Get Connected: Spring 2012

MARCH/APRIL 2012

w w w. g c m a g a z i n e . c o . u k

“Powerful and effective with very good filter efficiency” Trisha Schofield, Head of Testing, Good Housekeeping Institute

SEBO Airbelt D Designed to give you more REFRIGERATION

SEBO owners will testify that vacuum cleaners simply don’t come any better.

Waste not, want not. Frugality and freshness is the new cool as escalating food prices and the interest in healthy eating demand better food management

The new SEBO Airbelt D is the latest addition to the range and is truly exceptional in its performance and features.

Working in collaboration with Achim Heine, Professor of Design and member of the German Design Council, SEBO have created a striking new cylinder cleaner which dynamically combines form and function. Innovative features like the 15.5m reach and ErgoGrip handle

FROM THE BENCH

make cleaning easier and more effective. And there is an added bonus – it looks good too.

Alan Bennett looks at the future of TV display

Behind the understated, stylish exterior lies a powerhouse of performance. For example, the new SEBO Turbofan motor uses the latest turbine technology to generate incredible suction.

GEORGE COLE GETS CONNECTED

A technologically advanced cone shaped hose further boosts

3-D TV, digital imaging and safe storage

download the brochure.

suction power, giving the highest levels of cleaning performance.

Sound good so far? Find out how the new SEBO Airbelt D has been designed to make life easier, by going to www.sebo.co.uk to

The SEBO Airbelt D More capacity, more cleaning range, more performance.

PLUS:

15.5m cleaning range Extra range, extra convenience

INTEGRAL COOKING SUPPLEMENT

6l bag capacity Extra long life bags

i-Power Integrated power control

Food Preparation: The new generation of food prep products Built-In Appliances: Where style and function is headed Freestanding Appliances: Breadth of choice and versatility Coffee Machines: Sophisticated tastes

SEBO The Floorcare Professionals For our complete range please call 01494 465533 or visit www.sebo.co.uk The SEBO range includes the X Series Uprights, Felix Uprights and K Series Cylinders.

Made In Germany

All the music you want, wherever you want The Pure Music cloud-based on-demand music service gives you instant access to millions of music tracks.

For just ÂŁ4.99 per month you can find and play as many tracks and albums as you want, as well as thousands of free live internet radio stations, podcasts, listen again programmes and ambient sounds. All this listening is available on multiple devices, including our wide range of wireless music and radio systems, on PCs and Macs via the Pure Lounge website, and on smartphones running the Pure Lounge app.

Try it now, free, for a month. We think you’ll love it!

tradesales@pure.com 0845 148 9002 www.pure.com

CONTENTS

04 06 14 16 18 24 25 26

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

Editorial Comment

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

The Word

In and around the industry / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

Growth from Knowledge

GfK facts & figures on the TV & home network market / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

The Product Gallery

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

Refrigeration

Helping your customers save wastage and eat fresh as food prices escalate / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

Growth from Knowledge

GfK examines the cooling market / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

From the Bench

Alan Bennett looks for the future of TV in the crystal screen / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

George Cole Gets Connected

27 INTEGRAL

COOKING SUPPLEMENT

featuring:

p16 BEST FROM BRITANNIA ‘SHELF’ COOKER HOOD www.besthoods.co.uk

Copyright © 2012 Mud Hut Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior permission of the publisher. Get Connected is published by Mud Hut Publishing Ltd., Alresford House, 60 West Street, Farnham, Surrey GU9 7EH.

Get Connected Greyfriar Cottage Winchester Road Chawton Alton Hampshire GU34 1SB

www.gcmagazine.co.uk

28 32 36 38 42

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

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

/

Food Preparation

Built-In Appliances

The Gourmet Quarter – Product Gallery

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

Freestanding Appliances

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

Coffee Machines

Editor in Chief: Marlinda Conway Telephone: 01420 886 33  marlinda@gcmagazine.co.uk

Editorial & Publishing Director: Terry Heath Telephone: 01420 886 33 » terry@gcmagazine.co.uk

Production and Print: Blackmore Press, Shaftesbury, Dorset www.blackmore.co.uk

Magazine Advertising Sales: Brian Shilling Telephone: 01892 677741  brian@gcmagazine.co.uk

Creative Director: Will Dobson  design@willdobson.co.uk

Subscriptions & Circulation: GCCD Telephone: 01420 88633  circulation@gcmagazine.co.uk

Sharon Maslen Telephone: 01892 677742  sharon@gcmagazine.co.uk

Advertisement Production Administration: Will Dobson Telephone: 01342 850 456  gcads@willdobson.co.uk

Annual subscription rate (inc. postage): UK £88; Overseas £108.

MARCH/APRIL 2012 GET CONNECTED

3

EDITORIAL COMMENT

Marlinda Conway Editor in Chief

With the Portas Report out and the Government making moves towards fulfilling its promise to help the UK’s struggling High Streets, it seems a little churlish to comment in anything but a positive way on the initiative.

The Government at least showed willing to acknowledge that retail is central to the UK economy, and that it is worth supporting through this current crisis if it’s to play its part in the post-recession recovery that the private sector has the task of spearheading.

Acknowledgement welcomed. Publicity welcomed. Money, meagre as it is, welcomed.

The strategy of the Government in these types of initiatives, where they need to get the message across to the general public very quickly that they are aware, they care, and they’re doing something, seems to be to appoint a celebrity with a connection to the problem area to be its “czar”. Again, not inherently a bad way to raise public consciousness quickly, and give a rallying point for the industry, the public and the relevant public and private bodies to focus upon.

So far so good. But it’s when the initial publicity has produced its burst of interest, and the findings, decisions and initiatives have to be put into operation on the ground, that the shortcomings of the process become apparent.

Government, by its nature, is not good at understanding how particular business areas work. It’s also not that good at the detailed, daily graft of making initiatives work after the circus has rolled on and other concerns require media management. And when Government is responsible for apportioning public money at local level, the byzantine system of assessment, information gathering and decision-making is massively inefficient and often just plain wrong.

Awards of cash given out to local areas under the Government’s High Street Innovation Fund are a case in point. There’s been a lot of anger that some areas, where shop vacancy rates are apparently low, have received a £100,000 injection of funding,

while others with very high vacancy rates have received the same grant. On a perpremises basis, say critics, the funding can represent anything from £50,000 per shop in some areas, and just a few hundred pounds per retail outlet in harder-hit areas where vacancy rates are high and climbing.

The Government defends itself by claiming to be using a uniform countrywide set of local statistics to make its assessments.

But Government statistics are, by their nature, out of date by the time they’re published, and subject to all sorts of anomalies that a uniform information-gathering system unavoidably creates.

It does happen that Government information, gathered by painstaking and lengthy form-filling, is less accurate and less useful than the simple expedient of someone walking down the High Street, today, and counting how many shops there are.

Hence the anger when Government decisions don’t fit actual, local experience, and appear not to be fair.

Meanwhile, Mary Portas is quite understandably making the most of the opportunities created by her celebrity status.

Nobody ever knows how long their position as a media darling will last, and it makes sense to use it wisely. Celebrities, like Governments, are not good at detailed, daily, hard graft, prosaic, unglamorous commitment to detail.

That’s what retail needs, local area by local area, right now. Ms Portas has since focused her attention on bringing back knicker production to the UK, and can’t be expected to do a great deal more for the High Streets than she already has.

We sincerely hope that the publicity, the money and the enthusiasm – all welcome and to be applauded - will not be dissipated in a plethora of red tape.

Terry Heath Editorial & Publishing Director

Will Dobson Creative Director

James McIntosh Consumer Consultant

Lynne Henry Communications Officer, GfK Marketing Services

George Cole Consumer Electronics Consultant

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

REGISTER ONLINE AT WWW.GCMAGAZINE.CO.UK FOR YOUR FREE COPY OF GET CONNECTED MAGAZINE 4

GET CONNECTED MARCH/APRIL 2012

E E R F R A E Y 0 1 Y T N A R R WA L L A ON E L E I M G N I H S A W S E N I H C MA .

L I R P A IN A Miele 10 year warranty doesn’t just cover the motor, it covers all parts and labour costs.

Talk to your Miele representative for more details.

www.miele.co.uk

1. The promotional offer of a free ten year parts and labour guarantee applies to all Miele washing machines purchased in Great Britain (excluding Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland) between 01/04/2012 and 30/04/2012. 2. Your completed application form can be downloaded from www.miele.co.uk/warranties-promotions must be accompanied by a copy of your sales receipt and sent to The Miele Warranty Dept, Leicester House, 17 Leicester St, Bedworth, CV12 8JP. Please note that we are unable to return your photocopied receipt. 3. All applications must be received by 31/07/2012. Claims cannot be accepted after this date. 4. Please allow 28 days for delivery of your Miele Service Certificate. 5. The extended cover takes effect directly after the standard two year guarantee ends and is valid for a further 8 years.

in and around the industry

Another CE retailer goes into administration AJ Electronics, an electrical retailer with premises in Edgware Road, London and an online business has ceased trading after 28 years and gone into administration, with Alexander Kinninmonth and Duncan Beat of RSM Tenon appointed joint administrators.

Latest available figures show a year-onyear drop from £24 million in the year to 31

THE

December 2009 to £22.2 million in the year to 31 December 2011. Pre-tax profit was down from £317,000 to £59,000 in the same comparative periods.

AJ Electronics director Ajay Jobanputra said the current economic climate contributed to falling turnover and reduced margins, and the practice of some larger

high street and online retailers of using consumer electronics goods as “loss leaders” had also had a severe effect.

Joint administrator Alexander Kinninmonth confirmed that a buyer is being sought among a number of interested parties for AJ Electronics’ goodwill and tangible assets.

More job losses at Comet

Over-21s minimum wage rise

Word

retra opposes changes to Sunday trading restrictions retra has said it is against any plans, either temporary or permanent, to lift the current restrictions on Sunday trading in England and Wales, whereby the trading hours of larger stores are limited.

The Government is considering allowing round-theclock opening on Sundays during the Olympic Games this summer to maximize the opportunities for retail outlets to benefit from the event. Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne is reported to have commented that it would be a “great shame” if Britain had a “closed for business” sign on it during the Games. retra is among those who believe that a temporary lifting of restrictions could be the forerunner of a permanent scrapping of the Sunday trading laws.

Chief executive Bryan Lovewell said: “We believe that for family stability and community life, as many people as possible should have the possibility of a common day off every week. The potential detrimental impact on the health of employees, and on small retailers, outweighs any potential benefits of further deregulation.”

Conservative MP Therese Coffey, who is on record warning that a temporary change might become permanent, said: “I wouldn’t stand in the way of shops being open in the Olympic Park during this time,” and spoke up for independent retailers, saying: “I just remind people that small, independent stores are allowed to open all day and this is an opportunity to celebrate them rather than having big stores open as well.”

6

GET CONNECTED MARCH/APRIL 2012

Reports have emerged that Comet Group has put dozens of staff into consultation for redundancy and may close 61 stores as part of its cost-cutting drive. The news follows the recent decision by the retailer to reduce investment in its repair service and delivery operations, at the cost of 450 jobs.

UK shop vacancy rates hit all-time high The Local Data Company’s monthly barometer of shop vacancies rose in February to 14.6% – the highest figure recorded since the index began in 2008.

The picture over the past months shows that town centre vacancy rates stabilised at 14.3% during the second half of 2011 but then rose to 14.5% in January 2012 before showing a further increase to 14.6% in February. Matthew Hopkinson, director at LDC, said: “The latest increase is not unexpected as post Christmas occupancy levels drop and retailer failures continue, with Game Group, with 600 shops, the latest.”

In a separate report from financial health monitoring experts Company Watch, the casualty rate amongst retailers was recorded as “alarmingly high”, with 11 national chains going into some form of insolvency since the beginning of December 2011, threatening over 1,500 stores and affecting almost 23,000 retail jobs.

Nick Hood, Head of External Affairs for Company Watch, said it is inevitable that there will be further retail casualties. “The majority of failures will be smaller chains and single site family-owned businesses, but other larger household names may well be missing from our high streets before the year is out,” he commented.

The Government has announced that the minimum wage for workers aged over 21 will go up by 11p to £6.19 an hour in October. This is a below-inflation rise of 1.8%. The hourly rate for under-21s will be unchanged.

The Low Pay Commission has made a minimum wage recommendation annually since the initiative was first introduced in 1999, when it was set at £3.60 an hour for adults. The October 2011 increase was 15p an hour. retra chief executive Bryan Lovewell criticized the 1.8% rise, saying it is “yet another cost to our members. I don’t see the Government handing out pay rises to civil servants, so why should independent electrical retailers be burdened with doing so?

“The retail sector is suffering and it’s high time that the Government takes action to preserve the nation’s High Streets.”

Weak CE market continues to dampen sales at Argos Home Retail Group reported a 7.7% decline in sales, to £480 million, at its Argos chain for the 8 weeks ended 25 February. Like-for-likes fell 8.5% in the period, principally driven by continued weakness in the CE market.

Terry Duddy, Chief Executive of the Group, said trends in the short trading period were “broadly as anticipated.”

THE WORD | INDUSTRY NEWS

New MD for Loewe UK Premium AV systems manufacturer Loewe has announced the appointment of James McConnell (pictured) as managing director of its UK subsidiary. He succeeds Marc Nikolai, who joined Loewe UK as MD two years ago and will move to Loewe in Germany as sales manager for International Distributor Markets.

LCD TV shipment Sharp appoints growth in Q4 ’11 the new President lowest on record 2011 worldwide TV shipments fell for the first time in six years, slipping 0.3% to 247.7 million units.

According to the latest NPD DisplaySearch Quarterly Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report, LCD TV shipments recorded a substantial slowdown from the double digit rises in previous years – at 7% up, to just over 205 million units, growth was well below industry expectations.

With plasma TV shipments down almost 7% in 2011 to 17.2 million units, the largest fall yet, and CRT shipments down 34%, the slight growth in LCD was not enough to offset these declines.

NPD said the causes of slow demand in 2011 were complex, and partially due to excessive inventory levels early in 2011 for the US and European markets, as well as a sharp drop in demand in Japan following the end of the government sponsored Eco-Points program that caused a surge in replacement activity during 2009-2010.

Stronger LCD TV shipment growth in larger screen sizes was reported to have been driven by “very aggressively priced” models shipping for the holiday season. Shipments of 40” and larger models rose 20% Y/Y while sub-40” fell 7%. Average prices continued to decline: 40/42” screens fell 11% Y/Y and 60+” prices fell more than 16%.

Panasonic appoints new President Panasonic has announced a number of senior management changes and the appointment of Senior Managing Director Kazuhiro Tsuga to the role of President. Tsuga will replace current President Fumio Ohtsubo who, after six years in the role, steps aside to become Chairman.

The move comes after Panasonic said it expected a ¥780 billion net loss for the year to March.

8

GET CONNECTED MARCH/APRIL 2012

Sharp Corporation has named Takashi Okuda as its new President after forecasting a record annual loss due to falling prices for its Aquos televisions, an economic slowdown and a tax charge.

Okuda, currently an executive officer, replaces Mikio Katayama, who becomes corporate advisor, the Osaka-based company said in a statement.

Sharp expects a ¥290 billion net loss in the year ending 31 March 2012, reversing an earlier forecast of ¥6 billion profit.

HOWARD SAYCELL

New offices for Groupe SEB UK Groupe SEB UK has moved to purpose-designed offices at Windsor in Berkshire, after more than 30 years based in nearby Langley.

An official opening ceremony at the new head office was performed by the Mayor of the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead, councillor Asghar Majeed. New address details as follows: Groupe SEB UK Ltd, Riverside House, Riverside Walk, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 1NA Tel: 01753 834900

Home Retail Group Chairman stands down Home Retail Group, owner of Argos and Homebase, has announced that Oliver Stocken will stand down from the role of Chairman at the company’s Annual General Meeting on 4 July 2012.

After 12 years with the Group, Stocken is to retire and will be succeeded by John Coombe, currently the senior independent director of Home Retail Group and chairman of the audit committee. Coombe is also a nonexecutive director of HSBC Holdings and chairman of Hogg Robinson Group.

Sony veteran appointed as retra development Whirlpool names support executive new presidents retra has announced that Howard Saycell, who is well known in the industry having served 27 years with Sony, will be joining the organisation as development support executive. He will shadow Mike Floodgate, retra’s deputy chief executive, for the three months prior to Mr Floodgate’s retirement from retra after 15 years’ service.

Bryan Lovewell, retra’s chief executive, said: “While I will be sad to see Mike leave retra after such a massive contribution to the association and its members, I am delighted that Howard will be joining the team. Howard is well known throughout the industry and I look forward to welcoming him to the team in Bedford.”

“After 27 wonderful years with Sony, it’s the right time for me to make a change,” commented Saycell. “Joining retra is a superb opportunity that enables me to continue to be a part of this industry, which has been such a massive part of my life.”

José A. Drummond Jr. (pictured), currently executive vice president of Whirlpool Corporation and president of Whirlpool Latin America, has been appointed executive vice president of Whirlpool Corporation and president of Whirlpool Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

Drummond replaces Bracken Darrell, who resigned from the company and has just been appointed president of Logitech.

João Carlos Brega, currently president of the company’s compressor business Embraco, will become executive vice president of Whirlpool Corporation and president of Whirlpool Latin America.

DRIVE YOUR BUSINESS WITH BLOMBERG EXCLUSIVE TO EURONICS

Visit Blomberg at the CIH Tradeshow for the chance to win a Ford Transit With energy efficient and highly specified appliances, Blomberg offers a complete range of Freestanding and Built in products exclusive to Euronics agents. Discover the benefits of joining the Blomberg network and get the chance to win* a Ford Transit van, branded with your own business name and logo.

Drive your sales forward with Blomberg.

Visit Stand 430 at the CIH Tradeshow (22-23 April) or call 0845 850 5008 www.blomberguk.com

*Terms and conditions apply. Entry to prize draw is subject to placing a Blomberg display order at the show. For full details visit the Blomberg stand or contact your local Sales Representative.

seit 1883

THE WORD | INDUSTRY NEWS

Sharp sells stake to Foxconn owner Sharp is to receive an investment of ¥133 billion (£1 billion) in a composite deal that will see the Hon Hai Group, China-based owner of Foxconn, take a 9.9% stake in the business for ¥66.9 billion, plus a 46.5% stake in Sharp Display Products, the joint venture between Sharp and Sony, for ¥66 billion. Foxconn is a major supplier to Apple.

Sharp’s LCD business, in common with other global flat panel TV manufacturers, has been struggling to compete in world markets where weak demand and falling prices have pushed it into losses. Sharp forecast a net loss of ¥290 billion (£2.2 billion) for the year to 31 March.

For Sharp, the immediate benefit is an alleviation of the deficit at the Sharp Display Products plant, improved cashflow and

a possible reduction of production costs.

For Hon Hai, there is the prospect of more contract manufacturing work from Sharp, but there is also speculation that Hon Hai is making a strategic move into TV production in anticipation of the launch of the Apple TV. Hon Hai owns Foxconn, already a key assembler of Apple’s iPhone and iPad, and may now be positioning itself to be a competitor to suppliers such as LG Display when Apple takes its next major step in consumer electronics with the Apple TV. If this is the case, Hon Hai’s strategy is not without risk. Although Sharp has manufacturing expertise in LCD, Apple may want the new AMOLED technology in its TVs, something which Sharp does not yet have.

£20 billion government support for cheaper business loans Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne has launched a scheme to make borrowing more affordable for small and medium-sized businesses in the UK. Under the National Loan Guarantee Scheme (NLGS), SMEs with a turnover of up to £50 million will be able to access bank funding with interest rates 1% lower than would be available without the scheme.

Under NLGS, banks which borrow money on the wholesale money market to lend on to businesses will have £20 billion of that borrowing guaranteed by the Government.

This means the banks will be able to borrow more cheaply, and pass on that saving to

business customers in the form of a lower interest rate. In effect, risk will be transferred from the banks and the money markets to the UK taxpayer.

Industry bodies gave the announcement a mixed reception.

BCC director general John Longworth pointed out that medium-sized firms would probably benefit more than small businesses.

“While credit easing is a step in the right direction,” he said, “it is not a panacea for all the problems faced by businesses trying to access finance. The scheme will make some loans more affordable. But it will not help the smaller, younger, and high-growth firms that have trouble getting credit in the first place.”

Features

- HD Ready - Real Black Panel Technology - Wi-Fi Capability - Noise Reduction - 2 x HDMI ports, USB Port

 Government accepts most

of recommendations of Portas Report

Mixed reaction from retail and industry bodies

 retra Insurance Services

reviews 2012 prices

Majority of extended warranty prices reduced and procedures simplified

 Planning changes will boost

town centres, says BRC

BPF welcomes “sensible” changes to planning framework

 UK a nation of gadget lovers Canterbury named “UK’s No.1 Gadget City”  Shortlist announced for freesat

2012 Awards

“May the best chef, astronomer or midwife win…”

 Pace profits cut in half by

supply chain problems

Natural disasters hit set top box maker’s production

FSB national chairman John Walker said: “Recent FSB research indicated that around 60% of small firms believed that credit is unaffordable and so this scheme should help reduce that burden. What we now need to see is clear communication to small firms and bank branch staff so that everyone is aware of it, and how it will work, so that businesses can benefit from it.”

Samsung BD-C8200 Blu Ray Player

- 3D Blu-ray Player - Twin Freeview HD Tuner - 250GB HDD - All Share with Built-In WiFi - Smart Hub - 3D Player with 2D to 3D Conversion

SAM1369

Features

See www.gcmagazine.co.uk for the stories behind the news…

Samsung PS51E450 51 inch Plasma TV

£403.00

SAM1410

£165.00 SAM1064

Features

- 3D Ready LED TV Samsung UE46ES8000 - HD 1080P - Freeview HD 46 inch 3D LED Smart TV - 800Hz Scan - Voice & Motion Control System - Built-in Wi-Fi Capability

Our Spring/Summer 2012 Digital Imaging Guide is out. Please email marketing@direktek.co.uk to get your copy

Call Sales on 01494471100

Visit: www.direktek.co.uk Email: sales@direktek.co.uk Fax: 01494 768668

Images are not representative of the actual product - Trade Only - While Stocks Last - All prices exclude VAT and delivery

£1249.00

THE WORD | INDUSTRY NEWS

Belling unveils 100 Collection to celebrate centenary year GDHA cooking brand Belling has launched a range of limited edition cooking appliances to mark its centenary year. Unveiled at an exclusive London preview event, the new ‘100 Collection’ comprises freestanding ovens, range cookers, built-in ovens and a new-look Baby Belling, styled in a brilliant white finish with chrome accents to achieve a clean-lined, eye-catching look.

“In putting together the 100 Collection we wanted to create a range of products across all cooking categories that celebrated our heritage as a great British brand whilst also looking to the future,” commented Denver Hewlett, Chief Executive of Belling. “The result is a collection combining some of our most successful products with a limited edition, super-modern finish.”

A contribution from sales of the 100 Collection will be made to Belling’s charity of the year, Anthony Nolan, a pioneering charity that aims to save the lives of people with blood cancer who need blood stem cell or bone marrow transplants. Hewlett said the brand was proud to be supporting the charity and the contribution from sales of the new collection would be supplemented with a number of other fundraising activities.

Cromwell supports local talent James Waples and Matt Froggett are to join software company Cromwell Business Systems as trainees, following their success at a series of workshops run by the business to recruit local students.

The workshops are operated in conjunction with a Cambridge 6th form college and attended

by A and AS level students interested in technology. Waples and Froggett were two of the ten who took part in the most recent series.

Cromwell Commercial Director Sonu Kundi said: “As a very successful company we feel in a position to put back something into the industry in this way. We are very pleased at how well attended our student workshops have been and with the very high standard of the candidates attending, all of whom have numerous A and A* grades. We are delighted that James and Matt will be joining us shortly as trainees.”

retra “incensed” by new digital radio campaign Industry body retra has spoken out after being informed that the new Digital Radio UK (DRUK)-led campaign will totally exclude independent retailers. retra said in a press statement that it understands a new campaign will offer consumers a percentage discount on digital radios – but only in multiple retail outlets.

Bryan Lovewell, retra’s chief executive, said he was “incensed” when he heard that the price promotion will bypass independents. “I am very disappointed that my members have not been included as part of the campaign, which comes after a large amount of work that retra has done alongside DRUK. 12

GET CONNECTED MARCH/APRIL 2012

“Digital radio switchover, like digital TV switchover before it, offers retailers a formidable opportunity in what is a depressed market; discounting products benefits the consumer, but does nothing for the retailer. retra’s retail membership consists of more than 1,800 outlets across the UK and I am dismayed that a promotion has completely bypassed independent retailers.

“I would like an immediate meeting with Ford Ennals and his management team to explain why my members have been forgotten by DRUK’s actions.”

DRUK, in an earlier press statement, had confirmed that Broadcast Minister Ed Vaizey had met

Fourteen of LG Electronics’ 2012 products have been recognised by the red dot design awards for their excellence in the field of design – amongst them, the LM960V TV, which leads LG’s new CINEMA 3D Smart TV line-up for 2012, the new Magic Remote and the A++ rated Bottom Freezer Refrigerator (model number: GB5240AVAZ) incorporating LG’s Linear Compressor technology.

Whirlpool Corporation has been recognised as one of Fortune Magazine’s ‘World’s Most Admired Companies’ in the Home Equipment, Furnishings industry sector, gaining a first in the category for the second year in a row.

A restructure at BskyB has led to the appointment of Brendan Hegarty (pictured) as head of independent retail, a newly created position. Hegarty joined BskyB in January this year from mobile phone operator Orange, where he was head of retail trading.

Armour Home Electronics has appointed Jack Fox (pictured) to the role of Product Manager for the NAD brand. He will report to Alex Munro, Armour’s Channel Director for Consumer Products.

De’Longhi has invested a six-figure sum in a new advertising campaign to raise awareness and educate consumers on its Bean to Cup coffee machines.

The initiative, devised to maintain the brand’s number one position in the coffee machine market, runs into May with display advertising featuring in print and digital media.

with leading retailers, including retra, to discuss how they can support the drive to digital radio.

DRUK first announced the £10 million investment in the consumer campaign to promote digital radio at the beginning of December 2011.

THE WORD | INDUSTRY NEWS

Paradigm Shift launches to UK indies With a mission “to give independent retailers exclusive brand differentiation in the crowded headphone and loudspeaker markets,” Canadian brand Paradigm Shift is launching selected products in the UK in April, initially featuring in-ear headphones from £50 to £130 and active PC and home mini-monitor loudspeakers. Paradigm Shift is a sub-brand of loudspeaker giant Paradigm, Canada’s largest loudspeaker brand, and is positioned at entry-to-mid level with a growing portfolio of products aimed at younger, dynamic sectors of the audio market.

Products will be available from UK distributor Anthem AV Solutions, which was set up in 2008 to bring installers and high-end consumer electronics retailers exclusive products from big name brands such as Paradigm and its sister company Anthem. It has a dedicated technical support team as well as regional account managers to offer assistance at a local level. Unlike many distributors, the company has its own UK service centre.

Anthem AVS’s sales director Tom Garrett said: “Quality headphones and active mini-monitor loudspeakers are two growth areas of the UK audio market, yet both sectors are crowded with me-too products and often available to retailers from a

Home-tek Europe calls on independent retailers number of different sources. This leads to disorderly marketing and high street retailers having to compete with the likes of discount Ebay sellers with no overheads or demonstration facilities. The Paradigm Shift brand is exclusively distributed in the UK by Anthem AVS and will only be sold to authorised dealers. We really want to leverage independent retailers for their experience and expertise in demonstrating quality products and selling quality brands on the High Street. As an added benefit, retailers that take on the Paradigm Shift products can also have access to Paradigm’s loudspeakers, including its TV sound bars – the only other growth area in home audio.”

The Paradigm Shift brand officially launched to consumers at the Gadget Show Live, at the Birmingham NEC, and Anthem AVS will support the launch with extensive POS materials for retailers and consumer reviews of products across the UK press. Interested retailers should contact Anthem AVS on 01825 750 858 or info@anthemavs.co.uk

Home-tek Europe has launched a drive to sign up independent electrical retailers as part of its business growth strategy.

The West Yorkshire-based supplier of floorcare products, branded kitchen appliances and audio products is looking for retailers committed to demonstrating the features and benefits of its ranges via the opportunity products offer to create ‘theatre’ in-store.

Jamie Lennox, Home-tek Europe’s managing director, said: “Traditionally, small appliances have been the secondclass citizens of the electrical industry, a product category that nobody seemed to think important, but that perception is changing.”

