Get Connected Magazine - June 2016

JUNE 2016

gcmagazine.co.uk

T H E M AG A ZI N E O F T H E E L E C T R I C A L G O O D S I N D U S T RY

COOLING No one-size-fits-all solution to UK households’ cooling requirements

CUSTOM INSTALL Trends and developments in the expanding area of home networks

SPOTLIGHT ON… In-store Wi-Fi

SPOTLIGHT ON… Shopper engagement

GEORGE COLE Are we losing the DVD habit?

PLUS GC Product Design Awards 2016 The Nominations

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CONTENTS

INSIDE...

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04

Editorial Comment

06

The Word

12

The Product Gallery

14

The Green Room – Cooling

SMEG MG FAB28 FRIDGE www.smeguk.com

Editor in Chief: Marlinda Conway Telephone: 01420 886 33 marlinda@gcmagazine.co.uk Magazine Advertising Sales: Brian Shilling Telephone: 01892 677 741 brian@gcmagazine.co.uk

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© Copyright 2016 Mud Hut Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.

23

Custom Install Feature – Home networks

Spotlight on…

Dan Thornton, head of solution development at Hughes Europe, looks at how in-store Wi-Fi is powering revenue in electrical retail

24

George Cole Gets Connected

25

Spotlight on…

26

From the Bench

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We have the technology to preserve foodstuffs at their best for longer, but households still account for around half of the UK’s total food waste

Retailers need to ensure that the networks their customers install today will be fit for purpose tomorrow

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In and around the industry

Figures show that consumers are rapidly moving from disc to digital when it comes to watching video at home

Kristian Munt, director of business development at arken P-O-P International, examines gender influence on shopper behaviour and retail POS display in the CE sector

Alan Bennett discusses the problematic broadband and broadcast reception in rural areas

GC Product Design Awards 2016 The Nominations have been chosen and voting is now open

www.gcmagazine.co.uk

JUNE 2016 GET CONNECTED

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EDITORIAL COMMENT

COMMENT AS WE GO TO PRESS, THE GREAT BREXIT DEBATE – BILLED AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR BRITAIN TO MAKE AN INFORMED JUDGMENT ON “THE MOST IMPORTANT DECISION IN A GENERATION” – WAS IN ITS FINAL FRENZIED THROES. WHATEVER THE OUTCOME, IT’S HAD A PROFOUNDLY DEPRESSING EFFECT ON BUSINESS AND CONSUMER CONFIDENCE, AND HENCE ON THE ELECTRICAL RETAIL BUSINESS.

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the businesses that make and trade he signs were there from the beginning internationally in the stock we buy and that this was not going to be an honest, sell, and it’s your customers. When they’re open and intelligent exchange of views; and confused and depressed, all business suffers that it would create confusion, uncertainty from the uncertainty. Whatever the outcome, and a disinclination to spend on consumer the establishment has done our industry goods such as domestic electrical appliances. and the wider business community a grave Even the name “Brexit” – reminiscent disservice from which it will take a long time of “Brangelina” and “J-Lo” and “Subo”, all to recover. If, indeed we ever do recover. Our contractions coined for a short attention industry is hard pressed enough without span audience obsessed with trivialities – having this massive spanner thrown into its warned that we were to be patronised with delicate works. soundbites and sensationalism rather than Talking of grave disservice, the BHS solid, reliable information. And so it proved. scandal, about which we wrote in last The level of debate revealed our month’s comment, rolls on. Sir politicians in an even less Philip Green demanded the flattering light than usual, and right to vet the personnel no prominent public figure conducting the Commons has emerged with any “…despite enquiry into the credit. They decided all that conspires BHS collapse, and what they were going against it, our industry threatened that he to talk about, and continues to adapt, was “not prepared proceeded relentlessly innovate and create to participate” if he to talk about it didn’t get his way. regardless of the often solutions for 21st Who are these people? very different concerns century living.”

And are we prepared to and questions posed by accept that he should have the voters. a choice in the matter? It was This was not so much a suggested he should be “stripped” debate as a brawl, in which the of his knighthood if he didn’t turn up. I guess, usual avoidance of direct answers to direct if that happens, he’ll be crying all the way questions was augmented by personal to his (offshore?) bank. Where he’ll maybe abuse, scaremongering, shamelessly meet up to commiserate with ex-Sir Fred massaged statistics, bullying and – sadly but Goodwin? provably – outright lies.

So is there, apart from Her Majesty’s It’s little wonder that a public hungry official 90th (Happy Birthday, Marm), anything for facts – or at least for intelligently to celebrate? There is. Because, despite constructed and sincerely held opinions – all that conspires against it, our industry became more confused, more depressed and continues to adapt, innovate and create less confident of their ability to come to any solutions for 21st century living. As a tribute rational judgment. The overriding impression to and acknowledgement of this resilience, we were left with was that, whatever we the Get Connected Product Design Awards decided, it would mean the end of the world 2016 (see page 27 of this issue) offer you as we know it. the opportunity to honour what’s best in our Why should we, trying to get on with our industry. We know you’re probably sick of everyday business, be too concerned with being urged to vote, but in this case there’s this inglorious passage of British political plenty of solid information to help you decide, life? We should because that confused and it really is a positive move. and depressed public is you and me, it’s 4

GET CONNECTED JUNE 2016

Marlinda Conway Editor in Chief

Terry Heath Editorial & Publishing Director

Will Dobson Creative Director

James McIntosh Consumer Consultant

George Cole Consumer Electronics Consultant

Database independently audited by Firgrove Consultancy. Average net 10 issues: 5,927 Mar 2012 – Feb 2013

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INDUSTRY NEWS

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THE VERY LATEST ELECTRICAL GOODS INDUSTRY NEWS

RETAIL SALES RETURN TO GROWTH Like-for-like retail sales edged up slightly in May following the sharpest fall in eight months during April.

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he BRC-KPMG retail sales monitor showed likefor-likes up 0.5%, with total sales, which have been flat for two months, recording growth of 1.4%.

“While still not spectacular, it is in line with the 12-month average of 1.5%,” said Helen Dickinson OBE, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium.

As the contribution from stores was negative

during May, online sales took more than their proportionate share of overall non-food growth, rising 13.7% on last year to account for 21.2% of retail sales which, apart from Black Friday in November and the January sales, is the third highest penetration rate ever recorded. Positive growth was seen in all categories.

NO END IN SIGHT FOR FALLING SHOP PRICES

UK

shop prices recorded deflation of 1.8% in May, after a 1.7% fall in April marked three years of declines.

The figure for May is broadly in line with the 12-month average, according to the BRCNielsen Shop Price Index.

Non-food deflation slowed to -2.7% from 2.9% in April while food, which continues to fluctuate around zero, moved back into deflationary territory.

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said the fact that

the figures remain deflationary doesn’t come as a great surprise.

“We’ve experienced a record run of falling shop prices and, for the time being, there’s little to suggest that’ll end any time soon, so the good news for consumers continues.”

RADICAL CHANGES IN RETAIL COULD CREATE “LOST GENERATION” A

lmost half a million people employed in the retail industry could lose their jobs due to ongoing structural changes, according to the British Retail Consortium.

465,000 employees identified as a “middle core” of workers aged between 26 and 45, 70% of whom are women, are among the most vulnerable group in the retail workforce.

The industry survey of staff, entitled Retail 2020: What our people think, follows research earlier this year by the BRC which found that the combination of changing market dynamics, greater uptake of technology 6

GET CONNECTED JUNE 2016

and rising cost pressures, compounded by recent policy announcements, will quicken the rate of decline in the number of people employed in retail.

The BRC said in its earlier research that there could be up to 900,000 fewer jobs in the industry by 2025, but those that remain will be more productive and higher earning. The number of people employed in the sector has been falling over the past seven years and the incidence of low pay has been rising.

This new research indicates that employees in the identified middle core group, described by the BRC as a “lost generation”,

may find it harder to find alternative employment and are the most likely to rely on tax credits to top up their wages.

Commenting on the findings, Chairman of the BRC and John Lewis Partnership Sir Charlie Mayfield, said the research includes some “worrying findings”.

“While these are concerning, by identifying these challenges and improving understanding of them, we will encourage the focus that's needed on progression and personal development for retail to continue to be a great place for thousands of people to pursue long and fulfilling careers."

TRADE ELECTRICALS DIRECT REBRANDS

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rade Electricals Direct (TED) has been rebranded to reflect its status within the Hughes Electrical Group and will now be known a Hughes Trade.

TED was established by Hughes Electrical in 2010. It has around 50 employees and operates from 14 locations with its HQ in Norwich. The division has an annual turnover £15 million.

General manager of the division Paul Chisnall said Hughes Electrical and TED were growing in parallel so it was a logical decision to utilise the strength of a single brand.

“Brand unification will make things clearer in the eyes of the consumer, who can expect the same high level of service across the complete business: retail, rental, trade, commercial and online,” he commented.

Bennetts and Apollo, also part of the electrical group, have also recently been brought under the Hughes banner.

CONSUMER CONFIDENCE REMAINS SUBDUED AMID BREXIT UNCERTAINTIES

UK

consumer confidence increased two points in May but remained in negative territory after falling to the lowest level for 15 months in April this year.

GfK’s Consumer Confidence Index increased to -1, with all of the measures used to calculate the result rising, bar one.

GfK suggested that “Brexit gremlins” are undermining confidence in the UK economy as we approach the EU referendum on June 23rd.

“Despite the tiny uptick this month, our confidence in economic matters, whether we look back or ahead 12 months, remains way below last year,” said Joe Staton, Head of Market Dynamics at GfK. The measure for the general economic situation during the last 12 months is 14 points lower than in May 2015, and for the 12 months ahead, 13 points lower.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

GCMAGAZINE.CO.UK >> UPDATED DAILY

DIXONS CARPHONE PRE-TAX PROFITS AT TOP END OF GUIDANCE

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ixons Carphone has said it expects full-year pre-tax profit to be at the top end of previous guidance following a strong fourth quarter in which like-for-like revenues rose 5%.

The business reported further market share gains in electricals and mobile in the UK & Ireland, Nordics and Greece.

Sales in the UK & Ireland

increased 4% during the 16 weeks ended 30th April 2016 and 6% over the full year. In the Nordics, sales grew 9% and 4% respectively and although Southern Europe had a flat fourth quarter, full-year sales grew 4%.

Seb James, Group Chief Executive, said: “We have continued to see good like-for-like growth with a very strong performance in our

mobile phone business in the UK. I am also pleased that growth has been seen in pretty much all of our businesses across the Group.

“As a result, we are confident in narrowing our profit range upwards, with PBT now expected to be between £445 million and £450 million for the year, an increase of approximately 17% over last year.”

ARGOS SEES SLIGHT INCREASE IN Q1 LIKE-FOR-LIKE SALES

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ome Retail Group reported like-for-like retail sales up 0.1% at Argos for the 13 weeks to 28th May 2016.

