Business North May 2021

38 | RETAIL Jones Family Business Covid-19 increases demand for appliances T T Karen Phelps Fingers on the retail pulse: Jones Family Business director Rachel Louie and founder and director Mark Jones. C ovid-19 has led to a significant increase in demand for leading New Zealand ap - pliance group the Jones Family Business (JFB). “The events of 2020 have bought into focus the importance of our everyday activities. Peo - ple are spending more time at home and are discovering the value in renovating or upgrad - ing their kitchen technology,” says company founder and director Mark Jones. Popular appliances include induction cook - tops, self-cleaning ovens, steam ovens and wine cabinets. People are also investing in the latest tech - nology with blast freezers and auto-dosing laundry, he says. T T Proud history - page 41 Mark says that the global boom in premium appliance sales is creating pressure through - out the supply chain and Covid-19 has created an extraordinary climate. “We’ve been working with some of our international manufacturers for nearly four decades and have never experienced this level of supply challenges” he says. “We are devoted to helping customers get what they want and we are leveraging our relationships with suppliers to secure stock,” adds JFB director Rachel Louie. “Our long-term relationships with suppliers have helped keep us one step ahead of the market when it comes to securing stock. “We are communicating closely across supply chains to offer solutions for products, brands and price points to meet our customer requirements,”she says. To meet demand during Covid-19 Kitch- en Things recently reinvigorated its online offering. Consumers can purchase premium appli - ances through the Kitchen Things website using online chat functions to field inquiries and offer expert advise. Mark says that premium brands such as Smeg, Asko and Miele are in hot demand around the globe. He predicts that the global boom in premi - um appliance sales and pressure throughout the supply chain will inevitably start to affect prices. Mark strongly advises consumers to secure stock quickly to ensure they avoid inevitable price rises. “The reality is that increased costs of freight, congestion charges, cost of containers, labour, materials and operations will lead to increased prices for consumers. “ A lot of the factors are outside the import - ers and retailers control.” “We are devoted to helping customers get what they want and we are leveraging our relationships with suppliers to secure stock.”