Sustainable footwear brand Ocean Refresh has become the first UK flip-flop brand to achieve the coveted B Corporation Certification for meeting the highest verified levels of environmental performance, economic accountability and social standards. The Manchester-based footwear brand, which also boasts the UK's first 360o RecycleFootwear Programme, hopes the B Corp certification will inspire more UK brands ofall sizes and from all sectors, to undertake the rigorous assessment process to put people and the planet above profits and not just commit to doing less harm, but to do more good.... read more
Posted: 20 July 2021
Candle brand Best Kept Secrets is celebrating 25 years of trading. The company says, "It may have been a 'mid-life crisis', but in 1996 Alan and Denise Edwards decided to leave their corporate careers, to start something new, away from what had been their daily existence for the previous thirty plus years. "A very small candle business became available. With just a few products but no customers, it presented just the challenge Alan and Denise were looking for.... read more
Posted: 9 July 2021
Edx Education – one of the world's leading educational toy brands – has launched its UK retail website www.shopedx.co.uk. The website offers British parents and educators more competitive prices, exclusive offer deals and discounts, alongside expert advice to support families on their home learning and play adventure.The launch follows a hugely successful year for UK retailers in the home learning market. Initially fuelled by pandemic school closures, toy trend forecasters predict the growth in the educational toy market is set to continue well into 2021 and 2022, as parents demand more educational value from toy purchases, alongside inclusive family play opportunities, encouraging siblings to play and learn together.... read more
Posted: 5 July 2021
The Giftware Associations podcast The Prodcast, which celebrates the home and gift industry, has been featured in a top 20 list of retail podcasts.Best Startup website featured the podcast amongst others focussing on UK retail, with a curated list of the best podcasts out there. Best Startup says, "We have selected these podcasts for a variety of reasons, but they are all well worth a listen. We tried to select a variety of podcasts across the spectrum from hosts with a wide breadth of experience."The Prodcast was set up initially to celebrate... read more
Posted: 28 June 2021
Leading online kids' retailer KIDLY is expanding its own label offering this summer, with a new Recycled Swim Collection and signature invention: a Foldaway Bucket & Spade Set.Following the success of the first KIDLY Label Recycled Swim Collection in 2020, the range has expanded; with more styles and colours on offer. Combining good looks, safety and sustainability, the seven mix-and-match pieces are all made from 80% recycled pre-consumer nylon waste and OEKO-TEX-certified dyes and they give parents the reassurance of UPF50+ sun protection.... read more
Posted: 23 June 2021
Anderson Entertainment, the company founded by Gerry Anderson – the man behind such shows as Thunderbirds and Space:1999 as well as modern hits like Space Precinct and the 2005 reimagining of Captain Scarlet – has announced its entry into the direct-to-consumer publishing business. Books in a wide selection of formats – including hardbacks, coffee table books, comic anthologies, series guides, audiobooks and more – will soon be launched. They will be based on classic Anderson properties, as well as many new Anderson projects in production or planned.... read more
Posted: 16 June 2021
Voice International now uses Ecosilver in the manufacture of all of its silver jewellery designs. Ecosilver is made of 100 percent recycled silver and as a result is an eco-friendly alternative to sterling silver, yet still has the same quality and hypoallergenic properties.As of April 2021, all of Voice's silver jewellery, from new designs such as the Pinto collection, or new batches of the staple Half Moon, Entwined or Stacking Rings, have been made from Ecosilver sourced from Cooksongold's Ecosilver range – this includes silver wire, sheet and solder but excludes fastenings and earring posts, which are currently unavailable in Ecosilver.... read more
Posted: 4 June 2021
Independent jigsaw puzzle and board game company, Gibsons, last week featured on an episode of ITV's Made In Britain, a behind-the-scenes look at how Britain's most iconic brands are made. Daisybeck Studios, the production company behind Made in Britain, approached Gibsons in Autumn last year, and was keen to showcase a British puzzle brand that still manufactures in the UK. The TV segment follows the creation of Trevor Mitchell's 4x500 piece puzzle The Florist's Round.... read more
Posted: 31 May 2021
Eaglemoss Hero Collector has entered the advent calendar market for the first time, with the company having appointed PR, marketing and digital agency Norton PR to spearhead a campaign designed to target fans and collectors at launch, plus a mass market consumer initiative to drive sales in the run up to Christmas.With detailed, aspirational and high-quality collectible items behind each of the calendar doors, the all-new products have been carefully designed to appeal to both dedicated fans from the sci fi and music genres out of season, plus have huge mass market appeal in the run up to Christmas.... read more
Posted: 28 May 2021
Award winning British indie jewellery brand Scream Pretty has announced its further expansion into the international market, launching in America in June. Founded in 2016 by sisters Lucy Lee and Jessica Pearce, Scream Pretty has fast become the UK's go-to jewellery brand. Designed with the ethos Be Seen. Be Heard. Scream Pretty, the upcoming U.S. launch follows a natural progression in the international strategy for the rapidly growing brand, having successfully launched in Australia in 2019.... read more
Posted: 24 May 2021