Waterline, the UK’s leading supplier of kitchen furniture and appliances to independent retailers, has announced plans to seek external investment to support its future growth.
Over the past year, Waterline has launched several strategic expansions:
– Entered the contracts and electrical retail markets
– Developed proprietary OEM product ranges
– Onboarded industry specialists to drive innovation
These efforts mark a shift toward building a more resilient, forward-looking business. Updates to follow as the investment process unfolds.
Category Archives: Retail suppliers
Kitchen Things and Applico Enter Voluntary Administration
New Zealand’s premium appliance retailer Kitchen Things, a member of the Narta buying group, has entered voluntary administration alongside its distribution arm Applico. Applico is the exclusive supplier of high-end European brands Smeg and ASKO in the region.
The move marks a significant shift in the local appliance market, raising questions about the future of these luxury brands in New Zealand and the broader implications for retail and distribution network
JD.com Makes Landmark €2.2 Billion Acquisition of Europe’s Electronics Giant CECONOMY
In a bold move to expand its global footprint, JD.com has announced its largest international acquisition to date—a €2.2 billion deal to acquire Germany-based CECONOMY AG, the powerhouse behind Europe’s top consumer electronics chains, MediaMarkt and Saturn.
CECONOMY operates over 1,000 stores across 12 European countries and reported €22.4 billion in annual sales for 2024, making it a dominant force in the region’s retail landscape. This strategic takeover marks a pivotal moment for JD.com, positioning the Chinese e-commerce titan to integrate its advanced supply chain and logistics capabilities with CECONOMY’s vast brick-and-mortar network.
The acquisition not only signals JD.com’s intent to challenge global rivals like Amazon and Alibaba, but also underscores its commitment to blending online efficiency with offline reach—reshaping the future of retail across continents.
Currys Surges Ahead with 37% Profit Boost
Currys has delivered a standout performance, raising its annual profit by 37% to £162 million for the year ending 3 May 2025—beating market expectations on the back of robust UK sales and a surge in demand for tech services and credit options.
💹 Key Financial Highlights:
– Group revenue climbed 3% year-on-year, reaching £8.7 billion.
– UK and Ireland like-for-like sales jumped 4%, reflecting solid consumer engagement.
– Recurring service revenue rose 12%, while credit sales soared 14% to hit £1.1 billion.
– Mobile subsidiary **iD Mobile** welcomed 450,000 new customers, lifting its subscriber base by 26% to 2.2 million.
– **Statutory pre-tax profit** saw a dramatic rise to £124 million, up from just £28 million a year earlier.
🚀 CEO Alex Baldock praised the company’s trajectory, stating: _“Currys’ performance continues to strengthen and the business has real momentum
ASKO Experience Centre in Poland,
ASKO proudly unveils its first Experience Centre in Poland, located in the vibrant Warsaw Wola district at 6 Kasprzaka Street..lIt showcases the brand’s wide range of innovative home appliances, and it is complemented by a curated selection of furniture by swallows tail furniture and @ceramika paradyz, giving the interior a unique character.
AO profit surge
AO World has hailed a record performance after its profits surged nearly 30% driven by cost-saving initiatives and strong growth of its membership scheme.
Adjusted pre-tax profits for the electricals specialist rose 27% to £44m for the year to 31 March, coming in at the top end of its £39m to £44m guidance.
This was driven by a 9% increase in group sales to £1.13bn and several cost-saving efficiencies, including the introduction of a new third-party warehousing solution in its distribution centre.
AO benefited from returning customers, which accounted for over 60% of orders during the year. It expects this trend to improve over time.
Italy’s Appliance Market Heats Up
At the APPLiA Italia Assembly, GfK unveiled fresh insights into Italy’s large household appliance market, and the numbers tell an interesting story. In the first quarter, the market saw a 2.4% rise in value and a notable 3.8% surge in volume—a clear sign that average prices are edging downward.
Currys staff cut
Currys plans to cut around 80 head office jobs to reduce costs, aiming for a 10% cut in its central cost base this year. This comes as the retailer faces a £30 million increase in its tax bill due to changes in National Insurance and Minimum Wage
BSH Home Appliances Unveils First Bosch and Siemens Brand Store in Kolkata India
BSH Home Appliances Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of global premium home appliance leader BSH Hausgeräte GmbH, proudly announces the opening of its first Bosch and Siemens brand store in Kolkata. This milestone marks a significant step in BSH’s expansion strategy, strengthening its presence in East India and bringing world-class home solutions closer to consumers in the region.
Marks Electrical reports record sales
Marks Electrical reported record sales in its annual pre close trading update ahead of its full year results, as it experienced a “period of significant strategic change and progress”.
The appliance specialist, which saw its profit halve in November, pulled in full-year revenues of £117.2m for the 12 months ended 31 March, up 2.6% year-on-year
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