-By Jennifer Strailey

What’s in a color? Stability, truth, transformation, enlightenment, inconspicuous elegance, potential and possibility — these are the feelings and emotions commonly associated with some of the hottest colors in housewares today. And given the state of the economy, their timing is as impeccable as their appearance.

Our editors have walked two major housewares shows in the last few months — Ambiente and the International Home + Housewares Show (IH+HS) — and at both, color was king. While it seems every color from canary yellow to red-hot lava to citrus green is represented, it was darker blues and purple in varying shades, as well as classic black that dominated the new product introduction palette.

Black — A Clean Slate
While some exhibitors at the IH+HS were saying “black is back,” most would argue it never left. “Black is authoritative and powerful,” says color expert and strategist Kate Smith. An authority on using color to communicate in business, Smith says the color black influences us in a physical way, in that it “makes one feel inconspicuous,” and evokes “a sense of potential and possibility.”

Some of the sleek new products wearing black will, no doubt, reveal their potential in specialty stores this year. Consider these introductions from Brabantia and Bialetti.


Brabantia Presents “Mystery”
Brabantia USA, a division of Brabantia BV of the Netherlands, has introduced “Mystery,” a new line of high-style, dramatic steelware for the American market.
This new line of roll-top bread bins, canisters and pedal-operated waste cans features a stunning, eco-inspired design incorporating stark tree branches against a satin backdrop. Available in “Light,” where the tree design appears as black against a white background, or “Dark,” featuring the reverse, Mystery brings design and durability to the modern kitchen. Suggested retail prices start at $10. For more information, visit www.brabantia.com.

The Art of Coffee With Bialetti
Tazzona is the name of the new, whimsical and modern espresso machine from Bialetti. A stunner in black (and equally hip in white and red), the Tazzona is equipped with a powerful 20-bar pump for a more intense and aromatic espresso experience. It also comes with a frothing attachment for making creamy cappuccinos and lattes. A triple function feature allows for ground espresso coffee. Bialetti capsules or pods can also be used. MSRP: $399. For more information, visit www.bialetti.com.

Blue — Stability Seekers
The color of truth, security and stability, peace and harmony, blue is one dependable hue — and just what we need in today’s economy. We saw a sea of blue at both Ambiente and the IH+HS. It was brilliant at Le Creuset, bold at Zak and beautiful at Laura Ashley.


The Perfectly Sized Tagine From Le Creuset
Expore a variety of international flavors with this new Moroccan Tagine named after the vessel itself and the savory stews prepared inside. Vibrant and versatile, the Tagine is sure to spice up any meal. Features include a new, more compact size; vitreous enameled cast iron base for the even distribution of heat; tight-fitting stoneware lid to keep moisture inside; stove-top and oven-safe; refrigerator-, freezer- and dishwasher-safe. This 2-quart Tagine comes in Kiwi, Cherry, Dune, Dijon and Cobalt (featured here). MSRP: $160. For more information, visit www.lecreuset.com.


True Blue From Zak
“All trends are cyclical, and because of the longevity of blue, it still has a strong foothold in the home,” said Carrie Peterson, senior global merchandise director for Zak Designs. “It’s time for blue to come back, but for us, it needed to be fresh,” continued Peterson, noting the company’s move away from turquoise and teals in favor of “a true blue color palette.” Zak Designs introduces kitchen prep products and serveware in True Blue — tranquil hues inspired by the sea and sky. Among the products in the True Blue Collection are colanders and mixing bowls, as well as measuring utensils, serve trays, and airtight canisters. For more information, visit www.zak.com.


Laura Ashley Home
Part of the Traditional Collection, new Nottingham from Laura Ashley Home features a 20-piece dinnerware set with serveware in soft blue and brown — the latter color being associated with reliability, the earth and all things natural and organic. The pretty butterfly decal design in soft blue and brown complements a classic rim shape. The Nottingham Collection is made from porcelain. It is dishwasher- and microwave-safe. The collection comes in a colorful gift box for easy merchandising. The suggested retail is $5.99 to $99.99. For more information, visit www.lauraashley-usa.com.

Purple Reign
The housewares industry is rocking the color purple in shades ranging from lavender to the deepest, darkest grape. Combining the energy of red with the stability of blue, purple is often considered the color of transformation or change. BUILT NY is definitely transforming the way consumers tote their groceries with its new Fishnet Tote in black raspberry, while Emile Henry and Bodum are cooking up excitement with their signature purples.


