News


Amazon and iRobot deal terminated – citing ‘undue and disproportionate regulatory hurdles’


Amazon and iRobot have “mutually terminated” their


previously announced


agreement, stating there was “no path” to regulatory approval.


Following this announcement, iRobot, the creator of the Roomba vacuum cleaner, has said it will lay off 31 per cent of its staff and its Founder and CEO, Colin Angle, will step down. The deal was valued at $1.7 billion (£1.3 billion).


Amazon originally moved to buy the iRobot brand in August 2022. The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority had given it the all-clear last year, but


6 acquisition


earlier this year the European Union’s competition watchdog suddenly blocked the move. Margrethe Vestager, the European Commission’s Executive Vice President, said that the merger would have restricted competition in the market for robot vacuum cleaners “leading to high prices, lower quality, and less innovation”.


Amazon SVP and General Counsel, David Zapolsky, added that “undue and disproportionate regulatory hurdles” discourage entrepreneurs, who should be able to see acquisition as one path to success, “and that hurts both consumers and competition”.


GDHA and Pacifica announce new after-sales partnership


Glen Dimplex Home Appliances


Kevin Brown, Pacifica CEO, and David Lawson, Operations Director at GDHA


(GDHA) has partnered with Pacifica, the independent provider of domestic appliance repairs, to deliver its UK after- sales repair and customer service. GDHA said the move is part of its wider business transformation strategy. Undertaking more than 350,000 appliance repairs every year, Pacifica is well placed to support GDHA’s customers and its long-standing brands, Stoves and Belling.


Through this exclusive partnership, the majority of GDHA’s appliance service engineers and Regional Managers, along with customer service personnel and support staff, will be transferred to Pacifica and integrated into its UK workforce. Peter Brooke, Managing Director of GDHA, said: “We have chosen Pacifica


carefully to ensure that we deliver on our promise of offering a best-in-class consumer journey. As a business, we continue to transform to ensure a healthy, sustainable future for our brands and people, by offering our consumers exceptional products and after sales services.” Pacifica, with more than 250 appliance service engineers, works closely with high-


profile brands and insurance providers to deliver repair and maintenance services nationwide. CEO, Kevin Brown, said this partnership “further emphasises” the position the company has secured in the MDA market over the past two decades.


and


He commented: “Mergers acquisitions


like


this help companies like iRobot better compete in the global marketplace, particularly against companies, and from countries, that aren’t subject to the same regulatory requirements in fast-moving technology segments like robotics.”


Mitchell & Brown launches Morrisons ‘Bigger, Better, Bolder’ campaign


Mitchell & Brown has launched a new campaign, which includes leveraging the mass footfall in Morrisons supermarkets to drive customers into local electrical retailers. Running until 4 April, it will dispense thousands of 12-page TV brochures which include discount codes of up to £75 off its TVs. Dan Brown, Operations Director for Mitchell & Brown, said: “Morrisons, distinguished as one of the few supermarkets without a TV offering, provides an ideal setting for engaging with our target demographic.


“In addition to amplifying brand visibility, our strategic placement ensures that each brochure distributed becomes a potential catalyst for a sale, directly benefiting retailers surrounding every Morrisons supermarket.” The promotion is active in 30 Morrisons stores across the UK. Mitchell &


Brown has long been a champion of the high street retail model and it continues its support for pro-high street initiatives like Business Rates reduction.


Bluestem Group partners with De’Longhi, Kenwood and Braun


Bluestem Group has agreed a distribution partnership with three key brands – De’Longhi, Kenwood and Braun. Rebecca Batchelor, Group Manager at Bluestem, commented: “These


are highly respected brands in our industry, with innovative products known for their style, design, quality, and functionality. We are extremely pleased to partner with such a prestigious group and to expand our portfolio of brands.”


Coffee machines represents the heart of the Italian De’Longhi brand, while


Kenwood, a British leading brand, has over 70 years in manufacturing baking and food preparation products, and Braun is a premium German brand, specialising in technical innovation in household kitchen and small domestic appliances. Bluestem will be producing a brochure to showcase the brands’ products, which will be available at its upcoming trade shows.


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