Get Connected Magazine - August 2019 by Get Connected Magazine

AUGUST 2019

The Magazine of The Electrical Goods Industry www.gcmagazine.co.uk

INSIDE:

TOWN & APARTMENT LIVING AS UK kitchen space continues to shrink in the 21st century and the demand for stylish, high-function appliances continues to grow, GC looks at the great products providing great opportunities for retailers

HOME ENTERTAINMENT “Bigger, brighter, smarter with amazing sound.” George Cole reviews the state of home entertainment in the UK

FROM THE BENCH Screen brightness: Alan Bennet explains what it means and why it’s important

GEORGE COLE GETS CONNECTED

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A couple of anniversaries for products that transformed the CE and music industries

WORD FROM THE STREET GC’s shopping panel concludes its review of the state of UK retail

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CONTENTS

INSIDE... 04 Editorial Comment 06 The Word In and around the industry

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terry@gcmagazine.co.uk No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior permission of the publisher. Get Connected is published by Mud Hut Publishing Ltd, Greyfriar Cottage, Winchester Road, Chawton, Alton, Hampshire GU34 1SB.

It’s forty years since the Compact Disc and the Sony Walkman changed the way we listen to music and transformed the industry. George Cole charts the rise of these gamechanging technologies

Product Gallery Town & Apartment Living UK homes have been steadily getting smaller since the 1960s, and at the same time there has been a revolution in the price, quality, aesthetics and performance of domestic appliances. GC examines the unprecedented opportunities this presents for electrical retailers

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George Cole Gets Connected

From the Bench Brightness is a big sellingpoint in modern TV screen technology. Alan Bennett sorts the nits from the ANSI units, and explains their relevance in the 21st century TV market

20 Home Entertainment George Cole talks to some key players about the continuing revolution in the home entertainment market, where everything is getting bigger, brighter and smarter

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EDITORIAL COMMENT

Photo: Cowes High Street Nationwide branch (Wikimedia Commons)

Bricks-and-mortar banks are shutting down branches in towns and cities across the UK, but the Nationwide Building Society has recently promised not to withdraw its bricks-andmortar presence from any town or city where it currently has an outlet until at least May 2021, presumably in an attempt to give people another reason to keep on using their High Streets. A positive attitude. But is trying to keep local shopping centres useful and relevant a losing battle?

here’s not a simple answer to that question. As we’ve said many times before, it’s a complex one involving individual factors such as location, changing shopping habits, age demographics, relative affluence, commuting patterns and shifts in availability of employment. Some high streets thrive. Others decline. However, some indication of the way things are going is provided by a Nationwide Building Society poll among children aged five to 11, asking about their own and their parents’ experience of shopping today. A headline finding is that a quarter of the children polled said they did not know what a high street was. Nearly a third of them said they’d never been to a butcher. 23% had never been to a greengrocer. And 40% said their parents shop online, in a country where half of all UK retail shopping transactions are predicted to be online within ten years. Even when bricks-and-mortar outlets come into these children’s experience, it’s not the high street that figures: three quarters of them said their parents’ shopping “usually came from the supermarket.” If children’s life habits are initially learned from the example of their parents and peers, the future generation of shoppers doesn’t, on the face of it, look like it will have much of an acquired appetite for what used to be the national pastime of “going shopping.” Those are the bleak statistics from a poll of future shoppers, who appear to be more and more interested in looking at their electronic devices than interacting with the real world;

less and less inclined to seek the collective experience of social activities such as face-toface conversations, walking around with friends, going shopping… Yet despite all that, the most significant thing to come out of this poll is hugely optimistic and positive: three quarters of the children surveyed said they would prefer to buy things in a shop than online. The main reasons they gave were that they could “explore different items,” and that it would make them “feel grown up and be able to talk to people.” This echoes some of the human taste for the “retail high” that only real shopping can give, which is expressed by our shopping panel in this issue (see page 12), and offers some hope that, when this retail revolution settles down, the high street will still be attractive and relevant to the next generation. After all, each generation, although it learns some life habits from its elders, also has to establish its own tastes and preferences as part of the process of feeling “grown up.” We all remember that feeling, when young, that if your parents liked your music, something was wrong. So maybe, in the second half of the 21st century, going shopping will be the new rock’n’roll, and people will wonder why the previous generation didn’t do it. It’s all about cycles. The next generation, for example, may look back and laugh at how, for a short time, the great English-speaking democracies were strangely drawn to overweight, blustering blond blokes with no grasp of detail and a welldocumented track-record of telling lies.

“Three quarters of the children surveyed said they would prefer to buy things in a shop than online...”

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Marlinda Conway Editor in Chief

Terry Heath Editorial & Publishing Director

Will Dobson Creative Director

James McIntosh Consumer Consultant

George Cole Consumer Electronics Consultant

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THE LATEST ELECTRICAL GOODS INDUSTRY NEWS

SHOP VACANCY RATE AT FOUR-YEAR HIGH AS FOOTFALL DECLINES

nformation released by Springboard shows the national town centre vacancy rate rose to 10.3% in July, the highest since January 2015, with sluggish sales growth and declining footfall contributing to the increase. Footfall fell 1.9% during the month – the worst decline for July since 2012. The number of High Street visitors fell by 2.7%, while Shopping Centres recorded a drop of 3.1%. Retail Parks were the only destination to record an uplift, rising by 1.2% against a fall of 0.5% in the same month last year. Diane Wehrle, Springboard Marketing and Insights Director, said consumer demand is evermore polarised between

SHOP PRICE DEFLATION STABLE J

uly shop price deflation was steady at -0.1% in July which, similar to last month, was driven by a decline of 1.2% in non-food prices. It was the second consecutive month of deflation since October 2018. According to the BRC, technological developments have been contributing to the long-term decline of prices in Electricals and Clothing & Footwear, while low consumer confidence has kept shoppers from “splashing” on discretionary items. “Given the competitive environment, retailers are, on average, using price discounts to attract customers,” the organisation said. “Many consumers will be pleased to see the price of non-food products continuing to fall at a steady rate,” Chief Executive Helen Dickinson commented. Mike Watkins, Head of Retailer and Business Insight at Nielsen, said he anticipates non-food retailers would be looking to keep any price increase to a minimum over the next few months as shoppers continue to be cautious around their retail spend.

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convenience and experience and the stronger performance of out-of-town destinations reflects the fact that retail parks are successfully bridging the gap. “They not only offer consumers accessible shopping environments with free parking and easy click & collect opportunities for online purchases, but many also combine this with an enhanced experience that includes coffee shops and casual dining restaurants, and some also have leisure facilities. “Indeed, the positive footfall result for outof-town destinations in July, particularly the fact that footfall rose by 2.1% during daytime trading hours, demonstrates that if the offer is right consumers will spend.”

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CONSUMERS IN SPENDING MOOD AS CONFIDENCE IMPROVES IN JULY

onsumer confidence improved by two points in July, affected appreciably by a 6-point rise in the public’s appetite for major purchases and a 5-point lift in the outlook for personal finances over the next 12 months. According to analyst GfK, the overall confidence level of -11 during the month reflected the fact that pre-Brexit consumers were “marginally more bullish” and have generally been less affected by Brexit uncertainties than UK businesses have been since the Referendum. Joe Staton, Client Strategy Director, said it was too soon to judge any impact of a “post-Boris bounce”, stating that the boost in attitudes to personal finances was down to low interest rates and day-to-day inflation, a buoyant labour market and growth in real wages. The 5-point lift in the outlook for personal finances increased that particular measure to +7 in July, while the major purchase index rose to a level of +4 – six points higher than in July 2018. “This mirrors the ongoing resilience in consumer spending,” Staton commented. “However,” he added, “the coming months to the October 31st departure date will test the strength of this confidence.”

