Emerging Trends in Global Market Nov. 2012

Themes to Plan for

November marks the official start of the holiday shopping season. Our aim with merchandising is to create a healthy balance between promotions for traditional holidays, seasonal changes, cultural events, and lifestyle trends. Our central merchandising themes will focus on autumn, winter, entertaining, and the holidays. While emphasis will be placed upon the seasonality of the Northern Hemisphere, it’s important to remember that the Southern Hemisphere is preparing for summer. Maintaining seasonally appropriate options year-round is good practice for boosting international and overall sales. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are shopping holidays gaining a reputation as the best days of the year to find sales. The season for holiday parties begins. Think invitations, hostessing, hostess gifts, table settings, accessories, food, cocktails, recipes, seasonal decor, lighting and favors.

Holidays

The holidays consist of two central themes ― decor and gifting. Shoppers are already planning and searching for holiday-themed gifts: Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. Major gifting categories include price, recipient, and type of gift. Think in terms of the following groupings: under $25, under $50, under $75, statement gifts, women, men, teens, children, babies, coworkers, friends, the person who has it all, pets, personalization, eco-friendly, cards, calendars, gadgets, jewelry, fashion, one-of-a-kind, gag gifts, decor, DIY options, and parties & entertaining.

Thanksgiving

Consumers are focused on entertaining, family, food and football. Classic Thanksgiving symbols include the turkey, cornucopia, Pilgrims and Native Americans, seasonal food, and fall foliage. Hostess gifts, table settings, and hearty treats are all items shoppers will be looking for.

Sports

Football, college basketball, and horse racing (in Australia) are in focus this month.

Weddings

Late autumn and winter weddings are currently underway; take advantage of seasonally-themed gift ideas, guest attire, as well as any final details that last-minute buyers may still need to purchase. Don’t forget to stay a step ahead for brides currently planning and shopping for 2013 spring and summer weddings. Handmade and vintage variations on the wedding dress, engagement rings, creative invitations, save the dates, and signage are on the rise.

Culinary Trends

DIY culinary kits are on the rise. Classic cocktails, home brewing, beer and wine accessories, herb infusions and kits, garden to table.

Winter

Home decor, entertaining, food and recipes, seasonal activities, woodland motifs and nature’s symbols.cocktail rings, tribal and native references、Industrialization home.

Upcoming Dates to Remember

November 1 & 2: Dia de los Muertos

November 1: All Saints’ Day

November 1: Emirates Melbourne Cup Day (Australia)

November 5: Guy Fawkes Night a.k.a. Bonfire Night (UK)

November 11: Beginning of German Carnival season & St. Martin’s Day, children parade with paper lanterns

November 11: Veterans Day

November 11: Remembrance Day, Canada

November 22: Thanksgiving

November 23: Black Friday

November 26: Cyber Monday