January 2012 - Oser Communications Group

Transcription

SPECIAL FEATURE:
BUYERS GUIDE:
NEW SECTION!
GREEN PRODUCTS
KITCHEN GADGETS
GIFTWARE
SEE PAGE 12-16
SEE PAGE 17-19
SEE PAGE 20-22
K ITCHENWARE NEWS
H o u s e w, a r e s R e v i e w
S E RV I N G K I T C H E N WA R E
H O U S E WA R E S A N D TA B L E T O P M A R K E T S
VOLUME 18, NUMBER 1
JANUARY 2012
NYIGF Continues Drive for Excellence
with Product-Focused ‘Neighborhoods’
BY A.J. FLICK
There's simply no time for winter doldrums
with the January New York International Gift
Fair at hand. Tens of thousands of buyers and
distributors are set to pore over products
brought in from all over the United States and
85 countries.
GLM Shows is in the midst of a three-year
strategic reorganization of the twice-yearly
NYIGF. In August, the Gourmet Housewares
Show was integrated, including productfocused "neighborhoods." That addition
continues to be refined for the January show.
But the flash and dazzle continues to be the
products themselves. Where do you focus your
attention? What's new?
Apron designers Susan & Veronica have
expanded from selling exclusively on their
website to wholesale, retail and now, the
NYIGF. Susan & Veronica's design philosophy
is that "Style Begins at Home" for their "super
sassy fashionista aprons." The aprons retail for
$49.95 and come in various designs including
Vanity Flair, Uptown Girl, On the Prowl,
Stripe A Pose, Guitar Heroine, Ink-Credible,
GENERAL NEWS.....................3
Continued on Page 5
Tabletop, Gourmet and Housewares
Add Luster to SFIGF in February
BY A.J. FLICK
Tabletop? Did anyone say tabletop? The
San Francisco International Gift Fair has.
California's largest gift show is adding
tabletop, housewares and gourmet to its
repertoire, bringing the industry’s top
lines including cookware/bakeware,
kitchen gadgets, specialty food, small
electrics, tabletop and more to Moscone
Center's South Hall Feb. 18 to 21.
“Western region retailers will benefit from a
giant opportunity for a more efficient buying
trip when they visit the show in February,” said
Doug Miller, President, Urban Expositions.
“For the first time, all of the gift industry
resources in the West will be housed inside
Moscone Center. Further strengthening this
growing selection, we’re also filling a void in
the marketplace with the launch of a brand
new tabletop, gourmet and housewares.”
In addition, the SFIGF continues to
expand its selection of ethnic styles,
original artisan designs, home accents,
jewelry and fair trade products from
Continued on Page 9
Appealing to Green Consumers
Means Offering Value, Functionality
BY JOANNE FRIEDRICK
Linked by consumer perception with a better,
more fulfilling lifestyle, sustainable and “green”
products are sought by shoppers and retailers.
But increasingly, these groups want more than
just a label or claim to motivate their purchase;
instead, they want products that are
environmentally sound but also functional,
long-lasting and a good value.
According to a 2009 Aberdeen Group survey,
the top pressures driving sustainability
initiatives were the desire for social and
environmental stewardship (56 percent), to
ONE ON ONE ......................10
RETAILER PROFILE ................11
increase or maintain brand reputation and
value (48 percent) and the need for a
competitive edge (46 percent).
Michael Karyo, Vice President-Sales and
Marketing for Casabella, a producer of
cleaning tools, household accessories and
organizational items, said green was a big
initiative at Casabella before his arrival in
2009. But key to any green product was
that it offered the same quality as any other
item
in
the
company’s
line.
The company launched its Eclipse line a couple
Continued on Page 15
TRADESHOW BUZZ ...............23
w w w . k i t c h e n w a r e n e w s . c o m
www.kitchenwarenews.com
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JANUARY 2012
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KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW
GENERAL NEWS
3
General News
Trudeau Announces Acquisition of Silvermark
Trudeau Corp. has agreed to acquire
Silvermark, a leading supplier of kitchen
gadgets and gourmet accessories.
Silvermark, which started in 2002 with
its introduction of the Toss & Chop TM
Salad Chopper, has grown from a single
product company to its current position
in the marketplace as a reliable supplier
of a wide range of products to the
housewares industry.
“We are very enthusiastic about acquiring
Silvermark,” said Philippe Trudeau,
President of Trudeau. “This opportunity is
a perfect fit.”
The two companies have complementary
product lines, distribution channels and
share a common objective to develop new
products geared toward the growing trend
of healthy eating and easier food prep.
Folding Silvermark’s product line into
Trudeau will result in additive growth and
take advantage of the numerous synergies
between the two companies.
Michael Silver, Co-Founder of Silvermark,
echoed these sentiments. “Silvermark was
at a stage in its evolution that required that
it either build more infrastructure or team
up with a company that had the resources
to augment its ongoing growth initiatives.
Trudeau was an ideal candidate because
there is virtually no overlap in our respective
product lines and numerous operational
efficiencies that will be quickly realized
after the acquisition,” he said. Silver will
now focus on new product and business
development while also maintaining
relationships with key suppliers.
The integration of Silvermark into Trudeau
will amplify both companies’ core
objectives to assist the consumer in the
kitchen with innovative products. Both
companies have become well-known for
producing high-quality and useful food
prep products, Silvermark with its
inaugural product, the Toss and Chop,
which has evolved into a modern kitchen
classic, and Trudeau with its Stress LessTM
line, which has gained significant acclaim
since its introduction earlier this year.
Trudeau was originally established in 1889
as an importer of fancy goods and tableware,
under the name of Genin Trudeau. The
company has its headquarters in Montreal
in a 125,000-square-foot, multifunction
facility, which also serves as the company’s
Canadian distribution center, showroom
and design studio. Trudeau has an additional
North American presence in Chicago, where
it occupies a 145,000-square-foot facility in
which it distributes and operates a product
showroom and customer service center.
Product development is handled in both
locations and, with its acquisition of
Silvermark, in New York as well. Trudeau
also has operations in China as well as sales
offices in the United Kingdom, Spain and
Holland. Trudeau products are exported to
more than 70 countries.
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GENERAL NEWS
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JANUARY 2012
■
Lifetime Brands Acquires
Britain’s Creative Tops
Creative Tops Ltd. and Creative Tops Far
East Limited, a British tableware and home
décor company, were acquired recently by
Lifetime Brands Inc., one of the largest U.S.
tabletop and kitchenware companies.
The acquisition further boosts Creative
Tops’ development and expansion into
existing and international markets,
introducing some of Creative Tops’ most
successful tableware brands including
V&A®, Katie Alice® and The Royal
Botanic Gardens, Kew®, to new retailers
across North and Central America.
Jeffrey Siegel, Lifetime’s Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer, said,
“The acquisition of Creative Tops and
CTFE
represents
a
compelling,
multifaceted opportunity that will allow us
to accelerate our growth and to
strengthen our businesses. Creative
Tops is a highly regarded resource
for private label and branded
tableware
and
kitchenware
products with significant design
and supply chain infrastructure.
We are impressed by the quality,
commitment and passion of Creative Tops’
management and expect the continuing
management team, under the leadership of
Patricia Dawson, to integrate seamlessly
into Lifetime’s operating structure,
enabling Creative Tops to increase its rate
of growth and profitability beyond what
it would be able to achieve on its own.”
Patricia Dawson, Managing Director,
Creative Tops Ltd., noted, “The acquisition
of Creative Tops and Creative Tops Far
East Limited by such a high-profile U.S.
tabletop organization will strengthen our
foothold into Europe and global markets.
“Lifetime Brands already operates a number
of world-renowned brands including
Mikasa® and Farberware®, together with
Pfaltzgraff®, Gorham®, Silversmiths
,Wallace®
and many more famous
household names. This acquisition will also
enable the company to offer our customers
a far more extensive product range outside
of our current offering and will also help
strengthen our existing brand portfolio.
“Lifetime Brands (is) committed to
exhibiting in Europe on a far more
extensive scale than we have ever been able
to do before,” said Dawson. Lifetime owns
two permanent show rooms. Its flagship
showroom, based in Garden City, N.Y.,
has more than 40,000 square feet of
kitchenware products on display. The
Manhattan showroom showcases the
extensive Mikasa brand portfolio and is
positioned just opposite the permanent
tabletop exhibition at 41 Madison.
“Lifetime Brands has a wealth of
experience in innovative design, trend
forecasting, sourcing and merchandising of
products,” said Dawson. “They have a
design studio with more than 100
designers and product developers and, of
course, all this resource will now be
available to further our own product
development in the U.K.” She also noted
Lifetime has strong business-to-business
and business-to-consumer Internet
infrastructure “and this expertise will be of
fundamental importance as we continue to
grow our e-commerce business.
“Our senior management team will remain
in place and the company will be run
autonomously in the U.K., with no change
to the way it operates on a day-to-day
basis,” she said.
Bishopsgate Corporate Finance project
managed the transaction for the
shareholders of Creative Tops.
■
JANUARY 2012
NYIGF
(Cont. from Page 1)
Road Trip, Pink Ribbon, Cutie Cane and Jingle
Belle. For more information, please visit Booth
3279, email sales@susanand
veronica.com
or
call
347.781.4149.
For the second year, Australianinspired beach living products
will be featured at the
sunnyLIFE booth. Among the
featured products is the picnic
basket for two, which retails for
$89.99 ($129.99 for a four-person basket). For
more information, please visit the Karen Alweil
Studio Booth 4054 in Accent on Design,
email [email protected], call
800.600.3458
or
go
online
to
www.karenalweilstudio.com.
For those who like the "seedy" side of NYC,
check out the Hudson Valley Seed Library,
which is a first-time exhibitor to the NYIGF
bearing its line of artisan seeds, a gourmet
crossover product to complement kitchenwares
and gourmet foods.
"We offer heirloom seeds and contemporary
art, all in one pack," said Ken Greene, who runs
the company with Partner Doug Muller. "Each
of our seed packs unfolds like a flower. The
outer envelope is frameable artwork and the
inner pack contains heirloom seeds. Every pack
■
is designed by a different artist.
Because of the unique packaging, our
packs sell well as gifts all year long. "
Hudson Valley, which is new to the
wholesale market, retails its packs for
$3.75 ($1.87 wholesale). For more
information, please visit
Booth 7475, go online
to www.seedlibrary.org
or call 845.204.8769.
Kontextur
will
introduce two new products to
the NYIGF. The Tissue Box
Cover, created by renowned
designer Josh Owen, turns the
humble tissue box into a work of art to be
celebrated, not hidden. Made of silicone in
five colors, it's as functional as it is fashionable.
The Hlynur Atlason-designed Harry the Duck
is a "chic and modern interpretation of the
rubber ducky" made of silicone in yellow and
black. For more information, please visit
Wabnitz Editions Ltd.'s Booth 3703, go online
to www.kontextur.com or call 614.818.1446.
Infantissima's Toddler Laminated Smock,
made of phalate-free materials, continues to be
one of the eight-year-old company's most
popular products. "We are very meticulous
when it comes to our products," said Trudy
Hutchings, President of Infantissima. "Our
products are great sellers, which brings our
customers back for more." See Infantissima's
growing speciality line of infant accessories at
Booth 5023 or call 866.522.1415.
British kitchenware manufacturer
Joseph Joseph is no stranger to
NYIGF, but it will unveil a newly
designed booth and several new
products including Nestä Utensils,
a collection of practical, space-saving
kitchenware comprising a unique
range of food preparation sets, and
Twist, a two-in-one silicone whisk
ideal for mixing sauces
in low pans or for
making gravy in
roasting trays. To see those
products and more, visit Booth
3104 or go online to
www.josephjoseph.com.
Cocktails are one of the hottest
trends going and you wouldn't
want to set yours down on any old coaster,
would you? Chaba Decor's V-Coasters,
made from recycled wood salvaged from
old houses and boats in Thailand, can serve
as coasters or containers for anything from
hors d'oeurves to mints to knickknacks.
