The kbbreview Podcast  By  cover art

The kbbreview Podcast

By: kbbreview Andrew Davies
  • Summary

  • This is the kbbreview Podcast from Taylist Media. In March 2020, when it became clear that the coronavirus had the potential to severely affect the fortunes of the kbb sector we launched The kbbreview Podcast. The initial aim of the show was to talk directly to leading retailers and suppliers about how they were managing the situation, evaluating the market, and predicting the future during a bizarre and unprecedented crisis.We knew that a podcast was the perfect medium for a time when people needed reassurance that they weren’t alone in their dilemmas, they could hear the real voices of their peers and that provided great comfort at a really uncertain time. Since then, The kbbreview Podcast has grown with a life and personality of its own, what started as a direct response to a crisis has become a fountain of stories, advice, reassurance and inspiration that covers the whole market, not just the response to the virus.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Taylist Media
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Episodes
  • How to be a successful retailer - PART ONE
    May 16 2024

    This is Part One of a two-parter that will conclude next week where we talk to winners from the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2024 to get under their skin, hear their stories and see what makes their businesses successful.


    Next week, we'll be meeting our Kitchen Retailer of the Year - Laings in Inverurie - and our Bathroom Retailer of the Year - Pier1 Bathroom in Hove. Two very different businesses with two very interesting perspectives on the market.


    But to kick it off today we've got an interview that's so interesting, so insightful and actually just gives you a bit of a warm feeling inside.


    As many of you will know, at our awards we give out our Special Achievement trophy. It goes to those individuals who have contributed something very special to their business and the industry as a whole and this year it went to… Paul Rowland from CP Hart.


    CP Hart is, of course, the premium bathroom retailer that now has 15 showrooms and a £50m turnover. When Paul took it over 20 years ago it was really struggling and he has lead the team that has made it what it is today. He is the retailer's retailer.


    At the opposite end of the career path, we also gave out the Rising Star of the Year trophy - this goes to individuals under the age of 30 who are making a real impact in their retail business and the 2024 winner was Angelika Kotarska who started her own bathroom retail business - Angelic Bathrooms in Northampton in 2022, aged just 22.


    So, you can see where this is going can't you…we thought it would be a good idea to get them both together and see what lessons they can learn from each other and it's fascinating stuff.


    Finding good people, managing through financial crises, the relationship with suppliers, finding customers, marketing - it's all in here and more besides from when Angelika and host Andy Davies went down to the flagship CP Hart showroom in Waterloo to see Paul.


    Today's episode is brought to you with the support of our very good friends at Lawcris. They lead the field in wood based panel products, laminates and edgings with big brands such as Emporio Skin, Kronospan and many more. With over 40 vehicles in their fleet, they can provide next day delivery on all stocked products. You can find out all about them at lawcris.co.uk



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    36 mins
  • What's the point of brochures?
    May 9 2024

    This week's episode is all about that staple fixture of showrooms and their relationship with the brands they sell - brochures.


    • What do retailers and designers actually use them for?
    • What do they say about the brand?
    • Do suppliers assume they get given out to every potential customer who comes through the door?
    • Are too many simply thrown away and wasted?
    • Should they have prices in them or not?


    Such simple things touch on so many different aspects of the day-to-day life of a retailer so we're talking it all through with retailers Paul Crow, the MD of Ripples, and Adam Wollerton from Bathroom + Kitchen Eleven in Surrey AND in the supplier's corner Sofia Charalambous from Origins Living.


    It's fascinating stuff so let me know what you think, here's my email andrewdavies@taylistmedia.com




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    33 mins
  • Do you want a second showroom?
    May 2 2024

    Today we're looking at that tricky yet often desirable symbol of growth for an independent kbb retailer and that's …..the second showroom.


    The vast majority of kbb independents operate out of one showroom, but many often seriously think about another. It's an obvious way to expand the business but there are plenty of cons to go with the long list of pros.


    Finding the right location, spreading yourself too thin, finding people you trust to run it and starting to build a whole new customer base in a different area.


    So we're going to talk it all through with a couple of top retailers and friends of the show - Mark Butler from Butler Interiors and Liz Pantling-Jones of Lima Kitchens. Mark took the plunge on a second showroom a few years ago and Liz is seriously considering that move right now.


    Host Andy Davies met up with them a few weeks ago and this is a really interesting conversation that gets right to the heart of finding that showroom as well as weighing up all the pros and cons...



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    25 mins

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