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

Dear Home + Housewares Professional,

The Inspired Home Show® 2024, next March in Chicago, will undergo several exciting changes.  After carefully considering feedback received from two industry-wide surveys and four special committees made up of both exhibitors and retailers, the IHA Board of Directors has decided to reduce the overall length and to optimize the Show layout to create the most vibrant, productive and efficient trade show experience possible for the industry.

The Show will now open on Sunday, March 17 and close on Tuesday, March 19. The majority of exhibitors and retailers indicated on recent surveys and in discussions that three full days at the Show is sufficient with business being more concentrated over that timeframe.  Making the move from four days to three full days will not only make the Show more productive and dynamic but will also reduce costs for both the exhibitor and retail audiences, something frequently cited throughout discussions.

The Wired + Well Expo will move from the Lakeside Center to the North Hall co-locating with the Clean + Contain Expo to create an incredibly active and dynamic destination at the Show. In fact, housing all three of the Show’s primary Expos, which includes Dine + Décor, together in the North and South Halls will bring the industry’s core categories together into a central location that is much easier and more efficient to navigate with quick trips between two halls now being possible.

The North Hall will be divided into two halves with Wired + Well occupying the right-hand side and Clean + Contain continuing to occupy the left-hand side. Both Expos will be reconfigured with exhibitors being placed in each based on seniority number.  Additional details will be provided to returning and new exhibitors in the coming weeks about this process and schedule.

The Discover Design Expo will be disbursed with current exhibitors being placed within their appropriate categories. Discover Design was created in 2011 in order to concentrate and highlight design-driven companies that wanted to exhibit in a central location.  With design-forward products now being widespread and found throughout the Show, there is simply no longer a need for this specific area.  As with the changes to Wired + Well and Clean + Contain, current exhibitors from Discover Design will be contacted directly regarding the space assignment process.

The Travel Gear + Luggage category will move into the South Hall to give this new, exciting area room to grow and develop. Additional details about this category’s development will be released in the near future.

The International Sourcing Expo will return to the Lower North Hall, a location previously occupied by that group of exhibitors in 2019. Exhibitors without branded products and U.S. distribution will be grouped in this area together to create product sourcing opportunities for the industry.

While the overall size of the Show will not decrease, with these re-location plans, the Show will no longer occupy the Lakeside Center. Exhibits and displays located in the Lakeside Center Lobby such as the Smart Home Pavilion and the Inventors Corner will be relocated later in the year into the North and South Halls, once space assignment is well underway.

 

Coming out of COVID, the 2022 Show was very successful but certainly smaller than the 2019 event.  As the 2023 Show built upon the previous year’s success with large increases in the number of exhibitors and retail attendees, there is no doubt that the trajectory for the Show is extremely positive.  The changes being made will be a further propellent to create a trade show that is more productive, highly efficient and tremendously successful for the entire industry.

As there will likely be many questions about these changes, please watch for future communications from IHA in the weeks ahead.

All the best,

Derek Miller
President & CEO

The housewares industry came together to raise $1 million during the 2023 Housewares Cares Charity Gala presented by the Housewares Charity Foundation (HCF) on Monday, March 6. Proceeds from the event, held at the Four Seasons Chicago, benefited the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), the HCF’s legacy charity, and the James Beard Foundation, the gala’s partner as well as Winning With Wyatt and the V Foundation.

Since the first gala in 1998, HCF has raised more than $56 million and has been credited with donating more than $32 million to BCRF.

Held annually in conjunction with The Inspired Home Show, this year’s gala honored Select Brands’ founder and president William Endres with the Lifetime Achievement Award; Bloomingdale’s executive vice president and GMM of Menswear, Kids, The Home Store and Cosmetics Daniel Leppo with the Humanitarian of the Year Award; and The Home Edit co-founder Clea Shearer with the Humanitarian of the Year Award. The philosophy and mission of the nonprofit HCF is, in the spirit of goodwill, to raise funds annually for designated charities and help unite and promote the philanthropic image of the housewares industry. Honorees are selected for their humanitarian support and exceptional leadership.

The event offered 350 attendees dinner and a cocktail reception featuring three tasting stations hosted by James Beard Foundation chefs including Damarr Brown, Beverly Kim and Greg Wade.

