Gift Focus inc Attire Accessories - September/October 2020

INDUSTRY NEWS 13 TESTS REVEAL ASHLEIGH & BURWOOD FRAGRANCE LAMPS ARE UP TO 97% EFFECTIVE AT REDUCING AIRBORNE CORONAVIRUS Ashleigh & Burwood has reported results of an independent laboratory test, revealing that its Fragrance Lamp technology is effective against reducing both surface and airborne coronavirus. The tests, conducted by an independent company, showed that using the Fragrance Lamp for 30 minutes reduced the virus on surfaces by up to 60% and airborne virus by a staggering 97%. The results have led the laboratory scientists to conclude that the Catalytic Fragrance Lamps together with Ashleigh & Burwood Lamp Fragrance are an effective way for consumers to further protect themselves within the home. Knowing already that as well as fragrancing the home, the Lamps cleanse the air of bacteria, mould spores, allergens and odours, it was an obvious decision for Ashleigh & Burwood to invest in further testing to confirm that coronavirus was also destroyed. So earlier this year, as lockdown and social distancing became part of our everyday lives, Ashleigh & Burwood commissioned a specialist accredited microbiological laboratory based in the US to test the Fragrance Lamps’ efficacy against coronavirus. Managing Director Andrew Nettleton says, “We had a firm belief that our Fragrance Lamps could have a positive effect, as we use the same alcohol that is in hand sanitisers to drive our catalytic system, but our expectations were exceeded when we learned of the 97% inactivation of airborne virus. “This is especially good news at this time as, the WHO and media organizations around the globe (as of 8th July) are reporting on the growing evidence that the virus does spread through airborne transmission.” The company believes that the product will have the ability to provide real peace of mind to many even as restrictions are lifted further. Andrew continues, “This is not only a real comfort to those who are already enjoying the fragrancing effects of the Lamps in their homes, but also to a much wider audience.” Ashleigh & Burwood is now working with the consumer press to raise awareness of the products and the laboratory findings. Retailers will be able to utilise this in store and online to promote the benefits to shoppers. Find out more at www. ashleigh-burwood-trade.co.uk A GIFT FROM THE GODS LAUNCHES NEW CHOCOLATE BAR RANGE Lifestyle and accessories brand A Gift From The Gods has launched its own range of chocolate bars. All four bars fit into a brand Design Story for opportunities to cross-sell and are a great counter point ‘pick up’ purchase as a token gift or personal treat. The capsule collection is made up of four flavours including A Gift From The Gods Salted Caramel Milk Chocolate, a classic A Gift From The Gods Lovely Milk Chocolate, Seek Your Own Odyssey Mythical Mint Dark Chocolate and Get Your Goddess On Inspired Dark Chocolate. Each 90g bar come protected in silver foil packaging and wrapped up in a colourful branded wrapper, which are both recyclable. The chocolate is palm oil free and suitable for vegetarians while the dark chocolate is suitable for vegans. T: +44 (0)161 946 1234 E: jane@agiftfromthegods.com www.agiftfromthegods.com ROCKETT LICENSING SIGNS ‘80S ICON BOB ROSS Rocket Licensing has been appointed as licensing agent in the UK and Eire for ‘80s TV sensation Bob Ross, on behalf of the US agent, Firefly Brand Management LLC. TV painter and personality Bob Ross was the face of popular The Joy of Painting TV show, which originally ran from 1983 to 1994, and is now available on Netflix and Twitch. The series also recently launched on Vice in the UK and has a successful YouTube channel boasting 4 million subscribers. The resurgence of The Joy of Painting programme has sparked a huge interest among millennials and students for its calming, meditative, mindful qualities. A consumer products programme has already been well-established in the US, with products from more than 60 licensees over a range of categories including games and puzzles, collectables, partyware, homewares, apparel and more, along with direct to retail deals and major retail placement. In the US, the brand has been shown in the inflight entertainment on Delta Airlines, and other airlines. Dubbed the David Attenborough of painting, Bob Ross enjoys a growing following on social media and has over 1.5 million followers on both Facebook and Twitch. Rocket Licensing will be working with partners to build on the brand’s huge success in the US market for the UK market. The agency will be discussing with potential partners across categories including apparel, dress-up, gifting and homewares, arts and crafts, stationery and social stationery, accessories and publishing. Charlie Donaldson, Joint MD, Rocket Licensing, comments, “Bob Ross is a real heritage brand with unique charm, which brings the relaxed, slower pace of the 80s to busy modern lives and as such, has gained a pop culture status among millennials and students. There is an enormous asset bank for licensees to tap into in order to capture the essence of the iconic heritage of the property, and a wealth of opportunities for partners to leverage the popularity in the UK market.”  GLENSHEE CONTINUES TO DEVELOP WEE BOTHIES Glenshee Pottery is continuing to make and develop the range of Wee Bothies, it’s growing range, with gift boxing proving popular as retail customers strive to make the best of the shortened summer season. The quirky Bothies are the ideal pick up gift, as well as being desirable to collect as mementos of visits to Scotland and rural Britain. The original Wee Bothy in 13 coloured glazes are said to fly off the shelves thanks to matching colours and the individuality of each hand made Bothy to produce groups and settlements full of character. Slate roof Bothies with smooth or rustic walls are attracting a strong following in five distinct glazes. +44 (0)1356 630 222