Hardware & Homestyle July Aug 24

JULY / AUGUST 2024

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See page 21

Leader Following the seasons

PUBLISHED BY Ocean Publishing, 14 Upper Fitzwilliam St., Dublin 2 Tel: 01 678 5165 Fax: 01 678 5191 PUBLISHER Patrick Aylward EDITOR Martin Foran Editorial Email: martin@hardwareand homestylenews.ie NATIONAL SALES MANAGER Dermot Casey Email: dermot@hardwareand homestylenews.ie

It’s time for an autumn clean up in the garden, time for refocusing on many indoor tasks and time for taking stock .

As we once again approach the changing of the seasons, emphasis shifts towards a new set of goals and priorities.

It’s time for an autumn clean up in the garden, time for refocusing on many indoor tasks and time for taking stock – in more ways than one.

It’s also a time for looking ahead – because that’s what we always do in the trade.

We look ahead to new demands and to new initiatives that may be on the horizon. We try to anticipate needs that may not even be that obvious and we try to see around corners.

In many ways that pretty much encapsulates the themes in this issue.

We have all our usual items, full of trend predictions and market observations – such as ‘Showtime’ and ‘The Homefront’ – with its emphasis on Inspiring Retail from Around the World. (This time out: the famous ‘Divertimenti’ of London).

We hear from TrendBible again in this section, and in ‘The Final Say’ we check out bathroom trends.

Of course, we have the latest news from suppliers throughout – with names like Henkel, Hultafors, Pipelife, Zinsser, Loctite, Fleetwood and Flogas.

And to keep with the international flavour, how about a full report on the DIY Summit in Rome? We have all the details.

We also have a special report on Chadwick’s Midleton after its recent refurb!

And circling right back to seasonality, ‘The Room Outside’, with our retail gardening guru Liam Kelly, focuses on the fastapproaching autumn season and is crammed full of useful advice as always!

We hope you enjoy this issue.

DESIGN/PRODUCTION Catherine McDonagh AD PRODUCTION Audrey Fitzgerald PRINTED BY WG Baird Ltd., Antrim

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained within this journal is correct, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for errors, omissions or discrepancies. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher.

Martin Foran, Editor

JULY / AUGUST 2024 • HARDWARE & HOMESTYLE 1

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Contents 9

12

4

News News from the trade and the wider economy as always

12 On The Record

Talking home and housewares trends – and more besides, with Derek Miller, President & CEO of the International Housewares Association

16 The Homefront

Inspiring retail from around the world. Also, TrendBible outlines vision for the future of life at home

21 Pipelife

Pipelife’s modernisation plan shows commitment to Irish Market!

30

24 Showtime

spoga+gafa and Autumn Fair 2024 in focus

28 Chadwicks Midleton

The store has had a wonderful refurb!

30 DIY Summit

News and feedback from this summer’s Rome event

16

35 Focus on Loctite

37

Loctite launches new TV sponsorship campaign on Sky Quest

37 The Room Outside

Our retail Gardening Guru, Liam Kelly, has some timely advice, as always!

41 Products News

Including Hultafors, Zinsser and Flogas!

48 The Final Say

We’re talking bathroom trends with The Paneling Centre JULY / AUGUST 2024 • HARDWARE & HOMESTYLE 3

NEWS Chadwicks Group launches state-of-the-art external wall insulation Training Academy Chadwicks Group, in partnership with Baumit, a leading provider of innovative building solutions, has announced the opening of the new External Wall insulation (EWI) Training Academy at Robinhood Road Branch.

Tailored

This state-of-the-art facility will facilitate a comprehensive EWI training course, tailored for skilled professionals in the construction industry.

Located at the Chadwicks branch on Robinhood Road, Dublin, the academy offers a dynamic two-day course specifically developed for tradespeople aiming to master the application of the NSAI-approved Baumit 60 External Wall Insulation Systems (Certificate 09/0336).

For a €250 holding fee—refundable as credit on a Chadwicks account— participants will embark on a two-day immersive training, blending theoretical knowledge with practical application.

LMETB recognised for role in building Ireland’s first 3D concrete printed houses in Louth The central role of LMETB and its chief executive Martin O’Brien in the building of Ireland’s first 3D printed houses at Grange Close in Dundalk was recognised by the presentation to him of a miniature replica of the 3D houses by Justin Kinsella, managing director of Harcourt Technologies (HTL) the design and build contractor.

Among first

LMETB was among the first to introduce training for 3D concrete printing (3DCP) into Ireland under the umbrella of its Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre of Excellence (AMTCE).

CEO Martin O’Brien approached Louth County Council with the idea of using 3DCP to deliver much needed social housing faster than a regular build.

The local authority provided the site at

Tradespeople can sign-up for a course at the Training Academy on Training Academy | Baumit Wall Insulation Ireland (baumitireland.com).

participants to gain hands on experience with Baumit products in real life scenariobased settings.

Comprehensive

With the launch of the Training Academy, Chadwicks Group establishes itself as ‘the sole provider of comprehensive external wall insulation training for construction industry professionals across Ireland’.

By offering this unique training, Chadwicks Group reinforces its commitment to the continued development of sustainability focused new build practices and upskilling for tradespeople in Ireland.

Participants will learn about EWI system types, grasp concepts of performance and maintenance, and gain insights into build and design factors such as wind loading and condensation, as well as a number of other areas.

The custom-built facility will also allow

Chadwicks Group launch State-of-the-Art External Wall insulation Training Academy at Robinhood Road Branch

At the launch of their State-of-the-Art External Wall insulation Training Academy at Robinhood Road Branch, is CEO of Chadwicks Group Patrick Atkinson alongside two course attendees.

Grange Close and once completed, the trio of 3D printed houses will become homes to three families currently on the Council’s social housing list.

The Grange Close project has garnered huge interest and was featured on RTE news.

Training partner

Martin O’Brien, CEO of Louth and Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB), was presented

with a miniature of Ireland’s first 3D concrete printed (3DCP) houses at Grange Close in Dundalk, LMETB is the training partner Co. Louth, in recognition of his pivotal role in the initiative. on the project being built three times faster than they and has been involved in arranging visits would using traditional concrete blocks by other ETBs, construction companies and that this method uses a third of the and government agencies from across the labour normally required and also reduces island of Ireland. the construction schedule by between HTL said that the houses in Dundalk are 25-30%.

4 HARDWARE & HOMESTYLE • JULY / AUGUST 2024

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NEWS Fleetwood Paints: leading the way with Community Colours Initiative Fleetwood Paints, a name synonymous with quality and trust in the Irish paint industry, has been a cornerstone of local manufacturing and community engagement for over 70 years.

Renowned

Founded in the 1950s by the Doyle family, Fleetwood Paints began in a modest shed in Clontarf and has grown into a leading paint manufacturer, renowned for its commitment to excellence and innovation.

Fleetwood Paints prides itself on being a family-owned business that has stayed true to its roots.

The company operates from its state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Virginia, Co. Cavan, where every litre of paint is produced.

This facility boasts the largest research and development department of any Irish paint company, ensuring that all products are engineered to meet the specific needs of the Irish market and climate.

Launched

This year, Fleetwood Paints launched their Community Colours Initiative, a campaign designed to give back to the communities that have supported the company for decades.

Recognising the power of colour to transform interior and exterior spaces, Fleetwood committed to donating thousands of litres of paint to various community groups across Ireland.

The initiative aimed to bring

colour and renewed energy to local clubs, organisations, and projects that play a vital role in our communities.

Community groups from all corners of Ireland were invited to apply for the chance to receive free paint.

Applications

Applications came in from sports clubs, scout groups, meals on wheels services, men’s sheds, and various other community groups.

In all, 61 winners were chosen and were awarded paint donations tailored to their specific needs, helping them rejuvenate and enhance their facilities.

Fleetwood Paints’ Community Colours Initiative is more than a charitable campaign; it is a testament to the company’s deep-rooted commitment to community support.

Fleetwood has consistently demonstrated its dedication to enriching local communities through various initiatives and donations.

reach and impact.

By doing so, they aim to ensure that communities in Ireland have the opportunity to experience the uplifting effects of a fresh coat of paint.

Scan the QR code to view the full list of Fleetwood Paints 2024 Community Colours winners.

Success

The success of the Community Colours Initiative has set a new standard for corporate community engagement.

Fleetwood Paints plans to continue this initiative in the coming years, expanding its

JULY / AUGUST 2024 • HARDWARE & HOMESTYLE 7

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NEWS Chadwicks Group appoints Gary Murray as category director Chadwicks Group is delighted to announce the appointment of Gary Murray as Category Director and member of its Senior Leadership Team.

Experience

Gary brings 18 years of extensive experience in commercial buying and construction roles across Ireland, the UK, Germany, and the US. His background includes significant achievements in the built environment and FMCG retail sectors, with a proven track record in construction and global procurement.

As Category Director for Chadwicks Group, Gary will spearhead the development and implementation of strategic procurement initiatives, ensuring they align with the organisation’s goals and prioritise sustainability and innovation.

He will be responsible for developing and executing product buying strategies that optimise cost efficiency and ensure topquality products are sourced for Chadwicks

ambitious growth.

‘His extensive knowledge and innovative approach will be instrumental in achieving our mission to deliver a best-in-class customer experience and adapt to the evolving needs of the construction industry.

‘Gary’s appointment is a crucial step in our commitment to building a strong, experienced team dedicated to providing consistent, high-quality service, exceptional product selection, and value across all branches.

‘His strategic expertise will drive our sustainable procurement practices, optimise our supply chain, and ensure we continue to offer top-quality products to our customers.’

Group customers.

Leading a team of category managers, Gary will continue to strengthen supplier relationships and drive consistent improvement initiatives to enhance buying processes, all while maintaining a strong focus on meeting customer needs.

Excited

Business

Speaking on the appointment, Patrick Atkinson, CEO, Chadwicks Group, commented ‘We are excited to announce Gary’s appointment as Category Director in Chadwicks Group during this period of

Gary’s career began in his family’s Irish home-building business before transitioning to Lidl as a graduate, where he spent a decade in property construction and procurement.

A message from Sharp Distributors: Exciting news – our new website is live!

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new website, designed to serve you better and enhance your experience with Sharp Distributors.

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As a leading wholesale distributor of high-quality tools, we are committed to providing you with the best products and services, and our new website is a testament to that commitment.

In today’s fast-paced world, the demand for high-quality hardware tools is ever-increasing.

Whether it’s for professional tradespeople, DIY enthusiasts, or largescale industrial projects, having access to reliable tools is crucial.

This is where Sharp Distributors come into play, offering a vast array of products and services to meet diverse needs.

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User-Friendly Interface: Our website features a sleek, modern design with easy navigation, making it simpler than ever to find the tools you need.

Comprehensive Product Catalogue: Browse our extensive

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range of tools, complete with detailed descriptions, specifications, and highresolution images.

Enhanced Search Functionality: Quickly locate products with our advanced search option.

Customer Portal: Access your account and view purchase history with ease.

