Industry news from Gift Focus magazine

Lifestyle brand Gandy’s achieves B Corp status

Gandys, the adventure-inspired lifestyle brand known for combining travel-ready products with social impact, is proud to announce its official certification as a B Corporation.

This milestone recognises Gandys' unwavering commitment to creating a positive impact for people and the planet – while delivering high-quality, purpose-driven products.

From day one, Gandys has stood for more than just style and function. Born from a journey of resilience and inspired by global adventure, the brand was founded on the belief that business can and should give back.

Gandys donates 10 percent of every sale to support the empowerment of children through education projects.

Posted: 1 August 2025

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Historic trade deal with India signed

Businesses and workers in the East of England are set to benefit from the UK's trade deal with India as new analysis shows the landmark agreement will deliver a £190 million boost for the local economy as part of the Plan for Change. Both Prime Ministers met yesterday morning for the signing of the landmark UK-India trade deal as new analysis reveals communities across every region of the UK will benefit from its £4.8 billion increase to UK GDP each year. It comes as a series of investment and export wins have been confirmed by UK and Indian businesses, representing an overall boost of nearly £6 billion and creating over 2,200 jobs.

Posted: 31 July 2025

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GLEE 2025: where insight grows and innovation blooms

When Glee returns to the NEC Birmingham from Tuesday 16th –Thursday 18th September 2025, it will bring with it a dynamic and future-focused seminar programme, designed to spark insight, drive profitability, and energise the garden retail sector.

This year's content will be delivered across two specialist stages.

The Hive will serve as the hub for all things garden retail, from leadership and sustainability to business strategy and future trends.

Meanwhile, the Feed Your Business Stage, located in the newly launched Food @ Glee area, will take a deep dive into the commercial opportunities within catering, hospitality, foodservice and food retail as well as design.

From high-level strategy to hands-on innovation, Glee 2025 addresses the real challenges and opportunities facing today's garden retailers.

Posted: 29 July 2025

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National Trust for Scotland launches licensing program

The National Trust for Scotland, Scotland's largest independent conservation charity, has launched its first official brand licensing program.

The charity that cares for, shares and speaks up for Scotland's heritage will, through this initiative, aim to extend the reach of the Trust's iconic brand; allow audiences across the globe to enjoy a slice of Scotland and the Trust wherever they are; and generate additional funding to support its vital conservation work across Scotland.

As a brand and charity looking towards its centenary, the 94-year-old Trust stands for Scottish authenticity, heritage, and quality, and is working alongside partners to develop products that reflect Scotland's unique stories, people, and places.

Posted: 28 July 2025

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Scotland’s Trade Fair Autumn provides launchpad for new suppliers

Crammed with new suppliers wanting to take a stand, Scotland's Trade Fair Autumn is a Show that caters well for companies eager to explore opportunities in the Scottish market. The Launch Gallery has already been extended with some exciting first timers.

Taking place at the SEC, Glasgow from 21-22 Sept 2025, this boutique show offers exhibitors more time and space to meet and network with buyers. Solid relationships are forged here ahead of the busy Spring buying period in January.

For those retailers searching a dynamic mix of creativity and innovation head to the Launch Gallery with its rich mix of suppliers. These include Art by Annie, Curiously Charmed, Heatons, Laconic, Little White Candle, Lunabuloona, Middleshade Perfumes, Sara Willa Landscapes and The Modern Crafter.

Posted: 23 July 2025

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Chi Cups Crowned Gift of the Year 2026 People’s Choice Champion!

Gift of the Year, organised by The Giftware Association, is thrilled to announce that Chi Cups by Chi Cups has been officially crowned the sixth People's Choice Champion.

The brand earned an overwhelming number of votes - nearly 20 percent of the total - and captured the hearts of fans and supporters within their network. The award was announced at the Harrogate Home and Gifts Sundowners drink, held after the first day of trading.

From the very beginning, Chi Cups brought energy, creativity, and an undeniable spark to the competition, making its way through to the shortlist stage of the awards and proudly exhibiting at Spring Fair. The company's ability to rally support and inspire its community was nothing short of phenomenal in the most voted awards to date.

Posted: 23 July 2025

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Autumn Fair and Savethehighstreet.org announce winners of Retail Makeover Mission

Autumn Fair, the UK's leading marketplace for home, gift and fashion, in partnership with Savethehighstreet.org, is delighted to announce the winners of the highly anticipated Retail Makeover Mission, a nationwide competition aimed at revitalising the independent retail sector.

After receiving hundreds of applications from across the UK, two exceptional businesses have been selected to receive a complete retail transformation, tailored to unlock their growth potential and future-proof their operations ahead of the crucial autumn/winter season - and for many years to come.

The 2025 Retail Makeover Mission Winners are the fabulous: OSO Fashion Boutique in Salisbury and Taba Naba in Felixstowe.

Posted: 15 July 2025

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London Packaging Week prepares to launch its most ambitious show yet

Momentum is building for London Packaging Week 2025. Taking place on 15 & 16 October at Excel London, this landmark 15th anniversary show is set to be the most forward-thinking and creatively charged in the show's history.

First launched in 2010 as Packaging Innovations & Luxury Packaging London, the show has evolved into a leading platform for design, materials, technology, and sustainability.

In 2022, it rebranded as London Packaging Week and introduced four co-located events: Packaging Première, PCD, PLD, and Food & Consumer Pack, each tailored to the needs of a specific market.

Together, they form a curated ecosystem that serves the entire packaging value chain, ranging from luxury to lifestyle and FMCG.

Posted: 14 July 2025

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Warmies launches new keyrings and bag charms

Whether you're switching up your summer accessories, getting ahead for back-to-school, or looking for a dopamine boost for your daily bag, Warmies® has just delivered the drop of the season. These scented, soft, and stylish new accessories are more than just cute, they tap directly into the rise of comfort-core sensory gifting, and collectible fashion that's trending across social feeds, high-street, and playgrounds across the UK. From teens styling their backpacks to adults personalising their keys and totes, the demand for tactile, feel-good accessories is growing fast, and Warmies® is meeting it with a launch that's practical, playful, and seriously giftable.

Posted: 11 July 2025

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BLE news: Event Planner opens

Registered attendees can start searching the Exhibitor List, Brand Directory, send meeting requests and plan their calendars by adding in conference sessions and networking events. With over 210 exhibiting companies and hundreds more brands from all over the world confirmed for Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) 2025, the show's online Event Planner opened to visitors this week, allowing them to discover properties, connect with exhibitors, request meetings and add conference sessions and networking events to their calendars.

Posted: 10 July 2025

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