The post Innovation Theater Focuses on Creating Strategies for Success in the Current Economic Marketplace appeared first on The Inspired Home Show.

For more than 25 years, Peter Greene has helped retailers and their vendor partners grow in the housewares industry.  He assists leading brands to leverage insights to understand their shoppers, develop new products and enhance their marketing programs.  From developing a housewares business for another research firm to now enhancing Numerator’s omnipanel capabilities, he enjoys bringing new and innovative research and insights to the housewares industry.

Peter Greene

What is the most exciting or rewarding part of your work? 

I tell everyone and anyone who will listen that the most enjoyable part of my job is helping clients find that “Aha! moment” — identifying research that uncovers and ties information to quantifiable ROI for their business. This fuels me and my team every day.

Can you name a pivotal event or project that impacted your career or company?

Last year in my presentation in the Innovation Theater, I told about how I got my start in the housewares research business and how that introduced me to all the great people and products in this industry. I would like to mention one other pivotal event that happened right here at this Show in the mid-1990s. I was fortunate that John Hoppe, VP of sales and marketing at Eureka, sat me down and explained to me how retailer/vendor interactions worked. This wealth of information helped me, and continues to help me, put the insights we provide in a context that resonates with my clients.

In the past few years, what has changed most in your business? How has your company met these challenges in the way you do your work?

The biggest change has been the need for a longitudinal view of consumer purchases.  Numerator (formerly InfoScout), developed a receipt capture via mobile phone approach and recruited the largest most representative, opt-in panel in the U.S. to meet this need.  They disrupted the market research industry with this innovation.  Since 2011, retailers and vendors across a variety of industry have signed on to leverage the insights from this data to grow their business.  For housewares, we have developed specific solutions combined with a team having deep history in this industry in order to meet the needs of our clients in this space.  Our solution offers the most robust data set that drives unparalleled insights that clients cannot get from legacy data providers.

How do you de-stress and find balance in the demanding 24/7 workplace?  

Anyone who knows me or has worked with me will tell you I am almost always available, but I will carve out time for my family and a round (or two, three) of GOLF!  For most, golf causes stress; for me it is the exact opposite, I can shut out all distractions when on the course. My motto, have clubs will travel!

Peter, tell us what you will be speaking about and how this topic is important for Show audiences.

I will be speaking about how our clients are leveraging shopper, people and category insights to grow their business and category. Retailers and manufacturers will want to attend to see real -life case studies and success stories from Numerator clients and how the data help drive ROI for them.

What do you see as consumers’ biggest concerns regarding housewares products or how to shop for them? 

Is the product going to work as expected? Am I going to use it enough? This is what we hear from consumers as some of their biggest concerns. As it relates to shopping the category, assortment and options are key. Depending upon the category, the ability to touch and feel the product is important.  Brick-and-mortar still drives a great deal of business, but online plays a much larger role for some of the staple kitchen products where consumers have less emotional attachment.

What are some of today’s trends or issues that new product development professionals and/or retailers face in the housewares market?

Differentiation is key to both.  Same old/same old, consumers price shop and have no reason to choose your brand or your store vs any other. Always, always put consumers first and give them a clear reason to choose your product or store.

Numerator brings together omnichannel marketing, merchandising and sales data to make pursuing new possibilities simple for brands, retail and agency clients. Learn more at www.numerator.com

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Thank you, Peter, for offering us this peak into what you will discuss about consumer research technologies and insights. We look forward to learning more from you on Sunday, March 13 at 1:30 p.m. in the Innovation Theater.

Leverage Category Insights to Uncover Opportunities

Sunday, March 15 | 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Lakeside Center, Innovation Theater, Room E350

Be sure to attend the free executive-level educational sessions at the Innovation Theater to hear about successful retail practices as well as the latest research and analysis of home trends and forecasts for products in the smart home, kitchen and health care categories. These programs will give you a fresh perspective as you walk the Show and will inspire, inform and improve your business. All programs will be audio-recorded and will be available at The Inspired Home Show after the Show.

The post Leverage Category Insights to Uncover Opportunities appeared first on The Inspired Home Show.

IHA spoke with digital marketing expert David Wilson to learn about the latest tools in the rapidly evolving e-commerce marketplace, which he will discuss at The Inspired Home Show. The Show’s Innovation Theater will host 21 presentations over four days. Topics will include successful retail practices, consumer research findings, digital commerce, sustainability, and global market trends

Boston-based Zozimus is an award-winning advertising agency that offers strategy, creative, digital marketing, social media, and public relations services. Marketing executive David Wilson helps brands increase traffic, leads, and revenue. As executive vice president of the performance marketing group, he manages search engine marketing, social media, media planning and buying, search engine optimization (SEO) and analytics.

David Wilson

What is the most exciting or rewarding part of your work? 

I am a huge sports fan, and what excites me the most about my job is that on a daily basis I know if we won or lost. Did we hit the key performance indicators (KPI) that we were aiming for today, this week, this month, this quarter? Either we did or we did not. There is no ambiguity. And if we did not meet our goals, we have a chance tomorrow to fix that.

Can you name a pivotal event or project that impacted your career or company?

Early in my career, I designed a website for a client, and he asked how people would find it. That got me interested in search engine optimization (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM). I discovered that I loved driving traffic to a website much more than I did building websites.

In the past few years, what has changed most in your business? How has your company met these challenges in the way you do your work?

The digital marketing space is always changing and evolving. Whether Google has updated its algorithm or a new social media platform like Tiktok has launched, there is always something new to research and learn. At Zozimus we spend a lot of time testing new platforms and experimenting with new tactics and ideas so that when we talk to clients or potential clients, we can tell them what is working in market right now.

How do you de-stress and find balance in the demanding 24/7 workplace?  

