Home Decor
Tips, Tools for Sleep Awareness Month
March is National Sleep Awareness Month and Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. offers tips and tools to improve nighttime routines and encourage a better night’s sleep. From solutions to avoid overheating overnight to calming a fussy baby so everyone can rest, the experts at Bed Bath & Beyond and buybuy BABY have products at every price to help get the right balance of sleep.
“At Bed Bath & Beyond, we know sleep is incredibly important and product choice can be very personal based on what works for each individual,” said Rebekah Chase, vice president, general merchandising manager at Bed Bath & Beyond. “From fabric and softness to color and style, which is why we offer options at every price point, online and in stores, to ensure our customers can always find what suits them and their sleep preference.”
Elevate Your Sleep
Modern pillows offer a variety of choices based on personal preference including cooling, temperature regulation, neck and body support, moisture wicking, and anti-allergen qualities. To ensure the best experience, it is recommended that most pillows are replaced every two years, and Bed Bath & Beyond offers many options to find the one that’s just right for any sleep style.
Mamas to-be can also get a better night’s sleep with a body pillow like the Leachco Snoogle Total Body Pillow, that supports a growing bump. The pillow can be placed anywhere more support is needed, including between the knees or under the back.
The best type of bed sheet differs by person, depending on a variety of factors, including temperature when sleeping, fabric features like anti-wrinkle, or price point. In warmer weather, consider swapping a comforter for a quilt or flannel sheets for the cool and crisp percale cotton.
Adding light pressure with a weighted blanket can also be soothing. The soft and cozy Therapedic Weighted Blanket, available in varying weights, offers calm and relaxation for drifting to sleep.
Enhance Your Unwind Routine
Set the stage for a great night’s sleep with small additions that can make a big difference in any room. The SpaRoom PureMist Directional Mist Ultrasonic Diffuser delivers a gradient lighting effect and calming aroma while allowing adjustment of the 360 degrees of mist. Choosing a soothing sound like the ocean or rainfall from the HoMedics SoundSpa Sound Machine can help clear the mind from distractions. When tossing and turning, Vitafusion Melatonin Gummy Supplements and hims & hers Melatonin Sleep Gummies can help to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
Better Sleep for Baby
Sound machines like the Hatch Baby Rest 2nd Generation provide soothing sounds for baby to help them fall asleep and stay asleep. It can also grow with baby, by teaching them bedtime cues with the nightlight feature. Portable, on-the-go options, like the Fridababy 2-in-1 Portable Sound Machine, are also available so baby can sleep soundly anywhere.
As blankets are not recommended for young babies, parents can keep them warm and provide a sense of security and comfort with a swaddle or wearable blanket like the ever & ever Muslin Swaddle Blankets or HALO SleepSack. This can help babies sleep soundly until they are old enough for more traditional bedding.
“Swaddling is a great way to get your baby to fall asleep and stay asleep longer,” said Jenny Son, vice president, general merchandising manager at buybuy BABY. “Since every parent, and baby, will have their own preference on how they like to swaddle, we carry a great assortment, from traditional to innovative, so you’re sure to find one that works for you and your baby. Many of these wearable blankets can continue to be worn as they grow.”
‘Smart’ bassinets like the 4moms mamaRoo sleep bassinet and Graco Sense2Snooze Bassinet with Cry Detection Technology can help soothe a fussing baby back to sleep with movement and white noise, helping everyone get their much-needed rest.
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Gift for Life Welcomes New Chair, Vice Chairs
Gift for Life, the gift, stationery and home decor industries’ sole national charitable organization, announced new leadership of its board of directors, with Ari Lowenstein of Emergent Workshop serving as chair through 2025.
Gift for Life also instituted a change to its vice chair role, splitting the current duties into two positions. Board member Sarah Mount of International Market Centers was elected as first vice chair and Emalee Hoffman of Orange Circle Studio/Studio Oh! was elected as second vice chair.
After serving as the GFL chair for two years, Cole Daugherty of Dallas Market Center steps into the role of Immediate past chair.
\Lowenstein has been involved in the gift industry internationally since 1997. After owning a gift company in Italy for 12 years, he moved back to the United States and worked as business development manager for Clear Solutions and The Unemployed Philosophers Guild. In 2014, Lowenstein co-founded Canopy, one of the first Seller Account Management companies guiding the presence of many businesses on Amazon.
