Lazy days of summer? Well, maybe a few. But the need for meal prep and cooking doesn’t take a vacation in summer, unless you’re lucky enough to be on vacation. That said, summer eats and cooking do look a little different when the air heats up and the sun stays out well into the evening.

Read on for some ways to connect with consumers on meal prep and cooking in the summertime. Spoiler alert: It’s all about new product inspiration, marketing and merchandising that tap into the joy of fresh and simple fare.

Fresh produce

Ever met someone who refuses to eat store-bought tomatoes (as in not ever)? We have. Freshly grown tomatoes are that good. As are fresh peaches, fresh strawberries, fresh blueberries, fresh corn on the cob and so many other fruits and veggies.

Retailers can tap into the delight of those summertime flavors by offering cooking classes, tastings or recipes that feature them. Maybe you can incorporate some elements of a farmers’ market or a you-pick farm into your marketing and merchandising.

And definitely consider featuring products that help shoppers prep, cook and serve the bounty of the season. Think paring knives, cutting boards, canning sets and specialty items such as cherry pitters or this herb and leafy green stripper from Microplane.

Grilling

For those of us in four season climates, summertime opens up a whole new avenue for cooking– the outdoor grill. Plus, it’s a welcome opportunity to get outside and ditch the stove or oven.

But grilling represents a whole different way of cooking, and it’s downright intimidating to even some of the most seasoned indoor chefs. Customers are sure to appreciate tips for cooking with different types of grills, whether it takes the form of a fun outdoor session at your store or a social media campaign.

You can also offer up hacks and recipes for grilling with increasingly popular plant-based meats. And don’t forget to feature innovative new products like the GRIPmitt™ by WOW GEAR®, a versatile mitt designed for safe and easy handling of hot, cold and raw foods, as well as hot grills and pots while prepping, cooking, grilling, carving and slicing.

Simple, light and easy

We all still want to eat well in the summer but might not have the bandwidth for labor-intensive recipes or heavy flavors. Reflect on ways to help your shoppers keep things easy and light – whether that’s literally in terms of flavors and recipe suggestions or figuratively in terms of store messaging and displays.

Incorporating a touch of whimsy or playfulness into your marketing is one way to keep it light and easy, as are promotions that encourage one-stop shopping (maybe offering a few key ingredients to go along with a meal prep item or serving ware). You could also showcase products that are practical and easy like the Pickle Jar with Lifter by Kilner or just plain fun like the Butter Boy from Talisman Designs.

The HomePage News 2023 Consumer Outlook Survey asked consumers about their plans to purchase cutlery in the coming year. While open stock knife options are popular, consumers said they were most likely to purchase a knife set with cutlery block (30%). That was followed by chef’s knife (28%), steak knife set (28%), bread knife (21%), carving knife (21%) and paring knife (19%).

If you’ve felt like you’ve been put “on hold” for too long recently, you’re not alone. Consumers around the world are feeling especially frustrated with customer service, and they’re not afraid to act on it.

Seventy-four percent of American customers said they experienced a product or service problem in the last year, according to a 2023 survey from Customer Care Measurement & Consulting; 56% felt that the problem wasted their time, 43% said they wasted money and 31% cited emotional distress.

Many shoppers won’t hesitate to take their business elsewhere after just one negative customer experience. (We found statistics ranging from 50%-96%.)

What’s more, any retailer or brand company knows many global consumers are not afraid to voice their displeasure with customer service on social media or in online reviews. And that increasingly influences other potential customers; 97% of respondents in Springboard Future’s 2023 Value Equation Index said online ratings and reviews play a role in their purchase decisions, 66% said they were very or extremely important.

Increasing Importance

To increase short-term sales and build long-term brand loyalty, retailers and brand companies are wise to pay close attention to the customer service experience.

There’s general agreement that customer service is now a key driver of brand loyalty. Customer service agents are now the primary way customers are engaging with brands, says Zendesk. That’s certainly the case with the increasing number of online purchases, but it may be true even if a product is purchased in-store.