Create Favourites Lists: Add your preferred products to your favourite list by selecting the heart symbol over each one. You can create separate favourite lists for your convenience.

Resource Centre: Stay informed with the latest industry news, product guides, and how-to articles.

What You Can Expect

1. Extensive Product Range Our website features a comprehensive selection of tools, including power tools, hand tools, garden tools, and accessories from top brands. We ensure that you have access to the best products in the market, all in one place.

2. User-Friendly Experience Navigating our website is a breeze! With a clean,

intuitive design and easy-to-use search functions, finding the right tools for your projects has never been simpler. Our detailed product descriptions and highquality images help you make informed decisions.

3. Competitive Pricing We offer competitive prices on all our products, along with regular promotions and discounts.

4. Fast and Reliable Delivery We understand the importance of timely deliveries. That’s why we offer fast and reliable shipping options, including nextday delivery. You can count on us to get your orders to you when you need them.

5. Exceptional Customer Support Our dedicated customer support team is here to assist you with any queries or concerns.

Whether you need help with product selection, order tracking, or returns, we’re just a call or click away.

We invite you to explore our new website at www.sharp.ie and discover how we can help you achieve your goals with the right tools.

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to serving you better with our enhanced online presence.

JULY / AUGUST 2024 • HARDWARE & HOMESTYLE 9

NEWS SMEs lost almost €10m through emailrelated scams in 2023 A call on businesses to remain vigilant on file to be changed for future invoice payments and provide a new IBAN and BIC code for the “new account”.

‘When a legitimate invoice is issued by the supplier the business ends up paying it into the “new account” controlled by the fraudster and it’s often only some time later when a payment reminder is sent by the supplier that the scam is detected.’

New figures from FraudSMART, the fraud awareness initiative led by Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI), show that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) lost almost €10m (€9.9m) through emailrelated fraud in 2023, including invoiceredirection and CEO impersonation scams.

Alert

The figures came as FraudSMART joined forces with the Irish SME Association (ISME) to urge SMEs to be on the alert and put measures in place to protect their business.

Majority of cases are invoice-redirection scams with what appears to be a legitimate email from a supplier known to the business Speaking on the figures and outlining the type of scams targeted at SMEs, Niamh Davenport, Head of Financial Crime, BPFI said: ‘We have seen a jump of almost 25% (23.8%) in email-related fraud targeted at SMEs last year.

‘These scams can be devastating for a small company with average losses of €12,000.

‘The majority of cases we’ve seen are invoice-redirection scams.

Appears

‘These, often start with what appears to be a legitimate email from a supplier known to the business advising of new bank details for payment, but which has been hacked or closely copied by fraudsters.

‘This can create a false sense of security and make it difficult for businesses to detect.

‘They usually don’t request any payment upfront but ask for the bank account details

have fallen victim to fraud, don’t delay, talk to your bank and to Gardaí as soon as possible.’

Top tips to protect your business from fraud: 1.

All sizes

Davenport added: ‘Unfortunately, while fraudsters target businesses of all sizes, SMEs can be particularly vulnerable compared to larger companies due to more limited resources, less investment in security infrastructure as well as lower financial buffers to withstand any losses.

‘Fraudsters take advantage of busy work schedules and create a sense of urgency in the hope that an employee will react without thinking and won’t take the time to do necessary checks.’

Calling on SMEs to remain vigilant, Neil McDonnell, CEO, ISME added: ‘Unfortunately, no business is immune to this type of scam and the consequences can be catastrophic.

‘I urge all SMEs and their employees to review their current payment policies and procedures.

‘I would also encourage businesses to put training in place for employees to ensure they are constantly aware of current fraud risks and how to avoid falling victim to scammers.

‘FraudSMART provides a free guide with information and tips on business fraud and that’s a good place to start.’

Advice

Ms Davenport concluded: ‘Our single biggest piece of advice if you receive an email from a supplier asking to change their bank account details for payments, is to pick up the phone, using a number that you are familiar with or from a trusted source such as the official supplier website, and check directly with the supplier if the request is genuine and the details are correct.

‘If you suspect that your business may

10 HARDWARE & HOMESTYLE • JULY / AUGUST 2024

2.

3.

4.

5.

Policies and procedures – ensure a verification process is in place for requests to change supplier bank account details. Use trusted contact details already on record or a contact number on the company’s website. Do not to use the contact details on an email requesting the change as these could be fraudulent or controlled by a fraudster.

Dual authorisation – ensure that two people from the business are required to complete a third-party payment electronically.

Fraud awareness and training – ensure staff are given appropriate training on cyber security with a focus on email-related fraud / phishing emails.

Invoice checking – review invoices thoroughly and ensure there are no irregularities including misspellings and grammatical errors.

Updated operating systems – ensure that the latest updates for your computer and mobile operating systems are up-to-date and set them to automatically update.

Businesses can download a free copy of the FraudSMART ‘Protect your business from fraud’ guide and sign up to fraud alerts on the FraudSMART website where they can also find a wealth of other information on fraud types and prevention advice.

NEWS BNP Paribas Real Estate Ireland Construction PMI® Sharpest rise in new orders since February 2022 Strongest increase in new business in almost two-and-ahalf years

March.

Input costs meanwhile rose sharply, with the pace of inflation remaining above the series average despite easing slightly from that seen in June.

While constructors increased their purchasing activity and staffing levels, a reduction in sub-contractor usage was registered in July, contributing to a first increase in their availability in almost four years.

Turning to the future, companies remained optimistic that activity will rise over the coming year, with sentiment little changed from the previous survey period.

Some new projects that have been secured are set to commence during the next 12 months, thereby leading to higher activity.

There was also confidence that new orders will continue to rise.

Irish construction activity was broadly stable at the start of the third quarter of the year.

Housing was the main source of any growth in activity as commercial work was little-changed from the previous month.

Forwardlooking data were positive, with new order growth the fastest in almost two-and-a-half years and business confidence remaining strongly positive.

Meanwhile, employment continued to rise, but at a softer pace.

Fractionally below

The headline seasonally adjusted BNP Paribas Real Estate Ireland Construction Total Activity Index posted just fractionally below the 50.0 no-change mark at 49.9 in July.

The reading was up from 47.5 in June and signalled a near-stabilisation of activity.

Of the three categories of construction covered by the survey, residential was the only one to record growth in July.

Housing activity increased for the fifth consecutive month, and at a solid pace that was the fastest since April.

Broadly

Meanwhile, commercial activity was broadly unchanged following a sharp reduction in June, and civil engineering activity decreased again.

A key positive from the latest survey was a marked expansion in new orders which was the sharpest since February 2022.

Positive

John McCartney

New business has now risen in five successive months.

Companies responded to higher workloads by taking on additional staff, the eighth consecutive month in which this has been the case.

That said, the rate of job creation was only marginal and the softest in the current sequence of rising employment.

Expanded

Firms also expanded their purchasing activity, both in response to higher new orders and to replenish stocks.

The solid increase in input buying was the fastest in 28 months.

Efforts to secure inputs were hampered to some degree by supply-chain delays.

Lead times lengthened for the second month running amid reports of shipping delays and staff shortages at suppliers.

Moreover, the deterioration in vendor performance was the most marked since

Commenting on the latest survey results, John McCartney, Director & Head of Research at BNP Paribas Real Estate Ireland, said: ‘July was another positive month for residential construction with activity expanding for the fifth month in succession – the first time this has happened in over two years.

‘Looking at the mid-term report card, new dwelling completions fell by 8.6% in H1.

‘This means 20,700 units need to be delivered in the second half for the Government’s target of 33,450 completions to be met – an 11% increase over H2 2023.

‘Given that the number of units under construction in Dublin was down 13% year-on-year as we entered 2024, this would appear to be quite challenging.

Picked up

‘Nonetheless, commencements have picked-up sharply in recent months and the increased activity indicated by the PMI points to stronger output ahead – although it may be 2025 before the recent surge in early-stage construction yields a material uplift in completions.’

JULY / AUGUST 2024 • HARDWARE & HOMESTYLE 11

ON THE RECORD

Reflecting and inspiring the global marketplace

Derek Miller is President & CEO of the International Housewares Association, the organization behind The Inspired Home Show and gia competition in Chicago. When we last spoke, the Covid lockdowns had been impacting these events – and many others around the globe. Time for a catch-up we thought! So, how have things changed since – and what have been the trends since emerging from those challenging times? These were among the topics discussed!

12 HARDWARE & HOMESTYLE • JULY / AUGUST 2024

ON THE RECORD

H&H: Hi Derek, and thanks for taking part in On The Record! First, to recap; can you give us an overview of the show in terms of its scope and size for anyone who has not been? It really is a global marketplace, isn’t it?

DM: The Inspired Home Show is the largest home + housewares specific trade event in the Western Hemisphere featuring over 1,600 exhibitors from over forty countries and tens of thousands of attendees from over 125 countries.

The Show is broken into various expos to give buyers specific destinations – Wired + Well and Clean + Contain are located in the North Hall, and Dine + Décor is located in the South Hall along with Travel Gear + Luggage, which is new for 2025.

Additionally, International Sourcing, featuring OEM manufacturers is located in the lower North Hall.

H&H: How has the overall market changed since Covid, do you think? And how has the show reflected this?

DM: The market has changed in recent years and is simply more competitive than ever. Buyers need to maintain relationships with their current vendors and must also be on the lookout for new brands and products that can give them a competitive advantage.

The Show brings together the largest,

‘The market is more competitive than ever.’

over that timeframe.

The move from four days to three full days not only makes the Show more productive and dynamic but also reduces costs for both the exhibitor and retail audiences, something that was frequently cited throughout discussions.

well-known brands alongside newer companies who are making their first entry into the market – this exhibitor mix helps retailers diversify their product assortments.

H&H: The number of days the event runs over is one change that we have seen what was the thinking behind this?

DM: This decision was based on the feedback from the industry, two industrywide surveys and four special committees made up of both exhibitors and retailers, with the goal to create the most vibrant, productive and efficient trade show experience possible for the industry.

The majority of exhibitors and retailers indicated on surveys and in discussions that three full days at the Show is sufficient with business being more concentrated

H&H: Can you comment on the housewares industry and any trends you have seen lately?

DM: We continue to recognize that trends are not created by marketers or influencers, corporations or even brands.

They’re created by consumers, and they are a constantly evolving reflection of how consumers react to the world they live in.

Here are a few enduring and evolving trends driving product development, marketing and merchandising in housewares: Entertaining is Here to Stay – People are not only planning to entertain friends and family in their homes in the coming year, one out of every four are planning to host even more than last year.

They’re looking for more everyday occasions to use as an excuse to show off their latest charcuterie board skills.

But it’s not just about a great presentation, preparation is now part of the whole experience.

JULY / AUGUST 2024 • HARDWARE & HOMESTYLE 13

ON THE RECORD

People are looking for products that help them share the experience of preparing the meal, impress guests with their mixology prowess and even make the dreaded cleanup easier and less time consuming.

All About Hue – Colour is everywhere!