Total sales grew by 2.6% to £868 million with net new space contributing 2.5%, mainly as a result of store openings in the previous financial year.

The company closed two digital concessions within Homebase stores in the quarter, reducing the store estate to 843.

Sales grew in both electrical and non-electrical product categories, with growth in electricals mainly attributed to the performance

in TVs, mobiles, computers and tablets, partially offset by a sales decline in white goods.

Internet sales grew by 16% and represented 49% of total sales, up from 44% for the same quarter last year.

John Walden, Chief Executive of the Group, said: "I am pleased with our performance in the first quarter. Argos delivered good total sales growth together with positive like-for-like growth, representing its strongest sales growth performance in eight quarters.

“This was achieved against the challenging backdrop of

constrained seasonal product sales due to poor weather, on top of a deflationary pricing environment.”

Walden said the proposed acquisition of the Group by Sainsbury's remains on track to complete in the third quarter of this calendar year.

Visit www.gcmagazine.co.uk for the stories behind the news...

Which? calls on Whirlpool to “clean up its act”

Consumers indifferent to the Internet of Things

European governments call for accelerated rollout of in-car DAB CEDIA partners with Certsure to deliver training course for domestic electricians

KBBG offers support to the Kitchen Education Trust

Musaic grows smart home offering with IFTTT

Shortlist for CEDIA Awards 2016 released

@GC_Team

AO WORLD REPORTS DEEPER LOSSES; NEW CHAIRMAN APPOINTED

AO

World saw its losses increase for the year ended 31 March 2016 due to investment in its businesses in Germany and the Netherlands.

The firm reported a pre-tax loss of £6.7 million, up from £2.9 million in the previous year.

Total group revenue increased by 25.7% to £599.2 million as UK growth continued and the German business “gained traction”.

AO website sales in the UK, which include AO.com and the UK AObranded eBay shop, grew 27.7% to £487.1 million, with total UK revenue up 18.6% to £558.5 million due to a further gain in market share.

The company said that all product categories are growing market share and it will introduce a computing category to AO.com during the current financial year.

Commenting on the results, Chief Executive Officer John Roberts said: "It's been another year of great progress for AO. We have continued on our journey to become the best electrical retailer in Europe, having grown our market share in all our categories and expanded the AO brand into our next country, the Netherlands.”

AO also announced the appointment of Geoff Cooper as Chairman. He will succeed Richard Rose, who sold 5.58 million shares in the company in March last year, landing him a £10 million windfall. Rose will step down at the company’s AGM in July after eight years in the role.

Cooper is currently chairman of the Card Factory and private company Bourne Leisure. He will be appointed a non-executive director of AO with effect from 1st July 2016.

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THE LATEST ELECTRICAL GOODS INDUSTRY NEWS >> GCMAGAZINE.CO.UK

HAIER COMPLETES GE APPLIANCES DEAL

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hinese manufacturer Haier has completed its acquisition of GE Appliances for $5.6 billion, $200 million more than the originally announced sale price to account for increased working capital in the business.

GE Appliances is now officially part of Qingdao Haier, which is 41% owned by the Haier Group.

The GE business will continue to be headquartered in Kentucky and operated independently under the day to day direction of the current management team. A board of directors with representatives from the senior leadership teams of Qingdao Haier and GE Appliances, and two independent directors, will help guide the strategy and operations of the business.

Haier Group Chairman and CEO Zhang Ruimin said the acquisition would achieve significant synergies for both companies.

GROUPE SEB ACQUIRES GERMAN-BASED WMF

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rench SDA and cookware manufacturer Groupe SEB has agreed the acquisition of German group WMF based on a purchase price of €1,020 million.

Including debt and pension liabilities the deal is worth around €1,700 million.

WMF, which produces professional coffee machines, cookware and small appliances, posted revenues of €1.1 billion in 2015, up 4.3% on the previous year.

The acquisition is expected to lead to annual synergies estimated at around €40 million from 2020.

GORENJE POSTS RISE IN FIRST-QUARTER PROFITS Gorenje reported a first-quarter net profit of €600,000 compared to a €2.1 million loss in the same quarter of 2015.

Operating profit rose 52% to €6.8 million on revenues of €285.5 million, up 6.5% on the first quarter of last year.

The company said positive developments in the period included high growth rates in sales of major and small domestic appliances and favourable changes in the sales structure in terms of brands and products, and in geographic distribution.

CBI DOWNGRADES UK GROWTH FORECAST

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he CBI has cut its economic forecast for 2016 and 2017, warning that signs of global economic risks, including uncertainty ahead of the EU referendum, are starting to weigh on investment plans.

The organisation is predicting the UK will see 2.0% GDP growth both in 2016 and 2017, down from its previous forecast in February this year of 2.3% and 2.1% respectively.

Growth is again expected to be driven by household spending and investment, but the deterioration in the global economic outlook continues to represent “major challenges”, the CBI said.

“A dark cloud of uncertainty is looming over global growth, particularly around

SHORTCUTS

Moves

TP Vision has partnered with Rakuten to expand its smart TV video streaming options with the launch of the Wuaki.tv service on Philips Android TVs.

Gorenje has appointed Simon Jones and Wes Rose as regional sales managers.

Jones will be responsible for the North West and Rose for the East Midlands.

Humax has added Netflix to its range of FVP-4000T Freeview Play HD devices, providing users with access to the streaming service via an over the air update that adds the Netflix app.

Freeview Play will launch on LG’s webOS 3.0 Smart TV platform with updates available this month.

Maurice Lay Distributors has introduced its May to August 2016 trade price guide providing details of the company’s latest launches and bestselling products, trade promotions and special discounts.

Tel: 0117 938 1900.

Vacuum cleaner specialist SEBO has donated five new X1.1 models to Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, a charity it has supported in the same manner in the past.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Alan Walls

Andy Kent

weakening emerging markets and the outcome of the EU referendum, which is chilling some firms’ plans to invest,” commented CBI Director-General Carolyn Fairbairn.

“At present, the economic signals are mixed – we are in an unusually uncertain period.”

The economy saw a softer than expected start to the year, which has contributed to a large part of the downgrade in GDP growth for 2016.

The CBI believes that the timing of a first rise in interest rates will now be in the second quarter of 2017 (rising to 0.75%), against the backdrop of slower growth.

Simon Jones

Wes Rose

BSH Home Appliances has appointed Alan Walls and Andy Kent as Regional Service Managers to accommodate growing sales and the expansion of its service organisation. Kent is responsible for the South and Walls for the North.

Both have been promoted internally from Area Service Manager positions.

Haier UK & Ireland has appointed David Yearsley to the role of Market Director for the region. He will be based at Haier’s office in Woking, Surrey.

Employees at Domestic & General’s UK offices in Wimbledon, Nottingham, Brighton and Bedworth have raised £140,000 for The Mix, a nationwide multichannel information and support service for young people under the age of 25.

Luke Harding has been appointed to the role of Electrolux Head of Kitchen Retail and Contracts Channel, reporting to Peter Spencer, Cluster General Manager, UK & Ireland.

Luke Harding

David Yearsley

JUNE 2016 GET CONNECTED

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INDUSTRY NEWS

GCMAGAZINE.CO.UK >> UPDATED DAILY

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MIELE NAMED WHICH? HOME APPLIANCE BRAND OF THE YEAR 2016 Hotpoint has partnered with Fairy Platinum to increase awareness of

its Zone Wash dishwasher technology. The ‘Get Into The Zone’ campaign will run to 31st December, entitling purchasers of selected built-in and freestanding Hotpoint dishwashers to a free 6-month supply of Fairy Platinum detergent.

Indesit has launched a promotion highlighting its new Frost Free and

Low Frost range of fridge freezers with flexible storage and OpenSpace freezer configuration. The campaign will run to 31st July 2016, offering purchasers of selected Indesit cooling appliances the chance to win Tesco food vouchers to the value of £5,000. Six runners up will receive vouchers worth £500.

Baumatic has partnered with 20th

Century Fox for the DVD and digital release of Snoopy and Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie as part of a brand awareness campaign featuring its new Vantage cooking collection. A consumer competition offering the chance to win a trip to Paris with an Eiffel Tower experience and styleguide shopping trip worth up to £5,000 is being promoted via ads in selected media throughout the duration of the June/July campaign.

CDA is introducing a prize draw to mark its 25th anniversary. The activity will

run during July, August and September, offering 25 purchasers of a CDA appliance the chance to recoup the full cost of the product.

Leisure is to launch a new cash-back promotion, available across its entire

range cooker collection, offering up to £200 cash back on models sold through participating retailers. It will run from 14th July to 31st August 2016 and will be supported with in-store and digital POS, online advertising and a targeted digital campaign.

Candy is offering a set of six 32cm pizza plates with the purchase of selected 60cm integrated dishwashers in its range until the 30th June 2016.

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GET CONNECTED JUNE 2016

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iele has received the Which? Home Appliance Brand of the Year Award for the second consecutive year.

The Awards ceremony took place in London on the 25 May 2016 and was co-hosted by TV presenter Natasha Kaplinsky and Which? Chief Executive Peter Vicary-Smith.

Jess O’Leary, Which? home appliances expert, said Miele’s strike rate in Which? testing is unparalleled. “91% of all appliances we’ve tested are either a Best Buy or Worth a Look."

"The award is testament to everyone who is involved with the brand, from product development and brand management through to sales, service, product advice, warehouse and delivery,” said Simon Grantham, Managing Director at Miele GB.

LFB RENEWS APPEAL FOR GOVERNMENT ACTION AFTER TUMBLE DRYER FIRE

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fire in Harrow caused by a defective tumble dryer has prompted London Fire Brigade to renew its campaign to make it easier for Londoners to find out whether their white goods have been recalled.

Staff and customers at a beautician’s in Harrow were evacuated when a tumble dryer in the salon on Kenton Road caught fire. A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "Thankfully the smoke alarm alerted people in the shop to this particular fire and everyone got out safely.”

Brigade fire investigators revealed that the fire was caused when fluff came into contact with the dryer’s heating element and caused towels inside the drum to burn.

The LFB didn’t reveal the brand name of the dryer involved but it said the model is currently subject to a product recall.

Earlier this year the LFB called on the Government to introduce a single, publicly accessible register of recalled products to make it easier for consumers to check if products were subject to a recall.

KENWOOD ENTERS iF HALL OF FAME Kenwood has entered the iF Hall of Fame after receiving an iF Gold Award and three iF Design Awards, leading to the company now ranking 33rd in the latest international iF listings.

The Gold Award-winning Kenwood Chef/Chef XL Titanium (KCV70/KCL80) was entered into the Product Discipline and Kitchen Category. The machine is due to launch in the UK in September 2016.

Kenwood’s Triblade System PRO hand blender, Cooking Chef kitchen machine and kCook MULTI food processor also received 2016 iF Design Awards in the Product Discipline and Kitchen Category.

THE LATEST ELECTRICAL GOODS INDUSTRY NEWS >> GCMAGAZINE.CO.UK

INDUSTRY NEWS

REPIC LAUNCHES STORYBOOK WRITING ACTIVITY P

roducer compliance scheme REPIC has selected nine schools to take part in its new Responsible Recycling campaign, a storybook writing activity entitled ‘Pass it On’ and featuring REPIC mascot R3PIC and his battery sidekick Amp. Year 4 classes from participating schools have each been asked to write a chapter of the story before passing it on to the next school. The recycling adventure will be made into an illustrated story book when the campaign ends later this year.

The storybook follows REPIC’s ‘Schools Adventure Challenge’, which was created to raise awareness about the importance of recycling.

SETTLE RETAILER TAKES NATIONAL THREE PEAKS CHALLENGE

AS

this issue of GC was going to press, Settle retailer J W Garnett Electrical Ltd was gearing up for the 24-hour National Three Peaks challenge in support of Brain Tumour Research.

A team comprising members of staff, family members and friends were readying themselves for the journey to Scotland to climb Ben Nevis’ 1,345-metre peak, before tackling the 978-metre high Scafell Pike in England’s Lake District in the early hours of

the following morning and scaling Snowdon’s 1,085-metre elevation in Wales.

“Fingers crossed, we will be arriving back to the bus within 24 hours from starting, having completed a walking distance of 26 miles and having been driven 462 miles between,” said John Garnett, Managing Director of the retail business.

The team is raising money in aid of Brain Tumour Research in memory of Andrew Metcalfe, the brother of John Garnett’s wife, who died aged 32 and would have been 40 years old this year.

“Brain Tumour Research is woefully underfunded in the UK, despite more people under 40 dying of a brain tumour than any other cancer and brain tumours being the biggest cancer killer of UK children. I’m asking for anyone who is able to donate to help us beat these horrible statistics. Every little helps.”

Brain Tumour Research receives less than 1% of national cancer research funding in the UK.

www.justgiving.com/teamjwg

GLASGOW KITCHEN COMPANY SHORTLISTED FOR INTERIORS AWARD

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lasgow-based Silver Birch Interiors, an AEG Premium Partner, has been shortlisted for the Scottish Home Improvement Awards 2016 in the Best Kitchen Company category.

Alan MacGregor, Founder and Managing Director of Silver Birch, established the business in 2012. The company has since tripled its turnover and works on luxury kitchen projects worth in excess of £20,000. ”Being recognised for our approach to interior design is an absolute honour and something we never expected when we started out four years ago,” said MacGregor.

Louise Stalker, National Sales Manager for Kitchen Studios & Retail Distribution at AEG, said: “Silver Birch Interiors is a fantastic example of how the personalised, independent approach reigns supreme when it comes to kitchen design.”

STOVES COMMUNITY KITCHENS CAMPAIGN WINNERS

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toves has revealed the three winners of the second leg of its Community Kitchens Campaign, after 12,500 votes were cast in a public Facebook poll.

The first prize of £5,000 worth of Stoves cooking appliances was presented to The Vine Centre in Hampshire. The second prize of £3,000 worth of appliances went to the Seaforth Information Network Group in Merseyside, and the third prize of £2,000 worth to Lancashire Women’s Centres.

BSH

Small Domestic Appliances is on an exciting journey, with enhanced display solutions helping retailers to realise the growing potential of the SDA market.

James Aldridge, SDA Buyer for Euronics: “Following on from the great success of the Euronics Exclusive Bosch Athlet last year, this year we are launching a new Exclusive Agency Range. This exciting range includes the flagship Athlet Runtime Plus Pet model and a new Steam Generator with ‘silent technology’ and ‘I-Temp functionality’.

“This year has already shown great growth for Euronics agents and in 2016 it looks as if agents’ numbers will reach an all time high. With strong display offers to encourage agents to showcase and demonstrate these great new products and technology, as well as some outstanding display solutions, Euronics and BSH are committed to supporting what Euronics agents do best, offering great products with great service to consumers.”

Contact Rebecca Ness, Trade Marketing Manager – CP: MKS-displaystands@bshg.com

JUNE 2016 GET CONNECTED

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THE PRODUCT GALLERY

gcmagazine.co.uk

SMEG UNVEILS LIMITED EDITION MG FAB28 FRIDGES

BEKO INTRODUCES NEW AMERICANSTYLE FRIDGE FREEZERS

Smeg has created a limited edition run of 39 MG-inspired fridges to mark the opening of its new UK headquarters on the site of the sports car company’s original factory. The FAB28RDMG is finished in the British Racing green archetypal of MG racing cars and features MG’s octagonal badge and a plaque denoting its limited edition number.

Beko’s new collection of American-style fridge freezers incorporates a humidity-controlled salad crisper and EverFresh+ technology to keep fruit and vegetables fresh for up to 30 days. The appliance sports integrated handles that light up with different colours for a range of actions. White light, for example, indicates interaction with the product. j

j

www.smeguk.com

www.beko.co.uk

LUFT – THE COOKER HOOD THAT ELIMINATES CONDENSATION Faber’s LUFT cooker hood is constructed from stainless steel and features the brand’s patented Steam-Off System with new technology that eliminates condensation around the hood and on kitchen furniture. The wall-mounted appliance has “squarcle” touch controls and is A-rated for energy efficiency. j

www.faberhoods.co.uk

CAPLE TOUCH-SCREEN INDUCTION HOB Caple’s C970i auto-bridge induction hob has an interactive white LCD touch-screen display sited on a 90cm wide, bevel-edged black glass surface. The appliance provides 14 levels of control for each zone, including special functions ranging from 42°C bake to 93°C boil control, booster and booster+ settings. j

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GET CONNECTED JUNE 2016

www.caple.co.uk

THE PRODUCT GALLERY

B&O BEOLAB 18 SMOKED OAK AND BLACK EDITION Bang & Olufsen has introduced a new version of its BeoLab 18 wireless speaker with a look reflecting that of current design trends for Scandinavian interiors. The new edition combines raw wood and black anodized aluminium, with a nod to bringing nature into the home.

Consumers can now choose between aluminium or black aluminium as a base, with Maple, Oak, Walnut, White, Black and now Smoked Oak lamella finishes. j

www.bang-olufsen.com

EXTRA CAPACITY MODEL ADDED TO GAGGIA ANIMA RANGE Gaggia’s Anima XL coffee machine offers twice the capacity than other models in the range, but retains its simple one-touch operation, making it suitable for the home or small office. The £849 appliance has a chrome metal finish with digital display and incorporates a 100% ceramic grinder capable of grinding beans to a choice of five strengths. j

www.gaggia.uk.com

WHIRLPOOL BRINGS WIFI-ENABLED FRIDGE FREEZER TO UK MARKET Whirlpool’s BSNF 8993/PB 6th Sense Live® Supreme NoFrost fridge freezer is controlled by an app which lets users adjust and monitor settings, activate special functions and receive notifications. It also provides tips on food storage and advice for easy maintenance, and assists the user with smarter grocery management via a Shopping List function. j

www.whirlpool.co.uk

STYLISH AND AFFORDABLE HI-FI STARTER SYSTEM FROM TANGENT Tangent Audio’s new compact hi-fi Starter System incorporates the recently launched Ampster BT micro amplifier and Tangent Spectrum X4 speakers.

The system is said to be ideal for those who prefer to stream tracks via Bluetooth from their smartphone or tablet, or to enhance the audio quality of a record deck. It provides 2 x 50 Watts of high-end audio. j

www.tangent-audio.com JUNE 2016 GET CONNECTED

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THE GREEN ROOM: REFRIGERATION

WE HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY… …TO PRESERVE FOODSTUFFS AT THEIR BEST. WE HAVE INTELLIGENT OPERATION AND MONITORING, CAPACITY AND FLEXIBLE STORAGE OPTIONS. WE EVEN HAVE THE PRACTICALITY AND CONVENIENCE OF CHOOSING WHETHER TO USE APPLIANCE COMPARTMENTS AS COOLERS OR FREEZERS. YET WE’RE STILL A BUNCH OF WASTERS

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hile governments continue to wage war on food waste, UK households persist in contributing to the destruction of our delicate ecosystem, collectively throwing away 7.0 million tonnes of food and drink per year, 60% of which could have been consumed. In this day and age, that’s a staggering statistic. It equates to around £12.5 billion and represents about half of the total food waste in the UK. Much of the UK’s food waste still goes to landfill, where it rots and produces methane, one of our planet’s most potent greenhouse gases.

We have the refrigeration technology to store and keep foodstuffs fresh for a considerable length of time, so where are we going wrong? Is it TV chefs encouraging us to “experiment” in the kitchen? Is food, as a commodity, too cheap? Are the supermarkets to blame for pushing us 14

GET CONNECTED JUNE 2016

into buying more than required: packaging items so that single quantities can’t be purchased; titivating foodstuffs to tempt us into buying what wouldn’t generally appeal to us; presenting us with multibuys that make the purchase of a single item appear too costly? Or are we simply victims of our own food fads or lifestyle demands?

PREPARE TO BE CONFUSED

Whatever the reason(s), our purchasing rhythms and food choices vary extensively; hence, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for households’ refrigeration needs. Generally, though, when it comes to typifying consumers’ attitudes and approach to the purchase and cooking of food, we are presented with two diverse suppositions…

Scenario one: UK consumers are becoming more healthfocused, shopping more frequently for foodstuffs and preferring to cook from scratch using fresh ingredients, eschewing readymade meals and frozen foods in favour of a more wholesome diet and control over the origin of what they eat.

In support of this health-focused frequent shopper theory, Kantar Worldpanel’s data for the quarter ended 31 January 2016, showed the British grocery market returning to slow growth as New Year health kicks contributed to a strong performance in fresh foods, particularly fruit and vegetables, which both saw an uplift of 5%. Similar growth was recorded for items such as fresh poultry and fish.

Reporting at a later date on the sector’s performance during Easter, Kantar noted

Liebherr’s DuoCooling provides independent, accurate temperature control of the refrigerator and freezer compartments

THE GREEN ROOM: REFRIGERATION

that the Co-op saw sales increase by 3.9% as consumers heeded the retailer’s call for a ‘little and often’ approach to shopping. Consumers have been visiting the Co-op’s stores more frequently, especially for fresh food and own label products, the researcher said.

The announcement that Sainsbury’s was to scale back on multi-buy promotions didn’t dampen its Easter performance either, as the retailer continued to lead the big four with a sales increase of 1.2%. Spend on deals which require consumers to buy two or more items together fell by 73%, with shoppers instead purchasing a price-cut promotional item or opting to pay the full price.

now has to cope with extra fresh produce as well as additional frozen items.

As a result, both the refrigerator and freezer are vital in the home and consumers are looking for cooling appliances that offer maximum capacity for both.”

Britannia Managing Director Chris Honer also observes consumers opting for larger capacity. He attributes this to lifestyles becoming increasingly busy and people shopping less often. “Therefore,” he says, “cooling systems are expected to be sophisticated and ultimately preserve the texture, colour and freshness of produce for longer.”

