With its open-plan layout, bold displays, and a focus on customer experience, Kesseler says its new Exeter showroom is shaking up expectations of what a kitchen retailer can be. The new 1,400 sq ft space is designed to stand out among the competition, both in its location and its execution.

“We’re in an area of Exeter called Marsh Barton, which is a big trading estate, and that’s where every kitchen company in Exeter is,” explains Nick Dolling, head of franchise growth and operations. “It’s unusual for our stores to be in a trading estate as we tend to be more in the high street.”

The reason this location was chosen was down to its reputation locally for being an area for kitchen showrooms. The showroom’s layout is a deliberate departure from the norm. Rather than cramming in as many displays as possible, the team opted for five spacious kitchen displays and a dedicated presentation area, all visible from a central table.

“We tried to create an open feel to the space, which allows you to really see the displays,” says Dolling. “It would have been possible to double up the number of displays in the showroom and use extra division walls to create lots of small bays. We decided to go in a completely different direction.”

The displays themselves showcase Kesseler’s flexibility, from ultra-modern to traditional, all manufactured in-house. “Although we’re one furniture supplier, we can do ultra modern, up to fully in-frame, and in the British tradition. So that is quite unusual,” Dolling says. The Exeter showroom also features a broad mix of appliances, with four different brands on display, reflecting the franchise’s commitment to individuality and choice.

Attention to detail is a hallmark of the new space. Dolling is quick to praise the franchisee’s fit and finish: “This is the best one I’ve ever seen in terms of the quality of fitting.” The finish is an important aspect of the showroom as it highlights the craftsmanship and expertise that is applied to client projects.

With no immediate plans for expansion, the focus is firmly on making the most of the new space and serving the region’s discerning clientele.