With the launch of AtEase (Electrolux Group’s new product subscription-based service for Sweden), consumers can make more sustainable choices. This innovation is part of Group’s ambition to reduce electronic waste and contribute to the circular economy, with Swedish consumers having the option to subscribe to a new product or a refurbished one. AtEase is an all-inclusive service that covers everything needed to keep the appliance running smoothly, including proactive maintenance, automatic shipments of accessories, and support (the appliance is replaced within three days if a fault occurs during the subscription). Crucially, every product returned to Electrolux Group is refurbished for reuse or gives life to new appliances by donating its parts. “If the product is too damaged or worn to be refurbished, we can reuse parts such as circuit boards, rubber bumpers, or casings to extend the life of other products. In fact, 75% of the parts we use in the refurbishment of a robot vacuum cleaner have been harvested from an end-of-life product”, says James Ostridge, Product as a Service Director. The products currently offered through AtEase include the Pure i9 robotic vacuum cleaner, Well A7 air purifier and Pure A9 air purifier. Further floor and air care products will be introduced later this year, and more products, including kitchen and garment care, will be added to the service over time. The launch of AtEase is a natural step following a successful pilot launched in 2019 to offer Swedish consumers the Pure i9 on a subscription pay-per-use basis. AtEase will also be introduced to further markets beyond Sweden in the coming years.
Category Archives: Retail suppliers
Mediamarkt grows +7.4% in the first 9 months
Ceconomy , the financial company that controls the Mediamarkt Saturn brand, has published the data relating to its third quarter (April-June) in which it sold 4.52 billion in its 1,026 stores with 43,000 collaborators and 2.5 million square meters of surface area of sale.
The weakness of the German and Eastern European markets meant that the figure was 2.8% lower than that of the third quarter of 2022 but considering the first 9 months of the year, the increase is 2.2%, which becomes 7.4% on a like-for-like basis and at hedged exchange rates.Great satisfaction comes from online sales which have increased by 41% in one year and now represent 21% of sales, reaching almost one billion euros in the quarter. In its Marketplace Mediamarkt offers, in addition to its assortment, the products of a thousand third-party companiesThe weak point of the group, which belongs to the same reference shareholders as Metro , is profitability. Gross margin has not changed at 17.6%, but net margin is 1%. An improvement comes from the cash flow which improved thanks to the reduction in inventory which was 3.38 billion at the end of June 2022 and 2.9 billion in the middle of this year, i.e. from 10.5 to 9.4 weeks of sales. Between now and 2026-27 Mediamarkt has undertaken to increase the share of private label products sold from 2.3 to 5%, to increase its already considerable online market share to 30% (currently 25%) and to bring from 24 to 50 million loyalty card holders.
Mediamrkt also expects growth in profits from the rental of branded space in its stores and from retail media, i.e. the sale to brands and third parties of space on its e-commerce platforms, which should go from the 5 million euro last year to 45 million
Siemens in Germany opens an online sales channel
Siemens Hausgeraete has opened an online shop on its website that allows German consumers to purchase its entire range of built-in and freestanding appliances. BSH Sales Manager Germany Michael Mehnert calls it an information platform that brings potential buyers closer to the scope of the assortment. Users can select products based on categories, energy efficiency class, price range and availability. Products can be purchased online or through a retailer’s web (e.g. MediaMarkt-Saturn or Euronics
Whirlpool have unveiled the new St. Joseph Technology centre
Whirlpool have unveiled the new St. Joseph Technology Center located in St. Joseph, Michigan.
The $60+ million project is part of a three-phase plan to redesign an iconic research and development facility that has been home to a century of appliance innovations.
“In 1911, the first electric washing machines were built here in St. Joseph, Michigan, and we continue to grow that legacy with the investment in this new, state-of-the-art technology center,” said Whirlpool Corp. chairman and CEO, Marc Bitzer at the event.
The celebration was attended by several elected officials including Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and U.S. Representative Bill Huizenga,
Haier UK 3rd UK activation centre
Haier announce thecontinued expansion in the UK with the opening of a third Activation Centre!
Located in the heart of London at the iconic Business Design Centre, The Haier Design Activation Centre follows on from the two Warrington based brand and training activation centers which are used for both internal meetings and external events.
The new Haier Design Activation Centre will give us a space in the heart of the UK capital for our customers, colleagues and communities, and it will provide us with amazing opportunities to launch ground-breaking solutions, services and ecosystems at the heart of an iconic and industry leading event space.
V-ZUG London Studio.
V-ZUG UK announce the launch of a new 360-degree tour of the V-ZUG London Studio.
Providing customers and partners with even greater access to their beautiful Studio, this is yet another way to showcase the most forward-thinking appliance brand, highlighting what makes v-ZUG different.
Come take a virtual tour and experience the V-ZUG difference like never before https://www.vzug.com/ymedia/gb-360-tour-zugorama/
Miele UK Professional unveils revamped test wash experience centre
The Test Wash facility experience centre offers businesses the chance to see and experience Miele Professional’s commercial laundry machines in action. The facility has undergone a complete redevelopment to create a fully functional showroom that showcases the capabilities of Miele’s professional equipment.
The facility is located at Miele’s headquarters in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, and is designed to cater to businesses in various industries, including lab, medical and dental, as well as hospitality and care markets. By allowing businesses to try out the machines before making a purchase, Miele aims to provide them with the confidence and assurance they need to invest in its products.
The Test Wash facility experience centre is equipped with state-of-the-art Miele Professional laundry machines, which are specifically designed for commercial use.
Haier new London centre
Haier UK has opened a Design Activation Centre in London – the third of its Centres in the UK and the first in the South of England.
Inieuro financial
Unieuro S.p.A. is the largest Italian retailer of consumer electronics and household appliances by number of outlets, with a network of 460 stores throughout Italy.Unieuro closed the first quarter of the 2023/24 financial year (i.e. the months of March, April and May) with revenues of €589.3 million: 3.7% less than in the corresponding period last year. The figure, the company points out, is in any case better than the market trend which contracted by 4.6% in the same period.
Frasers ups it’s stake in Currys
UK-based sportswear and fashion retailer Frasers Group has increased its stake in electricals retailer Currys.
Frasers raised its stake in the company from 10.4% to 11.1%. Financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.reported last week that Currys was exploring “a number of avenues” for possible partnership with Frasers.
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