Chaba Decor shows at Pier 94, Home
division at booth 40050.
Gourmet pops are easy to make at home with
the Zoku Single Quick Pop Maker, which
comes in red, blue, violet, orange, and lime
green.The Quick Pop Maker, which retails for
$24.95, can quickly make striped pops, yogurt
pops, or (for the first time ever at home)
flavored core pops. Learn more at Booths
3206-3208, go online to www.zokuhome.com,
GENERAL NEWS
5
email [email protected] or call
201.604.1253.
Nashville Wraps, which specializes in gift and
gourmet packaging, will feature its new Brushed
Floral Collection in bold shades of hot pink,
orange and lime green at the NYIGF. Made in
the United States of 50 percent recycled paper,
the collection can be seen at Booth 1579 or go
online
to
www.nashvillewraps.com
or call 800.547.9727.
Home care, personal care
and gourmet products
that
contain
only
environmentally friendly
ingredients will be
featured at J.R. Watkins
Naturals during the NYIGF. New products
include a line of grapefruit home care products
including all-purpose cleaner, dish soap and
hand soap.To find out more, please visit Booth
7739 in the Extracts Division at Javits or go
online to www.jrwatkins.com.
"Jerk" isn't a bad thing at Rolf Glass. The
company's eye-catching, vintage-inspired
goblets and soda fountain glasses feature a
classic 1950s diamond wheel-engraved
pattern wraps around the rim of each glass,
with an added splash of color on the bottom:
retro green on their ice cream goblets and a
bright blue on their soda fountain glasses. At
the NYIGF, visit Booth 2728 or go online to
www.rolfglass.com.
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GENERAL NEWS
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JANUARY 2012
■
Audit: More Young Homemakers Rate Cooking Skills
as ‘Very Good’ Than Do Older Groups
When assessing their own cooking skills from
fair to excellent, age and years of cooking
experience don’t necessarily translate into a
higher skill level in the minds of U.S.
homemakers, according to The NPD Group,
a leading market research firm.
food ingredients U.S. households have on hand
and what appliances, cookware and utensils
they own, and to assess usage and sources of
recipes, reports that only a small percentage of
homemakers, across all age groups, rated their
cooking skills as excellent.
NPD’s Kitchen Audit 2011 study finds that 60
percent of homemakers ages 25 to 34, and 57
percent of homemakers in the 35- to-44 age
range, rated their cooking skills as very good
compared to 50 percent of homemakers ages
45 to 54, and ages 65 and older, who also rated
their skills at that level.
The highest percentage of homemakers, 16
percent, rating their skills as excellent was in
the 55- to-64 age group, and the lowest
percentage, 10 percent, was in the 25-to-34 age
group.
NPD’s Kitchen Audit, a survey conducted
every three years by NPD to determine what
“Food and appliance manufacturers use Kitchen
Audit primarily for product development and
recipe development,” said Dori Hickey,
Director-Product Management, whose team
conducts the Kitchen Audit. “They will
consider the homemaker’s cooking skills selfassessment when developing recipes and future
product and marketing strategies.”
Other findings from The NPD Group’s
Kitchen Audit 2011 study include:
• 4 in 10 homemakers/respondents use a recipe
once a week or more to make any kind of dish.
• A cookbook owned for more than two years
is the top recipe source. One percent of
respondents use a recipe from a mobile phone
app once every two to six months.
• 20 percent of households own a pressure
cooker.
• 55 percent of households have cheddar cheese
“on hand now.”
NPD conducted the first detailed audit of
the American kitchen in 1993 as a means
for manufacturers to identify foods and
ingredients that homemakers keep on
hand as well as the appliances, cookware
and utensils available to them. Previous
Kitchen Audits were fielded in 1996,
1999, 2002, 2005 and 2008. Kitchen Audit
is based on reporting by a nationally
representative sample of approximately
2,700 U.S. households.
The NPD Group is the leading provider of
consumer and retail information for a wide
range of industries. Today, more than 1,800
manufacturers, retailers and service companies
use NPD to help them drive critical business
decisions at the global, national, and local
market levels. NPD helps clients to identify
new business opportunities and guide product
development, marketing, sales, merchandising
and other functions.
Williams-Sonoma Picks Up Three-Store Specialty Hardware, Lighting Brand
Rejuvenation Inc., a specialty hardware and
lighting manufacturer and retailer in Portland,
Ore., was sold in early November to WilliamsSonoma Inc., the publicly held, San Franciscobased chain of kitchen and home furnishings
stores, according to reports in The (Portland)
Oregonian.
Founder and Owner Jim Kelly told the
newspaper the sale will fuel a significant
expansion that eventually will mean more
manufacturing jobs in Portland. He said the
company knew it would need outside
investment as it expanded into Seattle and Los
Angeles, its newest retail outposts.
The company will keep its name and brand;
Kelly will remain a consultant and spokesperson.
President Alysa Rose continues in that post and
the company will retain significant autonomy
under the Williams-Sonoma banner, much as
the West Elm has done, said Marta Benson,
Williams-Sonoma's Senior Vice President for
Strategy and Business Development.
Williams-Sonoma, she said, considers
Rejuvenation to be “a beautiful little gem of a
brand.”
Barn Kids and West Elm.The company divides
its business into direct-to-consumer and retail
segments, with retail accounting for 55 percent
of total revenues. The direct-to-consumer
business is conducted through a family of web
sites and printed catalogs.
Williams-Sonoma was founded in 1956 as a
cookware company, but has grown to include
a home furnishings division with 592 stores. Its
brands include Pottery Barn, PB Teen, Pottery
Rejuvenation was founded in 1977. It has three
retail stores, including the flagship store in
Portland. It opened a Seattle store in 2004 and
a Los Angeles store in fall 2011.
■
JANUARY 2012
■
Ninth Annual Housewares Design
Awards Finalists Named
Organizables/Peaceful Playgrounds Inc. –
Children's Clothes Organizers
Unger Industrial LLC – Microfiber
“Feather” Duster
Home & Outdoor Décor
Finalists for the Ninth Annual Housewares
Design Awards have been named and will
now vie to be recognized as the “Best of the
Best” housewares products of the year.
Winners will be announced on Jan. 31,
including Best of the Best at the Gold, Silver
and Bronze levels and 12 Best in Category
winners.
The 60 finalists represent the best of the
hundreds of products for the home that stand
out for their aesthetics and functionality.
Winners will be announced at a luncheon at
the New York Marriott Marquis overlooking
Times Square. The event will also honor the
winners of the “Green House” design award
winners for eco-friendly products.
Cookware & Bakeware
Focus Products Group LLC – Chicago Metallic
Surprise Pan
Gorham – Mario Batali by Dansk Light Cast
Iron Cookware
Mastrad Inc. – TopChips Kit: Chips Maker and
Mandolin Set
Welcome Home Brands – Oven-Safe
Paper Bakeware
Zojirushi America Corp. – Stainless Steel
Thermal Vacuum Cooking Pot
Countertop Cooking & Beverage Appliances
Calphalon Corp., A Division of Newell
Rubbermaid – No Peek Round Waffle Maker
Hearthware LLC – Precision Induction Cooktop
iSi North America Inc. – Twist 'n Sparkle
Beverage Carbonating System Starter Set
Jarden Consumer Solutions – Margaritaville
Mixed Drink Maker
Jura Capresso Inc. – Jura Impressa J9 One
Touch TFT
Countertop Food Prep Appliances
Baby Brezza Enterprises LLC – One Step Baby
Food Maker
Blendtec, a division of K-Tec Inc. – The
Twister Jar
Cuisinart – Blend and Cook Soupmaker
Leifeit International USA Inc. – Soehnle Page
Evolution Digital Glass Kitchen Scale
OBH Nordica – SharpXtreme Knife Sharpener
Countertop Kitchenware
Cuisipro – Snap-Fit Rocket Pop Mold
Full Circle – Fresh Air Odor-Free Kitchen
Compost Collector
Joseph Joseph Inc. – No-Spill Mill Electric Salt
and Pepper Mill with Closing Base
Roland Products Inc. – Bisbell MagMates
Magnetic Knife Storage
Spice Ratchet Mills LLC – Blossom Trivet
Cutlery
Kai USA – Shun Fuji Chef ’s 8½-Inch Knife
Kuhn Rikon Corp. – Melon Knife Colori
Lifetime Brands Inc. – Cuisinart Contour
Ceramic 5-Inch Santoku Knife
Douglas Quikut – Sofuto 10-Piece Cutlery Set
Robert Welch Co. – Robert Welch Signature 15Piece Block Set
Floor Care & Cleaning Appliances
BISSELL Homecare Inc. – Lift-Off Deep
Cleaning System
Electrolux Home Care Products Inc. – Nimble
Electrolux Home Care Products Inc. – Eureka
AirSpeed ABS
Euro-Pro Corp. – Shark Pro Steam Pocket Mop
Oreck Corp. – Magnesium Vacuum Cleaner
Gadgets & Kitchen Tools
Chef'n Corp. – SleekStor Pinch + Pour Beakers
DKB Household USA Corp. – Zyliss Smart
Guard Gourmet Mandoline
Eko Brands LLC – Ekobrew
Fusionbrands Inc. – Poachpod Stainless
Leifheit International USA Inc. – Garlic King
Home Environment Appliances
For Life Products Inc. dba Rejuvenate –
Air
Innovations
Compact
Personal
Ultrasonic Humidifier
Oreck Corp. – DualMax Air Purifier
Oreck Corp. – AirInstinct Air Purifier
Swizz Style Inc. – Stadler Form Anton
Ultrasonic Humidifier
Swizz Style Inc. – Stadler Form Anna
Fan Heater
Home Organization,Laundry Care & NonElectric Cleaning
BlueAvocado – (re)zip Reusable Storage Bags
Cool Gear International Inc. – Go Gear
Travel Tubes
KMN Home – DrawerDecor Customizable
Drawer Organizer
Energizer Household Lighting – Edge
Collection Accent Light
Lava Lite LLC – 20-Oz. Color Phasing Vortex
Glitter Lava Lamp
Nambe – Elbow Frame 5x7
P3 International Corp. – Sol-Mate Flip n'
Charge Candle
UM! Brands USA – Note UM! Peel and Stick
Dry Eraser Board
Personal, Health & Garment Care
Conair Corp. – Even Cut
Conair Corp. – John Frieda Full Volume
Hair Dryer
Gleener – The Ultimate Fuzz Remover
Corp.
–
Bugables
Mosquito
Pic
Repellent Stickers
Spectrum Brands Inc. – Remington Pro Power
Series Haircut & Beard Trimmer
Tableware, Serveware & Beverageware
Black + Blum – Lunch Pot
Blomus - SKS USA Corp – Delta
Decanting Carafe
Cosmoda Corp. – Koko SoftSpout Water Bottle
U.S. Acrylic LLC – Clarus 6-Liter Beverage
Dispenser with Refillable Ice Core
Vinturi Inc. – Travel Red Wine Aerator
The 2012 Housewares Design Awards are
presented by HomeWorld Business®, with
sponsorship by The Gourmet Housewares
GENERAL NEWS
7
Show at NYIGF®, Gourmet Insider magazine
and Whitford Corp. The product submission
and judging process are managed exclusively
by the International Housewares Association
(IHA).
Two’s Company Opens
Retail Concept Store
Two’s Company, a family-owned, privately
held, entrepreneurial wholesale distributor
of gifts and decorative accessories based in
Elmsford, N.Y., opened its first retail
concept store in Greenwich, Conn.
“We are excited to bring our unique,
innovative products to this great shopping
district, said Tom Gottlieb, President of
Two’s Company. “We believe our fashionforward collections will be a welcome
addition to the current offerings in the
pre-eminent shopping district of
Greenwich.”
