Gifts Today talks to Xystos head of sales Paul Travis about the gift and fragrance distributor’s product portfolio and plans
Cello/Luminara: Hall 4, Stand G64 | Splosh: Hall 4, Stand H71 | Di Palomo: Hall 4, Stand 4G70
Tell us about Xystos.
Xystos Flame & Fragrance Limited was formed in the 1990s as the wholesale division of Collectables, which has 10 gift stores based in the northeast of England. It also has a large digital presence in the gift marketplace. Xystos was established to bring 10 years of retail experience to the general market, creating innovative brands and products using its direct sales knowledge.
What sets it apart from other gift and fragrance distributors?
Xystos’s major advantage is its retail division and digital sales operation. This enables the company to test-market all its brands and products in a retail environment prior to launch to the trade.
The business also reacts rapidly to market changes, bringing creativity and innovation to its product portfolio. In the past 10 years, like most companies, we’ve had to re-focus our products on market needs, and have done so successfully.
What types of products does Xystos offer?
We operate in three categories: Flame and Fragrance for the Home, Personal Body Care, and Occasion Giving Gifts.
Our brands are Cello which covers all home fragrance, ultrasonics, electric melt burners, reed diffusers, and decorative candle diffusing domes and plugins, along with candle products with a difference!
We have our own brand Di Palomo Bath and Body range, we distribute the US bath and body brand Naked Bee, and we also work closely with the major Australian gift brand Splosh as its sole distributor.
Finally, we took over the distribution of the living flame candle brand Luminara, and have continued to develop it with major success in John Lewis Partnership and latterly QVC.
Does Xystos have any upcoming releases?
New introductions for Q1 2024 will be previewed at Spring Fair, where we will have three brand stands in Hall 4.
Splosh has the largest product launch with two completely new collections. Telulah is a superb designer range of giftware, and Blossom is a Spring/Summer collection – again, with a full product range. In addition, there will be a Mother’s Day collection. Keepsake Pins are another amazing launch tested in our stores (selling 400 per week across 10 sets): a superb profitable range, taking little space with its dedicated display.
Cello has a number of new launches within the brand including Convection Birth Stone Candles with six different fragrances. We are also launching new Electric Melt Burners at Spring Fair; this is a growing sector in the fragrance market. Another major launch for 2024 is our Artisan Range of Fragrance Melts and Burners under the new brand Naked Cello.
Luminara will launch a Fragrance Diffusing Candle Package and a great value for money promotional Pillar Candle Pack of 3. We will also relaunch Outdoor Luminara for Spring/Summer – which I believe is the only IPX4 tested weatherproof LED.
What’s next for Xystos?
The business will continue to develop all of its brands, as well as looking for new ones. With my appointment as head of sales, I’ve restructured the sales team over the past six months, and I’m pleased to say we have a strong customer service-focused group of agents, supported by a strong internal sales office headed up by Amy Marshall.
Call: 0191 499 1570 | Email: sales@xystos.co.uk | Visit: www.xystostrade.co.uk
