The tabletop industry, coming off a year in which U.S. sales rose 11.5%, according to publication HFN, returns this week for the first in-person New York Tabletop Show (Oct 5-8) in 18 months, with licensed collections in abundance.

Social dining raises demand
The growing trend of social dining is expected to increase the demand for designer tabletop kitchen products, according to Global Industry Analysts Inc.  That, mixed with increased consumer spending on kitchen tools and open kitchens as ambiance has become a focal point of social  gatherings, will boost global tabletop sales 3.7% annually through 2027 to $63.5 billion, it says. In the U.S. it will rise 4.8% annually to $17 billion by 2028.

As the Show reopens, the industry faces the first signs of slowing growth after months of sales increases tied to homebound consumers who have discovered, or were forced to find, a newfound love for home cooking.

For example, retailer Bed Bath and Beyond, a major purveyor of all things tabletop, last week reported a double-digit percent decline in store traffic starting in late July at the same time as it faced an “ongoing tightening” of supply and increases in freight prices that came through “thick and fast,” CEO Mark Tritton told analysts last week.

Tabletop companies are readying new lines and using licenses to broaden their reach. For example, newly renamed Gibson Homewares (previously Gibson Overseas), is expected to expand its Martha Stewart– and Kemore-licensed collection, while taking wraps off the Spice collection of actress Tina Mowry, star of the Netflix series “Family Reunion”, featuring a 12-piece dinnerware set as well as prep tools and gadgets, and serve and drinkware. The Spire collection launches sales in October. Gibson also  is expanding its 17-SKU licensed kitchenware (mugs, whisks, knives and other products) with chef and YouTube personality Andrew Rea and his “Binging with Babish” channel  beyond Amazon this fall, says David Nicklin, SVP Marketing and Licensing at Gibson.

Among other developments:

• Zrike Brands is readying tabletop products, bath accessories and kitchen textiles under the Seuss and Schitt’s Creek brands. Those brands join Disney, Peanuts, Warner Bros. and other licenses.
• Lenox Corp., which was purchased by Centre Lane Partners last fall, will display the Oneida and Hampton Forge brands for the first time under its ownership.
• Whether it’s just more space available isn’t clear, but the TableTop Show in the 41 Madison Building added two non-tenants for pop-up shops. Rug supplier Surya, which has licensing agreements with Hearst Corp.’s Elle Décor and artist Shell Rummel, will show more than 300 designs, and artist Hunt Slonem will have a Hop Up Shop Pop Up featuring self-sourced dinner and serveware, textiles, plates, tumblers and other products.
• British tableware supplier Portmeirion is giving a new sheen to its dinnerware collection with designer Sophie Conran. The 120-SKU Arbor & Floral collection is the first new introduction under Portmeirion for Conran, daughter of famed retailer Terence Conran, in 15 years.