As JEM Global ends a record-breaking 2026, CEO Elie Chemtob discusses the company’s growth strategy, the reinvention of iconic consumer brands, and the opportunities ahead for CE retailers.
TWICE: Looking back on 2026, what were the high points for JEM Global?
Chemtob: 2026 was a remarkable year for JEM Global. We saw tremendous growth; we set a company record in terms of units shipped and demonstrated that our strategy of igniting new brands and reigniting iconic ones is resonating with consumers and retailers.
We expanded relationships with some of the most recognized names in consumer electronics, introduced new products and categories, and strengthened our ability to translate emerging consumer trends into retail opportunities.
We’ve always believed there’s tremendous value in established brands that consumers know and trust. But recognition alone isn’t enough. You must continually give consumers new reasons to choose those brands. That’s what we’ve been doing, and the results speak for themselves.
TWICE: As you look ahead to 2027, what are the key trends retailers should prepare to capitalize on?
Chemtob: The biggest opportunity is the continuing integration of technology into everyday living. Consumers aren’t shopping for technology for technology’s sake. They want products that make their lives easier, more enjoyable and more connected.
Smart home security, connected lighting and home controls are becoming increasingly relevant to mainstream consumers. People also want more ways to personalize their entertainment experiences through wireless audio, decorative lighting and accessories.
An important next step is making those products simpler to use. We see opportunities for consumers to speak naturally to connected devices, interact with them through an app, and use AI-assisted controls to personalize settings and manage their homes without navigating complicated menus.
We’re seeing opportunities in categories traditionally outside consumer electronics, including kitchen appliances, home comfort solutions and outdoor lifestyle solutions. For retailers, the boundaries between consumer electronics and lifestyle products are blurring, and this trend is opening the door to new merchandise categories and new reasons for consumers to visit their stores.
TWICE: How is JEM preparing to help retailers capitalize on these trends?
Chemtob: Today’s marketplace demands innovation 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Retailers can’t afford to stand still, and neither can we. We’re continually investing in product development, identifying new categories and forging licensing agreements that bring exciting products to market under brands consumers recognize.
Our strength is bringing together the capabilities needed to turn an idea into a successful retail product, from product development, engineering and design to manufacturing management, marketing and distribution.
TWICE: What do your new licensing agreements with Paramount/Nickelodeon and Twinkly bring to CE retailers?
Chemtob: These relationships create opportunities in two very different ways.
With Paramount and Nickelodeon, we’re bringing recognizable entertainment franchises into consumer lighting products, including flashlights, lamps, night lights and decorative lighting.
Combining beloved characters with practical, affordable products creates opportunities for merchandising, gifting and impulse purchases.
Twinkly brings a highly innovative smart lighting platform that transforms how consumers personalize indoor and outdoor spaces. Unlike traditional lighting products limited to preset colors and effects, Twinkly enables users to create custom lighting experiences with dynamic colors, animations, and interactive effects.
We’re particularly excited about the opportunity to integrate our existing brands and licensed properties into the Twinkly ecosystem through customized designs, branded experiences, and themed lighting content. This opens the door to unique collaborations that connect technology, entertainment, and consumer brands in entirely new ways.
Beyond seasonal décor, Twinkly products can be used year-round for birthdays, sporting events, holidays, outdoor entertaining, gaming setups, special occasions, and everyday home décor. By bringing this innovative product portfolio to JEM Global’s extensive retail and distribution network, we see significant potential to create new category growth and year-round sales opportunities across multiple channels and consumer segments.
TWICE: Can we expect additional licensing agreements and strategic partnerships in 2027?
Chemtob: We’re always looking for opportunities involving established brands, emerging technology companies and entertainment properties that can connect with consumers in new ways. But we’re selective. We don’t pursue relationships simply to add names to our portfolio. There must be a compelling business opportunity, a product category where we can make a difference and a clear benefit for our retail partners.
TWICE: What product categories do you expect to generate the biggest growth in 2027?
Chemtob: We see tremendous opportunities across several categories, beginning with the continued growth of the smart home ecosystem. We’re expanding the Energizer Connect platform with security cameras, video doorbells, connected lighting, and home comfort solutions designed to make everyday living smarter, safer, and more convenient.
We’re equally excited about the future of personal audio, home entertainment, and connectivity. Monster continues to expand its portfolio with new speakers, earbuds, smart lighting, and accessories, while RCA is growing its lineup of antennas, remote controls, mounting solutions, and connectivity products that help consumers get more from their entertainment experience.
We’re also excited to extend iconic brands into new lifestyle categories. AIWA, a brand long associated with audio innovation, is expanding into kitchen appliances and home comfort solutions. XTREME is broadening its reach with the launch of X-FIT, entering the fitness category while continuing to grow its presence across power solutions, automotive accessories, audio, home entertainment, and decorative lighting.
We’re also exploring adjacent growth categories, including Starlink accessories, EV charging solutions, connected power products, and emerging technologies where convenience, reliability, and ease of use can make a meaningful difference in consumers’ everyday lives.
Beyond our core categories, we’ve recently launched a dedicated Toys Division, are actively exploring opportunities in sporting goods, and continue to rapidly expand our Personal Care business.
This year, our Cutting Edge Brand was recognized with Circana’s 2026 award for the largest dollar percentage increase in the U.S. market.
We believe the real opportunity is the breadth of innovation taking place across the consumer lifestyle marketplace. Consumers are looking for trusted brands, meaningful innovation, and products that enhance their daily lives, and we’re seeing exciting opportunities to deliver on all three across our expanding portfolio.
TWICE: How is JEM strengthening its brands’ digital presence and helping retail partners connect with consumers?
Chemtob: As our portfolio grows, we’re investing more in how our brands show up online and how consumers connect with them. Every brand has a unique story, and we’re focused on bringing those stories to life through stronger content, including photography, video, social media, and product demonstrations. We’re also creating these assets with our retail partners in mind, giving them better tools to showcase our products, engage shoppers, and drive sales.
Beyond content, we’ve partnered with leading PR agencies to increase awareness and generate media coverage for our brands. We’re also testing creator and influencer programs to introduce our products to new audiences and drive traffic back to our retail partners.
TWICE: JEM continues to invest in reinventing iconic brands. How is that strategy working? Are these brands experiencing a new life?
Chemtob: Our 2026 performance is strong evidence that the strategy is working. Brands like RCA, AIWA, Monster, Energizer, and Black+Decker have tremendous consumer recognition. Our opportunity is to build on that trust with products that make them relevant to a new generation.
Take Energizer. For generations, consumers trusted it to power their devices. Today, we’re expanding Energizer Connect into the smart devices themselves, helping make homes safer and more convenient.
With AIWA, we’re taking a brand associated with audio into kitchens and everyday living. With Monster, we’re building on its audio heritage while expanding into smart lighting and other lifestyle products.
TWICE: What new technologies are you looking to bring to your retail partners?
Chemtob: We’re focused on technologies that deliver meaningful consumer benefits and create real opportunities for retailers. This includes smarter home security, more personalized connected lighting, wireless and portable audio, and new approaches to power management and connectivity.
AI-assisted experiences are also an area to watch, especially when they make products easier to control, customize and use. The goal isn’t to add technology for its own sake; it’s to make the experience more intuitive.
I invite everyone attending CES 2027 to visit us at Booth #26201 in the Central Hall and see what we have in store for the year ahead.
