As consumers are cooking and entertaining more at home, quality, casual items are in demand.
While consumers are still holding on to their penny- pinching ways, and no one suspects they’ll abandon them any time soon, they’re cooking more and entertaining more at home. And they’re buying more on housewares products, including tabletop items.
After a two-year decline, tabletop sales began to post increases in the first quarter of this year. According to the market research firm NPD Group, casual dinnerware and beverageware are driving sales in tabletop — with 2 and 4 percent increases respectively in the first three months of this year.
So what exactly, are consumers buying?
Every year at the International Home and Housewares Show, Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, talks about the color trends — and how the hues that permeate fashion and entertainment trickle down into the housewares area. (And if you didn’t make it to the IH+HS show this year, the good news is you can download MP3 files of all the educational seminars for free on the International Housewares Association’s website, www.housewares.org)
To summarize, the No. 1 selling color is white, Eiseman said, and that includes housewares. Black, and the classic combination of black and white in housewares and textiles, are “huge classics. This is an established fact, not a trend,” Eiseman said.
Red, Pinks, especially those with warmer tones are gaining popularity in giftware and tabletop, followed by Blues and Grays, especially for home furnishings such as sofas and carpeting. Browns, which were down on the list 15 years ago, have been creeping up in popularity in housewares, especially the warm chocolate brown hues. Eiseman said to expect more safari inspired tawny and biscottea tones in the coming year. Oranges and yellows are surging forward on the list, and blue greens and green blues, which are often associated with water and cleanliness, remain steadfast consumer favorites for glassware and textiles.
“When people get concerned about the economy they are more cautious” with their purchases and their color choices, said Eiseman.
Maybe it is consumers’ conservative ways (or maybe their fashion sense or both,) but the color that goes with everything is No. 1 in tabletop. White and quality casual dinnerware are prevalent in the 10 most purchased dinnerware patterns, according to NPD Group. The white-on-white designs of Mikasa’s Italian Countryside and Lenox’s Opal Innocence, as well as Corelle’s Sketch, with a black accent, are among the top sellers.
Elsa Pinto-Melikian, with Your Registry Inc., a Sacramento, Calif.-based registry service for independent gourmet stores, said there are many factors why white is in demand.
“People want things to work together. Something that works in every situation, something they can mix with casual with the super-stuffy stuff,” she said.
With cooking shows on television 24/7 and with more people cooking more at home, our society has evolved more into a food culture, she noted. Plus, food presents well on white.
Pinto-Melikian said tabletop, which is often stereotyped as fine china, has added categories that are not traditional—such as acrylicware and textiles.
Except for the South, where traditional brides include fine china in their bridal registries, the rest of the country has seen a shift to more utilitarian “relaxed, not fancy” place settings made by companies such as Casafina and Vietri.
“Tabletop is not going away. It has changed. The traditional china is not what is interesting to 24- to 32-year-old brides,” said Pinto-Melikian.
It’s also not of interest to the shoppers at Art of the Table, a gourmet store in Grand Rapids, Mich. Tabletop has consistently accounted for one-third of total sales since the 1,300-square-foot store opened seven years ago. Traditional place settings are not part of store’s mix.
Owner Amy Ruis said her customers are creating “casual, beautiful tables” with coordinating, not matching, pieces. Metal serveware and Harold Import’s HIC Porcelain White trays, bowls and platters are in demand. “My customers are staying at home and updating their tables,” Ruis said. Art of the Table’s customers continue to invest in top-of-the-line tabletop items such as a high quality, versatile tablecloth, multipurpose stemware and flatware.
Gourmet stores hoping to get a piece of the lucrative bridal registry and tabletop business need to realize today’s shopper has changed, Pinto-Melikian said. One key group, the echo boomers, also dubbed millenials by market research professionals, make decisions in a group, and want to be helped by someone their own age. This group of 13-34 year olds are also the same one posting reviews on Yelp! and spending hours on Facebook connecting with their network.
