Blog
Boska Achieves Certified B Corp Status
For six years, Boska’s focus has been on changing processes across the company: no private labels, no trendy colors, but using natural materials such as stone, steel and wood. Boska is working on plastic-free packaging and aiming to move from CO₂ neutral to net zero, based on 17 Global Sustainable Development Goals, which means Boska is working as a business for good.
Boska officially has been designated a certified B Corp company. This B Corp certification lets brands show that people, the environment and society are key values in the way they do business.
This mindset runs throughout the whole company, both when it comes to professional cheese tools and Boska Food Tools, which consist of three Food Tool groups. For innovative products, Bosko takes into consideration its promises of quality, design, affordability and smart user-friendliness. We also consider how our products can contribute to the party on the table.
Bringing that party to the table is Bosko’s mission: providing the world with the best kitchen tools for a Party for Life. Its slogan, “Food Tools for Life,” which relates to its promise of lifetime guarantee. With 49 percent of its products having a lifetime guarantee and with 100 percent timeless design, Bosko believes it is on the right track.
“But there’s still plenty that needs to be done, both by us as a company and in terms of inspiring others to make our world a better place,” according to the company. “To use business as a force for good.“
For more information of interest to the kitchenware industry, subscribe to Kitchenware News & Housewares Review.
Ballard Designs Offers Last-Minute Holiday Gifts
Ballard Designs is sharing some new inspiration for holiday gifts, decor and all the celebration days beyond. An inviting and comfortable home offers ultimate enjoyment for years to come and Ballard Designs gift shopping unveils help for shoppers wanting just that.
Comfort, Coasters & Caffein all made the recent NY Times list of most wanted gifts. Ballard Designs is now offering designer-centric takes on the first two . . . and a few more.
For 2023 newlyweds
- Getting engaged over the Holidays? Couples getting married in the coming year will have a lot to celebrate. Ballard décor celebrates them in style with Bunny Williams Bubbly Glasses.
“At Ballard Designs, we believe it’s the little details that all come together to create a cozy home,” says Ballard Designs president, Karen Mooney. “Gifting a treasured piece for your home is one of my favorite ways to surprise loved ones for the holidays. Our stylish collection of eclectic offerings guarantees you’ll find the perfect present for anyone and everyone.”
For the home chef
- Prep time in the kitchen is always easier with a cookbook stand, and Ballard offers the Petite Acrylic Cookbook Easel that any home chef will love when whipping up a favorite recipe.
For the host with the most
- Personalized Crochet Edge Napkins gift an elevated dining table. New selections offered at Ballard include Cornflower, Indigo or Tan trim to match the homeowner’s aesthetic.
For the fashionista
- Is there someone on the list that is always dressed to impress – decked out from head to toe with accessories? They’ll beautifully display their jewelry collection with Ballard Designs’ jewelry organizers Sophia Jewelry Dish or Necklace Stand.
For the family
- Ballard also shares a warm, neutral alternative to traditional green and red holiday décor with a Burlap Tassel Christmas Stocking – an option for the whole family this year and a keepsake holiday tradition for years to come.
Find additional images and ideas at www.ballarddesigns.com/gifts for gifting inspiration any season.
For news of interest to the giftware industry, subscribe to Kitchenware News & Housewares Review.
Super-Sized Super Saturday in Sight
More than 158 million consumers are expected to shop on the last Saturday before Christmas this year, according to the annual consumer survey released by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics. This figure is approximately 10 million more than last year’s expected number of Super Saturday shoppers and the highest number since NRF first started tracking this data in 2016.
“Consumers have been shopping in record numbers this year, purchasing holiday items for friends and loved ones,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “With Super Saturday falling eight days before Christmas, retailers are prepared to help shoppers fulfill their last-minute purchases that will make this holiday season memorable.”
Of the 158.5 million anticipated Super Saturday shoppers, 44.1 million (28 percent) plan to shop only in stores, 42.2 million (27 percent) plan to shop only online, and 72.2 million (46 percent) plan to shop both in stores and online.
In line with recent years, as of early December, holiday shoppers said they had completed about half (53%) of their purchases. They plan to finish their holiday purchases online (47 percent), at department stores (37 percent), at discount stores (27 percent), at clothing/accessories stores (24 percent) and at grocery stores (19 percent).
The top gifts consumers have bought so far include clothing (50 percent), toys (34 percent), gift cards (28 percent), books and other media (26 percent), and food or candy (23 percent).
This year, 28 percent of holiday shoppers plan to give a gift of experience such as tickets to a concert or sporting event, a gym membership, spa service or art class. This is up from 23 percent last year and is the highest since NRF began asking consumers this question in 2015.
Additionally, 70 percent say their shopping plans include buying after Dec. 25. This is on par with pre-pandemic levels for post-Christmas shopping.
“Strong shopping is expected after Christmas as holiday shoppers aim to take advantage of retailers’ sales and promotions,” Prosper Executive Vice President of Strategy Phil Rist said. “In the week following Christmas Day, we expect to see consumers maximize holiday sales and promotions, use gift cards and return or exchange unwanted gifts.”
Meanwhile, the way consumers prefer to pay for holiday purchases is shifting. About half (52 percent) of consumers say they are using alternative payments or digital wallets. This is up from 44 percent last year and compares with only 39 percent in 2019. The most common alternative payment is PayPal (32 percent), followed by Apple Pay (14 percent) and CashApp (12 percent). About three-quarters (76 percent) of those aged 18 to 24 say they have used an alternative payment method or digital wallet so far this holiday shopping season.
