Kitchens proving recipe for success
Plans are in place to open a new Kutchenhaus showroom in the West Country after demand during the pandemic saw the kitchen retailer’s store in Bath exceed growth targets and create jobs.
The outlet on Saracen Street, which opened in September 2020, said it had beaten its first-year revenue target by more than 50 per cent as customers turned to home improvement during the national lockdowns.
The business said it had doubled the store’s staff from four to eight in order to keep up with demand, including three kitchen installers, while an additional designer will be recruited in the coming months.
The brand, which is owned by Europe’s largest kitchen manufacturer Nobilia and provides German-designed kitchens, said it had pivoted to online operations during last year’s lockdowns.
Customers were able to make virtual appointments where they could be consulted on kitchen designs using the company’s new 3D planning and design software.
The manager of the Kutchenhaus store in Bath, Rob Cash, is also the franchisee owner of the brand’s Bristol showroom in Clifton Down Shopping Centre, which he has operated since 2017.
He said the business was forecasting an “even stronger” 12 months ahead, and was aiming to double sales at the Bath store. He is also considering opening a second showroom in Bristol to further increase the business’ presence in the city.
Mr Cash, who has over 15 years’ experience of working within kitchen design, said he is keen to keep a possible new Bristol location close to the existing one for operational purposes, but far enough apart to allow it to attract clients from a wider area.
He said despite the impact of lockdown, sales in Bath had been “massively” above expectations and were higher in some months than at the more established Bristol showroom.
“It has been an interesting 12 months as the pandemic forced us to change how we work but I am so proud of what the team has achieved during this successful period despite the obvious challenges,” said Mr Cash.
“Home improvement has proven to be very popular during the lockdowns and for this reason we are seeing an increase in demand for fitted kitchens.”
Sean Ford, national head of sales and operations for Kutchenhaus, said: “Kutchenhaus is on an ambitious growth path over the next few years, so it’s fantastic to see the progress that Rob and the team are making at our Bath business.
“There’s no doubt trading conditions are tough for retailers especially with the competitiveness of the home improvement market.
“Our franchise owners are bucking the trend by creating an engaging store environment and delivering a high-quality product. We look forward to the team’s future success.”
Kutchenhaus has more than 40 showrooms across the UK.