Articles & Awards
29th October 2009
We've Been Shortlisted the Golden Spider Awards! 2009
We're delighted to have been Shortlisted for the:
Golden Spider Awards 2009
Best e-business Website (exclusive web business) http://www.goldenspiders.ie/categories.php
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Lulu O Sullivan On TV3 Midday Programme
19th June 2009-06-19
Our MD Lulu appeared today on TV3’s Midday show to discuss the upcoming occasion of Father’s Day on Sunday 21st June.
Link To The Feed of the Programme: http://www.tv3.ie/shows.php?request=midday
Lulu discussed the history of Fathers day – not a “Hallmark” occasion as many may think but in fact began in 1900’s when a grateful daughter wanted to express her deep appreciation for her own father William Smart, a civil war veteran, was widowed when his wife died in childbirth. Mr. Smart raised his six children on a rural farm in eastern Washington State. When one of Mr. Smart's children Sonora Louise Smart Dodd, one of Mr. Smart's children, was grown she wanted to show her appreciation for her father. He had shown her a great love and strength in raising her and her siblings as a single parent. So, in 1909, she proposed a day to honor her father in June (the month of her father's birth).
The very first Fathers' Day followed on June 19, 1910 in Spokane, Washington. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge showed support of this becoming a national holiday. However, it wasn't until 1966 when President Lyndon Johnson officially proclaimed Fathers' Day a national holiday to be celebrated on the 3rd Sunday of June.
Our new brochure Click Here was also featured on the show which includes a huge range of Father’s Gifts, and Gifts for Men for Birthdays Gifts For Him & other occasions starting from 25 Euro to over 300 Euro!
Our most popular Gifts this year have by far been the Flying Lessons literally “Flying” out, plus Wine Appreciation Gifts, Cooking Courses, Tank driving & other Experience Activity days which are available either by post or email to ensure last minute orders can be catered for!
Also Appearing on the Show Today:
Aidan Bishop - Comedian - www.theinternationalcomedyclub.com
Don Morgan - Journalist - Irish Times
Ken Foy - Crime Correspondant - Star Sunday
And Our Very Own:
Lulu O'Sullivan - MD www.Giftsdirect.com
Awarded with "Best Online Exporter"! 30th October 2008
The Irish Internet Association & Enterprise Ireland hosted the annual Net Visionary Awards at the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham on Thursday evening.
I had been short listed for a category & I was overwhelmed and honoured to receive the award for "Best Online Exporter" 2008 for our worldwide gift delivery service. We have now placed it beside our award for 2007 of "Internet Entrepreneur 2007". I am just delighted with both achievements.
Many thanks to all our loyal customers who voted for me, I'm truly grateful for your support. And also the amazing staff, family and friends who have all contributed with the growth and success of GiftsDirect.com
And finally thank you to the IIA for the wonderful evening, the venue was beautiful, well done, the events sponsors and to our host Realex.
Lulu O’Sullivan appeared on the Pat Kenny Morning Radio Show on Tuesday 16th September 08.
Today Lulu met with Pat Kenny and guests on his morning show on RTÉ 1 Radio where she was interviewed on how businesses have been affected with the recent recession in Ireland and tips on what others can do during these challenging times . Lulu spoke to Pat about how 4giftsdirect.com was set up 21yrs ago during a recession, initially delivering teddy bears but now through careful management has grown into Irelands largest gift delivery company, delivering hampers, wine, Chocolates & Gadgets worldwide. Lulu said keeping a close eye on the overall business and stopping areas in the business which are non-profitable was essential . Having weathered the storms of the recession in the 1980’s Lulu described how the lessons she has learned in her 21 years of business have helped bring strength and stability to 4giftsdirect.com. The company retains a firm grasp of its core values, identity and philosophy which has enabled 4giftsdirect.com to remain the leader in the Irish gift market.
RTÉ Website
Article From: New Ross Echo
PR Article from our Archives
Publication: New Ross Echo
8th December 1999
Bewley's Hampers to give away
Bewley's Hampers are delighted to introduce their new exciting and imaginative range of Millennium Hampers and gift boxes that capture the spirit of giving through the ages. Each hamper and gift box is individually themed, reflecting an inspiring era in history and offering an ideal way to celebrate the Millennium or to thank a client or colleague in a special way on this once-in-a-lifetime occasion.
Each Bewley's Millennium Hamper is brimming with a collection of gourmet Irish foods and fine international wines. Reflecting the magic of the new Millennium, Bewley's Hampers, also contain a number of special gifts such as John Rocha's special champagne flutes, the finest-vintage champagnes, silverware and Rathbourns Millennium candles.
Due to the phenomenal demand and success of Bewley's Hampers overseas, the company has developed a special range of Millennium Hampers and gift boxes aimed at the UK and US markets.
