Kitchenware International Nov / Dec 2018 Issue

KitchenWare INTERNATIONAL

November/December 2018

2

134

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Intelligent Technology

The collection of the future is already here

A collection for a lifetime

CREATIVITY, INNOVATION & SCIENCE IN THE KITCHEN The Cook & Chef Institute is a Foundation comprised of figures from the world of international haute cuisine and BERGNER who have come together to share strategic thinking about cooking and technological innovation in kitchenware

Betty Vazquez (Mexico)

The Cook & Chef Institute in order to contribute to reinforcing food safety guarantees for consumers and to improve information transparency, chooses and recommends products which have been subject to a prior full and comprehensive audit by a committee of chefs from the Institute.

Pepe Rodriguez (Spain)

Hedi Rink (Germany)

Paul Kitching (UK)

Paul Wedgwood (UK)

www.cookandchefinstitute.com

S/S 19 Image Credits: LSA | Studio William | Halcyon Days

OUT OF THE ORDINARY

BREAKING BOUNDARIES, DEFINING TRENDS At Top Drawer we search the globe for an extraordinary and distinctive edit of design-led and luxury tableware so you can create an offering that is out of the ordinary.

Register at topdrawer.co.uk/kitchenware

13—15 JANUARY 2019 OLYMPIA LONDON

C O N T E N T S 6

News A round-up of global news

10

Spotlight Professional knives

12

Trend: Retro colours The latest

14

Profile: Tramontina The company making its mark on the UK retail scene

16

Retail interviews Three global retailers

18

Trend: Blenders The rise of blenders

20

Column: BHETA On being positive

22

Column: Retail Holiday selling

24

Retail profile Iconic store Harrods

26

Profile: Bergner Innovating cookware

28

Category: cookware Looks matter

32

Profile: Vidivi Chef collaborations

34

Show: interviews Talking kitchens

36

Show preview: Homi What’s on

37

Show preview: Top Drawer

38

Show preview: Maison

40

Show preview: Las Vegas Market

42

Retail: gia Housewares retailing

INTERNATIONAL

COVER Supplied by Tramontina www.tramontina.com

KitchenWare INTERNATIONAL

November/December 2018

2

134

www.tablewareinternational.com

Dishwasher safe

Real Wood

Stainless Steel Rivets

Years Warranty

Since 1911

To subscribe, email: robert@lemapublishing.co.uk

PUBLISHING

Published by Lema Publishing Ltd. 1 Churchgates, The Wilderness Berkhamsted Herts, HP4 2UB

At the heart Tel: 00 44 (0) 1442 289930 of retail Fax: 00 44 (0) 1442 289950

KitchenWare

W

ith so many kitchenware products today fulfilling consumer demand of functionality, convenience, value, quality and durability, the key differentiators when choosing one product over another, one brand over another, comes down to innovation (clever design, multi-functionality) and aesthetics. And this issue, we’ve focused on these differentiators across two different categories – cookware and blenders.

In our blend trend feature on page 18, we look at how companies manufacturing blenders are looking to stand out from the saturated blender crowd either with blenders that offer increased versatility (can do 10 things, rather than two), incredible aesthetics, or added value such as recipe books and apps.

Similarly, in our category feature on cookware on page 28, we explore how the way cookware looks is more important than ever; because after it has ticked the box for being durable, good-quality, versatile, convenient and functional, consumers then choose based on how it looks, especially as the kitchen has increasingly become the centre of the home and cookware is often left out on show.

Looks matter too in our product trend feature on page 12, where we highlight products splashed with the current wave of retro colours, from 1950s pastels to sage green and cream combos, delivering a vintage vibe.

We have plenty of retail food for thought this issue. Retail columnist Ben Salmon (page 22) discusses selling more during the holidays, warning retailers to stay away from seasonalspecific product and instead embrace entertaining essentials and the festive colour palette.

We also profile iconic London department store Harrods, on page 24, showing how its award-winning Cook Shop is a fine example of the Harrods today; and we talk to three global retailers and distributors (page 16) – in the UK, New Zealand and the Czech

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Increasingly, brands are working with the experts of the kitchen to create collections that deliver expert results

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Republic – to find out what kitchenware brands they stock and why. And we discover how housewares retailing is faring on page 42, highlighting three of the best global kitchen retailers worldwide.

Increasingly, brands are working with the experts of the kitchen – chefs, in particular – to create collections that deliver expert results and this issue we profile two companies finding success with this. While Bergner Europe (page 26) has reached new culinary heights with its latest cookware collection, the outcome of collaborating with more 100 leading chefs across 50 countries; Italian glass company Vidivi (page 32) has entered the kitchenware category with a bang, creating a multifunctional and clever cookware collection in collaboration with a Michelin-starred chef.

With a focus on the burgeoning knives category, this issue we spotlight four collections of professional-grade knives on page 10; and we also look at how Brazilian company Tramontina is making its mark on the UK retail scene with its technology- and sustainabilitydriven approach to knives. See page 14.

Finally, with show season on the horizon, we interview kitchenware tradeshow directors to find out what consumer trends are driving product development (page 34); and we look ahead to the winter/spring shows.

Discover our extensive show previews for Homi Milano (page 36); Top Drawer London (page 37); Maison & Objet, Paris (page 38) and Las Vegas Market (page 40). See you there!

Kate Birch

The Team EDITOR KATE BIRCH kate@lemapublishing.co.uk

PUBLISHER MARK NAISH mark@lemapublishing.co.uk

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR PAUL NAISH paul@lemapublishing.co.uk

ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER PAUL YEOMANS pyeomans@lemapublishing.co.uk

MANAGING DIRECTOR MALCOLM NAISH malcolm@lemapublishing.co.uk

DESIGNER MARIAN MCNAMARA marian@lemapublishing.co.uk

news Horwood

Lorraine Pascale

collaborates with Haden Iconic British-born Haden, renowned for its electrical appliances since 1958, and acquired by homeware company Sabichi in 2016, announces its collaboration with Lorraine Pascale. As a former supermodel, professional chef and voice for nutrition, Lorraine is set to bring a fresh and exciting take on products within the small domestic appliance field.

“Eating well is so important, but with increasingly busy lifestyles, it is not always possible to make healthy, nutritionally balanced and delicious dishes,” says Lorraine. “So, I decided to collaborate with Haden to create cooking products that can help you maintain a healthier lifestyle, but also allow you to be creative in the kitchen.”

The products include a Stand Mixer, Air Fryer, Soup Maker, Pressurised Instant Kitchen Angel and Health Blender, and are available from December 2018.

“We are thrilled to be working with Lorraine,” says Sachin Bagga of Haden. “We really admire her amazing social voice and efforts to spread the word on nutrition and wellness. The products we have collaborated on with Lorraine will enable anyone, from the budding chef to the kitchen novice, to create dishes they can really be proud of.” www.hadenappliances.com

announces UK sales team changes With the aim of further driving its customer-focused agenda in the UK, Horwood Homewares has announced new members and a promotion in its sales team for 2018. “Our customers are at the heart of everything we do and we want to ensure that we offer them the best support possible,” says Rob Jones, sales director of Horwood.

Andrew Jeffs, previously area sales manager, has been promoted to key accounts manager; while Jennifer Barber joins Horwood as sales manager covering Gloucester, Bristol and Wales; and Marie Gilmartin joins Horwood managing Ireland. Jennifer has worked in the housewares industry for 14 years, across ceramic, gift and licensed, while Marie boasts more than 16 years in the housewares trade.

Judge is delighted to be sourcing its new Ovenware collection in the “ UK. It’s somewhat ironic as the factory is only minutes away from the original Judge factory that sadly closed back in the 1930s. It’s hugely beneficial to be able to fly the Manufactured in the UK flag, an attribute that will appeal to our customers.

James Robinson, marketing manager at Horwood on the new Judge Ovenware that’s made from carbon steel and sealed with an easy-clean, non-stick and long-lasting vitreous enamel coating, and includes clever Self-Basting Roasters.

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14

The number of pieces in the MasterClass awardwinning cast aluminium cookware range from KitchenCraft. Offering quality and durability combined with the latest innovations for ultimate performance and versatility, the 14-piece range features superior speckles for spectacular sizzle, along with a double layer, extra-tough, easy-clean coating, which is chemicalfree and requires the use of less oil for healthier cooking.

Pieces include three fry pans, a wok, crêpe pan; dual griddle tray; three-section grill pan; grill pan; two grill pans with folding handles; and four casserole dishes. The casseroles all come with self-basting dimpled lids, although glass lids can be purchased separately. All pieces have a fast heat-up induction base.

The range comes with a lifetime guarantee. www.kitchencraft.co.uk

Mason Cash taps into pastel trend The Innovative Kitchen range by Mason Cash – a collection of earthenware and stoneware products, from mixing bowls to measuring jugs – delivers smart solutions, with each item performing a traditional function but delivering a modern twist that has either a dual purpose or improved performance. When designing the range, Mason Cash paid particular attention to upcoming trends and colours that work well together in different styles of kitchen.

“Pastel pinks and light greys give wide appeal and suit most kitchen decors,” says the brand, adding “the neutral tones create a light, open atmosphere which helps to make spaces seem bigger and the pieces coordinate well with other ranges".

What More UK celebrates first order to Azerbaijan

What More UK is celebrating its first-ever secured, and delivered, order to Azerbaijan, which joins the growing long list of destinations the British company, renowned for its plastic kitchenware and its bakeware, now exports to – some 72 countries, including the UAE, Vietnam, Nigeria and Canada.

“All of us at What More UK are exceptionally pleased to be adding another shipping destination to our extensive list,” says Tony Grimshaw, director of What More UK. “The international market knows the Made in Britain stamp means quality, and this is what we always strive to promote with our products.”

What More UK is one of the founding members of the Made in Britain Campaign, which aims to unite the entire manufacturing sector, while helping consumers and buyers identify what products are made in Britain.

“It gives me great pride to know our products are manufactured using great Lancastrian expertise, knowledge and massive enthusiasm to do it right every time. These products are then used all over the world and we are privileged to have such an enthusiastic bunch of colleagues who make this possible.”

Established in 1999, initially manufacturing plastic storage boxes, What More UK have rapidly expanded their product range to include organisers, food storage, household storage and award-winning brands, such as Baker & Salt – high-quality non-stick bakeware.

“We are looking forward to more orders in the future from Azerbaijan, plus adding even more destinations to our list. This has been achieved by specifically targeting our Eastern European neighbours.” www.whatmoreuk.com

Did you know...?

Divertimeni, the renowned London-based cookshop, has broadened its Duralex range to now include roasters, ramekins and stackable bowls alongside its existing Duralex listing of Picardie tumblers. The Divertimenti Cookery School will also be using the Duralex Lys stackable bowls within its cookery classes. These bestselling bowls are available in a range of sizes that are both versatile in use and convenient for kitchen storage.

Coming off a strong “ 2018 summer season, retailers, especially in the home area, have a very positive outlook. In addition to positive economic factors, there is strong momentum heading into the season from solid spring, summer and back-to-school selling seasons. Additionally, there are several product trends that allow retailers to build strategies both online and in-store such as health and wellness, craft beverages and innovative technologies such as smart home. Lastly, early season momentum allows retailers inventory flexibility and support to maximise availability of product in the appropriate categories. Everything points to a successful holiday season.

Jon Jesse, VP industry development at the International Housewares Association (IHA)

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John Lewis

reveals sustainability key trend of 2018

Smeg’s kitchenware makes China debut on Tmall

Italian high-end kitchen appliance manufacturer, Smeg, known for its vivid colours and retro designs on toasters, coffee machines and blenders, has opened a flagship store on Tmall, where it has debuted various collections on the Alibaba-owned B2C ecommerce site. The store opening marks Smeg’s first foray into China’s ecommerce market as it looks to connect with the country’s young consumers, the company says. Tmall is currently the brand’s only official online sales channel in China, aside from its own website.

“Tmall has attracted international brands to the platform, not only because of the potential of the China market, but also in its role as an engine driver, as the country undergoes a consumer upgrade and a key destination for brands seeking digital transformation,” says Louis Ma, Smeg’s Greater China COO. “We’re noticing more and more young Chinese people have started to use western-style kitchens, and are becoming more open to new and different possibilities. This is why we are very confident in the Chinese market.”

According to an April 2018 report from Forward Industry Research Institute, China’s small kitchen appliances market was valued at about RMB 128.5 billion in 2015, growing 19 per cent annually to reach RMB182.1 billion in 2017. And the market is expected to expand over the next few years to more than RMB300 billion by 2022, the firm forecasts.

“The growing premiumisation trend in the Chinese consumer market means that quality brands like Smeg will rise in popularity,” says Lyu Jun, head of SDAs at Tmall, adding that Chinese consumers born after 1990 currently make up 35 per cent of small home-appliance shoppers on Tmall. Lyu says this consumer group, which has “incredibly strong spending power” looks for products and brands that are new and different.

Many in this group have also travelled or lived overseas, bringing some of their overall spending in line with global trends. “I’m convinced that in China, there are a lot of potential fans and opportunities for a premium brand like Smeg,” Lyu concludes.

Whitford reveals new website Whitford, the makers of the world’s largest, most complete line of fluoropolymer coatings, announces the launch of its newly redesigned website. New key features include a brand-new and responsive design, easily accessed via any device; clear navigation; and improved content structure. Of the new site, Whitford’s Rachel Findley, marketing, says: “All aspects were considered with our audiences in mind, from stakeholders, suppliers and customers to partners and employees – the redesigned structure and ease of navigation offers an informative journey and insight into the complexity of the coatings industry.” www.whitfordww.com

In the sixth edition of the John Lewis & Partners Retail Report, the retail chain highlighted the consumer and design trends that emerged in the last year (August 2017 – September 2018), including demand for more sustainable products.

It was a defining year for sustainability, says John Lewis, with shoppers becoming more mindful about what they bought and what impact a purchase has on the planet.

In the four months after the final episode of TV programme, Blue Planet II, sales of reusable coffee cups, travel cups and flasks were up 71 per cent on last year with the sustainable water bottle up by 37 per cent and the number of eco-friendly bottles John Lewis stocks up by 85 per cent. The retailer also reported seeing strong sales in sustainable alternatives to tin foil and cling film with brands such as Stasher and Bees Wrap driving the overall food storage category up 15 per cent.

“John Lewis & Partners has a better way of doing business, with a set of values that empower us all to take responsibility for how we act as a company, and as Partners,” says Martyn White, senior sustainability manager, “that’s why we are able to put sustainability at the heart of everything we do".

37

The percentage by which sales of sustainable water bottles are up at John Lewis department stores in the last year (Aug 2017 – Sept 2018).

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JIA partners with design master Naoto Fukasawa

With its focus on designing both functional and aesthetically pleasing cookware, Taiwan-based design company JIA has partnered with Japanese industrial award-winning design master Naoto Fukasawa on a cookware collection. Tapping into global cooking, the Monolithic Cookware collection is designed to inspire culinary creativity and to create endless possibilities for daily cooking at home.

“When I started to conceive of the design of this product, the outline of a black aluminium block emerged in my mind,” says Naoto. “The exterior was polished like beautiful gold and when I opened the lid, the food in the pot looked exceptionally delicious.”

Monolithic Cookware delivers a 3-pan set, including a flat pan, single-handle pan and double-handle pot, that’s suitable for everything from pan-frying and red braising to stir-frying and boiling. Made of cast aluminium for a lighter body and even thermal conductivity, pieces boast a refined textured cast iron finish, a minimalistic design and ergonomic heat-resistant plastic handles, as well as small bumps designed for venting extra steam. The cookware also features the latest premium Teflon Profile non-stick technology.

The cookware is complemented by a line of accessories, including a spatula, colander and soup spoon, that are designed with the cookware in mind. www.jia-inc.com

Villeroy & Boch’s Bundt cake mould wins award Three Villeroy & Boch products have secured awards this year. In addition to the Collier Vase scooping the Red Dot Design Award, the Siluet kitchen sink and Clever Baking Bundt Cake Mould were both recognised with the KitchenInnovation Award 2018.

The two-piece Bundt cake mould from the Clever Baking range, which was named KitchenInnovation of the Year, received the Golden Award for the best overall score, making it the Best of the Best in the Baking Utensils category.

What makes the two-piece Bundt cake mould so special is the removable inner part, which enables easy greasing and even baking, and which can also be used as a measuring cup. The ceramic mould is naturally heat-resistant, as well as dishwasher, microwave and freezer-safe.

WMF’s cookware secures Red Dot Design Award WMF secures the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2018 for three innovations, including cutlery series Iconic, water decanter Motion and Fusiontec Functional cookware (pictured).

Martin Ludwig, senior VP consumer goods, international strategy & product creation at WMF Group, says: “This award certifies our high standards for product design. Once again, the position as a leading manufacturer for premium-products has been emphasised for the WMF brand.”

ICTC

unveils company re-branding Celebrating more than 50 years of business, the Intercontinental Cooking & Tableware Company (ICTC) has undergone a company re-brand, with a new logo that reflects its core values along with imagery that tells the story of its design and brands.

Having supplied high-quality kitchenware and textiles for more than four decades to catering professionals, independent cookshops and major high street retailers, ICTC acts as distributors for a wide range of brands including Mauviel, Gobel, Opinel, La Rochere and Woll, and has recently welcomed new brands including Emma Bridgewater (recently launching kitchen textiles), Aga, La Bonne Graine and Andree Jardin. The company also has its own textiles brand, The British Textile Company, working with upand-coming designers. www.ictc.co.uk

Introducing Emma Bridgewater Textiles The British Textile Company, part of ICTC, has been selected to produce ranges of kitchen textiles for renowned British potter Emma Bridgewater, extending her famed designs from ceramics to practical home textiles.

All the ranges consist of generous sized aprons with long waist-ties and adjustable straps, as well as top-quality insulated double oven globes, mitts and potholders, tea towels, and the quintessentially British tea cosy. New designs for Autumn/Winter 18 include Gamebirds (pictured), featuring an array of game, from pheasant to grouse to partridge. www.ictc.co.uk

spotlight products

Kai Pro KAI USA This new collection of 10 knives is designed for professional-level performance (NSFCertified) and features high-carbon, Japanese AUS6M stainless-steel blades, full-tang construction and riveted POM handles. The blade delivers a razor-sharp edge, balanced comfortable grip, precision handling, and features a hammered finish, both functional (it helps release food from the blade) and beautiful. The blades are hand-sharpened and finished to a 16-degree cutting edge on each side, so much sharper than standard Westernstyle knives. Includes Western knives – a slicing brisket knife, three chef knives, boning fillet, utility and paring knives; and Asian knives – a multi-prep, utility and santoku knife.

www.kaiusaltd.com

Sharp RIG-TIG Designed by industrial Danish designer Sebastian Holmback, who designed Stelton’s award-winning Emma series, Sharp is the new elegant knife series from Rig-Tig. Merging functionality, ergonomics and lightness, the blade has been created using Japanese steel for a sublime cutting experience. Easy to use and clean, the ergonomic handles offer a firm, comfortable grip. Pieces include a bread knife, chef’s knife, vegetable knife and a santoku, used for cutting paper-thin slices or tiny cubes.

www.rig-tig.com

Looking sharp Utilising the finest stainless steel and manufacturing techniques, these new collections of professional-grade knives for retail are designed for the serious cook

Limited Edition Signature 2-Piece Carving Set ROBERT WELCH DESIGNS This limited-edition Signature carving knife and carving fork set includes a Signature 23cm/9” carving knife with a long, curved blade, enabling the user to cut fine slices of meat, poultry and fish in a single stroke; while Signature 18cm/7.5” carving fork is ideal for holding meat and poultry still. Designed in consultation with professional chefs, these award-winning kitchen knives feature fully forged German DIN 1.4116 stainless-steel blades with a full tang for extra strength. The Japanese-style blade edge is hand applied at a 15-degree angle. Handles are made from tactile DuPont™ and ergonomically shaped for comfort, balance and to minimise fatigue. Presented in a gift box, dishwasher-safe and with a 25-year guarantee.

www.robertwelch.com

Nordic Kitchen Knives EVA SOLO Part of the Eva Solo Nordic kitchen series, the new kitchen knives employ the same techniques used to produce Samurai swords. Here, skilled metalworkers have laid 66 layers of Damascus steel around the core, resulting in a sharper blade, high flexibility, a narrow spine and a more balanced knife. The knife features a quillon for resting your thumb on, for greater precision and control, and the wooden handle sits comfortably in the hand. Pieces include the paring knife, vegetable knife, santoku knife, chef’s knife and bread knife.

www.evasolo.com

sensational exceptional original 8. – 12. 2. 2019 The outstanding diversity of the international consumer goods market. Eye-catching innovations and designs for the table, kitchen and household in sight at the Dining area. The trade fair that leads your industry into the future.

Information and tickets: ambiente.messefrankfurt.com Tel. +44 (0) 14 83 48 39 83 info@uk.messefrankfurt.com

Partner Country India

England 67617-031_AM_Dining_KitchenwareInternational_210x297 • FOGRA 39 • CMYK • tp: 10.10.2018

DU: 05.11.2018

the show

trend colour

LIFETIME BRANDS Farberware Collection A new sub-brand for Lifetime, the Farberware Collection features a curated assortment of kitchen tools, gadgets, flatware, cutting boards and pantryware offering best-inclass design coupled with trend-right materials, colours and finishes. The debut product assortment embraces consumer passion for a new ‘soft, contemporary’ aesthetic, focused on versatility with clean lines, mixed materials and a nature-inspired colour palette in soft pastels. According to Tom Mirabile, SVP Global Trend and Design, Lifetime Brands, Inc: “We saw a void in the marketplace for products that are both attractive and functional, so we created Farberware to give consumers design and style that’s aligned with today’s home trends.” www.lifetimebrands.com

SWIG Signature Swig Collection Swig’s range of hydration vessels, which includes stemless wine/drinking cups, mugs, tumblers and bottles, come in six lifestyle colours, including two pastels – mint green and pale pink. Swig uses double-wall, vacuum-sealed insulated technology, keeping drinks hot for up to 9 hours or cold for up to 12 hours.

The new collection features a branded silicone non-slip base. Swig is now distributed by Valerie Graham in the UK. www.vgltd.co.uk

GIBSON Pastel Collection Gibson recently unveiled additions to its exciting new Plaza Café Pastel Collection. Gibson’s creative team, led by designer Laurie Gates, narrowed down the programme to four on-trend pastel colours including mint, lavender, coral and sky. Each colour has a multi-category assortment of products that include everyday prep, cook, serve and dine items, from gadgets to cookware to coffee/tea.

Laurie says. “Consumers want functionality, but they also want something that helps them cook and dine in style.” www.gibsonusa.com

LA CAFETIERE Barcelona Blending contemporary style with colour, La Cafetiere’s ceramic Barcelona collection features cafetières, storage jars, different sizes of teapot, milk jugs, and tea for one in retro shades, including pistachio green and retro blue, all with a matte finish. The sleek design is crafted with heavy stoneware for a real quality feel and is shaped in the curving Barcelona style. The cafetiere’s plunger is made of sturdy stainless steel with a fine mesh filter, while the teapot has a stainless-steel lid and removable filter. www.creative-tops.com

SERAX Surface for Serax Sergio Herman has collaborated with Serax on Surface for Serax, a line of cast-iron pots with a strong glazing that can withstand the highest temperatures and retain heat for longer. The glazing, in a retro green shade (Camogreen), makes the pots easier to clean, and an innovative technique makes the cast iron suitable for all heat sources. The lid’s clever design means the food moisturises itself with the condensation, so it doesn’t dry out. The grill pans boast high edges that contain splashing, and the saucepans’ slightly wider rim makes beating sauces easier. www.serax.com LE CREUSET Sorbet Collection With the continuing popularity of pastels, Le Creuset has launched the Sorbet Collection, which features eight different sets, including ramekins, mini-cocottes, mugs and ice cream bowls, each set including one of each of six shades of pastel – Coastal Blue, Cool Mint, Chiffon Pink, Mimosa, Dune and Cotton. www.lecreuset.com

KITCHENCRAFT Living Nostalgia Pastels reign kitchenware supreme at KitchenCraft across a variety of collections, including Living Nostalgia (pictured), which delivers kitchenware and utility lines that offer a fresh take on vintage. Antique-inspired shapes in enamel, steel and ceramics come in vintageinspired soft blue, sage green, cream and cool grey across storage containers, roasting dishes, bakeware, cake tins, scales and kettles. While its Colorworks Classics collection delivers an array of tools, gadgets, accessories and melamine in four muted pastel shades. www.kitchencraft.co.uk

Retro colours From cookware and utensils to on-the-go water bottles and coffeemakers, retro shades – from 1950s pastels to sage green and cream – are rocking the kitchen

Taking inspiration from the catwalk, pastel “ shades have continued to be one of the biggest kitchen trends during 2018; and we have incorporated them into our Mason Cash Innovative Kitchen range and our much-loved Colour Mix collection. Mason Cash has been producing mixing bowls since the 1800s but staying fresh, to reach a larger demographic, has been increasingly important. The use of pastel colours in kitchenware items gives wider appeal to the consumer as kitchen décor is an ever-changing trend. Pastels blend well with most kitchen colour schemes and a complementary neutral shade can usually be found to work alongside both traditional designs and more contemporary settings. We have seen a lot of social media influencers such as Manuela from Passion for Baking embracing the pastel theme and our Mason Cash products often feature in these enviable magazine shoot-style images. The creams, pinks, blues and greys of our collections give a soft hue and often work well stacked on top of one another, adding a sense of calm and tranquillity to the kitchen, while delivering a gentle pop of colour.

Mason Cash, www.rayware.co.uk

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Profile Tramontina

Classic Gaucho Stainless Steel Steak Cutlery Set

Tramontina factory and head office Above; Original Jumbo Steak Knife and Fork Above right; Alex Frubel, general manager, Tramontina UK Ltd

Cutting edge

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With an ethos of Brazilian hospitality and a focus on design, sustainability and technology, Tramontina is making its mark on the UK retail scene ith tradition and passion at its heart, for Brazilian company TTramontina, ramontina, it’s not just about the product, but also the pleasure that the product brings.

With a heritage dating back more than 100 years, to 1911, today the company has 11 factories and 16 distribution centres worldwide, serving 120 countries, employing 8,000 people and producing more than 18,000 lines.

Over the years, Tramontina has evolved an ethos of bringing Brazilian hospitality to the global market, celebrating people coming together to enjoy good times and creating lasting memories.

While Tramontina has had a presence in the UK hospitality sector for almost 30 years, it was in 2016 that a UK subsidiary was established, serving both the hospitality and retail sectors.

In this relatively short period, the UK business has gone from strength to strength with the past 12 months showing a significant increase in sales of 35 per cent.

This substantial increase, according to UK general manager, Alex Frubel, can largely be put down to the fact that customers are perceiving value in the quality that the company is offering and, in turn, are adding to their Tramontina collections as well as recommending to friends and family.

Covering both domestic and hospitality sectors, Tramontina’s portfolio offers a diverse range of products across a wide range of price points, from simple cutlery sets to exquisite multi-piece sets, carving sets, fully-forged chef’s knives and its Churrasco concept, which comprises a host of knives and other kit for fun, authentic barbecuing.

While knives and related items are the core of Tramontina’s UK portfolio, the company also offers other lines, such as cookware, cheese sets and everyday cutlery sets with fun coloured handles and unique packaging options.

As well as a huge emphasis put on the design and development of products in order to offer outstanding collections, sustainability and technology also play a big part.

In fact, the company takes

sustainability seriously and, wherever possible, certified raw materials are used, packaging is recycled/recyclable, and the supply chain is valued from beginning to end with environmental protection a priority.

“This way, everyone benefits, including the end user who ends up with better quality product and can take pride in the knowledge that what they are buying has been produced as sustainably as possible,” says Alex.

Technological advancements enable the company to produce exceptional serration and strength, along with real wood (certified) handles which are uniquely dishwasher-safe – after all, who doesn’t want the beauty of real wood coupled with the convenience of dishwashersafety and a 5-year warranty!

A perfect example of the combination of design, sustainability and technology uniting to offer stylish good looks and incredible quality – synonymous with the brand – comes in the form of the recently introduced sixteen-piece cutlery and carving set.

The cutlery contained within – Original Jumbo steak knives and forks – offer many outstanding features

Opera Cutlery

Sixteen-piece Cutlery and Carving Set

of hospitality “

While Tramontina has had a presence in the UK hospitality sector for almost 30 years, it was in 2016 that a UK subsidiary was established, serving both the hospitality and retail sectors. In this relatively short period, the UK business has gone from strength to strength with the past 12 months showing a significant increase in sales of 35 per cent.

such as super-sharp serrated stainlesssteel blades, which will make light work of the thickest of cuts! There are also the very distinctive stainless-steel rivets which guarantee safety and security, as well as delivering a very characteristic appearance.

Sculpted ergonomic handles are made from high-quality polywood (real wood) from FSC-certified forests, which are dishwasher-safe, impact and high temperature-resistant and, uniquely, come with a 5-year warranty.

This set is part of a larger gift collection comprising bestselling steak knives, cutlery sets and carving sets, presented in stylish rustic dark wooden presentation cases with illustrated sleeves, which are already proving to be a huge hit with customers.

Along with wooden-handled ranges the company also offers other cutlery styles, including the Classic Gaucho Steak Stainless Steel Cutlery Set, which features traditional scenes embossed on the handles. This set offers a real point of difference and

”

makes a unique gift of distinction In just a few years, the company has had a direct presence in the UK, and has forged close ties with customers.

“With the passion we have for our ethical work practices and the importance we place on offering high-quality products it is imperative to us that we, in turn, portray all that is valued by us over to our customers”, explains Alex.

“We take pride in the way we work, how we care for and how we interact with both suppliers and customers and, therefore, we appreciate the chance to portray these values directly to our current and potential customers.”

He adds: “Our UK sales team works tirelessly with our customers, which include independents, department stores, garden centres, hospitality customers, and more, to make sure we are doing all we can for them.

“We also do key tradeshows including Exclusively Housewares, Spring Fair and Ambiente, where we

take the opportunity to present our company ethos and image.

“We love welcoming our customers to the stand, presenting our new lines to them, discussing any problems that they may face day-to-day and subsequently finding solutions for them. That`s our mission – to provide them with opportunities to succeed!”

Part of the support package includes a host of merchandising options, the most recent of which is a very stylish wooden merchandising unit with a back-lit logo header, and lifestyle images portraying a complete story to customers. Hugely versatile it can accommodate hanging packs, giftboxed lines and loose pieces.

To experience the renowned Tramontina hospitality and to check out the exciting SS19 launches, visit Tramontina at Spring Fair (Hall 9) and/ or Ambiente 2019 (Hall 3.1). With their warm welcome and mouth-watering barbeque, you won’t be disappointed! www.tramontina.com / contact@ tramontinauk.com

Paisano Collection

Retail Interviews

Ask the retailers

“Kilner is modern yet timeless”

We talk to three kitchenware retailers/ distributors, from the UK, New Zealand and the Czech Republic, to find out what kitchen brands they stock and why

“T&G is stylish”

T&G Trevor Mottram, UK

Kilner Potten & Pannen Stanek, Czech Republic Pavel Stanek, co-founder and president, Potten & Pannen, a leading, exclusive importer, distributor and direct seller of table, kitchen and household brands, with 12 stores in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. www.pottenpannen.cz Why do you stock Kilner®?

Kilner® represents the values we believe in. It´s a brand with tradition and with passion and has become a loved brand for passionate chefs and amateur cooks globally. It’s also always a great gift idea.

What collections do you stock?

We’ve represented Kilner® in the Czech and Slovak Republic for more than five years. We stock a variety of products,

from jugs and glasses, to barrels for lemonade, and more.

What are the bestselling products?

One of our bestsellers from Kilner® are the barrels for lemonade. They are so practical and in summer they sell really well – for garden parties and picnics.

How do you best communicate the story, design and functionality of the brand to consumers?

Kilner® has its own trendy organic feel – it has this vintage vibe, although the jugs and other products are very modern and timeless. It’s for customers who care about their living standards, providing ecology and organic products and we communicate this.

What More UK John Monk Trading, New Zealand John Monk, owner, John Monk Trading Co., one of New Zealand’s largest importers of houseware and giftware products, supplying retailers. www.johnmonktrading.co.nz Why did you choose What More UK? We first spoke to What More UK a decade ago at Ambiente as we had been enjoying good business with other strong UK suppliers. We liked the way What More conducted business,

Sarah Wood, owner of Trevor Mottram in Tunbridge Wells, UK, a cookshop stocking everything from whisks to cookware. www.trevormottram.co.uk Why did you choose to stock T&G? We’ve stocked T&G products for 40 years – probably as long as they have been trading!

T&G’s branding is stylish and simple.

You don’t need different stands for their products and consumers don’t need much explanation. The brand is well-known and consumers ask for it specifically – it’s a trusted brand.

What collections do you stock?

We have a selection of T&G products.

We stock T&G boards, Pride of Place storage, Salt and Pepper mills, display products, bread bins, and a lot of wooden spoons.

We made a choice several years ago to only stock wooden spoons from a brand we knew would offer us

“Made in England is a strong selling point”

and their flair for developing new innovative products. What More is now considered a recognised brand in New Zealand known for quality and good value. Over the last three years we’ve experienced turbulent times with currency fluctuations, raw material costs and Brexit uncertainty, but What More sales have been maintained.

What collections do you stock?

We sell across the range, from plastic

housewares to bakeware, with the exception of food storage.

How do you best communicate the design and functionality of the brand?

Made in England is a very strong selling point for us in New Zealand and our major retailer, Briscoes, has grasped this, so the What More UK range had grown to be a category winner. Large in-store displays and POS promotions have certainly pushed sales.

continuity in style and availability.

What is the bestselling collection?

We’ve been amazed and thrilled at the success of Pride of Place storage (pictured) – it’s been the best storage solution we’ve sold for years.

All four colourways sell incredibly well. I initially thought the green and cream would fall in sales with the introduction of the white and grey, but this hasn’t happened, and more of all colours were only delivered last week.

How do you best communicate the story, design and functionality of the brand to consumers?

We keep all the Pride of Place storage together so consumers can easily choose their purchases, and plan for future shopping too.

T&G’s Chopping Boards are all ranged by size near the wooden spoons and the rest of the wood story, including the iconic spurtle.

6

Category Blenders Vitamix Ascent Series 2500 Black The latest evolution of the brand’s legendary blending technology, featuring digital controls, three simple programme cycles plus variable speeds and pulses. This elegant kitchen machine makes all blending tasks intuitive and easy.

And you can now transform the Vitamix Ascent Series Blender into a Personal Blender with optional smaller blending containers, smoothie cup and blade assemblies. www.vitamix.com

Blend trend With consumers pushed for time and increasingly more health-conscious, smoothies continue to be key. And with nearly half of US households blending smoothies in 2018, we look at how brands are inspiring consumers with innovative products that are faster, healthier, more versatile, and deliver added value with recipe books and apps

C

onsumers are strapped for time, increasingly eating on the go and snacking more than ever before, yet they are also increasingly concerned with their health and wellbeing.

And it’s these factors that have contributed to the continued rise of the smoothie, according to the latest Vitamix Smoothie Tracker.

Health first Smoothie consumption hit an all-time high in 2017, with 48 per cent of US households consuming one or more smoothies per month, with 32 per cent of US smoothie drinkers following a smoothiedrinking regimen, consuming six or more smoothies per month.

And recent data further reveals that smoothie consumption was steady year-round, as opposed to five years ago when it peaked in July and August, but saw major dips in colder months.

For most smoothie drinkers, taste beats health, but the margin has narrowed. In 2013, 74 per cent of smoothie drinkers named taste as a primary consideration in making smoothies, but in 2017, this went down to 66 per cent.

Today, it seems, consumers

consider nutrient value (52 per cent, up 10 per cent from 2013) and ease of preparation (23 per cent, up 8 per cent from 2013) when selecting a smoothie recipe.

Also, consumers are increasingly looking to customise their diets versus taking a one-size-fits-all approach. A recent Vitamix survey supports this personalisation trend.

Participants were asked to name the ingredients in the last smoothie they prepared. Though there were several popular ingredients, no one item was used by more than 10 per cent of respondents, with ingredients listed including everything from spinach, strawberries and kale, to matcha, turmeric and almond milk.

Another way consumers are personalising smoothies is by rethinking their prep, creating smoothie bowls, with smoothie bowl purchases increasing by 115 per cent in the past two years, especially among Millennials.

“Consumers are making the switch to adopting healthier eating habits and we’re benefitting from this perfect storm in the marketplace across Europe,” says Martin Davaney, country manager, UK and Ireland, Vitamix.

“As the trend towards soups and smoothies and the desire to

incorporate more whole foods into consumer diets continue, consumer interest in blenders remains high.”

Dominik Pytel, marketing director of Groupe SEB UK Ltd, which has the Tefal brand, a market leader in traditional blenders, agrees: “Blenders as a market category continues to perform well as consumers look for evermore healthier and convenient drink and food options. And 2018 has seen Tefal launch a number of new innovative high-speed blender models, which we believe is a major growth trend in the market category.”

Multi-functional From versatility to convenience, innovation in blenders is increasingly high, with highperformance blenders becoming true all-rounders combining the functionality of 10 kitchen appliances in one, from blending and pureeing, to whipping, kneading and chopping.

“Shows such as Bake Off, Masterchef and the Hairy Bikers have stimulated demand for high-end food devices,” says Jane Westgarth, a Mintel analyst.

Take Vitamix’s 3 Squares Soup3RB Blender, which can blend,

pulverise, puree, liquefy and cook soup, saute veggies and brown meat; or Bamix’s handheld food processor, which can cut, chop and puree, blend, beat, whisk, mix, grind and grate; while the new Judge JEA51 Blender (with glass jug) is designed to tackle everything from chopping nuts to mixing batter and creaming butter.

“When space is limited in the kitchen, paying a little more for appliances that offer more functions wins hands down,” says James Robinson, marketing manager, Horwood, which has the Judge brand.

Then there’s Tefal’s recentlylaunched ultra-versatile top-range Ultrablend Cook High-Speed Blender, which is not only designed to “unleash more flavours from every ingredient”, says Dominik, but is super multi-functional.

“As well as making smoothies, milkshakes or crushed ice, this blender can prepare ready-to-eat soup, creamy hot sauces, and even coulis or compote as finishing touches to homemade puddings.

"And, for health-conscious cooks, even tough nuts, legumes and grains, from almonds to rice, can be blitzed into fresh nut milks or homemade gluten-free flour.”

And, according to figures by

What the retailers say…

In the past few “ years, the most popular items on our wedding list service in the Czech Republic and Slovakia have been electrical appliances, and blenders and juicers, in particular.

Pavel Stanek, president, Potten & Pannen, a chain of kitchen/dining stores in the Czech Republic and Slovakia Tefal Ultrablend Cook High-Speed Blender A new innovative high-speed blender featuring a built-in heating element, to cook or boil up to 100C, and its precise temperature control measures chill and heat continually for optimum cooking. With a 1300W motor and six Tripl’Ax Pro blades, the highspeed vortex pulverizes with ease, releasing all nutrients and flavours. There are eight automatic pre-set programmes, three cold and five hot, and a thermo-resistant glass jug, to switch between hot and cold prep. It also has an in-built auto-clean setting, secure lid and built-in steam cap. www.groupeseb.co.uk

market research firm Gfk, “blenders with a cup have seen sales rise by 151 per cent with 68 per cent of us choosing them over more traditional blenders”.

A number of Vitamix blenders feature to-go cups, while the compact Bianco di Puro Attivo Nutri De Blender incorporates a sports bottle, so consumers can blend their green smoothies and then run.

With such a breadth of blenders now available, it provides both an opportunity and a challenge for retailers, as they have the job of ensuring consumers make the right blender choices based on their individual requirements.

Inspiring consumers Many blender manufacturers, therefore, are inspiring consumers with inspirational add-ons – recipe

”

We are seeing strong “ demand for smoothie Judge JEA51 Blender Lightweight and with a 550W motor and sharp stainless-steel blades, this durable and versatile kitchen companion features two blending speeds and a pulse setting for chunky items or a smoother finish. It also has a removable cap for drip-feeding and a robust 1.5L heat-resistant, scratch-proof glass jug with a wipeclean base and dishwasher-safe detachable parts. Does everything from chopping nuts to creaming butter. www.horwood.co.uk

booklets, tips or suggestions – helping to arm retailers with ammunition to sell more effectively, and it’s especially true for those brands delivering multifunctional appliances.

Vitamix produces books throughout the year aimed at “encouraging consumers to experiment with their blender and create stunning on-the-go recipes, demonstrating the versatility of our blenders and encouraging consumers to experiment with new blends”, adds Martin.

James at Horwood adds: “Horwood has found SDA sales increasing via online retailers, where it’s easier to compare functionality, price, and where videos can be easily watched.

"We always supply an instruction manual and recipes and more recently, we introduced video and

have developed a tailor-made unit, which houses an iPad and stock, so consumers in retail stores can self-select short videos to see how appliances can be used.

"These units have been very well-received and have a very positive impact on sales.”

The latest innovation, however, takes inspiration to greater heights, using smart technology with built-in recipe apps. Perfect Blend technology, from US company Perfect Company, delivers an interactive recipe app that offers nutrition plans, weekly meal plans, and even automatically creates a shopping list, as well as tracking calories and nutrition.

Vitamix is already using the Perfect Blend smart scale and recipe app across its blenders.

Watch this space.

makers, blenders and juicers, especially as so many dieticians and nutritionists include smoothies and juices in their healthy eating plans.

Kostas Sarafidis, manager, Cook Shop, a chain of 55 kitchenware stores across Greece

”

The bestselling “ category at abt stores is small kitchen appliances and multi-functional blenders and mixers, in particular. Brands such as Vitamix and KitchenAid are meeting the healthy cooking trend with new appliances.

Hermann Hutter, MD, abt department stores, Germany

”

WMF’s strategy for the blending market is to offer a best-in-class portfolio “ with one hero product across all price levels. Furthermore, WMF is setting new quality standards – all new liquidisers meet the new GS requirement.

With our unique contemporary design and a design re-launch of blenders in upper price segments, we attract new consumers and add new impulses in higher price segments.

Martin Ludwig, senior VP consumer goods,

”

international strategy and product creation, WMF Group

Column Bheta

Clear and positive to shift the malaise Among recent negative retail and tradeshow stories and stats, Will Jones finds the good stories and emphasises the need to remain optimistic and be clear

H

ere at BHETA, there aren’t many members – housewares or home improvement – who have not been impacted in some way by recent events at Homebase and House of Fraser.

Taken together with the air of uncertainty still hanging over the whole UK marketplace, big name troubles like these do not help the atmosphere. In fact, I think even those players who might derive some short-term gain from others’ troubles would agree with the majority who believe that the best outcome for everyone in the market is that bricks-and-mortar retailers can turn the corner and find their way back into happier territory. Lack of optimism is, perhaps, the biggest danger of all.

The flurry of autumn show – where numbers were down – just illustrates how important it is that everyone maintains a clear and positive approach if a good outcome is eventually to be achieved.

For Glee, the golden ticket was probably the extraordinarily good summer which buoyed the market and ensured buyers and exhibitors were able to remain upbeat with a busy feel around many stands.

Even here, however, so much of the innovation was about making it quicker and easier and prettier and cleverer – not to mention smarter –

20 KITCHENWARE INTERNATIONAL

to deliver the same functionality as was there before.

Truly new, ground-breaking concepts seem too few and far between, even at exhibitions; another symptom of the problem of lack of confidence.

Other recent exhibitions have offered good opportunities but had mixed fortunes in terms of visitor – and exhibitor – volumes.

Moreover, at all these events, how much harder everyone must work to capture the imagination of the visitors who do come along!

A similar experience, but one that reinforced my advocacy of clarity and positivity, was my visit to Maison Objet, Paris, in early September. The Maison show is about furniture, lighting, textiles, housewares, tabletop and decorations and, as you would expect, there is a wide range of gorgeously presented products.

The exhibition is also a brilliant communication and information platform for the industry, offering exhibiting companies and visitors the chance to mix with experts and learn about the latest trends.

The show features two aptly named hubs – Maison and Objet – and a new layout allowed for inspirational displays starring new products. Combined with the Trends Forum and a new ‘inspirations book’, this approach offered the chance to get a quick read of the season’s innovations in a really stimulating environment.

About BHETA The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) is the voice of authority on everything home improvement and home enhancement, including DIY, housewares, garden, small domestic appliances and home decor. It represents £5 billion at retail and 9,000 employees and brings together manufacturers, suppliers, retailers and opinion formers to drive growth at home and abroad. For more information about retailer and supplier co-operation, contact BHETA on 0121 237 1130, or email wj@bheta.co.uk, or visit the website at www.bheta.co.uk

“

The lesson for both suppliers and retailers is to be clear – and perhaps, even ruthless – in acknowledging what it is you offer; and then delivering it with conviction and positivity in attitude and communications.

BHETA’s housewares sector director, Will Jones

”

It was great to see not only design and lifestyle trends, but also shopping, merchandising and display styles and ideas, and yet again, it was obvious that shows aimed primarily at one or two sectors can be just as useful for suppliers and retailers as others. So, Maison & Objet delivered in spades.

My main take from this lovely exhibition is how the luxury end of the market persists despite the trials and tribulations of the midmarket arena; and how therefore it can afford to inspire and stimulate as exhibitions – and we all – should do.

This may sound like complacent praise of the top end, but it’s not. Just as impressive in their confidence and sure-footed progress are the suppliers and retailers who operate in what used to be termed the discount sector.

Here again, there are clever, ambitious ideas informed by top-end trends. They have just been translated into affordable, accessible products which are clear and positive in their targeting of different generations, home owners or renters, with different attitudes to material possessions and lifestyle.

The lesson for both suppliers and retailers is to be clear – and perhaps, even ruthless – in acknowledging what it is you offer; and then deliver it with conviction and positivity in attitude and communications.

The future is not about hankering after what went before, if that is no longer viable.

It is about reinventing clearly and getting on with it with enthusiasm.

For more info, contact BHETA member services on 0121 237 1130 or www.bheta.co.uk

“We invite you to come and experience our renowned

BRAZILIAN HOSPITALITY

and view our exciting new SS19 launches at Spring Fair, Hall 9 and Ambiente, Hall 3.1”.

TRAMONTINA UNITED KINGDOM

Pell Street - SE8 5EN - London E: contact@tramontinauk.com - T: 020 3176 4558 / M: 07393 189344

Column Retail

“

It’s time for stores like ours to say no to holidayspecific merchandise.

Stay away from anything with Santa or reindeer or elves or Christmas trees on it. The product is practically as perishable as fresh produce. Your overall margin is cut into significantly by post-holiday clearance mark-downs or storing the product until the next holiday. It’s just not profitable enough and the product isn’t versatile.

”

“Create a holiday In his penultimate column (Ben has sold up and moved on), and with the holiday period on the horizon, Ben Salmon warns retailers to stay away from seasonal-specific product (think Santas and reindeer), and to instead embrace entertaining essentials and the festive colour palette

T

he holiday season brings a lot with it: increased sales, high foot traffic and demand for giftable merchandise. But should it also bring seasonal product into our gourmet stores? That’s a question I’ve long struggled with.

But the consumer and the bottom line have both answered it for me over the years.

The answer to this question will not only save you money but it will increase your sales as you can focus your resources on the product you can sell the most of and get the best margin on.

No ifs, and or buts, it’s time for stores like ours to say ‘no’ to holiday-specific merchandise.

Stay away from anything with Santa or reindeer or elves or Christmas trees on it. The product

22 KITCHENWARE INTERNATIONAL

is practically as perishable as fresh produce. Your overall margin is cut into significantly by post-holiday clearance mark-downs or storing the product until the next holiday.

It’s just not profitable enough and the product isn’t versatile.

That doesn’t mean you have to be Santa-free in your shop. If you want your store to feel festive, choose just a small handful of holiday-specific SKUs to focus on and push. I always had success with Santa stoppers and vintagestyle Christmas mugs, so I went deep on a few specific items and otherwise axed everything else that would have been on my Christmas table. It was an incredibly successful approach.

But this doesn’t mean you should ignore the holidays altogether with your merchandise purchasing. There are a number

of different holiday-related merchandise to say ‘yes’ to.

Say ‘yes’ to stocking stuffers!

Last year, I replaced my Christmasthemed table with a stocking stuffer table. Tons and tons of bins with a variety of price points.

Miniature tools, great gadgets, quirky bar tools, handy general items and basically anything that would typically sell well at your cash wrap or in a CDU. The beautiful part? Re-merchandise the product after the holidays and you can sell it year-round.

Many customers have started buying signature gifts, especially when it comes to token holiday presents to friends, colleagues and extended family. Instead of buying one of these and one of those, customers go all-in on a single item that catches their fancy, often buying 10 or 20 units.

Put your full weight behind items that have generally sold in strong volume for you this year. Think of your sales up to now in 2018 as your vetting for strong stocking stuffer SKUs for December.

Want your store to feel festive without spending thousands on holiday-specific merchandise?

Colour block! Keep your Christmas table as such but instead of Santas and reindeer, fill it with entertaining items and essentials in festive colours. It’s up to you on the colour palette to focus on, whether that’s silver and gold, red and green, or patterns of plaid or polka dots. It will make the store feel like holiday central and when the season is over, all you have to do is spread the merchandise back throughout the store again and no one is ever the wiser.

Feels like the holidays and

About Ben Salmon Ben Salmon is a former literary agent, food writer, columnist, consultant and owner of Kitchen a la Mode, with locations in South Orange and Summit, New Jersey. He was named Top 40 Under 40 Talent in the industry

by HFN Magazine, 2016 All-Star Retailer of the Year by Gourmet Insider, featured in numerous industry magazines and is the recipient of several awards for visual merchandising. He sits on the advisory board of the GC Buying Group, is a judge for the IHA gia innovation awards and is an active local volunteer with a focus on economic development. Kitchen a la Mode: Accessories for Cooking & Entertaining was named New Jersey’s Best Kitchen Store by NJ Monthly four years running and was called a “toy store for grown-ups” by The Star-Ledger. The shop is loaded with thousands of items from gadgets and cutlery to cookware and bakeware to linens and tabletop to small electrics to giftware and everything in between.

Small business vendors and unique and unusual product are particularly highlighted and sought after in the store. www.kitchenalamode.com | www.facebook.com/kitchenalamode

cooking story” “

As a kitchenware store, if you’re going to focus on anything holidayrelated, it should be cooking accoutrement that people buy a lot of this season. We’re talking cookie sheets and cookie cutters, rolling pins and springform pans, turkey roasting pans and racks, cheesecloth and butchers twine, meat thermometers and potato ricers. We’re talking pottery and serving platters, wine glasses and flatware, trivets and coasters. then it doesn’t without having to clearance anything out!

As a kitchenware store, if you’re going to focus on anything holiday-related, it should be cooking accoutrements that people buy a lot of this season.

Think about what foods they make and the meals they serve for the holidays and bring that product in. We’re talking cookie sheets and cookie cutters (yes, holiday-specific cookie cutters are ok), rolling pins and springform pans, cookie presses and

parchment paper. We’re talking turkey roasting pans and racks, cheesecloth and butchers twine, meat thermometers and potato ricers. We’re talking pottery and serving platters, wine glasses and flatware, trivets and coasters.

Create a holiday cooking story.

Group these items together and move them to the front of your store. I’ve always had success making a holiday entertaining checklist for my customers, reminding them of things they hadn’t even thought about

needing yet, such as fat separators and basters. Don’t be shy about suggesting add-ons. Get a rack with that roasting pan, a cookie spatula with the baking sheet, a pie server with that pie dish, The truth is, customers need us for a lot of things but they’re just not coming to us for holidayspecific merchandise anymore. But they are coming to us for gifts. And they need our help setting their table with functional and festive items that we can simplify for them by preparing a ready-made colour-

”

blocked collection. They need us for the right tools when they are cooking their first turkey or ham or when they can’t find their turkey baster and gravy boat.

And this is a good thing.

It certainly helps us focus on stocking product we know we can sell year-round if we happen to have any left at the end of the season. Less items for us to liquidate and lose margin on. We’re lucky that, in this case, meeting customers where they are also helps us with our bottom line.

KITCHENWARE INTERNATIONAL 23

Retail UK

The iconic British department store

Harrods Home is where the heart is Featuring carefully curated collections and bright, inviting and interactive spaces, the awardwinning Cook Shop and Home Appliances departments of iconic London store Harrods is bridging the gap between bricks-and-mortar sales and the new tech-driven world of retail

H

arrods needs little introduction, however, many people might not realise how progressive and innovative Harrods Home has become in recent years, with its award-winning Cook Shop a fine example of the Harrods of today.

No words are minced when it comes to the mission statement of Harrods. The iconic store’s goal is “to be the number one department store in the world for luxury branded merchandise, maintaining an unprecedented level of retail standards and expertise”.

The great story of Harrods began in 1849, way back when it was a grocer and tea merchant. After a relocation to London’s distinguished neighbourhood of Knightsbridge, the Harrods legend was born. Fast forward 169 years, and Harrods continues to make its mark on the retail scene, with a plethora of awards under its belt.

This year, at the 2018 IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia) in Chicago, the retail giant once again basked in the limelight as it landed two major

awards for Harrods Cook Shop. First, it became the recipient of the Martin M. Pegler Award for Excellence in Visual Merchandising.

“Harrods has a great array of emotion present in its visual merchandising, and it always conveys a wonderful sense of storytelling in both window displays and in-store,” the gia jury announced.

Harrods was also announced as one of the five top retailers in the world, becoming a gia Global Honoree. After the win was announced, Annalise Fard, director of Home at Harrods said, “We are absolutely thrilled to see Harrods’ ongoing commitment to technology and innovation recognised as part of the prestigious IHA gia.

“It’s an incredible honour for both myself and our extremely talented buying team. Harrods recognises the growing demand for innovative home appliances and new cookware collections, with our buyers regularly exploring marketing-leading product offerings and ranges, all carefully selected with our discerning customer in mind”.

All of the judges and the expert gia jury agreed that from store design and customer service to marketing and staff training, “Harrods excels in everything it does”.

In anyone’s terms, Harrods is gigantic. Spread over seven floors, it has its own bank, an urban day spa, a penthouse for more exclusive visitors in need of privacy and personal shoppers, and its 100-year-old food hall draws thousands of shoppers and tourists simply wanting to experience the thrill of being in Harrods, every day. And that’s only the tip of the iceberg.

Something that people who have not visited Harrods in recent years might not know, is that company has well and truly bridged the gorge between bricks and mortar sales and the new technology-driven world of retail, and Harrods Cook Shop is a fine example of the Harrods of today.

A total of 1250 m2 (13,466 ft2), the Cook Shop and Home Appliances rooms are bright, inviting, interactive shopping destinations brimming with meticulously curated collections of cookware and home appliances — the emphasis always being on

design, quality and function. Currently, there are 23 collections that cater to everyone, from the beginner cook, up to products for professional chefs.

Something that Harrods has always done well is entertaining its customers, and today in the Cook Shop, this tradition heartily continues, with the demonstration areas strategically placed at the heart of each room.

“Many of these customers are aspiring chefs looking for products of a professional standard, which we are able to offer. We also offer live, instore demonstrations, creating a truly unforgettable customer experience” says Annalise.

BBQ demonstrations, outdoor cooking and entertaining is often a focus during summer, and in Winter, it’s all about cozy baking and roasting.

The space is often home to celebrity chefs or authors, hosting book signings or demonstrating how to recreate their recipes in your own home.

Music is also played throughout the spaces, and with the bright yet ambient lighting, this creates a welcoming atmosphere, encouraging visitors to feel at home. Real plants,

Harrods’ visual merchandising displays plenty of storytelling

“

Many of Harrods Cook Shop customers are aspiring chefs, looking for products of a professional standard, which we are able to offer. We also offer live, in-store demonstrations; creating a truly unforgettable customer experience. BBQ demonstrations, outdoor cooking and entertaining is often a focus during summer, and in Winter, it’s all about cozy baking and roasting. The space is often home to celebrity chefs or authors, hosting book signings or demonstrating how to re-create their recipes in your own home.

Annalise Fard, director of Home at Harrods

herbs, and cookbooks are used in displays, and with the live cooking demonstrations by chefs occurring regularly, the scent of coffee and fresh baked goods is usually in the air.

And just like at home, technology is close at hand as well, as Harrods has a commitment to technological innovation – iPads and plasma screens are spread throughout the spaces to demonstrate the full potential of the products available.

Any campaign that Harrods creates is executed in a 360-degree message designed with ‘wow’ factor in mind.

For instance, in 2017, it released The Social Butterfly campaign, to celebrate the British social season, and a leading paper artist named Zoe Bradley was contracted to create a beautiful butterfly chandelier made up of more than 5,000 butterflies and 8,000 cable ties. The various departments reflected this concept with swarms of butterflies on display and exclusive product throughout the store, including a tote bag and drinking cup displaying Zoe’s butterfly design, so customers could take a little piece of the concept home with them.

As well as its carefully curated collections, Harrods offer live, in-store demos

”

As any business owner knows, a company is only as good as its people, and Harrods believes in going above and beyond to support staff within their roles. Staff are regularly offered the opportunity to attend education training classes and courses throughout the year. Harrods also has a Learning & Development team that aims to promote learners using a blended approach of experience, coaching and formal learning.

The end result is that customers can tell, from the moment that they step into Harrods, that there is passion and expertise behind all projects and products. In fact, before they even step into this legendary store, the Green Men are there in their immaculate iconic suits, opening those worldrecognised doors as they’ve done for more than 150 years.

“Sir, Madame, a warm welcome to Harrods!” www.harrods.com

About IHA and gia For more information about the gia (IHA Global Innovation Awards) programme, the co-sponsors, or participating in 2018-2019, contact Piritta Törrö at piritta.torro@ inspiredconnection.fi. Additional information on the gia programme is also available online at www. housewares.org/show/gia-retail. For more about the International Home + Housewares Show and to pre-register for the 2019 Show, taking place in Chicago on March 2-5, 2019, visit www.housewares.org

Profile Bergner

Cook smart

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Renowned for technical innovation, Bergner Europe has reached new culinary heights with its new Vita collection from Infinity Chefs

roviding a complete range of kitchenware solutions from Europe to all parts of the world since 1999, Bergner Group is renowned for its technical innovation and pioneering development in all categories, including cookware.

Following the recent launch of Bergner’s innovative Vita cookware collection under its Infinity Chefs brand, we talk to Alberto Forcano, CEO of Bergner Europe.

What technological innovations in cookware has Bergner created?

Bergner’s history has always been linked to technical innovation and discovery, with development and implementation of new materials at the forefront. We have a number of innovative materials to choose from, including Aluminium, Tri-Ply, Cast Iron and Stainless Steel.

Bergner Europe is undertaking many innovations in cookware, with a focus on research into materials, heating technology and healthy ecofriendly coatings. Bergner products incorporate the latest and most innovative heat diffusion techniques, which allow energy efficiency, even heat distribution, and compatibility with all cooking hobs.

In addition, Bergner’s coatings are developed following three fundamental principles: Non-Stick, so food doesn’t stick; Healthy Lifestyles, so users need not use fat or oil in cooking; and Product Protection.

How does Bergner stay ahead of technological innovation?

Bergner’s product development is influenced by input from The Cook & Chef Institute, a collaboration with nearly 100 leading chefs across 50 countries and 20 global cooking schools – from Scotland to Russia.

These experts share strategic thinking about cooking and technological innovation in kitchenware and select and recommend products which have been subject to a full audit by chefs and cooking schools.

For example, the new Vita Collection from Infinity Chefs is recommended by Pepe Rodriguez and Jorge Brazalez.

It’s important to take into account the opinion of these experts, and this helps Bergner develop innovative coatings, better heat diffusors, and deliver the perfect combination of design and ergonomics.

What current consumer trends are driving cookware development?

As a company in constant growth, Bergner adapts to progress taking into account new generations, customers and lifestyles. At Bergner, we develop cookware following three main principles – multi-functionality, health and lifestyle.

It’s true that new generations (Millennials) have less time to cook and are more concerned with being healthy. They want products that allow them to cook in a healthy way, preserving food integrity, and saving energy, time and, as a result, money.

In what ways does the new Vita Collection tap into such trends?

Vita advocates a healthy lifestyle and favours a varied yet balanced diet – that’s why this collection comes in three different materials, so users can choose the one best suited to whichever cooking technique is required by the recipe chosen.

In fact, Bergner Europe has always carried a multi-material strategy – our customers are spread across Europe and cook in different ways, so we want them to be able to choose the material that fits their cooking style.

Vita also incorporates technical advances, so consumers can cook using less oil, while simultaneously optimising energy consumption. Vita integrates EternaTi, the finest non-stick coating on the market, produced exclusively by Whitford for the Infinity Chefs brand, which is reinforced with Titanium particles for a non-stick effect that is ten times stronger. As well as being healthier, it’s also easy to clean.

For heating technology, Vita incorporates Ultra Turbo Induction, an unprecedented technical innovation that features a 5mm layer of steel coating encapsulating a pure aluminium inner, making it ideal for induction and enabling full heat transfer and heat shock resistance.

Moreover, Vita is more than just a collection, it is committed to society. A percentage of all sales of Vita products goes towards the fight against breast cancer through Europa Donna – The European Breast Cancer Coalition. www.bergnerhome.com

Vita Collection from Infinity Chefs Reflecting Vitality, Vita features a warm and friendly look which is easy on the eye and comes in three different materials (Forged Aluminium, Cast Iron, and 18/10 Stainless Steel). It features an exclusive non-stick coating for a 10 x stronger non-stick effect, has full heat transfer, and is heat shock-resistant.

In addition, Vita features a number of design details that make it stand out from the crowd.

• Pouring Spout A pouring spout on the pots, saucepans and casseroles means users can pour liquids out or change liquid with no splashing.

• Water Discharge System This eliminates the need for sieves when cooking, saving time in the kitchen.

• Gauge All items in the Vita line come with a practical gauge in their interiors.

• Ergonomic Handles Using cutting-edge soldering and polishing techniques and highquality rivets and bolts, Bergner has created handles that are ergonomic and that ensure a grip that’s both safe and comfortable.

• Glass Lids The lids are made of glass, enabling users to keep an eye on the cooking food without the need to lift the lid. They also come with an opening to let out steam.

Category Cookware

Hey, good looking

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With today's cookware offer delivering consumer demands of functionality, versatility, convenience, quality and durability, the key differentiator when choosing cookware is aesthetics

Serax Serax has joined forces with 3 Michelin star chef Sergio Herman to design a new collection of cast-iron pots for retail and hospitality.

The pots – rough and unpolished on the outside and smooth and polished on the inside – feature a strong glazing that withstands the highest temperatures and retains heat for longer, so flavours can be fully absorbed. The glazing also makes the pots easier to clean, and means they can be used on all heat sources. Due to the clever design of the lids, the food moisturises itself with the condensation, so it can boil down without drying out; while the grill pans are equipped with high edges that contain splashing; and the saucepans feature a slightly wider rim to make cooking and beating sauces easier.

The Camogreen version closely matches with the Surface for Serax tableware collection, while the Black version looks tough.

www.serax.com

hen shopping for cookware, consumers today look for a number of criteria, with quality, durability, space-saving, functionality, versatility, health, eco-friendliness and convenience all-important.

However, as more people cook and entertain at home and as kitchens increasingly take centre stage, kitchen products (including cookware) that look good and are on-trend are more important than ever, with consumers wanting to display their cookware (or needing to due to lack of space) and bring it direct to the table for serving.

“The kitchen is the heart of the home with the majority of house holders preferring to dine in the kitchen where pots and pans are on permanent display,” says Vikki Irvine, marketing manager at Denby, a brand that led the Oven To Table movement in the 1970s. “Today, there is strong emphasis on one pot cooking and bringing sharing dishes from the oven directly to the table so the aesthetics of presenting cookware are more important than ever.”

According to Tom Mirabile, SVP global trend and design at Lifetime Brands, “one of the greatest opportunities in the marketplace right now, regardless of generation, is the consumers’ desire for functional objects that have decorative and design appeal.

“The American kitchen has seen a great revolution over the last decade, moving from a predominantly functional space to a social space – we don’t just prepare food in our kitchens, we spend more time there, entertaining and making memories with family and friends. We are spending more time in the kitchen and want to be surrounded by objects that reflect our personal style.”

As such, continues Tom, “this has raised the bar on design expectations in housewares, and the industry now needs to deliver on both fashion and function”.

Hannah Steer-Wood, category management of Kitchenware at ecommerce homeware platform, Wayfair EU, says: “With the increased social prominence of the kitchen, kitchenware aesthetics have become increasingly important.

"Whether it’s being used as an office, a lunchtime meeting place, or as a room to entertain, the current kitchen doesn’t only have to look good, it has to make us – the consumer – look good too."

She adds: "As a result, we have seen a strong purchasing trend for stylish, but equally functional, kitchenware. Accordingly, the majority of kitchen brands have responded to this trend through their new developed ranges in the past few years.”

And that’s certainly true, with brands such as Sambonet, Gibson, Eva Solo and Alessi lending their design-led, fashion-forward outlook to cookware.

“Overall, from our own sales and market research, we strongly believe that functionality/use and quality are still top considerations when buying cookware,” says Laurie Gates, VP of creative and merchandising at Gibson Overseas, which offers cookware under a variety of brands and licences, including Crock-Pot and Pioneer Woman.

However, admits Laurie, “aesthetics is important because it is a clear point of visual difference, as well as being a way to bring the latest styles and fashion colours to the kitchen”.

With people cooking and entertaining more at home than ever before, they are “looking for items that can be used to cook in the kitchen, serve on the table and coordinate with their home décor”, explains Laurie, adding “on-trend looks are a must for oven-to-table cookware".

He adds: "Whether it’s a rustic cast iron pan, a vibrant enamelled finish, or a patterned decoration, style is an important part of any cookware programme."

Gibson What the retailer says…

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Many of our staff are passionate cooks and have good knowledge on cooking and cookware and share recipes and experiences with customers, as well as advising them on best cookware for the job.

Kitchens Cookshop, an award-winning UK cookshop with three stores, carrying 20-plus ranges of cookware, from Le Creuset and Stellar, to Emile Henry, Mauviel and GreenPan

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Additionally, Gibson is seeing increased interest in coordinated programmes that offer a single thematic look across multiple product categories, including cookware – its new Pastels Collection, for example.

“The success of programmes like Pioneer Woman shows us that there is a healthy appetite for decorated cookware that matches with an assortment of other products for the kitchen and table,” adds Laurie.

Seema Grantham, sales director of The Cookware Company, which has the successful GreenPan brand, agrees that while consumers’ overall priority is a product which performs the task,

“good looks are important too”.

Its recently-launched GreenPan Mayflower range features a style reminiscent of a traditional kitchen but with all the modern conveniences of GreenPan – Themolon™ Infinity Professional ceramic non-stick and the energysaving Magneto induction base.

“The design is finished with wooden handles with an extended flame guard, both practical and design-led,” says Seema.

In fact, the use of organic and natural materials in the make-up of cookware, from stoneware to cast iron, paired with wooden or copper handles, is currently trending, as is a vintage vibe and colour direction, in particular, retro

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Gibson Overseas, Inc. has expanded its Crock-Pot Artisan Collection with new ceramic bakeware items aimed at meeting increased consumer interest in healthy bakeware options, “Crock-Pot is a kitchen staple in millions of homes across America,” David Nicklin Gibson’s VP of marketing and licensing says. “It makes sense to offer ceramic bakeware items to keep pace with the ongoing desire for healthy and durable cooking options." The new bakeware includes baking accessories like ramekins, round and oval bakers and staples like loaf pans, lasagne bakers, and covered casseroles, perfect for oven-to-table meals. Every piece also features a rounded contemporary design and stands out in any home with an ombreenamelled finish in scarlet red and slate grey colour palettes.

www.gibsonusa.com shades such as pastels.

WMF is seeing “vintage and heritage as a combined trend, as well as materials such as copper”, says Martin Ludwig, senior VP president consumer goods, WMF. And Sambonet is seeing “a strong trend towards adding colour to the kitchen”, says Lorenzo Nasini, head of marketing, Sambonet, pointing to its 1965 Vintage Quarzo Nero which comes in five colours (grey, green, red, yellow and blue).

He adds: “Due to trends, we have also re-launched special materials such as cast iron in our Terra.Cotta range and brass for the handles in our 1965 Vintage Collection. Consumers

Consumers are looking for cookware that is not just functional, but that also provides visible value. More than ever, pure aesthetics and an outstanding design has become a key differentiator. As main trends, we see vintage and heritage combined with the related colours, as in our new WMF FusionTec series, and materials like copper, as well as purist Scandinavian style is still en vogue.

