Hello

Greeting from Sheffield

Yes it's true, I'm here at AW HQ :)
Last week I was telling you about Liverpool, you can read about it here.

Since then I have been in beautiful but rather damp north Wales, including a visit to Anglesey. Where of course we visited lots of gift shops. I couldn't help noticing lots of "Out" banners and not many remain.
Even so this morning waking up to the Brexit result was quite a shock.
However you voted or not, the fact is this changes things, a lot.. but we will have to wait and see just how things pan out.

Obviously we have been thinking and planning for a while, and here is my brief analysis of how this may effect we gentlefolk in the gift trade.

Firstly Imports..
For sure imports will be much more expensive, so in the longer term imported items will be more expensive. The good news is that we have had lots of containers arriving over the last month or so and really are fully stocked. So hopefully no price rises at Ancient Wisdom for a while. Don't panic.

Secondly made in Yorkshire products.
Other good news (I think), all our soaps, bathbombs, home fragrance and aromatherapy products are produced here in Sheffield, so no immediate increases, but we will have to see what happens to ingredient prices in the future. Yesterday we took a large delivery of the raw materials (bicarb and citric acid) from Belgium so we are covered for a while on bath bombs. Don't panic..

Euro Products
For sure there will be big prices, my advice stock up on.. Olive oil soaps (they are from Spain) and Church Candles (from Germany). Panic!!
I guess more people will holiday at home.. that's maybe good for the UK gift trade.

Human cost.
As you know we are a multiethnic company with employees from across the world. Exactly half of our loyal employees are in shock this morning not sure how safe their jobs are and all reevaluating whether they are staying in the UK or not. The knowledge, skill sets and huge human resources this asset represents (50% of staff) would of course be a major loss to AW. Personally (and I think I speak for the Brits in AW) I/we simply don't want to lose the friendships.. so I hope we can overcome.

Long Term..
Calm Down, have a cup of tea. Things will be fine :)

Meanwhile..
So much amazing new stock coming on stream.. all reasons to be cheerful.
See below..

More news next week as I head of to Euroland to see what happens over there..

Take care
David

Available in eight colours these fun but practical wholesale glass lanterns will add a touch of style and colour to your garden whilst providing you with a pleasant atmospheric light source after dark. Browse a huge range with four different designs available.

This beautiful and very special hand carved range of Chopping Boards has been crafted in East Java, Indonesia from carefully managed teak reserves. Teak or Tectona grandis is native to mainly Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Thailand and Burma. Teak wood contains an oil that helps the wood to be water resistant this same oil content protects the Teak from decay, insects and bacteria.

This range of Vintage Bird Cages is a beautiful choice for creating a retro, antique-chic style within homes, gardens, weddings, bars and restaurants. They are just ideal as centre pieces at the wedding decorations or card holders..to be honest they are just perfect for any room and any occasion.

Take a look at new range of 12 inch (30 cm) undersized backpacks. Mini bag for little ones to take to school or any teenagers who likes to keep things in small and handy backpacks. Roomy enough to store most of the daily necessities and perfect for schools, picnics and hiking.

One of the most important thing a fashionable backpacker is looking for is a functional and great designed travel backpack. This range of wholesale Travellers Backpack are just the thing. Each backpack holds all necessary gear and will become any traveller's best friend.

Take a look at our new range of Italian Style Handbags where we've combined the natural brown, chocolate and black suede fringe with ethnic style material to give them that trendy boho chic look. With the trend in mind we have designed those special backs to be worn as a shoulder bag or backpack.

Take a look at our upgraded version of Oh So Soft Cushions at the great prices. Vintage cushions are a perfect way to add a comfortable, homely feel to any house, offices or waiting rooms, these cushions are great for adding a pop of colour and style.

These 100% cotton lace coasters and placemats are straight out of Downton Abbey and reminiscent of a bygone era. All things vintage are in vogue , so these coasters will bring back misty eyed memories to your older customers. And invoke the inner foggie in the younger ones.

Heavy Glass Quality Reed Diffuser Bottles with plastic plug for transit and black diffuser caps (reeds NOT included). This range is a simple, yet stylish glass bottle perfect for home fragrances. Add your own aromatherapy oils or room freshening fragrances, along with some reeds, to brighten up your customers home

Top quality, wholesale Mini Ceramic Baths that will bring a touch of class to any bathroom. Ideal to create bath gift sets with products such are soaps, sponges, bath bombs, soap dishes and many more... small bottle of champagne would be great too :)

Handmade luxury bamboo gift boxes. Ancient Wisdom Bamboo boxes were designed to particularly fit our bath products, but they are also suitable for many others products too, but also could be used as storage boxes for small items or even a trinket box for keys, jewellery or almost anything!