The humanities and crafts market is flourishing, with 72% of adults in the US (US) finishing a craft previously 12 months. This text offers an in depth arts and crafts {industry} evaluation, exploring developments throughout the US and Canada. We’ll take a look at motivations for client participation, cross-industry developments, and alternatives for {industry} gamers to develop—so you’ll be able to strategize with data-driven insights.
Motivations for Participation
Motivations for collaborating in arts and crafts span from escapism to affordability. Exploring these motivations can allow manufacturers to faucet into what makes customers choose up—and hold selecting up—the pastime.
Crafting is a welcome escapism
Practically half of US adults have reported experiencing stress previously 12 months and search leisure actions like arts and crafts as a solution to unwind. Crafting is seen as a type of self-focused leisure, aligning with a post-pandemic mindset that emphasizes private achievement and individuality. This positions crafting as a super pursuit for adults in search of tangible outcomes that improve well-being in a world with challenges to navigate.
Dad and mom crave crafts as a display break for his or her children
87% of Canadian dad and mom get pleasure from arts and crafts with their children, reflecting the potential of selling the pursuit to folks. For these dad and mom, crafting presents the twin benefit of being a bonding expertise with their youngsters and a substitute for display time. That is very true as virtually three-quarters of fogeys desire to have interaction in screen-free actions with their youngsters. Manufacturers can leverage this distinctive parent-child dynamic by emphasizing arts and crafts as a helpful different to display time and a possibility to attach.
It’s budget-friendly
Affordability is a key motivator for crafters, particularly amongst younger adults who’re essentially the most energetic crafters and usually tend to have restricted budgets. Crafting is usually seen as a budget-savvy pursuit since the price of provides is normally lower than shopping for completed items. On-line promoting platforms have additionally made it simpler to promote handmade items, which provides an financial attraction to the exercise. Participating youthful customers means highlighting the potential to create outcomes at a low value.
Dwelling Enchancment Is Linked to Crafting
Elevated engagement with arts and crafts has continued alongside elevated engagement with house enchancment even in gentle of eased pandemic restrictions. Contemplating the similarities and mixed advantages of those two at-home actions can allow manufacturers to reply successfully. As we’ll focus on, well-being features are key.
The similarities make sense…
The house enchancment class exhibits similarities with arts and crafts, particularly from a well-being perspective. Dwelling enchancment tasks usually contain inventive duties like ornamental portray, which permits people to specific their distinctive fashion and create customized residing areas.
With house decor a number one motivator for US arts and crafts participation—as virtually half of customers state this—manufacturers can refine messaging not simply across the capacity of each crafting and residential enchancment to raise well-being, but additionally to lean into their mutually inventive nature.
…And might drive model consciousness
As present in Mintel’s house enchancment market report, enjoyment, talent, and spending on house enchancment tasks are positively correlated. This underlines the significance of enjoyment and its relevance to engagement with inventive house tasks.
In Canada, virtually three-quarters of crafters agree that they benefit from the crafting expertise greater than the tip product, indicating a excessive stage of engagement with the method itself. Showcasing the inherent enjoyment of each house enchancment and humanities and crafts can carry manufacturers high of thoughts for customers in search of a satisfying and productive exercise at house.
Neighborhood is an opportunity for retailers to attraction
The place enjoyment usually meets engagement for customers, neighborhood meets alternative for manufacturers. Dwelling enchancment retailers are well-positioned—with their current footprint in house items and decor—to attraction to crafters and residential improvers alike.
Fostering a way of neighborhood amongst these customers by providing in-store workshops and selling inventive tasks like refinishing or portray furnishings can improve the sensation of belonging and connectedness amongst customers. This not solely encourages in-store purchases however can additional encourage the uplifting notion of DIY house actions.
Progress Alternatives
The humanities and crafts market is various, with widespread participation throughout numerous sorts of crafts. Canadian and US customers skew total barely towards portray and drawing as a result of their accessibility and attraction to a variety of talent ranges. But, there are various entry factors for customers, and with some customers uninspired or more and more conscious of funds and area constraints, manufacturers have the duty of interesting.
Encourage the uninspired
A 3rd of Canadian non-crafters say they don’t craft due to a scarcity of creativity. On the identical observe, crafters who’re crafting much less state feeling uninspired (39%). Arts and crafts may be inspiring for customers, and types want to attract consideration to this. Tutorial movies make 82% of customers extra prepared to attempt a brand new craft, indicating the potential for partnering with influencers—whether or not crafters or not—to create these.
Partnering with non-crafting influencers permits manufacturers to achieve untapped audiences, leveraging current follower belief by creating genuine and relatable content material that resonates with the influencers’ current viewers. As an illustration, non-crafting influencers can showcase crafting tasks that align with their normal content material, making crafting seem approachable and pleasant.
Allow cost-friendly choices
As customers face tightened budgets as a result of excessive inflation, manufacturers ought to give attention to cost-conscious choices. This resonates notably with ladies and crafters aged 55+ who’re particularly cost-conscious. Methods akin to free samples, free in-person lessons, or discounted upgrades can attraction to open-minded inventive customers who’re cautious about monetary investments.
Main the way in which for customers can present potential and pre-existing crafters that the pastime is accessible at totally different worth factors.
Innovate for area
Many would-be crafting lovers see area constraints as a barrier to entry, with practically half of Canadians stating this, defining a transparent alternative to reply. Manufacturers can design and promote crafting merchandise which can be compact and moveable, making them appropriate to be used in small areas or on the go—one thing manufacturers can normalize.
What’s Subsequent for the Arts and Crafts Market?
The humanities and crafts market within the US and Canada is experiencing development and innovation. Understanding and capitalizing on developments can allow manufacturers to evolve alongside customers.
The US arts and crafts market is rising however does face challenges akin to client area and funds limitations. But, total participation is wanting optimistic. Wanting forward, development methods will doubtless leverage crafting’s position in self-expression and psychological wellness, whether or not in product improvement or advertising.
The Canadian arts and crafts market is poised for development regardless of financial challenges. Crafting stays a cost-effective and uplifting leisure exercise, with over half of Canadians partaking in inventive tasks over the previous 12 months. Manufacturers can capitalize on this by selling the worth of DIY and luxurious crafting, constructing neighborhood by means of occasions and on-line platforms, and making crafting extra inclusive and accessible, notably for financially involved customers.
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