The links between stationery and craft are always strong, simply because so many crafting activities use mediums and materials that are in the core to the stationery sector. This year is no exception with calligraphy, journalling and colouring all being very popular with creatives both in the UK and abroad.
As retailers, we should all be thinking about how we can maximise any opportunities that changes in circumstance present. More than that, we need to be keeping our eyes open and actively looking for them - and Health & Wellness is a growing trend that I believe we should all be paying attention to! Here’s why…
Earlier this month, I was asked to present on the Main Stage at Spring Fair - and ‘lifestyle’ was one of the major trends I talked about, explaining why it’s of particular importance during this time of economic and social uncertainty in Britain…
It’s already the last day of Spring Fair 2019 and I’m still wondering where the whole of last year went?! So before this year flies by any further - lets take stock, reflect on the trends of last year and see which are likely to continue to effect us in 2019. Understanding this will help you decide what to include in your range and identify product areas or categories you might want to introduce, grow or indeed remove. It really is worth taking some time to read these tips and think things through before investing in lots of new products for 2019.
I’m delighted to announce that once again I’ll be at Spring Fair on the Main Stage, presenting on which gift market trends are affecting Independent Retailers in 2019.
If you heading to the show, you might want to take a look at one of my previous blogs on making the most of trade shows, sharing my top tips (including 3 musts and 1 big must not!)?
The links between stationery and craft are always strong, simply because so many crafting activities use mediums and materials that are in the core to the stationery sector. This year is no exception with calligraphy, journalling and colouring all being very popular with creatives both in the UK and abroad.
Open the champagne and start the celebrations, because 2019 is my 30th year in the stationery industry. My love of the industry continues to grow and since becoming part of the industry, I have become an independent retail advisor in the cards, gifts, stationery and heritage industries, I work with many small and medium-sized businesses.
With the economic outlook somewhat curious for UK retail and a selection of high street mainstays falling by the wayside, there is one thing that hasn’t changed in British shopping landscape - brands of all sizes are all still competing for consumers attention, and those same retailers are always on the hunt for the “next big thing!”
For most of us the referendum vote will be the biggest single thing to impact our personal and business lives in the coming years. It has been looming for a few years now and will continue to do so given the events of the last couple of weeks. Meanwhile, negative talk and scare mongering is creating increasing uncertainty for consumers, businesses, our government and the EU itself as no one knows what will actually happen…
As retailers, we should all be thinking about how we can maximise any opportunities that changes in circumstance present. More than that, we need to be keeping our eyes open and actively looking for them - and Health & Wellness is a growing trend that I believe we should all be paying attention to! Here’s why…
After a busy few days in Brighton for ACE2019 - I’m now heading to London for tomorrow’s Creative Business Masterclass led by the inspirational, multi award-winning designer Lucy Ledger at the V&A…
In my last blog in this series, I explained why during times of uncertainty people chose to spend time together doing things that don’t cost money. When they do buy products they will be items that enhance whatever it is they are doing together…
A good example of this is games and jigsaws which are seeing a significant increase in sales at the moment with many new products being launched to appeal to new emerging markets and consumers who would not have bought these previously. We want to laugh and have fun and what better way to do it than play games!
