National Hardware Show / Lawn & Garden –

May 8 - 10, 2007

IMC recently attended the National Hardware Show / Lawn & Garden Show and made the following observations:

• Two Dogs Designs introduced a line of branded barbeque grill and outdoor furniture covers such as Miller Lite, Penn State, and World Poker Tour.

Licensing Trends and Thoughts

• More Americans are adopting healthier lifestyles and that includes healthy backyards for their pets and children. Concerns about potential health effects of chemical fertilizers and other lawn and garden products have spurred the development of innovative natural, organic and organic-based alternatives that enable concerned homeowners to "Green Responsibly™." These products are now appearing at leading national retailers such as Wal-Mart and Meijer as well as local lawn and garden stores.

• MTD Product, the owner of the brands Cub Cadet and Troy-Bilt, introduced an organic line of herbicides, insecticides, and fertilizers called Nature's Touch.
  

New Products on Show

• The Cabbage Patch Kids Roll Out Garden is a fun and exciting new product for kids. This is a way to introduce kids to gardening. Kids will learn the whole process of gardening from start to finish. Just roll out the Cabbage Patch Kids Roll Out Garden, water, and watch it grow into a fun filled sunflower playhouse.