RETAIL SALES SCRAPE INTO POSITIVE TERRITORY

retail sales recorded the lowest July figure since records compiled by the British retail Consortium began in 1995. The rise of 0.3% in total sales during the month follows the worst June on record, but is nonetheless a return to growth, albeit slight, after what the organisation’s Chief Executive Helen Dickinson described as “a punishing few months for the industry.” On a like-for-like basis, sales increased by 0.1%. Looking at the three-month performance of the non-food sector, the BRC said sales fell by 2.0% on a like-for-like basis and 2.1% on a total basis, with in-store declining 4% and 4.1% respectively while online sales grew by 3.7%. The online non-food penetration rate increased to 29.8% in July from 28.4% in the same month of 2018. “While retailers will welcome the return to growth, it

has nonetheless been a punishing few months for the industry,” said Dickinson. “The combination of slow real wage growth and Brexit uncertainty has left consumer spending languishing, with the 12-month average total sales falling to a new low of just 0.5%. “And it is not just high streets that are suffering, with non-food online growth also one percentage point below the 12-month average.” Dickinson added that the “challenging” retail environment is taking its toll on many high street brands who must contend with rising import costs, a multitude of public policy costs, and ever-higher business rates. She stated that a “coherent strategy” for the industry is needed and called on the Government to freeze future business rates rises and fix the appeals system before embarking on “a wholesale reform of this broken tax system.”

VISIT GCMAGAZINE.CO.UK FOR THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS... Most retail professionals don’t move jobs because salaries “too low” Tipping point for online retail… The happy chappies in retail ESF September seminar focuses on bringing safe products to market Smart speakers “too dumb” to use as a purchasing tool Electrolux marks 100th anniversary with focus on healthy eating Bertazzoni digital shop-front gets premium treatment New UK-dedicated website for Teka brand

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BANKRUPT LOEWE UNDER FIRE IG Metall, Europe’s largest industrial union, has called for transparency after German TV manufacturer Loewe announced it was to shut down its operations in July due to financial difficulties and the refusal of a key investor to continue to fund the ailing business.

he insolvency of the business in many ways came as no surprise. In May this year the company entered self-administration for a second time – the first in 2013 resulted in a later bailout by investor Stargate Capital. But two months prior to the second selfadministration, Loewe announced that its TV

“The Kronach facility has now been shut with the loss of 400 jobs and IG Metall has accused financial investor Riverrock of “waiting until Loewe is finally drained, only then to earn money with the rubble of the company.”

In a move that would see the separation of Loewe’s Investor and Executive Management levels, Vogt had succeeded Mark Hüsges, who relinquished the role to become Chairman of the newly founded Loewe Advisory Board, a step significant to the establishment of the LoeweToyoichi alliance. Loewe had been undergoing a restructuring process before the second self-administration, which it said was being hindered by the impact of continuing weakness in the television market. The insolvency process was seen as the protection needed to allow the company to complete the restructuring plan. Clearly, that wasn’t to be. The Kronach facility has now been shut with the loss of 400 jobs and IG Metall has accused financial investor Riverrock of “waiting until Loewe is finally drained, only then to earn money with the rubble of the company.”

WHIRLPOOL COMMENCES RECALL OF FIRE-RISK TUMBLE DRYERS

W production facility in Kronach, Germany was to become an independent entity following a tie-up with Japanese Toyoichi Tsusho Co. Ltd, who Dr. Ralf Vogt, the then recently appointed CEO of the Executive Management Board of Loewe Technologies GmbH, described at the time as “a reliable and financially strong partner to further boost Loewe’s competitiveness and internationalisation”.

Johann Horn, district manager of IG Metall Bavaria, said: “In the event of a shutdown, an investor would be able to pick out the parts of the company he would like to relaunch and offer contracts with lower pay and poorer working conditions. “The fears of 400 people and their families do not seem to matter to this financial investor.” IG Metall warned of Riverrock’s track record in the German region, pointing out that the firm had invested in the Baden-Württemberg kitchen manufacturer Alno in 2017 after its bankruptcy. Riverrock’s involvement meant Alno continued to produce kitchens with significantly fewer employees and considerably worse terms. “I do not hope Alno is a blueprint for what Riverrock is up to now with Loewe,” said Horn.

hirlpool has launched a recall of tumble dryers that have not yet been adapted under a long-running safety campaign, after the Government made demands in June this year requiring the manufacturer to recall hundreds of thousands of unmodified Hotpoint, Indesit, Creda, Swan and Proline models identified as a fire risk some four years ago which are still in the public domain. The safety campaign began in 2015 and relates to models built between 2004 and 2015. The fresh appeal and recall are part of a renewed awareness drive which includes a £1 million

advertising campaign to attract those who have not yet engaged with Whirlpool’s ongoing safety communications. Under the recall, consumers have the following options: a free replacement dryer; a free in-home modification; a refund based on the age of their appliance. They can also choose to upgrade their affected dryer to a superior model for a “fraction” of the retail price. Consumers should call 0800 151 0905 or visit https://dryerrecall.whirlpool.co.uk/ to check if their dryer is affected.

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DIXONS CARPHONE WARNS OF MORE PAIN TO COME AS MOBILE MARKET CHANGES

LG REPORTS RECORD-HIGH SALES FOR HOME APPLIANCE DIVISION

Electronics has announced record second-quarter revenues with consolidated sales of KRW 15.63 trillion (USD 13.40 billion) and operating profit of KRW 652.3 billion for the period covering April to June 2019. Compared to the same period last year, sales were 4.1% higher with operating income down 15.4%. Record home appliance profits and strong business solutions profitability offset smaller operating income for home entertainment products and losses from the company’s vehicle components and mobile communications divisions.

ixons Carphone made a pre-tax loss £298 million in the year to 27th April 2019, compared to a profit of £382 million in the previous year. The loss included charges of £557 million, mostly related to a write-down in the value of its mobile business. Alex Baldock, Group Chief Executive, warned of more pain to come as the UK mobile market is changing faster than the company had expected some months ago. In electricals the business gained market share in all territories. Group like-for-like revenue rose 1%; UK & Ireland electricals revenue gained 1%, but mobile like-for-likes in the region were down 4%; international revenue was up 4%. “In UK & Ireland electricals, we expect growing sales and headline profits this year and beyond,” said Baldock.

ELECTROLUX INCOME RISES AS PRICE OFFSETS IMPACT OF NEGATIVE HEADWINDS

WHIRLPOOL RAISES FULL-YEAR EARNINGS GUIDANCE

hirlpool Corporation raised its full-year earnings guidance as it reported EBIT of $254 million for the second quarter of 2019 compared to a loss of $562 million in the same period last year. The company said EBIT margin was favourably impacted by product price/mix and restructuring benefits, which were partially offset by cost inflation and unfavourable currency. Last year’s results were negatively impacted by approximately $860 million due to an asset

impairment charge related to the EMEA region and a settlement agreement with the French Competition Authority. Second-quarter net sales were $5.2 billion compared to $5.1 billion in the same prior-year period. Excluding the impact of currency, sales increased 3.5%. For the full-year 2019 the company raised its guidance and now expects GAAP earnings per diluted share of $17.80 to $18.55 and ongoing earnings per diluted share of $14.75 to $15.50.

NEW AO MOBILE LAUNCH A “GAMECHANGER”, SAYS AO BOSS

onsumers are being offered a cheaper and simpler way to buy mobile phones following the launch of www.ao-mobile.com by online electricals retailer AO. AO Mobile is offering an extensive choice across the four UK mobile networks and all handset manufacturers with contract, SIM-only and handset-only options available. With simple guides to help customers work out what they need from their mobile phone, the retailer believes the shopping experience is widely expected to shake up the mobile market. “This is a gamechanger for customers because we’ve built AO Mobile for today’s world,” said AO Founder and Chief Executive John Roberts. “Customers tell us that they find buying mobile and connectivity complicated. From today, we’re making it easy to choose what’s best for them with easy-to-understand pricing and fantastic service.

wedish manufacturer Electrolux has reported a favourable earnings impact from selling more high-margin products in the second quarter of 2019, while price increases continued to offset headwinds from higher raw material costs, trade tariffs and currency, as well as volume declines. Operating income amounted to SEK 1,619m against SEK 827m in the same quarter last year, while income for the period increased from SEK 517m to SEK 1,132m. Based on current trade tariff levels the company estimates the negative year-over-year impact from raw materials, trade tariffs and currency to be approximately SEK 1.4-1.6bn in 2019, compared to a previous estimate of SEK 1.7-1.9bn. Net sales for the quarter amounted to SEK 31,687m, a decline of 2.7% driven by lower volumes.

