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International Home and Housewares
Show – March 16-18, 2008
IMC recently attended the
International Home and Housewares Show in Chicago and noticed the following
trends:
Brand
Highlights
-
Induction Cooking, though not new, was featured prominently
among many cookware exhibitors who had developed product
lines featuring induction cooking compatibility, and
dedicated considerable booth space to induction cooking
displays. -
The
breast cancer awareness ribbon and recognizable pink color
was a frequently licensed brand at Housewares 2008. From
household cleaning appliances by Dirt Devil, to cookware
from Meyer Corporation, makers of Farberware and Rachel Ray
cookware, the brand was everywhere. -
The
Dr. Andrew Weil line of co-branded cookware and appliances
continues to grow as a part of Spring of Switzerland’s (part
of the Waterford Wedgewood Group) product offering. This is
their second year presenting the brand at the show. -
The
C.I.A. (Culinary Institute of America) line of cooking
products also continue to grow. The line is manufactured by
Robinson Home Products, also makers of Joy of Cooking,
Oneida, and Sunbeam licensed cooking tools.
New
Products
Proctor & Gamble’s Dawn and Butler Home Products featured their new line of
interchangeable soap filled sponges, brushes and handle cleaning accessories.
Proctor & Gamble also introduced the Febreze Closet Renewables by E-Z Do, which
include storage units and disposable fragrance inserts for clothing.
Licensing Trends and Thoughts
The prevalence of
Bamboo dishes and accessories were apparent throughout the show. Every
other booth at the show has some Green claim about renewability of resources
or environmental impact.
Tea continues to be a
hot trend in houseware categories. Bodum boasted their cordless electric
kettle line made of recyclable plastic, while Importika launched the Teaposy
line, consisting of teapot, mugs, cup, and saucer glassware.
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