Similar to the Two’s Company flagship
wholesale showroom, located at 7 W. 34th
St. in New York, the 1,500-square-foot
Greenwich concept store showcases just a
part of a wide variety of products from
the company’s four brands: Two’s
Company, Tozai Home, Cupcakes and
Cartwheels and 2 Chic.
8
IN THIS ISSUE
KITCHENWARE NEWS
Housewares Review
PUBLISHER
Lee M. Oser
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
XXXXX
EDITOR
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Lorrie Baumann
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[email protected]
[tel] 207.780.8656
Rocelle Aragon
[email protected]
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Valerie Wilson
[email protected]
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Kelly Hess
[email protected]
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KITCHENWARE/HOUSEWARES ADVERTISING
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
PUBLISHER
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
Kate Seymour
[email protected]
[tel] 520.721.1300
Lyle Sapp
[email protected]
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Kitchenware News & Housewares Review is a
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of Oser Communications Group, Inc.
1877 N. Kolb Road Tucson, AZ 85715
www.oser.com
PRESIDENT
■
JANUARY 2012
■
from the
january 2012
contents
publisher
Take Advantage of Free Help to Craft a Social Media Presence
A.J. Flick
[email protected]
TRAFFIC MANAGER
Lee M. Oser
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Online retail sales for this year’s Cyber Monday, the first day after the Thanksgiving
weekend, were up sharply this year. Consumer shopping peaked later in the day than
it has in the past, indicating that many shoppers did their spending on their phones
and tablet computers during their evening commutes.
According to IBM, Cyber Monday online sales this year were up 33 percent over
2010, with the average order value up from $193.24 to $198.26. More than 10 percent
of those folks used a mobile device to help them find and buy their holiday gifts.
Cyber Monday shoppers checked Facebook frequently for recommendations on
where to shop, what to buy and how much to pay for it. According to IBM’s statistical
wizards, shoppers referred to online retailers from social networks generated 0.56
percent of all online sales on Cyber Monday, with Facebook alone accounting for 86
percent of all social media traffic on Cyber Monday.
What this tells us is that if you’re a retailer who doesn’t yet have a social media
presence, a Facebook page, a Twitter account at the very least, and perhaps a program
with one of the many sites that allow shoppers to comparison shop between retailers,
you’re behind the curve. You have some catching up to do, and fortunately, the
International Housewares Association is offering some resources at the 2012 IH+HS
to help you do that.
Once again this year, the show is offering free consulting sessions for specialty and
independent retailers. Among other topics, the consultants will discuss how to shape
a successful mobile media campaign that will allow you to interact with your customers
while they’re online during their commute home as well as while they’re actually in
your store and how to create websites and mobile apps and QR codes that will help
you educate the increasingly savvy younger generations of shoppers as well as the
customers who already know you and your products well.
The consulting sessions are free, but you must sign up to reserve your spot.
Visit www.housewares.org/show/attend/spret_cons.aspx. And we’ll see you in Chicago!
3
GENERAL NEWS
9
SPECIAL FEATURE
SFIGF
10
ONE ON ONE
11
RETAILER PROFILE
12
GREEN PRODUCTS
17
BUYERS GUIDE
KITCHEN GADGETS
20
GIFTWARE
23
UPCOMING EVENTS
23
AD INDEX
Lee M. Oser, Publisher
from the
editor
If we were to do a show of hands on how many people made New Year’s resolutions
and then how many people actually followed through on them, I think we’d see a pretty
big difference.
It’s human nature to make plans, sometimes big plans, and then not carry them out.
This past year, I’m guessing some of your plans were sidetracked by the economy. Maybe
your resolution was to hire another staffer or to add or remodel your in-store kitchen
so you can do more classes, or maybe even open another location. But the uncertainty
of the stock market, politics and all sorts of other factors may have put some of your
big ideas on the back burner.
But even if you weren’t able to cross off the big ticket items on your resolution to-do
list, maybe there were other areas where you were able to made some strides, such as
updating your website, launching a Facebook page or getting more creative with your
displays. There are always activities that can help your business without breaking the bank.
So here we are entering another new year. What does 2012 hold for us? How are
your resolutions for your business shaping up? I think for many people, weathering a
couple of tough years can provide some positive feelings. After all, you made it through
some bad times and you’re still here. So what was it that you did that allowed you to
not only survive, but maybe even thrive when others are failing?
If you focus on those positives about your business, you’re surely going to have a good
head start as your progress through 2012. And I, for one, would love to hear about
your success stories. Please reach out to me and let me know if there were practices,
changes or ideas you put into place in 2011 that improved your business and that you’d
like to share with others.
It’s great if we can learn from one another and make more businesses true successes
this year and beyond.
Here’s to a successful 2012!
Joanne Friedrick
[email protected]
BUYERS GUIDE:
NEW SECTION!
GREEN PRODUCTS
KITCHEN GADGETS
GIFTWARE
SEE PAGE 12-16
SEE PAGE 17-19
SEE PAGE 20-22
SPECIAL FEATURE:
K ITCHENWARE NEWS
&
H o u s e w, a r e s R e v i e w
VOLUME 18, NUMBER 1
a
JANUARY 2012
NYIGF Continues Drive for Excellence
with Product-Focused ‘Neighborhoods’
BY A.J. FLICK
There's simply no time for winter doldrums
with the January New York International Gift
Festival at hand. Tens of thousands of buyers
and distributors are set to pore over products
brought in from all over the United States and
85 countries.
b
GLM Shows is in the midst of a three-year
strategic reorganization of the twice-yearly
NYIGF. In August, the Gourmet Housewares
Show was integrated, including productfocused "neighborhoods." That addition
continues to be refined for the January show.
But the flash and dazzle continues to be the
products themselves. Where do you focus your
attention? What's new?
Apron designers Susan & Veronica have
expanded from selling exclusively on their
website to wholesale, retail and now, the
NYIGF. Susan & Veronica's design philosophy
is that "Style Begins at Home" for their "super
sassy fashionista aprons." The aprons retail for
$49.95 and come in various designs including
Vanity Flair, Uptown Girl, On the Prowl,
Stripe A Pose, Guitar Heroine, Ink-Credible,
GENERAL NEWS.....................3
Continued on Page 5
Tabletop, Gourmet and Houseware
Add Luster to SFIGF in February
BY A.J. FLICK
Tabletop? Did anyone say tabletop? The
San Francisco International Gift Fair has.
c
California's largest gift show is adding
tabletop, housewares and gourmet to its
repertoire, bringing the industry’s top
lines including cookware/bakeware,
kitchen gadgets, specialty food, small
electrics, tabletop and more to Moscone
Center's South Hall Feb. 18 to 21.
“Western region retailers will benefit from a
giant opportunity for a more efficient buying
trip when they visit the show in February,” said
Doug Miller, President, Urban Expositions.
“For the first time, all of the gift industry
resources in the West will be housed inside
Moscone Center. Further strengthening this
growing selection, we’re also filling a void in
the marketplace with the launch of a brand
new tabletop, gourmet and housewares.”
In addition, the SFIGF continues to
expand its selection of ethnic styles,
original artisan designs, home accents,
jewelry and fair trade products from
Continued on Page 9
Appealing to Green Consumers
Means Offering Value, Functionality
BY JOANNE FRIEDRICK
Linked by consumer perception with a better,
more fulfilling lifestyle, sustainable and “green”
products are sought by shoppers and retailers.
But increasingly, these groups want more than
just a label or claim to motivate their purchase;
instead, they want products that are
environmentally sound but also functional,
long-lasting and a good value.
According to a 2009 Aberdeen Group survey,
the top pressures driving sustainability
initiatives were the desire for social and
environmental stewardship (56 percent), to
ONE ON ONE ......................10
RETAILER PROFILE ................11
increase or maintain brand reputation and
value (48 percent) and the need for a
competitive edge (46 percent).
Michael Karyo, Vice President-Sales and
Marketing for Casabella, a producer of
cleaning tools, household accessories and
organizational items, said green was a big
initiative at Casabella before his arrival in
2009. But key to any green product was
that it offered the same quality as any other
item
in
the
company’s
line.
The company launched its Eclipse line a couple
TRADESHOW BUZZ ...............23
w w w . k i t c h e n w a r e n e w s . c o m
ON THE COVER
a
b
c
WILSHIRE INDUSTRIES LLC
HUE Bamboo Rainbow
Wood Carving Board
[tel] 949.492.9921
www.islandbamboo.com
TALISMAN DESIGNS
Cheese Board Beauty
[tel] 888.361.6238
www.talismandesigns.com
BANNEX INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Original French Canning Jar
[tel] 847.215.5170
www.bannex.com
[email protected]
■
JANUARY 2012
■
SPECIAL FEATURE
9
Special Feature
SFIGF
(Cont. from Page 1)
around the world. Key
product sectors including
World Style Handcrafted,
Village Arts and Museum
will be grouped on the show floor under
the Global Showplace umbrella, to give
retailers a one-stop resource.
An expanded product selection will feature
thousands of lines, in sections including
General Gift, Handcrafted, Home &
Garden, Personal Style, The Global
Showplace, Treasures to Go and Vintage
Collection.
And it wouldn't be California without
getting “green.” SFIGF will offer many
green/eco-friendly product resources
showcasing items that are
made
from
sustainable,
biodegradable,
organic,
recycled and reclaimed items.
Now Designs’ Founder
Collins Dies at 80
Don Collins, founder of Now Designs,
passed away recently at age 80.
This year, SFIGF's free
seminars and events include a
top-notch
educational
program where retailers can learn lowbudget, high-impact ideas in marketing,
merchandising and social media to help
their
bottom
lines.
boost
For a tasty San Francisco treat, area chefs
will make special guest appearances and
sign their books. Chef Andrea Froncillo,
author of “The Stinking Rose Restaurant
Cookbook” and “Crab: Buying, Cooking,
Cracking,” will be on hand Feb.18 from
noon to 2 p.m., followed by a presentation
by Beverly Armstrong, who has 20 years
of experience buying merchandise as well
as developing private label products for
more than 25 wineries.
Armstrong will lead
a discussion and share
her knowledge and
expertise
in
vendor/trade set-up,
purchasing and price
Collins was an active and respected member
of the gourmet housewares industry since
1967 when he started manufacturing
kitchen textiles in San Francisco. The
company grew over the years by selling
quality products to select retailers in the
United States and internationally.
negotiations;
storytelling
with
merchandise and staging; how to select
core items and recognize their sales
strength; and merchandise as a brand
reflection—to brand or not to brand.
Afterward, Armstrong will lead buyers on
a tour of selected vendors at SFIGF.
Other presentations include “Guerilla
Marketing: Free and Low-Cost Marketing
Ideas to Drive More Traffic and Sales,”
“Buying Right, Then Managing
What You Buy” and “Opportunity
Knocks: How to Capitalize on the
Evolving Retail Marketplace.”
Collins served on the Gourmet Housewares
Show advisory board for many years before
retiring in 2004 and selling his company to
Danica, Now Designs’ Canadian distributor
since 1968. Rodney Benson and Jeremy
Braude now run the company.
Collins was described as a perfectionist who
wouldn’t let anything go until it reached his
very high standards. He paid little attention to
time, considering it either a nuisance to be
ignored, or a luxury to be enjoyed. Collins
founded a charity in his name and gave
generously to disadvantaged, underprivileged
and abused people, as well as supporting many
other charities during his lifetime.
10
ONE ON ONE
■
JANUARY 2012
■
One on One
Ben Anderson
to holistically approach it. Because we know
consumers want this (green products).
Research shows that 80 percent of
consumers want to buy sustainable
products, but the dollars don’t always follow
that right away. We believe we’re still in the
early stages of the adoption phase.
