Why are KitchenAid mixers currently unavailable?

While cooking and baking have been essential life skills for centuries, the worldwide interest in baking as a hobby has increased dramatically in recent years. On TikTok and Instagram, everyone is sharing their newly discovered passion for baking. 

In recent years, the popularity of shows such as The Great British Bake Off, Extreme Cake Makers, Cake Boss, and School of Chocolate has undoubtedly played a role in introducing many to the wonderful world of baking. 

Due to recent global events that confined many of us to our homes, the number of foodies picking up a wooden spoon instead of a television remote has increased exponentially. In the past year, everyone has attempted to bake banana bread. 

In just the past few years, millions of people worldwide have joined the ranks of aspiring bakers. Although it is lovely that so many people enjoy baking, this has had unintended consequences. Ingredients, baking kits, and equipment have flown off the shelves and have become nearly inaccessible. 

If you’ve been searching for baking tools, especially hand and stand mixers, you’ve probably encountered your fair share of out-of-stock signs in stores and websites. 

KitchenAid stand mixers are among the most popular electric mixers available, so it is not surprising that these machines have become exceedingly difficult to acquire. 

Why are KitchenAid mixers currently unavailable? 

I have investigated this issue – KitchenAid is out of stock everywhere – and can offer a few reasons why I believe KitchenAid mixers are so challenging to find. My research has led me to conclude two primary causes for the KitchenAid mixer shortage. 

Demand has exceeded supply. 

As more individuals bake, demand for KitchenAid stand mixers has skyrocketed. This was not always the case, however. While hobbyist, home, and professional bakers ensured a sufficient demand for baking products and appliances, the market was still somewhat specialized. Some products, such as baking mixes and ingredients, experienced stable or declining sales until 2016. 

Something about the pandemic altered. According to market researcher Mintel Group, sales of stand mixers have begun to skyrocket and are projected to reach $8.3 billion by 2020, a 25 percent increase. Stand mixers continue to be popular purchases. 

Notice the increase in searches at the outbreak’s onset? 

Evidence abounds that the demand for baking tools and equipment has increased since the beginning of the pandemic. During the early months of the pandemic, 34% of consumers used baking as a form of self-care, according to the Hershey Company. Not too long ago, obtaining a bag of flour was extremely difficult. During the American lockdown, businesses such as General Mills and King Arthur increased their sales of flour and baking mixes by 50 to 75 percent. 

Due to increased consumer demand for stand mixers, manufacturers are under pressure to restock inventory more frequently with distributors and retailers. They and their supply chains have struggled to keep up with demand. 

We know how popular KitchenAid stand mixers are and how many individuals are vying for one. Even KitchenAid’s inventory has sold out faster than it can be replenished. 

While most businesses hope that this demand from new customers will become the norm, it has thrown their production and distribution plans out of whack. 

Supply chains are in difficulty. 

The global pandemic has disrupted supply chains all over the world. This has resulted in labor shortages, disrupted supply lines, decreased availability of raw materials, increased transportation costs, and chip shortages for intelligent appliances. 

KitchenAid is undoubtedly not the only company with supply chain issues. Other kitchen brands like Electrolux, automobile manufacturers, mobile phone companies, and even the textile and gaming industries have experienced this. Some appliances are placed on backorder at large retailers like Home Depot more than three months in advance. 

Some of you who purchased stand mixers before the pandemic would likely be surprised by the ubiquity of this situation. There have been empty shelves, but these were typically brief periods that coincided with holiday sales or disasters. 

If you are genuinely interested in this supply chain issue, here is an excellent TED talk you should watch. The shortage of stand mixers began in 2020 when many brands struggled to obtain materials and parts from their suppliers. This had a domino effect on every company that relies on other suppliers and their components to manufacture and assemble their final product (stand mixers in our case). 

Additionally, the pandemic has led to a rise in online shopping. This has had a ripple effect on courier and delivery companies. Every company, regardless of size, is becoming bogged down by this avalanche of demand and shortage of materials, labor, and transportation. 

Will this labor and material shortage persist for some time? I am ignorant of the answer. According to experts, these problems will improve within two years. 

One thing, however, is sure. If you wish to acquire a new stand mixer in the present circumstance, you do not have many options. 

How to get a mixer during the KitchenAid shortage 

Even if KitchenAid’s online store runs low inventory, you can still purchase your ideal stand mixer. Here are some suggestions to maximize your opportunities: 

Buy from Amazon 

Whether you like it or not, Amazon is the largest online marketplace. Their warehouses still contain vast quantities of stock. It is less likely that you will find a stand mixer elsewhere if you cannot find one here. 

On the other hand, this market is not entirely immune to shortages. You may be unable to find a mixer with the desired color and features or at a discount. 

Visit your local Costco or Walmart. 

Now is an excellent time to check if your local store’s preferred model is in stock. You may not receive a discount, but the stand mixer you’ve been waiting for months will finally be available. Add yourself to the backorder list or subscribe to their newsletters and messages for stock updates. 

Discover a used one on eBay and Craigslist. 

If you have exhausted these two options, you can search eBay and Craigslist for secondhand stand mixer auctions and sales. In addition to settling for a used appliance, these locations carry the additional dangers of being scammed or receiving a faulty device, so be vigilant.