1995 Ad

Discount Store News, Jan 16, 1995 by Michele Hollow

NATIONWIDE DSN REPORT -- Vendors at the 1995 International Housewares Show will be singing the blues. All shades of blue, that is, from cobalt blue to midnight blue. These colors and more will appear on dinnerware and glassware from numerous manufacturers, and ultimately, on retailer's shelves. Those with hunter introductions don't have to be envious, since green is still the reigning color.

Green themes will also be strong this year as designs inspired by Mother Nature appear on a wide range of tabletop goods, from dinnerware to glassware and even accessories.

Coordination will be a major theme in 1995. Both suppliers and retailers view coordinated programs as the driving force behind add-on sales.

"I'm looking for new trends and colors in dinnerware," said Roger Shandley, senior buyer of housewares at McCrory. "Hunter green is still important to us and we will introduce some blue and cranberry glassware and green and blue dinnerware."

Value is important at McCrory. Shandley said he will be searching for "interesting designs that are value priced.

The combo sets category is especially strong for us. There seems to be more product available for us to promote. Manufacturers are price conscious."

For the coming months, McCrory will carry more glass coffee pots and tea kettles as well as cookware and bakeware on its shelves. In the warmer months, ice tea tumblers will be highly visible.

Sharply priced goods with contemporary designs are also important at Stuarts.

"We are looking specifically for moderately priced goods," said Newt Hildonen, merchandise manager at Stuarts, noting that accessory items are particularly important to his customers. "Our customers buy them, so it is an item I will definitely look for at the show." Accessories include everything from platters, serving bowls, cafe au lait and demitasse sets, ovenware and even serving utensils.

Overall, though, color and design will headline this Housewares Show, especially softer shades of green that have been available and various shades of deep blue.

"Yellow is being added to soften and lighten green," said Steven Alamin, vice president of merchandising at Anchor Hocking Glass Co. "The trend in dinnerware is to lighten the green palate."

Anchor Hocking is introducing several blue and green patterns to this market. A good example is in its new Carousel glassware line. The colors are clear, sapphire and spearmint. Carousel, which comes in rock-, beverage- and tea-size glasses, is a tulip-shaped swirl design with a wide opening. Sold in four-packs, open stock and 18-piece sets, Carousel will be promotionally priced.

Anchor Hocking is also introducing a cobalt blue ovenware accessory package. "Designed with kitchen convenience in mind, it gives the homemaker the opportunity to take food from the oven to the table," Alamin said. "This cobalt blue glass set also addresses the blue theme, which is a major fashion statement in this market."

The cobalt set comes in two-quart casserole and baking dish with covers, a three-quart baking dish, a three-piece mixing bowl set and an 8-in.-sq. cake dish.

"Blue is making a big comeback," said Marsha Everton, vice president of marketing at Pfaltzgraff Co.

Pfaltzgraff is introducing a cerulean blue pinwheel pattern. It is the same motif as its popular black pinwheel dinnerware pattern. "It's a real handicrafted look," Everton said.

The rim of the plate is glossy on a matte background. This set will be available in five- and 20- piece settings. "We have found that we do well with the individual five-piece place sets," Everton said.

The pinwheel design has a handcrafted look. Handcrafted is another buzzword that will be repeated often at the show.

Many manufacturers are showing handpainted dinnerware. Retailers will be pleased that prices for some 16-piece handpainted sets will start as low as $19.99.

"The trick is to introduce value-priced handpainted dinnerware," said Clay Farnsworth, executive vice president of sales for Newcor.

Newcor will introduce several 16- and 20-piece handpainted sets retailing at $29.99--with promotions at $19.99.

Another trend that incorporates blues and greens is gardening. Signature Housewares is putting a primary focus on a pattern called Country Garden. "We have seen gardening as a popular design trend in other areas of home design," said Wayne Ploesch, vice president at Signature Housewares.

Country Garden, a fully accessorized line, will feature flowers and gardening tools. Two other patterns, one called Tulip Gardens and the other, Flower Garden, will feature a new technique, according to Ploesch.

"The unique aspect to these designs is that we are using a photo decal-type process on our dinner plates and accessories," he noted." "The photos of a tulip garden and flower garden are actual photos."

Price points have not been decided upon yet, but Ploesch said that retailer reaction has been "very positive."

As a continuation of gardening, fruit patterns--especially raspberries, blueberries and strawberries--will crop up on many dinnerware patterns. Tienshan Inc. will introduce 20-piece dinnerware sets called The Berry Social Group. "The designs of raspberries, blueberries and strawberries will have an upscale style," said Richard Kane, Tienshan's national sales manager.