What's The Hot...

Animal: Monkey--It's a jungle out there, and monkeys will be taking center stage when it comes to toys and gifts in the year ahead. Watch out as primates like Curious George (whose debut movie starts production this month) swing into the retail market.

Color: Blue--Consumer interest in spa-oriented therapy has brought about a fascination with the color blue. Ranging from the palest aqua to the deepest cobalt, these cool shades promote the tranquility and cleanliness our hectic lifestyles so desperately need.

Flavor: Citrus--The tangy, refreshing, sometimes tart taste of lemons, limes, grapefruit and oranges will be the hot flavor exciting taste buds this year. With all the antioxidants in these exhilarating citrus blends, it's no wonder they rate No. 1 as the flavor of the day.

Food: Salad--Portability is a priority among foodies. The popularity of meals-in-a-drink, like the ubiquitous smoothie, and easily accessible items, like the wrap sandwich, is on the rise.

Licensing Products: Star Wars--With the film trilogy's long-anticipated and star-studded prequel scheduled for release on May 21, there's no doubt this sci-fi space legacy will be a sure shot for product licensing.

Toy: Taco Bell Mutt--Yo quiero plush, talking Taco Bell dog? The shivering, taco-craving Chihuahua has shown up in toy form and is expected to be the hottest plaything of the year--so make a run for the nearest toy store.

Scent: Tropical Fruit--Kiwis, mangos and papayas will no longer be relegated to umbrella drinks and tasty sorbets; they're more popular as fragrances these days. Heavy florals are fading, and unisex blends are becoming bland, clearing the way for tropical fruits to steal the spotlight.

Home Decor: Eclectic--The focus for home decor this year is based on the collaboration of non-era-specific pieces. Home furnishings will be rustic and eclectic--so a lamp from the '40s will work beautifully with a lampshade from the '60s.

Sport: Skateboarding--With the opening of elaborate skate parks and the tweaking of traditional boards, it's safe to conclude skateboarding has been legitimized as a true sport. An estimated 6.3 million skaters--a 36 percent increase in participants since 1996--are creating strong evidence this trend is on a roll.

This article was originally published in the January 1999 print edition of Entrepreneur with the headline: What's The Hot....