Kitchen and bath products giant launches experiential retail concept

Kohler Co. is debuting a retail format designed to showcase its full offering of products and offer on-site product immersion — literally.



The first-ever Kohler Experience Center (KEC), located in the Flatiron District of Manhattan, houses fully-functioning displays of Kohler's global product line — including showers, tubs, sinks and "intelligent" toilets — in what is a first for the brand. The center is open to trade design professionals and regular customers.



The 10,000-sq.-ft. store features more than 20 kitchen and bath vignettes. It includes a private "bathing space" in which customers can experience such Kohler products as its digital showering system, showerheads and intelligent toilets.



The center offer a new Kohler global specification service, which allows professional architects and designers working on international projects to have instant, hands-on access to all products across the entire company's global portfolio. A Kohler team of experts will be stationed on-site to help source and resolve complex plumbing projects both in the United States and around the world.



Kohler plans to open nine KECs over the next year, with London to open soon. Additional locations include Los Angeles, Singapore, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Bangkok, New Delhi and Taipei, all opening later in the year.



The KEC New York is run and operated in partnership with Best Plumbing Supply, a leading Kohler plumbing distributor in the Northeast.



"Our partnership with Kohler Co. spans nearly 50 years," said Kymberly Weiner, New York City sales and development manager of Best Plumbing Supply. "It's a tremendous honor to elevate our collaboration to one that will best inspire and serve consumers and design professionals through a shopping experience rooted in Kohler's spirit of gracious living."