Shortages

Mrs SDA has reported that our Kenwood Food Processor is on its last legs. Considering it was purchased in 1984 I guess the plastic going brittle and breaking up isn't a big surprise.

She has expressed a preference to replace it with a stand mixer and given the sterling service of the food processor over 36 years she'd like another Kenwood. She also wants one with a metal bowl as the glass ones are very heavy and prefers the cream colour.

So armed with that spec I started Googling. It soon became clear that lockdown has cleared the shelves of most food mixers and those few that are left have had their price ramped skywards. John Lewis were selling them at one time for £279 but have no stock and lots of places now have them priced at £329 but no stock and I've seen some asking £429, but again no stock. Kenwood themselves have no stock at their web shop and price them at £419.99 with free delivery.

There's no information around as to when new stock will arrive and I suspect when it does the price will be nearer £400 than £300. Maybe a 54% price rise will be a lockdown legacy.

>> TRY LAKELAND >> Andy.

They are always reliable. I don't know if they are ramping up their prices, but it could be more to do with the suppliers than the retail outlets?

Everything comes from China, so wait for the next sea can to arrive.  
Boaby

According to Kenwood's website their mixers are made in the UK.

Robert Dyas advertise Swan Retro, 4.5 litre metal mixing bowl, dough hook ect £169.99. Interestingly, our Kenwood chef premier cost £169.00 but that was five years ago. Apologies for recommending Robert Dyas as only retail in London and southern counties, however Stratford upon Avon is listed.

Robert Dyas used to be one of my accounts when I was a marketing exec in London East for Access. They were very nice people.
Among my other accounts were the FT, the Express, the Observer, Russell & Bromley, Queens Moat Houses, Whitbread, the Barbican Centre, the National Theatre, Royal Festival Hall, Oddbins, Majestic Wine. Oh the memories from the
mid '80's.

Yes - I've had about 3 Kenwood Chefs over the last 40+ years.  Bought in a variety of places depending on when could get a good price.  Have a number of attachments as well.  The Chef's do vary re. particular model and motor size. I do use a food processor as well - it is a separate one as I dont think my machine will take that attachment.
If I had to buy again - I would get a chef again.  I have both a metal bowl and one of "Kenlite" ones.  I think it might be worth actually contacting Kenwood and seeing what they say about stock.  Lockdown has apparently produced hundreds of bakers - cakes & bread!  Bet it doesnt last.  If you can leave purshase for a few months - might be better.

Just up the road from us in Havant, Kenwood shop shows many in stock.
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Richard

HJA wrote:Yes - I've had about 3 Kenwood Chefs over the last 40+ years.  

We're still on our first one; bought as a wedding present and we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary just after Christmas. It does have the stainless steel bowl or I guess we might have had to buy a new bowl by now.

Great piece of engineering.

rgermain wrote:Just up the road from us in Havant, Kenwood shop shows many in stock.
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Richard

I notice Kenwood now have a narrative at the beginning of their shop page, apologising for stock issues and saying they 'are working hard to get stock back into the UK as fast as we can'. Now does that mean they aren't made in the UK and they're coming from elsewhere or does it mean they bringing stock back that's been sent out of the country? 

When you refine the search for a kMix with metal bowl you can get the KMX760's in rose gold or chrome for £449 and a KMX750 in spicey red for £430 but the other nine 750/760 models are out of stock.

They are probably stuck in customs from Wuhan!  Dont think they have been made in UK for years Andy.

As far as I know they shut the Factory in 2002 and are now made in guess it China.

The shop is still here in the old factory, they used to employ lots of local girls.
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Richard

burlingtonboaby wrote:Everything comes from China, so wait for the next sea can to arrive.  
Boaby

As Kaspian says,     Next boat from China.
Boaby

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kenwood-kMix-Stand-Mixer-1000/dp/B071WS2LP6/ref=gbps_img_s-4_0c93_4010cb8b?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_p=cea3ec77-c3da-499c-b2cb-30e0d5ea0c93&pf_rd_s=slot-4&pf_rd_t=701&pf_rd_i=gb_main&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=VYG69KAXQRKTS8DM3W9H

Be quick, SDA, it's in today's deals and ends at midnight. Hope it’s the right one but it looks like only red is available at that price.