“We can make it cheaper because AO Mobile customers don’t have to pay for hundreds of high street stores with thousands of sales staff.” Deals include a Samsung A10 on Vodafone for just £24 a month, the Huawei P30 Lite on EE at £29 a month or an exclusive deal of a Samsung Galaxy S10 on O2 with 120GB at £55 a month. During the launch month of August, customers can also receive a digital reward card pre-loaded with up to £250 available to spend on AO.com. Roberts believes value, simplicity and service will make AO Mobile a natural choice for today’s mobile customer. “When it comes to telecoms, buying a mobile is a minefield of confusion and pretty average service. Customers deserve better and that’s where AO Mobile comes in. Add our launch offer of up to £250 off at AO.com and it’s a no-brainer.” The launch of AO Mobile comes just months after the retailer bought Mobile Phones Direct Ltd.

SAMSUNG CRACKS “WHAT MAKES RETAIL GREAT”

amsung has has opened opened aa 20,000 20,000 sq sq ft ft creative creative and and digital digital playground playground at at Coal Coal Drops Drops Yard Yard shopping shopping and and amsung lifestyle district district in in London’s London’s King’s King’s Cross. Cross. Samsung Samsung KX, KX, as as itit is is known, known, is is aa space space where where people people are are lifestyle invited to to discover, discover, interact interact with with and and learn learn new new skills skills in in aa dynamic, dynamic, innovative innovative environment. environment. invited features aa vertical vertical 10-metre-wide 10-metre-wide curved curved Samsung Samsung screen, screen, an an entertainment entertainment stage stage and and aa kitchen kitchen powered powered ItIt features by the the brand’s brand’s latest latest connected connected off offerings. erings. ItIt also also has has aa dedicated dedicated gaming gaming space space ready ready to to host host tournaments, tournaments, by streaming and and other other events, events, and and will will host host attractions attractions such such as as local local talent talent shows shows and and mixology mixology sessions. sessions. streaming Samsung will will be be working working with with local local groups groups that that will will benefi benefitt from from the the space. space. Samsung Garrett Page, Page, Head Head of of Operations Operations at at KX, KX, said: said: “Retail “Retail is is not not dead; dead; it’s it’s going going through through aa period period of of incredible incredible Garrett reinvention. Unlike Unlike traditional traditional stores stores where where staff staff are are trained trained to to sell sell aa specifi specificc product, product, the the Samsung Samsung KX KX team team reinvention. members are are customer customer experience experience ambassadors ambassadors who who have have had had extensive extensive training training to to bring bring our our expansive expansive members portfolio of of products products to to life life in in aa meaningful meaningful way.” way.” portfolio Page added added that that KX KX staff staff are are encouraged encouraged to to focus focus more more on on showing showing their their personalities personalities rather rather than than selling selling Page products, “and “and we’re we’re doing doing this this because because we’re we’re confi confident dent that that we’ve we’ve cracked cracked what what makes makes retail retail great,” great,” he he said. said. products,

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AO.COM TRIALS FREE LAPTOP SETUP SERVICE O

nline electricals retailer AO.com is trialling a free setup service for all Windows laptops purchased via its site. The business said the facility was unlike that of other retailers “who can charge up to £50 for the service.” AO.com has partnered with computer hardware supplier SCAN, who will

Buying group CIH has appointed Norman Bruce to the role of Buyer for Brown Goods.

Norman Bruce

Electrolux has announced the appointment of Chris Ibbitson as Channel Manager for its Housebuilders & Contracts team. Chris Ibbitson Online electricals retailer AO has launched a new Business to Business division, appointing former Electrolux Channel Head Mark Armstrong as its new Head of Sales for the housebuilders sector. Armstrong has more than 26 years’ experience in the industry.

set up and configure PCs remotely for customers at a pre-arranged time. Naeem Adam, Head of Computing at AO, said: “We’ve launched the service as an initial six-week trial and hope to extend this offering to our customers long-term.”

Uwe Raschke has been appointed CEO of BSH Hausgeräte GmbH (BSH), succeeding Dr. Karsten Ottenberg, who left the company on 30th June for personal reasons. Steve Beahan, founder and managing director of technology distributor Invision UK, now a whollyowned subsidiary of Midwich Group plc, is to retire after more than 17 years at the head of the company he founded in 2002. He will be succeeded by commercial director Mark Taylor. Steve Beahan

Uwe Raschke

Mark Taylor

iFi Audio has appointed Miles Roberts, former Export Director for loudspeaker manufacturer PMC, to the role of Business Development Manager EMEA.

Mark Armstrong

Appliance distributor Swift Electrical has appointed Amber Sheppard as Area Sales Manager for South Wales and the South West of England. Gerhard Dambach, currently CEO of Robert Bosch Italy, will move to BSH as Chief Financial Officer, effective 1st September 2019.

Kent-based manufacturer Chord Electronics has Miles Roberts appointed Hi-Fi industry veteran Doug Graham to the role of International Sales. Amber Sheppard

Will Yates has been announced as the new managing director of Groupe SEB for the UK & Ireland, effective 1st September. Yates joined Groupe SEB in January 2016 and was promoted to Commercial Director in June this year. Doug Graham

High-end audio engineer John Curl has joined iFi Audio and its sister company Abbingdon Music Research (AMR) as a technical consultant, working across all new product designs from the two firms.

Gerhard Dambach

Beko plc has appointed Andy Parkin as Operations Director and Board member, responsible for overseeing the UK and Ireland from the company’s Watford headquarters.

Will Yates

John Curl

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UK CE MARKET LOOKS SET TO FEND OFF BREXIT UNCERTAINTY

he UK consumer electronics retail market generated £19.2 billion in 2018, with further growth of 4% expected this year, despite the economic uncertainty of Brexit. According to a report from research analyst Futuresource Consulting, 2019 will see volumes continue to marginally decline (In 2018, 122 million units were shipped, a decrease of around a million compared to 2017) but value will grow as consumers look towards premium products and nascent technologies. Futuresource expects newer technologies such as wearables, OLED TVs, true-wireless headphones, smart speakers, and next-generation games consoles to experience significant growth in both volume and value terms, contributing an increasing amount to the CE market in the coming years, with

newer, innovative products generating a value CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 6.5% for 2018 to 2022. While the outlook for the CE market in relation to Brexit is reasonably optimistic, given its maturity and size relative to other areas of consumer spending, Britain’s exit from the European Union will have an influence on market dynamics, according to Futuresource. “We expect products that enhance the home will continue to grow,” said Jack Wetherill, Principal Analyst at Futuresource. “The last economic shock experienced in the UK, the 2008 recession, saw products such as DVD players and TVs gain in volume and value terms, as people pivoted their discretionary spending towards improving the leisure-time experience in the home.

INVISION’S REFERENCE HOME CINEMA SHOWCASES DTS: X PRO

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CONSUMERS DITCHING PAY TV FOR FREE CONTENT

echnology distributor Invision’s reference home cinema, which opened in Bracknell, Berkshire in July, provides UK dealers with a “world-class” home cinema demonstration facility. It is the first in Europe to feature DTS: X Pro, which builds on the class-leading 3D audio abilities of the DTS:X audio technology by increasing the number of available channels from 11 to as many as 32. Gerben Van Duyl, Director of Procella Audio (Sweden) – a brand distributed by Invision and used in the Bracknell setup – attended the opening and was generous with his praise: “Invision joins a rare club with their Reference Home Cinema – I can only think of one other

“A Brexit-based economic shock is likely to have a similar impact on consumer electronics, with some products withstanding the likely downturn in consumer spending, and even enjoying some moderate growth. “Mature CE markets which are highly saturated rely on replacement sales, and so are seeing some volume decline in line with market expectations, but Brexit will not overly exacerbate this trend.” The report concluded that the value of the CE market may be nominally growing, but in real terms some of this value will be due to currency and price fluctuations as the market adjusts to Brexit. Futuresource forecasts show overall market volume declines of 1.1% in 2019, but value growth of 4.1%.

such facility in the world, and that is the CEDIA HQ reference cinema in Indianapolis. “The professionally engineered acoustics, the state-of-the-art immersive speaker system, this is the very best in home cinema technology. Now UK dealers and their clients can experience nextgeneration private cinema in a beautiful modern facility just half-an-hour from Heathrow.”

ubscription-free TV service Freeview has claimed consumers are ditching Pay TV for free content, quoting statistics that support the growing trend towards “cord cutting”. Pay TV services saw a decline of 424,000 households in 2018, according to the research, with the UK leading the advance in Europe on switching to free-to-view. The suggestion is that subscription price hikes by both Sky and Netflix of 5.1% and 20% respectively over recent months may have prompted the move. Freeview has sold over 7 million devices and claims to be the UK’s fastest growing TV platform.

