Appliance Retailer December 2023

SERVICING THE INDUSTRY FOR 28 YEARS

/// DECEMBER 2023

MICROWAVES

HOME COOKING REMAINS PREVALENT AMID COST OF LIVING PRESSURES

GAMING

WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY BECOMES A FAN FAVOURITE

Smart Security

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RECORD SALES DRIVEN BY CONVENIENCE-LED PRODUCTS

CAMERAS

GROWING DEMAND IN THE PREMIUM SEGMENT

SUSTAINABILITY A DEEP-DIVE INDUSTRY REPORT

From the Mini-LED to the Mini-LED X, with sizes from 55” to 100” we have something for everyone in our ULED range.

EDITORʼS NOTE AR

Appliance Retailer is published by Charted Media Group Pty Ltd (a division of The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd) ABN 47 628 473 334 41 Bridge Road, Glebe NSW 2037 Australia P 02 9660 2113 | F 02 9660 4419 E appliance@intermedia.com.au W www.intermedia.com.au ISSN: 1328-1852 Managing Director Simon Grover Publisher James Wells james@intermedia.com.au Editor Emily Bencic ebencic@intermedia.com.au Features Editor Kymberly Martin kymberly@intermedia.com.au National Sales Manager Ben Curtis bcurtis@intermedia.com.au Art Director Alyssa Coundouris Prepress Tony Willson Production Manager Jacqui Cooper jacqui@intermedia.com.au Subscriptions 1800 651 422 subscriptions@intermedia.com.au

The Intermedia Group takes its corporate and social responsibilities seriously and is committed to reducing its impact on the environment. We continuously strive to improve our environmental performance and to initiate additional CSR based projects and activities.

As part of our company policy we ensure that the products and services used in the manufacture of this magazine are sourced from environmentally responsible suppliers.

This magazine has been printed on paper produced from sustainably sourced wood and pulp fibre and is accredited under PEFC chain of custody.

PEFC certified wood and paper products come from environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of forests.

The era of blended commerce

J

ust over two-thirds (67%) of consumers cite convenience as the number one reason for purchasing online, according to a recent ecommerce report released by IAB Australia and Pureprofile, supported by the ability to easily compare prices as shoppers increasingly focus on price.

But as we fast approach the festive season, research from Monash University shows physical stores will remain the most popular way to shop this Christmas with four out of five shoppers (80%) planning to purchase a product in-store, only a slight drop from 82% in 2022.

So don’t listen to the naysayers. Bricksand-mortar retail isn’t dead – far from it.

The desire to visit a store is here to stay, but the role of the store continues to change to meet heightened customer expectations.

There’s an ongoing trend moving towards unified commerce and omnichannel through the use of technology, particularly with the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Despite this, the role of human skills – especially in sales – remains critical.

Texas Christian University marketing and sales professor, Ken Corbit sums it up perfectly: “While AI can offer incredible data analytics capabilities, the human ability to build personal connections and provide tailored solutions remains paramount. Human salespeople can

perceive subtleties in mood, understand complex needs through a simple conversation, and make customers feel valued and appreciated in a way that technology can’t yet mimic, often due to non-verbal cues and engagement.”

Technology can help reduce tedious and repetitive tasks – such as stocktake – allowing workers to focus on higher value and more strategic activities – like building rapport with customers.

Reflecting on successful retailers in our industry – some recently celebrating significant milestones including Harvey Norman Ireland (20 years), Bi-Rite (25 years) and Bing Lee (66 years) which you can read more on in this edition – success often, if not always, comes down to people.

When it comes to technology like AI, it’s crucial to find ways to marry its efficiency with the emotional intelligence of humans.

Learn to collaborate with it, rather than resist it to realise its full potential.

Wishing you an enjoyable and safe holiday season. We appreciate your continued support and look forward to a prosperous 2024.

Editor Emily Bencic

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AR CONTENTS

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ARLO DELIVERS SMART HOME PROTECTION AT INCREDIBLE VALUE Arlo has unveiled its new Essential Cameras and Doorbell to provide affordable smart home security to monitor pets, family, or visitors, and protect everything. Arlo Essential delivers the best specification, feature set, and performance at each price point to win on value and provide a superior experience with 2K resolution. The Essential Outdoor Camera allows users to act quickly when motion is detected and check-in when notified of activity. The Essential Indoor Camera helps users stay connected while keeping private moments private with an automated privacy shield. The Essential Video Doorbell shows the complete picture with head-to-toe coverage of the doorstep with a built-in siren to ward off any unwanted visitors. With DIY setup and install, security is up and running fast and a built-in battery with new technology promises long-lasting battery life.

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Appliance Retailer December 2023

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IN THIS ISSUE VOLUME 29 / ISSUE #6

EDITOR’S NOTE

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The era of blended commerce

Invest in technology without leaving team members behind.

NEWS

06

David Ackery resigns from Harvey Norman, Haydon Myers promoted

Harvey Norman executive director, David Ackery will resign after 18 years in the role and 30 years with the business. Harvey Norman Auburn franchisee, Haydon Myers has been promoted to executive general manager – electrical for the Australian market.

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Hong Kong switches on electronics world

The Hong Kong Electronics Fair welcomed over 3,000 exhibitors from 22 countries for activities and forums presented by 120 leaders from 11 countries sharing the latest industry insights.

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Miele opens flagship Experience Centre in Sydney’s Chatswood

Miele co-owner, Markus Miele visits Australia to officially open the Experience Centre and shares details of upcoming celebrations for the company’s 125th anniversary in 2024.

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Harvey Norman acknowledges 20 years of business in Ireland

Harvey Norman Ireland CEO, Tim Hannon recognises the people that have worked for the business over the last two decades.

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Bi-Rite celebrates 25 years at annual conference

Bi-Rite hosted over 150 members and suppliers to celebrate 25 years in business, choosing Fiji as the destination to mark the significant milestone.

FEATURES

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SMART SECURITY

The security camera market has reached record level of sales, as it continues to enjoy consecutive years of increased consumer demand.

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MICROWAVES

The rising cost of living and prevalence of hybrid working has led to many consumers cooking more frequently at home, compared to prepandemic levels.

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GAMING

The gaming market in Australia is expected to reach $187 million in 2023, with a growth rate of over 8% between 2023 and 2027.

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CAMERAS

While the market is declining in volume, revenue is higher than in previous years due to growing demand in the premium segment, specifically for mirrorless models.

WHAT’S HOT

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Pick of the crop

Smeg Freestanding Cooker, Samsung Q Soundbar, Sharp Convection Microwave, and more. www.applianceretailer.com.au

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AR NEWS LEFT: Harvey Norman executive director, David Ackery at the Harvey Norman Commercial Victoria Annual Race Day earlier this year.

RIGHT: Haydon Myers has been promoted to Harvey Norman executive general manager – electrical for Australia.

David Ackery resigns from Harvey Norman, Haydon Myers promoted to EGM Harvey Norman executive director, David Ackery will resign after 18 years in the role and 30 years with the business, effective 30 April 2024.

Ackery told Appliance Retailer that he was leaving with fondness after three decades with the business. “I have nothing but good things to say about the last 30 years at Harvey Noman – it has been just fantastic.”

Harvey Norman chairman, Gerry Harvey said, “On behalf of the board and the company, I thank David for the valuable contribution he has made to Harvey Norman.”

Haydon Myers has been promoted to executive general manager – electrical, an Australian-specific role following Ackery’s resignation. Myers, who is currently a franchisee at the Harvey Norman flagship store in Auburn and was most recently a franchisee at the Caringbah store in Sydney’s south, will take the new role in February 2024.

“Haydon will do a fabulous job as he knows the company backwards and inside out. Haydon has had great experience in the Flemington office as well as great experience on the franchise side and currently runs the flagship store and will continue to

do so until he takes on the new role. I am supremely confident it will be a seamless transition due to his ability. His reputation – working with both suppliers and franchisees – mean Haydon is a logical choice,” Ackery said.

Myers said he was very proud to take on the new role. “I am absolutely honoured and delighted to have the opportunity to become executive general manager – electrical for the Australian market. I will remain at the flagship store until the end of January, and I have planned a month for the handover in February,” he told Appliance Retailer.

Appliance Retailer understands that unlike Ackery, Myers will not be on the board of directors of Harvey Norman with executive responsibility across the entire business. In his role, his job will purely represent the Australian arm of the business and specifically the relationships with proprietors and suppliers in Australia.

In response to these changes, key supplier partners thanked Ackery for his contribution and support over the years, while congratulating Haydon on his appointment. Scan the QR code to read the comments.

SAM ZALIN RESIGNS FROM BING LEE TO JOIN FISHER & PAYKEL

Peter Harris and Sam Zalin at the Signature Appliances Willoughby showroom opening event.

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Appliance Retailer December 2023

Bing Lee merchandise and marketing director, Sam Zalin has resigned from Bing Lee after four years with the company.

He is moving to the US and joining Fisher & Paykel as vice president of product.

“Sam has made a positive impact on our business in the years he has been with us. I will miss both his professional and personal contribution to Bing Lee but wish Sam all the best in his new role and sincerely thank him for his contribution,” Bing Lee general manager, Peter Harris said in a statement shared with Appliance Retailer.

Bing Lee merchandise manager, Kevin Lim has been promoted to head of buying. Simon Baltsas will oversee the AV category. The marketing team will continue to be led by Anita Savoldi, reporting to Peter Harris.

Other announcements relating to the buying team will be made in due course.

NEWS AR

ILVE TO CREATE AUSTRALIAN SUBSIDIARY IN 2024 ILVE S.p.A will establish its own ILVE, has successfully established it as subsidiary in Australia in 2024, one of the most premium and revered following the announcement that brands in Australia.

Eurolinx will no longer be the distributor “Eurolinx established ILVE as one of of ILVE products in Australia and New the first premium brands in the Australian Zealand, effective 1 January 2024. market, setting high standards for quality In a statement shared with Appliance and innovation. Eurolinx’s commitment Retailer, the board of ILVE S.p.A. to excellence has been unwavering, thanks said, “The ILVE brand is synonymous in no small part to the dedicated support with functionality and performance, from our partners and customers. Our conveying all the Made in Italy values collaboration with ILVE has seen Eurolinx in the Australian market and around invest in the ILVE brand, our people and the world. ILVE’s brand awareness is a our partners resulting in the respected consolidated heritage and trademark brand it is today. for distinctive manufacturing, which “Over these nearly four decades, we’ve Eurolinx will no longer be the distributor of ILVE products in Australia and New Zealand, effective 1 January 2024. combines quality and design. been privileged to cultivate fantastic “We want to thank Eurolinx for 35 trade partnerships in the ANZ market years of common commitment and wish them the best for the who we consider the world’s best retailers. To our commercial continuation of their activity after our collaboration ends on 31 trade partners, your contribution, commitment, understanding December 2023. and work ethic have been indispensable. We’re deeply grateful for “ILVE will keep agreements in place in the following months the trust you’ve placed in Eurolinx and ILVE over the years. and from January 2024, will implement actions to consolidate, “Eurolinx has invested significant time, resources and dollars develop and make its own presence in the Australian and New to establish the ILVE brand in the ANZ market. Our team intends Zealand markets with the same determination that sees ILVE to continue this investment through an increased focus on our as the protagonist of important distribution choices in North other brands and via new pathways of growth that will help us America and some European markets.” continue our legacy of delivering excellence in kitchen appliances.

At the time Eurolinx advised that it would no longer be the “We would like to wish Alberto Illotti and ILVE great success distributor for ILVE products, the Colbert family – owners of the with the brand and this new chapter. 2023 has seen Eurolinx Eurolinx business – sent a letter to its partners reflecting on the achieve record agency sales results for the ILVE brand in the 35-year partnership.

Australian market and we are proud of the legacy that we are The letter read: “When we consider our journey with ILVE, it’s handing over. Our journey with ILVE might be concluding, but impossible not to reflect on the significant milestones. Our dad, our commitment to our partners, staff, and the Australian market Damien Colbert who, 35 years ago, initiated our partnership with remains as strong as ever.”

Electrolux welcomes Belinda Toner to ANZ leadership team

Electrolux ANZ product line director – food preparation and wellbeing, Belinda Toner.

Electrolux Group Australia and New Zealand has appointed Belinda Toner to the role product line director – food preparation and wellbeing, succeeding John Henley who retired earlier this year. Toner has significant category and product line experience across leadership roles in both FMCG and major appliances, most recently as category manager at Pet Barn. She previously spent six years at Fisher & Paykel as senior product manager and general manager of product management.

Having driven portfolio optimisation to ensure correct positioning and mix of high performing products within the F&P portfolio, Toner was responsible for managing the product line P&L and effective execution of pricing across all channels (retail, commercial and ecommerce). Toner has also held roles with Whirlpool, Hagemeyer Brands, Nikon and Panasonic.

“Belinda’s deep experience in the major appliance industry and her strong strategic planning skills are perfectly suited to maximise growth in these key categories,” Electrolux Australia and New Zealand managing director, Kurt Hegvold said.

www.applianceretailer.com.au

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AR NEWS

Hong Kong switches on electronics world

BY KYMBERLY MARTIN

T

he US has CES, Europe has IFA and Asia has the Hong Kong Electronics Fair.

The Autumn Edition of the fair was held in October, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). The exhibition ran three themed zones – Hall of Fame, Startup Zone and Tech Hall.

In addition to over 3,000 exhibitors from 22 countries, the event featured 83 activities and forums with 120 leaders from 11 countries presenting the latest insights from the industry including a Symposium on Innovation & Technology, which explored the opportunities from AI and the Hong Kong Electronic Forum that delved into topics related to microelectronics.

HKTDC deputy executive director, Sophia Chong said, “It was a vibrant and robust meeting scene with more than 60,000 buyers participating in one of the most prominent electronic shows in the world.”

A variety of startups showcased innovative ideas such as glasses that converted voice to text and a wireless phone charging case without lithium batteries. There was also an AIoT fire alert system that uses thermal cameras and wireless sensors to detect fire and smoke in a building, pinpointing fire incident locations, currently being deployed at HK International Airport.

One of the key exhibition areas was the Tech Hall.

Among the products was an AI camera that detects pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles in areas around the vehicle outside the driver’s line of sight, providing realtime visual and audio alerts.

