BAEKJO SINK, ‘2020 Dishwashing Culture and Consumer Survey Results’
Consumers making their own choices via interior firms, online purchases, self-installation and more
The number of consumers who choose the design of the sink bowl—the centerpiece of the kitchen—for themselves is growing. In the past, many people simply used the sink bowl that was already installed, regardless of their own tastes or wishes, but now more and more consumers are personally selecting products in the designs they want.
According to the results of a ‘Dishwashing Culture and Consumer Survey’ conducted by BAEKJO SINK, a specialized manufacturer of stainless steel sink bowls, among 505 adults—both visitors and online respondents—at Korea Build this past July, 40% of consumers said they use a sink bowl that was already installed, for example after moving into a home. Compared with the 58% who gave the same answer in a survey conducted five years ago, this represents an 18% decrease. In other words, consumer preferences are now being reflected to a greater degree when purchasing a sink bowl. In particular, consumers who personally pick out and select products in the designs they want—through interior firms, dealerships, online purchases and so on—account for the remaining 60%, demonstrating the shift in consumer awareness regarding sink bowls.
This is because the sink bowl’s importance in the kitchen has grown, both as an interior design element and in terms of functionality. Seventy-five percent of respondents said they spend more than half of their kitchen activity time at the sink bowl—doing the dishes, preparing ingredients and the like—establishing the sink bowl as the center of kitchen activity.
Consumers are also highly interested in products that suit their kitchen interior and lifestyle, as well as in hygienic, functional products. Eighty-six percent of respondents said they ‘would replace’ their sink bowl if it were possible to swap out just the sink bowl on its own, without carrying out an entire kitchen interior renovation. In addition, features respondents wanted added when replacing a sink bowl included sterilization and drying functions (25%), solutions for noise and water splashing during dishwashing (22%), and larger basin sizes and expanded functions (18%).
As if to reflect these changes among consumers, BAEKJO SINK’s ‘Reform Service,’ launched last year, has been rising in popularity. The number of Reform Service applications in January–April of this year rose 60% compared with the second half of last year (June–December), when the business was launched. In particular, as demand grows for premium products with superior functions, BAEKJO SINK’s handmade square sink bowl ‘Reborn 85,’ developed exclusively for reform, is drawing attention.
The product retains the refined look of a square sink bowl while its corners are crafted through a 5R process precise enough for a finger to fit into, making it easy to clean and maintain. Made of stainless steel, a premium material, it boasts solid durability with a 1.2T thickness, and its double-molded 3Slope base ensures smooth drainage. A silent pad is also attached to minimize the noise generated during dishwashing. While the design is similar to that of existing handmade square sink bowls, its popularity stems from the fact that customers who had been using press-formed sink bowls of the existing 840–850㎜ standard can partially convert to a square sink bowl, and that they can remodel their kitchen anew with minimal cost and construction.
