Retail Column Juliska
Vietri
Beatriz Ball
Q Squared
Is melamine having a moment? Our columnist Michele Trzuskowski says huge inroads have been made in the category in the past five years…
The case in favour
of melamine
W
hen I started my business more than 23 years ago, I never thought I would espouse the qualities of melamine tableware. In fact, if you asked me then, I despised it. It was plastic and only meant for outdoors – if that. But over the past five years, like many others, I am recognising the changes to this category of dinnerware, and I’m happy to admit they are all for the better. In fact, according to a recent (March 2023) Global Melamine Industry Research Report, the growth in this segment of tableware is predicted to increase at a CAGR of 9.85 per cent by 2028. That almost doubles the millions spent in melamine in 2022. One might question why this growth is happening now? After all, 25 years ago we thought of melamine as outdoor, poolside plastic plates, that were neither stylish nor elegant, but rather basic and utilitarian. But today’s melamine is anything but “just” functional. Today’s melamine is chic, trendy, and dare I say it, even sophisticated. From a design point of view, I’m finding that you can get almost anything in melamine that you can get in stoneware or porcelain. From dinnerware to serveware it now runs the gamut. Even acrylic glassware has improved tremendously. 34 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
The advance, not only in design but in quality, has been so significant that sometimes consumers can’t even tell the difference. There have been so many times I have a customer holding a piece in their hands astonished that it’s melamine because of its weight or glossy finish. Some finishes now even emulate wood, marble, or slate. One of the widest ranges of multi-purpose pieces of melamine – including dinnerware – comes from a company called Qsquared (QHome). It was one of the first companies I became aware of that produced what is considered ‘luxury’ melamine.
in the melamine category both in development and production, more and more manufacturers have climbed on the bandwagon by adding melamine to their category assortments. Take Beatriz Ball, for example, who has a huge range of melamine which appears to continually grow. What started with a collection based on their bestselling aluminum assortment soon became what seemed an even bigger collection of melamine products. It offers great entertaining pieces in a myriad of shapes and colours to meet anyone’s taste. Then there are companies
“I never thought I would espouse the qualities of melamine tableware” The quality is outstanding, and it achieves the look of fine dinnerware. More importantly the breadth of serveware they have in their assortment supports the brand’s dinnerware patterns and makes it easy to mix and match pieces to meet any customer’s needs. This brand, like many being introduced, is made of high-quality melamine which is BPA-free and certified food safe, as well as its best feature – dishwasher safe. With the strides happening
such as Juliska and Vietri which expanded their already popular dinnerware designs by producing them in melamine. Juliska’s number one collection Berry and Thread can be purchased in ceramic or melamine and they have matching linens and acrylic glassware. Similarly, Vietri also created a melamine line based off its number one collection, Lastra. And within the last six months, they introduced one of their longtime best sellers Campagna in melamine as well. Truth be told, if I didn’t pick it up, I wouldn’t
About T is for Table T is for Table is a luxury independent boutique, with a focus on tabletop, in West Palm Beach, Florida. Open more than 20 years, it offers an experiential and inspirational space dedicated to helping customers tell stories, create traditions and celebrate life. The boutique offers everything from fine pottery, china, glass, serveware and table accessories, to home décor, jewellery and body products, and delivers a custom service with its custom engraving, home visits and gift registries. www.tisfortable.com
know either of these were melamine just looking at them on a set table. One of the best parts of melamine that I haven’t even mentioned yet is its value. In most cases it is priced well below what a stoneware or porcelain dinner plate would cost. This allows for anyone interested in owning a well-designed serving piece or dinnerware set affordability. This is especially important for young adults just starting out who appreciate design, but for whom price is a factor. Furthermore, due to the durability of its material, it will hold its value proposition well beyond its time. The reality is that melamine is here to stay. With a growing number of manufactures and improved quality and design it’s not just for picnic tables anymore.