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  • Welcome to The kbbreview Podcast, your host is Andy Davies and this is Episode Three of Season 14.


    Today we're looking at something which asks a very difficult existential question of independent KBB retailers - do you ever think what might happen if you got into financial difficulty and couldn't finish your clients project?


    In particular, we're looking at whether or not retailers should have some kind of deposit protection insurance. In other words, something that means they will get back any money they've already given you if the worst happens.

    What is deposit protection insurance and who does it work?What are pros and cons? Why is it not more prevalent?How do you talk about it with customers without sounding like you're about to go bust?Given the sums of money involved, should it be mandatory?

    We're talking it through with Richard Hibbert from KSL in Sudbury - he's also chairman of the KBSA of course - and Nick Warrington from Stuart J Warrington in Macclesfield.



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  • Welcome to The kbbreview Podcast, your host today is editor-at-large Rebecca Nottingham and this is another of our very special Rising Star episodes where we meet the upcoming superstars of kitchen and bathroom retail all under the age of 30.


    Between August 2024 and March 2025 we’re picking a monthly Rising Star to feature in the magazine, online and this very podcast. Those eight monthly winners then become the shortlist for the overall winner which will be revealed at the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2025 in April.


    It's done with the support of our very good friends at Blum and you can find out more about them at blum.com…….and you can see all the Rising Stars so far at kbbreview.com/risingstar


    So here's our February Rising Star - Sonny Upton, lead maker at Shape London who is not only valued for his cabinet making skills but also as a passionate, versatile and reliable member of the team. 


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  • Welcome to The kbbreview Podcast, your host is Andy Davies as always and this is the second episode of Season 14.


    This week we've got a great, and very candid, interview with Sharon Wallis, the UK head of one of most iconic and longest-established kitchen furniture brands you can find - Poggenpohl.


    It has a long pedigree, of course, established as it was in 1892 in Germany by Friedemir Poggenpohl but its recent history has been a little more tumultuous. 


    In 2020 at the height of the pandemic it filed for insolvency in Germany and, after a scrappy and uncertain sales process, it was eventually bought by Chinese firm, Jomoo.


    So, kicking off with both a lockdown AND the insolvency of the German parent, finance director Sharon Wallis took over as the new MD. A baptism of fire for anyone.


    But Poggenpohl in the UK has always been a steady ship and, in fact, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024. It is, of course, both a retailer in its own right, and a supplier to other independents.


    So, what was it like taking over at that time, how is current performance, how do you balance both retail and supply and what is it like being a female senior business leader in an industry still dominated by men?


    Our kbbreview editor-at-large Rebecca Nottingham went to meet her at their Hampstead showroom….



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  • Welcome to The Kbbreview Podcast and another special episode all about the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2025.


    Your host as always is Matt Baker and today we’re going to shine a spotlight on the design categories and take another look into the minds of our design judges to see what they thought of this year’s entries, what themes they spotted, and how much they get out of the process themselves.


    We caught up with them at the end of the finalists presentation days. This is when they get to quiz all the designers on their shortlisted projects and find out all the details so what are the trends that came through, and just what difference does it make to talk directly to them?


    Before that, a huge thank you needs to go out to our 2025 Awards Podcast Partner, Sonas Bathrooms - it’s great to have their continued support. an you can find out all about them at sonasbathrooms.co.uk .


    The awards event is at the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom on April 24th and it is SOLD OUT. So if you still want to come, you’ll have to join our waiting list. Go to kbbreview.com/awards for full details.


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  • Welcome to The kbbreview Podcast and after a Christmas break that has somehow reached the end of February we are back with a brand new season.


    It's Season 14 and we'll be with you right up to the end of April but in this first episode we're taking a look at an issue thornier than a garden full of brambles - and that's paying for displays.

    Who do YOU think should foot the bill - the retailer or the supplier?Why do some brands offer 'free' displays and others not?What are the pros and cons for the retailer? And if they're paying, how much control should brands therefore have on what you display?Are suppliers fundamentally underestimating the value of showroom real estate and, for that matter, exactly how retailers use those displays to sell?

    We're talking it all through with Tina Riley from Modern Homes, Lisa Kyme from Ripples London, and Gary Nolan from marketing agency Pure Visibility.


    The kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2025 event on April 24th in the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom is SOLD OUT. However, you can go on our waiting list by emailing [email protected]


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  • Welcome to The kbbreview Podcast and another of our very special Rising Star episodes where we meet the upcoming superstars of kitchen and bathroom retail all under the age of 30.


