IFA’s flatscreen fantasies
Since the dawn of the flatscreen TV age at the end of last century, Berlin’s IFA - Europe’s biggest consumer technology show - has been obsessed with the things.
It was no different this year, with a plethora of claims being touted around for the big brands’ latest and greatest. Sony had a 200Hz LCD TV, and were making sure everyone knew about it. Panasonic and Samsung issued their Viera Cast and InfoLive sets, respectively, taking advantage of internet connectivity to offer an array of ‘widgets’ and all-new interfaces - though the latest weather reports and exclusive access to some obscure sports seemed to dampen visitors’ initial enthusiasm. Elsewhere there were super-slim plasmas (Panasonic’s NeoPDP) and a ’shelter’ LCD TV (Sharp’s £5k-plus XS1).
Hailed a success, this year’s IFA saw some 220,000 visitors from throughout Europe and beyond. Organisers reported that orders exceeding €3 billion were made at the show alongside a ten percent increase in orders.
There were also ten per cent more exhibitors (a total of 1,245 exhibitors from 63 countries) and almost a quarter more dealers.
For a full report on this year’s IFA, see our landmark September edition.
Alphason’s new profit initiative
Underlining its continuing commitment to working with retailers, Alphason has launched Viewsmart, a new initiative designed to put profit back into the retailer channel.
Viewsmart is designed to ensure that each and every time a retailer sells a TV Panel they also sell a range of high quality competitively priced accessories, meaning a 100% attachment rate plus the opportunity to double the margin.
Underpinning Viewsmart is a range of specially selected cables, brackets plus cleaning and power protection products sitting alongside Alphason’s award winning AV furniture. All these products have been chosen to “enhance the viewing experience” for consumers at the same time providing additional margin and profit for the retailer.
Comments Alphason’s chief operating officer Chris Emerson: “We designed Viewsmart after listening to our retailer customers. It’s an initiative which we believe provides a real solution to selling accessories with every TV Panel sale, which is even more relevant given today’s economic climate.
“Viewsmart is about Alphason working with our retailers and providing a real opportunity for them to make additional margin and significantly improve sales attachment rates. It is tough out there, but too many companies are only interested in selling products into the retailer channel and not looking at how they can support the retailers in selling out. With a range of high quality competitively priced accessories all designed to enhance the customers viewing experience we are offering the retailer the opportunity to sell a selection of products that can dramatically improve profitability and attachment rates.”
To support this initiative Alphason is running a series of training courses throughout September and October across the UK to assist retailers promote the Viewsmart concept and ensure sales staff have the skills and knowledge to make Viewsmart work with TV Panel sales.
Adds Chris: “At Alphason we understand that our customers face one of the most challenging retail landscapes for many years. However the forecast for TV Panel sales remains healthy over the coming months and years. Providing our retailers with a real solution to maximise attachment sales and increase margins on every TV sale is a real incentive for retailers to come on board with Viewsmart .
The Viewsmart range is supported by eye-catching promotional material. It includes furniture, brackets , connectivity cables , cleaning fluids and power protection products with further additions planned for Spring 2009.
Cabasse back in UK
Cabasse, France’s leading manufacturer of high quality loudspeakers is to return to the UK as a direct market operation managed from its head office.
Last seen in the UK a number of years ago, Cabasse is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of specialist hi-fi, home cinema and custom installation loudspeakers, having built up an enviable reputation since 1950. Founder George Cabasse’s passion for perfect music performance can be traced back to his ancestors at Mirecourt in the Vosges Mountains. It was there, in 1740, that the first violin signed Cabasse was crafted.
Today, the Cabasse range includes discrete in-ceiling speakers through to the range topping leading La Sphere audiophile speakers. The return to the UK market will see Cabasse products offered to consumers via custom installers and a limited and carefully selected number of hi-fi and home cinema retailers.
Commenting on the return to the UK market, Guy Bourreau (pictured here), deputy general manager, said “The UK market is, at the same time, the largest and most competitive for loudspeakers in Europe, but we know that the products we make at Cabasse will bring something different and better to the UK consumer. Our passion for authentic sound reproduction and European flare for design and aesthetics open up new possibilities for the UK’s home cinema, hi-fi and custom installation resellers to present to their clients. We look forward to working with the UK market to re-establish the brand and to introduce the new products that will come out of our ongoing and extensive product development programme.”
CEDIA Expo 09 guide launched
The exhibitor prospectus for CEDIA Expo 2009 is now available. Next year’s event is set to take place at ExCeL London, 22nd-25th June 2009 (training 22nd-25th June, exhibition 23rd-25th June).
The prospectus (pictured below; click to zoom in) is a useful guide for anyone considering exhibiting at Expo. It profiles both the show and CEDIA itself along with just why companies should consider exhibiting. The prospectus also gives key facts and figures about the 2008 event, including visitor breakdown by profession and location, visitor and exhibitor testimonials, stand costs and sponsorship, advertising and promotional opportunities.
“There are many reasons why companies should consider exhibiting at CEDIA Expo and this prospectus is designed to provide all the relevant information a company needs to help make an informed decision” explains Mary Whitlock, CEDIA Sales.
CEDIA Expo attracts a wide range of exhibiting companies including those from the areas of acoustics, automatic windows and blinds, audio visual products, bespoke furniture, energy efficient technologies, entertainment management systems, HD distribution systems, home cinema design, home electronics and networking, HVAC, IP rated products, lighting control, media server companies, motorised lifts, multi-room control systems, projection screens, satellite equipment, security and control systems and wiring and accessories to name just a few!
