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.
The shows are well and truly back now of course, and you’ll read about old familiar names like Glee and more besides.
Leader
A good start is half the battle!
The first issue of the new year and we are off to a flying start. There are a number of challenges on the horizon but it’s a time for putting the best foot forward.
In this issue we will do just that with our usual mix of news, views, products and more reflective pieces. The shows are well and truly back now of course, and you’ll read about old familiar names like Glee and more besides.
These are brimming with new products and new business waits to be done.
Further afield but no less close to our hearts is The Inspired Home show in Chicago. We can’t wait to get there again and take in the atmosphere, the inspiration, the trends and new offerings, to listen to the speakers and to attempt to bring back something of the flavour to the pages of our publication.
Of course we’ll be there with special guests as usual and this time out it’s the representatives from Jono’s in Monaghan Town who will accompany us on our adventures.
Jono’s is of course our gia store and they will be recognised at a very special gala occasion.
Meanwhile, work continues on the ground and we have strived once again to present an interesting mix in our issue.
We have observations on trends from Fleetwood and Colourtrend, new products that will catch your eye, news from very special companies like Pipelife and Irish Cement, and a positive take on things from Jeff Haden as usual.
We also take our usual trip to the ‘softer side’ of the trade and bring you our usual coverage in ‘The Homefront’ where we profile more ‘inspiring retail from around the world’. This time out we visit Taiwan!
We hope you enjoy the issue.
Martin Foran, Editor
UNVEILED
Chadwicks Group lends its support to upgrade Irish Wheelchair Association centre in Listowel
Builders’ merchants supplied a range of materials to renovate garden area
Chadwicks Group is delighted to have supported the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) centre in Listowel to revamp its outdoor garden area.
Improve
The project is part of Chadwicks Group’s ongoing nationwide partnership with IWA to supply building materials to IWA community centres across the country to help improve accessibility for its users.
The IWA operates fifty-eight fulland part-time community centres
nationwide which offer training, social activities and therapies to people with physical disabilities.
It also provides 1.3 million hours of assisted living services to more than 2,000 adults and children.
approximately four days a week, supporting up to twenty people in the area with disabilities.
This is a vital service for the people who attend and plays an important part in their ability to interact with their peers and participate in local activities.
Range
Chadwicks Group assisted the IWA in Listowel by supplying a range of materials to upgrade their outdoor area including gravel, cement, cladding and outdoor garden furniture.
The area was badly in need of a renovation and service users were engaged on the design of the garden before the works took place.
The area is now fully revamped and available for service users to enjoy.
Commenting on the announcement, Jerry Lynch, Chadwicks Tralee branch manager says: ‘We are delighted to support the Irish Wheelchair Association centre in Listowel on this project.
Vital
‘IWA provides vital services in Listowel and the surrounding area and it is a privilege to be involved in improving the outdoor space which is an essential area for members of our community.
‘We are delighted that our work can have a positive impact on the staff and service users alike.’
Mitchell McDermott Annual Construction Sector Report 2023
Mitchel McDermott launched its annual construction report which made for interesting reading of course!
The construction costs of a two-bed mid-range apartment increased by 9.6% or between €21,000 to €25,000 last year according to a new report.
The report by leading consultants Mitchell McDermott found that the hard costs of building a two-bed, medium rise suburban apartment is now over €240,000
The main contributors to the increase are mechanical and electrical services, up 18%, concrete up 27%, brickwork, up 39% and reinforcement steel, up 17%.
The €240,000 figure excludes indirect costs, parking, siteworks, margin and VAT.
If those are included the total cost of delivering the apartment is in the region of €460,000; the sales price would have to equal or exceed this.
After a rollercoaster of a year general construction inflation increased by 12% in 2022 but is expected to moderate to between 5% and 7% in 2023.
The reason apartment cost inflation is lower than general inflation is due to the fact that the facades of offices are made up of expensive materials such as metals, glass, steel and aluminium and these products were more exposed to price increases.
Paul Mitchell, one of the authors of the
report said that while 2022 was a year of two halves there are some signs we may be coming to the end of the current inflationary cycle.
‘Construction
inflation was on the rise in the early months of 2022 but really began to take off following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, mainly due to the dramatic rise in materials such as steel other energy-intensive materials such as aluminium and brick.
‘Material prices began to moderate in Q3 and encouragingly plateaued in Q4.
‘For apartment cost inflation the figure for H1 was 6.8%, while in H2 it was 2.8%. So, we are trending in the right direction.
‘Although the number of people employed in construction increased by 25,000 in 2022 to 171,000, we will need another 20-30,000 in the short-term if we
are to push inflation lower while increasing apartment output.
‘Given Ireland’s low unemployment rates and the departure of many workers to their home
countries post covid this will be a real challenge.’
Planning
According to the report there was a 79% drop in the number of judicial reviews (JRs) taken against Strategic Housing Developments – a fast-track planning process for schemes of 100 apartments or houses.
This was even though 2021 saw the highest number of SHDs ever submitted in advance of the scheme being phased out in place of a new Large-Scale Residential Development scheme.
● Report shows construction costs of apartment construction rose by 9.6% in 2022
● This equates to a rise of between €21K to €25K per 2-bed apartment
● The total development cost of such a mid-range suburban 2-bed apartment is now believed to be in excess of €460K
● Construction inflation for commercial offices rose by 12% but is expected to moderate to between 5% and 7% in 2023
● There was a 79% drop in the number of judicial reviews taken against Strategic Housing Developments last year
Paul Mitchell
Tirlán has begun an €11m plus investment programme to develop and upgrade its entire fifty-twostrong local branch network, with work in its Athboy, Castlelyons and Bunclody stores already underway.
The 100% farmer-owned Co-op says the landmark investment package is part of a range of measures to future-proof its agri, retail and garden centre services in rural communities across eleven counties.
The branch improvements are a further sign of Tirlán’s commitment to serving the evolving needs of its loyal customers in rural communities into the future.
It also clearly demonstrates its promise to support local jobs and rural economies, as outlined in the Co-op’s ‘Living Proof’ sustainability strategy.
Upgrading
The €11m plus plan will also include a significant upgrading of branch IT infrastructure with new technologies that will make the overall customer experience more enjoyable and efficient.
Tirlán chairman John Murphy said that Tirlán’s branches are the heartbeat of many local communities and this investment signifies the Co-op’s commitment to playing its part in enriching the lives of those living in rural Ireland.
‘As a farmer-owned co-operative, Tirlán is committed to developing a modern network of stores that service the evolving needs of farmers and the communities we serve,’ he said.
‘We will be developing and upgrading our branches over the next 4-5 years and adding new Tirlán CountryLife garden centres at our existing branches in both Athboy Co. Meath and Bennettsbridge in Co Kilkenny.
‘We will improve the customer experience across all our branches in order to better service the evolving needs of our customers in communities.
‘Many of these communities have lost their local post office, shops and other services in recent years and we aim to play our part in ensuring they remain vibrant and self-sufficient,’ he continued.
First
The first new concept store revamp in Bunclody will be completed in early 2023, Senan Foley, Head of Retail at Tirlán explained.
‘Our fifty-two-strong branch network is the face of Tirlán in our
Tirlán begins €11m branch investment NEWS
communities. They are more than just an agri store.
‘Today, our branch network provides critical services in a setting that many of our shareholders, suppliers and customers have a strong affiliation with locally.
‘Over a year ago, we partnered with An Post subsidiary PostPoint to bring a range of convenient services to rural communities.’
Enhance
The announcement is part of a wider investment programme that will not only further enhance the offering
to customers, but also expand their role in the community.
Phase one of the investment programme sees stores in Ashford, Monasterevin, Castlelyons, Athboy and Bennettsbridge undergo significant renovations, followed by phase two branches in Dungarvan, Kilmeaden and Tullamore.
Tirlán’s new branding will be rolled out across the reinvigorated network.
This rebrand, which is already underway, will see agri stores rebranded to ‘Tirlán FarmLife’, and agri stores with garden centres
rebranded to ‘Tirlán CountryLife’.
The investment programme was unveiled at the first of Tirlán’s regional Farmer Information Meetings.
Further Investment
Further investment is being rolled out in areas such as people training and the development of Farm Hardware Centres of Excellence, along with enhancement of their TirlanFarmLife.com ecommerce customer offering, supported by the creation of a dedicated distribution warehouse in Portlaoise.
DBI: Accessibility and AI set to be key digital trends in eCommerce in Ireland this year
Digital Business Ireland, Ireland’s leading representative body for the Irish eCommerce sector, has published details of five emerging digital enterprises that are set to make their mark on the industry in 2023.
Entitled ‘Tech Companies to Watch in 2023’, the campaign profiles a diverse cohort of digital businesses focused on accessibility, application development, online shopping and fintech solutions.
The eBook also details the trail-
Business welcomed single application procedure for employment permits and immigration permission
Ibec welcomed the announcement from Government that a single application procedure for employment permits and immigration permissions should be developed.
Welcoming the announcement, Maeve McElwee, Ibec executive director of Employer Relations, said:
‘The country currently finds itself against a backdrop of continuous disruption in the new world of work and changing economic
headwinds.
‘This in turn is impacting talent and skills pipelines in the economy.
‘The announcement from Government will be welcomed by many industries as an important step in addressing emerging talent and skills shortages.
‘We look forward to engaging with stakeholders in the development of a new system that best positions Ireland to compete for talent.’
blazing nature of the products and services, with the key personnel in each company outlining their enterprise’s ambitions and the emerging trends for 2023.
Some of these trends include:
• A focus on digital accessibility and inclusion, amid the startling statistic that 72% of Irish websites are inaccessible for people with disabilities
• A greater shift to digital transformation, which will facilitate unique customer experiences through Artificial Intelligence (AI).
• Continued growth of Omnichannel
Speaking on the release of the campaign, Digital Business Ireland Chairperson Ashley McDonnell said:
‘The Tech Companies to Watch in 2023 campaign highlights innovative eCommerce enterprises that are focused on driving further growth in the sector in 2023.