    Your host is editor-at-large Rebecca Nottingham and between August 2024 and March 2025 we’re picking a monthly Rising Star to feature in the magazine, online and this very podcast. Those eight monthly winners then become the shortlist for the overall winner which will be revealed at the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2025 in April.


    It's done with the support of our very good friends at Blum and you can find out more about them at blum.com…….and you can see all the Rising Stars so far at kbbreview.com/risingstar


    So let's meet our Rising Star for January Victoria Mich, senior design at Chisholm Design in Surrey. Despite only being in the industry a few years herself, Victoria has already become a mentor for new team members....


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  • Welcome to the latest of our special awards episodes of The kbbreview Podcast all about the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2025.


    Last month, right before the festive break, we announced the shortlist and so today we’re talking to some of those finalists to hear a little bit about why they entered and what it means to them ahead of the second stage of judging.


    We have for New Kitchen Retailer Of The Year finalists Andy Barwell from Turnwell Kitchens in Chichester and a finalist in not one, not two, but all three of the bathroom design categories, Sophie Harrold from Simply Bathrooms in Surbiton.


    Before that, a huge thank you needs to go out to our awards podcast partner, Sonas Bathrooms - it’s great to have their continued support, as between now and the event on Thursday, April 24, at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom we'll be bringing you MORE special bonus episodes, all about the awards, and celebrate the very best talent our industry has to offer.


    You can find out everything you need to know about our awards podcast sponsor at sonasbathrooms.co.uk.


    Don't forget that there are still tickets left for the industry’s biggest awards. Just think, if you had the chance to spend quality time in a room full of the UK’s most successful independent kitchen and bathroom retailers, what opportunities could you create for yourself and your company?


    Whether it’s to represent your brand, entertain key clients, network with industry leaders and influencers, leverage social media to showcase your attendance and amplify your visibility, or simply to have fun and support independent retail after a year of ups and downs – you can book your place by going to kbbreview.com/awards.



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  • Welcome to the very special episode of The kbbreview Podcast where we will reveal the full shortlist for the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2025.


    Your hosts are kbbreview's Matt Baker and Andrew Davies and they will exclusively announce who the finalists are for all our design and retail categories. YOU won't get this list anywhere else until next week so don't miss it!


    Huge thanks to our Awards Podcast Partner for 2025 Sonas Bathrooms, we couldn't do these special awards episodes without their support.


    The gala black tie event where we announce the winners is on Thursday, April 24 at the iconic Tower Ballroom in Blackpool. If you want to be at the biggest KBB party of the year then book your tickets now as there is a limited capacity.


    You can find out all you need to know about the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2025 at our website kbbreview.com/awards including how to book your seats and tables.


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  • Welcome to The kbbreview Podcast, your host is editor-at-large Rebecca Nottingham for another of our very special Rising Star episodes where we meet the upcoming superstars of kitchen and bathroom retail.  


    Between August 2024 and March 2025 we’ll be picking a monthly Rising Star to feature in the magazine, online and this very podcast. Those eight monthly winners then become the shortlist for the overall winner which will be revealed at the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2025 in April.


    It's done with the support of our very good friends at Blum and you can find out more about them at blum.com


    There are only two rules:


    They must be currently employed by a retailer - which we're defining as a company that sells direct to the consumer.

    AND

    They must be under 30 years of age on March the 4th, 2025. 


    So here's our Rising Star for December, Izzy Huxford. She's a hugely impressive bathroom designer from Wilton Studios in Grimsby demonstrating real drive and passion - exactly what the Rising Star is all about…



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  • Welcome to The kbbreview Podcast and another of our very special Insights mini-series looking ahead to 2025. Your host is Andy Davies and we've partnered up with some key kitchen and bathroom brands to get their take on 2024 as it draws to a close AND their views on how the market might shape up in 2025.


    Where are the opportunities? Where is the growth? What might be the pitfalls? And where is the focus for them?


    It's an invaluable peak into the 2025 plans, ambitions and goals of some of the sector's most dynamic brands.


    Today we're meeting Andrew Laidler, the UK and Ireland Sales and Marketing Director for for EGGER. They're about as big a name as it's possible to get in this market so hearing Andrew's view and thoughts on what 2025 might bring couldn't be more relevant.


    You can find out everything you need to know about EGGER at egger.com.


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  • Welcome to The kbbreview Podcast and another of our very special Insights mini-series looking ahead to 2025. Your host is Andy Davies and we've partnered up with some key kitchen and bathroom brands to get their take on 2024 as it draws to a close AND their views on how the market might shape up in 2025.


    Where are the opportunities? Where is the growth? What might be the pitfalls? And where is the focus for them?