“You need to understand how they think. They are so much more dependent than independent (on the advice of their peers when making buying decisions. ) You may not like them, but they are your future customer,” said Pinto-Melikian.
Before stocking your store with tabletop items and other items for bridal registries, Pinto-Melikian, who has created a guide for running an informal focus group, suggests that retailers host an informal focus group in their stores, and ask these soon-to-be brides what their preferences are in broad categories. “Don’t buy what you think would sell. Ask people what they’d buy,” she said.
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 Minerals from Now Design
Now Designs, Vancouver, introduces a new collection of color coordinating porcelain decal fashion mugs and ad new Mineral solid color stoneware mugs. The stoneware mugs come in a subtle palette of nine colors and have a very sleek matte glaze finish. The Fashion mug collection has four color groups for mixing and matching. Each mug has a suggested retail price of $9 each.
For more information, contact Danica & Now Designs at 866-253-9001 or visit www.danicaimports.com
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Small Tools
Zak Designs, Spokane, Wash., introduces The Tines serve tools. From pickle forks and olive spoons that are the right size for condiment trays, to the mini tongs, the Tines tools are designed to make hard-to-reach jobs easy.
For those times when the standard-sized tools are simply too much, Zak has created the tools in the Hostess set that are smaller versions of the original. The set includes a flat-edge spatula with a beveled edge. The slotted spoon is ideal for serving foods in their own juices, while the solid spoon can be used for sides in small containers. The Hostess set also includes a smaller sized pie spatula that’s the perfect shape to support a single slice.
Both the Hostess and Tines tools are made from durable melamine and are completely dishwasher safe. They are available in white or in a rainbow of bright colors. The tools are sold individually as well as in a 4-pack of the rainbow colors.
For more information visit www.zak.com
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Vietri
Vietri’s new Quadri accessories transform solid dinnerware into a hip, abstract look that also has a vintage feel with its army green, grey-blue, orange and mustard-gold colors. The pitcher has an organic shape and pinched waist that becomes the handle. The Quadri collection is handpainted in Tuscany on terra bianca. Dishwasher safe. Retail prices run between $35 and $115.
For more information, call 919-245-4180 or visit www.vietri.com
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Anna Maria Horner Textiles
Peking Handicraft Inc., an international manufacturer and wholesaler of tabletop and giftware items, adds more than 10 new Anna Maria Horner designs, comprised of aprons and kitchen towels. Blending Anna Maria’s signature use of bold, vivacious colors and feminine charm, these aprons and kitchen towels are perfect for adding a splash of color to any cooking environment.
Featured Products include Square Dance Full Apron, Square Dance Half Apron, Gathering Full Apron and Gathering Half Apron in several colors. Towels are also available. Suggested retail prices range from $7 for the towels and $18 for the full aprons.
For additional information call 800-872-6888 or visit www.pkhc.com
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Stackable Tea Service
The Tea Tower, the newest creation from Classic Coffee and Tea, is a stackable set that’s easy to store and stylish. The set comes complete with a saucer, teapot, mug, creamer and sugar set with lids. The Tea Tower is also microwave and dishwasher safe, and is made from fine porcelain. Medium size comes in the Polka Dot, Siena Grey/Yellow and Siena Teal/Blue. Suggested retail price is $29.99.
For more information, contact 866-939-4462 or visit www.yedihouseware.com
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 BBQ made EZ by Pillivuyt
Pillivuyt USA, with offices in Minneapolis, introduces Pillivuyt handled Eden bakers and the black porcelain ware for the grill.
Pillivuyt Eden bakers keep the juices and seasonings in the baker instead of burning up in the coals. The dish can be brought directly from the grill to the table and is reusable.
Working in conjunction with EZ Brite Brands, Pillivuyt has found the EZ Brite Cooktop Cleaner to be a highly effective and quick way to remove this residue and restore the dishes to like-new appearance. Retailers have access to samples of this cleaner to provide to their customers with all Pillivuyt Eden baker purchases. This easy-to-use gel is completely food-safe, biodegradable and environmentally safe.
