Early Inspiration Theater sessions at The Inspired Home Show 2026 explored several forces shaping the future of the home and housewares industry, from intellectual property challenges tied to artificial intelligence to the rapid rise of TikTok Shop and evolving global food and flavor trends influencing product development.
The sessions highlighted how legal frameworks, emerging commerce platforms and shifting consumer food behaviors are reshaping opportunities for manufacturers and retailers across the home sector.
Intellectual Property in an Era of AI
In the session “Intellectual Property in an Era of AI,” Lisa Holubar (top left) and Faye Vasilopoulos (top right) of the Irwin IP practice at law firm Miller Johnson examined how developments in intellectual property law are evolving alongside technologies such as artificial intelligence, connected devices and sustainable product design.
One key takeaway: traditional copyright rules still center on human authorship.
“Copyright law protects only original works of human authorship,” Vasilopoulos said.
The presenters noted that AI tools can be used in the creative process without eliminating copyright protection — provided meaningful human creativity remains in the final work. However, prompts alone generally do not meet the legal standard for authorship. Copyright protection may still apply when a creator meaningfully selects, edits or arranges AI-generated output.
The session also reviewed other forms of intellectual property protection relevant to housewares companies.
Trade secrets — confidential information that derives economic value from remaining undisclosed — can remain protected if companies take reasonable steps to maintain confidentiality, such as requiring non-disclosure agreements.
Design patents can protect the ornamental appearance of a product for up to 15 years from the date of grant, covering elements such as distinctive shapes or surface designs that are not purely functional. Utility patents, by contrast, protect new and useful processes, machines or compositions for up to 20 years from filing.
When AI contributes to product development, the presenters noted that patent filings should include a disclosure explaining how artificial intelligence was used in the innovation process.
Jack Ahmadi, Prestige Brands
TikTok Shop Changes the Path to Purchase
In the session, “Optimizing Social Commerce: Best Practices for Starting and Managing,” Jack Ahmadi of Prestige Brands discussed the explosive growth of social commerce, particularly TikTok Shop, and its implications for consumer discovery and purchasing behavior.
“I think that COVID really kicked it off,” Ahmadi said. “A lot of people were at home. People were making TikToks, people were watching TikToks, and that snowballed more and more into what we’re seeing today, which is a massive online marketplace.”
TikTok Shop integrates entertainment and commerce in ways that differ from traditional e-commerce, Ahmadi said, with creators effectively functioning as storefronts that drive product discovery through engaging video content.
The platform’s growth has been rapid. Ahmadi noted that 25% of Gen Z consumers visit TikTok Shop daily and 50% weekly, and that 58% of TikTok users have made at least one purchase.
Gross merchandise value in the United States has surged from about $180 million following the platform’s September 2023 launch to $9 billion in 2024 and $17 billion in 2025, with projections reaching $28 billion in 2026.
Products in the $20-to-$50 price range perform especially well on TikTok Shop, Ahmadi said, as the platform thrives on impulse purchases sparked by short, engaging demonstrations that highlight how a product solves a consumer problem.
Companies entering the platform should begin with multiple pieces of content, establish optimized product listings for mobile viewing and ensure fast, free shipping options along with introductory coupons or flash promotions, he added.
Leigh Ann Schwarzkopf, Project Partners Network
Food and Flavor Trends Shape Housewares Demand
In the session, “Understanding Global Food & Flavor Trends for Housewares Growth,” Leigh Ann Schwarzkopf of Project Partners Network explored how evolving food preferences are influencing demand across the housewares sector.
She emphasized that shifts in cooking habits, ingredient choices and dining occasions are directly tied to product opportunities in cookware, beverageware and tabletop.
“In the research we’ve done, it’s three to four times as much to eat out versus cooking at home, but people want the restaurant experience at home,” Schwarzkopf said.
Economic concerns are driving more consumers to cook at home. Schwarzkopf noted that 37% of U.S. consumers ate out less in 2025, while surveys show 51% of women and 66% of men plan to cook at home more frequently.
At the same time, consumers are prioritizing convenience, with 52% preferring meals that can be prepared in 15 minutes or less. That trend is boosting interest in semi-prepared ingredients and quicker cooking formats.
Eating habits are evolving as well, with more consumers replacing traditional meals, especially lunch, with snacks or “micro-meals.” Meanwhile, beverage culture continues to expand as consumers mix alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks for a wider range of celebratory occasions.
Those shifts create opportunities for housewares brands, Schwarzkopf said, including products designed for faster food preparation, easier cleanup and serving formats that support social snacking and entertaining at home.
