Future Gaming and Entertainment

How PUBG and Fortnite are driving gaming headset sales

All hands on decks as DJing equipment gets educational boost

Autumn issue 13.

DJING IS NOW A GCSE SUBJECT IN UK SCHOOLS

GAMING AND ENTERTAINMENT

HUGE DEMAND CAUSING GLOBAL SHORTAGE OF GAMING HEADSETS

FUTURE

THE

Copyright ©Exertis (UK) Ltd 2018

THE

To buy online: store.exertis.co.uk

FUTURE

12

24

29

HUGE DEMAND CAUSING GLOBAL SHORTAGE OF GAMING HEADSETS

EGX 2018: THE UK’S BIGGEST GAMES EVENT RETURNS!

DJING IS NOW A GCSE SUBJECT IN UK SCHOOLS

CONTENTS 05 EXERTIS COMMENT Alex Croft introduces the Autumn edition of Future Gaming and Entertainment

06 MARKET STATS UPDATE

We look at the current technology trends you should be aware of

08 NEWS IN BRIEF

A quick look at what’s happening in the technology market

16 HOW GAMING SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES ARE CHANGING THE INDUSTRY We see how subscription services are disrupting retail, while creating new opportunities

24 EGX 2018: THE UK’S BIGGEST GAMES EVENT RETURNS!

See what caught the eye at the UK’s biggest gaming trade event

12 HUGE DEMAND CAUSING GLOBAL SHORTAGE OF GAMING HEADSETS Sales of gaming headsets rocket due to PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds and Fortnite

27 EXERTIS INTRODUCES CORE ELECTRICALS TO ITS RANGE

15 HOW TO REDUCE COSTS AND INCREASE EFFICIENCY WITH EXERTIS RETAIL SERVICES

Hoover up untapped with Exertis’ valuable new market

We explore how Exertis create innovative in-store experiences for retail

29 DJING IS NOW A GCSE SUBJECT IN UK SCHOOLS New legislation puts DJing equipment in the mix

20 HOT PICKS

A range of best-selling products designed to make you more margin

23 CREATING THE FUTURE WITH STE(A)M KITS Why you should be stocking products that help children learn

30 TOP 10 ATTACH See our top 10 recommended range of products here from Exertis

03

THE

To buy online: store.exertis.co.uk

FUTURE

05

Publisher Exertis Editor Lucy Hall Design Alice Himfen Amber-Sky Glasscock

Harlow Reception: 01279 822 822

WELCOME FROM EXERTIS Welcome to the Autumn issue of Future Gaming and Entertainment.. Christmas is almost upon us, bringing with it the most exciting and indeed important part of the retail calendar. So, the full Gaming team at Exertis has been hard at work bringing you all the latest news, views and product updates that mean you can ‘max out’ sales during the forthcoming end-of-year madness.

The UK’s largest Gaming Trade Show, EGX 2018 in Birmingham, was a highlight in September and our team were on hand to check out the games and hardware that caused the biggest buzz. One category that’s flying off the shelves is gaming headsets, fuelled by the incredible success of Fortnite, PUBG and other multiplayer Battle Royale games. In this issue we will take a closer look at the explosion in this genre, the impact on associated sales and offer some advice on what you can do to capitalise on it all.

This has been another huge year for digital with the launch of gaming subscription services such as Xbox Games Pass and Origin Access Premier from Electronic Arts. These both represent new ways for consumers and retailers to consume gaming content in a ‘pay as you go’ format. Though there are challenges for the retail world in this model, there are opportunities to appeal to a more mainstream, casual gamer. We have seen exciting announcements recently from Microsoft (Project xCloud) and Google (Project Stream,)

announcing their plans to introduce streaming platforms for games. Digital sales are clearly set to become an even stronger part of the market, with our Exertis Ztorm helping to deliver part of that growth. We have continued to see growth in the digital performance of new release games and the continued uptake of digital add-ons. Games such as Rainbow Six Siege from Ubisoft and Grand Theft Auto V from Rockstar have shown how ‘gaming-as-a-service’ can extend the sales curve of games and provide both the publisher and retailer with a revenue stream way beyond what would have been possible previously.

Technology is also developing an increasingly important role in education and the home, so we look at how STE(A)M-based learning products will bring new opportunities to the consumer marketplace.

Finally, we roundup the biggest news from around the whole industry, and discuss how the Exertis Retail Services team can work with you to make 2019 even bigger and better than this year.

Thank you very much for your time and support.

Address: St George House Parkway Harlow Business Park Harlow Essex CM19 5QF To place an order please call 01279 822 822 between 9am – 5.30pm Monday to Friday

Basingstoke Sales: 01256 707 070 Address: Ashwood Chineham Business Park Chineham Basingstoke Hampshire RG24 8EH To place an order please call 01256 707 070 between 9am – 6pm Monday to Friday To buy online visit store.exertis.co.uk

Alex Croft Sales and Commercial Director

THE

06

FUTURE

GAMING AND ENTERTAINMENT

Harlow: 01279 822 822 | Basingstoke: 01256 707 070 | store.exertis.co.uk

THE

To buy online: store.exertis.co.uk

FUTURE

07

ADAPTING T0

CUSTOMER

SHOPPING

BEHAVIOURS Technology is playing a key role in the future of retailing whether that’s in: digital transformation; leveraging new technologies such as AR, IoT and voice; mobile payment systems or purchase fulfilment. The success of multichannel retailing depends on meeting the customers’ expectations. Throughout 2018, the industry saw record amounts of online spending, increasing to 18.2% in August according to the ONS UK retail report. Consumers are continuing to buy more online but whilst online sales are growing at a fast rate, bricks and mortar sales still account for nearly 82% of sales.

Research from Euclid Analytics (see graphical analysis) also highlights the differences and preferences dependent on age.

Monitoring the changing habits of customer behaviour is vitally important. E-Marketeer released some interesting findings in their Omnichannel Retail StatPack 2018 report. Although it refers to the US market, the consumer behaviours are likely to be reflected in other markets.

In terms of the path that consumers take to making a purchase, whilst there is some cross-channel research and purchasing, the channel that customers use initially for research remains the most likely route to purchase. The findings revealed that 53% of consumers start researching digitally and of those 34% then purchase digitally and 19% purchase in-store. Of those that start to research in-store, 42% go on to purchase in-store and only 6% purchase digitally.

Digital is expected to influence 58% of total sales by 2022 with recommendations from friends and family (52%) and online customer reviews (47%) the most prevalent in digital influencing. The report still maintained that customers tend to research on-line and buy in-store more than they see a product in-store and buy it online. Obviously, to touch and feel is more important for some purchases depending on the type of product and its cost.

The top reasons given for using digital channels to shop were convenience (56%), time spent (46%) and low-cost options (45%). These same reasons also apply to the delivery preference of consumers. The report maintained that 75% prefer shipping to in-store pick-up but that expectations on delivery times were high.

Indeed, 40% said delivery taking more than two days would prevent them making a purchase and 63% expected three days to be a standard delivery time.

Interestingly, one in four digital shoppers under 30 years of age would prefer a click and collect option. The reasons given were: high shipping cost (50%), immediate requirement (50%), product discount (43%) and long-shipping time (33%).

