Voyado, the Swedish retail technology platform, has unveiled new research into UK consumer spending habits, revealing a strong preference for in-store shopping across the UK's leading retail brands.
The study, which surveyed 2,000 UK consumers, highlights the continued appeal of physical stores, even with a flourishing e-commerce landscape.
According to the research, John Lewis and Next are among the few retailers where online preference exists, with 17 percent of consumers opting for digital shopping. At Marks & Spencer, 45 percent of shoppers prefer in-store visits, while UK supermarket clothing brands F&F Clothing from Tesco (50 percent) and George at ASDA (42 percent) see significantly more engagement in physical retail spaces than online.
Posted: 8 April 2025
Independent retailers will stock more adventure-inspired accessories, opulent vintage pieces, natural goods and playful nostalgic items this year, according to the 2025 forecast from online wholesale marketplace Faire.
Faire's newly-released report examined thousands of product searches from the independent retailers using the platform across the world to identify the products that are expected to see a surge in demand in 2025 and the four consumer trends behind their growing appeal:
Victorian noir
It found a growing appetite for bold, indulgent décor and accessories among Faire's retailers, influenced by period dramas and the rejection of pared-back minimalism, was contributing to a rise in searches for shop owners looking for 'burgundy', 'mirrors', and 'brocade' on the platform.
Posted: 31 March 2025
Annual figures released by the British Toy & Hobby Association (BTHA) and Circana, have revealed that toys under £15 continue to rise in popularity in today's challenging economic climate.
Officially unveiled at Toy Fair at Olympia London, the latest statistics show that 47 percent of the UK toy market in 2024 was dominated by sales under £15, which equated to 80 percent units overall. Meanwhile, Pocket Money toys costing less than £10 took up 28 percent of market share.
These are predominantly made up of classic lines like Paw Patrol Vehicles and Pup from Spin Master Toys, Dobble from Asmodee, and Sea Monkeys from Bandai. The increasing popularity of Collectibles was important for driving sales of Pocket Money toys throughout the year, with the overall Collectibles sector generating 1 in 5 toy sales last year, with an average price of £7.59.
Posted: 24 March 2025
As the June 2025 deadline for the European Accessibility Act approaches, Nexer Digital has launched a new campaign, I Matter Too, to raise awareness about the importance of inclusive online experiences.
The campaign aims to encourage online retailers to act now and embrace digital accessibility as a core part of their strategy, not just to meet legal requirements but to go beyond compliance and deliver true inclusivity.
I Matter Too sheds light on the barriers faced by people with disabilities in accessing digital services, apps, and platforms, tools that have become essential to daily life.
The campaign video, central to the initiative, highlights real stories from individuals who have struggled with inaccessible technologies and services.
Posted: 17 March 2025
British walking stick specialist Classic Canes has announced a forthcoming change of ownership. From 1st June 2025, Classic Canes will be owned by its long-term supplier, Gastrock of Germany.
Classic Canes' managing director and co-owner Charlotte Gillan said, "My parents and I are delighted to have accepted an offer for Classic Canes from our long-term suppliers and close personal friends, the Gastrock family of Germany. Hans and Elke Gastrock and their children, Peter and Sara, share our commitment to excellence in design and quality and they are the perfect people to supply our customers in Great Britain and beyond."
Gastrock was established in 1868 and has passed through many generations of the same family. The company manufactures high quality wooden walking sticks in Germany to this day and is also an established international wholesaler.
Posted: 4 March 2025
This year marks a significant milestone as The English Soap Company's parent company celebrates 25 years of soap making.
The English Soap Company celebrates this momentous occasion, having grown into a business admired for being family-run and its dedication to quality, sustainability, and beautiful design.
What began with a single bar of soap has flourished into an expansive range of luxurious products, including hand creams, soy wax candles, and more.
Each item is crafted with care on the company's tranquil Sussex farm, reflecting its unwavering commitment to sustainability and excellence. Proudly made in England, the products combine high quality ingredients with timeless elegance, making them perfect for gifting or everyday indulgence.
Posted: 3 March 2025
Morphy Richards licensee Consumer Brands is taking up new premises at Whittle Court, in Hanley, investing a six-figure sum into refurbishing the building.
The headquarters will be home to the company's sales & marketing teams, alongside customer service staff. In August 2023, Consumer Brands Limited became the official licensee of Morphy Richards and is currently situated at the Smithfield Works in Hanley. A warehouse facility and distribution centre is located in Chesterfield as well as a testing site in Leeds. Now 18 months later, Consumer Brands has reaffirmed its commitment to Stoke-on-Trent, by taking on new headquarters which will lead to a local recruitment drive.
Some employees from Chesterfield and Leeds will also be moving to Stoke-on-Trent once the new base opens in April. Consumer Brands has also said it is hoping to increase employee numbers from 31 to 53 this year.
Posted: 27 February 2025
The fast-growing fragrance company, The Fragrance House, is delighted to announce the acquisition of the brand Heyland & Whittle.
Heyland & Whittle has a long-standing heritage in the UK market with its primary focus on creating home fragrance and Bath & Body products. Since its launch in 2003 the brand has been widely known for its beautiful natural soap collections and premium home fragrance ranges.
David Brown, CEO The Fragrance House says: "The Heyland & Whittle ethos of using pure natural ingredients to create stunning fragranced products fits perfectly with The Fragrance House. The brand has a great long-standing reputation in the UK market and will be a fantastic addition to The Fragrance House."
The Fragrance House will be looking at operations and production in the coming months.
For further details email enquries@tfhltd.co.uk or call +44 (0)1727 836 454.
Posted: 24 February 2025
The Giftware Association (GA) announces Sarah Ward has stepped down as CEO, creating a pivotal opportunity to move the association forward.
Tom Jones, CEO of the British Allied Trades Federation (BATF), will step in as interim CEO, ensuring continuity and supporting the GA's mission to serve its members during this critical time.
The giftware industry is undergoing significant change, with new opportunities and challenges emerging daily. At this critical juncture, the GA remains committed to its mission of providing resources, connections, and advocacy to help members thrive in a competitive global marketplace. With a renewed focus on inclusivity, innovation, and sustainability, the GA aims to drive growth and continued success for the industry and its members.
The GA would like to extend its gratitude to Sarah for her leadership and the valuable contributions during her time as CEO.
Posted: 21 February 2025
The Giftware Association has unveiled the finalists for the Gift of the Year 2025 awards! After months of anticipation, hundreds of incredible entries, and two rounds of judging by an panel of over 120 industry experts, the best products from the home and gift industry have been selected to move forward.
The Gift of the Year awards celebrate the most exciting, innovative, and commercially successful products across 20 categories covering Home Fragrance, Home and Kitchen and Games and Puzzles as well as introducing new categories' such at the Made in The UK Category for this year.
Judges from leading retailers, trade press, and industry professionals struggled to select their top choices from a truly outstanding pool of over 900 entries.
Posted: 19 February 2025