Kitchen and bathroom product market growth driven by new builds

The UK kitchen and bathroom product market has seen growth, mainly driven by house-building, new data has revealed.

The latest Kitchen and Bathroom Products in the Housebuilding Market Report – UK 2016-2020 Analysis by AMA Research, has shown that the market for kitchen and bathroom products increased by 12% in 2015, reaching a value in excess of £700 million.

This has reflected steady improvement in the UK economy, consumer confidence levels and ‘significant’ growth in house-building, accounting for 13% of the overall UK kitchen and bathroom products market in 2015.

Kitchen appliances made up the largest sector of the kitchen and bathroom products market in the house builders market, with a 40% share by value. Other key product sectors  included kitchen furniture, worktops, sinks and tapware, bathroom products and show products.

Throughout 2014 and 2015, market conditions have been steadily improving with house-building levels showing good growth, which in turn has supported new build kitchen sales via contractors, developers, distributors and merchants.

Key trends in new build kitchens included a focus on layout and design, the growing popularity of kitchen-diners, growing demand for ‘hotel-style’ quality interiors, increasing focus on durability, and increasing usage of well-known reputable brands of kitchen appliances.

In the new build bathroom sector, key trends included, a continued trend towards two or more bathrooms or an en suite, increasing investment in quality fixtures and fittings offering longevity and luxury, minimalist designs, ‘future-proofing’ of bathrooms so they can be easily adapted for an ageing UK population, increasing popularity of wet rooms, and higher usage of digital technology in the premium sector.

With the growing proportion of flats and apartments expected in the longer term and smaller bathrooms and kitchens in the UK, the report forecasts that there will be a continuing demand for space-saving solutions, such as wall-hung sanitaryware, kitchen storage, slimline appliances and compact bathroom furniture.

Keith Taylor, director of AMA Research, said: “The new housing sector continued to recover until mid-2016, underpinned by mortgage assistance schemes such as Help to Buy, a more buoyant economy and undersupply for a number of years, however, the referendum decision to leave the EU has resulted in some economic uncertainty and house builders are likely to remain cautious. Consequently, this may result in a lower level of housing starts in 2017, which will affect volume sales of bathroom and kitchen products into the new housing sector.”

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