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Above: What More’s Tony Grimshaw was impressed by youngsters’ recycling.
What More praises young recyclers
What More director Tony Grimshaw OBE joined MP Sara Britcliffe (pictured) in a visit to St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School (near to What More’s headquarters) to congratulate pupils on their inspirational recycling initiatives. The school children are giving plastic a second life by making ecobricks: plastic bottles stuffed tight with single use plastic. They have made enough to construct an entire classroom. Tony Grimshaw told the children how What More is also creating reusable products from "single use" plastics with its Wham Upcycled range. Children at the school have also been using What More's Wham boxes as improvised greenhouses to grow vegetables for the school's kitchen. "Plastic can have a second life. Everything can be recycled if you're creative about it, and that's what these inspirational kids are doing," said Tony.
TOP STORY EIH Awards 2021 - open for entry and nomination!
The online portal for The Excellence in Housewares Awards 2021 is now open for entries. The deadline for entries and nominations is July 9. There are awards categories to recognise and reward housewares suppliers and retailers right across the spectrum. “Like no other time in history, over the past year the housewares industry has stepped up to help consumers. Even throughout the lockdowns retailers have shown their passion and tenacity for serving their communities while suppliers have developed products to over deliver on consumer expectations. Now is the time to shout about their great many achievements,” commented Jo Howard, editor of Progressive Housewares, which owns and organises the EIH awards. Entry into all of the awards categories, as ever, is free of charge. To enter any of the awards categories, suppliers and retailers should Above: Among the winners of EIH 20: Sharon Wake and create an account (easily done) and then just log in Geraldine Burke, cookshop buyers at Barkers, Northallerton between now and the deadline. See with The Best Department Store (Independent) trophy. Below: Dexam’s warehouse team with The Excellence in www.excellenceinhousewaresawards.co.uk Service 2020 trophy. All product categories will be judged online by an extensive panel of retailers. Meanwhile suppliers are urged to nominate who they believe have been the housewares heroes on the retail front via the EIH website, the link on HousewaresNews.net or by emailing PH editor Jo Howard at joh@max-publishing.co,uk Meanwhile, the PH team is gearing up for a magnificent industry reunion at The Excellence in Housewares Awards in London on Thursday 6 October, to be held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London. Once again, the EIH Awards are backed by leading names across the housewares industry, with BHETA and Bira among big name sponsors.
Queen’s Award for Aydya
Dundee-based housewares company Aydya Group has been awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise. The company exports Any Sharp knife sharpeners and Ion8 eco-friendly water bottles to more than 50 countries around the world. The Award comes as Aydya Group embarks on ambitious expansion plans to grow its business by 60% in new markets, including the USA, and build its brands in the UK and across Europe. Exports already account for around 30% of Aydya’s turnover, with half Above: Aydya founder Yusuf Okhai with Ion8 bottles. of its international sales coming from the EU. The family-owned business has grown ten-fold in the last four years. “We are honoured to receive The Queen’s Award for Enterprise, which recognises the global reach of business, with exports to dozens of countries around the world,” states Aydya founder Yusuf Okhai. Aydya Group donates around 10% of its annual profits to charity through the company’s own charitable organisation, the Medea Charitable Trust, with over £600,000 donated since 2009. The company has also designed one of its Ion8 bottles in collaboration with Friends of the Earth to raise awareness of the charity as well as wider environmental issues.
John Lewis highlights ANYDAY tableware
Below: John Lewis’ ANYDAY Ribbed Mug in the new TV advertisement.
