WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA -- While aesthetics and functionality are important to consumers when choosing new kitchen cabinets, brands that differentiate themselves throughout the shopping and purchase process are best positioned to satisfy customers, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 U.S. Kitchen Cabinet Satisfaction Study(SM) released today.

The study, now in its fifth year, measures customer satisfaction with kitchen cabinets by measuring five factors: design features (such as the variety of cabinet colors/finishes and range of sizes and shapes available); ordering and delivery (including ease of ordering, condition of products at delivery and timeliness of delivery); price; operational performance (including smoothness of drawer slides and sturdiness of cabinet joinery); and warranty.

The study finds that one-third of customers rely mostly on the retailers when shopping for kitchen cabinets, placing heavy emphasis on the in-store product displays, sales staff recommendations, and retailer website. 

"With the majority of customers indicate purchasing their kitchen cabinets through a retailer and not directly from the manufacturer, a key opportunity for manufacturers to differentiate their brand is through their in-store displays," said Christina Cooley, senior manager of the home improvement practice at J.D. Power and Associates. "Manufacturers have the opportunity to communicate their brand value to potential customers by showcasing the brand's function and style offerings."

For example, some brands have seized the opportunity to position themselves as "green," according to Cooley.  The study finds that not only do the cabinet brands with the highest overall customer satisfaction have an image for being environmentally responsible and for being certified by a green accreditation program, but their customers are also willing to pay more for environmentally friendly products.  One-fourth (25%) of customers who purchased kitchen cabinets are aware of green accreditation programs for kitchen cabinet manufacturers.

IKEA ranks highest in overall customer satisfaction among cabinet manufacturers for the first time in the study with a score of 776 on a 1,000-point scale.  IKEA performs particularly well in three of the five factors: ordering and delivery, price, and warranty.  Following IKEA in the rankings are American Woodmark (767) and Thomasville (763).

The study also finds that the ordering and delivery factor remains the most influential factor contributing to overall satisfaction among kitchen cabinet customers.  Though 80 percent of customers indicate that the sales person informed them on how to go through the ordering process, customers of the highest-ranked brands more consistently received that information.  On average, it took 18 days for customers to receive all pieces/parts of their entire order.  In addition, 14 percent of customers indicate that their cabinets were damaged upon delivery.

"It is not surprising that brands with customers who indicate having a more difficult ordering process or issues with receiving their cabinets late or damaged end up being more negatively viewed by their customers, even if the manufacturer wasn't directly involved in those processes," said Cooley. "For this reason, it's critical that the manufacturers work closely with their distribution channels to ensure a positive customer experience."

For consumers who are shopping for kitchen cabinets, J.D. Power and Associates offers the following tips:

• Make sure the retailer/dealer clearly explains the ordering and delivery process with you so you know exactly what to expect. Don't be afraid to ask questions to make sure you fully understand the process.
• Shop multiple brands so you're aware of the various offerings available. During a remodel, consumers tend to spend an average of $4,400 on kitchen cabinets alone, which is a sizeable investment.  More than one-third of customers indicate that they did not consider other brands other than the one they purchased.
• Make sure to think about your practical needs, as well as what style best represents you and how you want your home to appear.  Some of customers' most-frequently cited desired features include hidden door hinges; microwave shelf; pull-out waste and recycling containers; lazy Susan features; and crown/trim molding.

The 2012 U.S. Kitchen Cabinet Satisfaction Study is based on responses from more than 900 customers who purchased kitchen cabinets within the previous 12 months.  The study was fielded in January and February 2012.

About J.D. Power and Associates
Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services company providing performance improvement, social media and customer satisfaction insights and solutions.  The company's quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. For more information on car reviews and ratings, car insurance, health insurance, cell phone ratings, and more, please visit JDPower.com. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

About The McGraw-Hill Companies
McGraw-Hill announced on September 12, 2011, its intention to separate into two public companies: McGraw-Hill Financial, a leading provider of content and analytics to global financial markets, and McGraw-Hill Education, a leading education company focused on digital learning and education services worldwide. McGraw-Hill Financial's leading brands include Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, S&P Capital IQ, S&P Indices, Platts energy information services and J.D. Power and Associates. With sales of $6.2 billion in 2011, the Corporation has approximately 23,000 employees across more than 280 offices in 40 countries. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com/.

SOURCE J.D. Power and Associates