Lennox’s view is supported by figures from industry analyst GfK who has reported that small appliances have continued to show growth at a time when some product areas have struggled to maintain it and others have seen record declines.

Home-tek can be contacted on: 08452 100888 / www.hometek.co.uk

AEG shows “global innovations” at Spring launch

BRUSHROLL CLEANED OF LONG HAIR AND FIBRES AT THE TOUCH OF A FOOTSWITCH

The biggest attention-grabber at AEG’s press launch event in March was the new AEG Ergorapido® 2 in 1 with BRUSHROLLCLEAN™ technology. Ergorapido is already established as a stylish cordless stick vacuum cleaner range, and AEG has chosen the latest version of this iconic cleaner as the first to be fitted with an exclusive, patented innovation that addresses and solves for the first time what has been a problem for vacuum cleaners with a brush roller ever since their invention.

The BRUSHROLLCLEAN™ technology, at the touch of a footswitch (see picture), removes those long fibres and hairs that twine themselves around the brush roll, chops them into pieces and sucks them into the dust container. Any consumer who has spent time with a blade or scissors hand-removing these hairs and fibres will instantly recognise the benefits of this technology, and all retailers will instantly recognise the sales potential of demonstrating these benefits in-store.

The new Ergorapido® range of cordless, bagless cyclonic rechargeables comes in four stylish colours with 12-volt

nickel battery, 20-minute run time in quiet mode and 180-degree head rotation, and is available from April at an RRP of £169.99. Also available in April in three distinctive colours with 18V high performance lithium battery for longer running time (35 minutes) and faster re-charge is the Ergorapido Lithium range with an RRP of £199.99.

Also on show at the event were the award-winning AEG Ultraone® bagged cylinder cleaner with ultra-quiet operation and top-scoring performance, and the new highly featured Ultraperformer™ true cyclonic bagless cleaner range featuring the top-end “Pet” model.

AEG’s partnership with Lavazza has produced the A Modo Mio Favola compact capsule coffee maker range in a choice of fresh, modern colours. And AEG’s commitment to quiet appliances has produced the Powermix Silent Blender, a highly featured machine with the added advantage of being “the quietest blender ever,” allowing normal conversation to be maintained while it’s in operation. It is available in Antique Steel, or in Deep Aubergine with an accessory blending kit.

MARCH/APRIL 2012 GET CONNECTED

13

GROWTH FROM KNOWLEDGE

Consumer Electronics suffering but “connectivity” advancing

Growth from Knowledge

The year to February 2012 has been a difficult one for the overall Consumer Electronics market in the UK, and the vital flat panel TV sector suffered a 20% decline compared to the 12 months ended February 2011. But 3D technology is showing growth, and the world of “smart” TV and internet interconnectivity has found growing numbers of enthusiastic adopters. GfK account executive Lucy Twist reports.

CE under pressure

T

he consumer electronics industry has continued its decline into 2012, with the total value for the latest 12 month period (to February 2012) standing at –19%.

This has largely been driven by a delay in replacement of big-ticket items, in particular flat screen TVs, which showed a 20% decline.

“3D technology has also shown growth, with 3D taking a quarter of the value of the total TV market in the last 12 months, up from 8% the year before. ”

The growth areas (12 months to February 2012 compared to previous 12 month period):

Media Gateways*

Grown 142% in value Year on Year

Audio Streamers New technology boost However, the uptake of new technology has remained positive, with sets including the Web Content Access feature accounting for 36% of the market value, up from 25% in the previous 12 month period. 3D technology has also shown growth, with 3D taking a quarter of the value of the total TV market in the last 12 months, up from 8% the year before. This has been fuelled by aggressive pricing in the larger screen sizes, resulting in the average price of 3D sets falling by 35% over the last year.

Grown 43% in value Year on Year

Webbooks

Grown 353% in Volume Year on Year

Smartphones

Grown 28% in Volume Year on Year

Value share

of Web Content Access in TV/SetTop-Box/DVD markets combined has grown from 25% to 34%

LED strength There has been a progressive movement towards larger screen TVs, with 24% of the value of the market coming from 43” and above screens, up from only 17% in the previous 12 months.

LED technology has seen a strong uptake, representing 44% of the value of the market in the latest 12 months. This is up from 20% value share in the previous year.

14

GET CONNECTED MARCH/APRIL 2012

*NOTE: Media gateways are translation devices or services that convert digital media streams between different communications networks such as PSTN, SS7, 2G, 2.5G, 3G and PBX. They enable multimedia communications across Next Generation Networks over multiple transport protocols such as ATM and IP.

GfK. Growth from Knowledge

Flair for repair A great customer experience doesn’t just come down to fantastic products. At Domestic & General we understand how excellent after-sales care will improve customer loyalty to your brand. And with a 94% post-repair satisfaction rate, we’re expert at giving our customers and our partners something to smile about.

contact@domesticandgeneral.com

Gorenje CFA9100E built-in coffee machine The CFA9100E built-in coffee machine is the latest addition to Gorenje’s portfolio of appliances.

The unit creates drinks in a variety of strengths and cup sizes and settings can be stored in memory for future use. An ‘Autocappuccino’ function creates the frothy beverage at the touch of a button and lets users set the level of milk according to their personal preferences. The appliance performs an automatic clean when switched on and has separate antibacterial and de-scaling programmes. ¿

9 levels of coffee grind / 15-bar pressure

¿

LCD display with touch buttons / Automatic lighting of spot and drip tray

¿

Allows two cups to be prepared simultaneously

¿

Removable milk container / 1.8 litre removable water tank

¿

Maximum noise level 60 dB(A)

¿

Free 2-year parts and labour guarantee

0208 247 3980 www.gorenje.co.uk

Kenwood True hand blender Kenwood has introduced its TriBlade technology to a new range of True hand blenders. TriBlade comprises a three-blade system allied to a unique foot design that disrupts the flow of ingredients to deliver powerful and controllable blending. The new appliance is billed as the ‘next generation’ hand blender. Model ref: HB681 features: ¿

450W motor / 2 speeds (incl. turbo)

¿

0.5L calibrated beaker / 0.5L calibrated chopper

¿

Blending attachment / Dishwasher-safe parts

¿

Central top cord exit

0239 239 2333 www.kenwoodworld.com/uk

BEST from Britannia ‘Shelf’ cooker hood The BEST from Britannia cooker hood range has been extended with the addition of three premium models, one of which, the new ‘Shelf’ extractor, has a unique, futuristic design finished in stainless steel and operates on a ducted out or recycled basis. The high-performance unit has 715 m3/h airflow and 4 speed settings. ¿

Wall mounted / 800mm wide

¿

Electronic controls / 2 x 20W halogen lights

¿

Max noise level 67dB / Min noise level 48dB

¿

Stainless steel grease filter

01253 471001 www.besthoods.co.uk

Rangemaster Beverage Centres Rangemaster is promoting its Beverage Centres as the ideal solution for keeping all kinds of drinks chilled for revellers celebrating the forthcoming Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and Olympic Games. Both models accommodate a selection of various sized bottles and cans – the 60.7cm wide unit, suitable for under-counter or freestanding installation, has the capacity to hold 14 wine bottles and 133 cans; the slimline 38cm version holds 4 wine bottles and 72 cans. ¿

Flexible storage layout

¿

Double-glazed picture window with UV filter

¿

MicroSentry™ temperature monitoring system

¿

Temperature control up to 18.3°C

¿

Self-close door hinge

¿

Available in classic black or stainless steel

0870 789 5107 www.rangemaster.co.uk 16

GET CONNECTED MARCH/APRIL 2012

Philips 7000 series 3D LED Smart TV Philips has unveiled the first of its new TVs for 2012 with four ranges covering the budget to mid sector of the market. At the top end of this release of products is the 7000 series, active shutter 3D LED models with advanced Smart TV functionality, available in 40”, 46” and 55” sizes and incorporating Philips Pixel Precise HD processing, 800Hz Perfect Motion Rate and active shutter 3D Max system. Units also feature two-sided Ambilight. ¿

2 x 20Watt (RMS) surround sound

¿

MyRemote App, USB keyboard and mouse support, DLNA media browser, USB recording

¿

5 x HDMI, 3 USB, embedded WiFi, Easylink (HDMI-CEC)

¿

2 player full screen gaming, 3D depth adjustment, 2D to 3D conversion

¿

1x 3D glasses, text entry remote control, tabletop swivel stand

01293 773128 www.philips.com/tv

Onkyo T-4070 Network Tuner This latest Network Tuner from Onkyo is equipped with Apple AirPlay, Spotify, FM and DAB+ radio and wireless audio streaming and is said to be the best specified model in this fast-growing sector. The unit is intended to complete the Onkyo ‘Reference Series’ stereo component system and includes separate Wolfson 192 kHz/24-bit DACs for each channel, DIDRC noise-reduction circuitry, gold plated RCA, AES/EBU, and coaxial terminals.

¿

DLNA-Certified Home Network Capability

¿

Direct Digital Connection of iPod/iPhone and Flash Memory via USB Port

¿

Onkyo Remote Apps for iPod touch/iPhone and Android

¿

Available in black or silver

Hotpoint Ultima FDUD4411 dishwasher Hotpoint’s latest full-size freestanding dishwashers set new standards for the brand in low water usage and improved energy efficiency. The new Ultima FDUD4411 uses just 7 litres of water for 14 place settings and is claimed to be the best on the market in its category. The unit is A+ rated for energy efficiency and available in stainless steel or polar white. ¿

Flexiload interior with removable third tray in upper basket

¿

Flexipower motor with sensor control of wash variables

¿

12 programmes include Speed 25, Eco wash 45°, Delicates, Baby Cycle, Half Load

¿

24-hour delay start / 42db noise level

01628 473350 www.onkyo.co.uk

08000 921922 www.hotpoint.co.uk

Omnimount PLAY wall mounts

AEG 5SafetyTM iron

Three full motion TV wall mounts launched by OmniMount as part of its ActionMount series are designed to be particularly suitable for interactive gaming and exercising. Each mount features post-installation levelling, tilt and pan and cable management.

AEG’s expanding range of small appliances now includes the high-powered 5SafetyTM iron, available in three variations. 2600W model ref: DB8060 (£69.99) with 400ml water tank provides up to 150grams of steam from 605 holes in just one shot and has a RESILIUMTM SUPERIOR glide scratch-resistant sole plate.

The upright steam feature steams and refreshes hanging garments such as shirts and jackets and the appliance has a variable steam output of 0-45g/min.

¿

PLAY40: 60”-plus TVs with panel weight not exceeding 40 pounds

¿

PLAY20: Up to 32” TVs, panel weight 20 pounds

¿

PLAY20X comes with 9” arm extension for greater viewing flexibility (spec as PLAY 20)

0800 210 0675 www.omnimount.com

¿

Rubber safe-grip handle

¿

4activePower Auto Steam function / Drip stop system

¿

Water level indicator on rear and sides

¿

Auto-clean, built-in permanent anti-calc cartridge

¿

360° swivel 3m textile cord with storage option

08445 614614 www.aeg.co.uk MARCH/APRIL 2012 GET CONNECTED

17

COOLING

Inside the

I

t was during the 17th Century that the concept of the icehouse was brought to the UK. Society’s well-heeled figures, great estate and manor house owners commissioned the building of such structures: outdoor chambers in which ice harvested from local rivers and lakes was stored for the purpose of preserving perishable foodstuffs and chilling drinks.

The long journey of food preservation…

17th Century Britain: a time when rivers, lakes and canals froze deeply enough to support the fun pastime of skating and the first Frost Fair was held on the river Thames. The nation was in the grip of what was later dubbed ‘The Little Ice Age’ – a protracted period of cooling that engulfed the Northern Hemisphere for a number of centuries.

The practice progressed, and an industry born through the trading of ice flourished until the early 20th Century. The UK is known to have imported ice from Scandinavia for commercial and domestic use; and further afield, in the US, for example, fortunes are said to have been made by merchants who shipped large volumes of ice to other parts of the world.

“Food preservation features and airflow boosters are the key functions that can actually have an impact on the effectiveness and usability of a fridge” David Garden, Commercial Director for Lec

Time shift…

21st Century Britain: the ice merchants have long moved on, and the manner in which we store food seems a world away from the primitive, insulated domed caverns of old – the domestic refrigerator having become a commonplace feature in everyday households from the mid 20th Century onwards. Yet a worrying problem exists: 7.2 million tonnes of food a year is wasted in the UK. That’s around a fifth of all food purchased. Avoidable household food waste – i.e. food that could have been eaten – is estimated

by WRAP (Waste Resources Action Programme) to be 4.4 million tonnes annually.

The fact that the above figure has fallen 18% from 5.3 million in the past three years suggests that the extent of the problem has entered the consumer psyche. Hardly surprising, as a stark feature of this particular period is the inequality incurred through economic disorder and disparity in a nation where the rich get richer, the poor poorer and the hardworking middle seems resigned to the ongoing prospect of diminishing disposable incomes. Yet, despite the amount of edible produce thrown away by a more vigilant society declining by 950,000 tonnes, households have gained no financial advantage as it is still costing us about the same per annum – i.e. £12 billion – because food inflation has grown by around 20% over the same three-year period.

Clearly, the answer to this problem lies in better food management.

18

GET CONNECTED MARCH/APRIL 2012

COOLING

Behind the scenes

BEKO’S GNE114610X FRIDGE FREEZER WITH ‘BLUE LIGHT’ TECHNOLOGY

Taking control Last summer, LG Electronics produced an independent report which revealed that more than half of Britain’s households waste at least 10% of the food they buy and a fifth waste over 25%. The study highlighted the opportunity for retailers to promote refrigeration appliances that incorporate temperature- and humiditycontrolled compartments for keeping meat, fish, fruit and vegetables fresher for longer. Celebrity chef Simon Rimmer commented on the research at the time. He said: “There are plenty of new technologies, especially in refrigeration, that can really help to combat any wastage problems.

Food wastage is a huge issue in the UK but it’s really very simple to avoid.”

The solution, believes LG Marketing Communications Manager for Home Appliances, Dawn Stockell, is in understanding more about consumers’ lifestyle needs. “This is key to pointing them towards their ideal cooling appliance.

As well as the physical product requirements, it’s also important to understand about food preservation,” she says. “Knowing what people eat/store can assist retailers in presenting the most suitable products for their particular needs.”

