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Drew Barrymore, Shae Hong to Keynote at NRF Big Show

Collaborators Drew Barrymore and Shae Hong will deliver the closing keynote at NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show, reflecting on the launch of the Beautiful line of high-performance appliances and cookware and the company’s success in omnichannel retail.

“Drew Barrymore has an extensive career in film and television, and in recent years, she has capitalized on her creativity by expanding into retail,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Highlighting her collaboration with notable entrepreneur and home cook Shae Hong, the pair will close Retail’s Big Show, sharing how they combine elegant design with premium products that are accessible and affordable for consumers.” 

The closing session on Jan. 16 will feature a conversation between Barrymore and Hong, who worked together on the Beautiful line. The two will discuss their respective companies, how they leverage the intersection of innovation and design, and their mission of fostering human connection in the kitchen and home.

Along with Beautiful, Barrymore also established cosmetics company FLOWER Beauty, and has beauty, eyewear and hair tools in her portfolio. She created her own production company, Flower Films, in 1995. Barrymore is an award-winning actor, appearing in “Never Been Kissed,” “Charlie’s Angels,” “50 First Dates” and other feature films. She is also a published author, releasing “Rebel Homemaker: Food, Family, Life” in 2021.

Hong is a wellness-focused home cook who revolutionized the kitchenware category at age 25 when he founded Made by Gather kitchenware brands. Known for being in tune with the modern consumer, he is credited with bringing fashion to the countertop, capitalizing on contemporary trends, and growing the company on the belief that kitchen essentials can inspire creativity.

In addition to Barrymore and Hong, speakers at NRF 2024 include basketball legend and entrepreneur Earvin “Magic” Johnson, FedEx Corporation President and CEO Raj Subramaniam, Walmart U.S. President and CEO John Furner, Levi Strauss & Co. President Michelle Gass and Under Armour President and CEO Stephanie Linnartz, among others.

The annual convention will be held in New York City Jan. 14-16 and is expected to bring together more than 6,200 brands and approximately 40,000 attendees from nearly 100 countries.

For more news of interest to the housewares industry, subscribe to Kitchenware News & Housewares Review.

Zevo Seeks to Calm Holiday ‘Bugxiety’

‘Tis the season to deck the halls, dusting off the holiday boxes from the garage or basement in order to get your home ready for the most wonderful time of the year. With the vast majority (87 percent) of Americans hosting more in their homes during the holidays than any other time of year, the fear of unwanted house guests is at an all-time high (77 percent).

Procter & Gamble’s Zevo, developed by P&G Ventures, where new brands in new spaces are created to help consumers live life better, recently conducted a 2023 survey. The survey aimed to learn more about consumers’ fear of bugs, aka Bugxiety, ahead of holiday hosting. Want to read some interesting findings?

  • 72 percent of Americans are concerned about finding bugs hiding among their holiday decorations
  • People are especially concerned about finding bugs in wreaths (63 percent), holiday lights (60 percent), trees (52 percent), garlands (51 percent), and ornaments (40 percent)
  • Surprisingly, residents in the Northeast (85 percent) experience more bugs in their home during the holidays than other regions due to the harsh change in weather and certain bugs finding warmth inside

Zevo brand ambassador Rebel Wilson used to suffer from a similar level of Bugxiety during the holiday season.

“My jam-packed holiday calendar leaves me hardly any time to prep my home for holiday guests and hosting, but making the holidays special for my family is an absolute must for me. Thanks to my favorite Zevo Flying Insect Traps and its 24/7 continuous catch, I can plug them in with peace of mind knowing the pesky flying bugs won’t be crashing our fun! I’ve even started gifting the Traps to some of my best friends and their reactions to seeing how many bugs they catch are priceless.”

During this busy time of year, Zevo’s go-to entomologist, Daniel Perry, has all the tips you need to keep bugs from “bugging” you and your house guests this holiday season.

“Flies and crawling bugs tend to follow the food – and we know that holiday parties involve fresh decor and spreads that often sit out for hours, unintentionally luring pests into your home,” said Perry. “Once plugged in, Zevo’s best-selling Flying Insect Trap does all the work for you, continuously attracting and trapping a variety of flying insects without any extra holiday-prep woes.”

“Having the Zevo Multi-Insect Killer Spray on-hand as well can help ensure you’re equipped to quickly handle any unwanted pests that may appear,” Perry continued.

