F-G
SHOW PREVIEW | kbb Birmingham
‘We are standing strong with our retailers’ Jo Sargent, sales and marketing director, Franke UK
Q & A
Q: How is business at the moment compared with last year? A: There is no doubt we are all in a challenging and unpredictable market and there are factors that we simply cannot control such as global geopolitical instability and its economic impact. But we will focus on the things we can control, such as service, product, availability and value for our retail partners. There are some optimistic indicators, inflation has more than halved from its double-digit high a year ago and forecasts are that it will continue to fall throughout the year. Cuts in interest and mortgage rates should follow, and provide more stability and certainty for the consumer and this improves confidence for spending on home improvements.
Q: What are the main challenges facing your sector and how are you tackling them? A: We know that showroom footfall is down and conversion rates are taking longer but this year will see us continuing to invest heavily in marketing activities, brand awareness, new product intro- ductions and bolstering our service teams. We are standing strong with our retailers – they are our most important route to market.
Q: How do you view the health of the UK KBB market? In what ways could it improve and how can the industry improve it? A: No one could have predicted the conflation of events that have we have seen in recent years – Covid, the war in Ukraine, the supply chain and energy crises, ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, but our sector is determined and experienced and we
always show resilience in the face of economic challenges. Homeowners place an enduring value on their kitchen, not just for its pivotal role in the home for creating quality of life, but as an investment in the property’s value. This is our guiding beacon and a reason for optimism.
Q: How do you think the relationship between supplier and retailer is changing? A: The relationship has changed in that speed and availability is a priority. There is more immediacy about everything and suppliers need to be more agile and flexible than ever. Consumer expectations are higher and we have to support retailers strongly in fulfilling their needs for service, speed, product, innovation, information and technical support. But at its heart the relationship is the same in that it’s a partnership based on trust, value and respect.
Franke Stand: J70
A key highlight from Franke will be its Mythos Black Line collection of appliances – a curated collection of products reflecting demand for black accents in home design, and the family-centred Maris ranges. These include ovens, hobs, warming drawers, coffee machines and wine coolers with some of the products on display being brand new additions to the range. It will also showcase its flagship Water Hub instant boiling water tap range, which draws on Franke’s decades of experience of the tap market. Another new tap range making its debut is the Heritage Collection of classically- styled taps reflecting the “Cottagecore” trend which includes a new polished nickel finish.
Giavani Bathrooms Stand: E83
Giavani Bathrooms says its collections are designed and crafted with precision, drawing on over 20 years of expertise and design experience. The company takes pride in sourcing the best -quality materials to guarantee a perfect synergy between aesthetic and quality, it says. Among the products on show will be the Sapporo freestanding bath (pictured), with a geometric-patterned aesthetic, and curved shape, made from what Giavani says is easy-to- clean sanitary-grade acrylic, reinforced with fibreglass laminate for optimum strength.
88 • March 2024
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124