The evening, emceed by QVC television personality David Venable, included live auctions, where guests bid on an extraordinary collection of relaxing get-aways, dinners and unparalleled culinary experiences. Offerings included a private dinner with William Lauder at Le Bernardin in New York City; a week in Provence, France; tickets to the James Beard Media Awards and to the James Beard Restaurant & Chef Awards in Chicago; tickets to the Sonoma Epicurean event; a private in-home dinner by Chef Daniel Green; a custom Canali suit package; and three luxury housewares surprise packages.

For more information about the Housewares Charity Foundation, its honorees and its charities, please visit HousewaresCharity.org.

 

The Inspired Home Show 2023 wrapped on March 7 at McCormick Place in Chicago after four highly productive days. After an initial return in 2022, the Show demonstrated significant year-over-year increases in both exhibitor and retailer participation. More than 1,600 exhibitors and nearly 30,000 home + housewares professionals from 125 countries came together to discover new products, reconnect with colleagues and advance the industry.

“The 2023 Show was an incredible step forward in the post-pandemic recovery of face-to-face events for the home + housewares industry,” said Derek Miller, president and CEO of the International Housewares Association. “The enthusiasm and positive feedback we have seen over the last four days reminds us all how important it is to gather the industry together in-person every year. It was particularly rewarding to see the return of so many who were unable to participate last year.”

Strong support for the Show was demonstrated by the industry, through the presence of major key retailers and leading exhibiting brands. Attendees confirmed at the Show included senior-level executives, DMMs, GMMs and buyers from major retailers around the world including:

 

U.S.-based

Ace Hardware

Albertsons

Aldi

Amazon

Ashley Furniture

At Home

Bargain Hunt

Bealls

Bed Bath & Beyond

Belk

Big Lots

BJ’s Wholesale Club

Bloomingdales

Burlington Stores, Inc.

Camping World

CB2

Christmas Tree Shops

Costco Wholesale

Crate & Barrel

CVS Health

DDS Discounts

Dillard’s

Do It Best

Dollar General

Ebay

Family Dollar

Farm & Fleet

Food Lion

Giant Eagle

Hammacher Schlemmer

Hannaford

H.E.B.

HG Buying

Hobby Lobby

Home Depot

Homegoods

Hy-Vee

Imperial Distributors

JC Penney

Joann Fabrics

Kohl’s

Kroger

Lowes Home Improvement

Macy’s

Meijer

Nordstrom

Office Depot

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet

Overstock

Pampered Chef

Publix Supermarkets

Qurate/HSN/QVC

Ross Stores

Sam’s Club

Southeastern Grocers

Starbucks

Sur La Table

Target

The Container Store

TJX Companies

Tuesday Morning

UNFI

Urban Outfitters

Wakefern

Walgreens

Walmart

Wayfair

Wegman’s

Whole Foods Market

Williams Sonoma

World Market

Zulily

 

International

La Anónima, Argentina

Minimax, Australia

TJX, Australia, Canada, Italy, Europe

Amazon, Australia, Canada, Mexico

Best Buy, Canada

Canadian Tire, Canada

Federated Co-Operatives, Canada

Hudson’s Bay, Canada

Loblaw, Canada

London Drugs, Canada

Stokes, Canada

The Home Depot, Canada

Costco, Canada, Mexico

Walmart, Canada, Mexico & Central America

PriceSmart, Central America

Falabella, Chile

Sodimac, Chile

Alibaba Group / Tmall Global, China

Beijing LivingKitchen Group, China

Elemental Kitchen, China

Jeronimo Martins, Colombia

Pepe Ganga – Almacenes Maximo, Colombia

Bahne, Denmark

SallingGroup, Denmark

Almacenes De Prati, Ecuador

Almacenes Juan Eljuri CIA, Ecuador

      Corporación El Rosado, Ecuador

Pycca SA, Ecuador

Sukasa SA, Ecuador

Almacenes Vidri, El Salvador

Almacenes Siman, El Salvador, Nicaragua

EK Retail, Germany

Home Shopping Europe, Germany

OTTO, Germany

REWE Group Buying, Germany

Tchibo, Germany

QVC, Germany, United Kingdom

Homemart SA, Guatemala

Nuevos Almacenes SA, Guatemala

Home Centre, India

Landmark Group, India

Home Store and More, Ireland

Westwing, Italy

Isetan Mitsukoshi, Japan

Takashimaya, Japan

VITUZOTE.COM, Kenya

Coppel, Mexico

El Palacio de Hierro, Mexico

HEB, Mexico

Liverpool, Mexico

Mercado Libre, Mexico

Sam’s Club, Mexico

Sears, Mexico

Soriana, Mexico

Woolworth, Mexico

Illums Bolighus, Norway

Farmacias Arrocha, Panama

S&R Membership Shopping, Philippines

Stores Specialists, Philippines

Coupang, South Korea

El Corte Inglés, Spain

Heng Leong Hang Co (hengstyle), Taiwan

Lulu Group International, UAE

Tavola, UAE

Asda, UK

Fenwick, UK

Harrods, UK

Lakeland, UK

Next UK, UK

Sainsburys, UK

 

