STAEDTLER, one of the world's leading manufacturers of writing, drawing and creative materials, and COLOP, one of Europe's largest manufacturers of creative and educational stamp products, are strengthening their international partnership. From July 2026, STAEDTLER (UK) Ltd will be responsible for the distribution of selected products from the COLOP range in the UK. Through this partnership, both companies are joining forces to make innovative, creative products available to retailers and consumers in an even more efficient and targeted manner.
Posted: 11 August 2026
Scottish heritage brand Nutscene has been recognised at this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show, earning a prestigious 5-Star Tradestand Award for its outstanding exhibition. The award celebrates excellence in stand design, presentation and visitor experience, placing Nutscene among the show's standout exhibitors. Renowned for its colourful heritage twines, jute products and traditional gardening accessories, the company impressed judges with a display that combined craftsmanship, quality and visual impact.
Posted: 6 August 2026
Toy Fair is returning to Olympia, London from 19th to 21st January 2027 for its 73rd show. With more than six months until the doors open, early exhibitor demand -both from returning companies and brand new- is proving strong, with a large proportion of stand space already allocated, including a sold-out Gold Zone, with ongoing demand from across the industry. Companies still thinking about exhibiting are advised to apply soon, as space is filling up quickly.
Posted: 4 August 2026
Spring Fair, the UK's leading Home, Gift & Fashion retail experience, has announced the 18 winners of its 2027 Spring Fair x #SBS Small Business Sunday competition, giving a record number of entrepreneurs the opportunity to exhibit free of charge at the show's dedicated #SBS Village when Spring Fair returns to the NEC Birmingham from 7–10 February 2027. Now entering its eighth year, the partnership between Spring Fair and retail entrepreneur Theo Paphitis continues to provide one of the UK's most valuable launchpads for emerging retail brands. This year's competition saw a significant increase in interest, with applications up by around 10% and judges commenting on the exceptional quality and diversity of entries. A record 18 businesses have secured fully funded exhibition stands through the partnership, representing a 50% increase on previous years and pushing the total number of businesses supported to well over 100.
Posted: 30 July 2026
The Giftware Association has announced a significant evolution of its organisation, unveiling its new identity as the Home & Gift Association. The rebrand follows an extensive twelve-month period of consultation, member feedback, and strategic planning, designed to ensure the association continues to reflect the changing landscape of the industries it serves. The new name recognises the growing diversity of the sector and strengthens the organisation's position as the collective voice for businesses operating across giftware, homeware and stationery categories.
Posted: 28 July 2026
As the summer holidays approach Pentel is set to inspire a summer of creativity with the launch of its exciting new social media campaign, #CraftYourSummer. Throughout the seven-week campaign, followers will discover summer craft ideas, easy-to-follow tutorials and colourful projects designed to encourage people to create handmade projects at home. Pentel's campaign is said to reach over 2m followers over the summer period.
Posted: 23 July 2026
The recipients of The King's Awards for Enterprise have been announced, celebrating the achievements of outstanding businesses from across the UK and Channel Islands and recognising their vital contribution to economic growth and improving lives.
This year marks a significant milestone for the Awards, as they celebrate 60 years since the first honours were conferred in 1966. Established in 1965, the programme has since recognised more than 8,000 exceptional UK businesses, highlighting the strength,innovation,and ambition of British enterprise.
To mark this anniversary year – and to ensure the Awards continue to reflect the evolving landscape of UK business – a new category has been introduced: The King's Award for Enterprise – Young Founder.
Posted: 20 July 2026
This September in Houston, h+h is bringing the industry together for a high-impact, relationship driven B2B event designed to spark new partnerships, deepen existing ones, and set your business up for a strong Q4 and beyond. With more than 130 exhibitors already on board, this is where the industry comes together, from yarn, fabric, and thread to notions, tools, sewing machines, embroidery supplies, quilting materials, patterns, kits, and accessories. Whether you're a retailer, manufacturer, distributor, designer, educator, or emerging brand, the Fall Edition is built to help you grow your visibility, your network, and your sales.
Posted: 16 July 2026
High streets across England have been "yarn-bombed" with woolly World Cup postbox toppers, as a tribute to and celebration of the England World Cup squad, ahead of the tournament. Popping up across London, Manchester, and Sheffield – three cities with rich football traditions and passionate fan bases – the crocheted toppers created by Hobbycraft feature Harry Kane and Jordan Pickford, alongside a goal net, football and "COME ON ENGLAND!", turning iconic everyday street fixtures into attention-grabbing fan art.
Posted: 14 July 2026
Launched in June 2026, the cat lovers club is a new independent business creating thoughtfully curated gifts and gift boxes for cat lovers, with a special focus on supporting independent British makers. Founded by Hampshire- based Natasha Carr, the brand offers beautifully hand- packed gift boxes designed to celebrate the comfort, companionship and sheer joy that cats bring to our lives.
Posted: 9 July 2026