What makes a bathroom brand truly stand out? Andy Davies talks to Jorge Hernandez, Head of Design at Bathroom Brands, about how the power of differentiating by design drives the look and feel of Crosswater, Burlington, Britton, Clearwater, and the recently added Showerwall. They explore why great design at every price point isn’t just about style, it’s about helping retailers stand apart too.

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Pack your wheelie case and dig out that itinerary — this week on The kbbreview Podcast, host Andy Davies is joined by regulars Trevor Scott from RFK, Justine Bullock from The Tap End near Cardiff, Nick Warrington from Stuart J Warrington in Macclesfield and Liz Pantling-Jones from Lima Kitchens in Milton Keynes to talk all things supplier trips.

Are these factory visits and overseas events really worth the time away from the business? Do they actually change how you see a brand — or are they just thinly disguised jollies and perks of the job?

The team share the moments that genuinely changed their perception of a supplier, and their tips for making these trips truly worthwhile.

And, what you all really want to hear, we hear their best, and worst, experiences - strategically shaved reps in Germany, dancing bears in Russia, soggy feet in Venice and getting gout from over-indulgence in Spain, we cover a LOT of ground in this one!

It’s all here in another lively, honest and slightly sleep-deprived episode of The kbbreview Podcast.

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Welcome back to The kbbreview Podcast! Host Andy Davies is joined as always by Trevor, Scott, Liz Pantling-Jones, Nick Warrington and Justine Bullock and they're digging into one of the most frustrating challenges facing independent KBB retailers right now - getting customers to actually commit.

You’ve done the design work, nailed the presentation, and picked out the perfect products — but when it comes to signing on the dotted line the decision is delayed and delayed. So what’s really behind this growing hesitation? Are clients genuinely nervous about money, or just lost in a fog of indecision? And more importantly, what can you actually do to move them from “thinking about it” to “let’s do it”?

In this episode, we unpack the psychology behind customer procrastination and explore whether this signals a deeper shift in buyer confidence — or simply a need for sharper sales skills. How do you balance being a trusted designer with being a confident closer? Where’s the line between patience and persuasion?

It’s an honest, insightful, and occasionally heated discussion that every independent retailer will relate to.

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What happens when a key supplier suddenly can't supply? Whether that's administration, serious supply chain issues, discontinuation of ranges or just human error it's a serious headache for the retailer.

In this week’s episode of The kbbreview Podcast, Andy Davies is joined by Trevor Scott, Justine Bullock, Nick Warrington and Liz Pantling-Jones to explore what to do when the unthinkable happens - from keeping projects on track and managing customer expectations to finding reliable replacements fast. They also share hard-won lessons on resilience, communication, and why you should never put all your eggs in one supplier basket.

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In this latest special Rising Star episode, sponsored by Blum, kbbreview's George Dean meets Jessica Liu - a young designer whose career has been anything but accidental. From early days sketching in art class to mastering the intricacies of kitchen design, Jessica’s journey is one of focus, creativity, and determination.

Now part of the close-knit team at Chisholm Design, she’s already making her mark with projects that push her problem-solving skills to the limit - including a 400-year-old cottage where no wall was straight. Jessica shares how she embraces each challenge, what she loves about bespoke design, and why being part of a small, family-run studio brings her so much joy.

Tune in to hear how Jessica Liu is shaping her career one beautifully considered kitchen at a time — and proving why she’s a rising star in the industry.

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Host Andy Davies swaps his loft for the lush surroundings of The Belfry as the kbbreview Podcast goes on tour to the annual KBSA Conference.

Fresh from the conference sessions, Andy grabs a chat with Trevor Scott, Liz Pantling-Jones, and Nick Warrington to ask a crucial question at the the heart of these kind of events.

Are independents better off going it alone, or is there real power in collaboration?

From buying groups and franchises to the eternal debate over charging for designs, they dig into whether unity could strengthen independents’ collective voice - or dilute their individuality

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When it comes to brands with long and illustrious histories it doesn't get more long and illustrious than Aga Rangemaster and in this is a very special bonus episode of the show we're talking to MD Dominic Worsley.

The Aga is as English as Stephen Fry drinking tea, eating fish and chips wearing a bowler hat under a brolly in a drizzle and there are very few kitchen retailers out there that haven't stocked Rangemaster at some point in their existence.

And now after a few uncertain years, they're having a resurgence under Worsley. Formerly of Miele and then CDA he has been tasked by parent company Middleby to put these classic brands back on the map.

So how's he going to do it, what are his plans and where do independent kitchen studios sit in them?

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What really makes a KBB business unique?

In this week’s episode Andy Davies is joined by Justine, Nick, Trevor and Liz to get to grips with differentiation – how you define it, why it matters, and whether those USPs you recite are genuinely unique.

Is it all part of a carefully mapped-out strategy, or something that develops more naturally over time? How do you know if your USPs are really unique and how do you keep them fresh as the market evolves?

We're getting to the heart of what sets one business apart from another in such a competitive industry.

And don't forget about the ultimate USP – winning a kbbreview Retail & Design Awards. Entries for 2026 are now open! Go to kbbreview.com/awards for everything you need to know.

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