This is always a struggle. Digital marketing can be all encompassing if you let it. I take the train to work every day and I try to listen to non-work podcasts, especially on the way home as a way to calm down my mind.

Tell us what you will be speaking about and how this topic is important for Show audiences.

The consumer is getting more digitally savvy and it is important that retailers be visible where users are consuming content and that they are able to tie their marketing efforts to online and offline revenue.

Build Your Digital Too Kit to Crush Cross-Channel E-Commerce Sales

Sunday, March 15 | 3:30 – 4:20 p.m.

Lakeside Center, Innovation Theater, Room 350

What do you see as consumers’ biggest concerns regarding housewares products or how to shop for them?

How do I make the best choice? There are so many different products in the market, that it can be overwhelming for consumers who are afraid to buy the wrong thing.

What are some of today’s trends or issues that new product development professionals and/or retailers face in the housewares market?

This is a difficult time for retailers. Curbside pickup and delivery are cutting into already thin margins. Foot traffic to malls is in a freefall and Amazon/Walmart are dominating ecommerce.

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Thank you, David, for sharing the highlights of what you will explain about digital marketing, which is so critical in today’s omnichannel marketplace. We look forward to learning more from you on Sunday, March 15 at 3:30 p.m. at the Innovation Theater.

Learn more about Zozimus and its witty approach to capturing attention and market share at Zozimus

Be sure to attend the free executive-level educational sessions at the Innovation Theater to hear about successful retail practices as well as the latest research and analysis of home trends and forecasts for products in the smart home, kitchen and health care categories.  These programs will give you a fresh perspective as you walk the Show and will inspire, inform and improve your business. All programs will be audio-recorded and will be available at The Inspired Home Show after the Show.

The post Build Your Digital Tool Kit to Crush Cross-Channel E-Commerce Sales appeared first on The Inspired Home Show.

Patti Carpenter heads carpenter + company/Trendscope. She is the global trend ambassador for Maison & Objet in America and Paris and is a consultant with Pantone Color Institute. She is also a creative director for globally sourced home accents and personal accessories, gifts and fragrance, with extensive experience in product design and development, merchandising and color and trend forecasting. She is a microenterprise specialist with domestic and international expertise in artisan development, small producer and entrepreneur training and economic development. She works in international sourcing to design and create innovative products that add revenue and enhance the private label brand image of companies including Bloomingdales, Crate & Barrel, ABC Carpet & Home, The Phillips Collection, Neiman Marcus and Donna Karan Urban Zen. Carpenter has also been a women’s sportswear, outerwear and accessories design and merchandising executive for well-established brands including Bill Blass, Oscar de la Renta, Timberland, The Limited Corporation and Ralph Lauren.

Patti Carpenter

What is the most exciting or rewarding part of your work? 

I have two poles in my consultancy. On the one hand, I work as a Global Trend Ambassador, speaking and writing on color + trend around the world. On the other, I am an international design and development specialist and I work with artisans in developing countries to assist them in connecting maker to market. I’ve worked in this field for 25 years and we have hundreds of success stories around the world. We enable connections for sustainable incomes and cultures to grow. That is the work that really fuels my inspiration.

Can you name a pivotal event or project that impacted your career or company?

The Maison & Objet trade show in Paris was always one of my favorite shows. It is so full of innovation and inspiration from companies, large and small, from around the globe. I’m very excited to be working with them as their Global Trend Ambassador. It allows me access to the world of furniture, home décor and home accessories. I engage in creative conversations with the designers of the year who are our industry leaders as well as our rising talents who are our design future. As a designer myself, this constant interaction and growth sparks my own creativity and insights.

In the past few years, what has changed most in your business? How has your company met these challenges in the way you do your work?

As a consultant, I am brought in to work on a myriad of projects anywhere in the world. I enjoy the challenges and the variety of work. I love the travel. Unfortunately, many of the older and larger companies are struggling to move themselves forward as the landscape of retail and wholesale shifts and changes. We are in a stage of renaissance. It’s a fascinating time and I am optimistic, but I do see those that are unwilling to change—to think outside of the box—falling away. Many of them were industry leaders yet still they have been unable to weather these storms. I am hopeful that in this omni-channel world, with sustainability at the epicenter and experience and personalization paramount as well, that retail can right its course and thrive once again.

How do you de-stress and find balance in the demanding 24/7 workplace?  

Living in New York City affords me the opportunity to have a world of distractions and inspirations at my fingertips. My partner, Brian, is a menswear designer and we both enjoy live theater on Broadway and off. We love films, galleries and museums. We also love food and eating, and the beauty of New York City is that you can eat high or low and all of it is good. We travel as often as we are able. I’m at 58 countries and counting.

What you will be speaking about and how this topic is important for Show audiences.

My talk will focus on the macro global trends and their effects on our colors and products for 2020 and beyond. How do we distill the information and noise and hit the target with the products that consumers will be looking for?

Trends at the Crossroads: Sharpen Your Focus

Sunday, March 15 | 2:30 – 3:20 p.m.

Lakeside Center, Innovation Theater, Room E350

What do you see as consumers’ biggest concerns regarding housewares products or how to shop for them?

I see a few concerns that consumers are having. They question quality and that’s why transparency at every level is very important. They need to understand, and to be comfortable with the who, what, where of a product, and its route to market. They have a need for instant gratification and a desire for engagement and experience. These put pressure on our retailers. The retailers need to identify their particular DNA and get to the core of who they are, why they are in business and find how to connect to their consumers and their values. Those shared connections are the route to getting and keeping consumers.

What are some of today’s trends that new product development professionals and/or retailers face in the housewares market?

