RETAILOBSERVER.COM APRIL 2023
6
Moe Lastfogel
moe@retailobserver.com
Moe's Musings Views
Happy Retailing,
A RENEWED
INTEREST
IN COOKING
Trend creates more educated
appliance and housewares buyers
We proudly support the following
trade associations and buying groups
throughout North America whose news
and information greatly contribute to
the quality of The Retail Observer and
the education of our readers.
www.asid.org
www.cedia.org
www.dpha.net
www.feigroup.net
www.htsa.com
www.cta.tech
www.cantrex.com
www.unitedservicers.
com
www.psoca.org
www.NKBA.org
www.necoalliance.com
www.psaworld.org
www.prosourceinfo.com
THE RETAIL
www.nahb.org
www.nrha.org
Follow us on:
Join us at:
Become a Fan:
www.NARI.org
www.nationwidegroup.org
www.aham.org
www.rtohq.org
www.joinbrandsource.com
O
ver the last few decades, the popularity of cooking shows has
reached an all-time high. Cooking is no longer hidden in weekend
PBS or local cable shows. It has become mainstream and even a
part of prime time TV. Movies about chefs and restauranteurs have been met
by great reviews, and they just keep coming. But what does that mean to
you as a retailer in today's Epicurean craze?
My feeling is that it creates more opportunity.
Gone are the "I just need any old stove to replace the one I have" days.
Today, consumers want more — more power, more options and more
colors. They are asking about BTU's, steam, speed cooking, induction,
convection, smart technologies, and even sous vide and blast chilling.
These phrases are new to many of your customers' vocabularies. You
have the opportunity to educate them about these options, and most of all,
upgrade the kitchen packages that you sell.
I recently returned from the International Home and Housewares show in
Chicago and I was blown away by all the new toys available to these up-and-
coming Chopped Champions. I saw new induction pan and burner sets that
spoke to each other via Bluetooth, blenders that weighed the food and
made sure your recipes were spot-on with an app, and even a food caviar
maker that created small food filled balls to make flavored and colorful
garnishes.
This creates another opportunity in your stores — housewares as an add-
on sale. If they can spend $30,000 on new appliances, what's another
$2,000 for some new pots and pans and countertop appliances?
Give consumers what they want by following these cooking trends.
For you, it's extra profit and for them, it's the next step up to becoming a
culinary genius.
