Kitchenware International

KitchenWare INTERNATIONAL 2

Kitchenware Supplement September/October 2015

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www.tablewareinternational.com

design for function

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C O N T E N T S 14

News A round-up of global news

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Spotlight Coloured kitchenware

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Trend: Retro Vintage-inspired shapes and shades are reigning style supreme

KitchenWare INTERNATIONAL

Retail: Turkey We profile Turkish retail chain Jumbo

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Feature: Licensing How licensing in kitchenware can add value

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Feature: Knives The latest trends and innovations in this category

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Interview We talk to insiders at trade shows Ambiente and the International Home + Housewares Show

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Feature: Bakeware Discover what’s driving the barkeware sector COVER Front cover illustration supplied by Thomas. For more information see the website www.thomas-kitchen.de

KitchenWare INTERNATIONAL 2

Kitchenware Supplement September/October 2015

134

www.tablewareinternational.com

design for function

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To subscibe to the magazine email: ROBERT THOMAS robert@lemapublishing.co.uk Published by Lema Publishing Ltd. 1 Churchgates, The Wilderness Berkhamsted Herts HP4 2UB PUBLISHING

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

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eedback to our first-ever issue of Kitchenware International was overwhelming, with a chorus of, “Why didn’t you do this sooner?” arriving from all over the world.

Kitchenware is certainly a sector doing well, with 2015 continuing to see the trend of cooking and entertaining at home in growth.

And while consumer spending consumption is falling in many Asian countries as economic growth slows (household spending in Indonesia and Malaysia fell more than 4 per cent y-o-y in the second quarter), we are seeing strong economies and consumer confidence levels rising in many key countries.

It has been a positive year so far for UK homewares – an overall value growth of 3 per cent*, with kitchenwares the hero sector seeing consistent growth throughout the first six months of the year (+3.2 per cent). This is on top of a strong performance in 2014, which saw overall growth of 6 per cent.

And we only see this growing. UK Steamer Trading, a speciality chain of 34 cookshops across the UK, has announced plans to open 50 stores by 2017; while kitchenware retailer ProCook, which has 22 stores nationwide, has seen its like-for-like sales surge by 27 per cent in the first quarter, an upsurge it attributes to improving consumer confidence.

“Consumer confidence seems to be sky high and that’s got to be due to people having a bit more money in their pockets,” says managing director, Daniel O’Neill.

North America has emerged as one of the strongest markets for housewares in the world.

According to the most recent estimates, the US and Canada accounted for 25.9 per cent of global housewares retail sales.

Home goods retailer Williams-Sonoma’s earnings for the months ending August 2 rose 5.8 per cent; while high-end Seattle-based kitchenware retailer Sur La Table is expanding with a second store in Raleigh. It now boasts 100 corporate-owned stores.

And so it follows that our second edition of Kitchenware International has arrived, and is packed with the latest news and views, insight and product information.

With 9.4 million Brits currently tuned into this season’s Great British Bake Off (GBBO) on TV screens across the UK, and with sales of bakeware surging once more (Waitrose has seen sales of bakeware rise 55 per cent), we investigate the bakeware category on page 26.

GBBO also gets a look in on page 18, with our kitchenware licensing feature; in the run-up to Brand Licensing Europe 2015 in London in October, we size up the licensing potential for the kitchenware category, talking to the experts and previewing the successful partnerships.

The product category focuses on Knives (page 22), the trend hones in on Retro-inspired kitchenware (page 14), and the retail interview (page 16) takes us to Turkey. We profile multibrand retail chain Jumbo, which continues to expand and which aims to have 44 stores across the world by the end of the year.

Finally, in the lead-up to the two big kitchenware shows – Ambiente in Frankfurt in February and The International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago in March – we interview those at the top on page 24 to discover what we can expect in 2016.

Happy reading!

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

* GfK Homewares Category Report, July 2015.

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“With 9.4 million Brits currently tuned into the Great British Bake Off and sales of bakeware surging, we investigate this category”

news NY NOW reveals its Best New Product Awards winners Mason Cash

Ashdene

Spotlight on… Bird prints Bird designs continue to make their mark as patterns on interiors, including on kitchenware, with various new collections – cookware and textiles – featuring different bird species. Leading bakeware brand Mason Cash has just introduced the Four & Twenty ceramic bakeware range, which takes its inspiration from the baking-themed 18th Century children’s nursery rhyme.Bringing a sense of nostalgia to the kitchen, the range is decorated with blackbirds and traditional bakes and puddings, and includes pie and quiche dishes along with traditional ceramic food prep accessories. Australian homewares brand Ashdene has also launched a bird-print collection. Designed by Daniella Germain, the Plume & Perch Blue Wren Collection features a delicate blend of watercolour feathers, leaves, twigs, insects and flowers, including the everpopular Blue Wren, across a stunning fine bone china High Tea collection and a textile kitchenware range, the latter including an apron, tea towel and oven glove.

At NY NOW’s Summer Market, held August 14-19, a number of cookware brands were recognised for their excellence in the Tabletop + Gourmet Housewares Best New Product Awards. The Best of Market winner went to Typhoon Homewares for its Skandi Cast Iron Casserole (pitured above), a pre-seasoned casserole with porcelain lid that delivers a 2-quart capacity and a curved body for superb heat retention.

The finalists in the Cookware category include Arbiter for its La Gabbianella Chicken Roaster and Gien for its Sologne Rectangular Large Baker, but it was Zojirushi America Corporation that came away with the top prize for its Fresh Brew Plus Thermal Carafe Coffee Maker.

Did you know…?

The new generation of coffee grinder, Bean Me Up, from German brand Finum, offers three to five times faster grinding that other manual grinders, due to its highly efficient ceramic grinder mechanism. The ceramic mechanism not only adjusts the coarseness of grinding, from fine to coarse, but also ensures there is no risk of a metal taste, created as it is from natural ceramic parts.

It delivers an optimum aroma and authentic flavour of coffee. The ceramic parts can be dismantled for easier cleaning. www.finum.com

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The number of stores Steamer Trading, a leading retailer for kitchenware in the UK, plan on having by 2017. They currently have 34 stores across the UK and have experienced 31 per cent average annual growth.

news

Great design equals better coffee at Alessi Experts at bringing original and innovative design to everyday objects, Alessi has unveiled its brand new espresso coffee maker as part of its A/W Collection. Featuring a plump, bulbous design with stepped silhouette, beaked spout and angular handle, Pulcina is the ideal shape that the water boiler should have to produce the perfect coffee, say the brand. A collaboration with Italian coffee company illycaffe – think 15 years of Research & Development – Pulcina was designed by renowned Italian architect and designer Michele De Lucchi in a shape aimed at improving the organoleptic properties of the coffee. The internal shape of its heater automatically stops filtering the coffee at the right moment, an interruption that helps eliminate the ‘eruption’ phase and thus avoids the final filtering stage, which usually generates a burnt and bitter aftertaste. The spout is beaked to perfectly cut drops when pouring.

Pulcina comes in three sizes and two colours, red and black. www.alessi.com

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The number of temperature options available on the brand new Vektra 4- kettle from I Grunwerg.

Vektra 4- is a double-wall kettle with a vacuum seal and temperature control base.

The base boasts seven different temperature options and it has an indicator that tells you how hot your kettle is at any point of the day, so you can boil it to your desired temperature and it will no longer burn your coffee or sizzle your herbal teas.

Contact: sales@grunwerg.co.uk

Retail detail Each issue, we ask a retailer to highlight a supplier they love working with. This month, Kitchens Cookshop, a UK kitchenware chain with stores in Bristol, Bath and Cardiff, tell us why they enjoy working with T&G Woodware, a UK brand renowned for its wooden kitchen accessories and CrushGrind mills.

AGA Cookshop collaborates with Emile Henry Renowned for its impressive heritage and production of quality cast iron in the UK, AGA Cookshop has embarked on an exciting collaboration with French ceramists Emile Henry to produce a stunning cookware collection that combines more than 400 years of cookware knowledge.

Available in three distinct shades – Claret, Vanilla and Gloss Black, the ceramic range includes a pie dish, oval dish, flan dish and set of four ramekins. All are manufactured in France using only natural materials, with each piece unique and signed by the ceramist.

Pieces boast flat bases ensuring complete contact with heat, they can withstand extreme temperature fluctuations, and come with a 10-year guarantee.

Say cheese!

Tapping into the gourmet trend for foodie experiences and just in time for Christmas sales, a big time for gourmet gifting, leading UK tableware and kitchenware brand Creative Tops has launched a classic range of cheese-related products with a rustic edge. Fusing mixed materials, from canvas and stoneware to wood and glass, across a cream and black colour palette with handpainted names of favourite cheese, the range delivers everything from cheese bakers and wooden handled cheese knives, to cheese labels, wooden boards and canvas baskets, creating the ultimate spread for cheese lovers. www.creative-tops.com

Kitchens Cookshop “We are pleased and proud to have been working with

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T&G since the start. They have a similar ethos to us – offering good quality service and products and are always professional, knowledgable, helpful and friendly. Over the years, we have watched them develop their ranges and it is amazing the innovation they have managed to bring to wood, cork and mills.

