New figures show that Christmas will be smaller this year, but, Christmas markets are still the best place to sell handmade gifts.
The clock strikes one, the stalls are prepped, the carollers are harmonising and the snow machine is on.
Business workers spill from the surrounding buildings to be welcomed by a festive Christmas market. That was the reality yesterday for workers at a square in Holborn.
As well as small businesses, the market was accompanied by carollers, a large Christmas tree and a snow machine. CREDIT: AISLING FLAHERTY/CITY NEWS
New Fetter Lane’s pop-up Christmas market offered a range of homemade gifts from intricate jewellery pieces to classic leather wallets.
While statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that two in three people are spending less on non-essential items than last year, Christmas seems to be a great time for markets as Londoners are opting for more original gifts.
A shopper from a nearby office said: “I like to know where and who my money is going to”. Another said: “It’s good to get in the Christmassy spirit and see the stuff people have made”.
Spending habits
According to a report by the British Retail Consortium (BRC), retail sales were only up by 2.7% in November despite Black Friday sales.
With interest rates at a 30-year high, it confirms a sales volume drop for the 22nd consecutive month.
Head of Communications at BRC, Lara Conradie said: “We were hoping (Black Friday) would kick-start spending this Christmas”.
She said spending for Christmas usually starts “In October or early November” but this year has been particularly slow.
Ms Conradie acknowledged that Christmas will look different this year, with many toning it down.
But she said there is hope for the retail industry with Christmas falling on a Monday, allowing shoppers an extra weekend of buying. Retailers are hoping for a last-minute surge.
A similar picture is drawn in a report by audit firm KPMG, showing that four in ten shoppers have smaller budgets this year compared to the year before.
Market stall vendors
Speaking to several small business owners at the market, Christmas is their busiest time of the year and a large part of their income.
I spoke to Alyssa who owns a handcrafted candle business. Craft fairs and Christmas markets twice a month are her main source of income, and she doesn’t sell as much online.
“People need to touch the products rather than see a picture online, I make scented candles, people need to smell them”, she said.
Alyssa has noticed a hesitancy of customers to spend money on non-essential items but said Christmas is still her busiest time of the year and can sell up to 500 items on a good day.
Alyssa makes scented candles in unique shapes making it a unique gift for friends and family this Christmas. CREDIT: AISLING FLAHERTY/CITY NEWS
Dorothy, another small business owner, has been making jewellery for over fifteen years. She said this year she is trying to sell more online to cut down on the costs of her stall, but said “it is a risk”.
At markets, she likes the traffic from people who wouldn’t usually see her products as well as speaking to her clients and having a chat with them to find out what they like.
Dorothy makes handmade jewellery using recycled brass from Kenya. CREDIT: AISLING FLAHERTY/CITY NEWS
With Christmas markets popping up all over the capital, part of the appeal is not just the authenticity of the products but also, the market itself.
With street food, carollers and festive cheer it gives customers more than just a shopping experience, something that can’t be offered in a retail department store or scrolling through a retailer’s website.
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HeadlineLondoners choosing handmade gifts this Christmas over big retailers
Short HeadlineLondoners opt for handmade gifts this Christmas
StandfirstStatistics show people are toning down Christmas this year, yet gift stalls at Christmas markets say this is their busiest season.
New figures show that Christmas will be smaller this year, but, Christmas markets are still the best place to sell handmade gifts.
The clock strikes one, the stalls are prepped, the carollers are harmonising and the snow machine is on.
Business workers spill from the surrounding buildings to be welcomed by a festive Christmas market. That was the reality yesterday for workers at a square in Holborn.
As well as small businesses, the market was accompanied by carollers, a large Christmas tree and a snow machine. CREDIT: AISLING FLAHERTY/CITY NEWS
New Fetter Lane’s pop-up Christmas market offered a range of homemade gifts from intricate jewellery pieces to classic leather wallets.
While statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that two in three people are spending less on non-essential items than last year, Christmas seems to be a great time for markets as Londoners are opting for more original gifts.
A shopper from a nearby office said: “I like to know where and who my money is going to”. Another said: “It’s good to get in the Christmassy spirit and see the stuff people have made”.
Spending habits
According to a report by the British Retail Consortium (BRC), retail sales were only up by 2.7% in November despite Black Friday sales.
With interest rates at a 30-year high, it confirms a sales volume drop for the 22nd consecutive month.
Head of Communications at BRC, Lara Conradie said: “We were hoping (Black Friday) would kick-start spending this Christmas”.
She said spending for Christmas usually starts “In October or early November” but this year has been particularly slow.
Ms Conradie acknowledged that Christmas will look different this year, with many toning it down.
But she said there is hope for the retail industry with Christmas falling on a Monday, allowing shoppers an extra weekend of buying. Retailers are hoping for a last-minute surge.
A similar picture is drawn in a report by audit firm KPMG, showing that four in ten shoppers have smaller budgets this year compared to the year before.
Market stall vendors
Speaking to several small business owners at the market, Christmas is their busiest time of the year and a large part of their income.
I spoke to Alyssa who owns a handcrafted candle business. Craft fairs and Christmas markets twice a month are her main source of income, and she doesn’t sell as much online.
“People need to touch the products rather than see a picture online, I make scented candles, people need to smell them”, she said.
Alyssa has noticed a hesitancy of customers to spend money on non-essential items but said Christmas is still her busiest time of the year and can sell up to 500 items on a good day.
Alyssa makes scented candles in unique shapes making it a unique gift for friends and family this Christmas. CREDIT: AISLING FLAHERTY/CITY NEWS
Dorothy, another small business owner, has been making jewellery for over fifteen years. She said this year she is trying to sell more online to cut down on the costs of her stall, but said “it is a risk”.
At markets, she likes the traffic from people who wouldn’t usually see her products as well as speaking to her clients and having a chat with them to find out what they like.
Dorothy makes handmade jewellery using recycled brass from Kenya. CREDIT: AISLING FLAHERTY/CITY NEWS
With Christmas markets popping up all over the capital, part of the appeal is not just the authenticity of the products but also, the market itself.
With street food, carollers and festive cheer it gives customers more than just a shopping experience, something that can’t be offered in a retail department store or scrolling through a retailer’s website.
