Amid all the current financial turmoil, it seems that everything stops for tea, with Zoe Wiseman, buyer at Morleys Group of department stores, highlighting afternoon tea collections as one of the strongest tableware categories.
“We’ve seen a big demand for tableware, as so many people focused on their homes during lockdown,” confirms Zoe. “We’ve found that people are looking for more sustainable, iconic pieces, items that will last, and we’ve also seen a massive increase in people wanting to buy afternoon tea collections, to include cups and saucers, tea plates and cake stands. I think the trend has stemmed from the pandemic, when people entertained friend and family in their gardens, and it has carried on.”
Continues Zoe: “Currently, the big colour trend is dark green, but as we go into Spring 2023 there will be lots of pastels and florals. We have come such a long way since the beginning of covid and our customers have done a complete 180 degrees. We’re seeing less of a trend driven customer and more of a classic buyer wanting tableware with longevity.”
Morleys is a group of eight local independent department stores, seven of which are in and around the Greater London area, with one in Newbury, Berkshire. The Group named after the original store – Morley and Lanceley – first opened its doors in Brixton, South London, in 1927.
Above: Zoe Wiseman, buyer at Morleys Group of department stores. She is shown at Elys in Wimbledon, the Group’s flagship store.
