Millennials have matured. Now between the ages of 26 and 41, the people in this generation are buying their first homes, embarking on major renovations, and generally investing more seriously in their living environments. According to the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s 2022 forecast, this generation is gradually usurping market share from older baby boomers and Gen Xers, and the kitchen appliance industry is reacting. Here’s a look at how the expectations, preferences, and needs of millennials are shaping the market.
Smart Technology
A technology mindset differentiates millennials from an older demographic. Having grown up with the internet, these tech-savvy consumers are driving a digital transformation. They tend to use smartphones over desktops and are hyper-attached to their devices. Multi-tasking is second nature to this busy group. Ease, efficiency, and convenience are major motivators.
So it’s no surprise that millennials are propelling the rising popularity of smart kitchen appliances. They are looking for ways to simplify mealtime and enhance the cooking experience. For them, connectivity is a requisite. The digital natives opt for appliances that can be operated via both an app downloaded to their device and voice control through a virtual assistant. Café offers an array of Wi-Fi-enabled appliances that fit the bill. What’s more, regular software upgrades deliver the latest cooking modes, so features improve over time.
Health and Wellness
Cooking at home more than ever, millennials are fueling demand for health-promoting appliances that make it easy to prepare nutritious meals. Steam ovens and those with built-in air-frying capability top their must-have lists. Indoor air quality also matters. Induction cooktops—paired with high-performance kitchen ventilation—are gaining traction. Given climbing food prices, enhanced refrigeration that preserves fresh produce longer is increasingly important as well.
Additional modern conveniences millennials look for include dishwashers with powerful sanitizing cycles to reduce bacteria on dishes as well as touchless faucets and antimicrobial countertop surfaces.
Sustainability
Eco-conscious millennials actively seek ways to reduce their carbon footprint making energy-efficient appliances a must! The industry is responding with groundbreaking products that consume less power and an expanding line-up of Energy Star-certified options.
As the buying power of millennials increases, their influence on the kitchen appliance market will likely grow too. An ADU specialist can help you select appliances with the features your millennial clients crave.