Welcome to Ask Designers, where we address the pressing questions of interior designers and suppliers worldwide. Our answers are curated from the extensive experiences of our co-founders in product and interior design, entrepreneurship, and management. This segment offers a unique opportunity for designers and suppliers to gain valuable insights and advice from industry experts. If you have a question that you'd like to submit, simply fill out this form.

The question today is: “How can suppliers stay ahead of trends?” 

In today's fast-paced market, it's essential to stay up-to-date on the latest industry news, consumer trends, and developments. By staying informed, suppliers can identify new trends, opportunities, and challenges as they emerge, and adjust their strategies accordingly. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the best ways to stay ahead of the curve!

Monitor the competition

Monitoring the competition is a critical part of staying ahead of the trends. Keep a close eye on your competitors and market leaders, and study their strategies, products, and services to see what's working and what isn't. This can provide valuable insights into what customers are looking for and what strategies are effective in meeting their needs. Additionally, consider partnering with competitors to share resources and knowledge… If you can’t beat them, join them!

Conduct market research

Everyone can be a researcher with access to Google and a lot of patience. To stay ahead of the trends, it's important to regularly conduct market research to stay informed about changing customer needs and preferences. Regular surveys and focus groups can provide valuable insights into customer needs and help suppliers like you identify emerging trends and opportunities. This information can then be used to inform product development, marketing, and sales strategies.

Network with industry professionals

Networking is a powerful tool for staying ahead of the trends. By attending industry events like trade shows and talks, joining trade communities, and engaging with other professionals in your field, you can stay informed about the latest industry developments, share knowledge and insights, and form valuable relationships with other professionals. In particular, launch events and exhibitions will help you see industry trends up-close and personal.

Get inspired by renderporn

Renderporn is a social media phenomenon where render artists will create dreamscapes of imaginary interior and exterior designs. These renders, however imaginary, are incredibly popular and could signal a future appetite amongst Gen Z and Millennial consumers. Taking inspiration from these images could be a great way to start innovating without starting from scratch.

Work with interior designers directly

If you collaborate with interior designers, there might be more ways than financial that this can serve you! Designers are often at the forefront of trends, so collaborating in ranges or pieces together can be a great way to innovate on your product. If you’re not ready to take the leap, make sure to foster those relationships with designers anyway, even if it’s just for a conversation; you don’t know where new ideas may come from!

Follow interior design publications

It’s normal to not have time to stay up-to-date every day. To relay the work to other people, simply follow newsletters and have trend reports come to your inbox regularly. There are classic publications to follow, such as Architectural Digest, Vogue Living or House & Garden, or you can bet on something different, like our weekly newsletter. Whatever you choose, make sure to be well-read in the industry’s changes. One blink and everything’s different!

Invest in technology and innovation

Investing in technology and innovation is a key strategy for staying ahead of the trends. Embracing new tools, systems, and processes can help you work more efficiently, effectively, and creatively. This can also help suppliers stay ahead of the curve by providing new and innovative products and services that meet emerging customer needs.

By following these strategies, suppliers can stay ahead of the trends and remain competitive in today's rapidly changing market. Whether it's staying informed, monitoring the competition, or investing in technology, the key to success is being proactive, adaptable, and ready to respond to customers' evolving needs. If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to our newsletter!