Direct From The Housewares Show

Among the frying pans and cleaning supplies, key tabletop, home fragrance and decorative accessory manufacturers showcased their most successful products at the International Home & Housewares Show, May 16-18, at Chicago’s McCormick Place. The Homer Laughlin China Company, maker of the Fiesta tableware, is introducing Marigold in celebration of its brands 75 colorful years. Marigold, to be released later in the year, appears on all shapes and products from the company, which now includes items such as mixing bowls and serving pieces. A lighter shade of yellow, which mixes with taupe tones, was another new edition to the company’s colorful collection.

Zrike presented international and American buyers with its expanding line of vintage-inspired, licensed tabletop pieces. From fun and funky to functional, the Campbell’s Soup and cereal brand licensed products incorporate the classic, original illustrations from the respective company’s previous looks. On several pieces in Zrike’s licensed Disney line, reproductions of the original Mickey Mouse illustrations appear atop the illustrated backgrounds used in some of Disney’s first animated features. The combination and layering in the Disney line enhances the technique and innovation Disney animators employed.

Godinger used the Housewares Show to preview its licensed line of NASCAR barware and decorative accessories. The crystal pieces enhance the NASCAR brand, company representatives said, taking it to an entirely new consumer demographic and retail environment. The company predicts that its new crystal cars will be the most successful item in the collection.

Home fragrance mainstay Jodhpuri showcased its extensive line of aromas available as incense, reed diffusers and potpourri. The company also demonstrated its packaging design capabilities in displays featuring work for mass merchant private labels that utilize that particular store’s own branding identity. Popular fragrances from Jodhpuri include leather for male consumers and fresh linen for female consumers. Meanwhile, reed diffuser manufacturer Pearlessence stuck to what it does best: introducing beautiful home fragrance in artistic and exclusive container styles. Owner Les Wagenheim was on hand to meet with buyers from large retail chains to small independent stores. Although Wagenheim displayed his company’s extending product line of spa beauty supplies, he remained focused on the company’s commitment to fragrance innovation, development and expansion.

Buyers, however, didn’t just simply source new products, booth demonstrations and live cooking shows helped attendees visualize how consumers use the products in their daily lives. Celebrity appearances at the event included The Food Network’s Paula Dean who shared southern cooking tips and her line of cooking essentials. Former White House Press Secretary Tony Snow spoke during a buyer’s breakfast about his time in the White House, the upcoming elections and his future in mass communications.

Celebrity cook and Food Network star Paula Dean “charms”
the audience with her keynote presentation on “The Charmed
Consumer,” at the 2008 International Home & Housewares Show.

The next edition of The International Home & Housewares Show will take place March 22-24, 2009, at Chicago’s McCormick Place. For more information, visit www.housewares.org