KITCHENS & BATHROOMS
COOK UP A STORM WITH NEW BRASSWARE TRENDS
With homeowners continuing to update their properties, kitchens and bathrooms remain at the top of the wish list. So, what are the key trends and product innovations that merchants should be aware of to help advise customers and secure sales?
W
hen it comes to kitchen and bathroom trends, it’s all about finishes, according to Chris Tranter, senior product
manager at Bristan. “Colour trends are getting warmer and we’re seeing a shift away from chrome taps and showers,” he says. “Black, of course, continues to be a hugely popular colour; indeed, we have introduced black finishes across our top bathroom products and expect this to remain popular with homeowners for some time. In addition to this, brushed gold and antique brass finishes are also gaining popularity, with trends like brushed metallic or gun metal emerging”. Tranter says that, of course, chrome’s popularity comes from the fact that it is extremely hard wearing, easy to clean and long lasting; any alternative finish needs to be rigorously tested and checked to ensure that it too, will, survive in the real world. “At Bristan, we submit all our finishes to the most stringent third party testing available before approval, for example.”
Hot, hot, hot
Boiling water tap sales have grown exponentially in recent years with more homeowners turning to the convenience of having instant boiled water on-tap. This growth has led to these products becoming increasingly available at a much more accessible price point compared to a few years ago.
“If a merchant’s customer is looking to purchase a boiling water tap, it’s a good idea to make sure that they consider a brand which has a filter on the taps: if they’re installing in a hard water area, it’s likely that, without the right filter, it will limescale up in a matter of weeks,” Tranter continues. “We recently upgraded our boiling water tap ranges to incorporate a new and improved filter to ensure the best possible protection against this.”
Water saving has been the subject of intense
focus over the summer months. With average summer temperatures now 0.8% warmer, water companies are preparing their latest set of water resources management plans to safeguard supplies and the environment for the next 25 years. Tranter says that the problem is not going to go away and that merchant customers will be increasingly looking for water-efficient appliances such as aerators on taps and low- pressure shower heads. “We have also recently upgraded our existing range of basin mixer taps to include Neoperl 5ltr/min aerators, reducing waste without affecting the feel of the water flow. This aerator is a small attachment that fits onto the outlet of the tap, controlling the amount of water flowing through.”
Making a splash
Merchants know that it is important to keep products that meet the ever-changing needs of installers and, in turn, those installers’ householder customers. Tranter says: “To exceed on expectations in a crowded market, merchants must keep on top of the latest technologies and innovation to keep one step ahead.” BMJ
October 2022
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net 37
Bristan helps to stay on top of trends “With plumbers continuing to be in high demand, it’s more important than ever to stay on top of current trends and innovative products, especially where there are more sustainable options available. Therefore, building relationships with a builders’ merchants can be extremely valuable to my day-to-day work. As an installer, I always return to the same merchant branch to get the items I need because I really value their expertise and advice. When it comes to their knowledge and service level, they are second to none, for example, if my chosen product is out of stock, they can often get it for me next day.”
Briony Price, resident Bristan expert and experienced plumber.
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