Katie Plumstead, Group Marketing Manager at Scolmore, discusses how design-led wiring accessories are driving opportunities for wholesalers.

As interior design continues to influence specification decisions across hospitality, leisure and premium residential projects, wiring accessories are increasingly expected to deliver more than functionality alone. Today, wholesalers are seeing growing demand for products that combine performance, flexibility and aesthetics, helping contractors and specifiers create a consistent look throughout a project.

This trend is particularly evident in hospitality environments, where designers are moving away from uniform schemes in favour of individually styled spaces. The challenge is finding wiring accessories that can complement a variety of interiors while maintaining a consistent specification across the building.

Decorative metal finishes continue to grow in popularity, offering a premium appearance and the versatility to work across a wide range of settings. Manufacturers have responded by expanding their decorative wiring accessory portfolios, giving wholesalers a wider choice of products to offer customers looking to match accessories to contemporary and traditional design schemes alike.

Click Scolmore’s Deco and Deco Plus ranges illustrate this evolution. Available in a variety of finishes including matt bronze, matt black, polished chrome, satin chrome, stainless steel, antique brass and satin brass, the ranges provide specifiers with options to suit a broad spectrum of design requirements. The extensive finish selection allows accessories to become part of the overall design concept rather than simply a practical necessity.

Flexibility is equally important from an installation perspective. Modular switch plates and MiniGrid compatibility enable contractors to configure accessories to meet individual project requirements while maintaining a consistent appearance throughout a development. For wholesalers, the availability of flexible, configurable solutions can help address a wider range of project requirements from stock.

The focus on flexibility is also driving demand for products that maximise functionality in a compact footprint. A good example is the growing availability of multi-gang switching solutions that allow more circuits to be controlled from a single plate. Click Scolmore’s Definity range, for example, includes a premium 10AX 4-gang complete switch that enables four separate circuits to be controlled from a standard-sized plate, helping installers overcome limited wall space while maintaining a clean, streamlined appearance. Such solutions are particularly useful in hallways, living areas and hospitality settings, where additional controls may be required without the disruption of enlarging back boxes or reconfiguring décor.

Coordinating accessories across modern interiors

The growing emphasis on cohesive interior design extends beyond switches and sockets to encompass media and data accessories as well. Increasingly, specifiers are looking for solutions that allow power, control and media requirements to be integrated into a single, coordinated scheme.

Reflecting this trend, Click Scolmore has continued to expand its New Media offering with additions that enhance both functionality and aesthetics. The introduction of an 8-aperture front plate within the Definity screwless collection provides a streamlined solution for accommodating multiple media requirements from a single location, helping to reduce wall clutter and create a cleaner, more professional finish.

The availability of matt bronze and matt black finishes across the New Media 8-aperture front plate range gives specifiers even greater flexibility when matching accessories to contemporary interior schemes. Designed to complement the wider decorative wiring accessory offering, these finishes support the growing demand for products that combine practical performance with strong visual appeal.

Hospitality projects highlight the trend

As technology becomes increasingly integrated into commercial and residential spaces, there is greater demand for products that support power, control and connectivity requirements without compromising aesthetics. Click’s New Media range, available in a matt black finish, offers a coordinated approach for contemporary interiors where visual consistency is a key consideration.

A recent refurbishment project at The Station at Shustoke in Warwickshire highlights the importance of versatile wiring accessories in practice. The boutique aparthotel features 16 individually designed guest rooms, each with its own character and style. To provide a unifying element throughout the property, Click Deco accessories in a polished chrome finish were specified across the development, demonstrating how a carefully selected range can work across diverse interior schemes while maintaining a consistent standard of specification.

As customer expectations continue to evolve, decorative wiring accessories are playing an increasingly important role in modern projects. For electrical wholesalers, this presents an opportunity to add value by helping customers identify solutions that combine aesthetics, functionality and installation flexibility. With growing interest in premium finishes, modular configurations and coordinated media accessories, wholesalers are well placed to guide contractors and specifiers towards products that meet both the practical and design-led requirements of today’s installations.

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As the demand for USB charging points increases hugely, so does the demand for the speed and power they can deliver and to meet the needs of both consumers and commercial users. Hannah Liscombe, Marketing Director at Knightsbridge, reports.