Yet, some companies may have been devoting less resources to customer service recently while consumers have increasing expectations. Other companies have had staffing issues or have tried experimenting with AI, which may have increased wait times and led to fewer successful outcomes in customer call centers or chat help desks.

Keeping It Human

No doubt, AI has dramatically improved and become more readily available in just the last few years,  and it can help handle some basic customer service requests. But anyone who’s spent any time with a chat bot or trying to explain the reason for their call to an automated phone system knows they have their limits.

“A lot of fascinating work is being done in the broad world of AI-enhanced software and automation applications,” Josh Magsam, vice president of Partner Operations at PartnerHero, told Nicereply in an article about 2023 customer service trends. “Many of these tools can really be a lifesaver for your team, but customers still want quick and effective access to a friendly, knowledgeable human who can understand their problem and help troubleshoot. For success in 2023, you have to look for ways to humanize your support—whether that’s training for phone agents, dialing back the use of macros and allowing for unscripted responses, or some other solution unique to your ecosystem.”

To improve customer service, many recommend focusing on employees (or even outsourced call center staffers), since they’re the ones training front line workers, taking calls or responding in chats, or handling requests in-person in a store.

“Highly engaged customer service employees always lead to higher (customer) satisfaction,” added Tim Jordan, manager of customer support, at cars.com. “In a tougher economic climate, every business needs to be proactive about keeping employees happy, productive and growing.”

Paul Tucker, director of product support at EveryoneSocial, agreed: “Companies that focus on building teams of empathetic, engaged and skilled communicators will succeed.”

Time is an important component of consumers’ service needs. 70% of respondents to the 2023 IHA Market Watch Report said they wished they had more time or more resources to save time. In fact, 23% said they always wished they had more time. Learn more about five main issues driving consumer activity here.

July is National Picnic Month, but really, who needs an excuse to celebrate with picnics, outdoor concerts and trips to the beach or pool? As soon as Mother Nature blesses us with warm weather, most people can’t wait to get out and enjoy it.

But how to make the most of your summer outing and bring the comfort of home with you is another story. It’s a great opportunity for retailers to connect with consumers by providing ideas and inspiration, as well as products that will make their meal planning easier and their excursions more memorable.

What to eat or drink? How to carry it? How to keep it cold and delicious? And how to enjoy it once you get where you’re going? Answers to those questions will certainly be appreciated by your customers when the summer sun—or stars—are out, the air is warm and fresh and summer outings are on the table.

Portable

Salads—whether pasta, veggie or fruit—are generally easy to transport, as are finger foods like chips and salsa, items for a charcuterie board (to be assembled at the destination) or fried chicken. For dessert, Gemma Stafford of Bigger Bolder Baking says cream pies, trifles and puddings can be prepared in advance in individual mason jars for “stylish ease and portability.”

Of course, it doesn’t matter if you’ve prepared a four-course dinner or just some wine and cheese, getting it there (while intact and still cold or hot) is the name of the game. According to a recent article in Specialty Food magazine, “Unsurprisingly, what most people are looking for in a picnic is good food and drink that can be carried easily.”

To help consumers transport the best of home, there’s a growing number of stylish and multi-function carrying cases available, like the Frontier Picnic Backpack from Picnic Time—complete with a heat-sealed cooler on the bottom, a dry compartment on top and adjustable straps perfect for stowing a blanket. And also the High Road Beverage Tote by Talus, which features sleeves for four wine bottles in insulated Neoprene with a zippered pouch for snacks and supplies.

For all-day outings, there’s the Wagon Buggy by Creative Outdoor, which is a stylish option with a weight capacity of 150 pounds. It even has a removable sun canopy and can be transformed into a bench.

Simple

Picnics and summer outings are supposed to be easy and breezy. (Don’t we all just want to enjoy the setting with our family and friends?) That’s why it’s so important to help customers keep it simple.

Offering specialty food and beverage items alongside traditional picnic or home goods is one way to do that. Bonus points for including the white-hot category of canned cocktails and wine.

