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Game on, as reopened stores report good demand
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IER celebrates the launch of its new app
downloaded free of charge form the App store or Google Play. Simon King, IER’s managing editor, said: “Using apps has become a way of life for many people; now add the IER app to your repertoire. Optimised for reading on iOS or android devices and readers are notified automatically when a new issue becomes available. “With Apple’s Newsstand service, every new issue of IER will be delivered straight to your iOS device. “The launch of the app will get IER to a wider audience, with breaking news, comment articles and analytical features – IER in the palm of your hand. Store owners and manager, encourage staff members to download the app and keep up with all the news from the industry.”
D • Search “IER” in the App store or Google Play
atateam Business Media is delighted to launch the IER app, which can be
n IER strawpoll of independent retailers has revealed that business
has been very good since being allowed to reopen following lockdown. Retailers contacted by IER said there is strong
evidence of consumers returning to stores with confidence – and retailers are optimistic about the rest of the year. Andrew Thomas, managing director of AF
Thomas in Newport, South Wales, said: “Business has been brisk since the restrictions have been relaxed and we have been capturing some pent up demand – long may it continue! Sarah Palmer, a director of EB Marsh & Son, in
Sturminster Newton, Dorset, said business was, initially, good when the restrictions were relaxed, but now reported that trade is “patchy”. She said: “Customers are still phoning or
ordering from our website instead of coming into the store – TV sales have picked up and we are selling a lot of SDA, which we hardly did during lockdown, despite offering click and collect or delivery through the website.” Julian Budd, a director of Budd Electrical
in Cardiff, said that since re-opening, stock availability is the biggest problem. “I’m concerned that once people can spend their money on holidays, we may see a slowdown,” Mr Budd said. Roger Sargant, senior partner of RDO in
Reigate, Surrey, said the re-opening of its retail showroom aided the surge in online business it had seen.
“Supply of most stock categories has been
hit hard, but dishwashers and some cooking products have seen exceptional demand,” Mr Sargant added. Mrs Palmer said that being a member of CIH
IFA 2021 is cancelled O
rganisers of IFA have cancelled this year’s show, which was scheduled to
run in Berlin from September 3-7. Messe Berlin and gfu Consumer & Home
Electronics GmbH said the decision was made following detailed conversations with public health experts and multiple stakeholders. Martin Ecknig, the chief executive of Messe
Berlin (pictured), said: “We did not take this decision lightly – IFA is the most important event of the year for brands and retailers alike. “However, the health and safety of everybody has to be absolutely paramount. The efforts
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had been key for her business. “There is always something in the warehouse in most categories and CIH delivered all the way through, which has been brilliant,” she said. “We have been in a very fortunate sector that has seen growth over the last 12 months. There is going to be complete uncertainty, although it has been busy, I am unsure whether it will last.” Mr Sargant said that morale in the business
has “hardly ever been higher” and the business has engaged staff who recognised the challenges. “While we have expanded our product
range, we are also looking at dropping some of our existing long-term brands, due to poor commercial propositions,” he added. At Retra, chief executive Howard Saycell said demand remains strong for anything related to the home, which is good news for electrical retailers. “Stock availability is becoming a challenge although we aren’t experiencing severe problems just yet,” Mr Saycell said “Many members have taken the opportunity
during the imposed closure to do work on their showrooms – Retra’s advice is to focus on delivering the best possible offer.”
to contain this pandemic – from the roll-out of vaccination programs to the resumption of international travel – did not happen at the pace we had hoped for. Given these developments, this difficult and disappointing decision was inevitable.” Kai Hillebrandt, chairman of the supervisory
board of gfu Consumer & Home Electronics GmbH, said innovation needs a platform; it needs the focus of global attention. “That’s why brands and manufacturers across
the tech industry were very keen to come to IFA Berlin 2021,” Mr Hillebrandt said.
IFA 2022 is scheduled to take place from September 2-6, 2022.
May & June 2021
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