‘
The biggest challenge is to get entry-level consumers to understand there are savings to be made if they can stretch to a more expensive product’
Retra CEO Howard Saycell has highlighted the challenge retailers face selling environmentally-friendly and energy- efficient products to consumers who have a limited budget. He called on the Government to step in and offer financial support to people with low incomes to help them purchase products that were more energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly. Speaking as part of a panel session at this year’s 2050- Appliances of the Future conference, he said: “I think the brands have done a really good job – I’m most impressed by the strides they’ve made in terms of protecting the environment – our world – but we still get customers who come into our members and say: ‘What’s your cheapest washing machine? Mine’s gone wrong and it’s a distress purchase.’ ” He added: “Our members will take them through the range
and explain the benefits of spending a little bit more money on a product rather than just the entry-level model – they will explain energy efficiency and water efficiency. But, if they’ve only got a very limited budget, it’s a difficult decision for a consumer to make. “You could argue that they could be helped by a finance
package, but if someone hasn’t got the ability to afford an extra 20, 30 or 50 quid, then it might be a bridge too far. “At the entry-level, the biggest challenge is to get consumers to understand that there are savings to be made if
‘ Sirius Buying Group MD, Steve Jones, and Retra CEO, Howard Saycell
they can stretch to a slightly more expensive product. A lot of people out there are really struggling.” Mr Saycell called for the Government to provide subsidies for people with low incomes so they could be encouraged to choose an appliance that was more appropriate for them and the environment. He said: “If it costs the Government a few quid… well, it wastes a lot of money on other things, doesn’t it?”
As manufacturers – and human beings – we are realising that we have to contribute to some part of net zero’
AMDEA chair and Beko UK and Ireland managing director, Teresa Arbuckle, told delegates at the 2050- Appliances of the Future conference she was pleased that energy efficiency is high on appliance manufacturers’ agendas and in their marketing activity.
single manufacturer was showing off recycled materials in their products.
“It made me so happy because it says that we all as
manufacturers – and human beings – are realising that we have to do something, and that we have to contribute to some part of net zero to get there.” Also on the panel, BSH UK CEO, Gunjan Srivastava, said:
“The most heartening part of it for me is that consumers – the end users – are becoming more and more aware of the topic.” He added: “If you look at the hard facts in terms of appliance
sales, energy efficient appliances are becoming more and more important.”
Mr Srivastava said that BSH research showed consumers are
interested in using more energy-efficient programs and features on home appliances and are also more aware of products that last longer.
David Meyerowitz, the UK and Ireland CEO of Haier Group
Left to right - Teresa Arbuckle, MD, Beko UK & Ireland; David Meyerowitz, CEO, Haier Europe; Gunjan Srivastava, CEO BSH Home Appliances, UK & Ireland; Helen Pyman, marketing director, Miele UK, Ireland and South Africa
Speaking as part of a manufacturer panel session, alongside
senior representatives from BSH, Miele and Haier Europe, she cited the IFA 2023 trade show in Berlin (September 1-5) as a good example of how eco messaging is everywhere, saying: “This year it was energy efficiency to the max – every
Europe, who was speaking on the panel, said: “The energy crisis has really heightened the awareness of sustainability.” On the role connected appliances have to play, he commented: “I think the industry is coming to terms with connectivity, the IoT and the belief that you can remain connected to the consumer and the product, and how you can generate significant changes in product design and consumer behaviour through that lifetime relationship with the product and the customer, rather than just manufacturing, selling and then walking away to wait for a phone call for a repair.” He said this was accelerating progress towards 2050 sustainability goals and that the journey had only just begun. █
The Road To Net Zero 23
The Road To Net Zero
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