Progressive Housewares November December 2015

November/December 2015

MAKING EVERY BREAKFAST EXTRAORDINARY

For all trade enquiries please contact sales@dualit.com | +44 (0)1293 652500

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Prestige brings innovation to the kitchen.

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A range that’s growing in strength and bringing excitement to the kitchen. From toasters to coffee makers, innovative food preparation to healthy smoothie makers, we bring something new to the kitchen.

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www.max-publishing.co.uk Dualit’s new kettle and toaster collection, Studio by Dualit™ marks the company’s first breakfast range where prices start under £50.00. The range is perfect for customers who are looking for stylish, modern designs and innovative technology at an affordable price. The kettle features patented Sure Pour™, which due to its low pouring angle combined with a non-drip spout, easy-grip, sturdy handle and lightweight construction makes it ideal for anyone looking for a kettle that is easy to handle. The toaster features Dualit’s trademark skilled engineering, practical features and has had to pass the famous ‘Crunch Test’ to ensure the toast it makes is crunchy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside!

Studio by Dualit™ is available from January 2016. Read more and watch the videos here www.dualit.com/studio

Max Publishing Ltd, United House North Road, London N7 9DP T: 020 7700 6740 F: 020 7607 6411 www.progressivehousewares.co.uk Subscription £50 per year for the UK, £75 for overseas Subscribe online, or email mike@marketingreinforcements.co.uk or call: Marketing Reinforcements on 020 8943 9541 (9am-5pm).

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in Progressive Housewares, the publisher cannot accept any responsibility for errors or omissions.

15 in house Jo Howard Editor joh@max-publishing.co.uk Warren Lomax Publishing director warren@max-publishing.co.uk Jakki Brown Editor-in-chief jw@max-publishing.co.uk Emma Cain Product page editor emmac@max-publishing.co.uk Patrick Wade Advertisement director mediap@aol.com

Editor’s comment Roasting tins, basters and thermometers, steam pudding tins, festive napkins and table pieces are now (I hope) flying off the shelves of housewares stockists in preparation for the one day of the year when the vast majority of the UK population sits down to share a very special meal!

John Lewis’ Christmas 2015 advertisement has hopefully lead - not merely to sell-outs of telescopes but to some extra place settings around the Christmas dinner table for older neighbours, friends and relatives that might otherwise have been on their own. The ‘Man on the Moon’ ad highlights the loneliness that is so often a part of old age (and has boosted volunteer numbers, awareness and giving for Age UK). However, the wider picture of our aging population is, of course, a very diverse one. Besides recognising the social problems that can be associated with ageing, we all need to recognise the vibrancy and dynamism of our older population, and the challenges and opportunities for our industry.

According to the latest figures from Age UK, there are now more people in the UK aged 60 and above than there are under 18, and the number of people aged 65 and over is projected to rise by over 40% in the next 17 years to over 16 million. Waitrose’s recently published Food & Drink Report 2015 includes feedback from a focus group of retired people, who talked about their love of experimenting with cooking in the kitchen. The report notes that this age bracket would have grown up in an era that lacked the abundance of food we are familiar with today – and are ‘making up for lost time.’ With more time to experiment, Above: PH’s J (when retired and/or with children now grown-up) Below: The public ‘two-thirds of over-55s claim to be more adventurous in the kitchen than their parents were’ and ‘food is exciting where it was once functional.”

Moreover, Clare Gough, Waitrose’s head of customer insight, states: “Old is the new young.”

Meanwhile, the head chef at one of Waitrose’s Above: PH’s Jo Howard with Tilak Patel, operations manager for Cookery Schools notes an influx of retired men to its Lords (the gia UK and Excellence in Housewares Awards winner), courses, keen to develop their culinary skills in the kitchen outside the retailer’s recently rebranded shop in Hampstead (see pages 24-25). (see News). No doubt, the increasing numbers of Left and below: Stars in their eyes – Selfridges’ Christmas 2015 windows depict the star signs of independent cookshops the Zodiac, with the inclusion of some that are offering their glamorous tableware in its Taurus window (pictured). Meanwhile, Bentalls is one of many own cookery courses and stores embracing Star Wars fever among its demonstration events will Christmas displays (see picture below). be embracing this sector of the population with its offerings too.

Of course, there is also an abundance of kitchen gadgetry to help this enthusiastic retired age group. In our Market Focus feature on ‘DIY’ food and drink, Kitchen Craft’s Claire Budgen highlights that “empty nesters” are one of the key groups who are making homemade sausages, meatballs and the like. Claire also points out that making foods like this is a popular activity with children. Again, this includes the older population – Age UK estimates that there are now 14 million grandparents in the UK. On the other hand, for the ‘middle aged’ sector of the population dubbed ‘the sandwich generation’ – as they are juggling caring for younger children and older parents – there is an increasing amount of housewares that saves us time. There are a few examples in our Food for Thought (pages 20-21) and our Progressive Electrical pages (pages 26-33).

Coffee makers (to be featured in our January/February issue) and personal blenders seem to be top of many consumers’ Christmas wish lists, as well as the super-selling spiralizer (see News). Meanwhile, licensed housewares ‘hits’ this Christmas will no doubt include Star Wars homewares (such as mugs, tins and coasters from Half Moon Bay) in light of the film’s debut (see Bentalls image).

From all of us at Progressive Housewares, have a very Happy Christmas and a healthy, peaceful and prosperous New Year.

Mark Grayson Creative director markg@max-publishing.co.uk

Progressive Housewares

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5 Contents Nov/Dec 2015_New 3 08/12/2015 14:54 Page 1

INHOUSE

In this issue Editor

joh@max-publishing.co.uk

7-17

News

18

BHETA

19

CHA

20-21

Food for thought In what ways is new housewares technology changing our lifestyles?

23

Tamsin Douglass’ From the frontline Shop manager, Tamsin talks about her Christmas customs at The Cookware Company.

24 – 25

Retailer focus: Lords Brand evolution for the gia UK winner and Excellence in Retailer Initiative Winner.

26-33

Progressive Electricals Dedicated pages for kitchen small electricals including trends and influences on the growing market for small electrical food preparation and cooking, plus kettles and toasters.

Publishing director

warren@max-publishing.co.uk

PAGES

26-29

Editor in chief

jw@max-publishing.co.uk

Product page editor

emmac@max-publishing.co.uk

35-36

Top Drawer Spring Preview Some highlights of the forthcoming Home section of the January show.

37

Tony’s take In the aftermath of Black Friday sales, Tony considers trans-Atlantic cultural exchanges.

38-41

Market focus: DIY food and drink Why buy it packaged, when you can create it at home?

Advertisement director

mediap@aol.com

Mark Grayson Creative director

markg@max-publishing.co.uk

PAGES

35-36 42-43

What’s Cooking in Design classics?

Four retailers talk about their bestsellers in the theme.

44-45

Product focus: Design classics

46- 47

New products

PAGES

20-21 Progressive Housewares

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News

BLACK FRIDAY NEWS IN BRIEF l Black Friday 2015 surpassed all expectations for

Amazon.co.uk, with the etailer selling around 86 items per second. By 9.10pm on November 27, Black Friday 2015 had already become Amazon.co.uk’s biggest day ever with more than 5.5 million items ordered. Throughout the Black Friday Deals Week, the website offered thousands of ‘Lightning Deals’. l Argos was criticised on social media by

customers experiencing long delays for their deliveries after Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Argos’ ‘Less than half price’ kitchen electricals included the Nutri Ninja blender, Tassimo and Dyson. l At least 15 retail websites suffered some form of

loss of service on Black Friday, including Argos, John Lewis and Tesco, according to web monitoring firm Traffic Defender. l Asda (which started Black Friday promotions in the UK in 2013) was among the stores that abstained from Black Friday discounts this year. l According to analysis by social media

management and monitoring firm SocialSignIn, Black Friday had twice as many men talking about the shopping event on social media as women in 2015. l Shop prices fell at record rates in November as

retailers engaged in heavy promotional activity in the build-up to Black Friday. Data from the British Retail Consortium and Nielsen said prices in UK stores slipped 2.1% in November (the 31st consecutive month that the BRC’s Shop Price Index has reported falling prices.) Non-food prices, including electricals, fell at the quickest rate (3.3% year on year).

Inset: T&G is noticing the popularity for homemade gifts, with soaring sales of its gift crates

A homemade Christmas Food and drink making kits are among this Christmas’ bestsellers at Lawsons, Devon, including Cider Making kits from Victor’s Drinks, Big Cheese making kits, Spice Tech’s Bacon and Salmon Curing and Sausage Making kits. Other hits include spiralizers, and ultimate pick-up lines, the Pizza Bicycle from Eddingtons, and NJ Products’ Christmas toilet paper and tissues!

The retailer also reports strong sales of Waffle Makers and Popcorn Makers from JM Posner, along with waffle mix and self-sourced popcorn kernels, as notes, Liz Lawson: “People like to buy a package.”

TOP STORY

Black Friday soars online Put off by the memory of riots as shoppers rushed to grab in-store bargains in 2014, consumers appeared more likely to shop from their beds and sofas during this year’s Black Friday (November 27). Visa reported that online spending on Black Friday soared 25%, while store sales were slightly down. According to figures from IMRG and Experian, shoppers spent £3.3bn online over the four-day Black Friday weekend. Footfall to physical shops across the Black Above: Lakeland was among the housewares retailers that offered hot Black Friday deals (see linked story and NIBs).

Friday weekend reportedly fell 9.6% (according to figures in Retail Week).

At GfK, Michael McLauglin reports on the impact of Black Friday on sales of consumer durables, including small electricals:“Online sales outperformed the total market sales with growth of +21% in both value and volume year on year.” He elaborated:“With 33% of value and 27% volume going through online, internet sales made up a whopping 75% of the overall value increase for this Black Friday.” However, Michael also confirms that Black Friday was the biggest sales week of 2015 to date across channels, performing +62% better than the previous highest value week. He reflects:“This year saw retailers taking differing approaches to Black Friday; some didn’t participate, some promoted early and for longer, and some marketed without actually using the words “Black Friday”. Despite the differing approaches, consumers responded and based on the GfK Point of Sales Tracking weekly data, this Black Friday has been the biggest yet for consumer durables.” Kitchen Small Domestic Appliances (SDAs) were among the star performers, with the electrical food preparation up 35% in sales for the week, according to GfK. However, Michael also reports that:“Many consumers consciously delayed making purchases in anticipation of the Black Friday deals, with sales for the week prior to Black Friday down -7% in value and -6% in volume. This decline in volume was not seen in the week before Black Friday 2014.” (See ‘The late festive kick-off’ page 8, retailer comments and linked stories).

Electrical bargains and more

Lakeland wooed Black Friday shoppers with up to 70% off leading SDA brands and own brand electricals – deals included £100 off a Vita Juicer.

John Lewis provided 100s of SDA offers across electricals (including £250 savings on a Kenwood Chef and £450 on Jura coffee machines).

Debenhams offered ‘up to half price’ deals on brands such as Krups and Morphy Richards and store windows promoted ‘Half Price Cookware and Electricals’.

Above: Debenhams’ Black Friday window.

Of course, SDAs were far from the only bargains to be had, with, for example, House of Fraser’s offers of up to 60% off kitchenware. Meanwhile, Steamer Trading’s Black Friday deals included Sabatier, Robert Welch, Zwilling and Yaxell knives, Joseph Joseph, Masterclass, Dartington and Le Creuset, as well as KitchenAid and Vitamix, with up to 50% off Global knives on Cyber Monday. Independent cookshop, Art of Living offered up to 70% off some leading brands on its site for Black Friday.

Indie Black Friday in Lichfield

A collection of independent shops in Lichfield, including The Kitchen Shop, joined together to advertise their participation in Black Friday via social media and local advertising. Despite misgivings over the effect of Black Friday generally (see ‘Late festive kick-off’) director at The Kitchen Shop, Vicky Woolston thinks that independents “need to be seen to take part, but shouldn’t risk cutting margins.”

She highlights: “Suppliers are offering decent deals for independents only,” although Kitchen Shop will only buy “the quality products we would usually stock.” Vicky reports that Black Friday was “a decent day” for her shop, and was part of a “good week,” although shoppers did not necessarily snap up bargains. Vicky states: “They came in and bought what they wanted, not deals!” She adds that consumers “don't realise they can often get a good deal in independents all year round, including before Christmas!” .

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TOP STORY

The late festive kick-off

Above: Bestselling Christmas gift – Wrendale mug from Portmeirion. Portmeirion Group has praised the contribution of its Royal Worcester’s Wrendale Designs collection to its strong half-year results. Wrendale features the work of artist, Hannah Dale and is now sold in over 700 retail outlets across the UK.

A destination for early shoppers At La Cookshop, Blagdon (part of a collection of independents on the Blagdon Estate in Northumberland), owner Keith Crowther states that sales picked up from late October, and were subsequently up in November, with new products working well. Keith admits that in contrast to his former shop in Durham,“People start Christmas shopping earlier here, and are coming in knowing exactly what they want, but I expect it will tail off nearer to Christmas.” He reflects that Black Friday did not affect the shop.

With cookware sales up on last year, La Cookshop’s bestsellers include Stellar 5000 (Horwoods) and Commichef cast aluminium promotions in casseroles and roasters from Grunwerg. Hot gifts include Royal Worcester Wrendale mugs from Portmeirion, and Wrendale calendars (selling between July to September), along with Wrendale’s greeting cards and Christmas cards. Keith plans to diversify into framed Wrendale prints in 2016.

Below: Decorations from Coach House helped boost Abraxas’ early Christmas trade.

Cookshops and housewares retailers are increasingly resigned to the later start to consumers’ festive buying, acknowledging that Black Friday is now a widespread marker to kickstart Christmas shopping. At Lawsons’ three home stores in Devon, md Liz Lawson reported that trade was “picking up” in the first few days of December, following a November that was “slightly down.”

(Lawsons had Christmas offers during the last week of November, but did not call them Black Friday deals this year.) Liz reflects: “Christmas shopping used to start in mid November, but now it is the four weeks up to Christmas.” Last year, Liz admits that”“the last few days made it for us, so I can't honestly tell how Christmas trade will be for us until it ends on the 24th.”

At Cookmate Worcester, Caroline Gregory argues that Black Friday sales are damaging independents, as shoppers “hang on and wait, delaying Christmas,” in addition to driving down sales margins across the industry. However, like many other independents, Cookmate was compelled to take part, with, “Really good offers in the window, although it’s very hard to compete with big stores on Black Friday deals.”

Vicky Woolston, director at the Kitchen Shop, Lichfield was interviewed for BBC Midlands Today for the evening news on Black Friday, as one of the independents that was promoting deals for the event (see story on page 7). Vicky expressed the opinion that Black Friday stopped people from shopping earlier, meaning a flat period of trading in the fortnight prior to it.

Meanwhile, at Abraxas (our Midlands shops), co-owner, Helen Sparrow reports that Christmas trade started in mid November, spurred on by sales of Christmas decorations (from the likes of Heaven Sends and Coach House). The retailer offered a 10% discount over Black Friday weekend (although did not promote it as Black Friday).

However, at Kitchenalia in Bedford town and its new out-of-town concession at Hatters furniture store, owner, Susie Allen said that Christmas trade “hadn’t kicked off yet” at the start of December.

Susie recognises that:“Like last year, people are hanging on before buying – shopping habits have changed.” (See linked story).

Left: Susie Morris (right) in her Kitchenalia concession in Hatters.

Well-furnished at Hatters In the recently opened concession in Hatters furniture store, Bedford, Kitchenalia’s Susie Morris will be experiencing her first Christmas in this new location, noting: “I always knew this initiative would be a slow burner while word spreads, but so far we have had a fabulous response.” She adds: “We hear so many people saying, “I don't go into town anymore,” as they are put off by the parking. “Very proud” of how the concession looks, Susie anticipates that January will be “the big season” for the furniture store.

Right: PH’s Jo Howard with some of the Trevor Mottram team earlier this year.

Trevor Mottrams’ top 40 Left: Christmas pudding made from Kitchen Craft’s Masterclass pudding steamer, as stocked by Harts of Stur.

Harts of Stur-up Sunday Harts of Stur challenged consumers to post photos of their Christmas Puddings on its Instagram site after Stir Up Sunday (or rather, ‘Stur Up Sunday’). To be judged in mid December, the winner will receive a HM224 Kenwood Hand Mixer to aid them in future stirring endeavours.

