The end of the corkscrew? Only 27% of young people in the UK own one, says report | Food and drink industry

It was once an indispensable part of every kitchen, but like the corks that gave it its raison d'être, trendsetters are proclaiming the “death of the corkscrew” after it lost the battle against screw caps and younger consumers who don't know how to use a corkscrew.

Forget music or fashion. It's the ownership of a corkscrew that separates the young from the old, according to a study. Only 27% of 18-24 year olds own one of these devices, compared to 81% of those over 65, according to homeware retailer Lakeland's annual trends report.

The study suggests there could be several reasons for the declining popularity of a gadget that was once a status symbol and on which consumers spent hundreds of pounds, including the fact that more young people are giving up alcohol.

According to NHS data, in 2011, 18% of 16-24 year olds had not drunk alcohol in the previous 12 months. A decade later, that figure was 28%. There is also evidence that Generation Z and Millennials are less interested in wine than previous generations.

The report also highlights the increasing prevalence of screw-top bottles and now even canned wine in supermarkets. As a result, it says, “more and more young people simply don't know how to use a bottle… and if you don't know how to use it, why would you own one?”

But while the corkscrew is no longer available, the retailer known for groundbreaking gadgets like the banana protector and avocado slicer said there are new kids on the (kitchen) market. That list includes “scrubbies,” small ceramic sponges for cleaning refillable water bottles, and “ergonomic garlic rockers.”

There's also good news for those whose bread makers are gathering dust, as they appear to be “back.” Their recent popularity has been attributed to people looking for new hobbies during the pandemic. However, given concerns about highly processed foods, Lakeland experts say “people want to cook and bake their food from scratch so they can control exactly what goes into it.”