Merchandise Monday: 2014 Trends in Technology

The annual International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) took place from January 7-10 in Las Vegas, and Hinda’s merchandising team hit the show floor to seek out the latest and greatest from the world of consumer electronics. This year, it seems innovations are cropping up in every area of tech, from digital cameras and smart TVs to mobile and sports and fitness. While it’s a little too soon for us to tell which of the newest items we’ll be adding to our ever-growing assortment, we’re excited to share what we learned about what you can look forward to in 2014 and moving forward!

A shift is taking place in the world of digital cameras and camcorders. The rise of smart phones and their superior camera quality have decreased the need for separate digital cameras. Leave it to tech manufacturers like Canon® and Samsung® to offer the features you love about your smart phone, like Internet connectivity, social media sharing capability and rear-facing cameras, right on their latest models. Along these lines, companies like GoPro®, Garmin®, Sony® and Polaroid have all developed a line of action cams – a rapidly growing camera category all its own.

Recent advances in TV technology have turned passively watching into a full-blown lifestyle. In 2014, streaming technology is offered as an embedded feature on TVs. For example, Roku has partnered with select brands to offer Roku TV, which is built-in, eliminating the need for a separate streaming device. And what better way to enjoy all your favorite TV than on the latest 4K television? Companies like Sony and Samsung are now offering the ultra-crisp, life-like picture, which is becoming more mainstream and affordable. Look for massive displays and curved or bendable screens!

We’ve all been there - you’re out with friends or on a trip and forgot your charger. Now your phone’s dead and you can’t snap great pics or check-in via social media. What to do? Never fear, mobile charging is emerging as a category all its own, with companies like Mophie and Intel® offering devices strictly for keeping your favorite gadgets fully operational, making the concept of a dead battery obsolete. In fact, CES predicts that by 2017, the market will reach $7.16 billion, making wireless charging one of the most important categories in consumer electronics. 

Have you seen the new movie “Her” starring Joaquin Phoenix and the voice of Scarlett Johansson? Did you think it was a little futuristic and far-fetched? Well, we may not be too far away from our homes talking to us. The “Internet of Things” category is starting to catch on, with companies like Nest®, Belkin, LG and Samsung jumping on the connected-home bandwagon. This year, stand-out items included a smart toothbrush and sleep monitor that can be controlled via apps, cloud-connected smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and plans for 4G-connected car models from Audi, BMW and Chevrolet.

One of the newest technologies on display this year was 3D printing. While it’s still a little too pricey for personal use, it’s becoming a bit more mainstream as businesses are finding various uses for the technology. For example, 3D printing is great for creating physical samples of products and 3D scale models of buildings and designs. Another example of using 3D printing for business? Food! CES exhibitor ChefJet showcased its ability to print using sugar and chocolate to create 3D-printed cake toppers and pastry decorations. What will they think of next?

Another up-and-coming category is wearable technology. By now everyone has seen Google Glass, the wearable computer concept worn on the face like a pair of glasses. It seems the wearable tech trend is only getting stronger with the idea that anything we can put on our bodies can have a wired version. From smart watches and contact lenses to smart onesies for babies, IMS Research expects the wearables market to ship out 171 million units by 2016, up from just 14 million in 2011, according to CES.

Last but not least, sports and fitness are two categories where technology is really starting to make waves. Devices like swing monitors for golf, tennis and baseball and GPS systems for cyclist are being manufactured by Sony, Reebok, Schwinn and other companies to help improve performance and maintain safety. In the fitness realm, heart rate and activity tracker wrist bands from companies like Garmin, Fitbit® and Polar® and sweat-friendly earbuds from Sol Republic and other brands are just two of the recent developments in fitness that are making it easier and more fun to be fit!

There’s nothing like fresh, new technology to kick off the New Year! Of course, this is just a sample of the many brands and exhibitors present at this year’s CES. And as we mentioned, we’re not sure yet which of these new gadgets we’ll add to our assortment in the coming months. However, we can say with confidence that we’re just as excited as you to see what new technology 2014 brings. So be sure to stay tuned to Hinda Blog for all the latest updates and merchandise news!

Merchandising Minute Newsletter - February 2013

 

Welcome to the latest edition of Hinda's "Merchandising Minute" newsletter!

"Merchandising Minute" brings you the latest news on merchandise and award trends.

This issue includes:

• Emerging Trends from the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show
• Handy Tips to Organize Your Jewelry
• Recap of the PPAI Expo

If you know someone who would benefit from receiving communications like this from Hinda, have them e-mail Alisa Schafer (aschafer@hinda.com) and ask to be added to the distribution list.

Also be sure to check out and subscribe to the Hinda Blog. 

Click here for the current issue of Merchandising Minute.

