Gift Focus - Sep/Oct 2019 (Issue 115)

10 ONLINE JEWELLERY BRAND MOVES INTO WHOLESALE Popular online jewellery brand Lily Belle is being made available for wholesale for the first time. The stretch-bead bracelets produced by Lily Belle have been a huge hit online and with celebrities such as Made in Chelsea’s Frankie Gaff, singer Ellie Goulding and model Lottie Moss. In September, Lily Belle will be using Scotland’s Trade Fair at Glasgow’s SEC to launch into wholesale and reveal its package for retailers who want to stock the brand. The move is one of the first initiatives of Lilly Belle’s new owner, Sarah Patterson, who is anticipating a lot of interest in the luxury jewellery from retailers. “Lilly Belle has been a big hit online for more than 10 years,” Sarah said. “I’m delighted that we’re now in a position to be able to offer the Lily Belle range to retailers. “At the Scotland’s Trade Fair, we’ll be revealing the details of our move into wholesale, which will include some attractive mark-up options and beautiful point-of-sale displays backed up by a strong social media campaign and our work with Instagram influencers.” Sarah bought Lilly Belle earlier in 2019 and moved the company to her studio in Cumbria, where she already has a team working on her range of By Molly&Izzie gifts and jewellery, which are exported all over the world. Lily Belle has enjoyed a national profile and built up a loyal following since it became one of the first companies on the notonthehighstreet website. It has been trading for 14 years and offers a range of high-end jewellery gifts. Previously, it was named among the top-20 best-designed jewellery websites by Jewellery Monthly . Sarah is running the Lily Belle brand separately alongside by Molly&Izzie and is expanding her team at her Cumbrian base to continue the Lily Belle story and continue its passion for creating individual items. For further information, please visit lilybellewholesale.co.uk or email helpme@lilybelle.co.uk CARD INDUSTRY CONCERNS VOICED TO JEREMY HUNT Sue and Scott Morrish, of the Eco-friendly Card Co., were recently invited to the Conservative Party hustings in Exeter to meet with then- foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt. During his time as health secretary, Hunt had taken an interest in issues regarding sepsis awareness raised by Sue and Scott – an issue close to their hearts. The opportunity to meet also allowed other issues to be discussed, including the importance of supporting small independent businesses and local high streets. “Independent retailers are the backbone of our business and vital contributors to communities.” said Sue Morrish. “We welcome any government support for small businesses, especially with regard to business rates.” After a swift cup of tea, the MP had to dash off to his next event but not before Sue could present him with a good luck card filled with facts about the greeting card industry and also highlighting concerns about the supply issues for recycled paper and boards. “It seems crazy that we can’t buy good-quality recycled board that’s made in the UK, using UK post-consumer waste,” said Sue. “If we want to start taking responsibility for our own waste, we should be making recycled pulp and papers in the UK – all as part of growing the green economy and reducing our carbon footprint.” For further information, visit eco-friendly.cards SPRING ARTIST COMPETITION WINNER ANNOUNCED Wraptious recently concluded its Spring Artist Competition – a nationwide search for the next artist to join the gift company. This artist will be supported by Wraptious for two years. The competition is open to anyone, and artists are invited to submit up to five designs. Wraptious received a whopping 4,200 entries, which was the biggest response yet! Thanks to votes from the public, leaders in the industry, trade contacts and customers, Wraptious crowned Valerie de Rozarieux the winner; her stunning acrylic animal paintings will fit right into the Wraptious’ look, and the company looks forward to launching the designs on cushions and cards soon. Look out for her work at Autumn Fair – stop by the Wraptious stand in Hall 20, 6L60, to see for yourself!