On 20 September the IAW Trendseller Product Awards were presented at the 26th International Trade Fair for Retail Promotions and Imports (IAW) in Cologne. German TV presenter Ralf Kühler announced the winners, all selected by a jury of experts following an exhaustive appraisal of the submitted products. The panel of experts assessed the products, selecting those which best fulfilled their stated practical purpose and key ecological criteria.
First prize this time went to the dcb E-Scooter from Tec & Tec GmbH in Wuppertal, Germany. The battery-powered kick scooter is constructed of carbon and weighs only 6.9 kg, which makes it one of the lightest scooters in the world and very manoeuvrable. This three-speed scooter features an LED lit display and a bright LED front light. Product development is carried out entirely in Germany. Ralf Kühler made special mention of the goal of sustainability, explaining that “it is likely that many inner cities will become car-free zones, but the e-scooter will allow me to remain mobile, youthful and independent – all emission-free”.
The British company UP Global, based in Chadderton, was awarded second prize with two very promising products. Chaired by business consultant Ulrich Eggert, the jury was impressed by the vacuum containers from PROGRESS®, which keep foods such as muesli or flour clean, dry and safe three times longer because the container is vacuum-sealed by pressing a pump in the centre of the lid. As Eggert says: “This reduces the amount of food that is thrown away – something which is in line with the current emphasis on sustainability.” Another product exhibited by the company is the Constellation Universal Cabin Case, a patented luggage system that allows for the case to be extended if necessary at the sides and front. Thus the dimensions of the case can be altered and adapted to the different airline conditions as required.
The product that won third prize is a real kitchen aid – a four-piece set of square pans in the Kupferberg series from Solingen-based Carl Schmidt Sohn GmbH . These non-stick pans are optimally sized and can be accessorized so that they can be used for frying, stewing, braising, baking, steaming or deep frying. “Get rid of all your pans, you need only one. That is the core message for all hobby cooks!”, explained jury member Andreas Muth from the industry association Einzelhandels- und Dienstleistungsverband Aachen-Düren-Köln e.V.
There was praise too for a second British company from Uxbridge. Theoretically, the various batteries from Fuji Enviromax can be thrown away in the household waste because they are entirely degradable within three years. Although in Germany all batteries should be recycled, approx. 80% end up with the household waste. In this respect the FUJI Enviromax Batteries are the right product at the right time.
The IAW Trendseller Product Award is a regular and popular feature of the IAW, which celebrates products exhibited at the trade show that are regarded as especially innovative and potentially successful. The awards are presented after the deliberation of a jury of experts comprising Martina Schimmel, German manager of zentrada Europe, business consultant Ulrich Eggert, TV presenter Ralf Kühler, Andreas Muth from the retail and services sector association (Einzelhandels- und Dienstleistungsverband Aachen-Düren-Köln e.V.), Philip Reichardt, head of trade and business location marketing of the Cologne Chamber of Commerce and IAW boss Ulrich Zimmermann. The International Trade Fair for Retail Promotions and Imports (IAW) is Europe‘s biggest trade fair for orders of fast-selling trend products and impulse sales and can still be attended by trade visitors until 22 September (Cologne Exhibition Halls 6 and 9).
