Appliance Retailer February-March 2021

APPLIANCE

SERVICING THE INDUSTRY FOR 25 YEARS

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ROOM HEATING

CONSUMERS SEEK COMFORT AS THEY SPEND MORE TIME AT HOME

FLOORCARE

STICK VACS AND ROBOTICS CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE CATEGORY

MOTHER’S DAY

LEADING SMALL APPLIANCE AND PERSONAL CARE GIFT IDEAS

RETAILER

THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR THE CONSUMER ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY

/// FEBRUARY / MARCH 2021

HOME CAFÉ

AT-HOME COFFEE CONSUMPTION TAKEN TO A NEW LEVEL

Creating comfort and warmth for

every family

At Dimplex, we’ve been the trusted name in electric heating for over 70 years, and we are especially proud to win the Canstar Blue’s Most Satisfied Customer Award for Portable Heaters. Leaders in the market with a wide range of stylish portable heating products, our business is your comfort as we strive to keep every family comfy and warm.

www.dimplex.com.au

Heating for generations

EDITORʼS NOTE AR Appliance Retailer is published by The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd ABN 940 025 836 82 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 Graphic Design Chris Papaspiros Production Manager Jacqui Cooper jacqui@intermedia.com.au Subscriptions 1800 651 422 subscriptions@intermedia.com.au

Average Net Distribution Per Issue: 5,139 AMAA/CAB Yearly Audit Period ending 31st March 2019.

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New Year, new opportunities?

New Year symbolises new hope and new beginnings and after such a turbulent 2020, this couldn’t have felt more true welcoming 2021. However, online events and virtual communication are here to stay – perhaps even post-pandemic.

To kick start the year, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) was the first major online-only event for the industry on a virtual platform for the first time in the show’s 54year history. There was no 17-hour flight (at best), jet lag or lengthy time difference, but there was also no ‘razzle dazzle’ Las Vegas experience, ‘wow’ factor when seeing new products in the flesh for the first time or the ability to speak to brand representatives on the ground.

Retailers were able to review keynotes and press conferences, as well as explore products in their own time, but there was a lack of opportunity to ask questions and discuss new technologies and trends with manufacturers.

Despite this, organisers of the show, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) have said CES 2021 made history as the largest digital tech event with almost 2,000 companies presenting their innovations. We have chosen our top picks from the leading brands including Hisense, Samsung, LG, TCL and Sony.

As expected, there was a strong focus on bigger, better, thinner TVs with the latest screen and sound technologies. But this year also saw health and hygiene come to the forefront in home appliances across refrigeration, laundry and floorcare. Read more on page 12.

The next industry event – for small appliances in particular – will be The Inspired Home Show which has been postponed to August from March. When the show would normally have taken place in Chicago, the International Housewares Association (IHA) will host a new virtual event, Connect SPRING, with online product demonstrations, educational content, industry expert consultations and one-on-one supplier/retailer meetings.

To coincide with Connect SPRING, IHA will roll out a new B2B online marketplace in partnership with Brandwise, to offer a year-round opportunity for its members and buyers. The platform, Connect COMMERCE, will help retailers discover new products and purchase them directly online. Read more on page 11.

As for the much-anticipated EuroCucina, Salone del Mobile.Milano has confirmed that the biennial exhibition will be held from 5 to 10 September 2021 in Milan with further details yet to be disclosed. This will coincide with IFA, scheduled for 3 to 7 September 2021 in Berlin.

Although the Australian Government has done a commendable job controlling the virus and there is a vaccine in the pipeline, uncertainty will continue to impact the way business is done, including interstate and international travel. But where possible, retailers and brands need to strike the right balance between virtual and real life interactions for the industry to thrive and remain resilient.

Editor Emily Bencic

MEET THE APPLIANCE RETAILER TEAM 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 wrapping used in the delivery process of this magazine is 100 per cent biodegradable.

James Wells

FOR MORE INDUSTRY NEWS FOLLOW US ON

Emily Bencic

Kymberly Martin

Ben Curtis

CHECK OUT WWW.APPLIANCERETAILER.COM.AU www.applianceretailer.com.au

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[ON THE COVER]

BARISTA-MADE COFFEE MADE SIMPLE

De’Longhi’s latest Italian masterpiece, Primadonna Soul, is specifically designed for coffee lovers who want the best from their coffee, without years of barista training. Featuring Wi-Fi connectivity with automatic Bean Adapt technology, the machine can adapt its settings for the perfect extraction tailored to specific bean blends and roasting levels. Simply enter the blend and roast level of the chosen beans, and the machine will do the rest. Finish the perfect espresso with the latest LatteCrema system for a hotter, silkier microfoam. The large 4.3-inch TFT touch display provides easy access to five user profiles and 21 coffee recipes, including one-touch favourites such as cappuccino, flat white, and latte, and the coffee pot recipe to prepare batch coffee with ease.

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Appliance Retailer February / March 2021

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VOLUME 27 / ISSUE #1

IN THIS ISSUE

19 EDITOR'S NOTE

03

New Year, new opportunities?

How our industry will continue to adapt to the new digital norm.

NEWS

06

Narta confirms changes to category management team; Michaels closes its store to trade online only

With Bob Stanley to retire in March; After being in the same Melbourne premises for 105 years.

08

Kogan acquires leading New Zealand online retailer; Magimix extends motor guarantee for blenders

Providing significant scale and further strengthening operations; To 30 years with the same guarantee of spare parts availability.

10

TCL Mobile brings management in-house; Beko parent company partners with Hitachi

While ensuring its long-standing relationship with Synefon; Joint venture will manufacture and sell Hitachi branded home appliances.

12

CES Report: The latest innovations from the leading brands

The first-ever virtual CES in 2021 has made history as the largest digital tech event.

16

Rawsons Miele Partner Centre opens its doors

Adelaide-based electrical retailer Rawsons Appliances has opened the second Miele Partner Centre in the world at its Plympton store.

19

HOME CAFÉ FEATURE

Coffee machines were the largest growing category in small appliances throughout 2020 with strong increases in volume and value. All segments contributed to overall growth – manual, automatic, capsule, filter and drip – but manual machines were the best performing.

28

ROOM HEATING FEATURE

Smaller capacity split systems performed well as a preferred choice for home office spaces, but consumers also took the opportunity to upgrade their primary air conditioning system with multi-split systems proving popular to cater to multiple rooms.

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38

FLOORCARE FEATURE

Confinement has not crushed sales of floorcare – quite the opposite. Stick vacs now account for over half of all units sold, driving the category forward, combined with an equally strong output from high-end robotic models.

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MOTHER'S DAY FEATURE

Benchtop appliances and personal care items are set to top the wish list again this Mother’s Day as consumers embrace cooking at home and make health and wellness a priority.

WHAT’S HOT

50

Pick of the crop

Smeg Dishwashers, Teco Split System Air-Conditioners and Vornado Air Purifiers.

www.applianceretailer.com.au

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AR NEWS

NARTA CONFIRMS CHANGES TO CATEGORY MANAGEMENT TEAM Narta has confirmed the appointment of former Breville category manager, Nicolas Cauzac as category manager for whitegoods.

His appointment coincides with the retirement of longserving Narta executive, Bob Stanley in March after 20 years with the business. He was most recently national category manager for whitegoods.

When Appliance Retailer contacted Narta regarding Cauzac’s appointment, a spokesperson said he brings significant management experience having spent more than 14 years in roles across product and category with a decade’s experience in the Australian consumer electronics industry with both Panasonic and Breville.

“Having previously worked in the whitegoods space, and with substantial experience managing categories and product portfolios, Nic brings a wealth of experience to his new role.

He is well known to a number of Narta members through his time in the industry and we are excited to bring him into the business and drive the whitegoods business forward,” a statement supplied to Appliance Retailer said.

Cauzac will be joined by Amit Matthew who moves from the cooking category into a new role as whitegoods planner and seasonal category manager with Michael McKenzie appointed

Nicolas Cauzac has been appointed category manager for whitegoods with the retirement of Bob Stanley in March 2021. category manager for TV. “Both Amit and Michael have been with Narta for a number of years and the opportunity to promote within the team is always welcomed and well deserved in these two appointments,” the statement from Narta said.

“These changes have allowed Narta to strengthen the roles within the category team and help align the overall achievement of business strategies of retail services to members and suppliers.” AR

Michaels closes its CBD store to trade online only A significant drop in foot traffic due to Covid-19 restrictions has forced Michaels Camera, Video & Digital to close its doors after trading in the same Melbourne premises for 105 years. The family business will now operate online only, although the media school will remain in operation.

Appointments for special orders, repairs, photo processing and laybys can be made via email. Gift vouchers, equipment hire vouchers and print and frame vouchers can also be redeemed via email.

The store, located on the corner of Elizabeth and Lonsdale Street, was the largest camera store in the Southern Hemisphere. In July, Michaels temporarily closed its doors due to Covid-19, which was the first time in its history to do so.

The Michaels business was established by the great grandfather of current managing director, Peter Michael, in 1916 as a pawn and gun shop. In 1928, a pharmacy was opened in the building.

Peter’s father, Alan joined the family pharmacy business in 1950 but his fascination with photography led to the expansion of the photo department and by 1976, the photographic business represented 80% of total turnover. The pharmacy section was then closed by the family and photographic equipment expanded to three floors.

Michaels received the prestigious Australian Photographic Dealer of the Year award in 1988, 1997 and 2012. The award is based on criteria such as staff expertise, range of stock, store cleanliness, window displays, presentation and adherence to high business principles. AR

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Appliance Retailer February / March 2021

Michaels Camera, Video & Digital has closed its doors after trading in the same Melbourne premises for 105 years.

NEWS AR

De’Longhi acquires Nutribullet parent company

TCL claims that the flagship 454L top mount (P491TMS) is an industry-first Standards Australia approved refrigerator.

TCL MAKES DEBUT IN AUSTRALIAN REFRIGERATION CATEGORY TCL has expanded its product offering beyond TVs and consumer electronics by releasing a range of refrigerators in Australia for the first time in 40 years. The range comprises three top mount fridges (454L, 362L and 221L), two bar fridges (95L and 42L) and two chest freezers (200L and 145L), all for sub-$1,000.

TCL claims that the flagship 454L top mount (P491TMS) is an industry-first Standards Australia approved refrigerator. It is the first model to comply with the 2021 AS/NZS IEC 62552-3 standard, TCL national marketing manager, Rafael Mayen said. “It demonstrates our commitment to providing a fairer choice for Australian consumers who are energy conscious.”

The refrigerators feature intelligent inverter technology to maintain ideal storage conditions, an improved thermal barrier specifically engineered for the Australian climate, scuff resistance surface, reversible doors, recessed handles, and Holiday Mode to keep the freezer running while powering down the fridge.

Mayen added: “Australian consumers should have more choice when creating kitchens at an affordable price. Put simply, our goal is to make premium products more accessible. These products are designed for the home renovators and first-time buyers who are both style and budget conscious.”

The new refrigerator range is available now through Appliances Online, Betta Electrical, Bi-Rite, Leading Appliances, Retravision, and The Good Guys.

Globally, TCL offers smart fridges, washing machines and dryers and the local subsidiary plans to bring some of these products to Australian consumers over the next 12 months. AR

De’Longhi has acquired Nutribullet parent company, Capital Brands, in a deal valued at circa $420 million.

A statement from De’Longhi Italy shared with Appliance Retailer read: “De’Longhi has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Capital Brands Holdings Inc, a global leader in the personal blenders segment with the Nutribullet and Magic Bullet brands.”

Capital Brands, which was founded in 2003 in Los Angeles, California, develops and sells domestic appliances with a focus on wellness nutrition to households in over 100 markets worldwide. The company claims to have market leadership in the personal blenders segment – estimated to be worth up to $1.1 billion in the US – in North America, Australia, New Zealand and the UK. With this transaction, the US becomes the largest market for the De’Longhi group with aggregate turnover in excess of $500 million.

De’Longhi CEO, Massimo Garavaglia said the acquisition is a perfect fit for the Group and is consistent with its geographical expansion and growth objectives.

“Moreover, it represents strategic value from several viewpoints: we add a young and dynamic brand to our portfolio; we enlarge our range of iconic products with an important presence in the blender segment, we increase our penetration in an expanding and strategically important market like the US; and we strengthen the De’Longhi Group’s leadership in the food preparation sector.”

Capital Brands CEO, Rich Krause said: “We are very pleased to be joining the De’Longhi Group and to have the opportunity to align our strong brands with theirs. We are excited about the future growth opportunities that we will be able to exploit in the US and internationally with the support of our new shareholder.” AR

De’Longhi has acquired Nutribullet parent company, Capital Brands, in a deal valued at circa $420 million.

www.applianceretailer.com.au

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AR NEWS

Kogan acquires leading New Zealand online retailer

Kogan.com has acquired online retailer of gaming, toys and other entertainment, Mighty Ape in a deal valued at $122.4 million. Mighty Ape sells tech products from major brands including Apple, Fitbit, Fujifilm, Instax, Samsung, Sennheiser and Sony.

