June 2024 ertonline.co.uk REVIEW MD, Steve Jones Setting foundations for the future


Members and Suppliers of Sirius Buying Group jetted off to Portugal last month for the Group’s International Conference, where future business success was top of the agenda. ERT’s Jack Cheeseman joined the trip…


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irius Buying Group held its 14th International Conference last month, taking place at Tivoli Marina resort in Vilamoura, Portugal. The Group’s Suppliers and Members came together to network, do business and discuss new commercial opportunities for the future. The Suppliers were out in force again this year, with familiar faces from BSH Group, Bluestem Group, D.A.D., Haier, Rangemaster and Smeg, but also some recently-joined brands also took part, including Electrolux Group, Midea UK, Product Care Group and Waterline. I was lucky enough to also be there to support the Sirius team. It was an extremely productive few days for everyone at the event, with plenty of networking opportunities to build strong business partnerships, and the suppliers and retailers that I spoke to said the whole event went very well. The Tivoli Marina resort is one of the most luxurious places to stay in The Algarve, and the conference schedule allowed plenty of time for guests to enjoy the incredible five-star facilities and bask in the mid-May sunshine Day one of the Conference kicked off with a welcome speech from Sirius Managing Director, Steve Jones, who said the event was crucial to bring everyone together to create new opportunities across the home appliance and kitchen furniture industry… “This is a great way to develop space in the market for collaboration, to stay connected, and continue to support each other as we welcome new Members and Approved


Suppliers into the fold,” said Mr Jones. “We believe in empowering the independent retailer to maintain their independence, and with a collective trade purchasing power of more than £120 million we take pride in being able to encourage collaboration and drive positive change industrywide.”


After this, Sirius Members were presented with all the Suppliers’ exclusive deals as they heard from the brands about their latest products and services.


One of the new Suppliers, Waterline, which joined the buying group at the beginning of this year, is one of the UK’s largest suppliers to the independent kitchen retail sector with a portfolio comprising 34 brands in kitchen furniture, appliances, sinks, taps, wirework and ancillary kitchen products.


Mr Jones commented: “Waterline is another


great resource for Sirius Members that already sell kitchens and appliances, helping them venture further into that world with its comprehensive offering for the entire kitchen space.”


Business talk Day two provided a more relaxed environment of one-to-one meetings between the Members and Suppliers, as well as networking opportunities during the lunch and refreshment breaks.


The day concluded with a lavish three- course gala awards dinner – held in a wonderful lakeside setting with some great entertainment. The dinner was also a huge success as guests raised over £10,000 for Cancer Research UK through the charity auction.


During the dinner I spoke to Marion Morton, Head of Commercial at Sirius Buying Group, and Mark Veysey, Head of Operations. They said the Conference is a platform to interact in a professional and relaxed environment to develop rapport and partnerships, which set the foundations to future-poof business plans… “Our Members continue to take a progressive


approach with an openness to change,” Ms Morton told me, “and I’d like to thank all our Members for taking time away from their businesses to attend this year’s event. Mr Veysey added: “The home appliances sector is all about delivering freedom and a high level of personalisation to the end consumer, taking the pressure off busy minds, and enhancing lifestyles so they can enjoy more quality time in their homes. Our aim is to do the same for our Members, which is why it’s so important to all meet here, away from our usual workplaces, to discuss and make plans for the future.”


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