Get Connected Magazine - May 2015

MAY 2015

gcmagazine.co.uk

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

Team spirit is what unites us.

AUDIO & DIGITALV STREAMING UK hooked on music streaming

Thank you for being part of our team and for your support.

This year we celebrate 25 years of Beko and over 20 million appliances sold in the UK.

Beko. Join our team.

GEORGE COLE GETS CONNECTED No gold medal for 4K at 2016 Olympics

FROM THE BENCH Digital TV: problems with lip sync

PLUS INTEGRAL

COOKING SUPPLEMENT

21 FOOD PREPARATION: Healthy outlook for premium-end sales

BUILT-IN APPLIANCES: A sector on a roll‌

FREESTANDING APPLIANCES:

The 60cm slot-in finds its place

COFFEE MACHINES:

UK consumers willing to pay for taste and convenience

THE GOURMET QUARTER: Manufacturers promote a selection of their innovative products

beko.co.uk

Together in perfect harmony.

The Serie 8 range offers your customers an easy way to perfect results.

Welcome to precision engineering, sophisticated design and superior performance. We’re launching our new Serie 8 appliances with a full advertising campaign encompassing consumer press, digital and social media. For your electronic support launch pack, please speak to your Area Business Manager. Discover the Serie 8 range at bosch-home.co.uk

ards 2014 Aw

CONTENTS

INSIDE...

MULTIONE 29 KENWOOD www.kenwoodworld.com/uk Editor in Chief: Marlinda Conway Telephone: 01420 886 33 marlinda@gcmagazine.co.uk Magazine Advertising Sales: Brian Shilling Telephone: 01892 677 741 brian@gcmagazine.co.uk

04 06

The Word

16

Audio & Digital Streaming

18

George Cole Gets Connected

Sharon Maslen Telephone: 01892 677 742 sharon@gcmagazine.co.uk

Advertisement Production Administration: Will Dobson Telephone: 01342 850 456 artwork@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

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

© Copyright 2015 Mud Hut Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.

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

In and around the industry

Testing the fast-flowing currents in streaming

Olympic Committee delivers blow to retailers

20

From the Bench

21

Integral

Subscriptions & Circulation: (GCCD) Telephone: 01420 886 33 circulation@gcmagazine.co.uk Creative Director: Will Dobson will@gcmagazine.co.uk

Editorial Comment

Alan Bennett investigates the ongoing problem of poor synchronisation between vision and sound in TV reception

Cooking

MAY 2015

cooking gcmagazine.co.uk

A G E T CONNEC T ED IN T EG R AL S UPPLEMEN T

INSIDE

Supplement

PREPARATION

Healthy outlook for premiumend sales

APPLIANCES A sector on a roll...

APPLIANCES

MACHINES

UK consumers willing to pay for taste and convenience

22 26 28 30 34

PLUS...

Featuring:

THE GOURMET QUARTER

Manufacturers promote a selection of their innovative products

Food Preparation Appliances Built-in Cooking Appliances The Gourmet Quarter Freestanding Cooking Appliances Coffee Machines MAY 2015 GET CONNECTED

3

EDITORIAL COMMENT

COMMENT ...PLUS C’EST LA MEME CHOSE for your FREE COPY of Get Connected Magazine

We

were talking hasn’t changed. The about change attitude of the “ruling “The owner of the last month under the classes” hasn’t headline “Plus ça livery stable who took changed, and it change....”, so perhaps matters not one the attitude that this it’s appropriate to add tiny bit what new internal combustion a few more thoughts colour, or rainbow engine thing wasn’t fair under the second concatenation and wouldn’t last, half of that quotation, of colours, the went spectacularly which is generally Government is, apart broke.“ translated as “The more from the odd couple of things change, the more pence up or down for big they stay the same.” business, small business, the As we were saying in April, rich, the poor..... The ruling classes change in our industry has been massive, are programmed to rule. The electorate irrevocable and iconoclastic over the past is programmed to be ruled. few years. So what about the things that The politicians are still in charge because stay the same? It’s generally attitudes that they expect to be. The electorate expect it, stay the same, dictating how people react too. And above us all, the “markets”, - those to change. The owner of the livery stable supra-national institutions who alone have who took the attitude that this new internal enough money to lend to countries like ours combustion engine thing wasn’t fair and that are borrowing more than they earn wouldn’t last, went spectacularly broke. The every day just to stay afloat. one who got himself and his staff trained as So no change there. motor mechanics and converted his stables A little more discernible change, though, in to garages did a bit better. Each of them our own industry, where the Trade Press in was born with – or learned – attitudes that our sector now has only monthly magazines. they didn’t question too rigorously or think Clearly, a monthly printed publication can about changing. It so happened that one have no pretensions to be “newsy.” News is of them had the good fortune to be better now found daily on websites. programmed for survival. Survival, as they say, The model that Get Connected adopted of the fittest. some time ago, in preparation for change And the prime, monumental example of that has now happened, was to produce attitudes that really don’t change is the recent a monthly print publication that’s well and recurrent festival of persiflage, mendacity, designed, well written and full of the kind deviousness and arrogance we call “The General of content that holds its interest over time Election.” As I write, the result is not known, but and deserves detailed attention. Not too I am willing to put my predictive powers on the much content. Enough to hold the interest line and say what we got, or are in the process and be useful and stimulating. Alongside of getting, is: A bunch of indistinguishable the printed publication, the huge demand for Oxbridge Mafia in near-identical suits with up-to-the-minute news and information is third-rate intellects and a first class sense of met with a website that is rich in relevant entitlement, ready to forget all the promises content and updated several times a day. and ”rule” over us for another five years.

Being the best at what you do is often – It will happen like that because there’s no though unfortunately not always – the way alternative. The attitude of the electorate to succeed in a changing world.

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GET CONNECTED MAY 2015

www.gcmagazine.co.uk

Marlinda Conway Editor in Chief

Terry Heath Editorial & Publishing Director

Will Dobson Creative Director

James McIntosh Consumer Consultant

George Cole Consumer Electronics Consultant

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

INDUSTRY NEWS

GCMAGAZINE.CO.UK >> UPDATED DAILY

THE VERY LATEST ELECTRICAL GOODS INDUSTRY NEWS

CONSUMER CONFIDENCE REMAINS STEADY IN APRIL

C

onsumer confidence in the UK held steady in April, at its highest score since 2002.

GfK’s UK Consumer Confidence Index remained at 4 for the month, with two of the five measures used to calculate the

index staying the same, two increasing and one declining.

Nick Moon, Managing Director of Social Research at GfK, said: “In May 2010, the core Index score was -18. After dipping to as low as -33 in December 2011,

it was out of negative territory at zero by May 2014 and over the past 11 months has recorded six positive scores. We haven’t seen the scores of the past two months (+4) since September 2002.”

JOHN LEWIS REBRANDS B2B OPERATIONS

T

he business to business arm of John Lewis has rebranded as part of a renewed focus on the retailer’s B2B operations.

‘John Lewis for Business’ allows trade customers to purchase selected furniture and interior products at discounted trade prices.

It also provides electrical appliances and technology in bulk, and business gifts such as hampers, gift food, gadgets and gift cards.

DIXONS CARPHONE SELLS THE PHONE HOUSE

D

ixons Carphone has entered into an agreement to dispose of The Phone House Deutschland GmbH to Drillisch AG, a leading mobile virtual network operator in Germany.

The disposal follows a period of significant restructuring for the German business and is in line with the Group’s stated strategy of focusing on market leadership positions while engaging in other markets through partnerships with its Connected World Services division.

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GET CONNECTED MAY 2015

Completion of the deal is expected to take place by the end of May at the latest, at which time Dixons Carphone will receive around 3% of Drillisch AG Group shares with potential further deferred payments from future excess cash flows.

HMV REGAINS ITS TITLE AS UK’S TOP MUSIC RETAILER

H

MV has returned to its place as the top music retailer in the UK, moving ahead of Amazon in physical music sales for the first time since September 2013, due to a 12% year-on-year increase in physical music sales valued at £9.8 million.

Fiona Keenan, strategic insight director at Kantar Worldpanel, said: “Spend from consumers browsing for music products in HMV has grown by almost 50% compared to this time last year, helping to boost the retailer’s share of total browsed spend in the market to 43.4%, making it the standout player.

“Pre-administration, HMV’s share of browsing purchases was regularly over 50%, so this recent resurgence is a positive sign for the retailer’s future as it faces increased competition from the online market.”

@GC_Team

RETAIL HEALTH SHOWS SLIGHT SIGNS OF RECOVERY

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etail health in the UK saw marginal signs of improvement in the first quarter of 2015, but not at as strong a rate as other consumer services, according to the influential KPMG/Ipsos Retail Think Tank (RTT).

The health of the UK retail market improved by one index point, to 81, after a disappointing end to 2014.

But the uplift was tempered both by the impact that Black Friday had on the traditional January sales and also by price deflation, which meant the quarter got off to a slow start.

Promising signs that demand is on the up became more evident as time wore on, with sectors such as homewares and household appliances doing comparatively well, indicating that the market is on the mend, but shop price deflation, particularly in the food sector, meant retailers had to sell more to stand still, according to the RTT, and consumers had little incentive to rush in and spend.

Richard Lowe, Managing Director, head of retail & wholesale at Barclays, said: "One of the strongest indicators of an improving retail environment is the health of the homewares sector. Often the first to come under pressure, sensitive to fluctuations in the housing market and the last to recover, it has enjoyed significant growth in recent months.”

“There is a real sense across various retail sectors that the sun is starting to shine a little brighter,” said Martin Hayward, founder of Hayward Strategy and Futures.

