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Editor’s Comment: Time for change
Welcome to the latest edition of ERT. A bumper-size edition, in fact! Firstly, there’s our extended review of IFA Berlin 2024, covering the latest and greatest consumer tech from all corners of the famous German show.
The TVs were bigger and the appliances were ‘greener’; understandably, sustainability was one of the major themes this year as manufacturers competed to demonstrate their eco-friendly credentials. Likewise, the amount of AI and smart solutions on show was astounding and the number of robotic assistants whizzing around was entertaining if nothing else!
What was clear from this year’s IFA – in fact, every year at IFA – is how this industry constantly evolves and continues to cater to consumers’ ever-changing needs. There’s always something new and exciting around the corner to take their fancy. Every now and then a product comes out with certain features or functions that we never knew we needed, and very quickly these become the norm with most manufacturers jumping on the same bandwagon.
Talking of new and exciting, you’ve probably read my exclusive article about CIH/Euronics launching two of its own home appliance brands in the UK. The announcement came at the end of September at the buying group’s annual Member Conference – aptly name ‘Gamechangers’, and it is a real gamechanger for the industry!
These two new brands will be sold exclusively in Euronics retailers and nowhere else. And this rather momentous decision was made in response to the changing landscape of the electrical and appliance manufacturing industry.
Many brands are now operating direct-to-consumer in some capacity or another and the CIH top team are greatly concerned about the effect of this on the group’s independent retailers, and on the retail sector in general. CIH Chairman, Steve Scogings, referred to it as a “manufacturing monopoly”, while CEO, Paul Tyler, said it is simply “irresponsible”.
So the group is taking matters into its own hands. These two new brands are owned and controlled solely by CIH/Euronics, which of course includes the Members themselves, helping to put them more in control of their own destiny, as put it.
I was at the Gamechangers Conference; I was the only non-CIH person in the room to witness this landmark introduction, and I’m grateful to Paul and Steve for giving me that opportunity. It was a fascinating day and the retailers that I spoke to were not only impressed with both new brands, but feeling optimistic and excited about the exclusivity this offered Euronics stores on the high street.
If you haven’t read about it yet, head straight to page 4!
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Jack Cheeseman – Editor – jackcheeseman@ertonline.co.uk
