AFTERNOON TEA
June/July 2025
housewareslive.net Time for tea?
Burleigh’s , Brand & Marketing Manager & Company Historian, tells Housewares Magazine about the evolving trends in serveware.
trends. While classic blue and white remains a staple, softer natural tones are coming to the fore—particularly green. “It’s a colour we’ve had in our collection for years, but we’ve seen a notable including Ralph Lauren, have chosen green as a core colourway for tea and The desire to make afternoon tea feel like a fully curated experience has
also created a new emphasis on accessories. Textiles, place cards, and decorative tableware are all being used to build a story at the table. of Belfast on a beautiful collection of linen napkins, runners and tablecloths coordinating paper goods like place name cards and menus. It means you can dress a table entirely around the tea moment—and that’s something consumers are really responding to.” In-store presentation remains a crucial factor in driving sales within this who recreate the full afternoon tea look in-store can encourage customers “We always have a table set for afternoon tea. Whether the display is
dramatic or simple, it gives people a real sense of how to bring all the pieces together.”
fternoon tea is enjoying a quiet revolution. Once the preserve of grand hotels and special occasions, it is increasingly becoming part of consumers’ own celebrations and home entertaining. For retailers, this shift opens the door to a rich and layered category opportunity, one that brings together nostalgia, presentation, and modern practicality. “We’ve noticed a clear rise in people recreating the afternoon tea experience for themselves, especially for weddings, milestone parties and Burleigh. “It’s no longer just about having a nice teapot, it’s about creating a whole moment around tea.” This idea of an ‘at-home occasion’ is driving demand for teaware and
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serveware that offers more than just function. Shoppers are looking for pieces that photograph well, mix easily across styles, and suit both formal and relaxed settings. For retailers, this has made mix-and-match styling a particularly valuable sales driver.
which includes three different patterns, is a good example of that, it appeals to people who want their table to feel personal, layered and expressive.” Practicality, however, remains a core consideration, especially when heritage styling meets modern living. While bone china continues to have its place in afternoon tea, particularly for formal settings, there is a growing shift towards more robust materials. that’s safe to put in the dishwasher or microwave. We were producing dishwasher-safe pottery long before dishwashers were invented—it’s something we’ve always done, and the market is now catching up.”
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As the afternoon tea trend continues to evolve, it’s clear that consumers are seeking products that combine tradition with versatility. They want meaningful purchases that can create a shared experience, whether they’re hosting six friends or setting up a tiered stand for two. For housewares buyers, it’s an opportunity to meet that demand with well-crafted, story-rich pieces that pour new life into the tabletop category.
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