RETAILER PROFILE | Cambridgeshire Bathrooms
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1. The outside of the Sawston showroom 2. The Villeroy and Boch Finion ‘style box’ that showcases the latest trends 3. Another Villeroy and Boch display that highlights the monochrome look 4. In the centre of the showroom is an impressive set of Victoria and Albert baths 5. At the very back is the Crosswater section and its Waldorf set
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and Boch products, culminating in a Crosswater Waldorf display. You honestly couldn’t count the number of products. There is a mix of bays and rows of product options. Cardwell explains that by every bay there are other products close by to give customers a range of choice. This means they are better able to visualise the multiple variations available for the space. Fenstanton follows a similar philosophy, but there is a lot more space. Bays have more room to breathe and it feels like there are fewer products, even though the customer is actually spoilt for choice.
Variation
It is split over two levels. The top level has plenty of natural light from windows all down one side. It focuses on Crosswater products and has a mix of cameo sets, with lots of other products in rows arranged by type. It means customers can see many styles to help them pick and choose. When I visited the showroom in early October, there was still a huge space on the top floor left to redevelop, so there will be new displays in the next few months. “I think that there is a lot of variation within the
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Geberit when they were just a frame supplier and now we have their full bathroom offering. Crosswater we have worked with for a long time as well.” One of the main brands that both showrooms
There is a lot of variation, which inspires customers – they can see what they like and what they don’t
showroom and I feel that it inspires customers, as they can see so many products and decide what they like and what they don’t. It narrows their options down,” says Cardwell.
The range on view also makes it easier for designers to talk to customers about their designs as they can show them the physical products. In terms of suppliers, Cambridgeshire Bathrooms has around 30 suppliers across the two showrooms and the majority have been dealing with the company for decades, so there are long-standing relationships. “The suppliers we work with have been with us right from the beginning,” he says. “Villeroy and Boch came into the showroom in the past eight years and we have a large Catalano space. We worked with
stock is Porcelanosa. In both locations there is an area for large-format surfaces to give customers an overview of the different colours and textures. The retailer listens to suppliers when it comes to new products and what to display. “You take advice from suppliers, and we always ask what the best sellers are,” says Cardwell. “We have local knowledge that we also consider, but it is good to look at national averages. It also helps, as manufacturers are more likely to have things in stock.”
Cardwell has a strong team behind him across the
two showrooms, all of whom came together to help design the showroom. He says: “I also have input from my design team, who are incredibly knowledgeable, about what is selling and the different styles, finishes, sizes and combinations of different manufacturers.” Next for Cambridgeshire Bathrooms is to find a replacement for the Sawston outlet, which shouldn’t be too difficult as they are now old hands at finding and creating a new and inviting showroom.
kbbr kbbreview · December 2019
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