5-7-9-10-11-13-15PH NEWS.qxp_5/7/8-9/13/15/16-17/19/20 30/05/2017 11:28 Page 7
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NEWS IN BRIEF l Le Creuset has launched a new brand campaign to support its leading Toughened Non-Stick cookware range, which features a no-compromise, 90 day Money Back Brand Promise. The campaign is supported by a striking, in store PoS programme. Stockists can find out more at Exclusively Housewares. l Visitors to Tendence (June 24-27) can experience the show’s Concept Store exhibition which will focus on a charismatic alternative to online shopping, explains Messe Frankfurt. Twice a day, guided tours of the contrasting fields of Cool Materials and Mix of Fun will explain ways in which retailers can set up their own concept stores. l Waitrose launched its first official Supper Club at its new store in Haywards Heath on selected dates during April and May, where customers were able to have a restaurant quality meal created by chefs from its three Cookery Schools. l According to the latest monthly CBI Distributive Trades Survey, retail sales growth increased in the year to April, with volumes rising faster than expected. However, volumes growth is expected to slow in the year to May. l Research by Mondaysavingsexperts.com suggests that John Lewis cannot claim to be a champion of pricess, despite its ‘never knowingly undersold’ promise. Its investigation found the retailer had not reduced prices on a range of goods sold for less elsewhere.
TOP STORY
Potters Cookshop expands
Below: Bake Off’s Candice in the Potters’ demonstration kitchen, which now features the shop’s name in carnival style lights.
The newly expanded Potters Cookshop, Hockley, relaunched with a whole week of celebratory activity. The week culminated on Easter Saturday with “an incredible turnout” for demonstrations in Potter’s kitchen by Candice Brown, winner of The Great British Bake Off 2016. The Cookshop (adjacent to Potters’ original hardware and DIY shop) has six extra windows, bringing its total to 14, facing out to a busy roundabout. “We’ve gained just under half our previous space but it looks a look a lot bigger,” notes director, Tom Carter, adding, “It looks sensational.” The expansion has resulted in a huge investment in new stock, equating to 35 palettes, says Tom. He explains: “We have increased our cookware bays from three to nine, and bakeware from two to five bays. We also have more glassware and more of a focus on giftware, particularly impulse purchases.” Tom highlights booming sales of Katie Alice and V&A brands from Creative Tops. The shop has increased its cutlery offering, stocking Arthur Price, Viners from The Rayware Group and Judge from Horwood. New fixtures include Kuhn Rikon, Joseph Joseph, Jamie Oliver, a second Paul Hollywood stand, Jeremy Pang’s School of Wok, Mason Cash and Denby. Many have built in screens to show products in action, while the Cookshop now has a TV license and large TV installed, running all day, “playing episodes of Bake Off, MasterChef, Saturday Kitchen and so on,” Tom reports. The shop also has coffee machines set up for customers to try. The launch week featured demonstrations by Jeremy Pang from The School of Wok (with his range from Dexam) as well as Denby (also running a “competition to guess how many mugs hold up a bus”) and Sage, with coffee and hot chocolate to taste. On Friday, Potters’ own Alison Hobbs entertained the crowds demonstrating how to make roses and crocus decorations using Nifty Nozzles. On Saturday, Bake Off star Candice spent four hours in the shop, making her pistachio biscuits and banoffee pie recipe. The baker also presented a prize to the winner of a children’s baking competition. “Candice was lovely – very down to earth and she loves the shop,” says Tom, With offers and competitions running throughout the week, Tom reports: “We had Christmas takings, and it is continuing to be good.” Potters is also re-launching its website and will host a demonstration by Ken Hom on June 16.
Housing Units’ teddy donations To tie in with the company's 70th anniversary celebrations, Housing Units’ ceo Nick Fox recently personally delivered 70 Norman the Doorman teddy bears to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital’s Ward 84.(Norman is the much loved mascot of the home furnishings store which is based in Failsworth). Currently sold within the store and online, a proportion of every Norman the Doorman teddy bear sale is donated to children’s cancer research charity Kidscan. Housing Units’ successful partnership with Kidscan has resulted in the store raising £23,000 over the two-year period since the partnership began in April 2015. The teddy bear presentation was inspired by Kidscan’s close connection to the children of Ward 84. The charity has a long standing relationship with the ward of Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, with Kidscan patient ambassador Gracie McCall having been treated there before she recently passed away following a three year battle with a rare cancerous brain tumour. “Supporting Kidscan’s vital work is something we’re very proud of here at Housing Units," stated Nick. "Helping to ensure Kidscan can continue with its ground breaking research means we’re one step closer to a world where every child is given their best chance to not only survive but thrive too. Surprising the brave and inspirational children of Ward 84 with our Norman the Doorman teddy bears was a touching experience I’ll never forget.”
Sunita’s tidy sink British mum turned inventor, Sunita Gill has launched the Pavara Sink Tidy, having created the product out of frustration. She reflects that: “There was nothing on the market to store the things that we use most frequently in the kitchen, such as washing up liquid, hand soap and sponges. This was not only potentially unhygienic, but also didn’t fit with the aesthetic that I had spent so long trying to achieve for my kitchen.” Sunita’s glossy sink tidy conceals washing-up products when not in use, and has a drainage system for wet sponges to remove excess water and prevent limescale, as well as germ, build up. Sunita admits:”When I began my journey four years ago, I wasn’t looking to start a business. I was simply trying to find a solution to a problem. With the help of Virgin start-up, I am thrilled to have brought my product to market.” She is also proud to be supporting WaterAid through its ‘Work for Good’ initiative. Above: The Pavara Sink Tidy.
Above: Housing Unit's Nick Fox at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.
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