ANALYSIS: ECO APPLIANCES Home Appliances


September 2022 ertonline.co.uk


26 Coming soon…


LG introduced some exciting new products at IFA this year, including the WashTower Compact – a two-in-one solution that cuts down on washing times with TurboWash 360 and drying times via the Prepare to Dry preheating feature – and the eco- conscious bottom-freezer incorporates an upgraded Inverter Linear Compressor. Also at IFA, Miele showed off new free-standing refrigerators from the K 4000 series, which benefit from the PerfectFresh Active system – regulated temperature and a fine mist of water to keep


vegetables and fruit crisp for up to five times longer. And in induction hobs, there will be new integrated downdraught extractor models boasting greater efficiency and much less noise. And coming in October, Liebherr will introduce


its largest range of A-rated refrigerators with freshness components; benefits to the consumer include improved sustainability, reduced waste and better economic efficiency. “Our refrigeration appliances use very little electricity, meaning they not only protect the environment but reduce the electricity bill without


impacting on the cooling,” says Matt Jinks, National Sales Manager. “But this is just the start of things to come, as we continue developing our technology towards a circular economy.” Meanwhile, at Beko at Grundig,


there are


planned expansions to their RecycledTub washing machine ranges, offering more models with the clever FiberCatcher technology. But elsewhere, to further minimise their impact on the environment, they are working to introduce EPS-free packaging for their appliances that is fully recyclable.


A champion of genuine ethical shopping By Callum Miller, CEO of sustainability accreditation organisation and sustainable shopping guide app, ethy.


Sustainability is becoming a very significant purchase driver for electrical goods. While the industry has had mandatory energy labelling for many years, how can retailers and consumers be sure that brands live up to their larger eco, ethical and sustainable claims?


Around four out of five people describe themselves as ‘likely to choose a brand with a positive approach to environmental sustainability’ [source: SmartestEnergy 2022]. Yet, last year’s Competitions and Markets Authority coordinated global review found that 40 per cent of green claims made online could be misleading consumers. That is already having an impact on consumer sentiment towards sustainable products and brands, and it falls to the retailer to substantiate or back the claims of the products they sell. Yet, for all but the very largest of electrical brands, getting third-party audit and accreditation across the supply chain has been prohibitively expensive, leaving retailers forced to trust marketing claims and have faith in repeating them to their customers.


Formed in 2020, ethy set out to give all consumer brands the chance to


prove their ethical and sustainable credentials by significantly lowering the cost of supply chain audits and accreditation. Successfully audited and accredited brands can then use ethy’s bright, visual trust marks on packaging, POS and digital marketing. These trust marks cover 35 socially and ethically responsible initiatives across six core paths that represent the most pressing sustainability challenges today. The organisation also champions sustainable shopping at the consumer level with the ethy app. This guides savvy shoppers towards the most ethical brands, products and retailers. Over 100 brands have already undergone ethy audit and accreditation, and this guide app has recently crested 10,000 regular users. Unless we act now to champion genuine ethical shopping, electrical retailers


will be selling ever more goods that claim to be sustainable but are often far from it. Through stocking products with genuine ethical standards accreditation and consumer-facing trust marks, the retail channel can demonstrate its commitment to the environment and capitalise on the growing demand for greener, more sustainable products.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36