MIDWICH GROUP OPENS NEW SOUTHERN SHOWROOM AND DEMO FACILITY

distributor Midwich Group has opened a new 50,000 sq ft southern showroom located in Bracknell, Berkshire. Innovation House, as it is named, will be one of the largest multi-vendor experience centres in the UK, according to the distributor, and will showcase the Group’s wide-ranging technologies from Midwich, PSCo, Sound Technology, Holdan and Invision. It will include a 14-metre-high R&D space, dedicated training rooms, a cinema room, a flexible event area and office space which can accommodate up to 80 technical specialists from LED and Rental specialists PSCo and Midwich’s Technical Division.

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BEKO REVAMPS CUSTOMER SOLUTION CENTRE

eko UK has upgraded its Customer Solution Centre in Stratford Upon Avon, which it says “develops true Brand Ambassadors by ensuring it offers consumers the best service solutions.” Teresa Arbuckle, Beko plc MD, is pictured cutting the ribbon at the revamped Centre.

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EXCLUSIVELY 2019 RECEIVES POSITIVE REACTION

he Exclusively Show (Housewares & Electrical) has released information announcing that core show visitors were on a par with previous years and although the number of retailers attending was up, the number of delegates per retailer declined. Overall attendance rose by just

BELLING COOKERY CLUB WINNERS ANNOUNCED

elling has announced the winners of its Cookery Club competition, which supports primary schools in providing practical cookery experiences for pupils. The victors, Linton Church of England Infant School in Linton, Cambridge (pictured) and Little Melton Primary School in Norfolk, will each receive £2,000 worth of Belling appliances.

over 5%, driven by influencers and consumer press. Simon Boyd, Operations Director on the Exclusively team, said: “The show embraced many new retailers who are championing new and evolving routes to market, alongside large respected high street names and, of course, our

hard-working and determined independents, embracing change from all corners of the UK.” The event attracted over 150 exhibitors and 275 brands. Next year’s Exclusively will take place at the Business Design Centre, London on 9th and 10th June.

CAKE AND CHAT MARKS CONNECT DISTRIBUTION’S 50TH YEAR

irmingham-based Connect Distribution used the celebration of its first half-century to launch an online LiveChat facility which provides instant access to experienced customer service personnel to help solve customer queries in real time. The celebration was marked by the presentation of a 50th birthday cake by key supplier Hoover. The domestic appliance manufacturer marked Connect’s 21st anniversary in 1990 with a similar gift. The 50th birthday cake was donated to Birmingham homeless charity SIFA Fireside.

SHORTCUTS Miele has been awarded Which? Large Home Appliance Brand of the Year 2019. AirCraft Home’s new PowerGlide cordless hard-floor cleaner has received Quiet Mark accreditation.

Compliance with a heart

AEG’s ComfortLift Dishwasher was selected Best Dishwasher at this year’s T3 Awards and the AEG 9000 Series Washing Machine was named the Best Washing Machine for a second year in a row. The Hotpoint Supreme Chef multifunction microwave oven (MWH 338 SX) has been awarded a best buy accolade by i News. Indesit has introduced a promotion offering consumers a threemonth free supply of Fairy Platinum Plus tablets with the purchase of selected 45cm or 60cm dishwashers. The initiative runs until the 30th September 2019. InSinkErator® has broadened its marketing activities with a London taxi advertising campaign to support the reduction of single-use plastic waste. Hotpoint is offering a free six-month supply of Fairy Platinum Plus dishwasher capsules with the purchase of selected dishwashers. The promotion runs until 30th September 2019 and coincides with a 100day money-back guarantee dishwasher incentive which runs until the 27th of the same month. Stove Maker ESSE has recruited specialist pastry chef Dominique Ashford to work on new product development and testing, perform cookery demonstrations and host cookery classes.

Recycling Lives Compliance Services is an industry-leader, delivering compliance with European legislation for WEEE, packaging and batteries. Part of the national Recycling Lives Group, it is also delivering social value through associated charity

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THE WORD

GCMAGAZINE.CO.UK

@GC_Team

Retail Word from the Street Part 2 In the last issue of GC, our retail panel of experienced and sophisticated shoppers said that the perceived low status of retail as a career in the UK, and a noticeable lack of staff training, are contributing to a deterioration in the High Street retail experience. There was also a feeling that some of the long-established High Street names have lost touch with their core customers and have no clear offer, losing their traditional customer base but failing to attract new shoppers

Part 2 of our discussion of UK retail in the 21st century, our panel – after a brief but intense digression on the relative merits of sticky toffee pudding and triple chocolate brownie – looked at how the internet, the loss of big High Street “anchor” stores, extended supermarket opening hours and the uneven distribution of “good” independent outlets are contributing to changes in the UK shopping experience. Naturally, online shopping is the elephant in any room where retail is being discussed, so the panel faced it head on by asking each other how much of their Christmas shopping they did online. Jo Giggs admitted to “about 30%;” Denise Coup said she bought “all the kids’ stuff ” online because the kids are generally quite clear about what they want and it’s quick and convenient to source on the internet; Sarah Nkoski said “around 10% - CDs, DVDs, all the little fillers;” while Sharon Maslen, who said her online Christmas shopping amounted to “none… I’ll support the shops,” was the only one to claim a totally bricks-and-mortar yuletide. This may not be entirely representative of the whole retail customer base in the UK, but it does represent an important, sophisticated sector with money to spend on themselves and families to buy for. It’s also important to note that all of the panel are working professionals for whom the computer and the smartphone are familiar everyday tools, so reluctance to engage with the technology is definitely not a factor in the preference for bricks-and-mortar.

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What is it, then, that the panel is not buying online? Denise: “Specialist items. And you can find inspiration in shops. You’ll see things and say ‘so-and-so would like that.’ Also, asking round the office, a big reason people would go to indies would be for advice when they’re trying to choose. You get more advice there. And shops are places where you see things you didn’t know you needed: towels… crockery… a DAB radio… a small flat panel TV.” Jo: “Also, if I’m buying a TV or something I’ll want someone to explain HD and LCD and OLED and 4K and 8K and all the other things that are advertised but never properly related to actual benefits. And I still like to touch & feel what I’m buying if it’s a big purchase.” Sharon: “If you go into a small shop that’s really nice you go again.” Denise: “But you can’t always find one. They’re not on every high street and you have to know where to look. A lot of people go into Marlow, for example, specifically because it has good small independents.” Sarah: “That’s true, but unless I knew it, I wouldn’t go to a High Street without a big store - an M&S or a John Lewis.” Strangely, though, some of the big “anchor” stores that used to create footfall on the High Street are in deep trouble, making it harder for their retail neighbours. Denise: “There are too many shops for the number of people.”

The shopping panel (l to r): Chris Reddington, Jo Giggs, Sharon Maslen, Sarah Nkoski, Denise Coup

How does the panel shop differently to how they did ten, fifteen years ago? Did they ever, and do they now, go down a High Street to the grocers, bakers, fishmongers, butchers, wet fish shop? Chris: “It’s a time thing. We don’t have time to shop like that. Not enough people shop like that to support a thriving indie high street. Supermarkets open till ten now. You can go when you like, park and get everything you need.” Sharon: “High Street parking can be inconvenient and expensive, and property prices are ridiculous – that’s driven a lot of people out of the high street.” Denise: “So you go to the supermarket in the evenings, park easily, buy everything, without ever having to set foot on the High Street. That means even good local independents don’t get the footfall and become irrelevant.” With most major retail chains now owned by faceless private equity firms and “turnaround specialists,” or by highprofile “personalities” such as Mike Ashley and Sir Philip Green, did the panel think that the average shopper notices, or cares, who owns them? Sharon: “On the whole I don’t think the average shopper knows, or cares, who owns the shops they use, except maybe when there’s some publicity about Philip Green or Mike Ashley and the chains they own getting into difficulties. They only notice it when the shop’s culture changes: when there are closures or when the stock, displays or service go downhill. They notice without necessarily knowing

the reason, and they will stop shopping there.” Why, then, does anyone still “go shopping”? Denise put it in a nutshell: “You always get that ‘retail high’ you don’t get online.” What the panel did over lunch was not to discover any startling unknowns, but to put into sharper focus all the practicalities and emotional ingredients that produce the “retail high” that shoppers want and bricks-and-mortar retailers need to preserve and enhance. Shopping is still an experience. It’s a companionable, exciting, sociable day out. Some of the problems facing retailers who are trying to keep it like that are complex and beyond their control, but others can be addressed: Staff status and proper training are important. Buyers need to take more care with their customer base and not throw away what they have in misguided pursuit of a “younger demographic.” It seems independents still have the attractions and qualities that shoppers want, but there has to be a realism and understanding why, in some locations, that is not enough by itself. Different places have different customer profiles, so retail has to be managed locally: parking, business rates and rents, events, publicity tailored to the location at a local level. Some local authorities need to realise that, in their specific location, overcapacity of retail space is a problem and there has to be a new approach to mixed-use residential, retail and recreational spaces. If the places are different, the solutions are different, and that’s why local plans will do what the big, national, “save the high street” blanket schemes & campaigns can never do.