The biggest zone is the Hall of Fame and among the exhibits was a rechargeable floor fan from Air Monster that is splash and dust-proof, with up to three hours runtime, can be wall-mounted and is arriving in Australia in time for summer.

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Appliance Retailer December 2023

ABOVE: Mifo Technology mini wireless earbuds attracted huge crowds.

LEFT: Brilliant Rich Electronics temperature-controlled pet houses and beds.

BELOW: Laica jug claims to be the only kettle featuring a one cup dispenser.

NEWS AR Looking for Australian distribution was Dretec Japan with a range of kitchen, health care and lifestyle products including a new luggage scale that weighs and measures luggage with power generated by pulling the tape, no battery required. Another company keen for local distribution was Italian group, Laica with what is claimed to be the only kettle featuring a one cup dispenser, a filter and drip tray.

For the growing gaming industry, Havit displayed a range of gaming products including the Pink Game Series incorporating headphones, mouse, chair and keyboard in ‘oh so pretty pink’. Also heading for the local market is the Tetris portable game player.

On the health and lifestyle front, air purifiers and humidifiers were the big deal, presented in an array of smart designs along with an electrical kitchen-to-garden composter than turns food scraps into fertiliser, which was also shown at CES earlier this year.

CUTE, COLOURFUL AND UNCONVENTIONAL

Bamboo and timber popped up in some stylish turntables and speakers.

Westinghouse had new bamboo toasters and jugs along with a compact, battery-operated cold brew coffee maker with direct air pump technology that makes coffee in 15 minutes.

What would an electronics exhibition be without something quirky. Brilliant Rich Electronics had temperature-controlled pet houses and beds to keep the pampered

family dog or cat cool in summer and warm in winter. There was also a collection of popcorn makers in carriage designs.

There was an abundance of colour, particularly among small kitchen appliances, headphones, earbuds and other tech accessories. One that attracted a crowd was finely crafted mini wireless earbuds from Mifo Technology with double noise cancelling and special sleep mode, finished in soft green.

SMART HOME TECHNOLOGY AND AI GARNER ATTENTION

Smart home products and solutions, followed by electronic accessories, were key trends to emerge from a participant survey. Interestingly most respondents believed consumers were prepared to pay an additional 20% to buy household appliances that were compatible with smart home applications. When it came to XR (Extended Reality) applications, respondents expected the highest market potential to come from online gaming, with prospects for robotics in the home appliance field, such as vacuums and household cleaning.

The much-discussed generative artificial intelligence (AI) is also gaining traction.

Among the respondents currently using or planning to use the technology, the most popular areas of application were customer service and support, along with product design and development.

The HKTDC Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) will be held April 13-16, 2024. AR

Dretec Japan luggage scale.

Tetris Micro portable game player.

DEMYSTIFYING GENERATIVE AI At a Symposium at the Hong Kong Electronics Fair on Innovation & Technology, Ernst & Young technology consulting partner, David Chen spoke about Harnessing AI for Innovation in Consumer Electronics. He introduced his session with a brief history of AI from a theoretical perspective, the potential uses and what everyone is facing when it comes to considering the building blocks of Generative AI. “The whole concept is basically around mimicking what humans can do and developing it into other iterations. That is the concept of AI,” he said.

“A lot of organisations are investing in AI to improve efficiencies, availability and power. The technology is available 24/7 with processing speeds and data analysis power far beyond human capacity.”

When it comes to business opportunities, it adds value in areas like predicting future customer trends and identifying market growth. AI can analyse internal financial control points and improve fraud detection, reduce operating costs, and embed intelligent features into IoT devices like baby monitors. For

energy optimsation in IoT devices, it can adjust power based on usage patterns, environmental conditions, and user preferences.

“The next iteration of AI is the evolution of the hardware that goes with it and the ability to consume a lot of data at great speed has allowed us to be at the forefront of AI versus a few years ago. However, there is a lot of new AI technology coming up. Gen AI is not there to make decisions for you, but to recognise patterns, and provide output. There is also a new field called Decision AI, which has the potential to disrupt things even further.

“Gen AI is dependent on what you type in the prompt that is going to impact output and there is a lot happening around prompt engineering or neuro symbolic AI, which leads to improvements in efficiency,” he said.

He said key areas where AI has the highest impact was around marketing and sales, R&D and customer operations.

“Sales and marketing, engaging with customer, visual media and design are areas where Gen AI can play a role.”

www.applianceretailer.com.au

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AR NEWS

Samsung Australia outlines team changes across product divisions Samsung Electronics Australia has made a number of recent changes to its leadership team across the business.

Samsung head of direct to consumer, Eric Chou has been appointed to lead the mobile experience (MX) division as director, head of MX, following the departure of vice president MX, Garry McGregor, after an almost ten-year tenure at Samsung.

Chou is responsible for overseeing the MX division’s local strategy and portfolio, spanning smartphones, wearables, accessories and tablets. With over 20 years’ technology experience and having joined Samsung in 2012, he brings extensive knowledge to the role, after leading sales, product and marketing initiatives.

Samsung director of customer service, Simon Howe has filled the role of director – audio visual, overseeing the local sales and product management activities. With over a decade at Samsung, he joined in 2013 as head of product, TV and audio and has consistently delivered in various

Samsung Electronics Australia director, head of mobile experience, Eric Chou.

roles including head of channel sales for home appliances, head of consumer electronics retail and online management.

Commenting on the appointments, Samsung Electronics Australia president, Louis Kim said, “It is an exciting time to be at Samsung, as we continue to evolve

MIELE SALES DIRECTOR CHRIS KOTIS RESIGNS TO JOIN HISENSE Miele Australia and New Zealand sales director, Chris Kotis has resigned from Miele after almost eight years with the organisation.

He will join Hisense as vice president of sales and marketing for Australia and New Zealand, effective 5 February 2024.

Miele sales director, Chris Kotis Miele ANZ managing will join Hisense as vice president director, Yves Dalcourt of sales and marketing. said, “It is with regret to announce that Chris Kotis has resigned from Miele. For nearly eight years, Chris led our sales department and I have had the pleasure of working with him for almost four years. I am happy for Chris and wish him nothing but success.”

Hisense Australia managing director, Finn Zhang said, “We are pleased that Chris will join the team early next year, bringing knowledge, experience and leadership that will allow us to continue providing high quality consumer products and services.”

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Appliance Retailer December 2023

our business to drive our brand’s ambition.

With that in mind, I am delighted to announce Eric and Simon’s new roles as their respective expertise is highly valuable – Eric and Simon are engaging leaders, having already delivered positive business, team and customer outcomes.”

In addition, Sasha Botha has been appointed head of home appliance, having previously held channel management roles across the consumer electronics division.

Voice of customer, customer retention and regulatory affairs manager, Muneeb Ekhlaque, has transitioned to head of customer service.

“These individuals have consistently demonstrated dedication, expertise, and passion for Samsung, and it is with great pleasure that we congratulate them on their new roles. This important milestone not only reflects our trust in our internal talent pool but also reaffirms our belief that the key to our continued business success lies in the development and advancement of our team members,” Kim added.

Smeg rebrands Foodservice division reflecting commitment to all industries The Smeg Foodservice division has been rebranded to Smeg Professional, reflecting the company’s commitment to developing appliances for all professional industries. The rebranding consists of a renewed name, logo and brand identity.

In 1985, Smeg Italy first entered the professional sector with its Foodservice division, specialising in cooking equipment and warewashers, known for its durability, quality and efficiency.

After establishing itself as a dominant player in domestic cooking appliances, Smeg Foodservice expanded into the Australian professional market in 2012 with an ambition to replicate its success with a unique product range for the hotel, restaurant and café sector.

Expanding its portfolio, in 2019, Smeg acquired premium espresso machine manufacturer, La Pavoni, known for handcrafted espresso machines made in Milan since 1905. The acquisition brought a new espresso coffee product offering to Smeg in professional and specialty machines.

Planning for the future, Smeg is placing an emphasis on people and environmental protection, prioritising serviceability, low energy consumption and recyclable materials in product development, as well as rigorous internal regulations to reduce potentially harmful substances.

Smeg Foodservice has been rebranded to Smeg Professional.

Lifestyle Next Range Wall Mounted Reverse Cycle with Smart Climate Control Users can control their air from anywhere with Fujitsu General's new Lifestyle Next range.

Smart Climate Control The myanywAiR® Next app allows the user to effortlessly adjust and optimise their air conditioner from anywhere.

Climate React

Users can set their air conditioner to turn on automatically once the room goes above or below certain temperatures.

Geofencing

Use geolocation to automatically turn the air conditioner on or off based on the user's proximity to home.

Filters (AI)

With Artificial Intelligence (AI) and based on the air conditioner usage, the app will remind the user to clean their filters at certain intervals.

For more information regarding the full suite of smart control features, visit fujitsugeneral.com.au

AR NEWS

Beko ANZ managing director, John Brown and Hitachi executive general manager, Gaurav Sethi.

Beko and Hitachi explain opportunities of joint venture

B

BY EMILY BENCIC

eko Australia and New Zealand, a subsidiary of global household appliances company, Arçelik, has been appointed the distributor of Hitachi branded home appliances in Australia. Beko ANZ liaises with Arçelik Hitachi Home Appliances, a joint venture between Arçelik and Hitachi Global Life Solutions – established in July 2021 – to manufacture, sell and provide after-sales services of Hitachi branded home appliances globally (except Japan).

Appliance Retailer sat down with Beko ANZ managing director, John Brown and Hitachi executive general manager, Gaurav Sethi, to discuss the joint venture and what it means for customers, staff and retail partners.

The joint venture was negotiated between Hitachi Japan and Arçelik Turkey. Arçelik had aspirations to grow globally – specifically in the Asia Pacific region, according to Brown.

“Building a consumer durables brand from scratch, particularly in mature markets, is hard work and very expensive. The opportunity to leverage such a powerful brand in this region with a group wholly focused on the appliance business made a lot of sense. Hence, it’s a joint venture and not an acquisition or takeover,” he said.

“The Australian arm – and eventually New Zealand – of the venture has been approached in a similar fashion to bring the two brands together. From Beko’s perspective, we’re also 100% focused on appliances. We understand and respect the Hitachi brand, which is

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Appliance Retailer December 2023

more well-known in Australia because of its heritage not only in appliances, but in other business areas.”

At a global level, the joint venture provides an opportunity for the Hitachi brand to get the necessary focus it deserves in the appliance space, according to Sethi.

“Having a business entity predominantly focused on appliances gives it the focus it needs, especially around sustainability and energy efficiency, as well as forward looking technology. I’d like to iterate, it’s not simply appointing Beko as the distributor. Beko is a partner of the joint venture between Hitachi Japan and Arçelik Turkey. It’s not a third party being appointed; it’s two group companies coming together and finding synergies,” he said.

END CONSUMERS

For end consumers, there’s a continuation in the lines of communication, from details in the user manual to on the website.

“For example, if a customer bought a Hitachi fridge that’s still under warranty and they want to communicate with Hitachi, it’s likely to be a person from the Sydney based Hitachi team who are now Beko employees, but we’re also bringing the Beko team up to speed with Hitachi product information,” Brown said.

“For both John and myself, our number one priority and focus from day one was to make the transition as painless and stress free as possible for both our retail partners and end consumers,” Sathi said.

NEWS AR “We did a lot of planning to ensure consumers wouldn’t notice any difference – no changes to product ranging, pricing or contact information. All Hitachi employees dedicated to home appliances have transitioned to Beko, from account managers to tech support and service and sales agents.”

EMPLOYEES

Given Beko is run with a small team, and Hitachi, an even smaller number of staff, each team has continued to focus on their own brand, according to Brown.

“There hasn’t been a great exercise of merging together, other than senior people spending time with one another to ensure the backend runs smoothly. In terms of bringing staff up to speed, it’s not going to happen overnight. It will take time as we start to see where those synergies make the most sense,” he said.

Sathi said Hitachi didn’t view the joint venture as an opportunity to cut backend operations or make the operating business model more efficient out of necessity.

“It was about how we can bring this forward in an incremental way. More importantly, we accelerate time to market for new products and enhance the customer experience,” he said.

“We didn’t let go employees to create a more efficient model. That wasn’t our objective. We’re also conscious that while the Beko and Hitachi brands are positioned differently, we often talk to similar customers. We want to ensure the customer experience, particularly for our retail partners, is improved and that comes down to having the right team and not just looking at where we can save a dollar. It’s early days but there may be future opportunities for people to move into different roles across training and development, merchandising and operations because of Beko’s wider product offering.”

PRODUCT OFFERING

Hitachi’s focus has been on refrigeration with a limited distribution model through Bing Lee and Harvey Norman, while Beko’s focus is on cooking and laundry with additional national distribution partners.

“From a synergy point of view, the product range and distribution are complementary. Arçelik has a larger backend in terms of sourcing products and components, as well as a greater focus on sustainability and innovation,” Sathi said.

“Hitachi is looking to expand into laundry with front load washing machines and heat pump dryers, as well as dishwashers under the Hitachi brand. There are also discussions around small appliances. Our brand positioning has always been in the mid to premium segment, so we want to ensure the products support that. Arçelik is conscious of preserving Hitachi’s Japanese heritage, which is why it’s a joint venture in the truest sense.”

Brown believes Hitachi’s brand strength is in refrigeration and there’s an opportunity to do more from group factories in Thailand and Europe, and a Hitachi Group factory in Japan. “Although the factory isn’t part of the joint venture, it’s a major source of product and helps facilitate the way we work,” he said.

“

If this had been an acquisition, it would be a Turkey company running a Japanese brand and there’d be concern about the future brand direction. As a joint venture, it’s a merger of cultures and we understand the importance of sustaining the identity of each brand.

”

“Hitachi is a premium brand, so products need to have a generational plan with technologies brought in ahead of the mass market. If this had been an acquisition, it would be a Turkey company running a Japanese brand and there’d be concern about the future brand direction.

As a joint venture, it’s a merger of cultures and we understand the importance of sustaining the identity of each brand. It’s about bringing Hitachi’s heritage and history into a more modern customer centric sense. Hitachi has historically been engineering and technology focused, so we want to humanise it.”

GO-TO-MARKET STRATEGY

The distribution strategy for Hitachi will be retained in Bing Lee, Harvey Norman and a few small specialist stores, according to Brown.

