TOOLS AND GADGETS FEATURE Knowing the trends
Combat the Crisis T
Sirius Buying Group, leading buying group in the electrical appliance and kitchen retail sector, is supporting independent retailers with an insight into the latest trends which are set to revolutionise kitchen living in 2023-24.
he general economic backdrop is focusing attention on the cost of living and the continued conflict in Ukraine along with a General Election on the cards for 2024-25. Consumers are likely to be inclined to focus on what they can control – their home environment – so retailers can anticipate an even greater determination to spend on improving and remodelling key rooms such as the kitchen and utility room. Steve Jones, managing director at Sirius Buying Group, says “There is no doubt that the UK high street has changed beyond recognition in the past two decades. We feel that a clear-eyed assessment of the market is the best way to help our members optimise their businesses and continue to lean into change. As independent retailers prepare for the home improvement season, we are making sure our members have the latest creative and digital solutions available to them. This will enhance everything from stock management to customer service as technology continues to develop at pace in 2023.” Based on latest market research Sirius predicts that the wellness trend is set to continue into 2023 as more homeowners explore unique solutions to enhance their quality of life. This will include the addition bespoke laundry and utility areas or hybrid kitchen living spaces, for example. Practical luxury and sustainable design are high on the wish list as homeowners want to create lifestyle interiors for the long-haul. Enhancing and personalising the kitchen living space is also coming
to the fore in 2023, as smart home living has become increasingly mainstream. According to Statista, 88% of the UK population now have a smartphone, 96% of those aged 16-24 have one and so do 78% of people aged 55 and over. Retailers can capitalise on the ubiquity of the smartphone as plenty of consumers have yet to discover the benefits of combining their appliances with apps. Demonstrating this in the showroom is a sure-fire way to educate and impress homeowners. Mark Veysey, head of operations at Sirius Buying Group, says “When
26 | March/Apriil 2023 26 | January/February 2023
Consumers are looking for energy-efficient, cost-efficient products, and it is the responsibility of the business to make their customers aware of which products fit these criteria. Arun Bhatoye, head of marketing at Hisense UK, says “Here at Hisense, we have always championed manufacturing products that are affordable yet high- quality, and this is more important than ever as we head towards the winter months amidst a national cost-of-living crisis. Right now, it is our number one priority to help the nation to understand how to best use their appliances to continue with their necessary household chores and reduce their bills as much as possible.” Founded over 50 years ago, Hisense is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of televisions and home appliances. Hisense has a core range of televisions and cooling appliances alongside a portfolio of cooking and laundry products featuring hobs, hoods, ovens, dishwashers and washing machines. Educating the consumer Bhatoye says “As energy bills soar to an all-time high, monitoring our gas and electricity usage has never been more important, and so consumers are looking for alternative solutions to cut down on their energy usage – and in turn, their energy bills. This doesn’t mean that consumers aren’t buying, but the path to purchase is much more considered. Customers
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s the cost-of-living crisis continues to pinch consumer incomes, businesses are having to adapt to a shift in buying habits.
Arun Bhatoye, head of marketing at Hisense UK, highlights the support businesses can provide consumers amidst the challenging cost-of-living crisis.
it comes to the kitchen and laundry, energy-efficient appliances are steadily growing in popularity as consumers seek to save money as well as show their appetite for shopping with a conscience. Given the amount of product information available online, some customers merely want to see a product in the flesh before making a purchase. Others will be keen to establish exactly how noisy an appliance may be or what sort of payment plans are available. So, we want to make sure that our members have the tools necessary to capture that customer online in the first instance and/or convert the sale instore when that customer enters their shop. It makes sense to keep an open mind and ‘assume nothing’ in all interactions with your customers. They have the power to refer you to their family and friends as well as rating you through Google reviews. The relationship never ends with the sale as there are many touchpoints to cover including extended guarantees, aftercare and servicing.”
Recommendations and word of mouth will remain key to driving sales in 2023. In fact, given that the average person has up to 15 close contacts – every lead could effectively generate another 14. Social media also has a significant part to play as Facebook groups are regularly used as a place to ask for recommendations. Retailers need to make sure they are easy to find online with a business page so they can be tagged in by happy customers. “Relationships will be the bedrock of specialist retail going forwards.
We’re strong believers in sharing and supporting each other through our enviable connections with leading brands and industry stalwarts. The community we have established over the past 21 years is a continued source of pride as we see members tap into each other’s genius and develop life-long friendships. As a bridge between global leading brands, distributors and retailers we like to offer a measured, long-term approach so that you can achieve your business goals in a way which suits you and your team,” adds Jones.
look to invest in appliances that achieve the best results whilst using the least amount of energy, to help with cutting down bills. During the cost-of-living crisis, retailers and suppliers should be looking at ways in which they can help educate and inform their customers on the best appliances for their individual needs, and support them as much as possible to find the most cost-effective solution. Here at Hisense, energy efficiency has played a large role in product development as we look to new launches in future years. “It’s likely that any appliance which doesn’t need to be switched on for a long amount of time during usage, for example a microwave or toaster is the most efficient small appliance, as it only uses energy whilst it is switched on. It’s also very much dependent on usage – every household is different and has different needs. For example, single-person households may have a large capacity oven and batch cook to make the most of their oven being turned on, whilst larger families might opt for a larger capacity washing machine to bundle loads together. Generally speaking, tumble dryers tend to be the most expensive appliance to run, so switching up this part of your laundry routine to drying your clothes on a traditional clothes horse or drying rack is an easy way to help cut down your energy bills. Of course, defining what the most expensive appliance to run will ultimately come down to usage habits. If you have a larger household, it’s likely to be more cost-effective to invest in a larger capacity washing machine, so that you can fit more clothes in one load,
housewareslive.net
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