Hard hit by coronavirus, China’s retail sales market came to a market size of 705.6 billion Yuan in 2020, down by 11.3% year-on-year. Electric vacuum cleaning and mopping sector became one of the few categories that achieved fast growth amid the broad sluggishness with a market size of 24 billion Yuan in 2020, up by 20% year-on-year, according to All View Cloud. Behind the growth are two major factors. On one hand, the breakout of coronavirus raised the healthcare and cleaning awareness of consumers, which generated the demand for electric vacuum cleaning and mopping appliances. On the other hand, the rollout of innovative products such as smart wet dry vacuum cleaners and self-cleaning mopping and cleaning robots significantly optimized consumer experience and blazed the trail for the industry.
Changes in both supply and demand side fueled the growth
Different from European or American consumers, Chinese consumers mostly have hard floors at home, which means they have a stronger need for mopping. But traditional products, developed with vacuum cleaning as a priority, are weak in mopping performance and need to change the mop manually, making consumer experience falling short of consumer expectations. In 2020, enterprises including Tineco and Narwal rolled out innovative smart wet dry vacuum cleaners and self-cleaning mopping and cleaning robots. The products significantly upgraded the mopping performance and allowed consumers to free from washing mops manually. Targeting the pain points of consumers, the products blazed a trail for the industry and drove the sector to grow.
Online sales surged while offline sales sagged
Enterprises shifted from offline to online with a series of moves launched online including new product releases, live stream sales and promotion campaigns to boost online sales when offline sales got battered amid coronavirus in 2020. Online market accounted for 86% of the whole electric vacuum cleaning and mopping market by retail sales value in 2020, up by 8% year-on-year. As coronavirus gradually gets contained within China, offline market is expected to recover in 2021. But for the long term, online market is still believed to be the main battle field and is believed to take an increasingly larger share of the market.
In terms of reasons behind it, electric vacuum cleaning and mopping appliances do not need installation, which give them an edge in online sales. For enterprises, online marketing saves a great deal of expenses including rental fees and salaries. Plus, new sales modes including live stream sales and scenario-based sales allow consumers to get to know products better and therefore generate their purchase desire.
Average prices rose powered by the consumption upgrading trend
With the upgrading of technology, the market saw a rise in pricing, of which average prices of vacuum robots, cordless vacuum cleaners and smart wet dry vacuum cleaners went up compared to year 2019. When it came to pricing strategy of enterprises, it’s clear that mid- to high-end products priced above 2000 Yuan saw a significant rise in share of new products placed on the market. The price rise mainly came from the hardware upgrades of products including motors, chips and navigation system and the differentiation of new categories such as smart wet dry vacuum cleaners and self-cleaning mopping and cleaning robots compared with existing products.
Market concentration further grew
Brands with electric vacuum and mopping products sold on the market amounted to 482 in 2020, up by 74 compared to year 2019, according to monitored data of online market from All View Cloud. The increase in brand number intensified competition, but did not lower the market concentration of leading brands. In fact, leading brands achieved higher market concentration in 2020 due to consumers’ rising brand awareness and pursuit for product quality which drove them to choose trusted brands, and the competitive advantages of leading brands in product quality and brand recognition which powered them to gain ground from remaining brands and edged out weak brands.
Category wise, top 5 brands of vacuum robot market took a combined share of 83% at online market, and top 10 brands of cordless vacuum cleaner market a combined share of 86%. As a new category with few players, smart wet dry vacuum cleaner market was dominated by Tineco who alone took a share of more than two third.
Product iteration expedited
The number of new products placed on the market came to 1067 in 2020, according to monitored data of online market from All View Cloud. The fierce market competition and technology upgrades sped up the product iteration of enterprises especially before shopping festivals such as June 18 and November 11 (Singles’ Day) when new products including T8 of Ecovacs, T7 of Roborock and P7 of Midea were rolled out. These new products offered optimized performance, functions as well as user experience.
