Candles
By Meredith Schwartz -- Gifts and Dec, 11/1/2008 12:00:00 AM
The candles market reached approximately $5 billion in 2007 according to Mintel, a leading market research company. Top-selling companies such as Yankee Candle and Blyth contributed about $2 billion; smaller domestic companies make up another approximately $1 billion and $2 billion came from importers.
The candle market grew about 5–8 percent between 2002 and 2007, and Mintel forecasts continued nearly 5 percent growth during 2008–2012. The majority of candle sales — 85.1 percent in 2007 — occurred at candle, home decor, department, specialty and other home stores, representing a 12.5 percent increase over 2005. And Mintel found younger and middle-aged women are more likely to be frequent (once a month or more) candle buyers. Nearly a quarter of respondents buy soy candles.
According to Unity Marketing's Gifts & Decorative Accents Report, 2008, candles are the most purchased products in home decorative accents: 62 percent of those who bought anything for the home bought candles and candle accessories. Unity Marketing's channel data is not as encouraging with candles and accessories purchases in specialty home furnishings stores representing only 13 percent.
As for trends, alternative waxes are becoming more common; green and natural continue to be words to conjure with; scents are more complex. Wellness/pampering and bright colors were two trends predicted for spring 2009.
U.S. Candles Sales and Forecast 2002-12
Total U.S. sales at inflation-adjusted prices
| $ million | % change | |
| 2002 | 4,417 | - |
| 2003 | 4,546 | 2.9 |
| 2004 | 4,661 | 2.5 |
| 2005 | 4,746 | 1.8 |
| 2006 | 4,874 | 2.7 |
| 2007 (est) | 5,000 | 2.6 |
| 2008 (fore) | 5,117 | 2.3 |
| 2009 (proj) | 5,232 | 2.2 |
| 2010 (proj) | 5,341 | 2.1 |
| 2011 (proj) | 5,451 | 2.1 |
| 2012 (proj) | 5,563 | 2.1 |
Wow Fred. No one makes quality unscented tapers and pillars? There are plenty of them. Smokeless, dripless, high quality. As far as scented jars on a dinner table, no one is suggesting that. Customers burn these for entirely different reasons and not on the dinner table at dinnertime.
Anna - 2008-12-31 11:07:00 EST
I don't know how reliable your numbers are or where you got them. You
must be talking "retail dollars" certainly not net or wholesale. The
number of doors that are carrying candles can not support the numbers
you are reporting. The growth of the basic business is not there. You
can't buy a good unscented taper or pillar candle. Just shop
Manhattan,the only store that offers a good selection of "quality" product
is Gracious Home. BBBY has cut back on it's product selection, and
forget the discounters they carry inferior product. Who in their right
mind is going to burn some stupid jar or scented candle at dinner?
Fred - 2008-12-18 15:59:00 EST
must be talking "retail dollars" certainly not net or wholesale. The
number of doors that are carrying candles can not support the numbers
you are reporting. The growth of the basic business is not there. You
can't buy a good unscented taper or pillar candle. Just shop
Manhattan,the only store that offers a good selection of "quality" product
is Gracious Home. BBBY has cut back on it's product selection, and
forget the discounters they carry inferior product. Who in their right
mind is going to burn some stupid jar or scented candle at dinner?
-
Direct From Market- Atlanta
Jan 13, 2012 -
Direct from Market: California Gift Show
Feb 1, 2011 -
Direct from Market: Las Vegas
Feb 5, 2012 -
U.S. Toy Sales Topped $21 Billion
Jan 31, 2012 -
Direct from Market: Los Angeles
Jan 27, 2012
VIEW ALL GALLERIES
