As temperatures drop and the cosy season is in full swing, specialists at Sainsbury’s, Argos, Habitat and Tu have revealed their predictions for the autumn months and upcoming festivities. Exploring search and gross sales information, alongside shopper analysis, the Sainsbury’s Seasonal Highlight report uncovers what the nation is consuming, ingesting, carrying and gifting, in addition to how they’re adorning this festive season.
The retailer has recognized 5 key themes for this autumn winter season:
Autumn aptitude is within the air, with searches for ‘autumn decor’ on Argos hovering by +2,274% within the first two weeks of September 2024 vs 2023. In the meantime, demand for autumn themed PJs additionally skyrocketed as Halloween turns into extra in style than ever. Thanksgiving feasts and ‘Friendsgiving’ getaways within the UK are additionally on the rise, as 34% of individuals intend to host the historically American celebration for the primary time. Looking forward to Christmas, adorning the house for the primary occasion has been introduced ahead with Sainsbury’s prospects buying Christmas decorations as early as September. 16% of Brits are even planning to have bought all their festive get together put on by the final week of October.
Retro revival is again with a bang as daring and outsized Christmas decorations reign supreme. Searches for multi-coloured Christmas lights additionally elevated by +1,003% 12 months on 12 months as nearly 1 / 4 of Brits (23%) say they may go for color this December. Crimson wine hues are additionally making their mark on interiors and trend selections.
Brits are prioritising comfort within the kitchen in alternate for extra time with family members. Final December, an air fryer was bought each 8.3 seconds at Argos to hurry up Christmas cooking and this 12 months, 22% of hosts count on company to deliver alongside ready-made dishes, sharing the love and the load. Grilling can also be set to be in style, with 17% planning to host a barbeque get together throughout the festive interval, with Sainsbury’s reporting a whopping +74% improve in December burger gross sales over the previous two years. Millennials may also be taking over extra festive duties in 2024, as over a 3rd (39%) will host Christmas for the primary time this 12 months.
Throwback dishes akin to trifle and prawn cocktail, nostalgic décor and items are proving in style for 2024, as many make a journey down reminiscence lane to combine outdated traditions with the brand new. The truth is, 3 in 5 millennials are shopping for meals that sparks childhood reminiscences and 45% need to adorn their houses with nostalgic decorations. The analysis even discovered that just about half (47%) have already watched a Christmas movie, as many simply can’t wait to recreate reminiscences for essentially the most great time of the 12 months.
‘Kidult-ing’ is the brand new development for Christmas with old-school toys together with Furby and Beyblades set to make a comeback as 34% of Brits plan to purchase youthful relations the toys they loved as a baby. Searches of retro objects are on the rise too, exhibiting the nation is ready to reward the golden oldies with file gamers (+22%) and flip telephones (+21%) each growing considerably. Pets are additionally getting in on the festive enjoyable, with 38% of Brits planning to purchase a present for his or her furry good friend this Christmas, a determine that will increase to 44% for Glaswegians.
Claire Hughes, director of product and innovation at Sainsbury’s, commented: “It’s essentially the most great time of the 12 months! We all know our prospects are searching for options that take the fuss out of preparation and internet hosting for the festive season, so we’re all about “Christmas-made-easy”; suppose ready-to-drink cocktails, air fryer-friendly get together meals and handy, quick-cook centrepieces – all simply as large on wow issue as they’re on flavour.
“Panettone is synonymous with Christmas and this 12 months we’ve taken it to the subsequent stage with each a chocolate and hazelnut in addition to a limoncello variant which can be good for gifting. We’ve even bought a mini panettone in a tin that’s simply the suitable measurement for a stocking. From tipples like our dessert-inspired liqueurs to an attention grabbing mild up terrarium, there’s really one thing for everybody.
“Christmas can also be a time for nostalgia and this 12 months, 60% of the nation plan on rediscovering the enjoyment of retro dishes that hark again to the developments and traditions they grew up with. You possibly can count on dishes like terrine, miniature get together meals and prawn cocktail to make an look on the desk this 12 months.”
Matt Leeser, industrial director, Argos, Habitat and Tu, mentioned: “We all know our prospects need to benefit from the festive season, with our analysis exhibiting that 44% of UK adults benefit from the celebrations much more now than once they have been youthful.
“We’re proud to supply them much more option to make Christmas particular, from our big selection of know-how and electrical manufacturers akin to Sonos and Apple, to the most recent toys for each little youngsters and people who are youngsters at coronary heart, for whom our vary of Lego is proving in style. Along with our attractive new Autumn-Winter trend from Tu and our superbly designed Habitat house and furnishings ranges, we’ve actually bought one thing for everybody.
“Our prospects have already began to embrace their Christmas purchasing, with visits to our Christmas web page on Argos.co.uk already up by +121% in comparison with the identical time final 12 months. For these needing to make any last-minute purchases, Argos’s market-leading same-day Quick Monitor supply and Click on & Accumulate companies means we have now a spread of the way to assist make purchasing throughout the busiest time of 12 months much more handy, proper up till Christmas eve.”
