The first day of the 30th International Trade Fair for Retail Promotions and Imports (IAW) in Cologne kicked off in traditional manner with the presentation of the IAW Trendseller Product Award. After the submitted products were evaluated by the jury under the stewardship of the chairman, business consultant Ulrich Eggert, the winners were announced by TV presenter and jury member Ralf Kühler. The winners were selected on the basis of their quality, innovativeness and commercial appeal.
First place went to the “makaka on the run” RFID data protection card from Delitzsch. This protective product, in classic credit card format, can be placed in a wallet or purse, preventing third parties from reading the NFC card. Modern bank cards or ID cards are very convenient but risky if unprotected as unauthorized users can steal bank card details using wireless technology (contactless payment). Unlike other solutions, such as the card cover, the entire wallet is quickly protected by the data protection card. Actually, in 2017 a similar data protection product had won the IAW Trendseller Product Award, but this year’s winner offers useful additional benefits such as LED control light, a more slimline format and certified electrical device registration. What also made the product especially appealing to the jury was that it is manufactured in Germany by a socially ethical company. Elmar Fedderke, CEO of retailers Walgenbach GmbH, Düsseldorf, explained: “The winner of the first prize impressed as an excellent and sensible product upgrade and by virtue of the fact that it offers a feeling that one can seldom buy: security.”
As record-breaking summer temperatures become increasingly common, the Dutch company Mesa Products BV came up with a clever idea that won them second place in the IAW Trendseller Product Award. The product, “Miracle Mist”, helps to reduce temperatures noticeably – for example under terrace canopies – using only water. All that is required is access to a water supply as all the necessary parts are included in the “Miracle Mist” set, which is amazingly simple to use. Mist is emitted via either a six or twelve metre long hose pipe achieving a drop in outside temperatures of up to 10 degrees. Ulrich Eggert expressed the view that the product is both a “clever and simple way to create fresh relief to a summer’s day without tiresome construction measures”.
Sheer persistence and inventiveness led to the development of the product that came third in the contest. Nicolas Meng from the company Simplifiers in Vanloese in Denmark is a frequent flyer. He developed the handy Airmate gadget so that he could relax during flights and watch his favourite shows on his tablet or smartphone. It fits easily into most catches on the fold-up trays in aircraft, thus holding most tablets or smart phones securely at eye level. Thus passengers can view their favourite TV programs without straining their neck or getting pins and needles in their arm. Ralf Kühler was impressed by the “holder, which scored well in terms of sustainability: made in Denmark from 100 % recycled plastic. The packaging is also made of 100 % recycled paper.”
The IAW Trendseller Product Award celebrates the best trend-led products in terms of consumer popularity and commercial success at the International Trade Fair for Retail Promotions and Imports. The jury comprises the chairman, Ulrich Eggert, Martina Schimmel from zentrada Deutschland, Ralf Kühler, Elmar Fedderke, Ulrich Zimmermann and Sven Zimmermann – all experts in their field.
The IAW is Europe’s biggest trade fair for orders and will remain open for business to professional visitors in Halls 6 and 9 at the Cologne exhibition centre until Friday. The next IAW will take place from 10 -12 March 2020.
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