Get Connected Magazine - Jan-Feb 2013

JAN/FEB 2013 www.gcmagazine.co.uk

TV IN 2013 With the arrival of YouView, the launch of glasses-free 3DTV and the first Ultra High Definition (UHD) television just some of the new developments to emerge in 2012, George Cole looks at what manufacturers have in store for consumers and retailers this year, and which technologies will they be focusing on

GO GREEN IN 2013 As energy companies continue to push up prices, consumers are coming to realise that sustainability equals cost savings and sales of eco-efficient appliances are on the rise. But communications on resource- and cost savings can still be improved

The nominations have been chosen (see pages 27 to 34 of this issue)

CAMERA MASTERCLASS Sony looks at the trends in digital cameras and offers advice on selling the many outstanding benefits of the brand’s range

BACKCHAT A 2-minute interview with Haier UK’s James Osborne

The voting begins Cast your votes NOW! www.emra-online.co.uk • www.gcmagazine.co.uk • emra@gcmagazine.co.uk or by post (see instruction on page 34)

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CONTENTS

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/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

Editorial Comment

/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

The Word

In and around the industry

12 14

/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

The Product Gallery

/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

TV Feature

A look at what’s in store for 2013

17

/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

George Cole Gets Connected UHD TV: obstacles to negotiate

18

/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

Sony MasterClass Digital camera trends

20

/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

Sustainability feature Let’s go green in 2013

25

/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

From the Bench

Alan Bennett on home networking

26

/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

Backchat

A 2-minute interview with James Osborne, White Goods Product Manager – UK and Ireland, Haier UK

13

Loewe Connect ID 55” TV www.loewe.tv

27

/ / / / / / / / / / / /

The British

The nominations for the 2013 Awards and your chance to vote for the winners

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JAN/FEB 2013 GET CONNECTED

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EDITORIAL COMMENT

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“Happy New Year” may not feel like the most appropriate expression for electrical retailers as the first month of 2013 nears its close with a number of big electrical and entertainment retail names falling into administration, our High Streets continuing to struggle for survival, and disappointing Christmas trading figures from the industry.

The news pages of this issue of Get Connected are uncomfortably, but necessarily, dominated by high-profile retail business failures, and with headlines such as “Bloodbath” and “Carnage” being used at the more sensational end of the trade and general press to describe the state of retailing, nobody needs reminding that we are living in gravely disturbing times.

But perhaps it is worth reminding ourselves that the writing has been on the wall for a number of years, and there has, since the beginning of 2009, been enough warning that the face of UK retail is undergoing fundamental, irreversible changes. This magazine has, on many occasions, noted that this recession has accelerated and highlighted

High Streets die because consumers choose not to shop there. It may be, in some cases, a misguided choice that will, in the longer term, lead to dissatisfaction and disappointment. But it is, nevertheless, their choice at this time.

Retailers with product expertise and a track record of customer service are right to warn that today’s consumer choices may lead to severely restricted choices in the future.

But retailers have also to adopt and use every sales method at their disposal. And they need to tell their customers, loudly and clearly and frequently, why shopping with them is a good choice. John Lewis’ multi-channel model is a powerful example of what bricks-and-mortar plus internet sales plus a trusted and respected

@ www.gcmagazine.co.uk for your FREE COPY of Get Connected Magazine

Marlinda Conway Editor in Chief

Terry Heath Editorial & Publishing Director

Will Dobson Creative Director

So, in a sense, it was consumer choice that “killed” Christmas for many electrical retailers this year..” a shift in consumer habits that no retailer can afford to treat as a difficult but temporary problem, after which things will return to pre-2009 “normality.” Retail normality in 2013 is profoundly different to what it was five years ago.

Adapt or die has been the hard lesson, and every one of the recent retail administrations has been explained as largely due to fatally slow reactions to new ways of doing business.

Competition is a fact of commercial life, and those who have failed to keep up may regret the turn that electrical retailing has taken, but should also acknowledge that the purpose of successful retail is to sell consumers what they want, with the degree of ease and convenience they demand.

For millions of consumers, that ease and convenience was found on the internet. They chose to shop online. So, in a sense, it was consumer choice that “killed” Christmas for many electrical retailers this year.

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GET CONNECTED JAN/FEB NOV JUNE2012 2012 2013 JUBILEE ISSUE

customer service reputation can achieve. It’s also worth looking at how many of our big retailers actually belong not to organisations with a longstanding interest in retailing as an art, but to private equity firms, “restructuring” specialists and “turnaround” experts, whose main interest has to be in maximising returns on acquisitions, restructuring and disposals. If retailing is not really in the hands of retailers, what can we expect?

Finally, on a completely different note, we salute the indefatigable Leslie Burrage as he relinquishes his role as Roberts’ Chief Executive and becomes Chairman of that legendary company. We have, over recent years, enjoyed many off-the-record “pie and a pint” lunches at our local hostelry with Leslie, where his wicked wit, urbane charm and genuine selfdeprecation have given us great pleasure. In fact, we believe it’s our turn to buy the pies next time, and we’re sure he will continue to be a powerful presence in the industry.

James McIntosh Consumer Consultant

George Cole Consumer Electronics Consultant

Average net circulation for the 12 issues distributed between Jan-Dec 2008 is 6,228

THE WORD | INDUSTRY NEWS

High street haemorrhage No respite for UK retail as New Year brings hundreds of store closures

T

he dawn of 2013 brought no cause for celebration to Britain’s high streets as three major store chains collapsed within a single week, threatening the closure of around 1,000 shops and the loss of nigh on 10,000 jobs.

Another blow to retail after the collapse of Comet at the end of 2012, which resulted in a burden of £49.4 million on UK taxpayers, the closure of 235 stores and the loss of 6,895 jobs. The business went down owing a reported £233 million to unsecured creditors and with the Insolvency Service instructed to launch a confidential inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the insolvency.

The first casualty of 2013, camera retailer Jessops, called in administrators PwC on 9 January. The company had experienced a decline in its core marketplace in 2012 and forecasts for 2013 indicated that the downturn would continue.

The retailer’s position deteriorated in the run-up to Christmas, and PwC said that “despite additional funding being made available to the company, this has meant that Jessops has not generated the profits it had planned with a consequent impact on its funding needs. This was exacerbated by a credit squeeze in the supplier base.”

On 11 January, two days after its appointment, PwC announced the closure of Jessops’ 187 stores and the loss of 1,370 jobs, with further redundancies likely at the firm’s head office in Leicester.

mortar music retailers in the UK, had been increasingly overwhelmed by the massive swing towards the purchase of music and entertainment via the internet and digital downloads. Over the past five years the retailer made a series of attempts to reshape its retail offering for 21st century trading conditions, but in December last year its share price fell sharply after a warning that the business might breach its bank loan agreements.

Joint administrator Lee Manning said that Blockbuster’s core business was still profitable and would continue to trade as normal in both retail and rental whilst a buyer was sought for all or parts of the business as a going concern.

31 stores were put under notice of closure and on 20 January Manning announced the closure of a further 129, along with the loss of 760 jobs. “Having reviewed the portfolio with management, the store closure plan is an inevitable consequence of having to restructure the company to a profitable core which is capable of being sold,” he commented.

The chain, which had 528 stores in the UK, appointed administrators from Deloitte on 16 January.”

As this issue of GC went to press, restructuring specialist Hilco had come to the rescue, buying HMV’s debt from the group’s lenders RBS and Lloyds and effectively taking control of the business.

Although HMV’s debt was estimated at around £176 million, Hilco, which owns HMV Canada, is said to have paid much less than this to acquire it due to the retail chain being in the hands of administrators.

Global entertainment operators including Sony Pictures, Universal, 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros were reported to have collaborated to save the retailer, offering better credit terms and trimming the prices of CDs and DVDs in order to protect themselves from the cut-throat pricing policies of supermarkets and internet distributors. Hilco was said to have been their preferred bidder.

Poor-performing retailers Competition and overcapacity

21st Century retailing On 15 January, entertainment retailer HMV called in administrators Deloitte following a poor Christmas trading period, when major suppliers reportedly made it clear that they were not prepared to support the chain with funding. HMV, in common with all bricks &

6

GET CONNECTED JAN/FEB 2013

Pricing issues?

Major retail chains weren’t alone in succumbing to the pressure of the nation’s economic instability and subsequent changes in consumer buying behaviour.

On 11 January, four East Midlands Sony Centres closed down – a day after their operator Raresupply Limited was placed into administration.

Joint administrators from Deloitte were appointed to the company, which had stores in Nottingham, Derby, Leicester and Lincoln.

The (now former) deputy manager of the Lincoln store told his local newspaper: “The truth is that Sony UK couldn’t afford to help us out with decent prices this year. Our Lincoln branch was actually doing fantastic and had a great sales team working there.”

24 hours after HMV fell into administration, video retailer Blockbuster followed suit, citing increased competition from internetbased providers along with the shift to digital streaming for its failure. The chain, which had 528 stores in the UK, appointed administrators from Deloitte on 16 January.

Premium brand Bang & Olufsen also announced in January that it would make cuts in its retail portfolio. The company said it would cease trading at up to 125 stores, mainly in Europe, blaming, in part, the “significant under-performance” of a group of independent retailers. B&O has around 70-80 stores in the UK.

THE WORD | INDUSTRY NEWS

Argos reports strong peak trading

Dixons Christmas sales up 8% in UK & Ireland Dixons Retail, owner of the Currys and PC World retail chains, has reported a like-for-like growth in sales of 7% across its international business in the 12 weeks to 5 January 2013, with the UK and Ireland showing 8% growth.

The story across Europe reflected the pattern of eurozone economies, with southern Europe suffering an 8% fall, while northern Europe sales were up 11%.

Profit margins had been under pressure during the period, said Dixons, but maintained that profits for the full year would remain “in line with market expectations” at around £75-£85 million. The company also claimed that pressure on profits was not fundamentally due to discounting, but to a changing mix of products purchased.

“As a result of good operational management and cash generation over the peak trading period,” Duddy said, “we now expect group benchmark profit before tax for this financial year to be about £10 million ahead of the current market consensus of £73 million and the year-end cash balance to be in excess of £300 million.”

He added that whilst the group anticipates consumer confidence will remain subdued in the coming year, it is focused on delivering the transformation plan to reinvent Argos as a digital retail leader.

John Lewis reports 14.8% rise in Christmas trading John Lewis announced that sales for the five weeks to 29 December 2012 rose 14.8% on the previous year, to £684.8 million, with Electricals and Home Technology up 30.9% in the comparable period. Total like-for-like sales increased 13.0%.

Sales at johnlewis.com, which now account for a quarter of the total John Lewis business, rose 44.3% in the five weeks.

“The success of our online operation and our pre-eminence as an omni-channel retailer cannot be underestimated,” said Managing Director Andy Street. “Sales at johnlewis.com broke through the £800 million milestone during December, supported by an excellent performance from our Click & Collect facility which allows customers the flexibility to buy online and collect from John Lewis and Waitrose outlets.”

Play.com closes direct retail business Online retailer Play.com is to close its retail business to become a marketplace-only trader, no longer selling direct to customers from March this year.

The Jersey-based firm blamed the move on the ending of Low Value Consignment Relief, which allowed items less than £15 to be sold to the UK VAT free. The LVCR loophole was closed by the UK Government in April 2012.

All 147 staff in Jersey and 67 in the business’s Cambridge and Bristol offices are to be made redundant.

In September 2011, Play.com was taken over by Japanese e-commerce operator Rakuten, which paid £25 million for the company. At that time, the retailer had 14 million registered users and was said to be one of the largest online retailers in the UK.

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Home Retail Group raised its profit forecast for its financial year after strong trading at Argos over the Christmas period. Like-for-like sales rose 2.7% in the 18 weeks to 5 January to £1,744 million.

Group CE Terry Duddy said the internet and store chain had a good peak trading period, building on its first-half performance. Internet sales for the year to date now represent 42% of Argos’ total sales, within which mobile commerce sales grew by 125% as customers took advantage of new tablet and smartphone apps and improved website functionality.

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THE WORD | INDUSTRY NEWS

2013 International CES the largest in show’s history The Consumer Electronics Association announced that 2013 International CES® was the largest in the show’s 45-year history, with 1.92 million net square feet of exhibit space and more than 3,250 exhibitors unveiling some 20,000 new products.

The event drew in more than 150,000 attendees, including around 35,000 from 170 countries outside the US. “Innovation abounded at the 2013 CES and executives from every major industry that touches technology were here,” said Gary

LG commences rollout of OLED TV LG Electronics announced that it has scheduled the launch of its 55inch class OLED TV (Model 55EM9700) in UK for the first quarter of 2013.

