With over 3,500 members in nine countries, Der Kreis is Europe’s biggest kitchen and bathroom buying group, and its UK arm – the Kitchen Bathroom Buying Group – offers independent retailers enhanced buying conditions from leading suppliers, as well as access to unique private label kitchen furniture ranges.
We talk to KBBG MD Bill Miller about why, if you're not already a member, now is the time to consider signing up.
What sets the KBBG and Der Kreis apart from other buying groups in the UK?
The KBBG was created to support independent kitchen and bathroom specialists – it's part of Der Kreis, which has 40 years’ experience and a turnover in excess of 3.4 billion Euros.
The KBBG improves purchasing and marketing within the industry, creating competitive buying conditions from leading European suppliers, originating private labels, which are available only to members, as well as providing a range of exclusive services to maximise the success of each specialist retailer.
All KBBG members remain independent and retain their identity, while gaining better buying conditions and maintaining a direct trading relationship with suppliers. Members also have access to ongoing UK-based support and services such as Lead Wolf, Virtual360 Tour and Used Kitchen Exchange.
What are the key benefits for a retailer who joins?
Our objective is very simple and that is to create a strong and sustainable independent channel, to enable our members to achieve their full business potential. Some of the many benefits that the KBBG offers members are:
1. Purchasing power of over 3,500 members to enable independents to compete at any level in the market place.
2. Improved buying conditions and bonus payments through co-operation with a range of leading kitchen, appliance and bathroom suppliers.
3. Giving a much-needed voice to our members in the industry.
4. Product marketing with distinctive exclusive private labels.
5. Suppliers' offers, exclusive deals and discounted promotions.
6. Exclusive consumer finance scheme backed by Hitachi Capitol.
7. Training and seminars.
Are you currently introducing any fresh incentives for retailers to sign up?
The KBBG has an ongoing policy of introducing new promotions and incentives to support retailers; new and exclusive products as well as introducing a multitude of powerful industry partners with unique offers for our members.
The most recent support for retailers comes from Lead Wolf, a digital agency that specialises in consumer lead generation for the kitchen and bathroom industry. Lead Wolf successfully helps independent retailers increase the number of high-quality customer sales leads coming into their business each month, and now KBBG members can access an exclusive offer from Lead Wolf to support business growth.
What would you say to a retailer who was currently considering joining?
The KBBG supports the independent kitchen and bathroom specialist through thick and thin and there has never been a better time to be a member, in these unrelenting and challenging times.
Business is buoyant for nearly all our members. Both with pre-Covid-19 enquiries turning into firm orders, plus pleasingly, brand-new post-Covid-19 customers.
For any independent kitchen and bathroom specialist that hasn’t considered joining a buying group before, now is the time to do so. Our members welcome the additional support from us and our suppliers through regular communication and the security of being part of a group of likeminded retailers. Often just a friendly phone call or visit, and the opportunity to discuss your business plan, marketing idea or the possible introduction of a new product range, can make a positive difference.
For more information on membership of the KBBG call 02382 021 347 or 07887 247 811, or email b.miller@derkreis.co.uk
