The Creative Retail Awards has been confirmed for 14th October 2021, with the entry deadline extended until 30th April.With the announcement of the new Government COVID-19 roadmap bringing clarity to hold the Creative Retail Awards event live in October, an unprecedented number of companies have requested an extension to the submission deadline. In light of this the organisers have extended the entry deadline until 30th April 2021. If a project was previously entered into the postponed 2020 Awards the entry has automatically been rolled over and entered into this year's.... read more
Posted: 10 March 2021
The Healthy Back Bag has launched its SS21 collection, with the company creating three themes. These are, according to the HBB, "Said to encapsulate the new mood of optimistic change as we showcase function and performance using a palette of organic neutrals, utilitarian monochromes and happy primaries. RE-claim, RE-work and RE-mix represent a new circularity bound together with a palette of genderless and seasonless Blues representing calm, confidence and strength."... read more
Posted: 8 March 2021
Following a year in which the retail industry has been one of the hardest hit sectors by the Coronavirus pandemic, there was some welcome relief on March 3rd when the Chancellor's widely previewed budget was announced. It includes a package of measures to help retailers to get back on their feet once non-essential retail reopens on 12th April, 2021 under the government's planned roadmap. Gavin Matthews, partner and head of retail & consumer at law firm Womble Bond Dickinson comments on the relief expected for retailers.... read more
Posted: 4 March 2021
The Gift Card and Voucher Association has unveiled the speaker lineup for its annual conference, which offers the industry an opportunity to meet and discuss how the sector can continue to innovate over the coming months.The conference, is being held on March 3rd and 4th 2021, using a groundbreaking digital platform that can be tailored to each attendee. Holding a virtual conference has enabled the GCVA to open up to a wider breadth of guests across the gift card, payments, reward, incentive and loyalty markets, facilitating an immersive experience that will bring together different international perspectives on the growing industry and global markets.... read more
Posted: 2 March 2021
Joe Davies has announced extra help for independent retailers in preparation for a return to more normal trade. In addition to the upcoming 'At Home' Spring Fair, the company is giving an extra 30 days credit on all deliveries to independent retailers throughout March. The company's standard terms are end of month following month of delivery, with the extra help meaning that customers will have up to 90 days to pay. The company has already launched over 1700 brand new lines for 2021.... read more
Posted: 1 March 2021
Many of our readers will be so pleased to hear Boris Johnson's address to the nation yesterday evening, outlining a four-step approach to lifting lockdown. With all non-essential retail permitted to reopen from April 12th, we can look forward to bright window displays, shelves of inviting summer products and welcoming much missed customers once again. Over the spring, the Government will run a scientific Events Research Programme. This will include a series of pilots using enhanced testing approaches and other measures to run events with larger crowd sizes and reduced social distancing to evaluate the outcomes. We do hope the results are positive, so we can start taking laps of our loved exhibition centres by summer. Come 21st June, all being well and all boxes being ticked, we could be living in a very different UK, with the promise of all current legal restrictions being abolished. Let the retail revival commence!... read more
Posted: 23 February 2021
Messe Frankfurt India Trade Fairs India Pvt Ltd and Gifts & Accessories, the Exhibition Division of Netlink Solutions (India) Ltd, together announced new dates for their leading consumer goods exhibitions due to inaccessibility of venues in March 2021. The new dates will unite key segments during the buying season of 2022 and create more favourable conditions for trade.In line with the recent announcement and discussion with venue authorities, the organisers have decided to reschedule Paperworld India, Corporate Gifts Show and Interior Lifestyle India, presented by Ambiente India, to 3-5 March, 2022.... read more
Posted: 19 February 2021
Designed in the first lockdown, Scream Pretty's brand new Charm Collector concept celebrates the romanticism in storytelling. The Carabiner Charm Locks in Oval and Heart shapes, Vintage Hand, and Eternity Charm Collector Necklaces draw on enchanting vintage aesthetics. Curated to evolve with personal narratives, the Charm Locks intricately and playfully bind the past, present and future; owners are encouraged to add bespoke heritage and heirloom pieces with modern twists to explore self-expression and celebrate eclectic personal tales through their very own jewellery styling.... read more
Posted: 10 February 2021
Top Drawer, the first buying event of the season, hosted an agenda of live product launches and expert seminar sessions and has now made the content available for the industry until 21st February, 2021. Liberty's Home Buying Manager, Bryony Sheridan, has praised the show's virtual offering, stating: "In these unusual times, creating ways for buyers and brands to connect has never been more important, the team behind Top Drawer On Demand has done a marvellous job at creating such a community for the retail industry."... read more
Posted: 8 February 2021
When all eyes would usually be on the Main Stage after the first day of trading of Spring Fair, the Sunday night atmosphere will be recreated with all eyes on laptops with four special online ceremonies featuring all our categories winners and highly commended companies over the course of our headline sponsors Spring Fair @ Home event. The Giftware Association embarked on a digital journey at the beginning of the year to celebrate the finalists in Top Secret awards ceremonies for each of the 22 categories.... read more
Posted: 5 February 2021