User demands were more valued to improve consumer experience
Products sold early on the market competed mostly on the ground of parameters and price with little concern with the actual scenarios of consumers. Now, enterprises stay close to consumer demands and upgrade products in multiple aspects including appearance, performance, operability and intelligence.
The development of smart wet dry vacuum cleaners and self-cleaning mopping and cleaning robots well address the pain points of consumers and therefore embrace an explosive growth. Cordless vacuums add magnetic charging function, display panel, automatic lighting, and tangle-free roll brush to make it more easy to use. Cleaning robots are getting smarter with more products adopt laser navigation and visual navigation. In 2020, cleaning robots with laser navigation accounted for 47% while those with visual navigation 16% of the category. Roborock and Ecovacs apply AI technology to cleaning robots ahead of the pack, allowing the products to be smarter to avoid obstacles.
It is estimated that the sector will embrace a further growth in 2021 with a market size exceeding 30 billion Yuan, up by 26% year-on-year, according to All View Cloud. Leading brands will continue to advance the structural upgrade of the industry through product iteration, and mid- and high-end products are expected to take a larger share of the market. Product wise, cleaning robots are expected to reach 11.2 billion Yuan in retail sales, up by 20% year-on-year; mainstream brands will successively roll out self-cleaning products that integrate cleaning and mopping functions; low-end robots without smart navigation will be phased out; smart wet dry vacuum cleaner sector will step up further to reach an estimated market size of 4 billion Yuan and more than 30 brands; cordless vacuum cleaner sector will remain the growth but in a limited way given the lack of mopping function
Strong growth in the second quarter for Electrolux
Strong growth in the second quarter for Electrolux
Significant growth is expected in the second quarter of 2021, according to President and CEO Jonas Samuelson. “In the second quarter, we continued to capitalize on the lucrative market, price spikes and demand for innovative products,” he said. Operating profit was SEK 1983 million, margin of 6.5% and organic sales growth of 39.1%. A year ago, due to restrictions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic, volumes were significantly reduced, which was partially controlled by temporary spending measures. Compared to Q2 2019, organic sales growth was 16.4%. Thanks to the hard work of our colleagues and close cooperation with our suppliers, the high demand has been successfully met, especially given the global supply shortage of electronic components. However, due to irregular supplies, production efficiency and demand adjustments suffered. The market for electronic components is expected to be more limited
REPIC hits three million tonnes WEEE milestone
REPIC, the industry leading provider of WEEE producer responsibility compliance solutions, has been arranging for the collection and treatment of WEEE on behalf of its producer members since 2007.
Looking back over its achievement, REPIC has been undertaking an analysis of the reported EEE and WEEE trends over the past ten years and has been considering how the UK WEEE system is placed to accommodate the future changes that are likely. A technical essay will be published on the company’s Resource Hub in the coming weeks.
To mark the occasion, Louise Grantham, REPIC’s Chief Executive, visited Gap Group (NE) Limited’s facilities in Gateshead, the UK’s most recent fridge processing and recycling plant to undertake WEEELABEX certification to see first hand the WEEE being treated on REPIC’s behalf. The occasion presented an opportunity to express thanks to the scheme’s producer members, service providers, waste management companies, local authorities and other partners who have worked with and supported REPIC in achieving this milestone.
REPIC’s Chief Executive, Louise Grantham, said:
“We are proud of our 3 million tonnes achievement. We also recognise that significant milestones are not achieved alone but in collaboration with all of our partners.
“Today is about celebrating success collectively and saying a huge thank you. At a time when the recycling of e-waste has never been of greater importance, it is important to recognise what can be achieved when we work collectively to improve standards, minimise losses from the system and maximise collection levels.”
Left to right: Peter Moody and Peter Young from GAP Group with Graeme Milne, Louise Grantham and Simon Hill from REPIC.
Louise was joined in the celebrations by Peter Moody, group managing director at Gap Group (NE) Limited and REPIC’s newest recruit, Simon Hill.
Peter Moody said:
“The achievement of reaching 3m tonnes of recycled WEEE is a real accomplishment and something the management team should be extremely proud of. REPIC is at the forefront of driving up standards in WEEE processing something that in my opinion is long overdue.
“Gap Group has worked well with them for a significant number of years and hope our relationship will only get stronger as we continue to invest in new and improved technology. I think our commitment to achieve WEEELABEX certification underlines this and is a clear statement of intent.”
Simon joined REPIC in May 2021 as Account Manager – North and Scotland. The experienced WEEE sector professional previously spent over ten years as Commercial Manager with Wincanton and Sims. Prior to taking up his new position, Simon was with Suez for 6 years managing their subcontract collections network in the North and Midlands. He brings a vast amount of sector knowledge and expertise to his role in looking after key local authority partnerships for REPIC.
To see REPIC marks reaching three million tonne of waste electrical and electronic equipment recycled with this short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ogj7wEZuzus
Faber SPA announcement.
In recent times we have learnt how important the indoor air quality is … For this reason we are launching a brand new product category, to give a new life to your air … Stay tuned.
FaberAirMatters
Haier introduce I-Pro Series 5 laundry range
Haier introduces the I-Pro Series 5 for its laundry line and claims to deliver professional results at home. The range of washing machines and washer-dryers can accommodate up to 10 kg of compact cabinets with a drum width of 595 mm. Connect the I-Pro Series 5 to the hOn App to remotely control your device, display stain removal tips, access over 60 custom cycles, monitor consumption and maintenance, and manage your virtual wardrobe. The Lens Wash function allows you to scan the labels on your clothes to set the optimal wash cycle. Other Haier’s exclusive features include the i-Refresh program, which allows the washer and dryer to gently disinfect and wash the most delicate garments without washing them. Better cleaning with the best cleaning features like Haier’s antibacterial technology and intelligent dual spray system.https://youtu.be/y1tmPuZYcNk
Bespoke Jet Bot AI+, the new smart robot by Samsung
Samsung presents its new Bespoke Jet Bot AI+, a sleek and smart robot vacuum that can be programmed to clean. Moreover, this model can help to monitor pets: it can recognize pet excrement and will simply maneuver right around it to prevent any unwanted spreading or secondary contamination.
Bespoke Jet Bot AI+ is equipped with object detection and recognition technologies that not only make floor cleaning more intelligent and convenient, but also more personalized and even pet-friendly. The appliance can identify and classify the objects it encounters on the floor by mapping out their location. This allows it to clean closely around furniture, home appliances and items such as lamps or plants.h electrical cables, and avoid them accordingly.
This Samsung robovac is powered by an Intel AI solution and equipped with an active stereo-type 3D sensor. This enables it to think and make decisions on its own and gauge the layout of the living space in order to drive more efficiently throughout home and navigate around objects with no need for manual supervision
Rangemaster expands and refreshes freestanding 60cm cooker
Rangemaster continues to expand the brand with the 60cm Automatic Cooker. The introduction of new dual-fuel and induction models, which are becoming more popular in modern homes, is part of an extensive update that includes additional features and design. The freestanding 60cm slab is part of the popular Rangemaster Professional and Classic Collections and is available in two different designs that incorporate many of the popular features of the larger slab. The new 60 cm induction model includes a 4-zone hob with two 2.5 kW crater zones and two 1.8 kW auxiliary zones. It includes a fan detector, a power boost function, a residual heat indicator, a child protection device, and a minute-by-minute touch sensor that can be set for each zone to automatically shut off at the appropriate time. … The new dual-fuel version is equipped with a 2.9 kW fast burner, two 1.75 kW burners and a 4-burner burner and a smaller 1 kW stove.
Haier reports 20% growth and reveals future production investment plans.
Haier reports 20% growth and reveals future production investment plans.
According to the company, it means 1: 4 fridges and washing machines sold around the world are from either Haier, Hoover or Candy brands.
In the economic 12 months 2020/21, Haier said it has six manufacturing sites and 7,7000 employees, of which 300 are R&D engineers.
It also reported a 30% year-on-year increase in smart MDA sales, with more than 3million registered users, 18+ connected product families and more than 12million smart products withinside the market.