“Real income is on the rise, and with consumer confidence the highest it has been since the economic crash, it is important that the industry grasps those shoots of recovery.”

making the right connections

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For more information on the show take a look at www.exclusivelyelectrical.co.uk or call 0121 237 1130

INDUSTRY NEWS

GCMAGAZINE.CO.UK >> UPDATED DAILY

EURONICS CHIEF “ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTED” WITH SUPPORT FOR 2015 SHOW

@GC_Team

Pictured (left to right): CIH chairman Robin Millwood; Paul Tyler, BSH channel director, retail; Shaun English, BSH independent retail director; Stuart Cook, CIH chief executive; Mandy Gembarski, CIH assistant marketing manager

Buying and marketing group CI(H) has pronounced this year’s Euronics Showcase a successful event, with record numbers attending.

S

tuart Cook, the group’s chief executive, said he was “absolutely delighted” with the turnout at the show, which took place 26th and 27th April at Birmingham’s NEC. “This is an incredible result. The Euronics Showcase format goes from strength to strength,” he said.

“I am very grateful to the members for attending the Euronics Showcase, because without the members, we don’t have a show.”

More than 40 suppliers exhibited their products and services at this year’s event, which saw a number of initiatives aimed at Euronics Agents.

Exclusive brand Blomberg added a number of new products to its range, while Siemens introduced the new extraKlasse range, which will be exclusively available to Euronics Agents. Electrolux launched the Frigidaire brand, also exclusively available to Euronics Agents. All three suppliers were acknowledged with awards presented at the show.

Visit for the stories behind the news...

From sci-fi to reality: consumers warm to smart home devices Hotpoint aims for “digital masterbrand” status Bluetooth SIG brings Innovation Training Series to London Electrolux brands mark ‘Queen’ Penny’s Pearl Jubilee

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GET CONNECTED MAY 2015

“More than 40 suppliers exhibited their products and services at this year’s event, which saw a number of initiatives aimed at Euronics Agents.”

The award for best in show was presented to BSH Home Appliances, the parent company of the Bosch, Neff and Siemens brands.

Blomberg and the Electrolux Group were both presented with awards for special recognition.

Paul Tyler, BSH channel director, retail, said: “We have always received a highly commended acknowledgement for our stands, but to win Best in Show concludes what has been a truly successful Showcase for all BSH brands this year.

“For the first time, the Siemens brand has taken centre stage within our stand, showcasing the launch of the exclusive extraKlasse range.”

Steve Naylor, Blomberg channel manager, said: “2015 is an exciting year for Blomberg and we’re looking forward to exclusively working with Euronics Agents. Blomberg’s offering of a three-year warranty as standard across all the range will continue to be a key benefit for Agents this year.”

Hayley Butler, head of independent channel at the Electrolux Group, said: “It’s absolutely fantastic to be recognised. It’s been encouraging at this year’s Euronics

Showcase to see the enthusiasm of members and it’s been a great platform to launch the Frigidaire range of 10 cooling products, which is exclusive to Euronics.”

“There is no doubt that the suppliers upped their game this year and a number made significant investments in their stands. We look forward to next year’s Euronics Showcase, which will raise the bar once again,” said Stuart Cook.

Cook added that Euronics welcomes approaches from brands wanting to deal with independent electrical specialists. “The door is wide open to brands that have a clear channel strategy,” he said.

SCARLET OPUS TO SHARE ‘TREND’ EXPERTISE AT EXCLUSIVELY ELECTRICAL

T

rend forecasting agency Scarlet Opus will be in attendance at this year's Exclusively Electrical event with a display of specially prepared trend mood boards incorporating relevant product shots from the show.

Visitors will be able to view the display and talk to the team, and sit in on the presentation on trends, which will take place on the second day of the event.

“We’ve asked the Scarlet Opus team to review all the products our exhibitors are putting forward for the Show Preview, and all the gift ideas they’ve come up

with for our Christmas Shopping promotion, to identify those products they think are good examples of ontrend items,” said show director Simon Boyd.

“Their selection will be highlighted by our new ‘On Trend’ icon, so that our visitors can share their view.”

Exclusively Electrical takes place on 9th and 10th June at the Business Design Centre in London.

For further information: 0121 237 1130 www.exclusivelyelectrical.co.uk

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INDUSTRY NEWS

@GC_Team

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION ANNOUNCES UK AND IRELAND INTEGRATION

W

SHARPER

www.amica-international.co.uk

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GET CONNECTED MAY 2015

hirlpool Corporation has announced its organisational plans for the UK and Ireland following the acquisition of Indesit Company Spa. The company said in a statement that the role of the UK and Ireland begins “a new and exciting era…”

Operating from combined headquarters in Peterborough and headed by General Manager Maurizio Pettorino, the UK and Ireland becomes the largest revenue contributor to Whirlpool Corporation, after the North America region.

The new management team includes Commercial Director James Goldsmith and Marketing Director Piero Pracchi, and Whirlpool said the two companies will continue to execute their existing brand investments and plans independently throughout 2015.

“We are at the very beginning of instigating the integration of the new company and the existing plans will remain intact for 2015,” said Maurizio Pettorino.

“This is a tremendously exciting time, with a variety of complementary brands and products in our portfolio to service the UK and Ireland, generating many opportunities for all our trade partners and consumers alike.”

Throughout the forthcoming year there will be the introduction of a wide range of new products focused on bringing fresh and original innovations to the market for consumers, creating a great variety of consumer solutions and benefits across the brands. The assembly of brands in the new portfolio will include KitchenAid, Whirlpool, Hotpoint and Indesit.

Whirlpool Corporation said it offers an exceptional end-toend business solution for trade partners and consumers in the UK and Ireland, from manufacture to delivery and servicing by the company’s very own teams.

“This unique, dedicated commitment to service the market in depth results in the organisation being in touch with over five million

Maurizio Pettorino, UK & Ireland General Manager of the newly merged Whirlpool Corporation and Indesit Company

UK and Ireland consumers every year. In addition, the acquisition has enabled access to over 70 manufacturing and technical research centres around the world.

Since the announcement of the acquisition, the manufacturing plans have already increased to over 900,000 large appliances to be made in the UK every year.”

“The acquisition provides many opportunities together with a resilient and firm base for the future,” said Pettorino. “We will continue to pursue the generation of a new, stronger organisation to support our business partners’ plans and total commitment to the consumer.

“It is imperative we demonstrate and maintain our speed of response to market needs, and innovate and generate market demand and value creation, to satisfy our consumers and for the success of our trade partners.

“We are looking forward to continuing our success, with greater sustainability, strength and resource, creating a genuinely exciting and profitable future.”

GCMAGAZINE.CO.UK

INDUSTRY NEWS IH EURC ONIC S VIS IT

US

MIELE AND MICROSOFT COLLABORATE ON ‘SMART’ COOKING CONCEPT

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iele has announced a ‘proof of concept’ study based on Microsoft Azure Internet of Things services that will help usher in the next generation of smart appliances and home cooking.

The new technology is the result of collaboration between Miele and Microsoft to identify new internetenabled customer experiences. The concept allows users to browse recipes on Miele’s website and choose from a variety of meals.

With the selection of a recipe, the necessary food preparation stages are downloaded to the user’s smartphone or tablet and the matching programme is loaded onto the oven via Azure.

The oven is programmed to cook the specific meal using the correct operating mode, temperature, cooking time, humidity and other factors, taking the guesswork out of cooking and delivering great results, according to Miele.

“This assistance system incorporates temperature charts, times and the machine’s special features, such as adding steam, to create the optimum roasting, cooking or baking results,” said Dr. Eduard Sailer, executive director of Technical Affairs at Miele. “This allows people to get the best results out of their cooking appliances.”

“This is just one example of how the Internet of Things and cloud technology are moving from enterprise experiences to personal experiences,” said Caglayan Arkan, general manager, Worldwide Manufacturing and Resources at Microsoft. “Miele is driving a truly innovative home solution that we are looking forward to experiencing in our own kitchens.”

The use of Azure IoT services offers additional benefits as it can scale to be made available to Miele customers worldwide. Currently, the joint project is classified as a study, but other applications are conceivable on the Microsoft platform, such as status reports, remote diagnostics and predictive maintenance.

26-2 APRI 7 L

A IN HALL 3

SHARPER

sharper ~ adjective., – clearer, more distinct, more defined, crisper

CROWN DOMESTIC APPLIANCES RECOGNISED FOR INSPIRING BRITAIN

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rown Domestic Appliances has been recognised in the second edition of the London Stock Exchange 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain report 2015, which identifies the fastest growing and most dynamic small and medium sized businesses in UK. The report comprises companies that have shown consistent revenue growth

over a minimum of three years, significantly outperforming their industry peers.

Crown Domestic Appliances founder John Graham said: “We knew nothing about the London Stock Exchange listing and were delighted when told of our inclusion. We are a small team and this reflects very well on everyone involved with Crown.”

www.amica-international.co.uk

MAY 2015 GET CONNECTED

11

INDUSTRY NEWS

GCMAGAZINE.CO.UK >> UPDATED DAILY

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ROYAL SEAL OF APPROVAL FOR MORPHY RICHARDS ENGINEERING EDUCATION CENTRE

T

he Morphy Richards Engineering Education Centre on the Dumfries House Estate in East Ayrshire was officially opened on 28th April by His Royal Highness The Price of Wales, known in Scotland as The Duke of Rothesay.

The state-of-the-art facility is designed to provide experiential indoor and outdoor learning in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to primary and early secondary school pupils. It is sponsored by Morphy Richards’ parent company Glen Dimplex.

THE MARCH TOWARDS DIGITAL RADIO SWITCHOVER BEGINS Norway is to become the first country in the world to switch off FM radio, with the switchover to digital taking place over a 12-month period starting in January 2017, commencing in the north of the country and implemented region by region with completion in December 2017.

