What's The Hot...
Affluence, upscale foods, monkeys.
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.
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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.
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