Haier has already set out its vision to be the first customer choice for the Smart Home and is set to exhibit a simulation of a fully connected home at Milan Design Week from September 4-10, 2021.
In addition, appliance producer has announced funding in its commercial footprint to fulfill growing demand, with the opening of three factories this year and next.
The location of the three production centers will be in Romania, Turkey and China
T3 Awards 2020: AEG’s 9000 Series washing machine wins another well-deserved award | T3
Miele’s new built-in refrigerators ensure longer-lasting freshness with active humidification
Miele has released a new collection of K7000 coolers that match the brand’s latest built-in cookware. The company also prides itself on having spare parts available for at least 15 years, five years longer than new repair laws require. Miele improves the freshness of food thanks to precise temperatures and minimal temperature fluctuations. This product has DuplexCool – separate circuits for the refrigerator and freezer, which allows users to more accurately control the temperature. Another is DynaCool, where a fan inside the refrigerator circulates air to prevent hot spots and maintains a constant and constant temperature throughout the entire compartment. Third, the temperature accuracy. The thermostat is a precision device that maintains the temperature of the refrigerator regardless of external conditions. This ensures that hot days and cold nights don’t change. The new Miele series also has an additional freshness protection system.
unimaginable 1.3 billion tonnes of food are thrown away every year. Germany alone contributes 12 million tonnes of that, with more than half attributable to households. To combat this, we need a more conscious approach to how we handle food – and an ultra-effective freshness system in our fridges. Thanks to its PerfectFresh Active technology, Miele’s new Generation K 7000 refrigeration appliances are heralding a future with superior food storage conditions. Not only that, but the appliances are also setting new standards in user convenience and lighting.
Fruit and vegetables need moisture in order to stay fresh and crisp. At temperatures between 0 and 3 °C, Miele’s proven PerfectFresh Pro system ensures food stays fresh for up to five times longer than it would in a conventional vegetable compartment. The natural moisture of the food is kept in the closed compartment. PerfectFresh Active, on the other hand, provides long-lasting freshness in a visible way by spraying a fine mist onto the contents of the crisper drawer, preserving the quality of the food and its vitamins. Moisture is therefore supplied extra – for even more freshness. The mist is sprayed from the water container above directly into the drawer every 90 minutes and every time the door is opened. Compact and easy to clean, the water container has a capacity of just 120 ml to hold the small amount of water required for this. The low temperatures keep any nasty contamination at bay, meaning that the container only has to be refilled every two to three months.
Generation K 7000 appliances are also taking user convenience to the next level. Among the real highlights of these new built-in appliances is FlexiTray – a glass shelf that is full-sized but can also be pivoted 180 degrees, so users can say goodbye to rummaging around for storage boxes, jars and small food containers. The upper door shelves can also be adjusted to the perfect height without the need to remove them, which means that even extra-large bottles of juice will fit easily in the bottle holder. The touch displays are intuitive to use and their colour and design are perfectly matched to Generation 7000 built-in appliances.
Yet another standout feature of Miele’s new refrigeration appliances is their effective, atmospheric lighting. The current appliances already have LEDs integrated into their glass shelves to create bright, glare-free lighting throughout the interior – and the lighting even adjusts itself if a shelf is moved. In the future, the FlexiLight 2.0 concept will use “Ambilight” technology to bathe the interior in light that is bright, pleasant and more even. To achieve this, the LED light strips will cover the entire width of the glass shelves. The lighting will also be applied to the IceMaker if one is present, elegantly illuminating it and the many large ice cubes it is able to hold. Some appliance models will also include dedicated LED lighting for the DynaCool dynamic cooling system, which establishes consistent cooling conditions throughout the interior. Additionally, the interior rear wall of some models will feature an elegant, sturdy CleanSteel finish to help ensure that cooling is distributed evenly within the appliance.
With the exception of the entry-level models, WiFi networking (WiFiConn@ct) will be available for all the appliances. This will include the option of sending service notifications to the user’s smartphone or tablet if, for example, the appliance door has been left open inadvertently.
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