Kitchenware International February 2021

KitchenWare INTERNATIONAL

February 2021

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134

www.kitchenware.international

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THE SHEER POWER OF AROMATICS Cast Iron Mortar X-PLOSION® | 34631

Salt and Spice Pot X-PLOSION® | 34636

Chilli Cutter X-PLOSION® | 34631

Salt or Pepper Mill X-PLOSION® M | 34627

Mortar X-PLOSION® | 35300

GEFU – Discover Culinary Artistry.

Salt or Pepper Mill X-PLOSION® M | 34628

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Spice Tower X-PLOSION® | 34651

Good design is a language, not a style Whether it‘s a robust spiciness, fine hints of saltiness or an intense herby aroma, the innovative design series X-PLOSION® from GEFU will lift your seasoning to a new level. Our prize-winning series offers ingenious grinders, extra-sharp chilli choppers, stylish dredgers and other great products which meet the highest standards when it comes to seasoning.

X-PLOSION® - pure aromatic power for today‘s creative kitchen.

ANTI FINGERPRINT

The centrepiece of the X-PLOSION® spice mills is the symmetrical double-cone grinder CYCLONE® made of high-performance ceramic.

It grinds salt crystals and peppercorns particularly quickly, easily and effectively.

CYCLONE® - the grinder for today‘s professionals.

Amphora Timeless design that keeps your coffee and tea warm

Amphora vacuum jug - soft white, soft black or soft peach, coffee or tea 1 l. Design: Sebastian Holmbäck Theo cup with coaster - sand. Design: Francis Cayouette Ora vase - powder or midnight blue, small or large. Design: Daniel Debiasi & Federico Sandri Emma electric kettle 1.2 l. Design: HolmbäckNordentoft / To Go Click thermo cup 0,2 l or 0,4 l. Design: Stelton Original flower watering can 1,7 l. Design: Peter Holmblad

The Amphora thermo jugs are named after the ancient Greek earthenware pots which inspired the designer, Sebastian Holmbäck.

The round body and distinctive shoulders are a classic design that reaches far into the future.

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Export Director Finn Gram-Jensen fgj@stelton.dk / +45 20914600

C O N T E N T S 8

KitchenWare INTERNATIONAL

News A round-up of global news

10 Category kitchen gadgets to make life easier 12 New products a look at some of the hottest new releases 14 Profile SCANPAN looking at the classics 16 Retail the Greek Cook-Shops talk retail 20 Profile GEFU showcasing new launches 22 Collection Preview previewing the season ahead 24 Feature as tea and coffee explode in popularity, we examine the market 28 Fiskars a look at Fisakrs cookware 30 Viewpoints industry leaders give their opinion 32 Trend a look at the natural kitchen 34 Column BHETA COVER Supplied by SCANPAN www.scanpan.eu

To subscribe, email: robert@lemapublishing.co.uk Published by Lema Publishing Ltd. 1 Churchgates, The Wilderness Berkhamsted Herts, HP4 2UB

At the heart of retail

Tel: 00 44 (0) 1442 289930 www.kitchenware.international

W

hen we published our last Kitchenware International, we had no idea what was about to be unleashed on the world. We existed in blissful ignorance. And then Covid-19 took hold, and everything changed. For the most part, the housewares industry flourished as homeowners turned their attention towards pursuing new passions such as cooking elaborate meals or recreating their ideal cup of coffee from the comfort of their own home. And now we face into a new year, which brings with it its own challenges. How do we maintain momentum? How do we communicate with customers? How will brick and mortar retailing fare? How best to launch new collections in the absence of trade shows?

How to tackle to cost of imports from the Far East? These are all questions which need to be examined.

In his column, on page 34, BHETA’s Will Jones offers a fascinating and informed look at the industry as it stands today.

“The most obvious positive change has been the consumer refocus on ‘home’ with the consequent surge in interest in cooking, baking and cleaning,” he tells us.

“This contributed hugely to the experience of key retailers such as Dunelm which saw sales plummet in April; but recover

by December. It has been the same story for many suppliers. While there are many issues currently, purchasing linked to home and garden is standing up to the pressures”.

Speaking of the BHETA, news broke just as we were going to press that Exclusively, the London-based housewares event organised by BHETA, has changed its 2021 dates from June to August, with the show now planned to take place Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 August. Addressing the date change, BHETA President Alistair Fisher, who is also MD of Taylor’s Eye

While there are many issues currently, purchasing linked to home and garden is standing up to the pressures Will Jones, BHETA Witness says: “The industry is hungry for a show and the extra time until August should allow the vaccine roll-out to really make a difference to the confidence of the nation. I am looking forward to what will most likely be the first industry show for 18 months, and to welcoming buyers to our stand.” And he won’t be the only one… we very much look forward to attending what will be our first show since Ambiente 2020!

In other news, this issue of Kitchenware International brings you a closer look at the booming coffee and tea category on page 30. It really took off this year, although Melitta tell us they were experiencing consistent year-on-year sales growth even prior to the pandemic which bodes well for the flourishing sector. You’ll find that on page 30. We also sit down with SCANPAN to talk about their Classic collection, GEFU give us insight into their latest launches and Fiskars tell us more about their Cookware collection. We also touch on trends such as charcuterie boards, highlight some on-trend pieces in line with Pantone’s colour of the year and much more. Happy reading!

Mairead Wilmot

The Team EDITOR MAIREAD WILMOT mairead@lemapublishing.co.uk

PUBLISHER MARK NAISH mark@lemapublishing.co.uk

ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER PAUL YEOMANS pyeomans@lemapublishing.co.uk

MANAGING DIRECTOR MALCOLM NAISH malcolm@lemapublishing.co.uk

DESIGN & PRODUCTION DIRECTOR PAUL NAISH paul@lemapublishing.co.uk

news We love!

Make sure to check out the utensil pot which has an iPad/tablet stand built in

Denby adds to James Martin Denby has added to its James Martin portfolio with James Martin Cook by Denby. The collection, born out of a 12-year collaboration, is a carefully designed range of oven to table pieces, including kitchenware and accessories.

Think functional, stylish, practical and chic. The range – which includes dishes, pestle and mortar, storage jars, a lidded butter box and more – boasts a ripple design and is glazed in a soft shade of grey on the outside, while the oven to tableware pieces have a clean white interior.

Denby says Cook sits perfectly alongside the James Martin Everyday range of tableware and the Serve range adding the collection is designed to work when merchandised in cookshop and kitchenware departments as well as in tableware or gift.

Lifetime Brands and Kitchenaid extend partnership Lifetime Brands will now distribute KitchenAid tools and gadgets worldwide after both companies extended their existing licensing partnership.

Lifetime Brands has been distributing KitchenAid tools and gadgets for some time throughout the USA and Canada with further extensions being granted in the Asia / Pacific and Latin America regions last year.

Following these successful launches, this has now been further extended throughout Europe from 2021.

Lifetime Brands is the largest non-electrical housewares distributor globally and will utilise their category leadership and worldwide distribution network to bring the KitchenAid brand to a natural product extension of the highly successful electrical products.

“KitchenAid is such a globally recognised brand and

absolutely right for now. With this extension to our licensing partnership, we now have an even stronger proposition in the branded tools and gadget category offering retailers a true one stop shop,” says Matthew Canwell, president, Lifetime Brands Europe.

