Grahame's KBB blog

I agree fully with the comments above. At the mome...

2011-04-04T17:01:02.785+01:00

I agree fully with the comments above. At the moment our sales are growing but only because we are working on small margins and adverting heavily.
We have only been trading for 2 years in this industry and it is hard work but we have managed to push net margin from 10% to 14% and turnover will approach £5m this year.
I spend much of my days reading the industry magazines and being told by various sales reps that business is gloomy but this is not the case. Many businesses in this sector are either to large or to old to change or react to market conditions.

There are opportunities out there its just that some companies have grown fat and stale hence that amount of large manufacturers, distributors and showrooms which have gone out of business in the past 2-3 years.

BS

Grahame, We were thrilled to see the comment from ...

2010-08-12T07:40:13.757+01:00

Grahame,
We were thrilled to see the comment from Mike Brierley to your blog of 5th August – Bring Me Sunshine?
Why were we thrilled? Well, the more we can get the nation asking and talking about water efficiency in the home the better!
The Bathroom Manufacturers Association – The Voice of the Industry - has been leading the push for Water and Energy Efficient Bathrooms for the last few years and its work is now recognised by government and non-governmental organisations such DEFRA, CLG, Waterwise and the Energy Saving Trust. There are others.
Spearheading our campaign is the award-winning Water Efficient Product Labelling Scheme and we’d like to point Mike in its direction at www.water-efficiencylabel.org.uk/ Here Mike can browse a database of water efficient bathroom products which are the best in the business. All the 1000+ products listed can be regarded as future proof and all are leading edge in water saving technology. Furthermore using water wisely, and particularly hot water, also means great energy savings and lower fuel bills will result. So these would be the best products to offer his customers.
Further advice can be found on The BMA website at www.bathroom-association.org where a factsheet, Lets Use Water Wisely, can be downloaded to help his customers understand how bathrooms can play a major part in saving water in the home.
Yvonne Orgill, chief executive, BMA

Hi Grahame, Your post mentions a survey has been c...

2010-08-06T10:44:10.036+01:00

Hi Grahame,
Your post mentions a survey has been carried out. Has anybody written any good advice or ideas on this subject yet? I am a plumber with a loyal customer base and I would like to make sure that when I am doing work for them that I can offer them a alternative solution not only that is a "fix" today but would help "future-proof" as we go.

Considering the majority would classify the occupa...

2010-05-10T14:30:05.167+01:00

Considering the majority would classify the occupants of Downing Street as 'a shower' at best of times, maybe no need to change that bit.

Michael, I don't know how long it is since you...

2010-03-29T16:43:21.455+01:00

Michael, I don't know how long it is since you were at a KBBshow, but in the last two years the industry has gone through the worst recession in the last 50 years so it is little wonder that some of the 'key brands" were missing from this year's show.

However, over 300 exhibitors were at the show and these included key brands such as: Scavolini - Italy's largest kitchen furniture company; Crown, possibly the leading supplier of kitchen furniture to UK independents; Electrolux, a world leader in appliances; Twyford, Laufen, Roca, and Pegler, market leaders in bathroom equipment; etc, etc.

You say that you "think the show has become an opportunity for the little man to punt his wares". Is that such a bad thing? While we all like to see the big brands with their big stands - although few would have bigger or better stands this year's stands from Abode, CDA and tc bathrooms - the big stands can sometimes overshadow the smaller stands.

It is the independent retail sector that makes up the bulk of the KBB audience and I suspect that their interest in the smaller stands shows that this sector is increasingly looking to see if smaller companies can give them the individual service they need to carve a niche for themselves in the markets of tomorrow.

I'm glad to read that you gained some new contacts at kbb Birmingham in 2010 and the feedback I got from visitors suggest you were not alone in doing this.

Grahame

I had hoped for a great KBB, but left wanting more...

2010-03-29T10:41:33.361+01:00

I had hoped for a great KBB, but left wanting more. It has been a few years since I last visited, and it was surprising to see so many absences from the show. Key brands I would have once expected to be there were not, and the displays suffered as a result.

I think the show has become an opportunity for the little man to punt his wares, the show was not a complete washout for us and we have gained some new contacts, but it is far from the spectacular event that I remember.

Really interesting blog - www.conquest-uk.com

2010-03-24T07:56:47.774Z

Really interesting blog - www.conquest-uk.com

I have not cried rivers of blood yet, I cannot get...

2010-02-11T21:06:04.515Z

I have not cried rivers of blood yet, I cannot get access to funding come hell or high water.....

