By Vicki Matranga
Design Programs Coordinator
As a vice-president and innovation predictor for Sphere Trending, Susan Yashinsky works to infuse an understanding of macro trends occurring within society with retail experience to bring innovative insights for GAP opportunities for products, services and client growth. Yashinsky, who joined the trend forecasting company in 2002, provides 30+ years of strategic consulting, including innovation based on macro trends covering consumers, society, technology, retail, environment and marketing.
Susan, what is the most exciting or rewarding part of your work?
The most exciting part of my work is involvement in a wide variety of industries, from hospitality to retail and manufacturing across many categories. We are in an age of constant change due to the influence of technology and keeping abreast of trends that will impact consumer spending, no matter what the industry, is exciting. My inspiration comes from many resources, including extensive trendspotting at tradeshows and city explorations, as well as conferences, books and research.
In the past few years, what has changed most in your business? How has your company met these challenges in the way you do your work?
What have changed most in our business are the magnitude of information available, as well as the diversity of influences affecting consumer spending. Our company continues to excel in the curation of data to find the relevant GAP opportunities for each company as they compete in a new 21st century world of modest spending but high expectations.
Why did you choose to speak at the International Home + Housewares Show?
I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to speak frequently at the International Home + Housewares Show and our company’s insights always prove worthwhile to the attending audience. Moreover, as a former housewares buyer and DMM, this Show has always been important to me for trend research and product innovation.
Tell us what you will be speaking about and how and this topic is important for Show audiences.
My topic this year is “The Forever Home” and it speaks to a new consumer mentality surrounding increasing longevity in our residences. This has huge implications for product as well as home design. The home of the 20th century is no longer relevant to today’s lifestyles, and we will identify key changes that are occurring which offer interesting opportunities.
The Forever Home
Innovation Theater
Lakeside Center, Room E350
March 7, Monday, 9:30 – 10:20 am
What do you see as consumers’ biggest concerns regarding housewares products?
There are so many new factors at play for consumers – smaller dwellings, unique household compositions, limited discretionary income – that industries, including houseware, have to understand and offer innovative solutions. Today’s consumer is very comfortable living with less, so the bar for inspiration is very high.
What are some of today’s trends or issues that new product development professionals and/or retailers face in the housewares market?
They need to understand generational diversity as we have for the first time four active adult homeowners in the marketplace, and they need to be realistic about economic challenges that will affect future spending. Today’s housewares company has to look for influences beyond the home, to commercial entities like workspaces, hotels and restaurants—all are setting new trends that are migrating into the home.
Thank you, Susan. Your insightful and inspiring visual presentations attract a loyal and engaged audience. We look forward to your analysis of today’s trends that are changing how we live – at home and outside the home. We look forward to learning from you on Monday March 7 at 9:30 am in the Innovation Theater.
To learn more about Susan’s work, contact
Susan Yashinsky, VP Innovation Trends
syashinsky@spheretrending.com
www.spheretrending.com
The four days of the 2016 International Home + Housewares Show will be packed with events and education. To help you plan your valuable time at the Show, we introduce you to the speakers and the 21 exciting presentations that will take place in the Innovation Theater in the Lakeside Center. Gain cutting edge insights that you can apply to your work. All programs are audio-recorded and will be available at www.housewares.org after the Show.
