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Today we’re talking about the big national kitchen and bathroom retailers and why a customer might choose one over you the independent…
It would be easy to spend this episode agreeing that independents offer better service, better design and better everything else than the big national chains. But how much of that is based on knowing what the competition actually does, and how much is what we like to tell ourselves?
This week, our retailer panel looks at the choice through the customer’s eyes. A familiar name, a finance deal or a showroom they feel comfortable wandering into can all be persuasive. Meanwhile, your beautiful independent showroom might have someone outside thinking: “I can’t afford that.”
How much do independents really know about the nationals’ products, prices and service? What do the big chains do well, and are the things independents consider their greatest strengths the things customers actually care about?
Entries are open for the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2027 but time is running out! They close at 5pm on Thursday, November 12 and we have categories for the best retailers, showrooms, designers, rising stars, unsung heroes and supplier teams. It’s totally FREE to enter and you can find out everyhing you need to know at kbbreview.com/awards.