Blend
‘Facilitated through a blend of developments, including enhanced customer experiences through the
adoption of AI, and digital inclusion, discerning businesses will deliver parity of shopping experiences to customers, which will improve loyalty.
‘Future-proofing the sector is key, so digital businesses of all sizes can compete in the global eCommerce marketplace.’
About Digital Business Ireland
Digital Business Ireland (DBI), representative body for the Irish digital commerce sector.
With over 8,000 businesses in its community, DBI continues to grow its membership footprint across a wide range of online and digital businesses, to include technology, retail, hospitality, professional services, travel, transport, education, leisure, agri-business and property.
DBI provides a range of services to its membership, to include training and events, networking opportunities, general advisory insights, advocacy and public policy influence - all of which facilitates digital businesses’ growth and achievement of their goals.
Ashley McDonnell
BNP Paribas Real Estate Ireland Construction PMI® Activity falls for third month running at end of 2022
The headline seasonally adjusted BNP Paribas Real Estate Ireland Construction Total Activity Index dropped to 43.2 in December, down from 46.8 in November and below the 50.0 no-change mark for the third month running.
Moreover, the decrease was sharp and the fastest since July 2022.
Panellists reported a general market slowdown amid challenging economic conditions.
All three monitored categories of construction saw activity decrease during December, again led by civil engineering.
The softest fall in activity was seen on commercial projects, despite the rate of decline quickening from November.
Meanwhile, housing activity decreased for the third month running.
The drop in total construction activity coincided with a similarly-sized reduction in new orders as market demand struggled.
Extent
New business decreased for the ninth month running, and to the greatest extent since last August.
After having been broadly unchanged in November, employment decreased in December as firms responded to lower workloads.
Although modest, the reduction in staffing levels was the sharpest since March 2021.
Lower input buying was also a result of reduced activity requirements, with purchasing activity down for the seventh month running.
Where companies purchased inputs, they were faced with a further marked increase in prices.
Rises
A number of panellists reported cost rises across the board. That said, the rate of inflation was softer than in November and the least marked in twenty-one months.
Suppliers’ delivery times lengthened substantially again in December, and to the greatest extent in six months.
Delivery delays were less pronounced than the 2022 average, however.
Longer lead times reportedly reflected general issues in supply chains, but deliveries were also impacted to some extent by poor weather conditions.
Companies scaled back their usage of sub-contractors in December, thereby ending a three-month sequence of expansion.
The drop in demand for sub-contractors relieved some pressure on
supply, contributing to the softest reduction in their availability in just under two years.
Hopes that demand conditions will improve over the course of 2023 supported confidence in the year-ahead outlook for activity.
Sentiment improved from November but remained below the series average amid challenging economic conditions. Some firms predicted a rise in development activity.
Commenting
Commenting on the survey results, John McCartney, Director & Head of Research at BNP Paribas Real Estate Ireland, said: ‘2022 was a year of two halves for construction.
‘Strong expansion between January and May gave way to slowing activity from June, and the year petered-out with a further pronounced slowdown in December.
‘Some clear trends are now emerging. Firstly, the slowdown is happening across-the-board with the PMI’s residential, commercial and civil engineering indicators all well below the 50-point watershed.
‘Secondly, building firms appear not to be expecting an immediate rebound; they initially took a waitand-see approach to shrinking order books, maintaining their staff headcounts and continuing to purchase materials.
‘But after nine months of new business contraction, panellists have now begun running down stocks and not replacing employees who leave.
Positive
‘Critically, however, Ireland’s construction firms retain a positive medium-term outlook, with a solid majority expecting to be busier this time next year.
‘This may reflect recent developments which should assist with current viability challenges.
‘Input price inflation has moderated to its slowest rate for 21 months.
‘In addition, the Government’s Croí Cónaithe scheme is being rolled out to subsidise apartment developments that would otherwise not be profitable to build.
‘Further Government actions, including relaxing mortgage restrictions and raising the shared equity scheme price ceilings, may also underpin builders’ confidence that they will be able to sell properties at prices that make development viable.’
Activity by sector
Residential: The final month of 2022 saw a further reduction in residential activity in the Irish construction sector, extending the current sequence of decline to three months.
Moreover, the rate of contraction quickened from that seen in November and was the fastest since July.
Commercial: December data pointed to a third successive monthly reduction in activity on commercial projects.
The pace of decline quickened from that seen in November but was still the softest of the three categories of construction covered by the survey.
Civil Engineering: Civil engineering activity continued to fall during December, with the pace of reduction quickening marginally from the preceding month.
Activity on civil engineering projects has now decreased in each of the past ten months.
Business expectations
Construction firms remained optimistic that activity will increase over the coming year, with sentiment picking up from that seen in November.
Positive sentiment was largely based on hopes that demand conditions will improve over the course of 2023, with a number of respondents predicting a rise in development activity.
That said, confidence was still below the series average given challenging economic conditions.
H&H: Can you explain in layperson’s terms what nmedia does and how it works?
The digital order and data platform nmedia. hub, together with its services and products, has developed into an all-rounder in terms of the digitalization of the trade.
Nmedia offers a complete package for digital trade.
The components market, data, dropshipping, automation and showrooms are combined to a complete package for the modern, digital way of trading.
Nmedia is currently offering a platform to 400 brands and more than 15,000 buyers that is available 24/7, 365 days a year.
Nmedia not only digitalize and centralize the ordering, but also the easy transfer of its article data.
New opportunities
Particularly in regards to the Corona pandemic, nmedia offers brands new opportunities to
present their products and even make an experience out of it through virtual showrooms. Digital, centralized, available at any time.
nmedia started with its digital marketplace as a pure order platform. However, article data and an automated data transfer are currently more important than ever.
Therefore, nmedia Data has been developed –the tool for digital, centralized data management, for both the brands and buyers.
With nmedia Data, buyers get all the article and image data of the brands that are relevant brands bundled in one place, in one standardized format, in their individually chosen mode of transfer.
Increase
Buyers can, therefore, increase the data quality in their ERP systems, as well as using the data for their own B2C webshops.
As soon as the brands are updating or adjusting their data, the updates will be automatically sent
to the buyers.
For brands, on the other hand, it offers a centralized platform for their data management. There they can serve their buyers with their article data in one standardized format.
In times of ever-growing online trade, nmedia has taken the next logical step and offers their buyers a way to better react to clients’ wishes – with nmedia Dropshipping.
(Stationary) retailers can look for the requested product, which is currently not available in the store or on stock, together with their clients.
They can order the product through nmedia and the brand is directly sending the goods to the end customer’s address.
Therefore, time and storage costs can be saved, the shop counter can be digitally extended and another client is made happy.
Buyers can, thereby, also offer a broader product range online in their webshop, without any extra effort of the brand or the buyer
The order and content platform nmedia.hub has played a significant role in shaping digital retail since 2019. Through a close exchange with brands and retailers, Nicolaus Gedat’s team has developed target-group-specific tools that position retail for the future. We spoke with the nmedia founder to find out more.
nmedia.hub and digital commerce, an overview
H&H: Nicolaus Gedat, you founded nmedia GmbH more than twenty years ago. What were your goals then?
NG: I founded nmedia between 1998 and 2000, when the internet was just emerging and I was working in London for a large trade fair organiser.
My goal then, as now, was to simplify communication and processes between suppliers and traders through new media and the use of all new technologies.
H&H: In 2019, the nmedia concept was expanded to include the order and content platform Nextrade, now nmedia.hub. Together with Messe Frankfurt and the EKservicegroup, you have thus broken new ground in the direction of digitalisation in retail. What was the response from brands and retailers?
NG: I saw the further development of the nmedia EDI Clearing Center as a logical step and the market proved me right.
Within a very short time, we had more than 400 brands and over 15,000 traders from all over the world in the platform.
The partners who actively use our platform and really want to change their processes are very successful with it.
However, we have also found that new digital processes are not adopted ‘overnight’ by all brands and retailers in the home and living industry.
However, we have seen that (since the middle of last year), the willingness for new digital processes has increased significantly. Especially on the topic of e-commerce content.
H&H: Today, nmedia.hub has a customer base of 400 brands and 15,000 retailers. Is there still room for improvement?
NG: Our goal is to further sharpen our profile as a brand and service provider and to differentiate ourselves from the competition.
Of the relevant top 500 brands in the industry, we are still missing one or two, so yes, we still have room for improvement.
However, (at time of writing) our retailers will already be able to use some new brands at Ambiente in Frankfurt am Main.
And we are currently working very closely with top retailers in the sector and are jointly improving our services and their application.
And new brand projects result from this cooperation. In my opinion, that’s exactly how it should be.
We at nmedia develop our business and the industry together with retailers and brands.
Lorraine Higgins and David Fitzsimons, Retail Excellence.
H&H: And what about internationality? How international is the order and content platform and what development opportunities does nmedia see here?
The willingness for new digital processes has increased significantly. Especially on the topic of e-commerce content
❜
NG: The number of international brands and retailers continues to grow. We see this especially with our dropshipping brands.
Here, it’s mostly merchants from Europe who, due to their business model, no longer think in terms of countries, but in terms of customer services.
With our platform languages German, English and French, we can already reach many partners.
The content is already available in many other languages. Other platform languages will certainly follow in 2023.
Thus, we have no country and language boundaries in our concept and can continue to grow here.
H&H: Are trade fairs still in keeping with the times when retailers and brands can be in touch 365 days a year via nmedia.hub? With your showrooms and brand shops you also create a digital shopping experience.
NG: Trade fairs are and remain the place for personal conversations, direct experience of brands and products.
With nmedia, we extend the trade fair experience.
Many brands do not have a separate showroom. The trade fair stand takes over this task.
With our digital showroom, which we create at the trade fair stand, it can be used as a showroom 365 days a year.
This makes it easier for our brands to participate in the trade fair, as investments once made can be used for longer.
H&H: A lot has happened at nmedia and Nextrade. The relaunch in June and the new name in September. What’s next for nmedia.hub 2023? What are you planning for the platform?
NG: In the future, we will align our services even better with the possibilities and requirements, especially of retailers, with many new additional services.
