October 2023 ertonline.co.uk


Not long to wait until the ERT Awards 2023!


The countdown is on to the ERT Awards 2023! The event will return to The Grand Connaught Rooms in London on 9 November where this year’s retailer


and


manufacturer/supplier winners will be revealed! Don’t miss your chance to attend this prestigious highlight in the industry calendar. Tickets for the event are still available to purchase – tables of 10 and individual tickets.


CMA pushes ahead with inquiry into Arçelik and Whirlpool merger


The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) will be going ahead with an official inquiry into the proposed merger between Arçelik and Whirlpool Corporation. The CMA, Britain’s antitrust regulator, found that it had “concerns” in September this year about the anticipated reduction in UK consumer choice if the merger went ahead unchallenged. The CMA found that, should the deal go ahead, the


merged company will be the largest individual supplier of washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers and cooking appliances – a market worth over £3.8 billion in the UK. It believes that the deal might affect


competition in the sale of these appliances; however, it apparently has no competition concerns in the supply of refrigerators and freezers. The appointed inquiry group has until March 2024 to complete its investigations. Meanwhile, at the time of printing, it was reported


ERT-MAR20-ASWO:ERT-MAR20-ASWO 25/02/2020 10:42 Page 1


that EU antitrust regulators have cleared Arçelik’s proposed purchase of Whirlpool’s European domestic appliances business, according to an update from the European Commission.


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. This year there are 17 ERT Awards categories


– which is more than ever before – celebrating everything from small independent retailers to individual store colleagues, and the latest product innovations and brand representatives. Join together with friends and colleagues


to celebrate the success of this vibrant, fast- paced industry! To book your table, visit www.ertawards.co.uk/book-tickets.


Marks Electrical reports double- digit sales growth against a ‘broadly flat’ market


Marks Electrical has reported of 25 per cent sales growth in the six months to 30 September, and the company said it continued to gain market share across the UK “even against a challenging market”. The electricals retailer said sales were strong


across all product lines, but it saw a particular stand-out performance in washer-dryers (+74 per cent), TV (+71 per cent), and American-style fridge-freezers (+36 per cent). The company also reported of “rapid growth” in its


new next-day integrated, gas, electric and television installation services, with over 7,000 installation orders in the first half, versus 2,500 in the prior year – a growth rate of 180 per cent, it said. Mark Smithson, CEO of Marks Electrical, said:


“We’ve built on the good momentum delivered at the start of the year, with sales growth against a major domestic appliances and consumer electronics market that is broadly flat in the first half of our financial year.” Mr Smithson said the company’s decision to add in-house installation services has strengthened the group’s premium service proposition, yet he added that it impacted the retailer’s margin in the first half of the year, with the pressure on distribution and installation costs being higher than expected.


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