STEVENS, Pa., Nov. 12 (UPI) -- More Americans will use "casual luxury" tableware instead of formal china, crystal and sterling silver for Thanksgiving this year, a U.S. marketing firm said.
A Unity Marketing research study of recent tableware buyers determined that a new category is emerging in the tableware market that is too casual to be called formal dinnerware, but too elegant for everyday.
The trend is toward the middle ground between formal and everyday tableware, said Pam Danziger, president of Unity Marketing.
"The tabletop industry has traditionally been divided into two segments: Upstairs/Formal and Downstairs/Casual," said Danziger. "This study discovered that women from 25 to 58 years old, and even brides when they register for dinnerware, reject the industry's traditional approach in favor of new casual luxury tableware that matches their lifestyle and the way they entertain."
The dishwasher- and microwave-safe tableware offers moderate pricing and is sold open-stock -- so shoppers can buy just the pieces they want, the report said.
