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Fashion Accents

By Caroline Kennedy -- Gifts and Dec, 11/1/2008 12:00:00 AM

Fashion accents, especially jewelry, continue to be a strong category for gift retailers. Of the 50 Gifted Retailers that Gifts & Decorative Accessories has chosen to profile in this and its 2007 SOI Report, 45 out of the 50, or 90 percent, carry jewelry, and 30 out of the 50, or 60 percent, carry other fashion accents.

Though a small sample by research standards, it is representative of today's gift retailers. Even shops that consider themselves home decor stores are selling jewelry. And more vendors, such as CBK, are adding jewelry and other fashion items into their wholesale mix.

Jewelry sales represent more than $8 billion at retail according to Accessories magazine 2007 Census Report, which includes fine jewelry as well as bridge and fashion jewelry. Of that figure, jewelry sold thru jewelry stores and other independent retailers represents a 15 percent share of market or $1.44 billion.

Fashion jewelry is big in the gift channel with the most popular price points ranging from about $15–$25. And although rising precious metals prices are affecting sales of bridge/artisan jewelry, it is continues to be a way for retailers to present unique looks not found in mass, chain or department stores.

One of the largest growth areas within the fashion jewelry is sentiment pieces — jewelry featuring inspirational sayings, words or symbols. And there is a strong attraction to eco-friendly pieces as well.

As to other fashion accents, handbags have leveled off but remain a viable category, especially in functional fashion totes, diaper bags, business/computer bags and eco-shoppers. The fashion gift category continues to broaden, offering retailers a lot to boutique.

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