Major exhibiting companies returned with new products to show off—including many that were unable to participate in 2022:

 

Aroma Housewares

Atlantic Promotions /Starfrit

Bradshaw Home

Core Home

Danica

Dexas International

Emson

Epilady USA

French Bull

Full Circle

G&S Metal Products

Godinger Silver Art

Handi-Foil

Hestan Culinary

Lifetime Brands

Made by Gather

Mr. BBQ Products

Nordic Ware

Nostalgia Products

OXO

Polder Products

Pro-Mart Industries

Progressive International

Roborock (HK) Limited

SodaStream USA

The Metal Ware Corp.

Thermos

Volume Brands

Westinghouse Electric

 

A complete list of exhibiting companies and brands, along with product details can be found on IHA’s Connect 365 Platform or through the mobile app.

The Show featured multiple new and returning attractions, including:

• Addition of the Travel Gear + Luggage category, created in partnership with the Travel Goods Association.
• The pre-Show New Exhibitor Preview and Trending Today, which featured brands and products new to the Show and that support at-home entertaining.
• The gia Global Innovation Awards, honoring excellence in home + housewares retailing, product design and student achievement.
• Four keynotes focused on the future of home + housewares trends in consumer and retail evolution, including one by Walmart’s Head of Home Goods and General Manager of Home Marketplace.
• Innovation Theater sessions featuring industry experts such as Joe Derochowski of Circana (formerly The NPD Group); Anita Desai, TikTok’s Head of Home and Living; and leaders from Newell Brands discussing their consumer occasions-based marketing strategy.
• The return of the Housewares Cares Charity Gala, benefitting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the James Beard Foundation, Winning with Wyatt and the V Foundation.

 

The Inspired Home Show 2024 will take place March 16-19 at McCormick Place in Chicago. Registration is currently open at https://app.theinspiredhomeshow.com/registration/ .

Both art and science are important factors in the color and design trends influencing home and housewares right now, said color expert Lee Eiseman in her keynote address, The Art of Living: Directional Color/Design Trends, at The Inspired Home Show 2023.

Eiseman, who is director of the Eiseman Center for Color Information and Training and executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, shared the insights and inspirations that went into creating the seven palettes in the Pantone®View Home + Interiors 2024, which were unveiled in the Show’s Pantone ColorWatch display.

“Being alive is an apt metaphor in a time when we are still, and we really are, emerging from the anxiety that has engulfed us in the last few years,” said Eiseman. “We can’t ignore that. We know that no matter where we are in this ongoing process, it’s left an indelible and emotional mark on our lives that seeks relief, renewed optimism and rejuvenation.”

Art is an important part of that healing, as it allows us to use our imaginations to visualize new ideas or to express emotions, she explained. Science is important because it provides the very explanation for life itself and how lifeforms are created, evolve and are sustained.

Both art and science played a role in the selection of the 2023 Color of the Year, Viva Magenta. That hue, which Eiseman described as a nuanced crimson red that balances both warm and cool colors, reflected both the influence of digitized art and a very small, but powerful creature – the cochineal beetle who produces carmine dye – one of the most precious, strongest and brightest in the natural dye family.

When it comes to art, Eiseman says she’s particularly interested in the resurgence of surrealism, which portrays “dreams as an escape from reality.” The style often incorporates unique color combinations that “dare to be different.”

Trending artforms that are more nature-based include regenerative design, which often offers a creative and quirky mix of colors, designs and materials that “bring new life to anything that is abused, under-used or otherwise neglected.” There’s also Storm Chaser artwork that captures landscapes at tumultuous, but very colorful, moments in time.

She’s also watching how cuisine is often elevated to an artform, especially when it comes to baking and cocktails/specialty beverages.