You can also share recipes and tips to help ease the meal prep and planning. (Think summer’s fresh fruits and vegetables, and other local or regional fare.) For dessert, Stafford likes cookies for portability, ease and kid-friendliness. She even offers several no-bake recipes on her site.

Comfortable

There’s no need to pack everything from home (especially the kitchen sink). A few choice items that are compact and multifunctional will help customers make their picnics and summer outings more comfortable.

Chairs or a blanket are probably top of the list. To offer more bang for the buck, consider the Tranquil Blanket from Pang Wangle, a handmade blanket from Indian artisans that contains safe Insect Shield® technology.

Small items that help set the mood or offer the comforts of home will also be appreciated. Consider umbrellas for day, lanterns for night and other necessities with creature comforts built in, like this Bluetooth speaker accessory from PURE Drinkware that attaches to most drink tumblers.

The International Housewares Association (IHA) just released its 2023 IHA Market Watch Report, which is designed to assist the home and housewares industry with connecting to consumer values.

Sure, there are plenty of parties around major events—graduations, retirements, birthdays and the like. But sometimes even the littlest things are cause for celebration (hello, upcoming summer solstice!). And it may just be that the best gatherings are the ones for no reason at all…other than kicking back, relaxing and spending some quality time with friends, family and neighbors.

Though sometimes overlooked, these types of informal gatherings present a real opportunity for sellers of housewares and home goods. After all, IHA’s 2023 At-Home Entertaining Survey found that most consumers’ at-home gatherings involve less than 10 guests, and feature self-serve/buffet meals and self-serve drinks.

And that’s on top of that same survey finding 82% of consumers plan to entertain at home at the same or increased frequency as 2022; 35% of consumers plan to host gatherings much more or more often.

Ideas and Inspiration

But that’s not to say most consumers won’t benefit from ideas and inspiration along the way. When they see their favorite stores or brands suggesting event themes or products, that might just be the encouragement they need to dive in and throw together an everyday gathering.

Tom Mirabile, principal and founder of Springboard Futures and IHA’s trend expert, recommends using store end caps and social media to inspire shoppers with timely ideas for informal events.

Be creative with events and themes that fit into your brand’s DNA. Gatherings tied to informal events could include national or local food days, game nights, backyard luaus, summer garden brunches or regional wine and cheese tastings.

Easy, Affordable and Attainable

It’s also important to make hosting everyday get-togethers feel easy, affordable and attainable.

When asked “How often do you try to create new experiences at your home, such as meals, social gatherings or replicating paid experiences (spa, movies, etc.)?”, the newly released 2023 IHA Market Watch Report found that 11% of respondents said “only for special occasions” and 5% said “not yet, but want to.”

Eliminating the perception of barriers like time, effort and cost will likely go a long way in spurring everyday gatherings. This could include anything from sharing easy recipes or creative “potluck” themes to emphasizing products at lower price points or those that save time.

Keep in mind the biggest entertaining challenges cited by consumers in IHA’s 2023 At-Home Entertaining Survey are: clean-up (30%), getting all the food ready at the same time (22%) and general meal prep (15%).

There’s also something to be said for helping to lower the bar for consumers expectations of a “perfect” gathering and emphasizing the sheer comfort and delight in spending time with friends and loved ones in a relaxed setting.

The International Housewares Association (IHA) just released its 2023 IHA Market Watch Report, which is designed to assist the home and housewares industry with connecting to consumer values.

The original flagship store was established in Copenhagen in 1928 by Danish entrepreneur Kaj Dessau. Working with a Swedish designer for artistic inspiration and aesthetic guidance, they did something no other retailer had done before—laid out striking interiors for its customers, bringing together furniture with textiles, installing artworks and precious pieces, so anyone stepping into the spaces was stepping into a world within a world, that they could potentially own. The philosophy grounding the store was all based on inspiration.

The ensembles of products were (and still are) like theatre sets or parts of a film studio, where you can walk into a world that might otherwise have been in someone’s imagination. Basically, much like IKEA does today, customers can see how their home might look should they buy the showcased products.

