Digital UK has announced the date on which the UK's switch to digital TV will start. Whitehaven and the surrounding Copeland area of Cumbria will have its first analogue signal (BBC2) turned off and replaced by digital services on 17 October this year. The remaining three analogue channels will be switched off four weeks later on 14 November. The two-stage process will then be repeated elsewhere, across the UK, until switchover completes in 2012.

PURE Digital reported that thanks to the support of the trade and its expanding product ranges, it has become the number one supplier of radios (analogue and DAB combined) in the UK.

Sony Corporation overtook Samsung Electronics Co as the world’s largest LCD TV supplier in the last quarter of 2006 according to DisplaySearch, the world leader in display market research. Sony took a 17.4% share in the global LCD TV market by value, followed by Samsung with 15% and Sharp Corporation with 11.2%. This came as a result of strong demand for Sony's Bravia LCD TVs.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) is developing a scheme of energy certificates for retailers. Based on a building's size and energy consumption, they will quantify energy consumption and allow comparisons with similar premises. Certificates will be displayed in shops encouraging retailers and staff to improve their performance and boosting awareness of energy efficiency among customers.

The retra Annual Conference 2007 is going to take place on 30 April – 1 May in the Radisson SAS hotel in central London. Contact Les Parsons at retra on tel: 01234 269110.

FagorBrandt UK has announced the promotion of Richard Walker from marketing director to sales and marketing director.

The recurring theme in my recent conversations with manufacturers has been the pace of product development in our industry, particularly in consumer electronics, and the resulting erosion of the margins for both manufacturers and retailers.

Although well-established in the global display market, ViewSonic is a relatively little known player in the UK. Founded in 1987 in the US, the company has achieved the fifth position in the worldwide LCD panel market in 2006 (Q2), after Dell, Samsung, HP and Acer. Its 2006 European sales growth (PC and TV monitors, but also LCD TVs) was averaging between 50 and 65%.

Freeview has announced that Christmas 2006 was its best ever in sales, with over two million digital boxes and digital televisions sold during the fourth quarter. The record Christmas sales continue the service's strong take-up, with 15 million sales since launch in October 2002.

Responding to the phenomenal growth of the LCD market (which has increased by almost 600% in 2006), Toshiba has launched its biggest range of REGZA LCD TVs in 2007. The company which currently holds the third place in the LCD market (volume) has unveiled its entry level range - the REGZA C series, which is going to be followed by two more tiers in 2007 and the first half of 2008.

The H-Series from Hitachi offers a range of affordable, yet feature-rich, LCD and plasma IDTVs.

The range comprises HD-ready 26 and 32in LCD screens, a full HD 37in LCD, and a 42in plasma screen, also offering a full HD resolution.

Anticipating the need for a cold beer on a warm day, Micromark is getting ready for spring in plenty of time, with the launch of its new Carlsberg branded drink chiller.

The SmartControl3 shaver from Braun has been introduced to bridge the gap between entry-level and premium products.

The new shaver is available in three different versions, with prices ranging from around £49.99 to £69.99.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, the average UK household wastes £37 each year by leaving appliances on standby, and that's why Domia has come up with an energy-saving device called Bye Bye Standby.

The latest 7.1 megapixel digital cameras from Canon sport a distinctive sleek design, as well as boasting cutting-edge technology.

JVC's new D-ILA full HD home cinema projector has a native contrast ratio of 15,000:1, the highest in the industry without an iris mechanism.

Sony is set to take on Apple's Video iPod with the launch of its new Walkman Video MP3 player.

Domotec is offering consumers twice the value with its new steam cleaner, which comes with an accessory enabling it to be used as a powerful steam generator iron.

Armour is “the biggest company you've never heard of” said Glenn McClelland, Armour's Managing Director. Anna Ryland met him to find out why the independent should get better acquainted with this relative newcomer to the CE market.

In 2006, consumers' place in the economy has changed – from playing the lead they have stepped down to a support role. Dr Tim Denison, Director of Knowledge Management at SPSL, analyses market factors in 2006 and makes predictions for 2007.

In the face of mounting environmental concerns – in all walks of life – Anne Nistad, Association Executive at Amdea, reviews the concept of producer responsibility.

The recent Which? survey revealed that independents are winners when it comes to satisfying the customer. This is good news, say's retra's Chief Executive, Mark Hayward, but to keep customers happy in the future independents have to establish themselves as 'green' retailers.

Home laundry, the staple product of the domestic appliance sector, is a good indicator not only of the general health of the industry, but also of the latest customer expectations. Anna Ryland examines the current trends in this market.

The DrIron dryer not only dries, but irons as well. It features a condensation system that extracts humidity from clothing during the drying process.

It is the market 'first' with an automatic stain removal system (autoStain) which takes care of 14 different stains without special pre-treatment. It has a double 'A' rating for energy and wash performance in addition to an 'A+' rating for energy efficiency.

This first ever steam washing machine uses 35% less water and 21% less energy than traditional washers. It has an energy rating of 'A++' due to its steam technology.

This washer has a Rain Shower Effect feature which by harnessing the centrifugal force generated by the spinning drum collects water in a reservoir, to re-use it in the wash cycle.

The satellite navigation sector has risen rapidly in recent years, and was the fastest growing CE product sector in 2006. Libby Plummer looks at the opportunities presented by these devices.

The unpredictable British weather and concerns about air quality has helped make air treatment a sizeable and significant category says Sarah Selzer.

With the launch of the PlayStation 3 (PS3) in March, there are now three consoles (two offering HD gaming to gamers for the first time) that offer a variety of sales opportunities to retailers. Keri Allan advises on how to take full advantage of them.