Owner of Kesseler Kitchens Hove Sean Carter says he has had “sales beyond what we ever expected” in 2020, up 40% against the same time last year.

This is despite closing the business during the first lockdown, not even offering virtual appointments, as he was concerned about risks and, serving part-time with the RAF, was mobilised to help with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sean Carter explained financial assistance from the government meant he didn’t lose any “real” money in the three months the business was closed and “there was a huge build-up of people wanting to see us”, after lockdown.

Sponsored Video

Quarter sawn Tulipwood

In fact, Carter stated: “We had such a good run, we sold £250,000 [worth of kitchens] in three months and that’s excluding VAT and fitting.”

Taking part in Kitchens & Bathrooms News’ video interview series #KBNOne2One, Carter said he was optimistic about kitchens sales in 2021: “If we’re lucky, we’ve got another solid 12 months where people are still going to invest in their homes. I think we’ve got another good year [ahead], if we’re positive.”

“For example. we have six kitchens being delivered or installed in December, and we’re only open for two and a half weeks. We’ve got four booked in for January, one for February and one for March.”

He commented: “If we continue the way we are going, installations up until March will be 47% up on our first year, including being closed and fitting nothing for three months [in the first national lockdown].”

Although he states there is a risk of further lockdowns and an influx of people going on holiday, Carter adds: “Typically our sort of customer can afford a holiday and a kitchen, anyway.”

He further added despite the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out “a lot of people still won’t want to go abroad, they are nervous about the vaccine.

“So there’s still a good year of people not wanting to go away. There’s also a lot of people who will have realised they can do a lot more in their home.”

Although only a year old, Kesseler Kitchens Hove has already reviewed appliance suppliers, created new showroom displays, provided supply only kitchens, and now offers finance.

Carter says the finance will take the business into a younger marketplace, “which typically buys on monthly payments”, and it allows him to compete with the likes of Wren and Magnet.

He will be advertising his business, with finance options, on the radio until January “the busiest time of the year.”

Sean Carter expects his business to grow in 2021 by 20-30% at least, if the company has a full year’s trading.

He continues: “My goal is to get this shop to do £1million a year. We won’t do it next year but I think the year after we will.”

And he concludes: “Plans still are in place with Kesseler to do a second showroom next year.”