The kbbreview Podcast · 2026-06-18 · 35 min
Is the traditional independent KBB retailer being squeezed out of the middle? As the likes of Wren, Howdens, DIY Kitchens and Victorian Plumbing continue to push further up the value chain, many independent retailers are finding themselves caught in a tightening gap between volume and luxury. So what happens when the middle ground starts to disappear? kbbreview editor Andy Davies is joined as always by Trevor Scott (RFK), Steph Warner (Pier1 Bathrooms), Nick Warrington (Stuart J Warrington) and Liz Pantling-Jones (Lima Kitchens) to tackle one of the biggest questions facing the industry right now. Is the mid-market actually shrinking, or are we simply redefining what it means? Have the big national players already won the battle for value-conscious customers? And is the real danger not being in the middle market but being indistinguishable within it? We're exploring why more independents are moving upmarket and whether that's a strategic choice or a necessity.
The new online threat69 / 100What keeps you awake at night?How to charge for designHow the 2026 Retailers of the Year built award-winning businesses...What's the best way train new recruits?