16 BHETA..qxp_23 27/03/2020 12:30 Page 1
BHETA meets with The Met TK Maxx finds deals BHETA’s most recent Meet the Buyer retail networking day with housewares stockists TK Maxx and Homesense (part of the TK Maxx Group) was described as “a great success” by Seema Grantham, BHETA’s housewares sector manager. The event saw a total of 47 appointments between buyers and suppliers. TK Maxx buyers from the kitchenware, dining & tabletop, cookshop, utility, laundry & cleaning and bathroom accessories categories all attended, with a view to finding ‘great deals to start the year’. Product ideas were presented from across the buying categories, including picnic, BBQ and barware, reusable and recyclable and small electrical products, as well as food preparation, cooking and serving, laundry, cleaning, storage and also bathroom.
The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) responsible knife retailing steering group met with the Metropolitan Police Business Care Hub Inset: The OWA in early March. The group discussed the forthcoming addresses age verified Offensive Weapons Act (OWA) legislation – now delivery of knives. expected in the summer – as well as proactive police and trading standards initiatives that relate to the legitimate retail of knives and other bladed items. The Metropolitan Police updated the round table forum on the relevant statistics and political emphasis, including its own new initiatives to record and analyse data on seized weapons with a view to advising on home and work storage of knives in circulation as well as new products. The Met also supplied an outline of its guidance initiative aimed at SME retail regarding kitchen knives and welcomed feedback from suppliers and larger retailers at the forum on how this might be improved prior to wider roll out to retail in general, to parents and the general public. The forum also touched on the potential for testing round-ended kitchen knives for the mass market from the perspective of suppliers and retailers. From a technical viewpoint, Tony Allen ceo of the Age Check Certification Scheme and co-chair of the Government Panel for Age Verification gave an overview of current age verification methods and how they will evolve. He offered practical suggestions regarding retail procedures, packaging and barcodes, and talked about practical elements of lobbying. BHETA’s marketing manager, Steve Richardson welcomed the collaborative approach towards developing best practices and updated all parties on its lobbying regarding the multiple confusions in the initial OWA draft, liaison with Trading Standards and BHETA’s liaison with the Wine & Spirit Trade Associations (WSTA) to develop its Challenge 25 retail POS and packaging initiative for bladed items. There is now a suite of officially sanctioned Challenge 25 artwork for suppliers, retailers and delivery companies involved in the legitimate supply of age-restricted bladed items such as kitchen knives and DIY and garden tools – all available through the BHETA member services team. BHETA’s chief operating officer, Will Jones, chaired the meeting and reports: “This was a hugely positive event involving the best-informed opinion on the current situation regarding the legitimate purchase of bladed items through all retail channels.” He added: “We achieved some great consensus on a number of positive ways forward, and BHETA alongside the other parties will be following up keenly.” BHETA’s consultative steering group on bladed items includes John Lewis, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Dunelm, Steamer Trading, T K Maxx, Elys of Wimbledon, Harts of Stur, Taylor’s Eye Witness, Amefa, Fiskars, Meyer Group, Haus, Burton McCall, Kuhn Rikon, The Rayware Group and Robert Welch Designs. BHETA has been working with Scotland Yard since summer 2019.
Below: Wayfair’s Joe Bill speaking to BHETA members.
Wayfair shares expansion plans Above: The BHETA/Bira Pavilion at Spring Fair featured 5Five and Secret de Gourmet brands, which are being introduced to the UK market by David Eggison (pictured).
BHETA/Bira Pavilion success The first BHETA/Bira Pavilion at the recent Spring Fair (Birmingham NEC) proved successful in catering for innovative smaller brands and start-ups in the housewares sector. Companies benefited from shell scheme space at very special rates within the pavilion area, which also incorporated the trade associations’ stand. There was steady stream of Bira’s Cookshop and Housewares members using the associations’ hospitality area. The location between Halls 8 and 10 also delivered great footfall for the Pavilion’s exhibitors.
BHETA’s recent retailer networking forum provided a fascinating glimpse into online retailer Wayfair’s category expansion in the UK. It also provided insights into the retailer’s focus on sustainability in housewares buying trends, product development and packaging. The event featured an informative and inspirational presentation from Wayfair’s associate director Joseph (Joe) Bill. He outlined the company’s significant growth to its current position as premier online home retailer in the UK, and its planned expansion into DIY / garden categories, alongside its successful housewares and small domestic appliance offering. Joe outlined the key criteria for becoming and succeeding as a Wayfair supplier and the process for new or existing partnerships. The Wayfair team circulated with delegates and supplied contact details for relationship development. Phil Pond of trend forecaster Scarlet Opus provided another stimulating presentation at the BHETA forum. Phil’s presentation covered sustainability, eco-friendly goods and the advances in technology that are leading to manufacturing innovation, material recovery and product design. He also explored the implications for suppliers of increasing consumer frustration at the business world’s perceived slowness to own the challenge of sustainability. Quoting Mark Carney – who stated that “firms ignoring climate change will go bankrupt” – Phil looked at the commercial potential of alternative (but commercially available) materials for product and packaging manufacture. Other speakers included Dachser’s business development manager, Carolyn Hough who focussed on the potential logistics implications of the UK’s exit from the EU. *BHETA postponed its March Housewares Forum with Leekes to later in the year. While BHETA offices are temporarily closed, the member services team can be reached on 07946 078566. PROGRESSIVE
16
HOUSEWARES