The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has announced a new collaboration with Radley, an industry-leading name in expertly made leather handbags and accessories, that will bring beautiful horticulture-inspired designs to a new collection launching, appropriately enough, in the spring.
The Radley X RHS collection includes handbags, purses and tote bags, and features designs inspired by artwork from the RHS Lindley Collections, the world's finest collection of botanical art, as well as the magnificent RHS Gardens themselves.
In particular the designs are based on the work of admired female artists Caroline Maria Applebee (c1787-1854), whose 300 or more elegant drawings are a fascinating record of social and horticultural history in her time, and Gertrude Jekyll (1843–1932), whose highly influential work laid the basis for modern garden design.
Posted: 28 February 2024
Spring & Autumn Fair, the UK's largest and most inspirational retail trade shows for Home, Gift and Fashion, has announced the creation of a new Advisory Board designed to drive the continuous enhancement of the two shows and ensure that UK retail has a thriving marketplace in which to do business.
The board, chaired by Stephen Spencer, Ambience Director at Stephen Spencer + Associates, comprises 15 of the industry's leading figureheads.
Including John Halliday from British Independent Retailers Association, Sarah Ward of the Giftware Association, Ben Massey from the National Association of Jewellers, exhibitors including Stephen Illingworth from Widdop & Co, Aylish Ellwood from Enesco, who all provide valuable industry insight and advice assisting in the on-going development and growth of Spring & Autumn Fair.
Posted: 22 February 2024
Divine Savages is opening its first showroom and working studio in what is being dubbed 'the unofficial design quarter of Bath' - Margaret's Buildings, right between the historic Royal Crescent and The Circus.
Founders Jamie Watkins and Tom have created a Maximalist's dream selling exquisite wallpapers, luxurious fabrics and decorative accessories for the brave and the bold.
Co-Founder, Jamie Watkins, says: "We're eccentric to the core and love the weird and wonderful. The quirkier the better. We like to push boundaries and design aesthetics and want to encourage our customers to do the same - our showroom is the first step in inspiring them to do so."
Posted: 21 February 2024
Spring Fair, the UK's largest and most inspirational retail marketplace for Home, Gift and Fashion, closed on a high after four days of intensive buying, creativity and fun, and now looks ahead to its 75th anniversary in 2025. From Sunday to Wednesday, the UK's longest serving retail show attracted thousands of buyers from retailers including John Lewis, Asda, Fortnum & Mason, Tesco, Aldi UK, Elphicks, Cards Galore and more.
Posted: 15 February 2024
A new study with 100 senior executives who work for fashion brands and retailers in the UK, US and Australia, by Aquapak Polymers Ltd, reveals that the majority (88 percent) plan to stop plastic in packaging altogether.
Some 8 percent are planning to abolish plastic within the next 12 months, 14 percent within one to two years, 19 percent within two to three years, 30 percent within three to four years and 28 percent within four to five years.
Almost half said that they are extremely concerned about their business' use of polybags such as carrier and garment bags, the majority of which are used for merchandise bought on-line, and the damage they cause to the environment.
Posted: 5 February 2024
A host of designers addressing sustainability with innovation and originality will join the international fashion talent presenting their latest collections at Scoop.
Scoop Founder and Managing Director, Karen Radley said, "Scoop always presents the cutting-edge of international fashion talent and that includes designers addressing sustainability through innovation of design, materials, and production. Visitors will uncover an array of exciting collections at the show this season with passion and a story to tell behind their collection."
Sneakers brand, MoEa redefine the way fashion goods are produced by creating a collection from innovative leather alternatives made from bio-based, animal free and recycled materials that are both luxurious and durable.
Posted: 2 February 2024
Significant show of support in drive for people to choose local and to help businesses in their communities thrive during festive period and beyond.
Sales of gift cards designed specifically to lock spending into local economies across Scotland have topped £1m for the first time.
Corporate orders - mainly rewards for staff - have made up half of the sales of Scotland Loves Local Gift Cards across the country throughout 2023. Cards can be spent with both national retailers and independent businesses.
The gift cards are an extension of the wider Scotland Loves Local initiative. the drive spearheaded by Scotland's Towns Partnership (STP) and supported by the Scottish Government.
Posted: 1 February 2024
Ethical jewellery Lily Arkwright has opened a new Birmingham showroom in the Mailbox, the UK's largest mixed use destination outside of London and an ideal landmark showroom.
Voted as one of Birmingham's best breathing spaces, Mailbox boasts unrivalled accessibility to canal side dining and some of the city's best retail and leisure amenities, providing an exclusive sense of community for Lily Arkwright's clients.
The opening of the Birmingham showroom in February 2024 marks a significant point in Lily Arkwright's expansion plans.
After years in the pipeline, Lily Arkwright is thrilled to see an instant response to this exciting next step, with appointments being booked at record rate.
Posted: 30 January 2024
Manchester-based giftware importer and distributor Joe Davies has announced that it is to become a 100 percent employee-owned business.
The shareholding of the business will be held by the Joe Davies Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) for the benefit of all employees.
The existing management team remains in place, headed up by CEO Steve Davies, it was Steve's great grandfather Joe that set up the business 105 years ago.
Davies commented; "I'm very proud to be able to say that the transition of the company to a 100 percent employee-owned business will see Joe Davies being run, and owned, by the very people that make Joe Davies what it is."
Posted: 30 January 2024
British accessories label Katie Loxton makes its jewellery debut for SS24 with a capsule collection of 18k gold PVD coated waterproof jewellery. Designed to be collected, gifted and treasured, the range is made to withstand the test of time, with two-year colour warranty included - offering waterproof, sweatproof and life proof designs.
Katie Loxton's 82-piece jewellery edit is a collection that is fully stackable and created with layering in mind. Ranging in price from an accessible £16.99 to £29.99, the collection is the perfect addition to the brand's covetable collection of handbags and accessories. The expansion into a jewellery range allows customers to completely accessorise their outfit in the brand's signature affordable luxurious style.
Posted: 29 January 2024
