News
“2019 could prove to be a very challenging year”
Poor online retail sales growth continued into January this year, following December’s all-time low sales fi gures, according to the IMRG Capgemini eRetail Sales Index. January’s online sales were up by
4
seven per cent year-on-year, which was almost half of last year’s fi gure (which was +13.9 per cent YoY). Growth in January was actually marginally
above the three-month
average of +6.3 per cent (YoY), but that was largely due to December’s record- low performance.
Electricals was highlighted as an industry sector that suffered in January, with sales recorded at -19.1 per cent. Bhavesh Unadkat, principal consultant retail customer said:
in Capgemini, “January
engagement, growth
was half that of last year and below the fi ve-year average for the month, failing to recuperate sales from the poor performance in December 2018. “The cautious start to the year is unsurprising given that pressures on the retail sector remain high as a result of further store closure announcements, continued low consumer confi dence and economic uncertainty as we hold our breath, and our spending, ahead of
further news on how the UK will exit the European Union.
Big impact in electricals “One area where we are seeing a big impact is electricals with continued YoY declines, often correlated to the confi dence index, coupled with
decreasing basket values, there is an indication that customers continue to hold back on spending, especially in the more luxurious and higher ticket categories.” Andy Mulcahy, strategy and insight
director, IMRG, added: “2019 could well prove to be a very challenging year, and the January growth was a slight
improvement on the recent diffi cult trading conditions.
“The discounting that has been rife since all the way back in July continued into January as expected due to post- Christmas clearance – the challenge for retailers now is how to ease off the reliance on discounting for driving sales.”
New country head for Sony UK and Ireland
Barend Ezechiels (pictured, left) is to head up the Sony UK and Ireland operation from 1 April 2019, replacing current country head, John Anderson (right) .
Starting his Sony career in the Benelux marketing team in 1997, Mr Ezechiels held several senior marketing and sales roles at a country and pan- European level, including Marketing Head and Sales Director before moving to the Country Head role in 2012. During his time as Country Head, he has successfully lead the company to new heights in terms of market share and profi t. Concurrently, Mr Ezechiels also headed up Sony
Europe’s group for Pan-European accounts, and therefore comes with a wealth of experience in consumer electronics as well as the shifting dynamics in the market and retail landscape.
John Anderson will move to become Country Head for Sony Germany, also from 1 April.
Having joined Sony in 1990, he has performed a variety of senior marketing, sales and operational roles at a pan-European and country level. He started his career in Sony’s UK marketing team, before going on to be MD of Sony Austria, Vice President of Customer Services Europe and Vice President of Home Entertainment and Sound. In his role as Country Head of UK and Ireland since 2014, he has steered the team to record sales, profi t and a leading share in premium TV, video, sound and digital imaging. “With his strong commitment, John Anderson has achieved great results for Sony UK and Ireland,” said Rick Londema, Senior Vice President Sony Europe. “We would therefore like to thank him sincerely for his outstanding work during the past fi ve years.”
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