In 2009, Norway was the first country in the world to fully switch to digital TV. The announcement comes at a time when Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland and Germany are reviewing the timeframe for development of digital radio and a potential switchover. In the UK, the Government has established switchover listening criterion of 50% and will review the decision and timeframe for a future UK radio switchover when that is achieved, which is expected in the next 2 years.

Ford Ennals, CEO of Digital Radio UK, said the announcement of Norway’s radio switchover is expected to signal the start of a transition to digital radio across a number of European markets.

DURACELL SMARTPHONE AND TABLET CHARGERS THE REASONS GO ON AND ON DURACELL BATTERIES, CHARGERS, SYNC & CHARGE CABLES FULL RANGE COVERING ALL MAJOR MAUFACTURERS APPLE LICENSED (MFI)

PURE PARTNERS WITH VW TO DRIVE DAB ADOPTION

P

ure has collaborated with Volkswagen Group to launch Drive Digital, an in-car digital radio adapter designed and approved especially for VW Group vehicles.

The Drive Digital has been designed to fit seamlessly in most vehicles produced by the Group, with four-

colour illuminated backlight settings to suit each environment and dashboard.

“This is an important step forward for the uptake of in-car digital radio adapters and will be a significant catalyst in driving a digital radio switchover,” said Nick Hucker, Pure’s senior marketing director.

Moves Smeg UK has expanded its team with two new appointments. Laura Green has taken on the role of Laura Green Marketing Executive at Smeg’s Abingdon headquarters and Pina Brown has joined the sales team as Regional Sales Support Manager responsible for the South West and South Wales.

Neil Truckell has been appointed Managing Director of Acoustic Energy. He returns to the business after more than seven years after leaving to establish his own marketing and sales consultancy.

Pina Brown

Neil Truckell

Specialist hi-fi brand Naim has announced that Dr. Trevor Wilson (pictured right) will become Managing Director from 1 July 2015. He succeeds current MD Paul Stephenson (left), who is to take on the role of Chairman.

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John Pearce has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Made in Britain Campaign.

SMARTPHONE & TABLET

SDA distributor EPE Group has appointed Andrew Size to the role of Brand Sales Manager.

EPE has also been appointed exclusive distribution partner for US blender company Blendtec.

psaparts.com +44 (0) 20 8685 6224

Andrew Size

12

GET CONNECTED MAY 2015

John Pearce

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

WUNDERBAR! Our 10 Year Warranty now comes FREE Purchase our new A+++ WDA210 Miele washing machine today and receive a FREE 10 Year Full Parts and Labour Warranty.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

GCMAGAZINE.CO.UK >> UPDATED DAILY

Amazon increased

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sales, at 0.1% and 13.9% respectively.

trillion to KRW 47.12 trillion, while

15% to $22.72 billion in the first quarter

Operating income amounted to SEK

operating profit declined from KRW

of 2015, but the retailer reported a loss

516m (Q1 2014 SEK 731m), while net

8.49 to KRW 5.98 trillion.

of $57m, compared with net income of

profit for the period fell from SEK 431m

$108m in Q1 2014. Operating income

to SEK 339m.

Net sales at

Group revenues at

increased 74% to $255m, against $146m in the same period last year.

Haier announced a 10.5% year-on-

Sky rose 5%

to £8,453m for the 9 months ended 31 March 2015, with a “standout

year increase in global turnover, to

performance” in the UK and Ireland,

US$32.6 billion in 2014. The company

where revenues grew 6% to £5,824m.

and a net profit of $13.6 billion for its

said it performed exceptionally well

Group operating profit increased 20%

fiscal 2015 Q2 ended March 28 2015,

across its entire product portfolio.

to £1,025m, resulting in a 150 basis

Apple posted revenues of $58 billion

point expansion in operating margin.

compared to revenue of $45.6 billion and a net profit of $10.2 billion in the same quarter last year. Gross margin

LG announced first-quarter net profit of KRW 38.4 billion and operating profit

Sony forecast a return to profit for

of KRW 305.2 billion. Consolidated

its fiscal year ending March 2016, with

revenues of KRW 13.99 trillion showed

full-year net profit of ¥140 billion

little change from the same period a

compared to a net loss of ¥126 billion

year ago as rising smartphone sales

for FY2015. Sales for the year ended 31

were offset by modest revenue declines

March 2015 increased 5.8% to ¥8,215.9

in TVs. LG’s mobile division recorded

billion, while operating income rose

its highest first-quarter revenues since

158.7% to ¥68.5 billion. The company

DKK800m, with 37% growth in the UK

introducing its first Android device

said it expects an operating profit of

market. Gross profit increased from

in 2010.

¥320 billion in the year to March 2016

rose from 39.3% (Q2 2014) to 40.8%. In its third-quarter guidance Apple said it expects revenue between $46 billion and $48 billion and a gross margin of 38.5% to 39.5%.

B&O posted Q3 revenue up 19% to

on sales of ¥7,900 billion.

DKK288m to DKK319m with earnings after tax coming in at DKK17m compared to a negative DKK32m in Q3 2014.

Samsung reported a near 40% fall in net profit for the first quarter of

Whirlpool reported Q1 net

2015 as it again struggled to compete

earnings of $191m, compared to

with Apple and low-cost Chinese

$160m for the same period last year.

13.5% as a result of positive currency

rival smartphone products. Net profit

Net sales were a Q1 record, at $4.8

translation effects. Organic sales

declined from KRW 7.57 trillion in Q1

billion, up from $4.4 billion in Q1

declined by 0.5%, while acquisitions

2014 to KRW 4.63 trillion in Q1 2015.

2014. Operating profit rose from

and currencies had a positive impact on

Sales were down from KRW 53.68

$281m to $303m.

Q1 net sales at

Electrolux grew

www.gorenje.co.uk

INVITE PLEASURE INTO YOUR KITCHEN

GOOD LOOKING, SMART COOKING. DESIGN AND DESIRES. PERFECTLY MATCHED.

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GET CONNECTED MAY 2015

The new generation of Gorenje built-in appliances is here to make your life better. They are full of innovative technologies that intuitively adapt to your cooking style, offer you interesting pre-set options and minimise energy consumption and the need for cleaning.

GCMAGAZINE.CO.UK

INDUSTRY NEWS

LG LAUNCHES FIRST HE TECH ZONE IN IRELAND

LG

Electronics has brought its first home entertainment Tech Zone to Ireland, located in Arnotts, Dublin’s largest department store.

The technology hub is styled to replicate a relaxed living room environment and incorporates an OLED Experience Zone where customers can enjoy LG’s latest screen technologies including the brand’s hero OLED 4K range as they would at home.

A dedicated webOS station within the Tech Zone is available for consumers to witness the heightened usability of the Smart platform, and the brand’s multi-room audio Music Flow portfolio is also on demonstration throughout the Tech Zone.

Andy Mackay, Commercial Director for Consumer Electronics LG UK and Ireland, commented: “LG continues to work closely with our retail partners like Arnotts to create new and exciting consumer journeys, with this venture, our first such Brand Zone in Ireland, exemplifying our dedicated investment into strong retail display and demonstration.”

A portfolio of 20 LG products is on display at the Arnotts Tech Zone.

O F F I C I AL PART NE R OF THE

FUTURE SINCE 1924

SHORTCUTS LG is offering a 6-month Netflix Premium subscription to consumers purchasing selected LG UHD Smart TVs. The promotion runs until July 29th 2015.

Baumatic has appointed C&F Quadrant as its exclusive distributor for Ireland. retra has engaged the services of T21UK Training and Development to design, build and deliver two brand new online training courses, fully accessible via PC, Mac, tablet and smartphone, exclusively for retra members.

Miele is offering a selection of cash back and warranty promotions across its range of laundry, dishwashing and refrigeration appliances, extending until the end of June 2015.

TH E GLOBAL INNOVATIONS SHOW I FA-BERLIN.COM

Premium headphone manufacturer Aëdle has received a Red Dot Design Award 2015 for its VK-1 headphones.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognised Whirlpool Corporation with a 2015 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year award. Whirlpool has received the ENERGY STAR award an industry-leading 25 times.

Evolve Audio, a new brand to the CE market, has appointed MidwichHome as its UK & Northern Ireland distribution partner for the independent retailer channel.

Britannia Living has announced that its portfolio of Britannia, Bertazzoni and BEST products are now accessible via commercial trading site Tradeplace.

MAY 2015 GET CONNECTED

15

IFA-Contact: Overseas Trade Show Agencies Ltd. Tel. +44 20 7886 3121 ⋅ jennifer.hall@otsa.net

AUDIO PRODUCTS AND DIGITAL STREAMING

STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS

Streaming with Sonos...

UK

music industry trade body the BPI says the number of streaming tracks consumed doubled in 2014 to 14.8 billion – that’s 560 per UK household – with streaming accounting for around one eighth of music revenues. In 2013, some 7.5 billion music streams were consumed, compared with 3.7 billion in 2012, so the trend is clearly upwards. Last year, digital downloads and streaming sales overtook physical music sales, accounting for 51.2% of revenue.

Little wonder then, that audio manufacturers are offering a wide range of music streaming products that include radios, speakers, soundbars, docking stations, music systems and multi-room systems. These products have wireless technologies like Bluetooth, DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance), NFC (Near Field Communication) and Wi-FI built into them.

Many streaming products are designed to work with apps, enabling a smartphone or tablet to interface with or even control the product. The result is superb listening flexibility.

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CHANGE & GROWTH

Darren Judd, Philips audio and marketing manager, notes that “wireless streaming, particularly Bluetooth, is currently the fastest growing area in the audio market.

Bluetooth products have traditionally been cheaper than Wi-Fi products, but are now moving upmarket. Bluetooth enabled soundbars are also doing well in the market as they allow the consumer to streamline the number of devices in their home.”

Sonos says the biggest change in the world of audio continues to be the shift from physical music formats to accessing streaming services and cloud-based libraries. “The challenge is being able to offer consumers a seamless home listening experience, that gives easy access to all the music they love in a reliable way,” says the company. Sonos’ streaming products include several all-in-one speakers, the Playbar soundbar, and components like the Connect amp with wireless capability.

“Panasonic’s All series multi-room Hi-Fi Systems with AllPlay make it easy to set up a multi-room configuration based on an already existing home Wi-Fi network,”

says Adam Marshall, audio category head at Panasonic UK, “Using an Apple or Android smartphone or tablet, music can be wirelessly transmitted throughout the house with a music subscription service or internet radio.”

Richard McKinney, sales director, Ruark Audio, says: “Our complete range of products offer some form of streaming whether it is Bluetooth (all products), DLNA (the R2MK3 DAB radio and R7 radiogram) or Spotify Connect (R2MK3). We still feel that most customers are only interested in streaming to one device at a time but with the imminent arrival of the free Multiroom software update for R2MK3, we’ve covered this base too.”

SMOOTH TRANSITIONS

Nick Hucker, global marketing director at Pure, notes that “the transition to multiroom audio and high quality streaming made perfect sense for us. It’s an extremely important part of our business. Jongo was our first entry into the multiroom market, and we are currently developing the next generation.”

AUDIO PRODUCTS AND DIGITAL STREAMING

Roberts Radio has ten products in its Blutune range offering sound systems, clock radio and portable radio for streaming via iPhones, iPads and smartphones. The latest streaming product from Roberts is Travel Pad, a portable Bluetooth speaker that connects to any Bluetooth device, with connectivity for up to eight devices.

Sony’s three new wireless speakers (SRS-X11/SRS-X33/SRS-X55) include Bluetooth and NFC technologies, enabling users to connect their smartphone, tablet or laptop to the speakers and stream music wirelessly. The company has also launched the SongPal Link app, which offers multiroom playback via Wi-Fi.

TECHNICAL HITCHES

Most streaming products are designed to be upgraded via firmware update and that is because streaming technology is constantly evolving. An example of this occurred earlier this year, when the BBC changed its streaming formats. As a result, manufacturers had to update their products. Roberts warned owners of the Stream-202 Internet Radio that they might not be able to listen to BBC national and local radio stations, and that a firmware update was required.

Nick Hucker of Pure says: “We worked closely with the BBC to get as much notification and specification around the change as early as possible. The streaming changes meant that we had to update the firmware in all of our current product range of internet radios, our Jongo wireless streaming devices, and also both the android and iOS Pure connect apps.” But Hucker admits that, “the change resulted in some of our older products becoming incompatible with the BBC’s audio on demand feature.”

The recent changes to their streaming formats haven’t been a major problem, says Richard McKinney of Ruark Audio, as only the listen again and podcast services have been affected. “The BBC has temporarily set up MP3 streams for live broadcasts and some podcasts, although many on-demand services will not be available.

“Later this year the BBC will be adding the DASH open-source format and we are currently working with our software team on an update which will be made available to all R2 customers as soon the BBC have finalised their plans and services. This will mean that ‘live’ and ‘on-demand’ services should work as intended.”

SINK OR SWIM

The audio market is changing, notes Philips’ Darren Judd. “Traditional Hi-Fi is in decline.

Whilst some consumers will replace traditional home audio systems entirely with new streaming-enabled products, some consumers may prefer to simply ‘update’ their existing equipment to make it Bluetooth enabled. Philips supports the latter as well – offering their Bluetooth Hi Fi Adapter with NFC (AEA2500). Bluetooth enabled devices are ‘hot’ for retailers to stock at the moment as they offer flexibility and ease to the consumer,” adds Judd. “By stocking a good range of streaming audio products, retailers should see their sales streaming ahead too.”

Ruark R2 Mk3 DAB/ FM/Internet Radio with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

GEORGE COLE

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

NO GOLD MEDAL FOR 4K AT 2016 OLYMPICS So,

what are we to make of the decision by the There’s been a lot of talk about 8K recently. An LG press International Olympic Committee (IOC), that release apparently let slip that Apple plans to launch an iMac there are no plans for 4K broadcasts from the 2016 with an 8K display, while Microsoft’s Windows 10 operating Rio Games? The IOC says lack of demand from its system is expected to support 8K resolution on large screens. rights owners is the reason why 4K broadcasts are not It all adds up to a confusing picture, and the danger is that going ahead. Instead, the Games will focus on trialling 4K will be seen by some as yesterday’s technology, before it virtual reality technology on mobile devices. has barely got up on its feet.

The decision is a blow for retailers and The good news for 4K is that a new generation of manufacturers promoting 4K sets, because it’s UHD Blu-ray players and discs are on the way, a fact that global events such as the World and it’s likely that Sky and Virgin will offer 4K od go he “T Cup and the Olympics motivate many content in due course. The latest Freeview at a news for 4K is th consumers to trade up to a bigger and specifications (known as D-Book 8) also UHD better television. That is bad enough, but provide support for future 4K broadcasts. But new generation of scs di d an s the news that Japanese broadcaster NHK we need to see broadcasters like the BBC er ay pl y Blu-ra ’s will be making 8K content at the 2016 and ITV offering 4K content too, and there’s it d an , ay w e are on th Games (although not for broadcast) is little sign of that at the moment. NHK says d Virgin likely that Sky an worrying. NHK is the driving force behind 8K isn’t a threat to 4K, and that broadcasters ent 8K (also known as Super Hi-Vision) which will offer 2K, 4K and 8K content. But news that will offer 4K cont .” se offers 16x more resolution than a 1080p ur an even better TV format is on the way is bound co e du in HD display. NHK plans to broadcast the 2020 to make some consumers think twice about Tokyo Olympics in 8K. investing in a 4K set.

DON’T BET ON A BETTER BATTERY YET S

omeone once said that, if battery technology had developed at the same rate as semi-conductor technology, we would only need to recharge our phone battery every few hundred years. You can’t have missed the news that a new type of battery could transform the mobile device market. Researchers at Stanford University have developed a prototype battery which uses an aluminium anode and graphite cathode. There was a lot of excitement because the developers claim that the new battery could be charged in less than a minute – a boon for smartphone and Tablet owners who typically have to wait hours before their battery is fully recharged. The aluminium battery is also claimed to be safer than Lithium-ion batteries, which can, under certain conditions, catch fire.

It’s certainly an interesting development, but don’t sell your shares in Lithium-ion batteries just yet, because the Stanford researchers still have many hurdles to clear before their battery becomes commercially viable.

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The researchers still haven’t solved issues such as energy density (how much energy can be packed into the battery), voltage (it produces half the voltage of a typical Lithium-Ion battery) and cost – it needs to be price competitive with existing battery technology and that’s a tall order.

I remember around ten years ago Toshiba demonstrating Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC) technology that could power a laptop for up to ten hours.

When methanol was broken down by an electrochemical process, it produced energy, water and carbon dioxide. But it was another four years before DMFC technology finally appeared on the market, and then only on Toshiba’s Japanese website. A limited number of DMFC chargers were available (3000).

Each DMFC charger cost around £200, the methanol refill cartridges cost £21 each, and were good for around seven refills. Little wonder that DMFC technology didn’t leap off the shop shelf.

It will be interesting to see if aluminium batteries fare any better, but I’m not holding my breath.

ADVERTORIAL FEATURE

LG’S COMMITMENT TO OLED TECHNOLOGY IS REALLY PAYING DIVIDENDS FOR ELECTRICAL GOODS PROFESSIONALS AND CUSTOMERS ALIKE.

The World’s Most Advanced TV. Ever.

OLED

is only available from LG and with successful 2K models in 2014 it was only a matter of time before OLED TV with 4K resolution became accessible. With the EG960V now widely available, OLED displays with 4K resolution are a reality for consumers – the future of television has arrived.

Retailers and installers now have access to a television befitting the most ambitious and premium setups. The quality of LG’s selfemitting OLED displays and their unique four colour pixel design has been evident in previous 2K models and now LG’s OLED panels are available with ultra high definition resolution – the results are simply stunning.

Perfect blacks and natural, true to life colours bring new life to your favourite films, shows

and images, while 4K resolution provides the detail needed for the large displays of the most discerning customers. A subtle curve of the screen adds to the looks and improves the immersion for viewers while viewing angles for OLED outperform any LCD/ LED panel on the market. The brain of the EG960V has a 6 step 4K upscaler which lifts standard and high definition content to new levels of detail, so whatever you are viewing you can experience the quality and detail that OLED with 4K resolution delivers and the latest HEVC decoder technology also features, so streaming content from the multiple USB and HDMI inputs is not a problem.

The fantastic quality of the EG960V goes way beyond the display performance, with LG’s latest version of its award-winning

WebOS platform also featuring.

This simple and intuitive Smart TV platform means the television is a pleasure to use, with a huge range of streaming services and Smart features all accessible via LG’s Magic Remote. The Magic Remote also gets a refresh for 2015 with number buttons now incorporated and the ability to stand it up so it’s always easy to find. You can point, click and scroll your way through WebOS at improved speed for 2015 so this great platform is even better for this year.

The EG960V is a complete and well polished product that delivers reference-level display performance

in an elegant and practical package.

