freezer sales increase while overall appliance sales fall

The_Tim

Anybody else see this one from Consumer Reports?

U.S. freezer sales buck overall appliance downturn

Consumer Reports wrote:

As in many other industries, appliance sales have suffered as the U.S. economy has slowed and consumers spend less. Major-appliance shipments declined 7.4 percent for the year through August, according to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. But there's one bright spot in the market: stand-alone freezers. Shipments of freezers were up 3.5 percent for the first eight months of the year and rose 13 percent in August over a year earlier; upright models saw an annualized sales jump of nearly 17 percent in August; chest models, 10 percent.

Better stock up now before the depression hits, right?

Charles Dean

I'd have to say, that is pretty telling.

TJ_98370

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Better stock up now before the depression hits, right?
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You keep this up, Tim, you might get the reputation of being a "doom & gloom" type.
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An alternative explanation is as what the article suggests, more people are buying in bulk to keep costs down. As anyone who has shopped at Costco knows, their "econo" size packaging can be rather inconvenient. A typical Costco package of meat is enough for 3 to 6 meals at my residence. You have to store it someplace when the freezer section of Mr. Refrigerator gets maxed out.
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Some readers might counter with "logic" indicating that the cost of a freezer may actually counter any savings realized by buying in bulk, but the fault with that "logic" is the assumtion that consumers act rationally.
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rose-colored-coolaid

TJ_98370 wrote:

Some readers might counter with "logic" indicating that the cost of a freezer may actually counter any savings realized by buying in bulk, but the fault with that "logic" is the assumtion that consumers act rationally.

Depending on your lifestyle, it's also a flawed argument. Buying in bulk and freezing may (may) reduce the total number of shopping trips you take. The gas used to take your food from the store to your home exceeds the costs of the 3,000 mile salad bar.

So, if you reduce trips and stock up, you are saving costs. Probably enough to offset the freezer in a few years when combined with your savings for buying in bulk.

If you make as many trips, then it's irrational.

TJ_98370

RCC -

Sure, if you can save $15 to $20 a week by buying in bulk and freezing, it's possible to buy a freezer that would pay for itself in a year or less. Freezers typically last 20 years or so, so a freezer can be a smart purchase for some families.

Robroy

Charles Dean wrote:

I'd have to say, that is pretty telling.

I brought some venison back from Kentuckythis weekend. When we move there, we will be buying beef from our neighbor. Yeah, a big freezer is as important there as a shotgun and a 30.06 with a scope.

I'll probably sell my puny SKS.

Robroy

TJ_98370 wrote:

RCC -

Sure, if you can save $15 to $20 a week by buying in bulk and freezing, it's possible to buy a freezer that would pay for itself in a year or less. Freezers typically last 20 years or so, so a freezer can be a smart purchase for some families.

Lots of them are free on Craigslist.

Charles Dean

Robroy wrote:

Charles Dean wrote:

I'd have to say, that is pretty telling.

I brought some venison back from Kentuckythis weekend. When we move there, we will be buying beef from our neighbor. Yeah, a big freezer is as important there as a shotgun and a 30.06 with a scope.

I'll probably sell my puny SKS.

Sweet! When is the barbecue Rob?

Robroy

Charles Dean wrote:

Robroy wrote:

Charles Dean wrote:

I'd have to say, that is pretty telling.

I brought some venison back from Kentuckythis weekend. When we move there, we will be buying beef from our neighbor. Yeah, a big freezer is as important there as a shotgun and a 30.06 with a scope.

I'll probably sell my puny SKS.

Sweet! When is the barbecue Rob?

Hey, that's not a bad idea! One cut is a nice roast... I'd have to meet a few of you at a local coffee shop to make sure you're fairly normal though.

I actually posted on another thread this morning that I think it would be fun to have a Seattlebubble.com get-together.