COO, Preserve
Since its inception in 1996, Preserve has
been making personal care and more
recently, kitchenware and tableware items
such as cups, plates, bowls, cutlery,
colanders, cutting boards and food storage
containers from recycled plastics. In 2001,
the company teamed with Stonyfield Farm
to convert its yogurt cups and scrap plastic
into Preserve products.
Recently, Kitchenware News spoke with
Chief Operating Officer and former
Director of Product Development Ben
Anderson about the company’s views on
“green” products and its experience in the
housewares marketplace.
five years and we’re hearing green talked
about. There is a buzz at the shows about
how to address this concern with
consumers. And we’re seeing more
companies trying to do something, like
change the materials they use.
Q. What is your take on the green products
movement within the housewares category
and how has this category matured?
For us, this is part of our DNA. We have
been doing this for 15 years, so we are
always trying to push the envelope. We
recently became a B Corp., which is a
certified company centered around
forward-thinking practices. It’s a way of
saying our whole company is aligned
around certain practices.
A. We’ve been at the International Home
+ Housewares Show for the past four or
We find this is a way to simplify things for
consumers. Becoming a B Corp. is the way
But the challenge is, it takes longer to tell
the story.
When we speak with retail buyers, they
know that the customers don’t have time to
take it all in. So the consumer mindset is
the message has to be quick and easy to
understand.
We know consumers are increasingly aware,
but then the challenge is, the more they
know, the harder it can be sometimes to
make a decision.
Our bread and butter has been in the
natural and independent world, with
Whole Foods being our biggest customer.
Q. How did Preserve get into the
housewares category?
Q. How do you build business in the more
traditional retail channels?
A. When we ask consumers how we can
help solve their problems, they tend to
think in terms of durable products for
everyday use. So while it might follow that
we did a toothbrush, so they would say
they would ask for toothpaste, instead they
are thinking about how to address all the
areas of their lives.
One thing we have seen is when someone
buys a green product, there is increased
loyalty to that brand. We’ve gone from
personal care to kitchenware to tableware.
A. It works through a combination of
buyer-driven and sometimes retailer-driven
efforts. We may have a (buyer) champion
who gets it; other times it’s a corporate
champion. We’re seeing emerging success
in the grocery channel, as well as with mass
retailers such as Target and online with
Amazon.
Q. And then how do you get your message
to the consumer?
A. We’re seeking to incorporate the B
Corp. logo on our packaging, and we have
some retailers that want to pull multiple B
Corp. products together (within the store).
We know consumers rely on the package
to tell the message, but we will always be
willing to roll up our sleeves to help retailers
and their customers understand the
message about why our products are
different. We also have brokers who cover
the small independent retailers and share
the message as well. And we’re working on
some endcap messaging. It’s all about the
retailer being able to build that trust with
consumers.
Q. Having expanded into kitchenware,
what are Preserve’s plans?
A. We definitely see opportunity for line
extensions in kitchenware and tableware
and food storage. There can be plenty of
growth in these categories. We’re
committed to using recycled plastics and we
also make our products recyclable.
■
JANUARY 2012
■
RETAILER PROFILE
11
Retailer Profile
Zwilling J.A. Henckels Shop-in-Shop
at Cook’s Warehouse
BY JOANNE FRIEDRICK
Strategically located within the newest
Cook’s Warehouse store in Atlanta’s East
Cobb neighborhood, the Zwilling
J.A. Henckels shop-within-a-shop
is the first of its kind in the United
States.
According to Patrick Accorsi, Vice
President-Sales at Zwilling, the
shop encompasses about 400 to
500 square feet on the front left in
the Cook’s Warehouse, which
includes a bay of windows for
display purposes. There are nearly
500 SKUs in the space come from
the company’s different brands,
said Accorsi. About three years ago,
Zwilling J.A. Henckels acquired Staub
enameled cast iron cookware, Demeyere
stainless steel cookware and Miyabi
Japanese cutlery brands and with that
expansion, it seemed like a good time to
showcase them in a store-in-a-store
concept, he said.
“We discussed it at the last International
Home + Housewares Show with Mary
(Moore, Owner of Cook’s Warehouse),”
explained Accorsi. “Mary has been a great
Two’s Company
(Cont. from Page 7)
source of advice for me,” he added,
providing input on the design and fixtures
for the space.
Zwilling has similar concept shops
worldwide in China, Europe and the
Middle East as well as 70 independent
stores, he said.
Accorsi said Cook’s Warehouse is a great
partner because of the education and
training that Moore provides to her staff.
And Atlanta, he said, “is a thriving culinary
center, so it all sort of fell into place.”
Cook’s Warehouse provides classes for its
decorative accents, fashion accessories, wall
art and much more. It’s designed to
showcase the innovative designs of
Two’s Company collection while making
shoppers feel welcome. “Two’s Company
has worked diligently to create an
environment that places a premium on
style, comfort and the interests of our
clientele,” said Gottlieb.
The Two’s Company concept opened Oct.
15, and is operational Mondays to
Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and
Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. A grand
opening party was held in early November.
In typical Two’s Company fashion, the
company said shoppers can expect the store
to reflect the top trends and latest styles
that exude what Two’s Company is all
about. Tom Zimmerman, Vice President of
Sales and Marketing explained: “I feel the
concept store will allow Two’s Company to
better understand the challenges and rigors
that our retail partners face in today’s
economic environment and gives us the
opportunity to test new products and
collections. We expect to gain insight on
what affects our business paradigm has on
our own retailers.”
The Two’s Company concept store offers
a wide range of unique gifts, including
customers; Accorsi said
Zwilling is hoping it can
help out with classes as
well as with training
consumers
on
its
products. “We have a
sales team and a
merchandising rep there
to show it (the concept
store) off,” he noted.
Additionally, Accorsi said
there is space within the
Zwilling J.A. Henckels
shop for a “what’s new”
section for the various
brands and an area to do
some induction cooking and demonstrate
knife use. The first demonstration took
place in November, hosted by Master
Bladesmith Bob Kramer, who partnered
with Zwilling on the creation of a set of
high-quality, straight carbon-steel knives.
Other ideas in the works include a cooking
with cast iron demo using the Staub
products.
The set up, he said, is similar to what they
have done elsewhere with the shop-in-ashop concept. “It’s meant to connect them
(the customer) with the
product and the brand. We
don’t want it to be a
museum of our products,
but a place for them to visit
and walk away with some
knowledge,” he explained.
Accorsi said having all the
products on display and
available for potential
customers to see and ask
questions about enhances
the buying experience. “For
us, especially with our
newer brands, it takes some
education”
to
help
customers understand the features and
selling points. The same, he said, is true of
cutlery. “If they (customers) can use it, it
really sells,” he said.
As part of the association with Cook’s
Warehouse, Accorsi said they plan to train
the store’s staff on the various Zwilling
J.A. Henckels brands. There may even be
an opportunity to bring one staff member
to New York or the factory in Solingen,
Germany, so they can be “the go-to
Zwilling person.”
K ITCHENWARE NEWS
H o u s e w,a r e s R e v i e w
VOLUME 18, NUMBER 1
Green
products
JANUARY 2012
■
JANUARY 2012
■
GREEN PRODUCTS
13
Green Products
ISLAND BAMBOO™ CRUSHED
BAMBOO CUTTING BOARDS
A harmony of form and function,
the Island Bamboo™ Crush
Bamboo Cutting Boards are earth
friendly and come in three sizes,
making it easy to pick the best one
for the job—from carving meats
and poultry to serving and light bar
prep. This collection is made from
bamboo byproduct incurred
during the manufacture of other
Island
Bamboo
kitchenware
products, with their beauty
enhanced by our chemical-free
honey stripping process for rich
color and contrast. The largest is a
carving board that is 18”x12”x3/8”
HOWARD NATURAL PRODUCTS
NATURAL KITCHEN CLEANERS
and features gravy grooves to keep
juices
from
flowing
onto
surrounding
surfaces.
The
14”x11”x3/8” utility board is very
portable and perfect for chopping
veggies and herbs while the
11”x9”x3/8” bar board is small
enough to keep on the bar for
cutting garnishes including limes,
cherries and sprigs of mint. All
feature integrated hang holes for
drying and storage, are gentle on
knives, naturally anti-microbial and
with proper care will last for many
years. Moso bamboo is a beautiful
material and this giant bamboo
we consider the most sustainable
and worthy of our signature Earth
Friendly sticker. It is abundant,
growing as much as two feet per
day with little water and is not a
food source for the Giant Panda.
Island Bamboo is known for having
the largest selection of eco-friendly
bamboo kitchenware.
Suggested Retail Price: $13-$24
CORE BAMBOO BREAD SLICER
Core Bamboo’s Bread Slicer is
made from 100 percent organically
grown bamboo. Ideal for slicing
loaves of bread, this slicer is as
sharp as most conventional
blades, but more stylish and unique
in its material and design. Start a
trend by using this interesting
bamboo slicer and friends and
family will be envious. Made from
renewable bamboo, it’s not only
fun to use, but it’s good for the
environment, too.
The Granite & Marble
Cleaner is a nonacidic, non-abrasive
vegetable-derived
formula that is ideal
for daily cleanup of
sealed
granite,
marble and other
natural
stone
countertops
and
surfaces. The Kitchen
Cabinet
cleaner
combines Brazilian
carnauba wax and
other
vegetablederived ingredients to
easily clean watersoluble food grime as
well as oil-based
kitchen grease. The
Stainless Steel Cleaner
& Polish is made of
innovative natural vegetable-derived
ingredients that easily clean food grime,
oily fingerprints and even kitchen grease.
Suggested Retail Price: $8.99-$10.99
Island Bamboo
[tel] 949.492.9921
www.islandbamboo.com
Core Bamboo
[tel] 646.845.6000
www.corebamboo.com
Howard Products
[tel] 800.266.9545
www.howardproducts.com
14
GREEN PRODUCTS
‘Green House’ Design Finalists
Showcase Eco-Responsible
Products for Home
Finalists were named for the 2012 “Green
House” Design Awards, part of the
Housewares Design Awards, the housewares
industry’s design competition. Showcasing
practical beauty and eco-friendly design for
the home, the fourth annual “Green House”
Design Awards feature designs that resonate
with the consumer in both an aesthetic and
sustainability sense.
Finalists are:
One winner from the five finalists will be
announced at the Housewares Design Awards
ceremony and luncheon Jan. 31 at the New
York Marriott Marquis.
•The JetMaxx from Electrolux Home Care
Products Inc. is an environmentally friendlier
canister vacuum to help consumers clean
“greener” without sacrificing performance.
•With more than 5 billion plastic and foil KCups sold, used and discarded this year, the
Ekobrew from Eko Brands LLC is a reusable
coffee filter that works in almost every Keurig
machine and can be used hundreds of times.
It features an innovative design and is BPA free,
reduces waste and saves the consumer money.
NSF International Launches New NSF
Home Product Certification Program
NSF International, a global public health and
safety organization that certifies products and
writes standards for food, water and consumer
goods, has launched the NSF Home Product
Certification Program™. The new testing and
certification program verifies the quality,
performance and material safety of private
label/store brand home products such as
housewares and small appliances.
meet multiple regulatory and retailer
requirements. The NSF Home Product
Certification Program™ provides a single set
of retailer-approved testing requirements
encompassing all applicable regulatory
requirements and standards for each type of
home product. Streamlining this process saves
manufacturers the time and costs associated
with meeting multiple requirements.
The NSF Home Product Certification
Program™ is focused initially on kitchen
products and housewares (food storage
containers, cookware and bakeware) as well
as small appliances (coffee makers, slow
cookers and blenders). NSF will expand the
program to include other products such as
kitchen gadgets, tableware, flatware and
cutlery, sport bottles, personal beverage
containers, and many others.
The NSF Home Product Certification
Program™ was developed in response to several
trends. While private label goods are a strong
source of revenue for many retailers, they also
pose significant risks to a retailer's brand if
unable to demonstrate compliance to the high
safety and quality standards consumers expect.
