Kurt Baker
United Kingdom, Zou Department
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Articles by Kurt Baker
Falcon Exposure Management Now Available for Third-Party Environments
Frontier AI is poised to change cybersecurity faster than most organizations can adapt. It’s accelerating vulnerability discovery, which puts new pressure on security teams to handle more vulnerabilities, in less time, with workflows built for much slower technology. The primary challenge of the frontier AI era is not the increase in vulnerabilities. It’s understanding which exposures are most critical and how to address them before adversaries target them.
Leading the charge: large-scale BESS supporting renewables in WA
tackle some unique challenges in order to successfully manage the transition to renewable energy. Synergy Executive General Manager, Future Energy, Kurt Baker, shares how battery energy storage systems – BESS – are helping the state navigate this transition. Western Australia is home to world-class solar and wind resources, abundant gas supply and a wealth of battery metals. However, as its ...
Stop focusing on political agendas, get back to education | Kurt Baker
This opinion column was submitted by Kurt Baker, a candidate for Washoe County School Board, District C. His campaign platform can be found at savewcsd.com. Hello Washoe County, My name is Kurt Baker and I am running for School Board District C. I would like to tell you a little bit about myself in my own words. I have always, and still do work with kids. They are our future and they are very important to me. Being on the school board I believe that I will be able to help many more.
See you at Spring Fair
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Copyright © Giftware Review 2013 - 2021 | Website design: Chadwick Design Ltd Giftware Review and Garden Centre Buyer are part of LMALI Publications Ltd. Registered in England, No: 13019324 LMALI Publications Ltd, Eventus, Sunderland Road, Market Deeping, Peterborough, PE6 8FD
Local independents encouraged to go the extra mile as 90% of shoppers crave ‘friendly’ shopping experience
Nine out of 10 shoppers say ‘friendly service’ is a key benefit of shopping with local independents Nearly a third (31%) of shoppers are using local independent retailers more than before the pandemic Forty-two percent want to help smaller businesses that may be struggling because of Covid Nearly two thirds (64%) prefer shopping with a retailer that specialises in a particular product area NFU Mutual Retail Specialist encourages local independents to consider how they can continue to connect...
The Puppet Company - Blue Angel Accredited - signs soft toy contract with WWF-UK
The Puppet Company Ltd., the largest wholesaler of puppets and soft toys in Europe, are proud to announce that they have signed a contract with WWF-UK, as the new supplier of the soft toys sent to supporters who take out a WWF-UK animal adoption. The Puppet Company are also pleased to announce their accreditation with the eco label Blue Angel.
GIMA raise over £19,000 for the Greenfingers charity in 2021
Following the recently sold-out 40th GIMA Awards, where guests helped to raise over £3,900 for GIMA’s 2021 nominated charity – Greenfingers - with not one but two generous raffles, it has been confirmed that GIMA events have raised over £19,000 for the children’s hospice garden charity throughout the year.
Food, Glorious Food!
Squire’s Garden Centre on Heathlands Road in Wokingham has revealed a stunning new look for their Food Hall. The Food Hall at Squire’s has expanded, and has been beautifully updated to offer customers a huge amount of choice. Explore the very best eats and treats, from store cupboard essentials and fresh fruit and vegetables, to award-winning frozen meals from COOK, goodies such as delicious cakes and biscuits, as well as local beers, wines and spirits.
J Boult Designs set to attend Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring 2022
J Boult Designs is set to attend Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring 2022 in Glasgow . This exciting, young Scottish brand has announced that it will exhibit at the trade fair next month. The design-led small company offers men’s gifts with an emphasis on being environmentally conscious. Each J Boult Designs product is carefully handmade in the Scottish Highlands from upcycled materials collected from estates and local clay pigeon shooting grounds.
GCA Christmas competition winners announced
Barton Grange Garden Centre and Castle Gardens have recently (December 2021) been announced as the national winners of the 2021 Garden Association’s (GCA) annual Christmas competition. The garden centres were judged to have the best festive displays in the country by the organisation and will receive their awards at its annual conference in January 2022.
SPRING FAIR COLLABORATES WITH TREND BIBLE ON CHRISTMAS TRENDS 2022
Spring Fair, the UK’s largest and most important marketplace for the home, gift, fashion and design retail industry, has collaborated with Trend Bible to produce an exclusive Christmas 2022 Trends Report which will be launched on a webinar at 11am on Thursday 9th of December 2021. The exclusive deep dive into buying trends for 2022 is hosted by Kate Usher, senior trend consultant at Trend Bible.
Raisthorpe unveils limited edition Christmas light up gin
Yorkshire based Raisthorpe Distillery has revealed new range of limited edition light up gins with edible gold leaf - perfect for Christmas gifting. Available in Raisthorpe’s popular Pear and Peppercorn, Apricot and Coconut and Bramble and Saffron flavours, the extra special gins include edible gold leaf andan illuminated base which lights up to highlight the sparkle and reveal each bottle’s colourful botanical decorations of fruits, bees and blooms.
