It’s always a joy to have good things to shout about, and in this issue, we’re delighted to fanfare the ’greatest of the great’, this year’s fabulous Greats Awards 2025 finalists! If you don’t know who they are already, click through to pages 22-23 for the full listing. Plus, we’re equally delighted to blow the trumpet for the Gift of the Year 2025 product finalists. To see who they are, click through to pages 48-49.
In this issue, we also reveal the findings of our latest unique annual Retail Barometer, now in its 19th year, which drills down into what life was really like for gift independents last year. Despite the ongoing cost of living crisis and the October Budget, which threw businesses an unwanted curved ball, 2024 was actually a better than expected year for many gift indies, with business up 6% on 2023, and star performers greeting cards, plush and fashion accessories. To read the findings of the Retail Barometer in full, click through to pages 17-21.
Staying with the ongoing expansion of greeting cards for gift shops, much loved show Progressive Greetings Live will be back at London’s Business Design Centre on 3-4 June, with over 220 exhibitors unveiling their latest launches, and a wealth of new talent showcasing product at the show. It’s one you can’t afford to miss, so for an early peek behind the scenes, click through to pages 26-27.
Meanwhile, as many gift shops have discovered, gift-led stationery too, is on the up, with the London International Stationery show opening its doors at the Business Design Centre in London on 13-14 May. From notebooks and journals to pens and other writing implements, click through to pages 30-31 to find out what’s trending in 2025.
Elsewhere in the magazine, with Father’s Day on the horizon, (Sunday 15 June), we bang the drum for men’s gifts – click through to pages 34-35 – highlighting those that are taking men’s gifting in different directions. We also spotlight the continuing passion for games and puzzles that see families sitting round the table enjoying time together away from their screens. Click through to pages 38-39. In recent years, gift books too, have become a ‘must have’ for many retailers across the retail spectrum, a thoughtful, easy gift to give that taps into a recipient’s interests. So, what makes them such a winner for gift shops? Click through to pages 38-39 to find out.
Plus, for all the very latest industry news and views, and to read what our columnist Bill Nettelfield, owner of Bill & Bert’s has to say, click through to pages 7-15 and page 25 respectively.
To read the full issue of Progressive Gifts & Home March/April 2025 click here.
Enjoy reading!
Sue
Sue Marks
Editor, Progressive Gifts & Home / www.GiftsandHome.net
Top: PG&H’s March/April 2025 issue is out now!