Whilst the in-store experience will need to evolve to maintain its relevance to customers, it still has benefits for both retailers and consumers. As mentioned touch and feel is an important driver, the opportunity to speak with an assistant (particularly those with experience), and the social side of shopping still play a part. Of course, the opportunity of an impulse purchase is much greater – seven in ten in-store shoppers do just that according to the Omnichannel report. Eliminating frustrations will be key to keeping customers in-store and returning. Queues at checkouts, lack of inventory, insufficient and inexperienced staff and no wi-fi are to be avoided whilst seamless click and collect facilities are hallmarks of a great omnichannel customer experience. The importance of instore mobile POS systems for enhanced customer service and the need for flexibility in payment methods, including support for mobile wallets shouldn’t be underestimated. Even AI driven “Just Walk Out” technology, where you activate an app via your smartphone on entering the store, choose what you want, and your virtual cart is charged to your account when you leave, replacing the need for cashiers and checkout lines, is being trialled.

Certainly, for those retailers that embrace an omnichannel approach, it isn’t about where the purchase started or finished, it’s more about winning the business from the competition.

Sources and acknowledgements: E-Marketer, Euclid Analytics, zdnet https://www.emarketer.com/content/us-omnichannel-retail-statpack-2018

THE

08

FUTURE

NEWS IN BRIEF

GAMING AND ENTERTAINMENT

MICROSOFT ADDS MORE DEVELOPERS TO ITS GAMES DIVISION Microsoft is poised to double the size of its game development studios. The Seattle company announced recently that it has formed a brand-new studio called The Initiative, headed up by industry veteran Darrell Gallagher who previously held senior positions at Activision, Square Enix, and Tomb Raider developers Crystal Dynamics.

This will be joined by four other existing studios. PlayGround Games, the team responsible for impressive work on Forza Horizon 4, has already joined the Microsoft fold, and it will soon be followed by Ninja Theory (developers of Hellblade), Undead Labs (creators of the State of Decay franchise), and Compulsion Games whose dystopian British themed We Happy Few was a big hit at E3.

With Microsoft’s gaming division reporting revenues of $10bn for the first time this year, it seems the brand will continue going from strength to strength.

ALONSO TIPS LE MANS ESPORTS SERIES TO BBE A ‘HUGE SUCCESS’ Motor-racing driver Ferna Fernando Alonso, who won the Le Mans 24hour race at his first attempt this year, is expecting big things for the inaugural ‘Le Mans Esports Series’, Ser which is already underway and drawing interest dra est from across the gl globe.

‘The Le Mans Esports Series will be very ve attractive,’ Alonso said.

‘It’s a platfo platform that works not only for gam gamers, but for professional drivers too. We have been een using simulators for a couple of years now, learning tracks and developing ping cars.’ The tourname tournament is comprised of six international qual qualifiers and d culminates in a Super Final that takes place at the same tim time as the actual tual Le Mans race.

‘I’m ’m very proud of w what the guys are doing,’ added Alo Alonso, ‘and I have a huge successs with this new adventure’. think that you will ha adv

T TURTLE BEACH CH SIGNS NCHESTER CITY FOR MANCHESTER le Turtle Beach, one of the world’s leading gaming headset and anufacturer, has anno accessory manufacturer, announced a new partnership with Manchester City eSports. The d deal will see players such as current PS4 World Champion Kai ‘Deto’ Wollin and Marcus ‘Marcuzo’ ng Turtle Be Jorgensen using Beach’s Elite Pro line, as well as other gear es, during the FIFA eWorld Cup Final and throughout and accessories, ports se upcoming eSports seasons.

FORTNITE NOW AVAILABLE ON NINTENDO SWITCH Multi-player sensation Fortnite has added the Nintendo Switch to its available platforms, with a free download now available on the Nintendo Store. The Battle Royale title has been an incredible success since its initial release in 2017, amassing over 125m players all vying to be the last man standing in the frenetic survival-action game.

‘As the leading brand in gaming audio we’re thrilled to team-up with the Premier League Champions’ said Juergen Stark, CEO, Turtle Beach Corporation. ‘No matter what the game, competitive play is about total immersion, and that is what the Manchester City players can expect from our Elite Pro series…we’re ready to embark on the journey with them to help achieve even more success, both on the virtual pitch and off.’

Fortnite has reportedly made over $1bn through in-game purchases, and this looks set to grow as Switch owners enter the fray. The game will also be bolstered by news that it will be the first title to feature cross-platform capabilities with Xbox, PC and PS4. So now the fight can take place with friends, no matter what hardware they use.

Harlow: 01279 822 822 | Basingstoke: 01256 707 070 | store.exertis.co.uk

THE

To buy online: store.exertis.co.uk

FUTURE

09

DCC TECHNOLOGY ACQUIRES JAM INDUSTRIES DCC Technology (Exertis) has announced its acquisition of Jam Industries, North America’s largest value-added distributor of musical instruments, professional audio and consumer electronics products.

‘Following the acquisition of Stampede in July 2018,’ said Tim Griffin, DCC Technology managing director, ‘our investment in Jam adds an exciting new brand to our portfolio and means that we now have a $600m+ revenue business in North America with a strong, serviceled specialist focus on pro audio and visual technologies, musical instruments and consumer electronics.’

PLAYSTATION 4 GETS CROSS-PLAY CROSS-P WITH ITCH AND XBOX ONE NINTENDO SWITCH Sony has made the huge announcement ent that it will support ccrossnd Nintendo Switch title platform gaming for PS4, Xbox One, and titles, yers will be able to play meaning that for the first time all console players against each other online.

‘We recognize that PS4 players have been eagerly awaiting an ohn Kodera, update,’ said Sony Interactive Entertainment boss John nce as we have ‘and we appreciate the community’s continued patience navigated through this issue to find a solution.’

The feature will initially be trialled as a beta,, with the hugely popular popula Fortnite as the title chosen to spearhead the initiative.

‘We see the beta as an opportunityy to conduct thorough te testing that ensures cross-platform play is best on PlayStation,’ states st Kodera, ‘while being mindful about the user experience from both a technical al and social perspective.’

NEWS FROM EXERTIS: ORGANISATIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS We recently announced some changes to our UK and Ireland business. Paul Bryan, our UK managing director, will take on the added responsibility of the Irish business supported by Rod McCarthy who becomes head of Ireland for Exertis following John Dunne’s promotion to the new position of chief commercial officer, North America and Gerry O’Keeffe’s move to an expanded international role. In addition to support Paul, Richard Hinds has been promoted to the newly created position of chief operating officer with responsibility for the finance, purchasing, IT, logistics and customer services functions. Richard was previously group finance director for Exertis UK & I. Both Rod and Richard report to Paul.

We are also pleased to welcome Chris Bale to Exertis in another new role as head of transformation responsible for leading operational and financial best practice across Europe. He will report to Gerry O’Keeffe, Exertis International, managing director.

These appointments reflect the evolution of our business as we continue our strategic ambitions to expand geographically, leverage our capabilities across our territories and ensure we serve more customers with great products, solutions and services.

For more information on these appointments go to: https://www. exertis.co.uk/exertis-news.php

Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Jam Industries has sales and log logistics operations throughout North America and employs around st 600 staff.

Its management team of Martin Szpiro, CEO, and Stuart C Frenkel, CFO, will remain in place, with Jam founder Martin Golden and his son Matthew continuing to be involved with the business.

NEW MERC MERCHANDISING PARTNER FOR EXERTIS GB Eye, a leading supplie supplier of licensed ed products incl including sters, gifting and a wide range posters, of merchandise, has joi joined forces agreeing a new with Exertis after ag partnership deal. The company has built a for formidable reputation, working with wit some of the world’s biggest brands b to create tie-in products for DC Comics, Harry Potter, Fallout, Assassins Creed, and many others.

Fallout ‘This is a great opportunity for our retailers to add incremental margin to their sale of gaming and other products by adding posters, prints and associated merchandise’ said Matt Finn, Exertis, account director.

‘We also have the opportunity to provide bespoke loot boxes for retailers which are becoming increasingly popular, offering exclusivity for the store and intrigue for the consumer.’

Exertis will offer the full range of GB Eye products, which also includes badges, keyrings, and mugs.

EXERTIS ADDS NEW ACCESSORIES VENDORS Moleskine, famed for its legendary notebooks, will now have its Smart Writing System products exclusively available through Exertis, after announcing the signing of a new partnership deal.

This comes fast on the heels of Samsonite, the world’s leading luggage brand, whose laptop, tablet, backpack, business, and overnight bags will now be part of the Exertis catalogue.

In a very productive period, Exertis also confirmed another exclusive deal, this time with British brand VQ, known for its innovative charging solutions, power banks and phone cases.

‘These new products strengthen our range in this area,’ said Matthew Balcombe, Exertis commercial director, ‘and present an exciting opportunity for our retailers to take advantage of a growing market.’

FUTURE H

GAMING AND ENTERTAINMENT

SUBSCRIBE TO ALL EXERTIS MAGAZINES

E

E

THE

10

R

T

T

U

ate ty m i t Ul ecuri e Th TV Shing in ryt CC eve ee H

E

s u n bu t u m

F

018

IP LD A ERSH O BUIUL PARTNey to T W HO CESSF an be k SUC hips c s

ght

yri Cop

td 2 K) L

is (U

xert

©E

s es tion ucc Rela iness s bus

U

HE ITH T RES WLS I F s G AL TIN GFW FIGH HT FIREW invest in N o G RI need t

ok ebo Not 938 U ITSU FUJ BOOK LIFE

A

R

d t an igh ravel L r u nt T ega anion p Com

Stay ahead of the competition with The Future Business; gain insights into opinions that matter and updates on the latest opportunities that will benefit your business sales.

s s . ee 13 u in s Is

E

T

BUSINESS

U

S

Bs

T

SM

U

13

y.

a

b o n mu t u m

i

F

2 ) Ltd

(UK

h on How e bey gon

T

N

E

T

TA

IN

ys Wh r iOS? ove

rtis

Exe

t©

righ

y Cop

M

ESS USIN OOD B G S I oid E OID ndr ANDR EVERYONu choose A FOR hould yo

018

D ES FA s able RABL WEA TUNE? se of wenadr fitness? a u R t FO as the d spor

U

rs: sso t roce nex ™ p ming ore l® C t’s co Inte ha en for w G d 8th gne Desi

R

T

E

R

GAMING & ENTERTAINMENT

N 13

A.

N

D

U

E

Gain a better understanding of the latest sales trends, opportunities and up-to-date release information from the world of Gaming, Consumer Electronics and Gadgets in one bite-size magazine.

A

M A n Gu t u m

i

F

u IN s s

Ge

fo: re in Mo

With The Future Mobility you get all the new and coming announcements from the Mobile, Accessory and Wearable Tech industries in one thoroughly comprehensive mobile magazine.

i te u il s s

E

tsu Fuji the e l i . b essE mo nH ltra buTsi u h yo nd u ilt for 938 wit a l rrow fu k-U bu mo g to wer 938 - ts/lifeboo pin o a p h S , U m/f Slim BOOK .fujitsu.co OR LIFE www

MOBILITY

NG AUSI ND C GE OF A M E A D T HUGEBAL SHOR DSETS are GLO ING HEA d Fortnitseet sales GAM BG an g head PU min Howing ga driv

OW A G IS N T IN DJIN E SUBJEC g ost GCS CHOOLS ecks ascDatJioinnal bo UK S nds on gdets edu t ha All ipmen equ

8

C

rtis

Exe

ht ©

rig opy

) Ltd

201

SUBSCRIBE TO ALL MAGAZINES

(UK

Ensure you are up to speed with the industry by subscribing to Future Gaming & Entertainment, Mobility and Business magazines today. subscribe@thefuture.com

Harlow: 01279 822 822 | Basingstoke: 01256 707 070 | store.exertis.co.uk

LIVE THE HORIZON LIFE

)RU WKH ÀUVW WLPH LQ WKH UDFLQJ DQG GULYLQJ JHQUH H[SHULHQFH G\QDPLF VHDVRQV LQ D VKDUHG RSHQ ZRUOG ([SORUH EHDXWLIXO VFHQHU\ FROOHFW RYHU FDUV DQG EHFRPH D +RUL]RQ 6XSHUVWDU LQ KLVWRULF %ULWDLQ SEASONS CHANGE EVERYTHING

Available Now

THE

12

FUTURE

GAMING AND ENTERTAINMENT

HUGE DEMAND CAUSING GLOBAL SHORTAGE

OF GAMING

HEADSETS Manufacturers of gaming headsets are working furiously to meet the incredible rise in demand for their products. Brands such as Turtle Beach and RIG have seen sales figures skyrocket in recent months, with the motivating factor behind this phenomenon down to just two games.

Fortnite and Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds, or PUBG as it’s more often called, have been the breakout successes in gaming over the past twelve months. PUBG has sold in excess of 50m units on PC and Xbox One since its release in December 2017, amassing a player base surpassing 400m. Fortnite, which uses a free-to-play model, has also attracted 125m players across PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, macOS, iOS, Android, and the recently released Nintendo Switch version.

It’s money well spent though, as the continued sales boom has caused the company to increase both its forecasts for the year ahead and see the worth of its stock price double.

‘We’ve got sell-through data in models that go back years’, states Stark. ‘And it’s very clear it’s these two games that are driving a unique new phenomenon that is driving in new players and increasing headset use.’

LAST MAN STANDING

An unforeseen advantage of this meteoric growth has been its impact on sales of gaming headsets.

Both PUBG and Fortnite employ a ‘Battle Royale’ format, as seen in the Japanese movie of the same name which shocked audiences on its release in 2000. This requires players to scavenge for weapons and armour, then become the ‘last man standing’ by any methods necessary.

‘The business is doing really, really well,’ Turtle Beach CEO Juergen Stark told Variety Magazine, ‘and what’s driving that — beyond our strategy and being a good quality product — is the ‘Fortnite,’ ‘PUBG,’ and Battle Royale craze, which has introduced a bunch of new people into games’.

These desperate and frenetic combat conditions mean that every possible advantage players add to their arsenal can be the difference between loss or victory. This, in turn, has led to the extraordinary clamour for high-quality gaming headsets that provide an increased sense of spacial awareness.

With Turtle Beach accounting for almost half the market share in gaming headsets, this is no small thing, as the company reported a 185% increase in year-on-year sales. Keeping products on the shelves proved a challenge and led to Turtle Beach spending $4m on air-freight just to ensure customers had headsets to buy when they visited stores.

‘It’s very clear to the players,’ Stark continues ‘that playing these games with headsets provides a survival advantage because you can hear the audio cues better.’

Being able to quickly work out the direction from which opponents are firing, or discern the movements that reveal an enemy’s location, are key factors in raising a player above the also-rans.

Harlow: 01279 822 822 | Basingstoke: 01256 707 070 | store.exertis.co.uk

THE

To buy online: store.exertis.co.uk

FUTURE

13

also adds a high sensitivity flip-to-mute microphone. This will allow gamers to coordinate attacks, enjoy chatting while they play, or bait rivals into making fatal mistakes. The metal-reinforced band ensures that the Recon 200 will take a beating, while the 12-hour battery life means it’s battle-ready for even the longest campaign.

For hardcore players the Stealth 300 is an easy headset to recommend.

The build includes Turtle Beach’s patented Pro-Specs Glasses Relief System, which has softer foam in the areas where they would rest against a player’s glasses, making longer playing sessions far more comfortable than on many other headsets.

