UK buying group Sirius Buying Group, is supporting its members with key research on the latest market trends ready to influence kitchen furniture design and choice of electrical appliances in 2024-5.

Steve Jones, Managing Director at Sirius Buying Group, says, “With so many opportunities for enhanced functionality and customisation coming through in the kitchen living and utility space, retailers in 2025 need to balance the needs of today’s replacement market, as well as tapping into a rising generation of technology-focused consumers. Two key trends to lean into are the rise of smart technology in the home and the need to cater for increasingly time-poor consumers who crave a custom experience.

Next year, the UK retail sector will continue responding to the different needs of consumers by reimagining the customer journey, leveraging data, and protecting profitability. This general trend is set to continue throughout 2025 as end users continue to be cautious with their spending due to inflationary pressure. With rising costs and a growing desire to save time and energy in the home needing to be factored in, plus changes to business rates, independent retailers need to be even more creative when it comes to revenue-generating activity.”

Sirius research indicates that the affluent but time-poor market will appreciate the value of on-point information and high-touch customer service so they can confirm their product choices in-store before purchasing. This suggests that the most successful retailers in 2025 will be harnessing the power of digital with a user-friendly, professional website complete with online shoppability, superior telephone sales support and an outstanding customer service ethos in-person. In fact, the UK is a great pioneer in e-commerce, and MDA internet sales accounted for around 55.6%, up from 53.4% for the same time period in 2023 [GfK Market Data – Jan to Oct 2024], so investing in a secure sales platform makes sound business sense.

As lifestyles change and the UK population continues to live together in multigenerational households, Sirius Buying Group share 5 top trends for the UK kitchen in 2025:

1. ENERGY SAVING – Eco-efficiency will remain a top priority for consumers, seeking appliances which are geared to helping them save time, money and effort. Ergonomic designs that are both stylish and easy to use will be in high demand as time-poor consumers seek to optimise the kitchen living space with the very best in integrated and freestanding options.

2. OMNICHANNEL EXPERIENCE

2025 will give retailers the opportunity to showcase their expertise as the omnichannel experience becomes the norm, providing customers with multiple touchpoints to explore their products and services from initial exploration to payment options. In fact, a recent study by Harvard Business Review reports that customers interacting with an omni-channel experience spend 4% more in-store and 10% more when shopping online. In addition, retailers may discover their operational performance increases drastically while their operational costs reduce, as combining systems will allow them to monitor and respond to customer data in real-time.

3. SMART TECHNOLOGY

With 94% of the UK population owning a smartphone according to Finder we can be sure that both internet shopping via mobile phones will continue to grow at pace and that consumers will be increasingly keen to connect their tech to their devices so they can manage everything from appliances, heating and lighting on the go with ease. Look out for even more integration in the contemporary kitchen as connected living becomes a much more universal trend.  

4. AFFORDABLE LUXURY

Consumers seek added value and functionality from household names within the premium sector, encouraging more mainstream product lines. The know, like and trust factor will continue to be at the heart of the sales conversations, so the latest product promotions and exclusive deals will ensure warm leads quickly turn into sales.

5. INCLUSIVE

There will be a greater emphasis on ‘family appeal’ as the concept of the modern kitchen flexes to support even more inclusivity and accessibility for all members of the household. Taking the time to understand the context of a purchase can open the doors to even bigger sales opportunity if customers are looking for a more supportive kitchen environment such as future proofing for their golden years or catering to young adults living at home for longer.

To find out how you can become part of the ever-growing Sirius community, please contact:

Sirius Buying Group | e enquiries@siriusbuyinggroup.co.uk | t 0330 133 8336 | w www.siriusbuyinggroup.co.uk | Office 10, Equinox South Business Centre, Bristol BS32 4QL