Sales of Practical Kitchenware Exceeds Sales of Other Homeware Items in the Run up to Valentine's Day

LONDON, February 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Findings show Brits say "I love you" with kitchenware

Wayfair.co.uk, a market leading UK online retailer of everything for the home, has today announced it expects kitchenware to outsell other homeware items in the run up to Valentine's Day.

It predicts its top selling items in the run up to Valentine's Day this year will be:

1. Raymond Blanc by Anolon Hard Anodised Five Piece Cookware Set
2. Le Creuset Stoneware Deep Heart Dish with Lid in Cerise
3. The DRH Collection Artland Prescott Flute Glass in Pink (Set of 2)
4. The DRH Collection Pedestal Cake Stand with Dome
5. Naturally Med Olive Wood 22cm Heart Shaped Board
6. Meyer Select Stainless Steel 6 Piece Cookware Set

The findings were retrieved from month-by-month comparisons of top selling items on Wayfair.co.uk throughout 2012 and 2011. Sales figures showed that in the last couple of years practical kitchenware items outsold all other homeware items and accessories within the periods of 1-14 February only. Popular lighting, dining and bedroom furniture however peaked throughout all other times of the year.

"Our findings show that unlike any other time of the year, kitchenware consistently outsells all other homeware items in the run up to Valentine's Day, which coincidently drops on the 15^th Feb. It begs the question, do British couples prefer giving and receiving practical gifts versus traditional flowers and chocolates?" commented Joel Stevenson, Managing Director, Wayfair UK. "The findings may also mean more couples are choosing to save money by cooking their loved ones a romantic meal at home rather than dine out, which during these tough economic times, makes perfect sense."

A recent survey conducted by Wayfair US, showed that over half (53%) of its online female shoppers prefer to receive a practical gifts instead of a traditional gift, while 56% prefer a closet makeover or a clean house instead of flowers and a romantic dinner at a restaurant.

Recent times of austerity may have contributed to British couples spending more of their hard earned cash on home essentials and a home cooked meal versus the more expensive alternatives and traditional Valentine's Day frivolities, a sign of new trends and ever changing consumer buying habits.

Notes to editors:

The items listed in the press release can be found on Wayfair.co.uk:

1. Raymond Blanc by Anolon Hard Anodised Five Piece Cookware Set, £17.99
2. Le Creuset Stoneware Deep Heart Dish with Lid in Cerise, £45.99
3. The DRH Collection Artland Prescott Flute Glass in Pink (Set of 2)
4. The DRH Collection Pedestal Cake Stand With Dome, £32.30
5. Naturally Med Olive Wood 22cm Heart Shaped Board, £17.99
6. Meyer Select Stainless Steel 6 Piece Cookware Set, £98.99

About Wayfair.co.uk:

Wayfair.co.uk offers a zillion things home - the largest selection of home furnishings and décor across all styles and budgets.  With more than 500,000 options from more than 1,600 brands, we are dedicated to helping people find the perfect product at the right price. Other sites under the Wayfair umbrella include AllModern.co.uk, a leading retailer of original modern design.

Headquartered in Boston, USA, Wayfair LLC is the parent company of Wayfair.co.uk, employing more than 1,200 people. Wayfair has in total seven business and distribution centres across the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany and Australia. The company was recently named one of America's Most Promising Companies by Forbes Magazine.

For more information, please visit http://www.wayfair.co.uk, or follow us at http://www.facebook.com/wayfairUK or at http://www.twitter.com/wayfairUK or check out our blog My Way Home at http://www.wayfair.com/blog.

Media contact:

To arrange an interview, request high resolution photography or for more information on Wayfair.co.uk, please contact:

Karen Hamblen
UK PR Manager, Wayfair.co.uk
Email: Khamblen@wayfair.com
Tel: +44(0)20-7557-7976