Owain Harrison, managing director, KBBG

How’s business compared with last year?

“There is little doubt that the market has been challenging but overall, it is stable. Our independent retail members remain resilient, and the brands that support them with innovation and confidence continue to outperform.

“Demand has become more considered, but when you add value, people still buy. Thanks to clever brand support from our supplier partners, members turnover was up in 2025, but we are very aware this is not shared everywhere. With our focus on being ‘stronger together’ we fully expect to continue to grow in 2026, both with sales to members from our current supplier partners, with new retail members to our growing community, and with an increase to our already fantastic base of suppliers.”

What are the main challenges facing the sector and how are you tackling them?

“We know that independent retailers with showrooms face continued margin pressure and erosion, compounded by a tough housing market and increasingly aggressive national competitors who want their space. Demanding rates and utility costs make real estate very expensive, and NI increases are affecting head counts.

“However, in amongst all this gloom, we have several positive solutions. When independent retailers join with us, they do not have to set up individual accounts with each of our partner suppliers. Instead, they can access many of the best brands in the market, with advantageous buying conditions – and they also achieve exclusive rebates when they purchase through the KBBG.

“We are also offering KBSA association and greater marketing support for our members. We are implementing new digital tools for 2026, with stronger supplier programmes, together with practical resources that are designed to make our members more profitable.

“The KBBG is dedicated to achieving the best outcomes for its members and we believe that when we work as a community, we are stronger together. So much so that we now have the help of our Advisory Board, comprised of independent retailer members who are all at the coalface of our industry. We also have a clear three and five-year business plan, and KBB Birmingham 2026 will be our most visible example of how we are enacting it.”