USB charging has moved from being a useful extra to an increasingly expected feature of modern electrical installations. As smartphones, tablets, laptops and other portable devices are now integral to everyday life, the conventional combination of a mains socket, plug-top charger and trailing cable is increasingly being replaced by integrated USB charging directly at the wall. For wholesalers and electrical stockists, that creates both a practical product category and an opportunity to trade customers up into higher-value wiring accessories.

A key point is that not all USB sockets are the same. Charging output ranges from relatively modest solutions for phones and smaller devices through to high-power USB-C Power Delivery (PD) products capable of charging laptops.

The current Knightsbridge range, for example, includes USB sockets offering outputs around 15.5W, 18W, 20W, 30W, 45W, 63W and 65W, providing a useful hierarchy of products for different applications.

Rapid charging

At the lower end, standard USB A+C charging is well suited to everyday smartphone use, small personal electronics and applications where high-speed charging is not a priority. An 18W fast-charge socket represents a step up, making it appropriate for smartphones and other portable devices where rapid charging is valued. Knightsbridge’s 45W products add USB-C PD, providing sufficient output for many tablets and compatible laptops while retaining USB-A charging for legacy devices.

Higher-power products are increasingly relevant in commercial environments. A 63W charger with two USB-C and one USB-A output is ideal for offices, hotels, cafés, bars and other locations where users may need to charge laptops as well as phones and tablets. USB-PD and PPS can manage voltage and current dynamically, helping compatible devices charge efficiently without requiring a separate power adaptor.

The latest 65W dual USB-C sockets take this further. They can deliver up to 65W to a single compatible device such as a laptop, or distribute power between two devices, with one combination providing 45W and 18W. GaN technology can also improve efficiency while reducing heat and energy loss.

Different markets

These capabilities translate readily into different markets. In residential applications, integrated USB charging helps declutter worktops, bedside areas and home offices, while decorative finishes make the socket part of the interior design rather than simply a functional fitting. In commercial settings, accessible charging can be an amenity in offices, hospitality, retail and communal areas. Educational buildings present another obvious application, particularly classrooms, libraries and staff workspaces where mobile technology is now commonplace.

There is also a strong design dimension. USB-equipped sockets are now available in multiple plate styles and finishes, including matt black, anthracite, brushed chrome, matt white and antique brass. That allows charging functionality to be specified alongside the wider accessory scheme rather than treated as an add-on.

For wholesalers and stockists, this creates a useful opportunity to build a clear product ladder rather than carrying a single USB offering. Lower-output products can address price-sensitive replacement work, while 18W, 30W and 45W models provide obvious upgrades. Higher-output 63W and 65W products can target offices, premium residential projects, hospitality and technology-heavy environments. Decorative versions add another route to upselling, while compatible charging cables provide a natural complementary sale; the Knightsbridge range includes 60W cables and certified 100W USB-PD C-C cables.

The commercial proposition is therefore broader than simply selling another socket. USB charging combines convenience, technology and design in a familiar electrical accessory, while giving the trade multiple points at which to differentiate products by performance, specification and finish.

For stockists, that means the opportunity to meet a wider range of applications, increase average transaction value and move customers from basic replacement products towards higher-value, feature-rich accessories.

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Wiring accessories may be among the most familiar products on an electrical installation, but that does not mean the category stands still. Dogan Dogan, Product Manager – Wiring Accessories at BG, examines the next generation of wiring accessories.

As contractors look for ways to complete work more quickly and efficiently, manufacturers are increasingly examining how established products can be redesigned around the practical realities of life on site.

The latest trends are being shaped by common demands – greater flexibility, simpler installation, easier maintenance and the ability to adapt products to changing customer requirements. For electricians, innovation is increasingly valuable when it removes complexity rather than adding it.

Modularity is playing an important role in this evolution. Rather than relying solely on fixed, pre-configured accessories, modular systems allow installers to build the combination required for a particular application. Individual modules can also be replaced or changed as requirements evolve, helping installations remain adaptable. And, for wholesalers, a common modular platform can simplify product selection and reduce the need to hold every possible finished combination in stock.

