Welcome to The kbbreview Podcast, your host is Andy Davies and this is Episode Three of Season 14.

Today we're looking at something which asks a very difficult existential question of independent KBB retailers - do you ever think what might happen if you got into financial difficulty and couldn't finish your clients project?

In particular, we're looking at whether or not retailers should have some kind of deposit protection insurance. In other words, something that means they will get back any money they've already given you if the worst happens.

• What is deposit protection insurance and who does it work?
• What are pros and cons? Why is it not more prevalent?
• How do you talk about it with customers without sounding like you're about to go bust?
• Given the sums of money involved, should it be mandatory?

We're talking it through with Richard Hibbert from KSL in Sudbury - he's also chairman of the KBSA of course - and Nick Warrington from Stuart J Warrington in Macclesfield.

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Welcome to The kbbreview Podcast, your host today is editor-at-large Rebecca Nottingham and this is another of our very special Rising Star episodes where we meet the upcoming superstars of kitchen and bathroom retail all under the age of 30.

Between August 2024 and March 2025 we’re picking a monthly Rising Star to feature in the magazine, online and this very podcast. Those eight monthly winners then become the shortlist for the overall winner which will be revealed at the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2025 in April.

It's done with the support of our very good friends at Blum and you can find out more about them at blum.com…….and you can see all the Rising Stars so far at kbbreview.com/risingstar

So here's our February Rising Star - Sonny Upton, lead maker at Shape London who is not only valued for his cabinet making skills but also as a passionate, versatile and reliable member of the team.

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Welcome to The kbbreview Podcast, your host is Andy Davies as always and this is the second episode of Season 14.

This week we've got a great, and very candid, interview with Sharon Wallis, the UK head of one of most iconic and longest-established kitchen furniture brands you can find - Poggenpohl.

It has a long pedigree, of course, established as it was in 1892 in Germany by Friedemir Poggenpohl but its recent history has been a little more tumultuous.

In 2020 at the height of the pandemic it filed for insolvency in Germany and, after a scrappy and uncertain sales process, it was eventually bought by Chinese firm, Jomoo.

So, kicking off with both a lockdown AND the insolvency of the German parent, finance director Sharon Wallis took over as the new MD. A baptism of fire for anyone.

But Poggenpohl in the UK has always been a steady ship and, in fact, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024. It is, of course, both a retailer in its own right, and a supplier to other independents.

So, what was it like taking over at that time, how is current performance, how do you balance both retail and supply and what is it like being a female senior business leader in an industry still dominated by men?

Our kbbreview editor-at-large Rebecca Nottingham went to meet her at their Hampstead showroom….

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Welcome to The Kbbreview Podcast and another special episode all about the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2025.

Your host as always is Matt Baker and today we’re going to shine a spotlight on the design categories and take another look into the minds of our design judges to see what they thought of this year’s entries, what themes they spotted, and how much they get out of the process themselves.

We caught up with them at the end of the finalists presentation days. This is when they get to quiz all the designers on their shortlisted projects and find out all the details so what are the trends that came through, and just what difference does it make to talk directly to them?

Before that, a huge thank you needs to go out to our 2025 Awards Podcast Partner, Sonas Bathrooms - it’s great to have their continued support. an you can find out all about them at sonasbathrooms.co.uk .

The awards event is at the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom on April 24th and it is SOLD OUT. So if you still want to come, you’ll have to join our waiting list. Go to kbbreview.com/awards for full details.

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Welcome to The kbbreview Podcast and after a Christmas break that has somehow reached the end of February we are back with a brand new season.

It's Season 14 and we'll be with you right up to the end of April but in this first episode we're taking a look at an issue thornier than a garden full of brambles - and that's paying for displays.

• Who do YOU think should foot the bill - the retailer or the supplier?
• Why do some brands offer 'free' displays and others not?
• What are the pros and cons for the retailer? And if they're paying, how much control should brands therefore have on what you display?
• Are suppliers fundamentally underestimating the value of showroom real estate and, for that matter, exactly how retailers use those displays to sell?

We're talking it all through with Tina Riley from Modern Homes, Lisa Kyme from Ripples London, and Gary Nolan from marketing agency Pure Visibility.

The kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2025 event on April 24th in the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom is SOLD OUT. However, you can go on our waiting list by emailing tracey@taylistmedia.com

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Welcome to The kbbreview Podcast and another of our very special Rising Star episodes where we meet the upcoming superstars of kitchen and bathroom retail all under the age of 30.

Your host is editor-at-large Rebecca Nottingham and between August 2024 and March 2025 we’re picking a monthly Rising Star to feature in the magazine, online and this very podcast. Those eight monthly winners then become the shortlist for the overall winner which will be revealed at the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2025 in April.

It's done with the support of our very good friends at Blum and you can find out more about them at blum.com…….and you can see all the Rising Stars so far at kbbreview.com/risingstar

So let's meet our Rising Star for January Victoria Mich, senior design at Chisholm Design in Surrey. Despite only being in the industry a few years herself, Victoria has already become a mentor for new team members....

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Welcome to the latest of our special awards episodes of The kbbreview Podcast all about the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2025.

Last month, right before the festive break, we announced the shortlist and so today we’re talking to some of those finalists to hear a little bit about why they entered and what it means to them ahead of the second stage of judging.

We have for New Kitchen Retailer Of The Year finalists Andy Barwell from Turnwell Kitchens in Chichester and a finalist in not one, not two, but all three of the bathroom design categories, Sophie Harrold from Simply Bathrooms in Surbiton.

Before that, a huge thank you needs to go out to our awards podcast partner, Sonas Bathrooms - it’s great to have their continued support, as between now and the event on Thursday, April 24, at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom we'll be bringing you MORE special bonus episodes, all about the awards, and celebrate the very best talent our industry has to offer.

You can find out everything you need to know about our awards podcast sponsor at sonasbathrooms.co.uk.

Don't forget that there are still tickets left for the industry’s biggest awards. Just think, if you had the chance to spend quality time in a room full of the UK’s most successful independent kitchen and bathroom retailers, what opportunities could you create for yourself and your company?

Whether it’s to represent your brand, entertain key clients, network with industry leaders and influencers, leverage social media to showcase your attendance and amplify your visibility, or simply to have fun and support independent retail after a year of ups and downs – you can book your place by going to kbbreview.com/awards.

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Welcome to the very special episode of The kbbreview Podcast where we will reveal the full shortlist for the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2025.

Your hosts are kbbreview's Matt Baker and Andrew Davies and they will exclusively announce who the finalists are for all our design and retail categories. YOU won't get this list anywhere else until next week so don't miss it!

Huge thanks to our Awards Podcast Partner for 2025 Sonas Bathrooms, we couldn't do these special awards episodes without their support.

The gala black tie event where we announce the winners is on Thursday, April 24 at the iconic Tower Ballroom in Blackpool. If you want to be at the biggest KBB party of the year then book your tickets now as there is a limited capacity.

You can find out all you need to know about the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2025 at our website kbbreview.com/awards including how to book your seats and tables.

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