GIFTGUIDE Spring 2025

THE COOL KIDS

Huski wins over Australia

MELBOURNE GIFT FAIRS

The latest trends, brands and products

SHOPPING SMARTER

IN FOCUS

Wellbeing & beauty, Christmas and kids corner

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IN THIS ISSUE

September 25-27th, 2025 at ICC Sydney

The ideal one-stop sourcing destination for high quality suppliers and products of consumer goods from China

Organiser Co-Organisers

Jiangsu Trade Promotion International Conference & Exhibition Co., Ltd.

Shanghai International Exhibition (Group) Co., Ltd.

Zhejiang Broad International Convention & Exhibition Co., Ltd.

Shandong Better Exhibition Engineering Co., Ltd.

China Commodity Fair Australia will open its doors to the Australian market

5,000m2+ Exhibition space

200+ Exhibitors

5,000+ Products

Organised by the Chinese government, China Commodity Fair Australia is Australia’s largest specialised consumer goods exhibition with the most Chinese participants.

TSHOW time

The sun was shining inside and outside at the Melbourne gift fairs where buyers were ready to source their next best-seller and exhibitors were eager to showcase their latest collections.

he Melbourne gift fairs were held last month with plenty of new brands, new products and new innovations and trends on display at the MCEC and Royal Exhibition Building.

From 31 July to 6 August buyers had the opportunity to source the latest products and find new stock that will fly off their store shelves this season and the next.

As the Giftguide team walked the aisles at Life Instyle, Reed Gift Fairs and AGHA Gift Fair, check out some of our favourite stories, brands, products and innovations.

Get ready for summer with Swim Shady

Swim Shady was born on the beaches of Sydney after a frustrating day wrestling with a clunky umbrella.

The compact solo beach shade (weighing just 1.8kg) is designed for effortless portability and setup. Unlike umbrellas, cabanas or large canopy tents, it offers shade without obstructing the view,

fits neatly in a beach bag and provides 50+ UV protection with a recyclable RPET canopy.

“My co-founder Elizabeth Afrakoff and I saw how many people were going to the beach without shade altogether, simply because traditional options were too bulky or complicated,” says director and co-founder, Jeremy Scott.

“With Australia’s skin cancer rates among the highest in the world, we set out to design a solo beach shade that was stylish, lightweight and effortless to use.”

The Swim Shady launched in December 2024 and within just a few months it had customers in over 25 countries from the US and Europe to Asia and New Zealand.

Exhibiting at Life Instyle Melbourne, Scott says buyers immediately recognised Swim Shady as a genuine category innovation.

“Many noted its portability as a key selling point for urban

SwimShady

Credit: Little Manly

Photography

SwimShady

SwimShady

beachgoers, resort guests and travellers. We also saw strong corporate gifting interest, with companies considering bulk orders for staff and client gifting—recognising Swim Shady as a socially responsible gift that encourages sun safety and wellbeing, particularly relevant during the summer and Christmas season.

“Its premium design and innovation appeal to customers chasing convenience, sun safety and style, making it a high-turnover item for stores, especially during summer and holiday gifting. We love collaborating with stores and are committed to maximising product presence and driving sell-through, so together we can deliver real value and enjoyment to their customers.

“Overall, the response [at Life Instyle] exceeded our expectations and confirmed Swim Shady’s potential as both a retail and corporate product,” he adds.

The brand now offers a full premium summer lifestyle range including reversible swim bags, soft beach towels and quickdry men’s swim shorts, all designed with the same focus on innovation, portability and style.

In 2026, Swim Shady is focused on strengthening its presence in the Australian market by working hand-in-hand with its retail partners.

“At the same time, we’ll continue to build on our international momentum, expanding gradually into resort and cruise markets and extending our global reach, fuelled by the interest our viral TikTok generated across so many countries.”

Urban Road launches new collection with Tim Neve

Known for its beautiful artwork in canvas and paper frame prints, Urban Road has released its latest collection.

In collaboration with interior designer and stylist Tim Neve, the Artefact collection includes artworks, wallpaper and cushions.

“We’ve got a beautiful collection on show here at Life Instyle which is full of warm urban browns,” enthuses Lara Powell, head of sales and operations at Urban Road.

“The artworks are all abstract which means you can turn them any which way, there is the option to have them as a portrait or landscape design, there is lots of flexibility.

“There are lots of lines, circles, symmetrical shapes as well as abstract pieces. It’s all about layering different patterns and textures, so there are some very busy patterns, but you can also put multiple pieces together and it all works.

“We also produced wallpapers with some of the patterns and designs—nine different patterns are available and within those different designs there are about six different colour options per pattern,” she says.

“We also decided to have some of the designs printed onto a cushion range, which includes seven designs giving you a lot of options and choices within this whole collection.”

The founder of Urban Road is an artist herself so artwork and being creative is in the business’ DNA and at the core of what we do, Powell adds.

“We have new collections coming out all the time. Urban Road has a huge range to select from and there is something for every style of business, designer and genre.”

The company tends to do about one to two collaborations with interior designers a year, while it also collaborates with various artists.

The first-time collaboration with Tim Neve was a popular feature at Life Instyle, with some of the artwork, wallpaper and cushions on display at the Urban Road stand.

“Feedback has been really good. We did this show and the Décor + Design Show and people are loving it. They especially love the colour palette and the range’s versatility.”

Bilum and Bilas artisan collection

Bilum and Bilas was founded by Jessica Cassell who moved to Papua New Guinea as a volunteer in 2008. Whilst living there she fell in love with the local arts but was saddened by the daily struggles of the women that made them. She saw an opportunity to develop a range of work that had wide international appeal, creating demand that would support female artisans generate a better livelihood through their art.

“Bilum and Bilas is a social enterprise creating jewellery and accessories handcrafted by Papua New Guinean artisans,” Cassell explains.

“Pieces are wearable artworks that embody the spirit and cultural heritage of their makers, uniting traditional PNG culture

Tim Neve x Urban Road

Tim Neve x Urban Road

with contemporary aesthetics. Each design is handwoven using techniques passed down through generations, creating employment for women with these unique skills and fostering empowerment for communities.”

Exhibiting at Life Instyle, she noticed the respect and admiration people had for the craftsmanship that goes into all the pieces.

“It’s so rewarding to have worked so hard on a new range and to see people’s reactions in person. Our work is tactile, so even better in person when customers can touch and feel the pieces.

The story behind House of Nunu

For House of Nunu the focus is on evoking joy and nostalgia through thoughtful design—pieces that don’t just decorate a home but also tell a story and spark connection.

House of Nunu was founded in 2011 in Sydney, Australia, out of a desire to bring beauty, joy and storytelling into everyday living, says founder Nura Hatami.

“We are one of the only Papua New Guinean brands in the world. PNG is one of the most culturally diverse and remote countries on the planet with incredibly unique arts and crafts. We provide access to beautiful accessories and gifts enabling customers to support their nearest neighbour with whom Australia holds deep and profound connections. Our products are not only beautiful, they are truly unique, telling a profound story and supporting women in need.

“The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York has just started stocking the range in their art store, so we plan to expand our range there. We’ll also be starting work on a new collection as it takes so long to work in meaningful collaboration with our artisans to produce new styles every year.”

“The inspiration came from a love of design and the idea that the objects we surround ourselves with have the power to spark memories, emotions and connections,” she says.

“What started as a passion project for creating meaningful, aesthetic pieces has grown into a homewares brand known for its playful spirit and timeless design.”

Named after her childhood nickname, Nunu, the homewares brand’s pieces balance form and function while adding a unique sense of character to a space. Form hand-blown coloured glassware to soft cotton towels and home décor, every item is designed to feel both special and usable in daily life, she adds.

“Retailers and buyers connected with our brand story [at Life Instyle] and appreciated the quality and craftsmanship of our range. Many highlighted how the colours and playful designs felt different and refreshing. It was encouraging to see that our vision resonated strongly and the response definitely exceeded our expectations.

“Looking ahead to 2026, our focus is on expanding internationally, introducing new product categories and continuing to collaborate with creative partners who share our passion for design. We aim to deepen our wholesale presence, grow our direct-to-consumer community and keep building House of Nunu as a brand that brings pieces of joy to homes and spaces around the world.”

DrinksPlinks’ personalised ice cube trays create a moment

Many businesses were launched during Covid and inspired by the long lockdowns, especially in Melbourne.

DrinksPlinks founder Tania Brocker wanted to create a moment with a cocktail, mocktail, soda, iced coffee or whatever was being poured on any given day.

“DrinksPlinks is a Melbourne based company that sparks joy and helps people amp up their drinks at home with silicone ice cube trays that freeze slow-melting ice shapes and letters,” she enthuses.

Bilum and Bilas Bilum and Bilas

Bilum and Bilas Bilum and Bilas

House of Nunu

House of Nunu

First to market with personalised ice cube trays, the brand started with just four letters: G for Gin, S for Scotch, V for Vodka and W for Whisky. Its customers had other ideas, asking for their own letter to match their name and so the brand quickly grew to the entire alphabet and soon Letter G was for Gin, Granny, Greg and Georgia. Four shapes grew to eight including another first to market with the retro daisy design.

“The ice cube category is extremely homogenous and DrinksPlinks immediately stands out as no other company creates personalised letters. At Christmas customers will often purchase multiple trays to personalise gifts for family, friends and work colleagues.

“The growth is due to the combination of trends including personalisation, slow-melting ice, drinks-at-home and creating that Insta-worthy look. They cover off so many interests. The unique shapes are perfect for Kris Kringle gifts or for that someone who has everything,” she adds.

DrinksPlinks showcased two new products at Reed Gift Fairs Melbourne, both complementing the ice cube tray range.

“We sparked interest with new stockists including distilleries, wineries and a few we can’t talk about yet. We also learnt a lot by connecting face to face with many retail buyers. To accommodate top up orders of particular letters, DrinksPlinks has an MOQ of one unit so stores can always have every letter in stock without massive stock holdings.”

Uprising Glassware celebrates Australian landscapes and cultural icons

Uprising Glassware is a Tasmanian-based company creating unique glassware inspired by Australian landscapes and cultural icons. Its designs are made for adventurous travellers and lovers of the natural environment—people who want a keepsake that tells a story and reconnects them with the places they’ve explored (or dream of discovering).

“The idea was sparked by two personal passions— my love for the mountains and my appreciation for a fine Tasmanian tipple,” says founder Kurt Menzies.

together: a product that celebrates place, is functional and durable and truly beautiful.

“The company started in Tasmania with a Cradle Mountain glass and the response was so strong that I quickly expanded the range to include more Tassie icons and shortly after brought the idea up to the big island with designs like the Twelve Apostles and the Sydney Opera House. From there, it has now grown to include our innovative Wildlife collection.”