GEORGE COLE

georgecole@gcmagazine.co.uk

GEORGE COLE GETS CONNECTED GEORGE COLE PINPOINTS HOTSPOTS IN THE WORLD OF CONSUMER ELECTRONICS

By sheer coincidence, 2019 marks the fortieth anniversary of two products that transformed the consumer electronics market and the music industry – the compact disc and the Sony Walkman. Here’s my take on their impact and legacy THE RISE OF PERSONAL STEREO

he Sony Walkman arrived in July 1979, although it was first marketed as the Stowaway in the UK. But soon, the Walkman brand reigned supreme. The arrival of the Walkman caused some consternation – who would buy a tape recorder that didn’t record, and who wanted to walk around listening to music on a pair of headphones? Well, the answer was millions of people, and by the time the last tape Walkman rolled off the production line in 2010, some 400 million Walkmans (it was never Walkmen) had been sold. The Walkman evolved as audio technology developed: hence the arrival in 1989 of the Discman portable CD player; the 1992 MiniDisc Walkman; and in 1999, the Memory Stick Walkman, which used solid state storage Sony Walkman WM-1 (c.1980)

rather than moving tape or disc. Sadly, the Memory Stick Walkman also marked the beginning of the decline of the Walkman brand. Its arrival coincided with the launch of Napster, the file-sharing service that allowed people to share MP3 music files. The music industry was aghast and a lot of effort was put into making it difficult to move music files between devices. It meant that products like the Memory Stick Walkman got hobbled with digital copyright protection systems which were user-unfriendly. The Memory Stick Walkman used a MagicGate system, which involved checking in and checking out digital files whenever they were moved from one device to another. It was clunky and clumsy and did little to help sales. Two years later, Apple launched the iPod and iTunes, which even allowed users to burn music files onto CD. We all know what happened next… Walkman products still exist, but Apple’s dominance in the personal audio market is unquestionable. The rise of the smartphone has also made standalone personal products redundant for many people. Even so, it is hard to overstate the cultural impact the Walkman had on the way many of us listen to music today.

THE RISE OF THE COMPACT DISC

ckr) y (Fli ichar W in arc o: M Phot

The first compact disc players and discs were launched in Japan in 1982, and in the UK the following year - so where does the 40th anniversary fit in? Well, it was in March 1979 that Sony and Philips first introduced the CD to the world’s press. When the CD arrived, the LP vinyl record was the dominant audio format, and

the first CD products and discs were aimed at audiophiles with deep pockets. But in time, hardware prices dropped (the same couldn’t be said for the discs – see below) and the CD became an affordable product. Although the CD was promoted for its superior audio quality (a debatable point amongst some audiophiles), the main reason for its huge take-up was its convenience – the discs were smaller than LPs and easier to store or carry around; you could listen to more than an hour’s worth of music without having to get up and change the disc; and you could program the player to play tracks in any order or repeat a favourite.

Sony CDP-101 (1982)

The CD went on to form a family of products – CD-ROM, CD-I, Video CD, CD-R, Photo CD, CD+G, and Enhanced CD to name but a few. It also influenced the disc size for formats like Blu-ray and DVD. The CD transformed the music industry’s fortunes, and in the 1980s and 1990s the format became an enormous cash cow. A disc with packaging could be produced for around 40p and retail for £15. No wonder manufacturers, retailers and music companies loved the compact disc. But it could be argued that it also sowed the seeds for the problems the music industry faced further down the road, with digital piracy and copyright infringement. When MP3 players arrived and online file sharing sites launched, the music industry moved heaven and earth to shut them down, instead of embracing the new platforms and technology and making it their own. CD sales declined as iPods and MP3 players arrived, followed by download and streaming services, but the impact of the compact disc on the home entertainment market is irrefutable.

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PRODUCT GALLERY

NEFF unveils appliances with Home Connect technology BSH brand NEFF has added a range of connected appliances with Home Connect technology to its portfolio, enabling the remote control and management of products via the Home Connect app. The app is also linked with third-party apps such as Amazon Alexa and IFTT so users can also control the appliances via voice. The range comprises an oven, hob, hood, fridge freezer, dishwasher and coffee machine.

www.neff-home.com/uk

CIH extends Linsar SDA collection Buying group CIH has extended its portfolio of small domestic appliances exclusive to Euronics agents with a new range comprising a 1.75-litre cordless kettle with variable temperature control and a four-slice toaster with six heat settings from the Linsar brand. Both appliances benefit from a 3-year warranty and are available in four satin finishes: red, white, cream or black.

www.euronics.co.uk

Stoves launches Precision Deluxe collection

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Stoves has launched a new range cooker collection incorporating 90cm, 100cm and 110cm models and the choice of dual fuel, gas, induction and gas-throughglass. The Precision Deluxe collection, available in black or stainless steel, is of contemporary design with Umbra™ glass doors which appear black with very little transparency when the oven lights are off. The 90cm models have a 79-litre Quad Oven with PROFLEX™ cavity splitter which converts the space into two separate Equiflow™ fan ovens, giving the option for three or four separate ovens.

Rangemaster has launched a 110cm entry-level range cooker, available in Dual Fuel or Induction. The ESPRIT has two generously sized fan ovens fitted with self-clean catalytic liners, a practical Glide-Out Grill™ and a dedicated slow cook oven with easy-clean enamelled finish. Available in Black, Cranberry, Cream or Stainless Steel.

www.stoves.co.uk

www.rangemaster.co.uk

Rangemaster launches entry-level range cooker

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Denon introduces new 9.2-channel AV receiver Denon’s new 9.2-channel AV receiver AVR-X3600H caters for the needs of home cinema and gaming enthusiasts and is equipped with IMAX® Enhanced and a full suite of 3-dimensional audio formats, including Dolby Atmos®, DTS:X™, DTS Virtual:X®, and new Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization Technology. The unit supports Enhanced Audio Return Channel and Auto Low Latency Mode and is compatible with Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant.

www.denon.co.uk

New sound bars from Yamaha with Alexa built-in Yamaha’s new sound bars, the YAS-209 and the YAS-109, each featuring built-in Alexa voice control, allow easy connection and control for home entertainment and enhanced music playback capabilities featuring Wi-Fi connectivity to play music through Spotify Connect, Amazon Music and Alexa-supported music services. Both incorporate Dolby Digital and DTS Digital Surround decoding, DTS Virtual:X® and Yamaha Clear Voice technology.

https://uk.yamaha.com

Melitta® launches slimline Purista® Melitta®’s latest coffee machine is claimed to be one of the world’s narrowest fully automated premium bean-to-cup machines, ideal for kitchens where space is limited. The “super-slim” Purista® with LED display offers a convenient One Touch feature and easy cleaning/descaling, a programmable memory function and Companion App for technical support. A new pump design aids better coffee extraction.

www.melitta.co.uk

Hoover Candy introduces new freestanding microwaves The Hoover and Candy brands have launched a number of freestanding microwave ovens to cater for a range of budgets and requirements. The Hoover collection incorporates Solo, Grill and Combi models with 25-litre capacities, stainless steel interiors and black/smoked glass finishes and includes models with Inverter Technology, which heats quickly and uniformly to prevent over-cooking and hot spots.

www.hoover.co.uk

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“A slimline dishwasher is the perfect companion for a compact space”

an extraordinary level of convenience, performance and freedom from chores. So the high-performance cooking, washing, drying, dishwashing, refrigeration and extraction processes that 21st century consumers expect can all be comfortably and stylishly accomplished. And what’s more, while the quality and sophistication of domestic appliances has advanced unimaginably since the 1960s, their cost has shrunk, in real terms, many times faster than the homes they’re now kept in. There’s never been a better story for electrical retailers to tell their customers; there’s never been a better opportunity to meet consumers’ demands for big ideas in little spaces with a confident “yes, we can do that.”

