The Association for Cultural Enterprises is delighted to announce the winner of its annual Seeds of Change £10,000 prize fund supporting and encouraging sustainable initiatives within the cultural sector. The 2025 prize fund has been awarded to The Art House, Wakefield for its creative initiative, From Earth to Cloth. This truly sustainable project works with the local gardening community, creatives and The Art House's own urban orchard space to create a unique range of naturally dyed, handcrafted homeware items for retail and wholesale.
Posted: 25 September 2025
Recognised as one of the most influential trade shows for paper, stationery, office, and school supplies, this is where the global industry comes to connect, discover, and grow in person. From powerhouse brands to breakthrough innovations, the entire supply chain is at your fingertips. Whether you're a retailer, distributor, owner, manufacturer, or entrepreneur, this is your platform to source what's new, spot what's next, and spark partnerships that translate into growth.
Posted: 23 September 2025
Crayola took a fresh approach for this year's back to school campaign, with its brand-new collection, Foodie Friends. The fun food-themed collection of stationery, crafts, and activity sets, was brought to life by Hunter Price International, Crayola's trusted partner for creative play. From 30-page drawing folders and activity-packed craft pads, to sticker rolls, sewing kits, and mini canvases, every item is bursting with personality. Adorable avocado pals, smiling doughnuts, and cheeky French fries and hamburgers; each character has been designed to spark joy and inspire imagination.
Posted: 18 September 2025
Autumn Fair 2025 at NEC Birmingham closed on a high note, delivering a dynamic and productive event that attracted thousands of influential buyers and suppliers from across the UK. Cementing its position as the definitive order-writing show for the home, gift, fashion, and garden sectors, this year's edition saw a marked rise in retail decision-makers seizing the final major buying opportunity ahead of the crucial holiday trading season.
Posted: 16 September 2025
The Association for Cultural Enterprises is pleased to announce the appointment of Paul Griffiths as its new Chief Executive. Paul brings almost 30 years' leadership experience across the heritage, museums, and cultural attractions sector, with a strong record of transformation, income diversification, and enterprise growth. Most recently he was CEO in the UAE, overseeing the flagship historic site of Al Jazeera Al Hamra and developing innovative enterprise programmes with international partners.
Posted: 11 September 2025
Autumn Fair, the UK's leading marketplace for Home, Gift and Fashion, opened its doors on Sunday at the NEC Birmingham to a vibrant crowd of engaged buyers ready to discover the season's must-have products. Thousands of retailers from across the UK and beyond filled the halls, kicking off the four-day show with strong order writing, fresh brand discoveries, and a clear sense of optimism for the retail season ahead. With an exciting mix of returning favourites and first-time exhibitors, Day One set a confident tone for what promises to be a dynamic and commercially successful event.
Posted: 8 September 2025
Independent stationery brand Under the Rowan Trees is proud to announce its win at the 2025 Stationery Awards, taking home the Best Online Retailer award.
The results were revealed at the awards ceremony following the first day of the London Stationery Show. Recognising innovation, excellence and impact across the stationery industry, the Stationery Awards are judged by an independent panel of experts and receive entries from leading retailers and manufacturers across the UK and beyond.
Founded by Danielle Stanley, Under the Rowan Trees began as a hobby in 2015 and has since blossomed into a thriving online shop and community for stationery lovers, known for its curated selection of journaling supplies, creative subscription boxes and its signature personal touch.
Posted: 3 September 2025
Pentel is proud to announce its collaboration with Hobbycraft as the UK's largest arts and crafts retailer marks its 30th anniversary with the launch of Hobbycraft TV. The brand-new TV channel will go live on 4th September at 7:30am on Freeview 97, with shows also available online and via YouTube. Viewers can look forward to daily demonstrations from expert crafters, designed to inspire creativity across all skill levels. Hobbycraft TV will make it easier than ever for craft enthusiasts to learn new techniques and purchase the materials they need to bring their projects to life.
Posted: 2 September 2025
Figured'Art, the global leader in innovative DIY art kits, is proud to welcome Helen Cottrill as its new Business Development Director, with a key focus on expanding the brand's presence within the UK retail market. Founded in 2018, Figured'Art has rapidly established itself as the market leader in DIY art kits, offering a wide range of creative products including paint by numbers, diamond painting, and other artistic leisure activities. With over 1,500 exclusive designs and five strategically located distribution centres across Europe and the USA, the company ensures high-quality, accessible creativity delivered within 2–3 days to customers worldwide.
Posted: 28 August 2025
Japanese writing instruments manufacturer, Zebra Pen, is delighted to highlight the appointment of three new team members as it seeks to accelerate its growth further across the UK. Having recently moved from Snopake Brands, Sarah Carnell-Grist has taken on a new National Account Manager role within the company. By bringing a wealth of experience with her, which includes over a decade at STABILO, Sarah will be focused on developing the business' commercial and educational channels.
Posted: 26 August 2025
