As the run-up to Christmas begins in earnest, PG&H October/November gets into the festive spirit with an inspirational, upbeat issue.
Talking business, with his customary wit and wisdom, is former ‘dragon’ Theo Paphitis, who was the keynote speaker at Autumn Fair in September. Click through to pages 33-35 to read An Audience With . . . The King Of Retail, where Theo shares his thoughts on everything from the current business landscape to working ‘smart’.
Meanwhile, keeping attendees entertained at Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) in October was TV chef, presenter and author Nadiya Hussain, who memorably won The Great British Bake Off in 2015. PG&H caught up with Nadiya to hear about her new homewares range for BlissHome (click through to pages 25-27) – her first foray into licensing – and why she can’t resist the temptation to buy her friends and family random gifts at random times of the year!
On the high street, it’s been an exciting time for John Lewis & Partners. The department store has been focusing on expanding the gift side of the business this Autumn with the fanfaring of a new own brand concept, Find Keep Give, which launched to tie-in with a major re-branding of the store. So what’s the rationale behind it? PG&H spoke to Sara Allbright, buyer for Gifts and Candle Shop, about what’s giving the new collection its edge. (Click through to pages 29-31).
Plus, while other retailers are closing stores, impressively, one gift independent is expanding its retail portfolio in the South of England. PG&H met up with Lindsey and Florian Kleinlercher, co-owners of Between The Lines, to discover more about the secret of their success, and why more shop openings are on the cards for next year. (Click through to pages 37-39). Additionally, Greats winner Lulu Loves is riding high in Stubbington, with owner Louise Prydderch revealing what gives her new home interiors shop the edge. (Click through to pages 47-49).
PG&H also met up with a very special designer, Emily Coxhead, who founded The Happy News newspaper which only reports on happy stories! She was at John Lewis & Partners’ Westfield store in London as part of September’s Thinking Of You Week initiaitve, organised by the Greeting Card Association (GCA), running a workshop on how to make ‘happy jars’. To find out more about Emily and her happy thoughts, turn to Bursting With Happiness. (Click through to pages 41-43).
Also thinking happy thoughts meanwhile, is Adam Gore, founder of online gift retailer Find Me A Gift, winner of The Greats 2018 Best Online or Mail Order Gift Retailer category, with Adam revealing why he loves being in a business that makes people happy. (Click through to pages 57-59).
On the product front, and with Christmas in mind, we turn the spotlight on Bath & Body pampering products (click through to pages 51-53), and what gifts to buy for a pet in our Well Doggone! feature (click though to pages 69-71). We also take a look at what’s trending for Valentine’s Day (click through to pages 61-65). For more trends, click through to page 45 to take A Walk On The Wild Side. And, with Christmas homing in, we asked a cross section of gift retailers how they’ve approached the festive season this year.(Click through to Feedback on pages 21-23).
Elsewhere, get the lowdown on the January Furniture Show (click through to page 67), catch up withNic Stone of The Bottle Kiln, who shares his tips and tricks for making the most of the festive season in his Gift of the Gab column (click through to page 19), and discover why Sounding Off columnist Lesley Dunne is so passionate about in store fragrance (click through to page 77).
Other regular features include Best Sellers (click through to pages 78-79), Behind The Counter, where we meet Angie Pipe of Alligator Pear (click through to page 82), and Last Word, where MasterChef 2018 winner Kenny Tutt reveals why a gift from his wife made him cry! (Click through to page 82) .
To read the PG&H October/November issue in full, click here.