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Progressive Housewares

Trevor Mottram reported strong sales at the start of December, with improved sales from October, which was 7% up (while November, was “not quite so good, but we were a Saturday short,” notes joint md Sarah Wood). Sarah notes a dichotomy, with “Clearance and top end doing well.”

The retailer has marked its 40th anniversary with 40% off a different range over 40 weeks this year. While Sarah notes that sales of the promotions themselves have been surprisingly lacklustre, the anniversary offers have resulted in a positive swell of Facebook followers (“as you have to like us to find the offers”). l Christmas hits at Trevor Mottram include Robert Welch Signature knives, Jars pottery and spiralizers (the retailer stocks eight different types!)

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TOP STORY

Below: Image of products from the forthcoming Top Drawer. The show will introduce a Food Emporium.

Top Drawer rebrands Top Drawer’s Spring edition (January 17-19, London Olympia) sees the show’s evolution into one ‘united’ Top Drawer brand, with four distinct sectors: Home, Gift, Fashion and Craft. Home was introduced as a concurrent show to Top Drawer in 2012, and Craft introduced in 2014. With its four key areas of interest, Top Drawer Spring promises to provide ‘one major destination for design-led products and buyers from all over the world.’

“Home at Top Drawer has developed tremendously since its launch in 2012,” reflects Clarion Events’ Ian Rudge, development director for Top Drawer. He continues: “Buyers can now find an unrivalled homeware selection from leading international brands of the highest quality – brands that won’t be found at any other event in the UK.” Alejandra Campos, event director describes Top Drawer as “a curated, exciting and inspiring event that presents the up and coming trends, and showcases the best of every sector.” She continues: “The new look is fresh, premium and contemporary. By simplifying the brand architecture, we are able to focus more on relevant content and engage fundamentally with each of the communities we represent.”

The January show boasts a record number of exhibitors, including, in the Home section, which incorporates Kitchen & Dining: Alessi, Black + Blum, Bliss Home, Forma House, Joseph Joseph, LSA International, MAKE, Robert Welch, Skandium and White Brands.

A new of feature Top Drawer is a Food Emporium, introducing speciality and fine foods from leading artisans, producers and brands. The event will also incorporate an expanded Spotted section – a hub for emerging talent across the show sectors.

Exhibitor, Laurence White of White Brand Agency describes Home Spring and Autumn as: “the only shows for us in the UK,” elaborating: “It's great to be surrounded by quality design brands.” Meanwhile visitor, Matthew Canwell, director of buying at Lakeland describes the “must see” show as “incredibly inspiring and great for new ideas.” (See ‘Back to basics’) Visit www.topdrawer.co.uk

Back to basics ‘Rustic utilitarian’ with ‘simple, clean lines and textural finishes’ is a key trend identified

by Top Drawer, with many examples in its Home section.

These include enamelware (slate blue bread bin from Garden Trading and brown mugs from Utility), wooden boards from Skandium, tableware from Sue Ure Ceramics and Oliver Harvey aprons.

Spring Fair’s customer focus The organiser of Spring Fair, i2i Events Group, has made two senior appointments to tie in with its strategy of show improvements for exhibitors and visitors. Nick Davison is now the new portfolio director for Spring Fair (February 7 – 11 at The NEC, Birmingham,) while Saul Leese (previously from London-based event, 100% Design) joins as head of marketing for the exhibition. Nick, who joined i2i in 2007, states that his primary objective is: “improving our customer experience.”

This year sees the introduction of The Wish List, which gives buyers the opportunity to save and print ‘shopping lists’ of their favourite items from a comprehensive database of Spring Fair exhibitors’ products (generating leads for exhibitors throughout the year). Moreover, Saul has introduced The Product Guide for buyers: a trend-focused UK publication highlighting the latest innovations available for retailers at Spring Fair. Saul describes this as a “year-round source of inspiration for buyers”.

Further changes to Spring Fair for 2016 will include an improved layout (enhancing the show’s cross-over buying opportunities) and a new express entrance in Hall 9 (which houses Table & Kitchen).

Above: Spring Fair’s Nick Davison is a familiar face to many housewares exhibitors.

Progressive Housewares

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SEE YOU AT SPRING FAIR. Save the date.

www.springfair.com Espresso Cup, Bialetti, Hot Plate Products · Tree, CB Imports · Pineapple, Two’s Company by Mulhouse · Stool, Baa Stool · Foo Dogs, India Jane · Cockatoo Cushion, Bombay Duck · Patterned Cushion, CB Imports

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News

Below: CellarDine’s Peter Dunne with Camp Hopson store manager, David Shotton.

TOP STORY

Spreading the word about wine gadgets CellarDine’s managing director, Peter Dunne has hit the road in the run-up to Christmas, with a series of in-store demonstrations to highlight the attributes of his innovative barware. Peter’s tour included Morley Stores’ Camp Hopson in Newbury and Elys of Wimbledon.

Have you voted for The Buyers Power List?

With winners to be announced at Spring Fair 2016 (February 7 - 11 at NEC, Birmingham), voting is now underway for The Buyers Powers List. The competition will honour buyers from within the UK and Republic of Ireland across six key categories: Best Buying Team Multiple (six stores or more), Best Independent Buying Team, Best Pure Play Buying Team and the Buyers Power List itself.

The first stage of the process is a round of nominations open to the whole industry, with votes cast via the Spring Fair website. This is to be followed by a second round of peer nominations in which finalists will be able to rank their peers across each awards category.

The Buyers Power List shortlist will be compiled and reviewed in the run up to Spring Fair by an advisory panel of key industry influencers that include bira, bira direct, BHETA and the Giftware Association.

What More in the limelight A short film showcasing the manufacturing capability of Lancashire-based export success story, What More UK is helping to launch a new online TV channel for UK Trade and Investment (UKTI - the government department which assists UK businesses in developing overseas export markets). Export TV will highlight key British exporters and be promoted via the UK's network of overseas embassies. What More’s short film (produced by its in-house marketing team) shows the manufacturing of its plastic storage containers and buckets, bakeware and brushware.

Above: Image from What More’s short film.

What More began exporting in 2008, ships to 63 countries, and has won a prestigious Queen's Award for Enterprise in International Trade. What More director, Tony Grimshaw admits that eight years ago, the company “didn't have much idea” about how to go about exporting and gained invaluable advice from UKTI's North West office, “which has been an absolute godsend in guiding our business to export success.” He states: “I cannot over-emphasise how much help UKTI can give a business looking to export, so it's great that eight years down the line we can now help launch this great new UKTI marketing tool for British manufacturers and exporters like ourselves.” He states: “"If I could give just one bit of advice to any business, large or small, looking at exporting, it would be to get hold of an International Advisor from UKTI. They will not only show you the way to export, they will hold your hand on the journey." Tony also praises the advice and assistance of the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce and BHETA.” Tony shared his experiences and advice with fellow businesses as a keynote speaker at the North West International Trade Forum 2015 on November 12. On the same day, a full-page interview with Tony detailing What More’s growth and export success was published in The Times, in a Super North supplement. Tony highlighted the importance of continual investment in manufacturing equipment, NPD and a committed workforce. "That's the only way we can keep in front of the competition out there," he told The Times. l What More now manufactures and distributes more than 700 product lines from its purpose-built 500,000 sq ft manufacturing and distribution centre at Altham, mostly under its Wham brand. The company will exhibit at Chicago’s IH+HS for the first time in March, reflecting its expansion in the US market. The film for Export TV can be seen at: https://youtu.be/aVPH90ebYqw

Teasmade crosses the Atlantic Swan is introducing its Vintage Teasmade to America and Canada, having tested demand in overseas markets, with over 500 consumers that registered interest in North America. Amazon will be fulfilling consumer orders from January.

The Teasmade became an iconic British product from the 1960s, with huge popularity into the 1980s. The classic was re-introduced in 2009.

Rob Wileman, managing director at Swan UK reflects: “The UK’s fascination with the Teasmade continues and this seems to have translated overseas.”

Above: Swan STM201 Vintage Teasmade – a classic design that has been updated with modern technology.

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TOP STORY

NEWS IN BRIEF

John Lewis goes Dutch John Lewis has revealed plans to open a shop-in-shop in seven branches of The Netherlands’ department store, de Bijenkorf in what will be the retailer’s first foray into continental Europe. The shops will focus on John Lewis’ own-brand home and lifestyle products (for example, its recently introduced “Croft” collection of homewares, including casual dining and serveware).

The first three shops will open in spring next year in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague, to be followed by openings in Eindhoven, Above: In addition to its international expansion, John Lewis Utrecht, Amstelveen and Maastricht in 2017. is showing its commitment to growth in the UK - its new Andy Street, managing director of John Lewis said: flagship store opened at Birmingham’s new Grand Central in “We’re delighted to be debuting our first European September, and another seven UK openings are planned. shop-in-shop and de Bijenkorf is the perfect partner to enable us to bring John Lewis to a new customer base and country.”

The group has opened 14 shop-in-shops across Singapore and the Philippines and last year opened in South Korea – these “have been well received and are trading well,” confirms Andy Street. He also stated:“While we remain committed to our UK physical expansion, we hope to announce more international collaborations in 2016.”

Waitrose’s insight into foodie favourites Juicers are the most popular kitchen gadget for those aged 18-24, according to Waitrose’s Food & Drink Report 2015 (with 18% of its survey in this age group having bought one in the past year). This group is also twice as likely to have bought a breadmaker in the past year).

In the 24-35 age group, 14% have bought juicers and food processors in the past year, while slow cookers have been the most popular purchase for those 35 years and above. Parents are twice as likely to choose their slow cooker as their favourite kitchen gadget. Overall, 12% and 11% of respondents respectively have bought a slow cooker and a juicer in the past year.

Waitrose’s courgette sales have risen 10% - the retailer attributes the boom to the spiralizer and its healthy solution to starchy carbs – ‘courgetti’.

Meanwhile, frozen fruit now outsells frozen pizza at the grocer, reflecting the popularity of the NutriBullet, and similar personal blenders for smoothies.

Talking of who is cooking, the head chef at Waitrose Cookery School, Salisbury reveals that retired men are one of the fastest growing student groups – the school has started trialling classes tailored for them.

• SDAs are among over 3,000 products available on Waitrose’s recently launched online cookshop.

The retailer highlighted figures by Conlumino, which show that online sales for the kitchen market are expected to grow to £1 billion by 2018. Robert McCarthy, Waitrose head of e-commerce describes waitrosekitchen.com as “a natural evolution for Waitrose and a real step forward in our multichannel strategy.” He states: “The essence of the site is to bring together our customers love of food and cooking with all the equipment they need. The website will give them access to exciting products, competitive prices and ultimate convenience.”

• For more on SDAs, see Progressive Electrical pages 26-29.

Keith is all fired up Master potter, Keith Brymer Jones (head of design for MAKE International and the face behind the Keith Brymer Jones range), was a judge on The Great Pottery Throw Down series on BBC 2 filmed at Middleport Pottery in Stoke-on-Trent. With 10 home potters in the frame for the title of Top Potter, the series followed the ups and downs of the contestants, which included a painter and decorator, builder and interior designer.

Right: Keith Brymer Jones and fellow judge and potter, Kate Malone on The Great Pottery Throw Down.

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Progressive Housewares

l NY NOW (January 30- February 3) will feature

a SustainAbility: design for a better world showcase, including housewares and suppliers whose products or production processes are eco-friendly, or companies whose business practices are socially responsible, philanthropic or fair-trade oriented. l The Hummingbird Bakery (known for its American bakes, with six branches across London) has launched branded housewares, which is being sold exclusively via Amazon. The range includes cake forks, measuring spoons, flour shaker, cake slice, tired cake stand, a cupcake starter kit, and nesting cake tins, all with a vintage American feel. l Design and interiors trade fair, Formland

(Feburary 4-7) will focus on the fusion of Nordic and Japanese design at Formland spring festival. l Debenhams has reportedly contacted suppliers

asking for a reduction of between 1% and 2% on its payments over the Christmas period in exchange for paying them 30 or 60 days earlier than their current terms specify. l Café Pod (the Nespresso compatible coffee pod

brand) was a finalist in the Startups Awards 2015 for Business of the Year and Retail Business of the Year. The Awards recognize successful businesses that have been trading for four years or less. l Anti Copying In Design (ACID) founder and ceo Dids Macdonald, recently received an OBE from HRH The Princess Royal at Buckingham Palace for her fight against design infringement.

Autumn statement hits cookshops While the small business rate scheme will continue for another year, the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement saw the disappearance of the £1,500 business rates discount on premises with a rateable value of £50,000 or less. CHA parent organisation, bira highlights that the average rateable value of shops in England and Wales is £27,290. Alan Hawkins, ceo of bira commented: "This will hurt High Streets as soon as April next year and small shops will see bills rise even higher than they already would have as the rates multiplier will increase then as well.”

Alan reflected on the Chancellor’s announcement that the results of the structural review for business rates reform would now be in the Budget: “Committing to announce the conclusions of the reform review in the Budget at least gives us a date to concentrate on, and a chance for the government to adopt bira's reform proposals."

Alan emphasised: “High Street pain is not over: vacancy rates are still more than twice pre-crash levels and more small shops are now closing than are opening. The Chancellor must make sure that the next rabbit he pulls out of the hat is real, positive, long term reform of this crippling tax. It would help if he also reinstated the £1,500 discount in the Budget."

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News

PEOPLE l Henner Rinsche (pictured) has been

appointed as the president of SodaStream Europe to oversee all SodaStream European markets, including the UK. Henner’s appointment follows news of the recent departure of Fiona Hope as md of SodaStream UK for the past five years.

Until Fiona’s successor is announced, the SodaStream UK team will report directly to Henner.

Henner has been general manager for SodaStream in Germany and Austria for the past four years (seeing more than tripled net revenues).

Moreover, he is planning a £2 million net media spend TV campaign in the UK in January 2016 to drive sales of SodaStream sparkling water makers, and expects revenues to double in 2016. Henner states: “This is a very exciting time for SodaStream UK, which I’m thrilled to be a part of.” l Well-established agent, Fiona Wyatt has joined the Charles Viancin sales team, covering counties from Hampshire to Cornwall plus South Wales. Peter Battersby, who heads up Charles Viancin in the UK said: “We are very pleased to have Fiona on board. Her reputation and previous experience is really impressive.” He highlighted Fiona’s timely arrival, pointing out that the brand’s sales have risen over 30% during the past three months.

Less is more from Dualit Dualit has launched a new patented, airtight, sealed coffee capsule design, following consumer preference for less packaging, as well as its own commitment to sustainability and minimising waste. After two years of development and over 300 days of testing to ensure optimum quality, the hermetically sealed coffee capsules are compatible with Dualit and Nespresso machines, and benefit from a 60% reduction in packaging material.

TOP STORY

Ambiente’s focus on sustainability and trends 2016 Inspiration and insights for visitors at the international trade show, Ambiente (February 12-16 at Messe Frankfurt) include the show’s new Ethical Style Guide and its well-established Trend Show area.

Exhibitors with sustainable products will be highlighted with the new Ethical Style logo on their stand and will be listed in Ambiente’s Ethical Style Guide publication. An expert jury will select those listed, from these categories: products made from eco-friendly materials, eco-optimised production, fair and social production, re-/upcycling design, handmade manufacturing and those incorporating sustainable innovation and a lifecycle design concept.

Nicolette Naumann, vice president of Ambiente and Tendence said: “We see this as an opportunity to make things more transparent for our visitors.” She added, on the subject of sustainable products: “We believe that this will be a growing part Above: Some of the products identified in the trend for of the market.” ‘functional simplicity’ in Ambiente’s Trend Show.

Meanwhile, show highlights include the Ambiente Trend 2106 Show – a presentation of the latest trends in four themed rooms: “artisanal gardening”,“futuristic couture”, “functional simplicity” and “composing freedom”. The themed areas have been put together by trend bureau, stilbüro bora.herke.palmisano, inspired by recent directions in design, art, fashion and architecture. ‘Functional simplicity’ concentrates on ‘perfect functionality and masterful workmanship’, with ‘sober and honest’ styling. It is typified by ‘geometric base shapes, durable materials and forms designed solely to serve a purpose,’ with a ‘neutral, quasi monochrome’ colour palette. This is a contrast to the ‘futuristic couture’ trend, utilising thermoplastic processing, ‘crystal’ effect bowls and glasses, molecular patterns and a touch of glamour.

