in association with GfK
performed particularly well although sales opportunities also exist in the freestanding dishwasher sector
(particularly in the £600+ price range), the large laundry sector (with 7kg+ capacity), induction hobs and built-in ovens.
The economic pressures together with growing costs of natural resources are channelling consumers’
Bosch training centre
interest in the direction of energy and water efficient appliances. No doubt this process will be accelerated by the fact that some of the leading brands have already withdrawn their appliances with less than A+ energy rating from the market. The implementation of the new Energy Labelling Regulations and the Eco design Directive will in itself lead to wider acceptance of eco appliances but this will soon be followed by the introduction of ‘smart technology’. The government-endorsed ‘smart meters’ will allow consumer to monitor energy consumption of their appliances and adjust it according to the variable tariffs. “Future appliances will have to be designed not just for delayed operation but to respond to the varying energy levels,” said Douglas Herbison, chief executive of Amdea at the retra conference.
In this context becoming a ‘green retailer’ many not only be a market opportunity but in time – a market imperative.
Small appliances
Good news comes from the small appliance sector, the sales value of which grew in 2010 by 10% due to product innovation. Tempted by increasingly better-specified, design-led products, consumers started upgrading their small appliances to more desirable models. Even in the ‘must-have’ categories, like kettles, the latest models sport many innovative features, delivering genuine consumer benefits while they’re designed to save energy at the same time.
The market which rapidly grows in importance is the hot beverage category which increased by almost 24% in value in 2010. The popularity of espresso machines is responsible for most of the growth. Their sales value rose by 32%, reflecting the lifestyle icons status that coffee machines are rapidly acquiring in our homes. In the personal grooming category, the fashion of the day and celebrity styles are fuelling consumer interest in such products as male body groomers and beard trimmers (both posting around 9% sales volume growth. Meanwhile heated rollers (up 25% in volume) and hot air stylers (30% up) are proving the flavour of the year among the ladies.
BusinessBook2011 7 IndependentElectricalRetailer
introduction editor’s comment
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