Martin Ludwig, senior VP consumer goods, international strategy and product creation, WMF Group

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today want to bring their pots to the table and therefore are demanding good design.”

Claire Budgen, marketing director at KitchenCraft concurs: “Kitchen trends are very much driving the style element of cookware. Gone are the days when cookware was simply stashed in a cupboard, these days, cookware is a style statement that is displayed.

"Step forward copper pans or other stunning or technologicallyadvanced pieces that make a style statement or are a talking point.

“Keeping abreast of trends, we also have a selection of mini stainless-steel, copper and castiron cookware – on-trend for cooking and serving.”

Greenpan Denby With a long heritage of producing ceramic cookware throughout its 20-year history, Denby has evolved the shapes and purpose of its cookware to meet different demands, styles of cooking and recipes over generations. It was in the 1970s when Denby led the way in the Oven to Tableware movement. Ahead of its time and inherently strong, Denby already had the attributes for use in the oven and freezer and it took new appliances such as dishwashers and microwaves in its stride. Today, Denby’s ceramic oven-to-tableware is legendary and the brand has added Cast Iron pieces to its contemporary collections. Denby will have a strong presentation and emphasis of its Cookshop portfolio at Spring Fair 2019 across its Cast Iron Cookware, Pots & Pans, Oven to Tableware and Bakeware.

www.denbypottery.co.uk

Alessi Designed by Patricia Urquiola, and drawing from technical research and cultural references, including Japanese pots, Alessi’s new collection of pots and pans, Edo (former name of Tokyo), includes casseroles, saucepans, frying pans, grill pans, a milk boiler and wok.

Featuring elegant lines, Edo is made of 18/10 stainless steel, polished on the interior and with a satin finish on the exterior, and fitted with an AIS1430 steel base, so can be used on induction hobs. The slight flaring of the top of the saucepan makes for easier pouring; the handles, made of precision cast steel with a bronze PVD finish, are welded to the body and are ergonomically designed, their shape recalling that of a ribbon, ensuring beauty, lightness and a good grip. Dishwasher-safe.

www.alessi.com

The two key products for GreenPan as its heads into the AW and pre-Ambiente period were launched at June’s Exclusively Housewares – Mayflower and Featherweights.

Mayfower (pictured) is the ‘classics remastered’ – a different look for the brand with wooden handles and a vintage-style blue. However, the technical aspects remain the same, with each piece carrying its 5th generation Thermolon™ Infinity Professional ceramic non-stick coating, its trademarked energysaving Magneto induction base, and a heavy-gauge construction for quick and even heat distribution.

Featherweights represents “a real departure for us and we believe is the perfect example of how GreenPan™ is so much more than an innovator in ceramic non-stick”, says Seema Grantham, sales director, GreenPan™ brand.

The brand’s first cast aluminium range, Featherweights, is 50 per cent lighter than cast iron but with excellent heat distribution and retention properties, as well as being durable. It too features Thermolon™ Infinity Professional which makes food release simple and cleaning easy.

The range is extremely focused – three sizes of Dutch Oven and a 26cm grillpan. “We felt those were pieces which really benefit from being lightweight, while the Dutch Oven, which perfectly fits the trend for one-pot cooking, has a self-basting lid to ensure food remains succulent,” says Seema.

www.greenpan.co.uk

Judge This year sees the expansion of Judge’s dynamic cookware range, Radiant, which has doubled in size to include individual cookware pieces, new sizes of fry pans and stir fry woks, lids and pan sets. Benefits include Teflon’s latest Radiance non-stick surface, a three-layer non-stick that is PFOA-free and that uniquely integrates ferrous particles which accelerate heat transfer through the on-stick layer, creating even heat. Teflon Radiance is applied to the thick aluminium body, which is then sealed with heat-proof metallic red paint, which looks stunning and is hard-wearing. Matching soft grip handles and knobs complete the set.

www.horwood.co.uk

Tefal Tefal’s new Veggie Pan, a UK first, guarantees perfectly cooked veg full of flavour, juices and up to 30 per cent more vitamin C. It features a green Bakelite handle, is oven-safe up to 175C for one hour, and a veggie-green Thermo-Spot and heat indicator pattern, which turns from purple to green when the optimum temperature for cooking veg is reached. The pan’s unique stoneeffect surface features a highly resistant, ceramic nonstick coating (90 per cent minerals) for added durability.

www.tefal.co.uk

Whitford The latest cookware coating development from Whitford, Moonscape is an extremely durable, wear-resistant, internally reinforced three coat non-stick system with a rough texture. The base and mid-coat contain a carefully chosen combination of resins and hard materials, permitting a far higher percentage of special reinforcing elements. The texture top-coat is rich in fluoropolymers, and is dedicated to release, the non-stick characteristic. Available in four colours – Aquascape, Copperscape, Silverscape and Greyscape.

www.whitfordwww.com

Knindustrie Inspired by the concept of self-standing pots and pans, Beyond Basic by KnIndustrie has been conceived with the aim of improving cooking performance for individual foods, so cookware pieces are designed for specific modalities and deliver different shapes and materials to suit.

The Beyond Basic 2018 collection includes a saucepan (pictured) designed by Lara Caffi, whose minimal style draws inspiration from Nordic design. Made of very thick steel, it's been specially designed for the prep of sauces, and is characterised by a special interior coating in white enamel, ensuring sauces won’t stick to the bottom. The exterior, coated with the same bright yellow enamel as the lid, keeps food warm.

The handle is made of wengè wood.

www.knindustrie.it/en

Fissler With the new Adamant line, premium cookware manufacturer Fissler has developed pans with an especially tough non-stick sealing. The two new models, Adamant Comfort and Adamant Classic, both made in Germany, combine a very good non-stick effect with enormous resilience that would normally only be expected from non-coated pans. The key to this is the new sealing, which contains silicon carbide particles, and whose hardness is comparable to that of stone. The sealing gives pans their novel surface, with tangible texture and a raw look reminiscent of cast-iron pans, as well as offering protection against scratches. The sealing also delivers outstanding heat output. Thanks to its high pan body, the Adamant Comfort holds more food, while its tried-and-tested safety handle protects users’ hands. The ergonomic shape ensures the handle can be gripped with ease and is well-suited to smaller hands. Both pans feature the cookstar all-stove base, which absorbs, distributes, and stores heat efficiently.

www.fissler.com

Did you know …? Duralex Ovenchef now at Divertimenti Ultimate cookshop and long-time suppliers of professional quality cookware and tableware, Divertimenti, has broadened its Duralex range from Picardie tumblers to now include roasters and ramekins. The Ovenchef range, made from tempered glass and reinforced for culinary use, can withstand temperatures from 300C to -20C, and are dishwasher, microwave and freezer-safe. They come in a range of sizes.

Today’s consumers “ want functional products

Profile Vidivi

with an innovative design that are versatile and can be used in different aspects of cooking and dining.

Antonio Mandruzzato, business unit manager Tableware, Vidivi

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Chef n’ Table Collection

Functionality meets high design

Above: Multifunctional Chef n’ Table dish; Right: Michelin-starred chef Vito Mollica

Vidivi’s new bakeware system, Chef n’ Table, which marks the brand’s entry into the kitchenware category and continues its collaboration with professional experts, takes multi-functionality to new heights

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enowned for its manufacture of high-quality Italianmade glass across numerous categories, from drinkware to decorative, dinnerware to serveware, the Vidivi brand has recently entered the cookware category, launching an oven-to-table glass series.

A completely new concept for oven dishes, the new baking system, Chef n’ Table, was designed in collaboration with Delineo Design, an award-winning Venetian design studio, and famous Michelin-starred chef Vito Mollica.

“We chose these partners because of their technical competence,” explains Antonio Mandruzzato, business unit manager Tableware at Vidivi. “Increasingly, today, more and more companies in our sector are working in a coordinated and proactive way with professionals in the kitchen, table and bar world.”

The objective was to create a collection that allows consumers to bring to the table everyday innovative dishes with a professional presentation and the result is a cutting-edge collection that well and truly puts functionality and design centre stage.

“I believe that current challenges in the catering and dining market reflect the need to bring elegance, value and specific functionality strongly driven by the new demands of chefs,” says Antonio.

“Today’s consumers want functional products with an innovative design that are versatile and can be used in different aspects of cooking and dining.”

And Chef n’ Table certainly delivers with its multi-functionality – the dishes can be used in the oven to bake dishes and, with their beautiful and elegant design, can be brought straight to the table to serve.

But that’s not all. The clever design of the dish delivers 4-in1 functionality, meaning users can use the dish for cooking in various ways: the deep dish can be used on its own, or with the accompanying lid, while the lid itself can also be used alone as a shallow oven dish. Furthermore, users can place the lid upside down on the base and cook in both dishes at the same time.

“Objects that can serve multiple purposes and can be used in the oven, fridge, microwave and freezer, as well as being design objects on the table, are key today,” says Antonio.

Every part of the Chef n’ Table concept has been carefully thought out, ensuring true functionality and the ultimate in design. The collection has been designed based on the standard Gastronorm measures in order to make it perfectly compatible with the dimensions of professional ovens, without wasting space.

The faceted design is not just elegant, but also delivers functionality, allowing users to see the food from every angle, both to check whether food is cooked, and to show off the dish at the table.

Further functionality comes in the design of the handles, which are perfectly contoured for an improved grip, both sturdy and ergonomic; while dishes are hard-wearing, made of soda lime tempered glass, a glass currently being used by Vidivi in its production of glass washing machine doors.

Aimed at both professionals in the hospitality segment and consumers in the retail segment, Chef n’ Table begins distribution this month and has “already secured excellent orders across all European markets”, says Antonio.

In fact, this year so far has been a further year of growth, compared to 2017, for the Vidivi brand, especially in Europe and the US, while politicial and economic factors have impacted growth in the Middle East markets, which had been a growing market for the brand.

“We export to almost all overseas markets and our overseas turnover is 80 per cent of our total,” says Antonio. “As a brand that focuses on quality and design, we have found in recent years that our products are greatly appreciated in Europe, Russia, Japan, Australia and the US markets.”

IHAad_KitchenwareIntl_2_210X297.qxp_Layout 1 11/20/18 5:01 PM Page 1

The International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago is a fantastic opportunity to get a truly holistic grasp of the latest trends and innovations from not only US brands but also global suppliers. We loved the focus on creativity and were particularly impressed with the large number of brilliant startups and emerging brands demonstrating unique products. The IHA team's meticulous attention to detail resonates through every organizational level of the event.

Matt Ryan, Partner Success Manager citiesocial Taiwan

2 – 5 March Chicago, USA Show information and free online pre-registration: www.housewares.org

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Trade Talk Shows

Spring Fair

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The sector as a whole is becoming far more aware of the push to eliminate plastics from products and supply chains and keen to showcase their sustainability credentials. It’s been fantastic to see the sector start to respond to the trend. The sustainability drive is really allowing some manufacturers to showcase their penchant for design innovation with greater ranges of biodegradable products becoming increasingly available. February’s Spring Fair will see the Kitchen, Dining & Housewares sector continue to grow.

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Laurie Marrington, key account manager, Kitchen & Dining, Spring Fair

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In recent seasons, we’ve seen the return of naturedriven themes, inspiring both shapes and choice of materials.

The everglobalised kitchen and table is pushing us towards practical, multi-use and easily reusable objects, as well as multiethnic influences. The market is offering manufacturers countless possibilities to re-invent cooking and dining customs, honour age-old traditions, or create entirely new approaches to tableware and kitchen accessories.

Homi Milano

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Cristian Preiata, exhibition director, Homi Milano

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The housewares/ dining category continues to expand and evolve as a whole and we’re seeing strong growth at Las Vegas Market. We launched the category with about 150 housewares/ tabletop/gourmet brands two years ago and that number has grown market-overmarket to where we currently sit, which is just over 750 lines. I work closely with our temporary team and the reps on campus and constantly find myself inspired by the new and innovative work coming from these companies – both from brand-new businesses with the latest gadgets and from more established companies reinventing or expanding their product offerings. I’ve heard from many retailers who shop at Las Vegas Market that they really appreciate the breadth and depth of our product offerings. I would say that also goes across several other categories, but we’re especially deep into housewares and tabletop.

Joy Jansen, director of leasing – Gift + Home, International Market Centers

Las Vegas Market

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IH+HS Chicago

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Recognising a key trending category, the 2019 International Home + Housewares Show will provide retailers with the latest developments in the smart home movement. The IHA Smart Home pavilion expands with more than 30 exhibitors of smart home brands and connected products presenting the future of housewares. We are seeing rainbow colours making theirway into the kitchen, on everything from knives to whisks, while stone and marble are materials that are trending on cutting boards, and water filtration is becoming a big part of the speciality coffee culture.

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Jon Jesse, VP, industry development, IHA

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Retailers are abandoning traditional models i in in favour of those that place emphasis on a unique experience for each customer. Key to this is personalisation. In contrast to today’s wider retail environment, this relies heavily on in-store experiences with world-class customer service and expert knowledge and guidance from the retailer. The recent addition of & Partners to the John Lewis brand seems subtle at first, but actually speaks volumes about the direction in which they are moving. These partners include a legion of personal shoppers and experts to guide customers through their own unique, individual experience. We are also seeing homeware/ housewares being sold in a wider range of outlets. High-end farm shops, food stores and delis, for example, are crafting increasingly large retail corners within their stores, with the idea to complement the food on offer with cookware, accessories and other related gifts. For these retailers, everything they need can be found at Top Drawer. Home is the biggest single sector in the show and, within that, Kitchen & Dining offers tableware buyers an exclusive and growing collection of brands which simply don’t exhibit anywhere else in the UK during the key spring buying season. This includes Alessi, ZAIM Design Studio, LSA International, BlissHome, Sagaform, Eva Solo, CrushGrind, La Porcellana Bianca, Guzzini, Studio William, Serax, Elia, Sango, and more.

Alejandra Campos, event director, Clarion Events

Top Drawer

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How is the kitchen category performing?

