76-77_MARKET FOCUS GLASSWARE.qxp_Grid 09/01/2024 20:35 Page 2
MARKET FOCUS: GLASSWARE
The crucial elements in the creation of glassware are design and durability. While trends change, the need for products which are durable and high quality remain. PH sits down with some key suppliers to find out what the latest trends are, and what’s important to both consumers and HoReCa when selecting products.
Inset: The DRH Collection’s Anton Studio Designs will see new lines including extensions to its Empire collection with new shapes and a new colour – a deep, rich blue.
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hen looking at the factors influencing both consumers and hospitality purchasing choices for glassware, it’s a simple and somewhat unchanging formula of design + function, with cost increasingly bearing weight on decisions. Michael Holmes, vice president of Anton Studio Designs and director of The DRH Collection, expands: “Like many other industries, much of the innovation for tabletop is shaped by fashion trends. As such, the broad answer to what is important when choosing glassware is ‘form and function’ and of course, cost. Wanting to find something which fits in with their home aesthetic and table setting, in order to add to their look and style.
“And here it could be anything from colour, surface design, or even just sticking with the tried and tested classical shapes; all have their own merits and it very much depends on the desires of the consumer.” The LMFV group has seen an increasing emphasis on cost. Pavlina Nikolava, trade marketing and digital manager for the UK and Ireland, explains: “As budgets tighten, consumers increasingly seek products that offer a taste of luxury without breaking the bank. With a rise in home entertaining, there’s a growing desire to enhance living spaces with affordable indulgences or little luxuries that deliver tangible value. “Consumers prioritise design-centric items that seamlessly integrate with their environment, seeking pieces that make a
statement in the home, while still offering good value for money. Aesthetics are, and always will be, important for consumers.” Wassim Raouf, marketing director at CityGlass, agrees: “Our manufacturing hub specialises in crafting top quality glass goods that cater to a wide variety of market requisites.
Inset: Duralex will showcase its new Versailles mugs at Ambiente, now available in eight mass tinted colours, including the newest addition, pink. Far left: Duralex offers a range of hues, exemplified by the Green Picardie range, offering its customers the chance to play to their personal style.
PROGRESSIVE
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HOUSEWARES