Water charges boost sales of washers

NEWS
NEWS IN BRIEF
Expert: buyers still nervous
BUYING Group Expert Ireland
claims that while the signs are
good from an economic perspective,
there is still nervousness
with consumers.
Ciaran O’Reilly, Expert
Ireland’s chief executive, said:
“January was a good month
with a fall-off in trade in February
as to be expected.
“Future profitability in the
consumer electronics sector all
depends on the manufacturer
and retailer and hopefully both
parties will work together to
improve margins in this sector.
“I think that the green
shoots of recovery will continue
well into 2015.”
Google opens first store
GOOGLE has opened its first
Google shop – a store-instore
located on London’s
Tottenham Court Road in
Currys PC World.
The Google shop offer customers
the chance to sample
Google’s range of Android
phones and tablets, Chromebook
laptops and Chromecasts
and learn about how
the devices work together.
Visitors can play with
Google’s tools and apps, and
“fly” through any part of the
planet on Google Earth.
CW Ireland back in black
CARPHONE Warehouse
Ireland is back in the black
after posting pre-tax profits
of €2.1 million for 2014, a
sixfold increase from the
communications retailer’s
2013 loss of €9.6m.
The retailer reported a 13.3
per cent increase in turnover
for 2014.
Carphone Warehouse
Ireland managing director
Peter Scott said the retailer’s
performance represented a
“sizeable turnaround in its Irish
operations, providing the basis
for fresh investment from the
group in Ireland”.
Dunnes staff to strike
STAFF at Dunnes Stores have
voted for industrial action in
a dispute over pay, contracts
and representation rights.
The trade union Mandate
said 67 per cent of its members
at the company voted
in favour of industrial action.
Mandate said its members
in Dunnes Stores were
seeking the implementation
of banded hour contracts,
which would give workers
security of hours and earnings,
fair pay, a review of
temporary contracts.
Water charges boost sales of washers
n By Simon King
CONSUMERS across Ireland will
pay their first water tax bill this
month and retailers report that
the legislation has had a positive
effect on sales of washing
machines.
Aidan Candon, chief executive
of Euronics Ireland, told ERT
Ireland: “Ever since water charges
were first announced, consumers
have been making enquiries about
more water-efficient models. This
is good for the industry and in
some cases it’s giving consumers a
reason to change.
“While water charges are now
capped, many people believe that
this will be reversed over the next
few years, so water-efficiency is definitely
a major factor when people
are buying a new machine.”
Jason Sawkins, Harvey Norman’s
general manager for electricals,
said: “We’ve put a lot of work
into educating consumers on the
benefits of more water-efficient
appliances and are seeing the
benefits of this.”
According to research carried
out on behalf of Irish Water, each
person consumes around 150 litres
per day or 54,750 litres per person
each year.
To educate its customers, Mr
Sawkins said that Harvey Norman
took out a full-page advertorial in
national papers to highlight the
water changes and steps consumers
could take.
Mr Sawkins said: “By choosing
a water-efficient washing machine
and dishwasher and using it in a
North beats UK with rise
in shopper numbers
NORTHERN Ireland has bucked
the trend across the UK as it saw
a much-needed boost in the number
of shoppers flocking to the
high street.
Footfall figures for the retail market
rose year on year as consumer
confidence returned.
While the UK saw a 0.5 per cent
fall, Northern Ireland witnessed an
increase of 1.3 per cent on last
year’s figure for February, according
to retail intelligence company
Springboard.
Aodhán Connolly, director of the
Northern Ireland Retail Consortium,
said: “The resumption of growth in
shopper footfall last month is good
news, especially after a dip in footfall
in January.”
He said that the rise had been
driven by an increase in consumer
confidence levels.
Mr Connolly said: “Part of it is
a bounce back from last year’s figures,
which weren’t great, and more
consumer confidence in Northern
Ireland. However, it’s whether this
will continue considering the political
situation.”
Mr Connolly pointed out that as
sterling gets stronger against the
euro, retailers are now faced with
the problem of consumers crossing
the border to shop, as their money
goes further in the Republic.
He added: “The euro is
something that is concerning
for us. What we can say is
that retailers will be ready to
make the best of it.”
Glyn Roberts of the Northern
Ireland Independent Retail Trade
Association (NIIRTA), said: “These
are clearly positive figures and show
an overall improving retail sector in
Northern Ireland. However, the big
challenge is addressing Northern
Ireland’s extremely high rate of
shop vacancies.”
prudent manner, you will notice a
big difference.
“Many people may not be aware
that the water usage of these
machines can vary greatly. For example,
some washing machines will use
six litres of water per kilogram, while
others use 14 litres of water per kilo.
It is always very important to check
the water consumption information
on the machine’s energy label. This
will help you to identify if your appliance
is efficient or not.”
Ciaran O’Reilly, chief executive of
Expert Ireland, said there had been
“no real increase in this area”.
Beko in media
partnership
with Sky Sports
BEKO has launched a new multiplatform
media partnership with
Sky Sports.
Teresa Arbuckle, managing director
of Beko UK and Ireland, said
the campaign had been designed
to support the brand’s four-year
global premium partnership with
FC Barcelona.
The sponsorship will take a fourpronged
approach, comprising TV
and digital advertising, a competition
and a dedicated Beko hub on
the Sky Sports website.
Fans will be encouraged to create
their ultimate FC Barcelona
team from their 11 favourite players
to be in with a chance of winning
the top prize. The Beko hub
will also provide access to product
information and brand news
and is expected to attract almost
18,000 users.
Ms Arbuckle said: “Football has
been a core part of Beko’s marketing
strategy and this new partnership
with Sky Sports is sure to build
awareness of our Premium partnership
with FC Barcelona.”
4 · April 2015
www.ERTIreland.ie · ERT
004_ErtIR_News_April15V2.indd 4 31/03/2015 10:33