I am new to retail, but I am not new to making product. Alongside co-owning Creek Lifestyle, I co-own a textile manufacturing business and I have been able to leverage our supply chains to make products for Creek. Creating our own designs has been a true baptism of fire which has taken me a long way from my manufacturing comfort zone. I am now watching trends and discussing them in a way I have never needed to before, and I have developed a particular interest in UK manufacturing and supply chains. I have launched 5 collections for Creek, across kids and adult clothing and homeware. We have a shop in Blakeney, North Norfolk which stocks our entire range, as well as fantastic independent, and larger suppliers of giftware.

With over 20 years’ experience in the retail and product industry, Lizzie is passionate about helping founders of product-based businesses grow through strategy, storytelling and social commerce. Formerly a multi-category retail buyer, experience on brand side: value and luxury brands, her insights have been quoted by Bloomberg Business, The Guardian, Thisismoney.co.uk, and she has been profiled by EBay, GoDaddy and Vistaprint. A Finalist The British Small Business Awards, recipient of EBay business grant - spoken on their seller panels, Finalist Best Garden Centre Retailer of Gifts and shortlisted in The Retas a couple of times. Interviewed by TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance to contribute to their UK Seller research as an early adopter of TikTok Shop. Today, Lizzie works closely with emerging businesses with content creation and more, by combining her buying expertise with real-world experience of growing a small business having formerly run an online jewellery store for a decade.

I help gift and lifestyle brands navigate change, strengthen leadership, and build lasting retail and licensing partnerships. With 23+ years’ experience across six retailers—including Head of Buying and Licensing Manager roles—and as an Executive Coach, I now combine retail strategy with performance coaching to help individuals and teams lead with clarity, confidence, and resilience.

Through The Retail Edge, I help brands sharpen retail and licensing strategy, optimise category planning, and understand retailer DNA.

Through The Executive Edge, I equip individuals with the retail specific meta skills—communication, adaptability, authenticity, and influence—needed to master the buyer pitch, make first impressions that count, capture attention on trade stands, build trust, and become the buyer’s preferred partner.

I also co-founded BOOST | The Wellbeing Connection Hub, on LinkedIn, helping professionals thrive, connect, and grow—because when people flourish, business does too.

After a successful career in High Street retail management, I transitioned to the Visitor Team at Windsor Great Park, part of The Crown Estate. My focus is on developing and enhancing our retail offering—creating exclusive own-brand ranges and championing UK-made, sustainable giftware across our retail outlets.

I take pride in fostering a welcoming, knowledgeable, and values-led retail and wider visitor environment that reflects the unique character of Windsor Great Park.

The shop started almost by mistake. My background was in Art studying at Glasgow School of Art then as an Art teacher, before becoming a self employed potter. I then studied Product design at the RCA, returning back to Glasgow to produce pots which I sold to retails home and abroad. I was invited to open a shop in Princes Square to sell my own work and also work of others. With changing commercial demand this slowly morphed into the shop we have today in Glasgow’s Westend. The shop recently became an Employee Ownership Trust hopefully safeguarding it for our employees present and future.

Janet & Kate are the mother and daughter duo behind The Bay Tree Home & Gift in Devizes & Marlborough. Jan started Devizes 11 years ago after a career change from sales & marketing as it was always a dream of hers to run her own shop. Kate, who was formerly a teacher, came on board and helped grow the online presence of The Bay Tree. In 2022, they decided to grow the business further and opened Marlborough. The Bay Tree shops are bursting with a range of beautiful gifts, homewares and accessories which have been carefully curated. Jan & Kate proudly source the majority of their products locally, across the UK & some further afield. Both shops have been nominated for awards with The Greats 2023/2025, The RETA’s 2023 and Muddy Stilettos. So the team are excited to be part of the judging for this years Greats Awards.

Izabela's 15-year background various aspects of Retail has given her deep insight into Product development and Retail performance. For the past year, she has sourced and developed products for 8 different shops, each with their own unique selling proposition.

Her skills of creativity and analysis resonate with the diverse audiences consistently improving on revenue through Product selection and Visual Merchandise in the heritage sector, retail stores and online.

Claire Bevan heads retail at London’s Natural History Museum. She joined the Museum in 2016 after eight years at Waterstones, where she managed shopfloor operations and retail‑change projects, and even spent time at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Since becoming Head of Retail at the Natural History Museum in 2019, she has started to reimagine the Museum’s shops as immersive destinations that use storytelling to connect visitors with collections, with record breaking success.

I opened my shop 26 years ago. I sell cards, gifts, jewellery and fashion accessories and I love it as much now as I did 26 years ago. I have been nominated for the Retas a couple of times and am delighted to be asked to be a judge for GOTY once again.

eyes of Earls Barton blends history, retail and hospitality, creating an unforgettable experience and a lasting impression on regular guests, new customers and visiting tourists.

Over the years, the shop has evolved and expanded. The Keepsake Gift Shop offers a warm welcome with an extensive range of gifts, fashion accessories, cards, books, toys, and jigsaws, making Jeyes is a treasured shop for all ages. With the addition of the award-winning Apothocoffee Shop, the charming conservatory, beautiful gardens and fascinating exhibitions, Jeyes has become more than just a gift shop - it’s a place to shop, lunch and explore.

It's a family affair at Jeyes, with Mum, Georgina, running the attraction along with daughters Pip and Anna Jeyes. In May 2025, Jeyes of Earls Barton was crowned Winner of Best Retailer of Gifts within a Visitor Attraction at the renowned Gift Awards at The Royal Lancaster, London.​

Mercado is an independent lifestyle in store in the heart of Hampton Court, filled with carefully curated gifts, homewares, women’s fashion, jewellery, toys and much more! Trading since 1996, it has become a local destination, known for its colourful, eclectic mix and emphasis on fun and feel-good shopping.