Homes decked in festive foliage, with holiday fruit bowls, and cookie crumbs sprinkled around the floor can create an inviting space for those creepy crawlers to wander in. While some people (39 percent) would call an exterminator upon first sight, almost a third (32 percent) would look to kill bugs immediately. Luckily, Zevo can help bring a sense of clean and calm to the holiday chaos – just plug or spray, then walk away.

So how can Zevo help Americans keep the critters from crashing their holiday festivities?

  • Flying Insect Trap: Zevo’s Flying Insect Trap – the #1 powered insect trap in the category – uses a special blue & UV light system to attract and trap flying insects (e.g. house flies, fruit flies and gnats that love to buzz around an appetizer tray or fruit display) on a strong adhesive pad, which can be easily removed and disposed of via a pull tab. The traps even make a perfect holiday gift for the friend or family member who loves to entertain, values a clean home, or who already has everything else!
  • Multi-Insect Killer Spray: For those who freak out when they see creepy-crawly pests, Zevo Insect Killer Spray offers complete protection against spiders, roaches, ants and more. Simply spray directly on unwanted bugs and watch while Zevo targets and shuts down biological pathways found in insects, not in people or pets. Wipe away with a clean cloth or paper towel with no residue left behind…and that’s it.

For more news of interest to the household appliance industry, subscribe to Kitchenware News & Housewares Review.

Blend On the Go With magic bullet’s Portable Blender

magic bullet Portable Blender Collection

Get ready to embark on a flavor-filled adventure with the all-new magic bullet Portable Blender. This innovative and versatile appliance is designed to empower the creation of delicious blends anywhere, any time.

“magic bullet as a brand is all about developing fun, versatile, affordable, and time-saving appliances for customers, and we’re excited to introduce the latest product in our long line of innovation,” says magic bullet performance marketing manager Trevor Kaufman.

The magic bullet Portable Blender redefines the blending experience by delivering durability, efficiency, and affordability in a compact, portable package.

  1. The compact blender delivers over 15 blending cycles per 90-minute charge, all from a USB-C power source and two 2000mAh batteries.
  2. It contains a six-pointed, turbo-charged, stainless steel blade designed to handle harder-to-blend ingredients like frozen fruit and small amounts of ice.
  3. With two blending modes for maximum efficiency — a 20-second blend cycle and a pulse mode — consumers can use the magic bullet® Portable Blender to create a variety of textures.
  4. Designed to blend wherever and whenever consumers desire, the blender features a flip-and-sip lid with an easy-to-carry handle, plus a flavor infuser that slips directly into the unit to double as a water bottle.
    • Made from lightweight, durable Tritan plastic, the magic bullet Portable’s 16oz blending cup holds its own without weighing anything down; plus, its blending cup, lid, and infuser are all top-rack dishwasher safe.

This new blender aligns with the vibrant, on-the-go lifestyle of the brand’s main consumer demographic – young adults looking for simple ways to make food prep dynamic and exciting. “The new magic bullet® Portable Blender was specifically designed to equip consumers with cordless, on-the-go technology that can keep up with their busy, mobile lifestyles,” said William Gutkowksi, senior product manager at magic bullet®.

In honor of the brand’s ongoing commitment to vibrant self-expression and National Roller Skating Month in October, magic bullet is releasing one custom pair of Roller Skates to show just how portable the new magic bullet Portable Blender truly is. For more information and to enter for a chance to win, visit http://www.themagicbullet.com/ or follow @themagicbullet on Instagram and @themagicbulletofficial on TikTok.

The magic bullet Portable Blender comes in four colors and retails for $39.99. Customers can purchase the magic bullet Portable Blender at themagicbullet.com, Target, Amazon.com, and other favorite retailer websites.

For more news about innovative new kitchen products, subscribe to Kitchenware News & Housewares Review.

Air Fryers Tops in Circana Kitchen Audit Study

Each kitchen in America reflects the lifestyle and tastes of the household it serves and shares similarities with other kitchens across the country, according to Circana’s 2023 Kitchen Audit Study. To capture these similarities, Circana, formerly IRI and The NPD Group, recently conducted an audit of America’s kitchens to help food companies and housewares manufacturers understand what appliances, cookware, utensils, and food ingredients U.S. consumers have in their kitchens, what they think of their cooking skills, and their usage and sources of recipes.

