Christmas shopping report and chocolate … UNWRAPPING THE TOP CHRISTMAS SHOPPING TRENDS AT EDEN SHOPPING CENTRE
As the festive season approaches at shopping destinations around the country, Eden Shopping Centre [1] is today releasing the first insight
into Christmas consumer shopping habits.
Top gift trends
Sustainable gifts such as eco-friendly skincare sets and upcycled fashion, personalised jewellery and Lego are trending as _the _gifts for Christmas.
Although the biggest shopping day of the year isn’t until 22nd December, several key gift trends are already emerging:
· Fashion continues to be a festive favourite, with classic, versatile pieces like winter coats, knitwear, and boots in high demand from retailers such as H&M, Next, and New Look.
· Women’s gifts are seeing a surge in personalised jewellry and luxury eco-friendly skincare sets
· Men’s gifts lean towards practical yet stylish items, as well as a typical growth in sales for socks and underwear – dad’s favourite!
· Children’s gifts focus on educational and interactive toys, including Lego sets and creative activity kits, making learning fun.
· Experiences over items: Many are choosing to gift experiences, such as cinema outings at Cineworld or high octane go karting thrills at TeamSport.
Christmas card sales on the rise An early sign of festive enthusiasm is the rise in Christmas card sales, with Card Factory and Clintons already seeing customers stock up on traditional cards and festive greetings. This reflects a growing trend again of people embracing the sentimental value of sending cards to loved ones.
Shoppers starting early this Christmas Across the UK, many consumers are beginning their Christmas preparations earlier, continuing a trend from 2023, when shopping began as early as mid-September. This year, Eden Shopping Centre has seen a similar early start, with a noticeable increase in footfall from mid-September, suggesting customers are eager to beat the festive rush and make the most of the centre’s diverse range of retailers.
Sustainability is also high on the agenda this year, with many shoppers on the lookout for eco-friendly and green gift options. Eden’s retailers have seen an increase in enquiries for sustainable alternatives, reflecting a shift towards more mindful Christmas shopping.
Rebecca Gomme, Marketing Manager at Eden, says: “We’ve noticed a growing number of shoppers at Eden High Wycombe coming to our help desk and asking for advice on finding sustainable gift options. People are more conscious of their choices this year, and we’re here to help, whether it’s finding eco-friendly gifts or unique local presents.”