Jan-Patrick Schmitz appointed CEO of Wüsthof group Jan-Patrick Schmitz has been appointed CEO and chairman of the management board of the Wüsthof Group. The announcement was made recently by company owners Viola Wüsthof and Harald Wüsthof. “We have been working closely together for more than a year and during this time we have come to appreciate him as a person and a manager. We share the same values, which are reflected in our strategic growth plan, Project 8. Together, we have further refined our vision for Wüsthof’s future,” they said in a letter to employees.

8 KITCHENWARE INTERNATIONAL

BHETA moves Exclusively Exclusively, the BHETA-organised housewares show has changed dates. Due to the ongoing impact of Covid-19, the show will now take place 24-25 August 2021.

“The health and wellbeing of all Exclusively attendees is of paramount importance. We consulted with our exhibitors and visitors and there is a genuine desire for the show to go ahead, but at the right time and in the right place. and there was strong support for a move to August,” says Will Jones, chief operating officer of BHETA and chair of Exclusively.

“Moving the date provides an opportunity for the industry to gain more confidence as the vaccination programme gathers momentum, and the timing fits with the autumn buying season. The speed of the vaccine rollout has given us genuine belief that by August the UK will be back to some form of normality – the pace of the roll-out is continuing to rise and we expect, based on todays’ numbers, that by showtime a majority of UK adults will have had two vaccine shots; and our industry will be able to move forward”.

BHETA President Alistair Fisher, who is also MD of Exclusively exhibitor Taylor’s Eye Witness says, “The industry is hungry for a show and the extra time until August should allow the vaccine roll-out to really make a difference to the confidence of the nation. I am looking forward to what will most likely be the first industry show for 18 months, and to welcoming buyers to our stand.”

130

the number of companies who exhibit at Exclusively

Trend: Pantone We highlight some yellow and grey pieces in keeping with Pantone's colour of the year

Easy breezy Bright and breezy, the Dansk Kobenstyle 2-quart casserole with lid moves effortlessly between oven, stove and table. Three coats of enamel in an inviting yellow hue deliver a gleaming, easy-to-clean finish. The uniquely styled lid also serves as a trivet for dining or buffet table presentation.

www.dansk.com

Don’t miss…

Sambonet’s Rock'N'Rose non-stick frying pan collection. Available in two shades, Sambonet says the dark rock version “draws inspiration from the enthusiasm of every cookery while preparing a dinner for guests, while the light rose shade expresses the love and attention that users places in their culinary preparation”.

Gorgeous grey From Stelton, the grey Emma is a chic take on a modern electric kettle. Hugely attractive, the cordless kettle can hold 1.2 litres and is supplied with a removable limescale filter, dry boil safety switch and switches off automatically when the water has boiled.

www.stelton.com

Fancy a Guinness (coffee)?

Guinness has once again partnered with speciality coffee roasters Tiki Tonga on the reintroduction of Guinness 232 Coffee which was initially introduced during the Rugby World Cup. Available in beans, ground and capsule formats, the coffee contains no alcohol but is smooth and balanced in body, with a malty sweetness and rich mouthfeel that lingers long on the palette. The smooth rich coffee blend pairs beautifully with any of your favourite coffee drinks from filtered to espresso.

DK invests in Swissmar

A stylish pour Designed by Pierre Foulonneau for Rig-Tig, the yellow PourIt jug is a gloriously colourful piece, a perfect ode to fresh summer living. Microwave proof, its glaze means it resists colour, taste and smell, ideal for the kitchen.

www.rig-tig.com

Owner of DKB Household, the Diethelm Keller Group (DK), has invested in the Swissmar companies, located in Canada and USA. DK says it aims to further strengthen its brand portfolio in the household goods sector and underpins its strategic plan of becoming a leading supplier of highquality houseware and cookware products globally.

“Based on our long-term relationship with Swissmar as exclusive distributor of our brands in Canada, we strongly believe that this strategic partnership will drive further growth in North America,” says René Stutz, group CEO of DKB Household. “Our intensified affiliation will benefit all our brands, and thus strengthen our market position significantly.”

KITCHENWARE INTERNATIONAL 9

Check the temp!

CATEGORY Gadgets

The Bluetooth grill and roast thermometer Control from GEFU brings precision into the home, ideal for grilling, roasting and smoking. Precise digital temperature and cooking control through highly sensitive measuring technology in combination with the Easy BBQ app. There are six channels allowing six food products to be monitored at the same time.

Control can be connected to any Android smartphone or iPhone, making it the perfect digital grill assistant with real-time transmission.

www.gefu.com

Glorious

gadgets!

What proud kitchen owner doesn’t love a good gadget?

We challenge you to find one! Gadgets are part and parcel of working life, designed to make the kitchen a more convenient and yes, fun, space to be in. We highlight a few great gadget choices for the home chef…

On-point accuracy

Meet the kitchen angel With healthy eating front and centre of many families minds, Haden is bringing to market the Haden Kitchen Angel, an instant pressure cooker, allowing people to pressure cook, slow cook and sauté their favourite meals all in one appliance. Using pressurised steam to lock in vitamins and minerals, this multifunctional appliance allows you to create a variety of nutritious, healthy and delicious dishes fast.

www.haden.com 10 KITCHENWARE INTERNATIONAL

Air fryer goals RKW’s flagship own brand Tower brings us the Digital Air Fryer Oven. This model uses Vortx rapid air circulation technology, which not only reduces the time taken to fry but also the large family-sized oven means there is an extra 75 per cent cooking capacity allowing you to cook a variety of foods at the same time. The added function of a rotisserie also makes it ideal for cooking chicken. Note the stylish rose gold accents.

With continued growth in bakeware expected this year, US brand Taylor has added new products such as this USB charged scale. Out are fiddly batteries, in is a charging cable everyone has around the home to again reduce waste and increase convenience.

Taylor is renowned for its accuracy which is second to none with the scales weighing to the nearest 0.001g.

kitchencraft.co.uk

www.rkwltd.com

New Products

Orthex The SmartStore Collect from the Orthex Group puts sustainability right into the heart of the home. Coming in black and white, the new range of recycling bins and containers are made from post-consumer recycled plastic with wooden lids.

Individual inserts are available to separate different kinds of waste as well as keeping recycling hidden from view. The range has been extended with the taller model which can be used for collecting waste or as a laundry basket.

www.orthexgroup.com

Samuel Groves Samuel Groves recently introduced the premium Durit non-stick pans to the Samuel Groves popular Tri ply range. Focused around the essential fry pan, Samuel Groves will also add non-stick versions to the paella, the sauté pan, the multi-use chef’s pan, tapered sauce pans and essential saucepans. The Durit Professional three layer non-stick, from Swiss producer Ilag, is applied to the pans in the UK.

www.samuelgroves.com

Fresh

launches We preview new and recently released launches for retail, all designed to keep shop shelves on point…

Don’t Miss...

Royal Chef from Cristofle – a collection of top quality knives with solid oak base, along with chopping board.

12 KITCHENWARE INTERNATIONAL

Tower Say hello to Cavaletto from Tower – in a gorgeous shade of pink, new for SS ’21.

This joins the original midnight blue, black and grey which launched in AW ‘20.

The housewares offering includes bread bin, storage canisters, mug tree and kitchen roll holder, while the SDA features a pyramid kettle and toaster, with new food prep products due for launch later in the spring.