The company was renamed Illums Bolighus in 1941, and today it has stores in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Germany—with the Illums Bolighus Oslo store winning a gia Global Honoree award in 2023.

Walking around Illums Bolighus makes customers feel as though they are in a palace. Even the hallways that guide customers from one department to another are decorated with inspiring displays so that they become natural stopping points and areas for discussion about products and style. Customers are not rushed—in fact they are encouraged to linger longer and absorb the atmosphere, with the sophisticated lounge areas offering a place to relax, talk and digest ideas.

For window displays, there are four set themes each year—in February it’s weddings and there is an annual collaboration with a wedding gown firm. In April and May there is a focus on inspiring people to get out and enjoy the sunshine, and in September (Fall) it is all about creating a warm, moody approach to embrace spending more time inside. In October, the Christmas mood is set – with some of the country’s most spectacular Christmas displays.

Despite this somewhat old-world feeling of grandeur, this is a department store that is modern in every way. The gia expert jury noted that “Illums Bolighus offers a full-universe shopping experience, whether it’s in-store, online or in digital media. To support cross channel sales, Illums Bolighus has a clever system for click and collect purchases, rewarding customers who come to the store.”

Perfecting a customer’s store experience is a major focus for the company, with enticing scents, calming music, highly attentive, professional staff and the use of new technology subtly embedded. For example, all window displays have QR codes for more information on the displayed products. There are QR codes at every entrance, window and cash point.

There are also screens so that customers can purchase products on the spot and have them sent straight to their homes, and television screens that show videos, campaigns and news.

The gia expert jury noted that the “Illums Bolighus website and social media channels have the same aspirational feeling and color-coding that is applied in-store—creating the same feeling of exclusivity and brand awareness. When online, it’s like you never left the store.”

There is also a beautifully presented 100-page Illums Bolighus catalogue in digital and print format that is filled with unique photography and endless ideas. The magazine is handed out to customers in the store for extra inspiration.

The gia experts commented that the “events give Illums Bolighus a lot of credibility. They’re authentic and very real, with live performances promoting craftsmanship.”

There are wine and food tastings hosted by famous chefs, workshops with artists, painting classes with Royal Copenhagen, art exhibitions, manicures and skin specialists sharing advice on products and approaches to health and beauty.

An example of a recent event was where French chocolatier Pascal Caffet (known as the creator of the best pralines in Paris) handed out his famous macarons, while special knives and other kitchenware was exhibited to inspire customers to try them.

In fact, it would be fair to say that the staff enjoy Illums Bolighus as much as the happy customers who will ensure that the legacy of this inspiring department store continues.

Sponsored and organized by The Inspired Home Show and the International Housewares Association (IHA), gia (IHA Global Innovation Awards) is the world’s leading awards program honoring overall excellence, business innovation and creative merchandising in homegoods retailing. For more information about the gia retail program, the co-sponsors or participating in gia, contact Piritta Törrö at piritta.torro@inspiredconnection.fi. Additional information on gia is also available online at TheInspiredHomeShow.com/Awards/gia-Retailing

For more information about The Inspired Home Show 2024 and to pre-register for a free Show entrance badge, please visit TheInspiredHomeShow.com.

Inflation may be causing consumers to scale back their home improvement projects or turn to DIY. But when it comes to upgrading our living spaces, home improvement projects are currently the overwhelming choice over buying new homes.

And that creates a potential opportunity for makers and sellers of housewares. You know how it’s hard to eat just one potato chip out of a bag, asks Joe Derochowski, Circana vice president and home industry advisor? Once we get started upgrading our space—even if it’s a small, budget-conscious project—it’s easy to want to keep going with new or upgraded housewares or home goods to go along with it.

During times of economic uncertainty, consumers typically turn to incremental fixups and improvements rather than taking out loans for big items or projects. The key for home and housewares sellers is having new on-trend features/styles/colors to entice buyers, keeping prices affordable and positioning such items as small indulgences.