In 2016, he founded Emergent Workshop, a consulting company advising manufacturers and service providers. In 2019, Lowenstein joined Brandwise, serving as chief strategy officer and then as SVP of corporate development at MarketTime. He has served on the executive board of the Museum Store Association and as president of the Gift Sales Managers Association. While staying engaged with the gift industry, earlier this year Lowenstein opened Ari’s Pantry, a catering company in Dallas, to fulfill his passion for cooking! Lowenstein joined the GFL board in 2017, becoming vice chair in 2021 and chair in 2023.
“I am honored to serve as the chair of Gift for Life and to be surrounded by an extraordinary board of directors,” Lowenstein said. “Each of them is a leader in their organizations and represents that which is truly special about our industry. I welcome the opportunity to work alongside Sarah and Emalee and the other board members to continue finding new ways to help others. The history of Gift for Life over the past 31 years is remarkable. So much work has been done by so many. Continuing that tradition, while preparing for the future, is our goal.”
As vice president of content & digital marketing at IMC, Mount leads a creative and digital team focused on engaging buyers and sellers across its physical markets in Atlanta, High Point and Las Vegas. Prior to this role, she led the marketing team for Juniper by IMC.
Mount’s gift and home industry experience spans 15+ years, including 6 years as VP of marketing at AmericasMart Atlanta, leading all marketing communications strategy, branding and events for its markets and daily business. She was named as one of Gift Shop’s 40 under 40, Class of 2019. Mount joined the GFL board in 2021 and was elected first vice chair in 2023.
“I am honored to assume this role in 2023 with the goal of uniting our industry to support the good work of World Central Kitchen across the globe,” Mount said. “My involvement to date with Gift for Life has shown me how empathetic and generous our industry is, and I’m looking forward to doing great things together this year.”
Hoffman has been a part of the gift and home industry for more than a decade. She began her career as a buyer in 2009, joining Orange Circle Studio/Studio Oh! in 2014, ultimately working her way from a role in customer service to vice president of sales. She’s also a member of GHTA and is working on the 2023 content committee. Hoffman joined the GFL board in 2021 and was elected second vice chair in 2023.
“Being part of Gift for Life, this past year has truly been a highlight, and I look forward to being 2nd Vice Chair,” Hoffman said. “The work World Central Kitchen does is incredible! I am honored to be part of the GFL team to help fundraise for such a great organization.”
The Gift for Life Board is comprised of recognized leaders in the gift, home and stationery industries: Alana Branston, Emerald Expositions; Andrea Padilla, Transpac; Angela Jacobson, Stephen Joseph; Ari Lowenstein, Emergent Workshop; Cathy Steel, Cathy Steel Associates; Christina Bell, Clarion Events; Cole Daugherty, Dallas Market Center; Crystal Vilkaitis, Crystal Media; Emalee Hoffman, Orange Circle Studio/Studio Oh!; Jessica Barile, Paddywax; Julie McCallum, Gift Shop Plus; Landon Metts, MarketTime; Lenise Willis, Gifts & Decorative Accessories; Matt Katzenson, Fine Lines; Maureen Carpenter, The Queens’ Jewels; Monica Loving, Ivystone; Nancy Michael, International Housewares Association; Peter Schauben, Appelman Schauben; Russ Jones, Ivystone; Sarah Mount, Juniper; and Sheila Charton, Springboard Futures.
For more news of interest to the gift, stationery and home decor industries, subscribe to Kitchenware News & Housewares Review.
Outlook Survey Charts Spending on Homes
Surging home goods sales during the pandemic, shortages, inflation and recessionary fears have changed how consumers spend money, but that doesn’t mean they’ve snapped shut their wallets and purses. Consumers responding to the HomePage News 2023 Consumer Outlook Survey had a continuing interest in spending on their homes, though not at quite the same level as they expected heading into last year.
The second annual HomePage News 2023 Consumer Outlook Survey, commissioned in partnership with the International Housewares Association, provides data that, by design, can help retailers and their suppliers get a sense of where their opportunities lie in 2023 and who may be the most prepared to spend in home merchandise categories.
