In the past two years, the tableware industry has seen many ups and downs. The consumer market for tableware and tabletop items grew 6.4 % from 2006 to 2007 and then declined by 4.2 % in 2008 as very few tabletop purchases were made in this year. Tabletop products include dinnerware, glassware & crystal, flatware, servingware, tabletop decorative accessories, giftware & collectibles and other tabletop goods, such as linen. The total market for dinnerware declined by 14 % from 2006 to 2008 and sales of glassware declined by 10 %. Only crystal in the glassware category experienced a 7 % increase in its sales.The above analysis has been provided in the “Tabletop Report 2009: The Ultimate Guide to the Consumer Market for Tabletop Marketers and Retailers.” According to the author of t nuratrim his report, ?Consumers are more interested in buying items that they can use to decorate or enhance the appearance of their dinner table than they are in buying items that can be used specifically for dining purposes. So rather than buy a new dinnerware place setting, they are more likely to buy candlesticks or a vase; rather than buy a new serving bowl set, they are more likely to buy a decorative bowl to work into a centerpiece display.?The study says that for marketers and retailers, key opportunity for growth lies in delivering decorative items that enhance the dining experience. The report is based on a survey among 1,165 American consumers (average income $98,000; 66 percent female; average age 44.2 years). The results are compared with data gathered for the tabletop report in 2006.