We talk category growth, retail changes and consumer trends with six international tradeshows, from China and the US, to Italy and the UK Interior Lifestyle China

market growth “for The kitchen and dining

products looks very positive. Demand is high for modern, design-orientated products that are reasonably priced.

Although a lot of international brands are already enjoying the Chinese market, there’s still room for more.

It’s a market with very high potential. With so many consumption upgrades, due to new house purchases and apartment renovations, people are in turn looking for better quality kitchenware and dining products. What’s more, Chinese consumers care about brands and, in particular, overseas brands, which represent high quality and value – they appreciate brands with history and a story behind the design. Brand value is essential, especially in the upscale market.

More brands offering kitchen and dining products are signing up, including Guzzini, Koziol, Joseph Joseph, as well as kitchen electronics from brands like Kitchenaid, Smeg and Blendtec. And this year, new brands such as Ceramic Japan, Lenox from the US, and Kuhn Rikon from Switzerland, joined.

Wendy Wen, senior GM, Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd

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Show Preview Homi

Cooking the Italian way With a focus on kitchen and table, with brands such as Ichendorf, Sambonet and LSA International in attendance, and with plenty of food for thought in terms of workshops and seminars, kitchenware buyers will be well-served at the January 2019 edition of Homi Milano

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reparations for the upcoming edition of Homi Milano are in full swing, with the home and lifestyle show, taking place January 25-28, 2019, set to deliver an extensive and varied offering awash with new stylistic ideas.

Tableware and kitchenware, accessories and furnishings, textiles and fabrics, as well as fragrances, gifts and decorative items, will again be the focus of the January edition, with Italian kitchenware brands such as Ichendorf, Sambonet, Alessi, KnIndustrie and Villa D’Este Home joined by international brands such as Villeroy & Boch, Microplane and LSA International.

“We are pleased to support our Italian agency, Maino, celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2019,” says LSA International’s brand director, Mark Jonas, adding that “LSA will be located in Main Hall 2, presenting an edit of our SS19 collection”.

There will be Italian brand Alessi with its design-led kitchen items;

Bisetti with its pepper mills, cooking stones and Himalayan salt plates; Italian cookware company Mario Mugnano with its aluminium cookware and bakeware featuring long-lasting non-stick coatings; KnIndustrie with its contemporary pots and pans; Microplane with its professional graters and zesters; and Villeroy & Boch with its awardwinning ceramic bakeware.

“The Kitchen and Dining market is continually evolving with considerations of many different customs, delivering an offering that is extensive and fragmented, from contemporary re-interpretations inspired by recycled materials, to minimalism and those featuring futuristic lines," says Cristian Preiata, exhibition director of Homi Milano "This offers manufacturers countless possibilities to re-invent cooking and dining customs."

In recent seasons, Homi Milano has “seen the return of nature-driven themes, inspiring both shapes and materials”, says Cristian, “as well as the

use of natural materials and elements, from stone to wood”.

He adds: “The ever-globalised kitchen is pushing us towards practical, multi-use and easily reusable objects.”

As always, the January edition will also deliver the Festivity sector, a vast space dedicated to the Christmas period, which will open two days before the main show to enable specialised buyers to benefit from a more thorough inspection of the festive product.

To promote the most creative of innovations, Homi will also feature dedicated pathways and spaces where visitors will find original product and displays, such as Homi Creazioni, which presents the premium-quality design and craftsmanship proposals of Italian and global companies, selected for their outstanding technical and research abilities.

In addition to the mass-produced accessories made for large-scale market distribution, there will also be limited-edition pieces and one-of-akind designs.

Kitchen highlights KnIndustrie Original, versatile and sustainable design-led cookware (featuring non-stick nanotech coatings) and cooking tools (think Japanese-inspired walnut utensils) made using high-end materials and technologies. www.knindustrie.it

Cristian Preiata, Homi director

Ichendorf Fusing ancient glass-making techniques with modern design lines, Ichendorf offers contemporary glass objects, including handmade, double wall

and borosilicate glass kitchen pieces such as oil/vinegar jars, coffee and teaware and food storage. www.ichendorfmilano.com

Tognana Porcellane The largest Italian tableware producers for domestic and hotel use, Tognana has recently entered cookware – pots, pans, griddles and oven dishes, as well as pressure cookers and accessories. www.tognanaporcellane.it

Finally, an array of seminars, workshops and talk shows led by sector experts will be held and will deliver an overview of new trends, providing retailers with useful ideas and innovative inspirations.

“Our tried-and-tested format offers an extensive and diversified product offering, including both well-known brands and small companies, brimming with creativity and a desire to innovate,” says Cristian.

“The areas dedicated to experimentation and the special events will be enhanced at the next edition and there will be many opportunities to explore the latest sector trends alongside experts, thanks to a schedule of talks and meetings that will include occasions for training.

“Our main objective is to continue to offer a complete platform, both versatile and useful to the operators in attendance, who are increasingly seeking new business opportunities.”

Homi Milano takes place January 25-28, 2019 at Fiera Milano. www.homimilano.com

Microplane Original manufacturer of applying photoetching technology to graters, Microplane creates ultra-sharp graters, zesters and peelers that are the preferred choice for professionals. microplane.com

24 Bottles Manufacturer of BPA-free stainless-steel water bottles with both single-wall and doublewall bodies, in various designs and colours. www.24bottles.com

Show Preview Top Drawer

Top of the kitchens Burton-McCall will present a host of kitchen brands including hot property Jamie Oliver, Fissler and Microplane, experts in cookware and graters respectively. Look out for Jamie Oliver’s new bamix, Aladdin’s food jar with vacuum insulation, Victorinox’s eco-friendly wood fibre cutting boards, and Fissler’s innovative and award-winning SensoRed frypan, which changes colour once it reaches the ideal frying temperature. Stand E17 Forma House This leading UK distributor of kitchen and homeware will showcase an array of kitchenware brands, including CrushGrind (salt/pepper grinders), Dreamfarm (innovative kitchen tools), design-led Scandi brands Eva Solo and Sagaform; and Cookut, which will unveil its clever sushi maker, Sooshi. C9 / E15 / D15 / D19 StolenForm is a home accessories and giftware brand, specialising in recasting industrialised objects, transforming them into striking functional ceramic products, including egg cups. HG8

Rachel PedderSmith Designs is a globallyrenowned natural history illustrator whose paintings have been used

by Liberty of London, and who now creates original watercolour artwork on homeware products, including on cotton tea towels. SP421

Top shopping Featuring expert and design-led kitchen brands such as Eva Solo, Jamie Oliver, Sagaform, Microplane, Fissler and CrushGrind, Top Drawer returns to London, January 13-15, with more than 1,500 brands

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op Drawer, the UK’s leading design-led lifestyle trade event, returns to Olympia London from January 13-15, with a global edit of more than 1,500 brands across its nine expertly curated sectors, including Home with kitchen and dining products.

Firmly established as a must-visit destination for discerning buyers and design-led retailers, Top Drawer once again showcases the very best in Home, with dedicated areas for Kitchen & Dining, Modern Home Accessories, Furniture, Lighting and Outdoor Living.

Presenting a design-informed offering to meet the evolving demands of the modern consumer, the January show embodies the theme of Out of the Ordinary, with brands set to showcase creatively designed and commercially appealing homewares with an edge of originality.

Within Kitchen & Dining, the SS19 event will

see the debut of award-winning and innovative hydration and barware products from Corkcicle, Eva Solo and Burton McCall; design-led ceramics from StolenForm and Sue Pryke; and luxury tableware from Zaim Design Studio, Seletti, Stelton, Eva Solo and LSA International.

Returning brands include leading Scandi interior exponents Broste Copenhagen, Italian masters Fratelli Guzzini Spa, award-winning cutlery label Charingworth by Studio William and homegrown purveyors of designconscious tableware, BlissHome, who will showcase new collections from Rick Stein Kitchen and Tableware, Bioby by Ekobo, Mono and Creatures Ceramics.

“We are seeing homeware being sold in a wider range of outlets,” says Alejandra Campos, event director, Clarion Events, which organises Top Drawer. “High-end farm shops, food stores and delis, for example, are crafting increasingly large retail corners within their stores, with the idea to complement the food on offer with cookware, tableware and other related gifts. For these retailers, everything they need can be found at Top Drawer.”

Relocated from its Pillar Hall location to sit alongside Home, Table, the luxury event for global hospitality, born last year “in response to the rapid growth of the global hotel and catering industry”, says Alejandra, returns to Top Drawer for SS19.

Exclusive suppliers and designers to look out for include Alessi, Caverswall, Repeat Repeat and Sango, who will be presenting new designs from Robin Levien.

In the Food Emporium, on level one, retailers will find giftable goods from top artisans, brands and producers; everything from condiments and chocolates to biscuits and beverages.

Returning brands include Spice Kitchen, Coco Chocolatier, Paxton & Whitfield, while Lemonaid Beverages present their delicious line of organic and Fairtrade-certified soft drinks for the first time at Top Drawer.

Held at Olympia London from January 13-15, 2019, Top Drawer will present a global edit of over 1,500 design-led brands across nine curated lifestyle sectors: Home, Gift, Fashion, Greetings & Stationery, Play, Spotted, Food Emporium, Table and Wellbeing. www.topdrawer.co.uk

Don’t miss… Mackenzie-Childs, Stand G61 The quirky brand will present its new Parchment Check Collection, sister pattern to its insanely popular black-and-white Courtly Check pattern. A softer version, featuring a warm and elegant attitude, this pattern was inspired by a love letter, in particular, the soft colours and checkerboard pattern of the aged paper, and the contrast of light versus dark where the paper was folded to form the checks. Made of ceramics, olive wood, enamelled stainless steel and silicone, pieces include kitchen utensils, a butter dish, paper towel holder, colander, storage canisters and the brand’s iconic teakettle.

Show Preview Maison

Wuesthof Hall 1 Stand E32 / F31 Renowned for its forged knives that are 100 per cent Made in Solingen since 1814, Wuesthof presents its magnet block with Epicure knives.

With its puristic, clean design and high-quality materials, this solid wooden block, made of thermal beech, seems to float over the brushed, stainless-steel foot. On the block, knives are held safely, gently and are always to hand, help firmly by magnets embedded in the wood.

The block comes equipped with six knives from the Epicure series, and combine the efficiency and lightness of Japanese knives, coupled with German quality and safety. The innovative bolster geometry and wider blade shape focus the weight of the knife in its centre, so the knife moves neutrally around this centre of gravity, creating an even balance enabling agile and fatigue-free working. Includes a vegetable, slicer, santoku, chef, bread and sandwich knife.

www.wuesthof.com

Cooking & sharing in Paris Following the brand-new format launched in September, the upcoming edition of Maison & Objet Paris, January 18-22, promises interest, ideas and inspiration in spades

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ollowing on from the entirely revamped September edition of Maison & Objet, the upcoming January edition (Jan 18-22), will reinforce the new format that was put in place to improve visitor experiences and encourage chance discoveries.

The new structure, created more than 20 years after the high-end interior design show’s inception, features two aptly named hubs – Maison and Objet – and delivers a layout that allows for a more “intuitive experience of the fair, promising unexpected and exciting discoveries”, says Philippe Brocart, MD of Maison organisers SAFI. The seven sectors of Objet, including Cook&Share, showcases the most compelling objects, accessories and home accents by

product family, and is all about “going off the beaten track, offering refreshing and intuitive purchasing experiences, unexpected and surprising discoveries”, says Philippe.

Buyers can discover original product from brands like leading UK kitchenwawre company KitchenCraft; leading French stainless-steel manufacturer Cristel; and coffee specialists La Cafetiere (on the Creative Tops stand); as well as Mepra; Beka; Emile Henry, Revol, Cole & Mason; ScanPan, Wuesthof and Zyliss.

Paired with an increase in average stand size, this change shines a new light on the fair’s offering, helping to bring about new partnerships.

And with new inspirational displays, expanded to four locations, such as What’s New?, buyers get a quick read of the season’s

innovations and gain insight into emerging trends. Themed walks with visits to 200 different locations, each featuring original exhibitions and the season’s latest creations, add to the experience.

Over the five days, too, an exceptional conference programme of more than 50 seminars will be chaired by leading personalities in the field of design and decoration, discussing everything from consumer trends to the challenges of brick and mortar retail.

Since 1995, Maision Paris has been the world’s foremost event for professionals of the lifestyle, interior and design industries, with each edition bringing together some 3,000 exhibitors and more than 80,000 unique visitors, of which 50 per cent hail from outside France.

Its complementary digital platform

MOM, launched in September 2016 and now showcasing some 5,000 brands and 90,000-plus professional subscribers, offers a comprehensive overview of the latest products by exhibitors, giving inspiration to retailers and a way for buyers and manufacturers to establish direct conversation.

“MOM has allowed us to make a significant number of new contacts, both French and international,” says Nadia Dafri, founder of her namesake brand, “and we’ve already received several orders as a result. It’s also helped us in our international development, because it was a chance for us to meet buyers from all over the world.”

Maison & Objet, Paris, takes place January 18-22. www.maison-objet.com

Did You Know…? Sebastian Herkner named 2019 Designer of the Year German designer Sebastian Herkner has been named as Maison & Objet’s Designer of the Year for its upcoming January edition.

With some 30 global design awards under his belt, Sebastian has collaborated with a variety of international design houses, including Nude and Fuerstenberg, Sebastian is known for creating designs that fuse tradition with creativity and new technology with craftsmanship.

