NEWS | Round-up
kbb Birmingham show organisers reveal Innovation Awards shortlist
THE SHORTLIST for the kbb Birmingham Inno vation Awards have been announced, with entries described as pushing
novice DIY-er can assemble and shrink the storage without the need for specialist tools.
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boundaries of design for the KBB sector. The awards – in partnership with Blum – are now in their sixth year, and celebrate innovative design across three categories: the People’s Choice Award, the Judges Choice Award and the Sustainability Award. Judges this year included our very own managing editor Andrew Davies, founder of Kia Designs Kia Stanford and Blum ergonomics expert Amanda Hughes.
The finalists are as follows:
Woodio Washbasin, by Woodio UK Billed as the world’s first collection of 100% waterproof solid wood composite washbasins, designed for use in commercial interior spaces, the basins are created from a mixture of wood chips and resin, in a production process that involves no heat. At the end of the product’s life, Woodio says its washbasins can be incinerated to generate biomass, so that none of the product goes to waste.
Space-Plug Evolution, by Space-Plug Limited Described by the company as “the most radical change in kitchen cabinetry” of the past 50 years, Space Plug Evolution incorporates two small pegs into its cabinetry fixings solution to make smaller lighter cabinets. Space Plug says its evidence suggests the product can be used to fit units up to five times faster than previously, and also makes the job of fitters easier and more accurate.
Expand 2 Fit Furniture, by Rassam Innovations The product is intended to be a unique way of expanding storage structures such as wardrobes, kitchen units and cabinets, which is said to be able to fit any space to the millimetre. The carcass, door and shelves can be expanded easily in one or two dimensions, and then locked without the need to measure and cut anything. Rassam says that any
Reform Composite Stone, by Ca’ Pietra Available in three formats and up to 12 colours, the collection is a blend of recycled stone materials made in a carbon-neutral factory and is said to use up to 60% recycled content. Ca’ Pietra says Reform tiles can be used within the home, and in outdoor spaces, on walls and floors.
ENVi Electric Shower, by Triton Showers This shower uses a full-colour digital control panel, which makes it easy to adjust temperature, set a timer and monitor water and energy usage, designed to encourage more sustainable showering habits. Each model can host up to six user profiles, with users able to see their costs-per-shower over time.
Bora QVac, by Bora
This built-in vacuum sealer can be flush-mounted on worktops, or surface-mounted on top of them, allowing users to vacuum seal food for cooking, marinating or to preserve food for longer. Bora says that the product can also be used for resealing bottles, and that vaccum sealing food in the fridge or freezer can help to avoid freezer burn.
Junior PM, by Samsung Building on Samsung’s Less Microfibre Cycle, this product is an external washing machine filter designed to reduce plastic microfibre emissions
Novi Designer Lighting Collection, by Novy Available in three sizes and variations, each product in the collection is fully recyclable and comes with touch-free gesture control, allowing users to adjust the lighting in their kitchen with a wave of their hand. The product is said to combat germs on light switches and also enables users to change to different coloured lighting hues instantly.
• The finalists will be announced live at this year’s kbb Birmingham show, on March 6 2024. For more information on the event and exhibitors, our comprehensive show preview starts on page 70.
Shop price inflation drops to a two-year low Shop price annual inflation fell to
2.9% in January, down from 4.3% in December. This was below the three- month average of 3.9% and the lowest it has been since May 2022. In the non-food category, inflation fell to 1.3% from 3.1% in December, below the three-month average of 2.4% and the lowest since February 2022. The BRC pointed out that this steep fall in non-food price inflation was likely driven by heavy discounting. That heavy discounting was one
LATEST FIGURES from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) show shop price inflation in January was the lowest since May 2022, driven by the non-food category.
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aspect of what is otherwise a good- news story, but raised cause for concern with the British Independent Retailers Association, where chief executive Andrew Goodacre com - mented: “After a blip in December it is good to see inflation falling again. Given the low demand it is no surprise to see non-food retailers needing to
discount significantly. However, this means reduced margins at a time when the costs of running a business continue to rise. “We hope that lower inflation results in a cut in interest rates to boost consumer confidence. “We also hope that the Chancellor uses his Spring Budget to further improve consumer confidence and focus on economic growth.” Commenting on the latest shop price inflation figures, BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson (pictured) said: “[There is] some New Year cheer as January shop price inflation slid to its lowest level since May 2022. Non-food goods drove the fall, as many retailers offered heavily discounted goods in their January sales
to entice consumer spend amidst weak demand. Good news for
the morning brew as the price of tea and milk fell, while evening tipples remained more expensive on the back of increased alcohol duties. “Retailers have spent the last eight months working to bring down inflation, but progress will likely be hampered by new cost pressures coming direct from government – including impleme- n ting the increase in the National Living Wage on top of an above-inflation rise in business rates this April, a potential new grocer ‘surtax’ in Scotland, and ill-conceived recycling proposals. “Rising geopolitical tensions will also add to uncertainty and costs in supply chains. With a General Election later this year, we want to see political parties outline how they will help unlock investment across the country rather than the current trajectory, which is doing just the opposite.”
• March 2024 LHOV, by Elica
Claiming to have established a new category of household appliances, LHOV is an integrated hob, hood and oven. The extractor works to remove vapours from both the hob, and inside the oven itself. Elica says that the product makes best use of a kitchen’s space and claims it is set to reshape the cooking experience entirely.
during laundry. It is said to work with Samsung’s existing washing machines, but also with any other brand of washing appliance, as it connects to the external drainpipe.
Hidealoo, by Hidealoo
This is a steel mechanism said to work with any standard wall-hung ceramic toilet that allows them to be rotated up to 90 degrees, meaning the WC can be hidden within a cabinet or cavity. The design is said to free up floor space in compact bathrooms, and also help to provide discreet toilet facilities.
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