Following the launch of its 'Back to Business' campaign in July, the Healthy Back Bag Company has seen an average sales uplift of 28% in the retailers who participated in the scheme.The company launched its Back to Business support package in June with the aim of supporting its retailers as they re-opened their doors by helping them to attract customers back into their stores.The pack included free stock to be used for in-store promotions, comprehensive Point of Sale, social media support and an optional match-funded targeted Facebook advertising campaign.Well over half of its retailers participated in the scheme and of those, sales increased by an average of 28% compared to the same period last year with one retailer reporting an 89% increase in sales.... read more
Posted: 19 October 2020
NIXEY founder Laura-Marie Nixey has announced the launch of the brand's first ever jewellery collection. Usually known for its range of Scottish-made handbags, inspired by the Celtic sporran, NIXEY continues to pay homage to the heritage of the British Isles with this new range. From fine silver Amulet pendants to gemstone bracelets, each carry hand-carved leaf motifs inspired by the 13 tree signs of Celtic astrology.Each necklace comes with a printed, hand painted card describing each birth sign. As the Celts believed the time of our birth is pivotal to the formation of our personality and behaviour, each zodiac has its own characteristic.... read more
Posted: 16 October 2020
Robert Mackie of Scotland is celebrating its 175th birthday. Established in 1845, and located in Stewarton, Scotland's famous 'Bonnet Toun', the company, which began making traditional Scottish Glengarry and Balmoral headwear known as "Bonnets", has grown over the years to become a leading Scottish knitwear manufacturer of luxury hats, scarves and gloves.Supplying some of the UK's best-known brands through their Customer Own Design service, Robert Mackie of Scotland has in recent years expanded into the wholesale area and supports many smaller businesses with its own branded MACKIE products.... read more
Posted: 14 October 2020
The Zatchels brand is now under the new ownership and management of Tradewise Solution Ltd. In December 2019 the parent company that owned and operated Zatchels went into administration and as a result, the Zatchels brand has transferred over to the new owners as of the start of 2020. According to a press release, as a brand-new entity with new management, Zatchels is not connected with the previous business except by name. The new management is said to retain the core values of the iconic Zatchels brand and will continue to create high-quality hand-crafted leather bags and accessories made in the new factory in Leicester, England.... read more
Posted: 12 October 2020
Retail software vendor, Cegid, has signed a new deal to completely overhaul the IT systems at French footwear retailer, Minelli, in a bid to streamline the business and improve the overall shopping experience for customers. The new project will allow for a speedier shift towards omnichannel retailing, such as introducing more digital technologies and arming its staff with mobile devices to encourage more shoppers into its 226 stores in France, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, Luxemburg and Monaco.... read more
Posted: 9 October 2020
The IHGF Delhi Fair (India) is heading towards its 50th edition as a virtual show. Setting a new precedent for sourcing, the previous edition of the fair, the first on a virtual platform, garnered an overwhelming response with visits from approximately 4150 overseas buyers from 108 countries, buying agents and domestic volume retail buyers.... read more
Posted: 9 October 2020
Nova Silver has launched an innovative new scheme that sees QR codes placed on items within the shop windows, aimed at helping those who want to support small businesses but are hesitant to wait in a queue or are passing by after opening hours. Nova Silver is inviting customers to scan the codes with their smartphones, which will then open the company website in a pop-up directly at the item. Customers will then receive further information about the piece and then can then simply add to the basket and check out. Nova Silver will then know to get the item ready and they will then either have the piece ready to collect, or sent in the post.... read more
Posted: 7 October 2020
The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) has announced an exclusive programme of support for just 16 independent jewellery retailers who have their sights set on a successful festive trading period. 'Make Christmas happen' is a structured commercially led support programme for a cohort of 16 participants, put together for those who are best positioned within an independent jewellery businesses to 'make it happen'.The programme will push the cohort as a group, and the individual representatives in the respective jewellery retailers to promote their business as efficiently and effectively as possible.... read more
Posted: 5 October 2020
Following on from the launch of its two autumn/winter collections Spike It Up and Midnight Fever, Ania Haie has announced an extension to its popular collection, Pearl of Wisdom.Initially launched earlier this year as a small, carefully selected capsule collection, the pieces received an incredible response from customers and retailers alike. Now Ania Haie is adding five additional pieces to this fresh water baroque pearl collection.... read more
Posted: 30 September 2020
WildBrain CPLG, one of the world's leading entertainment, sport and brand licensing agencies, has been appointed as the European licensing agent for British contemporary artist, Charlotte Posner. Under its Lifestyle division, WildBrain CPLG will assemble a design-led consumer products programme inspired by Charlotte Posner's vibrant artwork with an initial focus on the UK market. Target categories will include beauty, stationery and greetings, homewares and soft furnishings, fashion and accessories, luxury ceramics and tableware, as well as gifting.... read more
Posted: 30 September 2020