Improving the Homes We Have

Inflation is affecting home improvement plans but they’re still popular, according to a survey from Discover Home Loans: 59% of respondents have decided to postpone home projects and 26% have reduced the scope of these projects in the face of increased costs. That said, there’s still strong demand for home renovation as 79% of homeowners surveyed prefer to renovate their current space over buying a new home.

Today’s Homeowner found similar sentiments in a January survey. About half of homeowners said they’re adjusting their home improvement spending due to the economic climate, but nine out of 10 homeowners said they still have projects planned for 2023.

More DIY

What’s one of the biggest ways to cut costs on a home improvement project? Do it yourself. Seventy-one percent of respondents in the Today’s Homeowner survey said inflation has led them to tackle a home improvement project themselves rather than hire a professional. That trend was even more pronounced for Gen Z and Millennials; 76% of those 18-24 years old said they’ve chosen DIY.

According to Numerator, the most common reason for recent home improvement purchases were to begin a small DIY project (29%) and to replace a damaged/broken item (24%).

Top Home Improvement Projects

Updating appliances, bathroom remodels and kitchen remodels appear to offer the most opportunity in 2023.

According to Discover’s survey, routine maintenance is the top reason (38%) for home improvement projects in the coming year—yet it’s actually a 4% decrease from last year’s survey.

Coming in next at 34% is a tie between updating appliances (up 3% from last year) and remodeling a bathroom (up 5%). Those two projects are followed by refinishing or replacing flooring (31%, flat vs last year) and remodeling a kitchen (30%, up 2%).

The International Housewares Association (IHA) has just released its 2023 IHA Market Watch Report, which is designed to assist the home and housewares industry with connecting to consumer values.

Access the HomePage News 2023 Consumer Outlook Survey—commissioned in partnership with IHA—for more insights on outdoor living and 17 other home and housewares categories.

Following unprecedented demand during the pandemic years, the home and housewares industry finds itself at a unique inflection point in 2023. Suppliers and retailers are wondering how to stay engaged with customers, how to meet their quickly changing needs and what will inspire them to buy in challenging financial times. The International Housewares Association (IHA) has just released its 2023 IHA Market Watch Report, which is designed to assist the home and housewares industry with connecting to consumer values. As consumers adjust to a post-pandemic world, this report revisits five key drivers or motivating factors in consumers’ purchase decisions for home and housewares products: Wellness, Time, Space, Experience and Responsibility.

The report is based on the IHA Market Watch Survey, whose results illustrate how consumers are feeling, what they want, what they need and what motivates them to buy items for their homes. It also sheds light on what consumers learned during the pandemic, what habits or values endure and how they see their home lives evolving in the coming year. Each section of the report contains data and analysis, as well as suggestions for ways that both product developers and retailers can connect with consumers in 2023.

• Wellness: In 2023, wellness is an extremely important driving force in people’s lives and a motivating factor in many of their home-related purchase decisions. According to the report, 81% of survey respondents said wellness was very or somewhat important to their daily lives at home. In fact, while all five of the survey’s drivers are important to respondents, wellness emerged as the overwhelming top priority. When asked which was most important to them at home, 47% said wellness. That was followed by time (19%), experience (14%), space (11%) and responsibility (9%).

• Time: As consumers try to find their way in a post-pandemic world, they’re feeling like time is not on their side. More people are returning to the office for work, and commutes are cutting into their days. Others have hybrid work arrangements, juggling two profoundly different types of workdays and time considerations. What’s more, kids are back to school and all their activities, which brings a whole different set of time-related challenges. According to the report, 70% of survey respondents said they wished they had more time or more resources to save time. In fact, 23% said they always wished they had more time; 18% said often and 29% said sometimes.

• Space: While consumers might not be as cramped for space as they were during the height of pandemic shutdowns, space challenges remain now that some consumers have permanent work-from-home arrangements, either every day or on some days of the week. And now that consumers have spent so much time at home—and have come to understand the incredible impact that their living space has on their wellbeing—they are craving affordable and easy ways to update, change or improve their living areas. According to the report, 60% of survey respondents said they experience some kind of space-related challenge at home; 17% said “many,” 21% said “a few” and 22% said “sometimes.”