Merchandise Monday: Trends from the Trade Shows

PART 2 - PPAI Expo

We continue our trade-show wrap-up with a visit to the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) Expo, which took place in Las Vegas on Jan. 14-18, the week following CES. The PPAI Expo is the largest promotional products show in the industry, and if you’re looking for something new, you’ll find it here – along with over 11,000 promotional consultants and 1,400 suppliers in the grand exhibit hall.

PPAI is all about branding. By definition, a brand is the "name, term, design, symbol or any other feature that identifies one seller's goods or services as distinct from those of other seller's." Initially, branding was the act of burning a symbol into an animal’s skin with a hot iron stamp as a means to differentiate one’s cattle from another. This tactic was subsequently adopted in business, marketing and advertising – albeit somewhat less painfully.

 

Top Emerging Trends

From colors and textures to lifestyle and entertaining, new trends were out in full regalia at PPAI this year.

Let’s focus on fashion. As they say, everything old is new again. Neon from the ‘80s and brilliant pops of color ignite everything from clothing to accessories in 2013. Gold and black jewelry are on the rise, along with chunkier watches and bangle sets. Black diamonds are back, and rose gold is a must have.

Fashion handbags are getting bolder and brighter, as well. Patent leather is hot for spring, and cross-body style bags, which are perfect for commuters and multi-taskers who need their hands free, are trending right now. Pick one up with a pop of neon and you’ll be the trendsetter of your social group!

Are you a thrill-seeker? Well 2013 looks to be your year. Experience and lifestyle options were a big trend at PPAI. Everything from outdoorsy activities to unique adventures is emerging as popular categories. Coinciding with this, the health and wellness category is trending with products for working out on-the-go and staying healthy while traveling.

Speaking of outdoor living, backyard entertaining was also a big trend this year at PPAI, and portable and space-saving grills are all the rage. The latest grills are lighter-weight and easy to clean but still offer all the grilling space and quality you need when creating an outdoor meal for your family or your whole block.

 

This is just a smattering of the trends and products emerging this year. Check back frequently for updates via our weekly “Merchandise Monday” column right here on Hinda Blog!

Merchandise Monday: Upcoming Trends in Housewares

The “Homeworld Forecast 2013” is out and chock-full of information on housewares trends as we move into next year (can’t believe we’re already thinking about this, but might as well get on the bandwagon). As you can imagine, this study was pretty comprehensive, and its findings are vast. For the purpose of Merchandise Monday, we’ll just talk a little bit about some of the fastest growing trends and hot categories as reported in the study.

Fastest Growing Trends

• Treat makers, such as cake pop and lollipop makers, in response to the recent trend in cupcakes
• Skin and facial care appliances in response to Baby Boomers seeking that youthful glow
• Steam cleaners and multi-function vacuums as more homes move away from wall-to-wall carpeting
• Asian cutlery, which features sharper angled blades
• Grilling accessories in response to the health craze and increase in year-round grilling

It’s worth nothing that many of the fastest growing trend categories feature money-saving alternatives, such as food storage options and laundry drying racks, as well as items that add efficiency to consumers’ busy schedules, including dishwasher-safe cookware and ready-to-assemble furniture.

Hot Categories

• As Seen on TV – when is this not a hot category? Consumers love their Schticky™, ShamWow® and Snuggie™!
• Food dehydrators, steamers and juicers are hot right now in tandem with the growing interest in healthy alternatives
• At-home coffeemaking saves time and money versus standing in line at a coffee shop. Milk frothers and single-serve coffeemakers are especially hot right now
• Vacuum food storage saves money by preserving your leftovers and allowing you to take your lunch with you on the go
• Coinciding with food storage, double-wall insulated cups and mugs keep drinks hot or cold while you run errands or head to the office

Other hot categories include varieties of cookware and cutlery, ready-to-assemble accent seating, electric fireplaces and garage storage. Many consumers are looking for inexpensive ways to spruce up their homes, especially in these recession years when people are spending more time hanging out and entertaining in them.

Overall, the trends seem to be keeping with the current themes of cooking and entertaining in the home and saving money here and there where possible. And there is nothing wrong with that! After all, there’s no place like home!

The Incentive Research Foundation Talks Top Trends for 2012

The Incentive Research Foundation (IRF) recently released a new white paper titled “2012 Trends in Rewards & Recognition,” which highlights 12 key areas of focus in the incentives marketing arena for this year and what changes we as an industry can expect. The folks at IRF make several great points with regard to noncash incentives that we’d like to summarize here on Hinda Blog, and feel free to peruse the research for more information.

The report opens by explaining that change is in the air, and companies are starting to re-evaluate how they do business and utilize their human capital. “Fast HR” is a movement that the IRF points to that “encourages throwing out standard tools in favor of more expeditious methods to direct, focus, and energize employees.” The report goes on to add that non-cash is aligned with the Fast HR model and is becoming increasingly attractive to the C-suite, which it views as being one of the biggest trends to watch this year.

