Gift Focus inc Attire Accessories - Page number 9 - November/December 2021

9 EDITOR’S LETTER On the cover This issue’s cover is from iBeani, a multi-award winning brand with a growing range of quality products in the tech, lifestyle and gifting categories. These are perfectly suited for independent gift shops, garden centres and many other retailers. The cover image highlights the company’s hero product, the original Tablet Bean Bag Cushion with designs to suit all age ranges. www.ibeani.co.uk Supply distruption At the time of writing we are just coming out of the Great British fuel ‘crisis,’ and are heading into the festive season with scare stories of disrupted supply chains and food stockpiling. Indeed, with Brexit affecting retailers across the UK, BIRA has advised independent retailers to plan ahead for the Christmas season in terms of stock quantities. Citing that shopping for the festive season would likely start earlier, CEO Andrew Goodacre told Forbes that it would be exacerbated if the ‘difficulties in the supply chains continue.’ Yet, while there may be some forward thinking involved this year, retailers should take heart that with restrictions, currently, lifted and family and friends looking forward to being together following last year’s final hour lockdown mandates, the tills will undoubtedly be ringing. Of course, regardless of the current climate, there will always be the last-minute shopper – check out the guest blog on this topic on page 130. This issue we are looking to the year ahead, with a feature on Valentine’s Day, as well as Gifts Under £10, Fairtrade, and Handmade. As shows continue in-person, we also have an overview of what to expect from Top Drawer Spring, Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring, January Furniture Show, Harrogate Christmas & Gift, and Harrogate Fashion Week. Have a wonderful Christmas! Louise Prance Editor EDITOR Louise Prance +44 (0)1376 535 613 louisep@giftfocus.com EDITORIAL MANAGER Danielle Harvey SALES AND EVENTS DIRECTOR Sarah Ellis +44 (0)1376 538 490 sarahe@giftfocus.com ACCOUNT MANAGER Sharon Dengate +44 (0)1376 535 601 sharond@giftfocus.com PRODUCTION MANAGER Scott Brothwell SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Sarah Hill, Stephanie Hodder, Vicky O’Connor +44 (0)1376 535 616 artwork@kdmediapublishing.com PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Lorna Butcher WEB DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Stuart Weatherley SUBSCRIPTIONS +44 (0)1376 514 000 subscriptions@kdmediapublishing.com KD Media Publishing, Pantile House, Newlands Drive, Witham, Essex CM8 2AP www.giftfocus.com Gift Focus and Attire Accessories are solely owned, published and designed by KD Media Publishing. Whilst every effort was made to ensure the information in this magazine was correct at the time of going to press, the publishers cannot accept legal responsibility for any errors or omissions, nor can they accept responsibility of the standing of advertisers nor by the editorial contributions. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. Gift Focus is published six times a year. ISSN 1758-0897 @giftfocus @giftfocusmag @gift_focus Gift Focus magazine is proud to be associated with and supporters of: