Business Health – Trends

Insights research commissioned by the Irish League of Credit Unions, Energia and House2Home to mark the nationwide launch of the CU Greener Homes scheme found that over half (56%) of Irish households were considering home improvements due to more time spent at home.

The research showed that comfort and warmth (68%) and saving money on energy (63%) were the two main drivers of future Irish home improvements.

Meanwhile the kitchen (56%) is the room most people would like to improve, with the exterior of the house (44%) and living room (41%), also popular.

Preferred When it comes to preferred home improvements, insulation is the first choice for many. A total of 34% would like to fit exterior wall insulation, 33% would opt for attic insulation while 29% would favour extra window glazing, said the research.

The research found that 64% would spend up to €5,000 on home improvements with 26% planning to spend in excess of €10,000.

This indicated a wide range of improvements were being considered and a significant proportion of Irish households who were prepared to make a large investment in long-term upgrades, it was noted.

Access to finance Of those who had recently carried out home improvement upgrades, 60% primarily used their savings to pay for the work, with 21% borrowing money.

Of this borrowing cohort, 68% turned to their local credit union with just 23% using a bank.

One third (33%) of respondents who are planning future home improvements said they would borrow from a credit union, compared to only 10% who planned to take a bank loan.

Carbon footprint and sustainable homes A total of 57% of respondents felt Ireland wasn’t doing enough to reduce its carbon footprint.

The research also showed that issues around energy efficiency and climate change were prevalent in people’s thoughts, with 43% considering future home improvements to be more climate friendly.

In addition, 77% thought a better BER or energy rating for their own home would positively impact the environment.

Aware Paul Bailey, Head of Communications of the Irish League of Credit Unions said: ‘We have been aware for some time, through our member credit unions, of the significant demand for a green home improvement loan. ‘In keeping with the Government’s Climate Action Plan, we embarked on an explorative journey with Energia and House2Home to see how we could collaborate to deliver the SEAI preferred one-stop-shop approach to deep retrofitting.

‘The outcome of this journey is the CU Greener Homes scheme. Our aim is to make the process of deep retrofitting easy and cost effective for credit union members with loans from as low as 4.9%.

Unsurprising Cormac Mannion, head of energy services at Energia commented how the nation had spent more time at home in general than ever before, at time of writing.

‘So, it is unsurprising to see people report that they are seeking new ways to create a comfortable, and cost-efficient environment at home,’ he said.

‘The CU Greener Homes scheme is an opportunity for households across Ireland to undertake meaningful improvements and changes that will not only benefit them, but also their community, the broader environment and future generations.

‘Through our work to supply 100% green energy to communities across Ireland, we see the tangible benefits of such changes.

Happy customers Rory Clarke, general manager of House2Home commented: ‘At House2Home we have been providing home energy upgrades to happy customers since 2013.

‘We believe in a cleaner, greener future for our communities and look forward to partnering with the Irish League of Credit Unions and Energia, who share this commitment.

Further information on the CU Greener Home Scheme is available at https:// cugreenerhomes.ie/.

Key findings: Three-quarters of tradespeople have made changes to lead a healthier lifestyle in recent times but half do not regularly go for a health check-up 1-in-5 admit to working through illness so they don’t fall behind on a job 76% consider their job physically demanding 49% regularly suffer aches and pains after work

We reported towards the latter part of last year how three-quarters of tradespeople had made changes to lead a healthier lifestyle in the recent past and how 73% said that COVID-19 had made them more health conscious.

That was all according to research from Chadwicks Group.

The research of over 600 tradespeople, examining attitudes to health and wellness, found that while many were trying to be healthier, there was – and no doubt, still is – room for improvement!

Half said they didn’t go for a regular health check-up and 1-in-5 admitted to working through illness so as not to fall behind on a job.

Free The survey was carried out to launch Chadwicks Group’s annual National Tradesperson Check (NTC) which provides customers with a free health check in-branch in partnership with HealthWatch.

The health screenings cover BMI, blood pressure and finger-prick test gauging the total cholesterol and glucose of the patient.

In its second year, the NTC had been taking place in eighteen Chadwick Group locations nationwide, we reported, including Chadwicks, The Panelling Centre, Cork Builders Providers and Telfords.

Shouldering the pain According to the Chadwicks Group research, a fifth of tradespeople work a minimum of sixty hours a week and three-quarters, (76%), consider their occupation physically demanding.

Given the long hours and the physical nature of the job, it’s perhaps no surprise that half, (49%), regularly suffer from aches and pains as a result.

A total of 77% said they have had to attend a physio for work-related pain and just over two-thirds, (69%), had missed a day of work due to joint pain.

The most common ailments for tradespeople are:

Back pain (80%)

Overall body stiffness and achiness (58%)

Knee pain (50%)

Shoulder pain (36%)

Neck pain (27%)

Of those that suffer with aches and pains, over half, (55%), say they don’t do anything to address the issue.

Introducing Chadwicks Flexi-Time! To help tradespeople across Ireland manage their aches and pains, as part of last year’s NTC campaign, Chadwicks Group

teamed up with Sports Physio Ireland to create ‘Chadwicks Flexi-Time’ a short stretching routine designed specifically for tradespeople.

Chadwicks Flexi-Time consists of five bitesize videos, available on the Chadwicks Facebook, Instagram and twitter pages.

Each video was designed specifically to address the issues tradespeople face and can be done at any time of the day to help alleviate muscle tension.

Launching last year’s National Tradesperson Check, Chadwicks Group ambassador and resident builder on RTE’s ‘Home Rescue’, Peter Finn, said tradespeople need to prioritise their health.

‘Working in the construction industry is a physically demanding job at the best of times but as the country has been reopening, the demand for tradespeople has been huge so we’re all working longer hours than ever before trying to get through the backlog of work from various lockdowns,’ he said.

Self-employed ‘A lot of us in the industry are also self-employed so, it’s no surprise that the research shows that a fifth of tradespeople have

A number of well-known speakers addressed Sandyford Business District’s (SBD) Innovation Week 2021.

The district has featured several times in Hardware & Homestyle due to the preponderance of home and home enhancement stores amongst its retailer and supplier mix.

Focus The event focused on spotlighting some of the challenges facing Ireland across energy, waste, mobility and the environment as we look to an increasingly digitised future.

Attendees received cutting-edge insights and information which will help businesses to address some of the pressing issues facing the country while strategically preparing their companies for the ‘fourth industrial revolution’.

SBD’S Innovation Week 2021 followed on from the success of the previous year’s event which brought together some of the most prominent leaders across a range of sectors, spanning technology, mobility, retail and digital. worked through illness.

‘This makes it even more important to look after ourselves and take time out of our busy schedules to prioritise our health.

‘I am also really looking forward to giving the Chadwicks Flexi-Time classes a go,’ declared Peter.

‘The research shows that aches and pains come with the job so it’s great to have some specific stretching routines which are designed solely with our profession in mind.

Delighted Patrick Atkinson, CEO of Chadwicks Group said they were ‘delighted’ to expand these health checks to eighteen locations across the country.

‘At Chadwicks Group, we understand that tradespeople are working extremely long hours and finding time to look after their health can be a challenge,’ he said.

A new ‘Workplace Wellbeing Survey’ from the Small Firms Association (SFA) showed us how over two-thirds (69%) of small business owners access workplace wellbeing resources to support the health and wellbeing of their employees – compared to one-third in 2019.

The survey was published to mark the seventh National Workplace Wellbeing Day. Wonderful Sven Spollen-Behrens, SFA director, said: ‘It is wonderful to see a doubling in the number of small business owners providing health and wellbeing resources to their employees.

‘Covid restrictions have impacted the mental and physical health and wellbeing of employers and employees.

‘Small businesses owners recognising that they have an important responsibility in supporting staff through these challenging times is vital to the resilience and productivity of an organisation – and will be essential when companies begin to rebuild after this crisis passes. Support ‘Despite size, small business is doing what it can to support employee wellbeing through bike to work schemes, healthy eating initiatives and organising walking clubs and exercise classes highlighting that effective wellbeing programmes don’t have to be costly, and much can be done to support employees on a limited budget.

‘Workplace wellness initiatives have proven to reduce absenteeism, enhance employee engagement and increase productivity.

National Workplace Wellbeing Day is specifically dedicated by business to shining a spotlight on employee health and wellbeing. It is marked by companies across Ireland celebrating with a range of health and wellbeing activities in the workplace, with up to 1000 companies participating annually.

The exponential growth in the popularity of e-commerce looks set to continue, according to new Digital Insights research commissioned by representative body for the sector, Digital Business Ireland and the custodians of Ireland’s national domain registry, .IE.

