Retail Observer

NOVEMBER 2019 RETAILOBSERVER.COM 41 a course for deeper collaboration. Together, we deliver beautiful, safe, functional homes." Homeowners are savvy about their desire for smart plumbing devices like automatic temperature adjustment (69%), hands-free or touch-free faucets (64%), water leak alerts to mobile devices (63%), hands-free/touch-free toilets (63%) and tubs/showers that can be adjusted remotely from mobile devices (56%). Lighting controls from one location (60%) and motion-sensor lighting (59%) are also top items for homeowners. Designers and technology integrators collaborating on master bathroom projects can add value to their roles by answering homeowner questions, providing confidence and guiding product decisions. Despite integrators actively promoting structured wiring, remote locks and video monitoring, few homeowners have experience with these products. Homeowners perceive brands like Kohler, Samsung, Amazon and Google as cutting-edge manufacturers/providers in the master bathroom space. By bringing technology integrators into project planning discussions early, the integrators and designers can help homeowners make better decisions and plan for seamless design and tech integration. Designers would appreciate receiving more training and education from technology integrators, offering broad overviews of bathroom technology, presentations on successful integrations and pricing guidelines. The opportunity for designers and technology integrators to partner on master bathroom projects is great, as homeowners value the advice offered by designers and integrators to create a smooth integration of technology systems throughout their home — without a "techy" look. To learn more about the NKBA Bathroom Technology Awareness & Usage Report, please contact Julie McCrary, White Good, jmccrary@whitegood.com. Visit www.nkba.org to purchase a copy of the report. Top-of-mind tech solutions among homeowners lighting, faucets, fixtures, heated floors, sound 11 DESIRED TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS (UNAIDED NETS) S18. Thinking about any problems, inefficiencies or the appearance of your current master bathroom? Please be as specific as possible. 30% 16% 14% 12% 8% 8% 5% 17% Bathtub/Shower Lighting Flooring/Walls/Tiling Audio/Entertainment/TV/Surround Sound Sink/Faucets/Fixtures Heating/Ventilation/Air Conditioning Electric/Power Supply None/Nothing Homeowners (n=301) Smart toilet. New from Shower The Smart Water Smart Touch-free assistant, Voice-activated warmer. Speakers Wireless 31 Q21b. And, which of these home technology products/services, if any, do you currently use in your home? Q22b. And, which of these home technology products/services, if any, do you frequently recommend to your customers? Integrators Recommend (n=47) Home-security system Sound bars Wireless home theater speakers Wi-Fi-connected smart appliances Home theater amplifier/receiver Smart lighting hubs Video door bells Wi-Fi connected electric outlets/light switches Video monitoring of other home areas Remote entry locks Structured network wiring None of these 43% 40% 34% 25% 23% 23% 22% 21% 18% 12% 11% 18% 75% 81% 57% 38% 92% 34% 96% 40% 83% 87% 94% 0% Homeowners Use (n=301) SERVICES USED IN HOME/RECOMMENDED TO CUSTOMERS Significantly higher than lowest group (90% CL) Homeowner usage is highest for home security, sound bars and wireless speakers. Integrators don't currently feel equipped to provide the expertise in smart plumbing and comfort technology that homeowners and designers seek in the master bath. 17 AREAS I WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT 15% 32% 94% 98% 75% 64% 32% Homeowners (n=301) Smart tubs/showers/faucets/toilets (e.g. auto temp settings, hands-free, mobile leak detection) Comfort technology (e.g. heated floor, heated bidet with dryer) Lighting sensors and controls (e.g. motion sensors, floor lighting, different activity settings) Entertainment and communication systems (e.g. TVs, video monitors, speakers) Home-monitoring systems (e.g. air temp, security, kids' room monitor, wi-fi connection) Voice-activation technology Mobile charging, connectivity and storage devices 72% 57% 68% 40% 40% 49% 39% 62% 59% 59% 38% 36% 35% 24% Designers (n=206) (n=47) AREAS OF EXPERTISE Significantly higher than lowest group (90% CL) Significantly higher than both groups (90% CL) Integrators RO

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