The winners of Gift of the Year 2025, organised by The Giftware Association, have been unveiled.
Gift of the Year honours outstanding products that capture the spirit of giving across the retail landscape. This year saw a record-breaking number of entries and some of the most inventive, heartwarming, and sustainable gifts the industry has ever seen.
These winners stood out for their exceptional design, innovation, and ability to wow the judges — who were made up of buyers and retailers — and ultimately will see their products in the hands of consumers, whether on the high street, online, or in boutique stores across the country.
Posted: 23 May 2025
G H Stafford & Son LTD — one of the UK's leading suppliers of leathergoods and accessories — is launching a nationwide Window Display Competition to celebrate the creativity of independent retailers. The competition kicks off on Saturday 24th May 2025.
Retailers are invited to submit photos of a window display featuring G H Staffords' products by Monday 7th July 2025, with a £100 account credit awarded to the best entry in each of six regions:
Scotland & NI, North, Midlands, South, Wales, and Ireland.
Posted: 22 May 2025
Source Fashion, the UK's leading responsible sourcing show, is set to welcome an impressive international lineup at its upcoming edition.
Audited manufacturers and suppliers representing more than 25 countries from across the globe include Turkey, Portugal, UK, China, India, France, Sri Lanka and emerging African markets.
Returning 8-10 July to The Grand Hall, Olympia London, Source Fashion will offer UK retailers, brands, wholesalers and corporates a truly global perspective on ethical and innovative sourcing solutions, reinforcing its position as a key hub for international fashion trade.
The Turkish presence at Source Fashion highlights the countries rich textile heritage and among the new exhibitors making their debut this season are Ronin Textile, creating plus size clothing for an international market.
Posted: 20 May 2025
Source Fashion, Europe's leading responsible sourcing show running from 8th-10th July 2025 at The Grand Hall, Olympia London, has announced a new content agenda and inspiring line-up of keynote speakers including Hash Ladha, Former-CEO Jigsaw, Jane Blacklock, Head of ESG, Passenger, Bill McRaith, Executive Adviser Future-Proof Fashion and Mark Sumner, Textiles Lead, WRAP.
The exclusive content program, running through the entire three-day event, is designed to inspire, educate, and challenge visitors. Reflecting the current global market this season will explore how to thrive in a volatile environment and drive opportunity out of crisis, with topics covering economics, trade, materials and sustainability.
Posted: 15 May 2025
Autumn Fair, the UK's largest B2B retail trade show for Home, Gift & Fashion of the season, returns to the NEC Birmingham from 7–10 September 2025, bringing together over 800 leading brands and 12,000+ retail buyers for four days of high-impact product discovery ahead of the busiest season in retail.
At the heart of this year's edition is a powerhouse line-up of industry favourites and bestselling brands across ten curated destinations who use the show as the perfect stage to unveil new products.
Retailers can expect to source from the likes of Candlelight Products, Bedeck, Ty UK, Gingko, Widdop & Co, Kikkerland, Sass & Belle, Bomb Cosmetics, Five Dollar Shake, Baby Republic, Ohh Deer, Powell Craft, and My Gifts Trade.
Posted: 13 May 2025
Scotland's Trade Fair Autumn is set to return to the SEC, Glasgow from 21-22 Sept 2025.
After a temporary shift to August, this boutique show is moving back to its traditional September slot – a more convenient buying period for retailers as the busy Scottish summer tourist season winds down.
This curated trade event will welcome around 100 exhibitors, offering a rich showcase of high-quality Scottish products alongside innovative brands from across the UK and beyond. Nearly a third of the exhibitors are new to the show, bringing fresh ideas and products to Scotland for the first time.
Ones to take a peek at are Harrow & Green Christmas gifts, MuseARTa, Christopher Walster illustrations, The Modern Crafter and Curiously Charmed jewellery.
Posted: 6 May 2025
The Creative Retail Awards has unveiled the judging panel for the 2025 Awards, which celebrate innovation and excellence across the retail, leisure, and hospitality sectors.
This year's panel is tasked with selecting the most impactful projects.
The 2025 judging panel includes:
· Isabella Fish – Retail Editor at The Times and The Sunday Times, widely recognised for her in-depth coverage and analysis of trends shaping the retail landscape.
· Ian Scott – International retail consultant and founder of Ian Scott Consulting, known for his expertise in retail strategy and global trends. He is notably credited with introducing the concept of Symbiotic Retail, an approach that advocates for all retail channels to function cohesively as a unified ecosystem to enhance the shopper experience.
Posted: 29 April 2025
New research from jewellery brand Azora reveals a cultural shift in how Brits shop for jewellery, with younger generations abandoning trend-led buys in favour of minimalist, meaningful pieces that define a new kind of status symbol – the capsule collection.
In a nationwide survey, conducted to coincide with Earth Day, the data found that eight in ten Gen Z (people under 28 years of age) consumers now shop exclusively for everyday or investment pieces. For Millennials, the figure is two-thirds. Jewellery has become an expression of personal identity – worn daily, chosen with care, and rooted in emotional significance.
Despite the UK jewellery market exceeding £11 billion in 2023/2024, today's shoppers are embracing a "fewer, finer" mindset.
Posted: 28 April 2025
Source Fashion returns from the 8th -10th July 2025, moving into a larger venue, The Grand Hall, Olympia London to accommodate its season-on-season growth.
The show has grown by 30 percent each season, and now in its 3rd year, is showing no signs of slowing down.
Source Fashion is a global platform with exhibitors from over 25 countries including manufacturing power houses China, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Turkey as well as a growing focus on the UK and emerging African markets.
As the gateway to the UK fashion industry, Source Fashion connects audited, international manufacturers and suppliers with UK retailers, brands, wholesalers and corporates who want to make better.
Posted: 28 April 2025
ChloBo, the renowned jewellery brand, has announced its partnership with the Bali Sea Turtle Society (BSTS), a non-profit organisation dedicated to the protection of sea turtles and their habitat on the shores of Bali, Indonesia.
BSTS, founded by Balinese conservationists in 2011, works closely with local communities to implement "Community-Based Conservation" programs that empower and educate people on the importance of sea turtle protection. Their mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and release sea turtles.
In support of this vital cause, ChloBo is donating 10 percent of all sales from its Sheltered Glow bracelet and necklace both featuring a turtle charm, symbolising protection, resilience, and longevity to the charity. This initiative allows customers to make a meaningful impact while embracing the spirit of giving back to nature.
Posted: 22 April 2025
