PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y.-Retail sales of specialty kitchen electrics rose 10 percent in dollars in the 12 months ending in November, according to research conducted by The NPD Group.
The top sellers in the specialty category in that time frame were popcorn makers, ice cream/yogurt makers, roaster ovens and tea makers, NPD said. Those categories that posted double-digit sales growth included chocolate fountains, ice cream/yogurt makers, pizza ovens, meat grinders/mincers and ice shavers/snow cone makers.
NPD’s report on the category also said more than half of all purchases of specialty kitchen electrics were for the shoppers’ own use. Thirteen percent of these sales were holiday purchases, and 19 percent of the sales in dollars came from online purchases, NPD added.
“Specialty items have become commonplace in recent years,” said Debra Mednick, the research firm’s director of home business. “When it comes to small kitchen appliances, specialty products offer consumers fun gift options, but also ways to enjoy something unique and special in their own homes.”