The house wares industry, like every other sector of the U. S. economy, appeared to be retrenching as its annual exhibition opened Sunday in Chicago.

Lisa Casey Weiss, lifestyle consultant for the International House wares Association, said that though the number of exhibitors is up from last year, manufacturers are holding back on the wow factor.

Weiss said in an interview in advance of the International House wares Association trade show that runs through Tuesday at McCormick Place, "There is nothing that is spectacular so far this year. I haven't seen anything that's truly innovative. … There's definitely a back-to-basics push."

Weiss said previews in New York recently indicated manufacturers are holding back on introducing new high-end products, opting instead to improve existing products or modifying commercial and industrial items for the consumer market.

Adding further she said, "Consumers are really focused on more frugal spending -- a simpler lifestyle, making things easier in the home. They're not going out to eat as much. They're cooking more at home, entertaining in the home environment -- just spending more time at home … It's need versus desire."

The key is determining whether a company is practicing "green washing" -- over-promising environmental benefits -- or is truly green.

Sometimes the concept of "does it work?" has gotten lost , says Aimee Heilbrunn of EcoScene, who reviews eco-friendly products and services.

She observed in a release, "That's so fundamental … A product can be made with recycled materials, but if it doesn't work, it does more harm than good."

Attention this year is focusing on the generation known as millennial -- people in their 20s just beginning to set up housekeeping. The industry estimates this group has $350 billion in spending power.

The IHA said in a release, "Millennial are savvy, sophisticated consumers with more information than ever before. Companies that begin to tap into this emerging demographic will find success." (With Input from Agencies)