It’s these trends that are behind the launch of BG GridLite, a new screwless, clip-in modular switching system that represents the first stage of a wider development across the BG wiring accessories portfolio.

Making installation easier

At the heart of GridLite is a simple principle – reducing unnecessary complication for the installer. Traditional modular systems can involve separate fixing components and the challenge of assembling multiple parts before an installation is complete. GridLite takes a different approach with a screwless clip-in system and a unique yoke-free construction.

Modules simply push into place, eliminating the need for fiddly fixing screws. The yoke-free design also means modules can be fitted either way up. Modules can be wired before the faceplate is fitted helping to streamline installation.

Engineered for modern lighting applications, GridLite’s single-width modules are rated at 20A, while standard switch modules fit 16mm back boxes, helping installers minimise rework where existing back boxes can be retained.

GridLite has been developed by listening to what installers want from a modular switching system and they wanted a solution that is quicker to install, easier to adapt and flexible enough to suit a wide range of applications.

Flexibility built in

One of the defining benefits of modular systems is the ability to create bespoke configurations. Customers increasingly expect wiring accessories to provide more than basic switching, with requirements varying according to the building, room and application.

GridLite offers standard, intermediate and retractive switches, key switches, touch dimmers, blank modules and USB-C charging modules. This enables installers to configure accessories for a project rather than working around a limited number of fixed combinations. The compact single-module touch dimmer occupies the same footprint as a standard switch, while up to three modules can be installed on a single square plate.

With GridLite, each module can be removed and replaced independently without removing adjacent modules or replacing the complete device. This makes maintenance and future alterations simpler.

One platform, multiple finishes

While functionality and ease of installation remain central to product development, aesthetics continue to be important across domestic, commercial and specification projects.

GridLite has been designed to integrate across BG’s established wiring accessory ranges, including White Moulded, Nexus Metal, Flatplate Screwless, Evolve, Metal Clad and Part M.

Using a common modular platform across multiple accessory finishes allows installers to configure a consistent system while giving customers freedom over the final appearance.

For wholesalers, the approach can also simplify conversations at the trade counter, with a common platform offering greater consistency across functions and finishes.

The start of a wider change

The GridLite launch is not intended to be an isolated product development. It represents the first stage of a wider move towards a fully modular, yoke-free screwless switching system across the BG Wiring Accessories portfolio.

The new modular approach will also begin to be introduced across BG’s existing plated switch ranges. The transition will take place as a running change, with existing switches gradually moving to the updated modular design as new versions filter into the market over the following months.

As updated products become available, GridLite and the subsequent developments to BG’s plated switches will together establish a broader common approach to modular switching.

Innovation with a practical purpose

For the electrical industry, product innovation does not always need to mean radical change. In wiring accessories, small improvements can have a meaningful impact on the time and effort required to complete a project.

Screwless clip-in modules, independent replacement and a yoke-free construction are all examples of design decisions intended to make life easier on site. The move towards a broader modular platform also recognises the importance of flexibility as customer requirements and buildings change.

The development of GridLite therefore reflects a wider trend in wiring accessories – moving towards products that are simpler to install, easier to adapt and capable of providing more choice from a common platform.

As the system is progressively rolled out across BG’s portfolio, the focus remains on practical innovation – delivering products designed around the needs of installers while providing wholesalers with a flexible and increasingly consistent switching solution. The best innovation is often the innovation that solves a problem without making the product more complicated.

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With rising energy costs, the UK Government’s Net Zero commitments and the rapid growth in consumer demand for all-electric living, the electrical installation landscape is being transformed at pace. Philip Grove, Product Manager for BG Circuit Protection, looks at why electrification is no longer a distant ambition but an active, accelerating shift that is reshaping how homes and small commercial premises use, generate and manage energy.

As transport, heating and energy generation continue to electrify, the role of the electrical installation itself is fundamentally changing. What was once a relatively static system designed around predictable loads is now evolving into a dynamic energy hub. EV chargers introduce sustained high current demand, heat pumps operate continuously rather than intermittently, and solar PV and battery storage systems create bi-directional power flows. At the same time, smart technologies and home-office equipment place greater emphasis on resilience, protection and future capacity.

