The recently launched SmartMax 'My First Build & Drive' took the top spot in three different categories of the Loved by Parents Awards including Best Stimulative Toy 1-3yrs, Best Construction Toy 1-3yrs, and Best Innovative Toy 2024.
With an age range of 18 months to 5 years, the award-winning toy gives children an early introduction to the amazing world of magnetism.
Engaging little minds for hours on end, it is no surprise it was a hit with both the judging panel and the public during the voting stage.
SmartMax's My First Build & Drive takes children on a creative journey.
A 2-in-1 playset, toddlers as young as 18 months can build and play and pre-schoolers from the age of 2-5 can enhance their skills.
Posted: 21 March 2024
Cardzone Group parent company Pillarbox Designs has acquired Clintons, with the company's 163 stores adding to Cardzone's 180 outlets.
Cardzone Founder Pat Taylor said he was proud to be the nation's "only national specialist chain selling quality cards."
Having been owned by the Weiss family since 2012, the deal to purchase Clintons was originally set to take place before COVID."
Cardzone will retain the Clinton's brand name, according to Taylor: "The name is still synonymous with quality greeting card retailing.
"There will be some changes, but we are very excited to be growing our family business with Clintons joining our portfolio."
Posted: 20 March 2024
Farm Shop & Deli Show has unveiled the regional finalists in its 2024 Retailer Awards, championed by Fieldfare and in partnership with The Grocer – comprising some of the UK's best loved specialist retailers, pillars of their respective communities and champions of great produce and sustainable practice.
Judging took place last November, where an esteemed panel of judges came together in person at Fortnum & Mason in London for a day of deliberations and decisions.
From this they have created their shortlist of category finalists, whittled down from hundreds of entries, by taking into consideration the achievements retailers have made in the independent sector.
Posted: 19 March 2024
Despite a festive spending slowdown, the GCVA, in collaboration with Global Data, reveals a compelling shift in shopping habits during the holiday season.
Their nationally representative survey of 2,000 consumers indicates that over 20 million gift cards were exchanged during Christmas 2023, with nearly a third (31 percent) of respondents receiving one.
Interestingly, almost a quarter (24 percent) of those surveyed received more gift cards than in previous years.
Younger generations emerged as the primary recipients, with an astonishing 50 percent of those aged 16-24 unwrapping the gift of a gift card, compared to 18 percent among the 55-64 age group.
The research also showed diverse reasons why gift cards are a popular choice.
Posted: 18 March 2024
Designs by Emmy Lupin, an exciting and highly original artist represented by art licensing and design company The London Studio, have been licensed for a series of 2025 diaries and calendars to be launched across Europe by Dumont Kalenderverlag, one of the leading calendar publishers in Germany, in late 2024.
In total, Dumont commissioned 14 Emmy Lupin images for its 2025 social stationery collections.
Already available to the trade, the diaries and calendars will be on sale to the public, both online and at physical retail, including kiosks, groceries, card shops and department stores, across Europe from Q4 2024.
Dumont's strong presence in Germany and France means it is likely to see a particularly good response from these markets.
Posted: 13 March 2024
Retail is top for local gift card redemptions in the UK in 2023 says Miconex. Primark, M&S, Boots, Next, Sainsbury's, John Lewis and Aldi are within top national retailers.
Around 50 percent of cards are spent with independent retailers and businesses.
Local gift cards are driving spend in high streets and downtowns around the world, says fintech Miconex as it shares key insights from its local gift card programmes.
The range of independent businesses which accept Miconex's local gift cards – usually alongside a range of national brands – makes the cards unique in the sector. A typical 50 percent, and up to 100 percent, of its local gift cards are redeemed with independent shops, restaurants and venues.
Posted: 11 March 2024
This Easter, Décopatch, the leading UK distributor for creative papier mâché shapes, is thrilled to introduce a trio of enchanting additions, promising to infuse your festive celebrations with creativity and charm.Crafting enthusiasts can now explore the art of decopatching with an exclusive pack containing 6 Cracked Eggshells, each possessing its own unique charm. For those seeking additional delight, the adorable baby lamb and the charming bell are available for individual purchase. Ideal for concealing treats, these delightful papier mâché shapes will add a touch of magic to your Easter decor.
Posted: 7 March 2024
Autumn Fair, the UK retail's inspirational shopping destination for Home, Gift and Fashion, has announced the launch of its new campaign theme promising a celebration of newness and original products that will bring retail stores to life, putting the spotlight on the allure of the 'shop window' and the best of British suppliers. The show will take place 1st – 4th September at NEC Birmingham.
Posted: 29 February 2024
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has announced a new collaboration with Radley, an industry-leading name in expertly made leather handbags and accessories, that will bring beautiful horticulture-inspired designs to a new collection launching, appropriately enough, in the spring.
The Radley X RHS collection includes handbags, purses and tote bags, and features designs inspired by artwork from the RHS Lindley Collections, the world's finest collection of botanical art, as well as the magnificent RHS Gardens themselves.
In particular the designs are based on the work of admired female artists Caroline Maria Applebee (c1787-1854), whose 300 or more elegant drawings are a fascinating record of social and horticultural history in her time, and Gertrude Jekyll (1843–1932), whose highly influential work laid the basis for modern garden design.
Posted: 28 February 2024
To celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Week, the Secrets from a Coach podcast launched a series of Kindness Cards.
Designed to encourage kindness and inspiration for both individuals and teams, the cards give users an opportunity to pause, reflect and redirect their actions every day.
Each pack contains 30 cards (plus 2 additional bonus cards), one for each day of the month, with thoughtful quotes and practical tips to help handle life's stresses and challenges. The Call To Action outlined on the cards give users an opportunity to grow and practice new skills to support resilience, confidence and self-awareness.
Debbie Green, wellness coach at Wishfish and co-presenter of Secrets from a Coach said, "It's like having your very own wellness coach in a box!"
Posted: 26 February 2024
