Founded in 1918 in Bingley, Yorkshire, by Tom Duxbury, and famously named after his horse, Magnet has become one of the most recognisable brands in the UK kitchen market. But recent years have been anything but straightforward.

Following a prolonged period of declining performance and an unwieldy estate of underperforming stores, the business has been deep in turnaround mode.

However, it does have that enviable brand equity and the turnaround does seem to have been working under former head George Dymond.

When Dymond stepped down last October, former commercial & customer director Sophie Rose took the reins of Magnet just as parent company Nobia agreed a sale to Alteri Partners.

The deal returned Magnet to British ownership and, as Rose explains in this episode, puts the business firmly back in control of its own destiny.

So kbbreview's George Dean met up with Sophie Rose and it's a really interesting insight into plans, outlook, the old chestnut of the never-ending sale and what role Magnet could and should be playing in the wider kitchen retail industry.

It’s a fascinating, timely discussion and a fitting finale to the season.

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Since the launch in September last year we've been doing special bonus episodes of the podcast all about the awards and now, we're at the sharp end, we're at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole, and the party has begun.

As with all our special awards bonus episodes, a huge thank you to our 2026 Awards Podcast Partner Sonas Bathrooms - you can find out all about them at sonasbathrooms.com.

So in Part One we heard from all the winners in our design categories as well as our Special Achievement winner. In this second part we'll be catching up with winners from the Retail and Showroom categories, as well as the Rising Star, Unsung Hero, Installation Company and Supplier Team of the Year.

Now let's get on with the business at hand!

Huge congratulations to all of our winners, massive thank to all our sponsors and, of course, a very special thanks to our 2026 Awards Podcast Partner Sonas Bathrooms.

And remember, if you fancy being here next year then, believe it or not, entries open for the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2027 in September and we'll actually be announcing the host city and venue for that in a few weeks.

So thank you for listening and see you in September!

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And it's all come down to this. Host Matt Baker is at the event itself in the Hilton Birmingham Metropole and it's all happening!

As always, these special awards podcasts are all courtesy of our 2026 Awards Partner Sonas Bathrooms and, of course, you can find out all about them at sonasbathrooms.com.

We join Matt huddled at the back of the room while everyone is eating their dinner after an amazing welcome reception, he's got a quick chat with one of the kbbreview team - Commercial Director Tara McTIgue - and then we go straight into the actual ceremony with our brilliant host Jayde Adams.

We'll be hearing from all winners over two episodes - in this Part One we'll hear from our design winners as well as our Special Achievement awards recipient. And then in Part Two we'll meet the winners of the Retail and Showroom categories, as well as the Rising Star, Unsung Hero, Installation Company and Supplier Team of the Year.

So it's a lot to get through so let's crack on with the show!

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And this is the perfect environment to talk about…. suppliers. In particular, what retailers look for in new suppliers, what questions are they asking, what are the deal breakers, is it all about product or all about terms?

Also when you see existing suppliers in environments like this, how important is that face-to-face and is it a chance to renegotiate or simply complain?

Live and in person, we have regulars Liz Pantling Jones from Lima Kitchen in Milton Keynes and Nick Warrington from Stuart J Warrington in Macclesfield. We're also joined by Darren Taylor from Searle & Taylor in Winchester....

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In this special episode of The kbbreview Podcast, host Matt Baker is joined by Managing Editor Andy Davies as they celebrate a huge milestone – Andy’s 20th kbbreview Retail & Design Awards ceremony...

From the early days to the present, Andy shares insights into how the awards have evolved, the philosophy behind them, the challenges and frustrations along the way, and the lessons learned from two decades of recognising excellence in the UK kitchen and bathroom industry. He also reflects on his favourite venues, the biggest changes he’s witnessed in the sector, and what he’s looking forward to at this year’s awards.

A big thank you to Sonas Bathrooms, our 2026 Awards Podcast Partner, for supporting this special episode and helping us champion the very best in KBB.

If you’re heading to kbb Birmingham, don’t forget to pick up our special show issue of kbbreview, packed with floorplans and essential show content. And for awards attendees, the Welcome Reception kicks off at 6:30pm with a complimentary drink!

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From just 10 showrooms in 2015 to a 100 High Street locations a decade later, Kutchenhaus has become a dominant force in UK kitchen retail backed by German manufacturing giant Nobilia and powered by a loyal network of owner-operators - nearly 40% now run more than one showroom.

Recorded at the opening of the brand’s 100th showroom in Beckenham, Barnard reflects on growth, culture and the realities of scaling a franchise business in a tough market.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why reaching 100 showrooms is “huge” for a business that only began franchising in 2015
• How Kutchenhaus balances freedom and framework to maintain brand consistency
• The secret behind multi-site franchise success
• Why Barnard believes “we’re not right for everyone – and not everyone is right for us”
• The resurgence of franchising across kitchens – and what it means competitively
• Installation, market headwinds and why the final two weeks of a project define everything
• What’s next, including expansion into untapped UK territories

“Our playbooks aren’t theoretical,” says Barnard. “They’re based on what we know works in the real world.”

If you want to understand why franchising is back in fashion – and how one brand has made it work at scale – this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

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Today we're meeting appliance brand Midea and if you're unfamiliar with them you won't be for long. They are, simply, one of the biggest appliance companies in the world. Based in China they are an enormous global player and their UK operation, established just four years ago, is now ramping up at a massive pace.

In particular for kitchen specialists they're building not just the Midea brand itself but also Teka - a brand with loads of heritage that they bought last year and many of you will already know.

Lots of you will get your first chance to see what they're all about at kbb Birmingham in March where they are going all in with a big stand so we're really looking forward to seeing what they come up and I'm sure you will too. 

So, today we're meeting head of marketing Julia Livett and kitchen retail national account manager, Ben Day to get a bit more background on plans, strategies and ambitions and what Midea is all about.

You can also find more about Midea at midea.com/uk and you can meet them on stand G80 at kbb Birmingham.

This episode is sponsored content

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Kitchens vs bathrooms. Battle lines are drawn. Sides are taken. (Winner… technically undecided.)

Trevor and Liz fly the flag for kitchens. Justine stands firm for bathrooms. Nick sits somewhere in the middle, doing a bit of both. We grill them all: Why don’t kitchen retailers sell bathrooms? Why steer clear of kitchens? And what are the real-world pros, cons and commercial realities of doing both?

But beneath the playful rivalry lies a serious question for today’s tougher, shifting market: is diversification no longer optional?

From utility rooms and media centres to home offices and full interior design, we explore whether expanding your offer is the key to future-proofing your retail business or whether being a true specialist in just one is the answer....

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Host George Dean meets Laila Kamiabi, business manager at Haus of Design, who is already gaining hands-on experience across operations, marketing, HR and project management as she prepares to one day take over the business from her father.

Laila shares how she’s embraced a “learn by doing” approach, from running the studio’s social media and YouTube channel to understanding every aspect of the company’s day-to-day operations.

She also reflects on building confidence in front of the camera, expanding her skillset into design, and taking proactive steps to prepare for leading the studio in the future — a fascinating insight into the making of one of KBB retail’s rising stars.

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It's the technology that everyone is talking about, and it's very quickly permeating all aspects of our lives but what do our panel of kbb retailers think about it?

They may not be experts but do the possibilities scare them or excite them? From what they know, how could it be useful in their day-to-day business and how urgently do they think they need to learn more?

And, probably most importantly, are there any parts of their business where they wouldn’t want AI involved?

It's a snapshot of opinions, concerns and revelations from our regulars Trevor, Nick and Liz.

And if you're looking for the link to Nick's A.I. Bootcamp course then here it is...

Or more nationwide information is available here

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And this time, host Matt Baker is out and about at the judging days for the design categories - where the finalists get to present their shortlisted projects to the judges in person..

So you'll hear from both kitchen and bathroom design judges as they explain why this stage is so important, what they take away from the experience and what their top tips are for anyone who wants to enter next year.

As always, a HUGE thank you to our 2026 Awards Podcast Partner, Sonas Bathrooms for all their support.

And if you haven't booked your tickets yet for the legendary kbbreview Retail & Design Awards event then get a move on or you'll be too late! It's on March 2nd at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole - that's the Monday night of kbb Birmingham - and you can book directly at kbbreview.com/awards.

See you there!

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Yes, we're all about firefighting today.

Host Andy Davies is joined by regular retailers Trevor, Justine, Nick and Liz, who come armed with their best stories (and by best, we obviously mean the worst). Together, they dig into the reality of constant crisis management: the toll it takes on even the best-laid plans, how much contingency you really need to build into projects, and how to keep clients calm when things start unravelling.

If you’ve ever felt like retail is one long emergency, this one’s for you. 🔥

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Host George Dean meets Mariam Susan Joseph, a former architect who has risen rapidly through the ranks at Simply Bathrooms, earning two promotions in just her first year.

Mariam shares how her architectural training, attention to detail and hunger to learn helped her transition into bathroom design after relocating to the UK, as well as her role in producing highly technical designs and contributing to the business’s recent rebrand. A brilliant insight into the mindset behind one of the KBB industry’s emerging talents.

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In this episode, Andy Davies asks whether retailers are too quick to badge themselves as designers rather than salespeople, and whether that mindset is helping or hindering business performance. Design may be the most creative and rewarding part of the job, but does it sometimes get in the way of closing deals, protecting margin, and making the business truly profitable?

Joined by regular panelists Trevor Scott, Liz Pantling-Jones, Nick Warrington and Justine Bullock, we're diving into whether sales techniques should carry the same weight as design skills, how creativity can be a genuine sales USP, and whether independents have unfairly distanced themselves from “sales” thanks to the tactics of the multiples.

• Do some retailers prioritise design theory over commercial reality?
• How do you measure the true success of a designer?
• Are time, value and margin are really being managed as well as they should be?

Sales or design? The panel gets properly stuck into where the balance really lies.

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Sponsored by our awards Podcast Partner 2026 Sonas Bathrooms, this episode is part of our run-up to the awards ceremony on Monday, March 2 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole. Between now and the big night, we’ll be bringing you more bonus episodes that dig into the awards and celebrate the very best talent our industry has to offer.

This month, we’re lifting the curtain on the famously robust judging process as Matt is joined by two judges from the business categories:

• Helen Lord, Co-founder and director of Rehome
• Mike Lloyd, Managing director of Wetrooms Online
• 
  

They share their personal approach to judging, what really makes an entry stand out, and practical tips for anyone thinking of entering the awards in the future. If you’ve ever wondered how winners are decided, this one’s for you.

Tickets are still available for the awards night! If you’re already heading to kbb Birmingham, why not go all in and join the industry’s biggest party?

👉 Find out more and book tables or seats at kbbreview.com/awards

👉 Learn more about our podcast sponsor at sonasbathrooms.com

Now, on with the show. 🎙️

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Host Andy Davies is joined by the retailer Fantastic Four for their first episode of 2026 - Trevor Scott from RFK, Liz Pantling-Jones from Lima Kitchens, Nick Warrington from Stuart J Warrington and Justine Bullock from The Tap End

They're diving straight into the fundamentals most small business owners know they should focus on, but rarely get time to - strategy, growth and investment.

So here’s the challenge. If someone handed you £100,000 for your KBB retail business tomorrow, what would you actually do with it?

People, marketing, technology, expansion… or finally fixing that leaky roof? We all say we want money to invest, but how much thought do we really give to how we’d spend it?

Have you booked your tickets for the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2026? Find out more at kbbreview.com/awards

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It's the next special bonus episode of our Rising Star series of episodes in association with Blum.

Host George Dean meets Amy Hartland, showroom manager at Ashford Kitchens & Interiors

Amy’s unplanned route into the KBB industry led to a key leadership role, where she now oversees sales, marketing, admin and project coordination. We discuss her role in improving lead management systems, building a strong social media presence, and keeping a busy retail business running smoothly behind the scenes.

An insightful listen for KBB retailers focused on smarter processes, people management and sustainable growth.

🎧 Listen now — with the Rising Star winner revealed at the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards on March 2 2026.

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In this episode of The kbbreview Podcast, host Andy Davies sits down with Dean Weston, the new Managing Director of CP Hart, to talk leadership, luxury and life at the top end of the market.

With a CV spanning Magnet, MFI, Habitat, Bathstore and more, Weston knows retail inside out. But as he explains, stepping into CP Hart under new ownership and in a challenging market is less about reinvention and more about precision. From efficiency and profitability to brand protection and showroom expansion, Weston shares how CP Hart plans to grow without diluting what makes it special.

