e-News
|
|
Resilience and talent: Japan Pavilion brings homegoods design to IHHS show |
02.17.2012
|
Buyers at this year's International Home & Housewares Show, opening March 10 in Chicago, have a rare chance to experience Japanese homegoods design firsthand at booth S4667, the Japan Pavilion Tohoku.
Organized by the Japan External Trade Organization, the pavilion features ten manufacturers from Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima, three prefectures in the Tohoku region, Northeastern Japan. The three towns were those hardest hit by the earthquake and tsunami that took place on March 11--almost one year to the day before the show.
STORY CONTINUES BELOWAdvertisement
"Despite the scale of the disaster, all of our exhibitors have shown the courage to pick their lives back up, re-energize their companies and look to new markets," said Atsushi Semimoto, Executive Director of Business Development and PR at JETRO New York.
The Pavilion's ten exhibitors represent categories from wood and lacquer to cast iron and glassware. Many are new to the American market, and combine Tohoku's centuries-old craftsmanship techniques with design that is streamlined and authentically Japanese. Retailers will find items for tea and sake, both currently enjoying strong interest in the U.S. A reception on March 12th will highlight sakes and sakeware from the three prefectures.
"The desire for high-quality products appears to be a consistent trend in the U.S. homegoods and houseware marketplace. People seek products that are useful yet unique, and Japanese products can satisfy the desire for one-of-kind, practical products. The uniquely Japanese products on display will help retailers expand and differentiate their product offerings," said JETRO's Semimoto.
Retailers and distributors/representatives can review exhibitors' products through the Housewares Connect 365 section of the show's website, www.housewares.org.
|
|
|