I have been a shopkeeper for over twenty years and am still loving it! The interaction with customers gives me the greatest satisfaction. It’s hard work having to constantly search for new cards and gifts but also so rewarding to hear how the customers love returning to find out what else is new. I opened my second shop, Cards & Moor, in 2022 and have been honoured to be a finalist four times - three times at the RETAS, winning Best Newcomer in 2024, and this year being a finalist for Best Newcomer in the Greats Gift Retailer Awards. I love what I do and I love bringing a little bit of joy to those who enter the shop and find just what they were looking for or, indeed, find something they never knew they needed!

I have been in the Gift industry for 15 years and now have 2 High Street shops. Our shops have made it to the finals for The Greats Best Independent Gift Retailer Awards in 2024 and 2025. We are always on the look out for new creative additions to our shops.

As part of the Association for Cultural Enterprises, Fi supports commercial teams across cultural venues of all shapes and sizes in their efforts to remain profitable and sustainable through exclusive networking, training, and resources.

Before joining the Association, Fi worked with emerging independent brands, helping them grow through eCommerce, product sourcing and development, brand strategy, and business-to-business growth. She has a strong passion for developing exceptional products, building sustainable businesses, and exploring new routes to market while fostering meaningful connections.

At the Association, Fi manages the annual Trade Show and leads projects including the Retail Trend Report, Seeds of Change and the Retail Sustainability Framework. With a background in sustainable product, brand, and business development, she loves learning from the inspiring work of creative commercial teams and supporting suppliers in cultural retail to grow and succeed. She is delighted to be a judge for the Gift of the Year.

Scott has over twenty-five years experience as a publisher to Heritage Gift Shops. Seeing first hand that more and more buyer interest was moving online Scott created Heritage Connect back in 2019. Scott is particularly looking forward to judging the Heritage, Made in the UK and Affordable categories.

I am a highly self-motivated, passionate, entrepreneurial, analytical, commercial and strategic multi-channel Head of Buying/Buying Director with over +20years experience within e commerce, buying, sourcing, product development, trends, brand and team management across all homewares, gifting and furniture departments.

I've worked in a diverse range of Homeware retailers from high street to luxury, across Online only players and bricks & mortar, including prestigious retailers Anthropologie, Fortnum & Mason and Heals.

Lizzi Benger heads up the marketing at Aspin and has seen many giftware companies successfully present their product through the media of technology. She understands how important it is to communicate your brand, your value, your price point and your ethos to the retailer and she'll be looking for a gift that incorporates all of these attributes during her time as a GOTY judge.

Happydashery is owned and run by friends Sarah Arkle and Carrie Wainer. We opened our store in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, in 2019 with an aim to be a bright and colourful beacon on our local High Street. Our shelves are full to the brim with 'little bits of happy' - gifts, accessories, homewares and lots of other joyful surprises to discover, carefully sourced from independent makers and small brands in the UK and further afield. As well as gifts and stationery, we also run The.Work.Shop, our creative space and ceramic painting studio next door.
We are very proud to have been a part of Holly Tucker’s Business Inspirator programme, be alumni of the British Library Get Ready for Growth programme and be returning judges to The Gift of the Year.

The Captains Cabin Ullapool was opened by my Grandmother in 1947 and then run by my mother from1966 then myself from 1991. We opened a bookshop in 2003 and also have a hardware store all in the same village. The gift shop is unique, in that it has much the same fittings and fixtures as in 1947, but with a modern twist ! We sell mostly Scottish made product and try and not to have high street Tartan products.

Sarah is the head gift buyer at destination Garden Centre Garsons, with stores in both Surrey and Hampshire. Sarah leads a team of buyers looking after a wide spectrum of departments, including homeware, kitchenware, gifts, toiletries, home fragrances, stationery, and cards & wrap. Sarah is also the buyer of Garsons renowned toys and Christmas departments. Multi-award-winning, Garsons is frequently recognised for its extensive and superior range, a testimony to Sarah’s dedication and efforts. Her in-depth knowledge and many years of experience in the gift industry are invaluable. Sarah is most looking forward during her role as a judge to seeing innovative new products that combine elements of sustainability while being aesthetically pleasing, give consumer satisfaction or contain a fun factor.

A highly experienced buyer and product developer, Mhairi has more than 20 years in the arts sector working within iconic institutions including Tate Modern and Royal Academy of Arts. Now a buying consultant, her extensive experience of the complete buying and product development process gives a unique and vibrant offer for the client, appealing to a variety of audiences and retail environments. Her passion for buying, commercial focus and creative flair gives the ideal mix for successful curation of products and brands.

Clare and Hannah Bishop are the mother-daughter team behind Cornucopia Home and Gift, a family-owned shop in Worcester. Clare took over Cornucopia in 2014 after years of involvement in the home and gift industry. Hannah, with a degree in Interior Design, adds her creative vision and expertise in aesthetics, making the shop a favorite among locals. Their dedication to quality and service earned Cornucopia the title of Britain’s Best Shop in 2020. Additionally, Clare and Hannah were judges for the prestigious Spotlight Awards at Top Drawer.

Anton has been working in the industry for 16 years over a variety of departments including giftware. I liase with my department manager who runs a large gift department at our Lincoln Centre which stocks clothing to Toys which gives me a great versatility of knowledge on products.
I like to see innovation and items which either encapsulate you or pushes boundaries

I'm Beth and I’ve been working for the National Portrait Gallery as a Buying Assistant since November 2022. The gallery underwent a transformative reopening in June 2023. During this time we developed a core range using new branding and sustainable materials, on-boarded over 50 new suppliers who are local to the UK and developed many new products to support our fantastic exhibition programme. In March we also won 'Best Online Shop' at the Cultural Enterprise Awards 2024 -a significant and extremely proud moment for the whole team. 

Attico is an award-winning independent gift shop in Westbourne. We like to think of ourselves as a little bit quirky – our shop is inspired by legends and storytelling, and we try to carry that sense of wonder through everything we do.

