Managing director, wedding list specialist

It is almost five years since Mintel last reviewed the retailing of wedding list services in the UK, and since then there have been a considerable number of developments in the sector. The proportion of bridal couples choosing a professional wedding list service has risen strongly, as has the average amount spent on gifts. There has also been an increase in the number of couples choosing more than one gift list provider, with one perhaps covering more basic household items and another for more aspirational items or lifestyle experiences. One of the most important trends has been the impact of technological developments, particularly the emergence of the Internet over the last few years.

Managing director, wedding list specialist

It is almost five years since Mintel last reviewed the retailing of wedding list services in the UK, and since then there have been a considerable number of developments in the sector. The proportion of bridal couples choosing a professional wedding list service has risen strongly, as has the average amount spent on gifts. There has also been an increase in the number of couples choosing more than one gift list provider, with one perhaps covering more basic household items and another for more aspirational items or lifestyle experiences. One of the most important trends has been the impact of technological developments, particularly the emergence of the Internet over the last few years.

The concept of wedding presents has really changed over the last few years. People tend to get married later, and both bride and groom will, in all likelihood, be equipped with at least the basics. This means that guests have quite a challenge when it comes to choosing a present that they can be confident the couple will welcome. In the not-too-distant past the typically conservative British consumer would have felt embarrassed about giving or sending out wedding gift lists, but these have become much more acceptable nowadays - most people see them as the practical and sensible way of buying a present that the couple actually want.

Mintel's hypothesis for this report is that, despite waning numbers of marriages in the UK, there is still considerable potential for profitable growth in the wedding list services market. The hypothesis is supported by the high level of investment made in the sector by the market leaders, particularly in technological developments, with two of the top players, John Lewis and Marks & Spencer, developing nationwide inter-branch networks and transactional facilities in order to stay abreast of market leader Debenhams. It is also supported both by the entry of a number of new players during the review period, who clearly perceive considerable potential in the sector, and by the opening of a number of new showrooms by existing players during the last two years.