‘Game Changer’ was one of the four trends highlighted by trend forecaster Scarlet Opus at the recent Exclusively Housewares and Exclusively Electrical Shows (June 11-12 Islington BDC). The Shows’ Trend Hub attracted more than 500 visitors, while their Trend Tours were at full capacity.
The Game Changer display table in the Trend Hub brought together a selection of exhibitor’s products (including T&G, Huski Home, Smidge and Greener Cleaner) plus materials and product samples from makers around the world that have reused waste materials and recycled materials in their work.
“These are products that address pollution and have an ecological agenda; something that is essential as consumers become more concerned about environmental damage and climate change, and their awareness grows regarding how their individual choices, purchases and actions can have a positive or negative impact,” said Trend Tour leaders, Victoria Redshaw and Laura Greenwood from Scarlet Opus.
The Shows’ Trend Tours took visitors round the stands of six exhbitors that stood out in terms of matching the featured trends. For the Game Changer theme, Ladelle was highlighted for its Eco range, which uses recycled materials and organic textiles, including its mesh drawstring bag that is ideal for produce shopping, as well as its natural cleaning products.
Eddingtons’ wall of sustainable products was another stop on the Trend Tour – including The Full Circle range. “Most cleaning sponges and scourers are made from petrochemical plastics, but the In A Nutshell scrubber sponge and Neat Nut scour pads are made from walnut shells and recycled plastic,” said the tour leaders. “Walnut shells work as a natural abrasive to scrub surfaces without scratching. They use less energy to produce and totally break down when thrown away.”
The Full Circle Ring veggie brush was also highlighted, matching “the plot-to-plate trend” as more consumers grow their own fruit and vegetables. Meanwhile, Eddingtons’ Bee’s Wrap and the If You Care brand were also in the spotlight for cutting down waste.
The Trends focus at Exclusively has become an integral part of the shows, with packed Trend Talks on both days this year, in addition to the Trend Tours and displays.
Phil Pond, director at Scarlet Opus reflects: “In 2019 more than 500 visitors came to see the Trend features, including teams from several of the country’s biggest housewares and SDA retailers, journalists from the best-known consumer blogs/magazines/papers and online publications and a myriad of independent retailers.”
Top: One of the Trend Tours look at the Game Changer display at the Exclusively Shows.