Stockell also notes the emphasis on healthy eating and consumers’ tendency towards the purchase of greater amounts of fresh foodstuffs.

And while capacity is an all-important factor in addressing this trend, so too is the need for defined areas which store different items at ideal temperatures that will keep them fresher for longer. She notes that “LG’s Fresh-0-Zone compartment remains at zero degrees, keeping meat and fish at the optimum temperature, and our Moist Balance Crisper maintains the correct balance of moisture for storing vegetables.”

A study commissioned by Whirlpool Europe also highlights the need for better food preservation. 59% of people surveyed by the appliance manufacturer said that they buy much more in the way of fresh foodstuffs, while 35% claimed to be concerned about food wastage and were making an effort to reduce the amount they throw away. “This again reenforces the message that food preservation is becoming more and more important and definitely has an impact on the type of cooling product a consumer will choose,” says Dean McKelvie, Product Marketing Manager for Freestanding.

Whirlpool’s answer to the storage of fresh meat and fish is the introduction of Active0° – a specially designed drawer compartment that McKelvie says can be classified as “a fridge within a fridge.” Active0° technology ensures better preservation of taste, appearance and nutrients, as meat and fish are stored at the best temperature of 0°C, he explains. Humidity is also constantly monitored and kept at the “perfect level” of between 85% and 95%.

But keeping food in good condition for longer is not as easy as it sounds, advises McKelvie. “It is not as simple as just lowering the temperature.

Extending the quality and lengthening food storage times is the aim of Whirlpool’s new 6th Sense® Fresh Control technology, as seen on our WBC3546A+NFCW. This is achieved through the precise and constant control of temperature and humidity levels throughout the entire refrigerated cabinet and not just in one specified humidity-controlled drawer.”

Whirlpool claims that its new 6th Sense® Fresh Control will keep ham, for example, fresher for four days longer, spinach three days longer and pears up to seventeen days longer. “This is a great convenience and resource saving for today’s busy consumer,” McKelvie says, while emphasising that “developments in food preservation technology help boost sales and present a superb trade-up opportunity for the enterprising retailer.”

In order to make the most of trade-up opportunities in the cooling market, Smeg Product Development and Training Manager Joan Fraser urges retailers to ensure that they are confident in their product knowledge.

THE A++ RATED COOLDELUXE FROM NEFF

MARCH/APRIL 2012 GET CONNECTED

19

COOLING

“Maintaining a consistently cool temperature is vital to the preservation of food, which is why we have invested in technology that warns consumers of any accidental rise in temperature” Rita Balestrazzi Baumatic Marketing Manager

BAUMATIC TITAN 4 608LITRE FRIDGE FREEZER

“Consumers are often faced with a wall of white fridges and freezers and are not aware of the varying degrees of functionality and what would be best for them. Retailers will be able to capitalise on purchase decisions if they can confidently specify features and benefits.”

Juliana Sado, Brand Marketing Manager at Maytag, encourages store staff to tap into consumers’ lifestyles to advise them on the best type of appliance(s) to purchase. “Find out the type of foods they like to eat, drinks they like to consume, and other general eating habits. And explore their aspirations. If they want a big, black glass ‘in yer face’ fridge then sell them one, with great added value for you!

“Gen up on all the models and brands,” she adds. “There is a rich variety of products, colours and sophisticated systems out there to suit all lifestyles and budgets. Make sure you get the right ones on display and in stock to suit your target audience.”

“Research by Microban® found the salad drawer is the most dangerous place in the fridge, with almost 8,000 bacteria per cm2” Whirlpool Product Marketing Manager, Freestanding, Dean McKelvie

20

GET CONNECTED MARCH/APRIL 2012

Cooling demands Consensus holds that there has been a considerable change in the way consumers shop and manage their food storage: the larder, or pantry, is no longer a feature of everyday kitchens and most people tend to do one big weekly shop, with fewer inclined towards the daily traipse onto the high street to visit independent food purveyors. And, as Hotpoint Marketing Manager Iain Starkey points out, there is a growing trend for food shopping via the internet, which does away with what some consider a time-consuming, burdensome chore.

With this shift in shopping habits comes greater demand on cooling appliances, and storage solutions must be flexible with maximum capacity and efficient food preservation.

Starkey says that Hotpoint, in developing its new cooling range, carefully studied the changes in consumer lifestyles and recognised an increased focus on food hygiene and the amount of food thrown away. In response, it developed Air Tech Evolution, a system that pushes cool air into the fridge through multiple apertures running the full height of the cabinet.

“This achieves perfect temperature control and improved circulation which, in turn, significantly extends the storage life of fresh foods, even soft fruits like strawberries,” he explains.

Gino Grossi, Product Manager for Refrigeration at Samsung UK, also notes increasing consumer awareness of food wastage, “notably since the onset of the recession, when making cost savings started to become more of a strain.” He says that Samsung addresses the

problem in its ‘no frost’ models, which feature Multi Flow cooling vents on every shelf level to create an even temperature throughout the fridge “even after the door has been opened.” Hence, “food is stored in an optimum environment and will stay fresher for longer, reducing the amount of food thrown away as waste and saving consumers money.”

In particular, Grossi recommends products from Samsung’s G-Series range, which incorporates thin-wall insulation technology, for those who tend to take the money-saving benefits of offers such as BOGOFs and multibuys. “The technology,” he says, “essentially creates extra space inside the refrigerator within a standard footprint and means consumers can store more food, shop less often and organise their groceries more easily without having to upgrade to a bigger model.”

Cool and safe environment Food preservation technologies come in a number of guises from a wide spectrum of brands and at varying price levels. De Dietrich, for

THE 4DOOR, 70CMWIDE HOTPOINT QUADRIO

Keep your food fresh for fifteen years.

It’s no coincidence the design of our refrigerators is timeless.

They are, after all, built to last fifteen years. They’re also designed to keep food fresher for longer. And save you money, earning the approval of The Energy Saving Trust.

For more fresh refrigeration ideas that offer flexible solutions and maximum storage visit www.miele.co.uk

COOLING

example, has a FAN cooling system in its A+ rated DRC1027JE 70:30 combi. Sales and Marketing Director Richard Walker explains that pulsed air is constantly diffused within the cavity to maintain an even temperature and optimum preservation on all shelf levels. He highlights, too, that this model incorporates an in-built antibacterial lining,

which destroys bacteria through a simple, organic reaction “thus ensuring that food is always preserved in a perfectly healthy environment.”

From the Indesit brand comes ‘Dynamic Air Control’ that pushes cool air into the back of the fridge, and, says Advertising and Communications Manager Libby Morley, “combined with a thinner back liner, provides a whopping 20 litres of extra internal storage space.” Miele Kitchen Category Manager Neil Pooley says his brand offers “a vast range” of functions that provide the best environment for food and help reduce wastage: “PerfectFresh zones,” he explains, “help keep fresh food up

use of resources must change, we are told, if the planet is to be secured for future generations.

Energy efficiency is therefore a priority.

Fridges are reported to account for around 17% of all domestic energy consumption in Britain and are the hardest working appliances in the kitchen, operating 24/7 every day of the year. However, energy efficiency has dramatically improved over the decades and investing in an up-to-date model can save a considerable amount of money. Baumatic Marketing Manager Rita Balestrazzi quotes AMDEA figures which state that a 20-year old fridge can cost up to £100 more to run per year than an A+ rated model,

“A great energy-saving feature is the Holiday Mode, so the freezer stays on and the fridge turns off to reduce energy bills while the family is on vacation” Polly Beech, Assistant Brand Manager at Rangemaster

Lec adds to Larder and Freezer collection Established refrigeration specialist Lec has added four new products to its existing cooling and freezing collection, offering a range of height, capacity, cooling and freezing options for the consumer.

The A+ rated TL6015W and the TL6018W models are 60cm wide larders in heights of 1.5 and 1.8 metres respectively.

The 1.5m TL6015W offers a generous 284-litre net cooling capacity, whilst the taller TL6018W boasts 349 litres.

Both models have five glass shelves, an adjustable thermostat, in-door storage, interior lights and reversible doors.

Lec has also developed two complementary frost free freezers designed to sit alongside the two larder models. The TUN6015W and the TUN6018W are 60cm wide frost free freezers in heights of 1.5 and 1.8 metres respectively.

The TUN6015W boasts a net freezing capacity of 194 litres, while the TUN6018W offers 251 litres. The products are both A rated and also benefit from automatic defrost, digital temperature display and fast-freeze functions.

For more information visit www.lec.co.uk

22

GET CONNECTED MARCH/APRIL 2012

to 3 times longer when compared to a normal refrigerator.” These controlled zones offer the choice of two settings – a dry zone for diary products, meats and fish or a humidity zone ideal for storing fresh fruit and vegetables.

Gorenje’s food preservation solution is a MultiFlow system which circulates chilled air around the storage areas and a Cold Shower system that maintains the temperature between 0°C and 3°C, along with a 0°C ‘Zero ‘n’ Fresh’ compartment for perishables. And Beko, in its GNE114610X 4-door fridge freezer, boasts ‘blue light’ technology which encourages fruit and vegetables to continue their natural photosynthesis to keep them fresher for longer.

Head of Product and Buying Les Wicks is keen to point out yet another benefit of this model: “A Flexi Zone compartment which can be used as either a freezer, a fridge, chiller or wine cooler.”

Clearly, there is an interesting sales story in cooling technologies, the above feature in itself offering great flexibility for households, particularly as the seasons turn and eating/ buying/entertaining habits change. And it is a versatile benefit that is now available from a number of brands. One of which is Haier, whose “flagship feature” is the My Zone centre drawer.

James Osborne, White Goods Product Manager for the UK & Ireland, says My Zone appeals to a “wide variety of lifestyle choices,” whether used as extra freezing capacity for families or a dedicated wine chiller for busy professionals.

and points out that “refrigerators are the second largest consumer of electricity in the home.”

Mike Jarrett, Sales Director for Neff, says the problem is that people tend to forget that buying an energy-efficient appliance will help them save money in the long term and this needs to be emphasized by retailers at the point of sale: “Consumers should be reminded not just to think about the cost now, but to think about the future as well and how much money can be saved over time by investing in appliances such as the Neff CoolDeluxe range of A++ models.

Energy-efficient food preservation 21st Century Britain: a time when, in contrast to the harsh conditions brought about by prolonged periods of cooling during earlier centuries, the effect of global warming threatens our (relatively comfortable) existence, and our

LG SIDEBYSIDE MODEL WITH LINEAR COMPRESSOR

COOLING

AEG S83600CMM0 2m tall ProFresh combi-bottom fridge freezer AEG’s S83600CMM0 2m tall stainless steel ProFresh combi-bottom fridge freezer keeps 99% of the moisture in food for a week for superb freshness and quality.

The two separate cooling systems mean that temperature and humidity can be maintained in the fridge compartment at optimum settings. The freezer’s NoFrost module prevents ice building in the compartment, so there is never a need to defrost.

The MultiAir Flow system, with its exclusive air channelling, creates a constant air flow in all levels of the fridge, keeping conditions extremely stable, which is perfect for longer food storage. In addition, it ensures faster chilling when food is placed in the fridge and a quick return to the right temperature after the door has been opened. The on-door LCD touch-control features Coolmatic, Frostmatic and Holiday function.

The AEG S83600CMMO is A+ class energy rated, which uses 20% less energy than A class models. www.aeg.co.uk Trade Sales Number: 08445 610561

“In our opinion, consumers should be made more aware of the fact that a cooling appliance is the only one in the kitchen which operates 24/7 and 52 weeks a year. With this in mind, they should buy the most efficient appliance they can afford now, to ensure they still have an efficient product in the kitchen in 5 years’ time.”

The number of aged cooling products still on the market has led some to question whether consumers really care about sustainability and the ‘greening’ of the planet. Yet research conducted by refrigeration specialist Lec indicates that energy efficiency has moved up the purchase agenda. “But people still require more guidance,” says Commercial Director David Garden. “We asked consumers how important a cooling product’s energy ratings or eco credentials are when deciding to purchase – 90% of respondents rated them ‘essential’, and when asked to define the top three most important factors in the purchase decision, energy efficiency, at 22.3%, closely followed price, which topped the results.”

Although progress has been made in encouraging consumers to swap their old,

“Consumers want elegant design at affordable prices and all expect appliances in general to be faster, smarter, quieter and more energy efficient as well” Steve Macdonald, Hoover Candy Marketing Director

inefficient models for those with higher energy ratings, Garden believes there is still more for retailers and manufacturers to do in communicating the benefits of greener appliances. “28% of survey respondents admitted to owning a cooling product more than 10 years old,” he reveals.

LG’s Dawn Stockell points out that some of the technology that supports food preservation is also responsible for making products more energy efficient. “Models incorporating LG’s Linear Compressor technology, for example, are 28% more efficient than conventional ones, and by maintaining a constant temperature in the appliance cavity, the technology will keep food fresher for longer. And with LG’s Total No Frost, energy efficiency and food preservation are greatly improved as there is no build-up of frost in the freezer or condensation in the refrigeration – this lightens the load both on energy and food bills.”

to one of the newer, higher rated models will see a reduction in energy consumption and costs.” Haier’s Osborne adds: “Even a relatively young 8-year old refrigerator will cost up to £50 or £60 more a year to run than a modern, A+ rated appliance. It will also keep food fresher for longer and come packed with features that meet lifestyle needs.”

However, Beko’s Wicks, in his concluding comment, is quick to point out that, if the purchase of any cooling product is not to

Labelling and advice…

The new EU energy labelling system for cooling products should help make the consumer’s choice of appliance an easier one, displaying, amongst other credentials, the annual energy MIELE’S MASTERCOOL FRIDGE FREEZER MAINTAINS “OPTIMUM” consumption of products in kWh, STORAGE CONDITIONS FOR SPECIFIC FOOD CATEGORIES which Whirlpool’s McKelvie says disappoint, retailers must investigate their “could end up being the deciding purchase customers’ requirements: “If a large fridge freezer factor.” And, as Andrew Wasdell, Product Manager is only half full, it will not run at maximum for Food Preservation at Electrolux, notes: “From efficiency, so it is vital that consumers are this summer, manufacturers will only be allowed advised to choose a model that suits their family to put A+ rated models, or better, into the trade, needs, with the best possible energy rating.” so even those switching from an A-rated product MARCH/APRIL 2012 GET CONNECTED

23

GROWTH FROM KNOWLEDGE

Side by side back on top

2011 was a successful year for the cooling market, with value sales increasing at a higher rate than any other MDA product category.