Lisa is an inspiration Gourmet Gadgetry director, Lisa Scott has been shortlisted for the Inspiration for Women Awards, which celebrate the achievements of remarkable women from all works of life who inspire those around them either through the media or through achievements in their everyday lives. Besides acknowledging dynamic female role models, the event (held on December 12) raises money for Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

Lisa was also in the spotlight telling the Gourmet Gadgetry story to hundreds of successful businesswomen as part of a panel discussing Adversity in Business at The Inspiring Women’s Conference in November.

Charles Viancin’s poppy appeal For the second year running, Charles Viancin retail stockists across the UK raised funds for the Royal British Legion to mark Remembrance Day 2015 through sales of Charles Viancin’s Poppy range. Some 20% of the range’s sales at participating stockists were donated to the Royal British Legion for a period up to November 11 (with Charles Viancin UK and retailers contributing 10% each).

Over 60 retailers took part, creating eye-catching window displays with the Poppy collection (including BPA free silicone lids, drinks covers, bottle stoppers, flexi chopping boards, apron and pot holder.)

Above: The Good Cookshop in Worthing, who had a similar display in its Southsea shop window.

Above: Lisa Scott, pictured on the Gourmet Gadgetry stand at June’s Exclusively Housewares.

Game pie trophy triumph The PH/CHA Excellence in Housewares Awards’ Excellence in Cookware trophy has taken pride of place in Alan Silverwood’s showroom, alongside its winning Game Pie range.

Simon Silverwood, md of Alan Silverwood reflects: “Despite outside perceptions, we are a small, tightly knit company, beavering away to keep our corner of British manufacturing viable. Design innovation is a key ingredient to our story and we are proud and grateful for the recognition that this, and previous awards bring to our products.” He highlights: “The success of our new Game Pie range is the result of a collaboration between an award-winning baker, a sheet-metal fabricator and the priceless asset of proactive, imaginative buyers.”

See retailer comments in What’s Cooking in Design Classics, pages 42-43.

Above: The Excellence in Cookware trophy held by Silverwood’s fabrication foreman, Ian Williams, who came up with a key part of the Game Pie design.

Progressive Housewares

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12 – 16. 2. 2016 Spot on: With its Dining area, Ambiente is the no. 1 international showcase for table, kitchen and household products – and a significant platform for the Horeca sector. Enjoy an array of events and meet interesting people at the world’s most important consumer goods trade fair. Discover the future and be inspired by a fascinating product diversity.

Information and tickets at ambiente.messefrankfurt.com Tel. +44 (0) 14 83 48 39 83 info@uk.messefrankfurt.com

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Partner coun

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Ambiente 20

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01/12/2015 15:29

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News Above: Raymond Blanc demonstrating in Arnotts, Dublin.

TOP STORY

Kitchen Craft’s changes at the top After 22 years at Kitchen Craft, managing director,

Raymond Blanc causes a stir in Dublin Raymond Blanc put his cookware from Meyer Group through its paces at Arnotts department store, Dublin in November.

The in-store demonstration attracted a high profile on social media sites, trending on Irish Twitter. The Sunday Independent, Anton Savage radio, Irish Country magazine and the blogger, Lovin Dublin all interviewed Raymond to coincide with his appearance. Prior to the event, Meyer held a competition for Arnotts’ customers, attracting 1165 entries.

Andrew Plant has handed the reigns over to Garry Biggs, formerly managing director of Denby Pottery.

During Andrew's time at Kitchen Craft, he has been instrumental in facilitating the company’s transformation from a general wholesaler to today’s focused consumer business, and for growing the company’s annual turnover from £5m to well in excess of £40m. More recently, Andrew managed the company’s acquisition by Lifetime Brands and its integration into the Lifetime Group.

Andrew comments: "Kitchen Craft has always Above: Andrew Plant with new md, Garry Biggs. been dear to me and will remain so. The integration into Lifetime has been smooth and with access to Lifetime’s global resources and sourcing expertise, Kitchen Craft is today uniquely positioned to capitalise on many exciting opportunities. I am confident that, with Garry's experience, drive and leadership, these will be realised.” He continued: “At its heart Kitchen Craft remains a family business with my brother, Richard, cousin Peter and nephew Daniel all remaining in senior roles.” Andrew looks forward to “participating in the business in an advisory role in the future.”

Garry most recently led the MBO of Denby in 2004 and has helped transform Denby into a fully multi-channel and export-led growth business. Garry admits that he has respected the Kitchen Craft business for many years, stating: “I'm immensely excited about how we can develop this 'family' business further while respecting the Kitchen Craft heritage and culture along with its strong loyalties to both its customers and employees.”

Jeff Siegel, ceo of Lifetime Brands comments: “We respect Andrew’s desire to devote more time to his family and other interests and thank him for the pivotal role he has played over many years in Kitchen Craft’s success.”

He adds: “Andrew, his fellow directors and Lifetime Brands have worked hard to secure Garry's appointment, and we are absolutely confident that he will play an instrumental role in driving Kitchen Craft forward both in the UK and internationally.”

Microplane joins leading brands

Hot Plate Products’ support for indies

Microplane is joining forces with leading housewares brands Emile Henry and Lekue for the distribution of its products directly to UK retailers from January 2016. The brand was hitherto distributed via ICTC. Micah Jensen, Mircroplane’s export manager, states: “Microplane graters represent 40 years of innovation and consumer demand is at an all time high. This is a very exciting collaboration: we’re all the best in our field and we have a great opportunity to not only expand distribution through leading multiples and independents nationwide, but to also identify new routes to market.” He continues: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank ICTC for all their support and dedication over the years.”

A local sales office and customer service team for Emile Henry, Lekue and Microplane will be based in Bolton, Lancashire, with Ross Harper as country manager for Microplane in the UK and Ireland.

The Microplane Head Office remains in Hamburg, Germany.

Hot Plate Products is backing independent stockists with new initiatives, including an interactive website and video conferencing range selection service. Benefits of the user-friendly site include an online chat facility that provides direct access to customer service advisors at Hot Plate, as well as a range of live promotions, next day delivery options if ordered before Above: Barista, one of Hot Plate’s 1pm, in-depth product details and ‘how to’ brands. Hot Plate Products will be guides for each of the distributor’s brands. exhibiting at Top Drawer in January.

Hot Plate’s managing director, James Gray acknowledged:“The retail environment is changing. Retailers need suppliers who are responsive and proactive, and can quickly adapt to the marketplace.”

He stated: ”As suppliers it is our job to respond to the needs of our independent customers and increase our service levels, which is what we’re aiming to achieve with the launch of our interactive new website.”

The company has also introduced a sampling and video conferencing range selection service, enabling retailers to bring new product lines to market much quicker than before. James explained that this initiative will operate alongside traditional agents’ calls to independents, explaining that: “Samples will be sent direct from head office with a video conference call arranged with our in-house sales team to speed up the process and ensure exciting new products are on the shelves, not sat waiting in the warehouse.”

The new site launched with a series of promotional offers and incentives for all customers who placed an order online, with no minimum order quantity during the launch period, enabling retailers to trial new products.

See www.hotplateproducts.com

Right: Microplane - pioneer of photo-etching technology for graters – will be exhibiting at Top Drawer in January.

Progressive Housewares

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News Below: Chemical free cleaning with e-cloth.

TOP STORY

Exclusively’s bright summer forecast Exclusively Housewares has announced a sell-out show for next June (14-15 Business Design Centre), with all its 120 exhibitor spaces confirmed.

2016 marks the popular show’s 15th anniversary.

Sister show, Exclusively Electrical (dedicated to SDAs) returns following its successful launch in 2015, with new names including Arzum Elektrikl, Sage Appliances and Smartwares Europe and returning top brands and suppliers include KitchenAid, Jura, Meyer, Magimix, Bugatti and Blendtec (EPE Group) Above: Scene from Exclusively Groupe SEB, Witt, Salter and Beldray (Ultimate Products), Dualit, Vitamix, Team UKI, Tower Housewares 2015. and SMART Worldwide.

Companies new to Exclusively Housewares this year include Aydya, Boska Cheesewares, Ecoegg, Lurch, Luxury Housewares, My Gifts Trade, Plan B Marketing, Plasticforte, Ryland Peters & Small and World Kitchen.

Meanwhile, Brita, Fairmont & Main, Sterck and Villeroy & Boch are all making a welcome return to exhibiting at Exclusively Housewares.

Show operations director, Simon Boyd reflects on the unique format of the BHETA run shows: “Exclusively Housewares was created as a level playing field for housewares suppliers to attend without the need to build and fund a large trade stand.” He continues: “Our original ‘shell scheme only’ and restricted stand sizes still operate today, and have become fundamental to the nature and style of the show – which remains very popular with suppliers and visitors alike!”

Will Jones, who as homewares director for BHETA, acts as chairman on the shows, also highlights that: “The other key part of the original set up was that visitors should be restricted to bona fide buyers, who should be treated well – and the hospitality at Exclusively Housewares, with its free coffee and tea trolleys and free lunch, has always been second to none!” l Full details of the exhibitor line up can be found on the shows websites: exclusivelyhousewares.co.uk and exclusivelyelectrical.co.uk

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Ditch the chemicals Cleaning brand, e-cloth has been celebrating 20 years this year, with a Market Report that looks at the evolution of domestic cleaning.

The report highlights the introduction of and growing confidence in chemical-free cleaning. It highlights awareness of the health risks of chemical cleaners in the home; 53.7% of the UK population is concerned about the effect of chemical cleaning products on them and their family (according to a poll of 1000 people by OnePoll, carried out by e-cloth this year).

Some 21% of adults prefer cleaning cloths that can be used with just water, and these products appeal most to the 16-24 and 65+ age groups.

According to e-cloth’s market report, 46% of Brits say they clean their kitchen worktops once a day or more.

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News

Below: Forma House’s Karen Lincoln gets some motivational cycling training from her grandson, Theo.

TOP STORY

Chicago’s new focus for design

Karen’s biking adventure Karen Lincoln, who has worked in Forma House’s accounts department for seven years, is taking on a challenge of a lifetime to raise cash for Breast Cancer Care, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust and Ovarian Cancer Action. With the support of her work colleagues, and followers of Forma House’s Blog and Facebook page, Karen aims to raise over £3,000 by cycling 450km through Vietnam and Cambodia in just six days.

Having been through cancer treatment, Karen intends to follow her dreams:“There’s no time for ‘what ifs’ - they don’t exist in my world anymore.’’ She reflects on her decision to cycle the epic journey:“At the time being 51 years old, unfit and terribly overweight – how could I resist? I couldn’t ever remember cycling before - not even as a child! I think as you get older, you get braver!”

Karen acknowledges that:“Sadly, cancer doesn’t stop when the treatment finishes. The psychological effects stay with you and you have to live with people’s expectations of you being back to ‘normal’whatever normal is or was.” She admits: that,“you wear the scars and it can be a lonely place. There is life after cancer, but we all just need the support to get through it - that is my motivation.’’

To find out more, and to support Karen’s cycling challenge, see http://www.formahouse.co.uk/news/karen-s-story https://www.justgiving.com/karensstory/

The 2016 International Home + Housewares Show (IH+HS) in Chicago (March 5-8) features a new Discover Design Expo, embracing designfocused exhibitors from all of its show categories. The Expo will be located in a new, prominent location at the front of the show’s North Building. The Discover Design section was previously part of the Dine + Décor Expo in the South Building.

“Discover Design is the premier design Above: View of Chicago’s IH+HS 2015. destination at the Show and features some of the world’s finest design and trend leaders offering high-end products and collections,” emphasises Phil Brandl, IHA president and ceo.

With nearly 200 well-known brands and international market leaders, the Discover Design was almost sold out as PH went to press. Exhibitors returning in 2016 include Alessi, Joseph Joseph, Charles Viancin, Nambe, Eva Solo and Koziol. First-time exhibitors include Chilewich, Victor + Victoria, Vintage Kitchen and Monkey Business. Meanwhile, the Design Debut ‘incubator’ for upcoming talent will return, featuring 10 new-to-the-Show exhibitors whose product demonstrates high-design and innovation.

An Aisle of Style will be adjacent to Discover Design, featuring high-design focused exhibitors from the Clean + Contain Expo, and a Lounge providing inspiration for visitors with product imagery.

The 2016 IH+HS will feature new branding focusing on an “It’s smART” theme, reflecting the combination of smart thinking (wise business decisions) and smart design (the art used to design, create and market products.)

Other updates at the IH+HS include: * The Dine + Design Expo is now Dine + Décor and includes the categories cook + bakeware; tabletop, kitchen essentials + accents; gourmet foods +products, and home décor. * The Clean, Contain + Sustain Expo has been renamed Clean + Contain. This area includes the Inventors Corner Pavilion and Inventor Revue. * The Global Crossroads Expo is now the International Sourcing Expo. * Show highlights include trends and colour presentations by Lifetime Brands’ Tom Mirabile and Pantone Colour Institute’s Leatrice Eiseman. The Hall of Global Innovation features the inspiring Pantone ColourWatch exhibit and gia Global Innovation Awards exhibition of international retail excellence (including UK gia winner, Lords, see pages 24-25) and innovative products (with the IHA Innovation awards now integrated into the gia programme). Buyers can visit the new Exhibitor Preview area from 8.30-10am on Saturday, before the show opens.

For more information and to register, visit www.housewares.org. The free mobile app for the IH+HS can be downloaded from iTunes or Google Play. * Featuring the UK’s last gia winner and gia honoree, John Lewis, the latest edition of Inspired Home, the digital magazine produced by IH+HS organisers, the IHA can be viewed at http://www.housewares.org/flipbooks/inspiration15.2

High street news Toy brand gets kids cooking

Above: Starting to learn to cook through play, with LeapFrog's Number Loving Oven.

Educational toy brand LeapFrog has teamed up with infant nutritionist Annabel Karmel as part of its new 'Kitchen Kids' campaign, which challenges mums and dads to bring cooking role play to life for preschoolers.

The campaign aims to inspire parents to get in the kitchen with their little ones. To help get them started, LeapFrog and Annabel Karmel have created the LeapFrog Kitchen Kids Guide, with expert advice from LeapFrog’s in-house learning team on how to fuel more role-play opportunities at home, and the developmental benefits of this key play time.

Bishopsthorpe Road in York (affectionately known as Bishy Road), has been chosen as the Great British High Street of the Year. Out of the 80 shops and businesses, some 90% are independents, including Frankie & Johnny's Cookshop.

Showing just how progressive Bishy Road is, local companies have developed an app to inspire shoppers, with representatives going round the country to help other high streets to be as successful.

Over 230 streets were entered in this year's competition, with 200,000 votes received. The annual event is organised by the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Alessi takes flight Alessi is partnering with Delta Airlines’ Delta One and First Class to create a unique range of inflight tableware to enhance passenger experience. Launching in 2017, this is the first time Alessi’s designs will appear in flight with a major airline.

“The key to a truly memorable in-flight service and culinary experience starts with the very product the food is served on,” reflects Paolo Cravedi, Alessi’s managing director of USA and Canada.“We are creating for Delta’s customers a bespoke and inspirational line of plates, glasses, flatware and service products that sets the tone for the delicious and thoughtful approach the airline has taken with their on-board food and beverage offerings.”

Progressive Housewares

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18 BHETA _23 08/12/2015 14:47 Page 1

Below left: Image of some of Homebase’s current Christmas range of kitchenware. Homebase is the most recent housewares retailer to benefit from BHETA’s Meet the Buyer programme in its search for potential new products and housewares supplier for 2016.

Below: Michael Weedon, deputy ceo of bira, gave BHETA housewares members insights into the state of independent cookshop and housewares retailers from online and bricks and mortar perspectives.

Forum’s online debate

Homebase event “invaluable” Members of Homebase’s buying team described the retailer’s BHETA Meet the Buyer event on November 26 as “invaluable.”

Caroline Bacon, buying manager at Homebase said, “BHETA has enabled us to find suppliers we were looking for whom we could potentially not have found any other way. The MTB concept is really good and today has been very successful in terms of opportunities for us to find new products.”

The event (held at the Holiday Inn in Milton Keynes) focused on housewares categories including cookshop, home accessories, SDAs, climate control, utility, laundry, cleaning, and home furnishing. Some 45 suppliers attended, taking part in 66 20minute appointments to present innovative products to seven members of the Homebase buying team. A number of suppliers are due to have follow-up meetings, with a view to listing.

BHETA's Will Jones commented: “Many BHETA members have secured business through the Meet The Buyer format – with buyers and sellers under immense time pressure, this format is a win: win for all parties.”

He continued: “We are delighted by today’s results which yet again prove that these events are a genuine opportunity for both BHETA members and for the retailers who take part.”

