CURRENT CLIMATE COMMENTS


We must do what is needed Comment from David Mosley, Trojan


As I write this, the word unprecedented' is the most used term around right now and I¹m trying to avoid using it, for fear of stating the obvious. However, for the bathroom industry it is a time that has conflicting emotions; there was a degree of optimism creeping back into the supply chain and to date we have seen an increase in sales across all our channels, yet I now find myself worrying about the health of our team at Trojan, as well as my dad [who is in isolation as I type!]. While people are self isolating and social distancing, they are in their homes a lot more possibly considering undertaking the home improvements they have been putting off. Couple this with the fact that holidays are possibly not now on the agenda for 2020 and households may have spare money sat in the bank. We all hope that these people are now looking to investing in home improvements; from a simple upgrade of a shower curtain to a shower screen, or replacing an old bath panel or toilet seat through to a full bathroom refurbishment and installing a statement bath. If upgrading a bathroom gives people something to do and keeps them occupied while staying safe at home, we wholeheartedly support home improvements However, in our 45 year history, we have never closed our doors for


more than three official working days, over the holiday periods. To close the factories and send all staff home for 3 weeks was unthinkable up until yesterday (23rd March) but now we must do what is needed to ensure our nation and industry is protected and all of our teams remain safe. I am confident we will come out of this with a greater degree of kindness toward one another and a better understanding that we cannot control every element of a business; some factors go beyond business and we must then focus on staying safe. I look forward to socialising once again with family, friends and our bathroom industry colleagues as soon as we possibly can. Until then, stay safe and look after yourselves, your family and loved ones and think how much more we will appreciate our freedoms in the future.


CURRENT CLIMATE COMMENTS


Virtual Worlds can support


you working remotely Comment from Nathan Maclean


All Virtual Worlds’ customers that have access to Virtual Worlds Professional design package will now be given free access to Virtual Worlds Design Cloud until the end of April. Design Cloud allows Virtual


Worlds designs to be published to the cloud, and provides retailers the ability to allow their client to interact with the design on their connected smart device or web browser from the comfort and safety of their home. Virtual Worlds firmly believes that enabling retailers to be


nimble in these uncertain times will enable them to keep business flowing and to allow consumers the ability to undertake renovation projects whilst feeling safe in the process. Commenting on this unprecedented initiative, Managing


Director Nathan Maclean says: “We believe that this service will give our customers the edge at a time when face to face contact will be difficult. With this product retailers can progress the sale without the need for face to face meetings. More than that though retailers can protect their designs by choosing the length of time they can be viewed for and they will get notifications when the design is viewed so they can make follow-up calls at exactly the right time to keep things moving.” “These are challenging times for our industry but we do


have the technology at our fingertips to keep business moving and progressing safely and businesses need to adapt and embrace changes.”


Sirius Buying Group help you prepare, as the UK tackles Covid-19 Comment from Steve Jones, Commercial Director, Sirius Buying Group


Sirius Buying Group, major buying group of electrical appliance and kitchen retail solutions, is supporting independent retailers as the UK’s KBB industry rises to the challenge of the global coronavirus epidemic. Steve Jones, Commercial Director, Sirius Buying Group says, “Since our attendance at KBB Birmingham, we have seen further significant developments in the Covid-19 situation. As retailers up and down the country have closed their doors, we are seeing a surge in online retail as the population is heeding the message to ‘Stay at home’ which is a threat for retailers that lack a good online presence.”


“All independents have extensive customer databases, which they have built up over the years and now is the time to be using it to full advantage. We don’t know exactly what further parameters are going to be put in place or when they may be applied, which is why each business has a personal decision to make: whether they want to or even can/have the staff willing to still make deliveries to customers and provide service calls. Many of our members in the position to, have decided to continue delivering to the elderly and NHS or support workers where it’s safe to do so. Either way, clear and safe guidelines


must be in place to protect all involved. Some suppliers provide a drop-ship service, so I suggest retailers consider taking advantage of that if not already. We know that independent retailers are brilliant at providing support to their local


communities, so make sure you are using social media to reach out to customers and remind them of your retail offering when you can.”


The coming weeks and months are not going to be easy for many and it will be essential industry- wide, for us all to do whatever is realistically possible to help service those who need assistance. It is concerning that


independents will be especially vulnerable during this time and Sirius Buying Group urge its suppliers to look at plans to support the retailer where practically possible.


BKU APRIL 2020 7


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