A new initiative brings together retailers, suppliers and manufacturers to help shape the future of the UK’s £58.2 billion home & gift sector.
The Home & Gift Association has unveiled its new Industry Champions Programme, bringing together leading figures from across the retail, wholesale and manufacturing sectors to help represent the interests of one of the UK’s most significant industries.
The initiative follows the Association’s recent rebrand and forms a key part of its commitment to supporting businesses across the home & gift sector, which contributes £58.2 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the UK economy and supports more than 844,500 jobs.
The new programme has been created to give businesses throughout the industry a stronger collective voice by encouraging collaboration between retailers, suppliers, manufacturers, brand owners and industry experts.
Acting as ambassadors and advisers, the Industry Champions will work alongside the Association to identify the challenges facing the sector, champion opportunities for growth and help shape future initiatives.
Our Industry Champions programme has been created to ensure businesses have a stronger voice. By bringing together experienced and passionate leaders from across the industry, we can better understand the challenges businesses face, advocate more effectively on their behalf and work collectively to create opportunities for growth, innovation and long-term success.
Gemma Sault, Managing Director of the Home & Gift Association
The inaugural group includes representatives from businesses spanning gifts, homeware, games, publishing and retail, including Richard Lang & Son, Gibsons Games, Sock Academy, More Than Just a Gift at Narborough Hall, Find Your Glow, Wiz Kid Games, Evoqua, Spice Kitchen, Bookspeed, Art on Scarves, Marketing Manager Co., Talking Tables and Sprinkled with Magic.
The Champions have already held their first meeting, discussing many of the issues currently affecting businesses, including support for SMEs and independent retailers, Brexit-related trade barriers, retailer education, sustainability, consumer spending, retail footfall, attracting future talent and the growing role of artificial intelligence.
Gemma Sault, Managing Director of the Home & Gift Association, said the programme is designed to ensure the industry’s voice is heard at every level: “The Home & Gift industry is one of the UK’s most important yet often overlooked economic sectors. Behind every gift, celebration, milestone and retail experience are thousands of businesses employing hundreds of thousands of people across the country.”
She continued by saying: “This is not about creating another committee. It is about creating meaningful change and ensuring that the future of our industry is shaped by the people working within it every day.”
The programme will support the Association’s wider advocacy work, including engagement with policymakers and collaboration with industry partners such as The Genesis Initiative.
It will also provide practical insight into the day-to-day issues affecting businesses, helping the Association develop resources, guidance and support that deliver real value to members.
Looking ahead, the Industry Champions Programme will focus on strengthening industry representation, supporting SMEs and independent businesses, encouraging innovation and collaboration, addressing barriers to growth, promoting sustainability and helping attract the next generation of talent into the sector.
As businesses continue to navigate economic uncertainty, changing consumer behaviour and increasing competition, the Association believes the initiative will play an important role in ensuring the home & gift community remains resilient, connected and well positioned for future success.
For more information visit the Home & Gift Association website.