Candid, insightful and refreshingly honest, this is a must-listen for anyone interested in premium retail, strategic leadership and the realities of running a high-end brand in a tough trading environment.

Have you booked your tickets yet for the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2026? Go to kbbreview.com/awards for everything you need to know.

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We’re kicking off 2026 - and our first episode of the year - with a heavyweight interview and a true industry icon. We're beginning the new season by going deep with Pat Riley, founder of Bathroom Brands.

Home to names including Crosswater, Burlington, Britton and Showerwall, Bathroom Brands has been through a bit of a self-confessed rough patch and, after stepping back from the business in 2020, Pat - alongside Crosswater founder Dave Hance - has returned to the helm to get the business back on track.

Pat speaks openly about what went wrong, why the founders felt they had to come back, and how they’re personally leading the turnaround. He shares clear, practical insight into rebuilding trust, refocusing on customer service, and striking the right balance between new technology and old-school, face-to-face relationships.

Honest, energetic and forward-looking, this is a fascinating listen for anyone in the KBB sector.

We also recommend catching up with our Dave Hance episode back in December,

And don't forget to book your tickets for the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2026! Click here for the info you need.

This episode is sponsored content

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The full shortlist for the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2026 is revealed exclusively on The kbbreview Podcast — the very first place to discover whether you’re a finalist in the most prestigious awards in independent kitchen and bathroom retail.

Every designer, retailer, showroom, installer, rising star and unsung hero named in this episode is now in contention for one of the industry’s most sought-after trophies, to be awarded at a spectacular live event this March.

And this is not just for finalists.

On Monday 2nd March, almost 900 of the industry’s most powerful and influential figures will come together at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole, on the opening night of kbb Birmingham, for the biggest night in KBB.

Be in the room. Be part of the moment.

Book your tickets now at kbbreview.com/awards and secure your place at the industry’s defining celebration.

The kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2026 podcast series is proudly supported by our Podcast Partner, Sonas Bathrooms.

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We're getting their candid evaluations and conclusions for business in 2025 and seeing what their thoughts, predictions and plans are for 2026 - a proper snapshot of where the sector is as we head into a new year.

And we're finishing up with one of the most well-known names in the kitchen industry - Aga Rangemaster. 

It is going through a resurgence under new MD Dominic Worsley thanks to a focus on the power of the brand and what it really means for customers - and that's a lesson even the smallest retailer can learn from.

So what plans does Dominic have for 2026, what are his thoughts on an unpredictable and crowded appliance market, and just how important are independent kitchen studios?

We actually did a full profile interview episode with Dominic a couple of months ago so if you want to find out more about his plans we really recommend going back to listen to that - you can find all the links here.

It's all in this final Insights 2026 episode and if you've missed any of the others, I really do recommend going back and having a listen. You can find them at kbbreview.com/podcast or simply search 'kbbreview' wherever you get your podcasts.

And, of course, you find out more about Aga Rangemaster at agarangemaster.com.

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In this episode, Wes McKenna, group sales and marketing director at Uform, joins the conversation. After a challenging and unpredictable 2025, Wes shares why he believes steady recovery, meaningful innovation and standout service will define 2026 - and why those themes matter for every business, big or small.

It's a focused, top-level snapshot of where the market is heading as we approach a new year so don't miss it!

Find out more about Uform at uform.co.uk

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From textures to tones to the tactile details influencing future furniture design, Aimee lifts the lid on how Egger helps steer the industry’s creative direction and what retailers and designers should be ready for next year.

Find out more about Egger at egger.com

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With decades of experience at the forefront of both industries, Danny shares invaluable insights and practical perspectives that every business can learn from.

Learn more about Caple at caple.co.uk

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From market realities to big-picture strategy, this candid conversation offers a unique snapshot of a leading global brand in the UK kitchen and bathroom sector - with a surprising personal twist about Christmas presents you won’t see coming.

Discover more about VitrA at vitra.co.uk

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With Hettich’s worldwide perspective - and Simeon’s knack for cutting through the noise - this episode delivers practical, thought-provoking takeaways for businesses of every size. A clear, top-level view of where the sector stands as we move into a new year.

You can find out more about Hettich here.

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We start with Dave Hance from Bathroom Brands. After a turbulent year, he and co-founder Pat Riley are back at the helm, injecting fresh energy into one of the UK’s most influential bathroom suppliers. Dave offers a candid, honest look at the company’s reset, its ambitions, and where the business goes next.

A sharp, top-level snapshot of the sector as we head into a new year.

Find out more about Bathroom Brands at bathroombrands.com.

This is sponsored content.

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There might also be a cheeky Christmas quiz at the end...

But fear not, kbbreview podcast fans, this isn’t the end, it’s the beginning of something special. We’re launching a daily run of bonus episodes featuring leaders from some of the biggest brands in the industry, giving their verdict on 2025 and predictions for 2026. The first drops TOMORROW (Friday, December 5th), then every weekday through to Monday, December 15th.

And then comes the big one: on Tuesday, December 16th we reveal the finalists for the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2026.

Think of it as your kbbreview podcast advent calendar… kicking off right now.

And don’t forget, tickets are on sale now for the legendary kbbreview Retail & Design Awards on March 2nd at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole - that's the Monday night of the KBB show. Join around 900 of the industry’s top retailers, designers, suppliers and influencers… and Andy.

Everything you need to know is at kbbreview.com/awards.

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In this latest instalment of our special Rising Star mini-series, George Dean introduces you to another young name set to shape the future of the KBB industry. This week’s guest is Max Hitchcox, the articulate designer helping drive the growth of Point 5 Kitchens - the retailer many of you may remember from our “Adopted Retailer” journey as it opened its second showroom.

Think of this as a backdoor sequel to that story, as Max reveals how his role is woven into the day-to-day running of the new space and what fuels his ambition as one of this year’s Rising Star finalists.

Proudly supported by Blum, we’re shining a light on the next generation of kitchen, bedroom and bathroom talent — and Max is absolutely one to watch.

We'll be revealing the overall winner at the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2026 event on March 2nd at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole - that's the Mon day night of the KBB show. The make sure you don't miss out on the biggest night in the kbb calendar, book your tickets now at kbbreview.com/awards.

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Entries have officially closed and judging is under way, with the all-important finalists reveal coming right here on the podcast before Christmas.

Before that, we’re shining a spotlight on our 2026 Awards Podcast Partner Sonas Bathrooms. Matt sits down with CEO Richard Sloan for a brisk “how’s business?” catch-up and a look at the real conversations happening with retailers as Sonas hits the road across the UK.

With bonus awards episodes coming thick and fast between now and the big night on March 2nd, this is your perfect warm-up...

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In this episode of The kbbreview Podcast, host George Dean continues our special mini-series celebrating the bright young talents shortlisted for the Rising Star category in the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2026.

Holly may have only been with Elysee for a year, but she’s already made a remarkable impact — juggling projects, driving creativity, and proving exactly why the future of the KBB industry is in safe, and very capable, hands.

We’ve once again partnered with Blum to shine a spotlight on the next generation of retail and design leaders, and Holly’s story is one you won’t want to miss.

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We’re diving into one of the industry’s biggest headaches: what really happens when products fail on site or deliveries turn up damaged.

Is it actually possible to check goods properly under the time pressures suppliers give you?

Do you get the support you need when things go wrong — or does it feel like no one believes you?

And the big one… who should pick up the cost when disaster strikes?

If you’ve ever lost hours of your life wrestling with faulty products, replacement claims or damaged deliveries, this episode is for you. Packed with real-world insight, practical frustrations, and a few laughs along the way, it’s a must-listen for anyone in the kitchen and bathroom industry.

Hit play and join the conversation!

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Host Andy Davies is joined by his all-star panel of retailers - Trevor Scott from RFK in Rugby, Justine Bullock from The Tap End near Cardiff, Nick Warrington from Stuart J Warrington in Macclesfield and Liz Pantling-Jones from Lima Kitchens in Milton Keynes

And they’re digging into the big questions:

• Why should you bother entering awards in the first place?
• How do you craft a winning entry that stands out?
• And once you’ve won (or even just been shortlisted), how do you turn that into a prime marketing advantage?

Of course, it’s also a shameless plug for the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2026 because entries close at 5pm on Thursday November 13th! and you can check out all the categories and enter now at kbbreview.com/awards.

This episode is proudly supported by our 2026 Awards Podcast Partner Sonas Bathrooms and you can find them at sonasbathrooms.com.

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This episode is sponsored content

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Are these factory visits and overseas events really worth the time away from the business? Do they actually change how you see a brand — or are they just thinly disguised jollies and perks of the job?

The team share the moments that genuinely changed their perception of a supplier, and their tips for making these trips truly worthwhile.

And, what you all really want to hear, we hear their best, and worst, experiences - strategically shaved reps in Germany, dancing bears in Russia, soggy feet in Venice and getting gout from over-indulgence in Spain, we cover a LOT of ground in this one!

It’s all here in another lively, honest and slightly sleep-deprived episode of The kbbreview Podcast.

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Welcome back to The kbbreview Podcast! Host Andy Davies is joined as always by Trevor, Scott, Liz Pantling-Jones, Nick Warrington and Justine Bullock and they're digging into one of the most frustrating challenges facing independent KBB retailers right now - getting customers to actually commit.

You’ve done the design work, nailed the presentation, and picked out the perfect products — but when it comes to signing on the dotted line the decision is delayed and delayed. So what’s really behind this growing hesitation? Are clients genuinely nervous about money, or just lost in a fog of indecision? And more importantly, what can you actually do to move them from “thinking about it” to “let’s do it”?

In this episode, we unpack the psychology behind customer procrastination and explore whether this signals a deeper shift in buyer confidence — or simply a need for sharper sales skills. How do you balance being a trusted designer with being a confident closer? Where’s the line between patience and persuasion?

It’s an honest, insightful, and occasionally heated discussion that every independent retailer will relate to.

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In this week’s episode of The kbbreview Podcast, Andy Davies is joined by Trevor Scott, Justine Bullock, Nick Warrington and Liz Pantling-Jones to explore what to do when the unthinkable happens - from keeping projects on track and managing customer expectations to finding reliable replacements fast. They also share hard-won lessons on resilience, communication, and why you should never put all your eggs in one supplier basket.

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Now part of the close-knit team at Chisholm Design, she’s already making her mark with projects that push her problem-solving skills to the limit - including a 400-year-old cottage where no wall was straight. Jessica shares how she embraces each challenge, what she loves about bespoke design, and why being part of a small, family-run studio brings her so much joy.

Tune in to hear how Jessica Liu is shaping her career one beautifully considered kitchen at a time — and proving why she’s a rising star in the industry.

This episode is sponsored content

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Fresh from the conference sessions, Andy grabs a chat with Trevor Scott, Liz Pantling-Jones, and Nick Warrington to ask a crucial question at the the heart of these kind of events.

Are independents better off going it alone, or is there real power in collaboration?

From buying groups and franchises to the eternal debate over charging for designs, they dig into whether unity could strengthen independents’ collective voice - or dilute their individuality

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The Aga is as English as Stephen Fry drinking tea, eating fish and chips wearing a bowler hat under a brolly in a drizzle and there are very few kitchen retailers out there that haven't stocked Rangemaster at some point in their existence. 

And now after a few uncertain years, they're having a resurgence under Worsley. Formerly of Miele and then CDA he has been tasked by parent company Middleby to put these classic brands back on the map.

So how's he going to do it, what are his plans and where do independent kitchen studios sit in them?

This episode is sponsored content

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In this week’s episode Andy Davies is joined by Justine, Nick, Trevor and Liz to get to grips with differentiation – how you define it, why it matters, and whether those USPs you recite are genuinely unique.

Is it all part of a carefully mapped-out strategy, or something that develops more naturally over time? How do you know if your USPs are really unique and how do you keep them fresh as the market evolves?

We're getting to the heart of what sets one business apart from another in such a competitive industry.

And don't forget about the ultimate USP – winning a kbbreview Retail & Design Awards. Entries for 2026 are now open! Go to kbbreview.com/awards for everything you need to know.

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The kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2026 are officially open for entries — but what does it really take to catch the judges’ eye? In this special episode, host Matt Baker is joined by Andy Davies to break down everything you need to know about entering.

We cover:

The full line-up of categories (designers, retailers, showrooms, newcomers, installers, suppliers and the brand-new Unsung Hero Award).

Our Top 10 Tips for writing a standout entry.

Why it’s totally free to enter — and how shortlists come with free tickets to the big night.

Whether you’re a seasoned contender or a first-time entrant, this episode is packed with insider advice to give your submission the best possible chance of success.

👉 Entries close Thursday, November 13, 2025 — no extensions!

👉 Head to kbbreview.com/awards for EVERYTHING you need to know about entering, categories, tickets, and more.

A huge thank you to our Awards Podcast Partner for 2026 — Sonas Bathrooms. With nearly 50 years in the sector, Sonas offers a complete collection of bathroom solutions. Find out more at sonasbathrooms.com.

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In the first two parts we talked about the consumer and the supplier and now, to round it all off we're looking at installers. How has that interaction changed? How much harder is it to find good ones? Can you afford good ones? and what role should and do retailers have in solving the skills crisis in installation. The full gang of Justine, Nick, Trevor and Liz are all here

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We're sitting down with apprentice cabinetmaker Lorenzo Dell’Aquila from Simon Taylor Furniture, whose skills are more than learned – they’re inherited. With a father who once crafted high-end office furniture (and was even asked to furnish the BBC), Lorenzo’s journey into cabinetry blends family tradition with his own passion for maths, art, and design.

He shares how a bold phone call landed him a spot at the company, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and how – just a few years in – he’s already helping shape a special limited-edition collection for the company’s 40th anniversary. We also talk mentorship, mastering craft at a young age, and what it means to build a career where precision meets creativity.

You can find out more about Blum here

This episode is sponsored content

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The kbbreview Podcast is back with Andy Davies and our panel of regular retailers – Justine Bullock, Liz Pantling-Jones, Trevor Scott and Nick Warrington.

Last week we explored how the consumer has changed since Covid, and this time we’re flipping the focus: how have suppliers changed?

From pricing and terms to service, support, marketing and partnerships, we dig into the shifts shaping today’s market – and yes, expect a little healthy friction along the way.

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✨ The Rising Star 2026 mini-series kicks off! ✨

In this special episode of The kbbreview Podcast, news and features writer George Dean takes the mic to introduce the very first finalist in our 2026 Rising Star Awards – Rachelle Hawes from Et Lorem in Beaconsfield. We’ve teamed up with Blum to shine a spotlight on the brightest young talent in independent KBB retail, and over the coming months you’ll meet all eight inspiring finalists. Want to know how Rachel found her way into the industry in one of the most unusual ways we’ve ever heard? Hit play and find out.

If you want to nominate a Rising Star from your business or, indeed, nominate yourself, simply go to kbbreview.com/awards and head for the categories page.

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New season, new format!

The kbbreview Podcast is back for Season 16 and we’re shaking things up. For the first time, host Andy Davies is joined by a regular panel of top retailers - Justine Bullock, Liz Pantling-Jones, Trevor Scott and Nick Warrington - bringing you weekly, frontline insights from the world of independent KBB retail.

We’re kicking off with a three-part series on how the industry has transformed since Covid. First up: the consumer. What do today’s customers really want? How have their expectations shifted? Do they understand the true cost of a kitchen or bathroom - and how should you communicate with them?

Plus, don’t miss your chance to shine, the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2026 are now open for entries. It’s free, it’s huge, and it could be you lifting one of those famous trophies. All the info you need is at kbbreview.com/awards

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Welcome to a very special bonus episode of The kbbreview Podcast, your host is Andy Davies and he met up with Katie Cope, Showerwall's current head, at the recent InstallerSHOW.

This is a really interesting conversation for a couple of reasons - wall panelling is a proper growth area in the bathroom so where does she think it is and where it's going?And how is Showerwall doing since it was acquired by Bathroom Brands from IDS after that company went into administration?

It was a big move for Bathroom Brands but wall panels are a growing market so you can see why it wanted to bring in a name like Showerwall to add to its already impressive portfolio.

You can find out more about Showerwall at showerwall.co.uk

This episode is sponsored content

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Welcome to The kbbreview Podcast, your host is Andy Davies and he's out and about again, this time in Kirby-in-Ashfield just outside Nottingham.

Andy is meeting brothers Scott and Ben Slater and their company Kesseler. A really interesting British kitchen manufacturer AND retailer. Started about 15 years ago as a straight supplier, they moved into their own retail franchising brand just a few years ago and now have nearly 20 showrooms across the country.

As we have discussed on this very podcast before franchising is really building a significant momentum - Kutchenhaus, Nolte, Schmidt, and Magnet are just a few but Kesseler is slightly different as it is distinctly British.

But that's not all, as we will here, they also run Online-Bedrooms.co.uk - an increasingly successful brand that sells fitted bedroom furniture, well, online.

So how have they done it? What's their strategy? How do you build a retail brand from scratch? And how many Kesseler showrooms do they actually want?

Such an interesting story from two real forward-thinkers!

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Welcome to the kbbreview Podcast, your host is Andy Davies and today we're in a dreary old loft in South London and our challenge is to turn this empty bit of audio space into a fully-fledged podcast episode in just 45 minutes BUT we only have a budget of 20p, some MDF, a bag of screws and a router.

And yes, today we're talking to Changing Rooms legend Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen - but of course we're doing him a massive disservice by limiting his extensive career to just that one show, no matter how impactful it was.

He was - and is - an extremely accomplished interior designer of course, but he has also been educating the public about design on TV for, brace yourself, nearly 30 years - Changing Rooms started in 1996.

After a bit of back-and-forth with manufacturers, he has just designed and launched his own kitchen range - called Quintessential - specifically for independent kitchen showrooms and, as you'll hear in this interview, he LOVES independent kitchen showrooms.

This is, genuinely, a fantastic interview - mainly probably because it's actually Andy's kbbreview colleague George Dean doing it - and Laurence is as fabulous as you would expect but he is also incredibly candid and open about his thoughts on kitchen retail AND his previous endorsement deals with multiples - listen out for the bit where he gets slow hand-clapped on a plane thanks to his association with Moben.

It's all brilliant stuff and it's clear that he really does love design and what it can achieve if done properly and with conviction so we really can't recommend this one highly enough!

So over to George Dean and Lawrence Llewelyn-Bowen…

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Neptune has grown from a humble start in the 1990s to become one of the UK’s most distinctive premium home and kitchen brands. With around 30 of its own showrooms and 80 more retail partners it has become one of the largest independent kitchen retail networks in the UK with little fanfare.

And 'brand' is the most important word. Neptune, as far as co-founder John Sims-Hilditch is concerned, means something more than just a logo or a name, it is a philosophy that permeates every aspect of the business.

Andy went to meet him at the company's impressive HQ and showroom just outside Swindon...

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This is the third and final LIVE episode we recorded at the show and we’re finishing with a question every single KBB showroom has on their mind– what should I be doing with social media?

And in particular we’re looking at small to medium sized showrooms that don’t have social media teams and instead are trying to fit it into the rest of their very busy days. So if you’re time-poor and have limited resource – this is the episode for you.

• What works and what doesn’t?
• Where should you be spending that limited time and resource most effectively
• How do you even know it’s working?

We have some top experts from the frontline to talk it all through, Kira Blume from Krantz Designs, Adam Jones from Cwtch Haus and Hayley Simmons from agency KBB Marketing.

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 This is our second of three shows we did at the show, and this is such an important one as its about an area that gets to the heart of what good kitchen and bathroom design is all about – the combination of style, aesthetics and practical solutions tailored to the needs of the individual, whatever they may be.

And for those with needs that involve limitations in physicality or, as we will hear, cognitive ability, their designers and installers need to have the knowledge to be able to meet them.

So, this is an area that is often called ‘accessible or multi-generational design’ and we’re scratching the surface a little bit with three top experts.

Jo Jeyes from Joanne Jeyes Interiors - an interior designer specialising in dementia

Adam Thomas from the Adam Thomas Consultancy – specialist in all areas of accessible design, especially for wheelchair users

Tony Passmore from The Passmore Group - specialist in accessible bathroom design and adaptation

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Today we’re talking about the most important topic of all at the moment – and that’s the health of the kbb independent retailer market after a difficult couple of years. 

We did a snapshot survey of retailers a couple of months ago and the results were very mixed. Nearly a quarter said they're more confident than ever about the health of their business, while one in five said they are worried or extremely worried about the future of their business…

Nearly half said they expected the market to get better before the end of the year, but 15% still say they think the market will get worse in 2025.

So what’s going on?

Joining Andy today were top retailers, and friends of the show Trevor Scott from RFK in Rugby; Tina Riley from Modern Homes in Leamington Spa; Luke Wedgbury from Coalville Kitchens in Coalville and Liz Pantling-Jones from Lima Kitchens in Milton Keynes.

We're talking....

• How their business is right now
• How increases in supplier prices are affecting their business
• Whether supplier service levels have dropped as they manage their own costs
• How consumers are behaving and whether they're decision making process continues to drag
• How difficult it is to find good staff - including installers
• How they're tackling the market head on to drive footfall and leads

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We've got a great interview for you today - Phil Cole, the co-owner of Clive Christian. 

Founded in 1978 by Clive, it has become one of the few well-known kitchen brands in the ultra luxury arena - certainly in the traditional style. 

It's had it's ups and downs though as we will hear, going into administration in April 2022. That's where the then global sales director Phil Cole bought the company with Jim Denos - the owner of the US operations.

So we'll hear all about that, how the luxury market is performing, what people expect for the kind of costs they deal in, how discretion is a valuable skill, finding skilled artisans, how to keep growing and lots and lots more.

Andy met up with Phil at their flagship London showroom - which is actually a beautiful townhouse in Kensington and sat at a desk in a proper wood-panelled office...

But first….

We're only a WEEK away from the InstallerShow at the NEC where everyday at 1:30 on the Kitchen Of The Future stand we'll be recording a LIVE episode of this very podcast.

• On Tuesday the 24th we'll have a panel of top retailers discussing the health of the market
• On Wednesday 25th we've got some greatest accessible design experts giving us some proper top tips
• On Thursday 26th we're looking at how small to medium, sized KBB showrooms can use social media to grow their business.

So that's 1:30 on the Kitchen Of The Future stand come along listen in, join in or just say hello.

Go to installershow.com to register for your FREE ticket.

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Until very recently it was better known as H.I.B and was founded by Rob's father Warren Ginsberg 35 years ago. But it has undergone a major rebrand - and subtle name change - to underline its status as one of the leading accessories suppliers in the bathroom industry.

So new name, new brand, new ranges, new products and new philosophy and strategy all underpinned by decades of heritage, industry knowledge and experience.

And Rob is going to talk us through it all.

You can find out more about them at hib.co.uk

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This week we're building up to the InstallerSHOW - the huge exhibition of all things plumbing, heating, electrical, renewables AND, of course, kitchens and bathrooms.

It's at the NEC on June 24th, 25th and 26th and it is packed with loads of product, obviously, but also networking, demos, seminars and training as well as, most importantly, LIVE recordings of this very podcast.

You can come along and see us at 13:30 every day at the Kitchen Of The Future stage.

The InstallerSHOW may be in its 10th year but it's still growing all the time. While the dedicated kitchen and bathroom section is relatively new it is also growing and this year it is packed with loads of top brands and content 100% relevant for KBB retailers.

So we really do recommend coming along but if that isn't enough - and it almost certainly isn't - then we really recommend listening to this episode with the organiser MIke Costain. You can let him tell you all about the show, what's there, what to see, what's in it for you and what's next.

This episode is sponsored content

You can register for your free ticket now, as well as find out everything you need to know, at installershow.com.

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They've got a bold new strategy, an eye-catching rebrand and a cutting-edge product launch with their new Next Generation range. They're reinventing the food waste disposal market yet again and Andy caught up with managing director Ashley Munden on changing markets, colourful campaigns and the science behind food waste solutions. 

You can find out more at insinkerator.co.uk

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Andy met him at the global appliance giant's new Experience Centre showroom bang in the middle of Wigmore Street in London.

Dr Zinkann's view of the market is about as top level as it gets so...

• What is his take on the current state of the market?
• What is the strategy behind the rollout of the Experience Centres and what it means for their independent dealers?
• Can dealers make a decent margin on appliances?
• Market was in disarray during lockdown boom - what lessons has he taken forward?

The InstallerSHOW 2025 is coming up at the end of June and we'll be there every day doing a LIVE episode recording of this very podcast. The show runs on June 24, 25 and 26 at the NEC and every day at 13:30 you can come and see us at the Kitchen Of The Future stand. For more info and to get your FREE ticket to the show go to installershow.com and I'll put that link in the episode description.

