Top three working from home trends resellers should expect in the next normal

The government has announced its roadmap out of lockdown, providing some hopeful news after a long, challenging period. However, one facet of pandemic life seems poised to remain in the next normal - working from home any UK organisations have already

Mexpressed intentions to continue on with either fully remote or ‘hybrid’ working models that allow their staff to split their time between home and the office. In fact, in a recent GfK survey sponsored by ACCO Brands*, over half (55%) of workers stated that their company will look to encourage working from home (WFH) in the future, while 74% would like to continue in this way, or start working remotely in the future.

For many professionals this was the first time that working outside of the office was even an option; in fact, the GfK/ACCO survey found that over half of those working remotely (52%) did not have in place any type of workspace at home. When the pandemic struck, they set up shop at the dining table, on the sofa, or wherever else they could carve out some space. However, a year on, consumers are wiser, and what was once a short-term solution is now a long-term reality. Many understand that a designated home workspace is now a necessity.

This presents a huge sales opportunity for resellers to help supply their customers with various options to set up an effective home office, or upgrade an existing space. Here are the top three trends and opportunities which resellers can expect as we enter the next normal.

POWER OF THE PURCHASER

Just as consumers’ needs have evolved, so have their circumstances. As opposed to the office environment, where supply purchases may have been handled by a designated individual, the purchasing power is now in the hands of the end-user although - according to the

GfK/ACCO survey - fewer than a quarter (23%) of people who WFH have been offered any reimbursement for office supplies required since lockdown. Nevertheless, the discretion to choose items, and decide where these are purchased from, now belongs to the end user.

To suit the evolving needs of these customers, and to boost resellers’ sales, ACCO UK diversified more product offering, accelerated the launch of its smaller, consumer-friendly, packs and enhanced its service proposition with direct shipping. Since the decision to purchase now falls to the end-user, marketing campaigns reflect the need to be WFH-focused to provide resellers with all the necessary tools for driving new business and to make the best possible sales proposition to choosy customers.

COSY HOME OFFICES

Now that WFH is here to stay, expect to see your customers using this purchasing power to create workspaces which reflect their taste and personal style. Office products that do not detract from the décor of the home, and which contribute to the creation of a cosy, comfortable space, are going to be in even higher demand from customers this year.

The new Leitz Cosy range was designed with this trend in mind, and offers some of the brand’s mostloved products in stylish colours and finishes that complement décor rather than detract from it. Beyond traditional solutions in filing and storage, the range extends to other stylish lifestyle products such as glass clocks, notepads, boards and wireless chargers. WIDER WELLBEING Décor is only one ingredient when creating a home workspace that you actually want to spend time in. Resellers should seize the opportunity to introduce their customers to products that will enhance wider wellbeing.

The WFH ‘commute’ usually entails walking from the bedroom to the desk, and not really moving much from there. Physical wellbeing is, therefore, a real area of concern. Tools such as laptop risers, standing desks, footrests, seat cushions, monitor arms, keyboards and trackballs can truly support proper ergonomic working.

Kensington has a wide range of options available that are perfect for home office use. A good air purifier can also be hugely beneficial, removing allergens, and other airborne pollutants, to provide fresh, clean air indoors. The new Leitz TruSens range provides peace of mind that this is being accomplished by monitoring the air quality in the room and delivering cleaner air.

With end-users starting to think differently about their home workspaces, and taking control of the products they choose, there has never been a greater opportunity for resellers to introduce, or upgrade, their customers to solutions that will help them create a space they actually enjoy spending time in.

*Impact of remote working on stationery products, office and IT equipment purchases, GfK, October 2020

To learn more about the products in the ACCO UK portfolio, and to access useful marketing materials, visit:

www.rexeleurope.com www.leitz.com www.kensington.com