Progressive Housewares January/February 2019

January/February 2019

Don’t fry, Froach!

Introducing new Froach Pods™. The healthier way to cook eggs.

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@Prog_Housewares

Introducing Froach Pods™ a totally new and healthier way to cook eggs. This innovative design combines the principles of both frying and poaching into one revolutionary design, which uses 95% less oil than with typical frying. Simply add water to cook both the top and bottom of the egg at once, for a delicious, healthier breakfast. This clever invention is just part of the new Spring 2019 collection from Joseph Joseph, which includes a smart new chopping board set in a range of colours, a compact lever corkscrew that’s powerful but easy to store and an innovative range of knives, utensils and chopping boards that store neatly inside your cupboard door.

For more information contact info@josephjoseph.com

Max Publishing Ltd, United House North Road, London N7 9DP T: 020 7700 6740 F: 020 7607 6411 www.progressivehousewares.co.uk Subscription £50 per year for the UK, £75 for overseas Subscribe online, or email mike@marketingreinforcements.co.uk or call: Marketing Reinforcements on 020 8943 9541 (9am-5pm).

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in Progressive Housewares, the publisher cannot accept any responsibility for errors or omissions.

Editor’s comment I

t has been a tumultuous start to the year, with the demise of Steamer Trading and its buyout by ProCook in a pre-pack administration (see News). Events have undeniably rocked the supply chain, with subsequent repercussions, but 27 of 37 stores will continue to trade and keep the brand identity of Steamer Trading Cookshop (as well as Kitchens in Bath, Bristol and Cardiff).

The uncertainty surrounding Brexit continues, as we rattle towards the deadline of March 29, with knock-on effects on consumer confidence.

A winner seems to be the warehousing industry, as suppliers – including some in housewares - build up stocks on both sides of the channel for home or export markets respectively. Of course, Brexit is one of the topics of our annual State of the Nation Food for Thought, although it is upstaged by another theme mentioned by most of our contributors. Turn to pages 28-31 to read more.

On an upbeat note, the first show of the season, Top Drawer Spring/Summer 19 kicked off in style, with encouraging queues to reach its entrance. Happy cookshop buyers reported that they were finding plenty of new interest at the show while exhibitors were happily meeting new customers. Long may this carry on as the show season continues, with Spring Fair and Ambiente just around the corner, and Chicago’s IH+HS at an earlier date at the start of March this year. Ambiente has a brand new hall (12) to show off Housewares & Storage in style, and, thankfully a shuttle bus to connect it to the rest of the kitchen and dining hub. Meanwhile, Chicago has expanded its Smart Home coverage and will no doubt reveal a host of eye-opening technological developments.

For buyers, this issue has plenty to whet your appetite for new launches, and to help plan your time at the shows (see pages Spring Fair 45-51, and Ambiente pages 63-65). There will also be some celebratory activity to look out for, with the centenaries of two iconic brands: Cole & Mason (from DKB) and KitchenAid – both with exciting anniversary products to show off. There is more on the Cole & Mason story on pages 40-43.

This issue also features plenty of retailer insight, including an exclusive interview with Steven Lew, the ceo of House UK (the winner of the Most Promising Newcomer Award at the Excellence in Housewares Awards).

Steven confirms that House UK would like to open a total of some 75 stores over the next three or four years (see pages 32-33). We also shine the spotlight on our gia (Global Innovation Award) winner, Potters Cookshop prior to its well-deserved trip to Chicago to attend the show and gia gala (see pages 58-59).

The PH team looks forward to seeing you at the shows, finding out what’s hot, and hearing your news!

Jo Howard

Editor

Above: Talking shop: (left to right) House’s Kate Thompson, PH’s Jo Howard and House’s Kim Northam and Steven Lew.

In this issue in house

Top: Progressive Housewares Jo Howard looks at the Nadiya Hussain range from BlissHome with Mike and Gabrielle Bliss in Top Drawer’s Home section.

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JO HOWARD Editor joh@max-publishing.co.uk

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bira news

54-56 Market focus: Outdoor dining

JAKKI BROWN Editorial director jw@max-publishing.co.uk

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BHETA news

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JOHN BARRY Advertising manager johnb@max-publishing.co.uk ROB WILLIS Publishing director robw@max-publishing.co.uk

24-27 Focus on Ultimate Products 28 –31 Food for thought: State of the nation

EMMA CAIN Product page editor emmac@max-publishing.co.uk

32–33 Retailer focus: House UK

SARAH WELSH Contributing editor sarahw@max-publishing.co.uk

34-39 Market focus: Tea and Coffee

MARK GRAYSON Creative director markg@max-publishing.co.uk

40-43 Cole & Mason celebrates 100 years

WARREN LOMAX Joint md warren@max-publishing.co.uk

45-51

Spring Fair Preview

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Retailer focus: Luxe Cookshop

Holly Wilson’s From the frontline

58-59 Retailer focus: Potters Cookhop, Hockley 61-65

Ambiente preview

66-67 What’s cooking for weddings and special occasions?

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Product focus: wedding and special occasion gifts

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New products

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Right: An audience at Spring Fair 2018.

TOP STORY

Brand new at Spring Fair

Below: Tramontina at the last Spring Fair.

Spring Fair’s Hall 9 (Kitchen & Dining) will embrace a wide spectrum from craft products in the new Artisan Avenue to leading housewares names including Denby, Ulster Weavers, Grunwerg, T&G and Le Creuset.

New exhibitors in Hall 9 include Kiddi Kutter, with specialist knives designed for children aged three years and older to cut their own food safely, enabling parents to teach kids cooking for an early age. Western International, Muggi (with its cupholder tray) and JO Group are also joining the Hall.

A new brand, Smidge will be revealed at the show, targeting the consumer who is choosing environmentally friendlier options. Smidge’s 90 products cover a wide variety of categories from ‘on the go’ through to everyday household usage and include a unique 100% bio-degradable and recyclable formulation. The new brand states that its philosophy is ‘responsible, affordable, optimistic’, enabling consumers to ‘make that small change which together can make a big difference’.

Specialising in hydration solutions, Auteur will launch its new brand, Soma, as well as new additions across its portfolio. Soma creates elegant filtration and hydration products, with a focus on sustainability from the sugarcane material used in its filter jugs to its bamboo handles.

Portmeirion Group will reveal new collections including Botanic Garden Harmony (Portmeirion), Atrium (Portmeirion) and Kingsley (Spode). “They have been heavily influenced by the current trend to bring the outside in - a huge trend for 2019 - while remaining steeped in each of the three brand’s individual heritage,” explained sales and marketing director Phil Atherton.

Demonstrations at Spring Fair include Tramontina, Above: The logo for a new brand, Smidge which will be serving samples of steaks, expertly cut with launches at Spring its steak knives. See linked stories (including KitchenCraft on page 13) which Fair.

Visit www.springfair.com

Get ahead at Spring Fair Spring Fair (February 3-7 NEC) will deliver a wide range of insightful presentations and workshops for retailers. Topics on the Main Stage include Brexit strategies, retail technology and some inspirational personal stories behind well-loved brands.

Diverse speakers include Wrendale, Pinterest, The V&A and The Colour Hive (colour and trend consultancy).

Trends will also be explored in The Studio at Spring Fair with speakers including trend spotter and futurist Paola de Luca and Jane Bellman, founder of Unique Style Platform.

Meanwhile a myriad of practical knowledge is on offer at the new Retail Skills Theatre. Helpful advice includes product photography and packing, Epos systems, fleet and freighting, social media strategies, stock planning and post Brexit currency management, in-store and online visual merchandising, and building a brand identity.

Following on from the success of Autumn Fair 2018’s Product Match app, which helped visitors find and locate the best suppliers for their business, Spring Fair will see the launch of a newly improved and updated version of the app.

The app will continue to learn about visitors’ preferences the more it is used to ensure that all Spring Fair attendees have a highly productive and streamlined experience of the show.

Gift of the Year for foodies

Sally’s new country classics

BollyNice range from Apples to Pears, Gin Time from Dartington Crystal and T&G’s Ocean range are the finalists in the Kitchen and Dining category of the Gift of the Year awards (GOTY).

Meanwhile, Bee Green Wraps is a finalist in the Ethical Gift category, while Food and Drink’s line-up includes BBQ Hot Smoking Kit from Hot Smoked and Cake in a Card by Bakedin. The latter also appears in the ‘Under £10’ category, along with Dartington’s Whisky Experience.

The category winners, and Judge’s Choice winner, will be announced at an awards ceremony starting at 6.30pm in Hall 20, at the end of the first day of Spring Fair on Sunday February 3. The event is free to attend.

Artist and designer Sally Swannell has joined forces with Wrendale Designs for a new kitchenware collection, which includes placemats and coasters, tea towels (both Made in the UK) and fine bone china mugs.

Sally originally trained as a natural history illustrator and her work is influenced by the English countryside, New England and Northern European subjects. The range will be revealed at Spring Fair (Hall 3).

Meanwhile, Portmeirion is launching new Wrendale Designs mugs, a melamine picnic set and a dinner set on its stand at Spring Fair.

Above: Ocean from T&G – a donation to Plastic Ocean is made from sales.

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TOP STORY

ProCook acquires Steamer Trading Above: The Leekes Retail and Leisure Group is seeing record profits.

Leekes’ excellent year Leekes Retail and Leisure Group achieved turnover of more than £85 million in the year to 31 March 2018, which resulted in an EBITDA of £4.3m and strong pre-tax profits.

In the first half of the 2018-9 financial year, Leekes has seen a further improvement in group turnover and profits with the directors announcing that the Group has already achieved last year’s EBITDA after eight months of trading.

Commenting on the success of the retail sector within the Group, Emma Leeke, managing director of Leekes Retail, said: “We are very pleased to post a great set of results in what has been a particularly challenging retail environment. Our trading in the first half of this year has also been exceptional, with retail profits up substantially.”

Buying controller Amanda Reed reflected on a positive performance for housewares at Leekes over the past year: “In a time of uncertainty and change our housewares business has needed to change more quickly and be more focussed and sure in its presentation both in store and online.

Attention to competitor’s activity and matching where possible has given the customer the confidence to continue to shop with Leekes, with the likes of Le Creuset, Duraforge and Denby performing ahead of plan and newness from Creative Tops adding zest to a relatively flat tableware market.”

(See Amanda’s comments in Food for thought, pages 24-27).

ProCook has secured the future of Steamer Trading, acquiring the multi-award winning retail chain in a pre-pack administration deal on January 9. ProCook has taken on 27 of the group’s stores (including Kitchens), its e-commerce business and the head office team. Steamer Trading Cookshop and Kitchens will keep their brand identities.

Above: Steamer Trading's Beverley store.

On announcing the acquisition, Daniel O’Neill, owner of ProCook recognised the “fantastic opportunity for Steamer Trading and ProCook to grow both brands.” He explained: “Our focus will continue to be on providing excellent value for money, great service and innovative high-quality homewares.”

Daniel added, “We are very excited about the future, though because of high rent and rates and the current retail climate we had to make the decision not to take on all the stores. However, we will endeavour to fill all vacancies across our stores by transferring people from closing stores.” The ten Steamer Trading stores to shut are Battle, Heathfield, Westerham, Dorking, Bluewater, Taunton, Wells, Cambridge,Glasgow and Bournemouth.

Clare Burgess, previously trading director of Steamer Trading, will now head up the Steamer Trading Cookshop brand. She commented: “While I am sad to say goodbye to some colleagues, I’m excited about the future for Steamer Trading. The new Steamer trading stores will be offering an exciting shopping experience with a great mix of exclusive products alongside iconic kitchen and homeware brands.”

Administrators from KPMG’s were appointed on January 9 as part of Steamer Trading’s sales process. Nick Holloway, director at KPMG UK, who led the sale, commented: “We are delighted that we have been able to rescue such a long established business including a high proportion of stores and preserve a large number of jobs, especially given the current economic pressures faced by retailers across the UK.” Meanwhile, Ben Phillips, hitherto creative director of Steamer Trading, has acquired Divertimenti in Knightsbridge. Ben stated, “We have been searching for solutions” for the business in an “incredibly difficult market”, experiencing a “tough” Christmas. He told PH: “I’m very pleased to find a new home for the Steamer Trading business.” Ben also acknowledged the retail acumen of ProCook’s Daniel O’Neil, who has “done a great job of turning around the ProCook business.”

KPMG administrators are formally contacting those Steamer Trading’s suppliers that have not received payment. Ben told PH that, as Steamer Trading’s borrowing had been paid off, and with some freehold property left: “there will be some value left.” He continued: “It will take time and there will be costs involved but hopefully, under the circumstances, it will be a reasonable outcome for creditors.”

Looking forward to getting back to the shop floor following his purchase of Divertimenti, Ben said: “I have good plans to grow and develop the brand. It’s a very different business with the cookery school.”

(See more ProCook news on page 9).

VISIT OUR STAND AT FRANKFURT AMBIENTE D20 HALL 1.1

THE BEST IDEAS ARE THE ORIGINAL! • Best sellers include the Zap Cap bottle opener • Rouge 02 wine breathers • Therm au Rouge red wine sleeve • Gift sets and cocktail range • CaddyO bottle chiller – as seen on TV! • CellarDine is dedicated to using recyclable materials!

www.cellardine.co.uk

To view our exciting new products visit our stand D20 HALL 1.1 Frankfurt Ambiente

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Online surge and last minute store rush At Philip Morris & Son, Hereford and its ecommerce site, Philip Morris Direct there were two different stories for Christmas trade. John Jones, managing partner explains: “Trading patterns for us varied significantly between online and instore.

Instore we were up just a couple of percent, with the serious money not spent until the very last minute. A week out from Christmas we were well down, but then people finally started spending in the last few days, and that spending has continued into sale and is actually still going well into January.”

He continues: “Online started the Christmas period very well. Black Friday triggered an early surge of sales (much of it on full price product), which continued well into December, and we saw 18% growth across the key six weeks up to Christmas. Notably however, while we had more customers, they did on average spend slightly less each, suggesting a slight tightening of belts.”

Above: Dinghams Salisbury’s customer festive evening included demonstrations by KitchenAid.

Cheers to Dinghams At Dinghams, director Becca Hardingham said that Christmas was “good overall,” elaborating: “Salisbury was up while Winchester was down, so it evened out.”

Becca is noticing community support in Salisbury as more people are shopping locally. A ticket-only customer evening at the end of November at Dinghams in Salisbury was particularly successful.

Some 50 customers enjoyed tasting steaks with Tramontina, demonstrations by KitchenAid, Bamix and Microplane, nibbles and wine tasting (as the shop now stocks wine) in the café, and a Gisella Graham masterclass on ‘how to decorate your Christmas tree.’ Becca reflects: “We had lots of special offers and there was a great atmosphere.”

TOP STORY

Indies’ festive cheer

Below: One of Potters Cookshop’s magical Narnia Christmas windows.

According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), overall retail sales were flat in December making it the worst December performance since 2008. However, many independent cookshops seemed to have bucked the trends with good Christmas performances.

Tom Carter, director at Potters Cookshop, Hockley (the current UK gia winner – see page 54-55) described “a phenomenal Christmas”, with increased footfall, making December “the best month we’ve ever had.” The retailer also saw growth in its online business (with online sales about 25% of business).

In neighbouring Suffolk, The Woodbridge Kitchen Company had “a brilliant Christmas – more or less the best in ten years,” said owner Paul Venediger, with the shop’s last quarter up by10%. Paul acknowledged that the town has received “huge publicity” since coming second place for English towns in the Great British High Street Awards. “Footfall and transactions were up,” stated Paul, who observed: “More consumers are realising they need to support local indies or they’ll lose them.”

Paul also recognised the importance of outstanding customer service, a good balance of stock, and a boost from having more “lower ticket items”. The two “standout” star sellers were locally produced Bev’s Beeswax Wraps and Chilly’s Bottles. Revol from ICTC and Bakedin Kits were also strong.

At The Kitchen Shop, Lichfield sales via Trouva (the online platform for independent boutiques) contributed to a busy Christmas. At Cooking Fantastic, near Harrogate, owner Tanya Umpleby described festive trade as “fabulous”, thanks to the shop’s out of town location on her family farm, along with its cafe. “We did much better than if we’d been on the high street – people like being able to park easily.”

Paul Geoghegan, owner of The Kitchen Range, West Wickham was “pleased” with the shop’s Christmas trade: “December as a whole was a little better than last year and our sale has meant a steady start to January.” Gift highlights for the shop were re-usable coffee cups from various suppliers and stainless steel straws. (See below).

Sadly, Hebden Cook and Coffee Company, Hebden Bridge is among those indies that suffered this Christmas. Continuing road works (as a result of the devastating floods of Boxing Day 2015) and rail strikes on “every Saturday for the last three months has kept visitors away,” reported co-owner Val Cryne. Despite what Val describes as “a strong group of local supporters,” the lack of footfall contributed to a “dire” Christmas. “Everyone in the town is affected,” she confirmed.

Win-win window at The Kitchen Range Independent cookshop, The Kitchen Range of West Wickham raised over £2,500 for the charity, Macmillan Cancer Support in the run-up to Christmas. Its fundraising events included one of its popular supper clubs (with chefs and staff donating their time) and a cake sale.

The shop also created a window where customers could make a donation and ‘guess the total value’ of the products on display. Suppliers generously donated a wide range of housewares, including Joseph Joseph’s Tritan Bin, Robert Welch Designs’ Signature Knife Block and a set of saucepans from Horwood. The customer who made the most accurate Above: Dinghams Salisbury’s customer festive evening guess won the window’s contents. demonstrations by Paul Geoghegan, owner of The Kitchen Range reports: “The value was included KitchenAid. £1,007.40 and someone guessed £1,007. It was a local teacher who was delighted and enjoyed dividing everything up between her family.”

Reflecting on the success of the fundraising initiative, Paul adds: “It was good for business – bringing people into the shop – and good for the charity, which strikes a chord for so many people.”

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With over 70 handpicked exhibitors, the Housewares Show is an unmissable event for independent retailers. Buyers can expect to see a range of market leading brands, many of whom will be launching their Spring Summer 2019 products at the AIS show for the first time. Product categories include Cookshop, Tabletop, SDA, Home Fragrance, Glassware and Home Gifts.

5 March 2019: AIS Members Only 6 March 2019: AIS Members & Independent Retailers

REGISTER NOW www.housewaresshow.co.uk

Free Entry • Free Refreshments • Free Lunch • Free Parking CRANMORE PARK CONFERENCE & EVENT CENTRE, CRANMORE AVENUE, SHIRLEY, SOLIHULL B90 4LF T: 0121 683 1430

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News Below: ProCook’s Christmas window at its Chesterfield branch.

TOP STORY

Inset: An image from Brita’s new TV advertisement.

Jingle tills?

Multiple Housewares retailers have delivered a mixed set of Christmas trading reports that includes some upbeat figures.

Kitchenware retailer ProCook (with 37 stores in the UK plus ecommerce) reported headline sales growth of 21% on the six weeks of peak trading leading up to December 31.

ProCook’s result was driven by a 26% increase in online sales and 16% increase in retail sales during the period that incorporated Black Friday (which saw a 21% increase on 2017), the Christmas build up and the immediate post-Christmas shopping days. Like for like figures also delivered impressive results with retail achieving a 3% increase.

Acknowledging the retailer’s “compelling offers,” ProCook founder Daniel O’Neill said: “We had exceptional growth in 2017 leaving big boots to fill, but we’ve sustained that success and put ourselves us on a good footing for the challenges ahead in 2019.” He added: “British shoppers demand high quality goods that are priced competitively and that’s an arena we can confidently occupy, so we’re very hopeful for the next 12 months. ” Meanwhile John Lewis & Partners saw its like-for-like sales grow by 1.0% in the seven weeks to January 5. Sir Charlie Mayfield, chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, described “a positive Christmas trading period thanks to the extraordinary efforts of Partners in our business, delivering differentiated products and service to customers.”

Selfridges reported a record breaking Christmas, with sales rising 8% in the 24 day lead up to Christmas. Tesco reported its best Christmas sales figures for a decade, up 2.6% in the six weeks to January 5, and Morrisons saw its Christmas sales climb for the fourth consecutive year.

However, at Sainsbury’s (including Argos) general merchandise sales fell by 2.3%, (for the 15 weeks to January 15), despite strong sales growth at Argos during the key Christmas weeks. Marks and Spencer’s clothing and home sales were down 2.8% (on a like-for-like basis for the 13 weeks to December 30).

Among the biggest losers was Debenhams, reporting a 5.7% fall in like-for-like sales in Above: One of the Selfridges Rocks Christmas windows. the 18 weeks to 5 January.

Below: Kitchenware at Dunelm.

Dunelm’s positive quarter Homewares chain Dunelm Group has revealed total like-forlike store revenue growth of +9% for the 13-week period ended December 29 2018.

Like-for-like store revenue increased by +5.7% year on year, while online revenue on Dunelm.com leapt by +37.9%. The total multi-channel revenue for the quarter (ie online revenue plus Reserve & Collect and tablet-based selling instore) comprised 16.5% the retailer’s revenue.

Dunelm stated that (having closed its Worldstores and Kiddicare websites) it is “fully focused on delivering our core Dunelm customer offer.” It is continuing to invest in its new Home of Homes integrated marketing campaign across TV, radio and social media platforms to reach new customers. Dunelm also plans to launch a new website in its fourth quarter, offering Click& Collect.

Looking ahead, Nick Wilkinson, Dunelm's chief executive said: “Despite our strong performance in the year to date, we remain cautious on the outlook for the second half given the on-going uncertainty in the UK economy. However, in the medium term, we see significant opportunity to grow the business by focusing on our customers and seizing opportunities in a digital world."

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Brita is back on TV Market leading water filter company Brita began a £1.5m marketing campaign on January 1, reaching over 11.7m consumers. January 2019 sees the brand having the highest profile on TV for over 10 years.

The 20-second advertisement has been featuring on ITV, Channel 4 and Sky prime time slots such as Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and Hunted.