When it comes to science, water – an essential source of life and energy to many lifeforms – is emerging as a theme in several ways. One is literally in terms of the popularity of the blue palette, which is often associated with clarity, health and balance. Another is in the popularity of products coming from ocean-related materials, whether seaweed or clay from the powdered shells of sea creatures. There’s also the continued popularity of pearlized finishes and metallics, which evoke the undulating motion of water.

Sustainability or nature-based color and designs continue to resonate, as does anything related to health and wellness.

Entertainment is one of the many industries Eiseman studies for future color trends and preferences. In this year’s session, she cited the latest Avatar movie – whose theme involves water; an upcoming sequel to Disney’s “Inside Out” – where each character or emotion assumes a color; and “Despicable Me 4,” which incorporates traditional blacks and whites, with a wide range of supporting colors.

She also noted that the colors in many of the action-adventure games that remain popular are definitely darker. While those colors are not for everyone – the lighter or mid-tone colors remain most popular – it’s important to note that some people may be more comfortable with them.

Eiseman closed her session by detailing each of the seven Pantone®View Home + Interiors 2024 palettes unveiled at the Show. Each one speaks to a different way consumers can move forward in our post-pandemic world in a tempting, positive and deeply human way.

• Sustenance – This palette reflects “the rituals of entertaining and dining that never goes out of style,” said Eiseman. It evokes feelings of creative cooking, love and laughter, and the joy of sharing. It involves greens, blue-greens, a yellow-green, some deeper tones and a suggestion of pink.

• Replenish – Eiseman called this “a water-born palette,” which involves many shades of blue but also incorporates apricot and pink to add “a touch of newness.” Evoking thoughts of self-care, hydration and calming bath rituals, it’s all about life balance and rejuvenation.

• Creative Mixology – Every color family is represented here – even earth tones – in this palette that Eiseman called “great fun.” This palette is all about individuality and experimentation, allowing for free-spirited aesthetics and the mixing of old and new.

• Sanctuary – For those who want softness and steadiness, Sanctuary offers relaxation and harmony with several pastels, mid-tones and a deeper, chocolate-like brown. It inspires a simple environment, where smart technology solutions are hidden underneath the surface.

• Stylist – Inspired by fashion crossovers, this combination features many blues and blue-greens, but also incorporates metallics, which add a sheen and “the feeling of undulating water.” This palette feels both traditional and contemporary and has universal appeal.

• Surrealism – Consumers looking to escape from the everyday with unexpected and unusual color combinations will likely appreciate this one. Described as “illogical, quirky and witty,” Surrealism evokes feelings of an uninhibited dream state.

• Scenic – Inspired by the prismatic hues in nature’s light spectrum, this palette is dynamic and visually arresting (think flashes of lightning, bold sunsets, reflections of bright colors on clouds). Pinks and purples combine with oranges and orange-pinks, as well as some earthy tones for a “quite beautiful” effect, Eiseman said.

 

As the world gradually moves from pandemic to endemic, consumers are prioritizing wellness, but they also value time, space, experience and responsibility said the IHA Market Watch authors at a keynote session at The Inspired Home Show 2023. The session incorporated data from the just-released 2023 HomePage News Consumer Outlook Survey and the 2023 IHA Occasions Report, as well as a sneak peek at the 2023 IHA Market Watch Report, which will be released in late March/early April.

Following record sales while the pandemic led many people to spend so much time at home, “This industry is at a unique inflection point where it needs to speak a little louder and where it needs to try to win share,” said Peter Giannetti, editor-in-chief of HomePage News, who moderated the discussion. “It can do so by understanding the consumer and driving innovation in product, marketing and merchandising.”

Giannetti was joined by IHA Market Watch authors Leana Salamah, IHA vice president, marketing; Tom Mirabile, principal of Springboard Futures; and Joe Derochowski, vice president and home industry advisor for The NPD Group.

Reflecting IHA’s consumer-centric approach of the last few years, “The emphasis in the coming year should be not so much on what we can create, but why we should create it,” said Salamah. “We should be asking ‘What need is it solving?’ or ‘What viewpoint is it delivering on?’

“Positioning is also a huge piece of responding to consumer values,” she added. “It doesn’t have to just be about new products. Sometimes taking something that already exists and repositioning it or thinking about how it fits into some of these pillars can be just as effective as wholesale new product development.”

The five pillars or driving forces that were the focus of the IHA Market Watch Survey 2023 were: time, space, experience, wellness and social responsibility.