A leading online retailer in New Zealand with over 690,000 unique customers and more than 895,000 subscribers, Mighty Ape also operates an online store in Australia.

In New Zealand, there are 161 permanent full-time employees and a purpose-built distribution centre near Auckland that facilitates same day delivery to Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch, and services shipping to the Australian market.

Kogan.com COO and CFO, David Shafer said, “We are pleased to bring Mighty Ape into the Kogan Group and are delighted to welcome founder, Simon Barton and his team. We are a natural home for Mighty Ape, given our history and shared values but most importantly our obsession with delighting customers

Kogan.com has acquired online retailer of gaming, toys and other entertainment, Mighty Ape. and continually improving the online shopping experience.

“Mighty Ape will give us significant scale in New Zealand and further strength across a variety of operational dimensions.

We will draw on Mighty Ape’s deep experience in gaming, toys and other entertainment product categories and the New Zealand market, and combining this experience with Kogan.com’s sourcing, technology, systems, infrastructure, and marketplace capabilities, to further enhance the group’s already marketleading offering across the Tasman.”

Mighty Ape founder, Simon Barton added: “The team is happy to be joining forces with Kogan.com as we embark on the next stage of our growth. Combining with Kogan.com will assist us expand our product range and improve our customer experience.”

Mighty Ape was launched in 1995 as a bricks-and-mortar store, Gamezone and hosted the official New Zealand release of the first Sony PlayStation.

By 2008, all stores were closed and the brand was relaunched as Mighty Ape with a significant website upgrade. AR

Magimix extends motor guarantee for blenders

Magimix has extended the motor guarantee on its Power Blender to 30 years

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Appliance Retailer February / March 2021

Magimix has extended the motor guarantee on its Power Blender to 30 years with guaranteed availability of spare parts for 30 years after purchase.

The Power Blenders join the Magimix Cook Expert, Food Processors and Juice Expert with the same guarantee. All Power Blenders purchased from 1 September 2020 are now eligible for the 30-year motor warranty with a guarantee of spare parts availability for the same time-period.

Magimix Australia managing director, Wivina Chaneliere said the company’s slogan is ‘built better to last longer’ for a reason.

“Our 30-year guarantee is a testament to how reliable our motors are. They are also highly efficient, brought about by our commercial roots. Ensuring that our products last for decades is also aligned with our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint by creating products that do not go into landfill. We encourage all our valued customers and trade partners to help us spread the news.”

Magimix was recently recognised by Australian consumer opinion site, Product Review with the Cook Expert and Food Processor winning Best All-In-One Kitchen Appliance and Best Food Processor respectively. AR

NEWS AR

Eurolinx completes renovation to Sydney showroom Eurolinx has completed a re-design of its Sydney showroom and national headquarters in Leichhardt to coincide with the launch of the new range of ILVE Professional Plus builtin ovens, freestanding cookers and the updated Nostalgie and Majestic series.

According to Eurolinx marketing manager, Daniel Bertuccio, the new-look showroom provides the opportunity Eurolinx has completed a re-design of its Sydney to emphasise the complete showroom and national headquarters in Leichhardt. range of products available under the new agency arrangement.

Eurolinx has also added a new “This has provided us with the black glass and stainless steel range of opportunity to re-organise the layout Professional Plus built-in ovens in the of the showroom, which now features key product sizes of 45cm, 60cm, 80cm the flagship three 150cm cookers and 90cm. close to the entrance from three “The TFT control panel featured different series within the ILVE on the Majestic range is now available brand – Nostalgie, Majestic and on the Professional Plus built-in Professional Plus.” products – that also feature thermostats

Klipsch appoints VP for lifestyle audio division Klipsch vice president and general manager of sales and marketing for Asia Pacific, Australia and New Zealand, Vince Bonacorsi will take on an additional newly created role as vice president of the lifestyle audio division, comprising headphones, Bluetooth speakers and gaming audio solutions.

Bonacorsi will be responsible for the strategic direction, design and technological innovation of the product portfolio, as well as marketing and brand collaborations. In 2019, he led the development of a multi-year partnership between Klipsch and McLaren Racing with the release of premium headphones and portable audio products.

He joined Klipsch in 2006 and has held various roles in finance, sales and management. He was awarded Klipsch

Manager of the Year in 2019 and earned a spot on Dealerscope’s coveted “40 under 40” list in 2020.

Commenting on his new role, Bonacorsi said: “The lifestyle audio division is the culmination of many people, cultures and behaviours I have been fortunate enough to experience throughout my time at Klipsch. I am excited to build upon our 75-year history by leading the evolution of the brand with innovative products that allow people to discover their music and content in new ways.”

Premium Audio Company president and CEO, Paul Jacobs said Vince’s ever-progressive view of business has helped shape much of the company’s global strategy.

“His MBA in finance started his career at Klipsch but his mastery of distribution, product form and function and people’s emotional connection has propelled his advancement in our organisation. Vince is an essential part of our future.” AR

up to 300°C as well as a completely new user interface.”

The first 45cm builtin is an Ultra Combi three-in-one featuring steam cooking, microwave cooking and conventional cooking methods, while the other is a multi-function oven with a dedicated pizza mode that can cook up to 400°C producing a pizza every 2 minutes and 15 seconds.

Also in the range are a 60cm, 80cm and 90cm oven available in either stainless or black glass and a warming drawer is also available to complete the range set to be released to market by March 2021.

“There has been huge demand for the 80cm built-in product for our replacement market, and after a brief transition at the factory, we have decided to bring this unique size back into the range,” Bertuccio said. AR

Klipsch vice president and general manager of sales and marketing for Asia Pacific, Australia and New Zealand, Vince Bonacorsi will take on an additional newly created role as vice president of the lifestyle audio division.

www.applianceretailer.com.au

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AR NEWS

TCL Mobile brings management in-house TCL Communications has made key changes to its organisational structure and management team in Oceania.

In a letter sent to customers obtained by Appliance Retailer, TCL Communications said: “In order for the The latest TCL 20 Series smartphones were unveiled business to be closely aligned with the global strategy and at the first-ever all-digital CES event in January. signifying the ever-growing importance of the region to the business, TCL Communication Limited is bringing its management function in-house, while ensuring its long-standing and Arnaud Abad as director of technical and support. This relationship with Synefon (Australasia) Pty Ltd continues.” resulted in the Alcatel brand establishing itself as a mobility Under the new organisational structure, TCL has appointed brand across the South East Asia & Pacific markets. Within Michael Kwok as general manager for Oceania with the Australia and New Zealand, Alcatel mobile reached number departure of long-serving managing director, Sam Skontos. three in volume behind Samsung and Apple.

Kwok, who is currently based in TCL headquarters in Shenzhen, “As consultants, the Synefon team will continue to offer the will be responsible for the business strategy and overall sales same level of service that our customers have been accustomed performance of the region. to over the last 12 years, ensuring its strong expertise remains He will be supported by Fei Xin, who has been appointed as to benefit TCL. They will be focused on implementing and deputy general manager of Oceania. Xin who is already based supporting all business activities around its Alcatel branded in Australia will be responsible for the TCL brand and its sales products,” TCL said in its letter to customers. activities within the region.

“These key management appointments, combined with Synefon will end its 12-year partnership with TCL for the appointment of Synefon as consultants, is in line with our outsourced management services but will continue in a strategy of expanding and investing in a local sales team to consultancy role to retain market knowledge and experience strengthen the business and our commitment to focusing on across the markets in Oceania. the services we provide to customers. It also comes as the TCL The partnership ensured the business was driven by Sam brand launches and continues to grow in importance in the Skontos as managing sirector, Paul Lakkis as director of sales Oceania region,” the letter continued. AR

Beko parent company partners with Hitachi for joint venture Beko parent company, Arçelik, will establish a new joint venture company with Hitachi Global Life Solutions in a deal valued at USD $300 million (A$390 million).

The new joint venture encompasses two production facilities in China and Thailand, as well as 10 sales companies across Asia with the license to use the Hitachi home appliance brand globally, excluding Japan.

The joint venture will manufacture, sell and provide aftersales service of Hitachi branded home appliances including refrigerators, washing machines and vacuum cleaners globally outside of the Japanese market.

Arçelik will acquire 60% ownership in the company with the deal set to be finalised by the end of Q2 2021, subject to regulatory approvals.

In a statement shared with Appliance Retailer, Arçelik said the partnership with Hitachi is a major milestone in its global expansion and strengthening its position as a leading home appliance company globally.

“Arçelik’s advanced know-how, diverse portfolio of innovations and products, R&D capabilities, global presence 10

Appliance Retailer February / March 2021

Signing ceremony between Beko parent company, Arçelik and Hitachi Global Life Solutions. and strong ties with business partners together with Hitachi’s strong brand heritage and high-end products will reveal powerful synergies and growth prospects across the globe,” the statement read.

“We firmly believe that this partnership will significantly advance our global strategies and leap Arçelik forward in our industry.” AR

NEWS AR

IDEA to wind up operations in 2022 The Imaging & Digital Entertainment Association (IDEA) will wind up operations in June 2022 after more than 40 years as the peak industry body.

IDEA president, James Murray said the decision was made at the recent AGM and General Meeting. “We came to the conclusion that despite the value the association has brought to the industry, IDEA would not be financially viable beyond Project 2020 without a new income stream of major events, such as exhibitions.”

Project 2020 is a two-stage initiative whereby IDEA sponsors a member’s activity. Member companies were invited to submit a promotional or advertising concept that IDEA would contribute sponsorship funding towards.

The goal is to amplify community awareness of photography and videography, while inspiring consumers to recognise unique camera features that are not available on mobile phones, with 100% of allocated industry funds used for the initiative. Five member companies responded to Project 2020 but due to Covid-19 have postponed

activity until 2021, with projects to be concluded and sponsorships claimed by 31 March 2022.

IDEA president, James Murray.

IDEA’s income stream has previously come from member fees and The Digital Show but as the industry has transitioned the association’s membership base has experienced reduced numbers, Murray said.

“Leading up to the current

Belkin names new CEO as founder steps aside Belkin founder, Chet Pipkin has taken on the role of executive chairman, appointing senior vice president and general manager, Steve Malony to CEO of Belkin International.

Pipkin will remain active and engaged with the business on a full-time basis.

“I have been honored to lead Belkin for the past 37 years, and I am extremely proud of how we have impacted the way the world works, lives and plays,” Pipkin said. “I am proud to announce Steve Malony as my successor and have full confidence that he will lead Belkin into our next chapter through the combination of exceptional industry and leadership skills as well as a deep operational expertise.”

Malony steps into the role of CEO having been an integral part of Belkin International for the past 15 years.

He spent time in a variety of roles both domestically and internationally. “While I have very big shoes to fill, I am honoured to step into the role of CEO of Belkin,” he said.

“I have been blessed to serve the company for a great portion of my career and the trust and confidence placed in me to lead it are not taken lightly. I am excited to enter a new chapter with Belkin with an intention to lead with devotion and a vision for a future that is crystal clear, positive and bright.” AR

‘preservation of funds’ operating mode, IDEA invested heavily to bring new value to the industry, aside from The Digital Show. The launch of D Hub brought together industry marketing minds, while the VIVID partnership to launch the Digital Playground also proved to be a great success. However, it became clear that while there was a strong desire for an industry association, the engagement in cooperative activity between brands was diminishing.”

In 2013, IDEA moved to a biennial Digital Show. While the 2015 event was a success with record attendance, the costs were unsustainable.

The 2017 show was postponed, and by 2019 the show was no longer viable.

At the 2019 AGM, it was noted that should IDEA be in a position where the preserved funds are exhausted, the association would be wound up. It was then decided at the 2020 General Meeting that regardless of funds remaining, IDEA will close by 30 June 2022. Any remaining funds after disbursements will be transferred to a charitable organisation. AR

Belkin senior vice president and general manager, Steve Malony has been promoted to CEO of Belkin International.

Belkin founder, Chet Pipkin has taken on the role of executive chairman and will remain active and engaged with the business on a full-time basis.

www.applianceretailer.com.au

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AR REPORT

HISENSE DEBUTS FIRST 8K TV, UNVEILS ULED MINI LED TVS AND EXPANDS LASER TV RANGE

CES 2021: Largest digital tech industry event on record

Appliance Retailer reflects on the consumer tech and home appliances highlights from this year’s first-ever, all-digital Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

T

he first-ever virtual CES 2021 has made history as the largest digital tech event with almost 2,000 companies presenting their innovations, according to owners and producers, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA). The all-digital event featured product launches from both start ups and tech giants, keynotes from industry leaders, live entertainment, and more than 100 hours of conference programming.

CTA president and CEO, Gary Shapiro said the all-digital CES 2021 engaged the global tech community to experience innovation, make connections and conduct business. “CES showed how the pandemic accelerated the arc of innovation and illustrated the resilience and innovative spirit of our industry. From the latest innovations for the home and entertainment, and advances in 5G, vehicle technology, AI and digital health, the technologies at CES 2021 will pave the way for a brighter tomorrow.” AR 12

Appliance Retailer February / March 2021

Hisense unveiled its 2021 ULED TV range including its first 8K TV, the U80G. Available in 65-, 75- and 85-inch, the first model arriving to market in February will be the 75-inch model for RRP $6,999.

The U80G is 8K Ultra HD Certified and features Quantum Dot Colour, Full Array Local Dimming Pro, Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos Audio. Hisense’s proprietary Hi-View Engine Pro leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) to recognise and upscale low-resolution content to 8K quality from a variety of content sources.

Joining the Hisense ULED 8K TV is a range of ULED 4K TVs equipped with Quantum Dot Colour, Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos Audio, with IMAX Enhanced on select models.

All TVs feature Hisense’s new Game Mode Pro equipped with Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and AMD FreeSync technologies to reduce lag, HDMI 2.1 to enable 8K passthrough and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) for a smooth and responsive experience. eARC offers increased bandwidth and speed.

Hisense ULED Mini LED TV technology also made its debut. ULED Mini LED TV offers tiny, direct-lit LEDs that can be switched off to display deeper blacks, resulting in more realistic and true-to-life images, which are further enhanced by Quantum Dot technology. The first model in the Hisense ULED Mini LED TV range will be the 75-inch 8K model, followed by a 4K model in 65- and 75-inch.

In Laser TVs, Hisense’s current 100-inch L5F Laser TV will be joined by the 120-inch L5F, in addition to two other models.

Hisense Australia head of marketing, Andre Iannuzzi said Hisense has been a global leader in Laser TV technology for more than

CES REPORT AR

LEFT: Hisense unveiled its first 8K TV, the U80G, as part of its 2021 ULED TV range.

10 years, including the world’s first 4K Ultra Short Throw Laser TV in 2016. “Laser TV technology has evolved significantly during this time – not only with technological advancements but in popularity. The past 12 months has seen Australians’ appetite for larger-than-life home cinema solutions skyrocket and the popularity of our Laser TVs, which come with screen, speakers, TV tuner and our VIDAA Smart TV OS all included, is testament to this.” AR

SAMSUNG INTRODUCES LATEST TV AND HOME APPLIANCE INNOVATIONS

Samsung Electronics introduced a new display technology, Neo QLED comprising a flagship 8K model (QN900A) and 4K (QN90A) model. Taking QLED to the next level, the TVs are enabled

by Quantum Mini LED precisely controlled by Quantum Matrix Technology and Neo Quantum Processor. Quantum Mini LED has extremely thin micro layers filled with more LEDs compared to conventional LED.

Neo QLED increases luminance to make dark areas darker and bright areas brighter. Samsung’s proprietary Neo Quantum Processor offers enhanced upscaling capabilities.

Neo QLED increases luminance to make dark areas darker and bright areas brighter, while Samsung’s proprietary Neo Quantum Processor offers enhanced upscaling capabilities.

Premium picture quality is supported by Object Tracking Sound (OTS) Pro which corresponds to the movement of objects on screen and SpaceFit Sound that analyses the physical environment to deliver tailored sound.

After making its debut at CES 2018, Samsung will make Micro LED available in a traditional TV form factor for the first time in 2021, initially in 110- and 99-inch models with smaller sizes to arrive by the end of the year. Micro LED is self-illuminating, producing lifelike colors and brightness through 24 million individually controlled LEDs, supported by a Monolith Design offering 99% screen-to-body ratio.

The latest iteration of The Frame is 50% slimmer than the 2020 model at 24.9mm and features new attachable bezel options. Samsung’s new AI-based auto-curation technology better analyses individual consumer preferences to recommend artwork.

In home appliances, Samsung has a new French Door fridge range with innovative storage to keep food fresher for longer, a beverage showcase with an internal water and ice dispenser and anti-bacterial handles.

Samsung’s Smart Dial front load washers and dryers learn preferred cycles and settings to prioritise them on the control panel for quick access. They also recommend specific cycles based on intelligent learning.

Samsung has strengthened its robotic vacuum cleaner offering with the JetBot 90 AI+ which uses a LiDAR sensor, similar to detect distance and track location, while a 3D sensor recognises the difference between objects and learns a room’s shape. When finished cleaning, the robot automatically empties at the Clean Station. AR

Samsung's new French Door Refrigerator offers innovative storage.

www.applianceretailer.com.au

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AR NEWS

LG announces 2021 TV line-up, puts hygiene front and centre of new fridges and vacuums

LG’s latest CordZero cordless stick vacuum features a new charging station stand.

LG unveiled its most comprehensive TV line-up to date with new OLED, QNED Mini LED and NanoCell TV models sporting new panels with improved colour accuracy and greater contrast, an upgraded AI processor and redesigned webOS with performance improvements.

The LG G1 Series features the next evolution of LG OLED TV technology, OLED evo that delivers improved brightness and images with enhanced detail. The new Alpha 9 Gen 4 AI processor leverages deep learning to enhance upscaling and with AI Picture Pro, it recognises onscreen objects and distinguishes between foregrounds and backgrounds.

Featuring a new version of LG AI Sound Pro, the processor boasts virtual 5.1.2 surround sound upmixing for an immersive audio experience via the TV’s speakers and Auto Volume Levelling for consistent volume between channels and streaming apps.

LG has also introduced its first-ever QNED Mini LED TVs as the top-of-

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Appliance Retailer February / March 2021

LG introduced its first-ever QNED Mini LED TVs as the top-ofthe-line offering in its 2021 premium LCD TV line-up.

the-line offering in its 2021 premium LCD TV line-up with 10 models in 4K and 8K. The TVs represent the next evolution in LCD TV picture quality thanks to Quantum Dot and NanoCell technologies for more accurate colours, with Mini LEDs as the light source.

In home appliances, LG has upgraded its InstaView Door-in-Door refrigerators. The tinted glass panel is 23% larger and the water dispenser now incorporates UVnano technology to remove up to 99.99% of bacteria on the dispenser nozzle. With voice recognition, users can open the door

with their voice among other tasks including asking for the day’s agenda or checking the status of the ice and water dispensers.

LG’s latest CordZero cordless stick vacuum, the LG CordZeroThinQ A9 Kompressor+ features a new charging station stand which automatically empties the dustbin and recharges the vacuum after use. When docked in the stand, the contents of the dustbin container are automatically sucked into the charging station and collected in an attached dust bag. A R

NEWS AR

TCL extends Google partnership, presents new Mini LED and QLED TVs

TCL announced the roll out of its TCL Google TV series, combining Mini LED, 8K and QLED with Google’s on-demand video service for viewers to access content more easily. This announcement comes off the back of the company’s highly successful 2020 launch of the X10 Mini LED series.

TCL also unveiled its 2021 range of Mini LED including the TCL C825 4K Mini LED TV that features Quantum Dot display technology, Dolby Vision HDR imaging technology, Dolby Vision IQ and IMAX Enhanced certification. Gaming is taken to the next level with 200 Clear Motion Rate (CMR) and 120Hz low reverse display, supported by a 4-way HDMI 2.1 port, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), eARC, Wi-Fi 6 and low input lag for faster, smoother graphics and better sound effects.

TCL’s C725 4K QLED TV boasts nearly 100% ultra-high colour gamut (DCI-P3), Dolby Vision for ultra-vivid images and Dolby Atmos immersive audio, combined with Onkyo sound capabilities.

The C725’s AiPQ Engine provides real-time optimisation for various entertainment and content genres. Users will also benefit from handsfree voice control 2.0, Google Duo and leading streaming apps.

TCL’s P7254K HDR TV features Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos to combine HDR with wide colour gamut for enhanced brightness, contrast,

TCL’s C725 4K QLED TV boasts nearly 100% ultra-high colour gamut, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos with Onkyo sound capabilities. colour, and detail. CMR motion picture processing ensures crisp and clear image performance. This model comes with hands-free voice control 2.0 and the latest in Android TV OS. The new TCL TS8111 soundbar offers Dolby Atmos in a single

system supported by a combination of angled drivers and acoustic radiators for a surround sound like experience. The built-in subwoofer delivers deep bass and Bluetooth capability enables the soundbar to be used as a music system. AR

Sony delivers its best TV experience to date Sony presented its new BRAVIA XR televisions including the Sony’s Master Series Z9J 8K LED is powered Master Series Z9J 8K LED, A90J and A80J OLED, and X95J and by an all-new Cognitive Processor XR. X90J 4K LED TVs. According to Sony, its all-new processing method, powered by the Cognitive Processor XR, goes beyond conventional Artificial Intelligence (AI) by replicating the way we see and hear. While conventional AI can only detect and analyse picture elements like colour, contrast and detail individually, the new Sony processor can cross-analyse an array of elements at once to deliver a synchronised and lifelike experience. It intelligently optimises every pixel, frame and scene for the most lifelike picture and sound Sony has ever delivered.

A new addition to the BRAVIA XR line-up is Google TV, an all-new entertainment experience that brings together movies, shows, live TV and more, and organises them to suit the individual user. In addition to personalised recommendations, users can bookmark shows and movies to a Watchlist.

Sony’s voice-activated TVs work alongside Google Assistant for users to search content, manage tasks, view calendar or ask questions. With Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa enabled devices, users can cast and control videos from YouTube with Google Nest speakers or change the channel or volume with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa enabled devices.

www.applianceretailer.com.au

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AR RETAIL PROFILE

Entrance to the Rawsons Miele Partner Centre in Plympton, Adelaide.

Rawsons Miele Partner Centre opens its doors

BY EMILY BENCIC

A

delaide-based electrical retailer Rawsons Appliances has opened the second Miele Partner Centre in the world at its Plympton store, 10 minutes south of the CBD. After postponing in April due to Covid-19, development of the joint venture commenced in July 2020 with the brief executed remotely during lockdown. Construction was completed in four months by Mike Portch and the Michael’s

An interactive showcase of Miele ovens, cooktops and rangehoods.

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Appliance Retailer February / March 2021

Construction team who are Adelaide-based but have completed Miele fit outs nationally.

With finishing touches in late October, the first engagement in the Partner Centre was with kitchen groups in November under Covid conditions. In mid-November, Adelaide was put into a six-day full lockdown but upon returning to trade, Rawsons Appliances sales director, Jon Pysing said it was a busy Black Friday period, which continued into Christmas.

“During this busy trading period we had record numbers visiting and the response to the Rawsons Miele Partner Centre was very positive.

Clients were able to see and focus on every product from the Miele range on display,” he told Appliance Retailer.

“Seats for our Miele Chef cooking demonstrations are full, with strong demand for future dates which are filling quickly. We have also received numerous enquiries, quotations and sales as clients begin planning for home projects in the new year. We expect 2021 to be another strong year for the building industry and home renovations.”

The Miele Partner Centre is 300 square metres – or around one-third of the Plympton

RETAIL PROFILE AR more frequently. Dedicated multimedia stations showcasing interactive cooktops and ovens within the Centre provide consumers with the opportunity to interact with the appliances.”

Miele Australia and New Zealand managing director, Yves Dalcourt commented, “Our relationship with the Rawsons business extends over 35 years so we are really excited to introduce a new Miele Partner Centre together. Partnerships are defined by mutual respect and collaboration and we are proud to work with Rawsons to deliver an exceptional brand experience.” AR

LEFT: Customers can purchase Miele consumables including oven accessories, washing detergent and other cleaning products. site – alongside the existing 300 square metre Weber showroom, as well as a further 300 square metres for the Gessi and Abey showroom featuring PRKS products including sinks and tapware.

Pysing said Plympton mirrors a Miele Experience Centre that already exists in Adelaide, but it has been developed as a Miele Partner Centre concept showing the full suite of Miele’s domestic products and Miele consumables.

With Rawsons staff in Miele attire, the Centre incorporates a fully functioning dining room and interactive cooking class space.

“We have gone further to create a studio apartment into this space as well, showcasing some new home and residential products you would not normally see in a Miele Experience Centre. This is a hybrid retail and commercial space designed to not only host retail clients but also provide a showcase for new home builders and property developers. As a seven-day business, we also have greater scope to use the space a lot

Miele’s 122cm freestanding cooker.

Customers are invited to participate in cooking demonstrations, which have proven popular so far.

A range of Miele washing machines, dryers and garment care products are on display.

www.applianceretailer.com.au

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AR NEWS

International Housewares Association develops virtual event and online B2B marketplace IHA president, Derek Miller said retailers and suppliers saw an immediate need to connect in the first quarter.

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ith The Inspired Home Show 2021 postponed to August, the International Housewares Association (IHA) will roll out new online initiatives for the first quarter of the year.

Connect SPRING will debut in March, when the Show would normally have taken place, with virtual product demonstrations, educational content, industry expert consultations and one-onone supplier/retailer meetings. The two-week event will begin on March 16 and run every weekday through to March 26.

IHA president, Derek Miller said by the time the August 2021 Show is here, it will have been a year and a half since the industry has been able to convene in a meaningful way.

“All of the retailers and suppliers with whom we regularly communicate are telling us that there is an immediate need to connect in Q1 of 2021.”

IHA will also offer a year-round e-commerce opportunity for members and buyers, in partnership with Brandwise. The platform, Connect COMMERCE, will integrate with Connect 365 and help retailers discover new products and purchase them directly online.

Connect 365 is an enhanced and expanded version of IHA’s online marketplace Housewares Connect 365. Connect COMMERCE is an e-commerce market that will enable retailers to place orders for many products found on Connect

Appliance Retailer February / March 2021

365 and will give them access to manufacturertrained salespeople. The Brandwise Ecosystem, which will power Connect COMMERCE, processes over three million wholesale orders every year and includes access to more than 290,000 retailers.

“We are excited to offer this new e-commerce service to our members and the retail community.

For more than a decade, Housewares Connect 365 has been IHA’s online marketplace assisting buyers in finding new products and suppliers.

Adding Connect COMMERCE expands the updated platform’s functionality, marrying the robust search and discovery capabilities of the new Connect 365 site with the ability to complete transactions immediately online,” Miller said.

Brandwise co-founder and CEO, Todd Litzman said, “As we have had strong partnerships with IHA members for years, establishing this platform is a natural extension of that business. The current landscape demands new ways for the industry to connect. Partnering with IHA creates an opportunity for all industry stakeholders as it will bring together retailers, suppliers and salespeople in a single, fully featured online marketplace.”

The online marketplace features exhibitors in The Inspired Home Show 2021 and will offer visitors an updated user interface, enhanced functionality, and refined search capabilities to browse companies, brands and products. AR

FEATURE

Home Café

Automatic | Manual | Capsule/Portioned Machines | Milk Frothers | Coffee Accessories

AR HOME CAFÉ FEATURE

Coffee machines take centre stage among small appliances

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BY EMILY BENCIC offee machines were the largest growing category in small appliances throughout 2020, according to GfK data which shows a 37% increase in units and a 50% increase in value for the year to November 2020. All sub-segments contributed to overall growth – manual, automatic, capsule, filter and drip – but manual machines were the best performing, posting 70% growth yearon-year.

Euromonitor data has recorded 2% growth in coffee machines for 2020 with people spending more time at home.

The growth was driven by coffee quality and customisation of bean type, strength, and temperature.

“Less customisation and environmental concerns linked to capsules for pod machines are not allowing for significant growth. The shift from high volume turnover items is visible as consumers are looking for better performance models and high-quality features,” research analyst, Angeliki Sfikas told Appliance Retailer.

Narta’s MktVue platform reported volume growth of 48% for automatic and manual coffee machines for the year to September 2020. AR

Bean Adapt Technology

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Appliance Retailer December 2020

Automatically adjusts the grind, dose and temperature settings of your machine to your coffee beans.

HOME CAFÉ FEATURE AR

“

DE’LONGHI

Jessica Hull Product Manager There has been an increased focus on at-home coffee consumption with more consumers trying to replicate the café experience, which has driven a sales spike in coffee machines, as well as accessories and beans, according to De’Longhi’s Jessica Hull.

“Purchasing behaviour has also changed, with a surge in online searches, and contact-free delivery or click and collect options through our retail partners,” she said.

In response to these trends, De’Longhi has adapted its key interactions with both consumers and trade partners to reach people more efficiently and across a wider geographic area.

“Our sales and training teams have embraced remote communication and video content for presentations and training. The ability to engage with more staff around the country has been key to the success of our new product launches during Covid,” she said.

De’Longhi Primadonna Soul Fully Automatic Coffee Machine

`De’Longhi

LatteCrema automatic milk texturing `Wi-Fi

connectivity with De’Longhi Coffee Link app `Up to 21 one-touch recipes, including Coffee Pot and Over Ice `Bean

Adapt technology automatically adapts the machine settings to any type of bean RRP: $2,499

1 2 3

Select your favourite coffee beans Activate Bean Adapt Technology and set up according to chosen beans

Consumers can book a 30-minute session with our coffee experts via our website and receive product knowledge, assistance with set up or have any questions answered.

”

“Our demonstration team have quickly incorporated digital demonstrations. Consumers can book a 30-minute session with our coffee experts via our website and receive product knowledge, assistance with set up or have any questions answered.”

De’Longhi is introducing several innovations in the coffee category in 2021, starting with its latest fully automatic coffee machine in Q1, Primadonna Soul.

Featuring De’Longhi’s unique Bean Adapt technology, consumers can input their bean type into the accompanying app and the machine will automatically adapt the grind setting, temperature, and dose for optimum extraction.

The De’Longhi LatteCrema system then delivers consistent barista-quality coffee. The machine sports a large 4.3-inch TFT touch screen, up to 21 different recipes, five user profiles and is controlled via Wi-Fi. De’Longhi will also be introducing a new addition to its manual pump range with the La Specialista Prestigio. Joining the core technologies and features of the range, including the Sensor Grinding Technology, Smart Tamping Station, and Active Temperature Control, will be the MyLatteArt steam wand and single wall baskets, allowing up to 20 grams dose. The Prestigio will be available in metal and matt black. AR

Coffee Link App Connect for Wi-fi control and recipe customisation

Enjoy the perfect extraction Coffee Link

AR HOME CAFÉ FEATURE

JURA

However, updating systems to allow customer support and admin teams to work from home while ensuring a seamless experience for customers and trade partners was a challenge.

George Liakatos Managing Director In 2020, there was a fundamental shift in consumer behaviour with an exponential increase in online purchases which has not shown any signs of a slowdown since March, according to Jura’s George Liakatos.

“Limitations on travel, lifestyle and entertainment activities, coupled with more people working remotely, has seen increased spend on home products including coffee machines. We have also seen many consumers take this opportunity to trade up and bring forward purchasing decisions,” he said.

Covid-19 also presented an opportunity to re-evaluate internal processes and structures to become more efficient and productive.

“Digital innovation has become more pronounced and seen us use technology to improve our interactions with customers and employees alike. Platforms like our online advisory service, Jura Live, has grown enormously during this time and we are able to reach more people than ever before,” Liakatos said.

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Appliance Retailer February / March 2021

Jura E8 Automatic Coffee Machine

`17 different specialties from espresso to cortado `2.8-inch

colour display, six buttons and all-new operating concept `New

one-touch extra shot function and one-touch milk system cleaning `Grinder

upgraded to the Professional Aroma Grinder which guarantees 12.2% more aroma and consistently high grind quality RRP: $2,299

“We had to accelerate what may have taken 6 to 12 months in the space of two weeks. We faced many challenges, but the investment was worth it as we faced even stronger restrictions during the second wave in Victoria. As a Melbourne based business our priority was to ensure we could continue to operate and service the entire country with little disruption. With the steps we have taken we are far more prepared for any future disruptions.”

Looking ahead, strong growth in machine sales is expected to continue well into the year as uncertainty remains around Covid-19 and working from home becomes more common.

“Positioned in the premium space, our coffee machines will be suited to consumers who want to replicate the high-quality coffee they experience in cafe's but without the need to learn how to use a traditional machine,” he said.

This year, Jura is releasing the next generation of its most successful coffee machine, the E8, with a reinterpreted design and range of benefits previously found only in the premium class. AR

A coffee experience, crafted in science.

Be your own barista, with precise control over grinding, dosing and temperature settings. Choose to manually texture your milk and create latté art masterpieces with the MyLatté Art steam wand, or enjoy the convenience of the LatteCrema system automatic milk texturing with La Specialista Maestro.

COMING SOON

La Specialisa Maestro

La Specialista Prestigio

For more information, contact your De’Longhi representative on 1800 126 659 or visit delonghi.com

AR HOME CAFÉ FEATURE

NESPRESSO

Jean-Marc Dragoli Business Executive Officer Nespresso’s Jean-Marc Dragoli said in-home coffee consumption is at an all-time high as a result of lockdowns and more people working remotely, but conversely, the out-of-home business including offices, hotels and restaurants has been under pressure due to significant disruption.

“However, on the whole 2020 was a positive year as it showed us that our customers are resilient and loyal, and our omnichannel system is robust,” he said.

“Consumers have also increasingly focused on brands with purpose and in response, we rolled out a campaign with Planet Ark to encourage people to improve their recycling practices and educate them about Nespresso’s own recycling scheme.”

Nespresso’s omnichannel business model was integral to the company’s resilience throughout the pandemic, according to Dragoli, as it has proven that the workforce and systems are agile enough to meet changing demands.

“I am very proud of the hard work put in by our team during this time. Due to increased online demand, we invested in a partnership with Australian start-up Zoom2U, which delivers coffee orders in under three hours to select customers.”

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Appliance Retailer February / March 2021

Nespresso Vertuo Next Capsule Coffee Machine

`30 second heat up `Available

in eight colours `Contemporary

design in compact footprint `Made

with 54% recycled plastic and packaging is 100% recyclable RRP: From $199

“

I am very proud of the hard work put in by our team during this time. Due to increased online demand, we invested in a partnership with Australian start-up Zoom2U, which delivers coffee orders in under three hours to select customers.

”

Dragoli said the biggest challenges posed by Covid-19 were the closure and safe re-opening of Nespresso boutiques, the significant impact to the company’s professional offering and securing personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure the safety of customers and staff.

From a machine perspective, the Vertuo Next will continue to be the hero product for early 2021 with upcoming coffee releases that will further demonstrate the flexibility of the Vertuo system.

Nespresso will also continue to release limited edition capsule variations. AR

HOME CAFÉ FEATURE AR

BOSCH

Jason Carr Product Manager Despite overall spending being down in Australia, home appliances saw an uplift during Covid-19 as consumers looked for ways to make home life more pleasant and comfortable, Bosch’s Jason Carr said.

“There has been an increased focus on improving home life with overseas holidays, opportunities to go out, and the cost of commuting no longer part of daily life. With more people working remotely, having a quality cup of coffee at home has become important, leading to growth in the coffee machine category.”

There has been increased interest in renovations as people spend more time at home and coffee

Bosch Series 8 Built-In Fully Automatic Coffee Machine `Ability

to save eight beverage favourites `Fully

automatic steam cleaning after each beverage `AromaDouble

Shot with two grinding and brewing processes `SensoFlow

System provides a constant ideal brewing temperature RRP: $4,699

machines are gaining further consideration when it comes to kitchen design, according to Carr.

“In the past, in-built coffee machines were less frequently considered as part of the overall kitchen design, however they are increasingly being given pride of place within new kitchens,” he said.

“The Bosch Series 8 Built-In Fully Automatic Coffee Machine in black has been popular as black glass appliances become the preferred choice for many consumers, providing a contemporary edge over traditional stainless steel.”

Another key design trend has been the integration of built-in coffee machines alongside built-in ovens, steam ovens and warming drawers in stacked tower or horizontal configurations to perfectly round out a gourmet experience, Carr said. AR

www.applianceretailer.com.au

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AR HOME CAFÉ FEATURE

NEWELL BRANDS

Jessica Roper Brand Marketing Manager – Beverage Newell Brands’ Jessica Roper said there has been a huge increase in demand for at-home, cafe-style espresso machines, with the Sunbeam Barista Max Espresso Machine a standout performer.

“For many of us, coffee has been a vital coping mechanism in the wake of Covid-19 but buying a takeaway coffee was made difficult with lockdowns and working from home so that’s where our products came in.”

Sunbeam’s coffee portfolio includes a variety of machines for consumers no matter where they sit in their coffee journey, including a semi-automatic machine, the Café Barista EM5000 for RRP $299, and manual coffee machines across various price points.

Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg Capsule Coffee Machine `Available

in cream, black and red `Produces

7.5 grams of pre-tamped coffee `Longer

extraction time of 20 to 25 seconds `Pairs

with entire A Modo Mio capsule range RRP: $349

LAVAZZA

Mimmo Orlando Marketing Director – Asia Pacific

“While the coffee consumer pool has grown very quickly over the last year, it doesn’t mean we expect demand to fall off a cliff in 2021. Consumers will continue to upgrade and move through their coffee journey and Sunbeam will adopt activation plans and portfolios accordingly,” Roper said. AR

In 2020, Lavazza saw more Australians make the shift to perfecting coffee in the comfort of their home with double digit growth in machine, capsule, roast, and ground bean sales.

“It was a challenging year adapting to the changes of Covid-19, but Australians’ love of coffee remained the same,” Mimmo Orlando said.