WIDE CHOICES Indesit slimline Push&Go dishwasher: an essential kitchen appliance slotted into a small space

Put succinctly by Whirlpool marketing director Marco Falaschetti, the lifestyle aspiration is common regardless of home size. “With the average size of new homes shrinking,” says Falaschetti, “it is important to remember that consumers’ interests and needs are the same as those with lavishly large kitchen areas; they are all interested in products that will make their life easier, in whatever space is dedicated to the kitchen.” Nick Platt, business director, built-in appliances at Hoover Candy, adds: “Although consumers who have a small kitchen may be constricted by space, they shouldn’t feel held back when it comes to selecting appliances that still allow them maximum functionality and flexible design options.” It’s an encouragement supported by senior Hotpoint brand manager Catherine Balderson, who says: “Through modern appliance innovation, size no longer dictates the functionality of an appliance. Manufacturers have been incredibly inventive in creating appliances for those consumers that have limited space …” And KitchenAid channel controller Lee Collett emphasises that luxury and compact spaces are not incompatible: “Space can be tight within many homes, including many of the most luxurious apartments and penthouses. By combining careful planning with the right appliances, small kitchens located within more luxury dwellings, penthouses and apartments can be transformed into highly versatile, functional and stylish spaces.” Samsung channel manager for kitchen retail Jonathan Hartley further asserts that function need not be sacrificed to restricted space: “With ever increasing requirement for compact kitchens, we are seeing a demand in compact home appliances that rival large household appliances, so even those with small kitchens can maintain the same standard you would typically assume only large spaces would be able to achieve.”

In 2019, the average UK kitchen is no bigger than it was 90 years ago, and still getting smaller. But, far from being a drift back to the cramped, dark, spartan inconvenience of 1930s sculleries and the cast-iron mangle, the shrinking kitchens of the 21st century represent a massive opportunity for manufacturers and retailers to deliver stylish, modern, expansive living in small spaces that don’t have to feel confined

“T

oday, Britain’s houses have never been smaller,” according to an extensive piece of research by LABC Warranty. And kitchens are very much part of the overall “shrinking home” picture. Back in the 1930s, the average kitchen was 12.27sq.m. Then, as you would expect in a modern, post-war Britain, the size of kitchens grew steadily for 30 years, so that by the 1960s the average kitchen offered a more generous 15.37sq.m in which to do all the socialising and the chores appropriate to the “heart of the home.” Since then we’ve had another halfcentury of increasing affluence, growing lifestyle aspirations and massively increased consumer expectations. But in spite of that, the 1960s proved to be the high point for kitchen size, and it’s been 50 years of steady shrinkage since then to the start of the new millennium, when the average kitchen size was down to 13.44sq.m. That’s barely bigger than the 1930s; and ongoing analysis by LABC Warranty indicates that there is “continued regression” in average home

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sizes into the 2000s, indicating that more and more of your customers will be cooking, eating, socialising, storing food and drink, doing the dishes, and in many cases clothes-washing and drying, in less space than nearly a century ago. What’s more, they’ll be expecting to do all those things in an infinitely more stylish, open plan, convenient environment.

BACKWARDS AND FORWARDS There are many reasons why UK homes in the 21st century are getting smaller, but it may seem that, overall, it’s a retrograde step to be confined to living spaces pokier than those inhabited by our forebears in the days when there wasn’t even a national grid to supply electricity. Nothing could be further from the truth. Some eighty years of technological development & design mean little kitchens can be stylish, apparently spacious and fully equipped with all the 21st century conveniences, designed to fit the way we live today. Unprecedented advances in domestic appliance technology have produced

TOWN & APARTMENT LIVING

THE PROOF OF THE PUDDING It’s clear that domestic appliance manufacturers are well versed in the demands of modern town and apartment living, and more than willing to assure UK consumers that they’ve got it covered with designs and technologies that deliver the promise of top-performance appliances that simply take up less space. However, it’s specifics that impress customers and win sales, so for retailers, it’s worth reminding themselves just how much things have changed for the better. After all, they may be talking to customers who are downsizing, redesigning a kitchen or looking for replacement appliances for the first time in many years, and who may not be aware of the specific benefits now available. Cooking is still the major activity in most UK kitchens and the oven and hob are key appliances. They are frequently used and can’t really be “hidden away” behind cabinetry, so in terms of both functionality and style they may set the tone for the entire space. The good news for customers is that the technology is outstanding and the choices extremely broad. In a smaller kitchen or open-plan kitchen/diner, says Caple product manager Luke Shipway, “compact and slimline appliances enable the homeowner to extend the range of appliance options and can offer greater flexibility. For example, compact appliances are so flexible that you can get a microwave, grill and conventional oven in one and can have a steam, conventional oven and grill in another.” He adds that teaming ovens with other built-in appliances such as coffee machines or microwaves “can free-up valuable worktop space and will create a real focal point in the kitchen when installed in a bank of appliances.”

COMBINATIONS The ”banking” idea, as a space-saver and a style statement, is a strong feature of most leading manufacturers’ design thinking, and is espoused by Hotpoint’s Catherine Balderson, who advocates matched built-in appliances which “help to create a streamlined look and a sense of space. Additionally, they are also beneficial for releasing space in the kitchen as microwave ovens and coffee machines can all be built-in clearing the worktop of clutter and creating a stylish, contemporary appearance. Interestingly,” she adds, “a vertical bank of built-in appliances requires less space than a horizontal bank, but both equally create a sleek and uncluttered look in the kitchen.” The streamlined aesthetics of built-in cooking is also advocated by Indesit brand manager Sara Bazeley. “Built-in appliances create a streamlined look and not only have an aesthetically attractive appearance with the flexibility to offer a variety of design combinations, they are also practical as they release vital worktop and under counter space (i.e. the microwave.) Built-in appliances are increasingly favoured by the consumer especially where the kitchen and living space are amalgamated.” Smeg UK product manager Lucy Dunstan is also keen to advocate creation of “a statement

wall of appliances” that might comprise not just built-in ovens but “wine coolers, coffee machines, microwaves” and teamed with downdraft extractor fans and hobs. Modern multi-function ovens also deliver versatility in small spaces, encompassing a number of cooking options such as conventional heat, steaming, microwave and grill in a single unit. Belling’s justlaunched built-in collection, for example, includes its Multifunction+ feature, offering ovens with up to 15 cooking functions. Perhaps one of the most important developments of the last decade has been the democratisation and growing uptake of the induction hob. It’s a technology that, as well as providing quick, controllable, safe and energy efficient hob functions, has the smooth, clutter-free aesthetics and flush surface to maximise the feeling of space in a smaller kitchen. Induction has also acquired a degree of sophistication – including flexible multi-zoning – that allows quite ambitious hob cooking in a relatively small area. Induction, “Manufacturers although now mainstream have been incredibly and affordable, is not entirely understood by inventive in creating all consumers, and it is appliances for those always worth explaining consumers that have – and where possible limited space” demonstrating – its merits to prospective customers.

CLEARING THE AIR Extraction of cooking odours and fumes becomes an essential process where space is limited or there is an open plan multi-function environment, so it is another very important issue for retailers to bring to the attention of customers. As Airuno designer

KitchenAid demonstrating the efficiency & style of induction teamed with a downdraft extractor hood

cooker hoods chairman Geoff Baker says, “effective extractors that don’t take up too much space are essential in small kitchens.” The options include flush-fitting ceiling hoods that blend in with the décor, cupboard hoods that can be installed in existing cupboards, and as part of multi-functional

NEW Purista® by Melitta® – One of the World’s Narrowest Fully Automated Premium Coffee Machines Melitta® presents one of the world’s narrowest fully automated premium bean to cup coffee machines with its long awaited Purista® – perfect for super-slim kitchens where space is limited. This practical kitchen appliance is all about the convenience factor and modern design thanks to its One Touch feature, Easy Cleaning and LED display. Achieve the best espresso from the innovative lownoise Purista® technology, including its new pump feature, designed to enable water to flow more slowly through the coffee, resulting in better coffee extraction, whilst the new grinder enhances the overall coffee making experience. The practical Double Cup mode allows preparation of two identical drinks simultaneously plus the plastic drip tray prevents unsightly scratches. Purista® by Melitta® (RRP £399.99).