Trends include a focus on nature, starting with the warming trend of lush, pink-casted reds, hot lava oranges, corals and golden marigold yellows. These are contrasted with watery ocean shades of azure and cobalt blue, and mid-range blues reminiscent of chambrays. Lastly nature’s herbal and vegetal greens will ground us—from soft, cool mints to verdant mosses and olives and the new lichen casts that offer us a new take on neutrals. Mixing and matching these trends gives a fresh take for tabletop and housewares.

To learn more about Patti’s work, see www.patticarpenter.com

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Thank you, Patti, for making this stop in Chicago as you travel around the world spotting trends as they emerge. We value your perspectives on what consumers are seeking and look forward to learning more about your discoveries at recent trade shows during your presentation at the Innovation Theater on Sunday March 15 at 2:30 p.m.

Be sure to attend the free executive-level educational sessions at the Innovation Theater to hear about successful retail practices as well as the latest research and analysis of home trends and forecasts for products in the smart home, kitchen and health care categories.  These programs will give you a fresh perspective as you walk the Show and will inspire, inform and improve your business. All programs will be audio-recorded and will be available at The Inspired Home Show after the Show.

The post Trends at the Crossroads: Sharpen Your Focus appeared first on The Inspired Home Show.

Design Research is a full-service research firm conducting research in a wide variety of industries.  They specialize in studying products made for the home where design matters –hard goods, soft goods, furnishings, household appliances, kitchen, bath, and clean & contain products.  They have been members of the IHA for 20 years and have the privilege of providing research solutions to many of the most prominent IHA member companies.

Rick Babick, president of Design Research, has more than 35 years’ experience in the market research field.  He founded Design Research as a boutique research agency in 1998 and has led the company into its current role as a valued research and trends consulting resource for more than 50 client companies, many of which are industry leaders.  Prior to founding Design Research, Babick spent 16 years with Lenox, Inc. where his most recent title was assistant vice president, corporate director of research and strategic planning.  His group supported more than six divisions and 15 brands in multiple countries and multiple channels of distribution and conducted more than 75 studies per year.  He was involved in every major acquisition and every new product program as well as oversaw the development of information systems and forecasting and strategic planning efforts.

Janine Michalek, Design Research vice president of market intelligence, is a veteran at improving products and brands via comprehensive market analysis coupled with a deep understanding of American consumers. She is a passionate trend spotter in fashion and the home, as well as cultural and generational trends. Michalek’s expertise in consumer insights helps companies understand and manage the ever-changing consumer marketplace.  Prior to joining Design Research, Michalek served as director of market research at Lenox, Inc. She worked closely with both senior management and the board of directors in developing strategic business plans that were in-line with consumer desires, strongly tied to macro-societal trends and focused on market demands. She began her career at Opinion Research Corporation in Princeton, N. J.

Jane Freiman, president of the Smart Kitchen Insights Group, is a passionate consumer advocate who combines a love of cooking with a keen understanding of consumers’ cooking needs and behaviors to envision and create innovative strategies that generate business growth and revenue.  She led Campbell’s Consumer Test Kitchen for nine years, providing consumer cooking insights and trends to the broader Campbell business and ensuring that home kitchen realities and the mindset of a consumer remained central to Canpbell’s recipe and product development. Prior to Campbell’s, Freiman was a home economist/nutritionist for Durkee French Foods and consumer relations specialist at North American Philips Corp. where she tested and evaluated their small kitchen appliances.

Rick, tell us what you will be speaking about and how this topic is important for Show audiences.

Design Research is pleased to be back at the Show’s Innovation Theatre sharing experiences and insights based on our on-going consumer research in the housewares category.  This year, we are pleased that our colleague Jane Freiman will be us. We have joined forces with her because in working with our clients we are seeing a greater need for after-the-sale support.   

What are some of today’s trends or issues that new product development professionals and/or retailers face in the housewares market?

Our presentation has three related components.  All of our topics have come to us through our clients –they reflect the concerns and challenges that they face and we are helping them to address.  The first section is about Target’s new sustainability challenge to its vendors.  We will share some ideas about how to address the challenge and remain relevant to Target’s consumers and to all consumers who care about being environmentally responsible.

The second section relates to post-sale challenges our clients have asked to understand and solve through research. This relates to creating improved user experiences.  This can include everything from clear, convenient easy product support to creating communities of product enthusiasts.

Finally, we will talk about new strategies to involve and delight consumers through post-sale support.  This will come from both Design Research and Frieman, who will talk about strategies to develop great recipes to enhance the consumer’s experience with your products.

To learn more about Design Research, based in Lawrenceville, NJ, see www.designres.com

Thank you, Rick, for giving us a peek at your latest research and discoveries.Your presentations always attract eager audiences at our Innovation Theater. We look forward to hearing more at your session on Sunday, March 15 at 10:30 – 11:20 a.m. in the Innovation Theater.

The Sale Doesn’t End at the Register:  Understanding the Power of the User Experience in Growing your Brand

Sunday, March 15 | 10:30—11:20 a.m.

Lakeside Center, Innovation Theater, Room E350

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Be sure to attend the free executive-level educational sessions at the Innovation Theater to hear about successful retail practices as well as the latest research and analysis of home trends and forecasts for products in the smart home, kitchen and health care categories.  These programs will give you a fresh perspective as you walk the Show and will inspire, inform and improve your business. All programs will be audio-recorded and will be available at The Inspired Home Show after the Show.

The post The Sale Doesn’t End at the Register: Understanding the Power of the User Experience in Growing your Brand appeared first on The Inspired Home Show.

Home industry advisor Joe Derochowski is well-known to housewares audiences as an advisor to IHA and a frequent presenter at the Show.

What is the most exciting or rewarding part of your work? 