Twin 50mm speakers deliver enviable audio performance, especially on Xbox One and PC where the product supports the Windows Sonic standard that enables immersive surround sound capabilities.

The Plantronics RIG lineup covers a similarly broad range of budgets and features, with the new RIG 300HX being a firm favourite. Its rugged, futuristic design certainly catches the eye, but there’s more to it than just looks. SoundGuard technology protects against any sudden volume spikes, which can be a regular hazard in the frantic action of Fortnite or PUBG, while the vented construction allows heat to dissipate quickly. This keeps the headset cool and comfortable no matter how heated the combat may become.

Moving up to the RIG 500 PRO HX brings players to the elite level, where Dolby Atmos for Headphones turns the audio experience into one of the richest available in gaming. The luxurious ear-cushions feature dual-materials for added comfort and to block out any exterior noises, plus the RIG 500 PRO HX also boasts a master volume dial where it attaches to the gamepad, making quick adjustments no problem at all.

This is why headsets have become an integral part of the RIG for a Battle Royale-style gamer.

Thankfully, this presents an excellent opportunity for retail to provide the tools players need, no matter what their budgets might be.

HEARING THE DIFFERENCE In our role as the premier distributor for the gaming sector, we have built up a formidable catalogue of headsets that can be offered to UK gamers. These include the full range of Turtle Beach and RIG products that have been such a huge hit with customers recently.

Turtle Beach’s Recon series is an excellent example, as the collection has models at a variety of price points, all of which deliver superior audio performance.

The Recon 50 is perfect for those looking to buy a gaming headset for the first time. Many players simply use their TVs, monitors, or the earbuds that came with their smartphones to hear the in-game action. But, encouraging them to move up to the Recon 50 will be a revelatory moment, as twin 40mm speakers bring the experience to life with incredible clarity.

Compatible with Xbox One, PC, PS4, mobile, and Nintendo Switch, the Recon 50 is a versatile unit that had the Daily Record call it ‘A true all-rounder at a bargain price’.

Communication is important in most online games, so the Recon 200 not only offers the same audio performance as its sibling, but

Gamers wanting to free themselves from cables will be very interested in Razer’s new Thresher range. The Thresher for PS4 model offers the option to either use a wired or wireless connection, while the Thresher for Xbox version is purely wireless and supports Windows Sonic for virtual surround sound. Xbox One owners wanting a truly unique experience can try the Thresher Ultimate headset, which delivers 7.1 surround sound without the need for a cable, and the Razer Thresher 7.1 also offers the same quality for PS4 and PC.

CALL FOR SOUND ADVICE The sudden explosion of demand for headsets is a welcome opportunity for retailers to bolster add-on sales in the all-important run up to Christmas. Whether it’s for seasoned gamers looking to find that extra edge, or new players testing the waters for the first time, Exertis is able to advise you on the hottest products customers will be searching out in this fast-moving sector.

If you don’t currently stock headsets, then now is the perfect time to clear some shelf space, as the Battle Royale craze shows no signs of slowing down and its influence over headset sales looks set to continue.

‘Because Fortnite is free, there’s this opportunity to buy peripherals,’ concludes Turtle Beach CEO Juergen Stark. ‘Instead of spending $60 on a game, they can spend $60 on a headset.’

For more details on which headsets to stock, and how to best promote them to your customers, be sure to contact Exertis today.

Its expert team is ready to help you make the most of the Fortnite and PUBG phenomena, while also keeping you up to date with all the other latest market trends across gaming.

THE

To buy online: store.exertis.co.uk

FUTURE

15

HOW TO REDUCE COSTS

AND INCREASE

EFFICIENCY WITH EXERTIS RETAIL SERVICES

The retail industry is a constantly changing environment which has seen significant upheaval in recent years. Customers now demand more from stores and their staff, as the smartphones in their pockets give shoppers instant access to rival outlets and products.

The need to create innovative and exciting promotions, in-store experiences, and other original ways to attract customers onto the shop-floor is becoming an essential part of any modern retail strategy.

But, this all has to be achieved while balancing the essential equation of reducing costs and increasing efficiency.

To help businesses meet these challenges Exertis has developed an impressive range of retail services which utilise the distributor’s industry know-how, extensive contacts, highly developed logistics network, and dedication to growing the profitability of its retail partners. From product sourcing to delivering E-commerce solutions, Exertis can help take the burden out of staying competitive in the modern retail landscape.

KNOWING YOUR CUSTOMERS One of the greatest advantages a business can have is understanding who its customers are and what they want. Exertis has a specialist team that focuses on this area, producing detailed market trend analysis and consumer profiling so that you can make product and campaign decisions with complete confidence.

Return on Investment (ROI) modelling is also combined with the latest econometric calculations to ensure that your stock purchasing is always intelligent and working in your favour, rather than leaving money tied up in slow moving products.

Thanks to its comprehensive strategic planning and forecasting services, Exertis can also work alongside partners to anticipate and prepare for the various seasonal demands of customers. Working with the team, you’ll be able to order stock well in advance, safe in the knowledge that when the rush happens you’ll be ready.

OPTIMISING YOUR STOCK Running out of stock is never a good thing, but at the same time you don’t want to be holding large amounts of product either as this takes up space and a portion of your budget. Exertis is a valuable tool

here thanks to its state-of-the-art global logistics services. Not only can you have a ‘just in time’ supply that always keeps things ticking over, but Exertis can also take care of warehousing, customs, tax and transportation requirements.

Should you want to create your own specialised bundles, this is not a problem. Bespoke packaging is a feature many retailers make regular use of, as it gives them the opportunity to tailor offers directly to their customers. The Exertis Retail Services team is on hand to help you develop custom designs that will catch the eye and tempt consumers through the door.

THE SHOP FLOOR EXPERIENCE Improving the in-store experience is another important area that can drive sales. Recently, Exertis worked with Lacie to create display units for Jessops stores. These focussed on highlighting the various complementary products Lacie has available for photographers.

Presenting the accessories in a visual way made it something customers found engaging and informative, all while raising awareness of the items.

Exertis can provide your business with individually designed banners, posters, and point of sale materials that support campaigns. Digital kiosks can also be installed on the shop floor, minimising the need for holding stock for back catalogue items. In addition, there’s merchandising compliance and audit services, in-store staff product training, plus in-store promoters for extra customer engagement.

EXERTIS RETAIL SERVICES The range of services Exertis offers to retailers covers not only those mentioned above, but also social media management, E-commerce, web design and hosting, database management, mystery shoppers, and a whole host of others.

So, don’t try to master everything yourself, instead let Exertis work with you to grow your business and minimise any unnecessary spending. Contact your Exertis representative today or email Scott Tatton-Bennett on scott.tatton-bennett@exertis.co.uk to see how Exertis Retail Services can help take the strain out of moving to the next level.

THE

16

FUTURE

GAMING AND ENTERTAINMENT

HOW GAMING SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES ARE

CHANGING THE INDUSTRY The last few years have seen the emergence of subscription services for gamers, offering access to a large back catalogue of titles as well as a constant supply of new releases. It’s an initiative that is gaining momentum, with the likes of Microsoft, Sony, and EA all now promoting their own individual subscription services.

So, what opportunities does this new landscape present for traditional retailers in terms of games, associated products, and services? We will take a look.

PAY TO PLAY There’s no doubt that home entertainment has seen dramatic changes recently. Where once people were accustomed to the idea of buying and owning their music, movies, TV shows, and games, the rapid ascent of digital content has created a new norm.

Perhaps the most obvious exponent of this trend is Netflix. As of mid-way through 2018, the streaming platform now has over 130m subscribers and has firmly established the idea of providing a copious menu of on-demand content for a comparatively low monthly fee.

