Bodie Kelay, managing director, Euromobel/Sachsenküchen UK
Q: How’s business compared with last year?
A: The new year has started very positively, and we are looking forward to working with new retailers and building on the success of the Sachsenküchen launch in March 2023. A year on, the German kitchen brand has given us the opportunity to explore new avenues, create new relationships and develop our existing retailer network. As a KBB trade specialist, we provide retailers with a premium kitchen, bathroom, and appliance portfolio to help them personalise their offering to clients.
Q: How do you view the health of the UK KBB market? How can the industry improve it?
A: As in any industry, there are always peaks and troughs, although the KBB sector has always shown a great deal of resilience to the challenges, especially in recent years. In my opinion, professionally and personally it’s a rolling ‘health check’, and as a sector it’s important to take time to step away periodically to ensure you are on track. Events such as kbb Birmingham are the perfect platform for new collaborations, an industry meeting place for everyone to engage and discuss how to overcome the issues of the day.
Q: How do you think the relationship between supplier and retailer is changing?
A: In the past decade, I have seen the role of the manufacturer organically develop from supplier to partner. Today’s relationship is all about offering a stronger supporting role to retailers. As a KBB trade supplier, we work closely with all our retailers to encourage them to carve out their specialist niche in the upper-mid market, this has been especially important in recent years.
Q: If you were opening a retail showroom in this market, what would your strategy be?
A: At the heart of any independent retail showroom is a portfolio of trusted suppliers, supporting you on an exciting journey to launch your new venture. It’s essential to take time out to visit manufacturers’ showrooms, ensuring the products and people behind the brand will work successfully within your business. As a KBB specialist who has been in the industry for over 35 years and worked with hundreds of retailers, my mantra has always been ‘people buy from people’. It’s crucial to deliver the best customer showroom experience through personal service and offer a differentiated high-quality product to stand out from the crowd.