Five Key Trends That Will Influence Wedding Gift Buying In 2009
Retailers are predicting a shift in gift buying trends in 2009, based on analysis of recent search activity online, as well as wider consumer trends. They predict the top 5 trends affecting wedding gift buying will be:
- The new old - revisiting skills consumers thought they had lost in order to produce home made, home crafted gifts. This could be everything from wood carving, painting, to jam making. New technology will give a wider audience access to contemporary and nostalgic designs to replicate at home.
- Local Gifts - consumers will look to make their money count and support businesses that not only provide something different but also with a link to their local economy. Small, local and independent will become more attractive, as well as those mom and pop online sites that gather together the best of small businesses in America.
- Better bang for the buck - people will think more about what they are buying, as they will be looking to spend slightly less while still making an impression. When watching the pennies, consumers won't want a random collection of stuff panic-bought from the Mail. Last minute shopping will decline, in favor of better considered purchases more focused on the individual. Personalized items are on the rise.
- Long Tail Gifting - consumers will be looking for more and more unusual gifts that reflect a person's very real interests. For example, it won't be enough just to buy wine glasses, for someone who really enjoys fine wine. Crystal wine glasses with a decanter takes it that extra step and really makes it unique. Now it's not just a pair of glasses but a full set with the decanter. Pouring the fine wine into a decanter makes for a real presentation, becomes a mini-event. Related to less is more, when consumers spend money, they'll want to know they've got something just right, no matter how obscure. The web allows consumers to delve into these niches, no matter how small.
- Green and pleasant land - consumers will be looking for objects with serious green credentials, particularly those that help save the other green stuff at the same time. Money saving and eco-friendly will happily co-exist, as well as serious design chic now being essential as well as the green credentials of an item.
Holly Weaver, Editor at www.crystalizeonline.com, says, "We have been seeing the undercurrent of these trends throughout 2008 and see these 5 as the key influencers of purchasing in 2009. As the economic climate continues to be uncertain, this will be a year of taking stock, considered purchasing and also for rediscovering the joy of creating personalized things just for that special person."
See related article on trends in second wedding gift giving.
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