The honeycomb blinds’ energy-saving properties are “a good news story that retailers should be shouting from the rooftops”. Amo Blinds is spearheading a drive to increase awareness about the features and benefits of Duette blinds.

The Yorkshire-based manufacturer of window blinds is boosting its marketing support in a bid to help independent retail customers sell more Duette blinds to householders.

The key to this, according to Amo Blinds’ general manager Richard Greaves, is focusing on the energy-saving properties of the blinds as this is a very powerful message that consumers buying blinds need to know.

“The crazy rises in energy prices are hitting the pockets of every householder in the UK and while there’s not much we can do to cut them, we can help with solutions that help to reduce heat loss through windows,” said Richard.

“Duette is a great example of a blind that doesn’t just look great in a window, it has proven energy-saving properties which is a good news story that retailers should be shouting from the rooftops.”

The unique honeycomb structure of the blinds traps pockets of air, creating an insulation barrier to prevent warm air escaping through the windows during the winter period. This insulation is equally effective during the summer months as it becomes a barrier from the heat from the glaring sun to offer better climate control for rooms and conservatories.

Research by Amo Blinds’ parent company Hunter Douglas has found that Duette can reduce heat loss via windows by up to 46% which equates to a saving of up to 10% of the energy used for heating. Similarly, it can also reduce the amount of solar heat passing through windows by up to 78%.

“These are very powerful facts which can have a huge influence on a householder's purchasing decision,” said Richard.
“We want to work with independent retailers who don’t sell much Duette but recognise the opportunity it presents because it is a solution that will make consumers sit up and take notice.”

As well as using the marketing literature developed by Hunter Douglas as the basis for a raft of new material, Amo Blinds has created a dedicated page on its website – www.amoblinds.co.uk – which will act as a resource centre for independent retailers. It will also support the drive with a promotion on price and by polling retailers to find out any other ways it can help them get the clear energy-saving message over to householders.

Amo has two Duette fabric options – 25mm Blackout and 25mm Duotone – with a range of 14 colours to choose from. The Blackouts do have true blackout properties because there is no stitching or cord holes so light cannot seep through small eyelets.

“We are excited about the campaign to promote Duette because it has gone under the radar of many retailers for far too long and I think it had been pigeon-holed as a niche product,” added Richard.

“In our opinion it should become the vanguard of every retailer’s sales pitch because of the fact that it is a blind that will help save householders money.”

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