Fizz Creations hops in with Peter Rabbit™
Fizz Creations have collaborated once again with Penguin Ventures, part of Penguin Random House, to launch a brand-new collection of licensed gifts featuring Peter Rabbit™. Playing to the award-winning strengths of Fizz, the range includes lighting and children’s games in addition to keepsake gifting.
WITH 90% OF SPACE SOLD OUT, SPRING FAIR GEARS UP FOR AN INCREDIBLE FEBRUARY 2022 SHOW
Following on from the astonishing success of Autumn Fair and the highest ever re-book, Spring Fair has announced that 90% of its stand space has been sold and its organisers Hyve Group plc are looking to increase the floorplan to accommodate the flurry of new brands keen to join the show.
Garden Centre Association October Column - by Mike Burks
As we move into autumn, our members have become increasingly busy and a lot has changed for them in terms of returning to ‘normal’. To start with, we were able to celebrate together, face-to-face, for the first time in two years at our regional award meetings, which we held in late August and early September and were a huge success.
SCOTLAND’S TRADE FAIR SPRING IS BACK!
Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring is back in person, in Glasgow from 23-25 January 2022. With a raft of interesting and innovative exhibitors clamouring for stands, this is a not-to-be missed event for retailers north and south of the border. Following the successful re-introduction of Scotland’s Trade Fair Autumn in September where business was brisk and retailers were quick to place orders, it seems that the industry is looking forward with confidence and returning to the bigger January Show.
WITH 90% OF SPACE SOLD OUT, SPRING FAIR GEARS UP FOR AN INCREDIBLE FEBRUARY 2022 SHOW
Following on from the astonishing success of Autumn Fair and the highest ever re-book, Spring Fair has announced that 90% of its stand space has been sold and its organisers Hyve Group plc are looking to increase the floorplan to accommodate the flurry of new brands keen to join the show.
SCOTLAND’S TRADE FAIR SPRING IS BACK!
Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring is back in person, in Glasgow from 23-25 January 2022. With a raft of interesting and innovative exhibitors clamouring for stands, this is a not-to-be missed event for retailers north and south of the border. Following the successful re-introduction of Scotland’s Trade Fair Autumn in September where business was brisk and retailers were quick to place orders, it seems that the industry is looking forward with confidence and returning to the bigger January Show.
Christmas Delights sweeten the trade fair experience with original culinary gift ideas
Frankfurt am Main, November 2021. Chocolate, biscuits, sweets, tea, and liqueurs not only sweeten the holiday season, but also make wonderful gifts all year round and are becoming increasingly original. What's new here will be presented at Christmasworld from 28 January to 1 February 2022 with Christmas Delights in a separate area in an atmospheric Christmas market setting. The Christmas Delights product area offers new gift ideas that appeal to all the senses.
Congratulations to Acid logo competition winner, Chasing Threads!
Anti-Copying in Design is delighted to announce that Em Royston, designer, creator and owner of Chasing Threads, is the winner of the recent ACID Logo Competition – designed to raise awareness about the importance of high-profile ways of displaying the “Member of Anti Copying in Design” logo.
Enesco supports trade customers with airfreight to overcome stock issues
Enesco Ltd are planning to airfreight in stocks of seasonal goods to support its customers in the run up to Christmas. The company recognises the difficult situation that faces all its valued customers under the current climate, and it hopes this action will ease some of the burden. “The supply chain is under huge stress currently from factories in China struggling to cope with ongoing covid issues and a lack of electricity.
Hey Pandas, What Is Something Your Body Does That You're Not Sure Anybody Else's Does?
#1 I don't know about anyone else. I'm sure other people have experienced this but no one I've known has. I have very sensitive hearing and can pick up very high frequencies, and low frequencies. Those mosquito boxes some businesses like to set up outside to deter teens from loitering I can not only hear but feel in my nervous system and teeth. I'm in my mid 30s. Cars with very squeaky brakes is agonizing to my ears and head. Others around me may hear something, but it's amplified 10x to me.
Peter Rabbit Baby Collection picks up another award!
Enesco are delighted to announce that the Peter Rabbit Baby Collection was awarded the Best Preschool Gift Range Award at the recent Progressive Pre School Awards. Wendy Addison Licensing Manager and Thomas Merrington, Creative Director at Penguin were on hand to collect the award. This collection is now Enesco’s most recognised both in the industry and with consumers. Having now won a prestigious Gift of the Year award in 2020.
Get ahead of the curve with Glee bestsellers
The countdown is on to Glee making its in-person return post-lockdown (14th – 16th September NEC Birmingham), as exhibitors and visitors alike, eagerly await the chance to network, share ideas and celebrate new launches.
