Mark Two creates Easy Bathing for high street retail

A collection of inclusive, as well as specialist disability bathrooms, for independent retailers, has been established as the Easy Bathing brand by distributor Mark Two. The collection not only spans wet rooms, comfort level WCs, grab rails and bath replacement showers, but also boasts half-height enclosures and walk-in baths, through to power lift baths.

The launch of the Easy Bathing brand followed two years of research, looking at eliminating the clinical feel of modified bathrooms. It also uses the distributor’s knowledge of former Dolphin sales where 1:4 sales were ‘easy access’ solutions.

The need for a brand, such as Easy Bathing, is backed by a report on the ageing population, by Professor Peter Gore, which revealed 20million 50+ year olds account for 80% of the nation’s wealth and 40% of spending.

The specialist disability bathing products are provided by the likes of Gainsborough, Contour Showers and it is the first time they will be made available to high street bathroom retailers. The inclusion of these products in the Easy Bathing brand has been designed to bring a potential new customer base into independent retailers.

Mark Two has appointed ex-BCG marketing director Julie Butcher to develop and manage the Easy Bathing brand. She said: “Easy Bathing reflects the needs and desires of our ageing population but it works for the entire family, regardless of their age and abilities. Our research proved older people need a little more help in the bathroom, but it’s equally important for them to retain a sense of style – they have the disposable income to achieve this, they’re just looking for the right products in one place.

“We’ve built upon years of experience in the bathroom industry to create a solution that fulfils consumers’ needs in every sense – why should they have to compromise?

“For retailers who previously had to source individual products from multiple suppliers, Easy Bathing is a fantastic solution that offers great margins and really gives the customer what they’re looking for.”

Easy Bathing wants to develop a network of 50 retailers, across the UK, within the next two years. The bathroom retailers will be provided with exclusive sales areas, marketing and merchandising support, backed by consumer magazine advertising and a website to drive traffic into store.

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Yo! Home launches at 100% Design

Creator of Yo!Sushi, Simon Woodroffe is now set to extend the brand to now include city centre apartment interiors at 100% Design. Seven years ago, he launched the Yotel hotel concept at 100% Design and is now tuning his hand to domestic interiors with Yo! Home.

Drawing upon his previous career as a rock stage designer and experience of living on a houseboat, he will deliver a 9m x 9m with two bedrooms, sitting room, cinema, dining room, office, kitchen, breakfast room, bathroom/spa, party room and hidden storage.

Woodroffe explains: “The city centre home has not been re-invented since city centres first appeared. Eleven moving parts, drawing on the mechanics of stage scenery, allow the transformation of an 80sqm space – the size of a one-bedroom apartment – into 11 different rooms – what a much bigger apartment may have.”

Now in its 18^th year, 100% Design will introduced 100% Future Living as the theme connecting each of the show sections, and in which Yo! Home will be featured.

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Indesit bling up appliance with celebrity stickers

Indesit has teamed up with footballer Robbie Savage and reality TV star Amy Childs (formerly of The Only Way is Essex), to create stickers for customising household appliances.

Amy’s design is inspired by the ‘Vajazzle’ she’s become synonymous with,  (if you don’t know, don’t ask), to add glam to housework.  Robbie’s design is based on his passion for football and come in a choice of colours to match a choice of teams.

It’s for a good cause because all proceeds of the £8 sticker packs sales, available through Indesit’s Facebook page, will go to Sportsaid. 100%!

Sportsaid is a charity that helps young British sportsmen and women to achieve their ambitions, by supporting them during the defining early years of their career.

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BMA CEO says water-saving protects Next Gen

BMA CEO, Yvonne Orgill

In a speech at the National Home Improvement Council Parliamentary lunch, CEO of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA), Yvonne Orgill said water-saving protects future generations and called for Government to take action. Speaking in front of 70 NHIC members and Caroline Spelman, Secretary of State for Defra, Orgill commented: “It’s not about us, this summer or next. It’s about making sure there is enough water for our children. Our grandchildren. Their grandchildren. When we’re wondering ‘why should we bother?’ – future generations are why we should bother.”

The BMA created its Water Label as a way to show consumers bathroom products which use less water and it is now featured on 2,000 items and its being adopted across Europe. But Orgill pointed out products are only one part of the equation, the second is how people choose to use or waste water in the home.

She called for Government to take the lead, stating: “It needs to be simple, clear information on the easy things people can do to save water in their daily lives. So far we haven’t had this from Government and it is essential they begin to address this.”

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Mobalpa opens UK flagship store

French kitchen furniture manufacturer Mobalpa is set to celebrate the opening of its flagship store in Warrington, on June 23-24.

The 3,300sq ft showroom forms part of an expansion programme and will provide a blueprint for a series of UK concept stores. These will be either retail partnerships or Mobalpa-owned and will join its network of 500 showrooms across 38 countries worldwide, serving more than one million customers.

To celebrate the launch of its flagship store, Mobalpa has organised a number of events to run across the weekend. These include the head chef from Le Bistrot Pierre to host a French cookery demonstration on June 23, followed by a culinary presentation from a Neff appliances chef on June 24.

In addition, visitors will be able to enter a free draw, with the top prize being a weekend for two in Paris on a Bateaux Mouche excursion, as well as a day at the Alain Ducasse cooking school.

In addition, Mobalpa will also be offering free installation on any kitchen purchased from its Warrington showroom from June 23-July 21, 2012.

Mobalpa operates from three production facilities in France, employs more than 1,000 people, and manufactures over 50,000 kitchens each year.

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General manager of Mobalpa UK, Cyril Raberin said: “We know there is a healthy demand for our kitchen concepts in the UK through our success with some of our independent retailers.”

He added: “Following this store, there will be several more over the next couple of years all over the UK helping Mobalpa to become even more visible and further grow our position within one of the main European kitchen markets.”

Doca opens London showroom

Spanish kitchen, bedroom and bathroom furniture manufacturer Doca is opening a trade centre in London in July. Designed for use by architects, interior designers, developers and kitchen and dealers, the 1,500sq ft premises will be designed to mirror its HQ showroom in Barcelona. The company will be based off the Portobello Road, in West London. Director of Doca UK, Steve Holgate explains why he chose to site the business away from the popular kitchen area of Wigmore Street: "We don't want to sell retail".

The company currently has 20 showrooms across London and the Home Counties and is now looking to double the number of retailers, across the country.

Doca furniture spans mid-to-luxury prices, spanning a wide range of colours, veneers and lacquers - all of which is made to order. The London showroom will feature three kitchens, two of which will be working displays. In addition it will showcase two wardrobe systems, boast a bathroom area and workshop.

Steve Holgate comments: “The new London showroom is a major investment in providing UK specifiers and end-users with a place where they can engage with Doca in an appropriately high quality environment.”

He added: “They will be able to see close up, not only the distinctive styles and high level of design that goes into every piece of Doca furniture but also the precision engineering and commitment to product quality that is devoted to bringing that design to fruition.”

An in-depth interview about Doca's presence in the UK will feature in the combined July/August issue of Kitchens & Bathrooms News. For more news, views and product trends, subscribe for a regular issue.