Here we see, for example, a Shopify plug-in.
In addition, we want to transfer more and more of our services from classic electronic data interchange (EDI) to the nmedia.hub.
We will start with article data in the first quarter of 2023.
H&H: in overview, can you give an example of how it might be of use to a retailer - and to a supplier - who is reading this?
Trade:
• Easy access with one login to the top brands in the industry
• Digital ordering for more clarity (fax, telephone, e-mail
are now a thing of the past), ideally directly from the Merchandise management system
• Important information is made directly visible in the order shop (display of availability, back orders, dispatch in X days, etc.) and makes it easier to order
• Tracking of orders
• Content supply (item and image data) in a standard or customised format
Brands:
• Digital order acceptance via own order shop in nmedia. hub (cheaper than B2B shop) directly into own Merchandise management system
• No wholesale, lower costs. Customer remains in own ‘pos session‘.
• Central distribution of content to all dealers
What butter boards tell us about consumers today
by Rachel Crippin Clark for the International Housewares Association
Raise your hand if you predicted butter boards would become the hottest food trend of fall 2022. Okay, raise your hand if you’d even heard of a butter board before last summer.
Sensation
What started as a riff on the wildly popular charcuterie board quickly became a TikTok sensation. All of a sudden, social media was blowing up with images of creative and colourful butter boards complete with herbs, spices and flavored infusions.
It wasn’t long before people realized they could have fun with much more than butter … and the appetizer and dessert variations started flowing.
There’s the everything bagel riff. There have been boards featuring peanut butter, Nutella, hummus, guacamole and much more.
Attention
Now, inevitably, all the attention to butter boards and their many variations has led some to clap back. (Are they too excessive? Are there food safety issues? Are people going too far?)
‘Just because something is trending, doesn’t mean it’s perfect,’ says Leigh Ann Schwarzkopf, principal of Project Partners Network.
She advises companies to simply make sure they have a sense of what some of the questions or concerns are before jumping on a hot trend.
To be certain, butter boards are a wonderful example of how fast trends travel, morph and evolve these days, points out Nicki Gondell, founding partner of Trend House, Inc.
She says that’s another reason the focus should be on why the butter board is so popular and maybe not so much on the butter board itself
So why are they so popular?
They’re communal
It’s been two-and-a-half + years since COVID-19 shutdowns began. People are eager to gather again in their homes.
A new IHA 2023 survey found that 82% of consumers plan to entertain at home either more than or the same as last year.
What’s more, there’s something very interactive and comforting about being able to gather around a platter and share in a delicious treat.
In fact, the butter board craze serves as important evidence that consumers are shedding their Covid fears, says Joe Derochowski, vice president and industry advisor for home and home improvement at The NPD Group.
They’re no longer wary of communal dishes or serving styles.
They’re customizable
Butter boards allow consumers to customize
a food experience to suit the tastes of their friends and family.
And the presentation itself lets hosts tap into their creativity and artistic flair.
As CNET’s David Watsky commented, ‘It’s honestly fun and oddly satisfying to make a butter board.’
And while some may bemoan all the creative riffs on the butter board trend, isn’t that what it’s all about … being able to express yourself and create something based on your own personal style and taste?
If your family loves everything bagels, then do everything bagels! If you and all your friends have a sweet tooth, then go for the sweet treats!
They’re casual
While we’re excited to gather again in our homes, it’s the togetherness many of us are craving … not the fuss.
That’s why casual decorating styles like the coastal grandmother vibe have taken off, in addition to casual gatherings like watch parties and make-your-own pizza nights.
Just don’t mistake trends that channel a casual vibe for not caring.
‘When you dip and share, it’s not very formal but it feels very intentional,’ says at-home entertaining influencer, Elizabeth Van Lierde.
Housewares joins the celebration Report examines consumers’ purchasing plans
Consumers are once again embracing key life moments after the pandemic and are planning to continue doing so in the year ahead and beyond, according to the International Housewares Association’s (IHA) 2023 ‘Occasions Report’.
Results from the 2023 ‘Occasions Survey’ suggest that housewares retailers and suppliers should continually consider their role as gift providers – for not only major life events but for annual occasions including birthdays and anniversaries, as well as ‘anytime moments’ when a person wants to turn just another day into a time to celebrate.
The report is sponsored exclusively by Newell Brands.
The IHA 2023 Occasions Report features exclusive research commissioned by IHA updating the results of its 2022 ‘Occasions Survey’, which examined consumer gift preferences and shopping behaviours based on
each of a selection of key life events expected to shape special occasions: from engagements and weddings to new home ownership and retirement.
Traditions
The COVID-19 pandemic and its economic aftermath have scrambled long-established occasion traditions, and year-over-year results in the report chronicle how consumers have both rescheduled and reimagined life events that were delayed by coronavirus-related fears and restrictions.
Weddings, for example, were postponed. According to the survey, the proportion of
respondents who plan to attend a family or friend wedding during the next 12 months or so declined.
In the 2023 Survey, just under a quarter of respondents were looking at attending a friend or family wedding in the next 12 months versus 29% in the year-prior survey.
Those expecting to be involved in a family and friends engagement event in 2023 totaled 21% (6% very likely and 15% somewhat likely) versus 25% (9% very likely, 16% somewhat likely) a year earlier.
Slipped
In the US, the ‘bridal shower’ occasion slipped slightly at 19% of respondents likely (7% very likely and 12% somewhat likely) to be involved in such a family and friends event in 2023 versus 2022, at 23% (9% very likely and 14% somewhat likely).
A slight year-over-year difference held for baby showers at 25% (11% very likely and 14% somewhat likely) versus 16% (11% very likely and 15% somewhat likely) in the 2022 survey.
At a time when the home market is in flux, the housewarming occasion possibility for family and friends slipped year-over-year at 28% in 2023 (10% ver y likely and 18% somewhat likely) versus 32% (12% very likely and 20% somewhat likely) a year before.
The decline is no surprise, but the continued elevation vs. pre-pandemic levels is important.
Occasions celebrations extend as multiple events
Fewer 2023 Survey respondents expected to be involved in the family and friends leaving for college occasion in the coming year, at 15% (7% very likely and 8% somewhat likely) than was the case in the 2022 survey, at 17% (9% very likely, 8% somewhat likely.)
However, what may be more revealing about the data is how the occasion seems to be made up of multiple events that stretch over several months. New pet ownership is similar in that it may consist of multiple events as people pay visits to the household with a new pet.
It continues as a gift-giving occasion and, in the aggregate, new pet occasions are up slightly in the 2023 study to 33% from 32%, although the certainty of having such an occasion is a bit less at 10% very likely and 23% somewhat likely in the 2023 survey versus 12% very likely and 20% somewhat likely in the 2022 Survey.
As for retirement, fewer respondents in the 2023 survey said they anticipate a family and friend occasion, at 20% with 8% very likely and 12% somewhat likely, as compared to 22%, with 10% very likely and 12% somewhat likely, in last year’s survey.
Opportunities
The Occasions Survey identifies opportunities for retailers and suppliers in terms of market
HOMEFRONT
parameters and dynamics.
An important factor to consider, though, is the survey’s delineation of life events. Leana Salamah, vice president, marketing, at IHA, said the opportunity isn’t necessarily confined to a given occasion, but it often extends well beyond as consumers re-equip for their next life stage.
After an event and its related occasion occur, a consumer’s lifestyle and needs evolve.
‘These are inflection points,’ Salamah said. ‘They fundamentally change something about the consumer.
‘We talk about retirement as an occasion, but after the occasion has passed, this is a different consumer. A retired consumer. What do they need moving forward?’
The International Housewares Association is the 84-year-old voice of the housewares industry. The not-for-profit, full-service association sponsors the world’s premier exposition of products for the home, The Inspired Home Show, IHA’s Global Home + Housewares Market (TheInspiredHomeShow.com)
HOMEFRONT
Some might assume that an ultra-modern store selling tech-based brands in a steel and stucco tunnel might lack warmth and a sense of hospitality. However, hengstyle is a haven where customers can relax, connect and immerse themselves in the finer things in life, writes Michelle Hespe.
Embracing n E w fin E livin g
Taiwan’s gia-winning store – hengstyle – is devoted to ‘enriching life without boundaries’.
And although the store focuses on twenty-five tech-based brands that provide ‘better lives, beyond technology’, it is as welcoming as someone’s finely curated home, with a library, bar and plenty of cozy places to explore, relax and be inspired by.
hengstyle started out in 1960 as a distributor of cameras and associated products and today is the number one home appliance and houseware distributor in Taiwan, with a presence in sixty-eight department stores, one concept store and a staff of 550.
Tech is the hardware, not the base, of what hengstyle is.
Goal
‘Our goal is to shape a culture of new fine living. We want to lead people to mindfully feel life and open up to other ways of doing things,’ says hengstyle’s senior director Sarah Chen.
‘We believe this living culture is a new fashion and one that is beyond just buying luxury goods.’
The dazzlingly white, steel and reflective tunnel-like building was designed to create a calming atmosphere so that visitors can step in from the busy streets of Taipei and immediately feel relaxed enough to explore at their own pace.
‘The goal was to create an architecturally designed space where our twenty-five brands could be unified; a space where customers would walk in and see a style, rather than just products,’ explains Sarah.
Sculpt
‘It was incredibly time consuming to sculpt its multiple wooden structures and then there was the application of different materials on the surface, stucco plastering by hand inside and stainless surfaces outside.’
Rather than placing a focus on selling products, hengstyle is all about the many things that can be put together to assemble a fine lifestyle.
Its grounding philosophy is about encouraging people to live well in every sense, while also making them feel a part of a welcoming community. It also has a magazine through which this approach is amplified.
Hengstyle’s store staff – called consultants –are trained to understand customers’ lifestyles and provide inspirational ideas beyond product function.
Elaborate
‘Take Sodastream as an example,’ says Sarah. ‘Staff will not only elaborate on how to use
Taiwan: hengstyle HENG LEONG HANG CO., LTD
the machine, but also provide a drink recipe, a camping recipe or perhaps an after-workout recipe, as well as barware and tableware that might complement the Sodastream and be suited to the particular persona of the customer.’
