Tying kitchen items to key selling seasons

Housewares have moved beyond the Christmas selling season at drug stores. The products are becoming a year-round category for the channel as drug chains find ways to tie in kitchen items, tabletop accessories and appliances to key selling seasons.

Back-to-college has become a big season for small appliances at the channel. Since drug stores are conveniently located near many schools, they are a destination for student dorm shopping. The National Retail Federation’s latest back-to-school survey predicted that 22% of college students will shop at drug stores, and retailers are ensuring students can find coffee makers, water filter systems and hot pots on endcaps in their stores.

Reusable lunch bags, thermoses and water bottles also are in demand as students head back to school. Food storage has become a bigger part of the category as consumers find ways to make school lunches greener. In the food storage segment, consumers increasingly are moving away from plastic in favor

of glass.

The holiday selling season offers opportunities for the channel beyond small kitchen appliances. “Retailers are adding step-up products during the holiday season,” said Mike Duff, an editor for Home World Business magazine.

With wine sales soaring, decorative corkscrews and wine glass charms are great holiday impulse and gift category additions. Duff said the products generate easy add-on sales during the holiday season when merchandised near the wine section.

During the summer selling season, more chains have added a grilling/backyard entertaining section to their center aisles, including such items as grilling accessories and coolers. 

The article above is part of the DSN Category Review Series. For the complete Home/Kitchen Accessories Buy-In Report, including extensive charts, data and more analysis, click here.