• Experience: There’s no question that people are craving experiences after the pandemic limited so many of them. While many industry forecasters predicted this would drive spending away from home and housewares, the current economic climate is making restaurants, travel and other out-of-home experiences cost-prohibitive for some consumers….and causing others to think twice. As a result, it’s a perfect time to promote home-based experiences that can be enjoyed at a fraction of the price. For example, there is a significant pent-up demand for at-home entertaining. According to the report, 10% of consumers “often” try to create new experiences at home, such as meals or social gatherings, and replicating paid activities like going to a spa or movie theater. But the IHA Market Watch survey indicates there is an opportunity to engage with consumers who are interested in these experiences but may have barriers such as time, money or simply feeling out of practice or unsure of how to get started.

• Responsibility: Responsibility has historically focused on environmental issues, but in recent years consumers have become increasingly concerned about social responsibility. Many expect the companies they buy from to be committed to both environmental and social solutions. This is partly due to the sense of global community created during the COVID-19 pandemic, but also a result of consumers becoming more educated and informed. According to the report, 67% of survey respondents said they’re socially/environmentally conscious at home, either often (33%) or sometimes (34%). This response offers retailers and suppliers an opportunity to lower some barriers to entry—namely price and convenience—in order to connect with more consumers, especially those who answered “only if convenient” and “not yet, but want to.”

First launched in 2020, the IHA Market Watch Report is part of IHA’s efforts to help retailers and suppliers of home and housewares connect with the consumer lifestyle trends and values that will drive success. It was written by IHA in conjunction with Joe Derochowski, vice president and home industry advisor for Circana, the new market research firm formed by the merger of IRI and The NPD Group, and Tom Mirabile, principal and founder of Springboard Futures, and IHA’s consumer trends forecaster.

The 2023 IHA Market Watch Survey was conducted by CivicScience Dec. 13-20, 2022, among a sample range between 2,800 – 3,400 adults. The interviews were based on age, gender and household income and conducted through partnerships with hundreds of online and mobile content publishers and then aggregated into a centralized proprietary platform.

To read the full 2023 IHA Market Watch Report, go to Housewares.org/market-watch-2023

Call it environmental concerns or space constraints. You could also credit financial realities or an increased desire to experiment and try new things. There are myriad reasons why shoppers are more interested in renting or purchasing refurbished items for their homes. And while resale and rental may seem counter-intuitive to new product sales, retailers and product manufacturers who take advantage of this shift may find ways to reach new customers and build brand loyalty.

Increasing Interest

U.S. resale across all categories is expected to reach $289 billion by 2027, more than double the market in 2020, according to the Chairish 2022 Home Furnishings Resale Report/GlobalData 2022 Resale Home Furnishings Market Research. The home furnishings resale segment is forecasted to grow by 29% in the next five years—three times the rate of traditional retail.

GlobalData’s 2022 Resale Home Furnishings Consumer Survey found that Americans are fairly comfortable with buying resale furniture and housewares. Respondents said they were most comfortable buying secondhand books & media, followed by furniture, sports equipment, homewares, home improvement items, clothing and electronics.

Europeans appear to be further along. According to GlobalData, over 40% have bought secondhand in the last year, and 47% say they’re fully comfortable buying resale home furniture.

When it comes to renting housewares, the 2023 IHA Market Watch Report shows increasing consumer interest in just the last year. Across all adults, the top categories of interest were seasonal home décor (23%), kitchen electrics (20%), everyday home décor (18%), kitchen tools and gadgets (17%), cookware (17%) and bakeware (17%). Millennials and Generation Z indexed much higher in all product categories, with interest levels ranging from 28% to 41%.

That’s not surprising to Tom Mirabile, principal and founder of Springboard Futures, and IHA’s trend expert. Younger generations want access—not ownership, and they’re much more aware of usage frequency than older generations, he says.