The company has begun accepting pre-orders for the KRW 11 million (approx US$10,000) unit in South Korea, with delivery scheduled to commence the first week of February.

LG said it is prepared to ramp up quickly to take the lead in the OLED segment which, according to DisplaySearch, is expected to grow to 7.2 million units by 2016.

Shapiro, president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association, adding that “innovation prevailed across 37 football fields of technology.”

Major product launches occurred across all 15 product categories at the show. In wireless/smartphones

the CEA noted highlights including the launch of Sony’s Xperia Z; in video displays, LG’s touchscreen Ultra HD, Sony’s Ultra HD OLED display, Samsung’s flexible OLED and Hisense’s transparent 3DTV. The show will return to Las Vegas 7-10 January 2014.

4K LCD TVs expected to outpace OLED TV shipments With International CES 2013 behind us and speculation about the TV technologies that will become main stream in the near future rising, display industry researcher and analyst NPD DisplaySearch is projecting that 4K LCD TV shipments will exceed OLED TV shipments through to the end of 2015.

Paul Gagnon, NPD Director for Global TV Research, commented that OLED TV was prominently featured during the previous two CES shows as the next-generation TV display technology, but the lack of market launch has caused several set makers to start emphasizing 4K×2K resolution TVs for premium market segments.

NPD said it expects the overall TV market to be flat in 2013 due to persistent economic uncertainty.

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THE WORD | INDUSTRY NEWS

Retailers call on MPs to help Britain’s high streets in 2013

HOSSEIN YASSAIE

UK retailers are calling on local MPs to make helping high streets a priority in 2013. The call comes in the wake of figures showing the empty shops rate in town centres has reached a new high of 11.3% and a poll which shows that two-thirds of MPs believe high streets in their constituencies have deteriorated noticeably over the last five years.

The British Retail Consortium is recommending that taking action against the rising cost of doing

business in the UK is the first thing that MPs should do to help high streets. It is asking them to join calls for the Government to freeze business rates, which are set to rise by 2.6% in 2013.

Rates have already risen by over 10% in the last two years, adding over half a billion pounds to retailers’ bills during tough trading conditions.

The BRC warns that allowing another rise would do further damage to high streets and deter investment and job creation.

Chinese white goods manufacturer Haier has retained its place as the world’s no.1 major appliances brand in Euromonitor International’s Global Major Appliances Brand rankings for the fourth consecutive year.

The company continued to extend its market share in 2012, to 8.6% in the global rankings, after achieving retail volume gains and holding onto its lead in Refrigeration, Freezers, Home Laundry and Wine Coolers.

Electrolux maintains its position as sector leader in the Durable Household Products category in The Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) for 2012, after further improving its score on 2011.

DJSI World incorporates the 10% best-in-class economic, environmental and social performers among the world’s 2,500 largest companies. Electrolux is the only company in the Durable Household Products category to qualify for the DJSI World and it has been included every year since the Index launched in 1999, maintaining its leading position for the sixth consecutive year.

Industry figures recognised in New Haier retains top position Electrolux tops Dow Jones in global MDA market Sustainability World Index Year Honours Imagination Technologies Chief Executive Officer Hossein Yassaie (pictured) has been awarded a knighthood in the New Year Honours 2013 in recognition of his services to technology and innovation.

He joins Sir Kenneth Grange (83), who received a knighthood for services to design in a career that has spanned decades and included the creation of Kenwood food mixers.

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Sony is selling its US headquarters building on Madison Avenue to the NY property company Chetrit Group for a reported £690 million, and the iconic Japanese brand says the sale is a cash-raising initiative that will realise some $770 million after outstanding debts on the building are paid off.

Sony shares closed in Tokyo at ¥1,149 on news of the sale, a welcome lift above the ¥1,000 mark, below which the shares were trading for much of last year, but still far below the nearly ¥17,000 peak achieved during the boom year of 2000.

The Japanese giant will says it will continue to lease back and occupy the property for the next three years.

Asda teams up with SquareTrade to launch warranty on electricals Warranty provider SquareTrade has partnered with Asda to offer enhanced warranties for electrical goods. The protection will cover against drops, spills and other forms of accidental damage and includes a five-day service guarantee for items sent in for repair, a full purchase price refund if items can’t be repaired, and if the item isn’t returned to the customer within five days then the warranty is free.

According to SquareTrade, a 3-year warranty on a £299.99 washing machine will cost £49.99 at Asda, compared to £109.99 to £119.99 for similar cover at high street retailers, while a 3-year warranty on a £499.99 LCD TV will cost £59.99, compared to £129.99 to £134.99 elsewhere.

The move follows SquareTrade’s recent pairing with Tesco to offer a similar warranty service.

50/50 chance of a triple-dip recession and England favourite to take home the Ashes The Centre for Economics and Business Research is predicting a 50/50 chance that the UK will slip into a triple-dip recession this year as it forecasts the economy “probably” having experienced negative growth in Q4 2012 and a chance of a weak Q1 2013 as well.

In its Top Ten Predictions for 2013, the organisation said that average pay growth will again fail to surpass the 2.0% mark, per capita real incomes will be about flat as the ongoing squeeze on households

MOD to auction off radio spectrum The Ministry of Defence is planning to auction some of its radio spectrum in the first direct sale of its kind by a Government department.

The announcement comes as market demand for extra spectrum is mounting, fuelled by the sharp rise in the use of spectrum-hungry devices such as smartphones and tablets. The MOD said it intends to auction around 200MHz of its spectrum usage rights. “We hope that the sale will help drive the rollout of newgeneration networks and universal access to broadband, both of which are vital to the UK’s prosperity,” commented Philip Dunne, Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology.

The MOD said that preparations for the sale are expected to start at the end of 2013, with the auction completed by the summer of 2014. The spectrum being sold is all below 15GHz, which is regarded as the most useful and valuable part of the radio spectrum because of its wide range of applications.

matters

what’s

continues, and inflation will remain above the Bank of England’s 2.0% target throughout 2013 as utility price rises feed through.

The predictions range from the performance of Mark Carney, the new Governor of the Bank of England – who it is said will use his first 6 months to reformat monetary policy and to negotiate a truce on banker-bashing – to who will take home the Ashes, the oddson favourites being England.

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THE WORD | INDUSTRY NEWS

GDHA has appointed Kathy Koomson as commercial manager for appliances and accessories for its cooking brands Belling, Stoves and New World. The appointment comes as GDHA reveals plans to expand its product offering with new collections of cookware and accessories under each of the brands.

Trade Electricals Direct (TED), part of the Hughes Electrical Group, has announced its appointment as a Miele Professional Sales & Service Partner, supplying and servicing the full range of Miele Professional washing machines, tumble dryers and commercial dishwashers throughout Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. Five new members of staff have been taken on to cover servicing, installation and sales.

BBG Distribution has become Wharfedale’s sub-distributor for a selected range of new products into UK independent TV retailers as the loudspeaker brand looks to expand on opportunities in the home cinema market.

Haier has signed an agreement with Taiwanese-headquartered OEM Wistron Corporation to produce televisions in the Czech Republic at Wistron’s manufacturing site in Brno. The move will shorten production times for Haier to 6 weeks and will bring delivery times for its biggest TV markets into a range of one to five days.

Baumatic is celebrating the sale of its millionth oven with the launch of a nationwide competition in which consumers will have the chance to win 1 of 10 prize packages, each offering £1,000 worth of Baumatic appliances of the winner’s choice.

Owen Watters has been appointed Chief Executive of Roberts Radio, succeeding Leslie Burrage, who takes on the role of company Chairman. Watters joined Roberts in 2005 as Sales & Marketing Director and was promoted to the role of Deputy Chief Executive in January 2012.

Smeg Sales Director Mike Giddings has been appointed to the role of Managing Director at Smeg UK, succeeding Eric Ireland who has led the company since 1997. Giddings, who has been with Smeg for over 12 years, will settle into his new position with the full support of Eric Ireland, who remains a director of Smeg UK and will stay with the company to ensure a smooth handover.

Electrolux has announced a 3-year headline partnership of a series of Taste Festivals across Europe, commencing 2013.

Hama (UK) Ltd has become the sole distributor in the UK and Ireland for California-based Liquid Image, marketing the company’s full range of extreme sport cameras.

Gorenje has received gold awards from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia for its HomeCHEF built-in oven and heat-pump tumble dryer.

‘Dream Wheels’ presented to two independents Independent retailers Direct Kitchens and SS Audio have been announced as the winners of Belling’s Dream Wheels competition, which was launched in April this year as part of the brand’s Centenary celebrations.

The two companies have each won a fully branded Ford Transit van.

Carl Vigrass of Direct Kitchens in Sheffield (right) and Kully Johal of SS Audio in Bradford (left) received the keys to the vehicles from Belling and celebrity1chef Brian Turner.

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Off The Wall HIGHLIGHT TV stand Off The Wall has launched a new range of TV furniture which it says offers a stylish, modern and affordable alternative to pole & glass TV stands. The HIGHLIGHT openframe cabinet is available in high gloss black or white, with brushed aluminium facia detail to the front edges of curved shelves. ❯

800mm wide or 1000mm wide versions accommodating TVs up to 55”

❯

‘NO MORE WIRES’ cable management system

❯

4-way extension cable and cable ties in central rear column

01274 302830 www.off-the-wall.tv 12

GET CONNECTED JAN/FEB 2013

Whirlpool MAX Spring Collection Whirlpool has expanded its MAX microwave collection with the addition of Zesty Orange and Vivacious Green models, reflecting the Pantone colour fashion report for spring 2013. Both 700W appliances offer 13 litres of capacity, a 28cm turntable and feature the familiar curved MAX design. ❯

Whirlpool 3D microwave distribution system

❯

Four power levels / Steam function / Jet Defrost

❯

Electronic controls with blue LEDs

❯

Memo function

❯

24-hour clock & kitchen timer

0208 649 5000 www.whirlpool.co.uk

Elipson Planet L speakers Elipson has released a new Matt Black version of its unique Planet L loudspeakers, combining high-end audio performance and state-of-the-art design with a new ‘on trend’ finish. The units are also available in piano gloss red, white or black. ❯

2-way 165mm coaxial driver with integral 25mm soft dome tweeter

❯

Max music power 60 Watts

❯

Recommended amplifier 30-80 Watts

❯

Four mounting-accessory options

01923 205600 www.elipson.com

Bosch EditionRosso steam iron The design of new Bosch EditionRosso 3050W steam iron focuses on ergonomics, providing a SoftTouch handle with convenient thumb rest and bigger buttons for comfort whilst ironing. The appliance has a new advanced steam system and a CeraniumGlissee scratchresistant soleplate which optimises steam distribution. ❯

30% quicker heat-up than standard iron

❯

3AntiCalc self-cleaning valve / built-in ionic exchanger

❯

Right- or left-handed use

❯

300ml water tank

❯

Large stand for increased stability / 3-metre power cord

www.bosch-home.co.uk

Loewe Connect ID 55” TV Loewe has added a 55” screen size to its range of Connect ID Smart TVs. The unit is available with or without an integrated DR+ hard disk recorder, with 12 different colour combinations for consumers to choose from. ❯

3D-equipped / uses Loewe Active 3D glasses

❯

Extensive multimedia facilities, including Loewe’s own apps and bespoke apps for iPad

❯

LED panel with 200Hz technology

❯

HDTV tuners for DVB-T/C and DVB-S2 / optional DVB-T2 tuner

❯

2 x CI+ slots, 3 x HDMI ports, 2 x USB ports

❯

LAN and WLAN included as standard / Integration into home networks via Powerline

020 7368 1100 www.loewe.tv JAN/FEB 2013 GET CONNECTED

13

TV

in 2013 Last year was an eventful one for the television market, with the switchover from analogue to digital TV, the arrival of YouView, the launch of glasses-free 3DTV and the first Ultra High Definition (UHD) television just some of the new developments to emerge.

By the looks of things, the pace of innovation could be just as dramatic in 2013, but what do manufactures have in store for consumers and retailers this year, and which technologies will they be focusing on? George Cole reports

F

lat panel TVs are standard, but will LCD and plasma continue to dominate this market? At various trade shows around in 2012, manufacturers were demonstrating what some hail as the next revolution in flat display television: OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) TV. OLED seems to tick all the boxes when it comes to display technology; the displays are thinner, lighter, more flexible and more energy efficient than LED or plasma displays. But questions remain regarding OLED’s lifespan and the ease of manufacture.

Last year, Sony and Panasonic announced plans to jointly develop OLED TVs, but Panasonic spokesperson Matthew Billing says that OLED TVs are highly unlikely to be launched this year by his company: “For now, we will be focusing on LED and plasma.”