Manufacturers of private label products must
Consumer demand for private labels, also
known as store or exclusive brands, has risen
significantly. Reports show private label goods
continue to be a strong growth opportunity for
■
JANUARY 2012
■
Built with 55 percent post-consumer recycled
plastic along with high-performance and
power, JetMaxx is outfitted with a variety of
sustainable features and offers consumers a
stylish, powerful and compact design for a
cleaner, “greener” home.
•The sleek design of the Fresh Air Kitchen
Compost Collector from Full Circle appears
to be a sealed container, but unlike regular
compost crocks, the Fresh Air allows oxygen
to easily flow through your organic kitchen
waste. This means scraps stay drier and do not
rot on the kitchen counter for less mess, less
odor and no flies.
•The Personal Cooler from PackIt LLC
combines revolutionary technology and stylish
design in the world’s first foldable, freezable,
reusable cooler that stays cold up to 10 hours.
Eco-friendly, it provides consumers with the
retailers, accounting for as much as 90 percent
of new revenue in retail channels. While
consumers generally regard private label
products as safe, more than 80 percent of U.S.
imports of consumer goods come from Asia,
raising consumer concerns. Manufacturers must
be able to demonstrate the safety and quality
of their products to retailers who entrust their
brands with private label products.
The NSF Home Products Certification
program provides a means to source safer
products through independent, third-party
testing and certification. The program builds
on NSF’s 67-year history in writing public
health standards and protocols, and testing
and certifying products to these standards.
NSF involved scientists, engineers,
manufacturers, retailers, public health experts
and consumer product safety experts to
develop a rigorous set of requirements for
each product category.
To earn certification, NSF’s team of product
engineers and chemists conduct extensive
product assessments that verify the durability,
design and safety of materials used to
manufacture the product against these
protocols.Testing is conducted at NSF’s global
network of laboratories, including the NSF
Shanghai Testing Laboratory in China,
enabling companies importing goods from
Asia to test before shipping.
The certification process also includes a
packaging label review and testing to
substantiate any performance and marketing
claims, as well as an annual audit of the
manufacturing facility to verify the
manufacturing process consistently produces
compliant products.
Products meeting the requirements of the
protocol can bear the NSF Certified for Home
Use Certification Mark and are included in
NSF International's online listings so retailers,
supply chain members and consumers can
easily identify certified products.
“Manufacturers of private label home products
must meet varying sets of retailer testing and
regulatory requirements. The NSF Home
Products Certification Program streamlines
the product approval process by offering a
perfect cooling solution for any situation.
•The Fizz Home Soda Maker from
SodaStream USA Inc. is the first soda maker
on the market to feature interactive, patented
Fizz Chip technology.The Fizz Chip monitors
the CO2 level in the carbonator and indicates
the level of carbonation in the finished drink
(low, medium or extra-fizzy). This new
technology enhances and adds value to the
user experience in a manner never achieved
before in the home carbonation industry.
The Housewares Design Awards are
presented by HomeWorld Business®, with
sponsorship by The Gourmet Housewares
Show at NYIGF®, Gourmet Insider
magazine and Whitford Corp. The product
submission and judging process is managed
exclusively by the International Housewares
Association (IHA).
certification program that satisfies all
requirements. The program's benefits are also
passed to consumers as they can now look for
the NSF Certified for Home Use Mark to
easily identify products that have been tested
for safety and quality,” said Sarah Krol,
General Manager of Consumer Products,
NSF International.
The new program complements a full range of
services delivered through NSF’s Consumer
Products Division, which offers product testing
and certification, private label assurance,
specification development and consultative
audits. These services help verify that private
label/store brand products meet retailers' quality
standards, are comparable to national brands
and comply with consumer product regulations.
NSF's Consumer Product Safety testing and
certification programs include:
•Children's products and toy testing.
•Private label quality assurance, including
specification development; chemical, physical
and sensory panel comparison testing;
regulatory compliance and label reviews;
packaging testing; and store, facility and
distribution center audits.
•Bottled water and beverages testing and
certification to Global Food Safety Initiativebenchmarked and other food safety standards
and protocols.
•Personal care products testing and certification
to the NSF-led American National Standard
for personal care products containing organic
ingredients (NSF/ANSI 305).
•Organic, natural and gluten-free certification
through NSF's sister company, QAI (Quality
Assurance International).
•Environmental/sustainable claims verification,
testing and certification to NSF-led and other
national standards for green chemicals and
cleaners, building materials, energy efficient
appliances and furnishings.
NSF International is an independent
organization that tests and certifies products
and writes standards for food, water and
consumer goods to minimize adverse health
effects and protect the environment. Founded
in Ann Arbor, Mich., in 1944, NSF is
committed to protecting human health and
safety worldwide. NSF is a World Health
Organization Collaborating Centre for Food
and Water Safety and Indoor Environment.
■
JANUARY 2012
Green Products
(Cont. from Page 1)
of years ago, which features a universal pole
module made from 30 percent recycled
aluminum that can be fitted with a series
of cleaning heads such as a broom, floor
duster, hand duster or wringer mop.
The heads are all made from 100 percent
recycled PET plastic and the bristles
are made of recycled polypropylene.The
dusting items use microfiber, which
Karyo said was already a big part of
Casabella’s offerings.
With consumers more money-conscious
these days, Karyo said there might be a
little drop-off in business, “but most
people are willing to spend a little more and
they are starting to understand the concept of
quality and value behind these green products.”
Green has taken a back seat to value in this
economy, he said, so it can be a challenge.
Therefore, companies need to educate as they
sell. “As time goes on,” he said, “we’re becoming
more conscious and informed, so demand will
eventually drive product creation.”
As an environmental products major in college,
Karyo said he has seen the green message go
from a broad one—“do this and save the
world”—to one that hits closer to home, such
as “do this to save money (in the long run) and
do something that is safer for your family.” It’s
both global and local, he said.
Karyo said in 2013, retailers and consumers will
see some additions to the Eclipse line, with
updates to some existing products as well as
some new ones.
Full Circle, which produces
sustainable home cleaning products,
focuses first on products that are
attractive and work well, followed by
the green aspect, said Heather
Tomasetti,
Co-Founder
and
Marketing Director.
The majority of green consumers,
she pointed out, are those who want
to do something good for the
environment, but only if it also works well for
them. This contrasts with consumers who are
highly educated on the products, certifications
and nuances of green products such as
biodegradable vs. compostable.
There is also a group, said Tomasetti, for whom
green isn’t a priority, but that can still be sold
to based on the functionality and
value of what they are offered.
Grabbing consumers’ attention
currently, she said, are products
made from renewable resources
such as bamboo, recycled and
plant-based plastics, biodegradable products
and items that encourage home composting.
Full Circle began by making cleaning tools
because of the introduction of so many greencleaning products. It made sense to have the
tools fit with the ideal, such as using washable
microfiber cloths rather than rolls and rolls
■
GREEN PRODUCTS
of paper towels. From there, the ideas
expanded to developing cleaning kits so
people could make their own environmentally
friendly cleaning products and offering
composting supplies so households could
recycle food scraps for home or community
projects.
Ideas come from talking with
consumers about what fits with their
lifestyle, said Tomasetti, such as
beverageware for “green on the go”
individuals. The dialogue takes place
through focus groups, but also via
social media such as Twitter and
Facebook.
One of the most ardent followers of
the green movement are parents who
are both concerned about what materials their
children come in contact with and who are
focused on preserving the planet for the next
generation.
Robert von Goeben, Co-Founder and
President of Green Toys, began his company
four years ago, making children’s toys and play
sets out of recycled milk jugs.The material was
already food safe, he noted, but wasn’t an
immediate choice.
“We tried 10 to 15 types of plastics before
settling on HDPE/No. 2 recyclable milk jugs,”
he said. “It’s tough to work with, but it’s a safe
material.”
After launching the toy line, which includes
play-size dishes, von Goeben began getting
requests for kid-sized dinnerware that parents
could use every day. The result was the Green
Eats line of tableware, which came out in 2011.
Despite the cautious economy, von
Goeben said his business has been
“off the charts,” with business up 60
percent to 70 percent each year.
“Parents are really responding to
our products because they want
products that are safer for their
kids,” he said. “Parents look at it
like they look at the food they
serve their children—they want to
know how it’s made and where it
comes from.”
Von Goeben manufactures his Green Eats and
Green Toys products in California. The state
has a robust recycling program, he said, and
there are people within the state who have the
expertise to manufacture with the recycled
materials.
The Green Eats line, which
includes plates, bowls and cutlery,
is just the first of what von Goeben
sees as a full line of child-size
tableware. In addition to the
products being made of recycled
plastic, the dishes are also recyclable themselves
when the time comes to dispose of them, he
said. However, they are designed to last and can
be put in the dishwasher.
The packaging used on the toys and tableware
is also recyclable cardboard, he said, which just
expands on the green theme.
15
Why Bamboo?
BY CHADD MOSER
PRESIDENT, MUKITCHEN
Bamboo textiles are fast
becoming a kitchen
favorite.
They
are
absorbent, dry quickly
and are extremely soft to
the touch. So why choose
bamboo for your store?
The many benefits to bamboo appeal to
customers from the eco-conscious buyer to
hip fashionistas. Give bamboo a test
yourself—going green has never been
more rewarding.
Let’s start with the plant.
Bamboo crops are fast
and easy to grow, so it is a naturally
renewable
resource.
Botanically
categorized as a grass and not a tree,
bamboo just might be the world's most
sustainable plant. It is the fastest-growing
grass and can even grow up to a yard or
more a day. Bamboo replants itself with a
series of shoots, so the ground is not
disturbed, easing soil erosion. It can grow
in many diverse climates and is not a
thirsty plant, so it is typically not irrigated
like many cotton crops are.
Recent technologies have allowed cellulose
processed from the bamboo plant to be
spun into a naturally occurring viscose
yarn. When this yarn is woven, it becomes
amazingly soft and durable. The fabric is
versatile in the kitchen too—great for
washing, drying and polishing all around.
MÜkitchen is a concept lifestyle brand
that specializes in top-quality, fashionforward and eco-friendly kitchen
textiles. MÜbamboo is one of our
most popular lines.
16
GREEN PRODUCTS
Kohl’s Exec Shared Road
Map to Sustainability
at RILA Conference
The Retail Industry Leaders Association
kicked off the educational portion of its fourth
annual Retail Sustainability Conference with
a keynote address from Ken Bonning, Senior
Executive Vice President of Kohl’s Corp.
Bonning shared Kohl’s “road map” to
sustainability that has resulted in significant
cost savings and resource conservation
opportunities for the retailer. Bonning touched
on Kohl’s sustainable operations, stakeholder
engagement and the fast approaching horizon
of product supply chain sustainability.
“Ken Bonning illustrated what an effective
sustainability program can look like and shared
the numerous ways that the Kohl’s model is
working for both the retailer and the
environment,” said Adam Siegel, Vice
President of Sustainability and Retail
Operations.
Hank Habicht, managing partner at SAIL
Venture Partners, spoke on the future of green
retail business. He also covered the current
government climate and the future of green
policy.
Additionally, executives from Best Buy, Publix
and the National Environmental Education
Foundation took a comprehensive look at
employee engagement for sustainability in
retail. The session discussed the way retailers
can work more closely with their employees
to enhance their sustainability efforts, and
highlighted Best Buy’s Retail Energy
Performance engagement program and
Publix’s Get into a Green Routine program.
Other sessions at the conference included:
Leveraging Lifecycle Analysis to Improve
Your Product Footprint; Communicating
Effectively With Regulators; Building
Partnerships for Social Responsibility; The
Mainstreaming of Environmental/Social
Criteria in Investment Decisions and the
Implications for Retailers; and Leadership
Competencies in the Age of Sustainability
Concerns.