Does this apply to me... i am a small businessman crying out for funding can anyone out there give me any advice?

Please

The treasury confirmed that over $700m of affordab...

2010-02-09T10:55:41.617Z

The treasury confirmed that over $700m of affordable and easy to access funding from EIB had been approved for nearly 3000 small business in UK through participating national banks.

Thanks for useful info!

2010-02-01T04:38:19.920Z

Thanks for useful info!

Ive decided to change my business name to Ripples....

2010-01-19T10:48:53.158Z

Ive decided to change my business name to Ripples. Out of perhaps 2000 bathroom showrooms in the Uk Ripples manage to be shortlisted again year after year for designer of the year catagories. I wish I was in their club....... However as a middle ground showroom with bathroom values of approx £15k we have seen an increase of over 50% in turnover 2008 - 2009. I thought it was going to be a rough ride, however it turned out quite the opposite. Qaulity products, excellent design and excellent installers provides the client a complete package and a trusted company to work with.

Dear Exhibitors, Chinese whispers are the worst f...

2009-12-22T15:36:30.348Z

Dear Exhibitors,

Chinese whispers are the worst form of sabotage! Those who are choosing to take the opportunity to deter exhibitors in KBB 2010 as said need to shut up or put up!!! I find it hard to believe in these times that there are certain individuals who are willing to undermine an event that will in no doubt stimulate sales and growth within our industry. As an exhibitor I must point out that 220 companies have paid their deposits and support one of the most important exhibitions of the next year. I feel that it is important that all manufacturers should be united to help our industry recover from the current credit crunch. KBB 2010 could be the launch platform on the road to recovery and is a much needed stage in this recovery. At least those who have chosen to take part have put their money where their mouth is and I look forward to the New Year. Galassia UK

Hi Graham & Patrick Interesting I'm sure!...

2009-11-04T18:21:07.485Z

Hi Graham & Patrick

Interesting I'm sure! Boys and toy's

I certainly will be interested in your product Patrick, well done.

Regards

Jacqueline Johnstone
Executive Designer & Manager
Afford@ble Classic Kitchens & Beautiful Bathrooms
EastLothian Scotland

4th November 2009

Hello Graham The Neorest is remarkable but it is ...

2009-11-02T18:11:40.072Z

Hello Graham

The Neorest is remarkable but it is not unique.

We at PDS Hygiene have been distributing an electronic bidet toilet seat in the UK for more than two years. Our seat - the Bio Bidet - converts most conventional toilets into sophisticated shower-toilets. It does almost all that the Neorest does: wash, dry and deodorise etc. The Bio Bidet won’t automatically raise and lower the lid for you, and you will have to press the flush handle yourself. But at a twentieth of the cost of the Neorest, who cares? And the Bio Bidet has one major advantage: it holds WRAS approval for connection to the water main in the UK.

We will be showing the Bio Bidet at the KBB show. In the meantime you might like to visit our website: www.pdshygiene.com where there is a video presentation of the Bio Bidet.

Regards
Patrick Scrase
Sales Director
PDS Hygiene

Hello Graham The Neorest is remarkable but it is ...

2009-11-02T18:08:38.186Z

Hi... I love to visit your blog at weekend. You ha...

2009-10-29T10:50:40.062Z

Hi...
I love to visit your blog at weekend. You have done great yet and hope you will continue with same here. Thank you so much for posting such an interesting stuff this time. I will surely follow your tips at time of planning construction of bathroom.

cartouches d encre

Very useful and valuable tips. Thanks for sharing ...

2009-10-26T07:10:35.092Z

Very useful and valuable tips. Thanks for sharing with us.

r4 cards

Hi Graham and I hope there was not too much rain i...

2009-09-03T21:52:04.006+01:00

Hi Graham and I hope there was not too much rain in Ireland.

One reason why companies do not attain "Superbrand" status is I believe the cost. Do you not have to pay to enter the selection process and then support the annualy published directory?

Couldn't agree more - we need more people to b...

2009-08-05T12:01:46.533+01:00

Couldn't agree more - we need more people to be genuinely investing in THEIR property rather than simply investing in A property (in order to just do it up).

While it is good to learn from Mr Ball and the oth...

2009-07-29T09:18:50.105+01:00

While it is good to learn from Mr Ball and the others who have responded to my original post so far that business is good for some independent retailers, those company results I spoke of do suggest a general trend away from the high street showroom in favour of the superstore and general builder.
While I agree will most of Graham Ball's comments, the KBSA only speaks for just over 10% of the independent KBB market.
The arguments he makes in favour of the association's membership also applies to a much larger proportion of independent retailers and it the independent's voice as a whole that Jo Public needs to hear if the trend away from the high street is to be addressed.

