Company News
SMART OVEN UPGRADE: Owners of smart ovens by GE Appliances can now download an air fryer upgrade for more than 60 models from across the company’s Café, GE Profile and Haier brands. The upgrade applies to models purchased within the last four years. The company says it’s a demonstration of the “vast opportunities” available through Wi-Fi-enabled appliances. More than 13,000 owners have downloaded the No-Preheat Air Fry upgrade since April 1. The company also saw a boost of more than 143% in monthly usage of Air Fry modes on GE Appliances’ connected ovens due to its recent campaign promoting the upgrade. And, the company said, GE Profile developed a Spotify playlist of spicy tunes for consumers to listen to while they air fry and a series of recipes to try at home. For more information, click here.
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KERRIE KELLY’S SURE IS BUSY: She recently signed two new deals — as one of 20 new brand ambassadors for 2021 for The Container Store, and as a design partner with Hestan Commercial. Kelly, who is founder and creative director of Kerrie Kelly Design Lab and a Global Connect Advisor for NKBA, is alsojoining Jura Koncius, home and design reporter, for the Washington Post, on Thursday at 11 am (Eastern) for a Q&A on the latest in kitchen design. Join the conversation here.
SCHNEIDER, KB HOME CONNECT: Schneider Electric announced a partnership with KB Home last month, as reported in Solar Builder magazine. Schneider is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of electrical switches, plugs and wiring devices, with a focus on sustainability and energy efficiency. KB Home is one of the largest homebuilders in the U.S. Schneider Electric will provide grid-to-plug innovation in KB Home’s new Sundance at Park Circle community in Valley Center, Calif. These homes will incorporate the Square D Energy Center and connected Wiring Devices, which will offer greater levels of control, energy efficiency and resiliency for new homebuyers.
TRUE’S NEW LOW PROFILE: Luxury refrigeration specialist True Residential has launched its Low-Profile collection of state-of-the-art ADA-compliant designs. The new line comprises a variety of 24” undercounter units UL-rated for indoors and outdoors, including a refrigerator, beverage center, wine cabinet, and refrigerator drawers. Each unit measures 31 ⅞ inches high (rather than the original sized 34 ¼ inches) to meet the 32-inch height regulation allowing for installation under ADA-compliant countertops. Each product comes standard with a stainless front or a glass door, or also is available in the brand’s expansive Build Your True collection of custom finishes and hardware options. There is also a panel-ready option. The new designs are NSF 7-rated, allowing them for use in light commercial applications. In addition, the entire product line is designed with R600a, an environmentally friendly refrigeration system with a Zero Ozone Depletion Level and a low Global Warming Potential (GWP).
HOWARD’S BUYS MIDWAY: Howard’s a leading independent appliance retailer in Southern California, has acquired the operations and assets of Midway Home Solutions, a leading provider of appliances in Victorville, Calif., and a member of the Nationwide Marketing Group network of independent retailers. The acquisition is part of Howard’s growth strategy to expand into the High Desert region. Howard’s will officially begin operations in the same location on June 15. Besides expansion in the High Desert area, Howard’s will open a new experience center in West Hollywood this fall, and will remodel its locations in Huntington Beach and Irvine this year.
BIG BOX BOOM: Home Depot and Lowe’s each reported strong first-quarter earnings in May — another positive indicator that home improvement is still robust. For the first quarter of fiscal 2021, ended May 2, Home Depot reported sales of $37.5 billion, an increase of $9.2 billion, or 32.7%from the first quarter of fiscal 2020. Comparable-store sales for Q1 fiscal 2021 increased 31%, and comparable sales in the U.S. increased 29.9%. Lowe’s reported total sales for the first quarter ended April 30 of $24.4 billion compared to $19.7 billion in the first quarter of 2020, and comp-store sales rose 25.9%. Comparable sales for the U.S. home improvement business increased 24.4% for the first quarter.
HOUZZ BOOSTS FLOOR PLANNER: Houzz released new kitchen features for the Houzz Pro 3D Floor Planner, which empowers designers to quickly and easily communicate their vision for a project to current or prospective clients through 2D floor plans and 3D models. The new version allows designers to add cabinetry, appliances, islands, drawers, sinks, faucets and more to showcase the value of making significant changes to a kitchen, so that clients can feel confident moving forward with the project. Learn more about the Houzz Pro 3D Floor Planner here and watch this video to see the tool in action.
GAP, WALMART IN HOME PACT: Iconic clothing retailer Gap aims to dress the home space, in an exclusive deal with Walmart. Gap Home will be available exclusively on Walmart.com starting June 24. The initial collection will feature more than 400 items across bath, bedding, tabletop and home décor ranging from a washed denim pillow for $15.88 to a T-shirt-soft jersey comforter for $64.98 (king-size). New special and seasonal collections will be released through the year, and all are developed in partnership with Gap’s licensing agency, IMG.
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
BOERI TO CURATE SALONE SHOW: Milanese architect Stefano Boeri has been selected as the curator of Salone del Mobile’s 2021 event, scheduled for Sept. 5 to 10, as reported in Business of Fashion. He and his team will plan the fair’s concept and exhibition modalities, while also integrating its digital platform, slated to launch this month. For the first time, the general public will have access to the fairgrounds for the duration of the event, with the chance to purchase goods at exclusive prices at the fairgrounds in Rho. “We are working on what will be an unmissable event in all respects, open to both professionals and the general public,” Boeri said in a statement.