Amazon Prime Video and Sky’s NowTV have quickly followed suit, and the likes of Disney, HBO, and others are already testing the waters.

Music has seen a similar story, with Spotify now boasting 83m subscribers, Apple Music passing 35m, and smaller outlets like Deezer still attracting over 6m customers willing to pay each month.

When Xbox Game Pass launched back in June 2017 it offered 100 titles drawn from the back catalogues of the Xbox One and Xbox 360, all for £7.99 per month. Then in January 2018 Microsoft made the huge announcement that going forward, all of its new exclusive

titles would be instantly available to play on subscription on the day of its release. Since then titles like Sea of Thieves, State of Decay 2 and Gears of War 4 have all joined the catalogue, but October brought with it the biggest title yet to feature on the platform.

Forza Horizon 4 is a fully-fledged AAA-title and its release-day availability, for no extra cost, on Xbox Game Pass makes a big enough pull for many gamers to justify signing up to the service. The fact that it’s also accompanied by Wolfenstein: The New Order, Metro 2033: Redux, Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures, and SplitSecond is just an added bonus.

Of course, Microsoft isn’t alone in this area, as Sony’s PlayStation Now follows similar lines to the original Xbox Game Pass offering. Whereas PSN doesn’t yet offer brand new AAA-titles, the platform saw a major update in September where it moved from streaming PS4 games to allowing users to download them instead. This indicates that Sony is looking at ways to improve the value to subscribers, which could see the availability of bigger titles follow soon.

EA’s recently announced Origin Access Premier tier is also making waves, with FIFA 19, Madden 19, Battlefield V, and the eagerly awaited new BioWare title Anthem all to be available on release-day for PC owners signed up to the service.

At the EA press conference at E3 2018 the company CEO Andrew Wilson described the streaming and subscription models as ‘the greatest disruption’ the entertainment world had seen for years, and that it would have a ‘profound impact’ on the gaming sector. in its last financial report EA saw a decline in physical sales of 14%, down to $1.64bn, while digital rose by 16.6% to $3.54bn. These trends are expected to continue along similar trajectories into 2019, especially now that Origin Access Premier will include all new titles released by the company.

Harlow: 01279 822 822 | Basingstoke: 01256 707 070 | store.exertis.co.uk

THE

To buy online: store.exertis.co.uk

FUTURE

17

EA has already announced that it intends to offer a streamed game service in the near future, and other industry figures are already openly discussing the possibility.

Microsoft recently outlined a road-plan for a new service it calls Project xCloud, which will see Xbox One games streamed to a range of devices, including smartphones and tablets. The company intends to use its world-class Azure cloud service to cope with the issues of latency and server demand.

‘We’ll begin public trials in 2019 so we can learn and scale with different volumes and locations’ says Kareen Choudhry, Corporate Vice President, Gaming Cloud, Microsoft. ‘Our goal with Project xCloud is to deliver a quality experience for all gamers on all devices that’s consistent with the speed and high-fidelity gamers experience and expect on their PCs and consoles.’

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR RETAIL

In the US Microsoft has taken the idea one step further by introducing the Xbox All Access initiative. This allows customers to sign up for a two-year subscription plan that includes not only access to Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold, but also an Xbox One console with no upfront cost! It’s unclear if this model will come to the UK anytime soon, but it could be hugely popular if it does arrive.

STREAMING GAMES Most services involve players downloading games, but there appears to be an appetite to replace this with streaming instead. Up until now the technical requirements of internet speeds and having large enough data centres to deliver the games has been prohibitive. This could soon be achievable though, and with it would come the ability to free customers from needing the newest hardware to play the latest titles, as all the hard work would be handled on the server side.

There are challenges ahead, of that there can be little doubt, but subscriptions are not a death-knell by any measure. From what we’ve seen so far there are no plans to have a Netflix-style system that offers new AAA-titles from a range of different publishers. This means customers would have to sign up to multiple subscriptions to play all the latest titles, and that would very quickly become expensive.

It seems far more likely that customers will choose one or two platforms for subscriptions, then buy physical copies of games as and when they are released. This leaves stores the chance to continue offering a wide range of titles, and Xbox Game Pass vouchers, while also responding to the trends for accessories and merchandise.

Upgrading the player’s experience by adding value is a key area, with elite controllers, branded consoles, and special editions of games that come with collectables. We’ve already seen in 2018 how Fortnite and PUBG have caused a huge demand for gaming headsets, as players desire the higher-quality audio to help them win in knife-edge battles.

Creating esports arenas or even local teams is another advantage that a physical space has to offer. Game has seen significant success with its Belong brand, and this could be adopted by more retailers across the country.

While subscriptions look set to stay, there’s still plenty that a store has to offer that will complement and enrich this new digital world. For more ideas on how to make the most of this, speak to your Exertis representative today.

UNLEASH THE BEAST

Rog G703 Part code: E5088R ROG G703 is a beast of a gaming laptop that has the power to take on today’s gaming desktops, thanks to its factory-overclocked 8th Generation Intel® Core™ i9 processor and overclockable NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1080 graphics. ROG has torn up the gaming laptop blueprint, becoming the first to integrate an ultra-responsive IPS-level 144Hz display with a 3ms response time into its laptops. G703 features HyperDrive Extreme storage, which uses exclusive technology to combine three NVMe PCI Express® (PCIe®) SSDs in RAID 0 configuration for read speeds of up to 8700MB/s, so games load up in a blink of an eye.

ROG PG27VQ curved gaming monitor Part code: S10171467 ROG Swift PG27VQ is a 27-inch curved gaming monitor with WQHD (2560 x 1440) resolution. The 1800R panel curvature ensures every point on the display is equidistant to your eyes. Swift PG27VQ features a overclockable 165Hz refresh rate and NVIDIAÂŽ G-SYNC technology that combine to eliminate lag and motion blur, ensuring visuals that are free from tearing. ASUS ROG Swift PG27VQ is the fastest in its class, with a rapid 1ms grey-to-grey response time that banishes smearing and motion blur. Swift PG27VQ is the ďŹ rst ROG monitor with ASUS Aura Sync lighting technology. This provides ambient lighting on the back of the monitor that can be synchronised with connected Aura-enabled components and peripherals.

CONTACT YOUR EXERTIS ACCOUNT MANAGER TODAY FOR MORE DETAILS

THE

20

FUTURE

GAMING AND ENTERTAINMENT

EXERTIS GAMING

HOT PICKS

TOP 5 SOFTWARE 1

FORZA HORIZON 4 Publisher Microsoft Studios Format Xbox One & PC Released 2nd October 2018

RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2 Publisher Rockstar Games Format PS4 & Xbox One

AVAILABLE NOW

America, 1899. The end of the wild west era has begun as lawmen hunt down the last remaining outlaw gangs. Those who will not surrender or succumb are killed. From the creators of Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption, Red Dead Redemption 2 is an epic tale of life in America at the dawn of the modern age.

ASSASSIN’S CREED ODYSSEY Publisher Ubisoft Format Xbox One, PS4 & PC Released 5th October 2018

AVAILABLE NOW

AVAILABLE NOW

ARE YOU STOCKING?

XBOX WIRELESS CONTROLLER SPORT WHITE SPECIAL EDITION

KANO COMPUTER KIT Manufacturer Kano Format Universal

?

It’s a computer anyone can make. When your customers build their own Kano computer, they get a real computer, powered by Raspberry Pi 3 and Kano OS. It’s a powerful learn-to-code tool, designed to unlock potential, and unleash creativity.