I love seeing and hearing clients talk about the actions they took to grow their business as a result of my presentations, and whether those actions were based on suggestions or comments that inspired them to come up with a creative way to expand their business. I am fueled by the desire to help consumers live a healthier and better life, understanding the critical role we in the Housewares industry play.

Can you name a pivotal event or project that impacted your career or company?

I contributed to task forces when the federal government was trying to help battle obesity, and I provided a perspective on consumers’ eating habits.  Many times, participants from academic institutions, government agencies, and food companies talked about the need to educate the consumer. I knew from our data on the food industry that consumers know they need to eat more fruits and vegetables, but they don’t. While educating consumers on the nutritional value is important, the bigger barriers become actually living a healthy life and executing that education. I remember thinking that we need to bring kitchen electric companies, gadgets, and other housewares companies into the conversation to address the execution side of things. Since I took this role five years ago, I have never forgotten the importance we play in helping society live a healthy life.

Joe Derochowski

In the past few years, what has changed most in your business? How has your company met these challenges in the way you do your work? 

NPD has point-of-sale and consumer data trackers.  As consumers moved to a more mobile lifestyle, it became increasingly challenging to get consumers to fill out surveys. NPD addressed the need and saw an opportunity to move our consumer data to receipt-based trackers – NPD’s Checkout information – which is significantly more accurate and insightful.

How do you de-stress and find balance in the demanding 24/7 workplace?  

First, I love what I do and find great joy in being a nerd and digging into our databases to find stories, trends, and ways to help companies grow.  I also have kids that are still at very fun ages, so much of my non-work time is spent playing with them or golfing.  It is a challenge to carve out time, but my best tip is to be “present” when home or with friends. I started practicing mindfulness a few years ago and it helps me to be more present in the various aspects of my life.

What you will be speaking about and why is this topic important for Show audiences?

In this presentation, my intention is to provide an “outside-in” perspective to help inspire growth.  Often, we get caught in the weeds and miss the bigger picture.  At NPD, we track more than a trillion dollars of consumer spending and I will be looking at trends across industries in the vast retail landscape to provide perspective on their growth lessons that can be applied to the housewares space to help us find new opportunities for growth. I will also provide a brief review of 2019 trends and what to look for in 2020.

What do you see as consumers’ biggest concerns regarding housewares products or how to shop for them?

Consumers today are willing to spend money, but they want to make sure they get value for their money.  At times, we as an industry get so caught up in the technical features of our products that we don’t clearly let the consumer know about the benefits.  We can do more to give consumers confidence in their purchase decisions and get them excited about their buying.

What are some of today’s trends or issues that new product development professionals and/or retailers face in the housewares market?

We need to make it easier to feed our families and live the lifestyle we want.  We also need to come up with some new home run categories (categories that go from 0% household penetration to 20+%) over the next five years. That means we need to look at solving consumer needs in a different way.  Evolutionary innovation will give us the singles that are valuable to staying in the game, but we also need a few home runs.

Thanks so much, Joe, for this summary of what you will talk about in the Innovation Theater. Your presentations are always jam-packed with information that you clarify for actionable insights. We look forward to your enlightening session on Monday at 11:30 p.m.

For further information about NPD’s services, see www.npd.com

Bringing It Home: Lessons from the Rest of Retail

Monday, March 16 | 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Lakeside Center – Innovation Theater – Room E350

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Be sure to attend the free executive-level educational sessions at the Innovation Theater to hear about successful retail practices as well as the latest research and analysis of home trends and forecasts for products in the smart home, kitchen, and health care categories.  These programs will give you a fresh perspective as you walk the Show and will inspire, inform and improve your business. All programs will be audio-recorded and will be available at The Inspired Home Show after the Show.

The post Bringing It Home: Lessons from the Rest of Retail appeared first on The Inspired Home Show.

IHA spoke with trend consultant Kate Usher of the UK-based Trend Bible agency to learn about what she will present at The Inspired Home Show. She will explain consumer preferences that influence home design and color trends at the Innovation Theater, where 21 sessions over four days will address successful retail practices, consumer research findings, digital commerce, sustainability and global market trends.

Trend Bible is a global futures agency that predicts the future of life at home. The agency works collaboratively with the world’s best brands helping them seize tomorrow’s opportunities.

Trend Bible analysts are already tracking the emerging signs of upcoming shifts in the housewares industry if it can be done in or at home. Whether it’s the future of eating, decorating, playing, celebrating or bringing up children, their specialists apply their expertise to develop those signals into strong and simple housewares trend forecasts that create commercially successful products that connect with future audiences and stay true to the brand.

Kate Usher specializes in bespoke consultancy, working primarily in the home and interior sectors. As a design industry expert with more than ten years of experience, she advises on insight and design trends for recognized retailers, brands, architects and design agencies across the globe. Usher can scan, analyze and filter insight into projects, ensuring Trend Bible clients feel well informed, inspired and confident in their decision-making.

 

Kate Usher

What is the most exciting or rewarding part of your work? What fuels your inspiration?

 

I travel frequently around the globe for my job and I am fascinated by other cities, absorbing different ideas, cultures and attitudes. A trend forecaster must stay constantly tuned in to what is going on, keeping eyes and ears open to the latest art exhibitions, new commercial spaces for retail environments and shifts in how people are thinking, spending or behaving. The most rewarding part of my role is being able to piece together these “weak signals” like small parts of the puzzle, to paint a bigger picture of what these might mean for the future of life at home.

Working with color and design is always exciting for me, but having the opportunity to craft bespoke solutions for brands and retailers who are struggling to apply trends to their products is what I really thrive on. Creating mood boards, narrative or color palettes with a specific brand’s lens layered over them is a challenge I really enjoy.

 

Can you name a pivotal event or project that impacted your career or company?