14

GET CONNECTED JAN/FEB 2013

However, Panasonic sees much scope for further developments in Smart TV, and its Smart TV platform, Viera Cast, will be offering new apps and features. Apps like Social Networking TV enable viewers to have Twitter feeds or Facebook postings running down the side of a Viera Cast TV screen as they watch a TV programme. This way they can watch a programme and read comments about it on social media sites.

Consumers get connected The signs are that Smart TVs will be increasingly connected to other devices. A YouGov poll suggests that 55% of UK households have some type of smart device that can be connected to a Smart TV. Also expect to see the growing use of Second Screen devices, with viewers watching a programme on their television screen and viewing online content or social media comments related to it on a smartphone or tablet. “All of our Smart TVs include the option of controlling by smartphone or tablet via either free Android or Apple Apps,” says Amit Rullay, marketing manager of TP Vision UK. “We’ve gone further by adding MyRemote App functionality, which allows digital content to be transferred from a tablet to the screen. Smart Screen functionality also allows content to be sent from the TV to the tablet or smartphone.”

Toshiba expects Smart TV and online content to become more accessible to mainstream consumers in 2013, says Glenn Zanoni, senior product manager for TV & Blu-ray at Toshiba.

“Our most recent range of Smart TVs allows

HUMAX INTENDS TO DRIVE THE ONDEMAND MARKET WITH YOUVIEW AND FREE TIME BOXES

TV

users to control the TV using an app available on Apple or Android devices. This second screen technology allows us to improve the overall user experience – for example, you can browse the EPG on the tablet without interrupting what’s on the television screen. The EPG has also been updated to include additional information, such as details on actors or recommendations on similar films, giving people a richer experience.”

TP Vision’s Rullay states that Smart TV has really been embraced by the consumer and these developments, plus the growth of the Smart TV Alliance, will make it more appealing to content providers and therefore even more attractive to consumers.

TP Vision plans to add more of the popular catch-up TV services and more e-commerce to the platform, including more movie rental services.

Linsar is moving into the Smart TV market with the launch of the 55LED1000, previewed at the 2012 CIH Show. Linsar director Barry Kick says: “We are now expanding into Smart TV as a result of retailer demand. We firmly believe there is room in this fast-growing area of the marketplace.” Graham North, commercial director, Humax, says: “We expect 2013 to be the year of the connected home, where the concept becomes a reality for the mass market. We

Double D. Distributors Porter & Harris Ltd

Electrical & Electronic Wholesale Distributors of Consumer Products & Accessories

The Diamond Of Distributors

PANASONIC SMART TVS OFFER MEDIA STREAMING

Apps like Social Networking TV enable viewers to have Twitter feeds or Facebook postings running down the side of a Viera Cast TV screen as they watch a TV programme.” will continue to innovate around connectedhome content, from offering Freeview set-top boxes that deliver multi-room and networking functionality to driving the on-demand market with our YouView and Free Time boxes.”

North also sees more consumers viewing TV programmes on mobile devices, and YouView has also launched an app for Apple devices, which allows users to set recordings on their YouView box while away from home. Humax’s

10 DIDCOT ROAD NUFFIELD IND EST POOLE DORSET BH17 0GD

new home media server includes multi-tuners to support content sharing on tablets, smartphone and other set-top boxes, while Panasonic’s Smart TVs offer media streaming, enabling TV programmes to be watched on a tablet.

Ultra High Definition TV Last year, Toshiba launched the first Ultra High Definition (UHD) television in the UK, the 55ZL2, with a resolution four times that of Full HD.

Sales: 01202 675999 Fax: 01202 667721 Admin: 01202 661911

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Important information for our customers Double D. Distributors Returns Policy.

There have been changes in the practice and procedures by our suppliers to their Returns Policy which has a reflection on our working practice. In order to continue with our quality of service to you and to enhance our overall working standards, we intend to incorporate the measures and therefore wish to advise you of our new procedures. These will in no way affect your statutory rights but will speed up our methods and ultimately improve our service to you. The new procedure is as follows:-

Established in 1976, we have been servicing the independents for over 30 years. We distribute LED / LCD / PLASMA On receipt or notification of a returned item, you should phone our Administration Department who willreceivers, facsimile a copy of our Returnsand a great many accessories from HDMI cables to televisions, audio equipment, satellite media players Proforma. wall mountable brackets.

We are a great asset to retailers who cannot trade directly with the big manufacturers On receipt of your notification our staff will forward a returns number and the detail required to deliver the goods to us. and we have the buying power to keep our prices competitive, to give you (the retailer) the best deals possible.

All goods that are returned must have the number of the original We work closely with names such the as serial Samsung, Toshiba, Sharp, LG, Humax and many more. To see our new invoice.

This big invoice shall include number of the returned catalogue oritem. to open an account with us, please phone our Sales line. We will be only too happy to help.

The returned item will be accompanied by a proof of purchase that will show that the fault has occurred within 28 days from purchase by the customer from you.

If the item has shown faulty outside the 28 day period then the manufacturers warranty comes into operation.

Manufactures, such as Finlux, have maintained their returns policy and therefore we will continue to act as their agent for the stated period for returns until service set up is provided.

Returned items should and where possible be returned in the original boxes, with all accessories. We appreciate this may prove difficult but every effort should be made to encourage this practice. If it is not possible, every effort should be made to ensure the safe carriage and return of the item to us.

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TV

The company plans to build on this in 2013.

Toshiba’s Zanoni says: “We’re looking to continue what the ZL2 started and will be launching a range of Ultra High Definition TVs, including the 84-inch which we previewed at IFA in 2012.” He adds that Toshiba expects to see more televisions offering UHD resolution too, though he admits that the wider UHD ecosystem is still in its infancy – native 4K video content is scarce, and so too are devices capable of playing UHD content. “Due to this, the ability of UHD TVs to upscale 1080p content to Ultra HD resolution will be critical to the adoption of the new technology,” he says.

But others are more cautious about the impact of UHD TV. Panasonic’s Billing says that a number of things need to be resolved before it becomes a viable consumer format. “One of the big issues with UHD is storage – a 2-hour film in UHD needs many hundreds of gigabytes of storage. Even with quad-layer Blu-ray disc – which stores about 100 GB of data – you’d need five discs. That’s why UHD TV sets in the US are pre-loaded with UHD content on a massive hard disk drive. There’s a lot of work that needs to be done between camera and TV screen before UHD TV takes off.”

Billing is also cautious about the prospects of glasses-free 3DTV, even though Panasonic demonstrated a 103-inch glasses-free 3DTV at last year’s IFA. “The technology is currently quite basic and uses a lenticular system. There are only a few hot spots where people can experience 3D without glasses, so we don’t think it’s something many people will desire, and we don’t think it will be something we will be offering in 2013.” Not surprisingly, Toshiba, which includes glasses-free technology on the 55ZL2, remains bullish about its prospects.

Slim-line design New technology will continue to be a major sales driver, but TP Vision’s Rullay says that “design is very important to the consumer and will play a large role in 2013 for TP Vision. There are several aspects to TV design with key focus areas for the 2013 range such as the development of narrower bezels, slimmer sets and more stylish and innovative stands, to name just a few. Sets will become slimmer again and the bezel-free design that we introduced in 2012 will be seen on more models.” Bezel-free and super-slim bezels, combined with Philips’ Ambilight technology, allow additional lighting to be projected on to the rear wall to connect with the on-screen images, adds Rullay. Philips plans to offer more threesided Ambilight models in 2013, and two-sided Ambilight will feature lower down the range.

Another consequence of thinner sets and reduced bezel size is the overall reduction in size of the set. For this reason, TP Vision believes that 46-inch TVs will become one of the largest sectors of the market, while very large screen 16

GET CONNECTED JAN/FEB 2013

sizes – 50-inches and above – will also show strong growth. Toshiba also thinks that a big trend for 2013 will be a move toward larger screen sizes. “We’ve seen a shift towards 46-inch panels and larger and we expect this to continue,” says Zanoni. “This is partly due to a new design direction: the bezel around the screen on our new sets is almost non-existent, which leaves a smaller footprint overall within the living room.”

While larger screens are becoming more popular, Toshiba also believes that saving space is still a practical concern for many consumers.

“With that in mind, we’re launching a compact Mini Sound Bar too, giving users a quality surround sound experience without taking up the space a full system would normally use,” says Zanoni. By the looks of things, there will be many great features – and great looking televisions – on offer for consumers this year.

TOSHIBA EXPECTS TO SEE MORE TELEVISIONS OFFERING UHD RESOLUTION

Courtesy of Linsar

Don’t underestimate the attraction of smaller screens, says Kellyvision Sony dealer Kellyvision of Whittlesey

Cochrane says that one of the big

near Peterborough asserts that not

deciding factors for selecting Linsar was that

everyone wants a large, high spec TV.

products came with a 5-year warranty, which

In fact, “many consumers are more

provides peace of mind both for retailers

interested in smaller screens with

and consumers. Another reason behind the

smaller price tags.”

decision to go with a less well-known brand

Earlier this year, Kellyvision decided it wanted to stock a second brand: one which would provide small to medium screens and which didn’t compete with its main dealership. The company looked

was that it was stocked by the John Lewis Partnership, whose branch in Peterborough is 8 miles away from Whittlesey and is Kellyvision’s biggest competitor.

Now, less than eight months later, sales

around the marketplace and found that a

of Kellyvision’s second brand have really

lot of manufacturers had dropped out of

taken off. “When customers hear the price

this sector, even though it was an area

and the fact that the products come from a

which really took off with the Digital

British company offering a 5-year warranty,

Switchover.

it really clinches the deal,” comments

Shop manager Lee Cochrane (pictured) says: “With more and more of the big names not selling small and medium screens or combi’s we needed to find a brand which would complement our business with Sony. When the Big Red

Cochrane, adding that his customers also like the fact that several of Linsar’s products are TV/DVD combi’s, which offer a neat solution for the home, as it means one less piece of equipment.

Kellyvision now stocks the entire Linsar

sales agent recommended Linsar, we

range, the top seller of which is the brand’s

decided to give it a go.”

32” LED models.

GEORGE COLE GETS CONNECTED

George Cole pinpoints hotspots in the world of consumer electronics.

UHD – AHEAD OF THE CURVE

F

ormats sometimes arrive onto the market before every piece of the jigsaw is in place. This isn’t always a problem. Take High Definition Television (HDTV) for instance. The first HD Ready sets were launched in 2005, but there was no HD content available to watch on them.

The first HDTV services didn’t arrive until 2006, and they were from pay-TV providers Sky and Telewest. Freesat arrived in 2008 and FreeviewHD began rolling out at the end of 2009. Even Bluray arrived more than a year after the first HD Ready sets.

Of course, consumers could watch standard definition TV and DVD discs on their HD Ready sets and they knew that HD broadcasts and packaged media were on their way. But what about Ultra High Definition TV? UHD TV is seen as the next leap beyond HDTV, offering up to sixteen times the resolution of today’s HDTV sets, depending on the format. But there are some big hurdles along the way before UHD becomes a mass market format.

Despite the first UHD TVs being aimed at consumers with very deep pockets, price is ultimately not a barrier. Prices of UHD TV sets will fall – it always happens. The first home video recorders from Philips launched in 1972 cost more than a small family car. And who would have predicted, back in the early days of HDTV, that a premium-branded 42-inch HDTV set would be available for less than

pressed two-hour UHD TV programme would need more than 50 terabytes (TB – a terabyte is 1000 gigabytes) of storage – way beyond the capacity of existing optical disc systems like Blu-ray and DVD, and not to mention a massive amount of transmission bandwidth.

Look at the challenges Freesat and Freeview face today broadcasting HDTV channels.

Satellite operator SES Astra has suggested that Sky could launch UHD TV channels in 2014.

Manufacturers offering UHD sets have adopted two strategies to get around this problem. One is to upscale HDTV images, and while this can boost picture quality, consumers will want native resolution UHD pictures to watch. In the US, Sony has launched the XDR-84X900 UHD TV, costing $25,000 (£16,000) and is offering purchasers the loan of a hard disk media server preloaded with ten UHD movies, plus some extra content. It’s a neat stop-gap solution, but Sony knows better than anyone that owners of its new TV set will want much more UHD content to justify their investment.

There is a massive amount of data to store or transmit when offering UHD TV.” £500 in 2012? A bigger barrier will be finding UHD content to watch. This is one of the reasons why Panasonic is reluctant to launch UHD TV products in the UK (see the TV in 2013 feature in this issue).