Manufacturer Microsoft soft Format Xbox One X

STEALTH 300

AVAILABLE NOW

Manufacturer Turtle Beach ach Format Xbox and PS4

Harlow: 01279 822 822 | Basingstoke: 01256 707 070 | store.exertis.co.uk

THE

To buy online: store.exertis.co.uk

FUTURE

21

TOP 5 GAMING ACCESSORIES 1 SPECIAL ARMED FORCES XBOX CONTROLLER Publisher Microsoft Format Xbox One

AVAILABLE NOW Your customers can own the battlefield with the Xbox One Special Edition Armed Forces Wireless Controller, featuring a modern camouflage pattern and military look. Impulse Triggers deliver fingertip vibration feedback, so your customers can feel every jolt and crash in high definition.

RIG 500 PRO HX Publisher Plantronics, Format Xbox One

STARLINK:BATTLE FOR ATLAS Publisher Ubisoft Format Xbox One, PS4 & Nintendo Switch Released 16th October 2018

FERRARI 458 SPIDER Publisher Thrustmaster Format Xbox One

AVAILABLE NOW SUPER SMASH BROS. ULTIMATE Publisher Nintendo Format Nintendo Switch Released 7th December 2018

AVAILABLE NOW

5

NINTENDO LABO VARIETY KIT Publisher Nintendo Format Nintendo Switch

PLAYSEAT F1 ASTON MARTIN Manufacturer Playseat y Format Universal

X ROCKER R VIPER Man Manufacturer X-Rocker Form Format Universal

X ROCKER DELTA XL (LIMITED SILVER) Publisher X-Rocker Format Universal

AVAILABLE NOW 5

THE

To buy online: store.exertis.co.uk

FUTURE

23

CREATING THE

FUTURE WITH STE(A)M KITS WHAT IS STE(A)M? Science, Technology, Engineering, (Arts) and Mathematics (STE(A)M) is a way of teaching people how these different disciplines complement each other and operate in real-world situations.

One product that takes this methodology to heart is Kano. The London-based company started back in 2017 with its first Build Your Own Computer Kit and since then has gone on to attract a worldwide community of users and fans. Today, it offers not only a variety of fun DIY creations, but in September 2018 it unveiled the new Computer Kit Touch, which allows builders to make their own touchscreen tablet, on which they can learn the basics of coding.

‘Your first experience with computing and code should be simple, playful, and powerful,’ said Kano cofounder and CEO Alex Klein at the launch event for the new product. ‘The Computer Kit Touch takes the experience of building your own computer to a new level, by revealing the secrets of touch interaction. Combining block based and text based coding, it shows you how modern computing systems work. It gets you inside the screen, rather than just in front of it, and provides a set of art, music, and programming tools — not just toys.’

Accompanying the release of the touchscreen kit, Kano has also announced another new line that’s sure to be a runaway success this Christmas. The Harry Potter Coding Kit features a DIY ‘wand’ that houses a gyroscope, accelerometer, and magnetometer.

Once assembled, this can be programmed to interact with various on-screen characters or complete the included 70 ‘Wizard Challenges’.

It’s an easy and fun way for young minds to create a little magic of their own.

ASSEMBLE AVENGERS Little Bits is another innovator in this fast-growing area, and company founder Ayah Bdeir caught the world’s attention with her Ted Talk ‘Building Blocks that Blink, Beep, and Teach’, which highlighted the invention and received over 1m views. As the product name suggests, the kits include a variety of small components that can be snapped together to build an impressive range of devices.

The current range includes a Base Inventor set that can make twelve different creations, the Electronic Music Inventor kit which can build synthesisers, guitars, and drum kits, and there’s even a Marvel Avengers kit that lets kids construct Iron Man’s power glove and program its functions. Each pack is excellent value for money due to its versatility, and comes with in-app instructions that can be downloaded to the users’ smartphone.

Nintendo has also embraced the STE(A)M approach with its excellent Labo sets. These include cardboard pieces that can be assembled into real-world objects which house the Joy-Con controllers and direct the action on the Switch console. There are three kits available at the moment, each with its own theme. The Variety kit can be used to make fishing rods, motorbike handles, and a piano. The Robot kit transforms into wearable armour with goggles so that the Switch can track eye and hand movements. While the Vehicle kit lets users build steering wheels, joysticks, and even a submarine panel! All of the kits come with their own dedicated games, and some can also be used to play titles like Mario Cart 8 Deluxe.

BUILDING THE FUTURE With parents always on the look out for ways to improve the skills and educational development of their children, STE(A)M-based products offer a great way to encourage learning while also having fun. They are the perfect gift for children, as they are safe and help not only grow their scientific understanding but feed their imagination as well.

Exertis now stocks the full range of Kano, Little Bits, and Nintendo Labo products, so the next time you’re talking to your representative be sure to ask how these STE(A)M kits can bolster your sales this Christmas.

THE

24

FUTURE

GAMING AND ENTERTAINMENT

EGX 2018: THE UK’S BIGGEST

GAMES EVENT

RETURNS!

September saw a wealth of the biggest names in gaming exhibit at EGX 2018 in Birmingham’s NEC. This year was a landmark for the 4-day show, as the combination of over 2,500 brands and around 80,000 attendees made it the UK’s largest trade event.

A new Mercenary system creates the extra drama of being hunted if you commit crimes, while the addition of magical powers and classic Greek mystical creatures like Medusa and the Minotaur makes Assassins Creed Odyssey one of the early contenders for game of the year.

The show-floor was a treasure trove of all the new and upcoming games, hardware, and accessories that will be at the top of customers’ shopping lists this Christmas and well into 2019. It was also a chance for visitors to play over 265 games, including Call all of Duty: Black Bla Ops 4, Kingdom Hearts 3, Super Smash Bros Ultimate, ltimate, and Starlink: Battle for Atlantis.

The Ubisoft stand also featured new titles Just Dance 2019, Trials Rising, Skull and Bones and the much anticipated Tom Clancy’s: The Division 2! The next twelve months looks set to see another strong lineup from the French gaming giants.

While industry giants such as PlayStation, ayStation, Nintendo, Bethesda, Ubisoft, and Square Enix were among ng the partners and supporters of EGX 2018, there was also a wide range ange of indie developers taking the opportunity to showcase their creations. eations.

All this, plus eSports tournaments, ments, meet & greets with content creators, panel discussions, and the now legendary after-show parties, meant that the sold-out out show solidified its reputation as one of the must-attend events off the gaming calendar.

MAKING HISTORY One of the titles that caused the most buzz was Ubisoft’s upcoming As Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. ey. Following on from the t huge critical and commercial ercial success of last year’s Assassin’s Creed Origins, this new inst instalment sees the action move from m ancient Egypt and ancient Greece.

Players can take k their character from the humble beginnings of an outcast up to the legendary status of Spartan Hero, all amid the backdrop of the Peloponnesian war.

Huge battles of up to 300 combatants are an impressive showpiece, as are the open world naval battles on offer. It’s not all epic tales and immense casts though, as Ubisoft states that the player’s individual decisions will influence the world around them, meaning their choices have definite consequences.

SWITCHING TO POKEMON Nintendo was another stand that received lots of attention thanks to the extensive range of new games being released on Switch console in the coming months. Super Smash Bros Ultimate features an epic roster of every character that’s ever appeared in the franchise history, while Super Mario Party includes 80 mini games that can be played competitively between friends and family.

We’ve recently seen the debut on Switch of one of Nintendo’s best loved franchises. Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokemon: Let’s Go, Evee! allow players to catch and train the various creatures, while also giving them the option of playing cooperatively with a friend.

