MenKind Store 01Product-MontagePrezzyboxMenkind-Website-VisualMenKind Store 2Prezzybox-Website-Visual

GIFT UNIVERSE GROUP, AN EMPLOYEE OWNED COMPANY, IS ONE OF THE UK’S LEADING AND FASTEST GROWING OPERATORS IN THE GIFTS AND GADGETS INDUSTRY.

An end-to-end multi-channel business sourcing, developing and selling product in the novelty, gifting and gadget market.

The company began trading as Menkind opening the first store in 2002 and, over the next few years, established its position in the niche gadget and gifting retail sector.  The business has subsequently grown both organically and through a series of acquisitions and now has unrivalled reach into its market through retail stores nationwide, multiple ecommerce channels and wholesale distribution to some of the UK’s top retail brands.

In November 2022 Gift Universe transitioned to employee ownership with the majority of the business now owned by Gift Universe Group Trustee Ltd, for the benefit of all the employees.

The business will continue to be run on a commercial basis under the management of the directors of Gift Universe Group Ltd.

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Trading Brands

The one stop multi-channel retail destination for men’s gifts and gadgets. Currently trading through circa 50 retail stores around the UK, with an additional 20 pop-ups for Christmas, as well as online at www.menkind.co.uk and on Amazon marketplace.

The business has grown steadily, specialising in original gifts and gadgets that range from licensed merchandise to personalised items and tech.

With an in-house product development team Menkind is able to offer a host of exciting products designed with their customers in mind. Furthermore, thanks to its longstanding relationships with partners and suppliers, Menkind can count on being first to market, as well as offering a number of exclusive products.

www.menkind.co.uk

The Source Wholesale is our B2B wholesale division supplying our range of own brand and exclusive products to blue chip retailers, independents, attractions and gardens centres, primarily across the UK, with recent expansion into Europe and the United States.

As well as working with some of the biggest retailers on the UK high street we now supply 22 countries around the world, working with both retailers directly and key distribution partners.

In addition, The Source also operates a drop-ship service for Next, Debenhams.com and a number of other retailers.

www.thesourcewholesale.co.uk

Prezzybox is a well established pure-play female orientated brand in the gifting market, founded in 2000 and acquired by Gift Universe in June 2022.

The acquisition of Prezzybox provides Gift Universe with further opportunity to develop and grow our offering by extending our reach into the female gifting market, enabling us to continue to expand our customer base.

www.prezzybox.com

Product Brands

RED5

From drones to droids, gizmos to gadgets, the RED5 brand is one of assured quality.  Innovative and inventive. This constantly evolving range never stops pushing the boundaries of possibilities.

Ingenious

Think you’ve seen it all when it comes to imaginative, innovative and inspired ideas?  You’d better think again. Think better. Think ingenious.

Well Being

Sometimes its easy to forget that health is wealth.  Make sure you give your body and mind the attention they deserve with these relaxing and rewarding prosperity products.

Construct & Create

From solar to salt water powered and everything in between, this educational and eclectic mix of machines will be sure to keep you and your family entertained for eons.

#Winning

When it comes to providing the perfect products, we’re in pole position.  Take a look at the line-up and you’ll realise why our team is the strongest in the field.

RED5 Gaming

Up your game with the RED5 Gaming range. This collection of gaming tech puts a world of excitement and immersion at the tip of your mouse finger.

ANNUAL REPORT

Employee Ownership Trust Annual Stakeholders Report 2023

OUR HISTORY

  • 2001

    MenKind Founded

    Paul Kraftman

  • 2005

    RED5 Founded

    Jonathan Elvidge & Joth Baron

  • 2011

    Gadget Grotto Founded

  • 2015

    MenKind acquire RED5

  • 2016

    Gift Universe Group is born

PEOPLE

  • PAUL KRAFTMAN PAUL KRAFTMAN
    Chairman & Chief Executive

    Paul is an experienced retailer, having played a key role as Operations Director and then Managing Director in the development of the electrical retail chain, Tempo.

    In 2002 Paul founded Menkind with a single store in Uxbridge and has lead the business throughout its growth.

  • CHRIS WEEKS CGMA CHRIS WEEKS CGMA
    Chief Financial Officer

    A seasoned CFO, experienced at board level in a variety of organisations ranging from SME to Blue Chip. An accomplished strategic thinker, skilled in developing and implementing effective long-term strategies for businesses, combined with an established track record of creating value. Chris has delivered consistent, double-digit bottom-line growth in the businesses he works with.

