Cats Protection is hosting a virtual craftalong on Saturday 22nd March where you can make your own set of cat-shaped magnets (see attached photos). You'll be able to unleash your inner artist and create personalised and fun designs with the polymer clay craft kit. It includes everything you need to complete a set of four magnets. You can make a replica of your favourite cat, mould a tribute of a past cat as a keepsake or simply handmake a gift for a loved one. A minimum of £10 from every kit purchased goes to fund the charity's vital work which helps to make a better life for cats.
Posted: 14 January 2025
Save our festive traditions! A new survey (across 3000 adults over the UK) reveals that nearly two thirds (63 per cent) of people in England are concerned traditional Christmas crafts and activities are at risk of dying out in modern times. Leading children's charity, The Children's Society, is calling on families to help preserve these cherished traditions by reintroducing festive crafts into their holiday celebrations.
Posted: 19 December 2024
Retro trends, preppy and Brat Girl fashions and travel returning to pre-covid levels were among the biggest influences on our shopping habits.
That's according to John Lewis's annual trend report How We Shop, Live and Look, which looks at the products and trends that defined the past year.
'Social shopping' is definitely in fashion. One in five (19 percent) of the 1,996 customers surveyed said they have shopped more with friends and family this year, and nearly seven in 10 (68 percent) of them said they like to combine it with other activities like eating out. This tallies with John Lewis data, which shows that more than three quarters of a million more customers ate in its Place to Eat restaurants over the past year.
Posted: 17 December 2024
Search Press is deeply saddened to announce the death of its founder, Countess Charlotte de la Bedoyere (Lotti), who died peacefully on Friday 22nd of November 2024 at the age of 93. Lotti was a pioneering force in the publishing world, and the author of a number of popular books. We are thinking of the Search Press family at this difficult time.
Posted: 12 December 2024
Due to the hugely successful STABILO and Anya Hindmarch collaboration, both brands have now announced that the collection is being reproduced and will be stocked for a further year. STABILO is known across the globe for its high quality, bold designs with exceptional colour variety and its range with Anya Hindmarch certainly nods to its rich history. We're pleased it's here to stay!
Posted: 10 December 2024
Stock buying lists at the ready; Pantone, the global colour authority and provider of professional colour language standards and digital solutions for the design community, today introduced PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse. An evocative soft brown that transports our senses into the pleasure and deliciousness it inspires: cacao, chocolate and coffee, appealing to our desire for comfort. "Underpinned by our desire for every day pleasures, PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse expresses a level of thoughtful indulgence" says Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director Pantone Color Institute. Sophisticated and lush, yet at the same time an unpretentious classic, it extends our perceptions of the browns from being humble and grounded to embrace aspirational and luxe; presenting a discrete and tasteful touch of glamour."
Posted: 6 December 2024
Gift cards are proving to be a game-changer for retailers, offering a dual advantage of attracting new customers and driving incremental spend. Brands participating in multistore gift card schemes or offering their own gift cards are reaping the rewards, particularly from younger demographics like Millennials, who are embracing gift cards for their convenience and flexibility.
The latest research from the Gift Card & Voucher Association (GCVA) and Global Data highlights how gift cards are effective tool for channeling consumer behaviour by not only introducing new shoppers to brands but also encouraging them to 'upgarde' their purchase beyond the card's value.
Posted: 4 December 2024
Make Time 2 Play (MT2P), a not-for-profit consumer campaign by the British Toy and Hobby Association (BTHA), is excited to launch its newly designed website and app. MT2P helps to make play resources more readily available for parents, teachers, and carers, whilst highlighting how play and toys are more than just fun – they play an important role in aiding children's development.
Posted: 3 December 2024
Spring Fair, the UK's leading Home, Gift, and Fashion trade show taking place from 2nd – 5th February 2025 at NEC Birmingham, has announced an impressive line-up of industry leading bellwether brands making the show the largest and most comprehensive marketplace in the UK with over 1,200 exhibitors and over 30,000 visitors expected to shop the whole show for their next best sellers.
As retailers in the UK become adept at leveraging product diversification to differentiate themselves and maintain competitiveness in an ever-evolving market, the scale and breadth of Spring Fair meets their needs in sourcing products from across all the show destinations.
Posted: 2 December 2024
Spring Fair, the UK's leading Home, Gift, and Fashion trade show taking place from 2nd – 5th February 2025 at NEC Birmingham, has launched a new Greetings, Party & Celebration destination in Hall 3 packed full of inspirational brands, new events and activations.
The new destination now brings together the most creative, fun and colourful greeting cards, wrapping papers, stationery, paper decorations, and is the only destination to find the best party suppliers in the UK.
A series of exciting events and activations will honour the industry's vibrant spirit and the show's 75th anniversary. In collaboration with partners including the Greeting Card Association, Cardgains, The Art File, Paper Salad, and N Smith, both visitors and exhibitors are invited to join in the celebrations.
Posted: 27 November 2024