John Lewis’ new TV advertising campaign for its ANYDAY own label brand includes homing in on some of the housewares products that features in the retailer’s new value range. The commercial depicts a series of everyday household scenes, including a home worker and his cat, who drinks from an ANYDAY mug, and children arguing over a broken ANYDAY bowl. Launched in April, the ANYDAY ranges currently includes over 2,400 ‘great value’ products across homeware, technology, baby care and baby clothing. The new brand is part of the retailer’s ‘turnaround strategy,’ with aims to ‘grow market leadership across homeware.’ Pippa Wicks, executive director at John Lewis says the range “signals a step-change in the modernising of our brand.” The retailer states that customer research shows that 60% of UK adults are more money conscious now than they were at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Summer chill seekers
For the second year running the Independent newspaper has selected CellarDine’s Caddyo and ChillCore wine coolers in its review of top chillers. The newspaper’s Indy Best describes the ChillCore as a “clever frozen wand”, which is compact and effective after just half an hour, as well as acting as a cork stopper and pourer. The Caddyo is described as “a good, premium-looking cooler, perfect for picnics or festivals.” The Independent’s top ten also features the ‘versatile’ PackIt Freezable Wine Cooler as its Best Buy, as well as Vacu Vin’s affordable Active Wine Cooler, the marbleeffect Swell Calacatta Gold Wine Chiller and the Hydro Flask, which is designed especially for wine, as well as the budget option of a Tala Silver Wine Cooler.
Beyond breakfast
Representing the Kellogg's brand exclusively across Europe, prolific licensing and brand extension agency Pink Key Licensing is looking to expand into the house and home sector. Synonymous with breakfast and the kitchen, Kellogg's vast range of artwork spans decades of history since the company was founded in 1906. Richard Pink, director of Pink Key Licensing said: “There are hundreds of available images ranging from high end art by Norman Rockwell, vintage packs images and slogans right up to modern day characters.”
Below: Star Wars’ salt and pepper mills by Uncanny Brands.
Electric force be with you
Uncanny Brands’ licensed character small kitchen appliances and gadgets are now being distributed exclusively in the UK by DKB Toys & Distribution.
Achieving widespread success in the USA and Canada, Uncanny Brands is renowned for its quirky pop culture small appliances that are fun and functional. Products include popcorn makers, toasters and hand blenders that are designed around iconic licensed characters from Star Wars, Marvel and Pokémon, among others.
With initial product lines selling out instantly, DKB Toys is planning 2022 volumes now to meet expectations of high consumer demand.
TOP STORY Dynamic Ocado
“Ocado is an incredibly exciting and dynamic business,” Claire Fletcher, category manager for the online retailer told an attentive audience at a recent BHETA webinar. Having spent 15 years in homewares, with buying roles at Harrods, Debenhams and Tesco, and having joined Ocado last October, this marks Claire’s “first foray” with an online only brand. Talking to BHETA members in one of the association’s exclusive retailer webinars, Claire highlighted Ocado’s considerable growth and its enviable Online Grocer of The Year accolades. Moreover, with a “unique model” that equates with high levels of direct interaction with customers, the retailer is much loved by its customers, achieving “99% order accuracy and being 95% on time.” Ocado aims to significantly grow the business by opening three additional customer fulfilment centres this year. It is also extending its successful partnerships with premium retailers; these already include Harrods, Joules and Harvey Nichols, with “many others in discussion.” While Ocado boosts the largest online grocery range, its general merchandise SKUs have decreased in numbers as the retailer has adapted its strategy to focus on particularly significant categories. “We are not looking to be a specialist GM retailer,” Claire emphasised. “We want to continue to be the best grocer and be a point of difference for our customers.” With “fair value” combined with quality as a priority, Clare explained how Ocado is “a whole baking destination,” with consumers able to shop for flour and ingredients along with bakeware and baking accessories “on the same page.” Grocery search terms can also prompt complementary merchandise suggestions for shoppers, such as steak knives for those purchasing steaks, or jars for those looking at pickled onions. “Customers buying eggs should also be able to buy poach pods and frypans,” Claire notes. With various promotional opportunities for partner suppliers, Ocado’s home page is “like a gondola end in a grocery store,” offering inspiration for shoppers, while its digital version of the “checkout walk” promotes products that customers may have overlooked. Examples include tea towels and peelers “that frequently need replacing.” Areas of growth include Cook, Dine - including glasses and dinnerware - Home Fragrance and Utility. “There are so many influencers who are keen on organising the home,” reflects Claire. Thanks to its superlative delivery drivers, the retailer has “no issues” with carrying out the age identified deliveries that will soon be a legal requirement for knives sales, meaning that knives are one area of opportunity under the Cook banner. Claire confirmed that Ocado continues to offer 100% branded kitchenware. Commenting on the webinar, which attracted a large audience, Will Jones, BHETA chief operating officer said, “Unsurprisingly, this proved an extremely popular event with members. They were rewarded with excellent insights into the Ocado business and some very real opportunities to trade with this growing force in retail and pioneer of the online model. I look forward to following this up with the forthcoming Meet the Buyer event on June 29.” • For more BHETA news, see page 12.