“Today,” reports the IRF, “a new wave of respected thought leaders that include McKinsey, Harvard Business Review, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Aberdeen acknowledge the effectiveness and/or strategic business value of noncash components.” In one example, the IRF points Aberdeen’s annual “Sales Performance Management Study,” in which it was uncovered that 21 percent of best in class companies – those that out-performed rivals across all major financial categories – utilized reward and recognition programs, while only 10 percent of non-best in class did.

Studies conducted by the other thought leaders named in IRF’s report realized similar outcomes. Noncash is on the rise, though it doesn’t come without its share of challenges, specifically that “noncash programs must complement other strategies and initiatives, the nomination/winning process must be clear and the evaluation/selection processes must be transparent” in order for noncash recognition to be effective, according to IRF’s research.

Incorporating another hot trend but staying within the realm of noncash, IRF explains that wellness programs are high on the list, and goes on to say that, if your company does not utilize a reward and recognition program currently, wellness is a great place to start. In 2009, the US spent about 17 percent of its GDP on healthcare, and yet America as a whole is not a healthy country, according to World Health Organization statistics.

Wellness programs can and should be worked into an organization’s current incentives bundle, according to the IRF. “Noncash incentive additions to wellness programs have been shown (Johnson & Johnson, for example) to increase voluntary participation by up to 90 [percent], a finding from ‘Big Fat Truth about Use of Incentives for Wellness Programs,’ published by the Incentive Federation.” Not only does this make for healthier people overall, but as we all know, fewer sick days makes for more productivity and lower health insurance premiums for companies – a winning situation all-around.

One final trend of note with regard to noncash – or any type of incentive, really – is retention and culture, which acknowledges, among other things, that “a lack of consistent recognition has impacted the ‘cooperative’ nature of some work environments,” according to the IRF report. “Recent research… show[s] that employees at ‘rewarder organizations’ generate ideas 250 [percent] more frequently than employees of organizations that are not rewarders.”

Whether your company has a stellar rewards and recognition program in place, a less-than-stellar one or none at all, the IRF has provided plenty for you and your employees to consider as we move along in 2012. Again, check out the full report and feel free to let us know your thoughts in the “Comments” section below.

Merchandise Monday: Watch Out!

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Watches are no longer the standard timepieces they once were. With consumers attached to their cell phones, watches have become less about time telling and more about fashion. These accessories are now playing a vital part in an outfit. Rightfully so, the new trends are worthy of runway shows. We looked at some of the new designs hitting the shelves this season and came away with a few notable takeaways.

For Him

Whether you're dressing up a business suit or dressing down on a casual Saturday, watches are the perfect accessory for men. Without being too flashy, they add a touch of sophistication and style to any outfit. This season, three prominent trends have been spotted on the shelves and on the streets.

All Black

The classic, all-black designs exude simplicity and versatility. This Casio casual classic analog watch is constructed with a resin case, black stationary resin bezel and a comfortable black rubber bracelet with an adjustable buckle clasp.

Multifunctional

Built for far more than time telling, multifunctional watches are packed with features fit for the adventurous type. The Citizen Skyhawk A-T watch features atomic timekeeping, the world time in 43 cities, two alarms, 1/100 second chronograph, 99 minute countdown timer, a perpetual calendar and more.

Square Face

Dress to impress with a square-faced watch. The perfect addition to formal attire, these timepieces portray sophistication and modern style. This TAG Heuer Monaco watch features simple lines, steel and black Swiss made automatic movement and a black alligator strap.

For Her

It seems as though the boyfriend-style has made its mark on women's watches. A majority of the new selections continue to feature an oversized face and band. In addition, three new trends were prevalent in this season's selections.

White & Gold

Forget traditional silver - the hot items this year feature bold golds and clean whites. Glammed with glitz, the gold Stella watch from Fossil features a shiny gold ion-plated stainless steel bracelet and round case. Dazzling in white, this Michael Kors chronograph watch features a white acetate bracelet and a stainless steel bezel embellished with crystal accents.

Jelly Bands

Sporty and fashionable, the Tahitian Jelly Bean watch from Michele features a dose of playful luxury in an irresistible range of colors. With a bold dial size and a sporty strap and bezel.

Tortoiseshell

One of the newest trends to hit the market, tortoiseshell is one of the most versatile and flattering color schemes available. This Michael Kors watch pairs a toirtoiseshell band with a stainless steel rose gold and glitz case.

Have you seen these styles lately? What do you think? Are any of them around to stay? Which do you like best and which do you hope goes out of style? Sound off in the comments section.