The storage canisters and bread bin are carbon steel which is durable and lightweight, with fully removeable airtight lids and wipe-clean matte finish. The canisters have a 1.3l capacity, while the bread bin is H24 x W35 x D23cm. The towel holder and mug tree (with stainless steel stoppers) both have solid bases for extra stability and a soft underliner to prevent scratching on surfaces.

www.rkwltd.com

HEALTHY COOKING

1 CONCEPT

3 COOKING METHODS

CONTROLLED COOKING

HEALTHY COOKING

SIMPLE AND FAST

BIOME preserves until 100% of vitamins, antioxidants, and mineral salts. www.cristel.com

Profile Scanpan

Perfectly classic

To the fore when it comes to creating utterly useable products, SCANPAN never shy away from exceptional quality – it is, in essence, part and parcel of their brand DNA. Step forward the Classic range – the physical essence of the company’s brand story…

P

ractical, sustainable, quality craftsmanship – this is the very core of what SCANPAN represents.

The Danish brand has been at the forefront of cutting-edge kitchenware since its founding in 1956, continuously striving to bring products to retail that are not only inventive, but also user-friendly. They have developed Stratanium and Stratanium+, for example, both

exceptional non-stick coatings allowing you to use whatever utensil you want on the pan, yes… even metal.

This approach to their products makes sense when you look at SCANPAN’s Classic range, in essence a physical representation of the company, perfectly encompassing what it stands for – simplicity, design, quality and good craftsmanship.

Built on proud SCANPAN

traditions, the Classic collection has been expanded and developed over the years.

Made of recycled aluminium at the company’s Danish factory, the collection has been designed specifically for gas and ceramic hobs and is overproof up to 260°C. Interestingly, the Classic range is manufactured using a special casting technique, assuring an optimum and even heat distribution.

Did you know?

A Classic frying pan is checked by an employee eight times before it can be sent from the SCANPAN factory in Ryomgaard, Denmark.

14 KITCHENWARE INTERNATIONAL

Aluminium, however, is not magnetic and is therefore not induction compatible.

“We cast our cookware in aluminium for several reasons,” SCANPAN explains. “Partly because aluminium is an excellent heat conductor, partly because it is a light material – an aluminium frying pan weighs considerably less and is therefore easier to handle than a cast iron frying pan. To take care of nature, we only use recycled aluminium.”

Aesthetically, the collection has adopted clean, simple lines making them the perfect companion for all kitchen decors. “They are the right choice when you want to equip your kitchen with tried and

“The Classic range is an honest design.

We have made a virtue out of simplicity”

Carefully selected material...

Non-stick cookware from the Classic range is made of carefully selected, recycled aluminium.

For example, it may be soft drink or beer cans which are transformed into an aluminium alloy that matches the company’s quality requirements.

Key product points: ■ Classic design ■ Ergonomic handles ■ Ovenproof up to 260 °C ■ Cast in aluminium

tested kitchen utensils. At the same time, the timeless design makes it possible for you to combine Classic with the rest of your kitchen - whether you are into minimalism or perhaps more romantically inclined,” SCANPAN points out.

Likewise, reliability is key when it comes to the collection – so key that SCANPAN insist on a Classic frying pan being checked by an employee eight times before it can be sent from the factory in Ryomgaard, Denmark. “ The Classic range is an honest design. We have made a virtue out of simplicity and have removed the excess,” SCANPAN explains. “Whether you buy a frying pan or a saucepan, you will have a longstanding companion in your kitchen, making it easier for you to turn raw foods into delicious dishes that you can serve to your guests.”

www.scanpan.eu

Fact!

The series’ squeeze cast base ensures even heat distribution, giving the pots and pans excellent boiling and frying properties.

Sustainability at its heart As a company, SCANPAN embraced sustainability long before sustainability was in vogue. You’ll frequently hear the company refer to the 'Jutlandic way'. People from the region are noted for their contemplative approach to life, and at SCANPAN, whose roots lie deep in Djursland's soil in east Jutland, there's no doubt that Jutlandic values are the cornerstone of the company's transformation from a classic smithy in a 1950s village community to the current international and high-tech manufacturer of world-famous pots and pans. “Our goal today hasn't changed,” they say, “scrupulous casting of every product to deliver pots and pans of the highest quality.”

Back in the 1950s, when the first attempts to pressure-cast frying pans were made in the smithy, few could predict how the production of pressure-cast frying pans in recycled aluminium would – decades later – become sustainability in practice.

SCANPAN are noted for their social sustainability – employing a local workforce with each pot and pan still boasting a hand-cast body despite cutting edge technology.

This marries with their dedication to environmental sustainability – think recycled aluminium which is still used for their Danish-produced products. And they practice financial sustainability too, thanks to their responsible and forward-looking business model, the company has generated jobs both locally and globally, and contributes positively to growth and development.

KITCHENWARE INTERNATIONAL 15

Retail

The Greek way…

With a whopping 48 retail outlets all over Greece, Cook-Shop – owned by the Sarafidis Group of Companies – is a giant on the kitchenware scene. Passionate about what they do and dedicated to continually bringing their customers the very best in service, we caught up with Kostas Sarafidis, brand manager, Berson/ Sarafidis Bros, to learn more about the operation…

Kostas, tell us about CookShop – when was it founded, by whom and why?

Cook-Shop is a specialised chain of stores dedicated to cookware and kitchen utensils. Founded in 1996

by George Sarafidis, CEO of Sarafidis Group of Companies, who had the vision to create a unique concept/ brand for people with passion in cooking.

You have 48 outlets all over Greece, that is quite an operation!

From the first moment our vision was to develop a chain with outlets all over Greece. We operate stores in all major cities and geographically, we cover most parts of the country.

16 KITCHENWARE INTERNATIONAL

What is the ethos of the Cook-Shop?

The Cook-Shop ethos is to establish long-term relationships by creating added value for our customers, offering them a unique experience.

We build our relationships on trust, reliability and consistency.

Our motto is “enjoy cooking”.

Cooking gives people the freedom to indulge and explore different ingredients and create recipes in order to enjoy with friends and family. Cooking is fun with good mood and the right tools!

Describe your relationship with manufacturers and suppliers?

The relationship with our partners

is based on trust, honesty and consistency. For us, it is important each member in a partnership to abide by those factors. Our target is to create long-term partnerships.

What types of products are in your store?

Every Cook-Shop store hosts a variety of products ideal for everyday cooking habits and combines high quality at competitive prices. Our products are divided into four main categories for preparation, conservation, cooking and serving.

What inspires you when it comes to choosing kitchenware?

There are a lot of factors that inspire us when we choose kitchenware. some of them are high quality, uniqueness, innovative products or ideas, consumer trends, how it suits to the Cook-shop profile, competitive price, value for money, functionality and sustainability.

Describe your typical customer?

Women and men 25-45 years old, independent and active, who enjoy cooking for their family, friends or themselves. Women and men looking for new cooking gadgets and trends and willing to buy high quality cookware in a pleasant shopping environment.

1996

the year Cook-Shop was founded.

On customer service…

What is trending at the moment for you, what are your customers looking for?

The 3Rs (Reuse – Reduce – Recycle) is a new trend at the moment. More than ever before, consumers are conscious of, and concerned about, the environment by using ecofriendly products. For example, they are looking for stainless steel or bamboo strews instead

“We build our relationships on trust, reliability, consistency” of plastic. They prefer non-plastic food-storage containers and reusable bags. They buy more stainless-steel water bottles for on the go use.

