second nature
Elements of the living world cultivate renewed inspiration, innovation and growth in home and housewares.
TM TREND INDEX 2023/24
PORTFOLIO 7
Success in the modern marketplace means understanding that the definition of Trend is broader and more inclusive than ever—reaching beyond style and design to include other influences that drive major market changes. Trend, from this perspective, becomes an essential strategic tool.
Today, Trend means business.
INN O VATION c o lor F RM CULTURE environmental FUNC T I O N YTILA ex p e r ecnei impact LIF E STYLE MATERIAL PORTFOLIO 7 — second nature socialization
D ESIGN
The HomePage News InSight™ Trend Index 2023/24 is an exclusive digital guide that explores emerging and enduring home and housewares trends through the products and innovations which embody them. This comprehensive and expansive series was developed in partnership with Springboard Futures and its founder, industry trend authority Tom Mirabile, who also serves as consumer and lifestyle trend analyst for the International Housewares Association and HomePage News . The Springboard team explored influential tradeshows in the U.S. and abroad identifying home and housewares trends driven by global influences such as design, consumer lifestyle and functional/material innovation. The HomePage News lnSight Trend Index will release a new themed portfolio each week on HomePageNews.com, into the 3rd quarter of 2023.
EXHIBITIONS INDEX:
Ambiente – Frankfurt, Germany
Atlanta Market – USA
Creativeworld – Frankfurt, Germany
High Point Market – USA
Formex — Stockholm, Sweden
Maison&Objet – Paris, France
NY NOW – USA
Salone del Mobile – Milan, Italy
Shoppe Object – New York, USA
Spring Fair – Birmingham, England
The Inspired Home Show – Chicago, USA
The New York Tabletop Show – USA
The HomePage News InSight Trend Index 2023/24 accepted no payment for product placement, promotion, sponsorship, endorsement or other paid advertising. (Summer/Fall 2023 Release) © 2023 HomePage News. All Rights Reserved. HomePage News is a service of the International Housewares Association (IHA).
PORTFOLIO 1 ................... The Great Entertainers
WHAT’S INSIDE:
> Water Works
> Into the Woods
> Modern Romance
> Expert Trend Perspectives
PORTFOLIO 2 Material Evidence
PORTFOLIO 3 .................. All About Ease
PORTFOLIO 4 Pantone ® ColorWatch
PORTFOLIO 5 .................. Fine Lines
PORTFOLIO 6 The Great Outdoors
PORTFOLIO 7 .................. Second Nature
PORTFOLIO 8 The Shape of Things to Come
PORTFOLIO 9 .................. World of Wellness
As technology and information become pervasive (and invasive) elements of our everyday lives, instinct brings us back to natural elements and influences for a much needed sense of reality, reassurance and relaxation. As we approach nature with a renewed sense of appreciation and wonder, we seek constant connection to it through objects of essential function and everyday use.
Tom Mirabile Principal, Springboard Futures Consumer and Lifestyle Trend Analyst, International Housewares Association and HomePage News
Trend Perspectives
In recent years the very definitions and drivers of trend have expanded beyond style and design to incorporate social, economic, technology, lifestyle, environmental and even political trends. Staying informed and focused in this “never normal” is challenging—but essential.
During this journey to bring InSight to life, we had many discussions on trend with home industry executives—all of whom have a history of success and innovation in their fields. While each interpret and react differently to any given trend, they share a singular trait. They all lead companies with a strong brand identity and goals forged from an ever-evolving understanding of consumers.
Regardless of their perspective, all seem to converge on a crucial reality: Just as economies, markets and retail channels will change and evolve, trends, in response, will continue to influence commerce. Navigating that influence successfully will depend on the ability to respond rapidly to changing consumer realities and aspirations.
Hear from their perspective in their own words.
Derek Miller President & CEO, International Housewares Association
Looking back over the past two years, how is the role of trade shows evolving in providing trend insight and inspiration to both manufacturers and retailers? Retailers and suppliers alike know that there is no better way to evaluate the direction of an existing trend—or the strength of an emerging one—than to view it in the context of an active show floor. Trade shows like The Inspired Home Show® create a forum where the true nature and direction of trends comes to life in real time for both buyer and seller. That’s something no online presentation or meeting can match.
Are trends still important in Home? Some people are saying that trends are slowing down? Is that true? Trends have not “slowed down,” some have that perception because the lifespan of viable trends has actually increased. When established trends last longer it’s a reflection of consumers’ demand for lasting value. They are evaluating quality, price, and design in new ways, and with new expectations. For the supply side, that’s a great thing because it gives us the opportunity to evolve with consumers—to really listen and reimagine our industry in response to what we learn. Home style and lifestyle trends remain essential to evolution and growth in our industry.
Tom Mirabile Principal, Springboard Futures Consumer and Lifestyle Trend Analyst, International Housewares Association and HomePage News
Are consumer lifestyle trends important even in unsettled economic conditions? Trends are important because they can help you better anticipate future behaviors and make better decisions, providing greater opportunities for growth. For that very reason it’s during times of economic uncertainty that trends are crucially important.
Joe Derochowski VP, Home Industry Advisor, Circana
InSight Trend Index
Why is color important and how can I stay current without changing my entire product assortment? Color is important because it helps brands and retailers enage consumers on both physical and emotional levels. Consumers respond to brands that embrace relevant and forward-looking color trends. Also, color doesn’t have to be a complete product line or rebrand, it can be easily done by incorporating color trends into social posts, digital advertising, merchandsing, etc.
