Strong retailer and exhibitor participation las the foundation for enhanced connections, new products and growth in year ahead.
The Inspired Home Show 2025 wrapped up last week and participants are already moving ahead with plans to capitalise on the connections, ideas, products and trends they experienced at the successful event.
The industry’s premier home and housewares marketplace showcased 2,000 unique brands and 300,000 products to attendees from 115 countries at Chicago’s McCormick Place during the 125th edition of the show.
“Senior leaders from both the supplier and buyer sides have told us how much they appreciated the number of strong top-to-top meetings they were able to have in just three days and all under one roof,” said Derek Miller, president and ceo of the International Housewares Association (IHA), which hosts the show. “These connections, along with the platform to discover so many new and innovative products, will be critical to growth in the year ahead.”
Along with a strong showing of exhibitors from across the industry, nearly all the key retailers brought senior-level executives, dmms, gmms and buyers.
US-based buyers attending the show represented more than 100,000 retail locations. These attendees also represent more than $64 billion in buying power, according to sales information from Circana. Key retailers in attendance included Amazon, Bloomingdales, Costco, Crate & Barrel, Dollar General, Home Depot, Kohl’s, Macy’s, Walmart, Wayfair, QVC, Nordstrom, Target, Sur La Table and many more.
International buyers from market-leading retailers in attendance included TJX, Carrefour, Costco, Sam’s Bluc, Shoppers Stop, Plaza Style, Rustans, Emart, El Corte Ingles, Harrods, Lakeland, Next, Tesco, Lotte Department Store and many more.
The show also enjoyed a considerable amount of media attention, attracting nearly 200 print, broadcast, digital and social media professionals from outlets including the Wall Street Journal, NPR, The Today Show, The New York Times/Wirecutter, Good Housekeeping, Better Homes & Gardens, Food Network Magazine, HGTV Magazine, Food & Wine, Apartment Therapy, Taste of Home, The Kitchn, Consumer Reports, Oprah Daily, America’s Test Kitchen, Chicago Tribune Media, the Chicago Sun-Times, the Indianapolis Star, WGN-TV, CBS2 Chicago, FOX32 Chicago and NBC5 Chicago.
“Even as we celebrated the 125th edition of this premier event, IHA’s focus is on the future,” said Derek. “We’re constantly working with exhibitors, buyers and retailers to evolve and shape a Show that suits their changing needs and helps set them up for success.”
The 2025 show featured multiple new and returning attractions, including:
- The new Travel Gear + Luggage Expo, highlighting an array of travel-related exhibitors.
- The new Candle Pavilion—created in partnership with the National Candle Association, and new Pet Products Pavilion—created in partnership with the American Pet Products Association.
- A Debut incubator that doubled in size, highlighting emerging home and housewares companies and smaller new-to-the-Show exhibitors.
- Global Design Points, which offered a look into emerging trends from Brazil, Hong Kong, India and Turkey.
- The Pantone ColorWatch Display, showcasing housewares to match the seven palettes in the Pantone® View Home + Interiors 2026 forecast.
- The New Exhibitor Gallery, featuring brands and products new to the Show.
- The IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia), honoring excellence in home and housewares retailing, product design and student achievement.
- Four keynotes focusing on the future of home and housewares with the latest consumer trends, market opportunities and retail strategies.
- A robust Innovation Theater session lineup featuring analysis and how-to on a number of business topics including AI, PFAS legislation and licensing.
- Inspired Women in Housewares, which provided networking and a panel discussion for leaders in the industry.
- Housewares Cares Foundation (HCF) charity gala and online auction, benefitting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation , HCF’s legacy charity, as well as the James Beard Foundation, World Central Kitchen and Feeding America.
Starting next year, The Inspired Home Show will follow a new mid-week pattern. The Inspired Home Show 2026 will take place in Chicago 10-12 March, 2026. Registration for both exhibitors and attendees is now open. For more information on the Show, please visit TheInspiredHomeShow.com.