“I am extremely proud of this year’s
conference,” said Michael Hewett, Director
of Environmental and Sustainability
Programs at Publix Super Markets and Chair
of the Retail Sustainability Conference
steering committee. “With the help of the
steering committee and the participating
presenters and sponsors, we have gone well
beyond the traditional conference format to
open fresh dialogs and share valuable
sustainability insights. This year’s content is
on the cutting edge and takes a deep look at
how and where retailers can best succeed in
their sustainability efforts.”
RILA is the trade association that includes
more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers
and service suppliers that together account for
more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales and
more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing
facilities and distribution centers domestically
and abroad.
■
JANUARY 2012
■
Eastman Launches Product Safety Website for Tritan
As part of its continuous commitment to
product safety and user education,
Eastman Chemical Co. has launched a
product safety website—intended for
consumers, brand owners, manufacturers
and media—as a resource on plastics and
the safety of Eastman Tritan™ copolyester.
Eastman Tritan is a new-generation
copolyester that provides a balance of
properties, including toughness, clarity
and dishwasher durability. Through
reputable third-party testing, Tritan has
been shown to be free of estrogenic activity
and androgenic activity. Since its
introduction in 2007, Tritan has been used
in more than 600 food-contact products,
from serving and storage products to
reusable sports bottles, baby bottles and
small appliances.
TritanSafe.com addresses concerns about
the synthetic and naturally occurring
chemicals that are sometimes found in
plastics, and helps consumers, brand
owners and manufacturers understand the
complexities of plastics and EA through:
•Plastic safety FAQs;
•Eastman Tritan copolyester independent
third-party testing data and regulatory
approval information; and
•Product safety and sustainability
attributes of Tritan
The
media-focused
portal,
TritanSafe.com/media, provides a quick,
easy reference tool to help media get the
facts to tell the Eastman Tritan copolyester
product safety story or prepare themselves
to help consumers with plastic safety
questions.
To further confirm the safety of the
material, Eastman Tritan copolyester has
been reviewed and cleared for use in food
contact applications by a fifth
international regulatory agency. The
Ministry of Health in China has added
Tritan to its list of materials suitable for
use in food contact applications. With the
MOH clearance, manufacturers can now
use Tritan to meet consumer demands in
China’s durable food contact materials
market.
The other agencies that have reviewed
and cleared Eastman Tritan copolyester for
food contact are Health Canada, the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration, the
European Food Safety Authority and
Japan Hygienic Olefin and Styrene
Plastics Association.
Eastman’s chemicals, fibers and plastics are
used as key ingredients in products that
people use every day. Approximately
10,000 Eastman employees around the
world blend technical expertise and
innovation to deliver practical solutions.
The company is committed to finding
sustainable business opportunities within
the diverse markets and geographies it
serves. A global company headquartered
in Kingsport, Tenn., Eastman had 2010
sales of $5.8 billion.
New York Retailer Named 2011 People’s Choice Award
Winner for Green Business of the Year
With thousands of ballots cast online,
awarded the 2011 People’s Choice Award
for Green Business of the Year by the
nonprofit Green America’s Green Business
Network™ members is Sustainable NYC.
The New York City-based operation is a
combined website sales operation
(www.sustainable-nyc.com) and traditional
brick-and-mortar store.
Functioning more like a community center
for concerned shoppers, the retailer is a
one-stop shop for a diverse range of green
gifts, from organic clothing to Fair Trade
jewelry to solar backpacks. Its Brooklyn
store also features a café that serves Fair
Trade coffee and hosts green-minded
events and workshops.
Green America Corporate Responsibility
Director Todd Larsen said: “The 10
People’s Choice finalists are great examples
of the socially and environmentally
responsible business leaders that meet the
standards of our seal of approval and make
it into the National Green Pages™.
The other nine finalists for 2011:
Hazelnut Kids, Traverse City, MI
www.hazelnutkids.com
This green company offers all the variety
of a toy store, without the plastics and
toxic chemicals. All of Hazelnut Kids’ toys
are made from natural materials such as
sustainably harvested wood and organic
cotton, and they’re selected by owner Tracy
Coe for their ability to stimulate a child’s
imagination and sense of fun.
Reach and Teach, San Mateo, CA
www.reachandteach.com
Reach and Teach, “a peace and social
justice learning company,” aims to
transform the world through its products
that are tailor-made for gift giving. They
offer books, games, puzzles, toys,
curriculae, music, posters, DVDs, maps,
and more for people of all ages. The
company’s items combine “teachable
moments” with whimsy and fun.
Seven Hopes United, San Francisco, CA
www.sevenhopesunited.com
Shoppers can find imported, artisancreated gifts from Seven Hopes United
that they can find at traditional import
stores—with the major difference that
purchases support artisans in the Fair
Trade system. From jewelry to handmade
duvet covers, sheets to home decor and
kitchen with an international, artistic flair.
Divine Chocolate, Washington, D.C.
www.divinechocolate.com
Divine Chocolate sells only 100 percent
certified Fair Trade chocolate, meaning
that its supply chain is independently
monitored to ensure that farmers earn a
fair, living wage, and that no forced labor
goes into growing or harvesting the cocoa
beans. From the Kuapa cooperative in
Ghana, giving them a say in company
operations and larger profits from their
labor.
DivaCup, Kitchener, ON
www.divacup.com
The DivaCup is a menstrual alternative for
eco-minded women on the go. Instead of
contributing to the more than 6 billion
disposable tampons flushed away each
year, DivaCup’s customers use the
company’s reusable tampon alternative.
Faerie’sDance.com, Harbor City, CA
www.faeriesdance.com
The company offers attractive clothing
made from sustainable soy, organic
cotton and renewable hemp. The
company also has a line of jewelry made
from recycled metals.
EarthKind, Bismark, ND
www.earthkind.com
EarthKind provides a healthy alternative
with its eco-friendly air fresheners made
of corn cob chips, odor-absorbing
volcanic ash and essential oils. EarthKind
also specializes in FreshCab non-toxic,
cruelty-free rodent repellent.
Purple
Dragon
Food
Co-op,
Glen Ridge, NJ
www.purpledragon.com
Operated by its members, the Purple
Dragon Food Co-op in Glen Ridge, N.J.,
sends out baskets of locally sourced and
organic fruits and vegetables to its
members every other week.
Bella Luna Toys, Rockland, ME
www.bellalunatoys.com
Owned and run by a Waldorf teacher and
mother of two boys, Bella Luna Toys
sells a variety of playthings made of
ecofriendly materials such as wood and
silk. The toys are held to the Waldorf
standard and must be “beautiful to behold”
and “inspiring to the imagination.”
■
JANUARY 2012
■
BUYERS GUIDE
BUYERS GUIDE
kitchen gadgets
Mastrad Topchips Chips Maker
Since 1994, Mastrad, the French company specializing in unique kitchen tools
and accessories, has been revolutionizing the culinary world with a line of
products unlike any other. Combining function, quality and eye-catching
design, the diverse and expansive collection of products are carefully
created to make every kitchen professional, yet fun and colorful. Founded
by a team of experienced chefs and designers, Mastrad considers every
product to be a recipe created with tender love and care. New to the
Mastrad collection is the Topchips Chips Maker (www.topchips.com/default),
which allows for the creation of light, crispy, fat-free chips in just minutes. Simply
slice the vegetable/fruit of choice with the mini mandoline, place the slices
on the silicone tray, put the tray in the microwave for three minutes and the
result is a quick and delicious snack.The Topchips Chips Maker comes in two
packages, one including a tray and mini mandoline and the other offering
two trays (as they can be stacked in the microwave three at a time to make
more chips at once). To purchase Mastrad’s best selling cooking
and kitchenware products online please go to their e-commerce website
at www.shopmastrad.com.
SRP: $20
Gadget SKUs offered: 450
Mastrad
[tel] 800.358.0608
www.mastrad.us
Parasia Man Law's BBQ Tools
Grilling is the perfect confluence of art and science, engineering and craft,
mind and spatula.The French sauté, braise, poach.They do not grill. Men grill.
Since the first dawn of man, there has been honor and responsibility in
providing for one's family. In order to truly appreciate this honor, all men must
abide by the code that comes with it. This code is known as Man Law. The
proper grilling of a $23 porterhouse is a feat to rival the erection of the Great
Pyramids, the Hoover Dam and the brother-in-law’s
yard shed. Grilling fish or fowl, mere wienie or edible
plant life is a serious endeavor. Grilling, thus, requires
the proper tools. Tools crafted and honored with
the care of a surgeon operating on his fantasy
team’s QB. Tools, that blessing with long ago
distinguished man from animal. The highest quality
tools with a sense of humor.
SRP: Varies
Parasia International
[email protected]
www.manlawbbq.com
Solar Thermometer
Apple Pro Peeler
Starfrit’s Apple Pro Peeler strips the skin
off all varieties and sizes of apples, using
a spring-loaded arm to adjust to the
differences. Users place the apple on
the spike, turn the handle and the
stainless steel blade peels the apple.
Safety features include suction grip feet
for stability and plastic protectors for the
blade and spike. The Apple Pro Peeler
comes with three blades, an apple
divider and a recipe booklet.
SRP: $14.95
Starfrit
[tel] 514-871-1671
www.starfrit.com
SleekScrape® Collapsible Scraper
The SleekScrape® is used for measuring,
cutting, scooping, carrying and more.When
used as a traditional pastry scraper, the
SleekScrape's stainless steel cutting edge is
great for mixing ingredients, making
indentations on pasta, scoring cookies and
scraping clean cutting boards. Clear
measurements are marked on the edge in
inches. The expandable shape of this
scraper lets users scoop large amounts of
food. The handle has an easy grip and the
scraper's flexible design collapses for minimal
storage. It is top-rack dishwasher safe.
SRP: $14.99
Gadget SKUs offered: 300-plus
Chef'n Corp.
[tel] 866.642.4336
www.chefn.com
Dressing-2-Go™
This patented, BPA-free portable container
is the easy and convenient way to transport
a favorite salad dressing anywhere. The
specially designed Dressing-2-Go™ has an
easy-to-squeeze silicone reservoir base that
holds 2 ounces. The leak-proof flip-top cap
makes it easy to dispense the dressing. To
clean, unscrew the cap, place the silicone
base and cap on the top rack of the
dishwasher. The cap should be secured in
the “extras” basket.
SRP: $3.99
Evriholder Products
[tel] 800.975.0335
www.evriholder.com
Cook & Serve Melamine Utensils in Display Rack
This eco-friendly thermometer runs solely off the power
of indirect light, eliminating the need for batteries.
Featuring a sleek, polished stainless steel handle, it gives
highly accurate readings in a wide range from -49 to
392 degrees F.The 1” handle is designed with a reduced
tip (2.5 mm) that can be easily inserted into food. Simply
store it in a utensil holder on the countertop, because
it does not need direct sunlight. To save power, the
thermometer shuts off after one minute of non-use. It
features a waterproof stainless steel housing and large
digital readout and comes with a protective sheath with
pocket clip for safe storage. A temperature guide is
located on the sheath.
SRP: $29.99
These strong and durable compressionmolded melamine utensils are available in
a choice of 10 glossy colors. Ergonomically
styled for every kitchen task, the tools are
heat resistant, dishwasher safe and safe for
nonstick surfaces. The space-saving 22” by
16” by 17” rack holds 18 different utensil
styles, promoting multiple and impulse
sales. The rack also easily mounts to
pegboard or a slat wall.
SRP: $3.99 per utensil
CDN—Component Design Northwest
[tel] 800.338.5594
www.cdn-timeandtemp.com
Gourmac division of Hutzler Mfg. Co.