Grahame Morrison

Dear Ed, Is this the voice in the wilderness you ...

2009-07-28T13:34:44.964+01:00

Dear Ed,

Is this the voice in the wilderness you were looking for?

The KBSA has been speaking on behalf of many independent specialist retailers now for over 30 years, and continues to do so today!
Your interpretation of recent results from some of the multiples may not be totally correct, as many of our members are reporting continuing sales – some indeed better than 12 months ago. Many have taken actions within their businesses to ensure survival, but surely that is what business is all about – reacting to the ever-changing retail market? Independent retailers are a resilient & flexible bunch – having been written off time and time again as having no future against the power of the multiple…but time,has shown us all that they offer a service that in fact is now more in tune with today’s consumer than maybe ever before. Tomorrow’s market will be driven by the ‘grey’ market – as the ‘greys’ now outnumber the under 18’s (for the 1st time), and they also own 80% of the property in the UK, and have 80% of the wealth.
What they are asking for now, more than anything else, is protection for their money, and this is where the KBSA can help.
Protection runs for 100% of the project costs and is a key selling point in today’s market, giving consumers confidence to buy.
Perhaps the most important driver of the ‘grey’ market is customer service – in its broadest sense – as the greys have been brought up during the heyday of independent retailing – and now DEMAND the very best in service – which, I would suggest, is most likely to be found from an independent retailer.
Project management, from cradle to grave (of the project), excellence in design, specification and, of course, the all-important installation – and then, the equally important after-sales support when remedials are required – which can often be the case.
There is no better place to get all this, at often excellent value-for-money, than the independent retailer.
They have been written off many times before, but in view of today’s new demographics, I firmly believe that today’s and tomorrow’s market offers the independent retailer a profitable opportunity for the next generation – if not longer!
Long live the independent!!
Graham Ball
Chief Executvie Officer
KBSA (The UK's ONLY trade association specifically formed for independent specialist kbb retailers.

Voice in the Wilderness! Ha Ha the economic Wilder...

2009-07-27T13:39:41.101+01:00

Voice in the Wilderness! Ha Ha the economic Wilderness! - Whilst we have all seen a significant decline in sales the independent kitcehn retailers hould be far more flexible and reactive to the current economic situation. Mu company is often asked to quote against some of these "super stores" and in many cases we are matching on price but produce a quality of kitchen on a different planet. The look of surprise on our customers faces is amazing. You are quite right when you say that customers automatically revert to their comfort zone but to be fair that is also our fault for making the Bespoke Kitchen a totally aspirational product
devoid of any fixed price label. Any indepedent who is locked into a distribution agreement with any of the door or carcass suppliers cannot compete with the super stores because in essence they are offering the same thing but suffer from buying power. As a bespoke kitchen company we have the control on our production costs and can therefore use creaative margin to protect our profit base. Absolutely our profits have been eroded but we are still here and no one has been laid off. Unless you understand the business basics of cashflow and the true costs you have then you are digging the biggest hole. Having a good business background will ensure that independent or not you will have the foresght to see where and how you can be creative, not only with your competative position but also in your marketing and PR to ensure that customers know what added benefits you have against these super stores. It was all too easy just to set up a kitchen show room and start selling. Now its time to really look at the market and understand where to attack from. Its hard but very possible. Batten down the hatches and ride the storm. And remember 50% off sales are a complete nonsense. 50% off what?

I have two things to say: 1. Our local Howdens wil...

2009-07-27T13:17:15.464+01:00

I have two things to say: 1. Our local Howdens will sell to anyone with money, you don't need to be a builder. 2. We have a high street showroom and whilst January and February were quiet, which is true in most years, we are now busy and booking work ahead.

Gosh Nicholas! The Smallbone & MWF debate was ...

2009-06-24T18:27:36.472+01:00

Gosh Nicholas! The Smallbone & MWF debate was a little while ago, but better late than never is my motto. I'm sure there are many companies who make excellent furniture. In fact, I know there are!

But when it comes to influencing the design of classical kitchen furniture, it is my belief that Mark Wilkinson is in a league of his own. Please excuse me for asking, but do you have any connection with Goldman & Rankin other than as a satisfied customer?

Best regards,

Grahame

Hi MWF and Small bone are all very good companies ...

2009-06-24T17:48:27.086+01:00

Hi MWF and Small bone are all very good companies but has one tried Goldman&Rankin they are excellent as well at making furniture?