The British Home Enhanacement Trade Association (BHETA) welcomed hundreds of delegates to its latest forum, with members keen to understand supplier opportunities of working with online retail giant Amazon and wholesaler Decco. 

The networking forum, which took place on April 21 at the Ricoh Arena, attracted over 325 attendees from across the DIY, garden and housewares industries. The event was well received, said BHETA, with positive feedback from attendees.

Amazon UK managers for homewares and furniture, Jeff Wemyss, and tools and home improvement, Oliver Sawers, offered a packed house of delegates a greater insight into the online retailer’s plans to expand with additional suppliers and additional selection.  Senior members from the buyers’ teams joined them for over-lunch networking with individual delegates, who were given the opportunity for face-to face-discussion.  In their presentation, Mr Wemyss and Mr Sawers outlined several vendor services and introduced a number of new consumer-facing services, which aim to take the supplier opportunity to new levels.  BHETA says is working with Amazon to build a proactive ‘creating value together’ relationship, including events such as Meet the Buyer, vendor workshops and fulfilment centre visits.

A presentation by Decco, CEO Charlie Lacey outlined the opportunities for suppliers hoping to work with the family company, reporting that 80% of its turnover is home and garden products, and 20% construction products. He explaine d that the company is continuously looking to attract new suppliers and new products to enhance its wholly-branded portfolio.

Other speakers on the day included GfK head of home Daniel Fearnley, who outlined the latest consumer data on both online retail and the consumer shopping journey in general, and Clive Daley of mMDJ2 Associates, who delivered some practical solutions for suppliers attempting to negotiate the cost implications of fluctuating currency with their retail partners. Advocating a number of possible strategies including multi-level relationships and value engineering, Mr Daley’s presentation covered collaboration and also, when necessary, a more aggressive approach. 

Commenting on the forum, BHETA’s housewares sector director, Will Jones said: “Big-picture politics just keeps on presenting surprises – all of which impact on economic prospects one way or another, yet today’s speakers all confirmed how much potential there is for growth in the home and garden market if we work together as partners for the greater good.”

BHETA’s DIY and garden sector director Paul Grinsell added: “It was great to welcome so many delegates keen to engage and to hear from really excellent speakers who want to work in a mutually supportive manner.  We have received a considerable number of positive comments from delegates.”

BHETA continues to grow its membership and has recently welcomed hand tools manufacturer Wolfcraft and German power tool manufacturer Fein Industrial Power Tools, as well as the UK's largest specialised developer of door and window furniture, handles and architectural ironmongery Carlisle Brass, and Lumberjack Tools, which is part of UK power and hand tool seller, toolsave Ltd.