Credit crunch? What credit crunch?

19 November 2008

As always we've had a pretty hectic few weeks putting the next issue of kbbreview together and for me that meant getting out and about meeting people in the industry. We like to interact with our readers as much as possible, so I welcomed the opportunity to meet some retailers and get the lowdown on what's really going on in this sector of the industry.

My first visit was to meet the owners of a relatively new kitchen showroom, based on the outskirts of Liverpool, in Bootle. Magnum Opus is run by the McCabe family. Father and son, Mario and Daniel, are stone masons by trade and the purpose built Magnum Opus showroom was opened up on the site right next door to the original family business, Ferazzi Marble, in January this year. Daniel McCabe told me that their aim had been to "create something that would make people say 'wow' when they walk in here" and I can honestly say that they've achieved what they set out to do.

For my second visit of the month I headed off to 'Bas Vegas', or Basildon, as it's more commonly known, to meet Colin Harvey and Simon Tristram owners of the Manor Design kitchen studio. In contrast to Magnum Opus, Manor Design was started over 40 years ago and is a well established business in the area. The showroom locations couldn't be further apart either with manor design located on the ground floor of a 1950s office block. However hidden behind the building's less than appealing faade is an intriguing showroom full of over 27 kitchen, bedroom and bathroom displays.

Our showroom visits tend to have a very similar itinerary and after a nose around the displays and an in depth chat to the owner about layouts and company history, it doesn't take long for talk to turn to the more serious side of business. Here at kbbreview we always want to know the insiders view of the industry; what's really happening and how retailers are doing, and considering the current economic crisis we're facing I was expecting the worst.

Considering the regional differences and the big age gap, in terms of how long each showroom has been established, I was expecting to hear a slightly different story from both retailers. I was, however, positively surprised that the mood in both stores was surprisingly confident and upbeat.

Both showrooms seem well prepared for what are destined to be a tough few months ahead. They both have guaranteed work up until after the Christmas holiday and well into the New Year and the general consensus from both company's is that, at the mid to high end of the market at least, 'the money is still out there and people are still spending, you just have to work a bit harder to secure business.'

Aside from the major differences between the two showrooms they do have one important thing in common. Both showrooms are owned out right, putting them in a perfect position to weather the 'financial storm' ahead. Great news for Manor Design and Magnum Opus, but I can't help wondering whether it will be the same story for kbb retailers, all over the UK, who don't find themselves in the same privileged position.

Rebecca@kbbreview.com

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