A2V Trade Limited announces the appointment of Heather Robbins as Managing Director, effective 1st February 2026. The appointment supports the company's next phase of international expansion as it evolves from an established founder-led start-up to a globally focused retail partner. Robbins brings over 20 years of retail experience, with the last 10 in senior leadership roles, including buying and trading at Hobbycraft and most recently as Buying Director at The Entertainer. Her expertise across retail operations, product development, and commercial strategy aims to strengthen A2V's trajectory to scale while continuing to deliver commercially successful product ranges at speed.
Posted: 22 January 2026
Hobbycraft, owned by Modella Capital, reports strong performance, with sales of its Christmas products up +21.6%. Top sellers included Ceramic Baubles, Wooden DIY Advents, Colour-in Cardboard Houses, Artificial Garlands, Dried Floral Wreaths and Velvet Ribbon, reflecting continued demand for DIY festive décor, handmade gifts and kids' activities. Total revenue over the past six weeks grew by +6.3%, with eCommerce up by +13.8%, highlighting the ongoing importance of Hobbycraft's digital platforms in inspiring creativity across the UK.
Posted: 20 January 2026
Heritage stationery brand, STABILO, is kicking off the new year with a product range extension – introducing The Cute Edition – Animal Vibes, the perfect pencil case refresh for school children. The Cute Edition range comprises of new designs for BOSS mini, point 88 & Pen 68 and Trio thick, all of which have been designed based on animal characters, each representing a specific emotion.
Posted: 15 January 2026
The Giftware Association (GA) is delighted to announce it has officially joined the British Retail Consortium (BRC), strengthening its commitment to championing and supporting businesses across the UK gift and home sector. The move marks a significant step in aligning the GA and its members with the UK's leading retail body, renowned for shaping policy, elevating retail standards, and supporting organisations across the evolving retail landscape.
Posted: 13 January 2026
UK Hand Knitting is thrilled to announce its very first Crochet and Knit Along — launching 7th April 2026! The team have joined forces with two phenomenal designers, Claire Montgomerie and Jeanette Sloan, who have each created an exclusive floral-themed project to celebrate the beauty of the seasons. Get ready to crochet, knit, connect, and celebrate the joy of making. This is one creative adventure you won't want to miss!
Posted: 8 January 2026
With just one week to go, Top Drawer S/S26 is set to return to Olympia London from 11–13 January, bringing together hundreds of the world's most exciting design-led brands, trend insight, and retail intelligence at a pivotal moment for independent retail. To help visitors skip boring and FAST FWD to Design, Top Drawer S/S26 has been shaped around what buyers told the show they need most: sharper curation, more newness and practical ideas they can put to work immediately. The result is a tightly edited sourcing destination, designed to help retailers start 2026 with clarity, confidence and commercial edge.
Posted: 6 January 2026
Spring Fair, the UK's most influential retail trade event for Home, Gift and Fashion, is proud to announce the debut of the Widdop & Co Village, an immersive new destination showcasing innovation, storytelling, and product launches from one of the industry's most established suppliers. Taking place at the NEC Birmingham from 1 - 4 February 2026, the Widdop & Co Village will deliver a vibrant programme of live content, experiential showcases, and exclusive celebrity appearances.
Posted: 2 January 2026
The Autumn Budget has brought another wave of changes for UK small businesses, and many owners are wondering how these shifts will affect their plans for 2026. To help cut through the confusion, ActionCOACH UK – the UK's number one business coaching firm – teamed up with WealthBuilder's Kevin Whelan to translate this year's Budget into simple, practical insights business owners can act on right away.
Posted: 29 December 2025
At Christmas, we are invited to look beyond ourselves—to reconnect with family, friends, colleagues, and communities, and to remember that generosity and compassion matter more than ever. This season, the Young V&A curatorial team, together with Collective Paper Aesthetics, has envisioned and created a winter installation shaped by its young audience. From vibrant printed designs to immersive 3D structures, the installation celebrates creativity, participation, and togetherness, and is free to visit at the Young V&A until early 2026.
Posted: 24 December 2025
Koelnmesse, organiser of the globally acclaimed h+h cologne and h+h americas, is excited to announce the launch of the h+h americas Fall Edition. The new event will debut in Houston, Texas – a city that has long served as a valued hub for the craft industry. For decades, Houston has played host to autumnal gatherings of the craft world. With this new edition, Koelnmesse aims to honour that legacy, carry its spirit forward and build a modern, energising, business-driven event that reflects both the community's heritage and its future direction.
Posted: 22 December 2025