 

This year we’ve been working with a big client in China. This presented a great opportunity for us to delve much deeper into understanding this market, whose consumers think and behave very differently from consumers in Europe and the U.S. We’ve learned a lot from this rapidly changing landscape which is quickly evolving from one season to the next. As a result, we’ve designed some new strategies for intelligence gathering and staying tuned in to what’s going on in this increasingly important region.

 

In the past few years, what has changed most in your business? How has your company met these challenges in the way you do your work?

 

Trends are being adopted more quickly now as bigger retailers have the power for increasingly fast product turnaround; this means they might respond to a trend forecast 6-12 months ahead of the intended season. Working on a bespoke level with these companies means we can ensure they are executing trends in a timely manner, ensuring they stay ahead of the curve without being too niche or directional for their customer.

 

 

How do you de-stress and find balance in the demanding 24/7 workplace?

 

I’m a firm believer that fresh air and the outdoors are very important for focus and energy levels, so I always find that popping out for a walk by the river during my working day really helps to clear my head and re-invigorate me.

When I’m feeling overwhelmed, I use a great tool for categorizing tasks by asking myself “What’s the most urgent? What’s the most important?” And then I file each task under either delegate/do now/re-evaluate/or reschedule – this helps me to feel more in control!

As a trend forecaster I thrive on travel and new experiences, and I generally try to blend my leisure time with my work trips. So, whether I’m traveling to Stockholm or Shanghai for a meeting, I’ll always try to add a day or two onto the trip to visit galleries, cafes and soak up the culture or the latest happenings in the city. I find this helps me return to the office reinvigorated and full of new inspiration. Equally, I approach my leisure holidays as “intelligence gathering” and try to travel to places that have a bit of a buzz about them to see if I can learn something new there. I’m always snapping pictures of things I see that are interesting and this helps give me a head start with research when I’m back in the office.

 

Tell us what you will be speaking about and how this topic is important for Show audiences.

 

I’ll be exploring the big shifts in consumer lifestyles, attitudes and behaviors that are influencing design for the home and how these result in color and design trends for 2021. These housewares trends will provide valuable foresight for anyone involved in producing, selling or marketing products for the home, providing inspiration for color, material, shape and pattern as well as functionality.

 

What do you see as consumers’ biggest concerns regarding housewares products or how to shop for them?

 

In response to messages of instability, environmental crisis and economic downturn circulating in the media, householders are beginning to look inward and take comfort in exercising control over their immediate home environment to create a sense of order and consistency. Just look at how Mari Kondo has exploded in popularity, for example. As sufficient storage space becomes increasingly limited, utilizing every inch of space becomes important for householders. In the kitchen, bulky appliances become obsolete in favor of compact solutions as we see householders adopt a “when I need it” mindset when it comes to countertop appliances, prep stations and equipment. As a result, we expect consumers to become more demanding in their expectations for compact storage solutions. 

 

What are some of today’s trends or issues that new product development professionals and/or retailers face in the housewares market?

 

Usually our customers tell us their biggest challenge is deciding which trends to respond to or invest in, without knowing how long they will last or how relevant or appropriate they will be for their customer. Having strong customer profiles or a strong Aesthetic DNAä can help with this and makes it easier for brands to apply their own lens over a trend and decide if it is right for them. Timeliness is also important, often brands can spend so long developing products that they are late to market and miss cashing in on a trend before it peaks. Getting products in store quick enough for them to leverage it can be a real challenge. It can be equally as damaging to go too early with a trend. Some brands misjudge the social mood, and their customer might not be receptive yet to that type of product, resulting in poor sales.

For more information and to sign up to trend updates visit www.trendbible.com.

 

 

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Thank you, Kate, for describing Trend Bible’s practice and approach, which is valuable for producers or sellers of products. Your international perspective on the home and interiors market and housewares trends will attract an attentive audience for your presentation Sunday, March 15 at 9:30 a.m. in the Innovation Theater. Your presentation starts on the second day and will prepare retailers as they head out to the Show floor.

 

2021 Trends Impacting Housewares

Sunday, March 15 | 9:30 a.m. –10:20 a.m.

Lakeside Center – Innovation Theater  – Room E350

 

Be sure to attend the free executive-level educational sessions at the Innovation Theater to hear about successful retail practices and the latest research and analysis of housewares trends and forecasts for products in the smart home, kitchen and health care categories.  These programs will give you a fresh perspective as you walk the Show and will inspire, inform and improve your business. All programs will be audio-recorded and available at The Inspired Home Show after the Show.

 

Related Articles

• 2022 Consumer Outlook Survey Pinpoints Home + Housewares Opportunities
• Consumer Value Equation Changing Quickly at End of Pandemic 
• Trending Today Preview – What’s Hot Now

The post 2021 Trends Impacting Housewares appeared first on The Inspired Home Show.

IHA talked with Paitra Russell, PhD, principal researcher, and Joeffrey Trimmingham, lead consultant, of Philip Reese LLC to learn what they will discuss at the 2020 Show about consumer needs and behaviors. The Inspired Home Show’s Innovation Theater will feature 21 presentations over four days. Topics will include successful retail practices, consumer research findings, digital commerce, sustainability and global market trends.

 

After earning a PhD in cultural anthropology, Russell began her consumer research career by consulting on projects for brands that include Adobe, Campbell’s, Electrolux, Kraft, McDonald’s and Philips. She went on to build and manage a successful in-context research practice for a Fortune 200 consumer packaged goods company, representing the voice of the consumer to senior leadership, brand management and product development.

 

Paitra Russell

Trimmingham leverages his education in mathematics and a master’s in industrial design, along with more than 25 years of consulting experience, to create unique strategies for innovative initiatives. After working in corporate design and IT roles, he founded and built a successful design and marketing agency. He has delivered award-winning people-engagement solutions across 17 industries, working with brands that include BP, Crate & Barrel, ITW, McKinsey & Company, Motorola and Wells Fargo.

