Gift Focus inc Attire Accessories - September/October 2020

10 PURSUIT TO PRESENT REMOTE SELLING SOLUTION TO SUPPLIERS WITH NEW SOFTWARE AND APP Leading EPoS software and solutions specialist, Pursuit, is preparing to launch its latest software package, Sonic, featuring an innovative ‘Supplier Link’ that is hoped to redefine the working relationship between suppliers and their independent retail partners. By subscribing to Sonic and downloading the free app, sales professionals can see what stock their retailers have and manage orders, track best-sellers and fast-selling lines, and monitor sell-through to offer more tailored product suggestions. With Sonic, suppliers can suggest timely reorders, reduce lead times and minimise the need for store visits and extensive cross-country travel. Pursuit managing director, Mike Burns, says, “Sonic will encourage suppliers to become an extension of their retail partners’ buying teams. Although Sonic was designed long before the outbreak of COVID-19, our new software has obvious benefits for suppliers navigating new social distancing guidelines. With drop-in visits from on-the-road sales reps at an all-time low, Sonic can put the power back in suppliers’ hands and allow skilled sales professionals to do what they do best, but in a safe, remote and digital environment.” The Sonic Supplier Link is composed of two core elements: a Supplier Product Database and a Supplier Sales System. The former functions as an online store, allowing retailers to browse and buy products from any suppliers subscribed to the system. Products chosen are automatically uploaded to a retailer’s stock control system, including images, product descriptions and mark-ups. The Suppliers Sale System allows subscribed suppliers to review products stocked by each of their customers, suggest new products their customers may benefit from, and assess a customer’s current stockholding. Based on this data, suppliers can suggest reorders, which the customer must agree and confirm. Should the end-consumer request a product not held by a retailer, they can reach-out to a supplier through Sonic and arrange for an item to be delivered directly to the consumer. The Sonic Supplier Link will be available to access on desktop, tablet and mobile. www.pursuit.co.uk RHS ANNOUNCES SPRING/SUMMER WAX LYRICAL FRAGRANT GARDEN RANGE The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has announced a new addition to the Fragrant Garden collection of fragrances from its successful long- term partnership with home fragrance manufacturer, Wax Lyrical, along with a refreshed design. This collection of scented candles, reed diffusers, drawer liners, scented sachets and gift bags introduces a new fragrance to the popular Fragrant Garden range of complex floral fragrances. The eight fragrances in the collection are Sweet Pea, Cotton, Lavender, Freesia, Rose, Honeysuckle, Hydrangea and this year’s new fragrance, Peony. Sustainability is also a new theme of the latest range which, like last year’s popular wildlife-themed RHS Wildscents range, features alcohol- free reed diffuser fragrances and reusable vessels. The bright product designs again showcase stunning assets from the RHS Lindley Collections, the world’s largest library of botanical art. Striking RHS Lindley art prints adorn the products themselves, while geometric prints inspired by Knot Garden and Parterre, two elegant and beautiful formal garden design styles dating from the 1600s and 1700s, feature on the packaging. The core market for the Wax Lyrical RHS ranges is mainly adult females with a strong interest in gardening and interior design and decoration, but there is also a strong secondary market of gift buyers of both sexes from young adult up. The range, now at retail, is stocked by a number of garden centres and is also available on the Wax Lyrical website. Cathy Snow, RHS Licensing Manager, says, “The RHS partnership with Wax Lyrical continues to inspire fragrances and product designs that are both unique and popular. It’s also important to the RHS to be able to support product that is British-made and that reflects our desire to encourage sustainability and the use of natural ingredients – and this Wax Lyrical range ably accomplishes both!” HAVAIANAS LAUNCHES FIRST PRIDE GLOBAL COLLECTION Havaianas has launched a line of products in the month of pride to support the cause. In addition, the brand has taking on commitments and has announced actions and initiatives in order to diminish differences, promote equality and ensure that, on an ongoing basis, projects and NGOs linked to All Out receive funds to move forward in search of better conditions for this part of the population. The initiatives announced range from transferring funds resulting from product line sales to All Out, an organization with local and global operations that advocates for the rights of LGBTQIA+ people; greater size range for more than 20 products, such as the Glitter line, and several other Havaianas sandal styles; plus an innovative change to the Havaianas e-commerce where, as from September, consumers have the option of choosing their products according to colors, mood, and styles, as they will no longer be separated by gender. Fernanda Romano, CMO of Alpargatas, holder of the Havaianas, says, “In recent years we have made great strides in terms of diversity in our communication, but we know that this is a long journey. We understand that this change works like a ripple effect, and it is stronger if it is a long-term commitment. By permanently including the Pride line products in our portfolio and expanding our range with sizes that fit more people, Havaianas is committed to continuously celebrating, including, and supporting the community.” Visit www.havaianas.com