Scenario two: UK consumers prefer to shop in bulk, taking advantage of multi-buys where possible to save money, and stocking up with convenience foods such as ready meals to save time spent shopping and cooking, thus releasing more time to spend with family and friends.

In support of the bulk/convenience-food shopper theory, a report from business intelligence provider Key Note predicted market value growth of 15.7% for the ready meals sector between 2015 and 2019, much of the uplift attributable to the growing demand for convenience, which the researcher said is driven by fast-paced lifestyles as consumers increasingly prioritise quick and easy meal solutions.

In February this year, research company Kantar also reported growth in ready meals, stating that the frozen category gained £18.4 million over the past year, with value up 2.8% on a volume rise of 1.3%

BIG IS BETTER…

“70/30 combis might still be the preferred model type of choice, but 50/50 split fridge freezers are rapidly gaining market share”

70/30 OR 50/50 SPLIT?

It’s a confusing world for retailers trying to match cooling products to consumers’ needs. Kantar data shows that Britons consumed frozen food (all types) on 220.8 million fewer occasions over the past year, a decline of 2.3%, but Key Note’s market update for all frozen food types predicts value growth of 6.6% between 2015 and 2019. So to absorb too much of the hype about a “health-crazed” nation, consumed by our 5-a-day (excuse the pun), may lead us all up the garden path. Balance is the key, particularly when it comes to which cooling appliances to stock.

Darren Peake, Category Manager for Refrigeration at Indesit, believes many consumers make the most of multi-buy discounts as well as cooking food in bulk to freeze for consumption at a later date.

“This,” he says, “has increased pressure on the household’s cooling appliance, which

The trend is very much for larger Americanstyle fridge freezers that can store more food for longer, maintains Smeg UK product manager Lucy King. “This is especially perfect for large families or anyone

who enjoys throwing dinner parties and entertaining. However, big doesn’t need to mean bloated when it comes to energy wastage. Consumers can still opt for large pro-style designs that come with a range of eco-friendly settings to ensure they save energy and money.”

But Jennifer Spragg, Senior Brand Manager at Whirlpool, cautions that American-style fridge freezers, although providing a statement piece for the kitchen and a larger amount of storage space than a traditional combi model, are not as big internally as consumers may initially think.

“A side-by-side fridge freezer is 900mm wide, meaning that the width of the fridge and freezer can be no more than 450mm each. This can sometimes be a problem, particularly when storing large/wider items such as pizzas or big joints and poultry in the narrow freezer compartment.”

She also points out that, being wider, and occasionally deeper than standard models, American-style appliances exceed the standard 600mm kitchen cupboard size, so fitting them into an existing kitchen can be problematic. “A tall European-sized fridge and matching freezer can fit neatly

AMICA GLASS COOLING COLLECTION Pitched at style-conscious consumers, the new glass cooling range from Amica offers a choice of colour, interesting design and value-added functions.

The new fridge freezers are available in high-gloss Black and high-gloss pure White, and feature an LCD information display on the fridge door.

The options of 60:40 split three-drawer freezer or 50:50 split four-drawer freezer, and a fridge section with clever storage options such as the Fresh Zone, a wine rack and in-door balconies, will appeal to anyone interested in great looks and performance and seeking a combination of style and practicality.

The appliances have an A+ rating so are economical to run. They are also frost free and offer intelligent electronic control.

185cm(H) x 60cm(W) x 67cm(D).

www.amica-international.co.uk

JUNE 2016 GET CONNECTED

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THE GREEN ROOM: REFRIGERATION

side by side into a 1200mm cavity. They inevitably take up more space – 600mm for the fridge plus 600mm for the freezer – but consumers get a lot more capacity and wider, more useful storage.”

Spragg is firmly in the ‘health-focused frequent shopper’ camp: “With the popularity of cooking shows and the promotion of healthier eating encouraging more consumers to prepare their own meals from scratch, rather than rely on frozen food, people are eating more fresh fruit and vegetables and therefore the fridge needs to be more spacious than ever before. Also, the reduction of preservatives in sauces and jars of food, part of the response to the increasing trend towards healthier lifestyles, inevitably means that more space is required for ready-prepared items in the fridge. The most popular type of cooling product is the combi fridge freezer, which still boasts the leading market share as it ticks all the necessary boxes for consumers.”

“In reality, size and price will always be the key factors consumers consider when making a cooling purchase”

“One further reason for the greater popularity of integrated fridge freezers is, thanks to the fact that many independent electrical retailers are designating more retail space to real kitchen displays, that the ability for consumers to view integrated appliances within a lifestyle setting makes it far easier to sell them as an overall branded package together with cooking and dishwashing appliances.”

“In reality, size and price will always be the key factors consumers consider when making a cooling purchase,” maintains Kathy Koomson, Head of refrigeration at Glen Dimplex Home Appliances. “For busy households, capacity is becoming more and more important, and larger capacity fridge freezers continue to perform well as consumers strive to get the biggest product possible into the space they have available.

In particular, two door combis with the freezer at the bottom remain the fastest growing component of the freestanding cooling market. This isn’t a surprise, as combis provide the perfect combined storage solution for fresh and frozen produce and remain a very popular option for families.

“The side-by-side category is also continuing to grow in value as more new brands enter the market, lowering pricing and increasing the breadth of features on offer. This is also down to the capacity and internal features such as bottle racks, ice makers and dedicated fresh produce drawers, which are very appealing to consumers.”

DOMETIC: FOR THE WINE CONNOISSEUR… With 85 years experience in refrigeration technology, Dometic MaCave wine cellars have been specially designed for optimal storage and preservation of wine collections as well as catering for the home connoisseur.

There are two technology types available, compressor and absorption, and a range spanning 8 models with capacities from 58 litres to 392 litres (17 to 198 bottles).

Dometic is a pioneer and leading supplier of absorption technology. Tens of millions of refrigerators and mini-bars are in service worldwide. Absorption is the only technology that operates vibration free and completely without noise and is perfect for the long-term and mid-term storage of wines.

www.dometicgroup.com

BRINGING GROWTH

Owain Harrison, UK head of sales and marketing Built-in, Hoover Candy Baumatic, quotes AMDEA statistics (March 2016) which show that the largest percentage increases within the cooling sector have been for freestanding side-by-sides, up by 16.6% year on year in volume terms, and built-in fridge freezers, which demonstrated growth of 16% year on year. Within the latter category, frost free versions were up by 0.7%. There are two key factors for these rises and both relate to current trends in kitchen design, according to Harrison.

“There is a continuing fashion for fully built-in contemporary kitchens with streamlined layouts where all cooling and wet appliances are hidden behind the door; however, many consumers still like the idea of a statement fridge freezer within a built-in kitchen and specify this iconic freestanding appliance as part of the overall design as they require greater capacity for storing fresh and frozen foodstuffs and an appliance with real ‘wow’ factor.

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Caple’s WC177 in-column wine cabinet incorporates a No Frost compressor cooling system which provides total control of the temperature in each zone

Sometimes, bigger really is better LE

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90cm Frost Free side-by-side fridge freezer.

• 178cm high • 527 litres total net capacity • Electronic touch controls • LED lighting • Twist ice maker

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THE GREEN ROOM: REFRIGERATION

“…people are eating more fresh fruit and vegetables and therefore the fridge needs to be more spacious than ever before”

This versatile Smeg Victoria model has a MultiZone compartment that can be used for cooling or freezing, according to storage requirements

“Cooling is a growth area for Amica, with seasonality playing its part. But we are also seeing consumers replacing their cooling products before the need arises. The huge strides made in energy savings make it a win-win for consumers both in terms of economics and functionality, with features like zoning and no frost. When you add to this the elegant aesthetics of products like our own glass-fronted range, cooling actually adds design flair to any kitchen or utility room.”

SIMON FREEAR, COUNTRY MANAGER FOR AMICA

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“Our EverFresh+ technology ensures that wilted salad and mushy tomatoes are nothing but a distant memory. The humidity-controlled salad crisper ensures consistently high moisture levels, maintaining optimum humidity through small ventilation holes. This ensures fruit and vegetables stay as fresh as possible for longer.”

GINO GROSSI,

“Consumers are seeking functions that will help preserve food for longer, from auto defrost to wave lighting which replaces the spectrum of the sun, allowing food to photosynthesize and therefore last longer. At Caple our sales continue to rise in refrigeration.

We offer a wide range of styles, sizes and finishes, which makes our collection more versatile and able to complement any style of kitchen.”

COOLING PRODUCT MANAGER, BEKO PLC DANNY LAY, MANAGING DIRECTOR, CAPLE

THE GREEN ROOM: REFRIGERATION

LOOKING AHEAD

Kim Hepden, Category Manager for Cooling at BSH, says fridge freezers are more than just somewhere to store our food: “They are a focal point in the kitchen and in our home.

As consumer tastes develop, the everincreasing need for more variety in sizes and styles is apparent.”

Hepden advises that the market for fridges and freezers is expected to grow by just under 20% in the next four years. In freestanding appliances, bottom freezers are by far the most popular.

“70/30 combis might still be the preferred model type of choice, but 50/50 split fridge freezers are rapidly gaining market share, offering easy, next generation storage for working families and busy singletons,” comments Sharp Home Appliances’ Rita Balestrazzi. “Great value standard-size combis are now rivalling the incredible efficiency of super-size models, offering ratings of up to A+++ -15% [and beyond].

“Green technology is still important for the future of cooling, not just because it’s making models increasingly cheaper to run, but also because it’s ensuring incredible long-term efficiency, even for entry-level standard-size fridge freezers. Every small development, every tweak in design is now driving efficiency.”

“Our innovative BioFresh drawers provide the right humidity for specific types of food such as fish, exotic fruits, meat and dairy.

The extra days it can add are outstanding: cheese 100+ days, carrots 30+, lettuce 8+...

Using advanced technology it’s possible to accurately keep the temperature at just above 0°C and each drawer can be used individually to provide the ideal humidity.”

THE NEW HANDLE-LESS FRIDGE FREEZER FROM FISHER & PAYKEL The RF522BRPX6 has all the key design features you would expect from the Fisher & Paykel cooling range, but has been developed with concealed pocket handles to suit streamlined, refined, handleless kitchen designs.

The beautiful ultra-flat stainless steel doors will fit flush with a bench top; the ultra-slim water dispenser takes up no internal door space, and the ActiveSmart™ food care technology will help keep consumers’ food fresher for longer.

www.fisherpaykel.com/uk sales@fisherpaykel.co.uk 08000 886 601

“As well as being able to preserve fresh food for longer, AEG freezers also have the latest frostmatic technology – ideal for freezing fresh food quickly, preserving flavour, nutritional value and colour. This ensures that food is full of flavour and also reduces wastage as food can be stored for longer.”

