Extended time at home drives demand for kitchen remodeling
Growing consumer interest in the cleanliness, hygiene, and safety of indoor spaces
Demand for purchasing sink bowls online is surging amid COVID-19.
According to Baekjo Sink, a specialized manufacturer of stainless steel sink bowls, online sink bowl sales through September this year grew by an average of 70% per month (compared with the same period last year).
In the past, sink bowls were mostly purchased on the consumer's behalf by interior firms in connection with moving or moving into a new home, or, when needed, through in-person consultations at dealerships. However, consumer purchasing behavior is changing rapidly due to COVID-19.
The main reason is that, with people spending more time at home due to social distancing, interest in "home decorating" has increased. In particular, concerns over COVID-19 have led to a rise in "home care" centered on cleanliness and hygiene, and attention has become concentrated on managing the "sink bowl"—which is closely related to hygiene and food safety—driving up demand for sink bowl replacement.
In addition, non-face-to-face purchasing is on the rise, such as selecting products directly online instead of visiting stores where in-person consultations feel burdensome, or using "reform services" to replace a sink bowl through phone and online consultations.
Indeed, online sink bowl sales through September this year increased by an average of 70% per month (compared with the same period last year). Consumers can compare and check the various designs, functions, and sizes of sink bowls in detail on screen, as well as easily verify additional options such as coating and the accessories that come with the sink bowl—and their positive reviews of the convenience of online shopping continue to grow. In particular, in April and May, when social distancing was strongly enforced, sales achieved double the results of the same period last year.
The "reform service," a sink bowl replacement service launched last year, has likewise seen sales grow by 50% each month (compared with the previous month) through September this year. By simply checking the already-installed sink bowl and the basic dimensions of the sink cabinet, consumers can make a purchase through customized consultation with an expert without visiting a store.
In line with the growing purchase of sink bowls through non-face-to-face channels such as online and reform services, Baekjo Sink plans to focus its efforts on boosting online sales. First, it plans to develop products dedicated to online and reform services, strengthening the benefits for purchasing customers. "Reborn 85," a square sink bowl released exclusively for the reform service, is gaining strong popularity among consumers who want to switch from an old round sink bowl to a square one. The company also plans to strengthen consumer promotion of "Luena," its online shopping mall for stainless steel kitchenware, and to raise customer satisfaction by providing expert customized consultations for the questions consumers have when purchasing a sink bowl.