November 2023 ertonline.co.uk


He added: “What we are also pushing for is a cohesive approach from all of our partners to help land these messages. We are constantly lobbying and pushing government to support us, and departments that run campaigns and those that talk to householders.”


The sustainability challenge Paul Hide, CEO of AMDEA (above), spoke about the sustainability challenge and how AMDEA is supporting its manufacturing suppliers to educate consumers on making more sustainable household choices. Said Mr Hide: “The sustainability challenge is one of the greatest challenges that we will have ever faced – that is everyone and not just in our industry.


“Appliances play a big role in supporting net-zero homes. Estimates suggest that within the 29 million UK homes there are at least 130 million large appliances and 300 million smaller appliances.”


He continued by explaining that manufacturers have made great strides and having the energy labels reset back in 2021 was absolutely necessary; more than 80 per cent of washing machines had already achieved ‘A’ or ‘A++’ and as much as 90 per cent of fridge-freezers were the same. Mr Hide continued: “Even under the new labels we are reaching a stage where the majority of washing machines sold have already reached the much tougher ‘A’ rating.” AMDEA has partnered with Exeter University to commission some research and a campaign to educate consumers and retailers on the importance of recycling and purchasing the correct appliance for its intended use. Mr Hide highlighted the importance of both


retailers and manufacturers across the industry encouraging consumers to buy the most energy and water efficient appliances within their budgets. “It’s already something on most consumers’ minds,” he said.


Challenges on the high street BIRA’s CEO, Andrew Goodacre, spoke about how the high street is creating challenges across the industry, but there are also opportunities within these challenges – one of these centres around sustainability. “The important things to remember is having an impact where you are in control of the decisions that are being made,” he said. “Is your business doing what it can to be sustainable and offering consumers the sustainable options, because research has shown that this is what they want.” Mr Goodacre highlighted that 53 per cent of consumers said they like circularity; 40 per cent of consumers are already buying second-hand goods and 38 per cent like that an appliance is durable. “In terms of durability, 53 per cent said they valued it more than recyclability; people want that appliance to last longer and longer now,” he went on. “In the electrical retail world, that has been achieved as we are seeing appliances last so much longer than they did 20 years ago.” Continuing on from this, Mr Goodacre mentioned that Currys recently announced


that its repairs business is worth £7 billion and is still growing. The retailer has always had this side of its business but it’s attitude towards it has changed – it is now seeing it more as an opportunity.


“It is about having the chance to maintain


that relationship with your customer through a repairs and spares operation.” Mr Goodacre explained that another reason why the high street is struggling is because, as the cost of essentials goes up, the budget that consumers have for non-essential products has decreased.


He said: “That is slightly compensated when you get pay rises but even if pay rises went up by 10 per cent there is still a four per cent gap in that economic spending ability of consumers if the rise of essentials goes up by that much. “That is why we are seeing the pressures on consumer spending; nowadays it is tough if you are in the non-essentials market. You have to fight for every sale. “Current spending patterns highlight that the companies that are doing well include Poundland, Home Bargains, Harrods and Fortnum & Mason. Retailers at quite extreme ends of the spectrum, but these are brands where the consumer knows exactly what they are getting; whether that be true value or premium high quality products.” Mr Goodacre said the place not to be is in the middle. “If you are unsure of what people’s perception is of your company, they may be unlikely to spend with you.” >>


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BIRA’s CEO, Andrew Goodacre


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