CONTENTS 8


4 NEWS: CIH reveals its top suppliers for 2022, and Chairman addresses direct-to-consumer challenge


6 NEWS: Haier accelerates growth plans in the kitchen trade


8 REVIEW: Electrical Safety First’s Product Safety Conference returned to share expertise and cutting-edge developments to ensure the industry is prepared for a safe and sustainable future. ERT was there


12 OPINION: Retailers are hoping for a busy festive season ahead, but the Christmas cookie-cutter approach may no longer be relevant, says Daniel Todaro


14 THE ERT AWARDS: Profiles on each of this year’s ERT Awards winners, including the coveted Turning Point Award, Best Independent Electrical Retailer Shopfront, Best Industry Training Provider, and Best Manufacturer/Supplier Customer Service.


Plus, find out how the ERT Awards 2022 became a carbon neutral event!


36 ANALYSIS: 5G and smart speakers will bolster the connected audio market in 2023, reports Steve May


38 ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS: SDA manufacturer, SMART, tells ERT about how it has become the ideal gift brand in Europe today, combining leading technology, design and value for money


40 TAKE A TOWN: ERT’s mystery shopping team has been in Cardiff to check on the sales skills of electrical retailers across the Welsh capital


Contact us: Editor


Jack Cheeseman 01372 414 298


jackcheeseman@ertonline.co.uk


Sales & Event Manager Charlotte Steadman 01372 414299


csteadman@ertonline.co.uk


Media Director Paul Ryder


pryder@datateam.co.uk


Artwork Editor Claire Noe


cnoe@datateam.co.uk 36


Contributors to ERT this month: Daniel Todaro, Steve May, Dr Sam Attia.


To subscribe to ERT, visit: www.ertonline.co.uk/registration


Or to change you subscription details, email: subscriptions@ertonline.co.uk


Published by:


PM Group Worldwide Mansard House, Church Road Bookham, Surrey. KT23 3JG


01372 414299 ABC certification


ABC total average net circulation: 6,000 (for the issues distributed between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016)


Total net circulation for the audit issue: 6,000 (cover issue December 2016)


Views expressed by the contributors do not necessarily represent those of the publisher, editor or staff.


© 2022 PM Group Worldwide. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced, transmitted, photocopied, recorded or stored on any retrieval system without the prior written consent of the publishers.


www.ERTonline.co.uk for news, opinions, blogs and analysis


December 2022 ertonline.co.uk


14


3


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44