Market focus: Glassware

Inset: Tabletop theatre with Filigree glassware from The DRH Collection.

Below right: Ravenhead’s Entertain Cocktail Sets includes shapes for margaritas, mojitos and martinis.

Inset: Elia’s graceful Meridia coupe glass: “The thin walls deliver a crisp and delicate finesse to this well balanced and poised stemware collection,” says Adam Walker, sales manager.

the bar Raising

Cocktail making, statement pieces and nostalgia are influencing demand for glassware and barware, as well as a ‘thirst’ for knowledge and some extra time to enjoy a glass of wine or a G&T at home. PH raises a mocktail glass while investigating current trends and developments.

“With the closure of bars and restaurants, we saw barware trends skyrocket as consumers equipped themselves with everything needed to create cocktails at home, with some even creating areas for mini bars and bar carts,” reflects Claire Budgen, commercial and marketing director at Lifetime Brands Europe. With the lifting of restrictions making entertaining inside the home possible again, Claire thinks that “barware is still more of a focus than ever,” as consumers can show off their new cocktail-making skills. She also acknowledges that working from home has created a routine for some: “It has been well documented that consumers have tried to create clear distinctions in their day when working from home by having a cheeky tipple when finished!” She adds: “Statement pieces, including glassware, are a musthave, as everyday gatherings are transformed into true events, spurred on by social media.” Claire points out the popularity of the BarCraft brand which has “everything from ‘Instagramable’ bar carts and shakers to sets that include recipe leaflets, as well as dozens of barware tools and accessories.” New gift boxed cocktail sets contain “all the tools a budding mixologist needs” and new glassware “picks up on key colour and pattern trends for Autumn/Winter and beyond with tortoiseshell pattern and ridged textures.” At the Rayware Group, Ravenhead brand manager Lee Woodhall also recognises consumers’ investment in home bars “with retro cabinets, cocktail glasses and coloured glassware being a popular choice.” He continues: “Consumers are also enjoying experimenting with new flavours and recreating their favourite drinks at home using online tutorials as a guide.” Social media is accelerating the

Summer with Sophie

Sophie Conran is celebrating 15 years of collaboration with Portmeirion Group with new tableware including glassware. Sophie outlines her priorities for the design of her new Arbor glasses: “I like the idea that glass is malleable; we used that idea to put the imprints on the glass.” She adds: “It is important a glass feels both wonderful and tactile in the hand and not only looks good but is great to use.” Sophie confides that her special recipe for Pimms Fizz is her favourite drink to put in her new glasses this summer.

Inset: Arbor glassware by Sophie Conran for Portmeirion, one of the designer’s new tableware ranges. Below left: Home attraction: a BarCraft barcart from Lifetime Brands Europe. Below: One of Corkcicle’s double-walled stemless glasses.

trend as “the younger generation of home mixologists are posting their creations, sharing with friends and influencing others to try.” Lee predicts further growth in everything surrounding home cocktail making: “Everyone’s excited to host parties and invite loved ones back into their homes and what better way to liven up the gathering by showcasing the newly acquired home cocktail offering.” He highlights Ravenhead’s Entertain Collection and Gin Balloons. The latter have “plenty of room for ice, fruits and juniper berries,” and “the rounded shape traps the infused flavours and aromas, perfect for enjoying the constant reinvention of G&Ts at home.” As Laura Squire, product manager at George East concurs, consumers have become more experimental with their cocktails. She notes: “As we couldn’t go out for drinks or go on exotic holidays it seems people have been inventive making cocktails instead: a simple G&T will no longer suffice.” Laura reports: “Sales of our Tala Barware jiggers and ranges of colourful reusable straws have soared.” Meanwhile Elia’s sales manager Adam Walker recognises that “the advent of ‘to go’ cocktails, and more availability of recipes online” are propelling the trend for cocktails. He notes demand for elegant glassware such as Elia’s “statuesque, shapely and exuberant” Meridia range, including a coupe glass that enables “any cocktail to take centre stage.” Adam explains that: “Leadfree crystal provides a brilliant, colourless finish that allows for the true colour of a cocktail to be fully appreciated. The shape of the bowl further enhances the flavour and aromas elevating the drinking experience.” David Holmes, managing director of The DRH Collection, also acknowledges the popularity of his company’s unique coupe glass. “We created the shape about 18 months ago – it’s a hybrid cocktail, dessert and champagne glass, which has retro appeal as well as being multi-functional,” he reports. David notes that coupe glass sales have been boosted by the continued popularity of sparkling wines - in part reflected by the progress of British vineyards, with well received results – and he identifies “a move away from flute glasses.”

Cool operators

Eddingtons introduced the Icebreaker brand this year – a young business based in the USA, which has received widespread acclaim. Tabitha Monkhouse, Eddingtons’ digital marketing executive describes Icebreaker’s flagship product as: “A modern design, which seems right for the moment, taking the fuss out of ice making, delivering perfect cubes without mess. Simply fill, freeze and pop!” She comments: “‘We’re seeing a strong increase in sales for ice making and our Epicurean branded barware. Consumers have been embracing the rule of six outdoors, and the staycation and entertaining in the garden will be ongoing themes for 2021.” She adds that Epicurean’s MS quality crystal clear acrylic stemware provides the perfect vessels for ice filled drinks for outdoor summer entertaining. Meanwhile, Auteur is introducing new barware by Corkcicle, including stemless wine glasses and champagne flutes. Kirstie Pendry, Auteur’s marketing manager emphasises the range’s usefulness and aesthetics for drinks parties, and particularly outdoor gatherings. She states: “They are made from double walled glass, so your drinks stay hot or cold for longer than standard glassware, plus they have a beautiful iridescent finish that gleams when the sun catches them.”

