How’s business compared with last year?

“There is a lot of good news being reported regarding the frequency of bathroom renovations increasing, as we head into 2026. With inflation slowly dropping and talk of interest rates starting to decline, there is cautious optimism that 2026 could see some growth in the bathroom market.

“The wall panel market in particular is set to continue year on year growth compared to traditional bathroom products. Cost of living stresses remain present, so consumers are interested in any product or solution that either reduces their budget or makes their budget go a little bit further.”

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

“The market, as a whole, needs to be ready to respond and meet the rapid response times consumers are used to across all aspects of daily life. Working with suppliers that manufacture in the UK and have strong stockholding capability can help to alleviate some of these pressures. The skills gap remains a challenge, with the BIFIS reporting that two thirds of KBB installers now fall between 45-64 years of age.

“This is driving up demand for easy-fit bathroom products that make it faster and simpler for bathroom renovations to be completed. To help support this, we understand the importance of providing increased support for installers through assets such as step-by-step guides or installation videos.”