Message from the
Editor Paul Hughes editor, Gifts Today
Hooray for Harrogate! W
elcome to this special Home & Gift Harrogate issue of Gifts Today! As
many of you will know, Gifts Today is the offi cial preview magazine for the show and it is an honour to be associated with such a vibrant fair. T ere is something about Home &
Gift that sets it apart from other trade shows. While other trade shows can seem rather impersonal and mechanical, Home & Gift is altogether friendlier and less stuff y. T e setting undoubtedly has something to do with it – the show is spread across a beautiful spa town rather than a series of identikit halls. T ere is less hustle and bustle – many stay within walking distance of the show, eliminating queues on motorway slip roads. Of course, the proliferation of Pimm’s on the lawn is an added bonus. While show organiser Clarion
Events reports that preparations for the show are proceeding according to schedule, it has not been without incident. Last issue we reported on the recent fi re at Harrogate’s Majestic Hotel which tragically claimed the life of a hotel employee. Early projections that the hotel would be up and running before the start of Home & Gift have sadly proven not to be the case. I understand that the hotel management has taken the decision to keep it completely shut for repairs and renovations. T is will still have a minimal impact on the actual show, however, as all booked in to stay at the Majestic have been relocated, as have the small selection of exhibitors due to be in its lobby. Design Point 3 - underneath the hotel - is unaff ected.
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Many, however, will have to fi nd a new hotel bar this year. T e weather can be a slight cause for concern at the show. I write this in the midst of a blazing heatwave and hope that the conditions at Harrogate will be the same, although the show organisers tell me that their preferred weather would be warm, but slightly overcast so as not to encourage sunbathing to the detriment of buying. Since the show necessitates
travelling through the open air to get between the Harrogate International Centre, Design Points and Cairn Hotel, the rain can complicate matters (nobody wants to see a soggy jazz band). But not even the rain can dampen
the spirits at Home & Gift. T is issue has a look at what you can expect to see in Harrogate, grouped conveniently by show sector in addition to profi les of notable exhibitors. We also take a look at the categories of plush, games & puzzles and designer jewellery. T ere is lots happening as we go to
press on this issue – the World Cup is in full swing and Wimbledon has started. Not only that, but the results of Gift of the Year are hot off the press (see page 16 for full results).
All this and an emergency Budget
from the new Government, too! In our Trade Talk feature this month, I got feedback from leading lights of the gift industry about its ramifi cations. T e increase in VAT will of course impact gift retailers. While the treasury will recoup billions from the extra 2.5% over the next few years, there is some concern that the customers will get cold feet when it is implemented in January 2011. Time will tell, but get ready to start repricing stock. See you in Harrogate!
The views of the contributors expressed in this journal are not necessarily those of the publisher. Comments, letters and criticism are welcome.
Retail
22 Brian Wiseman 26 Ali Mafi 28 Jeremy Piercy 120 Trade Talk
Special 30 Xystos
The ever-expanding gift specialist
34 Home & Gift, Harrogate Return of the industry’s favourite show
80 Cavania From cards to gifts
84 Jewellery at Home & Gift What will be sparkling on the stands?
92 Designer Jewellery How do you defi ne it?
97 Carrie Elspeth The Welsh wonder
98 Jewellery – behind the glitter What’s the cost of cheap jewellery?
100 Portmeirion After posting record profi ts, what’s next?
102 Scottish Fine Soaps Luxury fragrant gifting
104 Plush The bear essentials 113 Namaste Friendly fair trade
114 Games & Puzzles Play time
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Contents Regulars
02 News 12 People News 14 GA News 18 Exhibition News 82 Jewellery News 124 New Products
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