A Look Back at 2021 T

he year 2021 saw a variety of retail stores offering everything from apparel to edible gifts. And, along with merchandising trends, retail also took on strategy changes to accommodate pandemic protocols and safety.

In the Apparel category, a return to buying fashion items was pivotal over the course of 2021, as the nation began to reopen and the tendency to look for stay-at-home items like cozy sweats and leggings dissipated. This was especially true when it came to children’s apparel. According to Kate Tanner , owner of Kidstop in Scottsdale, Ariz., “I was pretty nervous because baby clothing was getting crushed by COVID-19, but it has come back.” In adult clothing, boutique shops saw an uptick in colorful and vibrant clothing styles. At West of Camden, in San Diego, Calif., Owner Lindsey Lamoureux revealed, “People want something colorful and different” this year. Unusual items were also big sellers, rather than the more standard items that shoppers could find from big box retailers online. At Green Monkey, a stylish boutique located in Tucson, Ariz., Manager Dominique Maciulla reported that “People like to find unique styles, and along with that, we are also getting a lot of snowbirds ready to pack up for the summer. They’re looking for a piece of Tucson to take with them when they leave.” Active wear was also a big trend as the nation began to return to life – particularly outdoor life. At Lake Life Tsunami Surf and Reef, in Murrells Inlet, S.C., Owner Oren Zohar said, “Men’s and women’s swimsuits both fly out the door. In apparel everything from men’s T-shirts to women’s sundresses sell strongly.” At Divers Direct in Key Largo, Fla., General Manager Brenda Kiffmeyer related that the store’s best-sellers in apparel included a wide variety of brands and styles. “Anything that isn’t nailed down just moves quickly, ever since COVID-19 restrictions. Swimwear, board shorts, and rash guards sell the best.”

Jewelry saw a variety of changes this year. As people reemerged from both self-imposed and health-safety restrictions, jewelry purchasing saw an uptick. And unique styling was an essential draw. At the Heart & Hand Boutique in Ashland, Ore., Owner and Designer Elise Peters noted that “…people seem to be really loving simple things, single drop styles. For example, people want something like a pearl on a silk cord that almost looks invisible on the skin. It appears the gem is hanging invisibly on the neck. It’s a very understated look for women of all ages...”

Gemstone based and other natural and handcrafted jewelry was also more popular. According to Vicki Singer , owner of Folkways in Eugene, Ore., “We see a lot of interest in natural gemstones as well as in sterling silver items. People are looking for real items overall, there’s very little interest in costume jewelry of any kind.” Singer also noted a “growing interest in things that are made by hand, authentic things.”

Personal care products continue to climb in popularity, fueled by the pandemic safer-at-home. Top sellers focused on natural scents and handmade products. As was true with jewelry sales, the emphasis was on quality and uniqueness, and in the case of personal care items, the natural. In Tucson, Ariz., at Rustic Candles, Sales Associate Alexis Ho , speaking for Owner Monica Cota, said the shop’s best-selling handmade soaps and candles included elements such as “flower parts, or coffee grounds, salt, sugar.”

Toys that took off in 2021 ran the gamut from educational play to toys that focused on outdoor activities, both categories’ popularity a reaction to the pandemic, and the need to keep kids entertained, supplementing what was in many states still-online schooling programs.

At Toys N’ More in Reno, Nev., Owner Stefanie Forgie noted in May that “Parents right now really need to be keeping children entertained whether the kids are home-schooled or just due to other changes from the pandemic. …The number one request right now is for outdoor toys. They’re looking for motorized vehicles, sand toys and things to experience nature or explore it.”

In Sedona, Ariz., Jennifer Williams , owner of Sedona Kids Company concurred on the need for educationally stimulating toy items. Family activity games were also a hit. “A lot of educational toys do well, especially with home-schooling or distance learning, they’re a bit more appealing. We sell a lot of STEM related projects. Family games also do well, and of course that too is related to people being at home more.”

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