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Progressive Housewares

The theme of online trading inspired debate at the successful BHETA housewares forum in November. BHETA president, Roger Morgan Grenville stated that: “The forum was enlightening as ever and contained some very shrewd advice as to the opportunities and pitfalls the market now provides.” Speakers included online retail outlets, legal advisors and the CHA. Mark Lesniak, founder director of GreatBritishStore.com profiled the business to business opportunities of this global platform for British design, innovation and quality. Supported by UK Trade & Investment, GreatBritishStore.com is an easy, entry-level exporting solution for UKregistered businesses. It allows British businesses to reach new global markets and customers cost-effectively, and with the minimum of effort, on its unique eCommerce platform.

Keynote speaker, Joan Woulfe, the owner of Cooking Marvellous and current CHA chairman, provided insights into her company’s history and the business model it employs (margins, delivery speeds, postal charges and returns policy). Trading since 2005, firstly from a high street store in Shrewsbury, and now online with a warehouse just outside the town, Cooking Marvellous dispatches cookware orders to 135 countries; and groceries, health and beauty products from its Tastes Marvellous sister site.

Mick Weedon, deputy ceo of bira presented an assessment of housewares retail both online and on the high street, exploring the statistics and opportunities for each in a dynamic and shifting market (considering consumer convenience vs instore service, theatre and destination creation).

Meanwhile, Gerald Couldrake of Howes Percival provided legal advice for online trading. Gerald outlined the regulations that govern the channel – for retailers, suppliers and consumers. He emphasised the need for robust and transparent terms and conditions that are clearly communicated.

Commenting on the event, BHETA homewares sector director, Will Jones said: “Housewares retailing now needs to cover off a great many different consumer experiences and consumer needs from the delight, expertise and personality of destination cookshops to the convenience, range and service of online retail. This forum explored all these opportunities.”

• Companies interested in participating in future BHETA events can contact member services on 0121 237 1130, email Will Jones on wj@bheta.co.uk or visit the BHETA website at www.bheta.co.uk and follow the links.

Working together for credit control BHETA’s Credit Forum in November provided housewares suppliers with an update on all current credit and risk management issues in the retail sector. The workshop and discussion based day was presented by Steve Hamstead of Reynolds Trade Credit and Brent Cumming of Experian and attended by credit and finance professionals. Topics included the current trading climate, specific retail accounts and how they are performing against trading terms as well as the general overview of retail.

Credit Forums take place three times a year and a full Credit Forum membership costs £350 per annum for the three sessions. BHETA members who have not previously been to a Credit Forum are invited free of charge.

BHETA homewares sector director, Will Jones said of the event: “During the current financial environment, we believe that being a Above: Talking about cashflow – BHETA member of the Credit Forum brings many benefits, not least mutual members are benefiting from information on support and shared experiences. All companies should be looking to the retail sector from credit control experts and fellow suppliers at the trade association’s improve their risk management and the networking opportunity always Credit Forum meetings. proves very valuable as well.”

Existing Credit Forum member, James Dowdeswell of simplehuman commented, “The BHETA credit forum is always impeccably organised, with industry experts available for comments at all times. The duration of the meetings allows for a mix of subjects to be presented around the core area of commercial credit control." He added: “The ability to establish a strong feedback loop from similarly placed suppliers is invaluable in making key credit decisions. Well worth the investment!”

BHETA members interested in attending should contact Dawn Clarke in the Member Services Team on 0121 237 1130 or email at dc@bheta.co.uk.

19 CHA Nov/Dec_Layout 1 08/12/2015 11:13 Page 2

In praise of Christmas team spirit As an online business at the start of December, Cooking Marvellous is manically busy - in an organised form! My daughter, Katie and I are working seven days a week – starting packing deliveries at 6am to get through thousands of orders every day - and the whole team is putting in extra hours so that we keep the momentum over weekends too. We have tried agency staff in the past, but it did not work out – there are too many things to learn about kitchenware that you cannot convey in a short space of time. So, instead we keep our heads down, don’t worry about sore finger, and all pull together to get our orders out.

The six weeks of Christmas trading is a wonderful time – not just because of the satisfaction of the Above: CHA Joan Woulfe speaking at the recent PH/CHA Excellence in Housewares Awards. Joan is md of The Marvellous volume of orders we are dispatching – but Group, including Cooking Marvellous. (See also BHETA news page 18). because, by working so intensely at the frontline, Katie and I learn so much. With fresh eyes in January, we will look at how we can make processes better for our business and the customers we serve.

This busy period is also great for staff morale, as we are all working so closely together. Of course, I get to know members of staff members better, when I am working beside them all day.

It is a similar scenario in bricks and mortar shops in the run-up to Christmas – when owners are most likely to be helping on the shopfloor when they might otherwise be spending time managing the bigger picture behind the scenes at a desk. Instead, this is a time when you get closer to your customers and staff and find out more about their priorities and hopes.

Above: Learning exchanges at the Oxford Summer School.

Masters scholarships available CHA members could gain from top quality retail management training by applying for a scholarship worth up to £2,995 for the Oxford Summer School Masters. The next course takes place from February 29 to March 3 at the Saïd Business School in Oxford.

The Oxford Summer School Masters is a strategic development programme designed for senior managers, directors and company owners in retail. The programme takes delegates beyond day-to-day issues of running a business enabling them to consider the challenges presented by today’s fast moving retail environment and develop strategic and innovative responses to enhance personal and business performance. Recent feedback from independent retailers includes:“thoroughly enjoyable and thought provoking,” providing,“a lot of implementable ideas.”

A full scholarship covers course materials, accommodation and meals (but not travel to and from Oxford), while 50% funded scholarships are also available. For further information on the Masters and scholarships, contact: Neil Moss, OSS Director on 01295 713391, or Lisa Nicholls, OSS Coordinator on 01295 713389.

Are you ready for pensions?

Joan Woulfe, CHA chairman

Lords to address bira conference Lords, the recent winner of the PH/CHA Excellence in Housewares’ Excellence in Retailer Initiative Award and coveted tile of gia UK winner, will deliver the retailer address at the bira High Street Conference 2016. The conference takes place at the Chateau Impney in Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire on Wednesday May 11.

Lords will provide a thought-provoking talk about its experiences of business. Established in 1985, and headed up by ceo, Shanker Patel, the Lords Group of companies incorporates retail, distribution and manufacturing of construction materials, employing over 200 people. Its principal trading arms are its expanding housewares retail group, Lords (see retailer focus pages 24-25) and Lords Builders Merchants in West London.

The conference promises a range of speakers with insights for independent retailers and suppliers who serve the independent trade. Jeff Moody, md of bira direct commented on the forthcoming event: “We see the day as a key investment in our members’ business for today and tomorrow.” He continued: “The quality of relevant and insightful speakers makes this a not to be missed conference, for independent retailers of all market sectors.”

Above: Lords’ boutique store at St John's Wood.

With pending deadlines for SMEs to put their workplace pension schemes into place, bira is providing advice and support for CHA members to check they are going to be compliant. Eligible workers should be autoenrolled into a pension scheme, with a minimum level of contributions paid (with fines for non-compliance). bira members will be automatically accepted onto the bira pensions scheme. CHA members can text the word STAGING with their staging date and membership number to 60777 or email membership@bira.co.uk for updates on when certain actions need to be taken to meet the auto enrolment responsibilities. For more information visit www.birapensions.co.uk.

Cookshops see growth but rising wages causes concern Independent cookshops and housewares stockists reported a small average growth in their performance in the third quarter, ie 1.19%, albeit slower growth that those reported in the last three quarters (the second quarter saw growth of 6.66%). Confidence levels among independents in general in bira’s quarterly survey rose.

However, over 50% of respondents predict that the result of the rising National Living Wage will be reduction in the numbers of jobs or hours for their business, by the time it breaches £9 an hour in 2020.

Comments from cookshop respondents included (from the South East/London region):“Sales are static or less than before, but the costs imposed by Government are the most inflationary we face.” A Midlands based CHA member admitted:“I shall probably pack up the business once the minimum wage goes up to £9.

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Food for thought Inset: Clever scales NutritTab from Terraillon.

Bottom: Cleaning up in the kitchen - the new Roomba 980 (from Witt UK). iRobot has sold more than 14 million robotic vacuum cleaners in the last 11 years. The Roomba 880, along with the Scooba (floor scrub) and Braava (floor mop) were finalists in the recent PH/CHA Excellence in Housewares Awards’ Plugged In Award.

Techno fans Monitoring nutrition Terraillon UK recently launched a range of connected devices for health and wellbeing, including the UK’s first connected kitchen scale NutritTab: a digital scale that can tell you the nutritional value of any meal, monitoring carbs, fat, protein and more. NutritTab tracks personal recommended daily allowances (RDAs) through its smartphone app, which also links to a number of fitness products, including bathroom scales and activity bands.

Mark Ryan, Terraillon UK’s trade sales manager reflects on how advancing technology has changed our expectations: “In many ways, it’s all about the speed of technology and how this is improving and constantly evolving. This, in turn has had a huge

Robotic cleaning, pre-programmed one pot cooking and scales that tell you what you should eat are just a few examples of cutting edge products that are growing (or tipped to grow) more popular in our kitchen and homes. PH looks at examples of how housewares technology is evolving and changing our lifestyles. impact on the instantaneous nature of our lifestyles nowadays. The instant something happens, it’s live on the internet. And that has altered the human nature and expectation: we have become more impatient and want everything instantly.”

Mark notes that the NutritTab connected kitchen scales is part of the fast evolving connected home. He reports: “The kitchen scale market itself is somewhat saturated, with volume sales stable and the average selling price on the decrease. Businesses are

looking at ways to alter this charge, to create value in the market at a more premium price point. On the back of successful connected health devices like activity trackers and body fat analysers, there is a market to do this with the kitchen scale through examples we already see in the market: Connected nutritional kitchen scales, connected recipe kitchen scales and connected cocktail making scales. This is just the beginning too, with the advent of the connected home and the importance of the kitchen as a key living space within the home.

Expect this market segment to grow and evolve, for example with new innovations like these at the Ideal Home Show in London early next year.”

Cleaning by remote Robotic vacuum cleaner brand, iRobot (distributed by Witt UK) recently launched ‘its smartest product to date’: the Roomba 980, which is able to map and clean an entire floor on its own. It is the first product in the Roomba range to be connected to the cloud, allowing consumers to control it from iRobot's new ‘Home’ app, which enables users to start the Roomba cleanings from anywhere, as well as manage the cleaner’s schedule.

Bo Simonsen, Witt UK & Ireland’s market manager, said: “Robotic technology is becoming more advanced and the new iRobot Roomba 980 is ideal for consumers. Vacuuming is one of the biggest chores in the home – pyrolytic cleaning has solved the need to clean an oven; robotic vacuuming is the solution for one of the least favourite jobs in the house.” He explains: ““The Roomba 980 is iRobot's foray into the smart home. Visual Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping (vSLAM) technology sits at the heart of the iRobot’s new iAdapt 2.0 Navigation, which allows Roomba to not only avoid obstacles, but also intelligently map your floors.”

Bo also argues that robotic cleaning is becoming increasingly mainstream - appealing to many consumers who are “are cash rich, but time poor,” – and highlights: “The iRobot range offers retailers a ‘good, better, best’ proposition and with a range of price points – robotic vacuum cleaning is emerging from a once niche area and is evolving into a lucrative market for retailers, as more and more consumers become aware of how intelligent and hassle-free robotic cleaning is. The future is bright for the robotic vacuum cleaning market. 2016 will be the year where the robotic market really starts to take hold.”

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Food for thought are busier than ever. The one-pot cooker or even better, a multicooker is the perfect solution. Add the ingredients, program your setting, set the timer and leave the multicooker to it. A Redmond multicooker will take care of dinner and at the end of the programme it will even automatically switch to “Keep warm” so the meal won’t burn, dry out or otherwise ruin.

Now, what to do with that extra time? You could read a book, do the housework, walk the dog, jog round the block, bath the kids, read the children a story: the possibilities are endless. So too are the recipe options: a multicooker won’t just take care of stews, casseroles and curries, it is equally proficient at homemade soup, baking bread (even proving dough), baking cakes, making rice dishes and pasta dishes. For example, the RMC-M4502E has 34 programmes and a recipe book with 100 dishes, and we also have a free app with even more recipes.”

Inset: Marriage of new technology with tradition - Edward Margetts also points out that: “Kuhn Rikon’s Duromatic Comfort Pressure Cooker is more environmentally friendly, using up to 70% less energy than conventional cooking, while saving time and retaining more nutrients for healthier cooking. This makes it an ideal cooking solution for our busy lives.”

Multi-sensory dinners Addressing consumers’ curiosity over the evolution of our meals, Tomorrow’s Food – the BBC series that started airing on November 23 – looks into future kitchens and dining tables (as well as the sources of the food of the future). In its first episode, presenter Dara O’Briain experimented with digital tastes, delivered through a receptor on your tongue. Meanwhile technology expert Dr Shini Somara ate food cooked and served by robots and experienced a multi-sensory eating experience in a high-tech Shanghai restaurant that stimulates diners’ tastebuds by manipulating visual surroundings, smells and sounds, such as eating an oyster, surrounded by the lapping ocean.

Fully programmed to cook Technology is helping less confident home cooks to expand their culinary repertoire, as well as aiding those with less time than previous generations to spend ‘slaving over a hot stove’!

For example, the pressure cooker – a long established classic – has been given a modern technological twist by Kuhn Rikon. Edward Margetts, md of Kuhn Rikon UK acknowledges: “Like every aspect of modern day life, everyday household items are increasingly technology driven and items used in the kitchen are no different.”

He continues: “Kuhn Rikon’s new Bluetoothenabled Duromatic Comfort Pressure Cooker uses an app which connects with the cooker during the cooking process, monitoring the food you are cooking in real time, informing the user when heat needs to be adjusted or steam released.” Edward adds: “The app features regularly updated recipes with step-by-step cooking guidelines, allowing the user to be

more confident and adventurous with their choices.”

Meanwhile, the meteoric rise of the multicooker (see Progressive Electrical pages 26-29) not only means that consumers can rely on fewer gadgets in their kitchen, but that precious time is freedup. Mark Ivens, marketing manager for the Redmond multicooker from Sagemcom notes that: “Consumers are accustomed to technology in the lounge, now there are realising that they can have more useful gadgetry in the kitchen.” He reflects: “Whether singleton, couple, family or even retired, people’s lives

Below: Multiple options for meals and timesaving – multicooker from Redmond.

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For the very best in housewares, tableware and small appliances ADDIS HOUSEWARES AEROLATTE AMEFA ANNIVERSARY HOUSE APOLLO HOUSEWARES ARTHUR PRICE AUTEUR AYDYA CHARLES BENTLEY & SON BERGHOFF WORLDWIDE BHL GROUP BLACK + BLUM BODUM BOSKA CHEESEWARES BRABANTIA BRITA BURTON MCCALL CHARLES VIANCIN CITY LOOK IMPORTS COOKWARE CO COUNTRY MATTERS CREATIVE PRODUCTS CROWN TRENT CULINARY CONCEPTS CURVER DAVID MASON DESIGN DENBY BRANDS DKB HOUSEHOLD DNC THE DRH COLLECTION DUBOST COLAS PRADEL EATON HOME & DINING E-CLOTH ECOEGG EDDINGTONS ELIA EMILE HENRY EUROPASONIC FAIRMONT & MAIN FALCON PRODUCTS FISKARS FOSSEWAY TRADING

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For more information on the show take a look at www.exclusivelyhousewares.co.uk or call 0121 237 1130 22_HW_Nov Dec 2015.indd 1

Run by the industry, for the industry

Exclusively Housewares will run alongside its sister show Exclusively Electrical, designed especially for small domestic appliance buyers

www.exclusivelyelectrical.co.uk

07/12/2015 15:08

00 From the front line_Layout 1 08/12/2015 17:33 Page 1

Tamsin Douglass’

From The Frontline

Snowflakes and cello bags “We resist putting up decorations as long as we can, but every year it is customer demand that forces our hand – although, admittedly, if we don’t start early we are too busy to do anything about it as deliveries come in thick and fast in November,” writes independent cookshop manager, Tamsin Douglass, reflecting on Christmas customs (old and new) and her festive bestsellers at The Cookware Company, Berwick-on-Tweed.

Below: Plenty of finishing touches - manager, Tamsin Douglass beside some of The Cookware Company’s stock of Christmas cake decorations.