Indeed, the new range created quite the buzz at the recent AGHA Melbourne Gift Fair. “This was our third time exhibiting at AGHA and it was by far our most successful show yet—both in terms of new customers and deeper engagement from existing stockists.

“The growth in our range definitely played a part—we now have a strong representation of landmarks across the country and our new Wildlife collection was a real standout. People loved the creative and quirky design direction and the fact that it appeals so broadly around all of Australia.”

Each glass is individually hand-pressed with a 3D relief of a landmark or animal in the base ranging from the Blue Mountains’ Three Sisters to the majestic Humpback Whale. When there’s a drink in the glass, be it water on your desk or wine on the weekend, the designs really come alive, magnifying and sparkling through the refraction effect.

“Customers love to buy these as gifts for someone they share a connection or memory with—perhaps somewhere they’ve visited together or an animal they both love.

“I wanted to create something that would bring the two

DrinksPlinks

Uprising Glassware

Uprising Glassware

“Retailers appreciate that we have no MOQs, the product has broad appeal across age and interest groups and the illustrated coaster and packaging are visual merchandising ready. It’s a meaningful product that does well in store and online and we’re proud to donate five per cent of sales to nature conservation efforts,” Menzies enthuses.

“We’re also working on more collaborations with cultural institutions and other brands, creating bespoke designs and new customisation options. These projects allow us to tell the stories of our partners, creating glassware that captures not just a place, but the experiences and values tied to it.”

Journalfy combines tradition with technology

Sometimes a bad situation can inspire a great new venture, which is what happened when Matthew Baloglow launched his business, Journalfy.

“My fiancée and I founded Journalfy at the start of 2024 from an incident that happened to me back in 2015,” he recalls.

“In my family home of 25 years, we experienced a devastating house fire that resulted in the entire house and 99.99 per cent of the contents within being reduced to ashes—thankfully no one was injured in the fire.

“Besides the very few items that were saved as the house was ablaze—some of them including my old travel journals—there was still a handful of them that fell victim to the fire.

“Reflecting back, there were probably two things I became particularly aware of. As time goes on, our memory can fade or be tainted and so even though during the moment we don’t think this will happen, it eventually will. Another thing I realised was that although I thought my memories were safe in my travel journals, these words are also susceptible of being erased if the journals should become lost or damaged.”

These realisations eventually led to Journalfy being created.

“Our travel journals are unique in the sense that we’re bridging that

gap between the physical and digital worlds,” Baloglow explains.

“There’s something uniquely special and cathartic when it comes to writing pen to paper, so it’s this tradition we want to maintain, however, having the option to protect, preserve and propel these physically written journal entries with the Journalfy app—so you can create a digital backup of your physical journal—is something that makes journaling with Journalfy even more meaningful.

“We also have an exciting new travel journal we’ll be releasing by the end of September called ‘freestyle edition’.”

The journals are made from 99 per cent recycled or recyclable materials and through its partnership with Pencils of Promise, for every five journals sold they donate two water filters to underserved children from around the world.

One thing Baloglow noticed when exhibiting at Life Instyle is that with every tradeshow they do, the more known their travel journals become.

“This was now our third Life Instyle event. We did our first one in Melbourne last year, one in Sydney at the start of this year and then back in Melbourne. It’s not uncommon that we’ll have retailers say they’ve either heard about us from a friend or customer or that they’ve seen us on social media.

“We always try to have fun with what we do and it’s at the core of our company. We feel that the retailers and exhibitors perceive this and so it’s something that we quite often receive feedback on.”

Rowdy Crowd redefines unbreakable and recyclable drinkware

Rowdy Crowd Drinkware has been supplying unbreakable, 100 per cent dishwasher safe drinkware to the Australian market since 2014. It was the first company in Australia to introduce Tritan drinkware to the market, the highest grade copolymer material with the highest approval ratings from food safety bodies worldwide.

It is a small business literally operating from a merino sheep and cropping farm in south west NSW which has grown from

Journalfy

Journalfy

Journalfy

turning over 2,000 pieces a year to almost 30,000 a month in Australia.

The company got its start when ‘farmers wife’, Fiona Hamilton, made the decision to cease travelling 1,000km a week just to run their large retail store in Wagga Wagga and focus on something which would satisfy her creativity and energy and could be done on the farm.

“During my time as a retailer and attending Reed Gift Fairs, AGHA Gift Fair and Life Instyle each year to source products for our store, I was always on the lookout for elegant outdoor drinkware that was not coloured, not chunky and was absolutely durable,” she comments.

“I could never find any, so when I gave up bricks and mortar retailing I began thinking about and researching the unbreakable drinkware market. In short, I still found nothing. There were no products which were completely dishwasher safe, which didn’t crack, craze or colour over time or the stems didn’t snap.

“I decided to design my own range, find a manufacturer, create a whole brand philosophy around simplicity, durability and sustainability, then work on distribution Australia wide.”

Rowdy Crowd products are 100 per cent BPA free and recyclable. The crystal clear, stemless drinkware is safe to use around pools, spas, backyard BBQs and camping trips. Brightly coloured bags make them easy to find in the cupboard or camping box while for retailers they attract customers’ attention in-store.

Hamilton launched a new range of all-white products and new ice-ball accessories at Reed Gift Fairs Melbourne.

“I had lost so many of my lovely country stores during Covid due to closures, change of ownership and generally just tough times, so I wanted to reconnect with them again and to come in contact with many more new faces and destinations for Rowdy Crowd.

“My aim has always been to be in small, independent retail stores and particularly in rural and regional areas. Country people get and love the practicality, durability and simplicity of Rowdy Crowd.

“While the number of attendees seemed to be lower [than previous years], those who were at the fair did place orders and enjoyed discovering what is new for them in 2025. Many visitors said it was great to see a unique product with such an interesting backstory, especially when my daughter was juggling them in the aisle,” she laughs.

“We are also launching and aim to gain traction in the US and UK markets and we will be introducing a new drinkware shape which is stackable in 2026. We will continue to grow our business in both the retail and wholesale markets here in Australia and the significant market share we now have for custom branded drinkware for parties, weddings, events, wineries and breweries, corporates and large festivals.

“In all we do we aim to bring people together, to create memories and leave without a trace.”

Humble Living’s artisanal journey

Humble Living was born from founder Vivienne Gray’s love of art, travel and history. She was inspired by the ancient artisans and the work that they were able to produce with just basic tools applied with talent and dedication to craft.

As an accomplished artist herself, she found a way to combine her passions, which has led her on a journey to discover wonderful artisans around the world as well as fuelling her own artistic creativity.

“Our products are of a high quality but are also quite bespoke with most of our products made by hand in a traditional method,” says Humble Living’s Anthony Gorman.

“They are unique in their design as well as in their individuality and offer stores a different option to other mass-produced products that their customers won’t find everywhere.

“We’ve also been able to keep our pricing at levels that allow retailers to make a comfortable margin and we have no minimum order requirements, which allows retailers to try different things

Humble Living

Rowdy Crowd

without committing to a large purchase on something that they haven’t tried before.”

After a great experience at Life Instyle Sydney, they decided to exhibit in Melbourne as well.

“It was our first Life Instyle Melbourne and we were able to engage with come past clients as well as some new ones at the show. It’s always good to speak with other wholesalers and manufacturers about how they see the market and how they overcome the challenges that we all face. There is always something to learn.”

Insieme

brings people and pieces together

Insieme means ‘together’ in Italian and that’s the heart of the brand, according to founders Danielle Frazzetto and Rocco Ascone.

“We create pieces that bring people together,” they say.

“We handcraft terrazzo serveware and styling pieces designed for slow entertaining and everyday rituals. The brand began in our own home, repurposing stone off cuts into coasters that our friends and family loved. This small act grew into a considered range that blends Italian heritage, functional design and a timeless, textural aesthetic.”

The products make great gifts at popular price points under $100 and $150,

with optional personalisation for elevated gifting, they add.

“Every piece works as serveware or decor at home, as display pieces in-store and as statement styling for events. Our colours are named after each season and create cohesive, trendproof merchandising opportunities for retailers. We also offer starter bundles, VIP grazing experiences, point-of-sale styling suggestions and ready-to-use content to help teams merchandise quickly and beautifully.”

Exhibiting at Reed Gift Fairs for the first time, buyers called out the multi-use nature of the range (serve, style, display) and the balance of organic forms with a clean, modern finish.

“Coasters, organic pieces, watch and jewellery stands and our tiered display builds drew the most interest, particularly from homewares boutiques and event-forward retailers. It confirmed for us that there’s strong demand for pieces that elevate both merchandising and at-home entertaining,” the duo notes.

“We will continue to expand our Australian stockist network with VIP grazing experiences, starter bundles, merchandising kits and tailored support, while building our event hire and styling services, giving retailers new ways to activate in-store experiences and engage customers.” G

Humble Living

Insieme

Insieme

Insieme

Insieme

BEST SHOW in

Entrepreneur of the year (AGHA Melbourne Gift Fair) – Little Bread Winner (Cascie Kambouris)

“Being named AGHA entrepreneur of the year is such an incredible honour, especially as a small Australian-made business that started with one simple mission: to make bread slicing better. For us, this award is a celebration of innovation, sustainability and the power of staying true to your values, even when you’re growing. It means the world to have our hard work recognised alongside so many other amazing businesses. This recognition has only made us more excited to keep creating purposeful, handcrafted products that people love to use and feel good about owning.”

Breakthrough brand (Reed Gift Fairs Melbourne) – Inspire Threads

“Receiving the breakthrough brand award is a huge honour for everyone at Inspire Threads (that’s me and my best friends). It marks a massive milestone and a true validation of all the hard work we’ve poured into the brand over the past few years.

“We’re incredibly grateful for the amazing community backing us, helping us do what we love and allowing us to keep pushing our narrative forward. This award is also a reminder that our mission— to create genuinely unique reversible bucket hats that spark self-expression and give back to the community—truly resonates with people.

“And this is just the beginning—it’s our second award since starting Inspire Threads and it certainly won’t be the last.”

Once again, AGHA Melbourne Gift Fair and Reed Gift Fairs

Melbourne have awarded those brands that have been innovative, new companies exhibiting for the first time and some long-standing exhibitors who just know how to create a look that stands out and captures everyone’s attention.

Best new stand (AGHA Melbourne Gift Fair) – Stacey K. Studio

“Winning best new exhibitor was such a meaningful and humbling moment for me. Stacey K Studio has been built quietly and intentionally, from a place of stillness, care and sacred purpose. To have that recognised at AGHA felt like a gentle affirmation that the work I’ve poured into creating something thoughtful and different does matter.