Their CrushGrind mechanism was a huge leap forward in pepper and salt mill design. Also, they were the first of our suppliers to invest in ethically sourced, sustainable woods and they have led the way in the introduction of new varieties of wood to the marketplace.”

news

All new at Chicago Finum

Epicurean

Everyone’s talking about… flavour With consumers increasingly cooking from scratch and looking for healthier and more adventurous meal options, flavouring food is taking centrestage, with the demand for flavour-enhancing products – from spice grinders to salt mills – on the increase. We highlight three flavour-enhancing products.

Epicurean Salt Box Crafted from Epicurean’s signature wood composite, this salt box boasts a natural wood grain cover inset for a precise fit and comes with a plain lid or a Salt of the Earth engraved lid, in Cherry or Walnut. www.epicureancs.com Finum Mini Look Touch Taste This set of two salt and pepper grinders have a patented collecting pool, which gathers the ground spices within – by tapping, you can direct the desired amount precisely

Joseph Joseph where you want it. It also boasts a ceramic grinder mechanism, with easy adjustment of coarseness of grinding, so there is no risk of oxidisation. www.finum.com Joseph Joseph Flavouriser Delivering four functions in one, the Flavouriser is ideal for prepping a tender and delicious piece of meat. It offers two different surfaces for either tenderising or flattening meat, with a pestle end for grinding spices for rubs, and a citrus reamer for making marinades. www.josephjoseph.com

Le Creuset turns 90 The pioneering French manufacturer of enamelled cast iron cookware, Le Creuset, turns 90 this year. During its nine-decade history, the brand – which delivers a full collection of premium cookware, bakeware, kitchen tools, wine tools and kitchen accessories in vibrant colours – has manufactured more than 300 million products for some 70 countries. To commemorate its milestone, Le Creuset is releasing a specially-designed limited edition replica (just 1,925 pieces) of its original product, the French Oven (Cocotte). Le Creuset’s first Flame orange-coloured cocotte launched in 1925. Furthermore, Le Creuset is sharing its 90th anniversary with the world through an online ‘time capsule’ initiative, which invites users to memorialise their personal experiences with Le Creuset cookware in photos, videos and text tributes. www.lecreuset90.com

www.housewares.org

“

We decided to hold our first UK Open House event to discover some great new talent that we can help nurture and grow with Lakeland. We understand that working with large companies such as ours can seem daunting to smaller companies so we decided to hold our open day to allow people the chance to meet the team and showcase their products in a new, more informal way.

“

Matthew Canwell, buying director, Lakeland, on hosting its firstever UK Supplier Open House event, which was held in July in London, helping the retailer speak directly to new kitchenware, storage and home solution brands looking to launch their product on to the high street in Lakeland stores.

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The International Housewares Association has announced that new branding, graphics and several category changes are planned for the 2016 International Home + Housewares Show, which is due to take place March 5-8, 2016, in Chicago.

The new branding focuses on an ‘It’s smART’ theme, combining smart business decisions directly with the art used to design, create and market products.

Show signage and visuals will reflect this. Along with the new Show look, other changes include: Dine + Design becomes Dine + Décor, including the categories of tabletop kitchen accessories + accents and cook + bakeware; the Discover Design category will become an Expo and move to the North Building where it will showcase the best-of-the-best in design, function and innovation; while the Global Crossroads Expo will be renamed the International Sourcing Expo and moved to Level 1 of the North Building.

The percentage by which dollar sales of slow cookers rose in the US over the 12 months ending June 2014, reaching $334.1 million, according to research from The NPD Group.

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12 – 16. 2. 2016 Spot on: With its Dining area, Ambiente is the no. 1 international showcase for table, kitchen and household products – and a significant platform for the Horeca sector. Enjoy an array of events and meet interesting people at the world’s most important consumer goods trade fair. Discover the future and be inspired by a fascinating product diversity.

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

Italy

Partner coun

try

Ambiente 20

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news 5 minutes with…

Designers of Kitchen by Thomas

Johanna Kleinert

Launched earlier this year, the Kitchen

by Thomas collection is the brand’s first foray into kitchenware. Having just secured the prestigious Red Dot Design Award for the collection, we talk to the two international design workshops behind the collection, Johanna Kleinert from Munich and the Scottish-Swedish Office for Product Design think tank.

Why collaborate with Thomas?

Johanna Kleinert I developed an early version of the food containers during my Industrial Design degree. Post-studies, I thought, why not propose these containers to Thomas? I felt the materials and shape fit the Thomas brand well.

And luckily, Thomas agreed. I added more items to the collection, including a decanter, bowl and sieve.

Office for Product Design We were approached by Rosenthal´s Creative Center in the Spring of 2012, and after an initial visit to our studio in Hong Kong, we started a conversation about relevant kitchenware for Thomas. It was a really open brief and quite a long cooperative process. Both Thomas and the wider Rosenthal brand represent a certain quality level we identify with and they have a long history of collaborating with

Tomas and Nicol, Office for Product Design

many designers we respect, so for us it was a natural fit, an exciting opportunity.

Who brought what to the table?

Johanna Kleinert Thomas managed everything concerning the feasibility and production, and came up with the idea to make the containers out of porcelain as well as glass. Meanwhile, Tomas and Nicol from Office for Product Design were designing the larger part of the collection. We all worked independently, but in the end, it was very impressive to see how everything came together.

Have you seen design become increasingly important in the kitchen?

Office for Product Design We believe it always has been – cooking is a very versatile and hands-on activity and, as such, requires the right type of tools.

However, with the kitchen increasingly becoming the focal point of the home with open plan kitchen and living room layouts, there is a greater focus on design in this context.

What design elements does this range incorporate that make it unique?

Office for Product Design There are quite a few unique design characteristics in the range: from unusual material combinations like wood/silicone and wood/ porcelain to innovative functional twists

like the magnetic folding trivet, the double spouted oil and vinegar cruets, a mortar with two pestles for different herbs and spices, and so on.

There are six different materials used – how key is this mix?

Office for Product Design The choice of materials is driven by several factors, which we try to balance: The functional considerations, like whether a material is waterproof, heat-resistant, dishwashersafe etc.; the production constraints that have an impact on the manufacturing processes, logistics and cost; the evergrowing environmental concern that’s closely linked to materials used. And finally, we always consider the cultural context in which a product exists and the emotional response it evokes.

Certain shapes, materials, colours and finishes are better suited in the kitchen.

Similarly, we also like to combine and juxtapose materials, colours and textures to create a balanced visual and tactile user experience. As a rule, we always try to be as honest as possible when it comes to materials in our designs.

From where did you draw inspiration for this collection?

Johanna Kleinert My inspiration for the food containers came from traditional

ways of food preservation. I like the old canning jars by the German brand Weck.

I also like traditional kitchen utensils and long-lasting, high-quality materials that give added value to food and cooking.

What did you want to achieve with this collection?

Office for Product Design The objective was to expand beyond Thomas’ traditional porcelain dinner services and offer a series of affordable everyday kitchenware products. We wanted each piece to express a confidence in its own right and work just as well alone or collectively as a range.

How important was it to secure the Red Dot Award for this collection?

Office for Product Design The Red Dot Award is a seal of approval. It is always nice to get recognition for your work, but for us, the most sincere gratification is always seeing people both use and appreciate the products that we have designed.

What’s next in this collection?

Office for Product Design There are still quite a few items in this collection that are still under development. You will see some new items like a cheese board with knives at Ambiente in Frankfurt in February 2016.

Did you know…? The iconic Cane mixing bowls by Mason Cash, the clip top jars from Kilner and the utensils from Typhoon are all kitchenware items that regularly feature on popular TV programmes in the UK, like the Great British Bake Off, the sixth season of which is currently showing.

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Kate Spade La Cafetiere launches Chocolate Collection La Cafetiere has turned its attention to the enjoyment of hot chocolate this Autumn/ Winter with the launch of The Chocolate Collection, a new range of chocolate stoves, mugs and hot chocolate making accessories. www.creative-tops.com

Did you know...? Emile Henry has launched its brand new corporate website, delivering an exciting and engaging exploration of the French cookware brand’s universe. Visit it at www.emilehenry.com

enters kitchenware category Lenox has expanded its long-time licensed brand Kate Spade into cookware, bakeware, food preparation and other housewares categories for the first time. Moving out of the dining room and into the kitchen, the brand will initially offer 116 skus including cookware, metal and ceramic bakeware, food prep, tea kettles, and more, all featuring Kate Spade’s playful designs, including her iconic polka dot pattern and bright colours, as well as colour on bakeware. Cookware includes enamel-on-steel casseroles and saucepans, plus non-stick frying pans, all with coloured exteriors. www.lenox.com

Pyrex celebrate centenary with vintage bowl With this th year marking 100 years of renowned glass kitchenware brand Pyrex, the company has looked kitch to its own past, creating a new vintage style glass bowl, designed to reflect the Cinderella shape of the bo 1950s. Boasting a handle on one side and a spout 19 on the other, the bowl offers the user more grip when mixing and is easily stackable. Made from Pyrex’s iconic, quality borosilicate glass, for superior thermal shock high qua resistance, it also comes with a 10 year guarantee and is microwave, freezer and dishwasher safe. oven, microw www.pyrexuk.com www.pyrexuk.co

“

We don’t anticipate any impact on our sales from the economic situation in China.

