CONTENTS 8


4 NEWS: ERT reports on the latest news in the electrical retail space.


8 NEWS: AI is everywhere. It dominates headlines, shapes new products and is rapidly changing the way consumers shop. But beyond the hype, which developments really matter to electrical retailers?


16 RETAILER PROFILE: As Sevenoaks Sound & Vision opens the doors to its new Sutton Coldfield store, ERT’s Will McGill speaks to General Manager Simon Bicknell about the importance of bricks-and-mortar retail, changing consumer habits and the role retailers play in today’s market.


22 THE ERT INTERVIEW: ERTs Will McGill speaks to Anker Innovations Managing Director of UK, Ireland, Italy, Spain and Portugal, Faraz Mehdi, and Country Manager, Jocelyn Qian, about the company’s ambitions for Anker, soundcore and eufy, its omnichannel strategy and where it sees the biggest opportunities.


26 THE ERT REPORT: What’s really happening across the independent electrical retailer sector? The inaugural The ERT Report puts the industry under the microscope.


34 THE ERT REPORT: Following the findings of The ERT Report, we invited industry figures to share their thoughts.


40 HOME ENTERTAINMENT: As luxury audio reaches new heights and compact discs begin to shine again, Steve May asks if everything old is new again in audio retail...


48 HOME APPLIANCES: With AI and connected technology making efficiency increasingly effortless for consumers, manufacturers are looking beyond the energy label to reduce the wider environmental impact of the home. ERT reports.


Contact us: Editor


Will McGill 01622 699 185


wmcgill@datateam.co.uk


Business Director Carl Hearnden


Media Director Paul Ryder


pryder@datateam.co.uk Contributors to ERT this month:


Francesca Sedan, Rupert Woolger, Paul Laville, and Jeff Moody


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


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


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Datateam Business Media Limited London Road, Maidstone, Kent ME16 8LY 01622 687 031


© 2026 Datateam Business Media


22 40


Features Editor Steve May


@SteveMay_UK


Artwork Editor Claire Noe


cnoe@datateam.co.uk ABC certification


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.


July/August 2026 ertonline.co.uk


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Publication and ERT Awards Manager Stacey Boyce 01622 699167


sboyce@datateam.co.uk


3


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ERT


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