“I’ve always hoped the pieces I create— whether it’s a cave chapel, a scent or an invitation to pause and create a moment of ritual—might help people slow down and reconnect with what’s truly important to them.

“This honour meant everything to me and gave me the validation I needed to keep going. My hand carved cave wall drew in so many heartfelt conversations. Having the award displayed in my studio now reminds me that the work is touching people in the way I’d hoped it would.”

Littlbe Bread Winner, Cascie Kambouris

Inspire Threads

Stacey K. Studio

Best new stand (Reed Gift Fairs Melbourne) –Wonderlings

“The Oxyrhynchus rag doll charmed children in Roman Egypt nearly 2,000 years ago. Today, Wonderlings pick up that thread—offering a new era of plush collectables designed for storytelling, gifting and repeat retail. Wonderlings aren’t just toys—they’re making history.”

Best small stand (AGHA Melbourne Gift Fair) –Lanolin Beauty

“It was very nice to get recognition for all the time, planning and effort that goes into converting such a small space into an area that reflects our brand, our ethos and is appealing for people to stop and chat.”

Best small stand (Reed Gift Fairs Melbourne) –Connetix

“We’re thrilled to have won best small stand at Reed Gift Fairs Melbourne. It’s a proud moment for our team, who put passion into creating a space that offers immersive, open-ended play experiences through magnetic tile play. This one was particularly special as it marked the Australian debut of our newest products. Connecting with loyal customers and engaging with new partners at these events is always energising, it’s a joy to share in their excitement while they experience the award-winning Connetix difference.”

Best medium stand (AGHA Melbourne Gift Fair) - Getting Lost

“It’s pretty crazy—our first year we were constantly mistaken for soap and struggled to get anyone to stop, so to go from that to winning best stand is amazing. We’re not your usual product and the first year we exhibited in Melbourne we had so many people either just walk past or more confusingly pick up our games and smell them.

“So we knew we had to create something eye catching that immediately signalled to stores that we were all about nostalgic road trips and adventure and that’s when we came up with the idea for VANessa, our wonderful cardboard kombi that also acts as a display unit for our 41 games.

“Aside from winning the best stand this year, it’s also meant that we get more stores stopping and asking to stock Getting Lost. Not only does VANessa create more conversations but she folds down to three boxes so we can fly to trade shows with her as checked in luggage. Her likeness extends into our wonderful point of sale too so shops can have a little bit of the VANessa magic in store as well.”

Wonderlings

Lanolin Beauty

Connetix

Getting Lost

Best medium stand (Reed Gift Fairs

Melbourne) – Lisa Pollock

“We are absolutely overjoyed and incredibly honoured to have been awarded best medium stand.

“None of this magic would have been possible without the extraordinary team I’m so lucky to work alongside. They poured their hearts and souls into every detail—from months of planning and dreaming up ideas in the quiet hours of the night, to designing a brand-new outfit for our beloved mascot, MARG the EMU, using our very own Lisa Pollock tea towels.

“We were genuinely touched by the beautiful feedback and heartfelt words from everyone who visited our stand. Your kind energy and warm presence helped make the whole experience feel truly magical.

“This award is more than a win—it’s a celebration of creativity, connection and the power of passionate, purposedriven teamwork.”

Best large stand (AGHA Melbourne Gift Fair) –Reliance Trading Corporation

“We’re honoured we were awarded best large stand. After being part of this industry since 1963, this is the very first best stand award we’ve received and it means a lot to be recognised in this way.

“This award reflects the hard work of our whole team who bring ideas to life (sometimes a little crazy), creating a space that sets the right atmosphere while making sure our products aren’t just beautifully displayed, but accessible for customers to see, touch and experience.

“In these challenging times, this award is a moment for us to pause, celebrate and be thankful for the creativity and dedication that goes into every fair. Here’s to continuing to grow, learn, adapt and bring inspiration to our industry.”

Best large stand (Reed Gift Fairs Melbourne) – Bialetti

“We’re thrilled to have taken out the award for best large stand. This stand was all about creating an immersive brand experience, a space that not only showcased our iconic products and latest collaborations but also captured the heart of what Bialetti stands for: design, innovation and the joy of coffee culture.

“A huge thank you to everyone who visited, we loved sharing the Bialetti experience with you.”

Best x-large stand (Reed Gift Fairs Melbourne) –IsAlbi (home stand)

“We set out to create something engaging and memorable—this recognition tells us we achieved exactly that.”

Lisa Pollock

Reliance Trading Corporation

Bialetti

IsAlbi

deep SKIN

Born from the chaos of clunky salad bowls and melting ice cubes, Face Dunk transforms the messy skincare kitchen hack into a sleek science-backed ritual.

From fire to ice, Face Dunk is the brainchild of entrepreneur and Ironman Ian Roche—founder of the hugely successful 1300 Smoke Alarms empire and now the creator of a category-defining skincare innovation.

A viral TikTok trend and one too many salad bowls sparked the idea, thanks to his teenage daughter Isla, who introduced him to the ice facial movement. From Bella Hadid to Hayley Bieber and the Kardashians, everyone was plunging their faces into freezing water in the pursuit of glowier, tighter and more refreshed skin. Roche recognised the opportunity and the absurdity: salad bowls, cold water and no real system. Inspired by Isla, he set out to reinvent the ritual, creating the world’s first advanced cryotherapy system, engineered for comfort, results and repeat use.

“Skincare is something we all care about, whether you are male or female, we all care about achieving a clean and natural glow,” he explains.

“When we saw celebrities and beauty industry experts dunking their faces into salad bowls of ice water, it was both fascinating and frustrating. The method clearly worked but it was messy, uncomfortable and if not done correctly, damaging to skin. We set out to create a safer, more effective and more elevated alternative.”

After 18 months, over 50 prototypes and countless hours of testing, Face Dunk was born. It combines science, design and skincare into one complete system. At its core is the patented bowl, purpose-built to create the perfect water-to-ice ratio for safe and effective cryotherapy without the sting, mess and uneven cooling of previous DIY methods.

Paired with the scientifically formulated Glow Drops that activate in cold water, the experience delivers deep hydration, brightening and collagen support with

ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, Kakadu plum and Tasmanian kelp.

“The biggest challenges came down to engineering a bowl that could safely hold the perfect water-to-ice ratio, avoid spills and maintain the ideal temperature while being comfortable and suitable for every face shape. Then came the development of our ice-activated Glow Drops with Australian skincare scientists, which was science challenge of its own. Seeing it all come together in a patented, world-first innovation makes every hurdle worth it.”

Australia is known for its clean aesthetic, clear blue skies and deep connection to water and the outdoors. Face Dunk naturally complements that lifestyle, adds Roche.

“It is simple to use, feels instantly refreshing and delivers visible results in minutes. Our Glow Drops are scientifically developed in Australia, vegan friendly, fragrance free and designed to make skin look brighter, smoother and more hydrated after just one week.

“For consumers, it is an at-home ritual that feels indulgent yet easy. For stockists,

All images supplied by Face Dunk

it is a high-impact hero product with strong storytelling, premium packaging and the ability to draw attention in-store or online. In short, it is a modern beauty experience that captures the Australian spirit.”

It is a beauty too that cannot be replicated because it is built on patented design, precision engineering and clinically considered formulas.

“It offers stockists an entirely new category with proven results, strong visual appeal and worldwide viral demand. Our target market includes skincare lovers of all ages and skin types, from younger customers seeking instant glow and de-puffing, to more mature users looking for firming, hydration and long-term skin health benefits.”

Face Dunk further modernises the ritual through its included Face Dunk App, offering guided timing, calming audio and custom routines that turn each session into a sensorial reset.

“We wanted Face Dunk to be more than just a product. The Face Dunk Coach App turns a simple ice facial into a guided personalised ritual. It walks users through correct dunking techniques and timing based on their skin type and goals, while offering mood music, soundscapes and smart lighting to create a calming atmosphere.

“This not only improves results but also encourages repeat use. As the app continues to evolve, it will include more education on cold therapy, mindfulness tools such as breathwork and tailored routines. This positions Face Dunk as not just skincare, but a full self-care experience that adds value far beyond the physical product,” Roche enthuses.

Now in her first year of university, Isla remains deeply involved behind the scenes from early product testing to shaping creative direction and copy.

“Any parent will know that teenagers can be a challenge at times, but launching a business together has been the most rewarding journey. Isla brings fresh ideas, a finger on the pulse of beauty

trends and a creative spark that helps shape our social strategy and product positioning.

“We are very different and that is what makes it work. I bring structure, experience and big-picture thinking, while Isla brings creativity, instinct and an understanding of what people really want. I am the framework and she is the sparkle. It is a partnership that works because we respect and learn from each other.”

The pair’s vision for Face Dunk extends far beyond the current kits. “We are developing an entire pre- and post-skincare line designed to work in synergy with the Face Dunk ritual, expanding the app with more personalisation and entering new global retail markets. We are also exploring celebrity partnerships and brand collaborations,” says Roche.

“The goal is to evolve Face Dunk into a complete selfcare ecosystem that is as effective and results driven as it is enjoyable and shareable. With a rapidly growing customer base we’re proving to be a brand that innovates at the forefront of beauty and wellness.” G

All images supplied by Face Dunk

Beyond BEAUTY

Five key fashion and beauty marketing trends shaping the industry in 2025.

The fashion and beauty world has always been fast paced, but with tech and cultural changes rapidly altering customer expectations, the speed at which these industries are moving is only increasing.

As more direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands hit the market every week, the key to an effective marketing campaign is no longer about who has the most budget or the most striking advertising. Instead, consumers are drawn to authentic storytelling in formats that align with these visually driven industries like social media and display advertising. This means that fashion and beauty brands must be more agile and strategic in their marketing to meet these new demands.

Taboola’s research has identified five key trends for 2025.

TREND 1: The power of visual storytelling and authentic content in fashion and beauty

‘Content is king’ has long been the cry of many a marketer and while that’s still true in 2025, it doesn’t look the same as it once did. Fashion and beauty especially must be relatable, particularly when appealing to a Gen Z and Millennial audience who now make up, in many cases, the largest proportion of the customer base.

An uncertain economic outlook, along with the growth of ‘real life’ social media, has seen a shift from polished perfection in fashion and beauty advertising to more realistic and transparent campaigns. Documentary-style, high-quality content has become increasingly popular in everything from campaign billboards to TikTok posts from fashion and beauty brands.

Influencers play a significant role in these industries and have for many years, but this, too, has been shifting in recent years. Rather than solely relying on macroinfluencers with thousands, if not millions, of followers, brands are now looking to collaborate with micro and nano influencers who have a much smaller following, but highly loyal audiences. With these smaller accounts comes a sense of authenticity, so brands can focus on niches previously unexplored. The proliferation of user-generated content (UGC) also continues to build both social proof and community trust. On top of that, many influencers are also becoming affiliates, with some even running their own ads in collaboration with brands.

Short-form videos like TikTok and Instagram Reels are providing fashion and beauty brands the opportunity to bring users behind the scenes, making customers feel seen and heard while giving them insight into their favourite brands in a new way. For small to medium businesses in these industries, compelling storytelling rooted in authenticity is the key to effective marketing. Leveraging UGC and influencer content alongside this is a beneficial strategy for improving both engagement and conversion.

Native advertising, too, continues to be a powerful tool for fashion and beauty marketers. German cosmetics brand Bedrop saw a 77 per cent increase in revenue and a 33 per cent increase in website sessions after embracing native advertising on the open web. Increasingly, brands are using these native and display placements to amplify visual storytelling at scale, reaching customers in highimpacts environments where they’re actively engaging with this content.

Stats you should know about authentic marketing in fashion and beauty:

• 85 per cent of Gen Z consumers say that authenticity is important when choosing a brand to support.

• 71 per cent of Gen Z consumers have been influenced to make a beauty purchase because of a TikTok video.

TREND 2: The dominance of social commerce and live shopping in fashion and beauty

Social commerce has become the new storefront, with platforms like TikTok Shop and Instagram Checkout blending content and commerce seamlessly. These channels have become as important as brand websites for those in the fashion and beauty industries: live shopping events have become major revenue drivers, offering an interactive experience for customers to ask questions and make purchases in real time.

For businesses looking to integrate a social commerce aspect into their marketing this year, it’s vital that the infrastructure is put in place to make this successful. Product tags should be included in all posts, directing users straight to the social shop to make a purchase. Livestreams—already popular in the Asia-Pacific region but starting to emerge elsewhere too—should become exclusive events, offering scheduled product drops or a livestream-exclusive discount or bonus. Using platform-native formats like TikTok’s live cart integration, can also boost revenue when launching a social commerce aspect to your business.

TREND 3: Personalisation and inclusive marketing in fashion and beauty

Digital advertisers can also blend both organic and paid posts as part of a hybrid social commerce marketing strategy. Running boosted live sessions or retargeting via certain platforms can reduce customer acquisition costs (CAC) while increasing return-on-ad-spend (ROAS).

Outside of social platforms themselves, display and native advertising placements are supporting these socialfirst strategies through promoting live events, new launches and social shopping opportunities.

Social commerce stats you should know for 2025:

• The global social commerce market is expected to grow to more than $2 trillion by the end of 2025.

• 76 per cent of customers will buy from a brand they feel connected to on social media.

• Nearly 44 per cent of US TikTok users bought something from TikTok Shop within the last year.

Consumers have come to expect a high level of personalisation in the marketing they see—gone are the days of simply ‘Hi [first name]’, in an email. With dynamic tools that enable data to be shared and leveraged across different platforms, product recommendations, landing pages and even predictive design can be incorporated into a personalised marketing campaign.

Tools like AI-powered quizzes, along with more traditional digital marketing data sources like website and social media traffic and behaviour, can be used to map demographics with purchase history to ensure that recommendations are as personalised as possible.

Not only is personalisation important, but so is inclusivity. This is no longer accepted as an afterthought or a campaign gimmick, but instead a baseline expectation from fashion and beauty customers. Brands that show a diverse range of ethnicities, body types, gender identities and appearances are typically seeing stronger engagement and a deeper sense of brand loyalty among customers. It’s essential that this is reflected across both ad creative and messaging for a successful campaign.

The numbers don’t lie when it comes to inclusivity and diversity in fashion and beauty marketing in 2025:

• Brands that prioritise diversity outperform their peers by 36 per cent.

• Sales increased by 15 per cent for small to medium businesses who used AI-personalisation in their fashion and beauty brands in 2024, over 2023.

• 75 per cent of customers said they’re more likely to shop with inclusive brands than those that aren’t.

Consumers look for products that align with their values such as sustainability

TREND 4:

Leveraging augmented reality and virtual try-ons

in fashion

and

beauty

When it comes to new technology, augmented and virtual reality (AR and VR) have changed the shopping experience for many customers. Beauty brands are using these tools to let customers virtually try on lipstick shades or foundation in real time, helping them make purchases that suit them best. The fashion industry is also experimenting with virtual fitting rooms, where customers can see how an outfit would look on their body without ever trying anything on.

Platforms like Instagram, Shopify and BigCommerce are all making this possible with easy access to AR tools, with many offering integration directly onto product pages. Not only are these fun ways for customers to play with products in a way that works for them, but it also reduces return rates anywhere from five per cent or more when customers know for sure that a product is what they’re looking for.

Advertisers can also use AR try-on functionality in ads through tools like shoppable AR lenses, to boost ad engagement. Not only that, but one of the biggest benefits to this type of technology is the sustainability practices it can help support. Immersive experiences

housed within native placements are sparking curiosity among consumers at the top of the funnel, where discovery is a critical goal.

AR and VR allow brands to put together virtual product displays for customers, rather than having a physical display where test products are used before a purchase decision is made. This prevents excess waste while helping to keep costs lower and focused on inventory for sale.

AR and VR shopping stats you need to know in 2025:

• 61 per cent of shoppers prefer to use retailers that have an AR experience.

• AR is predicted to grow to over $9 billion by 2032.

• AR and VR in the beauty industry is projected to grow by over 25 per cent before 2027.

TREND 5: The role of sustainability and ethical practices in fashion and beauty

In an ongoing climate crisis and concerns around the sourcing of the goods we bring into our homes, consumers are increasingly voting with their wallets and choosing to support brands that align with their values. Resale, refill and recycle are all buzzwords being used in the

Ceredit sefa ozel

Social commerce and live shopping dominate the beauty industry

fashion and beauty industries more regularly, with movements towards slow fashion and clean beauty picking up traction in the last

How do brands communicate their efforts toward being more sustainable and ethical, though? Transparency is essential: this means clear web pages dedicated to sustainability and product origins, along with reports demonstrating clear intent to be more ethical and sustainable. Some beauty and fashion brands have taken steps to become Fair Trade or certified B Corps, meeting strict standards around ethics and sustainability over both their products and how their businesses operate.

Visual branding is one of the best ways to quickly communicate this in stores and online. Leaping Bunny certification for beauty brands can be added to product packaging, along with B Corp status. QR codes linking back to sustainability web pages can also be a helpful tool for keeping customers informed and aware.

Sustainability stats for beauty and fashion businesses in 2025:

• 62 per cent of Gen Z shoppers prefer to buy from

• 73 per cent of customers are willing to pay more for

• 60 per cent of beauty shoppers say that eco-friendly has influenced a purchasing decision.

The goal for fashion and beauty brands in 2025 shouldn’t be to chase every new trend, but instead take intentional steps to promote their products to an ever-changing customer base. Authenticity, inclusivity, interactivity and sustainability should be the foundation to any marketing campaign, helping you drive greater ROI and build long-term trust with your community.

Cocco Corporation Maine Beach Rangelands Sandalwood fragranced bath salts (RRP $39.95). info@cocco.com.au , www.mainebeach.com.au

James Cosmetics 24K gold & collagen crystal eye mask (RRP $35). help@jamescosmetics.com , jamescosmetics.com

InClinic Cosmetics mineral matte liquid foundation SPF15 (RRP $55). info@inclinic.com.au , www.inclinic.com.au

Annabel Trends Beauty Ritual shower gift set (wholesale $12.85). info@annabeltrends.com , www.annabeltrends.com

Willpowders wellbeing range (RRP from $29). au@willpowders.com , au.willpowders.com,

Intrinsic Enterprises aromatherapy hand creams (wholesale $12.70). hello@intrinsiconline.com , www.intrinsiconline.com

LuxeSticks collagen serum (RRP $34.99). sales@luxesticks.com , luxesticks.com

Honey Biotics intense moisturiser (RRP $39.95). hello@honeybiotics.com , honeybiotics.com

Urban Rituelle Apotheca eau de parfum (wholesale $15.92). info@urbanrituelle.com.au , www.urbanrituelle.com.au

Maison Matine UKHU PACHA perfume (RRP $132). a.ponroy@maisonmatine.com , www.maisonmatine.com/en

Soleiz self-warming eye masks (wholesale $14.35). wholesale@soleiz.co.nz , www.soleiz.com

Earth Clear Clarity Home Pack (wholesale $54). sales@earthclear.com.au , earthclear.com.au

Downunder Magnesium wellness solutions (RRP from $35). karen.downundermagnesium@gmail.com, www.downundermagnesium.com.au

Annabel Trends Feel Well headache relief cooling band (wholesale $17.15). info@annabeltrends.com , www.annabeltrends.com

Neutriderm moisturising lotion and foaming cleanser (RRP $20-$30). au.neutriderm.com

Beforeyouspeak collagen & performance coffee (RRP $59.46). support@beforeyouspeakcoffee.com , beforeyouspeakcoffee.com

Essential Parfums Velvet Iris eau de parfum (RRP $66-$220). contact@essentialparfums.com , www.essentialparfums.com

SELF Tan By O Cosmedics (RRP from $25). info@inskincosmedics.com , www.ocosmedics.com

Atoderm Huile de Douche shower oil (RRP $43.99). bioderma@au.naos.com , www.bioderma.com.au James Cosmetics hydrate & firm silk face mask (RRP $49). help@jamescosmetics.com , jamescosmetics.com

www.withprimeskin.com

Trends in 2025 include the use of sophisticated data analytics, incorporation of AI, automation wherever possible and personalisation.

Ecommerce marketing and its related technology are often at the forefront of innovation. Whether it’s augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), sophisticated AI chatbots or livestreamed shopping experiences, ecommerce is a place to experiment and set the pace for other industries.

The goal remains the same though: attract more customers and keep existing ones coming back.

With retail ecommerce sales expected to exceed $US4.3 trillion worldwide, there are five key ecommerce marketing trends, according to Taboola.

TREND 1: the continued growth of personalisation and customer experience

The convergence of big data, powerful analytics tools, AI capabilities and advances in digital advertising technology all mean that modern ecommerce companies have the tools to offer interesting, personalised experiences.

Using data and AI for personalisation

With rich, first-party data, ecommerce businesses can create personalised customer experiences. Relevant data points include customer behaviour and history, along with demographic and other gathered information, to segment audiences and build tailored buyer journeys. Ecommerce businesses are also using predictive analytics and AI-powered recommendations for faster, automated customer recommendations.

Ecommerce companies have to pay close attention to price, too, particularly in economically challenging times. Last year, 60 per cent of consumers switched from a brand they were loyal to because of cost considerations.