People here still have money to spend, and we’re in the premium range, not the mass market, which hasn’t been affected. Buyers here appreciate European brands too.

”

Jose Grilo, executive manager of Grilo Kitchenware, a Portuguese producer of cookware and bakeware, on exhibiting for the first time at the recently held Intertextile Shanghai, Asia’s premier fair for home textiles, which was held August 26-28.

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 11

Spotlight Products

WHITFORD Makers of the world’s largest, most complete line of fluoropolymer coatings, gs, Whitford has introduced a series of new colours and spatter patterns across its wide de range of non-stick interior and decorative exterior coatings. Vibrant new colours urs include Sun-Washed Sand, Dark Serpentine, Marine Blue and Cherry Wood. od.

Coloured kitchenware While colour has been a feature of kitchens for a while, it is increasingly moving into cookware and appliances as the kitchen becomes a prominent living space within the home. “If surfaces before have tended to be dominated by stainless steel and plastics in black or white, now the picture is characterised by strong colours, including anything from mixers to espresso machines,” stated the Ambiente 2015 Trend Report. And with 2016 a Brazilian Olympic summer, trend forecasters Scarlet Opus are encouraging suppliers to ‘Explore the flavours of Rio’, to use colours in upbeat, lively combinations, in rich red, hot pink, amazon green and toucan yellow.

www.whitfordww.com m

KUHN RIKON Kuhn Rikon has delivered its new award-winning Hotpan, winner of the iF design, in a vibrant petrol colour. The stainless steel pot features a holder of melamine, meaning that after cooking, the insulating holder continues to keep food warm for up to two hours without drying out. Gentle heating further means vitamins and minerals are retained, while also saving 60 per cent energy. Its Superthermic sandwich base distributes heat evenly and comes in five pot sizes.

LE CREUSET Renowned for its colourful cast iron cookware for the past 90 years, Le Creuset has launched its new Signature Cast Iron Casseroles with new features and in a wide array of 15 shades, from burgundy and bleu marseille, to cassis, mauve, chiffon pink and coton. New features include easy-grip, 45 per cent larger handles, easy clean and toughened enamel interior, a stylish, heat-resistant stainless steel knob and an enhanced tight-fitting lid.

www.kuknrikon.com

www.lecreuset.com

BIALETTI The Italian brand’s legendary Fiammetta Cafetiere has been given a colourful makeover, with on trend colours in brights of red, green, pink and blue. The design has also been updated with a flame-inspired handle and knob.

www.bialettigroup.com

CRISTEL

French cookware specialist Cristel has launched a range of colours in its Mutine Collection – think a rainbow of colourful top and side handles, either fixed or removable, that feature in current colour trends, from mint green to burnt orange. Handles and side handles are bakelite made, dyed in the mass, with a mechanism of stainless steel.

www.cristel.com

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The number of colours in which the newly designed Fiesta Covered Casserole is available in. This new casserole is a redesign of the old, delivering a larger bowl size (90oz) and a more snugly fitting lid.

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technology

For travel arrangements contact: onPeak, Housewares Official Housing Partner, Tel: +1 312 5277300, Email: housewares@onpeak.co

style

Trend Retro

Blast from the past With the current trend for all things vintage and nostalgic still leading the way, we highlight the latest incarnations

F

eelings of nostalgia, or Sehnsucht as the Germans call it (the theme for Ambiente 2015) are continuing to ride high and with it, demand for all things retro- or vintage-inspired.

“We are seeing great demand for retro-inspired kitchenware,” says brand manager for Typhoon, Sam Pink, highlighting how its 10-year-old Vintage Kitchen range has been a bestseller for years, and so this year has been extended to include Vintage Americana, a collection featuring the very on trend 1950s pastel palette.

T&G’s retro-inspired ceramic collections like its Pride of Place

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range, designed to look like old enamelware in old green and old cream, is so successful, say the brand, that they have extended it to include a jug and salt jar; while Kitchen Craft commemorates its 165th anniversary this year with a brand new range of storage ware, Living Nostalgia, featuring a vintage style.

And, Katie Alice for Creative Tops, has for Autumn launched a range with a Fifties look and feel.

The Pretty Retro Collection features a stylised vintage floral design, a retro colour palette and retro designs like the square handles.

So popular are retro colours – and pastels, in particular – that

Katie Alice for Creative Tops For Autumn, Creative Tops has launched The Pretty Retro Collection under its Katie Alice brand, which delivers a 1950s look and feel. Katie has re-worked and coloured a vintage handpainted design of florals into a retro colour palette. Even shapes are retro-inspired – the square handles on mugs and jugs and the retro shapes of the ceramic storage jars. Pieces include jugs, flour shakers, cutters, storage jars and even bakeware in cream stoneware.

www.creative-tops.com

such shades are even finding their way on to cookware.

“The powdery pastel shades of a retro style are now to be found, for example, here and there, on cast iron or enamelled cookware,” said the Ambiente Trend Report 2015.

Le Creuset’s 2015 cast iron cookware colour, launched earlier this year at Ambiente, is the perfect example – a retro mint green.

“Another colour to join the yellows, pinks and light greens and dominate in this colour segment is now a powerful mint green,” said the Ambiente Report, further highlighting how kitchen utensils, alongside

cookware, is another segment seeing an increase in powderpastel shades.

Mint green has also found its way on to kitchenware from Apollo and kitchen appliances from Gourmet Gadgetry.

Apollo’s Mint Cream range delivers mint and cream on a variety of painted beechwood or dipped chrome wire products, like a bread bin, mug rest and spice rack, in retro shapes; while Gourmet Gadgetry’s new Vintage Tea Party range offers five retrostyled appliances, including a cupcake and muffin maker, popcorn maker and ice cream maker, in retro mint green.

Apollo Housewares The Mint Cream range from Apollo delivers calm, stylish tones with vintage appeal. Shapes are also retro like the rounded curves of the bread bin. The essential worktop storage solutions, like a bread bin and egg rack, include painted beechwood or dipped chrome wire products.

www.apollohousewares.co.uk

Gourmet Gadgetry Synonymous with quality kitchenware gadgets that deliver style and inspiration, Gourmet Gadgetry has this Autumn extended its popular Retro Diner range to include the Vintage Party range, a collection of five food entertainment gadgets, including a mini toasted sandwich maker, cupcake & muffin maker, popcorn maker, ice cream cone & waffle dish maker and ice cream maker. All products feature retro shapes and a mint green retro shade.

Typhoon From the home of affordable designer kitchenware, Typhoon, comes Vintage Americana, an extension of Vintage Kitchen to celebrate 10 years of success.

Vintage Americana uses the pastel palette of the 1950s, from yellow to peppermint to clay, and sustainable beech wood, and features a food storage set, bread bin, utensil pot, cake tin, chopping boards, mug tree, towel holder, spoon rest, spice rack and utensils. “The design and quality of this range has a timeless appeal and they are unrivalled in the marketplace,” says brand manager, Sam Pink.

www.typhoonhousewares.com

Mason Cash

www.gourmetgadgetry.com

Kilner The brand’s Vintage Preserve Jars, launched earlier this year, have brought back to life the heritage strapline ‘The Original and the Best’ originally used during the 1950s. The line also features on one of the brand new decorated styles – red with a gold lid – that has just launched, while the other carries The Nation’s Favourite and is blue with a silver lid.

The one piece lid with its sealing strip ensures maximum freshness.

www.kilnerjar.co.uk

Renowned for its design classic, the earthenware Cane bowl, Mason Cash has extended this range and its recently launched Baker Street range to include fun and practical food prep items for measuring, with a vintage theme. The Vintage Style Measuring Cups and Measuring Spoons are miniature versions of the brand’s iconic mixing bowl, batter bowl, measuring jug and pudding basin. They also come in retro pastel shades, including lemon, pink and baby blue.

www.masoncash.co.uk

T&G Woodware The popular ceramic collection Pride of Place, designed to look like old enamelware but with all the advantages of ceramics, has new additions for Autumn – a 2-pint jug and salt jar both in old green and old cream. These new items join the existing range, which already includes mugs, egg cups, butter dishes, spoon rests, teapots, a 1 pint jug and an extensive collection of storage items.

www.tg-woodware.com

KITCHENWARE INTERNATIONAL 25

Retail

Turkey

Culinary crusader

Ayse Demirtepe

Specialising in kitchenware and cookware, Turkish retail chain Jumbo was recently voted one of the top five home and housewares retailers in the world at the 2015 IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia).

We talk to the retailer’s category manager to find out more

F

unction has always been crucial when it comes to cookware and dinnerware, but today, form and function are more tightly entwined than ever, with products designed to be both easily used and displayed.

