Letter from the creators
Among all of the questions that we’re asked about trends, one is asked most often by far: “Where do trends really come from?“ It’s a fair question with a surprising answer. Trends are created by consumers. They are not created by marketers or influencers or corporations or even brands. To put it simply, trends are a constantly evolving reflection of how we the consumer are reacting to the world we live in.
The companies, brands, and products that we love, trust, and buy are successful because they seem to understand us, our aspirations, and the challenges we face. They know how we live, and how we want to live and create products which reflect that.
In this issue, we turn our attention to the importance of “ease.” As consumers, we know it is perhaps the single most important benefit a product can deliver. It may be the promise of reduced effort, improved results or simply more time to spend on our other interests.
So join us on an exploration of the latest and greatest products created with “ease” in mind.
Tom Mirabile Principal, Springboard Futures Consumer and Lifestyle Trend Analyst, International Housewares Association and HomePage News
Dawn Evans Creative Director, InSight Trend Index and Director of Marketing, International Housewares Association (IHA)
Ease, Please
More than half of consumers say “Ease of Use” has the greatest influence on their decision to buy home and housewares products.
75 % OF BOOMERS prioritize “Ease” when deciding what to buy!
More Matters
Time Flies
More than half of us say the most important lifestyle benefit in a product is its ability to save us time for other activities.
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
Fast Learners
40% of us choose home and housewares products that can help us cultivate new skills and knowledge!
27%
OF GEN Z say new technologies are key to their purchase decisions.
Sharing is Caring
2024 saw an 80% increase in our desire for products that create opportunities to share more on social media.
PROBLEM SOLVED
Perhaps our biggest role as retailers or manufacturers is solving everyday problems for the consumer. It sounds simple, but it’s a mission that crosses all home and housewares categories. The objective is simple: Create products that make life easier, and save consumers time, effort and space by improving design using the latest materials and technologies. In the pages that follow, you’ll see our list of the best in now and next plus a few classics we wouldn’t want to live without.
Sigma-r21 Expandable Dining Table
RODAM
MEYER
The Essential Set: Cinder & Smoke 6-Piece Stackable Cookware Set
BLOK
^ BEVÄGE
Beväge Pro Electronic Flavor-Enhancing Wine Decanter
CONNECTWARE BY WINDFORD TABLE
Brighton Collection Detachable Stemware
^ CUISIVIN
Bel-Air Cocktail Tree Stand
NOSSE Moon Collection by Aaron Kearney
BRABANTIA
SinkStyle Minimalist Tools & Sink Accessories FULL CIRCLE
Fresh Air Odor-Free Kitchen Compost Collector
YOUCOPIA
StoraBag Food Bag Dispenser
JOSEPH JOSEPH
Folding Handle, Ceramic Nonstick Saucepan Set
FOOD HUGGERS
Airtight, Clear, Reusable & Adaptable Bowl Lids
NORDIC WARE Nonstick Divided Sauté & Sauce Pan Set
easy
Sourdough Home Electronic
Temperature Controlled Starter Keeper
BROD & TAYLOR
Folding Baker’s Proofer & Slow Cooker
^ BROD & TAYLOR
BEANTO BOWL
Silicone & Polypropylene Plastic Collapsible Bowl
BRISA
Rack 1.0 Air Powered Bottle & Bag Drying System
SAMBONET
Radici Buffet Separable Acacia Wood Serving Board Set
CHEF’N Cheese Slice’N Store
FOOD HUGGERS
Dairy, Cheese & Butter Hugger Set
FARBERWARE
Build-a-Board Sectioned Serving Board with Airtight Lid
Expert Perspectives
Has social media affected the way we solve everyday problems?
Social media has emerged as a powerful force in shaping consumer buying decisions. When individuals share their genuine enthusiasm for products that address everyday challenges and frustrations, these items can quickly become must-have essentials. Influential content demonstrates how the right product, offering a unique benefit or solution, can significantly improve daily life. This organic advocacy turns ordinary products into overnight sensations, driving demand through authentic, relatable content.
Ellie Gunville Co-Owner, E-Power Marketing
Why is “ease” such an important trend?
It is one of, if not the most important thing in determining what we buy. We look for products that save us time so we can do other things we want. We look for products that can remove a step in the process, like making dinner faster or more efficiently. Finally, it helps provide confidence in the usage of a product. Ease and simplicity are the cornerstone of any winning product.
Joe Derochowski VP, Home Industry Advisor, Circana
Has the home and housewares industry been able to adapt to changing consumer demands?
The home and housewares industry owes its strength and growth to its ability to truly listen and respond to our consumers. Shifts in their lifestyles and aspirations have created an expansive demand for innovations and technologies that deliver ease, efficiency and flexibility at the speed of life. Consumers want products and solutions that combine benefits and design, while adding intangible qualities such as quality time with family and friends. IHA continues to expand its commitment to bring companies and their innovations to retailers across all channels and around the globe through The Inspired Home Show,® held annually in March.
Derek Miller President & CEO, International Housewares Association
[ RE ] INNOVATIONS
Innovation often holds the most significance when it’s a process of reinvention. This involves a thoughtful redesign that reassesses and reinvents the capabilities and characteristics of the products that energize and drive our daily routines. Through the adoption of improvements in shape, substance, technology and understanding of consumer behavior, these creators are forging the enhanced solutions for today’s challenges.
