June 2012 - Oser Communications Group

GOURMET NEWS JUNE 2012 www.gourmetnews.com
GIFTWARE 9
Giftware
Back-to-School Spending
Rivals Winter Holiday Shopping
BY NANCY POWAGA
Back-to-school time brings new products
and trends aimed at returning students.
Students from kindergarten to college can
benefit from the convenience, functionality
and style delivered by back-to-school products.
Manufacturers are producing many
products to help keep back-to-school time
healthy and inexpensive.
In the last few years, parents have made
their children scour their closets and desks
before buying new jeans, pencils or backpacks,
according to the National Retail
Federation. Recent NRF surveys have
shown that families with children in grades
K-12 spent more than $600 on apparel,
school supplies and electronics. Last year,
total spending on grades K-12 was expected
to reach $22.8 billion
with K-12 and college spending
reaching $68.8 billion—
the second biggest consumer
spending event for retailers behind
the winter holidays.
Across the board, Americans
have been packing meals
to school and work—not just
to make their diets more
healthy, but save money, too. A
tasty and nutritious lunch is
something every student
needs in order to thrive. New
healthier school lunch standards
will make for better
meals, but purchasing a daily lunch can
add up. Packing a lunch is an excellent way
for even the most upscale consumer to eat
healthily and on a budget. OXO Good
Grips LockTop Containers offer leakproof,
airtight, snapping lids. These containers are
compatible with freezers, microwaves, and
dishwashers. They are available in 11 sizes
from 2 ounces to as large as 12.5 cups.
These largest containers are perfect for
sandwiches, leftovers, and snacks.
There are also ways for consumers to add
a little vintage fun to their healthy, packed
lunches. According to Meryl Rader, Public
Relations Consultant for Vandor, consumers
are drawn to products that offer
nostalgic connection and personal expression.
This has been the experience of Vandor,
a manufacturer of everyday products
featuring legendary licenses. Vandor reported
a 36 percent increase in revenues for
2011. The company produces drinkware
and stationery featuring iconic figures such
as Star Wars characters, the Beatles, Dr.
Seuss, Hello Kitty and Marvel Comics. Tom
Russo, Vandor CEO, said, “Retro licensed
merchandise had historically been for keepsake
use, so we set out to expand into more
functional, everyday use items, such as
water bottles, travel mugs and recycled
shopper totes.”
Sakar International has launched a collection
of Hello Kitty branded kitchen appliances.
Consumers can serve up hearty,
before-school pancakes
from their
Hello Kitty pancake
maker, or put together
an after-school
snack with the Hello
Kitty ice cream
maker, popcorn popper,
or cotton candy
maker. The college
student will appreciate
the Hello Kitty
dorm refrigerator and
microwave oven.
These products come
in the distinct Hello
Kitty pink color scheme with the global
icon decked out in her trademark bow.
College students love soda and Soda
Stream, the world’s largest manufacturer,
distributor, and marketer or home carbonation
systems, can make their habit
easier, cheaper and healthier. The Soda
Stream carbonates water, to which flavor
is added. This is a great alternative to purchasing
bottles or cans of water or soda at
the store. Sodastream sodamix contains
no high-fructose corn syrup or aspartame
and is therefore healthier than many
store-bought sodas. In addition, SodaStream
is both economical and good for the
environment, as its reusable bottles cut
back on waste. SodaStream soda makers
operate without electricity or batteries,
making them the perfect appliance for
cramped dorm rooms.
For hydration-minded consumers, BZB
Products produces Sharkskinzz, a line of
eco-friendly folding hydration bottles.
Berry Stefel, Brand Manager for Sharkskinzz,
said the children’s product line is
especially relevant to back-to-school
time. These children’s water bottles are
smaller and have no-lose caps that are always
attached. They feature AI film,
which keeps liquids fresher longer. The
bottles aren’t just for water and juices,
Stefel said. Consumers can also pack applesauce
and other purees in their kids’
lunches. In addition, many children collect
and trade these water bottles for their
fun designs.
While the NRF is showing most back-toschool
shoppers start early, about a third
wait until the last minute.
“For retailers,” said Ellen Davis of the
NRF, “it will be important to move merchandise
around in the supply chain, when
possible, to take advantage of sales peaks
as school bells start ringing in different
areas of the country.” GN
KOKUBO EGG SHAPERS
Kokubo Egg Shapers transform ordinary boiled
eggs into delightful shapes that will add an amusing
touch to lunch boxes. Shapes include fish, car, rabbit
and bear. To create a fun-shaped egg, while the
boiled egg is still hot (watch your fingers!), peel the
eggshell, put the peeled egg into the mold and close
the lid gently. Immerse the mold in cold water for
about 10 minutes. Then open the lid and sneak the
shaped egg into a child’s lunch. Instant lunch hero!
Contact Inno-Labs at 620.229.9800 or via
www.inno-labs.com
THERMOS FOOGO
Thermos Foogo Phases drinkware and accessories
will add a fun, fashionable flare to this line of children’s
products for ages 6 months and older. Tripoli,
a gray and green throwback design and Poppy
Patch, a strawberry and black floral print, are great
for parents looking for an alternative to traditional
pink and blue. The vibrant, playfully designed BPAfree
drink cups are offered in double wall vacuum
insulated stainless steel and in Eastman Tritan
copolymer. Foogo drinkware also features three interchangeable
lid types that create 24 possible
drinkware combinations to grow with your child.
Contact Thermos LLC via www.thermos.com.
EVRIHOLDER NESTLÉ
PUZZ-L-MUG
The Puzz-L-Mug is a super cool item featuring
the beloved Nesquik Bunny that doubles as your
favorite drinking mug and fun puzzle all in one!
The wall of the mug is divided into four sections,
two of which rotate, so they can be twisted and
turned until all the levels match up and the
Nesquik Bunny graphic is revealed. Puzz-L-Mug
is hand washable and made from BPA-free foodsafe
plastic. SRP: $3.99
Contact Evriholder Products at 800.975.0335 or
via www.evriholder.com.
ALADDIN INSULATED
TO-GO FOOD CONTAINER
New from Aladdin are the 12-ounce and 24-ounce
Insulated To-Go Food Containers that allow you to
make your own take-out. Both are double-wall insulated
to allow food to stay hotter longer and feature
see-through lids. An internal divider allows
your lunch items to stay separate. Need to microwave
your lunch? Go ahead and zap it, as the
microwave-safe container stays cool to the touch.
The containers are leak-proof and dishwasher
safe. SRP: $12.99 (24-ounce), $9.99 (12-ounce)
Contact Aladdin via www.aladdin-pmi.com.