For electrical contractors, this shift demands a rethink of traditional distribution arrangements. Designing solely to meet today’s requirements is increasingly short sighted, as customers are unlikely to stand still. A consumer unit that appears adequate at handover can quickly become a constraint as new circuits are added. Future-proofing is no longer about leaving a few spare ways ‘just in case’ – it is about installing distribution boards with the space, flexibility and adaptability needed to support electrification throughout the lifetime of the building. As a result, larger more versatile consumer units are becoming essential.

This growing complexity is also being reflected in regulatory expectations and customer awareness. Surge protection, discrimination, selectivity and resilience are no longer specialist considerations, but increasingly standard requirements in larger domestic and light commercial installations. End users are more informed and more likely to ask whether their electrical infrastructure is ‘EV ready’ or capable of supporting renewables in the future.

For contractors, specifying a consumer unit with sufficient capacity from the outset is becoming a mark of quality rather than excess. A well planned, spacious board reduces disruption, avoids unnecessary remedial work and demonstrates professional foresight – ensuring installations remain compliant, adaptable and fit for purpose as electrical demand continues to grow.

The rise of renewables

The electrical demands placed on UK homes and small commercial premises have changed dramatically in just the last decade. Where a traditional domestic installation may once have needed space only for lighting, sockets and a few dedicated loads, today’s consumer units must accommodate renewables like EV chargers, heat pumps, solar PV, battery storage as well as home office equipment and increasingly sophisticated smart-home technologies. As a result, electricians are routinely faced with the challenge of designing installations that aren’t just compliant today but are resilient, adaptable and spacious enough for the technologies their customers will want tomorrow.

Future-proof

Designed not only for now but also for future demands, BG’s recently launched Dual Row Consumer Units, which are available in 36 way and 48 way boards, stand out as a practical and forward-thinking solution for both domestic and light commercial environments. Built for flexibility, efficiency and expansion, BG’s Dual Row Consumer Units offer greater circuit capacity, integrated surge protection and the ability to accommodate renewable energy interfaces and smart control modules. They are ideal for installations where future proofing is a priority.

Capacity where it counts

With 36 or 48 module options, BG’s Dual Row Consumer Units – both coming supplied with a 100A main switch and Type 2 surge protection as standard – can house multiple RCBOs and AFDDs along with other modular devices without overcrowding the unit. Being a dual row arrangement means that a higher circuit density is achieved without excessively increasing the size of the unit. This makes it ideal for utility rooms, garages, plant rooms or small commercial settings where wall space may be limited.

This extra capacity is crucial in modern installations. For example, a single EV charger can demand a dedicated 32A circuit, whilst a solar PV inverter requires its own protective devices and battery storage and heat pumps add further loads. Attempting to squeeze these into a traditional single row board often forces installers to bolt on extra enclosures later. This is untidy, inefficient and much harder to maintain.

With maximum adaptability built in, BG’s Dual Row Consumer Units feature four rows of enlarged oval knock-outs at the rear, complemented by additional versatile 40mm knock-outs on the sides, top, and bottom, whilst a new DIN rail design offers a stronger and more secure device engagement. The offset incomer, larger busbar cover, and updated label sheet provide a seamless installation experience for electricians.

Electrifying the future

The UK’s energy landscape is heading in one clear direction – more electrification, more distributed energy generation and more smart devices – and consumer units must be ready for that migration. Solutions such as BG’s Dual Row Consumer Units will allow electrical contractors to return in the future to add new circuits without having to rip out and replace an undersized unit or bolt together multiple units making for a messy, inefficient installation. Future-ready, BG’s 36 and 48 way dual row single unified and spacious boards are ready for whatever comes next and provide electricians with a board that not only meets today’s demands but also anticipates tomorrows.

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Hannah Liscombe, Head of Marketing at Knightsbridge, highlights two areas of interest when it comes to trends in wiring accessories.

Brass is back! That’s the overwhelming conclusion we’ve come to at Knightsbridge, taking into account what we’ve seen over the last couple of years in terms of wiring accessory sales. ‘Brasses’ as a finish option have surged in popularity, so much so that they are leaving matt black in their wake. Antique brass, in particular, is proving to be a major hit with the trade and consumers alike.

