April/May 2026
housewareslive.net
NEWS
Eurosonic Group announces new Sales Director E
urosonic Group has announced Eddie Edwards as its new Sales Director. He brings a wealth of experience, having
worked for 40 years in the industry with major retail, grocer and high street retailers Mr Edwards said: “ I am thrilled to be joining
the Eurosonic Group. I have always admired the family friendly atmosphere that exudes from the company. Having worked closely with Managing Director Jim Clawley, and Head of Sales Matt Walker previously, I am looking forward to joining forces again and supporting them and the team
in widening the distribution of the wonderful portfolio of brands they have at their disposal.” Mr Edwards has built up many long-standing
loyal relationships amongst with key retailers across the UK and Ireland, priding himself on always putting the customer first. Mr Clawley added: “Eddie is highly respected within the industry, and we are delighted to welcome him to our senior team. The depth of experience and established retailer relationships he brings will be invaluable as we continue to deliver against our ambitious growth plans.”
MPs call for phase-out of PFAS in cookware in new report
including cookware. The cross-party committee warned that urgent action is needed to
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restrict the use of Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), a group of more than 10,000 man-made chemicals widely used for their durability and resistance to heat, grease and water. In the housewares sector, PFAS are commonly found in non-stick cookware coatings. However, the same properties that make PFAS effective in products mean they can persist in the environment and human body for decades. Some studies have suggested links to potential health concerns, prompting increased scrutiny from regulators. The committee is calling on the Government to adopt an “essential-
use” approach, prioritising the phase-out of PFAS in non-essential applications such as cookware, food packaging and school uniforms, with restrictions potentially introduced from 2027. It also warned that current regulation risks becoming a “whack-a-
mole” approach, where banned substances are replaced by similar alternatives, and called for stronger, group-based controls. Alongside restrictions, MPs are urging the Government to take
a tougher stance on pollution, including applying the ‘polluter pays’ principle and establishing a national remediation fund to address
QVC’s parent company prepares Chapter 11 filing amid sales decline and rising competition
Q
VC Group is preparing to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as the business looks to restructure amid changing consumer shopping habits and mounting competitive pressures.
In a filing with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, the company said it plans to begin a court-supervised restructuring process in Texas after reaching an agreement with the majority of its lenders. QVC Group said it expects to emerge from the process within around 90
days, although it cautioned that funding arrangements are still being finalised. Founded in 1986, QVC became one of the pioneers of televised
retail, with sister network HSN helping build a loyal audience for home shopping and housewares products. However, the business has faced growing pressure in recent years
as shopping habits have shifted online. Sales in 2024 were reportedly almost 30% below their 2020 peak, while competition from platforms including TikTok Shop, Shein and Temu has intensified. Despite the planned filing, QVC said operations will continue as normal, with vendors expected to be paid in full and no layoffs currently planned.
The company said the restructuring will support its ongoing
transition towards streaming and social commerce under CEO David Rawlinson’s “WIN Growth Strategy”.
new report from the UK’s Environmental Audit Committee has urged the Government to phase out the use of so-called ‘forever chemicals’ (PFAS) in non-essential consumer products,
contamination in soil and waterways. The report also highlights gaps in the UK’s ability to safely destroy
PFAS, noting that current incineration capacity is limited, and calls for investment in alternative destruction technologies. For the housewares sector, the recommendations signal potential
regulatory change ahead, particularly for manufacturers and retailers involved in non-stick cookware, as pressure mounts to move towards alternative materials and solutions.
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