3 minute read
Message from the Editor
p 6
Message from the Editor
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The nights are drawing in, and winter is on its way, which means the gift industry is gearing up for its busiest period. Halloween is coming soon, followed shortly by Bonfire Night, and ten days later it’s Black Friday and Cyber Weekend which, in recent years, have marked the peak of the Christmas shopping season.
But according to eBay Ads UK’s annual Christmas Spend Trends report, the impact of inflation means consumers are prioritising value for money this year and are planning to be more organised. The research, which surveyed 2,010 UK consumers, found that a third of them were aiming to start their Christmas shopping earlier than last year. Three in ten (30%) said they intend to buy functional gifts and almost a quarter (23%) will buy essential items for presents, suggesting a preference for gifts that are useful at a time when many Brits are struggling to afford everyday items.
Speaking to indies for our Retailers’ Panel, it certainly seems that shoppers have started their Christmas gift purchasing much sooner than usual. Another common theme is that in the face of cost-of-living pressures, consumers are being more cautious.
Corinne Taylor, director of Inside Paradise at Nantwich in Cheshire, has noticed that people are “definitely starting to think about Christmas and buying earlier to spread the cost. They are not as impulsive, and sometimes need time to think about products - and hopefully come back and buy! The key is to offer as much information as possible,” she says.
Jen Wells and Sarah Killick, directors of A Little Mooch at Allestree in Derby, also predict that this period of economic uncertainty may influence spending. They believe people will still want to buy gifts, “just maybe at not as high a price. Or they may even club together to buy one bigger gift with others. So we will continue to ensure that we have something for all budgets”.
Our columnist Elaine Hooper, co-founder and director of Retail Consulting100, agrees. More so than ever, shoppers will be very conscious of budgets this Christmas, she says, so retailers need to find ways to ensure customers feel inspired and reassured that they have bought the perfect gifts that recipients will love.
In this issue, you will find plenty of tips and tactics to help you grow sales in the Golden Quarter. For example, Elaine suggests that with the increase in energy prices, people may be turning down the thermostat. So a theme of ‘Beat The Chill’ may be evident this winter. But, she stresses, such gifting doesn’t need to be boring. Think weighted blankets, beautiful knitted bed socks (or kits to knit your own), spa bath robes, and gorgeous cosy slippers.
Her view is confirmed by members of our Trade Talk panel. Joe Davies managing director Paul Hooker says there is already a huge demand for his company’s snoozies! super soft fleece lined slippers, which are selling well and are starting to repeat already, and he predicts Joe Davies’ Hoodzie oversized fleece blankets will sell out.
Meanwhile, Personalised Memento Company sales and marketing director Keren Dicken expects to see a rise in the firm’s personalised LED gifts such as lanterns, candles and glass jars “as these create a cosy atmosphere while not using any electricity, when the weather turns colder”.
Ashleigh & Burwood managing director Andrew Nettleton adds: “As we’re facing a winter that may feel more gloomy than usual, it seems likely that candles - as well as many other products that improve home ambience and provide cheer - will be among the strongest performers for retailers.”
So, how is trading for you with the current economic state-of-play - and how are you preparing to reap the benefits of the peak season? I’d love to hear your views. If you’d like to share your story, please get in touch at clare@ lemapublishing.co.uk or connect with me on LinkedIn. I look forward to hearing from you.
Clare Turner, Editor clare@lemapublishing.co.uk