Marketers can use all this information to surface relevant product suggestions, show unique website content in real time, send personalised messaging, use email strategically and highlight price drops, special offers or better cost versus competitors.

Creating exceptional digital experiences

In addition to personalised experiences, modern consumers also assume they’ll get nicely designed, dependable shopping and buying journeys on any site or platform. Shoppers will quickly navigate away if a site doesn’t use responsive design for mobile or loads too slowly.

Creating pleasant browsing experiences can also help stand out from the competition, whether that’s curated collections, advice available via

chat, virtual try-on, outfit or accessory suggestions and more. Ecommerce users also require intuitive navigation and one-stop checkout. Marketers should make sure to reduce the number of steps required of a shopper to increase conversions, sales and returning customers.

In addition, it’s important to make sure that any information a customer might need is easy to find. That includes transparent shipping and delivery data, return options and multiple options to reach customer service. Also, offering as many payment methods as possible makes it easy for users to buy. Clear communication and an easy purchasing process also helps build trust and authority for ecommerce brands.

• Conversion rates can increase by 17 per cent for every one second faster that a site loads.

• $260 billion of lost ecommerce orders can be recovered by creating a better checkout design. Also, 48 per cent of users abandoned their cart during checkout because extra costs were too high.

• Personalised content can increase revenue more than 25 per cent and improve a customer’s chances of spending more than planned by more than 40 per cent.

TREND 2: the dominance of mobile commerce and shoppable content

Mobile commerce has overtaken desktop browsing and continues to grow. Ecommerce keeps pushing the limit on what’s possible for shoppers and buyers, too, so here’s what to keep an eye on.

Thinking mobile-first

Ecommerce companies should put mobile browsing and shopping first, but also keep in mind the broader omnichannel market and the more complex buyer’s journey that mixes online and offline browsing. A customer might buy products online and pick up in-store or buy online and return in-store or make part of a purchase in-store and the rest online if a product isn’t available in-person. Convenience is everything for modern shoppers. As consumers move quickly across search, social and other platforms, it’s important to make sure the brand is represented consistently and positively and that products are also displayed consistently.

Going live

Mobile ecommerce has become commonplace and livestreamed, real-time shopping experiences are likely to be the next big leap in many countries. It takes some creativity and innovation to stand out from the crowd with live ecommerce such as with product demos, exclusive product offerings and partnerships with influencers to reach more viewers.

Tech tools

Combining audience knowledge with available technology can lead to some positive outcomes. An app, for example, acts as an entirely owned channel to reach and convert prospects and could include app-only offers, push notifications and other techniques and tactics that make sense. Another new technology

in circulation with ecommerce brands is AR, which can bring prospects closer to the products virtually.

• Nearly 80 per cent of all retail website visits were on smartphones worldwide in 2025.

• 75 per cent of consumers will carry out a purchase from start to finish on their mobile phone.

• 40 per cent of consumers would pay more for a product they could customise in augmented reality.

TREND 3: the power of social commerce and influencer marketing in ecommerce

Lots of ecommerce innovations over the past few years have been related to social media and entities outside of the traditional bricks and mortar businesses.

Social media evolves

Ecommerce businesses have found new, varied ways to monetise social media platforms. The platforms themselves have added features so that ecommerce companies can set up direct-sale shops inside of Instagram, TikTok and others. To make this go smoothly, make sure there are resources to support this type of selling. In addition, use the available features on the particular channel like shoppable ads, along with contests or live shopping options to engage audiences.

Influencers take the spotlight

Ecommerce marketers and advertisers might be driving most of a business’ tactics, but influencers can be hugely important for brands to attract new prospects and drive conversions. It’s important to choose the right influencer for the brand and pick the partnership type (e.g. sponsored content, product collaborations, brand ambassadorship, etc) that best fits the business, too. Influencers can help build trust as they provide testimonials, photos, videos and other authentic, credible content. Measuring the ROI of social and influencers can include attribution and channel-specific numbers, so it’s easy to tell how well various tactics are working. Metrics can include the basics like reach, engagement and conversions.

Credit iStock

Mobile phones are most popular for online shopping

• 50 per cent of ecommerce brands use social media personnel to influence their store’s conversions.

• The top social media app for ecommerce purchases is Facebook.

• 33 per cent of consumers trust an influencer’s opinion when shopping online.

TREND 4: the importance of data analytics and marketing automation in ecommerce

Without trusted data and accompanying technology, ecommerce businesses likely can’t keep up. These broad areas of focus can help companies build successful pipelines.

Data analytics

With an ongoing shift away from third-party cookies, ecommerce businesses are gathering first-party data from customers—generally more accurate than third-party and a way to build deeper relationships. Analysing this data alongside all the other information a business collects offers a window into what’s working and what isn’t. Data points can include customer interactions, purchase history and demographics; individual product performance, average order value and customer lifetime value; and conversion rate along with traffic data from web, social and other channels. The results of analysing this data can lead to personalisation and better journeys, but also cost savings, reduced overlap or redundancy, improved customer retention, better cart completion and more efficient campaigns. Ecommerce marketing teams already do A/B testing to improve their metrics, but data analytics can be applied to areas like inventory management as well and at an advanced level can provide predictions on sales trends and other areas. It’s these types of approaches that help ecommerce businesses to truly make data-driven decisions.

Marketing automation and other tools

Ecommerce marketing isn’t a task that can be done manually in 2025: even for startups or very small businesses, the work of reaching and converting prospects intelligently and efficiently across multiple channels is simply too much. AI and other automation advances in online marketing mean that marketers can now perform data analytics and build a customer journey accordingly, then deliver and manage communications across channels including email and social. Using marketing automation for ecommerce can streamline customer communication to eliminate excess contact too and many platforms incorporate AI for chatbots and assistants.

• 51per cent of shoppers prefer ecommerce businesses with live chat support.

• Email marketing provides the highest ROI for ecommerce companies, earning an average of $36 for every $1 spent.

TREND 5: the evolving role of SEO and content marketing in ecommerce

SEO remains a crucial piece of ecommerce customer acquisition in 2025. As the discipline continues to evolve, ecommerce marketers should build a solid strategy with new opportunities in mind.

Using SEO for acquisition

Ecommerce teams can use SEO and AEO (answer engine optimisation, i.e. content designed to be picked up by ChatGPT or Google’s AI Overview, etc) to attract targeted traffic, boost conversions and engagement and build and maintain brand visibility. Paid search is also still a viable tactic, depending on budget and market saturation, but organic search serves as a low-cost, always-on channel that can steadily drive traffic.

Good ecommerce SEO and AEO practices include optimising web product pages, keyword targeting and creating useful content for prospects at all funnel stages. Content marketers in ecommerce companies should use rich keywords in content and aim to inform

and educate readers about products and trends on the path to conversion. Content marketing tactics in ecommerce range from reviews and user-generated content to video and audio.

Voice search

Voice search is an emerging trend in ecommerce as smart speakers and phone assistants become more sophisticated and useful. Consumers can shop easily (then purchase and track orders) with these hands-off options, so putting resources into voice search optimisation is something marketers should consider. Get to know the tenets of voice search such as optimising for natural language and using long-tail keywords.

• 32 per cent of consumers globally are using voice assistants weekly and voice assistant users are 33 per cent more likely to have made an online purchase in the past week.

• 18 per cent of local searches will lead to a sale within 24 hours.

• Product pages that used the exact keyword in the meta description ranked better than those that didn’t.

• 57 per cent of users don’t buy from a business online if it has less than a four-star rating.

Ecommerce marketing has already started to popularise live and social shopping and offers a testing ground for emerging technology like AR and voice search. G

CHRISTMAS SHOP CHRISTMAS

Life’sa playground

Toys sales surge amidst the kidults trend taking over the market.

So far this year, seven of the 11 toys super categories tracked by Circana experienced year-over-year sales increases within the G12 including Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States.

Games and puzzles grew the fastest, up 36 per cent, followed by explorative and other toys, up 13 per cent and building sets, with growth of 12 per cent. The top five gaining segments in the toy market include strategic trading card games, standard building sets, non-strategic trading card games, action figure collectibles and action figures—all reflecting a strong consumer appetite for collectibles and licenses across age groups.

“I have been following the toy market for many years and cannot recall the last time all countries Circana tracks were growing at the same time,” says Frédérique Tutt, global toys industry advisor at Circana.

“The surge in sales can largely be attributed to consumers aged over 12-years-old, who have shown unprecedented growth and are consistently outperforming traditional kids’ trends. Products such as building sets, trading cards, games, plush toys and collectibles are seeing increased demand from both teens and adults.”

Indeed, collectibles are a driving force for the toy market, with first half sales up 35 per cent globally, as toy manufacturers innovate in this space and leverage social media to promote their brands. Entertainment licenses are also playing a key role in the toy market’s growth. Licensed toy sales grew by 17 per cent globally and now account for 35 per cent of all global toy sales. Pokémon remains the top property for the fourth consecutive year, with sales doubling compared to last year. Other leading properties include the NFL, Marvel, Hot Wheels and Star Wars, showcasing the wide variety of licensed toys that are popular in the market.

“The toy market is in healthy shape with solid demand for toys and games, however, as an industry we must remain vigilant of the uncertainties surrounding US tariffs and their impact on pricing and supply chains,” adds Tutt.

“As the second half of the year accounts for over 60 per cent of annual toy sales, the industry has reason to be optimistic about continued growth but must also remain cautious and strategic as the holiday season draws near.”

Everyone is a kid at heart

The kidult toy craze largely originated during the pandemic and its significant growth is thanks to popular toys such as the mischievous-looking monsters called Labubu (the CEO of toy store Pop Mart which produces and distributes the toys is now the 10th richest person in China).

Indeed, in response to a period of uncertainty and crisis fatigue, many adults are choosing joy and prioritising play as a means of escapism. No longer bound to a niche or fringe concept, kidults are a growing cohort of adults looking for fun and playful activities, hobbies and passions centred around embracing their inner child. Enter the new era of ‘kidult’ consumers.

From grown-ups buying toys for themselves to an increase in intergenerational entertainment, this new era of kidult consumers is leading an ‘age of play’ as fun and frivolity are increasingly accepted, regardless of age.

Globally, the kidult market accounts for 28 per cent of toy sales, with a reported annual growth rate of approximately 10 per cent over the last two years.

For 2026, brands must cater to a more playful consumer taste level and pull apart notions of ‘home’, according to research by TrendBible.

Skule

Consumers will look for ways to reframe their living spaces; reject tradition and create truly personalised spaces that express their niche likes and interests. A sense of play in the home will impact how householders and families interact with each other, behave and design and decorate. Soft toys are no longer just for kids, adults are embracing the nostalgia of soft toys, which is driving a huge surge in soft toy sales worldwide.

