Middleby Residential (Rangemaster) commercial director, Iskender Diker
Q: How do you view the health of the UK KBB market? In what ways could it improve and how can the industry improve it?
A: The industry has shown huge resilience and remained stable through uncertain times, including the energy and cost of living crisis. It has highlighted the importance of manufacturers and retailers working closely together. Our perspective is optimistic, and we believe that retailers can significantly from aligning with British manufacturers. Our longstanding commitment to crafting range cookers in Leamington Spa reflects our dedication to enduring quality and craftsmanship, qualities our retail customers utilise as a sales tool.
Q: What are the main challenges facing your sector?
A: The rising cost of living reached an all-time high. Unsurprisingly, the past 12 months or so have taught us much about consumers’ hunger to find ways to reduce energy usage and keep costs down. As a British manufacturer, we can leverage our knowledge and expertise to help educate retailers and their customers on how to get the best from our products. Customers want reliability, a range cooker needs to be able to cook, bake, boil, sear and so on, so our focus in 2024 is to convey the message that our appliances not only look beautiful but work hard for every type of family or couple, and even chefs, allowing them to enjoy making dishes from Sunday roasts to afterschool dinners.
Q: If you were opening a retail showroom in this market, what would your strategy be?
A: Consumers are visual people and want to buy what they can see, so it’s important to consider the breadth of products on display. We know that it can be hard for them to visualise how a 90cm range cooker might look in their kitchen if there is only a 110cm model within the showroom – but we understand that space for large appliances is limited. By working with manufacturers on displays, retailers can find creative ways to show more than one size, fuel type and colour, allowing consumers to see the possibilities.