Here are the most-read news stories published on kbbreview.com since the start of this year:

Most read story: Shock as Waterline announces sudden Crown closure

Published: September 4

It’s no surprise that arguably the biggest and most surprising news story of 2025 was also our most read article of the year, and it’s a narrative that all began here at the start of September. Many Crown Imperial retailers were told by sister distributor Waterline that the heritage kitchen brand had closed its doors effective immediately, leaving many dealers confused and clamouring for answers. However, as anyone who followed the story knows, in the end, it was Waterline that sadly closed for good, with Crown now trading directly with its retail partners.

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2: Wren loses 500 more staff amid £15m net loss

Published: October 6

A financial report from Wren’s parent company revealed that the UK retail giant had reduced its workforce by as much as 500 people in the last 12 months, in addition to a considerable £15m net loss in profits, too.

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3: Magnet Kitchens owner sees profits drop by almost 250%

Published: February 4

Near the start of the year, Nobia’s end of year results from 2024 disclosed that the Magnet parent company had seen a dizzying 250% drop in profits compared to the year before. Fortunately, in the months since, Magnet appears to be in the middle of a successful turnover, with its Q3 results showing a return to profitability for the first time in more than half a decade. Magnet’s UK head (at the time), George Dymond, also sat down with kbbreview to discuss the business’ recovery strategy for the cover interview for the July issue of kbbreview Magazine.

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4: Staff ‘in shock’ as Multiwood enters administration

Published: January 14

Kitchen components brand Multiwood was another company that unfortunately left the market in 2025, after it filed to appoint administrators in December 2024. Specialist administration firm FRP Advisory later said that “difficult trading conditions” and a “downturn in demand” were ultimately to blame to Multiwood’s end.

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5: Fired Earth collapses into administration

Published: November 3

Administrators were called in to handle the affairs of tile brand Fired Earth at the end of October, which also saw the company’s 133 employees being made redundant. The same week, a group of UK tile companies – including the well-known brand Ceramique Internationale – also filed to appoint administrators.

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6: ‘We’re NOT closed,’ insists Crown

Published: September 5

The day after news broke that Waterline had told Crown customers that the kitchen brand had closed, Crown Imperial MD Barry Head released a statement clarifying that the company had not, in fact, ceased trading and insisted that its factory was still fully operational. Needless to say, the conflicting reports from both companies further fuelled confusion for retailers.

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7: Birmingham kitchen retailer in shock after client attack

Published: September 12

Another of our most read news stories this year was about Onx Sandhu (pictured), a designer at Siros Kitchens, who spoke to kbbreview about how he was left living in fear after being threatened and assaulted by a prospective client. Sandhu recalled that the man contacted him about getting a quote for a new kitchen. However, the retailer chose to turn down the request, saying he had doubts about the potential client’s character – which eventually led to the violent episode months later.

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8: Waterline ceases trading and enters administration

Published: October 9

The loss of one of the biggest distributors in the entire kitchen industry was always going to have a huge impact, and there was an outpouring of tributes for Waterline’s business and staff after the business officially entered administration in October. Earlier this month, administrators revealed that a combination of poor market conditions and steep losses eventually caused the company to run out of road.

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9: International group acquires majority Symphony share

Published: April 19

Earlier this year, international holding company W&R Barnett acquired a majority shareholding in Symphony Group, saying it had plans to further strengthen the kitchen company’s position in the market.

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10: kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2025: The Winners

Published: April 25

And just like last year, it’s no surprise to see the article announcing the full list of winners from The kbbreview Retail & Design Awards became one of the most-read news stories of the year. In April, nearly 800 retailers, designers and industry leaders gathered at the iconic Tower Ballroom in Blackpool for a Strictly-themed celebration, and to see which lucky winners would take home a coveted trophy. And on a related note, you can also find out who’s made the shortlist for the 2026 awards this week too, in a special episode of The kbbreview Podcast.

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You can also find out what the most read opinion and in-depth articles of the year were, as well as the most popular episodes of The kbbreview Podcast too. And, along with our most-read lists, we’ve also compiled our personal list of the best “good news” stories from across the industry this year, too.