KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
28th January 2021

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Most KBSA retail members have confidence in supply chains - whatever Brexit brings

With just weeks left, the clock is ticking on Brexit. The delays and uncertainties have not been good for business, making it difficult to make decisions.

While the majority of Kitchen Bathroom & Bedroom Specialists Association retailers do not have to deal with bringing their own products into the UK, they need to have confidence that their suppliers have plans in place to deal with all possible outcomes and luckily, a snapshot survey found that the majority of them have confidence that their suppliers have contingency plans in place for a no deal exit.

"We know that some major suppliers have increased their stocks to avoid any delays from goods coming into UK ports and others have looked at alternative routes in," says KBSA chair Richard Hibbert.

"Our advice to members is to maintain a dialogue with their suppliers so that they can plan their workload based on realistic scenarios. Retailers will not want customers to face unforeseen delays or sudden increased costs, keeping lines of communication open and planning in advance will be key to managing the challenges ahead. "

When asked which outcome they preferred, between leaving with no deal, negotiating a delay or Theresa May getting her deal approved, most KBSA members voted in favour of Theresa May being able to negotiate her deal. There was only a handful of votes for leaving without a deal and one vote for the alternative scenario of another referendum or cancelling Brexit altogether. Members were evenly split on whether Theresa May was likely to get her deal approved.

T: 01623 818808
W: www.kbsa.org.uk

8th February 2019