 

In 2007, Paitra and Joeffrey co-founded Philip Reese, based in Richmond, Va. This research and insights consultancy digs into consumer motivations and experiences to deliver human stories that deepen brands’ knowledge of their consumers. The Philip Reese team takes innovators and brand builders into the consumer context and helps design people-based strategies for household durables, consumer goods and education clients, among others.

 

Paitra and Joeffrey, what is the most exciting or rewarding part of your work? What fuels your inspiration?

 

Three big things inspire us. First, it’s always fun to get to know an audience or customer segment—to see the “why” behind behavior trends—and share that with our clients for a very robust understanding of what’s driving consumer decisions. Then, we get really excited when our clients can apply that understanding to concrete plans, be it for new product development, a commercialization strategy, a digital marketing strategy or something else. “Consumer insight” is a very broad term that can feel “fuzzy” or vague. Applying it requires our clients to really internalize what they’re hearing and seeing, and put it together with their own internal, expert knowledge. Being part of that process is wonderful. And finally, there’s the “WOW!” moment that our clients often experience. It can be the moment when a client starts thinking differently about something that they’ve always taken for granted. Or it can be when something they’ve been struggling to understand or figure out becomes clear. That moment always gives us goosebumps.

 

Can you name a pivotal event or project that impacted your career or company?

 

Several years ago, we were working on a project to help a client understand its consumer segments better. Their products were developed and marketed with the assumption that customer needs were pretty well aligned with age, so we were looking to understand what those needs were. What we learned instead was that the defining characteristic of their segments needed to shift and showed them what needs people really had in common, which cut across age groups. That had big implications for product features as well as marketing communications.

This has happened in other projects, too. So, a hallmark of our approach is the knowledge that actionable audience definitions can be quite unexpected. Some audiences may have demographic skews, but the true needs or motivations driving behavior often cut across conventional categories. A big part of our mission is to help our clients see through or past very broad categories of people.

 

In the past few years, what has changed most in your business? How has your company met these challenges in the way you do your work?

 

Two by-products of the emergence of digital, really have been game-changers. First, digital tracking means our clients have unprecedented amounts of quantitative data about their customers. So, there’s increasing reliance on big data analytics in market research. The challenge is that clients are often “data rich” but “insights poor.” They know a lot of the what, where, when, but not enough of the why. You really need the “why” to successfully navigate the increasingly fragmented consumer landscape.

Second, just like for our clients, digital has impacted how we actually do our work—in both helpful and challenging ways. Often, we must adapt very personal, previously face-to-face research methods to mobile or remote interactions that are just as revealing. To address the shifts caused by digital, we’ve invested in tools that help us to be more nimble, responsive and, of course, cost-effective, but that allow us to keep the richness and context, which are what make qualitative research so valuable to our clients.

 

Joeffrey Trimmingham

Joeffrey, how do you de-stress and find balance in the demanding 24/7 workplace?  

 

This is tough, especially for the creative people who make up the worlds of product design, development, branding and marketing! It is so tempting to “always be creating.” But having down time is essential to creativity. We’ve found that mastering routines, which happens to be our company theme this year, goes a long way toward creating efficiencies. And being efficient in one area frees up time in another. It’s not the most exciting thing, but routines allow your brain to work a little less on some things. It doesn’t mean there’s never a change, but being willing to commit to routines actually saves energy.

There are a few other basic practices: we turn off phones at night, we limit social media and we schedule down time into the company calendar for the entire year. On a personal level, doing “non-digital” activities like reading a paper book or writing something long-hand, physical outdoor activity or silent meditation—they all help to make work less taxing.

 

Paitra, tell us what you will be speaking about and how this topic is important for Show audiences.

 

Our clients hear all the time how important it is to be customer-centric—to attune their products and communications to consumer needs and mindsets. But how do you do that? We’ll explain to the Show audience how direct interaction with consumers —qualitative consumer research—can help them understand the people behind the big data and macro trends they hear about. The things that drive seemingly identical people to purchase a certain brand or product or to shop in a certain way can be very different. Understanding these differences helps you to create separation from your competitors, to communicate in ways and in places that resonate with your audiences, and to drive loyalty. It can be hard to see those differences in big data, but you can see them through direct, real time engagement with people.

 

What do you see as consumers’ biggest concerns regarding housewares products or how to shop for them?

 

We hear about quality and relevance. We see household durables clients, for example, incorporating features that their customers don’t want, need or understand—things that aren’t actually making their lives better or less stressful. Most consumers don’t care about isolated features. They live integrated lives and want features that move the needle across the board.  As for quality, we hear consumers expressing disappointment with expensive appliances that look great but don’t last. There is quite a bit of focus on “mass affluent” segments, while the number of consumers who have to do more with less is growing. These consumers are increasingly pinched and planned obsolescence may actually defeat our goals as brand builders.

 

Obviously, the other huge concern is privacy and trust with the continuing emergence of “smart.” Consumers are beginning to wonder about products that are always listening or that access private data. They’re thinking about the trade-offs between convenience and risks.

 

What are some of today’s trends or issues that new product development professionals and/or retailers face in the housewares market?

 

In the confluence of multiple business and societal trends impacting new product development professionals and retailers, not least is the shift toward “digital natives” as the generation with the most buying power. Ironically, the push toward “customer centricity” means consumers have many more product options and many more ways to shop, which in turn makes differentiation harder. Add superfast followers (a.k.a. knockoffs), direct-to-consumer brands, retailer private labels and the push toward subscription purchasing to the mix, and we see consumers becoming brand agnostic.

