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5 Consumer Trends To Keep In Mind In 2017

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We’re less than a month into 2017, and if you haven’t thought about it already, it’s time to start paying attention to what’s trending for consumers in the new year. While many of the same trends that have been rising over the past few years will continue into 2017, there are also some new trends to follow that can increase your business revenue if you pay attention and adapt to the trends.

To help you out for this brand new year, we’ve come up with a few trends based on data gathered by market researcher Euromonitor International, and compiled by the experts at AdvertisingAge.

More People Online

This should be an obvious trend because of the increase in internet access throughout the world, with more rural communities getting high-speed internet, but it’s important to pay attention to. There are going to be far more people online in 2017 than 2016. In fact, research predicts that 3.5 million additional people around the world will come online each week in 2017.

That means, now, more than ever before, it’s important for you to have a strong online presence. And what better way to have a strong online presence than by having a website where customers can find all your important and relevant information? A website is a perfect way to set yourself up for success in 2017, and our friends at Atwill Media would be happy to help you accomplish that goal.

If you’re a wholesaler, we suggest signing up for an FGmarket listing so people can search through our directory of amazing vendors, and find your products with ease.

Fewer People Using Cash

Research shows that, although cash is still a dominant way that people pay for products, card payments have finally passed cash up in terms of popularity. The data shows that 44.1% of payments are made with cards, compared to 43% for cash. This number could reach 49.1% for card payments by the year 2021.

What this data suggests is that in the current market that we live in, POS systems and e-commerce options are now more important than ever. Most people, especially the younger generations (millennials and the generation after) don’t even carry cash with them anymore. If you accept only cash at your business and no options for paying with a card, you’re missing out on a huge chunk of the paying population.

More People Living In Cities

The percentage of the global population living in cities has now increased from 50% in 2007 to 55% in 2017. That means there are now more people living in urban areas than rural areas, and this trend is continuing to move upward.

Why does this matter to you, a business owner? It matters because, depending on where you live, you might be seeing an increase in your customer base or a decrease, and you’ll have to learn to adapt to this population change. If you’re a rural business and you’re noticing your customers moving farther and farther away, you might need to increase your marketing area to reach those people and bring them back to your shop. If you’re seeing an increase in business due to your urban shop location, you might have to adapt to the influx of customers to your shop. This could mean increasing your inventory, moving into a larger space (if you have a storefront), or hiring more staff to help out.

Healthy Living Is Rising In Popularity

A big trend right now is healthy living, which includes healthy eating, using organic and natural products, and exercising more.

The more people who choose to begin living a healthier life, the more the demand for natural, organic and healthy products goes up. The health and wellness industry is a huge industry and was valued at $711 billion in 2016. That number is expected to increase in 2017. If you’re looking to change your business model to an all organic or all natural model, now is the prime time to make the switch.

It’s a huge decision to completely change your business model, of course, but the reward might outweigh the risk for this trend.

Social Media Userbase Is Continuing To Grow

Facebook is still the largest social media network (by a long shot) at 1.5 billion worldwide users, and that number continues to grow every day. Some of the other growing accounts are Instagram (at 400 million users), Snapchat (at 200 million users), and Pinterest (at 100 million users).

Social media is a constantly expanding beast of interconnected people and places, and if you’re not on at least one social media network by this point in the technology’s lifespan, you’re seriously missing out.

These days, besides having a website, your business social account is one of the first places people check when researching whether or not to shop from your business. If you don’t have any form of social media, then you can expect your customers to perceive you as outdated, out of touch, and not as accessible as your competition.

Social Media has been a trend for a long time, but it’s growing larger and larger every year. Make sure you stay on top of this important trend.

Keep these trends in mind as you journey through the twists and turns that 2017 is sure to bring, and for more on what’s trending in wholesale products each month, check out the Product Information category of the FGmarket blog.

