A decline in corkscrews and a revival in demand for bread-making machines has been noted in research on kitchen trends.
Just 27% of 18- to 24-year-olds own a corkscrew, according to the annual trends report from retailer Lakeland, compared to 81% of those over 65.
The shift is a sign of the declining interest in drinking wine and other alcohol among Gen Z and millennials, something that will not have gone unnoticed by drinks companies, but also a rise of screw-top bottles, as well as the availability of wine in boxes and cans.
“More and more young people just do not know how to use [a corkscrew]," Lakeland said, "and if you don’t know how to use it, why own one?”
Meanwhile, the popularity of breadmaking machines has risen again.
Having enjoyed a surge in popularity during the pandemic, the recent resurgence reflects growing concerns about ultra-processed foods, which has been catalysed by the publicity around books such as 'Ultra Processed People' by Dr Chris Van Tullken and 'Eat Well and Feel Great' published by Bloomsbury (LSE:BMY).
“People are looking to cook and bake their food from scratch so they can control exactly what goes into it,” the Lakeland report said.
Major bread brands Kingsmill and Allinson are owned by FTSE 100 Associated British Foods PLC (LSE:ABF), while Hovis is owned by private equity and Warburtons remains family-owned.
Listed wine companies include retailers Virgin Wines UK PLC and Naked Wines PLC (AIM:WINE, OTCQX:NWINF), with winemakers including Constellation Brands Inc (NYSE:STZ), while fellow New York-listed corporation Brown-Forman recently sold its main wine interests for US$400 million.