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Posts Tagged ‘Black & Decker’

Black & Decker Shares Insights on Gardening & Lawn Care Trends

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

1013 45 banner home industryinsider2 Black & Decker Shares Insights on Gardening & Lawn Care Trends

With the spring season in full effect and summer just around the corner, homeowners across the country are preparing for outdoor lawn care and gardening activities.  Our experts interviewed Black & Decker (IMRE client) Outdoor Program Manager, Kate Piche to gain some 2010 outdoor trend insights.

Home Intel (HI): What outdoor lawn care trends are you seeing for Spring 2010?

Kate Piche: “There is an increase in electric power equipment, specifically mowers. There were more electric mowers ranked by consumer reports this year than ever before. There are more reel mowers entering the market – good for small yards.”

HI: What trends are you seeing among the new outdoor products? Are there any specific product feature trends?

Kate Piche: “There is more of a [consumer] focus on gardening. A lot more people have taken up food gardening so there are more products related to that, and container gardening to go along with it.”

HI: Does geographic location impact outdoor lawn care behavior among consumers? Do different regions affect purchase decisions or behavior?

Kate Piche: “There is definitely a difference geographically because you can chart where the thaw comes throughout the country. There is a way to determine the season when growing starts again. There are certain plants that can only grow in certain regions of the country – if you don’t know what those are, you either have to use outside resources to research options or use a product like the ‘Easybloom’ by Black & Decker.”

HI: In your opinion, what are consumers most concerned with when they are choosing outdoor products to purchase?

Kate Piche: “Right now, consumers are looking for an economical product that is efficient and will get the job done. There is an increase in electric products and concern for the environment. Product purchase depends on your skill level and what you are trying to do in your yard.”

For more information on product trends from the experts, continue to check back in on a regular basis. With thousands of contacts at our fingertips, the Home Intel team is excited to share our knowledge and resources on a regular basis. In the coming weeks, you can expect to see more interviews as part of our Industry Insider series.

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Celebrating Anniversaries in the Home Industry

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

Anniversary: the annual recurrence of a date marking a notable event.

Notable events can range from high school graduation dates to a married couple’s wedding date; nonetheless, the occasion brings forth a means to recognize and celebrate the experience. In corporate America, the anniversary of a company or organization’s commencement is also identified. In most cases these anniversaries are strategically announced and commemorated. From a marketing standpoint, the appropriate messaging and activities surrounding an anniversary present an opportunity to showcase growth and success over the years.

This week, our Home Intel experts examined some recent remarkable anniversaries, and the approach surrounding their announcements.

Macy’s 150th Year Anniversary

Macy’s celebrated its 150th Year Anniversary on October 28, 2008. The establishment marked its milestone with a month-long celebration. The festivities included two New Orleans store openings, customer shopping events and a fashion-industry gala.  The approach of Macy’s bold and innovative events creates tremendous buzz for the company as a whole, and generated incredible awareness of its 150-year milestone.

Black & Decker 100th Year Anniversary

Black & Decker (IMRE client) will celebrate its official 100th Year Anniversary in September 2010. Last month, Black & Decker, a leader in delivering innovative consumer products, launched an all-new microsite to kick off its anniversary. The Web site was announced via national press release and offers consumers a timeline of milestone events, a comparison of products from conception to their modern form, and interactive opportunities for its visitors to play games, offer feedback, and more. This strategy is part of an innovative social online initiative to spread awareness and generate buzz about the company and its notable milestones over the years. Amidst a changing media landscape, Black & Decker’s strategic implementation of an online microsite showcases its contemporary approach to technology.

Check in next week for Home Intel’s key recommendations for a successful integrated, anniversary marketing campaign, no matter what size!