Another strongly growing trend lately is healthy diet. So, there is certainly an increased need for kitchen cookware and accessories

that promotes healthy cooking.

As the trend of healthy cooking is growing, the demand for safe coating fry pans, cast iron grills and slow juicers has increased.

What elements would you say have contributed to your success as a retail store over the years?

Cook-Shop’s success is based on specialisation in cookware, our variety and high quality of products, the fact we create a unique customer shopping experience, our after sales service such as offering an extra one year guarantee in all our products and of course, the fact that we launch innovative cooking tools and habits.

Which categories are performing well for you and why would you say that is?

Traditionally pots and pans together with cooking accessories are among our bestsellers. The category which has grown significantly is safe coating pans, grills and pressure cookers. The main reason is the new trend towards healthy/diet cooking.

KITCHENWARE INTERNATIONAL 17

"We try to understand our customers' needs and wants, treat them respectfully, handle complaints and returns gracefully and, of course, exceed their expectations"

4

the number of categories Cook-Shop divides its products into – preparation, conservation, cooking and serving.

Retail

Did you know?

Fissler, Maxwell and Williams, Kuchenprofi, Kitchenaid, Jamie Oliver, Brabantia, Bialetti, Tescoma, Green Pan, Magimix, Kyocera, Mastrad, Lock-Lock, Yankee Candles are just some of the well-known brands stocked in Cook-Shop.

Is there one product which repeatedly sells well for you?

The “hero product” that sells repeatedly very well, is the twopiece pressure cooker set by Fissler, which includes a pressure cooker and a pan. Additional hero products are five-piece cookware pots by Fissler, and a 16-piece dinner porcelain set by Maxwell and Williams.

How important is the layout and in-store displays to attracting customers?

Well-designed layouts and in-store displays are extremely important because they strongly influence instore traffic, shopping atmosphere, shopping behavior, and operational efficiency. For this reason, we have built a merchandising/ decorating team focused on clearly communicating Cook-Shop’s values and the true DNA of Cook-Shop chain and thus providing a unique experience to our customers.

Do you host events or demonstrations or have other ways of selling to customers aside from straight product sales?

We believe that events and demonstrations give us a chance to engage with our customers in a highly personal manner. They also offer us the opportunity to 16 KITCHENWARE INTERNATIONAL

inform and educate them about our products and services. During high seasons sales periods in flagship stores we host events where a guest chef is invited to interact with consumers interested in advanced cooking tips or advices from an expert.

Additionally, we organise pastry and cooking seminars where the participants have the opportunity to use our products and prepare

“E-commerce is significantly growing and our focus now is to further invest and improve our online activity” recipes under the guidance of an experienced chef. It’s a great way to gather people in our venue, while they are learning a skill and offer them wonderful moments.

How important is customer service to your stores?

Customer satisfaction is

extremely important for the Cook-Shop organisation. We have invested in training our personnel to provide an excellent service and we provide continuous training sessions every year. We try to understand our customers' needs and wants, treat them respectfully, handle complaints and returns gracefully and, of course, exceed their expectations.

Tell us about your online presence?

Since 2018, we operate a new user-friendly online shop. Additionally, we are implementing online campaigns using social media such as Facebook and Instagram. Given that nowadays, consumers are experiencing physical and digital shopping, it’s very important to deliver a multitouchpoint campaign in order to meet the new era of holistic relationship with them. In-store experience, off-line campaign and on-line tactics, are homogenised to a 360 presence across phy-gital (physical plus digital) new world.

E-commerce is rapidly growing in our market and we are heavily investing in improving our web presence.

Our target is to further improve our omni-channel approach!

How has your operation been affected by Covid-19?

Taking under consideration that our structure and orientation is our network of physical stores, the initial lockdown was a shock with significant effect on our business.

Nevertheless, the sky-rocketing growth that our website/e-shop experienced during that specific period limited the loss of the complete lockdown of all physical stores. On the other hand, it was a great opportunity to interact via digital channels. The whole situation accelerates our belief that e-commerce is significantly growing and our focus now is to further invest and improve our online activity. Finally, the Covid-19 lockdown forced families to get back to the fundamentals, with a lot of common indoor activities with obvious positive effect on cooking and pastry habits. As a clear indicated effect, many households found out that their kitchen was under equipped and thus the need for cookware, cooking utensils and bakeware was increased significantly.

Due to the fact that fewer people are visiting the stores due to Covid-19, we are developing and improving our online presence in order to serve our customers online by offering them contactless purchases.

www.cookshop.gr

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Profile GEFU

Keeping it fresh!

GEFU has lined up an exciting season of launches for buyers – we see what is on offer for global kitchenware fanatics…

28 slots for knives

Knife block SMARTLINE The new way to keep knives within reach. The heavy knife block in classy black with shiny stainless-steel edges provides 28 secure slots for knives of various sizes as well as a larger front slot for sharpening steel or kitchen scissors.

Lemon

fresh!

36 KITCHENWARE INTERNATIONAL

Kitchen roll holder SMARTLINE This very practical kitchen roll holder with sophisticated designer looks is a must in every modern kitchen. It doesn’t tilt or slip and its concave lid and base construction makes the one-handed, convenient rolling and tearing of kitchen roll as easy as pie – one sheet at a time.

Citrus press LEMON PRO The ingenious inversion mechanism of the LEMON PRO simply presses the fruit’s flesh inside out. This ensures that the last drops of juice are retrieved from the fruit and deposited directly into the practical collecting container of the press without contact with the bitter citrus peel.

LEMON PRO is made of high-grade stainless steel, is child’s play to operate, juicing oranges, lemons and limes.

A kitchen must-have

Easy to

Diamond

clean laser cut

Utensil Holder SMARTLINE

Spice tower X-PLOSION®

This utensil container has 10 compartments offering space for both small and large kitchen aids. The removable insert makes it easy to clean. The base plate, deliberately designed to be heavy, and the non-slip feet give it stability and steadiness.

Carafe and bottle cooler SMARTLINE The stylish carafe and bottle cooler SMARTLINE in matt black designer look is equipped with a removable thermal pack. Simply remove the pack from the freezer compartment, insert into the bottle cooler and enjoy up to two hours of refreshingly cool drinks within reach at the table.

The deep black Spice tower from the designer series X-PLOSION® consists of a solid mortar made of heavy cast iron and a practical lid, which also serves as an additional mortar surface and collecting tray for the grater. Enthroned on top of it is an elegant conical tower with brilliantly sharp DIAMOND LASER CUT grating surfaces for coarse or fine results, crowned by a handle made of precious acacia wood.

Carafe SMARTLINE The designer carafe SMARTLINE is made of heat and cold resistant borosilicate glass and each one is a unique hand-blown piece. SMARTLINE is equipped with an aroma-proof lid, fits in any fridge door and adds style to the table.

Food storage container MILO The high-grade MILO food storage containers with click-on stainless steel lids look great and, thanks to their aromatic seal, all food stays fresh for a particularly long time. The containers have been made of borosilicate glass which has no effect on taste, and which puts up with even the most extreme temperatures while being particularly light and stable.

