KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
29th July 2016
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 International News
Products New Eisl Eco home mixer tap range cuts energy usage and keeps bills to a minimum
Lift kitchen storage to new heights with Alno iMove
Vado launches Strata and Phase shower columns
Survey of SMEs across Europe and the USA reveals differing outlooks Well over a third (38%) of UK small-to-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) believe that if they don't adapt their business models they will go out of business in five years. However, only a mere 2% have done something about it. These are the findings of the 2016 'SME Barometer Research' commissioned by Exact - an annual survey looking at technology adoption among 2,500 SMEs across Europe and the USA - which reveals a number of differing outlooks, across the countries studied. Gaia takes control of the whole house
SieMatic receives the highest possible brand endorsement with a golden accolade
Established after a directive from the German Bundestag (House of Representatives) over 60 years ago, the 'German Design Council' acknowledges international design and brand activity in Germany with its esteemed 'German Brand Award'. Grohe and Philips Sound bring the joy of music to the shower experience
Utopia prepares for major product launch
Weston Homes & RAK partner to create stunning bathroom concept
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Arguably, the biggest change to shopping in the 20th century was the emergence of supermarkets, but in the 21st century, the change is indisputable: it’s our addiction to online shopping – and it’s an addiction that’s growing stronger by the month. According to Office for National Statistics figures released today, in 2008 just 5p of every £1 spent in shops was spent online – but by 2015 this had risen to 13p. Further, nearly half of every £1 spent in shops online in 2015 was spent in online stores that have no permanent physical presence on the high street or out of town shopping park. This, too, is a growing trend – up from 41p of every £1 spent in shops online in 2010 – and worryingly for those who own stores that sell appliances, involves consumers who buy these items online. Considering that nearly 88% of all shopping in Great Britain in 2015 took place in physical stores, it’s clear that consumers are not quite yet ready to move to an exclusively online shopping experience but if we want to continue to see appliance retailers have a physical presence in our shopping centres then we need to find a way to do it quickly. It’s easy to shop around for appliances online and come up with the best price, delivery times to suit and the best guarantees – and by golly they do vary! Most of us have become wise to the “Find it cheaper elsewhere and we’ll refund the difference” ploy by some stores that have items especially made (it may just be a product number that’s different) which you simply can’t find anywhere else and thus will not be able to find cheaper. Other stores will check the Internet to see if another local store is offering at a lower price, what you wish to buy, and will charge you the same. Where though, does this leave margins? The other store might employ fewer staff and pay lower rates and have lower overheads than the one you’re in… This doesn’t bode well for stores that only sell appliances, does it? But what is the answer? Just what do we need to do, to entice people back into the stores, I wonder? What do you think, that we as an industry can do, to reverse consumers’ buying patterns, or do you think we’re on a hiding to nothing? Yours,
 This Week's News
KBSA announces further keynote speaker at their 2016 National Conference
Rita Clifton CBE, International branding expert and business leader, will explain the importance of brand thinking and how it should be 'stitched' into a business from the outset and the importance of this for small independent business and well as multinationals. Channel 4 viewers see George Clarke give new Energy to period bathroom with Twyford
The show sees architect and presenter George Clarke getting under the skin of period homes, to make them fit for the future. Franke adds the contemporary Smart tap to its best-selling Pro-Value range
The distinctively designed monobloc tap is available in Chrome or SilkSteel PVD and is operated by a single top lever. It is extremely competitively priced. Croydex secures patent for Flexi-Fix Croydex has been granted a patent for its Flexi-Fix 'X' plate following a successful application to the UK Intellectual Property Office. Launched in 2012, the no-mess, no-fuss range provides a simple solution for mounting bathroom accessories without damaging decor thanks to a unique 'X' plate which can be fitted using existing holes or screwed to new ones. Alternatively, it can be glued to most surfaces, including uneven walls or shiny surfaces, eliminating the need for drilling completely. 'Wow factor' heating with new Sigma & Fog towel warmers by Aestus
Specifically designed with the style conscious in mind, Sigma and Fog command your attention with their distinct silhouettes, fluid contouring and deceptively simple comb-like styling. Their organic lines and smooth rounded edges fully embrace the desire for contemporary working art in the home.  New Sureseal enhances waterproof protection, performance and aesthetics
Very easy and quick to fit, it does not add time onto the overall installation speed which is one of the key benefits of Showerwall compared to tiling. Steel announces Enfasi range cooker collection
IdealPro doubles its membership in one year - and opens up new programme for student installers
In total, the 2,947 member installers have claimed 6,110 rewards using the 4.6 million points they have accumulated by purchasing Ideal Standard products from official stockists. Rewards have included everything from work tools and household items to shopping vouchers, jewellery and technology. Geberit Monolith: now even easier to install but as sleek and stylish as ever
Ensuring the sanitary module blends seamlessly into its surroundings, Geberit Monolith is now also available in a new Sand colour, as well as the existing White, Black and Umber glass finishes. Virtu has shaker-style down to a fine art...
Comprising of three door styles, the 'Artisan' family offers some timeless designs characterised by the simplicity of the shaker-style door frontal yet fused with the latest cabinet technology for hard working, high performance modern kitchens. InSinkErator launches new showroom collection
The Showroom Collection is a selection of top-of-the-range products, which include exclusive features, finishes and additional consumer benefits. InSinkErator is supporting the Showroom Collection with point-of-sale material plus dedicated literature and a Showroom Collection website for exclusive use by the partners. British Ceramic Tile supports students at Plymouth College of Art
The company was one of a few who sponsored the end of year show at the college. The team reviewed the collections, and chose the work of one student that pushed the boundaries of creativity, and best reflected the category sponsored. New dates announced for Graham Hayden's training courses
BSH appoints five new area service managers due to increase in sales BSH Home Appliances has seen an increase in sales and thus restructured its field service team to ensure delivery of award-winning customer service for its Bosch, NEFF, Siemens and Gaggenau brands is maintained. To achieve this, five BSH customer service employees have been internally appointed for the role of area service manager. They will work under the two regional service managers who were internally promoted in April 2016: Alan Walls (responsible for the North region) and Andy Kent (responsible for the South region). The KBzine Archive Search We keep an extensive archive of news stories and product information that have featured in past issues of The KBzine. If you would like to run a search of the The KBzine web site using the search tool below please just go ahead by entering in the name of the person, product or company or any other key words that you are looking for. How to contact us at The KBzine:
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clicking the link above. Recent News
Rt. Hon. Theresa May MP (as she was at the time) visits new Maidenhead Screwfix store
 Kitchen Bathroom Buying Group signs up its first bathroom supplier
City Distribution, based in Blackpool, has been servicing the North of England for 29 years. We take orders up to 4:45pm delivering the following day and even man our sales office on probably our customers' busiest day, Saturday, to deal with product enquiries and process orders for Monday delivery - arguably making a rod for our own back but today's retailer need every tool in the box to secure that all important sale. Hib enters the Virtual Worlds realm
Dream Doors announces winner of inaugural 'kitchen transformation of the year' award
KBSA announces finalists in designer awards Following a meeting of the judges for the 2016 KBSA Designer Awards, whereby all entries are judged anonymously, the finalists have been named for all categories as follows: Kitchen Designer of the Year under £30,000 - sponsored by Omega: People
Coram Group UK appoints James Walker as new national specification manager
Ideal Standard appoints Jim Moore as managing director UK & Ireland
Marketing
Whirlpool repositions as a premium brand
Saniflo UK now on a TV near you
Literature
Candy reveals new 'Built-in kitchen appliance collection 2016' brochure
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