It recorded growth of 8% over the past 12 months, which reflects an additional £50 million of sales. This uplift has pushed the total market to £712 million, with both the freestanding and built in sector recording a better performance than in 2010. Traditional combi fridge freezers have been the key driver of growth for the overall market.

With sales up 7% on last year and market value reaching £413 million, they account for nearly 60% of the total market.

“Online share for premium products tends to be higher as consumers take to the internet in search of the best price deals. ” COOLING: SALES VALUE %

JAN ‘11  DEC ‘11

Growth from Knowledge High-end resurgence injects value

M

arket value has also been boosted by a combination of strong price development and an improved performance for high end products.

The premium sector for high capacity and American style fridge freezers had been one of the biggest casualties in this market over the past few years. The side by side market had really felt the impact of the recession and saw a huge value drop of £50 million from 2007 to 2010. The most recent picture is, however, looking much more positive, with market value reaching £100 million in 2011, up 15% on the previous year.

With an average retail price of just below £800, a side by side refrigerator costs more than double the price of a traditional combi fridge freezer.

That said, the average price in 2010 was £825, but this year there were many promotions which encouraged consumers to trade up to a larger capacity appliance with a greater number of technical features.

Internet sales advancing in white goods The internet now contributes nearly a quarter of all refrigeration sales, four percentage points more than last year. For the high end side by side category this grows to over a third, which represents a massive leap for the medium since 2006. Online share for premium products tends to be higher as consumers take to the internet in search of the best price deals. Whilst online growth is a characteristic seen across the full range of major appliances, it is telling that the classic replacement markets of home laundry and cooling are accelerating during these difficult economic times.

Challenges in 2012

 For further information please contact Seema Baines in the UK on +44 870 603 8100 or email seema.baines@gfk.com www.gfkrt.com/uk GfK. Growth from Knowledge 24

GET CONNECTED MARCH/APRIL 2012

Looking ahead, 2012 appears set to be another challenging year. A prolonged period of economic uncertainty and further pressure on household incomes will certainly impact big ticket purchases as the year progresses. It is expected that the 2012 sporting events will also affect the refrigeration market during the key summer period, when TVs will be regarded by consumers as a slightly better investment.

FROM THE BENCH

E-mail: fromthebench@gcmagazine.co.uk

Display-screen futures What will be on our shelves in six months… In one or two years – or more? Alan Bennett looks ahead

T

hinscreen TVs are evolving very

cheap passive layered devices and stickers

rapidly, and there are rich rewards

on such things as rulers, pencil cases and

for the setmaker who first brings to

bookmarks.

market a wide-viewing-angle no-specs 3D screen and an affordable OLED picture panel.

SONY 55INCH CRYSTAL LED DISPLAY

Both barrier and lenticular systems cut down the available image brightness and

large panels need higher definition, more

definition, but their main drawback is that

pixels than are currently provided, and 4K2K

they only produce a 3D effect at certain

– 3840×2160, totalling 8.3 million pixels, 25

Except in low-end models the trend now

viewing angles, giving ‘dead spots’ and ‘sweet

million dots – will be built into mega-screens;

is away from fluorescent-tube LCD panel

spots’ (typically nine in TV) for the viewer. It is

last year Toshiba produced 4K2K model ZL2,

illumination and towards white LED

possible (e.g. Toshiba) to electronically steer

and this year both LG and Sharp have shown

backlighting, colour LED arrays having

the sweet spot onto viewers by means of a

big screens with this pixel configuration.

waned after an initial flourish. LED backlights

head-position detector using a simple camera.

4K2K is approximately equal, in its definition

Now and next

bring three advantages: better black levels;

capability, to 35mm optical film, though

lower energy consumption; and increased

LED matrices

reliability, with longer life than fluorescent

OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) screens

up to it for a considerable time. Indeed, the

tubes, no operating potential above 50V

have existed for several years, and have now

only image source of this for the home right

in LCD TVs, and no phosphors to fade. Of

grown in size from the original Sony 11-inch

now is a Sony upscaling Blu-ray player, model

course, increased reliability is not good news

model; both LG and Samsung are making 55-

BDP-S70, but of course upscaled pictures

for those who provide repair services, but

inch models, 4mm and 8mm thick respectively,

are not the real deal, are they? Certainly high

at least as screens increase in size the need

and they should appear in the UK this year,

pixel-density screens are useful for making

for specialist delivery, installation and wall-

at a price guessed to be around £10k. OLED

full-HD 3D displays and dual-picture screens.

mounting in small living-rooms increases...

panels give superb images with deep (true)

broadcast and recording media will not be

blacks, high contrast, wide viewing angles

Setmakers’ skirmishes

with the protagonists of passive and active

and rich colour. Sony, pioneer of (and still

Certainly in the realm of 3D TV sets

viewing systems fighting it out. Soon the

committed to) OLED in home screens, has now

and viewing screens the rival Korean

new concept of specs-free 3D viewing will

taken a different direction with Crystal LED, a

manufacturers LG and Samsung seem to

come to the UK market (see George Cole on

matrix of tiny conventional RGB LEDs, 6 million

have taken the lead from Japanese companies

page 26), having been about for well over a

of them in a large full-HD screen. A prototype

of late. In spectacle-viewed 3D technology

year already. Just as there are two competing

was shown at CES 2012. The Samsung OLED,

they favour passive and active systems

systems for 3D spectacles, so there are two

3D-capable, can also show two different

respectively, and have been vociferously

alternatives for specs-free screens – parallax

pictures to viewers sitting apart, an interesting

opposed in their advertising and publicity

barrier and lenticular lens. To visualise

application which I think would spin money in

drives. Both are racing, in terms of research

a parallax barrier imagine two closely-

more humble 3D-based home screens.

and development, to bring to market the best

3D TV is now a well-established product,

spaced and offset picket fences. What you

In the more distant future another LED-like

specs-free 3D system. Sony appears to have

see through them depends on the viewing

screen type, Quantum-Dot, promises high

put their long-term faith into 3D displays

angle, and at just the right width and spacing

performance, paper-thin roll-up screens.

using OLED technology, which has come

the TV-screen barrier strips can present a

down in production price but for the present

different image to each eye, as required for 3D

Big and sharp

viewing. Lenticular lens systems employ an

The future lies with big high-definition TV

array of tiny pixel-size lenses on the screen

screens, though their proliferation will have

to slightly change the angle of light passing

to wait until the current worldwide recession

term some form of LED type technology will

through them, alternately arranged to deflect

has eased: at present it is inhibiting research

come to the fore: it has so many advantages,

the required separate images into the viewers’

and development in some technologies as

and IC and existing screen production has

right and left eyes. Both these concepts are

well as sales. Screens up to 80-inch diagonal

shown how large-scale integration cost can

used to give a 3D or changing-image effect on

will be in mass production soon. These really

be beaten down.

remains prohibitively expensive, especially in the present financial doldrums.

There seems little doubt that in the long

MARCH/APRIL 2012 GET CONNECTED

25

GEORGE COLE GETS CONNECTED

George Cole pinpoints hotspots in the world of consumer electronics.

GLASSES-FREE 3D – IF YOU HAVE DEEP POCKETS

T

DO WE STILL NEED A DIGITAL CAMERA?

oshiba got a lot of coverage over its plans to launch

Nokia has set the cat among the pigeons with the an-

the UK’s first glasses-free 3DTV set and it’s easy to

nouncement of its 808 Pureview phone with a 41 megapixel

see why. The autostereoscopic 3D or glasses-free 3D

(yes, you read that right) image sensor, Carl Zeiss optics,

display has long been the Holy Grail for 3DTV manufactur-

Xenon flash and Full HD 1080p recording. Nokia has been

ers. A fair proportion of consumers are put off 3D by the fact

criticised in some quarters for releasing a smartphone with

that they have to wear glasses; some 3D glasses are expen-

these specs, as it’s not possible to capture a 41MP image. But

sive, and different 3DTVs require different types of glasses.

the company says that at standard resolution shooting (be-

It all makes for a confusing picture. Toshiba isn’t the first

tween 2-8 MP) users can zoom into a subject without losing

company to market a glasses-free 3D – Philips sold autos-

any picture clarity, as the system combines seven pixels of

tereoscopic 3D sets to professional markets until 2009, and

information into one.

the Nintendo 3DS games console uses a glasses-free 3D system, as does a Fujifilm 3D camera.

Whatever the merits of Nokia’s new imaging technology (and the proof of the pudding will be in the quality of the im-

But developing large autostereoscopic 3D displays for

ages), there’s no doubt that smartphone camera technology

television is not simple or cheap, as can be discerned by the

is improving all the time. Not so long ago, images shot on a

price of Toshiba’s ZL2 55-inch set: a wallet-busting £7000.

phone looked grainy, fuzzy and washed out, but today’s mod-

The ZL2 uses eye-tracking technology and a lenticular lens

els can produce very impressive images. If you don’t believe

system to give up to nine viewers a 3D perspective, and it’s

me, check out the various concert footage posted on YouTube,

an impressive technological achievement. However, the high

much of which has been shot on a smartphone camera. The

cost explains why it will be a long time before today’s active

clarity of many of the postings is amazing. It once again begs

and passive 3D systems are replaced by autostereoscopic 3D.

the question: do we need to have dedicated digital cameras these days? Supporters of digital cameras point out that most smartphone cameras may have large megapixel sensors, but

CLOUD BURST

that camera optics and digital image processing play a big part in determining picture quality, and here digital cameras almost invariably win hands down.

But smartphone fans say that you always have your phone

The closure of the digital locker service Megaupload for

with you; it’s relatively easy to take a picture or video and then

alleged copyright infringement shows why cloud-based

post it online – and the image quality is fine for most types of

storage systems might not always be a great idea. Many

shooting. Last year, the US research company NPD Group re-

customers suddenly found that they had lost access to

ported that the percentage of photos taken with a smartphone

their files and folders, and at the time of writing, there

(such as an Apple iPhone or Android smartphone) increased

doesn’t seem much prospect of them retrieving their ma-

from 17% in 2010 to 27% in 2011, while the share of photos

terial in the near future – if ever. The smart users will also

taken on a camera dropped from 52% to 44% in the same pe-

have stored their content on other media, but it’s easy to

riod. It could be that, as with the case of music – where most

see why many people might have assumed that, because

consumers are now happy to listen to compressed audio files

their content is stored online, it’s safer than having it on a

on their digital music players – most people will opt for the

PC hard drive. Although I store many photo images with the

convenience offered by a smartphone over the quality you get

online photo service Flickr, I’ve never seen it as a perma-

from a digital camera.

nent solution for storing images. Cloud storage can be useful, but it’s certainly no panacea for keeping your content permanently safe.

26

GET CONNECTED MARCH/APRIL 2012

E-mail: georgecole@gcmagazine.co.uk

A G E T CO N N E C T E D S U P P L E M E N T S P R I N G 2012

CONTENTS:

28 32 36 38 42

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

/ / / / / / / / / / /

/ / / / / / / /

/ / / /

Food Preparation

Built-In Appliances

The Gourmet Quarter

Freestanding Appliances

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

Coffee Machines

27

FOOD PREPARATION

AEG’S SUPERQUIET POWERMIX SILENT BLENDER

Be prepared…

Cooking programmes have maintained their huge popularity in the TV schedules. TV chefs using food preparation equipment to quickly and effortlessly chop, grate, slice, blend and mix basic, fresh ingredients is a powerful incentive to home cooks to get the best of all worlds.

These appliances can help create fresh, healthy, tasty, authentic “made from scratch” foods to professional standards without sacrificing the modern consumer’s most precious commodity: time.

T

he Small Domestic Appliances market in the UK performed well in 2011, achieving 13.5% growth by value, and the food preparation category was a star performer with 25.3% value growth. Mark Swift, director of marketing at Kenwood, notes that, within the food preparation category, kitchen machines’ year-on-year value growth was an outstanding 47.1%, food processors grew by 31.5%, blenders achieved a 24% uplift and hand mixers were up by 22%.

28

GET CONNECTED MARCH/APRIL 2012

Clearly, during a difficult time for electrical retail, food preparation offers opportunities for retailers who choose their products wisely and take advantage of the potential for both add-on sales to MDA and the “instant upgrade” that tabletop food preparation equipment can give to the look – and the performance – of a kitchen that doesn’t have the budget for a full-scale refurbishment.

Style and colour As Kenwood’s Mark Swift comments, “consumers are currently investing in extending or refurbishing their existing homes rather than moving house. This has led to colours becoming a strong trend with consumers looking for stylish and colourful SDAs to help them revamp their kitchens.” There is no doubt that food preparation products, from the big, versatile multi-task kitchen machines to the handy hand blenders, have benefited from heightened focus on style and colour choices. Kenwood’s kMix range, including stand mixer, blender and hand mixer, is available in a choice of vibrant, modern colours, with the raspberry, almond and peppercorn options being joined in 2011 by striking striped stand mixers.

Tefal’s new countertop slicer, shredder and grater, the Fresh Express, sports a pearlescent ruby red body and rainbow attachments, to add, says Groupe SEB product manager Maria Montero, “some much-needed bright colour.” And AEG’s

new Powermix “Silent” blender may bring an unprecedented unobtrusiveness to the kitchen as the quietest blender on the market, but at the same time asserts its stylish presence with the understated elegance of classical lines and a choice of sophisticated Deep Aubergine or Antique Steel finish.

“The breadth of choice, functions and prices makes this an ideal category for ‘real’ retailers” Kitchen machines from the iconic high-end ranges of Cuisinart, Kenwood, KitchenAid and Vitamix earn their place on the modern kitchen worktop not only for their multifunction, versatile uses in 21st century cooking, but also for the style and contemporary colour accents they add.

Function and versatility Style may be an essential ingredient of food preparation products, but it has to be matched by function, ease of use and, above all, their perceived usefulness and relevance to today’s

The Kenwood CHEF TITANIUM The only kitchen machine that offers 4 features all in one unit.

1

2

Bowl Outlet

4 RS of YEA th

OVER

High Speed Outlet

EF CH

Medium Speed Outlet

0

e

6

3

Slow Speed Outlet

ES

T

19 5

0

Why should you have the Kenwood Chef Titanium on your shelf?