“Our approach for growing the Hitachi brand is broadening categories including laundry and small appliances, while strengthening its offering in the refrigeration category,” he said.

Sathi reiterated that there’s no plans to open distribution or sign new partners.

“There’s a lot of headroom in the current distribution, both from a distribution expansion point of view and product range enhancement, and that’s where the focus will be. It’s important to note that Hitachi is still in its infancy in Australia, given our 10-year hiatus from the appliance category, so we are focused on further building our brand affinity.”

MESSAGE TO RETAIL PARTNERS

“Our intention – both mine and John’s – has been clear from the beginning that we will come together as two group companies but ensure our people are looked after first and foremost – our employees and our customers,” Sathi said.

“I’m confident that our retail partners would vouch for us because we have been taking them along the journey, telling them what’s going to happen and how it’s going to be done. As a result, it’s been the smoothest and cleanest distribution they would have experienced. We gave ourselves enough time to ensure it was a smooth transition for ordering and receiving product, as well as training and ensuring people had access to the right systems.

“We would also like to give credit to our people – both the Hitachi and Beko team – because there is a human side to this transition. There were concerns about what would happen next and what it would mean for their job given a duplication of roles. Internal and external communication has been key. I’m proud of the way it’s been carried out – our people are still here and our customers are still buying,” he added.

“We always wanted to execute this transition as transparently as possible and we believe that’s been the reality. Our retail partners are dealing with the same people and that will continue, and there is a positive and growing product generation plan,” Brown said.

We are currently operating out of the Hitachi office in North Ryde. In Victoria, Beko has four sales representatives, and in New South Wales, a team of 14, so we intend on having a Sydney-based sales office. It will also bring us closer to key customers including Bing Lee, Harvey Norman and Narta.” AR www.applianceretailer.com.au

13

AR NEWS

Miele officially opens new Sydney flagship Experience Centre in Chatswood

BY JAMES WELLS

M Miele co-owner, Dr Markus Miele and Miele Australia managing director, Yves Dalcourt cutting the ribbon on the new Miele Chatswood Experience Centre.

Miele cooking and wine cabinet displays.

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Appliance Retailer December 2023

iele has cut the ribbon to officially open its new Miele Experience Centre in Chatswood, in the heart of northern Sydney’s shopping precinct.

Situated across the road from Chatswood Chase shopping centre, the 400 square metre store showcases Miele’s premium appliances, contemporary design, and innovative technology. Two 75-inch screens and smart home display are designed to immerse customers in the latest Miele technology across induction cooktops, ovens, dishwashers and laundry categories.

In a first of its kind, the Miele Experience Centre Chatswood is home to a Projects Apartment for the architect and design community, incorporating the latest Miele appliances complemented by Neolith stone benchtops, a butler’s kitchen and Stylecraft furniture.

Miele Australia managing director, Yves Dalcourt welcomed guests – architects, designers, developers, Miele for Life members and staff – to the opening event.

“Customer centricity is at the forefront of everything we do. Relocating from our previous premises at Frenchs Forest to Chatswood made perfect sense. We are already hearing positive feedback that this Centre is more convenient for our valued customers, being situated within a bustling shopping district and across the road from one of Australia’s busiest premium retailers, Chatswood Chase.

“With the spacious open plan layout, the smart home set up where our customers can appreciate the benefits of future-proofing their home with connected Miele appliances, and lounge area for relaxed conversations, we’ve created something truly special.

“The most remarkable inclusion, in my view, would be the Projects Apartment where our architect and design community can connect and discuss business plans in a sophisticated environment. It showcases our appliances with beautiful décor to evoke inspiration and demonstrate how Miele will look within their client’s home.”

NEWS AR Miele co-owner, Dr Markus Miele also welcomed guests, describing each journey to see a new Experience Centre as a ‘real highlight in the calendar’.

“Welcome to Miele Chatswood. I am extremely pleased to be here to join you in officially opening our new Miele Experience Centre at this fantastic location,” he said.

In Australia, we already have 13 Experience and Partner Centres – this makes Australia one of three countries with the largest number of Experience Centres and we are proud to include this in the impressive line-up of flagships for the brand.

“In 1989, we opened our Experience Centre in Frenchs Forest, which has been successful over recent years. Thanks to continuous development and to better meet the needs of our customers, we decided to set up a new Centre in this prestigious place, which maintains strong brand visibility.

“This Experience Centre is built with state-of-theart digital technology like interactive digital screens.

Each of these technologies is designed to make the selection of Miele appliances as easy as possible and to bring more meaning to several product categories – from kitchen appliances to laundry care and floorcare.

“I would like to thank those who have contributed to the success of Miele in Australia. My special thanks to the Miele Australia team and our business partners throughout the country. With your commitment, the Miele brand has been able to establish itself so outstandingly in today’s market.” AR

ABOVE: The first-of-its-kind Miele Projects Apartment for the architect and design community to connect and discuss business plans.

Miele plans for 125-year celebration in 2024 Dr Markus Miele shared some of the upcoming celebrations planned for the company’s 125th anniversary in 2024. Visiting the region with a whirlwind trip to Sydney, Melbourne, Christchurch and Auckland for the first time since he opened the Brisbane showroom in July 2018, Miele shared some insights into what retailers and consumers can expect in their celebration year throughout 2024 – which will also feature EuroCucina in Milan in April and IFA Berlin’s 100th anniversary in September.

“Our 125th anniversary will be the overarching theme for the next 12 months. You will see a number of products connected to the anniversary as well as storytelling around the past, present and future of the Miele company,” Miele said.

Miele explained that for the company’s 100th anniversary in 1999, the ‘Gala’ range of products was created and this delivered a significant upswing in sales. Another promotion similar to this is planned for 2024 but the details are under wraps until the new year.

“Our Gala edition in 1999 was a huge success worldwide for our cooking and washing products and we are looking forward to thanking our dealers once again with a couple of promotional models with exciting features and we expect this will also push our turnover.

“Unfortunately this year for the Miele business with increasing interest rates and increasing cost of materials combined with the current climate in Central Europe – we will not meet the same post-Covid turnover as last year. But I have the luxury of looking long term and this outlook is positive as we are working on a number of new products.

“While we face some headwinds in Central Europe right now, we are also happy that we have a lot of countries in Asia, as well as Australia and New Zealand, performing well.

“I have noticed a number of cranes on the buildings in Australia and New Zealand and this is always encouraging – as cranes means construction. Australia is also growing with immigration and people need a house and appliances. As this country becomes richer with its natural resources – then consumers spend more money on premium appliances. We also have a great team here in Australia and that makes a big difference with a number of staff who have been employed with the business for many years.”

In a recent interview with Miele co-owner, Dr Reinhard Zinkann, he said there’s a promise for a lot of noise around the anniversary.

“We are proud of our brand, our unbroken ownership and heritage in a two-family business, for 125 years. So obviously we have done something right,” he told Appliance Retailer.

“Next to exciting product offerings for our customers, we will also celebrate this occasion with our employees around the world. All of our more than 23,000 employees and their families are invited to a party on the same day – from Sydney to Melbourne or from Shanghai to Beijing, or from Guangzhou to Hong Kong, or from Singapore to Malaysia. It might be a dinner or an event at the headquarters or a barbecue on the beach.

But that’s how we want to say thank you and give something to those who achieved this success story with us. We are very thankful to our local stakeholders and colleagues all over the world for what they do for the company.”

www.applianceretailer.com.au

15

AR RETAIL PROFILE

The Harvey Norman team including Peter Hearne (middle) when the first store opened in Swords, Ireland in 2003.

Harvey Norman Swords television display in 2003 featuring CRT TVs.

Harvey Norman acknowledges 20 years of business in Ireland

H

BY JAMES WELLS

arvey Norman recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of its Irish business.

Harvey Norman Ireland CEO, Tim Hannon told Appliance Retailer it was important to recognise the people that had worked for the business over the last two decades.

“There are still 13 people who started with us 20 years ago that are still working for us, and this is significant when you consider that only 50 to 60 staff started with us all those years ago. We now have 1,400 staff across the 18 stores – 16 stores located in southern Ireland and two in Northern Ireland.

“The reason why Harvey Norman has been successful is the company culture of giving people autonomy and letting them have a say in how it is run. It is also about being given the freedom to try new ideas to help find a way to make things better.

“We often talk about the origins of Harvey Norman and how Gerry started selling vacuum cleaners door to door and how the business has grown from there.

Harvey Norman Ireland recently hosted a 20-year service dinner for staff who have been with the business since opening and some of the management team.

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Appliance Retailer December 2023

Yes – we are part of this global company and have a global framework, but we are empowered and given the opportunity to directly meet the needs of our local customers – and it is clear that the Irish people love that.”

Hannon believes there are few differences between Australian and Irish consumers within the Harvey Norman retailing environment.

“Technology and appliances are fairly universal these days – and consumers are always looking for the latest tech. We have also seen that energy efficiency is becoming more important when it comes to purchasing appliances. There are some differences in the style of product in furniture and bedding with a more traditional style common.”

The use of marketing is just as prevalent in the Irish market with the Harvey Norman brand echoing regularly across broadcast media – particularly radio.

“In terms of promotion, how we market and where we market – we are taking the best of what’s being done across Harvey Norman globally and then executing it in Ireland. We work across all media types and have excellent partners in all the major media companies. We use newspapers, radio and television as well as digital. We have started doing more with LED outdoor signage and this has been used at a number of Irish rugby and football matches this year,” he said.

The most recent Harvey Norman store opened in Ireland was Fonthill in Dublin in July 2022 and prior to this Galway and Sligo were opened during Covid.

“If you look at the revenue from the business from back in 2018 to 2022 – we doubled our revenue which is a great achievement and something our teams should be incredibly proud of,” Hannon said.

Competitors in the Ireland market including Currys, DID Electrical, Powercity as well as stores from the Expert and Euronics buying groups.

RETAIL PROFILE AR

Harvey Norman Fonthill Games Hub.

“We would be first or second for market share in all departments now throughout Ireland which is a great achievement over the last 20 years and a credit to all of the people who have worked here in that time. We have achieved this by giving outstanding customer service and Irish consumers love the store environment and the staff.

The Harvey Norman experience clearly resonates and as a result most people in Ireland have bought something from us over the last two decades.

“A large number of leaders in the business have worked their way through the organisation after starting on the sales floor or other areas of the business. We will continue to provide opportunities for people and this is why we work so well together. If someone has a good idea, we give it a go and see if it works and everyone is able to take other people’s advice. We are lucky to have people from all over the world working here – including people like Lachlan Roach from Australia – who is energetic and has brought a fresh perspective to the business, which mixes well with our Irish team who have local knowledge and experience.”

Commenting on the milestone, Harvey Norman executive director, David Ackery said, “The 20th anniversary of the Harvey Norman Ireland business is a credit to all of those who have been involved since day one.

“The success shows the resilience and the strength of the Harvey Norman brand and as well as our systems for doing business. We have always placed good people to manage the stores and we have also been fortunate with finding good local staff to join the business as well.”

Ackery said he was proud that the Harvey Norman business had been able to transfer its business model to the other side of the world, as historically this is something that not all country-dominant brands have been able to do in their retail category.

Peter Hearn, current franchisee at Harvey Norman Osborne Park in Perth had two stints with the business in Ireland, including opening the first stores at Swords on the 19th of August 2003 and the Dundalk store two weeks later. Hearn worked for Harvey Norman Ireland initially for four years from 2003 to the end of 2007 and then again from 2019 until the end of 2021.

“It seems like yesterday that we opened those two stores in August 2003,” he told Appliance Retailer.

“During the early days we were selling the Harvey Norman brand – as it was completely unknown and this also included getting suppliers and staff to believe us

Harvey Norman Fonthill laptop, phone and TV displays.

Harvey Norman Ireland 20-year service dinner.

and back us. We may have been big in Australia, but we still needed to earn the respect of staff, suppliers and the general public. Many of the suppliers, and the staff, are still with us today and we have a successful business 20 years down the track.

“I remember in the early days, we went through the phone book looking for suppliers as we didn’t have a database and nobody knew who we were. We were given three introductions – Electrolux, Philips and Miele – and we were told that we had to go and find the rest ourselves.

“We now have 16 stores in the Republic of Ireland and two stores in Northern Ireland and they are world class representing market leadership across the majority of product categories,” Hearn said.

“I would like to congratulate Harvey Norman Ireland on an amazing achievement – the people that have been with the business, all the great memories and the huge market success. I would also like to say a big thank you to the suppliers who have supported us from day one with our brand and have grown with us along the journey.

“A number of staff have been with the business for many years, and it shows that Gerry and Kate’s vision and the Harvey Norman DNA of investing in people, sharing information and growing with the brand has been successful even though the business is operating at different ends of the world. In particular, the autonomy provided by Gerry and Kate in the beginning to virtually go out on our own and make it happen was fantastic and exciting for all of us.” AR www.applianceretailer.com.au

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AR RETAIL CONFERENCE

Bi-Rite celebrates 25 years at annual conference

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i-Rite hosted over 150 members and suppliers to celebrate 25 years in business at its annual conference. It was the first time the group held its conference overseas, choosing Fiji as the destination to mark the significant milestone.

The conference kicked off with a welcome dinner at the resort accommodation for members and suppliers to network, while enjoying local cuisine, a Fijian traditional dance (Meke) and live band entertainment.

The next day, members and suppliers gathered at the conference centre for a range of sessions, starting with presentations from BiRite COO, Hamza Hussein and CEO, AK Sacur.

“We’ve been presented with many challenges over the last 25 years with the GFC in 2008, bushfires, floods, inflation and of course Covid, just to name a few. Our strength is how we adapt to these environments and continue operating not only to survive but thrive. It is important to celebrate our milestones because it boosts morale and drives motivation, builds confidence and fosters a positive environment, but most importantly, it promotes continuous improvement,” Hussein said.

“We’re mindful of our membership and with every event that we host, we aim to achieve a high level of attendance and content that is worthwhile, as well as an opportunity for 18

Appliance Retailer December 2023

BY EMILY BENCIC

members and suppliers to network, but also celebrate and relax.

“We want to acknowledge that without our members, our group doesn’t exist. We value the strong and transparent relationships we have with one another and will continue to invest in the group in every aspect because without your support, these events aren’t possible. On behalf of the Bi-Rite group, we thank you and appreciate you.”