 

On top of that is a growing preference for smaller, local brands—definitely in food and health and beauty—but also, increasingly, in housewares. You can get locally made housewares at the farmer’s market along with your locally grown produce—or go to Etsy. All of these trends are putting pressure on margins. The “adapt or die” environment continues to dominate. It’s always been true for business, but the speed at which adaptation is required really is unprecedented. One of our favorite books is “It’s Not the Big That Eat the Small, It’s the Fast That Eat the Slow.” But being fast by itself is not enough to be sustainable. You need speed and continually renewing relevance to sustain advantage.

To learn more about the work done by Paitra Russell and Joeffrey Trimmingham, see www.philipreese.net

 

 

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Thank you, Paitra and Joeffrey, for your thoughtful summary of how you apply anthropology insights and design thinking to how you study consumer needs and behavior. We look forward to learning more from you both at your presentation on the Show’s opening day, March 14 at 3:30 p.m. in the Innovation Theater.

 

Understand the People Behind the Numbers to Position Your Brand and Drive Loyalty

Saturday, March 14 | 3:30 – 4:20 p.m.

Lakeside Center  – Room E350

 

Be sure to attend the free executive-level educational sessions at the Innovation Theater to hear about successful retail practices as well as the latest research and analysis of home trends and forecasts for products in the smart home, kitchen and health care categories.  These programs will give you a fresh perspective as you walk the Show and will inspire, inform and improve your business. All programs will be audio-recorded and will be available at The Inspired Home Show after the Show.

The post Understand the People Behind the Numbers to Position Your Brand and Drive Loyalty appeared first on The Inspired Home Show.

Chicagoan Meadows is the former director of window display and marketing events for Marshall Field’s and Macy’s and now runs Windows Matter, a retail design consultancy. As a retail industry veteran with 35 years’ experience in creative problem solving, effective marketing strategies and project management for window display and visual merchandising, Meadows is also a faculty member in Columbia College Chicago’s Fashion Studies Department. Windows Matter was founded in 2008 to focus on the needs of the independent retailer as well as the challenges faced by historic downtowns and communities engaged in revitalization strategies.

Amy, what is the most exciting or rewarding part of your work?  What fuels your inspiration?

Solving the problem. People will often ask if I wished for a blank slate or a blank check for the “dream job” . . .Absolutely not! It is the constraints that drive good design and embolden creative solutions.

Amy Meadows

Can you name a pivotal event or project that impacted your career or company?

The holidays at Marshall Field’s were iconic, cherished traditions and our display department worked hard each year to:  #1–Deliver something new and #2–Deliver upon expectations and traditions. In other words, as good as always but also better and different.

In the past few years, what has changed most in your business?

THE ROI on visual merchandising remains elusive and, therefore, difficult for some retailers to support fully.

How do you de-stress and find balance in the demanding 24/7 workplace?

UNPLUG! Literally.

Amy, tell us what you will be speaking about and how this topic is important for Show audiences.

I enjoy demystifying display tactics and sharing tips for design and execution with non-designers. It’s important to appreciate the value of the work done by visual merchandisers and look for ways in which you can support their efforts.

What do you see as consumers’ biggest concerns regarding housewares products or how to shop for them?

As both kitchen design and home decor trends shift, we see changes in what is seen and what is stored away. In addition, technological advances often render a recent purchase outdated. How much do you want to spend on an item and for how long a life-span?

What are some of today’s trends or issues that new product development professionals and/or retailers face?

When is “experiential“ design experiential enough? How do I incorporate social media and customer interaction into my store? My product line?

Consumers may not realize the physical work and artistry that goes into creating an enticing atmosphere that arouses curiosity and motivates spending.

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Thank you, Amy, for briefing us on your approach to producing exciting displays that attract shoppers to and within retail environments. We look forward to your behind-the-scenes stories about building the strategies and skills for successful in-store merchandising. Your session on Tuesday, March 17 at 10:30 a.m. will be a stimulating finish to the Innovation Theater’s four-day series of informative programs and will inspire retailers for their next sales season.

Insider Tips for Creating Attention-Getting, Sales-Driving Displays

Tuesday, March 17, 10:30 – 11:20 a.m.

Lakeside Center –  Innovation Theater – Room E350

Be sure to attend the free executive-level educational sessions at the Innovation Theater to hear about successful retail practices as well as the latest research and analysis of home trends and forecasts for products in the smart home, kitchen and health care categories.  These programs will give you a fresh perspective as you walk the Show and will inspire, inform and improve your business. All programs will be audio-recorded and will be available at The Inspired Home Show after the Show.

The post Insider Tips and Tricks for Creating Attention-Getting, Sales-Driving Displays appeared first on The Inspired Home Show.

Laurie Burns has a unique background in the home products industry. Having spent her entire career in tabletop, she has sourced product, sold product at wholesale and retail, been an exhibitor and held an executive position in show management. Beginning at The Atlanta Market Center, Burns brought it to 100% leased, which included more than 120,000 sf of tableware brands on display. Relocating to London, she worked retail sales at Thomas Goode. Moving to Hong Kong, and then to Bangkok, she began sourcing product in factories throughout the region for top brands such as Claire Guest, Christofle, Ralph Lauren Home, Calvin Klein Home, Vera Wang, Jasper Conran and Kelly Hoppen Home Collections. During this time, she also secured distribution for luxury brands such as Herend, Oliver Weber by Swarovski, Schiavon and Vietri across Asia. Burns returned to the U.S. and took the helm at Forty One Madison as SVP and director where she led leasing and marketing for the New York Tabletop Show. Burns currently consults with tableware, home textiles and home products clients providing sourcing, branding, business development and marketing solutions.

