Verona marketing director, Katy Black
Q: What are the main challenges currently facing the KBB sector?
A: The cost of importing is probably our biggest challenge. With shipping prices remaining high due to the pandemic, as well as the cost of gas and raw materials increasing, this has had an understandable effect on the cost prices of our products.
Q: What’s your perspective on the home improvement boom? Do you expect it
to continue?
A: The home improvement market shows no signs of slowing down which is good news for the KBB market in general. It remains to be seen what happens when consumers decide to spend
their disposable income on holidays rather than home improvements.
Of course, there are always things we can do as an industry to improve this and one of the ways we can help the consumer to make their purchasing journey easier is through continued improvements in augmented reality technology so that the customer can visualise their rooms in the most realistic way possible. Giving the consumers the confidence to buy our products has to be the
way forward.
Q: How does it feel being back at social events like KBB and how important are they to the future of the industry?
A: We are really excited about KBB this year as it will be our first year as an exhibitor. Tiles and flooring are a huge consideration for consumers taking on a renovation, regardless of which room, so it makes total sense for retailers in this market to display coverings options as part of their offering.
Events like KBB are the best opportunity we have to show our customers our full range at one time, meet potential stockists and to network with our industry peers. We can’t wait!