RETAILOBSERVER.COM APRIL 2026
6
Moe Lastfogel
moe@retailobserver.com
Moe's Musings Views
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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 primetime TV. Movies about chefs and restaurateurs have been met
with 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 days when
"I just need any old stove to replace the one I have." Today, consumers
want more – more power, more options, and more colors. They are asking
about BTUs, steam, speed cooking, induction, convection, smart
technologies, and even sous vide and blast chilling.
These phrases are new to many of your customers' vocabulary. You
have the opportunity to educate them about these options, and most of
all, upgrade the kitchen packages you sell.
I recently returned from KBIS in Orlando where 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 on point with an app, and even kitchen robots that did most of the
work for you.
This creates another opportunity in your stores, and that's housewares
as an add-on sale. If they can spend $20,000 on new appliances, what's
another $1,000 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.
tribgroup.com
RENEWED
INTEREST
IN COOKING
Trend creates more educated
appliance and housewares buyers
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