Will Warren, senior product manager at Brita comments: “The timing is perfect to tap into the consumer appetite for eating, drinking and living healthily early in the year along with continued interest in products that give an environmentally sustainable and economical benefit.”

Brita’s TV campaign is supplemented with a large print, social media and PR presence to help drive sales from numerous retailer promotions..”

Inset: Joe Sugg with his new personalised ZapCap bottle opener from CellarDine.

Jo Sugg loves ZapCap Joe Sugg, celebrity vlogger and contestant on the recent BBC TV series of Strictly Come Dancing recently posted a video on his Youtube vlog channel with his new ZapCap bottle opener from CellarDine. Joe has 3.6 million followers on this channel (and 8 million on his main channel).

In 2017, Imogen Dunne, daughter of CellarDine’s md Peter Dunne met Joe at a book signing and gave him a stainless steel ZapCap, which Joe uses on his channel. CellarDine then created a customised ZapCap for Joe to celebrate his appearance on Strictly. In his vlog, Joe opened the special gift and expressed his appreciation, exclaiming: “I love it – it's awesome.”

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Ambiente welcomes Indian artisans Indian artisans will showcase handmade crafts live at Ambiente as part of India’s partner country activities. India is Ambiente’s eighth consecutive partner country.

Speaking at an event to launch Ambiente 2019, Shri Shantmanu, India’s development commissioner for handicrafts, highlighted the importance of handmade products for India’s economy. “India has 1.3bn inhabitants, of which 10m are artisans,” he explained. “Today, some 20% are connected to global suppliers, with the majority of products still being handmade.”

The partner country presentation – to be designed by Ayush Kasliwal, who exhibited as an up and coming designer in Ambiente’s Talents section several years ago - will cover a wide range of products by traditional Indian artisans.

Meanwhile, the Starry Night Café in Hall 4.1 is designed by Sandeep Sangaru, another leading Indian designer. Working with bamboo, Sandeep has created an opulent Indianstyle ambience where visitors can find moments of peace and quiet.

TOP STORY

Ambiente fanfares Solutions Ambiente (8 to 12 February, Frankfurt am Inset: Visitors to last Main) will once again feature its popular year’s Ambiente look at and insightful Solutions exhibit, which the Solutions showcase. focuses on innovative and creative ways of dealing with everyday issues.

London-based industrial designer Sebastian Bergne has selected 26 products for Solutions, with an eye on practical function and design. The line-up features four products from OXO (including its Silicone Dough Rolling Bag) as well as an innovative fish holder from LMW Leichtmetallguss. The holder ensures fish is cooked evenly in an oven, shortening the overall preparation time. It also has a spice channel so that fish can absorb the aroma of spices.

Other highlights include a kitchen composter by Plastika Skaza, which creates liquid plant fertiliser, and space-saving stackable saucepans by ELO. For those conscious of bad smells in the kitchen or pollution outside, the i-NOSE (Invisible nasal mask by the Hong Kong Exporters’ Association) is an air filter in the form of small, connected plastic spheres, which you wear in both nostrils.

Other exhibits in Solutions (situated in the foyer of Hall 4.0) include Colourworks Multi-Function Tools

by KitchenCraft, Brotzeit bamboo drinking straws from RBV Birkmann and Klean Kanteen’s TKPro stainless steel bottle. The special show includes short videos that show how the kitchen and household gadgets are used.

Ambiente features 4,400 exhibitors from 88 countries and retail buyers from 168 countries, with kitchenware, tableware and housewares spanning Halls 1,3,4,5 (with some tabletop) and the new Halls 12 (featuring Housewares & Storage). The new Kitchen and Housewares Express shuttle bus will connect Halls 1 and 3 with 12. Visit www.ambiente.messefrankfurt.com Right: Kahla at Ambiente 2018. The company is in the new Ethical Style Guide.

Spotlight on sustainability

Above: Leading Indian designer Ayush Kasliwal is creating Ambiente’s Partner Country presentation.

Housewares suppliers are among the 248 companies in the new Ethical Style Guide for Ambiente 2019. All of those featured in the guide are particularly committed to aspects of sustainability.

An expert jury vetted all companies that applied for entry into the Guide, including over 200 new submissions. Some 87 new entrants have made the 2019 Guide in addition to its previous listings. This is the fourth time that the special quality seal is being awarded.

German porcelain manufacturer Kahla is among the companies that emerged as favourites, while other entries in the Guide include Böker knives and the UK’s T&G. The handy Ethical Style Guide booklet will be available for visitors to pick up at the show. It gives information on why the experts see these companies, in particular, as beacons of sustainability.

Inspire Source the latest new housewares collections at Spring Fair, retail’s all-encompassing sourcing marketplace.

56,000+ visitors 2,500 exhibitors 15 show sectors Get your free ticket at springfair.com

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News Below: Creative Tops’ OTT Bee Yourself from KitchenCraft.

TOP STORY

KitchenCraft’s new brand structure

Above: View of The Housewares Show.

Indies welcome at Housewares Show In March, The Housewares Show - run

by Associated Independent Stores (AIS) will again welcome all independent retailers. The unique independent buyer-focused show plays host to market leading suppliers, including Denby, Joseph Joseph and Brabantia.

Some exhibitors will unveil their spring launches for the first time.

With over 70 exhibitors and over 1000 brands (including Smeg, Tefal and Delonghi), the show covers Cookshop, Tabletop, SDA, Home Fragrance and Glassware. Besides a considered and meaningful mix of brands, the show boasts an intimate, relaxed atmosphere, creating a friendly buying environment that is ‘more conducive to making buying and ranging decisions.’

Insightful trend areas will be pocketed around the showrooms, curated by AIS’ buying experts. Using products from exhibitors, the trend areas will also provide ideas on how to create impactful in-store displays and generate add-on sales . Three themes (that appeal across a wide demographic) include Luxe (with marble and metallic highlights) and Tropical Summer, as well as Eco Ranges, such as products made from recycled materials and reusable bottles.

Rachel Breen, event organiser comments on the feature: “We all know the best retailers create inspirational and aspirational in-store displays. Those important finishing touches can result in increasing footfall and prompting customers to buy into a look, raising average transaction values and driving sales.”

The first show day on March 5 (at Cranmore Park, Solihull) will be exclusive to AIS members before doors open to all independent trade on March 6.

Online registration and parking are free and open to all independent buyers.

Attendees can expect a warm welcome, as well as an excellent complimentary lunch and refreshments available throughout the day.

For further information and registration, please visit www.housewaresshow.co.uk.

KitchenCraft is launching a new brand structure that sees Creative Tops presented as one of KitchenCraft’s brands, along with the brands currently managed by Crreative Tops, including La Cafetiere, Mikasa, Katie Alice and V&A. Creative Tops will therefore no longer be a trading name, but the brand will ‘refocus on its strengths in surface pattern design across tablemats, coasters, small tabletop collections and gifts’.

Moreover, Chef’n, Rabbit, London Pottery and Maxwell & Williams will all be presented under the KitchenCraft name.

KitchenCraft will be showcasing all of its brands at both Spring Fair and Ambiente, with two stands at each show; one focused on cook products and one focused on dining products.

Matthew Canwell, KitchenCraft’s managing director commented: “We felt it was important not to lose the individual strengths that each of the brands we now manage has, but instead to reinvigorate them and give them a point a focus and form an integral but clear part of our overall strategy.” He added: “In addition, we aim to simplify the ordering processes for our retail customers going forward and having one main trading name was an essential part of that process.”

Continuing, Matthew explained: “The shows form an essential part of our launch process, showcasing our new product development programme and making it easy for our customers to see, understand and become excited by what the next year has to offer. We have our largest launch ever this year across both the cook and dine categories and mindful of a tough retail climate, we feel there is a great commercial balance behind them all.”

There will be a host of interactive and digital features on KitchenCraft’s new stands at the shows: cookery demonstrations to showcase products (while offering inspiration for in-store activities), tea tasting as part of the London Pottery launch, competitions and window display inspiration, as well as a hydration bar.

PepsiCo completes SodaStream acquisition

Below: Quirky, funky and glamorous characters appear in SodaStream’s latest promotional activity with Boots.

PepsiCo recently announced that it had completed its acquisition of SodaStream International (declared in August), at a company valuation of $3.2 billion.

"I couldn't be prouder or more excited to welcome SodaStream to the PepsiCo family," said Ramon Laguarta, PepsiCo’s ceo. "With its customisable options, SodaStream empowers consumers to personalise their preferred beverage in an environmentally friendly way and provides PepsiCo with a significant presence in the at-home marketplace. “ Ramon added: “Together with SodaStream, I'm confident we can accelerate progress on our shared goal of curbing plastic waste and building a more sustainable future."

Daniel Birnbaum, SodaStream ceo and director welcomed future growth with the support of PepsiCo’s world-leading marketing and R&D teams, and access to new markets and channels. He stated: "We are thrilled to become part of PepsiCo and join its diverse and talented team.

SodaStream was founded to bring healthy, convenient and environmentally friendly beverage options to consumers around the world - and PepsiCo will help us deliver and expand on this mission.” * A new advertising campaign by SodaStream uses the latest media technology to precisely target consumers who live near the 88 Boots stores that are stocking its Genesis sparkling water machine across Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland. The campaign is using Sky’s AdSmart technology, which finds Sky viewers that match the SodaStream demographic.

Tom Kerridge’s new year’s mission In an interview in The Sunday Times (December 30), celebrity chef Tom Kerridge encouraged consumers to start their new year by buying some good kitchen gadgets. He states: “If you get a nice chopping board and a nice knife, you’ll want to use it.”

Tom is also an advocate of the blowtorch, saying: “It’s an edgy sense of danger that brings back enthusiasm and excitement about food.”

The interview coincided with the new book and TV series Tom Kerridge’s Fresh Start where the chef is on a mission to inspire people to cook from scratch for healthier lives.

Right: Tom Kerridge’s new TV series.

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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

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NEWS IN BRIEF

TOP STORY

l Show organisers Clarion Events has confirmed that going forward, Pulse London will co-locate with Top Drawer from September 2019. The merger of the two design-led shows marks the next stage in the evolution of the Top Drawer brand, says Clarion. l Homewares, lifestyle and gift retailer Oliver Bonas (OB) has confirmed that UK Youth is the company’s new Be Kind Charity Partner for 2019 and 2020. The charity was selected because of the vital work it does to support young people across the UK. l CellarDine’s Caddyo bottle chiller and

ChillCore three-in-one system were both shown off by James Martin on his ITV show, James Martin’s Saturday Morning in December, The celebratory chef made complimentary comments about each of the barware products, which were the only two wine related products on the programme. l Sara Miller London Portmeirion’s Geese

mug was another product that received a pre-Christmas boost. It was featured on ITV’s Lorraine show just before Christmas. l Among the five brand new coin designs recently announced by The Royal Mint this month was a £2 coin to commemorate Wedgwood’s 260th anniversary in 2019.

The coin features the Jasperware vase that is arguably the company’s best known product.

Cookshop buyers enjoyed a host of new launches from the international line-up at Top Drawer Spring/Summer 19, which opened its doors from Sunday to Tuesday (January 13-15 London Olympia).

Showstoppers on Burton McCall’s stand (in the Home Above: Tim de Ket showing section) included the new Jamie Oliver Bamix – the 200w high performance cork and leather aprons handheld blender comes with an exclusive recipe book by Jamie. Zoku’s reusable from Stalwart Crafts in Top Drawer’s Craft section. pocket straw (which is collapsible and has its own case) and Aladdin’s fun water bottles with ears were also grabbing buyers’ attention.

BlissHome presented its Nadiya Hussain kitchenware range – the official trade launch for the products, which have received hugely positive feedback from the TV chef’s Instagram following. BlissHome’s Mike Bliss said that reaction to the launch was “like when we first launched Nigella.” A second tranche of products is in development for autumn launch, including cake plates, a bread bin, storage jars, eggcups, oven to tableware and kids’ aprons, revealed Mike.

Also receiving a warm reception were Born in Sweden’s “sculptural” products – including its wine rack that can be creatively constructed by connecting individual pieces. The Scandinavian company has joined Forma House’s portfolio of brands.

Meanwhile, LSA International launched several exciting new collections, including the dramatic Champagne Theatre, which “makes a big impression at an elegant dinner party and is a perfect wedding gift,” says LSA’s Nicole Colledge.

Aprons were part of the chic offering at Top Drawer, including leather designs from Dutch Deluxes, as well as from Stalwart Crafts in the show’s Craft section (first time exhibitors). Tim de Ket, Stalwart Crafts’ director describes his products, which are handcrafted in Spain, as “aprons for life.”

As well as the “rustic” leather styles, the company has created an apron made from cork, which, Tim notes, is “very sustainable.”

With an ‘out of the ordinary’ theme, Top Drawer featured a myriad of unique products from a global edit of 1,500 design-led international and British brands.

Top trends At Top Drawer

l DKB’s Zyliss Cook Ultimate range of

frypans now carries the coveted Good Housekeeping Institute (GHI) accreditation, with impressive reviews of two of its pans.

The Zyliss Cook Ultimate 26cm grillpan scored 98 out of 100, with the GHI saying: “It's a must-have grill pan.” The range will be expanded with new saucepans for 2019. l Australian knife brand, Füri, is proud to be

introducing new products in its range of high-performance knives and knife blocks on the Fackelmann Brands stand at Ambiente 2019. Introductions include two new knife sets, including the six piece wooden Angular Chamber Knife Block Set and Pro Asian Style Knife Set.

Stylish Top Drawer

Three trend experts had their fingers firmly on the pulse of what will be trending in 2019 when Top Drawer opened its doors in midJanuary. Speaking at a RetailFest panel discussion, Sommer Pyne (founder of housewares stockist, House Curious) Louise Healy-Adonis (associate director at Futures Flamingo Global), and Kirsty Whyte (creative & product director at SoHo House Retail), discussed the three Above: The Trend Report panel at Top Drawer. From left to right: Louise Healyhottest trends of 2019, where the key buzzwords are ‘authenticity’, Adonis; Sommer Pyke (House Curious) and ‘individuality’, ‘meaningful’, ‘mental health’, ‘spirituality’, ‘recycling’ and Kristy Whyte (SoHo House Retail). ‘community’. “(Im)Perfect is about authenticity, and celebrating being different,” explained Sommer Pyne. “For example, wonky ceramics, hand drawn lines, recycled materials that produce uneven shapes. It’s about stepping away from mass produced.” According to Louise Healy-Adonis, New Tribe is another trend that will be huge for 2019. “The drivers are individuality, personalisation, traditional skills re-imagined, and heritage, with the younger generations searching for ‘meaningful’,” she emphasised. Sommer highlighted how retailers can offer “community experiences in their shops.”

Harts of Stur’s mobile boost

Art for the home

Vibrant colours and bold, nostalgic artwork are selling points for the aprons and other kitchen textiles by new brand, Virginia Mary James (in the Spotted section at Top Drawer).

Founder, Camilla James is adapting designs by her late aunt, an unknown artist and working with UK manufacturers to create a range of products for each room of the house. Camilla looks forward to launching UK-made ceramics later this year.

Above: Camilla James on the Virginia Mary James stand in the Spotted section.

Harts of Stur (winner of the Excellence in Direct Retailing Award at the Excellence in Housewares Awards 2018) is enjoying increased sales since launching its new online store last year. The retailer recently reported a 36% increase over eight weeks compared to the same period in the previous year, and highlighted a 28% rise in transactions via mobile.

E-commerce director, Graham Hart says that the site was “re-imagined” for today’s consumers “offering a clean and inspiring experience followed by a streamlined checkout across all devices.” He states: “Our store offers a high level of customer service alongside a vast range of products, and we wanted to translate this shopping experience on our new website.”

HartsofStur.com features an intelligent search function and faster site load times provide consumers with a smoother shopping trip. Product recommendations are due to be added.

Above: A view of Harts of Stur’s website, which was re-vamped in 2018.

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As a UK Distributor of many US brands, this show offers us a wonderful platform to spend unpressurised quality time with major UK buyers, which is rare at other shows. It also gives us an opportunity to explore potential new brands with exhibitors showing no resistance to having discussions on the stands.

2019 2 – 5 March Chicago, USA

We always enjoy being in Chicago, and appreciate the excellent organisation of the Show.

Mohamed Hajat Head of Sales – Home, Garden & DIY Burton McCall Ltd

Show information and free online pre-registration: www.housewares.org For travel arrangements, contact Expose Travel: Paul Vasdev, Tel: +44 1883 349576, Email: paul@exposetravel.uk

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PEOPLE l The Rainy Day Trust has appointed Sarah Ravenscroft as the charity’s first ever fundraising manager. Sarah (pictured) joins with a strong background in the charity sector, having worked for a regional building preservation trust and cancer charity before leaving to work freelance as a fundraiser, project manager and event organiser. She started her career working on community and economic development projects in the north west and in recent years she has also worked as an artist and band manager!

Commenting on her appointment, the Rainy Day Trust ceo Bryan Clover said Sarah was joining at an important time for the charity. “We're delighted that Sarah is joining our small team. She brings a wealth of experience from a Community Fundraising perspective and will be central to our efforts to grow the Charity and deliver the help that people from the home improvement world so desperately need.

The Rainy Day Trust is now set for a period of sustained growth and development about which we are all extremely excited."

Sarah took up her appointment in January and will be at the Spring Fair (Hall 9, A57).

“The Spring Fair is perfect timing for me, as it means I can hit the ground running, meeting people in housewares and DIY. Please do come to the RDT stand and say hello!” l PHA KitchEssentials is delighted to

announce Peter Battersby (above) has joined the team in a consultancy and sales capacity.

PHA, headed by Paul Hargreaves, distributes a range of predominantly North American brands including Stasher, Packit, Cuisipro, Architec and Prepara. Peter will be focusing initially on the Packit and Stasher brands.

TOP STORY

Taylor Eye’s Alastair speaks out on knives Kitchen knives suppliers could become “collateral damage” in the fight against knives crime, said Alastair Fisher, director of Taylors Eye Witness when speaking on BBC Radio 4’s You and Yours programme recently.

The knives expert expressed his concerns about the government’s proposed Above: An excerpt from ban on the delivery of online knives sales to residential addresses. If changes in Taylors Eye Witness’ video the law (resulting from The Offensive Weapons Bill) are to go ahead, consumers on the making of its Heritage knives in Sheffield. may then have to collect online knives purchases from a retailer or depot, showing age identification.

Alastair spoke about the “seismic shift in the way that our goods are sold.” He elaborated: “Five years ago only a small percentage of our business was via online traders. That has grown massively and in five years’ time, it’s going to be a huge percentage of our business.”

While recognising the severity of rising knife crimes and expressing sadness at the misuse of knives, Alastair argued that the proposed new law would not tackle the problem effectively. This is because there are “between five and 25 knives in every home,” meaning some 400 million knives are already in domestic circulation. Envisaging the impact on knives’ sales, Alastair stated: “It’s bound to be a disincentive for people to invest in new and better kitchen knives.”

The interview took place in Taylors Eye Witness’ showroom and its new factory in Sheffield prior to a meeting between knives manufacturers and government ministers. Alastair pointed out that Sheffield was also home to a number of small businesses making knives that sell online.

Brabantia makes PET-free pledge Brabantia is making a stand against plastic pollution by signing a pledge with Dutch water bottle brand Dopper to go PET-free. The company is introducing re-usable water bottles for its 1,000 staff around the world. At Brabantia’s UK headquarters in Nalisea, all 58 employees have been given a reusable Dopper bottle so they have no need for single-use plastic water bottles.

This new company-wide initiative supports Brabantia’s vision to help reduce the eight million tons of plastic waste that ends up in the world’s oceans every year, much of which consists of single-use plastic (PET) bottles.

UK commercial director David Slater commented on Brabantia’s new PET-free workspace: “This collaboration with Dopper has removed all single use PET water bottles from our workspace, making them a thing of the past. Our partnership with Dopper further strengthens our mission of wanting to be part of the solution, not part of the problem.”

Brabantia continues to put sustainability high on its agenda across business practices and product design. Its partnerships include working alongside WeForest in tree planting to reduce global warming and The Ocean Cleanup in its mission to rid the world’s oceans of plastic waste.

The company’s latest charity initiative is with The Hunger Project: donating funds for the training of one person for every Brabantia storage jar sold.

Below: Hand blown glass at Dartington.

Bowls of contentment

Below: Bowls of Plenty is a new collection from Royal Doulton.

Royal Doulton is embracing the ‘Hygge movement’ of making time to create peaceful moments and create a sense of contentment with its major spring launch, Bowls of Plenty. Senior market manager, Antony Robson recognises that connection and comfort are at the “forefront of more casual lifestyles and food now needs to look photogenic for sharing on social media.”

He also highlights that: “Bowl shapes are increasingly designed without a lip,” providing a frame for the food, while the rise of international cuisine and ‘nourish bowls’ are helping to create a feast for the eyes as well as tastebuds. Antony describes the new collection (with its “perfectly imperfect shapes”) as “visual, tactile and practical.”

According to a 2017 Report, sales of bowls have increased by 5% compared to a 12% decline in the sales of plates.

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Dartington in ‘Made in Britain’ TV series Devon based crystal and glass maker Dartington was one of the stars of the ITV 4 documentary series ‘Made in Britain.’ The programme has featured many great British manufacturing businesses and their products.

The 30-minute programme aired in December, showed how the classic Dimple Double Old Fashioned tumbler is mouth-blown and hand crafted from molten crystal. The filming included the design ethos of head designer Hillary Green and commentary from commercial director Richard Halliday.

Following the programme, Richard said: "Our hand-made glass making is very visual and makes great watching. We were delighted to be invited to take part in this production and it showed our brand and the skilled making team in a very positive way."

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News Inset: Pantone Color Institute’s Leatrice Eiseman speaking at Chicago’s IH+HS last year and, as typical, wearing the current Colour of the Year.

Pantone Colour of the Year is Living Coral The Pantone Color Institute has declared that Pantone 16-1546 Living Coral is the Colour of the Year for 2019. Describing it as ‘vibrant, yet mellow,’ the colour ‘embraces us with warmth and nourishment to provide comfort and buoyancy in our continually shifting environment.’

With so much exposure to digital technology and social media, consumers are apparently ‘seeking authentic and immersive experiences that enable connection and intimacy’.

Pantone describes the colour as ‘nurturing’ and links it to ‘optimism and joyful pursuits.’ It is apparent both in our natural environment and within digital platforms.

“Colour is an equalising lens through which we experience our natural and digital realities and this is particularly true for Living Coral,” commented Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “With consumers craving human interaction and social connection, the humanising and heartening qualities displayed by the convivial Pantone Living Coral hit a responsive chord.”

Pantone acknowledges that Living Coral appeals across ages and genders and has an uplifting influence in the home, where it can add ‘a dramatic pop of colour to any room setting whether in decorative accessories, tabletop, or on the wall.’ Its use in product packaging is said to encourage consumers to reach out and engage.

Inset: An image from Pantone’s short video to introduce its Colour of the Year: ‘Living Coral is evocative of how coral reefs provide shelter to a diverse kaleidoscope of colour.’

TOP STORY

Potters Cookshop heads for Chicago Potters Cookshop, Hockley will join 29 other exemplary housewares and home retailers from around the world as the national gia winners gather in Chicago for the gia gala and International Home + Housewares Show (IH+HS).

The IHA and IH+HS, gia (Global Innovation Awards) organisers, and global sponsors have announced the 30 national gia winners which also include Jumbled of Australia, Tania Bulhões of Brazil, LivingKitchen of China Bahne of Denmark, Ajmal Bismi Enterprise of India, Arboretum Home and Garden Heaven of Ireland, Abitare Baleri of Italy, Futako Tamagawa of Japan, Liverpool of Mexico, Glediz of Russia, and Kitchen Art Vietnam. The two Above: Tom and Alison received the USA winners are Absolutely Fabulous (gift retaliers) and Artichoke (housewares). gia UK winner certificate from the IHA’s Mark Adkison at the Excellence The national winners will be celebrated at a gia gala on March 2, coinciding with in Housewares Awards last year. the IH+HS (March 2-5). The event will also see the announcement of five global They will be presented with their honorees and winners of the Martin M Pegler and gia Digital Commerce Award. trophy at the gia gala in March.

The national winners also are featured in the gia showcase in the IH+HS’ Hall of Global Innovation and on banners in the walkway that connects the Grand Concourse and the Lakeside Centre.

Potters’ Tom Carter, director and Alison Hobbs, sales assistant and visual merchandiser will be making the most of their trip to Chicago, with a busy schedule taking in IH+HS and visits to the city’s wide range of housewares retailers. The duo is also travelling to New York to gain further inspiration from NY’s vibrant retail scene.

As part of gia’s educational offering, on March 4, the four gia expert jurors (Wolfgang Gruschwitz, Scott Kohno, Henrik Peter Reisby Nielsen and Anne Kong) will present a special session in the IH+HS’ Innovation Theatre: ‘Innovative Retail Trends 2019.’ * PH is the exclusive UK gia sponsor. For more on Potters Cookshop, see pages 58-59.

See www.housewares.org/show/gia-retail.

For more information on the 2019 IH+HS, visit www.housewares.org.

Smart talk in Chicago Recognising a key trending category, the 2019 IH+HS presents the expanded IHA Smart Home pavilion, with more than 30 exhibitors of smart home brands and connected products presenting the future of housewares. Moreover, The Smart Talks educational stage in the pavilion features presentations, panel discussions and interviews with industry leaders. Visitors will be treated to “a menu of snack-sized information from established experts discussing the rapidly evolving Internet of Things (IoT) technologies and how these developments impact the housewares industry,” explains IHA’s vice president, international Mark Adkison.

The Smart Home pavilion also features a display by b8ta, a retail store and platform that helps bring innovative, smart and highly designed products to market in a new retail-as-a-service model. B8ta will provide attendees with the newest ideas in smart-related products for the home, housewares and more.

The IH+HS’ world-class educational offerings also includes keynote presentations by colour expert Leatrice (Lee) Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute March 4 and 5 at noon), and consumer lifestyle guru Tom Mirabile, senior vice president, Global Trend & Design, at Lifetime Brands (presenting Top Trends on March 4, 7:30am).

Meanwhile, Erika Sirimanne, head of Home & Garden at Euromonitor International, will explore consumer and retail trends worldwide in the keynote seminar, Digital Disruption: Exploring Underlying Consumer Trends Influencing Retailers of Tomorrow (March 3 at noon). Presentations in the Innovation Theatre include Global Home and Interior Trends for 2020 by Naomi Pollard of Trend Bible.

Above: The Smart Talks stage at last year’s IH+HS. Visit www.housewares.org

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2 Above: bira’s head office in Birmingham.

Celebrating 120 years It is a big year for the bira, which celebrates 120 years of supporting independent retailers. With a programme of activities to span the year, the association has announced a special membership offer from £120 (ex VAT – see below).

Since 1889 when bira’s predecessors - the Drapers Chamber of Trade (DCT) was formed, and following a number of business acquisitions and partnerships, including the British Shops and Stores Association and the British Hardware Federation in 2009, bira has championed independents.

Today bira represents thousands of independent businesses, from cookshops and hardware stores to pet, furniture and coffee shops anywhere that has a business rated premises. Members benefit from exclusive service offers, better buying terms and business support. bira also works behind the scenes to promote the interests of independent businesses with Government, fighting on things like business rates, knife sales and parking. bira CEO, Andrew Goodacre said: “We are incredibly proud of our 120-year heritage. In this tough economic climate and the incredible changes that retail is currently going through, to still have members today that joined at the very beginning 120 years ago really is an achievement. It shows how well independent retailers can adapt to change in order to survive, by constantly adapting to their changing customers and environment.”

To find out about bira’s special membership offer (membership usually starts from £205 +VAT based on turnover), visit bira.co.uk/membership-120 or contact the membership team on 0800 028 0245.

019 will see plenty of challenges and opportunities for retailers in the housewares sector. Potentially even more than in 2018, as we see the results of Brexit (or not as might be the case), the Government delivering on a reduction in business rates and the effects of the £695million fund to support high streets.

2018 was not an easy year. However, among all the negatives we can talk about, it does seem that the Government is finally taking notice and looking at ways to support our town centres and high streets. At the end of 2018 we put our member Martin Foster from Above: Last year, bira’s Lakeland Leather forward to speak to the Select Committee looking at the campaign for rate reform future of the high street. Martin did a great job explaining the rising costs his saw a delegation to parliament (including Andrew business faces and the effect rates, rents and people costs have had on his Goodacre, centre right). business. And by all accounts they did seem to recognise the issues faced.

We as an association are not immune to the challenges facing retail businesses. However, it is our view that now more than ever retailers need us, and our collective strength. Retailers need someone in their corner, offering them the best deals, that they wouldn’t get by going direct and they need us to fight their corner in government.

For example, as a direct result of bira’s lobbying of government, small businesses with a rateable value below £51,000 will see a reduction in their rates bill as from April 2019. Parking will be a hot topic for our Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee this year too. And we’ll be after your views on the issues you face in your local area to support our campaign.

I also urge retailers to come to us and discuss the services we offer and what discounts are available to you. In particular, our links with housewares suppliers through our buying group bira direct could save you money and we also have suppliers that can help cut down your back-office costs.

If you are an independent retail business and would like to know more about how membership to our organisation can help you through these challenging times, please get in touch with our friendly membership team on 0800 028 0245. We’d love to hear from you.

Andrew Goodacre, ceo, bira

Footfall drivers success continues for 2019 The trend-led offers campaign from bira direct will continue throughout 2019, following good sales in 2018. bira direct’s Footfall Drivers campaign gives bira members access to exclusive promotions on trending products. The products have been carefully curated by the bira direct team, looking at the latest and future trends that will enhance footfall to the business.

The 2019 offers will focus on new year essentials, sustainable and ecofriendly products, longevity giftware, heritage products and colour trends.

Members have access to special offers, rebates, preferential terms and lower carriage paid thresholds with 170 suppliers and 2000 associated brands through bira direct.

Visit biradirect.co.uk for more information Right: Sustainable and healthy living and to sign up to Footfall Drivers. products are a trend for 2019.

Mental health first aid in the workplace debated A parliamentary debate on mental health first aid in the workplace took place on January 17 (as PH went to press). This is the result of the open letter to the Prime Minister regarding an amendment to the Health and Safety in the workplace regulation.

The Backbench Business debate is sponsored by a cross party trio of MPs: Luciana Berger MP (Lab), Norman Lamb MP (Lib Dem) and Jonny Mercer MP (Con) and will ensure parliamentarians are urged to answer the calls from across society to put mental and physical first aid on equal footing. If successful, the Government would enact its manifesto pledge to amend the Health and Safety regulations, requiring every employer to make provision around mental, as well as physical, first aid. bira’s Andrew Goodacre co-signed the letter in 2018 in order to support retailers with dealing with any issues that arise both physically and mentally within their business. Andrew is keen to stress that this must be handled as part of the training retailers would already have to deal with physical health, in order to avoid placing more of a burden on retailers.

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HousewaresNews.net is the new online resource for the entire housewares sector.

From the publishers of Progressive Housewares, and the organisers of The Excellence in Housewares Awards, this new e-newsflash portal and website delivers and is the hub of the very latest news, views and analysis from across the housewares sector – covering both supplier and retailer aspects of the trade.

Launched with an expertly qualified email subscriber base of 3547 (and rising) readers, the twice-weekly newsflash lands directly in the inboxes of everyone in this fastpaced sector. A modern, easy to navigate website provides a central resource for the trade too, offering pithy news, indepth articles, an industry jobs board, retail analysis, digital issues of Progressive Housewares, and much, much more.

All advertising on the website is duplicated to each and every newsflash, giving advertisers huge visibility and a direct connection with retail buyers for a whole calendar month.

HousewaresNews.net is published by housewares sector experts, for housewares trade experts.

To sign up for the HousewaresNews.net newsletter please visit www.HousewaresNews.net

Advertising and commercial opportunities: John Barry advertisement manager johnb@max-publishing.co.uk Rob Willis publishing director robw@max-publishing.co.uk Editorial and content opportunities: Jo Howard editor joh@max-publishing.co.uk Housewares.net_single.indd 1

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BHETA now owns Exclusively Shows outright BHETA (British Home Enhancement Trade Association) has purchased the two minority shareholdings in Brooke House Exhibitions (the owner of the Exclusively Housewares and Exclusively Electrical shows) from Simon Boyd and Christopher Leonard-Morgan. BHETA was previously the third shareholder in Brooke House Exhibitions.

BHETA’s executive chairman Andrew Weiss commented: “Following a strategic review it became clear that it would be in the best interests of our members to keep this valuable asset wholly owned by the association. We also felt that by combining the marketing and operational activities for the events under the BHETA banner, we could continue to invest in ensuring the exhibitions remain major dates for the diary in the housewares and small domestic electricals calendars.”

Both shareholders had expressed a desire to divest their investments, Top: Islington’s Business and the transaction was completed following an independent valuation of Design Centre, home to the the business and subsequent recommendations from BHETA’s advisors. Exclusively Shows.

Above: Simon Boyd will Simon Boyd has been retained in a role of marketing and continue to organise the Exclusively Shows in operations consultant for the shows, reporting to Will Jones, BHETA’s housewares executive director, who will continue in his role as chairman the role of marketing and operations consultant. of the management committee.

Andrew Weiss confirmed: “There will be no outward change to the event – BHETA has simply increased its shareholding as, after 17 years of support, the other shareholders have decided to move on. We are very grateful for both their contributions in making the Exclusively Shows so successful.

“Looking forward, this not only facilitates BHETA’s ongoing support and commitment to the Exclusively brand, it also allows us to streamline some activities within BHETA and as a result gear up to provide even greater support for all our members across the board.”

l The Exclusively Shows return on June 13-14.

Below: Image of BHETA’s Retailer Zone.

Live links to GfK updates BHETA’s quarterly retail data service, which has proved a big hit with members now features live links to all the product groups represented in the four categories detailed in BHETA’s online Retailer Zone. This latest refinement to BHETA’s quarterly presentation of GfK’s most recent EPOS data enables BHETA members to check where their ranges sit in relation to national statistics instantly and easily.

Circulated in infographic form, the BHETA GfK Quarterly POS Index is available to members on an exclusive basis thanks to the trade association’s partnership with research and data provider GfK. The latest batch of EPOS information featured value growth more or less across the board even if volumes are down; evidence that many consumers now seeking out the best available products. There is also a demonstrable increase in the importance of comfort and simplicity when looking at popular types of products.

The Retailer Zone features information from all suppliers who are BHETA members across the home enhancement, home improvement and garden sectors, and provides a real-time search function – by product category, by brand and by supplier. The industry tool (accessible from laptop, tablet or phone) enables retail buying teams to find inspiration for future listings as well as product and supplier details.

It’s show time for BHETA BHETA members and representatives will be out in force at Spring Fair (February 3-7), Ambiente (February 8-12) and Chicago’s IH+HS (March 2-5). The association is offering members a meeting space - a place to catch up on industry news, issues and opportunities and a chance to hear about BHETA’s extensive and exciting events programme for 2019.

“I look forward to welcoming as many BHETA members as possible to all three shows,” states BHETA’s housewares sector director, Will Jones.

Inset: A view of Messe Fankfurt’s new Hall 12 – home to Housewares & Storage at Ambiente 2019.

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Taking stock of credit and risks BHETA holds another of its popular Credit Forums on March 26, including its regular update on all current credit and risk management issues in the retail sector. The event follows on from the pre-Christmas forum, which was the best attended ever with twenty housewares and DIY suppliers around the table.

Hosted by Experian, the forum’s agenda includes an overview of the current trading climate, specific retail accounts and how they are performing against trading terms, topical issues such as corporate purchases and reinvestment as well as a general overview of the retail sector.

BHETA’s housewares sector director, Will Jones commented, “While cynics could argue that it’s the challenging nature of the times which motivates the rising turnout, the general conversation at BHETA credit forums is actually getting more upbeat. Inevitably certain retail names are mentioned as they always are, but now these name checks are very much in the context of starting or restarting relationships in the wake of new investments.

“It’s all about mutual support yielding mutual benefit and the overall conclusion was that while times might still be challenging, and the high street is still a difficult place, there are a good number of retailers reporting growth including positive Christmas volumes, and it is an increasingly opportune time to explore all these routes to market again.”

BHETA members who have not previously been to a Credit Forum (aimed primarily at suppliers’ credit and finance professionals) are invited free of charge on the first occasion, while a full Credit Forum membership costs £350 per annum for the three sessions.

Contact BHETA Member Services Team on 0121 237 1130 or email at dc@bheta.co.uk.

24-27 Advertorial Ulti Prod.qxp_Grid 21/01/2019 11:39 Page 1

ADVERTORIAL FEATURE Inset: The in-house design department at Ultimate Products has helped it become the largest product sourcing and design company in the UK.

Passionate §

about

products

Simon Showman knows a thing or two about designing products coveted by both retailer and consumer that outsell the competition every time.

The founder and CEO of the award-winning Ultimate Products – now the UK’s largest independent product sourcing and design company – is renowned for his business acumen, and little wonder when you consider it’s been honed over 22 years since he first co-founded Ultimate back in 1997.

S

ince then it has grown exponentially from a local stock clearance company to a retail industry leader whose expertise and reputation for innovative, on-trend design, amazing client service and speedy delivery to market now span two continents, with offices and showrooms in Manchester, Belgium, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, and Germany.

Every story starts with a brilliant idea,

Inset: Chief Executive Simon Showman cofounded Ultimate Products back in 1997

and that’s at the heart of everything Ultimate’s team of 280 talented people produces, and has been the case since Simon launched the company alongside his then girlfriend Hayley, now his wife, with whom he has three boys, and gained his first satisfied retailer customer.

That first deal involved selling a container of Venetian mini blinds to a UK DIY retailer, but nowadays Ultimate works in partnership with some of the biggest licensed homewares brands around, including Russell Hobbs and Salter. And then of course there’s the company’s own brands, including cookware

“We want to make sure everyone has beautiful products in their home at the right price – that’s what we do.”

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24-27 Advertorial Ulti Prod.qxp_Grid 21/01/2019 11:39 Page 2

ADVERTORIAL FEATURE

Branded for success Ultimate Products specialises in all areas of product design, from exciting collaborations with licensed brands, to its own brands and exclusive ranges for some of the biggest retailers in the business.

Ultimate is also proud to work with leading brand Salter, that has been creating and manufacturing lifestyle-enhancing products for over 250 years.

In August 2015, Ultimate acquired exciting cookware brand Progress, renowned for making high quality, great value products since it was established in Burnley, Lancashire, back in 1931. This is a classic brand with wonderful heritage but a 21st Century outlook, and Ultimate relaunched it with a range of stylish products in 2016.

Leading laundry and homewares brand Beldray is another of Ultimate’s proud acquisitions. As well as becoming synonymous with household quality, this is a brand also coveted for its innovation, and was the inventor of the adjustable ironing board.

Beldray now offers a wide range of exciting products, including vacuum and steam cleaners, storage solutions, airers, fans and heaters.

In terms of other homewares brands to shout about, Ultimate has launched the Cambridge collection which centres on superior quality tableware designed to bring both beauty and practicality to the daily routine. The designers at Ultimate have combined eye-catching colours with both classic and contemporary styles to create ranges such as Kayan serveware for Cambridge.

Another successful range for Ultimate is Portobello by Inspire. Influenced by London’s iconic Portobello Road, this is a fresh, chic range of kitchenware that mixes a hint of sophistication with individual design flair. Think fine bone china with a vintage feel that allows consumers to bring modern elegance into their home.

Left: Ultimate’s leading laundry and homewares brand Beldray offers a wide range of exciting products.

Right: Ultimate’s amazing 20,000 square foot retail hall is housed in the historic Manor Mill building in Manchester.

Below: Ultimate Products is proud to work on an array of different ranges with iconic licensed brands.

brand Progress, iconic Beldray and much loved heritage brand Kleeneze, which Ultimate acquired in June 2018 and will relaunch with a range of exciting new products at Spring Fair.

Ultimate has carefully honed relationships with more than 300 retailers in 38 countries, including Tesco, Argos, Sainsbury's and Robert Dyas here in the UK and Bed, Bath and Beyond in the States, and works with everyone from independents to the largest of department stores. This is a company that offers something for everyone, from licensed products to PROGRESSIVE

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its own brands, and quite literally creates magic at the amazing 20,000 square foot showroom in Manchester where all the latest lines are shown off to optimum effect.

“We want to make sure everyone has beautiful products in their home at the right price – that’s what we

24-27 Advertorial Ulti Prod.qxp_Grid 21/01/2019 11:39 Page 3

ADVERTORIAL FEATURE

Inset: The own-brand Cambridge collection boasts superior quality tableware, such as the Kayan Bamboo Serveware range.

do,” Simon says. “Ultimate’s success is down to our amazing people – the design team, the buying team, the merchandising team and the quality control team.

“We have a 98% record of on time delivery to retailers, and our service is simple yet hugely effective. We deliver a quality product on time and at the right price and we offer fabulous packaging and merchandising solutions that are all produced in house – everything from photography and videography to on-shelf packaging.

“We deliver what retailers want at that magic price point and our speed to market is faster than everyone else.

We outsell the competition every time; the products that we dream up and design fly off shop shelves and that’s why companies come back to us time and again.”

Ultimate set up its own graduate scheme seven years ago and Simon says the strength of that training and the vision of the people who work for the company is why it is so vibrant and successful. “An amazing 35% of the team have either been on the graduate scheme or are on it now, and that inspiring spirit of entrepreneurship runs throughout everything we do,” he explains.

Ultimate, which was named Business of the Year by the Manchester Evening News back in 2005, opened its 10,000 square foot showroom in Guangzhou in October 2006, and has recently opened one of the same size in Cologne with plans to expand across Europe.

“We’ve been working in Germany for more than 18 months and a main focus for us looking ahead is retailers across

Inset: The in-house design department at Ultimate are responsible for visual inspiration across the business – including dressing show stands at events like Spring Fair.

Design dreams From the first fragment of an idea to beautifully finished mock-up store displays and packaging designed to showcase a new product in the best way possible, Ultimate Products’ in-house design department really is a creative powerhouse that sets this visionary company apart from the competition.

Ultimate’s more than 20-strong design team is one of the biggest in the country, and quite simply a ‘one-stop shop’ for customers, offering retailers complete design solutions, taking products from the drawing board to the style guide that thinks of everything, ensuring a new range will fly off shop shelves.

Based in Manchester, the in-house design department is made up of the surface pattern team who specialise in bespoke finishes and hand-painted designs that go on to be combined with the latest technological tools in the industry, concept and photography who can produce everything

the continent,” Simon reveals. “Real points of interest for us throughout 2019 and beyond are discounters, online, international and UK supermarkets.

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you could ever possibly need in terms of packaging and branding, the artwork team, including four copywriters, three full-time photographers and even a full-time videographer.

From producing in-depth trend reports twice a year, style presentations for retail clients and selecting colour palettes across Ultimate’s exciting portfolio of products – both licensed and own brand – to dressing trade show stands and units and coming up with fresh and exciting new product finishes, the design division ensures that central to every brilliant idea is a particular client’s tone and style.

And with artwork all produced entirely in-house, Ultimate’s design team can offer customers a truly bespoke and streamlined service offering a real point of difference. Standing out from the crowd in terms of brilliant visual and product ideas has never been so easy!

“I’m incredibly proud when I look back at what our talented team has built to date, and the future is going to be incredibly exciting for Ultimate as well.”

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ADVERTORIAL FEATURE

Cleaning up with Kleeneze Kleeneze has long been a brand with an envied reputation for creating quality products that offer real value, as well as providing innovative solutions for the home.

Believe it or not, it all started for the cleaning, laundry and homewares brand back in 1923 in a Bristol broom cupboard, from where founder Harry Crook started producing handmade, twisted-in-wire brushes. By the 1930s Kleeneze had hit a million-pound turnover, and in the 1980s the brand helped found the Direct Selling Association, promoting ethical business

practice across the industry.

