Abstract
The UK bathroom retail market is undergoing a transformation, with customisation becoming a dominant trend in response to space constraints, consumer demand for personalisation, and sustainability. This article explores the growing popularity of made-to-measure shower enclosures and the business advantages they offer retailers, including higher margins and reduced return rates.
Table of Contents
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Introduction: The Shift Towards Customisation in UK Bathroom Retail
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Market Trends Driving Demand for Customisable Shower Enclosures
Introduction: The Shift Towards Customisation in UK Bathroom Retail
The UK bathroom industry is experiencing a notable evolution. While aesthetics and quality remain core consumer concerns, a new demand has taken centre stage: customisation. Gone are the days when one-size-fits-all shower enclosures dominated showrooms. Today’s buyers — whether homeowners, developers, or interior designers — are increasingly seeking made-to-measure solutions that cater to unique spatial layouts and personal style preferences.
This shift is not just about vanity; it’s a functional necessity driven by changing lifestyles, increasing urbanisation, and a renewed emphasis on efficient use of space. As a result, forward-thinking retailers are adapting their product offerings to include highly customisable, tailored options — especially in the shower enclosure category.
Market Trends Driving Demand for Customisable Shower Enclosures
Several key industry shifts are pushing retailers towards more flexible, customer-centric product offerings. Let's explore the major forces behind the rising demand for customisable shower doors in the UK:
1. Urbanisation and Space Constraints
With more people living in cities and urban dwellings becoming increasingly compact, the average size of UK bathrooms is shrinking. According to Statista, the average bathroom in the UK is just under 5.5 square metres. Standard-size enclosures often do not fit these irregular spaces, making custom-fit solutions a necessity rather than a luxury.
2. Consumer Desire for Personalisation
From mobile phone cases to modular furniture, consumers now expect personalised experiences. Bathrooms are no exception. A 2024 Houzz UK report notes that 71% of homeowners undergoing bathroom renovations sought to add a unique, personal touch — from tiling to fittings to the shape and size of their shower enclosure.
3. Growth of E-Commerce
The bath furniture segment of the UK eCommerce market is forecasted to reach over US$723 million by 2025 (EcommerceDB). Online shoppers are increasingly looking for flexibility and customisation that generic products cannot offer. This provides a huge opportunity for retailers offering custom solutions with smart delivery and support systems.
4. Sustainable Living
Custom enclosures can be designed with water-saving features such as low-flow shower heads and frameless, recyclable glass — aligning with the growing demand for sustainability. The AMA Research report highlights that eco-conscious design is a top priority for over 60% of UK bathroom consumers.
Benefits of Made-to-Measure Shower Doors for Retailers
Custom shower enclosures present several business advantages for retailers:
1. Higher Margins
Bespoke products tend to command a premium price. Retailers can charge more for the customisation service, without dramatically increasing their sourcing cost — especially when working with suppliers.
2. Lower Returns
One of the biggest pain points in bathroom retail is returns due to poor fit. Custom solutions drastically reduce this risk by ensuring the product fits the customer’s space exactly as intended.
3. Competitive Advantage
Offering customisable options helps smaller or mid-size retailers stand out from big box stores, which often focus on mass-produced inventory. With an agile supply chain and design team, retailers can position themselves as "specialists" rather than generalists.
4. Increased Customer Satisfaction
Customisation gives customers control and involvement in the design process — a psychological factor that increases satisfaction and loyalty.
Best-Selling Shower Enclosure Types in the UK Market
Understanding what types of enclosures consumers are looking for can help retailers stock the most in-demand models:
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Walk-In Showers: Popular for their barrier-free access and open design. Great for older consumers or accessibility-focused homes.
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Quadrant Enclosures: Designed to maximise corner spaces, especially in small en-suites or loft conversions.
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Sliding Door Enclosures: Functional and compact, especially in narrow bathrooms.
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Frameless Glass Enclosures: Offer a minimalist and modern look. These are in high demand for high-end renovation projects.
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Bi-Fold Doors: Ideal for extremely tight spaces where swing doors are impractical.