Trade enquires please contact: 01952 671077 | melitta.co.uk

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TOWN & APARTMENT LIVING

appliances, such as flush-fitting one-piece extractor and induction hobs, which, says Geoff Baker, “provide two essential appliances in one and are another convenient space-saving option.” Downdraft extractors, he adds, “work fantastically well in small kitchens…. And, because they can be raised from or lowered into the countertop remotely, they also bring a touch of drama to the kitchen.”

COMING CLEAN Dishwashers – which in the past struggled to achieve penetration in UK households – are another appliance category that has come of age in the 21st century kitchen. That may sound counter-intuitive, given that it’s another space taken up in the kitchen, and has not, in the past, been seen as an “essential” appliance, but it is always worth its place, especially in a small kitchen, for the clutter it eliminates and the convenience it delivers. A dishwasher is more energy- and water-efficient, more economical and more hygienic than washing up by hand, quite apart from the time and effort it saves it can store all the dishes waiting to be washed when entertaining in a small or open-plan and then, after washing, keep them tidy until the space, and now that there are so many slimline user is ready to put them away.” models to choose from, it should always be a ALL IN ONE top recommendation by retailers for customers The kitchen will also be the preferred place refurbishing their kitchen. As Hotpoint’s for the cooling appliance, and there is a huge Catherine Balderson rightly says, “dishwashers choice of compact fridge/freezers that can allow dirty dishes to be concealed discreetly, either be discreetly concealed in as opposed to having them stacked on the the cabinetry for the smooth, draining area or in the sink waiting to clean lines look, or provide a be washed. They are the perfect “statement” pop of colour or appliances for reducing the gloss as a focus in a small appearance of clutter in kitchen “It’s always space. and living areas.” Indesit’s Sara worth explaining What goes on the Bazeley concurs: “A slimline the merits of worktops is also a matter dishwasher is the perfect of key choice, and really companion for a compact induction hobs to useful, good-looking space, and measuring just the customers” width of an average tea towel,

Airuno’s space-saving cupboard extractor hoods

ancillaries such as ultra slim coffee machines, air fryers, sandwich toasters and the like are available to bring some more versatility and flair to the kitchen or kitchen/diner. Finally, the eccentric UK practice of doing the washing in the kitchen may mean that, in the absence of garage space or a utility room, the dirty washing also has to be dealt with alongside all the other functions the space has to cope with. Even here, there are ample ways from all the major manufacturers to minimise the visual impact, and to save space by going for a washer/dryer option. The UK’s shrinking homes have never been better served by domestic appliance manufacturers, and a knowledgeable retailer always has to hand a full set of solutions to the biggest – or smallest – problems.

A taste of luxury from JURA Pioneering Swiss manufacturer JURA, the only brand in the world to focus solely on premium bean-to-cup coffee machines, has once again proven its expertise in achieving the perfect coffee with the launch of its all-new ENA 8. Not only is it the brand’s first compact machine to feature a VC brewing unit, which ensures careful and controlled flow of coffee, but it also presents JURA’s first round water tank, elegantly embossed and taking inspiration from luxury crystal glass decanters. This new machine offers a choice of 10 specialities and can be operated wirelessly via the JURA Coffee App. Whirlpool SmartCook induction hob demonstrates the style, versatility and efficiency of the technology

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Contact: 01282 868266 Website: www.uk.jura.com

FROM THE BENCH

Screen brightness is a major selling point for TVs. Alan Bennett explores it

have come a long way in TV screen performance in recent years. One aspect of this is image brightness: it varies greatly over different screen types and grades.

LIGHT In nature, the intensity of light has a huge range, from over 1.5 billion nits from the mid-day sun to a night-sky level of 0.0001 nit. Our eyes can cope with most of this, but need a short recovery period between extremes. TV and monitor screens can attain only a fraction of nature’s range. Image brightness is measured in nits, one nit corresponding to 1 cd (candela) per square metre. Contrast ratio is the range over which a screen’s light output can go, from as near to black as it can show to the brightest white it can achieve. Manufacturers’ figures on this can be misleading: they may not be comparable with one another because makers do not necessarily use the same measuring methods. The brightness and contrast controls on a TV are misnomers in a way: brightness pre-sets move the black level up and down – and should be set so that the image black just corresponds to screen light extinction – while the contrast control varies the overall brightness coming from the screen. Some models have an ambient light sensor to adjust screen contrast to suit that of the viewing room. The lower the settings the less the energy consumption.

VIEWING AT HOME For much home viewing the brightness capability of a typical TV screen is just adequate. The two main circumstances in which brighter images are required are the presence of a high ambient light level, e.g.in the summer; and for optimum viewing of HDR (High Dynamic Range, described on page 26 of our December/ Jan 2016 issue) pictures. Briefly, HDR gives a wider range of brightness and colour levels in the picture, and greatly improves it as a result, but its achievement requires more ‘headroom’ in the upper ranges of light output. With HDR

the average picture brightness typically appears to be relatively low, but can rise to higher levels when the system permits and the programme requires it; this more closely approaches real-world conditions. For good HDR reproduction and for viewing in bright areas a goal, perhaps, is a screen capability of 2000 nits.

“For good HD R reproduction a viewing in bri nd for gh a goal, perhap t areas screen capab s, is a ility of 2000 nits.”

SCREEN VARIANTS Currently the three types of screen available are LED/LCD; its variant Quantum Dot; and OLED. In the brightness stakes Quantum dot – also called QLED by Samsung – comes out on top, with a typical capability of 1000 nits or more; some topend TVs can go beyond 2000, for example the more expensive Samsung models. Conventional low- and mid-priced types using LED/LCD display panels (the vast majority of those on sale and in use) typically range through 300700 nits. OLED screens have a similar capability, while having the great advantage over the others of a very low black level, especially good in low-light viewing conditions. It is perhaps not often realised that OLED brightness depends on the size of the white area in the image: it’s reduced when a lot of the screen is bright or nearly so, whereas LED/LCD screens can maintain brightness regardless of this. In recognition of these different capabilities the UHD Alliance recommends, for good HDR performance, brightness range potentials of 0.05-1000 nits for LED/LCD screens and 0.005540 for LED. The now-obsolete plasma screen type had a peak brightness of about 200 nits, incidentally. Projection TV images must necessarily be viewed in low ambient light because we are looking to reproduce black on a white reflective screen. Here light levels are measured and specified in ANSI lumens, which may be regarded as about equivalent to one third of a nit. Projectors are available rated at a few hundred to several thousand ANSI lumens, with brightness proportional to price of course.

MICROLED: THE FUTURE? An emerging screen technology is MicroLED, in which conventional (i.e. not based on organic compounds) LEDs form the colour dots – three to a pixel. LEDs can now be made very bright indeed, e.g. in car headlights, sports stadium lighting and outdoor image displays like those at Piccadilly Circus. MicroLED screens have the advantages of better contrast and brightness capability, wide-angle viewing, low power consumption and faster response time. They can be made even thinner than LED, and in bezel-free form. The technology was displayed in Samsung’s Video Wall at CES 2018 in 146inch modular display, and lately in the form of a 75- inch prototype home cinema screen with 64 sections. MicroLED has a brightness potential of a staggering 100,000 nits and a possible operating life of 100,000 hours. It is being developed by South Korean manufacturers LG and Samsung, but may not come to fruition in the home for a while yet – commentators have suggested three years or more, while Samsung has announced that it expects to bring this technology to the home luxury market next year. The problem in MicroLED manufacture is to make the individual cells small enough, close enough together and consistent in brightness. As the size is reduced the light output goes down (calling for harder driving or better efficiency) and the manufacturing yield drops – there are about 25 million LEDs in a UHD/4K display, and to be acceptable only a tiny fraction of them, randomly distributed, can be duds...

