I’ve been exposed to the concept of charging for kitchen designs - and debating it with people from all sides - for the past couple of years. 

It’s one of those topics that keeps resurfacing - often with a mix of curiosity, uncertainty, and resistance. 

But lately, it’s becoming harder to ignore. 

At the recent KBSA Conference, the subject came up again - this time as a major talking point during the afternoon panel discussion.

Over the last decade, I’ve had the chance to work closely - on and off - with Nigel Botterill.

If you don’t know the name, Nigel is the founder of Entrepreneurs Circle, a business growth organisation that’s supported thousands of small business owners across the UK. 

Over the past couple of decades, Nigel’s built nine separate million-pound businesses. 

He knows what it takes to grow, and just as importantly, what holds most businesses back. 

I’ve learned a lot from him over the years. But this year, in particular, one message from him has really stuck with me…

When I speak to kitchen retailers and they tell me they’re “doing social,” I can usually guess what they mean. 

They’re posting organically. 

And that’s of value. 

It keeps your name in front of people, shows off your work, and builds familiarity with your brand. 

But organic on its own is limited. 

We’re nearly two-thirds of the way through the year.

Whether 2025 has been flying for you, or it’s felt like a grind, one thing is absolutely true:

The next stretch could be your strongest yet.

As we head out of the period for New Year kitchen promotions, it’s time to ask yourself:  

How are your best prospects making buying decisions in 2025?  

Are they simply chasing the lowest price - or are they searching for guidance, trust, and expertise? 

I trust 2025 is off to a positive start for you! 

A timely question: are you giving your website leads the attention they deserve?  

Those brochure downloads aren’t just casual clicks—they’re your next big customer waiting to happen. 

We recently welcomed a fantastic new client to Inspire KBB – Andrew Osborne Kitchens in Southampton.     

During one of our first onboarding calls, their Director, Matt, shared an approach they use in their showroom that really caught our attention.   

Last week, I attended the Kbsa 2024 conference. Another quality event organised by and attended by people fully invested in the industry.

Over the day, the organisers and presenters gathered feedback about the state of the industry from the attendees—several hundred kitchen retailers and industry partners.

Some of the poll results were particularly striking…

I wanted to share some terrific feedback we recently received from one of our long-standing clients, Ray Munn Kitchens.   

Just for a moment, let me take you on a short journey.

It's the journey your ideal kitchen customer could well make next week or mid-afternoon on some weekday this month…

Early this year, I made a decision. A sizeable decision that I knew was long overdue.  

I'd had enough of operating our kitchen marketing agency under-resourced.   

So, with a bit of help, we defined our ideal future organisation chart and set about a course of action to 'fill in the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle'—even if this meant taking a hit on profitability in the short term.   

I don’t mean to brag, but when I look at a kitchen website, I can tell who designed it in under 10 seconds flat.

(That’s about the same time it takes to make a first impression, btw.)
 
No, I won’t know exactly who put it together. But, what I can immediately work out, is whether it’s been created by a Website Designer … or a Website Developer.
 
The two are very different. And the chances are, if the latter built yours, you’re missing out on clients and customers.

As we emerge from the recent UK election with a new government, I'm always struck by how many people apparently wait for political clarity before making big decisions, like embarking on home renovation.

I say 'apparently' because every second kitchen retailer I've spoken to in the past six weeks seems to have felt that things have been a little slower, suspecting the election had some bearing on that.

They may be right.

As you navigate the dynamic landscape of kitchen retail, it's crucial to leverage every advantage available to ensure your business thrives.

Running a successful independent kitchen retail business demands more than just great products, design and customer service. It requires a deep understanding of the market, the ability to anticipate trends, and the skills to engage your audience effectively.

Independent kitchen retailers know the intricacies and unique challenges of our industry. And here's why choosing a specialist kitchen marketing agency can make all the difference:

After a generally positive start to the year, as we’ve entered Q2, I have the impression that things may have cooled off in the new kitchen market. 

It's a clear reminder of the seasonal fluctuations that affect consumer interest in home improvement. 

It's also a sign that the higher interest rates continue to undermine consumer spending, which, of course, is what they're designed to achieve!

For independent kitchen retailers, this cooling period presents a unique challenge and a golden opportunity to refine and ramp up your marketing efforts.

Last week, I had the pleasure of engaging in an insightful conversation with one of our largest clients, a seasoned player in the kitchen retail industry.

His unsolicited insight and viewpoints encapsulated what many independent kitchen retailers strive for: success through strategic marketing.

A few months ago, I found myself deep in conversation with one of our standout kitchen clients.

Now, they're far from being the biggest of kitchen retailers, but they certainly punch well above their weight.

One of their Directors shared an insight with me that resonated profoundly…

I delivered a sales training session to the design team of one of our kitchen clients last week.

One of the questions posed to me was, “What are the most effective principles to work to when following up enquiries?”

Here are four key points we discussed…

This month, the feedback you’re most likely receiving from your promotional efforts is that most kitchen buyers have their attention elsewhere.

And you’d be right.

 December has always seen the lowest month of search volume for the kitchen industry each year. 

If only you could turn your marketing down when people aren’t interested, then whack it back up to 11 when they are!

I’ve got good news. You can.

Black Friday has come and gone, and the world was momentarily awash with a deluge of offers and discounts for almost everything from the anything store.

However, the excitement of the annual shopping extravaganza was almost entirely absent in our world of kitchen retail.

Why is that?

Because what we do is different. Very different.