  • Gary Wakeman Gary Wakeman
    Chief Commercial Officer

    Gary has over 20 years of retail experience & held several managerial positions at Allders Department stores before joining Menkind in 2005 as Merchandiser. In 2009 he was appointed director & is directly responsible for merchandise planning & promotional activity and plays a key role in buying, strategic development & forecasting.

  • Katie Baker FCA Katie Baker FCA
    Finance Director

    Katie qualified as a chartered accountant in 2008 whilst working for Menzies. After 8 years in practice specialising in audit she joined Safetykleen, a leading international parts-washing and waste management company, as Group Management Accountant at their European Head Office before joining Menkind in 2015 as Head of Finance.

  • Stacy Guest Stacy Guest
    Sales Director - The Source Wholesale

    Stacy has over 15 years’ experience in the wholesale/distribution sector and having worked for a number of key suppliers to the trade, in 2012 became a founding member of The Source Wholesale Ltd. Since The Source’s acquisition by Gift Universe Group in 2015 Stacy has been appointed Director for all the wholesale across the Group’s business.

  • James Kraftman James Kraftman
    Director of Ecommerce

    James has extensive experience in digital media and adtech, holding senior account management and sales positions, working with global media agencies and international brands across multiple sectors. He joined Lost Universe when it was founded during 2020 lockdown, leading the team from start up to a £3.5m revenue business in 2 years. He has recently been appointed to head the ecommerce team across the brand portfolio.

  • Rob Newman Rob Newman
    Director of Retail

    Rob has over 30 years retail experience, having started his career at Dixons

    Stores Group, followed by 8 years with Nokia as an area sales manager. Rob joined Gift Universe in 2015 and in May 2022 was promoted from Regional Manager to Head of Retail.

  • Employee Partners Employee Partners

    In November 2022 Gift Universe transitioned to an employee-owned business (EOT), putting its future success in the hands of its employees. As the Group is majority owned by the EOT, all employees have the opportunity to benefit from the long-term sustainability the structure brings.

     We believe it is important that employees share in the growth of the business and that we protect the jobs of all those who have worked so hard for Gift Universe.  The Group is still run as a commercial enterprise and the decision-making remains with senior management with respect to the operation of the business day-to-day.

    Staff Engagement

Core values

OUR MISSION

To provide a fantastic choice of affordable gifts for all kinds of people, so everyone can find a thoughtful present for any special occasion.
  • Informal and Professional

    Informal and Professional

    We don’t stand on ceremony, everyone is approachable, we all want to do our jobs well.

  • Inclusive

    Inclusive

    We welcome people with all kinds of differences, who like helping others.

  • Honest

    Honest

    We act with integrity; we are ethical and responsible.

  • Reliable

    Reliable

    We do what we say we do; we don’t let people down.

  • Collaborative

    Collaborative

    We value teamwork, we succeed together.

  • Respectful

    Respectful

    We treat everyone who buys from US and sells to Us how we want to be treated ourselves.

  • Resilient and Adaptable

    Resilient and Adaptable

    We embrace change, we respond to the unforeseen, we are fast.

  • Profitable

    Profitable

    We are a commercial business, we contribute to society, we reward ourselves, we grow.

PRESS

CHARITABLE DONATIONS

Over the past few years we’ve helped with some great causes; since 2016 we have made donations totalling £125,000 to our favourite charities.

More recently Gift Universe has become a member of The Retail Trust, a charity dedicated to the health and wellbeing of employees working in retail at all levels.

In addition, plans are underway to begin fundraising activities in our stores throughout September in support of the Alzheimer’s Society.

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Sustainability

As a responsible business, we are working hard to eliminate plastics and be carbon neutral by 2030.

So far, we have removed all plastic clam-pack packaging on the products we make ourselves. We are also aiming to eliminate 90% of non recyclable packaging from our own-brand products by the end of 2023, and we’re working with all of our suppliers to do the same across our whole product range as soon as possible.

We work with a refurbishment partner on returned items, who help us repair and renovate whatever we can, reselling them as clearly marked refurbished products. The products we can’t refurbish are broken down and we recycle as much as possible. We recycle all paper and cardboard waste from our offices and shipping operation, and we have processes in place that allow our customers return old batteries and electronic items to our stores.

CONTACT US

Gift Universe
The Atrium Business Centre,
Curtis Road,
Dorking,
Surrey,
United Kingdom,
RH4 1XA

[email protected]

0344 567 0710

OR

Drop us a line via the form below and we will get back to you.