Housewares Prices Steady

Sales of housewares products at the manufacturing level in l9l4 climbed to a record $9.6 billion despite an overall decline in the total U.S. economy, according to the National Housewares Manufacturers Assn., following their eighth annual marketing research study of housewares manufacturers.

The 1l% increase in manufacturcrs' 1974 sales volume over the previous year means the housewares industry held its own at a time when the Gross National Product rose by only 7% and the inflation rate went up l2%.

Housewares prices are more stable now than a year ago, the survey shows. A total of 70% of manufacturers reported prices of their housewares products were raised by lO% or more during 1974,with an average increase of 14.9%.But 49% of manufacturers do not expect to raise their prices at all during 19'75, and the average increase anticipated this year by those who do is 7 .4%. Higher costs of material and labor are the main reasons for higher prices of housewares, according to the survey.

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