Be on Trend with 2012’s Fall Colors

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When purchasing items for your store, you must be on trend. You should always check the forecast for what will be on trend within each season. Fall is coming up so you should be looking at what to purchase for your store, if you haven’t done so already. Trends that are ever-changing with each season are colors. So, what’s popular this fall? Pantone released their 2012 fall colors, so start with following these color trends for your store.

This years fall color trends feature French Roast, Honey Gold, Pink Flambe, Tangerine Tango, Ultramarine Green, Bright Chartreuse, Olympian Blue, Titanium, Rhapsody and Rose Smoke. So, have you found products that feature these colors? You can feature these great colors in almost everything that you feature in your store. This also might make for fun displays. For example, find products in your store that feature the French Roast color and all the items that will compliment that color. You can pick your top 5 favorite colors and feature 5 different displays in your store. This is a way you can use all of your products in your store.

First things first, find the products you want to feature in your store that feature some of these colors. Find beautiful housewares, home textiles and items that they can display in their home to create a warm fall feeling. Also, don’t forget about finding the right fashion trends to feature in your store. These colors will definitely be making some appearances on fashion tops and jewelry.

Once you find the products, start thinking of great displays where your customers will notice them. Create themed displays, such as a houseware display, gift display or fashion display. There are many creative ways to display these products and get them noticed. Continue reading “Be on Trend with 2012’s Fall Colors” »

Marketing Tip Of The Week: Stay On Top Of Trends

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When owning a store, you absolutely MUST stay on top of trends. Why would customers want to shop in your store if you’re not offering the latest products? More than likely they wouldn’t, they would find somewhere else to go who is offering just that. So, this week’s marketing tip offers tips on how you can stay up-to-date on all the latest trends that your customers will love.

Research: The main key in staying up-to-date on all the latest trends is researching. Researching is the key on staying on top of all the latest trends that customers are attracted to for the season. Check out blogs, like FGmarket, attend markets, check out magazines, internet research and ask your customers. All of these resources will provide you with all of the market trends that you are looking for.

Marketing Tip Of The Week

Check Out The Competition: See what your competitors are offering to their customers. Are they drawn to their products, do they get excited about them and do they actually purchase them? Knowing what your competition is offering is a great way to find out about products that you may be missing out on. Once you see what sells well, consider offering it in your store.

Customer Input: Ask your customers if they’ve seen anything new that they would like you to check out. Have they seen a new trend other places or seen an ad on television? Ask them. You never know what your customers might have seen at other places. Plus, if you ask them what they would like to see; they’ll feel apart of your store. Customers are the ones who shop in your store, so they’ll know what they would like to purchase.

Product Trends: Your customers are extremely useful, however, they may not see what is offered at market shows. Therefore, they may be missing out on something truly unique. Attending these shows, discovering wholesale suppliers and reading the latest magazines will help you provide your customers with new product trends.

New Marketing Strategies: However, trends don’t just include products. They can also include new marketing trends. Trends are always changing, as well as how the world receives information. Therefore, you must know how your customers receive advertisements. For example, Continue reading “Marketing Tip Of The Week: Stay On Top Of Trends” »

Summer Market Trends For 2011

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Are you in the process of buying for your store? Need an idea on what will be appealing to your customers for Summer 2011? Let, FGmarket help by providing you with our top picks for Summer 2011. Your store will be full of fabulous items that your customers will love! Staying on trend is one of the main components that will help your store thrive during each season.

Contemporary Kitchen Accessories

Modern/Contemporary Design – Yes, this trend has been with us, but it will be here to stay too. Customers are drawn towards these unique lines and structure within home decor. If you want to carry vases, frames or mirrors with this trend; your customers will be able to place just one piece in their home and it will transform it. Clean, modern shapes will have your store up-to-date on all the latest trends.

One of FGmarket’s vendors providing just that is SKALNY. They offer great home accents, housewares, kitchen accessories, furniture, baskets and containers that will take anyone’s home to the next level.

