Ho-Ho-Holidays Are Here Retail in Review: November-December UK

Michael Buble is fully defrosted, and the pop icon herself, Mariah Carey, has officially declared, ‘It’s time!!!’ This can only mean one thing: the holiday season is in full swing. The retail world is ready for the chaos as brands pull out all the stops to drive those all-important end-of-year sales. In November, Black Friday went down a storm, with UK shoppers estimated to have spent over £1.2 billion online, a 7.2% increase compared to 2023.

Likewise, over the past few months, retailers have been putting significant effort into providing magical experiences for their customers. With the festive period taking hold of experiential retail, in-store traffic is estimated to recover to 81% of pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2024, demonstrating the value of going that extra mile for shoppers.

With customers on the hunt for holiday savings and tech taking retail to the next level, our latest Retail in Review blog explores what brands have been up to so far this festive season..

A Truly Magical Customer Experience

It is all about the customer this season, providing those extra special moments to convert new customers into loyal ones. Retailers have been looking to offer immersive shopping experiences to customers, creating unique experiences to remember. Brands such as Lush have done exactly that, launching a pop-up shop in St Pancras station to celebrate its collaboration with Wicked. Fans of the franchise and musical lovers can fully immerse themselves into the world of Wicked with Glinda and Elpha-themed bath and shower goodies. Alongside customers getting their hands on exclusive products, shoppers can feel as though they are travelling to Oz by exploring the truly Wicked Christmas tree on display in the station.

Likewise, beauty brand, E.L.F Cosmetics, has launched its first immersive eCommerce experience for loyal customers in the UK and the US. Members can explore a 3D platform to shop for new products and receive exclusive deals just in time for the holiday season. It not only offers customers a new shopping experience but also provides an opportunity for the brand’s audience to engage with and shop for new products.

Customer experience is becoming a major priority for retailers. By utilising immersive experiences, retailers can target their loyal customers and strive to bring in new ones. This ensures the brand continues to keep audiences engaged, and enables them to keep up with the increasing demands of consumers, inside and outside of the store.

Bringing Joy Back Into Stores

The high street is back and in-store retail is thriving. In fact, technology retailer, Garmin, has opened its first store in the UK. The brand that specialises in smartwatches and GPS tech will be displaying a range of watches, consumer electronics and products for the car and marine industry. It is the first time the brand has hit the high street – giving customers the opportunity to experience products first-hand and see what the brand has to offer.

Also looking to make its mark on the high street is clothing brand, Juicy Couture. The fashion retailer’s iconic image from the early 2000s is making its return to the UK market. Due to the growing interest in 90s and 00s-inspired trends among Gen Z, the brand is set to bring a nostalgic experience for shoppers throughout the holiday season.

With the opening of new and former brick-and-mortar stores, there are endless opportunities for brands to get creative and get shoppers back into traditional shopping habits. By leveraging the use of in-person shopping, brands can get to know their customers and tailor in-store interactions to suit consumer needs.

Seasonal Savings On The Rise

The cost of living crisis is continuing to impact consumer spending habits. However, this has opened up doors for a rise in purchasing pre-loved gifts this holiday season. According to Retail Economics, 10.2% of Christmas gifts are forecasted to be secondhand items and 84% of shoppers say they are likely to spend some of their Christmas budget on pre-loved products.

Brands such as Amazon have started to sell pre-owned designer products online. From Chanel bags to Bottega dresses, the partnership between Amazon’s luxury store and brand, Hardly Ever Worn, offers affordable luxury items to shoppers at prices that won’t break the bank. It is the first time the storefront has launched in the UK following previous success in the US. For the brand, it provides an innovative route for consumers to get their hands on designer products.

Alongside buying preloved gifts, customers can now also look their best for any festive occasion with in-store rentals. Clothing brand, Karen Millen has launched an in-store and online rental service inside high-end department store, Selfridges. Customers have the opportunity to discover the brand’s party collection and bestselling items just in time for party season. Consumers also get the option to purchase the item after renting if they grow too attached. This provides a new way for customers to discover the brand’s products while getting to experience and wear them before deciding whether to splash the cash.

A Holly Jolly Techmas

In retail, tech is always evolving and bringing new ways for consumers to shop. It has been revealed that (AI) is one of the top technologies in the UK that retail leaders feel will unlock and accelerate growth for their businesses in 2025. With this in mind, brands have already started exploring ways tech can elevate their brand.

Coffee brand, Grind, is working in collaboration with Google to utilise AI and uncover ways to unlock productivity. The 3-month trial encourages workers at Grind to use AI tools such as Gemini, Google’s AI tool, to write up exciting product descriptions, assist in writing emails to loyal customers and streamline the brand’s onboarding process. The trial aims to not only be a game changer for the brand but also act as a starting point to showcase how brands across the UK can unlock the potential of AI in their everyday work.

AI also gives brands the chance to connect with their audience, sporting brand, Puma, has been allowing fans to design Manchester United’s team kit for 2026. The AI tool allows consumers to generate custom designs that will be filtered and selected through fan votes and expert judging. The brand hopes this will encourage people to get creative and engage in the reshaping of sports merchandising.

An Exciting Year Ahead

This year has seen many exciting innovations for brands. So far throughout this retail season, it has been a time for brands to build on going the extra mile for their customers and create a shopping experience that they will never forget. Heading into the new year, brands have the ongoing challenge of elevating that experience to make their mark on the retail scene in 2025.

Want to know how your brand can stand out to consumers this festive season? Get in touch.