NEWS | Round-up
Our climate change champion Richard Hagan, MD of Crystal Doors, discusses the importance of the circular economy and how the concept can help retailers build long-term relationships with customers
Buying once, BUYING
for LIFE
AT HOME in my garage there lies a whole host of wooden components and fixtures for assembling various pieces of kitchen, bathroom and other furniture. Sound familiar? Having spent the past few years reducing the carbon footprint of my lifestyle, my ‘waste footprint’ is my next focus. There is no waste in nature. Waste, along with
money, is a human invention. You may by now have heard of the concept of a circular economy, whereby the linear ‘take, make, use, throw away’ approach that is currently wrecking our planet is replaced with a philosophy of keeping things in circulation for as long as possible, through reuse, repair and recycling (in that order). This is the beginning of how we address over- consumption and the lack of understanding of the stuff we buy and sell. My garage is a collection of circular concepts, but searching for items that can be repurposed has so far, ironically, just got me going round in circles. Yet today, we are all signed up to monthly packages for phones, TV, cars, health or insurance. Within years, I think our industry will also adapt to this service package approach – not pushing large-ticket sales that for many require a bank loan, but an ongoing service that opens up a long- term partnership between customer and supplier to reuse, reassemble and recycle their furniture.
Customers value relationships that offer more than one transaction, built on trust and innovation
Customers value relationships that offer more than one transaction, built on trust and innovation. Our smartphones are constantly being upgraded with new apps and updates. Tesla, the world’s most valuable car maker, regularly updates its cars with new software, offering customers an almost new-car experience on a rolling basis.
With that in mind, I‘m excited to visit this year’s kbb show in March to see the exhibitors, who always showcase incredible innovations. I will be looking for circular economy ideas, asking questions and making new connections with those pushing the brand value of sustainability. At the last show, I met Helen Lord, founder of the Used Kitchen Exchange – a brilliant example of the circular economy in action. Back then, those of us with a sustainable vision were relatively few in number, so I’m looking forward to enjoying a chat once again to see how much things have changed. Last year, there was an explosion of websites,
organisations and people offering help for businesses and individuals to save money and save the planet. This year will be no different. We all need to keep our stuff from ending up in a waste skip.
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Hybrid retail turns local Sheffield showroom into national supplier
VIRTUAL CONSULTATIONS have helped
one kitchen
retailer win business from a wider area while offering busy local customers a more convenient service. Sheffield Sustainable Kitchens (SSK), like many kitchen studios, had no choice but to switch to online consultations when the pandemic forced them to close their showroom temporarily, but found that this enabled them to sell to customers outside their usual geographical area. Now, SSK runs a hybrid model of consultations online as well as in person. Meaning customers do not have to be from the local area.
Founder and managing director Rob Cole (pictured), said of this boost to business: “We found that remote selling, via virtual consultations, allowed us to service markets that had previously been out of geographical reach. We started designing and delivering kitchens and bathrooms to people looking for a sustainable and bespoke approach to their homes, who were happy to source them from a distance.”
He added: “Being flung into the world of
digital consultations was a shock, but we embraced virtual selling like everyone else. It
CIH appoints Paul Tyler as new CEO
FOLLOWING THE resignation of
Guy Kinnell, Combined
Independents (Holdings) (CIH) has appointed Paul Tyler as its new chief executive. Tyler will join CIH, which is part of the Euronics buying group, and will work alongside Euronics chairman, Steve Scogings.
Commenting on the new appointment, Scogings said: “Following a long and successful career with both BSH, Miele, and 10 years working as an independent electrical retailer, the board felt that Paul Tyler was the right choice to take on this extremely challenging but rewarding role. “With his industry knowledge and passion Paul will be an invaluable asset and will help us move the company forward. “We want to help CIH members continue their growth as well as improving our online offering to the consumer both of which should grow our mutual business and continue our fantastic partnerships.”
was the only way, after all. We developed processes for distributing sample materials and drew on the support of our website more than ever before. The 3D interactive kitchen model on our homepage and our extensive kitchen gallery were helpful tools we could show clients. “The pandemic required customers to meet retailers halfway by adapting and adopting virtual consultations. Many of our customers are seeking sustainable alternatives for their kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms, perhaps early adopters in mind-set and lifestyle. Clients being agile in achieving these virtually, helped us along the way.” Cole soon saw that the business was taking on a new shape. “While we are currently not offering a fitting service nationwide,” he explained, “this growth is an exciting development. Now we are talking to clients across the UK, from Scotland to Cornwall.” There have been benefits for local customers, too. Cole added: “For the local market, once they have had a face-to-face consultation, many customers are happy to move conversations online.” And fewer face-to-face consultations mean a lower carbon footprint with reduced travelling.
Davroc launches new affordable luxury brand Coalbrook
COALBROOK IS the newest brand from premium bathroom distributor Davroc. It is said to fill a gap in the bathroom market with its design-led products at competitive prices. The affordable luxury brand is said to have ‘boldness
and innovation at its heart’ and offers a range of bathroom essentials that are modern and stylish. The name of the brand is derived from Coalbrookdale, the site of the world’s first iron bridge. The industrial-inspired design is seen in the brand’s identity and product ranges.
The new range will be first displayed at its new showroom in the Market Building in Clerkenwell, London, which matches Coalbrook’s industrial style. Chris Dodds, managing director at Davroc and Coalbrook, said: “The brand and products have been many years in development after we noticed a gap in the market for stylish and affordable brassware.”
There are two ranges in the Coalbrook brand, Domo and Decca, and more launches are expected early 2022. Both ranges have a complete set of products including
taps, deck and wall-mounted basin mixers, deck and freestanding bath fillers, showers, and a complementary range of bathroom accessories.
In the showroom, the ground floor is designed to appear like a landscape of industrial chimneys and the shower displays are mounted on these ‘chimneys’. Last month Davroc signed a deal for the nationwide distribution of the full Carron Bathrooms range.
· January 2022
Climate
Champion Change
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