Fireclay sink brand Shaws of Darwen has announced a major price increase across its product portfolio, which one distributor has warned could be as high as 300%.
Speculation around the price surge began earlier this week, when retailers were alerted about the increase by Clearwater, who distributes Shaws’ products as part of its Sterling Brands portfolio.
Confirming to kbbreview today that a price increase was in fact on the way, Jonathan White, sales director EMEAA for Shaws’ parent company, Fortune Brands Innovations, said: “Following a comprehensive review of the Shaws business, we are introducing revised pricing in EMEAA from 1 November 2026. Over a number of years, Fortune Brands has absorbed a significant proportion of manufacturing and operating cost increases rather than fully passing these through to the market.
“Although pricing was adjusted last year, those measures did not go far enough to restore a sustainable commercial model. Current pricing therefore no longer reflects the true cost of manufacturing and supplying Shaws products.”
White continued: “Shaws fireclay sinks are manufactured in the UK using specialist techniques, with each sink individually cast, hand-finished and glazed. This labour-intensive process is central to the brand’s craftsmanship and forms an important part of its manufacturing cost base. We recognise that these increases are substantial and will significantly change the commercial proposition for our retail partners. This is a structural adjustment rather than a routine annual increase, and we understand that the revised model may not be appropriate for all customers and applications.
“Our decision is to continue offering Shaws branded products in EMEAA at pricing that reflects the true cost of manufacture and supply, rather than discontinue the brand in the region. Customers have been notified ahead of the changes taking effect on 1 November, and account managers are available to discuss the implications and support them through the transition. Existing warranties remain unchanged, and customers will continue to receive the high standards of service and support they expect from Shaws.”
In a formal letter sent to retailers this week – which has also been seen by kbbreview – Clearwater clarified that the pricing change “averages around 300%”, however this exact figure has not yet been officially confirmed or commented on by Shaws of Darwen itself.
Clearwater said it was “committed to ensuring that this decision by Shaws does not negatively impact our retailers”, and said it was doing everything it could to support its customer base. As part of that support, Clearwater says it will continue supplying stock already held within its warehouse at existing prices until those stocks are exhausted. However, once the existing stock had been depleted, any future orders would have to be supplied to retailers at the new much higher price.
Furthermore, once the existing stock has gone, Clearwater says it will no longer hold Shaws’ products as stock, and they will instead be supplied only as “special-order items”.
Clearwater’s specific advice to retail customers is to “work on the basis of the new pricing from November and to check availability before quoting or confirming orders at current prices”.
kbbreview has reached out to Shaws of Darwen for clarification on the claims that its price increase averages around 300%.