Gift Focus Magazine - Wholesale gifts for trade buyers



Getting in shape

The first rush of trade fairs is over and hopefully many will now be busy processing orders and stocking the shelves with spanking new product. Reports from the shows are upbeat and there seems to be a general atmosphere of growing optimism and returning confidence in the market. Spring Fair International has been and gone and what a show it was! Speaking to exhibitors and visitors alike there was plenty to smile about. Lots of great products, record orders, new show attractions and for most a much more pleasant experience all round. Foot sore and weary I returned to the office with bags full of inspiration and brochures packed with exciting new products to flag up in the magazine. Following the busy trade show season now is the time many retailers will be sitting back to evaluate their business and get in shape for the year ahead. With depleted stocks after Christmas and the January sales it's time to replenish in time for important dates on the retail calendar like Father's Day. Notoriously hard to buy for we showcase some top buys for top dads, as well as award-winning lines, latest releases and industry updates. There are previews of inspiring forthcoming shows like the British Craft Trade Fair and Aviemore Trade Show - ones not to miss for anyone looking for home-grown talent! We help fly the flag for product GB with a three page special on great British products and unveil some of the latest candles and home fragrance lines to hit the market. Don't forget either that time is fast running out for entries to the prestigious Gift of the Year Awards 2010. For the second year running, Gift Focus Magazine and sister title Attire Accessories, are headline sponsors of the awards and we're looking forward to a cracking competition. The deadline is April 8th and organiser The Giftware Association is confident of attracting another healthy crop of entries this year. If you're a UK gift and home-related company with product new to trade from June 2009 - what are you waiting for? Log onto the website www.giftoftheyear.co.uk and get your entry in now. Good luck! Sarah Reeve Editor

PS. If you have any news you would like to submit to this site or Gift Focus magazine, please email editor@giftfocus.com

March/April 2010
issue 58
available now