And now this wonderful heritage story continues with the expertise of Ultimate Products, after the company bought the brand in June 2018 out of administration.

Kleeneze is a perfect addition to Ultimate’s exciting portfolio of brands, and a broad new range of laundry and floorcare products has been developed to coincide with a brand relaunch this spring and summer. In fact retailers will be able to check out some of the amazing new lines at Spring Fair this year, held on 2–7th February, Hall 12, Stand G04–J05.

When it comes to the rebrand, expect

a carefully curated mix of bright and pastel colours, modern logos, fonts and imagery and products designed with clear and impactful features in mind.

Ultimate Products will continue to produce products customers know and love Kleeneze for, focusing on laundry and items that combine clever design with amazing value for money. The new 2019 range will include; laundry and cleaning products, electrical floorcare appliances, heating and cooling home essentials and irons, steamers and handheld cleaners.

Next up, European expansion Outside of the UK, the European retail market is Ultimate Products’ biggest focus, and something the company has been concentrating on for more than 18 months now.

And having already enjoyed great progress in Germany with the opening of a number of major retail accounts, Ultimate opened its impressive new European base in the form of a 10,000 square foot showroom in Cologne in April 2018.

This exciting space will provide a great showcase for bringing Ultimate’s products to European retail customers, with all ranges and brands for this new territory having been designed and developed by Ultimate’s talented team to specifically suit the market.

Ultimate sees its Cologne base as a launch pad from where, over time, it can expand into other territories in Central and Western Europe.

Inset & top: Ultimate has a an impressive 10,000 square foot showroom in Cologne, which will be a launch pad for the company’s European expansion

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28-31 FFT.qxp_Grid 21/01/2019 08:16 Page 1

Food for thought

State of the

housewares nation The ditching of disposals, the demise and buyout of a major retailer, and of course, Brexit feature as among the major influences on the housewares sector in the last year, presenting some of the challenges and opportunities for the year ahead. PH asked several industry figures to look back and forwards.

Reasons to shop Matthew Canwell, managing director, KitchenCraft LOOKING BACK “Clearly the over-arching topic has been Brexit - but underlying that have been a number of other trends that will shape the way we buy and sell in the future for the better.

I’m referring to the renewed and sustained focus on the use of plastics in both packaging and products.

In one programme Sir David Attenborough changed public perception for good (pun intended). And that has led to an all out war on waste in packaging goods, which can only be a good thing.

At KitchenCraft we are reviewing all our packaging, removing plastics and generally reducing what we use. And our aim is to have completed this by 2020.”

Centre right: Instragram has a very high proportion of foodie photos.

Inset: Kitchen Craft’s Matthew Canwell.

Inset: The plight of dolphins (exposed by the powerful BBC series with David Attenborough, Blue Planet 2) turned consumer opinion against single-use plastic at the end of 2017, influencing the rise of re-usable housewares options.

Reflections and predictions PH put the following two questions to several leading figures in the housewares industry:

LOOKING BACK

LOOKING FORWARD

What trend or event will 2018 be remembered for, and how has this affected the housewares industry?

What challenge or opportunity would you highlight for the housewares industry in 2019, and how should the industry best address this?

LOOKING FORWARD “I think we are all challenged by the way consumers are changing their approach to shopping. Convenience has always been a critical factor in driving behaviour.

Today that sees the rise and rise of the internet, which is challenging bricks and

mortar retailing - especially as more than 50% of shopping journeys now start on the internet.

But there’s a place for both, as we still want the entertainment of going to the shops as much as we want the convenience of buying at home and having products delivered to PROGRESSIVE

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us at work the next day.

The internet struggles to launch new ideas as how do you search for something you don’t know exists?

However, physical retail excels at that, and is able to put new ideas directly in front of customers’ eyes.

While much is talked about theatre in retail, I don't think anyone has completely cracked that. For me it’s all about a combination of demonstrations - our products demonstrate so well and creates things customers can eat or drink!

Ultimately we work in the food business, and that gives us immense opportunity to engage in a topic everyone is interested in - more than half the photographs on Instagram are of food!

Solving the future of our bricks and mortar retailing is based on driving footfall. And footfall is driven by interest in what is on offer; product alone isn’t enough anymore. We have to give customers a reason to make a journey to see us, and make it worth their while.”

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Food for thought

Price driven activity Amanda Reed, buying controller, Leekes LOOKING BACK “The event that affected the industry most significantly in 2018 was the demise of House of Fraser and the impact that had on the high street. The subsequent buyout and the instability of pricing led to unprecedented price activity, particularly visible online and required a change in buying practices to become deal-focussed to drive footfall both in store and online.

John Lewis & Partners’ half year results - showing such a massive reduction in profit - created more uncertainty and unpredictable trading. Suppliers implemented cost savings and restricted representation and, in some cases, distribution. Ensuring newness to maintain interest became a focus while the industry at large appeared to take stock and start reviewing its businesses.

Online sales dominated in the run up to Christmas, reinforcing the need for omni-channel retailing and the growth in the infrastructure required to support online retail. New skills need to be learned quickly if the independent sector is to compete in this area. The Next sales results of -7% in store but increased trading overall reflect the online shopping trend that will only grow. The supply base became B2C focussed and certain suppliers such as Le Creuset were the best in market price on its own B2C online platforms in the winter sales, ahead of the retailers.”

LOOKING FORWARD

Inset: House of Fraser.

Right: Amanda suggests that ‘Made in UK’ displays in stores could attract consumers.

“In addition to the still unpredictable high street, the biggest challenge to the industry is maintaining calm throughout Brexit. Customer confidence is shaken already and the further uncertainty that Brexit is causing requires a steady pair of hands and clever buying. In-store events to drive customers into the business can be ‘made in the UK’ themed and constant assurances of continuous supply of goods is key. Using online to drive store sales is important and ensuring store based offers are marketed properly online is a key challenge.

The opportunity is to mop up where others fall, by presenting the very best ranges with newness and choice. Now is the time for our supply base to become brave and confidently launch new ranges with style and creativity. Those who are strong in the market will back the supply base and jointly market the goods to the customer.

The key is strong, solid partnerships with the supply base to ride through the Brexit uncertainty and come out the other side in a profitable position.

If Dunelm can do it then surely we all can?”

Re-thinking plastic Elaine Hooper, partner and Cookshop buyer of John Lewis & Partners LOOKING BACK “Consumers have become so much more aware of the impact plastics have on the environment. The programme ‘Drowning in Plastic’ was a huge eye opener to us all and we have seen throughout the year how consumers’ attitudes to plastic are changing. Reducing the use of micro plastics, plastic bags, plastic bottles are all high on everyone's agenda to better our lives and the future of marine life in our oceans.

As a result sales of refillable cups, water bottles, water filters, food storage and food on the go containers have all seen a huge surge in popularity and this is set to continue.

LOOKING FORWARD “As per my previous comment we all need to be aware of how goods are packaged. Waitrose for example has reduced packaging by 50% since 2009 and is trialling new ways of shopping, as well as introducing alternatives to nonrecyclable packaging.

We constantly evaluate what we can do better to mitigate the impact on the environment. We also need to ensure we are making it easy for customers to hydrate by introducing water fountains and offering discounts when buying hot drinks using refillable cups in our restaurants. We are also ensuring we offer fantastic choice for consumers who are committed to reducing food waste as well as plastics.”

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Above: Pyramid’s new launches will include eco-friendly products.

Inset: Food on the go containers are seeing rising sales at John Lewis & Partners (photo of bobble box from Auteur).

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Food for thought

Besides Brexit

LOOKING FORWARD

Will Jones, executive director – housewares and home improvement, BHETA LOOKING BACK “For many suppliers, retailers and potentially consumers too, the on-going drama of Brexit has unfortunately been a dominant factor throughout the year. Whether as an unwanted distraction, or much more seriously as a barrier to effective planning for the future, we now face the prospect of further indecision plaguing this and, of course, other industries well into 2019. The consequence has been an undermining of negotiating confidence and a tendency to hold off committing to anything significant; neither of which is good for the industry.

Had it not been for the Brexit factor, however, I would have said that 2018 should be remembered in the housewares industry for the extraordinary impact of its hot summer, combined with England’s positive run in the World Cup, combined with the wedding of Harry and Meghan. All of which show just how much the UK consumer wants to celebrate the positive, even in times of general adversity. Thanks to the phenomenal weather, we saw retail up 2.1% in the three months to June, which was the biggest increase for over three years and July followed on with a rise of 0.7% in the quantity bought compared to June and up 3.5% when compared with the same time the previous year. The biggest rise of all in the housewares sector was in barware. For those that were able to take full advantage of the spike – whether by predicting it and investing in stock or managing the supply chain effectively, or getting a promotional programme out into store – huge congratulations.”

“Given the Brexit situation, the challenge must be ensuring we move on and find ways to drive the industry forward. And herein also lies the opportunity, which is to be motivated to look for trends and be prepared to invest in them, despite the uncertainties of the economic picture.

At BHETA, we are committed to trend forecasting and frequently work with our friends at Scarlet Opus to explore both supplier and retailer opportunities. Once again this will form a significant part of the plans for the two Exclusively Shows in the coming summer. Ahead of this, one trend I believe will become ever more influential - and ever more fundamental in the way we view product development - is the environment and recycling.

We have already seen its influence in terms of coffee and drinks-associated products in general, with the impact on single-use plastic and the consequent opportunities for more robust, reusable cups, bottles, straws, stirrers and so on.

These however are the easy wins and I predict that the industry will need to look well beyond usage and into manufacture as consumers start to ask questions about the environmental impact of materials and processes in general. Glass is one such case in point.

As with all trends, there will be winners and losers as a result, but the question of environmental damage – Above: The World Cup was a boost for England’s morale, coupled with the millennial and for outdoor gatherings in tendency to eschew possessions the hot summer weeks of 2018. in favour of experiences – seems Inset: Harry and Meghan’s to me to herald a greater impact wedding provided another than most.” consumer boost.

Right: Reusable straws are now in demand (photo from Jeray Barware).

High Street opportunities

LOOKING FORWARD

Andrew Goodacre, ceo, bira LOOKING BACK “2018 has been an interesting year. I could mention the B word, or even the I word.

However, I actually think that a TV programme at the end of 2017 has had significant impact - Blue Planet II. One episode highlighted the issues of plastic waste in the sea and this alone seems to have created a whole new generation of conscious consumers, especially among the so-called millennials. Consequently, we have seen consumers demand and manufacturers deliver products with a bias towards natural materials including wood and bamboo, and recycled material.

Environmentally friendly retailing is no bad thing, and given the damage to the environment caused by the millions of deliveries of products ordered on line, I can only hope that these conscious consumers also reject the internet in time.”

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“As for 2019, I do believe that there are some interesting developments. IKEA intends to open up mini stores on the high street. This may well be the start of large stores traditionally based on retail parks seeing the high street as an opportunity, in the same way the supermarkets have focused on express and local stores.

Of course, the challenge for any store is to create the right shopping experience to attract the shoppers and we should welcome the creativity of IKEA et al to meet this challenge. The greatest challenge to all retailers is how to engage customers with experiential shopping. It will require all the agility and creativity often found in independent retailers as they are not bound by corporate policies.”

Left: New ranges in 2018 made from natural materials included T&G’s Ocean.

Below: IKEA intends to open up small high street stores, showing a positive attitude to the future of the high street.

HOUSEWARES

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Inset: An outdoor dining display by Lords at Home. Lords’ director, Rachna Dewan recognises the importance of a collaborative approach between retailers and their suppliers and landlords as well as their customers.

Food for thought

Goodbye to single-use Bryony Dyer, managing director, Dexam LOOKING BACK

Collaborative action Rachna Dewan, director of product, Lords At Home LOOKING BACK “The move towards sustainability. We have seen a huge demand in all products related to this including water bottles, coffee cups and reusable straws.”

LOOKING FORWARD “It is easy to be very negative about the current situation as there are so many bad news stories, but we still need to find a way to move forward, and this is possible.

At Lords at Home our approach is try to be even more collaborative with our partners – be they landlords, suppliers or customers. It is in all of our interests to ensure that we support each other – landlords don’t want empty units, suppliers want to continue to grow outlets for their products, and customers ultimately don’t want to see the end of the convenience of the high street.

By being flexible and working closely with these groups to a common goal wherever possible, we are seeing some positives.

Global outlook Tony Grimshaw, director, What More UK LOOKING BACK “There have been several low points in 2018.

Indecision, lack of confidence and confusion, being just a few. Not at What More, I hasten to add. High points for What More have been maintaining sales in our plastic housewares, gardening and storage products and greatly increasing our bakeware sales and exports of our total product offer. Another highlight was the continued effort of everyone in our company to keep our forward momentum going. Not a moan in sight and not one mention of the ‘B’ word, as an excuse or a reason.”

“We believe that the David Attenborough ‘dolphin’ moment last winter was a pivotal one in moving the world inexorably towards getting away from single use plastic, and we believe that this will be the enduring trend from the year.

This is an unusual trend in that the pressure is coming from the people, especially young people, and not from some marketing department in a smart office block, and we think that it will be all the stronger because of that.

This will affect everything in the housewares industry from clingfilm (we are seeing good sales increases in our Charles Viancin silicone lids that enable consumers more or less to dispense with clingfilm), shopping bags, packaging and disposable coffee cups. Our Bambroo coffee cups have been an even bigger hit than we thought they might.

A single-use plastic-free world may be a dream at the moment, but smart companies will work towards it.”

LOOKING FORWARD

Top: Charles Viancin lids are an alternative to clingfilm for food storage in bowls.

“Sadly, Brexit. The uncertainty around what will happen on March 29 is creating genuine problems for any company that imports from, or exports to, Europe. Its constant position as number one item on every news bulletin is certainly a contributory factor towards the slow pace of retail sales in Autumn 2018. The industry can only deal with the information it has, so until there is more clarity, it is hard to say what needs to be done. It is good to see that BHETA is taking a lead on this issue.”

LOOKING FORWARD “January brings out the well worn phrase, “it’s going to be a tough year this year”.

Let’s look on the bright side; it can’t get much worse. Let’s have confidence in ourselves and our products. Exporters, let’s show the British stiff upper lip and sell our products to the world. They want them; they just need reminding that they do.

At home, our company has a policy of starting its search for all our raw materials and component parts at our factory gates in Lancashire. Hopefully our customers will continue the trend of the same philosophy.”

Above: A view of the What More factory and hq – the supplier continues to develop its export opportunities and promote the fact that its products are ‘Made in Britain’ to domestic and international markets.

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Retailer focus

The new store from down under, House has made a big impact, arriving in the UK in Spring 2018. Over a million consumers have been through the doors and House scooped the prestigious Most Promising Newcomer Award at the Excellence in Housewares Awards. PH met founder, Steven Lew to find more about the retailer’s approach and ambitious future plans.

House talk S

teven Lew is passionate about retail, recognising that it is about learning, reacting and adapting in today’s fast moving environment.

Moreover, contemporary retailing is about putting on a performance. At House’s managers’ conferences, held in Australia, Steven makes his presentation in a costume such as a gold sequin tailed suit to emphasise his attitude: “People say there’s no business like show business, but there is – it's called retail!”

PH caught up with the retail pioneer on his most recent trip to the UK, where he was visiting his own branches and other retailers to get an up to the minute sense of the market, along with buying and merchandising director Kate Thompson and buyer, Kim Northam. Steven admits that back in Australia, he had been in 150 of his stores in the past three weeks. “It’s about getting out there and supporting stores – if you don’t, you are not going to succeed.”

Steven’s philosophy of learning and engagement is shared with staff at House, where there is substantial investment in creating teams that deliver “silver service” levels of customer service. On opening new stores, House UK typically hires a restaurant kitchen to create a “classroom” where staff members can learn from using the retailers’ products. Individuals are also provided with kitchenware to take home and use, so that they can share real experiences with customers rather than read about features on packaging. “It’s

Inset: The storefront for Oxford’s House.

really important for our team to use products – it’s not dissimilar to a fashion brand where the staff wear the clothes,” states Steven.

House’s staff training also explores “the customer approach” – creating opportunities to learn more about customers’ needs, aims and cooking methods, as well as building up a rapport.

“It’s about having fun with our customers and solving problems,” says Steven, who adds: “If you just ask, “Are you happy PROGRESSIVE

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browsing?” then I tell them they should probably be working next door! Interaction is also about enlightening customers in an engaging way, for example, sharing the fact that the “most dangerous tool is a blunt knife.” As Kate points out: “We sell an amazing number of knife sharpeners.”

House regards every product is a potential gift (taking inspiration from US specialist Williams Sonoma). “We’re cook, dine and entertain, so we have something for everyone,” Steven emphasises. It is up

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Retailer focus

What’s in store?

Right: Faux flower display.

Here’s a flavour of what customers find at House UK: • “Top level product at affordable prices, thanks to our buyers doing a great job at working with our suppliers,” states Steven.

• “Large volumes and depth of stock, which is refreshing for our customers,” add Kate.

• Exclusive brands to the UK including Cuisinepro and Baccarat, Australia’s biggest cookware brand, as well as a wide range of high profile brands such as LSA, Joseph Joseph, Sage and Cole & Mason.

• ‘Try me’ sizes at an entry price (that could be 75% off the retail price) so that customers can get a feel and taste for House’s products and come back for more. Further promotions might include an amount spent on a ‘Try me’ deducted from further purchases of the range.

• There are opportunities to try products in the store, such as using a knife to chop vegetables.

• House is building its VIP programme where regular customers collect points: “If you’re investing in us, we’re investing in you,” emphasises Steven.

• Meanwhile, House’s online store boasts the “same service level as stores”, and engages customers as VIPSs, asking them about their purchase post-delivery. “In Australia, we have less than 0.25% returns,” reflects Steven on House’s high level of customer satisfaction.

to staff to match the perfect gift, whether which includes House of Fraser, is its that is a set of six stem glasses or a block of “quickness to react.” Whether it is rekitchen knives. Launched in mid November, merchandising or changing stock, it is not House’s world exclusive ‘The Egg’ knife block uncommon to update stores on a daily basis. has been in a Steven states: “If number of ‘ideal gift’ Kate calls saying blogs and UK style something needs guides, with sales to change, we’ll “going crazy.” discuss it in the In the run up to morning, and Christmas, typical change it by the conversation starters afternoon!” were about With House UK’s customers’ empire set to Christmas lists, and grown (see who was left on breakout), the Inset: The coffee van is an eye-catching display area. them. For example, future looks in one store, a exciting. “We’ve customer had the difficult buying scenario of had approaches from retailers for store-ina brother who seemingly had everything he store concessions, and we will look at needs. However, on finding that the brother different possibilities,” says Steven, who adds had a passion for fishing, a sales assistant that getting “a first Christmas under our presented a boning knife - the ideal gift belt,” has been the top priority. The stores that was greatly enjoyed a “strong appreciated. performance” in the House UK’s stores are crucial festive period. mindful of local A growing differences in stock (for programme of inexample, if there are store activities will significant numbers of include VIP nights tourists), and there is and the retailer also obviously a seasonal looks forward to difference between “working with local merchandise in the UK communities,” says and Australia. However, Steven. In Australia, there is a strong collaboration House “gives back” by helping between the UK and schools, clubs and Australian buying teams. The organisations, for example with retailer also benefits from special events that schools can Steven’s experience of the UK sell tickets for. market as a homewares With a future that might also wholesaler for over a decade include visual reality technology (see breakout). on packaging (with cookery Inset: Textiles at House.

Kate points out that “the content filmed in the retailer’s biggest difference” to House own studio in Australia), Steven and her previous experience, states, “We’ve got lots cooking!”

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Below centre: House UK’s Kate Thompson (second left) and Kim Northam receive the Most Promising Newcomer trophy from OXO’s Tracy Carroll (right), pictured with Excellence in Housewares Awards presenter, Tania Edwards.

New shops on the block Steven Lew is the founder and executive chairman of Global Retail Brands, ceo of House (with over 100 stores) as well as Robins Kitchen, which are Australia’s largest and second largest independent kitchenware chains respectively. Steven also heads up PlayCorp, a worldwide distribution company with a focus on homewares (supplying UK retailers for over 10 years). On entering the UK retail market, Steven announced his intentions to grow the new House chain to 75 stores.

House UK’s first stores opened in Oxford (last April), Bracknell and Sheffield’s Meadowhall (plus the online store), followed by Norwich and more recently in Cambridge, Bromley and Stratford. The last three opened within three weeks in time for the run-up to Christmas.

“75 stores is still around the number of stores we’re looking at opening over three or four years, but we’re a private company and we’ll be led by opportunities and the market is changing quickly,” Steven told PH. He reflects on the importance of finding the right locations that will have commercial sustainability. “There are a lot of retailers going under and it’s not because they are bad retailers, but they are locked into bad leases and high rents.”

Steven carries a map that is covered with highlighted towns that have the potential for new openings, but visits any serious possibility several times to look at “the shopping bag barometer not footfall numbers.”

House UK is also gathering feedback from customers who are “telling us where they’d like to see us,” notes Kate.

Moreover, the retailer is trialling different sizes for its stores, with Cambridge and Stratford in smaller units. “We don’t have a cookie cutter approach,” says Steven, although the feature that unites each of House’s branches is passionate staff that provide “silver service.”

Above: House’s Steven Lew with Kim Northam (centre) and Kate Thompson.

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Market focus

Britain has always been a nation that relies on hot beverages to ease all matter of life stresses and in the current political and financial climate this is a kitchen trend that’s never been more needed! But as industry experts tell PH, professional tools for home use have lifted it far above the realm of simply putting on the kettle.

A little

perk me up Inset: Sage’s STM700 Tea Maker Compact fits effortlessly into any modern kitchen – whatever the space available.

Y

ou might think that if you’re the type of person who loves a ‘cup of builders’, that the art of creating an expertly brewed tea or coffee at your own kitchen counter wouldn’t be of great culinary interest to you – well guess again.

Never has more time or care been being invested in professional-grade tea and coffee making by people from a huge range of backgrounds – be they consumers prepared to pay that little bit more for the

Inset: Barista & Co’s BrewThru design creates a perfect ‘pour over’ coffee via an immersion brew technique.

