Craft Focus - April/May 2020 (Issue 78)

13 INDUSTRY NEWS Craft Buddy goes Stateside with new distribution signing UK-based arts and crafts manufacturer Craft Buddy Ltd.™ has signed a distribution deal with Canada-based Outset Media, who specialise in Games and Jigsaw puzzles; to propel the Crystal Art® brand into the North American market across both the US and Canada. The popular and on-trend Crystal Art® format makes use of the ‘diamond painting’ technique and with distribution deals already inked across Europe, Israel and Australia, the expansion into the North American market exemplifies the expansionist goals of Craft Buddy™ as it looks to share its Crystal Art® portfolio internationally. Meeting with Outset Media for the first time at Nuremberg International Toy Fair, talks between both parties progressed swiftly, allowing Craft Buddy™ to make its debut launch at New York Toy Fair, represented by the Outset media team. As part of the new deal, Outset Media, who currently supply to famous American retail stores such as Michaels and Joann, will distribute the Crystal Art® brand throughout North America with options available for accounts of all sizes. With bespoke packages offered, stock is set to be available in Canada from May and in the US from the beginning of July. Dan Ward, head of sales at Craft Buddy™, said, “Expanding into the North American market has been a key goal for us and a key performance indicator of our growth since the company began in 2011. Signing with Outset Media has been a whirlwind that began in Nuremberg and concluded in New York, a clear measure of the global stature that we have been able to construct at Craft Buddy™. We look forward to working closely with Outset Media to bring Crystal Art® to North America and excite both craft and toy retailers in the region.” For any enquiries or for further information, please contact trade@craftbuddyltd.co.uk or visit the website craftbuddyltd.co.uk Hobbycraft celebrates win at prestigious retail awards Hobbycraft, the UK’s leading arts and crafts retailer, is delighted to announce it has been named as ‘Retailer of the Year – under £250m’ at the prestigious Retail Week Awards. The award which ‘celebrates a retailer that demonstrates outstanding retail skills, deep customer understanding and excellent execution of strategy and business sustainability’ is testament to Hobbycraft’s commitment to ‘Getting Britain Making’. Hobbycraft prides itself on bringing innovation to the craft industry while offering more than 30,000 craft products for 250 different craft activities. The range, fused with the retailer’s unrivalled expertise, has helped the business to deliver three consecutive years of growth. Hobbycraft has adapted to the increasing demand for experiences and has continued to strengthen the experience in its stores in order to become ‘social centres’ for crafters in local communities. This will continue as the retailer commits to ‘skilling up’ over half a million customers through its workshop programme in 2020. Dominic Jordan, CEO of Hobbycraft says: “We’re delighted to have won the award for Retailer of the Year (under £250m) at the Retail Week Awards. The award is testament to the hard work of all of our colleagues and their commitment to help all customers along their crafting journeys.’ Judges of the Retail Week Awards 2020 stated: “Everyone is trying to get an edge in the home crafting market, there is something going on with the consumer that’s made this market explode, and Hobbycraft has absolutely cornered the market and carved out their niche.” “Hobbycraft is a non-technology brand that’s thriving: they are very focused and specific in what they offer, but it’s also inter-generational and taps into wellness too. A fantastic brand.” Hobbycraft was also awarded a Mark of Excellence for the Salesforce Speciality Retailer category.