In a similar fashion, when it comes to demonstrating products, hengstyle aims to elevate an experience beyond a demo in order to encourage customers to aspire to a new fine life.
For example, to promote the brand Laurastar, the premium ironing brand from Swiss, the company collaborated with a boutique selling high-end suits.
‘This way, we provided our members with a premium clothing experience, taking them through the fabrics and the fit, and offering inspiration for styling their look,’ says Sarah.
‘Our task and our goal are to create unique, next-level experiences for those who pursue fine living.’
Applaud
The gia jury applauded this approach to retail, noting that hengstyle ‘combines wellbeing with gastronomy, promoting healthy food and a healthy lifestyle.
‘It is hospitality inspired retailing, balancing wellness with a cool aesthetic. Also spa-like in its conception, it invites the consumer to linger and explore.’
Another factor that makes hengstyle so different to other stores is its instant repair service.
While waiting for a product to be fixed, customers can take advantage of different services – from yoga classes or reading a book in the library to enjoying a drink from the bar, which serves cocktails, mocktails and juices specially prepared for each customer.
‘All of the library offerings and the special drinks are made to provide a “wow” service,’ says Sarah.
‘There are no “normal books or drinks” –
they are content that we curate to connect visitors and enrich their short journey in store. And the staff can enjoy them as well.’
Gourmet culture
Hengstyle is also dedicated to honouring Taiwan’s rich gourmet culture and history.
‘Through our culinary events we echo our new fine living concept,’ says Sarah.
‘Our fine dining experience is not about Michelin stars, but rather about how the experience can make you feel – the essence and joyfulness of dining through curation, story-telling and really good local food.’
For a recent hengstyle culinary event, the company launched a pop-up dining experience called ‘Midnight Bazar’.
‘We deconstructed the most popular dishes found in a Taiwanese night market,’ explains Sarah.
‘Normally night market street food is high in carbohydrates, deep-fried, salty and with very little real food inside the dishes.
‘We redefined every dish with a key “actor” –a type of food or a local ingredient – cooked it with the flavor that people can easily recognize and connect to the original night market food, and finally, arranged the plating to make it all look beautiful.’
Included
As well as the dishes, gadgets for cooking were included in the night market dining journey.
‘We played a very traditional game with all of our guests, having them taste traditional Taiwanese gelato and handmade cotton candy from a bicycle cart,’ says Sarah.
‘And when they walked out the door they had our secret recipe and local ingredients with them so that they can reassemble the ultimate night market dish at home! Motivating people to enjoy cooking at home with nice food is our mission as well.’
To help promote the event, media and influencers were invited to experience the Midnight
As a result, on the day they became available, all 300 dining session tickets sold out.
‘In everything we do, we’re devoted to promoting the hengstyle lifestyle – helping everyone define his/her own new fine living,’ says Sarah.
‘But what is new fine living, you still might ask? It’s the lifestyle that makes you sense true abundance. It is beyond just consuming –every action you take or every experience we make should have a positive impact for the mind, life and society.’
To learn more about hengstyle,
Bazar prior to the actual event.
Sold out
HOMEFRONT
The Glee Talent Store to find the next generation of visual merchandisers
Immersive content has become a hugely popular part of Glee’s annual offering and, this year, a fantastic, brand-new live project will bring industry rising stars to the fore, through the mentor-led, training-based Glee Talent Store.
Designed to nurture and celebrate garden centre and retail visual merchandising excellence, the Glee Talent Store will be an interactive feature, supported by the Garden Centre Association (GCA) in the UK and horticultural influencer, Mr Plant Geek (Michael Perry).
The feature will showcase the different ways that houseplant and outdoor plant merchandising displays can be interpreted instore, and how different designs can be utilised to highlight the same products and trends in a variety of inspiring ways.
The focus will be on mentor-led training for new talent within garden centres.
Bootcamp
The Glee Talent Store will kick-off with a special ‘bootcamp’ where entrants will be immersed in a full day of hands-on workshops that will focus on merchandising best practice.
The workshop will be hosted by an expert in visual merchandising that has led the way on the high street and department stores alike, whilst Glee’s new ‘ambassador’, Mr Plant Geek, will help participants create a specialist mood board to hone their houseplant or outdoor plant style.
On site at Glee, two live ‘retail sets’ created by those visual merchandisers that make it through bootcamp will be on display to inspire visitors.
Showcase
Located in the NEC’s light-filled atrium, alongside the show’s beating ‘Green Heart’, each Glee Talent Store display will showcase the vision for either houseplant or outdoor plants.
Maximising proven techniques for linked sales and cross merchandising, the Talent Store will provide a fresh look at these thriving product sectors seen through the eyes of these passionate and emerging talents, whilst also providing insight into how the new generation of gardeners view these core product sectors.
Throughout the 2023 exhibition, Mr Plant Geek will be leading hosted sessions within the Talent
Store to provide a more in-depth look at the trends, styles and merchandising ideas that each team has identified.
Continue
Even more exciting is that the Talent Store feature will continue long after the doors have closed on Glee 2023.
The Glee team, along with the team of mentors, will revisit each participant post event to see how the Glee Talent Store has impacted their career and how their merchandising skills have developed.
Matthew Mein, event director at Glee, said: ‘Visual merchandising is key to effective retailing. It has the power to entice and inspire consumers at the point of sale, with different components appealing to and engaging a diverse mix of shoppers.
‘Recognising this individuality, we wanted to create something that celebrated these differences and encouraged visual merchandisers from across the garden retail sector to get involved.
The Glee Talent Store is a great way for these talented and vital team members to celebrate their skills, and we’re incredibly excited about what they’ll be showing us in June.’
Find out more
To enquire about exhibiting at Glee 2023, which will take place 27 – 29 June, call +44 (0)203 3545 9752.
Like a beacon, Jono’s House & Home lights up the Diamond in the centre of Monaghan Town with its vibrant, welcoming storefront. And beyond the inviting – and ever-so-tastefully-curated window displays the store does not disappoint. And that is why Jono’s is our gia store for 2023!
Northern Exposure
Jono’s – a gia-winning store to remember!
To enter Jono’s House & Home is to enter a wonderland of homewares, cookware, furniture, kitchen items and so much more. And tying it all together is the passion and creativity of the team, led by owners, Joyce and Noel Cobbley.
Joyce tells us how they started off in Monaghan Shopping Centre back in ’97 and subsequently moved to their current landmark location. One reason for this move was to attain more space.
‘And this space became available on the Diamond in the heart of Monaghan,’ says Joyce. ‘So, we went for it.’
They now have over 4,000 sq. feet at their disposal, plus storage in this location.
How has it all changed? For starters, says Joyce, things have developed a lot more in terms of homewares.
‘We used to be mainly kitchen in the shopping centre,’ she explains.
They also developed into pictures and furniture and more besides.
Bakeware
Joyce reflects on the popularity of items like bakeware at the moment. ‘That is big for us, as are all the chilli bottles and cafetieres too,’ she says.
‘Denby is a brand that is going very well and brings people in as well. Then there are the Stellar and Ciculron products and Joseph Joseph are still selling very wellthey do what it says on the tin!’
The giftware – for weddings, housewarmings and engagements is also popular here, adds Joyce.
As for fashions, ‘TV has really inspired customers who come looking for the latest items,’ she adds. ‘For example those items that the TV chefs use. (As in every other store in our sector!)
‘They are very sophisticated now,’ agrees Joyce, referring to the clientele.
And that means of course the obligation to keep up with changing fashions, trends and demands on behalf of those in Jono’s.
‘We have to be on top of sourcing; there are so many good products now,’
adds Joyce.
That’s something that seems to be accomplished extremely well here! And it’s little wonder they attract shoppers from far and wide at Jono’s.
‘We have people who come from Dundalk and we get customers from across the border too,’ notes Joyce. ‘We have a second shop (in the town) which is a good draw as well; it’s a lighting shop.
(Star Lighting, established 1984. Mainly lighting, interior design, furniture and giftware.)
‘Customers are a real cross-section.’
So how is business at the moment and how has it been, getting back to ‘normality’ after the pandemic?
‘I think people are glad to be getting out again after Covid,’ says Joyce. ‘You see them around with smiles on their faces.’
Delighted
As 2023 unfolds of course it’s onwards and upwards for Jono’s, having been selected as Irish gia store by Hardware & Homestyle, this year.
All concerned are greatly looking forward to visiting Chicago in early March to take in the ‘Inspired Home Show’ as guests of the International Housewares Association – and of course, to taking part in the special gia ceremony that happens alongside the show.
They are delighted to be following in the footsteps of Stock Design proprietor, Brendan Fagan, who came with us to Chicago – for a record second time – in 2022.
‘We know Brendan well,’ says Joyce. He has been a great inspiration!’
Above: Joyce Cobbley
Left: Some of Jonos wonderful staff.
www.irishcement.ie/howto
Irish Cement celebrates 85 years making high quality cement!
The world has transformed over the past eighty-five years. Think back to Ireland of the 1930s, when our grandparents tell tales of walking to school barefoot, ponies and traps, black bicycles, and very few cars on the roads.
By and large, they recall simpler times when the pace of life seemed more relaxed.
There were very few telephones let alone smartphones. Instead, there were telegrams, letters, and messenger boys; no urgent emails demanding an immediate response.
Farming was as vital in Ireland then as it is now, and the Electricity Supply Board had been established just a decade earlier.
Rural electrification was transforming communities throughout Ireland, and today we all recognise the important role electricity plays in our daily lives.
There is something else from that era, which is vital to our daily lives but is often overlooked.
Minister
On 23 May 1938, Sean Lemass, then Minister for Industry and Commerce, surrounded by other dignitaries pushed an oversized red button and two cement factories, one on the banks of the Boyne in Drogheda, the other in Mungret outside Limerick, sprang into life.
The location of the Cement Ltd factories (later to become Irish Cement) had been carefully chosen to be close to abundant supplies of limestone, ports for the importation of fuel, and centres of the population for the sale of its product.
