A look at things to come. For the last four editions this has been possible thanks to the products that received the “green label” in the SMART Label, Host Innovation Award, the contest run by Fiera Milano and HostMilano in collaboration with POLI.Design, the Politecnico di Milano Consortium, and through the sponsorship of ADI, Italy’s Industrial Design Association.

Further confirmation of this, if any were needed, is provided by the recent report published by international market research organisation Euromonitor International into global trends in 2022, which gives a snapshot of the needs of the “new customer”, and defines the trends that motivate consumer behaviour.

One of the first trends, not surprisingly, is that of the Climate Changers: “Environmental concerns and the climate emergency are guiding green activism towards the achievement of a net zero economy. In 2021, 35% the world’s consumers will actively reduce their carbon emissions.”

Significantly, solutions aimed at achieving sustainability were the focus for the Green SMART Label, whose last edition was won by Castelmac (for its Smart and Green Ice Maker), DIHR-Ali Group (for the vertical Twin Star Double Face dishwasher), Epta (for the Visualis Eurocryor with Adaptive System display cases), Skymsen (for the Db-10 Potato Peeler), Moretti Forni (for series S50E) and Pedrali (for the recycled grey Remind seat). Solutions that are less of a burden to the environment and also simplify the tasks workers carry out on a daily basis.

Technologically advanced solutions were awarded the Innovation SMART Label. User-friendly technology is very much sought after now, according to Euromonitor, by supporters of the Metaverse Movement, who are looking for “immersive, digital 3D eco-systems” and also by Digital Seniors who are becoming expert users of today’s technologies and staying connected with their communities. Heylo from Carimali, aēralab from Iberital, T&S WaterWatch from T&S and MULTI.Day HOT VACUUM from Unox are solutions that set out to take innovation in their respective fields to a whole new level, be it food transportation, the production of foamy milk for coffee or the detection of leaks in machinery.

There is no shortage of creative ideas: other trends that have been identified include so-called Backup Planners, who find creative new ways of obtaining products, and the Pursuit of Preloved: promoting the sustainable value of thrift and removing the stigma of buying things second-hand.

Finally, the now all-important question of health and safety: 76% of global consumers took health and safety precautions when leaving their homes in 2021.

“Businesses need to transform alongside rapidly evolving consumer preferences,” says Alison Angus, head of lifestyles at Euromonitor International. “Reverting to a pre-pandemic playbook will not likely generate the same results moving forward.” The companies at HostMilano know this, and have been gearing up to face the challenges that lie ahead. We eagerly look forward to hearing what they have to say in 2023.

The catalogue with all the winners of the SMART Label, Host Innovation Award 2021 can be found at this link.