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
Some 28% if parents say they find it difficult to afford uniforms and back to school supplies according to YouGov data, and it's safe to say that for many parents searches and purchases begin well before the end of the school year, with a noticeable spike in activity in July before the summer break even starts, retailers and Google Trends reports.
Posted: 21 August 2025
Shaun the Sheep, the iconic stop motion character created by Aardman, appeared on screens in 1995's Wallace & Gromit: A Close Shave, to critical acclaim. To mark some 30 years of Shaun's madcap adventures and worldwide entertainment, Aardman has teamed up with British Wool, Campaign for Wool and Craft Forward to unveil a global knitting and crafting initiative with purpose. Brilliant!
Posted: 19 August 2025
Toy Fair will return to Olympia, London from 20th to 22nd January 2026 for its 72nd show. With approximately six months to go, demand for exhibition space is already very high, driven by a strong returnee rate and keen interest from new applicants. The popular Gold Zone, which houses the smallest stands- and often is the spot to find hidden treasures- is already sold out, and there is limited space available across both levels in the rest of the halls.
Posted: 14 August 2025
The debut Artistry Junior collection has arrived in Tesco stores nationwide. Artistry Junior aims to inspire, engage and nurture creative talent in children. The first ever collection includes water bottle tumblers filler with stationery goodies, stacking finger crayons and teddy shaped highlighters, as well as high quality bumper craft kits and sets. Artistry Junior is part of the arts and craft brand Artistry, which launched in 2024 and had huge success with its sell out marker pens which went viral across social media, with fans raving about the quality and value.
Posted: 12 August 2025
