With the run-up to Christmas beginning in earnest this September, the September issue of Progressive Gifts & Home is bursting with inspiration for the festive season!
We’ve got some great ideas for the sweet spots of £5 and under, £10 and under and £20 and under, (click through to pages 41-45). And staying with Christmas, for retailers still looking for Christmas decorations – an increasingly important category for gift shops – we asked some of the leading suppliers to tell us what’s trending for the festive season. (Click through to pages 33-35).
There’s more news on the product front too, with home fragrancing coming into its own over the coming months. (Click through to pages 57-61). We also get a handle on giftable mugs that will make the perfect self-purchase, Secret Santa gift or stocking filler. (Click through to pages 81-85).
Plus, we caught up with gift supplier Wild Things, which is celebrating 35 years, to hear more about the company’s exciting expansion plans (click through to pages 77-79), as well as Boxer Gifts, which remains on a mission to put the fun into gifting. (Click through to pages 69-71). And if you thought collectables had had their day, Enesco’s managing director Rob Freestone reveals the myriad of big licensed brands that are continuing to take the company onwards and upwards. (Click through to pages 51-53).
Of course, it’s always good to talk, and at last month’s Progressive Gifts & Home’s annual retailer round table, held at Home & Gift in Harrogate, we spoke to a collective of ambitious, realistic independent retailers who are all breaking the retail mould, acknowledging that high street retail remains tough, but who are nevertheless ploughing on with confidence. Turn to Look Who’s Talking for a no holds barred article on what the banes and bonuses of independent retail are, and why Christmas can’t come soon enough. (Click through to pages 27-31). Also breaking the retail mould are newcomers Rachel and Paul Roberts, co-owners of four MOOCH gift stores in Northamptonshire, who tell us about their fast track expansion over the past two years. (Click through to pages 37-39).
Meanwhile, with Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) not only celebrating 21 years this October, but also moving to a new London venue, ExCeL, we’ve put the spotlight on the licensed brands that will be making their debut this Autumn. (Click through to pages 73-75), You can also read what The Giftware Association’s ceo Sarah Ward has got to say about the licensing sector in relation to the gift industry and why it’s growing in importance for gift retailers. (Click through to page 55).
But first, we take a look at a re-edited, trend-led Autumn Fair (September 1-4, NEC), and, as always, a cutting edge Top Drawer (September 8-10, Olympia). (Click through to pages 11, 15 and 17). There’s lots going on, and you can find out more about both shows, as well as the latest, most up to the minute industry news by turning to our insightful news pages. (Click through to pages 9-23).
Sue
Top: The September issue of Progressive Gifts & Home.