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Since we launched these awards back in September we've been putting out special monthly awards episodes talking to judges, organisers and finalists and it's all thanks to our 2025 Awards Podcast Partner Sonas Bathrooms. 

You can find out more about them at sonasbathrooms.com

Your awards podcast host Matt Baker managed to find a quiet-ish spot at the back of the legendary Tower Ballroom where he also found our very kbbreview managing editor Andrew Davies.

We grabbed all our winners as they came off stage so we're hearing from them all split it over a couple of episodes. In Part One we heard from our design winners as well as the Special Achievement Award and now, in Part Two, we're catching up with all of our business category finalists, including the Kitchen Retailer Of The Year and Bathroom Retailer Of The Year.

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Since we launched these awards back in September we've been putting out special monthly awards episodes talking to judges, organisers and finalists and it's all thanks to our 2025 Awards Podcast Partner Sonas Bathrooms. 

You can find out more about them at sonasbathrooms.com

Your awards podcast host Matt Baker managed to find a quiet-ish spot at the back of the legendary Tower Ballroom where he also found our very kbbreview managing editor Andrew Davies.

We grabbed all our winners as they came off stage so we're going to hear from them all split it over a couple of episodes. So, in this first one, we'll hear from our design winners as well as Andrew giving out the Special Achievement Award.

In the next episode you'll hear all of our business category finalists, including the Kitchen Retailer Of The Year and Bathroom Retailer Of The Year.

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In our usual episode that came out yesterday you will have heard our latest catch-up with our Adopter Retailers themselves so today is the perfect time to learn more about Alku.

Andy met up with marketing manager Dan Hughes recently and, in fact, their conversation is as much about independent retail in general as it is about Alku because it's brand designed purely with them in mind. So we really do recommend this one to anyone interested in the market as Dan really knows his stuff.

Everything you need to know about them, including how to become a dealer, is at alku.co.uk.

This episode is sponsored content

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And we've been really looking forward to this episode, as we're catching up with our Adopted Retailers. In the magazine every month, we've been following the fortunes of three kbb retailers with three very different backgrounds, experiences and plans for the future. 

We last spoke to them here on the podcast back at the start of November - you can listen to that here - and six months later we're here to see how they're getting on.

So we have Amanda Raine from The Leamington Kitchen Company in Leamington Spa. She and her husband Tom opened their dream showroom a year or so ago after leaving corporate jobs in construction and marketing.

Then we have Joe Kardani from Point 5 Kitchens in London. They're a well-established retailer in Muswell Hill but they're opening a second showroom in nearby Belsize Park.

And last but by no means least is Olivia Weaver from Harrison James in Shropshire. Only in their mid-20s she and husband Harry, are just about to open their first showroom after expanding their installation business into retail. 

So, kbbreview's George Dean caught up with them last week to see how they're all getting on. 

All this is made possible by our Adopted Retailer Partner Alku, the exciting new range of Kitchen, Bedroom and Lifestyle furniture, created with the designer in mind. We're delighted to have them on board for this and you can actually find out more about them in a bonus episode coming out tomorrow where Andy talking to marketing director Dan Hughes.

In the meantime, everything you need to know about them, including how to become a dealer, is at alku.co.uk.

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We're heading into the long Easter weekend of course, which will be a nice break before the madness of next begins as we jet off to Blackpool for the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards next Thursday.

And by 'jet off' I mean the train. You don't usually have to change at Preston if you're in a jet.

This episode is one of those where we pose one simple question to some retailers - how's business?

These are always some of our most listened to episodes, and it's not hard to see why, the kbb market is flat at best, no one knows when that will change and, oh yes, the rest of the world seems to have genuinely gone mad.

So, Andy's kbbreview colleague George Dean went off to the annual MHK Conference in Berlin a couple of weeks ago and managed to catch a few UK retailers.

What's fascinating about this one, as you'll hear, is that our retailers are answering that question really by talking about how they're changing, adapting, trying new things and being pretty proactive, rather than complaining about the state of the market.

It's actually great to hear and, to us anyway, that's a real sign that the independent market can do a lot to grab hold of the market and shake it, rather than waiting to be shook.

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Today we're looking at life as an independent retailer - are rises in the costs of running your business such as national insurance and business rates simply pricing you out of the real market? What is the future of the High Street? How are consumers changing? What is the role of local and central government and - always one for the big questions - how come there are so many barbers?

We're talking to Andrew Goodacre, the CEO of the British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA)about all these things and more and, trust me, he doesn't pull any punches.

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Today we're looking at an area that gets to the heart of what good design is all about.

Understanding and interpreting the needs of those that are going to use the kitchen or bathroom every day is a vital part of any brief - and that includes not just factoring in extended family and friends but also future-proofing for the potential needs to come.

We've talked a lot about multi-generational design in the context of physicality before on the show, but today we're going to look at how usable kitchens and bathroom are vital for those with cognitive impairments too - in particular dementia.

Jo Jeyes is our guest today and she's a designer specialising in, amongst other things, dementia-friendly design so we're going to find out what that means, the role of good kbb design in maintaining independence and dignity, how to broach and discuss this with clients and, of course, lots of actual practical tips.

This is so interesting and really underpins the power of good design in making people's lives better.

A quick reminder that the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards are in the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom on Thursday, April 24 and we are officially 100% sold out. However, when you have that many people there is always a chance some cancellations do happen, so, we are running a waiting list. As soon as a ticket becomes available, it will be offered to whoever is next in line on that list. It's first come, first serve so go to kbbreview.com/awards and you'll find out how to get in the queue. It's always worth the call!

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The event is now less than a month away!

On Thursday, April 24th hundreds of the industry's leading retailers, designers, suppliers, influencers and opinion-formers will arrive in Blackpool for the biggest evening of the year.

As the excitement builds, in this episode we're taking a look at the venue itself. The Blackpool Tower is one of the most iconic buildings in the UK and the Ballroom simply a spectacular example of ornate Victorian splendour. 

So we're finding out more about this Grade One listed extravagant masterpiece from its Head of Operations Aaron Edgar.

And trust us, it's absolutely fascinating.

As always, huge thanks to our 2025 Awards Podcast Partner, Sonas Bathrooms, You can find out more about them at sonasbathrooms.co.uk.

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This week we're delving into a subject that, slowly but surely, is becoming more common - freelance KBB designers.

They're not retailers in the classic definition of the word, they don't have showrooms, but they will design kitchens or bathrooms for their clients - and those clients could be consumers, developers, interior design, architects or, indeed, time-poor KBB retailers.

So why go freelance? How does it work? Who are the customers and where do they find them? How do relationships with suppliers work? And with so many KBB retailers wishing they could charge for designs, how do they sell the service?

This is a really insightful conversation with three top designers already doing it - Darren Morgan, Alina Tacutanu and Anna Rock and if you run a showroom, you really need to hear their views.

A quick reminder that the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards are in the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom on Thursday, April 24 and we are officially 100% sold out. However, there is always a chance that with that many people some cancellations do happen, so, we are running a waiting list. As soon as a ticket becomes available, it will be offered to whoever is next in line on that list. It's first come, first serve so go to kbbreview.com/awards and you'll find out who to get in the queue. It's always worth the call!

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We’ve teamed up with Blum to find the upcoming stars of kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom retail and this is our eighth and final Rising Star for 2025 - Aidan Parish, a fitter at Lima Kitchens in Milton Keynes.

When Aidan joined the Lima Kitchens team around 18 months ago, it wasn’t just his technical skills that impressed design and marketing director Elizabeth Pantling–Jones. “When Aidan arrived, we could see his potential that extended beyond technical skills,” she says. “While his installation abilities needed refining, his natural aptitude for client relationships and business growth was evident from the start.”

Since then, Parish has continued to impress his colleagues with not only his technical skills and eagerness to improve, but his aptitude and understanding of how craftsmanship and business growth intertwine.

Find out more about each of our Rising Star finalists at kbbreview.com/risingstar. The winner will be crowned at the glittering awards ceremony at Blackpool’s iconic Tower Ballroom on April 24.

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At kbbreview, we talk to a lot of retailers and if there's one lament that comes up again and again it's that they donʼt make a decent margin on appliances.

So if the margins are so tight for what is a big part of the customer's budget, is it really worth selling them at all? 

This is a really, really interesting topic as it goes to the heart of the relationship between retailers and suppliers, the importance of service and project management and the ability of small businesses to make money in a difficult market.

• What is role of rebates and incentives? Are the criteria for achieving them reasonable?
• Should you itemise appliance prices in quotes?
• Is the blended margin across the whole project more important?
• What don't suppliers understand about the way retailers sell or specify appliances?
• Are there any scenarios where kitchen retailers wouldn't sell them at all? 

It's all in this fascinating discussion with Trevor Scott from RFK; Belinda Dangerfield from =Qudaus Living and Matt Turton from Bold Kitchens

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Today we're looking at something which asks a very difficult existential question of independent KBB retailers - do you ever think what might happen if you got into financial difficulty and couldn't finish your clients project?

In particular, we're looking at whether or not retailers should have some kind of deposit protection insurance. In other words, something that means they will get back any money they've already given you if the worst happens.

• What is deposit protection insurance and who does it work?
• What are pros and cons? Why is it not more prevalent?
• How do you talk about it with customers without sounding like you're about to go bust?
• Given the sums of money involved, should it be mandatory?

We're talking it through with Richard Hibbert from KSL in Sudbury - he's also chairman of the KBSA of course - and Nick Warrington from Stuart J Warrington in Macclesfield.

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Between August 2024 and March 2025 we’re picking a monthly Rising Star to feature in the magazine, online and this very podcast. Those eight monthly winners then become the shortlist for the overall winner which will be revealed at the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2025 in April.

It's done with the support of our very good friends at Blum and you can find out more about them at blum.com…….and you can see all the Rising Stars so far at kbbreview.com/risingstar

So here's our February Rising Star - Sonny Upton, lead maker at Shape London who is not only valued for his cabinet making skills but also as a passionate, versatile and reliable member of the team. 

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This week we've got a great, and very candid, interview with Sharon Wallis, the UK head of one of most iconic and longest-established kitchen furniture brands you can find - Poggenpohl.

It has a long pedigree, of course, established as it was in 1892 in Germany by Friedemir Poggenpohl but its recent history has been a little more tumultuous. 

In 2020 at the height of the pandemic it filed for insolvency in Germany and, after a scrappy and uncertain sales process, it was eventually bought by Chinese firm, Jomoo.

So, kicking off with both a lockdown AND the insolvency of the German parent, finance director Sharon Wallis took over as the new MD. A baptism of fire for anyone.

But Poggenpohl in the UK has always been a steady ship and, in fact, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024. It is, of course, both a retailer in its own right, and a supplier to other independents.

So, what was it like taking over at that time, how is current performance, how do you balance both retail and supply and what is it like being a female senior business leader in an industry still dominated by men?

Our kbbreview editor-at-large Rebecca Nottingham went to meet her at their Hampstead showroom….

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Your host as always is Matt Baker and today we’re going to shine a spotlight on the design categories and take another look into the minds of our design judges to see what they thought of this year’s entries, what themes they spotted, and how much they get out of the process themselves.

We caught up with them at the end of the finalists presentation days. This is when they get to quiz all the designers on their shortlisted projects and find out all the details so what are the trends that came through, and just what difference does it make to talk directly to them?

Before that, a huge thank you needs to go out to our 2025 Awards Podcast Partner, Sonas Bathrooms - it’s great to have their continued support. an you can find out all about them at sonasbathrooms.co.uk .

The awards event is at the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom on April 24th and it is SOLD OUT. So if you still want to come, you’ll have to join our waiting list. Go to kbbreview.com/awards for full details.

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It's Season 14 and we'll be with you right up to the end of April but in this first episode we're taking a look at an issue thornier than a garden full of brambles - and that's paying for displays.

• Who do YOU think should foot the bill - the retailer or the supplier?
• Why do some brands offer 'free' displays and others not?
• What are the pros and cons for the retailer? And if they're paying, how much control should brands therefore have on what you display?
• Are suppliers fundamentally underestimating the value of showroom real estate and, for that matter, exactly how retailers use those displays to sell?

We're talking it all through with Tina Riley from Modern Homes, Lisa Kyme from Ripples London, and Gary Nolan from marketing agency Pure Visibility.

The kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2025 event on April 24th in the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom is SOLD OUT. However, you can go on our waiting list by emailing tracey@taylistmedia.com

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Welcome to The kbbreview Podcast and another of our very special Rising Star episodes where we meet the upcoming superstars of kitchen and bathroom retail all under the age of 30.

Your host is editor-at-large Rebecca Nottingham and between August 2024 and March 2025 we’re picking a monthly Rising Star to feature in the magazine, online and this very podcast. Those eight monthly winners then become the shortlist for the overall winner which will be revealed at the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2025 in April.

It's done with the support of our very good friends at Blum and you can find out more about them at blum.com…….and you can see all the Rising Stars so far at kbbreview.com/risingstar

So let's meet our Rising Star for January Victoria Mich, senior design at Chisholm Design in Surrey. Despite only being in the industry a few years herself, Victoria has already become a mentor for new team members....

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Last month, right before the festive break, we announced the shortlist and so today we’re talking to some of those finalists to hear a little bit about why they entered and what it means to them ahead of the second stage of judging.

We have for New Kitchen Retailer Of The Year finalists Andy Barwell from Turnwell Kitchens in Chichester and a finalist in not one, not two, but all three of the bathroom design categories, Sophie Harrold from Simply Bathrooms in Surbiton.

Before that, a huge thank you needs to go out to our awards podcast partner, Sonas Bathrooms - it’s great to have their continued support, as between now and the event on Thursday, April 24, at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom we'll be bringing you MORE special bonus episodes, all about the awards, and celebrate the very best talent our industry has to offer.

You can find out everything you need to know about our awards podcast sponsor at sonasbathrooms.co.uk.

Don't forget that there are still tickets left for the industry’s biggest awards. Just think, if you had the chance to spend quality time in a room full of the UK’s most successful independent kitchen and bathroom retailers, what opportunities could you create for yourself and your company?

Whether it’s to represent your brand, entertain key clients, network with industry leaders and influencers, leverage social media to showcase your attendance and amplify your visibility, or simply to have fun and support independent retail after a year of ups and downs – you can book your place by going to kbbreview.com/awards.

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Your hosts are kbbreview's Matt Baker and Andrew Davies and they will exclusively announce who the finalists are for all our design and retail categories. YOU won't get this list anywhere else until next week so don't miss it!

Huge thanks to our Awards Podcast Partner for 2025 Sonas Bathrooms, we couldn't do these special awards episodes without their support.

The gala black tie event where we announce the winners is on Thursday, April 24 at the iconic Tower Ballroom in Blackpool. If you want to be at the biggest KBB party of the year then book your tickets now as there is a limited capacity.

You can find out all you need to know about the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2025 at our website kbbreview.com/awards including how to book your seats and tables.

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Between August 2024 and March 2025 we’ll be picking a monthly Rising Star to feature in the magazine, online and this very podcast. Those eight monthly winners then become the shortlist for the overall winner which will be revealed at the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2025 in April.

It's done with the support of our very good friends at Blum and you can find out more about them at blum.com

There are only two rules:

They must be currently employed by a retailer - which we're defining as a company that sells direct to the consumer.

AND

They must be under 30 years of age on March the 4th, 2025. 

So here's our Rising Star for December, Izzy Huxford. She's a hugely impressive bathroom designer from Wilton Studios in Grimsby demonstrating real drive and passion - exactly what the Rising Star is all about…

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Where are the opportunities? Where is the growth? What might be the pitfalls? And where is the focus for them?

It's an invaluable peak into the 2025 plans, ambitions and goals of some of the sector's most dynamic brands.

Today we're meeting Andrew Laidler, the UK and Ireland Sales and Marketing Director for for EGGER. They're about as big a name as it's possible to get in this market so hearing Andrew's view and thoughts on what 2025 might bring couldn't be more relevant.

You can find out everything you need to know about EGGER at egger.com.

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Where are the opportunities? Where is the growth? What might be the pitfalls? And where is the focus for them?

It's an invaluable peak into the 2025 plans, ambitions and goals of some of the sector's most dynamic brands.

Today we're meeting Jon Thelwell, the sales and marketing director for family-owned British furniture manufacturer JJO. It's a big name with a big history with independent retailers so Jon's views on 2025 are invaluable so don't miss it.

You can find out everything you need to know about JJO at jjoplc.com

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Where are the opportunities? Where is the growth? What might be the pitfalls? And where is the focus for them?

It's an invaluable peak into the 2025 plans, ambitions and goals of some of the sector's most dynamic brands.

Today we're meeting Dean Williams, the managing director for sinks, taps, and accessories supplier The 1810 Company. They're a big name in the UK independent retail market so Dean's views on what 2025 might hold are about as relevant as it gets.

You can find out everything you need to know about The 1810 Company at the1810company.co.uk, and that link is in the episode description.

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Where are the opportunities? Where is the growth? What might be the pitfalls? And where is the focus for them?

It's an invaluable peak into the 2025 plans, ambitions and goals of some of the sector's most dynamic brands.

Today we're meeting Neal Jones, the managing director of Blanco in the UK. They're one of the biggest names in the sector so Neal's view on the market is about as relevant as it gets when it comes to forecasting what 2025 might bring so you don't want to miss this one.

You can find out everything you need to know about Blanco at blanco.co.uk

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Where are the opportunities? Where is the growth? What might be the pitfalls? And where is the focus for them?

It's an invaluable peak into the 2025 plans, ambitions and goals of some of the sector's most dynamic brands.

We've got episodes coming out every day this week and we're starting today with ARMERA.

ARMERA has an extensive coordinated bathroom portfolio that brings affordable luxury with a real detail in the design and you can find out all about them at armera.co.uk.

They're a very exciting company to watch in this market and we'll be hearing their views on 2025 from joint managing director Sarah Williams.

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This month’s episode is a peek behind the curtain of the awards, as we have a chat with some of the judges, both in the retail business categories and the design categories. We’ll find out about the approach to judging and interpreting the criteria, and what the judges expect from the 2025 awards in particular.

A huge thank you needs to go out to our awards podcast partner, Sonas Bathrooms - it’s great to have their support, as between now and the event on Thursday, April 24, at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom we'll be bringing you MORE special bonus episodes where we'll really get under the skin of the awards and celebrate the very best talent our industry has to offer.

In fact, we'll be revealing the shortlist itself in a very special episode of this podcast just before Christmas!

In any case, for more information on the awards and booking tables, you can go to kbbreview.com/awards.

On with the show!

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Between August 2024 and March 2025 we’ll be picking a monthly Rising Star to feature in the magazine, online and this very podcast. Those eight monthly winners then become the shortlist for the overall winner which will be revealed at the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2025 in April.

It's done with the support of our very good friends at Blum and you can find out more about them at blum.com.

You can nominate your rising stars, or indeed nominate yourself, via the awards website kbbreview.com/awards and there are only two rules:

They must be currently employed by a retailer - which we're defining as a company that sells direct to the consumer.

AND

They must be under 30 years of age on March the 4th, 2025. 

Other than that, they can perform any job role within your business – admin, design, sales, finance, installation, we don’t mind as long as they’re a star!

So let's meet our Rising Star for November, Alistair Glover. After starting out on the supply side, he became fascinated by kitchen design, eventually joining retailer Alexander in Sussex and in the space of just two impressive years, he's gone from designer to showroom manager. Here's his story…

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Season 14 will officially start in the New Year but we'll actually be back in December with a special mini-series looking ahead to 2025 AND, of course, the now legendary episode where we reveal the shortlist for the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2025 (entries close on November 14th!)

In this episode we're meeting two of our 2024/25 Adopted Retailers - you may have seen this in the magazine and online but we're following three independent retailers over the next 12 months as they embark on new endeavours in their businesses. The ins and outs, the ups and downs and everything in between as we map the very real experiences of independent KBB retailers. 

In this episode we're meeting Joe Kardani, the co-founder of Point 5 Kitchens in North London. After opening their first showroom in Muswell Hill  in 2016, they're in the middle of developing their second showroom just down the road in Belsize Park.

Then we have Olivia Weaver, aged just 25, she and her husband are starting a brand new retail business in Shropshire called Harrison James after several years on the tools.

Our third Adopted Retailer is the equally interesting  Leamington Kitchen Company in Leamington Spa and you can read their first installment here and we'll meet them on a podcast further down the line.

All this is made possible by our Adopted Retailer Partner Alku, the exciting new range of Kitchen, Bedroom and Lifestyle furniture, created with the designer in mind. We're delighted to have them on board for this and you can find out everything you need to know about them, including how to become a dealer, at alku.co.uk.

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Today we're delving back into the mysteries of the brain with another look at the psychology of you and your clients and, in particular, the effect of unconscious bias on how you view them and they view you.

Does the car they drive, the clothes they wear or the haircut they have mean that you form opinions on them the moment they come through the showroom door?

Or, more worryingly, is the same true for their gender, race or age too?

The answer, according to our guest - retail psychology expert Phillip Adcock - is an uncomfortable yes to all of them no matter what you might say. Hundreds of thousands of years of evolution have made you instantly judge everyone you meet and these unconscious prejudices are constantly battling with your conscious desire to treat everyone the same.

His view is that the more you're aware of how people's unconscious minds work - both yours and your clients - the more successful you can be in selling your services. And that could mean accepting some uncomfortable truths and actively consciously choosing to go against them.

And don't forget that entries close for the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2025 on November 14. Find out everything you need to know at kbbreview.com/awards.

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The market has been really poor for some time - you don't need me to tell you that - but what are the nuances within it, what are the different perspectives on why that might be, what are the positive signs of recovery and what's going to happen in the short to medium term?

September and October always bring the KBSA Conference and the Bathroom Manufacturers Association Conference and they're perfect places to grab those in the know to get a snapshot of opinion on where the market is.

So we grabbed some willing volunteers and asked them that question - how's business?

Entries for the kbbreview Retail and Design Awards 2025 are now open but the clock is ticking as we're closing them at 5pm on November the 14th - and we won't be extending that.

We have categories for kitchen and bathroom designs at different project costs, we have Showroom of the Year, Retailer of the Year, Installation Company of the Year, Supplier Team of the Year, New Retailer of the Year and our Rising Star Award for those in KBB retail under 30. In other words we've got something for everyone and it's totally FREE to enter so you've got nothing to lose. 

Everything you need to know is at kbbreview.com/awards

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Between August 2024 and March 2025 we’ll be picking a monthly Rising Star to feature in the magazine, online and this very podcast. Those eight monthly winners then become the shortlist for the overall winner which will be revealed at the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2025 in April.

It's done with the support of our very good friends at Blum and you can find out more about them at blum.com

You can nominate your rising stars, or indeed nominate yourself, via the awards website kbbreview.com/awards and there are only two rules:

They must be currently employed by a retailer - which we're defining as a company that sells direct to the consumer.

AND

They must be under 30 years of age on March the 4th, 2025. 

Other than that, they can perform any job role within your business – admin, design, sales, finance, installation, we don’t mind as long as they’re a star!

So here's our Rising Star for October, Luke Niblett from Luxe Kitchen Designs. He started out as a cabinet maker but decided he wanted to run his own business and, before he's even 30, he's managed to not just do that but do it very successfully…

See our other Rising Stars at kbbreview.com/risingstar

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And today we're delving into the world of franchises. 

They've been around a long time in this sector, of course, but the accelerated growth of Kutchenhaus in particular has refocused attention on the business model that combines lots of the pros of being an independent retailer with the power of a national brand.

So names such as Kutchenhaus, as well as Schmidt, Kesseler, Ripples, Raison Home, The Kitchen Depot and many others are forging a whole new approach to kitchen and bathroom retail.

We interviewed Paul Lee from Kutchenhuas a few episodes ago - so go back and listen to that for more specifics on their head office strategy - but today you'll hear kbbreview editor-at-large Rebecca Nottingham talking to franchisees from three different companies and looking at why they chose this route, what the pros and cons are, and how far they think franchising can go in the KBB market. 

So we have friend of the show Trevor Scott - who runs a Kutchenhaus franchise alongside his long-standing business RFK. We have James Casey from Kesseler in Sudbury, and we have Imran Azam who runs Ripples showrooms in Wokingham and Beaconsfield.

Now, heads up, Imran's sound isn't great but bear with it as his story and perspective is really interesting AND he was literally talking to us on his holiday from the balcony of his hotel in Monaco. Rather brilliantly, you can hear the birds singing in the background....