Courtesy of Black & Decker

Courtesy of Black & Decker

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It’s a “Brand-New” 2009 Holiday Season

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

Halloween is over, Thanksgiving is upon us, and the holiday spirit has made its way to retailers once again. Frantic shoppers everywhere are on the hunt for the perfect gift and the holiday buzz is all over the news, from magazines to newspapers, to television advertisements and online. No matter where you look, consumers are bombarded with the “best,” and “all-new,” products of the year. The seemingly familiar trend among companies is the “Quarter Four,” product launch which takes full advantage of the biggest shopping season of the year to promote their anticipated best sellers.

This year some of the top brands in the home and building category introduced some really innovative and practical products that mirror a traditional version with an exciting new twist.

For example, one of IMRE’s very own clients, Black & Decker, announced a series of new product launches last month that suit the practical gift-giver’s desire. One of the fun favorites among our staff is the Flex Cordless Mini Canister Vac, a step up from the traditional DustBuster. The product was launched in October 2009, and has received phenomenal reviews both internally and in the news. PeoplePets columnist, Lindsay Tyler stated, “The Flex is perfect for a pet owner — especially one with cats.” The Flex has a pet hair-cleaning accessory and 4-foot extending hose unlike other traditional models that makes creates added versatility.

Additionally, in October, Dyson introduced an all-new bladeless fan that expels 119 gallons of smooth and uninterrupted air every second. The first of its kind, this new bladeless technology distributes the air in a smooth motion that avoids the traditional choppy airflow that has existed for over 125 years.

Lastly, GE is currently promoting its all-new microwave grilling oven on its website. The model has dual functions to heat and grill traditional dishes. Just in time for the holidays, GE offers this new product that could be a perfect solution for a joint holiday gift for the family to share.

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Top Thanksgiving Day Products & Trends

Monday, October 26th, 2009

Thanksgiving Table

It may be a little early for some people to think about Thanksgiving, but considering its already the last week of October, Turkey Day will be before we know it.

Whether you are hosting a Thanksgiving-Day dinner, or attending as a guest in charge of bringing a side dish –from table settings to home adornments – the harvest theme is sure to make its annual appearance. Our experts checked out some of the latest trends and blog posts covering the holiday season, and came up with a list of some of the most recommended products and stylish décor for Thanksgiving-Day festivities.

Our Favorite Unique Thanksgiving Décor Ideas

After browsing some of our favorite home and design websites, we found a few innovative ideas that keep the Thanksgiving table looking fresh and ornamental this season!

  • Luxuryhousingtrends.com suggests using a cornucopia stuffed with fresh fruit as an attractive money-saving alternative to a centerpiece that is both decorative and festive
  • HGTV.com proposes a “berry beautiful” idea that utilizes fresh cranberries for more than their taste – simply purchase a few extra bags of cranberries to enhance a centerpiece – experts suggest filling a clear glass vase with water, and float cranberries, orange slices and candles inside for a decorative look and a unique fresh harvest scent
  • RealSimple.com provided color-tips for an edgy touch to this year’s centerpieces – choosing your desired harvest hues, place a crisp white-colored bowl in the center of the table and add deep-colored fruits and vegetables, i.e. plums, pomegranates, etc. to make the table pop

Must-Have Cooking Tools

Preparing the right meal with the right tools leaves no time to be frugal when it comes to supplies. So, here are some of the top cooking supplies that cannot be skipped this year!

  • Turkey Baster - A simple tool that cannot be substituted nor forgotten in the prep process. DivineDinnerParty.com adds that although this tool is cheap, you should “try not to get the cheapest one in the store as they tend to suck more air than juice.”
  • Meat Thermometer - In order to ensure the turkey is cooked, it is pertinent to check the temperature regularly
  • Carving Knives - Once the entrée is cooked to perfection, it is usually the “man-of-the-house” that steps up to take over the carving duties; therefore, it is imperative that the tool speak to the needs of its user. Although we’d suggest any standard knife set, one of the editors, Erik Sofge, actually stated he used a “Black & Decker handsaw for everything,” – even carving his turkey!

From IMRE’s table to yours – Happy (early) Turkey Day!


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