Sacur also thanked members and suppliers for their support and delivered a business recap, highlighting the last 14 years in particular, since he joined the Bi-Rite team.

“When I started with Bi-Rite 14 years ago, the focus was on deals more than our brand, but the value of the relationships with our customers remains today. Back then, there were fewer brands, fewer products and more in-store representation from sales representatives.

Handshake agreements between members and suppliers were the norm and it was a completely different world.

“In today’s market, the brands we deal with have completely changed and the way we support our members has also changed. We’re fortunate to be a business that’s adapted to the ever-changing market but one thing that will not change is the values we deliver to our membership – something that’s instilled in all of our staff.

“

We want to acknowledge that without our members, our group doesn’t exist. We value the strong and transparent relationships we have with one another and will continue to invest in the group…

”

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Bi-Rite Home Appliances Oakey (QLD) received the Store of the Year Award.

“These values reflect the way our directors of the company – my dad (Abdul) and uncles – do business.

They treat everyone with respect and are always there for anyone who needs support. This is an important part of who we are as a company and our culture.”

The next session began with another short presentation from Hamza Hussein (COO) about the evolution of marketing from humble origins in ancient times to the myriad modes of digital marketing which are commonplace today.

Bi-Rite group marketing coordinator, Megan Holden-Wells then shared an update on the company’s marketing strategy and how it’s evolved over the last 25 years from being dominated by mass media channels to embracing new mediums to expand the marketing mix. She spoke about the future direction of the marketing strategy for the group, focusing on providing value for customers at all stages of the customer journey.

Bi-Rite e-commerce manager, Fatima Issa reported on online shopping trends within the group and how customers are increasingly using mobile channels, predominantly for research, with the vast majority of purchases still being done in-store. Issa then gave a sneak peek at the new website which has been in development for 18 months, with an imminent launch date.

This was followed by a presentation from guest speaker, Stuart Harker, the chair of the retail advisory board at Tutch, a leading Australian technology company that connects retailers and customers. He presented insights into the evolution of retail, the role of technology in transforming the consumer experience and strategies for bridging the gap between online and offline. Harker covered topics including Artificial Intelligence (AI), sustainability, cybersecurity and broader in-store technology solutions gaining traction using local and global retail case studies.

Narta CEO, Michael Jackson then took to the stage to reflect on the group’s long partnership with Bi-Rite and explain how the Narta business has evolved from a buying group to become a retail service solution provider, also incorporating marketing, procurement, merchandise, data analysis and finance.

Bi-Rite presenting an award to Narta. L to R: AK Sacur (Bi-Rite), Michael Jackson (Narta), Hamza Hussein (Bi-Rite) and Darren Spencer (Narta).

Jackson’s presentation was followed by an address from Electrolux Australia and New Zealand managing director, Kurt Hegvold, who spoke about the sustainability challenges facing the industry including various government regulations. Hegvold also introduced the Coalition for Sustainable Solutions (CoFoSS) – a board of retail and supplier leaders created to establish and maintain a circular solution for the supply of consumer electronics products.

The sessions wrapped up with presentations from the Bi-Rite category management team including Tristan Ansley, Talha Hussein and Kong Luc, discussing the key trends and emerging opportunities for major appliance, audio visual and small appliance and seasonal categories respectively. AR

Bi-Rite presents awards to members at Gala Dinner Bi-Rite held a Gala Awards Dinner to recognise and celebrate its members. The dinner was hosted in the lavishly decorated Grand Salon Ballroom at the Marriott Momi Bay. Bi-Rite presented an award to Narta, thanking them for their continued support over 25 years and recognising them as instrumental to Bi-Rite’s growth.

Bi-Rite acknowledged its foundational members – those who have been with Bi-Rite for 15 years or more – including Underwood (QLD), Wangaratta (VIC), Donald (VIC), Oakey (VIC), Fairfield (NSW), Dalby (QLD), Goondiwindi (QLD), Innisfail (QLD), Gilgandra (NSW), Murwillumbah (NSW), Benalla

(VIC), Lightning Ridge (NSW), Tieri (QLD), Roma (QLD), Kyogle (NSW), Mitchell (QLD) and Albion (QLD).

BI-RITE ALSO PRESENTED THE FOLLOWING AWARDS: Store of the Year: Bi-Rite Home Appliances Oakey (QLD) Most Improved: North Rockhampton (QLD) and Stanthorpe (QLD) Excellence Awards for AllRounder Achievement: Wangaratta (VIC) and Mount Gambier (SA) (not present) Influencer Awards for Social Media Greatness: Boonah (QLD), Cleve (SA) and Oakey (QLD)

www.applianceretailer.com.au

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AR RETAIL CONFERENCE

BING LEE HOSTS STAFF AND SUPPLIERS IN NSW HUNTER VALLEY FOR ANNUAL CONFERENCE Bing Lee CEO, Lionel Lee with his family Jasmine, Josh, Jesse, Lisa & Jordan Lee.

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ing Lee CEO, Lionel Lee and mum, Yenda Lee welcomed 80 Bing Lee head office staff and store managers, along with 12 supplier partners, to its annual conference in the NSW Hunter Valley.

Held over five days under the theme ‘TEAM – Together, Everyone Achieves More’, the business celebrated the wins over the last 12 months, the challenging retail landscape, the future of the brand and its longstanding relationships with supplier partners.

Suppliers shared insights on new product launches, future ranges and the importance of ‘TEAM’ to achieve results. Presenting partners included Haier, Fisher & Paykel, Electrolux Home Products, Samsung AV, Lenovo, Bosch, Fujitsu, Ecovacs, JBL, Philips, Cygnett, and Miele Floorcare.

Bing Lee staff participated in Bing Lee Olympics and a live interview session with the Bing Lee sponsored Sydney Swans AFLW captain, Chloe Molloy, player Montana Ham and head assistant coach, Nick Davis, to understand the importance of team in a high-performance sport.

Lionel Lee opened the conference focusing on ‘TEAM’, the importance of reflection and working together to achieve results.

“I can’t believe a year has passed since we were celebrating our 65th anniversary. What an interesting and challenging year it’s been,” he said.

“This time last year the official cash rate was 2.6%, currently it is 4.1%; an increase of over 50% in the year. We are all fully aware of the economic impact and for us, the resulting drop in sales.

“I would like to give you a bit of history regarding Bing Lee for a better understanding of how we work as a family, and why we, as the owners

Appliance Retailer December 2023

of Bing Lee, treat everyone associated with our business, as part of the greater family.

“The business is 66 years old, which is remarkable considering that we are simple retailers.

Retail is what we do – my grandfather did it, my father did it, and now my children are doing it.

Retail and family is in our DNA. “Running a business is hard but running a family business is even harder. The pressure to maintain the pace of change, allow diversification with speed not haste, ensure that we grow, while not betting the farm, are pressures we feel every day. Protecting the brand name above the door and the 700 people that strive to maintain that brand name is my number one responsibility.

“TEAM – Together Everyone Achieves More.

My first response to the theme was a bit meh because we all know that well-functioning teams achieve more than the sum of individual parts but I then realised how relevant this topic is, even more so in challenging times.”

Bing Lee general manager, Peter Harris highlighted the importance of ‘TEAM’ and the role suppliers play to deliver great experiences and value to the market.

“More now than ever, in these challenging times, we need to work more collaboratively across our business. We need to be a tighter, stronger and more committed team and work closer with our suppliers to get the best out of every opportunity,” he said.

“The more aligned we are, the better the outcomes will be. We will come out of this downturn as better retailers, better suppliers and better people. It’s not the easy times that define us; it’s the challenging times that make us better and stronger for it.” AR

FEATURE

Smart Security OUTDOOR HOME SECURITY CAMERAS

AR SMART SECURITY

OUTLOOK

SECURITY & CONVENIENCE

drive big swing in security camera sales

BY EMILY BENCIC The security camera market has reached a record level of sales, as it continues to enjoy consecutive years of increased consumer demand. The latest GfK data shows a strong double-digit increase in volume and value of 24% and 28% respectively for the 12 months to September 2023.

Growth is attributed to wireless security cameras, which provide greater ease of set-up and use over traditional wired security cameras. Outdoor security

cameras grew three times faster than indoor cameras in volume terms.

Increased consumer demand for security cameras was also supported by growth across other smart home products such as smart speakers. Consumers are more educated with a better understanding of the convenience of smart home set-ups and more importantly, how security cameras can provide added security.

SMART SECURITY AR

“

In our communication, we focus on four key pillars – a comprehensive ecosystem, robust privacy and security, advanced AI, and long-lasting power.

ANKER INNOVATIONS

Gaspar Xie General Manager – ANZ

”

As the home security category advances towards maturity, Anker is observing a distinct shift in consumer behaviour with a heightened focus on integrated ecosystems.

“Consumers are expressing a preference for unified applications to manage home security devices, rather than dealing with multiple disparate apps,” Gaspar Xie said.

“There’s also an increased diligence in researching prior to purchase to ensure a brand’s ecosystem can cater to both immediate and future security requirements, accommodating potential expansion.”

In an increasingly competitive market, Anker continues to highlight its brand tagline for the eufy product portfolio – ‘Local Security, No Monthly Fee’.

“In our communication, we focus on four key pillars – a comprehensive ecosystem, robust privacy and security, advanced AI, and longlasting power. We’ve made significant investments to ensure that our channel partners and customers are equipped with comprehensive brand and product knowledge.”

Beyond economic considerations, Anker is focused on improving the continuous compatibility of devices within the eufy security ecosystem.

“As we advance and incorporate new technologies, our priority is to ensure that our existing users are not marginalised. We strive to enhance the compatibility of our new technologies with older products to preserve our competitive edge in providing industry-leading features across all devices,” Xie said.

*

eufy Security SoloCam S340

`On-device AI Motion Tracking `Dual-camera system with 3K resolution and 8x hybrid zoom `Non-stop solar-powered with detachable solar panel `Coloured night vision with siren and light `Enhanced AI functions and expandable local storage with eufy Security HomeBase 3 RRP: $399

Anker also invests in the development and provision of rich content shared through owned and channel partner websites for consumers to access the information they require to make informed purchase decisions.

“We work closely with our key channel partners to provide staff with ongoing in-person training, as well as virtual training through our dedicated e-learning platform. The combination of personalised training and interactive online courses ensures that staff are not only wellequipped with in-depth product knowledge but are proficient in addressing customer enquiries.” AR

AR SMART SECURITY

“

One of the key issues facing the category is data privacy, with consumers concerned about where their data is stored and if it can be accessed or hacked by criminals.

”

ARLO TECHNOLOGIES

Brad Little Vice President of Sales – APAC Purchase behaviour in the smart security category has grown year-on-year and is continuing to grow, according to Arlo’s Brad Litte. This year, category penetration is at a record high of 16%, up from 14% a year ago and a four-fold increase from 2018.

“Arlo stays competitive in this growing category by constantly innovating products and services and ensuring consumers are aware of these initiatives by investing in brand communication, which also serves to stimulate total category growth. There are three key pillars differentiating Arlo in the market – superior product quality, category leadership in AI, and commitment to privacy,” he said.

One of the key issues facing the category is data privacy, with consumers concerned about where their data is stored and if it can be accessed or hacked by criminals.

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Appliance Retailer December 2023

Arlo Ultra 2

`4K resolution `180-degree field of view `Colour night vision `Noise cancelling full duplex audio `Smart Hub and dual band Wi-Fi connectivity RRP: $379

“Building brand trust is critical. Arlo has a strong reputation in this area, and an unwavering commitment to privacy. Retailers can recommend Arlo with confidence knowing it has a strong tradition of putting consumer privacy at the centre of everything it does.”

Arlo’s website is designed to help consumers navigate the category and find a solution that is right for their needs.

“We also work with our trade partners to educate consumers at the point of purchase if they are still unsure of what they need and education does not end there. Our post-sales interactions with consumers are designed to help them get the most out of their products and services, while encouraging repeat purchases.”

Arlo recently launched its second generation of Essential products, taking its base range with HD resolution and upgrading it to deliver 2K resolution at no extra cost. “We believe the sales season offers huge potential to bring new users into the category.” AR

AR SMART SECURITY

Uniden Guardian App Cam Solo 2K 4G PT Kit `4G cellular (nano sim card connectivity) `100% wire-free 2K Super HD pan and tilt security camera with solar panel included `Pan and tilt rotate up to 355 degrees with privacy masking and up to 10 metres night vision `AI intelligent alerts with thermo sense technology `SD card backup and free seven days rolling cloud backup RRP: $799.95

Acknowledging increasing competition in the category, Uniden ensures its offering meets demand for higher specifications and features, as well as the ability to easily upgrade to a more comprehensive and secure ecosystem.

“Uniden is a well-established brand with strong service and post-purchase support to provide confidence to both dealers and consumers.

Uniden focuses on user-friendly and affordable technologies; many that can be controlled via the dedicated Uniden Solo app.

“

Uniden focuses on user-friendly and affordable technologies; many that can be controlled via the dedicated Uniden Solo app.

UNIDEN

”

Brad Hales National Marketing & Communications Manager Uniden has seen purchase behaviour increase over the last 12 months due to the growing rate of unauthorised home access, especially as travel returns to normal levels.

“Residents want to keep their property and family safe, and many are increasingly turning to Uniden’s home security solutions for an added layer of protection and peace of mind. The affordability and reliability of our range has made it easier for first-time purchasers to consider and for existing customers to increase the number of cameras monitoring their property,” Brad Hales said.

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Appliance Retailer December 2023

“Our product line-up includes cameras with 2K Super HD resolution for clear, detailed surveillance.

Models with pan and tilt functionalities provide an expansive viewing angle up to 355 degrees, delivering wider coverage from a single device.

“There are also connectivity options including 4G cellular (nano sim card connectivity) for areas with inconsistent Wi-Fi. Power continuity is addressed with wire-free operation and solar panel support in select models.”

The cost of ownership post-purchase is a significant challenge for many in the home security category. “Some brands might offer seemingly affordable devices yet have hidden costs in terms of subscription fees, cloud storage fees, or out-of-warranty service charges,” Hales said.

“All Uniden home security devices come with a seven-day free cloud storage guarantee for the product lifetime. Footage can be backed up on an internal SD card or through a rolling cloud backup. For users who require more, there’s the option to upgrade to a higher plan within the App Cam range.”