AUTUMN FAIR INTRODUCES COVID-19 STATUS CHECKS AND DELIVERS INDUSTRY-LEADING SAFE & SECURE GUIDELINES
With its doors re-opening for the first time in 18 months from the 5th – 8th September at the NEC Birmingham, Autumn Fair, co-located with Moda, has introduced COVID-19 status checks for all attendees on arrival at the show. In addition, it has updated its Safe & Secure Guidelines to deliver industry-leading health and safety measures to put the show community at ease asit plays a key role in reigniting the UK retail industry.
Visit Tri-Stat At Glee
Tri-Star Packaging is the UK’s leading foodservice packaging supplier, adding value for garden centre caterers with its wide range of sustainable quick-serve foodservice packaging which is not only convenient, hygienic and fit for purpose, but also easy to store and use, therefore speeding up service. During the pandemic, Tri-Star packaging placed increased emphasis on providing everything a garden centre needs to operate safely and efficiently.
AUTUMN FAIR SPOTLIGHTS SUSTAINABILITY AND LAUNCHES THE SUSTAINABILITY LIBRARY
Following the successful launch of the Sustainability Trail at Spring Fair 2020, the focus on sustainability continues for Autumn Fair 21 with the launch of The Sustainability Library and a host of onsite initiatives.
New Woodlodge showroom displays the best and latest on trend garden brands
If you are planning on stocking the latest garden brands and essentials in 2022, then your first port of call has to be the newly opened Woodlodge showroom which showcases the company’s brand-new product offering. The purpose-built facility at Woodlodge’s Tetbury head office will give retailers early access to the new product ranges, as well as the existing popular portfolio of gardenware that the company is renowned for.
Fanattik Brings the Bikini Bottom Fun with new SpongeBob SquarePants Gift Line
Fanattik, the pop culture specialist has signed a pan-European gift license with ViacomCBS Consumer Products for Nickelodeon’s iconic SpongeBob SquarePants. The deal covers home décor, barware, gifts and collectibles and products will be available from September in gift and toy stores across Europe. “An internationally beloved and timeless brand, SpongeBob SquarePants is one of the most watched programmes in the world with 100 million global viewers monthly and a feature film on the way in 2021.
Government Responds to the Intellectual Property Enforcement Consultation
ACID members helped us provide case studies to the original Enforcement Consultation. Through the Alliance for IP of which ACID is a long-standing member, their response to the consultation is found here. We submitted 10 compelling case studies and also sent various comments from interviews with over 30 ACID members. The full Review can be found here.
SPRING FAIR ANNOUNCES ACTION PACKED 4-DAY SHOW AND LATE-NIGHT OPENINGS
With input from over 3,500 exhibitors, buyers and partners, Spring Fair, the leading Home & Gift show, has announced that it will become a four-day show. The new show dates run from Sunday 6th – Wednesday 9th February 2022 at NEC Birmingham and will include the introduction of late-night openings until 7.30pm on the Sunday and Monday.
97 percent of companies want to continue participating in trade fairs
That was the finding of the second round of Messe Frankfurt’s customer survey. Known as the Customer Care Campaign (CCC), the survey was first conducted in autumn 2020 and then repeated in spring 2021. The goal was for local sales partners to contact Messe Frankfurt’s customers during the coronavirus pandemic, inform them of trade fair cancellations and support their efforts to participate in current and future trade fairs – all while invigorating Messe Frankfurt’s sales network.
ExaClair launches new range of Décopatch® Christmas products
With Christmas rapidly approaching, Décopatch® has launched some new additions to their ever popular range of papier mâché shapes and papers for the festive celebrations. The new additions include a nativity scene kit containing seven mâché shapes to decorate, as well as a stable which can be used as storage when the festivities are over. The pretty hanging flower wreath comes with brass fasteners and can be decorated to suit individual tastes.
Still Dirty, by Kris Rodgers and the Dirty Gems
supported by / Record/Vinyl + Digital Album Includes digital pre-order of Still Dirty. You get 4 tracks now (streaming via the free Bandcamp app and also available as a high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more), plus the complete album the moment it’s released. digital album releases July 23, 2021 item ships out within 5 days Purchasable with gift card $14.99 Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album Includes digital pre-order of Still Dirty.
How the order to ‘stay home’ gave houseplants another welcome boost
Houseplant sales have been on an upward curve for some time now but, for anyone wondering if the trend has hit its peak, think again because Covid has taken the demand for greenery in the home up another notch. Lockdown has seen the nation engage with plants and gardening like never before, with retailers often struggling to keep up with demand and a new army of plant enthusiasts stepping up their spend.
Messe Frankfurt aiming for €500 million in sales in 2022
Messe Frankfurt is ready to start up again. Speaking at the Corporate Press Conference earlier today, Wolfgang Marzin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Messe Frankfurt, said: “If the pandemic situation continues to improve, we have every confidence that we will be able to get fully started again in all areas in 2022.
