The kbbreview Podcast

Not only is this the first episode of 2021, it's also a bumper episode packed with kbb chat!

We're in the middle of a new national lockdown so we catch up with some friends-of-the-podcast retailers to see just how they feel about 2021 so far, the effect on demand, their confidence for the next few months and, simply put, where are we now?

We've got Andy Gilmore of Fineline Interiors, Luke Wedgbury of Coalville Kitchens, Paul Crow of Ripples and Mark Conacher from Scottish installation outfit Liberty.

Then we’ve also got a fascinating insight into the current situation in supply with the head of VitrA in the UK - Levent Giray. He really understands supply chains, logistics and how to get your stuff from A to B. VitrA is also opening a brand new showroom in the middle of Clerkenwell in London so we’ll also hear all about investing in the middle of the pandemic.]

Don't forget, entries for the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards are open now with a closing date of February 18th! It's totally free to enter and any kitchen and bathroom retailers and designers in the UK and Ireland can enter.

All the info is at kbbreview.com/awards

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Welcome to the kbbreview Podcast and this is very special episode for lots of different reasons.

First of all it’s the last episode of 2020 but while, technically this is episode 12 of season 2 it’s actually the 50th overall full episode of The kbbreview Podcast.

This is also very special episode because of the guests we have on. There's an absolutely fascinating chat with kitchen design legend Johnny Grey and Professor Peter Gore from the UK National Innovation Centre for Ageing in Newcastle.

Together they have developed the '4Gen' kitchen – a proper working kitchen which has been installed at Newcastle University. It encapsulates all the latest thinking on multi-generational living and while it’s conceptual, it has so much resonance and relevance to anyone in the market looking to move design and innovation forward.

Unfortunately owing to Covid-19 restrictions, it is not possible to visit the prototype in person.

 But you are able to complete virtual viewing.

To arrange an opportunity to view please contact Lynda Speed, Business Development Manager at Newcastle University.

[email protected]

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Welcome to another special bonus episode of the kbbreview Podcast all about the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2021.

Your host as always is Andy Davies and in this episode we’ll be meeting a couple of winners from the 2020 awards in the shape of Caroline Davies from Aristocraft Kitchens in the Midlands and Claire Algar from Rouse Bathrooms in West Wickham.

Caroline won the Kitchen Designer of the Year: project cost £30,000 to £50,000 award and Rouse Bathrooms took home the New Bathroom Retailer of the Year trophy and they’ve both got fantastic and inspiring stories to tell.

We also have the triumphant return of kbbreview editor Rebecca Nottingham and we’ll be sharing some top tips on putting together the perfect awards entry.

You can find out everything you need to know about the The kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2021 at the official website here.

And you can find out more about our Podcast Partner for 2021 Swift Electrical here.

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Welcome to episode 11 of season two of The kbbreview Podcast.

Your host as always is Andy Davies and this is the penultimate full episode before we knock off for Christmas and so as an early present today’s show is full of inspiration and wisdom.

We have two very special guests with different backgrounds and at different stages of their kbb careers. However both have very inspirational approaches and have a lot of inherent business sagacity.

First up we’ve got  Theo Constanti of The Marble Group – they’re a very successful London-based stone fabricator but Theo has also just been named as Santander’s Most Inspirational Business Mentor of the Year. He has such a great story to tell.

And then we have James Herriot of Callerton Kitchens – and I’m sure he won’t mind be describing him as a veteran of the kbb industry and he’s seen economic crises come and go so his insight on the current situation and what businesses need to be doing is absolutely priceless.

If you enjoyed this episode then we have loads more in our archive and the best way to find them is by using a podcast app such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify – just search ‘kbbreview’ all one word and you’ll find us. 

You can then also subscribe so you don’t miss new episodes and leave us a glowing rating and review because that would be a lovely Christmas present.

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Welcome to The kbbreview Podcast, I’m your host Andy Davies and this is episode 10 of season two.

This week, we’re talking retail – what lessons can kbb retailers learn from the collapse of Debenhams and the Arcadia Group in terms of giving their customers unforgettable experiences.

