Home Economics

Goldfarb confirmed there is a definite increase in the variety of end-buyers for kitchen promotional products. "Companies from a variety of industries are giving out household products," he said. "Distributors should realize that a variety of industries are purchasing household products as a top option."

But the almighty question remains: Who exactly is doing the buying? Both Sumner and Goldfarb state that it's not just kitchen product or food companies, but also financial institutions, insurance companies, home health care providers, real estate brokers and retail companies. Goldfarb also noted an increase in companies purchasing household products for their own employees.

WHAT'S SIZZLING?

If you are talking trends for kitchen products, then what's hot is upscale design and retail looks. "Some of the latest trends include design improvements, more unique products and [an] increased use of silicone," Goldfarb said. With design improvements moving toward retail styling, these products are not meant to be stuffed away in the junk drawer. "We are seeing design improvements on basic products from cake servers to pizza cutters to ice creams scoops. They are no longer just inexpensive-looking products hidden in a drawer, but are aesthetically designed with special added touches," he continued.

The decrease in silicone pricing in recent years and its high melting point make it very effective manufacturing material in kitchen products, and there has been a definitive increase in silicone product sales and usage. "We are finding more and more products being completely or partially made from silicone, including strainers, measuring cups, brushes, pot holders and spoons," noted Goldfarb. Sumner also confirmed the increase in silicone product purchasing, in particular with silicone spatulas and scrapers, but also noted the gaining popularity of the retail sheik, eco-friendly renewable resource bamboo as a popular product pick. "Our bamboo spoons and matching spatulas are extremely popular, very attractive and useful," she said.