No Stigma

While there might have been a stigma in the past associated with buying “used” or secondhand items, being thrifty and environmentally conscious are both valued these days, especially by younger generations.

In fact, 97% of shoppers in GlobalData’s consumer survey said there was no stigma associated with buying resale furniture.

Just look at Apple’s successful trade-in and resale program for phones, tablets and other devices (which dates back to 2013), says Mirabile. There’s definitely a feeling of “If refurbished is good enough for Apple, it should be good enough for anyone.”

What to Consider

Resale and rental programs are unchartered territory for most housewares retailers and brands, though some have begun to dip their toes in the water.

To begin, think in terms of items that are high quality, durable and naturally have long working lives. Aspirational or high-end brands may be especially appealing to consumers. (Sellers take note: This is a prime opportunity to build brand loyalty.)

Some say resale and rental programs work best at local brick-and-mortar stores, while others prefer the efficiencies in place with online marketplaces…or partnerships between the two.

Shopify offers the following tips for stores looking to establish a resale program:

• Determine which products can be resold and have the best prospects for resale (quality, durability, brand name appeal, etc.)
• Establish strict quality control criteria
• Educate shoppers on the value of refurbished/recycled goods
• Host local resale events to attract customers to your store
• List products on resale websites and offer local pickup to introduce new customers to your store

Access the HomePage News 2023 Consumer Outlook Survey—commissioned in partnership with IHA—for more insights on outdoor living and 17 other home and housewares categories.

Bring on the sunshine, the popsicles and the grills! Summer is here and even though outdoor entertaining hit new heights during the pandemic, many consumers are looking for new ideas or ways to expand on what they’ve got.

Data from the HomePage News 2023 Consumer Outlook Survey—produced in partnership with the International Housewares Association (IHA)—shows that many consumers who have made outdoor-living purchases in recent years are prepared to shop again in 2023: 24% said outdoor-living purchases would be updated products with new features and 10% felt they would be impulse buys.

“With more meals being prepared at home, grilling fans are looking to expand their outdoor cooking options to include a variety of backyard cookers such as griddles, pizza ovens and even an outdoor air fryer,” Sarah Fishburne, director of trend and design at The Home Depot, told Better Homes and Gardens. “We’re seeing homeowners looking to create experiences when they are hosting people and becoming more adventurous by incorporating dining themes like By the Sea grill parties, Hawaiian BBQ and even Around the World grilling.”

Some people are hoping to enhance their outdoor gatherings with new accessories or décor, while others are adding completely new elements to outdoor spaces. One up-and-coming trend? Livingetc says they’re charmed by small outdoor seating areas the Scottish refer to as “sitooteries.” Think quiet places in a yard designed for conversation with just a few people.

Products to Meet the Need

Consumer Outlook respondents said they were most likely to purchase a full-size grill in 2023 (47%). That was followed by grilling tools (42%), grilling cookware (27%), thermometers (23%) and a portable/tabletop grill (22%).

When it comes to outdoor living accessories, respondents are most likely to purchase fire pits (35%; up 3 points from last year). Fire pits were followed by planters (28%), decorative items (26%), portable lights or lanterns (26%), powered insect control devices (24%), tableware/drinkware (21%) and outdoor portable heaters (21%).

For consumers looking to put a creative spin on their outdoor cooking, consider the Party Grill/Raclette by Salton or the Hot Dog Shaped Hamburger molds from Mobi Creations. The Legacy Cooler by Creative Outdoor and Dipware Serving Tray by madesmart are examples of innovative and attractive ways to serve guests, and outdoor lights like these from Brightz, Ltd. set a fun and festive mood.

Entertaining on a Budget

Whether it involves a large group or a chosen few, outdoor entertaining doesn’t have to break the bank. For one, it’s easy to capture a casual vibe when you’re sitting outside and firing up the grill. And just because consumers are looking for adventure and newness, it doesn’t mean they want fancy or fussy.

