2005 Umbrella Retail Trends
2005 Umbrella Retail Trends
It seems that the days of picking a trusty, not-so-attractive umbrella and weathering as many storms with it as possible may be on the wane. Retailers have begun to position trendy, smartly patterned rain shields along with patterned hats, jackets, and boots. This umbrella-as-accessory approach meant strong 2005 sales. According to Accessories Magazine, consumers now show a preference for light, compact, foldable umbrellas, rather than the iconic Mary Poppins variety. What will these tendencies mean on the sustainability front? Will shoppers want their favorite, cute umbrellas to last forever, or will trendiness mean even more potential for disposability?