At Attico, we strive to make shopping an experience, and visual impact is everything. We put a huge emphasis on our window and in-store displays, so we’re always on the lookout for products that don’t just serve a purpose but look fantastic, too. Beautiful, eye-catching packaging, eco-conscious materials, and a real sense of charm or individuality are what really stand out to us. In fact, most of the products we choose for the shop are selected with display potential in mind!

With two decades of experience in the field of fair trade retail Joanna is passionate about introducing ethical and sustainable products into the mainstream. She is particularly interested in brands blending contemporary design and traditional skills, gifts that give back and mission led enterprises with a social mission to support people and planet.

Laura Cooper is the Owner of Handmade Design, an award-winning independent gift shop in Ashbourne, Derbyshire. Since taking over the business in 2018, she has grown it into a destination for thoughtful, beautifully made gifts, proudly championing over 100 small creative businesses from across the UK. With a background in sales and marketing, Laura brings a keen eye for curation and a passion for supporting independent makers - many of whom are based locally in the Peak District.

Handmade Design has been named Gift Shop of the Year and was chosen by Theo Paphitis as a Small Business Sunday winner. Laura’s focus on sustainability, quality and meaningful gifting has made the shop a much loved part of the local community. Whether in store or online, she’s dedicated to showcasing the very best of British made creativity.

Nicola is nationally recognised for her distinctive approach to curating independent retail. As the founder of The Voewood (est. 2015), she is a two-time Greats Awards winner (2024 and 2025), a Time Out nominee, and a finalist in the Drapers Sustainable Fashion Awards. With over 20 years’ experience in brand, marketing and communications, Nicola brings deep expertise in B2C strategy and a strong focus on environmental sustainability. She also heads up her local trade association, championing collaboration, creativity and community among independent businesses.

I have been a gift shop owner for over 15 years & have sourced hundreds of products in this time. To be part of GOTY judging gives a wonderful insight of “ on trend” gifts which help us all in the retail business.

I am excited to be joining as a Gift of the Year Judge for a second year running. The 2025 judging was a fantastic opportunity to see new and exciting products. I’ve been working in the Garden Centre industry for over 18 years, and I am the Head of Retail for St Peters Garden Centre in Worcester. I have a huge passion for the garden centre industry and feel very fortunate to have been working in it for so many years and seeing the changes our industry has gone through in that time. I can't wait to see the entries for 2026!

Hannah Bartlett is a Christmas trends expert, gift researcher, and founder of The Christmas Insider, offering strategic Q4 support for small businesses, and editor of Jolly Festive, a leading festive website known for its practical ideas and trusted insights. She shares year-round guidance on evolving traditions, seasonal behaviour, and what makes a great gift resonate.

A regular contributor to BBC Radio and both consumer and trade national press, Hannah combines trend expertise with a background in SME finance, sustainability, and hospitality bringing a unique perspective and diverse skill set from which to evaluate gift appeal and marketability.

I have over 20 years experience in the buying industry with a background across the high street and the cultural sector. I now head up the buying for both the Manchester Museum and the Whitworth. I am particularly passionate about working with local makers and improving the sustainable offer at both Manchester sites while ensuring we have an inclusive and affordable product range.

I am the co-founder and buyer of Nifty Gifts, an online retailer of all things cute, useful and unusual. Since our inception in 2018, Nifty Gifts has become one of the leading gift retailers in South Africa, and we pride ourselves in showcasing a mix of locally-produced treasures and internationally-sourced gifts.

Attended by first Spring Fair in 1984, I have been in the Greeting Card/Celebration/Gift Industry in different roles from Sales, Product Development, Business Dev, and currently President of USA Greeting Card Assc. Moved from England to USA in 1988. Consultant to Designer Greetings since 2018 (they acquired my card/stationery company) and now I also mentor and help UK makers understand and prepare and succeed in the USA market.

Rita started her career as a merchandiser for high street stores before moving into a career in the tourism and cultural sector. She has since worked for a variety of organisations such as Madame Tussauds, Design Museum, Southbank Centre, National Theatre and Museum of London.

In her current role at The National Archives she has responsibility for all aspects of the onsite and online shop.

After starting her career in Buying for the Highstreet over 15 years ago, a passion for the arts and putting her buying skills to use, she made her more into the Cultural and heritage sector working as a product developer and manager for Tate Enterprises for 7 years. A move to the Qatar saw her overseeing the retail and e-commerce operation in multiple sites for Qatar Museums before moving back to the UK for the role of Head of Retail and E-commerce at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in 2021. 

I have been working in the gift sector for over 30 years offering B2b PR and Communication strategies to key names in the industry. Specialising in the busy home fragrance sector I launched Yankee Candle in the UK market and more recently Henry & Co, The Fragrance House.

Having been in retail for over 30 years, I have finally now run my own Fashion Accessories boutique. Down on the South Coast of England, we have a wide variety of tourists as well as supportive Local trade. I'm always looking for new and quirky, as it's no fun selling the same thing everyone else is.

I have been attending the Spring and Autumn Fairs for the past 25 + years, having started my retail career working at a friends gift shop on Saturdays whilst at school. Having worked for several large retailers in store, and in regional and national management roles, I founded my own retail business in 1998. The business grew to 6 outlets and 3 franchise stores before closing the business in 2017. For the past 7 years I have worked in heritage sector and joined Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust as Chief Executive Officer in September 2023. I've always found the NEC Gift Fairs to be an invaluable source of new product and a great way to see product first hand, meet new suppliers and find innovative ideas for the businesses I've been involved with.

Cardgains is the buying group for greeting card and gift retailers. Gifts have increasingly become an important category for independent retailers, giving customers the 'one stop shop' experience when they come to buy a card. Every occasion can benefit from an accompanying gift so it's imnportant for retailers to offer a wide choice to consumers.

Having worked in retail for 25 years it’s always exciting to see new products and gift ideas being released and customers enjoying the selection we buy for them in store

Jo and Katrina are Directors at Parker's Garden Company, an award-winning independent garden centre located in Frinton-on-Sea, Essex. With extensive experience as buyers for Jo's family business, they bring a passion for products and a deep understanding of the dynamic garden centre industry. They carefully curate diverse ranges, featuring both local and popular brands and are committed to offering customers a wide range of choices, great value, and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.