UHD TV comes in two flavours: 4K, which offers 3840 x 2160 resolution (8.3 megapixels), and 8K 7680 × 4320 (33.2 megapixels), compared with 2.1 megapixels for a 1080p HDTV. There is a massive amount of data to store or transmit when offering UHD TV. An uncom-

A BIG SOLUTION OR JUST ANOTHER BIG IDEA? There are times when you can get a distinct feeling of déjà vu in this industry. Take the news that Fujifilm has developed new optical disc technology that could result in discs holding between 1 and 15 Terabytes (TB) of data. By comparison, a CD stores up to 700MB; a DVD 17GB; a conventional Bluray disc 50GB; and four-layer BDXL Blu-ray disc 128GB. Fujifilm has released few details about its new format, other than it combines two recording systems: two-photon absorption and heat mode. Fujifilm says it’s possible to store up to 25GB per disc layer, with up to 20 layers per side of the disc. The company also says that the cost of production is lower

than for Blu-ray and similar to magnetic tape.

Pretty impressive, but the disc reflectance is only 1/40 of that from a Blu-ray disc, so the new discs may have to be stored in caddies to protect them from dust and dirt in order for the reading laser to have an unimpeded sight of the data.

But all this may not matter, because when I heard about the Fujifilm disc, my mind was taken back three years ago when TDK grandly announced a 1TB disc which would use 16 recording layers on each side, with each layer storing 32GB of data. I am still waiting for TDK’s big disc to arrive....

E-mail: georgecole@gcmagazine.co.uk

JAN/FEB 2013 GET CONNECTED

17

SONY MASTERCLASS

Helping your customers make the right decision on the best camera to buy Rachel Banin, Head of Digital Imaging at Sony UK, looks at the trends in digital cameras and offers advice on selling the many outstanding benefits of the Sony range.

Where is the digital imaging market right now?

Speaking from a Sony perspective, we have been focusing on developing products that simply help consumers take the best possible pictures.

Practically, this has involved using the best possible sensor technology in our products and combining them with processors that unlock their full potential. The size and quality of the sensor is crucial in enabling customers to take the best possible picture in all types of conditions, particularly in low light where it is often difficult to capture the shot you’re looking for. We are starting to see feedback from consumers that there are increasing levels of understanding about the importance of sensor technology when making a camera purchase rather than them making a judgement on the often misleading megapixels measurement.

The quality of optics on an interchangeable lens camera has always been important and continues to be so and we are now seeing features

like WiFi being integrated into cameras. A final trend which we see growing is for consumers using their cameras to capture video. Our compact system cameras, SLT cameras and premium compacts such as the HX20 offer stunning video options and have the benefits of zoom, optical stabilisation and brilliant low light performance that can be enjoyed both by photographers and videographers, from the enthusiast to the real professional.

Apps on cameras?

We are now seeing the first cameras in the market that access downloadable apps which truly allow the user to personalise their camera and help them take more creative photographs.

The new NEX-5R and NEX-6 from Sony are both WiFi enabled and allow direct access to a service called PlayMemories Camera Apps, the world’s first application download service for interchangeable lens cameras. Through the service, users can choose from a range of both

RACHEL BANIN

free and paid-for apps in much the same way they would with their phone. PlayMemories Camera Apps offers a variety of applications that expand camera functionality such as “Picture Effects +” which expands the range of artistic treatments available in the camera’s standard Picture Effect mode; “Smart Remote Control” which allows the user to control their camera with their smartphone and “Direct Upload” to Facebook or Playmemories online.

Demonstrating how easy it is to use these apps and the wonderfully creative results that that can be achieved with them is absolutely crucial for store staff as the feedback we’ve had from customers so far has been stunning.

How to differentiate against smartphone pictures The growth of the smartphone market has meant that there are declining sales at the lower end of the compact camera market. This does not mean that the compact market will disappear, as there will always be advantages of taking pictures with dedicated cameras compared to smartphones; the most obvious being the significant benefits of having good optics, the ability to zoom and the extra battery stamina. There are very different results achieved from taking a picture on a smartphone and a camera and when the differences are shown to customers, it is a compelling argument towards buying a camera.

At the end of the day, when consumers take a picture they want it to be as good as possible!

18

GET CONNECTED JAN/FEB 2013

SONY MASTERCLASS

We have also recently launched Action Cam, a small but incredibly resilient HD pocket camcorder which lends itself to a lot of fun.

A smartphone will allow the user to capture video but people don’t feel as comfortable about strapping their phone to their bike, arm or head if they are doing sport. We can deliver the same stable HD quality you’d expect from a Camcorder in this tiny device which will go anywhere and if retailers can find out if their customers are into sport, this represents a great opportunity in a growing market.

Bringing full-frame capabilities to the compact camera market In September 2012 we unveiled the RX1 which offers superb imaging quality that has previously been the domain of highend DSLR cameras. It packs a 35mm full-frame sensor and wide aperture F2 fixed-focal lens into a camera body that’s perfectly proportioned for travel and street photography as well as portraits and day-to-day shooting. With a resolution of 24.3 effective megapixels, it’s over twice the area of the APS-C sensor inside much bulkier DSLR cameras. Capable of resolving the finest image details and subtle textures, the full-frame sensor assures absolute fidelity, rich colours and an impressively broad

dynamic range and also offers a sensitivity range from a generous ISO 100 – 25600. This is a model that is targeted at professional photographers who will carry a camera in their pockets at all times and if they ever come across a situation that they just need to photograph or record, they are safe in the knowledge that they can trust it 100%.

Helping consumers make the right decision about the best camera for them The best way of helping consumers choose the right camera for them is to talk to them and find out what kind of pictures they are taking and what kind of pictures they want to be able to take. Sales staff can then explain the advantages of carrying a compact camera and showing some of the functionality and results that can be achieved using one. If a customer is looking to improve the quality of their photography or even stepping up to higher quality video recording then it may be that an interchangeable lens camera, be that a compact system camera or something more akin to a traditional DSLR/SLT, is more suited to their needs. When explaining the differences between CSCs and DSLR / SLT models, it is important to discuss which kind of lenses and accessories will work best for them and this can

help retailers deliver the best possible solution for the customer in addition to increasing the value of the overall transaction.

Make displays work for you A camera is not usually an impulse purchase so it is likely that the customer has done research before coming into store and is looking to get their hands on the models they are considering to see how they feel and to navigate their way through the menu systems. With this in mind, it is important that cameras in-store are charged and accessible for customers to try. That said, security is important and there are a number of different harnesses which will ensure that the cameras themselves or their lenses will not go walkabout!

It is also worth demonstrating the fantastic video performance of the cameras. This is unlikely to be the primary purchase trigger, but is often one that has not been considered by the customer and adds weight to a compelling proposition.

What will change in 2013?

The continued improvements in the picture quality delivered by cameras at price points that are accessible to most consumers mean that there is plenty to be optimistic about in 2013.

Photography is a creative outlet that many people enjoy and the opportunity for the retailer is not just around the initial sale: customers that catch the bug and buy into interchangeable lens systems will keep coming back to make purchases of new lenses and accessories as they advance their skills.

JAN/FEB 2013 GET CONNECTED

19

SUSTAINABILITY

It’s a fact: after years of preaching, the green message is successfully penetrating the grey matter. UK households recycle (to a degree) without grumbling – bottles, papers, multifarious household waste.... are religiously placed in their own designated carriages ready for their journey into the next life or to landfill; energy is treated more as a precious commodity – not least because its rising tariffs continue to outstrip the rate of inflation – and demand for eco-friendly domestic appliances is growing, with consumers actively seeking (within budget) those that offer the best efficiencies. GC reports

W

e’ve spent the last decade talking about ecofriendly appliances, extolling their virtues, gently poking and prodding the UK public into disposing of the environmental dinosaurs that dominate their kitchens in favour of newer appliances that promise better, all-round resource efficiencies. And evidence shows that, yes, to a large degree, the green message is sinking in and Britons have reached a new height of ecoconsciousness.

Why or how this came to be is debatable but, manufacturer, in-store and media communications aside, consumers have no doubt been swayed by a combination of noteworthy influences. Firstly, there is the subliminal eco-conditioning that has carried through from our yielding over a number of years to commit to the recycling imposed by local councils in a bid to meet Government eco-targets to help safeguard the environment. Nowadays no-one could fail to observe the evidence of this consideration by the British public: travel anywhere in the UK and the greatest blot on the landscape is the wheelie bin (green, black, brown, blue...), an inescapable eyesore – even in the prettiest of villages and streets – ‘kerb appeal’ assassin and constant reminder of our eco-allegiance.

Secondly, as hurricanes, earthquakes and tsunamis terrorise the nations of the US and Far East and floods and storms

WHIRLPOOL INDUCTION HOB WITH INTELLIGENT 6TH SENSE TECHNOLOGY

20

GET CONNECTED JAN/FEB 2013

more frequently wreak havoc across parts of Britain, there dawns a deeper sense of understanding that the mighty force of climate change may actually be responsible for these devastatingly violent weather conditions. Lastly, and certainly not least, is that although there are different levels of ecoefficiencies in domestic appliances, it is not possible (unless buying second hand) to purchase an eco-inefficient product.

Hence, consumers replacing old appliances will, by default, be trading up to a more sustainable item. However, as energy companies continue to harvest grand profits, consumers need to dig deeper and deeper into their pockets, year after year, to pay their energy bills. This, coupled with imposed economic pressures, has arguably had the greatest influence in driving the nation’s appreciation of the fact that practising eco-disciplines can bring personal gains – sustainability equals savings and this is now the greatest motivation for the majority of consumers to seek out resource-efficient domestic appliances.

Turn down the heat But there is still more to do. As AMDEA CE Douglas Herbison pointed out in October 2012 when he called on Government to work with the industry to encourage consumers to replace their old appliances and to use energy-saving features: “The problem is that consumers aren’t being encouraged to replace their old appliances through schemes such as the Green Deal, even though the environmental benefits are very significant and changing a fridge freezer is far simpler than, for example, double-glazing your flat.”

The Association had at that time just completed a pilot study with the University of Surrey, examining how appliances are used in the home. The research suggested that greenminded consumers may be great at switching off phone chargers at night, which can save a small amount of electricity, but have little idea how to achieve far greater electricity savings by checking energy labels when they buy appliances or changing to a low temperature wash.

Baumatic Marketing Manager Rita Balestrazzi says that the availability of low temperature programmes on washing machines can make a big difference to energy bills, helping

SUSTAINABILITY

to cut costs by as much as £24 per year if 30ºC programmes are used as a frequent alternative to 60ºC ones, for example. Indesit Advertising & Communications Manager Libby Morley adds that her brand’s new machines have an Energy Saver button which drops the temperature down to 30ºC, saving up to 70% energy on a cottons cycle, and the new A+ Indesit Advance and Start machines all feature a ‘20º Zone’, with three special programmes that provide the cleaning power of a 40ºC wash. Samsung’s ecobubble technology is also centred on reducing wash temperatures, with a 70% energy saving washing at 15ºC compared to 40ºC in a standard machine “with no loss in cleaning performance.”

Consumer awareness

HOTPOINT’S A++ ULTIMA FFUL1820 FRIDGE FREEZER WITH ‘AIR TECH EVOLUTION’ SYSTEM

Washing machines are one of the products that stand out most on the eco-scale when it comes to consumer awareness – a recent report

by Mintel (Washers & Dryers) stated that 74% of people classed an energy rating of A+ as “essential”. Hotpoint Brand Director Ian Moverley believes this is because the public has seen appliances become more energy and water efficient over the years and can now choose machines with energy ratings up to A+++ along with specifically developed eco programmes and lower temperature washes. The bigger load sizes that are now available also mean washing less frequently; hence, less energy and water is used, he adds.

While the washing machine has gained a more positive eco-appreciation amongst consumers, Beko Head of Product Marketing Les Wicks opines that many still perceive its sister product, the tumble dryer, to be an energy guzzler. But he says “this is not the case since the introduction of models such as Beko’s heatpump condenser dryer, which is A-30% energy rated so uses half the energy of a standard C-rated model to help keep energy bills down.”

A-40% and A-50% heat-pump dryers are also widely available on the market.

For retailers, Wicks believes the job is to “communicate the eco-credentials of tumble dryers as extensively as they have for washing machines.”

Electrolux’s Joe Oram, Head of Product Line, Laundry & Home Comfort UK & Ireland, agrees that consumers’ perception of tumble dryers in relation to energy usage is not good, and while this is “most definitely” the case with older, less efficient models, the introduction of heat-pump technology into the market is addressing the issue. “Consumers now have the option to dry their clothes incredibly efficiently whilst also enjoying other benefits such as improved fabric care,” he comments.