The Millennium Gourmet Hampers include the highest quality Irish products and foods. Managing Director of Bewley's Hampers, Louise O'Sullivan and her management team have searched the country for the finest quality Irish, products - from Festive Relish by Lios na Grai, to Bay Lough Irish Farmhouse Cheese from Tipperary and of course each hamper includes the very best of Bewley's products. Bewley's Millennium Gourmet Hampers range in price from £22 (excluding VAT) for the "Victorian", containing a traditional Irish Tea Cake by Bewley's, Christmas Morning Marmalade, Bewley's Peppermint creams and a bottle of Hardy's Chenin Blanc Semilion Chardonnay, to the "Renaissance" at £119 (excluding VAT), one of the companies best sellers. In addition, this year Bewley's Hampers have designed a majestic "Millennium Hamper", a visual feast encapsulating all that is best in Irish food and international wines at £2,000 (excluding VAT) which also contains £1,000 worth of holiday vouchers.
The Echo has a number of Bewleys Hampers worth £25 to give away. If you know the answer to the following question, please send your reply to any Echo office..
Who is the Managing Director of Bewley's Hampers?
Article From: In Dublin
PR Article from our Archives
Publication: In Dublin
2nd December 1999
BEWLEY'S seem to be making another push to bring in the Grafton Street hordes.
Last month saw the flagship store go Oriental, in the spirit of it's original design, with much of the lower entrance foyer devoted to selling a range of minimalistically presented Asian delicacies. There's strawberry jam, pickled onions, lime marmalade and apple chutney in black-and-white labeled jars as well as the more Orientally flavoured ginger chutney with sea salt and wok oil in oddly shaped bottles.
Bewley's have also expanded its giftware line, with mobiles and windchimes taking up shelf space next to the usual array of coffee and teapots. Christmas is another marketing opportunity not to be missed, with the Bewley's range of truffles, Irish coffee, fudge and Guinness toffees on show. There's also a large range of hampers made up for Christmas, ranging from The Victorian, with a bottle of Hardy's Banrock Station Chenin Blanc Semilion Chardonnay, traditional Irish tea cake, Christmas morning marmalade by Lios na Grai and peppermint creams presented in a wicker basket for £26.50 plus VAT, right up to the mother of all hampers, the £409 Imperial, which could keep you happy for the whole winter let alone Christmas Day. Bewley's have also given their Make A Night of It dinner specials a festive flavour with a special Christmas Night Out package, including a meal and entertainment, available this month for £35 a head. The evening begins with pro-dinner drinks at 7pm, with dinner served in the Harry Clarke Room from 8pm, accompanied by live music. A modern dance show gets underway when dessert is sprved and more food follows the headline act at lOpm when mince pies, tea and coffee is served. Given the night is designed for large groups, the menu is suprisingly extravagent. Starters include winter chestnut and forest mushroom soup, seasoned game terrine and smoked salmon rosette, with Christmas roulade of turkey and ham as a main or grilled lemon and sole fillet. Desserts such as Christmas pudding, hazlenut and chocolate parfait and warm tart-tatin with cinnamon sauce complete the meal.
Article From: In Dublin
Article From lrish Independent 06.03.06
By Pat Boyle
At the Ulster Bank Business Achievers Award presentation were David Pierce, head of marketing and inward investment Ulster Bank, and Lulu O'Sullivan, managing director, giftsdirect.com
With its increased availability the internet is finally making an impact on the daily lives of consumers.
The latest winner of the Ulster Bank Invoice Finance/lrish Independent Business Achievers Awards, giftsdirect.com, is taking full advantage.
Founding managing director Lulu O'Sullivan set-up what is now Ireland's leading mail order company in 1988 delivering a vast range of over 200 different types of product from gifts and gadgets to kitchen ware to exercise equipment.
Based in Glasnevin, giftsdirect.com is an ISO9002 quality assured company, which employs 30 full-time staff and up to 100 in peak season.
They deal with requests from customers who have ordered from one of its many catalogues or via the internet.
Orders can be delivered to the door anywhere around the world. Delivery times vary between 36 a 48 hours within Ireland and Europe, while it promises same day delivery within the Dublin area.
Ms O'Sullivan traces the success back to 1995 when she won the licence to sell Bewley's Hampers, a business which over the following seven years she grew by over l000pc.
She realised the potential of the internet for the mail order business, and had the foresight to establish on of the country’s first online shopping sites.
Today the award winning giftsdirect.com site generates 25pc of the company’s annual sales.
In 2006 the company will produce some 5m mail order catalogues, putting it at the forefront of the Irish direct selling industry.
Its growth rates are impressive.
"We achieved a 30pc growth in sales last year "The growth was achieved by supplying the finest quality products, value for money, while ensuring our customers get to experience the joys of shopping from the comfort of their home or office."
Ms O’Sullivan said.
She says there is smething to celebrate, from births to retirements, personal or corporate or simply to say you are sorry.
