As economic concerns begin to dominate the news cycle, consumers are feeling the pinch of inflation, bringing more experiential activities back into their homes. IHA’s 2023 At-Home Entertaining Survey found that 82 percent of consumers expect to entertain in their homes at the same or increased frequency in the next year; 35 percent expect to entertain in their home more often or much more often.
According to the survey, most in-home gatherings will take place October through December, followed by January through March. The average at-home gathering will have 10 or fewer guests, said 72 percent of survey respondents, followed by 22 percent with 11-26 guests. Buffet/self-serve is the preferred format for food, said 46 percent of respondents, followed by a sit-down meal (22 percent). Self-serve/mix is the preferred drink format of at-home gatherings (72 percent), followed by prepared and served drinks (20 percent).
As part of the survey, IHA asked consumers to identify challenges associated with at-home entertaining. Top answers included post-event clean-up (30 percent) and preparing everything to be served at the same time (22 percent) – areas that the home and housewares industry has and can continue to innovate around.
In addition, the survey found that hosts send leftovers home with their guests 56 percent of the time, creating a post-event touchpoint that might previously have been overlooked.
In addition to solving the specific pain points mentioned, at-home entertaining requires items that help prep dishes — from cook and bakeware to kitchen electrics and gadgets — but also things that enhance the presentation of the home and the meal. This includes tableware, glassware, barware, bar accessories, textiles and decor, along with all of the outdoor living products that help consumers throw a backyard barbecue or summer event.
With this in mind, the annual Trending Today preview at The Inspired Home Show 2023 will focus on at-home entertaining. The two-hour pre-show event from 8 a.m.-10 a.m. on March 4 will showcase exhibitors and products that consumers will look for at-home gatherings. Show exhibitors validated within the at-home entertaining category are invited to participate in Trending Today.
Participation is free, but sign up is on a first-come, first-served basis and space is limited to 60 exhibitors. The deadline to sign up is Feb. 14. The Inspired Home Show 2023 will be held March 4-7 at Chicago’s McCormick Place Complex.
To sign up, exhibitors can contact their show sales manager or learn more here.