• No1 brand in kitchen machines* • Brand associated with quality, reliability, durability • Only Kitchen Machine available offering 4 features in one unit (blender, food processor, bowl and slow attachment outlet) • Strong motor performance (1400W) will cope with all food preparation tasks

• Large bowl capacity enables larger portions • Premium quality attachments give better results

Model shown KM010

• Wide choice of additional attachments

Contact your local Sales Manager for more information

• Achieves high customer satisfaction

Tel: +44 239 239 2392 www.kenwood.com/uk

• Full national advertising programme support this Easter

Kenwood Ltd, New Lane, Havant, Hampshire PO9 2NH

*Gfk MAT January Volume and Value 2012

CREATE

MORE

FOOD PREPARATION

“Spending hours mixing, chopping, slicing, whisking, grating and blending by hand is not an option for the majority of time-poor households” KENWOOD’S KMIX STAND MIXER

lifestyles and evolving eating habits. The trend towards fresh ingredients, healthy eating and real “made from scratch” home-prepared meals is developing alongside the increasing time-pressures of many households. So food preparation has to deliver the tastes, textures and freshness faster, better, and easier. People care more about preparing their own breads, cakes, fresh vegetables, meats, dressings, sauces and accompaniments from individually selected ingredients, but spending hours mixing, chopping, slicing, whisking, grating and blending by hand is not an option for the majority of time-poor households. Good food preparation products can solve that modern dilemma.

For retailers, the challenge and the opportunity is to explain how food preparation has emerged from the back of the cupboard to take its place as a valuable and constantly useful part of a 21st century lifestyle.

TEFAL’S NEW FRESH EXPRESS SLICER/GRATER

Products for today “Healthy eating,” says Groupe SEB’s Maria Montero, “continues to be a key market driver in the small domestic appliances market,” and Tefal’s new healthy food preparation products for 2012 capitalise on this trend. The new Tefal Fresh Express helps achieve the “five a day” ideal in a compact countertop format that takes the effort out of shredding and slicing fruit and vegetables, and with its five interchangeable onboard attachments delivers fine or thick slices, 30

GET CONNECTED MARCH/APRIL 2012

coarse or fine shredding and grated cheese at the touch of a button. Its attachments are dishwasher-safe, and Its small footprint, integral attachment storage and stylish colours make it a device that can be kept handily on the worktop for frequent use. Tefal has teamed up with the British Heart Foundation to raise £50,000 in support of its healthy eating initiative through sales of the Tefal Fresh Express.

Also new from the Tefal food preparation range for 2012 are: the powerful and versatile QA400 Kitchen Machine with 4 litre stainless steel mixing bowl, electronic speed control and a full set of kneading, beating, whisking, blending, shredding and slicing attachments; the Vitacompact Food Processor with neat attachment storage and 3-litre bowl; and the Hapto Hand Blender complete with 450ml mini-chopper, metal whisk and detachable brushed stainless steel wand. Kenwood’s name is synonymous with the iconic Chef kitchen machine range, and the brand has continued to bring its experience and trusted status to bear on the development of fresh, modern food preparation products for the 21st century market. The possession of a long-established reputation in the sector, along with a sense of modern consumers’ needs and aspirations, are valuable assets. As director of marketing Mark Swift says: “Consumers rely on a brand’s reputation when making purchasing decisions so it’s essential for retailers to stock trusted brands. They are also looking for appliances which deliver performance and value for money, especially during a recession.”

Kenwood’s range of food preparation products is also a reflection of the UK’s growing appetite for a choice of useful appliances that lighten the load and cut time and effort in the kitchen without compromising on freshness of ingredients or care in their preparation. From the classic multifunction Chef through the kMix range comprising stand mixers, blenders, hand blenders and hand mixers, this is one of a number of manufacturers who have worked on creating a broader consumer choice that is about delivering specific needs, from the power and versatility of the big kitchen machine to the quick, “instant deployment” of the blender.

Blenders, in fact, seem to have become the must-have appliance for many modern home

cooks, driven by the speed and ease with which so many TV chefs put the blender to work to prepare dressings, sauces, and pastes from fresh ingredients. AEG has entered this rich but competitive market with a new product – the AEG Powermix “Silent” blender, that not only performs all the vegetable and ice chopping and blending chores expected of a high-spec model, but can do it so quietly that normal level conversation can take place while it’s in opetation.

Worth their shelf space?

It is important that food preparation devices earn their right to a place on the kitchen worktop, and it’s clear that those which look good, and meet the real demands of evolving modern lifestyles, have certainly done that.

But also, crucially for retailers, they have to justify the precious space they take up in-store, and earn their keep as revenue-generating, margin-making retail assets.

Because food preparation products are classed as “small appliances,” there is always a danger that they will be grouped with the “pile ‘em high, sell ‘em cheap”, wafer-thin margin products that electrical retailers have abandoned to the supermarkets and mass merchandisers. But food preparation is a very different retail proposition, and can reward the “traditional” strengths of electricals specialists – intelligent product selection, product knowledge, customer understanding, sales skills – with profitable trade.

The breadth of choice, functions and prices makes this an ideal category for “real” retailers. A kitchen machine with all the functions can retail at £500 or £600, more than many MDA staples such as washing machines, fridges, ovens and hobs, but with a considerably smaller shopfloor footprint in-store, and offering a great deal more margin than a flat panel TV set. At the other end of the price scale, a hand blender or small tabletop slicer/grater offers opportunities as a standalone purchase with lifestyle appeal or an add-on to other kitchen equipment such as an oven or hob.

Food preparation really does have a strong relevance and appeal to customers who care more and more about healthy eating, “real” home cooking and fresh ingredients.

ToTal NuTriTioN CeNTre

THE NEW

The ulTimaTe soluTioN For The PerFeCT BleND oF TasTe & NuTriTioN

Having been a statement in kitchen essentials for almost a century, Vitamix® meets an ever increasing demand for food and drinks that are tasty, fresh and highly nutritious. More and more customers are looking for multi-function kitchen appliances that allow them to create a variety of healthy meals and drinks quickly and easily. Vitamix® is the perfect piece of kitchen kit for you to stock providing the solutions to your customers’ kitchen needs.

Introducing The ToTal NuTriTioN CeNTre.

The Total Nutrition Centre is already in high demand. This piece of kit will enable your customers to perform more than 50 tasks, quicker, easier and faster with only one product, and without the washing up. From the health conscious to scratch cooks and the time poor, this multi-functional kitchen essential is a must for a broad range of consumers.

The Total Nutrition Centre’s variable speed control will allow your customer to make the dish of their choice, whether it’s blending and cooking a steaming hot soup, a chilled cocktail or flavoursome fruit sorbet – this machine can create something to suit every palate all in one place. The TNC comes in a number of derivatives such as red, white, black and stainless steel.

This kitchen essential is equipped with a horse-powered motor that generates blade speeds of up to 240 mph. The 2L wet blade container will allow your customers to puree soup for as many as six people or simply grind just a tablespoon of peppercorns. It also comes equipped with a spill-proof lid an easy to grip handle and soft touch controls.

Why sToCk ViTamix?

• • • •

Competitive margins Live demonstrations available The Vitamix® Total Nutrition Centre comes with a 7 year guarantee The Vitamix® Total Nutrition Centre is approved by The Vegetarian Society

For more information on stocking the Vitamix Total Nutrition Centre and any other products in the range please contact NWring@vitamix.com or visit www.vitamix.co.uk

our hisTory

The Vitamix® Corporation has been privately owned and operated by the Barnard family since 1921. The company’s founder, W.G. Barnard, was a self-taught salesman of “modern” home products.

In 1937, he introduced an all-new product--the blender--to his line. This was the very first Vitamix® machine.

In 1955, his son Bill Barnard took over the Vitamix® business with his wife Ruth. Ever in tune with the needs of the customer, Bill believed in giving people a kitchen appliance that went way beyond a blender, and then backing it up with excellent customer service. Vitamix® still holds true to this philosophy today. In 1964, shortly after Bill’s son Grover joined the business, the company name was officially changed to Vitamix® Corporation.

With the introduction of the “Kitchen Center” in

1969, the Vitamix 3600, and later the Vitamix 4000, Vitamix® truly revolutionized what could be done in a blender. The large motor and friction cooking capability enabled these machines to freeze and dispense solid ice cream, grind grain, cook soup and make a creamy, smooth juice from whole fruits and vegetables. Since then, the Vitamix® Corporation has continued to introduce a variety of kitchen appliances to both private households and the commercial market, always setting new standards in fresh food preparation.

Nestled in the valley of picturesque Olmsted Falls, Ohio, Vitamix® employs more than 300 people, has a global presence in more than 80 countries and continues to win awards for product innovation.

Visit www.vitamix.com.uk to learn more about Vitamix’s full line of kitchen products.

BUILTIN COOKING

G C M

C O O K I N G

S U P P L E M E N T

Built-In

MIELE COMBI HOB CONFIGURATION

The built-in cooking market in the UK has traditionally been where new technology, features and designs make their debuts, and has been seen as the more innovative, vibrant relative of the more staid and more basic freestanding market. This is still true to an extent, and it is to the built-in appliances that retailers and their customers look for the new, the stylish and the technologically advanced.

T

he corollary to this was the expectation that sales of built-in would always lag behind standalone in terms of volume and value, since built-in represented the “cutting edge” and could not match the “mainstream” volumes of freestanding in what is largely a conservative UK market.

However, even in the last few difficult years, built-in has been gaining ground. In 2010, built-in actually achieved growth of 2.9% in volume to reach some 628,000 units, and an impressive 9.14% increase in value to nearly £230 million. This was against a 1.46% decline in freestanding volume in the same period, indicating that, notwithstanding the economic pressure on UK households, the balance was shifting in favour of built-in.

Current market dynamics That built-in growth could not be sustained in 2011. Les Wicks, head of product and buying at Beko plc, points out that the UK built-in ovens 32

GET CONNECTED MARCH/APRIL 2012

a sector such as ovens, which are absolutely central to British family and social life. Upgrade, refreshment and replacement in the “heart of the home” is a viable route to take for those whose budgets don’t stretch to the full kitchen replacement, and for those who have got some money to invest, the kitchen is a high priority.

As Beko’s Les Wicks says, “the replacement market becomes the key segment for growth, as furniture sales are lower due to consumers refraining from purchasing new kitchens, and replacement channels have grown their share within the built-in market.”

Jon Brennan, commercial manager for built-in at GDHA (Belling, Stoves, New World) adds: “The built-in oven market is an exciting one because of the breadth of choice it offers

“I am feeling increasingly positive about next year” market suffered a 2.9% deterioration in volume in 2011, compared to 2010. But, on the upside, value decreased only 0.9% in the same period, saved by a 0.5% uplift in average price.

And there are other encouraging factors.

As Richard Walker, sales and marketing director at De Dietrich Kitchen Appliances (De Dietrich and Fagor brands) remarks: “Contrary to recent statistics, the cooking market is continuing to grow in the independent kitchen specialist sector and there was a definite air of optimism at KBB Birmingham in March. Speaking with other members in the industry, the general consensus was that while the market remained tough throughout 2011, the industry has benefited from an influx of technological advances, and no more so than in cooking products.”

Miele’s kitchen category manager Neil Pooley is also inclined to be upbeat. “The cooking market is still slightly down,” he says, “with the middle market feeling the most pressure and the high end remaining more resilient. However, it is becoming more stable and improving from last year. I am feeling increasingly positive about next year. I expect to see the trend for steam and steam combination cooking to continue to grow in popularity, with consumers enjoying larger capacities and more professional results at home.”

It seems that hard times modify consumers’ buying behaviour in more complex ways than a simple price-based decision, especially in

to consumers across a full spectrum of price points. Product innovation in the multi-function arena is continuing to shape the market, as consumers demand versatility and intelligent features. Previously limited to only the most expensive products, the multi-function options on many built-in ovens have been successfully adopted by mid-market brands such as Belling and have been quickly and eagerly adopted by consumers looking for high-end technology with a reasonable price tag.”

The growing importance of the built-in multifunction oven option was also identified

by Gorenje sales and marketing director Bill Miller, who, while conceding that the cooking market as a whole has been “challenging” over the past year, says, however, that “there was still a replacement market, which proved a valuable source of sales. Built-in ovens have become far more popular, with many consumers upgrading to them over their freestanding counterparts, as they offer greater choice, functionality, more attractive designs and more innovative technology. There has certainly been growth in this sector, with real interest in built-in ovens which offer automatic programming, a large capacity, strong energy rating and stylish design.”

For Libby Morley, Indesit advertising and communications manager, “the main thrust for 2012 will be to add value to the cooking market, especially as 2011 has been a tough year all round for everyone.” She believes the

G C M

C O O K I N G

S U P P L E M E N T

BUILTIN COOKING

opportunities multifunction oven is a value-added proposition, helping consumers “make the most of their money, with features that will save them energy and time so they can get on with their busy day.”

Replacement power The motivation for buying a new built-in oven may be either as part of a new kitchen, or as a replacement or upgrade appliance in an existing kitchen. Mike Jarrett, sales director of Neff, notes: “Neff research suggests that there has been a steady increase in the share of sales being made by people ‘replacing’ built-in appliances, which suggests that the main market driver at present is kitchen refurbishment or simple replacement of existing models. However, ‘replacement’ sales volumes are only a little up on historical levels, which reflects the impact of significantly lower sales in the ‘new installation’ sector. Here consumers are less inclined or less able to move house and are thinking twice about investing lots of money into new kitchens in the current economic downturn.”

Whatever the buying motivation, or budget constraints, the multi-function oven appears increasingly to be a popular built-in choice.

As noted, multi-function oven versatility has crossed over from the premium end of the market and permeated the sector with a fresh set of affordable options. Whirlpool product marketing manager Simona Bara confirms that the multifunction oven has been most successful in resisting the general decline in the built-in market, and “manufacturers are getting more out of each appliance, even though it occupies the same footprint. Multi-functionality, ease of use and perfect results are a top priority for the consumer today. We anticipate that the trends in the foreseeable future for appliances will be increasingly intelligent, intuitive cooking systems, electronically controlled with automatic programmes to maximise energy efficiency.”

DE DIETRICH HOB & TEPPAN YAKI TEAMED WITH INNOVATIVE DOWNDRAFT EXTRACTOR

High function, highly featured The strong trends emerging in ovens are “intelligent”, user-friendly systems and programmes, and intuitive controls and displays that help produce best results across all types of cooking; energy saving appliances; the growing appeal of using steam as part of the cooking process; and, of course, self-cleaning systems that remove or minimise the most disliked of kitchen chores – cleaning the oven. Sophie Davidson, head of product UK at Electrolux Major Appliances, advises: “Features to look for when choosing an oven may not be obvious at first, but choosing carefully can make a real difference to results. Multifunction ovens offer various cooking methods for different ways of cooking: pizza, turbo grilling, moist fan baking.