Building relationships with clients is the backbone of this sector – but that is a trend that is now spreading across the whole of ‘high street’ retail. How have the lockdowns affected that, and what do kbb retailers need to do?

We’ve got an absolutely fascinating conversation with retail experience expert Tim Nash from agency Wild VC.

You can find out more about Tim and his company here.

Don't forget to subscribe to this very podcast  using a podcast app such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify. Subscribing means you can access all the previous episodes and new ones will miraculously appear too.

Simply search kbbreview – all one word – and you’ll find us

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Welcome to another special bonus Save Our Skills episode of The kbbreview Podcast with your host Andy Davies.

When it comes to recruitment the ultimate decision maker in any company is the boss – the buck stops with them whether they are deciding on individual roles or setting a strategy that influences who gets hired across the board.

What does the boss think? What are they looking for and how do they put that team together?

We're chatting to someone who is not only a prominent kbb boss, but is also a big supporter of Save Our Skills and that’s Stephen Johnson from Quooker.

The Save Our Skills campaign is all about keeping the skills, knowledge and experience of those being made redundant thanks to the economic impact of the coronavirus inside the kbb industry.

We send out a regular Save Our Skills email to the whole industry showcase candidates who have found themselves looking for new roles. 

We’ve had fantastic success with it – in fact, two-thirds of those who have been featured now have new jobs – so if you or anyone you know wants to be on it then go to kbbreview.com/saveourskills to find out more.

And it’s all totally free, no strings attached, just kbbreview doing it’s bit to support the industry.

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Welcome to The kbbreview Podcast, this is episode nine of season two with your host Andy Davies.

Coming up on this episode we’re heading back to the world of marketing with the triumphant return to the podcast of David Barker from Inspire KBB.

And, in particular, we’ll be talking about what marketing you should be doing even when demand is high and there aren’t enough hours in the day.

Do you advertise when times are good or only when times are bad?

Find out more about Inspire KBB here

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Welcome to this kbbreview Retail & Design Awards bonus podcast with your host Andrew Davies.

This is the first of regular episodes all about the biggest and longest-running awards event in the kitchen and bathroom industry.

As the episodes go on we’ll be talking to previous winners and judges, revealing the shortlists and  taking a look behind the trends. Most importantly, we’ll be making sure you know everything you need to know about entering.

We’re kicking off by answering some of the most frequently asked questions to get everyone up to speed with the basics, and we'll be doing that with the help of kbbreview editor Rebecca Nottingham.

We're delighted to say that our Podcast Partner for 2021 is Swift Electrical, the UK’s No 1 big brand distributor of sinks, taps and appliances and they're delighted to be sponsoring this podcast. For all their latest offers please make sure that you visit swiftuk.co.uk or call a member of the Swift team.

You can find out everything you need to know about the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2021 here

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Welcome to a special emergency episode of The kbbreview Podcast and we’re jumping into your ears as news breaks that, in a shock u-turn, government guidance has changed to specifically put kitchen and bathroom showrooms in the list of retailers that have to close.

The KBSA confirmed the rumours that started swirling yesterday so we're catching up with chairman Richard Hibbert to find out exactly what happening, and exactly what we need to know...

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Welcome to The kbbreview Podcast, this is episode seven of season two and your host as always is Taylist Media managing editor Andy Davies.

We have a couple of really interesting guests for this episode that illustrate in very different ways where this industry is right now.

First up we have David Dare, the owner and managing director of Clive Christian Furniture – it’s an iconic ultra-premium brand so his view of that sector of the market is fascinating and, seeing as he only took the company over a year ago, how has he coped with the unexpected events of 2020?

Then we have Alan Margetts of South East retailer The Kitchen Store – his point of view is really interesting as he has decided NOT to open his showrooms up despite the guidance we’ve all seen saying you can. For him, he says, it doesn’t feel right morally.

You can  also find out more about the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2021 at the official site here.

If you enjoyed this episode, please don't forget to subscribe via your podcast app of choice - just search 'kbbreview' - and please rate and review us while you're there as it really encourages others to give us a listen.

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