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Sales of glassware, barware, and plastic beverageware have experienced double-digit growth annually over the past two years. In fact, the combined category outperformed all other housewares categories in 1999. »

Trends that tend towards simplicity may be hot in houseware designs, but there is nothing simple in gift-basket trends. In this arena, consumers believe bigger is better and perception is everything. »

In February, we introduced you to Margaret Junkhan and Vicky Flaws, our retailer "pioneers" who agreed to allow The Gourmet Retailer to chronicle the transformation of their hand-written bridal registry program into a computerized system with a noncommerce registry presence on the Internet.  »

The kitchen has reclaimed its status as the heart of the home. With renewed energy, consumers are heading to the kitchen and assessing their inventory. And they're discovering they want more — more power, more strength, better design, and the best quality. Consumers are calling for professionally-designed showcase kitchens and all the bells and whistles — including kitchenware — that go with them. »

The kitchen has taken center stage as the unabashed star of the home, especially as consumers increasingly demand products that offer the sought-after combination of form and function, style and substance.  »

Kitchen storage is yet another category to jump on the upscaling bandwagon in recent years, as fashion trends, innovative features and changing consumer tastes have stepped in to overhaul a product that was once utilitarian at best and just plain boring at worst. »

In our four-part Registry Series in 2000, we're going to overhaul the gift-registry system at Cook's Emporium and bring it from the no-tech notebook into the high-tech 21st century. »