Gift Focus - Mar/Apr 2019 (Issue 112)

Spring is an exciting time in our industry and marks the culmination of the hard work and effort of our design team in bringing the latest trends in candles and home fragrances to the UK market. Every year, there are some distinctive trends – some that are brand-new and others that build on a previously popular theme. Invariably, candle and homeware trends follow the colours and themes of the fashion world. This year, we see the fashion palette featuring lively hues – notably fiesta red, jester red, turmeric, coral pink, yellow-green pepper, gold, royal blue, toffee, mango yellow, terrariummoss and sweet lilac. These trends were the starting point for our designers to create this year’s vibrant range of candles and reed diffusers, enhanced by complementary packaging for the SS19 season. Everyone knows that fragrances have the ability to transport a person’s mind back to a favourite place or holiday destination. Here, candles and home fragrances are being used to provoke memories of great times. That was the inspiration for our new Destinations range, released as part of the 2019 own- branded Candle Collection. Our designers carefully captured six distinct fragrances in the Destinations range. This includes Kashmir Pear & Fig, Moroccan Red Cinnamon, Japanese Wild Summer Cherry, Nantucket Bay Seasalt, Savannah White Poppy and Thai Flower Market. These fragrances have been enhanced with packaging design that takes its inspiration from the fabrics and textures of the Middle East, New England and Africa, enhancing the gift-buying experience. New and different packaging is being used this year to capture the imagination of consumers. For example, candles and reed diffusers presented in ring-pull tins feature an inspirational design, with the innovative ring-pull top providing a memorable gift experience. This range captures the trend for gin and prosecco scents, which have seen significant growth in popularity in recent years. The new range of candles and reed diffusers have very authentic fragrances and offer great shelf appeal. The Gin candle tins feature vibrant pink, green and gold tones. The designs are contemporary, and the packaging is fun and vibrant and is designed to maximise shelf appeal. Prosecco-fragranced candles come in tins with a contemporary monochrome design, which complements the black and white trend in interiors. Contemporary styling and minimalist, unfussy design continues to be a popular trend in candles and home fragrances. Clean and fresh fragrances are popular, including Pink Pepper, Fresh Cotton and Black Lily & Pomegranate in the new Simple range. The packaging complements the minimalist theme with a sophisticated white and silver design. Authentic fragrances and exquisite packaging design continue to make the difference in the candle and home fragrance gift-buying experience. This is the key to selling the product quickly and giving the consumer an enjoyable experience. Spring and summer fragrances Debbie Isles, sales director for Candlelight, discusses the home fragrance trends to expect this year Candlelight is a well-established name in the gift trade and has been designing and selling design-led ranges for more than 46 years. To find out more, visit candlelight.co.uk giftfocus 27 home fragrance