International News
Products
Knit wall murals - perfect for that cosy night in when it's cold outside
One of the latest big interiors trends in which Hygge and Lagom say we should all be indulging, to give our homes (and overselves) some extra love during these colder months, this charming Knit mural collection celebrates the comfort and sentimentality of knitted pieces by bringing them to the walls of our homes.
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Belling launches freestanding microwave collection: Five models and two new looks
Popular appliance manufacturer Belling, part of Glen Dimplex Home Appliances, has launched a collection of freestanding microwaves to complement its existing cooking ranges. The new collection includes five products and offers two distinct aesthetics - a collection of sleek modern appliances and a Retro range in racing-car red, glossy black or vintage cream.
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Ripples franchise appeal to industry-insiders!
Established in 1988, Ripples has become famed for designing and creating beautiful bespoke bathrooms, they have built up an impressive collection of showrooms nationwide, employing almost 30 bathroom designers.
2017 saw the doors open on one of Ripples' largest showrooms in Birmingham, based within Cookes Furniture the new showroom is already proving to be a huge hit, with hundreds of visitors heading to the inspiring new showroom in its first month.
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Introducing the Regent Furniture Range
Thomas Crapper & Co is introducing bathroom furniture for the very first time to complement its extensive range of heritage WC's and sanitaryware.
The new Regent furniture collection is the ideal solution for any bathroom, providing ample storage without compromising on style. Regent has a classic aesthetic with a modular design, playing on the key modular living trend and offering an elegant and flexible solution for all bathrooms.
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Utopia adds to popular Symmetry range
Utopia Bathrooms has updated and extended its popular Symmetry range of curved bathroom furniture with important additions including a new free-standing basin for modular units and an extended worktop choice.
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Move and Switch with LDL
LDL is adding the new Blum Move and Switch cutlery and drawer dividing systems to its product portfolio. Specifically designed for use with Antaro and Legrabox drawers, the new systems offer more choice and flexibility for the optimum organisation of drawer interiors.
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Shower in style with Laura Ashley Bathroom Collection
With nearly 90% of UK homes having at least one shower, demand for super stylish shower systems that will complement both traditional and contemporary bathrooms continues to grow. Perfect for those looking to introduce a chic and sophisticated shower to their bathroom this spring, Laura Ashley Bathroom Collection's thermostatically-controlled shower systems provide safe and stylish solutions that all the family can enjoy.
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Welcome to the
KBzine
The first time I ventured into Ecobuild I was absolutely blown away by everything on offer and it struck me that this was the way, we as human beings, need to live in the future, if we're to make the most of the Earth's valuable resources.
I often say when visiting shows related to the KBB sector, that "I could happily move in", and although I can remember being frustrated at Ecobuild's confusing layout (which has since changed for the better) this was one show that I wanted to thoroughly explore as it offered a real voyage of discovery. I would have needed a good couple of weeks to see all I wanted to.
The show starts on Tuesday and it's running alongside K & B Design, so there will be even more to get excited about. How on earth am I going to cover it all in the three days available?
Although the weather isn't grand at the moment, there's a sprinkling of blossom on some trees, meaning that Spring is just around the corner. With the Spring comes the feel-good factor and our desire to improve our home environments.
I hope the sun shines next week and gives everyone a lift, as this will encourage buyers to do more than wander around looking for ideas and take advantage of the many networking opportunities this type of event offers, and instead do their best to fill your order books. If you're exhibiting, best of luck!
This Week's News
5% growth in the UK residential kitchen furniture market in 2016
 The UK domestic kitchen furniture market has grown steadily in recent years and particularly in 2015/2016, with value growth in the past two years reaching 5% per annum, according to the newly published Domestic Kitchen Furniture Market Report - UK 2017-2021 Analysis.
The analysis says there is also evidence of volume growth during this period, and that the market is at the mature stage of its product lifecycle, with replacement sales accounting for almost 80% of sales - a share which had increased steadily in the past, but has remained stable in recent years.
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CIH hosts digital marketing workshop for Euronics agents
 Combined Independents (Holdings), an electrical buying group, part of Euronics, Europe's largest electrical buying group, held the first part of its Independent Digital Education Programme, an AdWords workshop, exclusively for Euronics agents in Central London recently.
Sponsored by Euronics supplier, Electrolux, the informal workshop focused on a number of topics, including an introduction to search engine marketing, building an effective AdWords campaign, and support for future AdWords marketing.
