Wholesale marketplace Faire has facilitated 400,000 product orders from 50,000 retailers across the UK since its launch in the market just three years ago.
Since 2021, Faire has helped establish 200,000 new relationships between British brands and retailers.
The platform, which connects independent retailers with unique and exciting independent brands, now has a retail customer base that totals four times the number of stores across the UK's four largest supermarket chains combined.
Jeff Kolovson, co-founder and COO of Faire, said: "It's been a phenomenal three years for Faire in the UK.
"Despite a challenging economic climate, the independent retail community is resilient and we're so proud to be part of the journey for so many inspirational British businesses."
Posted: 9 April 2024
A start-up business based in Wales is the first company to use the OPRL 'Recycle' label for seaweed-based packaging.
PlantSea's packaging comes in a range of weights and can be used to replace paper and card to make stationery, boxes and bags. Manufactured from seaweed-derived fibres blended with recycled and virgin paper fibres, it's been tested under the CEPI v2 protocol and shown to be suitable for recycling through a standard paper mill.
Alice Harlock, Director of Technical and Member Services at OPRL, said: "It's always exciting to see innovation and the successful application of novel materials in packaging. As businesses look to adapt or replace current packaging types to meet sustainability goals or legislation, OPRL is keen to support them with labelling."
Posted: 2 April 2024
Bulldog Licensing, the leading licensing agency which represents Popeye in the UK on behalf of brand owner King Features Syndicate, has announced a new deal for the iconic brand with Skinnydip, a renowned supplier of fun and quirky accessories, clothing and lifestyle products.
The deal comes in the year Popeye celebrates 95 successful years.
Recently launched on the Skinnydip site is the Popeye x Skinnydip London collab featuring the original classic Popeye and girlfriend Olive Oyl, and (of course) Popeye's trusty can of spinach on cases ready to adorn iPhones across the UK.
Much more is on the way; this agreement extends to apparel, accessories, gifts, stationery, and health & beauty products.
Posted: 25 March 2024
Despite a festive spending slowdown, the GCVA, in collaboration with Global Data, reveals a compelling shift in shopping habits during the holiday season.
Their nationally representative survey of 2,000 consumers indicates that over 20 million gift cards were exchanged during Christmas 2023, with nearly a third (31 percent) of respondents receiving one.
Interestingly, almost a quarter (24 percent) of those surveyed received more gift cards than in previous years.
Younger generations emerged as the primary recipients, with an astonishing 50 percent of those aged 16-24 unwrapping the gift of a gift card, compared to 18 percent among the 55-64 age group.
The research also showed diverse reasons why gift cards are a popular choice.
Posted: 18 March 2024
Retail is top for local gift card redemptions in the UK in 2023 says Miconex. Primark, M&S, Boots, Next, Sainsbury's, John Lewis and Aldi are within top national retailers.
Around 50 percent of cards are spent with independent retailers and businesses.
Local gift cards are driving spend in high streets and downtowns around the world, says fintech Miconex as it shares key insights from its local gift card programmes.
The range of independent businesses which accept Miconex's local gift cards – usually alongside a range of national brands – makes the cards unique in the sector. A typical 50 percent, and up to 100 percent, of its local gift cards are redeemed with independent shops, restaurants and venues.
Posted: 11 March 2024
Autumn Fair, the UK retail's inspirational shopping destination for Home, Gift and Fashion, has announced the launch of its new campaign theme promising a celebration of newness and original products that will bring retail stores to life, putting the spotlight on the allure of the 'shop window' and the best of British suppliers. The show will take place 1st – 4th September at NEC Birmingham.
Posted: 29 February 2024
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has announced a new collaboration with Radley, an industry-leading name in expertly made leather handbags and accessories, that will bring beautiful horticulture-inspired designs to a new collection launching, appropriately enough, in the spring.
The Radley X RHS collection includes handbags, purses and tote bags, and features designs inspired by artwork from the RHS Lindley Collections, the world's finest collection of botanical art, as well as the magnificent RHS Gardens themselves.
In particular the designs are based on the work of admired female artists Caroline Maria Applebee (c1787-1854), whose 300 or more elegant drawings are a fascinating record of social and horticultural history in her time, and Gertrude Jekyll (1843–1932), whose highly influential work laid the basis for modern garden design.
Posted: 28 February 2024
Spring & Autumn Fair, the UK's largest and most inspirational retail trade shows for Home, Gift and Fashion, has announced the creation of a new Advisory Board designed to drive the continuous enhancement of the two shows and ensure that UK retail has a thriving marketplace in which to do business.
The board, chaired by Stephen Spencer, Ambience Director at Stephen Spencer + Associates, comprises 15 of the industry's leading figureheads.
Including John Halliday from British Independent Retailers Association, Sarah Ward of the Giftware Association, Ben Massey from the National Association of Jewellers, exhibitors including Stephen Illingworth from Widdop & Co, Aylish Ellwood from Enesco, who all provide valuable industry insight and advice assisting in the on-going development and growth of Spring & Autumn Fair.
Posted: 22 February 2024
Divine Savages is opening its first showroom and working studio in what is being dubbed 'the unofficial design quarter of Bath' - Margaret's Buildings, right between the historic Royal Crescent and The Circus.
Founders Jamie Watkins and Tom have created a Maximalist's dream selling exquisite wallpapers, luxurious fabrics and decorative accessories for the brave and the bold.
Co-Founder, Jamie Watkins, says: "We're eccentric to the core and love the weird and wonderful. The quirkier the better. We like to push boundaries and design aesthetics and want to encourage our customers to do the same - our showroom is the first step in inspiring them to do so."
Posted: 21 February 2024
Spring Fair, the UK's largest and most inspirational retail marketplace for Home, Gift and Fashion, closed on a high after four days of intensive buying, creativity and fun, and now looks ahead to its 75th anniversary in 2025. From Sunday to Wednesday, the UK's longest serving retail show attracted thousands of buyers from retailers including John Lewis, Asda, Fortnum & Mason, Tesco, Aldi UK, Elphicks, Cards Galore and more.
Posted: 15 February 2024