You’d think a fitted kitchen would cost about the same year-round, and to a certain extent you’d be right. However, despite the seemingly endless “Sales,” there are definitely better times to shop for full-size kitchens.
The best time to buy kitchens is… when they want your business the most!
The entire UK fitted kitchen industry revolves around four “Sale” periods as follows:
Period 1.
January – Winter Sale starting on Boxing Day – must end the last weekend of January
February: Winter sales magically extend until the end of February
March – No promotions. (Products must be displayed at “full” price for 28 days before discount is received)
period 2.
April – Beginning of the spring sale – coincides with Easter and additional “special offers” on holidays
May: Spring sales magically extend until the end of May
June – No promotions. (Products must be displayed at “full” price for 28 days before discount is received)
period 3.
July: Summer sale begins; must end the last weekend of June.
August: The summer sale magically extends until the end of August (usually the August bank holiday weekend)
September – No promotions. (Products must be displayed at “full” price for 28 days before discount is received)
Period 4.
October – Fall sale begins – must end last weekend in October
November: the fall sale is magically extended until the end of November (to capture the last “raids” before Christmas)
December – No promotions. (Products must be displayed at “full” price for 28 days before discount is received)
Which brings us full circle back to the upcoming winter sales, starting on Boxing Day.
It’s worth noting that December is the month when most kitchen retailers increase their prices (by 3-4%).
So, armed with the information above, we can figure out when they want our business the most, and therefore… the best time to buy kitchens.
- The first few days of the sale (any sale): The sales manager will be desperate to get the sale off to a good start and will offer additional “discounts on top of the sale.”
- The last weekend of the sale (any sale): The sales manager will be desperate to reach his billing target (your bonus will depend on it) and will instruct your designers to accept deals (any deal) to achieve it.
- Holidays: usually offer additional discounts
These are all great times to buy, but if you want to get the best possible deal on your new kitchen…
Buy your kitchen in periods of “No Sale” … why?
- The Sales Manager is not expecting sales in a non-sale period (his advertising disappears)
- Your billing goal is much lower and you don’t expect to reach it (no ads = no leads)
- His individual order can make his own target (for him and an unexpected bonus!)
- It’s worth noting that although there are no “advertised” discounts, the sales manager can authorize whatever he wants (within reason).
That’s why we say that the best time to buy kitchens is… when they want your business the most!
And that moment is… when you don’t expect it to fall into your lap, and it leads to an unexpected bonus!
The best time of all is… two weeks before Christmas – when no one else is buying Built-In Kitchens!