Kitchens are no longer hidden away at the back of the house with the cookware out of sight — now they are at the centre of everything.

Restaurants are also following that trend – with the kitchen being in the centre of the establishment with everything on display to be admired.

What an ideal time then for Jumbo — a Turkish retail chain featuring kitchenware and dinnerware — to be in the spotlight and on the road to further expansion.

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Since 1947, the store has had a focus on products in the culinary sphere, but now they are a true success story, with 44 stores under their belt by the end of 2015.

Jumbo’s business strategy and approach to design was recognised internationally earlier this year in March 2015, when it scooped one of the most coveted retail awards in the world — a Global Innovation Award (gia) from the International Housewares Association in Chicago.

“We aim to contribute to dining culture by providing timeless designs with ergonomic, aesthetic and premium quality products that fulfil a customer’s need for easy usage and functionality,” says Ayşe Demirtepe, the business’ category manager from Istanbul.

“And we aim to strengthen our industry-leading company position with our unique product range including cutlery, porcelain, glassware, cookware and accessories.

“Based on our strong past experience enriched with global awards and our innovative approach, we are establishing the Jumbo brand as a benchmark of quality design and innovation,” adds Ayşe.

This solid and simple aim has meant that Jumbo has never wavered from its original philosophy, and in turn, that has meant that the business has steadily gone from strength to strength, growing as the need for its products and approach to design has increased.

“The original idea of the Jumbo stores was welcoming consumers into

a refined, premium environment that fits our brand identity and product range,” explains Ayşe.

“Highlighting the premium quality and design features of products is always the main purpose, and all parameters from lighting to furniture and visual elements are selected accordingly to align with this. And our refined, clean product display was the main differentiation setting us apart from competitors in the Turkish market, where generally, a crowded product display is preferred.”

Anyone who has visited Turkey and checked out the country’s more common, traditional retail stores, will understand how different the streamlined, clutter-free approach that Jumbo has adopted is, as a typical store in Turkey is often

Spice grinder LOOK TOUCH TASTE TM

more like a bazaar – with products sitting, hanging and covering every possible surface.

The process for entering gia was a straightforward one for Jumbo, as they were already in the throes of analysing everything about the business for the launch of new stores.

“Besides winning gia, our aim was to create the best possible store layout and visual merchandising approach to perfectly represent our brand,” says Ayşe.

“We were sure that we did that very well when our first store opened, but then winning this international award proved to us that we were indeed going in the right direction, so now we are sticking to it,” adds Ayşe.

The physical award, and the publicity that gia grants its winners is something that Ayşe really appreciates – they were voted one of the top five home and housewares retailers in the world, but it was also the experience of being in Chicago and attending the Show and the various gia events there that has been really good for the business.

“It was a great opportunity for me to meet retailers from around the world, and to be informed about their business and best practices,” adds Ayşe.

Ayşe remains humble, acknowledging the people that she works with as being the root of the company’s success.

“Working with the right partners and a great team who share your passion is definitely the key to success,” she says.

“You have to follow changing consumer behaviours in the retail

“

We aim to contribute to dining culture by providing timeless designs with ergonomic aesthetic and premium quality products that fulfil a customer’s need for easy usage and functionality

”

Coffee grinder BEAN ME UP TM

business — new trends, new designs, new marketing ideas and business approaches. It keeps you dynamic.”

And as for advice to other retailers considering entering gia, these Turkish words of wisdom are as streamlined as Jumbo’s direction and its presentation of wares: “Define exactly who you are as a company. Make the differentiation from your competitors obvious, and then carefully gather all elements that will perfectly convey your message to consumers. And always be brave,” Ayşe concludes.

Coffee press CAN DO PRESS TM

For more information about the gia (IHA Global Innovation Awards) programme, the co-sponsors, or participating in 2015-2016, contact Piritta Törrö at piritta.torro@ inspiredconnection.fi. Additional information on the IHA’s gia Awards program is also available online at www.housewares.org/gia.

For more information about the International Home + Housewares Show and to pre-register for the 2016 Show, taking place in Chicago on March 5-8, 2016, please visit www.housewares.org.

Tea maker TEA CONTROLTM

.com/finum.style .com/finu TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 17

Sector Licensing

Licensing in kitchenware The right licence in kitchenware can open new sales doors and channels as well as strengthen the offering and deliver a point of difference. We investigate...

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DKB Household UK DKB Household UK has the Jamie Oliver and Ken Hom cookware licences, designing and manufacturing, along with the chefs, the cookware and prep products. The Jamie Oliver range is focused mainly on prepware such as tools and gadgets, chopping boards and storage, while the Ken Hom range focuses primarily on the work as core product, supplementing this with complementary accessories that make Asian cooking convenient and easy to do at home. Both have exciting extension launches in 2016.

www.dkbrands.com

18 KITCHENWARE INTERNATIONAL

he sixth season of the highly successful programme Great British Bake Off is currently airing on TV screens in the UK. And, unsurprisingly, the programme’s licensed spin offs – the Great British Bake Off range of baking equipment and accessories from supplier Ethos – continues to see a surge in sales and therefore to expand.

The right licence with the right partner and at the right time can be powerful. In this age of celebrity chefs and a continuing consumer passion for culinary TV programmes and recipe books, cookware and kitchenware manufacturers can benefit greatly from association with such brands.

“As we continue to see the kitchen as the focus of the home and TV cookery shows like the Great British Bake Off continue to soar in popularity, items used within the kitchen are key and a growing category within licensing,” says Claire Bond, brand manager for the James Martin range at Denby.

In fact, the Great British Bake Off collection, an exclusive range of premium quality non-stick bakeware manufactured in the UK with British Steel, together with co-ordinating items like mixing bowls and utensils, has proven so popular that it secured the Best Licensed Home Décor, Tableware or Housewares Range award at last year’s Licensing Awards in London.

Of course, timing – as with any licence is crucial – and international kitchenware retailer Lakeland is one company that’s got it spot on.

Renowned for developing its own product under licence, the retailer has plenty of aptly-timed successes under its belt: it developed its own kitchenware products under licence with the Doctor Who licence to celebrate the 50th anniversary; then an exclusive range with Mary Berry

on the wave of the Great British Bake Off excitement; and now – in the lead-up to the release of the new Star Wars film – Lakeland has created a range of Star Wars-themed bakeware, from cupcake pans to cake kits, under licence with Disney.

“In recent years we’ve introduced several new licensed product ranges, including Doctor Who and Hello Kitty,” says Lakeland’s buying director, Matthew Canwell.

“Our customers are always looking to Lakeland for new and inspiring ranges that incorporate quality and expertise in bakeware, with exciting and relevant themes that they can’t find elsewhere.

“We look to introduce products that are both of interest to our customers and that set us apart from other retailers. The right licence gives us the chance to add another dimension to our product range, along with the opportunity to bring new and exclusive products to our customers,” adds Matthew.

Celebrity chef licences are also big news, the chefs endorsing, if you will, the cookware and/ or kitchenware, and these have become particularly popular with the growing number of professional at home cooks.

“Celebrity chef licences can be a huge success, but also big failures too – it all depends on how active the chef is and how they interface with the public,” says Lindsey Hoyle, global marketing controller for DKB Household UK, which manufactures and distributes the Jamie Oliver and Ken Hom licensed cookware.

“Jamie Oliver and Ken Hom have very positive public profiles and continue to develop not only new recipes, but to champion causes close to consumers’ hearts like tackling obesity. As such, consumers feel like they have support and a friend in the kitchen and they respond positively to their licensed

Spotlight on…

Sophie Conran Tradestock Tradestock has recently taken on licences for Royal Mail designs (with access to its archives) and Transport for London (the iconic London Underground Map). Tradestock’s longest standing licensing partnership is with renowned photographer Howard Shooter Studios, featuring his diverse spectrum of food and lifestyle photography on its FreeForm trays, placemats and glass worktop savers. New for 2015 is its Pretty Butterflies collection (pictured).

www.tradestockltd.co.uk Sophie Conran for T&G Woodware

products,” says Lindsey, further highlighting how such licensors demand high quality product that functions to their very high performance standards.

Denby has a licence with British celebrity chef James Martin, which has proven really successful.

“Licences are a growing category and licensed product allows us to broaden the breadth of our ranges and take products into different sectors not usually associated with Denby,” says Claire.

“In the case of James Martin, he is a well-respected BBC chef and brings food even more to the forefront in all that we do, and he also brings his expertise to the design process,” says Claire, pointing out that there will be new James Martin launches for Spring 2016.

Jenny Handley, marketing manager at T&G Woodware, agrees: “The celebrity chef brings their name, reputation and a sense of quality to the products.”

The T&G brand has the Sophie Conran licence for wooden boards and the Delia Smith licence for their award-winning CrushGrind salt and pepper mills.

Recently, Falcon Products, a company known for manufacturing and supplying Bake-O-Glide nonstick reusable baking liners for the past 25 years, has also partnered with celebrity chef Delia Smith to launch a Delia Online Bake-O-Glide range specially designed to fit the new Delia Online bakeware range.

