Hutchinsons HiFi & Vision, which has been operating in Cheltenham since 1986, has won the Best Customer Service Award at this year's Independent Business Awards.

AVF Group has announced that it has achieved three-star carbon neutral status for further reducing its carbon emissions through product manufacture, distribution, business travel and running offices in the UK and US.

Leading Indian consumer electronics firm Videocon has launched its brand in the UK and unveiled its initial line-up of LCD TVs. The company intends to produce high quality mid-range products at affordable prices.

Dear Ms Ryland,

I was devastated when Olympic Electronics, my local electrical shop and a family-run business, closed last year owing to unsustainable rent/rate levels in the borough of Kensington & Chelsea. 

A move from analogue to DAB radio may leave people with sight problems left out of Britain's digital revolution if steps are not taken to assist in the switchover, stated the Communications Minister Lord Carter in the Digital Britain report. Although this report initiates further discussions around a Digital Help Scheme similar to that used for switchover to digital television, The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) believes such a scheme is absolutely essential.

Derrik Lam has joined BBG from Peerless in the US as operations director. His responsibilities will include all operations functions, engineering, customer service and an on-going involvement in product management.

It is a coincidence that the news report about John Hutchinson's company Hutchinsons HiFi & Vision winning the Best Customer Service Award in this year's Independent Business Awards is published beside a letter from a customer of an electrical independent in Chelsea who closed his doors for ever last year. She deeply regrets the closure of the store on which she relied for years and for which she clearly is not going to find a substitute.

Encouraged by a successful ascent of Kilimanjaro a few years ago, Susan Dean, the public relations representative of Electrolux UK, decided to conquer - for charity - Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe at around 4,800m. 

At an intimate preview hosted by TV's Naked Chef, Jamie Oliver launched his first range of electrical food preparation products, which are manufactured by Tefal. The collection comprises a liquidiser, food processor and multifunctional grill, which will be available nationwide from September 2009.

At LG's London Design Centre, the company presented an exclusive preview of independent research revealing the nation's lifestyle habits, which has been used to develop its 2009 range of home appliances.

Sharp has just unveiled its first collection of LED backlight TVs, the LE600 and LE700 series. All models combine AQUOS LCD technology with a LED backlight system to deliver top image quality and energy-efficient performance. The LE600 is available in 32in, 40in and 46in models while the LE700 also includes a 52in model. The LE700 series utilises 100Hz technology and a rapid pixel response time of 4ms, providing the perfect medium for high-definition viewing.

Amica has added a washing machine in a striking matt black finish to its Navigator laundry range. It features Full Control Assist Technology - a digital navigation system - which makes the machines intuitively simple to use.

Sony's new flagship camcorder - the Handycam HDR-CX520VE/505VE - features the best HD picture quality and smart shooting features delivered so far, says the manufacturer.

Philips' Blu-ray player, the BDP7300, by offering quick start up times but without the need to use any extra power usage in standby mode, gives users the HD experience without the wait.

Volgel's 8000 Series Floor Stand is an alternative to wall mounts. It takes up less space than a traditional cabinet, and yet it allows users to  mount a DVD player or a game console under the TV thanks to an integrated AV support.

Maytag's new XXL dishwasher delivers significant water and energy efficiencies and introduces a number of firsts. The XXL comes with four height adjustable racks with an internal height of 58cm to accommodate 17 place settings and a water consumption of just ten litres for a standard programme. 

De'Longhi has extended its Icona range of kitchen appliances by adding a stylish Icona bar pump coffee maker.

The new D88106M double oven from AEG-Electrolux is a reflection of the company's commitment to modern design and technological innovation. The oven is sleek and elegant on the outside with sophisticated and easy to use digital controls ensuring precision control across all cooking functions.

The BBC300SS Beverage Centre from Appliance365 (formerly PAB) is not only a wine cooler that stores up to 11 bottles of wine but also a drink cabinet able to hold up to 20 cans and beer bottles thus catering for the needs of the entire family. 

Consumer electronics manufacturers, broadcasters and national regulators are now facing a multitude of operational and strategic dilemmas as a result of the increasing complexity of digital communications. The speakers at the recent Intellect Conference considered these issues from the perspective of their sectors.

An expression ‘things European' acts as an instant turn-off for many people. We have just had a European Parliament election with an embarrassingly low voter turnout. In addition, electors clearly did not go to the polls to vote on European issues. Instead, the vote reflected the present economic crisis and the expenses scandal involving MPs in the Westminster Parliament. Yet the people elected on 7 June are soon going to find themselves deeply involved in issues which affect all of us. Many of these issues directly affect industry and commerce. They relate to trade, economic, environmental and other matters. Of serious concern to the manufacturers and retailers of domestic appliances are the WEEE (Waste Electrical) and RoHS (Hazardous Substances) Directives.

There's one thing you can say about the television market - it's never boring. These days, it's not enough to simply offer a flat panel product; consumers are looking for something extra, whether it's elegant design, green features, home networking or internet access.

Selling the added-value features of warranties, such as cover for damage caused by accidents, is vital to increasing conversion says Lee Miller, Director of Sales at Domestic & General.

The steam oven has long been a staple of the professional kitchen, where chefs have been utilising the benefits of retaining food's natural vitamins, minerals and nutrients for decades. Now consumers are wising up to its advantages too, as cookery programmes and food magazines continue to fly the flag for healthy eating. Built-in steam ovens and multifunction ovens with steam settings are the latest trends in appliance sales, along with Teppan Yaki grills, range cookers with griddle tops and wok hobs.

A 90CM traditionally designed range cooker with a twist from cooking appliance brand, Stoves.  The SXS has 2 tall ovens offering an enormous combined cooking capacity of 152 litres, making it the most spacious range oven currently available in the UK market - perfect for entertaining. In addition to the sheer quantity of cooking capacity on offer, the large SXS also boasts a unique, separate, slide out central Thermo Plate System. 

Siemens' 2009 oven collection is arranged in four distinct Series, from the exceptional IQ100 range to the premium IQ700 range.  Smart sensor technology is combined with cutting edge control panel fascia design to create unique single, double, microwave and steam ovens that boast beauty and brains.  This award-winning* new collection coordinates across the cooking spectrum to ensure that all the ovens can be built in together and identified by a real ‘family' structure.

Enjoy the best of both worlds - Multifunction and Steam - in one simple to use oven, the AEG-Electrolux B98205. This oven combines true steam with multifunction cooking - bringing a new dimension to your cooking! Beautifully styled, finished in anti finger print stainless steel, the B98205 brings another dimension to your cooking.

The UK's number one cooking brand* Belling has made induction technology affordable for the consumer with the launch of its Price Busting Induction (PBI) hob.

As consumer electronics becomes more complex and compact, test equipment and service aids are evolving to match. Fault diagnosis and solder rework on thinscreen TVs are facilitated by specially designed workshop tools. Here are some good value for money ones.

The Awards, which are in their 17th year, have the longest heritage of any awards in the electrical industry and the number of nominations they attract is greater every year.