Ovens featuring pyrolytic cleaning and steam

HOTPOINT NEWSTYLE GAS HOB

“The main thrust for 2012 will be to add value to the cooking market” ovens are increasing in popularity.” Amica country manager in the UK Simon Freear says of consumers buying a kitchen or major cooking appliances: “it’s only natural, when making such an important purchase, to trade up from existing equipment; to almost ‘future-proof’ the kitchen against becoming old before it’s been installed barely a couple of years, and for this, built-in appliances with intelligent programming and modern displays are the way forward. Features of convenience such as self cleaning, smart programming and personalisation, and steam, are on the up for presenting guests and everyday family meals with more taste and nutritional health benefits. Feature-rich ovens offer so much more than basic models; demand for these helped to drive the cooking market in 2011 and will continue to do so throughout 2012.”

Hotpoint brand manager Iain Starkey continues the high technology theme: “Today’s consumers are used to having state-of-the-art technology at their fingertips, so they demand technology MARCH/APRIL 2012 GET CONNECTED

33

BUILTIN COOKING

AEG’S PROCOMBI STEAM OVEN

that will make life easier in the kitchen. The main trend now is for easy to use but sophisticated programmes that give inexperienced cooks the confidence to create meals worthy of accomplished chefs.”

Induction The British way of hob cooking has traditionally favoured gas. It’s seen as controllable, fast and familiar, and still takes the largest share of the UK hobs market by volume, so most major cooking manufacturers have continued to develop and refine their gas hob ranges with different configurations, formats, finishes, safety features and ultramodern materials and finishes.

Gas remains a major hob cooking fuel, and manufacturers’ efforts to keep it looking good and performing well will continue to deliver rewards.

But the big growth story in hobs continues to be induction, where its speed, elegance of design, efficiency, controllability, safety and ease of cleaning have, after a slow start, accelerated its inroads into the hobs market, and its penetration of all price points. As Whirlpool’s Simona Bara

notes, in the year to December 2011 “gas still takes biggest share of the market by volume. But only just.

Gas hobs show little growth for the period (0.4% up on the previous year), whilst electric hobs are up by 1.5%.

However, the most successful player in the market is the induction hob with a volume increase of 13% for the period, which is the largest increase of any hob sector. The attractiveness of induction hobs, with their sleekness of style and beautiful looks in in-built speed, safety and efficiency means they are working their way up the consumer’s list of ‘must-haves’ for those seeking to make their kitchen a very desirable part of the home. People love the power of the flame, but it is now only a matter of time before induction hobs challenge the gas hob for its crown.”

The success of induction has been rooted in continued development of fresh configurations and refined technologies at the high end, whilst it has, at the same time, succeeded in penetrating the mid and entry level sectors with

ZANUSSI’S QUADRO INDUCTION HOB

highly desirable induction hobs at appropriate price points. At the cutting edge, sophisticated “flexi-zoning” and “zoneless” configurations, touch and slide controls and a range of outstanding designs, finishes and layouts present the most sophisticated and efficient hob cooking, while the technology has also emerged in freestanding cookers, and even in the traditional world of range cookers.

As ATAG’s Bill Miller says: “We believe there will be real development in the induction hob market in particular during 2012, as more and more people are becoming aware of the huge benefits it offers as a cooking medium. This is a product that certainly has the potential for further improvement, so we believe 2012 will see the introduction of new features and functions.

In addition, we will see the introduction of more consumer friendly features such as menu selection, where different cooking styles can be easily called up.”

“It is now only a matter of time before induction hobs challenge the gas hob for its crown” affordably priced models that have democratised and popularised the technology. Manufacturers such as induction pioneers De Dietrich – And sister brand Fagor - have broadened its appeal by ensuring that both high-end and mid-market models are available; Neff, Siemens, Smeg, Miele continue to make induction an integral part of their cooking ranges, and there are few manufacturers, from Amica and Beko to Whirlpool and Zanussi, who have not produced

FAGOR DESIGNER EXTRACTORS COMPLEMENT THE EFFECT

34

GET CONNECTED MARCH/APRIL 2012

Into 2012 Nobody can claim that 2011 was a great year for built-in cooking, but, as electricals go, it is a sector that has held up remarkably well and continued to produce outstanding products – at all price points – to satisfy the hunger for sophisticated technology, and for the designs, materials and joined-up thinking that UK consumers, even in times of economic hardship, see as a priority expression of aspirational lifestyle and practical home life.

Cooking will not go out of style, nor will it cease to be the core activity that takes place at the “heart of the home” and contributes more than any other to consumer comfort, satisfaction and social interaction. When it comes to the kitchen, and the appliances it contains, UK consumers see it as an area where they want the best they can get, and they will make decisions about expenditure that reflect the central importance of cooking in their lives.

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

The second generation of awardwinning new ZANUSSI QUADRO® built-in appliances has arrived!

Pared-down geometry meets simplified controls Zanussi is launching a fantastic NEW QUADRO® range of built-in appliances for people who’d rather spend time with family and friends than spend it doing chores. Sleek and stylish, the new QUADRO® range offers a simple geometric look with easy to use controls that look good and work beautifully.

Striking Branding set to turn heads in store The refreshed Zanussi brand is bright, bold and provides a strong platform to continue our successful brand-building activities. Simplifying the strong yellow Zanussi colour while underlining the logo with the colours of the Italian flag maximises consumer recognition and standout in-store.

New ZANUSSI QUADRO ® Hot looks, hot functions. Easy!

The stunning new range comprises a wide choice of built-in and build under single, double and compact ovens, all featuring the new QUADRO® design and extra-large cavities. Matching cooker hoods and a wide range of gas, electric, induction and domino hobs ensure a complete offering for customers.

The new ovens include pyrolytic models and all are energy efficient.

THE NEW TOPOFTHERANGE ZANUSSI ZOD35702XK DOUBLE CAVITY OVEN OFFERS COOKING FLEXIBILITY AND SPACE

THE NEW ZANUSSI ZEI6640XBA INDUCTION HOB

Doing the Dishes. EASY!

Cool Products, Cool Features. Easy!

The new Zanussi built-in dishwasher range offers excellent value. There is a wide choice of models with good sell-up opportunities. Highlights of the range are large-capacity washing, low energy consumption, low water consumption and Auto programmes that do the thinking for you!

The whole new ZANUSSI QUADRO® cooling range – built-in and freestanding – is now A+ rated. That’s 20% more efficient than an A rating. Whether your customer wants built-in or freestanding cooling appliances, Zanussi has it covered with a great choice of models and lots of ‘sell up’ potential.

New integrated washing machine and washer dryers make light work of the weekly wash.

Zanussi’s washing machines and washer dryers are now bigger and more efficient than ever before!

The new, fully integrated A++ rated model washes more clothes in a load whilst using up to 20% less energy than a standard A rated model.

Built-in: For example, the 280 litre Zanussi ZBB8294 in-column fridge freezer features Space +, ideal for those who want to do a big weekly shop for fresh food!

Freestanding models include the stunning ZRB935NX2, packed with fantastic features like CrispNoFrost that ensures food is preserved properly, staying fresh for as long as possible.

THE NEW ZANUSSI ZRB935NX2 FREESTANDING FRIDGE FREEZER

MARCH/APRIL 2012 GET CONNECTED

35

G C M

THE GOURMET QUARTER

C O O K I N G

S U P P L E M E N T

Trend-setting ‘mini cookers’ from Baumatic

B

aumatic has launched a new series of coloured retro-style mini cookers in a choice of gas or electric fuel. A cooker without the “range”, the space-saving, all-in-one cook centres are designed to fit into a compact 50cm-wide slot.

The double-A rated BCE520 electric model has two substantially sized cavities – one housing a 26.5-litre gross capacity grill and the other a 54-litre gross capacity conventional oven. It also features an LED minute minder and a four-plate electric hob.

The BCG520 gas model also provides two generously sized cavities – one with a 26.5-litre gross capacity gas grill and the other a 54-litre gross capacity oven. The four-burner gas hob includes a rapid burner, and the appliance is super safe, incorporating a flame failure safety device on each burner as well as double-glazed oven doors to lock in the heat. Both the BCE520 and BCG520 are available in a choice of red, black or silver finishes, providing a striking, standout feature for any kitchen, and come with a number of practical accessories.

Colour and style from New World’s ‘Colours’ Collection of built-in products

T

he New World NW901DO is a 90cm built-in double oven, shown here in metallic purple.

The Energy Saving Trust recommended appliance is part of Colours, New World’s latest collection of built-in ovens.

Available across a choice of sizes and fuel types, the Colours collection features a range of single and double built-in ovens which contrast black glass with a brightly coloured trim in metallic purple, blue, green or red, and for those looking for something extra special, an ultra-shiny chrome finish. The newly designed ovens are also available with the more traditional finishes of white, black and stainless steel.

For more information telephone: 0844 815 3735 or visit: www.newworldappliances.co.uk 36

GET CONNECTED MARCH/APRIL 2012

De’Longhi PrimaDonna S DeLuxe coffee machine

D

e’Longhi, the expert in domestic coffee machines, introduces the new PrimaDonna S DeLuxe – the most compact and feature-rich bean-to-cup coffee machine to date.

This chic appliance not only froths and heats the milk in its patented milk carafe, but also comes with a nozzle feature that allows users to froth their own. Its ‘My Coffee’ memory function provides the facility to store the exact temperature and quantity of ingredients for users’ perfect cappuccino, and the machine will perform an automatic cleaning cycle at the touch of a button.

Boasting an easy-to-read, slanted display with metallic touch-screen buttons, the PrimaDonna S DeLuxe has a compact footprint and sleek, miniature design. RRP: £1,095

www.delonghi.co.uk

G C M

C O O K I N G

S U P P L E M E N T

THE GOURMET QUARTER

Zanussi’s new induction hob boils and cooks faster

T

he ZEI6640XBA induction hob is part of the stunning new Zanussi QUADRO® built-in range.

Design features include smooth, wipe-clean black ceramic surfaces, brushed stainless steel frame and electronic touch-sensitive controls with 9-level power display.

This new 60-cm, four-zone induction hob will cook very quickly as it heats up the bottom of the pan instantly using magnetic power, rather than radiant heat via the glass cooking surface as traditional ceramic hobs do. Highlights of this new model include a booster function and a Set & Go timer.

Trade contact details: 08445 610561 www.zanussi.co.uk

Neff FlexInduction: maximum flexibility with minimum effort

F

lexInduction hobs have one or two elongated induction zones, which create a total cooking area each of 380mm x 200mm, providing consistent heat across the whole of this surface and accommodating the placing of one very large pan, or any combination of large, medium and small pans, anywhere on this area.

Sophisticated pan detection technology identifies the size and positioning of each pan, and activates the right combination of specially designed independent coils to achieve the most efficient cooking. The technology is sophisticated, but the benefit is simple and immediate: any pan, or combination of pans, of any size, can be placed on the big FlexInduction zone, and the hob will detect their presence and size and deliver even, consistent and efficient heating where it’s needed.

Neff ’s innovative design of four specially shaped coils, which may be activated independently or in combination, ensures both that power is not wasted by activating unneeded coils, and that small pans on the edge of the zone are not “ignored” by the hob.

01908 328352 www.neff.co.uk

NEFF_4c_ohneClaim_08.eps, 100m, 63y 29k

De Dietrich ‘Piano’ hob: the future of induction

D

e Dietrich’s ‘Piano’ is the world’s most advanced and versatile zoneless induction hob.

The 93cm appliance challenges all previous induction concepts, with full zoneless cooking for up to five pans, and brings the functionality of the professional cooktop to the domestic kitchen.

Offering the ultimate in cooking freedom, Piano features an intuitive interface on a full-colour TFT screen, making it very simple to use. Time and temperature can be individually adjusted using a touch-sensitive slide control.

The beauty of the De Dietrich Piano is that it enables the user to experience true zoneless cooking and features Automatic Pan Detection across the entire cooking area. The hob has been developed and designed to function using three simply defined cooking modes: Expert, Piano and Solo, and its Power Tracker is so advanced that, if a pan is lifted away from the surface and re-sited anywhere on the cooking area, the required temperature will remain constant.

01256 308 067 www.dedietrich.co.uk

Inject Colour into Any Kitchen with Stoves Colour Boutique

T

he 90cm dual fuel Stoves Richmond 900DFT in ‘First Bloom’ is part of Colour Boutique, a new colour concept from leading appliance brands Stoves and Belling which gives consumers the opportunity to choose from 12 inspiring colours across some of the brands’ most popular range cookers.

Colour Boutique can be applied to all size and fuel variants of the Stoves Richmond and Belling Classic range cookers, offering a total of 180 personalised colour/cooker combinations, which is believed to be the biggest colour offering in the market.

Combining four seasonal trends – Fresh Spring, Summer Splash, Autumn Chic and Urban Winter – Colour Boutique offers three fashion-led colours from each of the four seasons. The themes offer a mix of dazzling bright colours, such as First Bloom, Rolling Countryside and Floral Burst to softer colours such as Day’s Break (a pastel blue shade) and Wild Berry (a deep purple).

For more information telephone: 0844 815 3735 or visit: www.stoves.co.uk/boutique

MARCH/APRIL 2012 GET CONNECTED

37

FREESTANDING COOKING

G C M

C O O K I N G

S U P P L E M E N T

F This time last year, we noted that the UK economy had suffered another “annus horribilis”, with all the concomitant restraints on household disposable incomes, a very sluggish housing market, and added pressure on both independent and multiple retail outlets.

These are all factors that have a direct impact upon major kitchen appliances, and as, looking back over another year, economic conditions have if anything worsened through 2011, there’s been no let-up in the difficulties facing the UK cooking market. How is freestanding facing up to the pressure?

“It’s a market with plenty of scope, a reliable replacement potential and reasonable ongoing volume expectations”

reestanding cooking is traditionally seen as the basic, unglamorous, hardworking, bread-and-butter relation that quietly plods on, steadily racking up sales to its traditional customer base, while its more stylish, innovative cousin, built-in, draws most of the attention because it’s there that new technology and new design first makes its appearance.

