INDUSTRY NEWS
Introducing The Gift & Lifestyle Consortium: A New Collaborative Force for a Changing Industry
A new partnership is launching to support independent businesses across the gift, lifestyle and home sectors, bringing together industry expertise with one of the UK’s most established retail bodies. The Gift & Lifestyle Consortium has been formed by Sarah Ward, former CEO of The Giftware Association, in collaboration with the British Independent Retailer Association (Bira). The Consortium will meet the evolving needs of retailers, suppliers and manufacturers throughout the sector. With 30 years of experience spanning retail, wholesale and trade association leadership within the giftware, lifestyle and fashion industries, Sarah has long been recognised for championing businesses of all sizes. Bira brings unrivalled heritage and a deep understanding of the modern retail landscape, supporting independent retailers across the UK. Together, this new Consortium aims to bring together, support and elevate the businesses working tirelessly to ensure the continued success and creativity of the sector.
Sarah Ward, Co-Founder of The Gift & Lifestyle Consortium, said: “As I enter what is now my fourth decade in this industry, I am pulling together years of skills, relationships and knowledge to create something rooted in collaboration and strength. The Consortium exists because we believe that when people and companies work together, the entire industry flourishes.” Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, added: “We are very excited to be partnering with someone of Sarah’s calibre and experience. We think there is great potential in this market, and this partnership will be the strongest business support proposition for the independent businesses in this sector.”
The Gift & Lifestyle Consortium has been created in direct response to the gaps and emerging opportunities that businesses tell us they need support with today. Its mission is to offer a fresh, modern, industry-wide hub that empowers companies - regardless of size or category - to navigate challenges, connect with peers and embrace the changing landscape.
While the Consortium does not seek to replicate existing
Parador unveils Mirage A NEW Engineered Wood flooring collection
Parador is delighted to unveil Mirage – a NEW collection of Engineered Wood flooring that pairs meticulous craftsmanship with pioneering innovation and forward-thinking design. Comprising three distinctive oak decors, in various grades and shades – from light and sandy to dark and smoky – each design features wide planks, finely crafted textures, and harmonious colour gradients that create a play of light, depth and movement. The new Mirage Collection responds specifically to the growing demand for authentic and texturally engaging wood surfaces. Inspired by sculpted landscapes, shifting sands, and the stillness of endless expanses, Mirage combines natural elegance, tactile depth, and handcrafted perfection, manufactured with the utmost precision at Parador’s factory in Güssing, Austria. A collection that translates the elemental beauty of the world’s great deserts into wood, each design from Mirage is named after a famous desert region. Bringing warmth and tranquillity to spaces, the collection opens new possibilities for architects, planners, and retailers to create authentic room concepts.
www.parador.de/en www.diyweek.net
organisations, it recognises the clear demand for a new kind of partnership model - one that is agile, inclusive and built for the future.
Further details of the Consortium’s
programmes, initiatives and membership pathways will be unveiled in the coming months.
Vitrex Makes the Perfect Tile Cut Easy
QEP is proud to launch the new MTC410, MTC510 and MTC610 Vitrex® manual tile cutters for fast, precise, break-free ceramic and porcelain tile cuts every time, via built-in Perfect Cut technology.
For even the most experienced DIYer, tile cutting can be tricky. So, to make sure everyone can benefit from precise, clean and breakage free tile cuts, QEP has designed the new Vitrex Perfect Cut Manual Tile Cutters. These easy to operate tile cutters feature the innovative two-step Perfect Cut system for clean, precise breaks every time: push the carriage to the front endcap, snap, and achieve that perfect cut. Suitable for use on ceramic and porcelain tiles up to 10mm thick, there
are very few tile cutting duties that these Vitrex® Manual Tile Cutters can’t handle. Featuring dual chrome-plated rails for smooth scrolling action time after time, combined with an ergonomic grip handle for complete control, the 15mm tungsten carbide wheel delivers a sharp and precise snapping line. Even large format tiles aren’t a problem as there are three sizes available: The MTC410 for cuts up to 410mm, the MTC510 for cuts up to 510mm and the MTC610 for a maximum cut of 610mm. They all achieve diagonal cuts and come with a magnetic side support that provides stability for larger tiles.
vitrex.co.uk 01283 243450
sales@qepuk.com JANUARY 2026 DIY WEEK 23
The team will be present at the Spring shows, where Sarah and Bira representatives look forward to meeting with brands, retailers and stakeholders eager to hear more about this next chapter for the industry.
bira.co.uk
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