Uniden is offering bonus solar panels to customers who purchase eligible Uniden App Cam Solo Pro 2K wire-free security cameras until 31 December 2023. Each customer can receive an additional solar panel per camera valued at $99, with up to four solar panels available via redemption valued up to $399. AR

SMART SECURITY AR

“

Consumers are seeking an all-inone security system that provides interconnectivity and 24/7 protection.

SWANN

Jeremy Stewart Vice President – Global Marketing

”

Last year, many Australians returned to the office and increased travel plans, which led them to invest in a smart security system for peace of mind when away from home. Since then, Swann has seen consumer purchase behaviour remain relatively consistent, with safety and security continuing to be top priorities.

“Consumer concerns about home invasions and violence, and the potential consequences of these crimes has risen, so when they decide to invest in a security system, they seek comprehensive information to make informed decisions,” Jeremy Stewart said.

Swann provides a comprehensive range of offerings, including wireless and wired security systems, all conveniently managed through a single app.

“What sets Swann apart is that all products are designed and developed in Australia, with customer data stored locally. With 35 years of market experience, Swann has earned consumer trust and remains committed to offering the best service and a range of quality products to meet market demand. Swann customers never pay a subscription fee to store surveillance footage, but there are optional member plans for those who require them.”

Swann recognises that education is essential for home security system sales and responding to consumers’ evolving needs is crucial. The company assists consumers in finding the right security products through a solution finder tool on its website to identify the best fit for their specific requirements.

Swann Xtreem4K Wireless Security Camera `4K colour video `Wide 110-degree viewing angle `Two-way audio, sensor spotlights and siren `Battery lasts up to four months on a single charge `Advanced AI-based person, heat and motion detection capabilities RRP: $279.95

“We also use video content on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and our website to educate consumers pre- and post-purchase. Swann offers lifetime support, allowing customers to seek assistance using the Swann app throughout the product’s lifespan. We also offer a two-year warranty on all products,” Stewart said.

Swann continues to expand its reach across multiple platforms, including a renewed focus on traditional media such as radio, print and outof-home digital billboards, with added paid and organic social campaigns to promote new product launches and innovations. AR

Consumers are expecting more from their smart home devices, demanding solutions that integrate with other devices in the home for ease of use and convenience. “Ensuring the reliability and compatibility of other devices that Swann security systems integrate with is a critical challenge,” Stewart said.

“Consumers are seeking an all-in-one security system that provides interconnectivity and 24/7 protection. Our users can configure multiple Swann devices on one app (Swann Security) and as part of this ecosystem, we offer voice command integrations with Google and Alexa to interconnect with other products, from wired and wireless cameras to doorbells and window sensors, to provide real-time alerts, hands-free access and optimal convenience.” www.applianceretailer.com.au

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AR SMART SECURITY

Laser SmartHome Full HD Camera with Floodlight

`1080p Live View from the Laser SmartHome app `Video recording and motion detection alert settings `Two-way audio thanks to built-in speaker and microphone `Automatic floodlight turns on when movement is detected `IP65-rated design to withstand any weather conditions RRP: $149

LASER

Chris Lau Managing Director Data security and privacy has become more front of mind in light of several high-profile breaches over the last 12 months, with consumers increasingly aware of how footage and images are stored, according to Laser’s Chris Lau. “This can be a risk particularly when consumers purchase affordable overseas products online that don’t necessarily meet Australian standards. Laser products are fully certified and meet all regulations, while still offering an affordable option. Our smart security cameras also offer onboard storage to an SD card, ready for playback anytime,” he said.

Laser’s product offering is focused on being value-driven, and easy to use and install, constantly finding ways to sell more for less.

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Appliance Retailer December 2023

“In fact, customers can now buy a home security camera with higher specs for a lower price than the same offering last year. Innovation in the home security category is strong, which means we can bring more affordable versions to market each year.

“Striving to make cutting-edge technology more accessible – most of our products are battery or solar powered, wireless, and designed so that anyone can use them without extensive background knowledge or prior category experience.”

Laser recognises the importance of in-store sales training, but also invests in self-help content and online videos, designed to build trust.

“Consumers are more empowered to do their own research before heading in-store, or after purchase, so we want to ensure the resources are ready and available for a seamless customer experience,” Lau said.

Laser’s promotional calendar is based on retailers’ needs, and how they can be best supported, while also incorporating partnerships with other companies. “We’re furthering our relationship with Paramount having run promotions around key film launches such as Mission Impossible earlier this year, as well as product licensing with movie releases such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.” AR

SMART SECURITY AR

FROM THE FLOOR

The Good Guys

T

– George Panagiotidis

raditionally security was purchased to monitor the home and act as a deterrent for potential burglars, but with parcel theft on the rise as online shopping continues to surge, more customers are purchasing security to safeguard deliveries, with video doorbells being the product of choice, according to The Good Guys general manager – CE and TZ, George Panagiotidis.

“Indoor monitoring has also increased experientially over the past 12 months, with indoor camera systems now accounting for one in four of all security systems sold. The low-cost solution allows people to monitor pets or children effortlessly via their smartphones,” he told Appliance Retailer.

“2K and 4K resolution are driving upgrades from existing systems, which will support an increase in ASPs across all brands and sub-categories.

Doorbells will continue to be the introduction to

home security for most customers, and we expect to see this area expand with more brands entering the category.”

Panagiotidis said higher resolutions for clearer images and longer battery life to minimise product interaction are among the most important purchase considerations.

“Storage options are also carefully considered.

Some customers like the option to store locally via SD, while others prefer cloud storage, but this comes with an ongoing monthly cost. Ease of use and cost would be secondary to function.

Consumers want simplicity at an affordable price but will spend more to improve features, including resolution, battery and storage.”

Promotional sales account for most of all sales made throughout the year with key events like Black Friday and Christmas driving mass volume. “The Good Guys now offers ‘price beat online’ making sale items even more compelling than before.” AR www.applianceretailer.com.au

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AR MICROWAVES

OUTLOOK

New technology catches up with the microwave

BY KYMBERLY MARTIN Following a surge in microwave sales in 2020, then slower retail volume growth in 2021, demand for microwaves cooled in 2022 as life in Australia returned to greater levels of normality. This shift aligned with increased mobility outside the home and an inclination towards investing in outdoor activities and dining out, data from Euromonitor shows. However, despite this trend, the rising cost of living impacting Australians’ finances and prevalence of remote/hybrid working has led to many consumers continuing to cook more frequently at home, compared to pre-pandemic levels.

“As a result, there has been steady demand for microwaves, leading to 2% growth in volume during 2022 and one significant factor driving this growth is increasing demand for versatile options,” research analyst, Icey Huang said. “Like the broader kitchen appliances market, the microwave category is witnessing a rise in consumer preference for all-in-one solutions offering versatility. This trend is largely driven by consumers seeking costeffectiveness and maximising the value of their purchases. As replacement plays a crucial role in driving sales, multifunctionality remains a top 30

Appliance Retailer December 2023

consideration for consumers replacing existing appliances,” he said.

The microwave category is also experiencing downward pressure from competing counterparts due to growing consumer interest in alternative products like multifunctional ovens that seamlessly integrate steam and microwave technologies into their latest market offerings. “This shifting trend has compelled microwave manufacturers to enhance the capabilities of their products by introducing innovative models equipped with features such as fan-forced cooking, grilling, and steam functionality.

Simultaneously, these manufacturers are striving to offer more affordable options that serve as accessible alternatives to premium multifunctional ovens,” Huang said.

Panasonic research has shown that 80% of microwave owners use their microwave every day, with more than one-third (39%) using it more than three times daily. The research also revealed that combination microwaves can save up to 50% energy and cooking time compared to electric ovens through the use of convection, microwave, grill and steam cooking simultaneously.

MICROWAVES AR

“

By combining conventional heating methods with the microwave function, meals are ready faster.

”

BSH HOME APPLIANCES Sara Bauranov Brand Manager

Bosch has observed a shift towards combination microwave appliances in the last 12 months, with two-in-one functionality offering greater convenience for consumers as it speeds up the roasting, baking and cooking process. “By combining conventional heating methods with the microwave function, meals are ready faster and the conventional microwave function can also be used,” Sara Bauranov said.

Bosch recently launched the Series | 8 and accent|line premium compact and full-size ovens. Within the oven range, Bosch has combination microwaves with an air fry heating function, saving consumers countertop and

cupboard space. “We promote the space saving solution and three-in-one appliance capability through marketing communication, retail staff training and in-store POS.” Bosch combination microwave ovens are versatile and can be used with traditional heating functions or in combination with the microwave function. These feature inverter technology, so meals can be heated up gently in the microwave, while inverter models power at the required level to ensure food is heated gradually, she said.

“Bosch combination microwave ovens achieve great quality cooking results, in a short timeframe and are ideal for customers wanting the best cooking and heating functions in a single appliance.” AR

Bosch Series | 8 Built-in Pyrolytic Self-Cleaning Oven HNG978QB1A

`Full TFT touchscreen with digital control ring `28 heating methods and microwave function `Air fry with tray `AI browning detection with integrated camera via Home Connect app `Added steam function RRP: $6,799

www.applianceretailer.com.au

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“

The Omnichef oven uses a Galileo cavity that combines three ways of cooking... and combining these technologies can save up to 70% of preparation, cooking and clean up time.

”

Consumers are combining traditional, microwave, and steam cooking technologies in a single oven cavity, eliminating the need for multiple appliances, or opting for a freestanding microwave with a matching trim kit to help create a cohesive kitchen space, Becerra said.

SMEG

Romina Becerra Product Manager – MDA As consumers face ongoing cost of living pressures it is forcing many to reconsider their spending behaviour and place more importance on the value their cooking appliances can offer.

“Consumers are still on the lookout for innovative and design centric products from brands they trust, are multi-purpose and energy efficient. With a new standard of hybrid working conditions, consumers are gravitating towards appliances that seamlessly fit into their daily routine and cooking habits,” Romina Becerra said.

“Meal prepping continues to be popular and there has been an uptake in full size and compact ovens that incorporate microwave technology.

Traditional cooking technologies coupled with innovative microwave technologies, such as inverters and stirrers, means dishes can be cooked quickly and evenly, and reheated effectively, in one single appliance, without resorting to the turntable,” she said.

Redesigning and optimising kitchen spaces has also driven increased demand for built-in microwaves and multi-functional appliances.

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Appliance Retailer December 2023

Smeg Compact Classic Speed Oven SOA4302M1X

`Twintech delivers a suite of cooking tools with traditional and microwave technology `EvoScreen full colour LCD display illustrates cooking, temperature and timer functions `Vapour Clean special steam assisted cleaning program `Ever Clean enamel for long-life oven performance​ `Expanded cooking functions with Air Fry, BBQ and Stone cooking programs RRP: $3,590

Omnichef is Smeg’s newest generation of ovens, with traditional, microwave and steam cooking in one single appliance, bringing innovation and Italian design to the forefront. The Omnichef oven uses a Galileo cavity that combines three ways of cooking either singly, sequentially, or simultaneously, and combining these technologies can save up to 70% of preparation, cooking and clean up time. There is also the added option of in-oven barbeque, air fry and authentic stone cooking for more food possibilities. These ovens deliver up to 25% energy saving when technologies are combined.

Maintaining in-store visibility is key for brand presence and maintaining relevance, she said, with continued investment in impactful, premium displays across its major domestic appliances to drive consistent brand messaging and product benefits, which is important when consumers are in their research phase. “We endeavour to provide a full solution across our various aesthetics to provide matching compacts, drawers, and cooktop options to our built-in oven and microwave range, further showcasing the complete Smeg kitchen offering.”

Second to this is improving how consumers interact online, with online research and digital content playing an important role in converting sales. Smeg also offers pre- and post-purchase demonstrations in its national showrooms.

Smeg continues to prioritise communication with retail partners with digital assets, displays and point of sale material, to educate consumers on product features and benefits, highlighting the signature Italian design, functionality, flexibility, and performance. AR

MICROWAVES AR

ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS Mark Goodwin Communications Manager

According to Electrolux, purchase behaviour has followed a similar path to the rest of the appliance market, with a softening in sales across all categories and microwave sales are not immune to this behaviour. “However, we see the lower entry point as less of an inhibitor to consumers shopping in this category,” Mark Goodwin said.

“For years the microwave oven was the bulky item consigned to the kitchen bench with little functionality beyond reheating and defrosting.

In models like our built-in UltimateTaste 900 combination oven, the capabilities in the modernday version are endless,” he said.

“Our sales training team spend considerable time ensuring our retail partners are confident of the many features on offer to help them educate consumers in store. In the digital landscape, our marketing team have ensured that when consumers are doing their pre-purchase research, features such as searing, chargrilling and baking are brought to life as well as reassuring them that the features they’ve come to expect in a microwave oven are still there as well.”

Goodwin said there has been a trend in recent years of consumers doing a substantial amount of pre-purchase research. “The company’s approach has evolved to ensure we make the transition from online research to in-store a mutually complementary experience for consumers where the information they seek is clear at every touchpoint.”

With a move towards higher density living comes demand for space and combination microwave ovens provide the best of both worlds. AR

Miele DGM Microwave with Steam Oven

`Three-in-one combination of microwave, steam and rapid steam cooking `DualSteam spreads evenly and rapidly over food for perfect cooking results `Consistent and quick microwave results from inverter technology `Automatic programs `Rapid steam cooking with microwave mode RRP: $8,099

“

Beyond giving time back to customers, these appliances also offer savings in terms of space and cost.

MIELE

Electrolux UltimateTaste Built-in Combination Microwave EVEM645DSE

`44L capacity `Fan forced with microwave `Auto defrost by weight `Five power levels `13 auto cook programs RRP: $2,499

”

Kamal Watson Category Marketing Manager – Cooking Miele has listened to its customers and designed a range of powerful microwave, steam and speed ovens, which seamlessly combine multiple functions into one appliance. “Beyond giving time back to customers, these appliances also offer savings in terms of space and cost, which is particularly pertinent given the rising cost of living,” Kamal Watson said.

“With advancements in technology, the once humble microwave has become more versatile, smart and efficient, offering a wide range of features.

As part of our Generation 7000 range, consumers can enjoy state-of-the-art features that still guarantee the same perfect results you would expect from a Miele appliance, while opening them up to expanded possibilities in the kitchen,” she said.