Ros Collins, Senior Product Manager for Bosch Laundry, adds that drying clothes in a heat-pump dryer costs around £3 per month, JAN/FEB 2013 GET CONNECTED

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SUSTAINABILITY

BELLING’S BI60I ECO INDUCTION OVEN

which is considerably less than in a standard condenser dryer and considerably less, too, than consumer expectations of the cost.

Looking at additional cost savings in laundry, Dalia Haddad, Product Marketing Manager at Maytag, says that retailers should also caution customers to keep an eye on detergent use – i.e. not to over dose – as for most of us this would save, on average, over £200 per year (Yes - £200 per year!). Alternatively, Haddad suggests investing in a Maytag washing machine that will dose automatically, providing less to worry about while saving money at the same time.

Misconceptions Baumatic’s Balestrazzi cites laundry and refrigeration as the two categories which the consumer is most informed about when it comes to energy efficiency, “not least because both product types have undergone the greatest radical energy-saving developments in recent years, transforming from the most energyguzzling goods in the home to some of the greenest.” The energy efficiency of dishwashers, however, remains an ongoing consumer concern, she says. “Many still mistakenly believe that automatic dishwashing is a more expensive

cleaning process than washing up by hand.

In fact, this consumer misconception is often pinpointed as one of the factors that have hindered the development of the UK dishwasher market. Only 40% of people in Britain own a dishwasher, compared to 77% in Germany, 52% in France and 49% in Spain.”

“Technology is key here,” comments Hotpoint’s Ian Moverley, pointing out that his brand’s freestanding Ultima dishwashers “raise the bar” for energy and water efficiency. The A+ rated FDUD4411 uses only 7 litres of water and the A++ rated 10-litre model uses a fan to dry dishes “so there’s no need for a final, super-hot rinse, making this model more water and energy efficient.”

However, some manufacturers promote residual drying as the most energy efficient and have incorporated a door-opening device that works after the final rinse to assist the process. It has to be said that this works well, as residual drying can otherwise leave water on plastic items and on the stems of upturned glasses, coffee cups etc.

Moverley says that Hotpoint has gone pretty much as far as it can with water savings in dishwashers but with A-rated products being

phased out during 2013 there will still be a focus on improving energy efficiency along with other areas such as noise and flexible loading.

Despite the well-propagated misconceptions relating to the dishwasher’s water- and energysaving capabilities, Maytag’s Haddad believes the product is beginning to stand out as a resourceefficient appliance and a money-saving addition to the home. “Manufacturers have invested heavily in reducing water consumption and the retailer has worked hard to educate the consumer on the numerous benefits a dishwasher can have.”

Nonetheless, she contends that the flaw in the resource-saving argument in relation to any domestic appliance is the consumer. “If they don’t use the eco-product in the way it is designed then they won’t achieve the savings to be made,” she reasons, adding that Maytag products feature technology and functions that ensure maximum efficiencies. The MDW 606AWG dishwasher, for example, uses just 6 litres of water due to the incorporation of IntelliSense® and ‘Impulse

Zanussi’s new HeatPump tumble dryer saves time, money and energy. Easy.

The new Zanussi ZTH488 8kg tumble dryer with heat pump drying technology uses up to 40% less energy than a standard A-rated model.

Unlike traditional tumble dryers, heat pump dryers use a heat exchange unit that re-circulates the drying air within a closed system to reduce energy loss.

This technology also allows garments to be dried at lower temperatures, saving on energy bills AND providing enhanced care for clothes at the same time! The HeatPump dryer also offers a wide variety of programmes, so consumers can easily select a drying programme for each individual load.

“ARE YOU AWARE

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D.A.D ARE THE UK’S LARGEST STOCKIST OF BEKO FREESTANDING AND BUILT IN DOMESTIC APPLIANCES ....FACT!

www.dad-online.co.uk Tel: 0844 854 6715 Fax: 0844 854 6716

SUSTAINABILITY

HOOVER CANDY’S ALLINONE WASHING MACHINE

Pulse’ technologies – IntelliSense® technology recognises the level of soiling in each load and automatically adjusts the wash cycle in order to use minimum resources.

A greener world Intelligent technology would appear to be the solution to the misuse of eco-appliances as it removes users’ responsibility for choosing the correct wash cycle, drying time, cooking time….. etc. But it also provides another very important benefit, particularly in cooling products, which not only operate 24/7 but also hold responsibility for the safekeeping of foodstuffs. A report released early January by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers claimed that as much as half of the world’s food is wasted – an astonishing statistic that the organisation put down to a number of reasons, including inadequate storage. As news of the report broke, several manufacturers were prompted to provide

and improved circulation of cool air, making the appliance cheaper to run. “Consumers will see savings on their energy bills and the extended shelf life of food means there are also cost savings at the supermarket checkout.”

Rangemaster Assistant Brand Manager Polly Beech believes that the 24/7 operation of cooling products is making high-efficiency models more attractive to consumers, with the wider availability of functions such as ‘holiday mode’ often now on checklists. But Valerie Posner, Senior Product Manager for Bosch cooling, which is launching further A++ and A+++ models in 2013, says “it’s a struggle to get people to consider the higher initial outlay when they weigh up how long it would take to recoup the costs.”

Gorenje Marketing Manager Lauren Abbott is keen to note that refrigeration is a key area of development for her company this year. In 2012, the brand launched its new Retro range, with all models offering an A++ energy rating.

percentage less energy than a standard A-rated model. There is now a whole new generation of ovens that consume 10%, 20% or even 30% less energy than an A-graded oven.”

Belling Commercial Manager for Freestanding, David Garden, adds that consumers are now buying into the “smarter, faster, safer and greener” technology of induction, which Belling not only features in its hob collection but in its BI60i Eco oven too. The brand claims a “world first” with this appliance.

Jon Brennan, Commercial Manager for Built-in at Belling and Stoves, highlights the importance of demonstration with induction

The flaw in the resource-saving argument is the consumer.

If they don’t use the eco-product in the way it is designed then they won’t achieve the savings to be made.” journalists with information on the efficiencies of their cooling products due to their various technologies. Bosch was the first to arrive here at GC, pointing out that its HydroFresh technology can store vegetables and fruit for up to twice as long as in conventional storage.

There is nothing ‘green’ about wasting food.

And not only is such waste a burden on the environment, as in landfill it gives off harmful gases and its production consumes hundreds of billions m3 of water, it is also a burden on the household bank balance as, according to WRAP, it costs the average UK family £680 per year.

Hotpoint’s Moverley asserts that “the green agenda now extends beyond just energy savings – there is also a global drive to reduce the amount of food we throw away. Hotpoint is supporting this with the introduction of sophisticated new technology that gives High Definition cooling by significantly increasing the storage life of fresh food, even soft fruits such as strawberries.”

He adds that Hotpoint’s A++ Ultima FFUL1820 model also features the ‘Air Tech Evolution’ system, which achieves perfect temperature control

Cooking receives cool response While the consumer psyche is well attuned to resource efficiencies in so-called ‘wet’ appliances and cooling, cooking products tend to receive little or no attention. Joan Fraser, Product Development and Training Manager for Smeg, notes that less concern and interest seem to be attached to energy consumption in this category: “Consumers may look for A-rated models, but may not go into additional energysaving features.”

Baumatic’s Balestrazzi maintains, however, that the cooking sector has recently undergone radical change, with many manufacturers starting to introduce green technology for their electric oven and cooker collections. “Retailers and manufacturers alike had little to say about the green credentials of ovens, whereas they can now introduce consumers to a whole new spectrum of eco features,” she comments.

“What previously was the highest grade of efficiency for ovens, the A-rating, has now been superseded by the emergence of ‘A-x%’ labels, which indicate that a product uses a certain

Kenwood Multipro Sense Food Processor FPM800/FPM810 Kenwood is launching a new addition to its food processor range for 2013.

The Kenwood Multipro Sense Food Processor has a powerful 1000W motor, a Tritan 3.5 litre bowl, ThermoResist TM glass blender and is available in two models. The FPM800 (RRP £249.99) has all the latest functions, whilst the FPM810 (RRP £299.99) has the added benefit of built-in weighing scales. The model also includes an automatic ‘eco mode’ – an energy-saving function which saves 50% energy when the machine has been left on and unused for thirty minutes, appealing to the green product market as well as to moneyconscious consumers.

For more information call 02392 392 333 or visit www.kenwoodworld.com/uk

JAN/FEB 2013 GET CONNECTED

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SUSTAINABILITY

products: “Without demonstration, an induction hob looks very much like a ceramic hob but with a much higher price tag. With demonstration, consumers are immediately sold on its speed and responsiveness. It’s also vital that retailers have clear, informative point-of-sale material which communicates the energy savings.”

Let’s go green in 2013 ‘Go Green in 2013’ has been produced as GC’s first MDA feature of the year with the purpose of highlighting again the great potential for retailers who are well versed in the resourcesaving benefits of appliances, in order to encourage customers to trade up. Below we have provided the results of various surveys which show that the majority of consumers really do care about the environment and are certainly aware that trading up to a higher-rated appliance will save them money in the long term. But as the final paragraph reveals, they need your help…

Planet or £?

Research commissioned by Whirlpool Europe for its ‘Pocket and Planet’ survey verified that consumers are thinking about their impact on the environment but, as per the aforementioned AMDEA-commissioned research, it also confirmed that there is still work

to be done. More than half of UK consumers (57%) said that, even during these straitened times the impact on the environment is as important a consideration as getting the best value deal when making a purchase. When it comes to buying household appliances, low energy and water consumption proved to be top of the list.

“More and more consumers are realising that it is an investment to buy intelligent appliances that save resources in a down economy, with an opportunity to generate long-term savings both for the pocket and the planet,” says Juliana Sado, Whirlpool Brand Marketing Manager. “However, many consumers are still not clued up when it comes to resource efficiency, and it is up to the retailer to ensure that customers think about the benefits of eco-friendly appliances before they purchase, and to educate them in regards to financial savings and the impact these products can make on the planet and their personal carbon footprint.”

Trade Marketing Director of Hoover Candy’s Freestanding Division, Steve Macdonald, also believes that retailers can “do their bit” to help the eco-message to be clearly communicated.

“A one size fits all approach doesn’t often work,” he says. “Messages need to be tailored to suit the individual’s personal circumstances, and finding out about a customer’s home life, their

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ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND FABRIC CARE FROM ELECTROLUX

family and how the product will be used in real life can help with product selection.

“Undoubtedly some consumers are prepared to pay a bit more for energy-efficient appliances but for others affordability at the point of purchase may seem more important than longterm payback. It’s these consumers that need more convincing and it’s here that the retailer can really help by demystifying and explaining what the energy label really means and helping to clarify what’s good, bad or average and equating this to cash savings.”

Simon Freear, Amica Country Manager UK & Ireland, maintains that the new energy labelling system helps a great deal by communicating at a glance the estimated annual energy consumption of each appliance, making the long-term cost comparison and identifying where consumers can gain the most benefit for their budget much easier. “With the old labelling system,” he says, “nearly every model was classified with an A rating despite huge variations in energy consumption and the change was greatly needed to incorporate and provide acknowledgement for the more energy efficient A+ and higher-rated models.” He also believes that energy ratings and time/energy/ water-saving features are “very important” to consumers, and this will continue to develop as more environment-saving activities become part of everyday life.

David Garden, Commercial Director for Lec, adds that “it is certainly easier for consumers to equate some appliances with energy usage than others. However, people are starting to become savvier across all categories.” He states that Lec recently conducted a consumer survey to gain an insight into how important green credentials are to consumers, with interesting results; the most notable being the revelation of how important it is for retailers to link eco credentials with costs savings: 93% of consumers said that they would be more likely to opt for an energy-efficient appliance if the retailer was able to demonstrate how it could save them money.

www.dad-online.co.uk Tel: 0844 854 6715 Fax: 0844 854 6716

FROM THE BENCH

E-mail: fromthebench@gcmagazine.co.uk

Home networking in practice Alan Bennett examines the various ways in which TV signals and data can be distributed in the home

T

he proliferation of Smart TVs and PC use has increased the number of connections to the phone line in homes, even though many of the latter have wireless connection. At the same time, the amount of TV aerial work has dropped off tremendously since analogue switch off, not only because the necessary upgrading has been completed, but also because the stronger and more robust digital signals have enabled Freeview transmissions to be received on aerials (even broken ones!) which would not have sufficed for analogue reception. Many dealers and aerial contractors, then, are turning their attention to home networking – and even solar energy, but that’s another story...

UHF co-ax In-home UHF distribution amplifiers and co-ax cable networks, originally installed for analogue TV distribution, are now handling Freeview digital signals and in most cases making a good job of it – and, of course, carrying a lot more channels and programmes than before. Even so, they can introduce a problem, arising from the boosting of carrier strengths since switchover. This can overload distribution- and masthead amplifiers, causing data corruption. The effect, of course, is picture freezing, streaking and pixilation. It depends on signal propagation and aerial gain at the channel frequencies involved, and may be intermittent and erratic.