From that day on, cement used in concrete and mortar has been one of the key ingredients in the foundations of the Irish State.
Irish Cement has been at the forefront of manufacturing high-quality cement since 1938, and cement continues to be a critical ingredient in our modern economy.
Transformed
During those eight and a half decades, Irish Cement has transformed its operations through upgrades and continuous investment in the most energy-efficient cement manufacturing technology.
Today’s workforce in Irish Cement is tremendously proud of that unique heritage, and the work done by previous generations.
They also recognise the responsibility of this current generation to ramp up further the pace of change.
That change is to address the carbon emissions from the cement industry and to further improve the resource efficiency of its operations.
Committed
The cement sector has committed to being carbon neutral by 2050 and progress is well underway.
Already, a typical bag of Irish Cement has a 20% lower carbon footprint compared to the 1990’s.
It is still the same great cement that delivers the same great performance, but you can have
confidence knowing its production had less impact on our environment, both in terms of climate change and circular economy.
Investments
These reductions have been achieved through energy efficient investments, which need less energy to make each tonne of cement; the introduction of lower carbon CEM II cements, Ireland’s most popular cement; and the replacement of imported fossil fuels using locally sourced alternative fuels.
Continuous investment in training and development of the workforce has underpinned these developments.
Maintaining quality and cement performance for customers remains the top priority as the company innovates and becomes more sustainable in the way it makes cement.
In 15 years, when Irish Cement will celebrate one hundred years in business, the way cement is manufactured will be radically different from today.
Reduce
To achieve those improvements, further investment will be made to reduce fossil fuel consumption and make operations more resource efficient.
Irish Cement is committed to maintaining its leadership position as Ireland’s high-quality cement maker, through innovation, collaboration and a recognition of its unique heritage.
Trends for 2023 with Fleetwood designer Patricia Wakely!
The crystal ball is out – beautifully handcrafted and stylish as always – but looking forward to 2023 what do I see on the horizon?
Your future is very particular to each one of you and so I think it only fair to give a general outline to how it could be.
If the last few years has taught us anything, it’s probably that self-care is so important and this has been reflected more so in our own environment and interior than anywhere.
Cooler neutrals have been replaced with warm, more definite beige tones, but I think there will now be a swing towards deeper neutrals like Stone Brown from the popular colour card and String from Pantone.
These soothing tones feel comfortable and relaxed as expected, but they also now seem to be leading the way in general interiors especially when tumbled down onto skirtings and woodwork.
Simplifying
Yes, that colour drenched look is simplifying the scheme, by using one colour on multiple surfaces the angles and divisions in rooms are softened and so give a truly zen feel to the scheme.
If, however you prefer a rich deep and dramatic look, I think that black is back, in all its forms!
When it comes to making a statement, I think it comes from deep tones rather than vibrant colour for 2023.
This allows us to forgo the feature wall look and plum for
layering neutrals over each other to create a moody, warm feel.
Recommend I recommend Parisian ink or Peppercorn from the Popular Colours Collection combined with golden vintage shades, or if you like a more edgy look then the inky tones in Salute from Pantone work beautifully.
Warm golds and ochres will certainly be featuring highly in 2023 colours like Sidecar from the Vogue Collection (a particular favourite of mine) and Spun Gold CP1249 have a warm aged feel to them that feels natural and right on trend.
The big splash in colourful interiors is really found in the combinations rather than a single colour dominating the scheme.
Still echoeing the natural hues, I’m loving the more dull greens and blues with earthy terracottas.
Energetic
Colours that are complimentary on the colour wheel, and used in equal measure, give a more youthful and energetic edge to your décor.
Try Kashmir CP1009 with Ling Heather CP0489 or Vogue’s Betsy 1920 Dark with Greige Green from the Popular colour card.
So what have the predictions shown us?
I would say this is more of a forecast than a fortune telling and it seems that the crystal ball is veering towards natural colours with depth rather than vibrancy.
Comfortable Sophiscation is the word (or words) on the street and I’m OK with that!
Green diningroom
Green bedroom
Fleetwood Vogue, Side Car
Sidecar sitting room
Ochre kitchen
Dark entrance
Ochre bedroom
Neutral bathroom
This year we see new trends emerge and a continuation of popular styles from 2022, says Colourtrend!
Painted ceilings. Known as the fifth wall, ceilings are now becoming popular to paint in a variety of colours.
From subtle neutrals to statement colours, painted ceilings will be a big trend for 2023.
We recommend warm neutral tones like Parson stone, for smaller areas. These warm hues can open up a room, making it appear brighter and more spacious.
Deeper shades can create a more intimate space in larger rooms, as they can lower the appearance of the ceiling. Earthy tones, such as Pine Marten, are perfect to create this cocooning feel.
neutral and Muted tones. While grey will never go out of fashion, there has been a surge in demands for neutral and warm colours as customers are shifting away from cooler greys and bright whites.
Milky and almond shades, such as artic Blonde and nude Bisque, can create a cosy feel and pair beautifully with a variety of colours.
Muted tones are also becoming increasingly popular. Soft pinks are the perfect way to create warmth and colour into your room. Softer hues, like unveiled, are ideal for living rooms and bedrooms.
colour drenching. Colour drenching will continue to be a popular interior design trend for 2023.
Colour Drenching is the concept of carrying the same shades throughout your space in as many ways as possible.
The use of furnishing and fabric can compliment your chosen colour, can help to enhance the whole look, and feel of your space.
Luxurious tones, such as dressage, can create a sense of sophistication and are the ultimate choice for those who wish to really make a statement.
Lighter shades, like esker ridge, are a popular choice for colour drenching and create a welcoming fresh atmosphere, ideal for hallways and landings.
BioPhilic design. Another trend carrying over from 2022 is biophilic design, bringing the outside in.
This concept incorporates the use of colour, natural lighting, and materials.
Popular colours to achieve his look include the stunning sky-blue larkspur and the subtle spring’s call.
Pair these colours with plants and wooden elements to create your very own indoor haven.
Best quality . At Colourtrend, we pride ourselves on using only the best quality ingredients to create our paint.
Our premium paint is created to apply smoother, last longer and withstand the wiping away of common household stains, making it the perfect paint for any home.
All our paints have low VOC’s, making it safer for you and the environment.
For more information on our colours, consultation services and Colourtrend Paint and Wallpaper stores please visit www.colourtrend.ie
Arctic Blonde
Salters Stone Springs Call
2023 – an exciting time in interior design - Colourtrend
Esker Ridge
Larkspur
Unveiled Dressage Pine Marten
The last few years have presented a number of challenges but in spite of these difficulties Dosco continues to be optimistic about the future.
They are focused on continuing to develop their core Brush and Paint accessories business while adding new ranges that fit with their market position.
In 2016 Dosco performed a major overhaul of their Domestic and paint brands.
This new imagery continues to dictate the look of their in shop displays which they are continuously improving in their customers’ stores.
Invested
In the past 18months Dosco have invested in two new ‘state-ofthe-art’ brush manufacturing machines.
One machine manufacturers their iconic outdoor brush range and the second most recent addition is for all the indoor household brooms.
In 2023 Dosco, and its sister company, I.S Varian, became sole distributors for Wonder Grip in Ireland.
Wonder Grip are a worldwide leading brand in Hand protection.
Worder Grip are redefining
hand protection through their 39 unique patented designs.
They have their own production facility allowing Wonder Grip control of each and every step of the production process.
Introduced
In a matter of weeks they have introduced over 30 stands with their customers – a clear indication of the quality and value of the product on offer.
In particular the Thermal glove, which is 100% waterproof, has been a big hit.
Wondergrip have a variety of display solutions on offer to suit every store.
All the displays are accompanied with an explanation sheet to guide consumers in choosing their correct protection solution.
Garden
Dosco are also continuing to grow in the Garden sector and two new ranges are proving popular.
Gardencraft launched in 2022 with beautiful eye-catching branding and instore displays.
Manufactured with a superior carbon steel finish, the initial sales have been very positive.
Dosco have already added to the range with the launch this year of an attractive 3 piece tool set.
Ethica flowerpots by Stefanplast are manufactured from 100% recycled plastic, are 100% recyclable and come in 3 colours and 4 different sizes of round pots and 2 sizes in the flower boxes.
They are available in an attractive FSDU of the 4 pot sizes or sold individually.
An Irish family owned business for nearly 140 years
While residential property prices recorded double digit growth last year the average rate of increase nationally is expected to stabilise to 2% this year according to a new survey of estate agents by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland.
Society of c hartered Surveyor S i reland
Although sales activity was reported to be brisk up to summertime last year, the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland Annual Residential Property Review & Outlook 2023 survey found there was a marked change in the second half of the year with SCSI members attributing the downward shift in activity and sentiment to economic uncertainty and rising interest rates.
Agents believe these two factors look set to dominate the market this year with prices expected to rise by just 1% in the first quarter and by another 1% over the course of 2023.
Case studies compiled as part of the survey show that new 3 bed semi-detached homes remain out of reach by tens of thousands of euro for first time buyers on average salaries in some parts of the country, specifically Wicklow and Kildare.
Annual Residential Property Review & Outlook 2023
John O’Sullivan, Chair of the SCSI’s Practice and Policy Committee said that schemes like ‘Help to Buy’ and ‘First Home Shared Equity’ are vital to the ongoing delivery of housing and in ensuring the viability of new home construction.
‘Residential values have increased exponentially in the past number of years with year-on-year house price inflation running at 10% nationally.
‘Increases of that magnitude are simply not sustainable and a return to a more
stable environment is welcome in terms of affordability.
‘However, the price inflation we have seen was also a response to higher construction costs and helped ensure some housing projects remained viable.
‘If values plateau or fall during a period of high construction inflation, many projects may stall or not commence and that is a real concern given the current housing crisis,’ he said.
The SCSI’s Annual Residential Review and
Outlook report – now in its 40th year – also found that increasing levels of buy-to-let properties are continuing to come on the market for sale.
