Gift Republic Blog

Autumn Fair at the NEC is just around the corner. Come and see us and our new products!

You will find us in Hall 3, Stand V40/W41 and in Hall 4, Stand D73 because two is always better than one...

Below are a few more of our Top Trade Show Tips to help you on your way:

• Shoes

Trade shows can be big! Your shoes and your feet will be clocking up their fair share of miles So make sure your shoes are comfortable! Trainers yes. High heels no.

• Hangovers

Having exhibited and visited many a trade show, our humble opinion is that a hangover hinders! Have one or two at the end of a long day by all means but don’t forget your reason for being there in the first place – whether it’s to buy, sell or simply to identify some inspiration! Nothing is easy with a sore head.

• Bags

If you’re walking a trade show sooner or later you will find yourself with an armful of catalogues and other printed paraphernalia. Take a bag with you!

The GR team posed in front of the camera yesterday, each of proudly clutching a Gift Republic product or two.

For most it was like a return to those end-of-year school photo days!

The occasion? All will be revealed in our forthcoming UK catalogue...

Spot the kilt!

This summer's New York Gift Fair is just a couple of weeks away. Gift Republic will be there launching some exciting new ranges as well as exhibiting bestsellers. Below you will find a few tips if you are attending.

Come and say hello! Our booth number is 2706 in the General Gift hall.

What do you want to achieve from the show? If you’re exhibiting, how many orders would make it a success? Is number of orders more important than quantity of stock? Do you need to check out the stands and products of your competitors?

If you're visiting, what is your main reason for the visit and what are you hoping to gain?

Trade shows are ideal opportunities to find out what the latest trends are, what new products are being launched and which companies are launching them. New York is no different! Many of your competitors will send employees to the Big Apple to walk the floors, gather intelligence and check out the competition. Stay alert!

Also, think beyond your immediate objectives. Do you have a system or procedure in place within your business which could be made more efficient or which you could achieve at less cost? Companies will be keen to win your business! Use the New York Gift Fair as a chance to talk to different people and benefit from a variety of perspectives.

Have a great show!

We are delighted to announce that we are a finalist at this year's Licensing Awards!

The Stamp Collection has been shortlisted from over 5000 products and is in line to win the Best Licensed Brand range.

First Class Mum? First Class Dad? The range is officially licensed by Royal Mail Ltd and the British Postal Museum & Archive.

Winners are announced in early September so we will be sitting tight until then.

Why not start your own Stamp Collection today?!

Gift Republic recently took to the bowling lanes in celebration of summer! With adopted nicknames for the evening such as Sam Der Man, Tenacious D, Dave the Rave and Tomb Stone, a sophisticated evening was inevitable!

Everyone battled it out in teams of 4 for the coveted Golden Pin. Dave the Rave promised much but in the end the pressure was just too much and he left empty-handed. Wizard Sleeve lived up to her name to produce some ten pin magic but it just wasn’t enough for the star prize.

And so, for the second year in a row, Mr T Bibic aka Two Lane Trev proudly donning his own pro-bowling shirt, took the prize with a score of 135!

Will anyone be able to overthrow our Operations Manager next year or will 'Two Lane' retain the Golden Pin?!

Several Gift Republic products have been commended in this year's Gift of the Year competition.

Adopt a Meerkat was Highly Commended in the Eco-Friendly category. Proceeds of the gift are donated directly to Meerkat Magic in South Africa to assist with the conservation of wild meerkats.

Grow It: Beer Hops and The Stamp Collection were both Shortlisted - in the Outdoor Living and Kitchen & Dining caetgories respectively.

All products are available via our website and all will be on display at Autumn Fair in September.

Next year we aim to go one better!

Dedicate a Tree

A quote from Professor David Bellamy:

“Trees are amazing things. They live longer than we do and throughout their lives, they do something useful every second of the day. They are a high rise hotel and snack bar for all kinds of birds and creepy crawlies. By planting trees in their grounds, West London Academy have given a gift to the earth that will endure for many hundreds of years. A big WOW! to everyone at the school and many thanks to Gift Republic for coming along to help. It was fantastic to meet them and hear about the great contribution they’re making to our planet. Their customers should feel very proud. Working together, we can create a greener, fairer and more connected world.”

Gift Republic continues to launch products which promote conservation at home and abroad. One such product is Dedicate a Tree - register the gift and a British broad-leafed tree is planted on your behalf.

Today we visited the West London Academy to help David Bellamy, patron of Tree Appeal, and some enthusiastic pupils plant over 100 native trees.

Pulse has passed. The next major UK gift fair is the Home & Gift Show in Harrogate, 18-21 July. Here we offer a few more tips for those of you exhibiting.

• Make sure you book a thick carpet, it makes a massive difference on the feet!

• Get to know your neighbours on the first day – you never know what they might tell you or who they may know to drive your business forward! It will also make it easier to speak to them throughout the week during the quiet times.

• On the last day, have a friendly word with the people who will be delivering your pallets back to your stand; you might get yours quicker!

Gift Republic sponsored the Greats Awards last week. The winner of Best Retailer of Licensed Gifts was announced by our managing director who also presented the trophy. Nominees were Clinton Cards, Argos, Debenhams, HMV and Past Times. And the winner was...Clinton Cards!

A fun night was had by all at the prestigious black tie event in central London. There was music, mirth and merriment. Rubbing noses with both major and independent retailers was also a great opportunity to promote Gift Republic. Congratulations to all winners!