Attire Accessories - May/Jun 2018 (Issue 70)

12 ATTIRE INDEPENDENT RETAIL STORE OPENINGS SOAR IN GREAT BRITAIN JOE DAVIES TO EXCLUSIVELY DISTRIBUTE AUSTRALIAN SOCK BRAND SOCK SOCIETY IN UK 2018 Australian Gift of the Year Winner, Sock Society, is about to hit the UK Gift Market distributed exclusively by Joe Davies. The unisex, one-size fits all socks are stylish, bright and right on trend. Each high quality sock is made with 80 per cent cotton, three per cent elastane and 17 per cent nylon, and hits a great value £4.99 retail price point. Phase one, consisting of 16 funky designs for men and women, launched at the Spring Fair with great success and will be available from May. Already planned for the future are a further two phases with phase two due in the autumn. Joe Davies is giving an attractive spinner display that holds all 16 designs free with every order for the launch collection.The stand makes an eye-catching statement and takes up less than 0.5m of space, making Sock Society a high ‘sales-per-square-foot’ margin opportunity. Each design is available to re-order individually to ensure that retailers can maximise sales using Joe Davies trademark ‘Little & Often’ ordering system. A minimum order of just £100 across the entire range secures free nationwide delivery. Email sales@joedavies.co.uk or visit the website joedavies.co.uk for further information. As multiple stores – brands with more than five stores nationally – close at a rapid pace, we’re looking to independent stores as saviours, according to data provided by British marketplace OnBuy.com. Independent goods more often than not have an unrivalled quality and the service is intimate, offering a retail experience that is memorable and tailored to the customer. Inspired by the rise of independent stores, OnBuy.com considered retail and leisure multiple and independent openings and closures in 2017, taking time to study where multiple stores have declined in comparison to areas independent stores are opening. It was found multiple (chain) store closures have been seen in every region – except Yorkshire and the Humber with a rise of 11 openings.The steepest falls were seen in the West Midlands (-143 multiple closures), Greater London (-92 multiple closures) and the East of England (-86 multiple closures.) Independents, on the other hand, grew everywhere except in the East (-19 independent closures) and South West (-29 independent closures) – closing at a much lower rate than multiples across the UK.The North West (230 independent openings), West Midlands (194 independent openings) and Scotland (114 independent openings) saw extraordinary growth in their independent store markets. Cas Paton, Managing Director of Onbuy.com, says, “In the grand scheme of things, vacancy rates are low.The fact that only three regions have seen an increase in vacancies is positive and we must focus on this. Otherwise, we risk consistent, unobliging news of multiple closures obscuring our vision and progress to develop the retail world. It is sad to see well-loved, British companies closing – but we must move with the times. Keen business men and women have their eye on vacant spaces across the country and we must support our local independents, bricks-and-mortar businesses. It’s the only way for retail to survive.” Visit onbuy.com WB THE CREATIVE JEWELLERY GROUP NOMINATED FOR UK JEWELLERY AWARD WBThe Creative Jewellery Group has once again been nominated in the Ethical Jewellery Business of the Year category in the UK Jewellery Awards 2018, an award it currently holds from 2017. Managing Director Andrew Morton, said, “We’re really pleased to be nominated in the Ethical Jewellery Business category. This is such an important category, as nominees and winners are leading the way in improvements that are all about business ethics, sustainability and creating a trade fit for the future that we can all be proud of. I would like to thank Fiona Pluck, Head of Quality Control and Quality Assurance across the group, for her continued drive and commitment to our ethical stance. Initiatives highlighted in the WBThe Creative Jewellery Group submission included a compulsory Code of Conducts for partners (inspired by human rights, labour and environmental protection standards), social and environmental audits, third-party EU REACH testing and certification and the company’s focus on supply chain management and responsible purchasing of materials. Andrew added, “We’ve always recognised the importance of solid, forward-thinking business ethics. We are accredited by recognised trade bodies, including the Responsible Council of Jewellery, SEDEX and Fairtrade, and with our suppliers to deliver on our corporate strategy and this nomination is recognition for the entire team and our partners.” WBThe Creative Jewellery Group will find out if they have been successful for the second year running in the Ethical Business of the Year category at The Artillery Garden, London on 4 th July, 2018. Domino Jewellery has also been nominated in the Supplier of the Year category. Visit dominojewellery.com