Ami Rabheru is a highly experienced former Retail Buyer, turned Retail Business Consultant, passionate about product and obsessed with retail. She is the founder of Retail Huddle, a consultancy where creativity meets retail strategy and success is a collaborative journey. She helps both established and emerging retail product businesses with strategic, actionable insights and transformative solutions to grow their sales, stand out in a crowded marketplace, and build compelling retail brand and product growth strategies.

retail-huddle.com

Chirpy is a design led gift shop, where we are aways on the look out for gorgeous practical products which our loyal customer can pick up on their way to celebrate a birthday, wedding or other special occasion. We're known locally for our bright, vibrant and colourful gifts and know that our customers will often pick up something for themselves too while shopping for others. We love offering gifting advice to make sure our Chirpy customers leave with the perfect gift, beautifully gift wrapped.

We have traded for 19years starting with one small shop to now 10 stores across Cornwall and Devon. Some of the awards we have won over the years include best retailer in the southwest ( Retail Greats) , Best Multiple for the UK , and best window display .

Having worked in Fashion Retail in senior positions for over 20 years before moving into the Home and Gift market. I have been an agent as well as a retailer, so I can see things from both sides

www.brocanteltd.co.uk

With over five years of experience at Gifts from Handpicked, I specialise in creating engaging content and providing dedicated online customer support. My role combines creativity with customer care, helping to showcase our unique gift collections while ensuring a seamless shopping experience. Being part of a passionate team in the gift industry has allowed me to contribute to our growing success and connect with customers who love thoughtful, design-led presents as much as we do.

www.giftsfromhandpicked.co.uk

I am a buyer for Utility Retail that has 23 years experience of being an Independent retailer. We stock a wide variety of branded and own branded gifts in store and online. I shall be looking for something exciting, that brings the wow factor!

www.utilitygift.co.uk

I am Aga Marsden, and I’ve been the proud owner of Highworth Emporium since opening our gift shop in 2016. I’ve loved every step of the journey, from curating our ranges to helping customers find the perfect gift. I’m always on the lookout for affordable, innovative, and well-designed products that bring joy and stand out on the shelves. I’m passionate about the giftware industry and the creativity it inspires, and I believe independent retailers play a key role in discovering and championing brilliant products. I’m really looking forward to being part of this year’s Gift of the Year judging panel and celebrating the best our industry has to offer.

https://www.highworthemporium.co.uk/ 

Kathrina Wainstok is a multi-faceted professional with over six years of experience in the giftware industry, fulfilling diverse roles such as Buyer, Photographer, Web Designer, and Creative Director. An award-winning designer, her keen eye for aesthetics and business insight have consistently driven her companies ahead in an ever-competitive market. Kathrina's portfolio is not just limited to commercial ventures; she has a soft spot for charity projects, lending her skills to causes that inspire her. As a judge for the Gift of the Year Awards, her expertise, innovative thinking, and ethical commitment make her a trusted authority in identifying emerging talents in the giftware sector.

https://www.brandacademystore.com/# 

Owner of a charming independent card and gift shop in North Cardiff for the past 5 years. Daisy Daisy - Beautiful Cards & Gifts is my pride and joy and I absolutely love being part of this wonderful industry. We recently won a RETAS award and are officially the best Independent Greetings Card Retailer in Wales 2025.

All of our lovely gifts are carefully chosen by myself to offer our customers a delightful selection for all occasions. Daisy Daisy is packed with goodies, and we aim to spread a little happiness ????. I’m honoured to be a judge for the second time for the Gift of the Year Awards and can’t wait to see all the amazing entries. I’ll certainly be looking out for great new gifts to stock at my shop, and I’m sure I’ll come across many that I already offer my fab customers.

Owned our shop 7 years now. During that time we have had lots of wonderful highlights. Including being nominated 3 times for a retas award. Voted Excellent customer service by our local council. Featured in the Sun newspaper and Progressive Greetings. We have adapted our shop over time changing every year to follow trends and seasonal. I've been very lucky to have been a gift of the year judge before and a Henries judge.

Buyer and creative brain behind multiple award-winning Scottish independent stores Penny Black, Jo Marwaha has been a retailer for ten years.

As well as being a national online retailer, Penny Black has three stores in and around Glasgow that take pride in showcasing products from local creative talent alongside brands you know and love in greeting cards, gift and practical stationery as well as party and gift wrap.

Penny Black is known for reimagining the idea of Post Office retail, as each store has a Post Office inside, bringing together crucial community services with a delightfully curated product offering.

Penny Black has been acknowledged by both retail and Post Office industry awards.

As an independent retail buyer I'm typically looking for products that are original, eye catching, interesting and are produced with their impact on the Earth in mind or acknowledged.

https://www.penny-black.co.uk/ 

I have been in Buying for too many years to mention and have had a varied career. I have worked for some great businesses Harrods, Laura Ashley, Toys R US and now Blue Diamond. I would love to see some new innovation in products and also some fun trend led items. 

https://www.bluediamond.gg/ 

Director of Retail100 Consulting with over 100 years of retail experience between us. - We turn consultancy on it's head - we are collaborative and honest - and there to truly support your business needs. Previously Head of Home at John Lewis I and my colleagues covered the full homeware and beauty spectrum with speciality in the gifts markets

www.retail100consulting.co.uk 

Sarah loves shopping, 2025 sees her opening her third independent store - Task in Hand. 2026 sees us celebrating ten years of Pencil Me In our Stationery store, while Seasgair Store will turn 3 in the spring. I love buying & attending trade shows looking for ideal gifts & goods for our customers. Can’t wait to start judging!

I’m Alex, the founder and owner of Ivy and Rose Gifts. Opening in 2023 and located in the heart of the Jewellery Quarter it is a true brick and mortar gift shop.