The resulting HomePage News 2023 Consumer Outlook Report provides a detailed guide that home goods retailers and suppliers can use to help them plot their course for the coming year. Data from the study can help set strategic efforts on a firmer footing as retailers and vendors strive to bolster demand, target shoppers most enthusiastic about purchasing, generate consumer satisfaction and gain market share.
With detailed charts and exclusive analysis, the comprehensive report throws a spotlight on consumer purchase decision factors affecting 18 key home and housewares categories: Bakeware, Cleaning Tools, Cookware, Cutlery, Dinnerware, Drinkware, Flatware, Floor Care Electrics, Glassware, Home Environment, Kitchen Electrics, Kitchen Textiles, Kitchen Tools & Gadgets, Luggage & Travel Accessories, Outdoor Living, Personal Care & Wellness, Pet Accessories and Storage & Organization.
Outlook Survey results showed housewares purchase intent decreases year over year were generally rather small — ranging from declines in purchase intent from 1% to 4% depending on category. For many of the home and housewares categories covered by the survey, 50% or more of consumers said they are very or somewhat likely to make purchases in the coming year.
“After a period of high demand during the heart of the pandemic, a slight pullback in demand across core home and housewares categories is not surprising,” said Peter Giannetti, IHA’s director of editorial, content & education and editor-in-chief of HomePage News. Suppliers and retailers should be encouraged, however, that intent to purchase remains relatively strong as 2023 progresses. The HomePage News 2023 Consumer Outlook Report reveals an industry that historically has performed well during economically challenging times at an inflection point, ripe once again for new product innovation, creative marketing and well-curated merchandising to drive the next wave of demand.”
With shoppers facing inflation and recessionary worries, some market research has emerged suggesting that consumers who had begun to shift spending to service sectors were reconsidering and even scaling back spending plans in those sectors— and they find more ways to enjoy their households, he added.
The readiness to spend is particularly strong among consumers who would be the go-to person for a housewares or home goods purchase.
The HomePage News 2023 Consumer Outlook Survey gathered key purchase data from an online survey conducted by Morning Consult of 4,000 adults living across the United States. The survey, conducted in late November, 2022, touched on several demographic variables to approximate a target sample of adults most likely to purchase home and housewares products.
For each featured category, the survey revealed which housewares products consumers plan to buy; retail channels in which they expect to shop; key product attributes and lifestyle factors expected to influence their purchase choices; and the potential impact of inflation on their purchase decisions.
For more news of interest to the housewares industry, subscribe to Kitchenware News & Housewares Review.
IMC Promotions, Eckman Departure Announced
International Market Centers has promoted Dorothy Belshaw into the new role of EVP, chief growth officer, and longtime IMC employees Karen Olson, Brett Austin and Brian Archer into expanded roles and responsibilities.
Scott Eckman, who joined IMC in 2011 and most recently served as EVP, chief revenue officer, leaves IMC to become president of Loloi Rugs, a family-owned rug and home decor business with permanent showrooms in markets including Atlanta Market, High Point Market and Las Vegas Market.
“Scott’s business acumen, industry experience and collaborative leadership style position him well for this exciting new opportunity,” said Bob Maricich, CEO of IMC. “I am happy for him, thank him for his immeasurable contributions to building the IMC of today, and look forward to continuing to work with him as a customer in IMC’s markets in Atlanta, High Point and Las Vegas.
Maricich said the promotions of senior team members will allow IMC to leverage their experience for new opportunities.
“Both individually – and collectively – Dorothy, Karen, Brett and Brian have made significant contributions to IMC’s past successes. In their new roles, they will iterate and innovate to provide a market experience that is efficient, effective and compelling for our customers.”
Belshaw will tap into more than three decades of industry experience to direct IMC’s growth, evolution and business expansion – in both the physical and digital realms. In her new role, Belshaw will be responsible for all IMC revenues as well as company-wide strategic growth initiatives. IMC leasing and tradeshow Senior Vice Presidents Ryan Mahoney (Furniture), Julie Messner (Home Décor), Katie Miner (ADAC), Terence Morris (Gift) and Caron Stover (Apparel), as well as Jesse James, Vice President of Shoppe Object, now report directly to Belshaw.
