Lifestyle focus: On the go

Moving along

Inset: Kalorik’s T-Mug means that consumers can refuse takeaway drinks cups.

Bottom left: Grunwerg has introduced metallic colours to its DrinkPod range.

Ditching single-use plastic and getting out of the house are two huge reasons why ‘on the go’ products are in demand for the rest of 2021. PH looks at some news and views surrounding a category that’s moving up.

The UK is reopening once again, and we’re hitting the road, heading back into the office, to shops, entertainment venues and the gym. We are also appreciating the great outdoors with renewed vigour on our walks, runs, and trips to the park or coast. What is more, consumers’ concern for the environment continues to escalate as sustainability and climate crisis continue to hit the headlines. But of course, the housewares industry makes it easier for consumers to switch to reusables, with a plethora of options that fuse functionality with good looks. “Consumers are taking ‘on the go’ to a higher level, demanding products with innovation, efficiency and style,” acknowledges Kirstie Pendry, marketing manager for Auteur. With more consumers getting out and about as lockdown restrictions ease and the reopening of nonessential shops, Kirstie confirms that the company is “seeing an uplift in sales of our high-end reusables.” Auteur’s new introductions include the Hip Clutch. “It comes with everything you need for lunch on the go, including a cutlery set, a sauce or dressing pot and a space for a napkin,” explains Kirstie. “She also points out that, thanks to a “handy carry handle you can show this off and carry it with ease.” While swapping packaged, bought lunches for homemade takeouts is a bonus for the environments, the Hip Clutch is made from Recycled Ocean Bound Plastic, meaning that the product helps to divert plastic waste from the sea. For on the go (and store cupboard) space saving, Kirstie highlights Auteur’s recently introduced Stojo Bowl, which is “only 3.5cm high when it is collapsed, and when open holds 1.1L of food, and is also leak-proof, so you can put it in your bags with confidence.” The need for worry-free transport is also addressed by Klean Kanteen’s new Food Boxes from Whitby & Co. “While all three sizes come with leakproof, press-fit lids, with a flexible corner for easy venting, the lunch and meal size boxes features snap-and-lock tabs for extra protection against leaks and spills,” notes Phil Ellwood, managing director of Whitby & Co. Portability is an important design feature for Grunwerg when introducing additions to the Pioneer range. New metallic bottles

Power to the people

James Rourke, director at Kalorik highlights the launch of the brand’s innovative new Electric T- Mug, which is powered by a UK kettle controller. He states: “Portable mugs, travel bottles, commuter cups, and takeaway vessels are ubiquitous in today’s society and this mug does the whole lot.”

He elaborates: “As well as saving the planet one takeaway mug at a time, consumers also save water, save electricity, save time, and by only boiling only the water they need, save money. There’s also a variable temperature control, and a ‘keep warm’ function for those working from home with multiple Zoom meetings, so your tea or coffee doesn’t go cold at any point in the day. There’s also a temperature gauge built into the lid to ensure scald free sipping.”

Continuing, James points out: “As we return to the office, shared kitchens are becoming a thing of the past so portable mugs like this that heat the water directly in the vessel will only gain in popularity. Add to that the skyrocketing popularity of staycations, caravanning, exploring the countryside and local city breaks, the Electric Mug can be used at home, away, and even abroad, once permitted.”

Meanwhile, as consumers get back to work, gyms and sports venues, Duncan Singleton, trading director at Salter electrical (from UPGS) anticipates rising demand for convenient, home-made, nutrient packed drinks. He states: “As lockdown restrictions ease, and there is simultaneously a renewed interest in nutrition and healthy eating, we see more people looking for healthy ways to prepare food and drinks on the go. The Salter NutriPro is perfect for creating nutritious and vitamin-packed smoothies quickly, and it can fit into even the most hectic of morning routines.”

have carabiner clips to attach them to bags or rucksacks. Moreover, Grunwerg’s new DrinkPod vacuum flask capsules and coffee cups in various metallic colours are evidence that many consumers are proud to carry their reusables as style statements. Le Creuset fans are welcoming the brand’s expansion into the ‘on the go’ sector this year. Its new Hydration range features many of the brand’s most popular colours, including volcanic, cerise, teal and meringue. Also recognising the significance of the category for 2021, Lifetime Brands Europe has “launched over 50 new products into our on-the-go brand, BUILT, covering not only hydration for both hot and cold drinks, but also innovative on-the-go lunch solutions, all in colours and patterns inspired by global trends.,” reports Claire Budgen, commercial and marketing director. She emphasises: “Whether it's refuelling at the gym, staycation picnics, outdoor activities or thinking about the return to the office, on-the-go is back, and having a complete offering is key.” Buying director for Cambridge (from UPGS), Katie Maxwell concurs that there is rising demand for enviable lunch containers as more people return to their offices. “Cambridge is consistently innovating and bringing newness to market to meet trends, and its new ranges of delicately designed glass lunch boxes and storage solutions with bamboo lids are no exception.” And with so many consumers flexing their culinary skills , now lunches at the desk will feature a feast of flavours!

