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.
Its kitchen retailers 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 which include strong 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? Fresh off the back of its Annual General Meeting in July, David Morris, Sales Director for MHK UK explains some of the key benefits for retailers in more detail.
1. Improve your cashflow
Summer is the perfect time to plan ahead. When business picks up after the inevitable summer break, you’ll want to remain competitive against larger high street showrooms. Having good cashflow is essential for this.
MHK negotiates better buying terms for members from the leading suppliers in the kitchen industry allowing for better margins and competitive pricing. 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.
2. Gain access to more leading suppliers
MHK offers access to over 70 supplier partners in the UK across appliances, furniture, lighting, flooring accessories as well as added value product categories such as AV and outdoor kitchens. Thanks to this, retailers can offer their customers 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 for each supplier. We even offer access to our exclusive in-house kitchen brand, Xeno which come with a 10 year functional warranty and the opportunity to earn market leading rebates.
3. Earn market-leading bonuses
We negotiate generous annual supplier bonuses for members, many of whom choose to reinvest back in their businesses. MHK members have used bonuses to open new showrooms, fund vehicles, and additional members of staff.
4. Bolster our 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.
Summer is the perfect time to get your ducks in a row in other areas of your business. MHK’s UK Team has extensive retail experience. Simply put, 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. This is why we have our own consumer-facing website Kitchen-Experts which proactively directs customers to retailer members that choose to become part of the Kitchen-Experts network.
5. Become part of a community and learn from peers
We firmly believe in providing a supportive network that allows independent retailers to benefit from the kind of resources typically reserved for large, established businesses, whilst still retaining their independence.
We are a community of like-minded entrepreneurs who understand the unique challenges and triumphs of running an independent kitchen studio business.
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 this summer and join a community of thousands across Europe
MHK UK members enjoy the benefits of full-service support, whether they are a start-up about to sign a showroom lease, or an established industry stalwart looking to take their 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 Schmidt, 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.
MHK UK is part of the renowned MHK Group, a powerhouse in the European kitchen and living industry. Founded in 1980, MHK Group has grown from a strong purchasing association into a leading industry platform, with over 4,200 members and over 800 manufacturer and supplier partners across Europe.
To learn more about becoming a member, contact David Morris, Sales Director: d.morris@mhkgroup.co.uk +44 7500 595744