From mineral midtones that bring an unexpected elegance to more subtle pastel palettes as seen in everything from elegant drinkware to food storage to the more mood-lifting ‘milky’ pale pastels with more contemporary sensibilities evident across dinnerware, serve and bakeware.

It’s not just pastel palettes colouring retail shelves, vivid jewel tones have made their way into everything from cook and bakeware to beverage and serving.

The thing to always remember about colour, it’s important to understand not only your current customer, but those you hope to attract.

Easy Does It – Today’s consumers are looking for products that deliver on the promise of reduced effort, improved results or simply more time to spend on their other interests.

This leads to choices around products that are simply easy to use or that allow for multitasking.

This trend leans into the simple objective of creating products that make life easier, save consumers time, effort and space and help solve everyday problems.

H&H: We hear for example, that luggage will be part of the show soon.

What is the overall thinking on ‘market

adjacent’ additions in terms of growing the event?

DM: Correct, coming out of the May board meeting, we’ve decided to add a new Expo for 2025 – Travel Gear + Luggage – which will be located in the South Hall alongside Dine + Décor.

Key buyers have told us that they are looking for larger, more productive events that include categories that are adjacent to what’s already being offered.

This effort will make the Show more meaningful to retailers’ senior management

who have both housewares and luggage responsibilities.

Welcoming travel exhibitors will greatly help those companies meet with a wider retail audience while further strengthening our Show.

Related, we’re working on smaller projects as well such as Candle and Pet pavilions to give retailers additional destinations and reasons for attending.

Both of these projects are being coordinated in conjunction with two independent trade associations that see our Show as a path to helping their members better access the market.

These types of efforts are truly a win-winwin for the industry – the retailers can find new brands & products, the exhibitors gain access to those retailers, and the Show is strengthened overall.

H&H: What ways would you like to see the show develop in the next few years?

DM: As market conditions improve and the industry grows, the Show will also expand by bringing in the new brands and companies that will emerge.

Increased opportunities for product discovery and continued top-to-top, buyerseller connections will propel the Show forward into the future.

H&H: Regarding gia - What is the idea behind the awards?

DM: We felt there was a need to provide national and worldwide recognition for innovation and excellence in housewares retailing.

Extensive research in the late ‘90s

14 HARDWARE & HOMESTYLE • JULY / AUGUST 2024

ON THE RECORD

Irish gia store 2024, owner Kate Masterson outside her store.

indicated there was no award in our industry specifically created to honour retailers for their accomplishments in reaching the consumer with innovative business practices and creative visual merchandising displays.

The gia Global Innovation Awards started at the 2000 Show with a meeting between a few IHA staff members and international trade media focusing on the question, ‘what if we were to create an event to highlight and honour the very best in global retailing?’.

The answer was a responding, ‘yes’, and gia was born.

Criteria were quickly developed, and IHA and our partners went to work to select the very first country winners.

H&H: How has it added to the package of events over the years do you think?

DM: What makes gia so special is that it truly is a global awards program, bringing together housewares retailers from around the world.

This means gia provides housewares retailers with unique learning and networking opportunities: the national gia winners visiting the Show are able to meet with and learn from the other national winners.

And, the Show gets the opportunity to showcase innovation and excellence in housewares retailing and share the best examples from around the world to all of the visitors and exhibitors at the Show.

Since the launch of gia, there have been over 550 gia retail award winners, from fifty-five countries on six continents.

These are significant numbers – and include enormous amounts of housewares industry expertise, inspiration, ideas, innovation.

For any retailer, being able to say that they’re part of this group, the best-of-the-best in housewares retailing around the world, is a true honour and reward – and the best possible reference.

H&H: How has it grown and developed?

DM: At the 2001 Show, seventeen winners from thirteen countries were honoured, and five received Global Honoree distinctions, a

practice that is still being followed today.

As word spread, more and more trade publications and association partners joined, and today we have twentyeight partners operating in over fifty countries. And the list of participants continues to grow.

Since the start of the gia retail program, two special awards have been added.

In addition to the general gia Global Honoree awards, the national gia winners have a chance to compete for the Martin M. Pegler Award for Excellence in Visual Merchandising and for the gia Digital Commerce Award for Excellence in Online Retailing.

We also added a special competition for window displays only, gia Top Window, during the pandemic in 2021, recognizing and celebrating the best window displays yearly.

What’s also noteworthy is that gia is no longer just a retail awards program.

In 2011, gia grew by adding the very best in product design to the program, now honouring seventy finalists in fourteen different categories, and in 2023, IHA’s Student Design Awards came under the gia umbrella to further strengthen the program’s brand and reach.

H&H: Any hopes/plans you’d like to share for the future of the awards?

DM: 2025 marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the gia Retail Awards. Of course, we look to continue growing and developing the program, bringing in new countries as appropriate and keeping up with the times and changes in retailing.

At the 2025 Show in March, gia will again be featured prominently in front of the North Hall in the Grand Concourse Lobby with special displays dedicated to Retail, Product Design and Student Design Excellence.

Country winners, product finalists and student winners will be invited to attend the gia Gala on Sunday evening to be recognized for their accomplishments and for a select few to be further honoured as the very best of the best in an Academy Awards style celebration.

JULY / AUGUST 2024 • HARDWARE & HOMESTYLE 15

HOMEFRONT Divertimenti on London’s Brompton Road is not only wellknown by passionate cooks across the United Kingdom and beyond, but also to many a celebrity chef who had their big break cooking up a storm for customers and staff there over six decades, writes Michelle Hespe.

London’s go-to cookshop shines

A

s they say, the kitchen is the heart of the home. In the case of London’s original cookshop Divertimenti, its famous cookery school is at the heart of a thriving business that is celebrating sixty years in the retail business.

Renowned

The renowned kitchenware store opened in Marylebone in the 1960s, at a time when London’s culinary scene was positively exploding.

The UK’s capital had become a happening, fun and globally alluring hub of creativity and serious business.

There was a huge growth in fashionable restaurants across London and simultaneously there was a massive number of young people flocking to the city – a direct result of the baby boom in the 1950s.

Add to this the economic boom that saw Londoners spending money on their homes, entertaining, and their lifestyles in

16 HARDWARE & HOMESTYLE • JULY / AUGUST 2024

general, and the scene was well and truly set for Divertimenti’s grand opening.

Haven

Fast forward sixty years and today Divertimenti is home to more than 6,500 products arranged across its 500-square meters spread over two floors, making it a veritable haven for chefs and people passionate about cooking.

This year Divertimenti was a firm favorite of the expert jury in the 2024 Global

HOMEFRONT Innovation Awards (gia) held in Chicago, where it became one of the top five stores in the world.

‘Divertimenti has a long history, focusing on quality, with a reputation as a leader in culinary exploration,’ the judges noted.

‘It is truly the original show kitchen hosting star chefs, and there is a strong dedication to colour composition and colour direction in the storytelling, making for excellent visual merchandising.’

Speechless

At the gia awards, Ben Phillips, the managing director of Divertimenti was at

first speechless when the store was chosen as one of the five global honorees, yet he has always known how the store holds a special place in the fabric of the UK’s culinary scene, and in the hearts of so many customers.

‘Divertimenti started out before awards were even a thing, and it has created its own special path since,’ he says.

‘Becoming a gia winner felt like being that film director who’s never even been nominated suddenly winning an Oscar for Best Picture.

‘It wasn’t expected, but we do know how worthy the store is.

‘When I chronicled what Divertimenti had achieved for the awards application, and where it had led the way and developed over the years, there was so much to be proud of. It’s a solid heritage brand.’

A light and entertaining distraction

Pleasing its many loyal customers is at the heart of what Divertimenti strives to do every day, and part of this is keeping them inspired and up to date with cooking trends, products and advice from those at the pinnacle of the industry – be that suppliers, staff, local cooks or

Divertimenti is home to more than 6,500 products arranged across its 500-square meters over two floors – a haven for chefs and people passionate about cooking!

JULY / AUGUST 2024 • HARDWARE & HOMESTYLE 17

HOMEFRONT

famous chefs.

The store is also a source of entertainment, with something always going on for customers to enjoy. In fact, the word Divertimenti is an Italian musical term for a ‘light and entertaining distraction’.

‘We hope that people feel excited and inspired when they step into our store,’ says Ben. ‘In a homogenized retail world, we hope people will find that Divertimenti is a breath of fresh air.’

There are many stories of now-famous chefs who were given their first teaching platform at Divertimenti, long before they were famous.

One of the most well-known is Gordon Ramsay, who is still a customer today.

of his favorites was hosting two of the UK’s top restaurateurs – with 10 Michelin stars between them – where they cooked dinner for fifty guests in the store’s cookery school.

‘They took some time out to see who could slice through the most water bottles with a single swing of a Japanese Yaxell knife,’ says Ben. ‘I can confirm that the Divertimenti world record is currently 22 bottles in one hit!’

It’s not just celebrity chefs that go above and beyond to educate, inspire and entertain customers.

‘Divertimenti’s employees are really the owners of the business, so they are on every level motivated to go the extra mile,’ says Ben.

Magical

All in it together

Ben says there are too many magical things that have happened at Divertimenti over the last six decades to list, but one

Having been around for sixty years, Divertimenti and its staff have continued to evolve, adapting to the many highs and

Sponsored and organized by The Inspired Home Show and the International Housewares Association (IHA), gia (IHA Global Innovation Awards) is the world’s leading awards program honouring overall excellence, business innovation and creative merchandising in homegoods retailing. For more information about the gia retail program, the co-sponsors or participating in 2024-2025, contact Piritta Törrö at

18 HARDWARE & HOMESTYLE • JULY / AUGUST 2024

lows that the passing of time and trends creates.

The global pandemic was one period in time that changed the trajectory of the business, in a good way.

‘The pandemic created an astonishing time,’ Ben says. ‘On different days it was beyond scary, but there was also an astounding amount of optimism around.

‘The world changed many times over during that time and whilst not forgetting the incredible suffering and loss that many people endured, from a housewares retailer’s perspective – a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity presented itself.

‘Having all of our customers housebound, cooking for themselves and discovering the dark arts of pizza, pasta and breadmaking was an opportunity not to be missed,’ says Ben. ‘We went into this period well prepared, with a great online store and service our customers could depend on, and we were ready for coming out the other side as well.

‘That period changed the business in a fundamental and positive way.’

Inspire

After the pandemic, people sought personal contact again, and Divertimenti, having kept up with its customers’ online, was ready and waiting to inspire and entertain once more.

‘I think that bricks and mortar stores will come back to life and remain,’ Ben says.

‘Online shopping is incredible in so many ways, but people are social creatures and if stores become more engaging, unique and experiential, then that, for me, is the future.

‘Where would you rather spend your weekend?’

To learn more about Divertimenti, visit www.divertimenti.co.uk.

piritta.torro@inspiredconnection. fi. Additional information on gia is also available online at TheInspiredHomeShow.com/ Awards/gia-Retailing.