The appeal of brass is no doubt helped by the combination of finishes and styles in switches and sockets, allowing consumers to mix and match depending on their tastes and requirements. The recent introduction of our screwless antique brass range has increased choice yet further and the finish is rapidly becoming one of the most popular choices in our brasses options.

Obviously, the question remains why brass should become so popular when matt black has dominated the design stakes for so long. A definitive answer is probably difficult to arrive at, but we can look at the wider design environment for specific influences.

Striking a chord with homeowners

At the beginning of the year a few ‘interiors’ magazines were touting mixing metal finishes as opposed to matching them, citing examples of pairing warm metals like brass and copper with cooler ones like stainless steel or brushed nickel. Maybe this has struck a chord with homeowners, and we are seeing an increase in the use of brass finishes as a result.

Another view is that homeowners are seeking what might be termed ‘timeless’ luxury, an enduring and lasting aesthetic that brass carries off so well. There’s also the practical element that brass tones can be paired with kitchen and bathroom hardware such as taps and handles, which allows wiring accessories to be seen as a design feature rather than simply functional.

Power to the people

If brass is the newish trendsetter, there has been a reoccurring theme for us at Knightsbridge over the last few years and that has been around delivering faster and more efficient charging for modern devices. The sheer number of phones, tablets and laptops in the home or office means that charging points are in demand and become a bottleneck that is often resolved through the creative use of adapters, chargers and extension leads!

In a bid to create a more efficient, speedier way of charging devices, we came up with the 13A double pole switched socket with dual USB-C (65W Dual Fastcharge). It is one of the UK market’s most powerful dual sockets featuring USB charging and represents an important upgrade to our existing 45W model. Between the two sockets, Knightsbridge offers a choice of performance and versatility to meet the needs of busy office personnel, impatient teenagers or despairing parents.

The socket features dual USB-C outputs that can deliver up to 65W total power. Users can charge two devices simultaneously at 45W and 18W or power a single device, such as a laptop, at the full 65W without any need for bulky adaptors.

Rather than split power between ports, the 65W Dual Fastcharge model ensures optimal performance even when charging multiple devices. Supporting USB-PD (power delivery) and PPS (programmable power supply) protocols, it provides universal compatibility with smartphones, tablets and laptops.

At the core of the socket’s performance is GaN (Gallium Nitride) technology, achieving over 94% efficiency while reducing energy loss and heat, making this product an energy-conscious choice without compromising on charging speed or reliability.

Designed with a double pole switch, outboard rocker and twin earthing points, the socket combines functionality and style. Its installation-friendly design simplifies upgrades without extensive rewiring. With over voltage category III suitability and ErP standby power consumption of just 0.1W, it offers versatility and energy efficiency.

Modern and traditional environments

To complement a wide variety of settings, the 13A switched socket is available in four styles: raised edge square, raised edge round, curved edge and screwless designs. Each option blends seamlessly with different interior aesthetics, ensuring the socket suits both modern and traditional environments.

Built with premium-grade metals for durability, the socket includes advanced safety features such as overcurrent, overload and overheat protection, ensuring peace of mind for users. It is an ideal solution for domestic and commercial spaces, offering high-speed, reliable power delivery without compromising on safety or design.

We believe that this latest innovation exemplifies our commitment to continuous improvement. By integrating advanced technology and enhanced performance into every product, we want to remain at the forefront of the wiring accessories and lighting sector.

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Click Scolmore’s Essentials wiring accessories range is a versatile and dependable collection of products designed to meet a variety of installation needs.

The comprehensive range includes durable galvanised steel back boxes, weatherproof switches and sockets, and metal-clad accessories, ensuring reliable and secure installations.

The Aquip66 range of IP66-rated, easy-to-install 10A and 20A weatherproof outdoor switches and sockets allows electricians to bring power safely to the outdoors. These heavy-duty polycarbonate sockets are ideal for a variety of applications including sheds, hot tubs and office spaces, offering easy installation and long-lasting durability. Unfurnished enclosures are also available for use with Click’s MiniGrid and GridPro modules.

The Metal Clad and Metal Clad Pro ranges offer heavy-duty, high-performance solutions for demanding installations. Both feature durable electrophoretically coated plates and back boxes. The Metal Clad Pro range provides a modern upgrade, with a curved profile and three finishes – Polar White, Metal Clad Grey, and Matt Black, perfect for high-end projects requiring style and durability.

