Tuesday, September 15th |  5:00 PM - 5:45 PM

This is a great networking event, giving participants the opportunity to discuss relevant industry topics in a roundtable format with fellow industry professionals.
Over the 45 minutes, participants can choose a table with an assigned topic to discuss. After 20 minutes, we will pause and ask everyone to switch to a second table topic. 

***If you are interested in moderating, please contact Sarah Davidson sdavidson@ecrm.marketgate.com

Consumers:

• What shifts in consumer behavior are having the biggest impact on the housewares category today?
• What emerging lifestyle trends should retailers and suppliers prepare for over the next 2–3 years?
• How are consumers defining "value" in today's market?

AI:

• How is AI changing product development, forecasting, or merchandising?
• Where do buyers see the greatest opportunity for automation?

Private Label vs. National Brands:

• Where are retailers investing in private label?
• When do emerging brands have the greatest opportunity?
• What gaps still exist in the market?

E-Commerce:

• How has your online assortment strategy evolved over the past year, and what types of products are performing best online?
• How do you evaluate whether a new product is a good fit for your digital assortment?
• What role does marketplace or drop-ship play in your growth strategy?

Holiday & Entertaining Trends:

• What holiday traditions or entertaining trends are driving demand in Home & Living?
• How are consumers preparing differently for holiday gatherings compared to previous years?
• Which seasonal categories are seeing the most growth, and where do you see untapped opportunities?
• Are consumers shopping earlier, looking for more versatile products, or prioritizing value over premium offerings?

What's Trending vs. What's Fading

• Which trends are retailers excited about for 2026 and early 2027?
• Which trends became oversaturated?
• What are retailers actively looking to add to their assortment?