contents


A new year, full of challenges, but also opportunities


T EDITORIAL


Managing Editor: Simon King sking@datateam.co.uk


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hroughout the pandemic, I tried to remain positive about where the retail


sector was heading and was delighted when consumers opted to shop locally, and that brought great joy to high streets across the UK.


While the supply chain, cost-of-living crisis and energy crisis are three big challenges as we enter 2023, I remain positive about the sector and independent retailers too. As I have said before, I have worked in


industries supporting independent retailers for nearly 30 years, and I continue to have the back of independents. Where there are challenges, there are


opportunities. In the appliance sector, the replacement market will continue, which has to be good news for retailers. Also, there will be the distress market too, where customers need to replace their cooking, refrigeration or home laundry products when they stop working. In consumer electronics, there are always


going to be customers that want to upgrade their products; central to this category is demonstration. A customer replacing a TV after a decade, for example, will be blown away by the advancements there have been in TV


REGULARS 4 News 12 Comment: Howard Saycell, Retra 14 Comment: Paul Hide, Amdea 16 Comment: Paul Laville, T21 Group


18 Editor’s Interview: Rob Sutton, managing director of RKW


technology in the last few years. My mother signed up to Sky Q recently – despite its launch almost seven years ago – and she cannot believe how much better it is that Sky+ HD, which she had previously. For this issue of IER, I travelled to Stoke-on-


Trent to meet Rob Sutton, the founder and managing director of RKW. Mr Sutton formed RKW in 1989 with just £200 and a van and has grown it to a £200 million business. Mr Sutton, who I have known for many years,


works with many independent retailers, and wants to work with even more. Look at all the opportunities you are presented with – obviously you won’t be able to take advantage of everything you are off ered, but there are companies that want to work with you. I’d very much like to hear from retailers, manufacturers and distributors; feel free to drop me an email at the address below.


Simon King Managing Editor sking@datateam.co.uk


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FEATURES 20 CES 2023 review 22 Voice & Smart Technology


26 Home Laundry 30 Floorcare 34 New Products


22 January 2023 www.ierdaily.co.uk | 3


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