It’s all about space–storage space and how to maximize it, that is.
Driven by continued consumer demand to organize at home, manufacturers of storage units are expected to be the big draw at the 101st International Housewares Show that opens Sunday at McCormick Place running through Wednesday.
Some 63,000 exhibitors, U.S. buyers and international attendees from 104 countries are expected to fill hotel rooms and restaurant seats over the next few days, making it one of the largest annual trade shows in the city.
And that is likely to make Richard M. Daley a happy mayor when the show is over.
The show, which is closed to the general public, is expected to pump roughly $95 million into Chicago’s economy during its four-day run, even though finding a hotel room will be virtually impossible for just about anyone without a reservation.
“The city is at maximum capacity,” said Phil Brandl, president of the National Housewares Manufacturers Association based in Rosemont.
Brandl said that, like other industries, 1998 should be a good year for the $53.7 billion U.S. housewares industry, but not as robust as 1997.
“We’re in very stable, core consumer product categories,” Brandl said. “A lot of the growth from the manufacturer perspective is coming through export.
“Our members who rely solely on domestic businesses will do well to outpace inflation,” said Brandl, who noted he expects inflation to sit right at the 3 percent mark for the year.
But in the U.S., “space creation” products will be hot with buyers, who are looking to push more home organizers to American consumers in the coming year.
Included in that group is everything from closet organizers to any type of stackable storage device, show organizers say.
Beside storage, anything casual in the home will also do well in the coming year as consumers appear to be much less formal in how they live, entertain and dine.
Show organizers point out that consumers are opening up more space in their homes by combining the kitchen and family rooms.
Also, with Baby Boomers aging, show organizers expect home health-care products, including vaporizers and blood pressure monitors and healthy cooking items to get a strong look by U.S. retail buyers at the show.
