No news in this story — if you’ve been reading OBOW that is:
A combination of consumer demand, design modifications and innovative materials has allowed manufacturers to switch gears to produce smaller, lighter and ergonomically friendly products, says Alan Krantzler, vice president of Tumi luggage brand’s product management.
“The No. 1 trend in the industry right now is about lightweight,” he says. “It’s always been a consumer demand, but it has become increasingly important.” - read more
The story points out European preferences for sleek hard-sided luggage and also makes this very good point:
“People want a carryon that could be a weekend bag, a gym bag and be able to put a computer in it,” says Krantzler, who also oversees merchandising. “People are looking to spend money smartly. They don’t want to give up quality but want value.”
No doubt, the trend is toward lighter and smaller.