Welcome to the January 2025 issue of Progressive Gifts & Home that’s buzzing with the latest insightful industry news, views, trends and new product launches.
As we say goodbye to 2024, it was, by anyone’s standards, a rollercoaster year both in the UK and on the world stage. October’s Budget, with its tax hikes, higher National Insurance for employers, Minimum Wage increases, and the doubling of business rates, fuelled the flames for both businesses and retailers.
With some tough decisions to take for businesses, we asked suppliers for their views on both the challenges going into 2025, and also the opportunities. Click through to pages 17-21 to see what they said. While comments are realistic, they’re far from doom and gloom.
On the retail front, we put Danish multiple lifestyle and gift store Søstrene Grene into the spotlight. Click through to pages 28-29. Since its arrival in the UK in 2016, it has been gradually building its retail empire, aiming for a total of 100 stores in the UK before 2027.
In fact, the roll out of store openings chime with a tranche of multiple and independent gift retailers who also opened new stores in 2024 – Oliver Bonas, Brocante, Utility, Prezzybox and Maybugs among them – all of whom are continuing to put their faith in the high street, despite the current challenges.
With Jellycat Amuseables a hit with John Lewis customers in the past year, and a new concept store in Selfridges in Birmingham, (click through to page 9), we turned our thoughts to the plush marketplace in this issue, fanfaring what’s trending. Click through to pages 36-37.
We also spotlight bath, body and wellness, with self-care taking centre stage as people look for ways to relax and unwind. Click through to pages 46-47 to discover some of the newest launches for Spring/Summer.
Plus, Cotton & Grey’s co-owners, Claire Sowden and Paul Banyard, look back at a whirlwind year for their wellness brand, while also looking forward to building on their global business in 2025. Click through to pages 32-33. And with a new year on the horizon, we also hear from three retailers about the products to watch as we go into 2025. Click through to page 31.
Meanwhile, with nostalgia something of a buzzword now, click through to page 35 for some blasts from the past but with a contemporary twist.
Elsewhere, our columnist Bill Nettelfield, owner of Bill & Bert’s in Colchester, shares his festive cheer in the run-up to Christmas – click through to page 27 – while Sarah Ward, ceo of The Giftware Association, highlights the key trends reflected in the Gift of the Year 2025 entries. Click through to page 25.
On the show front, with Harrogate Christmas & Gift proudly celebrating 75 years in 2025, we take a peek behind the scenes. Click through to pages 40-41 for the full lowdown. For more news about the Spring trade shows – Top Drawer, Giving & Living, Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring, Spring Fair and Source Home & Gift – click through to page 15. For all the latest industry news and views click through to pages 7-13.
And finally, a reminder that The Greats gift retailer awards 2025 are in full swing now. Click through to pages 7 and also pages 22 and 23 where some of our 2024 winners reveal how they made the most of winning an award last May. The competition closes on 11 February, so don’t delay if you’d like to enter or if you’d like to nominate an outstanding retailer. Entries and nominations can be emailed to me direct at suem@max-publishing.co.uk.
To read the full Progressive Gifts & Home January 2025 issue click here.
Enjoy reading, and wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and New Year!
Sue
Sue Marks, Editor
Progressive Gifts & Home | www.GiftsandHome.net
Top: PG&H’s January 2025 issue is out now.
