Progressive Gifts & Home’s very first issue, launched by Max Publishing, made its debut at Harrogate Home & Gift in July 1993, with the magazine officially celebrating its 30th anniversary at the show in July.
Continuing PG&H’s 30th anniversary series of articles, PG&H/GiftsandHome.net has been asking both gift retailers and suppliers to tell us how the industry has evolved over the decades, plus what they predict for the future.
Award winning gift and lifestyle store Etcetera opened 41 years ago in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, in November 1982. Founder Anne Raill’s daughter Katrina Raill has worked in the business since she was a teenager.
Then and now: “I remember being a 15 year old Saturday girl the day mum (Anne) opened the doors for the first time. We were unique in our stock back then and feel we still are. Our staples back in 1982 were candles, artificial flowers, homeware and textiles, mostly sourced from Denmark – and they still are.
“Trends don’t seem to really change – they come around again and again just in different colourways. However, I do remember selling lots of stickers and yoyos at one point! This is an industry that mum and I are both passionate about. There have been hard times, but we feel you must never be afraid to do something different, especially today.”
Looking forward: “I do believe that retail will get back to normal – it’s already starting to – but I also believe that the media have a lot to answer for with their scaremongering. Our customers are continuing to buy for themselves and their homes but are a little bit more cautious with frivolous purchases. In the medium term we will have to continue to source stock to cover all price points.”
For the full version of this article, which appeared in the July/August issue of Progressive Gifts & Home click through to pages 19-23.
Top: Award winning gift and lifestyle store Etcetera in Hitchin.