The Essentials range also includes versatile back boxes, designed for secure and efficient installations. Constructed from robust polycarbonate or galvanised steel, these boxes feature convenient markings to simplify the installation.

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Retrotouch is launching a new range of light switches, sockets and dimmers that make it easy for electricians, housebuilders and renovators to add a high end finish to any new lighting scheme or easily update and upgrade an existing one.

The Retrotouch Aura collection comprises a choice of attractive clip-on milled aluminium front panels that quickly and easily attach to the Retrotouch Aura base module, creating stunning finishes for design-conscious customers.

The key benefits of the new range are its modularity, quality materials and finish. Once installed, customers can easily change the covers with no need to wire in new sockets to change the look. Installation is simply install the base at first fix and clip on the face plates at second fix.

The designer-look front panels currently come in four finishes: Brushed Nickel, Brushed Brass, Brushed Bronze and Matt Black. Further colours and finishes are in development and will ensure that the clip-on panels stay on trend as interior design styles and requirements change over time.

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Hazel Whittingham, Product Manager for BG Electrical, looks at how the latest wiring accessories manage to combine form with functionality.

It’s no longer enough for a product to just perform well, it’s got to look good too. And, in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, even products that were once seen as utilitarian – such as wiring accessories like sockets, switches and USB chargers – there is a growing demand for stylish designs that align with and enhance the aesthetic of an interior. And, whilst wiring accessories may be small, insignificant they are not. Good design can really pack a punch when it comes to the overall finish of an installation, particularly in open plan spaces where electrical accessories – that also need to deliver on all aspects of practicality – are more visible.

Appealing aesthetics

Whether it’s at home or work, people want their spaces to feel good and function well, and since electrical components are often visible, their design can impact the overall atmosphere of a room. Wiring accessories that have been thoughtfully designed, with sleek finishes and stylish colours, complement rather than detract from the surrounding décor, delivering a truly finished feel helping to elevate the space and make the essential wiring accessory products less intrusive.

More than good looks

However, looking good is not enough. Specified wiring accessory products need to deliver not only on looks but also on practical functionality – for example with the integration of fast charging capabilities. With the growing dependence on mobile phones, laptops, tablets and other electronic devices, the demand for rapid, efficient and reliable charging has never been greater – and looks set to rise.

Sockets incorporating high speed USB ports eliminate the need for bulky adaptors whilst delivering a convenient space-saving, clutter-free – and aesthetically pleasing – solution that provides end users with dedicated charging points delivering higher power for faster charging, significantly improving the entire user experience.’

Practicality and aesthetics

Specifically designed to answer this need and launched by Luceco under its specialist wiring and accessories brand BG Electrical, the Evolve range of decorative switches and sockets is ideal for both domestic and commercial applications and is the perfect way to ensure all essential power points enhance décor rather than detract from it. This range also makes decorative metal switches an accessible option for older homes which have no earth on the lighting circuit too, as no earthing is required for the decorative metal front plates due to their clever construction method.

Aesthetically attractive, the slimline switches and sockets are designed with screwless face plates which easily clip on and off making decorating easier and are available in eight different colours including brushed steel, black chrome, and matt blue as well as satin brass, polished copper, matt black, matt grey, and pearlescent white.

The range includes switches, sockets, innovative fast charge USB sockets, Wi-Fi range extenders, touch dimmer switches, as well as Grid range extensions and Euro module range extensions to combine power, data, TV, telephone and audio. The Evolve range includes a 25-year warranty (10 years on USB and Wi-Fi Extender sockets), with Asta Approval for assurance that these are best in class when it comes to wiring accessories. Colour coded terminals and captive screws also ensure a ‘right first time’ approach to any wiring installation.

End users expect both beauty and function in their wiring accessory products and the Evolve range combines aesthetics with practicality perfectly, making it the ideal choice for installers.

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With wiring accessories now available in a wide range of finishes, Steve Moss, Sales and Marketing Manager for Focus SB, looks at how trends impact sales. 