‘perfect cup’ and premium home-use tools or industry experts who have devoted their professional working life to the trade.

The founders of National Tea Day , which takes place each year on 21 April, say that health-conscious drinkers are now ditching traditional brews in favour of ‘wellness teas’ and beverages with health benefits – as well as being prepared to pay top dollar for the right products. But more than this, they also want tea drinking to be an event in itself, with ‘immersive afternoon tea experiences’, along with modernist tea and food pairing menus expected to soar in popularity over the coming year.

James Gray, managing director of award-winning company Barista & Co, says he’s found the same thinking to be true when it comes to coffee as well. “We’ve been developing coffee and coffee-related products across our brand since 2013, and bring specialist tools to the mainstream market. Our main aim as a company is to make coffee making and drinking more accessible,” James told PH. PROGRESSIVE

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“I think there are two reasons why coffee is currently such a buzz market. Coffee consumption in coffee shops is still on the increase even in a tough financial climate and quite simply people are prepared to invest money and time into finding out more about good coffee and the associated tools.

“I liken it to wine – it’s the attitude of the ‘Jamie Oliver generation’, if you like. We’ve been ahead of the curve when it comes to manual coffee making and that’s a big chunk of the current market.”

James continues: “In terms of products, anything that we design has a huge amount of thought go into it and why it’s needed – down to the seemingly most basic measuring spoon.”

After scooping the Top Tool or Gadget category at 2018’s Excellence in Housewares Awards, with its Brew It Stick coffee and tea infuser, Barista & Co is looking forward to its OneBrew and BrewThru products making big noise in 2019. OneBrew’s design stemmed from a

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Market focus French press (or cafetiere) and Barista & Co’s recognition of the need for a product that was easy to clean and to use every day.

“Most people use a cafetiere once or twice a week, but OneBrew delivers professional grade coffee in minutes,” James explains.

“And then we have BrewThru, which is made of glass with a stainless steel filter. You cover the coffee, or tea, with water and let it steep for a few minutes. It creates a fantastic quality coffee which is pour over but mixed with an immersion brew. We can’t wait to see how it is received at Ambiente.”

Iconic heritage brand KitchenAid is also getting in on the tea and coffee action, having recently expanded its popular craft coffee portfolio with the introduction of the new stainless steel 1L Artisan Digital Precision Kettle. Its elegant design includes a ‘gooseneck spout’ and it also boasts ‘precise and consistent pour control’ and three unique flow rate settings – for pour over coffee to precision press coffee. It also has a LED temperature gauge that can be set within a degree and includes a hold function to maintain a desired temperature.

“Our new kettle ensures that coffee grounds are evenly moistened between 91 and 96°C, whilst teas are also prepared at the ideal temperature,” reveals Helen Simpson, KitchenAid’s marketing manager for UK and Ireland. “That’s 70°C for delicate green and white teas, 85°C for the ultimate black and oolong varieties, around 90°C for chamomile and 100°C for herbal infusions. The millennial generation has solidified the social moment of coffee or tea on the go and now consumers want to replicate that experience at home.”

Marc Kinsey, key account manager at Haus, says the company has recently observed significant growth in both the cast iron teapot and premium design-led teapot categories.

“Many consumers are purchasing for ornamental properties as much as for the superior heat-retention and drip-free pouring associated with Bredemeijer tea accessories and Leopold Vienna coffee items,” Marc expands. “At Ambiente we will be showcasing multiple new options for tea and coffee.

“We find that this is one of the most interiors-influenced sectors with housewares, and many consumers now seek teapots and cafetieres that are equally suited to kitchens, dining rooms and living areas. There has certainly been a move back to tea and coffee as a social activity at home and customers are asking for ‘wow’ items that will sit proudly on a table during a gathering.”

Things are also brewing nicely for Sage

looking to the year ahead, when the brand will launch two new products in the tea and coffee niche. The first is the STM700 Tea Maker Compact that builds on the

BES878 Barista Pro – an espresso machine with a built-in grinder that harnesses an exclusive ThermoJet heating system enabling the coffee maker to be ready in just three seconds.

Caption: KitchenAid’s Artisan German coffee Digital Precision Kettle company Melitta has combines elegant design with flow rate technology. The had a very exciting brand’s craft coffee portfolio 12 months, having will be showcased at Ambiente. ‘officially’ launched in the UK at the start of 2018, and with key product launches company’s including premium bean to cup technological machines, TS Smart, T-Smart success to date and CI Touch. with tea, ensuring “The TS Smart now comes complete that you always with a number of added new have the features,” says Nigel Morrison, correct water consumer and trade marketing temperature for the manager at Melitta UK. “These include the type of tea you’re Melitta Connect App, which can be managed brewing and also controls conveniently from your smart phone as well the steeping time for your required strength as the Touch & Slide function to set and use of beverage. The second product is the the coffee machine by gently touching the sensor panels. Plus both TS Smart and T Smart feature in the ‘Quiet as a Whisper Grinder’ for quiet grinding and have Creative Tops has recently launched new packaging received the prestigious Quiet Mark Award.” and a new logo for its popular La Cafetiere brand, cleverly allowing retailers to colour block With more launches from Melitta due this collections in store. year, and with exciting developments that “Of the four main collections, Barcelona (pic five) has had a complete makeover with pops of colour include Dualit’s first ever bean to cup and a contemporary tea story,” reveals Creative coffee machine (the Bean to Go – to be Tops’ marketing and PR manager, Katrina Lawton. showcased at Ambiente), Nigel sums up the “The Core Collection (iconic red) has everything you need to bring the café culture into your home. The thoughts of many suppliers when he Healthy Living (green) collection has been designed reflects: “We know that consumers are with health, detox and loose leaf tea in mind, and finally there’s the Edited collection, made up of prepared to pay a premium for well trend-driven metallic, including gold, copper and thought through design.” gun metal.

A colourful collection

“The new Barcelona collection – which will be launched at Ambiente and Spring Fair – is designed for relaxed moments to enjoy flavourful and richly brewed drinks with its low maintenance and durable ceramic design and smart casual style. It can also be coordinated in one burst of colour or mixed and matched for a more personalised look.”

Inset: Creative Tops’ new Barcelona collection.

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the pocket-sized reusable cup

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DISTRIBUTED BY EDDINGTONS LTD t | +44 (0)1488 686 572

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e | sales@eddingtons.co.uk

w | www.eddingtons.co.uk

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London Pottery is the latest brand to join the KitchenCraft stable, and its wide range of British designs in a selection of capacities, styles and an unimaginable choice of colours, all offer the perfect pour! One of its most iconic teapots, the Globe, has had a ‘blue’ makeover for SS19 as part of the new ‘Out of the Blue’ collection. Various designs featuring small daisies, lattice, blue and white circles, and blue bands not only adorn the teapots but also matching sugar bowl and creamer, mugs, tea bag tidy and storage canister.

KitchenCraft Tel: 0121 604 1111 E-mail: sales@kitchencraft.co.uk Web: www.kitchencraft.co.uk / www.creative-tops.com

The Ashdene Lantana Collection is a modern teaware collection inspired by nature. Using organic shapes made from durable stoneware with a sophisticated matte finish and simple leaf motif, each item is a statement piece to have in your home. This collection is available in a natural and charcoal colourway and a black and gold colourway.

See it at Spring Fair on the Ladelle Group Hall 9 Stand E50-F51.

The Ladelle Group Tel: 020 3514 6626 E-mail: Customerservice.uk@ladelle.com Web: www.ladellegroup.com

Tea &

COFFEE RELATED PRODUCTS

The exciting new Barcelona collection from La Cafetière introduces a burst of style and colour to enliven springtime displays in store and at home! With its durable ceramic design featuring a luxurious mix of gloss and matt finishes and its smart casual style, Barcelona is designed for relaxed moments enjoying flavourful and richly brewed drinks.

Each colour range can be used individually or alternatively, blend the cool grey, plum and retro blue together in striking harmony, to offer a mix and match option to create a striking individual look.

KitchenCraft Tel: 0121 604 1111 E-mail: sales@kitchencraft.co.uk Web: www.kitchencraft.co.uk / www.creative-tops.com

The trendy Thermavac™ insulated mug is perfect for enjoying a rejuvenating coffee, comforting tea or indulgent hot chocolate. Designed to avoid unwanted spillages and make travelling a breeze, Aladdin’s unique Leak-Lock™ mechanism features a leak-proof flip lid with a locking slider. Offering easy transportation of drinks on-the-go, keeping them hot for up to four hours.

It can also be used to transport ice cold drinks in warmer weather, and can retain cold temperatures for seven-plus hours!

Burton McCall Tel: 0116 234 4600 Web: www.burton-mccall.co.uk

Pokito reusable, collapsible, leak-proof cups are the perfect solution to drinks “on-the-go”.

The Pokito is a large, reusable coffee cup (475 ml) that collapses to 4.5cm. Ultra-portable, it’s compact and won’t clutter your bag, briefcase or glove compartment. The cup expands into three sizes (Grande, Medio and espresso) so you can enjoy your coffee just the way you like it! Pokito replaces the need for paper cups and is one of the most stable collapsible cups on the market allowing the user to simply pop up the Pokito for use without fiddly fixings and attachments.

Eddingtons Tel: 01488 686572 E-mail: sales@eddingtons.co.uk Web: www.eddingtons.co.uk

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DELIVERING DIFFERENCE...

COFFEE WITH A SMILE! At Eddingtons we like to make you smile, offer something left field, untoward or simply best in class.

In our growing tea and coffee category the Aerolatte brand was the first to develop a steam free milk frother and now their world class coffee and tea accessories are a step ahead of the rest.

The new Aerolatte Matcha Tea whisk is stylishly designed to meet a growing trend in this area. Rightly so, since Matcha Tea is known to provide 10 times the antioxidants found in ordinary tea.

Pokito reusable, collapsible, leakproof cups are the perfect solution to drinks “on-the-go”. Pokito replaces the need for paper cups and is one of the most stable collapsible cups on the market allowing the user to simply pop up the Pokito for use without fiddly fixings and attachments.

Only a clean coffee machine makes the perfect coffee and our Caffe Nu Coffee cleaning pods and descaling kits are an essential accessory for your coffee machine customer. Caffe Nu pods generate repeat business and a reason for customers to come back into store. The range now includes 5 Pod varieties to cover a wide range of machines as well as a descaling kit.

pokito cup branding Aug 4/16

From £4.95

SRP. £15.95

Many Bamboo or plastic cups simply are not practical as they don’t fold down easily and are bulky and a burden to carry.

SRP. £14.99

For more information contact Eddingtons

CALL | EMAIL | WEB |

+44 (0)1488 686 572 sales@eddingtons.co.uk www.eddingtons.co.uk

PLAN YOUR 2019 MARKETING NOW! The features list is now set for Progressive Housewares in 2019 – you can find this at ProgressiveHousewares.co.uk or contact us to find out more.

Don’t forget, HousewaresNews.net is the NEW digital resource to the trade. Since launch it has generated huge open rates.

Plus, plans are afoot for the Excellence in Housewares Awards 2019, with plenty of opportunity to be involved.

Get in touch to find out how we can help make it a great year ahead for your business.

Advertising and commercial opportunities: John Barry advertisement manager johnb@max-publishing.co.uk Rob Willis publishing director robw@max-publishing.co.uk Emma Cain product pages editor emmac@max-publishing.co.uk Editorial and content opportunities: Jo Howard editor joh@max-publishing.co.uk

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Stanley® has updated its legendary Classic Series vacuum bottles and food jars for 2019: now bigger, stronger and better than ever before. The updated range features an innovative new construction that increases both durability and capacity, without adding any unnecessary weight or bulk. The Classic Series is now dishwasher safe, and boasts many extra improvements such as new stoppers and soft-grip handles. What hasn’t changed is Stanley’s famous lifetime guarantee and rugged good looks.

Burton McCall Tel: 0116 234 4600 Web: www.burton-mccall.co.uk

COFFEE RELATED PRODUCTS

Apollo Housewares has met the demands of the modern kitchen by introducing four new Stainless Steel Stove Top Coffee Pots that are Induction Ready. For years Apollo has started many people’s day with a good cup of coffee made how they like it. With Induction cookers becoming popular, Apollo has developed this taint-free Stainless Steel Coffee Pot, to enhance its already extensive range of Coffee Makers.

Apollo Housewares Web: www.apollohousewares Spring Fair Hall 9 Stand H24/J25 KitchenCraft will unveil a true innovation amidst its SS19 launches with the introduction of the new Edited Grinder 270 by La Cafetière. Designed and manufactured to perform with extreme ease, Grinder 270 is an exclusive smooth action manual grinder with a ceramic grinding mechanism and a handle which turns 270 degrees to wind with ease and maximum leverage, returning to its space saving position after use. Many more features prevail, not least of all the fact that it looks fantastic in the kitchen and it is a British design with a 10-year guarantee!

KitchenCraft Tel: 0121 604 1111 E-mail: sales@kitchencraft.co.uk Web: www.kitchencraft.co.uk / www.creative-tops.com

With florals at the fore, Bohemian Spirit is a beautiful new design from Katie Alice, which will be showcased alongside a host of other gorgeous new collections at Ambiente. This exquisite collection of porcelain tableware and classic afternoon tea pieces features delicate and colourful floral detail in a mix of rich hues, perfect for sharing special moments with nearest and dearest. Selected items come in exquisite gift boxes featuring the same floral design as the tableware.

KitchenCraft Tel: 0121 604 1111 Ee-mail: sales@kitchencraft.co.uk Web: www.kitchencraft.co.uk / www.creative-tops.com

Lightweight and reusable, Thermos’ Super Light series combines maximum performance with an ultra-slim profile to make it its most portable range yet! Whether you’re heading out for your daily commute or on a shopping trip, these elegant flasks will keep your drinks hot or cold for hours. Choose from a range of flasks, travel tumblers and nifty direct drink flasks!

For over 115 years, Thermos has been the trusted brand for quality insulated vacuumware products, keeping your drinks hotter for longer.

Thermos UK Tel: 0113 276 3456 E-mail: sales@thermos.co.uk Web: www.thermosonline.co.uk PROGRESSIVE

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ADVERTORIAL FEATURE

BELOW: Seasoning experts Cole & Mason celebrate the company’s centenary this year.

A century of flavour By the 1980s they had become the number one brand in the UK for salt & pepper mills.

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ADVERTORIAL FEATURE RIGHT: From first sketches to working on the cutting edge of scientific design, Cole & Mason’s seasoning mills combine elegant style t l with ith impr i essiv i e functionality.

RIGHT & BELOW: During its hundred year history Cole & Mason merged with Park Green & Co, famed for the Peter Piper brand of wooden mills.

If you can comb bine a brand with an en nviable homewares herritage and a passion forr both design innovatiion and style you’re on to a winner – and so it has certainly proved for the multiaward winning Cole & Mason.

Founded in Lon ndon in 1919 first as a giftware company, but one o that soon expanded into general home goods, g this year proudly marks Cole & Mason’s centenary – and what better way to celebrate tha an with the release of a fabulous range of season ning mills sporting the best pepper grinding mecha anism the country has ever seen.

Experts in n seasoning and ‘ki ‘ tchen jewellery’ When it comes to luxury homewares and coveted e kitchen tools there’s a fin ne but crucially important balance to be struck between in nnovative design that works like a charm and a product that quit qu uite simply looks amazing. amazing And no one walks this line better than the team at DKB Household ds’ brand Cole & Mason.

This quintessentially English brand, founded in the capital a hundred years ago and now based in Farnborough, o Hampshire, is in the business of designing ‘kitchen jewellery’, but with a forward-thinking approach that has rec e ently seen it mark a first for British design in the field of sallt and pepper mills. Which is a fitting when you consider that Cole & Mason is celebrating a 100 years of mills in 2019.

The first pepper mill was invented in France way back in 1842 1842, while hile Cole & Mason M on start t ted life as a compa any in 1919.

In 1980 it became the number one brand for pep pper and salt mills in the UK, doubling turnover by 1995.

Cole & Mason launched the brand’s first electronic pepper mill, ‘The Manhattan’, in 2001, and in recent years has grown hugely in both in terms of sales and global reach. The brand’s core PROGRESSIVE

business is salt and pepper mills an nd it exports to more than 60 countrries worldwide, pick king up numerous awards along the way.

This year Cole & Ma y year with the la aunch of an exciting array of ne ew mill designs, all built around d its new superior carbon steel grinding g mechanism, the Precision+ mechanism, that has been developed in conjunction with the University of o Nottingham’s flavour laboratory – as well as a brand new ran nge of seasoning ingredients.

“Since the 1980s Cole & Mason has been the mark m et leader in pepper mills,” says Joe Brawn, brand leader forr Cole & Mason.

“We focus on that all-important balance between e functionality and aesthetics with our luxury homewares prod ducts. Our pepper mills are designed to be left out on the e kitchen counter – we like to say that we design ‘kitchen jewellery.’

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ADVERTORIAL FEATURE LEFT: Fig and date balssamic cream vinegar is just one of the flavour sensations now available e as part of Cole & Mason’s T Ta aste Library.

BELOW: The T Ta aste Libra ary brings together salts, peppers, herbs, spic s es, seaso oning blends and oiils and vinegars from across the globe.

r and salt mills work perfectly and always ha ave a feature e latest techn nology and innovative design that sets them the competitio on, but in terms of kitchen stylling the mills hly coveted items. We incorporate both of these t important every single product we make – after all we’’re experts in

me to working with the University of Notting gham, a leading e flavour techn nology arena, Cole & Mason ha ad to take the etting a new standar t d for testing pepper grinding. there has bee en no set industry standard forr testing ills in the UK, so a brand d new approach h was requir i ed d and d Cole l & Mason created our own, w ” Joe explains. “We wanted to measure the consistency of the pepp per particles, different grind settings and how much particular pepper is released by a p grinder. Essentially, we want to find ow much pepper is released by one f our grinders after so man m y turns, gainst our previous mod dels and key ompetitors.

Release the flavou ur!

We also wanted to look at the flavour d aroma of the pepper – and that’s ere the flavour lab’s exp pertise came in. was proper ‘aroma detec cting’, and we nd that Cole & Mason are the market ders in terms of flavour release.”

ALSO FRESH FOR 20 2 19, Cole & Mason’s centenary year, is th he exciting launch of a hand-picked range of seasoning products designed to expertlly tease out the flavour of a meal, every day.

The T Ta aste Library is a collection of salts, peppers, herbs, spices and se easoning blends and oils and vinegars from aroun nd the world, and will perfectly complement the brand’ a s range of seasoning keepers, pourers, misters and d storage.

Joseph Sabapathy, head of o quality and compliance for DKB, worked on the testing alongside the t university, and explains tha at over the years Cole & Mason has developed several differentt grinding

With more than a hundred seasoning ingredients and blends to try y,, you’re sure to find something to suit almost every y ty y ype yp of cuisine or cooking g style y – whether you’re look king for exotic spices, something more traditional, the e finest extra virgin olive oil or a more unusual flavou ur, such as avocado or coconut oil or fig and date balssamic cream vinegar.

Mills ills fitt ffo or a celeb ebration AS WELL AS RELEASING a truly stunning new collection of salt and pepper mills at a range of price poiints for 2019, Cole & Mason has designed the very special limited edition, the Knightsbridge Centenary Silver Mill Salt & Pepper Gift Set.

Cole & Mason’s Joe Brawn says: ““A As experts in seasoning we have handpicked a range of products to be used with ourr leading hardware, but also independently. We now truly offer something to help you release the flavour of o any meal.”

Produced in silver plated stainles t s steel with a silver plated brass grinding knob, the duo of mills featu ure the carbon steel Precision+ grind ding mechanism, and come beautifully presented in a gift box. Only 200 pieces have been made, and the silver mills are not for gene eral sale.

“Keep p your eyes peeled for this stunning mill set,” Joe Brawn n advises. “We’ll be using these stric ctly for select marke mark eting e and gifting opportunities opportunities, but iif you spy them on Cole o & Mason’s social media channels you could be in with a chance of winning one.”

Also released to mark the centenary is the Precision Knightsbridge Stainless Steel Salt & Pepp per Mill Gift Set, which h is already available in John Lewis stores. This set of trad ditionally shaped salt and pepper mills m has been design ned to reflect a hundred years of Cole o & Mason’s superior performance and style.

The mills m are made from premium quality stainless steel polish hed to a high shine, and are sure to add a an edge of classic cal elegance to any dining table or kit k chen counter.

Plus all a of Cole & Mason’s salt and pepperr mills are covered by a lifetime mechanism guarantee.

Knigh htsbridge mill is a fitting celebration of our heritage; but de esigned to be shown off - and not hidden away in

ABOVE: To mark its centenary year e , Cole & Mason has designed the very special limited edition Knightsbrid dge Silver Mill Gift Set.

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ADVERTORIAL FEATURE LEFT: Cole & Mason’s Lyndhursst Ash Inverta Gourmet Precision Millss are part of the new 2019 collection n.

BELOW: The City Concrete Stemles e s Mills, designed as part of the 2019 range, have been inspired by urban architecture.

mechanisms for its mills; a nylon mechanism, stainless steel mechanism, ceramic mechanism and, around eight years ago, a carbon steel mec chanism.

“For the centena ary we wanted to enhance our previous mec chanism and develop a precision grind derr,,” Joseph expands.

“Previously with the traditional way of pepper grinding,, if you needed to test a product, this was done by a panel of consumers and you’d get them to test on the basis of taste and flavour.

The h tastiest of of new coll llections n

“The University of o Nottingham’s flavour lab specialises in n analysis and consultancy for food science, with a particular focus on ‘flavour chem mistry.’ In conjunction with the lab, Cole & Mason M has looked at the releasing of flavour o r,, how long it lasts and the taste – but by sc cientific method as opposed to consumers’ pe ersonal tastes.

COLE & MASON’S elegant ne n w collection of salt and pepper mills m are a perfect reflection of the brand’ a s homewares heritage and history, as well as flair for innovative creativity y. The range has been designed with a cont o emporary selection of finishes, ussing modern materials, but each piece ha as a timeless silhouette and will look suita ably stylish in either your dining room o or kitchen.

