With just four weeks to go until Christmas, products with sentiment are among the most popular gift this year, with people longing to tell their nearest and dearest what they mean to them and how much they’re missing them. Whether it’s through sentiment jewellery, a mug or a plaque, there’s a huge need to interact with others and to share thoughts and feelings.
“Sentiment gifts have been very popular, and we stock a wide selection of brands, with customers buying plaques, coasters and hanging signs from East of India, as well Joma Jewellery’s ‘A Little’ bracelets and Blue Mandarin Arts’ bookmarks and plaques,” confirms Savita Marsh, owner of Northwood Cards & Gifts in Northwood.
“These type of gifts are especially relevant this year, as, depending on restrictions, people may not be able to see their family and friends, so they will be looking not only for gifts that they can post, but also gifts that express their feelings. Joma’s ‘A Little’ bracelet, for example, is a great all year round seller – in fact, we re-stocked in mid-October – and feel sure they will be a winner this Christmas.”
Savita adds that mugs with sentiment on have also been ringing up sales, to include designs from Rosie Made A Thing, Katie Loxton, Rachel Ellen and WPL, with Joe Davies’ family and friends wooden photo frames and sentiment plaques saying it all.”
Also highlighting the importance of sentiment giftware this Christmas is David Robertson, managing director of Bijou in Elgin.
“In the run-up to Christmas, we all look to tried and tested favourites, such as jewellery and fashion accessories to put some much needed cash over the counter – or at least a contactless touch!” he comments. “Sentiment continues to be a massive part of the gift giving experience because people want their friends and family to know that they care, and whether it’s a simple ‘minding’ as we say in Scotland, or a specific gift, this is a crucial part of sales.”
Highlights David: “Our proven winner, which continues to have legs like no other product, is the Joma ‘A Little’ range. There’s literally a bracelet for every occasion and customers love to buy them and to receive them, with the packaging enhancing the product. The positive messages, thoughtfulness, ease of postage and relative low cost, coupled with customer brand awareness, all help to make it not only one of the strongest ranges in the jewellery sector, but in gift stores period.”
To read the full Christmas Special in the October/November issue of Progressive Gifts & Home, click through to pages 27-35.
Top: People are longing to tell family and friends how much they mean to them, with sentiment gifts driving sales this year for many gift retailers.