Offering a comprehensive trade-only exhibition which showcases the latest technologies and products for the residential custom install industry alongside an extensive education programme, CEDIA Expo is a must for those equipment manufacturers and distributors involved in home electronic systems. For a copy of the CEDIA Expo 2009 prospectus simply email expo@cedia.co.uk. For more information about exhibiting or sponsorship opportunities, contact Mary Whitlock at mary@cedia.co.uk.
IXOS exports rocket at IFA
Fast growing, UK based PATH group completed their second successful IFA show in Berlin and celebrated record export sales of 101 per cent for IXOS.Other successes from the show, included a doubling in stand size, strong sales of IXOS’ new Flat Screen Mount range, and the introduction of new iPod accessories.
New logo for Alphason
Alphason Designs has launched a new look logo to reflect key changes currently taking place within the company. The new modern logo drops the word ‘Designs’ and features an eye-catching cerise stripe with the lower case name reversed out of a solid black background.
The change comes as the company moves into new 100,000sq ft state-of-the-art premises near Bolton.
Comments Alphason’s chief operating director Chris Emerson (pictured with the new logo): “Alphason is experiencing the most exciting period of its 23-year-old history. As well as moving to super new offices and factory premises we are also launching all kinds of exciting and innovative new initiatives to help our retailer base. We felt that the new logo should reflect this change and all the many other exciting things we have in the pipeline.”
Click here for information on a new profit initiative from Alphason.
www.alphasondesigns.co.uk
QED comp winners announced
Two lucky retailers will be flying off for a weekend in Paris soon, with Armour Home footing the bill. They are the winners of the QED 35th anniversary competition launched in HCD’s June edition.
The winners are Mike King of AV4Home and Chris Burnett at Audio T Enfield who each win the star prize - 2 nights for two in Paris staying at the 4-star Radisson Hotel in the Champs-Elysees, with return travel on Eurostar from London.
All finalists were subjected to a ‘mystery’ shop by Charlie Hill Armour’s business development executive, and were co-judged by HCD’s very own Alan Sircom.
Says Charlie: “I found AV4Home’s website really easy to use plus they had the back up of having a telephone number if you had any problems. It was so easy to purchase any cable, for example if you wanted 10m of speaker cable terminated with banana plugs then all it took were a few easy choices to get exactly what you wanted. And when I called them their staff were friendly and helpful and happy to answer my questions.
“Audio T Enfield has very helpful & friendly staff that were happy to answer any questions or queries. They had a good display of QED & the QED One range. The store itself is on a busy high street & is easy to find. It offers demonstration facilities and staff were happy to allow anyone to pop down to demo a product & even included evening appointments if required.”
www.armourhome.co.uk
Metronic wins Freesat deal
Electronics manufacturer Metronic, has signed a deal to produce high definition Freesat digital boxes. The STBs will go on sale by the end of the year.
“We’re pleased to be partnering with Metronic. They will deliver important extra volumes of affordable and high quality product to meet the demand from retailers and consumers as we enter the peak season,” said Freesat MD Emma Scott.
“Demand has been high since launch and the deal is especially significant given our ever improving line-up of channels and HD programmes. BBC HD and ITV HD have great schedules of drama, documentaries, blockbuster movies and sport planned for the run up to Christmas and, in the case of ITV HD, Freesat will be the only place to see them.”
Freesat is also in discussions with a number of other potential digital box and integrated digital television (IDTV) manufacturers and expects to announce the next wave of partners by the end of the year. Additional distribution channels are also being considered and will form part of an on-going strategy to bring free digital and HD TV to everyone that wants it.
“This new exciting partnership with Freesat will enhance the reputation of Metronic in the UK as a quality provider of digital products. As an established provider of free to air satellite equipment throughout Europe Metronic recognises that its new relationship with Freesat is a major step forward for the brand in the UK,” claimed Dale Heathcote Metronic MD.
BBG bucks the trend
Watford-based distributor BBG has cited two new appointments encouraged by record turnover, and the success of its Cubo launch (pictured) as proof that it’s ‘bucking the trend’ in the slowing economy.
Reporting two consecutive months of record turnover, in May and June, BBG has expanded its field sales team by appointing two highly experienced staff.
Peter McClusky has over 30 years of experience in the CE industry having previously been Panasonic’s Area Sales Manager for independent dealers in the North West for 26 years.
Gerret Lorenzen has been recruited as Area Sales Manager for the South East and comes to BBG from Domestic & General, where he worked as Area Trainer. He’s also worked as a store manager at both Currys and Ikea. “BBG is a dynamic company going places and I’m delighted to be part of the team,” he said.
Meanwhile, BBG has reported great success after the launch of the Cubo DAB radio from Sonoro. Recently launched at both Harrods and Sefridges in London, sales of the German-made cubo have exceeded BBG’s expectations. Both stores stocked all ten colour options as well as the unique in-store display solution supplied by BBG to show them off to their maximum effect - perspex cubes in both clear and white, which are also being supplied to independents ordering the range.
“I am delighted to see the reaction of customers to the Cubo - and it underlines our belief that consumers are looking for products that not only deliver excellent performance but also have outstanding design,” said Gordon Dutch, CEO of BBG. “I am confident that Independents looking for a high quality DAB radio, with excellent margins and support, will enjoy the same success.”
www.bbg.eu.com
01923 205610
