United States, recognised for its patented FreeSip® spout and bold colour palettes. The UK agreement with Unify Brand Partnerships allows expanded availability through major retailers, specialist lifestyle stores and e-commerce channels from mid-April 2026.
In the early stages of its appointment, Unify Brand Partnerships can confirm the onboarding of Brown Thomas and Arnotts in Ireland, Fenwick and Next in the UK.
Posted: 25 May 2026
Japanese writing instruments manufacturer Pentel (Stationery) Ltd., is celebrating raising more than £750,000 for men's health charity Prostate Cancer UK.
In 2009 Pentel became a corporate partner of what was then The Prostate Cancer Charity, donating part of the retail price of every sale of a ballpoint pen calledLinestyle. The product that really made the difference and helped to reach today's donation figure of over three quarters of a million Pounds isEnerGelXmRetractable, a white barrelled refillable rollerball pen with smooth flowing, ultra-quick-drying ink that resists smudging on hands and paper and is perfect for right and left-handed writers.
Posted: 20 May 2026
Well-loved British pottery firm Denby has appointed administrators following difficulties keeping up with rising costs.
The business has appointed FRP Advisory as administrators for Denby and Burgess & Leigh and will continue trading in administration.
Denby is said to be continuing discussions with interested parties of the sale of all or part of its business portfolio.
According to the Sun, Tony Wright, joint administrator of the Denby Group and partner at FRP, said: "Denby is one of Britain's most beloved and enduring pottery brands, with a heritage spanning more than two centuries and a loyal following across the UK and internationally.
Posted: 8 April 2026
The Giftware Association is thrilled to unveil the finalists for the Gift of the Year 2026 awards! After months of anticipation, hundreds of exceptional entries, and two rigorous rounds of judging by an esteemed panel of more than 120 industry experts, the very best products from across the home and gift world have been selected to move forward in the competition.
The Gift of the Year awards celebrate the most exciting a innovative successful products across 20 diverse categories, spanning Home Fragrance, Home & Kitchen, Games & Puzzles and many more. The 2026 competition has continued to evolve attracting brand new brands and exciting products and ranges cementing its reputation as one of the most influential awards programmes in the industry.
Posted: 16 March 2026
Labre's Hope, the award-winning non-profit dedicated to supporting young people experiencing homelessness, is proud to announce the arrival of a new cohort of beneficiaries.
The organisation, founded by Aaron Probert in South Yorkshire, continues its mission to provide life changing employment, stability, and social care to young people who need it most.
Through its unique model, Labre's Hope employs young people to handcraft its signature candles and soaps while also providing wrap around support from qualified social workers. This combination of paid work, skills development, and emotional support has helped transform the lives of dozens of young people since the organisation launched.
Posted: 9 March 2026