industry news Reach All Of
Your Customers Are you open for business to every single one of your potential customers? While word of mouth, passing trade and glossy magazine ads attract many customers, there’s also a huge untapped group of shoppers out there waiting to be reached. Well now there’s a way to reach them, thanks to The Country Shopper, which describes itself as “the UK’s first comprehensive online directory of high quality independent retailers”, and which you can join for just £120 a year. The Country Shopper is ideal for
gift and housewares retailers, whether you are in a village, town, or even city. It’s all about putting retailers that offer something a bit different and special in touch with customers. Users of the site might want to know more about what’s in their local area, make more of a holiday or weekend break, or be prepared to travel a long distance to find just what they are looking for. You may well already have a free listing, but if you subscribe potential customers will be able to find out everything they need to know about you and this includes an entire page dedicated to your shop. For more information visit
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countryshopper.co.uk
A win for ila
Supplier of stylish personal security alarms, ila Security has been named the International Regional Winner for Greater London in the prestigious HSBC Start-Up Stars Awards. It now goes on to the National Finals for the international award as well as being in the finals for the Main HSBC Start-up Award. The range of chic and elegant products is aimed at empowering and protecting women, so they can feel safe wherever they go. The first product was the ila DUSK, an innovative personal security alarm that emits an ear- piercing female scream when activated which is designed to shock and disorientate any attacker, alert passers-by and give the victim precious seconds to run away. It easily attaches to any bag or keyring like a fun and stylish accessory. Other products include the ila Sport, a pedometer with built in alarm to keep women safe when exercising, and the ila Wedge, which slots against doors and triggers an alarm if anyone tries to open the door. For the HSBC Start-up Stars International Award, HSBC was looking for businesses that have applied vision and enterprise to expand into international markets, something which ila Security has done in a very short space of time. It reports that sales are growing 250 – 300 per cent a year and it is now entering five to 10 new countries a year. For more information visit
www.ilasecurity.com
Smiffy’s says Hello Kitty!
Fancy dress specialist Smiffy’s has signed a deal with Sanrio, via Fluid World, Sanrio’s UK agent, which will see a new line of Hello Kitty costumes and accessories launched. Hello Kitty has been a favourite for more than 35 years, attracting fans of all ages. It is one of the top five licensed brands in the world, with more than 50 UK licensees covering a number of categories. The range will reflect the variety of fans that Hello Kitty has, with pieces for toddlers, kids, teens and adults. Ray Peckett, chairman of Smiffy’s commented: “We are very excited to work with such a world renowned brand as Hello Kitty, particularly as this is the first venture into dress up in the UK. We are confident that we can create costumes and accessories that will capture the essence of the Hello Kitty brand
Grab a free Display Directory!
known retail display directory, incorporating a wealth of inspiration and an array of shopfittings, display, signage, PoS and visual merchandising. With 32 new specialist suppliers, it is one of the most comprehensive collections
T
he Shop and Display Equipment Association has published the latest edition of its well-
and prove extremely successful in the dress up market.” For more information contact Aneesa Wilson at
aneesawilson@smiffys.com
of retail display yet. The sdea Directory has full details and descriptions of all the association’s member companies within the alphabetical section. It also has a visually stimulating showcase gallery and readers can search by trade name, location, type of product or trade to locate any retail display product and service. The publishers are giving away free copies of the directory to the first 50 readers that request a copy. For more information call 01883 348911 or email
directory@sdea.co.uk
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