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Your host is Andy Davies, and we're getting all nostalgic in this one as we mark 40 years of kbbreview. Our very own George Dean has been having a chat with a couple of top retailers, who have both been in the game for more than 40 years, to get a view on what the industry was like back then and how it compares to now.

We have Tina Riley from Modern Homes in Leamington Spa and Phil Beechinor from Alexander in Worthing.

We've also got Mark Pearson in there, his day job now is kbbreview's Operations and Events Director - in other words the man behind the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards - but before he joined us he was a very accomplished bathroom retailer, specifically with Porcelanosa, and he started his career over 40 years ago too.

So, if you're fans of how it used to be back in the day, you don't want to miss this one!

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Hosted by kbbreview's Matt Baker, our special guests are:

Richard Sloan, the CEO of Sonas Bathrooms

Becky Price from Park Street Interiors in Camberley

and

Dan Tuff from Glenfield Bathrooms in Leicester.

Don't forget that entries are OPEN for the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2025. It's totally FREE to enter and if you're a kitchen or bathroom designer, retailer, supplier or installer, we have categories for you. The closing date is Novermber 14th and you can find out everything you need to know at kbbreview.com/awards or in our special awards podcast episode.

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It's all in association with our very good friends at Hettich and together we're meeting people or companies that are truly forging their own path in the UK kitchen and bathroom sector. They're shaping opinions, trends and business practices in a way that genuinely shifts the industry zeitgeist.

Your hosts in this series are, once again, kbbreview's Andy Davies and Hettich UK managing director Simeon Gabriel. 

This week we're meeting Richard Hagan from Crystal Doors - on the surface they're a manufacturer of vinyl wrapped doors but under Richard's guidance they're so much more than that. He is a true champion of sustainable manufacturing, and his relatively modest company based in Rochdale has shown that it is possible for anyone to genuinely have minimal impact on their environment.

He is a proper expert on the mechanics, economics and practical applications needed to do it too, there is nothing conceptual here, and he is a leading player in the business community of Greater Manchester sharing that expertise. No greenwashing here.

He's a fascinating character, an obsessive about the subject and he's been able to turn it into reality in a away that many talk about but few do.

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It's all in association with our very good friends at Hettich and together we're meeting people or companies that are truly forging their own path in the UK kitchen and bathroom sector. They're shaping opinions, trends and business practices in a way that genuinely shifts the industry zeitgeist.

Your hosts are kbbreview's Andy Davies and Hettich UK managing director Simeon Gabriel. 

This week we're meeting Paul Lee and Gordon Robinson from Kutchenhaus. It is, of course, the retail franchise outfit that has managed to grow and grow in a way no other franchise company in this market has been able to do. Owned by German kitchen manufacturing giant Nobilia, it has now managed to reach a size and influence that is shaping market trends and share and leading other companies, notably Magnet, to launch franchise operations of their own.

• How do you become a franchisee?
• What autonomy do they have?
• How does the brand maintain consistency in design, marketing, sales and service?
• Is there a critical mass?

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It's all in association with our very good friends at Hettich and together we're meeting people or companies that are truly forging their own path in the UK kitchen and bathroom sector. They're shaping opinions, trends and business practices in a way that genuinely shifts the industry zeitgeist.

Your hosts for this series are kbbreview's Andy Davies and Hettich UK managing director Simeon Gabriel. 

Our first Changemaker is a real pioneer in the field of accessible and multi-generational kitchen design - Adam Thomas. A wheelchair-user himself, he has a unique understanding of how kitchens can and should be designed to allow full use by everyone of any ability, age, size or shape. 

He is also very inspirational when it comes to explaining just what a business opportunity this is for retailers and designers.

It's all here in a very special interview that you won't want to miss....

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We'll be following the whole process between now and the event in April - including exclusively revealing the shortlist of finalists just before Christmas.

In this first episode we get down to basics - what are the awards, who can enter, what are the categories and what are our top tips for doing your entries.

Huge thanks to our Awards Podcast Partner for 2025 Sonas Bathrooms for all their support. You can find out all about becoming a Sonas Bathrooms retailer at sonasbathrooms.co.uk

You can find out everything you need to know about entering the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2025, as well as booking tickets for the event, at kbbreview.com/awards

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We have a great interview with Michael Marriott, who's the new CEO, and sales director Rob Taylor who's chalked up an astonishing 39 years with the company.

Waterline is, of course, owned by Crown Imperial and Michael is the grandson of the founder, continuing the lineage of the family-run business. His brother Barry Head is the current MD of Crown.

There are huge changes happening with distribution in the KBB industry - with consolidation, buy outs and big names calling in the administrators. Big brands who always relied on distributors are starting to go direct and margins are getting tighter and tighter across the chain.

Against this backdrop, Waterline has just launched its first ever bathroom range - an ambitious move into a very crowded market.

So why have they done it, what do they think about the direction of distribution in general, and how does a new CEO get under the skin of such a well-established company?

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Between August 2024 and March 2025 we’ll be picking a monthly Rising Star to feature in the magazine, online and this very podcast. Those eight monthly winners then become the shortlist for the overall winner which will be revealed at the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2025 in April.

It's done with the support of our very good friends at Blum and you can find out more about them at Blum.com

You can nominate your rising stars, or indeed nominate yourself, via the awards website kbbreview.com/awards and there are only two rules:

They must be currently employed by a retailer - which we're defining as a company that sells direct to the consumer and they must be under 30 years of age on March the 4th, 2025. 

Other than that, they can perform any job role within your business – admin, design, sales, finance, installation, we don’t mind as long as they’re a star!

So let's meet our Rising Star for September, Georgia Astley. She's the branch manager at Kutchenhaus Lutterworth. At just 22 she's already clocked up experience in installation, design, project management and running a showroom and, as you will hear, she's loving every minute of it...

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For this very special episode we're meeting the founder of one of the industry's most enigmatic companies - Paul O'Leary from deVOL.

He and his team have managed to establish the hugely successful deVOL as a true lifestyle brand that, yes, will make you a beautiful traditional kitchen but they do it by inviting you into their world and giving you the warm and uniquely British deVOL experience. It is based in Cotes Mill, a 16th-century water mill set in twelve acres of natural meadows on the banks of the River Soar, just outside Loughborough and this rambling five-storey building and its gardens have since become synonymous with the deVOL brand and featured heavily in its own Emmy-nominated TV show - For The Love Of Kitchens. 

If you haven't seen it we highly recommend seeking it out via the deVOL YouTube channel.

Paul is the embodiment of deVOL and to hear him talk about the philosophy of it and his views on design and his customers is just fascinating as well as just listening to him tell his own personal story, it all makes up an interview that you just don't want to miss….

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We've got a cracking whole new season starting at the beginning of September but today's episode was just too good, too relevant and too insightful to wait until then.

Now we all know that the market is, at best, flat and, at worst, way below that and that leaves business owners and leaders with a difficult decision - do you hunker down and wait for it to pass, or do you actively attack the market with initiatives designed to spark it into life?

And that's why we're very lucky in this episode to have Stephen Ewer the CEO of one of the biggest UK suppliers in the industry Bathroom Brands. I went over to the always impressive showroom at their HQ in Dartford to talk to Stephen - and a very enlightening conversation it was too.

Bathrooms Brands is, of course, one of the biggest names in the sector, and is therefore always a real bellwether for what's happening. For a company with such a unique relationship with the independent retail sector, its plans and strategies are always worth examining in detail if you get the chance.

And its latest initiatives are more exciting than most as it launches a comprehensive package of products, promotion and price alignments designed with one goal in mind - to actively stimulate the depressed market.

This episode is sponsored by Bathroom Brands and we promise this is a very candid case study of how companies can take a lead and revitalise a market with some clever and creative ideas so we do really recommend this one.

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In this first episode we’re meeting our Rising Star for August, Melissa Halliday from Archispek in East Lothian.

But first, let’s explain what the Rising Star is all about and how YOU can nominate your own.

Yes, We’ve teamed up with Blum to find the industry’s upcoming stars because successful businesses and industries are always looking for fresh, new, creative talent. 

These rising stars often drive companies to innovate and embrace new practices and technologies and, guided by experienced hands, they can grow into valuable team members or even the next generation of business leaders.

The development of this pool of new, young talent is so important to the future of the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom retail sector and that’s why we’re expanding the scope of our annual ‘Rising Star’ award.

Between now and March next year  we’ll be picking a monthly Rising Star to feature in the magazine, online and this very podcast. Those eight monthly winners then become the shortlist for the overall winner which will be revealed at the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2025 in April.

It’s all very exciting so we need YOU to tell us who your Rising Star is - who are the members of your team that you believe stand out as a star of the future in this industry?

There are only two rules:

• They must be currently employed by a retailer - defined as a company that sells direct to the consumer.
• They must be under 30 years of age on March 4, 2025. Other than that, they can perform any job role within your business - admin, design, sales, finance, installation, we don’t mind as long as they’re a star!

You can find all the info you need at kbbreview.com/risingstar

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You may remember that, all the way back in episode two a few weeks ago, we looked at the ever-present stalwart of the kbb showroom - the brochure. You can listen to that one here.

This week we're looking at the brochure's ever-present companion on the showroom shelf - the sample.

Every showroom has them whether it's for doors, worktops, handles and just about everything else but how do they use them, how do they manage and keep on top of them all, are there too many, and what do you do with them when the new ranges come out?

This is proper shopfloor stuff and we're talking it all through with a couple of great retailers in the shape of Stuart Luckman from RidgeWey and Al Bruce from Olive & Barr. We also have the supplier's perspective from Andy Noble, the Managing Director at CDUK.

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It's from the 25th to the 27th of June, that's Tuesday to Thursday, and thousands of visitors will descend on the NEC in Birmingham to see the latest products, mix with peers and hear the latest advice and debate on some of the biggest issues facing the sector. 

For the first time there will be a dedicated Installer Kitchens & Bathrooms area and that's where you'll find a special extra one-off issue of kbbreview, as well as big supply brands and big topics being discussed. 

So in this episode host Andy Davies finds our what;s happening with Mike Costain, the managing director of show organiser Lyrical Communications.

You can find out all about InstallerSHOW 2024 at installershow.com, and you can also register to attend for FREE there too.

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A Retail Safari is a walking tour of interesting and innovative retail stores and environments and we're taking a group of independent kitchen and bathroom retailers out of this industry and hoping to expand horizons and provoke some new thinking on how to view their customers, their showroom, their displays.

We have a retail expert as our guide in the shape of Ian Scott, who's actually been on this podcast before, to lead us round.

In Part One you heard the running commentary from host Andy Davies and kbbreview's editor-at-large Rebecca Nottingham as they talked us through what they spotted in each store. We also heard from some of our retailers to find out what their learnings, takeaways and observations where.

Now, in Part Two, we'll find out what the rest of our retailers thought as well as a chat with Ian Scott and Hettich MD Simeon Gabriel.

This whole endeavour has been supported by Hettich UK and we wouldn’t have been able to do it without them so a public thank you to them. If you want to find out more about Hettich then you can them here.

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A Retail Safari is a walking tour of interesting and innovative retail stores and environments and we're taking a group of independent kitchen and bathroom retailers out of this industry and hoping to expand horizons and provoke some new thinking on how to view their customers, their showroom, their displays.

We have a retail expert as our guide in the shape of Ian Scott, who's actually been on this podcast before, to lead us round.

In Part One you'll hear a running commentary from host Andy Davies and kbbreview's editor-at-large Rebecca Nottingham, they're talking us through what they spotted in each store, and then we'll hear from some of our retailers and find out what their learnings, takeaways and observations where.

In Part Two, we'll find out what the rest of our retailers thought as well as a chat with Ian Scott and Hettich MD Simeon Gabriel.

This whole endeavour has been supported by Hettich UK and we wouldn’t have been able to do it without them so a public thank you to them. If you want to find out more about Hettich then you can them here.

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Today we're looking at a subject that has been completely eye-opening for us It's an issue affecting installers and we confess we had no idea just how big a problem it is until we started looking into it.

And that is…tool theft.

It's about as base a problem as you can get, the tools of your trade, worth thousands of pounds in some cases, getting nicked from your van. 

The impact is obvious on your immediate ability to work, but the resultant cost of not just replacing the tools but also getting the van patched up and your rocketing insurance rates are just as bad.

And then, of course, there's permanent and very real anxiety that it might happen again every time you park up and that can have a significant effect on mental health. 

It really is that big a deal.

