Posts

David's AW News: Temu, Surfing & Success

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 Yes, I'm working this morning from what we call the beach office. Raul came over from Kuala Lumpur and this week we have been working closely with the development team here to bring some really useful functionality to our Fulfilment and Dropshipping websites . Looking out of the window I can see some serious surf rolling in. And inside the team of developers and digital marketing guys heads down "surfing" the online world to connect AW to the world. Temu and Shen are in the news these days.. and finally for the right reasons. The tax loopholes they have exploited are being closed step by step... And this could be great news for the gift traders of UK and Europe.. I have Raul and the team here focused on how we can  help our valuable customers (that's you!)  grab your share of the multi-billion gap in the market that will appear if what I think will happen - happens.   Last week I was telling you about our hard-working warehouse team here in Bali.. behin...

David's AW News: More behind the scenes.

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Greetings from the Island of the Gods. It's not a good time to be a tourist in Bali.. it's raining everyday and sometimes huge electric storms with crackling thunder so loud the windows shake. It was Chinese New Year this week, and the locals like to celebrate this, as they do across all of SouthEast Asia, with fireworks and dancing dragons. But the stormy weather put a bit of a dampener on it.. at least three locals told me that wet weather at Chinese New Year is normal, every year like this.. I said how can that be? Because CNY changes date quite a lot can be upto 14 days different.   This year is very early. I'm reliably informed (by several locals) that the more it rains in CNY, the better and more prosperous the coming year will be. I was in central Denpasar with Ringo yesterday and the whole town around the market area was decorated with red lanterns.. Happy Year of the Snake Guys.. whatever that might mean.. lets hope it's good. Last week I was telling yo...

David's AW News: Behind the scenes / SOL

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Greetings again from the AW Warehouse in Bali. Ringo and his team are working so well, they are crushing it like never before (as Pres Trump would say).. another container shipped every week almost. One just despatched to Slovakia, and in a couple of days another to the UK. A container holds about 69 cubic, and everyday the team tot up how much cubic they have packed into cartons ready to despatch. Ringo can tell me exactly how many cubic we have packed for UK, Spain or Slovakia at the end of every day. When we get to about 60 cubic meters he starts asking EU offices to book a container. We have two young girls in the "accounts" department who not only keep track of the money but chase up artisans reminding them to get orders finished and delivered to the warehouse. They also organise the barcodes and hangtags providing everyday what the packing team needs.  Nuru, Ari are AW heroes of the week. Working together with Ringo (big boss) and Made (who looks after all the expor...

David's AW News: Back to Bali / Top Picks

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Greetings from the AW warehouse in Ketewel, Bali Our pet love birds.. remind me of something beginning with "V". See below for my personal top picks. I just arrived. On Wednesday  I took Turkish airways from Malaga to Istanbul arriving at 7pm then at 2am (Thursday)  took a 12 hour night flight to Denpasar, Bali. Arriving because of the time difference 7pm Thursday evening.. Ringo and Bondhan were waiting as usual at the arrivals and escorted me to the villa - on the way giving me a full debrief on what's been happening. I slept immediately..  because I didn't sleep much on the flight, it was full of families with excited small children running about. Then wake up excited to get to work.. but first things first. Last week I was telling you my very positive plans on thinking big in 2025 without asking Mr AI.. if you missed it you can catch up here . But first things first in Bali.. before work it's time for breakfast. And Ringo likes to prepare a real Indonesian tr...

David's AW News: THINK BIG (no AI)

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Greetings from Spain It's a little chilly here but pretty damn cold in the UK and the poor guys in the Sheffield warehouse, (which is too big to heat), are AW Heros working under extreme conditions. Even so they are managing the current busy patch very well and getting your orders out in a timely fashion. Well done guys and gals. Last week I was delivering a personal New Year message, basically a little rant and reality check: If you missed it you can catch up here . I mentioned TEMU and SHEIN undermining the gift trade in general, and it seemed to have struck a chord, quite a few people messaged me about that. More ideas on how to fight that below. And it is time to think BIG, think POSITIVE and think OUTSIDE the BOX..  But first I have to mention that we have been short-listed for Gift of the Year in three categories..Very exciting for our talented designers. We are crossing our fingers I definitely think all three should win.. but then I might be a tad biased!  In 2024 - ou...

David's AW News: A Personal Message for 2025

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Greetings and a Very Happy New Year from a bright sunny Spain. All the other wholesalers are sending you bright and breezy new year messages... but at AW Artisan let's just for a second face reality. Well here we are, it's 2025. Is that really already a quarter of the way through this century?  You know it seems the world is full of problems, bad news and depressing things seem to surround us. Who the heck knows what the year ahead will bring? For sure though we are all going to face business challenges especially as the increase in National insurance and ever increasing costs bite.  Pesky companies like Temu and Shein continue to steal trade from under our noses. Compliance and regulations complicate and cause unnecessary drag..  Sometimes in Business it just seems like hard work.  Sorry to depress you.   Friends, one thing is true and remains true. If you don't face the future with Bright Optimism and Positive thinking then you have already failed. ...

David's AW News: Christmas Greetings!

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  Merry Christmas and Greetings from Trnava, Slovakia Yes it's Christmas-time! Hope you are having a wonderful time of year and Christmas spirit is flowing. In the UK and Slovakia this is our final day of work. In Spain they have it slightly different.. so are still working. Last week I was in AW HQ in Sheffield, and telling you about some surprises and secrets.. if you missed it you can catch up here . On Saturday we had an amazing AW Christmas party with the best singer and much fun was had by all.. we had speeches and danced into the night. On my last day at AW HQ.. we had a bit of extreme weather.. strong winds and rushing clouds.. then the sky cleared and a beautiful rainbow.. this is the view from the office. It made me think.. it's 2025 soon and that feels promising. A rainbow is the symbol of a better future. Hope and new beginnings. So sending you best wishes and the hope of better times ahead. Yesterday morning, Philip (Katka's husband) kindly drove Ka...