In the Face of Steady Decline in at-Home Cooking, the Cookware Market Has Seen a Revival from 2002 to 2005

Business Wire, Jan 11, 2006

DUBLIN, Ireland -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c30618) has announced the addition of Cookware - in the United States to their offering.

In the face of steady decline in at-home cooking, the cookware market has seen a revival from 2002 to 2005. Previously curtailed by falling import prices, the market is now supported by a strong housing market and trend towards gourmet kitchens. More and more consumers see benefits in professional cookware and cutlery and sales have benefited accordingly.

This report explores the interplay of different types of cookware. Stainless steel cookware is largely replacing aluminum. Cast iron and copper cookware saw a tariff-induced collapse followed by significant growth through Hispanic purchases. Bakeware has seen a resurgence due to silicone products. One of the themes underlying cookware sales is the division in the market into two parts: mass market and upscale (prestige) cookware.

This report analyzes its proprietary consumer data, which provides a clear picture of how the cookware industry is likely to withstand the long-term trend away from home cooking. By their own categorization, today's consumers are not accomplished cooks, and cook less than they did several years ago. However, they very clearly place a high value on their kitchen and the time that they spend there. It appears that it is not a matter of how many meals consumers cook at home, or how complex the meals are, but rather how much importance consumers place on the time that they do spend in the kitchen.

This report includes all non-electric items used for cooking or reheating food, which may be made of metal, ceramic, glass, or composite material:

Standard pots and saucepans, frying pans, woks, and casserole dishes designed for use on the stove or in the oven

Basting and roasting products such as roasting tins, baking sheets, loaf tins, and muffin trays

Niche products such as omelet/pancake pans, pasta pans, and asparagus steamers

Kitchen cutlery including knife blocks or sets, as well as open stock items such as cook's knives, carving knives, vegetable paring knives, cleavers, and all-purpose kitchen knives

This report does not include products related to cookware, such as tableware, glassware, flatware, kitchen appliances or gadgets.

Companies Mentioned:

--Chantal Cookware Corporation

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c30618