Round-up | NEWS CONTENTS
NEWS, COMMENT & OPINION 4 News
A roundup of the latest KBB news 14 People
A look at the most recent industry appointments and promotions
18 Graham Mercer Why we all have an individual responsibility on the road to net-zero
20 Marcel Crezee
A look back at the good, the bad, and the surprising, after a 35-year career
The kbbreview interview: Johnny Grey is reinventing the modern kitchen pg 22
T
18-PAGE SPECIAL
30-47 Insight
Industry experts give their predictions for the market in 2024
PRODUCTS & SUPPLIERS 28 Supplier profi le
How LDL is working to be a next-gen furniture component distributor
49/54 Multigenerational design How can today’s kitchens and bathrooms serve a variety of ages?
58 Trends The latest product launches RETAIL 66 Case Study
Olive & Barr’s barn conversion kitchen in sunny South Devon
70 Showroom of the month How Ridgeway Interiors makes the most of its unique layout
Retailer profi le: Luck & Fuller in Billericay, Essex pg 62
kbbreview.com for news, views, blogs, jobs, features and subscriptions Editorial Editor
Rebecca Nottingham 020 8515 2073
Advertising
Managing director
Julie Williams
Commercial director Tara McTigue
Sales
manager Dean
Buckingham December 2023 •
Account manager Lizzie
Keshishian
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Frankland 020 8515 2025
News and Features Writer George Dean 020 8515 2051
Art editor Erica Warden
Production and design editor Jodie Byrne
Owner Patrick Taylor
Managing editor Andrew Davies
Digital designer strategist Matt Balmer
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Rebecca Nottingham, editor
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kbbreview.com
Keep up to date with trends and news and follow @kbbreview on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn
Shopfl oor analysis: Where should you draw the line on projects? pg 26
EDITOR’S COMMENT
WHAT DOES 2024 HAVE IN STORE?
he December issue is always the perfect time to look forward to the year ahead and, given the uncertainty and inevitable changes we’re facing in 2024, we’ve done something quite special. We’ve taken an in-depth look at how the KBB market looks as we near the end of 2023 and, more importantly, how next year may shape up. We’ve asked a range of industry leaders and
infl uencers to speak directly to you, the inde- pendent retail community, about the year ahead. What are their predictions for 2024? Where do the opportunities for independents lie and how can you make the most of each and every one? I won’t give too much away – as it really is a very interesting and informative read (pgs 30-47) – but what I will say is that, despite the uncertainty hanging over us right now, there is some genuine optimism and some very real opportunities around the corner. On top of that, of course, we have our regular features, including a very interesting shopfl oor analysis that considers where retailers should draw the line on how far they should go on a project. In a tightening market, should you take any job, even if it is outside your comfort zone, or should you stick to your specialism of kitchens, bedrooms and/or bathrooms? We’ve also got a brilliant interview with one of the industry’s most high-profi le designers, Johnny Grey, where he reveals all about the latest update of his Unfi tted Kitchen concept. Entries to the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2024 may now be closed, but you still have time to join us at our very special 30th anniversary party at the Birmingham Hilton Metropole on March 4, 2024. For all the information on the event and how to book your tickets, head to
kbbawards.co.uk. And fi nally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support this year and to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.
2024 INSIGHT
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