RKW Managing Director, Rob Sutton, Reports Record Year at Spring Fair

Staffordshire-based housewares distributor RKW returned to Spring Fair at the Birmingham NEC to a record turnout for 2022. There was palpable excitement in the atmosphere and the overall turnout was truly unprecedented.

Visitors crowded the Housewares, SDA and Outdoor Living displays to browse the myriad of new products available from the supplier’s biggest brands including Tower, BLACK+DECKER, Emma Bridgewater by Russell Hobbs, Swan and new exclusive distribution agreements with Hoover, Lavazza and Einhell.

Rob Sutton, Managing Director at RKW, reported on the record year for the business: “This is a very exciting time for RKW as we cement more exclusive brand partnerships and migrate into new product markets. I have been exhibiting at Spring Fair for over 30 years now, and the number of visitors we had this year was truly unprecedented.

“With the pandemic restricting trade shows over the last 2 years, it was evident buyers welcomed the return to normality and face-to-face meetings. Our sales team were busy from the show’s start to finish, welcoming customers old and new while presenting our new trend-setting product ranges, which received an overwhelming response.”

Customers were incredibly complimentary of the quality discovered in the new Einhell Garden Power Products – a premium range that was debuted at Spring Fair. RKW recently secured a distribution deal to supply the German-based brand in the UK, bringing its industry-leading handheld power tools, stationary and garden tools to a wider European retail market.

Another Spring Fair exclusive launch – the new Hoover floorcare range – received an exceptional response from visitors. Recently collaborating with Hoover Candy Group, RKW announced a distribution partnership for exclusivity of seven new products across three dominant categories including Upright, Cylinder and Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaners.

Outdoor Living has also been a successful category for Tower – RKW’s flagship own brand. Tower Barbecues, Fire Pits and the new Outdoor Heating range had drawn unprecedented crowds to the stand over the four-day event. Over at the adjacent displays, customer feedback also indicated a great demand for the sustainable Natural Life cleaning and storage ranges, Barbary & Oak’s premium housewares collections and the new Precision Plus Bakeware range.

“Whilst the long-term outlook is still uncertain, the pandemic has had a positive trading effect for many of our retail partners, in particular independents who have benefitted from consumers rediscovering the exceptional value, service and convenience of shopping locally. This was demonstrated by the desire to restock stores with the latest housewares and electrical products from the UK’s biggest brands, resulting in a record show for RKW.”

New independent and national customers were taken aback by the scope of RKW’s brand offering. Award-winning brand, The Funky Appliance Company, launched its new Funky Housewares at the show, delighting visitors with innovative designs and exceptional quality. On the SDA side, customers were also pleased to discover the new Slate Grey colourway from SMEG and new China Rose pattern for the Laura Ashley SDA collection, with many selling out within the first half of the show.

Head of Everyday & Housewares for Spring Fair, Jay Kauldhar, commented, “It was great to see so many visitors at Spring Fair. RKW had one of the largest stands at the fair, representing many of the biggest brands in the housewares industry. The stand looked amazing and it was great to see Rob and his team so busy throughout the four days.”

RKW’s visitors, customers and brand partners have been instrumental in the success of its Spring Fair exhibition. The team would like to thank everyone who stopped by the stand and supported the new ranges this year. This would not have been possible without the event organiser Hyve, who have been instrumental in delivering an unforgettable Spring Fair, helping to refuel retail and get the British high street thriving again. Receiving a record number of new customers in the three-figure region, RKW is grateful to the event organisers and also its own team for putting together an unforgettable show to kick off 2022.

Ends

Editors notes

RKW has a 30-plus year pedigree in successfully developing and distributing top brands and products with a group turnover of £180m+. It is Europe's leading manufacturer and distributor of small domestic appliances (SDA) and housewares products for its owned and licensed portfolio of brands. As well as Tower, Black+Decker, Morphy Richards, Akai and Carmen and RKW distributes for leading brands including Breville, Russell Hobbs, Swan, Hoover, Lavazza and The Funky Appliance Company.