comment Off the Floor


Cookshop ownerMichael Griffiths retired in early June after 40 years in the housewares industry,


on the highs and lows of his career


cookshop to D&I Retail. I wish [new owners] David and Ione Crossley all the very best with their


acquisition and already I can see that they will


continue to bring fresh and stimulating ideas to the retail housewares trade. I have no plans other


than to travel, but since the death of Diana I have not really come to terms with the loss.


Where were you?


I was owner and partner of Salamander Cookshop atWimborne in Dorset.


And how did you get there?


Froman early age I enjoyed cooking and helping out in the kitchen, but I never thought mymarketing qualifications would be used in


thenmoved to Prestige and was responsible for working on food preparation and clothes care. I manager for SunbeamElectric. I joined in 1979, My first job in housewares was as a product such a closely related field.


pressure cookers, later taking on cookware and electrics asmarketingmanager,


r, then new


Wanting tomove in an upwards direction, I business, and finallymarketing director.


Pottery. Eventually I went back intomarketing, took the job ofmanaging director with Poole


with Le Creuset, finishing up as product


My late wife Diana set up Salamander in development director.


1993 and I left


next 26 years! I never lost sight of the aimof ft Le Creuset to help - for the


would buy, and I think this philosophy held making products that customers liked and


good for Salamander.


How did you spend an average day? Mymain task was to buy new products, negotiate promotions, keep an eye onmargins andmake sure the shop was well presented, clean and safe.


I’ve decided to retire and have sold Salamander And how will you spend it now?


30 | housewares evil .net


What will youmissmost? People: wonderful, helpful, kind staff; great, intelligent marketing colleagues; clev ded


icated thinkers… er engineers;


And least?


The very strange people who get into positions of authority in companies but don’t have a clue about the industry or how tomanage people. To some, it’s just a party game or amantra they like to follow.


What was the best career decision youmade? There have been a few… like knowing when to move on! But joining SunbeamElectric gaveme an intensive training in frontlinemarketing and product development under the watchful eye of a very capablemarketing director.


What’s’s been the biggest achievement of your career?


Sustaining a profitable business withmy wife for 26 years as an independent retailer in a world ofmultiples and the internet.


High point of your career?


Becomingmarketing director of Prestige. But then again, over 40 years, smaller, regular high points are verymotivating - such as buying something at a great price or finding a new product before anyone else.


And the low point? Again, there have been lots of lows but they’ve


of companies I worked for brought the biggest Changes in seniormanagement or ownership always been outbalanced by the highs.


lows. • Houseware resLive.net • twitter. r.com/H y, on both the supply and retail sides. He reflects


“Retailers need to


bringmore excitement into their shops r,


with brighter, cleverer, environmentally- relevant products that appeal to the younger lifestyle-


orientated consumer” What’s’s been the biggest change since you


became involved in the housewares industry? Digitalmarketing. I'mnot sure I understand the term, but a lack of empathy by suppliers and a lack of hands-on product development has led to some pretty ropey new products and


suppliers. And lack of innovation. And of course, the internet has certainlymessed up the comfortable world of the high street.


During your time in the housewares industry, what products have impressed youmost and why?


y,


Themost impressive products are the ones that are design classics: Pyrex bowls, bo x


/Houseware resnews June/July 2019 r,


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