On average 40% of residential sale instructions to agents in Q4 were landlords selling their investment property.
Mr O’Sullivan said the marked drop off in viewings activity in Q4 and the large proportion of rental properties coming on the market illustrate some of the complex challenges facing the property market at this time.
‘The report shows a significant decline in viewings and sales in Q4 2022 when compared with Q4 2021.
Increase
‘While forty-nine per-cent of agents reported an increase in sales and viewing activity in Q4 2021 – largely due to pent-up demand in the wake of covid – this fell to just 15% in Q4 2022.
‘Well-presented houses in good condition that are priced correctly are performing well when placed on the market for sale.
‘Agents say homebuyers are showing a growing preference for completed ‘A Rated’ homes rather than properties that require renovations / modernisation or those with poorer Building Energy Rating (BER) while high speed broadband is also a major plus.
‘Although the trend of second-hand buyto-let properties coming on the market was in evidence throughout 2022, it appears to have ramped up in the last quarter of the year.
‘While this may have helped to increase the number of properties available for sale –66% of agents reported low stock levels this year as opposed to 85% last year – the lack of supply remains the dominant issue in the market.
‘Of course, the trend of private landlords exiting the market has serious implications for the supply of rental properties.
Lowest
‘SCSI agents are reporting that the supply of available units to rent is at one of the lowest levels ever experienced and they don’t believe the situation is set to improve in the short term.
‘Almost 8 out of ten agents (78%) surveyed are of the view that individual buy-to-let second-hand rental units being sold at present will not be replaced in the rental market in the next two years,’ Mr O’Sullivan said.
The survey found the three primary reasons for occupied residential units coming back onto the market for sale include:
• The complex and restrictive nature of rent regulations
The main findings:
• SCSI members expect residential property prices to increase by an average of 2% in 2023
• While economic uncertainty, inflation and interest rate hikes have dampened down the market, affordability and viability remain key issues
• SCSI agents believe 40% of sales instructions in Q4 were landlords selling their investment property
• 8 out of 10 agents believe buy-to-let second hand rental units being sold now will not be replaced in the rental market in the next two years
• Case studies show new homes remain unaffordable for first time buyers in several counties – by up to €74,000 in Wicklow and by €27,000 in Kildare
• New homes are affordable to those on average incomes in Meath, Cork and Galway
• SCSI says housing output will have to increase by 8% per annum if Housing for All targets are to be hit by 2030
• Landlords finding compliance with rented housing standards too onerous
• Net rental returns too low
The survey also found that 59% of agents surveyed reported an increase of tenants overholding rented property in the past two years.
This is where tenants remain in a property after a valid notice of termination has expired and is indicative of the difficulties renters face when trying to find an alternative rental property.
SCSI new home affordability tracker
Case studies compiled for this year’s report,
show that while new 3 bed semi-detached homes remain affordable to first time buyer (FTB) couples on average incomes in Meath, Cork and Galway, they remain out of range by tens of thousands of euro for couples in Wicklow and Kildare.
The studies, which are for illustrative purposes, show Kildare and Wicklow are unaffordable for FTBs based on average house price by as much as €27,000 and €74,000 respectively.
Meath, Cork and Galway remain affordable to the average FTB couple with available purchasing power exceeding new homes prices by as much as €28,000, €8,000 and €21,000 respectively.
John O’Sullivan said that while it was important to note that Wicklow has the second highest house prices in the country after Dublin, the case study provides a good example of the relationship between demand and supply.
‘New house completions in Kildare are around 7,200 but in Wicklow that figure is almost half that, at 3,800.
‘So when you have low supply and high demand, prices are going to rise accordingly.’
Housing for All
Although new housing completions in 2022 are expected to be at their highest levels in approximately a decade – circa 25,000 - there is concern among SCSI agents that commencements and planning permission numbers are declining and that this will have a direct impact on the number of completions this year and possibly into 2024.
Some SCSI agents report in the survey that the cost of construction is a particular concern in relation to the supply of new homes with inflation and labour shortages contributing to higher costs.
The SCSI estimates that based on current new housing completion projections there will need to be an increase of almost 8% of new home output each year to 2030 to meet overall ‘Housing for All’ targets.
Need
According to this measure Ireland would need to be building 27,000 new homes this year, rising to 39,000 in five years’ time and over 45,000 by 2030.
‘The National Planning Framework review is due in Q1 2023 and any revision of the Housing Needs Demand Assessment may further impact these numbers to suggest more supply is needed to meet the demands of our growing population.’
The SCSI’s Annual Residential Property Review and Outlook Report 2023 is available at www.scsi.ie or on request.
The Pipelife way
You may think you know Pipelife but even then you may not have the complete picture of what we have to offer!
Pipelife is Ireland’s leading manufacturer and provider of plastic piping systems.
Specialising in the extrusion of polyethylene (PE) pipes, Pipelife offers industry leading products for the heating & plumbing, water pressure, electricity, cable ducting, gas and agricultural sectors.
With the acquisition of Cork Plastics back in 2021 this has allowed Pipelife to extend our product portfolio and market presence.
The Cork Plastic’s product ranges were very complementary to Pipelife Ireland’s existing product ranges, with the additional advantage of providing a very solid sales presence in underground sewage, above-ground soil products and Rainwater and Roofline.
Fifty years
Drawing on over fifty years of manufacturing experience from our production plant in Cork,
Pipelife has been to the forefront in developing innovative products and has been an industr y leader for many years.
Padjoe Barry, national sales manager, comments:
‘Our primary goal is to be a provider of industry-leading products and services to the building sector.
‘Pipelife recognises that modern systems require fully designed specifications that our customers can have confidence in.
‘As such, we are investing heavily in in-house design services, particularly, but by no means exclusively in the heating sector.
‘We will provide custom-designed systems to the building, with full-design indemnity insurance and full-life after-sales support services.
‘Our motto has been, “Our Reputation, your peace of mind”, and this goal remains the cornerstone of everything we do.’
Quality
Pipelife is the leading manufacturer of quality, certified, below ground drainage solutions covering sewer applications.
This includes pipework, fittings, access junctions and larger inspection chambers.
The Pipelife Universal Access Junction is quickly becoming the product of choice in the trade and amongst contractors due to its ease of installation and reliability – install it and walk away and importantly as a homeowner, its design prevents blockages.
Most importantly, all our underground sewer products meet the requirement of both the Irish Building Regulations and Irish Water’s Code of Practice and all products are
independently certified.
Pipelife, is also a name synonymous with high quality PVC-U roofline products for new build and home improvement projects, with its wide range of rainwater systems.
Our range of rainwater systems – Xtraflo, Niagara, Hi-Cap, Half Round, Square and MiniFlo offer a wide choice of profile design, both traditional and modern, in a range of colours to suit all tastes and applications.
The Pipelife reputation for technical excellence, competitively priced and quality finished products have established the company as a leading supplier of PVC-U plastic building products.
Range
We also offer a range of Fascia Boards for use in both new build work, total replacement or refurbishment by covering existing timber.
Our PVC-UE Cladding Systems are suitable for external use on buildings as a decorative and protective facing, fixed vertically, horizontally or diagonally over both brick, block, masonr y and timber framed walling.
Our Qual-Pex Plus+ Easy-Lay Pipe – another game changer from Pipelife.
Whether you are repairing a water pipe, installing an underfloor heating system, upgrading your heating or plumbing a system on a new house, Pipelife Ireland provides proven solutions that save you time, reduce costs, and have the versatility to overcome the most difficult situations.
Designed to complement our existing ranges of Qual-Pex Easy-Crimp and Tectite fittings, this pipe is also recommended for use with standard brass compression fittings, and manifolds, as well as with some specific press and push-fit fittings.
Available in Tan lengths and coils, in imperial sizes of ½” (14.7mm), ¾” (21.0mm), and 1” (27.4mm), and white metric sizes of 16mm, 20mm, 26mm & 32mm.
Plus comes with our market leading Fifty Year Guarantee, offering you more certainty to install with confidence.
Multiple package solutions design service
Our Renewables Division covers every aspect of underfloor heating and integrated renewables and deliver fully designed, energy efficient systems to a range of Installers, Developers, Builders, Engineers & Architects.
Whether you’re building a new house, adding an extension or renovating your home, we can help you find the right system for your project.
As Underfloor Heating is now the most common method of heating homes in Ireland today it is important to note that the most critical component of an underfloor heating system is the pipework that will be buried in the concrete floor of your home.
Once installed this pipework will be encased and inaccessible for the lifetime of your home.
Any problems associated with this pipework would entail the floor of your home being dug up causing massive disruption.
It is critical that all components used, but especially the pipework, are top quality and fully backed by reputable manufacturers.
Pipelife is the only supplier that manufactures its own specialised underfloor heating pipe in Ireland.
We offer our Guaranteed Irish Qual-Pex Plus+ ‘Easy-Lay’ Multilayer Pipe with a fifty-year guarantee!
Indemnity insurance
We provide full design indemnity insurance on all our heating solution systems so you can rest assured our system will deliver on what we promise, providing you with a home heating solution you can rely on for decades to come, safe in the knowledge we will always
be there to support you if the need ever arises.
The nationwide Pipelife Eco team of experienced design and technical service engineers always provides complete support to installers to ensure successful completion of Pipelife ECO projects.
Pipelife is a company with annual revenues of €1bn a year. We operate in twenty-eight countries and employ 3,000 employees in twenty-eight manufacturing locations.
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 is the best guarantee we can offer you that we will be there to support our products over the long lifetimes expected of those products.
For more information and to talk to our team call us on 021 488 4700 or e-mail us at ireland@ pipelife.com and check out our website www. pipelifeeco.ie
OHRA - we will rack you!
especially for builder’s merchants and timber trading stores, as a member of the Hardware Association Ireland (HAI).
Reliable partner
OHRA is one of the leading manufacturers of storage equipment in Europe with a broad range from which to choose, starting from small racking systems up to a full, automatic warehouse operation, including storage and retrieval machines and warehouse software.
Individual
For different individual requirements,
OHRA provides bespoke products for many applications, customized to the goods to be stored and to the available handling devices.
