Talking Brands: What brands could be a great fit for the gift market?

Following Spring Fair earlier this month, we asked the industry for their picks of brands that could thrive in the gift sector – and the products they’d lend themselves to…

Danny Heffer, Design Director, Dynamo
Having moved house recently I’ve been spending a LOT of time at the builder’s friend, B&Q. It’s a really interesting mash up of people in there now… Obviously your archetypal builder, dashing in for a forgotten screw or two, but there’s an increasing demographic of families, students and couples looking to improve their homes or fix up their rentals. It’s a growing market.

While in there, you realise what a strong brand identity B&Q has… That orange, the no nonsense approach and the robust, ruggedness of its product. I think that’d be a great fit for gifting, particularly around Father’s Day. I’d much prefer a new drill to socks any day – sadly my kids don’t read Brands Untapped so are unlikely to get the hint!

I was in Japan recently and a trend I spotted there was the Ikea brand being applied in a similar way. Much like we’ve taken to Muji for great design at a good price, Japan has taken their Scandinavian values to heart. It was fairly common to spot fashion aware teens carrying Ikea totes or T-shirts. The blue bag is so mundanely ubiquitous that it’s become iconic, but they’ve moved that on to fashion items and have grown their original offer.

So, take that as an idea, apply it to B&Q and what do you get? Well-made, long-lasting work and leisure wear. The orange bucket as a flower vase? Safety boots on the catwalk? What about B&Q X Ugg? For sure they could be selling ‘Builders Tea and an Indestructible Mug’. If Ikea can do it, you can B&Q it!

Ian Downes, Director, Start Licensing
When I was walking the aisles of the Spring Fair at the NEC, there were a number of products and brands that caught my eye. Many of them I had chance to chat to and hopefully some business opportunities will emerge from these tradeshow conversations.

One I didn’t get chance to talk to was the Ordnance Survey… Ironically I couldn’t find their stand after initially spotting it as I strolled past on my way to a meeting! In my defence I have subsequently found out the stand was actually a licensee’s – so in many ways I may be highlighting this opportunity a bit late in the day, with Weekend365 already on board as a gift licensee for Ordnance Survey.

That said, I think there are opportunities with gifts focused on specific locations and regions, as well as with products where locations are linked to specific types of gifts. For example, food products matched to place names and maps. Looking at Weekend365’s website, they are certainly travelling in the right direction. As well as Ordnance Survey, they are selling gifts associated with a range of locations, places and maps, and they boast a contemporary design style which suits gifting. They are also focused on personalised products, which reflects the fact that consumers are seeking out more bespoke gifts; products that show some thought has been put into choosing the present.

Susan Baker, MD, Atlantic Mats
I think David Austin Roses would be a fabulous brand to expand in the gift sector. They already market a small – and beautiful – gift range with products such as home fragrance, china and vases. However they could consider licensing to expand this further.

The brand is a well-established, premium name in the plant and garden sector. It has a strong heritage and exudes Britishness. I would love to see homewares such as rugs, wallpaper, lighting and textiles; both home-textiles and furnishing fabrics.

Naturally, the brand provides many opportunities for outdoor living; weather proof soft furnishings, ceramic pots, table-ware and exclusively styled plant supports. I could also see garden tools being in demand. Stationery remains on trend for gifting and as a personal treat. Beyond diaries and notebooks, they could consider planners and wellness journals.

At the premium end, the brand would also lend itself to stunning jewellery items, all inspired by heritage blooms.