Wellness emerged as the overwhelming top pillar or driving force for consumers this year. 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%).

Respondents ranked mental wellness as slightly more important than physical wellness, as they did in 2022. Salamah said wellness actually encompasses all the Market Watch pillars and that the “really critical” importance of wellness has come through in a number of recent IHA consumer surveys.

When it comes to time, consumers who are most driven by time concerns are those 25-44 years old. This tends to be the age group that is juggling busy work schedules, kids’ activities and possibly caring for aging parents.

“There are so many challenges right now related to time that are ripe for smart home innovation,” said Derochowski.

In fact, the Market Watch survey showed higher intent to buy smart home products in 2023 compared to last year. Respondents said they would be most interested in smart products that had auto-cleaning features (52%), followed by detecting or ordering parts (51%), coordinating meal elements (49%), detecting ingredients or suggesting recipes (49%) and counting calories or macros (47%).

When it comes to space, those who value it the most are 35-44 years old and have an income level of $50,000 or less. This leaves significant opportunities for storage and organization products, as well as affordable and versatile home décor, said Derochowski.

Consumers (especially younger ones) are open to renting home and housewares products, which may be a way for them to try new things and express themselves in different ways while not conflicting with their space challenges. “They want access, not ownership,” said Mirabile.

As for experience, the home and housewares industry also has a lot to offer consumers who value experience but may not be spending as much discretionary income in 2023. Thirty-five percent of consumers plan to entertain at home more in the coming year, according to the Occasions survey.

Data so far in 2023 supports that trend as sales of products such as beer and cocktail items, fondue sets, popcorn makers, slow cookers and pie servers are especially strong, said Derochowski.

Consumers say their biggest challenges related to entertaining are post-event clean-up, preparing everything to be ready at the same time and general meal prep, according to the Occasions Survey.

Responsibility continues to be important to consumers when it comes to home, though the Market Watch survey found it to be most important to consumers 55 years and older.

Salamah said this was a little surprising, given the attention that younger generations tend to give to environmental concerns. When they dug a little deeper into responses from young people, she found that price differences or lack of convenience may cause them to rate responsibility issues lower. “I think that begs the question, ‘How do we remove barriers to entry for them?’” she said.

The panel agreed that home and housewares products could address more than one of the five pillars or driving values discussed in the session. “Think of it as a checklist,” said Mirabile. “The more pillars you can check off on any given item, the more you’re going to sell.”

 

A video recording of the program will be posted on the Show’s website at www.theinspiredhomeshow.com/education/#keynotes. 

While there are many factors influencing consumers’ perception of value these days, trust and quality emerged as the two most important in new research revealed by IHA’s trend expert Tom Mirabile at The Inspired Home Show 2023.

Mirabile, principal of Springboard Futures, gave a keynote session, Consumers In Control: Insights & Imperatives for the New Economy, to reveal the 2023 Value Equation Index – new research highlighting the most important elements influencing consumers’ purchases of home and housewares products today. The survey of 1,200 U.S. householders was conducted just two weeks ago as a joint project between Springboard Futures, Project Partners Network and The Trend Curve.

Trust emerged as consumers’ #1 consideration when purchasing home and housewares products. When choosing a retailer or brand for those purchases, 22% said trust was extremely important, 37% said very important, 37% said somewhat important and only 2% said not important at all.

Reputation for reliability/durability influenced their trust the most (60%), followed by prior personal experience (47%). (Respondents could select two factors.) Recommendations from others came in next (28%) indicating “we’re delegating trust to other people” to some degree, said Mirabile.

Brand remains a significant aspect of trust, with 88% saying brand is extremely, very or somewhat important. For newer companies or even legacy brands looking to mix things up a bit, Mirabile pointed out that brand partnerships and licensing agreements are “an opportunity to reinvent yourself constantly.” These relationships are probably under-utilized in the home and housewares industry, he added.

Quality came in as consumers’ #2 most important consideration when purchasing home and housewares products. Durability (59%) and reliable performance (51%) were by far the top two factors in determining quality, followed by safety (21%), ease of use (19%), minimal care (16%) and material composition (13%).

 

Among the other factors influencing consumers’ perceptions of value today are:

• Price – When it comes to price, waiting for a promotion was most likely to influence a purchasing decision (39%). But free shipping/returns was a close second at 34%, a category that Mirabile said jumped from last year’s survey. The ability to earn loyalty rewards also increased its influence from 2022.