Fresh

Stylish

www.gefu.com

KITCHENWARE INTERNATIONAL 21

Stelton

Tower

Stelton is launching a new thermo jug for tea and coffee to market. The stylish Amphora is named after the ancient Greek earthenware pots which were used to store and transport oil and wine. The two jugs – one for tea and a taller, more slender version for coffee – have been designed by Sebastian Holmbäck. Both versions are available in three colours: soft black, soft white and soft peach with the shades matching the products in Stelton’s Danish Modern 2.0 range. Stelton tell us the collection’s outside is matt and made of plastic which is free of the hormone-disrupting chemicals bisphenol-A and phthalates. The interior is a glass insert, which can easily be replaced if broken.

www.rkwltd.com Scandi from Tower, the flagship brand from RKW, brings us metal-bodied airtight canisters and bread bin featuring Scandinavianinspired grey colouring, combined with natural bamboo-effect textures to complete a kitchen's minimalist look. Both stylish and practical, the bread bin's bamboo front can be completely detached for multi-functional use as a chopping board. The smooth metal structure makes this set easy to maintain using a damp cloth for a faster clean.

www.stelton.com

Fact!

The Amphora range is available in three colourways – peach, white and black and matches the products in Stelton’s Danish Modern 2.0 range.

Rosenthal

Collection Preview

Rosenthal’s new sustainable freshness lid keeps dairy products in the fridge fresh for longer and reduces food waste. The matte white reusable lid made of eco-friendly porcelain with an embossed Rosenthal logo is a stylish alternative to plastic lids and helps to avoid plastic waste. Functional and dishwasher safe, the reusable lid fits all 500-gram yogurt cups, as well as containers of similar shape.

www.rosenthal.de

Highlighting some new and exciting launches for 2021…

Did you know?

The juicer can be used for both large and small citrus fruits.

GEFU GEFU bring us an inventive little product set to make life in the kitchen that bit easier. Step forward FRUTI the pomegranate seeder and juicer. Simply insert the halved pomegranate and knock its intact contents into the practical measuring cup below. Using the second detachable part, the FRUTI becomes a juicer for other citrus fruits in an instant.

www.gefu.com 22 KITCHWARE INTERNATIONAL

WMF New to WMF’s KITCHENMini series is the KITCHENminis Fryer & Dicer – an extraordinary combination of deep fryer and slicer. The Fryer & Dicer is made up of two parts. The first is a small deep fat fryer while the second half is a compact French-fries slicer – whose integrated stainless-steel cutting grid with 10 x 10 millimetre blades is ideal for slicing fresh potato sticks for flavoursome fries. And once the potatoes are sliced, the portion always fits perfectly into the fryer basket. The slicer can deal with other fruit and vegetables, too.

www.wmf.com

Did you know?

The cooking temperature on WMF’s KITCHENminis Fryer & Dicer can be adjusted between 150°C and 190°C.

Haden

Morphy Richards

From Morphy Richards comes the launch of a cutting-edge steamer. The new plastic Intellisteam steamer simplifies steam cooking and offer consumers a perfectly synchronised meal solution. Eliminating the need for multiple cooking processes, the Intellisteam’s intelligent, multi-programmable timer and three separate cooking compartments allow the user to prepare a fully balanced meal in one appliance. The plastic Intellisteam also boasts eight pre-programmed settings for different food groups and can be re-programmed by the user depending on their preferences and cooking habits.

Haden bring us the Dorchester collection available in sage green and pebble grey. The Dorchester range consists of a temperature control kettle, digitally controlled toasters and microwaves, all in a contemporary style in a quintessentially British finish and wooden effect details. The kettle has a 1.7 litre capacity and includes LCD display, digital temperature control allowing you to reach the perfect temperature for your favourite hot beverage at a touch of a button.

www.morphyrichards.co.uk

FESTGreek brand FEST brings high-quality non-stick aluminum cookware to the table.

A household name with 42 years of experience, each product is designed with functionality and ease of cooking to mind.

FEST has the largest production unit of non-stick aluminum cookware in Greece. The production capacity amounts to 10,000 pieces daily, with 250 different articles, exporting 35 per cent of production to more than 15

www.haden.com

countries worldwide. FEST production is also quite flexible, addressing different client needs, such as early deliveries, private label items and small minimum order quantity. Top global and houseware/cookware retailers are among FEST’s international clientele, while its distribution channels include hypermarkets, supermarkets, independent retailers and e-shops.

15

the number of global countries FEST exports to.

www.fest.gr

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 48

Feature Tea & Coffee

La Cafetiere

Melitta

The coffee brigade As coffee and tea products soar in popularity, Kitchenware International looks at the trend for barista-style beverages at home…

I

t is no surprise to hear that hot beverages – tea and coffee specifically – enjoyed a resounding boost in sales in 2020. Stuck at home as the Covid-19 pandemic raged (and rages) consumers turned inwards, looking to create their own baristastyle experiences at home. Despite the hospitality industry suffering untold damage, the boost in sales for the hot beverage sector on the consumer side, has been welcomed.

Morphy Richards is one such company which saw an upswing with UK sales director Barrie Saxby noting a “significant uplift in sales

of coffee machines” and as people continue to work from home, he said the company expects to see the boom continue.

Echoing this, Melitta UK’s consumer and trade marketing manager Nigel Morrison points towards coffee being the second most consumed drink in the UK – behind water – something which drove the strong demand for coffee machines. But even before the pandemic, Melitta were on an upwards slant, says Nigel.

“We have seen consistent yearon-year sales growth as more and more discerning consumers are buying high-tech quality bean to

cup and filter coffee machines (at affordable prices) that not only fit with the minimal, fuss free design of the kitchen but also deliver great tasting coffee at the touch of a button. Furthermore, our ongoing partnership with EPE International has allowed us to gain an even wider distribution of quality retailers.”

GEFU also reported strong sales, with export manager Tobias Munter telling us: “It was one of our biggest growing categories.

Especially the reusable coffee capsules Conscio, they were a huge success but also our coffee grinders.” Tobias cited GEFU’s

coffee scoop Moreno, a measuring spoon with flexible adjustable volume, along with coffee grinders, espresso makers, reusable coffee filters as well as milk frothers, as all performing well.

“Several new items will be launched throughout 2021,” he told us. “For tea we will launch Savoro, a tea filter.”

While coffee’s popularity is undisputed, its sister beverage tea has benefitted from a boost in sales too. Tea specialists Bredemeijer – whose focus is on teapots and accessories – certainly noticed an increase in product sales. “When people started spending more

Did you know?

With the launch of its virtual showroom, WMF Professional Coffee Machines is delivering an inspirational digital experience in a class of its own. Visitors can take a tour around WMF's entire world of professional coffee machines. Creating a thrilling narrative in three dimensions, the showroom covers everything from the full product portfolio, accessories, various services and digital solutions through to a unique collection of taste experiences in the Coffee Excellence area. www.wmf-coffeemachines.com 24 KITCHENWARE INTERNATIONAL

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Feature Tea & Coffee

Bredemeijer

GEFU

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Conscio is a clever coffee capsule set from GEFU. Reusable stainless steel capsules – which you can refill yourself with the eight piece set – mean the range is both sustainable and money-saving. All you have to do is place the funnel contents on an empty capsule, fill with espresso powder using the measuring spoon and press down with tamper, seal capsule with self-adhesive aroma seal – and you’re done. After use, simply remove the cover, clean the capsule and it can be used again immediately. It’s also suitable for standard, original Nespresso capsule machines.

www.gefu.com

the number of coffee shops which closed in the UK during the first lockdown in March 2020. time at home, they became more interested in what they were drinking,” says export manager JanWillem Loggers pointing towards a keener interest in hot drinks, particularly speciality teas, globally.

