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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 2026 |
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As we move into the May/June issue of Gift Focus, the industry enters one of its most dynamic and opportunity filled periods, with retailers and brands gearing up for a busy summer season. This issue brings together a carefully curated mix of product inspiration, insightful business advice and forward-looking previews, all designed to help buyers stay ahead in a fast-evolving marketplace.
Our features explore the latest in kitchen and homeware alongside the continued rise of eco-friendly gifting, reflecting the priorities of today’s conscious consumers. Sustainability also takes centre stage in our business advice, where we examine how visible eco-credentials – from shop window to checkout – are increasingly driving customer trust and higher-value purchases.
We also hear from Theo Paphitis, whose straight-talking session at Spring Fair’s Hidden Forum delivers a timely reminder of the resilience and adaptability needed to succeed in today’s retail landscape.
Meanwhile, our company profile spotlights Parkminster, a brand synonymous with quality, craftsmanship and enduring consumer appeal.
Looking ahead, we preview a packed calendar of industry events, including the Manchester Furniture Show, Home & Gift, PG Live, GLEE and Exclusively Housewares – each offering fresh opportunities to discover new products, connect with suppliers and gain valuable insight into the trends shaping the months ahead.
Happy reading.
Louise x |
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| REGISTRATION OPENS FOR AUTUMN FAIR 2026 |
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Registration is now officially open for Autumn Fair 2026, the UK's definitive buying destination for home, gift and fashion ahead of the peak retail trading season. Taking place at the NEC Birmingham from 6th – 9th September 2026, the event co-locates with garden retail show Glee on the 8th – 9th September creating Europe's biggest buying moment for home, gift, garden and fashion retail. Bringing together 1,250+ exhibitors across both shows, Autumn Fair offers an unrivalled opportunity for retailers to source, discover and connect, all in one trip, at a critical time when Q4 ranges are being finalised.
Read more...... |
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| Owala appoints its first UK distributor as it expands its European footprint |
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US hydration brand, Owala, has appointed Unify Brand Partnerships as its exclusive UK distributor, marking the brand's first dedicated retail and logistics base in Britain.
The partnership is designed to accelerate Owala's expansion into the UK's growing reusable-bottle market. The sector was forecast by Mintel's UK Water and Hydration Drinks Report Report (released in August 2023) to reach £733.5 million by 2032 in the UK.
Founded in 2020, Owala has rapidly become the best-selling water-bottle brand in the United States, recognised for its patented FreeSip® spout and bold colour palettes. The UK agreement with Unify Brand Partnerships allows expanded availability through major retailers, specialist lifestyle stores and e-commerce channels from mid-April 2026.
In the early stages of its appointment, Unify Brand Partnerships can confirm the onboarding of Brown Thomas and Arnotts in Ireland, Fenwick and Next in the UK.
Read more...... |
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| SEARCH FOR NATION'S FAVOURITE BUSINESSES BEGINS |
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Applications for the Nation's Favourite Businesses has opened as part of the upcoming celebrations of this year's Small Business Saturday UK, taking place on 5 December 2026. The Nation's Favourite Businesses (NFB), first introduced last year to spotlight the UK's vibrant small business community, will replace the long-running SmallBiz100, a celebration of Britain's most inspiring entrepreneurs as part of the official countdown to Small Business Saturday UK - a grassroots non-commercial campaign, originally founded by American Express in the U.S. in 2010, and the principal supporter in the UK.
Read more...... |
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| How loyal regulars are powering Britain's local retailers |
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Britain's local retailers are powered by loyal regulars who generate them up to five times more annual revenue as they typically return to a business 11 times throughout the year, according to research from Square, the global technology company. For high street retailers specifically, the Square Local Economy Report reveals that UK consumers most often visit their local retailers and shops, over and above cafés, restaurants and beauty salons, with 70% shopping locally at least weekly. This is the highest rate across the four countries Square surveyed, compared to the US, Australia and Canada.
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| Pentel reaches fundraising milestone |
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Japanese writing instruments manufacturer Pentel (Stationery) Ltd., is celebrating raising more than £750,000 for men's health charity Prostate Cancer UK.
In 2009 Pentel became a corporate partner of what was then The Prostate Cancer Charity, donating part of the retail price of every sale of a ballpoint pen calledLinestyle. The product that really made the difference and helped to reach today's donation figure of over three quarters of a million Pounds isEnerGelXmRetractable, a white barrelled refillable rollerball pen with smooth flowing, ultra-quick-drying ink that resists smudging on hands and paper and is perfect for right and left-handed writers.
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...
1-4 Jul 2026 - New Designers
Business Design Centre, 52 Upper St, London, N1 0QH
www.newdesigners.com
5-6 Jul 2026 - Manchester Furniture Show
Harrogate Convention Centre, King's Rd, Harrogate, HG1 5LA
manchesterfurnitureshow.com
9-10 Jul 2026 - The London Home Fragrance Show
Business Design Centre London, 52 Upper St, London, N1 0QH
www.londonhomefragranceshow.com
19-22 Jul 2026 - Home & Gift Buyers Festival
King's Road, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 5LA
homeandgift.co.uk
6-9 Sep 2026 - Autumn Fair 2026
NEC Birmingham, B40 1NT, UK
www.autumnfair.com
6-9 Sep 2026 - Source Home & Gift
NEC Birmingham, North Ave, Marston Green, Birmingham, B40 1NT
www.source-homeandgift.com
8-10 Sep 2026 - Glee
NEC Birmingham, North Ave, Marston Green, Birmingham, B40 1NT
www.gleebirmingham.com
13-15 Sep 2026 - Top Drawer London
Olympia London, Hammersmith Rd, London, W14 8UX
www.topdrawer.co.uk
16-17 Sep 2026 - London Packaging Week London
ExCeL London
www.londonpackagingweek.com |
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