Wholesale End of Year AW international updates - Ancient Wisdom

Greetings from Sheffield, UK

Yes I'm here in AW HQ.. and even though it is almost Christmas and normally peaceful at the wholesale end of things at this time.. it still seems to be all happening at full pace.

Containers arrive one after the other, the warehouse is buzzing and the office is full of chatter. In the lobby we have a famous local artist transforming the entrance so your first impression should you ever visit AW HQ.. is wow this place is pretty cool.. or something like that..

Last week I was telling you about the inner mystical meanings behind our new logo.. if you missed it you can read about it here.

Here are some pictures of the famous Peachzz at work. you can check out her website here..

Last Friday evening we had our Christmas party.. last year it was of course cancelled so it was kind of special to renew the tradition. It was 1920's themed and everyone got glammed to the eyeballs up for it, we had heaps of fun - it was like an old fashioned family knees up. And then after the emotional speeches everyone danced until the small hours. Yes, there is omicron.. it's scary, but we asked everyone to self test before and damn it all.. there is a feeling that enough is enough after what we have been through this year and it is OK to enjoy life a little.

Of course I'm here for Christmas, but also it is the time of year we brainstorm and make BIG plans for the next year. And things are changing fast - it's a very different year we live in so we have to change and adapt to keep AW growing and healthy. Before Brexit half our sales were to the EU, now our customers there are dwingerling faster Conservative byelection votes. They find it too much trouble and delay to import from the UK and fast & easy to buy from our Spain or Slovak distribution centres. While UK sales are up and exports to the rest of the world are up a bit, it's not enough to cover the gaps. So we are planning and thinking big and thinking outside of the box.

One thing we will never do at AW is sell directly to the public. We focus on product sourcing and development, the job of retailing is your job. As customers/partners we will never undermine that relationship.

So if you have any suggestions and ideas of area's we could expand into do let us know.

India Update

Mr Chatterjee our man in India called me just now for a chat. He tells me that covid is pretty much over there, and all restrictions are lifted. He was urging me to visit in March next year, there is a trade show in Delhi and a lot of suppliers with new ideas. Yesterday he loaded a container and today he went to visit the children's home we support in Saharanpur on the banks of the Ganges not far from Kolkata.Chatterjee tells me that four of the older kids have found jobs and moved out making way for four new homeless kids.

Here is a picture of an art lesson..

They have a Christmas art competition..

If I can go in March - I'm looking forward to visiting and seeing how we can improve things more.

Indonesia Update

Ringo and his assistant Bondhan are working well, many of the products that I was working on while I was there a few weeks ago are now arriving in the warehouse. Yesterday they loaded two containers working until 3am and employing everyone they could find to pack and load the stock. In Bali covid is practically over, almost everyone is double jabbed and yet they still wear masks and social distance.. so cases are down to a handful. 10 day quarantine is back in force to counter the omicron variant so sadly no hope for tourism businesses just yet. At least we can do our bit giving the artisans work.

3am container number two leaves our warehouse in Bali.

China Update

I just spoke to Coco, she just finished loading a container for Spain. We had applied for a UK visa a few weeks ago with the idea that maybe she could fly to the UK for Christmas. But there are severe travel restrictions and, rather depressingly, her passport has not been returned yet from the British consulate in Shanghai, and no update whatsoever. Covid cases are appearing again and there is talk of a blanket travel ban ahead of Chinese New Year, so she might not even be able to get to her hometown.

Slovakia Update

It has been a massive year, everyone has worked very hard - under difficult conditions. Next year we will move to a brand new warehouse and lots of preparations are in hand.

I was telling you that there was a big problem with covid cases there.. I'm happy to report that everyone has recovered, and only one team member is still in isolation. This week they have unloaded a China container, an Indonesian and a full trailer from AW Aromatics UK.. to say they are knackered and ready for a Christmas break is an understatement.

Here they are..an amazing team in Slovakia..

Spain update

Toni our man in Spain came to the UK for the Christmas party and also to learn what he can. He made it back to Spain on Monday..

Christmas is very much in full flow there.. Three Kings Day on the 6th January is the main day for giving gifts, so the trading pattern is very different.

My favourite team (in Spain) is working hard even as we begin to relax.

My plan is to travel back to Spain on the 27th, so I can celebrate the New Year with them and make a plan for 2022.

So as you can see - everyone at AW from all over the world is working hard to bring you the best in giftware. Thank you as always for your suggestions, feedback and valuable support.

Meanwhile in the UK.. it's not too late to order.. we can get your orders to you next week, and there is plenty of stuff back in stock see below.

You might want to stock up now ahead of the New Year sales.

This is the penultimate newsletter of the year..

I hope you are enjoying the festive season and staying safe.

Take care

David