2018 will be remembered for many key events which include high streets – and high street retailers – making headline news; a greater focus on environmental issues, and much wrangling over the Brexit withdrawal agreement.
In the gifts and home sector, there were acquisitions, shop openings and shop closures plus several prestigious honours for the industry.
Acquisitions
Licensed giftware company Half Moon Bay purchased the main assets of Shruti (formerly Junction 18).
Hale Events, owners of Giving & Living in Exeter, acquired the company’s first consumer show, Christmas Shopping Fayre.
In Administration
Orla Kiely ceased trading following the collapse of parent company Kiely Rowan. However, good news for the gift industry is that the company’s licensing business is continuing to trade.
Rebranding
The John Lewis Partnership was rebranded as John Lewis & Partners.
Shop Openings
Between The Lines opened a further three stores, bringing the current total up to 16,
Brocante opened a third shop in St. Ives, Cornwall, Josie’s in Bideford opened a second shop focusing on furniture and interiors, and
Clare Jarvis and Nicky Stephenson, co-owners of The Tutbury Gift Company, opened a second shop specialising in home accessories.
Retailers Who Closed Their Doors
Goviers of Sidmouth closed its doors at the end of 2018 having traded since 1904.
Coles, a second gift shop on Sidmouth’s high street, also put the closed sign up.
Milestones
Progressive Gifts & Home celebrated the magazine’s 25th silver anniversary.
Other companies celebrating 25 years included Oliver Bonas, Paladone, Frith Sculpture, Ashleigh & Burwood, Pintail Candles, Village Candle, Caroline Gardner, Heaven Scent and Cath Kidston.
Honoured
The Queen’s Award For Enterprise: International Trade was presented To Wild & Wolf’s ceo Paul Taylor on behalf of the company.
Premier Decorations’ founder and managing director John Athwal received an OBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list for his services to business and charity. John also received The Greats 2018 Honorary Achievement Award in May.
.The V&A paid tribute to Portmeirion’s founder Susan Williams-Ellis, with a retrospective of her work – Portmeirion: Pottery Trendsetter – which runs until July 28, 2019.
