Giftware will never fall out of demand, but that doesn’t mean that specific types of gift products won’t ebb and flow in popularity. Gift shop businesses must stay informed of the latest industry trends so that they can make smart wholesale buying decisions. Let’s take a look at the giftware trends you can expect to see in 2022.
Streamlined shopping experiences
Over recent years, there has been a dramatic rise in online shopping, and while physical shops have been back to operating as usual for some time now there is still a big demand for convenient, streamlined shopping experiences. Gift shop businesses will certainly benefit from creating an online store if they haven’t already; it will allow them to reach a much wider audience provided that they have the facilities available for shipping products all over the country.
While the desire for online shopping is unlikely to slow down, after being cooped up inside for so long consumers are excited to get out to physical stores. However, the convenience of online shopping is seeing an increased demand for a simpler and more streamlined shopping experience. By offering services like click and collect, free delivery and returns, and extended opening hours, gift shop businesses can appeal to consumers who desire total convenience.
It’s also important to consider your payment processes because shoppers are coming to expect a wider variety of options. Contactless payments are being expected as standard, but NFC payments – where customers pay via their phone, tablet or smartwatch – are also incredibly popular. Investing in contactless or NFC-compatible point of sale terminals will fulfil 2022 demands for streamlined and flexible payment methods.
Trending decorative accents in homeware
Over the last few years we have been spending more time at home than ever before and this has driven the urge to spruce up our living spaces. Many people are also adapting to hybrid working, and want to ensure their home workspaces are inviting and inspiring. Homeware gifts are therefore set to be incredibly popular in 2022, with decorative accents being in particularly high demand.
Small accessories like throws, cushions, rugs, figurines and picture frames are a simple and affordable way to freshen up a space. They make it possible to inject some new colour and texture into the home without the need to invest in new furniture or deal with the hassle of redecorating. By stocking these items you can satisfy customers looking for homeware gifts for others, or entice people into your store to find beautiful new items with which to decorate their own homes.
When it comes to style, the current homeware trend is for casual comfort. There’s an urge to make our living spaces feel cosy, inviting, relaxing and liveable, so look to stock home accessories that are practical and relatively neutral. By ensuring that your store has the right giftware that customers are looking for, you are sure to meet your customer’s needs and expectations.
Botanical scented candles
With the trend for cosy home comforts and home working, there’s high demand for home-fragrance products and candles are the most popular of these products. Consumers are willing to spend good money on high-quality candles that both look stylish and smell incredible. Now is certainly the time for any gift shop business to look for luxury wholesale candles to fulfil the demand.
When it comes to trends within the candle market, according to this Wholesale Candles Buying Guide by giftware company Widdop & Co, botanical scents are big. Laundry-like scents and sweet scents such as vanilla and gingerbread are on the decline. Instead, consumers are looking for fresh, herbal aromas which are invigorating and uplifting. Florals are popular too, particularly with the Boomer generation.
While in the past candles were popular primarily for decorative purposes, now it is scent that drives sales. Consumers are likely to invest in a large candle in a scent they love that will last and last, so consider increasing your stock of large wholesale candles and container candles, and in return cutting down on small votive candles and tealights.
Statement fashion accessories and comfy clothes
When it comes to fashion giftware, jewellery and handbags are big in 2022. The increase in home working and video meetings is seeing people prioritise style from the waist up and comfort from the waist down. This makes beautiful jewellery items, particularly statement earrings, incredibly popular. Jewellery never fails to be popular giftware for birthdays, anniversaries, Valentines Day, Mother’s Day and Christmas, so be sure to consider adding a stock of earrings or increasing your range of earrings in 2022.
Large handbags are another big trend in the fashion giftware market in 2022. This could be down to how we’re all beginning to socialise and travel more often. The demand is for practical, stylish and high-quality bags that are spacious enough to accommodate laptops, tablets, water bottles and other bulky items.
Despite the move towards more socialising, the trend for relatively casual clothing remains high. After spending so much time at home in 2020 and 2021, we’ve grown used to fashion that first and foremost offers comfort. Gift shop businesses that sell clothing should consider stocking high-quality casual wear as consumers gravitate towards luxurious comfort.