The solution is to reduce signal strength at the amplifier input by removing masthead or booster amplifiers or by fitting attenuators as necessary. In some cases the distribution amplifier – where it has only a few outputs – can be removed altogether and replaced by a passive splitter; simpler, more reliable and needing no power supply. In new installations we find it simplest, where circumstances per-

mit, to install the distributor (whatever form it takes) under the eaves and run the cables externally to the rooms where outlets are required; this saves all need to disturb carpets and decorations, cut joists, chase walls etc.

It’s also simple to modify and to diagnose any faults which may arise. The same applies to multi-room satellite operation.

Analogue cabling I understand that the majority of links between set-top boxes, disc players etc. are at present still analogue, which continues to give perfectly good results in standard definition so long as RGB (as opposed to composite) links are used. For this a cheap and effective distribution system is available from Keene Electronics. Known as Video-over-Cat5/6, it uses twisted pair cable of the sort intended for computer data links. It can carry high-quality RGB video and stereo sound over distances up to 100m, carries a link-back path for remote control zappers, and connects to Scart sockets.

Streaming video A PC or media player streams video in digital form to any point in the home via Ethernet cabling or Wi-Fi (wireless) links. For those not yet into them, media players acquire (from phone lines and over-air transmissions), control and launch for home distribution digital TV signals without the need for a computer, which the latter would be somewhat wasted on this task. Media players often include HDD video storage as well, also in some cases a catch-up TV system. Some features of media players have now been overtaken by the likes of YouView and Google TV, however, and some customers’ requirements could be taken care of more simply by these.

Ethernet cabling is generally used where a physical link is involved in video/data streaming; it uses J45 plugs at both ends and can

be hand terminated or bought in various pre-plugged lengths. Run length can be much greater than with HDMI cables so that HDTV signals can be taken to any point in the house, and there are no compatibility or ‘handshaking’ issues.

Powerline distribution systems, once used (with considerable trouble!) for analogue transmission, are available in the form of extenders for Wi-Fi and Ethernet links. They plug into 13A wall sockets at each end and can retail below £100. For distribution of HDTV signals between HDMI connectors AEI offers a DigiSender type HD PRO. Also available are the HD Juice Box and Power Internet type PE Socket for extending Ethernet cable systems. Sometimes Powerline links can be compromised by interference, radiated to (e.g.) radio receivers, and picked up from appliances like electric motors.

MoCA This stands for Multimedia over CoAxial, and can be used, as well as for new installations, on in-home co-ax networks originally put in for the distribution of analogue TV signals. It carries Ethernet data for sound and vision. The plug-and-play MoCA adapter (e.g. Asheridge echoBox) is fitted at each point where Ethernet coupling is required, the first of which is hooked up to the Ethernet router provided by the ISP. There is no need for configuration or auto-seek by the connected devices, and amplifiers/splitters on the network handle the signal with ease. MoCA can be used in a cable already carrying Freeview signals. It is virtually immune to interference, has a very wide band (135Mb/s) and a short latency of 5ms, 4-6 times less than typical Wi-Fi and Powerline systems. For more information on MoCA call Asheridge on 01494 794770 or visit one of these sites: www.ethernetovercoax. co.uk or www.mocalliance.org JAN/FEB 2013 GET CONNECTED

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BACKCHAT

2-minute interview

H

e’s open and honest (he has an aversion to prunes), and wouldn’t shy away from the job of ruling the world, for which the aforementioned virtues are not prerequisite but would make a refreshing change!

He also claims to be “incredibly” funny – a statement with which his boss may agree, as it appears he may be looking for a pay rise. Meet James Osborne, White Goods Product Manager – UK and Ireland, Haier UK.

Why did you choose to work in the electrical industry?

I launched my own consumer product a number of years ago before being recruited by Dyson and now Haier. Product Management became a love, and here I am.

Favourite holiday destination?

Hawaii – only been once but just incredible.

Who in the industry would you like to spend time with?

Steve Jobs stands tall. I would have loved to have spent time just one day meeting him.

What surprises you?

People who make the right decision or take the right action, even to their personal detriment.

It’s also most admirable.

What makes you laugh?

My daughter, everyday, closely followed by Jeff Moody (sales and marketing director here at Haier) as he can tell a great story!

You have been offered a leading role in a film of your choice, what character would you like to play?

EZY – the Haier robot.

Hobbies? I am currently learning Japanese.

You have been offered the opportunity to rule the world for a day, what would be the first change you would make?

Let’s be practical about this…

Rule for a second day!

What’s the worst lie you’ve ever told?

Perhaps this one: I have never told one!

How would you describe yourself?

Open, honest and incredibly funny.

How do you think others see you?

Probably open and honest but not sure about funny!

Do you have any bad habits?

Yes, but I’ll say no more!

If you weren’t in your present position, what job would you choose to do?

Maybe starting a business…. My family has a long tradition of being self-employed.

Favourite TV programme?

News – I watch too much of it!

Favourite cuisine?

Lots! It’s easier for me to say I hate prunes – I can’t stand them!

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GET CONNECTED JAN/FEB 2013

What sort of music do you like?

Bit of everything, but I haven’t yet got used to Chinese opera!

Do you have any hidden talents?

I used to play squash for my home county of Cornwall. Does that count?

Do you have any particular fetishes?

Are you kidding… refrigerators, washing machines and dishwashers, of course!

What would you put into Room 101?

A number of poor competitor products. For legal reasons I’ll say no more!

What’s your greatest achievement?

Hopefully still to come, but helping to build Haier has been great. There is a sense of history about what we are doing.

Favourite quote?

A bit long but well worth it: ...

It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error. He who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows the triumph of achievement, and who, at worst, fails while daring.

His place shall never be among those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”

– Theodore Roosevelt Who from any walk of life do you most admire?

Jeff Moody, my boss. What else can I say here if I’m looking for a pay rise!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?

Working for Haier and continuing to build a great brand.

What’s your favourite piece of kit?

Haier MyZone fridge freezer, it really is great.

Life is… …what you make it. So make it good. If it isn’t good, don’t blame anyone but yourself. 

THE EMRA AWARDS 2013  THE NOMINATIONS

The British Electrical Manufacturing & Retailing Awards

The British EMRAs 2013

YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE

T

he nominees for the inaugural British Electrical Manufacturing and Retail Awards – The EMRAs – have been chosen.

From a gratifyingly huge field of entrants across all categories, the EMRA Panel was asked to pare down the final list to one hundred nominees. After some very robust and, at times, heated discussion, the panel couldn’t get it down to less than 115 “must have” nominees. So, in the spirit of fairness and congratulation of excellence fostered by the EMRAs, it was decided that all 115 should go through to the GC readers’ votes stage.

CATEGORY: Leading Design

They are listed below, by category. You are invited to consider the entrants, and to vote for your own favourites.

You may vote online at www.emra-online.co.uk, by email to emra@gcmagazine.co.uk , by clicking on the EMRA banner on the GC website at www.gcmagazine.co.uk, or by post using the voting form on page 34 of this issue. Since the EMRAs are an acknowledgement of excellence rather than a first-past-the-post system, you may vote for more than one nominee in any category.

The deadline for votes to be received is 31 March 2013.

Laundry Product

❯ AEG ProTex Tumble Dryer (see page 29) ❯ Beko ECO WMB81445L 8kg Freestanding Washing Machine The Beko ECO WMB81445L 8kg freestanding washing machine has been recognised as a pioneering laundry product with a nomination in the ‘Leading Design Laundry Product’ category of the British Electrical Manufacturing & Retailing Awards.

Designed with customers in mind, the control panel is simple to use and the extra-large porthole door and a wide 165° opening offer easy access. The ECO WMB81445L boasts an ‘A+++’ energy rating, saving consumers up to 50% in energy costs compared to standard ‘A’ rated models, washing two loads for the same amount of energy that most machines use for just one load.

The 1400rpm spin model features 16 main programmes and two Fastwash programmes, integrating into even the busiest household saving consumers time and money.

To vote for the Beko ECO WMB81445L, simply visit www.gcmagazine.co.uk.

❯ Electrolux EWF1408WDL Washing Machine (see page 29) ❯ Gorenje WA82145 Freestanding Washing Machine “We have,” says Gorenje, “created a washing machine which boasts a very spacious 8kg capacity, allowing you to wash more, less often, without compromising on the aesthetics of the machine. Our WA82145 offers an A-10% energy rating and UseLogic® control technology which uses electronic sensors to make sure only the right amount of water is used for each wash, helping long-term with energy and water bills.

“The WA82145 has a variety of useful programmes, such as the 17 minute quick wash, to fit around your busy lifestyle, and the SterilTub function that helps preserve the life cycle of the washing machine by cleaning its inner parts and removing any residues of grease/ detergent that may cause the build-up of bacteria and odours.

JAN/FEB 2013 GET CONNECTED

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THE EMRA AWARDS 2013  THE NOMINATIONS

CATEGORY: Leading Design

Laundry Product

❯ Hoover All in One 11kg washing machine ❯ Other products nominated in this category:

Hoover’s revolutionary All in One washing machine safely mixes whites and coloured fabrics together in one wash, and its up to11kg capacity makes one weekly wash a reality.

With 1400 rpm spin speed and an A+++AA rating, this highly intelligent washer’s unique ‘8 Pulse’ technology means clothes can be washed at a low 20 degree temperature whilst still enjoying the performance of a hotter, 40 degree wash. This technology employs eight jets to deliver a detergent and water solution directly to laundry; producing a brighter, cleaner wash.

Steve Macdonald, Managing Director of the Freestanding Division of Hoover Candy, said: “The All in One is just one of the appliances we have launched this year that has employed new technology to ensure maximum energy efficiency, and we look forward to developing a host of new eco-friendly appliances in 2013, in line with consumer demand.”

❯ Hotpoint Aqualtis Freestanding Washing Machine Range (see page 31)

CATEGORY: Leading Design

Bosch Exxcel 8 Freestanding Washing Machines; Bosch WTW863S0GB 7Kg Tumble Dryer; Hoover Aquavision Tumble Dryer; LG TrueSteam™ Freestanding Washing Machine Range; Maytag MTD09HPWH Sensor Tumble Dryer; Miele Edition 111 Laundry Range; Samsung ecobubble™ Freestanding Washing Machine Range; Siemens iQ300 Freestanding Washing Machine Range; Siemens WT48Y800GB 8Kg Tumble Dryer; Whirlpool WWCR9230 Freestanding 6th Sense® Colours Washing Machine; Zanussi ZWJ14591W 8Kg Freestanding Washing Machine.

Cooking Product

❯ AEG ProCombi Steam Oven (see page 29)

❯ Electrolux InfinitePure EHD8740FOK Induction Hob (see page 29)

❯ Leisure Colours Range Cooker Collection The Leisure Range Cookers Colour Collection has been recognised for its classic British design, with a nomination in the Leading Design Cooking Product category of the British Electrical Manufacturing & Retailing Awards.

This new collection, launched last spring, consists of vibrant colours including Nutmeg Brown, Snow White, Regency Red and Sky Blue and is available across the various models in the Leisure range – 60cm, 90cm and 100cm, gas, dual fuel and electric.

As one of the leading brands in Range cooking, Leisure offers these new colours with the same high spec features synonymous with the entire Leisure portfolio, these models join the brand’s existing popular colour options of black, cream, silver and stainless steel.

To vote for the Leisure Colours Collection as the Leading Design Cooking Product, simply visit www.gcmagazine.co.uk.

❯ Other products nominated in this category: Baumatic BCS455TS Combi Steam Oven with Grill; DeDietrich DTiM1000c Piano “Zoneless” Induction Hob; Fagor Spoutnik Microwave Oven; Gorenje BO9950AX HomeCHEF Built-In Oven; Hoover Ghisa Cast Iron Gas Hob; Hoover Prodige Oven; InSinkErator HC3300 Steaming Hot and Cold Filtered Water Tap; Neff Slide&Hide® Ovens; Smeg Victoria Range Cooker; Whirlpool Fusion AKZM 656/IX Built-In Oven.

CATEGORY: Leading Design

Refrigeration/Cooling Product

❯ Baumatic Sins Cooling Range Offering a sleek coloured glass aesthetic, the alluring Sins Fridge/freezer Collection provides a new and contemporary design concept, a break away from the retro look that has become synonymous with colour in the kitchen appliance market.