• Convenience – The pandemic created new standards for convenience that aren’t going to go away, said Mirabile. Home delivery/store pick-up remained an important factor here, coming in as the #2 most important factor at 43%.

• Ratings & Reviews – While there’s definitely some skepticism of online ratings and reviews, consumers find negative reviews to be the most helpful for two reasons, said Mirabile. One is because they give brands an opportunity to respond or handle them publicly, and the other is they make positive reviews seem more authentic or genuine.

• Lifestyle Benefits – Mirabile often encourages housewares brands to think about “What’s the message (about lifestyle benefits) beyond what a product does?” and to include that on packaging or in online content. Respondents rated wellness (46%) as the top lifestyle benefit they’re looking for, followed by family & friends (34%), learning new skills (33%) and emotional health (30%).

• Shopping Experience – Most consumers say they do an equal mix of shopping in-store and online (43%), though the number of those who skew one way or the other tends to lean more heavily toward online only (37% vs 22%). “The opportunity here is to excite consumers in-store,” Mirabile said.

• Responsibility – Social responsibility is trending up in importance, and environmental responsibility is trending down. But that doesn’t mean environmental concerns are going away, he said, they may just be taking a back seat to other more pressing concerns right now.

• Data privacy, safety and security – 75% of respondents said privacy, safety and security was extremely or very important.

A video recording of the program will be posted on the Show’s website at www.theinspiredhomeshow.com/education/#keynotes.

 

The Inspired Home Show and the International Housewares Association (IHA), the global sponsors and organizers of the IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia) program, today announced the 2023 gia Global Honorees for Retail Excellence. The Global Honorees are:

Argentina – Tiendas Landmark

Colombia – Ambiente Living

Norway – Illums Bolighus

Uruguay – La Iberica

USA – A. Dodson’s

The global gia jury, consisting of three retail/visual merchandising experts and seven editors and publishers of co-sponsoring housewares trade publications from around the world, selected the gia Global Honorees from the winners previously chosen in their respective countries by the national gia sponsors. In addition, the Martin M. Pegler Award for Excellence in Visual Merchandising was awarded to Tiendas Landmark of Argentina, and the gia Digital Commerce Award for Excellence in Online Retailing was awarded to Illums Bolighus of Norway.

In addition to the 2023 Global Honorees, the 2022 gia Top Window award winners were honored at the gia awards dinner that took place Saturday evening at Radisson Blu in Chicago.

The gia program was created by IHA and The Inspired Home Show to foster innovation and excellence in home and housewares retailing throughout the world. Since the launch of gia in 2000, there have been more than 500 gia retail award winners, from over 50 countries on six continents.

The competition is structured on a two-tier level, national and global, evaluating retailers within the following categories:

• Overall mission statement, vision and strategy
• Store design and layout
• Visual merchandising, displays and window displays
• Marketing, advertising and promotions
• Customer service and staff training
• Innovation

Co-sponsoring the country-specific gia award programs with IHA are housewares trade publications worldwide, which sponsor national gia programs in their respective countries. This year, 27 national gia winners from 26 countries were selected by the co-sponsoring trade publications with targeted distribution in over 50 countries on five continents. All winners were automatically entered in the global competition for The Inspired Home Show in Chicago.

The gia winners of 2022-2023 are recognized and prominently featured at The Inspired Home Show. A festive gia awards dinner was held at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel. In addition, introducing the national gia winners to visitors and exhibitors of The Inspired Home Show, there is a special gia display in the walkway connecting the Lakeside Center to the Grand Concourse. Both gia national winners and Global Honorees are also recognized in a gallery on TheInspiredHomeShow.com/Awards/gia-Retailing.

Fourteen housewares suppliers ranging from well-established brands to first-time exhibitors were honored as Global Honorees of the IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia) for Excellence in Product Design today. The Global Honorees in each of 14 categories were announced during the invitation-only gia dinner on the first evening of The Inspired Home Show 2023, taking place now through Tuesday, March 7 at McCormick Place.

