Building relationships with suppliers is a core part of how Wayfair’s business operates, and trade shows are an industry hub for learning, communicating and evolving our product offerings. At Wayfair, we strive to be the number one destination for Home - which means we want to offer not only what is standard, but what is fresh and trending.
Throughout the year, teams across each Wayfair category travel around the world for trade shows; building new relationships, bolstering existing partnerships and learning even more about what is exciting in the category. We use trade shows to discover and introduce ourselves to suppliers that fit perfectly into our catalog, and help ensure that we have exactly what our customers are looking for. Attendees and suppliers of trade shows can learn more about what is new and exciting at Wayfair, or hear all about what Wayfair has to offer to their customers and businesses – like access to our 22 million customers, fast and safe delivery and next-level insights and recommendations for both their business and their customers.
Recently, two Wayfair teams traveled to two trade shows: the Inspired Home Show in Chicago, IL and the Global Pet Expo in Orlando, FL.
The Inspired Home Show, hosted by the International Housewares Association, features thousands of product categories across the home and housewares industry. This past month, around 40 Wayfairians attended the trade show to see what is holding strong in the industry. Here’s what stood out to us:
- Tech in Small Appliances: Juicers, air fryers and toasters with touch screens and color displays flooded the rows of IHS
- Matte Black: Kitchen utensils, tableware and barware saw plenty of matte black
- Space-Saving: More stackable pans, collapsible storage trends for apartment and back-to-school living
- Sustainable Materials: Use of recycled materials and better cotton across suppliers
“This year was particularly special because we are planning to open our first large-format Wayfair store in Wilmette, IL this Spring,” shared Allison Weed, Senior Category Associate, Kitchen Essentials & Housekeeping at Wayfair. “Suppliers were incredibly excited about the store opening and are eager to be able to showcase their products in a truly omni-channel way with Wayfair.”
The Global Pet Expo, presented by the American Pet Products Association (APPA) and Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA) connects suppliers and retailers among the newest, most innovative products in the pet category. This year over ten Wayfairians traveled to Orlando, FL to talk all things home for our furry friends and there were a few things that stood out to us and our suppliers:
- Tech in Pet: Automation continues to trend in the home sector, playing a huge role in containment, feeding, litter and grooming
- Animal Wellness: Cooling and calming technology in bedding and pet comfort has popped up for numerous suppliers
- Adoption Trends: Suppliers referenced the uptick in cat adoptions in the US, which is increasing faster than dog adoptions
These shows are just a handful of touchpoints we have when it comes to connecting with our suppliers, and they’re a great opportunity for us to meet face to face and talk about all things home, Wayfair, and growth. Our teams will be traveling to additional trade shows throughout the year to help keep Wayfair’s relationships strong and to continue our relentless pursuit of becoming the best platform in Home. Be on the lookout for future recaps of these events as we make our way through 2024!