September 2026 ertonline.co.uk


Laundry leads retailer growth as supplier support comes under pressure


Laundry has emerged as the strongest growth category for independent electrical retailers,


but more than a quarter say the support they receive from suppliers has worsened over the past year, according to the ERT Report 2026. ERT’s inaugural industry survey found that 56.3 per


cent of respondents identified laundry as a category that had experienced strong growth over the past 12 months, putting it ahead of cooking appliances at 43.8 per cent and dishwashing at 31.3 per cent. Refrigeration, small domestic appliances, consumer electronics, premium/luxury appliances and sustainable or energy-efficient products were


each selected by 25 per cent of respondents. However, while retailers continue to identify areas


of opportunity across the market, the findings also highlight concerns around the level of support they are receiving from suppliers. More than a quarter - 26.3 per cent - said supplier support had worsened over


the past 12 months,


while 57.9 per cent said it was about the same. Just 15.8 per cent felt support had improved slightly, while no respondents said it was “much better”. The results come as retailers place increasing importance on strong relationships with manufacturers. Some 84.2 per cent identified stock availability as one of the most important forms of supplier support, while margin protection and after- sales service were each selected by 78.9 per cent.


ERT Editor Will McGill said: “There’s been plenty


of discussion about how difficult trading conditions are, so I think it’s equally important


Report highlights where retailers are actually seeing opportunities.


“Laundry coming out on top is interesting, particularly when more traditional areas such as refrigeration and consumer electronics were some way behind. It shows that growth certainly isn’t uniform across the market. “But manufacturers should also take notice of


what retailers are telling us about supplier support. More than a quarter feel it has actually got worse over the past year, while nobody told us it was much better.


“Independents are facing enough pressures as it is, so having suppliers that understand their businesses and provide consistent, reliable support can make a real difference – particularly when it comes to helping retailers capitalise on the categories where demand is growing.”


iFi audio and Qobuz launch music and memory campaign iFi audio has teamed up with Qobuz for Songs


That Take Us Back, a community campaign celebrating the connection between music and memory during World Alzheimer’s Month. Running throughout September, the campaign invites listeners to create a playlist inspired by a memorable period or moment in their lives – from teenage years and first concerts to road trips, family gatherings or discovering a favourite album. Participants are encouraged to build a public playlist on Qobuz, iFi’s preferred platform for the campaign,


7 that the ERT


before submitting it through the dedicated page on the iFi website. They can also share a short story explaining


the memories behind their song choices. The campaign aims to bring together music, memory and better listening, while giving the iFi and Qobuz communities an opportunity to revisit the music that has helped soundtrack their lives. One selected participant will receive an iFi iDSD GR 2 alongside a six-month Qobuz subscription gift card. The Songs That Take Us Back campaign runs from 1–30 September 2026 across Instagram, Facebook, X and LinkedIn, with entries submitted through the iFi website.


BSH announces CEO change as Matthias Metz steps down


BSH Home Appliances Group has announced a leadership change, with Dr Matthias Metz set to step down as CEO and Chairman of the Board of Management at the end of September.


Rudolf Klötscher, who has spent almost 30 years with BSH, will succeed Dr Metz as the home appliance manufacturer enters its next chapter. Dr Metz has led BSH for four years and said his departure was a “personal decision”, with plans to pursue new entrepreneurial opportunities. Reflecting on his tenure, he said the home appliance market had become faster-moving, less predictable and increasingly challenging.


“The market we navigated together over these four years moved faster, became less predictable, and proved far more challenging than many in our industry had anticipated,” he said. Dr Metz said BSH had sharpened its strategic


direction and strengthened its competitiveness during that period.


He also praised the company’s 55,000-plus employees and backed his successor, saying he “could not wish for a better successor” to lead BSH into its next phase.He also thanked BSH’s consumers, customers and business partners for their support and collaboration during his tenure. “For me, the time has come to pursue new


entrepreneurial opportunities,” Dr Metz concluded. “It has been an honour and a pleasure to be part of this great team.”


BSH Home Appliances Group operates a portfolio of appliance brands including Bosch, Siemens, Gaggenau and Neff.


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