“From the beginning of October we are asked about Christmas cake decorations, and some of last year’s stock goes out, alongside Halloween decorations. However, once Halloween is out of the way, Rod (The Cookware Company’s co-owner) spends a Sunday decorating the shop and creating our Christmas window.

Then, he rearranges things every week until he’s happy with the displays and the flow of the shop: so every Monday, I have to relearn where the stock has moved. It takes us weeks to get used to it!

Our Christmas planning began at the end of August: co-owner, Carol and I leafed through the Culpitts’ catalogue choosing new stock and reordering what did well last year. Traditional cake decorations and frills are still popular, as are the bristle Christmas trees and tiny plastic robins. However, I was disappointed that so many claydough reindeers, nativity people, angels and Santas had been discontinued this year.

Meanwhile, people are still eager to make their own decorations: plunger snowflake and holly cutters are hot sellers (the snowflake cutter has sold well throughout the year as Frozen Fever still has the little ones gripped.)

We spend hours looking at

catalogues and I look at home magazines for inspiration on homeware and cookery trends.

Supermarkets usually have loads of homeware stock at this time of year, and with their ability to secure cheaper prices, we find it impossible to compete. So, we stick to the Christmas essentials, like pudding basins in all sizes and materials, roasting tins, foil tins, oven thermometers, carving dishes, specialised tins like the game pie mould and the pannetone tin from Alan Silverwood, plus quality knife

sets and individual knives. There is no point in increasing our stock of spice racks (which we stock at competitive prices throughout the year) when larger retailers have introduced them at lower price points (having exercised their buying power) in the run-up to Christmas.

Of course, we promote ourselves by quality, advice and customer service rather than any gimmicks. A lot of people need to be guided into a purchase; they know that their family member likes cooking,

but can be at a loss as to what to get them. It really helps for us to have watched the cooking shows and understand the trends so that we are confident the recipient will be happy with our suggestions.

Over the last few years, we’ve sold lots of cellophane bags and cellophane rolls for homemade gifts. I use our Facebook page to suggest homemade gifts, such as muffin mixes in Le Parfait jars with a wooden spoon attached. In fact, almost everything that can be given as a gift is getting a guest spot on our Facebook page; we need all the help we can get to let our potential customers know what we have. I am asking a few well-connected friends to share posts for me so they reach as many potential Christmas shoppers as possible.

I am also writing blog posts relating to Christmas preparations. My Christmas cake recipe was given to me by a customer – it is the best one I have ever made, so I am happily sharing that one, with full instructions and pictures to inspire people. Hopefully, I am encouraging them to come into the shop to share some Christmas cheer too.

Have a great festive season!”

Tamsin Douglass is manager of independent cookshop, The Cookware Company in Carlisle.

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LORDS FTF_Grid 04/12/2015 13:48 Page 1

Retailer Focus

Listen and learn Family-run retailer, Lords recently re-branded from Lords of Notting Hill, winning the Excellence in Housewares Awards’ Retailer Initiative and coveted gia UK title. PH talked to founding sisters, Rachna and Rita Dewan and operations director, Tilak Patel, while visiting the new look Hampstead shop, to see how the brand’s evolution is far wider than a name change.

Inset: Christmas window at Lords in Holland Park.

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Inset: Boutique store: St John’s Wood’s kitchen area.

L

ords, with the tagline, At Home With Quality, is the ‘new’ brand identity for a well-established housewares retailer that has a passion for service and that is expanding with beautifully presented local high street shops in and around London, as well as its online channel. It was this re-branding activity that scooped Lords the Excellence in Retailer Initiative Award at the recent PH/CHA Excellence in Housewares Awards and helped it to become the gia UK winner 2015/2016 (see breakouts).

However, despite the uniformity of concept and image, Lords is proud of the differences in its shops – each of which is tailored to meet local needs, from product offering to store design.

The Hampstead store provides a superb example of Lords’ progress. Previously Andrews of Hampstead, a traditional home improvements independent, the shop reopened as Lords in October. Before refurbishing its acquisition, Lords took time to learn from customers and staff, as well as considering the success of other recent refits. Brand director, Rita Dewan emphasises: “Our store design team’s brief is to understand the locality: the people who live there and their expectations, the history of the shop and its area.” In recognition of the shop’s background, the old Andrews of Hampstead sign is a feature inside the store, along with vintage Hampstead underground signs. Meanwhile, shoppers cannot miss the massive photograph of the street taken in 1936 – similar iconic local imagery is

LORDS FTF_Grid 04/12/2015 13:49 Page 2

Retailer Focus

Building on long established foundations Lords’ Builders Merchants was established in west London over 25 years ago. A housewares offering evolved in its Westbourne Grove store as builders asked to buy kettles and Inset: Operations other household accessories. Director of director, Tilak Patel and Marianne Poole, Product, Rachna Dewan reflects: “We manager of Lords realised there was a huge opportunity in Hampstead in for housewares as the area changed.” front of the store’s This experience, combined with the vintage local image. growth of ecommerce, prompted the Bottom: Rachna and retailer to launch an online store by the Rita Dewan, with the name of Lords of Notting Hill in June gia UK certificate at 2010, focusing largely on housewares. A the Excellence in physical shop of the same name followed, with the opening of the shop in Housewares Awards.

Holland Park in June 2013.

However, with the recent acquisition of shops in other areas of London, the retailer decided to drop the reference to “Notting Hill.” Lords shops are located in Westbourne Grove, Holland Park, St John’s Wood, Hampstead, Battersea, and Chorleywood.

becoming a feature for all Lords’ back of till areas.

“These details show we embrace local culture and history,” highlights operations director, Tilak Patel. On a more subtle level, Tilak points out that the local association with Hampstead Heath has given rise to the use of light wood shelving in the shop. Moreover, in keeping with the store’s bright, homely atmosphere, its layout is “more open and engaging”, with no sides to fixtures, drawing customers in with gifting and some more aspirational brands in the front area, and with some key cookware, utility and (given the store’s history) cleaning and DIY essentials at the back of the store. De-cluttering fixtures and being more selective with SKUs (while introducing new lines) has had a positive effect, as Tilak acknowledges: “People come in and say,“You’ve got more stock than you used to have!”

Meanwhile,”touchpoints”, ie quotations mounted in free-standing Perspex are dotted around the store, including foodie words of wisdom from the likes of Julia Childs (“People who love to eat are always the best people”), as well as one-liners from Lords itself (for example,“Keep your shirt on…” in the ironing bay). Tilak reflects:“These are all part of making the store warmer – I see customers laughing and looking for the next quotation!”

The design of the St John’s Wood shop (which opened as Lords in June) embraces a layout differentiated by rooms with the kitchen at the back of the shop. In keeping with the highly affluent area, Rita explains that:“St John’s Wood is our boutique shop, and to make customers feel an instant connection, we have used high spec materials and created a Shaker kitchen and tiled flooring.” She observes:“Customers can visualise products in their own kitchens,” adding,“We are showing them that we appreciate who they are and their lifestyles.”

The importance of local communities is reflected in staff members who live locally, who not only get to know customers’ names and likes, but understand local causes and charities. Hence, all the stores support local street fairs, school and community fetes, raffles and high street collaborations such as Christmas lights. Marketing is also aimed locally – for example with social media posts about in-store activities and tips and recipes on community websites (such as Battersea’s local mothers’ site).“It’s not just about selling our products, it's about engagement and offering a service to help people,” notes Rita.

Stock varies to suit customer demand in each local area. For example, Battersea now veers more towards cookware, with less utility, in response to customers’ expectations (as the shop was previously La Cuisiniere cookshop). However, regular transfers from other stores mean that if a customer wants something, it can often be with them the next day. Moreover, Lords offers free local delivery:“We’ll personally

carry bulky items such as bins and vacuum cleaners or heavy shopping to our customers’ home, or courier it round,” highlights Tilak. He adds that this is a way of competing with online shopping:“People often want something now!”

Reflecting the product offering, look and feel of its stores, interaction with customers is also high on the agenda for Lords’ ecommerce site, via a blog and the opportunity for online chats with the customer service team. Rita emphasises: “Service is a priority for the online business as much as it is in store, and, during business hours, a member of the team will respond immediately to questions through our web chat.”

As for the future, Rachna confirms that there will “definitely” be more Lords stores but,“At the moment we are taking some time to consolidate, making sure all stores are running well.” Poores of Chorleywood will be the last of the six current stores to be re-branded; the home store will reopen as Lords in the spring, after a refurbishment in keeping with the local area and customer base.

Rita acknowledges:“We’re listening, learning and growing – we can never be complacent.”

Inset: One of the quotations ‘touchpoints’ at Lords, Hampstead.

Let there be lightbulbs According to brand director, Rita, every product (from everyday essentials, such as washing up gloves to top end blenders) deserves to be merchandised with due care, attention and style. Lightbulbs (stocked in every store) are a good example, with eye-catching vertical hangings and sign-written explanations of types.

When it comes to window displays, the marriage of creativity and commerciality is important, says Rita, who has, “up to a year’s worth of ideas, based on seasonality, new products and offers, and themes that have a fun aspect and don’t take themselves too seriously.”

She reflects: “We get a lot of nice comments, as people don’t necessarily expect to see such stylish displays on a local high street.”

Lighting up the world As gia (Global Innovation Award) UK winner for 2015-2016, Lords will represent the best of UK retail globally during the next International Home +Housewares Show in Chicago (IH+HS March 5- 8). The retailer will be part of a showcase of excellence in the show’s Hall of Innovation and will receive its national winner’s trophy at the gia gala (where several Global Honorees are also announced).

The gia programme is organised and internationally sponsored by the International Housewares Association and IH+HS, with Progressive Housewares as exclusive UK sponsor.

See www.housewares.org/gia

Progressive Housewares

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Progressive Electricals

In the run-up to Christmas, all sorts of small electricals are providing shopfloor drama, thanks to an abundance of inspiring instore demonstration programmes. With SDAs now core to the gifting market, mixers, blenders and multicookers are waiting to be unwrapped this festive season, while the New Year will bring resolutions for healthier living and cooking with fresh, healthier ingredients.

Progressive Electrical takes a timely look at the market for electrical food preparation, cooking SDAs, kettles and toasters.

Inset: The re-designed ActiFry Express XL has a “new contemporary look that has been inspired by the latest kitchen trends,” explains Tefal’s Dominik Pytel.

Watt’s up?

Multi-taskers and time-savers It seems that the clash of busy lifestyles with the desire to eat well and take pride in food preparation has an increasingly appealing solution in rising star SDA, the multicooker. As a new entrant to the multicooker category, Russell Hobbs’ commercial director, Mike Little, points out that,“In the past year, category sales of multicookers has risen 157%, demonstrating that there is a clear consumer demand for creating tasty and easy meals for the family.” He highlights the benefits of the new Russell Hobbs Multicooker, stating that (with 11 different cooking programmes – including rice, slow cooking, fish, steam and yoghurt) “you can use one appliance to cook your breakfast, lunch and dinner, cutting down on washing up and used kitchen space.”

Mike gives some examples:“Thick and creamy porridge can be made for breakfast, fresh bread with chunky soup for lunch, or a rich beef stew for dinner followed by a light and fluffy cake for dessert.” Those with long working days will appreciate the 24 hour pre-set timer along with a “keep warm function to keep meals warm without the worry of them drying out,” notes Mike.

Israel Quintana, UK sales manager for KitchenAid concurs that:“The popularity of all-in-one cooking

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Progressive Housewares

appliances is on the rise as people’s lives are becoming more stretched and time-poor, yet they still want delicious home-prepared food.“ Hence the iconic brand’s introduction of the multipurpose Artisan Cook Processor, “which allows the user to accomplish several cooking tasks from boiling, frying, steaming, stewing, kneading and proving dough to chopping, mincing, puréeing, emulsifying, whipping, flipping and stirring in one compact space-saving appliance,” notes Israel. He explains that the appliance appeals to all types of cooks, and can

Inset: Edd Kimber (winner of the first series of The Great British Bake Off) demonstrated KitchenAid’s multi-tasking Artisan Cook Processor at the inaugural Exclusively Electrical show in June.

be adapted as culinary confidence builds: besides six pre-programme modes, it can also function manually. Israel adds that: ”A convenient App has been developed to guide the user step-by-step through a variety of effortless recipes.” He also highlights that, with design inspired by the Artisan stand mixer, KitchenAid fans:“will want the stylish Artisan Cook Processor to be a permanent fixture on kitchen worktops.”

Meanwhile, multi-functional ability has always been key to consumers’ selection of a food processor. As Jonathan Burrage, md of Magimix

26-27-28-29 Electricals_Grid 07/12/2015 14:48 Page 2

Progressive Electricals UK and Ireland points out:“With many consumers becoming more space conscious as well as more adventurous in the kitchen, a compact machine that simplifies a range of tasks as well as reducing the number of appliances is seen as a wise investment.” He reports:“The premium end of the market has shown the most encouraging growth in the last 12 months, growing 14% in value, with volume growing by 10%.” The brand has also been addressing demands for speeding up traditional tasks, with its introduction of the Patissier (a finalist in the Excellence in Housewares Awards’ Plugged In Award). The appliance is “capable of kneading the equivalent of two full-size supermarket loaves of bread in under 60 seconds,” notes Jonathan.

With saving time a priority for many consumers, Tefal’s new ActiFry Express XL is the quickest lowfat fryer in the brand’s successful range.

Marketing director, Dominik Pytel explains:“This new model cooks over 1.5kg of fresh veggies, melt-in-the-mouth curries, fluffy chips and more.

All this can be achieved using very little oil and within just 30 minutes.” Dominik highlights further advantages for convenient cooking with the ActiFry: “Its stirring paddle means your food is always evenly cooked and this mixing action is great for making casseroles and risottos. The auto-stop function means it’ll never burn and its closed lid means it’s safe to use around the family.”

Tower electricals buying director, John Knight also highlights the appeal of faster cooking, admitting that:“A stand out product for Tower this year has been the Tower Airwave Low Fat Air Fryer which uses virtually no oil and cooks much faster than a conventional oven.” John adds: ”The

Right: Magmix’s Patissier for speedier bread and cake making.

grill means you are able to cook a full chicken and chips in a third of time and using very little oil, making it the ideal appliance for the healthy lifestyle that people are looking for.” Meanwhile, more consumers are looking for multi-tasking appliances with improved efficiency and better energy use, acknowledges Team UKI’s Tony Goldenfield. He cites the rising popularity of the VisiCook AirChef multicooker, which “uses under 1-unit of electricity per hour, still delivering ‘guiltfree’ chips.” (See also pages 20-21).

Inset: New additions to the blending category include Kenwood’s Blend-X COMPACT (with an added Multi Mill, designed for grinding, chopping and blending small quantities of food such as coffee beans, herbs, nuts, breadcrumbs and puréeing vegetables.)

Blend and go With a 91% rise in value, blenders (aka liquidisers, including personal blenders) have been star performers in the SDA market this year (see GfK report), reflected by John Lewis’ revelation that it has sold one NutriBullet personal blender every four minutes in its How We Shop, Live and Look report for 2015.

At Ultimate Products, Duncan Singleton, trading director notes that smoothies are fast “becoming a critical part of the consumer’s regular diet, especially favoured by those who lead a busy schedule but still want to get their daily dose of nutrients and vitamins in no time at all.” He reflects that:“The Salter NutriPro 1000 (from Ultimate Products) gives people the opportunity to enjoy a healthy lifestyle on the go, and the unique multipurpose blade design enables maximum vitamin and nutrient release without any hassle.”

Other recent additions to the market include Vitamix’s compact high performance blender, also useful for soups, frozen desserts and sauces, while Sage is now entering the personal blending market with its new premium option.

Sales director, David Gubbin explains that, while the ‘Boss to Go’ has a 1000W motor, “We didn’t only look to offer a more powerful and better blending blade and bowl system, but we also

Progressive Housewares

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Progressive Electricals took special care when it came to designing the drinking vessel.“ Some consumers are now getting a little confused between blenders and juicers, observes Aidan Wilde, global sales manager for Vitality 4 Life.

He reports:“The most common questions we receive are, “What is the difference between juicing and blending?” and “Can I make a slow juice in my NutriBullet?” However, Aidan states:“The good news is that the requirement for a healthy diet as part of everyday life is no longer debatable.” He continues: “People are becoming educated to the serious health risks associated with poor food intake and are often looking for a high end juicer that provides the highest quality juice packed with the most enzymes and nutrients available.” Hence the success of the BioChef Atlas Whole Slow Juicer, launched by Vitality 4 Life earlier this year, with “its patented system which helps the user easily guide their fruits and vegetables towards the crushing auger with very little or no preparation whatsoever,” notes Aiden.