In accordance with these requirements, we plan, produce and install storage systems like cantilever racking for long goods, pallet racking for heavy loads or mezzanine floors for an ideal use of the existing storage space.
All racking systems are made of high-quality solid hot-rolled steel and are
available in high-quality powder coating or a hot-dipped galvanized finish for outdoor installation.
OHRA in Ireland
Since the beginning of the 90’s of the last century OHRA has provided additional services to Irish customers such as site visits, assembly by our Irish fitter teams, static calculations or drawings.
Since July 2021 Seamus Coyle is our sales manager for Ireland.
He is a professional in the storage business based in Ireland and can look back on many years of experience in the racking industry.
Seamus has completed many large and small projects for customers in the builder’s providers’ sector and has extensive knowledge of this market throughout Ireland.
Latest projects in Europe!
Well roofed solution: ALBIXON, one of the leading manufacturers of swimming pools and pool enclosures in Europe, has expanded its storage capacities with a covered cantilever racking system from OHRA.
Palletised aluminium profiles are stored here; the length of the pallets is 5 to 12 metres, the weight ranges from 500 to 1,200 kilograms.
The new racking system not only offers more space, but also reduces costs:
With OHRA, you can trust in 44 years of experience in warehouse technology and storage solutions.
Unnecessary material movements are avoided, the efficiency of warehouse transports increases and the risk of damage to the stored goods decreases.
Thanks to the weather protection, the costs for quality control are also reduced.
Due to the good overview of the stored goods, stocktaking is also much easier to carry out.
Alternative wall structure
Bati-Nature, the French carpentry / timber frame construction company / specialised in the construction of straw-insulated houses, has created new capacities for the storage of both wood-based materials and prefabricated wall elements with a special racking system from OHRA.
Here, two twenty-four-metre-long rows of single-sided cantilever racks form the walls of a hall-like construction.
Between them remains a space of about 6 metres width that can be travelled on, in which the timber frame walls are stored upright.
The cantilever columns support a roof that protects both the outward-facing storage levels formed by the cantilever arms from the weather and the floor storage zone between the racks.
OHRA needed only about one and a half weeks for the assembly of the specially adapted warehouse building.
Everything on track even with slopes
In a new OHRA rack clad building constructed from cantilever racks, customers of the building materials retailer BAUKING at the Lorup site can now find all timber goods centrally in one place.
Compared to the previous storage solution, the racking system also offers significantly more capacity, allowing BAUKING to stock a larger number of
different items.
One challenge in the project planning was slopes of 0.7 percent in two directions for drainage of the outdoor storage area.
To compensate for the slope, OHRA utilised a special roof construction:
The roof arms of the racks are not connected to each other, but a ‘gap’ of 10 centimetres remains between them.
It is concealed by a flexibly attached ridge cap. This not only keeps the interior dry, but also prevents tensions and vibrations from being transmitted between the runs of racking.
For further information, visit www.ohra.ie.
Hello, Good Buy!
As we stare straight ahead towards what is a peak time for our sector Liam Kelly has some sage advice as always. This time out he looks at purchasing, one of the essential parts of retail!
‘It goes without saying’ is one of those phrases which can really annoy people. This is understandable in one way in so far as it can be overused, and at times sound a little trite and pointless because the writer obviously goes on to say whatever did not need to be said anyway!
Reinforce
Nevertheless, those words do help to reinforce the blindingly obvious at times and can certainly act as a way of emphasising the importance of what is to follow.
Therefore I make no real excuses and I just offer that reasoning as an explanation for me saying that it really should go without saying that purchasing is without question one of the most important parts of retail.
I think this point can be lost at times amongst the cleverly needed marketing, effective merchandising and all the other parts of retailing that make up the whole concept of selling.
We take the products we sell for granted perhaps, without thinking that none of those other factors will work if you do not have product to sell to the customer – as obvious as that will sound to many.
It follows therefore that the skill of purchasing can be an underrated and unappreciated part of many a retail business, and
Decisions
By this time of the year a lot of the decisions will have been made and suppliers selected for the season, and much of the stock will
be on display and for sale apart from some of the more seasonal lines and tender plant stock.
So although all might be okay product-wise for now, as we build up to what is the busiest time of the year it can be quite easy to fall into panic mode of uncontrolled and unquantified buying by means of the scattergun approach of almost-randomly ticking the outer quantities on a supplier’s webshop window or order form based on what we think is needed rather than what we know we want, and this can lead to buying errors and a loss of revenue.
There are many aspects to purchasing but it is in-season buying that I will focus on here, as this is where most mistakes are made and opportunities lost.
I also won’t concentrate here at the who and the where or other aspects of the purchasing department – or methods – but will talk instead about aspects of how to buy.
Time and timing
Time and timing are two parts of good purchasing that require both discipline and knowledge.
Firstly, you need to allocate time to do the purchasing itself.
the gardening sector is no exception.
Again this is an obvious statement but in many businesses where there is no separate purchasing department – which is the case in many garden retailers – there is that rushed and panicked approach to getting orders done and as mentioned this leads to errors and mistakes. The task of purchasing should have a specific time allocated to it depending on what is being ordered and when it is needed.
For the last few years many retailers were buying and storing stock well in advance of when it was needed due to supply issues, and this is still the case with certain lines like garden furniture, barbecues and other goods.
But we have also – rightly – drifted back to Just-in-Time ordering where we just take in the products we require shortly before we need them and this is certainly true with perishable plant stock, and is a vital part of any garden centre’s success or failure.
Adequate
Those doing the buying need to give themselves adequate time and lack of distraction to do this job correctly.
A rushed glance at a bench of plants or a shelf of stock, followed by a hurried phone call or message sent to a supplier because ‘there is no time’ is a recipe for disaster and really comes down to poor time planning.
We will get to gathering information later but once that knowledge is gleaned then orders need to be placed in a calm environment of professionalism where the correct decisions can be made, and those orders placed in a disciplined fashion via the correct method.
Timing plays a part here too, as for the Just-in-Time concept to work you need to work out when the stock needs to arrive in order for you to have adequate quantities out for sale when you need them – but all of this can be achieved with proper planning and time allocation for the task, and by using dependable suppliers.
Important
Having the right information at hand is the other important part of the purchasing process, as without it you are relying too much on visual checks and ‘feelings’ and although both of these can play some part in the process the real answers as to what stock needs to be ordered lies in having an adequate sales reporting system.
Keeping in mind that we are still talking about the in-season stocking and restocking then a good EPOS system that can show stock movement reports is essential to any business.
By this means you can check stock on a
weekly, monthly, etc. basis regarding what has sold, what was delivered and what is currently on hand for any given supplier or category for that period.
It is only with this information you can see what you actually need to order.
Looks
Putting trust just in your eyes on what has sold from a shelf or bench leads to an alltoo-common issue of thinking you have enough stock because an area looks quite full and oftentimes the buyer only focusing on what hasn’t sold – whereas a stock report for those lines will tell you what has sold and needs to be reordered.
The mistake that many retailers make is assuming that all stock sells at the same rate, or that a customer will buy ‘the leftovers’ if more popular lines have sold out.
This is a huge blunder and can mean a reduced stock turn for that whole category or supplier, as the retailer is no longer stocking the lines which they could turn over multiple times in a given category and are just turning over all the stock once in a season.
This applies to almost every group of products in a store and it might be an interesting exercise to do.
Knowledge
Lastly and briefly, knowledge on the seasonality of the business is also crucial, that means knowing when to start or stop selling certain lines and that is hugely important in
such a time-of-year and weather dependent sector.
That knowledge is gained over time of course but much of it is also common sense.
I have only looked at a few aspects of purchasing here and in truth I could have gone on for quite a while more, but what I hope I have done is instilled the importance of thinking more about how you buy and how important it is that it is a planned exercise.
Thought, time, and acquired or sourced knowledge are needed in order to do be a truly effective buyer in any business.
So, whether or not it goes without saying, I’ve said it now regardless …
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
Green by design Floor
DS Supplies has partnered up with Multy Home to distribute their wide range of Canadian designed Home & Garden products manufactured from recycled car tyres and/or with recycled plastic Multy Home use recycled rubber from over 3 million car tyres,
Enhance
Using innovation in sustainable materials comes crafted Outdoor Living products to decorate and enhance your outdoor space.
Manufactured in Europe, the ranges include heavy duty door mats, plant pots and pavers, stepping stones, flexi garden edging and decking tiles.
To further appraise the collections, contact our office at 01 4011 666, alternatively email info@dsupplies.com dssupplies.com
dssupplies.com
NEW ToeGuard Wild WR Waterproof Safety Boots Product News
Part of the Snickers Workwear family, ToeGuard offers great safety boots and shoes made in a durable and classic design that have been developed to deliver ultimate performance and protection. while never compromising on safety.
Lightweight
ToeGuard Wild WR is a lightweight metal free safety boot that comes with a heat resistant, oil resistant and anti-slip rubber outsole.
It’s made with a PU coated leather and features a wide fit for optimal comfort, with PU reinforced toe area for extra durability.
In addition, this comfortable boot is designed with as few seams as possible in critical areas as well as a durable fabric in the collar area to offer a better fit.
Dry
It has an ESD function according to BS EN IEC 613404-3:2018 and a waterproof membrane to keep your feet dry.
The WILD WR range comes in a Low, Mid and High styles to suit all work environments.
representative today about becoming a Flogas retailer Call us on ROI: 041 214 9600 NI: 028 9073 2611
With the industry-wide push towards more sustainable and environmentally sensitive practices, the sealant and adhesive segment faces a unique challenge, owing to its reliance upon single-use plastic cartridges.
Landfill
Data taken from the UK shows that in excess of 2 million sealant and adhesives cartridges per week enter landfill in that market alone.
In the face of this challenge, Tec7 is working diligently to reduce overall waste, make savings on energy use throughout the supply chain by dramatically reducing packaging material –and drastically reduce the waste footprint of its product.
To facilitate these goals, Tec7 has turned to existing foil sausage technology, and optimised it into a simple system designed with the professional in mind.
