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Marketwatch_winter:Marketwatch 1/9/09 3:42 PM Page 1 Winter 2008 Striking a Balance in an Unbalanced Market By Peter Goldman, The NPD Group, Inc. n a challenging economy it’s no surprise that consumer behavior shifts. Beyond that, preferences and priorities seem to shift as well. When consumers are challenged with making decisions between what they want and what they need, the lines may begin to blur as the impulsive, extravagant purchases lose their luster and those that serve a necessary purpose take priority. I About Housewares MarketWatch Housewares MarketWatch reports both point-of-sale (POS) and consumer data from NPD databases. The quarterly data covers various product categories within the divisions of Small Appliances and Non-electric Housewares. The information contained on the following pages is offered as a snapshot of a category’s performance, both from the retailer (POS) and consumer perspectives. The POS data covers the retail channels of mass/national chains, department store, specialty store and drug store (personal care and home environment only). Each issue of Housewares MarketWatch will feature several categories from the Small Appliances and Housewares divisions. Complete data on a category can be purchased by visiting NPD’s website at www.npd.com.See the Data and Methodology section on page 8 for an explanation of how the data is compiled. As of October 2008, 92 percent of consumers surveyed by The NPD Group thought the U.S. economy was in or headed for bad economic times. This was a nine-point increase over September. About half of respondents indicated they planned to spend less on items like appliances, home textiles and home improvement in the coming months. Apparel and footwear, necessities for all consumers, appear to be holding on to customers who plan to spend the same amount of money on these items as they have in the past. With the unemployment rate hitting 6.5 percent in October, 1.7 percentage points above what it was the same time a year ago, 72 percent of consumers told us they were somewhat or very concerned for the security of their job/income. This demonstrates the recognition of a personal reality, an uneasiness that goes beyond just acknowledging a challenging economy. The increased concern over personal employment will likely tighten belts even further during the critical holiday period. Coupons, Price Affect Purchases The survey also told us women are significantly more likely to take advantage of coupons to save money, while men are more likely not to do anything different. However, men expressed more of an interest in discount/membership programs than women. Consumers under retirement age were more likely than their older counterparts to take advantage of some kind of money-saving promotional event or program. Across small appliances price has long been one of the most important reasons for purchase. This has become even more evident in recent months. In the three months ending August 2008, for the first time in three years, NPD’s Consumer Tracking Service showed price outpacing continued on page 6 Marketwatch_winter:Marketwatch 1/9/09 3:42 PM Page 2 Small Appliances: KITCHEN ELECTRICS MARKET SIZE DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS QUARTER THREE • 2008 UNIT VOLUME IN THOUSANDS T M AO TA RK L ET Unit Volume Share 6 months ending — September 2008 14.7 % 7,915 15.7 % 16.2 % 17.1 % 15.9 % CENSUS (PERCENT OF POPULATION) 11.3 % 15 SLOW COOKERS 18.6 % 11,970 15.3 % 10,000 20 14.1 % C EL OOK EC IN TR G IC S 15,000 SLOW COOKERS • REGION Percentage purchased in region versus census 11.4 % 19,885 F BE OOD VE P RA RE GE P/ 20,000 COFFEE GRINDERS ■ Blade-type coffee grinders represented 76% of dollar sales for the category in Q3’08. 5 3.5 % 6.6 % 7.8 % 6.1 % 6.0 % 0 Source: Consumer Tracking Service 4.9 % 8.0 % 10 6.8 % 5,000 0 New England Middle Atlantic East North West North Central Central South Atlantic East South West South Mountain Central Central Pacific Source: Consumer Tracking Service WAFFLE IRONS • AGE OF BUYER Percentage purchased by age of buyer versus census Source: Retail Tracking Service ESPRESSO/CAPPUCCINO MAKERS ■ Almost 8% of espresso/ cappuccino makers sold in Q3’08 were 1 cup/ single serve models Source: Retail Tracking Service Source: The NPD Group 5 0 14.7 % 19.7 % 11.7 % 3.3 % 10 9.1 % 9.0 % Source: Retail Tracking Service 16.1 % 17.2 % 11.7 % 17.8 % 15 18.9 % 68% of sandwich makers sold in Q3’08 had a cool touch feature. ■ CENSUS (PERCENT OF POPULATION) 16.1 % 20 16.8 % SANDWICH MAKERS 17.8 % WAFFLE IRONS 13-17 years 18-24 years 25-34 years Source: Consumer Tracking Service 2 35-44 years 45-54 years 55-64 years 65+ years Marketwatch_winter:Marketwatch 1/9/09 3:42 PM Page 3 Small Appliances: PERSONAL CARE MARKET SIZE DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS 18.3 % 6.6 % 8.0 % 6.0 % 6.8 % 5.7 % 4.9 % 6.3 % 10 Source: Consumer Tracking Service 15.7 % 18.6 % 18.1 % 15.9 % 10000 0 11.3 % 24,102 CENSUS (PERCENT OF POPULATION) 9.2 % 21,459 15 MASSAGING APPLIANCES 9.9 % 20000 20 12.1 % 30000 MASSAGING APPLIANCES • REGION Percentage purchased in region versus census 14.1 % 45,561 Unit Volume Share 6 months ending — September 2008 12.3 % 40000 H GR AIR OO CA MI RE NG / O PE RAL RS C ON AR AL E & CA OT RE HE R 50000 T M AO TA RK L ET QUARTER THREE • 2008 UNIT VOLUME IN THOUSANDS 5 HAIR SETTERS 0 New England East South West South Mountain Central Central Pacific 8.2 % 9.0 % 8.4 % Source: Retail Tracking Service 11.9 % 45-54 years 11.7 % 35-44 years 14.7 % 17.2 % 16.2 % 15 18.9 % 20 CENSUS (PERCENT OF POPULATION) 15.8 % 25 10 MEN’S ELECTRICAL SHAVERS 16.8 % A quarter of hair dryers sold in Q3’08 used ceramic technology, and almost 70% used ionic technology. South Atlantic MEN’S ELECTRICAL SHAVERS • AGE OF BUYER Percentage purchased by age of buyer versus census 15.7 % ■ East North West North Central Central Source: Consumer Tracking Service Source: Retail Tracking Service HAIR DRYERS Middle Atlantic 23.7 % Hair setters with 20 rollers accounted for half of the unit sales in Q3’08. 11.7 % ■ MEN’S TRIMMERS ■ 7% of men’s trimmers sold in Q3’08 were body groomers. 5 0 Source: Retail Tracking Service 13-17 years 18-24 years 25-34 years 55-64 years Source: Consumer Tracking Service 3 Source: The NPD Group 65+ years Marketwatch_winter:Marketwatch 1/9/09 3:43 PM Page 4 Small Appliances: HOME ENVIRONMENT ( E X C L U D I N G VA C S ) MARKET SIZE DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS QUARTER THREE • 2008 UNIT VOLUME IN THOUSANDS T M AO TA RK L ET 25000 Unit Volume Share 6 months ending — September 2008 AIR PURIFIERS • BUYER GENDER Percentage purchased by buyer gender versus census 24,331 20000 60 AIR PURIFIERS CENSUS (PERCENT OF POPULATION) 15000 50 54.6 % 51.1 % 48.9 % 45.4 % 10000 40 5000 30 0 20 Source: Consumer Tracking Service 10 0 Male Female Source: Consumer Tracking Service AIR PURIFIERS • INCOME Percentage purchased by income versus census 20 13.2 % 15.0 % 11.5 % 9.9 % 13.7 % 12.1 % 16.1 % 11.3 % 6.5 % Source: Retail Tracking Service 6.7 % 10 13.1 % 16.6 % 17.8 % 15 11.1 % 30% of heaters sold in Q3’08 used ceramic heat technology. 7.8 % ■ CENSUS (PERCENT OF POPULATION) 17.6 % AIR PURIFIERS HEATERS 5 0 Under $15,000 $15,000 – 29,999 $30,000 – 44,999 Source: Consumer Tracking Service Source: The NPD Group 4 $45,000 – 59,999 $60,000 – 74,999 $75,000 – 99,999 $100,000 – $150,000 + 149,999 Marketwatch_winter:Marketwatch 1/9/09 3:43 PM Page 5 Small Appliances: FLOOR CARE MARKET SIZE DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS QUARTER THREE • 2008 UNIT VOLUME IN THOUSANDS T M AO TA RK L ET Unit Volume Share 6 months ending — September 2008 10000 CANISTER VACUUMS • BUYER GENDER Percentage purchased by buyer gender versus census 9,133 8000 60 6000 CANISTER VACUUMS CENSUS (PERCENT OF POPULATION) 50 4000 30 0 20 51.1 % 48.9 % 43.4 % 40 2000 56.6 % Source: Consumer Tracking Service 10 0 Male Female Source: Consumer Tracking Service CANISTER VACUUMS • HOUSEHOLD SIZE Percentage purchased by household size versus census CENSUS (PERCENT OF POPULATION) 10.3 % 15 13.9 % 20 21.4 % 20.1 % 25 15.9 % 30 12.9 % Source: Retail Tracking Service CANISTER VACUUMS 22.6 % 35 19.3 % Cyclonic hand vacuums now represent less than half of units sold, 46% as of Q3’08, compared to 53% in Q3’07. ■ 26.3 % 40 37.1 % HAND VACUUMS 10 5 0 Single Member Two Members Three Members Four Members Five or More Members Source: Consumer Tracking Service 5 Source: The NPD Group Marketwatch_winter:Marketwatch 1/9/09 3:43 PM Page 6 Housewares: NON-ELECTRIC MARKET SIZE QUARTER THREE • 2008 UNIT VOLUME IN THOUSANDS DINNERWARE 10,430 BEVERAGEWARE COOKWARE 10000 CUTLERY 6,262 4000 1,713 6000 3,373 FLATWARE 4,080 8000 BAKEWARE 2,090 12000 2000 0 Source: Retail Tracking Service COOKWARE ■ 18% of cookware dollars came from fry pans/skillets in Q3’08. Source: Retail Tracking Service FLATWARE ■ Casual flatware accounted for 58% of dollar sales in Q3’08. Source: Retail Tracking Service BAKEWARE ■ Glass bakeware represented 18% of dollar sales in Q3’08. Source: Retail Tracking Service Source: The NPD Group Housewares: Weathering Through the Economic Storm Continued from page 1 features as consumers’ most important purchase factor. When considering the various segments within the small appliance industry, features and price are consistently the top two reasons for purchase. Kitchen electrics follows a similar pattern to the industry in total with price outpacing features. Home environment appliances have been consistently driven by price over the last year – more so than any other segment. Personal care appliances continue to be a feature-driven business, with features still outweighing price. For kitchen categories