Liquidising assets GfK’s Sean Butters, account executive for the SDA Panel reports: “The small kitchen appliances (SKA) sector as a whole has grown 9% in value and 3% in volume in the past 12 months, making it currently worth £835 million. The most successful categories throughout the year have been food preparation*, electrical cooking pots and hot beverage makers.

Food preparation itself has enjoyed the highest value growth of any small kitchen appliance with an uplift of 26%, and its 15% volume growth is only bettered by hot beverage makers’ 22%. This increase is almost solely down to liquidisers, which achieved a 91% rise in value over this period due to the nation becoming increasingly conscious of healthy living. This growth is particularly startling considering other food preparation segments, such as hand mixers and food processors have decreased. With an average selling price of £42 liquidisers have reaped almost £111 million in the past 12 months, accounting for 50% of the total food preparation market and 13% of total SKA. Kettle and toaster markets have remained fairly stable; both of which experienced only a 2% growth in value. While the volume of kettles sold has remained the same, toasters have recorded a 1% downturn. We expect commoditised markets such as these to show little deviation as the items themselves are considered necessities and are usually bought when a replacement is needed. Kettles still bring in a yearly sales value of £185 million, with toasters just under half of that at £90 million.

If the trend towards a healthy lifestyle continues, we can expect premium food preparation products such as liquidisers to become more commonplace in British households, helping to sustain future growth.” (*Food preparation includes: choppers, food processors, hand blenders, hand mixers, kitchen machines, liquidisers.)

• All data relates to the MAT October 2014 - September 2015 unless otherwise stated.

Plugging in: SDA new and views

Showing off: “Everyone likes to have their equipment on show now - creating their own Bake Off style work station,” notes Stylco’s Ian Vermuleun (distributor of Brabantia Appliances). Hence the importance of space-saving products like the Brabantia compact food processor that takes up less footprint on the worktop.” Meanwhile, Tower electricals buying director, John Knight, acknowledges the importance of SDAs for kitchen theatre, as (inspired by TV shows), “consumers are looking to entertain at home and show off not only their new cooking skills, but the appliances used to help them achieve this.” He notes: “Appliances like the Tower Rotating Vertical Rotisserie and the Tower 3 in 1 Reversible Kebab Grill give this ‘wow’ factor.” Gourmet Gadgetry director, Lisa Scott also observes: “a massive surge in ‘food entertainment’ products.” She notes: “Products that are multi-functional but also look very stylish in the kitchen (intense

Made for sharing Creative, simple and sociable cooking, knowing your ingredients and saving money are all themes addressed by Prestige’s recent introduction of a Raclette and Grill, which will be joined by a mini deep fryer with fondue set. According to Meyer Group’s Sabrina Boukhiba, assistant brand manager for Prestige, 26.3% of consumers have cooked for a dinner party in the past six months (data from Conlumino report 2014).

She notes: “Not only is a Raclette or a fondue a simple and quick dish to prepare (boiling some potatoes and serving with salad or ham for the Raclette and slicing some meat cubes for the fondue) but this creative cooking will also reassure consumers who like to know exactly what is in the food they eat – 66.8% of them.” She adds that it is an affordable means of home entertaining, highlighting that: “64.4% of consumers agree that cooking and/or baking is a great way to save money.”

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Left: Kitchen theatre – the Tower Vertical Rotisserie in action.

colours) seem to be popular for 2016.”

Keep chatting: Magimix md, Jonathan Burrage acknowledges: “With the kitchen becoming ever more the social focus within our homes and the desire to cook meals from scratch, the availability of kitchen machines that can be operated without drowning out conversation is ever more important.” All of Magimix’s food processors, blenders and juicers carry the QuietMark accreditation.

Red hot: Favourite colours for SDAs continue to be white, black, cream, red and stainless steel highlights Tony Goldenfeld, md of Team UKI. Team’s VisiCook PowerBoil kettle in “red outsells white by 4:3.” At Magimix, md, Jonathan Burrage has seen a shift towards similar traditional colour pallettes: “The colour trend of recent years, although still most apparent within the younger demographic, has slowed down over the past months.” He reflects: ”Consumers are conscious that when making an investment in a kitchen appliance that will last for years to come, it’s wise to choose a colour that will remain stylish in 10 years’ time and look good in any kitchen. Magimix now offers a 30 year motor guarantee on all food processors and juicers, so choosing a timeless colour ensures a wise investment.”

Reassuringly slow: “Traditional SDA food prep lines that hark back to safer times (baking, slow cooking) remain strong,” says Team UKI’s Tony Goldenfield. He cites: “Team just gathered four listings in the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Top 20 slow cookers, with the Super Compact Slow Cooker gaining 83/100.”

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The great switch Leaving the kettle to boil unattended has long been taken for granted, but 60 years ago, innovation revolutionised the kitchen with the launch of the world’s first automatic electric kettle. Tim Wright, md of Russell Hobbs reports: “Bill Russell and Peter Hobbs changed the SDA industry with their ground-breaking vapour-controlled K1 electric kettle design in 1955. The Russell Hobbs K1 kettle with its automatic switch off was the first of its kind to hit the global, and UK market, and it made a huge impact all over the world not just in terms of product innovation but consumer usage too, making boiling water quicker, safer and easier.”

Tim continues: “Over the following years, Russell Hobbs continued to lead the way in kettle manufacturing and in 1960 the iconic K2 kettle was born – this too was an industry first thanks to its 360-degree rotating base. This was seen as the ‘must have’ kitchen appliance during the 1960s and 1970s, with households all over the UK proud to own one.” He also reflects: “We’re proud to have been at the forefront of electric kettle technology and we’re continuing to set standards, with recent successes including the Montana Kettle (breaking the four million sales barrier in 2008) and the Glass Touch Kettle, which launched in 2009 as the first ever touch control kettle.”

Marking the 60th anniversary (and recognising that the: “automatic switch off function is still fundamental to the design of kettles”) Russell Hobbs launched the Legacy Collection this year, including a limited edition silver chrome kettle featuring a '6' styled handle with a '0' on the lid.

Right: A Distinta toaster from De’Longhi.

On the boil With more time spent in the kitchen as a social hub, it is no surprise that consumers’ choice of kettles and toasters is increasingly becoming a “style statement,” to quote De’Longhi’s trade marketing manager, Maximillian Smith. Max explains:“Year on year, we have seen consumers becoming more audacious and investing more in quality and functionality with their choice of appliances, while also choosing imaginative styles and colour variety.” Hence some distinctive designs from the brand include Argento (with a vintage 60s feel) and the Distinta breakfast collection (recent additions being its digital and mini kettle), appealing “to customers who want a sleek and sophisticated pop of colour in their kitchens,” notes Max. Meanwhile, user friendly features that are appealing to the contemporary consumer include – on Distanta’s toasters, an extra deep crumb tray and an ‘extra lift’ position for small slices, progressive electronic browning control, plus reheat and bagel controls. Brabantia Appliances (distributed by Stylco) also recognise the everyday consumption of toasted bagels: its toasters “include a bagel function as

standard and this toasts the inside of the bagel, leaving the outside soft,” highlights Stylco’s managing director, Ian Vermeulen.

Precise temperature control is an increasingly sought after feature for kettles, for example on the new De’longhi Distinta Digital Kettle “so tea connoisseurs can enjoy the ideal temperature (ranging from 75-100°C),” notes Max Smith. Reflecting busy lifestyles, whereby consumers can easily be distracted having switched on the kettle, the model also “features a keep warm function that maintains the selected temperature for up to 20 minutes.”

Stylco’s Ian Vermeulen points out the energy saving capability of temperature control kettles (including Brabantia Appliances’ digital model) by allowing “a lower temperature for green teas, or the equivalent to

Below: The Legacy limited edition silver chrome kettle from Russell Hobbs, incorporating a 6 and 0 in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the first automatic electric kettle. Russell Hobbs’ Tim Wright states: “The shape and style of the Legacy kettles stay true to the heritage of kettles gone, while still incorporating modern day technology required by today’s consumers.”

‘just off the boil’ for cafetiere coffee.”

In addition to Dualit’s Excellence in Housewares’ Plugged In Award-winning Copper Finish Classic Toaster and Kettle, the brand’s Architect range is also making an impact on kitchen styling. Besides practical details (such as the Patented Pure Pour kettle spout, which prevent drips), Architect’s interchangeable panels enable consumers to address changing interior fashion and personal styling choices. Dualit has now collaborated with luxury homeware designer, Charlene Mullen, for its latest innovative panel designs. Charlene’s design depicts the London skyline, including Tower Bridge, the London Eye and the River Thames. Charlene’s signature red detailing is picked out on the St. George’s flag, as well as a fox resting on the Dualit logo.

Right: Alex Gort-Barten, director at Dualit, acknowledges that the new Architect Toaster and Kettle panel design are particularly appropriate for the brand, celebrating its 70s year, as the London design: “gives a nod to Dualit’s past in Camberwell, followed by the move to the Old Kent Road in the 50s.” Designer, Charlene Mullen, who grew up with a Dualit toaster in the kitchen, speculates that her panels will be “popular with design aficionados as well as London lovers!”

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Come to the International Show with us! saturday, march 5, sunday, march 6, monday, march 7, tuesday, march 8,

10.00am - 5.30 pm 8.30 am - 5.30 pm 8.30 am - 5.30 pm 8.30 am - 3.00 pm

mccormick place, chicago

Come to the International Home & Housewares Show with the only officially endorsed agent in the UK, being the preferred travel partner for the organisers, IHA. For the 15th year running we are pleased to offer you some great flight rates out of the UK to Chicago as well as specially negotiated rates at the Show hotels in Chicago.

Our fares on direct flights from London Heathrow start at only ÂŁ576.00 return in economy class. We are also able to offer fares in premium economy or business class. Please let us know and we will be pleased to give you a quote.

Our hotel rates offer you a great saving compared to the hotels’ own cheapest rates. We are able to offer you rooms at most hotels in Chicago, subject to availability. We will be pleased to recommend some to you or if you have a favourite please let us know and we will be happy to let you have the availability and prices.

Contact us now by phone or email and book your preferred flights and hotels. We look forward to hearing from you and making your reservations.

Contact Paul at paul@exposetravel.uk or Zoe at zoe@exposetravel.uk or call us on +44 (0)1883 349576 or via our website www.exposetravel.uk.

18 Croydon Road, Caterham Surrey CR3 6QB Tel: +44 (0)1883 349576 www.exposetravel.uk

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Vitamix®’s S30 high-performance personal blender is now available in brushed stainless steel and red colourways. Its sleek design and compact container is perfect for blending smaller batches of favourite smoothies, soups, sauces and spreads. Equipped with two perfectly sized individual containers, the S30 makes it simple to quickly blend and take smoothies on the go.

Including a blending cookbook and seven-year warranty, the S30 is available in a variety of colours (Black, White, Brushed Stainless, Red, Cream, Daybreak Blue and Sour Apple Green) at select retailers.

Vitamix Web: www.vitamix.co.uk/S30

Brabantia Appliances is a new brand in the electricals marketplace, distributed by Stylco, and the kettle range includes a 1.7l digital model with a clear energy-saving feature. The user can choose the temperature that the kettle boils at e.g. a lower temperature for green teas, or the equivalent to ‘just off the boil’ for cafetiere coffee. Other items in the range include further kettle models, toasters, irons, a compact food processor and a tabletop blender.

Stylco UK Tel: 020 3282 7112 E-mail: info@stylco.co.uk Web: www.brabantia.com/uk/electrical-appliances

The new Salter BlenderPro 1500 offers a faster and more effective way of extracting nutrients with a unique multipurpose blade. Complete with a 2 L BPA-Free Triton jug, plunger and variable speed control including pulse, it is perfect for blending, mixing, grinding, chopping and juicing. Combining great looks and performance, this stylish nutritional blender is a useful and diverse accessory for any kitchen.

Salter Tel: 0161 934 2283 E-mail: sales@upgs.com Web: www.saltercookshop.com

With the new electric Pie Maker from Judge, you can create your own deep-filled pies in minutes. Sweet or savoury, simply roll out the pastry, cut into shape using the complimentary template cutter for perfect results, then load with the filling of your choice. Pop on your pastry lid and cook for around 15 minutes. No need to pre-heat, once the pie is assembled, turn the Judge Pie Maker on, when the green light has come on (about two to three minutes) it starts to cook, and will be ready in around 15mins. It’s non-stick and comes with a Judge two-year Electrical Guarantee.

Horwood Tel: 0117 940 0000 E-mail: customerservice@horwood.co.uk Web: www.judgecookware.co.uk

Prestige is strengthening its SDA offering with the introduction of an extensive collection that is punctuated with innovation and guaranteed quality. Combining the benefits of a kettle and tea pot into one ingenious machine, Prestige’s tea and water glass kettle has a built in tea filter and four different temperature settings ranging from 70°C - 100°C with a warming plate to maintain temperature. Easy to use with its touch lid to refill this item will be available in January 2016.

Meyer Group Tel: 0151 482 8000 Web: www.prestige.co.uk

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Savour every moment Introducing the new Kenwood CHEF Sense kitchen machine. Over 65 years of innovation and our most intuitive kitchen machine to date. It’s so easy to use it’s a pleasure; with Kenwood quality and reliability for unforgettable results. Exceptional food, delicious memories – every time. Create your own moment at kenwood.co.uk

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Russell Hobbs has launched The Legacy Collection, a special edition breakfast range designed to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the world’s first automatic electric kettle, introduced by Russell Hobbs in 1955. The Legacy Collection features a Limited Edition kettle and toaster in high-shine silver (only available in 2015) as well as a kettle, toaster and coffee maker in red, black or cream chrome, all with black gloss accents for a stylish finish.

Russell Hobbs Tel: 01619473000 Web: www.russellhobbs.co.uk

The New SMART Pasta Maker from SMART Worldwide has a knead dough function, which can make the dough directly from the flour! You can use the fresh dough to make different kinds of desserts, such as cookies and cakes; and even bread and steamed bread. Of course as the name suggests, even all types of pasta! Has patented features such as vertical extrusion to prevent the pasta sticking together and fan drying when the pasta is being produced to speed up the drying process. Easy to clean and quiet (at only 60dB), make noodles, pasta and spaghetti in six minutes!

SMART Worldwide Tel: 08444 069098 E-mail: cs@smaworldwide.com Web: www.smartworldwidefun.com

The next generation of food preparation, the Kenwood Chef Sense, boasts an intelligent speed-regulation system ensuring complete control, allowing customers to master a variety of techniques. The duo-finish bowl has convenient internal measurement graduations, together with an extra-wide feed chute to help minimise mess. The Chef Sense comes equipped with a k-beater, whisk and dough hook ensuring the best mixing, beating and kneading performance. In addition, the cleverly designed Twist Fit system enables the machine to connect to 20+ attachments, which is more than any other kitchen machine in the UK. Kenwood Tel: 0239 239 2392 Web: www.kenwoodworld.com/uk

Brought to you by Ultimate Products, the sleek and stylish NutriPro 1000, available in red or silver, creates delicious vitamin packed, nutritious juices and smoothies. The unique multipurpose blade design enables maximum vitamin and nutrient release, whilst still being able to effectively chop and crush ice.

Versatile and compact, it is perfect for those on the go and with 1000 W power, the NutriPro 1000 is quick and powerful too, meaning that delicious drinks can be made even smoother and faster.

Salter Tel: 0161 934 2283 Email: sales@upgs.com Web: www.saltercookshop.com

Bamix, the revolutionary wand food processor with a versatility that replaces a kitchen appliance. It cuts chops and purees raw and cooked veg, cooked meat, frozen fruit and even ice cubes, a kitchen tool designed with universal uses in mind.

Burton McCall Tel: 0116 234 4611/22 E-mail: sales@burton-mccall.co.uk

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17—19 January 2016 Olympia, London

HOME Experience the new, beautifully curated world of Home at Top Drawer.

Discover a carefully edited, global cross-section of products from the finest brands and designers.

Be part of the evolution of Home at London’s international event for creative retailers: Top Drawer.