Marketing and merchandising should include fun and creative entertaining ideas that are also budget-friendly. That could mean recipes that emphasize fresh local ingredients or ways that guests can all contribute to and participate in a theme.

When it comes to outdoor party ideas that are fun, practical and budget-friendly, The Spruce recommends campfire/s’mores parties, creative topping bars for hot dogs or ice cream sundaes and grilling or pizza oven cook-offs for a little friendly competition. Among HGTV’s suggestions are a sheet pan shrimp boil (even better if served communally over a red-checked tablecloth) and sangria ice pops (budget-friendly white wine—no problem).

Access the HomePage News 2023 Consumer Outlook Survey—commissioned in partnership with IHA—for more insights on outdoor living and 17 other home and housewares categories.

Consumers increasingly are looking for companies to help make their communities and the world a better place. And they’re not just focused on environmental issues. Social responsibility, which can include philanthropy, ethical business practices and economic development, is getting more attention from consumers… and might even be rivaling environmental responsibility expectations.

Consider that:

• 82% of 2023 IHA Market Watch Report respondents said it’s important for brands to provide favorable working conditions – the top-ranked responsibility issue. It was followed by sustainable products—70%, environmental stewardship—66%, diversity and inclusion—65%, charitable initiatives—58%, and social activism—43%.

• 80% of consumers in the 2023 Value Index from Springboard Futures said social responsibility is important when considering a home and housewares brand or retailers from which to buy. And 88% said the same about environmental responsibility.

• 7 of 10 people in the 2022 Edelman Trust Barometer said they want their job to bring social impact.

Some say the increased attention on social responsibility may have some roots in the sense of community—even global community— created during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a time for many new grassroots initiatives based on supporting your neighbors and those in need—and they received a lot of attention as people were home and consuming more information.

In addition, consumers used to focus more on overseas production issues like fair labor and fair trade, but their frame of reference has expanded to include company offices, other social causes, and very local issues, says Tom Mirabile, principal and founder of Springboard Futures, and IHA’s trend expert.

Current Landscape

No question it’s a difficult economic environment right now, but that also means there’s more community need than ever. So there’s no shortage of opportunities to make a difference.

It also probably takes less time to implement a new social responsibility initiative vs an environmental one, and it doesn’t necessarily need to involve a big financial commitment. (Think donating unsellable inventory, volunteering time, providing space for community meetings or events, etc.)

According to a February ‘23 survey from Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose, 60% of corporate leaders said current economic conditions have had no impact on their corporate social responsibility programs; 32% said they have had some impact and 8% said they have had significant impact. Their companies are most focused on in-person volunteering opportunities (87%), followed by grant-making (80%), matching gifts (72%) and giving (72%).

Inspiration from the Home and Housewares Industry

• SimpleMODERN, a U.S. drinkware and portable lunchware company, dedicates a minimum of 10% of profits each year to nonprofits around the world. They focus on clean drinking water, education, supporting marginalized communities, human trafficking and homelessness. They also donate products, sponsor volunteer opportunities and recently established domestic manufacturing facilities near their Oklahoma headquarters. Of their employees, 99%  say it’s a great place to work.

• FIFTYEIGHT PRODUCTS, a Germany-based company featuring animated porcelain products and other home goods, designed a new HOPEFUL bowl during the pandemic and donated profits to people and organizations with limited means during that challenging time.

• Dodson’s, an independent gift, home and accessories store in Virginia, developed the Round Up for Charity program in which each customer is asked at checkout if they’d like to round up their purchase to the nearest dollar. A. Dodson’s then matches each amount and donates money to a different local charity each month. To date, more than $200,000 has been given.

• Ambiente Living, a network of kitchen and home stores throughout Columbia, makes a point to include indigenous populations and artists in their sourcing. They also primarily hire single moms, offering them support and flexible schedules so they can succeed in their roles both as moms and employees. Needless to say, staff retention is high and customers feel welcomed into the culture of genuine care.

Audio recordings of education sessions from The Inspired Home Show 2023 can be found online.