February 03, 2004

By: Arnold Cook
Website: http://www.1st-in-kitchens.com

Ongoing Concern Over Food Preparation Safety Leads More Consumers To Purchase Food Thermometers

Reflecting a trend in increased consumer concern for safety in food preparation, significantly more U.S. households own a food thermometer now than in 2000, according to the latest issue of Housewares MarketWatchReport, just published by the International Housewares Association (IHA).

The issue, Vol. 3 No. 4, shows that 58 percent of households own a thermometer, used to determine the doneness of meats, contrasted with 36 percent in 2000, with 5 percent saying they definitely or probably will buy one in the next year.

The after-effects of Sept. 11 remain, as Americans continue to insulate themselves within their home cocoons, opting for casual at-home lifestyles. Electric can openers, coffee makers and blends also are on the shopping lists of 8 percent, 6 percent and 5 percent of respondents, respectively, during the coming year.

Reporting on other products in the $75.3 billion U.S. housewares industry, Housewares MarketWatchreveals that an overwhelming number of U.S. households already own a microwave oven (96 percent) and an iron (95 percent). A total of 91 percent of U.S. households surveyed own an ironing board-which seems to have enduring value, replaced by the typical household every 30 years. In contrast, the typical household replaces its electric teapot and electric coffee maker every four to five years, while portable fans, outdoor grills, espresso/cappuccino makers, ice cream/yogurt makers and juice extractors/juicers are purchased about once every 6 to 7 years.

In the past year, 18 percent of households bought electric coffee makers, followed by outdoor grills (11 percent), portable fans (11 percent), microwave ovens (11 percent) and barbecue tools (8 percent).

The report-which features consumer purchase patterns for 25 household product categories-also shows that, besides food thermometers, buying plans for the next year vary among other popular products. Items households are likely to buy include electric can openers (8 percent), electric coffee makers (6 percent) and blenders (5 percent), along with barware, food processors, barbecue tools and juice extractors or juicers (4 percent each).

What's more, households with children are at least 10 percent more likely than total households to have purchased barbecue tools, blenders, ceiling fans, electric coffee makers, food thermometers, irons, outdoor grills and portable fans, and at least 10 percent less likely to have bought electric can openers or hand-held mixers.

Considered the home authority, IHA publishes Housewares MarketWatchusing point-of-purchase data (specialty and department store sales) from NPD Houseworld, the definitive online source for accessing essential market information and insights organized around business issues, and consumer purchase surveys done by Riedel Marketing Group, a recognized marketing authority for the housewares industry. The data allow retailers and manufacturers to better meet their consumers' needs.

About The Author:

Arnold Cook is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-kitchens.com.  Everything for your kitchen to make it look great and make cooking a whole lot easier.