With the aim to support and improve the profitability and ultimately the survival of independent business, Gift and Homeware Collective (GHC) brings more than 70 years of experience to the industry.
Launching at Melbourne Gift & Lifestyle, GHC’s vision is to create an unparalleled level of one-on-one support, a true partnership, ensuring independents stay relevant to the upcoming generations of retail buyers.
“The retail landscape has changed over the last three years (potentially more than any like period of time in decades) and we need to shake up how we will work with our partners,” says Josh Zarb, who heads up the buying group with his team including Evan Mueller, Senthil Jayaraman and Summer Gartrell.
“We are excited to offer a new business model into the rapidly growing gift and homewares marketplace that ensures our partners are provided with funds and resources for them to succeed.”
GHC is all about re-educating, rejuvenating and elevating retail and supply partners on a new journey of modern retailing, aligning them with vital business check-ups, recommended proven strategies and critical best practice initiatives.
“We know independent retail and we understand the pain points. We do things differently, with a focus on empowering independents with best practice initiatives, industry leading technologies and one-on-one partnerships that will see businesses thriving for years to come. We are hands on retailers that spend our careers supporting small business. It is our passion and what sets us apart.”
The team behind GHC also launched the Independent Jewellers Collective (IJC) into the market in January 2020, which has grown to over 78 retail partners and 72 supply partners over the past three years, becoming the fastest growing jewellery buying group in the country.
They also created the highly successful group IGC (Independent Garden Centres), which boasts 55 retailers across Australia, most of which incorporate gift and homewares into their offering.
“We are so excited to now be able to draw on the success we have had in other industries and expand into complementary markets using the existing resources, expertise, staff and technology from our management hub.
“We’re like most independents―family owned and operated. We are passionate about what we do and what you do too. We’re invested, we’ve been listening and we’re here for you,” adds Zarb.
Gift and Homewares Collective is currently accepting expressions of interest from gift and homewares retailers and suppliers.