Trends in finishes come and go, but quality, innovation and continuity of finish are constants when it comes to the discerning customer.

Longevity vs trends

Popularity of finishes is constantly on the Focus SB radar, as the company offers in-house expertise to professional electricians, design consultants, building contractors and specifiers via project support services. Popularity of finish by can be subjective and when it comes to enquiries there is always an equivalent to the latest trends as published by home interiors magazines or national press, so that wholesalers can easily source products for customers seeking products on behalf of those who may have been inspired by the weekend newspaper style pages.

High quality products paired with bespoke components and finishes that can be matched or complemented across a wide range of standard and specialist smart home products will give wholesalers and professional electricians the edge in conversation with your customers and stand the test of time.

Electrical accessories trends

As a company, Focus SB is continually assessing just how influential trends are on the electrical accessories market and how relevant these might be, enabling the business to best support customers and wholesalers.

Metallic finishes are timeless and won’t go out of fashion. It’s very much down to personal taste when it comes to finishes, but for larger prime residential and hospitality projects it’s crucial to be able to supply multiple finished products to complement an interior designer or architect’s interior scheme. This is where Focus SB comes in with the ability to offer multiple products finished to match, from laser marked low-voltage keypads through to 8G 20A 2 way rocker grid switches or 13A switched 2 gang sockets with 18W Type A and 45W Type C Power Delivery USB ports, down to bathroom shaver sockets and kitchen cooker control units fitted with double pole 45A switches for installations where higher current ratings are required, with the option of incorporating a switched 13A socket, for example. 

Finishes for smart home tech 

Prime residential designers and architects are faced with multiple options and can choose from touch screen and multi-button scene setting controls or systems utilising simple ‘push-to-make’ retractive rocker, toggle (dolly switches), push button ‘bell pushes’ and keypads of traditional appearance with the latest low voltage programmable technology behind the cover plate. Often these retractive switches will interface with proprietary ‘whole house’ complex control system installations, programmed by the smart home integrator or electrical contractor.

With many city centre commercial, warehouse and office premises being converted for residential or mixed use, the requirement for high quality monochromatic faceplate finishes in matt white and matt black remains popular. Developers and designers will often try to utilise reclaimed building materials and look to use high quality products offering longevity such as switches, sockets and keypads with more unusual finishes to complement an overall theme.

Most clients embrace the benefits of energy efficient LED lighting, however many are less than happy to choose high tech multi-button and touch screen lighting control systems to operate the lighting. These controls in many cases will ‘jar’ in terms of visual appearance with the property’s décor and cause unnecessary complexity. Increasingly touch screen proprietary controls are being replaced (or supplemented) utilising simple ‘push-to-make’ retractive rocker, toggle switches or push buttons for a more traditional appearance.

Often these switches will interface with proprietary ‘whole house’ complex control system installations. Focus SB’s low-voltage keypads can be specified with square and round push button switches as well as with a contemporary toggle switch style, with the option for bespoke ‘hotel-style’ combination plates and are available with the new Renaissance flat screwless plate in order to evolve a one-stop shop offering for wholesalers and their customers.

We’re seeing continued desire to be able to match faceplate designs and finishes across light switches, dimming and power outlets as well as a growing demand for smart home products with a traditional aesthetic. The ability to match finishes across other specialist products such as keypad switches, Focus SB’s panic alarm button and sounder cover plates is useful for customers looking to order from just one supplier – and the fact Focus SB manufactures and finishes in-house means it’s convenient for wholesalers to source options for their customers.

Modern square corner finish

Designed with sustainability in mind, Focus SB’s innovative design-first Renaissance product offers the ultimate in minimalist style complemented by product and functionality options our customers expect from us. A rebirth of a classic style, Renaissance offers a true flat screwless plate with square corners, rather than a formed, or dished plate, or one that sits inside a frame in two pieces, or sits on a visible plastic frame, like the majority of available products on the market.

Modern ‘minimalist’ style continues to be popular coupled with an ability to create bespoke plate sizes which is a prerequisite for most high end residential or hospitality projects.

Total solution for wholesalers

For wholesalers servicing interior designers or other professionals visiting trade counters or for showrooms that want to match faceplate finishes with either existing installations or specialist products, availability of products with matching finishes is likely to be difficult or time consuming to source. As Focus SB manufactures and finishes all faceplates and components in-house, it is able to offer customers an unrivalled design and finish solution which solves this problem.

