Drea Knufken
As I scoured the Web for business news this morning, I found that this first informal week of summer is anything but hungover. News outlets are finally reporting interesting product trends beyond government bailouts and coupon-clipping websites. I’m talking miniature cows, bacon-flavored vodka, and (gulp) a wearable towel. I decided to assess the potential success of four of today’s trends. Let me know if you agree with my prognoses:
Bacon-Flavored Vodka
What it is: Black Rock Spirits’ Bakon Vodka is all the rage in Seattle. The bacon-flavored vodka goes well in bacon Bloody Marys and bacon chocolate martinis, according to NWCN.
Reasons it will succeed: A recession is the perfect time to introduce a new kind of liquor. The swine flu makes bacon vodka feel edgy. Most people like bacon, so the drink has a good chance of becoming a new favorite.
Wearable Towel
Image: Freedomhaters
What it is: A towel with three arm openings. After drying off with it, you either wrap it into a tunic or a toga.
Reasons it will fail: Makes men look like Barney Rubble. Not recession-friendly (one towel costs $20). The Snuggie (wearable blanket) failed, too.
Miniature Cow
Image: Sierra Trading Post
What it is: A pint-sized Hereford, Angus, or Jersey cow that eats half the food a normal cow consumes, but can produce up to 75% of the fillets (and almost as much milk), according to the Los Angeles Times. Minicows weigh about half as much as large cows.
Reasons it will succeed: Minicows play into a couple of trends, according to the Times. For one, they eat less, making them compatible with rising food prices. Secondly, group-operated ranchettes, or small ranches, have burgeoned in recent years. Minicows don’t need as much grazing room as large cows, making them ideal for ranchette owners.
Keith O’Dell, Jr., Pool Prodigy
Image: Leader Herald/Bill Trojan
What it is: Keith Jr. is a 2-year-old pool prodigy. Featured in the national media, this toddler could probably kick your ass on the pool table. His parents(?) built a website, PoolProdigy.com, which features Keith playing pool. It also sells a couple of billiards products, proceeds of which go to Keith’s college fund.
Reasons it will succeed: Prodigy toddlers, as a category, hold universal appeal. A toddler who also happens to be a pool shark (or poker master, or crapshooter) has potential for some serious publicity. Bonus: Keith Jr. is learning counting and colors as he lemonades the adults around him.