MICHAEL HOCKNEY, ELECTROLUX BRANDS UK & IE, PRODUCT MANAGER, FOOD PRESERVATION

TIM HUTCHINSON, DIVISIONAL MANAGER UK, LIEBHERR

“An example of leading technology that Gorenje has rolled out, and one that can result in substantial savings for the consumer, is our advanced sensor technology. It keeps track of users’ habits for seven days and memorises periods of frequent door opening; the fridge then fine tunes its temperatures and operations to adapt to user requirements, saving on energy bills and reducing food spoilage.”

“Whilst there is a growing trend for Americanstyle models, there is still a need to provide a variety of storage options for consumers. We provide side-by-sides, under-counter models, both freestanding and built-in, combis that range from 50/50 to 70/30, tall single fridges and freezers in freestanding and integrated options, as well as accessibility features like four-door opening, pullout freezer drawers and home bars.”

STUART BENSON,

STEVE CORBETT,

SALES DIRECTOR, GORENJE UK

MARKETING MANAGER, CDA

JUNE 2016 GET CONNECTED

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HOME NETWORKS

RAISING THE HOME’S THE FUTURE HAS A HABIT OF TURNING OUT DIFFERENTLY TO WHAT WAS EXPECTED, BUT THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT MANY MORE HOMES WILL BECOME NETWORKED HOMES OVER THE COMING YEARS. GEORGE COLE REPORTS

W

hat these networks will look like is more difficult to predict, and this puts pressure on retailers to ensure that the networks their customers install today will be fit for purpose tomorrow.

A Digital Homes report commissioned last year stated that 41% of UK homeowners already have some form of connected technology in their home.

According to Frost & Sullivan, there will be ten connected devices in every household.

In relation to this, Matt Nimmons, operations director at CEDIA, believes there is an opportunity for the retailer that moves beyond a single one-size-fits-all solution and takes a good, better, best approach to the brands and products they offer, and retailers have the chance to up-sell, increase margin and improve cash flow.

“More importantly,” he says, “this approach will offer the chance to build expertise in data networks, service and maintenance.”

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MARKET TRENDS

Many more products are being developed for the connected home. LG offers a broad range of networked products, which includes TVs with various connectivity options, allowing content to move between mobile devices, PCs and televisions. It also offers Music Flow, a wireless multi-room speaker system. Dawn Stockell, head of brand LGE UK, says that multi-room systems will become the standard way to play music and sees consumers upgrading their traditional audio speakers to multiroom systems. Systemline – Armour Home Electronics’ custom multi-room audio brand – provides a range of products, from simple one-room systems to Systemline 7, which can be configured to deliver hi-fi quality sound in up to 24 rooms.

Panasonic believes the biggest trends and developments in the home networking market are home monitoring, heating/

energy use and kitchen appliances. The Japanese manufacturer’s Smart Home Monitoring system gives consumers the ability to remotely check on their home.

“The system provides a simple way of linking various smart devices (cameras, sensors and plugs) and controlling them from one app on a tablet or smartphone,” says Justin Burnell, the company’s smart home product manager.

For LG, the biggest trend has been smart technology, which has become increasingly relevant throughout the home and offers a multitude of useful functions and benefits to consumers to enhance their day-to-day lives. “The market has seen developments in smart appliances, and we predict this will continue into the future with further connectivity between appliances and mobile devices,” says Stockell.

CALL IN AN EXPERT

Lee Harding, technical sales at Alltrade, points out that with more and more products in the house needing to be ‘on the network’, whole house Wi-Fi coverage is now essential for products like tablets and set-top boxes, to full multi-room custom install projects. Some home network products can be self-installed, but others need specialist installation.

HOME NETWORKS

“If a customer wants a secure, reliable solution, then a professionally installed system is the way forward,” says CEDIA’s Nimmons. “The DIY products rely on Wi-Fi, and as we all know, a constant internet connection isn’t always possible. Imagine having a DIY lighting system that relies on Wi-Fi. The internet connection goes down, and suddenly you can’t turn the lights on and off.”

Bob Abraham, brand director, Systemline, says that many consumers will rebel against the constraints of having to constantly call on experts to do fairly straightforward things, while others will be quite happy to pay for such a service.

“Some early custom install systems required the integrator to make a return trip to the customer’s home just to change the alarm time,” he adds.

Panasonic’s Burnell says ease of use is a big factor for the Panasonic system because anyone can set up and install the products, without the need for drilling or superior technology knowledge. “However,” he adds, “custom installation is offered by Panasonic Smart Home stockists when the customer is unsure or would prefer the support. An install solution may also be required when drilling or electrical work like rewiring a dimmer switch is necessary.”

A WORLD OF “THINGS” One For All’s SV1820 Bluetooth Music Receiver HD

There has been a lot of talk about the Internet of Things (IoT), where billions of devices are connected online – some reports forecast that there could be 50 billion devices connected by 2020. But how is this market developing and what are the challenges it faces?

“If a customer wants a secure, reliable solution, then a professionally installed system is the way forward”

Systemline’s Abraham says: “I’m not keen on this name, because what does it actually mean? It’s a bit like ‘home automation’. People understand in principle what it means, and are often frightened by it, but at what point is something ‘home automated’?”

Panasonic’s Burnell points out that the IoT was one of the most talked about sectors last year, but awareness and education is still a major factor when it comes to the mass market. But LG’s Stockell believes we are now at a stage where networking devices are becoming commonplace within the home and consumers are receptive to the technology.

“They also understand a lot of the developments in smart technology. We are likely to see further advancements into smart technologies within home appliances, and in particular how appliances link to the wider connected home.”

CEDIA’s Nimmons says the CEDIA world embraces entertainment, lighting,

security and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems alongside any IoT device or appliance that can be connected onto a home network.

“With the availability of high speed broadband increasing across the UK, the proliferation of TV streaming services and more 4K content on the horizon, predicted growth in internet-connected appliances and the increasing adoption of smart energy management technologies from Nest, Hive and others, maintaining the network for the connected home becomes more and more critical to any technology retailers sell.”

CHALLENGES

Hardik Ajmera, director of product management at XCellAir, points out that pretty much all the major verticals (home, enterprise, healthcare, industrial) within the industry have come up with strong use cases and benefits for various IoT applications. “As consumers buy new things for the home or replace existing appliances they are presented with products which are smart or have embedded connectivity options. Smart appliances have a premium over nonsmart, but over the next few years the price difference will be minimal.

“But the IoT faces many issues.

Overcoming the challenge of interoperability may be the single most important hurdle for IoT to reach mass adoption. Interoperability challenges mean there is a lack of consensus between standards that apply to how devices communicate. The lack of a uniform standard that applies across devices

Panasonic’s home monitoring system smart plug

JUNE 2016 GET CONNECTED

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HOME NETWORKS

and networks means that we lack any universally adopted set of semantics.”

Not only will more devices become smart devices, but the way we interact with them will evolve and become more sophisticated. LG has showcased its next generation of smart innovations and technologies that take advantage of Natural Language Processing (NLP), technology that allows customers to communicate, control, monitor and share content with LG home appliances via the popular mobile messenger app, Line, and LG’s HomeChat service, although the latter is currently unavailable in the UK.

“Claiming future proofing is a dangerous game”

Ubiquiti’s UniFi Wi-Fi range

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FUTURE PROOFING

With technology moving so quickly, how can retailers help consumers future-proof their home networks?

“Future-proofing anything in such a fast-moving industry is always a challenge,” says Alltrade’s Harding. “All installers and retailers can realistically do is provide their customer with the highest spec, most robust network possible using the best premium networking products available at the time.”

Panasonic’s Burnell maintains his company’s Smart Home offers one of the most comprehensive ranges of interconnecting accessories. The depth of the range offers customers the opportunity to begin with a starter kit and migrate onto a more comprehensive level of monitoring and control. “So the initial outlay is more

future proof,” he says. Accessories such as a siren, access keypad and water leak sensor have been added since the initial system launched in July 2015.

“Claiming future proofing is a dangerous game,” asserts Systemline’s Abraham. “But given that pretty much all advances have been about speed, then fibre is probably the ultimate choice. But way before any wired network comes under any genuine speed pressure, the ISPs will have to improve dramatically.”

Abraham offers one tip that retailers can pass on to their customers which can help improve their home network’s performance: “One of the weakest links for most networks is the free Wi-Fi router. There is a reason why they are free. Upgrade that, and the whole network will work so much better.”

SPOTLIGHT ON IN-STORE WI-FI

MONETISING IN-STORE WI-FI DAN THORNTON, HEAD OF SOLUTION DEVELOPMENT AT HUGHES EUROPE, DISCUSSES HOW IN-STORE WI-FI IS POWERING REVENUE IN ELECTRICAL RETAIL

IN

-store Wi-Fi has become a practically essential offering for retailers. Nowhere is this truer than in electrical retail, where bigticket appliances act like magnets for lingering customers checking their phones for every review available before making the final decision on important investments for their homes.

While offering in-store connectivity is necessary to please customers and remain competitive, today’s environment of tougher competition and grander customer expectations means that simply sending signals across the sales floor won’t do much for the bottom line. It’s when electrical retailers enlist the expertise of a knowledgeable provider, who isn’t tied to a specific manufacturer and has the experience needed to put together a tailor-made solution, that Wi-Fi shows its true value.

It will give customers the better experience they seek, while providing retailers with more knowledge than ever about consumers’ shopping habits and what they get up to in store. Not only can retail operators start using the information to make real-time decisions, they will also have stores that are fully equipped for the retail revolution in which customers and staff will increasingly use mobile devices.

FASTER AND MORE POWERFUL

It is important that electrical retailers are able to take advantage of all the technological developments in Wi-Fi, which is now hugely faster and more secure than the systems of just two or three years ago.

Wi-Fi-enabled electrical items such as smart plugs, thermostats, security systems or pet feeders that can be controlled via smartphones are increasingly popular. Having a reliable and secure in-store Wi-Fi solution to demonstrate such gadgets is a key requirement.

In fact, any retailer who has a system two or three years old will be providing their customers with an inferior experience.

Advances mean that Wi-Fi access points, for instance, now have a more focused beam that makes them more efficient and capable of handling five times more throughput than just a few years ago. This is not capacity for its own sake. It is designed to accommodate data streaming by the millions of potential customers for whom the smartphone is indispensable to their daily lives.

Importantly, the extra capacity also enables retailers to send shoppers big data graphics illustrating products, and timely eye-catching offers.

SPREADING THE WORD

Electrical retailers have a wealth of information and graphics they can send shoppers, who are often crying out for a level of detail about specifications, capability and alternatives which is impossible to accommodate on a shelf label.

Retailers have to accept that streaming on smartphones is now part of everyday life, with customers making more considered purchases and wanting immediate access to product videos. Equally, if shoppers are with their partners or members of their family, the likelihood is that some of this extended group will want to log on to Netflix or other entertainment channels while they wait for their relative to decide what to buy. Offering this facility reduces the chances of bored partners pressing the group to leave the store.

