Hello ,

Greetings from Sheffield and AW HQ.
Yes it's that time of year, whilst you will be crazy busy we are beginning the wind down.

Last week I was telling you about the difference between artisan and factory.. and my friend Patrick the wine merchant. You can read about it here.

I know you will be busy so I'll keep this penultimate message of 2017 short and sweet..

This year has been a year like no other.
At AW we have invested more in the future than any year before.

Three main areas: In the factory at AW here in Sheffield it has been modernised and expanded to increase supplies of bath bombs and soaps so we can meet your orders and also produce the new Agnes & Cat range (see below)..
Then if you have been following the story about the EU distribution warehouse in Slovakia, this has taken a mega effort - but the team made it happen. I was there a couple of weeks ago.
Finally.. there is the Agnes & Cat project. It was just over a year ago that we struck a deal with a renowned Lake District designer to produce an eclectic and very British range of gift and fragrance products. The name is enigmatic, there is no cat, and who the fruitcake is Agnes? There are answers to these questions apparently, but nobody told me yet :) So far the feedback has been very encouraging, with lots of our lovely customers (that's you) already offering support and ideas. Of course, nothing great was ever created by a committee, but maxim feedback and input.. all help develop and expose the possibilities. And this can make greatness.
All three of these investments will come to fruition fully in 2018. Hopefully if all goes well the Agnes & Cat range will be unleashed in February 2018.

Agnes & Cat..
So I thought we could design and produce a new brand in six months. OK I was deluded (nothing new I know)... but perfection does not come quickly, and after a while you just fall in love with the products and want to make them as perfect and lively as possible, because this is not a production process but a grand creation process, bring a new brand kicking and screaming life. There are two shops in the Lake district, and we almost have a living showroom / shop at HQ in Sheffield.
Agnes & Cat. Proudly British, slightly eccentric and beautifully designed. Products with absolute authenticity and quality. Lots of customers have asked us for exclusivity (in their own trading location), and also that they are not available on Ebay or Amazon, this we are working on.. ideas welcome.

And here is an intro website: Agnes & Cat..(work in progress) where you can register your interest and if you are feeling generous give us your thoughts.

An update on our Christmas hours.
Our warehouse & offices are closed from Friday 22nd December 2017 - Monday 1st January 2018 inclusive.
You can place orders, on-line or by phone for pre-Christmas delivery up to 12 midday on Thursday 21st December. We will do our best to despatch all orders for delivery on Friday 22nd December (UK Mainland Only).
Naturally you can place orders on-line at any time (24/7/365) including over the Christmas period.
We will start processing and dispatching your orders on Tuesday 2nd January 2018 in rotation - expect delivery from Wednesday onwards.

Next week will be the final newsletter of the year, until then I wish you excellent trading and that those jingling bells, are the sound of your tills :)

Take care in the ice and snow..

David

1st Voucher is valid until Monday midnight 18th December - Voucher Code: FREESHIPPING1

2nd Voucher is valid within 30 days of your last order (no later than 15th January 2018) - Voucher Code: FREEDELJAN

A credit of £7.50+vat to cover your shipping cost (UK mainland) - so if you already eligible for free shipping we will credit you. If you are in the islands or highlands or an overseas customer, here is £7.50 towards your shipping. Please make sure your order is over £100+vat(after discounts)

Simple copy and paste or write the above code (FREESHIPPING1) into the VOUCHER box in the shopping cart and click to add voucher button. When you order within next 30 days use the 2nd Voucher Code: (FREEDELJAN) for your second Free Delivery - We’ll do the rest.

This range includes two simple glass bottles and two luxury carved bottles so you have a choice of making your own Essential Range and Luxury Range of Home fragrances

Wholesale Christmas Simmering Granules are often the best selling fragrant product in many shops. Don’t miss out on this key product line. A good display of at least 12 fragrances will draw attention and sales.
Example: Buy Three differentChristmas Simmering Granules and the cheapest one will become automatically FREE in your cart.
This offer can not be combined with GR/Volume Discount.

This range of wholesale rope handle bags is the perfect sized shopper bag. Choose from eight different designs and unbeatable prices.

Box of 100 pieces of Wholesale Dinner Candles. These best selling candles are sometimes called bistro style.

Nag Champa is probably the best selling incense on the planet! Everyone should stock it as an essential item. The original Blue pack made famous by the patronage of Satya Sai Baba is now only one of a whole range of incense and other scented products made with this distinctive fragrance.

These Wholesale Soybean Massage Candles have been carefully blended using only pure essential oils and natural plant waxes. Jojoba oil adds a tactile and luxury feel to this warm wax massage.

Because Christmas deserves a touch of magic, whether you're looking for that special gift, Ancient Wisdom can be your one-stop shopping for all your customers buying needs.