SHOW REVIEW | kbb Birmingham 2020 kbb Birmingham 2020


REVIEW W


SHOW


Innovation, trends and live episodes of the Kitchen & Bathroom Design Podcast made it a must-see


ith the shadow of the coronavirus stalking the halls and the Chinese Pavilion closed, it


is a


creditable achievement for Europe’s biggest KBB show that attendance was on a par with 2018 at more than 15,000. Even more impressive is the fact that the Sunday was the busiest Sunday on record, according to the organisers. Kbb Birmingham director Mark


Gordon said: “The exceptionally strong turnout of visitors throughout the four-


day show has reinforced our position as the KBB industry’s biggest forum and a vital source of inspiring new innovation and design in the KBB sector.” KBSA national chair Richard Hibbert commented on “a really good buzz and atmosphere” with “plenty to see”, while BMA chief executive Tom Reynolds said there was “a great and positive” event. Retailers had plenty to look at with many brands using kbb as a launch platform for new products – here’s some of the highlights.


New pink and green furniture colourways on the Caple stand to gauge retailer reactions


‘Loads of


inspiration’ John Pelosi, owner of the Caldicot Kitchen and Bathroom Centre in south Wales, shrugs off


coronavirus concerns and singles out some killer products that he’s keen to add to his showroom portfolio


I am sure I wasn’t the only one wondering whether the show would go ahead because of the coronavirus scare, and it is to the great credit of the organisers that they pulled off such a successful event. The show had a really upbeat feel and seemed busy and positive. After the difficult trading year caused by 2019’s uncertainty over Brexit, the clarity that came with an emphatic election result has seen confidence – and footfall – return.


O


A fresh new palette Two years ago it was 150 shades of grey and while greys, dark wood, stone and concretes were much in evidence again on the European stands, there was a noticeable shift to a fresh new colour palette, particularly from British exhibitors.


34 · April 2020


nce more the curtain drops on another kbb Birmingham and weary sales reps trudge homewards.


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