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.