Crazy: Bags & Halfar strike strategic alliance Read More

UK leading trade-only promotional bag supplier Crazy: Bags has struck a unique alliance with global promotional bag manufacturer and specialist, Halfar.

Effective from May 1^st 2012, UK distributors will have unlimited and previously unparalleled access to the full range of Halfar products whilst working with a trusted and established UK based brand.

Speaking of the move, Andy Steavenson, managing director for Crazy: Bags commented; "This is a really exciting opportunity for the UK promotional merchandise industry.

"Driven by the economy and the need for wider product choices, the temptation for many distributors has understandably been to push work overseas. This has in numerous cases meant passing on costs to clients or worse, having to swallow the costs; all of which has contributed to a dilution of our market.

"Halfar is well known for quality products and has literally every product in its arsenal. With a 3-year warranty on materials and workmanship and stringent quality controls, our distributors can stay focused on what they need to do, working with a UK based supplier and keeping profits where they need to be.”

Halfar has a formidable reputation for outstanding products, innovative designs and total durability and flexibility, with arguably the most comprehensive product range available from a single manufacturer.

The strategic alliance with Crazy: Bags means the UK now has full access to the complete Halfar range whilst working with a recognised, respected and trusted UK based brand.

UK trade distributors will continue to receive the same attention to detail, swift turn-around and excellence in service from the Crazy: Bags team, with the entire Crazy: Bags and Halfar product range at their disposal.

Halfar® Expressbags will be with your customer in 5-days from artwork approval, with 2–4-week delivery for standard orders. Samples are usually received within 2-3 days. All samples are chargeable if not returned. Embroidery, screen, digital, off set, transfer and doming options are available.

The Halfar range is available to trade-only via the member’s only area of the Crazy: Bags website. For more information please visit www.crazybags.co.uk or call 01892 752154.

Crazy: Bags introduces new concept to website for members to make life easier Leading trade-only bag specialists Crazy: Bags has launched a brand new concept in time for the New Year. Trade members... Read More

Andy Steavenson, managing director of trade-only bag specialist Crazy: Bags comments: "The promotional merchandise market for many years has largely remained unchanged. Chinese factories only sold through Hong Kong based traders who in turn,... Read More

Andy Steavenson, managing director of trade-only bag specialist Crazy: Bags comments:

Specialist promotional trade-only bag supplier Crazy: Bags has launched its virtual distributor ‘Sales Tool Kit.’ The dedicated sales and marketing platform forms part of the new member’s only website and marks the continuation... Read More

Specialist promotional trade-only bag supplier Crazy: Bags has launched its virtual distributor ‘Sales Tool Kit.’ The dedicated sales and marketing platform forms part of the new member’s only website and marks the continuation of the company’s drive to better support UK distributors as a trade-only promotional bag specialist.

Talking of the launch, managing director Andy Steavenson commented; "The Sales Tool Kit has been designed to help our customers enhance the ways they can work with their clients, giving them instant access to all the product and industry information they may need to help them make the sale.

"It was inspired by regular feedback from customers looking for additional product information to help them better inform their clients and increase sales conversions.

"As well as a plain skin brochure and website, the Sales Tool Kit includes branded and plain skin product cards detailing all product specifications, the top ten reasons why promotional merchandise works, hints and tips on how to improve sales, a full image library of our core stock ranges and much more. 

"All of the information is available for immediate download and all documents have been created for email compatibility.

"We will be continually refreshing the tools with a programme of additional features that will be running out over the course of the coming year, as well as considering requests from customers for specific marketing support requests.”  

Specialist promotional bag supplier Crazy: Bags has announced it will now operate exclusively for UK and Ireland distributors as a trade-only supplier.  Effective from 1st September, the move comes as a result of... Read More

Specialist promotional bag supplier Crazy: Bags has announced it will now operate exclusively for UK and Ireland distributors as a trade-only supplier.  Effective from 1^st September, the move comes as a result of extensive research by the company to understand the issues faced by promotional merchandise distributors and gift houses.

Andy Steavenson, founder and director of Crazy: Bags explains: "Throughout the course of last year we met with and spoke to, a large number of distributors up and down the country to help us better understand the very real issues they are currently facing.

"Overwhelmingly, the single most repeated issue was that of price, hampered by suppliers, including ourselves, manufacturers and other third parties all chipping away directly at their market and effectively, their bottom line.

"It was an obvious and easy decision for us to ensure that we listened to and supported our industry in the best way possible, hence our move to now being an exclusive distributor to the trade.”

The company has invested in a revised website for exclusive use by distributors, with enhanced features to help customers win business.  In addition to the useful industry blogs, press releases and hints and tips information already widely followed and used by the industry, the site now also includes additional marketing tools for customers to directly access and download.

In addition, stock levels of key products including eco-bags have been significantly increased in an effort to help steady prices for customers, whilst ensuring swift and reliable turnaround of products.

Andy concludes: "Our hope, albeit with cautious optimism, is that we are beginning to see the tail end of this recession. There are already indications of resurgence in the popularity and use of promotional merchandise.