How has the use of trends changed in recent years? Trends are no longer dictated by an elite, inspiring few and followed by all, there are hundreds of viable trends evolving at any given time. Trends can emerge as inspirations from social media, pop culture, even a truly unique retail experience. Success comes from interpreting those trends and translating them into products and assortments that inspire and engage consumers.
What are some of the most important factors influencing home and housewares trends today? Without a doubt, the resurgence of the classical and vintage design aesthetics, updated with new functional and material technologies and a fresh take on color. Smart homes and housewares have become a key element in conversations with clients, and in our decisions when selecting and specifying products. Color stories, design functions and how products are utilized, displayed, and stored are always part of the conversation.
Why is trend awareness important to business growth? Trends provide a new approach and a fresh perspective that creates a need to purchase—and that is the ultimate goal.
Rep Groups and multi-supplier showrooms often present an incredible breadth of trend statements. How do you keep those offerings balanced? And why not focus on just a few? As a partnership representing 40 brands and product lines, Schauben & Co. keeps a close watch on lifestyle and design trends. Our retail partners of every size are defined by which trends they follow, and they depend on us to stay in sync with what’s new and next. Trend awareness and editing is at the core of the services we provide.
David Santiago Principal, Casa Santi
Peter Schauben President & Managing Partner, Schauben & Co.
Dawn Evans Director, Marketing International Housewares Association
Aaron Stewart Creative Director, Gibson Homewares
Leatrice (Lee) Eiseman Executive Director of the Pantone® Color Institute
Evan Dash Founder & CEO,
What role do trends play in brand extensions and new product development? In order to grow your business, it’s essential to understand the marketplace along with the hearts and minds of your consumers. There will always be a need to strike a balance between core and trend-forward when approaching new product development, and without insights into your consumer, you risk becoming irrelevant.
Are there any characteristics that longer-lasting design and lifestyle trends have in common?
Daniel Seehoff CEO, Sophistiplate
Is consumer/ lifestyle trend an important consideration in your company’s new product development? Absolutely, consumer and lifestyle trends form an integral part of Dash’s new product development strategy as they help us understand the evolving needs, preferences, and aesthetics of our customer base. We constantly observe and analyze lifestyle trends through market research, customer feedback, and social media analytics, which allows us to create innovative and stylish appliances that resonate with our customers and fit seamlessly into their everyday lives.
Many enduring trends these days have evolved into lifestyle moments. This is awesome, and very important for Nancy Fire Designs and other firms who work with both manufacturers and retailers who need to be on the same page when it comes to product. This makes the trends more realistic and focused on enhancing everyday living, which in fact is what the consumer is looking for.
Is trend always important—even in times of economic uncertainty?
Beautiful and trend-forward products make people excited to host, entertain and make memories. From setting a stunning table or assembling a show-stopping charcuterie board, design and trend matter. Products need to be gorgeous, on trend and unique to be inspirational, desirable, memorable and Instagrammable.
InSight Trend Index trend perspectivess - ( continued )
Storebound, Dash
Nancy Fire Creative Director, Nancy Fire Designs
Leigh Ann Schwarzkopf Founder & Principal, Project Partners Network
Will craftsmanship in home furnishings continue its current broad influence on Home and Housewares trends? Demand for handcraftsmanship in home furnishings is a continuing trend and shows no sign of fatigue, and actually continues to broaden its influence on Home and Housewares trends. Craftsmanship is the new luxury and will add a distinguished warmth, longevity and inherent value as we crave that connection to place and provenance as a counterpoint to technology.
What role do trends play in product development and design at Lifetime Brands? Staying trend-aware is a critical part of innovation, it can help us direct development toward what matters most to our consumers. That means looking at trends on every level: lifestyle, design, material innovation and even pricing. Trends must be viewed through a lens of our brand mandates for consistency and value.
In the next 2-3 years, which trend will deliver the greatest opportunity for meaningful sustainability advances in the home and housewares industries? Education and information. Without a doubt consumer awareness and commitment to eco-conscious home products will continue to expand. In fact, in response to that trend and the demand it’s created, the Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC) provides home furnishings retailers, manufacturers, suppliers and designers with education and tools to incorporate sustainable best practices into their business models. That commitment has made the SFC the leading sustainability education resource in the home furnishings industry.
What role should trend play in creating retail assortments?
Trend plays the role of catalyst. It stirs things up, creates excitement, instills optimism and propels change.
Carter McGuyer Founder & Principal, Carter McGuyer Design Group
Why is trend important to retailers and manufacturers? Trend will always be important to retailers and manufacturers because it keeps them relevant. Without it, they lose their competitive edge and can eventually become stagnant. Monitoring and implementing trend helps demonstrate to their customers a level of creativity and the ability to evolve and remain fresh. This is what brings the customer back.
Dan Siegel President, Lifetime Brands
Scarlette Tapp Executive Director, Sustainable Furnishings Council
Patti Carpenter Principal & Founder, Carpenter + Company
Michelle Lamb Editorial Director, The Trend Curve
NEXT UP: PORTFOLIO — 8
the shape of things to come
Form, function and finish are defining the future of style in home and housewares.
TM
TREND INDEX 2023/24
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