THE INSP Review
THE INSPIRED HOME SHOW 2026 Inspied ideas fo Chicago spied ideas fo Chicago 28
Innovation and resilience defined The Inspired Home Show 2026, as retailers and suppliers tackled a changing market. Will McGill reports from the Windy City.
new products, explore emerging trends and forge valuable connections. Hosted by the International Housewares Association, the event brought together more than 1,000 exhibitors and thousands of brands, attracting buyers representing significant global retail power.
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Against a backdrop of ongoing economic and geopolitical uncertainty, the show underscored the resilience of the sector and the growing importance of the home as a hub for cooking, entertaining, comfort and wellbeing. Across keynote sessions and the show floor, a clear message emerged: those able to innovate, adapt and connect with evolving consumer needs will be best placed to gain a competitive edge in the year ahead.
t The Inspired Home Show 2026, the focus was firmly on moving business forward, as retailers and suppliers from around the world gathered in Chicago to discover
Purposeful innovation At The Inspired Home Show 2026, industry leaders were urged to rethink traditional growth strategies, with innovation and consumer engagement identified as key priorities for the years ahead.
In his keynote, Joe Derochowski of Circana highlighted the need for brands to take a more proactive role in shaping demand. Despite economic pressures, consumer spending remained resilient in 2025, reaching $3.4 trillion (£2.5 trillion), up 2.8 per cent year-on- year. However, he stressed that future growth will rely on purposeful innovation that solves real consumer pain points, rather than simply introducing new products. Several categories continue to present strong opportunities. Essentials such as food and beverages remain robust, while casualisation is supporting apparel. Products linked to joy and creativity, including arts and crafts and outdoor toys, are performing well, alongside health and
wellness segments such as fitness and beauty. Social media is also playing a growing role, particularly in beauty, prompting brands to think more creatively about driving demand through engagement and new usage occasions. Mr Derochowski also pointed to uneven spending patterns, with lower-income and younger consumers, particularly those aged 18–24, under greater pressure in a K-shaped economy. This, he noted, creates both challenges and opportunities for retailers targeting different segments. Key drivers in 2025 included replacement
purchasing, increased eating at home and demand for small indulgences such as air fryers and ice cream makers. Health and wellness trends and external factors, including weather, also influenced buying behaviour. A notable shift has been the resurgence of home baking, particularly among younger consumers, as growth in store-bought baked goods slows. Social media is now a major source of inspiration, shaping behaviour across all age groups.
Looking ahead, Circana expects a slight dip in 2026, with growth returning from 2027, supported by ageing populations, smart home adoption, major events and evolving work patterns.
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