Looking for the latest housewares trends? Search no further than the International Home + Housewares Show which runs March 2-5, 2019 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.
That’s where current product and consumer lifestyle trends are showcased and a host of experts weigh in on just where those trends are headed in the future. From special product displays to the IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia) to educational seminars, the Show makes it easy for retailers of all sizes to access and understand the trends affecting the industry and their business.
Don’t just see new product by walking the floor. Plan to come in early for special previews of product trends that could help you refine your search.
Before the Show opens on Saturday, March 2, buyers can visit two pre-Show events featuring 150 new and current exhibitors. The New Exhibitor Preview offers the chance to view 90 first-time exhibitors in all Show categories. Do you sell wine and beer, accompanying accessories such as drinkware or barware? The Trending Today Preview will present “A Marketplace for Specialty Beverage” highlighting 60 new and current exhibitors focused on products and accessories for specialty beverages, including craft beer, cocktails, coffee, tea and water.
These events run concurrently from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. in S100/Grand Ballroom, just inside the front door of the South Building.
Buyers can also view product trends in the New Product Showcases, located in the Buyer’s Clubs in each building (and yes, you are a club member!). The Showcases feature 500 new items, all debuting at the Show. Follow up is easy: just scan products of interest and leave with a list of companies and booth numbers.
All those new products are also eligible for the IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia) for product design. The finalists and Global Honorees for each of the 13 categories can be seen in special display in the Hall of Global Innovation in the Lakeside Center Lobby. The gia awards also highlight visual merchandising from best-in-class retailers, a great way to check out new ideas for your own merchandising needs.
You can also see the latest trends in smart home and connected products at the IHA Smart Home Pavilion, also located in the Hall of Global Innovation. For 2019, the Pavilion expands to more than 30 exhibitors and features a display by b8ta, a retail store and platform that brings highly designed smart products to market in a new retail-as-a-service model, with the goal of providing attendees with the newest ideas in smart-related products for the home, housewares and more.
But wait, there’s more smart home. The Smart Home Pavilion also includes the Smart Talks Stage, offering shorter “snack-sized” talks from experts discussing how the Internet of Things (IoT) is affecting the housewares industry. Those programs are very accessible for drop-ins, running from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday and Monday, with sessions beginning every half hour.
And the perennially popular ColorWatch by Pantone display in the Hall of Global innovation will display future color trends by showing exhibitors’ products highlighting Pantone’s color palettes for 2020.
To help plan your Show before arriving in Chicago, visit www.housewares.org for complete Show information or download the mobile app. Register for a free Show badge at www.housewares.org/show/register-plan
