Exclusively Digital Week (which began on Monday July 6) is delivering a series of insightful webinars, along with new product launches and supplier debuts. The trio of Trend Talks presented by Scarlet Opus’ Phil Pond includes ‘Eco-Living,’ which – Phil stressed – is “not a trend” but a new way of living.
“The global pandemic has fast forwarded this movement by five years,” stated Phil. “We’ve got to start running again as businesses to catch up with consumers.”
Showing that you understand this shift is “crucial” (“regardless of recession”), emphasised Phil. He quoted Mark Carney, former governor of the Bank of England, who said in 2019: “Firms ignoring the climate crisis will go bankrupt.”
Phil discussed changing consumer behaviour, such as the inventiveness of home bakers in what is now the “hour of flour,” and the rise of “grow your own,” as well as the increase in plant-based foods. He provided plenty of ideas for retailers and suppliers, including re-formatting old products, and some exciting innovations using food waste and marine products that are being applied to packaging and housewares.
Via social media and blogs – as well as the under-used medium of window display – retailers can show that they are siding with consumers in the journey towards sustainability. Phil suggested that retailers could link up with a local college to create a thought provoking window display on the theme of sustainability, “rather than just another window full of products that people walk by.”
Phil highlighted products from Exclusively exhibitors, such as Samuel Groves’ “pan for life” service (whereby the Birmingham-based manufacturer will replace rivets and re-coat pans) as well as GastroMax Bio (made from sugar cane ethonal and spruce) from Orthex Group, Kilner’s Nut Milk Making Set from The Rayware Group and Allinox’s Kitchen Fun Discover Pan (with packaging that becomes a pan protector) and Black + Blum’s new glass food pots. He also showcased ranges that recognised “conscious consumption” – such as T&G’s Ocean range donations to Plastic Oceans and Bee Bee Wrap’s donations for the NHS.
To see a selection of Eco-Living products that are recommended as “On Trend” by Scarlet Opus, visit https://www.exclusivelyshows.co.uk/eco-living
To view videos on each of the three buying trends, see https://www.exclusivelyshows.co.uk/videos
Recordings of Exclusively’s webinars will also be available on the Exclusively Digital site from next week.
Top: Scarlet Opus has selected On Trend products from Exclusively Digital’s exhibitors.
