Craft Focus - April/May 2021 (Issue 84)

12 Paperchase announces successful sale of the business Paperchase confirms it’s business as usual for customers, suppliers, partners and other stakeholders. Amid the widely publicised challenging retail environment, Paperchase has announced the appointment of PwC and the successful completion of the sale of a substantial part of the business and assets to a newly incorporated company, Aspen Phoenix NewCo. The sale of the business completed on 28 th January, 2021, following the appointment of the administrators. Paperchase has been trading under a Notice of Intention to appoint administrators since 5 th January, 2021 and the management team have been working hard to find a solution to ensure the future success of the brand. The administration is an important part of this process, minimising disruption to the business, and providing continuity for customers and all other parties. In taking this action, the management team has secured Paperchase’s continued presence in the UK retail landscape, albeit in a smaller and more streamlined manner. The new company structure creates a fundamentally solid foundation from which to deliver on a long-term strategy that’s fit for purpose in this new retail environment. Paperchase remains committed to providing an excellent service to its customers and a comprehensive transformation programme is currently underway in the business. This will include a renewed focus on the customer offer: Paperchase will remain an omni channel business, albeit with a smaller, more relevant, retail footprint. The business will remain design- led, with product at its heart, focusing on cards, stationery and seasonal events. There will be a complete overhaul of systems, technical infrastructure and processes as part of the transformation. This will ensure that the business is fit for purpose and fit for the future. Chic new craft and stationery brand launches first collection with Emily Dawe Violet Studio is an exciting new craft, stationery and lifestyle brand from global craft business, Crafter’s Companion. The brand’s first launch, the Essentials Collection, includes a variety of products to suit trendy craft and stationery enthusiasts. The range includes a number of products to entice everyone from beginners to experts including notebooks, stickers, paper packs, wax seal kits, toppers and tassels, in addition to comprehensive card kits which feature the materials needed to create an assortment of cards. Violet Studio’s first collection has been designed to cover a multitude of occasions, using a vibrant palette and on-trend prints. The first launch features themes such as birthdays, congratulations, inspirational quotes to motivate, new baby messages, well wishes and Christmas and there are plans to add to its portfolio of products later in the year. To launch its new range, Violet Studio is teaming up with craft personality Emily Dawe, to run an exclusive workshop. Participants will receive a bespoke Violet Studio box and will have the opportunity to work on a simple craft project with Emily. Emily said: “I’m so excited to be working with Violet Studio on their launch. The product ranges are SO beautiful, their designers have really tapped into some key trends - it will feel like Christmas when you receive your bespoke box of goodies! I have been having a lot of fun creating some inspiring projects, I can’t wait to share my ideas with you!” Nikki Holt, global commercial product manager, added: “Our aim with Violet Studio is to inspire people to get creative. Whether that’s someone who loves collecting beautiful notebooks to write in or it’s somebody considering taking up a new craft, our collection has something for everyone. “The pieces in our launch are timeless, but they have also been created with the fashion-conscious in mind and as a result, the patterns, prints and colours that we’ve used across the range reflect modern trends. Our Essentials Collection is just the start of many fresh and exciting things to come from Violet Studio.” You can visit @violetstudiodesigns on Instagram and keep an eye on the Crafter’s Companion website for further details: www.crafterscompaniontrade.co.uk