Gift Shop Magazine

‘Tote’-lly Trendy

3 minute read
Take a look at any sales forecast and you will see handbags garnering quite a chunk of the accessories pie enjoying almost as much of the share as jewelry. After all, it’s the accessories that complete any outfit and a handbag is an essential accessory – one that is both fun and functional. According to a report by the NPD Group and Accessories Magazine, handbags make up for 28% of all accessories sales with the 2011 market forecast as $35.8 billion. The trend charts point to upward sales every year for the near future which means one thing for you – the category is red hot. Most of the trends observed in other giftware make their way into accessories as well and nowhere is this more true than in handbags. Be it Chevron stripes or color trends, here is what to keep an eye on in this perennially favorite category.

5-x-4-JOANEL-CHEVRON-copyStripe it Rich

Cool Chevron Tie Handbag Joanel 888.9JOANEL www.joanel.ca

Brisa2-copyRetro Chic

Drivers Wanted BRISA Entertainment Inc. 800.919.3990 www.brisa.com

cindab-copySee Green

Emerald Style Verde Bonita Saddle Bag cinda b 877.692.4632 www.cindab.com

EliseHope-copyStud Finder

Ostrich Studded Satchel Elise Hope 818.726.4439 www.elisehope.com

Enesco-copyApplique Accessory

Flower Power JS Alexys Tote Enesco LLC 800.4.ENESCO www.enesco.com

Escama-copyGreenpiece

Canned Good Laura Hobo Bag Escama Studio 415.595.1118 www.escamastudio.com

hidihiColor Craze

Open Wide Doctor Handbag Portal Distribution for Hi-di-hi 612.454.9066 www.portaldistribution.com

Lavishy-copyVegan Diet

Lose the Leather London Big Ben Messenger Bag Lavishy 416.767.6240 www.lavishy.com

Needlepoint-Tote-copyA Stitch in Time

Embroidered Details Radcliffe Needlepoint Tote Victorian Trading Co. Wholesale 888.838.0925 www.victoriantradingwholesale.com

Shiraleah-copyCase in Point

Point and Scoot Leo Cross-Body Bag Shiraleah 866.503.9765 www.shiraleah.com

UnderStellasUmbrella-copyLaid Out in Black and White

Ikat Tote Under Stella’s Umbrella 888.502.8882 www.understellasumbrella.com

Vance-Kitira-copyA Blank Canvas

Slingin’ the Blues The Lexington Bag Vance Kitira 800.646.6360 www.vancekitira.com

WMDesignHouse3-copyWild Thing

Red Hot Animal Print Handbag WM Design House 626.484.0650 www.wmdesignhouse.com