[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] As the COVID-19 pandemic prolongs, the number of 'home cook' people who prefer cooking at home rather than dining out is increasing, leading to a growing interest in kitchenware and cooking utensils.
According to Shinsegae Department Store, sales of kitchenware increased by nearly 20% year-on-year over the three months from December last year to February this year.
In particular, fueled by the recent cast iron pot rice trend that went viral on SNS, sales of premium cast iron pot brands such as Le Creuset, Staub, and Skeppshult, which are available at this department store, rose by over 40% during the same period.
Although cast iron pots are heavy, they have the advantage of uniform heat conduction, which minimizes nutrient loss and preserves the original taste of ingredients, making them popular among housewives. They are suitable not only for long-simmered dishes but also for grilling dishes that require quick, high heat.
Sales of German luxury kitchenware accessory brands such as Henckels, Triangle, and Kuchenprofi also grew by nearly 20% over the past three months.
Jo In-young, Executive Director in charge of Lifestyle at Shinsegae Department Store, said, "As the home cook trend continues, demand for kitchenware is expected to steadily increase," adding, "We will discover various products to meet changing lifestyles and trends."
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