Available in red, black and white, these A+ rated models sport a minimalist, handle-free glass design, which helps to reflect any available light in the room. Offering a subtle way to integrate colour into the kitchen, the Sins also offer a generous gross capacity of 319 litres, an antibacterial surface and 18 compartments for safe and effective storage. Virtually inaudible when in operation, the models have a noise level of 41dB, and come with reversible doors and adjustable feet for ease of installation.

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GET CONNECTED JAN/FEB 2013

CATEGORY: Leading Design Dishwashing Product

❯ Electrolux RealLife® ESF6800ROX Dishwasher (see page 29)

❯ Other products nominated in this category: Bosch Exxcel Aquastar Dishwasher Range; DeDietrich DVH1180GJ Built-In Dishwasher; Hoover 3D Dishwasher; Maytag MDW 606AWG Dishwasher; Siemens Zeolith® Dishwasher Range.

Award nominations for Electrolux, Zanussi and AEG AEG Floorcare & Small Appliances AEG has been nominated for Leading Design in both the Small Appliances and Floorcare categories of The British Electrical Manufacturing & Retailing Awards.

The AEG Ergorapido® 2in1 with BRUSHROLLCLEAN™ addresses a problem that no other vacuum manufacturer has been able to solve. Fibres and entwined hairs are removed by a separation bar from the brush roll and sucked into the dust cup, saving the time-consuming and annoying task of cleaning the brush roll and preventing frequent clogging.

AEG’s A Modo Mio Favola Cappuccino, nominated in the Small Appliances category, uses a combination of both steam and whisking techniques to make fuss-free creamy cappuccinos, café lattes and delicious cold drinks at the touch of a button.

AEG Floorcare and Small Appliances 08445 614 614 www.aeg.co.uk

Electrolux Inspiration Range: Inspired by professionals, adapted for consumers In the Leading Design – Cooking Product category: Electrolux InfinitePure induction hob. This appliance does away with traditional hob zones and uses intelligent, intuitive controls to ensure precise professional results.

In the Leading Design – Dishwashing Product category: Electrolux RealLife® dishwasher.

In the Leading Design – Cooling Product category: The Electrolux colourful fridge freezer range with TwinTech™ cooling technology.

In the Leading Design - Laundry Product category: Electrolux EWF1408WDL Washing Machine.

Electrolux is also proud to be nominated for the Sustainability Award

Zanussi QUADRO®: Pared down geometry meets simplified controls Nominated for Leading Design – Domestic Appliances Collection, the Zanussi QUADRO® range has been designed for people who’d rather spend more time with family and friends and less on chores. The Zanussi QUADRO range offers a simple geometric look with easy-to-use controls that look good and work beautifully. Unique design elements for the oven include a distinctive arched handle shape, black tinted glass doors with dot pattern and amber LEDs and displays on many models. The result is an architectural and clean geometry, in line with contemporary kitchen environments.

Zanussi Trade Sales 08445 610 561 www.zanussi.co.uk

The prestigious Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) for 2012 announced that Electrolux maintains sector leader in the Durable Household Products category.

Electrolux is the only company in the Durable Household Products category to qualify for the DJSI World and has been included every year since the Index launched in 1999. This is the sixth consecutive year that Electrolux has been named leader in its sector.

Electrolux Trade Sales 08445 610 561 www.electrolux.co.uk

AEG nominated for Leading Design – Cooking Product AEG’s ProCombi Steam oven enhances flavours, moisture and colour whilst preserving food textures. For maximum versatility, ProCombi has three steam cooking functions, instead of the usual two.

AEG is also nominated in the Leading Design – Laundry Product category for the AEG ProTex Tumble Dryer, and in the category for Leading Retail Training/Support.

AEG Trade Sales 08445 610 561 www.aeg.co.uk

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THE EMRA AWARDS 2013  THE NOMINATIONS

CATEGORY: Leading Design

Refrigeration/Cooling Product

❯ Beko Four-Door Multi-Zone Fridge/Freezer Beko has been recognised for leading the way in design, with a nomination for its stylish Four Door Fridge Freezer (GNE114610X) in the Cooling Product category of the British Electrical Manufacturing & Retailing Awards.

Approved by the Good Housekeeping Institute, the Beko GNE114610X is the height of style and functionality. Its ‘Multi Zone’ compartment can change easily between a fridge, chiller or freezer at the touch of a button,

offering maximum flexibility. The innovative Blue Light technology creates a natural ambience and with its French door design opening, large plates fit effortlessly into the fridge. All this wrapped up in fingerprint-proof stainless steel, makes it a must for any family kitchen.

To vote for the Beko Four Door Fridge Freezer as the Leading Design Cooling Product, simply visit www.gcmagazine.co.uk.

❯ Electrolux Colourful Inspiration Fridge/Freezer Range (see page 29)

❯ Other products nominated in this category:

❯ Hotpoint Quadrio Fridge/Freezer (see page 31)

Gorenje RB60299 Retro Refrigerator Range; Haier AFD656 MyZone Fridge/Freezer; LG Linear Compressor Cooling Range; Liebherr SBSes 7165 Fridge/Freezer/Wine Cooler; Samsung G Series Cooling Range; Whirlpool WBV 33992 NFC IX Fridge/Freezer.

CATEGORY: Leading Design

Floorcare Product

❯ AEG Ergorapido® 2 in 1 with BRUSHROLLCLEAN™ (see page 29) ❯ i-Robot® Roomba® Robotic Vacuum Cleaner “It was a long journey,” says Mikkel Langgaard Erlandsen, marketing manager of Witt A/S, which distributes the Roomba in the UK, “to develop iRobot® Roomba®. Over the five years from prototype to product, the robot that became iRobot® Roomba® changed considerably. It is the world’s first affordable home vacuum cleaning robot, and was launched in 2002 to widespread public acclaim.

The Roomba® is undergoing continuous improvement, and today we have sold over

5 million home cleaning robots – making a difference in your life. “iRobot® Roomba® 780 is our most advanced robot and features a sleek design with a touchpad interface and on-board scheduling.

“Roomba® 780 includes groundbreaking advancements such as HEPA filters that leave the air fresher and Dirt Detect™ Series 2. The Advanced Cleaning Head combined with the powerful bin AeroVac™ Series 2 provide a superior cleaning performance.”

❯ SEBO Felix Vogue Upright Vacuum Cleaner SEBO has established an enviable reputation for reliability, effectiveness and the ability to keep homes stylish and clean. Almost 100% of the dirt in the average home comes from outside, 80% of which comes in on people’s clothes or shoes.

Eliminating dirt in the home is easy with SEBO’s Felix Vogue vacuum cleaner.

The Felix Vogue makes cleaning a breeze. Not only does it boast designer good looks, with its sleek body and on-trend geometric-print design; this stylish upright is light, super-effective and easy to use. It has an ergonomic handle grip and a flexible neck which can be steered effortlessly around furniture and under rugs. Its L-shaped head reaches right up to skirting boards and slides under radiators to ensure every inch of your floor is left perfectly clean. What’s more, its body can be flattened to glide under furniture.

SEBO’s vacuum cleaners are backed by a five-year parts and labour guarantee, offering total peace of mind. For more information about SEBO, please call 01494 465 533 or visit www.sebo.co.uk.

CATEGORY: Leading Design

❯ Other products nominated in this category: AEG UltraOne Cylinder Cleaner; Bosch BSGL3205GB Pet & Carpet Cylinder Cleaner; Dyson DC24 Upright Cl;eaner; Dyson Digital Slim; Gtech SW02 Cordless Cleaner; Miele S7580 AutoCare HEPA Upright Cleaner; Miele S8 HEPA Cylinder Cleaner; Sebo X4 Excel upright Cleaner.

MDA Collection or Range

❯ Belling 100 Collection The Belling 100 Collection, launched to celebrate the centenary of this much-loved family brand, boasts limited edition versions of some of Belling’s most iconic cooking appliances.

Comprising four freestanding ovens, four range cookers, four built-in ovens and a new look for the legendary Baby Belling, the

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100 Collection features clean lines, a brilliant white finish and chrome accents to create a range of eye-catching and effortlessly stylish appliances. Combined with technical innovation, the 100 Collection creates a real ‘wow’ factor, while retaining and reflecting the brand’s rich heritage.

All products within the 100 Collection are Made in Britain, with all the electric ovens being A or AA energy rated, and a donation from sales goes to Belling’s 2012 charity, Anthony Nolan.

EMRA Award nominations for and Hotpoint Aqualtis range Hotpoint’s iconic Aqualtis range is the latest evolution of its High Definition washing and drying technology that gives total care for clothes.

A world first with over 70 patents, the A+++ Aqualtis washing machines have a range of specialist cycles that keep colours strong, darks dark and whites white, thanks to an insulated Hydro Thermal Tech tub, which surrounds the titanium alloy drum to maintain a constant temperature. Aqualtis also helps care for people with sensitive skin through an Allergy UK approved anti-allergy cycle that removes any residual detergents and major allergens such as pet hair.

The AAA rated Aqualtis washer dryer can take a massive 11kg wash load and a 7kg dry load.

Programmes include colour care cycles to keep clothes bright and prevent fading, a Platinum Wool cycle and a super-fast 45-minute wash/dry cycle.

New technology gives Hotpoint’s 9kg Aqualtis condenser dryer outstanding energy efficiency. It boasts a terrific A-40% energy rating thanks to a revolutionary system that heats and recirculates air as it passes over the condenser. The dryer also features Hotpoint’s ‘Set & Forget’ drying system that monitors moisture and temperature levels in the drum and stops the machine when it reaches one of five drying levels, from Iron Dry to Ready to Wear straight from the drum.

Every appliance in the Aqualtis range carries the Eco Tech symbol, which is Hotpoint’s guarantee of class-leading performance in energy and water efficiency.

Hotpoint Quadrio

Indesit Company - caring for the environment

Quadrio is one of Hotpoint’s great success stories, with groundbreaking innovation that has now been much imitated. It’s been a consistently best selling fridge freezer, despite being in the niche 70cm market and at a premium price.

Its clever 4-door configuration, consisting of two fridge doors and two pullout freezer drawers, gives consumers maximum capacity and US-style looks in a space saving 70cm width.

What’s more, Quadrio’s original designer – Milan based Makio Hasuike – has recently given the fridge freezer a cool redesign. It now has a flatfronted door profile with distinctive recessed edges so it makes even more of a contemporary style statement.

Available in fingerprint resistant stainless steel and in sleek high-gloss black, Quadrio will complement any modern kitchen design perfectly.

Improvements in energy and water efficiency are at the heart of product development for Indesit Company.

Hotpoint continues to expand its range of Eco Tech appliances which now include Hotpoint dishwashers that use as little as 7 litres of water, as well as offering up to an A++ energy rating. Indesit has a new range of Eco washing machines with time- and energy-saving washing features to make consumers’ lives easier.

Named ‘Business Recycler of the Year’ in the prestigious National Recycling Awards, Indesit Company’s commitment to the environment extends beyond products to the way it does business.

Its logistics team collects around 145,000 old appliances from consumers’ homes for recycling each year, along with 300 tonnes of packaging that would previously have been sent to landfill.

Indesit Company has also significantly reduced CO2 emissions from its warehouse vehicles, and its delivery fleets have reduced fuel consumption by 86,000 litres and CO2 emissions by 225 tonnes.

www.hotpoint.co.uk

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THE EMRA AWARDS 2013  THE NOMINATIONS

CATEGORY: Leading Design

MDA Collection or Range

❯ Blomberg Built-In Range The Blomberg built-in range has been recognised with a nomination in the ‘Leading Design – MDA Collection or Range’ category of the British Electrical Manufacturing & Retailing Awards.

With its German heritage, Blomberg’s award winning premium range of appliances is designed with quality and innovation in mind. The portfolio consists of: four stylish A rated built-in ovens that are 20% more energy efficient than a standard A rated oven; three hobs - a

ceramic touch control, induction and gas; A++ 10 litre dishwasher; a 7kg 1600rpm A++ washing machine and two combi A+ frost-free fridge freezers, as well as an A+ under-counter larder fridge and freezer.

All Blomberg appliances, including the built-in models, have a three year warranty as standard providing complete peace of mind for consumers.

To vote for the Blomberg built-in range, simply visit www.gcmagazine.co.uk.

❯ Electrolux Inspiration Range (see page 29) ❯ Zanussi QUADRO® Range (see page 29)

CATEGORY: Leading Design

❯ Other products nominated in this category: DeDietrich Premium Collection; Gorenje Simplicity White Collection; Luce by Hotpoint Range; Whirlpool 6th. Sense Green Generation Range.