“When they tested our new p precision grinding mechan nism against some of Cole & Mason’s previo ous ones they found 15 different aroma ingr i edients in the pepper.

They tested differ e ent grind sizes from fine pepper to coarse e, and found that when it is finely ground it i releases more aroma but that this lasts forr a shorter time - whereas coarser pepper giv g es flavour that lasts longer.

“With our precision grinder the customer can adjust the grrind setting on a standard mechanism via a simple knob, changing it from fine to coarse o pepper as they like.

While some of our new high-end mills now have five grind settings that are pre-set.

“With our new collection o of mills you’ll get more pepper perr turn of the grinderr,, and this releases morre flavour. Before this no one had scientific information about the flavour release of o pepperr,, and as far as we know this amazin ng research and results is a first for a UK com mpany.”

ABOVE: Joseph Sabap pathy, head of quality and compliance for DK Brands, work o ed closely with the University of Nottingham’s flavour la aboratory to develop Cole & Mason’s Precision+ grinding me echanism.

The Lyndhurst Ash Inverta G Gourmet Precision Mills boasts the pe erfect Cole & Mason balance of ou utstanding performance and beautiful design. d The pepper mill comes with six pre-selecte select ed grind settings ranging from o fine to coarse, ensuring g that you will always be able to find the best grin nd size to enhance the flavour of any meal. m It also comes in two beautiful finishes – Nordic White and Stainlesss Steel or Chestnut and Rose Gold.

Cole & Mason’s Joe Brawn comments: “The Lyndhurst mill is a new flagship model for Cole & Mason. Made from deep grain ash wood, finished in premium stains and featu uring our new Precision+ mechanism alongside our celebrated grind select technology, these mills are understa ated yet aspirational.

“And as an added bonus the ey are laid out in our upside down ‘Inverta’ e format meaning mess-free surfacess!”

Sleek and modern in style, the t Regent and City Concrete Stemless mills (pic ten)) ttak ke design d i iinspir i ation ti f om modfr d ern urban British architecture, using the modern materials of acrrylic and concrete to create modern a and tactile table centre pieces.

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Joe expands: “The Regent e and City Concrete Stemless mills m are contemporary designs inspired by architecture.

Named after the London areas that the BT Tower and Gherkin are located in, these mills reflect tim meless British building design through to the tabletop.”

Finally Cole & Mason’s Exford Precision Mills offer a sty ylishly modern yet simple design, ma ade from acrylic with a brushed nickel or antique brass effect top. These are essential everyday ut ones that add homeware pieces, bu instant flair at the sam me time.

“The Exford mills may look hexagonal but they are complet p tely y round,,” Joe reveals. “The effect is c created by faceted surfaces on the interiior salt or pepper chamber which are magnified m through the acrylic body to produce a unique aesthetic. Finished in n either nickel or antique brass, this design will be a talking point of any kit k chen.”

CLASSIC SWIG TM TECHNOLOGY

HOT up to 9 hours COLD upto 12 hours

SUPERIOR TEMPERATURE RETENTION (HOT/COLD) Swig’s double-wall tumblers, mugs and bottles will keep your drinks seriously cold for up to 12hrs and hot up to 9hrs.

To receive a catalogue and view the whole collection in all colourways, please contact: Valerie Graham Ltd 16 Boulevard Drive, London, NW9 5QF Tel: 020 8200 5100 Email: sales@vgltd.co.uk

www.swiglife.com

COPPER COATED INSULATION - Swig’s double-wall stainless steel inner surface is copper plated, which provides an additional barrier against heat entering or exiting the vessel.

DISHWASHER SAFE - All Signature Swigs are dishwasher

safe. Each Swig is completely sealed so no water can access the inside of the cup and affect the technology.

SILICONE BASE - The new Signature Swig TM Collection

features a branded silicone non-slip base. The silicone is noise-reducing and keeps your Swig TM in place wherever you go.

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Keeping drinks cold is Corkcicle’s speciality canteens keep your drinks cold for 25-plus hours or hot for 12, and tumblers keep your drink cold for nine-plus hours and hot for three hours. Launching new collections for 2019 including Snowdrift, featuring greys and whites with a cloud-like appearance, and the Neon Collection bringing the summer tropics to your hydration and brightening up your bag with a soft-touch finish. The collections are available in a range of sizes from nine-oz to 25oz Canteens, to 16oz Tumblers and 12oz stemless glasses, great for water, coffee, cocktails or wine!

Auteur Tel: 01869 338751 E-mail: sales@auteurlimited.co.uk Hall 9 Stand G35

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KitchenCraft is delighted to introduce the latest brand to its stable – the innovative and renowned Chef ’n®. In the Chef ’n® kitchen, gadgets don’t require a battery or demand much counter space to make an impact – they are simple, elegant and super functional, and most often the smaller the tool the bigger the punch - that’s what we call ‘Tasteful Ingenuity’! See a host of new products including the red dot design award honourable mention for the Freshforce Tabletop Citrus Press (pictured).

KitchenCraft Tel: 0121 604 1111 E-mail: sales@kitchencraft.co.uk Web: www.kitchencraft.co.uk Hall 9 Stand G30/H31

Rustic and warm, our Graze range is created with shared eating in mind. The layered glazes on our ceramic pieces creates a finish that’s alluringly intricate. A neutral palette of dark brown, stone and white pairs with pops of colour in blue and red.

Textiles feature intricate weaves adding texture and warmth to the range.

The Ladelle Group Tel: 020 3514 6626 E-mail: Customerservice.uk@ladelle.com Web: www.ladellegroup.com Hall 9 Stand E50-F51

Tramontina will launch a host of new products with a key emphasis on new knife blocks, new utensils and the expansion of the Churrasco Premium collection. Displaying sleek, stylish lines, the Century seven-piece Knife Block Set comprises six essential knives, all fully forged from high quality German steel with supersharp stainless-steel blades and ergonomic handles containing an element of fibreglass. The knives all come with a 25-year warranty and are housed in an eye-catching acrylic block, finished off with mirror-polished stainless-steel and FSC certified Brazilian black Jabotà hardwood.

Tramontina UK Tel: 020 3176 4557 / 020 3176 4558 E-mail: contact@tramontinauk.com Web: www.tramontina.com Hall 9 Stand D50-E51

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With a passion for stylish and practical kitchen solutions to help organise space, create, serve and display food T&G’s new creations for Spring 2019 will deliver exactly what you need.

T&G has developed the ‘Ocean’ collection further by introducing ceramic storage, coasters and beautiful shaped wood boards, all inspired by the love of the sea! T&G will be donating to #PlasticOceansUK from sales of these products to support this important charity – ‘help make a wave of change!’

T&G Tel: 01275 841841 Web: www.tg-woodware.com Hall 9 Stand F20-G21

THE Nonstick Brand.

We invented it. We optimized it. We advance it.

Come and discover!

0 19 A m bie n te 2 50 H all 3.0 | E © 2019 The Chemours Company FC,LLC. Teflon™ and any associated logos are trademarks or copyrights of The Chemours Company FC,LLC. Chemours™ and the Chemours Logo are trademarks of The Chemours Company.

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In a contemporary grey palette, Denby’s handcrafted ceramics bring artisan values and urban aesthetics to a collection of bowls, plates and platters. Character pieces include a handless mug for herbal tea, toothbrush or pen holder, a ceramic tile coaster and tactile ridged bowls. Styled by Life, Studio Grey has all the quality and functionalities of Denby’s premium stoneware and is as perfect for stylish entertaining as it is for everyday dining.

Denby Tel: 01773 740770 Hall 9 Stand 9D20-E21 and Hall 6 Stand 6K02

Meet Mini, a new size for 2019 in mono trend-led colours inspired by the bustling urban spaces of New York. Launching at Spring Fair, Mini is sure to be a coffee lovers favourite, in a smaller 8oz/235ml size Mini is great for flat whites or a quick caffeine fix. Mini collapses into an even smaller disk than the Pocket Cup (12oz/355ml), making it the perfect alternative to bulky travel mugs. Also launching at Spring Fair, four brand new colours have been added to the highly popular Brooklyn Collection, featuring Coral, Pantone Colour of the year 2019.

Auteur Tel: 01869 338751 E-mail: sales@auteurlimited.co.uk Hall 9 Stand G35

Mess management with style is what the new MasterClass sink solutions offer! Having the right tools for the job and having the work area beautifully organised and looking as good as it could at all times is the rationale behind each product design.

Innovative, smart features in neutral stylish colours prevail across this range which features a host of items from soapdispensing brushes to innovative storage and drainage systems.

KitchenCraft Tel: 0121 604 1111 E-mail: sales@kitchencraft.co.uk Web: www.kitchencraft.co.uk Hall 9 Stand G30/H31

Add a touch of style to the kitchen with the Salter Metallics range.

The matching kettle and toaster feature a contemporary champagnecoloured metallic finish combining everyday practicality with beautiful design. With high specification and cool-touch housing, this modern range is ideal for the family home. Brighten up the whole kitchen with matching counter-top storage, utensils, ovenware and cookware available.

UPGS Tel: 0161 934 2268 E-mail: customerservices@salterhomewares.com Web: www.saltercookshop.com Hall 10-12 Stand G04-J05

Designed to look stunning on the dinner table, the Soma six-cup Jug is beautifully designed and made from the highest quality materials. Soma Jug turns ordinary tap water into fresh, filtered water, reducing contaminants including chlorine and copper.

Soma is a certified B-Corporation company, with sustainability built into every aspect of its products. The Soma Jug is made from 65% plant-based materials, including the easygrip white-oak handle, a light-weight and durable borosilicate glass body, and sugarcane plant-based filter casing, with an eco-friendly coconut shell filter.

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KitchenCraft will proudly unveil its latest brands, including Maxwell & Williams, an iconic tabletop brand offering an exceptional product range for every consumer need. Cool, contemporary and perfect for easy al fresco eating, Laguna will bring a relaxed coastal mood to your next get-together with its fresh seaside character. Each piece of ceramic serveware is individually hand-painted, with many items featuring detailed embossing. With a pad-printed design of tidal swirls and complementary patterns, Laguna porcelain dinnerware is an eyecatching companion to the larger, statement pieces of the collection.

KitchenCraft Tel: 0121 604 1111 E-mail: sales@kitchencraft.co.uk Web: www.kitchencraft.co.uk / www.creative-tops.com Hall 9 Stand G30/H31 and E20/H21

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Lightweight and powerful, the Airgility Max Cordless from Beldray features a 29.6 V battery, providing up to 50 minutes of cleaning time as well as a large easy-to-empty 1.2 L dust container. The versatile vac easily converts into a handheld unit great for stairs, and includes a two-in-one crevice and brush tool for curtains, upholstery and awkward corners. Ideal for ground-in dust and dirt, the vac has two-speed settings and a motorised floor brush with LED lights to aid visibility when cleaning carpets and underneath tables.

UPGS Tel: 0333 577 9820 E-mail: customersupport@beldray.com Web: www.beldray.com Hall 10-12 Stand G04-J05

Captivate Brands is only just starting its second year on the market in 2019! Ranges on show at both Spring Fair and Ambiente include three star brands from this last year – Bakehouse & Co, Kitchen Pantry and Venn – as well as new range Artisan Street (pictured). All the ranges are based around the core ethos of Captivate – brands and products which bring together durable professional quality and optimum practicality.

Captivate Brands Tel: 01386 421622 Web: www.captivatebrands.com Hall 9 Stand F50/G51

The Spring shows start 2019 off with a bang for the celebrated Master of Asian Cooking Ken Hom, including a complete new look on wok packaging and styling, new ranges and ‘new and improved Ken Hom Classic’ products. The packaging in particular is a real departure and each piece includes the striking iconic portrait of Ken by Christian Develter. The new Ken Hom branding will appear at the Spring shows alongside launches from the other DKB Household flagship brands Cole & Mason, Zyliss and Jamie Oliver.

Ken Hom Tel: 0870 160 1319 Web: www.kenhomwoks.co.uk Hall 9 Stand C44/D45 (DKB)

Combining sustainability, functionality and style, Natural Elements introduces its eco-friendly range, which embraces natural materials to offer a stylish, sleek unique organic feel to the home whilst being kind to the environment. In a range of feel-good colours, the collection offers items made from bamboo fibre or other natural materials in order to reduce use of single use plastics in our kitchenware. The range includes travel mugs with a recyclable silicone ribbed sleeve grip, bread bins, storage canisters and a lunchbox seal in airtight freshness, as well as compostable food/freezer bags and sandwich/snack bags.

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Zyliss is extending its Cook Ultimate range of forged aluminium frypans with the launch of cookware, including the three-piece set pictured here. The technology behind Ultimate has resulted in a longer-lasting non-stick, with no oil or butter required. The ‘nothing sticks’ ceramic reinforced three-layer coating ensures optimum bonding and abrasion resistance, making it suitable for use with metal tools and dishwashing. Zyliss will appear on the DKB Household stand alongside its other flagship brands including Cole & Mason and Ken Hom. Zyliss Tel: 0870 160 1319 Web: www.zyliss.co.uk Hall 9 Stand C44/D45 (DKB)

Tower has a long pedigree in perfecting the art of creating great-looking products that work effortlessly. One of the star performers during this last year has been its Rose Gold Collection, covering SDA as well as housewares. It especially caught the attention of the media in that all-important run-up to the key Christmas sales period, with the quiet boil kettle and four-slice toaster in particular featuring in a range of bloggers’ gift guides! The Spring Fair and Frankfurt will see Tower launch additions to the collection including Rose Gold Marble (pictured) and Glitz.

Tower Tel: 0333 220 6070 Web: www.towerhousewares.co.uk Hall 10-12 Stand B04

Eddingtons is delighted to be showcasing the Full Circle collection for the first time at Spring Fair 2019. The collection is made up of beautiful home care products for everyday families and the manufacturing process is designed to preserve resources and reduce waste while creating long-lasting products from safe materials. Whether it’s to clean, dry, compost or keep, the Full Circle collection has it covered. Products include bottle, dish, scrub and veg brushes, rubber gloves, sink caddies, cleaning and drying cloths, mops and brooms, compost bins and reusable storage bags.

Eddingtons Tel: 01488 686572 E-mail: sales@eddingtons.co.uk Web: www.eddingtons.co.uk Hall: 9 Stand: 9C26-D27

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KitchenCraft has taken inspired design to new heights with its new MasterClass range of soft grip tools, which are designed to offer a more intuitive and tactile cooking experience. The ergonomic MasterClass comfort grip handle provides a soft, secure grip, allowing you to take more control whilst cooking and a thumb hold aids hand motion and helps to provide a perfect balance. Premium chrome accents add a final touch of style across a choice of long and short handled stainless-steel utensils as well as a selection of nylon-headed tools.

KitchenCraft Tel: 0121 604 1111 E-mail: sales@kitchencraft.co.uk Web: www.kitchencraft.co.uk Hall 9 G30/H31

Cole & Mason, the iconic British mills and seasoning brand which is part of the DKB Household group, celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2019 with a host of new product development, including the launch of the Precision+ grinding mechanism. It appears on four new mills collections, including the Lyndhurst Ash Inverta pictured here, and rolled out across the C&M Precision range in the coming months. The enhanced Precision+ mechanism releases more pepper per turn, reduces blockages and offers a more consistent performance.

Cole & Mason Tel: 0870 160 1319 Web: www.coleandmason.com Hall 9 Stand C44/D45 (DKB)

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Apollo Housewares is delighted to introduceits new collection of Spun Bamboo which is beautifully finished in three complimentary colours: ‘cream’, ‘black’, and Apollo’s exciting new ‘custard yellow’. With a collection of 10 pieces: bowls, tablemats, and trays, they will certainly enhance the dinner table or add that finishing touch to the home throughout the year.

Apollo Housewares Web: www.apollohousewares.co.uk Hall 9 H24-J25

Spring fair 2019 will see the cutlery collections in the Stellar and Judge brands rewrapped, 3 great new products added to the runaway success Stellar Rocktanium, and the popular Judge Radiant expanding with the launch of “Radiant black”. The cutlery rewrap reflects the appeal of Judge to the family market and Stellar for its suitability for casual and formal dining, and as gift with its’ keep safe gift and storage box. Notable for retailers is that designs and pack sizes are smaller on shelf and will be easily identifiable.

Horwood Tel: 01179 400000 Web: www.horwood.co.uk Hall 9 Stand 9D30-E31 Tower’s Rose Gold Collection has proved a real hit with consumers and the media alike, especially in the run-up to peak trading this Winter! It isn’t all about looks and style – the fivepiece knife set featured here (which is also available, as many of the other Tower Rose Gold housewares and small electricals, in black) is eminently practical too. The five knives (eightinch chef, eight-inch slicer, eight-inch bread, five-inch utility and 3.5-inch paring) feature ergonomic handles and Damascus steel fine edge blades for precision cutting. Each knife slots neatly into a smart acrylic stand so you can see at a glance which knife to use.

Tower Tel: 0333 2206070 Web: www.towerhousewares.co.uk

Creative Products’ innovative fridge storage system, the Slide and Store, has been cleverly designed to make valuable use of unused fridge space. The space saving container slides on to fridge shelves and is Ideal for organising and storing small food items. The built-in ventilation holes keep food fresh and it is easy to clean. Available through Creative Products’ unique merchandising system, on a fully sale or return basis, the product is supported by an eye-catching merchandising unit with incorporated TV screen demonstration providing a risk-free addition to any shop floor. Available in either clear or blue.

Creative Products Tel: 01476 564230 E-mail: sales@creativeproducts.ltd.uk Web: www.creativeproducts.ltd.uk Hall 9 Stand B44-C45

The Pro Sharp Twist ‘n’ Sharp is a 2-in-1 knife sharpener with a simple single-handed pull-through operation. The Twist ‘n’ Sharp achieves professional results, even on old and blunt knives. It can also be used to sharpen serrated blades and scissors. The tungsten steel edges will sharpen the bluntest of knives whilst the ceramic edges will hone and perfect the blade, ideal for daily use. Its’ one-handed twist lock suction base will secure the sharpener to any smooth surface or worktop and once it’s locked in place you can safely sharpen your knife hands-free.

Eddingtons Tel: 01488 686572 E-mail: sales@eddingtons.co.uk Web: www.eddingtons.co.uk Hall: 9 Stand: 9C26-D27 PROGRESSIVE

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Retailer focus

Luxe Cookshop has grown in its new location of an expansive Victorian Warehouse at Bells, the lifestyle home store established in Northampton in 1898. Luxe’s new look cookshop is attracting new customers and greater footfall, as PH finds out from manager Abigail Taylor.

Bright spark

L

ast September, independent specialist Luxe Cookshop moved into the newly renovated Victorian warehouse at Bells (Northampton’s high end furnishing store and kitchen showroom). Bells’ 7,000 square foot, £250K extension is the result of several years of planning, with the aim of bringing together a range of retailers that attract frequent customers, along with a new restaurant.

The new warehouse space is also home to Mooch Gifting, The Cheese Kitchen and The Rose Gallery. “All of these make up a superb shopping emporium,” states Abigail Taylor, manager of Luxe Cookshop, which was founded by Abi’s parents, Dawn and Fenton Goodes (see breakout).

The architectural grandeur of the warehouse now adds to Luxe Cookshop’s exceptional shopping experience. “The industrial warehouse was once bustling with life as a factory floor; it has now been converted into a fabulous shopping destination,” explains Abi. She reports on the differences following the relocation: “Going from a low footfall shop into a high footfall area has seen our stock change dramatically.

Pickup lines never really took off before but now they are flying out the doors. We are now catering for a much larger target audience and this has given us the freedom to purchase exciting new lines.”

She adds: “The new space has had a fantastic response with customers commenting on how lovely it is to see a store with such heritage thrive. The new displays are busting with colour and charisma. The new stock has been greatly

Inset: A view of Luxe Cookshop in its new warehouse location.

Bottom: High ceilings and industrial flooring create a dramatic setting for Luxe Cookshop.

Left: Christmas table at Luxe Cookshop.

received with customers saying how lovely it is to have a wide range of products.”

Luxe is now trading seven days a week and a part time sales assistant has joined the family team. Abi admits that in a family business that is open everyday, it can be “difficult to find a balance between working and home life.” However, she recognises that with the challenges of retail, Sunday opening was inevitable, and reports: “Luckily we have seen a steady increase in sales on Sundays and can only hope this keeps improving.”

The extra day could also influence potential ranges, as Abi explains: “We find Sundays are more of a family affair which may change some of our stock profile as we may start to

From illuminated beginnings Having opened in September 2015, Luxe Cookshop has been recognised three times as a finalist for Most Promising Newcomer in The PH/bira Excellence in Housewares Awards. The cookshop originated as a new venture for IOS Lighting.

As a family run business Dawn and Fenton Goodes decided it was time to extend their knowledge of lighting products into more homeware brands, opening their new premium cook shop within the heart of Bell.

Today both IOS Lighting (inside Bells of Northampton) and Luxe Cookshop (in the new warehouse space) “work together with the intention of offering an unparalleled level of customer service and depth of knowledge,” highlights Luxe’s manager, Abigail Taylor.

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look for a children’s range.”

Aside from the dramatic new space, Abi emphasises that Luxe Cookshop’s “unprecedented level of customer service” draws customers of all ages: “We believe strongly that having an in-depth knowledge of our products helps us to provide customers with great confidence.”

Christmas has seen increased trade with strong sales in the lead-up and immediately after.

“We’re very pleased,” Abi reflects.

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Market focus

The hot summer of 2018 inspired al fresco dining in gardens, terraces, balconies parks and beaches across the UK. PH basks in sunny memories while asking several experts about this year’s developments for the outdoor dining market.

Inset: Eddingtons’ Marlborough hamper.

The company is launching three new ranges of melamine plus premium hampers and up market wine coolers for summer 2019.

Blue sky dining Sunny dispositions Last summer was the joint hottest on record in the UK, with a scorching sixweek spell from the end of June when daytime temperatures soared up to 30C in many parts of the country. The Met Office has predicted that this summer could also reach record-breaking temperatures, with the possibility of an El Nino effect as well as the continued influence of global warning.

