Glazing & shading: what’s in store for the rest of 2023?
By Stuart Dantzic, managing director, Caribbean Blinds.
After a chaotic and unpredictable few years, life post-pandemic is certainly different for many of us. Reigniting our love for the great outdoors and the ‘staycation’ are now amongst some of the most prominent new norms for Brits.
Whilst the country is experiencing challenging times – such as the current cost of living crisis and potential recession – the home improvement sector is ripe for continued growth, with the next six months set to top off an exciting year for the industry.
Although consumers may be cutting back on luxuries such as meals out and holidays abroad, it’s predicted they will continue to spend and invest in their homes instead. As we have witnessed first-hand here at Caribbean Blinds, people are not only spending more time at home now than before the pandemic, but the home represents the biggest ROI.
A combination of these two factors contribute to the reason why it’s expected that the holiday at home culture will continue to flourish.
Where glazing is installed, there is an opportunity for shading, so companies that essentially provide a ‘one stop shop’ – offering quality products that go hand-in-hand – will see strong growth. Naturally, customers who have just had new sliding/folding doors or skylights installed may also require external shading in the form of roller/roof blinds, awnings or even louvered roofs for their outdoor spaces too.
Alternatively, they may not be aware of the benefits of external shading, and this represents a great opportunity for upselling with the added advantage of a higher order value, and therefore, higher profits.
Additionally, due to the introduction of Part 0 of the building regulations for new builds in June 2022, the legal requirement for the installation of external shading at new homes in high risk (of overheating) areas, represents a fantastic opportunity to sell external blinds with the glazing.
Lead times will be key, as consumers revert back to a longer purchasing decision. They want to pay for solutions that will function properly and stand the test of time as these products offer the best value for money. However, when they are ready to proceed, they don’t want to wait!
Our industry-beating two week manufacture lead time for all our external shading systems will help our dealers win more sales, while our ‘Made in Britain’ stamp is always a winner.
The commercial sector continues to aim to utilise every inch of available outdoor space – with year-round flexible solutions being a popular option.
These include our louvered roof canopy, branded the Outdoor Living Pod, which offers an open-air alfresco feel when left fully open, and ensures a completely water, wind and even snow-tight roof when closed. Expect an increase in demand for these high-value installations which enable hospitality establishments to profit from their available outdoor space, 365 days a year.
Representing zero additional marketing expenditure, installers can tap into this market with a high value, premium offering. Other than some basic training to understand our high-quality range of products, their unique features and of course the installation process, they already possess the right skillset, alongside the equipment used to install glazing, so investment is minimal.
Glazing and shading from a single provider means a higher sale value for retailers and great margins – typically 50% gross on the external shading – along with added value for the consumer.
All in all, 2023 is the year for forward-thinking, innovative and driven companies in the home improvement sector, especially those who add Caribbean Blinds’ external shading systems to their product portfolio.