    It's an invaluable peak into the 2025 plans, ambitions and goals of some of the sector's most dynamic brands.


    Today we're meeting Jon Thelwell, the sales and marketing director for family-owned British furniture manufacturer JJO. It's a big name with a big history with independent retailers so Jon's views on 2025 are invaluable so don't miss it.


    You can find out everything you need to know about JJO at jjoplc.com



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  • Welcome to The kbbreview Podcast and another of our very special Insights mini-series looking ahead to 2025. I'm Andy Davies and we've partnered up with some key kitchen and bathroom brands to get their take on 2024 as it draws to a close AND their views on how the market might shape up in 2025.


    Where are the opportunities? Where is the growth? What might be the pitfalls? And where is the focus for them?


    It's an invaluable peak into the 2025 plans, ambitions and goals of some of the sector's most dynamic brands.


    Today we're meeting Dean Williams, the managing director for sinks, taps, and accessories supplier The 1810 Company. They're a big name in the UK independent retail market so Dean's views on what 2025 might hold are about as relevant as it gets.


    You can find out everything you need to know about The 1810 Company at the1810company.co.uk, and that link is in the episode description.



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  • Welcome to The kbbreview Podcast and another of our very special Insights mini-series looking ahead to 2025. We've partnered up with some key kitchen and bathroom brands to get their take on 2024 as it draws to a close AND their views on how the market might shape up in 2025.


    Where are the opportunities? Where is the growth? What might be the pitfalls? And where is the focus for them?


    It's an invaluable peak into the 2025 plans, ambitions and goals of some of the sector's most dynamic brands.


    Today we're meeting Neal Jones, the managing director of Blanco in the UK. They're one of the biggest names in the sector so Neal's view on the market is about as relevant as it gets when it comes to forecasting what 2025 might bring so you don't want to miss this one.


    You can find out everything you need to know about Blanco at blanco.co.uk



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  • Welcome to The kbbreview Podcast and the first episode of this very special Insights mini-series looking ahead to 2025. We've partnered up with some key kitchen and bathroom brands to get their take on 2024 as it draws to a close AND their views on how the market might shape up in 2025.


    Where are the opportunities? Where is the growth? What might be the pitfalls? And where is the focus for them?


    It's an invaluable peak into the 2025 plans, ambitions and goals of some of the sector's most dynamic brands.


    We've got episodes coming out every day this week and we're starting today with ARMERA.


    ARMERA has an extensive coordinated bathroom portfolio that brings affordable luxury with a real detail in the design and you can find out all about them at armera.co.uk.


    They're a very exciting company to watch in this market and we'll be hearing their views on 2025 from joint managing director Sarah Williams.



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  • Welcome to The Kbbreview Podcast and another of our special episodes around the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2025.


    This month’s episode is a peek behind the curtain of the awards, as we have a chat with some of the judges, both in the retail business categories and the design categories. We’ll find out about the approach to judging and interpreting the criteria, and what the judges expect from the 2025 awards in particular.


    A huge thank you needs to go out to our awards podcast partner, Sonas Bathrooms - it’s great to have their support, as between now and the event on Thursday, April 24, at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom we'll be bringing you MORE special bonus episodes where we'll really get under the skin of the awards and celebrate the very best talent our industry has to offer.


    In fact, we'll be revealing the shortlist itself in a very special episode of this podcast just before Christmas!


    In any case, for more information on the awards and booking tables, you can go to kbbreview.com/awards.


    On with the show!


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  • Welcome to The kbbreview Podcast, your host is editor-at-large Rebecca Nottingham and this is another of our very special Rising Star episodes where we meet the upcoming superstars of kitchen and bathroom retail.  


    Between August 2024 and March 2025 we’ll be picking a monthly Rising Star to feature in the magazine, online and this very podcast. Those eight monthly winners then become the shortlist for the overall winner which will be revealed at the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2025 in April.


    It's done with the support of our very good friends at Blum and you can find out more about them at blum.com.


    You can nominate your rising stars, or indeed nominate yourself, via the awards website kbbreview.com/awards and there are only two rules:


    They must be currently employed by a retailer - which we're defining as a company that sells direct to the consumer.

    AND

    They must be under 30 years of age on March the 4th, 2025. 

    Other than that, they can perform any job role within your business – admin, design, sales, finance, installation, we don’t mind as long as they’re a star!


    So let's meet our Rising Star for November, Alistair Glover. After starting out on the supply side, he became fascinated by kitchen design, eventually joining retailer Alexander in Sussex and in the space of just two impressive years, he's gone from designer to showroom manager. Here's his story…


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  • Welcome to the kbbreview Podcast and this is Episode Ten and the last official episode of Season 13.


