Matthew Algie -Top3 Christmas Gift Packaging Trends 20/21

INSPIRATION FOR YOUR RETAIL GIFTING

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Consumers are faced with a very different gift shopping landscape this Christmas - but here's where cafes can benefit. Living in various states of lockdown and with a general reluctance to spend more time in public spaces than is necessary, people will undoubtedly display markedly different buying behaviours this Christmas. But let's not assume that everyone's entire Christmas list will be purchased on Amazon. Frustrated by their restricted living conditions, many consumers will be hopeful of new ways to achieve their Christmas gifting buzz. Our world has gotten smaller and as a consequence, local food and drink experiences have grown significantly in importance to us (even if we can only buy to take home or arrange a delivery).

Many people, now working from home, are visiting local stores for provisions (or utilising their delivery services) rather than heading to supermarkets. And neighbourhood coffee shops and delis have been an essential destination for a pick-me-up. It is on these outings (or web visits) that cafes have an unprecedented opportunity to boost their retail sales. What better time for a consumer to get into the festive spirit and manage their Christmas to-do list than when ordering their daily flat white. Adorn your shelves (or webshop) with irresistible gifting products and everyone wins! But how do you make your particular selection of delicious treats, coffee-makers, and teapots stand out from the rest? Shoppers buy with their eyes (and with their busy schedules in mind). Show a selection of your range in beautifully hand-crafted gift-packaging and watch them fly off the shelves. Here are our three favourite three gift wrapping trends for the season...

03. Furoshiki: re-usable wrapping cloths

What's more eco-friendly than re-usable wrapping? Furoshiki are a type of Japanese wrapping cloth, traditionally used to transport clothes, gifts and other goods. Though their usage in Japan fell sharply with the introduction of the plastic shopping bag, there are efforts to resurrect the tradition. Wrapping cloths are now readily available in the UK & Ireland in a wide array of fabrics and designs. Though the investment is higher, there will be zero waste and a very happy loved-one. The only question is whether the lucky recipient will be able to bring themselves to pass it on to someones else. Selling wrapping cloths alongside your produce, with some carefully bound examples, will offer you a new line of revenue, and your customers' plenty of inspiration. Check out www.wrapuccino.com for how-to videos and a great range of sustainable wrapping cloths.