Shifting household dynamics and housing issues have led to an increase in intergenerational living, according to TrendBible. This is causing greater interactions between children, teens and older generations with intergenerational and ageless play at the forefront of these relationships. As adults and children play together more, there is a greater acceptance that play and games are not just for kids and can be therapeutic and dopamineboosting for all ages and abilities. Brands and businesses must look beyond ageist stereotypes to create

age-diverse play experiences. By not overlooking Gen X and Boomers when it comes to gameplay innovation, there’s big potential to not only disrupt outdated tropes but also to broaden play narratives and champion intergenerational connectivity, skill and perspectives.

A nostalgia for childhood joys is at the heart of this kidult movement, with many Millennial and older Gen-Z consumers looking back to the toys, games and characters they loved in the 1990s and 2000s. With the oldest of Gen Z already beginning to transition into caregivers, this attraction for all things Y2K is only set to grow.

The growing importance of the topic is underlined with an international study by the BrandTrends Group, which shows that 67 per cent of respondents between the ages of 18 and 65 indicated an interest in buying two or more toys a year for themselves.

Kidults can be divided into three categories: Enthusiast kidults: the avid collectors, owning six or more types of toys. They are the backbone of the kidult community.

Casual kidults: those with a moderate collection of four to five types, who blend leisure with their collecting passions.

Selective kidults: individuals who focus on two to three types, often driven by deepseated nostalgia.

“The kidult market is not merely surviving, it’s fundamentally changing our perception of play across all ages,” states Philippe Guinaudeau, CEO of BrandTrends Group.

There are several ways businesses can leverage the unique dynamics of this lucrative market, ensuring that they not only meet the growing demands of kidult consumers but also capitalise on the numerous benefits such as increased customer loyalty, higher profit margins and enhanced brand differentiation:

AsiaVision

Wigiwama

Nounix

4 TRENDS shaping the kids and toys market in 2026.

1

Freedom with safety

Young parents are increasingly questioning the ideal of the constantly present, overprotective ‘helicopter parent’. Rather than monitoring every move, they want spaces where their children can discover the world independently while staying safe. This ‘safe enough risk’ philosophy is gaining momentum, prompting brands in the play, outdoor and wearables categories to create products that allow freedom without compromising safety.

“In 2026, we’ll see a growing shift towards ‘safe enough risk’ where caregivers begin to embrace the idea that giving children space to explore and learn independently is just as important as keeping them safe,” explains Anri Hamilton, trend expert at TrendBible.

2

Products that inspire wonder

A new awareness of neurodiversity and the growing influence of AI technologies are paving the way for hyperpersonalised, immersive play, learning and storytelling experiences.

At the heart of this transformation in product development are imagination, curiosity and creative freedom, brought to life through exceptional designs, captivating stories and multisensory experiences. “The industry thrives on diversity in design and attention to detail.”

3

Practical and well thought out

Faced with time and budget constraints, parents are increasingly looking for products that combine convenience, sustainability and smart design with good value for money. They want durable, multifunctional solutions that adapt to everyday family life, grow with the child and bring joy.

“There are some truly exciting ideas and solutions out there such as suitcases that transform into strollers, bags that open into play mats, customisable twin strollers and bike trailers that convert into comfortable wagons in just a few simple steps.”

4 Sustainable material innovations

Biodegradable materials made from cellulose or food waste, safe plastic alternatives and sparkling textures with a wow factor feel—the industry is finding bold ways to combine environmental consciousness with engaging product experiences. Brands are placing greater emphasis on sustainable supply chains, smart material choices and AI-powered production processes to balance quality, availability and cost-effectiveness while reducing waste.

Source: Kind + Jugend

Develop unique collectibles: Create limited edition toys and collectibles with unique designs that resonate with adult consumers.

“The challenge is to produce items that are not merely purchased but are cherished and showcased,” suggests Guinaudeau.

Revitalise classics: Leveraging nostalgia effectively means bringing beloved childhood toys back to life with contemporary features.

Blend online convenience with store experience: Integrating the efficiency of online shopping with the tactile, immersive experience of store visits offers the best of both worlds.

Craft engaging retail spaces: Establish special zones in stores dedicated to adult collectors and keep the offerings fresh with rare and exclusive items to ensure every visit remains exciting.

Watcherfox

Foster a community: Developing online and offline communities where kidults can share their experiences and collections helps strengthen their engagement with the brand. It is evident that toys are more than child’s play; they are a bridge connecting generations through shared experiences of joy and creativity.

“Toys are becoming a medium for adults to revisit their youth while engaging in a community with similar passions,” reflects Guinaudeau. “By understanding and catering to the needs of this diverse consumer base, the toy industry can unlock a significant, growing market segment. This isn’t just about selling products; it’s about creating and nurturing a culture of play for all ages.” G

Little big friends

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cool THE KIDS

Australians are turning to new beverage cooler technology developed in New Zealand to keep their beer and wine chilled.

According to company data, Australia has now become Huski’s largest market for its award-winning beer and wine cooling range, with multi-million-dollar sales in this market nearly doubling over the past year.

The Kiwi brand behind a world first ice-free Champagne cooler has reached the top spot in its category on Amazon across Australia, the US, UK and Canada and the company is on track to double its eight-figure annual revenue this year.

What began with a prototype cobbled together from PVC pipe in a home garage is now a patent-pending product range found in over 500 retail stores across Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the US.

Huski co-founder, Simon Huesser, says that since Champagne was first created in the 1600s, there has been virtually no advancement in how it’s kept cold on the go, with the traditional ice bucket remaining the default for centuries.

He says their technology works by using double-walled vacuum insulation to keep beverages cold for hours without the need for ice, solving a common problem faced by wine and beer drinkers who experience warm drinks before the bottle or can is finished.

“Sparkling wines like Champagne and Prosecco are particularly sensitive to temperature and experts recommend serving them between 6°C and 10°C to preserve both flavour and carbonation,” he notes.

“Once opened, the carbon dioxide that creates bubbles begins to escape rapidly, especially as the wine warms. Our Champagne cooler not only maintains the ideal temperature range for up to six hours without ice, it also features the patent-pending BubbleLock

bottle stopper, which helps slow the loss of effervescence and extend the drinking experience. We believe it’s a worldfirst feature.”

Huesser says the idea for Huski came from the realisation that while insulated beer coolers were available in the US, the can and bottle sizes in Australia were different from those in most other countries.

Almost a million Huski beer and wine coolers have been exported to over 50 countries including Germany, Japan and the UAE and the company recently secured a single commercial export order to the UK for 76,000 units—its largest to date.

“US beer cans are 355ml, Australia’s are typically 375ml and New Zealand is predominantly 330ml—with a mix of other formats.

“The realisation that there was no one-size-fits-all solution across markets led us to develop a more universal product range. That’s when we saw real potential and why we started collecting bottles and cans from recycling bins to get the sizing right,” he says.

Huesser says their original beer cooler built a strong consumer following for its ability to keep drinks ice-cold without mess or condensation.

As demand grew, customers began asking for a version that worked for wine and bubbly bottles and they responded by developing specific products to answer that market demand.

“Designing for sparkling wine came with a new set of challenges. The bottles are larger, the shapes more varied and

Huski co-founder Simon Huesser

Huski Champagne coolers

the drink itself, with its effervescence and sense of occasion, demanded something more than a simple size upgrade.

“We focused on the full experience, not just keeping bubbly cold. That meant researching bottle variations, testing with real users and thinking about how every detail including the packaging could enhance both performance and perception.”

Huesser says their solution was a vacuuminsulated stainless steel cooler with a removable stopper integrated into the base, designed to keep sparkling wine at its ideal serving temperature.

The patent-pending integrated bottle stopper slows the loss of carbonation, helping Champagne, Prosecco and other sparkling wines stay bubbly for longer, solving one of the biggest frustrations for wine lovers worldwide.

“The solution isn’t complicated but it’s thoughtful and as the stopper lives in the base of the cooler, it’s always on hand when you need it, not lost in a drawer somewhere.”

Huesser says the Champagne cooler’s unique design helped capture the attention of one of the world’s most respected design institutions.

“The Red Dot Design Award is one of the most prestigious design competitions globally.

“Winning the 2025 award has been a career highlight. It means being recognised by more than 40 international

experts for innovation, functionality and aesthetic appeal. It puts us in the company of brands like Apple, Dyson and Ferrari,” he enthuses.

Huesser says the growing popularity of Huski’s products has brought significant growth, but also new challenges, particularly around intellectual property.

“As a design-led business, we have had to be proactive about IP protection from day one.

“We now run monthly sweeps to identify copycat products and have successfully taken down hundreds of infringing listings. It is not just about stopping imitators, it is about safeguarding the value of the research, testing and design work we have invested in,” he says.

Huesser notes that focus has paid off in unexpected ways.

“In one case, we intercepted a shipment of 15,000 design-infringing wine coolers en route to customers in Australia. After a friendly chat with the importer, it eventually resulted in a significantly larger legitimate commercial order.”

Huesser says their direct-to-consumer model has proven highly scalable.

“We typically enter new markets through Amazon, then expand through our directto-consumer ecommerce websites, retail partnerships and loyalty programs.

“This approach has driven significant growth in markets like Australia and the UK, where sales are up to 240 per cent higher than in the past 12 months.” G

BELOW: The Huski collection RIGHT: Champagne cooler

TREND ALERT: Christmas

Three trends shine the spotlight on responsibility, connectedness and optimism.

While world events change unpredictably, festive seasons provide structure to the whole year. Be it Christmas, Easter or Halloween, public holidays form social anchor points and create a sense of solidarity. They also encourage us to reflect on the positive things in life.

This reflection stands out particularly in challenging times and materialises in the Christmasworld Trends 25+, which focus on people and their inner experience.

“The three styles deep, real and ease are united by a guiding principle: be responsible and connected in your dealings with nature and optimistic about the future,” says Annetta Palmisano, trend expert Stilbüro bora.herke.palmisano.

“This idea particularly provides additional meaning to the festive mood and results in creative impulses, handcrafted techniques and new material creations.”

Trend 1: deep—the fleeting becomes permanent

“The flow of nature, whether water droplets or clouds, becomes permanent. Tried and tested craft techniques and natural materials teach us to perceive the here and now and not to lose ourselves in thoughts of the past or the future—tranquillity is created,” she explains.

“deep transforms the home into a cosy retreat. Nature’s resources are treated with respect and great goodwill. The designers create perfect craftsmanship and the harmonious unity of material effect and form. The simplicity of the objects is only apparent. Behind the scenes, they call for reflection and create a closeness to a spiritual experience.