HFN (Home Furnishings News) is a total home resource for top retail decision makers, providing news, analysis, trends, exclusive statistical data and special reports across the broad spectrum of the industry. It been around for more than 90 years. Editor-in-Chief Allison Zisko first joined HFN in 1998 and spent many years covering the tabletop category before widening her scope to all home furnishings. In her current role, she oversees all aspects of HFN, including its print and digital products, and represents the brand at home and abroad through presentations, panel discussions and HFN’s podcast, The Inside Scoop.

Laurie and Allison, what is the most exciting or rewarding part of your work? 

Laurie: The most rewarding part of my career is seeing my customers do well and achieve their goals. People and their ideas fuel my inspiration.  Embracing the differences in people and their ideas for product and new ways to do business excites me. 

Allison: My days and tasks are really varied but the best days are the ones where I can hunker down and write a complex story that explains the reasons why something is happening and offers multiple perspectives on a topic. Those can be incredibly challenging to write, but also the most satisfying. I really enjoy interviewing people—it’s one of the best things about my job because I get to talk to so many interesting people. I’ve learned a lot.

Laurie Burns

Can you name a pivotal event or project that impacted your career or company?

Laurie: When I moved to Atlanta from Missouri after university, I applied for three jobs and was hired by commercial real estate entrepreneur Jae Portman.  He opened my eyes to the great wholesale industries that have given me my career, many friends and smart, inspiring and generous colleagues who have taught me so much. 

In the past few years, what has changed most in your business? How has your company met these challenges in the way you do your work?

Laurie: The casualization of how people live and shop has impacted the tableware industry. Casual doesn’t have to mean lower prices; it is a way of life. Consumers buying two sets of dinnerware through bridal registries has declined and it has been difficult for many companies to nimbly adapt to the changes. The economic downturn of 2008 compounded those challenges. Great creativity came out of those times and we now see stronger companies with market-forward product that consumers want.

Allison: Like most industries, the internet has dramatically changed the way we gather information and produce the magazine, as well as how people read HFN. We are proud of our print products, which provide a comprehensive overview and an analytical perspective on the home furnishings industry, while our website, multiple newsletters and social media feeds keep the industry abreast of news and trends on a more immediate basis. HFN, which is more than 90 years old, actually started out as a daily publication and in many ways we have gone back to our roots.

How do you de-stress and find balance in the demanding 24/7 workplace?  

Laurie: Taking a walk always destresses me. I grew up on a farm so getting back to nature for a walk changes my state of mind. Taking a walk through home stores also works!   Taking the time to have a proper cup of tea or coffee in nice tableware gives me a recharge too, ideally with a friend or family member to keep it real.   

Allison: I think I am fairly good at keeping my work and my home life separate; once I am home I try to turn off my work brain (although as they say some of the best ideas come in the shower or when you are chopping vegetables for dinner, and I completely agree). And I always make time to read (as anyone who knows me would attest). I find it really relaxing and transporting.

Laurie and Allison, tell us what you will be speaking about and how this topic is important for Show audiences.

We will be speaking to retailers about how to include tabletop in their assortment and sell it at a profit.  We will give tips on how to buy it, how to display it and how to keep customers coming back for more.  We’ll discuss how consumers want to shop for the category and will offer suggestions for how traditional housewares stores can successfully add tabletop in a relevant way.

Allison Zisko

What do you see as consumers’ biggest concerns regarding housewares products or how to shop for them?

Laurie: Consumers have so much information at their fingertips in today’s connected world. Even so, many lack the knowledge and confidence to make purchases for their homes. Consumers used to visit a store where a knowledgeable salesperson would give them that confidence. Now they rely on online comments from people they do not know, yet trust. The trend to buy and own less is also a concern and the market will right-size. If a consumer will buy one item versus three, how to make your product be THE item is a challenge. Your product must be of value, your messaging must reach your consumers how and when they want it, and you must deliver swiftly and free.

Allison: I think consumers are searching for housewares and tabletop products that truly address the way they eat and live, and that are available wherever they shop, even in nonconventional places.

What are some of today’s trends or issues that new product development professionals and/or retailers face in the housewares market?

Laurie: Trends are exciting and in our busy world it can be difficult for retailers to carve out time to understand the trends, establish their point of view and commit. Those that do are succeeding.  

We used to live our lives around meals and today’s consumers are fitting in their meals around their lives. Developing product for this lifestyle and retailing it both exciting and challenging.

The mindset that a dinner set or coffeemaker must last a lifetime is in marked contrast to the sheets that we replace every two years, or our wardrobes or cars that we change regularly. It is okay to change your tableware and housewares items too!

Allison: I think the focus on zero-waste and regenerative agriculture are two of the most interesting trends right now, though I don’t think you can call them trends because they are more like long-lasting initiatives and part of the ever-growing sustainability movement. Sometimes that’s hard to translate into consumer goods, but sustainable initiatives can absolutely be embraced by everyone, and in numerous ways, from product design to packaging.

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Thank you, Laurie and Allison, for sharing your perspectives on the challenging tabletop market. Your conversation is sure to be intriguing and will spark creative concepts for makers and sellers of tableware products. We look forward to learning from your experience on Monday, March 16 at 2:30 p.m. at the Innovation Theater.

Tabletop 20/20: What It Takes to Increase Sales and Profits in a New Decade

Monday, March 16, 2:30—3:20 p.m.

Lakeside Center – Innovation Center – Room E350

Be sure to attend the free executive-level educational sessions at the Innovation Theater to hear about successful retail practices as well as the latest research and analysis of home trends and forecasts for products in the smart home, kitchen and health care categories.  These programs will give you a fresh perspective as you walk the Show and will inspire, inform and improve your business. All programs will be audio-recorded and will be available at The Inspired Home Show after the Show.

The post Tabletop 20/20: What It Takes to Increase Sales and Profits in a New Decade appeared first on The Inspired Home Show.