kbbreview-industry-awards-2011-08-showroom-bathroom

What The Bathroom Company says:

“We want our customer to feel comfortable and confident that they’ve found just the right team to trust into their home and deliver their dream bathroom. Our showroom strategy is to offer our clients a relaxing, welcoming and inspirational environment. With over 50 lifestyle displays, we feel confident that we can meet the vaying needs of our customers. ”

The only bathroom finalist in both this category and the Master Retailer Award for Bathrooms, The Bathroom Company in Perth has a large showroom at 4,500sq ft, extended in 2009, and with 20% of trade coming from passing business the roomsets and window displays are crucial. There are 50 displays in total, all designed in lifestyle settings. Products and dressing have been chosen to match different client groups and demonstrate installation quality. There are also consultation areas and working displays including exclusive products for the area. The design area also includes refreshment facilities as well as a space for the children to play when the parents are busy in the sales process.

Only established a year ago, Plug says its ethos is ‘creating bathrooms that fit into a lifestyle and not just a room dimension’ and its showroom epitomises that approach. It designed the showroom specifically to be a local landmark, with the architecture reflecting the brand values. Downstairs are the aspirational showcase displays and the working spa area while on the first floor is an open plan design that lets the customer see a selection of products at once rather than the restriction of room sets. The sales area is actually a large bespoke table where the client and designer can sit together. There is also a space dedicated to ‘finishing touches’ with a full selection of materials and finishes so that Plug can make sure every little detail is covered.

When Plumbase acquired a longestablished plumbing and heating merchant, Thompson’s, in Redruth it inherited a kitchen and bathroom showroom in separate locations. The company decided to close the kitchen store and relocate the plumbers merchant and bathroom showroom to a new industrial unit. The business was also rebranded as Reflections Plumbase and the resulting showroom is an impressive example of a multiple merchant growing and learning from experienced bathroom studios. The new showroom has already doubled the volume of business since it was opened and regularly attracts specifiers and architects who involve showroom staff in the projects.

Originally based in nearby Mount Street, Ripples relocated its Mayfair store to the famous Wigmore Street three years ago. Despite its address, the showroom is actually small at 1,345sq ft set over two floors but it manages to still look and feel as sophisticated as its surroundings. Lisa Kyme, the daughter of Ripples founders Roger and Sandra Kyme, operates the showroom as a franchise. She manages to squeeze a variety of displays from well-known manufacturers as well as bespoke furniture, stone and glass designed by her and her team of two designers. The showroom also has two working shower displays, waterproof TV and working steam enclosure.