How kitchen mixers with pull-out sprays offer retailers trade-up opportunities from standard taps and provide a price ladder within the category too

Tubist-T tap, from Abode, is a single lever kitchen tap with aerated water flow with T-bar style pull-out spray.

With the kitchen sink now transformed into a workstation – providing the role of food and drink preparation, alongside traditional dishwashing duties – naturally the tap has evolved.

Kitchen mixer taps now offer multiple sprays and pull-out hoses which not only offer the practicalities of ease of use – particularly when cleaning larger bowl sizes or filling big pots – but also high-end aesthetics.

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Certainly, that’s the view of brand communications manager at Blanco Tamsin Mills who says: “Research shows that 28% of UK consumers have been cooking at home more over the past year and with this comes a desire to find products that make the task easier and more enjoyable.

“A pull-out spray tap makes it easy to fill large pots, rinse vegetables and clean all areas of the sink.

“This trend also ties into consumers seeking luxury elements to their homes and a pull-out kitchen tap ticks the boxes when it comes to highly functional, luxury kitchen appliances.”

Such has been the interest in kitchen sprays with pull-out mixers, Franke has recently introduced the Mythos Masterpiece J Pull Down Spray tap to co-ordinate with its Masterpiece sinks.

Visual trade-up

Of course, the pull-out hose or spray offers a visual trade-up difference to a standard mixer, for designers working in a kitchen showroom. It could be particularly useful to add value to a kitchen sale.

Available from Sterling Distribution, the Clearwater Pull-out Spray two flow types -aerated and needle jet – in a choice of five finishes

And consumers are now becoming more away of the virtue of the once humble tap, which can provide a variety of water sources and spray types.

“Consumers are looking for more convenience and efficiency in their kitchens, and pull-out hose taps are a great solution with their extended reach and flexibility.

“By showcasing these benefits, along with stylish designs and the latest tech features, retailers can show why upgrading is worthwhile”, states business and product development manager at Clearwater Dan Boulton.

And Jo Sargent of Franke UK encourages retailers to explain the benefits: “They can encourage customers to trade-up by emphasising the added value spray taps offer, with their longer, flexible hoses and different spray functions that make light work of rinsing veg, filling large potes and pans, as well as general washing up and cleaning the sink.”

Of course, if the tap is working in the showroom, once experienced consumer will see the benefits.

Dan Biddle, product manager at Abode, says in the hands of a consumer, kitchen mixers with pull-out sprays can almost sell themselves: “Retailers have an opportunity to show how a pull-out hose has the potential to deliver increased efficiency and convenience in comparison with a fixed standard mixer.

“In my experience, once a consumer has got hands-on with a product and seen how easy it is to use, they are more likely to start ‘selling themselves’ on the idea as they can pictured how a pull-out hose can help them fill pots more quickly as well as rinsing dishes when washing up.”

Product price ladder

Such has been the growth in popularity of the kitchen mixer with pull-out hose, the style is now available across the board.

PJH offers the Mosa Single Lever Adjustable Spring Mixer Tap has a double jet flow and comes with a five-year guarantee

Prima product manager at PJH Rob Brooks states: “Professional-inspired designs with dual outlets – a mixer spout and a flexible spray head – are often associated with high-end kitchens, yet it is now possible to source competitively-priced, pull-out spray kitchen taps.”

But while the tap model is becoming more accessible, allowing more consumers to achieve the look, there is also a price ladder, allowing retailers to trade up within the category too.

Dan Boulton points out: “Not all kitchen taps with pull-out sprays are the same. There are big differences in quality, features and design, which makes it easy to encourage upgrades within this category.

“Higher-end models often come with better materials, studier construction, and cool features like multiple spray settings, magnetic docking and touchless operation.”

The Zip HydroTap Celsius Plus All-in-One Pull-Out features standard hot and cold water plus a pull-out spray, and provides filtered boiling, chilled and sparkling water

Whereas head of residential at Zip Water UK Nick Taylor draws attention to higher-end models featuring concealed hoses and now even a variety of water sources – filtered boiling, cold and even sparkling water.

He states: “A big development that can’t be ignored is the move from traditional exposed hoses to the concealed hoses that have become more popular.

“Certainly, from a design perspective, exposed hoses are seen as more functional, back-of-house products, whereas consumers with a keen eye for style would opt for a concealed hose for that minimal look but highly functional benefit.”

Popular pull-outs

With a variety of choice from separate hand sprays to retractable hoses or concealed pull-outs, which are the most popular models? Industry experts suggest it is taps which offer a choice of spray types.

Complementing its Mythos Masterpiece sinks, is the new Franke Mythos Masterpiece J Pull Down Spray Tap made from solid stainless steel in a choice of three PVD finishes

Jo Sargent of Franke UK explains: “The most popular type of pull-out spray taps are those offering a dual spray function, incorporating both a powerful needle spray and laminar flow options for versatile cleaning.”

But, equally importantly, what is the next big thing that retailers need to be aware of?

“The next big thing in multiple spray kitchen taps will be smart technology and more customisation. Improved touchless operation will also make things even more hygenic and convenient”, says Dan Boulton of Clearwater.

In fact, Grohe states its lever-free SmartControl Dual Spray kitchen tap, with push-button control that can be operated by wrist or elbow rather than hand is proving popular.

Growing market

Certainly the market for kitchen taps with pull-out sprays is only likely to grow, particularly as the design is suitable for all ages and abilities, but particularly the growing older population.

Shown in Rose Gold is The 1810 Company Estarre, which can be installed above the worksurface, is WRAS-approved and comes with a five-year guarantee

Managing director of The 1810 Company and Schock UK Dean Williams remarks “The single lever operation and extendable hose can be particularly useful for elderly individuals or those with limited mobility.”

And once a consumer has experienced the benefits of a kitchen mixer with pull-out spray, it’s unlikely they will return to a standard tap.

So much so, Jo Sargent states: “We expect further growth in the market, driven by a rising consumer demand for convenience, versatility and aesthetic appeal and this is across all market segments. We are committed to further evolving our portfolio to address this by introducing innovative features and expanding our range of design and finishes to meet the changing needs of today’s consumers.”

So take a look at the variety of kitchen mixers with pull-out sprays on offer to capitalise on the trend for versatile taps.

New Blanco Choice Icona with dual-spray pull out tap, offers two types of sparkling water and filtered still water.