Having qualified as a gemmologist and working in the JQ for a while I knew there was an opening for me to create a beautiful space. I always wanted to build a community of local and UK stockists and customers at the heart. My motto is “bringing artisan to the high street”.

I love searching for carefully curated pieces and unique items. New creators and products are so exciting to find, with their amazing stories to tell, it’s a pleasure to bring that to my customers. I strive to give my customers a more bespoke service and a gift suitable for any occasion.

I opened Planet Sal in 2018 after many years as a card, housewares and gift representative and agent. It was time to stop driving 25k miles a year! I like to stock quirky items and source all my products from small suppliers. All my cards are UK made. So proud to have gained a lovely local following and won Prestige Awards South West Card and Gift Shop of The Year for 5 years in a row. I love the industry - great creativity out there and really friendly suppliers.

I'm the founder and curator-in-chief of Feather Robins, a joyful and eclectic gift and lifestyle store known for its thoughtful curation, trend-savvy finds, and a strong belief that giving gifts should be as fun as receiving them.

With over two decades of experience in sales and customer service, Help! took the plunge in 2022 and opened her own independent shop, blending heartfelt retail expertise with a quirky, feel-good vibe that customers can’t get enough of. Her eye for detail, passion for small brands, and deep understanding of what makes a gift truly special makes her a proud (and slightly excitable) judge for the Gift of the Year Awards.

She's all about championing creativity, quality, and that "ooh, how lovely!" moment — whether it’s a candle that smells like hugs or a card that makes you snort-laugh in the aisle.

featherrobinsgifts.co.uk

Mandy and Megan are the mother-daughter team behind The Alphabet Store, a family-owned shop in the Staffordshire Moorlands. Mandy took over The Alphabet Store in 2021 after a career change.

We are a mum and daughter duo who have always had a love for interior design, home décor and all things shabby chic. We are an independent home and gift store located in the market town of Leek, just edge of the Peak District. We are filled with carefully curated gifts, homewares, jewellery, children's toys and much, much more!

The Alphabet Store has been trading for over 10 years and has become know in the area for the go to shop for gifts for special occasions and beautiful cards.

www.thealphabetstore.co.uk 

I studied photography and film in London. During my studies, I worked in high street retailing, which led to my museum retail adventures, beginning at The National Gallery / London, where I worked as a Retail Manager. I then moved to London Transport Museum nearly 18 years ago and have worked in various retail roles. I am currently managing buying and product development.

Senior Design Manager in the global design and licensing team at Moonpig. Responsible for all licensed, humour and topical product development.
Over 15 years greeting and licensing experience designing, developing and managing product development and relationships with brands and independent artists.

I have spent 17 years in head office retail, particularly within the buying office environment, helping big and small brands alike achieve success through joint business planning . I have bought many areas, including gifting and home fragrance and worked with a host of brands to deliver value.

www.retail100consulting.co.uk 

A mother, daughter team behind Detail Retail, an independent, design led gift shop in the heart of The Lake District. Heidi established Detail over 15 years ago and over the last several years Wren has taken on the business allowing Heidi more time to create her unique art pieces.

Sarah Lawrence has close to 30 years experience within the Licensing industry spending the first 14 years as a senior designer for one of the UK's leading publishers.

Sarah has been a judge for various industry events over the years and has manages a number of panel events to support new creatives coming into the industry.

This is Iris is a leading licensing agency with creativity at the heart of their business.

The Iris team work alongside a variety of artists, designers, charities and IP owners to develop and extend their licensing programs by building long lasting relationships.

Iris work with international partners across a multitude of categories as well as collaborating with brand owners and retailers direct to create bespoke campaigns.

I started as a Christmas temp in Next back in 1989, quickly progressing into management where I stayed for a total of 15 years.

Always passionate about home & interiors I joined independent retail business Vinegar Hill where I gained experience in merchandising and buying. I opened my own Home & Gift store in picturesque Bradford-on-Avon in 2016 called Strawberry Blue. Which traded for the last 8 years
My latest project is the renovation of a 15th century French property in Charente region of France. I love visiting local Brocantes to find hidden treasures.

www.strawberrybluehome.co.uk

Something Special first opened in 1994, an independent bricks and mortar High Street card and gift shop. Initially I was employed as the buyer but became a co-owner in 2012 and then sole owner in 2015. Thus I have 29 years experience in this wonderful industry! I have been a judge for both The Henries and The Gift of the Year on a number of occasions. I have also been a finalist for both The Retas and The Greats on numerous occasions. In this current climate I will be looking out for products that are competitively priced, offer value for money and are attractively presented.

Catherine Erdly is a small business and retail expert, and the founder of The Resilient Retail Club. She is a Forbes.com contributor on the subject of starting and scaling a product business, a judge of the Good Retail Awards, on the Editorial Board of Modern Retail, featured as an expert commenter on tv, newspapers and radio, and a frequent writer and speaker on the retail industry at various trade shows. She recently published her first book "Tame Your Tiger - how to stop your product business eating you alive". She was also recently voted a top sales adviser in the UK by Enterprise Nation, and named one of the top 25 retail influencers in the UK. 

She also hosts the popular podcast The Resilient Retail Game Plan

www.resilientretailclub.com 

I am an illustrator and designer who opened her own shop in 2016. We stock a whole range of work from artists and makers from all over the UK as well as designing our own collection of illustrated homeware. As a designer/maker as well as a shopkeeper, I know both sides really well. I can appreciate the skill and time that goes into designing good products as well as knowing how to display and sell to customers. I'm always drawn to clever design and beautiful packaging and we are always looking out for something a little bit different to offer our customers.

Coming from a lengthy newspaper journalism background, Tracey entered the world of trade magazines in 2012 and now works for Max Publishing on Progressive Greetings, PG Buzz and Stationery Matters, as well as the trade shows PG Live and London Stationery Show. As a keen card sender herself, with an eye for design honed over many years of dress-making, tarting up her Dr Martens with studs and ribbons, and the design and layout of newspapers and magazines, Tracey has thrown herself enthusiastically into the greetings industry.