For more information about The Inspired Home Show and to pre-register for the 2025 Show, taking place in Chicago on 2-4 March 2025, please visit TheInspiredHomeShow.com .

HOMEFRONT Consumers seeking stability,

balance and creative expression TrendBible outlines vision for the future of life at home Mega issues like inflation, political instability and climate change continue to influence our world, but today’s consumers are looking to cope by creating stability and balance in their lives and creatively expressing their deeply held values and styles.

Keynote

That’s according to Anna Ward, consultancy innovation lead at TrendBible in a keynote session at this year’s The Inspired Home Show 2024.

In her session titled, Global Householder Trends: A View to 2025, Ward shared TrendBible’s global interpretation of the trends that will most affect consumers and their lives at home.

These incorporate mega trends – which typically last 10-15 years, which in turn contribute to macro trends, which in turn lead to design and narrative trends, which in turn lead to brand/e-commerce/retail activation.

Her presentation focused on four macro trends most affecting the future of life at home and also included a preview of one of TrendBible’s 2025 design stories.

The four macro trends are: Transient Homemaking, Low Desire Living, Owning It and Rebellious Creativity.

Transient Homemaking

An increasing number of consumers find themselves in temporary living arrangements today, whether that means living with parents, a number of similar-age roommates or rental housing.

Make no mistake, ‘these are necessitydriven arrangements that are anything but poster perfect,’ said Ward.

These arrangements aren’t just young singles, but may include 30-somethings or young families, she said.

In fact, the average age for buying a first

JULY MAY / AUGUST / JUNE 2024 • HARDWARE & HOMESTYLE 19

HOMEFRONT But it also has a figurative meaning in that many consumers are feeling the urge to ‘take back control in areas of our lives we can change,’ said Ward.

With this trend, ‘Thriftiness becomes a badge of honor,’ said Ward, while noting that products that help extend the life of items we already own (such as sofa covers) have become popular, as have storage containers that help you freeze and reheat individual portions of food, thus reducing food waste.

Rebellious creativity

As a way to counteract what she refers to as ‘the doom narrative’ we’ve been hearing for a few years, Ward said Rebellious Creativity is a way of living with gratitude for what you have rather than focusing on what you don’t.

It also allows people to lead with their hearts rather than their heads.

TrendBible is seeing this start to manifest in a few ways, including consumers who are embracing eclectic or unconventional styles…sometimes simply as a way of rebelling against being told what is in style or what they should like.

Others are embracing clutter again after determining it’s too hard to keep their homes organized.

After reviewing these four macro trends, Ward also provided a preview of one of the four design stories they’ve developed for 2025: Estudio Futuro.

Estudio Futuro home is up to 37 in the U.K. (up from 32) and 36 in the U.S. (up from 33).

On an emotional level, these consumers are seeking stability and comfort. Logistically, they will be on the look-out for home products that are modular or adjustable.

Ward encouraged those in the home industry to think about how their products can provide a feeling of home, as well as focusing on items that can ‘create impact without the price tag, such as a beautiful throw that can transform even the lowliest couch’.

Low Desire Living

There’s an undercurrent in our hi-tech, high-performing society these days that is driving many people to place more value on simplicity and the luxury of ‘focusing on one idea at a time and doing it well’.

It’s driving some to unplug from digital devices and reconnect with what they love.

‘This heightened awareness of our values and how we live up to them is starting to dictate who we date, which businesses we support and emphasizing the why behind everything we do,’ said Ward.

‘The consumer will begin to cluster around niche values seeking like-minded life partners, friends and social space.’

Owning it

The ‘Owning it’ trend has both a literal and figurative meaning. It’s literal in terms of current economic conditions and the fact that many people may not be able to afford replacements for certain household items…they may need to fix or improve items they already own themselves.

20 HARDWARE & HOMESTYLE • JULY / AUGUST 2024

Estudio Futuro is all about surrounding oneself with colour, shape and pattern that is bold, fun and authentic.

Ward described the mood as ‘vivid abundance, eco-positive, colour drenched, street cultured, empowered and craftivism’.

It’s driven by the Latine/Latinx culture, feelings of abundance and positivity, desire for community and the popularity of artisanal design.

Traditional craftsmanship is blended with bold contemporary styles.

‘Maximalist décor is thriving in this trend,’ said Ward. ‘Highend gloss ceramics mingle with natural brush fibers and chiseled wooden surfaces.’

Joy and vitality are reflected with a number of ‘juicy’ hues.

Designs may be organic and jagged or include spiky forms, nonuniform proportions and feelings of movement.

The International Housewares Association is the 86-year-old voice of the housewares industry. The not-for-profit, fullservice association sponsors the world’s premier exposition of products for the home, The Inspired Home Show, IHA’s Global Home + Housewares Market (TheInspiredHomeShow.com), and offers its 1,300 member companies a wide range of services.

Pipelife

Pipelife’s

distribution networks across the entire plant, the upgrading of offices, canteens, locker rooms, toilets, the installation and commissioning of six new high speed, automated extrusion lines for PVC, ABS and PP products, and the completion of a new purpose built Renewables Academy to cater for training of installers, architects, specifiers and merchants.

modernisation plan shows commitment to Irish Market ‘Pipelife is Ireland’s leading manufacturer and provider of plastic piping systems.

‘Specialising in the extrusion of polyethylene & PVC pipes, Pipelife offers industry leading products for the heating & plumbing, water pressure, electricity, cable ducting, gas and agricultural sectors.

‘In recent years the Irish operation has focused very heavily on renewable heating products & services, along with its traditional focus on plumbing & heating pipes and fittings.

‘We also have a large focus on sewage,

Continuing

soil, rainwater and roofline products and has grown significantly over the years in the Irish, UK and continental European market.

Commitment

‘Demonstrating its long-term commitment to the Irish market, in June this year Pipelife Ireland completed the first phase of its latest investment plan in its manufacturing operation in Cork.

‘This first phase investment of €15m entailed the replacement or upgrade of the entire water cooling and raw material

‘In the coming months Pipelife will be installing four further high speed, automated extrusion lines, and the continuing investment plan will see all older extrusion lines being replaced by the end of 2027, bringing the total investment in the Cork plant to over €30m.

‘By then Pipelife Ireland will have 28 high speed, automated extrusion lines operating in its Cork plant, with an average age of 6 years, and with an annual capacity to extrude some 48,000 tonnes of pipe across the sewage, soil, cable protection, water, gas, roofline, rainwater and plumbing & heating sectors.

‘Complementary to this investment in equipment and facilities, an IDA backed €4m, 3-year training programme to upskill its more than 200 employees is currently

JULY / AUGUST 2024 • HARDWARE & HOMESTYLE 21

Pipelife ‘Integrity 600’ IC Manhole & Chamber

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temperatures, ensuring a reliable long service life. Thanks to their lightweight material they are very easy to install without the use of heavy machines, and provide an ideal solution for sewage and stormwater applications in various ground and water conditions.

Our Pipelife Integrity manholes offer a wide range of connections to the base and riser rings. In practice, engineers can design their ideal manhole. Water tightness is also guaranteed with rubber sealing rings, even if groundwater levels are higher.

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dard

Pipelife

underway in Pipelife Ireland.

‘These investments in our people and equipment will ensure that Pipelife is positioned to remain a long-term Irish producer of “Guaranteed Irish” piping systems for the Irish market.

Significant

‘The significant investment in new equipment, personnel and services is without parallel in our sector in Ireland and will position our Irish operations as a world class manufacturing facility for many years to come.

‘This very visible investment shows Pipelife’s long-term commitment to the Irish market and there is no doubt that the scale, modernity and product portfolio of the new Pipelife Ireland operations will be very attractive as a supply chain partner for the major merchant groups, builders and installers in the country.

‘Pipelife Ireland Solutions Limited is thrilled to announce the opening of our new, state-of-the-art, purpose-built Renewables Academy.

‘This exciting development is set to be a significant benefit to installers, merchants, BER assessors, and professionals within the heating and construction industry.’

Key Features of the Renewables Academy: • Free Courses: We offer a range of free courses that are accessible to all industry professionals.

• Expert-Led Training: Our courses are led by members of our Technical Team, who bring a wealth of practical knowledge and expertise in installation practices.

• Comprehensive Product Knowledge: Attendees will gain valuable insights into our heating technologies, ensuring they are well-equipped with the best product knowledge and installation techniques.

• Manufacturing Facility Tour: Participants will have the unique opportunity to tour the Pipelife manufacturing facility. This tour allows visitors to see first-hand where our high-quality products are made.

• By participating in our courses, industry professionals will be able to enhance their skills and knowledge, ensuring that they can meet the highest standards of customer satisfaction.

community, and ensuring the Irish provenance of our products.

‘As a member of Guaranteed Irish, we also demonstrate a dedication to highquality standards and a positive impact on the Irish economy and society.

‘The Pipelife Group is a company with annual revenues of over €1bn a year.

‘We operate in trenty-four countries and employ 3,000 employees in twenty-eight manufacturing locations.

Group

Pipelife is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Wienerberger Group, with group revenues of over €4bn per year and 16,000

employees worldwide.

This long history plus the financial strength of Pipelife, in parallel with our ongoing multi-million-euro, multi-year investment in our Irish manufacturing operations, is the best guarantee we can offer you that we will be there to support our products and customers over the long lifetimes of our products.

For more information and to talk to our team call us on 021 488 4700 or e-mail us at ireland@pipelife.com Put your trust in Pipelife – 55 years of proud Irish manufacturing & serving the Irish plumbing & Heating industry.

Proud

‘Pipelife Ireland Solutions Limited are also proud members of Guaranteed Irish.

‘This membership indicates our commitment to supporting local employment, contributing to the JULY / AUGUST 2024 • HARDWARE & HOMESTYLE 23

SHOWTIME Autumn Fair 2024

F

inal preparations are underway for Autumn Fair 2024 as we go to press with our issue.

With visitors from over sixty countries, 85% of which are actively looking to buy or source new products, ‘Autumn Fair,’ say organisers, is the key show to meet buyers that buy at this time of year’.

Independent retailers

Over 70% of Autumn Fair visitors are independent retailers, many of whom attend for much-needed stock for Christmas.

With 10 definitive product sectors including the latest gifts, greetings, stationery, candles, home décor and accessories, toys, and fashion, the September event was set to showcase a curated selection of the newest and best-selling products.

The 2024 show also promised a greater focus on new and original products and sustainable suppliers.

24 HARDWARE & HOMESTYLE • JULY / AUGUST 2024

SHOWTIME

‘A must for the green industry’ ‘spoga+gafa 2024 confirms its top global position’ The spoga+gafa once again confirmed its position as the most important platform for the global garden industry, say organisers.

Around 28,000 trade visitors from 113 countries took part in the world’s largest garden and BBQ trade fair from 16 to 18 June.

‘Hence, the trade fair built seamlessly on the success of the previous year’, we are informed. spoga+gafa succeeded in bringing the entire garden industry together once again.

‘The presence and return of renowned exhibitors from Europe and America underlines the international significance of spoga+gafa as a central industry meeting point,’ was the message.

