Gift Focus inc Attire Accessories - November/December 2020

NOVA SILVER LAUNCHES QR CODES TO HELP CUSTOMERS Nova Silver has launched an innovative new scheme that sees QR codes placed on items within the shop windows, aimed at helping those who want to support small businesses but are hesitant to wait in a queue or are passing by after opening hours. Nova Silver is inviting customers to scan the codes with their smartphones, which will then open the company website in a pop-up directly at the item. Customers will then receive further information about the piece and then can then simply add to the basket and check out. Nova Silver will then know to get the item ready and they will then either have the piece ready to collect, or sent in the post Simon Millership, company director says, “We have placed QR codes on some of our most popular pieces in the window to enable our customers to shop directly from their phones. We can then offer a collection within ½ hour Monday to Saturday, or free delivery directly to your door.” Julie Wallace, company director, continued, “We know that lots of our customers are working from home and don’t want to spend their lunchbreaks in a queue so we thought this would offer a great solution. “The uptake so far has been brilliant and our customers are really responding to it. We all know that shops are facing difficult times and anything we can do to help our customers can only be a good thing. Smaller businesses are in a unique position to be able to be more innovative and react more quickly to customer demand, which gives much better customer service. “The support we’ve received from our local community has been incredible. Norwich is a great place for independent shopping and the Norwich Lanes offers a great alternative to shopping centres. Each business offers something different and special. We’ve certainly noticed that people are happier to pop into a few smaller shops and wander the Lanes rather than spend the afternoon inside a shopping centre.” www.novasilver.co.uk ZATCHELS RE-LAUNCHES UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT The Zatchels brand is now under the new ownership and management of Tradewise Solution Ltd. In December 2019 the parent company that owned and operated Zatchels went into administration and as a result, the Zatchels brand has transferred over to the new owners. According to a press release, as a brand-new entity with new management, Zatchels is not connected with the previous business except by name. The new management is said to retain the core values of the iconic Zatchels brand and will continue to create high- quality hand-crafted leather bags and accessories made in the new factory in Leicester, England. Tradewise Solution said, “As an organization we are delighted to acquire Zatchels earlier this year and to drive the new business model forward. The iconic Zatchels brand is known globally for its high-quality British leather craftmanship and extensive range of bag styles, shapes and colours – this is something we are keen to focus on and retain. We aim to deliver the highest level of customer service and satisfaction, ensuring we meet our outlined deliverables as a company.” www.zatchels.com FOOTWEAR RETAILER MINELLI SPEEDS UP SHIFT TOWARDS DIGITAL RETAILING WITH CEGID’S UNIFIED COMMERCE PLATFORM Retail software vendor, Cegid, has signed a new deal to completely overhaul the IT systems at French footwear retailer, Minelli, in a bid to streamline the business and improve the shopping experience for customers. The project will allow for a speedier shift towards omnichannel retailing, such as introducing more digital technologies and arming staff with mobile devices to encourage more shoppers into its 226 stores in France, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, Luxemburg and Monaco. Minelli has opted for the rollout of Cegid’s cloud-based retail software to help with everything from stock management to replenishment and sales, including enhanced reporting modules to track performance across the international store estate. It will also deploy Cegid’s financial accounting software and steadily introduce new automated features over a 12-month period. Nathalie Echinard, director of the retail business unit at Cegid, said, “We’re seeing an accelerated shift towards the need for more digital and omnichannel services in retail and more demand for cloud-based software. “A SaaS infrastructure will allow Minelli to be more flexible in its international development and to focus on the retail challenges that lie ahead. NIXEY FOUNDER LAUNCHES NEW JEWELLERY RANGE NIXEY founder Laura-Marie Nixey has announced the launch of the brand’s first ever jewellery collection. Usually known for its range of Scottish- made handbags, inspired by the Celtic sporran, NIXEY continues to pay homage to the heritage of the British Isles with this new range. From fine silver Amulet pendants to gemstone bracelets, each carry hand-carved leaf motifs inspired by the 13 tree signs of Celtic astrology.  Laura says, “During the COVID lockdown, I took up the cliché pastimes of painting and jewellery making. What started out as something to keep me sane, developed into NIXEY’s first jewellery collection inspired by Celtic Tree Astrology. Now, I hand make each fine silver pendant from my home in London.” Each necklace comes with a printed, hand painted card describing each birth sign. As the Celts believed the time of our birth is pivotal to the formation of our personality and behaviour, each zodiac has its own characteristic. Laura says, “Perhaps you’re an Oak ‘The Stabiliser’, or your friend is Ivy ‘The Survivor’, or your daughter is Birch ‘The Achiever?’” Lovingly wrapped in a pure cotton bag and tied with a raffia ribbon, the collection makes a beautiful and meaningful gift. Prices start from £32.  Visit www.nixeyonline.com INDUSTRY NEWS 117