21 October 2026
Gift and lifestyle businesses are being invited to a half-day event designed to tackle the challenges facing the sector head on.
The Gift & Lifestyle Consortium (The G&LC) has teamed up with The Product Place Network to host their first event on Friday 13th November at Cranmore Park in the West Midlands, bringing together independent retailers, gift and lifestyle brands, suppliers, wholesalers, sales agents and industry specialists.
Running from 10am to 2pm, the event is built around the themes of People, Product & Profit. The morning will feature open conversations about the business challenges facing the trade, alongside practical insights and fresh perspectives from industry specialists.
Speakers and contributors include Lisa from Scarlet Ribbons, Sara Allbright of Retail100 Consulting, and specialists from Unified Retail and Specialist POS, among others.
After the talks, attendees can stay on for lunch, a product showcase and networking, with the chance to meet the people behind the brands and explore new business connections.
The event is open to non-members as well as members, and is intended as a relaxed, practical introduction to the wider gift and lifestyle community. Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Sarah Ward, Executive Director of The G&LC, said: “Running an independent gift business can feel like a lonely job, especially heading into the busiest trading period of the year. The event is about getting people in the same room, talking honestly about what’s working and what isn’t, and leaving with ideas they can put into practice straight away.
"We’d particularly love to welcome retailers, brands and suppliers who haven’t come across the Consortium before. It’s a chance to meet new people, see some great product and find out what the wider gift and lifestyle community can offer.”
G&LC members attend free of charge. Tickets for non-members are £50 plus VAT, including lunch. To book a place, visit the event page linked below.
Connecting People. Creating Opportunities. Supporting Growth.
The G&LC's Events & Opportunities programme is designed to bring together retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, suppliers, service providers, and industry experts through a diverse calendar of networking events, learning opportunities, trade show partnerships, buyer engagement programmes, and industry-leading conferences.
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