Growth

In terms of the number of visitors, the trade fair particularly recorded growth in Germany, where it registered an increase of over eight percent.

‘The success of spoga+gafa is proof of the trust and the support of our exhibitors and visitors,’ commented Oliver Frese, Chief Operating Officer of Koelnmesse GmbH. ‘Precisely in these challenging times spoga+gafa has proven yet again to be an indispensable and reliable platform for the green industry.

‘The positive response of the international trade visitors, the growth in the number of German visitors, and the high quality of the discussions with our partners, motivates us even more in our efforts to constantly further develop spoga+gafa,’ Over 1,800 exhibitors from 66 countries participated at spoga+gafa in 2024. In total, approx. 28,000 visitors from 113 countries came to Cologne.

The nations with the highest number of visitors included Germany, which recorded the highest growth, as well as the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, the USA and Australia once again.

New value-adding contents

Together with the green industry, spoga+gafa focused intensely on the top theme ‘Responsible Gardens’:

JULY / AUGUST 2024 • HARDWARE & HOMESTYLE 25

SHOWTIME With examples of best practice from the international garden trade, lectures in the Forum Garden Cafe as well as theme-related product presentations, the trade fair offered practical concepts and answers to urgent industry issues. spoga+gafa demonstrated its further development of the contents of the BBQ segment again in the scope of the new theme worlds ‘From Budget to Luxury – BBQ for Every Wallet’, ‘cooling world’ and ‘Outdoor Adventure’ and thus did justice to its role.

Comment

Dr. Peter Wüst, Chief Executive Director, BHB – Trade Association for Home Improvement, Construction & Gardening e.V. observed: ‘This year’s spoga+gafa took place amid a world of unresolved problems.

‘The customers are only slowly recovering from the energy price shocks and negative news of the past years.

‘And in spite of several weather phenomena that are currently preventing an optimum turnover development in the green segments, our dealers in the markets are picking up some positive vibes:

Love the garden

‘Customers love the garden and the warm first quarter

Lectures & talks The Garden Café Forum was the central stage for interviews, lectures and talks.

Industry experts addressed the current themes of the global garden and BBQ industry here.

Here are a few of the highlights:

‘Ecological gardening’, a lecture

by Tom Hartley

Your customers want to grow fruit and vegetables in their garden, and ideally keep everything ecological and natural?

Here it is good to get advice on which ecological resources are authorised.

Which materials are suitable, for instance, if dogs are out and about in the garden? How can the ladybirds and diverse other animals continue to survive despite the pesticides?

Tom Hartley, Senior Certificate Officer at the Soil Associations provided wellfounded information about responsible, ecological gardening.

‘What’s staying? A glance at the next generation of sustainable consumption,’ lecture by Theresa Schleicher What’s staying is an important question in a world where the younger consumers are expecting 20% less products, retailers and locations in many sections of the retail trade and manufacturing sector.

When city concepts, types of housing and family models change, when climate demands turn into social values and fear into solutions.

What are the new demands in the green industry and what questions should the distributors and manufacturers ask themselves regarding new offers? What’s staying? A glance at the coming generations of consumer worlds.

26 HARDWARE & HOMESTYLE • JULY / AUGUST 2024

‘In three steps to the urban jungle (dream) room,’ lecture by Igor Josifovic-Kemper and Judith de Graff

‘Three large steps on the balcony and what is waiting: A view of the side of the next house?’

The jungle bloggers, Igor JosifovicKemper and Judith de Graaff’s answer to this is ‘no’.

They turn the grey city balcony into a flourishing urban jungle with a view of more.

In an interview they came up with solutions for gardening in enclosed spaces. Whether vertical flower beds, stylish balcony furniture or urban gardening in the practical balcony garden.

This is how plant diversity arises on the balcony.

SHOWTIME enabled a good start to the year.

‘And the DIY and specialised garden centres also provide products for difficult times.

‘Topics such as resilient plants, irrigation and drainage, smart monitors and many others are becoming increasingly important.

‘But the trade not only needs the appropriate products, it also needs the basic information for a top consultation.

‘Here the exchange between the dealers and the suppliers and service providers at spoga+gafa offers the ideal network platform, which is used and highly estimated by both the visitors and the exhibitors.

‘Conclusion: A must for the industry again this year.’

Outlook on spoga+gafa 2025

The next edition of spoga+gafa is being staged in June 2025 under the top theme, ‘Design Gardens’.

About spoga+gafa

spoga+gafa is the biggest garden and BBQ fair in the world. As an international trade fair at the location in Cologne, it sets impulses for the entire garden world.

At the leading global trade fair, the green industry talks about the line-ups and trends of the coming season and presents solutions for current and future challenges.

Trends and innovations The focus of spoga+gafa lies on trends and innovations from the sections garden bbq, garden creation & care, garden living and garden unique.

The unique range of offerings turns the trade fair into the placeto-be for the purchasing managers of all trading forms.

The Industry Garden Association e.V. (IVG) is the industry sponsor of spoga+gafa.

JULY / AUGUST 2024 • HARDWARE & HOMESTYLE 27

Chadwicks

Chadwicks unveils newly refurbished Midleton branch Chadwicks recently unveiled its Midleton branch after a complete refresh.

Broadcaster, former Irish rugby player and Cork native Donncha O’Callaghan was on hand to officially cut the ribbon and welcome the refurbished store’s first customers, alongside Cork hurling stars Séamus Harnedy and Ciarán Joyce.

The announcement was part of Chadwicks’ ongoing nationwide branch upgrade programme, which began in 2018 and had seen thirty-four branches completely revamped at time of writing Located on Bailick Road in Townparks, Chadwicks Midleton has been serving the needs of the local community for fifty-five years.

While visitors to the newly refurbished store can expect new and exciting additions, the fifteen-strong team of highly trained specialists remain the same, providing their expertise and product knowledge to local tradespeople and DIY enthusiasts alike.

Advanced home security solutions

A key feature of the new look branch is the Smart Home display.

This showcases a range of advanced smart home security products that give people 24/7 monitoring and full control over their door locks, doorbells, and outdoor lights, directly from their phones.

The range of Yale Home products

28 HARDWARE & HOMESTYLE • JULY / AUGUST 2024

provides trusted everyday convenience and security, complete with the easy-to-use Yale Home App.

A one stop shop for fixing tools and expertise

A Fixing Centre has also been introduced to Chadwicks Midleton, offering customers ‘everything they need for any specialist job in one location’.

The centre supplies a range of products including setting chemicals, concrete anchors, nuts, bolts and fixings as well as power tool options to suit basic entry level and top carpentry skills.

Customers can also order specialised fixings to fit their specific needs, with the

Chadwicks

About Chadwicks Group

Chadwicks Group has fifty branches in the Republic of Ireland. It employs over 1,400 people.

It has contributed to the fabric of everyday life in Ireland for over 200 years, supplying products and building materials to homes, hotels, buildings and transport networks throughout the country.

Chadwicks Group currently operates Chadwicks, Heiton Steel, The Panelling Centre, Telfords, Cork Builders Providers, Proline, Sitetech, Morgans Timber and Davies builders’ and plumbers’ merchanting businesses in the Republic of Ireland.

Chadwicks Group is part of Grafton Group plc.

Midleton team on hand to provide expert guidance.

Sustainability at the forefront

The newly refurbished Chadwicks Midleton branch also features an ECO Centre with trained sustainability advisors available to offer their unrivalled knowledge on the best materials to use for any build.

At the ECO Centre, customers can expect guidance on how to achieve a ‘Nearly Zero Energy Building’ (nZEB) rating, which results in low energy costs and carbon emissions without compromising on comfort and warmth.

A range of eco-friendly materials from insulation and ventilation systems, heat pumps and controls to solar energy and

water-saving products are available for purchase at the Centre, for anyone looking to complete a refurbishment.

Designed for the customer

Chadwicks Midleton has been fully redesigned with the customer in mind, providing tradespeople, DIYers and locals with all the tools, materials and knowledge they need to get the job done.

The new and improved store layout includes all of Chadwicks’ latest product lines, including a power tools table, paving and decking display, and workwear section.

The upgraded branch also features a roof light display with Keylite and Velux roof windows and a bathroom, doors, and floors showroom.

Manager

Anthony Lotty, Chadwicks Midleton Branch Manager, said on the day: ‘We are delighted to reveal our newly refurbished Midleton branch today, on what is a fantastic day for all our team.

‘We are proud to have been part of the local community since 1979 and are looking forward to welcoming our customers to our new and improved branch. ‘ Visitors can expect a “one stop shop” that caters to all their needs, and the addition of a new Smart Home display which offers the most innovative security technologies for our customers.’

JULY / AUGUST 2024 • HARDWARE & HOMESTYLE 29

DIY - Summit

The world of home improvement has returned from coming together at the jubilee 10th Global DIYSummit, which took place in ‘The Eternal City’ – Rome. At the conclusion of the Summit, the delegates, using the in-app voting tool, rated this event an overwhelming 67% as ‘very good’ to ‘excellent’ with a further 23% rating the event as ‘good’.

‘An unforgettable edition of the Global DIY-Summit’ Over 1,000 delegates from fifty-five countries attended the congress, which included over 300 of the top retailers in our sector from around the world.

Organisers say the Global DIY-Summit is the most international meeting of the entire industry, which was verified through their Voting Tool.

Retailers

This year over one quarter of the audience were retailers, whilst suppliers are still the largest share among the various type of attendees: just under 60% of the delegates were manufacturers.

A growing number of consultants and service providers are also joining the Global DIY-Summit, with an increasing proportion made up of marketplaces, exemplifying one of the trends in the industry.

These figures reinforce the internationality of the Global DIY-Summit and the vital role it plays in bringing the industry from around the world together in one central location.

‘It was most encouraging for us as organisers that the delegates, using the voting tool, labelled our congress to be a world-class event,’ we are told.

The next, and 11th, Global DIY-Summit will be held in Lisbon, Portugal, from 11 to 13 June 2025.

Over 72% of delegates have already confirmed their participation in next year’s Summit.

Home improvement industry growth expectations

In a poll of the delegates at the Global DIY-Summit gauging expectations for

30 HARDWARE & HOMESTYLE • JULY / AUGUST 2024

the home improvement industry in 2024, 15.1% of respondents anticipate more than 5% growth, while 22.7% foresee a 3-5% increase.

The majority, 32.3%, predict a modest growth of 1-3%, and 17.2% expect minimal growth of 0-1%.

On the downside, 4.6% anticipate a 0-1% decline, 5.5% foresee a 1-3% decline, and 2.5% predict a decline of more than 3%.

These insights reflect a cautious optimism within the industry as it navigates the coming year.

On the other hand, expectations for the growth of the home improvement industry over the next five years are varied.

A notable 41.5% of respondents foresee a moderate growth of 5-10%, while 21.3% anticipate a more robust growth of 10-20%.

Interestingly, 7.5% are optimistic about a

DIY - Summit

growth exceeding 20%.

