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January/February 2024
 

Innovative products 

Having just returned from Spring Fair, I am delighted by the amount of new product and innovation I saw. I also had the pleasure of judging Pitch Live concept for the Gift sector, with companies Willsow, Go On, Make Me and Ducky Zebra all pitching to win. My fellow judges and I chose Ducky Zebra, and you can read more about the genderless clothing brand in the March/April issue! 

This issue we highlight the gifting events throughout the year, focusing on Mother’s Day and Easter, while also showcasing products ideal to stock for anniversaries & weddings, as well as our consistent round-up of new products and industry news.  

 
Fashion industry committed to sustainable fashion, says new study
 
Fashion industry committed to sustainable fashion, says new study
 
A new study with 100 senior executives who work for fashion brands and retailers in the UK, US and Australia, by Aquapak Polymers Ltd, reveals that the majority (88 percent) plan to stop plastic in packaging altogether.

Some 8 percent are planning to abolish plastic within the next 12 months, 14 percent within one to two years, 19 percent within two to three years, 30 percent within three to four years and 28 percent within four to five years.

Almost half said that they are extremely concerned about their business' use of polybags such as carrier and garment bags, the majority of which are used for merchandise bought on-line, and the damage they cause to the environment.

Read more......
 
Spring Fair the launch pad for new products
 
Spring Fair the launch pad for new products
 
Buyers highlighted their delight at their new discoveries and the feedback throughout the day was buoyant and energised. Hillary Fuller, from Attico in Bournemouth said, "We've had such a great show, and seen loads of new and innovative products. We're actually running behind schedule as we discovered two new companies that we've not bought from before and they are perfect for us, and now we're off to meet more of our regular suppliers." Stephanie Taylor Howl from Just-Tickety Boo Events, Burton-on-Trent added, "The show is amazing, it's not just an average show, it's much bigger and better! The stands really draw you in, it has been a really immersive experience. We have found it easy to navigate around the show, signage has been excellent. It's been good to meet the brands in person and make relationships directly with the sellers. I found some lovely high-end ribbon, some amazing frosted trees and some enormous wreaths which will be great for my Christmas events. We have seen some lovely new products, the quality is excellent and the prices have been competitive. We stumbled across some new suppliers, they are local to us and we never would have found them without visiting Spring Fair, which is great!"

Read more......
 
Joe Davies to become 100 percent employee owned
 
Joe Davies to become 100 percent employee owned
 
Manchester-based giftware importer and distributor Joe Davies has announced that it is to become a 100 percent employee-owned business.

The shareholding of the business will be held by the Joe Davies Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) for the benefit of all employees.

The existing management team remains in place, headed up by CEO Steve Davies, it was Steve's great grandfather Joe that set up the business 105 years ago.

Davies commented; "I'm very proud to be able to say that the transition of the company to a 100 percent employee-owned business will see Joe Davies being run, and owned, by the very people that make Joe Davies what it is."

Read more......
 
Ethical jeweller Lily Arkwright opens Birmingham showroom
 
Ethical jeweller Lily Arkwright opens Birmingham showroom
 
Ethical jewellery Lily Arkwright has opened a new Birmingham showroom in the Mailbox, the UK's largest mixed use destination outside of London and an ideal landmark showroom.

Voted as one of Birmingham's best breathing spaces, Mailbox boasts unrivalled accessibility to canal side dining and some of the city's best retail and leisure amenities, providing an exclusive sense of community for Lily Arkwright's clients.

The opening of the Birmingham showroom in February 2024 marks a significant point in Lily Arkwright's expansion plans.

After years in the pipeline, Lily Arkwright is thrilled to see an instant response to this exciting next step, with appointments being booked at record rate.

Read more......
 
Social situations
 
Social situations
 
Do you worry about your employees' use of social media? Here, guest blogger Sue Tumelty from Hr Dept looks at the benefits of implementing a social media policy. TikTok, Facebook, Twitter and now Threads – social media provides employees with a million and one ways to bring a company into disrepute: from posing in uniform and bad-mouthing customers on a personal channel to making an ill-judged comment on their official page. With 98 per cent of workers saying that they have social media for personal use, it is intrinsic to a business that they have legislation in place to prevent any mishaps from happening. Down under, the Nursing and Midwifery Council of New South Wales even had to warn its members about creating (presumably adult) content on OnlyFans.

Read more......
 
Scotland Loves Local Gift Card sales top £1m
 
Scotland Loves Local Gift Card sales top £1m
 
Significant show of support in drive for people to choose local and to help businesses in their communities thrive during festive period and beyond.

Sales of gift cards designed specifically to lock spending into local economies across Scotland have topped £1m for the first time.

Corporate orders - mainly rewards for staff - have made up half of the sales of Scotland Loves Local Gift Cards across the country throughout 2023. Cards can be spent with both national retailers and independent businesses.

The gift cards are an extension of the wider Scotland Loves Local initiative. the drive spearheaded by Scotland's Towns Partnership (STP) and supported by the Scottish Government.

Read more......
 
Frankfurt: In brief!
 
Frankfurt: In brief!
 
The trio of Frankfurt consumer goods fairs, consisting of Ambiente, Christmasworld and Creativeworld, impressively demonstrated that the entire global consumer goods industry was a guest at the fully booked Frankfurt exhibition grounds for five days. Even the rail strike could not dampen the success: "Mission accomplished! Together with around 5,000 exhibitors and participants from over 170 countries and regions, this top-class trade fair trio strengthens the consumer goods industry in uncertain times", summed up Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt.

Read more......
 
Forthcoming Events
 
Please note: All dates are subject to changes, contact organisers for more information before making arrangements. To view more events, please visit the events page on our website...

20-21 Feb 2024 - INDX Homewares
Cranmore Park in Solihull, Cranmore Avenue, Shirley, Solihull, West Midlands, B90 4LF
www.indxshows.co.uk
 
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