To coincide with this, Nintendo unveiled a new ball-shaped controller called the Poke Ball Plus that can be used with both titles. Now, players can mimic throwing the Poke Ball in real-life and seeing the results appear on-screen.

Another headline feature is Pokemon Go integration with the Switch games. Since its release in 2016, Pokemon Go has proved a remarkable worldwide sensation. It’s reported that as of summer 2018 the mobile game has been downloaded over 800m times, with an active worldwide playerbase of nearly 150m. Tapping into this extraordinary interest, as well as the continued growth of the Switch platform itself, means these two new titles and controller are expected to be in huge demand at launch this November.

Harlow: 01279 822 822 | Basingstoke: 01256 707 070 | store.exertis.co.uk

STRONG SHOW FOR EXERTIS As you’d expect from one of Europe’s leading technology distributors, Exertis showcased a wide range of its brand partners, including g Playseat, Thrustmaster, Audeze, Gaming Xtra, X Rocker, and a first visit to the show for indie VR specialist Perp Games.

‘I just want to extend a massive thank you to Exertis’ said Ray Willmott, Marketing and Social Media Manager for Perp Games. es.

‘Without them, this wouldn’t have been possible. They came to us with an opportunity a few weeks back and offered us a generous ous een space at their wider booth. If not for them, we wouldn’t have been at EGX. And they couldn’t have made us feel any more welcomee if nd they tried, with fantastic neighbours, Gaming Xtra, Plantronics, and X Rocker.

‘When we got there, they’d already provided a table, chair and set up the decking of the booth. It was a real wow moment for us…having having haring floor a physical base at the UK’s biggest games trading show, sharing space with the likes of Sony and Nintendo, filled us with a real sense of pride.’

Perp Games invited gamers onto itss stand to try out Smash Hit ansack a medieval castle to pay Plunder where the challenge was to ransack ning a competition to see who off a ghostly debt collector. After running could loot the most, one visitor happily pily went home with five titles from the Perp Game catalogue.

PixArk also enjoyed plenty of visitorss thanks to the bespoke stand built by Exertis that mimicked the building ilding block graphics from the indie title. The site was particularly popularr with families who played xArk branded posters, demos of the game and knabbed the various PixArk pens, bags, and lanyards created for the show.

Another stand that drew crowds was the RIG branded demo o pod ro brought by Plantronics. Here gamers could test out the RIG 500 Pro series and RIG 300 series headsets that are now compatible with Nintendo Switch. Plantronics also ran a fantastic Twitter competition, giving away a unique RIG branded Xbox One S and two Xbox controllers to one lucky attendee.

THE

To buy online: store.exertis.co.uk

FUTURE

25

Finally, some of the hottest action could be found amidst the crowds of gamers flocking to the PlaySeat and Thrustmaster stand. Here, visitors tested their driving skills on Formula 1 2018 and Forza Horizon 4, while others watched and waited in anticipation for their turn at the wheel.

RROLL ON NEXT YEAR E EGX continues to be not only the largest trade event for games iin the UK, but thanks to its wide range of vendors, each showing off fantastic new products, it’s arguably now the best. With recent o n news that EGX is returning to London in 2019 from 17-20th October aat ExCel, after being hosted in Birmingham’s NEC for the past five yyears, this move illustrates the unprecedented popularity that the UK’s biggest gaming show has seen in recent years. Rest assured, U EEGX 2019 will still include all show features including early access tto blockbuster games, industry panelists, meet-and-greets, cosplay, espor esports tournaments and much more.

Those thinking of booking a stand to raise their profile, and catch the eye of the 80,000+ people that will visit the ExCel in october, should get in touch with Exertis UK. The distributor’s retail services division is packed with a team of enth enthusiastic experts who can help you make the most of this prestigious eevent. Whether it’s creating a booth that draws the crowds, promoting your products effectively to the widest audience, or engaging in foc focused social media campaigns that ensure plenty of visitors to your stan stand, Exertis Retail Services has the solution for you.

Contact your Exertis repres representative to see how you can make a splash at EGX 2019, o or directly email Senior Marketing Manager Scott Tatton-Benn Tatton-Bennett on scott.tatton-bennett@exertis.co.uk for information o on how Exertis can assist you at EGX 2019.

NITRO 5

8 th Gen Intel® Core ™ i7 Processor NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1050Ti Graphics Acer NitroSense Dolby Audio ™ Premium

ESSENTIAL GEAR FOR GAMER Powerful NVIDIA GeForce® graphics with the latest 8 th gen Intel core processor, DDR4 memory and SSD boot storage to turn your PC into a true gaming rig.

SUPERB VISUALS Easily find your perfect viewing angle to catch every game alive in vivid detail with superb FHD IPS display.

IMMERSING IN GAMES Immerse in mutual competition with friends with Dolby Audio Premium, Acer TrueHarmony and surprisingly clear microphones so your squad can hear you loud and clear.

PLAYBETTER WITH COOL Dual fans with Acer CoolBoost tech boots up the thermal system for smooth gameplay when under tension.

CALM BUT PASSIONATE DESIGN The modest yet stylish design housing state of the art game-ready components ignites the gaming spirit while balancing life and play.

SEAMLESS CONNECTIVITY Built-in unparalleled wireless and all vital ports a gamer needs, including Giga Ethernet for better range and reliability.

Contact your Exertis account manager today for more information about the Acer Nitro 5 Intel, the Intel Logo, Intel Inside, Intel Core, and Core Inside are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or other countries.

THE

To buy online: store.exertis.co.uk

FUTURE

27

EXERTIS INTRODUCES

‘CORE ELECTRICALS’

TO ITS RANGE Exertis announced earlier this year that it was extending its already comprehensive catalogue of consumer electronics to also include a wide range of core electricals. This would enable customers to not only benefit from the huge selection of games, PCs, consoles, mobile devices, and accessories that the distributor had always offered, but also the additional sales opportunities presented by everyday home essentials such as fridges, vacuum cleaners, and microwaves.

With the sector accounting for an estimated £21bn each year, the move was seen by many as a natural one for a distributor of its size and quality. But, the question did pose itself of why a company with such an established name in one area would want to venture further afield?

‘We have an enviable reputation in retail distribution,’ explained Exertis’ consumer sales commercial director Alex Croft, ‘built on our ability to deal with both large volumes from established brands and successfully bringing emerging brands to market, utilising our comprehensive range of retail services. Whilst core electricals is an established market, there are numerous opportunities within this sector with a huge range of products that span both existing and new product areas. Our research and analysis of the market demonstrates that vendors and our retail customers would welcome the efficiencies, expertise and additional reach that we can provide in the distribution of these products.’

Now, with the wheels very much in motion, Exertis has appointed Harriet Croft previously at UK retail giant Argos, to head up the Core Electricals category in its Consumer Business unit. The company has also signed a number of high-profile partnership agreements to launch the initiative.

‘We are pleased to be one of the first brands to support the launch of Exertis into this marketplace’ says Bobby Watkins, sales and marketing director for SDA, Hoover Candy. ‘The company’s expertise in providing technology products to retail and its reputation with those customers were key reasons to engage, along with the opportunity to provide efficiencies in our supply chain.’

Another notable brand Exertis now carries is that of Blaupunkt, whose range of robotic vacuum cleaners and accessories are part of a sector that is expected to see sharp growth in the next few years. In fact, Tractica recently announced that the market should go from the 10m shipments in 2016 to 50.7m by 2022, with revenues reaching $13.2bn.

CORE ADDITIONS

Completing the trifecta is Danby, North America’s leading refrigeration and speciality appliance company. Its range of wine coolers, chest freezers, undercounter refrigerators, and related items are designed to fit into small spaces, ideal for UK homes and kitchens that require compact solutions.

