July/August 2024 ertonline.co.uk


ERT Awards 2024 – book your tickets now!


The ERT Awards will return to London on Thursday 24 October where this year’s winners will be revealed at the prestigious ceremony at The Grand Connaught Rooms in Covent Garden. The finalists have been announced for this year –


turn to page 22 – so don’t miss your chance to see the winners! Tickets for the event are now available to purchase – individual tickets and tables of 10. It promises to be a fun-filled afternoon with a networking drinks reception, a three-course lunch and entertainment… and that’s all before the Awards proceedings get underway in the afternoon! Back by popular demand, Shaun Williamson (aka Barry from EastEnders) will be the host again for this


year’s event! He played Barry Evans in the soap for over 10 years; he’s also since starred alongside Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant in Extras (2005) and Life’s Too Short (2011). Shaun did an incredible job hosting the ERT


Awards last year – so we’ve invited him back to do it all again! And there may even be another ‘Barrioke’ song or two this year! There are 18 categories at the 2024 Awards – which


is more than ever before – celebrating everything from small independent retailers to individual store colleagues, and the latest product innovations and brand representatives. There are also two brand new categories this year – Best Sustainable Independent Electrical Retailer and Best Manufacturer/Supplier Sustainability Initiative.


The BRC reported that total UK footfall decreased


by 3.3 per cent in July (YoY), down from -2.3 per cent in June; high street footfall decreased by 2.7 per cent in July (YoY), up from -3.1 per cent in June. Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the BRC,


Footfall in election stumble


Retail footfall fell for the twelfth month in a row in July, with the British Retail Consortium (BRC) blaming the General Election for impacting consumer confidence.


said: “Footfall failed to maintain the buoyancy seen in 2022/23. As Summer got into full swing, many people have chosen to increase their spending on holidays and leisure activities rather than shopping. Election week also created uncertainty for many consumers.” All UK nations saw a fall in footfall year on year: Scotland decreased by 2.3 per cent YoY; Northern Ireland decreased by 2.2 per cent; England decreased by 3.4 per cent – the largest fall in footfall; and Wales decreased by 3.2 per cent.


Hotpoint to close Bristol facility


Hotpoint, a subsidiary of the newly-formed Beko Europe, has entered into consultation with its staff as it pursues the closure of its Yate facility, near Bristol, putting 150 jobs at risk. The manufacturer stated that the site – which first


opened in 1917 – has been operating at “a significant loss for some time”, and that the UK was “likely” to adopt EU legislation that means new tumble dryers need to be produced using heat pump technology.


Beko Europe Regional Managing Director, Teresa Arbuckle, said: “We know this news will be difficult to hear for our employees, on-site contractors, and the whole community. The Yate site has a superb workforce, with real commitment and strong leadership, and we are grateful for their continued efforts during this challenging time.” Ian Moverley, UK Communications and Government Relations at Hotpoint, said the company


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Now is the time to secure your tickets for this unmissable event where you’ll find out who will be collecting one of the prestigious ERT Awards trophies! Visit www.ertawards.co.uk/book-tickets.


Ms Dickinson added: “Retailers welcomed Labour’s


promises to reform both business rates and planning laws – two major factors that often hold back much needed local investment. If Labour can address these effectively, they could help breathe new life into retail destinations.” In other news, the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) is also urging the new government to make good on its promise of change by prioritising the revival of the independent retail sector. CEO of Bira, Andrew Goodacre, outlined several priorities including supporting small businesses improve cash flow and reforming the British Business Bank, and improving UK trade by concentrating on enhancing export capabilities and opportunities.


was “selling less than a third of what it used to make five years ago”… “Unfortunately, the demand for our products being manufactured in Bristol has dropped significantly in recent years.”


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