Conversely, 28.3% predict minimal growth of 0-5%, and a small fraction expects a decline, with 0.7% forecasting a 0-5% decline, 0.5% expecting a 5-10% decline, and 0.2% anticipating a decline greater than 10%.

Store tour

Delegates were given the opportunity to attend a Store Tour of Rome. In total, a record number of delegates took part in the store tour, consisting of seven buses visiting four top-quality DIY stores in Rome and its surrounding area, as well as Eataly, one of the leading concepts in food retailing internationally.

Attendees of the Global DIY-Summit Store Tour visited the market leaders in Italy, Leroy Merlin and OBI. Store Tour delegates also visited Bricofer, representing the local side of DIY retailing in Italy, as well as Tecnomat, part of the Adeo group’s portfolio focused on proconsumers and demonstrating impressive growth in recent years.

The jubilant mood, born from reuniting the industry, was palpable; as retailers, suppliers, consultants, and industry stakeholders networked and re-connected, first at the VIP Cocktail Party supported by the Messe Frankfurt and its international portfolio of trade fairs, and then at the Get Together, marking the official start of the 10th Global DIY-Summit.

How to thrive in the ‘never normal’

The focal theme of the 10th Global DIY-Summit was ‘Embracing Change in DIY – How to Thrive in the Never Normal’.

Internationally renowned speakers gave outstanding and thought-provoking presentations on Reshaping Realities.

The first half of 2024 had not been without challenge for the industry.

The effects of climate change, volatility in customer demand and speed of change and paradigm shift have re-affirmed that we are experiencing a VUCA world to a degree never previously experienced, says organisers.

The DIY, home improvement and garden industry have to act now to ensure its relevancy and success moving forwards – including attracting and engaging not only a new generation of consumers, but also employees and associates, who are more demanding than ever.

Open

Co-Founder of the Global DIY-Summit, John W. Herbert, and Managing Director, Iñaki Maillard, took to the stage to open the programme of the Global DIY-Summit, with a focus on the desire to inspire, inform, engage and motivate delegates in the following days, as well as sharing an update on embracing diversity in the industry.

Iñaki Maillard finished by thanking the delegates and sponsors of the Global DIY-Summit – the defining factor that make the Global DIY-Summit possible.

Thierry Garnier, EDRA/GHIN President and Group CEO of Kingfisher plc, and Reinhard Wolff, President of HIMA and CEO of Wolfcraft, then took to the stage to share their thoughts and perspectives on the current state of the industry.

JULY / AUGUST 2024 • HARDWARE & HOMESTYLE 31

DIY - Summit

Through personal and professional insights, Thierry and Reinhard reflected on the previous fifty years and the uncertainty that was experienced over that time.

We tend to reminisce with ‘rose-tinted glasses’, when in fact the world has experienced many challenges previously.

Thierry highlighted that ‘change is the only constant’ and shared his personal philosophy that following the compass is more important than following the map.

Dynamic

Delegates were captivated with the particularly dynamic session led by Ken Hughes, the world’s leading shopper and consumer behaviouralist, and Peter Hinssen, renowned keynote speaker, author and serial entrepreneur, on Reshaping Realities and their exploration of the never normal.

Ken Hughes provided an eye-opening introduction, sharing the necessity of breaking out of one’s comfort zone, and his thoughts that failure should not be seen as the opposite to success.

Ken is a firm believer that success is built on the foundations of failure and surrounds every success we can see.

Peter Hinssen shared his personal life experience through the evolution from an analogue to a digital world.

He highlighted the power of transformation, the increasing frequency of S curves of technology, and how we are more and more living in a world of unknown unknowns.

Peter summarized by sharing that in this

32 HARDWARE & HOMESTYLE • JULY / AUGUST 2024

never normal world we don’t need puzzle solvers, rather mystery solvers.

Just as the audience felt they were beginning to get a grasp on the topic, Ken and Peter delved deeper into the never normal through an insightful fireside chat, shedding new light on the practical strategies and fresh perspectives on resilience and innovation.

Ai

Katie King, Author and CEO, AI in Business, continued the future-oriented session with a focus on ethical AI in home improvement.

AI does not yet have an intuitive element, but many theorize that unbound AI will embrace nearly every part of our daily lives in the future.

We have to ensure that societal good comes from the use of AI. There is also a paradox of personalization; AI has been around since the 1950s and has been through many peaks and troughs in this time.

A highlight of the 10th Global DIY-Summit was the Gala Evening that took place in awe-inspiring surroundings underneath the artificial cloud of La Nuvola.

The Gala Evening also saw the launch of a groundbreaking initiative of the Global DIY-Summit, the Global DIY Hall of Fame, which aims to recognize not only large international retailers and suppliers, but also other market players who have profoundly impacted their local communities.

In line with its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategies, the Global DIY Hall

DIY - Summit

of Fame aims to broaden the breadth of candidates recognized by the Global DIY, Home Improvement and Garden Industry.

Cosimo Fadda, the Honorary Chairman of the CFadda Group, was honoured to receive the inaugural DIY Retail Legacy Award 2024.

Cosimo Fadda has made the company Cfadda, founded in 1818, what it is today: the leading DIY retailer in Sardinia.

Second Day: Home improvement market insights & home improvement across continents

The second day of the 10th Global DIYSummit began with a most informative presentation from Nick Stene, Global Head of Home & Garden at Euromonitor International, one of the most internationally recognized data analysists globally.

Nick imparted his view on the importance of data analysis and the essential role it plays in customer relationships.

He also shared how to efficiently work with this data in order to avoid analysis paralysis. Craig Webb, President at Webb Analytics, continued the programme by presenting great ideas from DIY Centers in the United States beyond the Home Depot.

With a poignant introduction, Craig shared how customer demands are equally high across the world, and provided numerous examples of successful locally based chains in America that are adapting to best answer their customer demands in their vicinity.

The presentation once again highlighted the importance of being open to learning from one another.

Partners

Two partners from the bespoke consultancy form OC&C, Duncan Simmonds and Bob Chermin, finished the home improvement market insights session through providing an update on the DIY market from their perspective.

Duncan and Bob imparted their thoughts on the increasing length and complexity of customer journey, and how we need to start looking further ahead as an industry in order to be more resilient and better prepared for what might impact us in the future.

The CEO of Mitre 10 New Zealand, Andrea Scown, began the session by sharing the culture of Mitre 10 New Zealand.

With the face of a Corporate and the spirit of a cooperative, Mitre 10 ensure that all of their associates feel included in their stores, and that their customers and associates feel like the company is ‘with you all the way’.

United Hardware

Paul Candon, the CEO of United Hardware, then showed his ideas of ‘Crafting Excellence’.

Despite challenges faced in recent years, such as demographic change, housing prices and inflation, United Hardware has continued to grow in both the business and the sector.

United Hardware work hard to ensure their members’ investment leads to substantial returns.

The farewell session of the 10th Global DIY-summit was hosted by Kayleigh Victoria Fazan, Founder & Managing Director at The International Retail Academy.

Kayleigh shared her experiences of inclusivity at the heart of retail and how this

is key to reducing staff turnover.

Inclusivity is also of vital importance when training sales staff, as making the customer feel included in a decision process of customer journey is essential to achieving high customer satisfaction.

The Global DIY-Summit and its team are already looking forward to welcoming the industry to the 4th Virtual DIY-Summit that will be taking place 27 September before the industry meets again face to face in Lisbon, Portugal for the 11th Global DIYSummit from 11-13 June 2025.

JULY / AUGUST 2024 • HARDWARE & HOMESTYLE 33

STOCK UP NOW

Launches New TV Sponsorship Campaign on

We are thrilled to announce that Loctite is embarking on an exciting new journey with a TV sponsorship campaign on Sky Quest, went live on the 26th of May! This six-month campaign will reach 15 million adults and is tailored to appeal to a diverse audience, including upcyclers, DIYers, and repair enthusiasts.

Small actions can make a world of difference.

Say Yes to

on

Loctite

Loctite launches New TV sponsorship campaign on Sky Quest

is ha ent

on rse air

Loctite, a brand by Henkel, which has been in existence since 1953, is thrilled to announce that they will be embarking on an exciting new journey with a TV sponsorship campaign with Sky QUEST that went live on 26 May. Tailored

This six-month long campaign will reach over fifteen million adults across the UK and Ireland and is tailored to appeal to a diverse audience, including upcyclers, DIYers & repair enthusiasts.

Sky Quest is the home of Home Passion, making it the perfect platform for Loctite, Hardware & Homestyle is told.

‘Our campaign aims to inspire viewers to shift from their throwaway behaviour towards a more sustainable approach to repairing and upcycling.

‘Small actions can make a world of difference. Through showcasing inspirational videos, we will increase interest and encourage new shoppers to try Loctite products, displaying the difference they can make with Loctite.’

Increasing

Henkel, the owner of the Loctite brand, has noticed an increasing number of women engaging in DIY activities, and this is one of the demographics they will be targeting during the campaign for what the company refers to as ‘kitchen drawer’ purchases.

Stockists will benefit from a customized approach, with a range of merchandisers, offers, and incentives available.

Loctite’s history dates back to 1953. Superglue was first invented in 1942 by Dr. Harry Coover as a result of wartime research on clear plastics.

It was commercially produced in 1958 by LOCTITE and quickly gained popularity as a versatile household adhesive.

With over fifty years of experience, Loctite has established itself as a global leader in reliable adhesive solutions, available in over eighty countries worldwide, known for its exceptional speed, strength, durability, and ease of use.

Vision

Loctite’s vision is to be a trailblazer in sustainability, creating opportunities to protect and renew what matters, starting from their products, which provide smart solutions to avoid waste on projects.

Additionally, the company aims to make a positive impact on the planet and the communities it serves through responsible climate strategies for carbon neutrality, advancing circularity through products and packaging, and supporting biodiversity and responsible resource management.

Furthermore, Loctite is committed to helping people protect and renew the things they love in their lives with its products, which bond millions of objects daily.

The company focuses on initiating change in repairing and reusing rather than discarding, contributing to waste reduction, and promoting responsible environmental behaviour.

In its commitment to sustainability, Loctite has introduced 100% recycled aluminum tubes for its superglue adhesives and has transitioned to using a minimum of 85% recycled and recyclable paper for its blister packs, reducing an estimated one thousand tons of plastic use per year.

LOCTITE BRAND HISTORY FROM 1953 TILL TODAY

Superglue was invented in 1942 by Dr. Harry Coover. He was part of a wartime research team developing clear plastics for use in precision gun sights.

They unintentionally discovered a chemical compound of extraordinary stickiness, but they initially saw no use for it in their research.

Only later did Coover see the potential in cyanoacrylates as a

JULY / AUGUST 2024 • HARDWARE & HOMESTYLE 35

Loctite

glue, and it was produced for commercial sale in 1958 by LOCTITE. It quickly became hugely popular as a useful and versatile household adhesive.

possessions should have multiple second chances for repair and renewals.

