Merchandise Monday: Trends from Toy Fair 2013

      

The 110th American International Toy Fair drew nearly 20,000 retailers, wholesalers, importers, buying groups and trade guests to scope out 150,000 innovative toys, games and youth entertainment products across a record-breaking 375,000 net square feet of exhibit space.

Toy Fair 2013 took place February 10-13 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City, and Hinda merchandising director LeeAnn Schumacher hit the show floor to report back on the trends she sees taking place this year and as we move into the future.

To begin, we can expect to see games and gadgets that evoke a memory. Classic toys, nostalgic products and vintage items will be popping up on the toy shelves this year. For example, Power Rangers is celebrating its 20^th anniversary, while the Cabbage Patch Kid® doll turns 30. Also, remember the Fisher-Price® record player? It’s back!

Reality TV seems to be influencing toys kids want to play with. Available at Toy Fair this year were “Project Runway” and “American Idol”-inspired items such as the Project Runway® Fashion Design Light-Box Set and the Kidz Bop Glammerati™ Mini Melody Microphone. These toys let kids tap into their creativity and individuality and keep them entertained when their favorite shows aren’t airing.

Toymakers are finding ways to leverage technology, as many physical toys now share an online component. For example, Skylanders™ is the combination of video games and figurines and lets players explore two worlds at the same time.

This will make parents happy:  teens and ‘tweens still want outdoor activities and board games - it’s not all about electronics and smartphones! Board games are now based on apps – such as “Words with Friends” and “Farmville,” – and branded with pop culture figures. It’s all about capturing young adult eyes and holding their attention long enough to keep them coming back.

Following this “offline fun” trend, 2012 saw a 20 percent uptick in the building set category. From classic building blocks to other types of building sets, expect new innovations and an increasing number of new licenses. Lego® has introduced several new lines, including Friends, Legends of Chima and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles®, while Mega Bloks® is also is the forefront, launching Barbie™ Pool Party.

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

Since 1995, the first Friday of March has been designated Employee Appreciation Day! Why not go the extra mile today for those who go the extra mile (or more) for your business? Here are some ideas:

• Treat your employees to lunch
• Take your team out for happy hour (it's Friday, after all)
• Let them take off early - with pay
• Hire a massage therapist, chef or yoga instructor to come into the office
• Leave flowers, candy or a personal note on your employees’ desks
• Sports and movie tickets and other entertainment rewards are always appreciated

Recognition is a powerful motivator, and it will mean a lot to your staff if you do something nice to thank them for all their hard work.

Who knows? Maybe they'll actually remember Boss's Day this year!

Superstorm Sandy, Safety Incentives and Spot Recognition

Hurricane Sandy, the superstorm that pummeled the Northeast late last October, left an incredible wake of destruction in its path. From massive power outages to fires to flattened buildings, Sandy showed no mercy – but she did create a perfect opportunity for local safety and recovery professionals and emergency response teams to shine.

Incentive Magazine covers this topic in its January/February 2013 issue. “A Safe Recovery” by Andrea Doyle talks about how safety incentives played an important role in East Coast efforts to rebuild after Sandy. Hinda relationship manager Linda Wodele offered some insight on the importance of safety incentives, both with regard to Sandy and in other facets.

“The most successful safety incentive programs have successful safety habits at their core,” she says. “People are creatures of habit and fall back on what they know. If their habits are strong, they will hold up in a crisis situation such as Hurricane Sandy and the groundwork for working safely will be in place.

“We have seen an uptick of at least 15 to 20 percent in safety incentives in the last year,” she continues. “[Hinda’s] safety solutions take a behavioral approach to remind people to do the right thing on a daily basis.”

Reinforcing behavior is a great way to spread a culture of safety and instill safe habits within employees’ daily lives. An effective method for reinforcing behavior is with spot recognition – one example of which is Hinda’s “Scratch and Win” cards, which are pre-loaded with points that can be redeemed for merchandise.

“These types of awards are particularly popular as they encourage companies to take a preventative, day-to-day approach to safety,” Wodele says.

Michael Kelleher, Director of Sales and Operations for Kelleher Enterprises (Ann Arbor, MI), and a partner of Hinda, agrees and confirms the importance of having a culture of safety in place.

“The firms that have successful safety programs in place will be at an advantage because their employees will have safety protocol engrained in their daily work,” he says. “Safety incentive programs can effectively complement the training and communication programs that firms use to influence the behaviors of their employees while on the job.”

What does your company do to ensure a culture of safety among its employees? Does your company recognize its employees for following a high standard of safety protocol? Talk to Hinda if you’d like to learn more about how we can help establish a safety incentives program at your company, and read more about this topic here.

Merchandise Monday: New Partner – Broil King®

Hinda is happy to announce that we will now be offering items from Broil King in our awards assortment! It might not be quite grilling season yet, but there’s no reason not to get a jump-start on checking out new grills or stocking up on tools and accessories. These great new products will be available for redemption beginning in March!

Baron™ 320 and 490 Gas Grill LP/NG

The all new Baron series from Broil King offers both power and performance in a variety of sizes to suit the avid griller. The Barons include standard premium stainless steel features like a durable lid, drop down side shelves, control panel, handles and cabinet door.  You’ll be deemed the baron of backyard barbecuing when you show off your grilling skills on one of these beauties!

Deep Dish Wok

The professional wok topper is constructed from 1.2mm high-grade stainless steel. Its oversized design gives you more cooking space while its deep dish keeps foods contained within the wok. Oversized stainless steel 10mm handles and raised square perforation holes add to the rigidity of the design and raised perforations help keep food from sticking.

