Welcome to the February 2023 issue of Progressive Gifts & Home! With Christmas undeniably the most crucial period for retail, we asked a selection of gift retailers for the full lowdown. For many, despite the cost of living and postal strikes, it was far from the predicted doom and gloom. Click through to pages 19-21 to discover the highs and the lows that was Christmas 2022.
Meanwhile, with the countdown to Spring Fair (February 5-8, NEC) now underway, we take a look at some of the exciting new launches at the show, and have a face-to-face chat with the sourcing director of brand new, global show Source Home & Gift which is co-locating with Spring Fair. Click through to pages 33-35.
Suppliers meanwhile, discuss how societal changes are impacting on products and product choices (click through to pages 85-87), plus, we take a look at what’s trending in the home fragrancing marketplace (click through to pages 77-79), and in the jewellery and fashion accessories sector (click through to pages 67-71). In addition, the winner and finalists in last year’s Greats Best Display category reveal where their inspiration comes from. Click through to pages 57-59.
We also catch up with the entrepreneurial Oliver Tress, founder and managing director of Oliver Bonas, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year (click through to pages 48-49), and talk to Katie Loxton, co-founder and creative supremo of her eponymous company and Joma Jewellery. Click through to pages 52-53.
Elsewhere, wise words come from Sarah Ward, ceo of The Giftware Association,(click through to page 25), who, along with six leading gift companies, highlights the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the industry. Click throughto Feedback pages 29-31. But first, catch up with all the latest news and views (click through to pages 9-15), and see what our columnists Rob Hutchins, editor and community manager of Products of Change, and Libby Holden, owner of Lovely Libby’s in Rayleigh, Essex, have to say. Click through to pages 23 and 89 respectively.
And finally, don’t forget that the closing date for Greats Awards entries is 21 February – nominations need to be with us by 31 January – with a downloadable entry form available on www.thegreatsawards.co.uk. Alternatively, entries can be emailed directly to me at suem@max-publishing.co.uk. We know that there are lots of exceptional gift retailers out there and we want to hear from you! Click through to page 9.
To read the full issue of Progressive Gifts & Home February 2023 click here.
Enjoy reading!
Sue
Sue Marks
Editor
Progressive Gifts & Home/GiftsandHome.net
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