consumers perceive to be necessities, make a task easier, or can be used in more than one way, features still trump price. Some examples are drip coffeemakers, stand mixers, food processors, toaster ovens and slow cookers. “Green” Loses its Cache With regard to price and its impact on decision-making, environmentallyfriendly or “green” products are a strong and timely example. At a time when many consumers are concerned about the environment but also concerned with the economy, the decision to buy a product because it is “green” may not have the cache it did just six months ago. Given difficult choices, the consumer may have to sacrifice environmental benefits and good “green” intentions in lieu of financial constraints. Consumers weighed in on this point in NPD’s recent Green 2008: Consumer 6 Attitudes and Behaviors report. When asked about green home products, consumers offered this type of feedback: “Make it more environmentally-friendly while keeping the cost down” and “Especially in today’s economy, I cannot afford to spend a lot more to be ecofriendly.” While this economic landscape seems to be opportunistic for CFL light bulbs, a clear cost-cutting opportunity, it will be interesting to see whether energy- and water-efficient, front-loading washing machines and steam dryers can sustain their remarkable growth. Products with tangible benefits are the ones that have endured the test of time – and it’s likely they’ll withstand the adversities of today’s economy, too. Fads have come and gone many times over, but items Marketwatch_winter:Marketwatch 1/9/09 3:43 PM with features based in functionality remain. NPD tracks sales of various specialty kitchen electric categories such as electric kettles, popcorn makers, pizza ovens and chocolate fountains. By definition these products are specialized, often times to just a single use, which makes this an interesting category to watch during challenging economic times when consumers want to get the most for their money. Specialty Products Show Growth The specialty kitchen categories that exhibited double-digit growth this past year (12 months ending August 2008 vs. prior 12 months) are jar openers, popcorn makers, tea makers and electric kettles. All four of these categories perform a specific task in an efficient manner for the consumer. With the exception of popcorn makers, these specialty products may be used daily to enhance the quality of our everyday lives, particularly in this environment of increased “cocooning” and “stay-cations.” Page 7 The growth of jar openers, though still a relatively small category, is noteworthy at 75 percent. This is a product that fills a need, perhaps making an everyday task easier for the large number of aging baby boomers in the U.S. Regarding tea makers, according to NPD’s National Eating Trends, per capita or per person consumption of tea in the home has been steadily increasing over the past five years (12 months ending May 2008). Between the health benefits being promoted and the cost of buying a cup of tea at a local café, it’s no surprise that tea makers and electric kettles are demonstrating significant growth. When it comes to appliances, and specifically small appliances, consumer purchase behavior in terms of the types of items they are buying has not changed dramatically in the most recent six months of this economic downturn. Consumers are spending more time at home and they are selectively continuing to spend money 7 on the items that they feel will make that time more enjoyable. At the same time, consumers are wary of making changes and heading in new directions, as demonstrated by the caution expressed over environmentally-friendly products and the investment necessary for many of these categories. In the headier days of 2005 to mid-2007, consumers migrated up the price spectrum and premium products sold very well. The higherincome consumers who drive the premium price segments are not making changes yet. However, those consumers who were trading up to make aspirational purchases in recent years are now facing the question of whether “good” is “good enough.” They’re realizing that in this economy, it’s all about striking that delicate balance between wants and needs. Peter Goldman is president of the Home Section at The NPD Group. These are the opinions of Goldman and NPD. For more information, contact Goldman at 516-625-6136. Source: The NPD Group Marketwatch_winter:Marketwatch 1/9/09 3:43 PM Page 8 DATA AND METHODOLOGY NPD has a standard data model that is used for all categories, although it is modified to suit the needs or characteristics of each. The standard model incorporates both consumer and point-of-sale (POS) databases. These two data sources are highly complementary and are used to support one another-each making the other stronger. Point-of-Sale (POS) databases are assembled from retailers' records of