“With Delia being such a renowned name in the industry, it is certainly a privilege to work with her and have a range with her name attached to it, especially one that complements the rest of our Bake-O-Glide brand,” says Falcon’s managing director, Gary Downham.

One of Portmeirion Group’s most successful ranges, in the UK and globally, is its licence with foodie and cook, Sophie Conran.

The Sophie Conran for Portmeirion

Sophie Conran for Portmeriron

Foodie and cook Sophie Conran has a number of licences across various categories, with her most successful with the Portmeiron Group. The Sophie Conran for Portmeiron range delivers a huge array of product, from the award-winning ceramic-coated pots and pans, to ceramic bakeware, storage pieces, prep products and serveware. Sophie also has a licence with T&G Woodware, delivering a selection of wooden prep and serveware boards, plain, painted and engraved; and a licence with Norfolk Kitchen, delivering kitchen textiles, from oven gloves to linen aprons.

What the retailer says… “The Star Wars franchise is a real classic that appeals to customers of all ages. We’ve had a fantastic response to our Star Wars licensed bakeware range – it’s exciting, fun and dynamic and has enabled us to create something really special that will appeal to our existing customers, as well as new ones. The right licence offers the chance to add another dimension to a product range and deliver new and exclusive products.” Matthew Canwell, buying director, Lakeland, which has introduced various licensed kitchenware ranges over the past few years, including Doctor Who, Hello Kitty, an exclusive Great British Bake Off range and now, a Star Wars range.

KITCHENWARE INTERNATIONAL 19

Sector Licensing

5 minutes with…

Ken Hom

DKB Household UK has the Ken Hom licence, designing and manufacturing the range of woks and complementary accessories. We talk to Ken Hom. Why cookware? I wanted to make sure everyone who wanted to stir fry would be successful at it.

Denby

Portmeirion Group

Denby has two licences – Monsoon and James Martin. Its James Martin collaboration includes tableware (James Martin Everyday) and serveware/ kitchenware (James Martin Sets), the latter including everything from a pestle and mortar, to a cheese baker and storage containers. The Monsoon Kitchen Collection (pictured) is fashion-focused and features a range of eclectic patterns from Monsoon’s archives across everything from textiles (oven gloves, aprons, tea towels) to storage (tin and ceramic).

The group has a large number of licences across tableware and kitchenware, with its Sophie Conran for Portmeirion Collection offering the most products in both categories – think pots and pans, ceramic cookware, bakeware, storage and prep items. Its Vintage Kellogg’s art licence (pictured) also crosses both categories, delivering kitchenware, mainly textiles and accessories; while in its Royal Worcester brand, it delivers the Wrendale Designs licence in textiles and kitchen accessories.

www.denby.co.uk

www.portmeiriongroup.com

licence delivers award-winning ceramic-coated metal cookware, as well as bakeware, tableware and kitchen accessories and, due to popular demand, continues to grow.

“Our licensed ranges are incredibly popular – anything which brings two great, iconic brands together strengthens the product offering and opens each up to a new and wider audience,” says Phil Atherton, group sales & marketing director, Portmeirion Group.

“There has definitely been a trend for licensed products in recent years – everyone is looking for a strong brand offering and point of difference in their ranges,” adds Phil.

But it’s not just the name and expertise of a licence that can lend itself to kitchenware. Iconic imagery can prove successful too as

Portmeirion Group’s other licence in kitchenware, with Vintage Kellogg’s, has proven – think trays, aprons, oven gloves and glass worktop savers featuring a montage of vintage iconic imagery Tableware brand, Tradestock, known for its placemats, lap trays and glass worktop savers, has also turned to iconic imagery to build its licensing programme, with “good design forming the foundation of product portfolio”, says managing director, Keith Nye. Not only has the brand recently taken on the Royal Mail licence (think the iconic Machin image of the Monarch) ch) and the London Transport licence ence (think the underground iconic underg ground m map), but it longstanding partnership has a longstan nding pa rtnership with Howard Shooter Studios

for its iconic food and lifestyle photography.

“One of the key benefits is the fact that by the sheer nature of licensed designs, they are generally universally recognised – great for global reach and for collectability,” says Keith, highlighting how the London Underground Map is an instantly recognisable piece of art with global appeal.

“I think the success of Howard Shooter’s designs is largely down to the subject matter – abstract and generally food-related – which sits particulary well with the kitchen products we produce them on,” says Keith, further pointing out that his designs often feature foodie trends of the moment, such as cupcakes or macaroons.

How do you define the range? A classic in the kitchen. The cookware has integrity, it’s a brand customers can trust.

What’s unique about it? My range of woks cater to all types of home cooks – something that hasn’t been tackled by many cookware brands. My Everyday range is aimed at those who want to experiment with different cuisine styles, but want an entry price point. There are non-stick and seasoning woks, the latter gives consumers a great experience in traditional Chinese cooking. By seasoning the carbon steel surface, you develop a patina, your own non-stick surface, that improves over time and with use. My Performance range of woks cater to the more advanced home cook and authentic Asian dishes. It has a higher spec of non-stick to prevent hot spots, crucial when cooking with high heat, and features heavier gauge carbon steel with phenolic handles.

Which markets are most successful?

The UK has been most successful to date. My range initially launched in the UK, the British people have been great supporters of my work on and off screen. My range has also been wellreceived in the US and I had a lot of fun on HSN demonstrating it. This year, I’m really proud to have my wok range launch in China – given my heritage, this is a key market for me.

What’s the most popular Ken Hom product? In Spain, the US and the UK, the 31cm Everyday Non-Stick Carbon Steel Wok. It’s a fantastic product at a great price, helping consumers get a good introduction to Asian cooking.

James Martin Sets, Denby

Delia Smith Online for T&G Woodware

What’s next? I’m working with the product development team on a number of initiatives – the next few years will see some great new additions.

Ambiente and Spring Fair 2016 will see the official unveiling.

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Design for function!

The new Thomas Series, “Kitchen by Thomas” promises a whole lot of fun, design and function for the kitchen.

And because we spend so much time in the kitchen – not just eating, but also preparing meals – Thomas is now brightening up the most important room in the home with functional and high-quality products. As usual Thomas is delightfully uncomplicated and practical.

More products, more colour – your Kitchen by Thomas.

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Feature Knives

On the cutting edge Demand for professional and specialist knives is driving this category

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he kitchen of the future will become high-tech, as well as sustainable and healthy, according to Homi Milano’s Table & Kitchen Trend Report 2015.

With the kitchen increasingly becoming the centre of the home and consumers preparing food from scratch, “the kitchen is no longer just a space for meal prep, but a space with its own personality fitted with sophisticated finely-tuned tools and objects”, says the report.

As a result, the traditional objects used to prepare meals, like knives, are harnessing innovations and advanced technologies, designed to cater to today’s consumers who are demanding high-performance, professional grade knives.

“Even a tool with a millennial history such as the knife is being endowed with this new trend to research into excellence through high-tech innovation,” said the report.

WMF knives, for example, have been converted with Performance Cut technology that combines the traditional forging process with the most modern studies in precision to create an innovative finish for the steel. A specific honing of the blades is completed a total of thirty times before packaging and shipping.

German brand Fissler has recently secured awards (German Design Award and Red Dot Award) for its selfsharpening Bionic Knife, which has a

production quantity limited to 10,000 pieces per year and selects its retailers carefully. “We are seeing demand from consumers for chef-like knives,” says Fissler MD, Markus H. Kepka.

Global is seeing the same. The 30-year-old award-winning knife brand, which is loved and used by Michel Roux Jnr and renowned for its razor sharp blades, has just launched a new series, Global Ni. With the professional chef in mind, it features an updated design from Japanese founder and designer Komin Yamada, with a higher spec and performance, ergonomic handles and oriental-style blades for a much more precise cut.

“This knife is unbelievably fantastic.

It holds very well in the hand and is extremely well balanced,” says Albert Roux of the Roux Scholarship.

In addition to increased demand for professional-grade knives, due to consumers cooking more professional dishes at home, there is increased demand for specialist knives, designed for specific foods, cuisines or techniques.

At John Lewis, the Wusthof Classic Ikon Sausage Knife, Robert Welch Signature Filleting Knife and the Victorinox Serrated Tomato Knife sell well.

Within its Tatau range of knives, Alessi offers Peel, a knife purposely designed for cleaning fruit and veg without damaging it; while Tovolo has just launched a new line of

Comfort Grip Knives, which include an avocado knife, bagel knife and a citrus knife.

“In the past few years, international dishes have become more popular and more and more people are now experimenting with different foods and recipes. The demand for specific styles of knife has therefore increased,” says Sophie Newton, head of marketing at I Grunwerg, a supplier of housewares in the UK, including Global knives.