    Season 14 will officially start in the New Year but we'll actually be back in December with a special mini-series looking ahead to 2025 AND, of course, the now legendary episode where we reveal the shortlist for the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2025 (entries close on November 14th!)


    In this episode we're meeting two of our 2024/25 Adopted Retailers - you may have seen this in the magazine and online but we're following three independent retailers over the next 12 months as they embark on new endeavours in their businesses. The ins and outs, the ups and downs and everything in between as we map the very real experiences of independent KBB retailers. 


    In this episode we're meeting Joe Kardani, the co-founder of Point 5 Kitchens in North London. After opening their first showroom in Muswell Hill  in 2016, they're in the middle of developing their second showroom just down the road in Belsize Park.


    Then we have Olivia Weaver, aged just 25, she and her husband are starting a brand new retail business in Shropshire called Harrison James after several years on the tools.


    Our third Adopted Retailer is the equally interesting  Leamington Kitchen Company in Leamington Spa and you can read their first installment here and we'll meet them on a podcast further down the line.


    All this is made possible by our Adopted Retailer Partner Alku, the exciting new range of Kitchen, Bedroom and Lifestyle furniture, created with the designer in mind. We're delighted to have them on board for this and you can find out everything you need to know about them, including how to become a dealer, at alku.co.uk.


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  • Welcome to The kbbreview Podcast, your host is Andy Davies and this is Episode Nine of Season 13.


    Today we're delving back into the mysteries of the brain with another look at the psychology of you and your clients and, in particular, the effect of unconscious bias on how you view them and they view you.


    Does the car they drive, the clothes they wear or the haircut they have mean that you form opinions on them the moment they come through the showroom door?


    Or, more worryingly, is the same true for their gender, race or age too?


    The answer, according to our guest - retail psychology expert Phillip Adcock - is an uncomfortable yes to all of them no matter what you might say. Hundreds of thousands of years of evolution have made you instantly judge everyone you meet and these unconscious prejudices are constantly battling with your conscious desire to treat everyone the same.


    His view is that the more you're aware of how people's unconscious minds work - both yours and your clients - the more successful you can be in selling your services. And that could mean accepting some uncomfortable truths and actively consciously choosing to go against them.


    And don't forget that entries close for the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2025 on November 14. Find out everything you need to know at kbbreview.com/awards.


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  • Welcome to The kbbreview Podcast, your host is Andy Davies as always and today we're asking the most fundamental and simple question that usually doesn't have an easy answer  - how's business?


    The market has been really poor for some time - you don't need me to tell you that - but what are the nuances within it, what are the different perspectives on why that might be, what are the positive signs of recovery and what's going to happen in the short to medium term?


    September and October always bring the KBSA Conference and the Bathroom Manufacturers Association Conference and they're perfect places to grab those in the know to get a snapshot of opinion on where the market is.


    So we grabbed some willing volunteers and asked them that question - how's business?


    Entries for the kbbreview Retail and Design Awards 2025 are now open but the clock is ticking as we're closing them at 5pm on November the 14th - and we won't be extending that.


    We have categories for kitchen and bathroom designs at different project costs, we have Showroom of the Year, Retailer of the Year, Installation Company of the Year, Supplier Team of the Year, New Retailer of the Year and our Rising Star Award for those in KBB retail under 30. In other words we've got something for everyone and it's totally FREE to enter so you've got nothing to lose. 


    Everything you need to know is at kbbreview.com/awards



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  • Welcome to The kbbreview Podcast, you host today is editor-at-large Rebecca Nottingham and this is another of our very special Rising Star episodes where we meet the upcoming superstars of kitchen and bathroom retail.  


    Between August 2024 and March 2025 we’ll be picking a monthly Rising Star to feature in the magazine, online and this very podcast. Those eight monthly winners then become the shortlist for the overall winner which will be revealed at the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2025 in April.


    It's done with the support of our very good friends at Blum and you can find out more about them at blum.com


    You can nominate your rising stars, or indeed nominate yourself, via the awards website kbbreview.com/awards and there are only two rules:


    They must be currently employed by a retailer - which we're defining as a company that sells direct to the consumer.

    AND

    They must be under 30 years of age on March the 4th, 2025. 


    Other than that, they can perform any job role within your business – admin, design, sales, finance, installation, we don’t mind as long as they’re a star!


    So here's our Rising Star for October, Luke Niblett from Luxe Kitchen Designs. He started out as a cabinet maker but decided he wanted to run his own business and, before he's even 30, he's managed to not just do that but do it very successfully…


    See our other Rising Stars at kbbreview.com/risingstar


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