Wholesalers know that when they order electrical accessories products from Focus SB, they have a straightforward flexible solution from just one manufacturer. Typical customers are not impulse buyers, so Focus SB collaborates with wholesalers who want to offer a standard collection with the advantage of niche, bespoke ‘non counter’ products.

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Katie Plumstead, Group Marketing Manager, Scolmore Group, looks at the latest UK Electrical Wholesalers market report, and provides wholesalers with details of those products that will be making headlines in the coming months.

According to Mintel’s UK Electrical Wholesalers Market Report 2023, the size of the UK electrical wholesale market was forecasted at £4,073 million in 2023. High costs across all areas remained a key operational concern. The continued combined press of inflation, cost of living and higher borrowing costs will impact demand in home construction and home improvement sectors. Commercial and industrial sectors also face severe pressure. Wholesalers must remain agile, flexible and responsive in order to meet the needs of a fluctuating market.

As a leading supplier to the electrical wholesale market, Click Scolmore knows only too well the importance of flexibility and agility when it comes to servicing its customers and the ability to quickly respond to demands in the market is something that the company takes pride in.  Whether reacting to demand from the installers working with the products on the job or making sure that the latest trends impacting interior design requirements are being met, Scolmore has the resources at its fingertips to respond, and this is demonstrated in the continuing programme of new product development that the company undertakes.

Mesmerising matt bronze

With the increasing demand for decorative wiring accessories from end users, installers are looking for stylish and refined solutions to complement modern interiors. In response, Click Scolmore has expanded its Definity Complete range with a new matt bronze finish. A perfect blend of elegance and modern appeal, the new refined finish is designed to add a touch of timeless sophistication to any interior, making it an ideal choice for both domestic and commercial spaces.

The smooth clean lines of Definity Complete products provide the ultimate finishing touch to a feature packed range of decorative electrical accessories without the visible fixing screws. The Definity Complete range gives installers the ultimate flexibility. As all Click switch plates are modular as standard, this allows for endless combinations to suit multiple installations within both domestic and commercial environments.

The popular range now totals nine finishes including matt bronze, antique brass, brushed steel, stainless steel, polished chrome, white, metal white, matt black and metal black finishes.

A la Mode

Whilst the company will continue to develop its decorative accessories offer, it is the Click Mode range of white wiring accessories that remains the company’s best-selling wiring accessories collection to date. The Mode range was conceived and developed as a high quality, flexible and modern solution for virtually any domestic wiring requirement. The smooth, contemporary lines of the accessory plate fits easily into traditional and contemporary designs alike and the modular design allows installers unprecedented flexibility in creating dedicated wiring solutions.

New to the Click Mode range, are the 1-gang and 2-gang In-Wall Toothbrush Chargers. Compatible with most Oral-B toothbrush models, these products offer a wireless charging point for electric toothbrushes as well as additional space for a spare/replacement toothbrush head. The design allows them to be fitted directly onto the bathroom wall, offering easy access to charging without messy cables, and ensuring the electric toothbrushes are always charged ready to go. They are also antibacterial and antiviral certified.

Safety first

Other recent additions to Click’s decorative wiring accessories range are new Deco and Deco Plus 2-gang unswitched socket outlets. Designed with the consumer in mind, the socket outlets come offered with a safety shutter feature to increase security and overall reassurance. The safety shutters are designed to exceed BS1363 requirements, where a standard BS1363 Shutter only requires an engaging earth pin to open the shutter. These are available in satin chrome or stainless steel finishes and with black or white inserts.

Wholesaler support

As well as supplying the latest products to meet market demand, a working partnership with Scolmore Group ensures that electrical wholesalers have access to the widest possible source of information, resources and promotional support to help them stand out from the crowd and stay ahead in a highly competitive marketplace. Key to this support is the Marketing Hub – a unique website facility which is available across the whole of the Scolmore Group – Click Scolmore, Ovia, Unicrimp and ESP – and provides a range of tools that wholesalers can use to enhance their own marketing facilities – and all at no extra cost.

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