feature: cooking
benefits that the technology offers, alongside the long-term energy savings to be made. Induction cooking offers outstanding speed, energy efficiency, uniformity, safety and accuracy of heating, and is therefore ideal for the preparation of a range of family favourites. Indesit appliances are designed to be practical and easy-to-use, and to make everyday home life easier for busy families. The Indesit induction hob (VID 641 B C) has been designed with the family in mind and, thanks to its residual heat indicators and child safety lock, it is a safe appliance to have in a family kitchen surrounded by children.” So what is the outlook for the cooking
market? Nick Platt believes that the connected kitchen is the way forward. “Here at Hoover, we believe that connected functionality, specifically voice-assist, is the future of kitchen appliances and certainly an area where consumer interest is growing. “The important thing with connected and
smart technology is to ensure it actually benefits the user, rather than being gimmicky. It needs to help them complete things faster or make cooking easier – all while being intuitive and user-friendly. “This is something we’ve been working on
for a while and products such as the Hoover Vision Oven showcase this perfectly. This model lets users watch cooking tutorials right on the oven door and can also stream live pictures to a phone or tablet – so users can keep an eye on cooking progress whilst away from the kitchen. “For those with high disposable income,
we’ve seen a lot more focus on kitchens in recent years. Not only is the room becoming the hub of the house, used for cooking and dining as well as socialising, but the popularity of cooking and baking programmes on TV has led to more people looking for better functionality in their home appliances. This is because they want to be able to replicate the cooking methods they see on screen, whether it’s simply having features like steam cooking functionality, or having a smart appliance that can guide users through the cooking progress.”
20 |
www.innovativeelectricalretailing.co.uk
Lucy Dunstan sees the benefits new
technology can have on the social aspect of the kitchen of the future. “High-tech kitchens are constantly on the rise, and we have developed our clever Downdraft Hood to adapt to the changing market. This neatly retracts into the surface of your kitchen unit, sitting perfectly flush when not in use – an ideal option for the design conscious cook. Noise levels are also something to consider. The quietest hood we offer is our KDD90VXE Downdraft Hood, at just 46dB – a similar noise level to low level talking. This ensures ‘normal’ conversation can still be heard over the hood when in use, making it the perfect option for sociable chefs who like to have a natter while at the hob!” Marco Falaschetti is optimistic. “The outlook for built-in ovens is incredibly bright. Consumers today spend and invest wisely and, with the cost of moving rocketing, improving rather than moving is topping the agenda. “Current kitchen trends include extending
the kitchen to amalgamate with the living space and even to extend to the outside area. Consumers are, therefore, investing in re-formatting their homes and updating with the latest technology and appliances for their newly designed space. “In terms of technology, connected appliances will be a key trend within the kitchen in the future. Consumers increasingly want their kitchen appliances to do more; to save them time, energy and money, and all with exceptional levels of performance. This is a driving factor for the market, as connected appliances are capable of task delegation and take resource savings to the next level.” So with a growing market and increased consumer interest in home cooking, how does the retailer capitalise on, and make the most of, this growth? Nick Platt emphasises the power of a well set up showroom. “Showrooms are essential when it comes to selling built-in appliances. Where space is available, premium and high-end products should be showcased in a kitchen set up. Unlike freestanding appliances, built-in models look completely different once in place. This is especially
applicable with high-end products as it can be difficult to envision them in a kitchen if you only see them boxed or unfitted. “If, as a retailer, you stock premium collections, having them displayed together in a showroom can help with upselling too. If a customer is in the market for a new oven, but likes the aesthetic of the oven, hob and cooker hood from the same range, they may consider a larger purchase.” Iskander Diker believes that live demonstrations are key, but also highlights the role that social media can play. “Live demonstrations are a brilliant way to showcase outstanding products. They provide the opportunity to present a product’s features, talk about its USPs and, significantly, tempt the customer by showing how they could be using the product in their own home. “Social media is also a key, low-cost
resource that retailers can use to inform customers of new products, sales, opening times and so on. Live demonstrations can be recorded and shared on social channels to create engaging content. “At Rangemaster, we know product
knowledge is an essential sales tool, so that is why we offer our retailers the opportunity to come to our Leamington Spa Training Academy where they can view and experience Rangemaster’s full range of appliances.” For Lucy Dunstan, aspiration is a vital element in the sales process. “Lifestyle displays are absolutely fundamental to any sale. These are vital for creating an aspirational setting for consumers, providing inspiration to recreate the look at home, and are far more appealing to customers than a standalone product display. Demos and customer events, meanwhile, demonstrate just how simple and easy a product may be to use, even for the most technophobic consumer. “Retailers should ensure they know a product inside-out, how it performs and its various functions. Don’t talk in sales jargon – simply explain how and why a consumer may need a product and demonstrate how it will easily fit into their existing lifestyle.”
May / June 2019
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
