Market is no longer bog-standard - Bathroom & Kitchen Update – for new and existing bathroom & kitchen products

Market is no longer bog-standard

Comment by MARTIN CARROLL, Managing Director, Ideal Bathrooms

Published: 08 November, 2007

Martin Carroll, managing director of Ideal Bathrooms the specialist bathroom products distributor, comments on the current state of the sanitaryware market.

The sanitaryware market is changing faster than ever and is increasingly fragmented. Just 10 years ago there were relatively few manufacturers meeting the needs of the UK, now there are a host of imported brands. These have become popular with retailers who are seeking products not found in nearby competitor outlets or at merchants.

Distributors are playing a major role, sourcing their own collections of suites, brassware, baths and showers which they then support with dedicated literature - for example the Ideal Bathrooms Directory - in addition to their usual volume stockholding and next day delivery services.

Showrooms are continually looking for design led suites at the right price to appeal to their customer sector – a market in which Ideal Stnadard’s Jasper Morrison Collection is proving very popular.

At Ideal Bathrooms we have noticed that this year has been our busiest ever for new products, because manufacturers see new product development as their way of beating off imported product by introducing new technology and new ideas to which overseas suppliers cannot react quickly.

This increase in new product development makes the distributor’s role even more influential as manufacturers have to rely even more heavily on the distributor stocking in depth and informing his customers about product and market developments.

There is a continuing move away from the traditional washbasin and pedestal to integrated furniture with vessel or built-in washbasins and larger sizes from 800mm up to 1200mm replacing the typical 400mm to 650mm models.

Whatever the size, the style is most definitely minimalist with modern, clean lines and everything in white. Period styles are declining yet are still significant at around 2% – 3% of the total market.

And as water efficiency legislation appears to be on its way, there is a focus on water saving products even though it is debatable as to whether the consumer actually wants these products or not.

New ideas will undoubtedly be coming soon – watch this space.

For further information, please contact 0800 634 2600 or visit www.idealbathrooms.com