2 minute read
Interview
JOOR – the premiere wholesale management platform making its mark on the home sector – is taking its considered approach to digital wholesale into the kitchenware market, as global director of sales Mark Bergadon tells Kitchenware International…
The expert touch
Did you know?
Mark, JOOR has recently made inroads into the homeware market, how has that gone for you?
It’s going well. We are leveraging our contacts and learning a great deal about what brands and the industry needs from us as a digital wholesale ecosystem.
The kitchenware market was one sector which really reaped benefits during the pandemic – has that remained the case, in your experience?
Actually kitchenware has seemed to slow down a bit as consumers are now travelling more. During the pandemic not only did people spend most of their time indoors cooking for themselves, they reignited a love for home cooking and home entertaining. Although there is a temporary softening in the market, the residual impact is good for kitchenware.
How does the kitchenware sector continue to make gains after such a buoyant period?
Other home verticals such as decorative accessories are robust as projects continue to head toward the finish line. Many are turnkey and this means new kitchens and everything that furnishes them. The initial growth may be evening out, but the industry is strong and innovation will continue to fuel growth.
How important is the kitchenware sector to JOOR?
Very important. To me personally as well as I began my career in the gadget category. It’s SKU intensive with many stories to tell which speaks directly to JOOR’s core competencies – advanced storytelling and order management.
Retail focus
Neiman Marcus, Harrods, Printemps, Rinascente, and Lane Crawford are just some of the retailers JOOR works with.
Are you already working with kitchenware brands?
A few and we are in discussions with several more to bring them on the platform.
Is kitchenware something which is bought primarily online or in brick-andmortar stores, in your experience?
In general purchasing kitchenware has shifted towards online, like many verticals in Home. The key retailers have made it so easy. However, price point is a factor. Consumers want to touch and feel a bigger ticket item which is why I think the future looks interesting for brick-and-mortar. The hybrid experience is the future and the same can be said for B2B.
We know you are keen to point out that JOOR is an international platform for buyers from all walks of retail life too – expand a little on that.
JOOR is truly an international platform with offices in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Many brands we are working with also have international offices. We have some amazing retailers using JOOR to plan assortments and drive business such as Neiman Marcus, Harrods, Printemps, Rinascente, and Lane Crawford to name a few. It’s important to keep in mind that JOOR is an agnostic platform. Once on JOOR, a brand can connect and interact with any retailer.
