Retail AMARA
On point
luxury
As leaders on the luxury retail scene, AMARA’s co-founder and chief creative officer Sam Hood tells us how the outfit continues to excite and innovate How has the retail landscape changed over the past two years?
over the course of the pandemic; what other categories grew?
The pandemic has fast forwarded the way we shop to bring more consumers into the online shopping space. Using technology to meet demands on the website with all that entails, but also by making working from home a viable and long-term solution for our staff. The home has become even more important than ever, and we have seen great interest in our home inspiration and editorial content.
At the start of the pandemic, it was cookware, barware and office type products but everything garden related did extremely well too! As we started to be able to be outside picnicware thrived, and even when kitchenware slowed, barware continued to do well and hasn’t really subsided since.
What’s trending in the homewares sector at the moment? Fun and colourful, our customers are being braver than ever with colour in their homes and more adventurous with the more wild and whacky products such as crow wall lights and slogan storage jars.
It’s well documented that barware sales increased 30 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
In terms of tableware, what is selling well for you? Roberto Cavalli, Versace and Pols Potten are all doing very well for us at the moment, especially plates but sales in trays have had significant growth, as have placemats.
I’m curious about which aspects of tabletop are growing for AMARA? Are you noticing trends towards any particular pieces (bowls/ plates/ glassware)?
We are seeing growth in decorative serveware, especially if they are more unusual and stylish in design.
“The home has become even more important than ever, and we have seen great interest in our home inspiration and editorial content”
Trade shows are picking back up again, are you hoping they will return to full strength? The buying team are very much looking forward to attending trade fairs in order to see product in real life once more!
Part of AMARA’s USP is that you offer the consumer really stylish pieces, do you feel pressure to continually seek out new suppliers? Yes, we do! But it’s the most rewarding part of our role, to see a new brand to market flourish on our site.
There is a definite squeeze on the consumer wallet with a noticeable increase in the cost of living, is that something which