Gift Focus inc Attire Accessories - Page number 15 - September/October 2021

INDUSTRY NEWS 15 PUCKATOR TEAMS UP WITH PUSHEEN TO CREATE NEW GIFTWARE RANGE Puckator has partnered with Pusheen the Cat to launch a new range of the giftware. The range includes beauty accessories, drinkware, and bags, and all the products feature Pusheen in various poses and costumes, including the popular Pusheenicorn. Other available products include; digital watches, which were finalists in the Gift of the Year competition 2021, reusable insulated snack pots, and a brand new stacked round bento box. There are also mirrors, nail files, shaped tweezers, and a manicure set in the beauty category. All products will be available by the end of summer 2021 for the Autumn/Winter season. According to Puckator, “Pusheen is a tabby cat who brings smiles and laughter to people all around the world. She became famous through her animated comics and GIFs posted on Pusheen.com, as well as through her widely used animated stickers on Facebook, Instagram, iMessage, and other platforms. It is estimated that Pusheen’s images and gifs have been sent more than 20 billion times across social media. “Puckator is delighted to add Pusheen to our licensed collection and is certain the product range will soon be listed in our best sellers list!” www.puckator.co.uk DEAL SIGNED TO LAUNCH NEW UK-KENYA DIGITAL TRADE CORRIDOR TradeMark East Africa (TMEA), and the Institute of Export and International Trade (IOE&IT) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which provides a framework for collaborating to implement a digital trade corridor between the UK and Kenya. The initiative, the ‘UK-Kenya Trade Logistics Information Pipeline’ (TLIP), aims to eliminate paperwork and introduce much better visibility up and down supply chains that flow between Kenya and the UK. It will cut costs for Kenyan firms producing goods like green vegetables and cut flowers for export to the UK, reducing prices for UK consumers, importers and retailers. UK exporters will also be able to benefit from better access to one of Africa’s fastest growing markets. TLIP is the first digital trade corridor to be established between the UK and a developing country since the UK’s exit from the European Union. Indeed, TLIP is strongly aligned with the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) signed at the end of last year between the UK and Kenya. IOE&IT director general Marco Forgione said: “We’re proud to be partnering in the TLIP project. We believe it can deliver substantial benefits, not only to traders in the relevant supply chains, but also to the UK in terms securing its position as a global leader in digital trade. Provisions to improve digital delivery are an increasingly important part of trade agreements - and it is initiatives like this that will make them succeed.” CEO of TMEA Frank Matsaert said: “TMEA is excited to be expanding our homegrown digital solution and expanding TLIP to the UK which will create a transparent, efficient and cost- effective way of managing trade information to support and boost trade efficiency between the two countries. TLIP is also expected to support trade within the AfCFTA growing trade within the continent and support global trade.” At its core, TLIP has three Engines: A ‘Digital Engine’, based on distributed ledger technology (DLT), will support trade transactions, manage cross border data flows, and ensure traceability and the tracking of goods. An ‘Information Engine’ will provide a consolidated one-stop- shop for market and regulatory information needed by suppliers and buyers, and other intermediaries.A ‘Policy of Governance Engine’ will support the development of supplementary frameworks such as innovating trade instruments, procedures and processes as well as developing digital standards within the supply chains. Trade between the UK and Kenya has been growing, in both directions, for over two decades. We believe that TLIP has the potential to further accelerate this growth through: • A reduction in the administrative procedures and time to import and export by at least 30% • A reduction in order turnaround times of up to 40% • A reduction in compliance costs of 20% • Reduced duplication, leading to a reduction of steps in in the trading process of as much as 50% The IOE&IT is a UK registered charity offering training, information and consultancy services to its 4,800 members and beyond. The IOE&IT provides services to the UK Government, including as part of the Consortium that is delivering the Trade Support Service (trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland) and the UK Customs Academy, which is the world’s first online customs training organisation, as well as delivering educational programmes in Africa. To find out more, please visit our website www.export.org.uk BEST KEPT SECRETS CELEBRATES 25 YEARS Candle brand Best Kept Secrets is celebrating 25 years of trading. The company says, “It may have been a ‘mid-life crisis’, but in 1996 Alan and Denise Edwards decided to leave their corporate careers, to start something new, away from what had been their daily existence for the previous thirty plus years. “A very small candle business became available. With just a few products but no customers, it presented just the challenge Alan and Denise were looking for. “All went well for over twenty years, and the company saw year and year growth. Everything in the garden was rosy. Until in 2018 Alan broke his neck in a freak accident. Denise became his full time nurse but inevitably retirement beckoned for them both. We are pleased to report that Alan has made a full recovery thanks to the wonderful NHS. “Their daughter Vanessa stepped up and took over the reins. With husband Paul, they have rebranded, introduced new and exciting products and steered the company through what has been one of the most difficult years. “One thing that doesn’t change at Best Kept Secrets is our amazing staff. Team work makes the dream work – they are simply the best!” www.bestkeptsecrets.co.uk ENESCO APPOINTS NEW AREA SALES MANAGER Enesco has announced the appointment of Joanna (Jo) Castle to its UK sales team as Area Sales Manager. Joanna lives in Weston-Super-Mare and has extensive experience within the jewellery and gifting sector. Her role as Area Sales Manager, will involve the management of trade accounts in Southwest England and South Wales. Jo’s most recent sales role was as Area Sales Account Manager for a well-known jewellery and ladies’ accessories brand. In her spare time Jo likes to walk her cockapoo puppy Ossie with her husband Ben, who coincidently was named after Benjamin Bunny, and he has a brother called Peter, named after Peter Rabbit! www.enesco.co.uk 