A show of strength
This year’s two-day Sirius trade show, in Milton Keynes, offered members a range of exclusive offers and showed how premium suppliers can support the UK market. Steve Jones, managing director of the Sirius Buying Group, shares his thoughts on the event.
As the countdown to the general election begins, innovation and creativity will be key to the market in 2024, following the latest exploration of market trends at the Sirius UK trade show.
Bigger The Sirius team prides itself on mapping out the bigger picture so that our members can decide exactly how they want to position themselves within it as key players in their own areas. By providing a supportive space to celebrate success and tap
into peer-support, independent retailers can grow together, as the electrical sector and kitchen studio industry continues to evolve and cater for sophisticated endusers at every pricepoint. The Sirius community came together for an evening of fun and
entertainment at the trade show, which allowed even more time for new connections to be made and longstanding relationships to be strengthened.
As a new generation of retailers stepped up into family A key event on the calendar, its experts were keen to map
out the direction for travel in 2024-5, as consumers increasingly demand eco-efficiency, intuitive controls, connectivity and practical luxury in the kitchen living space. With two full days to explore the latest new product developments in smart technology attuned for today’s busy lifestyles, Sirius members had ample time to meet and connect with approved suppliers, at Marshall Arena, the home of the MK Dons football club in Milton Keynes. With an extensive range of exclusive offers and a clear picture of
how premium brands can support the UK market at a regional and local level, members were fully empowered to make key decisions.
Honest The decision to move to a two-day event at a larger, purpose- built venue was an honest representation of how far the group has come, as well as being highly indicative of the direction that the business is heading in terms of serving so many independent retailers at a national level. The event is testament to the ongoing support of the near-200 members and approved suppliers who enjoyed all the facilities of the 2,500 square metre site, complete with the DoubleTree Hilton hotel. The effort that all the approved suppliers put not only into
the show, but also the day-to-day support with the group and its members, reflected the strength of the Sirius community.
Market The UK housing market continues to be a hot topic, alongside extensive conversations about how best to develop new towns and brownfield sites. There is a shortfall of 4.3 million homes, according to research
from Centre for Cities, and independent retailers are well placed to work with builder and developers to tackle this situation in the coming years. In fact, the range of new innovative appliances and furniture solutions for the kitchen living space coming to market in 2024 and previewed at the Sirius trade show was indicative of the ingenuity coming through with colourful refrigerators to nutrient- boosting cooking. Forward-thinking Sirius members can be confident of meeting
the market’s desire for smart technology, accessible solutions and personalised lifestyle-friendly environments thanks to leading brands like Smeg, Neff and Hotpoint.
16 Sirius News
businesses, established professionals headed for pastures new, including Peter Gilks, the co-founder and director at Sirius, who announced his retirement.
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Consumers increasingly demand eco-efficiency, intuitive controls, connectivity and practical luxury in the kitchen living space
Steve Jones, managing director of Sirius Buying Group
Pioneer A pioneer for members and suppliers within the electrical appliance industry and a highly regarded changemaker for the group, Peter established award-winning NE Appliances back in 1983, and has always been on the ground floor when it comes to product, service and distribution. Playing a key role in the co-creation of Sirius over the last 22
years, he took on the role of director in 2005, and carved a niche for himself, furthering business operations within the group and leaving an outstanding legacy.
Generous
Sirius members and suppliers were also extremely generous with their charity efforts for this year’s event. We were honoured to support Bristol-based charity, the Billie
Elizabeth Wood Trust (BEWT), which fundraise for research in subarachnoid haemorrhage. BEWT is a fantastic cause that is particularly pertinent for Danny
Lay, managing director of Caple. A huge £12,000 was raised during the event, so thank you for all your support. Lastly, none of this would be possible without our Sirius team and the events specialists at Incentivise, so I would like to make a special mention to our very own Mark Veysey and Ella Fry, the loyalty and rewards event manager at Incentivise, for their complete focus on making the event the success it was. Here’s to the future. For further information on how Sirius can help you to grow your business, please contact:
Sirius Buying Group
siriusoffice@siriusbuyinggroup.co.uk 01395 277103
siriusbuyinggroupltd.co.uk
Sirius News
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