Lindsey Hoyle, global marketing controller, DKB Household UK Ltd, which has the Zyliss and Jamie Oliver brands, concurs: “We are constantly updating our range, adding specialist knives which answer a trend or market call. Lindsey cites the new Jamie Oliver cinrkle cut knife, which was “born as a result of Jamie finding a similar knife on his travels and wanting to develop something for his range”, says Lindsey.

“Jamie was so keen on the shapes and contours the knife gave his food, the results were incorporated into his cookery book and TV series,” she adds.

And with more and more specialist knives, DKB Brands is finding that sales have increased for smaller packs of knives and loose knives, which they in turn are delivering more of.

“This enables the consumer to select the type, range and quantity of knives they need, tailored to suit their needs,” concludes Lindsey.

Global knives Championed by Michel Roux Jnr and winner of The Chef’s Choice Awards for six consecutive years, iconic and award-winning knife brand Global knives is renowned for its razor sharp blades. All Global knives are made from a special stainless steel from Japan. During production, the knife is heat-treated at a higher temperature than any other knife manufacturing process, before being rapidly cooled at a sub-zero temperature increasing the blade hardness and improving cutting quality. The Global form is a gradual curve from ridge to blade point, making it more effective, while each knife is carefully weighted like the Samurai swords before them. Its bestselling knives include the award-winning G2 Cook’s Knife, G3 Carving Knife, G5 Vegetable Chopper and G4 Oriental Cook’s Knife. To celebrate its 30th Anniversary, Global has released new Anniversary products, including the limited edition 30th Anniversary Cook’s knife.

www.globalknives.uk.com 22 KITCHENWARE INTERNATIONAL

Wusthof

BergHoff BergHoff secured the Good Design Award 2014 for its Eclipse range of ceramic knives. Boasting a blade in ceramic material, the knives are incredibly light yet exceptionally sharp, staying sharper for longer than other types of blades. The material is neutral to taste and smell, meaning there’s no transfer of odours or flavours from one cut food to another.

The combination of material and design offers a very light and well-balanced knife. Pieces include a santoku knife, chef’s knife, cheese knife, bread knife, tomato knife and paring knife.

Focusing on the major blade designs, the new kitchen knives will be available individually and in sets of two or three in four different handle colours – black, bright orange, bright red and apple green. There are five indispensable helpers, including a peeling knife, two different trimming knives, a universal knife and a pizza and steak knife. Thanks to the various blade designs, with or without serrated edge, they are suited to all kinds of cutting tasks in the kitchen. All are made from a special stainless blade steel, with kinetic handles boasting an ergonomic shape. Available in 24-piece CDU singles or as 2/3-piece sets in 10-piece CDU.

www.wusthof.com

DKB Household

www.berghoffworldwide.com

Lifetime Brands The Sabatier 15-piece cutlery set from Lifetime Brands includes all the knives you need to prepare meals and an elegant block design. Perfectly weighted and balanced for control, these knives feature high-carbon stainless steel blades for strength and durability, and forged, triple rivet, contoured handles for a comfortable grip. The 15-piece set includes everything from a slicer knife and chef knife to a paring knive and santoku knife, as well as patent-pending EZ angle sharpening steel and an acacia wood storage block.

www.lifetimebrands.com

DKB offers a wide range of knives, from the colourful blades of Zyliss, to a more professional full tang black in the Jamie Oliver range. The new Jamie Oliver crinkle cut knife (pictured) is a high quality hardened stainless steel blade with well-balanced wood handle useful for creating decorative wavy-edge fruits and veg. Zyliss recently launched a smaller santoku knife, “after researching the category and discovering that a number of female consumers with smaller hands were not comfortable using the large santoku knives currently on the market”, says Lindsey Hoyle, global marketing controller, DKB Household. “The new smaller designer is easier to control whilst still retaining the many benefits of the larger knife.”

www.dkbrands.com

Stelton WMF Launched earlier this year, WMF’s Chef’s Edition knife series uses Performance Cut technology, a combination of the traditional forging process and the latest precision technology, for long-lasting sharpness. Tests have revealed that the series exceeds the standard for cutting performance by double. The shape of the knives is also ideal for the grip position as practised by professional chefs, while the handles are made of matte Cromargan 18/10 stainless steel.

www.wmf.com

Designed with the male market in mind, Stelton’s Pure Black Knife line fuses functionality with clean, stylish lines making it highly giftable. A series for serious gourmets, Pure Black Knives are forged from one piece of stainless chromium steel so the handles morph effortlessly into the blades. The clean design and special coating make the knives hygienic and easy to clean. The matte black coating provides a superb grip.

There are five pieces – two chef’s knives, a bread knife, utility knife and magnetic knife hold.

www.stelton.com

KITCHENWARE INTERNATIONAL 25

SHOWS Interviews

Showtime for kitchens Looking ahead to sourcing kitchenware in 2016, we speak to the two major tradeshows, Ambiente and Chicago, to find out what’s on offer and why you should attend

The International Home & Housewares Show Where Chicago, US When March 5–8, 2016 https://www.housewares.org/show/ We speak to Perry Reynolds, vice president, global trade development, International Housewares Association (IHA) How key is the Kitchen category at Chicago?

Although the entire home and housewares business has profited and grown based on its relentless focus on innovation, the kitchen category has been a prime beneficiary of that focus. Many creative new companies have come to market in the last dozen years, bringing with them new energy, new designs and improved functionalities. Based on buyer input and attendance at the International Home + Housewares Show, new and unique offerings in kitchenware, cookware, bakeware and cutlery have become primary reasons for buyers to attend. The largest single category of attendees at the Show is independent kitchen stores. They represent a vibrant and dominant segment of retail for many of the Show’s suppliers. Both major US buying groups of independents – Gourmet Catalog and HTI – also support the Show with group meetings and booths on the Show floor.

So the Kitchen category has grown then?

One of the greater changes over the past five to 10 years has been the influx of suppliers from other parts of the world. Drawn by the relatively vibrant US economy, these companies have brought their innovative kitchen solutions to the Show and have found success with the diverse buyer audience that attends. Many have debuted in the new Discover Design category. Now in its sixth year, Discover Design will move to a front-of-the-hall position in the Show’s North Building for 2016. In addition, kitchen suppliers, whether new or veteran, have found a retail and consumer marketplace ready for, and willing to, 24 KITCHENWARE INTERNATIONAL

support differentiated products at many price points.

The Show hosts buyers from many retail channels who appreciate the diversity of the kitchen-related products they find at the Show.

How is the Kitchenware category performing?

If one reads the commentary based on retailer results, home products in general, and food preparation products specifically, seem to be a key factor driving retailer results in the US. And, as we speak to the buyers who attend the Show from other countries, they tell us much the same. The number of meals prepared at home continues to grow. Celebrity chefs, gourmet bloggers and web-based food experts continue to fuel consumers’ desire to create healthier and tastier foods at home.

Which product categories are doing well?

We see positive trends in many categories. Whether it is home espresso making, baking, more sophisticated meal prep or better-designed kitchen implements, the momentum seems to be broadly positive.

What extras does the Chicago Show offer Kitchenware retailers and buyers?

The Show offers many opportunities for retailers to learn from experts, to discover new products, colours and trends, and to view retail best practices from the best of global retailers. The IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia) honour the best home and housewares retailers from around the world. The Hall of Global Innovation includes two displays dedicated to the IHA’s gia programme, the first focuses on gia Retail Winners, allowing visitors to benchmark best retail practices; the second, showcases 60 finalists and Global Honorees from IHA’s gia programme focusing on Product Design. Attendees will find the latest award-winning products organised into 12 different categories. Another place to learn in the Hall of Global Innovation is Pantone’s ColorWatch Display, where buyers can get exclusive access to

Perry Reynolds

Pantone’s colour forecast for 2017, or attend presentations by Pantone’s Lee Eiseman and trend guru Tom Mirabile, and a host of educational events.

Also planned for 2016 is a panel presentation by industry experts on how to sell to the much-coveted Millennial generation. All educational events are complimentary and available also as podcasts online.

What’s new for Chicago 2016?

Kitchen products at the 2016 Show will be presented in three distinct areas: The Dine + Décor Expo in the South Building features more than 1,000 exhibitors offering kitchen tools, gadgets and accessories. Also located in that category is the Cooking Theater, home to continuous presentations from celebrity chefs. More exhibitors will be located in the Discover Design Expo in the North Building, all showcasing their latest design-driven products. The third area, within the Lakeside Center, is the Wired + Well Expo, which features kitchen electrics and small appliances.

One more must-visit destination is the New Exhibitor Preview! From 8.30-10am on Saturday, just before the Show opens, this will feature 60 new-to-the-Show exhibitors from all categories – a great opportunity to find clever new products and meet new suppliers.

Why is the Chicago Show a must-visit?

Based on the input received from US and international buyer attendees, the Show is a mustattend event. The US is currently the strongest market for home products at retail, and the Chicago Show is a global showcase for suppliers.

Ambiente Where Frankfurt, Germany When February 12–16, 2016 https://www.messefrankfurt.com/frankfurt We speak to Thomas Kastl, director Ambiente for the Dining segment How key is the Kitchen category at Ambiente?

