{"id":3330,"date":"2013-09-02T11:00:28","date_gmt":"2013-09-02T10:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.blueeyedsun.co.uk\/blog\/?p=3330"},"modified":"2014-04-09T22:16:57","modified_gmt":"2014-04-09T21:16:57","slug":"uk-greeting-card-stationery-and-gift-market-trends-2013","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.blueeyedsun.co.uk\/blog\/uk-greeting-card-stationery-and-gift-market-trends-2013\/","title":{"rendered":"UK Greeting Card, Stationery and Gift Market Trends"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\t\"Greeting<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tBelow are the slides from recent my talk at Autumn Fair on greeting card, stationery and gift market trends.\n<\/p>\n

\n\tClick here for details of my forthcoming talk on card & gift trends at Spring Fair 2014<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tThe key take away points from my talk are summarised below:<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tHandmade, crafting and up cycling all remain strong trends and this is likely to continue until the economy starts to improve. I think this is because people have had to get creative with what they are restricting their expenditure because of uncertainty over the economy. Knitting, crafting and stamp booking are all rising in popularity in the UK. Fuelled also by of our interest in looking after the planet by reducing, reusing and recycling.\n<\/p>\n

\n\tSentiment has grown stronger and is very creative at the moment. Clever use of language and humour on text based cards, gifts and stationery continues to grow. I believe this is because we all want to feel more connected during more difficult times. Humour and loving messages on our gifts and cards help us to do this.\n<\/p>\n

\n\tWe are also spending more time together looking back. So nostalgia, particularly vintage and retro, ranging from the 1920's through to the 1980's is doing well.\n<\/p>\n

\n\tNature is also a very strong trend. Perhaps as we get back to basics and what is really important we are thinking more about the world around us. British woodland creatures are doing well. One of the big trends this year has ben owls which have been selling really well in cards and gifts . Foxes are going to be stepping into the limelight in the coming months and are set to be big next year.\n<\/p>\n

\n\tBritish made and ethically sourced gift and stationery items has been one of the continuing current trends. The jubilee and the Olympics last year saw a huge British revival and our confidence on the world stage continues with Andy Murray winning Wimbledon and the US Open this year, Chris Froome winning the Tour de France (after Bradley Wiggin's win last year) and the English cricket team winning the ashes. The Commonwealth Games are being held in Glasgow in 2014, so we should continue to ride this wave of revived British pride.\n<\/p>\n

\n\tBig events have been recognised as key drivers for retail sales. The birth of baby George has been key to growing baby product sales and forthcoming events like the 50th Dr Who Anniversary, World War I Centenary, the World Cup Football and the Commonwealth games will all offer opportunities for retailers. If you'd like to read more about key buying events and buying patterns click here.<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tFinally, one of the key observations to make regarding trends and how to improve your retail business is to pay attention to your customers needs and target them well. You can be as on trend as you like with your buying, but it the products are not priced and positioned well in your store you will not reap the benefits. Moreover, if your staff are not well trained and not focussed on making your customer's buying experience as pleasurable as possible your business will suffer as a result.\n<\/p>\n

\n\t6 Ways that you can track UK Gift, Stationery and Greeting Card Trends<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tRead about <\/a>retailers' changing approach to seasonal buying by clicking here<\/a>.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tClick here for details of my forthcoming talk on card & gift trends at Spring Fair 2014<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

\n\t