Gift Focus - May/Jun 2019 (Issue 113)

10 RETAIL FOOTFALL DROPS IN FEBRUARY Springboard has released its retail footfall figures for February, reporting a drop of 2 per cent. This was the 15 th consecutive month of decline and a significant departure from last year, making 2019 the weakest February in five years. On the high street, footfall declined by 1.9 per cent, marking seven months of weakening, while retail parks fell by 0.8 per cent, a sharp drop from last year. “Consumers have been cautious in their spending, leading to the biggest drop in February footfall for five years,” says Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium. “These figures echo the month’s poor retail sales figures, which saw weak growth, particularly in bricks-and-mortar stores. While real incomes have been rising over the last year, the uncertainty surrounding Brexit appears to be driving a needs-not-wants approach to shopping.” Enesco announces new charity partnership with Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw Throughout 2019, Enesco employees are aiming to raise hundreds of pounds to support charity, with raffles and in-house bake sales and sporting events like The Colour Run. In addition to members from the Enesco team’s participation in events organised by Eden Valley Hospice, employees will have the opportunity to volunteer at the hospice during normal working hours, as part of Enesco’s corporate social responsibility programme. Commenting on the new partnership, Claire Binnie, human resources director at Enesco, said: “We’re really pleased to be able to support such a worthy cause in our local area that is close to many of our hearts. While at Enesco we specialise in gift giving for a whole host of occasions, the team at the Hospice give the greatest gift of all. They’re there to support patients, families and carers of people with life-limiting illnesses during some of life’s darkest times, bringing comfort, hope and a little bit of happiness to people when they need it most. We’re delighted to play our part in helping make this happen too and look forward to working with Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw over the next year.” Natalie Bingham, corporate relationship coordinator at Eden Valley Hospice, said: “Everybody at the Hospice is delighted that the staff at Enesco have chosen Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw as their charity of the year. We are all looking forward to working closely with them in this exciting partnership!” All of the money raised during the Charity of the Year partnership will help Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw’s nurses provide the highest standards of care, support and activities to local adults and children with life-limiting illnesses. This care and support is extended to all the patient’s families, friends and carers. If you or your business would like to support Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw in any way, contact the fundraising team on +44 (0)1228 817 656 or visit edenvalleyhospice.org