KJ Penton, Author at Blinds On The Net: Buy Cheap Discount Blinds Online Australia Wide

As part of our commitment to bring you the latest trends and innovations in curtains and blinds, our team travel the world exploring the latest trends and speaking to our friends playing in the international market. Recently, we sat down and chatted trends and the UK blinds market with with UK blinds expert David Roebuck. David is Managing Director of Direct Blinds. Here’s what he had to say:

What is the most popular products sold in the UK blinds market at the moment?

Obviously as an online only retailer we can only relate to our particular marketplace and this is influenced mainly by domestic sales for use in the home. Roller blinds are our most popular product followed by Wooden blinds with Vertical Louvre and Roman blinds remaining popular. We have seen a decrease recently in the popularity of 25mm Metal Venetian blinds. Electric motorised Roller blinds are becoming popular due to the reduced costs of this control option.

Plain Dim Out and Blackout fabrics dominate the sales in Roller blinds whilst transparent Voiles are also very popular. In my opinion the aesthetic look and feel of blinds in the Uk market often comes before the practicality of light, solar and privacy control. UPVC Faux wood blinds are a growing trend due to cost and the option of a grained effect on the popular white finishes.

What are the current colour trends in the UK blinds market right now?

Grey is becoming the new cream in the UK. Shades of grey have been popular now for around a year and show no signs of slowing down. Having said that white is still by far the most popular if uninspiring, choice closely followed by tones of creams and beige.

Where do see the UK blinds market in 5 years?

Whilst the UK is a world leader in E-commerce I believe that we still have plenty of scope for further growth. A recent feature has seen many of the big high street names moving up the rankings, generally based on their Brand power rather than on their made to measure product offering. Whilst Google continues with its ‘big brand’ preference it will make the work of the specialist more difficult. The state of general economy will also be paramount and with Brexit creating so much uncertainty at present who can really guess where this will go in the next couple of years, never mind five.

What percentage of the UK market are buying window coverings online vs. traditional retail shops?

We are still looking at a single figure percentage of online sales – so massive potential to grow online!

Are you seeing motorisation becoming more popular with the DIY online market?

Yes, the falling cost of motorisation particularly battery powered for Roller blinds, is proving popular. The importance and greater consumer awareness of chain loop safety is also a factor as is the general move to automation and technology.

How and why did Direct Blinds start their online business?

Direct Blinds began selling and manufacturing blinds under the Swift Blinds name, from the founders family home back in 1969. All types of blinds were supplied into all markets using a traditional showroom and field sales force approach. Around 50% of blinds were measured and installed by the company with the remaining blinds being sent by carriers to various other retailers and blind users around the UK.

Soon after the millennium we became a supplier and distributor to a local new launch online blind retailer and both parties enjoyed a successful period of unprecedented growth. The relationship became difficult due to the pressure of price and margins for the two companies and we decided to go our own way.

Our experience gave us the insight and confidence to go all out and transform our business model into what it is today, a 100% online business with no other way to market. The journey took 5 years and saw some fundamental changes in personnel, customers and products alike. Google are now our largest ‘supplier’ and the old showroom is now our sampling department!

Going online has its own different issues and problems compared to our previous model and isn’t for everybody, looking back we were in a pretty unique position of having a wide diverse customer base that gave us the opportunity to move on without the risk of losing everything in one fell swoop. I think everyone in the business would now agree that it was the right move for us and at the right time.

5 Affordable Ways to Increase Your Home Security

There are many things you can do to increase your home’s security. Some methods may be more expensive and involve high-tech methods but there are some affordable methods that work well at increasing security also. Below, we have provided you with 5 affordable ways that you can increase the security around your home. Utilizing these methods can deter thieves and provide you with more peace of mind as well.

1. Put Window Blinds in Your Windows – You may be wondering how beneficial window blinds can be since they can’t keep a thief out, but they are a very good method for deterring thieves because they take away the thief’s visibility. When you have good quality blinds on your windows no one will be able to see inside. This becomes even more important around Christmas time when thieves are looking for gift filled homes to target. Preventing them from being able to see inside by using blinds can be a good deterrent to encourage them to skip your home. Make sure the blinds are good quality and don’t forget to keep them closed at night and whenever you are gone, even if it is during the day. These are the most common times for a thief to be checking things out so if they can’t tell what’s on the other side of the blinds, they could possibly decide it’s just too risky. Thieves want the quickest way in and out of a home and not knowing what they are crawling into can be too uncertain for most.

2. Security Signs in the Yard – It may sound like a gimmick but placing security signs in your yard where they can be seen easily can be a huge deterrent to thieves especially if it is a security sign that is known for being connected automatically to the police. Some people use these signs even if they don’t have a home security system. It is important to note that while the signs may deter thieves, there is no actual protection that these signs provide unless you have the actual security system. You can use the signs along with the other suggestions we have listed for added security, but don’t rely on the signs alone.

3. Window Sensors with Alarms – There are window sensors that you can purchase at any home improvement store that will sound a piercing alarm if the window is opened or the glass is broken. If the thief tries to get in a window and when it is opened, even a little, or the glass is broken, a piercing, LOUD alarm sounds, chances are they will run. The last thing a thief wants it to draw attention to themselves. These window sensors and alarms should be placed on all windows, especially the first floor. Look for the window sensors/alarms that are super loud. It may be a little unnerving if you forget and open the window one day, but something that is not loud at all isn’t going to deter anyone. You want a security system so loud that it can be heard easily outside and throughout the house so they will want to run.

4. Mind Your Mail and Newspapers – If you are going to be away for a few days it is very important that you make arrangements for your mail to be held as well as your newspaper. Thieves look for mail piled up on a number of papers in the driveway which indicate that the home owner is out of town.

5. Don’t Advertise on Social Media – It is never a good idea to post on social media that you are leaving, going on vacation or will otherwise be leaving your home unattended. There are thieves that will look for people doing this so they can target your home while you are gone. As hard as it may be, save the social media posts for when you are back home.

Author Archives: KJ Penton

UK Blinds Market & Trends: Q and A with David Roebuck from Direct Blinds