Craft Retail Group Announces President of Create and Craft USA
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., April 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Craft Retail Group, part of Ideal Shopping Direct, a UK based leading multi-channel retail company, is delighted to have today announced that Ray Shelgosh has been appointed President of its Michigan based US operation, Create and Craft USA.
In making the announcement, Tony Sheridan, Managing Director, Craft Retail Group said:
"We have successfully launched our US craft business, reaching our committed US crafters through our website, www.createandcraft.com, our partnership with a major crafts retailer and our unique 24/7 craft TV Shopping channel. Ray is now joining us to lead the business through the next phase of its exciting growth."
Mr. Sheridan added, "I am delighted Ray is joining the team. He has 30 years' experience in the crafting market, including the last nine years responsible for sales and new business development at Notions Marketing, the world's leading craft distribution company. Ray brings a wealth of expertise which complements and supports Create and Craft's immediate and future expansion strategies in the United States."
On his appointment Mr. Shelgosh said, "I began my collaboration with Ideal Shopping some years ago, and since that time I have always been enthusiastic about the incredible potential that their consumer strategies have in the U.S. Joining their team and actually being a part of their journey in America is an exceptional opportunity in a $30 billion crafting market where digital and e-commerce is still in its infancy, and I'm very excited about the future."
Create and Craft's mission statement is: "Togetherness, Inspiration and Creativity." In December 2014 the network began broadcasting in the US, into approximately 50 million homes, via DirecTV channels 85 and 222, Dish Network channel 221 and on Roku. Programming can also be watched 24 hours a day at www.createandcraft.com and the App. Create and Craft also extends its inspiration via its education portal, Craft Academy.
About Ideal Shopping Direct: ISD is a leading Multi-Channel retail group based in the U.K. and operates a number of specialist TV and eCommerce companies. It sources, designs and sells products that benefit from education and demonstration to inspire customers to buy. Ideal Shopping Direct is currently owned by Inflexion Private Equity, who acquired the business in 2011.
About Craft Retail Group: Craft Retail Group is one of the leading businesses in the crafts market, bringing a huge range of new and innovative products to the hobbyist and enthusiast crafter alike. CRG uses our product design and sourcing expertise to bring the latest crafting products and trends to the market. CRG talks to our customers through content rich, presenter-led demonstrations on TV to educate and inspire customers, and they become part of our community through our e-commerce platforms, our Craft Club and our social media activities.
CRG operates Create and Craft TV and Craft Extra TV, broadcast 24hrs a day in the UK on Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media and Freesat platforms. Create and Craft US broadcasts Via DirecTV , Dish Network and Roku. Our eCommerce platforms include createandcraft.tv, createandcraft.com, deramores.com, sew.co.uk and Cakecrafting.co.uk. With offices in China, United States and the UK, CRGs in-house product development company, Ideal Sourcing, creates unique and exclusive products for our customers and 3rd party partners.
SOURCE Craft Retail Group
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