Sunbeam Barista Max Espresso Machine

`Integrated

Tap & Go grinder `58mm

cafe-sized group head to extract maximum flavour `Temp

IQ Shot Control technology to deliver exactly the right temperature `Steam

wand for perfectly controlled smooth milk RRP: $699

“From a partner and customer point of view, we needed to ensure that our food service partners were supported, and our ecommerce customer service experience remained seamless. I am incredibly proud of the Lavazza Australia team, who worked to make the year run as smoothly as possible. From a supply chain point of view, we faced general supply and logistics challenges, particularly with the increase in working from home and direct sales.”

Lavazza introduced its most premium whole bean collection, Espresso Barista, at the height of the lockdown period and more recently, launched the Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg capsule machine. In 2021, Lavazza has several major announcements in the pipeline.

“We will continue to ensure customers enjoy premium Italian coffee, as well as keep them up to date with brand innovations through extensive research and development (R&D) and coffee trends.” AR

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Appliance Retailer February / March 2021

H

HOME CAFÉ FEATURE AR

arvey Norman general manager of appliances, Carene Myers said nationwide lockdowns forced many cafés and work offices to close, which has driven consumers to bring the café culture home.

“Coffee is such an integral part of Australian culture with coffee machines becoming more of ‘need’ than a ‘want’. This has brought new consumers into the category and seen other consumers upgrade their existing coffee machine,” she told Appliance Retailer.

Myers expects the coffee category to again perform well in 2021 with an exciting pipeline of new products for the year. There is also a significant opportunity to grow the category even further as many Australian households are still without a coffee machine.

“EVERY SEGMENT OF THE COFFEE CATEGORY IS IN GROWTH WITH CUSTOMERS LEANING TOWARDS A MANUAL OR AUTO-MANUAL PROPOSITION BECAUSE WHO DOESN’T WANT TO BE THEIR OWN BARISTA THIS YEAR?” FROM THE FLOOR

Harvey Norman CARENE MYERS

“Every segment of the coffee category is in growth with customers leaning towards a manual or auto-manual proposition because who doesn’t want to be their own barista this year?”

When it comes to the purchase decision, Myers said the primary consideration is choosing between capsules, beans or ground coffee and the type of coffee they like to drink. This will determine if an espresso only machine or machine that heats and froths milk is more suitable.

“Customers are always looking for the best possible product that is within their budget and fits bench space requirements. Promotions during key gifting periods always give consumers an extra incentive to buy, particularly if the machine is bought as a gift.”

As for new technologies and features to watch out for, Myers said connectivity is evolving within the category and machines are now coming to market with more meaningful connected functions. “Another feature that is always evolving is design and colour.”

On a final note, Myers noted that although online sales have seen an increase across several categories, consumers still prefer to come in-store to purchase their coffee machine as they want to see the machine demonstrated by the sales team. AR www.applianceretailer.com.au

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AR ROOM HEATING FEATURE

MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC Zane Barron General Manager

Covid-19 changed the way consumers spent their time and their money as international travel bans and working from home saw a residential renovation renaissance with consumers spending more money on improving their home, according to Zane Barron.

“The impact of Covid on consumer spending for air conditioning as a cooling and heating source drove demand in the Australian market,” he said.

Keeping the home fires burning during a pandemic

BY KYMBERLY MARTIN

E

lectrical heating met with a slight decline in units sold for the year ending November 2020, according to the latest data from GfK. However, there was a significant increase for electrical fireplace models which carry a high average selling price that elevated the overall category into value growth. The category saw unit sales decline 2% while value rose 8%. AR

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Smaller capacity split systems were a popular choice as consumers installed the units into home office spaces. Multi split systems were also in demand as customers took the opportunity to upgrade their air conditioning system to cater for multiple rooms, including office space.

“The pandemic also presented numerous challenges for our business partners, customers and staff with face-to-face meetings replaced with video calls, but sales representatives were keen to get out and see retail partners as soon as possible.”

Mitsubishi Electric MFZ-KW60VG Air Conditioner

`6.1 kW cooling / 6.5 kW heating capacity `RapidHeat

– warm air is blown out in a downward direction and then sucked back into the unit to quickly raise the temperature of the air being blown out `Cabinet

can be installed within a semi recess in the wall to further reduce the depth of the unit `Multi

Vane Flow blows warm air both upwards and downwards to provide even heating RRP: N/A

Appliance Retailer February / March 2021

Barron remains cautiously optimistic in regards to demand for air conditioning product in 2021. “We expect Mitsubishi Electric to continue to perform strongly. Retailers can be assured that a correctly specified and installed system will serve their customers for many years. Consumers are more discerning in their choice of air conditioning and will consider choosing to go with a premium brand when given the opportunity.”

Mitsubishi Electric will continue with the “Update your Air” campaign throughout 2021. This campaign highlights the benefits of replacing old equipment as the replacement market continues to be a significant opportunity for retailers, he said.

“The most common review comment regarding our newer systems is: ‘it’s so quiet. I can’t even hear if it’s on or not!’ Newer systems have come a long way when it comes to performance and features, and consumers should not put up with noisy and costly to run units.” AR

ROOM HEATING FEATURE AR

MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES

Adrian Brown General Manager – Sales and Planning According to Adrian Brown, consumer spending behaviour has been interesting to watch during Covid-19. “Initially industry experts and economists were predicting that many consumers would stop spending as there was a complete unknown across Australia. How long this would last, what restrictions would be put in place, how long would lockdown be in each state and ensuring they had enough money to stock up on essential items during this time were the main issues.

“However, as Australians settled into what was considered ‘the new normal’ there was a small jump in consumer spending as more households had increased disposable income to use. Many consumers have moved to online spending and in the case of major appliances, like air conditioners, we are seeing more consumers searching online to research products, looking up product reviews and consumer ratings before selecting their preferred brand.”

During Covid-19 there was a significant rise in small air conditioner purchases particularly from 2.0kW to 3.5kW that were typically used in bedrooms. “With Australians working from home for longer periods there was a growth in consumer demand for air conditioning in the home office.

This was a unique opportunity for both our brand and our industry as a whole, allowing us an avenue to navigate through these unprecedented times.”

The pandemic also presented a number of challenges. Among them were restrictions and regulations regarding social distancing for installers and dealers when quoting, through to installation

“

Many consumers have moved to online spending and in the case of major appliances, like air conditioners, we are seeing more consumers searching online to research products, looking up product reviews and consumer ratings before selecting their preferred brand.

”

and after sales service. Brown said dealers rose to the challenge ensuring they maintained safe practices during call outs and all staff worked from out-of-home offices.

MHIAA Avanti SRK25ZSA-W-Set Air Conditioner `Allergen

Clear system delivers odour-free and allergen-free air `3D auto airflow for effective and even air distribution `LED brightness adjustment on the indoor unit `Optional

Wi-Fi Control with Wi-Fi Adaptor sold separately RRP: N/A

“Overall we believe that the HVAC industry will continue on its current trajectory as will MHIAA with both the industry and our brand seeing continued success in 2021. From our perspective, we believe our brand and the industry have successfully navigated this period and it has been this resilience that will continue to shape and foster our market in the coming year.

“Our overseas markets have continued to develop as normal despite Covid-19 with our overseas partners able to successfully continue their operations, monitoring consumer needs and expectations.” AR www.applianceretailer.com.au

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AR ROOM HEATING FEATURE

FUJITSU GENERAL

George Tsiotras National Retail Manager “In 2020 lockdown and social isolation measures initially increased consumer interest in online spending, particularly when many households set up new home offices while second wave lockdowns, particularly in Victoria, had an impact on bricks and mortar retailers,” George Tsiotras said. “Fortunately, the need to stay home more than usual meant there was ongoing consumer interest in air conditioning as the desire to create a comfortable indoor environment became a priority.”

He echoed comments from others in the industry that working from home and staying home more often outside of work hours resulted in air conditioning becoming an essential household purchase for many consumers. The Federal Government’s Home Builder grant also created opportunities for renovators to include air conditioning in their project scope too, he said.

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Appliance Retailer February / March 2021

“As a business, Fujitsu General has had to adapt to the ‘new normal’ way of doing business and supporting our customers. This has helped our team learn new skills and find different ways to solve problems, which has kept the business moving during this unpredictable year. The Fujitsu General family has had to adjust to new ways of living and working. For some, change is easy, while for others it takes time to adjust. However, everyone has been well supported by the Fujitsu executive team.

“Air conditioning remains an essential household appliance and we are always working hard for the category and the brand to perform well,” he said.

The Fujitsu Multi System for heating or cooling up to six rooms continues to be the hero product.

With multiple indoor units able to connect to one compact outdoor unit, the multi system offers exceptional flexibility for modern home interiors while saving space outdoors. AR

Fujitsu General Multi System

`Up to six indoor units connected to one compact outdoor unit `11 different

indoor models from 2.0kW to 7.0kW capacity `Individual

room temperature control `Flexible

installation RRP: Varies across the range

18dB(A)*

* Sound level only applies in quiet mode. ~Applicable for model 25 in heating mode only.

18dB(A) measured 1m from unit.

AP Series

The Quiet Achiever Mitsubishi Electric MSZ-AP series is a wall mounted split system that is engineered for high performance and utilises a low GWP R32 refrigerant.

Features: » Quiet Operation » Dual Barrier Coating » Vertical and Horizontal Vanes. » Wi-Fi Control*1 with Amazon Alexa*2 and Google Assistant*3 capability. *1 Optional upgrade adapter required per unit.

Requires an Internet connection and the App downloaded from the App Store or GooglePlay Store on your smartphone or tablet with the latest Operating System available. *2 To use Amazon Alexa to control your air conditioner, you will need an Amazon Echo device. *3 To use Google Assistant to control your air conditioner, you will need a Google Home smart speaker.

For more information on our products please visit www.mitsubishielectric.com.au

Phone:1300 280 625

AR ROOM HEATING FEATURE

TECO HOME APPLIANCES

Trevor Francis National Business Development Manager “2020 was an interesting year due to Covid-19 and Teco enjoyed exceptional business results, partly because so many people had to work from home,” Trevor Francis said.

“Results were across all product areas Teco is active in, including home appliances and air conditioning.”

Panasonic Premium Reverse Cycle R32 Wall Split Z Series `From

3.2kW to 9.0kW capacity `Wi-Fi

and voice control to Alexa and Google Home `Nanoe

X 24-hour air purifying system `Recognised

by the National Asthma Council RRP: From $1,299

PANASONIC

Joe De Bella Senior Product Marketing Manager “After the events of last year, we would expect Australians to value home comforts in 2021 and to continue to place great importance on having reliable and multi-functional air purification devices,” Joe De Bella said.

“With people staying home more regularly, this has given us the opportunity to focus on communicating the importance of indoor air quality and the benefits Panasonic air conditioning that Nanoe X technology provides.

This 24-hour system can be used with or without cooling or heating in operation to neutralise harmful indoor pollutants.

“The Covid-19 pandemic means that cleanliness is top of mind and with hygiene risks ever present, it is important to note that a trusted brand such as Panasonic is not only delivering standard heating solutions, but also integrates air purification into its offerings.”

He said Australians want to create a comfortable and clean living environment and heating systems need to deliver that. “A lack of ventilation in the home can lead to the increased presence and survival rate of bacteria as well as the concentration of common viruses in the air. These factors particularly present a risk to people that experience respiratory conditions, including 11.2% of Australians who are asthmatics.” AR

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Appliance Retailer February / March 2021

He said air purification in air conditioning has been important to end consumers for years, but this has been elevated dramatically by Covid-19.

“The increased business has been fantastic and despite severe delays on shipments from factories due to late arrival of incoming vessels, Teco stock levels have been coping pretty well.

Shipping port delays on arriving stock has also proved challenging,” he said.

And 2021 is expected to continue with the strong results of 2020. “As we lead into the winter months the advantages of using reverse cycle air conditioning for heating will continue to drive sales, not only in window units and splits but also in our new range of portable air conditioners.”

Teco’s new range of remote control window/ wall units offer a Silver ION filtration system as standard which is effective at reducing harmful airborne contaminants, and are Wi-Fi enabled.

Teco’s hero product, the Platinum 3D series reverse cycle splits feature a sleek and stylish contemporary design. They have built-in Wi-Fi to control the unit remotely and are compatible with Google and Amazon Alexa. AR

Teco Platinum 3D Series Split System `High

density filtration and PM2.5 filtration `Gold

Fin protection on outdoor and indoor units `Wi-Fi

compatible with Google or Alexa `‘I Feel’ function senses room temperature RRP: N/A

Best split system air conditioner of 2021

Named by ProductReview, Australia’s No.1 product review site, as the best split system of 2021, the Avanti® features a sleek and stylish design and incorporates a range of convenient features and functions.

mhiaa.com.au | 1300 138 007

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air-Conditioners Australia, Pty. Ltd.