The Global Honorees are: 

Bath + Personal Care: Stasher, Everyday Beauty Bag

Cleaning: simplehuman, paper towel pump

Cook + Bakeware: Gourmet Kitchen Works LLC, Genetti Fan Lid

Home Décor + Gifts: Wrap-It Storage, MagSnap – Magnetic Snap Wristband

Home Organization + Storage: Grand Fusion Housewares, Inc., Roll-Up Drying Rack with Collapsing Utensil Holder

Household + Home Electrics: Roborock (HK) Limited, S8 Pro Ultra

Kitchen Electrics: Ooni Limited, Ooni Volt 12

Kitchen Hand Tools + Cutlery: Dreamfarm, Sharple

Luggage, Travel Goods & Accessories: Sherpani, Soleil AT

Pet Products: Dexas International, Ltd., Snack & Distract Licking Mat

Smart Home:Chefman, CHEF iQ Smart Thermometer™

Sustainable Products: LARQ, Inc., LARQ Bottle Filtered

Tabletop: Sempli, Monti-Mini Decanter + Monti-Rosso

“Congratulations to these Global Honorees of the 2023 IHA Global Innovation Awards for Excellence in Product Design; they represent the cutting-edge innovation and creativity that is driving the housewares industry today,” said Derek Miller, IHA president & CEO. “Product innovation is the engine that keeps the home + housewares industry vibrant and profitable. It is our pleasure to honor the brands and designers that continue to push the envelope and delight both buyers and consumers.”

The 70 finalists in all categories are featured in the New Product Showcases in the Buyers Club in each Show building and the 14 category Global Honorees are on display in the Hall of Product Innovation in the Grand Concourse Lobby in the North Building.

Surging home goods sales during the pandemic, shortages, inflation and recessionary fears have changed how consumers spend money, but that doesn’t mean they’ve snapped shut their wallets and purses. Consumers responding to the HomePage News 2023 Consumer Outlook Survey had a continuing interest in spending on their homes, though not at quite the same level as they expected heading into last year.

The second annual HomePage News 2023 Consumer Outlook Survey, commissioned in partnership with the International Housewares Association (IHA), provides data that, by design, can help retailers and their suppliers get a sense of where their opportunities lie in 2023 and who may be the most prepared to spend in home merchandise categories.

The resulting HomePage News 2023 Consumer Outlook Report provides a detailed guide that home goods retailers and suppliers can use to help them plot their course for the coming year. Data from the study can help set strategic efforts on a firmer footing as retailers and vendors strive to bolster demand, target shoppers most enthusiastic about purchasing, generate consumer satisfaction and gain market share.

With detailed charts and exclusive analysis, the comprehensive report throws a spotlight on consumer purchase decision factors affecting 18 key home and housewares categories: Bakeware, Cleaning Tools, Cookware, Cutlery, Dinnerware, Drinkware, Flatware, Floor Care Electrics, Glassware, Home Environment, Kitchen Electrics, Kitchen Textiles, Kitchen Tools & Gadgets, Luggage & Travel Accessories, Outdoor Living, Personal Care & Wellness, Pet Accessories and Storage & Organization.

Outlook Survey results showed housewares purchase intent decreases year over year were generally rather small — ranging from declines in purchase intent from 1% to 4% depending on category. For many of the home and housewares categories covered by the survey, 50% or more of consumers said they are very or somewhat likely to make purchases in the coming year.

“After a period of high demand during the heart of the pandemic, a slight pullback in demand across core home and housewares categories is not surprising,” said Peter Giannetti, IHA’s director of editorial, content & education and editor-in-chief of HomePage News. Suppliers and retailers should be encouraged, however, that intent to purchase remains relatively strong as 2023 progresses. The HomePage News 2023 Consumer Outlook Report reveals an industry that historically has performed well during economically challenging times at an inflection point, ripe once again for new product innovation, creative marketing and well-curated merchandising to drive the next wave of demand.”

With shoppers facing inflation and recessionary worries, some market research has emerged suggesting that consumers who had begun to shift spending to service sectors were reconsidering and even scaling back spending plans in those sectors— and they find more ways to enjoy their households, he added.

The readiness to spend is particularly strong among consumers who would be the go-to person for a housewares or home goods purchase.

The HomePage News 2023 Consumer Outlook Survey gathered key purchase data from an online survey conducted by Morning Consult of 4,000 adults living across the United States. The survey, conducted in late November, 2022, touched on several demographic variables to approximate a target sample of adults most likely to purchase home and housewares products.

For each featured category, the survey revealed which housewares products consumers plan to buy; retail channels in which they expect to shop; key product attributes and lifestyle factors expected to influence their purchase choices; and the potential impact of inflation on their purchase decisions.

 

View the complete Homepage News 2023 Consumer Outlook Report Here