Beautiful Candlelabra
Traditional – Keeping in trend with traditional is also still a big trend. Keeping home decor more towards the traditional element will have your store in style. You can show off great traditional elements in your store to give it a true homey feel. Sticking to the classics should always be a staple piece within your store. Customers will always be drawn to the traditional elements.

Home Decoration Accessories offers great traditional items that your customers will love to feature in their home. They will become staple pieces. From their candle holders, vases to their bowls; your customers will enjoy their traditional pieces.

Retro Sign
Retro Fun – Along with traditional and modern, retro inspired designs are coming back into style. Your customers will be able to display them as home accents or in their kitchen. Fun owls, vintage photos or vintage home decor should all be featured in your store. These fun designs can be featured in home accents, stationery or artwork that can be displayed throughout the home.

Sign Of The Times offers great decorative signs that you’ll be able to feature in your store. They feature retro designs, vintage ones and humorous signs. Customers will be able to be on top of this trend with this company. Placing these signs in a game room, home office or kitchen will make those rooms that much more fun.

Regreet-Greeting-Card-Organizer
Eco – Friendly Chic –Providing your customers with environmentally friendly products will truly make them happy. Promoting a better lifestyle and helping the environment are big trends in everything. Whether you are wanting to provide Eco-friendly stationery, all-natural gourmet food or home decor made from recyclable items., they all fit in with the “going green” motto.

reGreet provides a fun and chic way to reuse greeting cards and accessories. They provide cute stickers that you can place in your card to cover up where someone else has written something. With these items, you’ll be able to regreet your card. A great way to save paper throughout the world.

These 4 designs are extremely popular right now, Gifts And Decorative Accessories listed them in their December 2010 issue. Staying on top of Summer trends this year will be a must for your store. Your customers will love visiting your store for all the latest trends, so stay up-to-date!

Cash In On The Organic Baby Products Trend

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In an ongoing effort to be the best parents ever, the current generation of parents with babies and young children are seeking to find the most organic baby products made of only natural and healthy materials. When stocking your shelves for these eco-conscious parents, consider popular wholesale organic baby items like this.

Wholesale Organic Baby Products For The Tummy — Everything from organic apple juice to organic baby food and formula is popular with trendy parents.

Hint:  Look for products with natural ingredients grown with few or no chemicals.

Hint:  Always look for a certification with organic baby items.

Wholesale Organic Baby Products For The Bedroom — If it’s found in the closet or on the bed, it’s a winner. Look for products like organic baby blankets and baby bedding, organic cribs (yes, they’re out there), organic mattresses (material will be certified organic), baby quilts and other products that leave parents happy to let their children play in their rooms.

Hint:  Look for certification with materials used in organic baby bedding and other items. The materials used to create the bulk of the product are usually the certified items.

Hint:  Look for the use of organic or all natural dyes to color materials. The use of organic dyes and organic material is a winning combination.

Wholesale Organic Baby Products For The Bathroom — All around the house and even to the bathroom, look for organic baby products like organic baby powders, toothpastes, organic baby wash, lotions and other items. If it touches the baby’s skin but leaves no trace of harsh chemicals, it’s a favorite.

Hint:  Look for the use of herbs and all-natural ingredients.

Wholesale Organic Baby Products For Fashion — Organic baby clothing is a big deal with eco-friendly parents. Note the use of materials for the many different types of organic baby clothing such as baby hats, dresses, diapers, outerwear, organic baby slings, diaper bags and totes and other items.

Hint:  Look for the use of organic or all natural dyes to color materials.

Hint:  Look for textiles manufactured without harsh chemicals. Many will have an organic certification.

They’re Not Trick-or-Treating Just For Fun — They Want Halloween Candy

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Kids don’t go door to door for funsies. Well, not entirely. But what you can guarantee that they want when they get to the door is candy. Candy! Candy! Candy! Halloween candy has to come from somewhere and this year it can come from your store.

