The global market in small domestic appliances represents some €24 billion, of which Groupe SEB holds an approximately 11% share. This demonstrates that the market is still extremely fragmented and that there is competition on multiple fronts: international competitors (small domestic appliance companies, major multi-activity groups, etc.), national / local players, who concentrate their efforts in their chosen territory (United States, European countries, Japan, etc.), Asian companies, of widely differing sizes, which are investing the market whether directly or indirectly, and high-end niche specialists enjoying the status of “experts”, who are focusing on one or two products and making these their spearhead. These operators have highly disparate business models at times, with varying degrees of success.

The global market in cookware is estimated to be worth approximately €6 billion, of which Groupe SEB holds almost 15% and is the sole player to have such a large international sway. The majority of its competitors are national or regional, of extremely variable sizes apart from a number of large multi-activity groups, and we often find ourselves up against more local operators who have developed their activity in one country or region where they now hold important positions. In the non-stick kitchen appliance segment, Groupe SEB has a market share of around 25%.


Originally a regional company, Groupe SEB built on the phenomenal success of the “super cocotte” pressure cooker in France in the 1950s. It grew internally and externally, in the space of 50 years to become, the world leader in small domestic appliances. Today it sells its products in over 120 countries and 78% of its sales are made outside of France. In 2007, it sold over 175 million products and generated a turnover of €2,870 m. Its strong portfolio of prestigious brands is unequalled in the sector, both on an international and regional scale.

The Group has set itself the task of improving the everyday life of consumers across the globe and seeks to achieve this with the most extensive product offering in the sector, covering both the home and personal care: