Appliance Retailer February 2017 by The Intermedia Group

APPLIANCE

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Heating

WARMER WINTER WEATHER SLOWS SELL-THROUGH

Electric Blankets SUPPLIERS STAY CLOSE TO EXISTING MODELS

Air Treatment

HEALTH AND WELLBEING TREND PROVIDES YEAR-ROUND SALES

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EDITORIAL AR Appliance Retailer is published by The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd ABN 940 025 836 82 41 Bridge Road, Glebe NSW 2037 Australia P 02 9660 2113 | F 02 9660 4419 E appliance@intermedia.com.au W www.intermedia.com.au ISSN: 1328-1852 Managing Director Simon Grover Editorial Director James Wells james@intermedia.com.au Deputy Editor Emily Bencic ebencic@intermedia.com.au Features Editor Kymberly Martin kymberly@intermedia.com.au General Manager – Sales Rod Riley rod@intermedia.com.au Art Director Alyssa Coundouris Prepress Tony Willson Production Manager Jacqui Cooper jacqui@intermedia.com.au Head of Circulation Chris Blacklock Subscriptions Ph 1800 651 422

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Smart home vs smart retailers

ver the last two decades writing for the appliance industry, there has been a constant discussion about the connected or smart home. It started with the predicted merger of AV and IT equipment and at the turn of the millennium, the LG Internet Refrigerator was supposed to usher in the connected home. In Australia, sales were counted on one hand, but the clever marketing did help the newcomer achieve its sought after dominance in the conventional side-by-side category. It seems major appliances are fi nally due to meet their date with wireless technology thanks to something that wasn’t available in the year 2000 – the cloud. This year at CES in Las Vegas, appliances like the LG Instaview and the Samsung Family Hub were drawing more interest than another new phone or drone. But the buzz wasn’t just because they were another couple of expensive refrigerators that have some cool features like a transparent door activated by knocking on the outside (a feature originally introduced by Miele to open its dishwashers) and the ability to see what’s inside using internal cameras or order groceries directly from Woolies. The buzz emerged from the announcement that LG’s Instaview became the fi rst major appliance to launch with the Alexa technology platform which is also owned by the company that ironically represents the biggest threat to local retailers over the next few years – Amazon.

For those not in the know, Alexa is a voice-recognition technology that allows users to dictate commands – similar to Apple’s Siri platform. Available in the US and the UK, Alexa has been associated mainly with the Amazon Echo – a smart speaker that some like to call a ‘virtual assistant’. Basically when a command is sent to one of multiple microphones embedded into the top of the device, it is then sent to the cloud to be interpreted before returning and doing everything from streaming a Madonna song to solving basic mathematics through to providing traffic updates and even order a pizza or an Uber. It does present some very interesting questions for how local retailers will sell these types of products into the future. The days of the hedge-like maze of refrigerators that creates snaking like dark alleyways in the corner of a store must come to an end. This ancient form of lazy merchandising needs to be replaced with a more exciting and, let’s be honest, professional point of sale environment to demonstrate products that deserve more attention and prominence. These products of the future are now ready for sale and they will need retailers of the future to sell them.

Editorial Director James Wells

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Appliance Retailer February 2017

VOLUME 23 / ISSUE #1

IN THIS ISSUE

19 EDITORS NOTE

Smart appliances requiresmart retailers

As products experience major change

NEWS

Q&A with Winning Appliances

Bing Lee sponsorship; Groupe SEB acquisition

An exclusive interview on the retailer’s new showrooms

First major sport sponsorship since 2010; Small appliance brand ready for major growth

Status Plus reveals new look showroom

CES 2016 delivers major innovations

New and improved displays

Key announcements from Samsung, LG, Panasonic, Sony and more

Panasonic Lumix GX850.

SOCIAL

The Appliance Retailer team gets social

Exclusive launch events hosted by Nespresso, Lenovo, Alcatel and others

HEATING FEATURE

An outlook on the category

Warmer winter weather subdues sales growth

Key trends in the market

Multifunctionality: A key purchase driver

Latest heaters on the shop ﬂoor

Wi-Fi connectivity becomes commonplace in the home

A closer look at features and beneﬁts

De’Longhi ceramic panel heater, Fujitsu General reverse cycle air conditioner and more

Promotions to push sales

Key players invest in above the line advertising, point of sale and instore education

ELECTRIC BLANKETS FEATURE

32 33 34

An outlook on the category

Lack of innovation

Key trends in the market

Safety is top of mind

Latest blankets on the shop ﬂoor

Sunbeam Sleep Perfect, Goldair heated throw, and more

A closer look at features and beneﬁts

Jason mattress topper, Breville BodyZone ﬁtted blanket, among others

Samsung PowerBot VR7000.

Promotions to push sales

Engaging user guides and retail displays

AIR TREATMENT FEATURE

38 39

An outlook on the category

Burgeoning with opportunity

Key trends in the market

How health is driving a relatively niche market

Latest humidifiers and dehumidifiers on the shop floor Cli-Mate air purification system, Sharp air purifier, and more

A closer look at features and beneﬁts

De’Longhi air puriﬁer, Heller air puriﬁer, among others

NEW PRODUCTS

Pick of the crop

Dyson vacuum designed for cars, Panasonic’s latest refrigerator, and more

RETAIL RULES

Pricing beyond price-off discounts

How to develop suitable tactics and price points www.applianceretailer.com.au

AR NEWS

WINNING APPLIANCES OPENS TWO NEW SHOWROOMS Prior to the grand opening of its Kingston showroom in the ACT and Fortitude Valley showroom in Queensland, Appliance Retailer spoke to Winning Appliances CEO, David Woollcott to find out what suppliers and consumers can expect from its latest and greatest retail spaces

Left: Winning Appliances CEO, David Woollcott.

BY EMILY BENCIC

Below: V-Zug display in the Kingston showroom.

he new Canberra Winnings store is the largest appliance showroom in the ACT, sitting at approximately 2,300 square metres in total (first floor is 1,500 square metres and ground floor is 850 square metres). “We believe it to be the largest cooking and laundry specialist in the southern hemisphere and if not the largest, certainly one of the most impressive,” Woollcott said. The showroom is situated at the Kingston Plaza “because of its heritage as Canberra's first department store”. “We also thought there was a nice synergy with the building being around the same age as the Winning Appliances business. It also gave us the sheer size that we wanted to provide to our customers in Canberra,” he explained. The two level showroom features high ceilings and retains elements of the building's past. Original materials were re-purposed to allow brands to have a specific identity in the space.

Appliance Retailer February 2017

Below left: Gaggenau display in the Kingston showroom.

“The Kingston store is a gallery and social space that offers a touch and feel experience. With a polished, industrial theme, the space has a timeless elegance and understated sophistication that reflects the local art and culture scene through the use of authentic materials,” he said. Over in Fortitude Valley, the new showroom is around 1,700 square metres in size, with off-street customer parking and reception lobbies at all four entrances. “It is perfectly located to provide the ideal customer shopping experience with inner city style. This project is an exciting opportunity that enriches the Winnings brand, and urban fabric of Fortitude Valley,” Woollcott said. “The proposed building envelope is intended to maximise natural light and ventilation, while reducing exposure to the harsh westerly sun. The site orientations have been carefully considered to provide maximum product exposure at street level, cross ventilation, and well planned internal amenities.” Woollcott explained that the overarching concept for the showroom was inspired by the ‘Golden Age’.

“We have drawn on the glamorous nostalgia of mid-century design with an updated modern interpretation in order to reﬂect Winning Appliances’ past, present, and future. The ‘Golden Age’ theme also lends itself to reﬂect the design of the surrounding area and the Fortitude Valley built fabric, ensuring its integration within the context of the building,” he said. The two showrooms will display appliances from Abey, AEG, Asko, Barazza, Billi, Blanco, Bosch, Electrolux, Falcon, Falmec, Fisher & Paykel, Franke, Gaggenau, Gorenje, Highland, Ilve, InSinkerator, KWC, Liebherr, Miele, Neff, Oliveri, Pitt, Qasair, Schweigen, Siemens, Sirius, Smeg, Sub-Zero Wolf, Transtherm, V-Zug, Vintec, Westinghouse and Zip. AR

Sharp Australia managing director, Kasey Katsuta (centre) cutting the ribbon at the opening.

NEWS

IN BRIEF BY EMILY BENCIC

TEDS ACQUIRES PAXTONS

Sharp moves its head ofﬁce BY KYMBERLY MARTIN

Sharp Australia has moved to new offices in Sydney’s North Ryde, designed to meet the challenges of the next decade and allow for further expansion of the company’s operations in Australia. Speaking at the opening of the new premises, Sharp Australia managing director, Kasey Katsuta, said the location allows the company to be within the hub of the business community and

closer to its customers. “It also gives us the opportunity to reify our strong commitment to further growth as we expand our portfolio and continue to offer home and business solutions.” The two new showrooms enable interactive hands-on demonstrations of Sharp products. The facilities will also provide support and training for retailers, resellers, corporate and education customers.

Philips shakes up go-to-market strategy BY EMILY BENCIC

Philips has ended its distribution partnership with Breville, moving the distribution of the majority of its consumer product portfolio in-house in Australia and consolidating it into one master distributor in New Zealand. From June 1, 2017, Philips will commence managing Philips ANZ general manager the Australian sales and of personal health, Chris Kerr. distribution in-house of its oral healthcare (Philips Sonicare), and we greatly value and thank them for male grooming, beauty and garment the contribution they have made to the care categories, alongside its existing business to date. in-house sales and distribution of “With the changing retail landscape, kitchen appliance, haircare, coffee it is necessary for us to prioritise our (Philips Saeco), air treatment and floor relationships with our customers. care categories. Following feedback to this effect and Philips ANZ general manager a review of this area of operations, of personal health, Chris Kerr said, it seemed the right time to focus our “Breville has been a long-term, efforts on simplifying our distribution outstanding distribution partner of and bringing it in-house.” Philips in Australia and New Zealand,

Teds Camera Stores has acquired the Paxtons business, taking over the management of its three stores in Chatswood, Parramatta and Hornsby with the majority of retail staff continuing under its ownership. Teds Cameras CEO, Nic Peasley said: “Paxtons is an iconic NSW imaging retail brand that we are privileged to welcome to the Teds family. The staff at Paxtons are long serving retailers and will be critical to the future success of this business under the Teds structure. We now have an excellent footprint in Sydney which includes our ﬂagship Pitt Street CBD store and three Paxtons locations.”

KOGAN GIFT CARDS NOW AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE

Kogan.com gift cards are now available in more than 2,000 retail locations around the country, in $50 and $100 amounts. They can be purchased from 7-Eleven, Coles and Woolworths, with cash, credit card, or debit card. Kogan.com director of strategy, Ross Metherell said, “The retail industry has moved on from a battle between online and physical stores, and is moving towards each retailer working hard to provide the best version of its own particular brand of convenience and value to Australian shoppers. Online shopping is still growing fast, and is showing no signs of slowing down in the coming years.”

WOOLWORTHS TEAMS UP WITH AUSTRALIA POST

In partnership with Australia Post, Woolworths will install over 500 parcel lockers across Australia to provide consumers with 24/7 parcel collection and returns. Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci said the lockers extend the existing Woolworths click&collect service for customers. “Our customers are busier than ever and look for greater convenience in everything they do. We have seen strong year-on-year growth of our customers shopping with us online, with many choosing the convenience of our click&collect service to pick up their shopping from our stores on their way home.”

www.applianceretailer.com.au

AR NEWS

Retailers report record Christmas trade Appliances Online experienced its strongest Christmas period to date with a number of record shopping days. CEO John Winning said, “We had a great lead up to Christmas with a considerable spike in sales on Boxing Day with shoppers spending their Christmas dollars or those who had been waiting to make their purchases.” “Fridges and freezers were our best selling category followed by washers and dryers, cooking appliances and then dishwashers,” he said. Christmas trading was also strong for Bi-Rite with a number of standout categories, despite a slow start to air conditioning due to unseasonal weather. Bi-Rite owner, Abdul Kayum Sacur said, “There has been a significant uplift in Bluetooth audio sales since the launch of the iPhone 7. Small appliances and TVs also performed well.” “This Christmas, Bi-Rite saw an improvement to the previous year as a

BY EMILY BENCIC

result of all the positive changes made throughout the year. Members went into the final months of the year in the strongest position off the back of our recent conference,” he added. Leading Appliances is expected to record its best December result, according to national group manager, Nicholas Fry. He attributed strong trading to the group’s s multi-faceted marketing campaign through December.

“The successful categories were small appliances, which are typically strong for us at this time of year, and we also enjoyed strong whitegoods sales, particularly fridges and freezers. The TV market was typically volatile and there was action aplenty in the market, but we held our own, recording consistent sales,” Fry explained. Kennedy’s Betta Home Living located in QLD’s Cairns City had strong post-Christmas sales that were up on last year for Boxing Day trade and the days to follow. “We had a strong December trade and were up around 10% on last year,” store manager, Janelle Given said. “Most definitely, whitegoods and refrigeration were best sellers as consumers need additional space for extra family members and friends. AV was another strong category with larger TVs being extremely popular due to aggressive price points,” she added.

Hong Kong Fair to showcase leading-edge technology The Hong Kong Electronics Fair 2017 (Spring Edition) will be host to more than 2,800 international exhibitors, who will showcase products from virtual reality to smart home appliances. It will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from April 13 to April 16, 2017 and is expected to attract over 62,000 international buyers. The Tech Hall will comprise four tech zones: virtual reality, connected

Appliance Retailer February 2017

home, robotics and unmanned tech, and wearable electronics. The Startup Zone will highlight tech startups from around the world to allow investors, buyers and manufacturers to explore smart tech devices and ICT solutions. There will also be an opportunity to participate in forums and network with the startup companies. Furthermore, there will be specialised zones, incorporating the Hall of Fame, which showcases

BY EMILY BENCIC

over 570 global brands, audio visual products, electronic accessories, home appliances, in-vehicle electronics and navigation systems, personal electronics and security products. The Small Orders Zone continues to serve as a platform for buyers to source products in smaller quantities from 5 to 1,000 items. It is also available online. The Hong Kong Electronics Fair 2017 (Spring Edition) is one of seven major fairs held in Hong Kong in April.

L to R: Netball coach, Julie Fitzgerald, Bing Lee head of marketing Matt Chapman, Bing Lee general manager Phil Moujaes and NSW Swifts coach, Rob Wright.

ON THE MOVE BI-RITE

Tristan Ansley has been appointed whitegoods and cooking category manager for Bi-Rite. He brings expertise from his previous role as national business manager for Home Appliances (Euromaid), and will be involved in the day-to-day planning for the group.

BEKO

Bing Lee teams up with Netball NSW

BY JAMES WELLS

Bing Lee has kicked off a major sports sponsorship partnering with Netball NSW in a four-year deal. The sponsorship deal covers three main aspects – Premier Partner sponsorship of Netball NSW which spans the entire state organisation as well as specific sponsorships of two elite national sides – the NSW Swifts and one of the new teams to enter the competition in 2017 – Giants Netball – representing western Sydney. Bing Lee CEO, Lionel Lee, said, “2017 marks an exciting year both for

Bing Lee and Netball NSW, and as a family-owned business we’re thrilled to join the NSW netball family. From our humble beginnings in the late 1950s, through to today, we have been committed to Sydney families and we’re looking forward to continuing that with Netball NSW,” Lee said. The sponsorship is the first time Bing Lee has signed a major sponsorship since 2010 when they completed a fouryear jersey sponsorship of the Sydney FC A-League football team.

Groupe SEB acquires WMF

BY EMILY BENCIC

Groupe SEB has acquired German group WMF to strengthen the company’s global leadership by gaining the position of world number one in professional automatic coffee machines and becoming the cookware leader in Germany. Groupe SEB CEO and chairman, Thierry de La Tour d’Artaise commented, “It is the start of a fascinating adventure for the teams at Groupe SEB and for those at WMF, to whom I would like to extend a warm welcome. We have the greatest consideration for the WMF Group’s achievements and are excited about accelerating the development of the new entity with a long-term perspective.”

Groupe SEB CEO and chairman, Thierry de La Tour d’Artaise.

Groupe SEB now has a full premium offer of cookware brands from around the world: Germany (WMF, Silit), Italy (Lagostina), UK (Jamie Oliver by Tefal, USA (All Clad) and last but not least, France (Tefal).

Beko ANZ managing director, Murray Linn has retired with former Electrolux Home Products managing director, Dr John Brown, filling the role. Brown was managing director at EHP between 2008 and 2015, including a 12 month assignment as CEO of Electrolux China.

Following the departure of Chris Horne, LG Electronics Australia has filled the role of general manager for home entertainment sales, appointing former key account manager, Dean Carroll (pictured). Stepping up into the role to replace Dean is Cory Foster, previously account executive for home entertainment.

FUJITSU GENERAL

Fujitsu General has appointed Brendon Macpherson as its state manager for Western Australia. He began his career as a sales representative in the FMCG industry, working through various business units within Coca-Cola Amatil. He rose to the role of state group business manager prior to joining Fujitsu General. Edward Jackson joins Fujitsu General in the newly created position of national retail sales manager, bringing more than 16 years’ experience. Most recently, he was national accounts manager of retail for Smeg Australia. Katherine Bond has been appointed brand manager for trade marketing following the departure of Linda Louskos. She previously held a number of marketing roles at Fuji Xerox Australia.

www.applianceretailer.com.au

AR NEWS

THE NEW LOOK STATUS PLUS

SHOWROOM

BY EMILY BENCIC

t has been a busy few months for North Queensland-based, kitchen, bathroom and laundry specialist, Status Plus as the retailer strives to keep ahead of trends by working closely with its suppliers. The shopfront has been revamped with a new banner to identify all brands, and product displays have been updated with a simple refresh or completely overhauled to showcase new ranges at the Cairns showroom. “This gives our clients the confidence in knowing they are dealing with a flagship company, while simultaneously advertising all we do in a simple eyeshot,” Status Plus director, Ashley Balderson said. “Showrooms become boring, stagnant and stale if you do not continually refresh and reinvigorate. By adopting this approach you are not only engaging and exciting the clients, but doing the same for your sales team. There is nothing better than a shiny new working display that draws both clients and salespeople alike,” he said. The front of Status Plus was transformed with new signage which now displays all brands, as well as new lifestyle images from Asko, and Villeroy & Boch. The signage, which had not changed since 2008, has also been repainted. “A basic lesson to business owners is that you must always have a crisp, inviting, well-maintained building and access to invite the ever-discerning clients into your business. Our updated signage is a true car stopper,” Balderson said. In November 2016, the new Asko working display was completed. Proudly being the largest Asko display in Queensland, it integrates the Elements

Appliance Retailer February 2017

New Status Plus signage.

“SHOWROOMS BECOME BORING, STAGNANT AND STALE IF YOU DO NOT CONTINUALLY REFRESH AND REINVIGORATE.” and Craft ranges, as well as the Pro Series into a user friendly working kitchen modelled on Asko’s hero interactive stand launched at EuroCucina 2016 in Milan. Balderson described the feedback as “phenomenal”. The Sirius and Steel display has also had a makeover with the aim of making amazing products more eye-catching. It features the exclusive Steel built-in and freestanding range of products with fully clad stainless steel interiors. In addition a fully functional working kitchen island with overhead rangehoods.

The Bora brand is the latest cutting edge product to be showcased. With its unique state-of-the-art cooking systems, including induction and the largest teppanyaki on the market integrated with the professional down draft. “Bora is a must see-to-believe product, a true stand-alone experience in an industry that indeed has some quality competitors. The interactive and user friendly island with clear viewing panels accentuates the quality of air extraction, which has become an important feature in the whitegoods market,” Balderson said. “Our clients fall in love with what we have created – put simply there is no destination like Status Plus where you can touch and feel appliances that are all connected and operational. Our space evokes excitement coupled with an old world shopping experience,” he added.

Far left: The largest Asko display in QLD. Left: Updated Sirius and Steel display. Below: Status Plus director, Ashley Balderson.

“WE STRIVE TO GIVE OUR CLIENTS A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE… WE LIKE TO SPOIL OUR CLIENTS WITH UNIQUE GIFTS AND EXPERIENCES POST PURCHASE.”

PURCHASE DECISION DRIVERS

The primary consideration when purchasing appliances are features and benefits according to Balderson. “For example, when purchasing an oven, if there is a baby on the way, safety is paramount, and therefore, it needs to be cool to touch. Alternatively, when shopping for a washing machine for a family of 10, size is the most important factor,” he said. “From here, the second driver of purchase decisions is reliability. Consumers are tired of things failing and therefore, are willing to invest in premium products. “A promotion is always a great trigger for consumers to purchase, but as in a recent interaction, we had a client who did not want to take up a promotional offer, purely because they wanted another specific brand. So it’s not all about price.

Status Plus team.

“Consumers spend time researching a product, however, they like to feel special, as well as touch and feel the product. They need to open oven doors to feel the robust nature or operate an induction cooktop, or see the space inside a fridge. There will always be the need for bricks and mortar as well as online. An equilibrium will be reached sooner than later,” he said.

DELIVERING CUSTOMER SERVICE

“Being located in far north Queensland, we find that some of the trends that work in the southern retailer showrooms do not necessarily translate with our tropical and laid back style of living and building. Cairns is very much about having open plan living spaces, so we have always tried to pick products, whether appliances or bathroomware that can be used to suit this. “We strive to give our clients a totally different experience to anyone else, whether it be a simple good morning, glass of ice cold water

on a hot day or cappuccino and friendly chat. These are mainstays in our business where the clients’ needs and wishes are met and often exceeded with supplying more than they expect. We like to spoil our clients with unique gifts and experiences post purchase. Hence, the relationship does not end after the sale. You become one of the family at Status Plus. “Furthermore, our showroom conveys a lifestyle space (rather than just rows of products) to evoke emotion and make their journey an exciting and memorable one. For my team at Status Plus it’s not just about our current clients but looking to serve, assist and guide their friends and family, and ultimately (if I can be so bold) their children in the future,” he said. When asked about future plans for 2017, Status Plus will be focusing on trade nights for local architects, builders and trade personnel. “Trade nights are the perfect vehicle to spend time with your clients without phones ringing or meeting pressing deadlines. In these event spaces, people can focus on what you are presenting, relax and absorb the opportunities presented. The result through specifications, selections and ultimately sales, is always impressive. In addition to this, as a brand you are always in the mind of individuals – say no more,” he concluded. AR www.applianceretailer.com.au

AR NEWS

CES 2017:

KEY HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE GLOBAL GIANTS

Every year the industry gathers in Las Vegas to roll out the latest products and technology to hit shop ﬂoors internationally. From smart refrigerators and intelligent robots to sleek and stylish big screen TVs, Emily Bencic has selected her pick of the crop from this year’s Consumer Electronics Show

SAMSUNG: REFRIGERATION, ROBOTICS AND AUDIO VISUAL FAMILY HUB GETS A FACELIFT

The next generation refrigerator, building upon Family Hub 1.0 introduced in 2016, features expansion from four to 10 refrigerator models as well as enhanced usability with improved app integration and new app partners. Family Hub 2.0 will be available across a full range of Samsung’s 3-Door and 4-Door French Door models as well Samsung FamilyHub 2.0.

as the existing 4-Door Flex line-up. It is currently being considered for the Australian market.

MORE MUSCLE IN ROBOTICS

It has been confi rmed by Samsung Australia that the POWERbot VR7000 will be available to the local market, although pricing and timing are yet to be confi rmed. It features powerful suction within a slim design at less than 4 inches tall (97mm) and is 28% slimmer than its predecessors. The unique self-cleaning brush system reduces the amount of dust and hair that gets trapped in the bristles. It collects debris in the centre of the brush, facilitating an easier transfer into the dustbin. With Visionary Mapping Plus and FullView Sensor 2.0, the POWERbot VR7000 maps and remembers contours of the room to provide thorough cleaning, while the Intelligent Power Control feature automatically adjusts the level of suction power.

THE POWER OF QLED

Samsung Australia also confirmed that the new QLED TV and 2017 TV range will be launched locally, although

Samsung PowerBot VR7000. 12

Appliance Retailer February 2017

ranging, pricing and availability will be announced closer to launch. QLED TVs are capable of reproducing 100% colour volume to express all colours at any level of brightness with even the subtlest differences visible at peak luminance. Furthermore, the new transparent ‘Invisible Connection’ cable means there are no wires in view and the ‘nogap’ wall mount is easy-to-install and positions the TV almost flush against the wall.

PREMIUM SOUND FOR A/V LINE-UP

Samsung Electronics announced its latest line-up of home audio visual products, including the H7 wireless speaker, soundbar and UHD Blu-ray player, which will become available to the Australian market this year. The line-up uses Samsung’s proprietary technology, UHQ (Ultra High Quality) audio, which enables 32 bits of rich, detailed sound from any source that provides 8 to 24 bit sound, and has the ability to upscale audio sources to a 32 bit output, for wired and wireless connections. Distortion Cancelling technology reduces sound alterations by predicting the movement of internal speaker units in advance, and controlling the units to deliver the perfect sound. It can intelligently predict a woofer’s movement, control it, and play more solid and stable sounds at a low pitch. The new MS750 soundbar is Samsung’s fi rst soundbar to embed subwoofer performance directly into the primary unit. It can be mounted onto the TV with one simple connection with an optional, userfriendly I-shaped bracket connecting the TV directly to the soundbar.

Samsung’s new M9500 UHD Blu-ray player has Bluetooth wireless streaming support and Samsung Smart Remote integration. With the M9500’s new Private Cinema Mode, TV audio can be transferred to Bluetooth headphones. The Blu-ray player automatically sets the TV screen and audio to the optimal level by analysing the content source, whether it's HDR, Atmos or DTS-X.

LG CordZero Canister.

LG: REFRIGERATION, OLED TVS AND CORDLESS VACS KNOCK, KNOCK. WHO’S THERE?

With just two knocks of the screen, the 29-inch touch LCD display of LG’s new flagship Door-in-Door refrigerator will become transparent so users can look inside the refrigerator without opening the door. Amazon’s Alexa Voice Service enables users to search recipes, play music, add items to a shopping list, set kitchen timers and check the weather through the voice of the user. The Smart Tag menu means users can add stickers and tags on the screen to indicate which foods are stored as well as the ability to input the expiration date of each item. To check inside the refrigerator remotely, a 2.0 megapixel panoramic super-wide-lens camera captures images of the interior accessible via smartphone.

OLED TV WORLD-FIRST

LG's top-of-the-line Signature OLED TV features Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos sound in a world-fi rst within a slim design. The W7 OLED TV series builds on LG OLED’s revolutionary pixel dimming control technology, which renders perfect black without any light leakage to offer a limitless contrast ratio, with one billion possible colors. All LG’s 2017 OLED TVs use ULTRA Luminance technology to deliver greater brightness where needed.

A REDESIGN OF THE CORDZERO VACUUM

The Smart Inverter Motor of the new CordZero Handstick spins 16 times

LG CordZero Handstick.

WITH JUST TWO KNOCKS, THE

DISPLAY OF LG’S DOOR-IN-DOOR REFRIGERATOR BECOMES

TRANSPARENT SO USERS CAN

LOOK INSIDE THE REFRIGERATOR WITHOUT OPENING THE DOOR.

LG Smart Instaview Refrigerator.

faster than an airplane engine, enabling the 3D turbo fan to generate powerful airflow. Backed by a 10-year warranty, it guarantees superior performance and durability in a compact size. The vacuum’s advanced fivestep fi ltration system employs a HEPA 13 fi lter, in addition to two removable Dual PowerPack lithiumion batteries that provide extra power. Ergonomically redesigned for 2017, LG CordZero Handstick features a telescoping handle allowing for seamless height adjustment and the ability to reach high ceiling corners. Anti-tangle technology prevents hairs and pet fur from getting caught on the brush. The Smart Inverter Motor in the new CordZero Canister boosts airflow with the Axial Turbo Cyclone and delivers strong suction with its PowerPack 72V lithium-ion battery. The collision detection system identifies obstacles and avoids them with its front-mounted sensor.

PANASONIC EXPANDS CAMERA LINE-UP LUMIX ATTRACTS PROFESSIONAL USERS

Panasonic announced its flagship digital single lens mirrorless camera, the LUMIX DC-GH5, for video professionals. It will be available locally in April 2017 from RRP $2,999. It is the first consumer digital camera to offer 4K 10-bit 4:2:2 25/30p video recording to SD Card and has evolved its original 4K Photo to 6K Photo. This camera also offers a 20-megapixel sensor and 5-Axis Dual IS 2 for stabilisation, complementing its weather-sealed body, dual SD card slots and Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. The new entry-level LUMIX DCGX850 has 4K Photo and 4K Video features; a 180-degree fl ip-up rear monitor, and is available in four colours: orange, cherry blossom, or two-tone black and silver. It is priced at RRP $799 and will be available in Australia in March. www.applianceretailer.com.au

AR NEWS precise and accurate local dimming control compared to Slim Backlight Drive. With its quad-edge LED structure and X-tended Dynamic Range PRO local dimming and boosting technology, it delivers 10 times the XDR contrast of conventional LED TV. Availability and pricing for the Australian market has not been confi rmed by Sony.

THE SONY A1E 4K HDR TV

SERIES IS THE WORLD’S FIRST Panasonic Lumix GX850. Panasonic’s latest FZ Series super telephoto camera, the DC-FZ80, includes a powerful 60 times zoom lens spanning 20mm-1200mm; 4K technologies including 4K Photo, 4K Video and Post Focus; an 18-megapixel sensor; Depth from Defocus for highly responsive autofocus; plus a Live View Finder and touch screen. The LUMIX DC-FZ80 is priced at RRP $599 and will be available in Australia in March.

SONY: 4K TVS, HEADPHONES AND WIRELESS SPEAKERS WORLD-FIRST SPEAKERLESS 4K TV

The Sony A1E 4K HDR TV series is the world’s first large screen TV which can emit sound from the screen itself. Taking advantage of the OLED’s backlight-less structure, Sony developed a new Acoustic Surface technology which can emanate sound directly from the screen, doing away with conventional speakers usually located around the TV. The 4K HDR Processor X1 Extreme from Sony’s flagship Z series is able to produce a lifelike picture with superb texture, depth, colour, and contrast. With its two new X and A TV series, the Processor X1 Extreme will be available to a broader audience. The new X93E series features Slim Backlight Drive+, an improved LED backlight technology allowing more 14

Appliance Retailer February 2017

LARGE SCREEN TV WHICH

CAN EMIT SOUND FROM THE SCREEN ITSELF.

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE EXTRA BASS

Sony Australia will further expand the Extra Bass headphones series with three additional models, incorporating the wireless MDRXB950B1, the MDR-XB550AP available in a variety of colours, and the water resistant MDRXB510AS in-ear sports headphones. The XB950B1 wireless headphones deliver enhanced bass response while supporting Bluetooth audio streaming and simplified connectivity with Near Field Communications (NFC) technology. The listening experience can be controlled with the Sony Headphones Connect smartphone app and the bass level can be adjusted with the Clear Bass feature. The built-in rechargeable battery provides up to 18 hours of continuous, wireless music playback on a full charge. When the battery runs low, passive

mode allows for continued listening with the supplied cable. The XB550AP wired headphones feature a premium metal headband and specially designed ear cups to deliver a deep bass response. The in-line remote with microphone allows for control: call answer/end, and audio track play/pause functionality, while its durable cable makes for a tangle-free experience. The specially designed earbuds of the XB510AS in-ear sports headphones also deliver enhanced bass. The easy to wear style with arc supporters provides a perfect, stable fit for active users and with an IPX5 / IPX72 water-resistant design, the XB510AS can be worn while running in the rain or performing a work out. Sony Australia will also expand its Extra Bass speaker series to include four new portable wireless speakers. All speakers feature easy smartphone pairing with NFC, and offer the latest Bluetooth technologies. Thanks to its compact size and long battery life, these speakers can be easily picked up and moved and the IPX51 rated waterresistant design means they will be protected against splashes. The SRS-XB40 features an LED perimeter line-light, a strobe flash and speaker light. The line-light creates multicolour patterns, ranging from pure white to rainbow. Synchronising with the beat, the power and speed of the light display matches the music’s mood and atmosphere. The SRS-XB30 has a similar multicolour line-light and strobe,

Sony EXTRA BASS headphones (MDRXB950B1).

Sony EXTRA BASS wireless speaker (SRS_XB40).

HISENSE UNVEILS FLAGSHIP ULED TVS BIGGER AND BETTER THAN EVER BEFORE

and the SRS-XB20 features a single colour line-light which complements the speaker colour. Take advantage of the supercompact size and portability of the SRSXB10 with the choice of two listening styles and up to 16 hours of battery life.

TCL TVS TO ROLL OUT FROM JUNE NEW SERIES FOR THE QUHD RANGE

TCL used this year’s CES as a platform to launch the QUHD X2 series, featuring Quantum Dot display technology, Dolby Vision high-dynamicrange (HDR) technology, MEMC, Harman Kardon sound system and an ultra-thin, edgeless design. The Quantum Dot display uses a non-organic compound as the lightemitting material which is stable and free from problems such as colour cast and imbalance of picture quality. The result is high luminance of up to 400 nits, with a colour gamut 52.7% wider than normal LED TVs that can outplay OLED. In addition to the studio-level sound experience of six Harman Kardon speakers, TCL has also equipped the X2 with Bluetooth audio and sound return, enabling users to connect smart devices to their sets, and also connect headphones through their smart devices if required. The QUHD X2 series will be available in Australia from June at an RRP of $2,999 for the 65 inch model and $1,999 for the 55 inch model.

TCL QUHD X2 series.

TCL USED THIS YEAR’S CES

AS A PLATFORM TO LAUNCH THE QUHD X2 SERIES,

FEATURING QUANTUM DOT DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY.

Hisense ULED TV display.

Hisense is bringing its ULED technology to larger screen sizes than ever before, with two additional product ranges set to feature the technology in displays of up to 85-inches, including the company’s new flagship Hisense 4K ULED TV Series 9. ULED technology is up to three times brighter than OLED, with better dynamic range and perception of black and white, enhancing colour, contrast, black level, brightness and smooth motion. Comprising signature ULED features such as Wide Color Gamut, Ultra Smooth Motion Rate and 4K upscaling, the 4K ULED TV Series 9 has been UHD Premium certified to ensure the range conforms to the highest premium industry standard. The newly redesigned Hisense Smart TV platform, VIDAA U, offers quick, customisable and easy one-touch access to all of the content consumers want, and the ability to add apps, including Netfl ix and Stan directly to the home screen. Availability, pricing and specifications for Australia are yet to be determined. AR

www.applianceretailer.com.au

AR NEWS

APPLIANCE RETAILER

Gets Social BY EMILY BENCIC AND KYMBERLY MARTIN

NESPRESSO AND BREVILLE’S CREATIVE COLLABORATION

Nespresso trade marketing manager, Nicole Parker with Nespresso Oceania general manager, Loic Rethore.

Nespresso chose Sydney’s Carriageworks as the launch platform for its latest coffee machine offering, the Creatista, co-developed with Breville. Guests were served espresso martinis before being treated to a three course, coffee infused dinner creation by James Viles of Biota in Bowral. Before the conclusion of the evening, guests including retailers, media and renowned coffee baristas, were invited to road test the new machine. In an address to attendees, Nespresso Oceania general manager, Loic Rethore said, “Creatista brings together the best of Nespresso coffee expertise and Breville’s innovative milk technology, featuring a unique automatic steam wand that allows users to personalise their milk and try their hand at latte art at home.”

LENOVO FLEXES MUSCLE WITH YOGA TABLET

The world’s thinnest and lightest 2-in-1 laptop tablet has arrived on Australian shores from Lenovo. The company presented its latest device, the Yoga Book, at a chic café in Sydney’s CBD to a group of media and bloggers. Speaking to Appliance Retailer about the laptop tablet was Lenovo ANZ consumer director, Brendan Lau. The key feature of the device is its on-demand halo keyboard – the thinnest and smartest software-optimised keyboard. “Thanks to haptic feedback, it will recognise your touch when you type, and has artificial learning to pick up on your typing style,” Lau explained. Another unique feature is the create pad. “The device includes a digitiser, which has real ink options and it comes with three ink refi lls,” Lau said.

Lenovo ANZ managing director, Matt Codrington, tattoo artist Lauren Winzer and Lenovo ANZ consumer director, Brendan Lau.

ALCATEL SHOWS VISION FOR 2017

Alcatel VP and managing director, Sam Skontos presenting to attendees.

Appliance Retailer February 2017

Alcatel hosted a small group of media to review the year that had been and share insights for 2017. The company experienced significant growth in 2016, maintaining the number three smartphone vendor for five consecutive quarters with 2% growth. This year, the company will continue to cement its position in the market with the launch of an online store, an increased focus on design and capitalise on the projected growth for the virtual reality (VR) category with the Alcatel 360 range that incorporates VR goggles, a headset, content hub and plug-in camera. The company will also launch a new smartphone, designed for the entertainment seekers, specifically targeted to the Millennial demographic.

MAY THE FORCE BE WITH LG

LG marketing manager for air conditioning, Bruce Leigh and LG marketing manager for home appliances, Brad Reed.

LG invited a group of select media to a private screening of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. LG marketing manager of home appliances Brad Reed said the company is ready for another big year in 2017, which was kicked off by CES with some key announcements. “We also have new personnel in our marketing department who have recently come on board. Pevinda Gill has joined as corporate marketing manager, with the support of the public relations team, and is working with our retail partners. Dave Brown has also joined us and he is overseeing marketing activity for our home entertainment products. The introduction of OLED technology this year and in 2017 is a mainstay of our portfolio. “Throughout the year, there will be new product rolled out in the home appliance category with the introduction of our premium Signature Series, in addition to a refresh of our floorcare category and strong focus on home entertainment.”

THE SOUND OF COMMERCIAL RADIO AUSTRALIA

More than 150 industry guests mingled at the Martin Place Bar in Sydney to share Christmas drinks with the board and staff from Commercial Radio Australia. CEO Joan Warner said 2016 was a great year for radio that included introduction of RadioApp that allows listeners to stream 250 Australian radio stations anywhere on the go. The year wrapped up with the news that digital radio will be rolled out to Canberra, Darwin and Hobart. Over the next 12 months the industry will be partnering with AudioNET on the rollout of automated holdings software which will make radio ads easier to buy.

Commercial Radio Australia CEO Joan Warner with Minister for Communications Mitch Fiﬁeld.

SAMSUNG SHIFTS UP A GEAR

Samsung Gear S3 smartwatch.

The Samsung Gear S3, fi rst revealed at IFA in September, was showcased to a group of media at a lavish location at Bondi Beach, offering a hands-on experience to attendees. Speaking about the device was Samsung head of category, Eric Chou. “At Samsung, we keep talking about wanting to bring meaningful innovation to our customers so they can get the most out of the technology. We have done that with our phones and in 2013, when we fi rst launched the Gear, it was an interesting time as the market was in its infancy and consumers didn’t know what to do with smartwatches. Fast forward to today, we are talking about the Gear S3, which sets a new benchmark for wearable technology.” www.applianceretailer.com.au

AR NEWS

FIVE MINUTES WITH… Tell me about your background

I began my career with Harvey Norman in a casual sales position while completing my Bachelor of Commerce degree. During this time, I discovered a love of retail and sales, so I decided to achieve a franchise and commit to a Harvey Norman career. I acquired my first franchise in Sydney’s Liverpool 11 years ago. I am now the operator of my fifth franchise, one of the largest electrical superstores in Queensland.

What’s the biggest challenge in retail?

Change in consumer behaviour, buying patterns and customer engagement. Retailers have needed to diversify their messaging and become omni-channel in a shorter time frame than most would have expected. Therefore, there is a

Name: Wivina Chaneliere Supplier: Groupe SEB Years in the industry: 22 What motivates and inspires you?

I work in a great industry where we make consumers' lives easier with our innovative product solutions. That really motivates me to meet people who are excited about how our products help them and support them every day. I also like to see projects come to life, achieve results and celebrate with my team.

What is an interesting fact about you that most people don’t know?

I am a bit of tomboy, I like motorbikes and speed boats.

How does it feel to be a female managing director?

I don’t feel any gender inequality being an MD in Australia. I have never had a comment on that matter whether it’s with my team or with any of my

Appliance Retailer February 2017

strong need for staff education and training to ensure we meet and exceed customer service expectations.

What trends are you seeing in the market?

Multi-purpose functionality, connectivity, as well as staying on trend in colour and style. In laundry, bigger capacity to reduce wash loads; in refrigeration, better cooling technology to keep food fresher for longer; and in cooking, steam and steam assist ovens, as well as further development of induction.

How do you stay ahead of the game?

With customer service always front of mind, I work hard to be innovative, to adapt and to evolve. The electrical industry is competitive so I am always implementing strategies to enhance the business, motivate my team and get the best out of them.

colleagues in the industry. However, in France when I was 16 years old, I wanted to study economics. My head teacher told me, “Wivina, at best in life you will be a good secretary… so don’t choose economics”. I obviously didn’t listen to his advice.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced? How did you overcome this?

The biggest challenge was to find new growth opportunities for the company post GFC. We tried several things which didn’t work. But we learnt from our failures, adjusted our strategy and have subsequently now got strong momentum. So try new things, if you fail, fail quick and learn from your mistakes. Be persistent and resilient.

What is your outlook on the appliance industry?

In today’s ever fast paced busy world where consumers are time poor, want to eat well and look after their home, their family and inspire their friends, I believe the appliance industry has a very bright future because along with digital

Name: Cara Sherman Retail group: Harvey Norman Store location: Toowoomba, QLD Years in the industry: 14

What is it like to be a female franchisee?

Harvey Norman is one of few companies with a female CEO, Katie Page. The company's culture rewards hard work, respects all staff, and inspires us to better ourselves and employees. There is equal opportunity and we are encouraged to obtain great results to achieve bigger and better opportunities within the business. Harvey Norman also has a female mentoring program, which I participate in to support other female franchisees.

What is the key to a good relationship with suppliers?

Great communication, mutual respect and a partnership relationship. Treat all business suppliers well and be open about what you both want to achieve.

technology’s ongoing sophistication that is exactly what innovative appliances do.

How does your company remain unique and competitive?

Our focus has always been on innovation and that is the driving force behind the company’s success. On a local level, it’s about having a good team and clear direction by investing in categories that add value to consumers and retailers, the correct go to market approach and get the big things right.

What is the key to a successful relationship with retailers?

Not sure I want to tell our secrets… but I will say that it’s key to invest together with the retail partners to grow the different categories or start a new category rather than trying to eat one another’s market share with price. A category management approach rather than using price can only benefit the appliance industry. AR

FEATURE

The Radia S Digital Series features an Eco Plus Function, which optimizes energy consumption while maintaining the correct level of comfort.

AR HEATING OUTLOOK

New apartments offer opportunities in heating BY KYMBERLY MARTIN

ue to a warmer winter last season, there were declines across the heating category, especially in volume, according to the latest GfK data. On the plus side, there were increases in average selling prices among several heater types. For the total heating segment, average prices rose from $133 to $152 in the past year with ceramic heaters benefitting from the strongest value increase, growing at 19%. From a Euromonitor perspective, two consecutive mild winters have contributed to slower growth in the heating appliances segment. There has been a gradual shift towards

multifunction products that operate as both cooling fans in summer and fan heaters in winter. “Sales of branded heating appliances are dominated by economy brands,” research analyst Hianyang Chan said. He believes this is due to the low level of brand recognition for heating appliances among Australian consumers. “New technologies have resulted in a proliferation of premium heating appliances which are more energy efficient and provide greater efficiency for larger spaces,” he said. “Consumers are inclined to purchase premium products leading to some polarisation in the market, between those consumers seeking budget models,

such as private label products sold through Woolworths and Wesfarmers, and those buying premium branded models with more advanced features.” While Australia’s residential electricity prices are still moderate by international standards, Vornado brand manager Kirsten Pride acknowledged that households have experienced significant electricity price increases in recent years at around 35% nationally. “Governments are taking steps to ensure consumers are paying no more than necessary as well as providing energy efficiency websites with tips on how to save energy and fi nd the most energy efficient appliances for the home.” AR

Innovative Technology with Italian Style

TRENDS

Running on new technologies

e’Longhi continues to see strong yearly growth with its new Radia S oil column heaters exceeding sales expectations, category manager Jessica Hull said, solidifying the company’s position as market leader in the small appliance heating sector. Heating has been a core category for De’Longhi since introducing oil column heaters in 1974. Hull said

category has been performing well, according to general manager sales and marketing, Dave Smith. “Feedback from our retailers show that consumers want products that are reliable, easy to use and offer practical features.” In 2017, there will be a new Wi-Fi control

IN 2017, THERE WILL BE A NEW WI-FI CONTROL PRODUCT

FROM FUJISTU GENERAL FOR

REMOTELY OPERATING A WIDE RANGE OF FEATURES.

Jessica Hull – De’Longhi.

ongoing investment in research and development brings innovation and technology to the category with a strong brand advocacy. “Sales staff are the greatest asset to sell premium products, and we provide education information on our technology and unique selling propositions.” The reverse cycle air conditioning category continues to be a strong focus for Fujitsu General, with a marketleading 41% value share and 36% in units from GfK data for the six months to October 2016. As a result of new dwelling growth, the multi-system

Dragon Oil Column

Radia S Oil Column

product for remotely operating a wide range of features, as well as two new multi-split systems and a new range of multi-split outdoor units. An increasing number of consumers and property developers are realising the convenience and flexibility of air conditioning for heating as well as cooling, is the opinion of Electrolux Home Products, category manager,

Dave Smith – Fujitsu General.

Panel Heaters

Convector Heaters

Garth Hickey – Mitsubishi Electric.

home comfort, John Henley. “We see this trending in line with the explosion in apartment development in major cities especially where split system air conditioners are now typically installed during the construction phase as part of the fittings and inclusions. This comes with the realisation that where storage space for heaters is limited and convenience is valued, it is hard to go past air conditioners as the ideal heating and cooling appliance,” he said. New home designs such as wide, open plan living areas and the increased use of glass, present challenges for heating and can affect the heating load required, according to Mitsubishi Electric national retail sales manager, Garth Hickey. “It is important to specify the correct system for the customer.” He said Wi-Fi control that puts the customer in control of scheduling their air conditioning system is in demand as it saves energy. “Multisplit systems have been growing in popularity, particularly with apartment buildings where slimline bulkhead indoor units are being installed.” 

Ceramic Heaters

Fan Heaters

AR HEATING

Stacey Pogorecki – Glen Dimplex.

“Column heaters with a builtin fan have become more popular too because the fan helps to heat the room quickly and effectively,” Dimplex product and marketing coordinator, seasonal, Stacey Pogorecki said. “Monitoring sell-in and sell-through figures from our key accounts have helped us identify that fanned oils outsell non-fanned models by three to one. We are looking to introduce fans to all our Eco column models this season, giving consumers the option of buying these more effective heating solutions.” LG is tapping into a growing interest in reverse cycle air conditioning among Australians through its split system air conditioners, air conditioning marketing manager, Bruce Leigh noted. “Reverse cycle air conditioning is one of the smartest options in the long run for heating the home during the winter. Although more expensive to buy than an electric heater, split systems are very effective in terms of the energy used compared to the heat they generate.” With the LG P-series air conditioners, the Wi-Fi Smart Control allows control over the temperature in the home when absent and by adding the Active Energy Control capability improves energy efficiency throughout the winter. Sunbeam will maintain focus on its current range for 2017, according to category manager, garment care and seasonal, Lisa Buscomb. “Compact

Bruce Leigh – LG.

Appliance Retailer February 2017

size and styling are important features within the heating category and consumers are basing purchase decisions on the style of the product, ensuring it fits within their home decor, in addition to product features.” Energy efficiency continues to be a key consideration for consumers when buying an air conditioner according to Panasonic, with senior product marketing manager for air conditioning, Joe De Bella commenting: “we don’t foresee that changing”. According to Canstar Blue’s 2016 air conditioning survey, 44% of respondents declared energy

“Figures from our key accounts have helped us identify that fanned oils outsell non-fanned models by three to one” Stacey Pogorecki – Dimplex.

Lisa Buscomb – Sunbeam.

efficiency the number one purchase decision factor and 82% replacing their air conditioning system said their new system was more energy efficient. For Noirot, the existing 2000W and 2400W panel heaters will be the centre of the company’s range strategy for 2017. “The products are safe, silent, have no fan and are economical to run,” marketing manager, Chris Constantine said. The heating benefits of reverse cycle air conditioning have been recognised much more as other inverter system benefits are accepted by consumers and industry alike, Teco national business development manager, Trevor Francis said. “These have opened up sales to very cold areas of Australia as the ambient temperature ranges handled

by inverters are so much better than older fi xed speed units. With some other energy source pricing increasing, using the efficient DC inverter makes a lot of sense.” Although last season experienced delays with the cold weather continuing into later months, this helped to grow emerging categories, including micathermic, within the CDB Goldair range, product manager, Fiona Trajkovski said.

Joe De Bella – Panasonic.

The strongest trend in the heating category has been the concentration of safety features. Second to safety would be the need for energy efficiency, is the view of Vornado brand manager, Kirsten Pride. “Consumers are becoming more conscious in their purchase decisions and the impact these decisions have on the environment. Appliances can account for up to 30% of home energy use, and how often and how appliances are run, can have a big impact on how much energy is being used,” she said.

Trevor Francis – TECO.

“With the growing move to outdoor living and entertaining making the areas more comfortable is highly desirable,” GAF national sales manager, Michael Carroll said. This winter GAF is entering the ‘alfresco’ category for the fi rst time with a Heller branded range of infra-red radiant strip heaters. AR

Stylish heating solutions for any home. De’Longhi’s range of heaters are renowned for delivering Italian quality and style, with the latest in performance and efficiency. The newest additions to the 2017 range provide our consumers with innovation and technology to suit every heating need. The Radia S Digital Series features an Eco Plus Function, to optimise energy consumption while maintaining the correct level of comfort. The HX Ceramic Panel heater is self-regulating, allowing the heater to gradually reduce the power as the room temperature increases. All De’Longhi Oil Column and Panel Heaters offer a seven year warranty, a testament to the quality and reliability of the product range. For more information on the De’Longhi heating range visit delonghi.com.au or contact 1800 126 659. FEATURED: PANEL HEATER HX65L22

PANEL HEATERS

DRAGON OIL COLUMN HEATERS

RADIA S OIL COLUMN HEATERS

CERAMIC HEATERS

CONVECTOR HEATERS

FAN HEATERS

AR HEATING RANGES

Consumers spoilt for choice BY KYMBERLY MARTIN

e’Longhi will launch new panel and oil column heaters for the 2017 winter season. The new ceramic panel heater (HX65L22, RRP: $499) is the fi rst panel heater to feature a Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heating element, which in addition to fast heat-up is self-regulating, allowing auto adjustment of power for optimum performance and lower energy use. A built-in fan distributes air evenly around the room. The textured dove grey fi nish gives a premium look and the unit is only 7.5cm wide. It comes with castors, a wall mounting kit, audible tip-over safety switch and electronic touch controls. Following on from the success of its digital Dragon 4 oil column heaters, De’Longhi will release a digital version of the Radia S oil column heaters in 1500W and 2400W. Features include a soft touch control panel with digital temperature display and timer. In 2017, Fujitsu General is launching a new Wi-Fi control product for use with a dedicated iOS/Android app, smartphone or tablet device. Homeowners can remotely operate a wide range of features including on/off function, operation mode, fan speed, temperature control, weekly timer and unit status. It also allows users to control multiple indoor units from just tone account, and error messages

Heller HOHH1800R infrared radiant heater.

Appliance Retailer February 2017

Goldair GPPH630 panel heater.

Kelvinator KSV70HRG air conditioner. can be set-up as push notifications. Consumers can also choose to set-up a Wi-Fi adaptor, with an existing and compatible Fujitsu General air conditioning unit. Dimplex has three column heater ranges coming through in 2017, comprising 1.5kW and 2.4kW Eco column heaters with turbo fans as well as a mid-range line-up with the addition of electronic climate control. The premium product offering within the ‘CDE’ range includes dual zone Eco column heaters in 2kW and 2.4kW variants. Dimplex will release its first Wi-Fi enabled product in a 2kW ceramic heater as well as a 2kW ceramic heater with humidifier function.

THE NEW DE’LONGHI

CERAMIC PANEL HEATER IS THE FIRST PANEL HEATER TO FEATURE A POSITIVE

TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENT (PTC) HEATING ELEMENT

CDB Goldair is bringing in a new series of panel heaters, featuring WiFi and inverter technology, designed to deliver advanced functionality to consumers. The heaters will be available in 1000W, 1500W and 2000W, priced from $179.99 to $219.99 RRP, through Harvey Norman stores. For winter 2017, GAF is releasing Heller infra-red radiant heaters in three models, suitable for both outdoor and indoor living spaces. The units are internally insulated with a ceramic fibre blanket to ensure maximum heat is radiated forward and to reduce any 

Grow your sales comfortably with Fujitsu multi systems.

Fujitsu General, the retail market leader in air conditioning solutions, will be releasing two new multi split systems this year. Our systems connect multiple indoor units to a single outdoor unit for ultimate ďŹ&#x201A;exibility, allowing your customers to control the temperature in each room in their home. With smarter technology such as human sensor control and a wide range of options to suit any application, Fujitsu can match your customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; needs perfectly. For further information contact your Business Development Manager today on 1300 882 201 or visit www.fujitsugeneral.com.au

Proud supporters of:

AR HEATING heat loss from the rear of the unit. The units produce no emissions, are efficient, convenient and cost effective. Modern air conditioners are quiet, emit no dust or vapors to cause condensation and are extremely efficient, delivering significantly more heat than the electricity they draw, according to John Henley. “For instance, Kelvinator air conditioners deliver between 3.5 and 4.8 times heat output than their electricity input. Kelvinator air conditioners can deliver up to 9kW of heat which is enough to quickly heat a large living area or lounge room. This is equivalent to nearly four plug-in electric heaters running on maximum setting,” he said. The premium hero product from LG is the 2.5kW reverse cycle split system (P09AWN-UM14, RRP: $1259) that carries a 5-star energy rating. Plasmaster auto clean helps minimise mould and bacteria forming on the heat exchanger and a micro dust fi lter uses electrostatic charges to capture microscopic particles including allergens such as pollen and dust. Standby mode minimises electricity consumption when the air conditioner is not in use while four-way airflow dispenses cool air quickly and effectively in multiple directions. The Sunbeam line-up for 2017 includes three compact heaters, a 1800W oscillating model with timer, three heat settings and digital thermostat, (HE2125, RRP: $89.95) and an 1800W oscillating model with digital thermostat and three heat settings, (HE2105, RRP: $79.95). The 1800W cosy compact is for small rooms and features an adjustable thermostat and two heat settings, (HE2055, RRP: $69.95). For Mitsubishi Electric key technology advances include the

LG P09AWN-UM14 air conditioner.

R32 with less risk of harm to the environment and increased energy efficiency. Wi-Fi control connects its air conditioners to a smartphone, tablet or online account to control each unit on-the-go via an internet connection. Wide and long airflow is featured on the 7.1 and 7.8 kW MSZGL models. Dyson’s latest entry into the heating category is the Pure Hot + Cool Link (RRP $749) purifier heater

“The wall hung split system is an efficient and affordable solution for Australian households.” Joe De Bella – Panasonic.

that delivers fast room heating in winter, personal cooling in summer and purification all year round. Monitoring indoor and outdoor air quality is available from the Dyson Link app. The heater uses Dyson Jet Focus technology where fast flowing air follows the surface it is flowing over. The machine delivers concentrated personal heating as well as whole room heating using jets of air that produces both a focused flow of air or wide stream of powerful airflow.

Panasonic is developing heating solutions to cater to extreme temperatures while also addressing energy and health concerns. The company’s Econavi reverse cycle deluxe inverter air conditioners claim to meet all these issues by providing comfortable air flow, advanced energy efficiency and health-focused innovations. “The wall hung split system unit is an efficient and affordable solution for Australian households,” Joe De Bella noted. Vornado heaters feature an onboard LCD screen displaying current and set temperatures and timer. The main selling points are an extended five year warranty and the patented signature Vortex action. “Unlike ordinary heaters there are no ‘blind spots’ because air is constantly being heated and re-circulated,” Kirsten Pride said. Among the features are a cool touch case, push button controls, and automatic safety shut-off with easy access for cleaning. In December, Teco launched the Pinnacle series of DC inverters, supported with a seven year warranty on units sold until 31 March 2017. “This is designed to encourage consumers to purchase more energy efficient product and receive extra user benefits such as Gold Fin protection which assists with the automatic and self-clean function that the Pinnacle series offers,” Trevor Francis said. AR

Noirot DM7358-8 panel heater

Vornado TVH 500 heater. 26

Appliance Retailer February 2017

the next generation of heating

Introducing…the next generation of Eco Columns! With a heritage of over 60 years, Dimplex has an unrivalled experience in its field. The new generation of Dimplex Eco Column Heaters are now designed with a turbo fan to give you instant heat. Already built to give you 30% greater heat output than an equivalent sized oil column, the latest range brings comfort to a new level. Offering precision heating, the premium eco range takes it one step further. It comes with a built-in electronic thermostat helping regulate temperatures to +/- 0.5°C, meaning it’s cheaper to run compared to a standard oil column heater. Designed with an option for a turbo fan providing instant heat, Dimplex have all your options covered.

To see the full heating range, visit www.dimplex.com.au or call us on 1300 556 816 for more information.

comfort at home Oil Column Heaters

Eco Column Heaters

Electric Blankets

Ceramic Heaters

Electric Fires

Panel Heaters

AR HEATING

De’Longhi Ceramic Panel Heater (HX65L22)  Safe and efﬁcient ceramic technology  Digital temperature display and timer  Castors and wall mounting kit included for portability and installation

The latest heating solution from De’Longhi carries several safety features including an audible tip-over switch and full mesh grid to keep small ﬁngers away from the element.

RRP: $499

De’Longhi: 1800 126 659

PRODUCT GALLERY BY KYMBERLY MARTIN

Dimplex Eco Column Heater with Turbo Fan (OFRC15TFNW)  1.5kW and 2.4kW heat outputs  Thermostat control  Two heat settings

RRP: $189.95

Glen Dimplex: 1300 556 816 Claimed to be up to 30% more effective compared to an equivalent sized column heater, this new model also warms up a room up to eight times faster than oil heaters.

Fujitsu General Reverse Cycle (ASTG18KMCB)  Inverter technology  Human sensor control  Built-in thermo sensor

RRP:

TBC

Fujitsu General: 1300 882 201

Appliance Retailer February 2017

Operating the air conditioner remotely just got easier with built-in Wi-Fi with dedicated iOS/Android app on seven Lifestyle Series models that allow control of multiple indoor units from one account.

AI R CON D I TI O N I N G

R32 REFRIGERANT

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air-conditioners Australia Pty Ltd

Bronte Range â&#x201E;˘

Residential Air-Conditioning Systems Next Generation R32 Refrigerant

Superior technology that

outlasts and outperforms. Wi-Fi Control Now you can control your AC from anywhere using your smartphone, apple watch, or tablet with our Wi-Fi control system.

High Efficiency Refrigerant

Long Reach and Silent Airflow

R32 needs less energy to achieve the desired temperature than R410A refrigerant offering amazing energy efficiency benefits.

Airflow system designed with aircraft technology to deliver powerful, long reach (up to 18m) and smooth airflow.

Visit www.mhiaa.com.au or call 1300 138 007 for more details.

AR HEATING

Mitsubishi Bronte Reverse Cycle (SRK71ZRA-W)  Long reach and silent airﬂow  R32 refrigerant that offers no harm to the ozone layer  Superior energy efﬁciency

This is the only air-conditioning airﬂow system designed with aeronautical engineering, incorporating CFD (computation ﬂuid dynamics), using a blade shape design for the ideal air channel system.

RRP: N/A

Heller Infra-Red Radiant Heater (HODHI1800R)

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries: 1300 138 007

 Semi-detached thermostat for accuracy  Ceramic ﬁbre blanket for maximum heating distribution  Adjustable mounting kit and remote control

RRP: $349.95

GAF: 03 8368 1800 These new strip heating units sport an aluminium and matt black classic low proﬁle which is stylish and unobtrusive, with no visible light and suitable for all decors – inside and out.

PRODUCT GALLERY

This latest model from Teco is said to give installers a product that is easy to install and service and consumers quick ﬁlter maintenance and replacement.

Teco Pinnacle Series DC Inverter Split (TWS-TSO26H3DVEM)  2kW model with ﬁve-star cooling and heating  High density and silver ion ﬁltration  Refrigerant leakage protection

RRP: $1,099

Teco: 1300 660 037

Appliance Retailer February 2017

Iain Tennant from Harvey Norman

Harvey Norman business development manager, air conditioning, seasonal and essentials, Iain Tennant spoke to Kymberly Martin

“L

ike any seasonal category heating has its ups and downs and is very weather dependent, but heating still represents a sizeable portion of our seasonal business. Within the category are products that perform consistently well year-on-year such as panel and tower style ceramic heaters, also the Dyson product that transitions to heating and cooling is popular as well because of its multi-seasonal use. The big challenge is always the weather – last winter was a tough season but the one before that was great. This season will see the introduction of a panel heater with inverter technology. This is exciting because any new technology entering the heating space is welcome. Heaters tend to be under the microscope when it comes to cost so inverter technology, if it can save the consumer money over time, is a good feature for customers to consider. Dyson with its heating, cooling and air purifier functions is another example of the new wave of product that is app controlled and this gives the customer the benefit of controlling the unit from outside the home via a smartphone or tablet to have a pre-set temperature before they arrive home. We are also seeing some new retro designs creeping in this season which is great for the category to keep up with the on-trend design styles and colours. Heating promotions do work but if it is warm outside and overnight temperatures do not drop it does not

matter what is on offer – and this applies to both heating and cooling – customers only respond to promotions if weather is favourable. When it comes to electric blankets, key selling features are being washable with detachable controls. A new feature that emerged quietly last season on Breville product was the BodyZone model with four different zones that can be isolated for individual preference for both upper and lower body.

PROMOTIONS

FROM THE FLOOR

De’Longhi will concentrate on above the line marketing activity, educational point of sale and staff training. There will also be a digital campaign and an online infographic video.

Fujitsu General’s winter campaign will be supported with multi-million dollar advertising championed by long time brand ambassador Mark Taylor.

Harvey Norman business development manager, air conditioning, seasonal and essentials, Iain Tennant.

And once again if the weather comes into the picture and if it is cold you can count on it being a good season for this category. Throw rugs are also growing in popularity with new patterned styles coming though this season adding design appeal to the category. For reverse cycle air conditioning, the majority of customers choose market leading brands like Fujitsu, Panasonic, Kelvinator and Mitsubishi Electric. Reliability is an important factor here because it can be a sizable investment for the customer when you take into consideration the purchase of the unit and the installation. Energy efficiency is another factor along with quiet operation. Price can come into it but the bigger brands have similar price points so it can be a specific feature like sensor control or Wi-Fi control or customer brand preference that carries the sale.” AR

Electrolux is encouraging retailers to maintain their air conditioning displays throughout the year to emphasise the beneﬁts and secure year-round sales.

Vornado’s marketing investment includes print media, social media, online advertising, in-store demonstrations, competitions and product knowledge sessions.

www.applianceretailer.com.au

AR ELECTRIC BLANKETS OUTLOOK

Lack of innovation as category dwindles BY KYMBERLY MARTIN

ith a dearth of new product entering the market, it seems that suppliers operating in the sector are staying with existing models for a category that has declined 9% in volume and 6% in value, according to GfK data, in the year ending September 2016. The decline in the category could also be attributed to the high number of recalls reported by the ACCC, as well as widespread coverage of incidents caused by electric blankets; in particular, house fi res. However, Fire & Rescue NSW continue to reinforce

Appliance Retailer February 2017

simple safety tips for consumers. Firstly, it is important that electric blankets are stored correctly. This means storing them in a flat position with nothing on top. When taking the blanket back out for winter, consumers must check that the wires are undamaged. This can be done by laying the blanket on top of the bed, switching it on for five minutes before putting it on the bed for use to confi rm it is okay. Lastly, when using an electric blanket, it should only be turned on for half an hour before retiring. Consumers should turn off the controls and power source as they go to bed. An electric blanket

should never be left on overnight or when nobody is at home. However, the number one brand on the market, Sunbeam, is enjoying an increase in sales. According to GfK data, Sunbeam holds a grip on the category with a 25% volume market share showing year-on-year growth and a 39% value share. While queen size is the largest segment with 49% of the market, unit sales were down 22% and value dipped 12%. Single size also declined 16% in units and 23% in value. However, king and king- single enjoyed unit growth of 43% and 23% respectively with value up 27% for both, according to GfK. AR

TRENDS

Switching n

consumers C

onfi rming that heated blankets is a strong category for Sunbeam, category marketing manager, garment care and seasonal, Lisa Buscomb said: “Sunbeam offers a versatile range with unique features and technology, continuous testing and improvements

Lisa Buscomb – Sunbeam.

together with unprecedented safety. Research has shown that blanket users agree that fast heat-up time is equally the most important feature along with multiple temperature settings. “Sunbeam Sleep Express uses new, patented technology and elements from Italy which allows fast heat up in 10 minutes. If a brand doesn’t advertise their heat up time on electric blankets, then it is probably using standard technology which takes 20-30 minutes to heat,” she said. A convincing trend to appear for Dimplex was the shift in sales from pillowtop electric blankets to regular fitted electric blankets. “Sales for our regular queen electric blanket jumped 25% from 2015, and 190% for the kingsized version,” product and marketing coordinator, Stacey Pogorecki told

Appliance Retailer. “By monitoring our sales and observing trend shifts we can be sure to have the correct stock that consumers want to buy.” While Dimplex has seen a steady sell-through in product, Pogorecki said the weather needs to be cold. “Winter is generally the time people pull out their existing electric blankets to realise they are not working or they are considering additional features and safeguards.” New South Wales and Victoria are consistently the highest performing states in sales for CDB Goldair. “This is due, not only to the population, but also the weather patterns and cold temperatures,” product manager Fiona Trajkovski said. Tasmania comes in at number three. “Our basic ranges are always strong sellers, offering function and efficiency at a value-formoney price. However, we are seeing growing interest in our medium to

Stacey Pogorecki – Glen Dimplex.

upper-price ranges, particularly for mattress toppers and wool products.” Trajkovski attributes this trend to eyecatching store displays that neatly and effectively showcase the products. The company is launching a new patterned heated throw this winter.

Zane Nawrocki – Jason & Onkaparinga.

Safety and reputation for quality are leading factors when it comes to choosing an electric blanket. Being an Australian-owned company with a long history in bedding also helps, according to Jason & Onkaparinga sales and marketing manager, Zane Nawrocki. “The electric blanket market will always have a huge focus on safety and quality, and rightly so. “With so many brands and products on the market in the lead up to the colder weather, it is imperative to ensure the products on retail shop floors meet the correct safety standards, as well as follow current market trends.” He added that the trend in electric blankets is flexibility and practicality. Electric blankets are an emerging category for Olimpia Splendid, according to national sales manager, Steven Kiss. And like Nawrocki, he agreed that safety is one of the biggest factors for this category. “Our Dolcenotte fitted blanket is unlike conventional electric blankets on the market which operate on 230V. The Dolcenotte operates on a very low 12V making it one of the safest electric blankets available,” he said. AR www.applianceretailer.com.au

AR ELECTRIC BLANKETS

SAFETY

COMES FIRST

uality and safety need to be emphasised rather than price, according to Sunbeam's Lisa Buscomb. “There are still some consumers that are concerned with safety, so a brand’s safety features and heritage need to be highlighted. Sunbeam Sleep Perfect electric blankets have nine levels of safety protection making our blankets second to none when it comes to safety in design,” she said. All Sunbeam blankets are backed by a three year replacement guarantee. Buscomb added that heat up time is often a little discussed feature: “but much needed when it’s a cold night and consumers want to go to bed quickly”. All Sunbeam Sleep Perfect and Sleep Express blankets and Feel Perfect throws take five to 10 minutes to heat. Electric blankets are a key category for CDB Goldair. Having different options such as detachable controllers with varying heat settings, being machine washable, autooff function, timers and different types of materials helps the customer choose the most suitable product, Fiona Trajkovski said. “Basic ranges are strong sellers in this category because they offer function and effectiveness at a value-for-money price.” For 2017, focus will be directed at heated throws, with a new patterned model unfolding for the new season.

Dimplex DHEBUQ ﬁtted electric blanket. 34

Appliance Retailer February 2017

RANGES

Sunbeam Sleep Perfect Pillowtop.

Dolcenotte ﬁtted blanket.

SUNBEAM SLEEP

PERFECT ELECTRIC

BLANKETS HAVE NINE LEVELS OF SAFETY.

The Dimplex range is unchanged coming off the 2016 winter season. All Dimplex electric blankets are machine washable, have fully removable controls and double overheat protection with Sensorsafe technology, Pogorecki said. The range includes a variety of sizes in both fitted and pillowtop designs as well as a heated throw, delivering an option to suit all customers. With a fresh look for winter 2017, Breville BodyZone fully fitted electric blankets allow users to independently select the perfect heat setting for their upper and lower body thanks to BodyZone heat technology. The Dual Zone controller features six heat settings for each zone, with an auto-timer feature. Jason & Onkaparinga offer a large range of user-friendly electric blankets, with new designs that encompass all the comforts of a mattress topper and the warmth of an electric blanket. All Jason electric blankets are designed to Australian standards, with safety over heat protection, are washable with multiple uses, such as using it as an underlay throughout the year. In addition to its low 12V operation, the Dolcenotte fitted blanket gives the same lightness and flexibility of a linen sheet, thanks to its ultra-thin carbon fibre woven into the polyester fabric. It is also allergy free, flame retardant and fast heating. AR

#1 BRAND IN HEATED BLANKETS AND THROWS

50 years INNOVATION FOR OVER 50 YEARS

ITALIAN WIRING & TECHNOLOGY

COST EFFECTIVE HEATING

SAFETY PROTECTION

Australia’s leading range catering for all needs from fitted to luxurious wool fleece and more.

3 x faster heat up with patented BOOST technology.

With fast heat up and safety auto off, throws are perfect for use on the couch or on top of the bed.

NEW

display bins available March 2017!

For more information contact your Sunbeam account manager or visit www.sunbeam.com.au/blankets

AR ELECTRIC BLANKETS

Jason Electric Mattress Topper  Three heat settings  User friendly detachable controllers  Safety overheat protection

RRP: From $249.99

Jason & Onkaparinga: 03 8390 3333

Sunbeam Sleep Perfect Wool Fleece (BL56)

A washable microﬁbre polyester topper with 100% soft cotton sateen cover, this fully detachable electric blanket will help users sleep in complete comfort.

 Six heat settings with auto/off digital control  Automatic cosy feet  Nine levels of safety protection

RRP: From

$269

Sunbeam: 1300 881 861 For year round comfort this machine washable 100% Australian wool mattress protector and electric blanket assists with keeping the body at a comfortable sleeping temperature.

PRODUCT GALLERY

Goldair Heated Throw (GEFT255)  Nine heat settings  Detachable LED controller  Machine washable

RRP: $79.99

CDB Goldair: 1300 465 3247

Appliance Retailer February 2017

A key feature of this ‘whole house’ stickvac is EdgeReach technology A new patterned heated throw, this that drives suction right to the edge latest model features a light grey of skirting boards without missing Moroccan quatrefoil pattern, in line a beat. The hand vac comes with with current design trends. a convenient extendable wand, dusting brush and 6-inch tool.

PROMOTIONS

This ﬁtted electric blanket is machine washable, has fully removable controls and double overheat protection with Sensorsafe technology.

To help merchandise and display its heated blankets and throws, Sunbeam has developed ﬂoor standing display bins. The bins hold up to 12 throws or blankets and have been designed as a neat and compact solution for offering product feature information.

Dimplex Queen Size Fitted Electric Blanket DHEBUQ  Fully ﬁtted non-woven polyester electric blanket  12 hour timer  Two year warranty

RRP: $139.95

Dimplex: 1300 554 155

CDB Goldair is continuing its promotional elements from last season, including the heating guide: How to choose the right heater?, in addition to updated in-store displays.

Selling tips from Sunbeam’s Lisa Buscomb • Quality and safety need to be emphasised rather than price. There are still some consumers that are concerned with safety, so a brand’s safety features and heritage need to be highlighted. Sunbeam has been keeping Australians warm with safe and reliable electric blankets and throws for over 50 years.

Offering a fully ﬁtted skirt, this blanket features manual and auto settings with BodyZone heat technology that has six heat settings for each zone. It also has detachable controllers and is overheat protected.

Breville BodyZone fully ﬁtted stayfresh antibacterial heated blanket  LCD screen  Safety auto-off timer  Three year replacement warranty

RRP: From $149.95 Breville: 1300 139 798

• Sunbeam Sleep Perfect electric blankets have nine levels of safety protection making them second to none in safety design. All Sunbeam blankets and throws have technology and elements from Italy for peace of mind. And they’re backed with a three year replacement guarantee. • Heat up times is often a little discussed feature, but much needed when it’s a cold night and consumers want to go to bed quickly. There’s no need to wait a long time between turning on your blanket and going to bed. All Sunbeam Sleep Perfect and Sleep Express blankets and Feel Perfect throws, take 5 to 10 minutes only to heat.

www.applianceretailer.com.au

AR AIR TREATMENT

OUTLOOK

A niche yet growing category

lthough the air treatment category remains in its infancy in Australia, there is opportunity for healthy growth with value increasing by almost 3% in 2016, while volume inched up to 2.95 million units from 2.83 million units in 2016, Euromonitor data reports. However, according to GfK data, the category surged 16% in value and 4% in unit terms. “Air cleaners and evaporative coolers make up 55% of the market in value and both segments grew at the same rate of 30%. Humidifiers have a smaller share of the market at 13%, but saw the fastest growth in value at 39%,” a GfK spokesperson told Appliance Retailer. The air treatment category is set to see further positive volume growth over the forecast period, rising at a compound annual growth rate 38

Appliance Retailer February 2017

BY EMILY BENCIC (CAGR) of 4%, Euromonitor data reports. This growth is expected to be driven by replacement sales, with consumers looking for new products that are longer lasting and more energy efficient. The entry of high-profi le players such as Dyson and the growing focus of health and wellbeing products are set to further boost volume sales in the category over the forecast period. Hunter Pacific remained in the leading position with 13% market share, followed by De’Longhi with 10.6% and Martec Ceiling Fans was next in line with 7.3% share, according to Euromonitor data. The internet of Things (IoT) is a major talking point in many consumer appliances categories and this is certainly true for air treatment products. “Over the forecast period, demand for Wi-Fi connected products that are able to be seamlessly connected to consumers’ mobile

devices is set to increase. However, it is also important to note that the integration of Wi-Fi connectivity is only likely to be useful if the technology is beneficial to the end user and does not just act as a fancy remote control,” Euromonitor research analyst Hianyang Chan said. “The air treatment category is a heavily competitive market in Australia as consumers generally focus on the price of products above all considerations. Brand names are typically secondary concerns, resulting in a fairly fragmented market. Similar to other consumer appliance categories, energy efficiency is also one of the concerns as consumers sought brands that balance between efficacy and efficiency. Air treatment products are typically used in a utilitarian sense and as such, décor and designs are frequently considered less important than price,” he said. AR

TRENDS

Health concerns drive purchases

ndoor air pollution has again been ranked among the top five environmental risks to public health, and the CSIRO estimates that the cost of poor indoor air quality in Australia may be as high as $12 billion per year, according to research by the US EPA and its Science Advisory Board. Furthermore, the prevalence of allergies and asthma in Australia is among the highest in the world and growing. With this in mind, air quality has become more important to many consumers. Although air treatment is traditionally a seasonal category, influenced heavily by rainfall and cold weather, De'Longhi has seen the category evolve due to the trend of health and wellbeing, as consumers

“Allergy and hay fever suffers are the main buyers for air purifiers. Over 2.5 million Australians have asthma. As allergies can be experienced from certain times of the year to all year round, air purifiers sell all year round not just in spring which is usually considered peak hay fever/allergy season,” Cli-Mate national sales manager, Mathew Kiley said. Dyson has developed an intelligent purifier range that automatically purifies the pollutants it detects, while reporting indoor and outdoor air quality to the Dyson Link app. This

AIR TREATMENT IS

TRADITIONALLY A SEASONAL CATEGORY, BUT THE

CATEGORY HAS EVOLVED, DUE TO HEALTH AND WELLBEING.

Jessica Hull – De’Longhi.

become more aware of the affects of humidity. Therefore, dehumidifiers have become consistent performers. “Of particular interest are consumers who live in coastal suburbs, needing to protect their property from the excess moisture, as well as mums with bubs, conscious of the respiratory and skin allergies stimulated by humidity issues in the home,” category manager, Jessica Hull said. Air purification has also been a strong category for Cli-Mate due to awareness of potential health issues associated with poor indoor air quality.

allows users to be able to remotely control the air quality inside their home at all times. Independent tests show that in respect of some air pollutants, the air in the home can be up to five times more polluted than the air outside. All year round performance through multiple functionality and unique design continues to be key in driving purchase consideration for Dyson products.

Mathew Kiley – Cli-Mate.

Halim Saliman – Sharp.

Sharp national marketing manager, Halim Saliman agreed that consumers are becoming more health conscious and therefore, more interested in products that can assist with a healthy living environment. “Our air purifier range has been experiencing growth over the last year. The training of retail staff on features, technology and benefits of the products has allowed them to further educate consumers,” Salim said. “Sharp continually tests its Plasmacluster Ion (PCI) technology and research has been conducted and certified by 28 institutes in Japan and worldwide on airborne allergens, viruses, odours, mould and more recently beautifying effects,” he added. GAF Control is a new entrant into the air purifier category as at Q1 2017. “We have searched the world to fi nd products that offer features and benefits beyond what is currently available in the Australian market and have come up with a technologically superior range while still maintaining affordable price points,” GAF Control sales manager, Tim Kendall said. “We believe TiO2 catalytic interaction in our range has not been seen in a domestic air purifier in this country before,” Kendall noted. “The advantage of TiO2 photocatalytic air purification over ‘standard’ air purifiers is that instead of just trapping pollutants, they completely  www.applianceretailer.com.au

AR AIR TREATMENT transform the organic waste products into harmless components. This function ensures peace of mind and the cleanest air possible,” he said. Dimplex has had dehumidifiers in its range previously, however this season the company is launching three models, ranging from 25 litres to 50 litres. “Our new range has a similar ‘family’ look to our GDPAC portable air conditioners, which have sold well exclusively in Harvey Norman. Humid weather and excessively damp areas influence sales of dehumidifiers, whereas extremely dry climates and people prone to allergens are more likely to purchase humidifiers,” Dimplex product and marketing coordinator for seasonal, Stacey Pogorecki said. “Dehumidifiers sell best in northern parts of Australia where the climate is typically more tropical and humid,” she added. The air treatment category is one burgeoning with opportunity, according to Fitzone director, Maria Russo, thanks to increased awareness and retail engagement. “Consumers, on a mass scale, are still waiting to respond to somewhat irregular messages in the category.

Maria Russo – Fitzone.

“TiO2 photocatalytic air purification brings an extra dimension to ensure peace of mind and the cleanest air possible.” Tim Kendall – GAF Control.

Tim Kendall – GAF Control.

De’Longhi does its research

In 2016, De’Longhi surveyed 533 people who claimed to have humidity issues at home, to gain insights into the dehumidiﬁer category in Australia. Some key take-outs from the research included:  51% do not use any products to try and prevent damp and mould in the home

 56% are very or extremely interested in buying a dehumidiﬁer after seeing a demonstration

 When asked why they don’t own a dehumidiﬁer, 42% had ‘never thought about it’

 Humidity issues reported all year round, not just winter (67%), but summer (53%) and in between as well (autumn 39%, spring 32%)

Appliance Retailer February 2017

“Retailers that understand the proposition and can translate to the consumer have attracted somewhat of a ‘First Mover Advantage’ while the category is still loaded with opportunity,” Russo explained. “Beurer has a variety of materials available at point of purchase to help consumers make educated buying decisions,” she said. Vornado’s air purifier range is only going to grow as the air depletes over time with a recent study fi nding air quality in parts of Sydney now worse than Beijing. Vornado air purifiers reduce airborne allergens in the home and trap unwanted dust, pollen, pet hair, smoke, bacteria, mould and odour. Sales and category growth at Homedics indicate that more consumers are conscious of the quality of indoor air and aware of the potential health risks associated with indoor pollutants. “Consumers with health concerns are looking for natural alternatives to breathe easier,” Homedics business development manager, Krishna Oredsson said. “Homedics launched a refresh of products in this category and we are excited by the market response. There is a strong trend from consumers for stylish and functional products such as the Electrostatic air purifier. “Similarly, there is demand for products that serve more than one purpose,” she added. AR

 Most humidity issues were reported in the bathroom (63%), followed by bedroom (43%) and laundry (31%).

Stacey Pogorecki – Glen Dimplex.

De’Longhi is a proud partner of National Asthma Council’s Sensitive Choice program.

Protect your home and family. RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS . WATER DAMAGE . DAMP CLOTHES . DUST MITES . MOULD & MILDEW . CONDENSATION

De’Longhi Dehumidifiers protect your home and family against the damaging effects of excess moisture. Dust mites, mould and mildew thrive in humid conditions and can result in respiratory problems and skin allergies. Humidity can also result in water damage to floors, walls, roof and furnishings. The stylish and simple LCD Electronic Controls* make managing humidity and temperature easy. For more information on the De’Longhi Dehumidifier range visit delonghi.com.au or contact 1800 126 659. FEATURED: DEHUMIDIFIER DD 30P

DD 30P

DDS 30COMBI

DDS 25

DES 16EW

*Excludes DES 16EW.

AR AIR TREATMENT RANGES

It’s all about the HEPA filter

he newest addition for Cli-Mate is an air purification system (CLI-AP11-B) ideal for customers who are looking for a desktop or bedside unit that purifies small areas. The CLIAP20 purifies floor areas up to 20 square metres while the CLI-AP30 is capable of purifi ng up to 30 square metres. The largest of its offering is the CLI-AP60 which covers up to 60 square metres. All Cli-Mate fi lters combine three types of fi lters into a single replaceable component. The HEPA fi lter removes 99.5% of particles as small as 0.3 microns and greater from the air. The activated carbon fi lter absorbs common household odours, VOCs, cigarette odours, chemical fumes and smoke; while the pre-fi lter captures the larger particles and enhances the durability and performance of the other fi lters. Dyson recently launched a new purifier range using Air Multiplier technology and a 360 degree glass HEPA fi lter. The Dyson Pure Cool Link purifier fan is available in tower and desk format. It indicates air quality and performs as a cooling fan in summer. The Dyson Pure Hot+Cool Link purifier fan heater has been engineered for all conditions: room heating in winter, personal cooling in summer and intelligent purification all year round. Sharp is concentrating on Plasmacluster Ion technology (PCI), which provides clean air with the release of positive and negative ions into the air. 42

Appliance Retailer February 2017

New models will be introduced this year with updated designs and features, including dust and odour sensors to detect any airborne particles in the air. The fi rst release will be the FPG50JW air purifier with Sharp’s PCI technology with HEPA fi ltration system. This new model will also boast a sensor function, indicating when dust or odour is present, activating a high fan speed to remove it quickly from the air. Making its mark on the air treatment category will be GAF Control with its Heller models featuring five way purification control. 1. Pre-fi lter to trap fluff, hair, lint and larger particles 2. HEPA fi ltration to capture all particles down to 0.3 microns 3. Activated carbon fi lter to absorb household odours from smoke, pets, cooking and household chemicals 4. UV-C Light to kill airborne germs and bacteria 5. Titanium Oxide (TiO2) reacts with the UV-C light to destroy germs, bacteria and spores, leaving behind mostly CO2 and water Over at Beurer, product design has become paramount as air purification units are typically on display in a home, be it the living room or bedroom. Therefore, the design reflects a modern, sleek and clean form factor with a solution for every room in the house. The hero product is the LR330 air purifier and humidifier combination unit that has been designed to service larger rooms. It can purify and humidify in unison, and has settings customised to suit the needs and environment of the user. 

Cli-mate CLI-AP11-B air puriﬁcation system.

Dyson Pure Hot+Cool Link puriﬁer fan heater.

SHARP IS CONCENTRATING ON PLASMACLUSTER ION

TECHNOLOGY (PCI), WHICH PROVIDES CLEAN AIR WITH

POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE IONS. Sharp FPG50JW air puriﬁer.

AR AIR TREATMENT

Heller HAP120 air puriﬁer.

Homedics CM100WTAU warm and cool tower humidiﬁer.

Vornado AC300 air puriﬁer.

Beurer LR330 air puriﬁer and humidiﬁer. 44

Appliance Retailer February 2017

Another hero product in the range is the LB44 air humidifier with aromatherapy tray (RRP $129.95). This unit allows a fragrance to be added to the aromatherapy drawer to be infused throughout the room. This can assist asthma suffers when used with eucalyptus fragrances, while lavender fragrances help promote a soothing sleep. The Vornado AC300 whole room air purifier uses true HEPA fi ltration to remove up to 99.97% of airborne allergens down to 0.3 micron in size. It uses a radial blower to intake and clean all the air in the room for up to 20 square metres. The AC300 combines HEPA and carbon fi ltration to trap dust, pollen, pet dander, smoke, bacteria, mould spores, dust mites and more. The carbon prefi lter adsorbs odours and traps larger particles. Key features include three speeds, push button electronic controls, fi lter replacement indicator and five year warranty.

THE BEURER LR330 CAN PURIFY

AND HUMIDIFY IN UNISON, AND HAS SETTINGS CUSTOMISED

TO SUIT DIFFERENT USER NEEDS AND ENVIRONMENTS.

In response to market feedback, Homedics has updated its ranges and invested in new product development with key product launches in the pipeline for 2017. The warm and cool tower ultrasonic humidifier provides users with warm and cool mist and up to 65 hours of run time with a 5.6 litre tank capacity. Clean Mist technology prevents the growth of mould and mildew on the surface of the tank. The LCD digital control screen displays current room humidity, programmed humidity target, mist level, temperature, and timer setting. There is also auto shut-off protection when the unit is empty. AR

Cli-Mate CLI-AH100 Ultrasonic Humidiﬁcation System

Sharp FPG50JW Air Puriﬁer

 Two mist output levels  Auto shut-off protection when tank is empty  Coverage area up to 10 metres squared  Sleek and compact design

 7,000 Plasmacluster Ion density (ions/cm³)  Up to 40 square metres of coverage  Dust and odour sensor and indicator  Deodorising and pre-ﬁlter

RRP: $79.95

Cli-Mate: 1300 764 325 With whisper-quiet ultrasonic humidiﬁcation technology, the unit releases a cool mist to restore indoor air humidity to healthy levels and ease symptoms associated with dry indoor air.

RRP: $649

Sharp: 1300 135 022 This air puriﬁer has a HEPA ﬁlter and high density PCI generator and fan with inverter operation. Users can select from a two hour, four hour or eight hour timer, as well as four fan speeds.

PRODUCT GALLERY BY EMILY BENCIC

The patented heavy duty pump system allows the unit to reach the desired humidity level without any limitation of time or place. The electronic panel allows users to monitor relative humidity and temperature and manage product functions.

De’Longhi DD30P Air Puriﬁer  Dehumidifying capacity: 30L (at 32°C /80% Relative Humidity)  7 litre water tank capacity  24 hour timer  Triple condensate draining system

RRP: $599

De’Longhi: 1800 126 659

www.applianceretailer.com.au

AR AIR TREATMENT

Dimplex GDDE25E Dehumidiﬁer    

24 hour timer Auto defrost Filter wash reminder Continuous drainage

This 25 litre capacity dehumidiﬁer has electronic controls to adjust humidity levels, a digital display and tank full indicator. For added convenience, it features a carry handle and castors for portability.

RRP: $399.95

Glen Dimplex: 1300 556 816

PRODUCT GALLERY

Heller HAP120 Air Purifier  HEPA filtration  Carbon charged filter  UV-C light to kill germs and bacteria  Five fan speeds

RRP: $299.95

GAF Control: 1300 659 489 With an air quality indicator and electronic controls, this large-sized air puriﬁer has been designed for spaces from bedrooms and studies to larger open plan areas. It can be placed on the ﬂoor, desk or countertop.

Homedics AT-PET02 PetPlus Air Puriﬁer  Designed for large rooms up to 85 square metres  Sleep timer for two, four, eight or 12 hours  Whisper quiet oscillation  Three speeds

RRP: $399.95

Homedics: 03 8756 6500 The unit’s true HEPA ﬁltration removes up to 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns, while the PetPlus odour ﬁltration removes litter box odour, wet dog smell, and other household odours.

Appliance Retailer February 2017

PROMOTIONS

FROM THE FLOOR

De’Longhi will focus on consumers who are unaware of the category or the damages of humidity through an ATL and BTL campaign, consumer targeting and in-store education.

Appliances Online partner relationship manager, James Malone.

James Malone from Appliances Online

BY EMILY BENCIC ir treatment as a category is growing, according to Appliances Online partner relationship manager, James Malone, who attributed the growth to consumers becoming more conscious of pollutants in the air. “They are investing the extra money required to move from the typical fan/air conditioner purchase to a model with purifier option,” he said. “These may range from a simple fi lter being added to enhancements like ionising technologies. We are even seeing this start to move into rangehoods that have air purification systems built in,” Malone noted. When asked about the impact of consumer promotions, he said: “They are essential for a sale by providing increased exposure in a market that is becoming ever more crowded. “Promotional activity is the differentiator that helps to establish brand awareness for a newer brand or hold that front of mind for those more established. Personally, I feel that the traditional marketing formula of the 4P's (Price, Promotion, Product and Place) still very much runs true today

even as we make the transition to a digital landscape. “If anything, the digital landscape has actually increased the importance supplier promotional activity plays in closing the sale as you now have the ability to tell you brand's story and unique selling points to a far wider audience,” he explained. And when it comes to the purchase decision, there are a few factors at play. First and foremost, those that are conscious of air quality issues, suffer from asthma, own pets or are regular cooks, are most likely to purchase an air purifier. “The weather also plays a significant role as humidity calls for the need for purification, and with an ever-growing market, price will always be a key factor. As previously mentioned, promotional activity can help differentiate a supplier from their competition, and consumers are skewed toward companies they trust, particularly in the premium segment of the market,” Malone said. Appliances Online sells air treatment products from AirQuest, Cli-Mate, De’Longhi, Dimplex, Dyson, Goldair, Homedics, IonMax, Midea, Omega Altise and PureAir. AR

Dyson will invest in an integrated marketing campaign to educate consumers on the importance and relevance of indoor air puriﬁcation to drive customer trafﬁc.

Vornado uses print media, online advertising, in-store demonstrations and product knowledge sessions to educate sales staff and consumers.

Homedics is building brand and product awareness via radio, press, TV as well as inﬂuencers and bloggers to continue to introduce the range to more consumers.

www.applianceretailer.com.au

AR NEW PRODUCTS

Dyson V6 Car+Boat Extra

A cord-free, portable vacuum, designed for cleaning cars and cabins. Powered by the Dyson digital motor V6, which spins at up to 110,000rpm, the machine moves up to 15 litres of air per second and suction is fadefree. It features a 12 volt car charger for added convenience. The machine provides 20 minutes of runtime in normal mode and six minutes in intensive max mode. The Dyson V6 Car+Boat Extra vacuum includes a mini motorised tool, crevice tool, combination tool, extension hose, stubborn dirt brush, mini soft dusting brush and 12 volt car charger. The vacuum also includes a two year warranty on parts and labour.

RRP: $449

Dyson: 1800 239 766

Smeg Slicer Grater

The Slicer Grater attachment, designed for the Smeg stand mixer, offers four different drums – two graters and two slicers – that will grate and slice everything from fruits and vegetables to chocolate and cheese. Its body is moulded from premium food-safe plastic and includes a safety grip, making it quick and easy to add and remove drums. There are four different conical-shaped stainless steel drums – a medium and ﬁne slicer and a coarse and ﬁne grater. The shape of the drums is an integral part of the unique action of this attachment as it ensures all ingredients fall directly into a bowl.

RRP: $149

Smeg: 02 8867 4888

Panasonic 551L Refrigerator NR-BY55BPSAU

Exclusive to Panasonic, ECONAVI and inverter technology monitors usage patterns and then energy output is adapted accordingly. This technology allows the refrigerator to monitor the level of lighting and temperature in the room, when and how often the fridge doors are opened, and the fridge’s internal temperature. It then analyses and responds to this information to maintain cooling and the most efﬁcient operation of the fridge. The fresh Safe moisture retaining vegetable case stores fruit and vegetables in optimum conditions by maintaining high humidity and a constant temperature. Surround Cooling evenly distributes chilled air from the rear panel throughout the refrigerator for gentle cooling without dehydrating food.

RRP: $1,899

Panasonic: 132 600

Appliance Retailer February 2017

De Dietrich Induction Hob DTI1568DG

De Dietrich has developed an induction hob where the user can place pots and pans anywhere on the surface to cook. With direct controls, users can instantly simmer, boil or fry and there is a choice of ﬁfteen adjustable power levels. The Unique Boost function allows maximum power to be accessed instantaneously, ideal for cooking steak. The latest control panel has a touch interface display with 260,000 colours and allows the user to choose the cooking mode, program and available power level by direct touch or using the slider. There are four different cooking modes: Solo, Duo, Trio, Quattro.

RRP: $4,999

Eurolinx: 1300 694 583

Philips Grain Master Rice Cooker

Powered by Philips FragrantTaste technology, which enhances optimal moisture absorption, this four litre rice cooker has automatic optimum controlled heating temperatures at each stage of the cooking process. The ﬁve layer non-stick and anti-scratch coating ensures the inner pot is durable and easy to clean. Users can choose from eight different menus: standard cook, quick cook, brown rice, multi-grain, lentils, quinoa, porridge and reheat. It features a 24 hour preset timer, while automatic keep warm means rice will stay fresh for 12 hours. The rice cooker also includes a free recipe booklet with quick start guide and 15 recipes.

RRP: $159

Philips: 1300 363 391

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AR RETAIL RULES

POINT OF PURCHASE DRIVER – PRICE Norrelle Goldring from GfK outlines some approaches to pricing beyond price-off discounts

rice is the most overused tactic in Australian retailing. Often used in isolation from other shopping drivers, it has been predictably employed and shoppers have therefore been trained to look for discounts. In essence, retailers are trading shoppers down and reducing basket spend, which relies on shoppers buying more items to make up the difference in lost spend per item. Price is not just about being the cheapest to drive traffic. Very few products are individual traffic drivers unless they are ‘hot’ or ‘hero’ items – typically high value items at a large discount. Shoppers typically look for best overall value (service, range and convenience etc), rather than lowest absolute price. In appliances and consumer electronics, shoppers often want to see, feel and touch the items. Therefore, they may search product prices online but the stores they

choose to buy from will be based on range breadth (points of comparison), service and staff knowledge, in addition to price.

PRICING STRATEGY: UNDERSTAND EACH CATEGORY AND ITS ROLE

Using category management principles, the role of the category should help determine pricing strategy. Destination: A destination category is important to the retailer's target consumer and should help defi ne the retailer’s overall brand positioning. The retailer should have the best product offering available on the market – breadth, depth and quality – and priced accordingly (good, better, best). Preferred/Routine: The retailer positions itself to fi ll specific needs. For example, being committed to a complete range of IT, MDA, and SDA. Retailers need to make decisions whether to pursue everyday low price (EDLP) or high/low pricing. Convenience: Items that are often less important to the retailer's target shopper group. The retailer carries these items to provide a ‘one-stop shop’ for consumers. Seasonal: Included in the assortment either for a short time or with a boosted range to satisfy seasonal demand, such as fans and heaters.

ABOUT NORRELLE GOLDRING & GFK

In developing a price and promotion strategy for a category, consider the following list: • Best responders: Which brands and SKUs respond best to promotion? Under-promotion means brands won’t grow, but over-promotion can damage brand equity. • For high low: Consistent shallow promotions typically don’t garner much shopper reaction, but on the other hand deep discounts can be hard to make profitable unless the increased short term traffic and transactions are considerable. • Promotional Frequency: Percentage of sales on promotion versus off promotion. Danger signals if more than 50% of a category’s sales volume is on promotion. • Cannibalisation: When you discount, to what extent do the sales negatively impact sales of other products? Did the promotion result in incremental category sales or just brand switch? • Price perceptions: At which price points are the products considered too cheap and you lose credibility? At which are they too expensive and you lose sales? Achieving good and profitable response to price promotions is about understanding price in the role of each individual category, and developing pricing tactics and price points to suit. AR

Norrelle Goldring is Shopper Lead APAC at global consumer research and retail datahouse GfK. She has 20 years’ experience in retail research and marketing across manufacturer, retailer and agency roles with companies ranging from Diageo to Coca-Cola to Vodafone Stores. Norrelle helps improve shopping experiences by understanding how and why people buy things. Call Norrelle on 0437 335 686 or email norrelle.goldring@gfk.com

Appliance Retailer February 2017

COMPANY INDEX AR COMPANY

PAGE #

Alcatel ..............................................................................................................17 Appliances Online ............................................................................................. 8 Aquaport ..........................................................................................................43 Beko ................................................................................................................... 9 Betta Home Living ............................................................................................. 8 Beurer ..............................................................................................................42 Bi-Rite............................................................................................................. 8, 9 Bing Lee ............................................................................................................. 9 Breville ................................................................................................ 16, 34, 36 CDB Goldair ............................................................................22, 24, 33, 34, 36 Cli-Mate............................................................................................... 39, 42, 45 Commercial Radio ...........................................................................................17 CSIRO ...............................................................................................................39 De’Longhi.................................... 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 28, 31, 39, 40, 41, 45, 47 Dimplex ..................................................................... 22, 24, 33, 34, 36, 40, 46 Dolcenotte........................................................................................................34 Dyson ............................................................................................ 26, 39, 42, 47 Electrolux Home Products .................................................................. 21, 26, 31 Euromonitor...............................................................................................20, 38 Fitzone..............................................................................................................40 Fujitsu General ...................................................................9, 21, 24, 25, 28, 31 GAF ..........................................................................................22, 24, 30, 39, 46 GfK..............................................................................................................20, 32 Glen Dimplex .............................................................................................27, 28 Groupe SEB ..................................................................................................9, 18 Harvey Norman..........................................................................................18, 31 Hisense ............................................................................................................15 HoMedics ...................................................................................... 40, 44, 46, 47 Hong Kong Trade Development Council .......................................................... 8 Jason & Onkaparinga ......................................................................... 33, 34, 36 Kogan ................................................................................................................. 7 Leading Appliances ........................................................................................... 8 Lenovo..............................................................................................................16 LG .............................................................................................. 9, 13, 17, 22, 26 Mitsubishi Electric .....................................................................................21, 26 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries .....................................................................29, 30 Nespresso ........................................................................................................16 Noirot ...............................................................................................................22 Olimpia Splendid ............................................................................................33 Panasonic ............................................................................................ 14, 22, 26 Paxtons............................................................................................................... 7 Philips ................................................................................................................ 7 Samsung ............................................................................................. 12, 16, 26 Sharp ............................................................................................... 7, 39, 42, 45 Sony ...........................................................................................................14, 15 Status Plus .................................................................................................10, 11 Sunbeam...........................................................................22, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 TCL ....................................................................................................................15 Teco ..................................................................................................... 22, 26, 30 Teds Cameras ..................................................................................................... 7 Vornado...................................................................... 20, 22, 26, 31, 40, 44, 47 Winning Appliances ....................................................................................6, 47 Woolworths........................................................................................................ 7

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