Samsung EU Forum
All Samsung products ‘to be connected by 2020’
Samsung played host to an array of journalists and trade partners to unveil its latest appliances and plans for the future
K
orean giant Samsung hosted European media and retail partners for its annual EU Forum
in Monaco on February 5. Included in discussions were continued investment in the Internet of Things, new products coming to the European market and opportunities for UK retailers. Samsung president and chief executive
BK Yoon outlined Samsung’s interest in how technology is changing lives, with the biggest changes still to come. Following on from his keynote at CES International in January, he discussed Samsung’s investment in the Internet of Things (IoT), together with big data analytics and smart connectivity. He also noted positive feedback from the European markets and signs of growth.
Alongside the new flagship 88in curved
SUHD TV, the JS9500, BK added that with SUHD Samsung aims to “lead the TV industry into a new era.” The TV boasts up to two and a half times brighter display and black levels and nano crystal displays for “64 times better colour expression”, Samsung says. There will be 10 SUHD models in three sizes from 48in to 88in, available in shops starting in March. Samsung European president YH Eom
described the current economic situation as both an interesting and challenging time for all of us; while some markets are showing signs of recovery, the Euro is facing further turmoil. He added: “At Samsung, we're always seeking to go out and make the most of the situation.” He also revealed that Samsung’s drive towards the connected home will continue, with all products set to be IoT ready by 2020. The JS9500 is powered by the Tizen operating system, which is slated to be included in a broader portfolio of Samsung products moving forward. The importance of an open platform was also noted, with open systems to allow cross platform collaboration and ease of use for developers described as “essential” to building IoT. TV/AV European sales and marketing director
Michael Zöller noted the continued increasing average screen size in TV, with 48in to 50in being a key market for 2015, and reiterated Samsung’s commitment to the curve. “Many were sceptical of the curve,” he said. “But there were more than
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200,000 units sold in December. The new line up in March includes 32in, 40in and 48in curved TVs. The curve is here to stay - it is the future.” Samsung’s omni-
directional audio offering was also unveiled. With mobile becoming the new music hub, Samsung says that it knows people want to listen to music more freely. The investment in audio led Michael Zöller to add: “Samsung will soon be seen as a premium audio brand.” In white goods, the
premium Chef Collection of home appliances, designed with insight from a group of seven Michelin- starred chefs, includes the Kitchen Fit refrigerator, wifi-enabled built-in oven and an induction cooktop with a virtual flame to display when the appliance is turned on. Samsung Europe home appliances director Dan Harvie noted the 24% growth in home appliances for Samsung in Europe last year and that home appliances are now a major pillar of Samsung's business. He described the Chef Collection as tailor made for Europe, using insights from the team of chefs to develop products to help cooks at home. He added: “We’ve made home appliances exciting.”
UK market focus Samsung UK vice president Robert King believes the latest products offer opportunities for UK retailers. He commented: “I think the launch of curved
UHD TV last year was a great catalyst for the TV business, which was in that maturing phase, coming up to a replacement cycle (with people having first bought their flat panel TVs seven or eight years ago). It’s a fantastic viewing experience and it’s encouraging larger screen
Samsung president and chief executive BK Yoon believes the manufacturer’s SUHD TV technology can “lead the TV industry into a new era”
sizes, which I think is great for the market as well. Independent retailers are perfectly placed to really maximise this, especially if they can offer some kind of installation service. To really get the best out of these products, they need to be set up properly and the independent base has that expertise and knowledge to offer that service.” The growth of soundbars has also been
positive. Robert added: “The soundbar has always been an important attachment within the TV sector, and the curved soundbar has gone down phenomenally well. It’s about performance and design, with 9.1 channel sound, designed to fit over the stand of the TV or you can wall mount with the L bracket. It’s just a great additional sale for the independent. In that space, the people who are investing in a TV that is going to last them a number of years, that’s the time to make the soundbar sale, at that point of purchase.” Audio is set to be an area of concentration for Samsung this year, with an already stated
March 2015
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