Tabletop is a critical category for many independent home décor retailers. But what sells best? And how do their tabletop assortments support wedding registries as well as year-round gift-giving? Two of our 2026 Retail Stars weighed in.
“We’ve leaned heavily into bridal. We have a bridal registry and a cocktail bar in the store, and we host events here for brides a couple times a week. Some of the things that are back in fashion include vintage brass — people can’t get enough of beautiful brass items — and everyone wants a swan motif. We can’t keep enough swans in our bridal registry. We appeal to such a fun demographic.” — Sarah Willett, owner, Patina Vie, Ripon, Wis.
“Customers want to gift something that is personal or sparks a memory. A cookbook by a local author, hand block-printed textiles, mouth-blown glassware and cocktail napkins embossed with a quote about friendship are great gifts that we are regularly wrapping in our shop, no matter the season. These are the items that make a house feel like home or let the recipient know a gift was chosen thoughtfully.” – Jackie Serany, co-founder and owner, Home for Entertaining, Cary, N.C.