Small Appliance Product or Range

❯ AEG A Modo Mio Favola Cappuccino (see page 29) ❯ Other products nominated in this category: Bosch Styline Kettle; Bosch Tassimo Coffee Machine Range; De’Longhi ESAM 6700 PrimaDonna Avant Coffee Machine; Kenwood kMix Stand Mixer; Kenwood Titanium Chef Kitchen Machine; Krups Bean to Cup EA9000 Automatic Espresso Machine; Magimix 4200 Food Processor Range; Miele CM5100 Barista Countertop Coffee Machine; Morphy Richards Accents Kettle Collection; Rowenta Compact Valet; Tefal Actifry Range; Tefal Fresh Express.

CATEGORY: Leading Design

TV/Home Cinema/Sound Projection Products/Combinations ❯ Yamaha YAS101 Soundbar

❯ Humax DTR-T1000 YouView PVR The Humax DTR-T1000 is the first set-top box for YouView, the subscription-free TV service that seamlessly combines over 70 live digital channels with seven-day catch-up services and a library of on-demand TV programmes, films and radio.

A winner at the Stuff and What Hi-Fi Awards 2012, the Humax DTR-T1000 delivers YouView’s innovative guide that scrolls back seven days, an easy-to-use search function and the ability to record, pause and rewind live TV. As YouView’s lead innovation partner, Humax has delivered a featurepacked box that cements its reputation for developing technologicallyadvanced, market-leading products. Available to buy directly from retailers or through BT, the DTR-T1000 is the ‘must have’ product of 2013, giving UK retailers an exciting opportunity to take connected TV to a mainstream audience.

Yamaha’s entry level soundbar, the YAS-101, transforms the sound from a flat panel TV with minimal fuss and zero clutter.

The YAS-101 uses Yamaha’s very own Air Surround Xtreme technology to create a virtual surround sound effect which envelopes the listener. No set up is required, just plug in and play.

Designed to be practical and unobtrusive, the Yamaha will sit in front of a flat panel TV. The integrated subwoofer is located within the soundbar, which aids space saving. However, should more bass be required, a subwoofer jack is also present.

The YAS-101 also boasts a learning remote, Clear Voice (to enhance dialogue) and is wall mountable.

The YAS-101 is available in gloss black and premium silver and retails at £229.95 and £259.95 respectively.

❯ Other products nominated in this category: LG BH9520TW Home Cinema System; LG LM960V Smart TV; Loewe Connect ID 46 TV with DR+; Orbitsound T12v3 iPod Dock/Home Cinema Soundbar; Panasonic DMP-BDT500 3D Blu-ray Disc™ Player; Philips PFL 6900 Series Zero Bezel TV; Samsung HTE 6750W Home Entertainment System; Samsung ES8000 TV; Sony HX8 Bravia TV Range.

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THE EMRA AWARDS 2013  THE NOMINATIONS

CATEGORY: Leading Design

Consumer Electronics – Music & Imaging Products and Accessories

❯ Roberts Revival RD60 DAB Radio Roberts’ Revival portable radio is instantly recognisable with its unique retro design.

First launched in the 1950s, this iconic radio remains the best selling portable DAB radio today, proving that it’s a design that stands the test of time. The winning design remains the same, whilst as technology evolves so do the mechanics of the radio.

With the advent of DAB, the Revival now boasts this revolutionary technology and also offers a line-in for iPod and MP3 playback and an impressive 120 hours’ battery life. Available in an array of colours in leather cloth or a gloss finish, the Revival radio continues to bring music and style into homes everywhere.

CATEGORY: The EMRA Award for Sustainability This category acknowledges the quality and extent of manufacturers’ initiatives to address the environmental sustainability of their operations. The companies nominated are:

❯ Amica Amica, one of Europe’s largest producers of built-in and freestanding kitchen appliances, was the first to operate a free-to-use WEEE compliance scheme, a scheme that has now been in place for 2 years.

Via The Wastepack Group and Electrolink, Amica’s environmentally sound initiative is completely free of any charge for retailers seeking a collection and disposal service for all brands of electrical products (including small appliances, TVs and every brand of white good) and, uniquely, also collects and recycles all associated packaging for recycling.

Under the Amica Wastepack scheme, retailers are no longer required to be members of The Distributors’ Take Back Service or to pay fees to any organisation to comply with WEEE, which can represent a saving of approx. £500 a year, not to mention savings on labour, fuel, collection and hassle. All electronic and electrical waste as well as plastic, polystyrene and card packaging is collected at the same time.

Retailers interested in the Amica Wastepack Scheme should contact: Tel 01279 620000 or email info@wastepack.co.uk or visit www.wastepack.co.uk.

❯ Other products nominated in this category: Alphason Element TV Cabinet; Elipson Planet L Speaker; KEF LS50 Hi-Fi Speakers; Panasonic DMC-GX1 Compact System Camera; PeerlessAV™ New Orleans TV Stand; Pure Evoke 1S/2S DAB Radio; Ruark Audio R1 DAB + FM Radio; Samsung DA-E750 Wireless Audio Dock; Samsung NX20 SMART Digital Cameras; Sonorous N10 Clear Glass TV Stand; Sony a57 Digital SLR Camera.

CATEGORY: Leading Retail Training/Support This category acknowledges the quality and extent of training and support offered to their retail partners.

The companies nominated are:

❯ AEG (see page 29)

❯ Neff

❯ Bosch

❯ Samsung

❯ BBG Distribution

❯ Siemens

❯ DeDietrich

❯ Sony

CATEGORY: The EMRA Export Award ❯ Glen Dimplex Home Appliances Glen Dimplex Home Appliances announced its intention to export its home-grown Stoves, Belling and New World cooking appliances in 2009 and over the last three years has delivered record financial performance, growing its revenues by a total of 880%. During that time it has expanded rapidly in overseas markets, exporting successfully to Australia, France, Spain, Belgium, Cyprus and Holland and, more recently, building relationships with Poland, Germany and Israel.

GDHA has achieved its success by actively marketing and labelling its products as ‘Made in Britain’ and by building strategic relationships with distributors and agents, and this year was awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2012 in the International Trade category.

After only three years of international trading, GDHA now successfully exports to more than thirteen different countries.

❯ Electrolux (see page 29) ❯ Indesit Company (see page 31) ❯ BSH ❯ Miele

Please turn to page 34 for a full list of EMRA nominees, plus ways to vote.

JAN/FEB 2013 GET CONNECTED

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THE EMRA AWARDS 2013  THE NOMINATIONS

VOTING FORM Vote online at www.emra-online.co.uk or by clicking on the Awards banner on GC’s home page at www.gcmagazine.co.uk. Alternatively, vote by e-mail: emra@gcmagazine.co.uk or simply tick the box next to your preferred choices and send this form by post.

POST to: EMRA Awards, Greyfriar Cottage, Winchester Rd, Chawton, Alton, Hampshire GU34 1SB. Please complete the following details: Name: ............................................................................................................ Company: .............................................................................................

Address: ........................................................................................................ Telephone:............................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................ E-mail: .................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF VOTES: MARCH 31st 2013 Leading Design – Laundry Product

■ AEG ProTex Tumble Dryer ■ Beko WMB81445L 8kg Freestanding Washing ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Machine Bosch Exxcel 8 Freestanding Washing Machines Bosch WTW863S0GB 7kg Tumble Dryer Electrolux EWF1408WDL Washing Machine Gorenje WA82145 Freestanding Washing Machine Hoover All-in-One 11kg Washing Machine Hoover Aquavision Tumble Dryer Hotpoint Aqualtis Freestanding Washing Machine Range LG TrueSteam™ Freestanding Washing Machine Range Maytag MTD09HPWH Sensor Tumble Dryer Miele Edition 111 Laundry Range Samsung ecobubble™ Freestanding Washing Machine Range Siemens iQ300 Freestanding Washing Machine Range Siemens WT48Y800GB 8kg Tumble Dryer Whirlpool WWCR9230 Freestanding 6th Sense® Colours Washing Machine Zanussi ZWJ14591W 8kg Freestanding Washing Machine

Leading Design – Cooking Product

■ AEG ProCombi Steam Oven ■ Baumatic BCS455TS Combi Steam Oven with ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Grill De Dietrich DTiM1000C Piano ‘Zoneless’ Induction Hob Electrolux InfinitePure EHD8740FOK Induction Hob Fagor Spoutnik Microwave Oven Gorenje BO9950AX HomeCHEF Built-in Oven Hoover Ghisa Cast Iron Gas Hob Hoover Prodige Oven InSinkErator HC 3300 Steaming Hot and Cold Filtered Water Tap Leisure Colour Range Cooker Collection Neff Slide&Hide® Ovens Smeg Victoria Range Cooker Whirlpool Fusion AKZM 656/IX Built-in Oven

Leading Design – Dishwashing Product

■ Bosch Exxcel Aquastar Dishwasher Range ■ De Dietrich DVH1180GJ Built-in Dishwasher ■ Electrolux RealLife® ESF6800ROX dishwasher ■ Hoover 3D Dishwasher ■ Maytag MDW 606AWG Dishwasher ■ Siemens Zeolith® Dishwasher Range

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Leading Design – Refrigeration/Cooling Product

■ Baumatic Sins Cooling Range ■ Beko 4-door Multi-zone Fridge Freezer ■ Electrolux Colourful Inspiration Fridge Freezer ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Range Gorenje RB60299 Retro Refrigerator Range Haier AFD656 MyZone Fridge Freezer Hotpoint Quadrio Fridge Freezer LG Linear Compressor Cooling Range Liebherr SBSes 7165 Fridge/Freezer/Wine Cooler Samsung G Series Cooling Range Whirlpool WBV 33992 NFC IX Fridge Freezer

Leading Design – Floorcare Product

■ AEG Ergorapido® 2 in 1 with ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

BRUSHROLLCLEAN™ AEG UltraOne Cylinder Bosch BSGL3205GB Pet & Carpet Cylinder Dyson DC24 Upright Dyson Digital Slim Gtech SW02 Cordless i-Robot Roomba Robotic Cleaner Miele S7580 AutoCare HEPA Upright Miele S8 HEPA Cylinder Sebo Felix Upright Sebo X4 Excel Upright

Leading Design – MDA Collection or Range

■ Belling 100 Collection ■ Blomberg Built-in Range ■ De Dietrich Premium Collection ■ Electrolux Inspiration Range ■ Gorenje Simplicity White Collection ■ Luce by Hotpoint Range ■ Whirlpool 6th Sense Green Generation Range ■ Zanussi QUADRO® Range Leading Design – Small Appliance Product or Range

■ AEG A Modo Mio Favola Cappuccino ■ Bosch Styline Kettle ■ Bosch Tassimo Coffee Machine Range ■ De’Longhi ESAM 6700 PrimaDonna Avant Coffee Machine

■ Kenwood kMix Stand Mixer ■ Kenwood Titanium Chef Kitchen Machine ■ Krups Bean to Cup EA9000 Automatic Espresso Machine

■ Magimix 4200 Food Processor Range ■ Miele CM5100 Barista Countertop Coffee Machine

■ Morphy Richards Accents Kettle Collection

■ Rowenta Compact Valet ■ Tefal ActiFry Range ■ Tefal Fresh Express Leading Design – TV/Home Cinema/ Sound Projection Products/Combinations

■ Humax DTR-T1000 YouView PVR ■ LG BH9520TW Home Cinema System ■ LG LM960V Smart TV ■ Loewe Connect ID 46 TV with DR+ ■ Orbitsound T12v3 iPod Dock/Home Cinema Soundbar

■ Panasonic DMP-BDT500 3D Blu-ray Disc™ Player ■ Philips PFL6900 Series Zero Bezel TV ■ Samsung HTE 6750W Home Entertainment System

■ Samsung ES8000 TV ■ Sony HX8 Bravia TV Range ■ Yamaha YAS101 Soundbar Leading Design – Consumer Electronics – Music & Imaging Products and Accessories

■ Alphason Element TV Cabinet ■ Elipson Planet L Speaker ■ KEF LS50 Hi-Fi Speakers ■ Panasonic DMC-GX1 Compact System Camera ■ Peerless-AV™ New Orleans TV Stand ■ Pure Evoke 1S/2S DAB Radio ■ Roberts Revival RD60 DAB Radio ■ Ruark Audio R1 DAB + FM Radio ■ Samsung DA-E750 Wireless Audio Dock ■ Samsung NX20 SMART Digital Camera ■ Sonorous N210 Clear Glass TV Stand ■ Sony a57 Digital SLR Camera Leading Retail Training/Support

■ AEG ■ Bosch ■ BBG Distribution ■ De Dietrich ■ Neff ■ Samsung ■ Siemens ■ Sony The EMRA Award for Sustainability

■ Amica ■ BSH ■ Electrolux ■ Indesit Company ■ Miele The EMRA Export Award Glen Dimplex Home Appliances

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