REGISTER NOW topdrawer.co.uk 34_HW_Nov Dec 2015.indd 1 Ads x3_210x297mm_2015_V1.indd 1 316337_TDA03A_Proggresive

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Beautifully styled in food-safe BPA-free polymer, the new innovative govino wine glass reflects the wine’s true colour and full flavour aromatics, looking and performing much like crystal. Unlike most plastic-style vessels, all govino products are reusable so can be safely used again and again. Environmentally friendly, all govino products are also 100% recyclable. The New Govino Collection includes: a flute, wine glass, decanter, cocktail glass and beer glass; all safe to use when outdoor entertaining.

Govino Tel: 0207 449 4097.

E-mail: sswift@wonderingwine.com Stand J18

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Hydrate, filter, infuse. Do it all with new bobble Infuse, featuring an innovative, modular cap system.

Designed by renowned industrial designer Karim Rashid, bobble INFUSE is a sleek, BPA-free water bottle that lets users customise their hydration experience.

Available in a range of six colours (poppy, sugar plum, citron, surf, peacock, and fern).

Auteur Web: www.waterbobble.com Stand B23

Tala Performance bakeware is the technologically advanced range that is designed to revolutionise baking. It is non-stick; for bakes that slide off the surface and is manufactured for the perfect bake every time. It is suitable for use with metal utensils and made with 1mm steel for an even distribution of heat.

The Tala Performance bakeware is the best quality in domestic baking and roasting and comes with a 10year guarantee. For bakeware that will stand the test of time, Tala Performance Bakeware is the ultimate in kitchenware essentials.

George East (Housewares) Tel: 01728 833400 E-mail: info@george-east.com Web: talacooking.com Stand J19

A fresh new stoneware collection displaying rustic charm with an organic contemporary edge, Vie Naturelle was one of many new ranges wowing visitors on the Fairmont & Main stand at Autumn Fair. Beautifully formed in a hand-thrown natural style, the collection features an outer matte satin glaze, coupled with an inner glossy crackly glaze which is compelling to look at and wonderfully tactile to hold. The collection comprises seven items in five colourways – there are large, medium and small plates; large and small bowls; a mug and a small jug – the perfect essentials for casual dining.

Fairmont & Main Tel: 01924 848300 E-mail: sales@fairmont.co.uk Stand D9

Bang on trend, the brand new Comic Strip collection from Kitchen Craft may not turn you into a culinary superhero, but it will add a vibrant helping of colour and fun to the kitchen.

The wonderful range of key kitchen accessories includes placemats, coasters, paring knives, mugs, silicone spatulas, chopping board, glass worktop saver and kitchen textiles, all featuring zappy pop art designs incorporating cartoon style culinary words and phrases.

Kitchen Craft Tel: 0121 604 1111 E-mail: sales@kitchencraft.co.uk Web: www.kitchencraft.co.uk Stand G5

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Outsmart smell with remodeez - a collection of stylish, patented odour and moisture removers, remodeez revolutionises the way people deal with odour and moisture in confined spaces, eliminating the need to use unnatural, often toxic, chemical-based products. Simply place remodeez in any space that you want to be fresh and odour free, such as laundry bins, drawers, shoes, boots, helmets, backpacks, refrigerators, cars and luggage.

Auteur Tel: 01869 338751 Stand B23

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Since its launch three years ago, Navigate’s Beau & Elliot brand has become synonymous with contemporary designs on everyday products.

Its latest range of kitchen textiles takes its signature ‘Confetti’ print design and recreates it in solid colours across aprons, oven gloves and tea towels. Made in Portugal, all the textiles are heavy-duty cotton fabric and coordinate with a wider range of storage tins and dining accessories for the kitchen and home.

Navigate Tel: 01279 653249 E-mail: sales@navigate.ltd.uk Web: www.navigate.ltd.co.uk Stand I2

Exhibiting at the Home Show for the first time, Burton McCall will have 11 top brands showcasing new products. Visit the stand to see top lines from the likes of Victorinox, PackIt and its new brand Bamix, plus more.

Burton McCall Tel: call 0116 234 4611/22 Stand D5

Fairmont & Main will start the New Year on an exciting note, with tabletop collections and ceramic gift items providing an inspired display at Home. Outstanding creativity will be evident across all ranges, from exciting new concepts to recent launches and established favourites.

The striking ultra white glossy finish of Arctic, a substantial collection perfectly suited to both formal and casual dining, contrasts beautifully with Vie Naturelle, a range oozing rustic charm with an organic contemporary edge, which in turn, compliments the inherent earthy elegance of Elements, shown here.

Fairmont & Main Tel: 01924 848300 E-mail: sales@fairmont.co.uk Stand D9

Kitchen Craft will showcase exciting new collections and range extensions including new Master Class Artesà gourmet serving pieces and tabletop accessories. New collections will include a delightful range of Artesà Ceramics fine white porcelain with deep sea-blue contrasts and ragged print motifs across a varied selection of items including bowls and platters. Adding a new dimension to the brand will also be a collection of elegant glass serveware and tabletop accessories featuring emotive etched lettering.

Kitchen Craft Tel: 0121 604 1111 E-mail: sales@kitchencraft.co.uk Web: www.kitchencraft.co.uk Stand G5

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37 Tony's Take_45 04/12/2015 13:54 Page 1

TONY’STAKE OUR INDUSTRY MAN STATESIDE

Across the cultures Black Friday, along with Halloween, is just one of many cultural traditions that have spread worldwide. The latter was never a big thing when I was a young boy back in Staffordshire.

At that time of year, kids in my area were focusing more on building bonfires and asking for a “penny for the guy”. Things have changed!

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he traditional start of the holiday shopping season here in the US is Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but these are now firm new additions to the calendar in the UK. As a child, I always remembered that the start of Christmas shopping used to be the arrival of Santa Claus in the local department store. He would ride through the city on his sleigh (probably an old Bedford truck) waving to all as he went by. Don't blame me, but it seems like every year Christmas becomes more Americanised.

Rather a lot has made its way, one way or another, across the Atlantic Ocean. The success of Gordon Ramsay, Jamie Oliver, Nigella Lawson and others in America underlines a fascination that exists here with all things British. Doctor Who, Inspector Morse, Downton Abbey and Sherlock are all popular shows these days, while James Bond remains a perennial favourite. America is now even taking football seriously, even though people insist on calling it “soccer”. There again, I'm somewhat shocked to see how popular American football has become in the UK. With several NFL games now being played at Wembley – to sell-out crowds – and talk of a team being transferred to London sometime this decade, it amazes me that a nation of cloth cap, football, rugby and cricket loving people could adopt the rules of gridiron. How about them Cowboys?

Inset: Ex-pat, Texas resident, Tony Boulton relishes a burger. The former UK distributor and US cookshop owner has been in the housewares industry for decades.

Tony’s store, Design & Grace now trades solely online.

So, what other American culture has become overwhelmingly popular in the UK? Well, fast food has overtaken the fish and chip shop and the meat pie as the number one quick meal. Since the first McDonald's restaurant was opened in London in 1974, the burger has seemingly become king. That company admitted at the time that nobody went in to their first restaurants and an article in the Sunday Times drew the conclusion that British people did not like ‘pre-condimented burgers’. Well, that didn’t last! Now increasing numbers of British consumers who have grown-up with McDonald’s are creating their own homemade version of the much-loved burger, aided by the widening range of burger presses from both US and UK brands (see pages 38-39).

In the culinary world, there is now a whole wave of philosophical exposition on the gourmet merits of burgers from different chefs and restaurants. I could go a whole year, exploring food outlets in Dallas Fort Worth and just eating the ubiquitous ‘meat patty on a bun’ (to use the local lingo). And it can be topped with pretty much everything under the sun, from lettuce and tomato

to jalapeños, bacon and even broccoli & cheddar and peanut butter! Burgers even find their way onto buffet tables today, in the form of their little nephew, ‘the slider’.

So how does one manage to incorporate this into a nation that was famous for its fried fish, its roast beef and its eggs & bacon, to one which today boasts a huge list of Michelin starred chefs and more than a dozen restaurants carrying two or more stars?

I guess it's by becoming less snobbish, less judgmental and more willing to accommodate new ideas and traditions.

That is fine by me, except that you won't be finding me at any Halloween parties in fancy dress. On the other hand, I won't be wearing a suit and tie.

I only do that these days if there's a wedding. And you'll usually catch me anywhere there is fast food – preferably a burger, with avocado, bacon and tomato. Oh, and “hold the mustard” - and the peanut butter. I prefer mayo.

Former UK housewares distributor and US cookshop owner, Tony Boulton has lived in Texas for over a decade. His ecommerce business is www.designandgrace.com and can be found on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

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Market focus Inset: The Kilner drinks dispenser is a Christmas hit.

The market for creative ‘do-it-yourself’ food and drink – often using healthier ingredients - is growing. PH looks at how consumers are shunning shop bought and making their own preserves, cordials, burgers, butter and pies as well as flavoured and sparkling water.

Make it yourself

Blogging about jam The Kilner jar from The Rayware Group cemented its reputation as an enduring classic by winning the Icon Award at the recent PH/CHA Excellence in Housewares Awards. Kilner’s senior product manager, Rachael Dickenson, reports on the reasons behind the brand’s escalating appeal for a wide audience, including trendy young bloggers: “We have seen the volume of sales for Kilner for preserving and jamming wares increase significantly year on year. The market for homemade food and drinks has evolved, driven by a shift in people’s attitudes towards their food.

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Health has always played a major part but people have never been more conscious about the transparency and the source of their foods than they are today. Consumers want to know the story of their food, using their own handpicked or foraged ingredients to make their own preserves, pickles and drinks. Of course, there is also the cost saving element.

Traditionally, pickling and preserving was seen to be something your grandma does but this is certainly no longer the case. Not only have we witnessed a growth in the number of people but also a shift in our audience, with a much younger demographic who are creative with their uses of food and experimenting,

blogging and posting on social media.

Deliciously Ella and Helmsley Sisters have played a massive part.

There is also the type of preserver who wants to try different recipes and where time allows, experiment with different flavours. They love to give preserves and pickles as gifts; preserving has become very emotive and not just practical.

Preserving was originally restricted by seasonality, but our statistics show that people are not only making and preserving homemade food during the peak periods, but are purchasing ingredients all year round to create their own infused alcohols, summer sauces for BBQs and festive foods.”

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Market focus

Machines that make it easier James Robinson, marketing manager at Horwoods acknowledges that housewares gadgetry is boosting the ‘make it at home’ market:

Inset: Easy pies – from Horwoods’ Judge Pie Maker.

“It’s a shame to admit, but it is our belief that basic skills in food preparation are generally on the decline, brought about by limited education in schools, the rise in convenience food, a squeeze on time – hence fewer skills passed on to children from time-starved parents and grandparents - leading to a large sector of the population that is lacking in confidence and basic cookery skills, despite the rise in cookery programmes (this is watching not making).

Now, offer this consumer the opportunity to cook something from scratch in simple steps with the help of a machine and it becomes very attractive. So machines like a health grill, which take the guess work out of heating the grill to the correct temperature, are encouraging more consumers to have a go at home. The new Judge pie maker provides a pastry cutter and pie moulds; it takes the guesswork out of sealing the pies and heats to the perfect temperature to ensure there are no soggy bottoms. The Judge Soup Maker enables even most novice cook a very simple way to make nutritious soup by popping in the ingredients in and waiting 20 minutes, without any messy blitzing.”

Flavours and fizz: advantages of DIY hydration More and more consumers are realising the importance of hydration, but are keen to pep up their water to make it more appetising. For example, consumption of shop bought still flavoured water increased by 16.4% to over 250 million litres last year (source: British Soft Drinks Association’s UK Soft Drinks Annual Report 2015).

However, housewares stockists are benefiting from the latest trend for ‘DIY’ flavoured water using fruit, vegetables, and infusing drinks bottles.

Simon Maghnagi, business development manager for Forma House, distributor of Sagaform, reports:“The idea of fruit-infusing has completely exploded this year and we don’t see the trend slowing down in 2016. The consumer press has picked up on this trend and we

expect to see an uplift in sales in January as the focus shifts to diet and detox post Christmas.” He adds:“Even a simple sparkling water and lemon is a really refreshing and healthy alternative to the sugar loaded drinks you can pick up in store while on the go, and it’s really quick and easy to do.“ Meanwhile, Auteur’s Angela Conlan reflects on the recent launch of bobble infuse (which features “a modular cap system, so it works as a fruit infuser or filters your water”), with increasing numbers of conversations (whether via social media or face to face) “about the positive benefits of drinking infused water, like feeling more energised.”

Healthier drinking habits are also behind soaring sales of SodaStream home-carbonation systems, as consumers move away from unhealthy, sugary fizzy drinks (echoed by the growth of the sparkling water category, which

has seen a sales increase of 13% year on year, equivalent to £142m, according to Mintel’s Bottled Water Report last year).

Rachel Smith, SodaStream’s head of marketing points out the health benefits of home carbonation for sparkling drinks lovers: “Unlike store-bought fizzy drinks, SodaStream consumers can opt for either natural sparkling water or add as much (or little) flavour to their drinks as they like. Home-carbonation gives the control back to the consumer, with the ability to customise their own drinks – this is key as people are becoming increasingly health conscious.” She also highlights:“Research has also shown that people with a SodaStream consume three more glasses of water and water-based drinks a day (and 54% less sugary fizzy drinks), compared to those without a SodaStream.”

In control of ingredients Claire Budgen, marketing controller for Kitchen Craft notes a surge in pride and enjoyment gained from ‘DIY’ foods, while also highlighting the influence of health reports on food ingredients, commenting: “There is an ongoing trend for consumers to challenge themselves to ‘make from scratch’. We are seeing this more and more with typically unhealthy foods such as butter, bread, home brewed beer, smokers for meat and fish and also mincers, sausage makers, meat ballers and hamburger makers. There seems to be a constant negative focus on foods such as this in the media, either in terms of their fat, sugar, alcohol content or the uncertainty of a meat source. Many consumers still want to enjoy their favourite food, but take control of what goes in it.

Of course, this trend is particularly relevant for consumers with time on their hands – for example, empty nesters who don't need to bother with convenience, but enjoy experimentation with the likes of butter making or home brew - along with those who find cooking relaxing (typically males at the weekend as a way of winding down from work and impressing either family or friends with a new recipe).

More families are finding that cooking with their kids can be fun: sausage makers, meat ballers and hamburger makers are increasingly popular. We have extended our range of meat ballers significantly, from one to four, including some in fun colours for kids! In addition, our burger makers now come in various forms such as quarter pounder, standard, slider and stuffed varieties. For Spring/Summer 2016, we are launching smoking ovens and boxes and also butter paddles and demijohns.”

Right: Fizz from SodaStream Power.

The brand’s Rachel Smith acknowledges: “As well as promoting health and wellness, home carbonation is environmentally friendly, cost-effective and offers genuine convenience by eliminating the need to carry bottles home from the supermarket, or to regularly dispose of empty bottles.”

Right: A Home Made Meat Baller from Kitchen Craft.

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DIYFood&Drink

If you are baking, preserving or pickling and giving as gifts, look no further than the new Gift Crates from T&G, perfect for making and giving something special and unique this Christmas. Each crate is made from rustic acacia with different text printed on the front from jams, preserves and pickles to home-made, home grown, home picked … ……. there is a crate for everyone. Make Christmas extra special by creating your own gifts whether they are home-made treats or something special.

T&G Tel: 01275 841841 Web: www.tg-woodware.com

Designed with high performance double-wall vacuum insulation and 100% stainless, 18/8 food grade interior, Klean Kanteen Growlers keep your homemade cocktails, gin and tonic, or cold-brew coffee at their original, tap-fresh temperature and carbonation for hours on end. The included Swing Lok® Cap is removable, all stainless steel, and threadless for a tight seal and leak resistance.

Whitby & Co Web: www.whitbyandco.co.uk/klean-kanteen

Whether you’re looking for a lower fat, or more natural lifestyle, or simply wish to experiment with your personal selection of flavour combinations, nothing could be simpler than the Judge Digital Yoghurt Maker (pictured); just add the ingredients, set the inbuilt timer and leave it to work its magic. The results will be scrumptiously thick and creamy every time. The machine comes complete with seven colour-coded jars (one for each day of the week). Sized to fit into a lunch box with a 150ml capacity, they are dishwasher safe for convenient cleaning.

Horwood Tel: 0117 940 0000 E-mail: sales@horwood.co.uk Web: www.judgecookware.co.uk

Kitchen Craft’s Home Made brand offers a wide-ranging collection, which allows you to embrace DIY food and all things home made. From jam, preserves, cordials and pickles, to bread, pasta, pies and meats - the Home Made brand offers products that have stood the test of time over generations, to items that allow you to embrace the home made philosophy with a modern twist. The brand even extends to the finer detail with a wonderful selection of complementary items such as labelling kits, tags and jar covers for personalising your produce to gift to friends and family.

