MANAGER FOR HOUSEWARES AND DIRECTOR OF SALES FOR EXCLUSIVELY BHETA has appointed Claire Smith as its Sector Manager for Housewares and Small Domestic Electricals as well as Director of Sales for Exclusively. Claire has taken over from Seema Grantham and arrives with over twenty years’ experience in retail buying across housewares and small electricals, having held senior roles with retailers including Next, Dobbies, Blue Diamond, Beales, TJX and Voisins. Steve Richardson, General Manager of BHETA, said: “I’m really pleased that Claire is joining BHETA. She brings a great mix of retail insight, commercial experience, and strong relationships across the sector. Her perspective as a former buyer, combined with her understanding of the market, puts her in a strong position to support our members and build on the progress we’ve made in housewares and small electricals. I’m looking forward to working with her as we continue to develop both the sector and Exclusively.” Claire is well known across the industry and brings a strong understanding of both the retail and supplier landscape, along with an established network of contacts. Having attended Exclusively Show as a buyer over many years, Claire also has a clear view of what matters most to exhibitors and retailers, which will be valuable as we continue to develop the show. Steve added: “Seema has made a significant contribution to BHETA over the past seven years. She has been a wellknown and trusted figure in the industry and has played an important role in strengthening both member engagement and the development of Exclusively. We are very grateful for everything she has done, and I’d like to thank her personally for her commitment and professionalism. We wish her all the very best for the future.” For more information about BHETA including Exclusively and the Housewares Committee, contact the Member Services Team on +44 (0)121 237 1130 or visit the BHETA website www.bheta.co.uk FANATTIK POWERS UP THEIR LICENSING AGREEMENT WITH HASBRO Fanattik has announced the renewal and significant expansion of its licensing agreement with Hasbro, a leading games, IP and toy company. This extended partnership covers the iconic brands of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), Magic: The Gathering and Transformers, and now adds Power Rangers and Baldur’s Gate 3 (one of the highest rated video games of all time set in the universe of D&D), to the Fanattik’s portfolio. The agreement also introduces new product categories including gifts, homewares, home décor and collectibles, plus opens the Japanese market for several titles. “We already supply pop culture retailers in Europe, Australasia, MENA and North America. Japan is a market we wanted to focus on with titles such as MAGIC: THE GATHERING, which is very popular in this market. This deal ticks all the boxes, ”says Anthony Marks, CEO Fanattik. Fanattik’s products are designed in the UK, with multiple ranges manufactured locally. Export sales account for over 65 percent of the company’s turnover, making multi-territory licensing agreements essential to its business model. “Hasbro is an important licensor for us. We have flown out to Seattle to spend time with the creative team at Wizards of the Coast. It is important for my team to immerse themselves in each of the titles we work on to make sure the ranges hit home with the fans,” adds Melissa Tudor, Creative Director, Fanattik. Retailers wishing to learn more can contact trade@ fanattiktrade.com GIFT SUPPLIER EXPANDS OPERATIONS WITH SUPPORT FROM THE MEIF II A leading wholesaler of festive gifts and decorations is diversifying its business with the help of a £500,000 loan. Heaven Sends supplies almost 3,000 retailers across the UK, ranging from smaller independents to large chains and garden centres. It is known for its shabby chic home accessories, quirky gifts and seasonal decorations. The company now plans to broaden its product range and cement itself as an all year-round décor supplier. The funding from the Midland Engine Investment Fund II, through fund manager Frontier Development Capital, will enable it to enhance its e-commerce site, digitise its warehouse and create five new jobs. Based in Sutton Coldfield, Heaven Sends currently employs 48 staff in addition to seasonal workers and sources products worldwide. The business was established in 2003 by Fiona McAllister, the Creative Director, and is now led by Andy Jones, Managing Director. Andy Jones, Managing Director, said: “As a nation, we are all spending more time at home – working from home and staying in more. The home environment has become more important and even when money is tight, people will still buy smaller items that brighten up their space. Home décor is at the heart of our business and there is an opportunity for us to expand our year-round offering and further digitise our business. The funding will help us achieve this.” Marie Kelly of Frontier Development Capital added: “Fiona and Andy have built a thriving business by offering attractive products, keen prices and a fantastic service for retailers. After 25 years, it is now entering a new phase in its development and we are pleased to support them on the journey.” David Tindall, Senior Investment Manager at the British Business Bank, said: “Heaven Sends is the kind of ambitious business that the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II is designed to support. The company has built an impressive reputation in the giftware and retail sector, with a clear growth strategy and a commitment to innovation and job creation in the Midlands. www.heavensends.com INDUSTRY NEWS 9
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0NTE=