Wall mountable and featuring RS232 via conversion, this model is the perfect partner to elite, luxury installations – but don’t write off the standard hardware. An innovative transparent stand design creates a floating screen effect while sound designed by Harman / Kardon means the out-of-the-box audio offering is strong enough to match the jaw-dropping picture quality.

It is no surprise that this TV is picking up awards and 5-star reviews already. The picture, design and usability of the TV are genuinely cutting edge. You and your customers will not be disappointed.

MAY 2015 GET CONNECTED

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FROM THE BENCH

LIP SYNC ALAN BENNETT INVESTIGATES THE ONGOING PROBLEM OF POOR SYNCHRONISATION BETWEEN VISION AND SOUND IN TV RECEPTION AND VIDEO PLAYOUT, AND OUTLINES SOME SOLUTIONS

S

ince the advent of digital TV and video there have been problems with lip sync due to the data processing involved; disturbing for the viewer and sometimes frustrating for the dealer and technician.

CAUSES

Digital TV involves much data processing at both sending and receiving ends of the chain. In receivers and/or TVs, vision data must be decoded, sometimes enhanced, and formatted for application to the display screen, whatever form it takes.

These processes occupy several sequential frame periods, up to 200 ms (1/5 second) or more in some cases. The sound data is dealt with separately and needs much less manipulation, hence the potential for the picture to arrive on screen later than the corresponding audio. Image delay can occur anywhere in the chain, often at the receiver; sometimes the moving image gets ahead of the sound, but this is less common. In production/broadcast, Presentation Time Stamps (PTS) are inserted in the MPEG datastream which should keep the picture and sound in step. In practice they don’t seem to work very well, perhaps because they may get added after data processing has been applied – the path from studio to living room is a long and complex one.

HDMI v1.3 was designed to address lipsync issues but again it does not solve all problems, especially where the mistiming arises at the programme source.

EFFECTS

Poor vision/sound synchronisation is disturbing to the viewer, especially when – as is usually the case – the sound is ahead of the picture. The perception is like that of a poorly-dubbed movie, almost as if the words are in a different language. The human brain, used to distant sound coming after the motion (it propagates in air at about 3msec per metre), can better tolerate sound late than early. People’s sensitivity to this varies, but most viewers notice sound discrepancies of over 40msec early or 90msec late. This can impair the enjoyment of the programme and perhaps subconsciously induce a ‘mistrust’ of the presenter, actor, product being advertised or whatever – and the 20

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TV set or programme source! Worst case viewing for lip-sync is a medium- or closeup shot of someone talking or singing.

Industry recommendations tolerate a sound lead of less than 15msec and a lag of less than 45msec.

Lip sync problems are most obvious on close-ups of talking or singing heads

CURES

In trying to solve lip-sync problems the first thing to do is establish where the mistiming is occurring. If it varies between channels or programmes the likelihood is that the content provider or distributor is responsible, though some receivers/TVs/ processors can treat different feeds in different ways. A good way to evaluate the TV itself is to check with a suitable DVD, ideally a calibration disc like the Digital Video Essentials (DVE) one, which

incorporates a clock face/ping test.

A sound delay adjustment can sometimes be found within the TV installation menu, perhaps in its ‘advanced’ section. Try knocking out the Bitstream mode and setting to PCM where featured.

If necessary look for a sound timing tweak in the disc player, though of course it will not have any effect on programmes routed directly into the TV from other sources – best, then, to adjust the TV if possible. Taking out as much of the TV image processing as possible can help by reducing the picture delay, e.g. DRC, MotionPlus etc. Setting the AV source to the ‘native’ characteristics (resolution, frame rate, progressive scan etc.) of the TV reduces picture processing time too: de-interlacing an image can take 100–160 msec, up to eight frames. Some TVs offer separate timing and enhancement settings per input port.

Felston sound delay box

Set-top boxes, e.g. Sky+, have a facility for adjustment of sound delay: go to services settings sound digital audio delay. Where the lip sync is poor on video playback try resetting the equipment by means of a brief interruption of the common mains power supply. If necessary try pausing the recording for a few seconds; on Sky+ a full reset and/or rebuilding of the planner might help. Surround sound systems and (less often) soundbars may upset sound/ vision timing: it’s interesting to run the TV speakers simultaneously, when an echo effect shows up the different delays.

Look for an adjustment facility in the sound processor box, and bear in mind that an audio feed, e.g. optical, direct from the TV (may not support exotic surround formats like DTS-HD) should be synchronised with the picture. In difficult cases with external audio processors an adjustable sound delay box can be used. They are made by CYP, Felston, Kramer and others. Some, e.g.

Crystal Vision, offer sound and picture delay facility.

FIRMWARE UPDATES

Broadcasters and TV manufacturers are very well aware of lip-sync problems, and the situation is slowly improving.

Where only one or a group of channels are affected enquiries and complaints should be directed to the channel provider or the broadcast platform, e.g. Sky, Freeview or the cable company. Amongst these and the setmakers there’s a tendency to blame everyone but themselves, I’ve found, though cable operators investigate such problems free of charge. For any TV make or model it’s worth checking with the setmaker for a firmware upgrade – applied over the cable, the internet, via a disc, USB stick or visiting technician’s PC – though in my experience they may not necessarily work!

MAY 2015

cooking gcmagazine.co.uk

A G E T CONNEC T ED IN T EG R AL S UPPLEMEN T

INSIDE

FOOD PREPARATION

Healthy outlook for premiumend sales

BUILT-IN APPLIANCES A sector on a roll...

FREESTANDING APPLIANCES

The 60cm slot-in finds its place

COFFEE MACHINES

UK consumers willing to pay for taste and convenience

PLUS...

THE GOURMET QUARTER

Manufacturers promote a selection of their innovative products

FOOD PREP

LIQUID GOLD… AEG 7 Series blender

rose by 85% during the month, although volume outpaced this at over 100% due to discounting.

During the calendar year 2014, the liquidiser category nearly doubled its value year on year, growing to over £70 million and, according to GfK, it was one of the few markets to see a rise in average price, from £34 to £38, with sturdier glass and metal products helping to lift the premium end and the continuing success of models with cooking functions for making soup.

The health grills sector also saw improving sales, with value rising 22% to £22 million following a lacklustre performance since 2010. “Products over £100, which come with a range of settings, significantly contributed to the bottom line,” said GfK’s Daniel Fearnley, UK Lead, Home & Living.

In contrast, low-fat fryers, which Fearnley points out had been a “hero product line” with 48% uplift in value, saw a £2 million drop in sales for 2014.

JUICING

“Kitchen products are a huge focus of consumers’ everyday life and the food preparation category is up 19.7% year on year,” says Braun Trade Marketing and Product Manager Penny Jones. “The health product market has seen a huge rise in demand and busy consumers are increasingly on the lookout for an easy way to ensure they get their five a day. Juicing is the perfect solution to this and can be enormously beneficial to health, providing the body with essential micronutrients, vitamins and enzymes.”

Braun’s Multiquick Juicers have a powerful two-speed motor, up to 1000W, which Jones says can “whizz through the hardest ingredients” such as beetroot, carrots and ginger with ease, so users can enjoy a full glass of freshly squeezed juice in just 15 seconds.

THE FOOD PREP MARKET CONTINUES TO DOMINATE THE SKA SCENE, WITH PREMIUMJones maintains that ease of use and END PRODUCTS CREATING HEALTHY MARGIN OPPORTUNITIES FOR RETAILERS convenience is becoming more essential in the food verall, the small domestic appliances HEALTHY SALES preparation market. “Consumers want to buy Kenwood is one of the brands that have sector saw steady growth throughout products that are quick, effortless and can fit tapped into the aforementioned drinks 2014 and this continued into January 2015, into their on-the-go lifestyles,” she remarks. trend with the launch of its Sport2Go according to GfK, with value sales rising “There is also a growing trend for blender. Product Manager Clare Slater said 12.5% on the same period last year. multifunctional technology that can perform the appliance appeals to those with a busy Small kitchen appliances (SKA) is one of a variety of tasks, to save consumers schedule. “Consumers are looking for ways the largest categories in the SDA market, purchasing a number of products whilst to fit in exercise and healthy eating while comprising 44% volume, with strong growth also saving space on kitchen surfaces. The on the go,” she comments. The Sport2Go driven by product innovation. “Liquidisers versatility of all attachments that come with comes with newly designed sport bottles in particular,” according to GfK’s Michael Braun hand blenders means the consumer made from Tritan™ plastic that are ideal McLaughlin, UK Lead, Retail. can blend, chop, whip, crush and puree for for taking out and about. Drinks can be McLaughlin suggests that new designs all meal requirements. The possibilities are made from items ranging from fruits and incorporating ‘ready to go’ blender bottles limited only by the imagination.” vegetables to powders and supplements, or cups and new features such as cooking MULTITASKING quickly, at the touch of a button. functions are tapping into the consumer Overall, the small kitchen appliances market The popularity of liquidisers, whether for macro trends of health and convenience grew by 9% in value to £779 million during the personal use or gifts, was evidenced in the and have driven value into the category, full year 2014. According to GfK, over a million sales recorded by GfK for November 2014, which has seen 146% growth compared to more units were sold and over 700 new which incorporated Black Friday. Value the same period last year.

O

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BAKING

SLICE, SHRED, CHOP

BLEND

JUICE

FRUIT / VEGETABLE EXTRACTOR

FOOD MINCER

PREP ZONE MIX ZONE

MIX

KNEAD

WHISK

Baking made easy with Kenwood The new Kenwood MultiOne really is one solution for everything.

With a 1000 watt motor it has the power to take every job in its stride. Using the food processor you can slice, chop and grate your way to easier and quicker healthy meals. Or, for when you have a little more time, use the mixer to whisk, beat and mix your way to delicious desserts and treats.

