INDUSTRY VIEWS
INDUSTRY VIEWS Are you Brexit ready?
The message pre-Brexit was ‘On 1st January the UK Leaves the EU. Are you Prepared?’, however, as the deal was struck just days before the deadline, it was difficult to prepare. As Brexit
came into effect on 1st January 2021, UK businesses face a number of barriers when exporting our goods to and importing raw materials from the EU. Barriers include; border inspections, health checks, groupage restrictions, customs duties, take of VAT payments and reams of complex paperwork. The industry has also seen haulage costs dramatically rise with some quotes for a 13.4m (44ft) trailer increasing by over 100% and the increased paperwork has led to freight forwarders charging up to £200 to complete it. Unfortunately, this is part and parcel of the Brexit agreement and we have no choice but to adapt our business operations to comply. On a more positive note, we have seen strong
Comment by David Mosley Managing Director, Trojan
sales continue, with a 7% increase on sales compared to January 2020. Our Aquair brand and freestanding baths have been particularly popular, as consumers are continuing to spend more time at home, they want a new bathroom to help them relax and unwind; at Trojan, we have a collection to suit every budget and style.
Injecting colour into bathroom design
When we think of bathroom sanitaryware for a long time now it’s been difficult to picture it in any shade other than white. But times are changing and as the bathroom becomes more and more our place of sanctuary, calm and wellbeing, so we are seeing a greater use of soft pastels and neutral shades throughout the space, including sanitaryware. For consumers this means its easier to combine different finishes and material too and to be more experimental when it comes to adding personality to this most personal of rooms. For retailers this growing trend towards a greater use of colour in the bathroom is exciting when you think of the opportunities it presents in terms of creating eye-catching showroom and window displays that don’t just turn the heads of passers-by but that draw customers in and enable you to create something really special.
Comment by Ben Bryden, Sales & Marketing Director, RAK Ceramics
Solid Partnerships
Here at Claygate, we believe excellent stock levels are what is needed to be the very foundation to being a successful distributor. Customer service, especially at present times should be top priority too. These, in our eyes are core strengths that I feel have served us well through 2020. Although in more recent times there has been a noticeable impact
on manufacturing, affecting business partners in their ability to supply at normal levels, we continue to stay positive and strive to fulfill our distribution commitments wherever possible. We should all remain focused on the importance of maintaining
strong relationships with suppliers, building on many solid partnerships and we have seen the benefit of this demonstrated through our ability to sustain resources. We continue to be encouraged by trading levels and the feedback
Comment by Dionne Banks Marketing Manager, Claygate
from clients and suppliers. Partnerships with all suppliers, we find, makes the difference.
Stay visible now and reap the rewards later
Comment by Nathan MacLean, Managing Director, Logicom
With closed signs on showroom doors due to lockdown it can be tempting to hibernate from all areas of your business to wait things out. Indeed, in times of financial uncertainty marketing is often the first element of the budget to be cutback. However, this is a short-sighted approach to what really should be a long-term strategy for your business and particularly so for kbb retailers. People are spending more time at home and investing more money and attention on improving their homes too, which bodes well for the industry and for retailers just as soon as they can open their showroom doors again. And in the meantime, with more people using social media right now, staying visible digitally is really important. Post renders on your social media platforms, crediting Virtual Worlds to ride on the back of our own consumer marketing campaign and make use of cloud solutions too, to stay in touch with customers and progress their projects where you can. The current situation won’t last forever and by putting the work in now retailers will be ready to capitalise on their efforts when everything opens up.
6 BKU FEBRUARY 2021
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44
