Finding Resolve In This Year’s Headlines

In this special year-end edition of HomeWorld Business (December 14, 2015), our editors recap the companies, products, people, trends and myriad other industry and retail happenings that made housewares news in 2015.

Time To Reflect

It is our annual rite of editorial reflection, a look back at the headlines that shaped the housewares business during the previous year while setting the tone for the coming year.

As this industry approaches 2016 with as much resolve that it can muster from recent HomeWorld headlines, it is also a time to reflect on headlines that have shaded our lives the past year on a much deeper level than the neutral tones in the latest home product color forecasts.

Vital Developments

Outside the bubble of our housewares sanctuary, we have trembled at reports of terror rampages in Paris and in Mali; of jetliner explosions over Egypt; of unconscionable shootings in Charleston, Colorado Springs and San Bernardino; of violent threats that locked down schools and colleges; and so much more.

It all trivializes even the most vital business developments from the year in housewares. Yet, as we have learned, business isn’t insulated from such tragedy, especially in today’s 24-hour news cycle that must be fed with continuous content. 

Will consumer economic confidence tremble? Will the stock market sink? Will nervous people stop going to the mall? These were the inevitable business headlines being pulled from the mayhem even before the profound personal loss could be fully assessed.

Proper Perspective

There is no 9-to-5 escape from the complications playing in unobstructed view through a non-stop stream of news posts, blogs and Tweets.

As a housewares business publication, HomeWorld’s role is to be objective in reporting and examining the news, good and bad, that impacts the housewares business. We are fortunate that most of what we cover occurs within a realm seemingly far removed from the tragic events unfolding in real time across the globe with alarming regularity. It is important, however, to keep everything in perspective, especially during this hallow time of year that is deeply personal to many.

So, as we reflect on the housewares news of 2015, perhaps we can gain even more resolve for the new year from the headlines that are having a greater impact on humanity than on business.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season. 

See you in 2016.