Expanded Housewares Show Sees
Success as U.S. Retail Sales Rise
The success of this spring's sold-out International Home + Housewares Show and its inaugural fourth day is shored up by encouraging figures on March retail sales.
In keeping with the economic times and home-cooking trends, cookware that makes food preparation easier was prevalent on the IH+HS show floor. Silicone paired with non-stick coatings was the magic combination used for bakeware from Kuhn Rikon’s IHA Innovation Award-winning PushPan, which eliminates the leaky spring-form bakeware, to Aussie celebrity Chef Curtis Stone's Pop Outs, which allow bakers to gently push out baked goods from pans.
This year, the not-for-profit International Housewares Association, which owns and operates the IH+HS, opened the gates on Saturday with a half-day.
"The show's new fourth day was well received and well used based on reports from both buyers and exhibitors," said Phil Brandl, IHA President. "Our research shows more buyer visits, which exhibitors told us led to more relaxed and meaningful meetings."
The 2012 IH+HS not only was a sold-out affair for exhibitors, but showed a 6.8 percent increase in total buyer attendance-with a significant increase of international buyers.
"We are hearing very positive feedback from both exhibitors and attendees," said Brandl. "With tens of thousands of new product introductions, over 500 new exhibitors and the introduction of our new IHA Innovation Awards, buyers found newness and innovation at every turn."
The IHA Innovation Awards acknowledge cutting-edge housewares design. Besides Kuhn Rikon, other winners were: Harold Import for Blossom Trivet (tabletop), Veridian Healthcare for iBaby Monitoring System (personal care and home healthcare), Browne USA for Date Dial Sealing Lids (kitchenware), Rush3 for Kebo (kitchen hand tools and cutlery), Jura Capresso for Impressa J9 One Touch TFT (kitchen electronics), Humanscale for Horizon LED Task Light (household electronics and home environment), Energizer Household Lighting for Ambiana Desk Light (home decor and gifts), Clean Cubes for Clean Cubes (home organization and storage), Gleener for The Ultimate Fuzz Remover (bath and personal care), Casabella Holdings for Quick Scrub Double Sided Microfiber Spray Mop (cleaning) and Rowenta Groupe for Delta Force Stick Vacuum (floor and carpet care).
Across the country, surveys and retails sales seem to indicate U.S. consumers are primed to start shopping more.
Minneapolis-based Ginger Consulting released its fourth "What Women Want" survey, which shows personal finances are improving and "everyday luxuries" will return to women's budgets. The survey reflects opinions of so-called "Alpha women," covering the economy and shopping habits of affluent and influential women and may indicate what mainstream U.S. shoppers will be doing six months from now.
Retail and foodservice sales-excluding automobiles-amounted to $338.1 billion, up 0.8 percent from February, compared with private sector expectations for 0.5 percent, and up 6.1 percent from March 2011, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.
"Retail sales posted another strong gain in March, exceeding private analysts' expectations, and following solid growth in January and February of this year," said U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson. "The strength in spending arises from the improving labor market and increased consumer confidence, but work remains to support efforts to create more American jobs. We must keep up this momentum toward an economy that is built to last-and that means standing up for the middle class and making our tax system fairer."
The National Retail Federation released similar figures for March retail sales, citing an 0.8 percent seasonal increase from February and 6.6 percent unadjusted year-over year for sales that excludes automobiles, gas stations and restaurants. The NRF attributed the increases in part to an early Easter holiday and unseasonably warm weather.
"Consumers have demonstrated the desire and ability to spend on discretionary items, further helping to spur economic and retail sales growth in the first quarter of 2012," said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. "While retailers will wait until the end of April to gauge the success of the spring shopping season, it's evident that consumers are holding their own against rising gas prices and other economic concerns."
"Moderate retail sales growth in March will help to offset murkier recent economic employment data," NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said. "We expect to see gains through the all-important summer months, but job and weak income growth coupled with stubbornly high gas costs will continue to force consumers to make tough, price-sensitive choices."
The 2013 International Home + Housewares Show is set for March 2-5 at McCormick Place, Chicago, with another Saturday opening. For more information, please visit www.housewares.org.
