Let the Christmas festivities begin – again! N


ow that Christmas and New Year’s celebrations are over, the majority of retailers, garden centre, giſt, and visitor attraction buyers are planning their first event of 2016 – Harrogate Christmas & Giſt.


This annual trade show, which continues to go from strength to strength in terms of exhibitor participation and visitor attendance, takes place at the Harrogate International Centre from 10th to 13th January 2016. Whilst the majority of the country will have packed away the tinsel and baubles – the town of Harrogate remains a beacon of lights and decorations as the festivities continue for the duration of the show.


Once again, the event is fully booked with all of the industry’s favourite, well-known brands attending as well as over 20 brand new exhibitors.


Regular participants include Premier Decorations which will be filling Hall H in its entirety with its extensive range of products from Christmas gifts and decorations, home and garden ware, to its latest 2016 Halloween collection. Ensuring that they have catered to every taste from en-trend contemporary designs in the latest fashionable shades to time- honoured traditional colours, Premier’s highly experienced designers have created a unique range of 2016 Christmas Stories with collections of top quality products chosen specifically to complement each other. In fact, many of the company’s beautiful products are actually designed in-house and created specifically to appeal to the UK consumer. With this in mind, retailers can use its exclusive brochure to produce spectacular colour coordinated displays to capture customer’s imaginations and encourage them to purchase more. Jette Frölich has a tradition of introducing new collections at Christmas & Gift and in the 2016 selection it introduces a new and exclusive product line. The theme for the collection is the Flower girl, available in gold plated 18 Ct. and in Sterling silver and the inspiration comes from Jette Frölich’s childhood memories and symbolises the mother surrounded by her flowers.


Widdop Bingham also returns to the show and will be launching its ‘Coton Colors’


4 | www.gardencentreupdate.com


celebration baubles which tell the story of each collector’s life as major events are celebrated with a different keepsake bauble. As well as the traditional Christmas baubles, ‘Coton Colors mark every occasion from love and marriage to the baby carriage and beyond. The collection is made up of over 70 different bauble designs and there’s an attractive display and merchandising in-store solution with a co- ordinating gift box for every design. An easy-to-use paint pen kit is available for stores to personalise the baubles encouraging collectors to tell their story, one bauble at a time.


Anglo American brings its range of really useful ‘must have’ products to the show each year and 2016 is no exception. Check out the company’s Haute Decor ‘Original Mantel Clip’ for Christmas stockings available in a plain shiny or brushed finish as well as holly embossed designs in antique brass, oil rubbed bronze, nickel and pewter. Also, its Adams candle light holders and Adams candle light clamps which enable single candle lights to be safely attached to a window using Adams world's best suction cups which don't yellow, deteriorate, or lose adhesion over time.


Gardman returns to Harrogate but with a new enhanced location in the Queen’s Suite which offers a great platform to present its fabulous new range of products. In addition, Gisela Graham’s stand which s always one of the busiest at the show and we expect the same in 2016 with the unveiling of her new collection comprising hundreds of unique, brand new products. This includes more than 200 different glass balls at prices to compete with the keenest in Europe with 13 co- ordinated themes.


Amongst some exciting new companies exhibiting at Christmas & Gift this year is The Irish Fairy Door Company which guarantees to inject some magic to UK families wishing to welcome a fairy into their homes. The company’s exquisite fairy doors are handmade in Ireland in a variety of colours and styles with add-ons such as fairy doormats and washing lines with either male or female clothing. This, that and everything else is an arts and crafts centric brand aiming to preserve, nurture and promote the unique crafts of India and


showcase them around the world. The company will introduce its handmade Channapatna wooden Christmas tree ornaments, nativity sets and tea lights; a selection of fabric tree skirts, table mats and cushion covers; plus handmade terracotta Christmas tea lights, garden lamps and coir door mats.


Also new is MIC which has invested heavily in design and product quality offering a wide selection of gift bags and boxes suitable for all occasions at competitive prices. The company has expanded its very successful collection covering Mother’s Day, Easter, Halloween and Christmas and provides a bespoke service in gift bags and boxes.


Whilst visitors to the show will be spoilt for choice with hundreds of exciting products from these and many more new and returning companies; they will also have a greater variety of hospitality options this year with the introduction of additional restaurants in Halls B and the Queen’s Suite. Simon Anslow, show organiser, explains: “The Harrogate International Centre already has a number of catering outlets on offer during the show, but comments from visitors in previous years suggested that they would welcome a greater selection of refreshment options and these new facilities also offer a place to sit and peruse catalogues and reflect on buying options.” Once again, Garden Trade News will be hosting the Greatest Christmas Awards at the Majestic Hotel on Sunday 10th January and this ticketed event offers a fantastic night of celebration and entertainment. Also, the Monday night’s entertainment takes on a new format for 2016 with an after show drinks reception in the Royal Hall of the Harrogate International Centre from 6pm to 8pm with free drinks and nibbles. All exhibitors and visitors are warmly welcomed to attend.


Entry to Harrogate Christmas & Gift is free and the show offers the perfect platform to view the latest new industry launches for everyone in the Christmas, gift, garden centre, retail and visitor attraction sectors. If you haven’t already, pre- register online at www.harrogatefair.com and you will also find details of MICE Concierge which offers extremely competitive hotel rates in Harrogate.


GCU December 2015


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24