Kitchen Craft Tel: 0121 604 1111 E-mail: sales@kitchencraft.co.uk Web: www.kitchencraft.co.uk

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Brought to you

by UP Global Sourcing, the sleek and stylish NutriPro 1000, available in red or silver, creates delicious vitamin packed, nutritious juices and smoothies. The unique multipurpose blade design enables maximum vitamin and nutrient release, whilst still being able to effectively chop and crush ice. Versatile and compact, it is perfect for those on the go and with 1000 W power, the NutriPro 1000 is quick and powerful too, meaning that delicious drinks can be made even smoother and faster.

UP Global Sourcing Tel: 0161 627 1400 Email: sales@upgs.com Web: www.upgs.com

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DIYFood&Drink Le Parfait has been producing traditional glass preserving jars for over 80 years, and with summer just around the corner, Le Parfait Super Preserving Jars are perfect for creating homemade preserves using fresh, seasonal produce. Alternatively, they can be used as charming storage jars for dry foods and are available in several sizes ranging from 0.25L to 3.0L to suit all needs. Featuring an air-tight clip top lid and an embossed Le Parfait logo for an elegant finishing touch, these preserving jars are a wonderful addition to any cooking enthusiast’s kitchen.

BHL Group Tel: 0113 2016738 E-mail: websales@bhlgroup.co.uk Web: www.bhlgroup.co.uk

MAKE A

MOVE

The International Home + Housewares Show delivers in every way imaginable – innovation, trend, inspiration – it’s a complete package. Couple that with being in Chicago and being able to see the best of USA retail, it’s a must see!

Matthew Canwell, Director of Buying Lakeland

Addressing the ever-growing demand for healthy eating, the new Spiralizer and Spiral Slicer from Kitchen Craft allow you to conjure up an impressive array of carb free meals. Making a variety of healthy vegetable ribbons, strands and spirals so quickly and easily - ideal for salads, stir frys and garnishes. As well as being a great way of encouraging children to eat more veg you can also make the healthy version of spaghetti – courgetti for carb free appetising dishes!

With a host of features including interchangeable blades, a spiked wheel for a firm hold, easy turn handle and non-slip rubber feet, Spiralizer will soon become one of your most indispensable kitchen aids.

Kitchen Craft Tel: 0121 604 1111 E-mail: sales@kitchencraft.co.uk Web: www.kitchencraft.co.uk

5 - 8 March • Chicago, USA

Show information and free online pre-registration Visitors: www.housewares.org/attend Exhibitors: www.housewares.org/exhibit

innovation

design

For travel arrangements, contact Expose Travel, Paul Vasdev, Tel: +44 1883 349576, Email: paul@exposetravel.uk

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What’s Cooking?

In Design Classics?

PH asked four independent retailers to reveal bestsellers in classic designs, including products that have stood the test of time and those that promise to be the classics of the future.

Jill Corfield, owner, Jill’s Cookshop, Hoylake A small high street cookshop situated in a seaside village in the Wirral peninsula.

Bakeware from Alan Silverwood

I just love them! Made in Britain, people collect these beautifully designed tins.The only downside is that they are so good that people won’t need to buy another of the same tin.

Wooden spoons from T&G Microplane graters from ICTC Signature Knives from Robert Welch Designs

These are environmentally friendly and good value for money at a fair price.

A class product – I could sell these ‘til the cows come home!

Once customers buy one of these well designed knives, they come back for another and build up a collection.

Nest Utensils from Joseph Joseph

This is one example of clever design from Joseph Joseph, which we have recently introduced. Another particularly clever product is the ThermoBaste, with a thermometer in the handle of the baster, saving space in your gadget drawer.

Zeal Silicone Utensils from CKS

These are superb quality, with steel shafts underneath the silicone.

Right: A clever piece of design from Joseph Joseph, a design classic in the making - the Nest Utensils bring colour and space saving to the kitchen.

Above: A real classic piece - T&G’s wooden spoons will no doubt fill a space in everyone’s kitchen, and environmentally freindly too.

Mark Gliddon, owner, Gliddon's Cook's Corner, Sidmouth A family-run cookshop which has been trading in the centre of Sidmouth for over 100 years.

Chicken Apron by Sophie Allport Pyrex Measuring Jug from Pyrex Cut and Carve by Joseph Joseph Kitchen Devils Vegetable Knife from Fiskars Falcon Oval Roster from Nimbus Lancashire Peeler from Dexam or Kitchen Craft

This good seller is now established as a design classic.

Every home will have at least one!

This great design is a guaranteed seller at Christmas..

Nearly one sold everyday here it seems.

"It's just like my mother had!"

Everyone can use it: a firm favourite.

Right: Now a firm favourite with shoppers, Sophie Allport’s chicken design crosses every aspect of kitchen textiles the apron is a popular choice.

Left: The Pyrex Measuring Jug has always been, and will continue to be a kitchen staple - a great product for all your measuring and pouring needs.

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What’s Cooking?

Sophie Bensley, joint owner, Cooks Galley, Abergavenny A family run business established in 1988, with a successful cookery demonstration area that launched in 2013.

Game Pie Moulds from Alan Silverwood Plates and Dishes from Falcon Enamel Easy Induction Frying Pans from Kuhn Rikon

Customers have wanted these for years, and finally they are back!

These are now the trendy thing to use to serve food on. We can’t get enough of these!

A fantastic pan, great quality, great price - and they last!! We use these in our cookery school, and they come up like new every time!

Signature Knives from Robert Welch Chasseur Cast Iron Casseroles from Dexam Sheep and Dachshunds Aprons and Oven Gloves from Ulster Weavers

Our best seller: feels fantastic in your hand, and the sharpness is phenomenal.

A sensible price structure for a brilliant cast iron range!

The quality of the cotton is brilliant, amazing designs, and a great company to deal with!

Right: The award winning Game Pie Moulds from Alan Silverwood are in high demand. Classics never go out of fashion.

Left: If you’re looking for great looking cast-iron, with a great looking price tag then these Chasseur Cast Iron Casseroles from Dexam are for you - perfect for these Winter months.

Vicky Woolston, director, The Kitchen Shop, Lichfield This is a long established family-run, two storey cookshop that gets involved with community activities in the market town.

Kitchen Aid Artisan Mixer from Beam Group TNS cookware range from Le Creuset

This is still the most desirable of stand mixers.

Toughened Non-stick cookware is a constant best-selling range and upcoming design classic; high quality and durable.

Judge 3 Tier Steamers from Horwood

An old design that has stood the test of time, these are ideal for today’s health conscious consumer.

Victorinox Paring Knives from Burton McCall Crockpot Slow Cooker 3.5L from EPE Group

A simple, good quality knife at a reasonable price, these have been a constant best seller for many years.

A traditional product that has seen a massive resurgence in recent years, this is economical and perfect for today's busy lifestyles.

Bialetti from Hot Plate Products, Aerolatte from Eddingtons, and Alessi Hobtop Espresso Makers

These Italian style Hobtop Espresso Makers are perfect for the coffee connoisseur.

Right: Great quality and price point, the Victorinox range of paring knives from Burton McCall are a mainstay for any kitchen.

Leftt: The grandmaster of mixing - KitchenAid’s Artisan Mixer from Beam still remains among the top aspirational products for the home. With a design that brings back memories of yesteryear, and the performance to compete with the best.

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Live Coffee with Passion Live Coffee with Passion

De’Longhi introduces its slimmest Traditional Italian Coffee Machine.

Whythe choose a Traditional Italian at coffee machine?

For creative Barista heart in a slim package

The popularity of coffee shops in the UK has seen demand boost for the authentic coffee shop experience at home that isn’t capsule-based. Providing a relaxed, barista-style experience at home, Why choose a Traditional Italian coffee this 15 bar pressure machine is the traditional way machine? to make all your coffee shop favourites from Providing a relaxed, barista-style experience at home, this 15coffee bar pressure is espressos to lattes and cappuccino. It uses fresh espresso-ground and fresh machine milk.

the traditional way to make all your coffee shop favourites from expressos to lattes and Why choose Dedica? cappuccino. It uses fresh espresso-ground coffee and fresh milk.

Tradition meets modernity on this stunning machine, which combines Italian design, versatility and high performance in one small but perfectly formed package. At just 15cm wide, it boasts all the features of a Traditional Italian coffee machine, without taking up valuable worktop space. Three easy Why choose Dedica? to use buttons a precision single or double shot ofwhich coffee,combines whilst the manual frother builds hot Tradition meetsdeliver modernity on this stunning machine, Italian design, frothy milk effortlessly. versatility and high performance in one small but perfectly formed package. Three easy to

use buttons deliver a precision single or double shot of coffee, whilst the manual frother Why choose De’Longhi? builds hot frothy effortlessly.

De’Longhi are themilk leading Espresso machine brand in the UK*. A passion for innovation, design and the perfect cup of coffee means your customers will always be delighted.

Discover more at: www.seriousaboutcofee.com or call: 02392 392555

www.seriousaboutcoffee.com or call: 02392 392 392 *GfK RT GB, Espresso Machine market, Value sales MAT May 2013 – April 2014

Also available in: Also available in: DE’LON GHI ITALIAN DESI GN AN D PA SSION

FREE Coffee Expert App now available for download

Black

Grey

FREE Coffee Expert App now available for download

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GreenPan was the original ceramic non-stick cookware on the market and is now onto its 4th generation of coating with Thermolon Marathon. The Rome frypan range is suitable for all hobs including induction with heavy gauge aluminium body, lifetime guarantee, Thermolon Marathon ceramic non-stick coating and stay-cool bakelite handles with stainless steel insert. The initial range is 20cm, 24cm & 28cm frypan, available in two new GreenPan colourways – grey and cream.

GreenPan Web: www.greenpan.co.uk

Unique to Stellar Tate (pictured) is the perfectly flat lid, enabling pans to easily stack and of course when cooking, it leaves a clear field of vision. Moreover, draining is safer and easier, as integral to the lid is a handle that locks to the main pan-handle.

The range is built to Stellar’s high standards with 18/10 stainless steel, a 5mm forged thermic base, which is optimised for use on an induction hob and yet operates efficiently on all other hobs too. The range includes 16/18/20 cm Draining Saucepans pans and 20/22/24 draining casseroles.

Horwood Tel 0117 940 0000 E-mail: sales@horwood.co.uk Web: www.stellarcookware.co.uk

Classics Copper has been big news in interiors this year, and the La Cafetiere Origins range mixes this popular material with wood and borosilicate handles to create a range that’ll make your kitchen surfaces really stand out. Classic pieces such as the Le Teapot, Thermique, Pisa Cafetiere and a coffee grinder all receive a copper plating which make them the perfect way to bring this trend to you home. The range also includes copper dipped teaspoons, so you can even liven up your cutlery draw.

Creative Tops Tel: 01536 207756 E-mail: press@creative-tops.com Web: www.creative-tops.com

Under the Ella Sabatini brand, Western House recommends a long lasting range; Bar Accessories. Shaken or Stirred, this range makes an ideal gift. A classic, elegant design that is made up of five stems, a sundae dish, one carafe and a decanter.

These tall elegant stems are dishwasher safe and are packaged in photographic gift boxes.

Western House Tel: 01256 462341 Email: sales@western-house.com Website: www.western-house.com

Pyrex has had a long association with producing the highest quality glassware. To mark the 2015 centenary celebrations the leading kitchen brand launched the Optimum glass collection to offer customers even more choice and flexibility when preparing home cooked meals. The collection comprises of eight products, including square, rectangular and oval roasters, which are notably deeper, offering customers a product for every recipe and requirement, while reflecting modern kitchen and cooking trends.

Pyrex Tel: 01564 786 030 E-mail: contact.pyrexuk@intl-cookware.com

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new

products

Thermal drinks bottles are nothing new, but there’s something very clever about the latest design from Judge. Most sports bottles channel water through a narrow plastic tube, which provides the dream habitat for germs and mould, and can be impossible to thoroughly clean. The Judge Sport offers a wide mouth, carefully sealed by a unique locking mechanism, which only releases the liquid when you want it, but leaves no spaces for germs to hide. In addition, the stainless steel Sports Bottle is double walled offering insulation to keep your dinks hot or cold for up to six hours.

Horwood Tel: 0117 940 0000 E-mail: customerservice@horwood.co.uk Web: www.judgecookware.co.uk

With the festive gifting season around the corner, T&G has everything from the everyday kitchen essentials to those special gifts.

Featured are the new additions to Pride of Place; two-pint jug and salt jar, both available in old green and old cream - great new additions to the popular ceramic collection by T&G that has been designed to look like old enamelware, but has all the advantages of ceramics. This perfect recipe of products will be “Pride of Place” in any kitchen!

T&G Tel: 01275 841841 Web: www.tg-woodware.com

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The new Express Whisk is yet another innovation from Mastrad, designed to make life easier with its uncomplicated versatility. With a light press of the ‘push pull’ handle, the Express Whisk enables you to mix ingredients efficiently. Its flexible silicone coated steel wires, rotating ball joint and adjustable mechanism enable it to change shape according to your needs.

A long and slender format is great for whisking in narrow containers, whilst a classic balloon shape is perfect for beating egg whites or making whipped cream.

Mastrad Tel: +44 (0) 7739 754803 E-mail: ageddes@mastrad.fr Web: www.mastrad.fr

Perfect for the hob, in the oven, the fridge and serving food directly to the table. This three-piece set features an induction base with a non-stick ceramic coating ideal for healthy cooking.

It also features a removable handle, which holds up to 10 kg in weight for complete safety and makes the set easily stackable for easy storage.

Salter Tel: 0161 934 2283 E-mail: sales@upgs.com Web: www.saltercookshop.com

Free from chemicals, the Salter Pan For Life naturally enhances the flavour of your food; the more you cook the better it becomes! The innovative range sees professional cookware taken to the everyday consumer and is sure to impress.

Salter Tel: 0161 934 2283 E-mail: sales@upgs.com Web: www.saltercookshop.com

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new

Perfect for the hob, in the oven, the fridge and serving food directly to the table. This four-piece set features an induction base with a non-stick ceramic coating ideal for healthy cooking. It also features a removable handle, which holds up to 10 kg in weight for complete safety and makes the set easily stackable for easy storage.

Salter Tel: 0161 934 2283 E-mail: sales@upgs.com Web: www.saltercookshop.com

As we approach the festive season entertain your family in style.

Introducing Epicurean’s new stylish range of Copper Hammered Barware. The showpiece is the Elegant Champagne/Wine cooler which holds six bottles. The range is made from stainless steel and features a striking copper textured ‘hammered’ finish. Also available in the range is an ice bucket with tongs, cocktail shaker and serving tray.

Eddingtons Tel: 01488 686572 E-mail: sales@eddingtons.co.uk Web: www.eddingtons.co.uk

products

Gusto and Gusto+ from Pyrex are made from Aluminium for higher thermal conductivity, heat retention and ease of use. Gusto+ has a base thickness of 4mm, which makes it perfect for use on Induction hobs, in contrast Gusto has a base thickness of 2.5mm so it can be efficiently used on gas hobs. Gusto has a blue eclipse finish with a galaxy stone effect coating, whereas Gusto+ has a copper coating on the exterior and chocolate finish inside. Both products have a Bakelite handle, which is lightweight, incredibly durable and Gusto+ also has a soft touch finishing for comfortable handling.

Pyrex Tel: 01564 786 030 E-mail: contact.pyrexuk@intl-cookware.com Web: www.pyrexuk.com

As a preview to its Spring/Summer 2016 new releases of Kitchen Textiles, Ladelle introduces Porton (pictured) - a striking design, featuring bold stripes and sharp detailing. This 100% cotton stylish woven design includes pot holder, oven mitt, apron and kitchen towel.

Ladelle Tel: 020 3755 3135 E-mail: Customerservice.uk@ladelle.com Web: www.ladelle.com

Part of the luxurious High Fashion range, the Viners Baroque cutlery set (featured), exudes endearing charisma.

Made from the highest quality 18/10 stainless steel with detailed filigree decoration on the front and the back of each piece, this 16 piece set will make a show-stopping statement on your table. Presented in an eye-catching flock inlay gift box, the hardwearing, rust-resistant cutlery comes with a 50-year guarantee.

Rayware Tel: 0151 486 1888 E-mail: sales@rayware.co.uk Web: www.viners.co.uk

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