[tel] 800.243.7700
www.hutzlerco.com
17
18
BUYERS GUIDE
■
JANUARY 2012
■
BUYERS GUIDE
Kizmos Get Happy Bottle Opener with Magnet
kitchen gadgets
Rachael Ray Slider Mold
The Kizmos Get Happy Bottle Opener with
Magnet is part of the Kizmos Get Happy
kitchen gadgets collection. Designed to
delight and surprise cooks of all ages, Kizmos
Get Happy gadgets infuse the kitchen with
a burst of bright, vibrant colors and upbeat,
smiling faces.The playful personality of each
gadget appeals to the fun nature of cooking
itself, and every item in the collection—from
magnets and measuring cups to pizza
cutters and peelers—makes cooking and
entertaining fun.
SRP: $3.99*
A self-proclaimed burger lover, Rachael Ray
perfects patty-making with the Slider Mold,
a new addition to the Rachael Ray Yum-O
Bakeware Collection.The specially designed
Slider Mold presses two bite-size patties into
an ideal shape—thick along the outside
with a divot in the center—and helps
prevent the sliders from shrinking during
cooking. Crafted of carbon steel, the Slider
Mold’s nonstick interior allows patties to slide
out easily.
SRP: $14.99
Kizmos
[tel] 800.252.3390
www.lifetimebrands.com
Meyer Corp.
[tel] 800.450.0156
www.PotsandPans.com
Swiss Pastry Roller
The Swiss Pastry Roller makes it easy to roll
dough for pies, cookies, bread, pizza, tarts
and more. Measuring 3½” wide, this
compact, handheld roller features a unique,
removable pastry tool that can be used to
create fluted or decorative edges on pies,
pastries and even flatbreads. Like the
dishwasher safe roller, the wheel of the pastry
tool is also covered in a special nonstick
material that makes cutting quick and easy.
SRP: $16
Kuhn Rikon
[tel] 800.662.5882
www.kuhnrikon.com
Pedrini Kucina Pitzo Pizza Cutter
JuiceLab Citrus Juicer
NewMetro Designs’ JuiceLab citrus juicer
features an ergonomic, hand-held design for
optimum leverage in extracting juice from
grapefruits, oranges, lemons and limes. A
sturdy, lemon-yellow reamer that can
accommodate any size citrus fruit is
positioned over a 5-ounce capacity, flaskshaped clear container with a drip-free
pouring spout, measuring marks in ounces
and millimeters, and a non-slip bottom to
prevent slipping on counters. BPA-free and
made of 100 percent recyclable plastic, the
dishwasher safe JuiceLab’s convenient
measuring cap also seals the container for
storage of leftover freshly squeezed juice in
the refrigerator.
SRP: $17.95
NewMetro Design
[tel] 800.624.1526
www.beaterblade.com
Multi-Use Cheese Knife
The Pedrini Kucina Pitzo Pizza Cutter features
a streamlined handle and rolling blade that
makes it ideal for cutting pizza, quesadillas,
herbs and more.The Pitzo can even double
as a mezzaluna. This tool provides the user
with better control and pressure while
cutting because one’s hand is above the
blade, rather than behind the blade, like a
typical pizza wheel. The Pitzo features a
hubless design, double hinge and
removable blade for easy cleaning. It also
includes a blade cover for safe storage.
SRP: $14.99
The specially designed knife has an open
surface blade and sharp serrated edge.The
open surface blade reduces friction to keep
food from sticking. It is suited for all types of
cheese for cutting thick or thin slices. Also
ideal for fruits and vegetables and overall
daily use. It features a quality-crafted 5 ½”
stainless steel blade with a durable Bakelite
handle.
SRP: $9.99
Lifetime Brands Inc.
[tel] 800.252.3390
www.lifetimebrands.com
Prodyne
[tel] 800.822.4776
www.prodyne.com
Chopstick Food Tongs
Canning Essentials
The Messermeister 10.5” Chopstick Food
Tongs have a sturdy, stainless steel core and
an ergonomic, hygienic silicone exterior.
They handle a multitude of tasks including
picking up sushi rolls, grabbing toast from the
toaster, serving appetizers and fruit, eating
noodle dishes, picking up chips and more.
They are heat resistant up to 390˚ F and
dishwasher safe.
SRP: $10
Each piece of the Canning Essentials Set is
designed to help people continue the tradition
of preserving. The set includes a one-handed
jar lifter, lid lifter and canning funnel with
headspace measurements. The jar lifter has
rounded handles and is spring loaded to
reduce the effort of gripping and lifting jars.
Quickly place jar lids on top of freshly filled jars
with the lid lifter, keeps fingers away from hot
water.The double-walled funnel is designed to
keep jar rims and countertops clean.
SRP: $19.99
Messermeister Inc.
[tel] 800.426.5134
www.messermeister.com
Progressive
[tel] 800.426.7101
www.progressiveintl.com
■
JANUARY 2012
■
BUYERS GUIDE
BUYERS GUIDE
Select-A-Peel—Vertical Blade Style
RSVP International's newest Select-A-Peel
allows users to choose from regular, soft skin
or julienne blades to prepare nearly all types
of vegetables and fruits by dialing in the
blade number. The plastic blade shield is
reusable and snaps over the blades for safe
storage. Made of durable stainless steel,
silicone and plastic, the peeler is dishwasher
safe.
SRP: $18
RSVP International Inc.
[tel] 800.275.7787
www.rsvp-intl.com
One Piece Adjustable Pie Shield
The Adjustable Pie Shield is designed to fit
around the edges of any 8”, 9” or 10” pie
before baking to have perfectly tanned
crust. It is reusable and will never become
misshaped. Made of FD- approved silicone,
it is heat resistant up to 500° Fahrenheit and
is dishwasher safe.
SRP: $7.99
Talisman Designs
[tel] 888.361.6238
www.talismandesigns.com
kitchen gadgets
Sili Gourmet Chick Chick
The Sili Gourmet Chick Chick Jar Opener lets
anyone get a secure grip on opening jars,
bottles, caps and more. Featuring a cute
chick-inspired shape in bright yellow, it is
made of dishwasher-safe silicone. Each
opening features interior grooves to grip the
bottle or jar top, preventing it from slipping
while turning to open.
SRP: $5
William Bounds
[tel] 800.473.0504
www.wmboundsltd.com
Zoku® Duo Quick Pop™ Maker
The patented Zoku Duo Quick Pop Maker
freezes ice pops in as little as seven minutes on
the countertop without electricity. From the
makers of the original patented Zoku Quick
Pop™Maker, the new Zoku Duo makes the
same size pops and freezes them just as fast,
but it features a smaller, space-saving design.
It comes with four reusable sticks,four reusable
drip guards and one Super Tool.
SRP: $36.95
Zoku
[tel] 201.604.1253
www.zokuhome.com
19
20
GIFTWARE
■
JANUARY 2012
■
Giftware
New tabletop decor, accessories
can be amusing, soothing, striking
BY A.J. FLICK
New products that caught our eye include
Silly Souls LLC's Rock Star and Milk
Junkie sets. Each set
includes five pieces: plate,
bowl, cup, spoon and fork
in a gift box that retails for
$22 ($11 wholesale). See
them at Booth 5620, go
online to www.sillysouls.com
or call 415.615.0397.
Idol”-style competitions
with winners chosen
based on public opinion.
Red Clay brings a
variety to NYIGF: the
Bubble
Plate,
an
effervescent cluster of
circles pressed to various
depths that brings
lighthearted beauty to
everyday entertaining (SRP $59); Incline
at Sunset Bowl, which creates a beautiful
nest to display fruit or corral
loose items ($69); and PeekA-Boo Vase available in
peacock, flame or white ($79).
To see more, visit Booth 4110
or contact Abigail Kiefer at
[email protected] or
415.205.7137.
Red Clay's new line of ceramics is not only
pleasing to the eye, but sprouted from a
clever concept of inviting a community of
artists to submit designs—in “American
Sagaform's new Fix line combines clean
white stoneware with oak accents for a
classic, timeless, yet trendy line that is
appropriate for any kitchen. Designer Julia
The best thing about tabletop decor and
accessories is that consumers can choose
them to be as whimsical, trendy, thematic
or simple as they want. Among the
thousands of exhibitors bringing tabletop
designs to the New York International Gift
Fair this January/February, there are
products reflecting that gamut.
Treutiger was inspired by Sagaform's
simple designs of previous lines. Get your
Fix
at
Booth
3235,
email
[email protected] or call 856.626.1340.
Red Pomegranate, which makes
hand-gilded food-safe tableware,
will introduce its 6.5” Pansy
Canape Plate in assorted colors
and gift box set at the NYIGF.
The set retails for $67.50 for four
plates. ($27 wholesale). See the
plates at Booth 2766, go online to
www.redpomegranate.net or call
650.728.5613.
Abbiamo Tutto, which is marking its 10th
anniversary, is presenting
more than 25 new
products this winter, and
sharing family recipes as
well when customers place
orders. New patterns
include Aglio (“garlic” in
Italian) and Pomodori (“tomato”). The
collections range from $14-$78. Visit Booth
3036,
go
online
to
www.EAbbiamoTutto.com or call 703.790.0172.
are a fun and modern alternative to
traditional shakers. Just give them a
squeeze for a fun new way to dispense salt
and pepper. Once you’re done, give them
a roll to pass them along. Each set includes
two squeezers and one base (SRP $24)
and come in black/white, green and orange.
Visit Booth 4226, go online to
www.flipandtumble.com
or
call
415.830.5624.
Stinson Studios Inc. is bringing to the
NYIGF its Square Ambrosia Maple Bowls,
which are individually hand-turned on a
lathe—creating a uniqueness of form and
spirit not found in objects produced by
machine. Stinson's pate boards, like its
cutting board lines, are
made from individually
selected and harvested local
trees that are aged up to
two years. See them at
Booth 9426, go online to
www.stinsonstudios.ca or
call 613-379-2177.
Intrada Italy has six new lines to showcase
Flip & Tumble’s salt and pepper squeezers
at NYIGF. The Majolica line, straight
from Italy, offers a fresh look of urns and
vases in a mixture of turquoise and greens
with lion heads and rope accents. Retail
prices range from $75 to $350. See it at
Booth
3281,
go
online
to
www.IntradaItaly.com
or
call
800.752.7576.
Kristin Nelson's VIT line of dinnerware
will be featured at the Kri Kri Studio booth
at NYIGF. The VIT (pronounced “veet”)
porcelain dishes embrace simple,
Scandinavian sensibility and come in five
colors: gray, taupe, yellow, coral and jade
green. Wholesale prices range from $18 to
$60. Visit Booth 2867, go online to
[email protected] or call 206.790.3301.
Vietri brings 10 new tableware products to
feature at NYIGF including Adriatic (fish
■
GIFTWARE
JANUARY 2012
21
Giftware
PRODYNE SERVER ON ICE
The Server On Ice will keep cheese, cold
cuts, fruit, sushi and other food delights
chilled and fresh over a bed of ice. The
three-piece set features a ventilated
upper food platter,a crystal clear acrylic
lower ice tray and a lid to keep the cold
in and the bugs out.Simply fill the bottom
tray with crushed or cubed ice and
position the vented upper food tray
above to allow the chill from the ice to
flow through to the food delights. The
lower tray can also be used alone without
ice as an attractive three-compartment
server. Perfect for both indoor and
outdoor entertaining, the platter
measures 10½" x 6".
Suggested Retail Price: $24.99
Prodyne Enterprises
[tel] 800.822.4776
www.prodyne.com
LSARTS BORDEAUX GLASS
BEADED COLLECTION
Look sharp with LSArts’ new Bordeaux
Glass Beaded Collection in spreaders,
forks, spoons and new matching salad
sets. This elegant and cheerful
collection continues to grow and
expand every season. Each piece
features stainless steel with a glass
beaded accent handle. Colorful,
captivating and the perfect trimming
to any table setting—these items are
both useful and attractive. Choose from
a variety of color palettes, and large or
small beading to create a unique and
coordinated table setting any time of
year. Spreaders, forks and spoons are
packaged in sets of four. Enclosed in a
white, clear-view window box, each set
includes a pull-up, hang tag to provide
retailers with endless display options.
