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6 Big Shopping Trends In 2017

With both the national and global economies generally strong and recovering, 2017 is set to be a strong year for shopping. Whether people are enjoying great summer deals or planning ahead for the holidays, there’s plenty of sales, discounts and fads to be had both in-person and online.

With each new year comes new trends in the world of commerce, fuelled by changes in fashion, electronics, hobbies and more. If you’re somebody who enjoys being with the times, sells your own products and services, and/or wants to know what everybody is buying – and how – then keep reading to find out about six big shopping trends in 2017 you can’t miss!

Vaping Spree

2017 has been a huge year for those seeking to kick the smoking habit. Once regarded as a niche habit, more than two million people in England, Scotland and Wales now report using e-cigarettes. Because of this rapid growth, there has been a huge explosion in the number of vape suppliers, flavour selection and available equipment.

And that’s a good thing: it means lower prices. You’ll find a plethora of reasonably-priced e-liquids and vape supplies online (click here for some examples), as these brands move to fill the huge demand that has emerged this year for these products.

Celebrity Merchandise

The fascination with celebrity status is something most people feel they can’t escape. Between social media and television, even the most disconnected people have probably heard about some of the latest celebrity scandals.

This is why it shouldn’t be shocking to hear that there has been a recent uptick in celebrity merchandise demand. As 2017 continues to unfold, expect to see more celebrity-backed perfumes, cosmetics and other forms of merchandise. Some examples of this trend include Beyonce’s Ivy Park and Kanye West’s Yeezy Fall 2017 lines of clothing.

Male Spending Habits

For as long as consumer organizations have kept track, women have outspent men by significant margins. This largely was due to women being the keepers of the home and being responsible for all the shopping decisions. Well, that era is clearly over: 2017 is the first year on record that men will outspend women in retail situations.

According to the Men’s Shopping Report released by The Boutique @Ogilvy, men will outspend women by more than 10% this year. In addition, growth in key sectors such as menswear will continue to widen this gap in the years to come. This is a very important shopping trend to be aware of if you’re in retail, as your target audience may need to be adjusted to account for this surge.

Watches Are the New Wedding Rings

The classic tradition of buying an engagement ring for your future spouse is something that may be on its way out – at least, if current shopping trends hold. With key fashion hubs now almost unanimously reporting on the emerging dynamic of “wedding watches”, the shopping trend is beginning to catch on in a significant way.

One reason why the wedding watch is so alluring for many is the fact that it is a functional piece. Unlike wedding rings, a watch provides both style and function. Additionally, you don’t have to worry about losing your watch when cleaning out the sink or reaching in between the car seats.

The Hottest Kids Toy for the Holidays

Every holiday season, all too many parents wait until the last minute in order to find the most desirable gifts and fads. If you’re paying attention right now, however, you can act early and rest easy.

One of the hottest items for the 2017 holidays is the Hatchimal. These are toys that start off as eggs, which are cared for by children until they magically hatch one day. First appearing at the 2016 Toy Fair, kids went crazy for them. A variety of mystical animal mixtures such as “owlicorn” and “bearakeet” are just waiting to emerge into the world. Currently, you can find Hatchimals for around £60, but expect both price and availability to be less friendly by the time the holidays arrive.

Augmented/Virtual Reality

Long awaited but finally here, the future is now with the retail trends that we’re seeing in both augmented and virtual reality sales.  With six million VR units sold worldwide in 2016, the numbers are expected to grow even more in 2017.

For less than the price of most traditional computers, shoppers can immerse themselves in a genuine virtual reality experience through any one of hundreds of available titles. With units such as the Samsung Gear, Oculus Rift and HTC Vive all selling hundreds of thousands of units each quarter, 2017 looks to be an even better year for the industry.

These six shopping trends have thus far dominated retail sales in 2017, and we still have a few months to go. Whether you’re wanting to know what to sell, to whom to sell or what people are wanting as gifts for the holidays, you now have more information that can help you make the best decision possible.