The retailer’s association, retra, has launched retra Install, a new division to attract installers to the organisation’s membership. The association is looking to recruit installers from the custom installation market, but it also plans to recruit those that already work on behalf of retra members.

Andrew O’Gorman, a director of Oxfordshire-based business O’Gormans, is the new president of retra. Mr O’Gorman has succeeded Steve Norman, the former commercial director of rental company Boxclever.

Mr O’Gorman said: “I am looking forward to the challenge and feel very proud to have been asked to perform the role again in retra’s 70th year.

PURE has previewed its latest offer, PURE Music, a cloud-based on-demand music service that allows the user to discover, explore and listen to millions of music tracks through any of PURE’s internet-connected digital radios, a smartphone or a computer, for a monthly subscription of £4.99.

Linsar is launching a Christmas window display competition for its retailers starting 1 November in two categories – for small independent retailers and for larger outlets. Each top shop will win a weekend for two in Paris next year. Second prizes in each category will be a special gourmet dinner for two at a local 5-star hotel.

“Independent dealers have always been a vital part of Neff’s business,” said Mike Jarrett, sales director of Neff. That’s why the brand will again be sponsoring the Best Independent Retailer Award in the IBA 2012.

“We want to recognise those independent dealers who go the extra mile for their customers. We introduced the Neff Accredited Appliance Retailer Scheme a couple of years ago for the very same reason,” explained Mr Jarrett.

“It’s grim out there” many of you have commented to me. The ‘big boys’ of the industry and some market analysts, to whom I have recently spoken, have confirmed that the market situation is likely to get worse before it gets better. The consumer confidence which has reached rock-bottom is a clear reflection of this. Yet waiting for the market to improve may be a long process, perhaps too long for some who wish to continue along the same, well-trodden path.

The contribution of Uwe Hanneck to the industry and to the Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances has been celebrated at a special luncheon in London, hosted by AMDEA. Uwe, who has served as AMDEA chairman for three consecutive terms, led the Association through a period of intense activity, with the instigation of a swathe of new European environmental legislation.

Samsung is setting its sights on becoming the number one white goods manufacturer in Europe, and also aims to become the world’s number one domestic appliances brand. The Korean manufacturer opened its first European factory - Samsung Electronics Manufacturing Poland (SEPM) – in 2010 in Wronki in western Poland following the acquisition of a manufacturing plant from Polish brand Amica.

It has been a difficult year. The television boom, fuelled by consumer demand for flat panel screens is now largely over and the industry is once again in a replacement market. Persuading consumers to replace visual product through innovation is now the challenge, be it 3D, internet connectivity or other technology. DVD-based product are increasingly packaged with screens and hold little sales value. Hi-fi sales are slow, with audio equipment now dominated by iPod docks.

Belling has unveiled a unique new range cooker which incorporates a high level grill to give increased cooking flexibility. The Belling Cookcentre is a 90cm range cooker with an integrated splashback and a high level, two-circuit variable electric grill – believed to be the first of its kind in the market.

The latest additions to Gorenje’s induction hob range are a five zone model, a four zone panoramic hob and a four zone 60 cm wide model. They feature a black glass design, touch controls, residual heat indicators and safety hob locks. The new panoramic and five zone hobs also offer several innovative functions such as Boil Control to prevent pans boiling over, and StopGo to temporarily pause the cooking process.

The latest fridge freezer from Siemens, the KG36NSB40, is A+++ energy rated, meaning that it is 60% more energy efficient than A-rated products. It has been granted Siemens’ Gold Energy Efficiency Award. It has a striking black glass door and is equipped with a coolBox – ideal for storing meat and fish – and a hydroFresh, humidity-controlled drawer for vegetables and fruit.

The three new washers and two tumble dryers from Maytag offer energy ratings of A-30%, A-20% and A-10% respectively. The washing machines are driven by Maytag’s IntelliSense technology that measures the load and then adjusts the amount of water, energy and time to the right level.

Hoover Candy has launched the new Hoover Aristocrat cooling collection to suit all needs and budgets. The new 54cm wide range consists of an under counter range, with a larder, fridge and freezer, while the new 54cm side Hoover Aristocrat includes fridge freezers, and combines Hoover Dynamic styling with useful sizes. Hoover Aristocrat is available only to the CIH members.

The new AQ Smart Speaker with Apple AirPlay from AQ Audio releases music stored on iPhones, iPods, iPads and PCs, streaming it wirelessly. The speaker is fully portable – one of the world’s first wire free AirPlay systems – that works not only in conjunction with a PC but also as a standalone system, while complementing an iDevice or streaming internet stations.

The PAL+ from Tivoli Audio is the DAB-equipped evolution of the original PAL. In addition to FM RDS reception, the PAL+ sports DAB, DAB+, and DMB capability. The PAL+’s large display with adjustable backlight shows useful information such as station details.

Jual Furnishings has added the JF018 modern high gloss cabinet to its AV furniture range. The cabinet features two shelves to house AV equipment and accessories; and the unit offers excellent ventilation.

Buying a Loewe television is like ordering a new car: a customer goes to the retailer and specifies the model they need, the individual settings, the colour etc. The order is sent to Germany and assembled there. Within five days it is delivered to the retailer and then installed in the customer’s home. We don’t leave our customers to struggle with packaging, cables and instruction manuals.” Marc Nicolai, managing director of Loewe UK, has ambitious plans for the brand in the UK. He spoke to Anna Ryland about the compelling reasons why independents should be supporting Loewe.

In October 2011, John Morrissey of Indesit became the new chairman of AMDEA.  He takes over from Uwe Hanneck of BSH who had held the position for the past six years.   Both men have substantial experience in the domestic appliance industry and their own approach to the role of the trade association.  Douglas Herbison, AMDEA’s chief executive looks back on recent achievements and speculates on what the future might hold.

There’s no escaping the fact that the economic climate is still challenging to say the least. This hasn’t meant that consumers have stopped spending, it simply means that they do more research before they part with their cash and expect more quality and longevity for their money. This is where the independent retailer can step in, offering expert knowledge of both the market and the latest products within it.

Making your website a dynamic and customer-friendly shopping destination is a complex task requiring a lot of specialist knowledge and systems integration, advises Sonu Kundi, commercial director of Cromwell Business Systems.

The Retailer of the Year survey is sponsored and administered by leading warranty provider Domestic & General and is designed to reward the very best customer service across the independent electrical retail channel in the UK. Each year, throughout the 12 months from 1 August to 31 July, approximately 250,000 ROTY survey questionnaires are posted out to consumers that have recently made a major purchase at an independent electrical retailer.

Blaine Upton, the owner of Blaines, an electrical independent business in Norfolk, won the title of the Best Large Independent, DA, in this year’s Independent Business Awards. He told Anna Ryland why running a business in a recession is like preparing for a marathon …

An espresso maker is now regarded as an essential addition to the modern kitchen. It’s time to approach coffee makers as a serious sales opportunity – especially ahead of the Christmas season, advises Anna Ryland.

A number of products can convert any 2D material into 3D while you watch. Ian Calcutt  looks at how it works and how effective it is compared to ‘real’ 3D, as well professionally remastered movie re-releases.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the IBA awards we have improved the format of the event and are excited to announce that it will now span across two days.

Even during the recession the tradition of Christmas indulgences is not going to disappear. Anna Ryland finds out how manufacturers are planning to tempt customers during this Christmas season.

Despite a fall in profits John Lewis continues to invest, while other multiples look enviously at its achievements, reports Tom Cole.