Miele has invested in ensuring customers have tangible and intuitive experiences both online and in-store, from extended video content and ‘how-to’ guides to demonstrations at Miele Experience Centres.

Overcooking or overbaking is now a thing of the past, as is having to do everything by hand.

Intuitive controls and customised usage options help to concentrate on what’s important when cooking, such as creativity and ease. Miele customers can now use VoiceControl to open their microwave oven door and Miele is constantly finding new ways to make appliances and everyday life even smarter, Watson said. AR www.applianceretailer.com.au

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LG

Shannon Tweedie Marketing Manager – Home Appliances In an environment of cost of living pressure, good value has become more important. “When it comes to microwaves in particular, we’ve seen more consumers seeking performance and highquality features that add value to their lives longterm,” Shannon Tweedie said. “While consumers seek budget-friendly microwaves, they still expect value for money and versatile functions. Our range of NeoChef Smart Inverter microwave ovens aligns with this shift by offering multiple functions in one cooking solution.”

One key opportunity in the microwave category for sustaining sales performance is innovation and technology, particularly in the application of smart technology to simplify consumer tasks and food preparation. This year, smart technology is transforming households and daily routines with microwaves offering more than heating up leftovers, Tweedie said.

The NeoChef reflects technology-driven innovation with features that align with evolving consumer needs and preferences. This advanced technology allows for precise temperature control and multifunctional capabilities in one machine, addressing the demand for convenient and versatile cooking solutions.

“By harnessing innovative technology, exemplified by products within the NeoChef range, we design our products with the purpose of simplifying daily routines, alleviating the stress associated with household tasks, and elevating the overall quality of life for consumers.

“LG also understands the growing importance of reliable appliances with a stylish touch and responding to a growing interior design trend around minimalistic, sleek appliances,” she said. AR

Sharp Convention Microwave R321CAFST `32L capacity `1100W with inverter technology `Microwave, bake, roast, grill and air fry `32 Australian designed menus – nine dedicated to air fry `Trim and vent kits options RRP: $649

LG NeoChef 56L Smart Inverter Microwave Oven MS56960MBS

`1200W reduces cooking and reheating time compared to 1000W LG conventional microwave `Anti-Bacterial EasyClean coating eliminates 99.99% of bacteria `Inverter technology for even heat distribution `Energy efficient interior white LED lamp `Matte black finish with tempered glass front door RRP: $449

TEMPO

Matt Pearce Product & Marketing Manager “The microwave market is remarkably resilient and Sharp is experiencing strong growth for models with more functionality and a stylish design. Microwaves featuring flatbed technology has been one of our fastest growing segments and we have five models now,” Matt Pearce said.

“Sharp is always looking for ways to communicate features and benefits at store level. While most people are familiar with what a microwave can do, they are not so familiar with flatbed, convection and air frying. We believe investment in point of sale is essential for in-store representation when it comes to established categories like microwaves.

Training is also critical for store staff to explain any product changes since the customer last bought a microwave.”

Sharp will launch two convection models with air fry in January with up to 11 models being launched over the next 18 months. “We have a completely refreshed line-up, and retailers and consumers are responding accordingly,” he said.

Pearce believes the new convection microwaves in black stainless and stainless finishes being launched in the new year will drive revenue and sales volume growth as consumers look to remove the clutter of additional small appliances from their countertops. AR

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Appliance Retailer December 2023

MICROWAVES AR

ARISIT

Andrea Gunn National Retail Sales & Marketing Manager While microwaves come in a wide price range, from budget friendly options to high end models with advanced features, most consumers still choose a product that fits within their budget and needs, Andrea Gunn said. “Some prioritise basic functionalities like reheating and defrosting, while more consumers look for features such as air fry, steam, convection and grill.”

Brand reputation and reliability also play a crucial role. “Established and reputable brands instil confidence in consumers regarding product quality and longevity and the entire Whirlpool microwaves range carries a two-year replacement warranty.

Panasonic NN-DS59N Combination Steam Microwave

`Four cooking methods – steam, grill, oven and microwave `Air fry for healthier low-fat cooking `1100W of high-density steam cooks food evenly `Four automatic cleaning programs `27L capacity

“We’re experiencing growth in multifunction models as consumers seek speedy results, without wasting time and energy heating up an oven.

Reducing kitchens of appliance clutter and replacing with products that offer multiple capabilities, appears to be a growing trend too,” she said.

“Microwaves have traditionally been purchased for reheating and defrosting purposes and the versatile MWP298BAUS Whirlpool microwaves offer quick and healthy cooking options such air fry, grill and steam. We have made educational video content available for the consumer to access on our website.”

Point of sale has been redesigned to be more interactive and informative, for both the salesperson and consumer. Content creation, education and maintaining websites providing retailers with creative and relative content is a priority, Gunn said.

“Focusing on the capabilities and benefits of a multifunctional microwave will aid in steering consumers away from microwave preconceptions, while helping improve ASPs.” AR

RRP: $919

Whirlpool 29L Freestanding Microwave with Air Fry MWP298BAUS

`Quartz grill prepares food faster than infrared grilling `Rotisserie with detachable rotating bar for even roasting `Chef’s menu with pre-set programs `Auto clean function without chemicals `Two-year replacement warranty RRP: $649

PANASONIC

Ginger Yu Product Marketing Manager – Appliances Convection and combination microwaves continue to be popular with Panasonic customers looking for an all-in-one cooking solution that can bake, grill, steam and microwave. In addition, with power bills rising, consumers search for products that deliver energy efficiency.

Steaming and air frying are popular cooking trends, and in line with this, Panasonic has released microwaves that provide these in-demand capabilities. The NN-DS59N delivers 1100 watts of steam and air fry cooking using Panasonic’s unique grill tray to achieve healthier low-fat cooking and crispy results on all sides.

“Consumers also choose convection and combination microwaves because they can enjoy versatile, timesaving and fuss-free cooking. And with benchtop space often at a premium, products that offer more than one cooking function are highly appreciated as they reduce kitchen clutter,” Yu said.

Panasonic is working with high-profile cooks and content creators, Marion Grasby and chef, Shellie Froidevaux, to demonstrate the numerous capabilities of convection and combination microwaves. Panasonic is also partnering with BBQ specialist, Grant Neal to show the steam and grill capabilities in its microwave. AR www.applianceretailer.com.au

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OUTLOOK

Gaming community grows significantly – and swiftly

BY EMILY BENCIC

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Four in five (81%) Australians now identify as ‘gamers’, up from 67% in 2022, according to the Australia Plays Report by the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association (IGEA), with three-quarters (75%) of gamers playing co-op. In addition, 94% of households have a device for video games.

Statista data shows that the gaming market in Australia is expected to reach $187 million in 2023, with a growth rate of over 8% between 2023 and 2027. Interest in cloud gaming has grown by 900% over the last five years, according to the Samsung Internal Gaming Trends Report by SEAO Future Generation Lab, released earlier this year.

Appliance Retailer December 2023

However, GfK data for the 12 months to September 2023, paints a weaker picture for the gaming accessories category, comprising monitors, headsets, mice and keyboards, which recorded double-digit volume and value declines year-onyear of 13% and 15% respectively, following record sales during the pandemic.

Gaming mice is the only segment with a relatively stable year-on-year trend, driven by popularity of wireless devices. The shift towards wireless technology is evident across all gaming peripherals, with wireless gaming headsets and keyboards both experiencing moderate growth in an otherwise declining market.

GAMING AR

“

Gamers have been looking for new ways to play the games they own, and ROG Ally is our answer for games they want to play anywhere and everywhere.

ASUS

”

Bradley Howe Head of Consumer Consumers are seeking gaming devices that suit and align with their lifestyles, according to ASUS’ Bradley Howe.

“Changing workplaces and growing hypermobility have made portability a key feature, highlighted by the success of Republic of Gamers (ROG) Ally, released this year. It reflects demand for taking games on-the-go,” he said.

“Cost of living increases have also pressured consumers to reduce the number of devices on hand. Gaming devices have been seen as the ideal option, being powerful for games and reliable for recreation and work too.”

The launch of ROG Ally, which brings Windows technology into a portable form factor, has been a key achievement for the ROG team this year.

“Giving as many gamers the ability to play is something ROG strives for, as evidenced by the vast ROG line-up from the ROG Ally to the Strix SCAR. We have devices at every price point, specification and form factor.”

ASUS and ROG brands prioritise customer loyalty by offering local customer and hardware support through ASUS service centres and network of experts to ensure efficient assistance.

“With gaming hitting its stride, 2024 is expected to keep pace. At ASUS and ROG, we continue delivering the best hardware for gamers across the world. We will continue to address market needs and offer devices needed by gamers, as highlighted by the success of the ROG Ally. ASUS and ROG remain committed to the Australian market, with staff, resources and support for our network of partners and our customers. Expect a strong line-up of products in 2024 with news and developments coming out of CES 2024 and into the new year,” Howe said. AR

ROG Ally Handheld Gaming Device

`AMD’s new Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor `Lightweight design at 608 grams `Zero gravity thermal system for enhanced cooling performance `1080p touchscreen with 120Hz refresh rate and FreeSync Premium support `Runs on Windows 11 allowing compatibility to Steam, EA app, Epic Games and Xbox Pass Games RRP: $1,299

“Gamers have been looking for new ways to play the games they own, and ROG Ally is our answer for games they want to play anywhere and everywhere, unlocking the possibilities available and making gaming more accessible,” Howe said.

More broadly, ROG has introduced a number of new technologies to its laptop range, most notably, a new visual standard and intelligent cooling.

“The Nebula displays are designed to deliver exceptional visual quality and a benchmark that gamers can trust across the ROG range, while intelligent cooling ensures devices can perform at their best at all times.”

Accessibility continues to be a challenge for the gaming category, but something that ROG is working to address together with the industry. www.applianceretailer.com.au

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“

Whether gaming on consoles or high-end gaming PCs, gamers are seeking devices that provide faster frame rates, sharper visuals, and high-speed performance.

LG

”

Brad Reed Head of B2B Marketing – Solutions for Business

LG’s Brad Reed said the popularity of gaming in Australia has continued to grow over the last year with anticipation around several new game releases creating a sense of membership among the gaming community.

“In turn, this sense of excitement has extended to new innovations in gaming technology that keep up with increasing appetite for more immersive, life-like gaming experiences. Whether gaming on consoles or high-end gaming PCs, gamers are seeking devices that provide faster frame rates, sharper visuals, and high-speed performance.”

LG has launched the UltraGear OLED gaming monitor line-up, offering both 27-inch and 45inch curved form factors, as well as the OLED Flex to facilitate all gaming preferences.

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Appliance Retailer December 2023

LG OLED Flex 42-inch 4K Gaming TV

`Flexible display to adjust curvature for enhanced immersion `Self-lit OLED enables unrivaled contrast with deep darks and bright whites `Anti-reflective screen for less distractions `1 millisecond response time delivers clear and smooth visuals `Customisable Game Dashboard and Optimiser RRP: $4,999

“Recognising the growing significance of immersion in gaming, LG has introduced panoramic style, curved displays that extend the field of view for gamers and put them in the centre of the action. Standout products include the LG 45-inch UltraGear Curved OLED Gaming Monitor and LG OLED Flex, a versatile TV uniquely tailored for console gaming enthusiasts.

“The LG UltraGear line-up is a specialised range of gaming monitors catering to hard core PC gamers with a continual focus on upgrading specs to align with requirements of the latest games and gamers expectations.”

Reed said the swift evolution of gaming technology, marked by the rise of more gaming consoles, high-performance PCs, and state-of-the-art graphics cards, has set the stage for more immersive and visually captivating gaming experiences.

“In response, LG continues to listen to consumers’ demands for an unparalleled gaming experience, through the UltraGear OLED gaming monitor range and OLED Flex.”

In addition, the gaming market is intensely competitive, presenting a challenge for both emerging players and established market leaders.

“Companies must continuously innovate to maintain their competitive edge. LG consistently refines its product portfolio with a range of gaming innovations, ensuring that its OLED technology remains at the forefront.” AR

GAMING AR

TCL

Jason Carrick General Manager – Sales Now offering the latest 144Hz Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), TCL has seen more gamers buying its TVs. “Our new Mini LED C845 range has impressed the market. Big gains in technology with extra local dimming zones and higher peaks of brightness from last year’s series have opened the market’s eyes to TCL being a serious player,” Jason Carrick said.

TCL’s biggest opportunity is to continue selling step-up and premium ranges, helping build the category’s ASP and quality of product in the market. “However, the industry’s single biggest challenge is the economy, interest rates and higher cost of living.”

TCL offers a longer manufacturer’s warranty than some other brands in the market, designed to provide confidence for customers purchasing TCL products.

“Customers are looking for value during these tougher economic times and this is exactly what TCL offers. We present an opportunity for retailers to sell great products and make good money, all backed by one of the largest electronics manufacturers in the world.” AR

TCL C845 Series Mini LED TV `VRR 144Hz for perfect motion `Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) `Game accelerator – DLG technology `Freesync Premium Pro `Google TV operating system RRP: From $1,999

LENOVO Lenovo Legion 9i Gaming Laptop

`13th Gen Intel Core processor `Unique forged carbon design for extreme durability `World’s first liquid cooled laptop thanks to the Legion ColdFront Liquid all-internal cooling system `World’s most advanced AI-tuned gaming laptop with advanced AI LA2 core `Legion Ultimate Support offers roundthe-clock assistance from gaming specialists RRP: From $7,019

Chris Osborne Director – Consumer Retail Channel Lenovo believes the gaming category evolves every year in terms of hardware and services.

“Gamers want a device that suits a range of needs.

It is a long-held myth that gaming devices are bought only for gaming, as our Legion laptops are often found in workplaces too,” Chris Osborne said.

“Our customers are using Legion devices for productivity and content creation, in addition to gaming, while still demanding portability.

Based on these insights, we introduced a 16:10 aspect ratio screen, larger battery capacity, and AI software to optimise performance.”

In 2023, Lenovo introduced the Legion 9i 16-inch gaming laptop with a self-contained liquidcooling system and the Legion Go, bringing Windows PC gaming power to a handheld mobile form factor. “We also announced new accessories such as the Lenovo Legion Glasses, which leverage Micro OLED technology to provide a large screen viewing experience that fits in the pocket.

“Gaming is now moving from a 2D medium (screens) to an immersive 3D medium through the incorporation of AR and VR technology.