NRF defines the holiday season as Nov. 1 through Dec. 31 and has forecast that retail sales will grow between 6 percent and 8 percent over 2021 to between $942.6 billion and $960.4 billion.
The survey of 7,857 consumers was conducted Dec. 1 through Dec. 7 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.1 percentage points.
See more about the 2022 holiday season at the NRF Winter Holiday Headquarters.
For news of interest to the housewares industry, subscribe to Kitchenware News & Housewares Review.
Hurt for the Holidays: Keep Off Santa’s Injured List
‘Tis the season to be jolly, but could Americans be neglecting their personal safety? Among those who celebrate the holiday season, 30 percent admit to injuring themselves while participating in holiday-related activities, and nearly 1 in 4 of those injuries were serious enough to seek medical attention. Cuts from opening or wrapping packages or gifts, slipping and falling outdoors, and cooking-related injuries are the most-cited holiday hazards.
Of the 30 percent of celebrators who admit to injuring themselves during holiday activities, Gen Zers are the most injury-prone, howith 40 percent unable to claim their holidays were without harm. Americans with young children followed closely behind at 39 percent.
Holiday hazards and injuries:
- 13 percent say they cut themselves while wrapping or opening gifts
- 11 percent report hurting themselves from slipping or tripping outdoors
- 6 percent also say they’ve slipped or tripped over holiday-related objects indoors
- 10 percent cite cooking-related injuries
- Women (13 percent) are more likely to be injured while cooking vs men (7 percent)
- 6 percent have experienced candle burns
- 5 percent report being injured from lifting heavy objects
Injuries are bound to happen, but alcohol may add fuel to the fire with 12 percent of celebrators reporting they were intoxicated at the time of their injury. 18 percent of respondents admitted to setting up their Christmas tree while under the influence.
On the topic of trees, Americans may be slowly losing interest in real trees in favor of artificial trees. For the 2022 holiday season, only 20 percent plan on buying a real tree. This is a slight decline from last year when 21 percent planned on a live tree, and 24 percent opted for the real thing in 2020. However, 9 percent say they plan to have one of each (a 1 percent jump from last year), and another 9 percent were undecided at the time of the survey.
Nothing spreads holiday cheer like holiday lights – when used responsibly of course. However, 78 percent of Americans who’ve put up holiday lights admit to leaving them on overnight – up from 70 percent according to ValuePenguin’s survey in 2021.
When considering holiday safety, don’t forget about family pets. Almost half of pet owners (47 percent) report their pets have messed up or destroyed holiday decorations. This number jumps to 53 percent among parents with young children, and 58 percent among GenZ pet owners. Lessons are learned over time, as the older generation is the least likely demographic (32 percent) to have pets wreak havoc on holiday decor.
Holiday Shoppers Plan to Spend Less
Amid concerns over inflation and a potential recession, just over half (51 percent) of shoppers in the United States plan to spend less this holiday season compared to last year, according to SurveyMonkey research from Momentive.
Ahead of the holiday season, more than 3,000 U.S. adults were surveyed to better understand how Americans are planning to change their holiday spending habits this year, if at all. With continued economic turbulence and supply chain delays, many reported planning on cutting back spending compared to years prior. In fact, consumers planning to spend less money this holiday season said the rising cost of food (64 percent), energy (49 percent), and housing (39 percent) are to blame. In addition, the majority of U.S. adults (68 percent) stated that they are very concerned about inflation, with 23 percent being somewhat concerned.
While some shoppers plan on cutting back costs, others are fully prepared to go into debt this year. Almost a quarter (24 percent) of parents with children under 18 years old expect to go into debt this holiday season; their top shopping categories are clothing, toys & games, home goods, and technology. Parents specifically are more likely than those without children under 18 to use “buy now, pay later” options (38 percent vs. 26 percent).
Overall, the majority of U.S. adults are very or somewhat worried about being able to purchase the items they want for the upcoming holiday season (66 percent). Whether their concern is due to supply chain issues (55 percent) or inflation (91 percent) – or both – there is no doubt that holiday shopping in the United States will be impacted this year, and retailers are going to see the effects. Seventeen percent of consumers do not plan on holiday shopping at all this year, an increase from 14 percent in 2021. Additionally, fewer people who plan to holiday shop have started earlier this year in October (17 percent compared with 22 percent in 2021), with many waiting to start between Thanksgiving, Black Friday and early December (27 percent compared with 21 percent in 2021) instead.
“It’s make-or-break time for many retailers and Americans are feeling the squeeze of rising costs,” said Jon Cohen, chief research officer at Momentive. “Between sky-high inflation, fears of a potential recession, and soaring housing costs, it’s no wonder shoppers are feeling cautious and many are holding their wallets more closely this holiday season. It’s also a grim reality that some holiday shoppers are considering taking on even more debt to buy gifts.”
Methodology: This study was conducted between Oct. 5-12, 2022 among a national sample of 3,183 US adults 18+. Respondents for this survey were selected from the more than 2 million people who take surveys on the platform each day. The modelled error estimate for this survey is plus or minus 2.5 percentage points. Data were weighted for age, race, sex, education, and geography using the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey to reflect the demographic composition of the United States.
You must be logged in to post a comment.