Gourmet Business, April 2010

The Publisher’s View

The Editor’s View

There are signs of life in the retail landscape.

I would imagine that many retail merchants are closely watching their inventory levels to help counteract any potential decline in the sales volume that may increase their turn. At the same time, we are all watching for signs of economic recovery that may hint to a gradual return to normal business levels.

As I toured the 2010 International Home + Housewares Show I was struck by the quantity of outstanding new products being brought to market. Industry suppliers have not been sitting on their hands; they have been working diligently to continue to provide fresh products to the product pipeline. Signs of enthusiasm were evident in the quality of these product offerings, the number of retailers walking the aisles, and the tales of first quarter sales increases. Throughout this issue, you will see many of the exciting new products we saw at the show.

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Publisher/Advertising David Spencer dspencer@gourmetbusiness.com 877-438-4932 ext. 1

Executive Editor Karen Martin kmartin@gourmetbusiness.com 207-767-5019 877-438-4932 ext. 2

Creative Director Penelope Korff penny@korffdesign.com

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Is this enthusiasm unfounded, or an indication of things to
come? If we are looking for signs of economic recovery in the
housewares industry, we don’t need to look any further than
Williams Sonoma’s strong fourth quarter earnings. Williams
Sonoma increased profitability sevenfold over the prior year,
beating most analysts forecasts. The “high end” consumer
seems to be back.

Advertising Sales

Bonnie Nelson bnelson@gourmetbusiness.com 914-478-4408

Gourmet Business LLC is a division of HousewaresDirect, Inc.

Corporate Offices: Gourmet Business & HousewaresDirect, Inc. PO Box 700

Weston, MA 02493

Gourmet Business is a digital publication serving the gourmet gift retailer. Gourmet Business relies on product information submitted by the manufacturer, distributor or other representative in the featured editorial content. Gourmet Business is not responsible for any errors in the descriptions or prices appearing in the magazine. Gourmet Business is distributed free of charge to qualified professionals in the gift and housewares industry.

Lee Eiseman, the go-to professional for color trends in housewares, told us at the 2010 International Home + Housewares Show that the biggest color story for the coming year is about how colors are put together, not just about new colors.

That sentiment resonates throughout the retail and consumer world this year.

While last year may have been about survival, and, perhaps fear, this year is about easing the mindful consumer back into the market with items that freshen and build, rather than replace.

Style and function are not the only concerns of this mindful consumer. They want to know the backstory, the provenance of products. How is a product building a better world, as well as making the consumer a more skilled cook?

Understanding the origins of a product has always been a factor in housewares – German knives, Italian pottery, Scandinavian design, made in the U.S.A. What’s changing is that the consumer interest goes deeper. How does the company conduct business? Where does it source materials? How does it support its local community?

Retailers are rising to the challenge by asking tough questions of the suppliers. Suppliers are rising to the challenge with open discussions about their products, processes and even their corporate cultures.

These discussions were taking place all across the 2010 International Home + Housewares Show a few weeks ago. And while style and function were still the major factors in product selection, a good backstory probably made the decision easier.