Gift wholesaler Gibson Importing is expanding its portfolio with the release of a number of new brands and additional products to already existing ranges, which will be showcased at the Sydney Reed Gift Fair this February.
Product and marketing manager, Monique Cheung, says while she is aware the retail market is tough out there, she is confident that the new brands and ranges will do well.
“We have confidence that through our collaboration with Australian artists and our talented in-house designers – working with our distribution partners in the US and UK – Gibson and Unity Gifts will unveil unique fresh giftware that will generate plenty of interest,” she says. “We have had a very encouraging response from customers who have visited our showroom recently and we are keeping our fingers crossed for a huge fair in Sydney.
“We have already received more than 20 containers since we re-opened after the Christmas break and so we are releasing new stock now and will be releasing backorders as the new stock arrives – we will receive on average two containers each working day between now and the end of February. There is lots of new Gibson and Unity stock hitting the shelves now which gives our customers a big advantage in the market.”
To meet the growing demand for inspirational gifts, Gibson has created a new collection under the Unity brand.
“Sales of inspirational products increased more than 10 per cent last year therefore we designed and developed this beautiful range called Inspiration Gifts. Also, inspiration jewellery is going from strength to strength for us and we are showing the latest Equilibrium range at the Sydney Gift Fair.
“Further, with the success of the Indigo collection last year, we are launching Yellow & Grey for this season. Both Indigo and Yellow & Grey open up a new distribution channel for us.”
Gibson’s Slumbies range has been an outstanding success for the company and it is adding yet another new design – animal Slumbies. Keeping with the trendy animal theme, Gibson is also introducing Visage cushions, featuring various cat and dog images, as well as hand-painted teapots in cat, lucky elephant and wise owl designs.
Other additions to the portfolio include kids night lights and Provincial Hearts home décor range.
Cheung expects a strong fair as many consumers now have more money in their pockets and we are starting to see this flow through to our retailers.
“The first question we are always asked is ‘what’s new?’. I think we have catered for this demand with more than 1,000 new and innovative products.”