“The introspection is supported by a colour palette with nuances borrowed from nature. Familiar nocturnal blue, soft eggshell colours or alabaster white with its warm, calm radiance are all part of this character. There are also darker metallic nuances such as matt silver or gold lustre, which reflect the light through textured surfaces and create a festive shimmer.”

Trend 2: real—change brings optimisation

Within the real style, durable products, practical features and resource-saving materials define the festive season. New visions explore designs, materials and technologies that have a positive benefit for society. Durability is a key starting point for designers, while practical properties and suitability for ecologically sound recycling principles are also becoming increasingly important— everything aims at improvement. Minimalist shapes fit in with the modern lifestyle, which stands for sustainable values and exceptional quality standards. Digital technologies also create expressive tactile surfaces that appear handmade.

“The colours of this style evoke associations with longevity and authenticity, which are also reflected in the design. Their opacity is sometimes reduced, making the material colours appear transparent and luminous. In addition, there are colours with decisive signal power. Alongside festive green, the symbol of growth and hope, the nuances of fine woods and a soft, less intense beige create a connection to nature. The message of sustainability and environmental awareness is expressed here and evokes emotional associations such as attention and love for a festive design with impact,” Palmisano notes.

Trend 3: ease—creativity sparks cheerfulness

Unconventional playfulness alternating with lively patterns and imaginative, innovative creations provide festive cheer. ease turns the familiar on its head and surprises. Recycled and reusable materials emphasise the message: creativity triggers change and creates new awareness.

Christmasworld trends

The familiar bauble on the Christmas tree is transformed into a new, visually vibrant garment.

“Unconventionally designed patterns and surfaces are joined by collages of a wide variety of materials in which an experimental free spirit unfolds. The textile design also takes great liberties, for example with further developed working methods for embroidery thread. The interpretation of lightness and playful joy is as omnipresent as the curiosity for development.

“This results in timeless creations and radiant beacons of hope for a bright future. With fresh sky blue, lemon or plum, the colour world of ease unmistakably conveys bright joy in life, open-mindedness and variety. At the same time, the colours stimulate the imagination in a clear, tasteful way. In a decorated room, they multiply the charisma of the festival of love and joy with their lightness and modern poetry.

“For each style, nine colours with eight micro colour themes enable individual focal points that can be changed and reinterpreted throughout the year. The concentrated colour stories thus offer buyers, product designers and collection managers numerous design options for staging showrooms, shop windows and product presentations in a varied and surprising way,” she concludes. G

The best of digital craftsmanship, arts and contemporary design inspire each other within the ease style

Real explores new visions in which designs, materials and technologies are created that have a positive benefit for society

Connectedness and a profound feeling describe the essence of deep

Christmasworld trends

Christmasworld trends

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THE ART OF

JOY

With a quest to enrich people’s lives by creating joy from everyday actions, IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia) winner BALMUDA is a company that unites creative product design, arresting style and big hits of happiness.

Its flagship store in Aoyama, Tokyo rises from the concrete footpath with the same sense of precision, style and enchantment as the exquisitely crafted products showcased within. The building’s arresting style—smooth concrete walls and two stories of shining glass framed by black steel and dramatic lighting—has the same look and feel as the company’s toaster that was designed by founder Gen Terao in 2015.

The toaster went on to be an icon—a status that the building will no doubt also achieve.

Precision and happiness join forces at BALMUDA.

By Michelle Hespe

The designers of the building—Nikken Space Design—created a museum-meets-bar type of space, with the ground floor offering customers the chance to view modern works of art as they would in a museum.

“Since our founding, we were unwavering in our hope that our products—which we create with the belief that ‘if such tools existed, the world would surely be a better place’—will enrich the daily lives of those who use them,” says Terao.

“You can experience all of our products in-store, but to make this experience even more worthwhile, we display the history of the ideas, the designers in charge of the products and what they went through before bringing the product to market.”

Terao goes on to explain that consumers don’t judge BALMUDA products solely on quantifiable specs when comparing

them with other products available.

“We communicate the incredible, unquantifiable experiences that they get through our products. This was also a crucial point when it came to designing our stores,” he says.

BALMUDA doesn’t rely on market research or creating products that it’s confident will sell.

“The store may be recognised as a home appliance manufacturer, but it’s not a company that makes home appliances in order to increase sales,” he says.

“Instead, BALMUDA is about creating products that are truly desired. We work with the vision of enriching the lives of people who share our sensibilities and who feel the beauty, sense of surprise and a joy of owning and using our products.”

Spreading the word and enriching more lives

This concept of basing BALMUDA’s brand upon the happiness that it brings to shoppers’ lives is evident as soon as you visit the company’s website.

Rather than leading with images of products for sale, the website is like a photography site, with images of people enjoying life and everything it has to offer. A sun rises over a hill; a gentleman enjoys a slice of toast while smiling at his cat; a woman straightens a man’s tie and a young girl plays with a hula hoop.

This makes perfect sense. “We’re very happy if having BALMUDA products in

All images supplied by BALMUDA

a consumer’s daily life helps them to feel a sense of joy that they’ve never felt before,” Terao says.

“BALMUDA gives shape to the desire to make things that people truly want. By providing ideas that the world has never seen before, customers connect with our ideas and are able to live richer lives. Like ripples on the surface of water, we feel great joy seeing the number of such customers grow.”

Those followers are increasing by the day. BALMUDA has 150,000 followers on Instagram and an almost cult-like following of fans who happily spread the word.

“We know that the true value of our products can’t be easily understood without a consumer experiencing them,” he says.

“So, word of mouth from people who truly love our products has been our most reliable advertising. That’s why we place the utmost importance on fan marketing in Japan.”

Music and joy: from then until now

Before launching BALMUDA, Terao dreamed of being a rock musician.

“I like rock music because it’s useful to people,” he says.

“Music can save people’s hearts from despair.”

His parents both had creative jobs, with his father being a potter and his mother a florist, so it’s not surprising that he has a rare creative streak.

“Father always told me: ‘You’re different from others, so don’t try to be like them’.”

What Terao has created with BALMUDA is not like anything else and it all started with one product made in his apartment, with no manufacturing experience behind him.

“I came up with a tool to dissipate heat from laptop computers, which at the time would quickly get hot and freeze,” he explains. “I thought, if the shape of the base was at an angle, it would be easier to type and dissipate heat, so I invented a cooling pad for laptops with the emphasis on solving the problems and a very cool shape.”

Terao was a one-man band, so he designed a logo, launched a website and managed sales.

“The journey was never smooth sailing and we were always on the verge of collapse,” he says.

“But BALMUDA has managed to stay afloat and now we have around 100 employees. None of them simply follows instructions. Everyone joins BALMUDA because they want to accomplish something at a unique and interesting company where they make a difference.”

Terao says that as a CEO, he never uses the word impossible.

“Because there may be a way that we haven’t yet discovered. I ask my employees to think outside the box and act with the utmost self-confidence, believing in even the slightest possibility that something exists.”

Becoming a gia winner and being recognised globally

“I had never had a goal of BALMUDA being accepted by the masses, because I didn’t think people outside of Japan would understand our philosophy,” he says.

“However, the fact that our store has become worthy of receiving a gia award is the crystallisation of ideas from everyone involved.

“It has given our employees much happiness and a strong sense of confidence in our professions. Winning a gia award has also given us the reassurance that our accumulated efforts have been right. We won’t change the direction and future of BALMUDA because we believe in it. However, that future has become more strongly imagined than ever before.”

Terao has never wavered in his belief that BALMUDA’s delivery of high-quality experiences and products will improve the daily lives of its consumers.

“This belief is just the axis, but the goal is always changing and I want to do something different and more fun tomorrow, than I did today,” he says with his usual conviction.

“We envision a future where, like cool rock musicians, we can share our creativity with people across the world to make their days happier.” G

To learn more about BALMUDA, visit balmuda.com/jp/shops. For more information about the gia retail program, the co-sponsors or participating in 2025-2026, contact Piritta Törrö at piritta.torro@inspiredconnection.fi.

SMARTER SHOPPING

The impact of AI and ecommerce on Australia’s retail sector.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is embedded in every industry and is reshaping business as we know it.

Australia has fast become one of the greatest adopters of AI, ranked 16th out of 36 countries in Stanford’s AI Vibrancy Index and accelerated by well-developed cloud infrastructure and a relatively high digital maturity compared to other mid-sized economies.

The country’s retail sector is a prime example of a key industry embracing AI in new and transformative ways—from streamlining logistics to personalising customer experiences, AI is fast becoming an indispensable tool in both physical and online retail environments.

Jenn Donovan, director of Social Media & Marketing Australia, believes that—if used correctly—AI can quickly become one of the industry’s greatest assets.

“AI is giving marketers in the retail industry a second set of hands and sometimes even a second brain,” she shares.

“It’s helping us work smarter, not harder, by automating the repetitive stuff and giving us powerful insights into our audience’s behaviour.”

One of its biggest advantages, however, lies in its accessibility, she explains.

“These tools aren’t just for big businesses with big budgets; they’re accessible and easy to use for time-poor small business owners.”

When it comes to deploying AI, Donovan adds that content creation is the easiest starting point for most small businesses.

“Whether it’s blog posts, social media posts, website writeups, magazine writeups or website descriptions, AI is supporting small businesses in their marketing efforts.”

She points to tools such as ChatGPT, Canva, Opus Clip and Notion AI as some of the top platforms that should form part of every retailer’s arsenal.

Ecommerce five years on

The pandemic acted as a powerful accelerator for ecommerce growth. With lockdowns confining people to their homes, online spending surged to $50.46 billion in 2020—a 57 per cent increase from the previous year. By 2024, that momentum continued to grow, with ecommerce sales reaching $56.07 billion.

Olivia Carr, founder and CEO of Shhh Silk has witnessed, and been a part of, the ecommerce evolution.

“The past five years have accelerated a fundamental shift in ecommerce, from transactional to transformational,” she says.

“We’ve witnessed firsthand how customers no longer just seek products; they seek brands that align with their values, understand their lifestyle and deliver emotionally resonant experiences.

“We’ve responded by moving beyond simply selling silk pillowcases toward creating rituals and experiences that support rest, wellness and emotional reset.”

Speaking to AI in small businesses, Olivia notes that AI, when used mindfully, can help us elevate this experience through more intuitive service and storytelling.

However, faced with increasing operational costs, global competition and rising customer expectations some small businesses remain behind the curve.

Another key challenge lies in balancing growth with integrity. “To scale social impact authentically, ecommerce brands must

define a clear mission, embed it into their product and customer experience and hold themselves accountable.”

Looking ahead, as AI continues to evolve and embed itself within the retail sector, Australian businesses—both big and small—are poised to benefit from smarter, more personalised and efficient operations.

