Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM OCTOBER 2017 48 T he changing face of the American kitchen has proven to be a unique conundrum for independent retailers as tastes have begun to differ markedly from previous years. Despite changing sales trends over the decades, the kitchen has still remained the strategic location in the home where families gather together to eat, entertain and connect. Although this simple precept has not changed, retailers must be forever vigilant in accommodating the next generation of families with the latest technological advances in kitchen design and appliances. Since the average homeowners want to have plenty of work-life balance, a unique opportunity exists for storeowners to incorporate new models with unique features. For instance, there are refrigerators now in the mid-price ranges that allow you to decide if the middle drawer will be a freezer or part of the fridge based on temperature. You can also buy "under counter kitchen drawers" for easy access refrigerated items therefore doubling the amount of the same appliances in one kitchen; doubling dishwashers for those who love to entertain as well as refrigerators which play music. These exciting new advances in the mid price range guarantee that the kitchen remains the nerve center of the house. More importantly, incorporating these futuristic products into a store's showroom puts a business one step ahead of the competition. The new push towards stylish new features and design ideas for the new American kitchen or for a remodel encompasses a wide variety of potential additions. The growing trend seems to combine increased functionality along with more space to house kitchen- related items. For many of the millennial generation, some kitchen must-haves include double ovens, the dishwasher in a drawer, the island cooktop, commercial-style ranges, the pot-filler or pasta arm, the bar sink, the built-in refrigerator, and the warming drawer. These handy improvements and add-ons to the traditional kitchen are joined by a wide range of organizational choices such as pot and utensil racks, full extension drawers, divided storage drawers, and corner storage with lazy susans. Besides the different takes on kitchen presentation, advances in smart and interactive appliances have materialized which give a truly futuristic feel to the most important room in the house. Some models employ a massive Wi-Fi enabled touch screen display that acts as a veritable family bulletin board. They can also monitor which grocery items you need to order through internal cameras, as well as provide a TV and music function to entertain you while you cook. This revolutionary trend in appliances is quite possibly a harbinger of things to come since similar features with washer/ dryers and dishwashers have also begun to appear in showrooms across the country. The appearances of new trends in kitchen design and the increased interest in smart appliances represent new territory for stores that sell home related products and goods. This evolution in tastes also presents a great opportunity for independent appliance dealers who must stay ahead of their box store competitors. With buying habits changing so drastically, the race to satisfy these new demands for dishwasher drawers and smart appliances will be heated. It seems that the ever-evolving world of independent retail is offering yet another opportunity to increase revenue as traditional tastes in kitchen design and standard appliances change. The next generation of buyers put a high value on convenience and time- saving products. This allows the retailer to offer more kitchen appliances and accessories to the standard kitchen than they have in the past. This change in strategy must also take into account the popularity of new aesthetics in kitchen design which values new placement of appliances and organizational methods. For the dealers that plan new kitchens and remodel old ones, the growing trends could present a promising source of revenue. Together, futuristic appliances and sophisticated new designs represent an opportunity for independent appliance dealers to capitalize on the recent decline in the fortunes of the box stores that dot the retail landscape. It is a significant shift in buying trends that storeowners can ill afford to ignore. John White Appliance Trends John White, EVP of major appliances at BrandSource RO THE FUTURE IS NOW: The contemporary kitchen gets a new look

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