Noise-canceling headphones are the latest tech product to cut through, says Matt Pluckrose

Just before Easter, the Briman group commissioned a research project to help determine the buying trends of distributors in relation to buying British made products. An impressive 94% of survey participants recognised benefits in buying products made in the UK.

Of all the inspirational business people from the last 50 years, perhaps no-one has made a bigger impact than Apple’s founder, the late Steve Jobs. His career is one I followed closely over the years, and I rarely failed to find something worthy of emulating.

Make the most of golf day opportunities, says Clive Allcott.

In the hot seat is Andrew Hill from Listawood, he is the director of sales and marketing!

Where do merchandising businesses need to focus their marketing efforts? Watertight Marketing founder, Bryony Thomas, outlines what BPMA members’ experiences reveal – 

The second annual BPMA Golf Day saw a great day of golf in the sunny Berkshire countryside. This year’s event was enjoyed by both distributors and suppliers. Held at the stunning Burnham Beeches Golf Club, more than 20 golfers battled it out for the coveted trophies supplied by Crystal Galleries and Laser Crystal.

Stately Woburn was the venue for the catalogue group’s annual event, and the BPMA came too.

NorthWest promotional merchandise company Hatters has committed to expansion plans for 2019 with the acquisition of new workspace in Stockport town center.

The Pen Warehouse has also given two of its best-selling ballpen ranges a mellow makeover to produce a collection of appealing new pastel colors.

The PenWarehouse (TPW), has launched an online marketing platform called Business Solutions, aimed at driving distributor sales growth, digitally. Since 2013, TPW has been credited with the introduction of several digital marketing firsts, including web-to-print technology with the award-winning platform No-Minimum. co.uk and most recently personalised customer logo digital catalogs.

Former managing director of Senator Pens, Andrew Hill, has joined promotional products manufacturer, Listawood in the newly created role of group sales and marketing director.

Don’t let a lack of personal development hold back your staff and your business. The BPMAMA education programme provides the perfect training platform for merchandise businesses, says Daniela Arena

Look & Feel was the motto of HAPTICA live ‘19 in Bonn, Germany. There was plenty to look at and feel for the 1,840 visitors (up slightly on the 1,803 last year) of the seventh edition of the show. The 198 exhibitors (193 in 2018) presented novelties, bestsellers and highlights of their product portfolios.

A new industry group is helping the younger members of the merchandise industry chart its future, says Jon Birrell.

The founder of garment business PenCarrie passed away recently.

Liz Young, the supplier services director at Sourcing City, the BPMA’s partner in Merchandise World, is taking on a new position.

Europe’s largest supplier and manufacturer of branded candies, Kalfany, has partnered with UK confectionery supplier, The Sweet People, in an exclusive agreement. These two well-known suppliers of branded confectionery have signed a deal to bring more branded confectionery to the UK’s promotional merchandise market.