Bathroom sales have increased by £235million over the last six years, with an expected boost for full service bathroom retailers from 2019 following the withdrawal of B&Q Homefit installation, according to a new report.

The UK Bathroom Retail Market report by MTW Research suggests the DIY channel will return to its roots as a DIY products service channel and away from ‘full service’ provision.

Discussing the findings, director Mark Waddy commented: “The ‘traditional’ bathroom retailer excels at combining design, supply, install and post-sales support as a ‘turn-key’ package.

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“Other channels such as the Sheds and internet-only retailers appear to be unable to compete with this level of excellence and are positioning themselves very differently as a result.”

More technically complex products, which require closer integration between independent specialists and installers, are also boosting opportunities for the bathroom retail market according to MTW Research.

Consumers specifying luxury and features which require enhanced design and installation support has seen profitability rise by 2.5% per annum.

MTW specifically points to areas of growth which include 4G multi-generational living, rimless WCs, ‘tech heavy’ bathrooms and a growth in ‘showcase bathrooms’.

The independent report is based on £530million of data from bathroom retailers, which saw 45% of the market reporting growth in 2018.

MTW Research predicts the trends are set to offer a further £675million of sales for bathroom retailers up to 2022.