Exhibitors interviews: Bill Miller, managing director, Der Kreis, Kitchen and Bathroom Buying Group (KBBG)
Q: Why are trade shows such as this one important for your business?
A: The kbb show is the most relevant exhibition for the audience we wish to reach and is a superb opportunity to see all our members and industry colleagues under one roof. It is the one time, every couple of years, that kitchen and bathroom specialists have an opportunity to see what has changed in the industry, as well as visit manufacturers’ stands and see the new products on display. It is the most comprehensive exhibition for our target market in the UK and we look forward to welcoming our members, guests and visitors to our stand.
Q: How do you view the health of the UK KBB market? In what ways could it improve and how can the industry improve it?
A: Times are always challenging regardless of economical and/or political debate. The entrepreneurial independent kitchen and bathroom specialist is continually challenged in every sense. The ability to change and survive the market’s twists and turns makes for a businesses’s continued success. The KBBG is ready, available and there to help and support every aspect of independent kitchen and bathroom specialist businesses, with the raft of supporting benefits available through the membership of the organisation.
For example, in October 2019, the KBBG launched an exclusive consumer finance scheme for its members supported by Retracare and backed by Hitachi Capital. Whether the business needs to find a new supplier, has been let down by a manufacturer, or the business simply wants more support to market it stronger and more competitively, the KBBG is on hand to help.
Q: How do you think the relationship between supplier and customer is changing?
A: The industry is changing. The traditional trading boundaries between supplier, retailer and consumer have all become exceedingly blurred. The incessant increase of internet sales, and the race to ever cheaper prices, has led some suppliers to take the significant step of by-passing the retailer network completely and selling directly to the consumer.
The entrepreneurial specialist, who believes in driving their business, will be seeking the best support, advice and resources to maximise every business opportunity. The KBBG promotes and protects each specialist’s independence while offering the choice of purchase from the best kitchen and bathroom suppliers from around the UK and Europe.
Buying groups are common practice in a multitude of industries and markets, particularly those where a large number of independent businesses operate. The presence of buying groups, across a variety of industries, demonstrates the success of the business model.
The KBBG is part of a well-established business model in Europe, Der Kreis. The aim is very simple – to create a strong and sustainable independent channel to enable all of our members to achieve their full business potential.
For an independent kitchen and bathroom retailer, there has never been a better time to join a buying group – there is strength and greater protection in working together.