Retailers that offer variations of these designs with custom widths, glass types, finishes, and door mechanisms are better positioned to meet diverse consumer needs.
Profit Margins and Bulk Ordering Strategies
Bulk ordering is another advantage of working with a custom-focused supplier. One Percent, for example, offers:
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Flexible Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs): Small shops aren’t burdened by large purchase requirements — MOQs can be as low as 20 units.
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Tiered Pricing Discounts: Retailers purchasing in batches (e.g., 30, 50, or 100+) benefit from tiered pricing, making it easier to maintain healthy markups.
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Full Customisation Without Extra Costs: Unlike other brands that charge hefty fees for minor changes, One Percent includes glass size, handle style, and profile colour customisation as standard — improving both appeal and profitability.
Logistics, Lead Times, and Retailer Support
Turnaround time is often a barrier for custom products, but One Percent solves this by offering:
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Fast Delivery Windows: From confirmation to delivery, most orders are fulfilled within 30 to 45 days.
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After-Sales Support: Dedicated account managers and responsive after-sales teams ensure retailers have all the backup they need for installation or customer queries.
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Showroom Support Materials: One Percent provides physical and digital point-of-sale assets, including brochures and sample kits.
How One Percent Is Helping Retailers Stay Ahead
One Percent is quickly becoming a favourite among independent bathroom retailers and mid-sized chains across the UK for several reasons:
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Products made in line with BS EN 12150 safety standards
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Custom glass coatings available (anti-limescale, anti-fog)
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Dedicated B2B portal for order tracking, visualisation, and reordering
Retailers interested in building long-term relationships while offering cutting-edge bathroom products can learn more at onepercent.cn.
Conclusion
The UK bathroom market is evolving — and customisable shower enclosures are at the heart of that transformation. As space constraints, consumer preferences, and sustainability concerns grow more pronounced, retailers who can adapt by offering flexible, high-margin solutions will lead the way.
By partnering with innovative suppliers like One Percent, UK retailers can access tailored products that offer better customer satisfaction, lower return rates, and higher profits — without sacrificing logistical efficiency.
Now is the time to make your product catalogue as flexible as your customers’ tastes. The future is custom.
FAQs
Q1: What’s the typical lead time for custom shower enclosures in the UK?
Answer: With One Percent, most made-to-measure shower enclosures are delivered within 30 to 45 days. Thanks to an efficient production process and UK-focused logistics network, even sample or display units can arrive sooner — ideal for showrooms and client demos.
Q2: Are bespoke shower enclosures more expensive than standard models?
Answer: Surprisingly, no. One Percent includes popular customisation features — like size adjustments, handle choices, and glass finishes — at no additional wholesale cost. This allows independent retailers to offer premium custom options without reducing profit margins.
Q3: What glass finishes and frame styles are available?
Answer: You can offer customers a wide range of high-end options:
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Glass types: clear, frosted, fluted, smoked, or tinted tempered glass
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Profile finishes: matte black, chrome, brushed gold, white powder-coated
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Custom RAL colours available on bulk orders
These design choices help meet both practical and aesthetic preferences.
Q4: Can I order mixed models or small quantities for my showroom?
Answer: Yes. One Percent supports flexible MOQs starting at just 20 units, with the option to mix models and styles within a single order. This makes it easier to test market demand or create a diverse in-store display.
Q5: How can I minimise returns due to sizing issues?
Answer: Custom sizing reduces fit-related returns dramatically. One Percent provides accurate CAD drawings, detailed installation guides, and after-sales support to help ensure each enclosure fits the space perfectly — first time.
Q6: Can custom enclosures fit awkward or non-standard spaces?
Answer: Absolutely. One Percent specialises in enclosures for irregular layouts, including sloped ceilings, tight loft conversions, or non-rectangular walls. We tailor each enclosure to the exact measurements provided.
Q7: Are your enclosures compliant with UK safety standards?
Answer: Yes. All One Percent enclosures use tempered safety glass certified under BS EN 12150. Optional upgrades like anti-limescale or anti-fog coatings are also available to meet premium project requirements.
