Oser Communications Group

GENERAL NEWS www.kitchenwarenews.com ■ JUNE 2014 ■ KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW 5 in demand f rom the entr y into new markets, Johnson believes that supply problem s have been solved, and American retailers can expect to be able to keep Charles Viancin products stocked. "Supply has been an issue for the company in the past, but the warehouse is stocked to the brim so that everyday best sellers will be supplied with ease to American customers," Johnson continued. "Any company experiencing exponential growth will have supply issues. We stocked ourselves appropriately at the end of December and in January to improve our performance and keep up customer service levels." In addition to the expansion into new markets, the company has also ramped up its product development with new introductions at January gift markets and again at the IH+HS in March that doubled the company 's product line. More introductions are coming up again in June. Recent introductions have explored new directions for the company, with bottle markers and coasters introduced in January to extend the company's barware collection, which had previously comprised of bottle stoppers, drink covers and a small cutting board. "We had particularly strong item introductions in the bar ware categor y. Bottle stoppers were a huge success in the marketplace," Johnson said. " We took a look at that and used the existing designs to create the bottle markers and coasters." Cherry Blossom bowl covers, a clean design of white and blush pink in the natural tones of cherry blossoms, were also introduced in January to appeal to a classically conservative color aesthetic. " We pulled ourselves to a little bit more of a clean aesthetic with the Cherr y Blossom," Johnson said. "Cherry Blossom has this very clean but pretty aesthetic that we think will appeal to a portion of the market that thought we were too bright." For this spring and summer, though, Charles Viancin is offering bountiful color once again with vivid floral tones for the silicone bowl covers, including the Winter Berry holiday seasonal pattern, which will be available in September, and brighter coloring for the Pumpkin pattern. The company also introduced a new Gourd pattern in March to coordinate with the Pumpkin. "In creating the gourd, we uses silicone coloring techniques that have never been seen in the marketplace before. Every one will be different," Johnson says. "Just like real gourds, every single one of the lids will have variations to them." Both the new Pumpkin and Gourd pattern will be available in July. The company also debuted a series of polypropylene bowls at the housewares show. "We manufacture products that go on bowls, so it just made sense to make a bowl," Johnson said. Poppy pattern bowl covers, previously an exclusive design, will be available to all American retailers in June. "The products are beautiful, and we look for things that will sell to our target consumer, which we predict is 90 percent women. Women love our product," Johnson said. " The excitement from the female consumer drew me into the product. It's a big part of our success." All of the products are designed in France and manufactured in China, where Charles Viancin has members of the company's own staff on site to ensure that rigorous quality standards are met. "We have an office in Hong Kong and people employed by us in the factory that we work with under very strict quality controls," Johnson said. "We have started purchasing our own raw materials and providing them to our factor y to be sure that we're maintaining the quality level that our customers insist on and that we want to provide." Johnson is tight-lipped about what we can expect from the company in the near future, but talks are currently under way for co-branding deals that will involve making products under other company's brand names as well as products that will ally the Charles Viancin name with other brands. In terms of its own product development, the company is thinking about products for the bath as well as the kitchen, looking at other materials, such as the polypropylene used in the bowls introduced this year, and still exploring what it can do with silicone, inspired by artists who are excited by the material as a medium for their creativity and by American consumers who are increasingly willing to accept silicone in their kitchens. "There are many companies doing very creative, very beautiful things in this material. The material allows for so much creativity. It's a new medium for the artists in our industry," Johnson said. "I happen to work with one of those artists, and he likes to paint in silicone." Charles Viancin (Cont. from Page 1) A comprehensive, five-day series of educational sessions and special events will add extra value to the Market experience during the summer edition of NY NOW™, the Market for Home + Lifestyle, August 16-20, 2014, at New York City's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal's Pier 94. Beyond education and events, NY NOW also will offer inspiration and insights through a series of awards for product excellence and special feature displays. Retailer-focused programming includes expert-led sessions on design and color trends, digital marketing and social media, importing, sustainability, retail strategies and more. Industry events and "Only in New York" experiences include the 63rd Annual Retailer Excellence Awards and a "Night on Broadway" featuring BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL. A full seminar and event schedule is available online at www.nynow.com/programs and advance pricing discounts are in