Right: A view of ProCook’s Bluewater store.
Record year for ProCook
ProCook reports that 2020-2021 was its highest yielding year ever, with sales hitting £64.5m, a 35% increase on 2019-20. The kitchenware chain doubled its expected growth, delivering £10m plus profit. The chain attributes its record-breaking year to its agile systems, which enabled fast response to the challenges of the pandemic, along with increased consumer demand for kitchenware, and a significant growth in its newly expanded tableware category. Committed to bricks and mortar alongside ecommerce, ProCook has now opened in Bluewater in Kent, with a forthcoming opening in Cribbs Causeway in Bristol. Outside the UK, the retailer has launched a hub in the Netherlands to service European markets. The 5,000sq ft warehouse with offices marks the first phase of ProCook’s international expansion. It will be followed by the opening of several European ProCook stores later this year.
Above: Food ‘on the go’ was part of the Ambiente Trend presentation, featuring Black + Blum’s Glass Lunch Box. Outdoor living is “massive”
The Ambiente Trends presentations was one of many highlights of the recent Consumer Goods Digital Day, organised by Messe Frankfurt. The online event provided its 3,658 participants from 93 countries with valuable insights for the future of retail. Cookshops and housewares retailers were among those joining the event, which saw 59% of its audience from outside Germany. The “rediscovered picnic” was one of the topics discussed by trend experts Annetta Palmisano and Claudia Herke (of stilburo bora.herke.palmisano), who emphasised that the “outside is massive” as an “extended living space.” Elaborating on the ‘Related to nature’ trend, Annetta pointed out that the “boundaries between indoors and outdoors are becoming blurred. For more on Outdoor living, see pages 16-19.
Fashion-focused cleaning
“Consumers now want their cleaning accessories to co-ordinate with current interior trends,” states Laura Squire, product manager at George East Housewares, reflecting on Sorbo’s Home Décor collection for 2021. She highlights the massive growth of cleaning as a trend, fuelled by social media influencers and bloggers, as well as the renewed focus on a clean home environment due to the pandemic.
Consumers are now keen “to invest in quality cleaning products that are stylish and add sense of creativity and fun to cleaning.”
Right: Steel POP containers feature a brushed stainlesssteel lid with a push-button mechanism that creates an airtight seal.
POPular winners
OXO’s innovative Steel POP storage containers have scooped both 2021 International Red Dot and iF Design Awards. The containers combine functionality with a stylish stainless-steel finish. In the 2021 Red Dot Awards, the OXO Steel POP collection won recognition for Product Design. In the iF Design Awards (household and tableware category) the range received high scores for the five key criteria: idea, form, function, differentiation, and impact.
TOP STORY gia launches Top Window Award
UK home and housewares retailers are invited to take part in an international competition which could see them win a trip to Chicago in 2022. The IHA’s (International Housewares Association) Global Innovation Awards programme, aka gia, has launched the gia Top Window Award 2021. Progressive Housewares is the UK sponsor of the gia global awards programme, which honours overall excellence, business innovation and creative merchandising in home and housewares retailing. Home and housewares retailers from around the world will compete for the best window displays, with the two winning stores (one large and one small) receiving a trip to The Inspired Home Show 2022, taking place in Chicago from March 5-8 2022 as part of the prize. Above: Showstopping window All the shortlisted stores will be part of a worldwide celebration of magnificent housewares and home goods from a previous gia winner: Negozio Mori of Italy. window displays, with lots of positive publicity for the retailers involved. The windows will be judged on originality and creativity (theme, concept, special effects); merchandise presentation, and professionalism: execution and technical aspects (lighting, attention to detail, signage, copy). Outstanding window displays from three shortlisted UK retailers will go forward for international judging by the panel of gia expert jurors. To be considered for the 2021 gia Top Window Award, housewares retailers should contact Jo Howard at Progressive Housewares by July 9, submitting up to three high resolution images of a particular window display. Previous gia UK winners are also welcome to enter. Contact joh@max-publishing.co.uk
Below: Samuel Groves’ Wok has been praised by consumer press.
Samuel Groves’ new Pans for Life non-stick tri-ply pan collection have achieved outstanding reviews in consumer press and online. Duncan Bell, lifestyle editor for T3.com said ‘hail the king of pans’ on reviewing the Samuel Grove’s non-stick tri-ply collection. Living Etc’s 10 Covetable Kitchen Must-Haves for Budding Chefs also calls the collection the ‘king of the non-stick pans.’ The range is also praised in Ideal Home’s eco-friendly tried and tested kitchen recommendations, The Indy Best 10 Best Non-Stick Pans, The Sun Selects’ Best Woks and The Indy Best Woks.
Meanwhile, Samuel Groves has selected ClimateCare to offset its carbon emissions. ClimateCare carries out projects that improve lives and fight climate change.
AIS launches INDX Home
The Housewares Show run by AIS (Associated Independent Stores) has been rebranded under AIS’ INDX brand, along with its trade shows for Linens, Gift Food and Furniture, now under the banner of INDX Home. INDX Housewares will take place at AIS’ Cranmore Park, Solihull on July 12-13 and registration is now open.
“The INDX brand (short for Independent Exhibitions) represents unique trade shows focussed on independent retailers and is well established for the AIS Abovet: AIS shows take place in the purpose-built Fashion trade shows, so we’re delighted to become part of event centre at Cranmore Park. the INDX family,” states Julian Cox, director of furniture and home states.
Jane Bartlett, head of events adds: “It’s been amazing to see the huge appetite among exhibitors to experience the buzz of a live event and reconnect with customers in a face-to- face environment and we can’t wait to be hosting shows at Cranmore Park once again.”
The first day of INDX Housewares (July 12) is for AIS members only, while the second day is open to all independent housewares buyers. See www.indxshows.co.uk
WEDNESDAY 6 OCTOBER 2021, ROYAL LANCASTER HOTEL, LONDON THE GRAND REUNION!
The Excellence In Housewares Awards is back!
Not that we ever went away… but the fun and frolics wasn’t quite as fun on a computer screen. We can’t wait to celebrate with the industry at a grand reunion on WEDNESDAY 6 OCTOBER. Here’s what you need to action now:
ENTER
Entry remains online this year, via our super efficient entry portal. Simply head to the site, create your account in less than a minute and get entering. Suppliers – you can nominate yourselves into all categories, including the marketing award. Retailers – you can now nominate yourselves too – and we are sure you feel rightly proud of being on the high street right now. THE DEADLINE IS FRIDAY 9 JULY AND THERE WILL BE NO EXTENSION
JUDGE
Judging will take place in late July/early August. Retail buyers keen to be on the product judging panel should contact Jo Howard to register their interest.
BE THERE!
Tickets and tables are being booked each week as the industry plans it’s first big party since you-know-what. All bookings are 100% refundable/deferrable should the event be altered due to outside forces, meaning you can book with complete confidence before tickets sell out. Head to www.Max-Tickets.net or contact a member of the team to get this organised.
LET’S CELEBRATE THIS FANTASTIC INDUSTRY AND ALL ITS ACHIEVEMENTS! The Premier Awards For The Housewares Industry
CONTACT THE TEAM:
Jo Howard – joh@max-publishing.co.uk: Entry, judging. Emma Cain – emmac@max-publishing.co.uk: Entry, judging, general enquiries. John Barry – johnb@max-publishing.co.uk: Entry, sponsorship, attending. Rob Willis – robw@max-publishing.co.uk: Anything and everything.
TOP STORY
Below: Geraldine’s treats for NHS staff.
