• February 28, 2011

Consumers are in the mood for kitchen gadgets. The NPD Group reports that sales of small kitchen appliances -- led by double-digit gains in drip coffeemakers, blenders, stand mixers, electric grills/ griddles, hand mixers, waffle irons, and rice cookers -- rose 3% in dollars and 9% in units in 2010.

That means both surpassed the pre-recession levels of 2007. Personal-care appliances barely kept pace with 2009 levels, however, despite strong sales of men's facial trimmers, oral care replacements, hairdryers, and hair setters. And in small appliances for the home, the Port Washington, N.Y.-based market research company says heaters, humidifiers, vaporizers, bare floor cleaners, robotic and workshop vacuums also had double-digit gains.