Research Values Craft and Hobby Industry at $25.7 Billion

he value of the craft and hobby industry in the United States grew to $25.7 billion in 2001, an 11 percent increase, compared to $23 billion in 2000, according to new research released by the Hobby Industry Association (HIA).

In the second full year of reporting figures following the benchmark 2000 HIA Nationwide Craft and Hobby Consumer Usage and Purchases Study, HIA finds that residents of 58 percent of U.S. households participated in crafts and hobbies in 2001, up from 54 percent in 2000. Findings also conclude that craft chains gained significant market share in 2001 in the sale of craft products.

The majority of households had a participant in the general crafts category (42 percent), followed by needlecraft (36 percent), painting and finishing (32 percent) and floral crafts (20 percent). Sales growth in 2001 also occurred in painting and finishing, floral crafts and general crafts, but there was a small decline in needlecraft participants. Research also indicated that the five most popular crafts in order of popularity are: cross-stitch, home décor painting, scrapbooking/memory crafts, floral arranging and crocheting. Cross-stitch remained the most widely practiced craft in 2000 and 2001.

Crafts Chains Gain Ground

Craft chains gained significant market share compared to other distribution
channels. In 2001, there was an increase in market share of craft chains over discounters. Craft chains and discount stores are the top distributors of craft and hobby
merchandise, each accounting for 24 percent of the total industry dollar sales. Fabric
and craft chains account for 13 percent of sales.

Who Are the Crafters and Hobbyists?

HIA’s 2000 study determined that craft and hobby participants are more likely to be married with children, more educated, with a higher income than non-crafters. Women in these households tend to be younger and employed part-time.

For more information on this study, visit the Hobby Industry Association’s Web site at www.hobby.org.