Farm shops and houseplants remain dominant sellers in garden centres
Farm shops and houseplant sales dominated at garden centres this May (2021) according to the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) recent Barometer of Trade (BoT) report. As centres in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland reopened mid-May in 2020, this report used figures from 2019 and reveals farm shop sales were up 90.24% in May 2021. Iain Wylie, GCA Chief Executive, explained: “May has always been a strong month for sales across member centres.
Some extra retailer support from Joe Davies and snoozies!®
Joe Davies have taken one of their best-selling brands, snoozies!® and made the whole collection available with 90 days credit from date of delivery. David Cree, National Sales Manager, commented “It has been such a tough year for independent retailers so as an extra special treat we wanted to take one of our best-selling lines and offer something special.
Home & Gift 2021 to take place as part of the Government’s Events Research Programme pilot
Clarion Events is pleased to announce that following detailed discussions with the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Public Health Bodies and Harrogate Convention Centre, the Home and Gift Buyers’ Festival & the Manchester Furniture Show in Harrogate has been selected to be part of a limited number of pilot events in the third phase of the Government Events Research Programme.
ZEST WINS AT GIMA GOLF DAY
A team representing outdoor garden furniture, wooden products and decorative garden structure specialist, Zest 4 Leisure was crowned the winner at the 11th annual GIMA Charity Golf Day. Held at the Belton Woods Hotel & Golf Club in Grantham, Lincolnshire, the event brought together garden industry suppliers and retailers with twenty-four four ball teams competing for the coveted GIMA Golf trophy.
Selfridges launches garden centres at its stores
Selfridges opened garden centres at its London, Manchester, and Birmingham stores as it looks to cash in on the green-fingered boom spurred by the pandemic. An estimated 3million new gardeners tried their hand at the hobby for the first-time during lockdown and the department store has become the latest retailer rushing to tap into the growing trend.
Think Big with Smart Games
Smart Games, the multi-award-winning brand keeping the minds of the nation engaged, is thrilled to announce the arrival of XXL versions of three of its bestselling games.
Will Local Shopping Stay in 2021?
During the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, attitudes of shoppers in the UK changed significantly as they developed a considerable sense of community. Rather than visiting the big supermarket on the edge of town, residents would visit their local corner shops and grocers, reigniting old habits. In April 2020, off-licences, greengrocers, independent convenience stores, butchers, and bakeries saw growth of 37.7 per cent.
Home & Gift: Interview with brands and visitors
Free Subscription Home News About Us Magazine Archive Media Pack Contact Us Home & Gift: Interview with brands and visitors
Home & Gift: Interview with brands and visitors
Copyright © Giftware Review 2013 - 2021 | Website design: Chadwick Design Ltd Giftware Review and Garden Centre Buyer are part of LMALI Publications Ltd. Registered in England, No: 13019324 LMALI Publications Ltd, Eventus, Sunderland Road, Market Deeping, Peterborough, PE6 8FD
Tri-Star Packaging introduces Gen-Label - the next generation of food labelling
Gen-Label is the new name for Tri-Star Packaging’s Tri-Label division, rebrandedat an important time for the foodservice industry, and representing the next generation of food labelling. “There has never been a more critical time for labelling in the foodservice industry,” says head of Gen-Label, Alan Bryson. “Through the pandemic as businesses swapped to takeaway and delivery models, we were able to help with advice based on over 30 years of foodservice labelling experience.
Janod launches unique toy collection in partnership with animal charity WWF
Much-loved French toy brand Janod, is delighted to announce its exciting collaboration with WWF, as the team unveil a brand-new collection bursting with stunning toys to inspire and engage the next generation of animal and nature lovers. As part of a wider promise to help the planet, Janod is thrilled to be working alongside one of the biggest environmental organisations in the world.
Home & Gift 2021 Show Will Go Ahead
Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival, co-located with Manchester Furniture Show, will be going ahead as planned (18-21 July 2021) across the Harrogate Convention Centre (HCC) and grounds of the DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate, organiser Clarion Events has confirmed. Home & Gift has the full support of the Harrogate Convention Centre and DoubleTree by Hilton venue, and the organiser is working with the local authorities and liaising closely with the Director of Public Health for North Yorkshire.
An 85-year love affair with gardening
Squire’s Garden Centres celebrates its 85th Anniversary this year. The company was incorporated on the 8th July 1936 and the original certificate of incorporation, though faded over time, still hangs on the boardroom wall alongside the first handwritten bank statement. Sarah Squire is now Chairman, and she tells us a bit about the changes in gardening and garden centres over the last 85 years. How did Squire’s come about? My grandfather D.J. Squire (1905 – 2003) started our business.
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