Staffordshire-based housewares distributor RKW returned to Spring Fair at the Birmingham NEC to a record turnout for 2022.
Rob Sutton, managing director at RKW, said there was palpable excitement in the atmosphere and the overall turnout was truly unprecedented.
He said that 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.
Mr Sutton said: “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 two 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.”
Mr Sutton said that 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.
Mr Sutton continued: “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.
Mr Sutton said: “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.”
