As the festive season approaches, restaurants, retailers, and caterers are already preparing for their busiest time of year. For wholesalers, October is the crucial month to identify which trends will define Christmas 2025 — and to make sure their shelves (and warehouses) are ready.
At Holland Bazaar, we’re already seeing exciting shifts in what UK consumers are craving this holiday season. From indulgent luxury to comforting simplicity, here’s your guide to what’s likely to sell best this Christmas.
🎄 1. Global Flavours with a Festive Twist
This year’s Christmas table is becoming more diverse than ever. As international travel and multicultural influences shape consumer tastes, festive menus are expanding beyond traditional mince pies and puddings.
Top flavour trends to watch:
- Asian-inspired indulgence: Think soy-glazed turkey, miso-roasted vegetables, or yuzu-infused desserts.
- Middle Eastern warmth: Cardamom, dates, and pistachios are making their way into festive cakes, biscuits, and sauces.
- Latin flair: Spices like cinnamon, chili, and cocoa are giving hot chocolate, marinades, and desserts a rich, layered profile.
Retailers and cafés looking to stand out should consider stocking sauces, condiments, and snacks that reflect these fusion flavours.
✨ 2. Premium Treats vs. “Better Value” Comfort
In 2025, consumers are split between two festive mindsets: indulgence and affordability. While many households are mindful of costs, the desire to treat loved ones hasn’t gone away — it’s just more intentional.
Premium / luxury items on the rise:
- Handcrafted chocolates and confectionery
- Imported cheeses, charcuterie, and festive wines
- Ready-to-serve gourmet mains and desserts for stress-free hosting
Better value favourites staying strong:
- Frozen party platters and ready meals
- Bulk seasonal ingredients (flour, oils, spices) for home cooking
- Affordable festive snacks, crisps, and biscuits for gatherings
Wholesalers can meet both needs by offering tiered assortments — one focused on premium gifting and another highlighting cost-effective festive essentials.
🎁 3. Packaging, Giftable Formats & Smart Bundles
Presentation is everything in the festive market. Eye-catching, practical packaging helps retailers increase basket size while giving customers ready-to-gift options.
This season’s packaging trends include:
- Sustainable materials: Recyclable, minimal-plastic packaging continues to win loyalty.
- Mini formats: Smaller packs of premium products allow consumers to try luxury goods without overspending.
- Gift bundles: Combine complementary items — for example, coffee with biscotti, cheese with crackers, or festive teas with shortbread.
Wholesalers can create curated “Festive Bundle” sections for their clients, encouraging upselling and helping restaurants or shops save time in planning.
🧠 4. Testing Before Scaling Up
With new trends emerging fast, it’s smart to test new products in small quantities before committing to large-scale orders.
Here’s how:
- Pilot runs: Offer limited quantities of trend-led products and track demand.
- Customer feedback: Ask key buyers which lines they expect to sell best and adapt stock accordingly.
- Digital tracking: Use pre-orders or online interest data to forecast seasonal demand early.
At Holland Bazaar, we work closely with our customers to identify best-sellers early, so they can scale confidently when the festive rush begins.
🎅 Final Thoughts
Christmas 2025 will be about balance — blending comfort with creativity, indulgence with value, and local tradition with global inspiration.
By staying ahead of these trends, wholesalers and retailers can not only meet customer expectations but exceed them — turning seasonal shopping into a festive experience worth celebrating.
If you’re preparing your Christmas stock, Holland Bazaar is here to help. Explore our full festive range at our depots in London and Peterborough, or contact your local sales manager for pre-order support.
