Major buying group in the electrical appliance and kitchen retail industry, Sirius Buying Group, has reflected on its growth and development in 2018.
2018
In terms of growth, the group has surpassed all targets set by the group against the marketplace, made up of a combination of new Approved Suppliers and Approved members, along with increased purchasing growth which has been reflected in the 2018 benefits for Sirius members.
Commercial Director, Steve Jones, commented: “2018 has been yet another exceptional year thanks to the support of 164 members with 250 outlets throughout the UK. Of these, 29 have kitchen showrooms already in operation, with another 10 ready to invest in the kitchen retail market in 2019. This has given us new insight in to the independent kitchen retail market, allowing us to confidently expand in to other key sectors outside of the electrical appliance industry. We see independent kitchen retailers as a natural growth area for the Sirius Group and expect to see this to continue to grow in 2019.
“Symphony, approved supplier to Sirius, has been instrumental in our bid to attract new kitchen retailers to the group, spearheading retail conversions across a host of existing interior showrooms and electrical appliance retailers. Through encouragement, retailers have started to allocate floor space to include 5-15 kitchen lifestyle displays as a way to attract new revenue streams and compete on the high street. Using Symphony’s expertise and knowledge as market leaders in kitchen furniture has given our Members the confidence to venture into a new area of business, take advantage of exclusive display deals and products and most importantly, provide the opportunity to significantly increase the overall margin in their business.”
Sirius 2018 industry footprint:
Eighth successive Annual International Conference (pictured left) – 21-24 May, Portugal – completely sold out. Sirius hosted a full party of 140 delegates: made up of group members and their respective business partners, plus key delegates from group Approved Suppliers.
First UK Convention at Exclusively Electrical – 12-13 June, UK – visitors made up of Approved Members and Approved Suppliers to Sirius. To reinforce its status as one of the UK’s most progressive buying groups, Sirius debuted its UK Conference at Exclusively Electrical Show in 2018 to encourage its retail members to expand in the SDA market.
The Sirius UK Conference provided the group with a new platform and environment for its members to discover and explore the SDA market in more detail, and how it can become an addition to their armory in electrical retail.
Mr Jones said: “Notably, SDA is playing an important role in terms of our growth as a group and the opportunities it presents: if members are not already taking advantage of them. Consequently, we will be working hard to further grow SDA across our members businesses this year and help those who may not already be retailing SDA to benefit from this market.”
17th consecutive Annual AGM – 18 September – over 85 per cent attendance rate
17th consecutive VIP Trade Show – 19 September – 90 per cent visitor turnout. 2018 hosted the group’s new and existing Approved Suppliers, which included: Rangemaster, CDA, RKW, GDHA, Gorenje, Hoover Candy Group, Liebherr, Samsung, Smeg, Symphony, Whirlpool, AB Distributors, Connect, D.A.D., Montpellier, EPE Group, Caple, Portway, Swift and Franke, Pik a Pak, WITT (IRobot).
Mr Jones commented: “Our trade show has become a prerequisite for success amongst the electrical retail industry, confidently providing an exclusive resource to fundamentally increase business growth and establish a return-on-relationship mentality where loyalty and recommendations are standard fare. We want to create a sustainable level of dynamic market resilience to ensure we retain our high calibre of retail opportunities and continue to provide our approved members with invaluable new routes to market.”
17th consecutive Annual Awards 2018 (pictured top) – evening of 19 September:
- Manufacturer of the Year – Winner: Hoover Candy Group – Highly Commended: Liebherr
- Distributor of the Year – Winner: Pik a Pak/Statesman – Highly Commended: D.A.D./Montpellier
- Retailer of the Year (Large) – Winner: Appliance World (NW) – Highly Commended: Harry Garlick
- Retailer of the Year (Medium) – Winner: Future Appliances – Highly Commended: Empire Spares
- SDA Supplier of the Year – Winner: Connect Distribution
- Representative of the Year – Winner: Ian Cullen – GDHA
- Lifetime Achievement – Winner: Colin Jones – Enterprise 2000
– £11K Charitable donations – Raised at Awards Gala on 19 September – in aid of MIND.
– 3x New Approved Suppliers to Sirius announced in 2018:
CDA Group – Amica, CDA and Matrix; Rangemaster: Britain’s best loved range cooker brand; and RKW: global distribution and drop-ship fulfilment centre in SDA.
– 14x New Approved Members to Sirius:
Inspired Home Interiors [part of the Stamco Group of companies]; EconoFreeze (Morpeth) Ltd; Sale Appliances; Direct Discount; The Kitchen Bureau Ltd; Flexo Furniture Ltd; Appliance Giants; DAR (Malvern) Ltd; George Alexander; Ultimate Kitchen & Bedrooms; Appliancentre Ltd (London); Box Limited; Martin Dawes Ltd; and Reliant TV (St Annes) Ltd.
2019
Mr Jones said: “This year, we expect to see steady growth in membership and purchasing power, which will come from more diversification into other product categories. That said, we are in quite a unique sector of the market because although a consumer may shelve buying that expensive holiday, new car or kitchen they will always have to make stress purchases for appliances where an existing appliance in a homeowner’s kitchen has finally ended its life and needs replacing.
“The replacement market does provide a consistent revenue stream for the independent, and this will remain a formidable way to supplement and/or augment trade throughout 2019. However, whilst initial forecasts predict a cautious consumer, the market is actually showing signs of investment with many now willing to spend on the latest solutions, designs and technologies to hit the high street. This is why we work extremely closely with our suppliers to continue to provide Sirius Members new opportunities for innovative products to be made available to their supply chain.
“The aim of our buying group is to principally offer exclusive opportunities for our members to work together, but at the same time uniquely retain their independence to secure increased margins and build a more profitable business. Providing a simple, effective route to market so that the independent can compete, 2019 will continue to see us protect businesses, maintain market saturation and safeguard our member’s industry positions: if not grow them.”
Calendar events for 2019:
- Annual Conference – 19-22 May – The Ritz-Carlton Abama, Tenerife
- 2nd UK Convention – 11 June – Business Design Centre, Islington, London
- Annual AGM – 17 September – Forest of Arden Marriot Hotel & Country Club, Warwickshire
- Annual Trade Show – 18 September – Forest of Arden Marriot Hotel & Country Club, Warwickshire
- Annual Awards – evening of 18 September – Forest of Arden Marriot Hotel & Country Club, Warwickshire.
