UK Kitchen and Bathroom Distribution - AMA Research

UK Kitchen and Bathroom Distribution: Growth, Challenges, and Opportunities

The UK kitchen and bathroom distributors market is projected to have a marginal increase of +3% in 2028. The 13th edition of the UK kitchen and bathroom distributors market report presents our forecast from 2024 to 2028 for distribution part of the kitchen and bathroom market, focusing on the following product groups:

  • Kitchen furniture
  • Worktops
  • Sinks
  • Appliances
  • Baths and sanitaryware
  • Taps and mixers
  • Bathroom furniture
  • Shower equipment

Market Overview

The UK kitchen and bathroom market has been volatile in the last five years due to economic uncertainties in the UK. Nonetheless, we expect growth, albeit at a slow pace. The market will remain dependent on the overall performance of the product sectors covered by these distributors.

However, bathroom products will continue to lead sales in the distributors market, as direct sales from kitchen manufacturers increase. Improvement in the residential construction forecast is expected to help this market become more stable in the next five years, as well as the Labour Government’s commitment to build 1.5 million new homes.

The distribution of kitchen and bathroom products will remain lead by trade distributors (builders’ and plumbers’ merchants) and retail kitchen and bathroom specialists.

Finally, sustainability, smart and inclusive products are likely to become more attractive to consumers in the future due to demographic changes as well as changes in energy efficiency standards in the construction sector.

What impacts the market?

The UK kitchen and bathroom distributors market has been impacted by recent economic uncertainties. Nonetheless, despite the market’s volatile performance in the last few years, we expect growth in the next five years, albeit at a slow pace, due to increased activity in the residential sector following the election of the Labour government.

This market is highly dependent on the overall performances of the product sectors covered by these distributors. Additionally, imports of raw materials and products have strongly increased in these sectors, putting further pressure on margins and enhancing competition for suppliers. Demographic changes in the UK are also impacting the type of purchases made in this market. For instance, living spaces are shrinking, limiting home improvement options for consumers.

Additionally, the UK’s ageing population has a positive impact on the purchase of inclusive kitchens and bathrooms. Technologically and environmentally, a large part of kitchen and bathroom product innovations revolve around smart and sustainable products.

In this market, most of the environmental initiatives are taken by the manufacturers. However, due to consumers’ growing standards regarding the quality and sustainability of kitchen and bathroom products, distributors tend to try and promote sustainable products, as well as sustainable transports.

Key Players in the Kitchen and Bathroom Distributors Market

Bathroom and kitchen manufacturers market have also been impacted by economic uncertainties but have now regained stability.

Bathroom and kitchen products, at distributors selling price, continue to represent a large part of the products distributed in this market. On the other hand, shower products and kitchen appliances represent a minority of sales in this market.

Nonetheless, there has been slight changes in recent years. First, kitchen product manufacturers have increased their share in the distributors market. Second, sales sourced through distributors for bathroom and shower products have increased in recent years.

The market remains highly competitive; product differentiation, scale, stock holding and additional services have helped distributors stand out. Further, regional distributors are sometimes more able to understand the intricacies of their particular market, thus helping them stay ahead of trends. Key distributors in the bathroom and shower sectors include PJH Group, Primaflow, and Ideal Bathrooms. Key distributors in the kitchen sector include PWS, Waterline, and J&J Ormerod. Key distributors in the kitchen appliances sector include Stearn Electric, DBD Distribution, and Hibberd Distribution.

Distribution in the UK

The distribution of kitchen and bathroom products in the UK differs depending on the product sector. For bathroom products, we identify five channels – direct supply, home improvement / retail multiples, trade distributors, online retailers, and bathroom specialists.

Trade distributors and home improvement multiples/retail multiples hold a majority of this market. For kitchen products, five channels were also identified, including trade distributors and merchants, home improvements multiples, internet sales –three channels considered as major distributions channels in this market –, retail bathroom specialists, and others.

Market Forecast

This market is likely to show slow growth in the next five years as it will remain impacted by geopolitical tensions, such as the war in Ukraine, high prices for imported goods, and the recent changes in the UK government. Nonetheless, growth expected in the residential new build and RMI output will support this market in the next five years.

As energy efficiency will become particularly crucial to the construction sector following the Future Homes and Buildings Standards to be implemented in 2025, this should impact the type of product purchased for kitchens and bathrooms. Furthermore, distributors’ brand portfolio may grow in the next five years, with an increasing use of overseas brands, adding further pressure on UK manufacturers of kitchen and bathroom products.

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