One of the most recognisable brands on the high street is that of Hoover. There are not many companies that can boast a name that has become the collective term for an entire product category, but Hoover is in that select few. Alongside the vacuum cleaners for which the brand is so well known, it also produces a number of other household goods, including a selection of high-quality microwave ovens that come in a variety of sizes and colours.

Exertis expects to add new brands to its increasing Core Electricals division over the new few months, as the company continues to assemble a portfolio that offers customers the complete solution for all areas of the home and beyond. Whether it’s consoles and TVs for the front room, fridges and microwaves for the kitchen, or robotic devices that can clean them all, Exertis will be the one-stop shop for consumer electrics and electronics.

All of these will now be available from Exertis, after the companies agreed a new distribution deal.

If you want to see how you can best offer these popular product lines to your customers, speak to your representative today.

CONQUER IN COMFORT The gaming headset designed to keep you at the top of your game.

LIGHTWEIGHT EXOSKELETON EARCUPS OFFER COMFORT AND STABILITY SOUNDGUARD ACOUSTIC SAFETY TECHNOLOGY PROTECTS YOUR HEARING 40 MM DRIVERS CREATE A HIGH-DEFINITION GAMING EXPERIENCE THE MODULAR FRAME IS LIGHTWEIGHT AND DURABLE FOR A MORE COMFORTABLE FIT INLINE MUTE AND VOLUME CONTROL SRP: £34.99

Call Your Exertis Account Manager Today on 01279 822800

THE

To buy online: store.exertis.co.uk

FUTURE

29

DJING IS NOW A GCSE SUBJECT IN UK

SCHOOLS UK examination boards have recently announced that CDJs, turntables, and other related electronic music devices are now recognised as instruments. This might not seem significant, but it means that secondary school children will now be able to select DJing as a part of their GCSE Music course.

After a successful pilot programme last year, the discipline will now be available across the country and is expected to encourage more children to take up the subject.

Unlike the classic offerings of violins, guitars, and brass instruments, the newer DJ equipment will be in limited supply in schools.

Therefore, students wanting to practise their skills will be looking to invest in their own decks, speakers and headphones, all of which is good news for retail.

STACKING THE DECKS One of the most trusted brands in DJ equipment is Hercules, which currently has a fantastic range of inexpensive digital turntables and decks that would be ideal for students starting out.

The newly announced DJControl Starlight is a compact and lightweight rig aimed squarely at beginners and those who want to mix on the move. Featuring twin jog-wheels for pausing and playing tracks, four pads to control samples, loops, and FX, pitch faders, twin EQs, dedicated transport buttons, and a built-in audio interface, it has everything a budding David Guetta or Skrillex needs. At around £70 it also comes with a price tag that won’t have parents wincing.

For customers looking to take things up a level, there’s the DJControl Inpulse 200. This larger unit not only allows users to control their music, but has onboard tools to actually help prospective DJs learn the tricks of the trade. The Beatmatch Guide features Tempo arrows that light up on the controller to show how close a tempo on one track is to another, making it easier to mix between them.

With the included DJUCED software there’s also an Intelligent Music Assistant that suggests tracks that would go well with the one currently playing, plus a comprehensive range of free tutorial videos.

For the serious enthusiast there’s the DJControl Inpulse 300, which incorporates all the features of its smaller siblings, but adds a wider range of pads, an expanded EQ, finer controls for dealing with loops, plus dedicated dials for FX.

TOP OF THE CLASS Hercules has worked hard to make products that not only deliver excellent performance at affordable prices, but also take the pain and mystery out of learning how to DJ. The included training modes are accompanied by Hercules DJ Academy. This free section of its website includes simple tutorials explaining the basic elements of the craft and how to develop the necessary skills to start out in DJing.

This is all part of the company’s stated intention to bring the artform to a new generation of musicians.

‘At Hercules, we’ve channelled all of our passion, our emotions and our commitment – based on more than 15 years of digital DJing expertise – right into the very heart of a fun and accessible learning experience, helping you to discover DJing techniques and teaching you all of the foundational skills you’ll need to succeed, while having a great time along the way.’

Alongside the decks, students will also need desktop speakers, headphones, as well as up to date laptops. Offering bundles in-store or a good range of complementary options would be an excellent way to entice those about to begin their courses, or appeal to more experienced users looking to upgrade their rigs.

Exertis currently distributes Hercules in the UK, plus a number of highquality audio brands, so call your account manager today to discuss the best way to add and position DJ equipment in your stores. With interest in the genre sure to increase as more and more children begin to study it at school, this could prove an important new market for consumer electronics. Getting in early will mean that you don’t miss a beat.

1

FUTURE RAZOR RAIJU TOURNAMENT EDITION

RRP: £149.99 Engineered to take your customers’ console gameplay to the next level, the Razer Raiju for PlayStation®4 features four additional fully-programmable buttons, a weight and shape that’s been fine-tuned, and a Quick Control Panel. Incredibly durable and extensively tested by esports athletes.

4

CABLE GUYS FUNCTIONAL FIGURES

RRP: £24.99 Deadpool, Groot, Darth Vader and Storm Trooper. 100% official licensed functional figures standing 8” tall and comes with a 2m cable for charging your customer’s device. It’s the perfect squad mate for any bedroom, office or lounge.

7

2

GAMING AND ENTERTAINMENT

RAZER WOLVERINE TOURNAMENT EDITION

RRP: £119.99 Compete and win with the Razer Wolverine Tournament Edition, a customisable controller for competitive play both on Xbox One & PC. Decked out with 4 remappable Multi-Function Buttons, the Razer Wolverine TE can be adapted to suit your customers’ individual needs.

5

MOSS

RRP: £24.99 Moss is a single player actionadventure puzzle game tailormade for virtual reality. It takes the classic components of a great game - such as compelling characters, gripping combat and captivating world exploration - and combines them with the exciting opportunities of VR.

KANO MOTION SENSOR KIT

3

NINTENDO POKEMON: LET’S GO! PIKACHU!

1

RRP: £449.99 Pokemon is the ultimate classic game for your Nintendo Switch customers. They will start their journey as a rookie trainer then catch and battle their way through the Kanto region with their partner Pikachu! A trip down memory lane, get those nostalgic customers excited to play Pokemon: Let’s Go! Pikachu!

6

KANO PIXEL KIT

RRP: £74.99 Make and code dazzling lights with the Kano Pixel Kit. Your customers can build their own games, animations and art.

8

5

TOP 10 ATTACH

THE

30

X ROCKER HYDRA 2.0 ROCKER

RRP: £29.99 Anyone can make and play with the Motion Sensor Kit - big and small, young and young at heart. It’s Kano’s simplest, most affordable coding kit yet.

RRP: £74.99 The X Rocker Hydra is a compact and comfortable floor rocker. Features a headrest mounted 2.0 analogue sound system that provides increased immersion for your customers’ favourite games.

9

10

PORT DESIGN GO LED BAG

RRP: £99.99 GO LED is a high-specification backpack with an integrated LED panel, located in the front pocket, which allows the wearer to display 4 highly-visible direction and warning signs that can be seen day or night. The bag is also covered in light reflective bands providing 360° enhanced visibility.

TRUST GXT 788 4-IN-1 GAMING BUNDLE

RRP: £14.99 4 in 1 Gaming bundle, with comfortable headset, LED illuminated keyboard & optical mouse and non-slip mouse pad.

10

Harlow: 01279 822 822 | Basingstoke: 01256 707 070 | store.exertis.co.uk

TALK TO YOUR ACCOUNT MANAGER TODAY