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Design Meets Demand: Navigating Growth in the UK Bathroom Market
While the UK bathroom market continues to navigate economic headwinds, there are promising signs of resilience and opportunity. Amid inflationary pressures and supply chain challenges, consumers are shifting toward cost-effective upgrades – indicating a pragmatic approach that still supports industry growth. Encouragingly, residential property transactions increased by 5% in June compared to 2024, and 17% month-on-month, signalling renewed momentum across the housing sector which will encourage bathroom renovations. Independent living bathroom transformations are gaining traction across the UK, with homeowners prioritising accessibility and design. From walk-in wet rooms to touchless taps, functionality is being reimagined without compromising style. At Ideal Bathrooms, we’re proud to offer a consumer-focused catalogue designed to support our retail and merchant partners in guiding customers through
Comment by Will Hickman, Sales and Marketing Director, Ideal Bathrooms
thoughtful adaptations. The catalogue is available to order via our portal or sales office (0800 634 2600). Additionally, we’re seeing a surge in interest in smart bathroom technology. Around 40% of consumers are now exploring bidet- style smart toilets – driven by wellness and hygiene goals – with leading brands like Geberit, Grohe, and VitrA responding to this growing demand among mid-market buyers.
What the Best-Run KBB Showrooms Are Doing Differently with Tech
In an increasingly
competitive KBB landscape, the most successful showrooms aren’t relying on instinct alone - they’re powered by clever tech. From quoting to project delivery, these businesses have embraced tools that save time, reduce errors, and optimise customer experience.
Leading retailers are using advanced quoting software containing regularly updated product catalogues. This ensures lightning-fast, accurate quotes - reducing costly mistakes and boosting conversion rates. Internally, they’re using project management platforms to track progress across every job, assign responsibilities, and flag delays before they become problems.
Comment by Leigh Martin, Managing Director, TruBlue
Team communication is also slicker. Cloud-based systems empower designers, sales, and operations to collaborate in real time, even across multiple locations. No more lost notes or crossed wires - just clear visibility for all. These businesses haven’t just digitised - they’ve streamlined. By using the right tools, they’re delivering a better customer journey, reducing operational stress, and protecting their profit margins. It’s not just clever. It’s essential.
Beyond the sale: The power of quality and guarantees
In today’s competitive landscape, product quality is the cornerstone of trust in the large appliance sector. For both retailers and consumers, the principle of ‘buy well, buy once’ has never been more relevant. Investing in quality refrigeration isn’t just about performance today, it’s about long-term reliability, energy efficiency and peace of mind. Clear communication around product guarantees is essential, as a robust guarantee reassures buyers of a product’s durability and reflects a brand’s confidence in its engineering.
While some in the industry are only beginning to recognise the value of extended guarantees, forward-thinking brands are raising the bar. Guarantees should be a reflection of genuine product quality. Liebherr’s current 10-year guarantee promotion, available until 31st October 2025, is one example — reflecting an investment in lasting quality over short-term trends. At a time when aesthetic uniformity often drives purchasing decisions, it’s a reminder that performance and longevity ultimately deliver the greatest value.
Comments by Tim Hutchinson, Divisional Manager, Liebherr UK
BKU AUGUST 2025
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