As the new year is well underway, we look at three trends that will rise to the occasion in 2023 and how retailers can tap into each of these categories to maximise store sales.
Leaning into lazy cooking
Lazy cooking means making smart or clever adjustments that make cooking quicker and easier. Healthiness is also an important factor in the current convenience cooking movement. Many online chefs and food influencers make a point of incorporating healthy ingredients and preparations as well as limiting salt and fat.
Role of homewares products:
Handheld kitchen gadgets can greatly reduce time and energy in the kitchen. Now’s a great time to feature clever new devices like FinaMill, an electric spice mill that grinds whole spices of all shapes and sizes and will be launching in Australia soon. Dreamfarm is known for its problem-solving gadgets, which make preparing and cooking food a lot easier, and will be a great addition to your store.
Of course there are slow cookers, pressure cookers, air fryers and countertop grills that help lighten the load as well as artisan Dutch ovens and pizza ovens.
Wellness becomes priority
Better health and wellness are top of the list for 2023 for many people and understanding the importance of wellness to today’s consumers―and exactly what the concept means to them―is an important opportunity not to be overlooked.
Role of homewares products:
Prioritise products that help consumers lead healthy lives. When it comes to physical health, think blenders and juicers; anything that makes healthier alternatives to restaurant or store-bought food or anything that helps us stay healthy on the go.
Know where the money is. Millennials are leading the way in wellness spending (followed by Gen X and Gen Z), and that’s likely to continue for at least the next two to three years.
Find a way to tap into up-and-coming wellness trends like low-intensity workouts, digital detox and snacking for energy/health purposes.
Pets are family
Australians are estimated to be spending over $33 billion annually to keep their pets fed, healthy and well-accessorised.
While the pet boom during Covid has levelled out to a new normal, pet ownership in Australia remains strong with 69 per cent of households across metropolitan, regional and remote Australia now home to one or more pets.
Role of homewares products:
Millennials are driving the new pet trend in several ways, highlighting another opportunity for retailers or brands looking to connect with this generation. For example, millennials are mostly like to give a homewares product as a gift to help a friend or family member celebrate a new pet.
But especially with less time on their hands these days, pet owners can use solutions that make life with pets easier. In the homewares arena, this could include upgraded cleaning products like pet hair remover dryer balls and items to store and organise pet toys.
Portable products like a water bottle for humans with an attached water bowl and food bowl for dogs, can be especially helpful for consumers on the go.
Pets are definitely considered family, which is a good reason for retailers and their suppliers to think about targeting the extended family with more upscale gift products just as they do with newborns.
Those gifts could be homewares items or they could be one of the growing number of pet treats, toys and apparel that can be merchandised alongside home products and gifts.
Source: International Housewares Association
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