Imperial™ XL Gas Grill LP/NG

Inspired by professional cooking appliances and designed for the true outdoor grilling enthusiast, the newly refined Imperial™ XL enables you to truly enjoy the finer moments with friends and family. The Imperial XL features two totally independent cooking ovens which provide unmatched ease of use, as well as a slew of functional and fashionable features that will keep your guests coming back!

Keg

Introducing the new Keg, Broil King’s double steel walled and insulated kamado style smoker and convection grill that comes fully loaded right out of the box. Features include 480 sq. in. of total cooking area, removable side shelves, a durable stand with large wheels and trailer-hitch compatibility. What are you waiting for? Expand your barbecue experience with the Keg.

Pizza Stone Grill Set

The professional pizza stone set includes a resilient pizza stone able to withstand rapid temperature changes, a 1.2mm high-grade stainless steel cradle with integrated thermometer and 10 mm handles and a wooden pizza peel. The cradle is also designed to keep the pizza from sliding off the stone while removing it from the grill with the peel.

Professional 4-Piece Tool Set

The professional 4-piece barbecue tool set features a durable design tough enough for even the most demanding griller. It features large Bakelite handles with sleek stainless inlays over extra-thick 1.8 mm stainless steel one-piece tools – the ideal fusion of functionality and durability. Set includes a turner, locking tong, silicone basting brush and barbecue grill brush.

Signet™ 20 Gas Grill LP/NG

The Signet™ series is one of Broil King’s most popular gas grills and offers over 600 sq. in. total cooking space. With three stainless steel Dual-Tube™ burners, you can cook a variety of foods at the same time. The quality Therma-Cast™ aluminum oven retains heat and is perfect for convection cooking large roasts or even your holiday turkey. Grill like a pro and display your sense of style!

Merchandise Monday: Food for Thought

This time of year, food is always on everyone’s mind. What’s going to warm you up and stick to your ribs as we trudge through the final five or so weeks of winter? Well, these delicious offerings from Omaha Steaks® ought to do the trick!

Whether you purchase them as a gift or as a treat for yourself, nothing satisfied quite like a juicy steak – perhaps with a nice hot baked potato or roasted veggies on the side? Top it all off with a slice of New York cheesecake, and you’ll be ready to hibernate right through the rest of winter!

Private Reserve® Top Sirloin Combo

Unparalleled flavor and juiciness are the hallmark of Omaha Steak’s Private Reserve Top Sirloins. The thick, flavorful Gourmet Burgers are ground from Omaha Steak’s premium lean beef and won't shrink up like the supermarket ones! The package includes four 8-ounce sirloins and eight 5-ounce gourmet burgers. Makes a great gift for the meat-lover in your life! 

The International

The International from Omaha Steaks includes two 5-ounce filets and two 9-ounce strips and makes a great gift! This popular duo includes the elegant Filet Mignon and the classic Boneless Strip. It makes an enjoyable treat for family, friends and business associates.

Steak Filets, Burgers and Seasoning

Turn your backyard barbecue into a sizzling sensation with world-famous Omaha Steaks Filet Mignons, juicy Gourmet Burgers and Steak Seasoning. Your guests are guaranteed to be thrilled, and you’re guaranteed rave reviews! Package includes four 6-ounce Filet Mignons, four 4-ounce Gourmet Burgers and a 3.5-ounce jar of Omaha Steaks Signature Seasoning – a great gift for the food-lover or pit-master in your life!

New York Cheesecake

This authentic New York Cheesecake is a real treat. Baked with pure cream cheese, the legendary New York Cheesecake is deliciously rich and creamy. Each melt-in-your mouth bite is like a little piece of heaven. This 6-inch cheesecake serves six, but we won’t tell if you decide not to share.

Whether you’re a carnivore or dessert-lover – or both – Hinda has everything you need to make the rest of winter delicious!

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.

Your Monthly Check-Up: Stressed Out?

Work-related stress is not a new concept, but what exactly are the implications of being stressed out at work or due to workplace factors? A recent article in Incentive Magazine addresses this issue.

In “Worker Stress is a Top Concern,” writer Alex Palmer focuses the results of a new report by UK-based health insurance company Aviva, which shows that employers are starting to take the health of their employees into greater consideration.

About two-thirds (65 percent) of employers say it’s more important than ever to protect the health of their employees, with 43 percent offering programs to encourage work-life balance, 21 percent promoting healthy eating and the same amount offering  cycle-to-work programs. These efforts have had an impact on employees: 57 percent said that if they feel healthy, they are more productive at work, while 52 percent believe that they are more loyal to a company that helped them look after their health.

While the focus on employees’ health is improving, stress is still a top concern, according to the report. Palmer’s article states that more than half – about 53 percent – of employees responded that stress is a problem within their places of employment.

“Over the years we’ve seen an increased appetite for workplace well-being,” says Mark Noble, health director for UK Life for Aviva, in the report as quoted in Palmer’s article. “Moreover, we’ve seen a gradual recognition of the importance of putting proactive solutions into place to help keep employees healthy and aid early intervention.”

Increased expectations within many of these jobs may be part of the reason for this motivation toward healthier lifestyles, according to Palmer. For some employers, it is becoming a necessity for their employees to work harder and put in more hours, which makes a case for maintaining optimal health by practicing healthy habits.

Underestimating job requirements may also be leading to increased employee stress. According to Palmer’s article, “55 percent of employees report that a high-pressure work environment has become the norm, compared to just 26 percent of employers who said the same.”

What kinds of practices are in place to help offset the effects of stress in your office? Do your employers actively promote healthy habits both at work and at home? What personal tactics do you take when you feel the effects of stress creeping in that could potentially help some of your employees or coworkers? Talk to us in the “Comments” section below!