"Operating as an exclusive trade-only supplier is one of many business actions we can actively take to help our customers fully capitalise on this potential.”

Specialist promotional bag supplier Crazy: Bags has introduced a brand new concept to help up-grade the ever popular eco-bag.  Available exclusively for trade from stock, the long handled felt carrier adds a touch... Read More

Specialist promotional bag supplier Crazy: Bags has introduced a brand new concept to help up-grade the ever popular eco-bag.  Available exclusively for trade from stock, the long handled felt carrier adds a touch of luxury to the eco-promotional bag.

Made from 100% recycled PET, the soft felt bag, available in red, black and grey, is ideal for autumn/winter events and promotions.

"Jute and canvas bags tend to be the most popular products for winter months due to their size, durability and appropriateness for our British weather,” explains Andy Steavenson, managing director for trade-only supplier Crazy: Bags.

 "The new felt bags inject something fresh to the market, offering a high-end yet affordable alternative, with enhanced performance flexibility and design,” he continues. "The smooth, soft material doesn’t cause any friction or rubbing making it a desirable, practical and attractive reusable promotional tool.”

With immediate delivery on plain stock or 5-7 days for screen or transfer printed stock (from artwork approval) the 43 x 15 x 35cm felt bags are available for a MOQ of just 250 bags.  Additional information is available on the trade-only website at www.crazybags.co.uk or call the team for details on introductory offers and further details.

"It’s more or less impossible to comment on the state of our industry without raising the issue of cotton prices. ... Read More

"It’s more or less impossible to comment on the state of our industry without raising the issue of cotton prices.

"We’ve seen cotton values more than double in less than six months, with the price of cotton breaking through $2 a pound for the first time in March. Not a bad return when you consider that a pound of cotton was changing hands on the same exchange for 75 cents as little as six months ago [The Guardian; 17.02.11].

"The reasons for the hikes are well known. A heady combination of increased demand from China, poor global weather conditions, such as the flooding in Pakistan, and speculative buying on international commodity exchanges.

"But with oil and fuel prices on top, alarm bells rang throughout global governments due to the real threat these commodities pose to fueling inflation.

"How has this impacted on us? The acute awareness that people are also being hit by rises in petrol, heating and food prices focuses corporate and business attention back to budgets.

"And we all know what that means. Promo-merchandise if often lumped into the ‘disposable’ category, rather than being seen for what it is; a value for money, high return advertising and marketing tool as we proved in last month’s blog.

"But there is some good news! We have reacted early, substantially increasing our stocks of cotton products to over half a million in stock, in an effort to steady the price for our customers, whilst maintaining high stock levels for that special promotion.

"And that's not all. Many pundits claim that the surge in cotton prices is expected to entice more farmers into devoting acreage to cotton plantations. The National Cotton Council estimates an increase of 14% in all-cotton plantings in 2011, to 12.5 million acres. As a result, cotton prices may ease later in the year as the harvest comes through, however, speculative bidders may drive the price of cotton even higher in the short term.

"So it’s not all the doom and gloom; 2011 is shaping up to be a strong year for our industry. There are success stories out there, with many of our distributors telling us that they are having record enquiry levels and achieving ambitious targets.

"I don’t think we will be out of the woods, economically speaking, for many years to come. The UK’s monumental economic implode is going to take a good few years to clear up irrespective of what colour uniform the cleaners ware!

"We just need to do as we always do as an industry; remain resilient and determined and work hard to keep things fresh, exciting and moving forward." ... Close

Crazy:Bags adds new sizes to popular jute range Jute has been a staple promotional eco-bag... Read More

Crazy:Bags adds new sizes to popular jute range

Jute has been a staple promotional eco-bag for many years and thanks to leading stockist and distributor Crazy: Bags, it is likely to remain a firm favourite for many more. Completing the jute family, the larger midi jute bag sits alongside the large, medium, midi and jute shopper bags, all available from stock.

Andy Steavenson, director and founder of Crazy: Bags comments: "Our customers have had repeated requests for a larger midi jute bag. We have listened and responded by adding the larger midi jute bag, 6cm taller than the original midi, to our stock. This enables us to cater for all jute orders, from a single style to a range of jute products."

The new natural and sustainable jute fibre midi bag has all the same qualities and styles as the well known and popular midi jute. With an extra 6cm in height, it widens the flexibility of the midi range, extending promotional opportunities.

As with all the jute range, bags can be screen printed or embroidered with either a logo or message. Available with a minimum order of 100 bags, plain unprinted stock is available for next day delivery, or from seven-days from artwork approval.

Andy Steavenson, founder and director of Crazy: Bags explains: "By listening to our clients we can help them to react to market demand and meet their requests for larger bags. With the situation surrounding cotton prices, it is highly likely that the demand for affordable alternatives such as jute will increase.

"We have also substantially increased our stocks of cotton products with over half a million in stock, in an effort to steady the price for our customers, whilst maintaining high stock levels for that special promotion."

The 36x25x36cm larger midi bag is available from stock at the beginning of April. For more information or to request a sample call 01892 752 154 ... Close