The Tec7 Eco System
The Tec7 Eco System consists of a gun, nozzle and adapter, and Tec7 MS Polymer packaged in a 310ml foil sausage.
Foil sausages will be familiar to trade professionals but are traditionally associated with 600ml products designed for repetitive, high-volume applications.
These applications make use of bulky, heavy guns that are not suitable for detailed, precise work in tight spaces.
To remedy this, Tec7 have adopted the concept of the foil sausage and engineered a compact system focused on ease-of-use, workability and optimising the user-experience for the everyday professional.
The system comprises of three components: a high quality 18:1 thrust ratio gun, 310ml foil
sausages and a reusable nozzle and adapter package.
Using the system could not be easier – simply place the foil sausage into the gun, place the nozzle and adapter at the top, screw the top on the gun, and press the trigger until the click indicates the foil is pierced.
The innovative re-usable adapter piece ensures there is no fumbling with knives to manually pierce the sausage, and opening the product is as easy as a few clicks.
Towards a better future
The Eco-System 310ml foil sausage offers a phenomenal volume waste reduction, with a 97% smaller waste footprint than a standard 310ml cartridge, which in turn will translate to lower disposal costs for end-users.
The unbeatable quality of the product inside remains identical, however the foil pack enables the product to stay usable for longer, both before and after opening, while also enabling the product to be extruded more thoroughly, cutting down on product wastage.
The overall reduction in packaging material is also impressive. Before filling, 96,000 cartridges require a 53-foot truck for transport, while the foil needed for an equivalent number of sausages will fit on a single pallet!
Reduces
This greatly reduces transport demands throughout the supply-chain and reduces carbon emissions.
The new Tec7 Eco System will sit alongside the traditional cartridge, offering the professional an attractive option to Work More Sustainably.
Product
James Francis, product manager at ROCKWOOL® shares more about its latest range of products made using NyRock® technology and how the manufacturer is further innovating to support merchants.
An innovation in stone
What is NyRock?
‘ROCKWOOL insulation is made using diabase rock that’s naturally produced by the earth’s crust.
We melt down this rock then spin it on machinery to form a fleece that’s then made into a variety of sizes and densities for insulation.
With NyRock technology – pronounced ‘new’ – we’ve built on our production processes by, amongst other things, adding new spinners, to make a more efficient fibre structure that’s denser and traps more air.
This extra air helps slow the transfer of heat further and means we’ve made a range of insulation with greater thermal performance.
In fact, our new range is the most thermally efficient stone wool insulation available currently in Ireland.’
What products are in the NyRock range?
‘We have two new products that we’re adding to the ROCKWOOL Trade Range:
Thermal Insulation Cavity Slab 32 and Thermal Frame Slab 32.
ROCKWOOL Thermal Insulation Cavity Slab 32 is for masonry cavities and can be used in both full fill and partial fill applications.
The second product is Thermal Frame Slab 32 that can be used in external timber applications, including with a brick outer and with or without a service void.’
Why 32?
‘32 refers to the lambda rating of these products and is measured in Watts per Metre Kelvin (W/mK).
Both Thermal Insulation Cavity Slab 32 and Thermal
Frame Slab 32 have a 032 W/ mK lambda rating.
Lambda, represented by the symbol ‘λ’, is a measure of thermal conductivity – how easily heat passes through a specific material.
With insulation, you want a material with low thermal conductivity, so a lower lambda value is better.’
What are the benefits for builders and why should they try the new range?
‘There are huge benefits to stone wool but until now, levels of thermal performance weren’t quite on a par with other popular insulation types – such as glass wool for example.
With these new products, installers can get a new level of thermal performance for stone wool, with all the added benefits that will really appeal
to customers and of course, easy fitting.
ROCKWOOL stone wool insulation is built for the long term with independent research showing it remains effective for the life of the building and as our slabs have a high density semi rigid composition, will not slump or sag in the cavity.
Stone wool is also able to withstand temperatures in excess of 1000°C and achieves the highest Euroclass A1 non-combustible reaction to fire classification.
Its fibre orientation and increased density also helps to trap sound waves and dampen vibrations, significantly reducing outside noise when used in an external wall.’
For more information on NyRock, visit: https://rockwool.link/hhi32
Product News
Garden home renovation can be a great way to create a more beautiful outdoor space.
There are plenty of opportunities to transform your garden into something more inspiring and inviting and the possibilities are endless when it comes to renovating your garden!
Composite products have been designed to provide the highest level of value at the most competitive price.
The boards have a durable construction and are available in both wood grain and flat surfaces (reversible).
Composite products are becoming increasingly popular among architects and designers, with the trend gaining traction this year creating unique and practical solutions for a variety of projects.
These products are easy to use, making them simple and straightforward to install for anyone.
Composite decking
When you are looking to create a stunning outdoor space, composite decking is the perfect solution.
Composite decking is low maintenance, making it a great choice for any homeowner looking to create an outdoor area that will stand up to the elements and last for years to come.
It is also attractive, available in a variety of colours / styles, and is easy to install.
Additionally, our composite products contain 90% recycled materials, reducing the burden on landfills and helping to
Ireland’s leading distributor of composite decking and cladding products
reduce overall waste.
Whiteriver Group were one of the first companies to introduce composite decking to the commercial and residential market in Ireland and stock a wide range of products in their ‘Portland’ and ‘Ultrashield’ ranges.
They have recently launched a range of composite cladding which Co-CEO and head of sales, Iain Wogan says has been well received to date and have a wide variety of applications.
Composite cladding
Cladding is the perfect choice for gardening projects such as covering block work on garden walls, screening off unsightly oil tanks, covering tired gates or giving timber sheds or gazebos a low maintenance upgrade.
The material can also be used for single story applications such as garden pods or simply creating a feature wall or porch entrance that will be the envy
of the neighbourhood. Cladding not only protects surfaces from the elements, but also improves their aesthetic appeal.
From decking to fencing and from cladding to panelling, composite products have something for every garden or home improvement project.
Their superior durability, low-maintenance and longterm performance mean that you will not have to pay for regular repairs or replacements
and can enjoy your outdoor space for years to come.
With a range of stylish colours and textures also available, there is something of everyone’s tastes. Invest in a composite product and give your garden the attention it deserves!
Whiteriver composite products are available from most leading hardware stores in Ireland.
For further information visit www.wrg.ie
As usual Jeff Haden rounds things off for us with some positive inspiration.
This time out he explains…
Why emotionally intelligent people always follow the ‘bad news first’ rule, backed by science
Even though research shows most of us tend to start with sharing the good news first.
Irecently asked LinkedIn followers two questions:
• ‘If someone has good news and bad news, do you want to hear the good news first or the bad?’
• ‘If you have good news and bad news to share, do you tend to start with the good news or the bad?’
Oddly enough, most people said they want to hear the bad news first – even though most people say they tend to share the good news first.
Or maybe not so oddly.
A 2013 study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that most people prefer to share the good news first, a news-order delivery approach the researchers call ‘priming emotion-protection’.
(Or in non-researcher-speak, ‘This will probably go badly, so I’d better ease into it.’
On the flip side, the same study found that people who receive good and bad news want to hear the bad news first.
Intuitive
That news-order receipt approach also makes intuitive sense. Much in the same way feedback sandwiches fail miserably, if only because the recipient feels manipulated, starting with the good news increases the worry factor.
If I know bad news is coming, I’m unlikely to pay much attention to – or even care about – the good news.
Which often isn’t particularly ‘good’ anyway.
The Emotional Intelligence Factor
As Inc. colleague Justin Bariso writes, emotional intelligence means making your emotions work for you, not against you.
If you have bad news to share, it’s natural to seek to protect yourself from how other people may react and easing into things can feel a little safer.
But hopefully the goal of delivering bad news is to create some sort of change.
To alert others about a potential issue. To solve a problem.
To change a plan or direction. Unless you’re just mean, delivering bad news starts some sort of process.
Patterns
As the researchers write, ‘Perspective-taking ... shifts news-givers’ delivery patterns to the
Do
what
great leaders do and put other people’s needs first
❜
preferred order of news-recipients.’
So take a moment to put yourself in the other person’s shoes.
Remember, most people want to hear the bad news first.
If you have good and bad news to share, think about what is most beneficial to the other person.
Take that approach, and you’ll put their needs first and lead with the bad news.
The Problem-Solving Factor
There’s another reason to always start with the bad news. Imagine your business makes electric bikes.
The head of your purchasing department walks into your office.
‘We have a problem,’ she says. ‘Our supplier can’t deliver control units for at least a month, which means the majority of our current orders will ship at least five weeks late.’
That’s definitely bad news. But at least it’s out of the way, and she – and therefore you – can immediately shift to problem-solving.
The good news?
• She’s already alerted customer ser vice and they’re working on a plan.
• She’s alerted sales, and they’re already working on revising your website, and shifting your advertising mix from direct response to brand awareness.
• She’s also trying to source components from other suppliers.
That’s good news. She could have delivered it first, and maybe you would have gotten to the same place.
But probably not as quickly, since your focus would have been less on solutions and more on waiting for the other shoe to drop.
The next time you’re tempted to lead with the good news, do what great leaders do and put other people’s needs first.
Appreciate
Not only will they appreciate that approach, but the eventual outcome is likely to be better, too.
By Jeff Haden, contributing editor, inc.@ jeff_haden
WINTER DECORATING ZINSSER’S ALL OVER IT.
Zinsser AllCoat Exterior is the perfect solution to outdoor decorating this winter.
The ultimate companion for completing jobs in the cooler months, the solvent-based paint is mould and weather-resistant, with excellent colour retention and resistance to cracking and blistering for up to 15 years.
Offering supreme protection to wood, metal, masonry, plastic and concrete, the low-maintenance, water-shedding coating is recoatable in 3 hours and applicable in temperatures as low as 5°C.
Don’t get snowed under this winter, stock Zinsser AllCoat Exterior today. Available in both satin and gloss finishes.
For further information on Zinsser’s range and services, visit www.zinsseruk.com
