Spectrum Brands was propelled to strong sales and earnings in its fiscal first quarter with help from steep holiday season gains from small kitchen appliances and personal care appliances.

Spectrum’s Home & Personal Care group posted net sales of  $378.5 million during the quarter ended January 3, 2021, a 17.5% increase over the $322.1 million in sales from the group in the year-earlier period.

Operating income during the quarter from the group, which markets small appliances under such brands as George Foreman, Black & Decker and Remington, registered $36.7 million, compared to $23.7 million for the year-earlier period.

Spectrum reported holiday sales growth from the small appliance group was particularly strong in the Americas, adding high growth from e-commerce was a driving factor.