Introducing the 2023 HABITAT Themes

DID YOU KNOW? According to the World report on disability, one billion people around the world live with some form of disability, accounting for about 15% of the global population. It is estimated that people with disabilities and their families control $8tn in disposable income globally. People with disabilities are demanding more inclusion, opening up opportunities for retailers to provide functional design-led products.

TAKE ACTION: Ensure your product offerings address physical and psychological diversity. Integrate inclusive thinking into the heart of the buying process. Look to existing product lines to see what already caters to customers seeking sensory-friendly products and edit merchandising on e-commerce sites and social media channels. For example, showcase cocooning chairs, comforting cushions and soothing sensorial aids.

DID YOU KNOW? According to the Chairish 2021 Home Furnishings Resale Report, Millennial and Gen Z consumers are increasingly driven to buying preloved designs as a more sustainable alternative to buying new. Most of these purchases happen online: this opens a huge opportunity to invest in owned resale platforms and strong e-commerce models to keep engaging these conscious customers.

TAKE ACTION: Whether virtually or in-store, merchandise to maximize the 'wow' factor. Cater to your customers’ appetite for exuberance with statement pieces that transform everyday spaces and products into moments of fantasy and joy.

DID YOU KNOW? As work-from-home policies become more normalized, consumers are seeking ways to offset the increase in time spent on-screen and indoors. A recent survey by Outdoorsy found that 72% of Americans plan to take more road trips due to new flexible working arrangements.

TAKE ACTION: Although outdoor trips are predominantly technology free, less experienced travelers are looking for smart add-ons. For example, voice-activated services and wireless headphones can help users discover new hiking trails while on the go, while new tech-powered apparel aims to provide temperature regulators for hot and cold climates.

DID YOU KNOW? According to the 2021 Wellness Index, 78% of Americans said that mindfulness is now more important than ever. Pinterest 2020 data also shows an increase of 104% in indoor nurturing garden rooms as consumers look to create home wellness spaces.

TAKE ACTION: Help consumers design quiet spaces that suit particular preferences. Tap into different senses to help define these spaces. Stock comforting and modular product solutions to help consumers create serene areas within their homes to enhance productivity or provide remote sanctuaries for learning.

DID YOU KNOW? Bamboo features in many new design projects, especially in hot countries thanks to local availability and abundance. It is also eco-friendly, antiseptic, insect-repellent and water-resistant.

TAKE ACTION: When communicating the benefits of energy efficiency to customers, consider topics that resonate, such as control. Customers value the ability to take control of their energy bills. By sharing tips and recommending solutions they can implement themselves, such as replacing traditional light bulbs with LEDs or adding energy efficient appliances, you can help them become energy activists within their own home.