Stark warnings aside, the hot house effect saw sun-worshipping Brits flock to outdoor spaces and reinforced the trend for the garden to be ‘used’ as an extra room. Outdoor furnishings have become more varied, from luxury loungers to elemental firepits, and expectations of well-designed outdoor dining products have also grown.

Roger Murphy, Eddingtons’ managing

director acknowledges that the company’s acquisition of Epicurean in 2015 prompted its development of the outdoor category, recognising the trend for “enhancing the outdoor living experience with compelling ranges and products.”

Roger reports: “Epicurean took us into hampers and barware and melamine and drinkware, providing the chance to flesh out this category with existing Eddingtons’ products under the Epicurean brand name, which we knew had resonance with both customers and consumers alike. Key to the range is “gorgeous melamine outdoor dining

ranges that users simply cannot believe is not ceramic until they drop them and discover their robust credentials,” notes Roger.

He concludes: “Undoubtedly 2018 and our long and lovely summer helped to boost sales through all channels, but especially garden centres. If there is an underlying trend in this category, it's that the consumer is viewing outdoor entertainment as distinct and important enough to warrant different products being used. Dragging the kitchen crockery and glasses outside for a barbecue has been overtaken by a desire to offer a dedicated outdoor solution with specific products and accessories required to complete the experience.”

Going tropical “The summer of 2018 will be fondly remembered as the long hot one where we all spent week after week making the very most of alfresco living, enjoying warm evenings dining on the patio and barbecuing to the max,” acknowledges David Atkinson, sales director of Navigate. He continues: “With sales of outdoor dining products so strong last year and momentum for the growing appetite for eating outdoors, Navigate will be launching two new collections under its 'Summerhouse' brand.

Echoing the lush tropical rainforests of south east Asia, ‘Java’ brings together a range of premium outdoor living products centred around a lush tropical print and accented with mango wood bowls and serve ware for the ultimate tropical dinner party or picnic’.

'Paradise' brings together a range of exotic birds across a selection of dining options and picnic bags using bright and zingy colours and surface prints.”

Inset: Navigate embraces tropical themes for this summer.

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Market focus Inset: Kitchen Craft’s Colourworks sees the addition of “refreshed bright colour tones for summer.” Tableware can be matched with Colourworks water bottles.

Mixing and matching it up

At KitchenCraft, marketing director Claire Budgen reflects that: “The great summer of 2018 was fantastic at keeping footfall away from the shops unfortunately, but on a positive note, it has rekindled our love of a Great British Summer.”

Hence Kitchen Craft is confident that this summer will bring strong sales for outdoor dining, prompted by in-store theatre and story-telling from retailers. “Simple props such as deckchairs, festoon lights, trellis and fake grass can be all that is needed to set the scene combined with getting in early this year,” Claire observes.

Claire describes the company’s approach to outdoor dining products for 2019: “We have tried to ensure that as retailers offer more theatre and inspiration in their stores and the consumer becomes more savvy with putting their own collection together, our product offering is built from a variety of brands or ranges. This enables stores to display a mix of products in a different way to make it seasonally relevant.”

Kitchen Craft’s Spring Fair showcase includes a range of melamine serving platters in wood, marble and slate effect, as well as miniature melamine serving pieces “which look like cast iron and are perfect for presenting tapas without the hassle, weight or cost of cast iron.”

Meanwhile, new cool bags (designed for both summer and everyday lunches) focus on trendy imagery and motifs, including flamingo, pineapple and whale designs.

Coffee without compromise Real coffee lovers can now roam the great outdoors to their hearts’ content in the knowledge that they can enjoy an espresso wherever the road takes them.

Adam Sismey, director of Eskimo Agency (a recent Top Drawer exhibitor), which distributes Wacaco explains: “Wacaco espresso machines are designed to be portable due to their small size, weight (approximately 300g) and the fact that they are hand powered. So as long as you have access to boiling water (or a flask of boiled water), you can be your own portable barista, pumping out shots of espresso wherever you are.”

Above: Wacaco Nanopress from Eskimo Agency.

Left: A wooden ice bucket from Jeray Barware.

Hot tips for summer barware Jeray Barware (Original Products) director Paul Spencer predicts this summer’s outdoor entertaining bestsellers: “The headline act in our market this summer will undoubtedly be re-usable straws, which we have been selling since the 70s. For 2019

we will have glass, silicone, printed straws produced in the UK and even travel versions!”

“Rum will increase in popularity for summer as gin and Prosecco wane,” Paul anticipates.

“We are launching a Mojito set alongside various rum glasses and wooden tumblers for the classic Pina Colada. Hence the pineapple theme remains popular and our pineapple ice bucket and glasses also fit the bill.”

In conclusion, Paul notes that both natural

materials and the novelty factor will be popular this summer: “Wood, marble and cork are in demand and we have coolers and buckets accordingly. Finally, you have to have ice and we are launching new jumbo ice cube moulds in primary colours, ice bags for travelling and novelty duck ice moulds that are fun for summer drinks. We also anticipate good sales of our ‘spike glasses’ to stick in the ground during garden gatherings.”

Barbecuing in style Dutch Deluxes presented its BBQ aprons at the recent Top Drawer, made of 100% full grain leather, canvas or denin. Linette van Laarhoven, trade marketing manager explains that: “With regular use and the passage of time, a patina or soft sheen develops on the surface of the leather, making the apron more beautiful with use.” The design also has a water repellent coating, perfect for all weather outdoor cooking.

The company’s portfolio also includes wooden BBQ Boards that are: “perfect to present dishes from the grill, made with a juice groove and easy to carry with handles at both sides as well as a leather cord to hang along with your other BBQ equipment.”

Above: Dutch Deluxes’ BBQ aprons and boards (finished with grapeseed oil and beeswax).

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Effectively repels mosquitoes and midges by creating a 20m2 insect free zone. The Halo Mini is clean and simple to use. The technology uses heat to disperse a repellent into the air creating a zone of protection from those pesky mosquitoes, midges and other small flying insects. Now that’s what we call freedom to enjoy the outdoors. No need to use harmful sprays or oily lotions. No open flame, no smoky candles. Scent-free and DEET-free. Turn it on… Mosquitoes Gone! P.s works on midges too.

Burton McCall Tel: 0116 234 4600 Web: www.burton-mccall.co.uk

Outdoor tableware needn’t be boring! After looking at new trends and designs emerging within the UK and across the world; Eddingtons has created three new exciting collections. The Rio Corte, Amazon Floral and Coastal collections will be launched at Spring Fair together with the ever popular Alfresco & Stoneware Sage range. Created using the latest technology featuring reactive glazed hand finishes. It looks and feels just like ceramic, however the Epicurean Melamine resists breakage, scratching, chipping and is dishwasher safe.

Eddingtons Tel: 01488 686572 E-mail: sales@eddingtons.co.uk Web: www.eddingtons.co.uk

Adding something a little different and unique to outdoor entertaining is a range of rustic serving boards with unique wood ring detailing and a natural bark finish, perfect for use as serving boards or as underplates for unique place settings. Coupled with new boards, serving platters and other beautiful items throughout the collection, Artesà offers a striking and functional option whether you want to bring the indoors out or the outdoors in, focusing on natural, stunning materials whilst still being truly appropriate for outdoor dining.

KitchenCraft Tel: 0121 604 1111 E-mail: sales@kitchencraft.co.uk Web: www.kitchencraft.co.uk

‘Raising Spirits’ from Tradestock embraces the current hot trends for cocktails, mocktails, fizz, gins of all colours and flavours and no end of other tempting tipples. This generous 65cl decorated gin & tonic, along with a whisky snifter, elegant Royal Trumpet fizz, decorated contemporary ladies and gents fizz, and ladies and gents decorated gins, which are already best-sellers in their own right, make up the collection for starters with further lines coming soon.

Tradestock Tel: 01823 661717 E-mail: sales@tradestockltd.co.uk Web: www.tradestockltd.co.uk

Reminiscent of the traditional design used by Butcher’s in Smithfield Market, this heavy cotton twill range is also available in a contemporary grey.

With each piece enhanced by a contrast trim and woven tag, this collection is perfect for outdoor cooking. The longer length apron is wider to cover and protect clothing, with a large front pocket, extra-long waist ties and an adjustable halter neck fastening. The pocket faced pot mitt and smart quilted double oven gloves come complete with rivet and hook for hanging on the BBQ stove.

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From The Frontline

New year’s wishes ad news to start the year with Steamer Trading going into administration, but some relief that a good chunk of the stores have been saved.

A true illustration of how tough it is out there, but there are some encouraging figures in the media. Also, as mentioned in a bira instagram post, even though internet sales are growing at a fair rate of knots they still only account for 17% of all retail trade in the UK. So there is still life and hope in the high street.

I feel strongly that there is a thriving movement in favour of supporting high street independents and moving away from the internet - more slow living and returning to old fashioned values. ‘Just a Card’ is at the forefront of this movement (as I have mentioned before) and is working tirelessly to increase awareness and it’s really working. It has also received investment from Funding Circle to continue its good work. If you haven’t checked it out yet, I would strongly urge you to have a look and get involved (@justacard).

Christmas trade for us was good. The shops were busy and I’m pleased we ended the year with a strong finish. As ever, good customer service was key and going above and beyond, adding value where we could with complimentary gift-wrapping really

Inset: Holly with her shop managers, Janueta and Fatima on the Forma House stand with Forma House’s Simon Maghnagi at January’s Top Drawer.

Happy new year to you all. I hope that the tills rang loud and long and everyone had a profitable Christmas.

keeps the customers happy. Except on the odd occasion in Primrose Hill when you just aren’t wrapping quickly enough for them as their Bentley is parked on double yellows – eye roll! Hahaha!

However, I always enjoy the last minute panic shoppers in the last couple of days, who will buy almost anything you offer them! Those customers that are standing stock-still in the shop with panic in their eyes!

I’m definitely starting the new year with a positive mindset, but my plans for the year are cautious. There is so much that is unknown and uncertain, and as much as I am trying not to submit to the scaremongers, I am tightening my belt.

Sadly this means that for the first time since I opened I am not attending Ambiente. I feel very sad and have a huge fear of missing out, but it has become so expensive that I just can’t justify it this year, especially not knowing how trade with Europe is going to be affected for importing stock directly. I also took on a lot of new suppliers last year and I don’t think that I would add enough value with a visit this year.

I’m just going to need much more support from suppliers, agents and reps to keep me informed, which is no bad thing! I do think something needs to be done about accommodation in Frankfurt - it has

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become prohibitively expensive unless you stay out in the sticks and where is the fun in that? However, at least I have started the year by getting a show fix, attending Top Drawer with my team and getting a good look at the trends and newness there.

It is now time to lavish a bit of TLC on Prep.

It has been four years in February since I opened and the walls need a lick of paint and I need to replace the lights throughout.

A smattering of the spotlights just don’t work anymore and it is an old system which is not energy efficient. I will endeavour to get that replaced this quarter, so my show budget will be spent on improvements instead and that is a good thing. Richard Dare also needs a bit of extra shelving and touching up.

So, we are currently spending time getting ourselves back into stock of all the basics and sorting things out post Christmas looking at what has worked and where we have gaps in our range, and what newness we want to bring into store. It’s always an exciting time to reflect and make positive changes.

Enjoy show season everyone and let’s hope 2019 is a good one!

Holly Wilson is the founder of Prep Cookshop in Stoke Newington, London and took over the long established cookshop, Richard Dare in Primrose Hill in 2017.

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big

Below: Potters prides itself on well-stocked shelves and plenty of choice. Its lighting includes burgundy pendants to match the retailer’s brand colours.

In March, Potters Cookshop will be a showcase for the best of UK housewares retailing as the UK’s gia winner at Chicago’s International Home +Housewares Show and gia gala.

PH shines the spotlight on this pioneering independent.

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t the Excellence in Housewares Awards 2018, Potters Cookshop, Hockley stood out with a hat trick of coveted titles: the bira Cookshop & Housewares Retailer of the Year, the Excellence in Retail Display (Independent) Award, and the gia (Global Innovation Award) UK title. On hearing the news, director Tom Carter had this initial reaction: “I’m so honoured to be taking Potters to Chicago; we are just a little shop from a town no one has heard of!”

However, Hockley will be soon be on the world map, as Potters Cookshop takes its place in the gia display in the International

Inset: Tom Carter, director and Alison Hobbs, sales assistant and visual merchandiser.

Home +Housewares Show’s (IH+HS) Hall of Global Innovation. At home there is plenty to shout about too as Potters (the cookshop’s parent and adjacent shop) celebrates its 110th anniversary this year.

The retailer intends to grab the attention of thousands of new customers with a new glossy brochure. This will target neighbouring towns, with delivery to 35,000 households this spring. Created inhouse, the brochure will be “packed full of recipes, products, VIP events and demonstration dates as well as advertising Potters’ gardening products and highlighting that we have a car park.”

Potters Cookshop’s mission statement is to provide an incredible level of

customer service to ensure every customer is inspired, informed and happy.

Every day is about “creating theatre for every customer,” notes Tom. In additional to personal service from highly trained staff, it is usual for a member of the team to carry shopping to a customer’s car, and the shop offers free local delivery for larger items. Moreover, there is always something new happening in the store, including 25 to 40 special offers at any one time, with something new to see every week. “Keep it fresh” is a mantra for Tom, and with the Cookshops’ 13 windows (plus two more in the adjacent Potters) at least one will change every week in addition to the feature and gifting tables that greet customers as they enter

Independent voice This is also a year when Potters Cookshop director Tom is determined to make his voice heard on behalf of independent retailers across the UK. Both he and Alison Hobbs (sales assistant and visual merchandiser) have joined the bira committee to have an input into how to stimulate high street trade and encourage consumers to shop with independents. Tom states: “We have to look at an ethos to support the high street or it will disappear.” He expresses the frustrations that many retailers experience when seeing some of their suppliers selling directly to the public at ‘50% off’ during the last Black Friday.

Looking ahead, Tom notes: “I don’t think we’ll reverse footfall.” So with fewer customers, the pressure is on for retailers to make the most of every individual’s spending by providing outstanding service and help. “Over the past year, we have worked twice as hard to sell a product,” Tom admits.

In a challenging retail climate, it is imperative to be proactive, as Tom highlights. ‘Rather than just saying how hard it is, independents have to get on and do things to create interest, whether it’s changing a window or display or simply baking some cookies!”

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the store from the car park or front entrance. Themes for these feature tables have recently included Roald Dahl, Harry Potter, Pick and Mix Colours and seasonal themes, such as picnics and jam making.

Potters Cookshop is also keen to highlight “the latest trends to inspire people,” these could be food or drink related or something championed by leading bloggers. For example, the retailer’s visual merchandiser maestro Alison Hobbs created windows with a cleaning theme to tie in to the phenomenal rise of cleaning tips’ blogger, Mrs Hinch.

A master of creativity, Alison also creates and adapts recipes for her in-store demonstrations, so they are simple to follow (such as Limoncello truffles) and tips (such as adding lustre dust to Prosecco).

“We spend time with people and give them confidence,” notes Tom. Recent examples of this include Potters creating its own cake decorating kits, providing consumers with simple methods for stunning results, as well as regular ad hoc lessons on making the most of coffee machines.

Fresh content is also a priority for Potters Cookshop’s social media.

Step by step recipe blogs have the highest ‘click through’ but the shop is keen to “mix things up” when it comes to its various posts on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and its YouTube channel. “We’re recently done a Top Ten Manager’s Specials and Sunday opening announcement while our most popular videos include our freak shakes and coverage of our VIP evenings.”

Potters’ VIP evening are held at least once every three months, and focus on providing “an exciting, theatre-like atmosphere and a special experience for everyone,” reflects Tom. The £5 ticket covers wine, nibbles, food tasting, with customers seated and waited on, as well as exclusive discounts.

“We take £thousands on those nights,” admits Tom.

Mustering up a little magic Inset: An exterior view of Potters Cookshop.

Inset: Table filled with Roald Dahl products.

Celebrity guests have included Raymond Blanc, Jeremy Pang and The Great British Bake Off winner, Candice Brown. Potters Cookshop might consider itself a small shop, but it never fails to think big!

Potters’ windows often provoke shoppers to come in and comment! They are a hotbed of creativity despite a low budget, with props sourced from eBay or especially made by the team, such as a wooden cart made by Alison’s husband for rural themed Wrendale window. The latter also included real tree stumps sourced from left over timber from the local Hockley Woods.

Coinciding with the recent Harry Potter spin-off film, Potters celebrated its range of Harry Potter products with a window of the famous Platform 9 ¾, with vintage trunks on a railway style trolley, which was actually one of the shop’s garden merchandise area trolleys usually used by customers to move compost! The window coincided with events in store: cooking ‘Golden Snitches’ and making Butterbeer Fudge and Jellied Worms.

The last Christmas window was the result of nearly a year’s planning, with its magical Narnia theme props secured over months from eBay, and next year’s festive windows are already underway.

Inset: The rustic Wrendale window featured a homemade cart, real straw for a nest of eggs and reclaimed tree stumps.

Inset: Ken Hom is one of the celebrities that demonstrated at Potters Cookshop.

Train to gain With “good old fashioned customer service” part of Potters’ retail philosophy, each member of staff is trained to be equally knowledgeable on all aspects of Cookshop. New recruits begin with a two-day induction on the shop and an introduction to products, backed up by supplier training.

Alternate Tuesday evenings are also dedicated to training, and team members take it in turns to talk about products that they have taken home and tried “as though a customer using the product for the first time.” Tom reflects: “When staff discuss products it sinks in more.” Moreover, the presentations are often funny, helping the team to “bond together even more.”

In addition to sharing samples, members of the team are also encouraged to buy kitchenware with a 30% discount. “Staff are often more passionate about products when they use them at home,” Tom adds.

Getting out is also an important aspect of on-going training, notes Tom, including going to see other stores, suppliers or to trade shows. “There are up to nine of us at Spring Fair on a Sunday – it’s so useful for all of us to see new products and hear why they are good. And we often get display ideas from stands.”

Tom and Alison also have Ambiente and Exclusively Housewares as highlights of this year’s calendar, as well as Chicago, where they will be part of the line-up of gia’s retail stars.

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COOKWARE COLLECTION

than standard non-stick

TOUGHER TESTED TRUSTED Hard-wearing Easy to clean!

Little or no oil

FOR ANY TRADE ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT: Jenny Stewart j.stewart@upgs.com

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With a fresh new look following a complete realignment of this award-winning and enduring brand, Freeform® will showcase more inspired tabletop accessories to take creative table styling to new heights. Offering distinctive styling options to totally transform the table, two ranges - Freeform® Duo, with its collection of creative placemats and trays, and Freeform® Connect, with highly functional and flexible mats/trivets, come together in colour, shape and functionality to offer the ultimate in mix and match.

Tradestock Tel: 01823 661717 E-mail: sales@tradestockltd.co.uk Web: www.tradestockltd.co.uk Hall 1.2 Stand J07

This year simplehuman is introducing a new rechargeable liquid soap pump to the range in a stylish brass finish. Identified as a top trend, 2019 is the year we welcome brass accents into our homes. Adding warmth, brass is an appealing alternative to steel accents.

Further brass introductions include a 45L pedal bin with an innovative liner pocket, a 4.5L bathroom bin and wall mounted sensor mirror.

Simplehuman Tel: 01491 875 974 Web: www.simplehuman.com/uk Hall 12.1 Stand C40

Introducing Zoku’s new double-walled stainless steel bottle. Whether you prefer your drinks piping hot or ice cold. The bottle makes sure cold beverages stay that way for up to 40 hours. And hot beverages do not lose steam, maintaining heat for up to 12 hours. Designed to take a hit, this double-walled bottle is made of 18/8 stainless steel, yet remains easy to carry with removable paracord. BPA and phthalate free.

Burton McCall Tel: 0116 234 4600 Web: Web: www.burton-mccall.co.uk Hall 1.2 Stand C30 (Aladdin)

With a passion for stylish and practical kitchen solutions to help organise space, create, serve and display food, T&G’s new creations for Spring 2019 will deliver exactly what you need. The featured gorgeous rustic giant wood boards, perfect for serving and entertaining make a real talking table piece. New to condiments is the launch of the new Halo & Sphere salt and pepper mills, and T&G has also developed the popular ‘Ocean’ collection further by introducing ceramic storage, coasters and beautiful shaped wood boards.

T&G Tel: 01275 841841 Web: www.tg-woodware.com Hall 1.2 Stand C55

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This Century six-piece Knife Block Set is just one of the many new lines that Tramontina will unveil to a global audience at Ambiente. Offering outstanding quality and value, this set comprises four essential knives and a carving fork, all fully forged from highquality German steel with super-sharp stainless-steel blades and ergonomic handles containing an element of fibreglass. The knives all come with a 25-year warranty and are housed in an FSC certified Brazilian Jabotà hardwood knife block which features stylised knife and food icons depicting where each knife is stored and for what task it is best suited.

Tramontina Tel: 020 3176 4557 / 020 3176 4558 E-mail: contact@tramontinauk.com Web: www.tramontina.com Hall 3.1 Stand C60

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Mi casa es su casa, which translates to “my house is your house” encourages us to welcome guests warmly to our homes. Our new Mi Casa range was Inspired to create a shared eating experience, bold solid colours of indigo, cobalt, aqua, yellow and coral mix and match together to create a look that’s inviting and fun.

The Ladelle Group Tel: 020 3514 6626 E-mail: Customerservice.uk@ladelle.com Web: www.ladellegroup.com Hall 1.2 Stand F10 Exciting changes are happening at Meyer Group. Due to the increased attendance of the Ambiente show by the UK trade, this is where Meyer will be focussing its attention in 2019. This coincides with a completely new stand which will see its brands given a major emphasis, with new product launches for Circulon, Anolon and Prestige all due to be unveiled for the first time at the show.