So we'll be hearing the personal stories of three installers who have shocking stories to tell about it happening to them, what the cost both financially and personally has been and what, if anything, can be done about it.

Today's episode is brought to you with the support of our very good friends at Lawcris. They lead the field in wood based panel products, laminates and edgings with big brands such as Emporio Skin, Kronospan and many more. With over 40 vehicles in their fleet, they can provide next day delivery on all stocked products. You can find out all about them at lawcris.co.uk.

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When you actually think about it there's hundreds of colours, textures, grains and patterns all following, and often setting, the trends before they ever get near being made into furniture - and manufacturers are doing so at a speed that is mind boggling.

It's such an important part of the design journey that it definitely needs more attention so Andy is talking to Lauren Barker, the head of marketing and design for Lawcris.

Lawcris leads the field in wood based panel products, laminates and edgings with big brands such as Emporio Skin, Kronospan and many more. With over 40 vehicles in their fleet, they can provide next day delivery on all stocked products. You can find out all about them at lawcris.co.uk

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Andy has been catching up with winners from this year's kbbreview Retail & Design Awards to pick their brains about running successful and award-winning businesses.

Last week was a fascinating conversation between our Special Achievement Award recipient Paul Rowland from CP Hart and our Rising Star of the Year winner Angelika Kotarska from Angelic Bathrooms in Northampton - highly recommend going back to that one if you haven't heard it.

This week, well this is another great one, as we get to hear from our two Retailers Of The Year - Darren Walker from Laings in Inverurie, our Kitchen Retailer of the Year 2024 and Steph Warner from Pier1 Bathrooms in Hove - our Bathroom Retailer of the Year 2024.

These are two very successful and dynamic businesses with two completely different back stories - Laings first opened its doors in 1862, Pier1 in 2019. The Pier1 showroom is about 1,500sqft and Laings is more like 13,500sqft.

Laings employs about 90 people, Pier1….5

And, of course, they're about as far from each other geographically as it's possible to get while still being in the UK.

So two very different businesses, with two very different perspectives on what it takes to be the Retailer of the Year.

Today's episode is brought to you with the support of our very good friends at Lawcris. They lead the field in wood based panel products, laminates and edgings with big brands such as Emporio Skin, Kronospan and many more. With over 40 vehicles in their fleet, they can provide next day delivery on all stocked products. You can find out all about them at lawcris.co.uk

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Next week, we'll be meeting our Kitchen Retailer of the Year - Laings in Inverurie - and our Bathroom Retailer of the Year - Pier1 Bathroom in Hove. Two very different businesses with two very interesting perspectives on the market.

But to kick it off today we've got an interview that's so interesting, so insightful and actually just gives you a bit of a warm feeling inside. 

As many of you will know, at our awards we give out our Special Achievement trophy. It goes to those individuals who have contributed something very special to their business and the industry as a whole and this year it went to… Paul Rowland from CP Hart.

CP Hart is, of course, the premium bathroom retailer that now has 15 showrooms and a £50m turnover. When Paul took it over 20 years ago it was really struggling and he has lead the team that has made it what it is today. He is the retailer's retailer.

At the opposite end of the career path, we also gave out the Rising Star of the Year trophy - this goes to individuals under the age of 30 who are making a real impact in their retail business and the 2024 winner was Angelika Kotarska who started her own bathroom retail business - Angelic Bathrooms in Northampton in 2022, aged just 22.

So, you can see where this is going can't you…we thought it would be a good idea to get them both together and see what lessons they can learn from each other and it's fascinating stuff.

Finding good people, managing through financial crises, the relationship with suppliers, finding customers, marketing - it's all in here and more besides from when Angelika and host Andy Davies went down to the flagship CP Hart showroom in Waterloo to see Paul.

Today's episode is brought to you with the support of our very good friends at Lawcris. They lead the field in wood based panel products, laminates and edgings with big brands such as Emporio Skin, Kronospan and many more. With over 40 vehicles in their fleet, they can provide next day delivery on all stocked products. You can find out all about them at lawcris.co.uk

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• What do retailers and designers actually use them for?
• What do they say about the brand?
• Do suppliers assume they get given out to every potential customer who comes through the door?
• Are too many simply thrown away and wasted?
• Should they have prices in them or not?

Such simple things touch on so many different aspects of the day-to-day life of a retailer so we're talking it all through with retailers Paul Crow, the MD of Ripples, and Adam Wollerton from Bathroom + Kitchen Eleven in Surrey AND in the supplier's corner Sofia Charalambous from Origins Living.

It's fascinating stuff so let me know what you think, here's my email andrewdavies@taylistmedia.com

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The vast majority of kbb independents operate out of one showroom, but many often seriously think about another. It's an obvious way to expand the business but there are plenty of cons to go with the long list of pros.

Finding the right location, spreading yourself too thin, finding people you trust to run it and starting to build a whole new customer base in a different area.

So we're going to talk it all through with a couple of top retailers and friends of the show - Mark Butler from Butler Interiors and Liz Pantling-Jones of Lima Kitchens. Mark took the plunge on a second showroom a few years ago and Liz is seriously considering that move right now.

Host Andy Davies met up with them a few weeks ago and this is a really interesting conversation that gets right to the heart of finding that showroom as well as weighing up all the pros and cons...

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First up we're talk about manifestos - we all know there's going to be a General Election this year so if you were running for Prime Minister, what would be in YOURS to help kbb businesses?

While we were at the KBB show we took the opportunity to ask this very simple question to some leading industry figures.

And then we go from Prime Minister to prime time TV. Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen made an appearance at the KBB show supporting Caple so kbbreview editor Rebecca Nottingham caught up with him to hear his views on kitchen and bathroom design. Warning, this next interview contains flamboyance...

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Since Covid there has been massive shift in how this is done, the traditional rep-on-the-road model has morphed into a hybrid of some area sales managers and a lot more emails, portals, Zoom, Teams, webinars and the like.

From the suppliers point of view it's not hard to see why. Reps are expensive and can only cover so much, but technology allows direct communication and exchange of important updates and information easily. 

For the retailers, however, they like face-to-face, it's their bread and butter after all, plus they have potentially dozens of suppliers and that means dozens of portals, emails, updates and Zoom calls to get through - and the onus is on them to do it.

So it's time consuming AND the volume of information coming this way means that they may miss important updates such as price changes or stock availability.

Andy caught up with a few key suppliers to ask them what they think. Is there still a role for the rep on the road, and how do you get important messages across when the inbox is so noisy…

But do retailers agree? We ask them too....

What do you think? Email Andy at andrewdavies@taylistmedia.com or find him on LinkedIn here

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It was their time exhibiting at the show AND, of course, they were also our Podcast Partner for the 20204 kbbreview Retail & Design Awards.

So that's two greatest reasons to talk to Richard about the health of the market, the relationship between suppliers and retailers and how they're doing exhibiting for the first time. 

If you want more info on Sonas Bathrooms then you can find out everything you need to know at sonasbathrooms.co.uk and we highly recommend checking out all the special 2024 awards podcast episodes here.

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Host Andy Davies found a relatively quiet spot to talk to you but we had around 900 people filling the room celebrating the very best of the industry so it was a big noisy crowd and an amazing atmosphere.

Our host was Stephen Mulhern and he had the whole room in the palm of his hand but we managed to grab our winners as they came off stage.

As always, these special awards episodes are brought to you with the support of our 2024 Podcast Partner Sonas Bathrooms - they're all here tonight so hello to you all again if you're listening and thank you for all your support this year. These episodes really give us the chance to explain what the awards are all about it, give a little peak behind the curtain AND let every meet some of the finalists and judges.

And that's really important as, even though we're alwaus have a big party here we really work hard to make sure these are awards worth winning.

You can find out more about Sonas Bathrooms at sonasbathrooms.co.uk and you can also see the full list of winners at our website kbbreview.com/awards as well as a full gallery of pictures from the night which is, let's be honest, what everyone wants to see. 

We open entries for the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2025 in the Autumn so watch out for that...

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It's been another really busy show today, with lots of very interesting conversations on and off the record , including some fantastic gossip which we couldn't possible repeat and some genuinely honest assessments about the health of the market. 

Today we've got a couple of very interesting interviews that host Andy Davies did on the hoof here at the NEC.

First up, we're talking changes to the laws surrounding the recycling of appliances - what it means for suppliers AND what it mean for retailers who sell them and take the old ones away. It's a very important subject that could directly effect you so we're meeing Anthony Sant, the joint MD of Swift Electrical.

Then we have a really interesting discussion with Walter Peteri, Quooker's Global Director and the son of founder Henri Peteri. Quooker is such an interesting story not just in the product but also the marketing and Walter has some very insightful views on innovation within the kitchen industry.

Don't miss it!

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This is a great episdoe as we've got a topic today that will dazzle all your senses.

That's because it's all about, well, dazzling all the senses.

It's obvious that your showroom needs to look great, but do you ever think about how it smells, how it sounds or how it feels? Does your showroom engage all of your customer's senses? 

There is a huge amount of psychological research confirming that appealing to all the senses can make customers more inclined to purchase in retail environments. Using scent, music, tactile displays and lighting can create a much more immersive and engaging experience.

We love all this kind of stuff so we're so pleased that our guest today is Charles Spence - he is a professor of experimental psychology at the Crossmodal Research Laboratory at Oxford University.

And if you find all this as intersting as we do, check out Charles' book Sensehacking: How to Use the Power of Your Senses for Happier, Healthier Living

This very special episode is brought to you with the support of our good friends at kbb Birmingham 2024, Europe's prime hub for the kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom industries.

The ultimate showcase of innovation is now only days away - it starts on Sunday, March the 3rd at the NEC Birmingham and runs to Wednesday the 6th

Meet key clients, engage with trendsetters, explore the newest launches and dive into live demonstrations - you'll gain valuable insights that'll drive your business forward at kbb Birmingham 2024.

You can register for your free visitor pass now at kbb.co.uk. See you there!

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And this is the last one of these we'll be doing before the event itself. This is coming out on Wednesday, February 28 which the means the awards is on Monday. 

All very exciting indeed and what better way to round off this countdown to the ceremony than by talking to two of our finalists.

From our design shortlist we have Justine Bullock from The Tap End near Cardiff and from the retail shortlist we have Steph Warner from Pier1 Bathrooms in Hove.

They're both deserving finalists of course, but they share another really interesting characteristic in that both their retail businesses are all-female teams - so we'll be hearing from them about why they enter awards, what it means to find out you're a finalist AND we'll be asking them for their assessment of the market right now.

These special bonus awards episodes of The kbbreview Podcast are brought to you with the help of our friends Sonas Bathrooms - our 2024 Awards Podcast Partner.

They're a hugely successful company in Ireland and now they're here in the UK with their stylish and high-quality range of products. You can find out more about becoming a Sonas Bathroom retailer by going to sonasbathrooms.co.uk or, seeing as there's only a few days until it starts, you can also go and see them in person at kbb Birmingham on stand F30.

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Always great to talk to him and we'll be getting his view on the health of the market, the biggest factors affecting its growth and, more specifically, what plans and strategies Bathrooms Brands to get the most out of 2024.

It's a proper insight into the  mind of one of the UK sector's leading figures, so don't miss it!

Yes, this episode is brought to you by our good friends at Bathroom Brands. They are, of course, a hugely successful and well-known designer, importer and supplier of bathroom and sanitary ware products across its suite of established brands - Crosswater, Burlington, Clearwater and Britton. You can find out all about them at bathroombrands.com.

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And we've got a great guest on today talking about a subject that is so important, so relevant and so interesting that we really should discuss it more - and that's how retailers can be more sustainable.

That's both in the way they run their business AND how they can make sustainability a genuine and effective part of their sales story rather than something to sidestep and not bring up if the client doesn't. Just by learning about the details of your suppliers and products could you weave it into your narrative and boost the on thing that's more valuable to you than anything - your reputation.

So I'll be talking to Steve Lister, a consultant, advocate and all round expert on sustainable retail for both retailers and their suppliers and it's sooo interesting. You can find out all about him at stevelister.com

But first…

This very special episode is brought to you with the support of our good friends at kbb Birmingham 2024, Europe's prime hub for the kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom industries.

So get ready for the ultimate showcase of innovation! 

Held at the NEC Birmingham from March 3rd to 6th, this exhibition features 250+ top European brands across 26 diverse categories, unveiling cutting-edge designs and the latest innovations.

