News


Homeowners admit to ‘ignoring’ energy efficient features on household appliances


open when deciding what to eat (29 per cent), leaving a freezer plugged in when it’s got nothing in it (20 per cent), and leaving gadgets on charge for longer than they need (37 per cent). In addition, almost three in five people are worried about choosing the wrong setting when using household appliances, so out of fear they stick to the same, sometimes inefficient setting. This is what Beko called “Settingsphobia”. However, more generally, the research findings


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Nearly nine out of 10 people are said to ignore what’s best when it comes to energy efficiency in the home, despite many knowing how to use their household appliances in an energy efficient way. This is according to a survey of 6,000 homeowners


and renters worldwide, commissioned by Beko. The study looked at global consumer attitudes and


behaviours concerning energy efficiency and is part of the brand’s latest campaign to shed light on how kitchen appliances are used in the home. The results showed that the majority of survey


respondents admitted to engaging in “energy inefficient behaviours” that are known to waste energy; examples include leaving the fridge door


Appliance manufacturer Haier has been named Euromonitor’s Number One Global Major Appliances Brand. This is the 14th consecutive year the company has achieved this accolade as


leader in the market of major appliances, according to the annual Euromonitor International report. This is the result of sales of the brand’s smart solutions, such as refrigerators, washing machines, freezers, and wine coolers. Its performance in these categories signifies a new milestone for Haier in the global MDA market – it marks the 15th consecutive year Haier has ranked first for cooling appliances, the 14th for washing appliances, the 13th for wine coolers, and the 12th consecutive for freezers. In the era of the Internet of Things (IoT), Haier said it continues its mission to establish itself as a world-leading brand, using its three sub-brands Candy, Hoover and Haier to help make households around the world smart. Jim McEwan, Chief Commercial Officer of Haier UK and Ireland, commented: “This is a fantastic achievement, reaching this tremendous milestone. We


show that globally, 87 per cent of consumers believe in the importance of energy efficiency, and 78 per cent take an interest in purchasing products that look to improve their household’s efficiency. Elsewhere, the survey also offered insights into how attitudes and knowledge regarding best energy efficient practices in the home differ across age groups. People over 64 cited leaving the oven on whilst not in use (56 per cent) and putting the heating on whilst the windows were open to dry clothes (56 per cent) as inefficient practices, whilst almost a third (28 per cent) of Gen Xers admitted to leaving an empty freezer plugged in.


are constantly striving to listen to consumers, changing needs and adapting to them, while simultaneously researching and harnessing cutting-edge technology, to stand out in the market.”


Argos to close all stores in Ireland this Summer


Argos has announced that it will shut all of its stores in the Republic of Ireland by the end of June this year, following a “period of careful consideration” it said. The closure of its 34 stores and associated operations across the country is expected to result in the loss of 580 jobs. There will be no change to the 253 standalone stores and 422 outlets inside Sainsbury’s supermarkets


across Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales. The high street retail chain, which sells consumer


electronics, home appliances, toys and other household and garden products, was acquired by Sainsbury’s in 2016. The company operates in the Republic of Ireland


with a “significantly different” business model, according to Argos. Its strategy in the UK has been to close many standalone Argos stores and open outlets


within Sainsbury’s supermarkets. However, the group does not have supermarkets in the Republic of Ireland. Its statement said: “Argos concluded the investment required to develop and modernise the Irish part of its business was not viable and that the money would be better invested in other parts of its business.” A spokesperson for Sainsbury’s said this decision had “nothing to do with Brexit”.


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