AR ROOM HEATING FEATURE

VORNADO

Kirsten Pride Brand Manager “Covid-19 has been an interesting experience for everyone,” Kirsten Pride said. “We started 2020 believing that sales would be impacted heavily, however we ended the year knowing our consumers still want value for money, strong customer service and fast delivery. As a result, Vornado continues to grow in the room heating/cooling market so people can choose to service the room they are in and not the whole house.”

Vornado’s direct online sales increased 70% year-on-year. “We attribute this to our increased marketing efforts directed toward the end consumer but also a shift in consumers wanting to deal directly with the distributor,” she said.

“With a lot of bricks and mortar stores closed, we had several interactions about dispatch and delivery times. We were lucky in this case to be in Western Australia where staff restrictions and lockdowns were limited because of hard border controls and were able to fulfil orders quickly. It also gave us the opportunity and time to speak to the nay-sayers and offer solutions to get them to trial Vornado products, which has worked extremely well,” Pride said.

However, logistics and delayed freight times led to challenges throughout the year as consumer expectations of a short delivery window didn’t align until halfway through the year. “As a result our Consumer Care team was on call seven days a week. It did put pressure on the team but we have come through with tighter processes and a stronger sense of understanding of end consumer’s buying patterns.”

The Vornado VMH350 introduced last winter delivers a personal heating experience, from high to low, setting a temperature with the convenience of a remote control.

Vornado will expand the DC range this summer, introducing new models for nurseries, office spaces and outdoor use. Remote controls will be introduced for summer 2021/2022 along with extensions to the air purifier range. AR

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Appliance Retailer February / March 2021

Vornado VMH 350 Room Heater

`Metal

construction with cooltouch cabinet `Whole

room Vortex heat circulation `Two heat settings plus fan only `12-hour

auto-off timer and remote control RRP: $349

“

We started 2020 believing that sales would be impacted heavily, however we ended the year knowing our consumers still want value for money, strong customer service and fast delivery.

”

ROOM HEATING FEATURE AR

GLEN DIMPLEX

Stacey Pogorecki Product Manager – Seasonal “We experienced a positive impact across our heating range in 2020 and as Covid-19 hit just prior to winter. With more people at home instead of the office, we saw an uplift in heating appliance demand,” Stacey Pogorecki said.

“By having stock available at the right time, just before all of the restrictions came into place, we were able to operate and ship out stock as an essential business. We experienced shipping and production delays with suppliers, but this is a worldwide issue, no matter where the factory is, and Covid-19 has impacted businesses in one way or another.

“The 2020 heating season was great for us, and we expect most retailers to have a relatively clean slate, so sell-in should be strong. There is still a lot of uncertainty, especially around working from the office.

While working from home is becoming more popular, and if more people are spending time at home, they need to equip their home office,” she said.

Dimplex won the Canstar Blue 2020 award for customer satisfaction, taking top marks for reliability, quietness and overall appearance and design. AR

Dimplex LED Firebox RAL15-AU

`1.5kW

fan heater with choice of heat settings `Matte

white and black finish with marble look infilled hearth `LED flame effect can be used independently of heat `Electronic

thermostat RRP: $1,799.95

Olimpia Splendid Unico Pro `No external compressor unit `Heats,

cools and dehumidifies `High

or low wall mount `Plugs

into a standard wall plug RRP: $3,999

OLIMPIA SPLENDID

Pete Burnham Marketing & Product Development Manager “During the pandemic we have seen an increase in sales and speculate that this is due to more people working from home,” Pete Burnham said.

“As mobility during Covid-19 has been somewhat restricted, namely for overseas travel, there seems to be a refocus of spending on home comforts. This has worked well for Olimpia Splendid as our tag line is ‘Home of Comfort’, giving us a great opportunity to promote products that enhance comfort.”

Burnham said there were initial concerns with potential delays in shipping but the company was able to work through the issues with a lot of planning and due diligence with its parent company and suppliers.

“Our hero product, the Unico Pro hit the market in November and is a fantastic solution for heating and cooling. While it is classified as an air conditioner it is not like any conventional reverse cycle split system. We have a great range of heating and cooling products, but being seasonal, everything comes down to the weather,” he said. AR www.applianceretailer.com.au

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AR ROOM HEATING FEATURE

DYSON

Tom Mogridge Senior Design Engineer “Dyson want to make a genuine difference to people's lives, now and in the future. With many people spending increased amounts of time indoors, maintaining a clean and healthier space is an important priority.

We consume more air daily than any other substance, yet often don’t think about what is in the air we breathe, that can be up to five times more polluted than the air outside,” Tom Mogridge said.

Indoor pollution can come from outside when windows or doors are opened. However, air can also contain potentially harmful pollutants produced from everyday indoor activities, he said.

Dyson Pure Hot+ Cool Purifying Fan Heater

“Dyson purification technologies tackle the growing problems associated with poor air quality and help improve wellbeing. The Dyson Pure Hot+Cool purifying fan heater automatically senses pollution, captures gases and ultrafine particles and projects clean air to every corner of the room, maintaining indoor comfort levels,” he said.

RRP: $899

Using its latest air purifier’s LCD screen consumers can better understand what’s in the air by making the invisible visible. The machine automatically detects airborne particles and gases and simultaneously reports to the LCD screen and Dyson Link app in real time. As well as capturing larger pollutants like pollen and pet dander, Dyson HEPA filtration has been tested on particles as small as 100nm, and claims to achieve 99.95% efficiency at this size, to include bacteria and viruses. AR

`Automatically

senses pollution, captures gases and ultrafine particles `Projects

clean air to every corner of a room `Delivers

heating in winter and fan cooling in summer `Glass

HEPA filter captures 99.95% of fine particles

“

Dyson purification technologies tackle the growing problems associated with poor air quality and help improve wellbeing. The Dyson Pure Hot+Cool purifying fan heater automatically senses pollution, captures gases and ultrafine particles and projects clean air to every corner of the room.

36

Appliance Retailer February / March 2021

”

ROOM HEATING FEATURE AR

SHRIRO

Bruce Elder National Account Manager According to Bruce Elder, the overall impact of Covid-19 has been positive with consumers increasing spending on home appliances.

“Generally where people might be spending money on travel, we’re finding they are staying at home and renovating or upgrading their property. The exceptions are states that have gone into forced lockdown where stores have had to close for an extended period.”

And, with a large percentage of the population working from home, he has also seen an increase in demand for appliances that heat smaller spaces such as studies and bedrooms.

De’Longhi Dragon 4 Pro Oil Column Heater `2400W

with three power settings `Programmable

24-hour timer `Digital

room thermostat automatically keeps the desired temperature `Eco function regulates energy consumption RRP: $429

DE’LONGHI

Dunya Abdurahmanovic Junior Category Manager “With Covid-19 hitting Australia and its consumers in March, we have the seen the working population having to shift from spending time travelling to work, to working from home,” Dunya Abdurahmanovic said. “This changed living environment was welcomed by a lot of people who were quick to set up home offices and comfortable working spaces which included purchasing everything from office tech and inspirational stationary to portable heating appliances.”

Altise Gas Convector OAGCHLPG

`LCD with touch glass control panel `3m gas hose and 3m power cord on all models `Available

in white, silver or graphite `Seven-year

manufacturer’s warranty RRP: $1,199

There has also been challenges with disruptions to stock supply from factories, along with delays in shipping. “Digital demand is higher as more people research product online and make their choice either pre-store visit or buy from retailers’ websites, which has been a shift from previous years.

“For winter 2021, we expect to see a large number of people still working from home in some capacity resulting in an increase in sales as customers look for portable heating options as the weather starts to turn cold.” AR

With the increase of home office space, De’Longhi had a fantastic heating season in 2020, she told Appliance Retailer. “Consumers were happy to purchase higher end heating models that had both power and design and energy saving features.

“For 2021 we expect the work at home trend to continue. Companies have proven that productivity can be maintained with consumers working from home, so demand for appliances such as heaters, fans and air treatment products will continue to increase.”

From a product perspective, De’Longhi is focused on designing products with features that offer value to the consumer. “Energy saving features such as our Eco Mode and products with timers so consumers control their usage are key to our growing range,” she said. AR www.applianceretailer.com.au

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AR FLOORCARE FEATURE

C

onfinement has not crushed sales of floorcare as the latest data from GfK shows. Quite the opposite with stick vacs now accounting for over half of all units sold, driving the category forward while simultaneously lifting the average selling price from the year prior. This, combined with an equally strong output from high-end robotic models, explains the deviation in volume versus value category growth, up 11% and 19% respectively. AR

Spend up in the cleanup but stock issues remain

BY KYMBERLY MARTIN

ECOVACS ROBOTICS Karen Powell Head ANZ

While 2020 presented many challenges regarding consumers’ financial positions, one of the most enduring trends has been an increased focus on the home as consumers engaged in creating more appealing home environments. “Investing in products to make homes easier to manage and more automated has resulted in a boom in the smart home and home appliance categories, particularly with robotic vacuums. The lack of spending on travel has also allowed consumers to reconsider where they are spending this money, ultimately choosing to invest in their own spaces,” Karen Powell said.

“However, one of the biggest challenges over the last 12 months for businesses including ours has been in production and supply. For many companies around the world, acting swiftly and responsibly to the new and everchanging health and safety guidelines has certainly had an impact. Retailers have also had to navigate their way around a hugely challenging landscape in terms of store closures, increased online orders, adapting promotions to ensure consumers are not encouraged to ‘rush’ to stores and other marketing considerations.”

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Appliance Retailer February / March 2021

With so much uncertainty, the entire industry has felt the impact of Covid-19.

“Coming out of Covid-19 can only mean good things. Ecovacs has gone from strength-to-strength in the past three years, establishing leadership in the Australian market. We foresee a continued surge in robotic vacuum sales, particularly across higher end models that offer substantial benefits in convenience with mopping, mapping and auto-empty functions.”

According to Powell, market penetration is just in its infancy, and the growth potential is huge with a groundswell in terms of consumer pick-up across multiple demographics.

“From a global perspective we are starting to see consumers realise the true value of our OZMO Pro Oscillating Mopping System and Auto-Empty Station, which offer genuine added benefits to the automated cleaning experience. The DEEBOT filters air as it cleans and the mopping technology removes over 99% of bacteria off the floor.

“From a channel perspective, we have seen continuous growth in traditional online sales platforms for this category most recently in major sales events in South East Asia, where we are now the number one robotic vacuum brand on those platforms.” AR

Ecovacs DEEBOT OZMO T8 AIVI

`AIVI

technology allows for obstacle avoidance `Simultaneous

vacuuming and mopping `TrueMapping

technology for precise and customised cleaning `Three-hour

run time RRP: $1,299

FLOORCARE FEATURE AR

BOSCH

Nick Ruffell General Manager - Category Development “Consumers have clearly demonstrated a significant move towards cordless vacuums year-on-year, and we expect to see this continue throughout 2021,” Nick Ruffell said.

“Consumers are also becoming more educated and aware about the types of cordless cleaning available. As they become familiar with the different benefits they are able to make better choices as to which type is best suited to their home and lifestyle.”

He said while there has been a clear increase in preference for cordless vacuum cleaners, there are still consumers who prefer a canister vacuum. “The outlook for the category remains strong, as it has been for many years, as it is a ‘must have’ product for daily life.

Bosch Series 6 Unlimited Cordless Handstick BCS61113

`Extendable

runtime with exchangeable battery packs sold separately `Accessories

for cleaning from floor to ceiling and cars `Compact

DigitalSpin Brushless Motor `Single-handed

activation turbo power mode for powerful cleaning RRP: $449

“As new innovations are launched, consumers can match their individual needs with a particular floorcare model.

This is even more relevant as many people shift towards working from home and balancing the future between both home and the traditional place of work.

As consumers spend more time at home, they are seeing more value in investing in appliances that make their lives easier.”

The hero Bosch products in floorcare offer innovative flexibility with regards to interchangeable batteries. He said with the new Series 6 Unlimited cordless vacuums the point of difference is that the exchangeable battery system is compatible with the Bosch Power4ALL 18V Green Home & Garden power tools range. AR

www.applianceretailer.com.au

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AR FLOORCARE FEATURE

MIELE

Joshua Hall Category Manager The onset of Covid-19 has driven a large number of consumers into the market that might have been holding out to purchase a new vacuum cleaner.

According to Joshua Hall, consumer spending habits have increased since the start of the pandemic due to the option of travel being removed allowing them to spend money on upgrading appliances. “The floorcare market has been one of those categories that benefited from this saved income with all Miele categories performing incredibly well.

“Miele, like many other businesses, faced challenges in 2020 getting stock into the 40

Appliance Retailer February / March 2021

Miele Triflex HX1 Pro

`Miele’s

most powerful corded vacuum cleaner `Convenient

and versatile charging options `Up to 120 minutes runtime with replaceable VARTA Li-ion battery `Lifetime

HEPA filter removes 99.999% of dust and allergens RRP: $1,299

country in a timely manner. With a global shortage of shipping containers, increased global demand for products, delays at shipping ports and meeting market demand,” he said.

