The group has unveiled its first estimates for the year 2022 and forecasts a slight decline in sales, of 1.2% compared to the previous year. In a context where purchasing power is fully affected by inflation, Fnac Darty relies more than ever on its Everyday strategic plan.
Fnac Darty forecasts 2022 sales down 1.2%, while maintaining its gross margin
January 20, 2023, by Sandra Nicoletti
The group has unveiled its first estimates for the year 2022 and forecasts a slight decline in sales, of 1.2% compared to the previous year. In a context where purchasing power is fully affected by inflation, Fnac Darty relies more than ever on its Everyday strategic plan.
Fnac Darty forecasts 2022 sales down 1.2%, while maintaining its gross margin
While the economic context has a direct impact on distribution, the Fnac Darty group is showing resilience and forecasts revenue of around 7,945 million euros for 2022, down 1.2% compared to the year previous. A drop in sales which results from a bad month of December (-55 million euros), but which does not affect the gross margin rate. This should indeed reach 30.2% in 2022, up +80 basis points in one year, supported by a positive product/service mix. “The estimated performance for 2022 demonstrates that the Fnac Darty group has demonstrated good resilience thanks to the commitment of its teams, despite a particularly difficult context for the distribution sector. The group has demonstrated its ability to adapt and has been able to develop its offer to deal with supply difficulties and control its costs in order to minimize the effects of inflation. Compared to 2019, our estimated revenue remains up sharply by +7% and our gross margin rate remains solid. This demonstrates the acuity of our strategic project which, by focusing strongly on customer experience and services, allows us to continue to create value and grow,” says Enrique Martinez.
The group remains mobilized in the execution of the Everyday plan
While current operating income is estimated at around €230 million, free operating cash flow is slightly negative, around -€30 million. A result below the forecasts announced in February 2021, when the Everyday strategic plan was launched. In this context, the Group considers it “unlikely” to achieve its cumulative free operating cash flow target of around €500 million over the 2021-2023 period and is therefore extending this target for 2021-2024. Finally, “the Group remains fully mobilized to pursue the execution of its strategic plan and continue to generate cash in order to ensure its development and a regular return to shareholders in accordance with what was announced during the Everyday strategic plan. This is why Fnac Darty is maintaining its ambition to generate free operating cash flow of at least 240 million euros on an annual basis from 2025,” reads the official press release.
Samsung and Patagonia
Samsung and Patagonia worked together to design a washing machine cycle and filter that drastically reduce the release of microplastics during laundry while maintaining high cleaning performance. Patagonia, a brand known for its commitment to the environment and to sustainability, assisted Samsung in product testing and research, while the Korean manufacturer provided the technical expertise. The partnership aims to combat ocean pollution by preventing microplastics from entering the water stream during laundry.
The end result of the collaboration is the Less Microfiber Cycle and a new filter installed in a new range of appliances. The combined use of the special cycle and filter, according to Samsung, reduces the release of microplastics by 54% and blocks them from escaping into the water outlet.
The Less Microfiber Cycle can be installed as an update on compatible washing machines in Korea and the U.S. later this year. The Less Microfiber Filter will be available in select Samsung washing machines in Europe in the second half of 2023. The good news here is that users of other washing machine brands will also be able to purchase the filter separately and install it on their washers.
CANDY: 1ST PLACE IN ITALY FOR WASHING MACHINES
THE ITALIAN BRAND ACQUIRED BY HAIER HAS CONQUERED THE LEADERSHIP IN ITALY IN THE WASHING SEGMENT WITH A VOLUME SHARE OF 12.4%
Candy in 2022 was the most important brand in Italy in the washing segment with a volume share of 12.4%. The company acquired by the Haier group in 2019 thus consolidates its position in the Italian home appliance market, in which it has been an iconic brand for over seventy years.
Ufesa Duet air fryer
First established in 1975, OCU is the oldest consumer organisation in Spain. It now has more than 305,000 members Given its great demand, the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) has analyzed 21 models of air fryers of various brands and has determined that the Ufesa Duet consumes little energy and is one of the best value for money.
Weighing less than 3 kg and with a 2 l capacity, it is perfect for preparing recipes for one or two people; while it has 6 preset programs: fry, toast, roast, bake, reheat and keep warm.
Its 360° high-speed air circulation technology allows healthy cooking with crispy results. For greater ease of use, it has a timer of up to 60 minutes and a temperature control of up to 200 °C with digital control
HAIER EUROPE: SABRINA ZARA IN CHARGE OF SALES, ATENA MANCA LEADS MARKETING
They will lead sales and marketing strategies for the three brands Candy, Hoover and Haier
2023 for Haier Europe begins with two new names at the top of the commercial and marketing area. Sabrina Zara, former marketing director for Italy, is the new Haier sales director while Atena Manca, formerly Haier and IoT brand manager, will lead the marketing division as Marketing Leader Italy.
Both will report directly to Emiliano Garofalo, Italy country manager, and will be in charge of sales and marketing strategies, respectively, for the three brands Candy, Hoover and Haier with particular attention to the development of IoT ecosystems and the concept of ‘zero distance to consumer’.
The decision to focus on two managers already in the team – explains a note – underlines the commitment of the Italian branch in supporting the consolidation of internal growth paths.
China’s Hisense becomes Slovenia’s largest exporter
The production lines have been busy at the Hisense factory in the town of Velenje in northeast Slovenia, as the demand for its household appliances steadily grows in Europe.
Hisense, a Chinese multinational major appliance and electronics manufacturer, holds a five percent share of the European market, but the company has set itself higher goals for the near future.Europe is a big market with a lot of potential,” Jianmin Han, the Chairman of Hisense Europe, tells CGTN. “Our target in three years, by 2025, is to achieve 10 percent of the market [share] in two segments, to really become a tier two brand in Europe.”