For more information, call 952-938-1672 or visit pillivuytusa.com.
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 Fiesta Candles
The Homer Laughlin China Company, Newell, W.Va., adds a new licensed product line that expands its Fiesta(r) Dinnerware brand. New Fiesta Dinnerware candles by The Jay Companies are made in nine perfectly matched Fiesta signature colors and four different sizes.
Fiesta candles are made in the following signature colors and coordinating fragrances: Ivory (Spiced Vanilla), Sunflower (Island Pineapple), Turquoise (Passion Fruit), Lemongrass (Fresh Lemon),
Shamrock (Green Apple), Chocolate (Dark Cocoa), Scarlet (Red Currant), Tangerine (Citrus Tangerine), and Peacock (Fresh Cotton).
Available in four different sizes: 3-inch x 4-inch pillars, 3-inch x 6-inch pillars, 8-ounce filled jars, and three 2.5-ounce candles packaged in a gift box. Retail prices range from $12.99 for the 4-inch pillar to $24.99 for the jar candle.
The Filled Jar Candle comes with a brushed stainless metallic lid that is embossed with the signature Fiesta dancing lady and logo. It is perfect for snuffing out candle flames and eliminating smoke from traveling through the room once the flame is extinguished. The Jar Candles will be sold in a keepsake Fiesta box. The candles are scheduled to ship on Sept. 1.
For more information, call 212-683-2727 or visit homerlaughlin.com.
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 Drinkware
US Acrylic, Libertyville, Ill., has expanded its new Clarus™ collection of BPA-free acrylic drinkware. Approximately 20 new open stock items are being offered within the collection and are available to ship to retailers in the U.S. and Canada. They include wine, martini and margarita stemware pieces; classic, coffee and straight walled mugs; pilsner, tumbler and rocks glasses; three different beverage pitchers; individual and serving bowls; as well as all-purpose plates across the collection’s Luxe, Prism, Classic and Faceted styles.
The new Clarus™ line is made with Eastman Tritan™ copolyester, a tough BPA-free polymer that can withstand extreme use and repeated dishwasher cleaning without visible or structural wear.It is virtually unbreakable and retains its remarkable clarity. The collection is 100 percent made in the USA, manufactured entirely with domestic resources and materials.
For more information, visit www.usacrylic.com/clarus or call 800-232-2600
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 Disney Designs from Tervis
Headquartered in North Venice, Florida, Tervis Tumbler Company manufactures crystal-clear, insulated drinkware that is guaranteed for life. Recently the company received a license to manufacture Disney Designs. Disney Designs are available in all of Tervis Tumber sizes: 10 ounces, 12 ounces, 16 ounces, 17-ounce mug, and 24 ounces. For additional information about Tervis Tumbler, call 866-392-1964 or visit www.tervis.com |
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 Laguiole Knives
French cutlery designer Claude Dozorme took inspiration from the red-and-white checkered pattern that is ubiquitous in French culture to create the latest design for the French knife company Laguiole.
The knives are available in a boxed set of six. The handle is made of high-quality transparent acrylic with real red-and-white checkered fabric set inside.
The knife blades are formed with quality stainless steel, and the Claude Dozorme knives for Laguiole are dishwasher-safe. Suggested retail price is $275 for the boxed set. For more information, call 516-432-7055.
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 Dots Serveware
Signature Housewares, Camarillo, Calif., introduces Dots Serverware. A set of three mini bowls—four, five and six inch—and a set of six six-inch plates in a caddy are available in Red, Green, Black, Orange and Turquoise with white polka dots. The bowls feature a white interior, and the plates feature a polka dot band. The bowls have a suggested retail price of
Suggested retails for the mini bowl set is $19.99 and $24.99 for the set of six plates with caddy.
For more information, contact 805-484-6666 or visit www.sighousewares.com
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