Gift cards are proving to be a game-changer for retailers, offering a dual advantage of attracting new customers and driving incremental spend. Brands participating in multistore gift card schemes or offering their own gift cards are reaping the rewards, particularly from younger demographics like Millennials, who are embracing gift cards for their convenience and flexibility.
The latest research from the Gift Card & Voucher Association (GCVA) and Global Data highlights how gift cards are effective tool for channeling consumer behaviour by not only introducing new shoppers to brands but also encouraging them to 'upgarde' their purchase beyond the card's value.
Posted: 4 December 2024
Make Time 2 Play (MT2P), a not-for-profit consumer campaign by the British Toy and Hobby Association (BTHA), is excited to launch its newly designed website and app. MT2P helps to make play resources more readily available for parents, teachers, and carers, whilst highlighting how play and toys are more than just fun – they play an important role in aiding children's development.
Posted: 3 December 2024
Spring Fair, the UK's leading Home, Gift, and Fashion trade show taking place from 2nd – 5th February 2025 at NEC Birmingham, has announced an impressive line-up of industry leading bellwether brands making the show the largest and most comprehensive marketplace in the UK with over 1,200 exhibitors and over 30,000 visitors expected to shop the whole show for their next best sellers.
As retailers in the UK become adept at leveraging product diversification to differentiate themselves and maintain competitiveness in an ever-evolving market, the scale and breadth of Spring Fair meets their needs in sourcing products from across all the show destinations.
Posted: 2 December 2024
Spring Fair, the UK's leading Home, Gift, and Fashion trade show taking place from 2nd – 5th February 2025 at NEC Birmingham, has launched a new Greetings, Party & Celebration destination in Hall 3 packed full of inspirational brands, new events and activations.
The new destination now brings together the most creative, fun and colourful greeting cards, wrapping papers, stationery, paper decorations, and is the only destination to find the best party suppliers in the UK.
A series of exciting events and activations will honour the industry's vibrant spirit and the show's 75th anniversary. In collaboration with partners including the Greeting Card Association, Cardgains, The Art File, Paper Salad, and N Smith, both visitors and exhibitors are invited to join in the celebrations.
Posted: 27 November 2024
Pentel is delighted to announce the launch of its festive upcoming social media campaign, #CreativeChristmas, promising an extra special festive season with the perfect blend of creativity and inspiration. As the campaign progresses, influencers will play an integral part by demonstrating the wide range of uses and creative possibilities Pentel's extensive Pentel Arts collection and flagship EnerGel range has to offer.
Posted: 26 November 2024
STABILO is thrilled to announce the launch of the STABILO Grow ballpoint pen, alongside exciting updates to the Flow fountain pen range. These new offerings reflect the brands ongoing commitment to sustainability and reducing waste., innovation, and quality in writing instruments. Both the updated Flow range and the new Grow ballpoint pen are now available in stores and online since October 2024.
Posted: 21 November 2024
Dulux announced their Colour of the Year as True Joy - and it's easy to see why! We all want happier, uplifting home interiors for 2025 and the colour yellow gives us a boost of positive inspiration ahead of the new year.
Amthal Karim, Head of Design at Furniture And Choice comments: "Dulux True Joy is an energetic shade of yellow with warm, golden undertones. The timeless charm of the colour of the year comes from its balance of dusky versus bright. True Joy is more vibrant than a mustard tone and has more depth and warmth than shades of lemon or canary yellow.
Posted: 18 November 2024
Hornby Hobbies, the name behind iconic brands such as Hornby, Scalextric, Airfix, and Corgi, is excited to announce the launch of its new 'Model Shop of the Year' awards — a nationwide initiative designed to recognise and celebrate the independent model shops that are at the heart of the hobbyist community. With independent model shops playing a vital role in keeping hobbies alive and thriving, the awards aim to shine a spotlight on the retailers who go above and beyond to inspire and support hobbyists of all ages. From offering expert advice and fostering a welcoming environment, to keeping the passion for model-making alive, these shops are a crucial part of the hobby sector's future.
Posted: 14 November 2024
Christmas spending is set to hit £88.29bn this year as consumers boost spending on festive celebrations after years of Christmas cutbacks.
VoucherCodes.co.uk's Shopping for Christmas Report 2024 forecasts a 4 percent boost in sales this festive season, with consumers spending on gifts, food and drink, and holiday travel.
Whilst this rise comes partly from inflation, it's also driven by a 1.4 percent rise in sales volume year-on-year, as consumers have more money in their pockets to buy more items.
Whereas other European nations will see a decline in spend YoY, the UK is the only nation out of seven analysed to see a healthy boost in festive sales.
Posted: 11 November 2024
Spring Fair, the UK's leading Home, Gift, and Fashion retail trade show taking place from 2nd – 5th February 2025 at NEC Birmingham, has launched a competition to win a 2-night stay during the show to celebrate its 75th anniversary. Register for Spring Fair 2025 by November 13th to be one of two lucky winners to receive a two night hotel stay at one of the show's exclusive hotel partners.
Posted: 8 November 2024