Geraldine creates Hampers for Helpers
With support from housewares retailers and suppliers, sales agent Geraldine Finnan fundraised over £8,000 and created over 400 ‘Hampers for Helpers’ to thank the NHS staff who saved her husband’s life. Geraldine is the Midlands and North West agent for CKS, The DRH Collection, Forma House, The Kitchenware Co, Robert Welch Designs and Ulster Weavers. Earlier this year, Geraldine’s husband Paul Finnan was critically ill with Covid-19, and had to spend time on a ventilator. While Paul was in a coma, Geraldine and her family launched a fundraising appeal to recognise the huge efforts of NHS staff. “The countless doctors, nurses and carers have been doing an amazing job while risking their lives every day, and we wanted to find a way to shine light on their efforts,” explained Geraldine, who designed luxury gift hampers filled with products from small local independent businesses. Due to a fantastic response, the Finnans raised their fundraising goals to be able to thank “all of the NHS staff that cared not only for Paul, but thousands of others,” reported Geraldine, who has appeared on Midlands TV news talking about her show of gratitude. “Thank you so much to everyone who donated to our cause and made this lovely thing possible. We’ve had a wonderful response from NHS staff on receiving the hampers and knowing how much we appreciate their work,” she added.
Below: LSA’s Canopy includes glasses and carafes.
Green Good Design stars
LSA International’s Canopy collection is among the winners of the prestigious international 2021 Green Good Design Awards. The awards celebrate the world’s most important examples of sustainable, innovative and ecological design.
Mouthblown from 100% recycled glass, LSA’s Canopy was created in partnership with the Eden Project, with featuring domed and curved shaped glassware echoing the Project’s biomes.
Other winners include OXO Good Grips Extendable Straw Set, Re-generation Guzzini Food Storage Boxes and Bottles (using recycled plastic) and Re-generation Berndes Cookware.
Below: Wayne Woodger is now an agent for PHA.
New face at PHA
PHA KitchEssentials has appointed Wayne Woodger as agent in the South West and Wales, following the retirement of Fiona Wyatt. “Wayne’s experience in housewares fits perfectly with our portfolio of brands and his knowledge of the territory is second to none,” says PHA managing director Paul Hargreaves. He adds: “I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank Fiona Wyatt for all the fantastic work she has done for PHA over the last two decades. She has been invaluable in the development and growth of the company. Karen and I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Fiona and wish her a very happy retirement.”
NEWS IN BRIEF
l Total sales increased by 59% for home and housewares retailer Dunelm Group for the first seven weeks of its fourth quarter (commencing 28 March 2021). The comparison is based on the equivalent period in the 2019 financial year. l Ocado has announced its very first Rising Star Awards, celebrating small brands. The 20 winners included Eddingtons’ bestselling FSC Parchment Baking Paper Sheets by If You Care.
l Michelle Dickinson, managing director of Burton McCall delivered a keynote presentation at the IHA’s Connect GLOBAL, a virtual presentation of the International Business Council’s Global Forum.
l Employees of Keter Group – parent company to Curver – are taking part in a ‘Reach for the Moon’ challenge, setting out to walk 240,000 miles collectively by the end of the year, while fundraising for Mind. l Morphy Richards has been running a month-long TV campaign for its ‘phenomenal’ selling easyCharge 360 cordless iron, supported by print advertising and social media.
l Black+Blum has announced that it is officially Climate Neutral Certified. The company (renowned for its ‘on the go’ products) joins 230 other brands that have earned the standard by measuring and offsetting all of their 2020 carbon emissions and reducing future emissions. l Having officially launched a sustainability hub on 1 January 2021, Products of Change – an international digital membership platform built to drive sustainable change within the consumer goods industry – has reached 250 members in its first quarter. Membership is open to all businesses, organisations and individuals. l Clarion Events – the team behind Home & Gift and Top Drawer – has launched a trade ecommerce platform called REVEAL, which promises ‘a hub of product discovery, easy ordering, inspiration and insight.’