The Chinese home appliance giant established itself as Slovenia’s largest exporter, significantly surpassing the country’s other major exporters like Renault and a couple of local domestic pharmaceutical companies.
Not many expected these results in 2018, when Hisense acquired Slovenian producer Gorenje. Founded over 70 years ago in the former Yugoslavia, Gorenje produced and exported home appliances across Europe.
But five years ago, stiff competition forced the Slovenian government and the Gorenje shareholders to decide whether to integrate it into a bigger system or let it embark on a path of slow and inevitable demise.
They decided to invite China’s Hisense to buy Gorenje, in a bid to give the company and the community, a new lease of lifeIn 2021, its exports reached $2 billion, and even higher numbers are expected for 2022.
Hisense has secured thousands of jobs in Slovenia,
Groupe Brandt
Every 22 seconds: this is the frequency with which a cooking appliance was manufactured in Groupe Brandt factories in Orléans and Vendôme in 2022. 🎯 More than a slogan, sustainable French manufacturing is for the Brandt Group a commitment that continues in 2023 with: – Product innovations thanks to the unique know-how of their teams – Certifications and partnerships to promote French industry Origine France Garantie La French Fab – Services, tools and content to extend the life of our products:
Whirlpool not to vanish from Europe
The future of Whirlpool EMEA has been in doubt for months, and there was long speculation that the US home appliance maker would exit Europe, Middle East and Africa entirely, but the company has finally opted for a less radical solution in the form of a joint venture with arch-rival Arçelik, which is present in Europe primarily through its Beko brand.
The two firms have announced that they will transfer their European subsidiaries to a new entity to be called Beko Europe BV. Upon completion of this transaction, it is expected that 75% of the new company will be owned by Arçelik and 25% by Whirlpool. The business still needs to be approved by the responsible institutions, and the entire process of creating a new joint venture will take up to a year. Until then, the two companies will operate completely independently and without changes.
Market fears that the established and well-known Whirlpool brand could completely disappear from European stores in the event of the sale of Whirlpool EMEA will ultimately not come true. The newly formed company will have regional rights to both the Beko and Blomberg brands as well as the Whirlpool brand. And for 40 years. But he will also work with others such as Grundig, Hotpoint, Indesit and Bauknecht. The KitchenAid division is being spun off and will remain fully owned by Whirlpool.
Personnel issues and other specific steps regarding the structure and functioning of local offices are not yet known. However, the optimization and merger of branches in individual countries appear to be inevitable parts of the whole process. Both companies have so far refused to discuss the future structure in any way.
We are preparing a detailed analysis of what this change will mean for the home appliance market in Europe and here.
Whirlpool top Employer
With a score of 92,23% whirlpool are proud to announce that they have been certified as a #TopEmployerEurope2023 by the Top Employer Institute, thanks to individual achievements reached in France, Poland, Italy, the UK, and Germany!
This certification recognizes their efforts in creating a working environment that empowers our people and strengthens their skills. Whirlpool Corporation stood out in the categories of Career Paths, Diversity & Inclusion, and Sustainability.
SEVERIN WITH KITCHEN APPLIANCE EXPERTISE
SEVERIN is exhibiting at the Ambiente consumer goods fair with a portfolio focused on innovation and kitchen expertise. The company demonstrates how filter coffee convenience can be rethought with the unique fully automatic filter coffee machine, FILKA. A new range of cordless kitchen aids opens the year of the kitchen at SEVERIN and rounds off the portfolio of the trade fair presence.
At the start of 2023, Ambiente is also returning from the compulsory Corona break. From February 3rd to 7th, 2023, the big reunion of national and international exhibitors and trade visitors will take place at the exhibition center in Frankfurt am Main. The world’s leading trade fair for the consumer goods industry welcomes the industry under the motto “Home of Consumer Goods”. As an established brand in the kitchen and household appliance industry, electrical appliance manufacturer SEVERIN will also be there again. SEVERIN CEO Dr. Joyce Gesing:
“Even if Corona has brought many changes with it, the high relevance of this platform for the industry can hardly be despised. That’s why we appreciate this opportunity to exchange fresh ideas, unique developments and a focused portfolio. We look forward to first-class discussions with our trading partners and customers and also welcome new faces to our stand.”
In Hall 8.0 at Stand A14, the Sauerland company will once again be demonstrating its many years of expertise in the filter coffee preparation segment. The innovation FILKA, a fully automatic filter coffee machine, combines comfort and enjoyment in a unique way. At the push of a button, the FILKA freshly grinds coffee beans and brews a single portion or up to ten cups of coffee in a cup, to-go mug or pot.
Ambiente follows on from the successful market launch of the product in autumn 2022. If you haven’t had the chance to experience the new product live, the SEVERIN team will be happy to welcome you with a cup of fresh filter coffee at the stand.
At the same time, the manufacturer is introducing a new series of wireless kitchen appliances. The cordless hand mixers, hand mixers and multi-choppers herald a year of numerous kitchen innovations from the brand. With them, the user enjoys unlimited freedom in indoor and outdoor kitchens. This means more flexibility in the use of the work surface due to independence from socket positions. At the same time, cables no longer block the way or end up in the food.
SEVERIN is a leading international manufacturer of intuitive, innovative and sustainable electrical household appliances. As a German quality brand with a 130-year history, SEVERIN stands for reliable and durable products that make everyday life easier for customers. With its headquarters in Sundern (Germany), six of its own sales companies in Europe and a long-standing presence in Asia, SEVERIN is globally active and supplies customers all over the world.