DREAMFARM
Citrus Tool Set with Fluicer & Ozest Self-Cleaning Speed Zester
GIA’S KITCHEN 2-in-1 Scraper Whisk
CHEF’N Apple Corer & Slicer
LÉKUÉ Spatula for Omelettes & Crêpes
CONTINENTA
GRAEF
MYtiny Foldable Electric Slicer
Walnut Cutting, Prep & Serve Board with Stainless Drawer
BRABANTIA Make & Take Lunch Bowl
HOLSTEIN HOUSEWARES 4-Section Omelette Maker
FROMAGGIO
Smart Home Electric Cheesemaker
GOURMIA Fry ‘N Fold Digital Air Fryer
ROMMELSBACHER
Portable Double & Single Induction Cooking Plates with Slider Touch Control
TRAMONTINA
Guru 4 Piece Starter Set
DASH
Flex Press Grill System
NINJA Woodfire Outdoor Grill
SinkSide Foldable Dish Rack
DOTTI
Best Broom & Foothold Dustpan Set Indoor/Outdoor Multi Sweeper
^ BRABANTIA
Bioplastic Tableware with Stain Resistant Finish, M/W & D/W Safe
LÉKUÉ Easy Clean, Multifunctional Silicone Air Fryer Inserts, D/W Safe
^ DAAN TECH
Bob Portable Mini Dishwasher
KOKU KITCHEN
GFOREST
Bedroom Air Purifier with HEPA Filter
CUCKOO
Wireless, Foldable, Adjustable & Portable Air Circulator
JOSEPH JOSEPH Titan Stainless-Steel Trash Compactor
NEOFLAM
Fika Collection All Cook Surface Safe Wood Handled Cookware
CONTINENTA
Non-Slip Serving Tray
ADHOC
Gusto Champagne
Bottle Stopper & Saver
FINO
Single Serving Stovetop Espresso Coffee Maker
Our Latest Obsession All-In-ONEderful
We love how multifunctional products meet our needs on so many levels. We can do more while owning less, and save ourselves time, space, effort and even cleanup. Here are a few of our most lust-worthy picks for this portfolio: products that provide top-notch versatility and efficiency.
GOURMIA
Versia All-in-One Air Fryer, Grill, Panini Maker, Multicooker
DASH
Prepdeck Gen 2 All-in-One Preparation Station
GOURMIA
Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker with Topping Dispenser & Cone Holder
GROWGREEN
Aspara Nature Smart Grower
MONBENTO
TRAMONTINA
All-in-One Plus Oven-Safe Nonstick for Any Cooktop; Sauté, Fry, Steam, Braise; Tool & Trivet Included
GREENPAN
Bistro 9-in-1 Air Fry Toaster Oven
J8 Twin Coffee Machine with Two High-Performance Conical Grinders
BREVILLE Paradice 9-Cup
Food Processor with On Board Storage & 12mm Precision Dicing Feature
JURA
Expert Perspectives
DREAMFARM
Fluicer Fold Flat
Easy Juicer
How do you define true innovation, and how does that drive the products you create?
True innovation is about more than how a product looks or feels, it’s about how it works. True innovation is original, solves a problem, is more useful, and works better. In the end, true innovation makes so much sense that it now seems obvious, so much so that it changes the way a job gets done. That is the ethos that drives us at Dreamfarm.
Alex Gransbury Founder & CEO, Dreamfarm
Which features and benefits are driving our purchase decisions for home and housewares products?
Consumers have made it abundantly clear: they want products that are user-friendly. This desire translates into easy preparation, improved storage, multifunctionality, cutting-edge technology and time-saving features. For manufacturers navigating various challenges, they seek ways to accelerate progress. Market insights and licensing serve as valuable tools to achieve these objectives.
Leigh Ann Schwarzkopf Principal & Founder, Project Partners Network Contributor, InSight Trend Index
Please With Ease
What makes a good gift a great gift? The unexpected combination of an object that they’ll love with the knack to make their life a little bit easier. So whether they’re saving you time, space or effort, here are some of our favorites that manage to give the gifts of ease.
PRINTWORKS
VISKI Alchemi Aerating Wine Tasting Glasses
RABBIT
Stainless Wine Preserver Stopper with No-Roll Bottle Stabilizer
The Essentials - Pasta & Pizza Tool Gift Sets
MADESMART
Everything Over the Kitchen Sink Station
DREAMFARM
Cleana Self Sharpening Cleaning Scraper
GOURMAC
Pot & Lid Stand
BABISH
11-Piece Essential Wood, Silicone & Stainless Steel Tool Set
DREAMFARM
Ultimate Set of the Best
I GENIETTI
Anguretta Melon & Multi Fruit Fork
DASH
My Mug Ice Cream Maker for Ice Cream, Gelato, Sorbet & Frozen Yogurt
OPINEL
Le Petit Chef Set of Safety Prep Utensils for Young Cooks
GFOREST
Desktop Air Purifier with HEPA Filter
^ GODINGER
Cyclist Desk Organizer with Letter Opener, Pen, Clock, Tape Dispenser & Paper Clip Holder
DREAMFARM
^ SIMPLEHUMAN
Sensor Mirror Fold - Adjustable, Foldable & Rechargable with Built-in Tru Lux Light System
The Jot Any Surface, Multipurpose, Suction Hanger
EVERCARE
Reusable Grab & Go Lint Roller
KYWIE
Bioinsulated Natural Sheepskin Coolers & Sleeves
^ PRINTWORKS
The Essentials - Wine Tool Gift Set
CORKCICLE
Cocktail Shaker, Triple Insulated with Built-In Strainer & Measurement Lid
UP NEXT PORTFOLIO
Lee Eiseman of the Pantone Color Institute covers essential palettes for home and housewares for 2024-25.
Exhibitions Index In Market Order:
