The prospect of a family Christmas is proving to be far from joyous for Britain’s young consumers, as the latest research from Mintel finds almost six in ten (58 %) 16-24-year-olds say spending time with their family over the festive period is stressful — considerably higher than the national average of 42 %. Stress declines rapidly with age as just 18 % of consumers aged 65 and over anticipate family time this Christmas will be stressful.
Meanwhile, the nation’s children are set to be winners this Christmas, as almost a quarter (23 %) of parents plan to spend more on toys/games this year, compared to (18 %) in 2023.
Mintel sales predictions
Mintel forecasts retail sales by value in November and December (both for in-store and online on food and non-food) to hit £ 95.4 billion. This represents an increase of 1.4 % compared to last November and December when sales reached £ 94.1 billion. Retailers face tougher comparative figures this year compared to 2023, when inflation was higher. However, we expect slightly stronger volume growth, with total sales by volume estimated to grow 1.6 % compared to a -2.0 % decline in 2023, helped by stronger spending intention from select consumer groups (particularly high earners) for the festive period.
Nick Carroll, Category Director of Mintel Retail Insights, said: “Spending time with loved ones is at the heart of festive celebrations, but the reality is that for many, extended periods with family can also create stressful situations. Brands can lean into these potentially tension-inducing family celebrations by offering escapism, especially for younger consumers. Ensuring younger shoppers can still express their individuality during party season is important, and brands can lean into the energy of 2024, as Converse and Charli XcX’s Christmas campaign clearly does. While there’s no escape for those hosting Christmas, brands can be inspired by Ninja Kitchen’s campaign featuring David Beckham, which highlights products that make hosting easier. Wellbeing-related gifting, or self-gifting, will be a key trend this year to help individuals enjoy some ‘me-time’.
“Confidence has been shaky in 2024, with the wounds of the cost of living crisis still healing for most, and the signals for short-term prospects of the UK economy and standard of living at best mixed. However, the festive period is typically when consumers look to shrug off any negativity of the preceding year and ultimately let off some steam. In 2023, the financial pressure was too much to ignore and spending suffered, but the signs are that there will be a little more scope to cut loose in 2024.
“In ‘essential’ areas such as food and drink and children’s gifting, the indications are that a broader church of shoppers will look to, as much as they can, indulge a little more. This will most directly benefit the grocers, but in gifting there will be far more opportunity for premium products and retailers.”
Silly Juice, a new line of “seriously good” juices, announces the online debut of six unique, tasty varieties. Quickly winning the hearts and taste buds of families across the world, Silly Juice has marked its entry to the category by selling out within four hours of launching their direct-to-consumer website.
Silly Juice offers a collection of fun-filled juices for the whole family, and is bottled in bold, vibrant packaging for the ultimate drinking experience. Made with real juice and no high fructose corn syrup, the six original flavors include:
- Cool Blue Freeze – an icy blend of blueberry, apple and lemon that is filled with chills
- Orange Cream – a savory burst of creamsicle flavor that tastes like sunshine on a beautiful summer day
- Pink Strawberry Swirl – a magical swirl of strawberry, apple and cherry to create a hint of cotton candy tang
- Red Apple Cherry Blossom – a rich combination of apples and cherries that come together for a fresh fall taste
- Watermelon Fruit Punch – a refreshing mixture of watermelon, apple, lemon, cherry and pineapple for a burst of fruity flavor
- White Grape Burst – a crisp white grape taste profile that provides a silly, yet extraordinary flavor experience
“At a time when everyone needs a little happiness, we developed and launched Silly Juice with the mission of encouraging families to take a break in their days to play, enjoy, laugh and get silly,” said Keith Davis, CEO and Co-Founder of Silly Juice. “Everything from our playful packaging to our carefully crafted flavor profiles breathes new life into the juice category, and demonstrates our dedication to sparking ‘silly’ moments with every sip.”
Davis partnered with Co-Founders including family YouTube sensation, The ACE Family, and longstanding leaders in the juice category, Bruce and David Langer, President and CEO of Langer Juice Company, Inc. respectively, to innovate a flavor portfolio that is designed to make consumer’s taste buds dance.
“Since starting our social channel four years ago, my husband Austin and I have always dreamed of creating a feel-good product for our fans that is uniquely ACE. As our family continues to grow, so has our followers, and we’re excited to bring them further into our daily lives with the launch of Silly Juice,” said Catherine McBroom, Co-Founder of Silly Juice and ACE Family matriarch. “Juice is a household staple, and our fans know it’s a beloved beverage by all members of our family. With Silly Juice, we’re now sharing this passion with our social community worldwide, and bringing them a flavor experience that is so special and close to our hearts.”
Perfectly formulated to deliver an explosion of creatively mixed taste profiles, all Silly Juice varieties are non-GMO, gluten-free, low in sodium and contain no added colors. Featuring refreshing twists on classic juice flavors, the perfectly combined blends give consumers a reason to smile.
“Alongside Keith and The ACE Family, we recognized the opportunity to start a flavor revolution that the juice category has never seen before,” said Bruce Langer, Co-Founder of Silly Juice and President of Langer Juice Company, Inc., a family-owned business since 1960. “We created Silly Juice with a commitment to bringing unexpected, delicious flavor combinations to the marketplace, and now with the launch of our direct-to-consumer website, it is easier than ever to bring our silliness to doorsteps worldwide.”
Silly Juice retails 12-packs of all flavor varieties online for $15.95 at SillyJuice.com. For more information about Silly Juice, please visit: https://sillyjuice.com/ and follow along on Instagram (@sillyjuiceworld).
About Silly Brands Inc.
Headquartered in City of Industry, Silly Brands is committed to making consumers smile and bringing joy into their everyday lives. Silly Brands never compromises on quality, and provides only natural ingredients so families worldwide can focus on making silly memories with their loved ones. For more information, visit https://sillyjuice.com/.