JTF Central’s 50 ‘fun’ stores
Housewares stockist JTF Mega Discount Warehouses says it will help to revive UK high streets with plans to open a new store concept, JTF Central in 50 locations. The stores will take a “creative and innovative new approach to retail,” while “championing the best affordable deals for homeware,” according to Jeremy Coombes, director at JFT Mega Discount Warehouses. Due to launch in July, the concept will create a “fun place” for families to shop, notes Jeremy. Established as an out-of-town discount retailer, JTF Mega Discount Warehouses has twelve warehouses across the Midlands and the North, as well as its ecommerce site. The retailer stocks branded kitchenware, small electricals, home storage and utility as part of its extensive product portfolio. Taking up vacant spaces in town and city centre locations, the new JTF Central stores will ‘have ‘entertainment in every area’ of the new stores, as well as ‘fun themed food outlets’ and a sustainable eco concept area.
Real coffee fix
“The domestic coffee machine market will continue to grow as consumers have become accustomed to high quality coffee in the home,” acknowledges Nigel Morrison, consumer and trade marketing manager at Melitta UK. “Many commuters missed their morning coffee the most when not travelling to work, and even if people return to the office, great coffee has now become an everyday essential at home, rather than a luxury.”
Reflecting the growing market and consumer interest, Melitta launched its second automated electric pour-over coffee machine this year – the epour, which follows the first of its kind, the EPOS machine’s launch in 2020.
Melitta also recognises the enduring appeal of coffee shop classics with its new LatteSelect – a fully automated bean to cup coffee machine with options to select espresso, café crème, cappuccino, and latte macchiato as well as personalised favourite brews via the machine’s My Coffee memory function.
Sustainability pledge
Curver, part of the global Keter Group, which manufacturers home and garden products, is supporting a group-wide core sustainability pledge to upweight recycled content in total production.
In response to a growing consumer desire for products which do less harm to the planet, the brand has been innovating its design and manufacturing processes to maximise the reuse of materials.
It has an impressive set of targets to achieve by 2025 - which includes a pledge to increase products made from recycled materials so that 55% of recycled content is used in total production. In fact, the company is already on the trajectory to reach that goal thanks to the launch of core indoor storage ranges from Curver, such as the Jute collection, designed with the eco-conscious consumer in mind.
Inspired by handcrafted textiles, the range includes a selection of multi-functional baskets made from 100% recycled plastic offering a collection of storage solutions for the home. The plastic used is post-industrial recycled material.
Available in small, medium, and large sizes, they have been designed in off white, deep shadow grey, forest green and peppercorn, providing retailers with a variety of options for consumers, enabling retailers to maximise basket spend.
Edward Johnson, Managing Director at Keter UK, comments: “We are already the largest user of recycled plastic in the industry and feel a responsibility to lead the way in creating solutions to produce zero-waste 100% recycled plastic products designed to last a lifetime.”
He continues: “There is an ongoing debate about plastics, and through eco-conscious innovations we can tackle the impact and help to build a better world.
“The Jute collection, along with Curver’s Terrazzo and Infinity ranges, are just a few examples of how we have made conscious efforts to our design and manufacturing arm to enable us to create useful products from recycled materials. We have pledged across the business to achieve a more efficient and less impactful approach to create the lifetime products society wants.”
The Lowdown
l Curver, part of the Keter Group, embraces company-wide commitment to the responsible creation of plastic-based products. l Product developments include home storage items that are 100% recyclable and made from recycled materials. l Curver embraces the group’s Better Products for Better places ethos.
Above: Keen Home Cook winner Teresa Lynch with head judge Lesley Waters and Andy Godfrey, Chemours UK retail marketing manager.
Teresa is top home cook
Inspiring Culinary Generations - the national cookery competition sponsored by Teflon non-stick coatings - has announced that its Keen Home Cook 2021 winner is Teresa Lynch. Teresa cooked her signature two-course dinner party menu of Vietnamese Chicken & Sweetcorn Curry and Yoozoo Meringue Tart. She was one of seven shortlisted home cooks in a national cook-off. The competition’s final (May 21) was judged by a panel headed up by celebrity chef Lesley Waters. Teresa won a luxury hamper full of cooking and foodie goodies worth over £200, plus £500-worth of Teflon nonstick coated cookware and a gift set from partner Thermapen. She commented: “I feel like this is a huge stepping-stone to boosting my confidence in my cooking ability. I have always dreamed of going on to do something within the food world – I feel this achievement proves that I can do it!”