Below is a small sampling from Circana’s 2023 Kitchen Audit Study, which surveyed a U.S. representative sample of adults 18 and older:

  • Two-thirds of those who own an air fryer used it in the past four weeks​.
  • 55 and older consumers are more likely to have celery on hand than younger adults.
  • Adobo spice is more likely to be in the kitchens of Northeast U.S. consumers.
  • Just under one-third of U.S. adults own a stir fry pan or wok.
  • 54 percent of meal preparers own a voice-controlled home device; setting a timer and converting recipes are among the most popular kitchen-related device commands.
  • Even novice cooks will attempt baking cakes at home with a cake mix. 34 percent of cake mix consumers describe their cooking skills as limited.

“Kitchens are command central for U.S. households, and knowing what foods, beverages, appliances, cookware/bakeware, utensils, and other cooking materials on hand is a gold mine of actionable information,” says Darren Seifer, Circana food and beverage industry analyst. “Not to mention how fascinating it is to get a peek inside America’s kitchens.”

For more news of interest to the kitchenware industry, subscribe to Kitchenware News & Housewares Review.

Fall for Fanttik Means Helpful Appliances

While the summer dust blows away and we prepare for the colorful Fall season, Fanttik brings forth an array of perfectly timed products for the joyous time. The multiple international award-winning household and automotive brand has geared up to prepare the cleanest patios, the most cheerful terraces, new furniture and renovated spaces across all homes in the country.

Indeed, with the launch of Fanttik’s L1 Ace Screwdriver, the flagship X5 Max Screwdriver set and V7 Ace Vacuum – the brand is offering a fresh start for your garden and home décor in a holistic manner.

With the introduction of the L1 Ace Screwdriver, an innovative solution perfectly timed for August’s garden cleaning and the forthcoming Fall season, Fanttik is catering to both home renovation enthusiasts and furniture assembly aficionados. Embodying the motto “Build Your Ideas Simple,” this versatile cordless screwdriver kit is a small yet potent companion for various tasks.

Boasting a formidable motor that delivers powerful torque, it is an ideal choice for tasks ranging from furniture assembly to air conditioning maintenance, faucet installation, and computer upkeep. With a maximum hard torque of 6 N.m and a manual torque of 8 N.m, its compact design ensures an uncompromised performance.

Moreover, its built-in HD display enhances usability by intuitively presenting gear and power levels even in dimly lit environments. As patios, terraces, and gardens require attention during this season transition, the L1 Ace Screwdriver emerges as an indispensable asset for households aiming to usher in renovations and meticulous enhancements effortlessly.

In a similar vein, the new Fanttik X5 Max Screwdriver, a remarkable advancement poised to redefine the realm of home improvement and garden furniture assembly, seamlessly aligns with the demands of garden rejuvenation and the impending Fall season. The X5 Max surpasses the L1 Ace in heavy-duty work.

Moreover, its ergonomic handle conforms to the hand’s contours, optimizing comfort. The defining feature of this innovation lies in its comprehensive 50-in-1 metal bits arsenal, accompanied by precision tools such as tweezers and a pry bar, spanning 9 variations. From Torx to Philips, flatheads to hex, this impeccable tool kit boasts an extensive repertoire to tackle a myriad of maintenance tasks with finesse.

Beyond its functional prowess, the X5 Max amplifies DIY versatility, empowering users to seamlessly repair electronics, gadgets, furniture, and more, resonating harmoniously with the seasonal call to refresh and enhance one’s surroundings.

Once you have everything set up, it is time to tidy things up. Enter the Fanttik V7 Ace Vacuum, a graceful addition tailored perfectly for the August garden cleaning phase, where patios and terraces require meticulous attention in preparation for the fall season.

With the guiding slogan “Shift to a Graceful Mode,” this remarkable vacuum transcends traditional cleaning norms. Weighing a mere 1 lb., similar to a standard Coke bottle, its wireless and lightweight design allows for effortless movement and portability. Its prowess shines through its comprehensive coverage, illuminated by bright LED lights and dual brush heads, effectively conquering even the darkest and most inaccessible corners.

Its adaptability extends to various spaces, as the extension tube and short brush combine seamlessly for diverse tasks like kitchen surfaces, sofas, and desktops. Beneath its unassuming profile lies a powerful 27AW/11kPa brushless motor, ridding hidden and stubborn dust with efficiency. Its 75,000 RPM brushless motor extends its lifespan and amplifies cleaning potency.

Fanttik is a youthful, dynamic brand dedicated to outdoor, household, sports and automotive products that cater to every need for the perfect adventure. In a short span of time, it has garnered extreme acclaim from enthusiasts, social media influencers, digital media, and consumers. It has earned the internationally revered Red Dot Design Award multiple times, along with the prestigious IF Design Award.

For more news of interest to the housewares industry, subscribe to Kitchenware News & Housewares Review.