Among the speakers at last week’s Spring Fair was Faire’s UK country manager, Charlotte Broadbent, who took to the stage to deliver a talk entitled ‘What To Buy For Your Shop This Year’, sharing knowledge on how independent retailers can stay ahead through balancing best sellers with trend-led products.
Focusing on sustainability, individuality, and experiential retail, attendees were offered actionable strategies for the year ahead. “The Faire forecast report is packed with trends and data-backed insights,” Charlotte told attendees. “It’s a crash course in how to make trends work for your business, as well as my predictions for the high street in 2025.”
Four global trends have been based on thousands of data signals on Faire, validated through external research. “In a fast-changing world, we found that consumers are seeking joy from their retail experience,” said Charlotte.
The first trend she unveiled was International Detours, a nostalgic escape from digital saturation – a desire to unplug, embrace simple joys and reconnect. “The trend is about the journey not the destination,” Charlotte explained. “Think film, polaroids, creating new traditions with family and friends – old school games and real life connections. It’s about rediscovering and reconnecting with ourselves, with nature and with others. It encourages creating space and moments where technology doesn’t get in the way.”
Data from Faire showed that searches for playing cards, for example, were up by 247% yoy from November 2023. The trend also reflected an interest in board games, card games, journals and craft kits.
The second trend highlighted was Victorian Noir, reflecting personality and drama. “This is not just a trend it’s a movement,” stated Charlotte. “It’s about rejecting the minimalist mantra of less is more in favour of bold statements that let personality shine through. It has a flair for the dramatic and a total rejection of Scandi minimalism. It celebrates excess in a Roaring Twenties style. For the consumer, it says every piece I buy is an extension of my personality. I want to stand out rather than blend in.”
Backed up by data, in the UK, Faire has seen searches for velvet and mirrors increase by 71% and 131% respectively over the past 18 months, while searches for charms have soared by 83% in just over a year.
Neutral Good was the third trend highlighted. “This trend centres around handmade, eco-friendly products that embody a commitment to the environment and artisanal quality. Consumers want to see and understand how their products are made, and who makes them, with searches for organic, wool, linen and wicker all spiking by 75% over the past year.”
The final trend highlighted was Everyday Hopecore which celebrates the inner child – retro with a playful edge – infusing daily life with vibrancy. “It sparks joy in the sense of overflowing optimism from our youth,” explained Charlotte. “These are portals into a time in our life when everything felt simpler and we were a bit more playful, with the trend elevated by materials that give it an adult twist.”
Reflecting the trends, Faire has seen a spike in searches for neon (up 68% over the past 15 months), as well as hair accessories, such as bows and claw clips, highlighting an increasing interest in memorabilia and stereos, particularly in the UK. Explains Charlotte: “It tells a story about the strong pull that consumers are feeling to items connecting them to their past, especially the ‘80s and ‘90s.”
As for the high street in 2025, Charlotte stated that retailers are shifting back to physical stores. “While e-commerce is still shaping the way we shop, it is also driving the demand for personal, meaningful experiences that we can’t get online, with independent retailers better placed to deliver that than anyone else. However, getting stock is really crucial to capitalising on this movement. Plus, in 2025, retailers will become their best influencers, putting themselves in front of the camera,” she predicted.
As for how consumers will shop, she pointed out that remote working re-shaped the high street for a while during the pandemic, highlighting that moving forward, where people work will change how they shop. “Major employers are enforcing more office based working, which means that retailers who have benefitted from weekday shoppers will have to adapt. For some, weekend footfall will become more important. Other retailers may need to adjust opening hours to accommodate commuters. Understanding these changing patterns and responding pro-actively will be key to maintaining sales this year.”
As for technology, Charlotte stated that over the past year, retailers have embraced AI powered tools to save time, work smarter and, ultimately, to compete with larger retailers. “Many of those are now using ChatGPT to write marketing emails, optimise product listings and refine merchandising strategies. Companies such as Spotify are also focused on how we can drive this change and get that tech into the hands of small business owners,” she continued. “These tools are all giving small retailers many of the same advantages that big businesses have, and I predict that we will see even more innovation this year.”
Charlotte’s final prediction was that community-led retailers will rule in 2025.“Independent retailers are tapping into their communities to drive awareness and customer loyalties with initiatives that resonate with shoppers who want to protect the vibrancy of their local communities. This year I hope that we’ll really see retailers working together engaging with their communities and finding creative ways to keep people shopping locally. When independent businesses succeed, the entire community succeeds.”
To see Charlotte Broadbent’s seminar in full, click here: 
Top: Faire’s UK country manager, Charlotte Broadbent, talking trends at last week’s Spring Fair.
