Read the July/August 2022 Issue of Progressive Gifts & Home

Welcome to the July/August 2022 issue of Progressive Gifts & Home that’s buzzing with the very latest insightful news, views, trends and new product launches.

In this fabulous issue, we hear from David Austin, owner of family owned and run Austins department store in Newton Abbot, winner of The Greats 2022 Best Department Store Gift Retailer category, who shares the secret of the retailer’s success. Click through to pages 37-39.

Above: Austins, Newton Abbot. — **Above**: Austins, Newton Abbot.

We also caught up with Lesley and Denis Aaronson, co-founders of London based Heathcote & Ivory, who were delighted to unveil their exciting bath and body gifting ranges for the festive season. Click through to pages 22-23.

Above: Lesley and Denis Aaronson, co-founders of London based Heathcote & Ivory. — **Above**: Lesley and Denis Aaronson, co-founders of London based Heathcote & Ivory.

Meanwhile, it was a joy to see so many gift retailers at dedicated greeting card show PG Live last month, both discovering new publishers and seeing established suppliers. To discover what caught their eye click though to page 15.

Above: Gift and greeting card retailers enjoyed a glass of fizz at PG Live’s Greats and Retas Wall of Fame pre-lunch drinks reception. — **Above**: Gift and greeting card retailers enjoyed a glass of fizz at PG Live’s Greats and Retas Wall of Fame pre-lunch drinks reception.

At Exclusively meanwhile, trends were at the heart of the show, with ITV’s Good Morning presenter, Lynsey Queen of Clean, also telling PG&H why candles are her favourite gift. Click through to page 15.

Above: TV’s Lynsey Queen of Clean was among the celebrities at the recent Exclusively show. — **Above**: TV’s Lynsey Queen of Clean was among the celebrities at the recent Exclusively show.

However, while the mood so far has been upbeat, the perfect storm of the Ukraine war, spiralling inflation and the cost of living crisis – fuel, energy and food – is now very real, making it extremely challenging for all businesses in all sectors, especially retailers, who are once again, facing a tough trading environment.

As gift retailers progress their Christmas buying, we asked both suppliers and retailers how all of this is likely to impact on the industry as we transition into the second half of the year. Click through to pages 17-21 for insightful comments from leading industry names.

Above: Gallery Direct’s Chris Lewis is among those sharing their views about the cost of living crisis. — **Above**: Gallery Direct’s Chris Lewis is among those sharing their views about the cost of living crisis.

Elsewhere in this issue, Enesco’s marketing & product director Helen Cottrill reveals the company’s exciting new launches for the second half of the year, click through to pages 34-35, while home fragrancing and bath and body companies evoke the fragrances of Christmas and much more besides. Click through to pages 25-29.

Above: From Enesco, an unusual wall clock by Allen Designs. — **Above**: From Enesco, an unusual wall clock by Allen Designs.

As for jewellery and fashion accessories, colour is hot, hot, hot for Autumn/Winter, especially green, with gold and silver continuing to shine. Click through to pages 43-57.

Above: Green is the colour across jewellery and fashion accessories for Hot Tomato. — **Above**: Green is the colour across jewellery and fashion accessories for Hot Tomato.

On the fashion front, we preview Joe Davies’ fabulous SugarLane Autumn/Winter womenswear collection, which was unveiled at Harrogate’s Home & Gift this week. Click through to page 41.