NEWS


PHA set to close P


HA KitchEssentials Limited is in the process of closing after 23 years in business.


Paul Hargreaves, CEO, said: “PHA


have had a thoroughly enjoyable 23 years as a distributor in housewares, but it is time for a change. It has become increasingly harder for a small distributor to operate with the ongoing effects of Brexit and the pandemic. The associated investment levels required to maximise the opportunities created by the new rapidly changing marketplace meant that sadly I took the difficult decision to close the doors.” With immediate effect, the following


PHA brands will be handled by Eddingtons Ltd: Cidex candles from


Denmark Cuisipro from Canada and Graupera earthenware and Vaello Campos (paella accessories) both manufactured in Spain. As part of the handover Hargreaves will help the Eddingtons team facilitate a smooth transition of the brands and customers to Eddingtons. Richard Walker, Eddingtons MD, added: “We were sorry to hear of the news that Paul was closing. In our subsequent discussions we were happy to take the opportunity to continue the distribution of a selection of Paul’s much-loved products and brands which will move immediately to Eddingtons portfolio.”


The Rainy Day Trust celebrates 180th anniversary


T


Procook reports revenue growth


K


itchenware retailer, Procook has reported an increase in revenue..


In the 12 weeks ending January 8,


Procook revealed its total revenue - excluding that from discontinued Amazon channels -has increased by 0.8%. Like-for-like revenue fell 3.8% in the quarter, although it was 108.7% higher compared to before the pandemic in 2020.


The company said during the final four weeks of the quarter, total revenue grew by 2.9% year on year - or 5.9% excluding Amazon channels - after the business saw a “notable shift” in retail as customers returned to physical stores in the lead up to Christmas, partly driven by the risk to home delivery due to strikes. Daniel O’Neill, chief executive and founder of Procook, said: “While we remain mindful of the current economic climate, the group’s recent performance positions it well to deliver on current market expectations for the full year. “Our plan to maximise our trading


performance and profitability will enable us to emerge stronger from the challenging trading environment and we remain confident that we will capture increased share of the large kitchenware market with our specialist offer.”


he Rainy Day Trust, the UK’s only charity supporting the home improvement workforce and their families in times of need, is


celebrating its 180th anniversary this year. Bryan Clover, The Rainy Day Trust CEO, said: “This


year will be The Rainy Day Trust’s 180th Anniversary; something to be immensely proud of. Looking back at my mere 7 and a bit years with the charity a lot has changed in that short time, so when you consider what has changed since 1843, it is an immensely different organisation now, helping thousands of people. “Without a doubt 2023 is going to be huge challenge for so many reasons, not least of which is how many more marbles Mr Putin will lose, and how that will impact on the UK’s economy, your businesses and by definition, your colleagues. I think I can safely say that the mega-high application rate of 2022 will be maintained and could even accelerate further. As always though, we want to prevent problems rather than face cataclysmic issues further down the line, so please encourage staff to get in touch early if they need help. Prevention is always better than cure. “More people coming to us for help will place our finances under increasing strain so to mark our anniversary we are aiming to place ‘180’ at the centre of our fundraising activities; more of which another time. For the moment though, in the spring I will be embarking on another batch of hikes, this time 6 x 30- mile half-ultras, a mix of organised events with Action Challenge and ‘home-made’ routes; basically one every two weeks. These hikes will be against the clock over some tough terrain of the Cotswolds and the Jurassic Coast for example. The aim is to complete each in comfortably under 12 hours. We are looking for sponsors for each route, and for the whole lot. Your brand will be front and centre and in front of 6,000 hikers each time, plus all the social media activity before, during and after. “So, if you’d like to take the lead on the 180-miler


hike, or sponsor one particular route, please let me know. The fundraising page will be up and running shortly.”


4 | January/February 2023 housewareslive.net


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