Climate & nature As part of a responsible climate strategy Loctite continues to reduce carbon across its value chain and commits to giving nature Excelled For over sixty-five years, Loctite has excelled a second chance.

Community itself as a global leader in reliable adhesive Loctite believes people and places thrive solutions. when they are given second chances.

‘Our state-of-the-art product portfolio is available in over eighty countries worldwide Health & safety and is distinguishable for its exceptional Creating second chances require simple and speed, strength, durability, and ease of use. effective products delivering the highest standards of health & safety.

‘Consumers all over the world rely on Loctite for fast, strong, and durable Loctite strives to be ahead of regulation, solutions in their bonding jobs. anticipating market standards.

‘Our ongoing commitment to consumer research and innovative technologies OUR COMMITMENT TO A BETTER continue to make us the world’s leading WORLD adhesive brand.’

‘We help people to renew & protect what´s important in their world!

OUR VISION ‘Our products bond millions of objects every day and help people protect and ‘At Loctite, our goal is to be a pioneer in renew the things they love in their lives with sustainability.

Loctite.

‘From the toughest job to the simplest ‘Our activities are based on, starting from repair, we create second chances to protect treasured possessions that break and need and renew what matters. fixing.

‘It all starts with our products. We ‘Then moving into people’s homes and develop smart solutions that allow our users and customers to avoid waste on their the places they love, keeping them safe and repaired when needed projects.

‘Then to the communities they live in, ‘Beyond our products, our goal is to helping people to discover second chances create a positive impact on our planet and in their lives communities we serve.

‘And finally, contributing to the protection ‘Our target is reducing our carbon and renewal of the planet we all live on.’ footprint with responsible climate strategies, increasing circularity with Loctite creates second chances across sustainable packaging, and supporting all these areas with focused projects that communities with our social initiatives. connect into a collective message: ‘With Loctite, you can protect the things you love and renew them when they break.’

OUR PILLARS ‘At Loctite, our mission is to invest our expertise to bring simplicity to our end users, with a focus on sustainability by creating second chances to protect and renew what matters’.

Circularity Loctite understands the importance of avoiding waste and simply believes

We can be the change!

‘Sustainability and waste reduction are among our core values.

‘In 2024, we started our “Second Chance Program”. We promote behaviour change, to repair and reuse rather than throwing away by considering the impact on our

36 HARDWARE & HOMESTYLE • JULY / AUGUST 2024

environment.

‘Every repaired object is a saving for you and turns into a contribution.’

Say Yes to Sustainable Packaging!

Loctite uses 100% recycled aluminum tubes for superglue adhesives.

‘As of 2024, we are taking one step further and removing all the plastic from the blister packs.

‘Our new blisters are made from a minimum of 85% recycled and recyclable paper. With this new cardboard blister, Loctite contributes to a reduction of 1000 tons* of plastic use per year.’ * Total Adhesives for Consumers and Craftsmen products’ plastic reduction estimation with plastic removal from secondary packaging.

OUR FORMULA

‘We are using bio-genic carbon in our superglue formula. Our superglues contain a minimum of 28% bio-genic carbon while keeping Loctite’s high quality and wellknown bonding strength!

‘Emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are responsible for climate change and global warming.

‘Limiting these emissions is one of the biggest challenges humankind has ever faced.

‘As part of a responsible climate strategy, Loctite continues to reduce carbon across its value chain and commits to giving nature a second chance.

‘Since 2010, we have reduced our CO2 emissions by more than 60% (scope 1 and 2) * for our instant repair production sites in Europe and we are using 100% renewable electricity in production**.

‘Water plays a significant role in our value chain. We use water as a part of our production processes and as an ingredient in our products.

‘For this reason, reducing water usage during production is important for us. By the end of 2023, Henkel had saved more than 60% water per ton of product (vs. the base year 2010)***.

‘Waste reduction is also a top priority for us. Our instant repair plants in Europe generated over 40% less production waste compared to our base year of 2010***.’

Say Yes To 2nd Chance, Say Yes to Loctite.

*2023 compared to the base year 2010 **Valid for formula production and filling process in the Dublin production sites. Usage of purchased renewable electricity. ***Valid for formula production and filling process in the Dublin production sites.

THE ROOM OUTSIDE

It’s the time again when we look towards what were, in many ways, the traditionally quieter months of the year. What does autumn mean for the retail gardening profession now, what are the opportunities and what should be on our minds at this time? Liam Kelly reports.

Tidy Profits Promoting ‘The Big Autumn Clean-Up’ JULY / AUGUST 2024 • HARDWARE & HOMESTYLE 37

THE ROOM OUTSIDE

T

here are people in this world who are obsessed with cleanliness. Their houses are always spic and span with shining surfaces and no stringy cobwebs in corners, or families of dust bunnies living under tables or beds.

These are the people who remove their footwear in the hall when entering their houses and who hover with a coaster to place under your mug of tea when you visit.

Their windows never have streaks and all their stainless-steel appliances are constantly gleaming and smudge-free.

Their homes are impeccably perfect and the envy of many.

Orderliness

None of this is bad of course, it’s just that many of the rest of us live in a world a step down from this fixation with scrubbing and orderliness.

For sure, we like to have our house relatively clean and somewhat tidy but not to the point of it becoming a part of our

raison d’etre to the expense of what – to us – are more enjoyable pursuits.

In the home – to a certain extent at least – we still take part in a so-called ‘Spring Clean’ at that time of the year, and many retailers still use the term when promoting the cleaning, repainting and renovation of the home at the beginning of the new year.

But with changes in working habits, social lives and how the family unit operates in these times, the ‘Spring Clean’ has been replaced by more of a ‘clean as you go’ attitude to both major housework and any refurbishment jobs around the house, which suits the lives we live now.

There is certainly less of a focus on Spring being the time of the year for a big clean-up and tidy.

This is mostly because there is a set seasonality to nature. And although that seems to be changing too rapidly over the last few decades, plants generally flower when they should, fruit trees crop when meant to, and leaves fall when you expect, as growing plants go through their cycles of life, death and hibernation with a reassuring regularity.

So, unlike jobs within the home itself, the jobs to be done outside the house are dictated by the lifecycle of the plants growing out there.

Weeds need to be removed as they grow where they shouldn’t, grass needs to be mowed on occasion when it gets too long, and crops need harvesting when they reach the point of readiness.

Difference

Align

But outdoor spaces are different, especially the more plant focussed areas such as flowerbeds, lawns, trees and the other living parts of the garden.

But in autumn many of these duties come to a head when a whole host of jobs align into what could – and perhaps should, from a marketing point of view – be called ‘The

‘This is the perfect time to do those tidying tasks.’

38 HARDWARE & HOMESTYLE • JULY / AUGUST 2024

THE ROOM OUTSIDE

Big Autumn Clean-Up’.

And this is where retailers can capitalise on that group of tasks that present themselves to the gardener and can create a visual check-list for the customer to get their garden into shape.

Sourcing the products is relatively easy, as most competent wholesalers actively encourage the purchase of these ‘clean-up’ lines, even if the take-up of these promotional lines can be a little slow, as

the order forms for these products tend to arrive to the purchasing department right when they are in the throes of keeping the gardening department full of late spring and summer stock!

So they often get missed, forgotten or ignored.

That said, it’s still quite easy to get these products in late summer and early autumn, so it’s easy enough to pull together an order even at this point.

Implements

The product lines we are focussing on are the rakes and other implements used to clean up leaves and other detritus from lawns and beds.

Bins and trugs of various sizes and shapes to gather those rakings into, plus all of the ancillary lines such as wheelbarrows, shovels and gloves, etc.

The additions don’t end there of course,

JULY / AUGUST 2024 • HARDWARE & HOMESTYLE 39

THE ROOM OUTSIDE

as there are many other ‘Autumn-friendly’ stock items that can be promoted.

For example, cutting equipment to give trees a trim, secateurs to thin out fruit plants, bark mulch to blanket those nowclean flowerbeds, and weeders, brushes and sprays to clean the hard surfaces such as paving and cobbles.

The list might not be endless but it can certainly be added to …

Functional and necessary

Admittedly, these are not the most exciting sounding of products when discussed here but they are functional and necessary items for any gardener.

And when combined together in a wellmerchandised display they serve as a memory jogger that this is clean-up time in the garden, especially if combined with an appropriate marketing campaign.

It appeals to gardeners at every level from beginner to expert and so fits the demographic of almost every garden centric person who enters the store.

Every person who walks past the display is a potential customer for at least some of those lines.

They might not need a wheelbarrow but they might need a brush, and

everyone needs gardening gloves.

Plus, the autumn promotions in the garden department don’t end with just the clean-up, as even ignoring the bulbs, bedding, shrubs and trees that can be sown now, there are many other products to be pushed at this time of year.

Frost protection fabric for those tender summer-purchased plants, footwear for the mucky beds, doormats and cleaners for said boots, and many other practical – or mostly practical – items.

Money to be made

There is very much a tendency for the more practical side of garden retail to be wound down and ignored at this time of year in many stores – but there is money to be made with the right products, display and promotions.

And of course, this is the perfect time to do those tidying tasks as it leaves the garden in perfect shape for Spring, when the thoughts of some at least will turn back to the interior and exterior of the house itself – for those who still participate in that Spring Clean of course.

Don’t ‘fall’ behind this Autumn …

Liam

40 HARDWARE & HOMESTYLE • JULY / AUGUST 2024

About Liam

Since establishing Retail Services & Solutions in 2007, Liam has become one of the most effective people within the retail side of Irish horticulture.

His knowledge of the mindset and ethos of those in this sector, combined with his problem-solving ability, experience and hands-on work ethic make him uniquely placed to offer advice and help to those who need it.

Key to his success is his knowledge of purchasing, pricing and sales combined with his understanding of layout, signage and merchandising, and how the interaction of these can lead to increased sales and profits.

086 8221494 - retailsands@gmail.com

Product News Solid Gear Safety Footwear: Athlete inspired, worker approved

When it comes to safety footwear, Solid Gear stands out as a frontrunner in innovation and athletic design.

Whether you work indoors or outdoors, in extreme cold or blazing heat, Solid Gear offers a wide assortment of comfortable and lightweight safety shoes that cater to various foot protection needs.

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Modern Design and Comfort: Solid Gear safety shoes combine style with functionality. Their ergonomic designs ensure comfort throughout the workday. Lightweight materials and cushioned soles prevent fatigue, allowing you to focus on your tasks without discomfort.

High-Quality Materials: Solid Gear uses top-quality materials to create durable safety footwear. From protective toe caps to slip-resistant outsoles, their shoes meet industry standards while providing flexibility and breathability.

Innovative Technologies: Solid Gear integrates cutting-edge technologies into their footwear. Features like the BOA® Fit System provide a customized fit, while GORE-TEX® membranes keep your feet dry in wet conditions.

The NANO toe cap offers lightweight protection without compromising safety.

Versatility for Different Work Environments: Whether you’re a construction worker, warehouse employee, or electrician, Solid Gear has a shoe for you. Their safety footwear caters to various professions, ensuring optimal protection and comfort.

