Gift Focus inc Attire Accessories - May/June 2020

8 Industry news MY GIFTS TRADE AND A GIFT FROM THE GODS ANNOUNCE NEW DISTRIBUTION PARTNERSHIP My Gifts Trade/ECP Design (MGT/ECP) and A Gift From The Gods are delighted to announce a new distribution partnership, which will see MGT/ECP take on exclusive distribution for the A Gift From The Gods brand. A Gift From The Gods does more than create beautiful accessories, it creates them at a good price point, allowing buyers from small businesses and large to add a little sparkle to their product lines without breaking the bank. This balance of affordability and luxury combined with AGFG’s aesthetic has proven a hit with buyers around the world. Nikki Courtney, director at My Gifts Trade commented: “We’re delighted to add this wonderful range to our stable of existing brands and become part of the My Gifts Trade/ ECP Design family. This exciting young lifestyle brand – encompassing stationery, jewellery, accessories and sleepwear – is a perfect fit to our current portfolio and gives our customers even more choice.” Jane Reucroft, founder of A Gift From The Gods, added, “My Gifts Trade are quickly becoming the ‘go to’ distributor in the housewares and gifting market, and I am more than impressed with their operation and capabilities. This new arrangement will free up more of the team’s time to focus upon brand and product development and extend our reach through primary retail sectors.” EMMA BRIDGEWATER SECURES £8 MILLION INVESTMENT FROM BGF British ceramics brand Emma Bridgewater has secured an £8 million investment from BGF, the UK and Ireland’s most active investor in growing businesses, to support further UK growth and international expansion. The transaction sees Colin Porter join the board as non- executive Chair. Colin brings with him a wealth of e-commerce, brand and international retail experience from his successful period as CEO of Joules and current non-executive roles at Moss Bros and Hotel Chocolat. Founder Emma Bridgewater said: “The company is well-known for relaxed, colourful, domestic pottery; our distinctive and friendly designs are also available on a wide range of home wares, beyond the kitchen dresser. All our ceramics are made in Staffordshire deploying traditional local craft skills; we have grown organically over the past 35 years whilst staying true to my vision of beautiful wares, made with love and attention in a beautiful factory. I am personally very excited to have this opportunity to work with the BGF, with Colin Porter chairing our Board, to expand our brand into new markets - and a new era.” Joanne Smith, an investor at BGF who will be joining the board of Emma Bridgewater, said: “Emma Bridgewater is a long-standing, iconic British design brand driven by a highly-capable and professional team, and with exciting plans for future growth. We’re delighted to be joining the business as its long-term investment partner as it explores new sales opportunities both here in the UK and overseas.” The deal was led for BGF by Joanne Smith, Chris Nixon and Tom Horton. Visit www.emmabridgewater.co.uk Catch up on all the latest in our news round up BIRA LAUNCHES NEW CORONAVIRUS HUB TO HELP INDEPENDENT RETAILERS THROUGH CRISIS The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has launched a dedicated coronavirus hub to guide members and the wider retail community through the crisis. The online resource, accessible through the Bira website, is a one-stop shop featuring a wealth of information and advice. It is being updated every day, throughout the day. Information on the hub includes: • The list of businesses still allowed to trade, and those being asked to close. • How and where to access emergency Government support, including the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans • Details of local authority support • Employee/Employer guidance including details on sick pay allowance • The latest legislation with regards to ‘relaxed’ trading • There are also guides to wellbeing, as well inspirational stories of what members are doing to adapt to the current situation. Andrew Goodacre, Bira’s CEO, said, “Everyone at Bira has been working hard to ensure that our members and the wider retail community receive the support they need at this time. “Our focus has been to provide accurate guidance based on information we have received for the various government departments. The dedicated hub on our website will updated on a regular basis.” Visit www.bira.co.uk/coronavirus