In 1999, the US tabletop industry repeated the steady 3% sales growth of past years, according to a recent report. The total tabletop market generated approximately US$4.6bn in retail sales in 1999. Growth was posted in nearly every category, the most significant being sterling silver flatware, which grew 7%. While channels of distribution for the various categories also remained consistent and predictable - upscale tabletop sells primarily in department stores, whereas lower-end products are dominated by mass merchants - the reports figures revealed a slight upswing in department store sales for several categories. Crystal sales grew nearly 3% last year, and the category's channels if distribution remained relatively unchanged. Crystal giftware, considered to be the greatest opportunity for growth, accounted for the majority of sales last year.