Sustainability and Responsibility: Solid Gear is committed to sustainability.

They prioritize eco-friendly materials and ethical production processes.

By choosing Solid Gear, you’re not only safeguarding your feet but also contributing to a greener future.

In summary, Solid Gear safety footwear combines style, comfort, and protection.

Invest in a pair today and step confidently into a better working day! For more information, visit their website or explore their detailed guides!

JULY / AUGUST 2024 • HARDWARE & HOMESTYLE 41

Flogas A4 LPG Cylinder Ad.indd 1

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Product News - Flogas Flogas Gaslight Cylinders are light enough to transport anywhere.

Boating, caravanning or simply hosting friends in the back garden With Flogas, you can make the most of your time outside without worrying about running out of fuel.

Ideal

Flogas offers a range of Gaslight cylinders that are ideal for outdoor activities such as boating, caravanning, and camping.

These cylinders are designed to be lightweight and easy to transport so you can take them with you wherever you go.

They are incredibly easy to connect, and the semi-translucent cylinder means that you can always see how much gas you have.

Flogas Gaslight cylinders are also a great choice for those who want to host outdoor gatherings at home.

Easy-to-use

With their compact, rustproof design and easy-to-use features, they are perfect for powering your barbecue, patio heater, or other outdoor appliances.

Simply visit www.flogas.ie and find a distributor using their handy ‘locate your nearest supplier’ function.

You can also learn more about the benefits of using Flogas Gaslight cylinders, including their highperformance, long-lasting design.

JULY / AUGUST 2024 • HARDWARE & HOMESTYLE 43

UNBEATABLE ADHESION. PRIME AFTER PRIME. Zinsser’s range of problem-solving primers prepare even the toughest substrates, ensuring optimal adhesion for any paint project.

Whether it’s tackling smoke, water, graffiti and nicotine stains, blocking knots and tannin bleed or priming problematic surfaces, Zinsser® has the ultimate product to get the job done.

The Zinsser® range offers tried and trusted primer-sealers for any interior or exterior surface, with the added convenience of lightning-fast drying times.

Enquire about stocking Zinsser today, contact: Michael Taylor, Sales & Key Account Manager: info@relay.global NI: +44 (0)28 9262 0300, ROI: +353(0)1 840 3969.

ZINSSERUK.COM @ZINSSERUK

THE PAINT OF LEGENDS SINCE 1849

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Product News Zinsser can handle the heat when decorating in summer We understand that professional decorators can face numerous challenges when painting exteriors in the summer, such as avoiding areas of direct sunlight and dealing with high temperatures or humidity levels.

Although summer weather can be unpredictable, it’s important for decorators to invest in a dependable product that they can rely on.

Zinsser’s range of trusted, ultimate performance exterior paints and primers are the perfect fit for the warmer months, guaranteed to get the job done.

The right paint for the job

When decorating outdoors in the summer, it is essential to use a product that’s up to the task.

Zinsser AllCoat Exterior is the ultimate paint for exterior surfaces, as it offers a variety of features and benefits: • Supreme protection to all exterior surfaces including wood, metal, masonry, concrete, plastic and cladding • Provides a long-lasting finish for up to 15 years—no need for decorators to return to the job at a later date

• • • •

Resistant to cracking, blistering and flaking Touch dry in 30 minutes and recoatable in just 1 hour Tintable to any BS, NCS or RAL colour Resistant to mould and severe weather (for when the summer rain inevitably comes!)

Avoiding direct sunlight

During the summer, decorators prefer to begin projects early in the morning or late afternoon, as the sun will not be at its highest point in the sky.

AllCoat Exterior is best applied in the warmer, dryer months however, painting in shaded areas is advised to avoid working in direct sunlight, as this can cause problems with the paint adhesion.

Prime to perfection

AllCoat Exterior is self-priming however, for knot blocking and persistent stains, B-I-N® AQUA is the go-to primer-sealer.

The only full surface, knot blocking exterior primer in the Zinsser range, B-I-N® AQUA expertly seals sap streaks and delivers excellent knot blocking, working perfectly on exterior cedar and redwood.

The specialist stain-killing formula not only effectively stops tannin bleed, but blocks stubborn stains such as water, oil, mould and mildew.

Peeling and blistering

Another decorating headache caused by hot weather, heat can cause paint to dry unevenly and in turn cause blistering or bubbling.

Similarly, high levels of humidity can cause moisture to get trapped in between paint layers, causing drip marks or streaking as the paint dries more slowly.

Zinsser offers a simple solution with Peel Stop, the clear, flexible bridging sealer that tightly bonds to problem areas and forms a sound surface for new paint; it’s specifically designed to prevent peeling, blistering, cracking and bubbling.

For renowned and trusted products, get in touch with Relay Global and enquire about stocking Zinsser today, contact: Michael Taylor, Sales & Key Account Manager info@relay.global NI: +44 (0)28 9262 0300 ROI: +353(0)1 840 3969 For more information visit www.zinsseruk. com or follow us on social media @zinsseruk

JULY / AUGUST 2024 • HARDWARE & HOMESTYLE 45

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Product News

SprayTec: Revolutionising adhesive technology in the Irish market In July, the Irish market witnessed the launch of a groundbreaking adhesive technology that is set to redefine the standards of bonding in construction, flooring, and roofing applications.

SprayTec, the first sprayable MS Hybrid polymer adhesive, emerges as a beacon of innovation, offering a plethora of advantages over traditional contact adhesives.

This technological breakthrough, developed by Tec7, is not just a product but a testament to years of extensive research and a commitment to safer, more efficient, and environmentally friendly adhesive solutions.

A leap forward in adhesive technology

SprayTec’s patent-pending formulation is based on the latest generation of lowviscosity MS Hybrid polymers, representing a significant advancement in adhesive technology.

Unlike traditional adhesives, which often come with health risks and limitations in application, SprayTec offers a safer and more versatile solution.

Its ability to bond effectively on humid surfaces and its single-sided application capability streamline the bonding process, making it a game-changer in the industry.

Unmatched advantages

SprayTec stands out for its numerous benefits, setting it apart from conventional contact adhesives: Repositionable: It allows for precise

alignment of materials before curing, minimising errors and providing greater control over the bonding process.

Single-sided application: The need for double-sided application is eliminated, covering twice the area with the same amount of product.

Moisture resilience: Its effectiveness on humid surfaces makes it ideal for challenging conditions, such as morning dew or damp environments.

Solid content: With a 100% solids content, SprayTec ensures that none of the product is wasted through evaporation, offering better value for money.

Temperature resistance: It withstands temperatures up to 150°C, ensuring durable bonding in high-temperature environments.

Health and environment: Free from solvents, phthalates, and isocyanates, SprayTec reduces VOC emissions, promoting a healthier work environment.

Versatile applications

SprayTec’s versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of applications across multiple industries: EPDM/roofing: Ideal for bonding insulation, EPDM/single-ply membranes, and underlayment, SprayTec simplifies roofing projects with its moisture-curing properties and multi-layer compatibility.

Flooring: From vinyl to carpet, SprayTec ensures secure and long-lasting flooring installations, thanks to its excellent adhesion and moisture-curing capabilities.

General construction: Suitable for bonding insulation, waterproofing membranes, acoustic panels, and windproofing materials, SprayTec proves to be a reliable solution in demanding construction environments.

Wood/laminating: Perfect for wood and laminating applications, including high-pressure laminate (HPL) and veneer, SprayTec contributes to a healthier working environment in the woodworking industry.

A Bright Future Ahead

The launch of SprayTec in Ireland is not just the introduction of a new product but the dawn of a new era in adhesive technology.

Its vast applications, from roofing materials like EPDM and PVC to various flooring materials and general construction, underscore its potential to become an indispensable tool in the construction industry.

SprayTec is poised to revolutionise the way we think about adhesives, promising a future where efficiency, safety, and environmental responsibility are not just ideals but realities.

JULY / AUGUST 2024 • HARDWARE & HOMESTYLE 47

THE FINAL SAY

Kitchen trends

The Panelling Centre is here to help with a step-by-step guide on the latest kitchen innovations that are here to stay.

Here’s what you need to know about creating a space that will remain stylish for years to come.

Consider nature inspired colours Research by The Panelling Centre has previously revealed that one of the top five regrets homeowners have after completing a kitchen renovation was choosing the wrong colour scheme.

Tonal kitchens, however, are a timeless choice, and colours such as mid blues, earthy greens, off white and natural wood, never go out of style.

Three popular colour choices by The Panelling Centre’s clients this year are Reed Green, Bone and Charcoal, with demand high for finishings in these tones.

The special-order Burbridge Finsbury kitchen in Reed Green and Chartwell kitchen in Charcoal are both popular, thanks to their modern style and shades which continue to stand the test of time.

Add in hints of contrast The best kitchens are a perfect balance of function and flair. As the hardest working room in the house, where many people dine, work, and socialise the most, making sure the kitchen has a sleek design, layout and aesthetic is the least it

deserves!

Stoneware flooring and Quartz countertops are great finishing touches to a kitchen that will also last.

Gentle contrasts can soften the overall look of a kitchen, and for kitchens with sage green and charcoal tones, the team at The Panelling Centre recommend considering contrast colour taps, such as St James Living taps in gold, black and copper, for a subtle but impactful finish.

Choose ambient lighting When designing a kitchen, lighting should be a key consideration.

Illuminating LED lights for drawers are a recent innovation that adapts a kitchen to different needs throughout the day.

Layered lighting such as Hettich Avantech LED lights create a warm ambience suitable for any space and need, and are eye-catching and simple to install, coming with a clip that easily secures them to drawers.

Make smart appliance choices Downdraft hobs are a smart choice for anyone considering upgrading their kitchen appliances.

These hobs are versatile appliances that seamlessly integrate the benefits

48 HARDWARE & HOMESTYLE • JULY / AUGUST 2024

of both induction cooking and a built-in downdraft ventilation system, which efficiently extracts cooking fumes and steam.

The downdraft hob removes the need for a separate cooker hood, which is required on other types of hob appliances, for an overall sleeker look.

Integrate hints of texture Countertops and islands are a staple feature of kitchens, and the right finishings will provide hints of texture and add depth to the space.

Feature end panels are worth considering for a simple and sophisticated touch. The panels are finishings at the end or side of any countertop or island, and rather than a standard or ‘tongue and groove’ style end panel, The Panelling Centre is now offering a new feature panel option that perfectly match with kitchen doors.

Commenting on the latest kitchen trends, Anthony Ridgeway, General Manager at The Panelling Centre says: ‘From relaxing to entertaining, the kitchen is often at the centre of all the action at home, and it’s no surprise that people toil over what choices to make before starting a kitchen renovation.’

Perfect for laptops

Ideal for phones

With USB Type-C & USB Type-A ports, utilising variable fast charging technology to protect and prolong battery life by only delivering the power a device needs.

Available across our White Moulded, Nexus Metal, Evolve and Flatplate Decorative Wiring Accessories.

For more information, ask at your nearest wholesaler