BHETA’s recent networking forum attracted more than 325 delegates from across the DIY, garden and housewares industries, keen to understand supplier opportunities not only with Amazon, but also with one of the leading omnichannel distributors, Decco. 

Amazon UK managers for Homewares and Furniture (Jeff Wemyss) and Tools and Home Improvement (Oliver Sawers) treated a packed house at the Ricoh Arena to insights into the online retailer’s plans to expand with additional suppliers and additional selection. Senior members from their teams joined them for over-lunch networking with individual delegates.

Jeff and Oliver outlined several vendor services and introduced a number of new consumer-facing services that could take the supplier opportunity to new levels. Amazon is working with BHETA to build a proactive ‘creating value together’ relationship, including events such as Meet the Buyer, vendor workshops and fulfilment centre visits.

Charlie Lacey, chief operating officer of family-owned Decco, whose turnover is 80% home and garden products and 20% construction products, said the company was continuously looking to attract new suppliers and new products to enhance its wholly branded portfolio. With its partnership approach, offline and online support services, stock holding, fleet, promotional programmes and trade shows, the Decco network could be utilised as a means to penetrate new markets.

Daniel Fearnley, head of home at GfK , outlined the latest consumer data on both online retail and the consumer shopping journey in general, and Clive Daley of mdj2 Associates delivered some practical solutions for suppliers attempting to negotiate the cost implications of fluctuating currency with their retail partners.