Las Vegas Market Presents ConsumerWatch Seminar

Las Vegas, NV, August 1, 2007 –Home furnishings buyers attending Las Vegas Market had a chance to learn about trend marketing from Maxine Lauer, president of Sphere Trending, a Marketing, Trend and Design firm dedicated to converting consumer insights into product innovation.

Lauer spoke about why consumers to shop, think and live differently, and how they will impact the future. 

She identified different categories of buyers, separated by generation labels, including Digital from Birth, Generation Now, Generation X, Zoomers and Prime Timers, all complete with different styles and preferences. While trend appeals to consumers across the board, it is particularly tied into Gen X’s core values, a generation that is not afraid to mix and match. 

Zoomers are fueling the luxury market and are buying second homes. They are “de-cluttering,” even using eBay to get rid of excess stuff. Zoomers are increasingly environmentally conscious, Lauer said. These consumers expect beautiful design merged with sustainable or recyclable materials, and the calming qualities of bringing natural elements into everyday environments. Lauer said 76 percent of the nation’s net worth is in the hands of Zoomers. “You have to be really compelling to get this group to buy,” she said.

In addition, there are also more and more multi-generational homes than ever before, and design for children is becoming more sophisticated.

Advising retailers on how the look and feel of their stores influences prospective customers, Lauer said that drive- by and walk-by “editing” by consumers can make a big impact on choices of where they shop. “How does your store look from the outside in?” she asked attendees. “Is it fabulous?” She also pointed out the huge importance of well-designed bathrooms in retail stores. “As goes your bathroom, so goes your business,” she commented.

The Las Vegas Market continues through August 3 ..