We are a family run independent based in South and West London. Our aim is to provide beautiful products for your lifestyle and home. To us Lark is not only our hobby but also part of our family life. We love buying new and exciting products and creating a positive impact in our communities. As an independent we try to support local companies, people and products, which can be seen in all our shops. 

www.larklondon.com 

I have worked in the retail business for 28 years firstly as a manager/ buyer and more recently as a director owning 3 shops… 1 being a toy shop and the other gift & accessories in 2022 we won best independent retailer of the year…

https://cranbornes.co.uk/ 

I have been in the card & gift industry for 35 years, starting in 1989 as a sales rep for the legendary Andrew Brownsword selling his new gift range and then Carte Blanche Greetings before becoming a self employed Sales Agent. I opened Hugs & Kisses in 2000 and in 2022 a clothing boutique Number 43. We have been a finalist for four years running at the Retas Awards, we were very proud to win in 2022 for Independent Card Retailer of the Year and we are thrilled to be a finalist again this year.

www.hugsandkissesgifts.co.uk 

Cara brings over 25 years of extensive experience in the retail industry, including significant time as a senior buyer and leader in various retail environments. Her deep understanding of product curation, market trends, and commercial strategy makes her a valuable addition to the Gift of the Year judging panel. Today, Cara is an active executive coach and retail consultant, empowering leaders and brands to unlock their full potential and achieve tangible, transformative results in a constantly evolving market.

Having been an independent retailer for over 25yrs I’m very proud to have been chosen as a Judge for the 2026 Gift Of The Year Awards .

To have won Gift Retailer of the year in 2022 for the North of England and Scotland Region Presentation Cards & Gifts feels immensely proud to be part of this exciting industry.

A seasoned communications and brand strategy professional with over 25 years’ experience shaping powerful narratives and driving growth across the home and giftware industry. As former Chair of The Giftware Association, Louise has championed creativity, collaboration, and innovation—supporting businesses from start-up to global success.

With a deep passion for marketing and storytelling, Louise specialises in brand strategy, communications, and content creation that connects audiences and strengthens business impact. Her career spans strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement, and industry advocacy, helping brands refine their voice, define their purpose, and scale with confidence.

I have a passion for product and have many years experience working in product development, product marketing and sourcing, for high street retail across many product categories including fashion, jewellery and all areas of gifting.
At The Great British Exchange in my current role I seek and find emerging British brands to introduce them to both retail and wholesale opportunities.
We are small business advocates and passionate about supporting and helping brands grow.

Owner of multi award winning independent gift shop in Mid Wales with over 25 years experience of sourcing and retailing ethical British gifts, homeware and food.

Ian Downes owns & runs Start Licensing a well established Licensing Agency and Consultancy.. Ian has extensive experience across the licensing, retail and gift industries. Ian is co owner of Brands Untapped and writes on the site about licensing, branding and design. He also contributes regularly to Licensing Source, Progressive Gifts and The Bugg Report. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. Ian has acted as a consultant for a range of companies and organisations from sectors such as charities, heritage, FMCG and publishing. Ian has won the Lifetime Achievement Award in the UK Licensing Awards & the Brand Ambassador award in the BELLAs awards - the only person to have received both awards so far.

Nest is a giftware brand owned and run by Samantha Gibbs. It opened as a single shop in 2002 and now, nearly 22 years later Nest is now a collective of two bricks and mortar shops, a garden centre concession plus a considerable online presence. Whilst championing the finest UK companies, Nest also designs and manufactures a significant proportion of their jewellery ranges. Samantha is a passionate advocate for the giftware industry and a positive voice for the huge advantages she's sees within the UK for retaining a gifting presence in our local communities and on our local high streets.

Peter is the founder of Whirligig Toys, a chain of independent toy shops in the South East founded in 2012 that specialise in 'things to make and do'. Peter is passionate about play value and is responsible for selecting all the toys that are stocked in his six shops.

I am the current custodian of Williams of Audlem Ltd -an independent family owned & run gift retailer based in Audlem in Cheshire. Our business is approaching its 164th year on the high street in 2026 ! Retail is definitely in my DNA ! I grew up living above the shop .
Following a degree in business studies, from Edinburgh University, I worked for Laura Ashley Manufacturing in Mid Wales

In 2001, I returned to my 'calling' in the family business I set about implementing changes that would secure the shop's future - which I decided, best lay in our heritage past. The restoration of our old cash register featured on the BBC's "The Repair Shop" in 2018.
We were regional winners of 'The Greats' in 2019 and finalists twice since then - along with winning several other national prestigious retail awards.

https://www.facebook.com/WilliamsofAudlemLtd/ 

Academically Gifted is a small business passionate about creating curious and unusual gifts. We specialise in gifts for bookshops, libraries and museums. Every product we create stems from our curiosity about information and literature.
Dani is also the creator of The Literary Gift Company and Present Indicative, two well established online retail stores that are part of the Academically Gifted family.

Products of Change founder Helena Mansell-Stopher’s career has spanned 25 years in the brand and licensing industry. Products of Change began life in 2019 as a small networking group of licensing professionals with a shared mission to connect sustainable best practices across industry. It has since evolved into a global membership organisation with input and support from an impressive roster of official ambassadors. Helena founded Products of Change as a safe place for industry to learn, connect and lead the conversation together to transition the industry to a more sustainable future. Helena is also co-founder and curator of the sustainability in licensing conference (SILC) the first of its kind in the brand and licensing industry.

