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View the latest issue of Craft Focus for FREE! |
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Just a reminder that you can view the latest issue of your favourite craft trade magazine for FREE.
Simply Follow this link
You can also read any of our previous issues by following this link
Craft Focus is the UK's leading trade title aimed at craft bricks & mortar and online retailers.
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Enjoy, keep safe and well and please accept our sincere best wishes from everyone here at Craft Focus! |
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| February/March 2026 |
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Welcome to our first issue of 2026! We hope you enjoyed a fantastic ‘golden quarter’ and are feeling positive and inspired for the year ahead in retail.
In this jam-packed edition, we look ahead to brighter days with our spring and Easter craft guide, alongside our spring fabrics feature. You’ll find plenty of uplifting projects your customers will love, paired with a fresh, cheerful colour palette to help chase away those January blues.
We also showcase a variety of exciting sewing projects, including new cross stitch kits from Bothy Threads, as well as Bamboline Dolls – a wonderful new addition to Creative Solutions.
Elsewhere, we take a deep dive into the upcoming h+h cologne trade fair and catch up with its sister show, h+h americas, featuring a Q&A with Darrin Stern, President and Managing Director of KM Inc.
Pantone has unveiled Cloud Dancer as its Colour of the Year, inspiring our round-up of soft, billowy white products that are sure to delight. We also round up the latest show and industry news.
As always, we’d love to hear from you. Do keep in touch with your latest products and industry news – we’re just a phone call away!
Happy reading,
Rachel x |
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| Sara Miller London: A Decade of Design-Led Retail Success |
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In 2026, Sara Miller London celebrates its 10th anniversary with the launch of a dedicated Anniversary Collection, marking ten years of evolution from premium greeting card start-up to internationally recognised lifestyle brand. Founded in 2016, the British design house quickly became one of the UK's fastest-growing design brands, selling over one million greeting cards internationally within its first year. Today, the business spans homeware, gifting and fashion accessories, with distribution across 60 international markets and an extensive portfolio of more than 1,000 SKUs.
Read more...... |
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| TNS research reveals simplicity is key for retail |
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Transaction Network Services (TNS), a global leader in providing full-stack, modern and secure payment and network solutions, has announced new research from its Keeping Payments Simple: Exploring Consumer Demand for Seamless Payment Methods white paper, highlighting how consumers in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States view payment technologies across key sectors.
While habits vary by country and demographic, the findings are clear: whether paying for parking, fuel, retail or other services, consumers want one thing above all else: simplicity.
"Consumers worldwide are telling us the same story: make payments simple," said John Tait, TNS' Global Managing Director for its Payments Market business.
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| Crayola outlines strategy to double its UK business over next three years |
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Crayola, a leader in colourful creative expression, has announced that it is increasing its commitment in the UK and Irish markets with the goal of doubling its business over the next three years and acting as a key growth engine for the European region.
The more than 120-year-old brand seeks to re-connect with British and Irish consumers and retailers through a direct distribution strategy, alongside investment in infrastructure, product innovation, and creative content.
Crayola's plan will empower parents and educators in the UK and Ireland to nurture creativity in children, ensuring they get the benefit of developing essential life skills that will help them reach their full potential.
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| Pentel reaches fundraising milestone news release |
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Japanese writing instruments manufacturer Pentel (Stationery) Ltd., is celebrating raising more than £750,000 for men's health charity Prostate Cancer UK. In 2009 Pentel became a corporate partner of what was then The Prostate Cancer Charity, donating part of the retail price of every sale of a ballpoint pen called Linestyle. The product that really made the difference and helped to reach today's donation figure of over three quarters of a million Pounds is EnerGel Xm Retractable, a white barrelled refillable rollerball pen with smooth flowing, ultra-quick-drying ink that resists smudging on hands and paper and is perfect for right and left-handed writers.
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| Product recall: Hobbycraft Giant Box of Craft 1000 Pieces |
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A product recall statement from Hobbycraft below has been announced. They say, "Product safety is of the utmost importance to Hobbycraft. Following independent testing of a children's sand product previously sold by Hobbycraft, traces of asbestos have been identified in a limited number of samples. The product was removed from sale immediately after concerns were raised, and there is no evidence of any injury or harm to customers. In co-ordination with Trading Standards and the Office for Product Safety & Standards, we are voluntarily recalling the Giant Box of Craft with immediate effect. This recall is being undertaken as a precaution, in line with regulatory guidance and our own commitment to product safety.
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| Forthcoming Events |
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Please note: All dates are subject to changes, contact organisers for more information before making arrangements. To view more events, please visit the events page on our website...
6-8 May 2026 - h+h americas
Donald E. Stephens Convention & Conference Center in Rosemont/Chicago IL
www.hh-americas.com
12-13 May 2026 - The London Stationery Show
Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street, Islington, London, N1 0QH
www.stationeryshowlondon.co.uk
6-9 Sep 2026 - Autumn Fair 2026
NEC Birmingham, B40 1NT, UK
www.autumnfair.com
13-15 Sep 2026 - Top Drawer London
Olympia London, Hammersmith Rd, London, W14 8UX
www.topdrawer.co.uk |
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