Craft Focus - Feb/Mar (Issue 71)

Last year was a busy one for Creative Products Distribution. Can you take us through some of the company’s recent developments? In 2018 we took on three major ranges including Made-by-Man, a selection of origami card kits that are the cutest craft items I’ve seen in a long while. We also have tesa, with quality adhesive products that are made in Europe, and Smart Fox, offering a huge number of well-designed kits to suit every taste. You’ll be exhibiting at CHSI Stitches in February – what can visitors to your stand expect? Firstly, a warm welcome with no high- pressure sales and an opportunity to review our latest ranges in a calm and relaxed atmosphere. We tend to have first-to-market ideas and concepts, so if you are looking to invigorate your shop, stopping by our stand is an ideal place to start. If you have a project or craft that you need adhesive for, I am confident we can find the right product for you. What sets you apart from your competitors? I’d like to think it’s our passion for great customer service, knowledge and a desire to source great craft items. We also offer next working day delivery with a timed slot, and most importantly, we are constantly looking for innovative lines to drive and stimulate our customers’ sales. How can retailers find out about your range? Ideally, come and visit us at CHSI Stitches or telephone for details. We can send out catalogues via email or in the post and we are also happy to visit in person. If all else fails we have active Facebook, Twitter and Google+ pages, where we regularly share updates and new releases. Are you still searching for new products to distribute? We are constantly looking for quality new items. We will consider almost anything within the craft category, as long as it meets our strict selection requirements. What do you think will be the biggest craft trends in 2019? I believe paper-based crafting will continue to be the major element this year. However, I think the trend for environmentally-friendly goods and recycled materials will also grow. Serious crafters will demand quality over quantity. What can we expect from Creative Products Distribution over the next 12 months? Quality, value and service will always be our core principles. As we grow, maintaining the high standards we set ourselves while controlling costs will be a major factor. We look forward to announcing several new collections that will make the retailer an excellent profit, with small reorder quantities and fast delivery. Supporting our retailers is our number one priority. Remembering where we came from and who our customers are is key to ensuring we will still be here next year. Mark Wilson from Creative Products Distribution is looking forward to discovering more craft bestsellers in 2019 Variety act Creative Products Distribution +44 (0)20 8953 2143 creative-distribution.co.uk craft focus 77 profile