Specialist retailers of Abode kitchen sinks, mixer taps, and award-winning boiling water taps confirm that in-store product variety is key to success, as the latest brand intelligence reveals that 80% of UK consumers want to experience a product firsthand before they commit to buy.
Leanne Stansfield, Digital & Marketing Director at Abode says, “Product and brand variety is a crucial element of ensuring your business and product offer standout in a highly populated marketplace. Greater variety not only increases the chances for product discovery but also engagement from a wider, more diverse customer base, which over the last 12 months has inspired a 200% rise in online search data for boiling water taps. By displaying a comprehensive range of product designs from several different brands, independent retailers will have a better understanding of their customers’ needs and style preferences, while being able to personally address any concerns on price, compatibility, and ease of use in the presence of the customer.
Given the level of variety in kitchen design, it’s never been more important for UK independents to align with their customers’ expectations as today, even functional products like boiling water taps need to compete on choice, aesthetics, user benefits, and value.”
To support UK retailers, Leanne at Abode shares the top buying criteria for kitchen customers looking to buy a new or replacement boiling water tap.
SHOWROOMING: Attraction is a critical step in the customer journey and today, there is a growing expectation for retailers to create a personalised experience when end users are making time to physically visit a showroom. The latest market statistics prove that consumers want to view a product in-store before completing the purchase and as primary kitchen components typically sit within the luxury category, providing an environment that attracts customers to touch, feel, and see what they’re about to buying is what gives retailers the edge over online shopping experiences.
By offering a high-touch showroom experience, customers can explore product lines from different brands to make informed decisions, and benefit from knowledgeable staff on-hand who can offer immediate, expert advice and more personalised product recommendations. Showrooming is a key indication to retailers that the customer in front of you is already in the decision-making phase but remember, most are looking to you to validate their final decision, and this provides a prime opportunity for upselling. Through considered product displays and targeted questions, you’ll be able to establish clear intent, usage scenarios, preferred styles, and budget limitations to ensure your customer can buy with confidence.
Boiling water taps are a must in both classic and contemporary kitchen environments, with the majority of customers seeking out brands and businesses that offer a wide breadth of choice, which is why Abode believe the retailer knows what is best to display in their showrooms, for their customers.
PRODUCT VARIETY: Although there is great value in offering a comprehensive range of products, be careful not to overload choice. Instead, display products that offer a point of difference, and cater to unique needs because the latest reports show that 73% of consumers expect tailored experiences in-store supported by broader, more experiential product ranges. Increasing customer satisfaction will also breed a greater sense of loyalty and so partnering with a brand that offers high-profit items, will mean customers can select from a rich catalogue of boiling water taps as style trends and product requirements change over time.
Ultimately, today’s customer is motivated by a freedom to choose, and by ensuring the right level of functionality, finish, and design options, you can pair their choice of tap with the kitchen sink, cabinet handles, lighting solutions, and even internal fixtures and fittings. Couple this degree of personalisation with a desire for advanced safety features, added convenience, and ease of use, and the boiling water tap has become a key ingredient in both the kitchen space and every day life.
From traditional designs that emphasise authentic attention to detail, customisable options offering personalised colours and textures through to minimalist, architectural purity and the serene, simplicity of Japandi styling, Abode Boiling & Filtered Water Taps ensure your customers can experience water the way they want it by accessing thoughtful design, which fits seamlessly into their daily lives. Latest 2026 models include Persona (customisable), Arkitect (architectural), Organico (natural), Oxbury (traditional), along with new opportunities for Scandi-X (Scandinavian).
FEATURES & BENEFITS: From enhancing water quality and flow through to user ergonomics and designed-in safety features, functionality provides the opportunity to solve real problems for your customers such as quiet, smooth water delivery, ease of use, and time-saving benefits. With so many product qualifiers, the sale might come down to what benefits matter to the end user most, e.g. easy-to-use controls, low noise levels, optional eco modes, freedom of installation, and even project parameters like meeting Part G of the UK Building Regulations (England and Wales) that addresses hot water safety and efficiency in new and converted homes.
All Abode boiling water taps are Regulation 4 compliant in accordance with Part G(3). Furthermore, all boiling water taps, filters and boilers are third party tested in accordance with regulations and either already hold a WRAS approval or are WRAS pending. From the very beginning, Abode products have been rooted in original British design, and that principle holds true today. Monitoring emerging trends, evolving lifestyles, and consumer behaviours helps Abode to ensure the design, finish, and functionality of its boiling water taps are aligned with the needs of today, while complementing any style of kitchen.
GREEN INCENTIVES: When it comes to the UK high street, sustainability is still considered a luxury over mainstream advantage, so it comes down to retailers to share the long-term savings available with their customers. Whether the model reduces single use plastic in the home, optional flow restrictors that limit water flow to just 5l/m or is part of a product recycling scheme, boiling and filtered water taps continue to pique the interest of conscious consumers who demand long-term rewards without sacrifice to quality or performance.
All Abode boiling water taps are designed with a 2-stage safety handle on the left, which ensures a smooth sputter-free water flow, and the cold start mixer handle on the right provides significant energy savings. Abode boiling water taps are also supplied with a water optimisation filter, which prohibits limescale build up and guarantees superior water quality with every cup.
RETAIL SUPPORT: Unlike single-category specialists, Abode provides UK retailers with a fully integrated kitchen solution spanning boiling water taps, mixer taps, sinks, and coordinating accessories, which means designers and end users alike can specify an entire kitchen scheme, from one brand.
Over the past two years, the company has placed significant focus on listening to both its retail customers and the end user to gather valuable insights into the market, and how best to serve it. The results are then used to refine existing ranges and develop new collections that better address real-world needs. This approach has driven innovation across several product categories including the new range of boiling water taps, and additions to its sink portfolio such as Optima Belfast, which perfectly reflects Abode’s commitment to design, quality and performance.
Beyond the product itself, Abode is proud to be a brand partner that genuinely supports its network of customers. From the company’s in-house expertise in Barnsley to ongoing investment in insight-driven development, product testing, training and customer support, Abode is committed to helping its retail partners succeed – not only through what it makes, but through the knowledge and service it provides.
Abode also rewards its retailers through Accumulate, an exclusive retail loyalty programme that rewards UK kitchen customers for selling and displaying Abode products in their showrooms. The rewards are quick to build up, with boiling water taps now becoming a rich incentive as they represent the lion’s share of all points accumulated. To find out more, please visit https://bit.ly/4eDoQ5J or sign up at abodeaccumulate.co.uk
For more information about the company and its range of products, please contact Abode:
Call 01226 283 434, email info@abodedesigns.co.uk or visit www.abodedesigns.co.uk
For Accumulate by Abode, visit https://bit.ly/4eDoQ5J or sign up at abodeaccumulate.co.uk