In addition to people’s enjoyment of wine at home over the past year, David also emphasises the enduring popularity of gin, with increasing numbers of micro-distilleries, meaning that DRH’s “wonderfully outsized burgundy glasses,” have continued to be bestsellers. “The same glass also fits the bill for vodka with a mixer, as craft vodkas have also seen rising appeal.” Summing up recent months, David reflects: “Sales of glassware have been remarkable, with people enjoying a drink at home. A lot of people that have jobs have had excess income as they haven’t been able to travel or go out, so have invested in aspirational new tableware, such as glasses that creates tabletop theatre.”

Wine and dine

In the Excellence in Housewares Awards 2020, CellarDine’s Wake Up Wine Decanter scooped the Plugged In Award. CellarDine’s managing director and barware expert Peter Dunne explains how developments in wine consumption is influencing his brand’s marketing and consumer education: “UK wine sales are now worth over £12 billion a year to the industry, with an average price of a bottle of wine now surpassing the £6 mark for the first time. Per capita we now consume just under 25 litres per year, an increase of over a litre from the previous year. Wine sales are on the increase, as is the desire by the public to learn more about the wines they are drinking. We have seen a significant engagement from the public via our Wine Tips booklet and website, particularly relating to aerating and breathing wine. Customers want to become more knowledgeable, and the wine trade is finally reaching out to the public to help break down the snobbery often attached to the industry. Aerating and breathing wine is an essential part of maximising real flavour and getting correct value for money, so our business has focused its efforts on creating new videos and images for our award-winning Wake Up Wine decanter and silver award Rouge 02 wine breather collection, and, as a result, sales have seen a significant increase. We have also expanded our PR activity resulting in some superb press in the Daily Mail, Independent newspaper and numerous influencers promoting our products; all of this is geared to helping our retailers achieve a higher rate of sell through success. The wine industry statistics confirm that the public are trading up and buying more expensive wines. 2020 has helped the industry and the public to explore a variety of different types of wines and price points and, having established a core range of innovative products mixed with traditional essential barware, we have been able to capitalise on range sales with repeat business.”

Inset: The Plugged-In Award-winning Wake

Up Wine Decanter by CellarDine.

Below left: Jeray’s

Kitsch 70s classic pineapple ice bucket is a sell-out. Below: Part of the Tala Barware range.

Pineapple power: retro classics

Paul Spencer, managing director of Jeray Sales (Original Products) reflects that 2020 was a record year, helped by the boom in home bars, as well as increased sales via online retailers across Europe and beyond, “resulting in 40% of sales abroad.”

The company’s Aperol Copa glass is a current bestseller, and Paul notes that: “There hasn’t been any noticeable new theme or drink craze like gin.” However, he acknowledges the enduring appeal of nostalgia, as consumers are still choosing “classic bar products such as old-fashioned decanters, our best-selling LED bar caddies, retro straw dispensers and our various bottle and glass racks.” Paul elaborates: “We have even been asked to bring back our

Tiki glasses from yesteryear, while our kitschy 70s pineapple ice bucket is sold out again.”

With the continuing challenge of trying to maintain stock levels because of the huge delays along the whole supply chain, Paul recommends that retailers place their orders from suppliers “as early as possible - as we are having to do - because there will be stock shortage in many sectors for the rest of 2021.”

Natural selection

Demand for locally made, natural and sustainable produce is also influencing consumers’ choice of drinks, highlights Laura Squire at George East. For some consumers, this means sourcing from UK wineries, while some are trying their hand at home-made wines, naturally flavoured spirits and cordials. “The Tala Barware range offers several classic corkscrews which have been really popular, and, for those who are making their own drinks, we have some lovely glass cordial bottles with ceramic tops, perfect for storing homemade natural wines,” notes Laura.

barware & GLASSWARE

Jeray welcomes you back with another summer of fun and outdoor drinking. Its iconic pineapple ice bucket and drink coolers are in strong demand, alongside a new wood ice bucket and double wall steel beverage bucket. Jeray has a new ‘Aperol’ Copa glass packed in a smart tube as well as a Mojito set in the Final Touch collection. Jeray even offers glasses that you stick in the grass or float in your hot tub! Jeray Original Products T: 01494 766566 E: sales@originalproducts.co.uk

Gifting inspiration and home entertainment go hand in hand with NEW Corkcicle Glassware. Crafted from lightweight, doublewalled glass, designed to sit comfortably in the hand and to hold all kinds of hot and cold beverages, from champagne and G&T’s to coffee or tea, the new Glassware range keeps drinks hot or cold for twice as long as normal glassware. Available in a beautiful (set of two) gift box, with a luxury iridescent finish, Corkcicle Glassware is the perfect gift for any occasion. Auteur T: 01869 338751 E: sales@auteurlimited.co.uk W: www.auteurlimited.co.uk A classically brilliant design, Diamante brings its clear-cut elegance to any gathering. Beautiful bold shapes handcrafted with style. The range includes glasses for robust reds, crisp whites and sparkling wines. If you are looking for that perfect glass to accompany your delectable Gin cocktail, this is the collection for you. In addition, this range offers low ball and hi ball glasses for the perfect aperitifs and those lovely long summery drinks of Pimm’s. Meyer Group T: 01282 688080 E: tradesupport@jwpltd.co.uk W: www.bormioliluigi.com

Burton McCall appreciates how the age of a wine will define which style of decanter to use, to fully enjoy the gustatory characteristics of a wine. Combining elegance with functionality, the Peugeot range of decanters include the Vendange and Ibis Magnum for mature red wines and white wines. Also, the Paris Bouquet for young red wines. Finally, the Variation and Aromium aeration sets are also ideal for young wines. Burton McCall T: 0116 234 4611 E: sales@burton-mccall.com