“At the end of 2020, we successfully launched our first cordless handstick, the Miele Triflex, which has complemented our already successful canister and robotics range that offer consumers a complete Miele solution for vacuuming.

“As floorcare is usually a purchase made under duress when a consumer’s current vacuum has broken, there will always be customers looking to upgrade. What we don’t understand at this time is how many customers were brought forward into 2020 due to Covid-19 that were willing to hold off purchasing until 2021.” AR

FLOORCARE FEATURE AR

LG

Brad Reed Senior Marketing Manager – Home Appliances “This year has seen unprecedented challenges for manufacturers as the local industry saw an unexpected surge in consumer demand, consistent with the trend of people re-investing in their homes. As this exceeded any pre-Covid forecasts it resulted in difficulty to meet the product pressure that outweighed our forecasts,” Brad Reed said.

“Consumers are cleaning more frequently and in turn, realising it was a perfect time to upgrade their current vacuum cleaner to a newer model, to improve their everyday lives at home while adding convenience.”

Reed expects the market to remain strong due to growth in product demand and seasonal factors for some categories. “Summer is the peak season for refrigeration and a strong sales period for smaller appliances such as microwaves and vacuum cleaners. As a result, we do not believe overall stock levels will return to normal in the short-term. Other product areas such as laundry and dishwashers are likely to return to normal sooner than other categories due to lower seasonal requirements during summer. As winter approaches and consumers spend more time at home, we will see an increase again in the uptake of vacuum cleaners.”

LG CordZero Ultra A9 Kompressor Handstick

`Compacts

dust and hair `Lever

removes brush tangles for hassle-free emptying `Filter

and battery alerts `Inverter

motor delivers up to 200W of suction RRP: From $1,599

He said during the peak of the pandemic as people stayed home LG continued to support their needs with thoughtfully designed products with rich feature-sets that addressed existing consumer pain points. “Features on the LG CordZero A9 Kompressor handstick vacuum, such as One Touch Control, reduces hand and wrist strain, while the Dual PowerPack delivers a combined run-time of up to 120 minutes for an uninterrupted whole house clean.” AR

“

Consumers are cleaning more frequently and in turn, realising it was a perfect time to upgrade their current vacuum cleaner to a newer model, to improve their everyday lives at home while adding convenience.

”

www.applianceretailer.com.au

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AR FLOORCARE FEATURE

ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS Mike Eagle Category Manager – Wellbeing

As a result of Covid-19, people are looking for ways to improve their home life, and their spending has reflected this with a growing demand for reliable, intuitive appliances in the floorcare category, according to Mike Eagle.

“With uncertainty over when we can travel overseas, there is a renewed focus on what people can do at home to keep entertained, healthy and living a better life. As a result, cooking and cleaning has becoming a key focus for consumers, and particularly with cleaning, people are looking for new innovations that are powerful but take the work out of keeping their homes clean.”

He said the impact that Covid-19 has placed on consumer behaviour means that digital is on the rise and there is even more importance on online product ratings and reviews to influence the consumer purchase decision.

“We expect there is growth in the floorcare category and Electrolux has new products that provide solutions for customers’ growing

42

Appliance Retailer February / March 2021

“

The impact that Covid-19 has placed on consumer behaviour means that digital is on the rise and there is even more importance on online product ratings and reviews to influence the consumer purchase decision.

”

needs for technology that can adapt to multiple cleaning occasions. These intuitive, autonomous vacuums will be a key growth area for Electrolux in the future.”

In 2020 Electrolux released the Pure Q9 handstick for cleaning hard floors that leave a polishing effect thanks to its plush edging and a combination of materials. It features a convenient brush roll clean that removes fibres and hairs, including pet hair and fur, at the touch of a button. A triangular robotic vacuum, the Pure i9.2 is another recent addition with technology for removing pet hair. AR

Electrolux Pure i9.2 Animal P192-6SGM

`Cleaning

control with interactive map `Push

notices to a mobile for visibility to robotic activity `3DVision

for autonomous floor cleaning `Improved

scheduling to suit individual cleaning needs RRP: $1,499

FLOORCARE FEATURE AR

DYSON

Gem McLuckie Lead Research Scientist “As people emerge from lockdowns, we tend to invite more people into our homes. The more people we have indoors, the more dead skin cells are deposited around the home and these are the primary food source of dust mites,” Gem McLuckie said. “Removing excess skin flakes from domestic space limits the food source on offer for dust mites, so their rate of reproduction is inhibited during the dust mite season.”

Bissell Proheat 2x Revolution Pet

`Cleans

upholstery and cars `Extension

hose and multiple tool attachments `Multiple

cleaning modes express clean with less than 30-minute dry time `Dual

Dirtlifter power brushes and Heatwave technology optimises cleaning performance RRP: $659

Where you spend the most time and shed the most skin, is where you’re most likely to find dust mites, and we spend one third of our lives in our beds, she said. “It’s also common to find more mites in the beds and bedding of people who suffer from dry skin, as their discarded skin cells have reduced lipid content, which is dust mites’ favourite meal.”

BISSELL

Chris Egan Managing Director

McLuckie said it is important to starve dust mites and reducing the amount of skin cell debris in the home minimises the primary food source of dust mites, inhibiting them from reproducing exponentially during the dust mite season.

“Vacuum your mattress on both sides with a machine with an advanced filtration system such as the Dyson V11 Outsize cord-free vacuum, as well as your sofa and other upholstery.”

“There appears to have been a solid increase in household goods volumes possibly aided by domestic lockdown plus constraints on some discretionary consumer spend,” Chris Egan said.

“Prior to Covid, Bissell was strongly appealing to households that saw benefit from our wet portfolio’s superior cleaning ability compared to the limitations of traditional vacuum cleaners. Our marketing activity in support of this has built month-onmonth further appealing to the growing awareness of a real Bissell ‘deep clean’ complemented by the benefits of Bissell sanitise and AntiBac cleaning formulas,” he said.

According to the company, with people spending more time at home during the Covid-19 lockdowns, a healthy home environment has become more important with a 31% increase in people visiting the Dyson website for information on Dyson floorcare technologies.

With one in nine Australians affected by asthma, Asthma Australia CEO, Michele Goldman, said dust and dust mites can act as irritants for sensitive airways. “Dust and dust mites are one of the biggest triggers for people with asthma, treating asthma and allergies will help keep symptoms under control. The best approach to preventing an asthma or allergy flare-up is to reduce the amount of allergen in the home by cleaning on a regular basis.” AR

Dyson V11 Outsize Cord-Free

`Fade-free

battery `A 150% larger bin and 25% bigger cleaner head `18 cyclones, four more than the Dyson V11 Absolute `Fully

sealed filtration system captures 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns RRP: $1,299

Egan also mentioned that keeping up with consumer demand and stock supply has been a challenge. “Our ability to support retail trade partners and conduct instore consumer demonstrations was constrained due to retail lockdowns and limitations on store visits.”

However, he is predicting further growth for the category and to increase awareness of the product portfolio and its retail potential Bissell will support the brand with marketing and consumer activity.

“Bissell is performing strongly globally and is consistently increasing market share.” AR www.applianceretailer.com.au

43

AR MOTHER'S DAY FEATURE

Food prep and personal care to top MOTHER’S Day wish list

BY EMILY BENCIC

W

hen it comes to Mother’s Day gifting, benchtop appliances and personal care items are often in high demand and in 2021, it’s likely to be no different as consumers embrace cooking at home as well as making health and wellness a priority.

Benchtop appliances including food preparation, juicers, kettles and toasters, multi-cookers, and rice cookers, experienced a sales uplift in the year to November 2020, posting 12% growth in units and 31% growth in value in the latest GfK data. Greater spend was made on appliances that facilitated unique at-home meals; in particular, air fryers and stand mixers.

Euromonitor confirmed that food preparation became a long-term habit in 2020 with convenience an important consideration.

“With more consumers turning to home cooking, they do not want to spend time dicing their food especially as they spend more time preparing from scratch. Additionally, aesthetics and design continue to attract consumers to food preparation appliances. Both manufacturers and consumers are branching away from neutral colours and are looking to 44

Appliance Retailer February / March 2021

add more colour to kitchen spaces,” research analyst, Angeliki Sfikas said.

However, as people made the shift to working from home, personal care appliances – hair dryers and hair stylers – experienced a 10% decrease in units and 5% decline in value, according to GfK data.

In the last quarter of 2020, the category steadily improved with stylers returning to growth.

Euromonitor data recorded 3% growth for personal care appliances in 2020, which also incorporated facial cleansers, with affordability and efficacy top of mind. Hair stylers remain trend driven, while growth in blow dryers is led by performance and speed.

“Cordless technology for hair styling tools is trending as consumers look for products to use on the go such as the gym, with more brands expected to launch into this space,” Sfikas said.

“Claims such as effective make up removing and deep exfoliation were trending, with electric facial cleansers managing to remain the strongest growing category in personal care for another year.

Strong brand awareness, wide price range and solid distribution supported sales of leading and established brands.” AR

MOTHER'S DAY FEATURE AR

GROUPE SEB

Marine Pestel Marketing Director Since the start of the pandemic, Groupe SEB has seen increased spend across all benchtop cooking appliances as well as cookware, even after some restrictions were lifted.

“It appears that consumers have rediscovered cooking at home and are now enjoying it. Covid-19 has also shifted consumer behaviour online,” Marine Pestel said.

In response to the shift online, Tefal leveraged its digital marketing and supported retailers with content for their websites, as well as training videos and other digital assets.

Smeg Hand Blender HBF02 with Food Processor Accessory HBFP01 `Two-year

warranty `Removable

gearbox `1.5 litre Tritan bowl with measurement marks `Four

discs for shredding, slicing, chopping, mincing, blending, mixing and emulsifying RRP: $249 (HBF02) / $169 (HBFP01)

Arthur Banbas National Manager Small Appliances

“These enabled us to win the shopper preference online and support sell through with our retailers.

We also ran Facebook Live events with brand ambassadors to support our customers and inspire them to cook,” she said.

Benchtop appliances have seen an unprecedented increase in demand since Covid-19 as consumers spend more time at home, according to Smeg’s Arthur Banbas.

“In response to lockdown, there was a notable shift in consumer spending behaviour with a rise in digital platforms, resulting in a spike in website traffic and Smeg customer service,” he said.

Like the rest of the industry, Tefal faced disruption in its supply chain with some products out of stock early in the pandemic as factories in France were forced to shut.

Consumers also turned to social media for expert insights, tips and brand led tutorials during a time that home cooking and recipe testing was prominent.

“We have been able to react quickly and secure some stock for most of our small appliances.

Despite these unprecedented challenges, we finished 2020 with strong results and built good momentum for 2021.”

Ahead of Mother’s Day, Tefal will launch the i-Companion XL, an all-in-one appliance that cuts, prepares and cooks food with six attachments included and additional accessories available separately. AR

SMEG

Tefal i-Companion XL

`XL Gourmet stainless steel bowl with 10 serve capacity `Adjustable

temperature from 30°C to 150°C `Quiet

38dBA on minimum speed and 70dBA on maximum speed `Six attachments included: ultra-blade, kneading and crushing blade, beater, mixer, internal steam basket and flat base adapter RRP: $1,899

“Smeg maximised its social channels to provide expert insight as well as virtual showroom tours for customers who were unable to visit us. This provided an opportunity for Smeg to be at the forefront of a broader lifestyle conversation beyond product placement, directly connecting with consumers in real time and reinforcing that Smeg provides the total kitchen solution.”

However, given the significant increase in consumer demand, there was a notable impact on operational elements in relation to stock levels, shipping and port delays as well as container shortages, Banbas said.

He expects the category to continue its growth trajectory in the first half of 2021 as consumers reassess work life balance. However, the second half is more difficult to predict as numerous government subsidies will come to an end and international travel may reopen.

“The rise of the home chef will drive growth with people eating at home and experimenting more frequently with cooking and benchtop appliances.” AR www.applianceretailer.com.au

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AR MOTHER'S DAY FEATURE

MAGIMIX

Wivina Chaneliere Managing Director Magimix’s Wivina Chaneliere said a drastic drop in consumer spending at the beginning of the pandemic due to uncertainty was then followed by a steady increase in spending on small appliances.

“As consumers settled into life in isolation, they invested in items that helped improve the quality of their cooking. As a result, there was increased demand in small appliances and an overall positive effect on the category. Magimix was already ticking boxes for health, quality, and longevity, but the pandemic further boosted this as more people cooked at home.”

Chaneliere said like the rest of the industry, Magimix had to change the way it performed product demonstrations and communicated with customers and retail partners with online tools becoming effective and efficient.

