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Another bumper year for Howdens

Trade kitchen juggernaut Howdens has chalked up another bumper year with pre-tax profit 55% ahead of pre-covid levels.

Retail

Are you a designer who sells or a salesperson who designs?

In a typical KBB showroom, are the employees trained designers who sell, or are they salespeople who design?

Retail

Inside Village Bathrooms’ bold and charming showroom

Despite looking like a quaint cottage from the outside, Village Bathrooms’s is colourful and vibrant and packed with impressive displays

Retail

The art of selling yourself

Your showroom displays help sell your design skills and products to customers, but how do you get those customers into your store in the first place?

Retail

‘Retailers must make the most of ‘buying local’ mega trend’

More consumers are buying locally – a golden opportunity for independent retailers, says Trend-Monitor research director Jane Blakeborough.

Retail

Retailers: dare to be different

Jim Geddes, MD of award-winning kitchen retailer JS Geddes in Kilmarnock, looks ahead to 2023 with optimism and draws on his 38-year career in the industry to highlight the routes to success for retailers

Retail

‘A turbulent year ahead – remain optimistic but realistic’

BiKBBI CEO Damian Walters gives his predictions for 2023 – outlining where he believes the opportunities lie for independents and how to maximise them.

Retail

‘Independents have the flexibility to meet challenges head-on’

As bathroom retailer Aston Matthews approaches its 200th anniversary, owner Howard Birch considers what 2023 has in store for the industry.

Retail

‘Show customers you’re in control to instil confidence’

Though the outlook for 2023 may look uncertain there are still reasons for retailers to remain positive, as Richard Hibbert, KBSA national chair, points out

Retail

Magnet’s new approach to showroom design

Could Magnet’s new approach to showroom design and operation change the industry’s opinion of service and design standards offered by multiple retailers?

Retail

What are the optimal opening hours for KBB showrooms?

Deciding on the optimum opening hours can be tricky. Getting a happy medium between a good work-life balance for staff and not missing out on business is key.

Retail

Make shopping in-store memorable, encourages Rothley MD

Stuart Hobbs, the MD of metal hardware specialist Rothley UK, says retailers need to make store visits the best experience they can be to attract consumers who prefer bricks-and-mortar over online.

Retail

Et Lorem opens new immersive showroom

Located just off Reading high street, the brand new spacious and welcoming showroom by Et Lorem is an immersive experience for customers that engages every sense.

Retail

Could sky-high energy bills force retailer cutbacks and price increases?

As energy costs continue to rise, KBB showrooms are considering closing their showrooms for most of the week or even reducing staff if business dips and costs keep rising.

Retail

The kbbreview Podcast: S5 E10: How do you pay your staff?

This week we’re looking at a topic that affects every single retailer in the country – what and how do you pay your staff? In particular we’re looking at sales designers – do you pay low salary and high commission? Or high salary and low commission? And how do you even work out what that commission is going to be in the first place?

Retail

Rates relief scheme could cost retailers £1bn

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned that failure to fix the flawed business rates Transitional Relief system could cost retailers over £1 billion between 2023 and 2026.

Retail

Have the nationwide rail strikes affected the KBB industry?

The biggest train strike in over 30 years has caused mass disruption. KBB retailers report that the rail chaos had little effect on business.

Retail

Has the cost of living affected the home improvement market?

With the cost of living rising, the KBB and financial experts are undecided about whether this crisis will affect the home improvement boom.

Retail

Retail

Another bumper year for Howdens

Are you a designer who sells or a salesperson who designs?

Inside Village Bathrooms’ bold and charming showroom

The art of selling yourself

‘Retailers must make the most of ‘buying local’ mega trend’

Retailers: dare to be different

‘A turbulent year ahead – remain optimistic but realistic’

‘Independents have the flexibility to meet challenges head-on’

‘Show customers you’re in control to instil confidence’

Magnet’s new approach to showroom design

What are the optimal opening hours for KBB showrooms?

Make shopping in-store memorable, encourages Rothley MD

Et Lorem opens new immersive showroom

Could sky-high energy bills force retailer cutbacks and price increases?

The kbbreview Podcast: S5 E10: How do you pay your staff?

Rates relief scheme could cost retailers £1bn

Have the nationwide rail strikes affected the KBB industry?

Has the cost of living affected the home improvement market?

Most Read

Sheffield Sustainable Kitchens in administration

‘Jomoo saved the Poggenpohl brand’

Bradshaw Luxury Appliances in administration

New energy ratings and labels – what you need to know

Latest Articles

Most Read

Sheffield Sustainable Kitchens in administration￼

‘Jomoo saved the Poggenpohl brand’

Bradshaw Luxury Appliances in administration

New energy ratings and labels – what you need to know

Sheffield Sustainable Kitchens in administration