John Lewis recently unveiled a comprehensive report shedding light on the top trends that have captured the attention of UK consumers over the past year. The findings reveal a fascinating shift towards vibrant and striking hues, animal prints, stylish jumpsuits, trendy Love Island merchandise, and cruelty-free vegan beauty products.
One standout revelation from the report is the soaring popularity of bold and vivid colors, partly inspired by the royal wedding and the impeccable fashion sense of Meghan Markle. Notably, sales of the Mulberry Darley bag, famously sported by Meghan, skyrocketed by an impressive 327%. The color yellow emerged as a firm favorite, with yellow dress sales quadrupling and yellow emerging as the most sought-after color on the John Lewis website.
Unpredictable weather conditions also left their mark on consumer preferences, with winter prompting a 63% sales surge in boots and summer driving high demand for flip flop sandals. The Love Island craze made its mark as well, with sales of inflatable items and water bottles seen on the show witnessing a significant upsurge. To everyone’s surprise, thongs made a striking return, seeing a 72% boost in sales.
Leopard print stood out as a dominant trend, adorning various items from boots to scarves to dresses. The Rachel Ellen rainbow range also experienced a surge in sales, underscoring the popularity of rainbow-inspired products. Men opted for swimming shorts in eye-catching hues, with recycled swimwear options gaining traction.
Color preferences varied between genders, with women gravitating towards yellow and men showing a preference for yellow, khaki, and pink. Jumpsuits stole the spotlight with a remarkable 61% increase in sales, surpassing dresses in popularity. Athleisure took a sophisticated turn, as women paired trainers with office wear and men embraced Hawaiian shirts.
The rise of vegan beauty products was particularly noteworthy, with a 12% growth in sales at John Lewis compared to the total beauty market’s modest 5%. Brands like Pai, offering a comprehensive vegan range, witnessed a noteworthy surge in sales. Skincare acids like hyaluronic acid and glycolic acid were heralded as transformative ingredients, with Ren’s Glow Tonic emerging as a bestseller.
Moreover, the report emphasized a noticeable shift towards mobile shopping, with smartphones emerging as the preferred device for browsing and purchasing products. While desktops remained the choice for larger purchases, mobile sales saw a commendable 16% increase from the previous year, indicating a growing consumer inclination towards mobile shopping.
In summary, John Lewis’s report offers a captivating insight into a vibrant and diverse consumer landscape, shaped by an eclectic array of fashion, beauty, and lifestyle trends. From the allure of bright colors to the charm of leopard prints and the allure of vegan beauty products, UK consumers are embracing a medley of trends and shopping behaviors in the current retail landscape.
For more information, you can check out John Lewis’s report here, and explore the latest trends in fashion and beauty.
