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Spotlight On... Christmas Decorations
It’s Getting To Feel A Lot Like
Christmas
Over the past few years, Christmas decorations have become increasingly important for independent gift shops, giving them an advantage as people strive to find that something different. Some of the leading names in the industry reveal their top trends for Christmas 2018.
An Enchanting Christmas “While we will always have our bread and butter themes, such as a winter/frosted setting and a traditional Christmas look, this season is very much about an enchanting, fairytale, dreamy look, with elements of romanticism and pastels the biggest trend,” says Stefan Koldeweji, sales UK and Ireland for Kaemingk. He continues: “Colourwise, the combinations features winter white, pearl, brass gold, blush pink, cloudy lilac and petunia purple. Called Dream Away, it is very much about a fairytale-like setting with unicorns, white rabbits, fairies flying in the sky and clouds gliding past. We offer many highly decorative items for decorating the house and tree, with some quite luxurious finishes, such as beautiful ribbons and fluffy finishes.” For retailers, Stefan says that it’s a theme that lends itself to going all out on displays whether it’s for a shop window or for the main entrance of a garden centre. “The items are available in both small and very detailed, while larger statement pieces make this look suitable for a variety of retailers.” Stefan’s display tips: “I would suggest having movement in the display. This creates extra attention to the work the visual merchandising teams put into their display so it stands out even more. At our showroom, we have little mice climbing up a ladder, or clouds going up and down. It makes people stop and look.” Below: Dream Away by Kaemingk.
Creatively Colourful “At Premier Decorations, we offer six to eight different themes each year with each one presenting fashion-led colour schemes and coordinating products to inspire imaginations, tempt customers and encourage sales,” states founder and managing director John Athwal OBE. John says that a best-seller for 2018 has been Champagne Rose, which includes a range of products, inspired by femininity and a touch of glamour, with rose gold and a hint of pale pink combined with white, clear gold and silver. Another popular collection highlighted by John is Enchanted Glade, which includes purple, burgundy and dark blue combined with a dark teal, dusky gold and just enough silver to highlight the shades and add a bit of mystery. John’s retail tips: “The way that a retailer presents Christmas products is key to their success, particularly as many Christmas purchases are impulse buys. The consumer needs to be presented with the whole concept so that they can imagine how the products would work in their own homes. It’s therefore important to make sure that everything on display coordinates effectively and is all in working order.” Top: Messe Frankfurt’s Christmasworld, held earlier this year, revealed the key Christmas trends for 2018, with femininity a key look. Above right: A themed Christmas tree from Premier Decorations.
Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide
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