Group The research was carried out by Ireland Thinks and is based on a nationally representative sample, collected from a group of over 30,000 panellists. As part of the survey, respondents were asked to disclose if they intended to increase or decrease their online spending in 2022, or whether they anticipated a change in expenditure at all.

The findings were then assessed across a broad range of demographics – age, gender, income level and regional distribution.

Collectively, the research offers a fascinating insight into consumer trends and behaviours that emerged over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Findings Among its key findings, the Digital Insights research showed that, in 2022: 38% of people expected to increase their online spending 46% of people under the age of forty-five said they planned to moderately or significantly increase their online expenditure

Men are set to outspend women online this year – with 42% of men saying they will increase their online spend, compared to 34% of women 43% of people across the Connacht-Ulster region will spend online this year, with Munster at 39% and Dublin lagging behind at 36%

Across the income brackets, 40% of those earning between 50-80k will increase online expenditure

Just 2% of those earning over 80k intend to reduce their online spending

Encouraging Overall, the research showcases the strong growth of e-commerce. Findings will be encouraging for the many businesses and retailers throughout Ireland who have invested heavily in enhancing their digital functionality over the past two years.

In addition, the Digital Insights research demonstrates that any initial hesitancy on behalf of the Irish public with regard to shopping online and the security of it, has since subsided.

The findings have come as no surprise to Digital Business Ireland, who, through working with its network of 6,000 businesses, has witnessed first-hand, ‘the seismic shift in the Irish consumer landscape, as e-commerce continues on its upward trajectory, with little sign of slowing down’.

Equally, businesses across Ireland have embraced the numerous opportunities offered by pivoting their operations online.

Valuable Secretary general of Digital Business Ireland, Lorraine Higgins, says the findings marked the first in their Digital Insights series, aimed at gaining valuable insights into the prevailing opinions of Irish consumers towards shopping online.

‘Evidently, the exponential growth of e-commerce looks set to continue in 2022, with consumers, across a range of demographics, set to increase their online expenditure,’ she tells us.

‘Overall the findings point to the importance of having digital functionality for businesses and retailers throughout Ireland.

Accelerated Oonagh McCutcheon, corporate communications manager at .IE, and national director of the .IE Digital Town Programme, says: ‘The pandemic has accelerated many important trends in consumer behaviour.

‘These findings tell us that it is not wise for business owners or policymakers to divide Irish consumers along stereotypical lines, such as age or geography.

‘Ireland is a small, connected country, and ideas, attitudes, and best practices are learned and quickly adopted.

‘This connectedness means that nearly all Irish consumers are used to spending online. They have a well-formed idea of what a seamless online experience looks and feels like.

Experience ‘Furthermore, the demographic diversity of online consumers proves that it is no longer possible for businesses, Irish or international, to build a one-size-fits-all e-commerce experience. ‘

A total of 64% of the nation blamed poor kitchen design for unhealthy eating, research has found. The Panelling Centre revealed, in our autumn coverage, why an organised kitchen design is essential for a healthy eating regime

We revealed how nearly two-thirds (64%) of the nation believed that their poor kitchen layout influenced unhealthy eating habits – according to research by The Panelling Centre.

We were reporting on their survey of 1,047 people which had found that two-fifths of Irish people didn’t enjoy cooking in their own kitchen spaces as a result of inadequate kitchen designs.

The research was carried out to launch The Panelling Centre’s campaign to shine a light on the nation’s ‘Kitchen Health’ it was reported.

Healthy habits With more time spent at home in the recent past, there had been an increased interest in home cooking for certain and we have seen this time and again in our coverage.

Nearly two-thirds, (64%), of Irish people believed they would cook healthier and more nutritious meals if they had more counter space, the new research now revealed.

When it comes to getting creative in the kitchen, over half, (52%), of all those surveyed revealed that they cooked all meals from scratch and used fresh ingredients where possible.

Over a third of the nation admitted they had a combination of freshly prepared meals during the week with a treat of a takeaway at the weekend.

Consideration With more consideration for health and wellbeing, there has been a rise in demand for healthy home cooking appliances.

Nearly three-quarters of those polled said they would consider investing in health-focused appliances, such as a combination steam cooker or teppanyaki grill to encourage healthy habits at home.

Figures showed how, in 2020, the sales

of steam ovens in The Panelling Centre increased by 141% in comparison with the same time period in 2019.

