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View the latest issue of Gift Focus for FREE! |
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Just a reminder that you can view the latest issue of your favourite gift/homewares trade magazine for FREE.
Simply Follow this link
You can also read any of our previous issues by following this link
Gift Focus is the UK's leading trade title aimed at gift and homewares bricks & mortar and online retailers.
When making enquiries to our advertisers, do please mention us. Don't forget to visit our social media channels to spread the word and interact with others.
Enjoy, keep safe and well and please accept our sincere best wishes from everyone here at Gift Focus |
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| May/June 2025 |
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Surviving the storm
Since his inauguration in January, U.S. President Donald Trump has raised concerns with his proposed tariffs on goods from countries like Mexico and China. While the UK has so far avoided direct impact, murmurs of a global trade war have economists wary about financial stability. The ‘Trump Effect’ is a growing concern for businesses worldwide.
However, as an industry, we are nothing if not resilient. Time and again, we have weathered economic storms and emerged stronger. With exceptional products such as those featured in this issue continuing to elevate the market, we can be confident in our ability to thrive, even in uncertain times.
On a brighter note, this issue covers a broad spectrum of the market, with a spotlight on eco-friendly products, kitchenware, homeware, and perennial bestsellers like baby gifts and bath & body products.
That’s not all – we also bring you an essential guide to upcoming must-visit trade events, including the Manchester Furniture Show, Glee, Exclusively Housewares, and the first of our two previews of Home & Gift.
Enjoy the issue!
Louise x |
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| Creative Retail Awards 2025 unveils high-profile judging panel |
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The Creative Retail Awards has unveiled the judging panel for the 2025 Awards, which celebrate innovation and excellence across the retail, leisure, and hospitality sectors.
This year's panel is tasked with selecting the most impactful projects.
The 2025 judging panel includes:
· Isabella Fish – Retail Editor at The Times and The Sunday Times, widely recognised for her in-depth coverage and analysis of trends shaping the retail landscape.
· Ian Scott – International retail consultant and founder of Ian Scott Consulting, known for his expertise in retail strategy and global trends. He is notably credited with introducing the concept of Symbiotic Retail, an approach that advocates for all retail channels to function cohesively as a unified ecosystem to enhance the shopper experience.
Read more...... |
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| Grow with Autumn Fair |
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Autumn Fair returns to the NEC Birmingham from 7–10 September, offering retailers a key opportunity to refresh their product ranges ahead of the peak shopping season. The 2024 edition saw a 34% rise in new, high-calibre buyers, and following this success, the show is expanding with 10% more floor space. Now 85% sold and close to being fully booked, it will feature an expertly curated collection of over 800 brands, showcasing thousands of must-have products across three key destinations: Home, Gift, and Fashion.
Read more...... |
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| Scotland's Trade Fair Autumn returns to Glasgow in September |
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Scotland's Trade Fair Autumn is set to return to the SEC, Glasgow from 21-22 Sept 2025.
After a temporary shift to August, this boutique show is moving back to its traditional September slot – a more convenient buying period for retailers as the busy Scottish summer tourist season winds down.
This curated trade event will welcome around 100 exhibitors, offering a rich showcase of high-quality Scottish products alongside innovative brands from across the UK and beyond. Nearly a third of the exhibitors are new to the show, bringing fresh ideas and products to Scotland for the first time.
Ones to take a peek at are Harrow & Green Christmas gifts, MuseARTa, Christopher Walster illustrations, The Modern Crafter and Curiously Charmed jewellery.
Read more...... |
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| Top brands return to Autumn Fair |
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Autumn Fair, the UK's largest B2B retail trade show for Home, Gift & Fashion of the season, returns to the NEC Birmingham from 7–10 September 2025, bringing together over 800 leading brands and 12,000+ retail buyers for four days of high-impact product discovery ahead of the busiest season in retail.
At the heart of this year's edition is a powerhouse line-up of industry favourites and bestselling brands across ten curated destinations who use the show as the perfect stage to unveil new products.
Retailers can expect to source from the likes of Candlelight Products, Bedeck, Ty UK, Gingko, Widdop & Co, Kikkerland, Sass & Belle, Bomb Cosmetics, Five Dollar Shake, Baby Republic, Ohh Deer, Powell Craft, and My Gifts Trade.
Read more...... |
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| INDX launches dynamic new trade show for 2026 |
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Get ready to discover a fresh wave of gift inspiration with the exciting launch of the INDX Gift Edit, a dynamic new trade show set to invigorate the UK giftware market in 2026.
Designed to connect leading suppliers with UK and Ireland retailers, the INDX Gift Edit will arrive at Midlands event venue, Cranmore Park on 19 May 2026.
Responding to the evolving needs of the gift industry, the INDX Gift Edit promises a commercially curated selection of high-quality products spanning food and drink, homeware, fashion accessories, stationery, toys, artisan crafts, and much more.
Jane Bartlett, Director of Events, AIS, and Cranmore Park: "We have listened to the industry and are creating an event that is both commercially focused and inspiring."
Read more...... |
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| January Furniture Show named finalist for AEO Excellence Awards |
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Clarion Events has announced that the January Furniture Show has been named a finalist in the Best UK Tradeshow (More Than 8,000sqm) category at the AEO (Association of Event Organisers) Excellence Awards 2025.
This prestigious recognition celebrates the January Furniture Show's continued commitment to delivering an outstanding event experience for the UK's furniture and interiors industry. Taking place annually at the NEC Birmingham, the show brings together thousands of industry professionals, leading brands, and emerging designers to showcase the very best in British and international furniture design and manufacturing.
The AEO Awards celebrate excellence across the events industry, highlighting innovation, growth, and impact. Being shortlisted in the More Than 8,000sqm category underscores the scale and success of the January Furniture Show as a leading trade exhibition.
Read more...... |
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| Forthcoming Events |
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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...
2-3 Sep 2025 - INDX Toys
Cranmore Park in Solihull, Cranmore Avenue, Shirley, Solihull, West Midlands, B90 4LF
www.indxshows.co.uk
7-10 Sep 2025 - Source Home & Gift
NEC Birmingham, North Ave, Marston Green, Birmingham, B40 1NT
www.source-homeandgift.com
7-10 Sep 2025 - Autumn Fair 2025
NEC Birmingham, B40 1NT, UK
www.autumnfair.com
9-10 Sep 2025 - INDX Home
Cranmore Park in Solihull, Cranmore Avenue, Shirley, Solihull, West Midlands, B90 4LF
www.indxshows.co.uk
14-16 Sep 2025 - Top Drawer London
Olympia London, Hammersmith Rd, London, W14 8UX
www.topdrawer.co.uk |
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