Meanwhile, the sustained growth of ecommerce reflects a permanent shift in consumer behaviour that shows no signs of slowing. Success will depend on how well brands balance innovation with authenticity, embracing technology like AI to enhance customer experience without losing sight of their core values.

Indeed, new research from PayPal Australia reveals rapid consumer adoption of AI for online shopping, paving the way for a shift toward agentic commerce.

The advances in AI technology are set to revolutionise how sellers and shoppers interact. Described by the term ‘agentic commerce’, the future of online shopping

will involve AI agents autonomously researching, negotiating and executing purchases on behalf of consumers and businesses.

“Agentic AI is not just another enhancement to the way humans use technology in retail,” Simon Banks, managing director, PayPal Australia explains.

“It’s got the potential to completely disrupt the existing model of ecommerce.

“Natural language will become common place in helping shoppers find products. Imagine telling AI exactly what you want, in your own words and getting tailored options instantly. No scrolling or site hopping—just results. From chatbots to social feeds, consumers will be able to make seamless one-click purchases wherever they are.”

Half of all Australians (48 per cent) have already used AI assistants for online shopping searches, signalling a clear move away from traditional search. Among Australians under 45, adoption rises to 66 per cent, showing younger shoppers are leading the change.

Most Australians (78 per cent) expect AI assistants to become a mainstream part of the online shopping journey, with 53 per cent planning to use them in the next 12 months. However, trust remains a critical factor—30 per cent say they’d only engage with AI shopping solutions from brands or platforms they trust.

Confidence in AI recommendations is high for such new technology with three-in-five Australians (61 per cent) saying they would trust AI to make product recommendations. Forty-three percent (43 per cent) say they’d trust AI for certain categories, preferring to make the final decision themselves with 18 per cent placing full confidence in AI-led product recommendations.

Australians are already thinking of (other) ways AI services could be leveraged to simplify shopping experiences, with many interested in using AI for practical benefits and to find savings. Over one third of Australians (38 per cent) are most interested in using AI assistants for price tracking and deal alerts while shopping online.

This agentic shift presents opportunities and challenges for sellers.

“Sellers will need to fundamentally shift how they approach marketing and search functions in response to the growth of agentic shopping tools. They’ll need to put greater effort into building agentic AI experiences and making sure their products appear at the forefront of natural language search,” adds Banks.

Despite the increasing use of AI for online shopping, 92 per cent of Australians have at least one concern about using AI when shopping online, with the privacy and security of their personal details their top concern (64 per cent).

“Trust is crucial to enabling agentic commerce. These solutions must be safe and secure, particularly as integration with smart wallets and payment options becomes more readily available.”

While there are security concerns, 57 per cent of Australians are willing to share online shopping habits and preferences to better personalise AI shopping recommendations. G Jenn Donovan and Olivia Carr were guest speakers at the recent Global Sourcing Expo in Sydney.

Hues and harmonies

The move away from neutrals will continue in 2026 as more of us embrace colour. Here’s what to expect in the year ahead for home design colour trends.

As 2026 approaches, colour remains a vital tool for expressing mood, personality and intention in home interiors.

This year, design embraces harmony—soft warmth meets quiet drama, natural tones are elevated and bold accents return with renewed confidence.

The rise of personality-driven interiors has meant we’re no longer afraid of colour, even if the brightest of shades might still be a rare sight.

From grounding greens to sun-warmed yellows, discover the colours that will shape 2026.

Poppy Red

Poppy Red is a vibrant, retro-inspired colour that commands attention and injects energy into any space, from home offices to kitchens.

Bold yet versatile, it works beautifully with soft pinks, olive greens or monochrome accents to create playful or sleek interiors.

It contrasts beautifully with baby pinks, olive greens and soft beige for a playful, layered look. Alternatively, pair it with monochrome accents for a sleek, graphic finish. For a more curated feel, introduce it through artwork, cabinetry or a single painted wall.

Purple Foliage wallpaper mural by Uta Naumann

Velvet Plum

Velvet Plum is a rich, romantic purple that adds drama and personality, perfectly suited to the moody interiors trending in 2026.

Ideal for living rooms, dining areas or boutique bedrooms, combine it with warm tones like burnt orange and muted gold or with soft grey and dark green for a layered, indulgent look.

For a modern update, try pairing it with soft grey or dark green for a layered, expressive palette. Use it on accent walls, in velvet cushions or even in bold wallpaper designs to introduce a sense of depth and indulgence.

Tidal Teal

Tidal Teal balances cool and warm tones, offering an immersive, comforting shade with a dustier edge that suits both modern and rustic interiors.

Ideal for lounges, bedrooms and spa-inspired bathrooms, it pairs well with warm metallics like brass or copper, earthy materials such as jute or rattan and layered fabrics for a versatile, textured look.

Lighter tones like sand, oyster or pale peach soften the look, while near-black or walnut wood finishes will bring out its depth. It’s particularly effective in layered textures—think velvet sofas, textured feature walls or mural-style wallpapers.

Golden Hour

Golden Hour is a mellow, sun-drenched golden yellow with a vintage softness, perfect for creating warm, comforting spaces in 2026.

Ideal for dining rooms, bedrooms or bathrooms, choose it with terracotta, creamy neutrals and contrasting shades like deep teal or soft lilac for a grounded yet retro vibe.

Pair with terracotta, cinnamon tones or creamy neutrals to enhance the warmth. If you prefer contrast, deep teal or soft lilac can balance it beautifully. Golden Hour also works well with mid-century styling and natural wood finishes for a grounded yet retro feel.

Silvered Green

A sophisticated evolution of sage, Silvered Green is set to be one of 2026’s most calming and adaptable colours. With subtle grey undertones and a slightly chalky finish, this shade is rooted in nature but feels contemporary and refined. It brings freshness without being cold and depth without feeling dark.

Silvered Green suits bathrooms, bedrooms and openplan kitchens where tranquillity is the goal—a shade that blurs the line between outside and in.

Complementary shades include warm neutrals like clay or putty, cool whites and soft blush tones. It also easily pairs with aged brass, fluted wood or stone textures, making it ideal for minimalist interiors with a touch of softness.

Near Black

Near Black is a deep charcoal with undertones of navy, forest or brown. This shade can be used in kitchens for a sleek, architectural look or in bedrooms and living rooms for a cocooning effect.

Pair it with creamy whites, dusty pinks or warm tan tones for balance or go all in with tonal greys and moody blues for a gallery-style aesthetic. It also highlights textures beautifully from plaster walls to matte ceramics and soft fabrics.

The 2026 colour palette blends natural tones with warmth to bring calm and character to any home. From the glowing Golden Hour to the rich Velvet Plum, these hues elevate spaces without overwhelming them, encouraging a selfexpressive approach to interior design. G

Source: Wallsauce

LEFT: Evening Heron wallpaper mural by SpaceFrog Designs

BELOW: Flaming Flamingos wallpaper mural by We Paint Houses

RIGHT: Golden Country Bloom Floral wallpaper mural by Lisa Audit

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Spring into the new season with these latest finds

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1. Swim Essentials inflatable family hammock and hammock lounge, wholesale from $50.50 and $16.85. Axis Toys & Gifts, 02 9986 3456, admin@axistoys.com, www.axistoys.com, www.facebook.com/AxisToys, www.instagram.com/axis_toys

2. Fitness ball, dice and sports cooling towel, wholesale from $6.40 to $51.60. Annabel Trends, 07 55 934 755, info@annabeltrends. com, www.annabeltrends.com, www.facebook.com/AnnabelTrends, www.instagram.com/annabeltrends

3. Janod happy garden tools, wholesale for $7. Bright Wonders, 08 7425 1400, info@brightwonders.com.au, www.brightwonders.com.au, www.instagram.com/brightwonders_au 4. WhipScreen SPF50 sunscreen mousse, RRP $29. Barefoot Labs, hello@barefootlabs.com.au, barefootlabs.com.au, www.facebook.com/people/Barefoot-Labs/61556848611878/?_rdr, www.instagram.com/barefoot_labs

5. Janod fox skipping rope, wholesales for $10.25. Bright Wonders, 08 7425 1400, info@brightwonders.com.au, www.brightwonders.com.au, www.instagram.com/brightwonders_au

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1. Kirra kite, wholesales for $12.50. Coast Kids, 0427 994 521, info@coastkids.shop, coastkids.shop, www.facebook.com/coastkids.aus, www.instagram.com/Coastkids.aus 2. Scentica Signature candle, diffuser & interior spray, wholesale from $11 to $18. Pastel Pines International, 02 4577 7111, sally@pastelpines.com, www.pastelpines.com, www.facebook.com/pastelpines, www.instagram.com/pastelpines 3. Flourish Organics botanical perfume, wholesales for $15.92. Urban Rituelle, 02 9531 1244, info@urbanrituelle.com.au, www.urbanrituelle.com.au, www.facebook.com/urbanrituelle, www.instagram.com/urbanrituelle 4. Yvolution Peach Velo 2 in 1 trike, wholesales for $93. Kaleidoscope Australasia, 07 3375 6446, sales@kaleidoscope.com.au, www.kaleidoscope.com.au, www.facebook.com/kaleidoscopeaustraliapl, www.instagram.com/kaleidoscope_australasia 5. DBL wine bags, wholesale from $15 to $30. Design By Leonard, +64 9360 8808, orders@designbyleonard.com, dbl-wholesale.com.au, www.instagram.com/dbl_designbyleonard

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1. DBL cushion covers, wholesale from $15 to $30. Design By Leonard, +64 9360 8808, orders@designbyleonard.com, dbl-wholesale.com.au, www.instagram.com/dbl_designbyleonard 2. All weather outdoor cushions covers, POA. Carnival Homewares, 03 9808 2222 accounts@carnivalhomewares.com.au, www.carnivalhomewares.com.au, www.facebook.com/CarnivalHomewares, www.instagram.com/carnivalhomewares 3. Flourish Organics room and linen mist, wholesales for $15.92. Urban Rituelle, 02 9531 1244, info@urbanrituelle.com.au, www.urbanrituelle.com.au, www.facebook.com/urbanrituelle, www.instagram.com/urbanrituelle 4. Inspirational jigsaw puzzles, wholesale for $22.72. Intrinsic Enterprises, 08 8232 2366, hello@intrinsiconline.com, www.intrinsiconline.com, www.facebook.com/theintrinsicway, www.instagram.com/theintrinsicway 5. Picnic ranges, wholesale from $15 to $51.50. Annabel Trends, 07 55 934 755, info@annabeltrends.com, www.annabeltrends.com, www.facebook.com/AnnabelTrends, www.instagram.com/annabeltrends

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