This report covers the $20.9 billion retail market for household appliances, including ranges, refrigerators and freezers, washing machines, clothes dryers, air conditioners, microwaves and dishwashers. The period covered is from 1999 to May 2005.

During this period, the market share of various retailers/retailer types has remained relatively stable, with Sears dominating. However, home improvement stores have begun to challenge that dominance and are steadily gaining share. Appliance specialists, though individually small, make up 27% of the household appliance market and are particularly popular with higher-income consumers.

This report covers the $20.9 billion retail market for household appliances, including ranges, refrigerators and freezers, washing machines, clothes dryers, air conditioners, microwaves and dishwashers. The period covered is from 1999 to May 2005.

During this period, the market share of various retailers/retailer types has remained relatively stable, with Sears dominating. However, home improvement stores have begun to challenge that dominance and are steadily gaining share. Appliance specialists, though individually small, make up 27% of the household appliance market and are particularly popular with higher-income consumers.

Sales at current 2004 prices grew by $3.8 billion (22%) since 1999, primarily as a result of an increased number of households and increased activity in the housing market in general. If higher levels of growth are to be achieved, more current owners must be convinced to upgrade from a working appliance. Research for this report suggests that those most likely to upgrade are households with children, married couples and consumers with income over $50,000. This report examines the hypothesis that changes to current marketing campaigns and merchandising strategy could contribute to increased upgrades from functioning machines and higher spend on replacement purchases.

More specifically, this report covers four categories of appliance retail sales:

gas ranges, electric ranges, convection ovens and microwaves. Gas ranges and electric ranges include freestanding, built-in, and surface cooking units. Microwaves include both countertop and over-the-range models.

automatic washing machines and dryers, both gas and electric, including side-by-side or stackable (dryer placed above washer) units. Both front load and top load automatic washers and dryers are included.

refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers and garbage disposers. Refrigerators include modular refrigerators, and compact and standard sizes. Top freezer, side-by-side, and bottom freezer refrigerators are included. Freezers include both upright and chest models. Dishwashers include portable and built-in models.

single room air conditioner units, portable heaters, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, air cleaners and air purifiers. Household central air or central heating products are not included.

Excluded from this report are contract sales, second-hand appliances, and rental appliances.

Note: This is the final installment on a series of reports covering the home appliance industry. In keeping with the series, sales data presented is from 1999 to 2004. The first four reports in this series are:

Household Appliances Volume 4: Air Treatment—U.S., June 2005

Household Appliances Volume 3: Washers and Dryers—U.S., March 2005

Household Appliances Volume 2: Electric and Gas Stoves and Ranges—U.S., May 2005

Household Appliances Volume 1: Freezer, Refrigerator and Dishwasher—U.S., April 2005