“Since we are a Netherlands-based company we have always done well in Europe,” he tells us. “Last year we saw an exponential growth through online channels in North America, Eastern Europe and in East Asia. In 2021 we are expanding our retail channels to Russia and we will focus on further growth in our existing markets.”

Capitalising on the popularity of both tea and coffee, La Cafètiere, distributed by Lifetime Brands Europe, has launched two sizes of ceramic cafètieres for SS ‘21 to address the increased demand for ceramic cafètieres while the London Pottery brand will introduce a new story focused on afternoon tea.

“Classic items remain our bestsellers,” says Claire Budgen, commercial and marketing director 26 KITCHENWARE INTERNATIONAL

with Lifetime Brands Europe. “For example, our London Pottery iconic shaped Globe and Farmhouse teapots with the non-drip spouts have proved extremely popular.

We have an increased demand for brighter colours as consumers use this as a way of adding something uplifting in their kitchen and daily lives. Similarly, cafètieres are continuing to sell extremely well. We are seeing consumers buying into different looks such as ceramic cafètieres and our all glass coloured cafètieres, again driven by wanted something different and making it a treat as part of the everyday. In the initial lockdown, we did see an increase in afternoon tea associated products such as tea infusers and teapots as consumers made the most of summer and outdoors.”

With consumers now having firmly bought into the convenience of creating baristastyle coffees and teas at home, the sector is sure to enjoy more buoyancy over coming months.

Typhoon The Café Concept Collection allows you to bring a coffee shop feel into your kitchen. The range features mix and match neutralcoloured pieces that are perfect for brewing and serving a multitude of different teas and coffees alongside serving plates and saucers designed to fit all of the Café Concepts cups.

www.rayware.co.uk

Fact!

InFocus FISKARS

The Fiskars portfolio includes both cookware and knife categories

The Nordic way As a brand, Fiskars is universally recognised for excellence, with its cookware category boasting unrivalled pedigree. We look closer at this heritage brand and its multifaceted offering

I

t is undeniable that Fiskars has a long and notable history in the cookware sector, you can’t argue that fact. Born as far back as 1649 from an ironworks established in the small and utterly idyllic village of the same name in the middle of the Finnish forest, the company has steadily grown to become a leading global supplier of consumer products.

“Cookware was among the first products ever made and since 1956 we have had a strong cookware focus at our own factory in Central Finland where our products are still manufactured today,” Olivia Kindstedt, senior product manager, cookware, tells us.

Focusing on five key cookware and knife categories, each product in the portfolio serves a purpose, responding to the different needs and demands of consumers. One of the key drivers for the cookware brand is design but not just design – lasting Nordic design. Fiskars is

28 KITCHENWARE INTERNATIONAL

inherently proud of its roots and deeply inspired by the heritage of Nordic cookery, and in turn, the Nordic way of life.

“We draw a lot of inspiration and ideas from the nature surrounding us here in the North,” Olivia adds. “Nordic nature has been part of our DNA for centuries. Nordic cooking traditions are a great source of inspiration for us and something that is still visible in our product design today.”

That commitment to their surroundings extends itself to the Fiskars factory in Sorsakoski, Central Finland. Sustainability is no longer a buzz word, it is now an absolute must for companies, particularly cookware manufactures and it’s a guiding principle for Fiskars, at the heart of everything they do.

“We aim to use as much recycled material in our products as possible,” Olivia explains. “Our newly launched All Steel Pure range has been made out of 90 per cent recycled materials. We

have also managed to decrease our energy consumption almost 60 per cent from the year 2010 at the factory and are committed to utilising 100 per cent of the waste from manufacturing to avoid any of it ending up in the landfill and we are very near to reaching that goal. To reduce even more of our environmental impact, we have moved to nonoily production, started to use phosphorus-free detergents and dropped the temperature of the water in our washing processes.

Moreover, we don’t use any substances of concern (SVHCs) in our manufacturing chemicals and surface treatments.”

Believing, as they do, that cooking is for everyone and thus everyone should have access to cookware which matches their skillset, Fiskars has set about offering their target demographic the right tools to make success in the kitchen attainable – and now, more than ever, kitchenware is enjoying a buoyancy in the market thanks to multiple global

lockdowns. But who is that target demographic? Who is Fiskars making cookware for?

“We make cookware for the passionate and quality conscious home chefs who see cooking as a way to express their creativity. And for the busy working parents looking for easy solutions for everyday cooking, we have an offering that matches their needs,” Olivia says.

And yet, in such a bustling marketplace – and the cookware sector is definitely bustling – what makes Fiskars stand out?

We posed the question Olivia who told us: “Fiskars cookware has a long and rich history and throughout the decades we have remained relevant by introducing new innovations and timeless designs drawing from the needs of our consumers and the Nordic heritage. We tend to think that simple is beautiful and that every kitchen deserves to have beautiful and long-lasting cookware.”

www.fiskars.com/norden

Photo credits: Kim Öhman

A look at Norden The embodiment of classic design, Norden is one of Fiskars notable cookware collections.

Boasting craftsmanship firmly rooted in the soil of the North, the timeless design is inspired by nature and traditions, including sources from Fiskars’ original archives. Made in Finland, the range combines premium materials and advanced performance. We look at some hero products from the range...

Norden Steel Frying pan 28cm Inspired by Nordic nature and traditions.

3-ply construction with aluminum core is optimized for even and efficient heating on all hobs, also on induction.

The unique Thermium™ mineral treatment gives the frying pan natural non-stick properties and makes it easy to clean. Fully ovenproof up to 270°C. Norden cast iron frying pan 28cm Cast iron can withstand high heat extremely well and can be used on all hobs, also on induction. The unique Thermium™ mineral treatment gives the pan superior natural nonstick properties even at very high temperatures.

Removable wooden handle is made of Finnish birch.

Norden cast iron casserole 5L Fiskars Norden cast iron cookware is made of an innovative combination of premium materials. Cast iron stores heat extremely well and is perfect for slow cooking. The unique Thermium™ mineral treatment on the enameled cast iron surface gives the pot superior natural nonstick properties even in very high temperatures.

The oval shape is ideal for baking bread in the oven.

No rusting and no surface seasoning needed - easy to maintain. Removable wooden trivet made of Finnish birch.

Did you know?

Fiskars was first established in 1649 as an ironworks in a Finnish village of the same name.

Norden Steel Frying pan 28cm

Norden cast iron frying pan 28cm

Norden cast iron casserole 5L

KITCHENWARE INTERNATIONAL 29

Viewpoints

Barrie Saxby, UK sales director, Morphy Richards

From the latest trends to Brexit, we hear the opinions of industry insiders Claire Budgens, commercial and marketing director, Lifetime Brands Europe Kitchenware is a category which reportedly did well over the pandemic, is that something you found to be true?

Increased time at home without the ability to eat out or even buy a take-out led to consumers understandably having both a need, and a desire to escape boredom, to cook more. This led to experimentation and an appetite to learn new recipes and try new things such as bread baking, pasta making and most certainly indulge in cake making (remember banana bread?!) so there was demand for cookware, bakeware and tools and gadgets.

