Gift Focus - Nov/Dec 2019 (Issue 116)

88 For further information, call +44 (0)161 257 3524/ 3644 or visit the website madebyzen.com and scented sprays still retain sales, this alternative way to diffuse scent is becoming very popular. By understanding what the market wanted and what our niche was in this category, we’ve moved on from drab plastic finishes to luxuriously styled products that incorporate wood, ceramic and glass. The focus is now on the design, styling and materials of the product so that it not only adds a touch of luxury to the home, but also offers wellbeing and versatility. What are your most popular products? We find that most of the products we launch become popular and develop a following. Our natural materials ranges are always popular along with our Zen on the Go ® range of products, such as the Liv USB travel diffuser. We’re finding that our classic essential oils are also amassing a following as wellbeing is a key focus area for our consumers. How do you keep your designs fresh and current? How often do you launch new lines? We keep an eye on design trends but we also listen to our retailers and our followers. It’s important that we look at what the market wants whilst trying to meet our objectives of delivering a product that the user wants to have on display. How do you predict trends? We look at a variety of different platforms to ensure we’re on trend with our scents. Working closely with our perfumer, we develop original scents that ensure our users have a premium scent experience whether it’s natural or luxury home fragrance. What sets you apart from your competitors? Our finishes! We work with a range of beautiful, natural materials like glass, wood and ceramic to create designs that are stylish and luxurious. Functionality is key and we use cutting-edge technology to offer our customers the latest high-tech home fragrance solutions. For example, we recently introduced a diffuser that uses NASA technology to aid sleep. We don’t follow the competition, we lead it. How are you finding the current economic climate in the UK? Is it affecting business? It’s a worrying time with Brexit on the horizon, however, we’re confident that our business is prepared for the future. The brand has a strong following and we’re continuing to expand into other territories. Are you active on social media? How is this important for the business? We’re working on building a stronger following on social media. This is crucial for any business today. Social media is a powerful tool to not only raise awareness of the brand and our products but to also understand market trends and connect more closely with our customers. Do you visit trade shows? What are you hoping to achieve when you exhibit? We visit a variety of shows and exhibit at major trade events like Spring Fair in Birmingham and Maison&Objet in Paris. We love meeting our existing family of retailers but also look forward to building new relationships and attracting retailers from new and diverse markets. Do you have any advice for new businesses starting out in the world of gift or fragrance? Find a niche. Consumers want to be able to buy something one of a kind that offers a point of difference to everything else that shares your shelf space. What can we expect in the future from madebyzen? madebyzen ® is continuing to expand its offering of aroma diffusers that incorporate natural materials with a view to looking at sustainability. We’re expanding our wellness range and looking at more natural scents and products to complement the wellbeing message. “We keep an eye on design trends but we also listen to our retailers and our fol lowers. It’s important that we look at what the market wants whilst trying to meet our objectives of delivering a pr oduct that the user wants to have on display. ”