That is still true, to an extent, and manufacturers do seem, historically, to invest more in getting the market and the consumer excited about their built-in ranges than in promoting freestanding appliances. However, freestanding cooking is still outselling built-in, and the household-name manufacturers who established their market reputations in the UK based on their freestanding appliances, at a time when built-in was a comparatively exclusive and expensive rarity, are still keen to keep a strong and developing presence in this sector, alongside whatever they may be doing in builtin. Visit the trade showrooms of any of these manufacturers and you’ll see a good selection of 50cm and 60cm freestanding models on display. That’s because they, and their retail and distribution partners, know that it’s a market with plenty of scope, a reliable replacement potential and reasonable ongoing volume expectations. (This is before we even consider the game-changing presence of the mighty Range Cooker, of which more later.)

Standing on merit

AEG’S MAXIKLASSE FREESTANDING OVEN

38

It may be true that freestanding cooking almost always has to wait a little longer for the technological innovations that first appear in built-in collections, but it’s equally true that what permeates through to freestanding appliances has proven itself, stood the test of consumer approval, gained the understanding and acceptance of the buying public, and hits the ground running from a retail viewpoint. That’s valuable confidence for retailers who need to make every inch of shopfloor earn its keep.

Remember Belling, one of the cooking industry’s iconic brands, bringing the FSE601 cooker –the first freestanding cooker with an induction hob – to the UK market? It was a significant “first”, because it marked a big step forward for induction, following a long, gradual process of consumer education and acceptance that had been going on for years in the built-in arena. Induction – probably the most important technological advance in hob cooking for many decades – made the transition from an impressive but premiumpriced innovation that needed a great deal of explanation and demonstration, to a more accessible, more democratic presence in the mainstream cooking market. There will soon be few major cooking brands that do not feature

The new Range Cooker colour collection is now ready.

Come and try them for yourself at stand 530.

For an exclusive preview of our new range, visit us at the CIH Tradeshow 22-23 April 2012.

For more information call 0845 600 4516 or visit www.leisurecp.co.uk

Red Range 100 Double Oven CMT105FRRP

FREESTANDING COOKING

G C M

C O O K I N G

S U P P L E M E N T

– that eliminates entirely the most hated kitchen chore of cleaning the oven, is a growth area in freestanding. Smeg said then that pyrolytic cleaning would become available on all of the brand’s freestanding appliances.

Appliances of our time

CANNON BY HOTPOINT PROFESSIONAL DUAL FUEL 100CM RANGE COOKER

“This level of efficiency and sophistication may be undreamed of by many devotees of standalone appliances” induction as an option in their freestanding ranges, at prices that bring it within the reach of many more consumers. That’s not to say that induction no longer needs careful explanation and – where possible – demonstration at point of sale. In fact, manufacturers and retailers agree that it’s still vital. But the opportunity to spread the induction word to a much broader audience, working with a much broader range of price points, means that the technology is gaining understanding and critical mass at a much faster rate. Retailers still need to know their products, but there are more occasions on which taking the time to impart that knowledge will lead to a sale. As Indesit advertising and communications manager Libby Morley asserts: “as consumers become more aware of the technology, the price will come down. And it’s only a matter of time before the induction technology seen on built-in appliances comes to freestanding in a big way – but it must be matched to the right products.”

Refinements adding value It’s also encouraging to see that further refinements – both technological and aesthetic are being included in freestanding cookers. AEG’s MaxiKlasse freestanding cookers range – part of the AEG Neue Kollektion – has at its top end a model equipped with a MaxiSense induction 40

GET CONNECTED MARCH/APRIL 2012

hob, offering the convenience and versatility of the “flexible zones” induction concept that has been developed in various systems by the major manufacturers and is now a standard feature of higher-end induction ranges.

The MaxiKlasse also represents the movement in freestanding towards providing more of the technological benefits first seen in built-in: multifunction cooking, larger capacities in a standard footprint, A and AA energy ratings, programmable timers. And the sophistication of “intelligent” cooking systems is becoming a more regular feature of freestanding appliances.

For example, when Hotpoint introduced its “Ultima” freestanding range it included the Intelligent Cooking System that recommends optimum temperature, cooking time and shelf position, plus the “One Touch” automatic programming and “Smart Chef” functions that take charge of ensuring perfect results for breads, cakes, roast meats and fish. This level of efficiency and sophistication may be undreamed of by many devotees of standalone appliances, who, coming back into the market for a replacement to an existing product after a number of years, are likely to be pleasantly surprised at how much they can now get for their money. As Smeg’s Joan Fraser predicted last year, the “dream feature” – pyrolytic cleaning

As well as its increasing sophistication and added value, the freestanding sector has a great deal going for it in times such as these. As New World’s commercial manager Jon Brennan commented in 2011, freestanding cooking appliances are generally less expensive than built-in, which is an important consideration for consumers worried about dwindling disposable income. They are also a simpler initial installation proposition, and are easier to change in the future. Very appealing for householders who are opting to stay put in a stagnant housing market and want to update their kitchens with a new cooker that will improve their quality of life – and the look of the “heart of the home” - without the expense of a total refit.

But the trump card held by the freestanding cooking sector has been – and remains – the Range Cooker. It’s a versatile, aspirational appliance that combines the ability to make a real style statement in both traditional and contemporary kitchens with a high level of performance. If anything over 70cm width can be described as a range cooker, it’s also got the advantage of a wide choice of sizes up to 120cm that can either blend into its surroundings or stand out as a real “statement” piece, adding interest, style and focus. Established favourite finishes such as black and stainless steel have for a long time been available alongside “traditional” creams and pastels, and there has been an increasing trend towards a bright palette of strong colours providing a powerful focus.

BELLING’S GROUNDBREAKING FIRST FREESTANDING COOKER WITH INDUCTION HOB

G C M

C O O K I N G

S U P P L E M E N T

FREESTANDING COOKING

Ranges of choice With so much to choose from in size, design, finish, colour and technology options, the range cooker is a versatile star. Steve Macdonald, marketing director at Hoover Candy, acknowledges the difficulties created by the general economic conditions, and sums up the range cooker’s ability to adapt and overcome: “In the case of range cookers,” he says, “manufacturers have adjusted their offer to try and combat the earlier decline in the [cooking] sector. They have improved both the specification and aesthetics as well as providing a wider choice at attractive prices.

Also, contemporary or traditional designed range cookers are available in a variety of colour options and sizes to suit different lifestyles and budgets.

“Range cookers are also increasingly popular because of their impressive size and the functionality and durability they afford.

Both budding and more accomplished chefs enjoy using range cookers as they allow more options through greater flexibility with a choice of griddles, hotplates, powerful wok burners, rotisseries…

“Range cookers are at the higher end of the market and where space allows the larger size models around 1200mm wide are very desirable, although smaller 900mm wide more affordable appliances for smaller kitchens are also proving popular.”

It’s a ringing tribute to a “traditional” style of cooker that can evoke all the retro chic of a vintage farmhouse setting, but has also reinvented itself in style, technology and colour to be equally at home in the most contemporary 21st century kitchen. Hotpoint’s Iain Starkey asserts that “the trend towards mixing contemporary appliances with traditional country kitchen units continues, so range-style cookers like the Cannon by Hotpoint Professional Dual Fuel stainless steel range cooker, with its clean lines and focal point features, are still a popular and versatile solution.”

Cannon, a longstanding specialist cooking brand, stands alongside other great cooking names such as Leisure (about to reveal its new “colour” range), Stoves, Smeg, Hotpoint, in refining and developing the 21st century range cooker to meet a wide spectrum of 21st century needs and aspirations.

As Mark Scott, general manager UK of Steel, says: “The UK has become the largest

SMEG’S NEW TR4110P RANGE COOKER

“The trend towards mixing contemporary appliances with traditional country kitchen units continues” market in Europe for range cookers as they have captured the imagination of the consumer, and this is evident in the number of manufacturers we have in the UK. The popularity of range cookers for the last few decades means there is now an up-and-coming replacement market, as once you invest the space in a range cooker you never go back. The range cooker offers real flexibility and durability, and

they now feature professional functionality which competes with the built-in market, and modern functionality on a traditional range cooker has really caught the attention of consumers.”

Into 2012 The range cooker market, which was once very niche, has attracted “many entry-level and massmarket manufacturers,” who have “extended their product lines to include range cookers in a variety of sizes to fit all pockets.

“This trend,” concludes Mark Scott, “will continue, and sizes will be continually refined. It is a concept that is proving too successful for manufacturers to ignore; they have adopted the styling and translated this into smaller sizes to meet the needs of those who don’t have the space for a larger range cooker.”

It appears that, in total, the freestanding cooking market has a strong future across the full spectrum of consumer requirements, from the conservative, budget-conscious buyer through the aspirational, style-conscious homemaker to the “serious” cook and the well heeled cutting-edge consumer looking to make a serious statement. Plenty of customer variety for retailers to work with.

STEEL GENESI GET CONNECTED

41

COFFEE MACHINES

G C M

C O O K I N G

S U P P L E M E N T

Wake up and smell the coffee…

The so-called “café culture” which swept Britain in the last decade succeeded in putting the nation on the coffee-lovers’ map. No longer do we trail behind our continental cousins in our appreciation of taste and quality; in fact, some UK citizens would claim to be coffee “experts”, or “connoisseurs”, giving the drink the same deliberation and status as a fine wine….

KENWOOD COFFEE MAKER FROM THE KMIX BOUTIQUE BREAKFAST COLLECTION

A

nd it all started with the spread of coffee bars such as Starbucks, Costa Coffee and Caffé Nero, which have become high street destinations that provide a relaxed environment for socializing – “a welcome sanctuary for those with busy, hectic lives,” as described by Smeg Product and Training Manager Joan Fraser. Or, as Neil Pooley, Kitchen Category Manager at Miele, remarks: for those who want a “quick coffee” on the commute to work. “Coffee has become a huge part of the everyday lifestyle in Britain, and great tasting drinks can be bought on every high street corner,” he says.

“This has created a market for bean-to-cup coffee machines in the home, rather than the traditional filter coffee that once sufficed.”

The popularity of coffee machines has for years given the small domestic appliance sector (worth £2.4 billion in 2011, according to GfK data) a substantial lift. The health of the category continues to be boosted by innovative design, top-end machines with automatic functions, memory options and easier cleaning and de-

THE STREAMLINED AND CONTEMPORARYSTYLED AEG BUILTIN COFFEE MACHINE

42

GET CONNECTED MARCH/APRIL 2012

scaling. But the greatest feature of be measured by the number this market is consumers’ demand of brands in the marketplace. for creating the “coffee experience” “With the kitchen and living at home, whether that entails areas merging into one,” she says, a “quick shot” in the morning, “built-in machines de-clutter a relaxing midday cappuccino the worktop and are excellent or latte, or impressing dinner ‘crossover’ appliances, travelling guests with knowledge of well between the two rooms or, the range of speciality coffee of course, ideal for the dining drinks that can now be made room, study or bedroom. They in the comfort of the home. As add value to the consumer’s home Simona Bara, Product Marketing and to the retailer’s sale, providing a Manager for Built-in at Whirlpool unique opportunity to sell an add-on STYLE AND SUBSTANCE says: “Coffee is having its moment.” appliance.”

FROM THE DE’LONGHI PRIMADONNA Bara adds that there has been Miele’s Pooley also remarks on the COLLECTION tremendous growth in coffee trend for built-in machines, which he consumption, and it will continue says “are increasingly being included to rise. “This is a very positive market sector,” in consumers’ kitchen planning.” But he she says. “And entertaining at home has meant acknowledges that not everyone has enough having the ‘right’ appliances on show and in built-in space for such products, and says that focus to add the ‘wow’ factor to the kitchen.” both versions [built-in and freestanding] “create Chetana Raj, Product Manager at Groupe a significant lifestyle statement.”

SEB UK, agrees. She says that design and At the end of 2011, Miele introduced the ergonomics are “key market drivers,” and Groupe CM5200 Barista bean-to-cup freestanding SEB’s Krups brand has products that meet model, which makes up to two cups of coffee “every need,” whether consumers are looking at the touch of a button using a new automatic for the convenience of a pod system or want an milk-heating and frothing feature. authentic tasting espresso, created by grinding While the general trend in built-in machines their own beans. She also believes that, unlike tends to be streamlined and contemporary; many other SDA areas, the coffee machine in freestanding, products mostly lean towards sector will not polarize. “Rather, as the coffee contemporary or retro in their design, as can culture continues to grow in the UK, consumers be seen in those from Italian brand De’Longhi, will be willing to pay more for good quality, which boasts a wide range of products, from well designed machines that provide them with the retro-styled Icona models, to the chic, great tasting coffee.”

PrimaDonna collection.

Colour is another common feature of the freestanding market. Take, for example, Krups’ Built-in or freestanding?

Dolce Gusto ‘Piccolo’; Kenwood’s kMix Boutique Whirlpool’s Bara is keen to note that filter coffee maker; and, again, the De’Longhi “manufacturers have sunk generous investment Icona range. into the development of the coffee machine, That the coffee machine market should both freestanding and built-in. Products are continue to grow reaps a unanimous, positive designed to suit the most sophisticated coffee vote. Products have the elements of being, for enthusiasts, with attention to detail via exact some, essential, for the majority, aspirational. bar pressure to ensure the ‘crema’ is perfect, the So perhaps it could be suggested, then, water temperature exact, and precision bean that retailers should look at the sale of such grinding delivering a full flavour.” appliances not simply as the sale of a product, Bara also comments on the trend towards but of a ‘lifestyle’. built-in units, the significance of which can

New thinking • Appliances with curve appeal

NewStyle from Hotpoint. A range of Built-In appliances; single and double ovens, hobs and hoods with a striking aesthetic that combines smooth curves, meticulous detailing and an exceptional finish.

The NewStyle oven range is a pleasure to use – from the smooth feel of the door mechanism and the curve of the handle to the ergonomically designed controls. The top of the range NewStyle single oven SH103CX features touch controls and 10 cooking programmes including Hotpoint’s Intelligent Cooking System.

NewStyle hobs co-ordinate effortlessly with the style of the ovens and come in a range of 75cm or 60cm widths.

Delivering the Ultimate in Subscription-Free Digital TV The award-winning range of Humax set-top boxes and recorders for Freeview and Freesat is designed to meet consumer demand and generate high volume sales. With high definition (HD) and on-demand content, advanced recording features and interactive services, there is a box to suit any TV viewer’s needs.

www.humaxdigital.com/uk