Above: Hip Clutch from Auteur – home take-outs can look stunning. Right: Familiar hues in Le Creuset’s new Hydration range.

Left: Preparing for breakfast on the move, using Cambridge’s Busy Bee Lunch Box. Below: Selfridges has a public water fountain outside its Oxford Street store.

Repurpose and reuse

Huski Home is another company using waste materials to create its lunchboxes and travel mugs. Director Lisa Scott explains why Huski Home has created a way to recycle rice husks into a durable, reusable food-safe material: “When processed, the sheer volume of rice husks causes issues as to how this can be properly disposed of it. If it is not ethically discarded, it can be a biohazard.” Now partnering with Faire, the global craft and artisan-focused wholesale marketplace for independent retailers, Huski Home’s summer colours include lilac, daffodil and peach. The collection also includes coral, obsidian and midnight. However, while the brand brings out new fashion focused colours, Lisa insists that its ‘on the go’ products “can last a lifetime.”

Campaigns to stop waste

The spotlight is on refillable products this month, with World Refill Day on June 16. Organised by Refill and City To Sea, World Refill Day is a global public awareness campaign to prevent plastic pollution and help people live with less waste. The campaign encourages consumers to invest in reusables and download Refill’s free app showing locations to refill water bottles. It also urges people to ‘make some noise’ on social media, and lobby businesses to act. Refill’s supporters include Chilly’s Bottles, which donates £10 from every sale of its Refill X Chilly’s bottle, coffee cup or food pot. Chilly’s says its partnership has helped Refill stop over 100 million plastic bottles from entering our waste stream. Meanwhile, Selfridges was among the businesses, organisations and institutions that appealed to London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan on his re-election in May. The department store added its voice to the #OneLess campaign, asking Sadiq to take critical action to end single-use plastic water bottle pollution. Selfridges has supported the ongoing campaign against single-use bottles since 2016 and has a public water fountain outside its Oxford Street store. The #OneLess campaign wants to London to be seen as a leader in eradicating single use bottles, offering sufficient and equal access to public refill points across the city and providing support for businesses. It wants London to be a pioneering example for action in other cities and towns, as well as highlighting the harm inflicted on oceans from plastic.

Functionable and desirably stylish, meet Hip Clutch. Made from recycled Ocean Bound Plastic this designled lunchbox comes with a handy reusable cutlery set and sauce/dressing pot, plus has a space for a napkin – no more messy meals. Everything you need all in one place for lunch on the go! With a handy carry handle, Hip Clutch is designed to be on show - Available in three on-trend colours: Jade, Navy and Pink, to complement personal style. Auteur T: 01869 338751 E: sales@auteurlimited.co.uk W: www.auteurlimited.co.uk

ON THE GO

Klean Kanteen’s new Food Boxes come in three handy sizes for everything from snacks to meals. With durable BPA-free, stainless steel and a food-grade silicone lids, these food boxes are lightweight and easy to clean. While all three sizes come with leakproof, press-fit lids with a flexible corner for easy venting, the Lunch and Meal size boxes feature snap-and-lock tabs for extra protection against leaks and spills. Available in the UK from Whitby & Co. Whitby & Co T: 01539 721032 E: sales@whitbyandco.co.uk W: www.whitbyandco.co.uk

Zoku’s Pocket Utensil Set is designed to replace single use plastic for good! The neatly nesting set of three utensils includes a spoon, fork and knife. The utensils stow snugly into the slim travel case. The complete set is made to fit in a pocket, purse, backpack or lunchbox. No sink? No problem, just put the dirty utensils back in the case and clean when you get home. The set and case is dishwasher safe for ease of cleaning and it is available in three colours for adults and three fun designs for children. Burton McCall T: 0116 234 4611 E: sales@burton-mccall.com The Viners Organic Portable Cutlery set is perfect for eating on the go. The set includes a full-length knife, fork and dessert spoon made from quality stainless steel and neatly stored in a secure, matching box to keep the cutlery safe during transportation. The handles and case are crafted from 50% wheat fibre material - lightweight and durable for everyday use. Rayware T: 0151 486 1888 E: sales@rayware.co.uk W: www.rayware.co.uk

Built, the stylish and sassy brand from New York, is bursting with clever combinations of on trend plain and patterned looks, providing a complete sustainable on-thego story, driven by fashion and personal style that consumers are really drawn to. Stylist is one of the best-selling collections and features a grey/yellow colour combo across lunchboxes, hydration bottles, food flasks and lunch bags that even have a separate section specifically for your lunchbox, keeping it safe and always the right way up! Lifetime Brands Europe T: 0151 486 1888 E: sales@rayware.co.uk W: www.rayware.co.uk