This change is already driving demand for new peripheral devices such as AR/VR glasses powerful enough to run these new games.

“With 5G becoming more accessible, we’re now seeing gaming as a Service (Gaas) or cloud gaming, which could redefine the industry by eliminating the need for high-end expensive hardware.” AR www.applianceretailer.com.au

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Hisense introduced Dynamic Tone Mapping and Dolby Vision Gaming for better HDR control at low latency, while adding the new Game Bar.

”

HISENSE

Gideon Lui Head of Marketing – ANZ When it comes to TV purchases for dedicated gaming setups, the category continues to go from strength to strength, according to Hisense’s Gideon Lui. “Gamers are increasingly looking for a quality TV with the latest features, despite it often being the second, third or even fourth TV in the household, offering all the settings that will support their next generation gaming console,” he said.

This year, Hisense introduced Dynamic Tone Mapping and Dolby Vision Gaming for better HDR control at low latency, while adding the new Game Bar as part of Game Mode Pro across the ULED range.

“The Game Bar pops up in place of the usual settings on screen menu when gaming consoles or PCs are in-use, to see which features are active and track the current frames per second (FPS) on screen while gaming.

“This is offered in our U7KAU, for example, and has been enhanced specifically for gamers with Hisense’s 144Hz Game Mode Pro. Other features of Game Mode Pro include Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) to minimise input lag, screen jitter and frame tearing.

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Appliance Retailer December 2023

Hisense U7KAU TV `144Hz Game Mode Pro featuring HDMI 2.1, and FreeSync Premium `Mini LED backlight technology delivers enhanced contrast and realistic colours `Dolby Vision IQ and HDR 10+ Adaptive for incredibly vivid details `Hi-View Engine processes and fine tunes the picture `ULED technology creates the most vivid, colourful and true-to-life viewing experience RRP: From $1,499

“Also featuring Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+, the U7KAU uses AI to automatically adjust picture settings to suit the environment, whether it be a dark bedroom or a bright lounge room, to give the best picture possible,” he said.

Positioned as the largest Mini LED TV available in Australia, the 100-inch U7KAU offers customers an exclusive larger gaming experience to enjoy both console and PC gaming, as well as streaming and free to air viewing.

Amid the cost of living crisis, it can be difficult for some consumers to justify purchasing a sole purpose device like a gaming monitor. “Our entire Hisense ULED range, inclusive of our hero UXAU, U8KAU and U7KAU, all serve a dual purpose – not only operating as fully featured TVs for streaming and watching free to air – but also delivering the ultimate gaming experience with Game Mode Pro.” Lui encourages retail partners to market the U7KAU not only as the perfect TV for every household, but also the perfect screen for every gamer, given its range of entertainment capabilities.

“The U7KAU boasts a competitive advantage in that customers don’t need to choose between a TV and a monitor. They can have both use cases in one. Featuring IMAX Enhanced certification, the U7KAU serves as the ultimate TV for movies, TV, live sport, and gaming, underpinned by Dolby Atmos audio, making for an immersive gaming experience.” AR

GAMING AR

LASER

Chris Lau Managing Director The last year has seen consumers become more price conscious, prioritising value above all else, Laser’s Chris Lau said.

“We know consumers are taking a critical look at upcoming technology purchases in the hope of finding great features at better prices, which includes trying new brands. We take this as our responsibility to meet those needs and deliver high quality products for less.”

Laser is seeing consumers look for fun, impactful lighting in their computer gaming accessories.

While it’s not new technology, the company is doubling down on this to meet growing demand.

“We’ve introduced more RGB light customisations and coordination options into our gaming bundles which enables the included headphones, keyboard and mouse to react in unison to gameplay. We’ve also expanded our CONNECT SmartHome range to offer more ambient lighting options from RGB panels, to synchronised monitor backlighting and curtain lights.”

Lau recognises that the target market for gaming is changing, with shifts among console gaming versus computer gaming, phone gaming, virtual reality and more.

“We encourage our retail partners to pay more attention to the younger gamers when it comes to gaming peripherals. As Australia’s answer to reliable, good quality, affordable technology, we’re gearing up for a big gifting period.” AR

HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES JBL Quantum 910 Gaming Headset `2.4ghz wireless technology `JBL Quantum Sphere 360 with head-tracking `50mm dynamic drivers tuned for gaming with DTS surround sound decoding `Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) tuned for gaming `Flip up boom microphone RRP: $499.95

CONNECT AmbiColour Range

`Variety of shapes and customisable designs `DIY easy set up `Ability to integrate into smart home ecosystem and scenes `Voice control via Amazon Alexa or Google Home `Incorporates smart light bars, hexagon lights, triangle lights, light curtain and TV back light LED strip RRP: From $109.95

Amrit Lall Product Manager – ANZ

As wireless technology and latency improves, more customers are cutting the cord on gaming headsets and going cable free. In response, the JBL brand has launched four wireless models with more options launching in 2024.

JBL recently launched the Quantum 910 gaming headset – offering flagship Quantum Sphere 360 head-tracking technology in a wireless form factor for the first time.

“Head tracking allows gamers to accurately pinpoint other players in the game-sphere, giving them a genuine competitive advantage over their opponents,” Amrit Lall said.

While challenging market conditions have seen some contraction in the gaming category, JBL said it has continued to grow revenue and gain market share.

“Our recent experiences at the PAX Gaming Convention in Melbourne highlight the recognition JBL now enjoys in this space, with the JBL stand being universally considered one of the most popular and engaging.

“To set our brand apart, JBL offers a replacement warranty on gaming headsets, removing the need for gamers and retailers to wait for a repair if a fault is encountered.

“Gaming is a category that JBL is investing in heavily both globally and in Australia and New Zealand. We will be launching numerous new products over the coming months and doubling down on our retail executions to help retailers sell more and be profitable,” Lall said. AR www.applianceretailer.com.au

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DELL

Marc Jones Retail Category Manager According to Dell, the gaming market has been more valuable than the music and movie industry combined for several years, which is reflected in continued demand.

“While popularity is largely driven by mobile games, the growth of e-sports and appetite for gaming content creators is pushing PC gaming in front of more mainstream audiences.

These gamers are willing to invest in premium technologies to ensure they have the best setup for in-game advantages,” Marc Jones said.

SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS AUSTRALIA Maxime Dupont Head of Product – Display and Memory Solutions

During the pandemic, Samsung saw more people investing in their home set-up and since then, demand has remained consistent.

“More down time attracted more people to gaming, and they want to play on the best.

Gamers need technology to do more — whether it be enhanced visuals, a more immersive experience or greater personalisation,” Maxime Dupont said.

“We’ve also seen more Gen Z gamers embrace ‘cosy gaming’, which effectively sees them create relaxing physical environments to play in. They’re investing in technology and other furniture that makes their gaming space aesthetic while also functional.”

This year, Samsung launched the 57-inch Odyssey Neo G9 – the world’s first dual UHD gaming monitor – with a 1,000R curvature. Earlier in the year, Samsung introduced the 49-inch Odyssey OLED G9 gaming monitor with a DisplayHDR True Black 400 and next-level AI upscaling technology to achieve pure black levels.

The current economic climate has made consumers more value conscious. For hardcore gamers, investing in the latest technology is a given, however, it can be seen as a bigger purchase for more casual gamers. “We are focused on delivering the best possible gaming monitors that also deliver more than their core function through SmartThings integration, allowing users to take a break from gaming sessions to tune into a Smart TV experience, and even control connected devices across their home.” AR 42

Appliance Retailer December 2023

Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 Curved Gaming Monitor `World’s first dual UHD monitor `1,000R 57-inch curved screen `Quantum Matrix technology with Quantum Mini LEDs `VESA Display HDR 1000 delivers 1,000 nit peak brightness `240Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time (GtG) RRP: $3,199

“The Alienware Aurora R16 is Alienware’s first gaming desktop to include the revamped Alienware Command Centre software. The overall integration of hardware and software sets these products apart, which along with careful management of thermals and cooling, allows gamers to achieve peak performance.”

On a final note, Jones said: “Dell Technologies will continue to be a trusted retail partner, launching new technology products with a focus on ethical delivery in an increasingly sustainable manner, working towards Michael Dell’s vision of a closed loop supply chain by 2030.” AR

Alienware Aurora R16 Gaming Desktop 14th Gen Intel Core i9-13900F

`Intel Killer Wi-Fi 6E AX1675, 2x2, 802.11ax, MU-MIMO, Bluetooth wireless card `14th Gen Intel Core i9-13900F `NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080, 16GB GDDR6X graphics `Up to 32GB RAM `Up to 1TB SSD storage RRP: TBC

GAMING AR

NETGEAR

Bing-Huang Cheng Senior Director – Technical Product Management NETGEAR continues to recognise the significant uptake in gaming across the Australian and New Zealand markets. Based on a recent survey, 40% of NETGEAR customers say they rely on Wi-Fi for gaming.

HTC VIVE

Thomas Dexmier Country Manager – ANZ HTC VIVE has seen growing interest in immersive entertainment as new games and extended reality (XR) technology advancements bring real and virtual worlds together like never before.

“Virtual and Mixed Reality headsets have become autonomous while remaining versatile and lighter yet more powerful, comfortable and inclusive, opening up possibilities for more engaging experiences. This year has also seen early adopters of VR technology upgrade to the latest gear, as setup is simplified and performance is advanced,” Thomas Dexmier said.

Earlier this year, HTC VIVE unveiled the VIVE XR Elite combining Mixed and Virtual Reality (MR/VR) in an all-in-one device with full-colour pass-through video, 4K resolution and accurate hand-tracking.

“We prioritised comfort, inclusivity and performance with a modular form factor that can be transformed into a pair of glasses, allowing the headset to be used at home, in the office, or even travelling on a plane.

“VIVE XR Elite provides a gateway to the universe of immersive experiences, from gaming and fitness, through to productivity and the metaverse.

We’re also launching our new generation of trackers allowing for full body tracking and real object tracking.”

HTC VIVE believes cloud streaming has the potential to be a gamechanger. “Offloading the processing to a high-powered PC in the cloud, combined with a superfast network like 5G, means you can deliver the highest-fidelity XR content on standalone headsets while making them smaller and lighter,” Dexmier said. AR

VIVE XR Elite

`Compact design weighing 625 grams `Offers both VR and MR capabilities with a full colour RGB camera `Convertible form factor that can be transformed into glasses `High-octane VR gaming through wireless PC streaming `Depth-sensing precision, providing accurate tracking and spatial awareness RRP: $2,099

“NETGEAR is a pioneer when it comes to delivering premium Wi-Fi technology and 2023 has been no different with the introduction of our first Wi-Fi 7 router, the Nighthawk RS700. Powered

by Broadcom’s powerful Wi-Fi 7 chips, the device can deliver speeds up to 19Gbps and low latency.

A dedicated 10Gb LAN port allows for ultra-fast wired connections for those looking to directly connect a console or PC,” Bing-Huang Cheng said.

Games are increasingly requiring faster matchmaking, higher levels of real-time integration across virtual worlds and improved graphics and detail.

“As a result, higher connection speeds and increased data bandwidths are pivotal to the user experience. Fundamentally, regardless of whether the gamer is utilising a budget setup or the latest home entertainment products, if the internet can’t cope with the data flow, the end experience will be compromised from the beginning.

“Gaming is also becoming more international with players facing each other from across regions.

Reducing ping is one of the key challenges and NETGEAR is confident that its Wi-Fi 7 capable products will support the demands of the latest and future generations of video games.”

NETGEAR products are supported by the Nighthawk app, come with 90 days of complimentary technical support and a one-year bonus subscription to NETGEAR Armor, valued at $99.99. AR

NETGEAR Nighthawk RS700 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 7 Router

`Supports new Wi-Fi 7 standard – 2.4 times faster than Wi-Fi 6 `Supports highly interactive gaming, 4K/8K streaming, UHD video conferencing and AR/VR entertainment with up to 19GBps speeds and lower latency `Offers 325 square metres of 360-degree coverage `10-gig internet port and 10G LAN port `NETGEAR Armor provides automatic shield of security RRP: $1,499

www.applianceretailer.com.au

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FROM THE FLOOR

Officeworks

T

– Jarryd McCarthy

echnological advancements have seen gaming laptops become more attractive for gamers over the last 12 months, according to Officeworks head of merchandise – technology, Jarryd McCarthy.

“This can be attributed to the emergence of new models, like AMD’s offering, which features affordable but high performing processor-based systems. These laptops are powerful and a great value-for-money gaming setup,” he told Appliance Retailer.

“The rise in cloud-based gaming has also contributed to the changing perception of gaming laptops. These games use internet connection to stream the entire contents of a game, meaning a high-end system to play on isn’t required.”

Gaming accessories have also grown in popularity as gamers of every level look for ways to enhance performance and customise their playing experience.

“Popular accessories include keyboards and mice designed specifically for gaming, furniture such as gaming chairs and desks, as well as smart lights, microphones and audio headsets.

“Premium accessories are in demand, but more valuefocused options like the Typhoon Strike GB12 4-in-1 gaming bundle appeal to casual or new gamers. Remote work arrangements have also seen more people use gaming chairs, keyboards, and mice that can double as work tools.”

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Appliance Retailer December 2023

When asked about new products to look out for, McCarthy highlighted the Lenovo 15.6-inch LOQ gaming laptop and ASUS TUF F15 15.6-inch gaming laptop, as significant upgrades on previous editions. “With improvements to battery life, screen quality and more powerful processors, gaming laptops are a great value-formoney alternative to the traditional PC tower setup.”

McCarthy also offered his advice to ensure key purchase considerations are being met. “It’s important to understand the type of gaming setup wanting to be created and the games that will be played. This should be a starting point to budget accordingly and align with specific needs. For some games, a smaller but faster screen or monitor may be more beneficial than a larger but slower alternative.

“For those spending a lot of time gaming, it’s important they consider ergonomics to ensure comfortable viewing and optimum seating posture. The ultimate setup should allow gamers to play in style and comfort.”

Looking ahead, Officeworks expects gaming PCs and laptops to remain one of the most sought-after big-ticket purchases in the category, with gaming keyboards, mice and headsets tipped to remain popular.

