SPONSORED CONTENT: Buying groups are not a new concept. At its core, a buying group creates collective strength to negotiate better prices and terms from suppliers. But it’s what MHK does beyond this single objective that sets it apart.

Since its launch to the UK market in 2018, MHK, the specialist buying group for the kbb sector, has steadily increased its membership base, welcoming some of the UK’s leading examples of independent kitchen retailers.

MHK UK is part of the renowned MHK Group, a powerhouse in the European kitchen and living industry.

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Founded in 1980, MHK Group has grown from a strong purchasing association into a leading industry platform, boasting over 4,200 members and over 800 manufacturer and supplier partners across Europe.

MHK’s members are entrepreneurial, with high standards of customer service, and ambitions to scale their businesses.

They want to offer the best design to their clients whilst simultaneously growing their profit margin.

To achieve this, they need a key set of ingredients for their business foundations, which include good cashflow, access to great suppliers, independent control over decision making, and expertise in several business-critical areas.

So how does membership to MHK help set independent retailers on the path to success? David Morris, Sales Director for MHK UK explains some of the key benefits for retailers in more detail.

1. Strong cashflow

MHK negotiates better buying terms for members from the leading suppliers in the kitchen industry allowing for excellent cashflow, better margins and competitive pricing. These terms include open ended credit to support your cashflow, 30 days to pay, including early settlement discounts, and a centralised payment system allowing you to pay all suppliers in a single transaction for simplified financial administration.

All of these terms combined allow you to remain competitive against larger high street showrooms.

2. Access to a range of the best suppliers across multiple price points

MHK offers access to over 70 supplier partners in the UK across appliances, furniture, lighting, flooring accessories and other added value product categories such as AV and outdoor kitchens. Thanks to this, retailers can offer a “price staircase” to cater for different budgets. The process for purchasing is the same for all, and you never need to fill out individual credit agreements with each supplier. We even offer access to our exclusive in-house kitchen brand, Xeno.  Made in Germany, Xeno offers a 10-year functional warranty, the opportunity to earn market leading rebates, a consumer website and social media activity and a wide range of promotional materials to help showcase the brand to your consumers.

3. Capital to reinvest into the business

We’ve negotiated generous annual supplier bonuses for members. There is an opportunity for this to be a very significant rebate that can be reinvested back into your business. I

n addition, members received an 8.53% margin bonus from MHK.

4. Expertise across marketing, finance and design

Working as an independent retailer often means navigating the challenges of running a business without a dedicated support team.

That’s where MHK steps in to offer invaluable assistance.

Simply put, the UK Team all have retail experience, we are experts in this field.

Through 22 in-house service companies, we are able to offer expert advice on all aspects of your business across management, cash flow planning, marketing and estate, from starting a business to succession.

In the digital age, MHK also recognises the difficulty of generating quality sales leads for independent retailers, offering tailored marketing support tools for retailers to utilise. T

his is why we have our own consumer-facing website “Kitchen Experts” which proactively directs customers to retailer members, that have become part of the “Kitchen Experts” network.

5. Retain independence whilst still being part of a community

Europe’s leading buying group, MHK, firmly believes in providing a supportive network that allows independent retailers to maintain their independence, they are not tied to using solely MHK suppliers.

MHK members benefit from the kind of resources and access typically reserved for large, established businesses.

We are a community of like-minded entrepreneurs who understand the unique challenges and triumphs of running an independent kitchen studio.

We have the ear of the industry and bring suppliers, retailers and other partners together – this was evident in our 2024 AGM held at The Belfry in July in which around 100 people from our community convened for a two-day conference with keynote speakers.

Become an MHK member and join a community of thousands across Europe

MHK UK members enjoy the benefits of full-service support, whether a start-up about to sign a showroom lease, or an established stalwart looking to take the business to the next level.

The MHK team understands the challenges of running an independent kitchen retail operation.

In the UK, members will join a community of success stories. From Audus Kitchens, Ridgeway Interiors, and Torben Smidt, to The Tile Centre, Ornate Interiors, and The Kitchen Consultancy, these are just a few of our members who are enjoying enduring success.

If you are independent kitchen retailer that wants to continue building and improving your business and would like access to a range of services that enable you independently to operate with more margin, better cash flow and profit, MHK will empower you to stay ahead in a dynamic and increasingly competitive marketplace.

To learn more about becoming a member, contact David Morris, sales director: d.morris@mhkgroup.co.uk +44 7500 595744