KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
10th October 2014
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 International News
Products The BlancoAttika sink... perfect for the design-focused kitchen
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Life’s getting interesting, isn’t it? The inflation rate in the UK and the Eurozone is at its lowest level for five years and in the UK, we’ve just recorded the largest annual fall in unemployment on record, since such records began in 1972. A survey just published by the British Retail Consortium reports that sales are at their weakest level in six years, yet a new study by the Federation of Master Builders claims that almost a third of UK homeowners are set to spend £6 billion between them on property upgrades over the next three years. I wonder, perhaps, whether we’re staying away from the shops because we’re saving so hard to pay for these forthcoming upgrades? With almost 40% of those planning to improve their homes, saying they will be major refurbishments such as new kitchens, bathrooms and extensions, this bodes very well for the KBB industry indeed, so I hope that everyone sticks to their plans. The study, which you can learn more about below, also shows that when it comes to choosing a builder, one in four homeowners feel out of their depth. Don’t I just know about that! I now go through several websites making a shortlist - and whatever industry associations those on it are members of, if they’ve not got a good number of excellent reviews on CheckaTrade and the like, with a score of almost a perfect 10 and the price charged the same as the estimate given, I don’t bother to contact them. I’ve come unstuck too many times to be slaphappy in my choice. Apparently, most people choose their builder on personal recommendations. I’ve come unstuck this way too, as of course a builder performing well on just one job, isn’t necessarily going to come up trumps every time, is he (or she)? And of course we all have different expectations (in my case, builders knowing what they’re doing is one of them!) ‘Safety in numbers’ has become my mantra and it’s paying off, although it does mean I have to wait longer to have the work done, as those I want to do it, seem to take more holidays than most! I suppose that figures though…
Yours,
 This Week's News
New survey reveals shocking failure of Government to address payment issues
Here's a snapshot of the results: Problem solved... New ingenious combined overflow and waste system hides pipes on freestanding baths
Based on a Victorian original, the Arcade Fire Hydrant can be positioned at the side or end of the bath and comes with extensions that allow it to be up to 950mm away from the centre of the bath waste. It is nickel finished in a coating process called PVD (physical vapour disposition). All Arcade brassware is nickel plated via PVD offering the unique finish that is as hard wearing as chrome. Cosentino Group announces its 9th International Cosentino Design Challenge Competition
The competition comprises two categories - Architecture and Design - and is open to all students who registered between the years 2014 and 2015 from any school or centre of higher education for design, architecture or interior architecture anywhere in the world.
Over 120 UK retailers joined the InHouse team to see new ranges presented by Schueller and next125 plus a presentation by managing director Wayne Dance on Branding and Marketing, specifically aimed at the UK independent retailer. KBSA announces National Chair Designate
Tina is the owner of family business Modern Homes in Leamington Spa, which celebrated its 45th Anniversary recently. Just Taps Plus moves into furniture
The new Mobel range is built using top quality carcase materials with fittings from Blum and is very versatile. British Ceramic Tile supports the next generation of designers
Developed to bring insight to the flooring industry, the 'Live Design' project, which formed part of the trends hub, showcased the next generation of designers, who were tasked with producing inspirational flooring designs over the three-day period. On-trend stone finish for popular Milbourne range
"Neutral tones, inspired by nature, are very much on trend, and the stone painted finish responds to the consumer demand for a timeless tone that can be dressed up or down, modern or country," comments Graeme Smith, senior designer at PWS.
The Peak District Mountain Bike Challenge took place late last month and provided riders with varying routes and distances to cater for a multitude of riding abilities. F & P Wholesale launches new Capri bathroom suite
Available exclusively to F & P Wholesale customers, the Capri range joins Halo, Elan, Georgia Plus and Lucy - providing independent merchants with even more choice of exclusive ranges to help achieve a competitive edge in the marketplace. New, high-end boutique hotel in Rome features Kaldewei baths and shower surfaces
Equally as much emphasis on exclusive design and 'made in Germany' quality was applied to the bathrooms, which feature baths and enamelled shower surfaces made by Kaldewei. The KBzine Archive Search We keep an extensive archive of news stories and product information that have featured in past issues of The KBzine. If you would like to run a search of the The KBzine web site using the search tool below please just go ahead by entering in the name of the person, product or company or any other key words that you are looking for. How to contact us at The KBzine:
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clicking the link above. Recent News
New Design Britain Awards 2015 open for entries
Refinery Showcases the Future of DIY Retail
Gruelling three-day charity challenge beats target T Celebration marks quarter of a century
KBSA AGM and National Meeting breaks records The Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association has said that this year's AGM, National Meeting and Networking Dinner were their most successful since the start of the recession. Attended by over 40 retailers and almost 30 corporates, the event attracted almost 120 delegates. KBSA announces 'Excellence Award' winners
Diane Berry Kitchens wins 2014 KBSA Designer Awards
Kitchen Concept winner announced in 2014 KBSA Designer Awards
Denby Kitchens wins 2014 KBSA Designer Awards
Young designer stars in KBSA Designer Awards
Supplier Awards winners anncounced The now traditional Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association Supplier Awards were announced at the 2014 KBB Review Kitchen Conference this week, and again, KBSA members voted for those suppliers that they thought had excelled in their service to them in 2013/14. New research conducted by an online bathroom retailer in the UK has revealed the top desirable wish list bathroom features which create the most luxurious bathroom environments. LDL Components scoops Entrepreneur Award
Triton questions revised consumer rights bill
Ceramic tiles market strengthens in 2014
Marketing
Franchise makes concessions to High Street trading conditions
Abode unveils inspirational new website
One in four UK businesses think their marketing isn't performing Almost a quarter (24%) of UK based businesses believe that their marketing isn't performing as it should be, with a third of these (33%) complaining that the difficulty of making an impact with the advertising they do, is the biggest barrier to success. |
