Buying group KBBG, part of Der Kreis, has announced an exclusive partnership with trade association for independent KBB retailers the Kbsa.

Announced at the KBBG AGM, held at the National Space Centre, the arrangement will include cross promotion, with the Kbsa promoting the KBBG and vice versa.

In addition KBBG members will be offered 50% discount on the first 12 months of Kbsa membership, saving them around £600.

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Both organisations are focused on the independent KBB retail, with the KBBG and Kbsa reporting similar-sized memberships.

Managing director of KBBG Bill Miller commented on the union: “It has been 10 years in the making”, and stated the Kbsa had changed during this time and was “very relevant, very flexible and perfect for independent businesses and a perfect fit with us.”

Retail and corporate membership director of the Kbsa Malcolm Scott commented on the partnership: “I looked at the [Kbsa]  board and two thirds of them are in Der Kreis and yet only 10% of the membership are in Der Kreis. I said to the board ‘are we keeping this a secret? If it works for you why don’t we tell everyone else?”

Malcolm Scott explained the decision was not only driven by the challenging market but changes in the industry and abandonment of pre-set ideas: “Whatever people think the Kbsa was, it isn’t that anymore.”

Explaining the synergies of the organisations, Bill Miller said the KBBG supports the front end of a retail business, while the Kbsa offers back office support.

Miller also pointed to a wider choice of membership packages to suit a broader church of KBB retail businesses.

He numbered the advantages of becoming a Kbsa member, including added consumer confidence, an optional deposit protection scheme, and help with terms and conditions.

Miller added: “This is really important. Trustmark gets over 1million hits a year on its website. Because the Kbsa standards mirror the Trustmark standards, you get Trustmark approval for your business.”

Commenting on the expectations of the partnership, Malcolm Scott stated: “If I got 10 new members, today, it would be fantastic.”

But stated by the end of the year, it could see half of KBBG members joining the Kbsa, as Malcolm Scott: “I can’t see why not.”