What is trending in kitchenware, at the moment?

Cooking and baking continue to be strong as consumers endure yet more Covid restrictions. So, bakeware, cookware, tools, gadgets and scales are

continuing to be the main drivers.

Sustainability, however, is the hot topic and fortunately we created the Natural Elements collection (Natural Elements brushes pictured) some time ago and have been well on the way to sourcing unique natural materials in the home to continue to address this need, able to immediately satisfy a retailers need for a complete sustainable kitchen solution.

With Brexit finally coming into effect, what impact will it have on the industry?

It is hard to ascertain the true extent to any Brexit affect. As an importer and exporter, we are geared to ensure we are continuing to source from EU countries as well as Asian across ceramics and glass, so there is a balance of any associated risk, be it import delays or price fluctuations. We are also extremely fortunate to have approved AEO status allowing our goods to flow into and out of the country easier than if we didn’t have this.

Lee McDonagh, MD, Samuel Groves Kitchenware is a category which reportedly did well over the pandemic, is that something you found to be true?

As consumers, in the main had more time to bake and cook, i.e those who were furloughed and those working but not doing daily commute, the we saw increases in our domestic bake cookware sales through the lockdown. Fortunately as British manufacturers we were able to respond to the increase.

Trend Charcuterie heaven

Kitchenware is a category which reportedly did well over the pandemic, is that something you found to be true?

Covid-19 forced consumers to change their behaviour and prioritise homelife. We spent a lot more time at home - decorating, renovating and gardening and ‘insperiences’ such as scratch cooking and baking at home became important.

This was reflected in sales figures for small domestic appliances which moved from -4 per cent decline in January to +27 per cent in May year-on-year, with food prep appliances driving a lot of that growth – particularly stand mixers and hand mixers, smoothie and soup makers.

What is trending in kitchenware, at the moment?

In recent months, trends have centered around performance and results.

Consumers are looking for appliances that work hard, are reliable and deliver results. Of course, aesthetics are also important – SDAs such as kettles and toasters are usually on permanent display so there is demand for sleek, premium looking appliances. Steam cooking is also on trend for those looking to eat a healthier diet, so table-top steamers are becoming increasingly popular.

As charcuterie boards and accessories skyrocket in popularity, we highlight a few key pieces…

GEFU www.gefu.com

T&G Woodware

A gorgeous piece of equipment, sure to impress even the most seasoned charcuterie lovers, GEFU’s sausage slicer Tranchè is a super-sharp stainless-steel blade which effortlessly cuts salami, ham and even bacon. Also perfectly suited to cucumbers or carrots and much more.

From T&G comes a lovely Deco long serving board in dark acacia wood with gold accent. Designed for a myriad of purposes from showcasing cheese and meats to burgers and pizzas.

30 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL

www.tg-woodware.com

Anand Baldawa, CEO, Seeba Group and thinKitchen

Craig Sammells, country manager UK & Ireland, Orthex Group Kitchenware is a category which reportedly did well over the pandemic, is that something you found to be true?

At a group level we have had a really strong year, as people staying at home have taken the opportunity to focus on home organisation and home cooking – and have purchased the products to help them do that. We have particularly seen interest in baskets, and our new recycling product Collect from our clever storage solutions brand SmartStore.

What is trending in kitchenware, at the moment?

Home organisation products are definitely being sought out and we are seeing maintained strong interest in SmartStore.

Sustainabillity has been at the heart of our business for many years now and we are also finding interest in our awardwinning GastroMax Bio range of kitchenware including chopping boards and utensils.

Tramontina Behold this pressed teak chopping board from Tramontina which oozes quality and versatility, along good looks!

At 45cm x 34cm x 3cm and with a deep juice rim, its substantial size lends itself to many uses including food preparation, presentation and serving. However, quality and good looks are not the only features of this board – it is also coated with a mineral oil which provides microbial protection.

www.tramontina.com

What is trending in kitchenware, at the moment?

Kitchenware as a category has done well over the pandemic period. With the lockdown restrictions in place, cooking and baking provided a creative and emotional outlet for people to connect. Suddenly, the kitchen became a source of comfort, peace, solace, and happiness. As people started spending more time in the kitchen, there was a need to replace, upgrade or modernise their existing setup (or perhaps, sometimes, out of sheer impulse!). We are definitely positive that this trend will continue because people are enjoying their kitchen-time and feeling a sense of pride in their creation. Bakeware, barware, flatware, cookware, storage… actually all things kitchen are trending at the moment. Since people are still taking precautions and not going out for a nice meal, they want to get the complete experience at home.

Brian Walmsley, commercial lead, Eko Home Kitchenware is a category which reportedly did well over the pandemic, is that something you found to be true?

Yes. Most people have spent far more time in the kitchen over the past few months – home-working and caring for their families. This has created many more opportunities for the category – for both new and upgrading of the aesthetics and utility of the kitchen. Examples at EKO include huge growth in our bestselling waste separation bins (the X Cube and Ecocasa) – especially those in Matt Grey, Black, Titanium Blue and Stainless Steel. Also a big increase in the ‘sinkside’ category in products that help organisation and recycling, such as the range of EKO Antibacterial Food Waste Caddies.

How has your export market been affected by Covid-19?

Kitchenware category has grown in all our key markets, so export demand has been strong.

Various logistics issues have been challenging: certain component suppliers impacted especially

in China in the initial months of the pandemic and certain challenges around warehouse staffing and distribution network. Overall, it’s been challenging but manageable.

What is trending in kitchenware, at the moment?

The two biggest trends are an acceleration in all matters relating to health and wellbeing and home technology. Whilst these trends have been building for a while now, the pandemic has significantly accelerated the trend. For example there’s been huge interest in the new EKO smart soap dispensers that enable a touchfree dispensing of soap and hand sanitiser, with simple charging via USB (so no batteries required). Also sensor recycling bins such as the Deluxe Phantom which enable hygienic and convenient waste separation.

Alex Frubel, managing director, Tramontina Kitchenware is a category which reportedly did well over the pandemic, is that something you found to be true?

Yes, we did find this to be the case with the trend very much geared towards online purchasing. With consumers not spending on things such as entertainment, eating out, travel etc, many turned to home cooking, baking and DIY through necessity, to fill spare time, and because the cash was there that would normally have been spent on other things.

What is trending in kitchenware, at the moment?

I believe that appliances are up there and more popular then ever, especially as we are spending more time at home. Having smart appliances which can make life easier and tasks quicker has got to be good. That said, quality and versatility in products is also up there – for example, good cookware that offers quality, efficiency and reliability cannot always be replaced by appliances and will always have their place in the kitchen.

KITCHENWARE INTERNATIONAL 31

Trend The Natural Kitchen

Walk to glory With their Walking Anywhere assortment, Bergner bring us an ecofriendly collection made from husk fibre.

The collection has been designed with transportability in mind, but also boasts super capacity making it ideal for lunch on the go, storage, picnics and more. The sleek colourways also make it an über attractive option for the style conscious.

www.bergnerhome.com

Embracing the

natural kitchen As more and more of us strive towards living an ecologically friendly, sustainable existence, the heart of the home follows suit. From décor through to accessories, the kitchen is being filled with wholesome products and it is up to retailers to give consumers what they want – we take a look at a few options on the market…

“GEFU’s aim is to produce innovative, sustainable kitchen products as a small step towards avoiding unnecessary plastic waste and saving valuable resources. That is why, for example, we provide exceptionally longlasting products for enjoying food on the go, beeswax wraps (left) to keep food fresh or clever solutions such as our coffee capsule set, which means you no longer need plastic or aluminium capsules for your coffee machine.” GEFU’s export manager Tobias Mautner on the importance of sustainable products.