With 36 years of experience, Elaine started in Retail as soon as possible. As a result she has exceptional customer facing skills followed by 32 years of John Lewis Head office experience.
Categories and roles covered include space planning, project proposition lead and Senior Buyer in Seasonal, Beauty & Home categories. Elaine is skilled in end to end strategy, licence & private label product development, sourcing and maximising brand potential. Elaine’s experience in leading teams, coaching and mentoring is critical to achieving the right relationship and the right result.

www.retail100consulting.co.uk 

Jon is co founder of the award-winning gift & home stores "mooch " with stores based in Bewdley & Stourport on Severn both stores located in Worcestershire along with a successful online store.
Jon is passionate about sourcing products designed and made in the UK and whenever possible loves to champion other small businesses within his stores.
mooch celebrated 10 years of trading in June 2025.

www.moochgiftsandhome.co.uk

I have been Head Buyer at Ransoms Garden Centre over 8 years and buy for all product groups within the centre. I have worked within retail for 27 years and loved its wide variety of products and challenges! In 2018 we won the Best GC retailer of Gifts at 'The Greats' awards and most recently won 5 categories at the 2024 South GCA Awards, including Garden Centre of the year, which the team were ecstatic with.

What will be the next big trend or the next winners… I have a passion for product and for people: both really matter. I have been involved in buying within the UK-garden industry for over 20 years. I am very fortunate to have knowledge and experience of both the retail and supplier side of the business. So, I can certainly relate to the challenges and joys of both. My managerial roles stretch back to Garden & Leisure and Wyevale garden centres, covering head office purchasing, marketing and e-commerce. On the supplier side, one of my venture’s saw me managing the marketing and events at well-known glove and wellie supplier, taking them on a large push into Europe too. Currently, I am the group services manager for Choice. I negotiate the supplier contracts and managing relationships between suppliers and members for our buying group of 50+ independent garden centres.

https://www.choice-marketing.co.uk/ 

Without giving her age away, Charlotte has been out and about in the home, gift and garden trade for decades! She has edited a number of leading industry trade titles and for the past 12 years has served as publisher and editor of Home & Giftware magazine. She recently launched Garden Centre Buyer magazine and also runs the British Craft Directory with her partner, Denre. She is a consistent, long-time champion of British made goods and independent retail. When she's not glued to her desk writing she can be found outside in the garden or walking her massive dog, Carson!

My business Bonkers Original Gifts was founded in 1983 as a small craft and gift shop in St Andrews, grew into a two-shop business then shrank down to one shop post-Covid.
I am a board member of my local Business Improvement District and like to work with industry, supplier and local neighbours and colleagues to share knowledge and information.
My shop sells design-led cards and gifts, ceramics, stationery, beauty and bath, home fragrance, toys, games, and potentially anything that is fabulous and makes you smile.

I have been an independent retailer for 18 years. I have a brick-and-mortar shop and a website. Loveone is one one-stop shop for gifts and homeware, including a wide range of cards and gift wrapping. In-store we also support local artists and designers. I am also a director of a local Community Interest Company which delivers artisan markets to my local high street twice a year . I was a RETA's finalist this year and have been one of the #Smallbiz 100 and f-entrepreneur [Small business Britain]

https://www.loveone.co.uk/ 

I have been in the Retail business for over 21 years, within a Independent Department store, starting as a staff member in the Housewares Department, then promoted to Department Manager, within a year, working alongside my Managing Director on the buying side visiting buying events through the year to get the experience of the buying side of the job. Eventually I was promoted to Buyer for the Houseware, Gift, Linens & Stationery Departments, where I have sole responsibility for introducing new products to the Departments. I have seen a lot of new products being introduced over the years, and always looking for that something different.

Alligator Pear is an eight room lifestyle store based in the heart of Surrey. Having traded for over 25 years, we have a loyal customer base of locals who frequent the shop regularly.
We have won The Greats Award for Best Independent Gift Retailer of the Year in London, the South and South East on three occasions.

I have been involved in gift retail since being a 15 year old Saturday girl the day Mum (Anne) opened the doors for the first time almost 43 years ago in November 1982.
Gift and Home retail is an industry that Mum and I are both passionate about.
Etcetera have been winners twice for The Greats and nominated a few other times too. Being a Judge for Gift of the Year is an enormous privilege and one I have enjoyed for the past few years and I'm looking forward to this years entries.

Established in 2012, Hand Picked by Henrietta is a small, much-loved card and gift shop based in the heart of Poynton, Cheshire. We specialise in beautifully curated cards — with a focus on small, independent UK publishers — and thoughtful gifts that blend modern charm with traditional sentiment.

Founded by Sarah when her youngest son started school, the shop was born from a desire to create something meaningful, local, and full of heart. Today, Sarah and trusted colleague Julie run the shop with a genuine love for their customers and community.

Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, marking a milestone, or just popping in for a friendly chat, you’ll always be warmly welcomed. With a constantly evolving collection and a passion for the little things that make life special, no two days are ever the same at Hand Picked by Henrietta, just how we like it.

Fiona Minett is an award-winning PR Coach and Expert, and founder of Boss Your PR, working with scaling female entrepreneurs who are ready to unlock the power of PR to further scale their business success. With 15+ years in the PR industry Fiona is on a mission to democratise PR through her work. As well as working 1:1 with clients and delivering group programmes, she has also created a PR course with global education platform Domestika, works with the likes of BBC Studios and TikTok and regularly speaks at trade shows and delivers workshops for the likes of Top Drawer, January Furniture Show, Harrogate Home & Gift, Enterprise Nation & Small Business Britain.

My current role in John Lewis involves Sourcing own brand Home category products with our Buyers. I have spent my 30 year career at John Lewis working in shops, head office and online. I have an extensive background in buying across multiple home categories, both branded and own brand.

Paddy spent his early career in sales and category management at Nestle, working with the major supermarkets. He then moved to independent retail managing Strickland and Holt , a family owned independent department store over 160 yrs old in Yarm, North Yorkshire.

Guiding and growing this regional retail legend over the last 12 years Paddy has amassed a great knowledge and insight into picking winners in the gift industry. He also helped guide Yarm High Street to become winner of the Great British High Street 'Rising Star' award England, in 2020.

I am an award winning retail professional with over forty years of experience of working in the industry. I have been fortunate to work for massive market leading retailers such as Tesco, successful high quality specialists such as EH Booth & Co, and innovative, fashion orientated High Street brands such as HMV. I have twenty seven years of experience of successfully running my own business, which is at the very leading edge of independent retailing in the UK.

