Christmas Stocking Left Late, says Cotswold Fayre

Last Christmas, the top selling product both in terms of value and volume was Selsley’s mulling syrup.  This non-alcoholic syrup contains a special blend of spices to provide a simple and convenient way to make delicious mulled wine, cider or apple juice.

Also taking four of the top ten slots, were home baking products, predominantly flour, matching the nation’s renewed interest in home baking.
This year, alongside traditional items such as panettones, mince pies and mulling syrup, early orders would indicate that Turkish delight is set to be one of the most popular confectionery items this Christmas.

Gift sets, of course, come into their own this time of year, with people not only looking for indulgent treats but also gifts for friends and family.
Interestingly, hot beverage gift tins are proving particularly popular in Scotland.  Both Whittard’s and the New London Tea Company, feature among the top ten Scottish orders so far this year. “This year, we received our first Christmas order in early May,” says Paul Hargreaves, managing director of Cotswold Fayre.  “Of course, we continue taking Christmas orders up to mid-December but by then most products are out of stock and it is interesting to see how independent retailers are now maximising this key selling period by stocking up earlier than in previous years.

“Many of our customers are reporting increased footfalls and we have seen a 40% increase in business so far this year. If this trend continues into the Autumn, I forecast a bumper Christmas for the fine food industry.”