With over 15,000 decision-makers attending from residential, design, retail, and contract sectors, it's the prime spot for networking, sourcing and business growth. Expect renowned brands like Caple, Franke, VitrA, BORA and many more to showcase everything from furniture to components, giving you a glimpse of the future in KBB.

Meet key clients, engage with trendsetters, and explore the newest launches. Dive into live demonstrations and gain valuable insights that'll drive your business forward at kbb Birmingham 2024

You can register for your free visitor pass now at kbb.co.uk. 

See you there!

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We're counting down to the big event itself on Monday, March the 4th with these special shows and after last week's conversation with some of our design category judges, today we're talking to a couple of our business category judges. 

What makes them tick, what are they looking for, why is it so important to visit the finalists in person and what do they get out of the experience?

We have a couple of very experienced and successful retailers in the shape of Darren Taylor from Searle and Taylor and Mike Lloyd from Inspired Bathrooms & Kitchens.

These special bonus awards episodes of The kbbreview Podcast are brought to you with the help of our friends Sonas Bathrooms - our 2024 Awards Podcast Partner.

They're a hugely successful company in Ireland and now they're here in the UK with their stylish and high-quality range of products. You can find out more about becoming a Sonas Bathroom retailer by going to sonasbathrooms.co.uk or you can go and see them in person at kbb Birmingham on stand F30.

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And that's Cyncly.

Now Cyncly may be a new name to the kbb Birmingham exhibition halls but the latest versions of the products it is showing have been essential tools for kitchen and bathroom retailers and designers for a reassuringly long time.

Cyncly is now the home of brands such as Winner Flex, Virtual Worlds, EQ Flex and Spaces Flex, following a recent series of acquisitions and mergers. That means that, for the thousands of designers and retailers that interact with them every day, any new developments,interfaces or add-ons are eagerly awaited.

For an inside look at how Cyncly is approaching the event, we caught up with sales director Dean Smith and director for enterprise accounts Ben Roberts…

But, before we meet them, make a note - Cyncly will be on Stand L70 at kbb Birmingham from March 3-6 - for more information go to cyncly.com.

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We're going to find out all about her new ranges, how she gets her inspiration and ideas and how that translates into products you designers can specify in your projects. It's really interesting stuff so essential for designers across the sector.

Yes, this special episode is brought to you with our friends at EGGER UK. They are, of course, a global manufacturer of wood-based materials and products used across the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom sector. Their new Decorative Collection 24+ is available now and you can hear all about it in this podcast and find out more at egger.com

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It's a complicated subject and that can often switch people off but, as we'll hear today, the ageing workforce could see half of installers retiring in the next five years AND, in 2023, less than 100 direct kbb installation apprentices were taken on.

That maths is not difficult to understand even for us.

The annual conference for the British Institute of KBB Installation - or BiKBBI - was held a couple of weeks ago in London. We've featured this event on this podcast before but it's always a rel snapshot of where the debate has moved - if at all - and what activity is being done to address it.

So today we'll hear a little bit from BiKBBI CEO Damian Walters for his assessment and then we're going to dip into a panel discussion about apprentices which has some real nuggets in there for all kbb retailers.

This very special episode is brought to you with the support of our good friends at kbb Birmingham 2024, Europe's prime hub for the kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom industries.

So get ready for the ultimate showcase of innovation! 

Held at the NEC Birmingham from March 3rd to 6th, this exhibition features 250+ top European brands across 26 diverse categories, unveiling cutting-edge designs and the latest innovations.

With over 15,000 decision-makers attending from residential, design, retail, and contract sectors, it's the prime spot for networking, sourcing and business growth.

 Expect renowned brands like Caple, Franke, VitrA, BORA and many more to showcase everything from furniture to components, giving you a glimpse of the future in KBB.

Meet key clients, engage with trendsetters, and explore the newest launches. Dive into live demonstrations and gain valuable insights that'll drive your business forward at kbb Birmingham 2024

You can register for your free visitor pass now at kbb.co.uk.

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Your host is Andy Davies and give or take a day or so we are just three weeks away from the big ceremony on Monday, March the 4th in Birmingham. We're as excited as we are absolutely terrified as we'll be welcoming about 900 of the industry's top designers, retailers, suppliers, opinion-formers and influencers for the biggest night of the year.

All the judging complete and we now have the full list of winners in front of me and I promise it's going to be a good one.

In this awards episode we're going to take another look into the minds of our design judges to see what they thought of this year's entries, what themes they spotted and how much they get out of the prices themselves.

The process itself is really important and it works like this - designers submit their written entries and the judges go through every single and score them independently against the list of criteria. I add up all the scores and the top four in each category become the shortlist.

But it doesn't stop there and that's the big difference of our awards - we have two further judging sessions. We have two panels - one for kitchen and one for bathroom - and we put them in a room and all the shortlisted finalists then present their projects to them in person via Zoom. This is where the judges get to quiz and question the designer on all the details.

So Andy ran the bathroom panel at the Roca Gallery in Chelsea Harbour and his esteemed colleague and kbbreview editor Rebecca Nottingham ran the kitchen panel at Halcyon Interiors in Wigmore Street.

Once all the presentations were over we grabbed some of the judges for a post-match chat...

These special bonus awards episodes of The kbbreview Podcast are brought to you with the help of our friends Sonas Bathrooms - our 2024 Awards Podcast Partner.

They're a hugely successful company over in Ireland andnow they're here in the UK with their stylish and high-quality range of products. You can find out more about becoming a Sonas Bathroom retailer by going to sonasbathrooms.com or you can go and see them in person at kbb Birmingham where they will be a must-visit exhibitor. You can find them on stand F30 and say hello from me.

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As I'm sure you know kbb Birmingham is fast approaching us at the start of March - it's the biggest UK show dedicated to all things kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms so today we're chatting to the exhibition's sales director Jon Johnston - he'll be telling us why the show has never been more relevant and why it's a must-visit experience for anyone in this sector.

kbb Birmingham 2024 is Europe's prime hub for the kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom industries so get ready for the ultimate showcase of innovation! 

Held at the NEC Birmingham from March 3rd to 6th, the exhibition features 250+ top European brands across 26 diverse categories, unveiling cutting-edge designs and the latest innovations.

With over 15,000 decision-makers attending from residential, design, retail, and contract sectors, it's the prime spot for networking, sourcing and business growth.

Expect renowned brands like Caple, Franke, VitrA, BORA and many more to showcase everything from furniture to components, giving you a glimpse of the future in KBB.

Meet key clients, engage with trendsetters, and explore the newest launches. Dive into live demonstrations and gain valuable insights that'll drive your business forward at kbb Birmingham 2024

And it's not just about innovation; it's about sustainability too! The kbb Birmingham Better Stands initiative is reducing waste and promoting eco-friendly practices among exhibitors and the industry.

Also join your peers in celebrating a decade of excellence at the 2024 kbb Innovation Awards, in partnership with Blum, recognising the groundbreaking solutions in the KBB industry shaping the future.

So we're sure you'l want to be part of this revolutionary event you can register for your free visitor pass now at kbb.co.uk. 

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It's our biggest ever survey of independent kitchen and bathroom retailers and this week we're be looking at some of the biggest challenges retailers face - like the wider economy, finding good fitters and why consumer are taking so long to make decisions

And we'll also be looking at what retailers think of their suppliers - and what suppliers think of retailers...

We teamed up with the boffins at Eureka! Research to survey over 500 retailers and in this and last week's episodes we're discussing some of the results with a very special panel. We have...

Liz Pantling-Jones from Lima Kitchens in Milton Keynes

Kenny Luck from Luck & Fuller in Billericay

Alex Jenman from Gainsborough Kitchens in Gainsborough Lincolnshire

and

Simeon Gabriel, the managing director of Hettich UK

And, in case you missed it, here's the link to Part One

Our special survey pair of episodes are brought to you with the support of our 2024 kbbreview Research Partner Hettich. We couldn't have done this amazing survey without them so huge thanks to them. You can find out all about them at hettich.com.

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And we're kicking it all off with a two-parter looking at the results of the kbbreview Retailer Survey 2024. It's our biggest ever survey of independent kitchen and bathroom retailers looking at some of the key questions:

• Just what is the average project cost of a kitchen and bathroom?
• What do they really think about the overall market? 
• What challenges are they dealing with? 
• How do they rate their suppliers? 
• What’s happening with footfall, conversion rates and order value? 
• What confidence do they have for the potentially difficult times ahead?

We teamed up with the boffins at Eureka! Research to survey over 500 retailers and in this and next week's episodes we'll be discussing some of the results with a very special panel. We have

Liz Pantling-Jones from Lima Kitchens in Milton Keynes

Kenny Luck from Luck & Fuller in Billericay

Alex Jenman from Gainsborough Kitchens in Gainsborough Lincolnshire

and

Simeon Gabriel, the managing director of Hettich UK

So it's Part One this week and Part Two next week.

Our special survey pair of episodes are brought to you with the support of our 2024 kbbreview Research Partner Hettich. We couldn't have done this amazing survey without them so huge thanks to them. You can find out all about them at hettich.com.

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First of all, believe it or not, this is Episode 200 of the show. That's right, 200 episodes of The kbbreview Podcast dedicated to all things independent kitchen and bathroom retail. 

Thank you so much to everyone who's tuned in, thank you to all the supporters and guests we've had along the way and rest assured we're already planning the next 200.

Not literally, we clearly make it up as we go along much more than that. 

Anyway, what better way is there to mark this milestone than by revealing the shortlist for the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2024.

That's right, over the next half an hour we'll be telling who the 2024 finalists are for the biggest awards in the kitchen and bathroom retail sector - and to keep the milestones coming, in 2024 we're celebrating our 30th birthday so who's in the running to pick up one of our legendary trophies in this anniversary year?

Huge thanks to our 2024 Awards Podcast Partner Sonas Bathrooms - you can find out all about them at sonasbathrooms.co.uk.

And you can book your tickets for the big awards event in March at kbbreview.com/awards

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Yes, the entries are closed and the first stage of judging is complete and that means the reveal of the shortlist for 2024 is imminent.

In fact, this episode is coming out on Monday, December the 11th as a little precursor for the big show on Thursday - that's December 14th.

That episode will be the first unveiling of the full rundown of finalists for the 2024 awards.That list won't be available anywhere else until the following week so if you want to know if you're on it, or you just want to know who the big names are then look out in the podcast feed.

You can find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube - just search 'kbbreview'...all one word. Or you'll be able to listen through kbbreview.com

But that's not all, not only is Thursday's episode the big shortlist reveal, it's also the last show of the year AND it's episode 200 of The kbbreview Podcast - it's almost as if we've planned it this way.

Today though, our amuse bouche of awards goodness is a reality interesting chat with one of last year's winners - Jamie Harding from the New Kitchen Retailer of the Year - Et Lorem in Reading - and one of our bathroom business judges - Sofia Charalambous from Origins Living. 

There's some great stuff in here about what it's like being a judge as well as what it's like being judged!

So kbbreview's George Dean meets them both,

Huge thanks as always to our 2024 Awards Podcast Partner Sonas Bathrooms, these special episodes wouldn't be possible without them! To find out more about them go to sonasbathooms.co.uk

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At a time when the economic outlook is uncertain at best, what lessons can we learn from 2023 and what are the educated guesses about what may happen in 2024. Where are the opportunities? Where are the pitfalls? And where will we be in a year's time?

In this episode we're talking to Steve Breen, the managing director of VitrA UK - a big bathroom brand of course that he took over just over a year ago.

So we went to see him at his office to see how his first full year been and how he sees 2024 playing out.

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At a time when the economic outlook is uncertain at best, what lessons can we learn from 2023 and what are the educated guesses about what may happen in 2024. Where are the opportunities? Where are the pitfalls? And where will we be in a years time?

In this episode we're talking to a hugely experienced guy who knows the kitchen sector inside out and that Dave Mayer, the commercial director of Reginox. He's seen it all come and go over the years so his view of 2024 will be fascinating to hear…

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At a time when the economic outlook is uncertain at best, what lessons can we learn from 2023 and what are the educated guesses about what may happen in 2024. Where are the opportunities? Where are the pitfalls? And where will we be in a years time?

In this episode we're talking to Alex Ainge from Cyncly - a company that has had a very eventful 2023 after the mergers of Compusoft and Virtual Worlds so we'll be asking him about, among other things, where technology will go in 2024.

You can also hear the other excellent podcast episodes we have done with Cyncly this year with the links below

The customer journey with Cyncly – part one

The customer journey with Cyncly – part two

The Cyncly story

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