Kitchen is one of the most important sections at Ambiente. It is an incredibly dynamic product group.

Roughly one third of the 2,200+ exhibitors within the Dining segment focused on products for the Kitchen in 2015. This means that every international brand, every major supplier, and many exciting new companies can be found at Ambiente.

So has the Kitchen category grown then?

At Ambiente it has grown massively in the past five years as we created room for it to grow early on. With the increasing popularity of open spaces combining cooking, dining and living, the design element for kitchen appliances has become much more important, from pots and kitchen helpers of all kinds, to small electrical appliances. TV programming has also given this category a boost with many interesting shows and documentaries about food and gourmet topics.

How is the Kitchenware category performing?

It is doing very well, largely thanks to the industry’s commitment to product innovation. As I mentioned, our living spaces are changing. Products not only have to look good, they also need to be highly functional.. I see a lot of very clever products at our

show, every year. They might be multi-functional, they might fit in small spaces or solve a yet unsolved problem in the kitchen. This is why we have special presentations like ‘Solutions’ or ‘Design Plus’ highlighting outstanding products in the fields of functionality, as well as design.

Which product categories are doing well?

Healthy food prepared at home and gourmet topics continue to drive innovation. Some suppliers of small electrical appliances are riding the trend with skill by offering exciting products for making smoothies or sous-vide cooking, for example. Also, well-designed products for keeping drinks hot or cold and keeping food fresh on-the-go seem to be in demand. We will also continue to see solutions connecting cooking and the Internet.

What extras does Ambiente offer Kitchenware retailers and buyers?

The Ambiente Trends display is an absolute must-see. It features a cross section of the Show’s products and stages them according to four trend themes for the next season, and is a huge source of inspiration for many buyers. I recommend buyers see it at the start of their visit in order to then go and source the individual suppliers. Many of the exhibitors in the Kitchen category bring well-known chefs with entertaining and educational cooking demonstrations to the Show.

What’s new for 2016?

As the leading tradeshow for the industry, Ambiente attracts new suppliers every year. We carefully select

Thomas Kastl

and place new exhibitors to make sure both they and our visitors benefit in the best possible way.

Something that we are very much looking forward to is next year’s partner country, Italy. Italy’s lifestyle will surely be felt in the Dining segment and particularly in the Kitchen area. A spectacular exhibition curated and designed by Paola Navone will display a crosssection of Italian products. Many Italian exhibitors will offer special events at the Show.

Why is Ambiente a must-visit?

All the new products are presented at Ambiente. It is quite simply the world’s leading show covering kitchenware, tableware, housewares, interior design and gifts. From exclusive design products to popular brands to high-volume sourcing opportunities, this show has a wide selection for everyone.

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 25

Feature Bakeware

Ready, steady, bake!

Having seen phenomenal growth over the past five years, we find out what’s driving growth in the bakeware sector

26 KITCHENWARE INTERNATIONAL

contributing to overall value growth of 4.5 per cent in the UK kitchenware market. The TV programme has energised home baking sales in the UK since it debuted in 2010, with annual sales having risen from £523 million in 2009 to £1.7 billion in 2014, according to Mintel.

Gary Downham, managing director, Falcon Products, which has been manufacturing and supplying Bake-O-Glide baking liners for over 25 years, says he is however now seeing a stabilising of bakeware sales, “hardly surprising as the phenomenal rise in home baking interest we’ve all witnessed in recent years could not possibly be maintained indefinitely”.

“That said, it does still go in peaks and troughs throughout the year and no doubt the new series of the Great British Bake Off [airing now in the UK] will create increased demand as it usually does,” adds Gary.

It has. In August, in the run-up to the programme airing, upmarket British supermarket Waitrose saw sales of bakeware climb 55 per cent, an effect – The Bake Off effect – they have laid at the doors of the show, which regularly pulls in more than 9 million viewers.

Manufacturers and retailers alike are seeing the results of such popularity with the increased interest in, and demand for, bakeware products.

“For us, it was clear at Ambiente 2015 that baking is trendy with great interest being shown in our range and new products,” commented CEO of Stadter, Peter Stadter.

Paul Donnelly says he has seen increased demand, in particular, for Mason Cash products that feature on the Great British Bake Off – the Cane mixing bowls and white pudding basins – and has, “noticed spikes of traffic to our consumer websites during particular baking shows”.

T&G Woodware is also seeing increased bakeware demand.

“With the popularity of home baking and ‘dining in’ still being

Mason Cash Mason Cash can trace its roots as a leading bakeware and baking accessories provider back to the 19th century and is increasingly a star of the TV screen, from the kitchens of Downton Abbey to those of the Great British Bake off – its renowned Cane mixing bowls featured on the latter. In addition to extensions to the Cane & Baker Street ranges – think vintagestyle measuring cups and spoons – it has launched Bake My Day additions – earthenware prep bowls that are miniature versions of the Mason Cash iconic mixing bowl. They have also extended their Cake Decoration range to include a 12-cup carbon steel non-stick baking tray, perfect for baking cupcakes and muffins. The tray features a snap-shut locking lid with fold-down handles to make it ideal for storing and carrying bakes in once made. Other launches include lollipops and cake pops, moulds and accessories and cake presentation products.

www.masoncash.co.uk driven by popular TV shows and YouTube channels, the demand for exciting, functional kitchen products continues to grow,” says T&G’s marketing manager, Jenny Handley, further pointing out that products today need to do more than just save time in the kitchen: “They need to create new experiences which fit in with the consumers’ cooking tastes and lifestyles,” says Jenny.

But it’s not just in Britain where demand for bakeware is high.

Asia’s largest kitchenware store, ToTT, in Singapore, is seeing increasing interest among its consumers in baking; while in Greece, multi-brand kitchenware store Cook Shop, which only used to see increased bakeware sales just before Christmas, is now seeing its bakeware sector across all its 55 stores yield very good results throughout the year.

And so manufacturers are responding, delivering new bakeware ranges, extending current ranges, or launching licensed bakeware to cash in on the baking popularity.

British manufacturing powerhouse What More UK began producing bakeware earlier this year under the Wham Cook brand, following its acquisition of machinery from the former George Wilkinson site. Now, the company has announced its acquisition of PushPan, a patented technology that delivers the only 100 per cent waterproof and leak-proof loose base tins, proving the company’s commitment to the burgeoning bakeware sector.

And Villeroy & Boch has this year tapped into the baking trend with its Winter Bakery Delight series, a collection of porcelain decorated bakeware pieces that includes a

* A new Market Report from market intelligence provider Key Note.

A

t the beginning of 2015, the Ambiente Trend Report 2015 noted a “powerful trend towards baking”, with Ambiente’s director for dining and kitchen, Thomas Kastl, reporting: “The baking trend is getting stronger and stronger and anything to do with baking is becoming increasingly prized, including among the younger target groups”.

And this has certainly held true throughout 2015.

“The category of bakeware is clearly showing signs of continuing to grow as baking continues to be one of the top trends in 2015,” says Shikha Patel, marketing manager at Seeba Group, a company that specialises in the design, manufacture and distribution of stainless steel kitchenware, including bakeware.

With the popularity of culinary TV programmes, alongside the rise in the taking of Afternoon Tea, baking is an activity that has experienced phenomenal growth over the past few years.

“The Afternoon Tea trend has helped to escalate this baking trend, while TV programmes like the Great British Bake Off have led to more people getting creative with baking,” says Phil Atherton, group sales & marketing director, Portmeirion Group.

Paul Donnelly, brand manager for Mason Cash, concurs: “I would say the increase of baking shows such as Great British Bake Off have increased sales of our bakeware items as people are beginning to see how easy it is to make things at home instead of buying ready-made items.

“Consumers are also becoming very aware of the additives they are putting into their bodies and making their own food gives assurance that they know exactly what is going into their body,” says Paul.

He’s not wrong. According to the report Kitchenware 2015*, the extreme popularity of the Great British Bake Off helped to drive the demand for bakeware in 2014,

Great British Bake Off (Ethos) Under the Great British Bake Off brand is a licensed range of baking equipment and accessories that has been officially supplied by British kitchenware and tableware company Ethos Housewares since 2012.

Items include an exclusive range of premium quality non-stick bakeware manufactured in the UK with British Steel together with a fabulous range of co-ordinating items from mixing bowls to utensils.

www.ethoshousewares.com ceramic rolling pin, large mixing bowl, Bundt cake tins and measuring jugs.

Aside from technological innovations, which delivers product that make bakers’ lives easier and the end product more professional, there are a number of consumer trends dominating this product category right now.

Gary at Falcon says he is continuing to see a trend towards more diverse baking techniques with an increase in international style cakes and pastries, and different types of breads.

And brands like Lekue are responding with products that make creating a specific type of cake a breeze – the brand recently launched a Springform mould for Charlottes and a Detachable mould for Tarte Tatin.

Licensing in bakeware has also taken off. While the Great British Bake Off licensed range of baking equipment and accessories from Ethos continues to go from strength to strength, Falcon Products, which manufactures the Bake-O-Glide non-stick reusable liners, has partnered with chef Delia Smith to create a new range of non-stick cake tin liners to complement her new bakeware collection.

