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:
1. ‘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 from shop owners looking for ‘burgundy’, ‘mirrors’, and ‘brocade’ on the platform.
This includes a 240 per cent increase in searches for ‘burgundy’ compared to two years ago, a 29 per cent increase in searches for ‘brocade’ and a 50 per cent increase in searches for leather products.
In response, interiors wholesale company McGowan & Rutherford in Cambridge has seen a 40 per cent sales increase for its black-framed mirrors and a 20 per cent increase for its rustic bottles and vases. And Charmaine Ryan, the founder of Augusta Jewellery in Somerset said programmes like Bridgerton were increasing the popularity of her most opulent pieces.
2. ‘Intentional detours’
Increasing demand for items that support adventurous travel, fuelled by the post-pandemic urge for offline experiences and spontaneous trips away, is also leading to a rise in searches for ‘outdoor’, ‘tent’, ‘blankets’, ‘polaroid’ and ‘film’ on Faire, with searches for ‘outdoor’ doubling since 2024.
This includes a boost in sales for Pairs Scotland’s ultra-durable mohair socks which director Alice Macfarlane partly credits for an overall 60 per cent sales rise during the last quarter of 2024, and puts down to more customers looking for ‘off beaten adventures.’
3. ‘Neutral good’
Environmental awareness and a desire for unique, artisanal quality was found by Faire’s report to be spurring a growing demand for handcrafted, eco-friendly products made from raw, natural materials, with searches for ‘organic’, ‘wicker’, ‘rattan’ and ‘woven’ all rising.
Sophie Beaumont Willis, founder of Tenth Muse, said: “We have found our solid perfumes to be the best-selling item for many of our retailers this year. Our products are plastic-free and we have had reviews from customers stating they have switched from their usual fragrance to our solid fragrances
4. ‘Everyday hopecore’
And shoppers indulging in colourful and playful purchases that nod to their childhood and brighten daily routines has contributed to a 500 per cent rise in searches for ‘purse charm’ by the end of 2024 and an increase in retailers looking for bows, claw clips, ballet flats and ‘nostalgia’.
Chloe Hardisty, founder of Cotton Clara in Leicestershire, which has seen strong demand for its embroidered friendship bracelets and sewing kits, said: “Nostalgia plays a big role in the design of our products, from the packaging which has a vintage haberdashery feel to it, to the products that are designed for adults but are very reminiscent of childhood. Our bestselling friendship bracelet is a great example of this. The idea of comfort and hope all link really well to the art and practice of sewing and its mindfulness and calming influence that so many of our customers tell us they get, often coming from a need to find a sense of peace in a tough time.”
‘Shoppers are prioritising adventure, opulence, sustainability and nostalgia’
Charlotte Broadbent, UK general manager at Faire added: “The Faire Forecast 2025 highlights how a pursuit of joy is leading shoppers to prioritise a need for adventure, opulence, sustainability and nostalgia in their purchasing decisions, from indulgent Victorian-inspired décor to handcrafted, eco-friendly products.
“For independent retailers, this presents an exciting opportunity to curate product selections that resonate with today’s consumers on an emotional level. By tapping into these trends, shops can offer shoppers products that provide moments of happiness and self-expression and retailers who embrace this will be well-positioned to strengthen customer loyalty and drive meaningful growth in 2025.”
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