Consumer electronics manufacturer plans major changes to its structure and operations

Sony’s new president and CEO, Kazuo Hirai, has announced plans to revitalise Sony’s electronics business. Sony Europe is proposing significant organisational changes to simplify its consumer business, increase customer responsiveness and speed up decision making. Ten sales companies will become one integrated team covering Sales, Marketing and Business Support areas such as finance, logistics, HR and communications. The proposed changes are subject to local consultation and may result in efficiencies and headcount reduction.

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

In addition to the Home-tek Light ‘n’ Easy floorcare range, Home-tek Europe also distributes a range of branded kitchen appliances and audio products from Clatronic. In 2011, Home-tek Europe was appointed the exclusive distributor for the Montiss range of products in the UK.

Increasing pressure on margins, growing competition from online retailers, and a stormy global economic climate – these are just some of the challenges faced by manufacturers and retailers. Yet the message from this year’s IFA Global Press Conference, held in Dubrovnik, Croatia, is that innovation and imaginative sales strategies can help bring some much needed value into the market. “The most important objective for our industry is to move from a destruction of values to value orientation,” said Rainer Hecker, chairman of the supervisory board, gfu, the German consumer electronics industry corporation. Hecker noted that innovations like OLED flat displays and more energy efficient products were attracting consumers and adding value.

Zanussi unveils a new built-in range of domestic appliances

Launching its new QUADRO range with a strong design identity, Zanussi intended to refresh its brand and to update its built-in offer.  Leveraging on its Italian heritage, the range has bright and bold design and offers a simple geometric look with easy to use controls.

Electronic gadgets are combining diverse technologies and crossing the boundaries of work and play. Anna Ryland reports.

Modern consumer works and plays surrounded by gadgets which morph into increasingly amazing and bizarre forms. The annual Gadget Show Live held at Birmingham’s NEC, and expected to attract some 120,000 visitors, is a clear reflection of this trend. Among some 270 exhibitors displaying their latest CE products, gaming equipment and software, fitness and sport gear and a vast selection of geeky gizmos, I tried to focus on the offers which could find their place in the independent retailers’ stores.

I recently attended the retra annual conference in Newcastle and listened to the many excellent presentations by manufacturers and marketing experts, and over the two days I spoke with like minded independent electrical retailers. What became apparent to me was that many of us are seeking to use our resources to the best advantage given the difficult trading conditions in order to grow our businesses.

The government wants all UK homes to have new energy meters within the next seven years as the first step towards an integrated ‘smart grid’. This is to help ensure that our growing demand for energy can be met by future supply. This month Douglas Herbison, AMDEA’s chief executive, explores the options open to energy suppliers and consumers if ‘smart grid’ becomes a reality.

The UK is planning to install some 54 million new ‘smart’ energy meters between 2014 and 2019. To begin with, these new meters will only offer two advantages – remote access for energy suppliers (so no more meter readers) and an ‘in home’ display for consumers.

The refrigeration market is growing again, as busy consumers look for appliances that will save them time and money, but will also look cool in their kitchens. Anna Ryland reports.

The refrigeration market is showing positive signs as a result of the returning replacement cycle and the socio-economic trends which are changing customer habits and priorities. In 2011, the total market increased by 3.9% (in sales volume) and this growth came from the freestanding sector (4.3%).

Workable margins and a steady footfall are top priorities for independents but market intelligence and business knowledge gained through the industry networking deserves a large tick in the box. Not surprisingly it was great to listen and chat with many colleagues at the recent retra conference in Gateshead.

At such events we are again reminded of the great camaraderie that exists in our industry. It’s a simple formula: people engaging with people, gaining knowledge and sharing their views and opinions that could benefit their independent businesses.

In response to the fast changing nature of retail, independents need to adapt their product mix to maximise sales in growth areas and learn to use the web as an effective marketing tool, argued the speakers at retra’s 70th anniversary conference in Gateshead. Richard Stevenson reports.

Retra’s 70th anniversary conference was marked by a background of the most difficult high street trading conditions in living memory.

Consumer cameras are moving further towards the pro market, with Compact System Cameras being the big success story of the past year, while the camcorder sector continues to struggle. Libby Plummer reports.

While some consumer electronics remain relatively stagnant, the camera and camcorder sectors have seen plenty of changes over the last year. Sales of Compact System Cameras have flourished while the range of models available rapidly increases, leading to the slowing down of DSLR sales.

Hughes Electrical has developed a symbiotic business model in which each part of the company makes an important contribution to the overall business. Robert Hughes,    MD of Hughes Electrical which won the Best Regional Multiple title in the IBA 2011,   told Anna Ryland how he has managed to grow the company at a time when the industry is losing money and the independent sector keeps contracting.

Hughes Electrical celebrated its 90th anniversary in March year. The founder of the company, Robert’s grandfather, Frank Hughes, who was an electrical engineer that “came back from the First World War without the leg and travelled to the end of line searching for the place to settle down.

What makes Belling special? On the eve of the brand’s centenary celebrations, Belling chief executive, Denver Hewlett told Anna Ryland what gives the brand its staying power and a unique place in the UK market. 

Since 1912, Belling has played a key role in cooking history in Britain – from launching the first slot-in cooker and the first fully enamelled appliance, to patenting glass oven doors; creating the first fan oven and making induction technology available to the mass market.

Buying and marketing group Euronics has heralded the inaugural Euronics Showcase a success, with more than 94% of members represented.

Stuart Cook, the group’s chief executive, commented on the results of the Euronics Showcase 2012: “This is an incredible result; the new Euronics Showcase format has emphatically worked. I am very grateful to the members for attending the Euronics Showcase, because without the members, we don’t have a show. The feedback from members is that there is business out there, although margins are under pressure, but our members are getting down and doing the business.”