“At first it was a challenge, as it is important for consumers to see how our products work. But online demonstrations became an opportunity that worked well for us and is something we will continue to do. Another challenge was supply chain disruptions. Costs went up due to delays and congestion, so it was difficult to bring stock in from Europe to meet increasing demand,” she said.

Magimix has high expectations for brand growth in 2021 after investing heavily in marketing and increasing brand awareness. “We see a continuation in support of good quality products that stand the test of time.” AR

“

Magimix was already ticking boxes for health, quality, and longevity, but the pandemic further boosted this as more people cooked at home

”

Magimix Cook Expert

`14 automatic programs `Can replace up to 15 kitchen appliances `Large

capacity with 3.5L double walled metal bowl and 3.6L food processor bowl `Induction

heating system for instant and accurate heat from 30 to 160 degrees RRP: $2,299 46

Appliance Retailer February / March 2021

MOTHER'S DAY FEATURE AR

NEWELL BRANDS

Katie Cannaby Brand Marketing Manager – Food Preparation 2020 was the year many consumers returned to baking or discovered their inner baker, and in turn, hand mixers experienced a sales boost, along with other food preparation appliances, according to Newell Brands’ Katie Cannaby.

“It started with bread but quickly expanded into cakes and cookies or anything that made people feel good and was a great way to keep spirits high and kids entertained,” she said.

Consumers being forced to spend more time at home presented an ideal opportunity to inspire and excite them in their kitchens. “Many consumers upgraded existing appliances, or decided to try new appliances to aid with food prep.”

In 2021, Cannaby expects food prep appliances to grow in popularity as long as food continues to be cooked at home. “We anticipate huge demand for handheld appliances such as hand mixers, choppers and stick blenders to win over traditional bench mixers, blenders and food processors as consumers prioritise convenience, simplicity and ease of use.”

Morphy Richards Round Multifunction Pot

`1400

watts high power `Low,

medium and high heat settings `Unique

Fondue ’40-degree mode’ `Four

accessories included: grill pan, 1.8L deep pan, muffin plate and fondue tray

In time for Mother’s Day, the Sunbeam Black Classics Collection will welcome two new additions – the Two Way Blender and Shade Select Vertical Waffle Maker in matte black.

RRP: $229.95

The blender features unique patented two-way blade technology, three pre-programmed functions and two litre Tritan blending jug for RRP $199.

Consumers can create waffles with the waffle maker by simply selecting a setting and pouring in the mixture. The upright design eliminates drips or splashes and ensures even heat distribution. AR

GLEN DIMPLEX

Stacey Pogorecki Product Manager – Seasonal & SDA Glen Dimplex has seen consumers either updating or adding to their appliances to enrich their ‘stay at home’ experience while they are unable to travel.

Sunbeam Mixmaster Hand Mixer Pro `Quick

burst of power option `Includes

beaters and dough hooks `Super

aerator whisk means 30% faster whisking `Handy

storage case fits the mixer and attachments RRP: $59.95

“There has been an uplift and increased demand in benchtop appliances, as more people cook meals at home,” Stacey Pogorecki said.

However, like the rest of the industry, there has been shipping and production delays, which has presented challenges for having stock available at the right time.

Looking at the year ahead, Pogorecki expects consumer spending on appliances to remain strong. “We don’t know when international travel will re-open, and local travel is still quite uncertain, so consumers will continue to spend more time at home.” AR www.applianceretailer.com.au

47

AR MOTHER'S DAY FEATURE

“

The Dyson Corrale straightener offers a seamless intersection between style and health, letting users manage their hair with more control, while ensuring less heat reliance.

”

DYSON

Sandra Lup Lead Design Engineer Dyson Australia experienced a 122% increase in traffic to the Dyson HairCare landing page in 2020 compared to 2019 with consumers seeking information and tips on beauty technologies that reduce hair damage and receive high owner satisfaction.

“From visits to our product pages to finding tips and advice about our technologies, this demand reflects an ever-increasing interest in our styling technologies such as the Dyson Corrale straightener and an appetite to protect hair health,” Sandra Lup said.

48

Appliance Retailer February / March 2021

“While hair trends continue to be a mainstay, there is a growing focus on self-care and by relation, hair health. The Dyson Corrale straightener offers a seamless intersection between style and health, letting users manage their hair with more control, while ensuring less heat reliance.”

Dyson Corrale Straightener

`Cord-free

design for on-the-go styling `Intelligent

heat control for precise temperatures `Patented

flexing copper plates for enhanced styling with less damage `15 micro-hinged segments flex and adapt to hair reducing frizz and fly aways RRP: $699

Dyson global styling ambassador, Jen Atkin anticipates a trend toward more people looking to achieve the same desired style, but with less heat and that’s where Intelligent Heat Control technology on the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer, Airwrap styler and Corrale straightener comes in.

“This unique piece of engineering, combined with a range of heat settings on each tool, ensures temperatures can be tailored to hair type and desired style, while maintaining consistent heat output,” Atkin said.

From extensive research, Dyson has found that excessive heat from styling tools can cause irreversible damage and despite many products on the market claiming to ‘repair damage’ this scientifically isn’t possible.

“These products simply improve the feel and appearance of the hair, yet the core damage is left unchanged. All Dyson beauty technologies are engineered to reduce extreme heat damage to hair. The Dyson Supersonic hair dryer and Dyson Airwrap styler both have intelligent heat control whereby a glass bead thermistor monitors the temperature 40 times per second.

The Dyson Corrale straightener’s flexing copper plates mould to shape and gather the hair for greater control with less damage,” Lup said. AR

MOTHER'S DAY FEATURE AR

HOMEDICS

Yashinta Hynes Digital Marketing Coordinator Consumer spending behaviour can be unpredictable at the best of times but during Covid-19 there has been a shift towards value and essentials due to uncertainty around employment and income, according to HoMedics’ Yashinta Hynes.

“As a business that supports health and wellbeing, we have been able to support people where they need it most – the mind and body.

We have also been able to keep in touch with our customers through our ecommerce platforms.”

Hynes said the impact of Covid-19 was immediately felt due to widespread lockdowns and social distancing measures. “Although retail remained steady – and in some cases flourished – the pandemic is set to have a longlasting and profound economic impact which is a challenge for any business.

“Globally the HoMedics business has performed above expectations. We are thankful for the support of our retail partners globally in their commitments to our brands and the collaborative approach we have been able to deliver together.”

Panasonic EH-HS99 Hydrating Hair Straightener `30 second heat up time `Five heat temperature settings `Nanoe

technology to reduce hair damage and create shinier hair `High-performance

ceramic plates and advanced heat control technology RRP: $279

In Q1 2021, HoMedics is releasing a physio massage gun, in addition to a beauty desktop ring light, luxury manicure/pedicure tray, Ellia Imagine cordless aroma diffuser and Ellia Harmony aroma diffuser. AR

PANASONIC

Tory Rooney Product Marketing Manager – Microwaves & Personal Care With the temporary closure of spas and hair salons due to the Covid-19 lockdown, many consumers were seeking at-home beauty and wellness products, Panasonic’s Tory Rooney said.

“Personal care beauty products are popular year-round but during Covid-19, consumers focused on health and wellness more than ever before, finding comfort in pampering themselves and loved ones. In particular, they value personal care items that are individualised, easy to use and reliable.”

HoMedics Physio Massage Gun PGM-200-AU

`One-button

control `Lightweight

design with ergonomic handle `Three

massage heads and three intensity levels `Cordless

operation for on-the-go use and includes storage bag RRP: $99.95

As protective measures and travel restrictions ease over the coming months, Panasonic expects consumers to book experiences and day trips for family and friends after a long period of lockdown.

“We have also witnessed a swift and widespread adoption of remote working models and expect people to continue working from home in some capacity. This may impact demand on beauty products and the broader personal care market,” Rooney said.

Panasonic is a relatively new player in the hair straightener market but hopes to continue to strengthen its footprint with new products that reduce damage and deliver superior results. AR

www.applianceretailer.com.au

49

AR WHAT'S HOT

Smeg dishwashers offer washability, flexibility and stackability

Over 50 years ago Smeg launched the world’s first 14 place setting dishwasher, the Niagara, and to this day continues to cement its position at the forefront of dishwasher technology.

The patented orbital wash system (single arm with rotating spray arm) and the planetary wash system (single arm on a rotating axis) for the ultimate wash coverage and SmartDry (Enersave) for a perfect drying result with less energy, are just three innovations. Along with the wash and dry systems, Smeg has also championed basket design and adjustability to accommodate all shapes and sizes. The flexi-duo cutlery tray adds another dimension of flexibility and convenience, folding and sliding ingeniously to free space for tall glassware and house cutlery and utensils. Consumers can select between fully integrated, semi-integrated, underbench and freestanding models.

RRP: From $1,490

TECO Platinum 3D delivers superior energy efficiency

TECO has introduced its latest and most efficient range of DC inverter split systems. Engineered to perform in some of the harshest Australian conditions, the Platinum 3D range is designed to reduce energy costs. Registered and approved under the latest determination of the Minimum Energy Performance standards, TECO’s Platinum 3D air flow has a four-way auto swing moving air to more areas of the room. Built in Wi-Fi enables control from outside the home, while the �I Feel� mode senses the temperature based on the location of the remote control. The Platinum 3D range has an advanced statically charged filter system to reduce the circulation of airborne contaminates, as well as a self-cleaning function. Gold Fin protection assists with longevity and performance of the system. The range is available in 2.6kW, 3.5kW, 5kW, 7kW and 8kW.

RRP: N/A

Vornado Whole Room Air Purifier circulates and filters air

The Vornado AC350 Whole Room Air Purifier uses true HEPA filtration, the most effective filtration available, to remove up to 99.97% of airborne allergens down to 0.3 micron in size. The Vornado Whole Room Purifier actively circulates and filters all the air throughout a room. Without powerful circulation, the air cleaner is only cleaning the immediate area around the unit. The AC350 uses a radial blower to intake and clean all the air in the room up to 20 square metres. It features three speeds, push button electronic controls, filter replacement indicator and industry leading fiveyear limited warranty.

RRP: $349 50

Appliance Retailer February / March 2021

COMPANY INDEX AR COMPANY

PAGE #

READERSHIP GROUPS

Beko...............................................................................................................10 Belkin............................................................................................................11 Bissell............................................................................................................43 Bosch.......................................................................................................25, 39 De’Longhi.......................................................................... 7, 19, 20, 21, 23, 37 Dyson.................................................................................................36, 43, 48 Ecovacs...........................................................................................................38 Electrolux Home Products..............................................................................42 Eurolinx ...........................................................................................................9 Euromonitor.............................................................................................20, 44 Fujitsu General...............................................................................................30 GfK...............................................................................................20, 28, 38, 44 Glen Dimplex...........................................................................................35, 47 Groupe SEB....................................................................................................45 Harvey Norman..............................................................................................27 Hisense..........................................................................................................12 Hitachi...........................................................................................................10 HoMedics.......................................................................................................49 Imaging & Digital Entertainment Association................................................11 International Housewares Association...........................................................18 Jura................................................................................................................22 Klipsch.............................................................................................................9 Kogan..............................................................................................................8 Lavazza...........................................................................................................26 LG Electronics...........................................................................................14, 41 Magimix....................................................................................................8, 46 Michaels ..........................................................................................................6 Miele.................................................................................................16, 17, 40 Milners....................................................................................................34, 50 Mitsubishi Electric....................................................................................28, 31

TCL.......................................................................................................7, 10, 15

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Teco..........................................................................................................32, 50

Copyright © 2021 - The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries....................................................................29, 33 Narta..........................................................................................................6, 20 Nespresso......................................................................................................24 Newell Brands..........................................................................................26, 47 Olimpia Splendid...........................................................................................35 Panasonic.................................................................................................32, 49 Rawsons Appliances.................................................................................16, 17 Samsung........................................................................................................13 Shriro.............................................................................................................37 Smeg.......................................................................................................45, 50 Sony...............................................................................................................15

www.applianceretailer.com.au

51

Bosch Series 6 Unlimited

2-in-1 cordless multi-use handstick The strong lightweight.

Handheld weighs only 1.4kg

Available in two models.

Unlimited

Unlimited ProAnimal

1x Power for all battery included

2x Power for all batteries included

Extendable runtime ProAnimal model includes two exchangeable battery packs that enable you to double the runtime.

ProAnimal mini turbo nozzle.

Easy cleaning of pet hairs thanks to the extra motorized nozzle suitable for use on your upholstery.

Up to

30 minutes runtime* * In normal mode, with non-electrical accessory.

Up to

35 minutes runtime* per battery

Power for ALL System The removable battery pack is part of the Bosch Home & Garden 18-Volt cordless system (green product line).

Perfect cleaning results every time.

Useful accessories ensure effortless cleaning at all levels – from the floor to the ceiling.