According to Anthony Williams at GfK, in the three months to August the value of filter coffee and espresso machines together grew by 13% over the same period last year, while the value of ice cream makers increased by more than 27%.

By contrast, food preparation products such as processors, liquidisers and hand-held mixers remained flat over the summer. Overall, the value of kitchen appliances over the three months to August rose by half a percentage point to £140m, says GfK, which adds that this period represents 20% of the annual value for the market.

The company says that small domestic appliances are performing better on average than other durables, and it predicts that coffee makers and kitchen machines will be the top sellers in the coming months.