Fishnet Market Tote
“Black Raspberry is the new black — it’s a sophisticated, grown-up purple,” says John Roscoe Swartz, co-CEO/chief design officer for BUILT NY, which debuted its Fishnet Market Tote in Black Raspberry at the IH+HS. The latest addition to BUILT’s strong, sexy and practical line of neoprene goods, the new Fishnet Market Tote Expandable Shopping Bag is made without vinyl or PVC. This strapping tote is made of lightweight, insulating neoprene and expands up to 50 percent from its original size. It’s also stain-resistant and easy to care for — just hand-wash and drip-dry. The Fishnet Market Tote will be available in June, with an MSRP of $39.99. It comes in Black Raspberry and Nolita Stripe. For more information, visit www.builtny.com.


Hungry for Emile Henry Figue
Figue, a rich Mediterranean purple, is one of the stunning hues in Emile Henry’s Flame¬-Top cookware and Urban ovenware and tableware collections. Emile Henry presents a Flame-Top tagine, stewpots and a brazier in Figue. Like its namesake fruit, Figue is versatile, fun and festive, Old World and modern. Emile Henry’s Urban Collection is a blend of sophisticated shapes and colors: Figue, Sand, Slate, Sky and Nougat. The Collection is made in the heartland of France and features the excellent properties of clay that Emile Henry has been using for over a century-and-a-half. The Urban Collection ovenware items and tabletop items range in retail price from $7 to $60. For more information, visit www.emilehenryusa.com.

The Bistro Toaster by BODUM
Take a retro modern design and a splash of bold color, and you’ve got one hot toaster. The two-slice BISTRO Toaster by BODUM® is designed to toast breads and baked goods to perfection. Features include: 900 watts of power; variable browning and temperature settings; defrost and cancel buttons; built-in, pop-up warming rack for keeping bread, bagels, muffins and croissants warm; adjustable-width toasting slots; removable crumb tray for easy cleaning; and a footed base with cord retainer to adjust cord length and store neatly. Made of stainless steel with a unique, rubberized, colored finish, the BISTRO Toaster promises to brighten up the kitchen. The BISTRO Toaster will be available in summer 2009 in eight stylish colors, including: red, pink, purple, green, black, brown, grey and white. MSRP: $79.95. For more information, visit www.bodumusa.com.

In the House
In addition to color, another trend at both the Ambiente and Housewares shows was manufacturers creating programs and products aimed at helping retailers to sell through these challenging economic times.


All-Clad Summer Barbecue Savings
“After reviewing our assortment, we have developed an exciting limited-time pricing promotion for select All-Clad pieces,” says Melissa Palmer, vice president of marketing communications, Groupe SEB. “We understand the challenges facing our retailers in this economy, and we’re thrilled to be able to give their customers the All-Clad quality they love at competitive prices,” adds Palmer about the price points, which will be available from July 2009 through January 2010.

“Every year, we offer new exclusive promotions to our most loyal specialty store partners,” says Palmer. This year’s program includes a Summer BBQ Set promotion for a suggested retail price of $99 that’s great for Father’s Day and the holiday season. “Because our specialty stores play a critical role in All-Clad’s business, it’s great to be able to deliver exclusives that help differentiate them from other retailers,” she notes. Each tool in the All-Clad BBQ Tool Set with Carrying Case is dishwasher-safe and made with durable 18/10 stainless steel. The protective metal carrying case includes a turner, marinating brush, two-pronged fork and locking tongs. For more information, visit www.allclad.com.

Progressive International Targets Independents
While Progressive International, which specializes in functional, inventive and fun kitchen tools, was founded in the gourmet market, channel manager Wendy Risch admits that as the company grew over these last 35 years, much of its expansion took place in the mass-merchandise arena. A year-and-a-half ago, Risch was charged with revisiting Progressive International’s roots in specialty kitchenware. Today, she is the channel manager dedicated to working exclusively with gourmet independent markets.

“Karin Harding, the vice president of marketing and sales, and I sat down to look at the business,” recalls Risch. “And what we realized was that the gourmet independents had kind of gotten lost in the shuffle.” While Progressive International’s gourmet business was steady, there was room for growth and for better meeting the needs of independents. “We created a multitier action plan to offer independents a different program with terms typical of what we give mass merchandisers — better pricing and things like priority shipping,” she explains.

Risch also interviewed specialty retailers to better understand their needs. “What I learned was that they loved our products, but that they weren’t especially fond of our packaging,” she says. “They thought it looked like packaging for mass merchandisers or grocery.”

When TGR spoke with Risch, she was two weeks out from conducting a survey of 50 independent retailers to ask their opinion of Progressive International’s top-60-selling products in gourmet. Her plan was to determine which products they would most like to see with new, more specialty packaging. From there, she would target five products for repackaging, which would debut at the Gourmet Housewares Show in San Francisco this Aug. 8-10.

In addition to repackaging existing products for the specialty market, Progressive International has hired a new senior product designer who will help the company to introduce three to four new products specifically for the gourmet market each year. For more information on Progressive International’s independents program, e-mail Wendy Risch at wrisch@progressiveintl.com or visit www.progressiveintl.com.

HTI Group Names Dave Lengyel VP
Dave Lengyel has been named the vice president of sales and marketing for the Housewares Training & Information Group (HTI).

Lengyel has an extensive background in the housewares industry, including 11 years as president of the Pfaltzgraff Co. In addition, he has served in sales and marketing leadership roles for a number of leading suppliers, including Salton At Home, Oneida Ltd. and most recently Boston Warehouse Trading Corp.

Lengyel will work with prospective and existing members — from both the retail and vendor communities — to showcase the portfolio of services and program opportunities currently available through HTI membership, which include giving member stores the opportunity to purchase merchandise from selected vendors at buying group discounted prices, a catalog and other sales collateral, networking opportunities, and mentoring/coaching. In addition, Lengyel will develop new products and services for the organization.

In naming him to the post, Robert Coviello, president of HTI, cited Lengyel’s success as a recognized leader with more than 30 years in the industry: “Dave is an experienced manager who, throughout his career, has achieved brand prominence, and is particularly adept at rapid implementation of new strategies. His management style is that of a mentor and coach, which will be very helpful to both retail and vendor members of HTI.”

HTI is a membership group that provides affiliated members of independent kitchenware retailers access to training, information and resources to improve sales and increase profits while maintaining their independence. For more information, contact Bob Coviello at 888-484-3380 or Dave Lengyel at 234-678-9233.

New Products

Meyer Debuts Anolon Nouvelle Copper Cookware
Broadening its assortment of durable, high-performance cookware, Anolon® presents its patented Anolon Nouvelle Copper Cookware. The new cookware incorporates copper — known for its ability to deliver fast and even heat — in a new and innovative manner. Each piece in the new cookware collection, which is constructed of heavy-gauge hard-anodized aluminum, features a thick base of stainless clad aluminum enhanced by a layer of copper. This innovation in hard-anodized cookware increases a pan’s responsiveness to heat and eliminates hot spots that can scorch food and ruin a dish’s flavor. The new line also features a durable nonstick coating and close-fitting, highly polished stainless steel lids. Perfect for range and oven use, Anolon Nouvelle Copper Cookware is oven-safe to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. The Anolon Nouvelle Copper Cookware will be available in both a 10-piece set and in open stock this fall. For more information, visit www.anolon.com.

Peugeot Presents the Clef du Vin
The Clef du Vin or wine key from Peugeot is a handy wine accessory that reveals a wine’s aging potential in an instant. To use the Clef du Vin, simply dip the wand’s end into the wine for one second, then swirl, sniff, and taste again. You will notice a change in the wine’s taste and aroma. Every second the Clef du Vin is in the wine is equivalent to one year’s aging. The effect is cumulative and irreversible. The Professional Collection is made of stainless steel and includes the Professional Pocket model featured here, with an MSRP of $100. For more information, visit www.psp-peugeot-usa.com.


SealSaver Saves Time and Money
Invental Laboratory Inc. presents the SealSaver® Marinator. Easy to use, SealSaver is also a timesaver. In just 20 minutes, SealSaver achieves the equivalent of a 24-hour traditional marinade. SealSaver is available in a set of three canisters — the 80-ounce Marinator for a whole chicken or a 4-pound tri tip, the 48-ounce Marinator for 2 pounds or more of meat or vegetables, and the 24-ounce Marinator, great for a couple of filets or 1 pound of seafood. The Marinators also come with a 40-page marinade recipe book created especially for the SealSaver® Marinator. For more information, visit www.sealsaverfood.com.