The Home & Gift Association (HGA) is strengthening its support for small businesses across the home, gift, lifestyle and stationery sectors, with regulatory pressures, late payments and access to growth opportunities among its key priorities
Following discussions with Small Business Commissioner Emma Jones, HGA managing director Gemma Sault, and the latest Industry Champions meeting on 9th October, the association is developing practical initiatives to address challenges facing businesses across the sector.
Tackling business challenges
Discussions with the Small Business Commissioner explored ways to improve access to buyers, funding and international markets, alongside measures to address late payments and cash flow pressures.
The HGA and the Commissioner’s office are developing a proposed Fair Payment Toolkit to help businesses improve payment practices across the supply chain. The association also highlighted its Buyer Circle, which now includes approximately 800 buyers, and initiatives to improve networking, matchmaking and access to trade shows.
At the Industry Champions meeting, regulatory complexity and administrative burdens emerged as leading concerns. These included requirements relating to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and differing international standards.
The HGA will prioritise practical compliance guidance and gather evidence from businesses to support its advocacy work.
Supporting growth and future talent
Other priorities include helping members make effective use of artificial intelligence and online selling platforms such as Faire and Amazon, as well as developing mentoring and peer-learning opportunities.
Industry Champions is about turning those conversations into action. It gives us a stronger evidence base for our advocacy while helping us develop practical programmes that respond to what businesses actually need.
HGA managing director Gemma Sault
The association is also exploring future-talent initiatives, including potential cross-business internship and apprenticeship opportunities to help people gain experience across the sector.
The HGA will now progress an action plan covering regulatory guidance, evidence gathering, member support and future talent, drawing on the experience of businesses across its membership to strengthen the sector’s collective voice.
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