June 2010 Features

The 'If' Word - Editorial

The other day I got around to hanging up a few pictures and paintings I'd had resting against walls for some time. One handwritten, framed poem – ‘If' by Rudyard Kipling – I hung in the lavatory above the basin (a great place to conduct snippets of inspirational reading). More »

Entertainment Ready

The lazy, hazy days of summer promise some truly fabulous entertainment and homeware vogue, with stylish European infl uences, warm hacienda overtones, and classic Kiwi indooroutdoor practicality. Perhaps the biggest change to our outdoor settings is colour. More »

Stimulating the Senses and Keeping it Real

Bath and body speak that won't leave you dizzy

Move over seven-note fragrances and old-news paraben chit chat – this decade is all about the fresh, faithful and chic in the bath, body and home fragrance departments, say gift specialists. More »

Hooked on Christmas

The silly season's stationery trends are wrapped up in traditional Christmas themes this year, but gorgeous new ideas inspired by Europe – and closer to home – put a fresh twist on all things auld. When it comes to the Christmas palette, there's no changing the age-old demand for cherry red, forest green, silver and gold, says Leo Spring of Ogilvies. More »

Feel Good this Father's Day

Men are notoriously hard to buy for – just ask any woman. But with Father's Day right around the corner, many retailers have already begun thinking about simple and straightforward ways to make shopping for dads easier in 2010.

From novelty ties and socks to bargain-bin toolsets, dads have graciously suffered through bad gifts for years. And because most Father's Day gift shopping generally happens in the days leading up to the event, customers are looking to retailers more than ever before for help finding the right gift at the right price, fast. More »

Buy, Buy . . . Bye?

GiftBuyer spoke with two retail buyers, Julie Evenbly of Living & Giving, and Rod Spencer of Kirkcaldie & Stains, both with over a decade of experience in the gift industry, who share their thoughts, feelings and opinions when it comes to buying stock for in store. And for those retailers getting ready to stock up for Christmas, Bruce Gilbert of Findings has a pre-festive warning for you . . . More »