Enticing new housewares buck tight open-to-buys

CHICAGO -- For many discounters, excitement and frustration were partners at last month's Housewares Show, which buyers called the busiest in years.

__ Recycling pick-up Make a moving organizer.__ Lawn care Have everyone pack one or two suitcases or a knapsack (no more).__ shower curtain and rings__ break-proof or disposable flatware, cups, and plates__ Prescriptions__ Trash pick-upAlthough sorbets require several hours to freeze, preparation is easy--just combine vegetables and seasonings in a blender.One of the biggest secrets of moving success is eliminating as many items from the move as possible. Donate items to charity, give them to friends, prepare them for a yard sale or throw them out.__ GasBut T.G. & Y.'s Kazleman was firm in his caution: "I doubt their product life cycle will be long enough to reach our stores."You want to be completed for non-essential rooms such as the basement, garage, attic, utility rooms, etc. so you can focus on main living areas in the last weeks.In 1985, B&D will spend 10 times what General Electric spent to advertise housewares, and Sunbeam more than its total the past five years, said executives of both companies waging this heated market share war.__ Department of Motor Vehicles__ Phillips-head screwdriver__ Social Security AdministrationHowever, Nordicware president H. David Dalquist III projects the market will settle eventually at one-third nonstick, as consumers use microwaves more knowledgeably for cooking rather than just heating.__ Pocket dividers to separate sections and hold important receiptsYou might be surprised to learn that you can earn a few hundred dollars by selling non-essential items, earning you cash and making your move more efficient.� Are the light switches turned off?__ Tools lent to neighbors or friendsAs part of industry scaleback efforts, K mart is reassorting cutlery, flatware and pantryware toward middle price points within its current $7-$35 retail range "to target a customer we might have missed," said senior buyer Donald Bratt. He's also selling 7-piece porcelain enamel-on-steel sets at $29.97 daily compared with $49.97 a year ago.__ pet food and bowels__ aluminum foil__ IRS (form 8822)__ Trash cans/ recycle bins__ Paper for keeping all your notes (3-holed graph paper is ideal for this).

Anchor Hocking also received lukewarm response to its packages for bulk glassware, intended to save front-end wrapping time and shelf space. Many buyers said promotional 18- and 24-piece sets were becoming more important than bulk for presentation and value. "Singles are too costly pwe piece, and too low a total sale for us to stress," said Nichols' Solomon.

Author: Al Heller