CONTENTS 4
4 NEWS: ERT reports on the latest news in the electrical retail space.
8 NEWS EXTRA: ERT attended the opening of Cookology’s new Brentwood showroom to see the brand’s kitchen and tabletop appliances up close.
14 THE ERT INTERVIEW: Robbie Prestedge, Head of Commercial for UK & Ireland at Electrolux’s premium brand AEG, chats to Will McGill about how the company is accelerating product innovation, designing appliances for modern homes, and embedding sustainability into everyday use.
18 RETAILER PROFILE: As electrical retail evolves, ERT Award winning Martins of Hawkhurst is meeting the pressures on independent specialists with a focus on customer service. Will McGill visited the retailer and spoke with Director Edward Harringman to discuss market realities, changing customer expectations, and staying relevant in a shifting sector.
24 HOME ENTERTAINMENT: AI is a hot topic for consumer
30 HOME APPLIANCES: UK market at KBB Birmingham 2026. ERT hears from the brand ahead of the show.
34 HOME APPLIANCES: Eco appliances are smarter, faster ERT
38 TAKE A TOWN: For this issue, ERT’s team of mystery shoppers visited,and assessed eight stores across the Welsh capital.
Contact us: Editor
Will McGill 01622 699 185
wmcgill@datateam.co.uk
18 34
Publication and Awards Manager
Stacey Boyce 01622 699167
sboyce@datateam.co.uk
Contributors to ERT this month: Francesca Seden and Simon King.
To subscribe to ERT, visit:
www.ertonline.co.uk/registration
Or to change you subscription details, email:
subscriptions@ertonline.co.uk
Published by:
Datateam Business Media Limited London Road, Maidstone, Kent ME16 8LY 01622 687 031
© 2026 Datateam Business Media Circulation & Distribution
ERT is distributed to a verified circulation of 7,034 per issue. Copies are circulated through a combination of controlled distribution to industry professionals, retailers, paid subscriptions, and targeted events.
Views expressed by contributors do not necessarily represent those of the publisher, editor, or publication management.
Features Editor Steve May
@SteveMay_UK
Media Director Paul Ryder
pryder@datateam.co.uk
February 2026
ertonline.co.uk
14
24 48
Artwork Editor Claire Noe
cnoe@datateam.co.uk 3
@ERTonline
ERT
www.ertonline.co.uk
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
