Tupperware

name of a home products line From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Tupperware is an American food storage company. It sells and fixes plastic containers for home, kitchen, and personal use.

Quick facts Company type, Founded ...
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History

The company was created in 1942 by Earl Tupper.[2] It became a public subsidiary in 1946 as Tupperware Brands.[3]

First products

Tupperware released its first product, a plastic bowl, in 1946.

According to a 2018 Smithsonian article:

[The bowl] was widely praised by the [growing] plastic industry ... which wanted quality plastic products in consumer hands. “It was also featured as an icon of modern design,” [Smithsonian curator Shelley Nickles] says. An article in House Beautiful described its sleek, translucent, green-and-white lines as “fine art for 39 cents.” That was the original cost of the bowl, which translates to about $5.50 in today’s money. Now, a three-piece set of the Wonderlier bowl, its successor, goes for $35.00.

21st century

In 2023, Tupperware was sold in nearly 70 countries.[4]

Tupperware filed for bankruptcy in September 2024, reporting $812,000,000 in debt.[5]

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Marketing model

Also see: Multi-level marketing

Tupperware is a multi-level marketing company.[6]

In the 1950s it became common for women to hold "Tupperware parties" at their homes. Selling Tupperware empowered many women to earn some income and independence - even if they could not work outside the home.[4][5] It was one of just a few socially acceptable ways for women to earn money.[4]

According to marketing professor Venkatesh Shankar:[4]

[Tupperware] had tremendous cultural impact. The famous neighborhood house parties where Tupperware products were sold by the host to her family and friends was a new way of marketing, combining socializing with direct sales.

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Examples

References

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