International Home + Housewares Show Preview

The Buzz of Optimism

If prognostications are correct, the mood at this year’s International Home + Housewares Show (IH+HS) promises to be upbeat. The heavy weight of the recession has lifted and the uncertainty of an election year is behind us, and it seems manufacturers are

optimistic about retailer plans and the consumer mindset. Indeed, the housewares indus- try made incremental gains last year, on which manufacturers and suppliers hope to build.

American consumers spent $67.1 billion on housewares in 2011, a 1.2 percent increase over the prior year, and housewares expenditures increased 0.4 percent in 2011 in the average U.S. household, according to the International Housewares Association’s (IHA’s) recently released 2012 State of the Industry Report. Many in the industry believe 2012 financial results will be stronger still, with 2013 teeing up to be the breakthrough year. (For more on this, turn to page 7).

“We view the results of this annual look at the industry and are always comforted by the fact that the housewares industry has been very resilient, even during downturns in the economy,” said Perry Reynolds, vice president of marketing and trade development for the IHA. “In addition, the industry finds its way to the consumer through a broad variety of retail avenues. And we fully appreciate independent retailers who stand as innovators and leaders in important product trends, as the report indicates.”

And retailers – both brick-and-mortar and Internet retailers, which have showed big gains over the past two years – are the conduit to the consumer, and housewares manufacturers will have a wonderful opportunity to showcase their wares, capabilities and marketing prowess to the many retailers attending this week’s show.

While it would be impossible to showcase all of the wonderful products at the IH+HS, the staff of Gourmet Business selected several of the innovative products attendees can expect to see, from kitchen gadgets and cookware to small electrics and tabletop. We hope this preview helps you identify some of the top trends to bring into your stores.

Maureen Azzato Managing

Editor, Gourmet Business

mazzato@gourmetbusiness.com