actual sales by product as collected at the cash register. These databases are highly reliable and provide census counts of sales by product and price for participating retailers. Not all retailers participate, however, so informed estimates are made for product sales in non-participating retailers in a process called "projection" or "POS projection." The completed sales data are valuable to clients trying to understand which products or items are selling well and which are not, at which prices and in which channels. The finished POS data describe the product, retail channel and price. They do not, however, address the buyer of the product. Consumer databases are developed using product purchase surveys completed by a large-scale rotating sample of consumers. These data also produce estimates of sales by product and retail channel, as does a POS database. More importantly, however, the consumer surveys capture information about each purchase not available in the POS databases, buyer demographics, the product's intended use and a variety of other characteristics. These facts help clients understand why products are selling well or poorly and help them better understand consumers' motivations. One additional advantage to the consumer surveys is that there are no "missing retailers" from the database since the information is gathered from panelists directly and no retailer cooperation is required. CONSUMER METHODOLOGY Most consumer data in the U.S. are gathered from periodic samples of individuals who are asked about their recent purchases. Respondents report certain details about the type and nature of their purchases in a survey Source: The NPD Group administered via the Web. The responding sample is demographically weighted and projected through a series of steps to represent the Total Adult (18+) and Total Teen (13-17) U.S. population. Each week, over 145,000 individuals are selected from the NPD online consumer panel to participate in one of three weekly studies. The NPD online consumer panel is composed of pre-recruited individuals who have agreed to participate in NPD online surveys and have completed a comprehensive demographic questionnaire. The use of an established online panel assures good cooperation levels and predictable demographic balance among cooperators. Most survey work is completed via the Internet. Internet users are known to have certain demographic and behavioral biases not found in the total population, though these are rapidly diminishing over time. A process of sample selection and respondent weighting is used to control demographics, however, reducing some of the biases in the sample. Extensive research has shown that by effectively weighting the sample, the Internet yields superior data quality (coverage) than do offline methodologies. ABOUT THE NPD GROUP, INC. The NPD Group, Inc. (NPD) is a global market information company that measures product movement and consumer behavior across a broad range of industries -- apparel, automotive products, consumer electronics, cosmetics and fragrances, food, foodservice, footwear, housewares, information technology, interactive entertainment, toys and music. NPD's clients, many in the Fortune 500, use this insight to uncover market opportunities, strengthen channel relationships and benchmark industry performance. Since 1967, NPD has introduced numerous industry firsts, most recently combining and calibrating information from consumer panels and point-of-sale tracking via its flagship services, the NPD Worlds. The firm has offices and affiliations in 60 countries. For more information on The NPD Group, visit www.npd.com. POS METHODOLOGY NPD collects point-of-sale retailer data from selected retailers. These data are the actual sales for the chain on an SKU-by-SKU basis. The data are combined with data from other retailers to produce reports on certain categories by channel, where a sufficient number of retailers are cooperating and where sufficient market demand exists for the database. Data are not available from all retailers, however. The available data are projected to cover the missing (non-cooperating) retailers within each channel in most of NPD's categories. In certain circumstances, brand share weights are applied as well to compensate for missing retailers with a different brand mix, to more accurately reflect the marketplace. Those adjustments are generally guided by inputs from either consumer panel data or actual in-store audits. 8 Deborah A. Teschke, Senior Editor Peter Goldman, Contributing Editor Janine Marshall-Bolton, Contributing Editor Tom Goodman, Design Published by IHA For more information, contact Debbie Teschke at 847-692-0110; or dteschke@housewares.org 6400 SHAFER COURT, STE. 650 ROSEMONT, IL 60018 USA TEL: 847-292-4200 FAX: 847-292-4211 www.housewares.org 092408B/2100
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