You already know that kids want to taste candy and that wholesale Halloween candy has to come from somewhere. To take it a step further, here are the types of Halloween candy that are trendy this year. Make sure your customers are extra satisfied with wholesale Halloween candy like this:

Prank Candy — Gag candy, prank candy, novelty candy. However you say it, it’s fun stuff! This is the candy that turns your mouth different colors or comes in a unique shape that helps disguise some hilarious hidden attribute. Halloween is the perfect time of year for playing jokes and wholesale prank candy leaves you tickling the funny bone.

Candy Corn — An old favorite. Buying wholesale candy corn puts you on the front lines. People will elbow, push and shove to get to the best candy corn first. It’s an odd little treat but it’s the quintessential Halloween candy.

Lollipops — Many retailers keep lollipops in their store year round. What they don’t keep in stock are the unique wholesale lollipops designed specifically for holidays like Halloween. Shapes like spiders, pumpkins, ghosts and others help lollipops make a big splash during the Halloween candy rush.

Foil Wrapped Chocolates — No one above the age of 10 can say that they celebrated a Halloween night of trick-or-treating and walked away with foil covered chocolates. It just can’t be done! Help carry this tradition on for a new generation with wholesale Halloween chocolates.

Custom Chocolates — Holiday oriented chocolates are always a hit because of the novelty of unique shapes and colors. Custom Halloween chocolates are no different. In fact, what better time than Halloween to experiment with funky custom chocolates?

Caramels — Wholesale caramels are a retailer’s best friend during the Halloween candy rush. Caramels are a tried and true confection with the pleasant taste that most adore and a traditional appeal rivaled only by candy corn.

Wholesale Halloween candy should be at the top of every retailer’s list this year. Now is the perfect time to start preparing for the Halloween rush by buying wholesale Halloween candy. When you’re ready to make some bold moves with the Halloween candy that you provide, try these favorites. Customers this year will be thrilled to see this selection in your store. It’s a sweet treat for them and one for you as well!

Ooohs and Aahs In Baby Comfort And Trendy Items

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New parents are always looking for trendy baby items that provide comfort while making their life easier. While most trendy items for babies are organic made or natural products, they are also adorable, tailored to safety and handy.

Baby Products
Parents aren’t the only ones buying for baby; family and friends buy baby items as well. This makes the baby product market huge with millions of dollars spent on babies each year.

Even in these tough economic times, retailers know finding the right wholesale baby gift items are a way to capitalize on consumers in a stable market.

So how do retailers decide what baby products are right for their target market? Think like a parent, grandparent or gift giver.

Choose Baby Comfort

Babies need and desire comfort, at least that’s what people buying baby items believe. Baby comfort items include: bedding, bath towels, hoodies, clothing and organic skin care products such as lotion and soaps.

Wool Car Seat Covers
All of these products make for a wide selection of baby items that you can tailor to your clientele. We’ll discuss the cross-over trendy aspects of these later.

Choosing essential comfort products such as crib items or baby clothing will ensure your baby items sales stay on target.  Don’t forget to include the basic comfort items that make parents feel safe. Protecting their child is their number one goal.

Products that range from organic baby blankets to crib safety bumpers or even chair covers for shopping carts to stroller covers that keep baby warm are basic must have items.

Why? Because comfort and safety are not only for baby but for parents as well.  Think of the parents’ perception of safety and comfort and you’ll find sales ring up quickly.

Baby Is Trendy

Trendy items are not just cute little gimmicky items that provide “oohs” and “ahhhs”, they can also provide comfort and safety.

Trendy Baby Totes
When deciding on which trendy items to stock, look for things that are trends today; but that can also become staples for parents in the future.  Appeal to their need for fashion, causes, convenience, or style.