32 KITCHENWARE INTERNATIONAL

Sustainable shopping From GEFU comes a perfectly formed fruit and vegetable net in three different sizes. An entirely modern way to shop, the reusable cotton nets are ideal for fresh fruits and vegetables. Coming in at 100 per cent cotton, they are also machine washable at 30°C.

www.gefu.com

A real corker!

Meet Bio Orthex Group has placed sustainability at the heart of its business for many years now.

The GastroMax brand, which has been designing straightforward and durable kitchenware for over a century, uses a new and unique ’bio’ composite material made from renewables (sugarcane and Swedish wood fibre) in its award-winning Bio range of chopping boards and kitchenware (pictured). This renewable material has up to 60 per cent reduced carbon footprint compared to fossil-fuel plastic and combines the natural look and feel of wood with the functional benefits of plastic e.g. dishwasher-proof.

www.orthexgroup.com

T&G’s range of tablemats, coasters and pot stands made from FSC® certified natural cork are a sustainable and natural choice for any kitchen.

Cork is naturally heat resistant protecting table surfaces and work tops, saving them from marks and stains, adding a natural trend to kitchen and dining. These eco-friendly cork mats, coasters and pot stands are wipe clean too! If you are looking to offer something different T&G can engrave your design, add branding or text to these lovely natural products.

With a fresh new look for spring 2021, T&G has introduced new labelling for in-store retail.

Sustainable alternative The Organic Utensil Collection from Viners offers both functional and trendy cookware pieces for all the different kitchen jobs and provides a sustainable alternative to the conventional utensils available in the market.

The utensils are made from 35 per cent wheat fibre, which is a natural byproduct from the wheat farming industry historically burnt by farmers. The biodegradable handles will decompose under composting conditions within 6 to 18 months, making for guilt free disposal.

www.tg-woodware.com

www.rayware.co.uk

Keeping it natural The Natural Elements brand from Lifetime Brands Europe combines a mix of plastic alternatives for both storage and kitchen utensils – think bamboo fibre colanders, mixing bowls, and storage sets. You’ll also find coconut fibre scrubbing brushes, compost bins and cork lunch bags so even when you’re out of the home, you can keep up the good work. And, appreciating the growth in the ‘grow your own’ trend and reducing waste in the home, there are also wooden vegetable crates and hessian vegetable storage bags which feature dark linings to block out sunlight and reduce the ripening process to make veggies last longer.

www.kitchencraft.co.uk

Original design The renowned bread box and butter box from Rig-Tig is now available in a stylish colourway – light grey.

The two products, which go under the name BOX-IT, were developed by the German design duo jehs+laub, who have developed many products for both Rig-Tig and Stelton.

Made of melamine, the bread box’s solid, sustainable bamboo lid can also be used as a cutting board – two products in one! With the new version, you can now choose between five colours of both the BOX-IT bread box and butter box: white, black, grey, blue and light grey.

www.rig-tig.com

TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL 65

Column BHETA

Time to ensure our future While the overall economic trajectory is looking positive there are challenges to be addressed, says Will Jones, chief operating officer at BHETA

T

his is usually a time for reflection and prediction; and it is sobering to consider that having experienced an extraordinary 2020, it is now January 2021 and we are in yet another lockdown. By and large and speaking anecdotally based on the BHETA’s January credit forum, BHETA members ended 2020 on something of a high as the year turned out to be so much better economically than it could have been. The start of 2021, combining post-Christmas with lockdown, with poor weather and Brexit, is looking tougher. In other words, the overall economic trajectory is looking positive but there are challenges to be addressed.

Last year, judged on sales figures alone, clearly shows the negative financial impact of Covid-19, but there have been numbers of mitigating positives, which BHETA continues to foster. The most obvious positive change has been the consumer refocus on ‘home’ with the consequent surge in interest in cooking, baking and cleaning. This contributed hugely to the experience of key retailers such as Dunelm which saw sales plummet in April; but recover by December. It has been the same story for many suppliers. While there are many issues currently, purchasing linked to home and garden is standing up to the pressures. House prices are up to record levels, mortgage approvals are up – to the highest level since September 2007.

The other significant change is

34 KITCHENWARE INTERNATIONAL

shopping habits, which for those suppliers and retailers able to adapt quickly enough has also proved positive. Buying local has made a comeback – generally good for independent specialists – and, of course, the growth of digital channels both supplier and retailer, is phenomenal. These channels will continue to contribute to a positive outlook.

While some of the latest economic statistics show some evidence of being slightly skewed by buying decisions being made ahead of Brexit, in general, the figures show a positive direction as the nation recovers from the impact of the first Covid-19 lockdown. Retail volumes are in growth for the sixth consecutive month and October 2020 GDP is now 23.4 per cent higher than its April 2020 low (albeit still 7.9 per cent below February 2020).

Now, it is true that some of these official statistics precede the latest pandemic restrictions. We can already see November retail sales volumes decreasing by -3.8 per cent compared to October because of the second UK lockdown.

The current situation is also challenging, especially as we see the number of payroll employees has already fallen by 819,000 since February 2020 – with furlough still in place. But the prospects for the housewares industry are good, if we can embrace change and acknowledge the significant shift in the economic structure we were used to before the pandemic. The imperative is to adapt.

There are short / medium term difficulties for retailers deemed

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

The cost of importing a container from the Far East has skyrocketed Will Jones, chief operating officer, British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) non-essential, which knock on to their suppliers. As John Lewis suspends click and collect to help minimise non-essential travel, we see the stark reality of the challenge. There are also massive issues for hospitality suppliers, a market where very real opportunities for new product to cater for new consumer attitudes is hampered by the current need to prioritise safety.

For the first half of 2021, the Brexit implementation period plus the continuing pandemic will be a logistical challenge. Ensuring import and export at affordable freight and duty rates will take up precious time; and the cost of importing a container from the Far East has skyrocketed. While the zero-tariff deal is welcome, there is considerable red tape to be faced, whether that is paying import VAT and customs duties for selling into the EU, changes to rules of origin, or different trading terms for Northern Ireland. There are numerous grace periods still being negotiated, all of which are bound to have repercussions.

As with Covid-19, the key is information and the ability to

adapt. For BHETA, it is all about providing members with up to the minute facts. It is then about getting behind the trends and helping adaptability with ‘how-to’ content on the BHETA website and proactive webinars looking at digital sales and marketing techniques. BHETA is also still able to enable networking opportunities for member suppliers with key retailers and export destinations.

Equally, it is about keeping the longer-term challenges – such as the sale of bladed items, the packaging tax legislation and sustainability in general – on the industry agenda.

These are key issues already and critical for the future of this industry, so while we deal with the immediate challenges, we must not allow our rigour on these subjects to slacken.

We have a good future ahead, but we need to work together now to ensure it.

Adaptability is the word of the moment and to enable that then facts and informed advice are key.

For further information, visit www.bheta.co.uk or contact the BHETA Member Services Team on 07946 078566.

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