Retail panel

Talking shop

As we move into a busier buying season, two leading retailers – AMARA and John Lewis – tell us what their customers are buying (think coloured tableware and relaxed dining)…

Sam Hood

Co-founder and chief creative officer, AMARA.com

What are your customers looking for from their tableware at the moment?

We’ve definitely seen more interest in colourful tableware and our customers are certainly not pattern averse, they’re “Brands embracing design and even texture.

are offering Have you noticed a trend more bread towards any particular style plates of dining?

and, more Brands are offering more bread recently, plates and, more recently, we’re seeing canape plates come to we’re seeing the market which our customers canape are loving. People are definitely enjoying the ‘small plates’ food trend plates at home.

come to the Have you encountered any market” issues sourcing stock?

Certainly. With the continuation of the issues we had during the pandemic as well as issues that derive from Brexit, the impact has been significant.

What sells best for you – local or international brands?

We have always sold international brands, which I would say still are our most popular. However, we sell UK based brands too, and we are always looking to find new brands to partner with.

Have you noticed an uptake in bridal registries this season?

Although we don’t offer a bridal registry ourselves, we do work with The Wedding Shop as a recommendation to our customers.

Is pre-packaged gift-ready tableware a seller for you/ attractive to customers?

Very little of our offering comes in gift packaging, but we do offer a gift-wrapping service on most of our products.

Nicola Hattersley

Category lead tabletop, John Lewis

What are your customers looking for from their tableware at the moment?

It is all about coloured glaze rather than pattern. Although white tableware still provides the core foundation, customers are becoming bolder in their choices and we are seeing customers mixing and matching across ranges.

“I think that there is scope for brands to think about this more in how they can develop gift Have you noticed a trend towards any particular style of dining? solutions within their ranges”

Dining is definitely more relaxed and casual than before. It is all about sharing, and so bold serve bowls and platters continue to be popular, but we are also selling huge volume in smaller bowls for nibbles and dips.

Have you encountered any issues sourcing stock?

We are not encountering issues with actual manufacturing but the transportation of goods especially trailers in Europe has caused issues.

What sells best for you – local or international brands?

Our John Lewis own brand ranges are our biggest sellers and then it is well established brands in the UK, such as Denby who we work closely with and that customers trust that are performing well.

Have you noticed an uptake in bridal registries this season?

We no longer have a bridal gift list but we have seen high demand for Mr and Mrs mug sets showing that there are an abundance of weddings happening this year.

Is pre-packaged gift-ready tableware a seller for you/ attractive to customers?

This is a focus for us only at Christmas time when we see the demand and we develop a number of ranges that are gift boxed to inspire consumers. I think that there is scope for brands to think about this more in how they can develop gift solutions within their ranges.