The highly anticipated Manchester Furniture Show (MFS) is returning to Manchester Central from July 10-11, 2024. As the essential summer touchpoint for the industry, MFS brings together top brands and high-quality buyers for face-to-face opportunities to reconnect, refresh strategies, and secure sales for the upcoming season. Being held at an iconic venue like Manchester Central, the show offers the perfect location for brands to access those hard-to-reach Northern retailers. As the biggest sourcing event of the summer MFS enables the furniture industry to unite, do business and network. Returning after a short hiatus, MFS is back due to high demand from the industry with 75% of buyers saying they would return - ensuring a successful comeback for the summer's biggest show!
Posted: 3 July 2024
Smart Toys & Games has announced the acquisition of Wow Toys company.
Wow Toys, founded in 1996 by Nadim Ednan-Laperouse, is known for its high-quality pre-school range of vehicles and figures.
The range created with children in mind has no sharp edges, no small parts, no toxic materials and no batteries.
The highly designed range of over 70 vehicles and over 100 figures are fully interactive and the mechanisms include a flywheel and clutch system that provide easy interactive play with robust toys that can safely handle the most enthusiastic young children.
The range continues to be supported by retailers across the world and loved by parents looking for premium quality products that inspire fantasy role play with their children.
www.smarttoysandgames.co.uk
Posted: 1 July 2024
The trend areas of the leading consumer goods trade fairs now have digital twins: 360° images of Ambiente and Christmasworld Trends 24+ enable users to discover new trends all year round - and order them directly. Via Conzoom Solution, the content hub specifically for retailers, users can now get inspired by Ambiente and Christmasworld Trends 24+ all year round. In addition, embedded information tags provide details to the exhibition products and link directly to the exhibitor profile for ordering.
Posted: 27 June 2024
The Gift Card and Voucher Association (GCVA) has released comprehensive research findings revealing the impressive engagement levels of UK consumers with loyalty schemes.
The survey, conducted over 1,000 UK consumers and insights from 36 GCVA member organisations, highlights that loyalty scheme participation remains robust across all age groups. 94 percent of those aged 66 and over are engaged in at least one scheme, alongside 81 percent of young adults between 18 and 25. Schemes also appeal to those on both high and low incomes, with 96 percent of those with a household income of over £75,000 actively involved in such schemes.
Posted: 24 June 2024
Iconic high-street stationer Ryman has opened a new Ryman Design Store in Edinburgh, Scotland. The store is the latest addition to a growing number of Ryman Design stores across the UK, following the opening of the London Bishopsgate in June 2023, and London Marble Arch and Birmingham Grand Central stores later last year. Located in Edinburgh's St James Quarter, the store is a one-stop shop for stationery enthusiasts and professionals looking for unique, high-quality products.
Posted: 20 June 2024
Over half of all clothing thrown away ends up in landfill – that is 53 tonnes of textile waste, which takes up 5 percent of all landfill space. The fashion industry is also responsible for 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emission. So, what can be done to reduce this negative environmental impact?
Sustainability experts from BusinessWaste.co.uk are calling on retailers to implement take-back programs for unwanted clothing to help combat textile waste – just like the current take-back scheme for electricals operating across the UK. An old clothing take-back initiative comes amid growing concerns about the sustainability of current practices in the textile recycling industry, as highlighted by the Textile Recycling Association (TRA).
Posted: 17 June 2024
TheVitality Rankings, the annual index of UK retail centre health released by Newmark Retail'sLondon-based strategic consultancy and analytics team, has revealed that luxury shopping destinations thrived in 2023, with Sloane Street, Chelsea and Knightsbridge rising to the top 10.
The Vitality Rankings of 1,000 UK retail centres analyses a range of relevant factors, including retail unit vacancy rate, the change in vacancy rate, space being adapted for other uses, shopper spend per annum and footfall figures. The rankings have been released since 2014.
Cambridge has regained the top spot for the first time since 2019, the last ranking before the pandemic's impact on the high street, due to the return of tourists, students and shoppers.
Posted: 13 June 2024
Visitor registration has opened for Brand Licensing Europe 2024 as organisers ramp up celebrations for the show's 25th anniversary. European brand licensing professionals including retailers, manufacturers, brand owners, agents, service providers, marketers and designers are invited to secure their free pass to the three-day event now at https://utm.io/ugO2o . BLE is Europe's leading event for licensing, brand extension and collaborations and takes place slightly earlier this year from 24-26 September at ExCeL London.
Posted: 11 June 2024
ACID has announced the appointment of Laura Newbold Breen as its new Chief Executive Officer.
With a background in IP, Laura will open a new chapter of growth, development, and innovation for ACID.
ACID is dedicated to safeguarding the original work of creators, providing robust support and advocacy to ensure their intellectual property rights are protected. The organisation's approach has been a trailblazer in the IP landscape, establishing it as a trusted ally for designers, IP creators, and entrepreneurs.
Dids Macdonald OBE., ACID's Co-founder said, "I am confident that Laura will bring a wealth of experience and a dynamic vision to ACID. With her impressive experience in intellectual property, including leadership roles in the famous "Trunki" brand, she is well-equipped to build on ACID's legacy."
Posted: 4 June 2024
The Gift Card and Voucher Association (GCVA) has announced the appointment of Dr Hannah Shimko as its new Managing Director.
Dr Shimko brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her new role, having served as Chief Executive Officer at the Online Dating and Discovery Association and Head of Policy and Communications at The Heritage Alliance.
Dr Hannah Shimko's selection for this pivotal role was based on her extensive skills and experience in managing the diverse activities of trade associations. Her track record of successfully leading teams, growing memberships, and championing initiatives aligns seamlessly with the GCVA's vision for the future.
Commenting on Dr Shimko's appointment, Siobhan Moore and Adam Hobbs (GCVA Executive Co-Chairs) stated, "Hannah's skills and experience were just what we were looking for."
Posted: 20 May 2024
