Buying group MHK UK reports its members have had a good start to 2024, and believes mid to upper-end KBB retail is steadier than over the past three years.

Speaking in January, sales manager David Morris stated: “I was talking to one of our members who has picked up 12 leads, since the beginning of the month, and he has converted five of those.”

Agreeing, sales director Paul Wheeler said: “It seems to be a good start. I think some of this is tied [together with] the availability of builders to start projects.”

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“It feels like the ship is a little bit steadier than it has been for the last three or four years”, he exclaimed.

However, they pointed out national retailers targeting higher-priced projects could prove to be a challenge for independent kitchen and bathroom retailers.

Paul Wheeler explained why the chains are targeting higher value sales: “The cost of living crisis has polarised the marketplace and we’ve seen the sub £15,000 market suffering way more than the £20,000 plus kitchen market.”

He encouraged independent kitchen and bathroom retailers to focus on service, rather than discounting on goods.

“We’ve got to be mindful of what we can do as retailers, and as MHK, to do things that those guys just can’t do. It comes back to relationships and the personal touch.

“[Independent] retailers are dealing with smaller amounts of customers, so can afford to give them that extra attention.”

Wheeler said he was cautiously optimistic about the market in 2024, whereas David Morris believed 2024 will be a reasonable year.

MHK is a sponsor of the British Institute of Kitchens, Bedrooms, Bathrooms Installation Awards and proposes to assist installers who want to open their own showroom, and will exhibit at Kbb Birmingham in March.