A GOLDMINE OF DATA

Offering Wi-Fi is not just about making it easier and better for the customer. The process of logging on gives retailers hugely valuable profile data about each individual customer and their shopping habits.

If these consumers are persuaded

to log on via their social media such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Google+, retailers not only gain even more information and the opportunity to conduct social analytics, they also have the chance to maintain a relationship with customers after they have left the store.

Triggered e-vouchers, for example, can be sent automatically to reward the loyalty of returning customers or to entice shoppers who only visit occasionally. Advertising links can also quickly be established to launch new appliances or boost the popularity of those already on offer.

Besides getting to know customers so much better, retailers can learn more about how their stores are used. The tracking of smartphones from Wi-Fi access points will, for example, indicate peaks in footfall and give a store operator the ability to open up more tills at the right time so that excessively long queues are never allowed to form and staff do not spend hours at the checkout unnecessarily.

ENHANCED SECURITY

While there are obvious advantages to having Wi-Fi, many retailers understandably worry about security and fear they will end up funding a costly white elephant that is abused by the public and makes them vulnerable to hackers.

They should consider that, for a start, cutting-edge Wi-Fi systems give retailers the level of control they want, so they are not burdened by constant management requirements but can, say, block bandwidth for the kind of troublesome timewaster who comes in to a large store purely to download for an hour via the Wi-Fi. Security enhancements also mean systems automatically scan for rogue devices secreted in stores by criminals, enabling them to be removed before they intercept and divert personal or commercial data.

This is a big advantage for retailers using or contemplating mobile pointof-sale devices, where payment card data must be protected.

Indeed, Wi-Fi systems now come with levels of security that can be matched to retailers’ needs to ensure, for instance, that compliance with PCI requirements around payment data is guaranteed, with reporting on a daily or monthly basis as necessary.

Wi-Fi is also far more resilient now, so that even if the management platform goes down because of some external event, the access points continue to operate in secure mode.

KEEPING PACE WITH CHANGE

All this is very well, a retailer may say, but any system that is installed will be superseded by technological developments, requiring further investment in new equipment and more disruption after a short period of use.

Not so. Using an experienced provider on a managed services basis means that all the pain is removed.

Since most contemporary Wi-Fi units require no individual configuration, installation is fast, with the provider building the right solution, irrespective of brand or technology.

Upgrading of the technology then takes place as required, without the store operator having to go through the complex processes of scoping and procurement.

Yes, retailers can install an offthe-shelf system themselves and hope it delivers on the promises of the manufacturer; an objective assessment, however, soon reveals that the only real way to have a Wi-Fi solution that adds value and boosts revenue is to use a managed services provider with broad knowledge of the technology, free of ties and possessing deep and proven experience. That is how to monetise in-store Wi-Fi. JUNE 2016 GET CONNECTED

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GEORGE COLE

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

ARE WE LOSING THE DVD HABIT? T

he British Association for Screen Entertainment (Base) recently put out a press release championing the DVD and Blu-ray sales figures for Star Wars – The Force Awakens. They were very impressive – more than 1.3 million copies were sold within the first week of release, generating £15 million in revenue. Base has also published “Consumers Love Disc”, a document which includes lots of quotes from consumers who like purchasing physical discs: “Just bought a new DVD. Feeling excited!” is one of the quotes it includes.

It would seem that everything in the garden is rosy when it comes to Blu-ray and DVD sales, but is that really the case?

Base also reports that in 2015, digital video sales grew by 30%, adding that a “tipping point” was approaching. But according to a new survey by research company Strategy Analytics, that tipping point is already here, and consumers are rapidly moving from disc to digital when it comes to watching video at home.

Strategy Analytics forecasts that streaming and video downloading sales will overtake DVD/Blu-ray usage in 2016. Some 7.1 million households (close to one in three of all UK households) subscribe to online video services like Netflix and Amazon Prime,

NO ULTRA HD FROM THE BBC...YET

A and one in five of subscribing households use at least two online video services. Consumers are expected to spend £1.3 billion on video streaming and downloading services this year, compared with £956 million on video discs – the first time this market has fallen below £1 billion since 1994.

According to Strategy Analytics, this year online services will account for 58% of the market, compared with 42% for disc – in 2015, discs held a share of 52%.

By 2017, video streaming will be the dominant video format, and it will account for more than half of video spend by 2021, the report adds. Michael Goodman, Strategy Analytics’ digital media director, is pessimistic about DVD’s prospects: “Five years ago, DVDs represented 86% of consumer spend on home video, in five years it will be less than 14%, with DVD/ Blu-ray rental virtually extinct.

As online provides increasing ways to access films and box-sets, physical simply can’t compete,” he says.

Goodman notes that while many people will always prefer a physical disc, retailers will have to decide whether it’s even viable to offer that format in five years’ time. Even Base has adapted to this changing world. It was formerly known as the British Video Association, but in March changed its name, because as Liz Bales, Base’s CEO, notes: “Thanks to the explosion in digital services, the market is now a fully multichannel model, spanning physical, digital, ownership, rental and subscription. It’s a complex new economy.” These days, very few audio systems include tape decks. How long before consumer electronics manufacturers start dropping DVD or Blu-ray drives from their product portfolios?

number of matches at this year’s UEFA Euro Cup competition in June and July are being shot in Ultra HD, including the semi-finals and final. However, the BBC has no plans to broadcast any of them in UHD. The same goes for the Olympics in Rio. This will be disappointing for anyone who has invested in a UHD TV, but the BBC’s decision makes good sense. It’s going to take time to get all the elements in UHD broadcasting right, so the BBC is wise to keep its powder dry until it can be sure of delivering a great viewing experience with UHD.

PASSWORD TO ENTERTAINMENT Now that the government has decided to plug the so-called “iPlayer loophole”, which allowed non licence fee payers to access BBC TV and radio programmes for free, and make it an offence to use iPlayer without having a TV licence, attention is turned to how this will be enforced. One suggestion is that licence fee payers are given a unique access code which they enter whenever they log onto the iPlayer site. This won’t, of course, stop people from sharing their passwords.

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GET CONNECTED JUNE 2016

It already happens with online video services like Netflix – one survey found that almost half of Netflix subscribers admitted sharing their password. Earlier this year, CEO Reed Hastings said: “We love people sharing Netflix. That’s a positive thing, not a negative thing.” However, Reed was referring to parents sharing their password with their children, rather than a blanket endorsement of password sharing...

SPOTLIGHT ON SHOPPER ENGAGEMENT

TARGETING THE

FAIRER SEX

KRISTIAN MUNT, DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FOR RETAIL DISPLAY SPECIALIST ARKEN P-O-P INTERNATIONAL, DISCUSSES THE TOPIC OF GENDER INFLUENCE ON SHOPPER BEHAVIOUR AND RETAIL POS DISPLAY WITHIN THE CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SECTOR

F

ootball fans everywhere will be glued to TV screens during the European Championships this summer. Whatever the score on the pitch, it promises to deliver a positive result for consumer electronics retailers and brands at the tills. Interest in the category always tends to grow at the time of major sporting events.

But the Euros are interesting, not only to illustrate the opportunities that exist for pushing TV sales, but for another reason: today, football is anything but a “man’s game”. Women’s professional football is becoming big business. The 2015 FIFA Women’s Cup in Canada drew huge audiences, and thousands of women around the UK now watch matches in stadiums or on TV every week.

Like the world of sport, retail suffers from its fair share of clichés. The most common being: “Women love it. Men hate it”. Despite many sports traditionally being male dominated, men’s ability to excel in the sport of shopping is not one for which we are particularly famed. But we do love our gadgets. It’s the one domain in-store where we have almost felt comfortable; women, less so.

In much the same way as the DIY sector, consumer electronics is often associated with being a male-dominated environment.

Like the products themselves, the process of shopping for them has been typified by hues of cold greys and black and product information that is far from intelligible, except for those with some knowhow.

Store environments were never especially nice, fun or particularly engaging.

Shopping was a functional, necessary mission, with products presented in a blunt manner – here’s what you can get, make your choice, buy up and go. Owning the latest tech may have been an engaging subject for men, but the process of buying products in-store was anything but.

The shift that has taken place in recent years has coincided with changes in

When it comes to engaging shoppers and turning browsers “The industry is ownership behaviour for into buyers, research from the now fully awake to many electronics goods, association for the UK point-ofwith the rise of the purchase (P-O-P) display industry the fact that there are ‘individual’. We used to suggests that females are typically lots of women who want have family computers, better at translating the intended to spend money on or share SatNav devices. meaning of visual imagery. But, electrical devices.“ Now almost every member interestingly, men are actually of the household is likely more inclined to take notice of P-O-P communication in the first place. to have their own device in some variant or other – desktop, Females are also intense users of laptop, tablet, digital music player. social media. So if you consider the fact We want our products to be ‘for me’. As a that purchase decisions are often heavily result, products have become more gender influenced by others, it’s easy to see inclusive – available in a wider range of why, in today’s digital world, investing to colour choices with softer ergonomic design foster positive pre- and post-purchase and with customisation allowing them to be word-of-mouth communication can have tailored to individual tastes, making them a significant impact on female purchase more accessible to more people. behaviours.

The industry is now fully awake to the Irrespective of gender, making decisions fact that there are lots of women who in-store becomes more difficult for want to spend money on electrical devices. shoppers as choices increase. But this is Arguably, the likes of Apple have led the particularly important when it comes to way. But other brands have followed. The male shoppers. Think about how fashion recent decision by Logitech to rebrand as retailers merchandise their ranges to Logi typifies this more gender inclusive attract men. Here, retailers allow men to approach to branding and in-store see and buy ‘the look’ easily – suit, shirt, tie communication, with clear understanding and shoes. Female clothes, however, will of how important it is to give proper often be presented as separates – tailored consideration to in-store messaging and to their preference for mixing and matching to how the use of shape and colour – with to create an individual look. softer edges and warmer tones – can be Brands are, thankfully, beginning to rise used to attract and inspire. to meet all of our needs. Today’s consumer Make no mistake, though, male and electronics brands are less shy of women, female shoppers are still very different and vice versa. The result is that women animals when in-store, and gender still are less likely to run screaming from stores plays a significant role in our attitudes to in frustration and are likely to buy more. shopping and how we engage with retail And, if male shoppers are being honest, communication. the changes we’ve already witnessed Men prefer to do their research, do it in-store have made the brand experience thoroughly, and then visit a store to make much more engaging, enjoyable and less more of a transactional exchange, whereas intimidating for the majority of us too. women like to feel a sense of indulgence, Ultimately, that’s the crux it. What most and the shopping environment plays a of us want when we are shopping is this: part in their emotions. Men are still more help to do it well and to make the most engaged by product features and technical informed purchase decision possible. The specification, whilst women are more brands that succeed in doing this will be the interested in aesthetics. ones who continue to win-out in-store.

