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SHOW PREVIEW | kbb Birmingham


‘We are standing strong with our retailers’ Jo Sargent, sales and marketing director, Franke UK


Q & A


Q: How is business at the moment compared with last year? A: There is no doubt we are all in a challenging and unpredictable market and there are factors that we simply cannot control such as global geopolitical instability and its economic impact. But we will focus on the things we can control, such as service, product, availability and value for our retail partners. There are some optimistic indicators, inflation has more than halved from its double-digit high a year ago and forecasts are that it will continue to fall throughout the year. Cuts in interest and mortgage rates should follow, and provide more stability and certainty for the consumer and this improves confidence for spending on home improvements.


Q: What are the main challenges facing your sector and how are you tackling them? A: We know that showroom footfall is down and conversion rates are taking longer but this year will see us continuing to invest heavily in marketing activities, brand awareness, new product intro- ductions and bolstering our service teams. We are standing strong with our retailers – they are our most important route to market.


Q: How do you view the health of the UK KBB market? In what ways could it improve and how can the industry improve it? A: No one could have predicted the conflation of events that have we have seen in recent years – Covid, the war in Ukraine, the supply chain and energy crises, ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, but our sector is determined and experienced and we


always show resilience in the face of economic challenges. Homeowners place an enduring value on their kitchen, not just for its pivotal role in the home for creating quality of life, but as an investment in the property’s value. This is our guiding beacon and a reason for optimism.


Q: How do you think the relationship between supplier and retailer is changing? A: The relationship has changed in that speed and availability is a priority. There is more immediacy about everything and suppliers need to be more agile and flexible than ever. Consumer expectations are higher and we have to support retailers strongly in fulfilling their needs for service, speed, product, innovation, information and technical support. But at its heart the relationship is the same in that it’s a partnership based on trust, value and respect.


Franke Stand: J70


A key highlight from Franke will be its Mythos Black Line collection of appliances – a curated collection of products reflecting demand for black accents in home design, and the family-centred Maris ranges. These include ovens, hobs, warming drawers, coffee machines and wine coolers with some of the products on display being brand new additions to the range. It will also showcase its flagship Water Hub instant boiling water tap range, which draws on Franke’s decades of experience of the tap market. Another new tap range making its debut is the Heritage Collection of classically- styled taps reflecting the “Cottagecore” trend which includes a new polished nickel finish.


Giavani Bathrooms Stand: E83


Giavani Bathrooms says its collections are designed and crafted with precision, drawing on over 20 years of expertise and design experience. The company takes pride in sourcing the best -quality materials to guarantee a perfect synergy between aesthetic and quality, it says. Among the products on show will be the Sapporo freestanding bath (pictured), with a geometric-patterned aesthetic, and curved shape, made from what Giavani says is easy-to- clean sanitary-grade acrylic, reinforced with fibreglass laminate for optimum strength.


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