For baking recipes visit:

www.kenwoodworld.com/uk

FOOD PREP Tefal’s Cook4Me multi cooker

compact kitchens with space-saving solutions and says this has led to a growing trend for multifunctional technology that can perform a variety of tasks.

Slater draws our attention to the Kenwood MultiOne (see The Gourmet Quarter pages 28 & 29 of this issue), stating that the appliance “provides an all-in-one solution for all meal preparation needs.”

ADD-ON SALES

items were ranged into the marketplace, making the UK one of the most successful and diverse markets in Europe.

As we entered the all-important fourth quarter of 2014 the standout performer in the market proved to be the multi cooker, which achieved 97% year-on-year value growth. GfK suggests that consumers are moving towards multifunctional appliances that can do the job of multiple household products, without taking up too much room in the kitchen, and boasting slow cooking, rice cooking, steaming and bread-making functions, to name but a few – products that come with an average price premium of £54, according to Daniel Fearnley.

Dominik Pytel, Marketing Manager at Groupe SEB UK, sees the market for multi cookers coming into its own in 2015. Multi cookers are part of the Electrical Cooking Pots category, which represents almost £30 million in the UK and comprises Slow Cookers (75%), Rice Cookers (13%) and Multi Cookers (12%).

“The market as a whole has grown by £3 million in the past year, where 55% of this growth is directly coming from the multi cooker segment,” comments Pytel.

“We foresee this growth trend continuing and forecast that the multi cooker market will expand from a £3 million market in 2014 to a £5-£6 million market by the end of 2015.

“Dependent upon new range listings and overall awareness of the category, the multi cooker market could experience a surge in growth in 2015 and 2016 and represent a £10 million market segment in the next three to four years.”

INNOVATION

Pytel maintains that real product innovation in this sector is a key market driver, exciting consumers by providing genuine useful features and benefits. “This ensures that food prep products continue to be a top selling category for retailers,” he adds.

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Groupe SEB’s latest contribution to the multi cooker category is the Tefal Cook4Me, an “intelligent” appliance which the brand describes as “similar to having your very own personal assistant in the kitchen.”

The appliance has 50 preprogrammed recipes and an interactive LED display that guides users step by step through each recipe, from the beginning to the end of the cooking process.

Its recipes range from vegetables, soups and rice through to meat, seafood and desserts and a broad range of dishes can be cooked without any supervision.

Cook4Me will keep food warm for up to 90 minutes after cooking and can be preprogrammed up to 15 hours in advance.

High-end kitchen machines not only provide retailers with good margins, but offer add-on sales opportunities too. The Kenwood CHEF Sense, for example, has an all-new Twist Fit system and adaptor that enables the use of an array of attachments.

Slater informs that these include a blender, food processor, citrus press, meat grinder and pasta cutter.

“These enable cooks of all levels to try out the different tools and add new skills to their repertoire,” she comments. “Retailers can sell these attachments alongside the main CHEF machine and encourage customers to buy extra tools, which vary from RRP £29.99 - £99.99.”

“…consumers are moving towards multifunctional appliances that can do the job of multiple household products”

BAKING MAD

The SKA market is very much shaped by cooking and food trends and the influence of celebrity chefs. And TV programmes also play a dominant role in inspiring home cooks to greater culinary heights and stimulating growth in appliance sales.

None more so than The Great British Bake Off, which led to a remarkable resurgence in home baking when the show first aired in 2010 and has continued to do so to this very day.

The award-winning baking competition has been a powerful influence in helping to drive volume sales of the majestic kitchen machine and in boosting the take up of stand mixers too.

Kenwood’s Clare Slater says it has also encouraged people to purchase kitchen appliances from reliable brands as they expand their home baking skills. She also observes budding bakers with limited worktop space looking to equip their

CONVENIENCE ON TAP

It seems pertinent to mention the convenience of the steaming hot water tap in the context of food prep, as the appliance not only makes tea, coffee and other hot drinks, but assists in the preparation of foodstuffs too.

InSinkErator® Europe Marketing Manager Linda Phoutthasak says it is perfect for countless kitchen tasks including pasta and rice preparation, blanching vegetables, creating gravies and sauces, thawing frozen food, rehydrating dried food and cleaning fruit and vegetables.

“Steaming hot water tap sales have increased dramatically over the past few years,” she asserts. “These items have gone from a luxury to an essential kitchen appliance as the consumer realises the tremendous benefits they offer to any home.

“The brand new InSinkErator® 3N1 kitchen tap with filtered steaming hot water, as well as hot and cold options, eliminates the need for both the kettle and multiple kitchen taps. An InSinkErator® steaming hot water tap is a practical convenience that saves valuable worktop space, while creating a stylish focal point in the room. It is also an excellent time and money saver. If the consumer typically boils 10 cups of hot water per day from a kettle, an InSinkErator® hot tap is up to 20% more energy efficient, using less energy than a 40W light bulb.”

IdentityCollection

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BUILT-IN COOKING

PYRO AND INDUCTION RISE AND SHINE says consumers’ increasing awareness of the benefits of steam cooking is reflected in the rise in popularity of steam ovens. “Smart appliances and features are also set to be extremely popular this year,” he comments. “With our whole lives becoming centred around technology, this extends to our kitchens as consumers demand more from their appliances.

“Further to the smart appliance trend, touch control is also on the rise as it enables the user to control an appliance more easily and with greater precision.”

“Induction hobs, ovens and cooker hoods are likely to develop

Smeg Linea black glass pyrolytic oven (SFP140N)

IT’S BEEN A SLOW START FOR TWO OF THE MOST CONVENIENT AND EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGIES IN THE COOKING MARKET, BUT PYROLYTIC CLEANING AND INDUCTION COOKING ARE FINALLY WINNING CONSUMERS OVER

B

uilt-in appliances has been one of the fastest growth markets in the UK for more than 15 years, and as the economy expanded in 2014 so, too, did the value of built-in cooking, which increased 9% year on year, according to GfK figures.

Observing the areas bringing growth to built-in, Whirlpool’s Trade Marketing Manager Neil Austin comments that the resurgence of the housing market influenced sales and also created a greater number of initial purchases. He highlights larger capacity full-sized ovens, innovation in new cooking programmes and combinations, plus the ease of maintenance and convenience of increasingly affordable pyrolytic cleaning as being highly influential in boosting growth.

“In addition,” he says, “there has been immense interest in compact appliances that are crammed with phenomenal functionality, with their versatility offering stunning banked or stacked arrangements.”

THE WILL TO INVEST

Baumatic marketing director Owain Harrison says the market for both ovens and hobs has seen significant increases. “Built-in single ovens continue to drive sales, and pyrolytic ovens have been highlighted as key performers because consumers are willing to trade up and invest in premium technology. Similarly, 26

GET CONNECTED MAY 2015

the market for hobs has seen both volume and value increases thanks to the increased popularity of induction, which now represents 34% of the overall market, with gas hobs maintaining 38% market share (Source: GfK March 2015).”

Harrison’s words are echoed by Smeg UK product development manager Joan Fraser, who says: “The most popular oven with our customers is the 60cm single multifunction pyrolytic. In terms of hobs, gas hobs are still the best sellers but induction is continuing to grow in popularity and we expect that to continue as consumers become more familiar with the features and benefits of induction cooking.”

“Sales of pyrolytic ovens have been very strong in recent years, outselling non-pyrolytic models year on year, and we do not see this trend slowing,” comments Richard Treffler, product manager for kitchens at Miele. But he adds that combination steam ovens are the biggest growth area for Miele in terms of cooking.

SMART TOUCHES

Gorenje has identified three trends which it asserts will be the most popular for 2015. National Sales Manager Stuart Benson

most drastically in terms of cooking technology,” maintains Caple sales director Danny Lay. “Technology rates just as highly as environmental concerns these days and consumers now consider their purchases more to make sure they are spending wisely.

“Ovens will continue to develop to meet the needs of the end user, from providing batch cooking on different levels and steam injection cooking, through to even heat distribution and larger cavities.

“Pyrolytic will become more prevalent as consumers are made aware of its benefits and technology continues to improve. Cooker hood performance will continue to

increase as sound levels lower for the ultimate extraction from downdraft models up to ceiling hoods.”

LIFESTYLE CHOICES

The traditional structure of the household is changing, with a satisfactory work/life balance becoming more difficult to achieve and the proliferation of technology making us accessible at all times and in all places, and as Whirlpool’s Austin points out: “Families are increasingly busier and lead more nomadic lives. They demand and need the flexibility to eat at different times. Many like to cook and experiment with international foods and dishes and are looking for more functionality out of the same or even less space.”

Hence, appliances need to cater for a variety of different demands.

“The built-in microwave oven, especially a combination variety, is certainly a positive addition to any kitchen and can enhance the cooking functionality within a limited space,” Austin suggests. “There is a superb array of cooking functionality with an extended choice of functions: microwave, steam, convection, grill or combinations of all four.

The combination choice can be as bespoke and as individual as every household.”

“Design is essential for success with built-in products because consumers buy products as part of a built-in kitchen, not as a standalone item, so fit within the entire kitchen system is key,” says Richard Walker, Head of Category for Built-In at GDHA. “As the traditional kitchen layout has changed, and with the decline in the freestanding market, there is no doubt that built-in appliances have become more aspirational, providing consumers with the opportunity to create a designled co-ordinated kitchen.

“Aside from offering cutting-edge design and a range of products that allows consumers to build the configuration that best suits their space, the key in the built-in arena is to sell appliances with genuine features that offer genuine benefits and the technology has to reflect that.”

“Consumers are looking for intelligent appliances that are stylish, offer value for money and are easy to use, and save time with features like self-cleaning programmes” Maurizio Severgnini, Managing Director, Hoover Candy UK Built-in Division

appliances, sinks, taps, kitchen and bedroom furniture

Image: C2160 electric side opening single oven, SO209SS steam oven and CM471SS fully automatic coffee machine

Tel: 0117 938 1900 www.caple.co.uk

design.living

THE GOURMET QUARTER

CREATE A DELICIOUS TASTE EXPERIENCE WITH AEG INDUCTION The AEG 80cm MaxiSense induction hob HK854400FB provides consumers with the flexibility to cook the way they want, ensuring delicious tasting dishes every time.

controls, the hob instantly responds to a fingertip touch, allowing the temperature to be adjusted with perfect accuracy to create the ideal cooking environment for every dish.

This innovative induction hob overcomes the limitations of traditional cooking zones.

Saucepans can be placed anywhere as long as the central cross mark is covered and the zone will automatically adapt to the size and position of the cookware – great for creating dishes using long or larger pans. With DirekTouch

www.aeg.co.uk | AEG Trade Sales: 03445 610561

BRAUN MULTIQUICK 7 MQ745 APERITIVE The Braun Multiquick 7 MQ745 Aperitive is a versatile hand blender with a 600ml beaker, 1.25L jug blender for chopping, mincing and crushing, 350ml compact chopper and an antisplash stainless steel whisk with patented PowerBell technology.

comfortable and stylish, so much so that 99% would recommend MQ7 to their best friend.

Braun Multiquick 7 MQ745 Aperitive (with beaker, jug blender, chopper, whisk) RRP: £89.99. www.braunhousehold.co.uk | 0239 239 2392

The MQ745 features revolutionary Smart Speed control, allowing users to vary the speed with just one hand. Available in premium black and stainless steel with a soft grip, metal shaft and 750W motor, the MQ745 makes food prep

DE’LONGHI DISTINTA FILTER COFFEE MACHINE The De’Longhi Distinta filter coffee machine offers coffee connoisseurs a sophisticated, fresh ground coffee experience at home.

Features include a ten-cup capacity (1.25 litres), an aroma function allowing users to create a fuller bodied coffee, as it percolates at a slower rate, a hot plate to keep coffee at the optimum temperature, an anti-drip system, permanent filter and washable carafe and filter holder. www.delonghi.com/en-gb

JAMES THE WONDERMACHINE – 11 IN 1 FROM SEVERIN This all-round talent for the kitchen makes life easier and twice as tasty too! Users can discover the many different functions and let their creativity run free.

James the Wondermachine offers cooking, steaming, grinding, stirring, beating, kneading, mixing, emulsifying, blending, shredding and heating and has four different temperature settings.

“Making every meal a highlight” – that’s James' promise. The comprehensive cookbook included in the pack gives easy access into the world of culinary variety James provides.

Interested? Then come and visit us on Exclusively Electrical 2015 9-10 June in the Business Design Centre, London, Stand EE42. Our show cook will present some delicious recipes you can prepare with James.

Contact HSCL on 01204 558181 sales@hscl.info

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ESSE EL13AMP ELECTRIC RANGE COOKER The EL13Amp has ESSE’s classic cast iron construction, heavy duty ovens, beautiful enamelling and the reassuring ‘solidity’ of our classic range cookers… all with fast warm up times, accurate oven temperatures and flexible cooking abilities.

The EL13Amp is one of our most innovative, eco-friendly cookers with the best of both hob types: a combination of heavy duty cast iron and innovative induction.

01282 813235 | www.esse.com | @ESSE1854

THE GOURMET QUARTER

THE ULTIMATE BAKER’S OVEN FROM STOVES British cooking brand Stoves has unveiled a new suite of freestanding cookers featuring Glen Dimplex Home Appliances’ proprietary ‘fanned gas’ technology.

collection, which promises just a 5 degree temperature variance versus the 19 degrees in a conventional oven, ensuring a perfectly even bake.

Delivering improved cooking performance and perfect baking results, the Stoves SFG60DOP delivers a unique combination of radiant and convected heat, offering the even cooking temperature of a fanned oven with the moist cooking environment of a gas oven.

The Stoves SFG60DOP Freestanding Gas Cooker also benefits from a 48-litre capacity in the main oven and 27 litres in the smaller oven, so offers plenty of space. In addition, users also benefit from 4 gas burners with sturdy cast iron pan supports for reliability.

Keen bakers will enjoy the accuracy and even temperature distribution delivered by the

www.stoves.co.uk | 0844 248 4149

SAVE THE TASTE AND LOSE THE FAT… …with the Philips Viva Collection Airfryer This appliance fries with air to produce food that is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Little or no oil is needed to ensure perfect texture and delicious results. The patented Rapid Air Technology combines fast circulating hot air with a grill to create delicious chips, chicken, vegetables and much more!

The Airfryer features adjustable time and temperature control, up to 200 degrees, and comes with a book full of inspiring recipes. www.philips.co.uk

CREATE MORE

KENWOOD MULTIONE The innovative Kenwood MultiOne incorporates the baking appeal of a mixer and also manages the daily task of food processing, offering an all-in-one cooking solution.

The mixer includes a large 4.3L bowl and three baking bowl tools – a K-beater, whisk and dough hook – and the easy-fit hub with patented drive technology enables the food processor, juicer, blender, grinder and citrus press to be fitted on top. All tools are controlled by six variable speeds and the splash guard and large feed chute ensure minimum mess.

EXCLUSIVELY ELECTRICAL IS PLATFORM FOR LAUNCH OF NEW VITAMIX® COMPACT BLENDER Vitamix, a world leader in professional-grade blending equipment, will introduce its S30 model on Stand 08 at Exclusively Electrical, 9-10 June at the Business Design Centre, London.

The newest model to its range of high-performance blenders, the S30 is a versatile, portable machine that redefines the personal blender. It combines Vitamix’s trusted performance levels and durability with a sleek, compact design that allows users to easily create smaller batches and individual servings.

The Kenwood MultiOne (RRP £279.99) was recently awarded a prestigious Red Dot Design Award for its smart, compact design.

Available in a range of colours including: Black, White, Brushed Stainless, Red, Cream, Daybreak Blue, Cranberry and Sour Apple Green.

www.kenwoodworld.com/uk | 0239 239 2392

www.vitamix.co.uk

JURA IMPRESSA A9 COFFEE MACHINE The Jura IMPRESSA A9 features the latest slide and touch technology and a high-resolution TFT colour display screen. Users can select their preferred perk from an à la carte menu of 12 different coffees, and for those that love their coffee strong, Jura has incorporated an inbuilt ‘extra shot’ option.

The IMPRESSA A9 can prepare two cups of coffee at the same time and achieves the perfect aroma, providing the ultimate coffee tailored to personal taste. With the super-fast Aroma+ grinder, pure coffee indulgence takes half the preparation time. The appliance also has a Zero-Energy Switch, which saves up to 40% on energy. www.uk.jura.com | 0800 6525527

MAY 2015 GET CONNECTED

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FREESTANDING COOKING This freestanding 60cm cooker from Servis has a total capacity of 91 litres

60CM SLOTS INTO PLACE… A TIME OF ADJUSTMENT IN THE FREESTANDING COOKING MARKET AS THE ROLES OF RANGE COOKERS AND SLOT-INS ALTER

T

he total cooking market had a positive year in 2014, with value sales rising 3% over the twelve months to November and worth just over £659 million (Source: GfK cooking report). But while freestanding cookers accounted for the bulk of sales, the sector’s performance remained flat.

Daniel Fearnley, UK Lead, Home & Living at GfK, explains: “The slowdown of the freestanding sector over the past couple of years has been in line with the lower uptake of premium range cookers. These imposing appliances enjoyed consecutive years of growth following the recession as house moves began to stall whilst home improvement and entertainment were high on the agenda.

“However, as the housing market and the Help to Buy scheme have encouraged the sales of first time properties, high-end expensive range cooker sales have started to fall. Instead, consumers have expressed a greater demand for smaller 60cm slotin cookers, which now account for well over a third of value in the freestanding segment.”

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During the period in question, 61% of ovens were of the freestanding variety.

60cm slot-in cookers represented 38% of this and 50cm models 27%.

ALL-IN-ONE CONVENIENCE

Servis’s Rita Balestrazzi says the 60cm slot-in category has come into its own, maintaining that products are perfectly suited for the smaller designs of newbuild apartments and townhouses.

“These dynamic cookers are offering greater capacity than standard 65-litre single ovens, coming equipped with 91-litre capacities, and they also owe their popularity to the ongoing trend for practising greater cooking diversity.

“Dual fuel 60cm models are not only coming equipped with 4-burner gas hobs, but also with capacious electric double ovens, which offer conventional, fan and grill power. Their gas hobs provide a whole range of cooking options, offering rapid and semi-rapid burners for fast and high impact heating as well as auxiliary burners for slow simmering.

“Pyrolytic cleaning continues to prove popular, as does induction when it comes to hobs”

“60cm slot-in gas cookers are still proving exceptionally popular at the entry levels of the market, not least because they offer the most affordable cooking fuel type. Although the same amount of energy units are used for both gas and electric cooking, the higher tariff rates for electricity still make gas the more affordable option. Despite offering such a traditional fuel type, 60cm slot-in gas cookers are now being designed to complement contemporary kitchens. Dropdown glass lids mean the gas hobs can be covered when not in use, giving consumers the benefit of additional worktop space.”

BAKER’S DELIGHT

According to David Garden, Sales and Marketing Director at Glen Dimplex Home Appliances, the craze for baking created by shows such as The Great British Bake Off has played a significant role in the development of the company’s freestanding products.

“In fact,” he says, “a number of our products have been specifically marketed at keen bakers because of the advantages

RANGE COOKERS BY

M A K E A S TAT E M E N T

VERSATILITY AND CONTROL 9 Multi-function settings including: Fanned oven • Conventional Oven Intensive bake • Top Heat • Base Heat • Base Heat with Fan Fanned Grilling • Conventional Grilling • Defrost.

Sterling 110Ei Stainless Steel www.stoves.co.uk

FREESTANDING COOKING

large meals as they have special technology to prevent any flavour transfer, so a variety of dishes can happily cook side by side.

LOOKING UP?

This 90cm range cooker from Leisure offers a 5-burner gas hob and two fan ovens with separate grill

they offer. Our Belling Fanned Gas collection combines radiant and convection heat to produce the even cooking temperature of a fanned oven with the moist cooking environment of a gas oven.”

Garden says the technology delivers “a perfectly even bake.”

Another hit with bakers, according to Garden, has been the Stoves Professional – an electronically-controlled, multifunction gas oven that combines an electric element on a gas oven to provide half the heat-up time and accurate, consistent temperatures. “The Professional also has the benefit of both top and base heat which is not usually available in gas ovens,” he adds.

Garden maintains that range cookers remain extremely popular with serious bakers due to the extra capacity they offer.

“In particular, our 90cm models including the Stoves Richmond and Stoves Sterling models work really well for those who like to batch bake due to the 90+litre capacity of the tall electric fanned ovens.”

A NATION OF FOOD LOVERS

George Lellis, Brand Manager for Leisure, comments on the “unstoppable rise of the ‘foodie’ culture” and sees this as a bonus for retailers. “Consumers are not only becoming more willing to experiment with what they eat, they are also being more adventurous in the kitchen and choosing to cook for friends and family at home, creating their own feasts instead of going out. This is great news for retailers as it provides them with the opportunity to inform the shopper on the different cookers available and encourage them to trade up to the latest model with 32

GET CONNECTED MAY 2015

“…range cookers often provide the basis upon which the rest of the kitchen will be styled”

all the features that make entertaining at home an easier and more enjoyable task.

“2014 saw a number of 60cm and 90cm range cookers come onto the market, and this trend is likely to stay as living spaces continue to be squeezed.”

In terms of features, Lellis highlights the demand for intuitive controls and preset cooking programmes. “Pyrolytic cleaning continues to prove popular, as does induction when it comes to hobs,” he says. But he adds that style is just as important as functionality. “Consumers tend to have a specific idea of the look they would like to achieve in their kitchen, and purchasing a range cooker is often the starting point when considering a complete kitchen redesign.”

Hoover Candy’s Maurizio Severgnini, UK Built-in Division Managing Director, agrees, stating that range cookers often provide the basis upon which the rest of the kitchen will be styled.

VERSATILITY

Baumatic marketing director Owain Harrison refers to GfK’s November report of a static freestanding cookers market and adds that further industry research highlights that the market for range cookers has witnessed volume increases, with dual fuel range cookers continuing to be top sellers (Source: AMDEA February 2015). And Britannia, which specialises in range cookers, says it is seeing a steady rise in sales, particularly in its top specification appliances.

“Britannia’s most popular configuration continues to be 100cm twin oven range cookers, due to the capacity and flexibility offered,” says marketing manager Michael Haigh.

“Many consumers also favour the rotisserie attachment included in Britannia’s 90cm, 100cm and 110cm twin oven range cookers.”

Versatility is key in range cooking appliances, according to Smeg product development manager Joan Fraser. “Cavity flexibility is high in demand, as are dual fuel models. For example, rather than the traditional gas hob burners there is now the option to have a cutting-edge induction hob instead.

“This means the user can have it all: the classic aesthetics of the range cooker equipped with modern technologies to make cooking even more enjoyable.

“There are also range cookers that offer one huge oven cavity instead of multiple smaller ones. These are ideal for cooking

ROSY GLOW

Commenting on the product trends for 2015, Haigh says: “We are seeing more health-conscious consumers looking to prepare fresh, healthy food and recognising that they need appliances to do this. Thanks to the demand for healthy cooking products, we added the Chef Top to our portfolio. Known in Japanese as Teppan Yaki, the Chef Top is a solid fivemillimetre thick stainless steel hotplate.

It can be used to cook everything from seafood and meat to vegetables and rice.

“We are also seeing colour play an important role in consumer buying decisions as more and more people look to make a feature of their range cooker.

Britannia’s Colourange service was created to meet this demand, as it allows consumers to personalise their range cooker, fridge freezer or hood in any colour they choose.”

Leisure’s Lellis adds that colour choice is becoming a mainstream proposition.

“Whilst traditional finishes such as black and stainless steel remain our best sellers, other colours are becoming increasingly popular as consumers look for a statement appliance.”

“Colour trends vary,” says Smeg’s Fraser.

“Customers either choose stainless steel, black or cream models for a subtle finish or a pop of colour such as pastel pink or blue for a style-statement in the kitchen.”

“It’s all about giving the consumer more choice, whether that’s size, colour, finish or price point, fitting in with their kitchen, lifestyle and budget,” concludes Hoover Candy’s Severgnini.

COFFEE MACHINES

PREMIUM PICK-ME-UP

prepares two drinks at the same time, and an automatic rinsing system that provides ease of cleaning.

MARKET TRENDS

GfK reports that, in 2014, the Hot Beverage Makers category accounted for around 16% of all kitchen appliances in value with sales of £122 million – a 19% uplift on the previous year. According to Daniel Fearnley, UK Lead, Home & Living, the ‘on demand’ section of the market using sealed coffee capsules available widely in supermarkets and online was central to the sector’s impressive performance.

Commenting on how the category fared during 2014, Fearnley said that on demand, or single serve, coffee makers accounted for three quarters of Hot Beverage Makers volume sales – a rise from 41% of the market just three years ago – and enjoy the rare privilege of both a buoyant mid-price and premium offer.

“Despite this,” he added, “total average Miele CM6300 coffee machine price has inevitably declined with promotional activity EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT CONSUMERS ARE PREPARED TO PAY FOR A GREAT-TASTING geared towards increasing household penetration of COFFEE AND THE CONVENIENCE OFFERED BY TOP-END MACHINES machines. In 2011, prices hovered around £99; nstant coffee may still account for the “Real product innovation in this sector in 2014, this dropped to around £70. At lion’s share of the coffee market in the is a key market driver and always excites higher-end price points above £150, some UK but sales of beans and pods continue the consumer by providing genuine, useful price erosion is also visible though not as to grow as more Britons buy into the features and benefits, which ensure that extreme.” café culture and the desire to create the premium coffee machines continue to be a Commenting on built-in coffee machines, atmospheric coffee shop experience at top selling category for retailers,” he says. a sector keeping pace with the growing home, with an eclectic choice of drink styles Pytel is not talking through his hat; the number of MDA brands now offering such and the full and rounded taste attainable Krups EA9010 bean-to-cup automatic appliances, Caple sales director Danny Lay with the use of a domestic coffee machine. espresso machine has a recommended says design trends are moving in line with According to research from Allegra price tag of £1299.99 and is the leading those of all major appliance categories; Strategies, Britain’s coffee sector was worth model in the brand’s 5-strong range therefore, streamlined, sophisticated £7.2 billion in 2014 and accounted for 18,832 of top quality machines. The appliance styles with an industrial edge that gives outlets. These include the big high street has a full colour touch-screen display appliances a more professional feel are brands such as Starbucks and Costa, which with customisable menus, 17 one-touch proving popular. are largely responsible for embedding the settings that produce café-quality drinks, “Functions have become simple and café culture into the fabric of our society. and a self-cleaning steam nozzle. easier to navigate and the most popular The British Coffee Association reports that Moving higher up the premium scale, coffee machines are those which you can coffee is the most popular drink worldwide, Swiss company Jura’s Giga 5 bean-toadapt to make different types of perfect with around two billion cups consumed cup coffee machine will set purchasers coffee with a range of easy-to-use settings, every day and approximately 70 million here back somewhere in the region of £3,750 such as grind time, coffee and steam in the UK on a daily basis. to almost £4,000. The appliance offers temperature and water volume.”

It’s all good news for manufacturers and the power of two grinders, two heating Addressing add-on sales in the category, sellers of coffee machines, as the sector just systems and two pumps to produce two Lay says: “At Caple we have a dedicated keeps growing and shows no sign of slowing coffee specialities simultaneously. coffee accessory storage drawer with down in the near future.

German brand Miele reports a 60% sections for cups, spoons, coffee and sugar, rise in freestanding coffee makers since which makes the perfect additional sales ON THE RISE the launch of its CM6 models in 2013. opportunity for the retailer and provides a Dominik Pytel, Marketing Manager at Groupe Product Manager Richard Treffler says chic finish to the coffee making facilities in SEB UK, quotes GfK figures that show customers enjoy the benefit of having the a new kitchen.” value sales increasing 14.6% year on year coffee shop experience at home, making to February 2015. At the premium end of a range of drinks such as cappuccinos, SEASONAL SALES the market he observes fully automatic espressos, americanos, caffe lattes or Returning to the freestanding sector, it is bean-to-cup machines showing latte macchiatos, all of which can be worthwhile noting that coffee machines are significant growth and now made with convenience and proving to be popular gift items. According to ease as the CM6 machines GfK’s Fearnley, sales are boosted in the run accounting for 12.1% have touch-screen up to Christmas. “November and December of the total coffee controls, a ‘One Touch alone accounted for 47% of the year’s volume machine market two years in a row,” he comments. by value. for Two’ option that

“Real product innovation in this sector is a key market driver…”

I

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GET CONNECTED MAY 2015

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