Just because an item is labeled eco-friendly doesn’t make it trendy.  However because of the movement towards being “green” and environmentally conscious, several eco-friendly baby items are becoming trendy. One of the rising eco-friendly baby trends involves organic clothing and lotions.

The trendy baby is concerned with giving baby a good footing in life – literally. Specialty shoes that help your baby learn to walk correctly or educational toys are making trend setting strides in the baby products market.

Impulsive Baby

In your product mix, you’ll want to include a few items that called “disposable” or “impulse buys”.

Baby Hats
These items are relatively inexpensive. So darn adorable, people buy them just because of their cuteness factor.

Hair bows, baby shoes that look like little loafers or cowboy boots, hats, tee-shirts with cute saying are not “need items” but “want items”.

Seriously, customers can not just walk by or pass up items that scream “This is so cute!! Buy me!”

Carrying these types of impulse baby items gives you the opportunity to up-sell and appeal to the hidden wants of your customers.

The baby product market is huge. As a retailer, you need to tailor your products to fit your specific customer base. Watch the trends. Look for items that please parents on a comfort and safety level.  Introduce items with a “ohhh that is so cute and adorable” or “that is such a cool idea, I just have to buy that item”. Follow these suggestions and these products will deliver the sales.

As always, FGmarket has the wholesale baby product vendors that can supply you with the best items for babies.  To jump start your baby product search check out the FGmarket wholesale baby vendors highlighted below.

It’s Never Too Early To Shop For Halloween Costumes!

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Halloween costume shopping starts early, especially for retailers. Wholesale Halloween costumes are very important to the retailer wanting to cash in on holiday sales this Halloween. Instead of waiting until shoppers start wandering in, get ahead of the game this year by shopping for wholesale Halloween costumes now! To get a head start on this year’s trendy Halloween costumes, here’s what customers really want to see on the shelves (and on their children) this year:

The right Halloween costume accessories can make or break or break the costume. Capes, crowns, hats, masks, shields, swords, wands, skirts and other accessories push the boundaries between “good” and “great” Halloween costumes. For example, imagine a Harry Potter costume without a wand or a cape. It would seem very lacking and probably wouldn’t be chosen. Halloween costume accessories like these will put the finishing touch on the decision to buy or to leave on the shelf for someone else.

Character Halloween costumes are always fun. Halloween costume ideas usually follow the entertainment world of books, movies and television shows. This year expect to find many consumers wanting a Harry Potter costume, Michael Jackson costume, Dora The Explorer costume, The Backyardigans costumes, Cavemen costumes and other character costumes. Follow the famous entertainment in a particular age group and there you’ll have the most popular kids Halloween costumes and teen Halloween costumes for the year.

Traditional Halloween costumes cannot be overlooked. You’ll always have someone wanting to be a ghost, zombie, pumpkin, witch and other scary things. Tradition is tradition for a reason so look for many consumers wanting Halloween costumes like these.

Adult Halloween costumes often focus on something sensual or also follow entertainment trends. Sexy Halloween costumes fly off of the shelves when adults are doing the shopping for themselves.

Believe it or not, Halloween costumes for dogs are also becoming very popular. While Jack and Jill go trick-or-treating, Fido waits on a leash for his share of the stash. Well, it would look more like Fido on a normal day but this Halloween little Fido will be wearing a dog Halloween costume. Trick or treating is more fun with an angel dog, a devil dog, or a puppy pulled straight from the Old West.

Last but not least, look for new parents to come in search of the perfect Halloween costume for their infant. Baby Halloween costumes can be anything from a traditional costume like a ladybug, pumpkin or angel to something more unique like a character costume.

Ready For The Fall Pumpkin Rush Yet?

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What are you doing this year for the pumpkin rush that strikes invariably during the fall? When September and October roll around, will you be ready with Halloween pumpkins for the customers who are interested in carving jack-o-lanterns? When August brings a close to summer and welcomes fall, will you have pumpkins, squash and gourds for fall decorating?