JUNE 2016 GET CONNECTED

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FROM THE BENCH

RURAL REFLECTIONS LAST MONTH ALAN BENNETT EXAMINED BROADBAND SPEEDS FOR TV. THIS TIME HE CONCENTRATES ON BROADBAND AND BROADCAST RECEPTION IN RURAL AREAS, ALONG WITH OTHER ASPECTS OF COUNTRY DWELLING

C

ountry dwellers make up a large proportion of the UK population.

Study their needs to increase your trade with them...

IN THE STICKS

Depending on where you trade, many of your customers may live in rural areas, so their broadband speed and coverage (and hence potential for buying Smart TVs and other broadband goodies) may be very poor compared with that in towns and cities. 75% of country dwellers get speeds below 10Mbps, and a lot of them do worse: in ‘slow-spots’ (2m population) less than 2Mbps is available, while 166,000 people in ‘nospots’ have less than 0.144 Mbps or no broadband coverage at all.

Overall, the average rural line speed is about one third of that in town, and Ofcom has predicted that people there must wait up to three years even to get the benefit of a modest increase up to 10Mbps, which it regards as the minimum acceptable rate for households. A government target is at least 2Mbps for the most remote homes and businesses. There are bright spots – some villages enjoy super-fast fibre links.

What can be done about this to improve TV streaming and downloading? It is possible to combine up to eight landlines together for higher speed, and there are many examples of businesses, villages and communities clubbing together to install fibre or wireless broadband to a central hub, equivalent to the urban street cabinet. This brings down the cost per user, of course. The main thrust in this sphere, however, is the use of individual satellite broadband, in which a two-way link is established between the viewer’s dish and a specialist satellite. Astra, Avanti and Eutelsat are active here, utilising a dish – quite separate from the Sky or Freesat one – of about 75cm in size and a dedicated LNB and receiver box.

A data rate of 20Mbps is typical of these, but monthly usage is capped by most providers at 25GB. Some go to 40GB and some offer uncapped tariffs or off-peak cap lifting at higher cost, but the data-rate usually slows with heavy use. One problem with satellite communications is latency, transmission delay, which adds 0.8 to 1.2 seconds to the up-and-down round trip. Your fast-action gaming customers will not like this!

Several specialist providers, some regional, some national, offer satellite broadband services, with up-front costs of £350-£600 and subscriptions ranging from £25 per month upwards. Details are on their internet sites via a search engine. Government grants and vouchers are available for satellite broadband in really bad areas.

BROADCAST COVERAGE

TV and radio coverage in rural areas can also be patchy, leading to dropouts on Freeview and DAB – or no signal at all. Coverage maps and details are available from Ofcom and others. Again, satellites come to the rescue, providing TV and radio. The choice is wider than that of terrestrial broadcasts, with nationwide (and worldwide) stations on tap. As an example of this, one of my radio favourites is Oldies Sussex, which plays music from the 60s and 70s, has no presenters and confines ad breaks to a maximum of one minute.

With satellite and broadband you can listen to this anywhere, whereas it’s only available in Sussex via DAB: a good selling point for satellite receivers and radios. Once the satellite broadband box is in place you can offer all the TV and other sales, in-home routing, Wi-Fi and installation services that go with broadband reception.

POWER HICCUPS AND OUTAGES

Idyllic – but how about communications and power supply?

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GET CONNECTED JUNE 2016

Country dwellings usually receive mains power via overhead cables, and this can bring weatherdependent misery to those living there. Lightning can introduce huge spikes and surges to the supply line or cut it off altogether, while falling trees do the same. To deal

“The business is there for dealers ready to research the market and provide desperately needed equipment, installation and peripheral services.”

with these you can offer surge- and lightning-arresters and perhaps even source, sell and install petrol-driven generators? They won’t supply all the household’s needs but can at least keep the telly, PC and freezer working and bring oil and gas boilers back to life by powering their control systems.

COUNTRY LIVING

Rural customers can offer great opportunities to streetwise(!) dealers. A lot of people have second homes out there, while many are prosperous and thus in the market for high-end equipment, home cinema, smart-home installations and ‘country kitchens’ from those dealers who provide these products and services. And who wants to miss out on internet TV, or be continually frustrated by poor or limited reception and other communications? The business is there for dealers ready to research the market and provide desperately needed equipment, installation and peripheral services. Of course, the potential customer will not be exposed to in-town advertising, and is more likely to be reached via a website or from countybased papers, putting dealers who feature in these at an advantage.

In many cases (and like some other products and services mentioned here before), this kind of business is beyond competition by multiples and supermarkets.

THE GET CONNECTED PRODUCT DESIGN AWARDS

2016

CELEBRATING THE DESIGN THAT PRODUCES GREAT PRODUCTS, GREAT BRANDS AND GREAT BUSINESS THE NOMINATIONS

HOW TO VOTE The products chosen by the Panel for nomination in the 2016 Awards are set out on the following pages, grouped in familiar industry categories. Some brands have chosen to promote their products in these pages, but all nominated products can be viewed in greater detail at www.gcmagazine.co.uk/vote For your convenience, voting can be carried out online using the form at www.gcmagazine.co.uk/ vote. Simply tick the box beside the products you judge to be worthy of the Get Connected Product of the Year 2016 Award in each of the product categories. You are entitled to vote for as many products as you wish.

YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE

T

OR: Turn to the voting form on page 34 of this issue, tick the boxes next to your selections, and complete your details (these are for verification purposes only and will not be divulged to any third party). Post the form to: GC Awards, Greyfriar Cottage, Winchester Road, Chawton, Alton, Hants. GU34 1SB The Closing date for receipt of your votes is 25th July 2016.

The winning products will be featured in the August issue of Get Connected Magazine.

he nominees for the Get Connected Product Design Awards 2016 have been chosen, and retailers and distributors now have the opportunity to vote to help decide which products will receive the final accolades.

The Get Connected Product Design Awards recognise genuinely innovative, reliable products with outstanding USPs and sustainable technologies that enhance consumers’ everyday lives.

The nominations include both new and established products that were available in the UK market during the 12 months from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2015. So there are fresh products and technologies alongside those which have proved their worth over a number of years.

Each nomination represents, in the Panel’s judgment, “best in class” qualities, and it is an outstanding achievement to have been chosen from among the many entries received.

JUNE 2016 GET CONNECTED

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GC PRODUCT DESIGN AWARDS 2016 – THE NOMINATIONS

THE NOMINATIONS CATEGORY: LEADING DESIGN COOKING Blomberg MIN54306 60cm touch-control induction hob Caple C950i multi-zone induction hob Gorenje BOP799S51X built-in pyrolytic oven

CATEGORY: LEADING DESIGN GARMENT CARE Whirlpool Supreme Care Premium washing machine

Hotpoint Openspace OSD89EDE oven

Indesit MyTime EWD 81482 W UK washing machine

Leisure Cookmaster CK100D210K

Beko 12KG WY124854M washing machine AEG AbsoluteCare ™ T86581IH1 tumble dryer

CATEGORY: LEADING DESIGN REFRIGERATION

V-ZUG Refresh Butler

AEG Custom Flex fridge freezer Blomberg KFD4952XD Two Door + Two Drawer fridge freezer CDA FWC860BL 126-bottle wine cooler

CDA FWC860BL FULL HEIGHT WINE COOLER The ultimate solution for wine storage Combined with the CDA FF820 & FF880 fridge and freezer duo, the FWC860BL wine cooler creates an impressive cooling station with great functionality behind a smooth blackglass exterior.

The FWC860BL incorporates a digital display, dual temperature storage zones, seven professionalstyle slide-out wooden shelves,

electronic temperature control, UV-protected toughened smokedglass door, LED interior lighting, temperature memory function, over-temperature alarm, humidifier, energy-saving mode, 64-bottle capacity in the upper zone and 62-bottle capacity in the lower zone.

The appliance is compressor driven for heightened technical performance and effective cooling.

www.cda.eu

V-ZUG REFRESH BUTLER The Refresh Butler can either be built into furniture such as wardrobe units or kitchen cabinetry, for example, or placed freestanding in any room of the home.

This revolutionary appliance boasts four main features: Refresh function artfully removes cooking, food and smoke odours; Anti-Crease function reduces creases; Hygiene function eliminates 99.9% of germs and bacteria; Drying function provides a gentle environment for drying rainsoaked clothes and textiles that require special care.

The Refresh Butler uses a photocatalysis process and V-ZUG’s specialist steam technology. A gentle airflow circulates throughout the closed circuit to condition fabrics using the integrated photocatalysis technique. Steam floats through the air and permeates fabrics, helping to free germs and bacteria, which are subsequently eliminated.

0843 289 5759 info.uk@vzug.com

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VOTE FOR THE UNIQUE GORENJE+ COLLECTION Gorenje+ is a stylish, high-performance collection, including built-in ovens, microwaves, coffee machines, warming drawers, dishwashers, hobs and fridge freezers. All created exclusively for UK high street retailers.

The distinctive design of Gorenje+ enables kitchen owners to create perfectly aligned banks, columns or rows of appliances with a choice of combi, multifunctional and steam ovens.

Vote for the unique appeal of Gorenje+ in the MDA Collections category today by visiting the GC Awards website, or turning to the back of this magazine. www.gorenjeplus.com/uk www.twitter.com/gorenje_uk

This aspirational collection is intended to support retailers by giving them exclusivity of a truly superb range of products that consumers will simply not be able to buy anywhere else.

Stuart Benson, Sales Director, Gorenje UK

GC PRODUCT DESIGN AWARDS 2016 – THE NOMINATIONS

CATEGORY: LEADING DESIGN DISHWASHERS AEG ProClean F88709M0P Whirlpool ADP 900 IX 6TH Sense PowerClean™ dishwasher Beko DSFN6839 6-litre dishwasher

CATEGORY: LEADING DESIGN MDA COLLECTIONS Gorenje+ cooking collection

CATEGORY: LEADING DESIGN FLOORCARE AEG SilentPerformer™ cylinder cleaner range

Hoover Wizard Wi-Fi-enabled MDA range

iRobot Roomba 980

Whirlpool Fusion iXelium™ collection

Sebo Airbelt E3 Premium

Smeg Victoria appliance collection

Jaleno Light ‘n’ Easy 9318S Cordless Carpet Sweeper

Jaleno Europe, the exclusive distributor of Light ‘n’ Easy, is delighted that its cordless carpet sweeper (9318S) has been shortlisted in this year’s Get Connected Product Design awards.

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he Light ‘n’ Easy 9318S is a dual motorised, rechargeable cordless sweeper that is both lightweight and innovative in its design.

Simple to swivel and manoeuvre, this cordless appliance features a patented handle locking system for easy storage and a patented magnetic dustpan release system.

It uses a lithium-ion battery system that offers a longer life cycle than other batteries.

Jamie Lennox, Jaleno Europe’s managing director, said: “I am delighted that the Light ‘n’ Easy 9318S has been shortlisted and I would like

readers of Get Connected to back this innovative product.