Meyer Group Tel: 0151 482 8015 E-mail: pressdesk@meyeruk.com Hall 3.1 Stand E40

The new William Mason Collection from Mason Cash, named after the founding father of the brand, features elegant dinnerware for all occasions.

The range has a stylish coupe edge with a distinctive, embossed, ripple finish, and is presented in a selection of soft, neutral colour ways. Featuring food preparation, tableware and serveware items; the collection creates a timeless, elegant finish to any kitchen, whether classic or contemporary. All products in the range are made with durable, chipresistant stoneware and are dishwasher and microwave safe.

The Rayware Group Tel: 0151 4861467 Web: www.rayware.co.uk Hall 1.1 Stand A71 An impressive global launch at Ambiente will include a transformation for the acclaimed Colourworks brand, where unique features and elements of multifunctionality will prevail across an update of on trend bright colourways. With a penchant for trend setting and innovation, the brand will unveil many new lines including the SWIP - a spatula featuring cut out sections to easily wipe clean whisk or mixer heads. Some of the multi-functionality throughout the brand offers solutions you never thought possible!

KitchenCraft Tel: 0121 604 1111 E-mail: sales@kitchencraft.co.uk Web: www.kitchencraft.co.uk Hall1.1 Stand B35

Homemade mayonnaise is simple with the Kilner® Mayonnaise and Sauce Jar Set. Fill the jar with the ingredients, place the mesh plunger and oil dish inside the jar and tighten the screw band. Drizzle oil into the oil dish whilst moving the plunger up and down and in three to four minutes your mayonnaise is ready to serve. Other sauces can also be created using this handy kitchen gadget. Included is a twopiece sealing lid to store your homemade creations.

The Rayware Group Tel: 0151 4861467 Web: www.rayware.co.uk Hall 1.1 Stand A71

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Cole & Mason celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2019 with a host of new product development, including a special gift set of the traditionalstyle Knightsbridge stainless steel mill, dual branded with Cole & Mason and ‘100’. This is named after one of the brand’s original ‘Peter Piper’ mills which was manufactured by Park Green & Co in Knightsbridge. Also launching is the Precision+ grinding mechanism, appearing on four new mills and rolled out across the C&M Precision range in the coming months.

Cole & Mason Tel: 0870 160 1319 www.coleandmason.com Hall 1.2 Stand J50 (DKB)

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French manufacturer Pebbly will showcase its extensive range of stylish bamboo accessories including chopping board and the ever-popular magnetic toaster tongs! Also, some stunning new lines to be unveiled at the show. Pebbly is among the eight brands distributed in the UK by PHAKitchEssentials on show in Frankfurt and Paul Hargreaves will be at the show so please get in touch! The other brands are Stasher (1.2, A89), CellarDine (1.1, D20), Cuisipro/Kitchen Grips (1,2,H10), Uutensil (1.1, D31), Graupera (1,1, C28) and Vaello Campos (3.0, A70).

PHA KitchEssentials Tel: 0151 651 2265 E-mail: sales@phassocs.co.uk Web: www.phakitchenessentials.co.uk Hall 1.2 Stand B07 Perfect for all kinds of celebrations, Cheers offers a chance to raise a glass in quirky style with this distinctive new crystal glassware collection. Precision-etched with different, yet complementary, designs such as dots, lines and swirls, each glass is beautifully distinct, which is not only stylishly original, but also means that guests can easily identify their own glass whether it be a tumbler, red wine, white wine, martini, hiball, balloon goblet or champagne.

KitchenCraft Tel: 0121 604 1111 E-mail: sales@kitchencraft.co.uk Web: www.kitchencraft.co.uk / www.creative-tops.com Hall1.1 Stand A33/B35

At Ambiente KitchenCraft will showcase a new collection of knives that function beyond expectation. Combining MasterClass expertise in knife design with patented Edgekeeper technology this ingenious cutting collection features safety sheaths with built-in sharpeners. Each time the knife is removed from the sheath, it sharpens it ready for use. High quality stainless-steel blades with taper ground edges ensure an ultra-sharp cutting angle and balanced, weighted handles are triple riveted for superior durability. All items come with a twenty-five-year guarantee.

KitchenCraft Tel: 0121 604 1111 E-mail: sales@kitchencraft.co.uk Web: www.kitchencraft.co.uk Hall1.1 Stand B35

With florals at the fore, Bohemian Spirit is a beautiful new design from Katie Alice, which will be showcased alongside a host of other gorgeous new collections at Ambiente. This exquisite collection of porcelain tableware and classic afternoon tea pieces features delicate and colourful floral detail in a mix of rich hues, perfect for sharing special moments with nearest and dearest. Selected items come in exquisite gift boxes featuring the same floral design as the tableware.

KitchenCraft Tel: 0121 604 1111 Ee-mail: sales@kitchencraft.co.uk Web: www.kitchencraft.co.uk / www.creative-tops.com Hall1.1 Stand A33/B35

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The CellarDine Caddyo bottle chiller was one of only a handful of kitchen products chosen to appear in a slot about great gifts on ITV’s James Martin’s Saturday Kitchen just before Christmas – alongside CellarDine’s ChillCore product! Caddyo is the only portable product to actively chill bottles in 20 minutes, keeping them cold for up to 9 hours. Chills wine, water, champagne and all 750ml and 1l bottles. The perfect BBQ or picnic companion this summer! CellarDine is distributed by PHA KitchEssentials and is back on show at Frankfurt this year.

PHA KitchEssentials Tel: 0151 651 2265 E-mail: sales@phassocs.co.uk Web: www.phakitchenessentials.co.uk Hall 1.2, Stand B07

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Zyliss will be previewing its extensive new range of Comfort knives, with the strapline “stays sharper for longer”. The range features high quality Japanese stainless steel blades with a taper ground edge. The knives feature patented touchpoints and a soft touch secure grip handles that give the user more control. There are 11 different blade profiles for tasks including peeling, paring and carving – and a series of knife sets in popular combinations (three-piece set pictured).

Each knife comes with a blade sheath for safe in-drawer storage that also protects the blade.

Zyliss Tel: 0870 160 1319 Web: www.zyliss.co.uk Hall 1.2, Stand J50 (DKB) Driven by the desire to reduce the consumption of single use plastic, new brand Smidge is launching 90 products. The range covers a wide variety of categories from ‘on the go’ through to everyday household usage.

Including a unique 100% bio-degradable and recyclable formulation that means no plastic or melamine makes it into the environment.

Targeted toward the consumer wanting to engage in more environmentally friendly consumption. The brands philosophy is simple.

Responsible, affordable, optimistic, giving the consumer a different choice.

Smidge Tel 0117 940 0000 www.wearesmidge.com Hall 3.0 Stand C35

Join the celebrations at Ambiente as Cheers, a stylish new collection of unique, bone-free premium porcelain tableware from Mikasa, is unveiled. Embossed lines and swirls in a white decal on a pure white base provide an understated texture and detail for a distinctive style. Translucent, strong and durable, Cheers porcelain offers all the beauty of bone china but without animal bone, introducing a new way of mindful dining for consumers who value sustainability and wish to cut down on their use of animal-derived products, but who also desire style and function.

KitchenCraft Tel: 0121 604 1111 E-mail: sales@kitchencraft.co.uk Web: www.kitchencraft.co.uk / www.creative-tops.com Hall1.1 Stand A33/B35

There is a fantastic new look for Ken Hom ranges this Spring, including stylised packaging (with each piece featuring the striking iconic portrait

by Christian Develter), new products and ‘new and improved Ken Hom Classic’ lines. The Master of Asian Cooking is even making an appearance at Frankfurt on the DKB Household stand with a series of demos! There will also be a UK tour mid-year as well as extensive PR and promotional activity (details tbc).

Ken Hom Tel: 0870 160 1319 www.kenhomwoks.co.uk Hall 1.2, Stand J50 (DKB)

Elia is pleased to launch a new contemporary pattern to its already extensive Cutlery range that has become synonymous with quality and style; Pendula. Mirror finished in 18/10 Stainless Steel this delightful range exudes elegance and charm.

With a shapely handle that curves up to the delicate neck of this exquisitely streamlined new range, Pendula embodies the ethos of Elia cutlery design, as a piece that truly elevates the dining experience through design and tactility.

Elia 0208 998 2100 E-mail: sales@elia.co.uk Web: www.elia.co.uk Hall 4.1 Stand A74 PROGRESSIVE

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What's Cooking For Wedding and Special Occasions gifts.qxp_50-51 18/01/2019 16:41 Page 1

What’s Cooking?

FOR WEDDING AND SPECIAL OCCASION GIFTS? Four retailers reveal some bestsellers for wedding gifts or gifts for other special occasions.

Vicky Woolston, director, The Kitchen Shop, Lichfield A medium sized family run specialist cookware and tableware shop in a cathedral city, established in 1982 which has recently started selling online.

Studio Blue from Denby

This new range from Denby has been an instant success.

Moya Champagne Flutes from LSA International

These lovely flutes are a steady celebratory seller!

Love Mini Vases from Rader

This is a popular token wedding or engagement gift.

Pilare 12 Bottle Wine Rack from Blomus Gin Balloon Glass Clear Set of Four from LSA International

This modern and stylish wine rack has become our best seller.

Sagaform Decanter with Oak Stopper from Forma House

We are still selling gin balloon glasses for all occasions. This set has been our latest bestseller.

A reasonably priced carafe with a difference.

Right: For the perfect wine storage and display, the Pilare 12-Bottle Wine Rack from Blomus adds style and function to the kitchen.

Left: Denby tableware is always a must-have for Wedding lists and special occasion gifts. Study Blue, with its mild, mix and match tones will fit both traditional and contemporary settings.

Left: These stunning Moya Champagne Flutes from LSA International are the perfect gift for any couple looking to ‘tie the knot’.

Tanya Umpleby, owner, Cooking Fantastic, Killinghall, Harrogate A cookshop located in the countryside at The Cud Life, a family farm and holiday destination, with a coffee shop.

Casseroles/cocottes from Le Creuset

This is a classic that is often bought for a special gift. We used to sell lots of heart shaped casseroles for wedding presents and would love to see this design made again!

Oblique Salt and Pepper Mills from T&G Signature Knives from Robert Welch Designs

People who buy T&G mills from us come back and buy them as gifts because they work so well.

Lover by Lover from BergHOFF

The lids of these casserole pots and saucepans have a heart on the top, so they make good wedding gifts.

The tumbler is our bestseller as it is a universal glass that can be used as a stemless wineglass. However customers tend to come back and buy more of the range.

Messages on these wooden boards include: ‘All you need is love and laughter,’ and ‘Just add friends.’ So they make lovely gifts for weddings and for loved ones.

Fizz Glassware by The DRH Collection Sophie Conran Boards by T&G

Practical and stylish – again, customers who use these love them and buy them as special gifts for others.

Left: The Fizz Glassware range from DRH is a popular ‘go to’ gift for customers. The wide range of glassware offered generates repeat purchases bringing colour to the kitchen and entertaining

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Right: Form and function is unquestionable with T&G’s Oblique Salt and Pepper Mills - a best seller for gifts for every occasion.

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Andrew Johnston, director, The Kitchen Range Cookshop, Market Harborough Renowned for its eye-catching displays, this family run cookshop is situated in a market town that boosts many independent retailers.

Gin Balloons from LSA International

Quality glassware in attractive boxes in both 420ml and the new 690ml sizes.

Signature Knife Block from Robert Welch Designs

Containing six British designed, award winning knives – this makes a perfect special gift.

Concerto Tableware from Forma House These come in seven harmonious colours with modern shapes to create a perfect fusion style.

Tri-ply Saucepans from Le Creuset Stylish design with superb cooking results – a gift that will always be appreciated by home cooks.

Mr and Mrs Mug set from This is an excellent quality gift for the happy couple.

Emma Bridgewater Puccini Wine Glasses from Leonardo

Modern design for perfect enjoyment of wine.

Left: This Emma Bridgewater Mr and Mrs Mug set offers the perfect gift for the impending nuptuals.

Right: This award winning Signature Knife Block from Robert Welch exudes elegance and ‘cutting edge’ design - a classy gift for any occasion.

Chiara Lancia, assistant manager, Season Cookshop, Crouch End The purpose of Season Cookshop, situated in the North London area of Crouch End, is to ‘make dining at home better, simpler and more enjoyable,’ which it has been doing for over a decade. The Crouch End shop also has a cook school, while there are two more Season Cookshops- in West Hampstead and Balham, plus online.

Imperia Pasta Machine from KitchenCraft Champagne Saucers from LSA International

The one and only, this tried and tested design is built like no other, entirely from stainless steel. Made in Italy, it comes with an attachment for tagliatelle and fettuccine.

Handmade glasses which are very elegant and classic. Perfect for cocktails too.

Bialetti Moka Maker from Nixee

Get your coffee fix with this moka maker; you can make a true Italian coffee in the comfort of your home.

This shallow casserole is so versatile; you can use it on the hob or in the oven - perfect for curries, casseroles or even baking breads and tarte tatin.

30cm Shallow Casserole from Le Creuset KitchenAid Stand Mixer from Beam Group Scanpan CTX 10-Piece Set from Haus

An incredible help in the kitchen! It’s like having an extra pair of hands - you can use it for making pizza or pasta dough, mixing cake batter, whisking egg whites or cream. Whatever you want to cook this stand mixer has the power to do it.

The best ceramic non-stick pans on the market. In this set Below: Haus is renowned for it’s highquality products and the Scpanpan CTX you will find everything you need to get you started.

10-Piece Set is no exception.

Left: European design at it’s best - the Imperia Pasta Machine from KitchenCraft creates the perfect pasta, whether it’s tagliatelli or fettuccine - an Italian delight for your guests.

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Country Life Birds

PLAN YOUR 2019 MARKETING NOW! The features list is now set for Progressive Housewares in 2019 – you can find this at ProgressiveHousewares.co.uk or contact us to find out more.

Don’t forget, HousewaresNews.net is the NEW digital resource to the trade. Since launch it has generated huge open rates.

Plus, plans are afoot for the Excellence in Housewares Awards 2019, with plenty of opportunity to be involved.

Get in touch to find out how we can help make it a great year ahead for your business.

Advertising and commercial opportunities: John Barry advertisement manager johnb@max-publishing.co.uk Rob Willis publishing director robw@max-publishing.co.uk Emma Cain product pages editor emmac@max-publishing.co.uk Editorial and content opportunities: Jo Howard editor joh@max-publishing.co.uk

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Weddings and Occasion Gifts The Nightingale cutlery set by Viners is perfect for creating an elegant, timeless feel to any dinner table. The collection brings a modern twist to the classic teardrop handle, and boasts a decorative embossed nature scene displaying birds with a delicate floral design.

The cutlery is comfortable to use, provides excellent balance and looks beautiful combined with a traditional or modern table setting. Made from 18.0 stainless steel and finished with a mirror finish.

The Rayware Group Tel: 0151 4861467 Web: www.rayware.co.uk

Tramontina has been showcasing a host of new lines this year, including a new gift collection comprising best-selling steak knives, cutlery sets and carving sets, presented in stylish rustic dark wooden presentation cases with illustrated sleeves. Renowned for the high-quality dishwasher safe real wood handles, other cutlery styles in its portfolio include the Classic Gaucho Steak Stainless Steel Cutlery Set (pictured), which features traditional scenes embossed on the handles.

Tramontina UK Tel: 020 3176 4557 / 020 3176 4558 E-mail: contact@tramontinauk.com Web: www.tramontina.com

Add some spice and flavour to your kitchen with this attractive space-saving stainless steel spice rack that holds 20 of the most popular gourmet spices. Selecting the spice of your choice is quick and easy with this traditional easy-to-access spice rack. The glass jars have attractively embossed caps with shaker lids for ease of use. This rack comes with 20 filled spices including rosemary, parsley, cinnamon, dill, fennel and ginger. The perfect gift for any occasion.

Burton McCall Tel: 0116 234 4600 Web: www.burton-mccall.co.uk

The Q Knife Block’s innovative design makes it a practical and visually striking addition to any kitchen worktop. Made from the finest quality 18/10 stainless steel and mountain ash wood veneer and supplied with four essential Signature kitchen knives. The Q Knife Block incorporates four ABS sleeves for secure knife storage. A magnetic locator in each slot draws the spine of the knife to the block, preventing damage to the cutting edge when inserting or removing the knives.

Robert Welch Designs Tel: 01386 840880 Web: www.robertwelch.com

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Le Creuset’s Signature Cast Iron Round Casserole is a cooking icon, providing unrivalled cooking results thanks to its superior even distribution of heat. It offers extreme versatility of use, not only from hob to oven to table but also for cooking everything from stews and soups to roasts and pies, and even breads and cakes. The brand has released a special communication programme this Autumn Winter to highlight the benefits of its most iconic, versatile cookware including new point of sale materials for instore displays and four online videos featuring the key benefits of its different shapes of Casseroles as well as the Grillit®.

Le Cresuet Tel: 01264 343909 Web: www.lecreuset.co.uk

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products The fold flat basket from Addis is the ultimate space saving device. The collapsible basket folds flat when not in use and can be stored in a cupboard discreetly with its small footprint or in between the washing machine and counter top.

The fold flat basket is easy to assemble by pressing down the folded base and to close simply push the base back into position when it needs to be stored away. It comes with convenient carry handles.

Addis Tel: 01656 66 44 55 E-mail: info@addis.co.uk Enjoy fresh smoothies in seconds with Lorraine Pascale’s Health Blender by Haden. It features a one touch push operation with a powerful 1000W motor that has 20000 revs per minute! It also includes four different sized cups with two screw tight lids, one for on the go and one for keeping your smoothie fresh in the fridge. The six sharp blades and accessories are all dishwasher safe and it’s also BPA free meaning it’s even healthier!

Haden Appliances Tel: 01909 544 570 E-mail: info@hadenappliances.com

In keeping with its on-trend ethos KitchenCraft has just launched an endearing range of ceramic planters in a selection of designs, colours and textures, essential for hip home accessorising, especially in the kitchen. There is a choice of twelve designs, including some loveable little faces, and they all allow for fun and playful ways of displaying, not only plants, but a host of everyday items too. They are destined to put a smile on anyone’s face, and with a fully rotating hot spot merchandiser available, that includes retailers too!

KitchenCraft Tel: 0121 604 1111 E-mail: sales@kitchencraft.co.uk Web: www.kitchencraft.co.uk

One of the latest brands to join the KitchenCraft stable, Maxwell & Williams, introduces Marblesque - a stunning new range of decorative glass serveware with a distinctive alabaster swirl design. The dramatic alabaster effect, which features across a selection of stylish plates and bowls in black or white, is created as the glass is fired, which means that every piece is completely unique. Marblesque is both practical and beautiful and lends itself to being used, either as a striking serveware option at the table, or alternatively displayed as a unique piece of art glass.

KitchenCraft Tel: 0121 604 1111 E-mail: sales@kitchencraft.co.uk Web: www.kitchencraft.co.uk / www.creative-tops.com

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Lorraine Pascale’s Kitchen Angel by Haden is an instant pressure cooker, and it really is an angel in the kitchen! It allows you to pressure cook, slow cook and sauté your favourite meals. The pressurised steam locks in more vitamins and minerals for a much healthier meal. It speeds up cooking time and help to produce nutritious healthy food effortlessly. It also has a removable non-stick inner pot and accessories which are dishwasher safe. It has a multi-function 15 pre-set menu with a large LED display for even easier cooking.

Haden Appliances Tel: 01909 544 570 E-mail: info@hadenappliances.com

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The BrewThru Coffee Dripper uses the same brewing method as a pour over, but instead of an uncontrolled drip and no steeping, the BrewThru’s one-way valve allows the coffee to steep for a desired amount of time to create a stronger brew, and lets you choose when to drip. Simply place the BrewThru on a mug or cup to release the valve and watch the coffee flow.

Barista&Co Tel: 01202 619500 Web: www.baristaandco.com

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The OneBrew is for busy coffee lovers who enjoy pressed coffee but don’t enjoy the hassle. The press has been removed and replaced with a patent pending filter that makes preparation, sediment disposal and cleaning simple and easy. Simply spoon coffee (or tea), add hot water in the beaker, push in the filter, leave to brew and serve.

Barista&Co Tel: 01202 619500 Web: www.baristaandco.com

SMART Worldwide is the Winner of The Small Electrical Innovation 2018 and Scarlet Opus ‘On Trend’ Award & recognition recommends the stylish SMART Samosa Maker as one of the 65 skus for your 2019 range. It makes 24 deep fill samosas quickly and efficiently. Simply add your favourite filling (sweet or savoury) such as potatoes, chili, peas, minced meat, cheese or apple and cinnamon, without oil to have healthy Samosas in few minutes. Ideal for entertaining guests at party, mealtime or a night in. The non-stick plate makes cleaning an easy task.

SMART Worldwide Tel: 08444 069 098 Web: www.smartworldwidefun.com

Lesser and Pavey introduces a range of Bamboo Travel Mugs in Hall 5 on stand D10-E11 at the Spring Fair 2019. They come in three designs, with an assortment of the 350-ml size, which includes one William Morris branded assortment. There are also the three designs in an assortment of four of the 600 ml size, which also includes one of the William Morris branded assortment. This range is made with eco-friendly sustainable natural bamboo fibre; the mugs are reusable, environmentally friendly and dishwasher and microwave safe.

Lesser and Pavey Tel: 01322 279225 E-mail: sales@leonardo.co.uk Web: www.leonardo.co.uk

The new Stellar can opener is taking can openers to the next level! Uniquely, it creates tin lids too, surely one of the most useful bi-products. With simplicity and ease of use at is core, it will self-lock onto the top of the tin, and will cut and round all edges, leaving you with a smooth can and re-usable lid. We believe it to be one of the easiest and safest tin openers on the market.

Horwood Tel: 0117 940 0000 E-mail: sales@horwood.co.uk Web: www.horwood.co.uk/brands/stellar

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WWRD United Kingdom, Ltd Wedgwood Drive, Stoke on Trent, ST12 9ER Tel: 01782 204141 Email: sara.ward-evans@Fiskars.com www.royaldoulton.co.uk Royal Doulton is a registered company of WWRD

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