Written in partnership with Intermedia Group editor, Michelle Hespe, who attended The Inspired Home Show in Chicago.

The Inspired Home Show in Chicago has come to an end for 2022 with buyers from 84 countries gathering to meet with over 1,000 exhibitors from 40 countries.

While the Show was smaller than previous years, the benefits for those attending were tremendous, according to the International Housewares Association (IHA) president and CEO, Derek Miller.

“On behalf of the IHA Board of Directors and Staff, thank you to everyone who participated in The Inspired Home Show 2022. Best Show Ever – when you hear something once and then twice and then again, it begins to turn into a trendline, and while that may not have been everyone’s experience, it certainly was for many Show participants,” Miller said.

“Many exhibitors expressed they connected with key retailers like never before – they received meetings, and those meetings lasted longer than anticipated. Retailers expressed that they found new companies, brands and products not seen in the past. Yes, 2022 was different, but different can be good – quality over quantity as they say.

“We needed critical mass to get back on track, and with the support we received from both our members and retailers, we were able to create a valuable experience for all who participated. An impactful chapter for IHA and the Show has now closed, and thankfully the page has been turned – the future for the home and housewares industry continues to look bright, and I look forward to moving ahead with you through the rest of 2022 and beyond,” he added.

Pick of the crop from the Show floor

Aeris by iRobot

The aair Lite was a hit, as it is compact, stylish and in colours that are on trend. “People are loving the colours – Nimbus Cloud (pale grey), Quartz Pink (pastel pink), Sailor Blue (a deep, rich blue). It’s also great for bedrooms and small offices, and now with so many people working from home, it adds a nice décor element because it does not look undustrial/office like,” an Aeris by iRobot brand representative said.

The aair Medical Pro and the aair Gas Pro are also stylish and streamlined, so they blend in nicely with a tidy, smart environment. “They are the best-looking air purifiers on the market, but of course also work incredibly well. In times of Covid, it’s more important than ever to keep offices and homes free of pollutants.”    

Jura

Jura was showing off the concept of automatic speciality coffee machines – showcasing the new looks and style with the GIGA 6 and the popular Z10 for the home, and the professional models for cafes and restaurants. One of the big differences is that the Z10 machines are ‘product recognising’.

“It opens up so many options with cold brew specialties a big new trend. This is made possible thanks to the Product Recognising Grinder (P.R.G.), which recognises the chosen speciality and instantly and precisely adjusts the fineness of grind accordingly,” a Jura brand representative said.

Groupe SEB

In 2011, Imusa joined the Groupe SEB portfolio of brands. At the Show, Imusa jumped on the coffee trend, showing off their coffee makers and coffee machines in bright colours such as red, orange and turquoise blue. On the stand, there was also a range of woks and frypans, some in retro colours including mustard, purple, blue and green.

Newell Brands

Mr Coffee was a highlight on the Newell Brands stand as coffee machines see increased household penetration. It’s no longer about performance alone, but also aesthetics.

Rubbermaid was popular too, as it’s all about clean, great storage solutions and with Covid, this segment was bigger than ever.

Newell Brands was also named in Fortune’s 2022 World’s Most Admired Companies list placing among the top six companies in the home equipment, furnishing industry category and 224 overall on the list. The list is the most respected ranking on corporate reputation.

“Newell Brands is proud to be named by Fortune as a most admired company and recognized for the strength of our brands and commitment to operational excellence. Congratulations to our 32,000 employees whose dedication to creating stakeholder value and living our values every day made this achievement possible,” Newell Brands president and CEO, Ravi Saligram said.

Olimpia Splendid

Despite being a small stand, it was one of the ‘coolest’ areas of the show. Olimpia Splendid focuses on innovation and a commitment to creating environmentally friendly products. They are proud of being Italian made and are all about making the office and home comfortable, whether it’s heating or cooling.

“We’ve been operating for 60 years, and our products are available in Australia and New Zealand, where they are popular due the climate conditions,” an Olimpia Splendid brand representative said.