news
LG appliances awarded Energy Saving Trust verification
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G Electronics (LG) has announced that the Energy Saving Trust has verified LG’s current premium appliances portfolio as energy efficient. Appliances including LG’s ‘9Kg 6 Motion Direct Drive A+++’ washing machine have been shown to save users up to 35% electricity compared to equivalent models and will now carry the ‘Energy Saving Trust Verified’ logo, the Korean manufacturer says. With this latest verification from the Energy Saving Trust, LG adds that it will also be able to provide consumers with insight into how appliances impact running costs, emission and energy consumption; offering ‘more information than ever before’ from which consumers can base their purchasing decisions. Energy efficiency is a high priority when purchasing new home appliances, LG believes. According to the ‘UK Pulse Energy Saving Trust 2014’ report, 73% of householders are worried about their energy bill. The report has also seen an increase in demand from consumers for more information about product energy efficiency, something which LG aims to provide with the information now available through the Energy Saving Trust verifications. LG Electronics UK commercial director Andy Mackay commented:
“European consumers are becoming more aware of the efficiency of their products than ever before and it’s now a core factor when choosing home appliances. LG’s latest home appliance products have been engineered with this fact in mind. For example, the integration of LG’s unique 6 Motion Direct Drive technology in the laundry range and LG’s Linear Compressor technology within refrigeration both minimise one’s carbon footprint while maximising performance and user convenience.”
AO issues profit warning following ‘tougher than expected’ conditions
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nline retailer
AO.com has warned that profits for the financial year may fall below earlier expectations, in a statement released by the company.
Despite showing ‘strong revenue growth’, the retailer said that ‘the company expects growth
in revenue and adjusted EBITDA for the UK business for the current quarter to be lower than anticipated. As a consequence, the company expects the results for the financial year ending 31 March 2015 will fall slightly below market expectations’. The statement cites the attention around the flotation of the company on the stock market last
year having affected revenue growth and subsequently impacted on year-on-year growth rate. AO says that at the time of the Q3 trading statement, it expected to meet the market's
expectations for both revenue and adjusted EBITDA in the UK, ‘even taking into account the loss of a logistics contract, the cost impact of driver legislation changes and the adverse effects of Black Friday, which did not produce incremental sales, but condensed sales into a shorter time period’. The company expects results in revenue and adjusted EBITDA for the UK operations of £470m to £475m and £16.5m respectively, which it adds will likely impact on the business in the next financial year. CEO John Roberts commented: “AO has experienced tougher than expected trading conditions in the final quarter of the year, as compared to Q4 in FY2014. While we are disappointed that sales and profits are going to come in slightly below expectations, we remain committed to our market-leading, customer-focused business model.” He continued: “Having delivered on all our strategic objectives
through this financial year, we are confident of our ability to continue to deliver for our customers and to further drive the success of AO in the interest of all stakeholders.” AO added that the board is ‘confident’ that the fundamental business model remains strong and that trading in its new market Germany is advancing, while the introduction of the AV category in the UK is ‘developing well’.
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www.innovativeelectricalretailing.co.uk March 2015
Beko plc announces new managing director
B
eko plc has announced Teresa Arbuckle as its new managing director
in the UK and Ireland with immediate effect. Teresa replaces Ragip Balcıoğlu, who moves
to Turkey to take up a new role as assistant general manager/CSO international sales at Arҫelik Group, Beko plc’s parent company. Having led the marketing department at
Beko plc for just under four years, Teresa has gained significant insight into the needs and challenges of the UK and Ireland business, the largest Beko international affiliate, the company adds. From 2011-2014 she helped create high profile multi-media TV campaigns, oversee two successful seasons of FA Cup sponsorship, and relaunch the Grundig brand back in the UK with a new range of premium major domestic appliances, Beko says. A significant part of her role has reportedly
been to work closely and consistently with key retail partners to ensure that bespoke solutions and messages are delivered to the trade across all brands in the portfolio. Teresa said: “It’s an exciting time in the
industry and I’m looking forward to leading Beko, continuing the growth of the business and evolving our product and service offering to customers. Beko plc has gone from strength to strength in recent years and this year sees the Beko brand celebrate its 25th anniversary of trading in the UK, and third year positioned as the UK’s best-selling large home appliance brand. It is an exciting time to be at the company and I look forward to the challenge.”
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