ScanPan

Kitchencraft Opinel Hall 2 Stand C72 / C76 / D71 / D75 Maison will be the platform for a spectacular SS19 launch for KitchenCraft, which will include a transformation for its acclaimed and enduring Colourworks brand. The introduction of Colourworks Classics last year rejuvenated the brand with a collection of tools, gadgets and accessories, displaying unique features and multi-functionality across four subtle on-trend pastel shades. New for SS19, the same Colourworks concept is being rolled out across an update of the bright colourways. There are four new tones – cherry red, sky blue, violet vibe and apple green, with a further two accent colours – blueberry (navy) and raspberry coulis (bright pink) in selected items. Partnered with either the Classics or new Brights collections, these two accent colours help to create a distinct look, so the new raspberry coulis teams beautifully with the Classics grey, while the new blueberry with any of the Classics shades. Colourworks is a brand associated with innovation and there are some exciting new products: the SWIP, a spatula featuring cut-out sections to easily wipe clean whisk or electric mixer heads; as well as an adjustable measuring scoop which features a slide mechanism to create different capacities.

Hall 1 Stand C22/D21 Since 1890, Opinel has been manufacturing kitchen, table and garden knives, delivering authenticity. While its new Brunch Knife, with its rounded wide tip and serrated section, with either a beech wood handle or tangerine handle, is ideal for scraping jar bottoms, cutting and spreading; its Bon Appetit + knives (pictured) come in four new colours – burgundy, sage, violet and pigeon blue. These everyday steak knives deliver a sharp cutting edge and are dishwasher-safe.

Cristel

www.kitchencraft.co.uk | sales@kitchencraft.co.uk www.opinel.com

Cristel TBC Renowned for its removable handle concept, Cristel will present its recently awarded Casteline collection with a wooden removable handle.

Having just secured the prestigious Red Dot Design Award 2018 in the Product Design category, Cristel is now expanding the range with three natural varieties of wood handle – beech, walnut and olive wood, the latter with its diverse and rich grain patterns. The wooden handle is delicate to the touch and adds a softness and warmth to the concept.

www.cristel.com

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The number of products being launched under the Flora Castle brand. A recentlylaunched brand from Dutch company Clip BV, which has the Bunzlau Castle brand, Flora Castle delivers cross-category offerings – from ceramics and glassware to cutlery and kitchen textiles, including pot holders, aprons and tea towels. All kitchen textiles are made of 100 per cent eco-friendly cotton in Portugual, where the supplier is part of the Better Cotton Initiative. Designs are timeless yet modern and feature a unique combination of miniature decors and hand-painted flowers.

Hall 1 Stand A32 / B31. www.clipbv.com

Cookware highlights Cristel Leading French manufacturer of stainless-steel high-quality cookware and kitchen accessories and leader in the Cook & Serve removable handle concept. Hall 1 Stand D6/E5 ScanPan Non-stick pans made in Denmark and featuring a unique coating for deglazing, searing and roasting, made from 100 per recycled aluminium and coated with a tough, durable nonstick coating, Stratanium. A pan for everything occasion. Find them in Hall 1 Stand E32/F31 Beka Check out the Bali Wok, a versatile and useful piece of cookware made from carbon steel with two-layer non-stick coating, lightweight and stay-cool handle.

Hall 1 Stand D56/E55.

DeBuyer French manufacturer since 1830 offering some 3,000 professional cooking and pastry utensils.

Nouvel Leading Swiss supplier in the table cooking sector with a focus on tabletop grills, cheese and meat fondue kits and raclette sets. Hall 1 Stand C117.

Show Preview LVM

Aesthetic Movement C198 Here, you will find a number of brands, including recycled glassware from homeware brand Dassie Artisan and handpainted pitchers from the MOMA brand.

Also, discover the Ekobo brand, which specialises in the design of home accessories made from eco-sensitive materials. Ekobo will present its new Bento Picnic Boxes, which come in a variety of colourways with contrasting coloured compartments.

www.aestheticmovement.com

Gourmet growth

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The housewares presentation at Las Vegas Market continues to grow with some 750-plus lines set to show at the upcoming Winter edition, from January 27-31

he Housewares, Tabletop and Speciality Food category at Las Vegas Market, the fastest-growing gift and home décor market in the US, continues to develop, with brandnew, expanded and renewed exhibitors adding more than 6,600 sq-ft of showroom space for the 2019 Winter Market, taking place January 27-31.

“The gourmet category continues to grow market-overmarket, with more than 750 lines available to date,” says Joy Jansen, director of gift and home leasing for IMC. “In the last year alone, we have recorded nearly 32,000 sq-ft of gourmet-focused leasing activity – additions, expansions and renewals.”

For Winter Market, C11 will showcase a concentration of 300 gourmet resources, with another 450-plus presented across campus, in both showrooms and in The Pavilions.

Housewares and kitchenware exhibitors include OXO with its design-led kitchen tools and gadgets; bambu home with its eco-friendly bamboo kitchenware; Wuesthof with its high-quality knives; and Vitamix with its professional-grade super-blenders. Alessi, Le Creuset, Chilewich, Hester & Cook, Eva Solo, JK Adams and KAI USA also exhibit, with new and expanded exhibitors promised.

One newcomer to the Winter Market is Supreme Housewares, a producer of high-quality kitchenware and whimsical

products set to debut in 294-sq-ft on C11; while current exhibitors BIDK Home (suppliers of European products for the home) and Keena (showing more than 30 lines) are expanding their showroom space by more than 75 per cent (C1) and 30 per cent (C10) respectively.

And four gourmet suppliers have recently renewed leases for showrooms in Building C, including Mepra, an Italian manufacturer of cutlery, crockery and cookware (in 552-sq-ft on C1).

Furthermore, Las Vegas Market is continuing its partnership with Gourmet Catalog (GC) Buying Group and the HTI Buying Group and will offer unique and exclusive programming and activities for each buying groups’ members attending Winter Market.

And there are plenty of special events and learning/ networking opportunities, including the 2019 Housewares Design Awards, which recognises design excellence in 11 core housewares categories, including one Smart Home category. The First Look trend presentation will feature a curated showcase of products that reflect the diversity of styles, price points and categories at Market; and there will be plenty of special buyer events, seminars and product demos – see www.lasvegasmarket.com/plan/ events/event-seminar-landing.

Las Vegas Market takes place January 27 - January 31, 2019. www.lasvegasmarket.com

Don’t miss… The Grommet Wholesale Offering a new way of buying, The Grommet Wholesale offers thousands of innovative products from independent makers. This Market, discover The Negg: Hard-Boiled Egg Peeler. This made-in-the-USA kitchen hero conquers a dreaded chore slickly. Cold water and some shaking is all it takes for this hard-boiled egg peeler to work. Comes in Pale Pink, Fuchsia, Green, Red, White, Yellow and Black.

C1094. Wholesale.thegrommet.com

What the retailers say….

“

At the last Market, I discovered a couple of key new vendors who are going to be integral to my merchandise mix for next season. Sometimes all it takes is one or two perfect-fit product lines to make a big difference to the look and feel of the store, or to the variety of a merchandise mix, and the quality of two of the LVMKT vendors I bought from, in particular, made this market incredibly helpful to me.

Julie Steiner, Barnes Foundation Shop, Philadelphia, US

Muir Sales

”

“

The Las Vegas Market is the largest on the West Coast, which makes for terrific one-stop shopping.

Sarah Haven, retail manager, Gallery One Visual Arts Center, Washington, US

”

C1105 From Muir Sales comes the Grate Plate, a ceramic grating plate used to easily grate garlic, ginger, peppers, nutmeg, and more. Each grater is handmade with stoneware ceramic using food-safe clay and glazes, with the stoneware extremely durable, easy to clean and dishwasher-safe. The grating surface is softer on hands than a traditional metal grater, while garlic and ginger grate down to a fine puree, providing the utmost flavour. Available in 12 colours.

www.grateplate.com | www.muirsales.com

CA Gift P1-2079 Delivering message-driven giftware, including housewares items, CA Gift will present a ceramic mixing bowl, which features a helpful handle and pouring spout and is adorned with the brand’s most popular Recipe for an Amazing Woman. The sentiment and delicate design continue on the interior of the bowl. The bowl is oven, microwave and dishwasher-safe with an eight-cup capacity, which can easily accommodate any box mix cake.

Packaged in a protective box.

Ameico C187

www.cagift.com

Discover the Oigen brand on the Ameico stand. The Oigen foundry is located in area that has been producing Nambu ironware for 900 years. By casting in a fine grain sand, the ironware has a renowned smooth and unblemished surface. If cared for properly, Oigen ironware, made from 75 per cent recycled materials, can last over 100 years. The Palma collection is a collaboration between Japan Creative – a non-profit organization and world-famous designer Jasper Morrison who was invited to work with the Oigen foundry in Iwate, just north of the area affected by the 2011 tsunami. Pieces include a teapot, kettle, trivet and grill – the Yakiyaki Grill Pocchari (pictured).

https://ameico.com

Sea Stones C1130 / C1106

Vestiges

Nestle, Sea Stones’ modern granite spoon rest, has a minimalist style in harmony with its practical, essential function. The company hand-carves reclaimed granite and finishes it with a special process that smooths the rough edges. Selected granite pieces and sea stones are unique, making each Nestle one of a kind.

The brushed aluminum handle rest is elevated so all drips and drops are neatly contained in the smooth cove. The shape and stance are well suited to many utensils, including spoons, spatulas, whisks, and ladles.

Sturdy granite is the ideal material – stable and safe near hot surfaces, and easy to clean. Each has soft feet to protect your surfaces and is finished with a handpicked beach stone for a dash of panache.

Vestiges deliver 100 per cent cotton pique tea towels featuring artwork by students from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Printing on large-format presses for more design impact, the tea towels are sanforised pre-printing to reduce shrinkage and to maintain their clear bright colours. All inks are water-based and eco-friendly.

www.sea-stones.com

www.vestigesinc.com

P1-2055

Tokyu Hands

Retail GIA

3 of the best… global kitchen retailers We spotlight three of the 27 outstanding home and homewares retailers that were 2017-2018 IHA gia winners

Japan Tokyu Hands One of the leading retailers in Japan with 75 stores in Japan and three in Singapore, Tokyu Hands carries fashion and interiors, but household items are its main category. Customers range from teens to seniors. Tokyu Hands’ buyers think deeply about what their customer wants before selecting products. The sales staff is highly skilled and knowledgeable. www.tokyu-hands.co.jp

Jon Jesse

Recognising retail excellence

Royal Design Helsingborg

With applications for the Global Innovation Awards (gia) 2018-2019 well underway, we discover how housewares retailing is faring and find out how the gia programme can help your retail business

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ntries from housewares retailers all over the world are surging in for the IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia) 2018-2019 programme, the results of which will be unveiled during IH+HS Chicago in March 2019.

Aimed at recognising excellence in housewares retailing, we talk to Jon Jesse, VP industry development at the International Housewares Association (IHA), organisers of gia, about the programme and the current landscape of housewares retailing.

Why is gia so important?

What makes gia so special is that it truly is a global awards programme, bringing together housewares retailers from around the world.

This means gia provides housewares retailers with unique learning and networking opportunities: the national gia winners visiting the Show are able to meet with, and learn from, the other national winners – and, the Show gets the opportunity to showcase innovation and excellence in housewares retailing and share the best examples from around the world to all of the visitors and exhibitors at the Show.

Since the launch of gia in 2000, there have been over 400 gia retail award winners, from 47 countries on six continents. These are significant numbers – and include enormous amounts of housewares industry expertise, inspiration, ideas and innovation.

How have you seen the global housewares retail scene change?

According to the gia Expert Jurors, a lot of the stores selling home and housewares no longer just sell products – they now offer experiences to consumers, through unique service concepts, inspiring displays and promotions. Also, especially in the past couple of years, we’ve seen stores that have become important “community outposts" through their social media networks, and the special campaigns and events they organise.

Also, many of the winning gia retailers now excel in both traditional brick and mortar retailing and online retailing – many times combining the two by offering innovative service solutions for in-store online purchases and such.

With the retail landscape continuing to be challenging, how can being a part of the gia programme help?

Participating in gia is a great overall learning process. Every year the new gia winners tell us how working on the requested information and materials really made them take a close look at their business – what they do right and what they still could do better, the look and feel of their store and all the processes and details.

What is also seen as very beneficial are the various educational and benchmarking opportunities at the IH+HS in Chicago. Networking with the other gia retailers from around the world and the discussions and advice from the gia Expert jurors bring with them new ideas and inspiration – tools to further develop the business.

Also, winning the gia award means your store is globally recognised and rewarded for innovation and excellence – that your company belongs in the group of the best of the best in housewares retailing around the world. So, it’s a great encouragement and many times a door opener.

What are some of the most inspiring ideas from gia retail winners?

Every year there are unique ideas that impress the gia jury. A few examples include:: The Chopping Block in Chicago, which allows customers to navigate through their store with Google Maps and Borough Kitchen in the UK has created great playlists and displayed them in the store so that people could keep on listening to them after their visit via Spotify.

THE One in the UAE created business cards like theatre tickets – on the card it reads: Admit One. That’s telling people that they are going to be entertained by that business.

Lords in the UK is a great storyteller – they use their stores and their staff to tell the story of the local area through photographs, artwork and shared knowledge of local things to do.

Looking at visual merchandising and store design, all the winners of the Martin M. Pegler Award for Innovation in Visual Merchandising should be highlighted. Perhaps, the most unique is Loviisan Aitta, an 1898 barn in a remote area of Finland, which has been revived and beautifully restored leaving much of the original structure on view.

Sweden Royal Design Helsingborg Royal Design Helsingborg is a lifestyle store that manages to combine kitchenware, interior, furniture and design in a modern and innovative way. Visual merchandising, displays, signage and current promotions are professionally presented and, most importantly, inspire customers and make them want to shop. The retailer knows design and if a product is not in the store, staff will order it. www.royaldesign.se Pots & Paraphernalia

Canada Pots & Paraphernalia Thirty-six years ago, Terry Raven opened a retail store in the small town of Duncan, B.C. A trained artist, Terry understands composition and merchandising techniques, regularly creating breathtaking displays. Housed in a 5,000-sq-ft heritage building with soaring 40-fthigh ceilings, the store has a grand sweeping staircase where Terry’s keen sense of space and light has kept her loyal customers captivated and her staff inspired for decades. www.potsandparaphernalia.ca

%9&HUW

www.cristel.com