MenKind Store 01MenKind Store 2Menkind-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

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
    Executive Chairman

    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.

  • Gary Wakeman Gary Wakeman
    Managing Director

    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 Height FCA Katie Height 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.

  • Chris Harrison Chris Harrison
    Director of Fulfilment & Systems

    With over 15 years of experience in stock control, logistics, and ERP systems, Chris has held key roles at Hobbycraft and T.J.X. Companies before joining Gift Universe in 2017. He was promoted to Head of Stock and Fulfilment in 2020 and is also responsible for Health & Safety compliance across the business.  Known for his hands-on approach and dedication to continuous improvement, Chris is passionate about streamlining fulfilment operations and delivering scalable solutions.

  • 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

Gift Universe Reports Record-Breaking Results as Profit Hits All-Time High

Gift retailer behind Menkind and wholesale brand The Source celebrates the most profitable year in company history and announces continued UK and European expansion plans Gift Universe, the retail and wholesale group behind leading gifting retailer Menkind and wholesale specialist The Source, has reported its strongest-ever financial performance, delivering a record turnover of £71 million Read the full article…

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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

Our Commitment to Sustainability

As a responsible business, we are committed to building a more sustainable future by aligning our efforts with the global goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

This commitment shapes our operations, from how we source products to how we serve our customers and manage our environmental footprint.

We’ve worked hard to improve the recyclability of our packaging, eliminating 90% of non-recyclable packaging from our own-brand products, including the complete removal of plastic clam packaging. We continue to work with all our suppliers to extend these improvements across our entire product range as quickly as possible.

We are committed to driving reuse, reducing waste, and promoting circularity across our operations. Through our partnership with a refurbishment specialist, returned items are repaired and resold as clearly marked refurbished products. Where refurbishment is not possible, items are responsibly dismantled, with materials recycled wherever feasible. We also donate old IT equipment, helping to extend product life and contribute to digital inclusion initiatives.

Across our business operations, we recycle all paper and cardboard waste from our offices and shipping activities. In addition to recycling, we are committed to using recycled materials wherever possible. This includes export cartons for our wholesale and ecommerce business and all in-store paper point-of-sale signage. 

To help customers recycle responsibly, we provide convenient in-store facilities for returning used batteries and electronic items, ensuring safe and sustainable disposal.

While these are only some of the steps we’re taking, our journey toward sustainability is ever-evolving. As the world around us changes, so too does our commitment to reducing our environmental impact and creating a more sustainable future.

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.