Baking equipment designed especially for children is also seeing traction in the market.

“Creating a space for child-friendly designs in kitchenware is becoming increasingly important as children want to fully participate in baking,” says Shikha at Seeba, a brand that is looking to tap into this trend by launching a Mini Me collection.

“More families are taking to the baking frenzy as a way of getting the family together and spending quality time with each other,” adds Shikha.

Culinarion, a chain of 30 kitchenware stores across France, say the pastry cooking category, including products aimed at children, is strong in France, and as such the stores boast specific sections for children’s baking equipment, as does kitchenware store ToTT in Singapore.

Finally, colour is proving popular.

“Colour is making a very strong appearance in the traditional steel category, and bakeware is no exception,” says Shikha, Seeba Group.

“The bright and bold colours seen on kitchen cabinets and small appliances are influencing bakeware products, from the use of silicone to the bright hues of red and blue draping the outside of cookie sheets and cake tins,” says Shikha, pointing to Seeba’s antiskid silicone mixing bowls that come in various colours.

Known for its fluoropolymer coatings and at the forefront of developing the appearance of bakeware over the past few years, Whitford has this season introduced a series of new colours for bakeware.

Retro shades like the 1950s pastels palette of baby blues, soft pinks, lemon and mint, are also proving popular, while the sophisticated shade of grey, popular in tableware, has made its transition to bakeware.

Grey has seen particular success combined with cream in the Baker Lane range, which Mason Cash launched in spring this year.

“Bringing out ranges such as Baker Lane, which are on trend in terms of colour, increases sales and we are having great success with these lines,” concludes Mason Cash’s brand manager, Paul.

Rig-Tig by Stelton Rig-Tig’s acrylic pastry roller includes a practical silicone mat that prevents dough from sticking to the table. The mat tolerates up to 230-degrees in the oven and can be cut into smaller pieces. Both items can be put into the dishwasher and the mat can be stored inside the pastry roller after use for ease of storage.

www.rig-tig.com

Villeroy & Boch As part of its Winter Bakery Collection, Villeroy & Boch has launched a Winter Bakery Delight series that includes a ceramic rolling pin, large mixing bowl, Bundt cake tins, a muffin tin, round cake tin and measuring jugs. All are made of porcelain and decorated using lithography techniques, some details handpainted. The décor, which displays many variations of typical culinary Christmas treats, is designed in a strong red and radiant white, with touches of green, yellow and orange.

www.villeroy-boch.co.uk KITCHENWARE INTERNATIONAL 27

What the retailers say…

Feature Bakeware

Emile Henry Emile Henry has been producing its stunning high quality ceramic cookware, bakeware and serveware in Burgundy, France, since 1850. Among its many bakeware pieces is its Bread Loaf Baker. “The secret of delicious bread lies in the baking, which requires a high level of carefully controlled humidity,” say the brand. The refractory ceramic and holes in the lid and base used in this baker regulate the level of humidity inside the dish during cooking, resulting in a crispy crust and soft inside. The shape and edges guarantee a perfect shape, so ideal for gluten-free bread as the flour needs more support.

www.emilehenry.com

Lekue Worldwide leader in innovative silicone baking products, Lekue has just launched a Springform mould for Charlottes and a Detachable mould for Tarte Tatin. Both are created of 100 per cent Platinum Silicone and ceramic. While the non-stick lightweight silicone makes it easy to remove the cake from the mould and easy to handle, the ceramic plate that fits onto the silicone mould makes it easier, quicker and safer to flip the cake over. Similarly, the removable Springform mould for Charlottes facilities the prep and unmoulding of the cake.

www.lekue.com/en

Falcon Products Ltd Falcon has been supplying Bake-O-Glide for more than 25 years.

Its original products remain popular, namely Multigrade non-stick reuseable cooking and baking liners in rolls and Multigrade pre-cut shapes. Falcon has also introduced opaque Sugarcraft non-stick icing sheets and a large range of non-slip silicone printed roll-out mats, some with conversion charts, rulers and circle guides. Other developments include Bake-O-Mat Extra, Bake-O-Mat and BakeO-Choux silicone mats, all with circles and guides. Recently, they launched Delia Online Bake-O-Glide range, designed to fit the new Delia Online bakeware range. New Christmas Bake-O-Glide packaging has just been launched and some new Christmas sets.

www.falconproducts.co.uk

Kitchen Craft Kitchen Craft supplies the world’s retailers with more than 3,500 kitchen, dining and housewares products.

The brand’s Master Class Crusty Bake is a revolutionary new take on the award-winning Master Class bakeware. Thanks to a series of perforations that lets the moisture out and the air circulate, the result is perfectly crispy pastry and dough. It features Double Quantum II non-stick coating and carries a 20-year guarantee. Not only did it scoop the Excellence in Cookware accolade, but it was featured in the special Solutions Exhibition at Ambiente earlier this year.

www.kitchencraft.co.uk 26 KITCHENWARE INTERNATIONAL

“We are seeing increasing interest in baking as a result of baking programmes on TV and an increasing numbers of patisseries in town. Baking products such as Nordicware baking moulds are really popular.” Grace Tan, director, ToTT (Tools of the Trade), Singapore, a onestop culinary haven with an expansive kitchenware retail space alongside cooking studios and a DIY baking counter, stocking 120 brands.

“We are seeing the growth of bakeware for various reasons, including the strong presence of confectionary in the media. Baking accessories are now a segment of great importance in the Greek market. While in the past consumers were more interested in buying specific products to make pastry for festive occasions, the current trend for homemade pastry has made such product more nonseasonal and boosted sales all year long.”

Kostas Sarafidis, manager, Cook Shop, a chain of multibrand kitchenware stores owned by The Sarafidis Group of Companies, with 55 outlets throughout Greece.

“The category of products for cooking pastry is very strong in the French market and is now involving new customers like children.

Cooking pastry and baking is like a game with innovation and many new products keep coming on to the market.” Eric Holzinger, CEO of EK France, which owns Culinarion, a chain of 30 multi-brand kitchenware stores across France.

Feature Bakeware

Whitford Whitford, makers of the world’s largest, most complete line of fluoropolymer coatings, has introduced a series of new colours and special effects for bakeware in its wide range of non-stick interior and decorative exterior coatings.

Whitford has been at the forefront of development in the appearance of bakeware for the past few years. For 2015, the focus is Inspired by Nature, with pieces featuring a spatter effect similar to granite stone. Whitford’s non-stick spray and coil coatings for bakeware, including Skandia, SkandiaXtreme, SkandiaXtreme Plus, QuanTanium and Eterna, covers all the market levels, from lower to moderate to high-end.

Stellar Made from an alloy that offers superior thermal conductivity for even heat distribution, essential for baking successful breads/cakes, Stellar’s new pan collection, Hard Anodised Ovenware, has been electrochemically-hardened (hard anodised) for unbeatable durability. This gives the pans a significantly longer lifespan than traditional bakeware and makes it virtually non-porous, safe to use with metal utensils, and almost impervious to residual flavours. It comprises 24 essential pieces, including baking trays, loose base flan tins, cupcake trays and cake tins of various sizes.

Distributed by Horwood Homewares in the UK.

www.whitfordww.com

Le Creuset From French brand Le Creuset, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary, comes the Kugelhopf Cake Tin. The wide rim on the outside of the tin, featuring heat-resistant silicone inserts for added grip, makes lifting a full tin easier and safer, especially when taking it to and from a hot oven, and makes turning out your bakes with ease. It is also metal utensil safe.

www.lecreuset.com

www.stellarcookware.co.uk

Seeba Group

More than 30 per cent of Seeba’s business is dedicated to bakeware, including cookie sheets, pie pans, cake pans and pizza pans, plus multi-purpose mixing bowls that come in various sizes/finishes. Technology used in bakeware is evolving and the primary focus at Seeba is health and safety. “We use heavy gauge, AIS1304 grade stainless steel in all our products making them safe and long-lasting,” say the brand. They also deliver plenty of brightly coloured bakeware products, including the antiskid silicone mixing bowls in an array of colours.

www.seebagroup.com

Polder Housewares

Polder Housewares has launched a Digital Baking/Candy Thermometer, an innovative measuring tool that delivers accurate readings in as little as eight seconds. Featuring a removable silicone spatula and extra thin probe this baking thermometer is perfect for a variety of baking and candy-making needs.

www.polder.com

The percentage by which sales of baking trays at British upmarket supermarket Waitrose soared by in the week leading up to August 2, 2015, when the sixth series of the Great British Bake Off was airing on TV screens across the UK.

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Did you know…? GreenPan, the cookware brand known for having changed the face of the US retail cookware market with its ceramic non-stick coating, has recently given its bakeware the same highperformance ceramic non-stick treatment with its Boston range, resulting in important factors like easyrelease and easy-clean finding favour with keen bakers. www.greenpan.com 30 KITCHENWARE INTERNATIONAL

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