Storage Introducing clever storage systems into the kitchen can also positively influence a healthy eating regime.

Functional storage units such as wireworks and pull-out systems allow for clear visibility and easy access to produce, which in turn, creates less wastage and encourages home chefs to get creative with their existing ingredients.

More countertop space (36%), better kitchen storage for ingredients (36%) and a full suite of new appliances (23%) were listed as the main sources for inspiration when it comes to preparing healthier meals.

Nearly two-fifths of all those surveyed admitted a full kitchen remodel would inspire and encourage them to don the apron and get cooking for all the family.

Kitchen frustrations Despite the interest in home cooking, according to The Panelling Centre survey, over a third of the nation described their kitchen negatively, stating they found it difficult to cook within their existing setup and didn’t enjoy the experience.

Of those who were unhappy with their current kitchen layout, nearly 40% revealed that the lack of counter space frustrated them as it could be difficult to prepare healthy meals from scratch.

Almost a fifth of those polled admitted that the lack of storage in their kitchen was a barrier to healthy eating, while 1-in-10 were uninspired to cook due to the overall size of their kitchens.

Not only do these frustrations discourage the nation from cooking, but they also create difficulty when storing fresh ingredients and produce.

As a result, the nation is more likely to reach for takeaways and processed food, than prepare a meal from scratch.

Consider To prevent kitchen design from being a barrier to healthy cooking, The Panelling Centre provided its top tips for customers on what to consider when planning a kitchen layout.

As lack of storage space is one of the leading frustrations in existing layouts, counter space is a crucial element to consider when designing a dream kitchen. Aim to maximise countertops when designing the kitchen space or introduce additional surfaces such as an island or breakfast bar that will create more countertops in the kitchen. Opt for durable and stain-resistant counters as this will provide longevity and allows for easy maintenance.

While the kitchen can often fall victim to clutter, finding homes for appliances and tools can be a tricky feat. It is important to maximise space as much as possible within the kitchen. Simple organisational tips like installing cupboards over the fridge or making space for shelving units will allow for more space and a cleaner work surface. At The Panelling Centre, interior enthusiasts will find a wide range of clever storage solutions from wireworks to pull-out storage systems that will utilise existing kitchen space and allow for more items to be stored accessibly. What’s more, the broad range of storage solutions are also available for retrofitting, catering to customers looking to update their existing kitchen space.

Future-proofing is one of the most important elements of kitchen design. It is crucial to plan the kitchen so it can accommodate the homeowner’s changing needs. Choose appliances and items that will cater to the household’s needs, not only in 5 years but in fifteen years’ time! Space and seating are essentials, so it’s important to dedicate sufficient time and consideration when planning for these elements.

There’s a new DIY generation out there. People need to take advantage of it now while it’s there!

That observation came from Damian O’Reilly who further referred to a UK study which revealed how eighty percent of consumers were seeking to redesign or improve their properties – including their gardens.

Senior lecturer in retail management at TU Dublin, Damian further commented how (in summer 2021) ‘the home is a centre of activities. People work there, relax there and home-school there too.’ Interesting effects It was all having some quite interesting effects, observed Damian, who noted how research suggested that young DIYers would maintain their interest post-pandemic.

Damian O’Reilly also had some tips for us when he was our special guest in On The Record. • Know your customer. It’s about understanding the shopper journey. For DIY it often starts online • We need to plan for the medium-term not just about getting customers in now.

Look to seeing where you’ll be in two or three years’ time • You should also look at inventory turnover. You have to turn over that stock as fast as possible. Buy ten of this product, sell one and I’ve got my money back, is often the mindset I see. You have to turn it over very quickly. It’s a false illusion to say that: I’ve made my money back so the rest is just profit. The other 9 items (SKUs) may be there for a year or longer. They are paid for and costing you money. • Social media! Get a digital profile! Social media is important but we see retailers who still don’t do it. • Shops need to be inspirational. I want something that makes me engage with the product and retailer. You have to become the store of choice by giving the experience. • Price is not the important variable… you want to adopt value-based pricing… what is the value to the customer? If I am charged two euro more then what am I getting for it? Excellent service; nicer environment; better product knowledge; all these add to the Value the customer gets from the shopping experience. • And last but certainly not least is the Gen

Z and increased awareness on sustainability issues.

Damian O’Reilly