The kbbreview Podcast

Resilience 2026: Howard Grindrod from HIsense What really makes a business set to last? Welcome to The kbbreview Podcast, the show all about the ins and outs and ups and downs of being an independent kitchen and bathroom retailer. This is another of our very special bonus series of interviews marking our milestone 500th issue. We published our first issue in 1984 and since then we've brought retailers the latest news, big interviews, unwavering opinions, valuable advice, deep analysis and product insights This longevity is not by accident, we are as buffeted by the uncertain and unpredictable market as much as anyone, and our heritage is built as much on resilience as it is by quality. And this is what we want to explore in this series - we're talking to some of the industry's leading suppliers about THEIR resilience, history, continuity and investments in the future. In this episode, we're meeting Howard Grindrod from one of the biggest appliance brands and manufacturers in the world - Hisense. This episode is commercial content Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What really makes a business set to last? Welcome to The kbbreview Podcast, the show all about the ins and outs and ups and downs of being an independent kitchen and bathroom retailer. This is the latest episode in our special series marking our 500th issue all about resilience and longevity in business We published our first issue in 1984 and since then we've brought retailers the latest news, big interviews, unwavering opinions, valuable advice, deep analysis and product insights This longevity is not by accident, we are as buffeted by the uncertain and unpredictable market as much as anyone, and our heritage is built as much on resilience as it is by quality. And this is what we want to explore in this series - we're talking to some of the industry's leading suppliers about THEIR resilience, history, continuity and investments in the future. In this episode we're talking about one of the most interesting sectors in this industry - distribution - with Arthur Leaker from from Leaker Direct... This episode is commercial content Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What really makes a business set to last? Welcome to The kbbreview Podcast, the show all about the ins and outs and ups and downs of being an independent kitchen and bathroom retailer. This is the first in a very special bonus series of interviews marking our milestone 500th issue. We published our first issue in 1984 and since then we've brought retailers the latest news, big interviews, unwavering opinions, valuable advice, deep analysis and product insights This longevity is not by accident, we are as buffeted by the uncertain and unpredictable market as much as anyone, and our heritage is built as much on resilience as it is by quality. And this is what we want to explore in this series - we're talking to some of the industry's leading suppliers about THEIR resilience, history, continuity and investments in the future. We're starting with Sven Herden, the managing director of sales and marketing for German kitchen furniture giant Rotpunkt - a family owned company that's been around for more than 90 years… This episode is commercial content Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Your website is probably the hardest-working member of your team, but is it actually doing the job you need it to? This week, the retailer panel of Trevor Scott, Nick Warrington, Liz Pantling-Jones and Steph Warner tackles one of the biggest investments independent kitchen and bathroom retailers make: their website. From first impressions and case studies to pricing, lead generation and analytics, they discuss what a modern website should really be doing in 2026. As AI search starts to change the way consumers find local businesses, the panel explores how they're adapting their websites for ChatGPT and Google's AI results, whether SEO still matters, why they're all rebuilding or refreshing their sites, and the surprising lessons they've learned from asking AI to critique their own businesses. Plus, should you publish your prices? Are blogs still worth writing? What content actually generates enquiries? And how do you measure whether your website is bringing in genuine customers or simply costing you money? This is the last episode of the current season as we head into the summer break. We'll be back at the start of September but, to tide you over, look out for a special series of episodes in August marking the milestone 500th issue of kbbreview. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we're talking to Graham Johnston, the new owner and CEO of Kitchens International, following the management buyout that has returned one of Scotland's best-known luxury kitchen retailers to independent ownership. After a career leading customer experience and digital transformation at companies including Three, Optical Express and Asda, Graham explains why he believes the future of kitchen retail still revolves around great designers and inspiring showrooms, even as AI begins to reshape the customer journey. We discuss why he's investing in three new locations despite a challenging market, how he's blending ideas from outside the KBB industry with a design-led retail business, why he's assembled an advisory board to challenge his thinking, and what the next generation of independent retailers needs to do to stay relevant. It's a conversation about leadership, innovation, customer experience and why, sometimes, the best way to move a business forward is to take it back to its roots. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we’re tackling one of the oldest frustrations in independent KBB retail - the battle between the physical showroom and online. For years, retailers have had to deal with customers finding products cheaper online after using the showroom for inspiration, advice and reassurance. But has that problem changed? Have selective distribution agreements helped level the playing field? And are bathrooms now facing the same pain kitchens had with appliances a decade ago? Trevor, Steph, Nick and Liz get into the realities of online price comparisons, direct-selling suppliers, DIY Kitchens, Victorian Plumbing, worktops, taps, tiles, flooring and the growing sense that the biggest online threat may no longer just be cheaper products, but the whole project being pulled away from the independent showroom by AI... As consumers increasingly ask ChatGPT, Gemini or Claude where to buy a kitchen or bathroom, how do independents make sure they’re still part of the answer? A sharp, practical and slightly alarming discussion about where online competition really sits in 2026, and where the next battleground might be. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Running an independent KBB business can be hugely rewarding, but it also comes with a level of pressure that customers rarely see. Behind every successful showroom is a business owner juggling cashflow, managing staff, making difficult decisions and carrying the responsibility of keeping the whole operation moving forward. In this episode we're talking openly about the worries and concerns that come with business ownership. From cash flow, clients and constant niggles to the challenge of planning for the future, we explore the issues that weigh most heavily on retailers' minds, and those new ideas that just won't stop buzzing around until you've written them down at 3am. We also ask who do business owners actually talk to when the pressure starts to build? Running a business can be surprisingly lonely. As the person everyone else looks to for answers, where do you go when you need advice, reassurance or simply someone who understands? Is it your business partner, your spouse, fellow retailers, a mentor or do you keep it all to yourself? Beyond the business itself, we discuss the personal side of ownership. How do you cope with the mental load of always being 'on'? Can you ever truly switch off? And how do you stop the pressures of running a business from spilling over into family life? The regular panel of Trevor Scott, Liz Pantling-Jones, Steph Warner and Nick Warrington share their own experiences of dealing with stress, making tough decisions and finding ways to maintain perspective when the responsibility feels overwhelming. They also reveal the habits, routines and mindset that help them stay resilient, offering practical insights for anyone navigating the highs and lows of running their own business. Whether you've ever lain awake worrying about payroll, a difficult customer, the state of the market or simply wondering if everyone else feels the same way, this is an honest, relatable and reassuring conversation about the realities of business ownership and why sometimes the most important thing you can do is talk about it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is the traditional independent KBB retailer being squeezed out of the middle? As the likes of Wren, Howdens, DIY Kitchens and Victorian Plumbing continue to push further up the value chain, many independent retailers are finding themselves caught in a tightening gap between volume and luxury. So what happens when the middle ground starts to disappear? kbbreview editor Andy Davies is joined as always by Trevor Scott (RFK), Steph Warner (Pier1 Bathrooms), Nick Warrington (Stuart J Warrington) and Liz Pantling-Jones (Lima Kitchens) to tackle one of the biggest questions facing the industry right now. Is the mid-market actually shrinking, or are we simply redefining what it means? Have the big national players already won the battle for value-conscious customers? And is the real danger not being in the middle market but being indistinguishable within it? We're exploring why more independents are moving upmarket and whether that's a strategic choice or a necessity. We're also looking at the changing role of suppliers, with some premium brands that traditionally built their success through independent retailers now pursuing greater volume by moving further down the value chain and into mass-market retail. If the middle is being squeezed from both ends, where does that leave the independent retailer? And if you were opening a brand-new KBB showroom tomorrow, would you target the mid-market at all? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The kbbreview Podcast , the show all about the ups and downs and ins and outs of being an independent kitchen and bathroom retailer. And today we're talking about the old chestnut of charging for design - it's a seemingly perennial subject but rather than focusing on whether you should or shouldn't, we're looking at how to do it if you decide you should. What are the pros and cons of the different models? Is a flat fee? Is it refundable? Are basic designs free but detailed ones carry a charge? Should that fee increase based on how senior the designer is? And...what is the conversation you have with the client to justify it? Our usual retailer crew of Trevor Scott, Nick Warrington, Elizabeth Pantling-Jones and Steph Warner are all here with host Andy Davies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it really take to become Retailer of the Year at the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards ? In this special bonus episode of The kbbreview Podcast, Andy Davies sits down with the 2026 Kitchen and Bathroom Retailers of the Year to uncover the strategies, decisions and mindset behind their award-winning businesses. Darren Walker of Laings and Ben Setterfield of Bathroom + Kitchen Eleven share the lessons they've learned, the numbers they watch, how they’re adapting to a changing market and where they see the biggest opportunities for independent retailers in the years ahead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recruiting good people is only half the battle and what happens after they've signed on the dotted line is where the real work begins. In this unofficial part two to last week’s recruitment episode, Andy Davies and the panel tackle the challenge of training and upskilling new showroom staff. From structured inductions and supplier support to learning CAD, building confidence and surviving the dreaded “too much too soon” meltdown, the team shares honest advice, hard-earned lessons and practical tips for getting new recruits up to speed. Featuring Trevor Scott (RFK), Nick Warrington (Stuart J Warrington), Steph Warner (Pier One Bathrooms) and Liz Pantling-Jones (Lima Kitchens), this episode explores the way structured support is vital even in small businesses. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recruitment has become one of the biggest challenges facing kitchen and bathroom retailers. From finding skilled, reliable people to managing rising wage bills, National Insurance increases and tougher employment legislation, employing staff has never carried more pressure - or more risk. In this episode, our regular retailers of Trevor Scott, LIz Pantling-Jones, Nick Warrington and Steph Warner explore why attracting and retaining great people has become so difficult, the hidden cost of hiring the wrong person, and how independent retailers can build strong teams while still protecting profitability. Packed with honest discussion, practical advice and real-world experience, this is an essential listen for any KBB business owner trying to navigate today’s recruitment minefield. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Working with builders, developers and contractors can open the door to bigger projects, repeat business and long-term growth — but it also brings tighter margins, tougher timelines and a whole new way of operating. In this episode of The kbbreview Podcast , our panel shares practical advice on how independent kitchen and bathroom retailers can successfully break into contracts work, build strong trade relationships and avoid the mistakes that can quickly turn opportunity into headache. What are the pros and cons, what processes or systems do you need, how do you plan it around retail work and what are the common pitfalls that catch retailers out? If you’ve ever wondered whether contractor business is worth it - and how to do it properly - you don't want to miss this one. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode of The kbbreview Podcast, host Andrew Davies speaks exclusively to Mike Calcutt, Deputy Director in the HSE’s Engagement and Policy Division, about the regulator’s major update to its guidance on engineered stone fabrication and silica dust exposure. With silicosis cases rising globally, and Australia already banning engineered stone outrigh, the UK industry is now facing tougher expectations around water suppression, mist extraction, respiratory protection and health surveillance. Calcutt explains why HSE believes there is now “no scope” for dry cutting engineered stone, how the regulator plans to inspect more than 1,000 workplaces over the coming months, and why the new guidance stops short of introducing a full ban on high-silica materials. We also discuss the responsibilities of fabricators, suppliers and kitchen retailers, the growing push towards lower-silica products, and whether this is the end of the debate or just the beginning... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Margins matter. But how well do you really understand yours? Our regular panel of retailers - Nick Warrington, Liz Pantling-Jones, Steph Warner and Trevor Scott - gets into the nuts and bolts of profitability and margin. What does a 'healthy' margin actually look like? Is it better to track margin as one overall number or break it down by product? Which is the best way to improve margin - sell for more, buy for less, or reduce costs? When you’re faced with a customer budget that doesn’t quite work, what’s the smartest way to adjust a project without damaging your margin? Where do margins most commonly slip on a job without retailers realising? Where does installation fit into margin management? When should you take a lower-margin job to boost cash flow? Turnover is vanity, but profit is sanity so this is real insight into the most fundamental part of running a business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The kbbreview Podcast , the show where we dive into the realities of independent kitchen and bathroom retail. This week, host Andy Davies is joined by our panel of industry retailers to tackle...rebates. Are they a welcome bonus at the end of the year, or a core part of your commercial strategy? Do they genuinely influence what you sell - and even what your customers buy - or are they a flawed system that benefits suppliers more than you? Are they an actual incentive? Do some suppliers set unachievable targets which actually act as a disincentive? From negotiating terms and hitting targets to the risks of chasing rebates at the expense of customer serive, the panel shares honest insights, real experiences and a few hard truths. Featuring Nick Warrington, Liz Pantling-Jones, Steph Warner and Trevor Scott (dialling in from his motorhome somewhere in Scotland) this is a candid, practical look at how rebates really work on the shop floor, and whether they’re fit for purpose in today’s market. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The kbbreview Podcast , the show totally dedicated to the world of independent kitchen and bathroom retail. Your host as always is kbbreview editor Andrew Davies and we're back with a brand new season. In this episode we're catching up on business so far in 2026 with our regular team of retailers - we're over halfway through April so how has the year been so far, where have the pinch points been, what are the positives, how are consumers behaving, is it all Donaldl Trump's fault, how are retailers adapting and how confident do they actually feel about the rest of the year? Waiting in the wings is our retailers Nick Warrington, Liz Pantling-Jones and Trevor Scott. BUT we also have a new recruit, very sadly Justine has had to leave the band as a regular member *although we will get her back for occasional guest appearances), so we have a new bathroom retailer - Steph Warner from Pier 1 Bathrooms in Hove. So if you want a snapshot of where independent kitchen and bathroom retail is right now, this is the episode for you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the final episode of Season 17 of The kbbreview Podcast , we've got an exclusive interview with one of the biggest names in kitchen retail - Magnet. Founded in 1918 in Bingley, Yorkshire, by Tom Duxbury, and famously named after his horse, Magnet has become one of the most recognisable brands in the UK kitchen market. But recent years have been anything but straightforward. Following a prolonged period of declining performance and an unwieldy estate of underperforming stores, the business has been deep in turnaround mode. However, it does have that enviable brand equity and the turnaround does seem to have been working under former head George Dymond. When Dymond stepped down last October, former commercial & customer director Sophie Rose took the reins of Magnet just as parent company Nobia agreed a sale to Alteri Partners. The deal returned Magnet to British ownership and, as Rose explains in this episode, puts the business firmly back in control of its own destiny. So kbbreview's George Dean met up with Sophie Rose and it's a really interesting insight into plans, outlook, the old chestnut of the never-ending sale and what role Magnet could and should be playing in the wider kitchen retail industry. It’s a fascinating, timely discussion and a fitting finale to the season. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The kbbreview Podcast and it's Part Two of our kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2026 winners special. Since the launch in September last year we've been doing special bonus episodes of the podcast all about the awards and now, we're at the sharp end, we're at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole, and the party has begun. As with all our special awards bonus episodes, a huge thank you to our 2026 Awards Podcast Partner Sonas Bathrooms - you can find out all about them at sonasbathrooms.com . So in Part One we heard from all the winners in our design categories as well as our Special Achievement winner. In this second part we'll be catching up with winners from the Retail and Showroom categories, as well as the Rising Star, Unsung Hero, Installation Company and Supplier Team of the Year. Now let's get on with the business at hand! Huge congratulations to all of our winners, massive thank to all our sponsors and, of course, a very special thanks to our 2026 Awards Podcast Partner Sonas Bathrooms. And remember, if you fancy being here next year then, believe it or not, entries open for the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2027 in September and we'll actually be announcing the host city and venue for that in a few weeks. So thank you for listening and see you in September! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The kbbreview Podcast and this penultimate special bonus episode all about the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2026 . And it's all come down to this. Host Matt Baker is at the event itself in the Hilton Birmingham Metropole and it's all happening! As always, these special awards podcasts are all courtesy of our 2026 Awards Partner Sonas Bathrooms and, of course, you can find out all about them at sonasbathrooms.com . We join Matt huddled at the back of the room while everyone is eating their dinner after an amazing welcome reception, he's got a quick chat with one of the kbbreview team - Commercial Director Tara McTIgue - and then we go straight into the actual ceremony with our brilliant host Jayde Adams. We'll be hearing from all winners over two episodes - in this Part One we'll hear from our design winners as well as our Special Achievement awards recipient. And then in Part Two we'll meet the winners of the Retail and Showroom categories, as well as the Rising Star, Unsung Hero, Installation Company and Supplier Team of the Year. So it's a lot to get through so let's crack on with the show! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.