I’ve spent the last 9 years in the gifting industry with Gifts from Handpicked, beginning my journey as an Apprentice and now working as Assistant Manager. I have a real passion for all things gifting from quirky, novelty, and a little different from the usual gift.

From sourcing exciting new products and managing marketing campaigns to working closely with suppliers, I thrive on the ever-changing nature of this industry and the creativity it inspires.
In its 17 years of business, Gifts from Handpicked has proudly received multiple industry accolades, our commitment to excellence in the gifting sector. Being part of such a well-recognised company has given me the opportunity to judge these awards and highlight new products in the market. I thoroughly enjoy judging Gift of the Year and feel privileged to help discover this year’s most innovative gifts— there’s nothing better than giving a gift you know they'll love.

www.giftsfromhandpicked.co.uk

As an independent retailer, I understand my customers wants and needs. It's great spending time with them having lengthy conversations with during their visits.

I've been a judge of gift of the year for 8 years and it the highlight of the year when judging the finalists, as there are always such wonderful new designs, collectibles and fragrances to choose from.

As a triple winner of the Greats Gift Retailer awards my small business has achieved a huge amount during its 10 years history, alongside many other retailer awards including two Coventry and Warwickshire retailer of the year awards.

www.joco.gifts

Stephen's company undertakes assignments involving brand, marketing, customer experience, retail, and other income generation. His business journey started in the High Street at age 15 and took him to Regent Street, via the Tower of London, to Buckingham Palace by age 30. A combination of luck, curiosity and thinking differently enabled his contribution to the cultural retail revolution of the early 1990s.

Since then Stephen has worked with, studied, learned from, and helped some of the brightest stars and most prestigious brands in the retail, leisure, and tourism sectors. His journey features milestones such as creating the Buckingham Palace Shop, launching London’s cable car, revitalising a confectionery-themed visitor attraction, and turning a national conservation charity inside-out, from property- to customer-focus.

Stephen chairs the Advisory Board that is shaping the future of Spring Fair and Autumn Fair, and keeps his optimism muscle in shape by supporting Tottenham Hotspur.

Therese Oertenblad, founder of Small Business Collaborative, helps product-based business owners grow their wholesale sales, without the overwhelm. She teaches them how to price for profit, sell with confidence (without the icky tactics), and build a strategy that fits into their busy schedules.

With over a decade in sales leadership, she’s worked with brands now stocked in Liberty, Selfridges, and independent stores worldwide. She also sits on The Giftware Association’s National Committee and hosts Let’s Talk Shop.

Owner of Mantons Cards, passionate supporter of Indie retail, greeting card and gift businesses.
Winner of over 20 awards including, 'British Independent Retailer of the Year', 'Community Business of the Year' and 'Responsible Business of the Year'

www.mantonscards.co.uk

Owner of Magpie’s Nest, a much-loved independent gift shop and coffee lounge, I’ve been proudly trading since 2013. Over the years, we’ve become known for our carefully curated collection of beautiful, high-quality gifts and our commitment to delivering a warm, personal shopping experience. Magpie’s Nest has been honoured with numerous local and national retail awards, recognising our dedication to excellence and innovation in the sector. I'm passionate about championing bricks-and-mortar retail and supporting the future of the independent high street. It’s a real privilege to be part of the Gift of the Year 2025 judging panel and celebrate the creativity and craftsmanship within our industry.

Gifts from Handpicked is an online gift shop I founded in 2007. Based in Lincoln, we have a fantastic team of seven who share my passion for all things gifting. Over the years, we’ve proudly earned multiple accolades, adding to our ever-growing trophy cabinet.

We are dedicated to the gift industry, working closely with more than 75 brands to bring unique and exciting products to our customers. I’ve been fortunate to judge Gift of the Year for over a decade, and I always look forward to discovering new creations and trends that emerge each year.
Attending trade shows are a highlight for me—it’s inspiring to see innovation in action, and I can’t wait to select the final products to feature on our website. Being part of an industry that constantly evolves keeps my enthusiasm high and my commitment to finding the perfect gifts for my website stronger than ever.

In 2006 I set up Press Loft, a PR Platform automating PR, affiliate marketing and influencer marketing which has supported over 20,000 businesses to secure millions of pieces of media coverage. Press Loft helps the PR teams from International brands like Wayfair, La Redoute, Laura Ashley and B&Q along with creators and artisans connecting them with thousands of media members. Most recently I have also supported other female-founded businesses with their growth strategies and am a Non-Exec Director for two businesses where I support and mentor them PR, marketing and wider business strategy.

With more than 18 years of buying experience, Sara has specialised in brand relationships and growing small emerging brands into market leaders. Sara is also experienced in own label sourcing across multiple categories and countries.

Previous to Retail 100 Consulting, Sara spent 18 years at John Lewis & Partners, working in buying, predominantly in home and seasonal categories, spending the last 8 of those years leading Gift and Home fragrance buying.

www.retail100consulting.co.uk 

Sue Marks is the longest serving trade press Editor in the gift industry. She has been at the helm of Progressive Gifts & Home since 1998 and celebrates her 27th anniversary as Editor this December. She is also Editor of digital newsletter www.GiftsandHome.net

She is especially proud to have been involved in the launch of The Greats gift retailer awards in 2003 which have become the pinnacle for gift retailers, both large and small, and are now in their 24th year.

Sue is also, arguably, the longest serving Gift of the Year judge, having been on the judging panel since 1999.

www.progressivegifts.co.uk

As a previous independent shop owner and winner and finalist in the Greats and Retas, retail, gifts and cards have been a passion of mine since I was a Saturday girl many years ago! I am proud to be on the Giftware Association National Committee and I think this is my eighth year judging GOTY. Every year it is fantastic to see such a mix of small and larger suppliers entering with a vast array of gifts. It is a brilliant way to get in front of influential buyers and to gain some useful PR. I have now crossed to the other side of retail, whilst doing a bit of website work for a few small retail businesses in my spare time.