AUGUST 2019

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HOME ENTERTAINMENT

Home Entertainment has developed into a diverse and sophisticated category, and with so many more products offering choices of access points and content, all fighting for consumers’ attention, it has become highly competitive. George Cole talks to manufacturers about how they’re rising to the challenge and winning the battle for attention by offering supremely convenient and high quality entertainment experiences

LG’s Nanocell range uses nano particles to enhance colour purity

“The number one technology that is really bringing the viewing experience to life is OLED” TV STILL CENTRAL TO THE EXPERIENCE ome entertainment products are Mike Somerset, Sony UK & Ireland TV marketing bigger, brighter, smarter and offer manager, asserts that “the TV market is amazing sound. That’s the verdict of Range. In 2019, we announced support of performing well, as consumers seeking the consumer electronics manufacturers, who add Dolby vision and HDR10+ for the most premium ultimate home entertainment experience are that new screen technology has resulted in a Dynamic HDR allowing frame-by-frame, sceneinterested in new technologies such as OLED, big leap in picture quality. by-scene optimisation to ensure that we are 4K and HDR.” Filipe Sa Nogueira, TV product James Thomas, LG product manager – delivering the most accurate picture possible.” manager for Panasonic UK, says: “Panasonic home entertainment, says: “The number one There are many audio visual experiences are focussed on delivering a cinematic picture technology that is really bringing the viewing to choose from. Sony’s 2019 BRAVIA OLED quality which means mastering High Dynamic experience to life is OLED. Consumers are range features Acoustic Surface Audio+, where becoming increasingly demanding sound emanates directly from the of lifelike picture quality and an screen. Sony’s new 4K HDR AG9 optimised viewing experience. OLED features Netflix Calibrated OLED technology is the answer Mode. “Netflix members can feast to this demand as it allows for their eyes on precise colours and cinematic colours and infinite accurate dynamic contrast – as contrast capabilities, whereby pixels seen through the eyes of the completely switch off to achieve creator,” says Sony’s Somerset. ‘true-black’, a proposition which is Other features include a built-in unique to OLED.” microphone, so users can simply Other technologies have talk to the TV to find what they enhanced viewing, he adds: want, or ask Google Assistant to “Complementing OLED with HDR play TV shows, movies, and more. (High Dynamic Range) delivers the A Pixel Contrast Booster maximises next level in picture quality through the dynamic range by widening the greater ratios of contrast between area of colour reproduction at high light and dark in each pixel, brightness. Pictures are enhanced combining resolution and detail with with extra detail and texture. The a vastly expanded colour palette ZG9 8K Full Array LED and the AG9 and brightness. Furthermore, OLED TVs feature Sony Android sound is an unforgettable asset TV, which supports a wide range to the visuals and is paramount in of apps from Google Play including bringing the viewing experience to YouTube, Netflix and Prime Video. life. The integration of Dolby Atmos Sony’s 4K HDR models are also VIZIO 5.1.2 soundbar system: Eight channels of crystal-clear sound including two gives viewers a home cinema-like compatible with Amazon Alexa discrete upward-firing speakers bring immersive cinematic sound to the home experience, straight out of the box.” enabled devices.

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HOME ENTERTAINMENT

sound and feel. We ensure retailers are equipped with eye-catching instore POS displays to effectively demonstrate product benefits, and to explain how the product enhances their listening/ viewing experience. Promotional activity is also important as it brings consumers into our store to try our products, which, in turn, drives sales.”

“Users can simply talk to the TV to find what they want, or ask Google Assistant to play TV shows, movies, and more”

DYNAMIC DEMOS

Sony’s AG9 OLED TVs support a wide range of apps from Google Play

Sony’s HT-X8500 sound bar includes 2-channel Dolby Atmos, Digital Signal Processing technology with seven optimised sound modes, and Bluetooth, allowing users to listen to music on their smartphone. The HT-S350 sound bar offers 320W of power, S-Force PRO Front Surround technology and Bluetooth. Panasonic’s GZ2000 OLED TV includes a HCX Pro Intelligent Processor, with support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+. It is also the first OLED TV to feature built-in upfiring speakers. LG’s 2019 OLED range (which includes the E9 and C9 TVs) supports HDR, 4K Content and Dolby Atmos. The sets also offer ThinQ AI, Google Assistant and Alexa smart technology. LG’s Nanocell range uses nano particles to enhance colour purity. The α9 Gen 2 processor also greatly improves picture quality.

SELLING THE SIZZLE With so much innovation going on, the challenge is how to sell or explain all this technology to consumers. Panasonic’s Sa Nogueira says: “Demonstrating the latest technology in the retail environment is challenging. However, staff training and in-store education are key in order to ensure consumers feel comfortable with the technology. Staff need to eliminate any concerns that the technology is difficult to set up or complicated to run, which good training can prepare them for. It’s something Panasonic is committed to.” LG’s Thomas believes: “One of the key challenges we face as a manufacturer is to ensure that every new feature we introduce is simple to understand and operate for the everyday consumer. For example, smart technology is still a relatively new concept to some consumers, meaning it can be perceived as either daunting, a novelty, or out of budget. Therefore, the challenge for retailers is to raise awareness and clearly explain the vast and diverse technological advancements and smart technology benefits, which make technological devices savvy investments.”

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He adds that high street retailers have a major advantage over online retailers. “It’s also challenging to sell and explain today’s tech through the ever-growing e-commerce platforms. Experiencing a product first-hand in bricks-and-mortar retail stores is vital from a consumer perspective. Put simply, the hands-on aspect that retail stores provide is something that online cannot mimic, and when it comes to LG TVs, seeing really is believing.” Thomas also notes that, while comparing product specs online can help guide consumers towards the type of products that might suit their budget and lifestyle, “visiting a store and testing them out is essential. There are so many elements at play – touch, sound, picture quality, viewing angles, size, etcetera. – which make shopping for TVs online and in-store incomparable, apart from the obvious element of convenience.”

RETAILERS HAVE KEY ROLE Little wonder, then, that manufacturers see retailers playing a key role in helping the home entertainment market to grow. Sony’s Somerset says: “As technology is constantly advancing, we work closely with our retail partners to ensure our key product features are communicated effectively to consumers as benefits, in order for them to fully understand how each of our models and technologies can enhance their AV experience at home.” When the technology itself is so exciting, it can be easy to lose sight of its primary purpose, which is to deliver benefits in the shape of a better entertainment experience. So it is important, contends Somerset, for retail partners “to be able to fully demonstrate the key features of products that can enhance the consumer viewing experience for our TVs. We run comprehensive training programmes to ensure we train as many retailers as possible, on new ranges and technologies, across our product offering. Demonstration is key because it gives consumers a chance to see how products

Panasonic’s Sa Nogueira believes “dynamic interactive displays are crucial to selling successfully in this sector. Demonstrating the product through displaying the best qualities will show off the ability of the technology.” He cites an example of how to demonstrate the sound quality on a TV: “One of the best ways is to move through various content on display – play something rich with dialogue, such as a drama or a news programme; this will show customers how clear and precise the midrange can be. Then move to something fastpaced and more dynamic in its sound, such as a sports event – this will show off the ability to handle a range of sound such as ambient sounds from the crowds, with commentators’ voices over the top; neither should blur or mix into the other. Then crank up the volume and play an action scene to showcase whether the TV can deliver that low frequency bass sound required to lure people into thinking they’re actually in the cinema.” LG’s Thomas concurs: “In order to sell successfully, LG highlights the importance of in-store demonstrations and displays in explaining today’s tech, which not only bring to life technological advancements and smart features, but also how the technologies can directly enhance customers’ day-to-day lives. At a time when smart entertainment and all things tech are gaining focus, the retail floor becomes a vital space for teaching consumers by means of demonstration. Retailers should set up showrooms with Wi-Fi to properly demonstrate the connectivity of the TVs – which opens up a wealth of entertainment and smart connectivity.” He adds that LG recommends retailers use the LG Lounge to empower and develop their staff. The LG Lounge uses a training app that is accessible to employees via a smartphone or tablet. It offers users access to a library of training modules, product information, and the chance to win prizes by answering quiz questions based on product features and information. LG’s training team also visits retailers to offer face-to-face training for any new products. “The training team can also update displays, deliver POS material and literature and ensure retailers are up to date with all product information, as display compliance is integral to allow product interaction,” Thomas concludes.

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