“While gaming products are popular during promotional periods like Black Friday, gaming has become a consideration for many people year-round. We know shoppers are looking for the best value so we offer a range of high-quality accessories for every budget.” AR

CAMERAS AR

OUTLOOK

Camera Ready

BY KYMBERLY MARTIN

The digital camera market is stable after being heavily impacted during the pandemic, the latest GfK data shows. While the market is declining in volume, revenue is higher than in previous years due to growing demand in the premium segment, specifically for mirrorless models. As a result, more brands are switching to this segment due to its popularity in the market, while stepping out from other categories, such as DSLR. GfK tracking revealed a 6% decline in units and a 12% rise in value for the segment.

www.applianceretailer.com.au

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AR CAMERAS

FUJIFILM

Shaun Mah General Manager – Electronic Imaging & Optical Devices “In the past year, we have witnessed a significant shift in purchase behaviour within our category, but despite the rate rises, we’re seeing consumers wanting to pay for the best possible product that suits their specific needs,” Shaun Mah said.

“There’s heightened demand for innovative features that cater to the amateur, enthusiasts and professional market, reflecting a desire for products that adapt to their evolving needs. Our latest X series and GFX system products seem to be hitting the spot and we can barely keep up with demand,” he said.

Beyond economic pressures, the imaging category faces challenges tied to the rapidly evolving technological landscape. “Being able to stay ahead of the ever-accelerating advancements requires significant continual investment towards our R&D. Additionally, environmental consciousness is increasingly influencing consumer choices, prompting us to focus on sustainable practices in manufacturing and packaging. Finding the right balance between innovation and sustainability is pivotal in navigating these challenges.”

Consumers are also placing a premium on features that enhance their creative potential and connect them to their photography experience.

“Our X series and GFX system products prioritise key elements such as exceptional image quality, 46

Appliance Retailer December 2023

Fujifilm GFX100II Mirrorless Camera

`102MP large format CMOS II HS Sensor to capture every detail `GFX X Processor 5 with AI subject detection and AF for precision and speed `GFX 4K/60P, 8K/30P FHD/120p video and 4:2:2 10-bit internal, and external 12bit Apple `High speed continuous shooting up to 8fps `Dedicated cinema overlays plus USB-C SSD recording RRP: $12,599

“

Environmental consciousness is increasingly influencing consumer choices, prompting us to focus on sustainable practices in manufacturing and packaging.

”

superior colour, intuitive tactile controls, and simple user interface. Our X series, caters to those seeking a blend of tradition and modernity, while our GFX systems addresses the needs of professionals with large format sensors and unparalleled image resolution for both photographers and videographers.

“Over the past year, most of our retail partners will say Fujifilm has become even closer by partnering with them across all aspects of their business. We have also launched multiple new initiatives to ensure our retail partners have greater access to information, support and training assets than before.

“By fostering a strong partnership with our retailers, we aim to not only maintain but elevate sales momentum in a competitive market. We continue to invest heavily to grow the overall category, which is beneficial to our entire industry,” Mah said. AR

CAMERAS AR

CANON OCEANIA

Aaron Berthelot General Manager – Consumer Sales With travel firmly back on the agenda, the category has been reinvigorated with research revealing 79% of Australians planned to travel in 2023 and more than half (55%) said the rising cost of living wouldn’t stop them from travelling.

Additionally, over one-third (38%) have bought or intend to buy a camera to use when travelling, according to Aaron Berthelot.

“We have seen strong demand for high performance compact cameras like Canon’s PowerShot G7 X Mark III due to popularity on social media sites,” he said.

In the face of a booming creator economy, Canon launched a vlogging specific camera, the PowerShot V10, and entry-level step-up cameras, the EOS R50 and EOS R100, for those wanting to upgrade from a smartphone and refine their style in both video and stills. The cameras have an easy-to-use interface, intuitive design and advanced new automatic modes that help ensure professional-looking results.

Canon EOS R50 Single Kit Mirrorless Camera `Lightweight and compact design at 375 grams `Automatic shooting modes - Scene Intelligent Auto Creative Assist, Creative Bracket and new Advanced A+ `Share photos and videos with simple connection to smartphone via Canon Connect app `Reliable subject tracking gives freedom to focus on composition `Intuitive vari-angle touch screen for shooting in a variety angles RRP: $1,399

“

In the face of a booming creator economy, Canon launched a vlogging specific camera, the PowerShot V10, and entry-level step-up cameras, the EOS R50 and EOS R100, for those wanting to upgrade from a smartphone.

”

According to Berthelot, content creation is at an all-time high, and the creator events were designed to connect with this community and showcase the capability of Canon products.

“We do not sell directly from an e-store and believe this is important considering the current challenging economic conditions retailers face.”

He believes product innovation helps drive the market forward and in 2024, the momentum will continue with new product innovation. AR

“We continue to see smartphones focusing on camera features so our challenge is to help consumers understand that cameras can work hand in hand with their smartphone in terms of instant sharing and remote shooting. Also, cameras don’t take up storage on your smartphone so you can capture loads more photos and video.”

For those wanting to improve the quality of their content, Canon is encouraging consumers to consider a ‘gateway’ or entry level camera to start their journey, such as the EOS R50. “There are numerous benefits to cameras including bigger sensors enabling detailed image capture and the ability to crop without loss, capturing quality images in low light and create video masterpieces.

Camera sensors and lenses produce higher dynamic range and colour allowing content creators to produce incredible results, from Twitch streams to YouTube videos,” he said.

Canon held events for the new EOS R50 and a limited-edition Status Anxiety bundle for retailers and content creators to get hands-on experience with Canon’s latest camera gear. www.applianceretailer.com.au

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AR CAMERAS

“

Consumers are interested in hybrid cameras that can support video capture for creating social content, as well as providing still image shooting.

”

The latest firmware update for the Lumix S5II and S5IIX sees them become the first full frame mirrorless cameras to feature handheld in-camera high resolution capture with motion correction for images of 96 megapixels, which expands the scope of landscape and commercial shooting.

LUMIX DC-S5M2KGN Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera

`24.2MP CMOS Sensor for high-sensitivity performance and dynamic range `Phase Hybrid fast and accurate Autofocus System `Active I.S. technology for stable footage even on the move `Engine with L² technology with approximately 2x higher-speed signal processing `96MP handheld in-camera high resolution capture RRP: $3,699

PANASONIC

Aaron Waters Product Marketing Manager – Imaging The market trend towards full frame mirrorless cameras is strong for several reasons, according to Panasonic. “Consumers understand these are a high-quality, future-proof purchase and the cost of this technology has become more affordable for the enthusiast customer,” Aaron Waters said.

“And its maturity means that there is a much larger lens ecosystem. It’s a stronger proposition overall and is giving many, including DSLR users who may have been holding out, the confidence to enter the category.”

Consumers are interested in hybrid cameras that can support video capture for creating social content, as well as providing still image shooting.

Panasonic has seen strong market demand for the Lumix S5II FFM camera since it was announced, in particular the DC-S5M2KGN kit with Lumix S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 lens.

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Appliance Retailer December 2023

“Buying a high-quality full frame camera is a significant purchase for most people in the current climate and they are sensitive to the possibility of buyer’s remorse. As well as choosing quality, consumers want to be reassured that they have true value for money and it is important that they don’t have to replace their camera too quickly to get access to the latest features,” he said.

Panasonic provides customers with highspecification price-competitive models and regular free of charge firmware updates for current models. The Lumix S5II and S5IIX, released earlier this year, feature a handheld mode with advanced computational photography technology that analyses motion during the image capture and intelligently processes in-camera to produce a higher resolution image.

Photographers can then view a 96MP RAW and/ or JPG file, without requiring any proprietary software. Other improvements based on user feedback include the AF scope function for wildlife photography, and improved MF Assist with magnification up to 20 times. “It’s an impressive suite of updates to offer consumers who will have had their camera for under a year,” Waters said.

Panasonic is investing in Lumix above the line campaigns and retailer-led bonus activity over the next few months. This includes a bonus Lumix 14-28mm lens (S-R1428MGC) valued at $1,499 with the purchase of an S5II or S5II kit, valid until January 1, 2024. In-store activity in selected stores includes cabinet display wraps, counter wraps and decals. AR

WHAT'S HOT AR

Smeg elevates the cooking experience

The FS9608AS-1 Black Freestanding Cooker is one of Smeg’s most popular cookers with an oven that boasts remarkable features. Achieve culinary excellence with the help of Thermoseal, the hallmark of Smeg’s ovens. Within its controlled cooking environment, relish succulent roasts, crisp pastry, and exceptional baking, thanks to Thermoseal’s perfect atmospheric balance for optimal cooking conditions. Benefit from Smeg’s patented Ever Clean enamel, crafted from over 70 years of expertise. Its superior quality ensures durability and effortless cleaning, guaranteeing long-life performance. The tough yet lustrous finish of Ever Clean enamel simplifies maintenance. A simple water and detergent spray, paired with the Vapour Clean option, generates heat and steam, effortlessly dissolving grease for an immaculate wipe-clean finish. Elevate the cooking experience with Smeg — where innovation and excellence meet.

RRP: $3,450

What’s Hot

Cinema sound with Samsung Audio

Creating a cinema experience from home is only complete with immersive and big sound audio experiences to match. Q Soundbar syncs with your Samsung TV, together creating immersive sound.

It combines and enhances sound through the soundbar’s front, side, and up-firing speakers, as well as the TV’s speakers, giving you a new level of acoustic immersion so you can experience content like never before1. Spacefit Sound Pro will test the zones of your room each time the soundbar turns on to calibrate sound to the size and objects in the space, to create a truly customised audio experience while watching your favourite content2.

RRP: $2,099 Samsung Q-Symphony is compatible with all 20212023 Samsung TVs (excluding The Serif and The Sero).

Sound effects may vary depending on environmental characteristics (including ceiling).

1

Audio quality varies based on source content, installation and environmental characteristics (e.g. ceiling).

2

www.applianceretailer.com.au

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AR WHAT'S HOT

Smeg blender achieves unparalleled results Transform ingredients into a luxuriously smooth texture like never before with the Smeg High Performance Blender — the BLC02. Featuring a 1,400W motor, this blender starts gently, minimising sudden surges to smoothly reach the desired speed for a range of recipes from green smoothies to frozen desserts and soups. The built-in LCD display shows the chosen speed and functions as a timer.

Whether in manual mode for a count-up or when using one of the preset programs with a convenient count-down feature, precision remains at your command. Smoothies are blended to perfection with the included vacuum pump accessory, eliminating air from the jug for smooth textures, intensified flavours, and vibrant colours. The BPA-free Tritan jug stands as a lightweight, durable companion, boasting a non-drip spout and dishwasher-safe properties.

RRP: $799

Sharp delivers new convection microwave

Sharp’s latest Convection Microwave, the R42CVST, is a 42L marvel tailored for retailers. This versatile kitchen companion seamlessly integrates cutting-edge technology with a spacious interior to cater to the diverse needs of your customers.

Equipped with smart inverter and sensor technology, the R42CVST ensures precise and efficient cooking, delivering consistently perfect results from a trusted brand. Featuring 28 auto menus and four-stage sequence cooking, this microwave adapts to a wide range of cooking scenarios, from reheating to gourmet meal preparation. Its 345mm large turntable accommodates even the largest dishes, ensuring uniform heating with no cold spots. This feature-rich microwave effortlessly handles substantial casserole dishes and roasts. Not only does the R42CVST excel in functionality, but its sleek, modern design enhances any kitchen decor while offering an array of convenient features. Whether your customers prefer microwaving, baking, roasting, or grilling, the Sharp R42CVST is the ultimate kitchen appliance that seamlessly combines efficiency and style.

RRP: $949

Experience AI-powered cooking with Samsung

Complete with a spacious 76L capacity, the Samsung Series 6 Oven features a revolutionary AI camera, allowing users to monitor the entire cooking process from their smartphone1 via the Samsung SmartThings app. Featuring Dual Cook Flex, the oven can create two zones, working independently or together, to cook multiple dishes at a time, effortlessly. Integrated Steam Cooking, Air Fry and Air Sous Vide settings transform the oven into an appliance fit for multiple cooking styles. As part of Samsung’s BESPOKE range, the cooking appliances see form and function seamlessly unite.

RRP: $3,699 The SmartThings app is available on Android and iOS devices.

A Wi-Fi connection and a Samsung account are required.

1

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COMPANY INDEX AR COMPANY

PAGE #

READERSHIP GROUPS

Anker................................................................................................21, 22, 23, 25 Arisit....................................................................................................................35 Arlo......................................................................................................................24 ASUS....................................................................................................................37 Beko............................................................................................................. 12, 13 Bi-Rite.......................................................................................................... 18, 19 Bing Lee..........................................................................................................6, 20 Bosch...................................................................................................................31 Canon..................................................................................................................47 Dell......................................................................................................................42 Electrolux........................................................................................................7, 33 Euromonitor........................................................................................................30 Fujifilm................................................................................................................46 Fujitsu General...................................................................................................11 GfK.......................................................................................................... 22, 36, 45 Harman...............................................................................................................41 Harvey Norman....................................................................................... 6, 16, 17 Hisense...............................................................................................................40 Hitachi.......................................................................................................... 12, 13 Hong Kong Trade Development Council.........................................................8, 9 HTC VIVE..............................................................................................................43 ILVE........................................................................................................................7 Laser............................................................................................................. 28, 41 Lenovo.................................................................................................................39 LG................................................................................................................. 34, 38 Miele................................................................................................10, 14, 15, 33 NETGEAR.............................................................................................................43 Officeworks.........................................................................................................44 Panasonic............................................................................................... 30, 35, 48 Samsung..........................................................................................10, 42, 49, 50 Smeg................................................................................................10, 32, 49, 50 Swann.................................................................................................................27 TCL.......................................................................................................................39 Tempo.......................................................................................................... 34, 50 The Good Guys....................................................................................................29 Uniden................................................................................................................26

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51

BORA X BO

The perfect addition: BORA multi-drawer

The professional steam oven for your home.

Fresh air and a clear view Effective odour filtering and automatic steam extraction

Simple operation Numerous cooking programmes

Simple cleaning Fully automatic cleaning of the oven chamber

Timeless design Premium design with large 19” touchscreen

Top performance/best cooking results Uniform cooking results and optimum heat distribution, Four-point food thermometer

BORA Cooktop extractor systems The end of the extractor hood. Cooking with a clear view while surrounded by fresh air.

BORA X Pure

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