Belshaw is a more than 30-year veteran of the trade show industry. She joined IMC in 2012 as President of its fledgling Gift division, with the specific charge of expanding Las Vegas offerings, and her role soon broadened across IMC’s Las Vegas and High Point campuses. As a member of IMC’s executive leadership team, she helped facilitate IMC’s acquisition and integration of AmericasMart Atlanta in 2018 and Shoppe Object in 2022. Prior to joining IMC, she was SVP for George Little Management, the nation’s leading producer of consumer product tradeshows.
“Dorothy’s experience with revenue oversight and new business development, coupled with her 360-degree knowledge of our customers, uniquely positions her to help drive IMC’s growth,” said Maricich. “Dorothy has been a guiding influence this past decade and a valuable partner to me in defining what IMC is today, and will be tomorrow. IMC’s industry-leading markets in Atlanta, Las Vegas and High Point are juggernauts of commerce connecting 250,000 unique and qualified buyers with more than 13,000 brands year-round. Dorothy’s experience, leadership and insights will be invaluable in executing IMC’s omnichannel strategy.
Veteran IMC staffers Karen Olson, Brett Austin and Brian Archer also assume expanded roles and responsibilities.
Olson assumes the role of chief marketing officer, reporting to Maricich. Olson has a more than 25-year career in wholesale marketing and business strategy. Since joining IMC in 2011, she has made an indelible imprint on the company’s marketing for High Point, as well as its expansion into Las Vegas in 2011, Atlanta in 2018 and JuniperMarket in 2020.
Austin assumes the role of senior vice president, procurement & production, reporting to Bill Lacey, IMC CFO. Austin has 20+ years of experience in managing advertising sales, production, procurement, project management and creative services. He joined IMC in 2018 as part of the company’s acquisition of AmericasMart Atlanta and oversees marketing operations across the company’s three campuses.
Archer assumes additional responsibility as senior vice president of LightFair. Archer brings nearly 20 years of financial and accounting experience to his current role as Chief Accounting Officer for IMC. He joined IMC in 2014, with responsibility for oversight of the accounting, tax, treasury, risk management, payroll and financial reporting functions. He also serves as Board member of LightFair, an annual commercial lighting tradeshow, owned by IMC in partnership with IALD and IES. Dan Darby continues as LightFair senior vice president and show director, reporting directly to Archer.
“These promotions will allow us more effectively to support the current needs of our business, differentiate the customer experience and drive more value to all constituents,” said Maricich.
For more news of interest to the home decor and housewares industries, subscribe to Kitchenware News & Housewares Review.
LV Design Center Resumes ‘First Friday’
Las Vegas Design Center kicks off its 2023 event programming with two sessions in March: a social media photography First Friday session on Friday, March 3, and a student career day on Thursday, March 30.
“We are excited to resume LVDC programming in March, engaging both current and future design industry professionals in an intimate, educational setting,” said Cain Brodie, LVDC general manager. “LVDC is proud to continue offering a full range of trend and trade education, networking and design resources in 2023.”
The March “First Friday” session, Composition Like the Pros: Leverage the Psychological Benefits of Photography to Elevate Your Social Media, explores basic compositional techniques to instantly elevate images, videos and content on social media. interiors and architectural Photographer, Devin Robinson, will address why some images just feel good and others don’t, raising the question, “is there something psychological going on?”
Robinson is an interiors photographer with over 15 years of professional photography experience. Robinson began his career as an Interiors photographer in 2017 while earning a master’s degree in Clinical Social Work. Combining his experience in human behavior and electronic media, he launched Devin D. Real Estate Media, which provides a wide range of marketing media for real estate professionals.
The March “First Friday” session will be held March 3 at 10 a.m. (P.T.) in the LVDC Seminar Room, A140. Registration is required no later than March 2 at 9 p.m. at https://LVDCFirstFridayMarch2023.eventbrite.com.
LVDC is set to host a Student Career Day, in partnership with the California Central/Nevada Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers on Thursday, March 30, for students at interior design schools from the western U.S. to learn from and mingle with industry professionals in an all-day event. The day will consist of a presentation by Nevada State Board of Architecture, Interior Design and Residential Design, panel discussions, pop up workshops, networking opportunities and a luncheon.
The event will run from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at LVDC. Students interested can RSVP at https://ASIDStudentCareerDay2023.eventbrite.com no later than Monday, March 27.
For more news of interest to the home decor industry, subscribe to Kitchenware News & Housewares Review.
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