Suggested Retail Price:
$12 for a set of four
Suggested Retail Price: $20 per set
LSArts, Inc.
[tel] 877.929.1414 or 954.722.1750
www.lsarts.com
SHARKSKINZZ REUSABLE
FOLDING DRINKWARE
Sharkskinzz Reusable Folding Drinkware
represents a unique and growing
category of folding drinkware. Our
flexible bottles offer many advantages
over rigid plastic, metal and glass
bottles, including being the most ecofriendly. Our pouches are BPA free, antimicrobial, freezable and collapsible.
Our patent-pending blend of FDAapproved materials blocks UV light to
keep liquids fresher longer. Use with all
types of beverages.We offer the largest
selection of designs, point of sale
packaging and merchandising options
and sizes: 7.5-, 16-, 20-, and 27-ounce
capacity. Sharkskinzz has recently
become a Warner Bros. licensee for
Batman, DC Comics and Justice
League. Our Superhero SKUs are well
positioned to maximize retail sales with
the 2012 release of the new Batman
and Superman motion pictures.
Sharkskinzz Folding Bottles deliver strong
margins
and
repeat
sales.
Suggested Retail Price: $4.99-$14.99
BZB Products, LLC
[tel] 215.240.1825
NYIGF Booth 3174
KEEPCUP REUSABLE CUP
For the eco-friendly and stylish,
KeepCup is the first ever barista
standard
reusable
cup
and
launching in the U.S. for the first time.
A fabulous choice for sustainable
coffee consumption, KeepCup is BPAfree, lightweight, recyclable and
fashionable. Available in 25,000 color
combinations,
it
is
portable,
unbreakable,
microwave
and
dishwasher safe. Its splash-proof
design is made with a lift and twist
plug to open a breather and drinking
hole at the top. KeepCup is available
in four different sizes: extra small
(4 ounces), small (8 ounces), medium
(12 ounces) and large (16 ounces).
KeepCup
[tel] 613.8417.1100
www.keepcup.com
NYIGF Booth 3213
22
GIFTWARE
■
JANUARY 2012
■
Tabletop
(Cont. from Page 20)
in subtle shades of taupe, cream and blue
nestled on the bottom of each hand-formed
shape, $36-$180 retail), Blu Mare (playful
sea creatures in crisp cobalt and white, $27$151), Fresh Fish (simple fish shapes in
clean white with rustic edges, $21-$124),
Village Views (from artisan Sara Bellini,
$36-$180), and Recycled Prism Drinkware
(dimpled texture in a variety of lightcatching hues, $9-$32). Visit Booth 2702,
go online to www.vietri.com or call
919.732.5933 ext. 101.
Royal Copenhagen will feature its new
Blue Fluted Mega Footed Bowl, a versatile
and beautiful tabletop accessory. It retails
for $250. See it at Booth 2800, email
[email protected]
or
call
800.431.1992.
Mustard brings its
tableware and sense of
humor to the NYIGF
with
three
new
products: Hot To
Handle, a heart-shaped
silicone finger glove
when you need to get a
grip on a hot pot
($6.99 retail, $3.50
trade); Party Pooch, a
balloon-shaped jelly
mold that looks just
like a balloon animal dog ($9.99, $5) and
Plastic People, face-shaped salad servers
($11.99, $6).
So, whether you're looking to stock up on
the most formal or informal of tabletop
accessories at the NYIGF, there will be no
shortage of exhibitors to visit.
THE ROMANOV COLLECTION
ARTEL GLASS BANANA
LEAVES COLLECTION
From Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of
Darkness” to the paintings of Henri
Rousseau, the primal mystique of the
jungle landscape has long captivated
the imagination of the modern world.
Banana Leaves transports the viewer
into the thick of a dense jungle—no
machete required. Similar in design to
Jungle Baroque, but without the
animal depictions, Banana Leaves
features overlapping images of thickly
veined foliage, bringing a taste of the
rainforest to any table setting or home
décor. Banana Leaves also differs from
Jungle Baroque in its inclusion of an
additional production step: After
being mouth-blown and sandblasted,
each piece is painstakingly handpainted with a golden hue, kiln-fired,
and then hand-colored and kiln-fired
a second time, after which the gold
color is only visible on the inside of the
glass. The result is a truly unique object
that evokes a walk in the tropics—rich
with detail, bright color, and the
unexpected surprise of sparkling gold
flashes on the interior.
Suggested Retail Price: $141 per glass
to $585 per piece
Artel Glass
[tel] 646.216.9415
www.artelglass.com
NYIGF Booth 3766
The Romanov Collection by Ajka
Crystal features luxury hand-made lead
crystal cups, glasses, carafes, bottles,
vases, bowls and other giftware
available in 17 to 20 colors. The Irina
Wine Collection comes in lime, honey,
plum or turquoise. The glasses stand 8”
tall and have a diameter of 3.5”.
Suggested Retail Price: $120
Ajka Crystal
[tel] 760.529.6694
www.theromanovcollection.com
NYIGF Booth 2870
TIDAL POOL COLLECTION
Mussels & More Pottery Inc., a
Canadian potter, presents several
collections, including the Tidal Pool
Collection in aqua, blue, sand or slate.
Each piece features hand-applied clay
barnacles, shells and starfish.The dinner
and serveware is handmade and is
oven, dishwasher and microwave safe.
Suggested Retail Price: $44-$184
Mussels & More Pottery
[email] [email protected]
www.musselsandmore.com/wholesale
NYIGF Booth 2847
DREAM FARM GARJECT
Garject’s innovative design allows
users to easily and completely press
multiple gloves of unpeeled garlic at
once. Upon opening the handle,
Garject automatically scrapes off any
excess garlic without the need to use
another tool or touch the garlic. Then
users push the “peel eject” button to
shoot the peel into the trash, rinse
under water or put in the dishwasher.
Garject is made from chrome-plated
zinc, which means it’s dishwasher safe
and durable. It is available in charcoal
black or fire truck red.
ADVERTISER INDEX
American Fei Tian. ..............................................9
Bannex International, Inc.................................22
Core Bamboo .....................................................21
Epic Products Inc .................................................4
Essenergy .............................................................21
F & M Tool and Plastics. ....................................5
Howard Naturals ...............................................14
The Dream Farm Pty Ltd.
www.dreamfarm.com.au
NYIGF Booth 3209-3211
IHA.........................................................................3
KitchenHappy ....................................................19
LS Arts .................................................................20
Mastrad...................................................................2
MuKitchen..........................................................13
Parasia International............................................5
Parrish’s Cake Decorating Supplies................24
CUISINE R-EVOLUTION KIT
MOLÉCULE-R Flavors Inc. presents its
molecular gastronomy kit: Cuisine REvolution.The kit is designed to bring the
culinary trend of molecular gastronomy
to amateur cooks. It includes everything
needed to experience all of the most
popular
molecular
gastronomy
techniques, including five natural food
additives (50 pre-dosed sachets); one
set of kitchen tools; and a DVD of 50
step-by-step recipes. All the elements
are gathered in a 12” by 7” by 3” box.
MOLÉCULE-R Flavors Inc.
[tel] 514.564.3363
[email] [email protected]
www.MOLECULE-R.com
Prodyne................................................................23
Starfrit ..................................................................19
Talisman Designs ...............................................15
Tribest ..................................................................10
Tokyo Plast International. ..................................7
Vinaroz Cookware...............................................9
Wilshire Industries LLC ....................................6
Wüstof..................................................................11
■
JANUARY 2012
■
Upcoming Events
Happy New Year—it’s 2012! The new
year brings hope, change and, most
importantly, new business. To that end,
we’ve learned about some exciting news for
Atlanta's International Gift and Home
Furnishings Market and the Natural
Products Expo West.
AmericasMart announced that
à la carte, a new permanent
showroom, is being unveiled at
the Atlanta International Gift
and Home Furnishings Market
from Jan. 11-18. The à la carte
showroom brings an exciting new addition
to the wholesale gourmet/housewares
sector. With a 2,678-square-foot space, à
la carte is located adjacent to the
demonstration cooking area and will offer
several major lines such as Bormioli
Rocco, La Mediterranea, Lifetime Brands,
Paderno, Rosenthal, Sambonet, Tradition
Sud and Versace.
As you walk into the Natural Products
Expo West (NPEW) come March, you’ll
notice a new marketplace, new programs
and a few changes, too.
NPEW 2012 is launching a Beer, Wine
and Spirits Marketplace, reflecting growth
in what was once a fringe category. The
previous show floor pavilion is now a new
marketplace to connect retail buyers with
wine, spirits and beer importers,
distributors and producers. The
Marketplace will take place on Friday and
Saturday, March 9 and10, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
in the Grand Ballroom at the Anaheim
Marriott.
Perhaps partly because of this new
Marketplace, NPEW is also implementing
a new child policy. No one under the age
of 16 will be allowed to attend and no
exhibitor staff under the age of 18 will be
allowed to work the show. Professional
on-site childcare will be offered for the
daily rate of $25. Advance childcare
registration is available in January via
event registration login.
NPEW is adding something new to the
Natural Products industry: the Expo West
Business Program (EWBP). Designed for
anyone new to the natural products
industry, the program provides in-depth
advice for businesses and individuals from
branding, marketing and labeling to
industry trends, distribution, financing
and tips for success. There are three
business
program
tracks:
Early
Entrepreneur, which helps newcomers
launch a brand or product in the natural,
organic and healthy product industry;
Brand Acceleration, for established
producers looking to expand brand
awareness, financial support and
distribution; and the International
Business Program for Exporters, which
explores the many ways to expand a brand
into the growing overseas markets for
natural, organic and healthy
products.
For those wanting to grow some
international
business,
the
Department of Commerce is
offering two international buyer’s
programs at NPEW 2012: the
Showtime Program and the U.S.
Exhibitor Advance Promotion to
International Buyers Program. The
Showtime Program partners—the U.S.
Commercial Service and New Hope
Natural Media—invite companies to meet
one-on-one with the U.S. Commercial
Service industry specialists attending the
show. Commercial specialists from these
23
TRADE SHOW
CALENDAR
JANUARY 2012
7-10 Philadelphia Gift Show
Greater Philadelphia Expo Center
Oaks, PA 678.285.3976
www.philadelphiagiftshow.com
Trade Show Buzz
BY MIMI VILLAFANE
UPCOMING EVENTS
markets will help people learn about
opportunities for their products and
services. The Showtime program also
offers the opportunity to meet with a U.S.
Export-Import Bank representative to
discuss export finance programs.
As a special bonus for the 2012 Virginia
Food and Beverage Expo, attendees will
be able to enjoy the Wineries Unlimited
Trade Show in the adjacent exhibit hall.
The Virginia Department of Agriculture
and Consumer Services, which puts on
the food and beverage show, announces
the show features some of the best
Virginia cuisine and specialty products,
both trendy and traditional.
Attendees will find hundreds of Virginia
foods and beverages, a Best New Products
Awards competition and opportunities to
meet the producers and place orders. The
show takes place at the Greater Richmond
Convention Center in downtown
Richmond on March 28, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
11-18 The Atlanta International Gift
& Home Furnishings Market
AmericasMart
Atlanta, GA, 800.ATL.MART
www.americasmart.com
15-17 NASFT Winter
Fancy Food Show
Moscone Center
San Francisco, CA 212.482.6440
www.specialtyfood.com
18-24 Dallas Total Home
& Gift Market
Dallas Market Center
Dallas, TX, 800.DAL.MKTS
www.dallasmarketcenter.com
28-Feb. 2 New York International Gift Fair
Jacob K. Javits Convention Center
Piers 92 & 94
New York, NY 212.216.2000
www.nyigf.com
FEBR UARY 2012
5-9 Spring Fair International
The NEC
Birmingham, England 44.08445.888.071
www.springfair.com

January 2012 - Oser Communications Group

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