“Light ‘n’ Easy is a top brand name with more than 50 years of history in the floorcare category. Floorcare is a highly demonstrable category instore and the unique features of the 9318S are easily shown.

“The competitively priced product range features patented innovation and is supplied in fantastic full-colour retail packaging, which is sure to attract customers in-store.

“Light ‘n’ Easy floor cleaners are high quality, reliable products offering great margin opportunities and a two-year guarantee with full backup service in the UK.”

www.gcmagazine.co.uk/vote Jaleno Europe Tel: 0845 210 0888 www.jaleno.com

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Vote now for the UK’s first complete family of Wi-Fi enabled appliances: Hoover Wizard Shortlisted for MDA Collection of the Year The revolutionary Wi-Fi range includes an oven, hob, hoods, fridge freezer and a selection of washing machines and dishwashers.

T

he entire Hoover Wizard range of appliances, which includes built-in and freestanding models, can be simultaneously controlled, monitored and managed via the Wizard app that can be downloaded via Google Play for Android devices or via the App Store for Apple devices.

The app allows users to monitor energy consumption, have access to favourite programmes, receive alert messages and view the status of their appliances and programmes while on the go.

The unique benefits of the technology vary according to individual appliances.

The large 13kg Wizard Wi-Fi washing machine DWTL 413AIW3 for example, communicates with the app to allow the user to identify the best programme for the wash as well as store favourites. It can schedule a start time for the wash cycle, and receive live status alerts, so if the user is running late they can ensure their laundry

remains fresh with a handy extra rinse cycle, so it’s ready for when they get home.

Meanwhile, the HOA 03VX WIFI 60cm multifunction large capacity oven connects with the app to allow the user to create and store numerous customised programmes and recipes.

Users have the ability to set up to five cooking steps in sequence, choosing cooking stages such as temperature, cooking time and oven functions. The recipes created can then be stored and used at a later date thanks to the app’s Dynamic Chef function, which acts like a playlist.

The DYM 762T WIFI dishwasher truly complements fast-paced modern living, where time is of the essence and basic things such as salt and rinse aid checks can easily be forgotten. The Wizard app reminds users when to top up with salt/ rinse aid or when to clean the filter, while on the Dynamic NEXT HF18XK WIFI fridge freezer it provides status alerts and

can even let users know if the door has been accidentally left open.

The Hoover Wizard app also allows consumers to activate the HHV 67SLX WIFI 60cm décor chimney hood to provide air circulation at any time, from any place. It sends a notification if there are changes in the air quality within the kitchen, ensuring the kitchen air remains fresh.

When it comes to the HESD4 WIFI 60cm flexizone induction hob, users can activate the child lock function, monitor the temperature and keep an eye on the duration of the electronic timer.

The app also features an energy tracker which enables consumers to check how much energy the hob is using while in operation.

For information about the complete Hoover Wizard range, please visit www.hooverwizard.co.uk, or follow us on Twitter @Hoover_UK. JUNE 2016 GET CONNECTED

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GC PRODUCT DESIGN AWARDS 2016 – THE NOMINATIONS

CATEGORY: LEADING DESIGN SMALL DOMESTIC APPLIANCES

CATEGORY: LEADING DESIGN CONSUMER ELECTRONICS

Smeg SDA Range

Sony KD-65X93C BRAVIA TV

KitchenAid Artisan Magnetic Drive Blender

Panasonic CX802 Series TV

Tefal Cook4me

Humax FVP-4000T Freeview Play recorder

AEG Ultramix KM4100

Monitor Audio Airstream S150 Bluetooth speaker

InSinkErator® 3N1 steaming hot water taps

Ruark Audio R1 MkIII tabletop radio Philips Fidelio B5 soundbar

MONITOR AUDIO AIRSTREAM S150 Monitor Audio’s Airstream S150 Bluetooth speaker features state-of-the-art connectivity, advanced digital processing and powerful amplification to generate a deceptively big stereo sound.

The S150 streaming stereo speaker system promises top class fidelity from all Bluetooth-compatible devices.

Monitor Audio has packed the Airstream S150 speaker with the high-energy sound of its award-winning audio technology for music lovers to savour from room to room.

It concentrates effortless functionality, advanced digital processing and powerful amplification within a beautifully portable high-performance system designed to draw a deceptively big stereo sound from all Bluetooth devices within seconds, anywhere in the home.

www.monitoraudio.com

TEFAL COOK4ME Tefal’s Cook4Me is like having your personal assistant in the kitchen.

This innovative multicooker comes with 50 preprogrammed recipes, so it’s easy to cook delicious meals for up to six people and keep dinnertime interesting and varied.

Cook4Me incorporates an interactive display panel which guides users step-by-step through the cooking process.

It also advises on the quantity of each ingredient and automatically sets the cooking function and temperature to match the user’s recipe of choice.

Cook4Me also features a pre-set cooking setting – up to 15 hours in advance – and Auto Keep Warm will keep food warm for up to 90 minutes. The appliance is fitted with removable dishwasher-safe parts.

Contact: Clementine Duvivier, product manager cduvivier@groupeseb.com

www.tefal.co.uk

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GC PRODUCT DESIGN AWARDS 2016

RUARK AUDIO R1 MKIII RADIO Elegant and beautifully simple, the R1 is the third generation of the iconic table radio that started the Ruark Audio story and marked the company’s change from manufacturing loudspeakers for Hi-Fi enthusiasts to quality compact audio systems, still with class-leading sound but with wide-ranging customer appeal.

Radio is at the heart of R1’s design, with DAB/DAB+ and FM tuners all included, and with the addition of Bluetooth the R1 is now one of the most complete tabletop radios available.

R1’s beautifully crafted cabinet is available in a choice of finishes: Rich Walnut, Soft White and Soft Black.

Email: info@ruark.co.uk

www.ruarkaudio.com

CATEGORY: LEADING DESIGN AV FURNITURE & ACCESSORIES NorStone Khalm modular TV stand

Ruark Grey CMYK 10.4.9.77 Ruark Green CMYK 53.0.85.0

Vogel’s DesignMount NEXT 7345

VOGEL’S DESIGNMOUNT NEXT 7345 Vogel’s Design Mount is sleek, sophisticated and timeless, designed in particular to fit seamlessly into all interior surroundings and to enrich the entertainment experience.

With great craftsmanship and attention to detail, the product radiates quality. It is easy to install and affordable, and all this comes with a lifetime guarantee. What more could you ask!

NORSTONE KHALM MODULAR TV STAND Vote for NorStone Khalm in the AV Furniture & Accessories category – a real winner for retailers and consumers alike The Khalm TV stand offers the ultimate in technology, reliability and design with superb dealer margins and great value for the end consumer.

Complementing the slender lines of today’s TVs, Khalm is sleek, refined, adjustable and practical, supporting TVs up to 46”.

Key features include a choice of colours (Black, White and Grey), options for modular assembly, infrared-compatible front door, optional wall-mount kit included, removable tempered safety glass, Cooling Door System and simple touch for gentle and automatic opening.

sales@peerless-av.co.uk

www.peerless-av.com

JUNE 2016 GET CONNECTED

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GC PRODUCT DESIGN AWARDS 2016 – THE NOMINATIONS

VOTING FORM COOKING

Simply tick the box beside the products you judge to be worthy of the Get Connected Product of the Year 2016 Award in each of the product categories below. You are entitled to vote for as many products as you wish. OR go to gcmagazine.co.uk/vote and use the online voting form

    

Blomberg MIN54306 60cm touch-control induction hob Caple C950i multi-zone induction hob Gorenje BOP799S51X built-in pyrolytic oven Hotpoint Openspace OSD89EDE oven Leisure Cookmaster CK100D210K

MDA COLLECTIONS    

Gorenje+ cooking collection Hoover Wizard Wi-Fi-enabled MDA range Whirlpool Fusion iXelium™ collection Smeg Victoria appliance collection

REFRIGERATION

 CDA FWC860BL 126-bottle wine cooler  AEG Custom Flex fridge freezer  Blomberg KFD4952XD Two Door + Two Drawer fridge freezer

GARMENT CARE

Please complete the following details (these are for verification purposes only. Your votes remain confidential)

Name: ________________________________________________ Position:_________________________________________________

Whirlpool Supreme Care Premium washing machine Indesit MyTime EWD 81482 W UK washing machine Beko 12KG WY124854M washing machine AEG AbsoluteCare ™ T86581IH1 tumble dryer V-ZUG Refresh Butler

DISHWASHERS

Company Name: ________________________________________

 AEG ProClean F88709M0P  Whirlpool ADP 900 IX 6TH Sense PowerClean™ dishwasher  Beko DSFN6839 6-litre dishwasher

E-mail: ________________________________________________________

FLOORCARE

Telephone: ________________________________________________________ POST the completed form to: GC Awards 2016 Greyfriar Cottage Winchester Road Chawton Alton Hants GU34 1SB OR VOTE ONLINE at:

www.gcmagazine.co.uk/vote

CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF VOTES: 25th July 2016 34

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GET CONNECTED JUNE 2016

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AEG SilentPerformer™ cylinder cleaner range iRobot Roomba 980 Sebo Airbelt E3 Premium Jaleno Light ‘n’ Easy 9318S Cordless Carpet Sweeper

SMALL DOMESTIC APPLIANCES     

Smeg SDA Range KitchenAid Artisan Magnetic Drive Blender Tefal Cook4me AEG Ultramix KM4100 InSinkErator® 3N1 steaming hot water taps

CONSUMER ELECTRONICS      

Sony KD-65X93C BRAVIA TV Panasonic CX802 Series TV Humax FVP-4000T Freeview Play recorder Monitor Audio Airstream S150 Bluetooth speaker Ruark Audio R1 MkIII tabletop radio Philips Fidelio B5 soundbar

AV FURNITURE & ACCESSORIES

 NorStone Khalm modular TV stand  Vogel’s DesignMount NEXT 7345

Washing machines are constantly in use, so they need to be robust and durable.

We offer a great selection that are designed and built to last.

If you’re short on space, a washer dryer can be a real help. They allow you to wash your clothes and then turn on the dryer function, perfect in form and function.

For further details please have a look at the webiste www.montpellier-appliances.com

THE UK’s FASTEST GROWING WHITE GOODS BRAND

LAUNDRY - DISHWASHING - COOKING - COOLING

YEAR

GUARANTEE PARTS & LABOUR

Dirt has nowhere to hide

Does not apply to all models

The NEW SEBO AIRBELT E Range The strong, silent type Help your customers take cleaning to a new level with the SEBO AIRBELT E vacuum cleaner.

The super-quiet, yet extremely powerful motor, variable suction, free-rolling castors, long cleaning range and easy to hold handle, make cleaning much easier‌ and quieter.

It looks good on display too!

SEBO. Tough on dirt.

01494 465533

info@sebo.co.uk For a chance to win a SEBO vacuum cleaner, enter our monthly draw at:

www.sebo.co.uk