effect through August 12. "NY NOW programming is designed to cover content – from trends to technology – pertinent to home and lifestyle retailers today," said Christian Falkenberg, NY NOW director and senior vice president. "NY NOW also offers access to a series of after-hours networking and social events which add value to the New York City Market Week experience." The NY NOW seminar series perfectly complements the Market's four product collections – HANDMADE, HOME, LIFESTYLE and NEW! The HANDMADE track includes five "Power Hour" sessions hosted by CRAFT (Craft Retailers & Artists for Tomorrow) covering social media, blogging, content marketing and email marketing. On August 18, METROPOLIS moderates a panel session on "The Maker Movement – Forging A New Paradigm." Additionally, as part of Artisan Resource® which runs concurrently with NY NOW, "Importing 101" sessions will be presented daily (August 16-20) at Pier 94. Within the HOME track, ART (The Creative Home Furnishings Network) presents "Retail Layout – The Secret To Stronger Sales" on August 17; New York City's International Furnishings & Design Association (IFDA) hosts "Color Forecast: 2014 and Beyond" on August 18; and the Fashion Group International continues its "Frontliner Series" with "Designing Lifestyle," sponsored by Traditional Home on August 19. For the LIFESTYLE track, the Day Spa Association will host a first-ever "Spa-ctacular" Exhibit Floor Tour, on August 17, featuring "can't miss" products and suppliers for spa retail. "Start, Grow or Expand Your Business with a Pop Up Shop, hosted by Specialty Retail Report" will explore temporary retailing – whether a "store within a store," trunk show or off-premise retailing – and the "pop up" shop phenomenon on August 17. The GHTA Industry Summit presents a roundtable dialogue on August 18, titled "Embracing the New Normal: An Environment Rich in Possibilities," as a precursor to GHTA's 2014 Conference in November. New ideas, strategic insights, and business- building inspiration will be explored through Five-Day Educational and Event Program at NY NOW the NEW track. On August 16 and 17, NY NOW, Giftware News and Baby & Kids present "Keeping It Fresh: Tips to Engage Customers, Excite Staff and Increase Sales." A half-day Museum Store Association program, "Planning with Intention: Thinking Strategically about Your Store's Future," will be offered on August 17. "Year-Round Retail Events To Drive Traffic & Boost Sales," hosted by GIFT SHOP on August 18, will address themes and tools needed to plan, promote and host memorable events. IRCE Focus will present a two-part series on August 18 and 19: "7 Ways to "Out-Ninja" Amazon," and "Hit Your Holiday Sales Goals with Targeted Email Marketing." Buyer hospitality during NY NOW will include daily "Fresh Start Breakfasts," from 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m., and Happy Hour Receptions, from 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., at Pier 94. In addition, the concurrent Artisan Resource®, which offers U.S.-based volume importers, direct import retailers and wholesalers the opportunity to meet with international artisanal producers, will host a free Welcome Reception on its opening day, August 16. Two highly-anticipated after-hours special events also are planned for market week. On August 17, the 63rd Annual Retailer Excellence Awards recognize excellence in retailing and individual achievement, culminating with the presentation of Gift for Life's 2014 Industry Achievement Award. On August 19, specially- priced tickets are available for "A Night on Broadway" featuring BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL. In addition to these evening events, NY Market participants are also eligible for complimentary admission and a 20 percent shopping discount (on full priced items) to MAD (Museum of Arts and Design) during Market Week with a summer 2014 badge. Beyond events and education, NY NOW will feature four special products displays, including the third annual "Open House" Display, sponsored by Progressive Business Media and One King's Lane to showcase home products reflective of four key 2014-15 trend areas. Three other exhibits presented at Javits Center include the "Made in USA" display of both handmade and factory-produced American-made products; the SustainAbility: design for a better world display featuring eco-friendly and socially-responsible home and lifestyle products; and a NEW! Preview showcasing products from exhibitors at Pier 94. Superlative product design and innovation will be recognized in four categories: Baby + Child, Personal Care + Wellness, Home Textiles and Gourmet Housewares, and popular voting will determine. Eco Choice Awards in three categories – Most Sellable, Most Innovative and Most Sensitive Use of Materials. The Accent on Design® Awards and the Accent on Design "Bloggers' Choice Awards" also will return to recognize excellence in contemporary home and lifestyle product design, and the ASID NY Metro Chapter's "Best of the Best" Awards will recognize HOME exhibitors for product excellence in seven categories. The summer 2014 edition of NY NOW, the Market for Home + Lifestyle, will run Saturday, August 16, through Wednesday, August 20, 2014, at New York City's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Pier 94. NY NOW's four comprehensive collections – HOME, LIFESTYLE, HANDMADE and NEW! – will encompass 100,000 products in 400+ product categories. Some 33,000 attendees from all 50 states and more than 80 countries worldwide are expected. Information and registration is available online at www.nynow.com

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