In many years of visiting and supporting independent kitchen retailers, the Kitchen Bathroom Buying Group (KBBG) has had the privilege of witnessing the ways in which kitchen showrooms have changed in line with the needs of their customers. Bill Miller, Managing Director, KBBG, shares insights into these transformative changes, looks to the future for independent KBB specialists and provides practical advice for retailers to continue thriving in an ever-evolving market.
Often, the independent retailer channel is criticised for being slow to embrace change, however this is simply not true. Why would retailers not adapt in line with the requirements of their customers, when a missed sales opportunity means a loss of a much needed margin? There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to kitchen showrooms that works for everyone. Independent retailers know their market and their customers. One of the greatest strengths of independents is their independence. This allows them to be in control of their portfolio and offer their customers a huge choice of suppliers, styles, and finishes.
Post-Covid redefinition of kitchen displays
Like many things in life, Covid led to a profound change in kitchen showrooms. Leading up to Covid, the move had been towards ever larger ‘lifestyle’ kitchen displays, with showrooms replacing three or four displays with only one or two much larger layouts. Some smaller showrooms, following this fashion, ended up with only one super-sized kitchen display. However, this limited the choice available for their customers to see. Since Covid, although the need to present a full kitchen remains, displays have become smaller and more realistic, reflecting the size of an average UK kitchen.
Many typical kitchen layouts have been supplemented with displays including boot rooms and media units, which have become increasingly popular. This is driven by consumers undertaking a complete house renovation and looking for a one stop solution. Many kitchen suppliers have therefore extended their furniture offering to include a greater number of rooms, including living room furniture.
Return of colour and on-going reign of shaker doors
Colour has made a definite and much needed re-appearance, with soft pastels and wood tones replacing the harsher white and greys, which were popular a few years ago. The ubiquitous shaker door design remains as popular as ever. It has undergone subtle changes, going from a five-piece, wide frame design, in a smooth painted finish with a limited number of colour choices, to a solid frame, skinny shaker design in painted wood grain in an almost limitless, paint to order, colour choice. Most kitchen showrooms now offer both a contemporary, minimalist kitchen range, often from one of the international suppliers, and traditional painted finishes from one of the UK brands.
Smart home integration and future trends
So, what’s in store for the future? Although we have been talking about the rise of the smart home for many years now, the concept is becoming more popular, and kitchen displays of the future will undoubtedly incorporate smart home elements. I recently saw a brand new kitchen display, being installed in a showroom, that was made up of an island using a traditional painted shaker door design, supplied by one of the UK manufacturers, with the rest of the display in a contemporary, handleless, configuration from a German supplier. It may be a little too eccentric for many consumers, but it will be interesting to see if this mixing of suppliers becomes popular.
Lighting and design control: Two key recommendations
One recommendation, which I do not believe independent retailers are investing in sufficiently throughout their kitchen displays is good lighting. Some years ago, I had a demonstration on the impact that lighting can have on a kitchen display. I was in a showroom admiring a beautiful new kitchen display, which really drew my eye. However, when they switched off the subtle lighting elements around the display, suddenly this amazing display became dull, lifeless, and instantly forgettable. This is the impact that lighting can have, giving the opportunity to make even a basic display come alive
Another recommendation is to keep control of the display design. Too often I see displays designed by the kitchen manufacturer with little or no input from the retailer. You know your local market and customers far better than any kitchen company. What may suit a showroom in Munich will not necessarily work in Mansfield! Of course, take advice from the kitchen supplier, such as their best-selling doors and features etc., but make sure that you keep control of the finished design. Do not be persuaded to handover responsibility to the kitchen supplier as the finished result may well fall short of your expectations, which could leave you with a display that simply does not work for you or your customers.
For more information on the KBBG, call Bill Miller on 07887 247811, email b.miller@derkreis.co.uk or visit the website at www.kbbg.co.uk.
Ends
Image captions:
1. Bill Miller, Managing Director, KBBG
2. Alku kitchen furniture
About KBBG:
The Kitchen Bathroom Buying Group UK is an organisation set up to support the business of independent kitchen and bathroom specialists. Part of the renowned DER KREIS, Europe’s leading kitchen and bathroom buying group, the company has over 40 years of experience and a turnover in excess of five billion Euros. Currently operating in 12 countries, with over 4,000 members, DER KREIS provides a range of exclusive tailored benefits and services to support and increase the success of independent kitchen and bathroom specialists, helping them stay ahead of the competition and improving their margin.
For further press information and/or images please contact:
Tessa at jmm PR
E: tessa@jmmpr.co.uk
T: 01536 414555
29th October 2024
About jmm PR:
jmm PR is an award-winning kitchens and bathrooms PR agency that offers a range of bespoke and innovative marketing services that can make a real difference to your business.
With decades of experience and proven success in raising the profiles and awareness of brands and businesses, jmm PR has extensive public relations and commercial knowledge, which can effectively contribute to the growth of your business. In addition, services include writing press releases, proof reading and copywriting, plus campaign and event support, social media and influencer planning and marketing.
jmm PR offers solutions for businesses of all sizes, including PR packages designed to support SMEs in addition to annual press office management to complement marketing plans of larger organisations.
For more information, please visit the website www.jmmpr.co.uk or contact the team on 01536 414555 or contact@jmmpr.co.uk