Pumpkins Are The Most Important Part of Fall Decor

Fall decor is a popular part of what makes autumn so fun to experience. As the seasons change and fall comes into view, pumpkins are the most popular product on the shelf. One glance at a pumpkin is an instant reminder of fall and all of the wonderful things that it has to offer:  pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving, jack-o-lanterns on Halloween, falling leaves and fall displays. For this reason, consumers gravitate toward pumpkins because these large gourds seem to embody what fall is all about. Along with a hearty helping of red, yellow and orange leaves, no fall decor is complete without pumpkins.

Spice It Up With These Great Wholesale Pumpkin Products

To please your customers who crave pumpkins, think just outside of the gourd this year. There are many products that have the taste or scent of pumpkin. For example, pumpkin cookies and pumpkin bread are becoming a favorite around the dinner table. These sweet gourmet treats have the delicious taste of pumpkin but just enough sugar and sweetness to make kids eat their least favorite vegetable.

Baby Pumpkins from Melissa's Produce
Pumpkin spice candles and similar pumpkin scented home fragrances are huge during the fall. Pumpkin scented oils, candles and sprays delight the senses with a warm scent that makes the room seem cozy and inviting. As the weather turns colder, a cozy room with the fragrant scent of pumpkins is a welcome retreat for everyone.

Wholesale products that feature pumpkins and kitschy pumpkin designs do not stay on the shelf for long. Pumpkin home accents complete the essential fall decorating that everyone does between late August and November. When your customers begin to search for fall home decor, point them toward your home accents featuring pumpkins.

Displaying wholesale pumpkins and pumpkin products is easier now than before. Simply find the pumpkin display rack that is right for your store and watch it empty quickly as your customers began making their fall decor come to life!

Have Fun With Novelty Candy–Your Customers Are!

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Have you heard about the latest “small indulgence” trend among consumers? Novelty candy is the fun sensation that it’s hard to be without. From personalized candies to suckers that turn tongues colors, it’s always fun to let wholesale novelty candy satisfy the need for a sweet indulgence.

Consumers today need a stress reliever, something fun in their lives, and something that will drive their friends crazy! Gag novelty candy is a hit with kids and overgrown kids as well. Personalized novelty candy and licensed novelty candy are big hits at parties. There are no fewer than a dozen fun uses for wholesale novelty candy and consumers are thinking of them all. When the thoughts die down, they race to the store for a novelty candy induced sugar rush. Yours should be the store they come to.

Look For These Types of Wholesale Novelty Candy!

Retro Candy — The novelty is in the inability to find retro candy elsewhere. Wholesale retro candy is great for people throwing a retirement party, special birthday party or some other time-related event. Wholesale retro candy makes it easy to speed back in time and enjoy memories of other fun times.

Inspirational Candy — Fun and inspiring candy is great for church groups, women’s organizations, and other groups. Wholesale inspirational candy helps appeal to these niche groups.

Chocolate Covered Cherries — They may not be new, but wholesale chocolate covered cherries are a must-have for Valentines Day and romantic occasions. Who are we kidding? Chocolate covered cherries are great for any time!

Prank and Gag Candy — This is the “prank candy,” “play candy,” “trick candy,” or “novelty candy” that springs to mind when you first hear about wholesale novelty candy. These are the prank gums and suckers that turn tongues different colors. They’re the red candy that tastes green. (Joke’s on you!) These are the fun gag and prank candies that consumers want around Halloween, during summer parties, or just because it’s fun to tease friends with gag candy!

Candy Dishes — Not your traditional candy dishes though. These are candy dishes made of actual candy! Candy covered is for sissies. Glass is out. Try candy dishes made of real hard candy instead!

Novelty Chocolate — Chocolate gold coins. Candy bars molded with faces or unique words. Novelty chocolates like these are perfect for special occasions that require a unique touch. You can’t get much more unique than wholesale novelty chocolate! Then again, that’s the whole idea!