Below: Mary Berry's Simple Comforts by BBC Books.
TOP STORY Exclusively exhibitors to donate to In Kind Direct
Exclusively exhibitors are invited to donate housewares products to In Kind Direct at the end of the show (which runs from August 24-25 at Islington’s Business Design Centre). Housewares - such as cookware, tableware, utility, cleaning products and small electricals including kettles - are among essential items that are much needed. The charity initiative is organised by Progressive Housewares, with the support of Exclusively. In Kind Direct is a UK charity who believe that everyone deserves access to life’s essentials. Above and below: In Kind Direct provides Founded in 1996 by HRH the Prince of Wales, they distribute charities and community groups with much needed products including vacuum cleaners new consumer goods donated by companies to a range of and drinks flasks. charitable organisations operating in the UK. So far, they have supported over 11,200 charitable organisations and distributed over £275m worth of essential products “We offer a one stop solution connecting companies and their products to thousands of charities, community groups, foodbanks and schools who need those essentials to support a wide range of social issues within their communities,”explains Eva Learner from In Kind Direct’s Corporate Partnerships team.“Insight is at the heart of everything we do; our recent charity network survey highlighted the urgent need for essential housewares and kitchenware,” she continued. “Some 69% of respondents identified household items as one of the most needed product categories in the next few months. Key products within this category are small appliances like kettles and hoovers, as well as kitchen and catering products.”HARV (Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Domestic Violence Team), one of the organisations receiving products from In Kind Direct explains how it uses housewares and home products: “We support families moving into refuges who have nothing. In Kind Direct enables us to give families a welcome pack, including toiletries, cleaning supplies, new bedding, saucepan sets and a kettle - everything they need.”A refugee family taken in by HARV reflects on the importance of the welcome pack: “I arrived with the children by train with only the things we could carry. I felt so guilty as the kids had to leave everything behind. I cried when the refuge worker gave me the new bedding, kitchenware and all the things we'd need and told me they were mine to keep. Getting new things made us feel like we were cared for.”Details of how to make donations at Exclusively will be confirmed nearer to the event. Meanwhile, housewares suppliers and retailers can find out more about supporting Kind Direct by going to www.inkindirect.org or contact the team on donations@inkinddirect.org
Mary queen of cookbooks
GreenPan has proclaimed that Mary Berry is the most successful UK chef, based on the popularity of cookbooks. The cookware brand collated a comprehensive list of 10 popular celebrity chefs from the UK, sourcing a list of all their cookbooks available to buy. Reviews for the cookbook were collected from Amazon. In second place is James Martin, closely followed by Rick Stein. Despite coming 8th in the rankings, Jamie Oliver has the highest number of average monthly searches for his 5 Ingredients: Quick and Easy Food.
Below: myLakeland was launched in 2019. Right: Eddingtons’ virtual showroom integrates 360degree technology.
myLakeland celebrates one million members
Lakeland is celebrating its one millionth member joining the myLakeland loyalty club. The loyalty programme was the Excellence in Housewares Awards 2020 Excellence in Retailer Initiative winner. Launched just under two years ago, the club gives consumers access to exclusive content, live events, vouchers and offer packs as well as the opportunity to contribute to Lakeland’s charity pot each time they shop. Since myLakeland launched, customers have raised over £100K for charity and have helped plant over 10,000 trees in partnership with the Woodland Trust. The one millionth member received a £200 Lakeland summer hamper and a £500 Dine Indulge voucher to enjoy a meal prepared by a private chef in their own home.
Eddingtons welcomes virtual buyers
Eddingtons has launched a virtual customer experience that includes a walk around tour of its trade showroom, giving prospective buyers the opportunity to browse the broad product range from the comfort of their desktop or mobile device. Direct links to the Eddingtons B2B website enable retail buyers to toggle between the virtual showroom and their online order or switch to further research product detail, brands and ranges or enjoy product videos or demonstrations. Tabitha Monkhouse, digital marketing executive describes the technology as “incredible.