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More than a kitchen: The new Kyra range from in-toto
 In-toto Kitchens opts for a cosy cottage atmosphere with its new Kyra range. With its grooved, wood-effect doors, and charming appearance, Kyra epitomises traditional country house and Nordic styles. A handled design (pictured with a Metal D-handle in Matt Black), this kitchen creates a tranquil, homely environment and provides a fresh approach to a classic kitchen look.
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Installing sustainability is an education for Geberit apprentices in Poland
 Ten Geberit apprentices have recently returned from a working trip to Poland, where their sanitaryware installation skills were put to the test in upgrading the toilet facilities at a primary school in Warsaw.
The project formed part of Geberit's ongoing global social responsibility strategy. Each year since 2008, Geberit apprentices from various locations have spent time away from their everyday work to help out on a social project abroad.
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Inexpensive 'stone look' floors are easy to install
 While Select First has always been a champion of wood and carpet, the company believes that there is something enticing about stone underfoot with its shade and texture versatility.
Stone flooring can, however, be tricky to install and maintain, and it's likely to arrive with a hefty price tag - hence the company's interest in 'stone look' floors; authentic imitations spanning slate, limestone, marble, concrete, pebble and mosaic.
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Traditional glamour yet modern manufacturing: Ideal Standard's new Waverley collection
 Ideal Standard has launched Waverley, a collection inspired by the elegance of the Victorian and Edwardian bathroom, which offers authentic period detail combined with the quality and reliability of modern manufacturing.
As a business with a history that dates back to the eras that inspired the collection and beyond, Ideal Standard is perfectly placed to craft a collection that takes reference from the traditional glamour of late 19th and early 20th century design.
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'PJH Partners Portal' Goes Mobile
 PJH has updated its 'PJH Partners Portal' e-commerce site by optimising the online ordering platform for mobile use. The addition of mobile optimisation follows research and feedback indicating that an increasing number of customers are accessing PJH's online ordering platform via smart phones and tablets, and the feature is designed to make the experience even more user-friendly and versatile.
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New chair appointed at KBSA
 The KBSA has announced the appointment of a new chair for retail members with Richard Hibbert taking over the role from Tina Riley. Tina has held the position for two years and is standing down to spend more time in her business, to prepare to celebrate its 50th anniversary and her 40th year in the business.
Richard owns a showroom, KSL in Suffolk; he has been in the industry for 15 years and an active KBSA board member for three years.
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New point of sale displays for retailers
 Providing retailers with a powerful visual aid for marketing its Ceralsio porcelain and CRL Quartz surfaces, CRL Stone has introduced new point of sale displays.
Sample boxes are available to showcase both brands, with room for 36 samples in each box which enables the complete offering to be displayed with ease.
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Rearo launches online shop
 Rearo's kitchen and bathroom waterproof wall and ceiling surface products, as well as its worktops and flooring range, are now available to buy online.
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Maxtop helps family on BBC DIY SOS Big Build
 Worktop specialist Maxtop, has worked with DIY SOS to help renovate the kitchen of a family in need. The programme, which aired at 9pm on BBC One this month, opted for Maxtop Quartz White Jasmine surfaces for the Worcestershire-based, Payne-Cheney family's kitchen.
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Expansion prompts Aquavision move to new premises
 Aquavision, a pioneer of in-wall and waterproof televisions, has moved its headquarters, factory and warehouse to new larger premises in Stockport near Manchester, having outgrown its previous premises. The company can now boast a 10,000sq.ft facility - nearly four times larger than the previous one.
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Häfele launches latest edition of go-to reference guide
 Häfele has launched the latest version of its guide 'The Complete: Häfele Furniture Fittings Design' showcasing its design-led product range for furniture buyers, designers and manufacturers.
With over 6000 products featured, The Complete Häfele has long been a comprehensive reference for those active end-to-end in the furniture industry across residential, commercial and leisure spectrums.
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Marketing
Utopia launches new online lead generation tool for retailers
Utopia Bathrooms has upgraded its online showroom locator to help drive more traffic into its network of retail showrooms. It now not only provides consumers with a list of local showrooms to visit, it also identifies the specific products they will be able to see, together with a list of services the showroom has to offer from interior design to fitting.
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Karonia launches brand new company website
Solid surface specialist Karonia has launched a brand-new company website at www.karonia.com. The result of an intensive period of redevelopment, the new site comprises dedicated microsites for each of the company's retail brands, Mistral worktops, Orello sinks and Karonia Store tooling and accessories.
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Literature
Abode introduces new bathroom brochure for 2017
A new 232-page bathroom brochure has been introduced for 2017, emulating the creative lines of the Abode product range. It has been designed as a complete product information guide providing both Abode's retail partners and the consumer with everything they need to know, to make those all-important decisions.
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