Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 15, 1995 TAG: 9502160010
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SANDRA BROWN KELLY
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Dog collars with flashing lights, snap-together fake bricks with lighted joints and an electronic salt-and-pepper mill were among the new and almost-new products pushed at the annual International Housewares Show in Chicago.
The show, which drew more than 15,000 retailers last month, featured more than 13 miles of displays from 2,000 manufacturers.
Success there depends on having a gadget that is fun or practical or both - and that works, said Tim Sennett, whose company sells the electronic salt-and-pepper mill. The battery-operated grinders have been popular since they were introduced several years ago, so this time a pepper mill with a wood-grain finish was added to the line.
The mills are the kind of product that "if we could give one to everyone in America, everyone would want one," he said. "It works, first of all, and it's a gadget."
Sennett, vice president of The Bakertowne Co. in West Hempstead, N.Y., said the company's hottest new item, however, was the Thick 'n' Thin Cheese Slicer. One side slices thin and the other ...
"It's hard to get a handle on the exact number of products displayed, but it's probably a million," said Debbie Teschke, manager of media relations and publications for the show.
Some manufacturers bring prototypes of products to gauge retailers' interest; others show products introduced months ago but in need of broader markets, she said.
"We had some very creative manufacturers out there," she said Tuesday.
She's not kidding.
A sampling of displayed products can be broken into several categories, but the two that come to mind are ``I Might Get This With My Lottery Winnings'' and ``What A Great Idea!''
The frivolous lottery purchases first:
Warm & Dry Towel-Warming Bar from Lyons Industries comes equipped with a 1,250-watt electric heater and two blower airflow speeds with shock-protector. It is designed to be used in pool houses, around hot tubs, or packed to go along to a lake cottage. This product dries a wet towel, allowing it to be reused and cutting down on mildew. It costs about $60 at retail. It is, as billed in promotional literature, the "luxury of a bygone era."
Oral-B Plaque Remover Duo so that couples who brush together, or travel separately, or just want their own plaque removal wand, can be happy. Cost: $99.99. For a single, or the person who wants to brush alone, comes a $79.99 Oral-B model that comes with a built-in two-minute timer to tell you how long to brush.
A "Patterning Toaster" that imprints your bread with three different designs, including "Good Morning" with a shining sun, and "Happy Birthday" with cake and candle. Cost: a lot of bread - $59.90.
Body Fat Analyzer/Scale from Tanita is a portable, battery-operated device that in 30 seconds can tell you your weight and body fat. Suggested retail: $500.
Aloe Vera Pet Drink, an all-natural Geritol-like designer drink for Rover and Rovette, is said to regulate digestion, improve coat and skin and even freshen breath and clean teeth. It's from Protect-a-Pet Inc. A month's supply costs $12.95.
Now, here are some items worth straining the budget for:
Magic Sliders were introduced in 1992, but new sizes of little rounds and squares are available for use under heavy appliances and furniture so pieces weighing up to 3,200 pounds can be moved easily. The sliders also protect floors. More than 5 million of them have been sold at less than $10 per package.
Eco-Litter & Box, a self-contained, disposable, all-in-one litter and box that can be used at home, but is perfect for traveling cats. Housekeepers Products says the price of the boxes is comparable to clumping litters.
Freedom Hanger, by McDowell Bros., has a swing-out pants hanger that lets you remove the pants while leaving the jacket in place.
"Open Up," an automatic jar and bottle opener from Appliance Science Corp., gives strength to cooks with weak hands or someone suffering from arthritis. It can be mounted under a cabinet and should retail at about $40. The appliance was designed by an Illinois farmer for his wife and dentist, both of whom had weakening hands. Appliance Science was formed in August 1990 to market what it describes as "technically innovative" small household appliances.
Good Grips, another helping product, features big rubber handles designed for comfort and appearance. Three of the items are in the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The maker is Oxo International.
"Neuro Fuzzy" Rice Cooker & Warmer by Zojirushi also has a gallery-level design, but at close to $300 has an arty price, so as a product it falls between the luxury and gotta-have categories. It's darned cute, though, and can be preprogrammed up to 13 hours in advance.
Want more? Contact reporter Kelly at 981-3393, 1-800-346-1234, x393, or at sandrakinfi.net.
by CNB