Today we announced the 2025 Faire Forecast, which identifies four key retail trends that will shape the months ahead. We analyzed thousands of searches across our platform of independent brands and retailers, and have uncovered emerging consumer patterns that point to what shoppers are going to be most excited to buy this year.

Our team developed these insights to help small businesses make more informed decisions during their critical buying seasons. The report is complete with actionable insights, predictions and data-driven guidance to empower retailers to spark joy for their customers and focus on curating that perfect mix of products that sets them apart from the competition.

“It can feel like there’s a revolving door of trends happening in retail and our customers tell us that it sometimes feels impossible to keep up. Faire takes pride in helping them stay ahead by providing a clear sense of what’s coming with our forecast,” said Lauren Cooks Levitan, President of Faire. “By combining a deep market understanding of independent retailers with comprehensive data across our platform, we’ve identified four key trends designed to inspire retailers to stock their shops with confidence.”

Intentional Detours 

Adventurers are hitting the open road and embracing spontaneity, leaving room for detours and taking the journey as it comes. Beyond the freedom to explore, “Intentional Detours” celebrates the free-spirited who find joy in the unexpected, reveling in the magic of veering off the beaten path. Searches for “film” and “polaroid” have doubled, and the popularity of items like Fotofoto’s eco-friendly disposable cameras have risen, as more travelers capture memories beyond their screens.

Victorian Noir

As more people choose to live alone, they’re splurging on little luxuries as well as decadent, romantic, and dramatic aesthetics. This trend leans heavily into the mantra that “more is more,” with bold self-expression, particularly through dramatic accessories such as Cici’De Jewelry’s ornate feather earrings or striking displays like NÉOS CANDLESTUDIO’s surreal David Candle.

Everyday Hopecore

Today’s pop culture reflects a yearning for communal hope and optimism, from “hopecore” content to the mainstreaming of “wholesome” as a Gen Z compliment. Every purchase becomes an opportunity for small joy and finding fun in the ordinary with the same carefree optimism felt in our youth: Think Omsom’s Saucy Noodles, a grown-up take on childhood microwavable meals (aka college dorm caviar), or A Shop of Things’ flip-phone pocket mirrors. 

“Living “fully charged” is all about finding the YAY and learning how to prioritize optimism and joy,” said Meaghan Murphy, author, lifestyle expert, and small business cheerleader.

“Now, this goal is becoming even more explicit: people are being more intentional about understanding what brings them happiness. In this more thoughtful space, they’re looking to retail to find new and creative ways to address those desires.”

Neutral Good

This trend celebrates natural materials and leans into the quality, craftsmanship, and luxury behind products made to emulate nature. Natural fibers satisfy our primary instincts and modern sensibilities, bridging physical comfort and emotional fulfillment. Enter “Neutral Good”, a shift toward handcrafted, long-lasting pieces that bring the beauty and rawness of the outdoors inside, making nature a bit more comfortable without losing its essence.

Explore these trends further by downloading the 2025 Faire Forecast, and shop these products at your local shops.